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feb78d8cf6649984522ca194c631252e80d4fa54 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . A city hospital is begging patients to stop stealing its pyjamas after losing more than 1,900 pairs since January. Pyjamas are one of the items most often taken from hospitals by patients when they are discharged. But after being left with just 73 of the 2,000 new sets bought at the start of the year, Southampton General Hospital, Hampshire, have pleaded with patients to stop. A medical pyjama set costs £6 each - meaning the hospital has lost out on more than £11,000 in clothing. Plea: Southampton General Hospital, Hampshire, is begging patients to stop stealing its pyjamas after losing more than 1,900 pairs since January . Walking sticks and blankets are also frequently taken away as patients hurriedly collect their belongings before leaving. The University Hospital Southampton NHS trust, which runs the General Hospital, is now offering an amnesty on items taken from its premises in an effort to solve the problem. Juliet Cox, head of patient experience, said: 'The loss of any hospital property, whether clothing, crutches or other equipment, has an impact in terms of supplies for other patients and the cost of replacements. Missing: As well as pyjamas, hospital blankets and walking sticks are also frequently taken away (file photo) 'We will always have gowns and nightwear available to protect patients' privacy and dignity. 'But a few small steps can ensure we avoid unnecessarily purchasing additional clothing and can put the funds to better use. 'We are working with patients and staff to highlight the problem. 'We've launched a project with nursing and care homes across the city to ensure patients have their own clothes to return home in, or are supplied with disposable alternatives.' The hospital has also updated its 'Your Stay in Hospital' booklets which highlight the need for patients to bring their own clothes. | Southampton General Hospital has just 73 of the 2,000 sets bought this year .
Medical pyjama sets cost £6 each, so hospital has lost more than £11,000 .
Walking sticks and blankets also frequently taken away by patients .
Hospital launches amnesty for missing items to be returned . |
feb80e2cb1c71134aea765a593bc7b7412262aaf | (CNN) -- Space shuttle Atlantis launched Monday afternoon to deliver key spare parts to prolong the life of the International Space Station. The shuttle lifted off as scheduled, at 2:28 p.m. ET from the Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral. The delivery will add years to the station's life after the space shuttle fleet is retired next year, according to NASA. Monday's launch is among six planned before then. "You'll see this theme in some of the flights that are going to come after ours as well," said Brian Smith, the lead space station flight director for the 11-day mission. "This flight is all about spares. Basically, we're getting them up there while we still can." Some parts are for systems that keep the station from overheating or tumbling through space, according to NASA. "We're taking the big ones," Smith said. "And not only are they the big ones -- they're the ones deemed most critical. That's why they're going up first." The six-member crew will return to Earth with flight engineer Nicole Stott, who launched in August. CNN iReport: Share your photos, video of shuttle launch . The mission also will include three spacewalks and installation of two platforms to the station's backbone. The platforms will hold spare parts to sustain station operations after the shuttles are discontinued. "As the only vehicle large enough to carry many of the big pieces of equipment into space, several of the flights are devoted to the task," NASA said. iReporter attends NASA "Tweet-up" Other items set for delivery include nitrogen and ammonia tank assemblies, a high-pressure gas tank and the station's robotic arm. The tanks help cool and pressurize the station. | NEW: The Space Shuttle Atlantis blasted off Monday on schedule at 2:28 p.m. ET .
Shuttle launched on schedule from the Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral .
The delivery of key spare parts will add years to the space station's life .
The space shuttle fleet is to be retired next year . |
feb88230794678f2f5a9860c2548e53fa6cf759a | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 08:14 EST, 17 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:39 EST, 17 December 2013 . A hockey fan took a puck to the face during a Sunday game - but the sports lover says it was worth it after she stayed to watch her team win. Tricia Drummond was watching a game between the Washington Capitals and the Philadelphia Flyers at the weekend when the puck flew above the safety glass surrounding the rink and cracked her in the head. Ms Drummond appeared to be knocked unconscious by the blow and was bleeding from the head. Scroll down for video . Ouch! Washington Capitals fan Tricia Drummond took an ice hockey puck to the temple on Sunday night . Tricia Drummond is watched by Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green as she is treated after being hit by a puck at the Sunday night game . She was hit in the face three minutes before the end of the game. A team doctor with the Flyers took care of her, giving the woman five stitches to close the wound. The dedicated fan decided to stick out the rest of the game and was rewarded when her team the Capitals came from behind to win the game 5-4 in a shootout. Ms Drummond later tweeted a picture of her bloody temple and wrote: 'I took 5 stitches for the team and they won. It's worth it.' However it appears despite her painful blow, Ms Drummond did not go home with the puck. Despite receiving five stitches, the dedicated fan stayed rink side to watch her team win the game . | Tricia Drummond was watching a game between the Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers at the weekend when she was struck in the head .
She was treated by the rink by Flyers team doctor . |
feb899b7ebf0cc52de8612d3a9a3158b1f7fb09d | Joe Calzaghe believes that his fellow Welshman Nathan Cleverly will profit from Tony Bellew’s anger when the two younger men collide for the second time in Liverpool on Saturday night. Calzaghe, who retired as the undefeated world super-middleweight champion, was the epitome of self-control in the ring. Cleverly and Bellew have moved up from light-heavyweight to cruiser for this re-match but the Merseyside man has been festering with resentment since losing their world title fight. Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew went head to head on Sky's The Gloves are Off show ahead of their fight . Cleverly is keeping cool and is determined to win for the second time against Bellew . Bellew is fired up for his re-match with rival Cleverly after losing the first bout between the two fighters . Bellew has made no secret of his angst but Calzaghe warns: ‘All this anger is not good for boxers. I don’t know Tony very well personally but it looks to me as if the hatred is burning up too much of his energy, . ‘I occasionally did some stuff for the cameras but it was to help sell the promotion, not for real. I was always cool, calm and collected in the ring and I believe that is very important. You need self-control and discipline in a fight. You should keep your emotions in check.’ Bellew has been anything but restrained in the build up and Cleverly says: ‘It seems he does hate me and really wants to hurt me.’ Cleverly and Bellew almost came to blows back in 2011 ahead of their first fight . Cleverly beat Bellew in their first fight back in 2011 and seemed to show respect to each other afterwards . Promoter Eddie Hearn reports that Bellew is more desperate to win this fight than any in his career so far and does not know how he would cope with losing to Cleverly. Although Bellew is the more natural light-heavy and will be the bigger man on the night, Calzaghe does not expect that to be to his advantage either. He says: Nathan was having troubled making the weight at super-middle so although he is moving up his speed will not be affected. ‘Bellew is a good fighter and a heavy puncher – but as we all know speed kills. ‘I’m not only saying this because Nathan and I are both Welsh and he is my friend,. I think you will see him relaxed, breathing easily and using his speed and skills to beat Bellew again. ‘Yes, Tony has home advantage but he had that in the first fight and since the hatred seems genuine the crowd might make him even more likely to go charging in. It looks like he’s got bad blood.’ Both boxers have been stopped in world title fights since they first met, Cleverly by Sergey Kovalev who has just ended the light-heavyweight reign of Bernard Hopkins, and Bellew by Adonis Stevenson, but the grudge element in this rematch has caught the imagination of the boxing public in this country, . Not only will the arena in Liverpool will be packed and roaring for Bellew but pay-TV sales projections are encouraging. Bellew v Cleverly will be live on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday night . | Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew will fight on November 22 in Liverpool .
The pair have met once before in 2011, and Cleverly was victorious .
Bellew has made no attempt to hide his resentment towards his opponent .
Joe Calzaghe believes Cleverly can use Bellew's anger to his advantage .
Click here for Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew's press conference in full . |
feb8ae02a7a8cbe3570aed2366e4f7dedd3121df | By . Mia De Graaf . Banned: Joanna Shuter, former head of Quintin Kynaston in north London, has been barred from teaching for life . A disgraced headteacher has been banned for life from the classroom after spending more than £30,000 of public money on lavish parties taxis and mobile phone bills. Joanna Shuter, who was once named headteacher of the year and awarded a CBE, used £6,292,20 of funds for Quintin Kynaston School in north London to pay for her own 50th birthday party. She claimed another £5,855.67 for taxis, as well as £8,269 for an overnight stay at the Grove Hotel, Hertfordshire. Her children's mobile phone bills were also charged back to the school. Today, Ms Shuter, 53, was found guilty of 'unacceptable professional conduct' while working at Quintin Kynaston School in north London - and banned from teaching indefinitely. A judgment approved by the Education Secretary also barred her from applying to lift the order at a later date. Ms Shuter, who was awarded a CBE in 2010 for services to teaching, resigned from her post a the school in St John's Wood last year while the government launched a probe. It found she had used school funds for 'inappropriate purposes'. It emerged Ms Shuter bought furniture worth £1,500 that was delivered to her home. She also claimed on expenses for posh dinners, personal taxi rides and nearly £3,500 in flowers. Today's judgement issued by a . professional conduct panel found that she had been a 'force for good' in . many respects - but that her expenses claims 'undermined' the entire . teaching profession. The . staggering bill for her 50th birthday party in 2011 included money spent . on catering, alcohol, food, party lights and 'landscaping' - as well as . extra pay for the staff's time. That money was not paid back for more . than a year. Ms Shuter admitted the allegations, the judgement says. Ms Shuter, pictured meeting the Queen in 2007 to receive a CBE for services to education, resigned last year . The panel said her 'unacceptable' claims at Quintin Kynaston 'undermined' the entire profession . She also admitted taking on paid work for speaking at conferences and consultancy during term time. Her personal assistant was instructed to carry out non-school related tasks such as organising her public speaking engagements, booking flights for her family and arranging the rental of her holiday home. The panel said: 'In light of the panel’s findings against Ms Shuter, which involved making numerous and extensive expenses claims in respect of public money, over a significant period of time for personal gain, there is a strong public interest consideration in maintaining public confidence in the profession. 'This is particularly so in Ms Shuter’s . case, in light of her high national profile as an influential figure in . the education world and public recognition as Headteacher of the Year . and her receipt of a CBE. 'This high profile increases the risk of public . confidence in the profession being undermined. Ms Shuter, who has previously been named as headteacher of the year, spent nearly £3,500 on flowers . Ms Shuter cannot apply to lift the life ban as she showed 'a lack of insight into the severity of her behaviours' 'The Panel is also of the view that in the climate of recent years, the public interest in maintaining public confidence in the management of public finances, including ensuring that expenses claims against public funds are appropriate, is particularly strong. 'Accordingly, the Panel considers that public confidence in the profession could be seriously weakened if conduct such as that found against Ms Shuter were not treated with the utmost seriousness when regulating the conduct of the profession.' It added that while Ms Shuter had admitted her wrongdoing she had also showed 'a lack of insight into the severity and impact of her behaviours'. The document says that in respect of the birthday party, Ms Shuter set up separate accounting for them but failed to reimburse the school until she repaid £5,906.98 in April 2012 - more than a year after receiving an invoice for it. | Joanna Shuter admitted spending more than £30,000 on personal expenses .
Claims included birthday party, hotels, taxis, flowers, children's phone bill .
Former head of Quintin Kynaston school, London, received CBE in 2007 .
Was named 'head teacher of the year' in 2010, resigned last year .
Handed life ban by National College for Training and Leadership panel . |
feb8ca905dd02a9bbe8d01bd0ca1559e87fb8215 | Ronald Koeman believes the way Southampton perform in the next two matches against sides fighting for their Premier League status could be crucial in determining how high Saints finish this season. Southampton go to West Brom on Saturday bidding to bounce back from the 2-0 home loss to Liverpool which dented their Champions League dream. The Baggies and next Tuesday's opponents Crystal Palace are five points clear of the relegation zone entering this weekend's fixtures. Southampton boss Ronald Koeman wants his team to be more effective in their upcoming fixtures . Southampton's players fail to block Raheem Sterling's shot as the Liverpool forward scores at St Mary's . And while their ambitions are at different ends of the standings, Koeman knows his fifth-placed side must show their ability and be more efficient against West Brom and Palace. 'We will play a lot for our chances for a high position in the table in the next two games. We have to realise that,' he said. 'We have to be prepared for that. I think we're doing well, if you go back to the game against Liverpool, we played well. 'We deserved much more than we got. Now it's about being more effective. 'That's maybe the question at the moment. We're not effective enough to score and to win games. (But) total feel of the team I am happy.' Tony Pulis has provided added steel to West Brom since being installed as manager, and Koeman is wary. The Dutchman said: 'I have watched two games of theirs the last few weeks. Sadio Mane could start against West Brom after being punished for poor timekeeping against Liverpool . Southampton face Tony Pulis' West Brom at the Hawthorns as they look to get their season back on track . 'It's normal that, as a manager, coming into a new team, you try to sort out the defensive organisation. They have. 'It's not easy to score against them. All the results are very close, not a lot of goals in their games. 'Always the opponent has more ball possession, but it's not always about having ball possession. It's about what you make of that. 'They're very strong in set-pieces, because they have as a team, the highest score of scoring at set-pieces. 'They fight for every point and they play out of the qualities that they have. That's the best you can do as a manager.' Koeman knows league position means little when it comes to the match-ups. Defender Toby Alderweireld could start at the Hawthorns after recovering from a hamstring injury . 'A lot of clubs play not to be relegated or to go in the Europa League or for the Champions League positions,' he said. 'Everyone will fight. My experience after one season in the Premier League is that every game is difficult. 'You can win or lose against anybody. You have to go game by game, in my opinion.' Sadio Mane could start after being punished for his poor timekeeping. The Senegal winger was late ahead of the Liverpool clash and was a substitute. Toby Alderweireld (hamstring) is nearing a return and could come back into contention for the Palace game, but Jay Rodriguez (knee) and Emmanuel Mayuka (groin) remain out. | Southampton take on West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Saturday .
Saints are fifth in the table, one point behind Manchester United .
Ronald Koeman knows his side must start winning points after a poor run .
The Dutchman is wary of Tony Pulis' rejuvenated side .
CLICK HERE for all the latest Southampton news . |
feb8e9109b281f382f1c4ae4d8a2b81b3eb50d0a | Arsenal are giving serious consideration to a £6million move for Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy. Arsene Wenger wants a new keeper to push current No.1 Wojciech Szczesny all the way next season. The Gunners have been alerted to Ruddy's potential availability ahead of next season and Sportsmail understands there is a strong willingness from the Emirates Stadium to pursue a move for the England international. Premier League return? Arsenal are interested in Norwich keeper John Ruddy who is available for £6m . Target: Cardiff City stopper David Marshall is an alternative as Arsene Wenger eyes a new No 2 . Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has . also been identified as a possible candidate to replace outgoing second . choice keeper Lukasz Fabianski. But Ruddy's extensive top-flight experience puts him ahead of McCarthy. Cardiff . keeper David Marshall has also been watched, but his £15million price . tag could prove a stumbling block towards a potential move to the north . London. | John Ruddy wanted by Arsenal, Norwich looking for £6m .
David Marshall also under consideration, with Tottenham interested .
Would be a replacement for Lukasz Fabianski, who is a Swansea target .
Would also challenge current No 1 Wojciech Szczesny . |
feb92875a667407edf07f702c2f4262df355c6f3 | George W. Bush might have developed a brotherly relationship with Bill Clinton -- but he's still picking his actual brother, Jeb, over Clinton's wife, Hillary, in a potential 2016 presidential match-up. The two former presidents have developed a close friendship, with Bush sometimes calling Clinton his "brother from another mother." In an interview, CNN's Candy Crowley asked Bush what that makes Hillary Clinton. "My sister-in-law," he said. Hillary and Jeb: How the deciders decide . But when asked whether his brother, former Florida Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, could run against his sister-in-law, the 43rd president said: "Yeah, and I think he'd beat her." Bush said there's no question Clinton is formidable, but his brother is, as well. The potential Clinton vs. Bush matchup would pit two of the most important American political dynasties of recent decades against each other for the second time. The public is the private Jeb Bush . Bill Clinton ousted Bush's father, former President George H.W. Bush, in the 1992 election. The younger Bush then defeated Clinton Vice President Al Gore to succeed Clinton in the 2000 election. Hillary Clinton ran for the job when Bush left office in 2008, but lost to Barack Obama in the Democratic primary. Bush 43 on Jeb Bush 2016 run: 'A toss-up ... I'm all in for him' Both the former secretary of state and the Florida governor have maintained their families' vast political and fundraising networks. Clinton would be the prohibitive favorite to win the Democratic nomination, while Bush would likely face a stiffer challenge from conservative critics during his primary thanks to some of his positions on education and immigration policy. Bush has urged Jeb to run for president, he's said in several recent interviews. Jeb Bush, meanwhile, said this week that he plans to make a decision early next year. "He's seen what it's like to be the son of a president. He's seen what it's like to be the brother of a president," Bush said. "And therefore he's being very -- he is not rushing into running for the presidency. I have no clue where his head is now." Jeb Bush ignores family history in Obama immigration hit . | Former President George W. Bush says Hillary Clinton is his 'sister-in-law'
Bush said he thinks his brother, Jeb, would win a presidential contest against Clinton . |
feb9d187fca604fa647766087af0a5332f39985d | Hong Kong (CNN) -- China's urban rich are making far more than they officially report, suggesting the wealth gap in the world's second largest economy is much higher than previously thought, according to a new study. The China Society of Economic Reform released a survey Monday that found "gray income" was 6.2 trillion yuan (U.S. $1 trillion), or 12% of GDP. "Gray income" can range from illegal cash from kickbacks to unreported income and gifts. "The result has highlighted expanding social inequalities and policy issues surrounding official corruption and income distribution," said Wang Xiaolu, who led the research for the CSER, in an article in Caixin Online. "The richer the household, the more likely it receives shadow income." The study comes a day after Bo Xilai, a once high-flying politician, was sentenced to life in prison for bribe-taking,15 years for embezzlement and seven years for abuse of power. Bo is appealing the verdict. The CSER surveyed 5,344 urban families in 18 Chinese provinces. The results suggest the top 10% of households earn nearly 21 times more than the poorest 10%. The National Bureau of Statistics places income disparity far lower, saying China's wealthiest make 8.6 times more than its poorest. "China is in a dangerous zone as one the most unequal countries in the world," Wang wrote. The survey found that rich families gain 80% of their wealth from business and on average "have decent gains" in stock markets, whereas most middle and lower income families lose cash in the capital markets, Wang said. "We can't rule out that some of these business gains are problematic, or even illegal, because many survey takers count kickbacks as business gains," he wrote. Much of the high gray income is linked to the loose credit handed out between 2009 and 2010, Wang wrote, as well as the rapid increase of government investment during the same period. "To stop widening income disparity and unfair allocation, in addition to anti-corruption campaigns, there needs to be gradual but firm progress in economic, political and social reform that moves the country closer to the rule of law with public scrutiny over administrative power," he said. | Survey: China's urban rich are making far more than they officially report .
Researchers found unreported "gray income" was 6.2 trillion yuan (U.S. $1 trillion)
Suggests the top 10% of households earn nearly 21 times more than the poorest .
"The richer the household, the more likely it receives shadow income" |
febad878e855aa4d7f59e5de26ba19715290a02b | Ridgeland, South Carolina (CNN) -- After months in an immigration detention facility, Hector Adame was so surprised when guards said he could go that he didn't believe them. "They had to shout (the news) at him so he would leave," his wife, Victorina, said this week. The family soon learned that Adame -- who had first been arrested on a drunk driving charge -- was one of more than 2,000 immigration detainees federal authorities released last month in a controversial move that officials said would cut costs as forced budget cuts loomed. But the construction worker's joy at being released was short-lived. Now, the undocumented immigrant is back behind bars. So are more than two dozen others, according to federal officials. "The 28 individuals were brought back into ICE custody after either violating the terms of their supervision or after the agency discovered information not available during an initial review of their case," U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Barbara Gonzalez said in a written statement. "ICE will continue to review the terms of the release for the individuals as part of its routine practice and will reconsider conditions as necessary." Adame was detained again after an arrest for driving without a license, his wife says, adding that she thinks authorities targeted him because they wanted to send him back to the detention facility. "They were waiting for him," Victorina Adame says. Debate over the decision to release detainees resurged this week at a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, where some lawmakers accused the country's top immigration official of releasing detainees for political reasons. "This release is a recipe for disaster that is irresponsible and unjustified," said Rep. Bob Goodlatte, a Republican from Virginia who chairs the committee. "Ultimately, these nonsensical actions demonstrate the inability and lack of desire on behalf of the administration to enforce the law even against illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes." ICE officials have said the move was made because the agency was preparing its year-end budget and had to take the $85 billion in forced government-wide budget cuts, known as sequestration, into account. And they stressed that detainees released were non-criminals or low-risk offenders without serious criminal histories. This week, ICE Director John Morton maintained that the measure was necessary to cut costs. "The agency is asked to do far more than Congress could appropriate or could rationally appropriate to the agency. We are in a situation where there are 11 million people on average who are here unlawfully. The agency has resources to remove about 400,000 a year, which is less than 4% and it is why at the end of the day, I think, bipartisan efforts to come to some level of comprehensive immigration reform is the thoughtful way out," he said this week. "The agency is never going to be able to detain and remove everybody as a matter of budget nor does it make sense as a matter of policy." Morton said the detainees that were released were not dangerous, and that he had to find some way to make ends meet. "I did not want to rob Peter to pay Paul," he said. "My view is that we need to maintain the operations of the agency." Rep. Trey Gowdy, a Republican from South Carolina, criticized that explanation. "Now, I've counted six times you have said you didn't want to rob Peter to pay Paul," Gowdy said. "I don't want Peter or Paul to rob one of our fellow citizens because you guessed wrong on who to release." Meanwhile, Victorina Adame says she and her five children are left looking at pictures of her husband in their South Carolina home, wondering when they'll see him again and whether he'll be deported to Mexico. CNN's Catherine E. Shoichet contributed to this report. | More than two dozen detainees who were released are back behind bars, ICE says .
ICE: They were detained again after new violations or the discovery of additional info .
Authorities have said the controversial release of more than 2,000 detainees will cut costs .
Critics have said criminals are being let loose, putting Americans at risk . |
febb0a6ec854517b7ca05b7585b8c8bda8ad76d8 | (CNN) -- North Korea accused the United States and South Korea of sending spy planes on about 200 missions near the isolated communist nation ahead of a North Korea rocket launch scheduled for early April. Pyongyang claims reconnaissance aircraft, including the high-altitude U-2 spy plane, have flown spy missions. "The U.S. imperialists and the South Korean puppet military warmongers perpetrated intensive aerial espionage against the DPRK (North Korea) in March by massively mobilizing strategic and tactical reconnaissance planes with various missions," a military source said, according to a report from North Korea's state-run news service, KCNA, on Tuesday. Pyongyang said the United States committed 110 cases of "aerial espionage and the South Korean puppet forces at least 80 cases," during March, KCNA reported. The source said the missions utilized six types of reconnaissance aircraft, including the high-altitude U-2 spy plane. "The U.S. imperialist warmongers had better bear in mind that ... spy planes perpetrating espionage against the DPRK are within the range of its strikes." The Pentagon was not immediately available to comment on the story. The North Korean government says it will launch a commercial satellite atop a rocket sometime between April 4 and April 8. Satellite imagery taken on Sunday appears to show a rocket at the Musudan-ri launch site in northeastern North Korea. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Sunday there is little doubt that the planned rocket launch is designed to bolster North Korea's military capability. He also indicated that the U.S. military could be prepared to shoot down a North Korean missile if the rogue regime develops the capability to reach Hawaii or the western continental United States in a future launch. Watch analysis of Pyongyang's planned rocket launch » . Both the United States and Japan have mobilized missile defense systems ahead of the launch. North Korea has threatened to start a war if Japan were to shoot down its rocket. Tokyo said the move is aimed at shooting down any debris from the launch that might fall into Japanese territory. U.S. Navy ships capable of shooting down ballistic missiles have been moved to the Sea of Japan, a Navy spokesman said. The United States generally has a number of ships equipped with powerful Aegis radar in the Sea of Japan because of North Korean threats to launch rockets. The ships are designed to track and, if needed, shoot down ballistic missiles. The United States has no plans to shoot down the North Korean rocket, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said last week, but will raise the issue with the U.N. Security Council if Pyongyang carries out a launch. | North Korea claims it detected about 200 spy plane missions near it .
Claim comes ahead of North Korea's launch of a rocket scheduled for early April .
Pyongyang warned that spy planes are within the range of its strikes .
U.S. has little doubt rocket launch is designed to bolster N. Korea's military capability . |
febbd51aa5181f74d56f3d0e01d38e264444f825 | By . David Wilkes . A retired GP told last night how his wife died in a swollen waterfall as he tried desperately to save her. Malcolm Jones was walking with Sue, 60, at a beauty spot near their home in the Lake District when she slipped and fell in. He followed her into the water but the torrent prevented him from reaching her and she was washed down a series of fast-flowing falls and out of his sight. Tragic: Sue and Malcolm Jones, of Satterthwaite, Cumbria, above, were out walking at Force Forge when the mother-of-two slipped into a powerful waterfall and fell to her death . Mother-of-two Sue, 60, was a popular member of the community in Satterthwaite, Cumbria. Several people have sent cards and flowers to Dr Jones and the village church is flying its flag at half mast out of respect . ‘At one point I could see her but I . could not get to her because she was trapped between rocks,’ he said. ‘When I finally got to her I knew it was too late. ‘I managed to drag her on to the bank and then I crawled up on to the main road for help. It was freezing cold.’ Police . said a passer-by raised the alarm at 10.45am on Saturday and fire and . ambulance crews were at the scene at Force Beck, Force Forge, near . Coniston, by 11am. The . mother of two was flown by air ambulance to the Royal Lancaster . Infirmary, where she was later pronounced dead. Police are not treating . the incident as suspicious. Dr Jones, 61, and his wife of 36 years moved . to the old vicarage in the village of Satterthwaite, Cumbria, close to . the scene of the tragedy, two years ago after enjoying many holidays in . the area for more than a decade. They previously owned a holiday cottage in Satterthwaite and lived in Thame, Oxfordshire. Since . making the permanent move north, they had spent their time renovating . their new home. Dr Jones said: ‘We have always travelled to the Lakes . and we knew that we would eventually want to move here. ‘This . was the house my wife had always had her eye on and so when it came on . the market we decided to take the opportunity to move here. It is a . beautiful place to live, and Sue loved everything about it.’ The . couple’s daughter Emma, 29, and her partner Simon Cole, took over the . village’s Eagles Head pub in November, with all the family becoming . popular members of the community. A devoted housewife and enthusiastic cook, Mrs Jones also helped out in the pub. Dr Malcolm Jones jumped into the freezing water at Force Forge, pictured, after his wife slipped and fell to her death while the couple were out walking . The couple, who have been married for 36 years, were out walking at Force Forge, pictured, near their home in Satterthwaite, Cumbria, when the tragedy occurred . Dr . Jones said: ‘Sue loved developing the friendships she had made with the . villagers. We felt very settled here, the community is very small and . everyone welcomed us. ‘She . was just so excited to be helping in the pub – she had so much fun . helping out. It gave us both a new lease of life really.’ The . couple’s son, paediatric doctor Andrew Jones, 32, who lives in South . London with his wife Sonya, 31, said his mother ‘was very content and . happy with what life had to offer right now’. He . said: ‘Emma and my mum were extremely close, and so when Emma and Simon . decided to buy the pub it was the best thing that could have happened. ‘She was thrilled to be helping out, everything was really busy and thriving for them.’ He . added: ‘She was a very soft, loving person who was elegant and . beautiful inside and out. It is down to mum that we are such a close . family, and so it is her legacy that we do her proud and stick together . at this horrible time. We have lost such a special person.’ The village community has been left devastated by the tragedy. The Rev John Dixon said: 'The church and the village are very shocked by what has happened' Daughter . Emma said: ‘Her priority was her family and her friends. She did . everything for everybody and could never do enough for us. She was the . most amazing host and loved having us all together as a family.’ Villagers . are devastated by the tragedy. The Reverend John Dixon said: ‘The . church and the village are very shocked by what has happened.’ The . coroner for south and east Cumbria Ian Smith has been informed of Mrs . Jones’s death. Her funeral is due to take place at Satterthwaite Church . next week. | Dr Malcolm Jones jumped into a raging waterfall in a bid to save his wife Sue, 60, who slipped while out walking .
The mother-of-two fell to her death after being swept downstream by the fast-flowing falls at Force Forge .
She has been described as a 'soft and loving person' by her husband of 36 years .
The church close to their home in Satterthwaite, .
Cumbria, is flying its flag at half-mast out of respect . |
febcab5eb85217ec32d3c3ae732785e54390c1c6 | By . Bianca London . She is fast becoming the world's favourite style icon (sorry, Duchess of Cambridge), and today Queen Letizia of Spain proved that she can even make a cardigan look high fashion. The Spanish monarch looked chic and stylish on a visit to the Spanish Design and Innovation Awards in Valladolid with her husband, King Felipe VI of Spain. Wearing an on-trend burnt orange cardigan and Aztec print skirt, the 41-year-old looked both stylish and regal. Looking chic: King Felipe VI of Spain and a stylishly dressed Queen Letizia of Spain attend the Spanish Design and Innovation Awards in Valladolid . The stylish monarch accessorised with nude court shoes, a firm favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge, and a matching orange clutch bag. It's already been a busy week for the newly appointed Queen, just yesterday she and her husband met the Pope yesterday. King . Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, wearing white as is standard protocol for a . queen visiting the pope, were greeted by Francis in the papal library. She even looks chic in a cardigan! Spain's Letizia walks hand in hand with King Felipe at the design awards in Spain . On trend: The Queen looked chic in a burnt orange cardigan and Aztec print skirt at the Museo de la Ciencia de Valladolid . Support: The pair looked close as they smiled on arrival at the awards - their second royal engagement already this week . Last week Queen Letizia flaunted a new hairstyle, which gave the appearance of a . swish bob, at the Prince of Girona Awards ceremony held at the Palacio . de Congresos of Girona in Catalonia. It wasn't clear whether the glamorous Royal had gone for the chop and cut . off her luscious locks - or whether she was fooling us with clever . styling, and had simply twisted her flowing hair under, and pinned it. Today and yesterday's appearances proves that it was just a nifty stylist trick as she . showcased her usual flowing caramel hair on a visit to meet Pope Francis . at the Vatican. Francis . had met Felipe's parents, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, on several . occasions, the last time during the April 27 canonizations of Saints . John Paul II and John XXIII. Juan Carlos abdicated earlier this month. Photocall: King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain attend the delivery of National Innovation and Desing Awards . Au natural: The royal wore her trademark natural makeup and glossy hair loose on her visit today . Loved up: The royal pair often put on an affectionate display when out and about and support each other at almost every event . Looking out: King Felipe VI of Spain (2R) and Queen Letizia of Spain (C) join guests at the event . Chic style: Letizia Ortiz, from Asturias in the north west of Spain, married Prince Felipe de Borbon ten years ago at Cathedral Santa María la Real de la Almudena in Madrid . It . has been a busy few weeks for the 41-year-old. Since becoming Queen she . has attended numerous public events. She showcased her good taste once . again last week as she joined . her husband to attend an audience with the Social Solidarity Association . at El Pardo Palace in Madrid. For that occasion, she wore tailored navy trousers and a tweed blue jacket. Letizia Ortiz, from Asturias in the north . west of Spain, married Prince Felipe de Borbon ten years ago at . Cathedral Santa María la Real de la Almudena in Madrid. Deep in conversation: The pair chat away as they arrive for a picture with the laureates of the National Awards for Innovation and Design . By his side: The royals put on a tender display and Letizia was always close by her husband at the science museum today . Getting stuck in: The royal couple inspected a few of the designs at the science museum during their visit . Stylish: Letizia shops at the supermarket and champions Spanish high street fashion brands such as Zara and Mango, which she always manages to make look high-end . Style icon: The Queen of Spain is fast becoming the world's favourite fashionista . The . couple began their relationship in November 2002 when they encountered . one another while she was on assignment, covering a story about an oil . spillage in Northern Spain. Felipe – who had met Letizia before at a . dinner party – was there representing the Spanish royal family, and the . two started a romantic relationship. Letizia shops at the supermarket and champions Spanish high street . fashion brands such as Zara and Mango, as well as couturiers such as Felipe Varela and Lorenzo Caprile. She regularly tops best-dressed lists in her own country and worldwide. Relationship: The couple began their relationship in November 2002 when they encountered one another while she was on assignment . | Queen, 41, at Spanish Design and Innovation Awards in Valladolid .
Wore burnt orange cardigan and Aztec print skirt . |
febcd310aa32a26ddef5e5f7e51d12de65f919a5 | By . Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 05:36 EST, 20 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:29 EST, 20 August 2013 . He is personally responsible for ordering the eradication of flocks of pesky seagulls. So when this pest control boss left his shiny new blue Mercedes outside his home while he went on holiday, it was no wonder the birds decided to strike back. Jon Whitehead returned from his fortnight break to his home in Seaford, East Sussex, to discover his new vehicle had been smothered in the gulls' faeces - and the clean up cost would top £500. When Jon Whitehead returned after a two-week break he found his motor splattered with seagull poo after it was 'constantly bombarded' for 14 days . Mr Whitehead, a director of pest control firm Cleankill Environmental Services, said: 'Part of my work involves deterring seagulls and removing nests . so it's as though the birds decided to get their revenge on me.' When . he returned from his holiday last Friday he found his vehicle - which he only bought a . week before going on holiday - splattered with seagull poo after it was . 'constantly bombarded' for 14 days. After washing his care for more than an hour Mr Whitehead gave up and sought professional help as the muck had eaten away some of the paintwork. Mr Whitehead, a director of pest control firm Cleankill Environmental Services, said: 'The gull used my new car as target practise while I was away on holiday. 'It was completely covered and the droppings had eaten right through the paintwork. The poo only needs to be left on a car for a period of 12 hours and the damage will be done, as Mr Whitehead discovered . 'I took it to a local garage who told me the whole area needed re-spraying.' Andy Melville, who owns Motorline Engineering near Lewes in East Sussex, said it only takes a few hours for for bird muck to inflict irreparable damage to vehicles. He said: 'The poo only needs to be left on the car for a period of 12 hours and the damage will have been done and the whole area will probably need re-painting. 'The hot weather has literally been baking the poo into the paintwork and setting it hard really quickly. 'The best advice is to wash it off with soap and water straight away.' He said repair bills range from £100 for minor damage and go up to £2,000 if the whole car needs re-spraying. A 2008 study by insurance firm Zurich found that British motorists paid out a staggering £57million-a-year to repair paintwork damaged by bird poo. | 'Bombardment' of poo was left on car and ate away at paintwork .
Clean up and repair bill of new Mercedes cost Jon Whitehead £500 .
Seagull poo only needs about 12 hours before damage becomes irreversible . |
febcec03f0756b1b5418ff2ea55eb9b0b9381fa8 | Strict: Mrs May warned an attack by extremists returning from Syria and Iraq was ‘highly likely’ Universities will have to ban hate preachers from speaking on campus under a crackdown unveiled yesterday by Theresa May. Schools, colleges, prisons and councils will also be ordered to put in place anti-extremism policies to stop vulnerable youngsters being exposed to Islamist fanatics, the Home Secretary said. The draconian powers are part of a sweeping package of measures to tackle the growing threat of jihadists determined to bring bloodshed to our streets. In a keynote speech, Mrs May said the threat to Britain from fanatics was ‘greater than it had ever been’ and warned an attack by extremists returning from Syria and Iraq was ‘highly likely’. If the Tories win the next election she pledged to reintroduce the Communications Data Bill – dubbed a ‘snoopers’ charter’ by opponents – which would require internet companies to keep records of every website their customers visit. MI5, MI6 and GCHQ insist they need extra powers to track down terrorists, crime gangs and paedophiles on the web. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has blocked the proposal, saying it would be a breach of civil liberties. Mrs May used her speech at the Royal United Services Institute think-tank in London to outline measures that will be included in the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill, to be published tomorrow. She denied the new laws were a ‘knee-jerk response to a sudden perceived threat’ and said the police had foiled 40 terrorist attacks since the July 7 bombings in London in 2005. ‘It is a properly considered, thought-through set of proposals that will keep us safe at a time of very significant danger,’ she said. Her flagship bill will for the first time place a statutory duty on public bodies to stop people from being radicalised. A university that refused to stop a planned talk or visit by a radical cleric could be ordered to do so by ministers – or face being taken to courts. The new counter-terror law would include powers to: . The new counter-terror law would include powers to Stop jihadists coming back to Britain from Syria for up to two years – their return being allowed only ‘on our terms’. Above, members of ISIS in Raqqa, Syria . Campaigners criticised the measures. Shami Chakrabarti, of human rights group Liberty, said: ‘Yet again, politicians resort to high talk and rushed legislation in an attempt to look tough in the face of terrorism. Another chilling recipe for injustice and resentment by closing down the open society you seek to promote.’ Earlier, Britain’s chief counter-terrorism police officer warned the threat from jihadists would last for many years to come, even if violence in Iraq and Syria subsided. Mark Rowley, an assistant commissioner at Scotland Yard, said: ‘Even if the awfulness that’s happening in Syria and Iraq was miraculously to get sorted in the next year or so – and that looks a very optimistic “if” – there are other countries which are in parlous states and the potential for this type of terrorism to reach back into Europe and continue in other theatres is equally great.’ Meanwhile, an extremist Muslim preacher has been banned from a university campus for likening being gay to having a ‘disease’. Imran Ibn Mansur, 24, was due to appear at an event at the University of East London but the whole event was called off amid further concerns that male and female students would be segregated. Police and the security services could not have prevented the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby by two cleaver-wielding Muslim extremists, a long-awaited report is expected to say today. Parliament’s intelligence watchdog is likely to say it is almost impossible to stop ‘lone wolf’ terror attacks. The Intelligence and Security Committee investigation into the 25-year-old soldier’s slaying outside Woolwich Barracks in south-east London will flag up the difficulties of heading off atrocities where there is little planning and only one or two participants. | Home Secretary Theresa May unveiled anti-extremism policies yesterday .
Universities will have to ban hate preachers from speaking on campus .
Part of sweeping package of measures to tackle growing threat of jihadists .
Stop jihadists coming back to Britain from Syria for up to two years – their return being allowed only ‘on our terms’; .
Order internet companies to keep data that helps to identify the user of an individual computer or mobile phone; .
Make it an offence for insurance firms to foot the bill for ransom payments to extremist groups; .
Allow border guards to seize the passports and tickets of suspected extremists for up to 30 days; .
Forcibly relocate terror suspects, or put them into internal exile. |
febd25e276015e2b78c164f8065a54cd61a3d4fe | She grabbed global headlines worldwide for reporting in her bikini at the G20 and now, she's about to stir another viral storm after her latest video release wrapping up the summit. As world leaders sweltered in their suits during the G20, Susanne Ward, 27, turned up the heat when she interviewed protesters during People's March at Musgrave Park in South Brisbane. The video, titled 'G20 Hot Exposure', the 27-year-old is seen speaking to a shocked female protester after the Gold Coast model approached her for online news channel 'Aussie Beach TV'. Scroll down for video . In the latest video, the bikini reporter interviews an offended protester (right) who is shocked at the lack of clothing . Susanne Ward, also known as Janaya, interviewed people at the G20 while she wore a bikini for Aussie Beach TV. Here she is pictured with another character from Aussie Beach TV, bogan 'Jack Russel' 'That's incredibly misogynistic and sexist and it's an absolute reflection of the G20's patriotic b******t that is destroying the planet,' the woman told Aussie Beach TV. 'And to put this beautiful and intelligent woman in a bikini for ratings is f*** up!' before she stormed off the camera. The video was posted onto YouTube on Tuesday, along with the caption: 'WARNING; Course language. Janaya and the Aussie Beach TV crew travelled to Brisbane recently to attend the G20 People's March and Summit at Musgrave Park, West End. 'We asked the citizens why they were at the march and a few more important questions.' Ms Ward was a model (left) when she was approached to report for Aussie Beach TV during the G20 . Ms Ward's unique reporting style on the streets of Brisbane during the G20 made international headlines . Ms Ward, who goes by the stage name Janaya, told Daily Mail Australia that she had no qualms about flaunting her body to bring attention to politics. ‘I’m a bikini model so I didn’t feel uncomfortable about doing the interview in my bikini. ‘Anyway, I’m happy with what I’ve got going on,’ she says with a laugh. ‘With the forty degree heat, being in a bikini was the best way to do it!’ But Ms Ward, who goes by the stage name Janaya, is serious about telling people’s stories and giving them a voice about important social issues. ‘A lot of people have a lot to say but none of the normal people get heard,’ she said. ‘But they should be heard because the world is our world.’ Aussie Beach TV spoke to people on the streets in the hope they could give everyday Australians a platform so their opinions would be heard . During the G20, Ms Ward spoke to different protesters about issues including globalisation, indigenous rights and the legalisation of marijuana . During the G20, Ms Ward spoke to different protesters about issues including globalisation, indigenous rights and the legalisation of marijuana. However she insists her preparation for the weekened only involved ‘buying another bikini’. She says she learnt so much from interviewing everyday people in the street. ‘I never knew about things like how the government is only saying what they want us to know,’ Ms Ward told Daily Mail Australia. ‘Everyone was really smart, people blew me out of the water.' Aussie Beach TV hires attractive women to report in their bikinis, in the hope that their stunning appearance will make ‘everyday Australians’ pay attention to the issues that matter. ‘Aussie Beach TV is based on getting the girls in bikinis to do interviews with people because it will actually get people interested and watching,’ Ms Ward said. The mastermind behind the idea, Markus Forest, says ‘only five to ten per cent of viewers out there said that Janaya should put some clothes on’ The mastermind behind the idea, Markus Forest, says ‘only five to ten per cent of viewers out there said that Janaya should put some clothes on’. During the G20, the Aussie Beach TV news crew encountered an irate woman who was offended by Ms Ward’s lack of clothing. ‘One person didn’t like what we were doing, she yelled and swore at the camera,’ said Mr Forest. ‘She asking why we were exploiting a beautiful and intelligent young woman by getting her to degrade herself.’ Mr Forest says that the angered woman's passion is exactly what the news site is all about. ‘We stick up for her right to say that; her free speech and freedom of expression,' he said. ‘So we’re going to put her fight to air because it’s a ripper!’ Janaya learnt a lot from interviewing the protesters at the G20, explaining ‘I never knew about things like how the government is only saying what they want us to know' Janaya is serious about telling people’s stories and giving them a voice about important social issues . He started the website in late 2011 and they have already made 120 videos. The website also includes ‘bikini entertainment’ including bikini sports, fashion and pool parties. Mr Forest also plays a character in the series named ‘Jack Russel’, an eccentric bogan with a fake mullet and an ocker accent. Mr Forest hopes that his unique approach will appeal to ‘the average Aussie’. He believes his bikini reporters will captivate the audience in a unique way, so everyday Australians will learn about alternative views that do not normally receive media coverage. ‘We want to show all the news that you should have noticed but you were probably distracted, or the stories or opinions that you don’t hear on the news.’ ‘We want to make it fun and more popular to talk about the important stuff.’ ‘Big TV news crews came up to us and said “you have the best job”’ Ms Ward was relieved she was in a bikini because it was the only way to survive the heat. Mr Forest, who was in character as Jack Ruseel, was also affected by the 40 degree temperatures and stripped down to his speedos . | A woman made headlines worldwide for reporting in her bikini at the G20 .
Model Susanne Ward reports for online news service Aussie Beach TV .
They hire attractive women who all conduct interviews in their bikinis .
Ms Ward says she has no problems reporting in her bikini because she's 'happy with what she's got going on'
Creator says it's a great way to make everyday Australians pay attention .
Aussie Beach TV hopes the stunning women will also raise awareness about important and little-known issues . |
febee11e61e91ab17ca7e239f5597c970b2458c8 | It is a problem parents face every year - how to get the kids to bed early on New Year's Eve. Many have tried changing clocks, throwing fake parties and even tuning in to TV stations on the other side of the world. However, Netflix now has a hi-tech solution- an on demand New Year's Eve show for kids that can be played at any time. Scroll down for video . Revellers wave during the New Year's Eve celebrations in Hong Kong's Times Square: Now parents can celebrate with their kids at any time thanks to an on demand show. Netflix boasts over 53 million members in nearly 50 countries . Offers more than two billion hours of TV shows and movies . User spend 1 billion hours a month on service . Planning 20 original series in 2015 . Founded in 1997 as DVD service . More than a third of U.S. parents (34%) admitted to starting the party early to fool their kids into thinking it’s midnight, citing their kid’s or their own bedtime as the reason, a recent survey from Wakefield Research on behalf of Netflix. 22% would go as far as to stage a countdown of their own, the team found. To make the problem easier, Netflix commissioned a special show starring King Julien, star of DreamWorks Animation’s All Hail King Julien. The animated lemur will host his very own kid-sized countdown “special” on Netflix that families can use to ring in 2015 whenever they choose to celebrate. The three minutes of high-energy, music-filled fun that lets kids celebrate the New Year no matter the time of day. The countdown will be available in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, UK, Ireland, the Nordics, the Netherlands and France beginning on Dec. 29th at Netflix.com/KingJulien. Netflix boasts over 53 million members in nearly 50 countries, and offers more than two billion hours of TV shows and movies per month, including original series. Earlier this month, the company announced it hopes to have up to 20 original series running alongside its other shows and movies. The announcement was made by chief content officer Theodore Sarandos in a conference in New York. He was reported as saying, by Seeking Alpha, that Netflix wants to expand its original programming to ‘as many as 20 original series’. This is apparently a move to try and replicate the success of channels such as HBO. Mr Sarandos said the idea was to launch an ‘original season of content every two and a half weeks’ to get into a ‘regular drumbeat with consumer expectation.’ King Julien, star of DreamWorks Animation’s All Hail King Julien, who will host the special show on Netflix . Netflix is also planning to release more original movies, which include a sequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon next year - subtitled ‘The Green Destiny’. The move follows news earlier in the year that Yahoo is also making its own original TV shows. The first of these will be comedies titled Other Space and Sin City Saints, and they will be shown on the Yahoo website, mobile app, Apple TV and Roku devices. The series, which launch in 2016, will be available free to be viewers. And beginning in the summer of 2015, Yahoo is also planning to stream one live concert every day through a partnership with Live Nation. The expansion makes Yahoo one of the latest technology companies to mount a challenge to Netflix. Microsoft, Amazon, Hulu and Wuaki are among the other companies angling for a piece of the growing audience watching video piped over high-speed internet connections. | Three minute show hosted by King Julien, a lemur from the hit DreamWorks film Madagasgar who now has a spin off show .
34% of US parents say they have tried to fool kids into an early NYE . |
fec00df99069c4b9b4c2997096910f7337e56782 | Half of children are not ready for school at the age of five, a report has found. Only 52 per cent of children in England have reached a ‘good’ level of development when they move from reception to their first year of school, the data shows. University College London researchers said the figure fell to as low as 28 per cent in some parts of the country. The study by University College London found that barely a quarter of five-year-olds in Leicester showed a level of development that meant they were ready to start school, while in Greenwich almost three-quarters were ready by the end of reception. Professor Sir Michael Marmot said Britain was falling behind in terms of child development, compared to almost every other western country. He said: ‘How can this still be happening? For three years the Institute of Health Equity has published evidence showing we are failing our children. ‘It is unacceptable that only half of our five-year-olds are achieving a good level of development.’ Sir Michael said England was ‘bumping along the bottom’ in the rankings. The figures have dropped by 7 percentage points from 2011, when 59 per cent of children had a good level of development by the age five. In the best performing area, Greenwich in south-east London, 69 per cent of five-year-olds had reached their expected level of development. But in Leicester, only 27.7 per cent attained this. The richer children were, the more ready they were to start school. The study found that children from the wealthiest families (on the right of the graphic) were more than five percentage points more likely to show a good level of development at the end of reception than children from the poorest families (on the left). Sir Michael said: ‘We are doing really badly. One strategy for reducing these avoidable inequalities in early childhood development is to reduce deprivation and improve living standards for families with children.’ A Department for Education spokesman said: ‘No child should start school behind their peers. This is why our plan for education is providing flexible, affordable and good quality childcare. ‘We are raising the status and quality of the early years workforce by introducing rigorous new qualifications so practitioners are highly skilled and can help all children reach the expected level of development.’ | Only 52 per cent of children have 'good' development level at the age of five .
University College London study shows this as low as 28% in some areas .
England is 'bumping along the bottom' of education rankings, expert says . |
fec011ed242f5d54c8000b162b1792e612ea373b | Jonas Gutierrez will return to training with Newcastle next month after his all-clear from testicular cancer. The 31-year-old revealed this week that doctors in Argentina have discharged him from hospital. And United boss Alan Pardew has revealed that Gutierrez should be back on Tyneside in one month’s time. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Jonas Gutierrez talk about his battle with cancer . Jonas Gutierrez is set to return to Newcastle training in one month after recovering from testicular cancer . Gutierrez was given the all-clear after being discharged from hospital earlier this week . Papiss Cisse (left) collects the ball as he is pursued by Fabricio Coloccini during Newcastle training . ‘We had a response from his surgeon to say that in about a month's time he can cope with professional training,’ said Pardew. ‘So we are not rushing him in any shape or form, just letting Jonas have some time because it's such an illness that you do need a lot of recovery time for that. ‘But he's in great shape. Colo (Fabricio Coloccini) tells me he is in good form and we are looking forward to seeing him. Remy Cabella (far left) pats Vurnon Anita (second from left) on the head during training . Jack Colback and Ryan Taylor (left) were all smiles, while Remy Cabella (right) assesses his options . ‘It's massive news for the squad because he is a much-loved figure here.’ Gutierrez was first diagnosed with the illness in 2013 and had a testicle removed in October of last year. However, he has been receiving chemotherapy since the summer after a check-up revealed inflammation in his groin. But the popular winger is now free to resume training with the Magpies having not featured since last October in black and white. | Jonas Gutierrez has won his year-long battle against cancer .
Alan Pardew confirmed the Argentine is set to return to the club in a month .
The midfielder found out he had cancer after a collision with then Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna . |
fec0309aa58d8588279ec5863df0604b30425a5a | Household name: Critics say Alan Titchmarsh has been given preferential treatment because of his popularity . His fellow gardeners were all banned from presenting at Chelsea Flower Show when they found themselves at risk of ‘conflict of interest’. But it appears when you are Alan Titchmarsh and regarded as the nation’s favourite green-fingered expert, the same guidelines don’t apply. The BBC was yesterday accused of having one rule for Titchmarsh and another for its lesser lights after it emerged the gardener has been allowed to present Chelsea Flower Show coverage while being the face of Waitrose, a sponsor at the event. The supermarket’s exhibit of UK produce — featuring fruit, vegetables, flowers and plants on sale in its stores — this week won a gold medal at Chelsea. Titchmarsh, 64, has a lucrative deal to promote the chain’s gardening range. Until recently, the 'nation’s favourite gardener' also had a multi-million-pound contract as an ambassador for B&Q, sponsor of Prince Harry’s garden at the Chelsea show. Last year the BBC banned three presenters — Joe Swift, Chris Beardshaw and Andy Sturgeon — who had designed Chelsea gardens from covering the event because of 'conflict of interest' concerns. But Titchmarsh, who appears prominently on Waitrose’s website hailing the show as 'magical', has not been dropped by the BBC this year. The presenter, who remains a 'friend of B&Q', according to the garden centre chain, was free to highlight Harry’s silver medal- winning garden on BBC2 this week. Critics claimed that the corporation has one rule for its best-known presenters and another for lesser lights. The gardening writer and broadcaster Steve Bradley said: 'It just seems to me the bigger you are the more you get away with. 'If these people are going to work for Waitrose or B&Q, the BBC shouldn’t have them doing Chelsea Flower Show and should give a chance to other guys who don’t get a look in. 'The bigger you become, the more they’ll bend the rules for you. Titchmarsh still does a good job but the rules are the rules and should apply to everybody.’ Axed: Joe Swift (left) and Andy Sturgeon (right) are counted among the lesser-known presenters who were taken off the programme last year because of their commercial interests in the competition . Following the rules: Diarmuid Gavin (left) was taken off BBC coverage in 2006 and Chris Beardshaw (right) could not commentate on last year's event while his design was in the running for a prize . Last year Titchmarsh’s usual Chelsea . co-presenter Joe Swift was dropped from the main evening programme after . he designed a show garden for DIY chain Homebase. And Beardshaw and Sturgeon were not allowed on screen until the winners of their category had been announced. Diarmuid Gavin was dropped by the BBC from its 2006 Chelsea coverage after appearing in a commercial for compost company Westland. And in 1976, Percy Thrower was axed by the BBC from his job presenting Gardener’s World for appearing in an ICI weedkiller advert. TaxPayers’ Alliance research director . John O’Connell said: 'It’s important the BBC does not let presenters . promote their commercial interests on a channel which is funded by . licence fee payers. 'It’s . also critical that if it has one rule for a presenter such as Alan . Titchmarsh it should have the same rules for everyone else.' Green fingered: Daily Mail journalist Chris Beardshaw could not work for BBC while his Wormcast Garden design (pictured) was in the Chelsea Flower Show in 2012 . By the book: Andy Sturgeon followed the guidelines last year and bowed out of presenting while his Cancer Research UK garden (pictured) was on show. The same rules have not been applied to Mr Titchmarsh's commercial interest . The BBC said: 'Alan has ensured that his relationship with Waitrose does not breach our guidelines and will not impact on show coverage. 'He will not be associated with the Waitrose exhibit, as is the case with other BBC presenters who have commercial relationships with Chelsea exhibitors. 'Alan can mention B&Q if it is editorially relevant. As he no longer has a contract with B&Q, there is no conflict of interest.' Titchmarsh’s agent Annie Sweetbaum said: 'The only stand that Alan cannot mention is the one being sponsored by Waitrose.' | Presenter Alan Titchmarsh, 64 accused of having a 'conflict of interest' as the ambassador for Waitrose .
BBC accused of giving Titchmarsh special treatment while lesser-known presenters were dropped for commercial interests last year .
Presenter didn't commentate on exhibit sponsored by Waitrose, which won a medal at the show this week . |
fec0a6b986e00e5e6cf49cc10e385c94d2efabce | By . Associated Press . A railroad mechanic paralyzed in a deadly New York derailment says he forgives the man who was driving the train. Samuel . Rivera of Ossining, New York praised Metro-North Railroad on Wednesday as he announced a $100 . million lawsuit against it in his first public speech. He forgives 'overworked' driver William Rockefeller who fell asleep while driving. Rivera . spoke from a wheelchair at a rehabilitation center in suburban White . Plains, north of New York City. He has no movement of his legs and very . little in his arms. Samuel Rivera of Ossining, N.Y., speaks with reporters on Wednesday about his injuries, forgiving the train driver, and suing Metro-North . Pictured here is the passenger train derailment on Hudson line of metro North railroad, NYC on April 1 that injured Rivera . 'I . constantly live with nerve pain in my arms and hands, muscle spasms that . painfully twist and turn my spine, and bed sores that never seem to . heal,' the struggling Metro-North employee, Samuel Rivera said. Even . though he thanked his employer for not abandoning him after his . injuries on December 1, he said his suit against Metro-North is to . 'protect his family's financial future.' 'My care will costs hundreds of thousands of dollars each year,' Rivera said. Four . people were killed and more than 70 injured in the Dec. 1 derailment in . the Bronx. Investigators say the train was going 82 mph as it hit a . curve with a 30-mph speed limit. The driver, William Rockefeller, fell asleep at the wheel. Rivera is calling for legislation mandating seat belts on public transportation. Rivera believes that seat belts could have saved four of the lives lost in the derailment, reports The New York Post. 'I . must say you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone; simple things . like walking and hugging your kids,' he said in the remarks. Rivera's case happens to be the seventh case against Metro North surrounding the same incident. A railroad spokesman said on Wednesday that he could not comment because the lawsuit is pending. The driver of the train, William Rockefeller, who has been suspended without pay since the crash, worked an average of 762 overtime hours per year in 2010, 2011 and 2012, according to MTA data. On the basis that Metro-North drivers work a typical 40-hour work week of five eight-hour shifts, that's the equivalent of working a sixth day every week for three years straight. Metro-North engineer William Rockefeller Jr. fell asleep while driving a train on December 1 and caused it to derail . Samuel Rivera (left) who is now quadriplegic after suffering grave injuries in last year's train derailment thinks that people should be forced to wear seat belts . | Samuel .
Rivera praised Metro-North Railroad on Wednesday as he announced a $100 .
million lawsuit against it in his first public speech .
'I .
constantly live with nerve pain in my arms and hands, muscle spasms that .
painfully twist and turn my spine, and bed sores that never seem to .
heal,' said Rivera .
He forgives the driver of the train who fell asleep on December 1 'because he was working overtime' |
fec0c5c3edda6d026ac7ba8af95f55943c8383cd | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 08:57 EST, 18 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:31 EST, 18 December 2012 . A Chinese boy was left trapped for eleven hours after falling down a sewage well while trying to hide during a game of hide and seek. Huang Wei was out playing with a friend at around 9pm in the evening in Nanning, Guangxi Province, when he crawled into a cluster of bushes to hide and fell down a hidden sewage well. Huang cried for help but his friend didn’t hear him and, after being unable to find him, thought that Huang had simply run off home. Trapped: Huang Wei was left trapped down a sewage well in Nanning, Guangxi Province, China, for 11 hours after a game of hide and seek went wrong . Rescue: Huang Wei was eventually found by a morning jogger who heard his cries from inside the well at 7.25am the following morning . But when Huang didn’t return back to his family's home, they raised the alarm and spent all night searching for him. But it wasn't until a morning jogger heard the boy's cries that Huang Wei was found at 7.25am. Firefighters set up a tripod so that one officer could be lowered down to pull Huang to safety. Huang emerged from his ordeal with a black eye but no other injuries. Help at hand: Firefighters set up a tripod and sent an officer down to pull Huang Wei to safety . Lucky escape: Huang Wei was left with a black eye and some bruises but no serious injuries . Quick recovery: The boy was reunited with his family after being rescued from the well . | Huang Wei crawled into a cluster of bushes during a game of hide and seek and fell down a hidden sewage well .
His friend couldn't find Huang Wei and thought he'd gone home .
Search party was launched after he didn't return but he wasn't found until the following morning when a jogger heard his cries . |
fec15e7fcef67c09c1060b929e7d8a9f73e7276d | By . James Nye . PUBLISHED: . 10:26 EST, 9 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:20 EST, 9 December 2013 . The latest revelations from NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden have taken a bizarre turn with the claim that American and British spies have been posing and playing as orcs and elves on the popular multiplayer online game World of Warcraft - potentially spying on up to 50 million people. Spy chiefs at the NSA began to fear in 2008 that online games such as Second Life and Warcraft could become forums for covert communications between terrorists - enabling them to move money and to plot atrocities, all the while hiding among the millions of virtual gamers all with online alter-egos. Newly released documents from the hundreds of thousands stolen by Snowden from the NSA reveal that real secret agents have been operating in virtual gaming worlds tracking millions of players - even going as far as attempting to recruit online informants while playing. Real life James Bond's operating in a virtual world online: American and British spies have been revealed to be posing online on games such as World of Warcraft (pictured) and Second Life . The NSA document, written in 2008 and titled Exploiting Terrorist Use of Games & Virtual Environments expresses the NSA's worry that despite their wide-reaching PRISM clandestine surveillance of hundreds of millions of people online, terrorists could evade their wide reaching snooping. New revelations: NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden speaking in October - the former defense contractor has revealed that American intelligence operatives operated online in World of Warcraft and Second Life to try and catch terrorists . The Guardian has reported that QCHQ, the British counterpart of the NSA even sent operatives into Second Life in 2008 and infiltrated a criminal ring that was selling stolen credit card information in that virtual world. The Snowden files reveal that the real-life sting in a virtual world was named Operation Galician and was helped by a recruited online informer who 'helpfully volunteered on the target group's latest activities.' Citing the documents disclosed by Edward Snowden, the report also says agencies 'have built mass-collection capabilities' against Microsoft's Xbox Live online network. Important details — such as how much data was gathered, or how many players' information was compromised — were not clear, the reports said. Blizzard Entertainment, the producer of World Of Warcraft, told the Guardian: ‘We are unaware of any surveillance taking place. If it was, it would have been done without our knowledge or permission.’ Online games such as World of Warcraft and Second Life are huge business as players adopt avatars of different people or indeed, orcs, goblins and elves. NSA HQ: Reports say British and American intelligence officers have been spying on gamers across the world, deploying undercover officers to virtual universes and sucking up traffic from popular online games such as World of Warcraft . The 2008 NSA report claims that if the intelligence garnered from the spying on these online games was used correctly, then pictures of ordinary citizen's and potential terrorist social networks could be built up. The NSA document reportedly claims to suggest that such infiltration 'continues to uncover potential Sigint value by identifying accounts, characters and guilds related to Islamic extremist groups, nuclear proliferation and arms dealing.' Second Life especially intruiged the NSA and GCHQ, because of its plans to introduce voice calls and anonymous texts - that terrorists could utilize. However, the document revealed by Snowden details no clear indication that the widespread surveillance ever discovered any terrorists or even foiled any attacks - raising serious issues over the privacy of online gaming. Microsoft declined to comment on the latest revelations, as did Philip Rosedale, the founder of Second Life. Monitoring: The NSA and Britain's GCHQ have neither confirmed nor denied that they have been spying on the personal details of up to 50 million virtual gamers . The NSA declined to comment on the surveillance of games. A spokesman for GCHQ told The Guardian the agency did not 'confirm or deny' the revelations but added: 'All GCHQ's work is carried out in accordance with a strict legal and policy framework which ensures that its activities are authorised, necessary and proportionate, and there is rigorous oversight, including from the secretary of state, the interception and intelligence services commissioners and the intelligence and security committee.' Indeed, so rife was the spying online of Second Life by the FBI, CIA, and the Defense Humint Service that a memo was sent to try and 'deconflict' their work - i.e. make sure that they weren't treading on each other's toes. However, the British credit card fraud bust aside, there are no other examples of the surveillance of these popular virtual worlds yielding any results in terms of anti-terrorism. The agencies did have concerns beyond simple money laundering and planning though. The NSA thought that games played online could be used to 'reinforce prejudices and cultural stereotypes' - pointing out that Hezbollah had produced their own game called Special Forces 2. According to the document, Hezbollah's 'press section acknowledges the game is used for recruitment and training', serving as a 'radicalizing medium' with the ultimate goal of becoming a 'suicide martyr'. Despite the game's disturbing connotations, the 'fun factor' of the game cannot be discounted, it states. As Special Forces 2 retails for $10, it concludes, the game also serves to 'fund terrorist operations.' | Latest revelations from Edward Snowden reveal the NSA has been using agents to pose as players on World of Warcraft .
Up to 50 million people worldwide play the popular virtual game .
NSA and Britain's GCHQ became concerned the game and those like it could be used as clandestine forums for terrorists to plan attacks .
Online operatives even tried to recruit gamers as informants .
More evidence of mass surveillance on civilian population by intelligence service . |
fec237852b18958b01f46a416eeec71bc69a4d27 | Kris Marshall may be best known as the former BT spokesperson - or as the love-lorn Colin in everyone's favourite film, Love Actually - but it's the 41-year-old actor's current starring role on BBC drama, Death in Paradise, that's truly one to watch. While we count down to the start of appropriate Love Actually viewing season, Tamara Hinson checks in with Somerset native for a confessional chat about everything from his naughtiest holiday memory to the most unusual thing he's ever eaten abroad. So where does TV's Caribbean-dwelling detective really consider to be absolutely idyllic? Read on... Kris Marshall, of Love Actually and Death in Paradise, reveals his best and worst travel moments . Earliest holiday memory? When I was three and living in Canada, we drove down to Disneyworld — a long way. Last destination you visited? We get a week off in the middle of shooting Death In Paradise so I decamped to Antigua (the next island) with my family. Favourite place? The UK. When you travel the world you realise we live in a beautiful country with a generally fair society. Worst ever holiday experience? Contracting a Congolese parasite while filming Oka. Kris and his family most recently visited Antigua, during his week off from filming Death in Paradise . What do you miss the most when you’re abroad? My wife and son. What’s your biggest travel-related confession? I have an outstanding speeding fine in Switzerland. I’m scared to go back. Where’s the MOST romantic place you’ve ever been to, and why? Cornwall. Beautiful, desolate and haunting. What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten? Pigeon in Hong Kong. I was invited to the home of someone I was working with and they even ate the heads. What’s the naughtiest thing you’ve done on holiday? I had my car stolen while it was being fixed at a garage in the UK. They gave me a hire car while they worked out what to do — a Skoda! I was incensed so decided to take it on a little road trip. To Morocco. What’s one place you’ve got absolutely no desire to visit? Dubai. Death In Paradise returns to BBC One in the New Year . Kris thinks that Cornwall, UK, is one of the most romantic places in the world . | Actor Kris Marshall is best known for Love Actually and Death in Paradise .
Recalls best and worst holiday memories, shares travel confessions .
Admits that while he loves the UK and Antigua, has no desire to visit Dubai . |
fec260ee0a073203e251abb9146db84bfc7b356a | Stoke City are set to secure German defender Philipp Wollscheid on a six month loan deal. The Potters can activate a buyout clause at the end of the season should they wish to. But who is the imminent new signing from Bayer Leverkusen? VIDEO Scroll down to see Philipp Wollscheid hit presenter Jessica Kastrop with a ball . Who's Philipp Wollscheid then? At just 25 years old, Wollscheid is already something of a Bundesliga journeyman. After his breakthrough at Nuremberg, the centre back moved to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2012. Despite a strong start at his new club, Wollscheid eventually fell out of favour, and was loaned to Mainz 05 last summer in a bid to get more playing time. Stoke are close to signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Philipp Wollscheid on loan until the end of the season . Did that not work out? So far, Wollscheid only made five appearances for Kasper Hjulmand's side in the first half of this season, and three of those were as a substitute. That means he's only player about 200 minutes of league football since last season. Injuries have held him back, but even bad luck cannot hide the fact that he was fourth choice centre back, behind Stefan Bell, Gonzalo Jara and Niko Bungert. Wollscheid (left) has only made five appearances for Mainz since joining on loan from Leverkusen this term . So Stoke aren't getting a superstar? Not quite. But there are similarities between Wollscheid and the Potters' star signing of the summer Bojan Krkic. Both were tipped for great things, but didn't quite make the cut for the highest level early in their careers. In his first season at Leverkusen, Wollscheid established himself in the starting line up, playing a full ninety minutes in 31 of the 34 Bundesliga fixtures. His form paid off, and Joachim Low nominated him for the Germany squad which toured the Americas in 2013. The tour was a bit of a disaster, and many young players like Wollscheid have not played for their country since. In the following season, Wollscheid also lost his place in Sami Hyypia's Leverkusen side. Wollscheid's (top) form has dipped since his Leverkusen debut season where he played 31 of 34 league games . Tell me more about the way he plays. At 6'4, Wollscheid may come to share the nickname 'BFG' with his compatriot Per Mertesacker. Like Mertesacker, Wollscheid may be big, but he will not strike the fear of God into opposing strikers. At his best, he is a gifted all round defender, with excellent positioning and relatively secure heading and tackling. He can play with both feet, and can mark equally well man to man or zonally, although he can be prone to losses of concentration. The 6'4 defender (centre) has excellent positional sense but can be prone to losses of concentration . Will Stoke be desperate to buy him in the summer? That depends on two things. Firstly, how well he settles, and secondly, how much faith Mark Hughes shows in him. If Wollscheid gets regular game time, he is definitely up to becoming a strong addition to Stoke's defence, and well worth his £4m price tag. If he is underused, as has been at Mainz, he may struggle to fight for his place, and will probably return to Germany. Valued at £4million, Wollscheid (right) could prove a strong addition to Stoke's defence if given opportunities . Anything else we should know? Wollscheid gave the nation something to laugh about when he embarrassed Sky TV presenter Jessica Kastrop. During the pre-match warm up, The defender's misplaced pass struck Kastrop in the head while she was speaking into the camera. It was the second time Kastrop had been hit by a loose ball on live TV. | Stoke are close to signing Bayer Leverkusen's Philipp Wollscheid on loan .
Defender will join until the end of the season, with an option to buy after .
Valued at £4million he is a gifted all round defender at his best, but can be prone to losses of concentration . |
fec28a9a5ef5588121ae7eda6ddfd5a92ba65a28 | London (CNN)British former pop star Gary Glitter has been found guilty of child sex abuse for crimes he committed more than three decades ago. The 70-year-old Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was convicted Thursday of one count of attempted rape of a girl under the age of 13, one count of having sex with a girl under the age of 13, and four counts of indecent assault against girls, two aged under 13 and two aged under 16. The six offenses were committed against three victims between 1975 and 1980. Glitter is due to be sentenced on February 27. Glitter was known as a "glam rocker" in the 1970s for his flamboyant clothes and performing style. He sold 18 million records with hits like "I'm the Leader of the Gang," "I Love You Love Me Love" and "Rock 'n' Roll." Detective Chief Inspector Michael Orchard of London's Metropolitan Police praised the courage of the victims in coming forward to police, years after the crimes were committed, in a statement after the verdict. "Paul Gadd has shown himself to be a habitual sexual predator, who took advantage of the star status afforded to him by targeting young girls who trusted him and were in awe of his fame," Orchard said. "His lack of remorse and defense that the victims were lying make his crimes all the more indefensible. I am pleased the jury was able to see through this." Glitter has been prosecuted previously on sex charges. In 1999, he admitted possessing child pornography and was jailed for four months. While living in Vietnam, he was convicted of sex offenses against young girls and jailed for nearly three years before being deported to England. Glitter is the latest celebrity to be accused or convicted of historic sex offenses. Radio and television star Jimmy Savile, who died in 2011 aged 84, was revealed after his death to have been one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders. British police say more than 200 victims -- aged between five and 75 -- have been identified. Last year celebrity publicist Max Clifford was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for assaults on girls, while Australian entertainer Rolf Harris was jailed for five years for indecent assaults against four girls. CNN's Ralph Ellis contributed to this report. | Gary Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, was convicted on six child sex abuse charges .
The former glam rocker has been prosecuted previously on sex charges . |
fec2a93efb5967d878ace6331190aa403a7f4c8f | Las Vegas (CNN) -- Some call the Consumer Electronics Show "Christmas for geeks." On the eve of the largest gadget conference on earth, CNN was here in Las Vegas to figuratively shake the presents under the tree and eavesdrop on gift givers to try to figure out what will define this year's show. Many companies will be unwrapping their big-ticket items at their own news conferences on Wednesday, with still more to debut at the Las Vegas Convention Center starting Thursday. In the meantime, we put together a list of gadgets and applications that stood out from the crowd at the pre-show events on Tuesday. A Windows-Android mutant tablet-laptop . Tablets are hot, and Chinese computer maker Lenovo managed to draw crowds to its booth at CES Unveiled with one of its own. The LePad hardware is a spitting image of Apple's iPad, but the software is anything but. The touch-screen tablet runs a version of Google's Android that's been heavily retooled and not necessarily for the better. It splits the application list into two tabs: work and play. The former consists mostly of productivity software, and the later has a heavy focus on multimedia. But the LePad is rooted in Lenovo's comfort zone. The tablet acts as the screen for a IdeaPad U1 hybrid laptop running Windows 7. Users can then detach the LePad from the clamshell hardware to tote it as a touch-screen gadget. The transition from the Android software to the more desktop-centric Windows 7 can be jarringly slow. But this is a prototype. The final version will be available in China first and in other countries later. The LePad was one of the only tablets we got to touch on Tuesday, but expect plenty more in the next couple of days. We've already had sightings of some from Motorola Mobility and Vizio. A blood pressure reader that tweets . Withings is in the business of connecting unexpected stuff to the internet. Its break-out product, a Wi-Fi-enabled bathroom scale, lets people post their current weight directly to Twitter and Facebook. On Tuesday, the company announced a smartphone-connected blood pressure monitor that transfers home blood pressure readings onto the iPhone. Users then can send that data to a doctor, personal trainer and friends on social networks. The app charts a person's blood pressure over time, giving doctors more-granular data about a patient's health and letting the product's users watch these changes, too. The effects of stress, eating and exercise on a person's health start to materialize in the app's charts, letting users see otherwise invisible connections, said Withings CEO Cédric Hutchings. This became apparent as Hutchings demonstrated the device during a pre-CES event for the media. His blood pressure at this high-stress event: 119/78. The day before: only 100/66. The Smart Blood Pressure Monitor will be available at the end of the month and is expected to cost $129. Ski goggles that shoot HD video . Making a home movie of a ski trip used to be a dangerous endeavor -- one that requires skiers to hold a camcorder in a mitten while looking through a tiny camera viewfinder and careening down the hill. While it's not the safest of practices, some new products are making this high-speed art more practical. A new pair of ski goggles from Liquid Image is equipped with a high-def video camera between the eyes. Click one button on the side of the lenses to turn the camera on. Click another to start shooting. A tiny blue light inside the goggles tells you it's working. "I can see it's recording, but it's not going to distract me," Christina Groff said as she demonstrated that feature on Tuesday. "So I'm not going to get distracted and run into a tree or something." The ski and snowboard goggles are expected to sell for $250 to $400 (you get 1080p resolution at the top of that range) and will hit stores later in January. An app for TV socializing . Software generally isn't a hot commodity at CES. But we found a bunch of app developers showing their wares at the pre-show events. One standout is called Yap.tv. The iPad app is a self-contained social network for television junkies. Plenty of apps are targeting TV fans, including Miso and GetGlue. With Yap.tv, in addition tying into personalized Facebook and Twitter feeds, it has functions for text-chatting with friends during a show and a very attractive channel guide. For the TV obsessive, trying to talk shows on more generalized social networks -- like Facebook and Twitter which are sometimes called "horizontal" networks -- can be a challenge. "Horizontal really bothers me," Yap.tv co-founder Shawn Cunningham told CNN on Tuesday. "They're vacuous." Adding to Yap.tv's iPad app, the company released a version for iPhone last week, with a revamped website and Android app on the way. A small speaker that likes to lay flat . Tiny speakers usually lack one quality: rich bass sounds. WOWee ONE speakers aim to address this shortfall by turning their surroundings into musical instruments. Set the company's iPhone-sized speaker on a desk, coffee table or even a surfboard and it transfers sound waves into that material -- creating an on-the-fly subwoofer. Scott Friedman, CEO of SoulR Products, which makes the speakers, demonstrated the concept on Tuesday by playing a bass-guitar-heavy section of "House of the Rising Sun." It sounded tinny and small until he set the device down on a table. Then you could feel deeper vibrations. He proceeded to stick the gadget on all sorts of surfaces -- glass, metal, rock, an elevator wall -- like a doctor with a stethoscope. Each gave a different tone. "A surf board's great" as a subwoofer, he said, "but a skateboard isn't so great because there are layers of wood with glue in the middle." A special gel inside the speaker transfers the sound smoothly, he said. WOWee speakers, which connect to any gadget with a headphone jack, sell for about $80 to $90. A thinner version of the product is coming out soon, Friedman said. | Several companies gave sneak peeks at wares they'll be showing off at CES .
More goodies will show up in the next few days once CES kicks off .
In the meantime, we got to play with tweeting appliances and camera-equipped goggles . |
fec3fdb55e0fbf4d39aae545bb8baeb440ac5abe | (CNN) -- Kendrick Johnson, the teenager whose body was found rolled in a wrestling mat in a south Georgia high school in January died from blows to the neck and elsewhere, not from accidental suffocation, a newly released, independent autopsy report says. The report, obtained exclusively by CNN, directly contradicts the finding of an autopsy conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation that determined Johnson's death was the result of "positional asphyxia." The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office determined it was accidental. The new report blames "unexplained, apparent non-accidental, blunt force trauma." Johnson, 17, was found January 11 in a rolled wrestling mat in a Lowndes County High School gym in Valdosta. Inconsistencies in the initial official reports on the condition of Johnson's body led the family and community to question the ruling on the cause of death. The family's attorney, Chevene King, has sent the independent autopsy report to the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. attorney for Georgia's Middle District and the Lowndes County coroner for review. The coroner has the power to call an inquest, a process that resembles a grand jury proceeding. After reviewing evidence and testimony, a jury would decide the cause of death, although the findings alone would have no civil or criminal consequences. "Coroner's inquests are not something you do every day. I cannot tell you the last time a coroner's inquest was done in this office," Lowndes County Coroner Bill Watson told CNN. "I want to do the right thing by the people and the county and all concerned, I'm just not sure we have enough information," he said. "I'm not about to refute anybody's findings because I'm not a doctor." On May 1, a judge granted the Johnsons' request to exhume their son's body for the purposes of a conducting an independent autopsy at their expense. That autopsy, conducted June 15, found blunt force trauma to the right neck and soft tissues "consistent with inflicted injury." That supports the narrative of the initial patient care report, written January 11, the day Johnson's body was discovered, citing "bruising noted to the right side jaw." However, the January 25 report by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Regional Crime Laboratory cited "no signs of blunt force trauma on Johnson's face or body." The May 5 autopsy completed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified "no significant injuries" A spokesperson for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation told CNN it stands by its report after reviewing the findings of the independent autopsy. U.S. Attorney Michael Moore said his office has been "working on this for some time. I'm sure at the appropriate time I'll speak with his pathologist." Moore is reviewing the case but has not launched a formal investigation. "There are some members of the community that question the result. I want to make sure members of the community and the family and everyone involved has confidence in my work and my decision," Moore told CNN. There was no immediate response to CNN's request for comment from the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. The Johnsons' attorney told CNN he will respond at a later date. | Kendrick Johnson was found dead in a wrestling mat in a Lowndes County school .
A newly released independent report says he died from being hit .
The official determination was that Johnson had accidentally suffocated .
Coroner: "I'm just not sure we have enough information" for an inquest . |
fec43b7b0ffee0965ddbfa42c9ef9fe7eb4a59b1 | By . Padraic Flanagan . PUBLISHED: . 19:35 EST, 1 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:05 EST, 1 June 2013 . Probe: Ex-broker Patrick Coppeard from Essex, who is accused of fleecing fellow churchgoers . A church trustee and former magistrate is being investigated on suspicion of conning his fellow parishioners out of £6 million. Patrick Coppeard, 48, a former broker at financial giant Merrill Lynch, voluntarily attended a police station. The father of three was accompanied by the Rector of St John’s Church in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, where reality television star Jade Goody’s funeral was held in 2009. As detectives questioned Mr Coppeard, the rector, the Rev Dr Ian Farley, began contacting about 40 parishioners from a list of 82 who are suspected of being duped out of large sums over four years. ‘There was an initial feeling of shock when I got the call,’ said one parishioner last night. ‘Now that emotion has turned to anger. It’s not about the money, it’s about being betrayed.’ The Serious Economic Crime Unit of Essex Police is examining claims some people lost up to £250,000 after allegedly being promised rapid returns on investments, including backing the expansion of a coffee chain in the US. A text sent to a St John’s parishioner at 10.37pm on May 8, hours before police launched their probe, reads: ‘Just put the phone down to New York. There’s a great trade. One hundred per cent money back Tuesday but need rapid answer by 9am latest. Maximum £5k per head.’ The investor who received the text lost £37,000. Other alleged victims include local pensioners who lost nest eggs and teenagers who handed over savings built up to cover university costs. Wealthy backers at St John’s have organised a five-figure hardship fund to help those unable to meet immediate needs because of their losses. One man, who had almost £100,000 invested at one stage, said police had told him only about 40 suspected victims had so far come forward from the list, with estimated losses totalling about £3 million. Abuse of trust: Coppeard allegedly targeted parishioners at the church of St. John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill . Former employers: Coppeard, 48, used to a broker at financial giant Merrill Lynch . ‘If everyone involved gets in touch with police, you’re looking at up to £6 million, maybe more,’ he said. Senior church figures are also suspected of having been defrauded. St John’s Treasurer Rob Smith said: ‘Reparation won’t be possible, I’ve been told.’ One parishioner said: ‘People were talking about the best way to deal with this, and about forgiveness, but it might take some of us a little longer to get round to that.’ Mr Coppeard, who resigned in February after more than ten years as a magistrate in East London, declined to comment yesterday at his £1 million home in Loughton. ‘If you have any questions, you should direct them to the police,’ he said as the family prepared for his daughter Charlotte’s church wedding, which was held away from St John’s. He has been released on police bail until October. | Patrick Coppeard's victims include pensioners who have lost their nest eggs .
Backers at the church have organised a hardship fund to help victims . |
fec4945bf3438c4f86911f0f1f04fedcad17abf5 | Cadaver dogs are to search the former site of the sister campus of a notorious Florida boy's reform school where pupils were beaten, raped and killed. University of South Florida researchers have found the remains of 51 people buried at Dozier School in Marianna and are now turning their attentions to the Okeechobee School for Boys, with the search to begin in April. When the notorious state-run reform school in Marianna became overcrowded, a second campus in Okeechobee was opened in the late 1950s. The Okeechobee School for Boys (pictured) was built in the late 1950s to cope with the overflow from Dozier School in Marianna - cadaver dogs will begin searching for possible remains in April . Former students Marvin Mike, left, and Joseph Johnson, right, have spoken out about the abuse they suffered and witnessed while attending the Okeechobee School for Boys . Several of the same staff members accused of brutal beatings in Marianna were also transferred to the Okeechobee campus. The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office told WESH.com they plan to bring cadaver dogs to the campus in April in the wake of their findings in Marianna. Some former students from the 1950s and 1960s have for at least a decade accused employees and guards at both schools of physical and sexual abuse. Although records only showed 31 burials at the Marianna school between its opening in 1900 and its 2011 closure, USF researchers found the remains of 24 additional people during a dig in 2013. They are currently working to identify all the remains. Like Marianna, boys were housed at Okeechobee for minor offenses such as petty theft, truancy or running away from home, but many former students claim they were subjected to bloody beatings. Several of the same staff members accused of brutal beatings in Marianna were also transferred to the Okeechobee campus . Although records only showed 31 burials at the Marianna school between its opening in 1900 and its 2011 closure, USF researchers found the remains of 24 additional people during a dig in 2013 . Boy would be taken to a small office called the Adjustment Center where they would be forced to lie face down and be beaten repeatedly with a leather paddle. Former students recall stories of boys being beaten to death and buried behind the school's dairy barn. 'Some of the boys they would just beat, beat, beat, beat until they passed out,' Joseph Johnson told WESH. 'It was known among us that they would kill you. They would literally beat you to death.' He claims he saw a boy being carried out and driven in a station wagon to the back of the school where the next day there was a fresh grave. When he asked a staff member they told him they had buried a cow. Another student, who was on the segregated black side of the school, recalls friends suddenly disappearing and staff members claiming that the boys had run away . 'If they ran away, why hasn't anyone heard from them again?' Marvin Mike told WESH. 'They didn't run away. They was carried away.' He said his friend, Cherry Black, went missing only for his body to be found in a septic tank on campus two weeks later. Staff claimed the boy had tried to run away, hid in the tank, and accidentally drowned in sewage. Mike never believed their story. 'They killed him and put him in there,' Mike said. White metal crosses mark graves at Dozier School for Boys in Marianna: A sister school in Okeechobee will now be searched by cadavar dogs to see if the remains of young boys are buried there . | University of South Florida researchers who found the remains of 51 people buried at Dozier School in Marianna two years ago .
They are now turning their attention to the Okeechobee School for Boys .
It opened in the late 1950s as a second campus for Dozier and several of the staff members accused of brutal beatings in Marianna transferred over .
Several former students recall stories of boys being beaten to death and buried behind the school's dairy barn . |
fec4bf065ae4f47d5e5ac7263221d2336cc16a57 | Drinking red wine is good for eyesight and can prevent eye disease in later life, according to a leading surgeon . Forget carrots - drinking red wine is good for eyesight and can prevent eye disease in later life, according to a leading surgeon. Consultant ophthalmologist Milind Pande says the drink is beneficial because of its resveratrol content. The substance is found in the skin of grapes and is believed to help hold back the age-related deterioration of the muscles in the eyes which can lead to vision problems. Resveratrol also halts the growth of blood vessels in the eye – if they continue to grow they can cause macular degeneration - failing eyesight, said Mr Pande, of the Vision Surgery and Research Centre in Hull. For many it means they need glasses as they get older but it is also the leading cause of blindness in the UK and is particularly dangerous for those with diabetes, said Mr Pande. The consultant eye surgeon said: ‘Resveratrol is a plant polyphenol found in red wine and grapes and it is this compound that is helpful in the fight against age-related macular degeneration. ‘It is thought that resveratrol stops out-of-control blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) in the eye. ‘This means it could help to preserve vision in age-related macular degeneration - the leading cause of blindness in the UK - and in cases of diabetic retinopathy, which can cause vision loss in people with diabetes.’ Consultant ophthalmologist Milind Pande, from Vision Surgery, said leafy green vegetables such as kale, broccoli and spinach are also good for eyesight . It is not just wine that can help slow down failing eyesight, however. Foods such as kale, broccoli and spinach contain lutein which has been found to strengthen some of the muscles in the eye. Mr Pande said: ‘A diet, rich in vitamins A, C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin and essential fatty acids may also help protect against eye disease and these can be found in brightly coloured fruit and veg such as corn, orange peppers, tangerines and oranges.’ | Consultant ophthalmologist Milind Pande, from Vision Surgery, says the resveratrol in red wine prevents age related deterioration of eye muscles .
He says it also halts the growth of blood vessels in the eye - if they continue to grow, they can cause macular degeneration, or failing eyesight .
He says leafy green vegetables can also be good for eyesight . |
fec63d5c0ed857f50bea3549c8db3c51ed961b73 | (CNN) -- It's simple, President Obama said. Rape is a crime, and politicians -- especially male politicians -- shouldn't be "making decisions about women's health care." Appearing Wednesday on NBC's "Tonight" show, Obama responded to questions by host Jay Leno about a comment about rape by Indiana's GOP candidate for Senate, Richard Mourdock. Pregnancies occurring after a rape, Mourdock said, were intended by God. "I don't know how these guys come up with these ideas," Obama told Leno. "Let me make a very simple proposition: Rape is rape. It is a crime. And so these various distinctions about rape don't make too much sense to me -- don't make any sense to me." Mourdock has apologized for offending anyone. But his words have fueled the national fight to gain women voters in a very close presidential election. Related: Women voters by the numbers . During his chat with Leno, Obama used the Mourdock controversy to say that the next president likely would appoint a new Supreme Court justice who could potentially change federal abortion laws. Obama on Mourdock: Male politicians shouldn't make abortion decisions . Obama's GOP presidential rival, Mitt Romney, has said he would appoint justices who would support overturning Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 court decision affirming a woman's right to have an abortion. "Roe vs. Wade is probably hanging in the balance," Obama said. "Women are capable of making these decisions in consultation with their partners, with their doctors," said the president. "And for politicians to want to intrude in this stuff often times without any information is a huge problem." The Obama campaign released a new television ad reinforcing those points, highlighting Romney comments on Roe vs. Wade and his plan to try and cut funding for Planned Parenthood. Related: When 'God's will,' rape and pregnancy collide . GOP distancing . Reaction within Mourdock's own party has been deafening. Romney had endorsed him in a TV ad before the controversy. Afterward, Romney said through a campaign spokeswoman that he did not agree with Mourdock's comments, but the ad would continue to run. Other powerful Republicans distancing themselves from Mourdock include 2008 GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain and Texas Sen. John Cornyn, a top GOP Senate fundraiser. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire, canceled plans to campaign with Mourdock on Wednesday. And in a sharp rebuke, a fellow Republican running for Indiana's governor seat, former Rep. Mike Pence, issued a statement saying, "I strongly disagree with the statement made by Richard Mourdock during last night's Senate debate. I urge him to apologize." After apology, McCain does support Mourdock, spokesman clarifies . Mourdock said Wednesday he's sorry for any offense, but Democrats have twisted his comments for "political gain." The whole controversy, he said, exemplifies "what's wrong with Washington these days." "I spoke from my heart; I spoke with my principle; I spoke from my faith," Mourdock said. A senior Republican strategist said Mourdock may not face as much push-back from GOP leaders for two reasons: Republicans very much want to hold on to that Indiana Senate seat. That -- with less than two weeks remaining before Election Day. What Mourdock said . Here are Mourdock's comments saying he supports banning abortions in cases of rape, word-for-word: . "I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize life is a gift from God, and I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen," said Mourdock, who now serves as Indiana's state treasurer. He also said he would allow for exceptions to an abortion ban when a mother's life was in danger. GOP Senate candidate: Pregnancies from rape God's will . On Wednesday, Mourdock tried to clarify his comments, saying, "I absolutely abhor violence. I absolutely abhor any kind of sexual violence. I abhor rape, and I am absolutely confident that, as I stand here, the God that I worship abhors violence, abhors sexual violence and abhors rape. The God that I worship would never, ever want to see evil done." Sounds familiar . It's not the first time rape and abortion have dominated the campaign. In August, Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri, who's also a Republican running for Senate, ignited a firestorm when he said "legitimate rape" rarely resulted in pregnancy. And last week, GOP Rep. Joe Walsh, who's running for re-election in Illinois, questioned the necessity of allowing abortions if a mother's life is at risk. He said such an exemption to an abortion ban was simply a political tool used by pro-choice activists. Doctors strongly disputed Rep. Walsh¹s contention that doctors rarely, if ever, perform abortions to save the life of the mother. McCain, R-Arizona, told CNN on Wednesday that his support for Mourdock was dependent on an apology. "It depends on what he does," McCain said on "Anderson Cooper 360." Thursday, after hearing of Mourdock's apology, McCain said that he "is glad" Mourdock apologized and "hopes the people of Indiana will elect Mr. Mourdock." Former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum offered words of support for Mourdock Wednesday -- accusing opponents of "gotcha politics." Mourdock's comments resulted in a misunderstanding, Santorum told CNN's "Erin Burnett OutFront" "What the Senate candidate said is the child is a gift from God, whether it's conceived from rape or not, it's still -- the gift of human life is a gift from God," Santorum explained. "He didn't say rape was a gift from God. You'd have to contort words beyond meaning to get that understanding of it." Santorum: Mourdock criticism 'gotcha politics' It was "gotcha politics," Santorum said, because Mourdock was "talking about the baby in the womb as something that is precious," even though it was conceived through "horrible circumstances." The whole thing is "outrageous" and "demeaning to women," said Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz in a statement. Party leaders called on Romney to stop airing his TV ad endorsing Mourdock. "As Mourdock's most prominent booster and star of Mourdock's current campaign ads, Mitt Romney should denounce these comments more strongly than he has," DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse said. "He should go further and demand that the ad featuring him speaking directly to the camera on Mourdock's behalf be taken off the air, and Mitt Romney should withdraw his endorsement of Mourdock immediately." CNN's Kevin Liptak and Gregory Wallace contributed to this report. | President Barack Obama weighs in on comment by GOP Senate candidate .
Richard Mourdock: Even when life starts with rape, it is a "gift from God"
Comments fuel fight to gain women voters in close presidential race .
Democrats want Mitt Romney to stop endorsing Mourdock . |
fec6790f94f3d96a7c4bc82cf30a4655806ce0d3 | By . Leon Watson . PUBLISHED: . 05:31 EST, 29 June 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 17:12 EST, 29 June 2012 . Former French First Lady Carla Bruni is pregnant with her third child, it was claimed yesterday. The baby will be the 44-year-old’s second with husband Nicolas Sarkozy, 56. France’s Closer magazine said: ‘For several weeks people have been asking why she had not been able to shift the extra weight for her last baby. Sarkozy and Bruni after she gave birth to a baby girl on October 19, 2011, the first baby born to a French presidential couple in office . ‘But we can now reveal Carla . Bruni-Sarkozy is pregnant again. And with her stomach looking ever more . round, she can no longer hide it. We wondered what the Sarkozy couple . would do with themselves after leaving office, and now we know – play . happy families!’ The apparent revelation comes after . suggestions that Miss Bruni – who also has an 11-year-old son from a . previous relationship – had ‘fallen into depression’ since her husband’s . election defeat. Friends told another French magazine she had the ‘baby blues’ after giving birth to Giulia last October and . was now suffering the ‘presidential blues’. Doctors were urging the former supermodel to have 'total rest' because she is an older mother giving birth in her 40s, Closer said. Pregnant again: France's former First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy pictured carrying her new-born daughter as she left a maternity clinic in Paris in October last year . 'Insulting' coverage: Carla Bruni (right) with her husband, the former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, casting their votes . Bruni - who has had previous relaionships with Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton - also has 11-year-old son Aurelian with philosophy professor Raphael Enthoven. Sarkozy has two sons, Pierre, 25, and Jean, 23, from his first marriage to Marie-Dominique Culioli, who he divorced in 1996. He has a 13-year-old son Louis from his second marriage to Cecilia Ciganer-Albeniz, who he divorced in 2007. Defeated: Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni leave the Elysee Palace last month after Francois Hollande was sworn in as President, as the French President and his partner Valerie Trierweiler look on (rear) Friends of Bruni told France's VSD magazine this week that she was currently 'at her lowest' since returning to normal life. A friend told VSD: 'She has not been doing well since the birth of Guilia. She had baby blues, which have now become presidential blues. 'And she has only one subject of conversation - the journalists which caused Nicolas's defeat. 'That's all she speaks about. She says she has never seen front pages so insulting as those that Nicolas was subjected to during his campaign.' Bruni is also said to have been 'deeply hurt' by reports and photographs showing the effects of too much botox on her face. And friends said she was infuriated by claims she intended to divorce her husband if he failed to get re-elected. Bruni herself said on France 5 television during Mr Sarkozy's election campaign: 'The journalists have been deplorable, and very aggressive with him. 'The level of criticism and lies reached incredible levels. 'But I suppose that's the freedom of the press for you. It makes me think it would be better to be living in a dictatorship.' Bruni and Sarkozy are currently living in her £3million Paris townhouse, where he has taken up a £10,000-a-month post on France Constitutional Council, the country's highest legal body, and she is planning to return to her career as a pop singer. | Child will be her second with Nicolas Sarkozy, 56 .
It comes amid reports she has 'fallen into depression' |
fec69f4cd4f7fdb913af484e9afda413ebd3d73d | By . Nick Pisa . PUBLISHED: . 09:33 EST, 12 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:42 EST, 12 July 2013 . Mario Balotelli’s former girlfriend and the mother of his baby girl, is suing the footballer’s parents after they wrote an open letter accusing her of 'cashing in and exploiting' their son. Showgirl Raffaella Fico, 25, and Balotelli, 22, had a stormy relationship which ended last summer, just before she revealed she was pregnant with his child Pia, who was born in December, but who he refuses to officially acknowledge - demanding a DNA test to prove he is the father. The couple have since carried out a bitter war of words in various magazine articles with Raffaella accusing him of being 'uninterested in his child and her' and which resulted in his adoptive parents Franco and Silvia Balotelli hitting back saying that 'love was worth more than money and fame.' Story: Showgirl Raffaella Fico, 25, and Balotelli, 22, had a stormy relationship which ended last summer, just before she revealed she was pregnant with his child Pia, who was born in December, but who he refuses to officially acknowledge - demanding a DNA test to prove he is the father . They had added: 'Our son is not the irresponsible and undignified person that you (Raffaella) have described. For some time .now you have been speaking to the public, to journalists and photographers. 'Obviously you have your reasons for making your life a media event, allowing TV cameras and reporters to follow you everywhere.' As a result of the article in top selling Italian sports daily Gazzetta Dello Sport, the underwear model, who has also been linked to Cristiano Ronaldo, has filed a defamation action against them in a Milan court. Bambino: Mario Balotelli's ex Raffaella Fico and their daughter Pia. The Man City player has yet to meet his child . Glossy: The picture appeared in Chi, the magazine which featured topless pictures of the Duchess of Cambridge . In a statement filed as part of the . claim, Raffaella, said: 'in their open letter they insisted that I was . motivated only by a desire for fame and money but Mario and I had a . relationship which ended in April 2012. It was an intense and satisfying . love story that gave us our baby girl Pia.' The . law suit could cost the elderly pensioners hundreds of thousands of . Euros but no date for the hearing has yet been set and neither they nor . Balotelli have commented on the legal action. Raffaella and Balotelli, who left Manchester City in January for AC Milan, split after she learned of his womanising ways and she flew to Britain to confront him at his Cheshire home but he refused to see her and police were eventually called. Baby Pia was born in December and Balotelli has not even seen her despite Raffaella urging him to do so but he has refused and is still insisting on a paternity test. He has since found new love with model Fanny Neguesha and has posted pictures of the two of them on his Twitter account as well as one showing 'his and hers' football shirts with their names on the back and he has given her a £100,000 diamond engagement ring. Raffaella has hit back by . posting pictures of herself sun bathing virtually naked ahead of the . baptism ceremony for Pia on Sunday in a church close to her home in . Naples. Set to wed? Fanny Neguesha has apparently confirmed her engagement to Mario Balotelli . Matching: Balotelli has since found new love with model Fanny Neguesha and has posted pictures of the two of them on his Twitter account as well as one showing 'his and hers' football shirts with their names on the back . Settling down: Balotelli and his new girlfriend Fanny Neguesha are rumoured to be looking at settling down . | Showgirl Raffaella Fico, 25, and Balotelli, 22, had a stormy relationship .
Child Pia was born in December but Balotelli refuses to acknowledge her .
Underwear model has filed a defamation action action them in Milan court . |
fec70597aa2f53f101ac2454cfcb7d43341ac227 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 04:29 EST, 1 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 05:30 EST, 1 December 2012 . Forget old-hat singing competitions or watching celebrities fine tune their Waltz, the BBC is launching a new entertainment show to find Britain's Brightest brain. The new show will next year take the prime-time Saturday night slot currently occupied by the much criticised singing contest The Voice. It is hoped Britain's Brightest will help promote intelligence rather than beauty or fame. Game show host: Clare Balding will present a new TV show called Britain's Brightest which will test contestants' intelligence . The show will see 24 'ordinary people with extraordinary minds' selected from auditions around Britain go head to head in tasks to test the brain and examining everything from emotional intelligence to processing speed. After a series of demanding challenges and puzzles staged in studio and on location, the contestant with the best all-round mind will be crowned champion. Auditions have already taken place and the programme, hosted by Clare Balding, will air in January. Clare Balding said: 'I have always said that "facts are my friend" but knowing things doesn't make you clever. Being replaced: Britain's Brightest will take prime-time Saturday night slot previously occupied by singing contest The Voice . 'I am fascinated by the brain - how it works and how it can be improved. 'I am so excited to be given the opportunity to explore and test intelligence in a format that will be fun, informative and entertaining. 'The quest to find Britain's Brightest will inspire all of us.' Danny Cohen, controller of BBC One, told the Daily Telegraph that airing the 'intelligence' show on Saturday night was an 'interesting risk'. He added: 'This is an intelligence test format and it will bring a new flavour to the channel. | Clare Balding will host the new show that will test contestants' intelligence .
Show will take prime-time Saturday night slot over from The Voice . |
fec7075f039e69d77b9f0c5a8169e2ecaa28ac28 | By . Rebecca English . PUBLISHED: . 19:05 EST, 7 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:55 EST, 8 January 2013 . Her dresses sell out within hours of her wearing them; her hairstyle is copied in salons across the country. But all those seeking to emulate the Duchess of Cambridge’s style no longer have to pore over photographs. They can simply consult Vogue’s complete guide to Kate. From the diameter of her curls to the number of teeth she shows when she smiles, nothing has escaped the fashion bible’s scrutiny. Ahead of her 31st birthday tomorrow, the magazine has analysed outfits the duchess has worn since her marriage to Prince William in April 2011, plus a handful from before the couple’s engagement – 100 in total. So to be a true copy Kate, you should wear blue, ensure the average drop of your earrings is 33mm – and carry your clutch bag with both hands. According to the guide, when it comes to her clothes, Kate’s favourite colour appears to be blue, which she has worn on 24 per cent of occasions. From peacock to Prussian, it is her out and out favourite. She also favours red (13 per cent) - which she wore for the occasion of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant - followed by white (12 per cent) and, less popularly with the public, grey (11 per cent). Next on the list is purple (9 per cent), multi coloured or patterned outfits (eight per cent) pink ( seven per cent) and green ( six per cent). Cream and yellow both languish at the bottom of the league table on five per cent. By far and away most outfits worn on her last 100 official engagements come from top end High Street store LK Bennett - worn on 28 public engagements. But designer Alexander McQueen, whose outfits cost several thousand pounds apiece and who the Duchess chose to design her wedding dress, is her next favourite label with 14. Other designers in Kate’s top five are Jenny Packham (six), who has designed some of her most stunning evening dresses, and Temperley (eight). Once the high street Queen, Zara languishes at seven (probably because the firm have a huge store just a short hop from her home at Kensington Palace). But surprisingly Reiss, the label Kate wore to meet US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle at Buckingham Palace, does not even register. Vogue have even made it their business to scrutinise the length of the Duchess’s sleeves - finding that 6:1 being the most commonly seen arm-to-sleeve-length ratio. ‘All the better to display the royal wrist-bling,’ it says. The magazine estimates that on her most recent tour of South East Asia and the Pacific, the Duchess took along 61 items of clothing, footwear and accessories worth around £1,427 per outfit (compared to the late Diana, Princess of Wales whose tour outfits costs the modern equivalent of £4,270 a pop). Kate’s other most talked-about asset is her glorious tumbling tresses and the magazine has even, unbelievably, worked out the average diameter of her curls - 25mm. The Duchess goes for a glossy ‘Chelsea blow dry’ 73.4 of the time - a perfectly achievable goal if one, like Kate, has a hairdresser on call 24 hours a day. Just like on her wedding day, she favours a chic half-up half-down do 13.6 per cent of the time, wearing it either naturally loose and curly or in a ponytail 6.5 per cent of occasions. Her accessories are equally closely monitored. Apparently the Duchess has perfected the tilt of her hats and fascinators - always to the right at a stylish 50 degree angle - to show off her enviable cheekbones. The average dimension of her favourite clutch bags is 194mm by 132 mm and she carried them as thus: one handed 31 per cent, left hand over right 15.5 per cent, right hand over left 5.5 per cent, hands together 48 per cent. Her favoured shoe designer is the upmarket Stuart Weitzman - sported on 13 public engagements out of the last 100 - closely followed by Jimmy Choo (well you would do, wouldn’t you?) at nine official events. The analysis found Kate favoured the colour blue, having been seen wearing it on 24 per cent of occasions, while green dresses only made it to six per cent . Even her earrings do not escape scrutiny - the average drop measuring exactly 33 mm. One of her favourites pairs is a glittering sapphire and diamond set once owned by William’s mother, the late Diana, Princess of Wales, who sported them on the cover of Vogue in July 1994. Seventeen years later, on her July 2011 official tour to Canada, Kate wore them in public again after having them slightly remodelled. Creams and yellow languish at the bottom of the table at five per cent, according to the study, which analysed everything including the length of her sleeves . Even her teeth do not escape the eagle eye of the fashionistas. Apparently the Duchess, who is believed to have had her teeth whitened and straightened by ‘micro-rotation’ - using invisible braces attached to the back of each tooth - shows an average of 8.6 teeth when she smiles. The February issue of Vogue is on sale from Thursday. The Duchess has developed into a fashion icon, as dresses sell out within hours of her wearing them and salons across the country are asked to emulate her hairstyle as analysed by Vogue- on sale Thursday . | To be a true copy of Kate, wear blue, carry your clutch bag with both hands and go for a glossy Chelsea blow dry .
Vogue magazine has created a comprehensive guide to the Duchess of Cambridge's style .
The analysis found most of the outfits she wore on her last 100 official engagements came from store LK Bennett . |
fec76772b6609b9307dd7f4832c25d387ad0d398 | (CNN) -- Mobile World Congress is the world's largest mobile phone trade show, held every year in Barcelona. It is the venue for manufacturers like Nokia, HTC, LG, and Samsung to reveal the must-have mobile devices and services of the year. This year is likely to be no different with big launches expected from all the major players except Apple. So what can we expect? Some phone makers have already announced their MWC line up, some have hinted, others have been rumored. Talking to sources, joining the dots, and getting the word on the street, this is what is expected at the show: . Nokia . Nokia is rumored to be launching a number of handsets at MWC this year. Some will focus on emerging markets (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), while the others, the developed ones. The phones you are most likely to be interested in will be a European version of the recently announced Nokia Lumia 900, and a low end Lumia; the Nokia Lumia 610. Both models will work with Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 operating system. HTC . We are expecting three handsets from the Taiwanese company; The HTC One X, The HTC One S, and the HTC One V. The top-of-the-range One X will feature the new Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor and run Android, while Pocket-lint has confirmed with sources that the One V will be a music-focused device aimed at men and similar to the more female friendly (if that is possible) HTC Rhyme that is already on the market. Samsung . Although Samsung was expected to launch the Samsung Galaxy S III at MWC this year, the company has now confirmed that it won't. With a number of pre-MWC launches already detailed, Samsung is expected instead to focus on tablets at the show. If rumors are to be believed, it will launch a 10.1-inch version of the Samsung Galaxy Note announced in September 2011. The difference from all the other tablets it sells? It will have a built-in stylus. LG . Following Samsung's lead with the Galaxy Note, LG has announced its LG Optimus Vu prior to the show. A cross between a phone and a tablet, it will measure 139.6mm x 90.mm, meaning it's going to be one for those with big hands and big pockets. There are also rumors that the company will announce a follow up to the LG Optimus 2X called the 3X. Expect it to have a quad-core processor too. Research In Motion . BlackBerry maker RIM has said that there will be no new hardware at the show this year, but that it will be showing off the new PlayBook 2.0 operating system and the software operating system, BB OS 10, that it hopes will power its new phones expected later in the year. Panasonic . Having just announced a new waterproof and dustproof phone called the Eluga, Panasonic has also confirmed it has a second handset in the pipeline to launch at MWC. It will feature a dual-core processor, OLED screen and will run Android. Fujitsu . Japanese brand Fujitsu has confirmed that it will be launching phones in Europe following its success in Japan. The company has yet to announce which models it will be bringing the continent, however the smart money is on the waterproof quad-core Tegra 3 powered Android smartphone it announced at CES in Las Vegas in January. Sony (aka Sony Ericsson) Trying to pinpoint a Sony phone destined for Mobile World Congress is as hard as Sony Ericsson's transitions to Sony. We are expecting a European launch for the already announced (at CES) Sony Ericsson Xperia S though. Rumors and leaked internet photos suggest maybe a bigger screen version too, as well as an array of other Android devices. Motorola . Motorola's MWC plans are even quieter than Sony's with the company traditionally focusing on CES in Las Vegas to launch many of its first-half-of-the-year handsets. There is a suggestion that Motorola has teamed up with Intel to launch one of the first Intel-powered smartphones, but that is still to be confirmed. Motorola doesn't have a press conference at the show, but Intel does. | Nokia, HTC expected to lead a busy field for new mobile device launches at Mobile World Congress .
Samsung's Galaxy S III will remain under wraps as Korean manufacturer focuses on tablets .
Sony and Motorola's plans remain a mystery ahead of Barcelona event . |
fec7784be48508d1e3eafb8dc6a5a95b159b1d40 | Adnan Januzaj is determined to establish himself at the heart of Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United despite being marginalised under the new manager. Januzaj emerged as a shining light amid the gloom of David Moyes’ time in charge and was rewarded with a five-year contract worth £50,000-a-week exactly a year ago. But the 19-year-old Belgium forward has yet to start a game under Van Gaal, making all six of his first-team appearances this season off the bench while playing for the club’s Under 21 team. Adnan Januzaj is determined to fight for his place at Manchester United . The Belgian teenager has not started a match this season after making his breakthrough last term . However, Januzaj will stay and fight for a place at Old Trafford and is ready to compete with Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata for the No 10 role. ‘We want to stay,’ said the teenager’s agent Dirk de Vries. ‘Adnan wants to gain experience in England as No 10 — he doesn’t fear the competition. Januzaj and Luke Shaw (R) on their way to training ahead of United's clash with West Brom . Januzaj wants to challenge Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney (R) for United's No 10 jersey . ‘Just like anyone else he wants to play but he will wait for his opportunity. He is a super professional and he is still motivated, even when he has to play for the Under 21s. ‘We’re not angry. We know the club is very happy with him and they want to keep Adnan for the rest of his career at Old Trafford. They believe in him, otherwise he wouldn’t be handed the No 11 of Ryan Giggs. ‘We have to wait until Van Gaal gives him a chance. But we cannot look into the Dutchman’s head and know what he thinks. I believe Adnan plays well at this moment and I’ve heard that he could start the game on Monday.’ United manager Louis van Gaal is yet to put his faith in the 19-year-old who has been turning out for the U21s . Van Gaal has preferred to start with United's big money signings Radamel Falcao and Angel di Maria (R) Alex Vervecken, the United scout credited with discovering Januzaj at Anderlecht, believes United’s £150million summer spending spree has left Van Gaal with no choice but to pick the big-name stars. ‘Adnan has still all of his qualities,’ said Vervecken. ‘He will get his chance. Even if he didn’t play for a year, he will stay. Maybe, the problem is that United have started winning games now and Van Gaal focuses on his new guys — Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao. They have to play. The competition is extremely hard. Even Fellaini doesn’t play and it’s even difficult to make it into the squad. Also, if United were in Europe or the League Cup, Januzaj would have more opportunities.’ | Adnan Januzaj is determined to fight for his place at Manchester United .
Belgium international wants to challenge Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata for the No 10 playmaker's role at Old Trafford .
Louis van Gaal has not handed the teenager a start this season as he relies on big money arrivals including Radamel Falcao and Angel di Maria .
The 19-year-old has been tipped to start against West Brom on Monday . |
fec7ccf6df5ec1c4c030d7d380bba930d94e29ac | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 07:52 EST, 4 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 09:28 EST, 4 March 2014 . They've been together for almost two years but Prince Harry and his girlfriend Cressida Bonas appeared reluctant to be pictured as a pair as they left the Ivy last night. Joining them for dinner at the upmarket Covent Garden restaurant was Sam Branson, the son of Virgin tycoon Richard and Cressida's brother-in-law. But it was glum faces all round as the trio made their way out of the restaurant, with Prince Harry appearing put out by the presence of the photographers outside. Are you there? Prince Harry glances back at his girlfriend Cressida and her brother-in-law Sam Branson . Dressed in a blue zip-neck polo, jeans and a navy hat, the Prince had dressed down for the date, while Cressida was equally low key in an all-black ensemble. It was a far cry from the sharp navy suit donned by the royal for a memorial service at Westminster Abbey for the late Nelson Mandela. Not amused: Prince Harry appeared less than impressed to find photographers waiting outside . Hanging back: As usual, Cressida kept a low profile and refused to be photographed next to her royal beau . The ceremony, which included a . tribute from South African prelate Desmond Tutu, also saw David Cameron . take a break from the crisis in Ukraine to join Prince Harry and actor . Iris Elba, who played the statesman in 2013 biopic, Mandela: Long Walk . to Freedom. Although . Cressida didn't attend the memorial service, she has played an . increasingly large role in the Prince's life since his return from the . Antarctic at Christmas. Act casual: Cressida Bonas was dressed down for her meal at The Ivy . Both Cressida and Prince Harry were eager to get away from the cameras . The dance graduate, 24, is now thought to be living at Kensington Palace with Harry and on Valentine's Day, was spotted picking up an M&S meal for two for the pair to enjoy. And it's not the first time that she - and her royal beau - have opted to keep things low key. Other recent dates have included trips to high street burger chain Byron and to see the Cirque du Soleil production of Quidam at the Royal Albert Hall. Prince Harry shakes hands with Archbishop Desmond Tutu before the service . Prince Harry left the service with the Dean of Westminster the Very Reverend John Hall . | The trio dined at the upmarket Ivy restaurant in Covent Garden .
Cressida, 24, is the half-sister of Sam's wife, Isabella Calthorpe .
All three dressed down, with Prince Harry choosing a cap and jeans . |
fec84ec7bfba818a0cda814c86ac7b04c26eaf70 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Just days after hate-crime charges were dropped against the man accused of assaulting fame-seeking V. Stiviano while yelling racial slurs, the New York Police Department has enlisted the public's help in gathering new information about the alleged assault. The renewed effort to acquire new leads in the case comes a week after NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton was quoted as saying 'we would have hoped that she would stay on the West Coast,' noting that at that time she was yet to make a police report of the alleged assault, but had already told her story to the media. Now, however, the NYPD is peppering the the city with flyers asking for witnesses to come forward with information about the alleged assault. Help: The NYPD is seeking additional information about the alleged assault on V Stiviano . Back on the West Coast: Stiviano returned to Los Angeles with a puffy cheek following the alleged assault in New York City . Humble: Stiviano, who seems to love the spotlight, hides behind a large plastic object as she returned to Los Angeles . Dominick Diorio, the 40-year-old man accused of attacking V.Stiviano in the alleged racist assault, has denied the charges. Diorio made a brief court appearance last week and was released without bail. He went on to accuse Stiviano of inventing the attack in order to gain publicity or to 'keep her name in the spotlight'. 'Simply put, a credible victim of a crime does not have her attorney call the press before she calls the police,' said Diorio's attorney, David Scott Smith. 'Miss Stiviano seems intent on keeping her name in the spotlight. But I can assure you if this case goes to trial, my cross-examination will last longer than her 15 minutes of fame.' Scroll Down for Video . Accused: Dominick Diorio made a brief court appearance on Wednesday and was released without bail . Shocking: These two images - taken on Sunday night and the next day - reveal what appears to be serious bruising and swelling suffered by V.Stiviano in the alleged racially motivated assault she suffered over the weekend in Manhattan . Dominick Diorio, 40, of Old Bethpage, New York, was originally charged with third-degree assault as a hate crime, assault, harassment and aggravated harassment . Arraignment: This is Dominick Diorio on Wednesday outside Manhattan Criminal Court where he was released without bail . Release: Dominick Diorio with his attorney David Scott Smith - who said that V. Stiviano accused his client to continue her 15-minutes of fame . Diorio, of Old Bethpage, Long Island, appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court for his arraignment . Pictures which V. Stiviano claims are proof she was assaulted in New York City were released last week. The images allegedly show extensive bruising across the right side of the 31-year-old's face. In . one photograph, taken after the alleged assault outside the . Gansevoort Hotel, a stunned looking Stiviano has what appears to be a . huge florid mark burgeoning from her eye down to her chin. In . the other, which was presumably taken the day after, Stiviano's face . seems to be painfully swollen, especially around her cheek. Denial: Dominick Diorio's attorney denied the charges on behalf of his client after a brief court appearance on Wednesday, pictured . Even though she is wearing make-up in one of the photographs, the effects of the alleged attack appear to be visible. Diorio, of Old Bethpage, Long Island, appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court for his arraignment. He was initially changed with assault and a hate crime but these charges were reduced to assault in the hearing. Smith, told The New York Post that he is pleased the hate crime charges have been dropped. 'I’d like to commend the District Attorney’s Office for deciding not to prosecute my client for a hate crime and to consent to his release without bail,' said Smith. 'I’m confident that as this case goes forward and the investigation continues, that Miss Stiviano’s allegations will likewise begin to fail and at the end of the day, the assault charge will be dismissed as well.' Diorio, who was reportedly celebrating his 40th birthday before the alleged run-in with Stiviano, appeared to have a small amount of bruising on his face. He allegedly told investigators he just 'slipped and fell' after a woman threw a phone at him. However, Stiviano offers an alternative explanation for his injuries. She claims he and another man allegedly hurled racist abuse at her during a random attack on Sunday evening. She claims their slurs included the N-word. Watch Video Here: . Lifting the veil: Stiviano without a visor covering up her face after she showed the world what she said were photos taken after her assault in New York City . Healed? Here, Stiviano walks down the street while out shopping at Bloomingdale's in New York City. No remaining trace of the brutal attack appears to remain on her face . Complaint: Wearing a visor to cover her face, V. Stiviano arrives to a police station in downtown Manhattan to file a . police report for alleged assault by two men in New York City on Sunday . Diorio allegedly became involved in an argument with Stiviano inside Revel restaurant, which is near to the Gansevoort hotel in Manhattan's meatpacking district. She alleges Diorio and his friends followed her and her two female dining companions until they were outside the hotel and then pounced. 'The defendant and another unapprehended individual followed her down the street while repeatedly calling her a ‘[n-word] bitch’ and a ‘whore,’ according to Stiviano's criminal complaint. 'The defendant reached through an open taxi window and struck her in the face with his closed fist.' According to Stiviano, Diorio and his friend spat at her before screaming racial obscenities at her. ’Yeah, I’ll f*****g hit a girl. I’ll hit you, you n****r b***h,’ the DA quoted Diorio as saying according to The New York Post. Donald Sterling pictured out shopping yesterday at the Grove in Hollywood, California . Shelly Sterling, wife to former LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling, stepped out for dinner at celebrity hotspot Craig's in west Hollywood last night . Because Stiviano and her lawyer Mac Nehoray had not filed a police report on Sunday, officers had not been investigating the fight. But on Monday Stiviano filed a complaint with the NYPD and on the same day Diorio turned himself into police. He was identified in surveillance footage by police and then put in a lineup and picked out by Stiviano on Tuesday. Diroio currently lives with his parents and his father told The New York Post of his shock. Reported: Stiviano spoke to detectives on Monday and told them the assault happened outside the Gansevoort Hotel in Manhattan's Meatpacking District on Sunday night . 'Punched': Stiviano, who recorded the racist rant that was leaked and led to Sterling's ejection from professional basketball, was allegedly attacked . Hurt: Stiviano (pictured at LAX on Saturday) claimed she was . in New York to appear on Anderson Cooper's CNN show on Monday night . when she was allegedly targeted in a racist attack - she did not appear on CNN on Monday night . Recorded: Donald Sterling was recorded making racist remarks that resulted in an NBA ban in April and a fight over ownership of the Clippers . Stiviano recorded the racist rant that was leaked and led to Sterling's ejection from professional basketball. He then handed control of team to his wife Shelly before a $2 billion deal to sell the franchise was agreed with former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. It came just days before an NBA panel was due to meet to discuss revoking Sterling's ownership over the team in light of the racism scandal last month. However the deal has yet to go through as it has to be approved by the NBA and Sterling is believed to be fighting it. Sterling had bought the Clippers for $12.5 million in 1981. | Dominick Diorio, 40, was celebrating his birthday with friends when V.Stiviano claims he attacked her .
It allegedly happened outside Manhattan's Gansevoort Hotel on Sunday .
He was arrested and charged with assault and a hate crime but the charges were reduced to third-degree assault on Wednesday .
He faces a year in jail over the clash .
V. Stiviano's lawyers claim Diorio called Stiviano a 'n***** b****' and repeatedly punched her in the face as she got into a taxi .
MailOnline yesterday published exclusive photographs of V.Stiviano's bruised face after the attack .
Diorio's lawyer denied the allegations and said that Stiviano only made the claims to keep her name in the spotlight . |
fec8ab97dee98dc41153db59dbf8ba55cd4faf42 | A federal jury ordered Toyota Motor Corp. to pay nearly $11 million to victims of a fatal Minnesota crash on Tuesday after ruling that a design flaw in the 1996 Camry was partially to blame for the 2006 wreck. The jury said the company was 60 percent to blame for the accident, which left three people dead and two seriously injured. But jurors also decided that Koua Fong Lee, who has long insisted he tried to slow his car before it slammed into another vehicle after he exited Interstate 94 in St. Paul, was 40 percent to blame. Blame: Koua Fong Lee (photographed) spent more than two years in prison after a fatal 2006 car crash killed three people, but a jury ruled on Tuesday that Lee was not solely to blame . Lee's attorneys insisted the crash was caused by an acceleration defect in his vehicle, but Toyota argued there was no design defect and that Lee was negligent. 'No amount of money will bring my life back, my life is not the same anymore,' Lee said outside the courthouse. When asked what he would say to the family of the people killed in the crash, he said: 'I want them to know that I tried everything I could to stop my car... I want them to know.' After the 2006 wreck, Lee was charged and convicted of vehicular homicide, and sentenced to prison. But he won a new trial after reports surfaced about sudden acceleration in some Toyotas, and questions were raised about the adequacy of his defense. Freedom: Lee was convicted of vehicular homicide and sentenced to prison but was released after reports surfaced about possible defects in the vehicle . Camry: Attorneys at the trial said Lee's Camry's auto-drive assembly could stick, and when tapped or pushed while stuck, it could stick again at a higher speed . Reliability: Toyota was accused of never conducting reliability tests on nylon resin pulleys that could be damaged under heat and cause the throttle to stick . Prosecutors opted against a retrial and he went free after spending 2 ½ years behind bars. Lee and his relatives, along with other people who were injured or lost loved ones in the crash, later sued Toyota in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis. Jurors started deliberating the afternoon of Jan. 28, and the verdict was announced late Tuesday afternoon. During the trial, Lee's attorney, Robert Hilliard, told jurors that there was a defect in the car's design. He said the Camry's auto-drive assembly could stick, and when tapped or pushed while stuck, it could stick again at a higher speed. Lawsuit: Lee and his relatives, along with other people who were injured or lost loved ones in the crash, later sued Toyota in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis . Negligent: Toyota said there was no defect in the design of the 1996 Camry, and that Lee was negligent . Hilliard also accused Toyota of never conducting reliability tests on nylon resin pulleys that could be damaged under heat and cause the throttle to stick. 'This is what makes the car go. This is what turns it into a torpedo, a missile, a deadly weapon,' Hilliard said during his closing argument. Toyota said there was no defect in the design of the 1996 Camry, and that Lee was negligent. The company's attorney, David Graves, suggested that Lee was an inexperienced driver and mistook the gas pedal for the brake, and that's why the car accelerated. Toyota also noted that Lee's car was never subject to the recalls of later-model Toyotas. Family: The Trice-Adams family (photographed) were the other plaintiffs in the case, the crash killed a father and son in the family as well as a six-year-old . Jurors were asked to decide whether there was a defect in the design of the 1996 Camry that was unreasonably dangerous, and if so, whether that defect caused the plaintiffs' injuries. The crash killed the driver of the other vehicle, Javis Trice-Adams Sr., and his 9-year-old son, Javis Adams Jr. His 6-year-old niece, Devyn Bolton, was paralyzed and died in October 2007. Trice-Adams' daughter, Jassmine Adams, who was 12 at the time, was seriously injured, as was Trice-Adams' father, Quincy Ray Adams. Those two and Devyn Bolton's mother, Bridgette Trice, were the other plaintiffs in the case. | A federal jury ordered Toyota Motor Corp. to pay nearly $11 million to victims of a fatal Minnesota crash on Tuesday .
The jury ruled that a design flaw in the 1996 Camry was partially to blame for the 2006 .
Following the crash, Koua Fong Lee spent more than two years in prison after being convicted of vehicular homicide .
The crash left three people dead and two seriously injured including a six-year-old who was paralyzed in the crash and died the following year . |
fec8e5e9a1df7f86303f15d1fcbf5ad4359bc748 | Philadelphia (CNN) -- One of the two Philadelphia priests on trial in a landmark child sexual abuse and conspiracy case admitted in 2008 that he allowed a 14-year-old to view pornography and sleep in the same bed with him during an overnight visit in 1996, according to testimony given to church investigators. Monsignor Kevin Quirk, the presiding priest over the 2008 canonical trial of Rev. James Brennan, read Brennan's testimony into the court record on Monday. Brennan is accused of attempted rape in the 1996 incident and is currently standing trial in criminal court. "Did I allow it happen? Yes. I take full responsibility for it," Brennan testified in 2008, adding that the behavior was "borderline" inappropriate. Brennan denied touching the 14-year-old or exposing himself, according to the 2008 testimony that Quirk recounted for the court on Monday. "I was just devastated," Brennan testified in 2008 regarding the allegations of sexual abuse. This is the first time the 2008 canonical testimony has been revealed to the public. Also on trial is Monsignor William Lynn, the first high-ranking church figure charged with child endangerment. He's accused of knowingly transferring priests from parish to parish despite allegations of sexual abuse of minors, including Brennan. Both have pleaded not guilty. A number of alleged victims of clergy abuse have testified since the criminal trial began March 26. Both Brennan and Avery's accusers have claims that fall within the statute of limitations. Brennan's accuser, now in his 30s, was a former altar boy who cried on the stand weeks earlier as he described the incident with Brennan. The man, a former Marine, was discharged because of mental health issues. "I was a little boy. I didn't know what to do," the man testified through sobs. Former Marine testifies against Brennan . The witness testified before Common Pleas Judge Teresa Sarmina that Brennan, who he described as a close family friend considered to be like an uncle, viewed online sex-chat rooms with him and suggested they masturbate together before insisting the witness sleep with the priest in the same bed. "I was scared. I was afraid that if I said no, he'd kill me or something," he said, crying. The witness testified that while in bed together and wearing only T-shirts and boxers, Brennan hugged him from behind and pressed his genitals against his buttocks. He said he prayed he would fall asleep and recalled wetting himself but does not remember anything after that. During the 2008 testimony that was recounted Monday, Brennan repeated denied having any physical contact with the 14-year-old, in what may be the closest jurors get to hearing directly from the priest other having him on the witness stand. "No, nothing happened physically between us -- nothing," Brennan testified. Brennan was removed from active ministry in 2006, after the witness first came forward with his allegations. During cross-examination, Brennan's attorney, William Brennan, no relation, asked Quirk whether he was aware of the sole alleged victim that came forward despite the archdiocese's making the allegations public via "television, newspapers and smoke signals." Quirk, who answered in the affirmative, was ordered to testify earlier this month by a West Virginia judge who noted he was a "necessary and material witness," according to court documents obtained by CNN. Two grand jury reports accused the archdiocese of failing to investigate claims of sexual abuse of children by priests. The 2011 report led to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office criminally charging four Philadelphia priests and a parochial school teacher with raping and assaulting boys in their care, while Lynn was accused of allowing the abusive priests to have access to children. Days before the trial began March 26, defrocked priest Edward Avery of the Philadelphia Archdiocese pleaded guilty to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and conspiracy to endanger the welfare of child after admitting that he sexually assaulted a 10-year-old altar boy during the 1998-1999 school year. Priest's guilty plea throws wrinkle into trial . Avery, 69, was sentenced to two-and-a-half to five years. | Presiding priest over 2008 canonical trial of Rev. James Brennan reads testimony .
Brennan is accused of attempted rape in 1996 incident with 14-year-old male .
In 2008, Brennan testified that his actions were "borderline" inappropriate .
Brennan is of two Philadelphia priests on trial in landmark child sexual abuse case . |
fec92272a548d5116921bd1f9ab6d77add001101 | Rescuers are battling against time and the elements to save 12 workers trapped in a tunnel that collapsed . during construction of a hydropower plant in southern Vietnam. Firefighters say it could take days to get past entrenched mud, sand and debris as water levels continue to rise in the Lac Duong district of Lâm Đồng province. So far, rescuers have managed to ram a pipe through the rubble to supply air to the workers, after oxygen dropped to a critical level eight hours after the accident on Tuesday. The rescue team standing in front of the entrance of a tunnel at the Da Dang - Da Chomo hydroelectric power plant in Lac Duong district, Lam Dong province, where authorities are struggling to free 12 trapped workers . The attempt to save the dozen workers, has so far involved involves hundreds of firefighters and members of the Vietnamese security forces. Bad weather and the complicated geology of the site in Lam Dong has been hampering the . effort. The water level in the tunnel has risen to 3ft3in so far, and authorities are struggling to drain the section before it is too late. The rescue team has dug small tunnels and have managed to reinforced the site with tree . trunks to pull out sand during a mission that has dominated . television networks and the front pages. 'Now there's only one tube to send food and oxygen inside, . while water is rising,' Dang Quang Dat, director of Song Da 505 . , the workers' firm, told Vietnam Television. 'We can't . just dig when we want.' The $22 million hydropower plant, one of dozens planned or . under construction in energy-hungry Vietnam, was expected to . produce about 110 million kWh annually. An iron tube 60 centimetres in diameter was being used to . pull out rocks and sand and authorities were pinning hopes on . reaching the workers so they could eventually squeeze through . the pipe to get out. 'It's very difficult and narrow ... most work is being done . by hand with the help of some equipment,' provincial military . chief Du Truong Giang told VTV. It was not clear what caused the tunnel to collapse but a . preliminary investigation suggested the cause was heavy rain. Worker Nguyen Van Tuan said he was in a truck inside the 500 . metre tunnel and fled as it caved in. 'Dirt, rocks and mud tumbled in ... we came back to dig out . our trapped colleagues but dirt and rocks kept falling as we . dug, so we had to get help,' he told news the VnExpress website. | Tunnel collapse during construction of power plant in southern Vietnam .
Rescue team says it could take days to get to 12 workers trapped inside .
Water levels continue to rise as Vietnamese authorities battle against time . |
fec95ba547987816720541097b4b8faf57d03205 | By . Associated Press . The rate of HIV infections diagnosed in the United States each year fell by one-third over the past decade - hopeful news that the AIDS epidemic may be slowing in America. Sixteen out of every 100,000 people ages 13 . and older were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2011, a steady decline from . 24 out of 100,000 people in 2002, a study released online Saturday by the Journal of the American Medical Association found. The reasons for the drop aren't clear. It might mean fewer new infections are occurring or that most infected people already have been diagnosed so more testing won't necessarily find many more cases. 'It could be we are approaching something of a "ceiling effect,"' said one study leader, David Holtgrave of Johns Hopkins University. Decline: The rate of HIV infections diagnosed in the United States each year fell by one-third over the past decade - hopeful news that the AIDS epidemic may be slowing in America . The research is part of the journal's special report on HIV research, issued ahead of the International AIDS Conference that starts Sunday in Melbourne, Australia. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, which destroys the immune system. The World Health Organization estimates 35 million people globally have the virus. In the United States, 1.1 million people are thought to be infected, though many don't know it. The study is based on HIV diagnoses from all 50 states' health departments, which get test results from doctors' office, clinics, hospitals and laboratories. The data span a decade, making this a larger and longer look at these trends than any previous study, said another study author, Amy Lansky of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Declines were seen in the rates for men, women, whites, blacks, Hispanics, heterosexuals, injection drug users and most age groups. The only group in which diagnoses increased was young gay and bisexual men, the study found. The diagnosis rate is a direct measure of when people actually tested positive for the virus. The diagnoses may be identifying infections that happened recently or years before. HIV: Former US president Bill Clinton visited an orphanage with HIV-infected kids in the outskirts of Hanoi on July 18, 2014. Rates of infection of HIV in the U.S. have dropped int he past decade . The study found diagnosis rates dropped even as the amount of testing rose. In 2006, the CDC recommended routine HIV testing for all Americans ages 13 to 64, saying an HIV test should be as common as a cholesterol check. The percentage of adults ever tested for HIV increased from 37 percent in 2000 to 45 percent in 2010, according to CDC data. Lansky acknowledged that given the testing increases, the new findings may seem like a bit of a paradox. One might assume that 'if more people get tested, you're more likely to find more people who are infected,' she said. But several factors could explain the decline. One is Holgrave's 'ceiling effect' theory. Another is a possible ebb in new infections. The CDC has been estimating about 50,000 new infections occur each year and that number has been holding steady in the past decade. That estimate comes from reports from 25 city and state health departments, joined with statistical modeling. Lansky said maybe new infections are waning. Or maybe not, she and other experts said. How could new infections be holding steady when diagnoses are falling? Perhaps the infection count might be buoyed by the expanding epidemic in young gay and bisexual men, said Sullivan, the Emory researcher. | 16 out of every 100,000 people ages 13 and older were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2011, a steady decline from 24 out of 100,000 people in 2002 .
The results came from a study released online Saturday by the Journal of the American Medical Association found .
The reasons for the drop aren't clear but could mean fewer new infections are occurring or that most infected people already have been diagnosed . |
fec98dd1913dfd5e7d8ad6d4b0ea8dd636f342e3 | A small Alabama community got the shock of the season on Saturday when a group of scantily clad gay African American Santas took their Christmas parade route by storm. The Prancing Elites, an all gay dance team known for their provocative moves and outfits, were confused by the invitation to walk the Semmes, Alabama (population 3,000) Christmas parade but swayed and thrust their way through outraged crowds nonetheless. Parade organizers have since apologized for including the Prancing Elites, but the five gentlemen from Mobile think it was all just part of a day’s work. Scroll down for videos... Prancing Elites: A dance team of gay black men has caused a furor in the small town of Semmes, Alabama after appearing in their Christmas parade Saturday . Shock and awe: The dance team has angered the residents of the town of 3,000 with their lurid Santa outfits and provocative hip-hop moves . ‘It felt like a regular event,’ dance team leader Kentrell Collins, 26, told AL.com. ‘We were taking a risk, but we always do.’ The team arrived to Semmes and lined up ready to march in fur-trimmed, snug-fitting Santa outfits. Even as the gentleman, in full makeup and Santa hats, stripped off their sweat pants at the parade start, they raised some eyebrows. ‘I had no idea that they would be dressed the way they were and that they would think it's appropriate for a community Christmas parade,’ said Karen McDuffie, who helped plan the event. ‘Their costumes and the style of dancing were inappropriate.’ The team specializes in J-Setting, a lead and follow style hip-hop dance style that involves movements some may find lurid or provocative. As they strutted their stuff through the parade’s 1.7 mile stretch, many of those raised eyebrows deepened into scorn. 'We were taking a risk, but we always do': The team got some confused and even scornful looks, but they saw its all in a day's work . Prancing on: The Prancing Elites gained notoriety last summer after Shaquille O'Neal shared a video of them on Twitter. They've since had multiple national TV appearances . 'Vulgar': Parade officials say they began getting irate phone calls from community members within hours of the parade . McDuffie told AL.com the team’s dancing was ‘vulgar’ and ‘not appropriate for a children's Christmas parade.’ She said outraged community members began to vent in phone calls and social media feeds within hours of the event and apologized on behalf of organizers. Suzanne Massingill, an advisor to the Prancing Elites, told AL.com that the group was under the, apparently mistaken, impression McDuffie had seen them on YouTube. Meanwhile, the Prancing Elites themselves are not apologizing on behalf of anyone. ‘It's OK for a woman to put on tights and play football but when a man wants to put on leotard and tights, it's a problem,’ said Collins. ‘We are no different than any team out there dancing. We want people to stop looking at gender and focus on the talent.’ Not your average parade: The dance group is based in nearby Mobile, Alabama, where residents may have been a little less surprised than they were in small Semmes . While many of the folks of Semmes were unable to appreciate it, the Prancing Elites’ talents have been acknowledge in some notable places. In June, Shaquille O'Neal took a liking one of their videos and tweeted it out. The video quickly gained some 200,000 views in just two days. Since then, the group—which consists of Collins, Adrian Clemons, 23, Jerel Maddox, 23, Kareem Davis, 22, and Timothy Smith, 22—has appeared on the syndicated daytime talk show The Real, the Tom Joyner Show, and have auditioned for America’s Got Talent. In 2014, they’re slated to appear in several Mardi Gras parades and are even looking for some new talent in the form of men who aren’t afraid to show their moves, no matter who’s watching. ‘I was trying to (have) tunnel vision,’ Kareem Davis said of Saturday’s appearance. ‘It takes a lot to do what we do.’ | The Mobile, Alabama-based Prancing Elites had visitors to the Semmes Christmas parade dropping their jaws on Saturday .
The four-man, all gay dance team specializes in J-Setting, a dance style some find provocative .
'Their costumes and the style of dancing were inappropriate': Some members of the community of 3,000 . |
fec9c4cec89a3ad32767a3f4ae4359e82a05d530 | Arizona law enforcer Joe Arpaio condemned for 'discriminatory policing' By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 11:28 PM on 18th December 2011 . A prisoner was brain dead after being restrained at a jail run by 'America's toughest sheriff' Joe Arpaio, according to a senior police officer. Lieutenant Mike Stauffer, a rival of Arpaio's for county sheriff, wrote on Facebook: 'We received news from an inside source that a Latino inmate at the 4th Avenue Jail is brain dead due to excessive force by detention officers.' Ernest M. Atencio, a 44-year-old Gulf War veteran, was being booked into the jail in Phoenix, when he was Tasered and suffered a heart attack, his family claimed. 'Excessive force': Ernest Atencio, 44, was being held at an Arizona jail run by Sheriff Arpaio when he had to be rushed to hospital and remains on life support . Decorated: Mr Atencio, who served in the first Gulf War, suffers from a mental illness . They told local TV station Channel 5 that he was a 'loving and sweet boy' who suffered from a mental illness and is now fighting for his life. Lt Stauffer also wrote on Facebook that homicide detectives were reviewing video from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO). Mr Atencio was arrested on assault charges on Friday at around 3am. Phoenix Police Department spokesman . Steve Martos told the Phoenix New Times: 'Once he got down to the jail, . there was some kind of scuffle of some sort.' Mr Atencio was put in a cell by himself to calm down, according to MCSO. Around 15 minutes later, medical staff checked on the 44-year-old and had to begin CPR when he was unresponsive. Under-fire: Sheriff Joe Arpaio is running an office based on blatant racism against Latinos, a scathing U.S. Justice department report has revealed . Blowing the whistle: Scottsdale Police Lieutenant Mike Stauffer posted the allegations of excessive force on his Facebook wall . Mr Atencio was taken to St Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix and remains in a critical condition. Mr . Atencio's family claim that he was Tasered by police and suffered a . heart attack but was not given proper medical care soon enough. An MCSO spokesman Christopher Hegstrom added in a statement: 'The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is releasing the name and photo of Ernest M. Atencio D.O.B. 2/22/67 who was arrested by Phoenix Police Thursday night. 'He is at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix. He is listed in Critical Condition at this time.' Last week, the U.S. Justice Department condemned Sheriff Arpaio for committing civil rights violations . against Latinos through his immigration and jail policies. Injured: Mr Atencio's family said these marks were caused by a Taser used on him at the Arizona jail . Latino inmates who didn’t understand commands in English were punished by up to 23 hours a day of solitary confinement, investigators found. Arpaio slammed the . report as a political attack by the Obama administration that will keep . illegal immigrants on the streets of Arizona. The Justice Department's expert on . racial profiling said it is the worse case of profiling in the . U.S. he has seen. Sheriff Arpaio has built a reputation on jailing inmates in tents and dressing them . in pink underwear, selling himself as unceasingly tough on crime. Racist: The report said some jail officers used racial slurs for Latinos when talking among themselves and speaking to inmates . Last week an Associated Press article exposed his office's bungling of sex crime . and molestation cases in a predominantly Hispanic Phoenix suburb. His office said more than 400 sex-crimes probes had to be . reopened after they learned of cases that hadn't been investigated . properly. Officials discovered at least 32 reported child molestations - with . victims as young as two-years-old - where the sheriff's office failed to . follow through. There were also complaints of deputies using excessive force . against Latinos and Hispanic communities receiving insufficient . policing. Tough: Arpaio has built his reputation on jailing inmates in tents and dressing them in pink underwear . | Arizona law enforcer Joe Arpaio condemned for 'discriminatory policing' |
fec9f3c2e76ad5ad8467e3fb2e77b6cdd707d185 | It’s a chocoholic’s worst nightmare: a disease ravages cocoa crops, causing a worldwide chocolate shortage and the price of sweets to soar. But a steamy greenhouse near London is helping to ensure that cocoa crops around the world remain disease-free. The International Cocoa Quarantine Centre (ICQC) is nurturing quarantined cocoa plants so that they can be shared with cocoa-producing countries to produce new, more disease-resistant varieties. The International Cocoa Quarantine Centre (ICQC) is designed to nurture quarantined cocoa plants so that they can be shared with cocoa-producing countries to produce new, more disease resistant varieties. This image shows a researcher taking cocoa beans from an opened cocoa fruit inside the facility . Inside the ICQC, the plants thrive tropical conditions where the air is a balmy 23°C (73 °C). ‘Cocoa plants are generally quite difficult plants to grow,’ said Heather Lake, a technician at the newly-revamped centre, which is funded half by the British chocolate industry and half by the US government. ‘They don't like too much sunlight, they don't like too much shade. It's quite difficult to get the climate correct.’ Hosted by the University of Reading and situated in the village of Arborfield, west of London, the ICQC boasts 400 cocoa plant varieties, grown in 10,760 square feet (1,000 square metres) of greenhouse space. Cocoa plants are difficult to grow because they need the right mix of sunlight and shade. Here, horticultural technician Heather Lake checks the leaves of young cocoa plants for pests . A steamy greenhouse near London (pictured) is helping to ensure that cocoa crops around the world remain free of diseases to cope with our growing appetite for sweet treats and keep it affordable . At a time when changing tastes in emerging economies like China and India are fuelling global demand for chocolate(stock image), the centre acts as a vital resource for producer countries when pests or droughts strike crops . Chocolate drinks were made as early in 1,900BC. The Mokaya and pre-Olmec people of Mesoamerica first roasted and ground cocoa beans to make 'chocolate'. The Aztecs believed that cacao seeds were the gift of Quetzalcoatl, the God of wisdom, and the seeds had so much value they were used as a form of currency. The Latin name for the cocoa tree is Theobroma Cacao which means ‘Food of the Gods’. Originally prepared as a drink, chocolate was served as a bitter, frothy liquid and was often mixed with spices, wine or corn. It was believed to give the drinker strength and boost their libido. Sugar was first added to cocoa in the 16th century when chocolate became popular the form we now recognise. It was originally only eaten by the rich. Chocolate houses sprang up in London in the seventeenth century and were frequented by the upper classes - by 1700 there were 2,000 in the capital. By the 20th century, the sweet was popular with all classes and chocolate was considered a staple and featured in war ration packs. The UK has the seventh highest consumption of chocolate in the world. The average Briton eats 17.49lbs (8kg) of chocolate per year, according to The World Atlas of Chocolate, but Switzerland takes the top spot. A total of 40 per cent of chocolate is consumed in Europe. Its aim is to reduce the amount of diseases affecting cocoa plants by quarantining them before sharing them with different countries to produce new, more resistant varieties. Diseases such as Black Pod and Mirid can decimate valuable crops. Andrew Daymond, manager of the ICQC, told MailOnline that there are various fungal diseases of cocoa such as blackpod, which is found worldwide, witches broom disease in South America and frosty pod rot, which is found in Central America and parts of South America. 'These all spread by fungal spores. Another disease that it important in West Africa is Cocoa Swollen Shoot virus. This is spread by insect vectors.' Most of the efforts to increase cocoa supply are geared towards improving yields on existing farms rather than increasing the area cultivated. Breeding of improved varieties that have better resistance to pests and diseases and higher yield potential is one route to achieve this and at the same time improve farmer livelihoods. The plants in the greenhouse were grown from cuttings or seeds collected from disease-free crops in the wild, on expeditions to the tropics. At a time when changing tastes in emerging economies like China and India are fuelling global demand for chocolate, the centre acts as a vital resource for producer countries when pests or droughts strike crops. ‘That's where we come into play,’ said Dr Daymond, which was set up 30 years ago. ‘We are the main hub for international movements of cocoa plants.’ New plants are needed because almost three quarters of the world’s cocoa is grown in West Africa, despite originating from South America, according to the International Cocoa Organisation. Such a heavy concentration of production in one region - the Ivory Coast and Ghana alone represent 60 percent - makes it vulnerable to shocks. For example, the price of cocoa jumped to almost $3,400 (£2,202) a tonne in September, amid fears that the Ebola crisis in West Africa could affect cocoa supplies. Both Ivory Coast and Ghana have so far been spared by the outbreak, but Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, which collectively produce 0.7 per cent of the world’s cocoa, saw their yields plummet when the disease struck. Cocoa prices later rebounded, and even rose 15 per cent overall, last year. There is also the potential threat to the industry from plant diseases, which in West Africa can mean up to one third of the annual harvest is lost. The plants in the greenhouse were grown from cuttings or seeds collected from disease-free crops in the wild, on expeditions to the tropics. Here, technician Heather Lake checks the plants for signs of disease, which are all hooked up to a watering system to ensure they thrive . Hosted by the University of Reading and situated in the village of Arborfield, west of London, the ICQC boasts 400 cocoa plant varieties, grown in 10,760 square feet of greenhouse space. An image showing on variety of cocoa, and a pod is pictured left, and right, a technician polinates buds from flowers on a cocoa plant . New plants are needed because almost three quarters of the world’s cocoa is grown in west Africa, making it more vulnerable to pests and disease, according to the International Cocoa Organisation. Here, a technician hand pollinates buds from flowers on a cocoa plant, to ensure the crop thrives . Dr Daymond explained: ‘In each cocoa-growing country, they face particular challenges to do with pest and diseases, low yield potential of planted materials, extreme weather events. ‘The basic objective of the project is to allow safe movement of cocoa plants from one part of the world to another.’ Because Britain has no endemic pests or diseases affecting cocoa, the centre can grow resistant varieties before dispatching them around the world. The current quarantine procedure involves experts looking for signs of disease over a two year period, but research is under way to speed up the process. Because Britain has no endemic pests or diseases affecting cocoa, the centre can grow resistant varieties before dispatching them around the world. More mature cocoa plants are shown . ‘When we do an export, we send the small branches off a tree…we then remove all the leaves and we just send a stick,’ Dr Daymond said. He explained that producer countries can then ‘establish a plant that is genetically identical to the plant that they received the cutting from’. The centre also researches the effects of climate change on cocoa crops and is looking at developing new varieties that would be more resistant to droughts or increased carbon dioxide levels, in a bid to meet the demand for chocolate. The current quarantine procedure involves experts looking for signs of disease over a two year period, but research is under way to speed up the process. Here, a cocoa fruit is removed from a plant . Experts at Kew Gardens are advising the coffee industry how to grow more resilient plants, amid fears that the Arabica variety will be wiped out by the end of the century. The Ethiopian bean - the world’s most popular type of coffee - is severely threatened by drought. With dry weather predicted to become more frequent in east Africa, Arabica plants could be eradicated in the wild by 2080, experts say. Experts at Kew Gardens are advising the coffee industry how to grow more resilient plants, amid fears that the Arabica variety will be wiped out by the end of the century. A stock image of arabica beans is shown . This is because those growing in coffee plantations are from limited genetic stock and are unlikely to have the flexibility required to cope with repeated dry spells and other threats, such as pests and diseases. Now horticulturists from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are finding alternative species and educating coffee giants. Professor Kathy Willis, head of science at Kew, said: ‘We’re finding alternative species and talking to Starbucks and Sainsbury’s and other big coffee importers and producers so that information flows through to big business. ‘By 2050-2080 there could be a 100 per cent reduction in Arabica coffee in the wild because of the dry, so we will need to move to the other 124 species of coffee.’ This is because those growing in coffee plantations are from limited genetic stock and are unlikely to have the flexibility required to cope with repeated dry spells and other threats, such as pests and diseases, which could potentially create a shortage of good coffee (a stock image is shown) She said Kew coffee research head Aaron Davis was looking in countries such as Madagascar for more resistant strains of coffee that can be grown with better climatic tolerance than Arabica, but lots of the varieties found there taste ‘horrible’. While there are almost 125 species of coffee, Arabica is the most popular by far and is considered the most important global commodity, after oil. Kew is setting up a new company in May called Kew Consultancy Services to sell commercially useful information. ‘We are focusing Kew’s science in those areas where we can truly make a unique impact on people’s lives, thanks to our unrivalled collection of specimens and the world-leading expertise of our evolutionary botanists, mycologists, taxonomists and systematists, Professor Willis said. Kew has cut 100 jobs in the last eight months - half from the science department - after a cut in Government funding. | The International Cocoa Quarantine Centre (ICQC) is based near London .
Steamy greenhouse mimics a tropical climate so cocoa crops thrive .
Cocoa plants are grown that can be shared with cocoa-producing countries .
This practice produces new, more disease resistant varieties .
Work is important in creating a steady supply of cocoa, which makes sure the price of chocolate doesn't soar and crops meet demand . |
feca1a51a68ff4133c28b5cfce3dd680eb8775a4 | A man has died after his glider crashed into a paddock in Central Victoria. The glider crashed near the intersection of Lake Mokoan Road and Chesney Vale Road on Friday afternoon. The man, who was the only person in the glider, had taken off from the Benalla Airfield. A man has died after his glider crashed in a paddock in Central Victoria . A spokesperson for Ambulance Victoria told Daily Mail Australia 'the man came into a paddock on Lake Mokoan Road, near the intersection of Chesney Vale Road.' 'The man was deceased at the time paramedics had arrived.' The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified of the incident. Police will prepare a report for the coroner. The glider crashed near the intersection of Lake Mokoan Road and Chesney Vale Road on Friday afternoon . | The glider crashed near the intersection of Lake Mokoan Road and Chesney Vale Road .
The man, who was the only person in the glider, was deceased by the time paramedics arrived . |
feca449c9b1d9c7726a88df931d59472c73ac203 | Fabio Borini believes a number of his team-mates proved a point to manager Brendan Rodgers during the Reds' 2-1 Capital One Cup win against Swansea on Tuesday evening. Rodgers made several changes to his starting XI at Anfield, giving chances to Borini, Rickie Lambert, Kolo Toure and Lucas Leiva from the first whistle. And although the Merseyside outfit had to rely on two late goals to reach the quarter-finals of the competition, the Italian striker is confident the club's fringe players made a positive impression. Liverpool striker Fabio Borini has an effort at goal during his side's Capital One Cup win against Swansea . Borini (left) believes he and other fringe players proved a point to Brendan Rodgers on Tuesday night . Striker Rickie Lambert (right) started against Swansea but was unable to score his first goal for the club . Borini told liverpoolfc.com: 'I think we played really well from the kick-off until the last seconds of the game and we scored at the last possible attempt. 'It was the players who were not playing so much or so often, like myself, and we knew that when we got the chance to play, we needed to make sure that we took the chance and we showed that.' Borini, who opted against a permanent move to Sunderland last summer, was delighted with his own display after struggling for playing time this season. 'I'm very pleased with my performance - not just for the assist, but for my performance after a long time not playing,' he added. 'Apart from me, all the other players played magnificent and we showed that we can play as a team.' Mario Balotelli (centre) equalises for Liverpool after replacing Lambert late on at Anfield . Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva (left), pictured tussling with Bafetimbi Gomis (right), was also given a chance . | Liverpool came from behind to beat Swansea 2-1 in the Capital One Cup .
Brendan Rodgers gave opportunities to a number of squad players .
Fabio Borini, Rickie Lambert, Lucas Leiva and Kolo Toure all started .
The Italian believes his team-mates proved their ability on Tuesday night . |
fecaaa16094fa614d4e458ab0d761d36e649283e | An artist has been banned by Facebook from posting images of her scientific-based work as they were deemed 'overly sexual'. Rebecca Harris had created a hand-stitched piece of art depicting the human body with its microbes for an exhibition titled Invisible You: The Human Microbiome for the Eden Project. But she was stunned to be told she could not show pictures of her work on her Facebook page as the social network did not allow 'overly sexual images' that 'suggest nudity' and 'show a lot of skin or cleavage.' Professional artist Rebecca Harris was shocked after she tried to post images of her artwork on Facebook, only to be told they breached the social network's guidelines for being 'overly sexual' Rebecca, 37, from Launceston, Cornwall had been commissioned for the project in August last year and started work a month later. The mother-of-three attempted to set up an advert on Facebook to promote her work but this was rejected for breaching its guidelines. A message from 'Jane' of the Facebook ads team read: 'Your ad was rejected because the image doesn't follow our ad guidelines. Ads may not use overly sexual images, suggest nudity, show a lot of skin or cleavage, or focus unnecessarily on specific body parts. This is also applicable to the images present on your pages. 'Please make the necessary edits and recreate your posts. If it's an ad created from the create flow, you can edit it in your ads manager.' Rebecca, who is a professional artist and has three children Nicole, 17, Zoe, 15, and Brae, 6, said she was staggered by the response. She said: 'Needless to say I was shocked by Facebook's comments and sat looking confused at the screen for some time. 'Then I decided I must make this public, so I shared the offending image via Twitter and it soon got many, many re-tweets as others obviously agreed at how absurd this was. Rebecca had created the hand-stitched piece of art depicting the human body with its microbes for an exhibition titled Invisible You: The Human Microbiome for the Eden Project . 'So what started as a day where Facebook would not give me any exposure to up my 'likes' to a round figure of 500 turned out to be the best exposure the work has received so far and I haven't given them a penny. 'It was merely meant to be a post to promote the page in general. I initially got a generic computer response describing it as a sexual, which I thought was quite funny at first. It was so ridiculous so I appealed and thought as soon as a human being saw the advert they would allow it go ahead. 'That was when I got the e-mail from Jane from Facebook ads, who described it as overly sexual. 'I just find the whole thing bizarre that you see some horrific things on facebook yet something like this can be censored. 'We have had the last laugh though and my work has now got more publicity than I could ever have imagined.' The artwork 'stitching science' will play a major part in the Invisible You: The Human Microbiome exhibition at The Eden Project in May. A spokesman for the project said: 'Invisible You: The Human Microbiome... showcases the fascinating world of the beneficial microbes that live in and on our bodies. The work is an embroidered textile hanging that represents the microbial communities of the skin and illustrates that the womb does not contain a microbial community. 'We are pleased that Rebecca's striking, thought-provoking work is due to be part of Invisible You exhibition and we're glad that it is sparking debate already.' Facebook have yet to comment. | Rebecca Harris was stunned to be told she couldn't put work on Facebook .
Professional artist' hand-stitched work shows human body with microbes .
But the social network deemed pictures 'overly sexual' and banned them . |
fecb597e906ef6b962591ecfaadb8c49a61d55a9 | (CNN) -- The Doha climate change conference this year was the most significant in nearly 20 years of gatherings under the U.N. Framework Convention process aimed at staving off future global warming disaster. Since carbon dioxide emission limits agreed to under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol were to expire at the stroke of midnight on December 31, 2012, it was critical that the international community agreed to extend those obligations and to continue talks about future emission cuts. But the outcome fell far short of what will be necessary to keep the world's average temperature from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius in the foreseeable future. Under the Doha arrangement, 17 of the 25 biggest carbon emitting countries (including China, the United States, Russia and India) did not commit to any legally binding emission limits. The countries that did agree to extend and deepen their Kyoto emission reductions, including the European Union, Australia and Eastern Europe, make up only about 15% of the world's emissions. That seems like a rather meager return on the investment of time and effort over the past years. But there is one silver lining. The world's top 20 carbon emitters together make up about 77% of emission and account for about 4.3 billion people, which is about 62% of the global population. The remaining 170 or so countries account for just over 20% of emissions. As often is the case, these negotiations over climate have come to symbolize epic David and Goliath struggles pitting poor developing countries against recalcitrant government officials from rich countries. Lobbying efforts, shaming tactics, and staging public demonstrations have been the slingshots of choice. One result is that more people are paying attention to environmental issues. Nonetheless, it is time to abandon the myth that a consensus solution is necessarily the best approach. The unfortunate reality is that little can get done right now. It's like having hundreds of cooks with hundreds of different recipes attempting to prepare one meal in the same small kitchen. After two decades of hard work, it is time to consider reducing the number of cooks. A better alternative to a United Nations-style conference would be for the 25 major emitters to come to an agreement just among themselves about their mutual commitments to deal with climate change effectively. In other words, get the 25 cooks to work together on the main meal. The hundreds of other cooks ought to step out of the kitchen. Some smaller, focused discussions have already started, such as in the Major Economies Forum. Imagine what kind of deals on cutting emissions would be possible just among China, India and the United States -- the top three emitters in the world respectively. Imagine a deal involving emission sources in China, which has some of the world's most polluting coal-fired power plants, and California, which is on a course to become one of the most stringently controlled states in carbon emissions. Of course, there are no guarantees for success. But discussions within such a smaller group would allow government leaders to confront the realities of climate change and engage in direct horse-trading without the static of thousands of other voices desiring to load their issues into the deal. Let's face it -- we are way beyond the time for finding an ideal solution. Every year the world waits to take further concrete steps to cut emissions, the atmosphere will be loaded with millions of tons more carbon dioxide that will stay for a century. And the job of limiting global warming to 2 degrees Celsius will be more out of reach. At the best, gatherings like the one in Doha dangle a tantalizing mirage of achieving a sustainable future. At the worst, they give cover to governments that would rather avoid the hard choices they ultimately will have to make. After one more expensive and time-consuming round of talks, it's time to be honest with what can really be accomplished in these U.N.-style gatherings. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Tseming Yang. | Tseming Yang: Result of Doha climate change conference less than desirable .
Yang: It's time to abandon the myth that a consensus solution is the best approach .
He says the 25 major carbon emitters should work out an agreement among themselves .
Yang: Smaller, focused discussions may be better than large, U.N.-style gatherings . |
fecb87e693774dc80ca8a0e5362f70cd906915a3 | When Emma Witty died of a brain haemorrhage at 19, her family were determined that some good should come of the tragedy. A year on, they have spoken of their pride after her organs helped to save six lives. Miss Witty, a budding photographer who loved giving to charity, collapsed at her home in Leeds in June last year. Her devastated family decided to allow her organs to be donated to patients in need of a transplant. Emma Witty died aged 19 from a brain haemorrhage, but her organs have helped save the lives of six people . Miss Witty's mother Catherine Gregson said the thought that her daughter had helped saved so many lives gave her 'a lot of comfort' Miss Witty’s heart was given to a young woman in her 20s. A man in his 50s received her pancreas and one of her kidneys, while her lungs and other kidney went to male patients in their 60s. Her liver benefited two patients, a man and a baby girl of one. Her corneas were also thought to be donated. Miss Witty’s mother Catherine Gregson said: ‘While it is difficult, it does give me a lot of comfort to know she has helped save so many lives and that her eyes are out there still seeing and her heart is somewhere still beating.’ Mrs Gregson described the horror of discovering her daughter had suffered a brain haemorrhage. ‘I was staying at my mum’s as she had been poorly,’ she said. ‘I kept phoning Emma as she told me she was going to be at home.’ At 2am, Mrs Gregson received a call saying her daughter was in hospital. ‘She came round and we all thought that she was going to be fine. She started to talk, although she was very confused.’ But within days Miss Witty’s condition started to deteriorate. She died on June 20. Her boyfriend Oli Dobson said: ‘After she died I was at the hospital with Emma’s mum and dad, and the doctor asked if we thought Emma would want to donate her organs. Her mum and dad looked at me and asked what I thought. I said of course she would. ‘She would want to do what she could to help others. That’s the type of person she was.’ | Emma Witty's parents allowed their daughter's organs to be donated .
Her heart, pancreas, kidneys, lungs and corneas were all transplanted .
A seriously ill baby girl, aged one, was given part of Miss Witty's liver .
Her mother says it gives her 'comfort' knowing that her heart is still beating . |
fecb8e46d45e6055facb6022acd767b6eb19640b | PUBLISHED: . 09:02 EST, 9 March 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:14 EST, 9 March 2012 . One dangerous motorist has taken 'hands free' driving to a new level after being caught not gripping the wheel at around 40mph. Shocked witness Alan Miller filmed the dangerous driver and even captured the moment she was on the phone with one hand and swearing at him with the other near Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Last week the driving instructor spotted the woman in his car's mirrors and while an experienced 18-year-old pupil was at the wheel he turned in his chair to quickly film the illegal act. Scroll down for video . Caught: The woman is shown clearly on the phone with one hand and swearing with the other at 40 miles per hour . And when she knew she was spotted, instead of gripping the wheel, she just used her other hand to flash the V-sign at him. 'It’s like the threat of three points and a £60 fine isn’t enough of a deterrent for people. Clearly having a phone call is more important to them than safety or the possibility of points on their licence,' he said. Mr Miller said it is a depressingly common example of unsafe driving he sees, adding that he spots motorists illegally phoning while at the wheel up to six times an hour. On the phone: The woman was filmed less than a car length away from a learner driver and this is the moment just before she spots she is being filmed breaking the law . 'This kind of thing happens all the time, it’s a nightmare. I put it online to embarrass the driver and in the hope that she sees it and thinks twice about doing it again,' he said. He keeps the small video camera in his dual-controlled car to document the scene of any accidents, but has increasingly begun to use it as a deterrent to motorists. | Driving instructor Alan Miller captured the moment she was on the phone with one hand and swearing with the other .
The incident took place at 40mph when the dangerous driver was tailgating a learner . |
fecbda9394d48f0eaaacba6b7c5b36f361f34d2e | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 10:23 EST, 20 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:30 EST, 21 September 2013 . Amanda Knox has vowed not to return to Italy for her re-trial for the murder of her British roommate, explaining: 'I just can't relive that.' In her first live interview about the upcoming court battle, the 26-year-old student said that she believes missing the trial over the 2007 killing of Meredith Kercher is simply 'common sense'. She was acquitted of the crime in 2010 after already serving nearly four years behind bars. 'I was already imprisoned as an innocent person in Italy, and I can't reconcile the choice to go back with that experience,' she told the Today show's Matt Lauer about the retrial, which starts in 10 days. Scroll down for video . Refusal: Speaking on the Today show, Amanda Knox said it was 'common sense' that she will not return to Italy for the re-trial in the murder of her British roommate in 2007. Knox was freed in 2010 . 'It's not a possibility, as I was imprisoned as an innocent person and I just can't relive that... It's common sense not to go back.' She told Lauer that she believes she will win the retrial and will not return to prison. On a practical level, she added that she simply cannot drop everything to go to Florence because numerous factors - including financial pressures and the fact she attends school - would stop her. She said that the idea of returning to prison still haunts her. 'I thought about what it would be like to live my entire life in prison and to lose everything, to lose what I've been able to come back to and rebuild,' she said. Speaking out: In the interview with Matt Lauer she said she still had nightmares about her time in prison . Moving on: Knox is now studying in Seattle and said that she could not just drop her studies for the trial . 'I think about it all the time. It's so scary. Everything's at stake.' Knox even penned a letter to her unborn child for Today.com voicing her fear that she could live behind bars and never fulfill her wish to become a parent. Loss: British student Meredith Kercher was found killed in the apartment the girls shared in Perugia . The trial, which begins September 30, . is the third time Knox has been on trial for the alleged murder of . Meredith Kercher in the home they shared in Perugia while both were . students in 2007. Knox and . her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were convicted of the killing in . 2009 and spent nearly four years in prison before they were acquitted on . appeal and released in October 2011. Prosecutors had claimed that Kercher's murder came after a violent sex game gone wrong. In . March, the Italian Supreme Court rejected the appeals court ruling and . ordered a new trial. It is not yet clear if the U.S. would allow her to . be extradited if she is re-convicted. Knox said the idea that she could be judged for not attending the trial 'drives me crazy'. 'What is being on trial here is not my . character. It shouldn't be,' she said. 'What should be on trial is the . facts of the case. If you look at the facts of the case, there's proof . of my innocence.' Ivory . Coast native Rudy Guede was convicted of the murder and sentenced to 30 . years in prison - later reduced to 16 years on appeal. His fingerprints . and DNA were found at the crime scene. 'Odd behavior': Knox was pictured kissing her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito after the murder . Thanks: Knox acknowledges cheers of supporters while her mother comforts her after she was freed in 2010 . Knox, . who now lives and studies in Seattle, has written a book, Waiting to Be . Heard, in which she details her stay in prison and maintains she is . innocent. She said she has suffered post-traumatic stress disorder since being released. 'It's happening so fast, and I’m not . quite sure what’s going to happen,' Knox told Lauer. 'But I'm trying to . do everything I can to make a difference.' | Knox was acquitted of 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher after serving four years behind bars but a retrial of the case begins in 10 days .
Speaking on the Today show, Knox vowed not to return for the trial .
'It's common sense - I was already imprisoned as an innocent person'
She believes her absence shows her innocence, not her guilt . |
fecc0f17157f00744b6b20c13375bd300a0da462 | Beijing (CNN)In a historic climate change deal, U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced both countries will curb their greenhouse gas emissions over the next two decades. Under the agreement, the United States would cut its 2005 level of carbon emissions by 26% to 28% before 2025. China would peak its carbon emissions by 2030 and will also aim to get 20% of its energy from zero-carbon emission sources by the same year. "As the world's two largest economies, energy consumers and emitters of greenhouse gases, we have a special responsibility to lead the global effort against climate change," Obama said Wednesday in a joint news conference with Xi. The announcement marks the first time China has agreed to peak its carbon emissions, according to the White House. Xi is calling for "an energy revolution" that would include broad economic reforms addressing air pollution. Obama, who was in Beijing for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, said he hopes the deal will spur other nations to tackle climate change. "We hope to encourage all major economies to be ambitious -- all countries, developing and developed -- to work across some of the old divides, so we can conclude a strong global climate agreement next year," Obama said. Xi said both sides were committed to working toward the goals before the U.N. Climate Conference in Paris next year. Colorful summit ends with rare news conference . The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions said the joint announcement is "an extremely hopeful sign" and will help get other countries on board. "For too long it's been too easy for both the United States and China to hide behind one another," said the center's president, Bob Perciasepe. "People on both sides pointed to weak action abroad to delay action at home. This announcement hopefully puts those excuses behind us. We'll only avert the worst risks of climate change by acting together." The announcement could put climate change back on the G20 agenda, said researcher David Holmes of Monash University in Australia. "The announcement may mean climate will have to be higher on the G20 agenda despite host nation Australia trying to keep it off altogether," Holmes said. "As an economic meeting, it cannot afford to ignore the restructuring of energy markets and productive capacity that will be needed to accommodate these very ambitious cuts." The goals laid out by Obama and Xi were not as ambitious as some hoped, said Lo Sze Ping, CEO of the World Wildlife Fund Beijing. But "what's important is that both these two large emitters are taking the responsibility to act and work together to resolve the problem, not the numbers or targets themselves," he said. U.S.-China relations: Can teens succeed where presidents have failed? The White House said the ultimate target is to "achieve deep economy-wide reductions on the order of 80% by 2050." A senior Obama administration official said the goals are "ambitious and achievable" -- but U.S. domestic politics could be a challenge. The official said "leading climate deniers" in the Republican party might try to stop the initiative. The official hinted that Obama could act alone if necessary. "Congress may try to stop us, but we believe that with control of Congress changing hands we can proceed with the authority we already have," the official said. "This is really the crusade of a narrow group of people who are politically motivated and have made this a cause celebre, but we believe we will be successful." The Obama administration hopes to sell the plan back home by touting the anticipated savings on energy costs. The plan offers initiatives and incentives to develop more solar and wind power in both countries, the official said. "Consumers and businesses will save literally billions of dollars," a senior administration official said. But the Senate's top Republican said the climate change deal will hurt the U.S. economy. "Our economy can't take the President's ideological war on coal that will increase the squeeze on middle-class families and struggling miners," Sen. Mitch McConnell said in a statement. "This unrealistic plan, that the President would dump on his successor, would ensure higher utility rates and far fewer jobs." 24 hours with President Obama in China . China has agreed to provide another 800-1,000 gigawatts of nuclear, wind, solar and other zero emission generation capacity by 2030. That amount of zero-emission output exceeds all the coal-fired power plants that exist in China today and is close to total current electricity generation capacity in the United States. A senior Obama administration official said that historically, the United States and China have often been seen as antagonists, so the climate change deal "should send a powerful message," and "will usher in a new day, where the U.S. and China can work as partners." During Obama's visit to Beijing, the Chinese government closed factories and gave employees time off to reduce car traffic and emissions in Beijing. The reduction of smog and the appearance of blue skies was noted by media throughout the APEC summit. Top Senate Republicans slam climate deal . As well as the historic climate change deal, Obama and Xi also agreed on the importance of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula, cybersecurity, strengthening military relations and increasing trade. "China is firmly committed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Xi said. Both sides also agreed to an extension of the validity of short- term business and tourist visas from one to 10 years, and of student visas from one year to five years. "This arrangement will facilitate the travel of millions of U.S. and Chinese citizens, furthering the trade, cultural, and people-to-people ties that form the foundation of our bilateral relationship," the White House said. CNN's Matt Hoye reported from Beijing; Holly Yan reported from Atlanta. CNN's Hilary Whiteman, Dana Bash and Katie Hunt contributed to this report. | Under the deal, the U.S. will cut carbon emissions by more than 25% by 2025 .
China is aiming to get 20% of its energy from renewable resources by 2030 .
Obama: U.S. and China have responsibility to lead effort against climate change .
Sen. Mitch McConnell says the plan will hurt the U.S. economy . |
fecc129fb8b6f3a7633d9b730b78e44edbe45cae | By . Tara Brady . A £30,000-a-year vegetarian private school is being sued by parents who claim their son was subjected to 'racist bullying'. St Christopher School, in Letchworth, Hertfordshire - known as 'St Chris' - differs from similarly-priced traditional boarding schools, such as Eton and Harrow. Staff and pupils are required to eat no meat, there is no school uniform and pupils address teachers by their first names, rather than as 'Sir' or 'Miss.' St Christopher School, in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, is being sued by parents who claim their son was subjected to 'racist bullying' The school was founded in 1915 'to promote understanding amongst students of other cultures and religions' and create an environment 'where all children are celebrated as individuals, regardless of their particular abilities.' Twenty-six per cent of its pupils are non-white. However, the idiosyncratic school is now at the centre of a High Court row, after the parents of a pupil - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - refused to pay £25,000 in fees, claiming that 'members of staff at the school were racist.' London¿s High Court heard allegations made by parents who claim their son was subjected to racist bullying . London’s High Court heard the school aims to promote the personal and creative growth of pupils as individuals through its libertarian approach to education and is the alma mater of film director Michael Winner, critic AA Gill and presenter George Lamb. St Chris’s lawyers vehemently deny the parents’ accusations, but Mr Justice Holroyde must now decide whether the 'atypical independent school' has betrayed the principles laid down by its founding fathers. The judge was told that controversy began brewing when the pupil’s parents stopped paying their fees and the company that runs the school, St Christopher School (Letchworth) Ltd, launched a claim against them, saying they were contractually obliged to pay up. However, the parents countered with allegations that the school had failed their son and launched a High Court counter-claim alleging breach of duty against the school and seeking damages 'substantially in excess of the fees claimed.' Past pupils: George Lamb and Michael Winner went to St Christopher School, in Letchworth, Hertfordshire . Anna Dilnot, for St Chris, told the judge today: 'The allegation is that a class teacher and a PE teacher discriminated against (the boy) on grounds of race...the allegation is that (he) was subjected to racial bullying which was not properly addressed by the school'. The parents claim their son was given 'less favourable treatment on grounds of race', said the barrister, who added: 'The nub of the parent’s counter-claim is that the school was a harmful environment.' 'The allegations being made by the parents are serious: that members of staff at the school were racist...that certain members of staff encouraged an atmosphere where other students could bully...and that the school failed to investigate and then deliberately covered up the truth,' she added. Among other things, the parents claim a PE teacher 'intimidated their son by shouting at him, causing him to wet himself' and 'called him an idiot in front of other pupils.' The school was founded in 1915 'to promote understanding amongst students of other cultures and religions' They allege that the atmosphere at the school 'caused a loss of confidence and self-esteem' in their son and left him 'anxious and fearful of bullying and sustaining injuries'. The parents say their complaints should have been referred to Hertfordshire County Council as a child protection issue, rather than being dealt with internally by St Chris. Flatly denying that the allegations, Miss Dilnot told the judge: 'The nature of the allegations is extraordinary. 'The school strenuously denies all of them. Although it accepts that the parents genuinely believe that they are correct...there is no evidence to support their allegations.' Sketching out the school’s founding principles, she added: 'St Chris is an atypical independent school. It is not like Eton or Harrow. 'It is quite informal, there is no school uniform, pupils and staff have a vegetarian diet and the children call teachers by their first names. 'It was founded to promote understanding between the different cultures and religions and on the principle that each child is different and should not be treated all the same.' She said that the parents had signed a contract agreeing to pay the fees before their son enrolled and disputed their claim that the school’s alleged failings had absolved them of the debt. She added: 'The issues for decision amount to whether the school acted in such a way as to breach its contractual duty, whether any breach was repudiatory and thus had the effect of discharging the (parents) from a future obligation to pay and whether any breach caused them any loss.' The barrister also told the judge that the pupil at the centre of the row is now no longer at the school.Outside court, Miss Dilnot said: 'The counter-claim is for damages for alleged breach of duty and is substantially in excess of the fees being claimed. This is really all about the counter-claim.' The boy’s mother is representing the family in person. The hearing, set to last a week, continues. | St Christopher School, in Hertfordshire, differs from other boarding schools such as Eton and Harrow .
Staff and pupils are required to eat no meat and there is no school uniform .
Pupils address teachers by their first names, rather than as 'Sir' or 'Miss'
School was founded in 1915 'to promote understanding among students of other cultures and religions'
Parents of a pupil refused to pay £25,000 in fees claiming 'members of staff were racist'
Past pupils include film director Michael Winner, critic AA Gill and presenter George Lamb . |
fecc365f7b1fee58a2071573335c4281939e2894 | Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) -- As the death toll climbed Monday from flooding in Southeast Asia, officials beefed up flood prevention measures to protect Thailand's capital from rising water. Millions have been affected by the flooding in Thailand and Cambodia, which has been hit by an above-average monsoonal rainy season. As of Monday, 269 people were dead in Thailand and four were missing, according to the country's Flood Relief Operations Command. Another 207 people were dead in Cambodia, according to the country's state-run news agency AKP. Patients in two hospitals in Thailand's Ayutthaya and Nakhon Sawan provinces had to be evacuated after water reached the first floor, the flood operations command said. Multiple tropical systems have moved over the area in recent weeks, enhancing monsoon rains and leading to the flooding. Another low pressure system is forecast to move into Southeast Asia on Tuesday and Wednesday, said Brandon Miller, senior meteorologist for CNN International. On Monday, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra ordered canal dredging and reinforcement of flood-prevention embankments to protect Bangkok, state-run news agency MCOT reported. In addition, three new flood-prevention walls were being built at two locations in Rangsit, in northern Bangkok, and in Taling Chan, in the western part of the city. The government needs another 1.5 million sandbags, MCOT reported. The prime minister called on the private sector to supply them, but said the government will buy all the needed sandbags by Wednesday, the news agency said. The Rojana Industrial Park has halted operations for the time being, director Amara Charoengitwattanagun told MCOT, and the facility may be further damaged if the flooding worsens. One plant in the park, Single Point Parts, evacuated all workers from the premises and built flood prevention embankments around its building, according to MCOT. Meanwhile, Honda Thailand said on its website Monday that its plants in the Rojana park are flooded and will be closed until at least until the end of the week. | Nearly 500 people are dead in Thailand and Cambodia .
Officials order measures to protect Bangkok .
The region has seen weeks of heavy rain . |
fecca1bc424af7d2b07a420965d9e0523605e572 | (CNN) -- The militants pulled into the northeastern Nigerian village of Chibok under cover of darkness, their target a girls' boarding school filled with students ahead of final year exams. Armed and wearing military uniforms, they told the girls they were there to protect them. The girls started to assemble in the yard as ordered to, not realizing the men were from Boko Haram -- the group whose name roughly translates as "Western education is sin" -- until it was too late. More than 200 were loaded onto trucks and spirited away: the group's leader later announced that he would sell them. Since the mass abduction on April 14, the world's attention has been focused on Chibok, but CNN was the first global news organization to send a team to the scene of the atrocity. The journey from the relative safety of Nigeria's capital, Abuja, to the remote countryside stalked by Boko Haram can take eight to 10 hours, but logistics and security concerns meant that it took CNN international correspondent Nima Elbagir's team four days to complete the trek. For most of the route, the road was tarmacked and the team constantly stopped at checkpoints manned by the military, police or vigilantes looking out for militants. But for the final 45 minutes the tarmac and checkpoints disappeared and the team swerved through the bleak, potholed landscape at full speed with flak jackets beside them. Read more: The road to Boko Haram's heartland . Some girls managed to escape Boko Haram, making a desperate dash for freedom after the militants loaded them into cargo trucks. "We would rather die than go," one of those girls told CNN. With fear in her eyes and voice, the young woman, who asked not to be identified, described what happened on that horrendous night. Read more: Escaped schoolgirl describes ordeal . Families had sent their girls to Chibok Girls Secondary School for a desperately needed education but Boko Haram's attack left the school a burned-out shell. Chibok is part of Borno state, where 72% of primary-age children never attended school, according to the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria. The militants destroyed everything they could at the school. One of the girls who managed to flee said their attack had ended both her education and dreams of becoming a doctor. Read more: How Boko Haram cripples children's future . Outrage over the mass abduction has prompted a global campaign, calling for the girls to be freed through the Twitter hashtag #BringBackOurGirls. But in Chibok the outrage is overlaid with despair. CNN's Nima Elbagir spoke to the mothers of two of the missing schoolgirls. They described hearing gunfire before discovering their daughters had been taken away. The kidnapping has left an indelible mark on Chibok. During the day, it looks like a normal village. But at night the fear and terror is visible. The women, elderly and children go to sleep -- and the young men stay awake, doing patrols, keeping vigil. The men arm themselves with whatever they can -- machetes, homemade bow and arrows, in the hope that they will be able to protect their families. CNN's team joined them. Read more: Boko Haram threat keeps village awake . Nima and her crew returned to Nigeria's capital, Abuja, safely. Around the world, the #BringBackOurGirls campaign continues and foreign governments including the United States, Britain, France, Israel and China have offered help to Nigeria's government find the girls. But the schoolgirls are still missing, their relatives still praying for their return and the residents of Chibok still haunted by the attack that left them cowering in the bush as Boko Haram plundered their village. Full coverage of CNN international correspondent Nima Elbagir's Chibok journey will screen on CNN International on Saturday 17 May at 2100 CET, Sunday 18 May at 0030 CET, 0400 CET and 1200 CET and Monday 19 May at 0730 CET. | On April 14, Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 girls from a school in Chibok, Nigeria .
A CNN team made the dangerous journey to the village in Boko Haram's heartland .
CNN correspondent Nima Elbagir spoke to a girl who fled, mothers of abductees and other villagers .
She accompanied villagers armed with machetes on their night-time patrol of the area . |
feccb0689777bf7de52ffd39f6a15148f4816fd2 | By . Richard Spillett . Former bandmates of paedophile Ian Watkins say they have severed all ties with the shamed singer after he was jailed for child sex abuse. Two members of the band have spoken for the first time since Watkins, 36, was jailed for 35 years for a string of sex offences - including the attempted rape of a baby. Guitarists Lee Gaze and Mike Lewis told of their sense of betrayal after first believing the band's former frontman was innocent following his initial arrest. Scroll down to see video . Ian Watkins' former bandmates Lee Gaze (centre) and Mike Lewis (right) have spoken about the shamed singer (second from right), who has been jailed for child abuse . Guitar player Lee Gaze, 39, said he had initially feared for his one-time friend . when he was held in prison and maintained his innocence. Gaze described Watkins, who eventually admitted 13 offences, as a 'weak character', adding: 'He's a bit of a coward. 'To be in prison, where he's going to be the guy from the rock band with . those charges, I was worried. But then I reached a point where real . resentment set in.' Watkins, 36, was jailed for 29 years after admitting a string of child sex offences - including the attempted rape of a baby . He said he has no interest in ever speaking to Watkins again, saying he doesn't think the jailed singer would explain himself anyway. Watkins, whose group sold more than 3.5m records but have now split, . told his bandmates he was set up after rumours emerged that he had been found in possession of . indecent images of children, following his drugs arrest in a 2012. Father-of-two . Gaze, who was 17 when he met then-15-year-old Watkins, said the singer repeatedly told his bandmates he had been wrongly incriminated. In an interview with The Sunday Times Magazine's Krissi Murison, fellow guitarist Mike Lewis, who has known Watkins since the pair met aged five at infants school in Pontypridd, south Wales, said: 'I find it utterly unbelievable that he was capable of doing those things.' He said his shock was made all the worse by the fact that he been friends with Watkins, known his family and grown up alongside him. Lewis, 36, who lives in Los Angeles with his wife and four-year-old daughter, said he had severed all links with his former bandmate and once close friend. He said he had also considered whether he would want to speak to Watkins in prison but had decided he would not, even if he was given the chance. Lewis said he was away on holiday when Watkins was charged with a string of offences, including the abuse of children. The band split last October ahead of Watkins' trial but his former bandmates now plan to form a new group. Lewis said the band's 'legacy' had been 'wiped out' by Watkins' crimes and it is now impossible for the band to be proud of their achievements. Picture of Watkins on Skype. His crimes included getting a fan to abuse her baby as he watched on a webcam . Ian Watkins pictured in a 'Mega Lolz' T-shirt . Watkins was sentenced at Cardiff . Crown Court in December and told he would have to serve at least 35 years . before being considered for release. The court heard that after sexually touching a groupie's 11-month-old baby, Watkins tried to have penetrative sex with the child. He also encouraged a second fan to abuse her child during a webcam chat and secretly stashed child porn videos, some of which he had made himself. Sentencing judge Mr Justice Royce told Watkins: 'Those who have appeared in these courts over many years see a large number of horrific cases. This case, however, breaks new ground. 'I am satisfied that you are a deeply corrupting influence, you are highly manipulative, you are a sexual predator, you are dangerous.' After pleading guilty to the charges, Watkins, 36, sent a message to a fan joking about the offences. 'I am going to put a statement out just to say it was mega lolz,' he said. 'I don't know what everyone is getting so freaked out about.' | Singer Watkins was jailed for 35 years for 13 child sex offences last year .
He tried to have sex with a baby and encouraged a groupie to abuse child .
Other members of the band now speak out about his 'unbelievable' crimes .
They tell of resentment at 'coward and weak character' after band split .
Bandmates didn't believe the crimes when Watkins was first arrested .
But after hearing the details of his trial, they vow never to speak to him . |
feccfd46c310fed740b97da4c3308c84bba8302a | By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 08:42 EST, 22 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:56 EST, 25 November 2013 . We are more accustomed to seeing her dressed to the nines in figure-hugging dresses each morning but national treasure Holly Willoughby proves she can pull off the casual look with aplomb too. Holly, 32, looks stunning as she poses in an array of cosy Christmas knits in her new Oral-B campaign. Speaking about festive style, Holly said: 'Although I love to feel fabulous and look beautiful during this season, being comfortable is key. Happy Holly-days! Holly Willoughby poses in some cosy knits for her new Oral-B Christmas campaign and says she opts for comfort over sparkly dresses in December . 'Christmas . parties for me are less about a sparkly dress and heels and more about . the most ridiculous Christmas jumper I can find. 'I want to be . comfortable so I can eat canapés and drink mulled wine - I don’t want to . be in sequins, I want to be comfy in knitwear. 'Saying this, when it comes to Christmas Day, I like to wear red. I . think you have to have one staple red dress in your wardrobe that you . can put on and feel festive and fabulous. 'I have a pretty dress that I . only wear on Christmas, and I always wear something with an elasticated . waistband!' Holly will be spending Christmas at her mother’s house, so she can sit, relax, and just eat, drink and be merry. She . is, however, hosting a Boxing Day party at her house, so has shared her . tips for a stress-free Christmas, and also reveals how she manages to . do it all and still look gorgeous during the holidays. Feeling festive: Holly says she will be spending Christmas at her mother's house and eating lots and drinking mulled wine . 'The three main important beauty aspects for me during the festive party season are my lips, lashes and teeth. 'I smile a lot, especially at Christmas, so I like to have a nice natural white smile which is why I use Oral-B 3D White Luxe – it really looks after my teeth and helps keep them looking shiny, healthy and removes stains. 'I also think a red lip at Christmas is really nice - I love MAC RED. 'Combine this with tonnes of Max Factor Clump Defy mascara and a slight shimmer - a wash of bronze across the eye can look lovely.' Lady in red: Holly says she swears by crimson lips and a staple red dress over the festive period . Holly, who remains unflappable at all times on This Morning (even when dealing with the likes of Katie Hopkins), has shared her advice on staying calm over the Christmas period. She said: 'You can take the stress out of Christmas by trying to be as organised as you possibly can. 'I try and get all my shopping done before December so all the presents are wrapped in my lounge and ready so I can really relax and enjoy Christmas. 'If I see things throughout the year that I think someone will like then I buy them then and there. 'Around October/November, I really start cranking it up with shopping; otherwise Christmas turns into a panic! 'I do a lot of shopping online as it’s so easy. I don’t always get much of a chance to browse around the shops, and I love the fact that you can click "gift wrap".'In bed with Holly: Miss Willoughby has also unveiled a range of vintage-inspired bedding for BHS . 'This is originally Philip Schofield’s top tip, but…my top tip is to hire in all of the plates, glasses, pots and pans. 'The moment something is used, it gets put in a box in the garden which then gets collected after Christmas. Isn’t it a brilliant idea? Particularly if you’ve got a big family!'. Holly has been busy in the run up to Christmas and last week unveiled her new bedding range for BHS. Face compact - RMK do a really beautiful one. It’s got a bit of foundation in it, but it’s more of a powder. It’s a nice, neat compact that’s great to have in your handbag. It helps give a matte complexion, and it also has a shiny strip you can use on your cheeks as a highlighter to give a slightly dewy finish. Dental Floss - I have a bit of a thing for flossing, I always carry Oral-B Pro-Expert Premium floss with me and I love it. Once you get into it you get addicted! Lip balm - I really like Sisley as they do a lovely lip balm in a little pink pot and that’s perfect. It’s brilliant in the winter for when you get dry lips. Mascara - I get through tonnes of mascara. I’m not one of those girls who just puts on a tiny bit. I like to layer up mascara, so love a brilliant mascara like Max Factor Clump Defy. Eyeliner – Lancôme do a really nice one with a felt tip end, it’s called Plume in noir. It’s really good and helps create a steady line for my ‘flick’. | Holly says comfort is more important than style at Christmas .
Dental floss, lip balm and eyeliner are her festive beauty essentials .
She and Philip Schofield hire in their cooking utensils at Christmas . |
fecdb91e7b551180c54274ee051fed82e1af5dda | If you spot a commuter with Apple headphones on, you may want to avoid sitting near them if they have an iPhone 6. During tests, this handset was found to be the loudest among Apple's full range of iPhones including the 2G through to last year's iPhone 6 Plus. And, the eight-year-old 2G was able to reach a higher volume than the 2010 iPhone 4. Scroll down for video . iClarified placed decibel meters by the speakers of each of Apple's iPhones, including 10 handsets from the original 2G to last year's iPhone 6 Plus (pictured left to right). The meter presents the maximum reading in A-weighted decibels, or dBA. This reading is used to show the loudness of a sound, as perceived by the ear . Having a louder phone can be beneficial, especially when playing music or conducting a phone call on loudspeaker. But exposure to excessively loud noise - particularly when directed through headphones - can cause health problems, too. In environments where noise exceeds 85 dBA, for example, employees are required to wear ear protectors. And, as a comparison, average sound levels produced by a live band are around 110 dBA. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exposure to these noise levels can disturb sleep, raise blood pressure and even increase the chances of heart disease. The latest sound test was carried out by iClarified, and was a follow-up to a sound test the site filmed after the iPhone 5 was released in 2012. In the latest video, a decibel meter is placed beneath the speaker of each handset and music is played at full volume. The meter presents the maximum reading in A-weighted decibels, or dBA. This reading is used to show the relative loudness of a sound in the air, as it's perceived by the ear. iPhone 2G: 94.3 dBA . iPhone 3G: 98.6 dBA . iPhone 3GS: 103.6 dBA . iPhone 4: 92.9 dBA . iPhone 4S: 101.1 dBA . iPhone 5: 104.0 dBA . iPhone 5C: 102.0 dBA . iPhone 5S: 103.6 dBA . iPhone 6: 105.4 dBA . iPhone 6 Plus: 105.0 dBA . Using this method, low frequency sounds are reduced, compared to unweighted decibels, because the ear doesn't hear lower frequencies as well as higher ones. A typical rating is around 25 dBA, which is 25 A-weighted decibels above the threshold of a person's hearing, and is said to be relative to the loudness of a person whispering in a quiet room. The meter changes position below the different handsets because the speaker changes position on each model, explained iClarified. The iPhone 6 had the loudest speakers on test, with a reading of 104.5 dBA, beating the larger Plus by 0.4 dBA. The iPhone 4 was the quietest, at 92.9 dBA, which was worse than the original 2G, which had a reading of 94.3 dBA. The iPhone 5 was in third place on 104 dBA. The iPhone 3GS and 5S had the same reading, at 103.6 dBA, and the 5C registered a reading of 102 dBA. The speakers on the iPhone 3G produced 98.6 dBA. This isn't the first test in which the iPhone 4 performed worse than the original 2007 2G. The iPhone 6 (left) had the loudest speakers on test, with a reading of 104.5 dBA, beating the larger Plus by 0.4 dBA. The iPhone 4 (right) was the quietest, at 92.9 dBA, which was worse than the original 2G with 94.3 dBA . In 2013, fan site EverythingApplePro created a video test of eight handsets, including the 2G up to the 5S. Each of the handsets were 'freshly restored and not jailbroken' meaning they each had the same default settings and all applications were force closed beforehand. In the first test, all the phones were powered off simultaneously and the 3GS shut down fastest, followed by 3G, then the 4, then the original model. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 40 per cent of Europe’s population is exposed to noise levels in excess of 55dB - about the same level of a noisy office. The average washing machine has a recorded sound level of 70dB, refrigerators average at around 50dB refrigerator while in some instances food processors can reach up to 90dB. WHO says this amount of noise is enough to disturb sleep, raise blood pressure and even increase the chances of heart disease. According to a survey of 2,000 UK adults by John Lewis, 39 per cent of people will avoid using technology appliances at certain times because of the noise they produce. Meanwhile, almost a third of people find it difficult to drown out the noise and almost half consider sound an important factor in their purchasing decision when buying home appliances. The worst offending items in the home, on average, include: . Food mixer - 90dB . Tumble dryer - 60dB . Washing machine - 70dB . Vacuum cleaner - 70dB . Refrigerator - 50dB . The newer handsets all took noticeably longer than the older models, but took exactly the same amount of time as each other, to the second. Each of the phones booted up at different times, but EverythingApplePro highlights that the models differ in the amount of processing power and RAM and software between the newest and oldest phones, meaning this was not unexpected. This isn't the first test in which the iPhone 4 performed worse than the original 2007 2G. A video from EverythingApplePro found the original retro model outperfomed more recent models in terms of performance. In tests, newer models booted up first, yet the original phone (far right) booted up faster than the iPhone 4 . The newer models all booted up first, and at almost the same time, yet the original phone booted up faster than the iPhone 4. Apple's iPhone 3G was the slowest to boost. In the final tests, EverythingApplePro launched the Reddit.com, and Apple.com websites. The male voiceover explained that the 5S loads sites 'instantaneously' adding: 'the extra processing power and the new Wi-Fi capabilities, its an amazing device'. When launching Reddit.com, the iPhone 5 beat the 5 and the voiceover continued the loading times go 'downhill' from there. In conclusion, the video maker claimed: 'I learnt that the amount of processing power is greater as the generation goes on, but it's marginally less noticeable the higher you go, so if you have a 5 I wouldn't really recommend upgrading to a 5S just based on the fact you want extra amount of power, because it has an amazing amount of power as it is.' In the final tests, EverythingApplePro launched the Reddit.com, and Apple.com websites, pictured. During the video, the voiceover explained the 5S loads sites 'instantaneously'. When launching Reddit.com, the iPhone 5 beat the 5C but the rest of the handsets loaded the page slower than its successor . | iClarified placed decibel meters by the speakers of each of Apple's iPhones .
This included 10 handsets from the original 2G to last year's iPhone 6 Plus .
The iPhone 6 had the loudest speakers on test, with a reading of 104.5 dBA .
iPhone 4 was the quietest, at 92.9 dBA - this was worse than 2G's 94.3 dBA .
EverythingApplePro previously tested boot times on the 2G up to the 5S .
That video also revealed the iPhone 4 didn't perform as well as the 2G . |
fecdd30a8b497ee256bc19c61e64e810806873bc | The Ohio-based companies that provide the U.S. Army with Abrams tanks, once again proved to be one of the big winners when congress passed a $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill this week. The new defense spending bill will include $120 million for the 70-ton tanks – even though the army has repeatedly said it doesn't need them. It is the third year in a row that congress has disregarded the army's expressed wish to suspend tank building and upgrades. For the third year in a row, congress has disregarded the army's stated desire to suspend tank building and upgrades and has passed a defense spending bill that includes $120 million on Abrams tanks . In a statement, Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, said that congress 'recognizes the necessity of the Abrams tank to our national security and authorizes an additional $120 million for Abrams tank upgrades. 'This provision keeps the production lines open in Lima, Ohio, and ensures that our skilled, technical workers are protected.' Turner chairs the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee and will retain that position in the next Congress, reports Fox News. His district includes the General Dynamics Land Systems plant in Lima, Ohio, the only U.S. manufacturer of tanks. The tank debate between the army and congress goes back to 2012 when General Ray Odierno, the army chief of staff testified that 'we don't need the tanks. 'Our tank fleet is two and a half years old on average now. We're in good shape and these are additional tanks that we don't need.' Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, left, said congress recognizes the necessity of the Abrams tank to our national security, while Gen. Ray Odierno, right, the army chief of staff testified in 2012 that 'we don't need the tanks' Built to dominate the enemy in combat, the hulking Abrams tank weigh 70-ton and the army had suggested that production lines could be kept open through foreign sales . Then congress voted for another $183 million for tanks despite Odierno's argument that the army was seeking to become a lighter force. 'If we had our choice, we would use that money in a different way,' he said at the time. The current Abrams upgrade program approved by congress calls for improving gas mileage by decreasing idle times and also improvements to the tank's sights and sensors. Built to dominate the enemy in combat, the hulking Abrams tank weigh 70-ton and the army had suggested that production lines could be kept open through foreign sales. But politics is keeping the Abrams production line rolling as the deal protects businesses and good paying jobs in congressional districts where the tank's many suppliers are located. Congressional backers of the Abrams upgrades view the vast network of companies, many of them small businesses, that manufacture the tanks' materials and parts as a critical asset that has to be preserved. Congressional backers of the Abrams upgrades view the vast network of companies, many of them small businesses, that manufacture the tanks' materials and parts as a critical asset that has to be preserved . The money, they say, is a modest investment that will keep important tooling and manufacturing skills from being lost if the Abrams line were to be shut down. The Lima plant is a study in how federal dollars affect local communities, which in turn hold tight to the federal dollars. The facility is owned by the federal government but operated by the land systems division of General Dynamics, a major defense contractor that spent close to $11million last year on lobbying, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. The plant is Lima's fifth-largest employer with close to 700 employees, down from about 1,100 just a few years ago, according to Mayor David Berger. But the facility is still crucial to the local economy. 'All of those jobs and their spending activity in the community and the company's spending probably have about a $100million impact annually,' Berger said. | For the third year in a row, congress has disregarded the army's stated desire to suspend tank building and upgrades .
The new defense spending bill will include $120 million for Abrams tanks – even though the army has repeatedly said it doesn't need them .
Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, said that congress 'recognizes the necessity of the Abrams tank to our national security'
His district includes the General Dynamics Land Systems plant in Lima, Ohio, the only U.S. manufacturer of the Abrams tanks . |
fece4e697c66bb64697fc8b2940f2cef89dfe4f0 | The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is investigating the controversial launch of a new Thermomix kitchen appliance, according to emails seen by Daily Mail Australia. The surprise release of the Thermomix TM5 last month - the first of its kind in seven years - was controversial with customers who had recently forked out $1939 for an older model. Many said they were told there was no new product forthcoming. On Friday, several customers who brought the matter to the ACCC received messages from the watchdog saying it was 'engaging with Thermomix' to determine if the company had breached consumer protection laws. Scroll down for video . Several Thermomix customers received messages from the ACCC last week saying the commission was trying to establish whether a breach of the Australian Consumer Law had occurred . Controversy: More than 3000 people like a Facebook page devoted to the company's unhappy customers . 'We are aware of the concerns you and other consumers have raised regarding the release of the new Thermomix model,' the emails said. Ms Fowler, pictured, was one of many aggrieved Thermomix customers . 'We are currently engaging with Thermomix to address these concerns and establish whether a breach of the Australian Consumer Law has occurred.' More than 2500 people signed a Change.org petition calling for Thermomix to address the issue. One recipient of the message, Perth customer Lea Fowler, 57, told Daily Mail Australia she had never seen such a backlash from ordinary mums. When Ms Fowler purchased two Thermomix TM31 products in August - one for herself, another for a friend - she said she was told there was no new model coming out. But the company announced the release of the TM5 on its Australian Facebook page within a month, on September 6. 'I just feel this shouldn't happen to genuine customers that ask the right questions that go into buying a quite expensive machine a lot of us have thought a long time about,' Ms Fowler said. 'I've never seen such a backlash from ordinary mums out there in Australia who have saved hard to buy this machine and they felt really ripped off.' The old model is now readily available on eBay and Gumtree priced around $1500. Brisbane customer Georgina Shelley, an administrator of the Thermomix Unhappy Customers Facebook page, also received the message on Friday. She said the group was waiting with 'bated breath' for a positive response from the ACCC. 'We can speculate whether the company has broken consumer law, (but) we can't say for the sure until we get some response from the ACCC.' The latest development comes after consumer group CHOICE presented Thermomix with a 'Shonky' Award over the brouhaha last week. We are aware of the concerns you and other consumers have raised regarding the release of the new Thermomix model. We are currently engaging with Thermomix to address these concerns and establish whether a breach of the Australian Consumer Law has occurred. The Australian Consumer Law prohibits businesses from misleading consumers. Businesses can mislead consumers by not telling them something. Doing so might be illegal when: . - one person fails to alert another to facts only known to them, and this information is relevant to the decision being made by the consumer . - important details that a person should know are not explained to them . - a change in circumstance before the consumer makes the decision means information already provided is incorrect . If you are seeking an individual remedy you should write to Thermomix to try to resolve this problem. If that does not work you should consider getting independent legal advice about what options are available to suit your situation. You may also be entitled to take your complaint to your local state and territory small claims court or tribunal. The Thermomix is also popular internationally . A yogurt cake produced by a Thermomix machine . CHOICE is calling for customers who purchased an older model Thermomix three months prior to the TM5's release to be given a choice of a full refund, a $250 discount, or an upgrade to the TM5 for $50. Mr Godfrey said the watchdog 'welcomed' news of the ACCC's involvement, saying the company has only offered a discount or upgrade to customers who paid for their Thermomix TM31 after August 20. 'The company has sweetened the deal for those who purchased their models after July 1 by offering them a free blade, bowl and lid set,' he said. 'This isn't good enough and will be joining consumers in calling on the ACCC to look into this issue further.' He told Daily Mail Australia ACCC action is important 'to ensure that this behaviour doesn't set a precedent in the way other companies behave.' According to a company advertisement - set to dramatic music - the TM5 has 10 per cent more capacity than previous models, featured a new measuring cup and a more powerful and quieter motor. Thermomix did not immediately respond to Daily Mail Australia's requests for comment on Monday. The ACCC also refused to comment. Last week a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia the agency is 'limited in its capacity to discuss matters under potential investigation'. | Emails from ACCC to unhappy customers show it is investigating the controversial launch of latest Thermomix product .
'We are currently engaging with Thermomix to address these concerns and establish whether a breach of the Australian Consumer Law has occurred'
Thermomix released the TM5 - its first model in seven years - to controversy last month .
Customers who had recently forked out around $1939 for an older model were not told a new model was coming out .
New Thermomix costs $1,989 - just $50 more than the old one .
Thermomix was given a CHOICE 'Shonky' award over the controversy last week . |
fece964e6d1c2f964611d4e9b2baf8046227dbcc | The next time you’re cruising the high seas around Honduras it could be on a vessel that was once used to smuggle cocaine and other illicit drugs across international waters. In the ongoing war on drugs, the Central American country has announced plans to convert boats seized from traffickers into tourist cruisers. The boats will ferry visitors to hot spots in the picturesque Gulf of Fonseca in the Pacific Ocean, according to Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez. Drugs war: Boats seized from traffickers in Honduras will be converted into tourist cruisers . Bordering three countries, the Gulf of Fonseca is becoming a more popular tourist draw thanks to its islands, nature reserves, beaches and rock cliffs. Some of the areas remain largely untouched by tourists, but Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua are stepping up efforts to stimulate their budding tourism industries. Honduras hopes the converted drugs boats will bring tourist dollars to a region that is riddled with poverty and located on a major thoroughfare for traffickers. Related links The gulf itself has been a source of conflict for Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua, which have had disputes about territorial waters and who controls which islands, Fox News Latino reported. According to the government’s plans, the main ferry hub would be located in Coyolito, a fishing village surrounded by the San Lorenzo nature reserve that serves as a gateway to the Honduran islands. The final stop would be the disputed Conejo Island (rabbit island). Budding industry: President Juan Orlando Hernandez hopes tourists will flock to a region known for poverty . | Honduras is located on a major thoroughfare for drug traffickers .
President hopes new boats will help to stimulate tourism industry .
Vessels based in region known for poverty and territorial disputes . |
fecea96207ccb775f8a39b1f1793b6aedf4d3abd | Mauricio Pochettino revealed his half time fury with Erik Lamela was because he was waiting for the Argentinian to emerge from the toilet cubicle. Lamela scored Totteham’s opener against Brighton in the Capital One Cup at White Hart Lane just eight minutes after coming on as a second half subsbtitue for Aaron Lennon. Pochettino said: 'I got angry about him being late because I was focused. Erik Lamela scored for Tottenham against Brighton but Maurico Pochettino says he was angry at the midfielder . Mauricio Pochettino says the team had to wait for Erik Lamela to emerge from the toilet cubicle at half-time . 'When we arrived at the dressing room they knew about Lennon’s injury so I wanted Lamela on. 'After that he went to go to the toilet and we had to wait for him to come out.’ Tottenham went on to beat the visitors 2-0, with Harry Kane notching the other goal to set up a quarter-final clash with Newcastle at home. VIDEO Lamela's goal was unbelievable - Pochettino . | Erik Lamela scored as Tottenham beat Brighton in the Capital One Cup .
But Mauricio Pochettino reveals he was angered by midfielder at half-time .
Lamela made his team-mates wait for him as he took too long in the toilet . |
fecec310d3dedd46066010091f04e9c5bfca7485 | (CNN) -- Syrian security forces battled demonstrators Wednesday, killing a dozen more people, a Syrian opposition group said as the Syrian government vowed it was taking steps to achieve democracy. The opposition Local Coordination Committees in Syria (LCCS) reported eight people were killed in Homs, two in the Medan district of Damascus, one in Hama and one in Idlib. A witness in Homs said Syrian forces fired randomly at protesters. "Tonight, they shut down the electricity and stormed the city, firing shots everywhere," he said. CNN is unable to confirm reports from Syria independently because of limited access. Throughout the months-long unrest in Syria, the government has said it has been cracking down on "armed gangs" and "terrorists," not peaceful protesters. But witnesses, human rights groups, officials of numerous governments and a U.N. fact-finding mission have reported grave human rights abuses and widespread shootings of unarmed civilians. The opposition London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which gathers information from inside Syria, reported four people killed in Homs. In Idlib province, a 28-year-old man who was arrested by security forces last week when they stormed the town of Khan Sheikhoun died under torture, the observatory said. And in the city of Harasta, security forces carried out a series of raids and detentions to stop large demonstrations, arresting 37 people, the observatory said. Syria's state-run news agency SANA reported that 14 Syrian citizens "were martyred in Homs at the hands of the armed terrorist groups who kidnapped, tortured and killed them and mutilated their bodies." The story, on SANA's website, included gruesome photos. SANA also reported that "an armed terrorist group" attacked a bus in Hama on Monday, leaving a woman dead and some other passengers wounded. President Bashar al-Assad issued a decree Tuesday on a local administration law, which has the primary goal of decentralizing authority and placing it "in the hands of the people to achieve democracy," SANA reported. The Syrian opposition has called for widespread reforms and for al-Assad's ouster. The United States and several European nations have echoed that call. Wednesday's developments came a day after opposition members meeting in Istanbul said dissidents have formed a national council to lead the opposition to al-Assad's regime. The new council seems to be one of several opposition movements and parties claiming to represent the Syrian opposition inside and outside Syria. The United States and its European allies on the U.N. Security Council began circulating a draft resolution Tuesday that calls for tough sanctions against al-Assad and other top Syrian officials. "The resolution includes an arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze on individuals and entities who are responsible for what is happening," British Deputy Ambassador Philip Parham told reporters. "But there are things they can do now. They can stop the killing and release detainees. And allow access." CNN's Nada Husseini and Kamal Ghattas contributed to this report. | Opposition group reports 12 deaths Wednesday in various Syrian cities .
One man died under torture, an opposition group says .
The Syrian government says 14 people were "martyred" by "armed terrorist groups"
U.N. Security Council members are circulating a draft resolution calling for sanctions . |
fecec83b17eae2dff2606c7c7eb3b44b1bedb27c | (CNN) -- Newspapers across Europe Wednesday reprinted the controversial cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed that sparked worldwide protests two years ago. The move came one day after Danish authorities arrested three people allegedly plotting a "terror-related assassination" of Kurt Westergaard, the cartoonist behind the drawing. Berlingske Tidende, was one of the newspapers involved in the republication by newspapers in Denmark. It said: "We are doing this to document what is at stake in this case, and to unambiguously back and support the freedom of speech that we as a newspaper always will defend," in comments reported by The Associated Press. Newspapers in Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands also republished the drawing Wednesday as part of their coverage of Tuesday's arrests. The image, by Morgenavisen Jullands-Posten cartoonist Westergaard, was one of 12 cartoons about the Prophet Mohammed originally published in September 2005. Westergaard's cartoon depicted the prophet wearing a bomb as a turban with a lit fuse. Violent demonstrations erupted across the world in early 2006 after other newspapers reprinted the images as a matter of free speech. The uproar came as some Muslims believe it is forbidden by the Quran to show an image of the prophet. Many protesters directed their ire at Denmark, prompting the closure of several Danish embassies in predominantly Muslim countries, including Indonesia and Pakistan. There were also attacks on other diplomatic missions in Iran and Syria among others. The Danish Foreign Ministry has said it is keeping a watch on the situation at its embassies and has yet to report any incidents. Muslim leaders in Denmark Wednesday attacked the republication of the cartoon, as well as the alleged murder plot, while calling for calm. Imam Mostafa Chendid, chief of the Islamic Faith Community, told AP his group was discussing whether to hold a demonstration before parliament, adding: "We are so unhappy about the cartoon being reprinted." "No blood was ever shed in Denmark because of this, and no blood will be shed. We are trying to calm down people, but let's see what happens. Let's open a dialogue." The Danish Security and Intelligence Service Tuesday said police arrested a 40-year-old Dane of Moroccan origin and two Tunisians in the Aarhus area of western Denmark following lengthy surveillance. The Danish citizen is charged with a terrorism offense, the intelligence service said, and the Tunisians will be deported. Police have not yet released the names of the three. The target of the plot, the intelligence service said, was the cartoonist for the Danish newspaper Morgenavisen Jullands-Posten, which first published the controversial drawings in September 2005. The paper identified the cartoonist as Kurt Westergaard. Watch how threats have targeted cartoonists » . "Not wanting to take any undue risks [the intelligence service] has decided to intervene at a very early stage in order to interrupt the planning and the actual assassination," the statement by Jakob Scharf, the agency's director general, said. "Thus, this morning's operation must first and foremost be seen as a preventive measure where the aim has been to stop a crime from being committed." Westergaard has previously said that he wanted his cartoon to say that some people exploited the prophet to legitimize terror. However, many in the Muslim world interpreted the drawing as depicting their prophet as a terrorist. "Of course I fear for my life after the Danish Security and Intelligence Service informed me of the concrete plans of certain people to kill me," Westergaard said in a statement posted on the newspaper's Web site. "However, I have turned fear into anger and indignation. It has made me angry that a perfectly normal everyday activity which I used to do by the thousand was abused to set off such madness." CNN's Paula Newton said the arrests reinforced growing fears in Europe that radical Islam was trying to suppress free speech. "More and more Europeans feel that Islam is a threat to their way of life," Newton said. A recent Gallup poll for the World Economic Forum showed a majority of Europeans believed relations between the West and the Muslim world were worsening. According to the poll this sentiment was strongest held among Danish. Westergaard remains under police protection and does not know whether it will continue. "I could not possibly know for how long I have to live under police protection; I think, however, that the impact of the insane response to my cartoon will last for the rest of my life," he said. "It is sad indeed, but it has become a fact of my life." Carsten Juste, the paper's editor-in-chief, said staffers have been "deeply worried" for several months. "The arrests have hopefully thwarted the murder plans," he said on the newspaper's Web site. E-mail to a friend . CNN's Saeed Ahmed contributed to this report . Copyright 2008 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report. | NEW: European newspapers reprint cartoon that sparked Muslim protests in 2006 .
Prophet Mohammed drawing depicts its subject prophet wearing a bomb as a turban .
Danish police: Several arrested for plotting terror-related assassination Tuesday .
Newspaper says the target was its cartoonist Kurt Westergaard, behind the cartoon . |
fecee9b41f95de892fe88e1d3902c89720792a9a | (CNN) -- Neil Warnock became the second English Premier League manager to be sacked this season when Queens Park Rangers announced his departure Sunday. The promoted side have managed just four league wins this season and are hovering a point above the relegation zone. Only a last-minute goal prevented them from crashing out of the English FA Cup Saturday at third-flight MK Dons, Warnock's final match in charge. Steve Bruce left Sunderland in November to be replaced by Martin O'Neill. "Queens Park Rangers Football Club has today parted company with manager Neil Warnock," said a statement on the club's official website. Malaysian businessman owner Tony Fernandes, who took over the West London club early in the season, gave the reasons for Warnock's exit. "Sadly, our recent run of results has seen us slip alarmingly down the table and the board thought it was time for a change. "Neil has acted with honesty, professionalism and integrity throughout his time at the club, and I would personally like to thank him for his significant contribution to QPR over the last 22 months." Warnock, who led QPR back to the top-flight last season, left proud of his record. "Obviously I'm very disappointed, but having achieved so much, I leave the club with a great sense of pride. "My biggest regret is that the takeover didn't happen earlier, because that would have given me the opportunity to bring in the targets I'd pinpointed all last summer and probably given us a better chance to succeed in the Premier League." Former Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is the early favorite to succeed the 63-year-old Warnock at Loftus Road. Rangers said an announcement on Warnock's successor would be made in "due course." | QPR sack manager Neil Warnock Sunday .
Warnock led QPR back to the English Premier League last season .
QPR owner Tony Fernandes blames poor recent results .
Mark Hughes early favorite to succeed Warnock . |
fecf544ce7e8834366a20545bbe0624aac9d4489 | By . Sara Malm . PUBLISHED: . 12:49 EST, 15 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:59 EST, 16 September 2013 . Powerful loss: Julia Gillard stepped down as Prime Minister after losing the Labor leadership . Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has spoken for the first time about her ‘physical and emotional acute distress’ at losing her position of power. Ms Gillard, 51, was ousted as the leader of the country’s Labor party this June, forcing her to resign as prime minister. She describes the loss of her position as being ‘hit like a fist’ and says she grieves the loss of her political career. Writing for The Guardian Australia, she speaks of a pain ‘so strong you feel it in your guts, your nerve endings.’ She was ousted in a leadership challenge on June 26th this year which saw her predecessor Kevin Rudd re-take the position as leader of the party. ‘Losing power is felt physically, emotionally, in waves of sensation, in moments of acute distress,’ Ms Gillard writes, adding that since finding herself without a party and country to lead, she sometimes finds herself realising what it feels to be relaxed and not under constant strain. ‘I know now that there are the odd moments of relief as the stress ekes away and the hard weight that felt like it was sitting uncomfortably between your shoulder blades slips off. 'It actually takes you some time to work out what your neck and shoulders are supposed to feel like. ‘I know too that you can feel you are fine but then suddenly someone’s words of comfort, or finding a memento at the back of the cupboard as you pack up, or even cracking jokes about old times, can bring forth a pain that hits you like a fist, pain so strong you feel it in your guts, your nerve endings.’ Julia Gillard was born in Barry in Wales and her family immigrated to Australia when she was five years old. Following a double degree in Bachelor of Arts and Law from University of Melbourne she worked as a lawyer before entering politics for the Labor Party. Woman in charge: Julia Gillard became Australia's first female Prime Minister in 2010 when she took over from Kevin Rudd, who eventually took her seat this June . She became the first female Deputy Prime Minister in Australia's history in 2007 under Kevin Rudd, and took over as Prime Minister in 2010. Last week, just a few months after he took over from Ms Gillard, Mr Rudd led his party to a defeat in Australia’s federal election. After losing out to Conservative Tony Abbott he has stepped down as leader of the Labor Party. Julia Gillard made a promise when she was outvoted as head of Labor that she would retire from politics and is now expected to follow a similar route of ex British Prime Minister Tony Blair and enter into public speaking. In her open letter, she criticised Labor’s switch back to Rudd just weeks ahead of the election. She says saying it sent Australians 'a very cynical and shallow message' about the party's sense of purpose. After being re-instated as the leader of Labor this June, Kevin Rudd, left, was defeated in last weekend's election by Conservative Tony Abbot, right . She writes: 'It was not done because caucus now believed Kevin Rudd had the greater talent for governing. 'It was only done — indeed expressly done - on the basis that Labor might do better at the election. 'Labor unambiguously sent a very clear message that it cared about nothing other than the prospects of survival of its members of parliament at the polls.' In addition, Ms Gillard writes, Mr Rudd failed to articulate a reason why he had been installed as leader, saying that he brought ‘not one truly original new idea to substitute as the lifeblood of the campaign.’ Following her promise to depart from politics, she praises her former colleagues, urging them to unite. ‘I know that my colleagues are feeling all this now. Those who lost, those who remain. We have some grieving to do together.' | Julia Gillard was ousted as leader of Australia's Labor Party in June .
She describes losing power as the physical pain of 'being hit by a fist'
Last week the ex-PM was forced to watch her successor lose the election .
Kevin Rudd lost to Conservative Tony Abbot and has now stepped down . |
fecf7fd4f78c470bb0219334daadf96e3c3b4ed7 | Doctors witnessed the bravery of marine Kyle Carpenter with his stunning recovery from his injuries for diving on a grenade to save a comrade in Afghanistan in November 2010. President Barack Obama will award Marine Corporal Kyle Carpenter, 24, the Medal of Honor today for selflessly jumping on a grenade to save Lance Corporal Nicholas Eufrazio while they stood guard on a rooftop in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in November 2010. But it was his stoic recovery from injuries which saw his lungs and heart stop several times, bones broken from head to toe, the loss of an eye and most of his teeth which moved doctors from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Scroll down for video . Hero: Corporal Carpenter is to receive the Medal of Honor for throwing himself on a grenade to save a friend . Brave: Corporal Carpenter, from South Carolina, had been in Afghanistan for 5 months before the explosion . In a moving video tribute posted before he received the highest U.S military honor, Debra L. Malone said he never once complained as he battled for his life and always giving 110 per cent during recovery. After the blast, he needed more than 30 operations, and was fitted with a glass eye. 'I honestly believe Kyle made an effort to protect his family and his fellow marines. I don't think he wanted to see his fellow marines see him suffer,’ Dr Malone said. 'He knew that his fellow marines would be at some point going off to war and they might be faced with the same type of challenge. 'You would never know what he's been through. All his injuries have become a part of him, and he's proud of his injuries.’ Doctor Lauren T. Greer said: ‘No one survives a grenade blast, especially when you jump on top of it. But he always looked happy to be alive. ‘It’s extraordinary that he’s able to walk and use his legs as well as he can.’ Vincent Auth said he was 'very polite, very grateful, and very appreciative' of everything that was being done by the doctors. he was just a great kid to work on. 'His mother had mentioned he had the most beautiful smile, and I asked her to bring pictures in of him, and every time he came back he seemed to look more like those photos, even though he went a long time without any lower teeth,' Dr Auth said. Corporal Carpenter held his hand over his heart before the Washington Nationals played the Houston Astros at the Nationals Park in Washington. Patriotic: Corporal William 'Kyle' Carpenter, 24, sang the National Anthem at an interleague baseball game . 'Team USA': Corporal Carpenter, centre, poses with members of his unit on the pitch. He will receive the Medal of Honor from President Obama . Meeting: Corporal Carpenter speaks with Washington Nationals starting pitcher Doug Fister ahead of the game . Speaking to the Marine Corps Times earlier this year, Corporal Carpenter said he had been in Afghanistan for five months before the blast. 'We knew the area we were moving into was one of the rougher areas,' he said. Even though he has since left the Marines, Corporal Carpenter has maintained close ties - and has been guest of honor at several command events. On the anniversary of the blast last year, he wrote on Facebook to thank his supporters. He said: 'It's hard to comprehend that three years ago today my life and body was torn apart by an enemy hand grenade on a hot dusty rooftop in Afghanistan.' 'At times it has felt so long ago and yet, when I close my eyes, I can still feel the warm blood pouring out of me onto my skin and fading out of consciousness with my the final thought of "I'm going to die" in my head... And here I am.' Corporal Carpenter will be the third Marine to receive the Medal of Honor since the start of the Afghanistan and war in 2001. Dakota Meyer became the first Marine Medal of Honor recipient from the war in Afghanistan in 2011 and Cpl. Jason Dunham was recognized posthumously for smothering a grenade in Iraq in 2004. Fighter: Corporal Carpenter, 24, lost his right eye and most of his teeth in the blast. He also suffered a shattered jaw . Still smiling: He has undergone 30 surgeries, including on his right arm which broke in numerous places . Battling on: Carpenter, pictured wearing a glass eye, will receive the award this week . | Corporal William 'Kyle' Carpenter, 24, dived on a grenade to save friends .
He lost an eye, shattered his jaw and suffered critical internal injuries .
Corporal Carpenter took the blast in Helmand province Afghanistan in 2010 . |
fecfb3869cb7677c07c9fc0ddabf63657a08ea22 | By . Alex Delmar-morgan . PUBLISHED: . 07:10 EST, 5 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 10:29 EST, 5 February 2014 . The parents of slain Michigan medical student Paul DeWolf came face to face yesterday in court with one of the men charged in the murder of their son. DeWolf’s parents, Thom and Kris DeWolf, . traveled to Ann Arbor in Michigan for the hearing on Wednesday. They declined to comment when they left the . court. Shaquille Jones, 21, from South Carolina, who is accused of shooting to death the University of Michigan student along with Joei Jordan, 20, failed to make a plea as expected with his lawyer in the Washtenaw County Trial Court. DeWolf was discovered dead on July 24 from a gunshot wound in his own bedroom at a fraternity house that he shared with other medical students in Ann Arbor. According . to the statements, the suspects and a third man not yet charged in the . case broke into Phi Rho Sigma medical fraternity and entered DeWolf's . basement bedroom, startling him. Thugs: Joei Jordan (left) and Shaquille Jones are accused of breaking into Paul DeWolf's apartment and fatally shooting him . Thom and Kris DeWolf sit in the front row of the Washtenaw County Trial Court as they wait for the hearing of Shaquille Jones . In the dock: Suspect Shaquille Jones failed to make a plea as expected . DeWolf went . to get something from his dresser and one of the suspects tried to . strike him with the gun, but it fired instead, according to the . statements. Ann Arbor police Detective Katie Nucci recounted the . statements at a Nov. 22 warrant hearing for Jordan and Jones, the newspaper said. Jones' case has been postponed to February 19 for another pre-trial hearing, according to U.S. news website MLive. Jordan’s next court hearing is on May 19. If convicted, the two men face a maximum sentence of life in prison. The two men say they . sneaked into Paul DeWolf's basement bedroom at his medical fraternity . during a burglary attempt and that his shooting was unintended. Last month the Detroit Free Press reported it had obtained police statements from two men . jailed on murder and home invasion charges in the death of DeWolf, a . 25-year-old prospective surgeon whose body was found July 24. According . to the statements, the suspects and a third man not yet charged in the . case broke into Phi Rho Sigma medical fraternity and entered DeWolf's . basement bedroom, startling him. Paul DeWolf was discovered dead from a gunshot wound in his bedroom at a fraternity house . DeWolf went . to get something from his dresser and one of the suspects tried to . strike him with the gun, but it fired instead, according to the . statements. Ann Arbor police Detective Katie Nucci recounted the . statements at a Nov. 22 warrant hearing for Jordan and Jones, the newspaper said. Using data about a stolen computer, investigators tracked Jordan to Sumter County, S.C., and Jones to North Charleston, S.C. A . third suspect accused of firing the gun is jailed in Michigan on a bond . violation in another case but hasn't been charged in DeWolf's killing. DeWolf . was a native of Schoolcraft in southwestern Michigan and a graduate of . Grand Valley State University. He was attending medical school on an Air . Force scholarship and held the rank of second lieutenant. Other suspect Joei Jordan, right, will appear for his next court hearing on May 19 . In . her testimony, Nucci said Jordan entered through an open rear window as . Jones and the third man remained outside. Jordan emerged a short time . later with a PlayStation 3, taken from a basement recreation room in the . house and hidden in his backpack, the detective said. Jordan . climbed back through the window and let the other two in through a rear . door, Jones told detectives. Eventually, they ended up in the basement, . where they hid in a utility closet when they heard two students coming . down a hallway, Nucci testified. The three of them then made their way to the room where DeWolf lived and entered. Jones . said DeWolf got out of bed "and was asking what was going on," the . detective testified. She said Jones told investigators that the third . suspect "pulled out a handgun and pointed it" at the medical student and . "ordered DeWolf not to move." Accomplice: Jordan and Jones say a third man who participated in the robbery actually fired the shot that killed DeWolf . "At some point . DeWolf grabbed something off of his desk and/or drawer" and started to . move toward the third suspect, at which time the man "raised the gun and . attempted to strike DeWolf with the gun, and the gun at that time . fired." DeWolf screamed, and the suspects ran off, Nucci testified. | Thom and Kris DeWolf attend their son's trial .
Suspect Shaquille Jones fails to make plea and his hearing is postponed by two weeks .
Joei Jordan and Shaquille Jones say they broke into Paul DeWolf's basement bedroom to rob him but deny murder . |
fed085fe32ed88e93d1a25bcbe265eef648f75fe | By . Gemma Mullin for MailOnline . The daughter of former boxing manager Kellie Maloney has said she refused to take counsellor’s advice to grieve for her father ‘as if he were dead’ after he revealed he is undergoing a sex change. Emma Young, 36, believed her father – better known as Frank Maloney – was slowly dying after he refused to reveal he secretly wanted to become a woman. The mother-of-two, who was extremely close to Maloney, has struggled to come to terms with the revelations that her father is transsexual. Scroll down for video . Emma Young, 36, believed her father was slowly dying after he refused to reveal he secretly wanted to become a woman. She said she has struggled to come to terms with the revelations that her father is transsexual . She admitted that as she drove to meet Kellie for the first time she stopped twice and threw up, before driving round the same roundabout 10 times. Speaking to the The Mirror she said: ‘I just couldn’t face it. I needed to do it for my dad’. The . daughter of Frank Maloney - now Kellie (pictured) - has revealed she . was advised to grieve for her father 'as if he were dead' after sex . change . Mrs Young visited a counsellor to help her come to terms with her his transition and was advise she would need to grieve for him as if he was dead before she could welcome Kellie. ‘Whatever happens he will always be my dad. He has not changed inside,’ she added. When Maloney separated from his first wife, Mrs Young went to live with her father while his boxing-promoting career took off. She also worked alongside him as he managed his last high-profile fighter David Price two years ago. She had grown concerned for her father’s health after he suffered a heart attack and bouts of depression, telling family it was ‘personal issues’ that were affecting his well-being. The family watched as the 61-year-old was torn apart and Mrs Young worried they were going to lose him. He had been living apart from his wife Tracey and had been spending more time in a flat on the South East coast, without letting anyone visit. On Christmas Day 2012 he attempted to end his life after a family reunion he hoped for with Tracey ended badly. Mrs Young found him behind the wheel of his car on the driveway of her home groggy and distraught. He refused to go to hospital and it was the next day that he broke down and told his daughter the feelings that had tormented him since he was a child. She was only the second person he had told after his wife. Mrs Young admitted she could not take it in at first but was relieved that he wasn’t ill. ‘All I thought was that if I had to choose whether I wanted to see him in a coffin or a dress, there was no choice,’ she said. Mrs Young, pictured, admitted that as she drove to meet Kellie for the first time she stopped twice and threw up, before driving round the same roundabout 10 times because she 'just couldn't face it' Frank Maloney, former boxing promoter, pictured with heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis after victory . They spent the subsequent days talking about the full details of what her father had been dealing with. Maloney revealed himself to the world as Kellie last week. Mrs Young says she is proud of her father who is happier now he is not living his life in the shadows. Kellie Maloney pictured out running with her dogs (left) and being interviewed on Good Morning Britain (right) | Emma Young, 36, believed her father was slowly dying as he kept secret .
Frank Maloney revealed last week that he was undergoing a sex change .
His daughter struggled to come to terms with revelations about her father .
She sought advice from counsellor who told her to grieve as if he were dead .
Mrs Young says she is now very proud of former boxing manager father . |
fed08937a975774741a941079f82fba41055e5d3 | (CNN) -- Hyundai is recalling more than 220,000 Santa Fe SUVs and Sonata sedans because of potential problems with their air bags. The recall affects almost 200,000 SUVs from the 2007-2009 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These vehicles' front passenger airbags may not deploy in the event of a crash because of a possible problem with their occupant classification system, which gauges the size of a passenger and based on that whether an air bag should be deployed. The system may need to be recalibrated to detect to "small statured adults," the federal safety agency said. The company is also recalling more than 22,000 sedans from the 2012-2013 model years, according to the administration. These cars' curtain side airbags may inflate for no apparent reason because of a manufacturing error. Hyundai dealers are expected to notify owners and replace the curtain side airbags free of charge, the NHTSA said. Dealers will also update the classification software for free in the affected SUVs. | The recall affects almost 200,000 Santa Fe SUVs and more than 22,000 sedans .
The front passenger airbag may not deploy properly in the SUVs .
The curtain side airbags in the sedans may deploy for no apparent reason . |
fed0d221e1011f98987bf5c1804419245b3bda64 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 09:17 EST, 6 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:23 EST, 6 July 2013 . A contaminated cheese is being recalled from supermarket shelves after it may have killed at least one person and caused an outbreak of a bacterial infection. The dangerous cheese, Les Freres, made by the company Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese Company, may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause fatal infections in children. It can also lead to severe illness for women who are pregnant or people who have weakened immune systems. Deadly: Les Freres Cheese is thought to be contaminated by the Listeria bacteria which can kill . Recall: Whole Foods Market is pulling all the Les Freres cheese products from its shelves . In healthy people, it can cause symptoms including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Whole Foods Market Inc. is one of those supermarkets recalling the cheese, which has sickened people in several states, according to the Huffington Post. The FDA said five people between the ages of 31 and 67 have been hospitalised and one - an elderly person in Minnesota - died on Thursday as a result of the outbreak. One pregnant woman is believed to have . suffered a miscarriage as a result of contracting the disease. Cases . were reported in Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio . The cheese was sold in 30 states under names including Les Freres and Crave Brothers Les Freres . Source: The Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese factory is where the products were contaminated . Public health officials in Illinois said on Wednesday that one resident became sick after eating contaminated cheese in May, according to the Huffington Post. The FDA said the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is testing samples of the cheese and early results indicate that there is listeria bacteria present in the samples. Confirmation of these results is pending. If ingested, the listeria bacteria can cause listeriosis, a rare and serious illness. The cheese was sold in 30 states under names including Les Freres and Crave Brothers Les Freres. On the company's website, the cheese is described as: 'This European style cheese was developed with care to reflect the Crave Brothers' Irish-French heritage. 'It is a rich rind washed cheese with an earthy, fruity flavour. It tastes wonderful served with fruits and breads, paired with wine or in a cheese course.' The cheese was cut and packaged in clear plastic wrap and sold with Whole Foods Market scale labels. Bacteria: If ingested, listeria can cause listeriosis, a rare and serious illness . Whole Foods has now started posting signs in its stores to inform customers about the recall and said customers should throw away the cheese and bring in their receipts for a full refund. Crave Brothers, which is based in Waterloo, Wisconsin, has announced a voluntary recall of Les Freres, Petit Frere, and Petit Frere with Truffles cheese made on July 1 or earlier. It said the cheeses were distributed around the country through retail and food service outlets and mail order. The president of Crave Brothers, George Crave, issued a statement on its website, saying: 'We are cooperating with the regulatory agencies' ongoing investigation of the cause of the potential health risks'. The website urges its customers who have purchased any of the products 'not to consume them'. In 2011 a listeria outbreak related to tainted cantaloupes sickened 147 and killed 33 people, according to the ABC. | The Crave Brothers Les Freres cheese may be contaminated with Listeria which can kill children and elderly .
One elderly person in Minnesota died on Thursday .
Four states have reported to have the outbreak, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota and Indiana .
In healthy people Listeria can cause high fever, headache and nausea . |
fed0e4d95847ffe23dbd1440202a76beb5353eba | NEW YORK (CNN) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday challenged a university audience to look into "who was truly involved" in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, defended his right to question established Holocaust history and denied there were gay Iranians. When pressed about the harsh treatment of women, homosexuals and academics who challenge Iran's government, Ahmadinejad painted a rosy picture, saying, "Women in Iran enjoy the highest levels of freedom," he said. He elicited laughter and boos from the audience at Columbia University when he said, "In Iran, we don't have homosexuals, like in your country." His remarks, which lasted about an hour, made several general references to God, religion and science. He portrayed himself as an academic, misunderstood and unfairly criticized in the United States. Ahmadinejad is in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. He spoke at the invitation of Columbia's president, Lee Bollinger, who in his introduction excoriated the leader by saying he "exhibit[s] all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator." Blaming his schedule, Ahmadinejad left Columbia after his speech before answering many questions posed to him, Bollinger said. Hundreds gathered to protest Ahmadinejad's appearance, incensed that a leader who has publicly denied the Holocaust and called for the destruction of the state of Israel was given a prestigious forum to espouse his beliefs. Christine C. Quinn, speaker of the New York City Council, said Columbia should not be giving Ahmadinejad a platform. "All he will do on that stage ... is spew more hatred and more venom out there to the world," she said. Hamid Dabashi, a professor of Iranian studies at Columbia, called the whole forum "misguided." Refusing to back off of his stance on Israel, Ahmadinejad again questioned whether the Holocaust happened. "If the Holocaust is a reality of our time, a history that occurred, why is there not sufficient research that can approach the topic from different perspectives?" he asked. The Iranian leader has made statements in the past suggesting Israel be politically "wiped off the map," though he insists that can be accomplished without violence. See some of Ahmadinejad's controversial remarks » . While he would not respond with a "yes" or "no" when asked Monday if he sought the destruction of Israel, he said the status of Israel should be determined by a free election. "Let the people of Palestine freely choose what they want for their future," he said. Ahmadinejad has drawn fire for defying international demands that Iran halt production of enriched uranium. At Columbia, he said Iran is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the world's central nuclear technology governing body, and has submitted many times to IAEA inspections. "Over and over again the agency's reports indicate that Iran's activities are peaceful, that they have not detected a deviation," he said. Washington and other nations accuse Tehran of trying to create a nuclear weapons program. Watch reaction to Ahmadinejad speaking at Columbia University » . Ahmadinejad said Iran questions "the way the world is being run and managed today." But he said Iran would hold talks with the U.S. government "under fair and just circumstances." U.S. officials have said Iranian explosives and weapons are making their way to Shiite Muslim militias in Iraq's sectarian conflict and have been used against U.S. troops in the four-year-old war. U.S. commanders have said they have captured Iranian agents involved in supplying those weapons to the militias, some of which have longstanding ties to Iran. On this point, Ahmadinejad employed a tactic he used often Monday -- answering questions with more questions. Bollinger asked, "Why is your government providing aid to terrorists? Will you stop doing so and permit international monitoring to certify that you have stopped?" Through a translator, Ahmadinejad replied, "Well, I want to pose a question here to you. If someone comes and explodes bombs around you, threatens your president, members of the administration, kills the members of the Senate or Congress, how would you treat them? Would you reward them or would you name them a terrorist group? Well, it's clear. You would call them a terrorist." Earlier Ahmadinejad had said he wanted to visit ground zero in New York to "pay his respects" to those who died in the attack on the twin towers at the World Trade Center. Several groups were outraged. Security became an issue and the visit was canceled. Asked what he hoped to accomplish there, the Iranian president said it was unfair he could not extend his sympathies to victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Addressing the press directly, he seemed to make a connection between the "root causes" of the September 11, 2001 attacks and a solution in Iraq and Afghanistan. "If the root causes of 9/11 are examined properly -- why it happened, what caused it, what were the conditions that led to it, who truly was involved, who was really involved -- and put it all together to understand how to prevent the crisis in Iraq, fix the problem in Afghanistan and Iraq combined." He stressed repeatedly that Iran wants to negotiate with the United States and other nations, several times describing Iran as a "cultured" and "civilized" nation. "I think that if the U.S. administration, if the U.S. government puts aside some of its old behaviors, it can actually be a good friend for the Iranian people, for the Iranian nation," he said. "For 28 years, they've consistently threatened us, insulted us, prevented our scientific development, every day, under one pretext or another." As he ended his talk at Columbia, he invited faculty and students to visit any university in Iran they choose. "We'll give you the platform. We'll respect you 100 percent. We will have our students sit there and listen to you, speak with you, hear what you have to say," he assured. Earlier Monday, in a question-and-answer videoconference with the National Press Club, Ahmadinejad said the Middle East can govern itself without interference from the United States and other Western nations. Speaking from New York to the luncheon in Washington, Ahmadinejad said Iran wanted to see "an independent powerful Iraq ... which will benefit the entire region." "We are two nations interconnected," he said of Iran and Iraq. "We are brothers and friends." But he said the region didn't need U.S. help. "We oppose the way the U.S. government tries to manage the world. ... We propose more humane methods of establishing peace," he said. E-mail to a friend . Copyright 2007 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report. | NEW: Israel's status should be determined by elections, Iran leader says .
NEW: No homosexuals in Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says .
Columbia University president: Ahmadinejad lacks courage to answer questions .
Ahmadinejad says "insults," false claims in Columbia introduction . |
fed22ac0865f7e85e336526580519fd489ccd87a | Iranian President Hassan Rouhani declined to meet with Obama during the UN General Assembly session this week, but spoke with him on the phone Friday . President Barack Obama surprised reporters in the White House press briefing room Friday by saying he had spoken personally with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani about a resolution to his nation's nuclear standoff with the West. The call, a senior White House official said, was initiated when Iranian officials 'reached out' to the White House about a conversation between the two leaders. 'Just now I spoke on the phone with President Rouhani," Obama said, adding that he communicated 'my unique respect for the Iranian people.' 'We're mindful of all the challenges ahead,' he told reporters. 'The very fact that this was the first communication between an American and Iranian president since 1979 underscores the deep mistrust between our countries.' 'But,' he added, 'it also indicates the prospect of moving beyond that difficult history. I do believe that there is a basis for a resolution.' Ultimately, Obama said, he sees 'a new opportunity to make progress in Tehran,' and 'believe[s] we can reach a comprehensive solution.' The two men spoke through an interpreter, the White House said, boasting that Obama was able to offer a farewell in Farsi at the end of the call. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the White House on Monday in what promises to be a tense meeting. In a conference call with reporters, a senior official said the U.S. would 'continue to keep the Israeli government updated on the process of this diplomatic effort,' and conceded that 'the Israeli government has every right to be skeptical of the Iranian government' given past 'inflammatory statements' Tel Aviv has seen coming out of Tehran, including 'threats towards Israel's existence.' The Drudge Report, an influential news clearinghouse website, pointed out after Obama spoke that he had, in the same press event, both announced his negotiation with Tehran over its nuclear program and insisted that he would refuse to negotiate with Republican lawmakers in Congress over a budget deal for the 2014 fiscal year. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Obama met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March in Jerusalem, but relations will be strained by the White House's decision to talk directly with Iran, whose nuclear ambitions Israel sees as a existential threat . Obama spoke minutes after Rouhani posted, and then deleted, a tweet breaking the news that the two had spoken on the phone . Secretary of State John Kerry (L) and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (R) shared laughs during a special meeting of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany on Thursday . The . U.S., Israel and the United Nations have long suspected that Iran was . developing a nuclear weapons system. But Obama insisted that since . Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei has 'issued a fatwa' against . the use of nuclear weapons, America is willing to endorse Iran's right . to use nuclear reactions to produce energy. The senior White House official said that the bulk of the Obama-Rouhani call focused on the nuclear issue, and that the two parties agreed their staffs should 'work expeditiously' to resolve the conflict. The official underscored the 'need to build trust' with Iran, and repeated Obama's call for 'meaningful, transparent, and reliable actions' from Rouhani. Rouhani on Friday referred to the U.S. as a 'great' nation, breaking decades of precedent. He was wrapping up his week-long UN trip and returning to Tehran. 'I want it to be the case that this trip will be a first step, and a beginning for better and constructive relations with countries of the world,' he told reporters, 'as well as a first step for a better relationship between the two great nations of Iran and the United States of America.' Obama, originally expected to address only the budget stalemate in Congress, stunned reporters by leading off with a description of his phone call with the Iranian leader . Rouhani, outwardly less of a hard-liner than his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has said he is willing to work with the U.S. government, but he may just be angling for relaxed economic sanctions . Obama also asked Rouhani about the fate of three Americans: Saeed Abedini (L), Amir Mirzai Hekmati (C) and Robert Levinson (R). Abedini was imprisoned for setting up home-based Christian prayer meetings. Hekmati was sentenced to death for espionage. And Levinson, a former FBI agent, disappeared. 'The environment that has been . created is quite different from the past,' Rouhani said in a markedly . conciliatory tone, praising his foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif . and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for their historic meeting on . Thursday. As a result, . he said, 'the understanding between our peoples will grow and our . governments will first stop the escalation of tensions, and then defuse . those tensions.' Skeptics, . however, have insisted that Iran is buying time as it completes a . nuclear weapon that could threaten Israel and throw the entire Middle . East into a new level of turmoil. Iran is suffering under the weight of crushing economic sanctions, with only nations like Syria, Russia and North Korea willing to trade and infuse hard currency into the Islamic republic. Any bilateral agreement with America is likely to include the relaxation of those sanctions, providing new economic activity that could equip Iran to double-cross the U.S. and pursue its nuclear-weapons ambitions more quickly. Netanyahu warned the UN last year that Iran was nearing the point of no return beyond which it would be impossible to stop it from arming itself with weapons of mass destruction. House Foreign Affairs Committee chair Ed Royce, a California Republican, warned that Obama shouldn't let up the pressure on Iran. 'Our . damaging sanctions have gotten Rouhani on the phone,' said Royce. 'We . must increase the economic pressure until Iran stops its nuclear drive.' Royce . told Fox News this week that the U.S. should 'double down' on sanctions . in order to avoid repeating mistakes the American government made with . North Korea, which stalled for time while marching its weapons program . forward. Rouhani addressed a high-level meeting on nuclear disarmament during the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, saying that his country sought only the peaceful use of nuclear technology for energy production . Rep. Ed Royce (R) told Fox News this week that the U.S. should 'double down' on sanctions against Iran in order to avoid repeating the mistakes the American government made with North Korea . The senior White House official added that Obama had inquired with Rouhani about the fate of two Americans being held in Iranian prisons, and a third man who has gone missing there. Saeed Abedini faces an eight-year prison sentence in Iran for setting up a network of home-based Christian prayer meetings. Amir Mirzai Hekmati awaits retrial for espionage after his death sentence was overturned in 2012. Both men are dual U.S.-Iranian citizens. Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent, went missing in 2007 on an island off the Iranian coast, while he was investigating cigarette counterfeiting there. Rouhani sent a tweet at 3:35 p.m. Friday – and later deleted it – saying that he had spoken with the U.S. president. Obama was expected to speak at 3:30 p.m., but was delayed for 11 minutes. | Israel's Netanyahu will see Obama on Monday in what promises to be a tense meeting .
Republicans warn against relaxing economic sanctions against Iran while it is presumed to be building a nuclear weapon .
A senior White House official assured reporters that the U.S. and Iran still 'need to build trust' before a deal can be struck .
Observers have noted that while Obama is negotiating with Hassan Rouhani, he refuses to deal with Republicans on a 2014 budget deal . |
fed279e6f06951f7389bb4276be91f99774ad5fe | The Home Office was forced to admit yesterday that it had lost track of hundreds of dangerous foreign criminals awaiting deportation. Instead of being locked up until they are thrown out of the UK, 758 offenders from overseas, including murderers, rapists, robbers and paedophiles, have vanished after being let out of prison. For the first time, the Mail can reveal the crimes committed by those who have absconded after completing their sentences – meaning they could still pose a serious threat. There are 4,247 overseas criminals living in Britain due for deportation and among the 758 – or one in six – who have gone missing are ‘high harm’ individuals at risk of committing the gravest crimes. In a snapshot of those let out of prison by March last year, those who had absconded included up to 12 killers, 11 rapists, 46 violent thugs, 152 drug dealers, 33 robbers and 23 other sex offenders. At least 115 had been jailed for at least four years – an indication of the seriousness of their crimes. The figures were obtained from the Home Office by the Commons’ Public Accounts Committee after ministers previously refused to publish them. Foreign criminals who commit serious offences are automatically considered for deportation, but once offenders are released from jail they are rarely put on a plane home. They can only be placed in a detention centre if there are realistic prospects they will be removed swiftly because judges would otherwise order them to be released. It means that thousands of criminals are placed back in the community with a request to keep in touch with immigration officials. But many simply slip off the radar. Peter Cuthbertson, of the Centre for Crime Prevention think-tank, said: ‘It is a disgrace that on top of letting the wrong people into the country, we cannot even reliably get rid of them at the end of their sentences. There are 4,247 overseas criminals living in Britain due for deportation and among the 758 – or one in six – who have gone missing are ‘high harm’ individuals (file pic) ‘We need a simple process for ensuring all foreign criminals are deported at the end of their sentences. 'We also must look at controlling our borders better so that those who come here are not likely to commit crimes in the first place.’ Lord Green, chairman of MigrationWatch, said: ‘It is shocking that so many serious offenders should have been able to abscond. 'We need to change the law so that it permits serious criminals to be detained until arrangements can be made to deport them, however long that takes.’ There are hopes the deportation process can be speeded up. The Mail reported yesterday how judges have backed the new ‘deport first, appeal later’ regime that means criminals can be kicked out, forcing them to fight appeals in their home country. | 758 convicts such as killers have vanished after they've come out of prison .
The Home Office has admitted they have lost track of hundreds of them .
Criminals include murderers, rapists, robbers and paedophiles .
There are 4,247 overseas criminals living in Britain due for deportation . |
fed2fc28b3a2ab247f76b40531257ec3cccc8150 | By . Helen Collis . The incredible moment a fisherman whooped for joy after freeing an enormous endangered whale that became trapped in heavy lines, has been caught on film. Adrian Colaprete jumped in the water armed with a long knife and a Go Pro camera initially to assess the situation. But as the giant whale loomed towards him, and a window to free the animal was presented, he reached out and sliced through the heavy rope, before the creature dived deep. Scroll down for video... Tangled: The giant right whale with a heavy fishing rope hooked around it was eventually freed by a brave fisherman armed with a knife . Adrian Coleprete jumped into the water in front of the whale and waiting for it to come up for air . Ecstatic Mr Colaprete afterwards said 'it just felt right' and described the moment as one of the best in his life. Speaking to Pilot Online, Mr Colaprete said: 'Being part of it was something bigger than me.' Joined . by two friends, the men were out fishing on a Foster's charter boat, . based in Rudee Inlet, Virgina, and were about 50 miles off Virginia . Beach coast when they had the extraordinary encounter. In an interview with the news service, Pat Foster said he was first to spot the animal when they were fishing on Friday. Looming: As the enormous 50ft creature surfaced Mr Colaprete said he felt 'scared' As the whale reached him, the rope was clearly visible and the animal appeared to slow down . It wasn't 'uncommon' he said to see whales in the area, but when he realised it was a right whale his interest was piqued. Right whales are rarely seen since they were hunted almost to extinction in the 19th century. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there are thought to be only 400 in existence. As he watched the whale, he also realised there was a problem with some fishing gear, since two poly balls were being dragged close to each other; 'that spells trouble in our field,' he said. Realising the whale was still close by, they turned the boat around and followed it, and saw that the heavy lines were tangled around its body. Mr Foster said they watched the whale's pattern of coming up for air and then his friend Mr Colaprete jumped in. 'I told him to be careful, it's a very large animal, we don't want whatever's entangled, if it was entangled, to get around him,' he told the news service. Last moments of being trapped: The diver then reached forward and can be heard struggling to cut the rope before the whale is seen swimming away . Goodbye: The diver surfaces just in time to see the whale's tail before it dived down deep . At first Mr Colaprete couldn't see the whale, since he had jumped in in front of it. Then he saw it looming out from the depths, 'almost like a submarine coming at me,' he said. 'It was kind of scary at first,' he told the Pilot Online. But as the whale's eyes came in line with his, the creature incredibly slowed, he said, allowing him time to reach forward and cut the rope as it passed. Immediately, the pressure of the rope was released, and the tackle fell down into the depths. 'Extraordinary': Diver Mr Colaprete described the moment as one of he best in his life . Surfacing with the camera, Mr Colaprete caught a final glimpse of the endangered whale's tail before it submerged into the deep. Although he said he realised he could have been in danger, Mr Colaprete told the news service the moment felt right so he went for it. Pilot Online points out that people are supposed to get authorization from the National Marine Fisheries Service, to free a tangled whale, and to notify the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. | Adrian Colaprete dived in armed with a knife and camera to asses .
When the whale loomed at him he instinctively reached out to cut the rope .
The endangered right whale then submerged into the depths as Mr Colaprete is heard whooping for joy on the film . |
fed33b520572a13ab962c68d046f9d7b4934fbc8 | Trouble has erupted hours before the start of the Euro 2012 football tournament, with local thugs attacking English-speaking fans and hurling racist abuse at star players. About 50 hooligans punched and kicked foreign football fans speaking English and Russian as they drank in a pub in the central Polish city of Lodz. The fighting broke out after Dutch players complained they were subjected to monkey chants while training in another Polish city, where the England team is based. Fears are growing that the tournament, which starts today, could be ruined by neo-Nazi rioters in host countries Poland and Ukraine. Threatening: Supporters of Karpaty Lviv hold a German Nazi flag during a football match in Ukraine. Fears are growing that the tournament, which starts today, could be ruined by neo-Nazi rioters . Riots: Ukrainian police, pictured clashing with fans of Dynamo Kiev at a domestic cup final, are braced for trouble during Euro 2012 . The captain of the Holland squad, Mark van Bommel, claimed that thugs hurled vile insults at his black team-mates as they trained in Krakow. Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand, who was omitted from the England squad, responded to van Bommel's claims on Twitter, writing: 'Tell me I didn’t see this ... the Dutch team getting abuse already? Hope this isn’t a sign of things to come'. And Britain's sports minister Hugh Robertson called on authorities at the tournament to 'stamp down' on any racist abuse. 'Racism of any form is unacceptable on the football pitch or elsewhere,' he told the Evening Standard. Shocked: Rio Ferdinand wrote on Twitter that he hoped the abuse of Dutch players was not 'a sign of things to come' 'If it occurs I would expect the authorities to stamp down on it in the strongest possible terms.' Mr Robertson would not comment on the Dutch incident, which comes after pictures emerged of machetes and other knives confiscated from Polish fans by police. The families of two black England players, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, have decided not to travel to the competition because they feared abuse from violent and racist fans. Witnesses to the violence said masked men pulled up in cars next to a pub and attacked anyone in sight, throwing punches and kicks. The attackers were described as young men wearing club colours of local team LKS Lodz. 'When they started to hit out, we fled inside,' one victim said. 'We barricaded the entrance. 'Some of us remained outside, and they got the brunt of the attack.' Two men were injured in the attack, which happened last night. 'They forced two younger men to the ground, with multiple attackers starting to punch and kick them,' a Polish witness said. 'It was a horrible sight. I fumbled for my phone and called the police. 'They were lying motionless on the pavement. I thought they were dead. Racism fears: The families of England players Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, left, and Theo Walcott, right, have decided not to travel to Poland and Ukraine . 'After a couple of minutes, one of them started to get up, and then the second. I was very relieved.' The thugs appeared to target foreigners, and the owner of the pub refused to press charges out of fear for retaliation attacks. Before the incident, the visitors were reported to be talking and chanting in English and Russian. No English nationals were involved in the violence. The fighting followed a race row involving the Dutch team who, like England and Italy's players are training in Krakow. Kicking off: Violence and racism are already problems in Poland, where football fans are gathering for the start of Euro 2012 . Witnesses said Holland's footballers were racially abused by about 500 fans of Wisla Krakow, whose stadium is being used by national teams for training sessions. The insults began when the squad went on a two-lap jog around the pitch. The abuse was said to have been even louder on the players' second circuit. Poland's feared SWAT-style public order police squad are on high alert for rioters and thugs at Euro 2012. The elite GROM - translated as Lightning Squad - have been rehearsing anti-riot tactics and simulated hostage rescues for weeks before. Snipers on building roofs and elite officers from Poland's notorious Riot Squad and Anti-Terrorist Unit will back up the GROM officers, who wear all black. Police are equipped with portable tear gas machines, pump action shotguns with plastic baton rounds. They have been given handguns with live 9mm rounds, handcuffs, pepper spray, body armour, helmets and shields. They will also carry special pistols firing red dye capsules so rioters who get away can be identified later. All the units have carried out terrifying public shows of strength with live training assaults on buses and simulated riots. The ruthless reputation of the riot police is a hangover from Poland's communist days when they were used to viciously suppress democracy campaigners and described as the 'beating heart of the state'. Prepared for violence: Polish police detaining a protestor in Krakow, where the England team will be based for the tournament . Men in black: Poland's feared SWAT-style public order police squad are on high alert ahead of the tournament . Kitted out: Police have been given guns, handcuffs, pepper spray, body armour, helmets and shields . Formidable: Polish police units have shown their strength in live training assaults on buses and simulated riots . Dutch captain Mark van Bommel . responded by telling his team-mates to pick up their kit and move to the . other end of the pitch to continue their warm-up. He warned that his players will walk off the pitch if the team is targeted by racists during the competition. The incident happened only a day after the Holland squad visited the nearby former Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz. Van Bommel said: ‘It is a real disgrace, especially after getting back from Auschwitz to be confronted with this. Moving: The Holland squad were abused after they returned from a visit to the former Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz . Respect: The abuse came after Dutch stars including (from left to right) Robin van Persie, Ibrahim Affelay, Nigel de Jong and Jetro Willems visited the former Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz . ‘We will take it up with (European football's governing body) UEFA and, if it happens at matches, we will talk to the referee and ask him to take us off the field.’ In a press conference with Dutch media, some of whom did not report the chanting, the captain said: ‘You need to open your ears. ‘If you did hear it and you don’t want to hear it, that’s even worse.’ Van . Bommel was supported by the Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk, who said: ‘At . least now we know what we can encounter here,’ before adding . sarcastically: ‘Very atmospheric.’ Furious: Holland captain Mark van Bommel, left, was supported by his coach Bert van Marwijk, right, as he described the chanting as a 'real disgrace' and threatened his team could walk off the pitch . The England team is scheduled to hold a 'ticketed' session for around 3,500 fans at a stadium in Krakow today. UEFA issued a statement, which read: 'UEFA has now been made aware that there were some isolated incidents of racist chanting.' Van Bommel's Holland teammate Ibrahim Afellay told De Telegraaf newspaper that the jeers had 'saddened him'. However, the Dutch federation said it did not file a complaint to UEFA. UEFA president Michel Platini has said any player who walks off the pitch during a match without the referee's authority can expect a yellow card. 'It is a referee's job to stop the match and he is to do so if there are any problems of this kind,' Platini said. 'I count on the fans from Western and Eastern Europe to come to participate in a great football feast.' Abuse: The Dutch football team were subjected to monkey chants as they trained in Krakow . Targeted: Witnesses said Holland's footballers were racially abused by about 500 fans of Wisla Krakow, whose stadium is being used by national teams for training sessions . 'If I am here as a UEFA chairman and you all are here it is because we want this to be a football feast, not a problem.' Platini confirmed that referees had been instructed to halt matches if a player is taunted with racist chants. He . was responding to threats made by the black Manchester City and Italy . striker Mario Balotelli, who said he would leave the field if he was . abused. The sole black player on the Czech Republic's team, Theodor Gebre Selassie, said he hoped racism would not flare up in the stadiums. 'We don't know yet what the situation will be like at the stadiums,' he said, adding that he would not walk off the field. 'I'm not ready to give up. I definitely won't leave. I'll stay until they throw stones at me.' Former Arsenal and . England defender Sol Campbell last week told supporters to stay away . from the tournament because of the danger of racism and violence. A photograph depicting knives confiscated from Polish football hooligans has been removed from the article after we were informed that the photograph was taken in 2010 and was unrelated to Euro 2012. the article has also been amended to make it clearer to the reader that the images of the Polish police were taken during an operation ahead of the tournament. Watch the video... | About 50 hooligans punch and kick foreign supporters at a pub in Lodz, Poland .
Masked thugs targeted fans speaking English and Russian .
Dutch players complain they were subjected to monkey chants during training in Krakow .
Holland captain Mark van Bommel warns that players will walk off the pitch if racism continues .
Abuse came after Holland squad visited former Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz .
Rio Ferdinand tweets: 'Hope this isn't a sign of things to come'
Sports Minister Hugh Robertson urges authorities to 'stamp down' on racism at the tournament in Poland and Ukraine, which begins today . |
fed3fb601f81025d41694cf9ff5676c2eb96b898 | Andy Murray's former mentor Sergio Casal has no worries about the Scot's choice of coaches, insisting he has plenty to learn from 'champion' Amelie Mauresmo. Murray's appointment of Mauresmo has come under a measure of criticism, ever since the former women's world No 1 joined forces with him in June. Former British No 1 Tim Henman recently expressed doubts about whether Mauresmo was having the right impact on Murray - a feeling exacerbated when the Scot's season came to a crushing end in a 6-0 6-1 loss to Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour finals. Andy Murray's decision to appoint Amelie Mauresmo as a coach drew plenty of criticism . However, Casal, who mentored a 15-year-old Murray at the famed Sanchez-Casal academy in Barcelona, feels the partnership with Mauresmo, much like the previous one with Ivan Lendl, will be a fruitful one. Speaking at the academy's visit to York, where it delivered a series of performance player, coach, and adult workshops, Casal told Press Association: 'He had Lendl, now Mauresmo. You can always get something from these champions. 'It depends on the connection. But the important thing is that he is connected with champions. 'These champions, always you can learn something from them.' Murray linked up with Mauresmo just before Wimbledon, where the two are pictured together here in July . Murray announced that Dani Vallverdu (left) would leave his backroom team along with Jez Green . Indeed, it was at the Sanchez-Casal academy more than a decade ago that a teenage Murray struck up a partnership with Venezuelan Dani Vallverdu, who later became part of his coaching staff and was highly valued by Lendl. Vallverdu and Murray recently ended their association and Casal, a former world No 3 in doubles, hopes this decision is also for the best. 'They've been together so long,' Casal said. 'They are best friends. I hope there is nothing wrong between them. 'Sometimes you have to make these decisions to make another step. Who knows what is happening inside?' Murray in action for the Manila Mavericks in the International Tennis Premier League with Maria Sharapova . Sergio Casal mentored Murray for 15 years at the Sanchez-Casal academy in Barcelona . A recently engaged Murray is currently playing for the Manila Mavericks in the inaugural International Premier Tennis League, as he looks ahead to the 2015 season. Casal is already proud of his protege's achievements, including the Grand Slam victories of recent years, even if 2014 has not gone completely to plan for the Scot. Should Murray ever need another helping hand though, Casal is happy to oblige. When asked if he would consider ever coaching the 27-year-old again, Casal said: 'We never thought about that! 'But, of course, to be with him, one of the best players in the world, is great. I know him since before juniors. 'The results he has made already are incredible. 'Even winning Wimbledon is so complicated, especially here with the people wanting it, and finally he did it. I think he handled the pressure well.' Sergio Casal was speaking at the Sanchez-Casal academy's UK coaching tour, held in conjunction with Down The Line Sports. For more information visit www.sanchez-casal.com and www.downthelinesports.com . | Andy Murray's decision to appoint Amelie Mauresmo received criticism .
Murray removed Dani Vallverdu and Jez Green from his backroom team .
Sergio Casal says that Murray will learn plenty from 'champion' Mauresmo .
Casal was Murray's mentor at the Sanchez-Casal Academy in Barcelona . |
fed427c3cb6fefefe2ec5d8511a9394b71610eee | MUMBAI, India (Reuters) -- They are the arteries that keep Mumbai's economy ticking, rattling six million people a day to offices, shops and factories. But arriving safe and sound for work after a trip on Mumbai's clogged railways is no mean feat. Even after a $2 billion upgrade, Mumbai's trains will still have to carry 1.5 times their capacity at peak hours. On average, 4,000 people die a year on Mumbai's railways, crushed under trains, electrocuted by overhead power lines or killed as they lean from jam-packed carriages to gasp for air. It is perhaps the world's deadliest commute. "Everyday it's a nightmare. The train is so crowded that one has to look up at the ceiling to breathe," said Natasha Pillai, a young student in India's financial capital. At peak hours more than 550 people cram into a carriage built for 200. Passengers fall to their deaths from moving trains or tumble under the wheels from crowded platforms. People hang from coaches, balance precariously on the roofs of carriages or risk a ride on the bumpers between cars as they trundle along three lines and through nearly 120 stations. The crush to board is so bad commuters take trains in the wrong direction so they can grab seats when they turn around. Fatal accidents are so common that stations stock sheets to cover corpses, and officials spend hours entering details of mangled remains to try to identify victims in a gruesome database. In the first four months of this year, more than 1,200 people have been killed, according to official figures. Many get run over crossing the tracks, too rushed or tired to use pedestrian overpasses. "People here believe in shortcuts which is a very bad habit," rail official Bhagwat Dahisarkar said with extravagant understatement. His office fined about 30,000 people $12 each last year for breaking rules. Tickets average about 10 rupees (25 cents). Last year, 186 people died when bombs went off on seven trains during the evening rush hour. The British built the first railways in Mumbai in the 1850s, but more recently a lack of investment and a city growing rapidly as migrants flood in has stretched the system to breaking point. Officials are splashing out on a $2 billion upgrade -- the first major overhaul since independence in 1947 -- that will add 180 km (110 miles) of new track and 147 trains over five years. But even when all these new coaches are rolling, commuter trains will have to carry 1.5 times their capacity at peak hours. For Mumbai's 17 million residents, the railways are indispensable but a form of slow torture: traveling from the southern business districts to the ever-lengthening northern suburbs where most live takes about two hours. Road travel is also painfully slow and often impossible during the annual monsoon, when torrential rains flood streets waist deep. Mumbai's stations are busy round the clock, as waiting passengers, new arrivals with one way tickets looking for work, the homeless, beggars, drug addicts, dogs and cows battle for space. Trains -- plastered with adverts for items like toothpaste, underwear and condoms -- run every five to seven minutes, but delays are common, leading edgy commuters to hit out at the slightest provocation. Angry passengers riot a few times each year, rampaging through stations and, occasionally, torching trains and clashing with police. "We feel like goats and sheep herded into a compartment with no space to move and no proper ventilation," said 52-year-old shop owner Rajesh Vasavda. "I bet no high-level government official ever takes a ride back home in these crowded trains. The day they are forced into one, I am sure immediate action will be taken." Authorities say the ongoing network upgrade will improve matters, but commuters are skeptical. "Plans are always made, but nothing really happens," said Bidisha Mukherjee, a young commuter. "If they want to do something, it had better be quick." E-mail to a friend . Copyright 2007 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. | On average, 4,000 people die a year on Mumbai's railways .
Victims are crushed by trains, electrocuted by power lines or killed leaning out .
At peak hours more than 550 people cram into a carriage built for 200 .
Angry passengers riot a few times each year, rampaging through stations . |
fed4b0451ae9bf5481461dd6bd7eea148f9040e5 | By . Rachel Rickard Straus . To the untrained eye, this property may look like a garage. But according to estate agent Winkworth, it’s a ‘one-bedroom studio’ – and it’s on the market for £250,000. The former garage in Highgate in north London is going for same price as a six-bedroom detached house in Barnsley or a four-bedroom villa with pool in Alicante. Des res: The former garage is nestled in North London's Highgate Village . It boasts a kitchenette – which appears . to be a sink and hob atop a small fridge and one cupboard – as well as a . small bathroom. The property, which measures 224sq ft is also available to rent at £300 a week and can be used as an office. Winkworth estate agents said that the owner does not want any publicity for the property and has removed the listing 'in order to clarify and make clear of the usage rights', a spokesman said. For those still unconvinced that London is on its way to a property bubble, a converted garage is arguably a tell-tale sign. it is situated in a mews off Highgate High Street, where just down the road a six bedroom house will set you back £25million. Light and airy: The room has been fitted out with a little window and skylights . In another strong sign that the property . market is strengthening, new research released today revealed that the . number of properties available for sale that have been discounted has . fallen sharply over the past 12 months. The proportion of properties on the market with an asking price that has been reduced at least once has fallen from 37 per cent last year to 32 per cent today, according to research from Zoopla. Buyers are even less likely to bag a discount in London. The capital continues to have the lowest proportion of discounted properties on the market with less than a quarter (22.8 per cent) seeing their asking price reduced once they are listed for sale. Meanwhile properties in Barnsley are most likely to be reduced – 42.7 per cent are currently on sale for lower than their original price. Conversion: The space has been fitted out with a shower and toilet . The average asking price of a home in England and Wales has jumped by around £20,000 since the beginning of the year, a report revealed yesterday. A typical home advertised for sale in an estate agent’s window now has a price tag of £250,000. The sharp increase comes amid growing concern that Government schemes to boost the housing market may be fuelling another house price bubble. At the beginning of January the average . asking price was £228,989. Today it is £249,199, a jump of £20,210, . according to the report from Rightmove. In London, the affordability crisis . facing anybody wanting to get onto the housing ladder, or move to a . larger home, is even more acute. On the market: For the same price you could buy this six-bedroom detached house in Barnsley . Or this...: This four-bedroom villa with pool in Alicante, Spain, costs just over five grand more at £255,673 . The average asking price in London hit £501,067 this month, compared to £454,875 in the same month last year, according to Rightmove. The garage-turned-home may be expensive but it's cheaper than a Hyde Park parking space. A parking space was put on the market two weeks ago for a record-breaking £300,000 - almost twice the price of the average UK home. The spot in London's exclusive Hyde Park Gardens measures just 11ft x 12ft, but its price tag is almost double the £162,000 paid for the average house sold in England and Wales last month. Estate agents Kay & Co, who last year sold two nearby parking spaces for £250,000 each, said several people had already expressed an interest in snapping up the six-figure spot. The agent said parking spaces are in hot demand in Hyde Park Gardens, where houses cost up to £15million. Its buyer will be paying £1,299 per square foot for the privilege of owning a central space in Westminster. | Former garage costs the same as a six-bedroom detached house in Barnsley .
Property, which measures 224 sq ft., has a kitchenette and bathroom . |
fed5bad004d7b632c2c4133be5657bef90fa9af9 | Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) -- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has denied allegations that she failed to heed warnings of possible corruption in a rice subsidy program whose recent problems have stoked anger among farmers in the country's rural heartland. The controversy over the rice program has deepened the political crisis in which Thailand has been mired for months. Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) said Tuesday that it was bringing charges against Yingluck over the program, which pledged to pay farmers well above the market rate for their rice but has run into financial problems. The commission has summoned Yingluck, whose government is already under pressure from months-long protests in Bangkok, to appear February 27 to be notified of the charges. "I wish to assure you that as I have served my duty with righteousness and contrary to the charges brought against me by the NACC, I have done nothing wrong," Yingluck said in a statement Thursday. The anti-corruption commission's charges, which accuse Yingluck of ignoring warnings of corruption in the program, could eventually lead to the suspension of the Prime Minister from all political positions. "Though I may be charged in this criminal case and may have to give up my position in accordance to the wishes of those who want to topple my government, I will still lend my full cooperation and give necessary information to the NACC," she said. Yingluck insists that the rice subsidy program, introduced in 2011, has been successful and benefited farmers. But critics says it has wasted large amounts of public funds trying to please rural voters, hurting exports and leaving the government with large stockpiles of rice it can't sell without losing money. The program has encountered intensified difficulties after an election earlier this month was disrupted by anti-government demonstrators and failed to deliver a conclusive result. The situation has left Yingluck's weakened caretaker government struggling to operate effectively and ensure payments are made to rice farmers. Angry farmers . Problems with the subsidy program have angered many farmers, normally an important component of Yingluck's support base. Groups of farmers have held protests in recent weeks after not being paid for their rice. About 3,000 farmers from central Thailand spent Thursday night camped out on the outskirts Bangkok after traveling on tractors, trailers and quad bikes. They had threatened to take their protest to the city's main airport, Suvarnabhumi, if they didn't get paid what they're owed. But the leader of the group of farmers, Chada Thaiseth, said Friday that they would be heading home later in the day after the government informed them they would be paid early next week. The farmers said their planned protest wasn't political -- unlike the anti-government demonstrators in central Bangkok, they say they don't want to see the ouster of Yingluck. But they do want their money. Long-running protests . The tensions over the rice program come against the backdrop of the protests by groups affiliated with Yingluck's political opponents. Those demonstrations, calling for Yingluck to step down, have been taking place in central Bangkok since November and have been plagued by outbreaks of deadly violence. Earlier this week, police tried to clear demonstrators out some protest sites. But the efforts resulted in violent clashes that left five people dead, including one police officer, and dozens wounded. Police have since suspended their attempts to seize the protest sites for the time being. And a court ruled Wednesday that the government can't use force and weapons against peaceful unarmed protesters. The protest leaders say they want to rid the country of Yingluck and her wealthy brother, the deposed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin, who lives in exile, faces a corruption conviction, which he says was politically motivated, if he returns to Thailand. Political opponents say Yingluck, who convincingly won elections in 2011, is simply Thaksin's puppet, an allegation she has repeatedly denied. The protests were sparked in November by Yingluck's government's botched attempt to pass an amnesty bill that would have paved the way for her brother's return to the political fray in earnest. The protesters say they want Yingluck's government replaced by an unelected "people's council," which would oversee electoral and political changes. CNN's Kocha Olarn and Saima Mohsin reported from Bangkok, and Jethro Mullen reported and wrote from Hong Kong. | NEW: Rice farmers call off a planned protest at Bangkok's main airport .
"I have done nothing wrong," Yingluck Shinawatra says in a statement .
Thailand's anti-corruption commission has called her to hear charges next week .
It says she ignored warnings of possible corruption in a rice subsidy program . |
fed5d23bf8d506dd249f57e346b2b67cf224f73a | Kathmandu, Nepal (CNN) -- Two people on motorcycles shot and wounded a Pakistani diplomatic official in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Thursday morning, authorities said. Mehboob Asif, a visa assistant at the Pakistan embassy, was hit by eight to 10 bullets while he was riding a motorcycle to work, according to police. A Pakistan embassy official who did not want to be named said Asif was taken to the hospital and is now out of danger. He said authorities didn't know a motive for the attack. "The Embassy of Pakistan is confident that the Government of Nepal would undertake investigations at appropriate levels to bring the criminals to justice," Pakistan's Embassy said in a statement. Although no arrests have been made, around 150 people have been rounded up for questioning, Kathmandu police chief Pushkar Karki said. The attack happened three days after a newly-appointed Minister for Energy Gokarna Bista was attacked with knives by two persons on motorcycles on Monday evening. | Officials say Pakistani diplomat was shot 8 to 10 times but is out of danger .
Diplomat is attacked by two people on motorcycles .
Police: around 150 people have been rounded up for questioning . |
fed669c2a93a1951acb05593cc6ca621ed5def5f | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 15:36 EST, 10 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:37 EST, 10 June 2013 . Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant has reached a settlement with the auction house that was sold a collection of his memorabilia by his own mother. The star was also locked in an ongoing legal battle with his mother Pamela, who planned to auction off more than a million dollars’ worth of his sports memorabilia without his permission. But he has reached an undisclosed deal with Ken Goldin, owner of Goldin Auctions in New Jersey, for the sale of the six basketball items, which will be sold between June 17 and July 19, ESPN reported. Family feud: Lakers star Kobe Bryant accused his mother, Pamela (pictured) of selling his valuable collection of memorabilia, and even stealing some of the items from his home . He said, she said: Kobe Bryant (left) insisted that his mother (right) was never given consent to take his collectibles and sell them, but Pamela Bryant claims her son had given her permission to auction them off . Last month, a judge issued a . temporary restraining order against Goldin Auctions barring the auction . house from selling Bryant's basketball jerseys, jackets, high school . championship rings, trophies and other collectibles pending a full . hearing. Bryant's attorney also claimed his . mother, Pamela Bryant, wasn't authorized to sell the items, which where . given to her as a gift from her son. Amidst the family feud, the auction . house then sued Kobe and asked for proof of his ownership of the goods, . because Goldin had paid $450,000 to his mother in advance for the items . in January - which Pamela used to buy a house in Nevada. The items numbering in the hundreds were expected to fetch around $1.5million. Goldin is 'thrilled' that the pair have reached a settlement - which has not been fully disclosed. Bryant would also not disclose details of the settlement, but his attorney Mark D. Campbell of Loeb & Loeb LLP, told ABC news: . 'On behalf of Loeb & Loeb's client Kobe Bryant, we are pleased to . announce that a settlement has been reached in the dispute involving his . mother, Pamela Bryant and Goldin Auctions over the proposed auctioning . of Kobe Byrant sports memorabilia. 'The terms of settlement are confidential.' For sale: An advertisement for an auction of items belonging to Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant is pictured . Deal: A lawsuit by the New Jersey auction house claimed that Kobe Bryant's mother Pamela Bryant, seen beside his father Joe Bryant, already struck a deal with them for the items' sale . While Pamela Bryant said in a statement: 'We regret out actions and statements related to the Kobe Bryant auction memorabilia. 'We apologize for any . misunderstanding and unintended paid we have caused out son and . appreciate the financial support he has provided over the years. 'We also apologize to Goldin Auctions for their inadvertent involvement in this matter and thank them for their assistance.' In May, Mr Bryant said: 'I never told . my mother that she could have my personal property, let alone consign it . for public auction.' According to the complaint . filed in US District Court in Camden, New Jersey, the Lakers shooting . guard claimed that Mrs Bryant admitted to him recently that she was . never given consent to sell his possessions. 'I confronted her about her false . statement that I had given my memorabilia to her,' Bryant wrote in the filing cited by ESPN. 'I said . to her, "Mom, you know I never told you that you could have the . memorabilia." 'Her response . was, "Yes, but you never said you wanted it, either." Of course, this is . untrue, since my wife and I requested that she return my memorabilia . several years earlier.' Bryant said in . a sworn statement that the items at the center of the dispute go back . to his teenage years have 'tremendous sentimental value,' adding that he . was planning to hand down his 'well-deserved memorabilia’ to his . children, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Gifted: A Los Angeles Lakers championship ring given by Kobe to his father Joe Bryant is seen among the items the auction house hopes to sell . Fair game: Two Lower Merion High School basketball jerseys worn by Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant are seen for sale . Price tag: The 900 items belonging to Bryant, seen with his wife Vanessa at a cancer research benefit in May, could bring in upward of $1.5 million . Bryant said his mother can claim ownership of only two items, NBA Championship rings that he had custom-made for his parents. Kobe's wife Vanessa . Bryant also weighed in on the mother-son spat, stating that when . confronted about the items, her mother-in-law agreed to return theme, . but said that she had moved all the jerseys and championship mementos to . a storage facility. Among . the first 100 or so items to sell: the NBA star's . jerseys, practice gear and sweatsuits from Lower Merion High School; . varsity letters; a trophy for being the outstanding player at the 1995 . Adidas ABCD basketball camp; and a signed basketball from the 2000 NBA . championship game. And . then there are rings, for the 1996 Pennsylvania high school . championship, a pair that the Lakers made for Bryant's parents for the . 2000 NBA championship and one from the 1998 NBA All-Star game. According . to court filings, Pamela Bryant struck a deal in January with Goldin . Auctions in Berlin, N.J., which earlier this year sold a rare Honus . Wagner baseball card for a record $2.1 million. In its court filings, Goldin says . Pamela Bryant told the auction house that she asked her son five years . ago what he wanted to do with the items that were in her home. 'Kobe Bryant indicated to Pamela . Bryant that the items belonged to her and that he had no interest in . them,' the auction house's attorneys wrote. So she put them in a . $1,500-per-month New Jersey storage unit. | Auction house settled with Kobe Bryant in an undisclosed deal .
His mother Pamela Bryant struck deal in January with Goldin Auctions and received $450,000 up front toward a new house .
Memorabilia includes high school clothing, gear, trophies and rings . |
fed7d867058c086915d8bb29ef88145b28bd87e4 | As part of Navy procedure, incoming female recruits have been forced to cut their hair so that it is only reaches 'the lower edge of the uniform collar' when they enter the boot camp pilot program. But now, after complaints from some sailors that the short haircuts do not properly prepare women for service - where longer hair is allowed - the Navy has temporarily halted the procedure as part of a trial. Recruits entering the program for the first three months of this year - starting this week - will be able to keep their long hair, so long as it keeps with the overall grooming policy, such as keeping it in a strict bun. The Navy had been the only remaining branch of the U.S. armed services to still require short hair. New trial: For the first three months of this year, incoming female recruits will be allowed to keep their hair long, while have previously been forced to cut it above the collar upon entry. Here, Chief Logistics Specialist Natali Philip measures the hair of Seaman Recruit Briana Cochems on January 6 as part of the new trial . Required: Female recruits have been forced to cut their hair above the collar upon entry to boot camp . Too long?: Hawa Jenkins (left) a recruit division commander, instructs Seaman Recruit Cohlena Jones-Tipton, on proper hair grooming standards as new recruits are allowed longer hair for next three months . They have set up an interactive web page showing hairstyles what is acceptable as per the grooming regulations, from how to maintain everything from pixie cuts to corn rows. For longer hair, 'no portion of the bulk of the hair (minus the bun) will exceed two inches, as measured from the scalp,' the website states. The Navy said the move is 'an effort to standardize training and education across the military services'. Time reported that the change came about following complaints that the short hair requirements didn't prepare women for graduating from boot camp, after which their hair can be longer. The Navy said there was 'fleet feedback that junior Sailors and officers are not taught proper grooming standards with longer hair'. 'Grooming standards education will be incorporated into the curriculum, but will not impact other training,' the Navy said in a statement. Strict grooming policy: On its website, the Navy has instructions on how to keep every hairstyle, from long hair to short, curly to straight . Under a new pilot program, the armed services branch will no longer require females to cut their hair short . 'This will allow women to style longer hair in the same manner that they would wear it daily in the Fleet while providing the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the standards before transferring to the Fleet.' However, 'females requesting a haircut may still receive one', the service branch said. It is tradition for recruits to have a haircut on arrival at the camp. Time also reported that the move may also be implement for incoming male soldiers who have longer hair. Men are currently required to have their heads shaved - no longer than an eighth-inch - upon arrival. Are they next?: There are suggestions that the hair requirements for male recruits may also soon change . | Sailors had complained the short hair requirements didn't properly prepare them for service, where longer hair is allowed .
The Navy is the only remaining branch of U.S. armed services that requires short hair .
New three-month trial allows women to keep their longer so long as it keeps with the grooming policy, such as keeping it in a tight bun . |
fed7dbd593df37d1f0e9c095639865a061173935 | As the 2014 World Cup gets underway, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture in Brazil from team news and key battles to betting odds and Opta stats... beginning with the opening game between Brazil and Croatia. Click here to follow the Brazil vs Croatia World Cup action live . Venue: Arena Corinthians, Sao PauloKick-off: 9pm (5pm, Brazil time)TV coverage: ITV1, from 7pmOdds: Brazil 1/3, Draw 4/1, Croatia 8/1Referee: Yuichi Nishimura, Japan . Let the games begin! Hosts Brazil kick off the 2014 World Cup against Croatia in Sao Paulo . Managers: . Luiz Felipe Scolari (Brazil) Niko Kovac (Croatia)Team news: Neymar has recovered from a training ground knock that left an entire nation holding its breath and is likely to start on the left in Scolari's typical 4-2-3-1 formation with Hulk on the opposite side and Fred playing as a lone striker. Scolari is set to keep faith with Chelsea playmaker Oscar in the No 10 playmaker position, although if his inconsistent form continues he could turn to his club teammate Willian. Croatia will be without their most potent forward, Mario Mandzukic, who is suspended following his red card in the play-off game against Iceland in November. That means that Eduardo is likely to lead their attack against the country of his birth - with the striker recently admitting he might sing both national anthems. Key clash: Neymar v Vedran Corluka . In his prime Vedran Corluka was a decent centre-back but his mobility has taken a drastic turn for the worse in recent years, which makes the prospect of facing Neymar, one of the most skilful players all the planet, all the more daunting. Good luck with that! Vedran Corluka (R) will be tasked with stopping World Cup poster boy Neymar (L) One to watch: Mateo Kovacic (Croatia) Dubbed ‘Little Mozart’ by the Italian press for the manner in which he has controlled games at times for Inter Milan this season, the 19-year-old was instrumental in Croatia’s impressive qualifying win over Serbia and could start as a No 10 against Brazil. Head-to-head record: Played 2 Brazil Wins 1 Draws 1 . Little Mozart: Mateo Kovacic (R) is likely to provide creative inspiration for Croatia in the No 10 playmaking role . Predicted line-up: Brazil v Croatia . • The host nation has never lost their opening World Cup game, with the 20 previous hosts winning 14 and drawing six of their openers.• Brazil’s one previous tournament as hosts saw them defeat fellow 2014 Group A members Mexico 4-0 in their opening game (1950).• Eight of the last 12 opening matches at World Cups have produced one goal or less.• Brazil are taking part in their 20th World Cup. They are the only team to have taken part in every single tournament - winning it a record five times.• A Selecao have won the most games (67) and scored the most goals (210) at the World Cup. * Brazil have won eight of their last nine World Cup games in the group stages (1 draw). Their last defeat dates back to 23 June 1998 against Norway (1-2).• Croatia have only conceded 11 goals in 13 World Cup games (0.85/game). It’s the best ratio among the 32 teams taking part in 2014.• Croatia’s last nine World Cup games have produced six red cards.• Brazil won their one previous competitive meeting with Croatia 1-0 in the 2006 World Cup; Kaka scored the winner in Berlin that day. Come in No 6? Brazil have won a record five World Cups - the last inspired by Ronaldo (C) in 2002 . | Brazil play Croatia in the opening game of the 2014 World Cup .
Group A also features Mexico and Cameroon .
Croatia defender will be tasked with stopping Brazil poster boy Neymar .
Brazil have won the World Cup a record five times, the last in 2002 . |
fed83b40916eaeccbb0522aca1501e2312ff66da | (CNN) -- Only 10% of drugs cheats are being caught at the Olympics. former anti-doping chief Dick Pound told CNN on Wednesday. The London Olympics have been dominated so far by the displays of 16-year-old Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen, whose world record time in the 400 meter individual medley prompted questions about her performances. John Leonard, executive director of the World Swimming Coaches Association described Ye's performances as "disturbing" but the young swimmer dismissed the allegations and Olympic officials insist that she is clean until proven otherwise. "My results come from hard work and training and I would never use any banned drugs," she said. Pound, who retired from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 2008, said "anecdotally, maybe 10% of athletes use drugs and we're catching one or two of them." He warned that the issue of drug cheating was "getting dumbed down" as sports organizations become "more worried about corruption." "People who have prepared in advance and used drugs coming here (to London) won't get caught," said Pound. "If you get caught you fail two tests, a drugs test and an IQ test." Dick Pound, also a former vice president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), warned that testers are always playing catch up with the cheaters. "You'd be pretty ambitious to say London 2012 was a clean Games. There are drugs we don't know about yet so we need to keep finding them and hunting down the distribution networks," he said. "We know what's going on, but if you're going to do disqualify someone you have to have evidence. We're going to need more resources and more commitment from the sports organizations." "Basically, they say it is too complicated, too expensive and they're more worried about corruption. It is getting dumbed down." The IOC announced on Wednesday evening that Uzbek athlete Luiza Galiulina has been excluded from the Games after testing positive for furosemide. Furosemide is commonly used to stop racehorses suffering nosebleeds, but is banned by WADA because it can be used to mask other drugs. Galiulina wa provisionally suspended after failing pre-games testing on the 25h July. The 20-year-old's 'B' sample has confirmed the positive result, so the IOC have now expelled the gymnast from the Games. Galiulina is the second athlete to fail a drugs test at the games after Albanian weightlifter Hysen Pulaku tested positive for the steroid stanozlol, also in pre-games testing. | Former WADA chief Dick Pound claims only 10% of drug cheaters are being caught .
Pound says if athletes are prepared for tests, they won't get caught .
Question have been raised over swimmer Ye Shiwen's record breaking performances .
Calling London Games "clean" would be "ambitious" says Pound . |
fed846849bb876c01caf27bf6e63583b4402d7d4 | Louis van Gaal celebrated his 63rd birthday on Friday. Next weekend, the next chapter in his life begins in earnest when Manchester United play Swansea City in the first Premier League game under his charge. Relatively elderly managers haven’t always fared well when working in England for the first time. Fabio Capello didn’t have the patience or inclination to learn English properly after a career in Italy and Spain. Sven Goran Eriksson used a chauffeur to ferry him about because he felt he was too old to learn how to drive on the left. VIDEO: Scroll down to see footage of United signings Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw . Getting his message across: Louis van Gaal is confident of success at United after taking over this summer . Jubilant: The 63-year-old says he will be active as United boss, and will drive himself to work, despite his age . VIDEO Van Gaal wants reinforcements . Van Gaal insists he won’t be a fossil. ‘I’ll drive myself to the training ground,’ he promises. ‘I have already driven in England, in 1996 in a brand new Mercedes 600 SL. ‘I was invited by the Umbro president and I drove myself. It’s an easy job! It is only a problem when it is late and there are no other cars there, otherwise you can just follow the car in front of you. ‘I think I’ll be able to adapt though I’ll only know for certain when the Premier League begins. Football is football everywhere and, I’m sorry, but I have survived.’ For all the warnings about Van Gaal being authoritarian and demanding, he cuts an affable and relaxed figure as he sits down with the Mail on Sunday ahead of the big kick off. He likes to intersperse his pantomime glares with plenty of smiles and laughter. Back to winning ways: United claimed the International Champions Cup on their pre-season tour of the US . Undoubtedly, he’s had an intense start to life at Old Trafford. Delayed by Holland’s run to the World Cup semi-finals, he’s been in his new job just three weeks and travelled nearly 15,000 miles in that time. A positive omen is the club have already won two trophies under his leadership; the International Champions Cup by beating Roma, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Liverpool in America, and the Manchester Senior Cup, in which 18-year-old striker James Wilson scored four goals in the final against Manchester City. Only two new players have arrived so far, Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera but Van Gaal doesn’t gloss over the fact that the team, who finished seventh last year under David Moyes, are short in certain areas. Luke who's talking: Luke Shaw admits it will be a dream come to true to make his Old Trafford debut . New signing: Ander Herrera (centre) was overwhelmed by Manchester United's support in the States . Interestingly, he does little to dampen speculation that he’d be interested in securing Real Madrid’s £55million winger Angel Di Maria and £15million Ajax wing-back Daley Blind, particularly after Barcelona secured the signing of Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen. Roma’s Kevin Strootman is a January target. ‘You cannot compare players how the players will do under the guidance of Moyes with those same players under the guidance of Louis van Gaal. Every trainer and coach and manager wants a different style of play and different tactics,’ he outlines. ‘Now we have five number 9s and four number 10s and we don’t have wingers to play attacking width, not at the highest level, of Ronaldo or Di Maria or something like that. So I have to play also in another way and you have seen that.’ ‘It’s a strategy of Manchester United to buy players who are on the way up and getting better, but I only buy when I think we need to.’ Heavenly: Van Gaal says United do not possess wingers as good as Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria . Physical challenge: Blind admitted that he would prefer La Liga to England, despite Van Gaal's interest in him . He acknowledges that could include one or two from the group of players he worked with as Holland manager. ‘If they are at the level I want them to be, then I will sign Dutch players,’ he states. ‘Dutch players are usually cheaper than players of other nationalities and they have usually been very well educated in the Netherlands, I believe. ‘But they have to be of a level than can play well in the English Premier League. You have to ask yourself if that is the case with every player.’ Much has been made of Van Gaal’s success in the past with young players, something in line with the United philosophy dating back to the Busby Babes and continued by Sir Alex Ferguson. Van Gaal won the Champions League with Ajax when Patrick Kluivert, Kanu, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf and Edwin van der Sar were emerging. At Barcelona, he gave Andres Iniesta and Xavi their big break. Lean on me: The United boss says he will look to his assistant manager Ryan Giggs for support this season . He’d like to do the same at United and will lean on assistant-manager Ryan Giggs on who deserves a chance. But he is also keen to stress the players have to be good enough as well as young enough. ‘Ryan Giggs is my assistant manager because I always want someone on my staff who knows and understands the culture of the club,’ adds Van Gaal, whose methods have won trophies in their bucketload at Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AZ Alkmaar. ‘Ryan has mentioned some players to me and I have seen some of them play in the matches. ‘I have one rule for young players; to get in my team they have to be better than the player they are replacing. ‘It isn't tough for me to put young players into my team. When they are better, they play. It's that easy. For me, age is not important and experience is not important. It is the ability of the player that is the important thing.’ The likes of Wilfried Zaha, Jesse Lingard, Nick Powell, Will and Michael Keane, and James Wilson will wait with baited breath to see if their chance comes this season or if a loan period elsewhere is required first. Impressed: Dutchman praises Rooney but insists physical training will carry on until first league game . The partnership of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie is one that neither Sir Alex Ferguson nor David Moyes got to grips with properly. Van Gaal knows Van Persie personally and with the Dutchman absent so far after a post-World Cup break, has got to see Rooney close hand. Before, Rooney has been a threat to Van Gaal’s teams, particularly in 2010 when Bayern played United in the Champions League semi-final. ‘I liked him when I was the manager of his opponent,’ said Van Gaal. ‘He is always working very hard, has a high level and can make goals. He did that in America, four goal in his first three matches is not so bad I think! ‘But we have to wait and see, we are now in the beginning of the preparation. The physical training will go on before our first league match.’ The hidden warning to Rooney could have come out of Ferguson’s mouth. The legendary United boss was occasionally irritated by the player’s fluctuating physical condition. Good luck: Van Gaal says former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has wished him all the best ahead of season . Fergie won’t be a overbearing presence to Van Gaal as he was to Moyes. The Dutchman says he will pick the Scotsman’s brains over coffee or dinner at some stage, but their initial communication has been brief and to the point. ‘He just wished me luck and that was it. It isn’t disappointing, it is normal. I did the same when I was in the same position as him. Ferguson was the consummate man-manager, getting good players to feel right about themselves and perform on the pitch. Moyes liked the coaching side of the game. Van Gaal’s strength is he can do both. A natural people person who nonetheless thinks a manager can orchestrate success through tactics. ‘The World Cup didn’t teach us anything new. Every system has been tried before in football. It’s how you prepare your team to do against the system of the opponents, that is the thing that always makes the difference.’ | Van Gaal said he is impressed by Wayne Rooney but issued a veiled warning about player's physical condition ahead of the start of the Premier League .
Manchester United boss admitted he does not have wingers of the calibre of Cristiano Ronaldo and long-term target Angel Di Maria .
Van Gaal also said he would not shy away from signing Dutch players, as long as they are good enough to play at Old Trafford .
Dutch coach is adamant he will be a success at United despite elderly managers like Fabio Capello and Sven Goran Eriksson struggling in England .
Former Holland boss says he will lean on assistant Ryan Giggs for support . |
fed880c0779ddf9dbd405d93554ba7aa857fa6b7 | British jihadists make up the largest foreign contingent of one of the most violent terrorist groups in Syria, now infamous for beheading, crucifying and stoning to death enemies. Syrian rebel commander Brigadier-General Abdulellah al-Basheer has urged the UK to send weapons to help fight Sunni Islamist group The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Almost two out of three of ISIS' fighters are foreign-born and have chosen to join a group bent on creating an Islamic state in the war-torn country and Iraq. The group is so extreme that it has even been denounced by Al Qaeda. Terrifying: A man believed to have been crucified by fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa . Dangerous: Security forces battle with ISIS members, a group where two out of three fighters are foreign and the largest contingent are from Britain, it has emerged . Earlier this month the Foreign Office said it was investigating into reports that two British nationals died fighting for ISIS. Hundreds of British jihadists have travelled to Syria to fight. Last week Mashudur Choudhury, 31, right, became . the first person in the UK to be convicted of terrorist offences in . connection with the Syria conflict. The UK’s police counter-terrorism chief Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball has admitted authorities are powerless to stop young Muslims heading to the war-torn state. The Scotland Yard chief said the battle against the Assad regime acts like a ‘magnet’ – and fighters now number in the ‘mid’ rather than ‘low’ hundreds. There is speculation the figure could be as high as 700 as the authorities admit they are struggling to monitor those who are in the Middle East. A national campaign has been launched to urge women to stop their loved ones going to Syria. The mothers, wives and sisters of potential jihadists were asked to contact the police so that officers can intervene. More than 40 people have been arrested for crimes linked to Syria in the first three months of this year, compared to 25 in the whole of 2013.+ . In April prospective Brighton University student Abdullah Deghayes, 18, was killed in a gunfight in Kassab in Latakia. His two brothers, Jaffar, 16, and Amer, 20, remain in Syria. Around 400 Britons are believed to have gone to Syria over the last two years to fight, with an estimated 20 having died. Last week Mashudur Choudhury, 31, became the first person in the UK to be convicted of terrorist offences in connection with the Syria conflict after he went to the Middle Eastern country with the intention of joining a terrorist training camp last October. In a letter to The Times, General al-Basheer, chief of staff of the supreme military council, the commanding body of the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA), which opposes the regime of President Assad, said the 'majority' of ISIS fighters were from the UK, with others from France, Germany and Belgium. He said: 'We, the Syrian people now experience beheadings, crucifixions, beatings, murders, outdated methods of treating women, an obsolete approach to governing society. Many who participate in these activities are British.' The general also called for the British government to send weapons to help deal with ISIS, warning that a failure to act would increase the threat of terrorism in Britain. He said: 'If ISIS is allowed to expand, these terrorists, having put their skills to the test in my country, will return to their homelands, perhaps to the UK, and continue on their pernicious path of destruction... 'We are at a critical juncture in our fight against violent extremism and hope that the UK and US can shrug off their fear of supporting us. A failure to actively support the FSA now will lead to ISIS' successes internationally.' He added: 'The FSA can only go so far with the little we have. The UK and US governments must support us to defeat terrorism in Syria and prevent it from being exported to Europe and the US.' Protests: Mourners chant slogans against the Al Qaeda breakaway group ISIS while carrying a flag-draped coffin of Ahmed Marzouk an Iraqi officer who was killed by them last week . Britain provides non-lethal and technical support such as body armour and communications to moderate Syrian rebels, The Times said, but has ruled out handing over weapons for fear of the falling into the hands of extremists. Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell has called for a new debate on policy over Syria, saying: 'It's high time that we revisited the issue of Syria in the House of Commons.' An Iraqi policeman inspects the site of a suicide attack carried out by ISIS . ISIS (or ISIL) is a pro-Al Qaeda jihadist group that many feared was taking an iron grip over parts of Syria. The group was formed in April 2013 and grew out of Al Qaeda's affiliate organisation in Iraq. It has since become one of the main jihadist groups fighting government forces in Syria. The final letter in the acronym ISIS stems from the Arabic word 'al-Sham'. This can mean the Levant, Syria or even Damascus but in the context of the global jihad it refers to the Levant. Its precise size is unknown, but it is thought to include thousands of fighters, including many foreign jihadists. Analysts say non-Syrians constitute a majority of ISIS's elite fighter corps and are disproportionately represented in its leadership. It took over the city of Al-Reqqa after rebels overran the city in March 2013. It was the first provincial capital to fall under rebel control. It also has a presence in a number of towns close to the Turkish border in the north of the country, and has gained a reputation for brutal rule in the areas that it controls. The group has been operating independently of other jihadist groups such as the Nusra Front and has had a tense relationship with other rebels in Syria. Al Qaeda refuse to deal with them. In July, a commander of the Western-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) was reportedly shot dead by ISIS fighters in the coastal province of Lattakia. There were also reports of deadly clashes between the two groups in the north-western province of Idlib. ISIS also seized the northern town of Azaz from the FSA on 18 September. There has also been friction with other Islamists. In November 2013, ISIS was accused of killing a prominent member of the Syrian Islamist rebel group Ahrar al-Sham. | Two out three people fighting for an extreme Sunni group are foreign .
Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) known for beheadings and crucifixions .
Group considered so extreme it has even been condemned by Al Qaeda .
WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT . |
fed882e449cc196c793efa8b674ceae97b80f032 | Miranda Kerr ensured all eyes were on her earlier today when she turned up to the Louis Vuitton SS15 show as part of Paris Fashion Week. The model wore a simple black dress with a neckline that plunged to just above the navel for the event. This isn't the first time that Miranda, 31, has bared half her chest for a crowd of photographers though. Scroll down for video . Miranda Kerr today at the Louis Vuitton SS15 Womenswear show at Paris Fashion Week. The model has a penchant for wearing dresses that expose large parts of her chest . As a Victoria's Secret model for six years, the mother-of-one was used to flaunting her figure in just a bikini or skimpy lingerie in front of crowds of people. And she was clearly good at it - Miranda replaced supermodel Gisele Bundchen as a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2007, keeping the job until 2013. But although the Australian no longer represents the American underwear firm or models their items for the catalogue, she is still seen baring her chest on regular occasions. Femail takes a look back at some of Miranda's most eye-popping outfits: . Miranda Kerr at the Stella McCartney show, Spring Summer 2014, Paris Fashion Week in September, 2013 . iranda Kerr at Narita International airport, Japan on 18 July, 2013 . Miranda at the 85th Annual Academy Awards Oscars, Vanity Fair Party in Los Angeles on 24 February, 2013 . Miranda at the 86th Annual Academy Awards Oscars, Vanity Fair Party in Los Angeles on 02 March, 2014 . Miranda at the 2009 Espy Awards at the Nokia Theatre Live in Los Angeles on 15 July, 2009 . Miranda at 'A Bid to Save the Earth' Auction at Christie's, New York on 22 April, 2010 . Miranda out and about in New York on 12 July 2012 . Miranda launches the 'New Dream Angels Push Up Bra' at the Victoria's Secret Store in New York City on 07 April, 2009. Miranda at the G'Day USA: Australia Week Australia Day Black Tie Gala at the Waldorf Astoria, New York on 26 January, 2008 . | Miranda Kerr ensured all eyes were on her at the Louis Vuitton fashion show .
The supermodel has a history of wearing plunging dresses to big events .
Femail take a look back at her most eye-catching outfits . |
fed885a4c64ca32263ef97c5c7a2e6d188e7b9ab | By . Mark Duell . PUBLISHED: . 20:18 EST, 15 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:39 EST, 17 July 2013 . Stare at the beautiful sight of African elephants at twilight, and witness the split second before a grizzly bear shuts his jaws on a sockeye salmon. Or study a western lowland gorilla walk through a cloud of butterflies she has disturbed, and see a greater bulldog bat's reflection as it catches a fish. These extraordinary images feature in a new book bringing together the work of ten of the world’s greatest wildlife photographers for the first time. Underwater: Penguins, Ice and Light by David Doubile is one of the most extraordinary images featuring in a book called The Masters of Nature Photography . Red on white: Ice Formation is by Pal Hermansen, a photographer who is a specialist in the use of light and dark, and featured in the new Natural History Museum book . To the surface: Featured in the book is Antarctica Expedition - Climate Reality by Paul Nicklen, who has become known for his pioneering underwater photography . Mane image: Horse Spirit by Jim Brandenburgh is in a new book book bringing together the work of ten of the world's greatest wildlife photographers for the first time . Birds at play: Dancing Cranes by Vincent Munier. The photographers are all past winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition . The Masters of Nature Photography features the artistry of Jim Brandenburg to the underwater images by David Doubilet and Paul Nicklen. The book also includes Pål Hermansen’s use of light and dark, the viewpoints of Frans Lanting and Anup Shah’s intimate portraits. In addition there are the visual statements of Michael Nichols, Thomas Mangelsen’s landscapes and Christian Ziegler’s images of wild behaviour. Each photographer has a biography along with a portfolio of the ten images that they consider is most representative of their work. It's lunchtime: Catch of the Day by Thomas Mangelsen shows the split second before a grizzly bear shuts his jaws on a sockeye salmon . Pretty pink: African Elephants at Twilight by Frans Lanting is an astonishing photograph taken at Chobe National Park in northern Botswana . Splash: Perfect Trawl is a beautiful photograph by Chris Ziegler, showing a greater bulldog bat - also known as noctilio leporinus - catching a fish . Flying around: Anup Shah's photograph shows a western lowland gorilla walking through a cloud of butterflies she has disturbed in the Central African Republic . Visual statement: Whiskey by Michael Nichols is one of many photographs featured in The Masters of Nature Photography, which will be published on September 19 . For every photographer there is a brief biography defining the essence of their art and what drives and inspires them. The photographers are all past winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, which is now in its 49th year. The Masters of Nature Photography will be published by the Natural History Museum of South Kensington, central London, on September 19. A collection of some of the best pictures from past years of the competition is featured in Wild Planet, also published by the museum. | Another image shows western lowland gorilla walking through cloud of butterflies she disturbed .
Photographs feature in Natural History Museum book called The Masters of Nature Photography .
It brings together the work of ten of the world’s greatest wildlife photographers for the first time . |
fed88d4a226ff558c8f8677a046e4802b05480ad | Britain could be ready to join the Euro within just 10 years, Labour peer Lord Mandelson claimed today. Anti-austerity protests are sweeping across Europe amid speculation of further bailouts for the troubled single currency. But in a remarkable prediction branded ‘breathtaking’ by Tories, Lord Mandelson claimed the problems would be sorted out soon ‘in fits and starts’ and a new 'Eurozone Mark II' would emerge which the British people will want to join. Lord Mandelson today said Britain's interests risk being ignored if it chose not to join a Eurozone Mark II . The former European Commissioner and Labour cabinet minister said the battle to secure the future of the single currency will mean a 'more powerful political . and institutional framework of policy and decision-making' emerging in Brussels. He added: 'Now if that is successful - over the next five to ten years, not over the next five to ten months - I think it is possible, quite possible that Britain will want to review its relationship to the eurozone core. 'In those circumstances, I think we would have to revert to the British people again and ask them to take a view on what sort of relationship Britain has with Europe in the coming decades.' David Cameron has faced growing calls for an in-out referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union. The Prime Minister is reported to be preparing to give a major speech soon on Europe soon as a direct response to the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso’s recent call for a federal Europe. In May Lord Mandelson said a referendum was needed as a ‘healthy means of re-establishing a consensus’ on Britain’s place in the world. But today he made clear he still believes that Britain should move closer to the EU to stop its interests being ignored. 'What we don’t want to see is that as the . eurozone integrates further, our interests are progressively ignored. Tory MP Bernard Jenkin today said Lord Mandelson's enthusiasm for Britain to join the euro was 'breathtaking' 'We are deliberately putting ourselves in a position . where we are choosing not to act constructively, not to engage with our . European partners and inviting them to ignore what we believe are our . interests and how we want to see the single market managed in the . future. 'That’s the great danger of the direction in which the Government . is presently going,' he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. However, the idea of Britain joining the Euro brought a furious response from senior Tory backbencher Bernard Jenkin. ‘He wants Britain to be to be in the core in the euro and it is breathtaking that this man can [come] on your programme and not be questioned about the disaster which he advocated, he advocated this euro.’ Mr Jenkin added: ‘He very mellifluously tries to reassure you we can just lie back and let Europe develop. ‘I think the moment has probably passed where we can determine the direction of Europe, that passed us all 20 years ago. ‘But we can determine our relationship with Europe and the vast majority of the British people do not want to go anywhere near the core.’ | Former Business Secretary says troubled single currency will reemerge as a Eurozone Mark II in five to 10 years .
Labour peer claims Britain's interests are being ignored by Brussels .
Tory MP Bernard Jenkin brands the idea of joining the Euro 'breathtaking' |
fed89f17039a7994b4acaca17b3213da6acc7ef7 | A Good Samaritan who stopped to help Clarke Carlisle after he jumped in front of a lorry has been left so traumatised that he has been forced to quit his job. Chris Kilbride was driving along the A64 near York on his way to work when the former footballer launched himself into the path of an oncoming lorry in a bid to take his own life. The 24-year-old was forced to swerve to avoid the sports star, as he lay fighting for his life in the middle of the road. He then rushed to his side and phoned 999. Scroll down for video . Chris Kilbride, 24, (left) has revealed how he stopped to help Clarke Carlisle (right) after he attempted to end his life by jumping in front of a lorry on the A64 near York in December . But the father-of-two revealed today how the terrifying incident has left him in a 'dark place', which includes flashbacks and nightmares. He says he is so disturbed about what happened that he cannot drive past the same spot, meaning he has had to give up his work. He also told how he made a promise - while tending to Carlisle - to try and meet him, should he ever pulled through from the horrific crash. At the time, he did not know who the man. He told the Sunday People: 'I can't believe he survived. I expected him to pass away. 'I said to myself, "If he survives I would like to meet the man". I don't have any hatred towards him. He did what he did because he was in a bad place. 'But the consequences of his actions have now put me in a similar place. I'm not angry at him. 'Everyone deals with things differently. But because he did that, I've now got to deal with it.' Carlisle, the former Leeds, Burnley and QPR defender, bravely revealed earlier this year how he jumped in front of the lorry in December in a failed suicide attempt. Carlisle was recently released from hospital. six weeks after he was injured in the collision with a lorry . The 35-year-old former footballer played for QPR (left) and Burnley (right) during his playing days . The 35-year-old had previously spoken about how he had struggled with mounting depression and a sense of worthlessness after he retired from professional sport in 2013. He attempted to build a career as a pundit but lost a £100,000 role with ITV. He was then arrested for drink-driving just 36 hours before his suicide attempt. Carlisle was critically injured during the collision and was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary. He finally returned home from hospital earlier this year, after suffering internal bleeding, a broken rib and cuts and bruises. Today, Mr Kilbride described how he rushed to Carlisle's side as he lay in the middle of the road, in a pool of blood. Clarke Carlisle's wife Gemma has spoken of her horror at witnessing the former footballer's injuries after he jumped in front of a lorry. The pair are pictured together in 2013 . The former footballer attempted to build a career as a pundit but lost a £100,000 role with ITV. He was then arrested for drink-driving just 36 hours before his suicide attempt . He told how instinct kicked in and that he immediately leapt out of his car to phone an ambulance. He described how Carlisle was so still that he believed he was was dead. But he then saw Carlisle's arm move and realised he was conscious. Another passer-by then stopped to help and Mr Kilbride continued talking to the call handler. When the police arrived, he says he went to comfort the lorry driver, who was 'hysterical' and also had glass in his eye. A few hours later, he received a voicemail from the lorry driver's wife, thanking him for comforting her husband. Meanwhile, the footballer's wife Gemma Carlisle had previously told how she begged her husband not to die as he lay disfigured in a hospital bed because she was 'too young to be a widow'. Brave: The former Leeds, Burnley and QPR defender has spoken about his depression in the past . He suffered internal bleeding, a broken rib and cuts and bruises following the incident in December . Recalling her first visit to see him in hospital, she said: 'Nothing could prepare me for what I saw. There was so much blood. It was everywhere. 'I went to hold his hand but his hands and his arms had bits hanging off. I remember saying to him "don’t you dare die, please get better, please live". I thought I'm too young to be a widow.' She told how she had Carlisle missing two days before the collision and tried desperately to contact him through his mobile but had only managed to reach the answer phone every time. When officers knocked on her door to reveal he had been found, she was taken in a police car to hospital and could see the helicopter that was carrying her husband. Earlier this week, Twitter users had leapt to Carlisle's defence after actor Ralf Little accused his former friend of not telling the 'full story'. The Royle Family star was branded 'crass' and 'insensitive' for tweeting that Carlisle was going to 'get away with it again' in reference to his interview about his battle with depression. The actor had earlier tweeted a picture of the article, commenting: 'Oh dear. Looks like Clarke Carlisle's going to get away with it - AGAIN. #Teflon #nonstick.' He also wrote: 'Seems people want context about previous tweet. So let me say, I know the full story and it's not what's portrayed in the media. That's all.' The pair had become friends in the early 2000s, but are thought to have fallen out when Carlisle took the actor's bank card to fill Little's car with petrol. Instead, according to Carlisle's autobiography, he used the card to fund a drinking spree. Little did not refer to the incident, thought to have taken place in 2003, but admitted he should not have used a forum such as Twitter to make the comment. For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details. | Chris Kilbride was driving on A64 when Carlisle jumped in front of a lorry .
He had to swerve to avoid the ex-footballer as he lay fighting for his life .
24-year-old rushed to Carlisle's side, phoned 999 and comforted the driver .
He says he can no longer drive past the spot and wants to meet Carlisle .
Former defender, 35, threw himself in front of vehicle in bid to end his life . |
fed8b2dc9d60e545006598931d52d3e3d01f7ba6 | By . Ryan Lipman . Researchers in Melbourne could be on the verge of a medical breakthrough after pinpointing three types of stem cells in umbilical cord blood, which could be the key to preventing cerebral palsy. As part of a trial to prevent the disorder, babies in Victoria will be given back their own umbilical blood, reported The Herald Sun. Cerebral palsy is a physical condition affecting posture and movement, due to damage to the developing brain during pregnancy or shortly after birth. New hope: A trail will see babies in Victoria given back their own umbilical blood in a bid to prevent the cerebral palsy . One Australian child every 15 hours is born with cerebral palsy according to Cerebrapalsy.org.au. Often caused by oxygen deprivation around the time of birth, about 700 Australian babies are born with cerebral palsy each year, making it the most common childhood physical disability. Researchers at the Monash Institute of Medical Research found that giving back umbilical cord blood to newborns within 12 hours of birth could prevent the likelihood of birth asphyxia, which causes brain damage. During the Annual Congress of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand, scientist Courtney McDonald revealed researchers were in the process of determining the link between umbilical cord blood and brain repair. The Ritchie Centre at Monash Institute of Medical Research, pictured, is leading the way in preventing the disorder . 'Cord blood works, but we want to know what’s the best cord blood to give back,' Dr McDonald said. 'These particular cells can actually stop the inflammation which causes damage. They can help the baby’s own brain repair itself, and help these blood vessels become stronger.' The Ritchie Centre's research is focused on three types of stem cell and their characteristics: anti-inflammatory T-regulatory cells, Endothelial Progenitor cells, which stimulate blood flow to injured areas and the brain-repairing Mesenchymal stem cells. Part of the team's research involved taking umbilical cord blood from lambs and then isolating the specific stem cells. Once this was done, the stem cells were then injected back into the animals 12 hours from the time of injury, Dr McDonald said. The results from the study will form the basis of a national human clinical trial, which will see babies at risk of cerebral palsy given the umbilical cord blood in the first few days after birth. Mesenchymal stem cells, pictured, are one of the three singled out by researchers and are able to help fix damaged nervous tissue in the brain . 'The results that are coming out of our studies and the clinical trials overseas are so promising. It’s going to happen. It has so much potential,' Dr McDonald said. The trial will be led by Professor Euan Wallace and Associate Professor Michael Fahey. In 2012, a world-first trial at Monash Medical Centre saw pregnant women whose babies were not developing normally, given an antioxidant. Doctors believed this was capable of stopping their babies from suffering brain damage in the womb and developing cerebral palsy, reported The Age. Research centres around the world are testing the success of stem cell therapies. In South Korea, human clinical trials appear promising with children aged between six months and 10 years old, who received donated cord blood together with other rehabilitation therapies, showing improvements in cognitive function and motor skills. | A Victorian trial will see babies given their own umbilical blood back .
The process could prevent cerebral palsy .
Researchers are focusing on three types of stem cells in the cord blood .
Cerebral palsy is the most common childhood physical disability in Australia . |
fed8da003581d3ba65efe7ea5a6d606eba08f07a | (CareerBuilder) -- Looking for the best time of the year to get a promotion? According to data collected and analyzed by LinkedIn, January, June and July are the most popular months for U.S. workers to receive promotions. Globally, January, July and September are the top three. "It is not surprising that promotions tend to occur around these times," says Roy Cohen, a career coach and author of "The Wall Street Professional's Survival Guide." "In the U.S., promotions usually happen around new budget cycles and after holidays. January represents the start of a new calendar year and when performance evaluations are typically conducted. Some companies begin their new budget cycles in June or July, thus promotions occur in these months." The worldwide tendency to promote in January can likewise be attributed to the turning of the calendar, marking a time of new beginnings. But while promotions in June and July in America may be due primarily to mid-year evaluations and fiscal calendars, many other countries have a special consideration. "July represents the time before much of the world takes the month of August off for holiday, so decisions are made prior to vacation. And September is when they return," Cohen notes. Other good times for promotions . The LinkedIn study also revealed that while certain months had a higher percentage of promotions compared to others, advancement is becoming less concentrated. For example, during the 1990s, 22 percent of promotions occurred in January, but in the most recent decade that figure decreased to 16 percent. "There are two types of promotions to consider. One is a promotion that fills a vacancy in a hierarchy. This can occur at any time that the vacancy occurs. For example, an editor retires and someone is promoted to fill the position," says John P. Millikin, a professor in the management department at Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business in Tempe, Ariz., and a former vice president of human resources at Motorola Inc. in Phoenix. "The other type of promotion is a step up in a hierarchy of jobs, such as a promotion from buyer to senior buyer. While it varies by company or industry, this usually occurs on a schedule that reflects an individual's performance evaluation period. Frequently, this would coincide with the end of a business performance period such as a fiscal year." Besides someone's departure opening up opportunities for advancement, other situations can increase the odds for promotion at any time of the year. "Strike when the iron is hot," Cohen says. "When you introduce a new idea that will increase productivity, save money or generate revenue, you're golden. When you've successfully completed a special project, you've got their attention. Ask what new projects you can take on and how those projects will position you for expanded responsibilities." Likewise, Cohen notes that promotions often happen when there's a spike in business because there will be a focus on adding headcount to manage the expanded activity. But are promotions out of the question when a company is having difficulty? "Obviously, when times are tough as they are in most businesses today, you need to be sensitive to the needs of the business in asking about promotions," Millikin says. "Do keep in mind, however, that tough times also present opportunities to shine. As people leave or are even laid off, showing a willingness to step up and take on additional responsibilities shows that you care about the organization." Getting noticed . Regardless of the season, experts agree that there are things you can do throughout the year to make yourself more "promotable" including: . •Getting the extra training or experience needed for the position you desire. •Letting managers know that you are interested in advancement. •Asking superiors what steps they recommend to help prepare for a promotion. •Looking at the big picture to see how your actions help your manager get her job done well. •Making others aware of your contributions -- without going overboard or constantly bragging. Above all, it is critical that you are performing up to par on your current job. As Millikin notes, "No one is going to be impressed with someone who is focusing so much on the next job that he isn't really doing the one he has well." © CareerBuilder.com 2011. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority. | LinkedIn: January, June and July are the most popular months for U.S. workers to be promoted .
Cohen: "Promotions usually happen around new budget cycles and after holidays"
Promotions can fill a vacancy in hierarchy or be a step up in a hierarchy of jobs . |
fed93c832615c56fa835dfcd2228dc4a34cd0fb2 | By . Sophie Jane Evans for MailOnline . Success: Fay Hand today secured a five-figure payout for unfair dismissal after winning her employment tribunal case against EE . An employment tribunal has lifted the lid on a 'prank' culture in an EE call centre that resulted in a man being kicked unconscious at his desk. Workers at the mobile giant's site in Darlington engaged in 'occasional incidents of banter' to lighten up the 'somewhat mundane and repetitive' work, the hearing in Teesside heard. These included 'crop dusting' - breaking wind near a colleague - as well as switching the language on others' computers, swapping screens to cause confusion and taping up a computer mouse. But last September, things turned more serious when an employee who had his car keys stolen and his ID card defaced flipped and kicked his colleague at his desk, knocking him unconscious. Operations manager Fay Hand, 37, who had worked for the firm for almost 17 years, was sacked alongside seven others following the incident. But today, Mrs Hand secured a five-figure payout for unfair dismissal after winning her employment tribunal case against EE. Judge Gerald Johnson found the mother of two, who was in charge of 11 team leaders and 111 agents, had an unblemished record and was 'clearly a highly-regarded and valued employee'. The tribunal heard the disgruntled employee had spoken to Mrs Hand after his cars keys were stolen and a new Fifa computer game inside his vehicle was taken and held for ransom. Mrs Hand then told the team leader the worker was not happy and asked her to 'sort it out'. The employee later admitted he had had a 'sense of humour failure' and the issue was believed to be resolved, Teesside Magistrates' Court heard. But the following month, when his . security pass was defaced with a permanent marker by a colleague, he . kicked the man at his desk until he fell unconscious. Tribunal: The work at the mobile giant's site in Darlington could be 'somewhat mundane and repetitive', so employees engaged in 'occasional incidents of banter', the hearing at Teesside Magistrates' Court heard . The attacker was immediately suspended and the next day he came to work with a three-page statement, claiming the security pass incident was the 'last straw' and his team leader and Mrs Hand had not taken his complaints seriously. Following the incident, EE sacked seven employees, including the victim, the kicker, the team leader and Mrs Hand. Mobile giant: An EE spokesman said the firm took its responsibilities towards its staff 'very seriously' The firm said Mrs Hand failed to protect the employee and breached its policy on harassment and bullying. But Judge Johnson found that the investigation into Mrs Hand’s actions had been 'wholly inadequate', and that her dismissal was pre-judged. Speaking after the case, Mrs Hand, from Wynyard, Teesside, said the employment tribunal had been 'worth going through'. She said: 'It was painful but I had to stand up for myself. It was worth going through all of that, I can hold my head up high again with a clear record. That is what I wanted. 'I did love my job, I did it well and there had not been any issues.' Mrs Hand no longer has a call centre job and works in an office managing fewer people. Today, her solicitor John Mitton, of PG Legal in Gateshead, said: 'From the outset of meeting with our client, it was evident that there were a number of failures adopted by EE with their procedures. This should be a time for reflection on EE’s part.' An EE spokesman said: 'We are one of the largest employers in Darlington. 'We take our responsibilities towards our staff very seriously and have robust policies in place that ensure a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and harassment in the workplace. 'We accept the tribunal’s ruling.' | Fay Hand, 37, was sacked after man was kicked unconscious at his desk .
Employee had 'flipped' after a colleague stole his car keys and Fifa game .
Mrs Hand, who worked as an operations manager, fired with seven others .
But today, she won five-figure sum from mobile giant for unfair dismissal .
Judge Gerald Johnson ruled she was 'clearly a high-regarded employee' |
fed969b51be71ad587506e7376e677428b8bbfdf | (CNN) -- A Detroit man, who stabbed an officer outside a courtroom and escaped wearing the officer's uniform, has been captured, authorities said. The inmate, Abraham Pearson, was spotted walking in a Detroit neighborhood Monday night, said Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon. Authorities said Pearson attacked a deputy with a sharpened comb in front of two other inmates inside a holding cell at the Frank Murphy Hall Monday morning. He then handcuffed Deputy Harrison Tolliver, and fled, also taking the officer's cell phone and radio, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office said. The two inmates did not intervene or leave the cell, according to police. Pearson escaped from the rear of the building, carjacked a citizen and drove away in a Dodge minivan. The Dodge was recovered and the officer's uniform was found under a vehicle near Beaubien Street in Detroit. Pearson was facing sentencing on Monday on carjacking and armed robbery charges. According to the sheriff's office, the 25-year old has a lengthy criminal record and was on parole. The arrest could add at least 11 more charges to the crimes he was already facing, Napoleon said. Tolliver, 63, was taken to the Detroit Receiving Hospital and later released. Tolliver is a retired Detroit police officer who joined the Sheriff's Office in December. CNN's Dominique Dodley contributed to this report. | Abraham Pearson escaped from holding cell while awaiting sentencing .
Police say he drove off in a carjacked minivan .
Sheriff: The escape attempt will add the suspect 11 more chages . |
fed9c5bce4def5d3fdbadd93fdaea187f92761ac | Fighting back: A group of prominent Hispanic women want an apology from ABC following remarks made by 'sources' on The View about Rosie Perez . The View has come under attack from a group of prominent Hispanic women who say the recent treatment of reportedly ousted panel member Rosie Perez has been both racist and sexist. The actress is the center of much talk at the moment that she was fired as a present on The View after less than one season. She is currently on hiatus to perform in Broadway's Fish in the Dark, but insiders say she never adjusted to either the show's signature hard news/soft news chat format or reading a teleprompter. A source on the set of the ABC show also told The New York Daily News: 'She’s constantly correcting herself because she’s constantly screwing something up. She’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.' Those remarks drew the ire of a group who call themsevves #YoSoyRosie. The group have put out a letter defending Perez against the criticism that has been heaped upon her. The letter, which was obtained by TMZ, said that 'questioning a woman's intelligence is an old stereotype that is sexist and in this case also racist'. The letter also said that 'when you disparage the only Latina on The View, you disparage all Latinas'. Among the group members are New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and NY Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez and best selling author Esmeralda Santiago. Rosie is scheduled to appear on The View Thursday to address the comments. Perez was added to the show last minute and joined two other incoming hosts--Rosie O'Donnell and politico Nicolle Wallace. The shakeup came amid plummeting ratings and after show creator Barbara Walters' retirement. Demands: The letter, which was posted to Twitter, demands ABC apologize for the on-set leak . Tough times: Perez's reported departure comes at a tumultuous time for The View, which insiders have said may not be back for a 19th season . While ratings stabilized, sources told Variety that Perez never properly settled in, and network insiders revealed to Daily Mail Online that the long-running talk show could end after this season, amid struggling ratings and infighting among the talk show hosts. The show is suffering some of its lowest ratings ever with its new team of Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O'Donnell, Nicolle Wallace and Rosie Perez. Now under the umbrella of ABC News, the network is considering the possibility of ending the show and replacing it with an extended version of 'Good Morning America.' 'The brass at ABC feels like they've tried to do everything possible to breathe new life into this show,' said the insider. They moved it from ABC Entertainment Daytime to the ABC News division, that was having so much success with Good Morning America. But in spite of the changes, nothing seems to be helping the sluggish ratings for the show. 'They're ready to abandon ship at this point,' the source told Daily Mail Online. When contacted by Daily Mail Online, a show spokesperson denied any plan by ABC to end the show. The show is suffering some of its lowest ratings ever with its new team of Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O'Donnell, Nicolle Wallace and Rosie Perez . The way they were: The show originated with Walters, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, Joy Behar and Debbie Matenopoulos.It went on to have Sherri Shepherd, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Lisa Ling and Jenny McCarthy join the panel series. O'Donnell signed on to moderate the show in 2006, but departed the show after a heated on-air altercation with Hasselbeck in 2007 . ABC News is winning in the morning show wars with GMA and the network hoped that the magic of that team could rub off on The View. Despite multiple changes to the set, a new show introduction, a shift to softer topics and adding guest co-hosts to the show, ratings still have still declined. 'ABC feels it's exhausted their options with The View and now it's time to expand the existing franchise, GMA. They feel that since GMA is already beating NBC's Today during the first two hours of the broadcast, why not extend the morning broadcast,' the insider revealed. In 2012, following the cancellation of talk show The Revolution, ABC launched a test show called Good Afternoon America, the network's first extension of GMA. The temporary summer series hosted by Lara Spencer and former GMA anchor Josh Elliott performed well in the ratings for ABC and the network said then that it would consider bringing it back. 'The idea to bring back Good Afternoon America is something that's strongly being considered. They believe the success of GMA could carry over right into that 11am slot that The View currently holds,' another insider said. Spencer, who previously hosted the news magazine series The Insider, has been itching to do that show again because she likes the pop culture-oriented format. There's internal talk that ABC would use one of the newer GMA contributors Ryan Smith or T.J. Holmes as her co-anchor on the re-launched show. 'They plan on shooting some test shows in the coming weeks to freshen up the Good Afternoon America concept. They plan to shoot a few pilot episodes following GMA going off air and retooling the show just in case they need to have it ready for a late summer launch,' the source revealed. GMA squared: Lara Spencer and former GMA anchor Josh Elliott performed strong in the ratings for ABC when they tested Good Afternoon America and the network said then that it would consider bringing it back. There's internal talk that ABC would use one of the newer GMA contributors Ryan Smith (left)or T.J. Holmes as her co-anchor on the re-launched show. Canceling The View would be costly for ABC, as Goldberg has one more year remaining on her contract and her pay-or-play agreement would require she be compensated her $5 million a year salary whether the show aired or not. 'Whoopi is the winner either way. She's wanted out of this contract for years and begged to be let go during the show overhaul last summer. To get paid to just go home would make her very happy,' the source offered. The View launched in 1997 and became successful in the 11am time slot on ABC, a time period that no other morning show had been able to perform well in. The show originated with Walters, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, Joy Behar and Debbie Matenopoulos. It went on to have Sherri Shepherd, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Lisa Ling and Jenny McCarthy join the panel series. O'Donnell signed on to moderate the show in 2006, but departed the show after a heated on-air altercation with Hasselbeck in 2007. | The 50-year-old actress was reported to have been fired from The View for 'failing' to settling in after one season .
Insiders behind-the-scenes claim she 'wasn't sharp enough'
Perez has been on a month-long hiatus to perform in Broadway's Fish in the Dark when the departure was revealed Wednesday .
Group who call themselves #YoSoyRosie say that: 'When you disparage the only Latina on The View, you disparage all Latinas'
Also said :'Questioning a woman's intelligence is an old stereotype that is sexist and in this case also racist' |
feda6c82e17f15b2e66f624ad70e778ff8e9e905 | New York (CNN) -- Eric Garner's mother Saturday urged the thousands of demonstrators who have taken to streets throughout nation in protest of her son's death to "keep on doing it, but do it in peace." Gwen Carr, who appeared at a Harlem rally with the family lawyer of slain Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, said a demonstration the other day left her stuck in traffic on the West Side Highway in Manhattan. A protester recognized her and hugged her and "everybody else followed," she said. "My heart is overflowing with joy," she said. Esaw Garner Snipes, Garner's widow, told the crowd that watching thousands of demonstrators from the window of her Staten Island, New York, home brought tears to her eyes. She said she told her son, "Look at all the love your father is getting." They spoke at a weekly rally held by the activist Rev. Al Sharpton, who will lead a march down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House next Saturday in an attempt to take the issue of racially uneven justice in America from "moment to movement." After the rally, Garner's family and others gathered for a wreath-laying ceremony on the Staten Island street where he died. "The spirit of God is moving upon the masses to make a change," Kevin Buford, who was Garner's friend, said at the site of the ceremony. "I think there is going to be a change coming. Too many young men have died without no accountability." Garner's sister, Ellisha Flagg, spoke under a cold, steady rain of the importance of police officers knowing the communities they serve. "I never believed we would be here like this," she said, standing near the spot where her brother died. Saturday was the fourth day of marches, sit-ins and die-ins over a grand jury decision not to indict the police officer who put the 43-year-old Garner in a chokehold during the fatal July 17 incident. Many people around the country have been as shocked by the decision not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who put Garner in a chokehold, as they were when the cell phone video of it went viral. The outrage has weighed especially heavy after the police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. When the grand jury in St. Louis County announced it would not indict Officer Darren Wilson in Brown's death, protests dotted the American map. Likewise in the Garner case. On Saturday, dozens of protesters staged "die ins" -- laying down on the ground in memory of Garner -- at Grand Central Station in Manhattan and Union Station in Washington. Protesters also planned to gather at Union Square in Manhattan on Saturday evening. "Our country really needs to begin to evaluate, particularly ... white people, the assumptions we make about what is happening in the black community," Judi Flournoy, a Los Angeles resident participating in the New York protest. "What's happening in these cities in these last several days is incredibly important to show we have a unified voice." In Oakland, California, red taillights snaked for hundreds of yards down an interstate Friday, as motorists stopped for protesters blocking traffic for a few minutes. A coast away, in New York City, protesters attempted to block traffic on FDR Drive -- a six-lane thoroughfare that hugs eastern Manhattan -- and on the iron-trellised Manhattan Bridge, which connects the island to Brooklyn. But at the end of a long, cold, wet Friday, police had had enough and pulled up in detention buses. The sight of them alone was a deterrent to most protesters. After a handful were arrested, the remaining group called it a night. New York multitudes . Nowhere in the country have streets overflowed with as many outraged people as in New York City. Friday's crowds appeared to be smaller than on previous nights, as cold rain trickled down jackets and hats. But marchers were still passionate about being heard. Some passed out a list of demands to the media regarding Garner's death. All officers involved should be fired, they demanded, and a special prosecutor should investigate complaints of excessive force. The state legislature should make chokeholds punishable. Earlier, Eric Garner's daughter, Erica, told CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper" that she wanted to see people punished for her father's killing. "Justice to me is basically doing what's right," she said. "I wouldn't be happy with (Pantaleo) just losing his job or being suspended or still getting paid. I wouldn't want that. I would want him to face time in jail." She said that anyone who contributed to her father's death should go to prison. Christmas tree die-ins . At Herald Square, where Broadway cuts an elegantly slanted path through streets and avenues to create a picturesque gathering place, protesters flooded Macy's century-old flagship store -- a national historic landmark. Store management allowed them to stage a die-in under the eyes of holiday shoppers and ceilings decked with Christmas cheer. They marched up a few blocks to Times Square and blocked traffic for 10 minutes, then turned down 42nd Street chanting, "This is what democracy looks like." They stopped again in Bryant Park and encircled some shops. Many of the workers in those stores came out and, in support, raised their hands in the air. The crowd set off up Sixth Avenue, traversing against the flow of yellow cabs and other cars. A cacophony of horns greeted them, and cab drivers held their hands out of their windows in approval. Chuck Helms, 67 and white, clad in a union-issue hard hat and satin Occupy Wall Street jacket, wore a sign around his neck. "Remembering my brothers. BLACK LIVES MATTER," it read. The faces of Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Akai Gurley -- all black men whose controversial deaths made headlines -- looked out from photos. Helms said, "It's a shame that people have to die for us to become focused." All over America . Protests dotted the American map, and crowds were diverse. Signs floated over the heads of crowds reading "Black lives matter" in North Carolina, Ohio, California and Louisiana. On Saturday, police in Durham, North Carolina, reported the discovery of an undetonated explosive device -- described as a "bottle with a wick and an apparent petroleum-based liquid" -- near a protest area. The night before, 31 people were arrested after about 100 protesters shut down several streets in downtown Durham, police said. It was personal for a young black man in Washington who held a sign reading, "I could be next." Students lay down on campus walkways for dozens of yards in a die-in at Emory University in Atlanta on Friday. Protesters lay on the streets of Washington in the darkness for 4½ minutes, symbolizing the 4½ hours the body of Michael Brown lay on a Ferguson street. "I'm not an angry black man. I'm an outraged, hurt black man," one protest organizer there said. Marchers in Massachusetts, Memphis . Near Boston -- site of one of the largest demonstrations of the night -- several dozen people blocked an intersection by lying on the road. About 1,000 people marched Friday evening from Tufts University in Somerville, Massachusetts, to Harvard Square, according to a police estimate. "People who don't already realize what is happening, maybe they will open their minds a little bit, or people that do realize and don't care will realize that people are angry and it's not OK," a protesting woman told CNN affiliate WHDH. In Chicago, Elizabeth Huston, a paralegal, joined in for the first time. "So many people realize this is a problem. This is disproportionally affecting black men and women," she said. Cleveland cop who shot 12-year-old slammed for 'immaturity' in past job . In Cleveland, marchers protested the death of Tamir Rice, 12, who police say had a lifelike air gun and didn't comply with an officer's commands. "CPD what do you say? How many kids have you killed today," they yelled. The boy's family on Friday filed a wrongful death suit against police, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. At a historic spot in the history of American civil rights, at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Memphis, Tennessee, a dozen or more people sprawled out on a walkway. Feet away was the second-floor motel balcony, where an assassin's bullet stuck down King, the quintessential figure of the American civil rights movement, in 1968. Brooklyn DA: Grand jury to investigate shooting of unarmed man . Reported improvements . Meanwhile, New York officials said complaints against police officers had fallen significantly in the second half of the year, compared with July to November 2013. A report that tallied complaints said 1,813 were made so far since July 1 of this year, 26% fewer than the number of complaints filed with the Civilian Complaint Review Board in the same period of the prior year. Excessive force allegations fell by 29%. The dip followed a slight rise in the first six months of the year, the report said, but, overall, allegations have declined in 2014. CNN's Ray Sanchez reported from New York, Athena Jones reported from Washington and Steve Almasy reported and wrote in Atlanta. Michael Pearson, Bill Kirkos, Dave Alsup, Ben Brumfield, Jason Carroll, Ralph Ellis, Dan Merica, Dana Ford and Greg Botelho and Melanie Whitney contributed to this report. | NEW: Eric Garner's mother urges protesters to "keep on doing it, but do it in peace"
Demonstrators marching in New York hand out list of demands that starts with police firings .
About 1,000 people in one protest in Boston area, police estimate .
Protests came after jury opted not to indict officer who put Garner in a chokehold . |
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