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f9c318a9217ee28e6bb0b5b42007600e702562fe | (CNN) -- Tropical Storm Chantal was headed for the islands of the eastern Caribbean Sea on Monday, prompting storm warnings from Puerto Rico to Barbados. The storm was well out in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday night, but it was moving swiftly over the open water and was expected to cross into the Caribbean early Tuesday, U.S. forecasters reported. Projections from the National Hurricane Center in Miami show Chantal is not expected to reach hurricane strength. But forecasters reported the storm would cross the Lesser Antilles, may skirt Puerto Rico and sweep across the Dominican Republic, Haiti and eastern Cuba on Wednesday and Thursday. At 8 p.m. ET, Chantal was centered about 320 miles (515 kilometers) east-southeast of Barbados, moving to the west-northwest at 26 mph. Its top winds had strengthened to 50 mph, and the storm could strengthen more in the next two days. Tropical storm-force winds of 39 mph or higher extended more than 90 miles from the eye, mainly to the north, the hurricane center reported. Tropical storm warnings were in place for Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, Martinique, Guadeloupe and Puerto Rico, while tropical storm watches were posted for the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Vincent, the southern coast of the Dominican Republic and the islands of Vieques and Culebra, off Puerto Rico. Track the storm with CNN's hurricane tracker . Chantal is expected to dump 2 to 4 inches of rain over the Leeward and Windward Islands, with up to 6 inches possible in some areas. Storm surges could be as high as 3 feet. Any threat to the United States was highly uncertain, CNN meteorologist Sherri Pugh said. Computer models aren't clear on whether the storm will turn toward the Gulf Coast, the East Coast or out to sea, she said. Currently, the hurricane center projects that Chantal will fade to a tropical depression somewhere between Cuba and the Bahamas by Friday. | NEW: Chantal gains some strength as it heads for the Caribbean .
NEW: Puerto Rico added to tropical storm warnings .
The storm is expected to cross the Lesser Antilles by Tuesday .
Up to 6 inches of rain is expected in some areas . |
f9c377080a90f8dc85834bd89caa96ae89c2c7d6 | Port-au-Prince, Haiti (CNN) -- At least one organization attempting to deliver aid to Haiti continued to be plagued Sunday by delays and logistical problems, but aid was getting to those who need it most, officials said. Doctors Without Borders said Sunday that, despite guarantees from the United Nations and the U.S. Defense Department, its cargo plane carrying an inflatable surgical hospital was blocked from landing in Port-au-Prince the day before and was rerouted to Samana, Dominican Republic. Samana is in the eastern portion of the Dominican Republic and across the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, shared by the two nations, from Port-au-Prince. The material was being sent by truck from Samana, said the group, also known in French as Médecins Sans Frontières. However, the re-routing added a 24-hour delay to the hospital's arrival. A second Doctors Without Borders plane was able to land on Sunday. That plane carried additional medical supplies and hospital equipment, the group said, adding it is still concerned about delays in the delivery of vital supplies. "If this plane is also rerouted, then the hospital will be further delayed, in a situation where thousands of wounded are still in need of life saving treatment," a group statement said. It was unclear Sunday afternoon whether the plane had landed. See photos, details of some of the missing in Haiti . The surgical hospital includes two operating theaters, an intensive-care unit, 100-bed hospitalization capacity, an emergency room and all the necessary equipment needed for sterilizing material. "MSF teams are currently working around the clock in five different hospitals in Port-au-Prince, but only two operating theaters are fully functional, while a third operating theater has been improvised for minor surgery due to the massive influx of wounded and lack of functional referral structures," the organization said. The group said two of its medical teams have performed more than 100 operations since arriving in the country, but frustrations are high over the delays. An emergency communications officer with the group in Haiti said conditions are growing worse for patients and "we need the inflatable hospital -- if it ever arrives." "Patients who were not critical only three days ago are now in critical phases," she wrote in a news release. "This means that people will die from preventable infections. It's horrible." Planes are asked to divert elsewhere if they don't have the fuel to stay in a holding pattern, Col. Buck Elton of U. S. Special Operations Command South told reporters Sunday. Only two planes had been diverted Sunday, he said. Asked about the matter on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday, Lt. Gen. P.K. Keen, deputy commander of U.S. Southern Command, said the Port-au-Prince airport, which is being run by the U.S. military, is operating at maximum capacity 24 hours a day. "It's a matter of balance between getting relief supplies on the ground, getting the people on the ground that are necessary to get those relief supplies distributed, and getting the logistical capacity on the ground to continue that, and the vehicles so we can get it out by ground as well as by air," he said. Full coverage of the earthquake in Haiti . More aid was on the way. The National Organization for the Advancement of Haitians held an earthquake survival kit drive at the Haitian embassy in Washington, saying it was accepting items including baby formula, diapers, toiletries, vitamins, medicines, batteries and clothing. Hundreds of people turned out, and they brought enough to fill several trucks full. The overflow of supplies was piled along the embassy's walls and stairwells. U.S. paratroopers using helicopters from an aircraft carrier delivered 130,000 daily-ration packets on Saturday, Keen of U.S. Southern Command said on "Fox News Sunday." Some 70,000 bottles of water were also delivered, he said. One helicopter could not land and was forced to drop supplies, Keen said, but the delivery otherwise encountered no problems and was orderly. Keen called it a good day. Also Saturday, a member of the U.S. Coast Guard helped deliver a Haitian newborn aboard a Coast Guard helicopter. The mother -- one of five Haitians the Coast Guard was transferring from Port-au-Prince to Cap Haitien for medical reasons -- went into labor as the helicopter was refueling aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma, the Coast Guard said. The mother and child were taken to a hospital in Cap Haitien and were in good condition, according to the Coast Guard. In Washington on Sunday, hundreds of people from different faiths mourned the victims of the quake and donated money during a service at the National Cathedral. Among those in attendance were Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and Raymond Joseph, the Haitian ambassador to the United States. Joseph asked the mourners to continue that support even as the tragedy fades from the headlines. "I'm thanking you in the name of the people of Haiti and I'm asking you that what you've begun here tonight shouldn't stop -- it should continue until Haiti gains its place among the nations of the world, as it should. "Please, stay with us until we totally rebuild," Joseph said. The World Food Programme said it reached 40,000 people in and around Port-au-Prince with high-energy biscuits. The organization said its goal is to reach another 60,000 people on Sunday. Convoys and shipments carrying ready-to-eat foods continue to arrive, the group said. The WFP's convoy was the first food to arrive in Leogane, about 18 kilometers (11 miles) west of Port-au-Prince and close to where the earthquake was centered, it said in a statement. Nearly every building collapsed, and tens of thousands of people are believed to have been killed. Survivors are living in makeshift camps. In addition, the organization was distributing hot meals in some places, such as hospitals and schools, and has begun setting up kitchens at distribution sites, it said. The Red Cross said in a statement Sunday it had built latrines for 1,000 people and supplied medical kits for 2,000 patients to two hospitals. Seven truckloads of medical supplies should arrive in Port-au-Prince Sunday night, it said. Keen told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday that the United States intends to continue helping Haiti as long as there is a need. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush kicked off a fundraising drive Saturday -- a donation push called the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. George W. Bush told CNN's John King in an interview that aired Sunday, "One thing I am concerned about is that on these -- during these crises, all kinds of fake charities spring up. ... We will make sure the money is accounted for and there's transparency, and [it is] properly spent." CNN's Karl Penhaul, Arthur Brice, Elise Labott, Laurie Ure, Greg Clary and Dugald McConnell contributed to this report. | Aid beginning to reach those who need it, officials say .
One aid group still experiencing delays in getting aid into country .
Port-au-Prince airport running at maximum capacity, U.S. general says . |
f9c438654780b715a8901ce0e51afb86adc0a6ae | (CNN) -- President Barack Obama is promising a more aggressive approach to containing Ebola in the United States. A second worker with Ebola at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital is identified as a 29-year-old nurse. The nurse flew on a Frontier Airlines flight Monday, before showing signs of the disease, and the CDC is trying to contact all passengers aboard the flight. With multiple developments underway, here's what you need to know to get caught up on the latest in the Ebola outbreak: . U.S. DEVELOPMENTS . President Obama promises more aggressive approach . After the second Ebola infection at a Texas hospital, President Barack Obama announced Wednesday: "We're going to make sure that something like this is not repeated, and that we are monitoring, supervising, overseeing in a much more aggressive way exactly what's taking place in Dallas, initially, and then making sure that the lessons learned are then transmitted to hospitals all across the country." The President also said he's "absolutely confident that we can prevent a serious outbreak of the disease in the United States," but said it's harder to do as the disease rages out of control in Africa. CDC forms Ebola response team . Obama said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's new rapid response team will help hospitals that don't have experience with Ebola. "I think what we've all learned over the last several weeks is that folks here in this country in a lot of nonspecialized hospitals and clinics don't have that much experience dealing with these issues. So we're going to have to push out that information as aggressively as possible," Obama said. "We will put a team on the ground within hours," CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said earlier. Such a team, Frieden said, might have prevented Dallas nurse Nina Pham from contracting the disease. Second Texas worker tests positive . A second health care worker at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas who provided care for Thomas Eric Duncan has tested positive for Ebola. The worker has been identified as nurse Amber Vinson, 29, according to officials at the CDC. Vinson was transferred Wednesday to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta for treatment and is "ill, but clinically stable," the CDC said. Ebola patient flew on a Frontier Airlines flight . Vinson flew from Cleveland to Dallas on Monday on Frontier Airlines Flight 1143, the day before she was confirmed to have Ebola and in violation of a CDC order. Health care workers exposed to Duncan can travel, but not on a commercial airline, Frieden said. A statement from the airline said Vinson displayed no symptoms or sign of illness during the flight. CDC is trying to contact passengers . The risk to passengers aboard the flight with Vinson is low, according to the CDC, because she wasn't showing any symptoms of Ebola, but officials want to interview all 132 passengers who were on the plane. The CDC said it wants to speak only with people aboard the Monday evening flight, and not the flight Vinson took to Cleveland on Friday, October 10. Frontier Airlines Flight 1143 flying again . Frontier airlines removed Flight 1143 from service after learning about the Ebola patient. The plane was back in service Wednesday after undergoing a decontamination process, said Ricky Smith, Cleveland's director of Port Control. Kent State University takes Ebola precautions . Three employees who work at Kent State University are related to Vinson, according to the university. The college, out of an abundance of caution, has asked Vinson's "family members to remain off campus for the next 21 days and self-monitor per CDC protocol, said Dr. Angela DeJulius, director of university health services at Kent State. DeJulius stressed Vinson, a Kent State graduate, "did not step foot on our campus" during her Ohio visit. Recuperating nurse is doing better . The first Dallas health care worker with Ebola, Pham, is in "improved condition," Frieden said Wednesday. She is receiving treatment at Texas Health Presbyterian and it's unclear whether she may be moved to another facility. Obama participates in international video conference . Obama stressed the need for "a faster and more robust international response to the Ebola epidemic and underscored the need to increase assistance and international contributions" to the West African nations at the epicenter of the outbreak: Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, according to a White House statement. Officials with Britain, France, Germany and Italy participated in the call Wednesday. Major allegations against Texas hospital . The guidelines were constantly changing and "there were no protocols" at Texas Health Presbyterian, the co-president of National Nurses United said. It's here that Ebola patient Duncan died, and two nurses contracted the virus caring for him. Protective gear that nurses initially wore left their necks exposed, they felt unsupported and unprepared, and they received no hands-on training, nurses union co-president Deborah Burger said. The hospital said compliance and employee safety are its priorities. Should Duncan have been moved? Duncan should have been transferred immediately to either Emory University Hospital in Atlanta or Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, an official close to the situation said. Those hospitals are among only four in the country that have biocontainment units and have been preparing for years. "If we knew then what we know now about this hospital's ability to safely care for these patients, then we would have transferred him to Emory or Nebraska," an official said. Military reservists could be activated to fight Ebola . The Obama administration is expected to announce Thursday that it will authorize the Pentagon to call up reservists to help with the United States' effort at fighting Ebola in West Africa, according to an administration official. The Pentagon has the authority to send up to 4,000 troops to the region to help battle the crisis. New York Police Department issues Ebola directive . New York police officers received a directive on how to identify potential Ebola patients and what to do if they come into contact with an infected person, an official with the New York Police Department told CNN. The instructions describe symptoms of the illness, how to interact with the potential victim, the importance of wearing protective gear and how to dispose of it. Complete coverage of Ebola . WEST AFRICA DEVELOPMENTS . Expect 5,000 to 10,000 new cases . The World Health Organization estimated that there will be 5,000 to 10,000 new Ebola cases weekly in West Africa by the first week of December. As of Tuesday, there had been 8,914 cases and 4,447 deaths, but WHO said the total is underreported. The mortality rate in the outbreak is 70%, WHO said. U.S. troops battle invisible enemy in Liberia . IN OTHER COUNTRIES . U.S. seeks use of Spanish bases . The United States is seeking permission to use Spanish bases to help in transport and logistics support for the U.S. military mission to help fight Ebola in West Africa. American transit and logistics flights have already been approved case-by-case by Madrid, but Washington hopes for a more blanket agreement. A spokesman for Spain's Defense Ministry told CNN's Al Goodman that Spain has approved some flights from its Rota naval base and Moron air base to West Africa, but not yet any return flights from West Africa. The Spanish defense minister is scheduled to meet U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in Washington on Friday. Spanish nurse's assistant serious but better . Teresa Romero Ramos, a nurse's assistant in Spain who showed Ebola symptoms after treating an Ebola patient at her Madrid hospital, still is in serious condition, but doing better, officials said this week. Romero spoke to her husband by phone for 10 minutes, family friend Teresa Mesa told reporters. Romero has been drinking water, and doctors are hopeful about her condition, Mesa said. Spanish authorities are monitoring more than 80 potential Ebola cases: 15 in hospitals and the rest at home, according to the Spanish Ministry of Health. None of them is showing symptoms of Ebola, the ministry said Tuesday. CNN's Dana Ford, Catherine E. Shoichet and Anna Maja Rappard contributed to this report. | President Obama promises a more intensive response to the Ebola crisis .
New Texas Ebola patient identified as Dallas nurse Amber Vinson .
Vinson flew from Ohio to Texas aboard a commercial flight on Monday .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is trying to contact passengers . |
f9c445f3360596a5b92787b35b9fa76b07d961cf | The shop assistant who allegedly refused to show Oprah Winfrey a handbag said the billionaire is a liar . The sales assistant who refused to show U.S. talkshow billionaire Oprah Winfrey a luxury handbag costing nearly £25,000 claims the superstar lied about what happened in the luxury Swiss boutique where she works. Speaking anonymously to Sunday newspaper SonntagsBlick, the Italian bag lady said she felt 'powerless' and in the grip of a 'cyclone' after Winfrey went on TV in America to claim she had been the victim of racism. Winfrey was in Switzerland in July when she walked into the Trois Pommes boutique in Zurich looking for a handbag to match the outfit she was going to wear to old friend Tina Turner's wedding. She claims the sales assistant refused to show her the black crocodile leather bag because - seeing a black woman - she automatically assumed she would not be able to afford it. Now the saleslady has hit back, stating: 'I wasn't sure what I should present to her when she came in on the afternoon of Saturday July 20 so I showed her some bags from the Jennifer Aniston collection. 'I explained to her the bags came in different sizes and materials, like I always do. 'She looked at a frame behind me. Far above there was the 35,000 Swiss franc crocodile leather bag. 'I simply told her that it was like the one I held in my hand, only much more expensive, and that I could show her similar bags. 'It is absolutely not true that I declined to show her the bag on racist grounds. I even asked her if she wanted to look at the bag. 'She looked around the store again but didn't say anything else. Then she went with her companion to the lower floor. My colleague saw them to the door. They were not even in the store for five minutes.' She emphatically denied ever saying to Winfrey: 'You don't want to see this bag. It is too expensive. You cannot afford it.' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Speaking anonymously, the assistant at Trois Pommes, in Zurich, Switzerland (pictured) said it is 'absolutely not true that I declined to show her the bag on racist grounds' Ms Goetz said: 'Everyone wants to sell a crocodile bag. It’s a misunderstanding' and insisted her saleswomen put customers first and try to be 'kind' The shop assistant said she only sells a £25,000 handbag a few times a year and said the racist claims are 'absurd' The saleslady went on: 'This is not true. This is absurd. I would never say something like that to a customer. Really never. Good manners and politeness are the Alpha and the Omega in this business. 'I don't know why she is making these accusations. She is so powerful and I am just a shop girl. 'I didn't hurt anyone. I don't know why someone as great as her must cannibalize me on TV. 'If it had all taken place as she claimed, why has she not complained the next day at the wedding of Tina Turner with Trudie Goetz, my boss? She was there also at the Turner wedding as a guest. I don't understand it. 'I spoke to Oprah Winfrey in English. My English is okay but not excellent, unfortunately. 'I didn't know who she was when she came into the store. That wouldn't have made any difference if I had. Miss Winfrey said of the encounter: 'I could have had the big blow-up thing and thrown down the black card and all that stuff. But why do that?' Shop owner Trudie Goetz holds up the handbag (right) that Winfrey wanted to see . Girls' weekend: Oprah Winfrey and best friend Gayle King ahead of Tina . Turner and Erwin Bach's wedding celebrations in Zurich, Switzerland . 'We work really hard to greet all the people who come into the store with the same level of respect and treat them all equally. 'If someone asks me whether he or she can see an article, I always present these. Because that person is a potential buyer. And my job is to sell it. 'I'm glad if I can sell an article. It is a reward for me, if I can sell a nice piece. This means that I'm good at my job.' She has worked in the store for five years, says 50 per cent of the clientele come from abroad and that a bag costing nearly £25,000 is sold 'only a few times a year.' Asked what she would say to Oprah now she added: 'I would apologize and say it was all a misunderstanding. I surely did not intentionally want to insult Ms. Winfrey. I hope this nightmare ends soon.' Winfrey was in Switzerland to attend the wedding of her friend Tina Turner and Erwin Back (pictured) | Sale assistant said she feels 'powerless' after the racism accusations .
Oprah Winfrey claimed assistant refused to show her a handbag because it was 'too expensive'
Speaking anonymously, shop worker said claims were 'absurd' |
f9c4598667329e34f7b05d199d687a565af0dcd9 | Scientists have made some of the most precise measurements yet of the remnants of the universe’s oldest light. Known as the cosmic microwave background, researchers found the hidden ‘skeleton’ of the cosmos that first began to see it take shape just 380,000 years after the Big Bang. And mapping the universe in this way could help uncover some of its mysteries including dark matter and dark energy. Research led by University of California studied the early universe. The Polar consortium detected the polarisation of light 380,000 years after the Big Bang using microwave detectors on the Huan Tran Telescope in Chile's Atacama Desert (pictured) The findings were made by the Polarbear consortium led by Dr Adrian Lee from the University of California. Using microwave detectors mounted on the Huan Tran Telescope in Chile’s Atacama Desert, the team were able to make measurements of the universe. Polarbear measures remnant radiation from the Big Bang, which has cooled and stretched with the expansion of the universe to microwave lengths. This cosmic microwave background, the CMB, acts as an enormous backlight, illuminating the large-scale structure of the universe and carrying an imprint of cosmic history. Sensitive instruments called bolometers, located in telescopes, can record this light from the young universe. They record the direction of the light’s electric field and, in so doing, create a map of how light was once distributed in the universe. But of most importance was that the Polarbear team found ‘twists’ in this structure of the light from 380,000 after the Big Bang. This suggested it had been warped by mysterious entities such as dark matter and neutrinos. Their research is separate but similar to the Bicep2 results published earlier this year that found a signature of cosmic inflation. This is the remnant of the rapidly ballooning universe when it was just a fraction of a fraction of a second old. What the Polarbear team found was a specific ‘polarisation’ of the initial light in the universe. Polarisation in astronomy basically refers to the way in which light, in the form of waves, travels through the universe. B-mode polarisation, which was the type measured in this research by the Polarbear team, is associated with magnetic fields. The other type, E-mode, refers to electric fields. While E-mode polarisation contains some information, B-mode polarisation contains more, because photons carry this only if matter around the last point of scattering was unevenly distributed. Thus its discovery by the Polarbear team is deemed as being an important look into the early universe. After the Big Bang, 13.8 billion years ago, the universe was so hot and dense that light bounced endlessly from one particle to another, scattering and ionising any atoms that formed. Only when the universe was 380,000 years old was it sufficiently cool to allow an electron and a proton to form a stable hydrogen atom without being immediately broken apart. Suddenly, all the light particles - called photons - were set free. This latest finding reveals the hidden 'skeleton' of the universe 380,000 years after the Big Bang. Illustrated here is a separate image provided by the Illustris Collaboration earlier this year that shows dark matter density in the evolution of the universe . ‘The photons go from bouncing around like balls in a pinball machine to flying straight and basically allowing us to take a picture of the universe from only 380,000 years after the Big Bang,' said Dr Lee. ‘The universe was a lot simpler then: mainly hydrogen plasma and dark matter.’ These photons, which, today, have cooled to a mere 3 degrees Kelvin above absolute zero, still retain information about their last interaction with matter. Specifically, the flow of matter due to density fluctuations where the photon last scattered gave that photon a certain polarisation. And it was the remnants of these that were detected by the Polarbear team. ‘Think of it like this: the photons are bouncing off the electrons, and there is basically a last kiss, they touch the last electron and then they go for 14 billion years until they get to telescopes on the ground,’ Lee said. ‘That last kiss is polarising.’ Polarbear may also eventually confirm or refute the Bicep2 results, although so far it has focused on interpreting the polarisation pattern of the microwave background to map the distribution of matter back in time to the universe's inflationary period, 380,000 years after the Big Bang. Polarbear's approach, which is different from that used by Bicep2, may allow the group to determine when dark energy, the mysterious force accelerating the expansion of the universe, began to dominate and overwhelm gravity, which throughout most of cosmic history slowed the expansion. | Research led by University of California studied the early universe .
The Polarbear consortium detected the polarisation of light 380,000 years after the Big Bang using microwave detectors on a telescope in Chile .
It reveals the hidden 'skeleton' of the universe before galaxies formed .
And this finding suggests dark matter influenced the young cosmos .
Study compliments other research such as previous Bicep2 results . |
f9c47d5a5b7fe7be814064bfb126e8cacdd146be | LONDON, England (CNN) -- An eco-friendly French boat is hoping to successfully cross the perilous Arctic sea passage that links the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific. The old tug-boat, Le Manguier, has been converted into an eco-friendly vessel with three sails and solar panels. "Le Manguier" is attempting to navigate the icy, unpredictable Northern Sea Route, a 6,000 mile passage that skims the northern coast of Siberia. It is a trip that only a handful of leisure boats in history have successfully completed. Not only that, the modified tug boat is also attempting to do it ecologically. The boat's crew is relying partly on wind-power to complete the route, parts of which are only free of ice for two short months during the Arctic summer. Three sails have been added to the tug boat, which normally runs on gas-guzzling motors. "'Le Manguier' was the opposite of the ecological vessel," Philippe Hercher, captain and part-owner of the boat told CNN. "What we wanted to do was create a symbol and show that even this type of boat can diversify its energy sources -- even in the most extreme conditions." Conditions on the route are treacherous: Vessels that enter its waters at the wrong time can get trapped in thick ice for months in temperatures that go as low as -50C. Ironically for the eco-expedition, it is receding ice levels, thought to be caused by global warming, that has crossing the passage a possibility once again in the last few years. The voyage, which is projected to take about six months, started in the South of France in April and, if they make it through the route successfully, will end in Japan. The crew's other ecological concessions include relying on solar panels for electricity and warm water, using only long-lasting LED light bulbs and eating only organic products during their journey. On-board are seven adults and two children, including a painter, two writers, a scientist and a historian. Currently, the team's primary concern is not the fear of being trapped in ice and being forced to "hibernate" in Siberia's frigid temperatures, but getting the required paperwork in time before the approaching colder months, which cause ice to harden in the passage. "Le Manguier" is in Tromso, Norway waiting for the green light from the Russian government, which rarely allows non-Russian vessels to enter the passage. Russian reluctance may stem from the time of the Russian revolution in 1917, after which the Soviet Union was isolated from the West. The Northern Sea Route, which is the shortest passage between the West and the Far East, was also the only water the Russians could navigate without possible foreign interference. Luckily, the crew have help from veteran sailors in their race against the clock: Scientist Eric Brossier and sailor and France Pinczon Du Del who successfully sailed the Northern Sea Route during the first ever circumnavigation of the glacial Arctic Ocean in 2002. In the meantime, "Le Mangier" is gaining increasing popularity with every port-of-call. The group is publicizing the cause; inviting school children, academics and other tug boat sailors for workshops and tours of the boat. "The most difficult challenge seems to be convincing hardened tug boat captains to partially switch to wind power," said Judith Puzzuoli, who is in charge of communication and press for "Le Manguier." "But change doesn't happen in a day." Like Puzzuoli, each member of the team is responsible for delivering the message in a different way. Two books, written in the style of travel journals are in the works and a documentary is currently being filmed. Even the children have an important role -- reminding the adults why their mission is important. "I get the feeling that the two girls are really discovering life on this boat. They are learning to live simply, but beautifully." | An eco-friendly French boat is attempting to cross the Northern Sea Route .
Six-month voyage hoping to travel Arctic waters above Siberia to get to Japan .
Boats can be trapped in ice for months in temperatures that go as low as -50C .
The tug boat has been modified with three sails and solar panels . |
f9c48d11362f8aba0393be8e5b5a058f9046e97f | A stress-blocking drug can be used as a 'compassion pill' to increase empathy, a new study has found. The research also provides the first evidence that stress can sap the caring instincts of humans, which could explain some of the terrible acts of cruelty which are committed in the heat of conflict. Scientists found that stress undermined empathy both in laboratory mice experiments and student volunteer trials involving friends or strangers immersing their hands in freezing cold water. A stress-blocking drug can be used as a 'compassion pill' that increases empathy, the ability to feel another's pain, a study has shown (stock picture) In both cases, treatment with the stress hormone blocking drug metyrapone reduced the effect and increased the ability to empathise. Metyrapone is a pill commonly used to treat Cushing's syndrome, a condition that causes the body to produce excess levels of the stress hormone cortisol. A similar result was achieved in the human study using a popular video game to boost social interaction between the student volunteers. Study leader Dr Jeffrey Mogil, from McGill University in Canada, said: 'We found what in some sense might be thought of as the 'secret' to empathy; that is, what prevents it from occurring more often between strangers. 'It is quite intriguing indeed that this phenomenon appears to be identical in mice and humans. First, it supports the notion that mice are capable of more complex social phenomena than is commonly believed. Second, it suggests that human social phenomena might actually be simpler than commonly believed, at least in terms of their organising principles.' Previous research by the same team has demonstrated that mice experience empathy - once thought to be a wholly human ability - but only when they are known to each other. Two cage-mates given a painful experience will feel it more than when each of them undergoes the same experience alone. The research found evidence that stress can sap the caring instincts of humans while treatment with the stress hormone blocking drug metyrapone reduced the effect and increased the ability to empathise (stock picture) In the new study, published in the journal Current Biology, mice were subjected to mild pain by injecting them with acetic acid. As before, cage-mates - but not strangers - who suffered the same experience together showed a greater reaction than they did when injected alone. When they were treated with metyrapone, the mice began showing the same level of empathy to strangers as they did to their cage-mates. This suggested it was the stress of being with a stranger that previously inhibited their empathy. A similar response was seen in the undergraduate volunteers. When friends were paired together and told to hold their hands in iced water, they reported a greater sensation of pain than individuals on their own or two strangers undergoing the same experience. Treatment with metyrapone caused students to feel more empathy for people they viewed as strangers. After taking the pill, participants not only reported more pain but also displayed more pained expressions on their faces. They also touched their hands more often when witnessing another person's pain. The scientists found that asking students to play the music video game Rock Band for just 15 minutes had as much effect on empathy as the drug. 'It turns out that even a shared experience that is as superficial as playing a video game together can move people from the 'stranger zone' to the 'friend zone' and generate meaningful levels of empathy,' said Dr Mogil. He added: 'President Barack Obama has described an 'empathy deficit' that fuels misunderstanding, divisions, and conflict. This research identifies a reason for the empathy gap and answers the vital question of how do we create empathy between strangers.' | Research found that stress can sap the caring instincts of humans .
The study may explain acts of cruelty committed in the heat of conflict .
Metyrapone blocked stress hormone and increased ability to empathise . |
f9c516769cc7508caa1f42134b7579964a4a5466 | Much discussed and a source of endless gossip, The Archers Christmas pantomime has always been a highlight of the Ambridge calendar. So, when this year’s production was cancelled due to poor attendance at auditions, it left loyal listeners aghast. However, rather than admit defeat, the fictional village’s director, Lynda Snell, has rallied her cast to put on a production of Noel Coward’s play Blithe Spirit. Radio play: The Archers Christmas pantomime has always been a highlight of the Ambridge calendar . The 90-minute show, broadcast on Boxing Day, will fit into the series as a whole, with episodes before and after seamlessly running into and out of the play. However, Jeremy Howe, Radio 4’s commissioning editor for drama, said the production can also stand alone in its own right. He commented: ‘It will be a straight production of one of the great comedies of the English stage’. This is the first time there has been such a change in the programme’s format in its nearly 64-year history. Stage performance: Blithe Spirit recently saw a West End production led by Angela Lansbury (above) Mr Howe added: ‘The whole thing is very nicely dovetailed together. You have an Archers Christmas episode and then the Boxing Day episode is Blithe Spirit - it’s integrated into the programme, but Blithe Spirit should also stand alone as a rollicking good production. Jeremy Howe, Radio 4’s commissioning editor for drama, said the production can also stand alone . ‘Every year Lynda Snell puts on a pantomime and every year we never go to the pantomime - which is probably a good thing, I think - but we hear all the backstage gossip. 'She is the most tyrant producer in the history of tyrant producers, which is entertaining in itself - and all the stories around that is all good comedy for the Archers. ‘But this year the panto collapsed and she is putting on her own production of Blithe Spirit, with the cast of the Archers. ‘There’s a word of warning here that all the backstage shenanigans are as entertaining as ever but it will actually be a very good production of Blithe Spirit’. Blithe Spirit, which recently saw a West End production led by Angela Lansbury, tells the story of socialite and novelist Charles Condomine, who conducts a séance in his house, hoping to gather material for his next book. However, the scheme backfires when he is haunted by the ghost of his first wife. The parts will be played by the normal actors of The Archers, who will also remain as their Ambridge characters during this play within a play. On top of the long-running programme’s usual cast, actor Julian Ryan Tutt, most famous for sitcom Green Wing will be playing a role. However, Mr Howe would not comment on why the actor had been called in or whether he will be playing a larger role in The Archers. | Fans will enjoy full-length production of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit .
Performed by Archers cast and slotted between normal episodes .
Show will also feature a guest appearance from Julian Rhind-Tutt . |
f9c5263e53c6af7e344990af41056bdac225745e | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 11:40 EST, 23 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:24 EST, 24 May 2013 . A suicidal man who jumped from an 11th-floor flat killed a five-year-old girl on the pavement below when he landed on her. The 39-year-old man died instantly after he jumped from an apartment in the south-eastern port city of Busan in South Korea. The girl, who had been walking with both her parents outside the building, died later in hospital from brain damage and multiple broken bones. A police official said it remained unclear why the man decided to jump. Witnesses saw him preparing to leap but he did not appear to have left a suicide note behind. South Korea has the highest suicide rate among members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, with an average of nearly 50 deaths a day. The man, only identified as Mr Jang, is said to have jumped from his flat on Wednesday evening. Double tragedy: The seven-year-old died after a man committing suicide by jumping from the tenth floor of a building in Busan, pictured, landed on her . In what is being reported as a suicide, Mr Jang hit his neighbour’s daughter as she emerged from the apartment building, SBS TV reports. The girl, who was with her father at the time of the incident, was taken to hospital but pronounced dead soon after arrival. Mr Jang died immediately at the scene. Mr Jang had long been treated for mental illness and depression before the accident, SBS quoted an area police official as saying. Police in the southern port of Busan, pictured, said Mr Jang had been treated for mental illness and depression before the incident on Wednesday . South Korea has the highest suicide rate among members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The country has an average of 33.5 people per 100,000 taking their lives, a figure which equates to nearly 50 suicides a day. For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details. | South Korean man jumping off building kills girl after landing on her .
Seven-year-old died after her neighbour's body hit her on the street . |
f9c58024200bed9e803ba499af6f0b1dcfd6a575 | Taylor Armstrong 'dreads' seeing family of suicide husband Russell at memorial service . Family of tragic Real Housewives star pick up his belongings from coroner . By . Mike Larkin . Last updated at 7:03 AM on 24th August 2011 . Russell Armstrong had stopped taking anti-depressant drugs a fortnight before he committed suicide, it has been claimed. The venture capitalist is said to have been taking the prescription medication to control his rage issues. He had been taking the drugs for several . months, and it later emerged his wife Taylor was leaving him after . accusing him of domestic abuse. Tragic: Russell Armstrong is said to have stopped taking anti-depressants two weeks before he committed suicide . An insider told RadarOnline: 'Russell had been doing so well when he was on the anti-depressants. 'He was prescribed the meds to control his rage issues. Russell stopped taking the meds two weeks before his suicide. 'Taylor was very supportive of him taking the meds. 'All of a sudden about two weeks ago, Russell stopped taking the meds though.' Ed Winter, Assistant Coroner for Los Angeles said: 'No medication bottles for Mr. Armstrong were recovered from the scene.' Collection: The family of Russell Armstrong picked up his possessions from the LA coroner's office today as it emerged he had stopped taking anti-depressant drugs weeks before his suicide . It has also been revealed Taylor Armstrong is terrified of meeting the family of her dead husband Russell at his memorial service this week. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star thinks his family blame her for the venture capitalist committing suicide in Los Angeles last week. And she is scared of conflict in front of her daughter at Wednesday's event with his family, who collected his possessions from the coroner's office in the California city today. A source told RadarOnline: 'She feels that they all hate her, and that they blame her for Russell's suicide. 'Taylor just wants to get through the memorial on Wednesday. 'She hopes that Russell's family doesn't try and cause a scene. Checking out: His relatives looked over their paperwork as they left their heartbreaking appointment . This is a memorial service for the father of her daughter, Kennedy will be at the service as well.' The 40-year-old reality television has been staying out of the public eye at a rental house in plush Bel Air Crest with her daughter since news of her husband's death emerged. The Mail Online had previously revealed Russell's mother John Ann Hotchkiss will not be attending the memorial. Meanwhile Russell's family were picking up the 47-year-old's possessions from the LA coroner's office today. They looked glum faced as they left with the jewellery and other personal items they had been holding. Following their appointment they checked paperwork as they sped off in a waiting vehicle. It has also emerged the broke banker had splurged $60,000 on a 40th birthday party for his wife as he attempted to woo her weeks before his death. An insider told Celebrity News and Style: 'On the surface both Taylor and Russell looked happy and were all smiles. 'He was very attentive to her, maybe even more than usual and I found that to be a bit odd. He followed her around and was by her side the entire time.' He spared no expense in throwing the special party at Beachers Madhouse at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, despite the fact he was hugely in debt. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills that he invited were co-stars Kyle Richards, who was out of town, Lisa Vanderpump and husband her Ken Todd. The new developments follow revelations he had slammed Real Housewives bosses in one of the last interviews he conducted. He said: 'Everything you see on that show is bull****. 'Those Bravo b*****ds take every little argument out of context and magnify it for the cameras.' 'That's not me': Armstrong said of his onscreen portrayal, 'He's just a stock character created by Bravo's evil overlords' Speaking exclusivity to TheFix.com Armstrong added: 'The Russell you see on TV has nothing to do with my real personality. 'He's just a stock character created by Bravo's evil overlords. That's not me you see up there. It's just a character I play on TV.' Last week Armstrong's 69-year-old mother John Ann Hotchkiss threatened the network with legal action if they proceed with plans to air footage of her son. She told Headline News: 'Before the new . season even started, before he took his life, he said, "Mom, they’re . just going to crucify me this season".' 'He said, "I don’t know what to do. I’ll never survive it".' She has also said that the TV network: 'Better not air one frame of my son... or else!' Legal . action: Armstrong's mother has threatened Bravo not to show any footage . of her son in the upcoming season of Real Housewives . During his TheFix.com interview, the businessman appeared to change his tune at one point. 'At first I was a little annoyed about all the bull****, but then I realised it's not so bad to be a celebrity,' he said. 'The thing is, all the publicity has been great for my business.' Armstrong's statement is contrary to the widespread reports that he was in hot water financially at the time of his death. In the interview Russell also appeared to deny the highly-publicised rift with his wife Taylor, whom he was estranged from. 'She is the most sensitive, sweet woman I've ever met. Taylor's kind of like an angel,' he told TheFix.com. 'She really is everything to me. 'We watch these stories about our terrible marriage, and we lie in bed and laugh. The truth is we are really, really happy.' Representatives for Bravo are yet to respond to Mail Online's request for comment on Armstrong's claims. 'She an angel;': Despite being estranged from his wife, Russell sang Taylor's praises and said all was well in their marriage . Armstrong was found dead last Monday after hanging himself at a home he was staying at on Mulholland Drive. The Mail Online revealed on Saturday that John Ann Hotchkiss will not be attending the planned memorial service for her son in LA this Wednesday after tension with Taylor Armstrong boiled over. Instead she will remember her son at a . separate memorial service, which is due to be held next week as well, in . either Evergreen or Benton, Texas, just outside of Houston. Meanwhile, sources close to the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast have claimed that Taylor failed to go to the police over her husband's alleged abuse because she wanted to protect their daughter Kennedy. 'She said that she didn't want Kennedy to know and she knew that Russell would never harm their daughter,' the source told Radar Online. 'Kennedy would hear them yelling behind closed doors but she didn't witness any violence.' Do you have a story about a celebrity? Call the Daily Mail showbusiness desk on 0207 938 6364 or 0207 938 6683. For U.S. stories, phone 310 642 2317. Keeping busy: Taylor's co-star Lisa Vanderpump was spotted out and about in Los Angeles . | Taylor Armstrong 'dreads' seeing family of suicide husband Russell at memorial service .
Family of tragic Real Housewives star pick up his belongings from coroner . |
f9c5f5c099a025889cb467a1754c65528c761f85 | WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As the deadline nears for U.S. troops to exit major Iraqi cities, units in Mosul are in the midst of a months-long operation to sweep out extremist fighters. U.S. troops have a deadline of June 30 to exit major Iraqi cities. The decision on whether to keep troops in the restive northern city beyond June 30 has been a sticking point between the United States and Iraq. Parts of the city remain under insurgent control and high-profile attacks continue, unlike the vast majority of the country. "We still have a major operation going inside of Mosul with all forces assisting and helping out. We expect that to end here within about 30 to 45 days, and then there will be a decision to be made," the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. Raymond Odierno, told reporters at the Pentagon on Friday. "I was just up there Saturday, and we conducted a joint assessment," he said. "There's some problems that we have to work through but, in fact, there's potential that they [Iraqi forces] can handle the mission" when they take over in July. Despite concerns about the continuing violence, the government of Iraq said last week it will not extend the deadline for U.S. combat troops to leave Iraqi cities. The joint operation to clear Mosul of insurgents has been going on for 75 days, neighborhood by neighborhood, according to Odierno. "It's going to take us another 30 days to finish that," he said. Mosul has become the last major fighting ground in Iraq as insurgents, mainly al Qaeda, were pushed north out of Baghdad during the U.S. troop "surge" that started in 2007. Insurgents were able to entrench in the city as U.S. and Iraqi forces cleared and held Baghdad and other regions. A number of U.S. troops were moved out of Mosul to help with surge operations farther south, leaving Mosul and surrounding areas mainly to Iraqi forces and a smaller U.S. military contingent. While Odierno said the current operations are "having a good impact," in Mosul, continued high-profile attacks haunt commanders there. On May 1 a suicide bomb was detonated near a coffee shop, killing at least six people. Five U.S. soldiers were killed on April 10 when a suicide bomber breached the outer security barrier of Iraqi National Police headquarters in southern Mosul. It was the single deadliest attack on U.S. troops in more than a year, the U.S. military said. Odierno noted the tactic of using women as suicide bombers is being used by insurgents in Mosul. "We've seen a few in Mosul -- a couple of attacks were connected by Tunisian foreign fighters that came in, we think, through Syria. We actually detained the leader of the cell, so now we're learning more and more about it," he said. U.S. and Iraqi forces are also facing a recent increase of attacks in Baghdad, which Odierno and other U.S. military officials pin on al Qaeda trying to again foment sectarian violence. "We're trying to get inside of these cells. We're trying to understand where they're coming from and we have been successful. We are picking people up," the general said. He said the United States has improved its intelligence sharing with the Iraqi forces over the past six months, helping to impair the ability of the insurgents to move around. "Their [Iraqi forces'] strength is the human intelligence. Our strength comes in other ways. And so we're trying to combine those together so we can work toward solving this problem," he said. But with 45 days left until the security agreement with Iraq takes U.S. troops in Baghdad off the streets and back to their bases, there is some uncertainty about how Iraqi forces will contain the current violence. Odierno remains positive. "There's a potential that this could actually work, if the Iraqis are able to maintain in the cities and we're able to, then, to spend more of our time in the support zones outside of the cities," he said. "We actually could come up with, actually, a stronger method of going after these forces. But we'll have to wait and see." | Parts of restive northern city remain under insurgent control, attacks continue .
Iraq says it will not extend June 30 deadline for U.S. troops to leave cities .
Mosul last major battleground since troop surge forced insurgents out of Baghdad .
Top U.S. commander in Iraq says potential exists for Iraqis to handle mission . |
f9c668565ba313f54cef4baabd149a5ebe232e3b | A group of Texas gun activists have taken to confronting officers on the streets, armed with video cameras - and assault rifles. The 'Cop Block' videos that they shoot and post online are meant to hold police accountable and combat police brutality. The activists say they're well within their rights to do it while openly carrying rifles, shotguns and antique pistols. The activists in the Dallas suburbs carry police radios so they can track the movements of police and film officers making arrests and conducting traffic stops. They also try to find police drunk driving checkpoints and speed traps and warn drivers about the officers up ahead. Jacob Cordova flashes the peace sign in front of two Texas police officers while he carries a weapon strapped to his back . Cardova was arrested last week after he pulled up to film a traffic stop while carrying a black powder revolver on his hip - which he says is legal under Texas law . Kory Watkins, a Texas gun activist, has already made a name for himself by carrying an AK-47 in public - as is legal under state law . One video shows a 'Cop Block' activist being arrested after arriving at a crime scene with a camera wearing a black powder handgun on his belt. He hurls insults at the officers as he tells them that the weapon is legal to carry openly in the state of Texas. 'What crime have I committed?' the activist, Jacob Cordova shouts at cops who are handcuffing him. 'You're carrying a firearm,' an officer responds. 'It's not a firearm, it's a pre-1899 black powder pistol (which is legal to openly carry under Texas law),' Cordova says. The officer replies: 'We'll figure it out.' Cordova shouts back: 'You better f***ing figure it out, ya douchebags!' He then proceeds to call one of the officers 'a little c**k s***er.' Videos posted on Kory Watkins' YouTube page show several confrontations with officers when they showed up at traffic stops and filmed the police while armed . Watkins, seen here talking to a police officer while armed, is one of several Texas libertarians who have seized on police brutality civil rights issues . Among the activities that the group undertakes is warning drivers about speed traps and DUI checkpoints - while armed, of course . 'The police department in Arlington is out of control and keeps wrongfully arresting people for doing things that are well within their rights. It’s wasting taxpayer money and it’s violating the rights of the people,' the group's leader, Kory Watkins, an Olive Garden bartender, told the Daily Beast. The activists, who often identify themselves as Ron Paul libertarians or members of the Tea Party, say they've picked up the mantle of civil rights activists protesting alleged police brutality against unarmed black men in Ferguson, Missouri, and Staten Island, New York. They've even taken up the mantra of shouting 'hands up, don't shoot' and 'I can't breathe.' Cops say the activists have, at times, been a threat to officers who are just going about their jobs. Several members of the group have been arrested for various charges - disturbing the peace, and police fear that their interactions are becoming increasingly hostile. Jacob Cordova, the 27-year-old Air Force veteran who was caught on video being arrested for carrying an antique handgun, pulled up to a police traffic stop and pulled up his vest to show them that he was armed, police say. 'When you see somebody being aggressive, interfering with a stop, and armed with a deadly weapon, the officer can’t just ignore that,' Arlington police Sergeant Jeffrey Houston told the Daily Beast. Cordova denies that he did anything illegal. | Libertarians outside Dallas have taken up the civil rights cause of police brutality and begun filming officers on the streets - while armed .
Several members have been arrested on a variety of charges during the activism .
Police say the group is becoming increasingly confrontational .
Protesters flaunt their rights under Texas law to openly carry assault rifles and antique pistols . |
f9c677647bfc21bbb21fbd0b57bab83bf4129536 | By . Richard Shears and Martin Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 01:04 EST, 13 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:36 EST, 13 June 2013 . A British oil worker who spent a terrifying 48 hour ordeal at the hands of kidnappers in Indonesia, fought back the tears as he told how his captors let him go because his Indonesian wife could not afford their £300,000 ransom demand. Engineer Malcolm Primrose, 61, who was found yesterday in a palm oil plantation, said he had feared he was never going to see his wife and family again. 'Excuse me if I am a little bit . emotional,' Mr Primrose as he sat with his wife Nurasiah at the police . station in Parsi Putih village in the northern province of East Aceh. Scroll down for video . Emotional: British oil worker Malcolm Primrose and his Indonesian wife Inur He was seized by kidnappers but released after a 48 hour ordeal . 'I can only thank God that everything turned out all right.' Still in his blue work overalls and a . traditional patterned Indonesian scarf which his wife gave him on his . return, the drilling supervisor said he was thankful his captor's 'did . not hurt me in any way'. The Scotsman admitted he had been afraid but 'they didn't hurt me, they fed me.' He said that when they released him, the abductors showed him the way to an area where he was later picked up by police. Relief: Malcolm Primrose is pictured today being reunited with his wife (pictured in yellow) following his release after being taken captive by a group of armed men on June 11 . Press conference: A 'shaken' but unharmed Malcolm Primrose sits with his wife Inur at police headquarters in East Aceh, Indonesia today . His wife told how the kidnappers had . called her to demand the ransom but when negotiations broke down the men . gave up and released her husband later. It is believed the kidnappers are former fighters from Ache's three-decade separatist struggle, a conflict which ended in 2005. Safe and well: Oil worker Malcolm Primrose, 61, has been found in Indonesia after being kidnapped by gunman who wanted £320,000 . Mr Primrose, who works for an Indonesian . company in the northern province of Aceh, was snatched by the armed . group on Tuesday when they ambushed his car as he was heading home. The kidnappers tied up his driver and drove off with Mr Primrose. A huge manhunt was launched, but police conceded the Scotsman could have been held prisoner anywhere in the jungle region of the province. They anticipated a long-drawn out search - but were surprised when he was found at a security post in a palm oil plantation early today. He told police that he was 'a bit shaken' but it is understood he did not need hospital treatment.Police Senior Commander Muhajir told the Jakarta Globe: 'We're taking him to Ranto Panjang police station to be questioned.' Police have yet to release details of how and when the kidnappers made contact with Mr Primrose's family, but it is believed that the Scot had, under pressure, given them details of someone to call. 'When they (the kidnappers) contacted his family, they asked for a 5 billion rupiah ransom,' said Commander Muhajir, who uses only one name. But the police officer said no ransom was paid and, expecting a long drawn out period of negotiation, searching officers and troops were surprised to hear he had been found at a security post. Investigation: An Indonesian policeman walks past a car used by Malcolm Primrose who was kidnapped in Peureulak, East Aceh . Hunt: Armed police went out in several vehicles to try to find the missing Briton yesterday . It was not known if he was released or had escaped from his captors but first reports said police believe they had decided to let him go. 'I don't know of a precise reason for the kidnappers' decision to release Mr Primrose,' said Commander Muhajir. 'It's probably because of the size of the police operation with the help of soldiers,' he said. The search operation had involved more than 100 police officers as well as soldiers. The safe return of Mr Primrose does not put an end to the search for the kidnappers. 'We are still looking for them and will keep up the pressure until we find them,' said Commander Muhajir. 'It is very rare for people to be kidnapped in Aceh these days,' he added. Scene: Mr Primrose was kidnapped in Indonesia's Aceh province by at least six armed men, police said . Relief: Police and troops had spread out in the region but there was no sign of Mr Primrose or his attackers until earlier today . 'We have had our very serious troubles in the past, as well as the terrible tsunami in 2004, but things have settled down a lot in recent years. 'We were very surprised to hear that a foreigner had been kidnapped, but it is good news we have got him back.' Mr Primrose is expected to spend several hours being questioned by police about his ordeal before he meets with British Embassy officials who have been sent to the area to assist in the search and now to debrief him. The British Embassy in Jakarta said that it was grateful for the work put in by the Indonesian authorities in searching for Mr Primrose. 'We are delighted to confirm that Malcolm Primrose has been released,' the Embassy said in a statement. 'Embassy officials are with Mr Primrose and are providing consular assistance. 'We would like to place on record our warm thanks for the support we have received from the Indonesian authorities, as well as from the Governor of Aceh and his staff, the Chief of Aceh police and his team, and the many others who have worked so hard to secure his release.' The Government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned that there is a high threat from terrorism in Indonesia. It . says: 'Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity . and intent to carry out these attacks at anytime and anywhere in the . country.' It advises . visitors to 'exercise caution when travelling to Aceh, Central Sulawesi . Province (especially Palu, Poso and Tentena), Maluku Province . (especially Ambon), Papua and West Papua Province.' The western coast of Aceh was devastated by a tsunami in December 2004. The . tsunami, caused by the Indian Ocean earthquake., killed an estimated . 170,000 people in Aceh and left about 500,000 homeless. Just . months later, in March 2005, a second off-shore earthquake measuring . 9.1 on the Richter scale struck the sea bed near Aceh, killing a further . 905 people and displacing f thousands more. | Malcolm Primrose was being driven to a work site in Aceh, Indonesia .
He was stopped by a group of at least 6 armed men who then kidnapped him .
Group later contacted Mr Primrose's family demanding £320,000 .
Police say that no ransom was paid and Mr Primrose was found in plantation . |
f9c6e0e76c3b231062e7e07aec7c1f5a47a0adcf | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 11:13 EST, 2 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:13 EST, 2 July 2012 . Women who remain childless after seeking fertility treatment are significantly more at risk of being hospitalised for mental problems, a study has found. Researchers looked at data on 98,737 Danish women investigated for infertility between 1973 and 2008. Childlessness increased the risk of being hospitalised for a mental illness by 18 per cent . Over a period of 12.6 years, more than half the women had a baby. But those who did not were 18% more likely to end up in hospital being treated for a psychiatric disorder. In total, almost 5,000 of the whole population of women were hospitalised for mental conditions such as alcohol abuse, psychosis, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Childlessness increased the risk of alcohol and substance abuse by 103%, and schizophrenia by 47%. It also raised the risk of eating disorders by 47%, although this result was not statistically significant. However, common problems such as depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder were not affected by fertility status. The findings were presented today at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Istanbul, Turkey. Dr Birgitte Baldur-Felskov, from the Danish Cancer Research Center in Copenhagen, who led the study, said: . 'The results suggest that failure to succeed after presenting for fertility investigation may be an important risk modifier for psychiatric disorders. 'This adds an important component to the counselling of women being investigated and treated for infertility. 'Specialists and other healthcare personnel working with infertile patients should also be sensitive to the potential for psychiatric disorders among this patient group.' | Childlessness increased the risk of alcohol and substance abuse by 103% and schizophrenia by 47% . |
f9c72220d5ce9748e5e7d96a10c67b8c2ab12268 | (CNN) -- Roland Garros will continue to host the French Open after the country's tennis officials rejected a move to a different part of the capital Paris. Three groups had made bids to host the annual clay-court tournament, one of the four Grand Slams on offer during the season, from 2016 onwards. The iconic Roland Garros site, which has hosted the French Open since its inception 86 years ago, will now be expanded and revamped. French Tennis Federation president Jean Gachassin said in a statement: "We back the project to create a new Roland Garros venue, extending and modernizing the historic venue at Porte d'Auteuil. CNN's Top 10 French Open moments . "It's a historic choice, probably the most important for our federation since its creation. Our aim was to offer an ambitious project. "This decision has been made against the fashion for having things on giant scales but it's a project which is resolutely focused on the future. This hasn't been a default choice. The Paris project was the most beautiful of the four." Spain's Rafael Nadal took the men's crown last year while Italian Francesca Schiavone won the women's title. Meanwhile, Milos Raonic became the first Canadian to clinch an ATP World Tour title since 1995 after beating defending champion Fernando Verdasco 7-6 7-6 at the SAP Open in San Jose, California. The 20-year-old was ranked 84th before the tournament but moved up to 59th when the new world rankings were released Monday. Despite playing in his first final Raonic showed few signs of nerves as he survived four set points in the opener, recovering from 2-6 down in the tie-break to take it. He secured the title thanks to another tie-break in the second. Raonic told the ATP Tour website: "I sort of used up my luck today, in a way. I got out of that first set and the second set I was a little bit more confident by then. It came out the way I wanted it to." Raonic didn't drop a set in the tournament and finished with 58 aces in his four matches, including 13 in the final. World number nine Verdasco was impressed by his opponent. He said: "He has good potential and he has one of the best serves, and also on the baseline he plays so aggressive. "The moments he needs to play solid, he plays solid and I think that he can be a top 20 player very soon." | Roland Garros to remain as host of the French Open tournament .
French Tennis Federation reject three bids to host the Grand Slam competition .
Milos Raonic wins first career title at SAP Open in San Jose .
Raonic becomes first Canadian to win an ATP Tour crown since 1995 . |
f9c78ff400a059f4b454a0b94802b0b38a6b5e03 | (CNN) -- Michael Clarke has big cricketing shoes to fill following the retirement of Ricky Ponting, but the Australia captain has already wiped out one of his predecessor's records. Clarke beat Ponting's leading mark of 1,544 runs scored in a calendar year by an Australian batsman, set in 2003, as he made 106 on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka. The 31-year-old posted his 22nd Test century -- still 19 behind Ponting -- and his first in Melbourne as the home team reached 440-8 at stumps on Thursday for a lead of 284. "It is nice to get that monkey off my back and get my first hundred here," Clarke, who overcame a hamstring injury to start the match, told reporters after taking his total for 2012 to 1,595. "In regards to beating Ricky, in my eyes he was the greatest batsman I was lucky enough to play with, so to beat any record that Ricky holds is very special." Ponting retired at the start of this month following the series defeat by South Africa, being Australia's leading runscorer in all forms of cricket and the world's second highest behind Sachin Tendulkar of India. In a calendar year, only Pakistan's Mohammad Yousuf (1,788), West Indian Viv Richards (1,710) and South Africa's Graeme Smith (1,656) have scored more Test runs than Clarke. He might not get a second chance to bat in this match, with Australia in control. All-rounder Mitchell Johnson will seek to get the 27 runs he needs for his second Test century when he resumes his innings on day three. Clarke and Shane Watson had put on 194 for the fourth wicket as Sri Lanka lost pace bowler Chanaka Welegedara to a hamstring injury early in the day, before a mini-collapse saw the Australians slump to 315-6. Watson was among those to fall, being caught in the deep for 83 -- meaning he has not passed three figures in the five-day game since October 2010, despite registering 19 fifties in his 38 Test appearances. "If he continues to play the way he played today and shows that patience and that discipline I have no doubt at all that he will score plenty of hundreds for Australia," Clarke said. "He showed a lot of discipline in his shot selection and even the ball he got out on, as his captain, I am not disappointed with. Nine times out of 10 that will go for four or six." Johnson steadied the innings as he added 61 for the seventh wicket with Mike Hussey (34) and 58 for the eighth with Peter Siddle (13) before seeing out the day with Nathan Lyon (0). Sri Lanka need to win the match to have any chance of winning the three-match series, having lost the opener by 137 runs. The tourists, who made just 156 in Wednesday's first innings after winning the toss and deciding to bat, were left to rue dropping Clarke on the opening day and then giving Watson two lives on Thursday. "We let them off the hook yesterday in the evening when we had them three wickets down and today before Clarke got into his stride and then Watson after that," said batting coach Marvin Atapattu, a former skipper of the national side. "If we had held on to those two it would have been different, but that is the way it goes and we have got ourselves to blame." Meanwhile, Ponting has defended Australia's rotation policy after first Test hero Mitchell Starc was rested for the Melbourne match, allowing Jackson Bird to make his debut. Starc took six wickets in Hobart, five of them coming in Sri Lanka's second innings. "A lot of the people that are talking about it, past bowlers in particular, have got no idea of the workload of some of the guys that are playing now," Ponting said. "Everyone in and around the Australian team is trying to do the best thing for Australian cricket. It's all about trying to put the best and fittest bowlers on the park every time we can." | Australia captain Michael Clarke sets new record for runs scored in calendar year .
Clarke hits 106 against Sri Lanka to pass Ricky Ponting's national milestone of 1,544 .
Home side reach 440-8 on day two, with Mitchell Johnson on 73, for overall lead of 284 .
Clarke scores his first Test century in Melbourne, while Shane Watson makes 83 . |
f9c861fc35c819022cc01c43cac47f82974c61e4 | (CNN)Get ready for the conspiracy theories if "American Sniper" doesn't snag the Academy Award for best picture on Sunday. Vanity Fair recently gathered a panel of movie experts in Hollywood to chat about the Oscars, and Fandango's Dave Karger offered a theory as to why the critically acclaimed film may not win. "The reason why 'American Sniper' is not going to win is because of the plastic baby," Karger said, probably jokingly. The Clint Eastwood-directed film is based on the autobiography of Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL who had more documented kills than any other U.S. sniper since statistics have been gathered. Kyle was killed by an acquaintance in 2013. In the scene Karger refrenced, Chris and Taya Kyle (Bradley Cooper, who is up for the best actor Oscar, and Sienna Miller) are having a conversation in their new baby's room. The baby is pretty obviously not real. The film's screenwriter, Jason Hall, tweeted in December that "real baby #1 showed up with a fever. Real baby #2 was no show. (Clint voice) Gimme the doll, kid." That tweet has since been removed. The fake baby caused a social media stir and, of course, has its own Twitter account. | One critic joked that the film won't win an Oscar because of its fake baby .
The screenwriter tweeted that the original baby got sick .
The fake baby even has a Twitter account . |
f9c93f93c5b400908de6557b508b2e54378d102f | Living alongside Emma Thompson and Imelda Staunton on one of the smartest streets in London, Susanne Willumsen might have thought she couldn’t go too far wrong by sprucing up her home. But when she smoothed away the pebble dash on the front of the house, neighbourly relations quickly turned rocky. The residents’ association condemned the new flat white facade as ‘unsympathetic’ and demanded the original frontage should be reinstated on the £2.6million property. Hopes dashed: Residents complained that the new look on Susanne Willumsen's house (centre) was 'unsympathetic' and Camden Council in north London has now ordered her to reverse the work . 'Cheap': How the north London house looked before the pebble dashing was removed by a builder . The coarse form of plaster is created by smearing cement over brick and adding small gravel, pebbles or shells on top. It was prevalent in the 1920s as a way to cover poor quality brick as builders were forced to cut costs to meet a surge in property demand . And following a year-long row, the council has now ordered that Ms Willumsen, 45, must take down the white render and spend around £5,000 replacing the pebble dash. Yesterday Ms Willumsen, who works in asset management, claimed the complaints were ‘personal’ and designed to ‘cause maximum distress and financial burden’ to her. The married mother of two, who has . lived in the area for 25 years, refuted complaints that the new finish . on her detached Edwardian home ‘jarred’ with the rest of the street, . pointing to ‘unsightly’ changes made to neighbouring houses. Battle: Susanne Willumsen said she did not even set out to have the pebble dashing removed . The coarse form of plaster is created by smearing cement over brick and adding small gravel, pebbles or shells on top. It was prevalent in the 1920s as a way to cover poor quality brick as builders were forced to cut costs to meet a surge in property demand. Some neighbours have come forward to support her, saying the original pebble dash facade looked ‘cheap’ and it was a shame her ‘transformation’ would be lost. But in their letter to the council, the residents’ association claimed the work was a ‘severe violation’ that ‘jarred’ with the character of the exclusive street in West Hampstead, north London, where house prices average £3million. Miss Thompson and her mother Phyllida Law live on the road, as does Miss Staunton and her husband, Downton Abbey star Jim Carter. And Miss Law has even lent her support to Ms Willumsen, saying: ‘I’d rather they replaced the pebble dash than dug out one of those awful basement holes and added extra floors underneath.’ The bizarre row began after Ms Willumsen employed builders to refurbish her home and they removed the pebble dash. The West End Green conservation area advisory committee – which has some members living on the street – complained to Camden Council and she was sent an enforcement notice. The council said that the work had been carried out in a conservation area without the required planning permission, ‘causing harm to the character and appearance of the streetscene’. Ms Willumsen’s application for . retrospective permission was dismissed and she was given three months to . reverse the work. In appeal documents, she said she had canvassed the . opinion of her neighbours who were unopposed to the new facade. She . said it was her belief that the ‘unfortunate situation’ was caused by a . ‘somewhat personal challenge’. But the conservation body said a . ‘significant number’ of neighbours were ‘unhappy that the finish is out . of keeping with the rest of the street’. Exclusive: The house is in West Hampstead, where the average price of a home is £3million . Neighbours: The street is also home to the actresses Imelda Staunton and Oscar-winner Emma Thompson . An anonymous letter written by a member of the group said that the ‘unique mix of Edwardian and Victorian architectural features’ in the area was ‘being eroded through unsympathetic, and in many cases, forbidden alterations’. Rejecting Ms Willumsen’s appeal, planning inspector David Rose said the white finish was ‘stark and bland’ and removing pebble dash would ‘result in the loss of local character and distinctiveness’. But Norwegian Ms Willumsen told the Daily Mail her neighbours were disappointed that she had lost the battle with the council. She said: ‘I didn’t specifically ask for [the pebble dash] to be removed. The builders said they did it to all of the houses [in the area] and said it had never been an issue. Unfortunately, in my road, it is an issue. ‘Anyone walking along the street would see that not all the houses are pebble dashed. ‘I’ve accepted my fate. I just think the rules should be clearer for residents about what can and can’t be done. It’s such a shame because the builders have created such a beautiful finish and now I have to ask them to put the pebble dashing up.’ | Susanne Willumsen, 45, lives in same London street as Emma Thompson .
But neighbours complained her removal of dated front was 'unsympathetic'
After year-long planning row Camden Council has told her to restore it . |
f9c979537da5f28c24d6ea4d3450c89915aa637b | A median income family will pay an average total of $245,340 to raise a child from birth up until the time they graduate from high school. And a large chunk of that sum will be eaten up by childcare. A study by Child Care Aware - a group that provides resources to parents and caregivers - that was published by CNN Money on Thursday showed that about 15 per cent of a two-parent family's median income will go to daycare. The most affected areas in the United States are in the northeast. On average, a family in Massachusetts are spending $16,549 per child, per year for childcare. Extreme: A new study by Child Care Aware shows that parents are paying more for childcare each year than they are for college tuition . Forever rising: A recent Brookings Institution analysis of consumer price data showed that costs of services continue to rise fast but income levels (dotted line) move much slower. Childcare (blue) was the steepest . Literally through the roof: The cost of childcare has increased so exponentially between 1990 and 2013 that it doesn't even fit on this chart . Families in New York are the hardest hit, paying an average of 16 per cent of their combined yearly income. The situation is understandably worse for families at the poverty line, who can spend up to 85 percent of their income on childcare. Prices are somewhat lower in the south, with Louisiana coming in at the cheapest, devoting only 7 per cent of their income to having their children looked after. The study determined that of the 50 American states, 30 of them are paying more for childcare each year than they are college tuition. The results come after a recent Brookings Institution analysis of consumer price data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which were published by The Huffington Post. A chart from the analysis shows that while income has slowly increased from 1990 to 2013 - taking a minor plunge around 2008 during the GFC - the price of goods and services have risen steeply. The most concerning increase was childcare. Pricey: On average, a family in Massachusetts are spending $16,549 per child, per year for childcare . In one of the charts, the increase was so severe over the last 23 years it did not fit on the graph. However - and thankfully - the childcare on the chart includes elementary, high school and college tuition and fees, as well as child care and nursery school, The HuffPost reported. Not listed on the charts are factors that are cutting into income more than ever, such rent, legal and professional services, and hotel rates. 'These large sectors and the high prices they charge are contributing heavily to the slipping economic position of American households,' the Brookings analysts wrote. | Study by Child Care Aware found people in 30 of the 50 states are paying more in childcare each year than in college tuition .
Families in Massachusetts are spending $16,549 per child, per year .
Cost of raising a child in the state from birth to the end of high school is $282,480 .
On average the figure is $245,340 . |
f9c98f7a21220b2b4a9bdea6fb6ff1eb647d9841 | Johannesburg (CNN) -- "This shouldn't be happening" -- these were the words of a visibly nervous and frustrated sheriff of the court as he rang the outside bell and knocked at the gate belonging to a woman still considered by many in South Africa as the "mother of the nation." Joe Maluleke and two other officials arrived at Winnie Mandela's house in Soweto on Tuesday to execute a court order granting a Johannesburg school permission to auction her belongings and pay an old debt. Among the goods meant to go under the hammer were 50 paintings, a round table, chairs and a silver tea set. The problems started when the ex-wife of Nelson Mandela, the country's first black president and an international icon, registered her great niece, Nobantu Vutela, as a boarding student at Abbotts College in Northcliff, Johannesburg, according to court papers filed in 2008. The accommodation fees for the year were 40,000 South African rand -- the equivalent of about $4,000 today. Winnie Mandela, 76, who earns an annual salary of around $90,000, as a member of parliament, was given six months to pay the full amount. It's unclear why she and not the girl's own parents enrolled her into the private school. Despite the documents stipulating that R10,000 ($1000) be paid up front, lawyers representing the school say Mrs Mandela never paid a cent. They started instituting proceedings against her in October 2008. The case dragged on for five years. A lawyer acting on behalf of the school told CNN Mrs Mandela made her first payment last year but that she still owes nearly $5,000 with interest included. Mrs Mandela's lawyer is disputing the interest amount. With dozens of journalists surrounding him, not a single bidder in sight, and Mrs Mandela's bodyguards stationed on the other side of the wall, Sheriff Maluleke knocked in vain. People could be seen moving around inside and outside the house, but nobody came out to let the sheriff in. At one point a car sped out of the premises using a side entrance. It is unclear who was in the car. Maluleke was instructed by lawyers to get a locksmith and force his way into Mandela's house, but he was understandably reluctant. At one point a spectator shouted, "Why don't you climb over the wall?" The sheriff's irritated retort: "And get shot at?" The tense standoff lasted for about two hours. Maluleke left Winnie Mandela's property empty-handed and dejected. He later admitted that the task he was expected to carry out was a difficult one. "Is it because she is the mother of the nation?" he was asked. "Exactly," he responded. Read this: How South Africa avoided 'bloody racial war' On Monday night Winnie Mandela's lawyer Yandisa Dudula had been frantically trying to stop the auction from going ahead. "Mrs. Mandela has given me a check for R16,000 ($1,696), and another R4,000 ($212) has been given to the sheriff," he told CNN. "The auction is not necessary." The school's lawyers insisted on getting the money in cash, failing which, they said the sale of her goods would go ahead as planned. Confused neighbors looked on as the spectacle at Mandela's property unfolded. "We thought she had money, it is very surprising that her goods are now having to be auctioned in order to recoup funds for a debt," one of them told CNN. When asked what it is like to live next door "the mother of the nation," the neighbor said, "We never see her. When the old man (Nelson Mandela) lived in Soweto he would walk around, shake people's hands, greet and talk to them, he even invited us into his home." "Winnie keeps to herself, but we still call her 'mother of the nation' and no-one wants to see her humiliated," the neighbor said. Commentators say Winnie Mandela has become increasingly isolated, not only by her political family, the ruling African National Congress, but seemingly by her biological family as well. "Internal tensions within the family could have played a role in no one coming to Mrs Mandela's aid," political analyst Somadoda Fikeni told CNN. "The family is fragmented and recent squabbles over money have further emphasized these divisions." Two of Nelson Mandela's daughters -- Makaziwe Mandela and Zenani Dlamini -- are currently embroiled in a legal battle over the former political prisoner's money. They have filed court papers in an attempt to remove Mandela's longtime lawyer and friend, 84-year-old George Bizos, and others as directors of companies owned by the Mandela Trust. The children's legal battle over their iconic father's monies has come under heavy criticism in South Africa. Bizos told local media the lawsuit is "a ploy to resuscitate the sale of Mandela's artworks" whose proceeds go to the companies at the center of the dispute. Andrew Mlangeni, who was incarcerated on Robben Island with Mr Mandela, told CNN: "This is a matter that should have been resolved internally within the family." Makaziwe recently rebutted accusations that her intentions are motivated by greed, telling the New York Times: "This issue that we are greedy, that we are wanting this money before my dad passes away is all nonsense." The feud over Nelson Mandela's millions and now the threat of an auction at his former wife's residence underscore the contradictions and complexities in what many consider South Africa's political "royal family." Read this: Big brands target South Africa's middle class . This is by no means Winnie Mandela's first brush with the law, although for years many saw her as untouchable. The former freedom fighter was implicated in the 1980s murder of 14-year-old anti-apartheid activist Stompie Seipei. Her then-husband, Nelson Mandela, stood by her, despite a mountain of damning evidence. In 1991 she was convicted of kidnapping Seipei and for being an accessory to assault, but her six-year jail term was reduced on appeal to a fine and a suspended sentence. In 2003 Mrs Mandela was convicted for theft and fraud in connection with an elaborate bank loan scheme where the ANC party letterhead was used to obtain loans for bogus employees including her youngest daughter Zinzi. The conviction carried a jail term, but that sentence too was suspended. A few months ago police confirmed that they have reopened the murder case of two more former freedom fighters, allegedly last seen at her house more than 20 years ago. Their bodies were exhumed in March. In recent years, "the mother of the nation's" influence in the country and within the ruling party has waned, and the protection she once enjoyed along with it. Last year she was voted second-last in the party's national executive committee. She had been top of the list at the previous ANC conference in 2007. Still, respected columnist and journalist Justice Malala says he is astonished Winnie Mandela couldn't get help from a single one of her former comrades. Malala told CNN: "It's great that she was paying for her great niece's school fees but I'm surprised that firstly she didn't feel she could raise the money from her own salary and secondly that no-one in the ANC was willing to help her. She could have also approached the Mandela Trust. Mandela has given money to president Jacob Zuma before when he was in trouble." Perhaps the most astonishing part of the tale is why her children and grandchildren appear to have stood by and watched as threats of an auction became more serious. Two of her grandchildren, Zaziwe and Swati Dlamini have recently launched a reality show in the U.S. called "Being Mandela." They also have a clothing line named "Long Walk to Freedom" after their grandfather's autobiography. Their mother Zenani Dlamini, Winnie's eldest daughter, is South Africa's ambassador to Argentina. Despite the family's many ventures and connections, Winnie's lawyer says money isn't always readily available. Winnie Mandela has often courted controversy, but she is still adored by many in South Africa. She endured years of torture, torment, banishment and imprisonment by the apartheid regime while fighting resolutely for racial equality in the country. And despite her legal and financial troubles over the years, very few South Africans are celebrating her downfall. Many of them took to Twitter to express their solidarity. "We cannot forget Winnie Mandela who stood tall for three decades" wrote one person. | Winnie Mandela threatened with having her belongings sold off to pay school fees .
Mandela, ex-wife of South African icon Nelson Mandela, is regarded by many as "mother of the nation"
Commentators say Winnie Mandela increasingly isolated from political and biological families .
Nelson Mandela's family embroiled in legal battle over former political prisoner's money . |
f9c99544c42cba5211e0587d5e61e6cacfac7a5e | (CNN) -- Pulitzer Prize-winning author, radio host and activist Studs Terkel died in his Chicago, Illinois, home Friday at the age of 96. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Studs Terkel died at his home Friday at the age of 96. Terkel had grown frail since the publication last year of his memoir, "Touch and Go," said Gordon Mayer, vice president of the Community Media Workshop, which Terkel had supported. "I'm still in touch, but I'm ready to go," he said last year at his last public appearance with the workshop, a nonprofit that recognizes Chicago reporters who take risks in covering the city. "My dad led a long, full, eventful -- sometimes tempestuous -- satisfying life," his son Dan said in a statement. "The last time I saw him, he was up, about, and mad as hell about the Cubs," workshop President Thom Clark said in the statement. Terkel, known for his portrayal of ordinary people young and old, rich and poor, won a Pulitzer Prize in 1985 for his remembrances of World War II, "The Good War." iReport.com: Remebering the legacy of Studs Terkel . Terkel was born in New York but moved to Chicago, where his parents ran a small hotel. Terkel would sit in the hotel lobby watching droves of people arguing, fighting, ranting and telling stories. "That hotel was far more of an education to me than the University of Chicago was," Studs told CNN in 2000. It seems that beginning would pave the way for Terkel's love of passing on people's oral histories. He could often be found behind a tape recorder talking to the people who would eventually become the basis for his books. Terkel became famous, if not synonymous with oral histories, for his ability to cast a light on the working class. "Oral history preceded the written word," Terkel told CNN in 2000. "Oral history is having people tell their own stories and bringing it forth. "That's what history's about: the oral history of the unknowns that make the wheel go 'round. And that's what I'm interested in." In an interview with Lou Waters on CNN in 1995, Terkel spoke about his book "Coming of Age," which explored the lives of people who have been "scrappers" all of their lives. Inside the book are the stories of people between the ages of 70 and 95, a group he called "the truth tellers." "Who are the best historians? Who are the storytellers?" Terkel asked. "Who lived through the Great Depression of the '30s, World War II that changed the whole psyche and map of the world, a Cold War, Joe McCarthy, Vietnam, the '60s, that's so often put down today and I think was an exhilarating and hopeful period, and, of course, the computer and technology. Who are the best ones to tell the story? Those who've borne witness to it. And they're our storytellers." After Terkel's wife died in 1999, he began working on a book about death, eventually called "Will the Circle Be Unbroken? Reflections on Death, Rebirth, and Hunger for a Faith." "It's about life," Terkel said in 2000 when asked about the project. "How can one talk about life without saying sometime it's going to end? It makes the value of life all the more precious." | Terkel won Pulitzer Prize in 1985 for book about World War II, "The Good War"
Son: "My dad led a long, full, eventful -- sometimes tempestuous -- satisfying life"
Terkel once said death "makes the value of life all the more precious"
Author believed elderly, those "who've borne witness" to life are best storytellers . |
f9c9a3fd7f94759d1bc179166b3ac08300ef8a5c | It looks like Jon Corzine’s love of risk-taking is finally proving to bring him down after his securities fund today filed for bankruptcy protection. Futures brokerage MF Global Holdings filed after a tentative deal with a buyer fell apart, marking a stunning failure for its 64-year-old CEO. His career has taken him to the top echelons of Wall Street as Goldman Sachs CEO, into politics as a U.S. senator and to New Jersey governor. Troubled: Jon Corzine, MF Global Holdings CEO, left, leaves his office in Manhattan, New York, on Monday as it filed for bankruptcy protection . But the MF Global meltdown makes it the biggest U.S. casualty of Europe’s debt crisis, as it pays the price for his risky bets on sovereign debt. The Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing came after talks to sell a variety of assets to Interactive Brokers Group reportedly broke down earlier on Monday. It also comes one week after MF Global, whose shares plunged 66 per cent last week, reported its biggest-ever quarterly loss. Besides the loss of $186.6million for the fiscal second quarter, investors were spooked when MF Global's debt was downgraded to junk status. The seventh-largest bankruptcy in U.S. history by assets is reminiscent of when Lehman Brothers fell at the peak of the financial crisis in 2008. MF Global traders and counter-parties were left scrambling and confused on Monday, as the fund halted its shares. Risk-taker: His career has taken him to the top echelons of Wall Street as Goldman Sachs CEO, into politics as a U.S. senator and to New Jersey governor . But it did not file for bankruptcy until well after the U.S. markets opened. ‘Ultimately it will have lost all confidence of its investor base,’ said Michael Epstein, a restructuring adviser with CRG Partners. 'Ultimately it will have lost all . confidence of its investor base... in some respects, it's a baby Lehman, in effect' Michael Epstein, restructuring . adviser with CRG Partners . ‘I'm not sure what restructuring it actually does. In some respects, it's a baby Lehman, in effect.’ Three traders wearing MF Global jackets were seen leaving the Chicago Board of Trade prior to the opening of pit trading. Floor sources said they had been turned away after their security access cards were denied. Jeff Carter, an independent futures trader in Chicago, said the impact on the markets should be smaller and nothing like when Lehman failed. Mr Corzine's decision to chase yield by going after European sovereign debt was clearly ill-advised and always seemed much too risky, he said. Money man: Mr Corzine is also a top fundraiser for Barack Obama, helping raise at least $500,000 for the President's re-election campaign since April . MF Global scrambled through the weekend and into Monday to find buyers for all or parts of the company. But at the same time it was hiring restructuring and bankruptcy advisers in case nothing could be done. Mr Corzine was trying to transform it from a brokerage that mainly places customers' trades on exchanges into betting with its own capital. He took over MF Global early last year. It has turned a profit just three times in the past 12 quarters. Mr Corzine is also a top fundraiser for Barack Obama, helping raise at least $500,000 for the President’s re-election campaign since April. MF Global, which filed in New York, has assets of $41.05billion and liabilities of $39.68billion, according to its bankruptcy petition. 'The real question is how many assets will be left to transfer,' said Niamh Alexander, an analyst at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. Bank stocks dropped broadly on Monday . after the bankruptcy filing. Bank of America fell 4.5 per cent and . Citigroup plunged 5.5 per cent. | MF Global Holdings files for bankruptcy protection .
Corzine is former Goldman CEO and N.J. governor .
He made risky bets on European sovereign debt . |
f9cab6d1056e04fd5524bd091a7142aa89766cda | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 11:09 AM on 23rd January 2012 . A former NYPD officer who was sentenced to three years’ probation last week for tagging his nickname to an overpass in Queens says the latest graffiti isn’t his, though his checkered past says otherwise. Steven Weinberg, a 44-year-old retired officer, spent much of the 1980s vandalising walls and subway cars with his art. But Weinberg, who suffers from nerve damage from an injury sustained on the job over a decade ago, uses a cane to get around and says the latest bout of graffiti – which is in the middle of a highway overpass - isn’t his. Ex-cop by day, vandal by night? Steven Weinberg, who was forced out of . the NYPD due to a leg injury in 2001, was put on three years probation . Problem picture: This tag appeared in 2009, and has since been the heart of the City's case against Steven Weinberg, saying it shows that he is still active . Weinberg was convicted last week of putting his tag, Neo, along a Queens overpass in Bayside in 2009, but he insists it was a copycat. ‘I never admitted to doing this,’ he told the New York Post. ‘I never denied I used to do it, but I didn’t do this graffiti on the highway.’ The former officer, now married with a wife and young daughter, told the New York Daily News at his hearing last week that he stopped doing graffiti after he joined the force in 1995. The judge, however, didn’t believe his plea. ‘I know that you’re in chronic pain,’ Supreme Court Justice Salvatore Modica said. ‘I understand what you’re going through. It does not excuse the criminal behaviour.’ All over the place: Neo's tags have been spotted on walls, trains, and trucks . According to the News, prosecutors said Weinberg bragged about the tagging on a MySpace page. Back in the 1980s, when the city was full of graffiti artists and squeegee men, crime ran rampant on the streets of New York. Weinberg said that at the time, sloppy security allowed he and other artists to roam the streets and subways ‘like it was a playground at Mickey D’s.’ Regardless, he said he enjoyed the thrill, as well as the artistic aspects, not the drug culture that is often associated with graffiti. Around the corner: Neo started tagging in his neighbourhood of Queens . He receives an annual disability pension of $38,000 a year. Weinberg retired in 2001 after sustaining serious nerve damage to his leg. He was forced to pay a $700 fine at his sentencing last week. The judge also ordered him to participate in a programme in Brooklyn which teaches art history and how to use graffiti productively. The programme is called ‘Paint Straight.’ He told the Post: ‘I believe in rehabilitation. I think you cause more problems in society when you give people convictions on something like this, when you could have them contribute to society instead.’ With his work: The website Subway Outlaws served as an outlet for Neo to speak about his work, shown in a fuzzed-out photo here . | Steven Weinberg was prominent graffiti artist in 1980s .
Joined NYPD in 1995 but left in 2001 because of injury .
Fined $700 and put on three-year probation for 2009 tag on Queens overpass he insists he didn't do . |
f9cb8484679a8c40312262fc9674c371049f4c3d | By . Helen Collis . PUBLISHED: . 07:36 EST, 2 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:06 EST, 2 October 2013 . A man whose skull was smashed to bits in a horrific lawnmower accident has had it replaced using an implant created with a 3D printer. Michal Lesiow, 31, from Kutna, Poland, was taken to hospital with grass, mud and bone fragments in his shattered skull after the rotary lawnmower ran over his head as he cut grass outside his house. He can't remember how the accident happened, and said: 'All I recall is that I woke up in a ditch with a cracking headache, like I'd been punched or hit by a car. Michal Lesiow, 31, is lucky to be alive having received a 3D printed skull implant after an accident with a lawnmower left him out cold in a ditch . 'The police were there and told me not to move and then an ambulance turned up.' When Mr Lesiow got to hospital he was told he was missing part of his head. Dr Pawel Kolasa, head of neurosurgery at the hospital in Lodz where Mr Lesiow was taken said: 'The patient had massive trauma to the skull with a hole showing part of the brain. 'He was lucky to have survived.' Surgeons at Lodz hospital, Poland, carefully fitted the 'printed' skull implant which had been created to exactly fit the gaping hole . The exact shape of the skull implant was created out of polypropylene by the printer . Dr Kolasa called upon fellow surgeons Professor Marcin Kozakiewicz and radiologist Dr Martin Elgalal who have spent the last two years developing 3D printing applications for bone reproduction. They took a 3D scan of Mr Lesiow's head, and then recreated the missing part of his skull from polypropylene, using the 3D printer. Using this method, the replacement skull is exactly the right shape to fit the gaping hole where the shattered bone was removed. Doctors first took a 3D scan of Mr Lesiow's head to get a multidimensional image of the missing area of skull . Information from the 3D scan is fed into the 3D printer, which the begins to build the skull implant from layers of special plastic . Dr Kolasa and fellow surgeons Professor Marcin Kozakiewicz and radiologist Dr Martin Elgalal have spent the last two years developing 3D printing applications for bone reproduction . 'We have obtained very good artistic and aesthetic effect and, more importantly, permanent protection of the brain,' said Dr Kolasa. 'I've still got a cracking headache, but at least I'm still alive and look pretty normal all things considered,' Michal said. | Michal Lesiow found in a ditch his skull shattered, full of mud and grass .
Doctors at Lodz hospital, Poland, took a 3D scan of his head .
They then built a polypropylene implant using a state-of-the-art 3D printer .
Mr Lesiow says he has a cracking headache but is grateful to be alive . |
f9cb88856eb402b3b604b6f0f4dbb2e886f0aa1a | (CNN) -- Double explosions of a roadside bomb and then a car bomb killed at least 10 people and wounded 40 others near a Shiite mosque north of Baghdad on Saturday, Tikrit police officials told CNN. Elsewhere in Iraq, at least five people were killed and 18 more wounded when a suicide car bombing hit near a security checkpoint at an outdoor market in central Tal-Afar, outside of Mosul, the city's police and health officials said Saturday. Tal-Afar is mostly inhabited by Shiite Turkmen. In a third incident, three people were killed and six more wounded when gunmen attacked security checkpoints in southern Mosul, officials said. In the double explosions near the mosque, the blasts took place in central Tuz Khurmatu, located in Salaheddin province about 125 miles north of Baghdad. There is also a security checkpoint near the mosque as well as several shops, police said. It was the latest round of violence in Iraq. On Friday, at least 21 people were killed and dozens wounded in shootings and explosions across the country, officials say. The deadliest attack occurred in the neighborhood of Dora, southern Baghdad, where twin improvised explosive devices were detonated near an ice cream shop. Officials told CNN seven people -- including children -- died in the blasts and 18 others were wounded. Political unrest and sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shiites have festered in recent months. The U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq estimates at least 979 Iraqis -- 852 of them civilians -- were killed in October alone. CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report. | NEW: At least five people are killed in a suicide car bombing in Tal-Afar .
NEW: Three people are killed when gunmen attack a southern Mosul checkpoint .
At least 10 people are killed when two bombs explode in Tuz Khurmatu .
Bloodshed rises between Sunnis and Shiites . |
f9cba9ae112e86d8e845f74d8eed2f43a2f10af4 | (CNN) -- The wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama told CNN's Larry King on Wednesday that she is not offended by a much-publicized comment made toward her husband in Tuesday night's debate. Michelle Obama talks about Williams Ayers, Hillary Clinton and her husband's campaign on Larry King Live. In the presidential matchup at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, GOP nominee John McCain criticized his Democratic rival for supporting the 2007 Bush-Cheney energy bill. "It was an energy bill on the floor of the Senate, loaded down with goodies, billions for oil companies, and it was sponsored by Bush and Cheney. ... You know who voted for it? You might never know. That one," he said, gesturing toward Obama. "You know who voted against it? Me." When asked whether McCain's reference to Obama as "that one" was offensive, Michelle Obama simply said "No," adding that the issue has nothing to do with what's affecting average Americans hurting from the economic downturn. "I think there are two conversations that have been going on throughout this whole election. There's the conversation that's been happening with the pundits ... and then there's the conversation that's been happening on the ground," she said. Watch Michelle Obama talk about McCain's comment » . She said Americans "right now are scared" and "nervous about the economy." "They don't care about the back and forth between the candidates. ... They want real answers about how we're going to fix this economy and get the health care benefits on track so, you know, this is part of politics," she added. King asked Obama about the McCain camp bringing up her husband's ties to William Ayers. Ayers was a founding member of the Weather Underground, a 1960s radical group known for bombings of police stations, the Pentagon and the U.S. Capitol. Fact Check: Is Obama 'palling around with terrorists'? Ayers is a university professor who lives on the South Side of Chicago, where Obama cut his political teeth. Michelle Obama said her husband served on a Chicago education board with Ayers. "I don't know anyone in Chicago who is heavily involved in education policy who doesn't know Bill Ayers," she said. "But, you know, again I go back to the point that, you know, the American people aren't asking these questions." "You don't think it affects the campaign?" King asked. "You know, I think that we've been in this for 20 months and people have gotten to know Barack. He's written a book, books have been written about him. He, like all of the other candidates have been thoroughly vetted. And I think people know Barack Obama. Watch Michelle Obama discuss William Ayers » . "They know his heart, they know his spirit, and the thing that I just encourage people is to judge Barack and judge all of these candidates based on what they do, their actions, their character, what they do in their lives rather than what somebody [else] did when they were 8." Michelle Obama was referring to the fact that Ayers allegedly committed his most radical acts when Barack Obama was a child. McCain's running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, has lobbed some intense attacks on Barack Obama over the Ayers issue. "Our opponent is someone who sees America as imperfect enough to pal around with terrorists who targeted their own country," Palin told a crowd of supporters this week. King played the clip and asked Michelle Obama if that statement made her "mad." Obama replied, "I don't watch it." "What do you make of her running for a vice president and having many kids and being a good parent and bouncing all the balls?" King asked. "I think she provides an excellent of example of all the different roles that women can and should play," Michelle Obama responded. "I'm a mother with kids and I've had a career and I've had to juggle. She's doing publicly what so many women are doing on their own privately. What we're fighting for is to make sure that all women have the choices that Sarah Palin and I have." At one point, King asked her if her husband likes McCain. "Do these two candidates, as has been reported, not like each other?" King asked. "I can only speak for Barack, and I know that Barack has the utmost respect for Sen. McCain. He said so on so many occasions," she said. "I think this has been a long, tough fight. And politics sometimes leads to things said between the candidates. But again, what we found is that people are really focused on who is going to -- who has got the vision that's going to take us to the next level?" She said campaigning is exhausting but she likes it more than she expected. "When I'm tired, I get more energy coming out of a rally where I get the -- get hugs and I see people on the rope lines tearing up because they never thought they'd see this moment," she said. "I see kids who are focused and engaged in a way that I've never seen before. That gives us both energy." Obama also talked about Sen. Hillary Clinton. "Are you happy with the way she's supporting your husband?" King asked. "She has been phenomenal. ...She has always been just cordial and open. I've called her, I've talked to her. She's given me advice about the kids," Obama said. Watch Michelle Obama call Hillary Clinton 'phenomenal' » . "We've talked at length about this kind of stuff -- how you feel, how you react. She has been amazing. She is a real pro and a woman with character." CNN political producer Ed Hornick contributed to this report. | Michelle Obama talks to Larry King in an interview Wednesday night .
She responds to her husband being referred to as "that one" in Tuesday debate .
Michelle Obama: Americans "don't care about the back and forth" |
f9cc737331c65c2e90f1bb3be4b9d0b037d03386 | (CNN) -- Malik Bendjelloul, the acclaimed Swedish director who ran out of cash and finished shooting his Oscar-winning documentary "Searching for Sugar Man" with a smartphone app, died suddenly Tuesday in Stockholm, police said. He was 36. No crime is suspected in the death of the filmmaker, who won the 2013 Academy Award for his debut feature about an obscure American crooner who gained fame abroad but remained virtually unknown at home, Stockholm Police Sgt. Janne Gyllstedt told CNN. Gyllstedt would not specify the cause of death and said he was unable to disclose any additional information. "Searching for Sugar Man" is the story of Sixto Rodriguez, a singer from Detroit who became a legend in South Africa. With lyrics such as "The system's gonna fall soon, to an angry young tune," Rodriguez unwittingly became the voice of the anti-Apartheid struggle in the 1970s, even as his records flopped in his own country. "A man who lives his whole life in Detroit working as a construction worker, without knowing that, at the very same time, he's more famous than Elvis Presley in another part of the world," Bendjelloul told CNN's Poppy Harlow in 2012. "I thought it was the most beautiful story I've ever heard in my life." "Searching for Sugar Man" producer Simon Chinn said in a statement: "I felt so fortunate when Malik came into my life, with his charm, optimism and boundless energy and lack a guile, and now he is gone. It feels like a bright light has been snuffed out." He added, "As a filmmaker he was an inspiration -- someone who, despite his relative inexperience, was driven by a passion and determination to do justice to the great story he had found and to prove those (who) had doubted he could do it, of which there were too many, wrong. How he proved them wrong! I feel honoured to have gone on this journey with him, and I simply can't believe he is gone." Tom Bernard and Michael Barker of Sony Pictures Classics compared Bendjelloul to the subject of his debut feature. "Much like Rodriguez himself, Malik was a genuine person who chased the world for stories to tell," they said in a joint statement. "He didn't chase fame or fortune or awards, although those accolades still found him as many others recognized his storytelling." After running out of money for the film, Bendjelloul finished shooting the documentary using an iPhone app. "I started shooting with a Super 8 camera which, in the end, was too expensive," he told CNN. "How am I going to finish? Then one day I realized there was this app for the iPhone called the Super 8 app. It was $1. It worked very well. Actually, I used that for the film." The film gets its title from "Sugar Man," a 1970 Rodriguez song about a drug peddler. "It was this lost masterpiece, like a Cinderella story, a fairy tale," Bendjelloul said of Rodriguez's life. "I never heard anything like that. A story that was so rich and true." Bendjelloul, who was born on September 17, 1977, in Sweden, performed in the Swedish TV series "Ebba och Didrik" as a child in the 1990s and later studied journalism and media production at the Linnaeus University of Kalmar, according to imdb.com. He produced several musical documentaries for Swedish TV. Bendjelloul also worked as a reporter on the show "Kobra" until he resigned to travel the world, which was when he first came across the story of Rodriguez, according to imdb.com. "It's a touching story that hits you in the heart," he said. "And also he's such a lovable character. Everyone falls in love with him. He's a person you can actually really love." In 2013, his debut feature beat out "5 Broken Cameras," "The Gatekeepers," "How to Survive a Plague" and "The Invisible War" for best documentary. "Oh boy!" Bendjelloul said in his acceptance speech. "Thanks to one of the greatest singers ever, Rodriguez." Bendjelloul had likened the Oscar to winning his native country's Nobel Prize. "This is the only one that is on the same level," he said. People we've lost in 2014 . CNN's Ray Sanchez and Nischelle Turner contributed to this report. | Director Malik Bendjelloul died suddenly in Stockholm, Sweden, police say .
Bendjelloul directed "Searching for Sugar Man," which won a best documentary Oscar .
Police say foul play is not suspected in the filmmaker's death . |
f9ccd598793b75aca0b5cfaeac62f8d72184a71d | Ever since Marty McFly made his getaway on a hoverboard in Back to the Future II, gadget fans have been dreaming of floating along on their own device. Now, Californian architect Greg Henderson has made that dream come true by developing a hoverboard that floats in mid-air just like the 1980s classic film. Dubbed the Hendo Hoverboard, the technology uses four ‘hover engines’ which emit magnetic fields that push against each other as long as metal conductor is used in the surface underneath. Scroll down for video . The Hendo Hoverboard uses four ‘hover engines’ which emit magnetic fields that push against each other . The idea came to Mr Henderson while he was trying to find ways of building structures that can better withstand earthquakes. As part of his research, he came up with a method that uses electromagnetic fields to separate the building from the ground in the event of a disaster. That same technology, he realised, could also be put to work in a hoverboard that would allow people to glide on air. In a video released by Mr Henderson, a man is seen moving smoothly along a custom-built skate ramp on his board, which is held an inch of the ground. Ever since Michael J Fox made his getaway on a hoverboard in Back to the Future II (left), gadget fans have been dreaming of floating on their own device. Now, Californian architect Greg Henderson has made that dream come true by developing a hoverboard (design pictured right) that floats in mid-air . Unlike the Back to the Future board, the technology requires the board to be on top of conductive materials to serve as a secondary magnetic field . Unlike the Back to the Future board, the technology requires the board to be on top of conductive materials - such as copper or aluminum - to serve as a secondary magnetic field. The Hendo Hoverboard uses four ‘hover engines’ which emit magnetic fields that push against each other. The magnets only work as long as metal conductor is used in the surface underneath. So the board underneath the Hendo can be aluminum and copper to work, for instance. The innovation here is in the efficiency of the induction process and the ability to control the movements of the hovering objects. The system claims to be able to carry 40lbs (18kg) and has a battery that lasts for around seven minutes. Maglev trains use similar technology but laying down a track costs around £464,000 ($750,000) per metre. Mr Henderson, however, claims its technology would only cost £6,200 ($10,000) per metre of track. Mr Henderson’s 19-person company, Arx Pax, is now making the technology inside the device available to the public on crowd funding site Kickstarter. The company is hoping to raise £155,000 ($250,000) for the campaign and will sell the technology for £185 ($299) in a box it calls the Hover Engine developer kit. Buyers can take the hover tech outside of the box and put it in anything they want to hover. It can carry 40lbs (18kg) and has a battery that lasts for around seven minutes. ‘We want to see what you can do with our technology,’ the company writes on their Kickstarter page. ‘You can use it for hovering, or for applications we haven't even imagined.’ Consumers can also buy the complete Hendo hoverboard from £6,200 ($10,000). In the meantime, the group is working on something called the G-Ray, which will allow people to control the hover technology remotely using a smartphone app. Californian group Arx Pax claims its technology would cost £6,200 ($10,000) per metre of track to work . The magnets only work as long as metal conductor is used in the surface underneath. So the board underneath the Hendo can be aluminum and copper to work . Buyers can take the hover tech outside of the box and put it in anything they want to hover. It can carry 40lbs (18kg) and has a battery that lasts for around seven minutes . | Hendo Hoverboard was created by Californian architect Greg Henderson .
It has four ‘engines’ which emit magnetic fields pushing against each other .
But they only work if a metal conductor is used in surface underneath .
Mr Henderson is now hoping to raise £155,000 ($250,000) on Kickstarter .
He is also selling technology for £185 ($299) in Hover Engine developer kit . |
f9cd250b0920565c56fb4af16d4c0c1e2857ef3e | Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama called Sunday for Americans to perform community service in honor of Nelson Mandela's 92nd birthday. "On behalf of the United States, I wish Nelson Mandela a very happy 92nd birthday," Obama said in White House statement, referring to the former South African president who spent 27 years in prison before leading his country from white-minority rule to all-race democratic elections. "We are grateful to continue to be blessed with his extraordinary vision, leadership, and spirit. And we strive to build upon his example of tolerance, compassion and reconciliation.," Obama said of Mandela, who is known around the world by his clan name, "Madiba." Obama noted that Sunday was the first annual Nelson Mandela International Day, as proclaimed by the United Nations. "I encourage us all to heed the call to engage in some form of service to others, in honor of the 67 years of sacrifice and service Madiba gave to us," Obama's statement said. "We strive to follow his example of what it means to truly give back to our communities, our nations, and our world." | President Obama offers birthday wishes to Nelson Mandela .
The former South African president turns 92 on Sunday .
Obama calls on Americans to perform community service in honor of Mandela . |
f9cd278dfd7c20ab0d79dd90dee9b59c917ccdb0 | By . Martha De Lacey . PUBLISHED: . 10:27 EST, 20 June 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:30 EST, 20 June 2012 . It seems that two famous British Kates - Middleton and Moss - have been influencing the way UK women dress - and, in particular, how much flesh they choose to bare. We may have invented the miniskirt, but these days British women are some of the most covered-up in Europe, wearing longer skirts and less revealing tops than their continental counterparts, according to new research. British modesty: The conservative style of the Duchess of Cambridge, left, and comments made by Kate Moss, right, are proving influential in the way British women choose to dress . Skirts in Britain tend to hang, on average, 10cm longer than those worn in France and Italy, while . the majority of British women cover their upper arms, cleavages and . legs above the knee, according to research carried out by Parisian fashion house Georgede. The findings revealed that French . and Italian women wear the shortest skirts, followed by the Spanish and . Germans, then the Scandinavians, Austrians and Brits. In fact, only women in Luxembourg wear longer skirts than those in Britain do, but their clothes are still more revealing overall. Georgede's MD Phillip Bendavid said: 'It is very much the Kate effect. Kate Middleton and Kate Moss are leading the charge. 'Kate Moss’ recent comment that women should cover up more is very much a reflection of what is happening in the UK.'Increasingly, British women are becoming more conservative in the way they dress.'The Duchess of Cambridge is also definitely influencing the way British women are dressing.'For example, you never see her inappropriately dressed. She covers up those areas that women are very conscious about.' Continental curves: European women including Italian Nancy Dell'Olio, left, and Spain's Elen Rivas, right, have been found to bare more flesh than their British counterparts . A survey of 1,000 British women found 61 per cent of those aged 35 and over were most likely to avoid baring their upper arms, and 54 per cent of this age group cover their knees. Only 37 per cent of the over 35s and only 19 per cent of those under 35 choose to cover their cleavage. Mr Bendavid added that he approved of British women's new-found fondness British for covering-up. He said: 'Imagination is a wonderful thing. A women is often more alluring when sufficiently well-covered.' | British women wear longer skirts and less revealing tops than those in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Scandinavia and Austria .
UK women influenced by Duchess of Cambridge's style and comments from Kate Moss .
Only Luxembourg ladies cover up more than us! |
f9cdd6bb02f2b645fa086a388da7b4fc4d34adb8 | (CNN) -- A tearful Victoria Azarenka retained her Australian Open title and world No. 1 ranking after overcoming crowd favorite Li Na in a dramatic women's final on Saturday. The 23-year-old broke down as she celebrated her second grand slam title, denying her Chinese opponent her second after coming from behind to triumph 4-6 6-4 6-3 and claim the $2 million first prize. The Belorussian went into the match having upset local fans after taking a controversial 10-minute medical break during a key point of her semifinal win over American teen Sloane Stephens, but this time she was forced to wait as Li twice had to receive lengthy treatment. The match was also interrupted in the deciding set by a break for the traditional Australia Day fireworks. "It's been a real long two weeks," Azarenka said on-court after winning in two hours and 40 minutes. "I will always keep very special memories of this court. It will be in my heart forever." Li, the losing finalist in 2011, raced to a 5-2 lead in the opening set as she made a strong bid to add to her French Open title that same year -- a breakthrough win that made her the first Asian female to win a grand slam singles title. However, she was unable to show the same control that had allowed her to thrash world No. 2 Maria Sharapova in straight sets in the semifinals. Azarenka led 3-0 in the second set, then sixth-ranked Li went over on her ankle after winning the next game. It looked like it might bring the final to a premature end but the 30-year-old got back on court after having her foot strapped and reduced the deficit further. However, Azarenka rallied to take the set and then broke Li's serve to lead 1-0 in the third set. Li broke back and then led 2-1 before the fireworks started in celebration of 225 years since the first fleet of colonists arrived from the UK. It was an inopportune break for Li, who again went over on her ankle and banged her head on the court as she tried to protect her damaged foot. "For two seconds I couldn't really see anything. It was totally black," she told reporters. "So when the physio come, she was like, 'Focus on my finger.' I started laughing. I was thinking, 'This is a tennis court, not a hospital.' She was like, 'Follow my finger,' because I didn't follow. I just watched the eyes. She says, 'Follow.' I say, 'Why? I'm okay.' " Li was unable to maintain momentum and Azarenka broke her serve to lead 3-2 -- the 15th break in just 27 games of an error-strewn match -- and went on to clinch the victory that denied Serena Williams a return to the No. 1 spot. Her more consistent approach paid off as Li paid for making 57 unforced errors to 27 despite making 36 winners to Azarenka's 18. "It's a completely different mix of feelings. This one is way more emotional," said Azarenka, who last year topped the WTA Tour money list with more than $7 million. "Li Na was absolutely playing great tennis. Unfortunate things that happened to her, you know, but that's sport. "I'm just happy that everything I went through, you know, I still could manage to give my best and really come out there and try to focus on my game and play tennis that I can produce." Meanwhile, Americans Bob and Mike Bryan won a record 13th men's grand slam doubles title on Saturday, thrashing Dutchmen Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling in Melbourne. The twin brothers moved past the 12 won by the Australian pair John Newcombe and Tony Roche in the 1960s and 1970s as they triumphed 6-3 6-4 in less than an hour. The 34-year-olds, who won the Olympic title last year, have now played in 23 grand slam finals. | World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka wins Australian Open title for the second year in a row .
Belorussian beats crowd favorite and 2011 runner-up Li Na 4-6 6-4 6-3 in Melbourne .
Li needs two medical breaks while final also disrupted by Australia Day fireworks .
Azarenka holds onto the No. 1 ranking, denying Serena Williams top spot . |
f9cdf8a7efbc6293c285ffc2fe7827cb2ec20224 | (CNN) -- A federal judge on Friday ordered a North Carolina teacher to remain in custody until her trial over an alleged plot to behead witnesses who testified against a would-be terrorist. Nevine Aly Elshiekh was arrested with Shkumbin Sherifi on January 22. Just nine days earlier, the man they were allegedly in collusion with -- Hysen Sherifi, who is Shkumbin Sherifi's brother -- was sentenced to 45 years in prison for being part of what prosecutors called a "violent jihad" that had conspired to kill people overseas and kill a federal officer. A criminal complaint alleges that Elshiekh and the Sherifi brothers tried to pull off a plan to "murder and behead" three people who testified against Hysen Sherifi at his trial last year. Facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, Elshiekh is on leave as director of special education at the Sterling Montessori Academy in Morrisville, North Carolina, a Raleigh-Durham suburb. The man listed in court documents as her lawyer, Charles Swift, did not immediately respond to messages Friday for comment. A longtime friend of Elshiekh's said the charges don't reflect who she is. "It's hard for me to imagine that she could be involved with anything crazy or shady. She's not the type of person to get involved in stupid stuff," Sahar El Shafie said. "Anyone who knows the woman would tell you no way. It's so out of character for someone who is a special education teacher." Prosecutors said Hysen Sherifi -- a native of Kosovo who is a U.S. legal permanent resident in North Carolina -- and as many as eight others were part of a homegrown terrorism ring between 2006 and 2009. In Hysen Sherifi's case, officials say that involved taking part in paramilitary training and conspiring to attack U.S. military service members and their families at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia. He was arrested in 2009 and convicted in October of conspiring to kill a federal officer or employee, plotting to kill people overseas, conspiring to provide material support for terrorism and two firearms charges. According to the 10-page federal complaint, confidential informants told the FBI that Hysen Sherifi expressed a desire to hire someone to murder three witnesses who testified against him during his federal trial. He also targeted an inmate who he believed had "defrauded" him out of money concerning his federal charges, documents state. "During conversations ... he wants photographs taken, and provided (to) him, of the dead bodies and severed heads," an FBI special agent in charge noted after reviewing recordings between Hysen Sherifi and an informant. "Sherifi, in sum and substance, explained he wants the witnesses to completely disappear so they cannot testify against him, and others, at any future trials." The complaint said that an informant was told to use the photos depicting the decapitated bodies to "convince other potential witnesses not to testify against him, or his co-conspirators, at future proceedings." Elshiekh visited Hysen Sherifi in a North Carolina jail in December, at which point Sherifi gave her a message to pass on to someone else, the criminal complaint states. In subsequent months, she had repeated contacts with the jailed man, his brother Shkumbin Sherifi and the FBI's informants. Then, in January, Elshiekh allegedly gave an informant $750 as initial payment to kill one of the intended victims. Shkumbin Sherifi gave the same informant the other $4,250 of the agreed-upon fee, the complaint states. A Raleigh, North Carolina-based group called Our Ummah, One Body is urging people not to make assumptions before hearing all sides of the case. "Allegations are not facts," the group said on its website. "Facts are not known yet. As a community, we have known good from both. We remind the Muslim and non-Muslim community members that, according to the law, both are presumed innocent until proven otherwise." CNN's Yasmin Amer contributed to this report. | Nevine Aly Elshiekh is held in alleged plot to behead witnesses against would-be terrorist .
She is on leave from position at Montessori school in North Carolina .
Friend says charges don't reflect who she is . |
f9ce213a4910984bc32e866424066c61de0cbe16 | By . Kieran Corcoran . A close friend of the Duke of Cambridge has been banned from the road for a third time after being found guilty of drink-driving in his £90,000 sports car following a visit to one of his exclusive London nightclubs. Guy Pelly was barred from driving for two and a half years and ordered to pay £7,120 in costs and fines. London's Westminster Magistrates' Court heard that it was the second time Pelly has been banned for drink-driving. Scroll down for video . Guilty: Guy Pelly, pictured today at court, was found guilty of drink-driving at Westminster Magistrates' Court . Supercar: Pelly is pictued above in 2013 with the £90,000 Audi R8, which he was caught drink-driving . Inner circle: Pelly (left) is firm friends with Princes William (centre) and Harry (right). They are pictured above at his wedding in Memphis, Tennessee, earlier this year . Pelly is close friends with both Prince William and Prince Harry and even organised the Duke of Cambridge's stag do ahead of the Royal Wedding in 2011. They both attended his 'wild' wedding in Memphis, Tennessee, earlier this year, which was preceded by a three-day-long party. Guy Pell's high-class lifestyle has led him into trouble with the law before. It 2001, whuile a student at agricultural college, he was hit with a two-year driving ban for drink-driving. He was also banned for a further 56 days and given a £750 for a speeding offence in 2012. Though it was widely reported that he supplied Prince Harry in 2001 with cannabis when the Royal was 16, no police action was taken. In 2001 he had his licence confiscated for two years after he was pulled over for drink-driving while travelling home to 'student digs' after partying during freshers' week at agricultural college. He was breathalysed and found to have a reading 'in the 90s' of microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - nearly three times the legal limit of 35. Pelly was previously banned from driving for 56 days and fined £750 for speeding in 2012. District Judge John Zani said: 'You have that previous like conviction. I accept that it is now 13 years ago but that was a serious offence. 'I really highlight the period of disqualification for you, then a younger man of good character, and the court then disqualified you for two years. 'Sadly that did not deter you from, years later, when you were stopped in 2013.' He added: 'What you need to bear in mind is that anybody driving a motor vehicle is in possession of a potentially lethal weapon. And when you drive with excess alcohol, or any alcohol, your thought process can be affected.' Pelly was sentenced today after he was pulled over while at the wheel of his Audi R8 GT V10 Coupe in London's Knightsbridge in the early hours of May 28 last year. The 32-year-old initially refused to give a roadside breath test before being taken to Belgravia police station to give a sample on an intoximeter machine. The aristocrat, who recently married Holiday Inn heiress Lizzy Wilson at a ceremony attended by Princes William and Harry, was found to have 52 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. Royal favourite: Pelly is pictured here with Princess Eugenie inside Tonteria . During his trial, defence lawyer Philip Lucas called experts who claimed that radiowaves from Pelly's iPhone had interfered with the machine. Mr Lucas, who has represented a string of celebrities facing driving offences including football pundit Ray Wilkins, said police radios may also have affected the intoximeter, making the reading unsafe. But today District Judge Zani ruled that he was entirely satisfied that Pelly was guilty of drink-driving and that the intoximeter machine was working. Pelly, wearing a smart grey suit, white shirt and blue and white polka dot tie, looked relaxed but blushed as he handed his driving licence to the court clerk. During his trial, Pelly, from Pimlico in central London, claimed he had drunk two large glasses of red wine with dinner hours before he was stopped and arrested. Clubbable: Guy Pelly with Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy at the launch of Tonteria . Interior: Tonteria, pictured, is a Mexican-themed club in Sloane Square, central London . But the court heard he told police at the time that he had drunk two beers the day he was pulled over. Pelly said he stopped drinking at around 11pm, climbed into his car and drove to Tonteria, the Sloane Square nightclub he runs, where he spoke to staff and customers before driving off at around 1am. He was pulled over just before 1.10am by police who claimed he had accelerated quickly in the luxury car. But Pelly - who smelt of alcohol, according to officers - refused to give a breath test. He told the court he 'was anxious because I thought that I had drunk near to the limit'. Professor Hugh Makin, an expert witness for the defence, argued that the police station intoximeter which showed Pelly was over the limit could have been faulty. He claimed there was an unusual pause of 125 seconds between the machine recording a baseline reading of zero and it being activated and ready to use. And a software expert told the court that signals from the radios worn by officers in the custody area may have interfered with Pelly's breathalyser reading. Throwback: Pelly is pictured above in 2005 with Prince William leaving Boujis, in South Kensington, after a night out . Old times: Prince William, left and Pelly, right, watch a Six Nations rugby match together in 2002 . Dr Peter Thrift said radio waves from Pelly's iPhone may have also corrupted the reading. But Judge Zani said there was no evidence that the machine had malfunctioned and Pelly's claims that he did not drink at his bar on the night in question were not credible. He said it was 'curious' that Pelly described the wine he drank as 'house red' - a description usually used in pubs and bars. The judge added: 'Notwithstanding exhaustive expert evidence and lengthy submissions made on his behalf, I am entirely satisfied Mr Pelly has not produced any evidence that raises the realistic possibility that the evidential breath machine in operation at Belgravia police station malfunctioned and produced inaccurate or unreliable readings. 'I am able to state that I am entirely satisfied that Mr Pelly has either deliberately chosen to underplay the amount of alcohol that he consumed in the period of time leading up to his arrest in the early hours of 20 May 2013, or his memory has genuinely failed him.' And he said he was 'entirely satisfied the offence with which Mr Pelly stands charged has been amply proved beyond any reasonable doubt and that he is guilty of the offence of driving with excess alcohol'. Melissa Millin, defending, said Pelly's past drink-driving conviction was a 'stern and stiff' sentence while he was young and naive. She said: 'It is reminiscent of a time when Mr Pelly was attending agricultural college, it was freshers' week, he was driving with a friend, they were going from a bar back to his student digs. 'It was in the '90s, a very high reading at a time when he was younger and foolish. It was a stern and stiff sentence reflecting the high alcohol in the reading, it was probably to teach men like this a lesson.' Pelly, who ran celebrity nightspots Mahiki and Whisky Mist in the past, has been in the Princes' inner circle for years. His grandmother, Monica, was a member of the Tate & Lyle sugar dynasty. He told the court he would pay his £7,120 in fines and costs immediately by card. This included a £2,000 fine, prosecution costs of £5,000 and a £120 victim surcharge. He declined to comment as he left the courtroom today. | Pelly was pulled over in his Audi R8 Coupe last May .
Refused to give roadside breath test and was taken to police station .
Defence claimed signal his iPhone caused breathalyser to malfunction .
But was today found guilty as Westminster Magistrates' Court .
Judge suggested Pelly 'deliberately underplayed' how drunk he was .
As well as lengthy driving ban Pelly must pay £7,120 in costs and fines .
Has been banned twice before - first for two years after drink-driving in 2001 .
Second ban was in 2012 after he was caught speeding . |
f9ce31c119cb63dfdc312856d1e37a63dd1e9f0d | Should FIFA ban Luis Suarez after latest bite storm? Luis Suarez's reputation lies in tatters again after the Liverpool striker appeared to bite Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay’s bad-tempered victory in Natal. With just 12 minutes to go and the scores locked at 0-0 here, Suarez and Chiellini fell to the floor in the penalty area. Chiellini seemed absolutely incensed and replays soon showed why as Suarez was shown apparently attempting to dig his teeth in his opponents’ shoulder. Uruguay went on to win the game 1-0 with a goal soon after from captain Diego Godin. They progress to the second phase at Italy’s expense. VIDEO Scroll down for The shock moment Luis Suarez appeared to BITE Giorgio Chiellini . Champing at the bit: Luis Suarez appears to bite Giorgio Chiellini during the Group D showdown . Hot water: Suarez clutches his teeth after appearing to sink them into Chiellini's shoulder . Bite marks: Chiellini shows his wounds to the ref after a clash with Suarez . No action: Chiellini appeals to referee Marco Rodriguez after the incident . Italy: (3-4-1-2) Buffon 7; Barzagli 6, Bonucci 6, Chiellini 5.5; Darmian 6, Verratti 5 (Motta 75mins 5), Marchisio 6, De Sciglio 6.5; Pirlo 5.5; Immobile 5 (Cassano 71mins 5.5), Balotelli 3 (Parolo 45mins 5) Goals: . Booked: De Sciglio, Balotelli . Uruguay: (4-3-1-2) Muslera 6; Caceres 6, Giminez 5, Godin 7, A Periera 5.5 (Stuani 63mins 5); Gonzalez 6, Arevalo 6, Rodriguez 5.5 (Ramirez 78mins 6); Lodeiro 6 (Pereira 45mins 6); Suarez 5, Cavani 5.5 . Goals: Godin 81 . Booked: Muslera, Arevalo . Referee: Marco Rodriguez (Mex) 7 . Man of the match: Godin . However, whether Suarez plays any further part in the tournament remains to be seen. Last season’s FWA and PFA Player of the Year will certainly face a FIFA investigation and is likely to be hit with a retrospective ban. He may well claim that his gesture was with his forehead rather than his teeth. Chiellini seemed in no doubt, however, as he appeared to show the Mexican referee marks on his shoulder. Suarez, of course, spent ten games on the side lines in England 14 months after biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic at Anfield. Since then both Suarez and his club manager Brendan Rodgers have claimed that the Uruguayan has changed his ways and this week the South American even claimed the British media were persecuting him. The events present all that as nonsense, however, and Suarez’s future back in England must now be in serious doubt once again. On an afternoon of dire football here on the north-east coast, neither side really deserved to win. The Italians, however, handed their . opponents an advantage they refused to waste when their own midfielder . Claudio Marchisio was sent off midway through the second half for a . stamp at Cristian Rodriguez. Agony: Chiellini lays on the turf clutching his shoulder . Controversy: Suarez holds his mouth after the incident, while Chiellini shows the damage . Pain game: Suarez holds his mouth after the incident with Chiellini . VIDEO Suarez in another bite storm . Click here to view our brilliant Match Zone, including Luis Suarez's heat map . Given how much was at stake, it was perhaps not surprising that this game was rather tetchy and stilted in the first half. Nobody could have expected it to be quite as bad as it was, though, with neither team coming remotely close to scoring or even creating a worthwhile chance. Italy . would certainly have been the happier, given that they arrived here . knowing that a draw would take them through. Nevertheless, the half of . football they contributed here was even worse than that which saw them . lost to Costa Rica in Recife last week. Chief . culprit for the Italians was Mario Balotelli who contributed one of . those performances that makes you wonder what anybody ever sees in him. Having scored the winner against England in Manaus, he was less . effective against Costa Rica but at least had a couple of decent efforts . on goal. Heads I win! Diego Godin (far left) powers a header home to send Uruguay through . Joy: Diego Godin's late goal sent Uruguay through to the last 16 . Sea of blue: Uruguay players celebrate Godin's winner . Early bath: Marco Rodriguez shows Italy's Claudio Marchisio a red card . Ouch! Arevalo Rios lays on the deck after being clattered by Marchisio . Here he did nothing but conduct a running battle with Uruguayan defenders that saw one stand on his ankle early on, prompting Balotelli to gripe and moan all through the first period. Eventually his petulance got him a booking and he will miss his country’s next game. He was substituted at half-time and it was no surprise. Down and out: Balotelli looks dejected as Italy's World Cup campaign comes to a premature end . Yellow peril: Bad boy Balotelli goes into the referee's book . Unhappy: Balotelli contests his booking . Andre Pirlo – as we would expect – did bring a save from Fernando Muslera midway through the half with one of those deceptive, floating free-kicks but that was as close as Italy came before the break. As for Uruguay, they were hardly more progressive. Suarez had admitted on the eve of the game that he still wasn’t fully fit after knee surgery and he wasn’t at his best here. He did work a decent one-two with Nicolas Ledeiro that prompted Gianluigi Buffon to save from both men in succession. They were routine saves, though, and Uruguay’s frustration at being unable to develop any momentum was perhaps personified by defender Martin Ceceres’ attempt to score from 15 yards inside his own half in the 40th minute. Rough and tumble: Andrea Barzagli lets Luis Suarez know he's there . Tough treatment: Giorgio Chiellini challenges Suarez from behind . Perhaps not surprisingly, the ball drifted some distance wide of Buffon’s goal. In to the second half and ultimately it too Marchisio’s red card to bring the game to life at all. Prior to that act of apparent madness, the afternoon had continued to drift. Moments earlier Uruguay had fashioned a genuine chance and Rodriguez certainly should have done better than shoot across goal when played in down the left by Suarez. It was Marchiso who made what threatened to be the defining contribution, though. Quite why he decided to raise his studs in to Rodriguez’s leg when he was in possession of the ball himself is anybody’s guess. What we did know, though, that referee Marco Rodriguez made the correct call and all of a sudden Italy were up against it. Denied: Suarez is thwarted by Gianluigi Buffon . Suarez almost increased Italian worries in the 66th minute as he dashed in to the area after Edinson Cavani’s shot had ricocheted in to his path. Buffon was equal to the low shot, though, extending a strong right arm to divert the ball round the post. Italy – wary that time was beginning to work in their favour – did their best to disrupt an already bitty game further by time wasting and feigning injury. As the game entered its final 15 minutes, it appeared to be working, too, as there was precious little flow or apparent method to Uruguay’s game. Soon enough they did score, the impressive Godin heading in from a corner with nine minutes left. By then, though, all attention had switched to Suarez. Uruguay are through but whether their number nine plays again in this tournament is very doubtful. Blue wonder: Mario Balotelli's girlfriend Fanny Neguesha shows her support . Dejected: Marchisio is consoled as he walks off the pitch . Tears of joy: Uruguay's Jose Gimenez celebrates at the final whistle . | Liverpool striker faces lengthly ban after clash with Italian defender Chiellini .
Suarez was hit with a ten-game suspension for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in April 2012 .
Uruguay star was issued seven-game ban for a chomp on PSV's Otman Bakkal while playing for Ajax in November 2010 .
Incident marred win in Natal as Diego Godin's header sent them through . |
f9ce5721a3e34c4fe2ac0df3311d45a157326cf1 | (CNN) -- With national polls and polls in many of the battleground states essentially tied just days before November 6, the winner of the presidential election is anybody's guess. So, by the numbers, here's a look at some offbeat predictors of presidential elections: . 62.1 - Percent of sales of the President Obama "Chia" planter, as of October 23. 37.1 - Percent of sales of the Mitt Romney "Chia" planter as of October 23. 80 (4 out of 5) - Percent of Family Circle magazine Presidential Cookie Bake-off winners who became first lady after her husband won the election. (Cindy McCain was the one winner who was a loser.) 54 - Percent of the recipes in the Family Circle Presidential Cookie Bake-offs that include chocolate chips. 16 - Elections in a row, from 1936 until 1996, where the incumbent party stayed in office if the Washington Redskins football team won at home in their last game before the election. (The so-called Redskins Rule didn't apply in 2000, 2004 and 2008.) 60 - Percent of sales received at the Spirit Halloween seasonal store for the President Barack Obama mask. 40 - Percent of sales received at the Spirit Halloween season store for the Mitt Romney mask. 8 out of 9 - Correct predictions of the winner by the General Cinema movie theaters' "StrawVote" polls from 1968 until 2000. The last year of the poll, moviegoers chose Al Gore to win. 16 - States, mostly in the upper Midwest and in the South, which are unable to participate in the "7-11" convenience store "7-Election" coffee cup poll, because there are no "7-11" stores there. Do the math: The CNN Electoral Map . 59 - Percent of votes President Barack Obama had received in the 7-11 contest as of October 31. 51 - Percent of voters in the Scholastic Student Vote who voted for President Barack Obama. Students choose Obama in Scholastic mock election . 45 - Percent of voters in the Scholastic Student Vote who voted for former Gov. Mitt Romney. 10 - Times since 1908 a National League baseball team has won the World Series during an election year. 67 - Percent chance Democrat Barack Obama will win the election since a National League team won the World Series, according to Major League Baseball. 33 - Percent chance Republican Mitt Romney will win the election, according to the MLB. 4 - Games played in the World Series in 2012. The National League's San Francisco Giants won this year, sweeping the American League Detroit Tigers. 1 - Number of times famous Pennsylvania groundhog Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow during an election year. Romney tries to put Pennsylvania in play . 1 - Number of times Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day in 2012. 9 - Nuts eaten out of his Mitt Romney bowl by Gnocchi, the election-predicting pet squirrel from South Carolina, versus five eaten from his Obama bowl. Gnocchi correctly picked Obama to win in 2008. | 60 - Percent of sales received at a Halloween store for the President Barack Obama mask .
40 - Percent of sales received at the same store for the Mitt Romney mask .
59 - Percent of votes Obama has received in the 7-11 contest as of October 31 .
9 - Nuts eaten out of Romney bowl by an election-predicting squirrel vs. 5 from Obama bowl . |
f9cf18aa65068690f60facba2b8e7f3a5c3686e3 | (CNN) -- Ronaldinho's participation in this summer's World Cup finals now appears in serious doubt after the AC Milan playmaker was not named in Brazil coach Carlos Dunga's 22-man squad for next month's friendly international against Ireland in London. The 29-year-old former Barcelona star has been in outstanding form for the Italian giants this season -- but he has still not done enough to force his way into Dunga's thinking for the match at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. Ronaldinho is not the only high-profile player not selected for the match, with Chelsea central defender Alex also left out of the squad. Manchester City forward Robinho, who is currently on loan for the rest of the season with Brazilian club Santos, is in the squad -- while there is also a place for full-back Dani Alves, although the Barcelona defender is currently sidelined with a calf injury that is expected to keep him out for around three weeks. Brazil squad to face Ireland: . Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (Roma). Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (Roma), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Luisao (Benfica), Michel Bastos (Lyon). Midfielders: Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Josue (Wolfsburg), Kleberson (Flamengo), Ramires (Benfica), Elano (Galatasaray). Forwards: Kaka (Real Madrid), Robinho (Santos), Nilmar (Villarreal), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Adriano (Flamengo), Julio Baptista (Roma). | Ronaldinho left out of Brazil's squad for next month's friendly against Ireland .
There is no place for the playmaker despite his outstanding form for AC Milan .
On-loan Santos forward Robinho has been named in 22-man squad for Emirates Stadium match . |
f9cfe20f532bfe779fc131a0054addc67703f285 | TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- The young woman who last weekend emerged as a powerful symbol of opposition to the Iranian government embraced life in many ways, but there was little about her that would have led her friends to predict she would become a martyr, one of them told CNN. Neda Agha-Soltan, 26, enjoyed music and was looking forward to learning how to play the piano. Neda Agha-Soltan, 26, rose to prominence within hours after a crudely shot video documenting her final moments was uploaded to the Web shortly after she died Saturday from a single gunshot wound to the chest. "It's heartbreaking," President Obama said Tuesday in Washington, referring to the video of the woman the world has come to know simply as Neda, which means "divine calling" in Farsi. "And I think anyone who sees it knows there's something fundamentally unjust about it." Since Saturday, the Iranian government has sought to minimize the impact of her death, but one of her friends on Tuesday described her to CNN in an attempt to inject life and context into what has been -- for much of the rest of the world -- just a few seconds of powerful, if grainy, video. Much about her remains unclear, but here is what CNN has learned from at least one source: . The second of three children, Neda lived with her parents in a middle-class neighborhood east of Tehran. She was a happy, positive person. Though she studied philosophy and religion at the Azad Islamic University, she was more spiritual than religious. She also loved music. She once studied violin but had given it up and was planning to take up piano next. She had just bought a piano, but it had not yet been delivered. Her demeanor was typically calm, even serene, but she had a quirky, playful sense of humor. A friend recalled that once, when Neda was visiting her friend's house, she picked up a white Teddy bear, took off her big, purple-studded earrings and put them on the bear. Then she removed a necklace from around the neck of a friend and put it around the bear's neck, taking delight in the bear's transformation. She liked to travel, having visited Turkey three months ago with a tour group. And she believed in human rights, her friend said. See gallery of Neda and the effect of her life » . That may have explained why she was at an anti-government demonstration in Tehran on Saturday afternoon. After being stuck in traffic for more than an hour inside a Peugeot 206 -- a subcompact with a poorly working air conditioner -- Neda and a family friend decided to get out of the car for some fresh air. Shaky video captured on a cell phone shows her walking with the man, a teacher of music and philosophy, near an anti-government demonstration. The two are near where protesters were chanting in opposition to the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose calls for an end to anti-government demonstrations have sparked defiance across the nation. Neda, wearing a baseball cap over a black scarf, a black shirt, blue jeans and tennis shoes, does not appear to be chanting and seems to be observing the demonstration. Suddenly, Neda is on the ground -- felled by a single gunshot wound to the chest. Several men kneel at her side and place pressure on her chest in an attempt to stop the bleeding. "She has been shot! Someone, come and take her!" shouts one man. By now, Neda's eyes have rolled to her right; her body is limp. Blood streams from her mouth, then from her nose. For a second, her face is hidden from view as the phone camera goes behind one of the men. When Neda's face comes back into view, it is covered with blood. Then, the teacher pleads with her by name. "Neda, do not be afraid, do not be afraid," he repeats. Another man curses as the first man begins to wail. "Somebody come and get her in a car and take her away!" a voice pleads. She was taken to a nearby hospital and, within a day, she was buried at Behesht Zahra, the city's largest Muslim cemetery, on the outskirts of the capital. A friend of hers interprets the fact that her body was released so quickly as a tacit acknowledgment by the government that the killing was carried out by government forces. That theory is supported by the fact that Iran's strict gun-control laws mean private citizens cannot carry firearms, the friend said. Since her death, public displays of mourning for Neda have been prohibited, the friend said. A gathering of about 60 people at a mosque was broken up by members of the Basij, the pro-government vigilantes blamed for much of the violence against demonstrators, according to New York Times columnist Roger Cohen, who observed the incident. iReport.com: Share your views on unrest in Iran . Neda's family has not been allowed to post a black banner of mourning outside the family's house, the friend said. Yet Neda's influence may not diminish soon. Under Muslim tradition, the seventh and 40th days after someone dies are devoted to mourning and reflection. | Neda Agha-Soltan, 26, was the second of three children from middle-class family .
Friend said she was happy, serene, spiritual -- with a quirky sense of humor .
Neda once played the violin but gave it up; she wanted to learn to play the piano .
In her last moments, she's seen observing a protest when single bullet hits her . |
f9cff802458e3313aadb30f13720b37ed74f5822 | By . Rob Wildman . England's top prop Dan Cole may not play again for his country until next year's Six Nations Championship. Cole, . who last played in February, needs surgery on a neck problem that . medics hoped would be cured by rest until September. But the . 27-year-old is now set to have surgery next week to correct a trapped . nerve caused by a bulging disc. He may not feature for England until . next February. Big blow: Leicester Tigers and England prop Dan Cole has been ruled out for six months with a neck injury . Cole has played 41 times since he made his debut at the 2010 Six Nations Championship, as well as representing the Lions last summer as a substitute in all three Tests. Bath's David Wilson has stepped into the tighthead role, backed up by Sale's Henry Thomas. England loosehead Alex Corbisiero has also spent much of the season on the sidelines with a knee problem but was expected to be a substitute in last night's Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final against Bath in Cardiff. Wasps go into Saturday's European Champions Cup qualifier against Stade Francais in Paris without Fijian No 8. Ouch: Cole injured himself on England duty and will have surgery on a trapped nerve in his neck next week . Nathan Hughes, who is getting married on . the Pacific island. Dai Young, Wasps director of rugby, admitted: 'It is . disappointing Nathan won't be with us, but in fairness to him he . organised the wedding before he even came here last summer.' Wasps . won the first leg 30-29 last Sunday - thanks to Andy Goode's . last-minute penalty - with the overall winners completing the line-up . for the revamped 20-team European competition next season. Young . added: 'Last Sunday, we were very good in patches and a little bit . inaccurate in patches, pretty much the story of our season. A lot of . aspects of the game were very pleasing, but it is frustrating when you . work so hard to gain points and then you let some slip.' | Dan Cole to be out of action until November with a neck injury .
Leicester Tigers and England prop will have surgery next week .
Cole will miss England's summer tour of New Zealand . |
f9d0a795da3b5a28428eaf7c01dbfe9bdcfb5a01 | By . Emma Glanfield . Canoe fraudster John Darwin, 63, pictured leaving Teesside Crown Court, Middlesbrough, has only repaid £122 of the £500,000 he scammed . Canoe fraudster John Darwin has only repaid £122 of the £500,000 he cheated in an insurance scam – and has even been claiming benefits. The 63-year-old, who was jailed for six years with his wife Anne in 2008 for faking his death for a £500,000 insurance payout, has now been told he may have to repay more money. A judge had previously ordered he should repay £679,073 but the now divorced Darwin, who is claiming benefits, has only been able to hand back £122. The Crown Prosecution Service has now applied for him to repay more of the money he cheated out of insurance companies, as one of his pensions has matured. A hearing to decide the matter will be held in May. Darwin, 63, of Hartlepool, North-East England, did not speak during the brief Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Teesside Crown Court, Middlesbrough. Anne Darwin, now split from her husband, has repaid more than £500,000 under a separate Proceeds of Crime order. John Darwin was reported missing in a canoe in the North Sea in March 2002. His wife collected more than £500,000 in life insurance payouts, while he hid in their home, leaving their two sons to believe he was dead. In December 2007, Darwin walked into a London police station, claiming he had amnesia, and was reunited with his sons who were stunned to hear he was alive. His wife, who had fled with him to Panama, pretended to be shocked until a photograph emerged of them posing together after his supposed death. She was later jailed for six-and-a-half-years for fraud and money-laundering. John Darwin was reported missing in a canoe in the North Sea in March 2002. His wife collected more than £500,000 in life insurance payouts, while he hid in their home, leaving their two sons to believe he was dead . Darwin's wife Anne, left, collected more than £500,000 in life insurance payouts, while he, right, hid in their home after faking his own death in a 'canoeing accident' The Crown Prosecution Service has now applied for Darwin to repay more of the money he cheated out of insurance companies, as one of his pensions has matured . | Darwin, 63, was jailed for faking his own death for £500,000 insurance payout .
He has only repaid £122 of money he scammed and is even claiming benefits .
CPS has applied for him to repay more cash now his pension has matured . |
f9d1bf274768efd80bfa27aa42bc166ec10988dd | By . Stephen Mcgowan . Livingston were hit with an SPFL transfer embargo on Tuesday night after admitting making undeclared cash payments to players. And the troubled Championship club are also the subject of a fresh SFA investigation – just days after major shareholder Neil Rankine was accused of breaching fit and proper person regulations. Currently being sued by former chief executive Ged Nixon for £311,892, the West Lothian outfit wrote to the Hampden authorities blaming Nixon for making ‘improper’ payments worth £10,500. Accusation: The club say that the undeclared payments were made by former CEO Ged Nixon (above) Nursing debts of £1.7million, the club claim they discovered the payments and other irregularities after calling in forensic accountants before immediately declaring them to the SPFL and SFA before they came out in court. Last night, 50-per-cent shareholder Neil Rankine accused Nixon of placing the club’s future at peril, telling Sportsmail: ‘This morning we were hit with a transfer embargo based on a self declaration from the club to the SPFL and SFA dated July 31. ‘The club has declared its findings into its own investigation into a £311,000 claim against the club by the former chief executive Ged Nixon. ‘We dispute that claim and in his own loan account he has made £10,500 worth of unauthorised cash payments to players. ‘In 2010 and 2011, we believe Ged Nixon made improper cash bonus payments to players – unknown to any other directors of shareholders. ‘I don’t think there is any hiding that. We expected that to come out in a court case now rescheduled for next March and the club felt it had to make a declaration of our findings to the necessary authorities. ‘We have that declared in the list of monies he is suing us for. It’s on his own list of cash due. ‘The club has now made these declarations to the relevant authorities and the first response has been from the SPFL, who have informed the chairman Gordon McDougall that the club is under a transfer embargo until the matter is fully investigated. ‘The full consequences of Ged Nixon’s actions are as yet undetermined. Those are for the SFA to determine. ‘But in my opinion there is no one guilty here except Ged Nixon. ‘I do take my share of responsibility in this because I spotted this guy’s shortcomings and tried to have him removed in 2011. ‘But Nixon survived on a casting vote in November 2011.’ The latest wrangle marks another chapter in the tempestuous history of a club enmeshed in controversy and financial strife during the Dominic Keane and Angelo Massone eras. ‘Livingston has continually had people who live beyond their means,’ added Rankine. ‘Mr Nixon came in here, in my opinion, as Mister Big Shot and got involved in offering inducements to players unknown to any other players or officials. Fit and proper? Neil Rankine (left) insists that he hs no case to answer to the SFA . ‘But I have a track record of investing and saving clubs and I intend to see Livingston out of this. ‘My position at the moment is that of an unpaid consultant.’ Rankine also faces an SFA fit and proper person over claims he failed to act ‘in the best interests of association football’ by failing to declare a financial involvement in East Fife and Dumbarton. The action could now force him to hand his shares in Livingston over to fans and walk away. ‘That complaint surprises me,’ he continued. ‘In 2000, East Fife were close to going out of business and I encouraged a family I did business with in the antiques trade to club together and pay the money off as a nice wee investment. ‘I was wrong about that because they put in £400,000 and now can’t give it away. ‘All I tried to do was help them to keep the club afloat. I have no shares, never have had and never will have any financial interest in East Fife FC. ‘With Dumbarton, I sold the club in 2008 for £1.7m and the owners still owe me £200,000. ‘Is that a conflict of interest? The SFA must think it is and if it is then I have the choice of either suing Dumbarton for the £200,000 or disposing of my shares in the holding company of Livingston which have a trading value at the moment of zero. Distraction: On the pitch Livingston had a disappointing start to the season, losing 2-1 to Hibs . ‘It may now be in the best interests of Livingston FC for me to stand down from Livingston 5 (the club’s parent company) and try to accelerate a deal Supporters Direct are trying to push forward for community ownership. ‘But I will be astonished if there is any case to answer, because I have no financial interest in East Fife. ‘The SFA investigated this is 2004 and found no case to answer then. I don’t know what’s changed now.’ A spokesman for the SPFL said: ‘The SPFL has been provided with information by a Livingston Football Club director which indicates a default in relation to HMRC payments. ‘Under SPFL rules, an embargo on the registration of professional players is automatic in these circumstances.’ When contacted by the media yesterday, Nixon declined to comment on the matter because of the ongoing legal case. | Club admitted payments after accountants discovered irregularities .
Livingston blame former chief executive Ged Nixon .
Major shareholder Neil Rankine faces fit and proper person investigation .
Rankine maintains he 'will be astonished if there is any case to answer' |
f9d1fee7843c9ad0da9a1c77686c5e1e9516fe23 | A brave German Shepherd puppy was badly injured after he pushed a boy out of the path of a runaway lorry and took the impact himself. Eight-month-old Geo has been hailed a hero by his adoring family after he averted tragedy on a family walk in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. Carly Riley and her three sons Charlie,10, Josh, seven, and Ben, four, were walking along Burrs Road in the town when the accident happened. Boy's best friend: Geo the German Shepherd suffered serious injuries when he heroically saved the life of 10-year-old Charlie, pictured here with him . As they waited at a street corner to cross the road, an out-of-control truck careered onto the pavement, heading straight for Charlie. Geo jumped forwards, pushing the boy out of the way, and was hit off the pavement and onto the road. He was then hit by the vehicle again before the driver drove off. Mrs Riley and her factory worker husband Ian, 34, reported the hit-and-run to the police. Mrs Riley, who has set up a Facebook page called Geo The Hero in honour of her eight-month-old puppy, said: 'We were waiting to cross the road at the lights when I just heard a car going really fast. Then a pick-up truck mounted the curb. 'Geo must have sensed it as he leapt on Charlie and took him out of the way. 'It could have wiped us all out. If it wasn't for Geo I am 100 per cent sure it would've been Charlie.' Recovering at home: Geo has more than earned his keep by saving the life of his family's young son . Before the accident: Geo the puppy with a stick before he was hit by the truck in Clacton. His family say he is now recovering . Geo, a German Shepherd-collie mix, suffered a broken leg, fractured spine and severe bruising in the accident, which happened earlier this month. He endured five hours of surgery during which two metal plates were inserted in his leg. The Rileys, who hope he will make a good recovery, are now facing vets' bills of around £8,000 and have set up a PayPal account into which well-wishers may donate to help pay for the dog's treatment. Mrs Riley, 28, said: 'It wasn't a question of getting him put down: we want him fixed no matter what it costs. He's family.' | Boy's mother Carly Riley says pet 'must have sensed' the child's danger .
Family set up Facebook page and PayPal account after £8k vet bill . |
f9d240692e8e63f897531c7632953fc4ddfc2214 | By . James Rush . A 25-year-old Mini has gone up for sale with just 13 miles on the clock, after it was originally bought for the previous owner's sons who were too tall to fit inside. The car was one of 3,000 limited edition vehicles made at Longbridge, Birmingham, to mark the 30th anniversary of Mini production in 1989. It was one of two bought by a Cheshire-based farmer who wanted to keep the vehicles to present to his sons when they turned 21. A 25-year-old Mini has gone up for sale with just 13 miles on the clock. Mini Club leader David Hollis is pictured with the car . The car was originally bought for the previous owner's sons for when they turned 21 - but they were too tall to fit inside by the time they came of age . The car was one of 3,000 limited edition vehicles made at Longbridge, Birmingham, to mark the 30th anniversary of Mini production in 1989 . His sons were however too tall to fit inside the cars by the time they came of age. The cars were eventually sold to the British Mini Club, which raffled one off three years ago. The other however remained in storage and is now being sold for £18,000. The car, which comes complete with an original handbook wrapped in its packaging, has not even been registered since the day it rolled off the assembly line back in 1989. The car, which comes complete with an original handbook wrapped in its packaging, has not even been registered since the day it rolled off the assembly line . The car was one of two bought by a Cheshire-based farmer who wanted to keep the vehicles to present to his sons when they turned 21 . The cars were eventually sold to the British Mini Club, which raffled one off three years ago . Mini Club leader David Hollis, from Amblecote, near Stourbridge, said: 'It's an amazing story. The Mini Thiry Anniversary Edition was launched in 1989 to mark the 30th year of Mini production. Two thirds of the 3,000 vehicles made were painted in cherry red, while the remaining 1,000 were in black. The model includes a range of features including pearlescent paint, a Mini 30 crest on the badge on the bonnet along with a special Mini 30 design on the boot and flanks. The car features a 998cc four cylinder engine, 4-speed gearbox and minilite alloys. 'Classic cars are going through the roof at the moment. We are looking for around £18,000 but it may be worth more. 'We are seeing Minis go for £20,000 or even £30,000. 'The price is constantly on the rise and we’re willing to wait to get the correct price for such an excellent car. 'Since 1989 it has only done 13 miles. I have driven it on and off a trailer but it has not even been registered.' The final Mini to leave the factory in Longbridge was last year sold for £1,400 after being hidden for more than 30 years in tunnels. Workers used the Mini Clubman 1275 GT to travel around the plant but it was dumped in the 1970s after being damaged when a storage container fell on it. | Car was one of 3,000 built to mark 30th anniversary of Mini production .
Cheshire-based farmer bought two to give to his sons when they turned 21 .
They were too tall to fit in the car however by the time they were old enough . |
f9d2ce3bf0cc97745fcd7b665f419cd892b6c3cc | TV news helicopter pilot Zoey Tur has completed her sex change to join Inside Edition as America's first transgender reporter. Tur, formerly known as Chopper Bob, became famous for filming a mob beating driver Reginald Denny during the LA Riots, and the O.J. Simpson car chase. Following 14 months of hormone treatment Tur underwent successful sexual reassignment surgery in June 2014, transitioning from male to female. Scroll down for video . Legendary news helicopter pilot Zoey Tur has joined Inside Edition as America's first transgender TV reporter . Tur, formerly known as Chopper Bob, filmed a mob beating driver Reginald Denny during the LA Riots, and the O.J. Simpson car chase . Tur is now ready to go back on screen and will be the programme's Special Correspondent for the month of February. 'There's diversity in nature, so why not the media? I want to thank INSIDE EDITION for their support in what's shaping up to be America's last civil rights fight,' says Tur. The 54-year-old from Santa Monica, who has two children, decided to begin the change in 2013 and said that once the process was complete 'Bob must die' to make way for Zoey. After 14 months of hormone treatment in June last year Tur underwent successful sexual reassignment surgery transitioning from male to female . She said she was 'done hiding', after starting to push family and friends away and had suffered from body dysmorphic disorder. Family and friends were supportive of the Tur's decision, although she said that for some it felt like grieving as they prepared to say goodbye to Bob. Tur's daughter Katy is Foreign Correspondent for NBC News, based in London . 'For the most part, people didn't know. They were in a state of shock initially,' she told CBS Los Angeles. 'My kids were in a state of shock. And they have been going through this mourning process. Bob Tur has got to die. And that's going to happen within the next three or four months.' Going through the transitional period 'has not been easy' Tur said, adding she had been worried how it would affect her children including daughter, Katy, who is a reporter on NBC Nightly News. Tur, who married fellow reporter Marika Gerrard at age 23 and has dated Carrie Fisher, has more than 10,000 flying hours over war zones and riots. She said in 2013 the hormone therapy had already affected the way she flew, adding that her thought pattern had become more analytical than instinctive. She said that she planned to have surgery to make her face more feminine and to have sexual reassignment surgery. In an interview with TMZ she said: 'Transgender people really are misunderstood. It's not what you think'. The pilot says she has had a female brain since birth, but struggled to come to terms with who she is. 'It's a genetic disorder that happens in utero. Nobody knows exactly why, but you're born with a female or feminized brain,' she said. 'If you don't really know who you are. You think you're a woman, but you're a man.' Tur helped capture images of truck driver Reginald Denny being beaten during the LA riots . The pilot was also there to get footage of OJ Simpson's car chase in June 1994 . | Tur, formerly known as Chopper Bob, became famous for filming mob beating during the LA Riots and O.J. Simpson car chase .
After 14 months of hormone treatment, in June last year, Tur underwent successful sexual reassignment surgery transitioning from male to female .
Will be the program's Special Correspondent for the month of February .
Tur's daughter Katy is a Foreign Correspondent for NBC News . |
f9d332084d3c2b769dff443afb16e3c415877ccb | By . Katy Winter . One of the greatest and divisive romances of all time, the relationship between Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, which saw the newly crowned king give up his throne for the American divorcee, continues to captivate the nation. Now a historic velvet settee where the two started their love affair is to be auctioned. The blush two-seater couch, measuring 60inch wide, has been restored to its former glory ahead of the auction, where it is expected to fetch between £2,000 and £3,000. Edward and Wallis, seen left on their wedding day, and, right, outside Goverment House in Nassau, the Bahamas, circa 1942, had one of the most controversial romances of modern times . When Lady Thelma - Edward's former girlfriend - discovered his love for Simpson she cut the sofa in revenge . The settee was owned by Lady Thelma Furness, Edward's girlfriend at the time, who introduced the pair during a party at her Burrough Court house in Leicestershire in 1931. The Prince of Wales, Lady Furness and Simpson would often talk together on the then three-seater couch, according to Northamptonshire-based auctioneer Jonathan Humbert. But when it was revealed the future king wanted to marry Simpson, Lady Furness cut up the sofa in revenge, he said. Now the seat is to be sold by auctioneers J P Humbert on May 22. Mr Humbert said: 'Every once in a while, something truly remarkable is offered for sale. After refusing to give Wallis - who, being twice divorced was considered unsuitable for a king - up, Edward eventually abdicated the throne in favour of his brother . The blush two-seater couch, measuring 60inch in width, has been restored to ahead of the auction, where it is expected to fetch between £2000 and £3000 . 'This is one such item - this is a true one off complete with provenance. 'This really is the original "seat of love" where arguably the greatest love affair of the 20th century began. 'Nobody knew it at a time, but this settee was set to change the course of history.' In 1934 Edward transferred his affections from Lady Furness to Simpson, who had recently divorced her husband Ernest after years of living 'beyond their means'. Lady Thelma had been visiting New York with her family, and on discovering Edward and Wallis’s new relationship cut down the seat to two seats. The sofa has been restored from the frame up and has been re-upholstered in period blush pink velvet. Included in the auction lot is a DVD with images of the restoration a former auction catalogue with ‘Borough Court’ provenance. The twice-divorced Simpson was consider totally inappropriate for a reigning monarch to marry . Few . could have imagined, as the 20th century dawned, that an American . socialite would prove the cause of the biggest constitutional crisis the . Royal Family has ever faced. But Wallis Simpson was no ordinary socialite and her future husband Edward VIII, no ordinary king. The pair met in January 1934 and twice-divorced Simpson and the then Prince of Wales swiftly fell in love. At . first the relationship raised few concerns, Edward was notorious for . his affairs with society ladies, but that all changed when George V died . on January 20, 1936. When, . the next day, the new King-Emperor chose to watch the proclamation of . his accession in the company of Simpson, it became clear that he . intended to marry her. This . precipitated a crisis, firstly because the political establishment . considered a twice-divorced woman an unsuitable consort, and secondly, . because Edward was now head of the Church of England, which at the time, . did not allow marriages between divorcees. Edward . suggested a morganatic marriage which would have prevented Simpson . becoming Queen Consort, but the prime ministers of the UK, Australia and . South Africa rejected the plan. By early December, the true nature of Simpson's relationship with the King had become public knowledge and she fled the country. Despite . attempts by Simpson to get him to reconsider, on December . 13, 1936, Edward abdicated and was succeeded by his brother, George VII. The couple eventually married, a month after Wallis' second divorce was granted, on the June 3, 1937 in the south of France. Although . Edward had been created the Duke of Windsor by his brother and was . entitled to the style 'His Royal Highness', his wife was refused the . honour and was styled instead as 'Her Grace.' | Prince of Wales' then girlfriend Lady Furness introduced him to Simpson .
The trio would sit on the three-seat sofa in her house for hours .
When Lady Thelma found out about their love she cut the sofa in revenge .
Sofa has been restored and is expected to fetch up to £3000 at auction .
After refusing to give Wallis up, Edward eventually abdicated the throne . |
f9d344165e927a9edf7f14d1c4ed80601f03a48c | President Barack Obama told congressional leaders on Tuesday he has the authority to carry out his planned strategy against ISIS fighters in Iraq and Syria without authorization from legislators, but he asked for their support to show the nation was united. Obama "reiterated his belief that the nation is stronger and our efforts more effective when the President and Congress work together to combat a national security threat" like the Sunni jihadists who call themselves the Islamic State, a White House statement said. "The President told the leaders that he would welcome action by the Congress that would aid the overall effort and demonstrate to the world that the United States is united in defeating the threat," it added. Earlier, two senior legislators -- one from each party -- told CNN's Dana Bash that a congressional vote on military action against the jihadists was unlikely despite calls for one by many of their colleagues. While some in Congress want to vote on the matter, taking up such a volatile issue as military action weeks before the November elections may be politically dangerous. Others in Congress argued the President already has the authority he needs to expand attacks on ISIS under war powers granted more than a decade ago to go after al Qaeda. Obama has been criticized by conservatives and some Democrats for what they call a timid response so far to the threat by ISIS fighters who emerged from Syria to rampage through northern Iraq. The President authorized airstrikes on ISIS targets in Iraq earlier this year, but he now faces pressure to expand the campaign to go after the extremists in Syria. Obama and his top aides call such a military step one part of a broader strategy against ISIS that includes establishing a stable representative government in Iraq, forming an international coalition including Middle East countries to combat the extremists and increasing military aid to moderate opposition groups in Syria fighting ISIS and the government of President Bashar al-Assad. The top Republicans and Democrats from the House and Senate -- House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, along with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California -- got the first glimpse of Obama's plan to "degrade and defeat" ISIS at a White House meeting on Tuesday. As strategy firms up, U.S. courts partners to target ISIS . Afterward, Boehner said in a statement he would support Obama if the President deployed the U.S. military to help train and advise Iraq forces and assist with targeting ISIS leadership. "I think we have to take them out," Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland told CNN on Tuesday, in reference to targeting ISIS leaders. Administration officials also planned to brief all legislators this week on the the threat from the extremists who call themselves the Islamic State, while Secretary of State John Kerry left Tuesday to push Sunni leaders in Jordan and Saudi Arabia to join the United States and its allies in combating ISIS. Next week, Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will appear at congressional hearings to discuss the President's ISIS strategy, the White House said. A year ago, Obama failed to secure congressional support for airstrikes inside Syria after international observers concluded al-Assad used chemical weapons on civilians. Obama launched the current air campaign against ISIS in Iraq, which has included more than 100 strikes against the militants, without specific approval from Congress beyond the President's power to protect American interests abroad and help alleviate humanitarian situations. Obama's "core coalition" won't defeat ISIS without Mideast nation . White House lawyers must determine whether a plan to go after ISIS further, which could include airstrikes on targets inside Syria, would require a vote in Congress. Polls have long showed Americans tired of war after lengthy engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan, though a CNN survey released Monday indicated 76% supported additional airstrikes against ISIS. More than seven in 10 said Obama should ask Congress for approval, and eight in 10 said Congress should grant it. "If this is going to be a prolonged fight against ISIS, it seems to me that there is no way to avoid coming to the Congress for an authorization for the use of military force, which comes before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee," said Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, the Democratic chairman of that panel. Republican Rep. Peter King of New York, however, told CNN on Tuesday that Obama should act first and get the approval from Congress afterward. "This is so imminent, this is so critical, I want the President to take the action and then Congress should pass legislation supporting what the President does," King said. "I don't want him to wait until Congress acts because I don't have full faith in Congress myself, to be honest with you." The White House said it's continuing to seek a "buy-in" from Congress on any plan to defeat ISIS, though officials say that doesn't necessarily mean a vote on military action. Meanwhile, Obama will address the nation Wednesday night in a speech that will focus on three major themes, a senior administration official told CNN's Jim Acosta. He will frame the threat posed by ISIS, outline his strategy to address that threat and outline a series of new proposals on how to fight and ultimately destroy the terror group, the official said. Opinion: To beat ISIS threat, first understand it . U.S. may have identified masked man in Foley execution . | "We have to take them out," Sen. Cardin says of ISIS leaders .
Obama tells legislators he has the authority to act against ISIS .
Speaker Boehner says he'll back helping Iraqi forces, targeting ISIS leaders .
Senior legislators say a vote by Congress is unlikely . |
f9d37f136f5ea7c040401ce7e50f68800c5f9014 | By . Helen Pow . PUBLISHED: . 14:15 EST, 17 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:41 EST, 17 December 2013 . Entrepreneur: Fernando Caignet Aguilera, pictured here in a booking photo from 2012, was cited on December 10 for capturing and attempting to sell the alligator . A Florida man has been cited after he tried to trade a live alligator for beer at a convenience store in Miami. Fernando Caignet Aguilera, 64, was caught on video with the gator at the Santa Ana Market at 3000 Northwest 12th Avenue on December 10. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Jorge Pino said the man received a citation for illegally capturing and trying to sell the gator. Pino told WTVJ-TV Aguilera trapped the 4-foot-long gator at a nearby park, where he was sleeping rough, put it in a cardboard box and brought it to the store. He proposed to trade the animal for a 12-pack of beer but the store clerk refused and called authorities. A tattooed Aguilera can be seen on the one-and-a-half minute video, trying to persuade the clerk to take up his unique offer as other customers mill around curiously. Later, he attempted to sell he animal to people outside the store but there were no takers. 'This is absolutely bizarre,' Pino told WTVJ-TV. 'I can't imagine somebody wanting to barter a live four-foot alligator for a 12 pack of beer, it makes no sense to me.' Scroll down for video . Unique offer: Aguilera, 64, pictured, was caught on video with the gator at the Santa Ana Market at 3000 Northwest 12th Avenue in Miami . Trapped in park: Aguilera, pictured right in the store, trapped the 4-foot-long gator, in his hands, at a nearby park, where he was sleeping rough, put it in a cardboard box . Miami police arrived and called Fish and Wildlife officers who took the alligator from Aguilera. He was cited for illegally capturing, possessing and trying to sell the creature and released from custody on a promise to appear. Thankfully, the gator wasn't hurt in the barter attempt. Dangerous: Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials warned the 4-foot alligator, pictured, was still dangerous despite its size . 'It was pretty much in good shape, we didn't notice any unusual conditions on it,' Pino said. The alligator was released back into the wild. Pino also warned people that even a small alligator can be dangerous to people not trained to handle reptiles. He added to the Tampa Tribune: 'This is one of the most unique cases I have handled, but nothing surprises me in the city of Miami.' | Fernando Caignet Aguilera tried to trade the gator at the Santa Ana Market at 3000 Northwest 12th Avenue in Miami, Florida, on December 10 .
He said he trapped the 4-foot-long animal at a nearby park, where he was sleeping rough, put it in a cardboard box and brought it to the store .
But instead of taking him up on the offer, the store clerk called authorities .
He received a citation for illegally capturing and trying to sell the gator . |
f9d401033b68058f5a2cb3d5ce67c393e2e19e32 | An inquiry into the way MPs police sleaze in the Commons was branded a whitewash last night. The seven-month review by the Commons standards committee found that MPs should continue to sit in judgment on colleagues accused of breaking parliamentary rules. Critics warned the plans would let MPs continue to ‘mark their own homework’. Scroll down for video . Very funny: A seven-month review by the Commons standards committee found that MPs should continue to sit in judgment on colleagues accused of breaking parliamentary rules . The standards committee is the final arbiter of alleged wrongdoing by MPs. In the past it has frequently been accused of taking a lenient approach, particularly against senior figures. Under the new plans half of its members will be drawn from outside Westminster for the first time. The move will result in the number of ‘lay’ members increasing from three to seven. But, controversially, these lay members will still not be given a vote on the committee’s decisions, meaning that MPs will retain the final say. The report found there were ‘strong constitutional reasons’ why MPs needed to remain the final arbiter on whether rules had been broken and what punishments should be enforced. But Sir Alistair Graham, former chairman of the committee on standards in public life, warned the ‘very modest’ reforms would fail to convince the public that MPs have cleaned up their act. ‘They have chickened out of addressing the real issue of accountability,’ he said. ‘All other professions have a majority of lay members and are chaired by lay members. I can see no reason why the same arrangements should not apply to MPs. But on their committee the lay members do not even have a vote, and that will not change under these proposals. ‘It is a very modest change indeed, and I’m afraid it will not persuade people that MPs have understood the problem and got to grips with it.’ Labour MP John Mann, who has campaigned for sweeping reforms of the system, said the plans did not go nearly enough. ‘The idea that MPs will continue to sit in judgment on each other will be complete anathema to most people,’ Mr Mann said. ‘The public are very clear that they do not want us marking our own homework, and they are right about that. ‘We do not need MPs adjudicating on cases that have already been investigated by the independent commissioner – all it does is fuel public suspicion that some sort of fix is going on. ‘These reforms will not satisfy public opinion. What will happen is that there will be another controversial case where this committee intervenes, and the reputation of parliament will be dragged through the mud again.’ Sovereign body: The report found there were ‘strong constitutional reasons’ why MPs needed to remain the final arbiter on whether rules had been broken and what punishments should be enforced . The review was launched last year following criticism of the committee’s decision to throw out a demand from parliamentary standards commissioner Kathryn Hudson that former culture secretary Maria Miller should repay £45,000 in expenses for over-claiming on her mortgage. The committee slashed the repayment demand to £5,800, saying Mrs Hudson had interpreted the rules on claiming for mortgages too strictly. It argued that although Mrs Miller was technically in breach she had behaved ‘reasonably’. Sir Kevin Barron , Labour chairman of the Commons standards committee, said last year that lay members of the committee should be allowed to vote to improve public confidence. But yesterday he said it had proved legally difficult. He suggested lay members would wield greater influence by not having a vote as they would retain the right to publish their disagreements with any decision taken by the committee. He said: ‘The lay members – okay, they don’t have a vote, but they do have a voice.’ Sir Kevin said it would be ‘disproportionate’ to introduce fully independent regulation of 650 MPs. And he insisted that his committee ‘is not a committee that looks after MPs – we don’t let people off’. Former attorney-general Dominic Grieve said parliament would have to ‘re-write the UK constitution’ to allow outsiders to rule on the conduct of MPs. Mrs Hudson said all new MPs would be given anti-sleaze lessons after the election to help them stick to the rules. But she said that plans for a new code of conduct had been stalled by parliament since 2012. | Critics warn plans would let MPs continue to ‘mark their own homework’
Report found ‘strong constitutional reasons’ why MPs need final say .
Review came after demand that Maria Miller repay £45,000 was overturned . |
f9d426cb27c2e3a79cf770ceedc38fce6b0e6df0 | (CNN) -- Watching 3-D movies generally means suffering through two things: crappy plotlines that favor spectacle over substance and the need to wear some annoying, dorky glasses. Scientists may have solved one of these frustrations. (You might be able to guess which.) Researchers in South Korea have created a new method that would allow moviegoers to simply sit down and start watching a 3-D movie with no extra gear necessary. The research was published Monday in Optics Express. "This is essentially the next step that was required for 3-D display technology without glasses," said physicist John Koshel, who studies optical science at the University of Arizona and was not associated with the new work. We see the world in three dimensions because our eyes are spaced slightly apart, each looking out at a different angle. Your brain combines the information from both eyes, determining where each object in your field of view is to generate depth perception. To achieve 3-D movies or television, the trick is to send a slightly different, offset picture to each eye. Special glasses handle this task for most modern 3-D blockbuster movies, with each lens only letting in one polarization of light. Polarization describes the direction in which the electromagnetic waves in light oscillate, either up-down, left-right, or something in between. When you sit down to watch something like "Avatar," two projectors are displaying two images on the same screen, with the light from one polarized left-right and the other up-down. This is why the screen looks kind of blurry when you take the glasses off -- there are two movies playing on it at the same time. The 3-D glasses correct the situation by separating these images, allowing the left-projector movie to go to your left eye and the right-projector movie into your right. But needing two projectors perfectly synced in a theater is awkward and expensive. There are some glasses-free methods around, where a special filter covering the screen sends some of the light to your right eye and some to your left, creating a 3-D image. This is the technology in Nintendo's 3DS gaming system and several smart phone displays, such as the HTC Evo 3D. In a movie theater, this glasses-free 3-D technique would require the projector to sit behind the screen, but most theaters are not designed for this. The new method would allow movie theaters to keep their projectors where they've always been, behind the audience, and uses fairly simple optical technology. A special array sits in front of the projector and polarizes its light. A filter covering the screen then obscures different vertical regions of the screen, like the slats of venetian blinds. Each of your eyes, sitting at a slightly different angle, has some of the screen blocked and some of the screen visible. The movie has the right-eye and left-eye images interleaved in vertical columns with one another. The trick then is to have the light visible to your left eye contain the left-eye pixels and vice versa for the right eye. The new method is less cumbersome than both the current two-projector and the behind-the-screen-projector methods. But because it blocks some of the light to your different eyes, the current image resolution is fairly low. Koshel expects that 3-D movie companies will be interested in upgrading the method's abilities and resolution to bring glasses-free 3-D to the masses. "This technology is still in its infancy, but it's a new step that was hidden for a long time," Koshel said. Subscribe to WIRED magazine for less than $1 an issue and get a FREE GIFT! Click here! Copyright 2011 Wired.com. | South Korean researchers create way to watch 3D movies with no glasses .
Method blocks some light to viewers eyes, creating 3D effect .
Current method, using two projectors, is awkward and expensive . |
f9d46db3cf51d30d0df0bba64d4e1427b901b3f6 | From monkeys swinging in a tree to flying through the air clutching balloons and fishing on a lake, these adorable pictures reveal how these children unleashed their imaginations to create a series of make-believe scenes. The youngsters aged 3-11 had a great time pretending to sit on a school bus, hold a birthday party and eat fruit in a classroom in the arty shots. Photographer 'Admiral' Jan von Holleben, 37, from Germany, came up with the idea for the project and said he hoped the results proved that 'everything is possible'. The three to 11-year-olds had a great time pretending to hold a birthday party and fly through the air . He and the youngsters spent up to an hour arranging the props for each sketch on the floor. It took around 25 photoshoots over 10 months to complete the series. Jan, from Berlin, said: 'I was keen to get the children involved with the making of these photos and worked with them in a big team in a never-ending playground. 'Each shot took from a matter of minutes to an hour to set up, depending on its complexity and the art direction needed. 'We put our heads together to share our creative ideas about adventures, everyday fun, things we want to show off with and anything that tells a really good story. 'We only used everyday objects to create the magic - things from my garage, the cellar, around the house and anything else we could find nearby. A little boy shows off superhuman strength as he lifts up 11 of his friends (l) while another group of tearaways swing off tree branches (r) 'The amount of images we set up was very hard and exhausting. It really pushed me to my limits - physically as well as mentally, but each individual image was very easy and fun to do. 'I sketched out most images on paper or had a solid idea formed in my head. Sometimes it took one to two minutes to bring them to life and even the most difficult only five to 10 minutes maximum to get the final shot. 'Overall the project was very quick and fun to do - but things got hectic as soon as the kids lay in the picture. I love the photos because they prove that everything is possible and nothing is impossible.' von Hollebon has held workshops with children on photographing dreams and is working on a children's book packed with these photos. Kids play by a lake; one is fishing while another rafts. The lake is made of a plastic sheet and fake foliage and rubber ducks are placed nearby . The helium in these balloons must be pretty strong as it's making the children float up into the sky . von Holleben was born in 1977 and grew up in the southern German countryside. He lived most of his youth in an alternative commune and says his photographic style was influenced by his parents, a cinematographer and child therapist. At age 13 he followed his father's career by picking up a camera. After experimenting with all sorts of 'magical tricks' and developing his signature style with the help of friends and family, von Holleben honed his technique in commercial settings. The photographer studied and worked in London for several years before moving to Berlin. von Hollebon has held workshops with children on photographing dreams to help him put the pictures together . He is working on creating a children's book packed with these magical photos . The young contributors unleashed their imaginations to create a series of make-believe scenes . Classmates sit at their desks in school and munch on fruit that is being passed around . Three boys get stuck into a game of (bin) basketball - with one very high jumper about to score a goal . | Photographer Jan von Holleben, 37, from Germany, came up with the idea for the project .
Children aged 3-11 spent up to an hour arranging the props for each sketch on the floor .
It took 25 shoots over 10 months to complete series, which Jan hopes to turn into a book . |
f9d47beba11fffad7636868f5224a05f54c4730b | Republican Chris Christie has signed a law barring licensed therapists from trying to turn gay teenagers straight. The New Jersey governor said the health risks of trying to change a child's sexual orientation trumped concerns over the government setting limits on parental choice. His decision yesterday was the latest example of the potential 2016 presidential candidate steering a moderate course. Moderate: New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie, pictured in Boston last week, has signed speaks to fellow Republicans,a bill banning therapists from trying to convert gay and lesbians to being straight . Should licensed therapists be banned from trying to turn gay teens straight? Should licensed therapists be banned from trying to turn gay teens straight? Now share your opinion . He stated in his signing note: 'Government should tread carefully into this area.. and I do so here reluctantly'. The decision marked the third time this month that Christie has staked out a moderate position on a hot-button social issue as he seeks a second term in a Democratic-leaning state. It also offers more evidence that the popular governor is positioning himself as a pragmatist who shuns more conservative elements within his party. Christie found middle ground on medical marijuana for children when he agreed Friday to allow growers to cultivate additional strains, and for marijuana to be made in an edible form for chronically ill children. But he would not lift an oversight provision that could require as many as three doctors to sign off on a prescription. Last week, Christie vetoed a bill banning .50-caliber rifles that was vigorously opposed by firearms rights advocates and gutted a proposed overhaul of the state's gun permit law that relied on undeveloped technology. Recently, he signed 10 less-significant gun measures the Democrat-led Legislature passed after last year's deadly school shooting rampage in Newtown, Connecticut. Standing out: The decision marked the third time this month that Christie, pictured, has staked out a moderate position on a hot-button social issue as he seeks a second term in a Democratic-leaning state . The decisions allow Christie to quiet some of the criticism he could face from conservatives by offering specific reasons why he was taking the steps, often citing compassion for the needs of children and families. His approval of the conversion therapy ban could be met with criticism in Christian conservative circles with influence in early voting states like Iowa and South Carolina. Conversion therapy gained attention two years ago when former GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann was questioned over whether her husband's Christian counseling business provided services that attempted to change gays and lesbians. Bachmann's husband, Marcus, denied involvement in the therapy and the congresswoman dropped out of the presidential campaign in January 2012 after a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses. In signing the ban, Christie reiterated his belief that people are born gay and homosexuality is not a sin, a position he first stated in a 2011 interview with CNN's Piers Morgan. That view is inconsistent with his Catholic faith, which teaches that homosexual acts are sins. Christie said on 'issues of medical treatment for children we must look to experts in the field to determine the relative risks and rewards,' citing a litany of potential ill effects of trying to change sexual orientation, including depression, drug abuse and suicide. 'I believe that exposing children to these health risks without clear evidence of benefits that outweigh these serious risks is not appropriate,' he said. The New Jersey Governor, who has denied his actions recently have had anything to do with plans to run for presidency in 2016, has for the third time this month made a decision along the lines of a more moderate position on a hot-button social issue . Christie, however, has not moderated his position on gay marriage, which he vetoed and continues to oppose. As a result, gay rights activists applauded Monday's bill signing but pushed for more. 'It is our truest hope that the governor will realize, as the majority of the legislature and a super-majority of the public have realized, that the best way to ensure lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender youth are protected from the abuse of being ostracized is to provide them with equality,' Troy Stevenson, executive director of the state's largest gay rights group, Garden State Equality, said in a statement. Christie has said he supports the state's civil union law, which was enacted to give gay couples the benefits of marriage but not the title. Several couples have since sued, claiming the law provides them unequal treatment. A court decision is expected next month. Gay rights groups say conversion therapy damages young people, because it tells them that it's not acceptable to be whoever they are. Some social conservatives framed the debate as a parental rights issue, saying a ban on the counseling would limit the ability of parents to do what they think is best for their children. Conversion therapy has increasingly drawn criticism for its methods. Last year, four gay men sued a Jersey City group for fraud, saying its program included making them strip naked and attack effigies of their mothers with baseball bats. California has also banned it. | New Jersey governor said health risks outweighed limiting parental choice .
Advised government to 'tread carefully' and said he signed 'reluctantly'
Third recent 'moderate' decision by the governor, inc. medicinal marijuana .
Some say his moderate stance is to set himself up as presidential candidate . |
f9d4d529996762c9409c6512deb999931fd90e29 | (CNN) -- An eruption may not be imminent after all for Alaska's Mount Redoubt, authorities said Thursday. Fears that Alaska's Mount Redoubt would erupt have diminished. "For the past two weeks or so, the seismic activity at Redoubt volcano has significantly decreased," said Michelle Coombs, a geologist for the Alaska Volcano Observatory and the U.S. Geological Survey. The status is now at a "yellow" level, meaning the volcano is "exhibiting heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption, timeframe uncertain, or eruption is underway with no or minor volcanic-ash emissions." In late January, experts began paying close attention to the volcano and raised the alert to "orange," indicating that it could erupt at any time. "We believe based on what we're seeing now, that if it were to erupt, that we would see enough increase in seismic activity to give us sufficient warning to go back up to orange," Coombs said. Two other volcanoes in Alaska are also at the "yellow" status currently, and Mount Redoubt could remain at that level for months, Coombs said. "There's a certain level of unpredictability," she said. The 10,197-foot peak is located in southern Alaska, about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, the state's most populous city. Mount Redoubt last erupted nearly 20 years ago, in December 1989. That eruption lasted until April 1990. CNN's Robyn Sidersky contributed to this story . | Scientists say it is now less likely that Alaska's Mount Redoubt will erupt .
An eruption at the volcano previously was thought to be eminent .
The 10,197-foot peak is located about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage .
Scientists say an eruption is still possible, but is not certain . |
f9d4dfd1e0e2731c97870dba07d76fd4b2cd6579 | Kiev, Ukraine (CNN) -- Ukraine and Russia plan to approve a road map to improved trade relations on Tuesday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said Sunday in a late-night interview on Ukraine's national broadcaster, Inter TV. The announcement comes just hours after a European Union officer said the EU had halted work on a trade agreement with Ukraine, after Kiev failed to show "clear commitment" to signing the deal. Stefan Fule, European commissioner for enlargement and European neighborhood policy, said earlier Sunday on Twitter that the words and deeds of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his government on the proposed pact were "further & further apart. Their arguments have no grounds in reality." Fule said he had told Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov in Brussels, Belgium, last week that further discussion on the agreement was conditional on a clear commitment by Kiev to sign the deal, but he had received no response. "Work on hold, had no answer," he tweeted. Last month, Kiev spurned the agreement in favor of closer economic ties with Moscow, and the prime minister's Sunday night interview revealed new details about that relationship. Azarov said that in addition to the trade relations deal, he hoped an agreement could be reached Tuesday on gas commerce, which would hopefully provide a solution for Ukraine's unprofitable gas transportation system. "We hope to renew negotiations about the three-party consortium, which would include Europe as well, to provide transparent conditions for gas transit and gas transportation system management," Azarov said. However, Azarov rejected claims that Ukraine is leaning toward joining Russia and other former Soviet republics in the Customs Union. "These are speculations. None of the papers we have prepared are in any way related to the Customs Union," he said. Ukraine's recent diplomatic activity has sparked mass protests. Thousands of people have poured onto the streets of the capital, angered by the government's U-turn away from integration with Europe. Setting up tents and barricades, they have stood their ground in Kiev's Independence Square, known as the Maidan, paralyzing the center of the capital. On Sunday the protesters were addressed by U.S. Sen. John McCain, who has been critical of Ukrainian authorities' use of force against demonstrators. "People of Ukraine, this is your moment. This is about you, no one else. This is about the future you want for your country. This is about the future you deserve," he said to loud cheers and chants of "Thank you." "A future in Europe, a future of peace, with all of your neighbors. The free world is with you, America is with you, I am with you." The senator visited Independence Square on Saturday, where he snapped pictures with his cell phone as he met with opposition leaders. He was accompanied on stage Sunday by Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut. "Ukraine will make Europe better and Europe will make Ukraine better," McCain said. A pro-government rally was also being held Sunday. The anti-government demonstrations are the biggest since the Orange Revolution overturned the results of the eastern European country's 2004 presidential election. East vs. West . The EU had kept its offer on the table, and the bloc's top diplomat, Catherine Ashton, on Thursday said Yanukovych had assured her Kiev intended to sign the deal after she met with him. A day earlier, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov told a government meeting Ukraine was still open to signing the European integration deal, if the European Union would agree to provide financial assistance to Ukraine of around 20 billion euros ($27.5 billion). On Sunday however, an EU diplomat told CNN there was "lack of clear commitment and timetable." "We have had no reply (on timetable) from the Ukrainian authorities and so there is no basis to continue work," the diplomat added. Ukraine is split between pro-European regions in the west of the country and a more Russia-oriented east. Protesters say an EU agreement would open borders to trade and set the stage for modernization and inclusion. They accuse Yanukovych of preparing to take the country into a Moscow-led customs union. Moscow has leverage that may have affected Yanukovych's decision last month to backpedal on the EU talks because Russia supplies Ukraine with natural gas. The EU is also pressuring Yanukovych to free his chief political opponent, Yulia Tymoshenko, who has languished in jail for two years after being convicted of abuse of power in 2011. The EU and other critics decried the verdict as a sham. The Orange Revolution that swept Yanukovych from office in 2004 also brought the pro-Western Tymoshenko to power. At the rallies in Independence Square, protesters have carried her picture. Investigation . Kiev's handling of the protests has been met with stern responses from Western governments. In an overnight crackdown last week, police tore down barricades the protesters had set up. Before that, violence had broken out at a previous demonstration. Ukrainian prosecutors are investigating some top government officials over the beating of students at anti-government protests two weeks ago. The subjects of the criminal investigation include Ukrainian Deputy Secretary for National Security Vladimir Sivkovich, Kiev Police Chief Valery Koryak and Kiev Mayor Oleksandr Popov. A fourth person also is under investigation. The case will be put before a judge on Monday, who could order house arrest for those being investigated, said Valery Vilkova, spokeswoman for the general prosecutor. READ : Ukraine protests: 5 things you need to know . CNN's Mark Morgenstein contributed to this report . | NEW: Ukraine's PM says road map to improved Russia-Ukraine trade relations to be signed .
EU official says Kiev has failed to show "clear commitment"
"Work on hold," EU Commissioner Fule tweets .
"America is with you, I am with you," Sen. McCain tells demonstrators in Kiev . |
f9d5b40193a2c70812b1d6e5a80ea8e317823461 | By . Fiona Macrae . Scientists have developed an anti-ageing cream containing a protein often used to heal the damage caused by a heart attack. Avon’s new Clinical E-Defence deep recovery face cream contains thymosin, which can help to regenerate tissue in damaged human hearts. Women who tested the £20 cream reported feeling eight years younger. Avon's new Clinical E-Defence deep recovery face cream contains thymosin, which can help to regenerate tissue in damaged human hearts. Women who tested the £20 cream reported feeling eight years younger . They were particularly happy to see that the fine lines on their . foreheads, cheeks and around their eyes had started to fade away. The night cream, which goes on sale today, is the first to harness the healing powers of thymosin beta-4. The protein can also rejuvenate skin by attracting young, healthy cells to areas that have been damaged by age, pollution, sunlight and smoking. Women who used the cream were happy to see that the fine lines on their foreheads, cheeks and around their eyes had started to fade away (file picture) But while levels of thymosin beta-4 are high in our late 20s and early 30s, they fall as we age. Simply putting it into a cream would be of little use, as the molecule is too big to break its way through the surface of the skin. So, scientists from Avon’s research and development department in New York screened more than two million compounds for ones that turn up the body’s own production of the protein. They hit on two compounds, including a Himalayan plant used in Chinese medicine, and incorporated them into the cream. The face cream also contains other ingredients designed to protect the skin against day to day wear and tear. In tests, the lotion helped stop a cut apple from turning brown. And used by women for two months, it improved the appearance of wrinkles by 30 per cent. Blotchiness was halved and sunspots a third better, according to a dermatologist’s assessment. The women’s own opinions were equally glowing, with some saying they looked eight years younger. Anthony Gonzalez, the Avon scientist behind the £20 cream’s development, said it was inspired by ‘powerful medical advances’. He added: ‘What we are doing is bringing new, healthy cells to where they are needed.’ | Avon's Clincial E-Defence deep recovery face cream contains thymosin .
Protein can help to regenerate tissue in damaged human hearts .
Women who tested £20 cream reported feeling eight years' younger . |
f9d63414b48a9142b4485176bcaacf646de63561 | By . Ian Gallagher and Allan Hall . PUBLISHED: . 18:02 EST, 31 March 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 18:02 EST, 31 March 2012 . A former police commander embroiled in an alleged plot to destroy Sky’s biggest rival was once investigated over his links to one of Britain’s most notorious criminals. Ray Adams, who headed a secretive security unit at a company controlled by Rupert Murdoch, faced an inquiry over corruption allegations and his relationship with killer Kenneth Noye. Last week Mr Adams was under fire again after Panorama claimed he used a hacker to undermine the business of ITV-owned ONdigital, an allegation he denies. 'Convict informants': Former police chief Ray Adams, left, had links to notorious criminals including road rage killer Kenneth Noye, right . Is is understood he ran Noye as an informant for many years. Noye was cleared of murdering a police officer in 1985 but was later convicted of the 1996 road-rage killing of Stephen Cameron. He fled the country after stabbing Mr Cameron at a junction of the M25 but was eventually tracked down in Spain and convicted in 2000. A former Minister has criticised the police’s phone-hacking inquiry after he was contacted about being a potential victim. Lord Hesketh said that he ‘burst out laughing’ when he was rung by an officer about a possible breach of privacy. The peer, 61, said it was ‘remarkable’ that Scotland Yard thought he was a target simply because a News of the World reporter had his phone number in a diary – as it had been in the public telephone directory for ‘many years’. He has dismissed the inquiry as ‘a waste of police time’. Hesketh, a junior Minister under Margaret Thatcher and John Major who defected to UKIP last year, was told his name and number were on a list found in a diary belonging to Clive Goodman, former Royal editor of the News of the World, who was jailed in 2007 for intercepting voicemails. He said: ‘It was my old home telephone number and it had been in the local directory for many years, which leads me to believe that Mr Goodman probably only had to call directory enquiries to obtain it. My experience illustrates very well that this inquiry has gone far too far. ‘I don’t have much confidence in where this vastly expensive police operation is going. This is public money. It’s wasting police time, too, and it is political correctness running riot.’ Mr Adams headed the Met’s criminal intelligence department SO11 before retiring prematurely from Scotland Yard in 1993 with back problems. He later joined NDS, a subsidiary of News Corporation, and was responsible for the security of Murdoch’s pay-TV empire. The Mail on Sunday has learned that while in this role he tried unsuccessfully to recruit brilliant German computer hacker Boris Floricic, 26, who died in mysterious circumstances in 1998. In 1987 the corruption investigation examined claims that Mr Adams and other officers had taken bribes and had improper relations with criminal informants. Three years after the investigation began the Director of Public Prosecutions announced there was no evidence to justify charges against Mr Adams and cleared him of any wrongdoing. However, the link to Noye resurfaced after Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death in 1993 – three years before the road-rage killing. One of Mr Adams’s last acts before leaving the Met was to write to the lawyer acting for Stephen’s parents. The letter formed the basis of two days of hearings in Sir William Macpherson’s public inquiry into the case in 1998. The main allegation against Mr Adams was that he had links with Noye, who in turn had links with Clifford Norris, a criminal whose son David was this year found guilty of Stephen’s murder. It was suggested that he tried to impede the arrest of the suspects. The Macpherson report found no evidence of any dishonesty, collusion or corruption by Mr Adams but noted that there were ‘strange features’ to his evidence. Meanwhile Panorama claimed last week that NDS stole secret codes from ONdigital before passing them to hacker Lee Gibling. His website shared the details, resulting in counterfeit viewing cards that allowed widespread free access. Vital role: Rupert Murdoch put the security of his pay-TV empire in the hands of Mr Adams after the Met chief retired from Scotland Yard . Mr Gibling said he was given the information by Mr Adams, who paid him £60,000 a year. But Mr Adams denied all the claims. Around the same time Mr Adams tried to hire Mr Floricic, who turned him down. Four months later he was found hanged, but his corpse was standing with both feet on the ground. Yesterday an NDS spokeswoman said: ‘NDS uses industry contacts to catch both hackers and pirates. All NDS staff and their contacts operate under a clear code of conduct.’ Mr Adams could not be contacted. | Former police chief was investigated over relationships with criminals .
Ray Adams headed Met department before working for media mogul Rupert Murdoch .
He was in charge of security for Murdoch's pay-TV empire . |
f9d67c528dfc102bb66b8ae323d40a84eb810fba | BEIJING, China (CNN) -- China's president has vowed to continue the economic reforms that have transformed the once poverty-riddled nation into an industrial powerhouse. Deng Xiaoping envisioned a modern, prosperous China. Speaking on the 30th anniversary of China's decision to open itself up to the outside world, President Hu Jintao told a crowd of 6,000 at Beijing's Great Hall of the People: "Standing still and regressing will lead only to a dead end." Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping was the architect of the economic reform movement, which was to set the country on a radical new course when the first policies were approved on December 18, 1978. "Reform and opening up are the fundamental causes of all the achievements and progress we have made," Hu said, according to state-run media. He said Deng's vision three decades ago was "completely correct." Over the past 30 years, China has maintained an average annual growth rate of 9.8 percent -- triple the world average, China's Xinhua news agency reported. Watch as China marks 30 years of reform » . The Chinese gross domestic product soared from 360 billion yuan ($53 billion) in 1978 to 24.95 trillion yuan ($3.7 trillion) in 2007, making China the world's fourth-largest economy, according to Xinhua. However, Hu warned the Chinese people not to grow complacent, especially in the midst of the global economic crisis. He said China must continue to concentrate on economic development and diversification. "We must adhere to the correct direction of reform and opening up so as to build a system that is full of vigor, highly efficient, more open and has a favorable environment for scientific development," he said. | Deng Xiaoping was the architect of the economic reform movement in 1978 .
Reforms opened country up economically to the outside world .
In 30 years China has maintained an average annual growth rate of 9.8 percent .
China is now the world's fourth-largest economy . |
f9d68a639960f382500e0d4fe291eea40d8137ba | (CNN) -- An Australian rugby league star has been sacked from his club in disgrace after a photograph circulated on social media that appeared to show him urinating into his own mouth. The vulgar photograph of Todd Carney, taken at a nightclub urinal, created a storm on social media, prompting the Cronulla Sharks club to release a statement Sunday announcing it had ended the player's contract with immediate effect. "When Todd was first signed to the Sharks he was made well aware of his responsibilities both on and off the field, to himself, the club and to the game in general," read the statement, issued by the club's CEO Steve Noyce. "The photograph that appeared last night on social media does not meet the values and standards the club is looking to uphold and take into the future." It was the third time that Carney -- who in 2010 received the prestigious Dally M Medal as the Australian National Rugby League's player of the year -- had left a club following off-field disciplinary issues. The picture surfaced just a day after the 28-year-old had led his side to a hard-fought comeback win against the Brisbane Broncos. 'Heavy price' Carney's agent, David Riolo, appeared on Sydney radio station 2UE Monday saying his client had been dealt with unduly harshly by the club. He said Carney had not actually drunk his urine and that the picture, while regrettable, had never been meant to go public. "Todd's paid a very, very heavy price for a photo that he didn't want out there or upload himself. It was supposed to be kept between mates," Riolo told the station. Carney had been contracted to Cronulla until the end of the 2018 season. The photo had been leaked after the associate who took the picture claimed to have lost his phone, Riolo said. Carney 's long list of previous indiscretions, mostly alcohol-related, features incriminating pictures of his genitals and alleged public urination. In 2008, he was accused of urinating on a patron in a Canberra nightclub, and the following year he made headlines after a woman found full-frontal nude pics of the player on a mobile phone she was loaned. While Carney has been widely criticized over his latest scandal, some present and former players have spoken out in support. Joel Thompson, a player for the Dragons, tweeted that he felt for Carney. "It was his idea of a harmless joke between him & the so called mate in private. Toddy never hurt anyone," he wrote. "I think it's a bad joke horribly gone wrong." | Australian rugby league star Todd Carney has been sacked by his club over a lewd photo .
The picture appeared to show the player urinating into his own mouth .
Carney's agent says the picture was private and his client has been treated harshly .
Carney has previously been sacked for alcohol-related misbehavior . |
f9d6a0ee489fead3913b7d71e5a5c50936018723 | The husband of the woman named as Fifa president Sepp Blatter's new love today said he had no idea the pair had been romantically linked in press reports. Unfounded rumours have been circulating after mother-of-two Linda Barras, 49, was pictured arriving with Blatter, 77, at an awards ceremony last week. When asked about his wife's relationship with Blatter, Christian Barras said he was unaware of the incredible stories circulating in the Swiss press. Mr Barras, who owns an estate agency in Switzerland, said: 'I know nothing about this. I’m still married to Linda. Linked: Unfounded rumours have been circulating in the Swiss press of a relationship between married Linda Barras and Fifa boss Sepp Blatter after they were pictured (above) arriving at the Ballon d'Or awards last week . 'I know that she went to the ceremony. She is a friend of the niece of Sepp Blatter.' The brunette, dressed all in black, was seen laughing and joking with Blatter at the Fifa Ballon d’Or gala last Monday night in Zurich, Switzerland. On her other side was Brazilian footballing legend Pele. Linda and her husband, who married in 1998 and have two daughters, have known Blatter for several years. In 2008 the Fifa boss attended La Nuit Des Neiges, a Swiss charity gala event of which Linda was president up until last summer. The gala evening takes place every February and is in aid of a local and international charity. 'We're still married': Mrs Barras's husband, Christian, said he had no idea the pair were romantically linked . It was founded by Linda’s brother-in-law Francois Barras and it was at one of the events that Linda met Christian. She was later asked to become president. Swiss tabloid newspaper Blick has run a number of articles claiming Linda is Blatter’s new love. The first article read: 'Blatter's New Love is 28 years younger.' It continued: 'For almost six years Sepp Blatter has been single. Now the FIFA boss is again in a happy relationship.' According to the publication, Blatter was also spotted at Zurich airport 'sometime ago' waiting for Mrs Barras. It read: 'Sometime ago at Zurich airport he (Blatter) sat expectantly in the hall, his driver stayed with the car. 'A photographer discovered the FIFA boss and asked if he was waiting for a well-known football player. 'Blatter then smiled mysteriously - and only replied that he was waiting on someone from the heart. 'A little later an attractive, dark-haired woman took her place in Blatter's sedan - Linda Barras.' Red carpet treatment: Mrs Barras with Blatter and ex International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge . When questioned about his aunt’s . relationship with Blatter, the grown-up son of Francois said: 'To the . last of my knowledge I think they (Christian and Linda) are still . together. 'I think it’s just . a big misunderstanding what happened and a big mistake on Linda’s part . in some ways. Yes, they are still together. 'I don’t think she is Sepp Blatter’s new girlfriend at all. She is a friend of Sepp’s. Sepp is a friend of the family.' Blatter, . dubbed The Most Powerful Man in Football, has been married three times . and has one daughter, Corinne, who is mum to his granddaughter, Serena. He was born in Visp, Switzerland, and has been president of Fifa since 1998. One of Blatter’s ex-wives, Graziella Blatter-Bianca, said she was 'delighted' he had apparently found a new love. She said: 'I am very happy for him. 'We . are still in good contact. I don’t know Linda but I am delighted if he . has found a new love. Who knows, maybe there is life after Fifa. And . it’s good for him if he has someone at his side.' Graziella, who is a life coach, married Blatter in 2002. They separated after less than a year. She said being married to such a powerful man was not always easy. She said: 'Of course, you need a lot of understanding and patience. He travels a lot and has to tackle a huge workload. I admire that and think he does a very good job. His work is his calling.' Fifa refused to comment about the latest allegations surrounding the controversial boss. A spokeswoman said: 'The president says it's a private matter. It's a personal thing. 'The person accompanying him (to the Ballon d’Or) was a guest of honour. It was his personal guest.' Linda and Blatter were pictured at The Fifa Ballon d’Or, an annual football award given to the player considered to have performed the best in the previous year. This year’s winner was Cristiano Ronaldo. | Linda Barras, 49, pictured with Blatter, 77, at Ballon d'Or awards last week .
Rumours circulating in Swiss press claim the pair are romantically linked .
Christian Barras says: 'I know nothing about this. I'm still married to Linda'
Linda Barras is a family friend whom Fifa say was his 'honoured guest' |
f9d6c7323a0302cf83388f48979fbfaf2c0ef7e8 | (CNN) -- The young upstart upstaged the returning legend as Sebastian Vettel claimed pole position for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix while returning Michael Schumacher was back in seventh on the grid for Sunday's race. Red Bull's Vettel finished last season by winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and claiming second in the championship behind Jenson Button and started this year in the same emphatic style. His best lap of one minute 54.101 seconds was a tenth of a second faster than Felipe Massa in his Ferrari, who was returning to action after his horrific crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix last July. Massa's new teammate and two-time former world champion Fernando Alonso was third fastest in a good start to the season for Ferrari. 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton was fourth best ahead of Schumacher's Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg. Mark Webber in the second Red Bull edged out seven-time world champion Schumacher with Button eighth on the grid. But it was Vettel who dominated for his sixth career pole and his pace was demonstrated by the gap to fourth-placed Hamilton of more than a second and 1.4 seconds better than his 41-year-old German compatriot Schumacher. "For me it is a big surprise and it is clear there are four teams out in front with close performances. So it is thanks to the long night of work the boys did that we have the speed and pole position," Vettel said at his post-qualifying press conference. Schumacher admitted that he had found his return difficult: . "I didn't really find it easy to find the peak performance and speed of the car in the time available. But I am happy because we are working well as a team. It is a long race and the season is even longer." While the top teams prospered, the three new lineups, Virgin, Lotus and Hispania, struggled and will occupy the last six places on the 24-car grid for Sunday's 49-lap race at the Sakhir circuit. | Sebastian Vettel claims pole position for Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix .
Vettel won the final race of last season in Abu Dhabi for Red Bull .
Returning legend Michael Schumacher has to settle for seventh in his Mercedes .
Ferraris of Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso second and third on grid . |
f9d6e87555b8a9499c733fcbee6a43f55d9d4129 | Living up to his name: Calvin E. W*** 56, was arrested for 'public lewdness' Many parents christen their young ones along the lines of Star, Hero and Destiny, in the hopes that they later aspire to live up to their name – unfortunately some monikers do not exactly encourage greatness. Unfortunately named Calvin E. W*** was arrested at a petrol station after allegedly being caught ‘pleasuring himself’ in public. Police were called to the Love’s Travel Stop in Binghamton, New York, on Saturday morning after several witnesses reported Mr W***’s actions. State troopers arrived at the petrol . station just after 10am on Saturday after truck drivers reported Mr . W***’s inappropriate behaviour. They . alleged that the 56-year-old was ‘committing sexually lewd acts while . in the parking lot and field next to the truck stop,' Syracuse.com reports. It was not immediately clear exactly what Mr W*** was doing outside the truck stop, located about an hour south of Syracuse. Mr W***, of Deposit, New York, has been charged with public lewdness, a misdemeanor, state police in Binghamton said. Mr W*** was issued a ticket at the scene, and is scheduled to appear in court next month. Interesting location choice: Mr W*** was arrested at a Love's Travel Stop after being spotted 'committing lewd sexual acts' by several truck drivers (stock image) | 56-year-old was arrested at a Love's Travel Stop in New York .
Truck drivers reported that Mr W*** was 'pleasuring himself' in public .
Mr W***, of Deposit, New York, has been charged with public lewdness . |
f9d6fbc7432a7ee9485561e805f9ab59e62e4252 | (CNN) -- "Innocence" lay for 11 hours in the rubble of a building flattened by an aerial bombing Saturday until neighbors dug her out alive. "What's your name?" a medic asked the teenager while sitting her up straight on the gurney of an underground rebel hospital. It was a miracle that she suffered only some scrapes, bruises, a bloody nose and a broken arm. She was wide awake and talkative. "Baraa," she answered. In Arabic, her name means "Innocence." Baraa and her mother lived near the National Hospital in Daraya, barely south of Damascus. The town, home to government ministries and a key military airport, is the scene of bitter fighting between rebel and government forces. Opposition fighters have dug in deep there with a system of foxholes, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's military has for weeks tried to smoke them out. Syria's 'urban refugees' struggle for survival . Baraa said she and her mother heard that al-Assad's forces were advancing and wanted to flee but changed their minds and hid in the basement of a building in town. "Some people told us that the structure of the building was not that strong," she told the medics in a video posted by opposition activists to YouTube. "But we stayed there for three days." Rockets hammered the area every day, and Baraa learned that one of her neighbors had died. Then she heard a warplane soaring overhead. The rebels don't have that kind of military hardware -- captured tanks at best. Bombs thundered down nearby. Then all went black. "The plane threw a barrel bomb on us," she said. "The last thing I saw was a red flash like fire. After that, it was complete darkness." She lay in the basement, buried alive in the building's rubble. The gruesome toll of deadly cluster bombs in Syria . "How were you breathing?" someone asked. "I was hardly breathing," Baraa answered after a medic thoroughly scrubbed debris and blood from her mouth and nose. "How many (people) were in the basement with you?" "30." Children? "About 14," Baraa said. "The oldest was 11." "Did you have any siblings among them?" "Yes, three siblings: one 11 years old, the second was 9, and the third was 2½ years old." All three died in that basement, she said. Twenty-eight people perished in all, according to Baraa. But Baraa is luckily not alone. Her mother survived, too. By day's end Saturday, 136 people had died in Syria, according to the Local Coordination Committees of Syria, an opposition network. CNN could not independently verify the group's claim that 47 died in Damascus and its suburbs. Inside Syria: 'Is there a worse way to live than this?' CNN's Hamdi Alkhshali contributed to this report. | A girl and her mother hide in a basement during days of bombardment .
Daraya, Syria, is home to government ministries and an important military airport .
Rebels and Bashar al-Assad's forces are fighting a bitter battle for control of the town .
A bomb hits the girl's building, then everything goes black . |
f9d776089cf89bdc91a7618ac9618e3f7b991e58 | A blood test being developed by a group of Australian scientists could predict Alzheimer's disease two decades before patients show signs of the illness. University of Melbourne researchers, who discovered the test, previously helped identify changes in the brain happened 20 years before people started presenting symptoms of the disease, which can be detected by performing brain-imaging procedures. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia with sufferers having deteriorating memory loss which gets worse over time as well as affecting their behaviour. Scroll down for video . University of Melbourne researchers are on the cusp of developing a blood test that could detect Alzheimer's disease . The blood test would have a 91 per cent rate of accuracy in predicting Alzheimer's and could be available within five years as further testing is yet to be carried out. Initial research carried out on a trial group resulted in one of five participants positive for the disease despite having no memory loss. Further tests carried out using brain-imaging procedures showed these patients had signs of degeneration associated with Alzheimer's. The research was carried out by the university's Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology Bio21 Institute. Researcher Dr Lesley Cheng (right) said the test (left) had the potential to predict Alzheimer's up to 20 years before sufferers showed signs of the disease . Research was carried out on a trial group where one of five participants tested positive for the disease despite having no memory loss . The department's Dr Lesley Cheng said the test had the potential to predict Alzheimer's up to 20 years before sufferers showed signs of the disease. She told Daily Mail Australia that the data available from their research could only provide a five-year detection as it had only been going for seven years, but with more participants they would be able to match up brain-imaging techniques with blood tests to track how far back it could predict. 'We wanted to develop a blood test to be used as a pre-screen to identify [patients] who needed a brain scan and those it was unnecessary to do a brain scan,' Dr Cheng said. Dr Cheng said it would also provide a more accessible method for people to accurately find out how likely they were to get the disease. Dr Lesley Cheng - who is part of the team - said the test had the potential to predict Alzheimer's up to 20 years before sufferers showed signs of the disease . 'This test provides the possibility of early detection of AD by using a simple blood test which has been designed to also be cost-effective,' she said. 'Furthermore, it is highly accessible for patients and physicians compared to organising a brain scan or undergoing a neuropsychological test. 'Patients with a family history of AD or those with memory concerns could be tested during a standard health check at a medical clinic. 'This test could ease concerns for patients experiencing normal memory problems due to natural ageing. Those identified as high risk could then be monitored by their doctor.' The University of Melbourne findings were published in science journal Molecular Psychiatry in collaboration with The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, the CSIRO, Austin Health and Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing. | Ongoing research is being carried out by the University of Melbourne .
The blood test has a 91 per cent accuracy rate in predicting Alzheimer's .
A trial group resulted in one in five participants being positive for disease .
This is despite the fact they showed no visible signs of memory loss .
The test could be available within five years after more research is done . |
f9d9f101b9d3cc3922e2833974255eb89d18362a | By . Mike Dawes . Shelly Sterling says she has signed a binding contract to sell the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for a record-breaking $2 billion (£1.2billion). Sterling confirmed the agreement made between The Sterling Family Trust and Ballmer in a statement issued late on Thursday night. The statement says she made the deal 'under her authority as the sole trustee of The Sterling Family Trust, which owns the Clippers.' Jackpot! Steve Ballmer punches the air as he watches the Clippers play the Golden State Warriors in April . Ballmer, who retired as CEO of Microsoft in February, has promised that the Clippers will remain based in LA . Shelly Sterling negotiated the sale after the NBA banned her husband for life and fined him $2.5 million (£1.49million) for making racist remarks that became public. Ballmer said in a statement that he loves basketball and will 'do everything in my power to ensure the Clippers continue to win - and win big - in Los Angeles.' The deal would need to be approved by the NBA and the Clippers have yet to confirm the sale. Hanging out: Donald Sterling at a Starbucks in Los Angeles with a mystery companion . Opposition: Sterling has said he intends to fight the sale of the LA Clippers to Ballmer for £1.2bn . Battle: Despite the Sterling scandal, the Clippers came close to beating Oklahoma City in the play-offs . 'I . am delighted that we are selling the team to Steve, who will be a . terrific owner,' Sterling said in a statement. 'We have worked for 33 . years to build the Clippers into a premiere NBA franchise. I am . confident that Steve will take the team to new levels of success.' Ballmer also released a statement, saying that he was 'honoured' by the opportunity. 'I . love basketball,' he said. 'And I intend to do everything in my power . to ensure that the Clippers continue to win -- and win big -- in Los . Angeles. L.A. is one of the world's great cities -- a city that embraces . inclusiveness, in exactly the same way that the NBA and I embrace . inclusiveness. I am confident that the Clippers will in the coming years . become an even bigger part of the community.' | Steve Ballmer retired in February after 14 years as Microsoft CEO .
Donald Sterling was given a life ban by the NBA for racist remarks .
Shelly Sterling announced on Thursday night she had agreed a deal .
Sale would need to be approved by NBA .
Los Angeles Clippers yet to announce the deal . |
f9da91442d1e121b931cdddd0eb157c50f6b8915 | Sendai, Japan (CNN) -- Long lines at grocery stores and gas stations along with continued aftershocks and power outages greeted many in Japan on Sunday morning, nearly two days after the devastating earthquake and tsunami that left hundreds dead and missing. Supplies of food and gas were running out in Sendai, the northern coastal city close to the epicenter of Friday's quake. Those who survived the earthquake and chose to remain in the city were enduring two-hour waits at the supermarket, according to a CNN iReporter in Sendai with the username joeyjenkins. "They have waited for I don't even know how long to get gas, as the gas station manually pumps the gas since there is no electricity," joeyjenkins wrote, adding they were without power until early Sunday. Schools and hospitals and Sendai have been turned into shelters, and volunteers were handing out bottles of water, CNN correspondent Kyung Lah reported from the city. Fears of power outages in Tokyo, about 200 miles south, sparked a run on flashlights, said iReporter Jessica Tekawa, 26. "I think last night, there must have been something on the news about a power outage," she told CNN, "because when we went, with my friend, we were trying to get flashlights and they were sold out everywhere." Water, too, was sold out in every store she went to after similar reports of possible water contamination, she said. Kenneth Cukier, the Japan correspondent for The Economist magazine, said the government announced managed power cuts will start Monday in certain regions of the country -- including suburban areas of Tokyo -- to give businesses enough power to operate. A seemingly endless barrage of aftershocks from Friday's 8.9-magnitude quake was still rattling nerves Sunday. The U.S. Geological Survey reported more than 140 such quakes -- magnitude 4.5 and higher, with the strongest coming at a 6.4 -- in, near, or off the east coast of the Japanese island. There have been "many aftershocks," said Yasue Schumaker, a Sendai native who now lives in Hawaii, but was visiting her mother in a Sendai hospital when the quake struck. "The day it happened, it was constantly aftershock, and last night was better, but still we are having quite big ones," Schumaker said. The aftershocks are a "constant reminder of what's happened, and what could happen in the future," Wall Street Journal reporter Yoree Koh told CNN from Tokyo. Such aftershocks are also producing tremendous anxiety for earthquake survivors, reported CNN's Gary Tuchman, driving from the western coastal city of Shonai to Sendai in the east. "People are wondering, could there be an aftershock that's greater than the original earthquake?" Tuchman said. "Each time you feel it, there's an element of fear." The Japanese military was working in at least one neighborhood of Sendai on Sunday morning to search for anyone trapped in the rubble. "A few hundred" people were still unaccounted for in one part of town Sunday, Lah reported. Search-and-rescue helicopters buzzed over Sendai as workers walked through the muddy streets wearing hard hats and carrying shovels. At least one person was winched by chopper from a damaged house. The city was still littered with debris and standing water from the tsunami. Two to three miles inland, houses were destroyed or simply gone, cars were stacked on top of each other, and brown mud covered the ground, Lah said. An iReporter with the username xeynon, who described himself as an American living and working in Sendai, said "there are still many friends and acquaintances living along the coast we have not been able to contact." Schumaker, her voice quivering, said those people should be the priority. "People who lost their homes, or the people who are still needing help, they are the ones who need help," she said. "We don't have any electric, water, gas, and the city just announced it could take 30 days to get gas set up for everybody. But we definitely need water and food, but please help the people who lost their homes and still ... on top of the buildings asking for help." CNN's Mary Lynn Ryan and Ashley Hayes contributed to this report. | NEW: There are still "quite big aftershocks" in Sendai .
NEW: Helicopters are helping the rescue effort in Sendai .
People are waiting in long lines at grocery stores and gas stations .
Aftershocks are still rattling nerves, nearly two days after the quake . |
f9daf02a60258388f132e8ce2877239712a7257e | Wilfried Bony has been truly outstanding for Swansea City and Manchester City will know they are getting a top-quality player. His £30million move to the Etihad looks like it will be completed soon. City are getting a brilliant striker to add to their already top-notch resources. Here, Martin Keown assesses Bony's strengths... Manchester City look set to sign Wilfried Bony after opening talks with Swansea City over a £30million deal . Bony fires in a goal against Queens Park Rangers for Swansea at Loftus Road on New Year's Day . Bony was pictured at the airport on Wednesday as he headed for the Africa Cup of Nations . He was pictured with his agent (right) as he prepared to head out and represent the Ivory Coast . The perfect blend of power and pace . When Bony is on the move, defenders simply bounce off him. He is so powerful and direct that he just swats opponents aside. He embarrasses defenders because they can’t lay a glove on him. But there is great touch and skill to go with that immense strength. He is good on the ball and his ability to launch off his left or right foot is similar to Sergio Aguero. He explodes past players in the same way. Bony is so good at shifting his bodyweight and that makes it hard for defenders to read him and deal with him - once he’s past you, there is no catching him. He also likes to stay central and as high up the pitch as he can so that when he runs off the shoulder of a defender, he can minimise the number of touches he needs before he can get a shot in. And when he does get a shot away, he has fantastic composure in front of goal. A man who loves to use his head . At six foot, Bony is no slouch, but he loves competing in the air. For somebody who’s so good on the ball, that is quite unusual. He really enjoys getting on the end of crosses and has said in the past he only needs one from his team-mates to score. He hasn’t scored a header so far this season but he might fare better at City. Bony plays in a similar way to Sergio Aguero - he can be a great replacement or a brilliant partner . The Ivorian forward loves to use his head as well, demonstrated against QPR on New Year's Day . Swansea’s crossing accuracy in 2014-15 is the second worst in the league, whereas City's is the fourth best. If they can feed Bony regularly then he is bound to keep scoring. He’s quite similar to Radamel Falcao when it comes to heading - neither are huge but they beat opponents to the ball out of sheer desire. He wants to be first to it every time and uses his power well to make sure he is. Bony celebrates after scoring for Swansea against QPR during the 1-1 draw at Loftus Road on New Year's Day . Not just a selfish striker . Bony's primary function is to score goals, but he is excellent at bringing others into the game. If he comes deep his first thought is to see which of his team-mates is in the most dangerous position and he will try to find them. He’s got quick, nimble feet, so he is able to pull off great bits of skill and he has a good awareness of how play is developing around him. He plays with real imagination and moving to City to play with the likes of Aguero and David Silva will only improve that. Bony and his team-mates celebrate his goal at Anfield against Liverpool, who opted against signing the striker . He has interested a number of clubs having scored the most Premier League goals in the calendar year . Experience tells . Bony is 26 but City are getting a player at the peak of his powers. It is a dream move so credit to him for working hard for years in the Czech Republic and Holland to progress. That time has served him well but Swansea also deserve credit for giving him a chance to shine where others ignored him. The competition at City will be tough, but he has already seen what it’s like not to play in every game - he was rotated by Garry Monk over Christmas almost as preparation to see how Swansea would cope without him. Bony, pictured climbing above the Arsenal defence in March, says he always tries to be in the right place . The Ivorian scores past Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart in November as Swansea lost 2-1 at the Etihad . | Wilfried Bony is close to moving to Manchester City for £30million .
Swansea City striker is a powerhouse who bounces off defenders .
He moves like Sergio Aguero and can be an ideal stand-in for Argentine .
Bony could also form a magnificent partnership with Aguero for City .
The Ivorian is extremely intelligent and loves to score headers .
READ: Bony will bring mental and physical strength to Manchester City . |
f9db3d1e791b5b83b35093b196d17de6cf53e7fb | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 19:53 EST, 8 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:54 EST, 8 August 2013 . A rioter has been evicted from his council flat exactly two years after he looted a bank during the London violence. It is believed to be the first successful eviction carried out in relation to the riots. Jonathan Mason, 37, joined a mob to burgle the HSBC branch in Lavender Hill, Battersea, south London, on August 8th, 2011. He was convicted of burglary and jailed for three years in 2012. Wandsworth Council, which owns Mason’s flat in Fontley Way, Roehampton, started proceedings to evict him following his conviction. Punishment: Jonathan Mason, 37, is the first person to be evicted as a result of his part in the London riots of 2011 . Anniversary: His eviction, thought to be the first in connection with the riots, happened two years on from the trouble itself . After a ‘lengthy legal process’ an eviction order was granted in July this year on the grounds that he had breached his tenancy agreement. He was also ordered to pay off £5,695 in rent arrears. Mason had 28 days to appeal - but that time ran out yesterday. He is believed to still be serving his sentence and the eviction took place in his absence. Wandsworth housing spokesman Councillor Paul Ellis said: 'Mr Mason’s decision to involve himself in the shocking scenes of violence, looting and disorder that struck Clapham Junction in August 2011, coupled with his wilful refusal to pay his rent, has resulted in him losing his council flat. 'As a consequence, it is extremely unlikely he will be offered taxpayer subsidised social housing by any other council or housing association. He will have to stand on his own two feet and arrange his own accommodation from now on. 'This is the price he must pay for his actions that night. Robbery: Mason joined a mob that looted a branch of HSBC in Battersea during the trouble . 'The date of today’s eviction is nothing more than pure coincidence, but it does serve as a timely reminder that here in this borough we make no apology whatsoever for taking a tough stance with those who choose to engage in serious criminality. 'We have no room on our estates for looters, rioters and those who refuse to pay their rent.' A council spokesman said: 'When a tenant is given the keys to a council property in Wandsworth they must sign a binding agreement that neither they nor any of their household members will engage in criminal or anti-social behaviour anywhere in the borough, or commit any acts that that cause fear, harassment or nuisance to other people living in the area. 'Failure to abide by this tenancy agreement renders them liable to eviction. 'In parallel, the council’s finance department was also seeking Mr Mason’s removal from the property as a result of his rent arrears, which now stand at £5,695. 'The judge ordered Mr Mason to pay these off without delay.' | Jonathan Mason was evicted from his Roehampton flat by Wandsworth Council .
He had been part of a mob that burgled a HSBC branch in Battersea in 2011 . |
f9dba24f60da33f742c76be0533ab3d356c7570e | A couple had some unexpected wedding crashers this weekend when their big day was over run by Occupy protesters. Thousands were expected to march in downtown Chicago today to the lakeside McCormick Place convention center where President Obama and dozens of other world leaders will meet for the Nato summit. Newlyweds Tim and Beth Alberts left the church in the city centre on Saturday after exchanging their vows and found themselves in the middle of a mass demonstration. Scroll down for video . Tim and Beth Alberts walk past as Chicago Occupy Wall Street Protesters march through the streets of downtown Chicago, Illinois, May 19, 2012 . Newly married couple Tim and Beth Alberts look shocked to be caught-up in protests in downtown Chicago . With her mouth open aghast at the sight of the anti-capitalist activists, a furious Mrs Alberts was caught on video telling the wedding party: 'Let's get out of here.' Both Chicago residents, Mr Alberts is a law clerk at Brady, Connolly & Masuda and Mrs Alberts is a medical aesthetician at Cellular Intelligence Med Spa. Hundreds of protestors paid little heed to the newlyweds on their march through the city. The anti-NATO protests were also aimed at Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's budget cuts. There were high tensions and frequent clashes between protesters and police today as violence broke out in pockets around the city. Mass movement: Demonstrators flow out of Grant Park in Chicago on the opening day of the Nato summit . Gathering: Protesters dance in Grant Park, Chicago today as the Nato summit took place in the city . March on: Protesters returned in earnest today to downtown Chicago to make their demands known to world leaders gathered for the Nato summit . Police in riot gear surrounded the downtown areas of Grant Park and the Loop and also patrolled train stations. Protesters began arriving at 6.30 am at the park and set up under the trees to shade themselves from the sun. The hacking group Anonymous said it had attacked the websites of the city of Chicago and police department because of a violation of human rights. Officials said they were still investigating how the sites went down in a possible cyber attack. The sites shut down this morning. In one Anonymous tweet, the group claimed to have taken the police site out of commission as the Nato summit began in the city today. All sites were now back up and running. Following the rally in the park, protesters planned to march to the convention center at McCormick Place. Around the Nato summit, concrete barriers have been set up along with black, anti-scale fencing. Some businesses and homes in the area have taken the precaution of boarding up their windows. Chris Geovanis of the Chicago and New Media Collective told the thousands gathered in the park that police had interfere with the march and hurt some protesters, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Reverend Jesse Jackson also appeared and said the protests must remain non-violent. He said: 'We learned from Dr. King in Birmingham. We march in a disciplined, non-violent way. We cannot afford to have our message hijacked by acts of provocation.' There have been 18 arrested over the past week - not including the five people arrested on suspicion of two separate terrorist plots to use Molotov cocktails during the summit. What to do? Tim and Beth alberts gather themselves as Occupy Chicago protestors file past their wedding . Happy day: Tim and Beth Alberts who saw their wedding rudely interrupted by activists in downtown Chicago . Beth Alberts pulls off a fun pose for the camera before her wedding on May 19 in downtown Chicago . Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai met this morning at the opening of the Nato summit to discuss Afghanistan's 2014 elections, as well as the prospect of a political settlement with the Taliban. The crowds were in the hundreds on Saturday, down from an estimated 2,500 people on Friday at Daley Plaza - named after Mayor Richard J. Daley, who headed the city during bloody clashes between police and anti-Vietnam War protesters at the 1968 Democratic convention. Chicago police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said late last night that there had been 18 arrests during the week. One protester was taken to a hospital after a group of people swarmed on a police vehicle and slashed a tire, he added. Local media showed video of the man in front of the vehicle trying to stop it but it was unclear if he was run over. Another protester spray-painted an 'A' for anarchy on the door of a Verizon Wireless store. Discussions: Obama meets with Afghan president Hamid Karzai this morning at the Nato summit in Chicago . Saturday's marches began early, with an estimated 500 people protesting outside Mayor Rahm Emanuel's home to criticise cuts in city mental health services. Mr McCarthy said protesters were 'making noise and disrupting some people's lives,' but that overall, events were going well. President Obama and First Lady Michelle were greeted on their arrival to Chicago last night by Emanuel, his former chief of staff, and his wife Amy Rule on the tarmac at O'Hare International Airport. Earlier Obama had wound up talks with fellow members of the G8 regarding the eurozone financial crisis and attempts to keep Greece in the Euro. Occupy Chicago protesters march down Montrose Avenue to Mayor Rahm Emaunel's house during a demonstration in Chicago on Saturday, May 19, 2012 . An Occupy Chicago protestor prepares for the arrival of NATO (left) as another demonstrator faces-off against police (right) with a pack of donuts . The city of Chicago had not granted a permit for Saturday's protests but police allowed several groups of protesters to wander around the city guided by officers mostly on bicycles. There was some pushing and shoving between police and protesters but no major clashes. Saturday's protests followed the announcement that three men arrested earlier in the week had been charged with conspiracy to commit terrorism. Prosecutors said the three self-described anarchists were planning to attack President Barack Obama's Chicago campaign headquarters and Emanuel's home. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are greeted by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, center, and wife Amy Rule, during their arrival at O'Hare International airport in Chicago . President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle arrive at Chicago O'Hare International Airport to attend the NATO summit . Saturday's protests stressed economic and social policy issues rather than international questions, such as the war in Afghanistan, expected to be discussed by world leaders at the NATO summit on Sunday and Monday. Three protest leaders said they met with Nato Ambassador Kolinda Grabar of the military alliance's public diplomacy unit . 'My message to Ambassador Grabar was that we are very aware of the immense violence and oppression that the U.S. in its Nato guise does to the world, and that no amount of words from her or pronouncements from the summit itself will obscure that,' said Andy Thayer, one of the protest leaders . Many of the protesters were from the Occupy Wall Street movement that began in New York last autumn to protest policies that lead to income inequality. The group says 1 per cent of the U.S. population holds too much of the nation's wealth. A protester trips after falling over a police officer during a demonstration by Occupy Chicago and other groups in downtown Chicago on the eve of the NATO summit on May 19, 2012 . A protestor wears a 'V' for Vendetta mask in Chicago on May 19 (left) as a law enforcement official wears a helmet (right) | At least 18 arrests made over the weekend in Chicago .
Police in riot gear surround downtown area .
Reverend Jesse Jackson appeals to protesters for 'non-violence' |
f9dbb82589ef94618db94874ae5e69e567d3a536 | Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) -- Military commanders along the turbulent Thai-Cambodian border agreed to a cease-fire on Thursday, a Thai military source told CNN. A border dispute that turned violent over the last week remains volatile, and the hiatus was forged at the unit commander level but not the higher levels of the militaries. The source, who asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak, said if the peace persists, higher-ranking people may meet on Friday. They would be Thailand's 2nd Region commander, Lt. Gen Tawatchai Samutsakorn, and Lt. Gen. Chea Mon, Cambodia's 5th Army Region commander. Cambodia's government spokesman could not be reached for comment. Indonesia has offered to provide observers in the border area and help both sides resolve the crisis diplomatically. Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya met with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa in Jakarta. Indonesia currently holds the chair of the the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Natalegawa also said Thailand welcomes the deployment of an Indonesian observer team to the disputed area. This idea was first agreed upon, in an emergency meeting of ASEAN's Foreign Ministers in February, also in Jakarta. The observers have not been deployed, after Thailand later stated their presence was not needed. "I just want to reassure that Thailand will work very earnestly and in a very serious manner with Indonesia in the role of Indonesia as a great facilitator," said Piromya. However, he maintained Thailand's position was on the defensive in recently renewed clashes with Cambodia. "I just want to use this opportunity to once again reaffirm that the military action by the Thai side was only on the defensive side. We have not made any aggression. It was only (an) appropriate response to the conflict that was started by the Cambodian side," he said. Natalegawa said he and Piromya were able to discuss terms of reference for the Indonesian observer team. "I think it's quite fair to say that we have made a very good progress, and I could say that we are truly in the brink of confirming the agreement by all sides. Based on my conversation just now, I shall be circulating to both Thailand and Cambodia what I hope to be the final version of the Term of Reference for its immediate early adoption by the parties concerned." U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging both nations to pursue "an effective and verifiable cease-fire." Clashes between the two started Friday as they accused each other of trying to seize ancient temples. Thailand calls the temples Ta Kwai and Ta Muen, while Cambodia calls them Ta Krabey and Ta Moan. Much of the border between the two countries remains in dispute. Both sides claim the disputed temples are in their country. Fighting flared up in February along another disputed border area between the two nations, prompting the U.N. Security Council to issue a statement calling on both sides to implement a cease-fire. Those clashes stemmed from a longstanding conflict related to the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple. Both Cambodia and Thailand lay claim to the temple, which sits atop a cliff on Cambodian soil but has its most accessible entrance on the Thai side. | Unit level commanders worked out the hiatus .
Indonesia has offered to help resolve the crisis .
Ancient temples are at the core of the dispute . |
f9dbbefcf82dbaca83e9d5a02bb4298700079840 | A previously secret document found at Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan sets out a detailed al Qaeda strategy for attacking targets in Europe and the United States. The document -- a letter written to bin Laden in March 2010 by a senior operational figure in the terror group -- reveals that tunnels, bridges, dams, undersea pipelines and internet cables were among the targets. It was written by Younis al-Mauretani, a senior al Qaeda planner thought to have been behind an ambitious plan to hit "soft" targets in Europe in the fall of 2010. The U.S. Department of Justice passed the letter to German prosecutors last year for use in an ongoing trial in Dusseldorf because it possibly refers to one of the defendants, according to the German newspaper Die Zeit, which first broke the story. CNN has obtained details of the document from sources briefed on its contents. The 17-page letter is in Arabic. Al-Mauretani proposed that al Qaeda recruits take jobs with companies transporting gasoline and and other sensitive companies in the West, and await the right moment to strike. He said targets should include tunnels, airports and even "Love Parades" -- gay and lesbian events held every summer in Germany. He said recruits should infiltrate university courses in the West in key subjects useful to the group including physics and chemistry, so that they could later be re-activated and help the group, according to Die Zeit. He also suggested attaching mines to undersea pipelines using mini-submarines -- and appears to have researched ways to circumvent safety valves on such pipelines. Al Mauretani also proposed that al Qaeda attack financial centers and think-tanks -- specifically mentioning the RAND Corporation, whose headquarters are in California. Asked if it was aware of the threat, a spokesman for RAND told CNN that "as a matter of policy, the RAND Corporation does not comment on specific security issues or potential threats." Yassin Musharbash, an investigative reporter with Die Zeit in Berlin, says the document seems "to support information gleaned from other terror trials that Al Qaeda in 2010 was trying to plan a comprehensive plot against the West," and al-Mauretani appears to have been bent on "hitting Europe and the U.S. by targeting critical infrastructure and economic targets." Some of al-Mauretani's ideas may seem far-fetched, but they underline al Qaeda's continuing fascination with bringing down airliners. He proposed that men recruited into the Yemeni al Qaeda affiliate AQAP become pilots with airlines, and then drug their co-pilots before flying the plane into a target. One target he identified was the massive petrochemical facility at Abqaiq in Saudi Arabia. Al Mauretani suggested that Osama bin Laden signal the go-ahead for attacks in Europe with a public message that al Qaeda's patience with Europe had run out. And he had a clear sense of how to finance attacks, saying that al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) had "millions" and its leaders trusted him, according to Die Zeit. Mauretani himself was originally from Mauritania in north-west Africa. Sources briefed on the contents of the letter told CNN that al-Mauretani wrote that al Qaeda Central in Pakistan could only cover the starting costs of the operation against Europe and additional costs would have to be covered by AQIM and others. Analysts tell CNN al-Mauretani's call for the various nodes of al Qaeda to work together was emblemmatic of a shift within the terrorist network towards greater coordination and pooling of resources. Phone call links Benghazi attack to al Qaeda commander . Al-Mauretani added that AQIM had a "great deal of trust" in him, according to the sources. According to analysts the North African operative paved the way for direct cooperation between AQIM and al Qaeda's senior leadership in the late 2000s after he travelled to Pakistan. In late 2011 Moktar Belmoktar, then a senior figure in AQIM, told a Mauritanian journalist that al-Mauretani was the "first direct contact between us and our brothers in Al-Qaeda." Bin Laden appears to have liked the ideas in al-Mauretani's letter, and assigned them high priority. Other documents found at his Pakistani compound in Abbottabad suggest he forwarded it to at least one other senior figure in al Qaeda. In around June 2010, bin Laden wrote to senior Libyan operative Atiyah abd al Rahman, then al Qaeda's head of operations in Waziristan, instructing him to tell the leaders of the al Qaeda affiliates AQIM in North Africa and AQAP in Yemen to "put forward their best in cooperating" with al-Mauretani "in whatever he asks of them." "Hint to the brothers in the Islamic Maghreb that they provide him with the financial support that he might need in the next six months, to the tune of approximately 200,000 euros," bin Laden wrote. CNN has learned the document was sent to German prosecutors by the Justice Department after they had asked for any information the United States might have about three men from the Dusseldorf area charged with planning an attack in Germany on behalf of al Qaeda in April 2011. CNN asked the Justice Department about the document but has so far received no comment. According to Die Zeit, the reason the letter was relayed to the Germans was because al-Mauretani mentions a Moroccan in the document with exactly the same date of birth as Abdeladim el-K, who prosecutors claim was the ringleader of the alleged Dusseldorf cell and trained with al Qaeda in Pakistan in 2010. Sources briefed on the contents of the document told CNN that al-Mauretani appears to suggest the Moroccan should travel to join up with militants in Somalia if his mission failed. Sources say three FBI officials will testify at the trial in Dusseldorf Wednesday on the authenticity of the document. Defense lawyers say they have "fundamental doubts" about the document. As for al-Mauretani, he is unlikely to have any role in bringing his terror plans to fruition. He was picked up by Pakistani police in Quetta in August 2011 and remains in detention. Pakistani authorities appear to have uncovered some of his terror plans. In announcing his arrest a month later, they stated: al-Mauretani "was tasked personally by Osama bin Laden to focus on hitting targets of economical importance in United States of America, Europe and Australia, including gas pipelines, power generating dams and oil tankers." Several of al-Mauretani's western recruits -- trained in the tribal territories of Pakistan -- have been arrested on their return home. American al Qaeda recruit Bryant Neal Vinas testified at his trial that that he had drawn a map for al-Mauretani in mid-2008, showing Long Island Railroad lines. Al-Mauretani had decided the best scheme would be to launch a suicide bombing on a train as it entered a tunnel. And he told Vinas that preferably a white operative with Western travel documents would be tasked to carry out the attack. In 2010, al-Mauretani was seen as the mastermind of planned attacks in Europe. Fears that such attacks would materialize led the U.S. State Department to issue a travel alert in October 2010. Sources briefed on the letter told CNN that al-Mauretani requested bin Laden issue a statement saying al Qaeda's patience with Europe had run out following the al Qaeda leader's previous offering of a conditional truce, and that his statement needed to be choreographed with an attack shortly afterwards. "We ask you undertake certain steps in order to threaten Europe before the attacks happen. And these steps should be in synch with the preparations of those attacks. Inform Europe that patience has come to an end, as has our hope that they end their campaign against us. Also [make clear] that they have not understood our message thus far. One or two weeks after that we will strike ... and then we will threaten them again. After we hit Europe we will hit America, so we isolate the Americans," the sources said al-Mauretani wrote in the letter. Die Zeit's Musharbash says al-Mauretani's blueprint "has very likely little operational value now. But certain ideas may have trickled down and may still be alive elsewhere in the network." READ RELATED: Opinion: Strange bedfellows -- Iran and al Qaeda . | It was written by Younis al-Mauretani, a senior al Qaeda planner .
He is believed to have been behind an ambitious plan to hit "soft" targets in Europe .
He proposed that al Qaeda recruits take jobs with companies transporting gasoline . |
f9dbe676763174ca5a431a5f271cb9567a67b02f | By . Associated Press . A police raid at an Amsterdam-style cannabis lounge in Denver, Colorado, has triggered a debate over where adults can smoke pot in a state that allows recreational marijuana consumption - but not in public. Denver police showed up last week at Maryjane's Social Club, one of dozens of private pot-smoking clubs in Colorado operating in a legal gray area. The officers handcuffed smokers, seized drug paraphernalia and ticketed the club's owner for violating state law banning indoor cigarette smoking. Three people were cited for smoking in public. Inside the lounge: Denver police raided this Amsterdam-style cannabis lounge in Colorado, named Maryjane's Social Club . Colorado law prohibits recreational pot consumption 'openly and publicly or in a manner that endangers others.' And state lawmakers say that smoke-free laws also appear to ban indoor pot smoke-outs. But marijuana advocates argue the increasingly popular private pot dens are permissible because marijuana isn't sold, nor is food or drink. Like Maryjane's, the clubs are only for members, who bring their own weed. The officers entered Maryjane's on Friday to investigate 'illegal activity' - public marijuana consumption - when they issued the citations, department spokesman Sonny Jackson said. He said police are not targeting other private pot clubs but that all pot-related businesses, including private lounges, are under new scrutiny since recreational sales began in Colorado in January. 'This is new for us,' said Ashley Kilroy, Denver's executive director of marijuana policy, noting that police routinely look for pot clubs that are publicly advertising or who impose cover charges as a sham and then give away weed. 'We're going to be as proactive as we can and educate businesses as we go along.' Kandice Moss, who was inside Maryjane's at the time, said she recognized the plainclothes detectives because they had been inside the club before, posing as new members. One of them told her the club was a public place before they started issuing citations. Maryjane's Social Club (pictured) is one of dozens of private cannabis lounges in Colorado that operate in a legal gray area . 'I asked, 'Where is it safe?'' Moss said. 'He said, 'You're legal to possess it and smoke it at home, and that's it.' But Denver attorney Rob Corry, who represents one of those cited, said the club is private. It doesn't advertise specific events, and it requires memberships to get in, even if to smoke there for just one night. Marijuana advocates argue the increasingly popular private pot dens are permissible because marijuana isn't sold, nor is food or drink . Corry argued the raid was hypocritical. He noted that the city of Denver has allowed the Colorado Symphony Orchestra to hold a series of bring-your-own-cannabis fundraising concerts - labeled private events - after the symphony agreed to hold the shows by invitation only at private galleries. After days of wrangling, city officials concerned about public consumption withdrew their objections to three symphony events called Classically Cannabis, which have marijuana companies as sponsors and are expected to raise $200,000 for the symphony. 'This is an identical situation,' Corry said. 'It's not even close to being a gray area.' The symphony took corrective action after the city warned them about public consumption and Maryjane's did not, Kilroy said. Corry said he was unaware of any formal warnings the club had received. The attorney represents Andrew Overall, who received a $135 citation for public consumption at Maryjane's. Legal gray area: Colorado law prohibits recreational pot consumption openly and publicly or in a manner that endangers others (library image) Officers said they saw Overall, 25, smoking hash oil from a water pipe, which they seized as evidence, according to his citation. The document also notes that his club membership was issued in June. Overall said he started buying nightly memberships at the club for $10, and then bought a monthly pass. 'It's a place where people who are like-minded can get together and enjoy cannabis,' said Overall, who was supposed to work as a DJ the night of the crackdown. 'I feel safe there.' Overall said he plans to fight the ticket in court. Maryjane's has closed after the arrests. Its patrons hope it would reopen, perhaps as a hookah lounge. Owners of other private pot dens around the state are keeping an eye on the Denver case. 'The number of clubs is going to increase, and the number of enforcement actions is going to decrease,' Corry predicted. David Fanelli, who owns Club Ned near Boulder with his wife, Cheryl, said the club-cafe has not had any problems since it opened in March after more than a year of planning for proper ventilation and consulting with police, an attorney and zoning officials. Still, the town of Nederland has only allowed his club to operate for a six-month trial period. Officials will then decide whether to extend its license. 'We are just a test,' Fanelli said. | Maryjane's Social Club is one of dozens of private pot-smoking clubs in Colorado operating in a legal grey area .
Three people were cited by police for smoking in public and club owner was ticketed .
Colorado law prohibits recreational pot consumption 'openly and publicly or in a manner that endangers others'
Plainclothed police officers were posing as new members at the club . |
f9dc2e758c5894f9c170be068aae861f89493570 | Rising star: Liz Truss is the youngest-ever woman to join a Conservative Cabinet and is already being talked up as the 'next Margaret Thatcher' For the youngest-ever woman to join a Conservative Cabinet — especially one who is already being talked up as the ‘next Margaret Thatcher’ — Liz Truss has some unusual qualifications. The new Environment Secretary, 38, whose constituency is just 15 miles from the Queen’s Norfolk home at Sandringham, once called for the Monarchy’s abolition. She’s also described the British as ‘among the worst idlers in the world’. Then there was the little matter of an 18-month adulterous affair with a married Tory MP which, he said, cost him his marriage. It caused an almighty storm when she stood as a Tory parliamentary candidate in South West Norfolk and it emerged that she had failed to tell the selection committee about the relationship. All this is history, though. Who could deny the ambitious Truss’s astonishing agility, despite all that baggage, to find herself in the Cabinet less than four years since becoming an MP? ‘Working with her is like being next to a hornets’ nest,’ says one figure who has worked under her at Westminster. ‘It’s ceaseless, frenetic activity under the sword of Damocles if things aren’t done exactly as she wants them.’ Elizabeth Mary Truss has all the correct credentials to offset a party hierarchy full of Old Etonians. Her first school was a primary in Paisley, Scotland, before moving to a comprehensive in Leeds. She was brought up in a Left-wing household — her father a mathematics professor, her mother a nurse who took her on CND marches. At Oxford University, Truss was president of the Lib Dems and questioned the need for the Monarchy. She declared: ‘We Liberal Democrats believe in opportunity for all. We believe in fairness and common sense . . . we do not believe people are born to rule.’ Two years later, however, she joined the Conservative Party. After being elected as an MP, she co-authored Britannia Unchained, which set out proposals to restore Britain’s economic position. One passage said: ‘The British are . among the worst idlers in the world. We work among the lowest hours, we . retire early and our productivity is poor. Whereas Indian children . aspire to be doctors or businessmen, the British are more interested in . football and pop music.’ And . now to the affair. At 28, she was burning for front-line politics, . having worked for both Shell and Cable & Wireless in executive and . accountancy roles. She had made it on to the party list of ‘preferred . candidates’ when, in the run-up to the 2005 election, she worked in the . office of Tory frontbencher Mark Field, the culture spokesman, who was . 41. She was married, too, to a financial controller. Field’s wife Michelle was chief executive of a hospital charitable foundation. Scroll down for video . New role: New Environment Secretary Liz Truss is pictured leaving Downing Street yesterday, following her new Cabinet appointment . The affair lasted 18 months, towards . the end of which she became pregnant. Truss told friends that the baby . was her husband’s and when it was born, he was named as the father on . the birth certificate. Indeed, Truss’s marriage survived the . scandal.Though the affair was well-known around Westminster, no one told . the selection committee at South West Norfolk. Their . indignation at having chosen someone with such a large skeleton . jangling in her cupboard led to vain efforts to deselect her, prompting . some bright spark among the Westminster Tory chatterati to dub those . recalcitrant locals as the ‘Turnip Taliban’. But . the relevant moniker should have been ‘Teflon Truss’. A war of words . raged, and when it died down, there she was, unhindered in her march to . political stardom. Affair: Truss's affair with former culture spokesman Mark Field (right) lasted 18 months. Her marriage survived the scandal, but Field was not so lucky . Field was not so lucky. His wife . divorced him and he lost his frontbench position. These days, as his . former intern-lover takes her seat at the Cabinet table, he remains on . the backbenches as he approaches his 50th birthday. He is, however, . happily remarried. Around . Westminster, when they bump into each other, they nod politely. Truss . has now also effectively leapfrogged her former boss at the Department . for Education, Michael Gove. While working as his junior there, some . detected what one colleague describes as ‘the whiff of disloyalty’ in . the frank way she would talk publicly about her ‘disappointment’ over . Gove not acting on her suggestions. As . for the Environment brief, she is ‘ferociously intelligent and will . pick it up very quickly,’ says one close figure, ‘even though I observe . scant interest in agriculture and rural affairs beyond what she . absolutely needed as an MP with an agricultural constituency’. Those . who work for her will also learn, as one with such experience says, . ‘that she is a sucker for flattery. Compliments — especially about her . genius, political skill, or emphatic, rosy predictions about her future . career — are certain to be met with peals of girlish laughter. Survivor: Truss survived efforts to deselect her after news broke of her affair with Field. She is pictured arriving for the possible deselection vote at Swaffham Assembly Rooms in 2009 . | Liz Truss, 38, is the youngest-ever woman to join a Conservative Cabinet .
Rising star only became MP for South West Norfolk four years ago .
She once called for the Monarchy's abolition and was a Lib Dem at university .
Truss grew up in Left-wing household and went on CND marches as a child .
Had 18 month affair with then culture spokesman Mark Field .
Truss has described the British as ‘among the worst idlers in the world’ |
f9dc406603b536655cfb998c9caf7d52d0c63711 | Howard Webb has retired from refereeing after 25 years officiating the beautiful game. The Englishman heads into a new role as technical director of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). Webb was a highly regarded official and took charge of more than 500 Barclays Premier League and Football League matches. He also officiated in two World Cups, two European Championships and the Champions League. However over the years Webb has been accused of being a secret Manchester United fan due to some of his decisions involving the Premier League giants. Here are some of the best virals posted after Webb’s announcement. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Howard Webb score a cheeky Panenka penalty . United fan? Many rival football supportershave accused Howard Webb of favouring Man United over the years . Good luck: Manchester City posted on their Twitter account a cheeky message to Webb . Celebrate good times: Webb has been targeted online for apparently favouring United . Conincidence: United have enjoyed a lot of success during Webb's time as a referee . What a picture: Sir Alex Ferguson was very vocal with referees when manager at Manchester United . Statue: An image indicates Howard Webb has been as influential as Ferguson in United's success . Devastating: Rival fans continue to mock the significance of Webb's retirement to United . New signing: Don't worry this is a fake! But a host of football fans believe Webb supported United . However this might show Webb didn't show an allegiance to Manchester United with Manchester City and Arsenal receiving more points in matches under Webb's officiating... Unfair? Man United have the second best record under Webb but this is over a larger amount of games . | Howard Webb retires after 25 years as a referee at the top level .
Took charge of both Champions League and World Cup finals in 2010 .
Accused online of being biased towards Manchester United over the years . |
f9dc4634735835b57febebe089873bbde0e0489e | As three tugboats towed the disabled Carnival cruise ship Triumph back to port in Mobile, Alabama, things went from bad to worse. The fire that caused the ship to lose power and drift aimlessly on rough Gulf of Mexico swells was just the beginning. Raw sewage seeped into corridors and cabin ways. Food had to be rationed. There were fears of looting. Not surprisingly, passengers were furious and emotional. Some were reported to be "acting like savages." For Carnival and the rest of the cruise line industry, the implications are potentially devastating. The deadly capsizing in January 2012 of the Costa Concordia ship off the coast of Italy still lingers in the public's mind. About a month later, the Costa Allegra liner suffered a similar engine fire, lost power, and was set adrift in pirate-infested waters in the Indian Ocean. Carnival owns Costa Cruises, and now a third high-profile crisis for Carnival in just over a year threatens to cement the perception among vacationers that cruising might not be worth the risk. Five things we've learned about cruises . In the age of social and digital media, the problems faced by cruise lines are compounded. Using mobile phones, passengers aboard the Triumph have been providing concerned family members with constant updates. Those enraged family members have immediately passed the horror stories along to the eager media. The public is getting the full play-by-play in virtual real time, leaving Carnival playing catchup from an increasingly defensive posture. But as bad as the potential damage to Carnival's image may be, the company, as well as the rest of the cruise line industry, has an opportunity to blunt the impact, if it acts quickly and wisely. It seems counterintuitive, but while the gruesome stories of the "cruise from hell" are still fresh, the crisis offers an opportunity for the cruise line to make a compelling statement about the industry's commitment to its passengers. (Statements from Carnival.) Crisis management experts know that customers and the general public are more likely to judge an organization by how it handles a problem than how it got into the problem in the first place. That means Carnival has to go much further than mere reimbursements and vouchers for onward travel. The challenge to Carnival's reputation is three-fold. First the company must articulate real concern for passengers and clearly communicate what it is doing to make things right for customers. This will require financial sacrifices, of course. But Carnival has little choice but to pay now and win some badly needed goodwill -- or pay later in the courtroom, in the court of public opinion, and, of course, at the cash register when bookings decline. Second, the company must clearly communicate what it is doing to fix the problem and prevent anything like it from ever happening again. How did an engine fire, serious as that might be, so quickly develop into a disaster of this magnitude? My celebration trip on the Carnival Triumph: From joy to misery . How could it have been allowed to happen? Why was the widely reported chaos and disorder allowed to develop? Why did Carnival not have emergency response plans in place? What is the industry doing to prepare for what would seem to be a manageable situation? The public will demand answers to these basic questions before it will begin to trust again. Uncertainty breathes life into a crisis. Accurate and timely information smothers it. Third, Carnival must aggressively and clearly deliver these messages now, and for as long as it takes to restore the public's trust. So far, the story has been about the unthinkable conditions the passengers have been forced to endure. Carnival must move aggressively to reshape that narrative to reflect all that it is doing to rectify the situation. After a bad cruise, can you cruise into court? Carnival has to resist the temptation to explain, minimize, or justify what happened and position itself instead as part of the solution to the problems that caused the disaster. That is what the public will focus on and remember, but only if Carnival is able to communicate it fast and effectively. | David Bartlett: For Carnival, impact of 'cruise from hell' potentially devastating.
Passenger video, media puts Carnival increasingly on the defensive, he says .
He says it must show real concern, lay out plan, go a long way to make amends .
Don't try to justify or explain, he says, but get proactive now about fixing problem . |
f9dc7d8819effc34a2f58af65766d14532aee093 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 05:39 EST, 20 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:42 EST, 20 November 2013 . Texas drivers are being pulled over and offered cash in return for DNA blood samples. Police say the national survey is '100 per cent voluntary' but drivers claim they felt trapped and were 'forced off the road' to give samples. Officers in the $8million National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) survey ask drivers to give a cheek swab for $10 or a blood sample for $50. However, they also ask them to do a breathalyzer test for free but say the research is completely anonymous. Texas driver Kim Cope (left) said she felt she was forced off the road to take a breath test and civil rights attorney Frank Colosi (right) has questioned whether the survey is constitutional . Driver Kim Cope says she was pulled over in Fort Worth despite telling the police she wanted to carry on her way. She said she only did a breathalyser test because she thought it would be easiest way to get out of the situation. She told NBC DFW: 'It just doesn't seem right that you are forced off of the road when you are not doing anything wrong. 'If it's voluntary, it's voluntary but none of it felt voluntary at all.' The research by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, in Calverton, Maryland, is being carried out in 30 cities over three years. It aims to find out how many people drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Ms Cope said she gave a breath sample to officers because she just wanted to get out of the situation . Drivers in Fort Worth have been pulled over by police and offered $10 for a cheek swab and $50 for a blood test . Questions have been raised about whether the survey is constitutional. Civil rights attorney Frank Colosi said the small print on forms handed to drivers shows breath tests are carried out before drivers give their consent. It says that 'passive alcohol censor readings' are taken 'before the consent process has been completed'. He told NBC: 'They're essentially lying to you when they say it's completely voluntary, because they're testing you at that moment.' Forth Worth Police said its Traffic Division was coordinating with NHTSA on the research and apologized if any residents felt 'offended or inconvenienced' by the survey. It has also launched a review into the way the research has been carried out to see if procedures were followed correctly. | Drivers offered $10 for a cheek swab and $50 for a blood sample .
$8m survey run by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration .
Done over three years in 30 states to see how many people drive drunk .
Questions raised about whether the survey is constitutional . |
f9dc91bfa3d8a7c95fb28b3ce45bc91a5cfaadcb | Lord Tebbit said the Prime Minister will pay a heavy price for breaking a promise to tackle immigration . David Cameron can only hope to win the election if Ukip 'implodes', Tory grandee Lord Tebbit warned today. As the Conservatives launched their first election poster of the campaign, the former party chairman said the Prime Minister will pay a heavy price for breaking a promise to tackle immigration. He said that only a collapse in support for Ukip - which has made big gains in the past year - would allow the Tories to form an overall majority after May 7. Before the last election Mr Cameron pledge 'no ifs, no buts' to reduce net migration to the 'tens off thousands'. But latest figures show 260,000 more people arrived in the UK than left in the last year, including a record 228,000 extra immigrants who arrived from elsewhere in the European Union. Lord Tebbit told BBC Radio 4's The World at One: 'Mr Cameron swore that he would get immigration, net, down to tens of thousands, so that's a real problem,' he told BBC Radio 4's The World at One. 'It makes it difficult for him to persuade people that he can control it without a radical change in our relationship with Europe, which Ukip would then point out would almost certainly mean leaving the European Union.' 'I think it is going to be very difficult to win an overall majority unless, for some reason or another, Ukip should implode.' The Prime Minister kicked off what expected to be four months of frenzied campaigning by the parties with an appeal to voters to 'stay on the road' to economic recovery. Addressing supporters in Halifax, West Yorkshire, he said the election would be 'the most important in a generation' and that any result other than a Conservative victory would be 'disastrous' for the country. David Cameron today launched the new Tory party campaign poster in Halifax, with the slogan 'Let's stay on the road to a stronger economy' Polling by YouGov shows how Ukip built its support during the last 12 months, including taking two seats in the Commons, winning the European elections and building a base on local councils . Speaking at the launch of the Conservatives first campaign poster of the year - with the slogan Let's Stay on the Road to a Stronger Economy - Mr Cameron said it was 'absolutely crucial' that the party triumphed in May. 'It is an absolutely vital election for our country and I think the most important election in a generation,' he said. 'I say we need to stay on the road to a stronger economy not just because the alternatives are so disastrous and, frankly, they are disastrous. 'I say that we should stay on this road because I'm absolutely clear about what the destination should be, about what more we can do for our country over the coming five years.' For Labour, shadow chancellor Ed Balls MP said the Conservatives' economic plan had failed and the country needed a change of course. 'David Cameron and George Osborne are taking Britain in the wrong direction. It's a road lurching to the right - their plan is not working yet they're saying let's carry on with our failed plan,' he said. 'In the last few years we've seen living standards squeezed, a crisis in our NHS and tax cuts just for the richest in society while everyone else has to pay more.' A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: 'The Conservative economic plan for the future looks more like the highway to hell for the majority of British voters, as the Tories want to roll back the state to the 1930s.' | Former Tory party chairman warns Cameron will pay a high price for error .
In opposition, Cameron promised to cut net migration to tens of thousands .
But number hit 26,000 in the latest figures, with 228,000 from the EU . |
f9dccc19a644baea0d90c317b6f1b655d748b364 | (EW) -- With summer coming to a close, Oscar season is officially in full swing. James Franco, fresh from his Comedy Central Roast, kicks off the first of the "For Your Consideration" ads that appeal to awards-show voters. In a bid to secure a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his role as Alien in "Spring Breakers," the film's distributor, A24, launched a campaign called "Consider This S***," The Hollywood Reporter first reported. James Franco's Comedy Central roast: The 26 best lines . In "Spring Breakers," directed by Harmony Korine, Franco plays a kind of Spring Break Jesus, in the form of a rapper/hustler/predator of college girls — replete with chest-length cornrows, a grill and a psycho-Southern accent. Though not considered a leading contender for the category, a spokesperson for A24 films told The Hollywood Reporter, "James Franco has created a character so indelible it deserves recognition. We are excited to be able to support it with a campaign and know the impact of Alien will last far past this awards season." In the ad, Franco, dressed to the Florida-swag hilt as Alien, is book-ended by two out of four of his college-age, perma-bikini-clad protégés: Brit (Ashley Benson) and Candy (Vanessa Hudgens). Franco is leaning against a white car and proudly double-fisting Oscar statuettes. Review: 'Spring Breakers' Franco was last nominated for an Oscar at the 2011 show for his performance as mountain climber Aron Ralston in "127 Hours." Not a member of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences? Not to worry. You can lend your support by memorizing his "Look at my s***" speech, or basking in the pink afterglow of the bizarrely entrancing cast cover of Britney Spears' "Everytime" in this fan video. CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved. | "Spring Breakers" distributor A24 has launched an Oscar campaign for James Franco .
The actor played a rapper/hustler/predator named Alien in the film .
A24's ad is vying for a best supporting actor nomination .
Franco was previously nominated for an Oscar with "127 Hours" |
f9de02f41d5e81dcc745315246f662c49b9866e2 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Updated: . 04:30 EST, 7 January 2012 . There was an icy, some would say, ghostly welcome on the Welsh hillsides for a tourist on a short break to the Valleys. For when holidaymaker Paul Feehan replayed the video from his holiday he was in for what he believes is the supernatural shock of his life. During a break at his holiday caravan the property developer from Manchester deliberately picked an isolated quiet spot beside a manmade lake to relax and take it easy. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Spooky imagining: Paul relaxes on his holiday to Wales while the camera picks up what he believes to be a figure in the background . And as he took full advantage of the peace and quiet to sit and soak in the views of the stunning Welsh countryside near the village of Abersoch on the Lyn Peninsula he was filmed by a friend. Even as the camera rolls there is no hint from either man that they have spotted anyone else near them. Yet when Paul replayed the video he could clearly see a figure standing just a few feet behind him. The figure, which Paul believes could be a ghost, can be seen at the back of the frame standing very still. Lady in red circle: Paul is convinced that the figure captured on the video is wearing Welsh national costume and is female . Behind you! Paul's mystery figure appears more than once in the film shot while he was on holiday in Wales. And it remains there for the duration of the short film as the camera pans left and right across the landscape. Paul even believes that the ghostly spectre is female and is dressed in Welsh national costume. He said: ‘This is really, really, weird. There was nobody else in the area at the time. When we walked down to the lake we saw nobody. ‘I am absolutely positive that the place was deserted at the time and I have no explanation for what you see on the video. It was completely deserted. ‘Knowing the lie of the land I think the figure could have been no more than 15 metres behind me. 'We heard nothing to suspect anybody else was near us. ‘When I saw it on the video I was shocked and did a bit of research on the internet. 'The outline with the hat and the type of dress looks exactly like a woman wearing Welsh folk dress.’ | Caravanner adamant only he and friend were present during filming .
He believes spooky silent figure is a woman wearing Welsh national dress . |
f9de2a99281a248a1e0d89e47076cfba2b1f3b46 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 12:08 EST, 16 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:30 EST, 16 November 2013 . He might be a 'little more than halfway' to reaching his weight loss goal, but image experts claim New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is still too fat to run for President. The 51-year-old has shed a dramatic amount of weight after undergoing lap-band surgery in February, following relentless taunts about his girth. But image expert Sylvie di Giusto claims Christie would be taken more seriously as a Presidential candidate if he continued to drop the pounds. Before and after: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie reportedly weighed more than 330 pounds before lap-band surgery in February (left, pictured in March 2011). He claims he is now half-way to his goal weight (right, pictured November 5) 'You will see a huge difference in his face actually and the face is always important for politicians you cannot hide anything in the face,' she told My9NJ. 'What voters want to see is action and discipline. If he cannot control himself, how can he ever control anything else. 'He not only has to prepare himself, there are other people involved, and I'm wondering for example if . his wife Mary Pat is a potential First Lady? 'Not right now. Right now she doesn’t show that . professional appearance and attitude, he has to make sure that if he . runs for president in a few years that he will start preparing the team . right now.' Despite the charismatic leader's . landslide re-election victory in October, commentators have consistently . questioned Christie's chances as a potential GOP presidential contender . in 2016. Much of the focus has been on the Governor's body size. While Christie has never disclosed his weight, New Republic guessed he weighed about 334 pounds in 2011. Chris Christie (left) and HRH Prince Harry tour the Superstorm Sandy ravaged boardwalk on May 14 this year . Last month, an unflattering silhouette of Chris Christie on the cover of Time magazine with the title, 'The Elephant in the Room', appeared to mock the Governor's weight. And even Mitt Romney reportedly made fun of the generously-proportioned Republican, and allegedly didn't choose him as his presidential running mate because of concerns about his health. However Christie has repeatedly assured the public that he has no problem handling the rigors of a presidential campaign. He recently told the New York Times he felt healthier after his recent weight-loss. 'I sleep better. I didn’t realize how badly I was sleeping being that much overweight,' he said. 'This surgery really causes you to have a new way to eat - it really does. 'It teaches you a new way to eat, and that’s a process over a period of time to get used to. And I’m still not completely used to it.' Chris Christie, governor of New Jersey, right, walks with his wife Mary Pat Christie at the Allen & Co. Media and Technology Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho on July 7, 2011 . What a change: Christie (right) in June is noticeably slimmer than he was in January, a month before his surgery (left) | New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has lost half his weight loss goal since lap-band surgery in February .
He said he sleeps better and has more energy .
The 51-year-old has never disclosed his weight, but estimated he weighed 334 pounds before surgery .
Image experts say he has more weight to lose to be considered a serious presidential contender . |
f9de646148e49797b530893c02c4a86145e12c29 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 15:54 EST, 10 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:10 EST, 10 January 2013 . A series of bombings in different parts of Pakistan have killed 115 people today, including 81 who died in a sectarian attack on a bustling billiard hall in the southwest city of Quetta. The blasts punctuated one of the deadliest days in recent years in Pakistan, where the government faces a bloody insurgency by Taliban militants in the northwest and Baluch militants in the southwest. The country is also home to many enemies of the U.S. that Washington has frequently targeted with drone attacks. A series of bombings in different parts of Pakistan have killed 115 people today. Local police try to restore calm in Quetta where the attack hit . People shift an injured victim of a second bomb explosion to a hospital in Quetta. It is believed the figure includes 81 who died in a sectarian attack on a bustling billiard hall in the southwest of the city . Police check the site of the blast. Today saw one of the deadliest days in recent years in Pakistan . A U.S. missile strike today killed five suspected militants in the seventh such attack in two weeks, Pakistani intelligence officials said. The billiard hall in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, was hit by twin blasts about five minutes apart this evening, killing 81 people and wounding more than 120 others, said senior police officer Zubair Mehmood. The billiard hall was located in an area dominated by Shiite Muslims, and most of the dead and wounded were from the minority sect, said another police officer, Mohammed Murtaza. Many of the people who rushed to the scene after the first blast and were hit by the second bomb, which caused the roof of the building to collapse, he said. Police officers, journalists and rescue workers who responded to the initial explosion were also among the dead, police said. People wheel a man who was injured by one of the bomb explosions, into a hospital in Quetta . An injured man is helped after the blast. Police officers, journalists and rescue workers who responded to the initial explosion were also among the dead, police said . The sectarian militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed responsibility for the attack to local journalists. One of the group's spokesmen, Bakar Saddiq, said the first blast was carried out by a suicide bomber and the second was a bomb planted in a car and detonated by remote control. Radical Sunnis groups often target Pakistan's Shiite minority, whom they believe hold heretical views and are not true Muslims. Earlier in the day, a bomb targeting paramilitary soldiers in a commercial area in Quetta killed 12 people and wounded more than 40 others, said Shakeel, the senior police officer. The United Baluch Army, a separatist group, claimed responsibility for the attack on the soldiers in calls to local journalists. Elsewhere in Pakistan, a bomb in a crowded Sunni mosque in the northwest city of Mingora killed 22 people and wounded more than 70, said senior police officer Akhtar Hayyat. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. | Today, which saw the bloody attack in the southwest city of Quetta, has been one of the more deadly in recent years in the country .
The government faces an insurgency by Taliban militants in the northwest and Baluch militants in the southwest .
A U.S. missile strike today killed five .
suspected militants in the seventh such attack in two weeks, Pakistani .
intelligence officials said . |
f9de8f36aa56b57357496be8e9dbf63b3c12e7a5 | Editor's note: The staff at CNN.com has been intrigued by the journalism of VICE, an independent media company and Web site based in Brooklyn, New York. The reports, which are produced solely by VICE, reflect a very transparent approach to journalism, where viewers are taken along on every step of the reporting process. We believe this unique reporting approach is worthy of sharing with our CNN.com readers. Brooklyn, New York (VICE) -- In the middle of Siberia's Taiga forest, east of Abakan and down an unmarked dirt road stretching across the Kuraginsk district of Krasnoyarsk territory, there is a place where many have found salvation. It is known as Petropavlovka, the home of the Church of the Last Testament, which has attracted at least 5,000 followers since its establishment in 1990. Last summer, after years of unanswered emails to the church's press department, I was finally invited to visit. The church's leader is known as Vissarion, a.k.a. the Teacher. In another life he was Sergey Anatolyevitch Torop and served as a patrol officer in Minusinsk until the late 1980s. Then, on August 18, 1990, he experienced a revelation: His was the word of God. He began sermonizing in and around his hometown and soon, with a handful of newly converted followers by his side, he retreated to the ancient Taiga and began a new life -- and, some might say, founded an entirely new world. Just about everything Vissarion has ever said or thought has been recorded in the never-ending Last Testament, a follow-up of sorts to the New Testament that currently spans 10 volumes and thousands of pages. Inside is doctrine on the dual origins of the universe (one spawned nature, the other the human soul), something called the "outer-space mind" (aliens, basically), and the rapidly approaching end of the world. Or at least this is what I understand from the handful of scriptures that have been (somewhat poorly) translated into English. While Christian imagery abounds, the church's ideology is an all-encompassing amalgam of the world's major religions and includes aspects of Buddhism, Hinduism, Paganism and many other spiritual philosophies. See the rest of The Jesus of Siberia at VICE.COM . I first learned of Vissarion and his church from "Bells from the Deep," Werner Herzog's 1993 documentary about Russian mysticism that explored the country's renewed interest in religion following the fall of the USSR and its official stance of gosateizm (state atheism). Back then, Petropavlovka was nothing more than a handful of simple structures on unfertile land in the middle of the forest. Today, I would discover, it is an almost completely self-sufficient community with solar power, satellite television, bountiful organic gardens and an overwhelming air of contentment. Once open to journalists, a few years back Vissarion claimed that he would never give an interview again. But somehow, some way, he granted me an audience and I was allowed to ask a man who many believe to be the reincarnation of Christ if he had any answers for our troubled world. I'm still not sure if his advice is applicable outside of his insular kingdom, but since my trip I have often thought of his blessed community and how everyone there seemed to be full of joy. It's enough to make you consider that they just may be onto something. | Russian patrol officer turned self-proclaimed Jesus has following of thousands .
Followers live in a self-sufficient community in a remote region of Siberia .
After years of asking, VICE's request to visit was finally granted last summer . |
f9deb00095673a4024699582013e57d4287719c5 | A university boss is under investigation over claims he ‘kissed’ student reps and sexually harassed female staff. William Taylor, a retired crown court judge, has stepped aside from his role as chairman of Plymouth University while the inquiry goes on. He has denied any wrongdoing and says that he will ‘robustly defend’ himself against the allegations. William Taylor, a retired crown court judge, has stepped aside from his role as chairman of Plymouth University (above) while the inquiry goes on . Mr Taylor has been accused of embarrassing colleagues by holding their hands and making smutty remarks – including a lewd comment about one of their cats. The allegations are said to concern seven women, ranging from recently graduated student representatives to senior staff at the Devon university, whose alumni includes TV wildlife presenter Monty Halls. According to the BBC, the group claim they were subjected to unwanted touching in the form of kissing or hand-holding for minutes at a time. They are also said to have complained about lewd jokes or innuendo in conversations. Three members of staff claim the retired judge joked about a sex act that might be performed on a male colleague, according to the BBC. And a woman student representative described an occasion at an awards dinner when Mr Taylor, upon seeing a picture of a cat on her mobile phone, made a crude double entendre which she said made her ‘uncomfortable’. One senior member of staff told the BBC Mr Taylor – who became chairman of the governors in 2012 - was ‘a person who was very comfortable abusing his power’, adding: ‘He was very comfortable making statements that were insinuating sexual commentary. It wasn't a person who was respecting the work that I did at the university. It was a person who decided he wanted to have titillating conversations and didn't care that I was uncomfortable, didn't care that it was unprofessional.’ South West Devon MP Gary Streeter said the scandal was ‘very unfortunate’ Mr Taylor denies the claims, which come amid a bitter internal rift that has seen vice-chancellor Wendy Purcell ‘placed on leave’ in July. Prof Purcell is believed to have submitted the sexual harassment claims on behalf of herself and other women just before she was suspended from her £288,000-a-year post. The university has not revealed the reason for Prof Purcell's suspension. A senior barrister was appointed by the university in August to support its investigation into the first set of allegations against Mr Taylor, which were received by the board in July. Plymouth University has also come under fire in recent weeks after it emerged management spent £95,000 on seven ceremonial chairs and £24,000 sending six members of staff to a conference in Miami. South West Devon MP Gary Streeter said the scandal was ‘very unfortunate’. He said: ‘I am in regular contact with the university about this. We all want this matter to be resolved as soon as possible. ‘We need a clearer message from the university that its students are being educated and it is still a good university which we can be proud of.’ Tim Jones, chairman of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council, has accused those involved of ‘washing their dirty linen in public’ and creating a ‘firestorm’. The clash has prompted the Higher Education Funding Council for England to call for an external, independent review of the university's governance. Mr Taylor’s lawyers, RPC, said: ‘Save to say that the allegations will be robustly defended, it is not appropriate to comment until that investigation is concluded.’ Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | William Taylor, a retired crown court judge, has stepped down as chairman of Plymouth University while inquiry goes on .
Allegations are said to concern seven women ranging from recent graduates to senior staff .
Mr Taylor became chairman of the governors in 2012 and denies all claims .
Vice-chancellor Wendy Purcell ‘placed on leave’ in July .
Prof Purcell was suspended from her £288,000-a-year post . |
f9deb2f2078532b06300bc8d02e70ad4e20dc41f | London (CNN) -- Singer Justin Bieber kept thousands of fans and their tired, outraged parents up way past their bedtime Monday after arriving on stage nearly two hours late for a sold out show at London's O2 Arena. Bieber was greeted by choruses of boos from the sell-out crowd amid scenes of tearful devastation as scores of sobbing school-aged "Beliebers" were hauled away minutes into the singer's set by parents desperate to catch last trains home on a school night. . | Justin Bieber takes stage nearly two hours late at concert in London .
Many young fans were taken home by angry parents before Bieber finally appeared . |
f9dee56738f45866ca8271325a1ae4e374d6dfd4 | Flag row: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport backtracked after telling a town hall they could not fly the Union Flag at half mast (file picture) It was to be a poignant gesture at a vigil to mark 100 years since the start of the First World War. But then a top Whitehall official decided that flying the Union Flag at half-mast on August 4 could confuse the public into thinking someone important had died. Organisers in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, were upset and disappointed at the insistence by senior policy advisor Fiona Wood that permission had to be given by the Queen or Prime Minister. She said that flying flags at half-mast was not intended ‘to celebrate anniversaries of tragic events’. But . yesterday, after protests, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport . backtracked and admitted it had no control over flag flying. Councillor . Jeannette Marsh, who arranged the event, said: ‘I did feel quite upset. It felt like they had forgotten the people who had given their lives. Many local people felt the same way.’ The . original refusal came after Shepton Mallet town clerk Daryl Ryall asked . permission to lower the flag on their town hall as a traditional mark . of respect. Ms Wood replied . in an Email: 'While flags flying in general is deregulated, individuals, . groups or organisations cannot chose when to fly a flag at half- mast. 'An . instruction for the half-masting of flags can only be given by Her . Majesty the Queen (or by or the Prime Minister's Office with approval . from Buckingham Palace) to mark the death of a member of the Royal . family or an important statesperson, or to mark a tragedy has just . happened rather than to celebrate anniversaries of tragic events. 'As . I am sure you will agree, any independent half-masting of flags may . confuse other people into thinking that an important figure has just . died, for example a member of the Royal Family. 'Flags . are not flown at half-mast for the Remembrance Sunday service for . example and I hope you can devise another fitting way to pay your local . tribute as part of the commemorations of the 1st World War.' Organisers in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, wanted to make a poignant gesture at a vigil to mark 100 years since the start of the First World War . But . as the ban threatened to spark a row the Government backed down and . admitted they had no jurisdiction on flag flying - and there are no . official rules. A Department . for Culture, Media and Sport spokeswoman said: 'Decisions on whether to . fly flags at half-mast are not made by Government. 'Orders on when to fly flags at half-mast are taken by Buckingham Palace and occur in response to the death of a prominent statesperson or member of the Royal Family. 'Any decision to fly flags at half-mast outside of these occasions would be for local authorities themselves.' Cadets march past the Cenotaph in Shepton Mallet during an earlier remembrance event . The centenary event will see the Air . Training Corps cadets stage a vigil, and include a church service and . music to remember those who gave their lives. It has been arranged by Councillor Jeannette Marsh who said the original refusal on flying the flag at half-mast had been 'upsetting and disappointing'. She said: 'I must say I really did feel quite upset. 'It felt like they had forgotten the people who had given their lives. 'I was very upset to think that we could not mark those ten million lives lost by lowering the flag and I know very many local people felt the same way - very disappointed.' Resident Will Dunscombe, 54, who staged a 24-hour vigil at the foot of the cenotaph in 2007 to fight plans to move it, slammed the government's intrusion. He said: 'It should be nothing to do with the Government - why should the Government dictate what we as people want to do? 'They decide enough of what we do and this shouldn't be a political dilemma. 'Let . people feel that feeling how they want to feel it and stop being so . critical. They shouldn't interfere and meddle in how people want to . commemorate - especially young people.' Councillor Chris Inchley said the government's refusal was 'very sad indeed'. He . said: 'People won't be confused - everyone around the country will know . that that day is to commemorate World War One and the tragic . consequence that had for many millions of people and families around the . world and in our community.' Colleague councillor Neil Shearn added: 'It is totally bureaucratic. It is laughable. 'I . don't think the government or royalty has anything to do with it at . all. And I expect if the Queen knew anything about it she would overturn . it immediately.' | Organisers had been told that permission had to be given by Queen or PM .
But Department for Culture, Media and Sport had to backtrack .
Top official forced to admit the department had no control over flag flying . |
f9df7c455ae6fecd0214e3b707372d77f81dd8b0 | By . Damien Gayle . You might think that as one of the world's top oil producing nations, the United Arab Emirates would have little use for solar energy. But that hasn't stopped the Middle East state from unveiling the largest concentrated solar power plant in operation anywhere in the world. The 100-megawatt solar-thermal project in Abu Dhabi will power thousands of homes in the country and, it is hoped, displace approximately 175,000 tons of CO2 per year. The world's largest: The Shams 1 concentrated . solar energy power plant in Abu Dhabi features more than 258,000 mirrors . mounted on 768 tracking parabolic trough collectors, covering an area . of 2.5 sq/km . Shiny: By concentrating heat from direct sunlight onto . oil-filled pipes, Shams 1 produces steam, which drives a turbine to . generate electricity . Powerful: In addition, the solar project uses a booster to . heat steam as it enters the turbine to dramatically increase the . cycle's efficiency . Harvesting the power of light: In the sweltering heat of the Arabian sun, Shams 1 generates electricity to power 20,000 homes in the UAE . The $600million (£398million) project dubbed Shams 1 took three years to build. Incorporating the latest in parabolic trough technology, the plant features more than 258,000 mirrors mounted on 768 tracking parabolic trough collectors, covering an area of 2.5 sq/km, or 285 football fields. By concentrating heat from direct sunlight onto oil-filled pipes, Shams 1 produces steam, which drives a turbine to generate electricity. In addition, the solar project uses a booster to heat steam as it enters the turbine to dramatically increase the cycle's efficiency. The project also includes a dry-cooling system that significantly reduces water consumption - a critical advantage in the arid desert of western Abu Dhabi. Useful: Because power is generated during peak . demand the Shams 1 reduce the need for 'peak shaving' generators, which are expensive and idle most of the year . Look upon my works, ye mighty: Left, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan third-left) during the official inauguration of the plant. It works by concentrating heat from direct sunlight onto oil-filled pipes to produce steam which drives a turbine to generate electricity (see diagram, right) 'Abundance of solar energy': The president (third-left on the left hand picture) listens to Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber (second-left) minister of state of the United Arab Emirates and the managing director and chief executive officer of Masdar. On the right picture President Al Nahyan and Dr Al Jaber look at a commemorative sundial . In the sweltering heat of the Arabian sun, Shams 1 generates electricity to power 20,000 homes in the UAE. And because solar power is generated during peak demand the UAE is able to reduce the need for 'peak shaving' generators, which are expensive and idle most of the year. Masdar, Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company, partnered with French energy company Total and Spain's energy infrastructure company Abengoa to build the plant. 'The Middle East holds nearly half of the world's renewable energy potential,' said Santiago Seage, CEO of Abengoa Solar. 'The abundance of solar energy is an opportunity to integrate sustainable, clean sources of power that address energy security and climate change. 'The region needs more projects like Shams 1, and we look forward to pushing the boundaries of future energy.' Under construction: The $600million (£398million) project took three years to build. Masdar, Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company, partnered with French energy company Total and Spain's energy infrastructure company Abengoa to build the ambitious plant . Proud: The men and women behind Shams 1 pose for a picture in front of the new plant . Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, said: 'The inauguration of Shams 1 is a major breakthrough for renewable energy in the Middle East. 'Just like the rest of the word, the region is faced with meeting its rising demand for energy, while also working to reduce its carbon footprint. 'Shams 1 is a significant milestone, as large-scale renewable energy is proving it can deliver electricity that is sustainable, affordable and secure.' He added: 'Abu Dhabi is investing and incubating a new energy industry, domestically and internationally. Through Masdar, the UAE is redefining the role it plays in providing the world with energy. 'From precious hydrocarbon exports to sophisticated renewable energy systems, we are balancing the energy mix and diversifying our economy - moving toward a more sustainable future. 'Today, the UAE is the only OPEC nation delivering both hydrocarbons and renewable energy to the international market.' | 100-megawatt plant will power thousands United Arab Emirates homes .
It is hoped that it will also displace 175,000 tons of CO2 each year .
Plant covers 2.5 sq/km of desert, equivalent to 285 football pitches . |
f9e03782a11a0afb9570cc6e6159816434779bb5 | (CNN) -- Michael Owen scored his first goal for Manchester United, and fellow-striker Wayne Rooney his 100th, as the English Premier League champions returned to winning form with a thumping 5-0 victory at Wigan on Saturday. Michael Owen celebrates his first Manchester United goal as the English champions thumped Wigan 5-0. Meanwhile, Arsenal top the table on goal difference after making it 10 goals from just two matches with a 4-1 home win over bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth. But all eyes were on United, after their stunning 1-0 midweek defeat at newly-promoted Burnley, and Alex Ferguson's side endured a frustrating first 45 minutes against determined opponents. However, Rooney finally made the breakthrough in the 56th minute with a fine header from former Wigan winger Antonio Valencia's cross . From then on, United were always in control. They doubled their lead two minutes later when Dimitar Berbatov cheekily chipped the ball over goalkeeper Chris Kirkland before finding the net with his second touch. Rooney added his second, and United's third in the 65th minute with a shot that deflected off defender Mario Melchiot. The England striker then made way for compatriot Owen, who broke his United duck with five minutes remaining with a cool finish after being set-up by Nani. Portuguese Nani had the final word with a superb free-kick in stoppage time that sailed over a stranded Kirkland's head. Arsenal followed up last weekend's 6-1 win at Everton by thumping Portsmouth, who have now lost all three of their matches, at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners took an 18th-minute lead when Abou Diaby smashed home Eduardo's cut-back and the French midfielder added a second when he slotted home a Cesc Fabregas pass. Portsmouth pulled a goal back before half-time when Younes Kaboul took advantage of hesitancy by goalkeeper Manuel Almunia to head home a Madir Belhadj cross. The home side restored their two-goal lead in the 51st minute when William Gallas, who scored a fortunate goal against Celtic in midweek, was again lucky to deflect a Thomas Vermaelen volley over the line. Substitute Aaron Ramsey beat the offside trap to make it 4-1 on 69 minutes when he latched onto Robin van Persie's slide-rule pass. Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor scored for the second successive weekend to help big-spending Manchester City make it two wins out of two with a narrow 1-0 victory at home to newly-promoted Wolves. The Togo striker crashed home a Carlos Tevez pass to secure the points for Mark Hughes' side. Kenwyne Jones scored twice as Sunderland recovered from going a goal behind to beat Blackburn 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. French defender Gael Givet gave Blackburn the lead when he thumped home a left-footed shot through a crowded penalty area. But Jones levelled when he rounded goalkeeper Paul Robinson and slotted home into an empty net and the Trinidad striker nodded home the winner in the 54th-minute from Lee Cattermole's cross. Kamel Ghilas scored his first goal for the club to give Hull their opening win of the season, 1-0 at home to Bolton, while Birmingham and Stoke shared a 0-0 draw in the day's other match. | Michael Owen scores first goal for Manchester United in 5-0 victory at Wigan .
Arsenal make it 10 goals in two games, beating Portsmouth 4-1 to lead table .
Emmanuel Adebayor scores again for Manchester City in 1-0 win over Wolves . |
f9e056c81a6c49f764130efc16b7551736b32b4f | By . Ted Thornhill . Chilling CCTV footage has emerged of a Chinese man armed with a cleaver going on the rampage at a primary school in central China on Tuesday, attacking first and second-graders and leaving eight children injured. The man has been identified as 35-year-old Chen Zuihang. He was detained following the attack at the school in Macheng, in Hubei province. The city's government said on its website that police were investigating the motive. The statement said the injured students were being treated at a hospital. Scroll down for video . Shocking: This picture taken from a security video shows a cleaver-wielding attacker going on a rampage at a Chinese primary school in Macheng, in central China's province of Hubei . Aftermath: A teacher takes an injured child for medical attention after the attack . China has suffered a series of attacks on kindergartens and grade schools, often by people who are mentally ill or are angry at society. Last month, a group of eight knife-wielding men slashed at students on their way home, killing one student and injuring two in the northwestern city of Ankang. Last year, a man injured six pupils and one parent with a kitchen cleaver in the southern city of Maoming. Education officials have ordered tighter security at schools throughout the country. This picture, from a CCTV camera, shows the 35-year-old suspect, a man surnamed Chen, making his way into the school before launching his terrifying attack . Trauma: The injured children recovering at a hospital after the attack . Concern: A father consoles his child at a hospital after the attack at the primary school . Pictures of Tuesday's Macheng city . school attack came as news unfolded of a man stabbing seven people to . death in a village in a central province. The . China News Service said the attack occurred at 4 a.m. Wednesday in the . county of Lushan in Henan province. It says the attacker was captured. The report says the attack was prompted by disputes with neighbors but gave no details. China's . countryside is rife with disputes over land, business dealings and . other issues. Attacks involving knives, rat poison and other weapons are . reported regularly. Troubling: China has suffered a series of attacks on kindergartens and grade schools, often by people who are mentally ill or are angry at society . | A Chinese man with a cleaver attacked first and second-graders at a school .
The suspect has been identified as 35-year-old Chen Zuihang .
Chilling images show the suspect running amok at the school in China .
Eight children were injured in the attack and are being treated in hospital . |
f9e0a3044bc111e9a3575daff05343ce8c52ab82 | By . Meghan Keneally . PUBLISHED: . 09:17 EST, 5 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 14:49 EST, 5 March 2014 . Hillary Clinton has compared Vladimir Putin's decision to have Russian troops invade Crimea to a tactic used by the Nazis in the lead up to the second World War. The former Secretary of State said that by using the guise of protecting the minority of native Russians living in the Ukraine, Putin has taken an approach that was used by Adolf Hitler in order to help him encroach on neighboring countries. 'Now if this sounds familiar, it’s what Hitler did back in the 30s,' Clinton said at an event in Long Beach, California on Tuesday. Looking back: Hillary Clinton said that Putin's tactics in saying that he is protecting the Russian minority in the Ukraine are similar to those used by Hitler when he began to annex neighboring countries in Europe . 'All the Germans that were ... the ethnic Germans, the Germans by ancestry who were in places like Czechoslovakia and Romania and other places, Hitler kept saying they’re not being treated right. "I must go and protect my people" and that’s what’s gotten everybody so nervous.' Hitler's policy was called 'Heim ins Reich', or 'Home into the Empire', and led to the Nazis annexing portions of Austria, Poland and Czechoslovakia to be 'returned' to Germany after their troops were granted entrance to the areas under the guise of helping German nationals in the outside territories. In a similar vein, Putin recently issued Russian passports to any Ukrainians with ties to Russia, which many saw as a way to lay his claims for entry. 'Putin is trying to assert his power in a way that is dangerous,' Clinton said. According to Fox News, she went on to say that Putin is a person 'who believes his mission is to restore Russian greatness... When he looks at Ukraine, he sees a place that he believes is by its very nature part of Mother Russia.' Plan of attack: President Vladimir Putin has issued Russian passports to any people with Russian descent who live in the Ukraine so he has justification to enter the country to 'protect' Russian citizens . In shambles: The political situation in the Ukraine remains uncertain and a memorial has been set up where nearly 100 anti government protesters were killed in Kiev's Independence Square . This is not the first time that Mrs Clinton has blasted the Russian leader. Politico reported she jokingly said during the 2008 presidential campaign that 'he was a KGB agent. By definition, he doesn't have a soul'. Tuesday's talk was just the latest paid speech that the former Secretary of State has made in recent weeks, this time speaking at a private event held at the Long Beach Boys and Girls Club. Her comments were not released publicly but an audience member told Buzzfeed that she praised the work of her successor, John Kerry, who arrived in Kiev on Tuesday to help assess the ongoing crisis. Kerry's trip coincided with Washington's approval of a $1billion aid package to the Ukraine, which came ahead of the European Union's own package of $15billion. He has since traveled to Paris and is scheduled to speak with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. She went on to say that the situation in Crimea is 'a real nail-biter, right now, but nobody wants to up the rhetoric. Everybody wants to cool it in order to find a diplomatic solution and that’s what we should be trying to do.' Ready for talks: Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Paris ahead of talks scheduled for Wednesday with the Russian foreign minister . | The former Secretary of State said that Putin is copying Hitler's move of entering neighboring countries under the guise of protecting his citizens .
Russian troops have taken control of Crimea in the Ukraine and many fear that they will try to expand their control across the country .
Sparked immediate international outrage and fears of impending war .
Clinton called the situation 'very worrisome'
Russians are the minority in the Ukraine but Putin recently issued them passports, which meant that they were technically Russian citizens . |
f9e0edc78621de2fd2fa42f8c4d68cae9b5b06c4 | A conman who defrauded Harrods out of luxury goods worth £245,000 was berated for his expensive tastes by a judge who asked why he didn’t just shop at Marks & Spencer. Philip Buffett used dud cheques to pay for a £216,000 Hublot watch, a second one costing £20,000 and other luxury items. Yesterday the serial fraudster wore a red Ralph Lauren polo shirt when he appeared before Judge Simon Oliver who asked him: ‘Why the Ralph Lauren clothing? I’m assuming it’s not the real brand.’ 'Fantasist': Serial conman Phillip Buffett was told off by a judge for wearing a red Ralph Lauren polo shirt in the dock as he stood trial for cheating Harrods out of a £216,000 watch . Buffett, 49, confirmed it was genuine, to which the judge replied: ‘Well I’m glad you can afford it. What’s wrong with M&S?’ Judge Oliver said: ‘How you ever thought you could buy a watch worth £216,000 absolutely stuns me. Why anyone would want a watch worth £216,000 also stuns me.’ The judge compared Buffett to the fictional Walter Mitty, who created a fantasy world to escape his real life. He went on: ‘You may well think it important to be perceived as important, successful and wealthy. You are neither rich nor successful. You are completely unsuccessful in all that you do.’ Buffett, of Croydon, South London, has served time for 45 previous fraud offences. But Judge Oliver spared him jail, saying prison would be a waste of taxpayers’ money because it had failed to stop him reoffending. Giving Buffett a two-year suspended sentence, the judge said: ‘We are trying to stop you reoffending. ‘I will impose a sentence that will appear to be light, but will give you the focus you need.’ Scam: Buffet used a cheque from a closed bank account to fleece the Knightsbridge store out of the £216,000 watch as well as other luxury items worth £28,000 . Buffet pawned the expensive Hubolt timepiece for £77,000 (file picture) In the scam at Harrods last April . Buffett had used a personal shopper service. Apart from the two Hublot . watches his purchases included clothing and a camera. He pawned the . £216,000 watch to get a £77,000 loan which he used to go to the Monaco . Grand Prix. He was . arrested at Gatwick on his return. Buffett had earlier pleaded guilty at . West London Magistrates’ Court to fraud by false representation to the . value of £245,000. Yesterday he was sentenced at Reading Crown Court for the Harrods fraud as well as for ripping off other companies and individuals under the guise of various firms he had set up while he was banned from doing so. He bought goods and services he could not pay for, and duped individuals into investing money with him or paying for training courses that never materialised. Buffett’s previous ruses under the name Mark Castley included duping elite British athletes with the promise of lucrative sponsorship contracts in exchange for ‘membership fees’ of up to £1,000 in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics. | Phillip Buffett, 49, described in court as a Walter Mitty-type character .
He used a cheque from a closed bank account to cheat Knightsbridge store .
He swindled a £216,000 designer watch, £20,000 watch, camera and clothes .
Then pawned one watch for £77,000 before jetting off to Monaco Grand Prix .
He previously fleeced British athletes with promises of sponsorship deals .
Judge told him: 'You are completely unsuccessful in all that you do'
Buffett, of Croydon, London, has served time for 45 previous fraud crimes . |
f9e11fdcfd43ea12bb2ba0cafc587deb57b08da5 | City centres aren’t the most obviously place to go skiing. But for urban skiers Cam Riley and Clayton Villa, buildings, lamp posts and railings are more of a help than a hindrance. In fact, they provide the perfect playground to carry out their breathtaking stunts and tricks. Urban skiers often transform car parks, alleyways and flyovers into ski-playgrounds to perform their stunts . The high-risk winter sport is a mixture of extreme skiing and skateboarding and involves performing acrobatic jumps and tricks in an urban setting. Cam, 26 from Boulder, Colorado, and Clayton, 23, from Rhode Island are two of the top urban skiers in the world, specialising in risky stunts on the snow. They perform regularly on the streets of Boulder, Boston, Chicago, Duluth and Maine in the US and have now made a film documenting their exploits which has been presenter by adventurer Bear Grylls. Both athletes have been pushing the limits of extreme skiing by transforming car parks, alleyways and flyovers into urban-ski-playgrounds. The high-risk winter sport is a mixture of extreme skiing and skateboarding and involves performing acrobatic jumps and tricks in an urban setting . Cam Riley, 26, and Clayton Villa, 23, perform regularly on the streets of Boulder, Boston, Chicago, Duluth and Maine in the US . Urban skiing has become increasingly popular since it first surfaced around 15 years ago in the US . The high-octane sport revolves around finding features to do tricks on in the city. Cam and Clayton have both been skiing their entire lives and started urban skiing in high-school at around 15 years old. They claim to have been influenced by other extreme sports like snowboarding and skateboarding. The sport has become increasingly popular since it first surfaced around 15 years ago, when people first started filming each other sliding down handrails on snowboards or skis. The skiers say that cities allow them to be more creative, and offer greater variety than traditional ski resorts. Urban skiers claim to have been influenced by other extreme sports like snowboarding and skateboarding . The skiers say that cities allow them to be more creative, and offer greater variety than traditional ski resorts . Outside the North America, the region in which urban skiing is most common is Scandinavia . ‘Skiing was born in the mountains and it always will be a mountain sport, but it's cool to bring it into the streets and just put a different spin on it,’ said skier Sandy Boville. Outside the North America, the region in which urban skiing is most common is Scandinavia. First, the skiers have to scout out features on which they can perform an original trick. In many cases, police are quick to put a stop to urban skiing as property owners often complain about damaged being caused to buildings . In many cases, police are quick to put a stop to urban skiing as property owners often complain about damaged being caused to buildings. Skiers also regularly suffered broken bones, torn ligaments, and concussions. ‘We usually start with high schools and parks and that sort of area because the architecture's usually conducive - there are stairs and railings and balconies,’ skier Logan Imlach said in an interview with the BBC. ‘You branch out to really anywhere in cities - wherever there's concrete and metal there's a good chance that you can ski on it.’ | Urban skiers Cam Riley, 26, and Clayton Villa, 23, among best in the world .
The pair have now filmed a new documentary with survivalist Bear Grylls .
The sport has become increasingly popular since surfacing 15 years ago .
Skiers say that cities offer greater variety than traditional ski resorts . |
f9e1939a15904b252546f24d8b71f1347b405a09 | By . Daniel Mills . A man who complained he didn't get a fair trial because the judge presiding over the case kept falling asleep, will get the chance to appeal his lengthy jail sentence for brutally bashing a man more than a decade ago. The family of Paul Duncan, who was sentenced to 16 years for permanently disabling a man during a brawl in Wollongong on the NSW south coast, has won a successful appeal claiming that District Court Judge Ian Dodd was 'constantly dozing off' during parts of his 2003 trial. Duncan's family have spent years during his incarceration trying to get a successful appeal, which was last week granted by NSW Supreme Court Justice Richard Button. After years of unsuccessful attempts, prisoner Paul Duncan has been been granted an appeal for his 2003 sentencing . Justice Button referred his case to the Criminal Court of Criminal Appeal on the grounds that Duncan feels he experienced a 'sense of unease' about how his trial was originally handled by Mr Dodd, who the family said was asleep during important proceedings of his trial. The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday that Duncan's family accused the judge of having 'his hands clasped together and his head dropped down' during the trial which led to his lengthy jail term. Duncan's mother, Linda Machman, said she also heard Dodd snoring in evidence she provided to the NSW Supreme Court. The case will now be heard in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal on July 17. It is not the first time that Judge Dodd has been accused of falling asleep during trials he has presided over, which have led to a conviction. More... Lord Justice Fulford cleared: Top judge with links to paedophile group cleared of allegations of misconduct . Oscar Pistorius trial: Chilling leaked footage emerges showing athlete re-enacting moment he shot Reeva Steenkamp . In 2008 the High Court ordered a retrial of two men, accused of drug smuggling, after it found Judge Dodd suffered from sleep apnoea and had fallen asleep during the pair's trial. It was reported at the time court officials and lawyers sometimes loudly dropped documents in a bid to wake the snoring judge, and the two accused, Rafael Cesan and Ruben Rivadavia claimed they could not have had a fair hearing because he dozed off so often. In his appeal evidence, accused drug smuggler Rafael Cesan said the judge's snoring was disruptive when he was being cross-examined. The High Court agreed that Judge Dodd did not exercise supervision of the trial as required by law and, as a result, the jury was distracted. 'Where the judge is noticeably and repeatedly asleep or inattentive during the trial, there can be a miscarriage of justice,' said Chief Justice Robert French. 'The trial in this case was so flawed. There was a miscarriage of justice. It could not be said that the miscarriage was not substantial. 'It was revealed after the men's trial that Judge Dodd suffered from sleep apnoea, a condition which brings on pauses in breathing during the night, the disturbed sleep resulting in daytime tiredness and fatigue. It resulted in a miscarriage of justice, but during a retrial in the District Court the two men were found guilty. Paul Duncan will have his appeal heard in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal on July 17. | Paul Duncan was jailed for bashing a man in Wollongong on NSW South Coast in 2003 .
He was sentenced to 16 years by Judge Ian Dodd, but is appealing sentence in NSW Court of Criminal Appeal .
Duncan family says Dodd was 'dozing off' during his 2003 trial .
The same judge was also found to be sleeping in trial of drug smugglers . |
f9e23504879741f631169ea7a4c4e4e6ff696661 | By . Morwenna Jones . Morwenna Waters has witnessed first-hand how both men and women fuel sexism at Cambridge University . Scandal-ridden ‘drinking societies’ at Oxford and Cambridge Universities have been around for centuries – but their reputations have never been lower. One study has suggested almost half of female students at Cambridge have reported being groped, pinched or touched, a drinking society from the same university has been filmed marching down a street chanting ‘rape’, and a boycott row has engulfed the Oxford Union whose president is accused of rape. I learned about these elite societies during my days as a naive, unworldly fresher at Cambridge when I dated one of their members. The evidence was all around me in drinking games that entertained men but demeaned women. Yet so many women – particularly those new to university – agreed to take part. Most recently there has been ‘whaling’, where young men compete to find, bed and ‘harpoon’ the ugliest girl in a bar or club. Then there is Fat Girl Rodeo, where boys grab a curvaceous young woman, threaten to rape her, and hang on as long as they can as she desperately tries to throw them off. Thank goodness I’ve never been a victim of either of these ‘games’, though their existence proves that drinking societies remain puerile and disgusting, and often regard women as playthings who exist merely for sex and entertainment. Sadly, my fellow females don’t seem to be doing much better. While male societies call themselves The Epics, The Cobblers, The Tribe, or The Speakers, female societies include The Harlots, The Ho-Hoes, Gymslips and Slags, and a host of other innuendo-derived titles. The names tell you everything you need to know about the sexism, attitudes and expectations that define drinking societies as much as they define current student culture. The girls who meet these expectations are the girls, already blinded by alcohol, who stand up and confess to such things as taking part in a threesome or sleeping with a lecturer and are then given a ‘drinking fine’ – an alcoholic drink as punishment. Why do the women admit to these things, or agree to spend an evening dressed in tiny pink hotpants and a sports bra; or allow guys they’ve known for three hours to drink tequila shots out of their belly button as they lie submissively on a curry-strewn table? Female students at Cambridge lick cream off the bodies of male students in a raucous drinking game . High jinks: These games have affected the reputations of Oxford and Cambridge more than ever before . One explanation may be that, for that moment, when you stand half-naked on top of a table and down whatever lethal alcoholic concoction you’ve been given, you’re the centre of attention. You’re accepted as one of the party people and something exclusive to the ‘cool kids’ at university, which is what you want to be. In fact, you are merely part of the show. The next morning you wake up, mortified that you exposed your slightly too flabby post-Christmas holiday stomach to the diners at Curry King with a horrible awareness that you’ve successfully and simultaneously established yourself as both a ‘good-time girl’ and a complete idiot. Would you want future employers seeing your behaviour? Or your mother? Would you even want a photo up on Facebook? Then there are traditions such as the Cambridge Pitt Club’s one of sending anonymous invitations to a dubiously selected handful of first-year girls. There was also uproar over the actions of The Black Cynets at Oxford, who invited the college’s prettiest freshers to a ‘fox hunt’ where they would dress as foxes and be hunted by drunken and predatory males. It was cancelled after provoking a furore. Such activities feed the public a damaging image of our universities. The Pitt Club, The Wyverns and the notorious Bullingdon Club at Oxford present a picture of smug, self-regarding students revelling in port, cigars and striped bow ties. All of them are male. Of course, there are double standards. It goes without saying that a banterous twentysomething, bow tie-sporting male student can take his top off and chant loudly while downing a bottle of wine without raising an eyebrow. When you strip down and drink lethal alcoholic concoctions, you're accepted as one of the party people . But for a female student to do the same thing is quite a different matter. Some women might shrug off the resulting stigma or the ‘reputation’ they have sprouted overnight. But what about the rest of us? Such sexist antics – and the women who are lured into indulging them – make it hard for us to be taken seriously in the country’s leading seats of learning. It is too easy to say, ‘If you don’t want to do it, then don’t’. There are occasions when I and many of my friends have done exactly that. We’ve watched while our peers have stripped or downed dubious-looking alcoholic beverages believing ‘it’s just a bit of fun’. But the consequences for all young women can be much more serious. I have one friend who now refuses to . socialise with a college drinking society having once been encouraged by . them to strip and show off her slightly larger-than-average breasts to . the rest of the room. They think women exist purely for sex . I . have another friend who continually worries about her ‘reputation’ preceding her on the rare occasions when she goes on proper dates after . she earned herself the nickname ‘the college bench-press’. These girls could have said no, but the peer-pressure surrounding them would almost definitely have subsequently labelled them as that worst of all epithets – boring. Oxbridge drinking societies are marked by stories like these. Scarily, they are regarded as normal. They are also ‘normal’ across the rest of the country. Go to Leeds, Manchester, Reading, London or any other university in the country and you will find some sexist behaviour in the university’s drinking culture. It’s become a given in an age where websites such as uniladmag.com have more than 500,000 likes on Facebook, and in which ‘fancy-dress’ is code for women wearing as little as possible. Yet what makes this sexism worse for Oxbridge women is our sense of injustice. It is not fair that, having been at these universities for almost as long as some of their most famous drinking societies (the Pitt Club was founded in 1830, women started at Cambridge in 1869), we are not given the same social opportunities. Women have been attending Cambridge (Kings College pictured) since 1869 and yet sexism prevails . The member of the elite drinking club I dated went to £80-a-head dinners. He met influential, interesting, talented and clever men from all over the world, purely because they were ‘old boys’. He built up a hefty network of contacts that guaranteed that he would be safe from unemployment. Have I been given any of these opportunities? Of course not. Am I going to be? Not unless I’m a scantily clad guest of one of these drinking society dinners. Where is the Plath Club at Cambridge? Or the Thatcher Club at Oxford? At Cambridge there is the Beard Society and The Misfits. However, the former is a very small group named after the classicist Mary Beard and the latter is better known for having members that are very good at finding boyfriends from among the upper echelons of the university rugby team. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want young women to emulate the scandalous behaviour of the boys. In fact most of us at university would simply prefer that their wild nights of drinking didn’t have to involve us. | Oxford and Cambridge Universities' reputations have never been lower .
Men go 'whaling' - compete to find, bed and 'harpoon' ugliest girl in the bar .
They 'rodeo' fat girls, threaten to rape them and hold on until thrown off .
Female societies include The Harlots, The Ho-Hoes, Gymslips and Slags . |
f9e29ef6066692096f9175d137988fee72f6f61b | Mr O'Leary insisted the erotic movies would be visible only on personal devices, rather than screened on the back of Ryanair plane seats . The boss of budget airline Ryanair wants to launch a pay-per-view pornography service for passengers to watch during flights, it has been claimed. Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary said he hopes to launch an app for the airline where travellers can watch sex scenes on their iPads or smartphones while in the air. The planned service would also allow Ryanair passengers to gamble and play games, as well as watch erotic movies, according to The Sun. Mr O'Leary told the paper: 'I'm not talking about having it on screens on the back of seats for everyone to see. It would be on handheld devices. 'Hotels around the world have it, so why wouldn't we?' But the move raises the prospect of passengers watching porn films with children sitting barely feet away. Ryanair said the pornography plans would take at least a year to introduce on their flights, as establishing a cost-effective way of having a solid broadband connection on their planes would be a major obstacle. It is not the first controversial proposal for the airline from its outspoken chief executive. Last month he said he was looking at removing all but one toilet from his planes to put in extra seats. While he has previously proposed charging passengers for using the toilet in-flight. The latest brainwave from the budget airline boss was revealed as Ryanair bucked airline industry gloom by raising its full-year net profit forecasts by 10 per cent to £377m. The airline, which carried 75m passengers last year, raised its guidance despite a 37 per cent surge in jet fuel prices to £778m during the first six months of the year. On the up: Ryanair bucked airline industry gloom by raising its full-year net profits . | Airline boss: 'Hotels have it, why wouldn't we?'
Service would be provided via passengers' iPads . |
f9e2c1d8283902d613f3ad5fd86b4779e9453aab | By . Lillian Radulova For Daily Mail Australia . Former Labor treasurer, Wayne Swan, has released his new book titled The Good Fight . Former Treasurer Wayne Swan gives a scathing account of working with Kevin Rudd, who he describes as 'quick to anger' and difficult to work for, in an explosive new book that reveals why he helped architect the coup that ended Rudd's first stint as Prime Minister in 2010. Mr Swan also paints an unflattering portrait of Mr Rudd in his book, The Good Fight, describing him as being 'prone to vengeful behaviour' and having an 'unstable personality', as well as his treatment of others as 'juvenile'. 'There was a culture of fear and blame that had its origins in Kevin's temperament,' Mr Swan wrote. 'He was often quick to anger and his outbursts were regularly disproportionate to the matter at hand.' The memoir goes on to describe a scene in which Mr Rudd caused thousands of dollars of damage to a regional hotel room after he 'snapped a pen in a fit of anger… and dark ink splattered all over the light-coloured décor'. Mr Swan claimed that Mr Rudd was often prone to such outbursts, which he largely directed at junior staff members, saying: 'The turnover in his office was extraordinary. He burned through staff like a child flicking matches from a box.' In the book, Mr Swan defends the decisions behind the political scuffle that lead to the demise of Kevin Rudd as Australia's prime minister . But temper tantrums and character problems made up only a fraction of the faults that led to Mr Rudd losing his role as PM in June of 2010 by caucus, according to Mr Swan. The book also notes the former prime ministers inability to make definitive decisions and manage his cabinet. Mr Swan wrote that Mr Rudd's constant failure to brief himself appropriately before cabinet meetings, infuriated ministers and wasted their time. The book also descibes Mr Rudd as having an 'unstable personality' and describes a number of instances when his temper flared . He also claimed Mr Rudd would put too much focus on the media or politics surrounding a problem, 'rather, our priorities should have been about the merits of the policy,' Mr Swan wrote. The book repeats, time and time again, that Mr Rudd's behaviour was simply impossible to alter and was slowly and clearly leading to his own demise, so much so that he even questioned it himself, asking Mr Swan openly at one stage, 'Are you with me?'. 'Kevin's own behaviour meant that, once the match had been lit, we now had a raging bushfire. It was on,' Mr Swan wrote. The book repeats that Mr Rudd's behaviour was simply impossible to alter and was slowly and clearly leading to his own demise . He later added: 'Sadly, Kevin had brought these events upon himself and we now had no choice but to make the best of the situation.' Mr Swan also takes time in his book to dispel any notion that he himself wished to claim the role of prime minister. He also describes his on-and-off-again relatiopnship with Mr Rudd who he has known for over 21 years - the two of them becoming close family friends, with Kevin even being named the godfather of Mr Swan's only son. | Wayne Swan's new book, The Good Fight, defends the caucus which led to Kevin Rudd losing his role as prime minister in 2010 .
The book also descibes Mr Rudd as having an 'unstable personality' and describes a number of instances when his temper flared .
Mr Swan claimed the former PM could not make definitive decisions or manage his cabinet, often wasting ministers time . |
f9e30546b1a8c6dc8147914eafdf86c31798cc16 | (CNN) -- Are Syrian forces using chemical weapons in their years-long fight to hold on to power? That's what the head of the Israel Defense Forces intelligence research and analysis division said Tuesday, becoming the latest to allege that Damascus was employing weapons banned under international law against its own people. The claim further stoked the debate about the international community's role in Syria, where the United Nations estimated this month that 70,000 people have been killed since the conflict flared in March 2011. U.S. President Barack Obama, for one, has said the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons against its own people would be a "game changer" in how his and other nations address the crisis. On Tuesday, his nation's top diplomat said Tuesday that the United States does not know definitively that such chemical weapons had been deployed. In fact, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also did not confirm the use of such weapons when the two spoke by phone earlier in the day. "The information that I have at this point does not confirm it to me (in a manner) that I would feel comfortable commenting on it as a fact," Kerry said. Israeli Brig. Gen. Itai Brun, though not offering any direct evidence, stated firmly on Tuesday the belief that Syrian forces have increasingly used "ground-to-ground missiles, rockets and chemical weapons." He specified that sarin gas -- an odorless nerve agent that can quickly kill thousands by causing convulsions, paralysis and respiratory failure -- was most likely used, as were "neutralizing and nonlethal chemical weapons." Brun pointed to one episode on March 19 in which, he said, "victims suffered from shrunken pupils, foaming from the mouth and other symptoms which indicate the use of deadly chemical weapons." "According to our professional assessment, the regime has used deadly chemical weapons against armed rebels on a number of occasions in the past few months," said Brun, according to quotes provided by the IDF. In a letter to the U.N. secretary-general in December, Syria said the United States had falsely accused it of using chemical weapons. Chemical weapons frightful, relatively inexpensive . Before the Israeli official's announcement Tuesday, a United Nations-led investigation was already looking into accusations of chemical weapons use by the Syrian government. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Tuesday against jumping to conclusions by repeating the "Iraqi scenario" in which claims that Saddam Hussein's government possessed so-called weapons of mass destruction were the basis of the U.S.-led invasion. Lavrov accused other nations of "politicizing the issue." Further, he criticized how international investigators looking into an alleged use of chemical investigators in Aleppo had demanded access to to all facilities in Syria and to have the right to interview any Syrian. "I believe that is too much," Lavrov said. U.S.: Chemical weapon use 'difficult to confirm' While he didn't detail a possible U.S. response, White House spokesman Jay Carney on Tuesday called the potential use of chemical weapons inside Syria "unacceptable." At the same time, he said, "The use of chemical weapons is difficult to confirm." In addition to Syria's possible use of chemical weapons against rebels, another concern is that parts of the government's stockpile of chemical weapons -- which analysts believe is one of the world's largest and includes sarin, mustard and VX gases -- could end up, if they haven't already, in others' hands. A senior U.S. official told CNN on Tuesday that Syrian government forces have carried out several movements of chemical weapons during the past month. Months of warnings, speculation swirl around Syria's chemical weapons . U.S. officials said they believe the chemical stockpiles remain under government control, but the movements have complicated the U.S. effort to keep track of them. Asked last week at a hearing whether the United States could guarantee that it could secure Syria's chemical weapons stockpile if the government were to fall, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was noncommittal. "Not as I sit here today, simply because they have been moving it, and the number of sites is quite numerous," said Gen. Martin Dempsey. Pentagon spokesman George Little said Tuesday that the U.S. stresses to Syria, "in the strongest possible terms, (its) obligations ... to safeguard its chemical weapons stockpiles and not to use or transfer such weapons to terrorist groups like Hezbollah." Israeli minister: It's clear that chemical weapons were used in Syria . Addressing the press Monday, a day before Brun's briefing, Israel's defense minister did not seem to indicate that his government has absolute proof of chemical weapons use in Syria. But if there was, Israel is prepared to act. "We are ready to operate if any rogue element is going to put his hands or any chemical agents are going to be delivered toward rogue elements in the region," Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said. Analyst: 'A fantastic weapon of fear' Syria isn't one of the 188 nations that have signed on to the Chemical Weapons Convention that prohibits the production, stockpiling and use of chemical and biological weapons. Fellow Middle Eastern nations having taken a similar stance, officially refusing to sign on until Israel signs the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Yet Syria has denied having such weapons, as well as using them during its ongoing civil war. (Damascus has accused rebels of using such weapons, though, including in an attack last month in the northern province of Aleppo that state media claimed killed 25 people.) It's also expressed concerns that its government might be falsely implicated if "terrorists" -- a term it uses to refer to rebel fighters -- employ such weapons. Report: Syrian officials claim chlorine, saline mix used in Aleppo attack . "What raises concerns ... is our serious fear that some of the countries backing terrorism and terrorists might provide the armed terrorist groups with chemical weapons and claim that it was the Syrian government that used the weapons," the state-run news agency SANA reported. Unlike nuclear weapons, chemical weapons are inexpensive to develop and stockpile. This lends them a disproportionate importance for Syria and the region, analysts say. "In the Middle East, chemical weapons have been seen as a possible counter to Israel's nuclear weapons," Susan B. Martin of the Department of War Studies at King's College London said in March. Dina Esfandiary, a research associate at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said last month that Syria embraced a chemical weapons program as a way to bolster its strategic strength despite economic weaknesses, especially after Israel imposed a series of humiliating military defeats on the Arab world. Syria's chemical weapon potential . "The best way to operate asymmetrically was for Syria to have its chemical weapons program," she said. According to Esfandiary, chemical weapons' utility is "quite limited," as they are more of a deterrent than a real battlefield or tactical weapon. "If you shoot a missile at a population center, you can be fairly certain that anyone it hits will die," she said. "Chemical weapons use is not as clear-cut as that. It depends on topography, weather, how you deliver the chemical weapons, and you can't always be clear it will cause maximum casualty." Their real power is in psychological, she said. "It's a fantastic weapon of fear." CNN's Elise Labott, Barbara Starr and Laura Smith-Spark contributed to this report. | NEW: Russia's foreign minister warns of claiming chemical weapon use without proof .
NEW: He accuses some nations of trying to "politicize the issue"
"In all likelihood, they used sarin gas," an Israeli intelligence official says .
The top U.S. diplomat says he has not gotten confirmation of chemical weapon use . |
f9e353f5caf7281b1ab2b61a314af1aa969af836 | By . Mark Prigg . Our brains start to slow down once we hit 24, researchers have discovered. They analysed thousands of played of the hugely popular Starcraft 2 computer game, and saw a universal slowdown far earlier than they expected. They claim that as soon as players hit the ripe old age of 25, they have already reached their peak in terms of cognitive motor performance. Researchers analysed thousands of players of the popular Starcraft game - and found they peaked at 24. StarCraft 2 is a ruthless competitive intergalactic computer war game that players often undertake to win serious money. The game is a military science fiction real-time strategy video game developed and released by Blizzard Entertainment, and is hugely popular, with players often meeting up to compete in vast weekend tournaments against each other. The team from Simon Fraser University analysed the digital performance records of 3,305 StarCraft 2 players, aged 16 to 44. StarCraft 2 is a ruthless competitive intergalactic computer war game that players often undertake to win serious money. Their performance records, which can be readily replayed, constitute big data because they represent thousands of hours worth of strategic real-time cognitive-based moves performed at varied skill levels. Using complex statistical modeling, the researchers looked at how players responded to their opponents and more importantly, how long they took to react. 'After around 24 years of age, players show slowing in a measure of cognitive speed that is known to be important for performance,' said Joe Thompson, a psychology doctoral student who led the study. Researchers studied games players and found their cognitive abilities began to diminish as soon as they reached 24 . 'This cognitive performance decline is present even at higher levels of skill.'However, they say there is a silver lining for older players . 'Our research tells a new story about human development,' says Thompson. StarCraft 2 is a ruthless competitive intergalactic computer war game that players often undertake to win serious money. Researchers say the performance records, which can be readily replayed, represent thousands of hours worth of strategic real-time cognitive-based moves performed at varied skill levels. 'Older players, though slower, seem to compensate by employing simpler strategies and using the game’s interface more efficiently than younger players, enabling them to retain their skill, despite cognitive motor-speed loss.' For example, older players more readily use short cut and sophisticated command keys to compensate for declining speed in executing real time decisions. The findings, says Thompson, suggest 'that our cognitive-motor capacities are not stable across our adulthood, but are constantly in flux, and that our day-to-day performance is a result of the constant interplay between change and adaptation.' The research was published in the journal PLOS One. | Researchers analysed players of Starcraft 2 video game .
Found players reaction speeds began to slow at 24 .
However, older players were found to compensate by altering their strategies and using shortcuts to compete .
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f9e3a31d66e82c2cd48a3bebfe08b4de1c17df8d | (CNN) -- Cape Verde has seen its hopes of qualifying for a first football World Cup dashed after the sport's global governing body FIFA punished the African country for fielding a suspended player. FIFA ruled on Thursday that Cape Verde's Fernando Varela had played in a qualifying match while serving a suspension for unsporting conduct. Varela played in a match against Tunisia in September which Cape Verde won 2-0. The result has now been officially reclassified as a 3-0 win for Tunisia. The decision means Tunisia have finished above Cape Verde in African qualifying Group B and will take its place in the forthcoming playoff matches to decide which five teams from the continent will qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. "By means of a telephone conference, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has today taken a decision to sanction the Cape Verdean Football Association (FCF) for fielding an ineligible player," read a FIFA statement. "The match has been declared to be forfeited and awarded 3-0 in favor of Tunisia, meaning that the Cape Verde Islands will not progress to round three of the FIFA World Cup African zone qualifiers having dropped to second place in Group B with nine points while Tunisia finish first with 14 points and will now advance." The decision is a major blow for Cape Verde, which has only ever played in one major international tournament. The Blue Sharks qualified for this year's Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the quarterfinals in South Africa before losing to Ghana. | Cape Verde will not play in the football World Cup following a FIFA sanction .
Governing body ruled the African country played an ineligible player against Tunisia .
Cape Verde won the match 2-0, but result has been reclassified as 3-0 Tunisia win .
Sanction means Tunisia replace Cape Verde in the African World Cup playoffs . |
f9e41ab2878cb134c84b3c53493f5b6a5ce25746 | (CNN) -- President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced an initiative he said will give African-American students greater access "to a complete and competitive education from the time they're born all through the time they get a career." Speaking Wednesday night at a National Urban League gathering in New Orleans, Obama said he has issued an executive order establishing the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, saying, "A higher education in a 21st century cannot be a luxury. It is a vital necessity that every American should be able to afford," he said. He added that his administration is "pushing all colleges and universities" to cut their costs. The president focused the bulk of his comments on the economy, saying his tax policies and economic plans aim to boost the middle class. "We also believe that every entrepreneur should have a chance to start a business, no matter who you are, no matter what you look like," he said. "That's why we've helped African-American businesses and minority-owned businesses and women-owned businesses gain access to more than $7 billion in contracts and financing that allow them to grow and create jobs." A spokeswoman for presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney responded to the speech, saying Obama has "disappointed" African-Americans with his performance on the economy. "As black Americans, we all take pride in Barack Obama's historic election," said Tara Wall, senior communications and coalition adviser for the Romney campaign, "but unfortunately his performance as president has not matched that enthusiasm. He's disappointed black small business owners, failed to address rising black unemployment -- which now stands at over 14%, and is double that among our youth -- and failed to address the widening economic disparity gap." Obama's executive order comes in the wake of a new report by the National Urban League's Policy Institute that warned the president could lose three key battleground states -- Virginia, North Carolina and Ohio -- if African-American voters don't match their strong turnout of 2008 in this year's election. "African-American voters tipped the outcome of the 2008 presidential election in several key states, and are poised to do so again in 2012," said the report, titled "The Hidden Swing Voters: Impact of African-Americans in 2012" by Madura Wijewardena and Valerie Wilson. "How this will manifest will depend on many things, but one important factor will be whether the extraordinary growth in turnout by African-American voters in 2008 will be replicated in 2012," the report continued. "The 2008 voter turnout rate was driven by historic factors that may not necessarily apply in 2012." The "historic factors" reference was to Obama being the nation's first African-American nominee of a major party, with voters having the opportunity in 2008 to make him the nation's first African-American president. This time, an economy struggling to recover from a recession that hit African-Americans particularly hard has raised questions about whether Obama supporters will have the same fervor as they did four years ago. A recent Gallup Poll showed the president with overwhelming support among registered African-American voters, with backing of 89%, compared with 5% for certain Republican nominee Mitt Romney. In 2008, Obama won 95% of the African-American vote, with 4% voting for GOP candidate John McCain. About 2 million more African-Americans voted in the 2008 election than in 2004, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. Voting by all minority groups accounted for nearly all the increase in turnout (5 million) between the two election cycles, as white non-Hispanic voting was virtually unchanged, the Census Bureau reported. A decline in African-American voter turnout to the 2004 level of 60% from the 2008 level of 64.7% would cause Obama to lose in North Carolina and possibly lose in Ohio and Virginia, according to the National Urban League Policy Institute report. Obama won all three states in 2008, and most scenarios for Obama's re-election depend on him winning at least two of them this time. Ohio has 18 electoral votes, while North Carolina has 15 and Virginia has 13. A fierce start to the election campaign, with the candidates and their supporting super PACs launching bitter attacks, has made ensuring enthusiastic backing from traditional support bases a key to victory in November. The president's speech Wednesday concluded a four-day, six-state swing that started earlier than planned Sunday so he could visit Aurora, Colorado, after last week's mass shooting at a movie theater. During the speech, Obama made some of the most forceful statements of his presidency on the issue of gun violence, saying that while he respects the nation's hunting and gun-owning traditions, "We should leave no stone unturned and recognize that we have no greater mission as a country than keeping our young people safe." CNN's Lesa Jansen, Tom Cohen and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report. | NEW: Executive order establishes African-American higher education initiative .
NEW: Higher education "is a vital necessity" that should be affordable, Obama says .
NEW: Obama has "disappointed" black Americans on economy, Romney spokeswoman says .
A report says a drop in African-American turnout could cost Obama in three key states . |
f9e4aedf6405f416e98f441ed295abe270b16c92 | (CNN) -- Each morning of his federal kidnapping trial, Brian David Mitchell sings. In the last few days, he has chosen a holiday theme, with "Silent Night" or "Joy to the World' rising from the defense table as Mitchell closes his eyes and rocks slightly -- lost, it appears, in hymns and psalms. The 12 people weighing his fate have witnessed the spectacle from the jury box. They will soon have to determine whether the man accused of snatching 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart from her bed at knifepoint and holding her captive for nine months is legally insane, as his lawyers claim, or a calculating kidnapper. Mitchell's attorneys are mounting an insanity defense, which requires them to prove he was so mentally ill when he snatched Smart that he did not understand the wrongfulness of his actions. U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball has adjourned the trial until after the Thanksgiving holiday, when Mitchell's defense team will continue its case, and present expert testimony in support of the insanity claim. Mitchell's attorneys have called witnesses to describe his increasingly isolated and odd behavior. But many have also described the 57-year-old as intelligent and resourceful; someone with a salesman's knack for persuasion. Through tears Friday, Mitchell's legal wife said again and again that she'd been manipulated by him. Wanda Barzee was called to the stand as a defense witness, but it was her cross examination by the prosecution that dramatically punctuated the week of proceedings. She is currently medicated and undergoing therapy for her own mental illness. Barzee, who is serving a 15-year sentence for her role in Smart's abduction, said she was present while Mitchell kept Smart tethered to a metal cable at a mountain camp above Salt Lake City. Barzee said Mitchell played on her strong religious convictions, using "revelations" and "priesthood blessings" to sway and appease her. When she complained about his heavy drinking, Mitchell said he'd had a divine revelation that condoned it, she testified. Her heart broke at the thought of sharing him with other wives. He placed his hand on her head and delivered a blessing, telling her weakness would result in eternal consequence, she claimed. He smoked and read Hustler Magazine,'because in order to rise above all things, he told her they had to sink below them. "He's a good liar, isn't he?" Assistant U.S. Attorney Felice Viti asked. Barzee agreed: "He's a great deceiver." The battle over Mitchell's mental state has played out in state and federal courts over the years. In February 2005, after failed plea negotiations with Utah prosecutors, Mitchell began his courtroom singing, according to court documents. Later that year, a state court found him incompetent to stand trial. His doctors diagnosed him with "narcissistic personality disorder," and said his illness fell "within the psychotic spectrum." In 2008, a federal grand jury indicted Mitchell and Barzee on charges of kidnapping and transportation of a minor across state lines for sexual purposes. The following year, Elizabeth Smart herself took the witness stand at a hearing in federal court to determine Mitchell's competency. U.S. District Court Judge Dale Kimball issued a 149-page written order, finding Mitchell well enough to stand trial. Kimball carefully cited testimony from Mitchell's caretakers at Utah State Hospital's forensic unit, where Mitchell was confined after his arrest. A nursing director testified that Mitchell's unwillingness to work towards restoring his mental competency "was a huge red flag that he was faking," and that "there was a distinct correlation between Mitchell's singing and his court appearances. "During his three-year stay at the hospital, Mitchell read dozens of books, yet he never asked for a religious text," noted Kimball. "He especially enjoyed the show Charmed," pulling his chair close to the screen whenever the women at the center of the witchcraft drama were scantily clad, the caretakers said. Kimball adopted a skeptical view of Mitchell's convictions, writing that "the record is replete with examples showing that Mitchell's religious beliefs are not fixed but, rather, used strategically. "For instance, Mitchell's claim to be a prophet, the Davidic King, or the One Mighty and Strong, manifests only when it serves his own self-interested purpose. When he encountered law enforcement officer or people from whom he could obtain money, food or shelter, he made no such grandiose claims," wrote Kimball. "Mitchell has accurately read and exploited the vulnerability in the system, which protects mentally incompetent persons from standing trial ... stalling the process of his legal case for nearly seven years," the judge concluded. The ruling cleared the way for Mitchell's trial to begin about two weeks ago in Salt Lake City's federal courthouse. On the second day of the defense case this week, Mitchell's elderly father made his way to the witness stand with the help of a walker to describe his son's character traits. "Brian's a very intelligent person and used that to its full extent in the harassment of the other children and my wife," he said. The father described him as a sexually curious boy who "got in trouble playing doctor" with other children around the age of 8 or 9. To educate his son, the father showed him an old medical book with detailed pictures of genitalia. But the plan backfired, the father said, and Mitchell promptly got into trouble again for playing doctor "with the rest of the neighborhood." "It was ill-advised because it was too explicit, really. I should have known better, but I wasn't always very careful," the elder Mitchell testified. Court documents reveal signs of sexual deviance that continued into Mitchell's teens. He was arrested for exposing himself to a 4-year-old girl in the neighborhood. The probation officer assigned to his case called Mitchell's behavior "bordering on psychotic," and referred him to a psychologist who diagnosed "Behavior Disorder of Adolescence." Another counselor at the time described Mitchell as an "excellent manipulator." Tim Mitchell, the defendant's younger brother, said he watched as a troubled Mitchell grappled to turn his life around and embrace the Church of Latter-day Saints before beginning a steady mental slide, alienating his family and church leaders. "I said, 'I think you're going off on the wrong way, I think you're drifting away form the church. I think maybe you've been deceived by a false spirit,'" Tim Mitchell testified. His brother suddenly asked to be called "Daveed," but he refused. "I just kept calling him Brian." Their relationship ended after that. "I started feeling that this is really starting to look like a mental illness and I sent a letter encouraging him to get some help," testified Tim Mitchell, a mental health counselor. Mitchell met his wife, Barzee, at a church-sponsored counseling session in 1985, the woman testified Thursday. As she shared her story of an abusive marriage, Mitchell took her hand to comfort her. "And we've held hands ever since," she testified. But eventually, he began to seek out other "celestial wives," she said. In a low, rambling voice that sometimes failed her, Barzee described collapsing crying in her husband's arms when he told her of a revelation to take more wives. When attempts to find a willing bride failed, Mitchell declared they were to use force, she said. "I was told that we were commanded to take 14-year-old young women and we were to snatch them out of the world and train them up in the ministries of God." She had concerns about this, she said. "I knew that the Lord had all power to provide the young women if that was his will, and I know of the pain and suffering that I had been through being separated from my children and I didn't want the young women to be taken away from their family and their friends." Nevertheless, she strived to be obedient. Mitchell began to "stalk out" young girls while panhandling in town, Barzee testified, and on the morning of June 5, 2002, he arrived at their camp with Elizabeth Smart in tow. Smart has described him as preoccupied more with the sexual than the spiritual, raping her multiple times per day, and demonstrating with Barzee the finer points of certain sex acts. If the defense evidence regarding Mitchell's state of mind meets the burden of "clear and convincing" in the jury's estimation, he could walk the streets of Salt Lake City again somedayt. If not, he will face a sentence of life behind bars. The defendant himself may not be present to face jurors as they deliver his verdict; he watches the proceedings on a security camera monitor each day, expelled from the courtroom for his steadfast refusal to stop singing. | Brian Mitchell's attorneys are mounting an insanity defense against rape, kidnap charges .
They must prove he was so mentally ill he did not understand wrongfulness of actions .
Some describe him as isolated; others, as someone with salesman's knack for persuasion . |
f9e4d514e3e88c40fe72de13691fc4a863bf6a1c | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 17:38 EST, 5 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 18:04 EST, 5 March 2014 . A massive search is underway for a 21-year-old college student who vanished on a spring break trip to Panama City, Florida. Reny Jose, a student at Rice University in Texas, was last seen by his friends at 7pm on Monday. On Tuesday morning, the friends contacted the Bay County Sheriff's Office to report him missing. A 22-year-old friend told investigating officers that Jose had taken LSD . and had spoken about harming himself, according to a report from the . sheriff's office, the Houston Chronicle reported. Where is he? Reny Jose, a Rice University student, has disappeared while on spring break in Florida . Clothes and other items belonging to Jose, including his cell phone, were found in a garbage can near to the home they were renting, police said. His friends said they had seen him wearing those clothes before he went missing. Deputies and a sheriff's office air unit have been searching the area near to the rental home as well as . nearby beaches, and his family has flown there to assist the search. Authorities have also contacted hospitals and taxi services in the areas, as well as a neighboring police department in the hope that someone will see the missing man. Have you seen him? Jose vanished on Monday night and his clothes were found in a trash an nearby . Scene: He was on the third day of his trip to the beach in Panama City, Florida when he disappeared . Bay County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Corley Ruth said that they were perplexed by the disappearance, but did not suspect foul play. 'We have no idea where he is,' she said, adding that people were staying away from the water. 'Nobody's going into that water, it's not even begun to warm up yet.' His family have set up a Facebook page to spread the word about his disappearance and his sister, Reshma Jose, wrote on her page that her family was heading to Florida. 'My family and I are so thankful for all . your prayers and support. We are headed to Panama City Beach to . continue the search and we will do our best to keep everyone updated,' she wrote. Search: An air and land search is underway for Jose, who is believed to have taken drugs before he vanished . Jose is a mechanical engineering major and a member of Martel College at Rice University. On Tuesday, university officials issued a letter to students and staff to tell them of the disappearance. He arrived in Panama City with the group on Saturday. The rest of the group said they are cutting the trip short and heading home. Officials ask anyone with information to call the Bay County Sheriff's office at (850) 747-4700. | Reny Jose, a student at Rice University in Texas, was last seen on Monday evening and reported missing by friends on Tuesday morning .
His clothes and belongings, including his phone, were found in a trash can .
A friend told deputies he had taken LSD and talked about harming himself .
Authorities have launched land and air searches and Jose's family have arrived in Florida to assist . |
f9e4fab8972f18bbf980bf5e43e9b177a4ccd156 | (Mashable) -- Stuart Hughes, the British jeweler known for his expensive remakes of popular gadgets, is at it again, this time with a diamond-clad iPhone 4 with a price tag of 5 million pounds, or roughly $8 million. The handmade bezel contains approximately 500 individual flawless diamonds that total more than 100 carats. There's 53 additional diamonds in the back, and the main navigation button is made of platinum, holding a single cut 7.4 carat pink diamond. If you know diamonds, all of this probably means something to you. To us, it just sounds really, really expensive. Only two of these will ever be made, so don't worry: if you buy one, the chances of bumping into someone who has the exact same phone at a party are quite slim. © 2011 MASHABLE.com. All rights reserved. | Stuart Hughes is known for his expensive remakes of popular gadgets .
Only two of these iPhone 4s will ever be made .
The device has a price tag of 5 million pounds, or roughly $8 million . |
f9e5041098c49458a88ac2b7380bb035beba7cb2 | This shocking photo shows a U.S. Marines team posing in . front of a Nazi SS flag in Afghanistan. The Marine Corps today confirmed one of its scout sniper . teams posed in front of the notorious flag in September 2010 in Sangin province . but insisted the issue has since been addressed internally. Former Marines have been left outraged by the picture and are . calling for a full investigation, but military officials say they have already . probed the photo and confirmed it was not racially-motivated. Outrage: The Marine Corps today confirmed one of its scout sniper teams posed in front of the notorious flag in September 2010 in Sangin province but insisted the issue has since been addressed internally . ‘Heads need to roll and this needs to be fully investigated,’ said Mikey Weinstein, of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation in . Washington D.C. ‘This is a complete and total outrage.’ The photo shows a flag with what appear to be the letters 'SS' in the shape of jagged lightning bolts. The symbol resembles that used by SS units in World War Two. Use of the SS symbol is not acceptable, and the issue has . been looked into by the Marines, Lt Col Stewart Upton said. The Marines are no . longer with the unit they were assigned to at the time. Mr Weinstein said he has been flooded with calls from former . Marines offended by the photo and from one member of his group who is a survivor . of the concentration camp in Auschwitz, Poland. Criminal organisation the SS, or . Schutzstaffel, was the police and military force of the Nazi Party, . which was distinct from the general army. Members pledged an oath of . loyalty to Adolf Hitler. SS units were held responsible for many war crimes and played an . integral role in the extermination of millions of Jews along with . gypsies and other people classed as undesirables. Mistake: A military probe found the SS symbol was meant to identify the Marines as scout snipers, not Nazis . Historical context: The SS was the police and military force of the Nazi Party and it was distinct from the general army. Members pledged an oath of loyalty to Adolf Hitler, pictured right in 1939 . Mr Weinstein said his organisation was sending a letter to . the head of the Marine Corps and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. 'Heads need to roll and this needs to be fully investigated. This is a complete and total outrage' Mikey Weinstein, Military Religious Freedom Foundation . Master Gunnery Sergeant Mark Oliva, a spokesman at Camp . Pendleton, California, said the photo was brought to the attention of the 1 Marine . Expeditionary Force inspector general in November. He found there was no intent on the part of the Marines to . identify themselves with a racist group and the probe found the SS symbol was . meant to identify the Marines as scout snipers, not Nazis. But Sergeant Oliva added that it was nonetheless not . acceptable. This is the second time this year the Marine Corps has had to do . damage control for actions of its troops. The Marine Corps is currently investigating a group of . Marines recorded on video urinating on the dead bodies of Taliban fighters. Those Marines were based at Camp Lejune, North Carolina. | Marine Corps confirms incident in September 2010 in Sangin, Afghanistan .
Former Marines outraged and say 'heads need to roll' in investigation .
But military probe found flag was used to identify team as scout snipers . |
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