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Eddie Howe has been awarded the Championship Manager of the Month after Bournemouth's startling rise to the top of the second tier. The Cherries won all four of their league games - while also dumping West Brom out of the Capital One Cup - in October. Howe's side have won nine of their last 10 games in all competitions. That's thanks in now small part to striker Callum Wilson, who picked up the Player of the Month gong. Callum Wilson (left) and Eddie Howe won the player and manager of the month awards in the Championship . Preston North End boss Simon Grayson picked up the League One Manager of the Month prize . The 21-year-old, who moved from Coventry in the summer, scored six in five throughout last month. Sky Sports' Football League pundit Don Goodman said: 'Eddie Howe has built an extremely talented young side on the South Coast and The Cherries are in an impressive run of form. 'Dan Gosling, Junior Stanislas and Adam Smith are seizing the fresh chances that Howe has given them and summer-signing Callum Wilson is repaying the faith shown in him with plenty of goals.' Wilson sweeps beyond West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Boaz Myhill in the Capital One Cup . Simon Grayson's Preston - who missed out on promotion last season in the play-offs - sit five points behind League One leaders Bristol City. But the Lilywhites' form, five wins from five, has seen their boss clinch the top prize. They have, however, lost their first two games in November. | Bournemouth won all of their four league games in October . Callum Wilson scored six goals in five games in all competitions . Simon Grayson won the League One Manager of the Month . | 4e5e80858455ddf1fb339439c1f83c7a1a6698c0 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 07:19 EST, 29 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:18 EST, 29 March 2013 . A mother has pleaded guilty to being drunk as she lost control of her van, plunging it into a 30ft-deep reservoir and killing two five-year-old girls, including her daughter. Arlene Anna Hernandez, 22, pleaded guilty in Chula Vista, California to two . charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, causing great . bodily injury and drunken driving causing injury. The charges, which stem from the tragic crash on August 5 last year, could send her to prison for 12 years when she is sentenced on May 31. Hernandez had been at a 'playdate' with her daughter, Lesette Silva, and a friend, Eric Figueroa, and his daughter Guiliana on the day of the deadly crash. Grief: Arlene Anna Hernandez, pictured in court last August, has pleaded guilty to being intoxicated while driving, leading to a crash that killed her daughter and her friend, both 5 . She and Figueroa had allegedly shared a six-pack of beer as they watched the girls play at a park before Hernandez saw some skydivers and said she wanted to take her daughter for a closer look. The foursome piled into her van and began driving along eastbound Otay Lakes Road when Hernandez lost control of the vehicle, sending it plummeting down an embankment. The 2005 Kia Sedona overturned, landed on its roof in the water and, while the adults managed to scramble out, they could not reach their daughters who were wearing seatbelts in the back. U.S. Border Patrol agents and passersby pulled the girls from the submerged van, UT San Diego reported. They were flown to hospital in San Diego by helicopter but were both pronounced dead. Victims: Guiliana Figueroa (l) and Lesette Silva (r), Hernandez's daughter, drowned in the crash last August . 'Drunk': Hernandez, pictured with her daughter, had drunk at least three beers before driving the van . Officers at the scene reported . smelling alcohol on the adults' breaths, according to 10 News. Her . blood-alcohol level was at 0.13 per cent - more than 1.5 times the legal . limit. She told officers she had been . driving with one hand when she saw a rock in the road and swerved to . miss it, forcing the van off the road. But investigations found no tire . marks to confirm this. Hernandez cried throughout her brief court hearing following the crash last summer. 'Ms. Hernandez is very distraught about . what happened,' her attorney, Jonathan Jordan, said afterwards. Scene: The car veered down an embankment, flipped over and landed on its roof in this reservoir . Rescue attempt: Hernandez and Guiliana's father escaped but the girls were trapped inside. They were pulled out by emergency crews and airlifted to hospital, but pronounced dead . 'At this point it is very traumatic . experience, not only for her but a lot of other people involved. Allow . them to grieve and mourn their children, then we’ll see how this . case is going to shake out.' Guiliana's mother, Natasa Sierra, also attended the hearing but stayed silent. Guiliana, . who used the nickname 'Juju', had just finished preschool, while . Lesette had just started first grade at Parkview Elementary School in . Chula Vista. A candlelight vigil was held for Guiliana shortly after the tragedy, and her father was able to attend. Vigil: Guiliana was remembered by friends and family as 'loving' at a vigil following the deadly crash . Loss: Guiliana, known as 'Juju', had just finished preschool and was excited about starting a new school year . Struggle: Her mother Natasha Sierra, centre, broke down in tears as she remembered her daughter. The girl's father Eric Figueroa, right, had been in the crash but was unable to save her . 'I know Juju is looking from above and . she appreciates each and everyone of you that has touched her life,' her mother said. 'She . had a lot of love to give and still had a lot more.' Friends said the family is not judging Hernandez and offered their family sincere condolences. 'We don't want to get into the position where we have that hate. For us, it’s more of a remembrance of Juju and we want to keep it that way,' family friend Gabriel Lucero said. | Lesette Silva and Guiliana Figueroa died when Lesette's mother Arlene Anna Hernandez lost control of her van last August . Hernandez 'had been drinking beer all afternoon with Guiliana's father' He was also in the van but both adults escaped without injuries . Hernandez faces 12 years behind bars if convicted . | d4cbcbcf7a546b965c5ed2704c73a19de2b0627b |
(CNN) -- The U.S. State Department launched a new Farsi-language Twitter feed Sunday in a bid to connect with internet users in Iran. "US State Dept recognizes historic role of social media among Iranians. We want to join in your conversations," the department said in its first tweet. The feed was launched just one day before opposition leaders and activists in Iran have called for a protest in support of the Egyptian revolution, according to Saham News. The rally is planned to coincide with the 25th day of Bahman, the 11th month of the Persian calendar. Following the resignation Friday of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, the head of Iran's National Security Council, among other Iranian authorities, lauded the leader's toppling, comparing "the Egyptian Revolution with the victory of Iran's Islamic Revolution," according to Iran's state-run media. But while publicly praising the Egyptian uprising, the government has rounded up activists after Iran's two leading opposition figures called for Monday's rally. Opposition leaders Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Moussavi asked that the rally take place in Tehran's Azadi Square, the site of mass protests by Iran's opposition movement after the disputed 2009 presidential elections. "Iran has shown that the activities it praised Egyptians for it sees as illegal, illegitimate for its own people," the State Department said in its second tweet. In its third tweet, the department called on Iran to allow people the same right to demonstrate as Egyptians had in Cairo. The Farsi-language feed had eight followers as of Sunday night. The State Department's Arabic-language Twitter feed, launched last week, had more than 1,000 followers. | The move is a bid to reach internet users in Iran . "We want to join in your conversations," the department says in its first tweet . Iranian opposition leaders call for a protest Monday in support of Egyptian protesters . | 1baf5fa1e10be7cdf65e0d8d3b627a5903bc8f3e |
Moscow (CNN) -- Tens of thousands of people took to the streets Saturday in Moscow, braving bitterly cold weather to demand fair elections after what they claim were rigged results earlier this month that returned Vladimir Putin's party to power. The protest, organized primarily through social media and word of mouth, comes on the heels of an announcement by President Dmitry Medvedev of sweeping political reforms, an effort to address discontent following the December 4 parliamentary elections. The latest mass protest follows one earlier this month, when tens of thousands of people across Russia turned out to protest the election results that kept Putin's ruling United Russia party in power, albeit with a smaller majority. Police estimated crowds in Moscow at 25,000, while organizers said at least twice as many participated. The protests were considered -- among analysts and political observers -- the largest in Russia in the past two decades. Turnout at Saturday's protests was even greater, organizers said. Besides blasting election results, demonstrators spoke about the presidential vote scheduled next year, repeating a popular refrain: "Russia without Putin." Dozens of protesters were detained across Russia on Saturday, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported. Ten activists were held in St. Petersburg, 22 in Nizhny Novgorod, and about 20 in Barnaul, it said. Police put the number of protesters in central Moscow at 29,000, but organizers and RIA Novosti correspondents estimated the real number was several times higher, the news agency reported. Speaking this week before the newly elected parliament members in the Kremlin's St. George Hall, Medvedev proposed that Russia return to direct elections of regional governors; simplify the registration of political parties and presidential candidates; and establish a new editorially independent national public TV channel. Medvedev also called for lifting many of the political restrictions imposed in the past several years by his predecessor, Putin, Russia's current prime minister and a candidate in the March 2012 presidential elections. He also announced a number of new anti-corruption measures and called for the redistribution of power and financial resources from the federal government to local governments across the country. At the same time, he rejected widespread public criticism of the parliamentary elections, which critics say were marred by fraud and other irregularities, and blamed anti-Kremlin opposition figures for their "attempts to manipulate the people and foment social discord." "We will not allow instigators and extremists to involve society in their reckless schemes, nor will we tolerate interference in our internal affairs from the outside," Medvedev said. "Russia needs democracy, not chaos. We need to have a faith for the future and justice. It is a good sign that society is changing, and citizens are expressing their position more actively, setting legitimate demands to the authorities. It is a sign that our democracy is growing more mature." Protest organizers said Medvedev, who announced the reforms during his fourth and final state-of-the-nation speech Thursday, failed to address what authorities are planning to do about the recent alleged voting fraud, as well as whether fair and free elections are guaranteed in the future. | NEW: Dozens of protesters are detained, RIA Novosti reports . Tens of thousands brave the bitter cold in Moscow to call for fair elections . The mass protest follows one this month after parliamentary election results were announced . Demonstrators want an investigation into this month's election results . | e87dd5d7869075d272a1f89c11a0c3906c5ad7df |
By . Rob Preece . PUBLISHED: . 12:03 EST, 15 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:37 EST, 15 July 2012 . A racist has been jailed for spraying ammonia into a man's eyes and threatening him with a dagger he had concealed in a walking stick. Sadar Ahmad feared he would be blinded after Simon Southern approached him in a public park, took out a bottle of the caustic chemical and aimed it at his face, Newcastle Crown Court heard. Southern, 26, then drew a 10-inch dagger from his walking stick and tried to goad Mr Ahmad and his friends into fighting him. Deadly: Simon Southern (left) concealed a 10-inch dagger inside his walking stick (right) and wielded it in an attack in which he sprayed ammonia at two men . The court was told that he had adapted the crutch to protect himself because he felt threatened over the break-up of a relationship. Shortly before the attack in Newcastle's Leazes Park, Mr Ahmad and his friends had heard a group of white men, including Southern, shouting racist slurs. Prosecutor Stephen Duffield told the court: 'The defendant had a squeezy bottle which had ammonia in it and he sprayed that into Mr Ahmad’s face. 'Mr Ahmad immediately felt his eyes burning.' Southern, who at the time was on bail for another offence, then sprayed the ammonia at one of Mr Ahmad's friends. Fortunately, the second man was able to cover his face with his hands and protect himself. Moments later, Southern pulled out the dagger. Mr Duffield said: 'The weapon was concealed in the walking aid. It was produced and he used it to threaten the group shouting "come on, come on".' In a victim statement read out in court, Mr Ahmad said that he had been left with badly blurred vision in his left eye, but a consultant at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary was confident that he would make a good recovery. Newcastle Crown Court heard that Southern adapted the crutch to protect himself because he felt threatened over the break-up of a relationship . Southern, of Wallsend, North Tyneside, admitted grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing an offensive weapon. The court heard that, at the time of the attack in September last year, Southern was already on bail for an affray incident in which he was caught with an axe in Wallsend. Kieran O’Neil, defending, told the hearing that Southern had only recently been released from hospital after five weeks of treatment for a blood clot. On the day of the attack he had mixed alcohol and drugs with a ‘cocktail’ of prescribed medication. Sentencing Southern to six years in prison, plus an extended four-year licence period for public protection, Recorder William Lowe said the crime had a number of 'aggravating features'. The recorder said: 'There was the use of weapons, there was an intention in my judgement to cause more serious harm than actually resulted, and the location was a public park where people of all ages spend their leisure time.' | Simon Southern, 26, drew 10-inch dagger from his crutch during attack on Sadar Ahmad . Southern, of Wallsend, North Tyneside, was already on bail after being caught carrying an axe . He said he adapted the walking stick because he felt threatened over a relationship break-up . Mr Ahmad suffered blurred vision after the attack in Newcastle's Leazes Park . | a884ed6e464922c74661867d0ba0a7f8ea5d6730 |
The Justice Department secretly collected two months of telephone records for reporters and editors at The Associated Press, the news service disclosed Monday in an outraged letter to Attorney General Eric Holder. The records included calls from several AP bureaus and the personal phone lines of several staffers, AP President Gary Pruitt wrote. Pruitt called the subpoenas a "massive and unprecedented intrusion" into its reporting. "These records potentially reveal communications with confidential sources across all of the newsgathering activities undertaken by the AP during a two-month period, provide a road map to AP's newsgathering operations and disclose information about AP's activities and operations that the government has no conceivable right to know," wrote Pruitt, the news agency's CEO. The AP reported that the government has not said why it wanted the records. But it noted that U.S. officials have said they were probing how details of a foiled bomb plot that targeted a U.S.-bound aircraft leaked in May 2012. The news agency said records from five reporters and an editor who worked on a story about the plot were among those collected, but it said none of the information the government has shared with it suggested agents listened in on any reporters' calls. The news immediately raised questions among members of Congress. "The First Amendment is first for a reason," said Michael Steel, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner. "If the Obama administration is going after reporters' phone records, they better have a damned good explanation." The subpoenas were disclosed to the news agency on Friday, Pruitt wrote. In all, federal agents collected records from more than 20 lines, including personal phones and AP phone numbers in New York; Hartford, Connecticut; and Washington, he wrote. "We regard this action by the Department of Justice as a serious interference with AP's constitutional rights to gather and report the news," he told Holder. Pruitt demanded that the department return all records collected and destroy all copies. The U.S. attorney's office in Washington responded that federal investigators seek phone records from news outlets only after making "every reasonable effort to obtain information through alternative means." It did not disclose the subject of the probe. "We must notify the media organization in advance unless doing so would pose a substantial threat to the integrity of the investigation," it said. "Because we value the freedom of the press, we are always careful and deliberative in seeking to strike the right balance between the public interest in the free flow of information and the public interest in the fair and effective administration of our criminal laws." CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin said the Obama administration "has been incredibly aggressive" about prosecuting leakers, and there's no privilege in federal law that allows reporters to protect their sources. But he said past administrations have avoided going that far. "I have never heard of a subpoena this broad," Toobin said. "It's legal, as far as I can tell. The administration isn't violating the First Amendment. But they are certainly doing more than has ever been done before in pursuing the private information of journalists. And we'll see if there's any political check on them, because there doesn't appear to be any legal check on what they're doing." The White House was unaware of the subpoenas, spokesman Jay Carney told reporters Monday night. "We are not involved in decisions made in connection with criminal investigations, as those matters are handled independently by the Justice Department," Carney said. Holder announced in June 2012 that he had assigned two U.S. attorneys to lead investigations into the possible leaking of state secrets, and members of Congress have complained about disclosures of electronic warfare campaigns against Iran, U.S. drone attacks overseas and Obama's personal involvement in "kill lists" of militants in Yemen and Pakistan. But Pruitt wrote that most of the records collected from the AP "can have no plausible connection to any ongoing investigation," and the American Civil Liberties Union called on the Justice Department to explain its actions. "Obtaining a broad range of telephone records in order to ferret out a government leaker is an unacceptable abuse of power," Ben Wizner, the head of the ACLU's Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, said in a written statement. "Freedom of the press is a pillar of our democracy, and that freedom often depends on confidential communications between reporters and their sources." In a statement issued Monday night, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy said, "I am very troubled by these allegations and want to hear the government's explanation." "The burden is always on the government when they go after private information -- especially information regarding the press or its confidential sources," said Leahy, D-Vermont. "I want to know more about this case, but on the face of it, I am concerned that the government may not have met that burden." And Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, told CNN that the Justice Department already has the ability "to listen, very transparently, to all the government phones and government activities." "You can imagine if Congress wanted to know about leaks that obviously came out of the administration that ended up in the press, they would be outraged if we tried to get that information," said Issa, a member of the House Judiciary Committee and a leading critic of Holder. "But that's exactly what they're doing. They're looking at what is considered to be confidential." | There'd better be a "damned good explanation" for subpoenas, Boehner spokesman says . Federal review of AP phone records is unprecedented but looks legal, Toobin says . The AP calls the subpoenas a "massive and unprecedented intrusion" It says federal agents collected records from bureau and personal phone lines . | bcf56cda7c60ffaed5eb0665775a1a29bf8fe656 |
She may have been dead for more than half a century, but Hollywood's most sought-after blonde is still very much in demand. Max Factor has announced that Marilyn Monroe will be the new face of the make-up brand - despite her death in 1962. As the brand's 'global glamour ambassador', she will take the starring role in this year's advertising campaigns. Scroll down for video . Max Factor has announced that silver-screen starlet Marilyn Monroe (left and right) will be the new face of the make-up brand - despite having died in 1962 . The adverts will emphasise the role that make-up played in Monroe's transformation, during which she cemented her reputation as one of the west's most enduring sex symbols . The adverts will emphasise the role that make-up played in Monroe's transformation, from mousy Norma Jeane Mortenson to the red-lipped, platinum-haired bombshell which cemented her reputation as one of the west's most enduring sex symbols. The glamorous actress, who died at the age of 36, was a Max Factor client in the 40s, when the American brand catered for silver-screen starlets from its beauty parlour in Hollywood Boulevard. Earlier this year, Gwyneth Paltrow was transformed into a modern interpretation of Marilyn Monroe in celebration of the 1940s and to continue the brand's Hollywood legacy. Other faces of the brand have included Madonna and supermodel Gisele Bundchen. Pat McGrath, from Max Factor, told The Daily Telegraph: 'Marilyn made the sultry red lip, creamy skin and dramatically lined eyes the most famous beauty look of the Forties, and it's a look that continues to dominate the beauty and fashion industry. 'It is the ultimate look that defines glamour - nothing else compares.' The actress (pictured left in Seven Year Itch and right in River Of No Return) will be the brand's 'global glamour ambassador' Last year, Monroe was ranked as sixth in the Forbes magazine's annual list of the highest-earning dead celebrities. She makes an estimated £11m a year. The rights to Monroe's image belong to the Authentic Brands Group, a licensing company which helped develop Monroe-branded spas and nail salons, as well as a clothing line for teenage girls at U.S department store Macy's. Her real name Norma Jeane Mortenson, Marilyn was 36 when she died of a barbiturate overdose in 1962. She was married to the baseball star Joe DiMaggio and the playwright Arthur Miller, and it has long been claimed she had affairs with President John F Kennedy and his brother Robert. However, her last years were marked by illness and personal trauma. It has never been proved conclusively whether her death was a suicide or an accident. | Silver-screen actress will be 'global glamour ambassador' for the brand . Campaign will emphasise role make-up played in starlet's transformation . Blonde actress, real name Norma Jeane Mortenson, died in 1962, aged 36 . | 6db395c9fa279b027349730580c929c01bc11988 |
GAFFNEY, South Carolina (CNN) -- Investigators believe the serial killer blamed for five deaths in South Carolina died in a shootout with police in neighboring North Carolina on Monday, a South Carolina state police official said. Patrick Tracy Burris, 41, was believed to be the suspect in five slayings in South Carolina, authorities say. Tests on the gun found on 41-year-old Patrick Tracy Burris match the weapon used in the killings that have haunted Gaffney, South Carolina, since June 27, said Reggie Lloyd, director of South Carolina's State Law Enforcement Division. The dead suspect and his vehicle appear to match descriptions circulated by investigators in Gaffney, he said. "We believe a killer is off the streets," Lloyd said. Burris was killed early Monday morning in Dallas, North Carolina, after police received a call about a possible burglary in progress, officers there said. At a news conference Monday evening, investigators described him as a "habitual felon" with a record in several states who was on probation at the time he was killed. When police arrived at the home, they found inside two people who lived there and a third who was an acquaintance, said Bill Blanton, the sheriff of Cherokee County, South Carolina. Police checked Burris' background and found there was an outstanding warrant on him from a probation violation from Lincoln County, North Carolina. Watch Lloyd say why police think they've got their man » . When police attempted to serve the warrant, Burris shot at the officers, who returned fired, Blanton said. One officer was shot in the leg and was treated and released from a hospital, police said. At a news conference Monday night, Lloyd held up what he said was Burris' 25-page rap sheet, including a lengthy history of armed robberies, forgeries, break-ins and several other charges from several states. "At some point the criminal justice system is going to have to explain why this individual was out on the streets -- we owe that to the victims," he said. About 100 investigators from North and South Carolina were working the case, Blanton said. Leaves for all members of the Gaffney Police Department and the Sheriff's Department were canceled, their respective chiefs have said. The first shooting occurred June 27, when peach farmer Kline W. Cash, 63, was killed. His wife found him dead in their home, the sheriff's office said, and Blanton said the home may have been robbed. Four days later, the bound and shot bodies of Hazel Linder, 83, and her 50-year-old daughter, Gena Linder Parker, were found in Linder's home, where she lived alone. Blanton said authorities are still trying to determine if anything was taken from that home. The killer's last victim was 15-year-old Abby Tyler, who was shot last week and died Saturday. Her father Stephen Tyler, 48, had been pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting, in their family-run furniture and appliance store. See a map of where the bodies were found » . Lloyd said investigators had evidence that put Burris at the scene of the killings, but did not know a motive. "There's no hard evidence as to what connections he had with this community or why he targeted these victims," Lloyd said. He added that the investigation is ongoing, and that officials are trying to determine what the suspect was up to between the killings and after the last the shooting. "We don't believe at this point anyone else was involved in the murders, but anything could turn up," he said. CNN's David Mattingly, Carolina Sanchez, Richard Lui, Mike Brooks and Stan Moberg contributed to this report. | "We believe a killer is off the streets," official says . North Carolina authorities shoot Patrick Burris, 41, after he confronts police . Weapon found on man matches gun used in South Carolina killings . Killer has slain five people in Gaffney, South Carolina, area, police say . | 3da53f4e328e06079bf1333527cda7912aa693b0 |
By . Sara Smyth . PUBLISHED: . 07:09 EST, 13 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:34 EST, 13 May 2013 . A couple who have won awards for their homemade garden gnomes have had their treasured ornaments stolen. Julian and Denise Brana, both 57, have CCTV footage of a woman taking the clay figures from their garden on three occasions . After a pottery horse and bulldog were stolen during the night, Mr and Mrs Brana took footage from their security system to police for investigation. CCTV footage shows the woman enter the Brana's garden and take animal figurines. Mrs Brana said she had made some of the ornaments herself . Julian and Denise Barry, with some of their award-winning gnomes. Clay ornaments have been stolen from their garden on three occasions . Mr and Mrs Barry brought the images of the blonde woman to local police, who are investigation the robberies . But just three days later more gnomes, horses and figurines were taken from their home in Barry, South Wales. Footage shows a blonde woman enter the garden and pass ornaments to an accomplice who was waiting at the gate. Mother-of-five Mrs Brana said: 'I couldn’t believe the cheek of it. 'She appears to be a short, chunky woman who must have checked our lovely garden out in the daylight. 'Our CCTV system caught her making a beeline for our lovely ornaments, she knew what she wanted. The Branas took pride in their garden ornaments. They said people often admire the gnomes and compliment their garden . Mrs Brana thinks it was jealousy that motivated the thief to steal her award-winning ornaments . A woman can be seen stealing ornaments from the garden's seating area (above right). She had an accomplice who waited by the garden gate . 'We are both upset she targeted our garden and we can’t believe she came back for more.' The couple said the woman has been in their garden at least three times. They believe she walks past in the daylight to select the items she wants and then takes them during the night. Many of the ornaments were made by Mrs Brana, who is an amateur potter . She said: 'Over the years I’ve fired off hundreds, maybe thousands of figurines and statues. It is clear that the couple take great pride in their garden, which they decorate with animal ornaments and gnomes . 'People admire them and we’ve had so many compliments over the years but I never thought some jealous individual would steal them from us. Mr Brana said: 'The police sent a community support officer to interview us - that was the last we heard. 'I’m upset because it’s not a teenage prank, we are clearly being targeted by this woman.' South Wales Police said they are investigating and examining the video footage. | Couple say their pottery horse and bulldogs have been 'targeted' CCTV footage shows a woman take garden ornaments and hand over fence to a male accomplice . Amateur potter Mrs Brana made figurines herself had won prizes for her gnomes . | 99e3c37a98095265603c4aed9a162e52783dab53 |
A new trend has taken hold among pet owners in New York. Cat tattoos or 'cattoos' as they're affectionately being called are the latest way to get an indelible memorial of a feline friend on your arm or other body part. The cattoos are etched in vivid color and attempt to be a life-like representation of your cat. Scroll down for video . Cat tattoos: They are the latest way to get an indelible memorial of a feline friend . Designs: At Westchester County Tattoo convention enthusiasts opted for cattoos instead of more traditional tribal symbols or Chinese designs . Art: The popularity of cat videos on the internet and viral star 'Grumpy Cat' inspired the trend . It's proving particularly popular among pet owners whose pets are deceased and want a way to keep their memory alive. At Westchester County Tattoo convention enthusiasts opted for cattoos instead of more traditional tribal symbols or Chinese designs. Chris Wilcock, the organizer of the convention believes the popularity of cat videos on the internet and viral star 'Grumpy Cat' inspired the trend. Betty Rose: This tattoo artist based in Brooklyn sees hundreds of clients interested in getting one done . Tattoos: Rose started working at a tattoo parlor in Williamsburg two years ago called Eight of Swords . Betty Rose, a tattoo artist based in Brooklyn, New York sees hundreds of clients interested in getting one done. Rose has an etching of her own feline friend on her arm and got it after her pet died. She said: 'I was saving this spot on my arm for her and I got it a couple of months after she passed and it's a stylized portrait which means it's her likeness, it's not exactly her.' She started working at a tattoo parlor in Williamsburg two years ago called Eight of Swords. It is here that she has made 'cattoos' her trademark design. David C. Wallin, owner of Eight of Swords tattoo shop said: 'Cat tattoos happened, but it was more rare. 'They tended to be serious, in black and grey, Betty is making it more lively.' | Cat tattoos or 'cattoos' are an indelible memorial of a feline friend . The cattoos are etched in vivid color and attempt to be life-like . Betty Rose, a tattoo artist based in Brooklyn is a specialist in the cat art . | c9a37f384d321c239e8542d36e57d41f7e1f1b5f |
Rotherham manager Steve Evans dedicated his side's dramatic come-back win on penalties against Leyton Orient, to win promotion to the Championship, to his tragically sick brother and sister-in-law. His eldest brother Hugh had a stroke last week and while he was having a three-hour operation his wife Kathleen was also in hospital getting radiotherapy for cancer. 'That was to him and his wife,' Evans said after his side's victory in the League One play-off final. 'He sent me a text saying what it would mean to our dad, who we lost 23 years ago. I'm not playing the religious card, I don't believe in that, but he sorted us out.' We're going up! Rotherham players jump on Adam Collin after the goalkeeper saved the decisive penalty . Play-off winners: Rotherham players celebrate the club's promotion to the Championship . Tough to take: Orient striker Chris Dagnall reacts after seeing his spot-kick saved in the penalty shoot-out . Made it: Rotherham players celebrate promotion to the second tier in their Wembley dressing room . Back again: Tom Hitchcock, on loan from QPR, celebrates another play-off victory . What a hit: Rotherham striker Alex Revell scored a screamer to equalise for Rotherham in the play-off final . Goal of the game: Revell's looping shot from distance saw Rotherham pull level against Leyton Orient . Equaliser: Revell wheels away to celebrate after scoring an exquisite half volley to draw his side level . Back in it: Revell nips in ahead of defender Nathan Clarke to score Rotherham's first of the afternoon . All smiles: Moses Odubajo is congratulated after firing Leyton Orient into the lead against Rotherham . In the moment: Odubajo was booked for removing his shirt after scoring Leyton Orient's opening goal . Helpless: Rotherham goalkeeper Adam Collin watches on as Odubajo's shot flies into the roof of the net . Leyton Orient (4-4-2): Jones 4.5; Cuthbert 5, Baudry 5, Clarke 5.5, Omozusi 5; Odubajo 7.5, Vincelot 5.5, James 5, Cox 7 (Batt 74 5); Lisbie 6 (Dagnall 76), Mooney 5.5 (Lundstram 106). Subs not used: Sawyer, Larkins, Bartley, Simpson. Manager: Russell Slade 6. Booked: Cuthbert, Odubajo, Clarke, Mooney. Rotherham United(4-4-2): Collin 7, Tavernier 6, Morgan 5, Arnason 5, Skarz 5 (Milsom 77), Agard 5.5, Smallwood 5, Frecklington 5, Pringle 5.5, Revell 8 (Vuckic 105), Thomas 5 (Brindley 54 5). Subs not used: Shearer, Davis, O'Connor, Hitchcock. Manager: Steve Evans 7. Booked: Tavernier, Morgan, Pringle. Referee: David Coote, 7 . MOTM: Revell . Stadium: Wembley . Attendance: 43,401 . Orient fans . thought their 32-year wait to get back into the second tier of English . football was over when they took a two-goal lead in the first half. But . Alex Revell's double after the break restored parity and after the . sides could not be separated in extra time, goalkeeper Adam Collin saved . Orient's last two penalties to complete back-to-back promotions. Many call shoot-outs a lottery, but Collin won his seventh in seven attempts, saving at least two in each of them. The . game was nervy, tense and error-strewn in the first half-an-hour until . Orient's young winger Moses Odubajo woke up Wembley with a goal fit for . the occasion. On . 35 minutes the ball came back out of Rotherham's penalty area and he . cushioned it with his chest before unleashing a first-time volley with . his weaker left foot which was so powerful it flew over Collin's and in. The game looked over when Orient added a second just four minutes later and it was Odubajo who again caused Rotherham problems. The . 20-year-old found space in behind their defence on the right and left . Dean Cox with tap-in with a low ball across the box, which his . counterpart on the opposite flank finished. But . Evans knows how to win promotions – that was the eighth time in his . career he has led a team up and the fourth time in a row, after . successive promotions with Crawley before he joined Rotherham in 2012 – . and he produced a rousing speech during the break. Ecstatic: Wideman Dean Cox celebrates after doubling Leyton Orient;s lead five minutes before half-time . Pumped up: Cox lets his emotions show as his Leyton Orient team-mates race over to congratulate him . Come on! Rotherham manager Steve Evans urges his team forward during Sunday's League One play-off final . Committed: Rotherham's Richard Smallwood dispossesses Orient's Odubajo during the first-half . Aerial duel: Rotherham defender Craig Morgan is beaten to the ball in the air by Orient striker Kevin Lisbie . Challenge: James Tavernier gets the better of Cox as the right back bombs forward for Rotherham . 'My . assistant said the players will need you to dig them out of the . trenches and take them to the top of the mountain,' he explained. 'I . spoke to them about what it would mean to their families, looking back . on this day because if you get thumped it could be a bad day. 'And . I reminded them that Billy Davies,who has had lots of success, rang me . and said when you get to later on and the game is starting to go forward . it’s not about tactical nous, it’s about hunger and desire to win a . football match and I thought we did that.' The . Chuckle Brothers were in attendance and even took out a full-page . advert in the official match-day programme showing support for their . home-town club Rotherham. At . that point, there was absolutely nothing to laugh about, but then they . were treated to a 'To me, to you' kind of game and Rotherham fans . started to believe they still had a chance when they pulled a goal back . on 55 minutes. Orient . goalkeeper Jamie Jones had a horror moment when he came to punch a ball . sent into the box and missed it, allowing Revell to poke into an open . net when the ball fell to him. Five minutes later Revell had hauled his side level with a stunning strike. The . striker controlled the ball with his knee, then lobbed Jones with a . shot from 35-yards which looped into the right of the net. Evans took his large frame hurling down the touchline in a Jose Mourinho-esque celebration. Neither . side could pull ahead and it went to an agonising shoot out, where . Collin saved from Mathieu Baudry and then the last kick of the game from . Chris Dagnall. A . shattered Orient manager Russell Slade said: 'It's been a wonderful . journey from day one and it's a pleasure to work with these players . every day.' Grounded: Former Fulham defender Elliott Omozusi tackles Rotherham frontman Kieran Agard . To me, to you: Rotherham's most famous fans the Chuckle Brothers were at Wembley for the play-off final . Day to remember: One young Leyton Orient supporter enjoys the atmosphere during the Wembley clash . | Rotherham promoted to Championship after winning League One play-off final on penalties . Striker Alex Revell scored screamer to level for Millers in normal time . Leyton Orient took the lead through young wideman Moses Odubajo . Dean Cox doubled O's advantage five minutes before half-time . | f411af184e89bfbb89e319dbf28f835e843fb062 |
By . Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 05:02 EST, 10 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:32 EST, 10 July 2013 . A 'critical incident' has been declared in Dover after 15 asylum seekers were discovered in a cross-Channel ferry's tanker this morning. It is understood that the asylum seekers were found after banging was heard from the sides of the lorry as the 7.45am Calais-Dover ferry berthed at the port. Seven had to be treated by medics after the group were found on P&O's Spirit of France vessel, Port of Dover Police said. Emergency services attend the scene at the Port of Dover in Kent as 15 asylum seekers where found in a tanker on board a cross-Channel ferry . It is understood that the asylum seekers were found after banging was heard from the sides of a lorry . Six fire engines and some specialist equipment were sent to the scene after the startling discovery . None of those found was in a life-threatening condition and ferry services have not been affected by the alert at the Kent port’s Eastern Docks. A Port of Dover Police spokesman said: 'The Port of Dover can confirm that a critical incident is under way concerning 15 asylum seekers found in a tanker on board P&O’s Spirit of France. 'Emergency services are at the scene and are dealing with the situation in close co-operation with port staff. 'Seven of the asylum seekers are receiving medical attention but none are currently considered in a life-threatening condition. The port is still open and ferry services are currently unaffected.' They were discovered on P&O's Spirit of France this morning and two have been taken to hospital . Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to deal with an incident at the port's Eastern Docks at 8.45am . Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to deal with an incident at the port’s Eastern Docks at 8.45am. Six fire engines and some specialist equipment were sent to the scene and Kent Police also attended. The ferry normally travels on the Dover to Calais route. It weighs more than 47,000 gross tonnes and measures 213 metres in length. It can carry more than 1,000 cars and up to 2,000 passengers. A P&O spokesman said: 'P&O Ferries is helping the police with their investigations into the incident involving the Spirit of France.' | Group were discovered on board P&O's Spirit of France this morning . Had been in the vessel's tanker at the Port of Dover . | a6268ffddf2c571e670e13f8663cc349baf07166 |
For 88 minutes on Sunday evening, there may have been something uncomfortably familiar about this Holland performance for the watching Manchester United supporters. Shorn of ideas and deprived of pace, Louis van Gaal’s team increasingly resorted to high and speculative balls forward. Whisper it quietly, but this rather felt as though we were watching the Manchester United of the David Moyes incarnation all over again. The similarities even extended to Robin van Persie, Van Gaal’s most trusted on-field lieutenant, failing to show. On this occasion, though, one imagines that the Dutchman did not have a statement prepared for the post-match mixed zone alleging that his team-mates are ‘often playing in my zones’, as he did after Manchester United’s dreadful 2-0 defeat by Olympiacos. Under Van Gaal, he simply would not dare. VIDEO Scroll down to watch fiery Van Gaal lose his temper during Holland training . The comeback kings: Louis van Gaal celebrates as Holland beat Mexico late on to progress to the last eight . Not his day: Robin van Persie's performance mirrored one of his poor displays for United last season . VIDEO Dutch party rumbles on . Nonetheless, in the searing heart, Holland seemed rudderless and leaderless. The midfield bulldog Nigel De Jong had succumbed to injury. Captain Van Persie had been hooked with fifteen minutes to go. For all intents and purposes, this Holland team looked finished. Over 4,000 miles away at Carington, they may have been dusting down the black leather chair in the manager’s office to prepare for Van Gaal’s arrival. And then it happened, inexplicably and unpredictably. Maybe we should have known better. After all, Holland have won three of their four games in this World Cup having trailed at some point in the game. Spain, Australia and now Mexico have all fallen under an illusion of comfort, only to be brutally struck down. In Manchester, a wry smile may have curled on to the faces of those who make the weekly pilgrimage to Old Trafford. They have seen teams with this kind of spirit before. Holland’s mettle was impressive, their refusal to go quietly from this magnificent World Cup admirable. Fergie-time may have competition. Throw in an injury-time penalty strewn with controversy and there’s a peculiar sense of deja-vu. Feeling down: David Moyes looks dejected on the sidelines as he sees United lose again . Making a difference: Van Gaal gives instructions as Holland came from behind to win . Famous pose: United were known for stunning late comebacks in Sir Alex Ferguson's time at the club . Louis van Gaal’s similarities with Sir Alex Ferguson would appear to go beyond an authoritative discipline and an aversion to speaking openly with the Press. The best managers inspire incomparable loyalty, the kind that sees substitutes such as Klass-Jan Huntelaar, who had not played a single minute so far at this World Cup, emerge from the bench to win the football match almost single-handedly, creating one for Wesley Sneijder and then scoring the winning strike from the penalty spot. In Salford parlance, they know it as doing a ‘Teddy Sheringham’, remembering the forward’s contribution on that evening in the Nou Camp in 1999. Bold move: Van Gaal took off Van Persie and the move worked as Holland came back to win . They will recognise, also, the courage to make the unpopular decision. How would Van Persie have reacted to his manager if Holland failed to win following his substitution? What would be the repercussions as Van Gaal begins his Manchester United career? Frankly, Van Gaal showed little regard. His mind was made up. Egos will not be indulged when the success of the team is at stake. If only Moyes had displayed such courage in his convictions. One gloomy Saturday afternoon in December immediately sprang to mind on Sunday evening, when Manchester United were defeated 1-0 by Newcastle. Van Persie was evidently off-the-pace, his performance justifying a change. Moyes feared the consequences, stating: ‘I think if I’d brought him off some people would say ‘What are you doing? You are 1-0 down and you’re taking off your top goalscorer.’ Not going to plan: Van Persie did not have a great game and was taken off in the second half . Off the pace: Van Persie had a bad game when United lost to Newcastle back in December . The Glaswegian never could discover the key to that magic box of comebacks at Old Trafford, his players disaffected and uncommitted as the clock ticked down on his traumatic reign. The Champions he inherited became timid lambs, trading in domestic domination for a startling neurosis. After Sir Alex Ferguson’s 27 years in the managerial chair, we assumed that United players were on auto-pilot, that those qualities of utter determination, self-sacrifice and loyalty to the shirt were self-perpetuating. For nine months, it all dissipated. Alls well that ends well: Van Persie applauds the fans at the end after Holland progressed . Under Moyes, United recovered to win after falling behind on just four occasions out of twenty. The season before, United had reversed deficits to win eleven times before Boxing Day alone. Manchester United supporters may have felt those breathless moments were now confined to the DVD’s of the glorious yesteryears. Van Gaal’s stirring crescendo on the grandest stage will assure the rank-and-file that there will be many more of those epic times to come. | Holland win in Fergie time with a controversial penalty . Dutch come from behind three times in four games at the World Cup to win . Manchester United came from behind to win on just four of twenty occasions under David Moyes . Van Gaal hooks captain Van Persie while Moyes always remained fearful . | 89f10aeb440c2c7d01d377e6bd15fb640deadbde |
By . Wills Robinson . Down under: Heston Blumenthal said his award-winning venue, the Fat Duck, would move to Australia next year, opening in Melbourne in February . Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal is to move his landmark The Fat Duck restaurant more than 10,000 miles across the world. Billed by the restaurateur as 'the furthest migration of a duck', Blumenthal said his award-winning venue would move to Australia next year, opening in Melbourne in February. He said The Fat Duck would temporarily close its UK premises, in Bray, Berkshire - with staff and some of the furniture at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant moving around the world for six months. Speaking at a press conference, Blumenthal said: 'I'm going to shut The Fat Duck and bring it here to Melbourne. 'This is probably the furthest migration a duck - of any kind, let along a big fat duck - has made.' Blumenthal said the Australian venture would close after six months and he would return to the UK, with a new restaurant - Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. He said: 'This is not a pop-up restaurant, this is not a guest chef coming over and doing a few weeks or a period of time in somebody else's restaurant. 'We are going to pick up The Fat Duck, the whole team, and fly them over here. 'We're even going to pick up some of the bits of the restaurant - maybe the sign, maybe bits of the leather from the chairs - and incorporate it into the dining space in The Fat Duck. 'Then in January we are all going to come over here. The plan is to open here in February.' Flying away: He would temporarily close its UK premises, in Bray, Berkshire - with staff and some of the furniture at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant moving around the world for six months . Opened to critical acclaim in 2011, the restaurant specialises in historical English food and caters for about 1,000 customers a week. A meal for two can cost around £190, and signature dishes include the Meat Fruit recipe - a chicken liver mousse made to look like a mandarin orange. Blumenthal shut The Fat Duck for two weeks in 2009 following an outbreak of the winter bug that left more than 500 people feeling sick. | Move has been billed by restraunteur as 'the furthest migration of a duck' UK premises in Bray, Berkshire, would temporarily close . Chef announced venue in Melborne would open in February next year . A meal for two at the three-Michelin star restaurant can cost around £190 . | 5028793763796be4f72b5b5184e46fc592786315 |
Clutching a bottle of drink, grinning broadly and struggling to carry an armful of shoes, this woman was today one of many new riot suspects being hunted by police. In another image a man in Hackney stands in the road holding a house brick, not bothered by the fact his other arm is in a plaster cast and sling. The images are just two of more than 80 police released today in a bid to hunt down every last suspected rioter and looter who took to the streets earlier in the week. Despite initial fears that associates of the suspects would not want to 'snitch', the public have been 'inundating' the police with information about the swathes of yobs who ransacked England's streets, shops and homes. An armful of shoes, a bottle of drink and a house brick: What just two suspects clutched as they were caught on camera as riots broke out across the country . Another picture shows a man with tattoos decorating his right arm, grasping what appears to be a jagged glass bottle. All have been published by the Metropolitan Police, who are appealing to the public for help identifying people wanted in connection with the violent crimes that destroyed parts of the capital. So far they have made a . staggering 1,271 arrests and charged 745 people in connection with the . widespread looting and violence. As part of Operation Withern which is dealing specifically with the unrest they have set up a website, publishing 88 new images of those wanted in connection with the crimes that have shocked the country and the rest of the world. Police in Manchester have been 'inundated' with tip-offs from the public in response to their 'Shop A Looter' campaign, the force say. Greater Manchester Police said today that there had been 208 arrests so far in connection with the rioting and 134 people had been charged. Hoods, tattoos and big hair: Another half dozen suspects police want to identify . Pictures of suspected rioters are being . displayed on huge advertising vans being driven around Manchester and . neighbouring Salford, where hundreds took part in disorder earlier this . week. And while this resort is helping to identify suspects it is also prompting those involved to turn themselves in. A youth handed himself in after his friend saw his picture on the ad vans and called him to say his image was all over Manchester and he had no place to hide, a GM police spokesman said. And in Birmingham a mother frogmarched her 15-year-old daughter to the police station after she saw CCTV images of her released by police. Pursuit: These four people have had their photos published by Metropolitan Police following this week's riots . Also among the new arrests was a 14-year-old boy who was detained by Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, who also recovered stolen trainers with the tags still on. The boy, who cannot be named, remains in custody on suspicion of burglary following a theft at the Foot Locker store in Manchester city centre. Mr Shewan said: 'We said we would be coming for you, and we are. 'Within minutes of the ad van being launched in Manchester with the faces of some of those people involved, we have been inundated with information from members of the public about who these people are. The faces of frenzy: These are just some of the people police want to identify in connection with the riots . 'These are just some of the good . arrests we have made. I have been told of countless more by officers who . are using every piece of information and every available avenue to find . these people and bring them in. 'With . the help of our communities we are identifying these people and . arresting them. This is just the start - we will not rest until we have . identified everyone involved.' West Midlands Police said they have arrested 509 people in connection with the disturbances, including 42 in the last 24 hours. A spokesman for the force said . officers on a raid found £30,000 in cash and arrested a 20-year-old . woman believed to have been involved in looting at Birmingham's Armani . store. He added that one . woman from Handsworth had escorted her 15-year-old daughter to a police . station having recognised her image in a CCTV media appeal. To deal with the stream of those charged, courts have been throughout the weekend. Magistrates, . clerks, ushers, lawyers and security guards have been working . consecutively for the last four nights to hear riot-related cases. An 18-year-old who broke into a London jeweller's shop during last week's riots handed himself in to police . after his picture was published in the media. Aaron Douglas went to Kennington . police station in south London accompanied by his sister to surrender . after being persuaded by his family, City of Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. Today, he admitted breaking into . Crystal Palace Jewellers in Church Road, Upper Norwood, south east . London, and stealing goods worth £6,100 in the early hours of August 9. The attack on the store came in the form of two raids - the first by 10 males who were later joined by a gang of 20 yobs. Catherine Wear, prosecuting, said . Douglas, of Gibbs Square, Norwood Park, was caught on CCTV lifting up a . security shutter to help other raiders in and out. He will be sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on an unspecified date after the hearing was adjourned for reports. The hunted: Can you identify any of the people in these pictures? If so, contact police . Meanwhile there is growing friction between politicians and police as Chancellor George Osborne signalled the Government's determination to press ahead with cuts to police budgets. He said that dealing with the violent disorder meant tackling 'deep-seated social problems', not scaling back austerity measures. 'We are committed to the plan we have set out for police reform,' he told the BBC - insisting that a 20 per cent real-terms budget cut need not reduce 'visible' policing. 'But this is not just about police budgets; this is about a far bigger challenge for our society, which is dealing with people who we have ignored for too long and helping them feel they have a stake in society.' He strongly backed the decision by Prime Minister David Cameron to bring in US 'Supercop' William Bratton as an adviser on how to prevent a repeat of the riots. The recruitment of the former New York police chief, who also dealt with riots in Los Angeles in 1992, has increased tension between politicians and the police. | Friends and families reporting suspects including a Birmingham mother who escorted her 15-year-old daughter to police after recognising her in a CCTV appeal . Scotland Yard arrested 1,271 people, of whom 745 have been charged. Pictures of rioters are being displayed on vans and driven around by police . Anyone with information about the London riots can call 020 8345 4142. Anyone with information about the Manchester and Salford looting can call 0800 092 0410. Anyone with information about the West Midlands disorder can call 0800 096 0095. Alternatively anyone can report . crime and provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 . 111. | 5095663f2be7f0c5923ceaddfa97b8a9e5b0e33e |
Ryan Brunn lived and worked at same apartment complex where the girl disappeared . Body of Jorelys Rivera found brutally disfigured in dumpster on Monday . By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 3:39 AM on 8th December 2011 . The 20-year-old man arrested today in connection with the killing of a seven-year-old girl lived and worked at the same apartment complex where she disappeared. Ryan Brunn was a maintenance worker at the complex and tips from the public led investigators to him, investigators said. Jorelys Rivera was abducted, stabbed and sexually assaulted before her body . was thrown in a bin at the complex in Canton, Georgia. Autopsy results showed the girl died of blows to the head. Scroll down for video . Arrested: Ryan Brunn, 20, worked at the apartment complex where the body of Jorelys Rivera, seven, was found in Canton, Georgia . Picture of innocence: The body of seven-year-old Jorelys Rivera was found sexually assaulted and beaten to death in a dumpster near her home after she went missing on Friday evening . Brunn doesn't have a criminal history but Georgia Bureau of Investigation director Vernon Keenan told reporters: 'We are confident that Brunn is the killer and that is why he is in custody.' Prior to being arrested on murder charges today at 12.40 pm, Brunn had been under surveillance. Jorelys Rivera was last seen on Friday evening at 5pm leaving a playground at her apartment complex. The chief investigator into the death of Jorelys Rivera was so distraught over the girl's wounds he refused to describe them yesterday. The . seven-year-old girl, whose body was found in a Georgia dumpster, was . bludgeoned, sexually assaulted and stabbed in a particularly vicious . attack by a killer who police believe lives in her apartment complex. Keenan said Brunn had keys to both the empty apartment and the trash compactor bin where Rivera's body was placed. Tip off: Ryan McCabe Brunn, 20, in his police mugshot today (left) and after he was charged in connection with the death of seven-year-old Jorelys Rivera (right) In custody: Ryan Brunn (with an unidentified friend) does not have a criminal record said police . Suspect: Ryan Brunn was arrested over the death of Jorelys Rivera, seven. Veteran detectives struggled to speak about her death because the injuries she suffered were so severe . The wounds to her body were so severe Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vernon Keenan would not give any details. Mr Keenan would only say she had . blunt force trauma to the head and stab wounds and that the crime as a . 'very horrific and brutal murder.' Brunn's Facebook page, which was public but has since been taken down, said he is originally from Brooklyn and speaks both Spanish and English. The information section said: 'Hello! I'm Ryan I live in Canton GA I have a wonderful Life/Family/Friends. Im very outgoing not shy at all so if ya wanna get to no me hit me up. :-)' Recent entries were filled with sports references. The last post on November 28, read: 'Gettin off here bout to eat some PIZZA! Hit me up! Lets go GIANTS.' In an entry dated July 6, Brunn appeared to be commenting on the July 5 Casey Anthony acquittal. He appeared to have moved to Canton on November 5, which he refers to as 'moving day' on Facebook."Not ready to go but i got to," he wrote. "Im gonna miss yall/Dahlonega... I Love yall hit me up n we'll do something sometime.. Got my own place now. :-)" Investigators are working to piece together Brunn's back story. Police said the girl was taken to a . vacant apartment where she was sexually assaulted, stabbed and beaten . to death. The killer then threw Jorelys Rivera's brutally disfigured body into a trash bin near her home in Canton, Georgia where it was found by police. It came about 60 to 90 minutes after she disappeared, he said. This was a very calculated and planned crime,’ Keenan said. 'A child who dies under extreme violence is absolutely the worst thing that can happen to a human being.' DNA evidence had been collected from the . child's body and the vacant apartment. Rivera was last seen on Friday afternoon, and her body was discovered around 12.30 pm on Monday. Police and volunteers had spent the weekend combing the area around the apartment complex playground where she was last seen. At the time of her disappearance, the child was being looked after by a teenage babysitter along with her two siblings. She had left the park to go and collect . drinks from home for her friends, and disappeared between the playground . and her home at the River Ridge Apartments. Brunn began working for the apartment . complex last month, according to residents and his Facebook page. He . had previously lived in Dahlonega, Georgia, and Dumfries, Virginia. Captured: Brunn was arrested Wednesday in connection with the killing of seven-year-old Jorelys Rivera of Canton, Georgia after she disappeared after leaving a play park on Friday evening . Grim task: Investigators comb through piles of garbage from a trash container where the body of 7-year-old Jorelys Rivera was found . His mother, Karen-Ann Whiteley, filed for bankruptcy last month. She lives in Dahlonega, about 50 miles northeast of Canton where the killing happened. In July, when Florida resident Casey Anthony was acquitted on charges she killed her daughter, Brunn wrote on Facebook that Anthony will 'get hers'. Nancy Hudgins, 57, who lives near trash bin where Rivera's body was found, said she talked with Brunn on Monday as police searched apartments in the complex for clues. She said Brunn told her that he was nervous about allowing officers into his apartment because he had beer bottles and is not of legal drinking age. 'He was just kind of scared about them going in,' she said. Autopsy: The little girl died from a blunt head trauma an hour after she went missing while on her way to collect drinks for her friends . Taken: Police believe she was then taken to an empty apartment, sexually abused and beaten before being dumped in the trash . Distraught: Jorelys' mother Joselin had appealed for her daughter's safe return . Police had sent several Coca-Cola . cans found nearby for forensic testing to see if these are the drinks . that the child had gone to collect for her friends. Jorelys' mother Joselin Rivera had made . an emotional plea for her return and her father, who lives in Florida, . had flown to the city in Cherokee County. A friend translated for Spanish-speaking Mrs Rivera to local TV station 11alive.com. She said her daughter was 'friendly, sweet, had lots of friends and everyone just loved her'. Keenan said investigators have . received numerous tips from the public and said valuable evidence has . come from residents at the apartment complex. Several sex offenders living at the complex have been identified and interviewed, Keenan said. But he added: ‘We have no reason to believe, at this point, that sex offenders are involved.’ About 65 local, state and federal . investigators are working on the case and several hundred interviews . have been conducted, authorities said. Maria Rodriguez, a former resident of the apartment complex, said she works with Jorelys' mother at a nearby poultry plant. Remembered: Children who lived near Jorelys pay respect to her in the park . Vigil: Neighbours and friends meet on the playground where Jorelys Rivera was last seen alive in Canton, Georgia to hold a candlelit vigil and leave gifts . ‘She was a very sweet girl,’ Rodriguez . said as she held her own four-year-old daughter. ‘She was the type of . little girl who likes her presence to be known. It's just so sad.’ Police have removed two other young children from the Rivera home over ‘concern about the supervision of Jorelys,’ said Lt. Jay Baker with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department. A prayer vigil was held late Monday at the playground, where people left flowers, balloons and stuffed animals at a makeshift memorial for Jorelys. Eerie: Authorities removed the dumpster in which the seven-year-old was found to a nearby field to search for evidence . Search: Authorities comb through piles of garbage from a dumpster where the body was found. They are also carrying out tests on the vacant apartment . | Ryan Brunn lived and worked at same apartment complex where the girl disappeared . Body of Jorelys Rivera found brutally disfigured in dumpster on Monday . | 8d3dcec7a0213604988c65b32a9abd74b371a918 |
By . Suzannah Hills . PUBLISHED: . 07:37 EST, 19 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:27 EST, 19 January 2013 . From a perfectly sculpted snowman riding a bicycle to a dog lover taking his Alaskan malamutes for their first ever sledding experience in the unlikely location of Barnes Park in Sunderland, Tyne & Wear - your pics are helping us capture Britain as it is swept by snow. Whether . it be a snow-topped castle, or a blizzard in full force, we are asking . our readers across the UK to send in their best pictures, capturing the . effects of 2013's first cold snap. Readers from all corners of the UK - from Plymouth to Middlesbrough - have already been sending their snow-tinged pictures. If . it is beautiful scenery you have captured or just somebody having fun, . help us share the experience with readers across the country. Are you out frolicking in the snow? Email all your pictures to [email protected] . Going the extra mile: Lizzy Eddy sent in this picture of an impressive sculpture of a snowman riding a bicycle . A sledding trip... in Sunderland! Craig Richards takes his two malamutes - Alaskan sled dogs - for their first ever sled training in Barnes Park, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear . A clever spot of driving: Lauren Haynes captured this romantic picture of two hearts driven into the snow in Brighton . A chilly dip: Members of the Seabrook Seals went for a swim despite the freezing weather today at Fisherman's Walk, Bournemouth, Dorset . Panoramic views: Andrew Cook captured this image of Roseberry Topping from the car park at Newton Under Roseberry . Bird food: Darren Moston managed to capture this lovely image of a cunning bird that appears to be carrying a whole slice of bread in Stocktonheath, Warrington . Moo-ping around: Caroline Warde took this picture of a rather grumpy looking bull in Middleton on Sea . Birds of a feather: A swan rests on top of frozen water in Stocktonheath, Warrington, while a duck struggles in the snow in these pictures captured by Darren Moston . Home sweet home: This couple camp out in an igloo in Winchester cathedral grounds in Hampshire . Artistic: Lenita Burman managed to take these beautiful pictured of ice on the window of her car, left, and her house, right . Bird of prey: A Hungary Kestrel helping itself to the dog's bone in Easington Lane, Tyne & Wear . Delays: Peter Garner took this picture of two trains being held at a red light as heavy snow falls . Alex Gainer took this picture of a red Mario Brothers mushroom, left, and a snowman built in London with the London Eye in the background, right . Writings in the snow: Terry Bouch demonstrates the lazy way to build a snowman . Winter moments: Gemma Charlton snapped this robin in the snow, left, while Emma B submitted this picture of a rabbit enjoying the flurries, right . Quite a gathering: John Rose feeds some very hungry birds at Branston water park, Burton-on-Trent . Deborah Porter took this shot of ice clinging to flowers in Oxon, left, while a couple keep warm in their hot-tub in Worle, Weston-super-Mare, pictured right . Standstill: Trains are covered with at least half a foot of snow in Grosmont, North Yorkshire Moors, near Whitby . Enshrined in white: Wymondham Abbey surrounded by crisp white fields in Wymondham, Norfolk, capture by Jessica Read . The ice queen: One patriotic reader pays tribute to Elizabeth II by building a snowman in her honour, left, while Matt Corah captured this atmospheric shot of a deserted train station in Grosmont, North Yorkshire Moors near Whitby, right . Early riser: Dawn breaks over Lansdown in Bath after heavy snowfall that is predicted to continue over the weekend . Ride of ice: The wheels of this bike have completely frozen in Oxon . Ice-tree: An eerie image of a tree covered in snow, left, while dog Jasper makes a hair-raising leap in the snow in Pebmarsh, Essex, right . That's one way to get around! Boys use a bath to go sledging at Coulsdon memorial ground park, Coulsdon, in Surrey . Treacherous conditions: Pavements are frozen over with ice along St James Park in London . Still going: Public transport was still running in some parts as proved by this picture of a Metropolitan line tube train travelling through Chorleywood, Herts . A very chilled couple: These two snowmen appear delighted with the weather with one even giving a thumbs-up . Breaking dawn: This group got up early to make the most of the weather with a day of Sledging in Llanllyfni, North Wales . Family fun: Numerous sledging enthusiasts headed to Chorleywood Common, Chorleywood, Herts, for a chilled day out . Bottoms up! This group of friends appear to be having a snow-ball of a time enjoying the winter sun and a drink with a newly-made friend . Will you give me a push? This snow-covered dog waits for a ride on a wooden toboggan . Where's Charlie Brown? Two brothers build their very own Snoopy dog in Frampton Cottrell, South Gloucestershire . Snow scenes: A picturesque river view in Oxfordshire captured by Deborah Porter, left, and a tree with its leaves covered in snow in Newmarket, Suffolk . Hello! A snowman left outside a block of flats in Streatham Common, south London, and (right) Ernie Allesch-Taylor in Selborne, Hampshire . | As snowstorms sweeps the UK our readers are sending in their best pictures from every corner of the country . | a08ac17b420ad38f30b059f91a19868fa62a4bb5 |
(CNN) -- Soupy Sales, a comedian from the golden era of television, died Thursday. He was 83. Soupy Sales entertained generations of Americans with his off-the-cuff, wacky antics. He was 83. The funny man seen many times on popular game shows died at a New York hospice, said Paul Dver, Sales' longtime friend and manager. "We have lost a comedy American icon," Dver said. "I feel the personal loss, and I also feel the magic that he had around him being gone. That's a much more severe loss than a loss of a friend." Sales was known for his long-running children's show "Lunch With Soupy Sales," which started in 1953 and began his trademark slapstick pie-throwing antics. The comedy show featured skits that culminated in Sales getting walloped with pies in the face. What are your memories of Sales? "Soupy was the last of the great TV comics when you talk about Ernie Kovacs, Red Skelton, right down to Howdy Doody," Dver said. "But it was bigger than that, because he used a children's format aimed at the kids and then he would forget he was doing a kids' show and do a wild, unrehearsed, wacky improv for a half-hour every day for 15 years." He could also inflame the authorities. One New Year's Day, upset at being asked to work, he asked his youthful audience to send him those "green pieces of paper" from their parents' wallets. Though he didn't receive much -- he told The New York Times he received only a few dollars -- he was suspended for a week for the prank. Later in his career, he was a regular on TV game shows, such as "Hollywood Squares," "To Tell the Truth" and "What's My Line?" Sales recently fell backstage at a local Emmy awards show in New York and developed serious ailments after that, Dver said. CNN's Lee Garen contributed to this report. | "We have lost a comedy American icon," says comedian's friend and manager . He was known for his long-running children's show "Lunch With Soupy Sales" Fans of the show anticipated his trademark pie-in-face gag . Sales also seen on "To Tell the Truth" and "What's My Line?" | d65e076d538e47eae7d855cb24df499b9d78a912 |
A baby born in the North West of England will live on average two years less than a child born in the South East, new Government figures have revealed. The figures give a snapshot of life in Britain today and reveal the divisions between life-expectancy rates for people living in different areas of Britain. Following the release of the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics, while people may not live as long, a typical house in the North West costs around half as much as a property 200 miles to the south. A nation of contrasts: London has a younger population and generates more income than the North East . People in the North West of England live on average two years less than those in the South East . Friends relax in the Oxfordshire sunshine . The Independent also highlighted the economic unbalance of London in comparison to the rest of the country. London currently generates one fifth of the country's output. The capital also has the greatest amount of young people, with a median age of 34, compared to the national average of 40. England's South West is clearly the retirement hotspot of the country, with an average age of 42.9 years. The worst place to live in terms of unemployment is the North-East of England where 10.3 per cent of the population are out of work. This compares to the national average unemployment rate, which stands at 7.3 per cent. But the area with the greatest number of unqualified adults is the West Midlands at 13.9 per cent. House prices are still on the rise according to the figures, with Yorkshire and Humber being the only area that recorded a drop of 0.2 per cent. But overall crime estimated by the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) in the year ending June 2013 fell 7 percent compared with the previous year. This figure, which is an estimate is the lowest since the survey began in 1981. The number of crimes recorded by the police in the year to June 2013 fell by percent. | London has the greatest number of young people with a median age of 34 . Worst place for employment is the North West where 10% are out of work . | 290372385d2674f01ffdbda098140fe0b43d1ae6 |
Barcelona, Spain (CNN) -- In Madrid and Barcelona, they will be talking about this for many years to come. Of all the ways to break Barca's monopoly on Spanish league titles, going to the home of the champions and robbing them of their crown in their own backyard takes some beating. In the Catalan heartland Saturday, unfashionable Atletico Madrid produced a storybook ending to one of the most enthralling seasons Spanish football -- or indeed any European league -- has ever produced. But as Atleti celebrated, the soul searching began in Barcelona. Winner takes all . For the first time since 1951 (and only the third time ever), the destiny of the title lay in the hands of two teams facing each other on the final day. Barca entertained an Atletico team which hadn't won the domestic league since 1996 -- during which time Barca had added eight more La Ligas to the club's roll of honor. The equation was simple: win, and Barca would be crowned champions for a fourth time in five seasons; draw or win, and Atletico would take the title for the first time in 18 years, when current manager Diego Simeone was captain. In the end, it was deservingly, fittingly, gloriously Simeone's triumph -- and one that now propels the Argentine coach into the stratosphere, such is the epic scale of the revolution he has presided over since taking charge of "Los Rojiblancos" in December 2011. Champions of Europe? A team that rarely won anything, that only found new ways of losing, was at once transformed; Europa League triumph in 2012 was quickly followed by the UEFA Super Cup and then the Spanish Cup in 2013. Simeone had molded and inspired a group of disparate talents into a squad with a win-at-all-costs, never-say-die mentality. With the league now in the bag too, Simeone and his team have the chance to add the ultimate prize to their ever-expanding trophy cabinet when they meet arch-rivals Real Madrid in Saturday's European Champions League final in Lisbon. "I would say that this win means something for everyone," said Simeone, who saw his team gain the 1-1 draw they needed despite losing the services of 27-goal striker Diego Costa and midfield mischief-maker Arda Turan inside the first 20 minutes. "It shows that there is more than one way to win. It is one of the most important days in the history of Atletico Madrid." Yet how few Atleti were there to celebrate such a seismic feat. Officially, 447 of their fans were present at the 98,000-capacity Camp Nou, though a few others were easily seen dotted around the gigantic arena. They managed to make themselves heard, however, especially when Diego Godin leveled just after halftime and again at fulltime. The Atleti stayed right where they were for at least an hour after the final whistle to sing and dance and acclaim their heroes. Those men must have looked tiny, like Subbuteo figures, from their position right at the top of the third tier behind the goal where Godin created history, but it didn't seem to matter one bit. And to their credit, Barcelona ensured Atleti would have even more treasured memories of their special day as they stayed true to their "Mes que un club" ("More than a club") motto. 'They showed Barca is a great club' The home fans responded to the apparent ignominy of having their title taken away from them on their own turf by rising as one the very moment the game was over, proceeding to give Atletico's players the standing ovation their herculean effort deserved. Two minutes later and "Atleti, Atleti" reverberated around the amphitheater as Simeone and his gladiators, almost disbelievingly, looked up and soaked in the adulation. "Barca players and coaches came to congratulate me immediately after the game," added Simeone. "They showed Barca is a great club." So what of this great club? For one so used to winning and for fans usually so quick to wave their white handkerchiefs as a way of registering their disdain, they seemed awfully accepting of their fate. The mood in the city all day was upbeat, yet strangely free from the tension that usually engulfs occasions of such enormity; don't forget, this was a title that coach Gerardo Martino had already conceded two weeks ago, before a succession of bizarre results handed his side one last unlikely shot at glory. It never felt like their title to win, though. With the heartbreaking trauma of ex-coach Tito Vilanova's tragic passing in April still fresh in the mind, and with several players mooted to be leaving this summer, even before Saturday the focus had shifted to next season and the future. An emotional month reached a crescendo as first long-serving goalkeeper Victor Valdes -- who has been injured since March -- said his farewells on Monday and then on Thursday club captain Carles Puyol, a mainstay of Barcelona since the mid-1990s, gave his final press conference before walking away from the Camp Nou. It is not so much half a new team Barca are looking for over the next couple of months as almost a replacement soul. What next for Barca? Former captain Luis Enrique, who played for the Catalans with distinction between 1996 and 2004 and managed Barcelona B from 2008-11, was appointed Monday as the club's new coach after leaving his post at Celta Vigo. Enrique led Celta Vigo to ninth place in La Liga in his only season in charge, after a difficult first senior appointment at Italian club Roma in 2011-12. Now that Lionel Messi -- arguably the world's greatest footballer and certainly its best-paid exponent -- has signed a new contract, Barca must try to rediscover what made them one of the most breathtakingly successful teams the sport has ever seen. "I feel so bad, I feel disappointment and disillusionment," said midfielder Andres Iniesta on social media. "Next year we will fight to give you the joys that you and this club deserve." As for Atletico, whose fans celebrated long into the night at Neptuno Square in the Spanish capital and then took to the streets of Madrid Sunday as their champions paraded through the city on an open-top bus, the focus is rather more short-term. At the Stadium of Light in Lisbon on Saturday, they will seek to put their name on the biggest trophy of them all for the very first time, and in the process deny city rivals Real "La Decima" -- the 10th European Cup/Champions League title that has so frustratingly eluded the club since 2002. Simeone, a man who has the underdog spirit coursing through his veins, will already be licking his lips in anticipation. | Atletico Madrid wins Spanish league after drawing at Barcelona . It is club's first title in almost 20 years and ends Barca's reign . Catalan team looking for new coach after Gerardo Martino quits . Atletico next faces city rival Real Madrid in Saturday's Champions League final . | 82d8386da230b9637750ec42e227298f700dc12d |
(CNN) -- He never told a lie, as the story goes. So maybe if he were alive today, President George Washington could tell a New York City library what he did with two books he checked out 221 years ago. The two books -- weighty discourses on international relations and parliamentary debates -- were checked out on October 5, 1789. They were due on November 2, 1789, but weren't brought back. Since then, they've been steadily collecting a fine of a few cents each day, adding up to more than $4,000 by the New York Society Library's informal estimate. "I'm sorry, math is not my thing at all," said Jane Goldstein, the assistant head librarian when asked to hazard a guess. The fine at the time was 2 pence a day. Now, it's 15 cents -- "It's really gone up, hasn't it?" she quipped. One of the librarians, Matthew Haugen, guessed the fine to be in the region of 3,000 British pounds, or about $4,577. "He stuck with the pence concept," Goldstein said. The library first learned of the missing books when it discovered a yellowed ledger in its basement . It listed all the people who had checked out books from the city's oldest library between July 1789 and April 1792. Next to the works "Law of Nations" and the 12th volume of "Common Debates" was the name of the person who checked them out: "President." At the time, New York was the capital of the United States, and the library was the only one in town. Soon after, the capital was relocated to Philadelphia and then Washington D.C. The New York library, a subscription library that was New York's first library open to the public, has known about the missing books since the 1930s. The matter came up again recently because the library is capturing the ledgers in digital form to preserve the records. Library officials cross-checked the books mentioned in the ledger with the ones in their collection. "Volume 12 (of "Common Debates") was still missing," as was the other book, Goldstein said. The library is not so concerned about the fine as it is about each book. "We don't know where it is," she said. "We have tried to find it and we can't," she said. | George Washington has racked up a growing fine on two overdue books from NYC library . The discourses on international relations, parliamentary debates were never returned . New York Society Library would like to track down the books . The library has known about the missing books since the 1930s . | b4b59feabc7f0da438816390002e5279e75b5ebf |
The Socialist mayor of Paris has announced plans to ban smoking in city parks as part of a plan to cut down on tobacco-related illnesses. In a muddled announcement on national TV on Sunday, Anne Hidalgo said the move would be an experiment aimed at ‘teaching people about cigarette addiction’. This is despite the recent history of France’s capital being associated with famous Parisians puffing away in world-famous parks such as the Luxembourg Gardens and Tuileries. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said the move was an experiment to teach people about cigarette addiction . Paris parks and gardens like Tuileries, above, and the Luxembourg Gardens, are world-famous smoking spots . Aware of the massive opposition that there will be to the move in a country where some 30 per cent of the country still smoke, Ms Hidalgo insisted that her ‘experiment’ would not be strictly enforced. ‘We are not into banning, we are experimenting,’ said Ms Hidalgo, who said parks in the unfashionable 14th arrondissement would act as ‘guinea pigs in this experiment’. But the move follows a new Socialist directive which allows bosses to ban wine in the work place – leading to accusations that the very heart of Gallic culture is under attack. Traditionally liberal Parisians are renowned the world over for sitting outside smoking and drinking as they discuss the arts and philosophy. Under the plan Parisians and tourists, like Swiss visitors Manuel Schneiter, left, Nina Schmid and Miriam Dudler, won't be able to enjoy cigarettes in city parks . Smoking is already technically banned in cafes, restaurants, stations and museums in Paris . Smoking is now technically banned in all inside public places in France, including cafes, restaurants, stations and museums. But terraces and other places outdoors are not included in the ban, because the chances of smokers harming those sitting around them are considered miniscule. Smoking is also on course to be banned in public parks and other council-controlled outdoor areas in Scotland, under radical plans to make the country ‘smoke free’ by 2034. Tobacco-related illnesses are a leading cause of death in France, with an estimated 73,000 deaths annually. Despite massive taxes on cigarette sales, health warnings, and every more stringent bans, there are still some 16 million smokers in France. France is ‘paralysed’ and desperately needs reforms aimed at revitalising its crumbling economy, claims the country’s Socialist Prime Minister. Manuel Valls spoke out during the first day of a vital business summit aimed at creating half-a-million jobs and cutting public spending in return for lower taxes. The country’s unemployment rate has soared above the 3.3 million mark as entrepreneurs leave because of failing Socialist policies, including a top tax rate of 75 per cent. Mr Valls said reforms were desperately needed because France was ‘paralysed’ by fear of ‘blockages’. He said Socialist President Francois Hollande is determined to implement reforms, despite opposition from his own party. On Sunday night, Mr Valls told Socialists in Vauvert: ‘Without reforms, we are threatened by the stalemate, stalled and thus in decline. To not move forward is to start losing.’ Mr Valls said his aim was to ‘set France in motion’. | Anne Hidalgo says the ban aims to teach people about 'cigarette addiction' Parks in the 14th arrondissement would act as ‘guinea pigs' 73,000 people a year die of tobacco-related illnesses in France . | acf53a79578791670bd3f0aaf4201e7997319753 |
When Gower College lecturer Calvin Williams fell from a cliff 50 feet (15 metres) high in 2004, he feared his love of mountain biking might be over. With extensive leg injuries that would confine him to a wheelchair for a year, he realised there were other similar people in his position who were unable to ride a standard two-wheeled mountain bike. So he decided to design and build a bike with four wheels that could be ridden by disabled people, and the fruits of his labour are now starting to materialise. Scroll down for video . Gower College engineering lecturer Calvin Williams (pictured) has designed and built a four-wheeled mountain bike known as Project Enduro. He decided to start the project, giving disabled people the chance to mountain bike, after falling from a cliff and suffering leg injuries in 2004 . His endeavour is called Project Enduro, an initiative supported by the Welsh Government through European Regional Development Funding. Called the Juggernaut, this $2500 (£1,500) bike can ride with ease across snow and ice, and also across curbs and steps. The father and son inventors claim its two front wheels give the bike far more stability. The idea . came from experiencing the challenges of carrying a surfboard on a bike . with a surf rack to a local surf break and having to dismount to push . the bike up stairs and through deep sand, the firm said. The company experimented with several designs, and now Rungu Trikes roll through deep sand and up short flights of stairs. Enduro has the goal of designing and manufacturing a prototype four-wheeled mountain bike. This is predominantly for use by disabled people – although it seems others aren’t disqualified from enjoying the bike either. The bike, a collaboration with Swansea Metropolitan University, is ‘powered’ by gravity alone. It has no pedals, with the ‘rider’ instead sitting in a seat between all four wheels. A set of handlebars then allows them to steer as they make their way down a course. The bike is built with carbon-fibre seating and top-end suspension. Its aim is to encourage extreme sports enthusiasts to grasp the concept of ‘gravity biking’ – cycling at top speeds downhill. The . first prototype was unveiled back in February, and the team have now . been testing a second prototype in Snowdonia, north Wales. The second builds upon the design, comfort and safety issues identified in the first. And Project Enduro is beginning to make an impact on the extreme sports market. Mountain bikers make their way down Snowdon led by Phill Hall with the four-wheeler mountain bike in north Wales. The prototype four wheeler bicycle is believed to be only the second-ever manufactured in the world . It’s believed that innovations such as these will continue to lead the way for the future development of both bike manufacturing and healthcare products for disabled people. And the goal is now to officially launch the product, which is built entirely in Wales, onto the market by December 2014. ‘The project is developing well beyond our initial aspirations,’ said Williams. ‘As time goes on more trails are becoming available to ride the bikes and we are having enquiries from potential riders from across the world. ‘Hopefully we will see a race series soon, where able bodied and disabled athletes will be competing head to head at Welsh trail centres.’ Project Enduro is an endeavour to design and manufacture a bike predominantly for use by disabled people. Pictured from left to right are Project Manager Calvin Williams, Phill Hall of the Rough Riderz Club, Emyr Davies (World Cup downhill rider) and Project Supporter Leyton on the summit of Snowdon . | A team of engineers in Wales have designed a four-wheeled bike . The bike is intended to allow disable people to enjoy downhill racing . Known as Project Enduro it has been in the works since 2004 . Prototype was unveiled in February and has now been tested on Snowdon . Project manager Calvin Williams hopes it will make racing more accessible . | cb0710d89281c7b45eea51b2f8410e49a9202177 |
Among Lucia Terui's first diving experiences was an encounter with Nomura's jellyfish, the graceful giants of the sea that grow up to 6ft 6in in diameter. Perhaps understandably the sighting inspired an obsession for Terui, 40, to one day photograph the creatures, which are 100 times the size of an average jellyfish and are most commonly found in the waters between China and Japan. And when the Brazilian photographer achieved her goal on a diving trip into the waters of Echizen, Fukui province, Japan, she said she felt 'pure joy'. Scroll down for video . A giant Nomura's jellyfish dwarfs a diver in this image captured by Brazilian photographer Lucia Terui in the waters off Echizen, Japan . Nomura's jellyfish can grow up to 6ft 6in in diameter and are found most commonly in the sea between China and Japan . After seeing the giant jellyfish, Lucia says she 'became obsessed with them and getting the perfect shot, and years later I got my moment' Photographer Lucia Terui encountered the creatures on her diving trip . 'On one of my first ever diving trips I had the privilege to dive with this particular jellyfish,' says Lucia, now of Hamamatsu, Japan. 'I was delighted and it was an incredible experience, but on that particular occasion I didn't have the underwater photography equipment to capture the images in the way I wanted. 'From then on I became obsessed with them and getting the perfect shot, and years later I got my moment.' Lucia was able to photograph the enormous five-foot jellyfish in all its glory. She spent three days diving with her husband, Alexandre Shimoishi, 40, on the lookout for the incredible creature. Lucia says: 'I had to dive deep into the open sea to be able to find one, but it was worth it in the end and I felt pure joy when I did. 'It was a dream of mine achieved, the jellyfish are so beautiful and inoffensive, and because of that I wasn't afraid at all. 'A lot of patience was needed, as there were lot of jellyfish in the sea but most of them were hurt or almost dead, I wanted one that was healthy and a beauty to shoot.' The Nomura's jellyfish is classified in the same category as the lion's mane jellyfish, the largest cnidarian in the world. The diameter when fully grown is slightly greater than the height of an average man, with the ability to grow up to 6ft 6in. Although their stings are generally very painful, they are not known for causing any major damage to humans. Despite their formidable size, Lucia loves photographing nature's gentle giants. She says: 'It's funny because most of the time my friends call me crazy, but they like and admire my photographs and so that really makes me happy. 'It's important that we respect and protect nature that is all around us, I believe this is our duty to life and the future of our planet.' | Photographer Lucia Terui became obsessed with snapping Nomura's jellyfish after seeing them when diving . The 40-year-old took these amazing photographs while diving off Echizen in Japan's Fukui province . She photographed an estimated 4ft 9in creature, but the Nomura's jellyfish can grow up to 6ft 6in in diameter . | 6e2be4ad16b2419d3cb7c62fc95d7906e77980c6 |
By . Hugo Duncan . Britain is on course to overtake France and become the fifth biggest economy in the world, according to a former Bank of England official. Andrew Sentance, who is now senior economic adviser at PricewaterhouseCoopers, said the UK could leapfrog France by the end of the year as the recovery picks up pace. The prediction came as a report by rival accountancy firm Grant Thornton showed business confidence is at its highest level for more than 20 years. Senior economic adviser at PricewaterhouseCoopers Andrew Sentance says the UK economy could leapfrog France by the end of the year . The survey found 83 per cent of senior executives in the UK were optimistic about the future - up from 71 per cent at the end of last year, and the highest score since records began in 1992. In a further boost to Chancellor George Osborne, who has staked his political reputation on the recovery, official figures are today (TUES) expected to show the economy grew strongly in the first three months of 2014. The Bank of England believes gross domestic product (GDP) - the total size of the economy - grew by 1 per cent in the first quarter, and expects the second quarter 'to be only a little weaker'. The last time the economy grew by around 1 per cent for two quarters in a row was in mid-2007 before the meltdown at Northern Rock. Meanwhile, the pound surged to as much as $1.6856 yesterday - its strongest reading against the US dollar since 2009 - as the brightening outlook pushed the currency higher. Harry Adams, managing director of currency trading firm Argentex, said: 'There is a simple explanation for the pound's appreciation and that is the UK economy is exceeding nearly every economist's expectation.' The Bank of England believes gross domestic product (GDP) - the total size of the economy - grew by 1 per cent in the first quarter . Mr Sentance said that the UK economy is currently the sixth largest in the world but will overtake France 'in the next couple of years' based on forecasts by the International Monetary Fund. But he added that it could happen even sooner given the pace of the recovery in the UK and the weakness of the French economy. 'The UK economy now appears set to regain the position it enjoyed in world economic rankings before the financial crisis - fifth place behind the US, China, Japan and Germany,' said Mr Sentence, who sat on the Bank's interest rates setting monetary policy committee from 2006 to 2011. 'All these economies have bigger populations than us - so fifth place in the world will be as good as it gets for Britain in the modern global economy. 'With the French economy struggling, and the pound appreciating against the euro, the UK should resume its fifth position soon, quite possibly by the end of this year. That should be a cause for national celebration.' The growth spurt means that the economy is just weeks away from clawing back all the losses made during the what the IMF has called the Great Recession. GDP crashed 7.2 per cent in 2008 and 2009 and was still 1.4 per cent smaller than the pre-recession peak at the end of last year. Simon Kirby, an economist at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, said most of the remaining lost ground has now been made up. 'I think GDP will surpass its pre-recession peak at some point in the next few months,' he said. Scott Barnes, chief executive of Grant Thornton, said business optimism 'has continued to bound ahead' in recent months in a sign 'the recovery is moving onto a more sustainable footing'. He said: 'It's immensely encouraging that the data for the UK has broken its previous record high for business optimism and provides strong hope that the recovery is truly taking hold. 'Mirroring the uptick in optimism across other parts of the world - particularly the US, China, Japan and Germany - suggests the major global economies are back on track and headed in the right direction which bodes well for British exporters.' The CBI last week reported that confidence among British manufacturers was at its highest level since 1973. Katja Hall, chief policy director at the CBI, said: 'Confidence is rapidly rising among British manufacturers, with a real sense of business optimism. Our industrial base is seizing a bigger role in the UK's economic recovery, with output, orders and hiring all on the up. 'There are still bumps in the road ahead. However, expectations for growth in the coming three months are positive and manufacturers plan to significantly ramp up investment in the year ahead.' | Andrew Sentance said UK could leapfrog . France by the end of the year . Prediction came as report says business confidence is at a 20-year high . Survey found 83% of senior executives were optimistic about the future . | 5bb3638d0a0017b89ede022bec671c1c020bc570 |
Pope Francis attacked the right to die movement saying euthanasia is a 'sin' Pope Francis denounced the right to die movement saying it was a 'false sense of compassion' to consider euthanasia as an act of dignity when in fact it's a sin against God and creation. His intervention in the end of life debate came after the Vatican's top bioethics official condemned as 'reprehensible' the assisted suicide of an American woman, Brittany Maynard, who was suffering terminal brain cancer and said she wanted to die with dignity. Francis didn't refer to the Maynard case specifically when he made the comments to the Association of Italian Catholic Doctors at the weekend. While denouncing euthanasia in general, he also condemned abortion, in vitro fertilization -or 'the scientific production of a child' - and embryonic stem cell research -or 'using human beings as laboratory experiments to presumably save others.' 'This is playing with life,' he said. 'Beware, because this is a sin against the creator, against God the creator.' While shying away from hot-button, culture war issues such as abortion, Francis has spoken out frequently about euthanasia. He considers the assisted suicide movement as a symptom of today's 'throw-away culture' that views the sick and elderly as useless drains on society. Francis urged doctors to take 'courageous and against-the-grain' decisions to uphold church teaching on the dignity of life, even if it requires resorting to conscientious objection. The Pope condemned assisted suicide, abortion, IVF and embryonic stem cell research in his recent speech . He considers the assisted suicide movement as a symptom of today's 'throw-away culture' that views the sick and elderly as useless drains on society . Monsignor Ignacio Carrasco de Paula (left), head of the Pontifical Academy for Life, condemned Brittany Maynard's (right) decision to end her own life rather than suffer for months with terminal brain cancer . | Pope Francis denounced right to die movement in address this weekend . Comes as Vatican official condemned assisted suicide of American woman . Brittany Maynard was suffering terminal brain cancer when she ended life . He also criticised abortion, IVF and embryonic stem cell research . Pope said action is 'playing with life' and is a 'sin against the creator' | b6770916412dc132890d4dbe6f9693167a505c69 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 11:02 EST, 22 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:30 EST, 22 May 2012 . Nine students testified on Monday that their teacher took photos of them in her classroom and during a pizza party at her home in their underwear and also allowed them to be secretly videoed while changing. The students, aged eight to 11, took the witness stand in Pottawatomie County District Court during a preliminary hearing for former McLoud teacher Kimberly Ann Crain of Shawnee and retired professor of early childhood development Gary Doby of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. At the end of the proceeding, Special Judge Dawson Engle ordered both to stand trial on 18 counts of sexual exploitation of a child under 12, one count of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation and one count of lewd molestation. Abused trust: Former professor Gary Doby and third grade school teacher Kimberly Crain face life in prison . School: The FBI and local police are investigating allegations of inappropriate relationships between a McLoud Elementary School teacher and her students . He also bound Crain over on 11 counts of possession of juvenile pornography. Both could face up to life in prison. Prosecutors allege that Crain, 49, took photos of as many as 14 young girls while they were changing clothes in her classroom and at her home and that she shared the images with Doby, 66. Crain and Doby have pleaded not guilty to numerous porn-related charges in the case. Formal arraignment was set for June 27. The students testified that Crain took photos of them in her classroom and during a pizza party at her home while they were wearing tank tops and underwear. A nine-year-old old girl testified that Crain told her to open her legs and do various dances that Crain then photographed. 'There was so much I can't remember,' the girl said when District Attorney Richard Smothermon asked her how many photographs were taken. In another incident, the girl said that Crain drew smiley faces on the chest of a shirt the girl was wearing. The girl said she also talked to Doby via computer in Crain's classroom. 'He would say "you are beautiful",' the girl said. 'Sometimes he would have a shirt on, sometimes he wouldn't.' Smothermon asked the girl if she wanted to change clothes at Crain's home. 'I really didn't, because I felt uncomfortable,' the girl replied. Among the evidence introduced in the case was copies of photographs Crain allegedly took of the girls, including photos Smothermon said were taken by a hidden video camera that showed the girls naked as they changed clothes. Accused: Parents said five girls in the third and fourth grades were invited to a female school teacher's home and were secretly videoed by Gary Doby, pictured left . Predator: The allegations are against third grade teacher Kimberly Crain at McLoud Elementary, and they have sexual undertones. Residents said the allegations are spreading through the town like a wildfire . Another former student testified that she and other students went to Crain's home around Christmas for a pizza party where they changed into panties and bras, then hid behind a couch when the pizza deliveryman arrived. 'We covered ourselves up so he couldn't see us,' the girl said. Several of the students said Crain told them not to tell their parents what they had done. A ten-year-old girl said she reported what had happened to her parents and that her mother cried when she heard. 'She went to the bathroom and cried,' the girl said. FBI Special Agent Andrew Farabow testified that he examined laptop computers used by Crain and Doby and found images of child and adult pornography. The lewd molestation charge involves an allegation that Crain invited one of her students to look at a computer screen that showed Doby exposing himself. Crain, wearing a black and white striped prison uniform, sat quietly at a defense table in the courtroom as the girls testified while Doby, dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit and shackled at the ankles and wrists, sat next her. They did not speak to each other during the hearing and said nothing as they were led from the courthouse by sheriff's deputies. They are each being held on $1 million bond. Crain's attorney, Craig Webb, declined comment, but Doby's attorney, Karen Byars, expressed concern for the young girls. 'If they are able to prove that a crime was committed by my client, I sincerely hope that the press and the DA's office will make a sincere effort to protect these young girls,' Byars said. Smothermon told reporters it was difficult for the girls to testify while Crain and Doby sat nearby at the defense table. 'I was very proud of them,' Smothermon said of the girls. Smothermon said authorities do not know whether the exchange of photographs of the girls was confined to Crain and Doby. | Former McLoud elementary school teacher Kimberly Crain and former professor Gary Doby face life in prison . Charged with 18 counts of sexual exploitation of a child under 12, one count of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation and one count of lewd molestation . | 9014922417548cafe78a5cee85ebee2a7bec6f03 |
By . Simon Tomlinson . UPDATED: . 03:28 EST, 1 February 2012 . Surgeons were today preparing to operate on a three-year-old boy to remove the body of a 'parasitic twin' growing inside his stomach. Isbac Pacunda was left with the rare condition after absorbing his would-be sibling inside the womb. Doctors in Peru say the partially formed foetus has eyes, bones and hair on the cranium, but did not develop a brain, lungs, heart or intestines. Scroll down for video . Absorbed his sibling: Leonidas Pacunda with his son Isbac ahead of the toddler's operation to remove his parasitic twin which has been growing inside his stomach . It weighs a pound and a half (700 grams) and is nine inches (25 centimeters) long. Dr Carlos Astocondor, of the medical team at Las Mercedes Hospital in the northern port of Chiclayo, says the condition occurs in about one of every 500,000 live births. Identical twins form when an egg splits in half after fertilisation. Anxious wait: Mr Pacunda carries his son on his shoulders at Las Mercedes hospital in Chiclayo, Peru, where the three-year-old was due to undergo surgery . But conjoined twins or foetus-in-foetu siblings, as in the case of Isbac, occur when the egg fails to fully separate. Dr Jonathan Fanaroff, a neonatologist at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, said some conjoined twins can survive as 'parasites', but not when one twin absorbs the other. He told ABC News that the operation to remove Isbac's twin was likely to be far easier than attempting to separate two living conjoined siblings. | Surgeons planning to remove partially formed foetus from Peruvian toddler . | 37761d2a35c8aa5957f70b9bc48cad74539882e0 |
London, England (CNN) -- London police said Friday they are investigating a car accident in which Prince Andrew reportedly struck a police officer while driving into Buckingham Palace. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police did not name anyone involved in the incident, but Buckingham Palace confirmed Prince Andrew was the driver of the car. It happened as the policeman tried to move two Japanese tourists out of the way of Andrew's 4x4 car at the palace, the BBC reported. The officer hurt his arm in the incident and complained to his superiors, the BBC said. "It was a minor incident and the police are looking into it," said a palace spokesman, who by custom is not named. Police refused to confirm any details of the incident, including when it allegedly happened. The BBC quoted a police spokesman as saying the officer's injuries were "minor." The prince, who is a week shy of his 50th birthday, lives at Royal Lodge in Windsor, just west of London. Prince Andrew is Queen Elizabeth's second son after Prince Charles and is also called the Duke of York. He served as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy for 22 years and is currently Britain's special representative for international trade and investment. British papers reported last year that the prince bought a 200,000-pound ($312,400) Bentley Arnage, which joined his existing limited-edition Aston Martin Virage V8 Volante. | Policeman had tried to move two tourists out of the way of Andrew's car . Police spokesman as saying the officer's injuries were "minor" Andrew is Queen's second son after Prince Charles and is also called the Duke of York . | 627cfde804ad17bdb0c2c43e4ec0e74c76cdb4ca |
A hospital in Los Angeles has become the first in the world to live-tweet a brain surgery using Vine, Twitter's new way to share videos online. Incredibly the footage shows the patient happily strumming away on his guitar while doctors operate. Patient Brad Carter, 39, was filmed while surgeons placed a pacemaker implant in his brain yesterday to counteract the effects of Parkinson's disease. Not for the squeamish or faint-hearted, the tweets of the surgery are accompanied with video that shows each stage of the procedure in brief but graphic clips. Patient Brad Carter, 39, can be seen playing the guitar as surgeons at UCLA in California operate on his brain . Preparation: Brad Carter, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2006, talks about the songs he plans to play ahead of surgery to implant a pacemaker in his brain . Mr Carter was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease after he developed hand tremors in 2006 which caused him to lose the ability to play his guitar. The operation involves stimulating an area of the brain and implanting a brain pacemaker to treat the condition and essential tremors. Mr Carter was woken up for part of the procedure and asked to play his guitar to assist the doctors with placing electrodes into the correct position. Pre-op: Doctors can be seen preparing Mr Carter for surgery in this picture uploaded to Twitter's Vine service . Getting started: UCLA tweeted this picture at the start of the operation next to the tag: 'Alright... here we go!' Doctors broadcast the procedure to . commemorate the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre's 500th deep brain . stimulation operation. In the incredible footage posted online, the . musician can then be seen playing his beloved instrument once again, . even singing along, as doctors finish placing electrodes in his brain. Speaking to the camera, Mr Carter says: 'I'm excited to play this guitar. [These are] original tunes - one is called "Drunk again".' The operation was filmed and live-tweeted to mark the 500th time the medical centre has performed the procedure. The hospital live-tweeted explanations, videos and photographs of the entire process to Twitter users over the course of several hours on Thursday . Live tweets using Instagram showed Twitter users the instruments and gadgets - such as this remote control - being used to restore Brad's ability to play the guitar . Staff updated followers with Instagram photos and short video clips alongside the hashtag #UCLAORLive. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a therapy for sufferers of Parkinson's disease, a degenerative condition estimated to affect around 127,000 Britons. There is no cure for the condition but surgery such as this and medication can help alleviate symptoms including tremors, muscle stiffness, pain and very slow movement. DBS involves inserting a pacemaker that emits electronic impulses to affected areas of the brain, which lessens tremor symptoms. Here surgeons shows exactly how the procedure to implant a pacemaker was carried out to help control the patient's Parkinson's tremor . Anniversary: The operation was filmed to mark the 500th time UCLA has carried out the surgery . Awake: Mr Carter, who can be seen holding up a cup of water during the operation, was awakened during the surgery to assist doctors in placing the electrodes in the right place . At UCLA, the patient is kept . conscious throughout surgery and is asked to perform tests so that . surgeons can check the pacemaker is properly placed. UCLA said it live-tweeted the . surgery, which was overseen by Dr. Nader Pouratian, with the hope that . it would help alleviate future patients' fear of the procedure. Tweets posted included: 'Removing the skin and drilling through the skull for electrode placement' and 'Electrode is prepared for implantation. Patient is being woken up at this time'. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is the main type of surgery used to help alleviate the symptoms experienced when suffering with Parkinson’s. The procedure is not a cure, but it can give patients better control of slow movement, stiffness and tremors. It can also mean that the patients doesn’t need to take as much medication which in turn reduces the side-effects of strong drugs such as involuntary movement. The long-term outcome of deep brain stimulation is very encouraging. It is thought that it will remain the main surgical therapy for Parkinson's for the next 30 years. DBS involves inserting a pacemaker and leads that emit electronic impulses to the affected areas of the brain. The majority of people with Parkinson's who have had deep brain stimulation are fitted with a device that contains a non-rechargeable battery. On average, the battery lasts between 3 and 5 years depending on the stimulator settings, but some may last longer before a replacement is needed. The areas of the brain stimulated are usually the thalymus, the globus pallidus and the subthalmic nucleaus. A small electric current is sent through the leads to test how the person's symptoms respond to stimulation, to make sure they have been put in the right place. The leads are connected to extensions that are tunnelled under the skin behind the ear and down the neck. They are then connected to a neurostimulator (a pacemaker device), which is placed under the skin around the chest or stomach area. The patient is usually kept conscious throughout surgery and is asked to perform tests so that surgeons can check the pacemaker is properly placed. Once the wounds from surgery have healed, the device will be switched on and the electrodes will deliver high-frequency stimulation to the area of the brain that is targeted. It may take several months to fully programme the stimulator and adjust Parkinson's medication to get the most benefit from this treatment. | Musician Brad Carter, 39, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2006 . Hand tremors caused by condition meant he lost ability to play the guitar . Doctors live-tweeted implanting a pacemaker in his brain to treat condition . Mr Carter was awakened during surgery to assist with electrode placement . He can be seen playing guitar and singing along in the middle of operation . | 4d51a9b7d8b955dc894f1ab9fa2c9b5d36649e54 |
By . Simon Walters . PUBLISHED: . 17:01 EST, 4 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 09:00 EST, 5 January 2014 . Backing Becks: Lord Coe has previously said that David Beckham should be knighted for his footballing prowess and efforts bringing the Olympic Games to London . The row over David Beckham’s knighthood snub in the New Year Honours List took a new twist last night after a split was revealed between Sebastian Coe and the man in charge of the awards. The Mail on Sunday, which revealed last week how Beckham and his wife Victoria had missed out on becoming Sir David and ‘Lady Posh’, has learned that the gong was approved by the secretive group headed by Lord Coe that deals with sports stars’ honours. But that decision was unexpectedly overturned when it was passed to the main Honours Committee, chaired by the head of the Civil Service, Sir Bob Kerslake. With Lord Coe also a member of the main committee, Beckham’s award was expected to have been rubber-stamped. But a fierce debate erupted at a meeting in November. Several committee members argued that 38-year-old Beckham should be made to wait longer, with one claiming there was a danger of ‘the Wiggins effect’ getting out of hand - a reference to last year’s knighthood for cyclist Bradley Wiggins. However, others pointed out that unlike Wiggins, 33, Beckham’s sporting career is over following his retirement from playing football last May. One source said: ‘It was unfair to say this was too soon. It was more than six years ago that he helped London win the right to host the Olympic Games. Made to wait: David Beckham with wife Victoria - who this year missed out on becoming Sir David and 'Lady Posh' ‘The faceless wonders who decide honours are happy to dole them out to time-serving politicians but not sports heroes who have achieved far more.’ However, another insider countered: ‘Senior figures in the sports world expressed concern about awards going to too many sportsmen too soon after Wiggins was knighted - and Coe was aware of that.’ The honours system is shrouded in secrecy and overseen by the Cabinet Office Honours and Appointments Secretariat. The identity of those who make nominations, widened in recent years to include members of the public, is kept secret. Lord Coe had said the Sport Honours Committee believed a knighthood for Beckham was justified in view of his success on the football field and his support for London’s successful bid to host the Olympics. As leader of the 2012 Games, Lord Coe had first-hand experience of Beckham’s contribution when they travelled to Singapore together in 2007 for the crucial vote. Other members of the Sport Honours Committee who had backed Beckham included former England football manager Graham Taylor and Paralympic gold medallist Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. | A group led by Lord Coe had approved a knighthood for the football legend . It would recognise his sporting skill, and efforts in the 2102 Olympic bid . But the Honours Committee, which Coe also sits on, said that he must wait . There was a fierce debate when the ruling was made in November . | 129f458bd2bc5f6d02c78c718e9d598a8131dadf |
A former councillor was trampled to death by a stampeding herd of cattle as he walked through a field in Derbyshire with his wife and two dogs. Peter Jakeman, 62, who was visiting the area from his home town in Callington, Cornwall, was walking across a field with his wife Hilary, 56, on the Okeover Estate in Ashbourne when the tragedy unfolded. Mr Jakeman, described as 'one of nature's gentlemen', was treated for blood loss and chest injuries after the stampede took place. Peter Jakeman, 62, from Callington, Cornwall, was walking across a field in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, when he was trampled to death by a herd of cows . He was then airlifted to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire by the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland air ambulance, but could not be saved. The Health and Safety executive has now launched an investigation into Mr Jakeman's death. Police say his death is not being treated as suspicious. A spokesman for the estate said they were 'horrified' by the 'terrible accident'. Mr Jakeman served on Callington Town Council from December 2004 to January 2006 and was also a chairman of the bench at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court. One neighbour told how retired Mr Jakeman and his wife had gone off with their trailer but were due to be back this Sunday. Councillor Jeremy Gist, who knew Mr Jakeman well, said: 'He wasn’t just a colleague, I regarded Peter and his wife as friends. 'He was a very active member of the community but not only that, he was a genuinely good man,what I would have called one of nature’s gentlemen. 'He was a talented man, if he did something you knew it would be done right. The incident took place on the Okeover Estate, the site of the Grade II listed Okeover Hall, pictured. A spokesman for the estate said they were 'horrified' by the 'terrible accident' 'There was no beating about the bush with Peter, if it was right it was right and if it wasn’t he would have told you. 'That was the sort of character that made him a good councillor.' Neighbour Terence Buckler said: 'They were the archetypal retired couple who loved to keep fit. 'Peter would spend hours in his front garden which they had recently done up. 'They . loved their dogs and we'd often see them walking with them. They had . gone off with their dogs and their trailer which was fairly new. 'They . loved it as they could go to a campsite and leave the trailer while . they went off in their car. They were due to be back this Sunday, it's . very sad.' Mr Jakeman, who was walking in the field with his wife and two dogs at the time, was airlifted to hospital by the Derbyshire Leicestershire and Rutland air ambulance after suffering from blood loss and chest injuries . He was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire but could not be saved . Neighbour Faye Mowle-Haimes said: 'I’m shocked. I know he used to walk a lot with his wife and he had dogs, cocker spaniels.' And Councillor Rich Lumley said: 'He had the interests of the town at heart and was very committed in the short time he was on the town council.' Sylvia Palmer said: 'He was a really lovely man. He loved the outdoors - him and Hilary would often go out on their bikes for long distances and days out, they were very active. 'I'm sure they were doing lots of walking and cycling while they were away as that's what they really enjoyed. I can't believe it - it's so tragic.' A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: 'Emergency services were called to reports of an injured man in a field off the A52 Leek Road in Upper Mayfield at around 9.05am on Wednesday May 14. 'It was reported the man had been injured by stampeding cows within the field. Mr Jakeman was a magistrate at Plymouth Magistrates' Court and also served as a councillor on Callington Town Council between 2004 and 2006 . 'He was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire but sadly died in hospital later that morning. 'The death is not being treated as suspicious and inquiries are being over seen by the Health and Safety Executive.' Advice has now been issued to ramblers and tourists in the wake of Mr Jakeman’s death. On average, one person per year is killed by cattle in the UK, with nearly 500 hurt in attacks by animals from 2005 to 2013. It is thought attacks usually take place due to dogs being present or calves being in the field when walkers approach. The British Mountaineering Council said dogs should be kept on a lead and, if cattle appear unsettled, walkers should move away as carefully and quietly as possible. A spokesman said if people feel threatened they should let go of their dog’s lead - if they are holding one - and try not to make any noise or fast movements. A statement from the estate said: 'We are horrified by this terrible accident and our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Peter Jakeman.' | Peter Jakeman, 62, was visiting the area when he was trampled by cows . The incident took place on the Okeover Estate in Ashbourne, Derbyshire . Mr Jakeman, from Callington, Cornwall, was an ex councillor and magistrate . Health and Safety executive has launched an investigation into his death . | b6e17bcc51678e68a05c0921851eb13664f47f62 |
By . Associated Press . and Daily Mail Reporter . Police in Connecticut say a hoarder has died after the cluttered first floor of her home collapsed into the basement. Authorities . say 66-year-old Beverly Mitchell was found dead in her Cheshire home . Saturday, a day after a postal carrier called police to request a . welfare check because her mail was piling up. Cheshire police tell the Record-Journal that the first floor appeared to collapse under the weight of clutter . stacked to the ceiling, and Mitchell was found in the basement under a . pile of debris. The home of a Connecticut hoarder (not pictured here) was so full the floor collapsed sending her falling to her death . 'The floor gave way and collapsed into the basement. The contents of that room caved in on top of her,' Sgt. Kevin . O’Donnell told the press. 'We did a well being and we determined it wasn’t . safe to continue searching and asked for assistance when we saw the . first floor collapsed,' he added. 'We contacted Connecticut . Homeland, who brought special equipment for search and rescue.' Authorities cut their way into the home through a side wall. State officials also responded to the scene. They finally found her body on Saturday. 'She was a hoarder,' said O’Donnell. 'This was an accidental death caused by disrepair.' The chief medical examiner's office will be performing an autopsy. Hoarders amass massive amounts of junk making it hard for authorities to search the scene (not picutured) O'Donnell said authorities had attempted to reach out to her for years, but that she had a long history of reclusive behavior and shunned contact with the outside world aside for occasional shopping trips or visits to senior services. Her home had even been boarded up. 'She was a recluse,' he said. 'We weren’t sure she was in the building' Police and social service agencies had tried for years to help Mitchell, O’Donnell said. | Authorities found 66-year-old Beverly Mitchell was found dead in her Cheshire home . Saturday . Mitchell had been a recluse for years and refused help from social services . Authorities forced to cut into house through side wall . | fb2d74cce9243598371916208c191d2cb7bd943e |
Defence chiefs were warned of significant security risks to the UK of allowing Libyan soldiers off their base in Cambridgeshire, according to newly released documents. A report prepared before the troops’ arrival on British soil warned of immigration, security and reputational risks if the cadets were allowed to leave the camp for ‘recreational visits’. But despite the warnings, the Ministry of Defence admitted its rules that cadets should only be allowed outside the camp on supervised trips had been relaxed. More than 300 cadets arrived at Bassingbourn Barracks in June to undergo training but it was cut short in November after five were charged with sexual assaults . More than 300 cadets arrived at Bassingbourn Barracks in June to undergo training as part of an effort to support Libya’s beleaguered new government. Initially local residents were assured that the cadets were only allowed out on escorted trips but these rules were later relaxed and they were allowed out on both supervised and unsupervised visits. Their training was cut short in November after five were charged with sexual assaults. Hundreds of them – except a handful who claimed asylum – were sent home in disgrace amid the allegations of rape, drunkenness, fighting and theft. It has now emerged a security and risk assessment document produced prior to the soldiers’ arrival warned of the potential danger of allowing unsupervised visits. The report by the Cross-Whitehall Libya Security Compact Delivery Group, and obtained through a Freedom of Information Request submitted by the BBC, read: ‘Outward recreational visits pose significant immigration, security and reputational risks to the UK.’ David Cameron has previously hit out at the 'completely unacceptable' breakdown of discipline among Libyan soldiers in Cambridgeshire . It also acknowledged it was ‘unrealistic and a risk to morale and discipline to confine persons to camp’ for the duration of their 24-week training. Despite agreements that soldiers would not leave the camp unsupervised, the report shows the MoD was aware of three occasions when small groups were seen outside camp attempting to buy alcohol. Asked about specific incidents involving Libyan cadets off base, the MoD said sightings of them in local villages were reported on August 8,9 and 10. All of the recruits were located and returned to base. The pre-training security report pointed to ‘widespread’ sexual violence during the period of conflict in Libya, and added there was ‘some evidence that it is a significant domestic problem which could be reinforced by cultural attitudes and entrenched by a lack of justice for those affected and for perpetrators.’ Before arriving in the UK, all cadets were subjected to a vetting process. However, the report said ‘full background information’ on trainees was unlikely to be available. The report went on to say: ‘The risk of bad behaviour of trainees outside Bassingbourn Camp is mitigated by the provisions of their visas, the supervisory measures in place for limited excursions and the security arrangements between the MoD, police and [the] Home Office.’ Despite concerns about recruiting a balanced ethnic mix of cadets and their future once back home in Libya, the report’s writers concluded: ‘There is a much larger risk of not going ahead with training. ‘The prime minister has signed up to the General Purpose Force initiative. This commitment was made almost one year ago. The reputational risks for the UK proceeding with training are assessed as much lower than not doing so.’ A spokesman for the MoD said: ‘We have been clear that the behaviour of a small number of the Libyan trainees was completely unacceptable and had a serious impact on members of the local community. ‘Following the conclusion of the training the prime minister tasked the MoD with producing a report on the programme at Bassingbourn, including disciplinary issues.’ Parliament was likely to be informed of the results of the report in the new year, he added. | 300 cadets arrived at Bassingbourn Barracks in June to undergo training . Training cut short in November after five were charged with sexual assaults . Report prepared before the troops’ arrival in Britain warned of problems . It included possible immigration, security and reputational risks . | 2a311c659836b290e97b2f6156fc0f3b4df4f803 |
By . Katy Winter . PUBLISHED: . 04:16 EST, 29 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:20 EST, 29 May 2013 . Even day-to-day tasks like dealing with bills causes a fifth of Brits to feel anxious and unconfident . In a disturbing glimpse of the country’s mood, it seems a quarter of Britons never feel good about themselves and are riddled by insecurities. New research reveals that the country seriously lacks confidence with our appearance, our ability to parent, and basic tasks like paying bills correctly all causing us anxiety. A survey of 2,033 respondents revealed that for over a quarter, facing themselves in the mirror ranked highest in terms of situations where confidence escaped them, with 33 per cent saying their body is the thing they would most like to change to improve their self-assurance. Other things that left Britons insecure were dealing with bank or utility companies, which left nearly one fifth of adults feeling unconfident, and taking children to the local swimming pool at the weekends (30 per cent). The research also showed that while women battled with confidence more than men (with 10 per cent of more women admitting to never feeling good about themselves, and 15 per cent more with little or no confidence) there is one situation that turns both sexes into nervous wrecks - parental insecurities. A similar number of men and women (21 per cent) face similar concerns when it comes to measuring up against other parents at the school gate and at children's’ parties. Although those with children fared better than childless respondents in terms of feeling good, it was an even playing field when it came to confidence with virtually the same amount admitting to having little or no confidence – in fact, a worrying 35 per cent of parents felt they had none to pass on to their children. The research supports the old adage that we get more confident with age, with those respondents in the 55-and-upwards age bracket citing the here and now as the time they felt their best. Regional differences in confidence were also revealed by the survey, which casts doubt over the perceived self-assurance of the North. Despite living in a city renowned for its party atmosphere, results have shown that the ‘Scouser Smile’ may be all for show, with Liverpudlians having the highest percentage of those who never feel good at 30.8 per cent, closely followed by their Welsh neighbours, Cardiff at 26.8 per cent. Insecurities over parenting abilities is one of the greatest causes of lack of confidence for both men and women with children, though overall they are more confident than childless couples . The ‘Celtic Craic’ must count for something though, with Edinburgh and Belfast ranking low in terms of respondents, with only 12.8 per cent claiming they never feel good. A spokesman for the Transform Cosmetic Surgery Group who conducted the study commented on the findings, saying: ‘The research commissioned has thrown up some pretty shocking statistics with regards to just how low some of us are feeling on a daily basis, and how little confidence we have. ‘Most startling is how a lack of confidence can result in a total inability to complete simple tasks, and undertake every day activities. Sadder still, is the high percentage of respondents who find looking at themselves in the mirror as the biggest blow to confidence.' | Quarter of Brits say facing themselves in the mirror is worst for confidence . Women more insecure, with 10% more saying they never feel confident . 33% say changing their body is thing that would most boost self-assurance . A fifth feel insecure dealing with basic bills and utilities . Insecurities over parenting abilities affect 12% of both men and women . Liverpool is the least confident city . | 45cff2bf3e04a8d941b709da5919a6d8eb6c320f |
By . Ian Parkes, Press Association . Jenson Button has admitted feeling sorry for Lewis Hamilton after watching his former team-mate's Formula One world title hopes suffer a string of crushing blows. Button, though, does feel the battle for the championship has become 'spicy' following the warfare that has unfolded between Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg. Hamilton claimed, in a heated post-Belgian Grand Prix meeting, Rosberg said he opted not to avoid their lap-two collision to 'make a point'. Collision: Mercedes team-mates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton collided in Belgium, ending Hamilton's race . It was an incident which ultimately ended Hamilton's race, with the Briton now 29 points adrift of Rosberg, who went on to finish second behind Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo. Rosberg has since stated his version of events is 'very different' to Hamilton's, but has refused to elaborate, preferring to keep such matters 'internal'. Button has been left amazed by Hamilton's appalling run, with events on Sunday at Spa following his brake-disc failure in Germany and car fire in Hungary, both during qualifying at those races. 'I feel for Lewis, he was leading the race...It is unbelievable,' said Button, who partnered Hamilton at McLaren for three years from 2010-2012. 'I've never seen such bad luck, or misjudgement on other people's part, for Lewis to lose so many points over a period of races. Podium: The German driver went on to claim to second place, putting him 29 points ahead of Hamilton . 'It's astonishing, really. I've never seen that before, especially when you have a car that is so dominant and they should be first and second every race. 'It is just a matter of fighting it out and beating your team-mate, although I know that takes its toll. 'But for me Lewis has come across really well in the media after some disappointing races. 'He has definitely grown as an individual, which is good to see, and has taken it on the chin. 'Hopefully it will build his confidence for the rest of the season rather than shatter it.' The veteran 34-year-old has been left perplexed by Rosberg's attempt to overtake Hamilton, adding: 'There was nothing there. 'All there was was going off the circuit. There was no move. Strange. Fault: Jenson Button said Rosberg had no right to try and overtake Hamilton, and blamed him for the crash . VIDEO Ricciardo wins as Rosberg hits Hamilton . 'I think any driver would look at it now, and I am sure Nico will look at it and say, 'I don't know what was I thinking'. 'You should be able to judge situations like that a bit better.' Button, though, is relishing the rest of the campaign between the duo given what unfolded on and off track at Spa. 'It is a shame it is not a cleaner fight,' added Button. 'I've always said the person who wins the world championship this year is the person who does the best job on the circuit, but that does not quite seem the way it is at the moment. Matured: Button said Hamilton has 'grown as an individual' and praised his maturity this season . 'They (Mercedes and one of the their drivers) will still win the championships, but what has happened definitely adds spice to what is already a pretty spicy relationship. 'Is it good for the sport? It's negative because we didn't see a good battle between those two. 'But it does get everyone excited about the next grand prix in Italy where none of the fans will be cheering for either of them and would love a coming together. 'It adds spice, but it's a shame in that true racers want to see them fighting.' | Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg collided in Belgian Grand Prix . Crash ended Hamilton's race but Rosberg finished second . Hamilton claims team-mate caused incident on purpose . Rosberg now leads F1 drivers' standings by 29 points . Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo won in Belgium . | 8f0eadf9bd5b621cfd3c5ef917ef95e27eaae60a |
By . Graham Smith . PUBLISHED: . 04:55 EST, 25 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 06:51 EST, 25 April 2012 . Alex Salmond has been accused of treating the Scottish Parliament with contempt by not going before MSPs today to explain his dealings with the Murdoch media empire. Furious opposition politicians said the First Minister needs to answer questions over whether he had been prepared to intervene and lobby UK Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt on the proposed takeover of BSkyB. It comes after an email from a senior figure at News Corporation claimed Mr Salmond would call Mr Hunt 'whenever we need him to'. Under fire: Alex Salmond, pictured with Rupert Murdoch in 2007, has been accused of treating the Scottish Parliament with contempt by not going before MSPs today to explain his dealings with the Murdoch empire . During the Leveson Inquiry into press . standards it emerged that News Corp's director of public affairs, . Frederic Michel, had emailed James Murdoch and said: 'I met with Alex . Salmond's adviser today. He will call Hunt whenever we need him to.' A . spokesman for the First Minister insisted last night that Mr Salmond . 'has never spoken to or corresponded with Jeremy Hunt on this issue'. He . said it was 'total nonsense to suggest there was ever any quid pro quo . offered by the Scottish Government over the BSkyB bid'. But opposition politicians said there were still questions the First Minister needed to answer. Labour . leader Johann Lamont told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland: . 'He has not answered the question, did he make the offer to phone Jeremy . Hunt on behalf of News International. 'He has not answered that question. I think that is a fundamental question he should answer.' She . added: 'There is grave concern that it would appear that Alex Salmond . has used his office of First Minister to put his backing to a commercial . interest of Rupert Murdoch. 'The . idea of the First Minister of Scotland intervening with a Tory Cabinet . secretary on what was a very sensitive issue seems to me to be . remarkable.' Mr Salmond is due to give a speech at the Institute of Directors in London today. Anger: Opposition politicians said Mr Salmond needs to answer questions over whether he had been prepared to intervene and lobby UK Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt on the proposed takeover of BSkyB . But Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said he should be appearing before MSPs at Holyrood to answer questions on the issue. Mr . Rennie told Good Morning Scotland that Mr Salmond was 'prepared to step . up and back the BSkyB bid on behalf of Rupert Murdoch'. The Lib Dem leader claimed the relationship between the SNP leader and Rupert Murdoch and was 'far too cosy'. He . added: 'It's an unhealthy one, it just shows that Alex Salmond is . prepared to do anything to secure independence and I don't think that's . what we want from a First Minister.' Mr Rennie said the First Minister now . 'needs to explain what he was prepared to do in return for support from . the Sun and the News of the World'. He . added: 'He needs to explain that to Parliament and he needs to explain . it today, at length, not in First Ministers Questions, because we . actually need a proper exploration of the issues. 'The . fact that he is not prepared to come before the Parliament today shows . the contempt he has for Parliament. He is prepared to spend yet more . time in London than actually at the Scottish Parliament answering . questions on this. 'But we . need to get to the bottom of what his relationship was with Rupert . Murdoch, whether he was prepared to do almost anything in return for . support on independence and support for the SNP in the elections.' Denial: A spokesman for Mr Salmond insisted that he 'has never spoken to or corresponded with Jeremy Hunt (pictured leaving his London office last night) on this issue' Former Tory leader David McLetchie told BBC Radio Scotland: 'Alex Salmond and his political advisers were offering themselves as lobbyists on behalf of News Corporation into the BSkyB bid. 'It is that conduct that Mr Salmond has to answer for.' Mr McLetchie, also speaking on Good . Morning Scotland, accused the First Minister of 'hawking himself around . as a lobbyist for the Murdoch empire'. He . said that was a charge the First Minister had not denied, adding: 'He . says he didn't actually do any lobbying but he has not denied making the . offer to do so.' The . Conservative MSP insisted that was 'inappropriate' behaviour, saying: . 'Broadcasting is a reserved issue, not a devolved issue. 'I'm afraid this sort of conduct simply portrays Mr Salmond as a man more than willing to suck up to the rich and famous.' The row erupted as a result of James Murdoch's evidence to the Leveson Inquiry yesterday. Shocking testimony: James Murdoch appears at the Leveson Inquiry into media ethics in London yesterday . Counsel to the inquiry Robert Jay QC had asked Mr Murdoch if the email to him from Mr Michel gave rise to the perception that favourable coverage of Mr Salmond in the Scottish Sun - which backed the SNP in last year's Holyrood elections - meant the First Minister would be more willing to call Mr Hunt 'whenever we need him to'. Mr Murdoch, who stepped down as executive chairman of News International in February, replied: 'No, if the insinuation is that there was any quid pro quo with editorial coverage versus a commercial agenda, I can tell you categorically that it's false. There's no connection. 'That was absolutely not News Corporation's policy and I wouldn't do business like that.' A spokesman for Mr Salmond said last night that the references to the First Minister 'in a handful out of hundreds of emails, represent internal chatter from within News International'. He insisted: 'It is total nonsense to suggest there was ever any quid pro quo offered by the Scottish Government over the BSkyB bid, and nor could there possibly have been, because the Scottish Government had absolutely no determination over BSkyB's ownership. 'Indeed, James Murdoch categorically rejected such claims in his evidence to the inquiry, and the proof of that lies in the fact that the First Minister has never spoken to or corresponded with Jeremy Hunt on this issue.' Mr Salmond had previously accepted an invitation to give evidence to the inquiry, and his spokesman said: 'He looks forward to attending and to reiterating these key points to the inquiry.' | First Minister 'needs to answer questions' over whether he had been . prepared to lobby Jeremy Hunt on proposed BSkyB takeover . | 42a6381b9d574a4742b1167518fe80ac2c7b339d |
Arsenal are considering a fresh move for Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar as they seek a solution to their defensive woes. The Gunners were interested in the Dutchman during the closing days of the summer transfer window following the departure of Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona. And Arsene Wenger is contemplating another move for the 29-year-old central defender in the January transfer window. Arsenal are considering a fresh move for Aston Villa's Dutch central defender Ron Vlaar (above) Vlaar (right) is out of contract with Villa in the summer and has also attracted interest from Manchester United . Manchester United are also interested in Vlaar as Louis van Gaal looks to resolve his side's own defensive deficiencies. Vlaar, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has played under Van Gaal for Holland and his relationship with the manager could prove vital as United and Arsenal go head-to-head. Aston Villa want to keep Vlaar, but know they face losing him for nothing next summer and could look to cash in on him in January. Arsene Wenger has been forced to use Nacho Monreal at centre back in recent weeks . Laurent Koscielny will be out of the game against Hull this weekend with an achilles problem . Arsenal are committed to signing a new central defender at the turn of the year after it became abundantly clear they are short of options in the position. Laurent Koscielny's achilles injury has seen left-back Nacho Monreal play as a makeshift central defender in recent weeks. Tuesday's capitulation against Anderlecht underlined the club's need to reinforce their defence in January. Celtic centre-half Virgil van Dijk is another option for the Gunners. Arsene Wenger is looking for defensive cover and admitted he will sign one player in January . Virjil van Dijk could be on his way for Arsenal for £7million... the Gunners failed to sign him in the summer . VIDEO We must improve our defensive level - Wenger . | Arsenal are considering new move for Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar . Arsene Wenger showed interest in Dutchman last summer . Manchester United may also look towards the 29-year-old . Unfortunate injuries have left the Gunners light at the back . | 59a85718079d4031cf02d10fe1a2adbbcbdd7a1d |
This did not have quite the same snarling intensity to match the East Midlands derby at Welford Road last week but Bath showed enough devil against their West Country rivals to prove that again they are serious Premiership players. Exeter took the field with the intention of repeating their autumn victories over heavyweights Saracens and Northampton. But they finished dominated, defeated and floundering against the ropes as Bath hit them with wave after wave of muscular attacks. When Anthony Watson scythed through Exeter’s tired defence with two minutes left to score the home side’s fourth try, and secure an important bonus point, Mike Ford’s men could reflect on a job emphatically done. Anthony Watson scores a late try for Bath to add a bonus point to an already impressive win . Exeter's Matt Jess (right) beats his opposite number Matt Banahan to run in the first try of the match . Jess slides in for a five-pointer after an intercept, which was converted by Gareth Steenson . Just as they did in the European Champions Cup against Montpellier a fortnight ago, Bath demonstrated an unstinting determination to complete the mission. The Chiefs will come again but this was a sound lesson for their youngsters. ‘It was pleasing to get that last try from Anthony because I thought he was outstanding, as were a lot of people,’ said Bath head coach Ford. ‘We’ve got threats all over the park and we’re in a good place. We’ve not won anything in 2014 but the one thing we are doing is getting better. I’m delighted with the intent we showed.’ Bath’s victory was again built on the cornerstone of an immensely impressive forward display — with Stuart Hooper, Leroy Houston and Francois Louw the pick of a very good bunch — which enabled their hugely gifted backline to cut Exeter to ribbons. Four tries to two was the least the home side deserved, with both the visitors’ scores coming as the result of forced mistakes rather than any creative brilliance. Chiefs winger Jess points to a message on tape on his wrist, which reads 'Mum' Bath's Argentinian winger Horacio Agulla eases over for the hosts' first try of the match . Exeter centre Sam Hill drives Bath's Henry Thomas back and forces the prop to lose the ball . Much as Exeter’s highly promising threequarter line attempted to pick holes in Bath’s defence, they were starved of possession and overpowered with ball-in-hand. Time after time they coughed up possession in the first half and despite some bullish charges from centre Sam Hill, the Premiership’s third-placed side at kick-off made few inroads. Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter, whose side lost at Sale last week, said: ‘I’ve got no complaints about the result, although I’m disappointed with the amount of ball we turned over. ‘Yes, it’s back-to-back defeats but we’ve had two away games during a tough period. I’m not worried. That result won’t decide if we win the Premiership.’ As is customary, George Ford pulled the strings for Bath, with centres Kyle Eastmond and Jonathan Joseph playing flat to the line and cutting clever angles as the back three of Matt Banahan, Horacio Agulla and Watson went looking for work with enthusiasm and intelligence. South African Francois Louw tackles Chiefs' Thomas Waldrom during their Aviva Premiership clash . The Chiefs' England winger Jack Nowell crosses for his side's second try to level the scores at 14-14 . Nowell celebrates his try but Steenson's conversion of the five-pointer was the last points for the Chiefs . Dave Attwood had the ball in hand as Bath pushed over for a third try . It would have been a travesty if Bath had not claimed a bonus point. Banahan had a first-half try correctly ruled out for a marginally forward inside pass from the outstanding Eastmond and they spent the past 20 minutes almost permanently camped in the opposition 22. When Watson finally sealed the bonus point, which could prove invaluable come the end of the season, Bath’s dominance was complete. Agulla, Eastmond and replacement lock Dave Attwood scored Bath’s earlier tries, while Jack Nowell and Matt Jess both took advantage of mistakes to briefly give the visitors hope of an upset by levelling at 14-14 after 46 minutes. But Bath’s superior strength and depth told. After Attwood drove over with 53 minutes on the clock, and fly-half Ford added a penalty, head coach Ford was able to bring on rugby league convert Sam Burgess for an 18-minute cameo. The 18st powerhouse had little chance to make an impact but his cult status at The Rec is assured, judging by the reaction of the 13,349 capacity crowd to his entrance. | Bath clinched bonus point win and kept second place with win . Exeter were third coming into the match and could drop to fourth . Horacio Agulla, Kyle Eastmond, Dave Attwood and Anthony Watson scored tries for Bath while George Ford kicked four conversions and a penalty . Exeter tries from Matt Jess and Jack Nowell converted by Gareth Steenson . Bath have now won seven in a row in all competitions . | 021923e6a9a46d47fd924d2b7cdea90294a4958d |
A school bus driver in Kansas City, Missouri, punished a blind 8-year-old boy for misbehaving by taking away his walking stick and replacing it with a soft pool noodle earlier this week. Rachel and Dakota Nafzinger say their son, Dakota, was left humiliated when the school staffer handed him the floppy, lime-green toy on his way from Gracemor Elementary School Monday. Dakota suffers from a rare medical condition called bilateral anopthalmia and was born without eyes. Scroll down for video . Special needs: Dakota Nafzinger (left and right), 8, from Missouri, was born without eyes and has been relying on a cane to get around . Cruel punishment: Earlier this week, a school bus driver punished Dakota for misbehaving by replacing his cane with a floppy pool noodle (pictured) Bus incident: The student was on his way home from Gracemor Elementary School in Kansas City Monday when he allegedly used his cane to hit someone . Despite his affliction, the 8-year-old enjoys singing, swimming and fishing, but he relies on a cane to get around. ‘Why would you do that? Why would you take the one thing that he’s supposed to use all the time? That’s his eyes,' his mother told Fox4KC. North Kansas City School District Spokeswoman Michelle Cronk said Dakota's walking stick was school property that was given to him when he entered the school, and that it was taken away from him Monday after he struck someone with it while riding the bus. The school district representative said that the driver handed Dakota the pool toy as a substitute because the boy tends to fidget unless he has something in his hands. The 8-year-old said he was told by school officials that he will have to rely on the Styrofoam tube for the next two weeks, but according to the child, it is of no use to him and makes it much harder for him to feel his way when walking. Misunderstanding: Dakota's father, Donald (left), said his son has a tendency to lift his walking stick (right) - a gesture which may have been misinterpreted as an act of aggression . Rachel Nafzinger, pictured, said she does not understand why anyone would take away the one thing her son needs to function . Rachel Nafzinger, the boy's mother, said she does not understand why school officials chose to punish her special-needs son by depriving him of the one thing he needs most in his day-to-day life. ‘He’s gone through so much in his life already… and I just don’t like someone else putting my son in that position,’ she said. Donald Nafzinger has suggested that perhaps Dakota lifted his cane in the air, as he often does, and the driver mistook it for an act of aggression. On Wednesday, the North Kansas City School District released a statement saying that an internal investigation has determined that a ‘mistake’ was made Monday. The district has since apologized to the Nafzinger family. | Dakota Nafzinger was handed the lime-green toy Monday after allegedly using his cane to hit someone . The 8-year-old has a condition called bilateral anopthalmia and was born without eyes . Says pool noodle is of no use to him because he cannot feel his way with it when walking . Dakota's father says his son often lifts his cane - a gesture that may have been misinterpreted as an act of aggression . School district later apologized to family for making a mistake . | 94adc162fa5fb45dde7284557a8eacd4aa872954 |
An ex-staffer for Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold is suing the married congressman's office for wrongful termination, court documents discovered today reveal. The plaintiff in the case, Farenthold's former communications director, Lauren Greene, alleges that the congressman and his chief of staff engaged in 'hostile conduct' toward her and that Farenthold sexually harassed her on multiple occasions. She also claims in the lawsuit that the Texas lawmaker 'regularly drank to excess' and had 'a tendency to flirt' at Capitol Hill functions with women who were not his wife. On one occasion the congressman allegedly told his aides that a 'female lobbyist had propositioned him for a "threesome." ' On another, Greene says he told her that he and his 'estranged' wife Debbie had not had sex in years. Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold is pictured here with his wife Debbie and his children Morgan and Amanda. A former staffer of Farenthold is taking him to court over claims that he sexually harassed her and fired her without just cause . Farenthold's former communications director, Lauren Greene, alleges in her lawsuit that the Texas lawmaker 'regularly drank to excess' and had 'a tendency to flirt' at Capitol Hill functions with women who were not his wife . Greene also claims that after the chief of staff complained that her shirt was 'transparent' and he could see her nipples, Farenthold told his personal assistant that as far as he was concerned, Greene 'could show her nipples whenever she wanted to.' The court filing, first uncovered by the National Law Journal, was submitted to the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia on Friday and charges that Farenthold's office violated the Congressional Accountability Act when it fired Greene in July. According to the court documents, Greene began working in Farenthold's office in February 2013 as the new media director. The following January she was promoted to communications director after the congressman's previous spokesperson gave notice. A review of her pay stubs on congressional database Legistorm confirms that much. On what was to be her first day in the new position, however, Greene claims she was informed by the chief of staff in the office, Bob Haueter, that she would have to interview for the job and that he was also speaking with other candidates. He ended up formally offering her the position the next day, but Greene says he made her 'professional life unbearable' and five months later she was fired after making her concerns about Haueter's behavior known to the congressman. While the court filing names the 'hostile work environment' that both Farenthold and Haueter allegedly created as the reason for the lawsuit, it specifies that 'gender discrimination' was the reason for Greene's mistreatment. According to the former aide, several weeks before her promotion, she told Farenthold's executive assistant Emily Wilkes that the congressman 'was awkward toward her at work and regularly seemed to try to avoid interacting with her.' Wilkes in turn shared that the congressman and father of two 'had admitted to being attracted' to Greene and having 'sexual fantasies' and 'wet dreams' about her. 'Farenthold knew that Wilkes and Plaintiff were friends and confidantes and that Wilkes would likely convey his comments to Plaintiff, which is exactly what happened on this and other occasions,' the lawsuit contends. After finding out the sexual fantasies, Greene said she was 'anxious' to avoid one-on-one meetings with the congressman, and he seemed to avoid her, too, making it difficult to her do her job. Yet the court documents also claim that the congressman 'regularly' made comments toward Green that were meant to determine her interest in a 'sexual relationship.' One time 'Farenthold told Greene that she had something on her skirt and that he hoped his comment wouldn’t be taken for sexual harassment,' the document says. 'A reasonable person would infer that Farenthold was joking that she had semen on her skirt,' it goes on to say. Another time Greene says the congressman told her that her skirt was partly unzipped. Upon inspecting her skit in the bathroom 'she realized that the opening was so small that Farenthold would have had to be staring at her closely to notice.' After word got out on Tuesday about Greene's lawsuit against her former employer, she deleted her twitter account - but not before MailOnline took a screenshot of it . No stranger to controversy: This 2009 photo of Farenthold posing with a model, taken at a Texas night club, caused a stir on the eve of his election in 2010. He still beat his Democratic opponent, though, and has cruised to reelection ever since . The lawsuit indicates that it was the chief of staff's terse relationship with Greene that ultimately led to her firing, not the congressman's unwanted advances. The filing lists numerous ways in which the chief of staff undercut her, including publicly humiliating her at staff meetings and 'blaming her for errors and failings committed by others.' She eventually set up a meeting with Farenthold at which point she alerted him that the chief of staff was 'bullying her and treating her in a very hostile fashion.' 'Farenthold replied that Haueter was known to be condescending toward women on the staff, and then paid empty, lip service encouragement for Plaintiff to stand up for herself,' the lawsuit states. After that point both the congressman and Haueter 'marginalized and undermined' her, Greene claims, and several weeks later she was fired, without any warning. On Tuesday Farenthold's office rejected Greene's version of events and denied that it discriminated against her. 'It goes without saying that both the Congressman and the members of his staff who are included in this complaint have a very different view of the allegations than Ms. Greene,' Farenthold's current spokesman, Kurt Bardella, said in a statement to The National Law Journal. 'For the record, the Office did not and does not discriminate based on sex or any other unlawful factor. The Congressman is eager to respond to Ms. Greene's allegations through the appropriate legal process and is confident that once all of the facts are revealed, he will be cleared of any wrongdoing,' the statement continued. Worst week ever: Farenthold made headlines yesterday after a Twitter user discovered that the former entrepreneur still owned the domain name blowe-me.org . Farenthold was first elected to Congress in the Republican wave of 2010. In a true October surprise, a photo of the Texas politician in ducky pajamas standing next to a scantily-clad model at a night club was released two weeks before the election. The photo was revealed to have been taken a lingerie and pajama-themed birthday party fundraiser for a friend of Farenthold's. A news article from the time says that the money raised at the party was to benefit four charities: the American Heart Association, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of South Texas, the Gulf Coast Humane Society and the Women’s Shelter of South Texas. 'They say it’s some big-night-on-the-town party. It was a fundraiser for a local charity,' Farenthold said of the gathering. The conservative politician said he hadn't filed for office when he attended the event nearly a year earlier. 'But regardless of whether I was running for office or not, I’ll put on funny clothes if it’s going to raise money for charity,' Farenthold said. Despite taking flak for the photo, Farenthold went on to narrowly beat his Democratic opponent, incumbent Rep. Solomon Ortiz, in that November's midterm election. He's since won reelection easily as a result of changes to Texas' congressional map that made his district more Republican. Prior to being elected to Congress Farenthold worked as a lawyer and founded a web design company. His days as an entrepreneur caused another salacious problem for him this week when a Twitter user pointed out that he still owns the lewdly titled website blow-me.org. Roll Call followed up on the tip and determined that Farenthold purchased the domain name in 1999 and it expires on July 23, 2015. A second spokesman for Farenthold's office, Michael Rekola, confirmed to the news publication on Monday that site was in fact registered to the three-term representative. 'Prior to serving in Congress, Mr. Farenthold operated a computer consulting company that routinely bought domain names including the one in question. The domain name has never been used and Mr. Farenthold has no intention to renew it,' Rekola said. | Republican lawmaker Blake Farenthold's former communications alleges that the congressman sexually harassed her on multiple occasions . The former aide says the married congressman had 'sexual fantasies' and 'wet dreams' about her, according to his personal assistant . The ex-staffer claims she was fired in July after she brought her concerns about her 'hostile work environment' to her boss . Farenthold also made headlines this week after a Twitter user discovered that he owns the domain name blow-me.org . | 26308854677fd14b12f2b94bc1ae735d24615145 |
A new television series has shed light on the bizarre Japanese trend for 'bagel heads'. The extraordinary look, which is created by injecting saline into the forehead, then pressing in the centre of the swollen area with a thumb, is a hit on the country's underground body modification scene. The dramatic results of the two-hour treatment last just 16-24 hours, after which the saline is absorbed by the body and the forehead reduces back to its normal size. Bagel heads: John (left), Marin (centre) and Scorpion (right) pose after having saline injected into their foreheads to create the bizarre body modfication . The process is revealed on National Geographic's Taboo, where three people are seen undergoing the treatment in Tokyo. It shows John, Marin and Scorpion having a large needle, attached to a saline drip, inserted into their foreheads. The practitioner administering the . treatment, Asami, is heard saying: 'You really need to do it the right . way, to reduce the risks.' The sensation is evidently . uncomfortable. As it punctures the skin, John says: 'Ooh... That's a . needle going into my head... Ooh.' Breakfast chic? Marin poses with her new 'bagel head'. The effects are temporary and the saline will be absorbed by her body after 16-24 hours . Once fully inserted, the outline of the . needle is clearly visible under the surface of the skin, and the saline . slowly begins filling the forehead. At this point, John describes . feeling 'a slight stinging sensation'. 'It's a relaxing sensation, kind of tingly, and also a building pressure that's kind of slow and steady that kind of . feels like it's putting me to sleep' He then reports a trickling feeling . so intense, he is convinced that the liquid is falling down the outside . of his face, asking the room: 'Is there . something dripping down my head? ... I can really feel it in there, . trickling down.' After an . hour or so, the brave trio's foreheads look significantly swollen, and . they appear to have become accustomed to the needle in his head. 'Right now it's kind of a relaxing sensation, kind of tingly, and also a . kind of building pressure that's kind of slow and steady that kind of . feels like it's putting me to sleep,' John says. Over the course of two hours, around . 400cc of saline is transfused into each forehead. Once it has reached . the desired size, the practitioner removes the needle, and presses his . thumb into the centre of the swelling. Extreme procedure: Practitioner Asami pinches Marin's forehead to insert the needle for her saline transfusion . When the thumb on his forehead is removed John looks stunned, and the room breaks into a round of applause. 'Oh sweet buttery bagels - I'm impressed!' he exclaims. 'I look delicious!' 'Oh sweet buttery bagels - I'm impressed! I look delicious!' The finished look is deemed 'cute' by . Marin, who sits beside him. Once she and Scorpion, have also had their . needles removed and thumbprint made, the trio admire their new looks . with delight. The trend was initially sparked by the artist Keroppy, according to an interview in Vice last year. He told the magazine how he came across it in Toronto, Canada, at the extreme body modification convention Modcon in 1999. 'I . happened to meet Jerome, who was the person who pioneered saline . infusions,' he explained. 'We stayed in contact, then eventually I . experienced saline with him in 2003 and he gave me permission to bring . it to Japan. Waiting game: John, Marin and Scorpion must allow two hours for their foreheads to fill with saline . 'I set up a team in Tokyo to administer infusions for other people. That’s been going since 2007.' He said fans of the procedure enjoy 'saline parties' about twice a year, though some people will take their 'bagel head' to clubs and fetish parties. The saline injections can be done on any part of the body - some people have even had 'scrotal infusions', he revealed - but for the most part, it is just the forehead. On its (thankfully) short-term effects, Keroppy joked: 'We enjoy being freaks for the night!' Taboo airs Sundays at 10pm ET/PT on the National Geographic Channel and will premiere in the UK in January 2013. | National Geographic's Taboo shows three people having saline infusions to create the look, inspired by the breakfast favourite . | d97bbb03279173531c6d5f15ce522537fab34d9c |
(CNN) -- When will this recession end? I'm not talking about the economic challenges facing our nation. I'm talking about the severe downturn in the world of political comedy. By picking Paul Ryan as his running mate, Mitt Romney may have energized the Republican Party. But is Ryan all that exciting? He's a middle-aged, conservative white guy from the Midwest. As NBC's Jimmy Fallon aptly joked earlier this week on his late night show: "Mitt Romney is hoping to energize conservatives with his choice of Paul Ryan as running mate. That's like trying to spice up a bowl of oatmeal with more oatmeal." Don't get me wrong -- compared with Romney, Paul Ryan is Ashton Kutcher on crack. But even Rush Limbaugh labeled Ryan as "the last Boy Scout." Translation: Reliable but boring. The guy who makes politicians funny . Let me give you a little background about the plight of political comedy. When the nation found itself in an economic recession as President Barack Obama was taking office, comedians headed into a comedic depression. George W. Bush was comedy gold for eight years. If we knew how little material Obama would be providing us, comedians would have joined forces to repeal the 22nd Amendment to enable Bush to be president for a third term. (I know that would've been bad for the country, but we, comedians, are a particularly selfish breed -- after all, we won't even share the stage with other performers.) Sure, there have been glimmers of a comedic recovery over the last few years. We perked up when Sarah Palin explored the possibility of running for president. Her candidacy would have been the equivalent of a comedic stimulus package. Who can forget Rep. Anthony Weiner, who famously posted photos of himself in his underwear on Twitter? This controversy harkened back to the comedy boom bestowed upon us by Bill Clinton's sex scandal. And recently, the Republican presidential debates offered some good stuff. Most notably, Rick Perry forgetting the name of the third government agency that he wanted to eliminate. To his credit, Obama has supplied some material, like when he said, "The Middle East is obviously an issue that has plagued the region for centuries." Or when Obama claimed he had traveled across the nation visiting our "57 States." I know many on the right see Obama as providing much more comedic material than comedians do. They often send me "jokes" about Obama on issues like Obamacare or the "Fast and Furious" program. While I appreciate the sentiment, here's the cold, hard truth: Conservatives are not funny. I'm being brutally objective here. There are some funny conservative comedians and pundits, but how many can you name? I have my theories why conservatives struggle so horribly when trying to be funny, but I'll keep them to myself because I'm not a mental health professional. In the midst of this comedy recession where we have witnessed a severe contraction in our GDL -- gross domestic laughter -- there is one potential goldmine that could use a bit more exploration. I'm speaking of vice president Joe Biden. Just search on Google the words "Biden" and "gaffes" and watch your computer's screen fill up with page after page of "Bidenisms." A few months ago, while referring to Teddy Roosevelt's famous comment to walk softly and a carry a big stick, Biden said: "I promise you, the president has a big stick. I promise you." And now, we have another "Biden moment" when he proclaimed that Romney's policies on regulating Wall Street would put, "y' all back in chains." Oddly enough, Biden's blunders have not defined him as a comedic figure. At least when compared to say, former Vice President Dan Quayle, who entertained us with gaffe after gaffe, from famously misspelling the word "potato" in front of a class of young students (he added an "e" at the end) to saying things like, "It's wonderful to be here in the great state of Chicago." There are upcoming events that offer some hope that we will emerge from the comedy doldrums. Donald Trump will be attending the Republican National Convention scheduled later this month and has promised a "big surprise." Perhaps he will pay homage to Romney at the convention by tipping his hair to him. From Adams to Obama: 10 funny political lines . And we comedians can all dream that at the upcoming Democratic National Convention, Joe Biden will throw away his script and just ad lib his speech. (I would predict that the Secret Service has standing orders to tackle Biden if he tries that.) Even if these events could provide temporary relief, it's unlikely that we will ever return to the political comedy golden years of Clinton and W. Bush. Like many Americans, we'll simply have to learn to make do with less. However, I have an idea that is motivated solely in helping the country and not my career. It may end the toxic political climate that is plaguing us. What about a bipartisan presidential ticket in 2016: "Sarah Palin and Anthony Weiner"? Think of the possibilities! The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Dean Obeidallah. | Dean Obeidallah: There's a severe downturn in the world of political comedy . Obeidallah: Paul Ryan, a middle-aged white guy from the Midwest, is "boring" He says the golden years of political comedy were during the Clinton and Bush eras . Obeidallah: Comedians can only dream about a ticket like: Sarah Palin and Anthony Weiner . | 5528a4e6ccc39558e3f7d120ff86addab79e8c26 |
By . Daniel Bates . PUBLISHED: . 13:13 EST, 5 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 14:02 EST, 5 September 2012 . He has been criticised for being too distant and too cold. But now Barack Obama has revealed that he is just being honest with people - because that’s the way he really is. The President said that he refused to fake emotions as he wanted to be ‘authentic’ with the American people. I am who I am: President Obama, pictured in August, revealed he refuses to fake emotions as he wanted to be 'authentic' with the American people . Routine: He always wears the same thing every day - blue or grey suits - to save brain power for other matters . If people think he is too detached then...that’s because he is too detached, he admitted. In an interview Mr Obama also claimed he is so focused his job that he has delegated even the most basic tasks - like deciding what he eats. He always wears the same thing every day - blue or grey suits - to save brain power, like Jeff Goldblum’s character Seth Brundle in the 1986 sci-fi horror The Fly. Since the President took office, commentators have repeatedly criticised him for his inability to connect with voters and claimed he is too cerebral. He has been compared unfavourably to former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush who most people would feel more comfortable going for a beer with. Authentic: The president said 'I'm absolutely positive that I'm serving the American people better if I'm maintaining my authenticity' Speaking to Vanity Fair magazine, however, Mr Obama said he would be lying to himself and everyone else if he tried to be too emotional. He said: ‘I feel it is an insult to the people I’m dealing with. For me to feign outrage, for example, feels to me like I’m not taking the American people seriously. 'I'm absolutely positive that I'm serving the American people better if I'm maintaining my authenticity. I'm at my best when I believe what I am saying.' ‘I’m absolutely positive that I’m serving the American people better if I’m maintaining my authenticity. ‘And that’s an overused word. And these days people practice being authentic. But I’m at my best when I believe what I am saying.’ Mr Obama, who is known for his love of basketball and golf, said that he has to exercise ‘or at some point you’ll just break down’. He said that day-to-day he has to ‘routinize’ himself so as not to waste brain power on the little things so keeps lists of things he needs to get done. He said: ‘I’m trying to pare down decisions. I don’t want to make decisions about what I’m eating or wearing. Unwinding: Mr Obama, pictured playing with family dog Bo on the White House lawn in 2009, said he needs to unwind by exercising . ‘Because I have too many other decisions to make. You need to focus your decision-making energy.‘You can’t be going through the day distracted by trivia’. The Obamas’ first night in the White House was bizarre, he added, and that it took him a week to get his head around it. Me and Obama: The entire interview appears in the latest issue of Vanity Fair . Mr Obama said: ‘The first night you sleep in the White House, you’re thinking, All right. I’m in the White House. And I’m sleeping here. ‘There’s a time in the middle of the night when you just kind of startle awake. There’s a little bit of a sense of absurdity. ‘There is such an element of randomness in who gets this job. What am I here for? Why am I walking around the Lincoln Bedroom? That doesn’t last long.’ Being president comes with a high price, and Mr Obama misses being able to ‘wander around’ without an entourage of Secret Service bodyguards. He and wife Michelle love to sit out on the balcony as it is the closest they come to being normal people. Mr Obama said: ‘It’s much harder to be surprised. You don’t have those moments of serendipity. You don’t bump into a friend in a restaurant you haven’t seen in years. ‘The loss of anonymity and the loss of surprise is an unnatural state. You adapt to it, but you don’t get used to it - at least I don’t.’ Another bizarre side-effect of being President is that he has got used to ‘a character people see out there called Barack Obama’ that isn’t him. Mr Obama said that the strange duality forced him to filter some things out, but not so much that he ended up living in a ‘fantasy land’. | President said in Vanity Fair interview that he must be 'authentic' He added that feigning outrage or any other emotion would be fake . Also reveals feelings on strange routines of the presidency . | 9824902b105d9d51282285b047951a1aacb8b9c1 |
By . Gemma Mullin for MailOnline . Macenzie Campbell almost died after a blister on his foot became infected and sent him into toxic shock . A 12-year-old boy was six hours from death when a blister on his foot became infected and sent him into toxic shock after he wore shoes without socks. Family members prepared to say goodbye to Macenzie Campbell after his organs began to fail and his body shut down. His mother Joanne, 38, thought the potentially fatal infection started from a verruca and had applied a treatment, but the next day his foot had swollen and a red rash spread all over his body. She rushed him to a doctor, as his temperature soared, and he was immediately admitted to the Royal Bolton Hospital. Staff warned him he may not survive and he phoned family members to say his goodbyes after the rash began turning black and his organs started shutting down. The schoolboy said: ‘It was terrifying. 'I wasn’t only scared for myself, I was scared for my family. 'It had seemed like a normal blister, but I gradually started to feel worse and worse. ‘I felt sick, everything was blurry and my heart was racing. I didn’t know what was going on.’ His grandmother, Kate Campbell, said: ‘We thought we were going to lose him. 'He was ringing all of us in case he didn’t make it. ‘We were told afterwards he was only a few hours from death. 'The sepsis was gradually shutting his body down. We were distraught.’ It is believed the blister actually appeared on his right ankle after he wore shoes without socks on in April and later burst. His foot was operated on to remove the infected tissue and he was kept in hospital for just over a week. Mrs Campell told The Sun: ‘Doctors said six to 12 hours later, he’d have been dead’. Macenzie is now recovering at home. Joanne Campbell thought the sore was a verruca at first and applied treatment but by the next day his foot had swollen, his temperature soared and he was covered in a red rash as toxic shock syndrome set in . Macenzie Campbell with his grandmother Kate who was was terrified she was going to loose her grandson . | Macenzie Campbell was rushed to hospital as his body began to shut down . His mother thought sore was verruca but next day his temperature soared . He was just hours from death when he rung relatives to say his goodbyes . After operation on his foot to remove infected tissue he is now recovering . | f00d2670ff0742a35bbd7ce74748cc55653649c3 |
As England's leading wicket taker, you would expect James Anderson's childhood sporting hero to be a fellow fast bowler such as Darren Gough, or perhaps Sir Ian Botham. But the Burnley-born pace ace says the person he most admired when he was younger was, in fact, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright. Anderson told Sport magazine: 'When I played football at school, I liked to be up front and score goals - so Ian Wright was an obvious one'. Unlikely hero: James Anderson has revealed his childhood sporting idol was Ian Wright (below) The 32-year-old, who is expected to play for England in their final one-day international against India at Headingley on Friday, has taken 653 wickets for his country and needs just four more to overtake Botham and get to the top of the nation's Test list. Wright, meanwhile, scored just nine goals in 33 matches for England but was a legend at Arsenal, where he hit 185, which was a club record until it was overtaken by Thierry Henry. Anderson also revealed that his other sporting hero was another non-cricketer, the former tennis player Boris Becker, because, 'I just liked how he threw himself around the court, especially at Wimbledon'. Preparation: Anderson in training at Headingley before England's ODI against India . King of the court: Anderson also admires former tennis player Boris Becker . | James Anderson admired Ian Wright because 'I liked to score goals' Fast bowler also liked former tennis star Boris Becker . Anderson expected to play for England against India in ODI at Headingley . | f94c57bfe31b3c5f0857c7b84143a152fb7fa99f |
A group of divers has had a thrilling encounter with a gigantic Mola mola fish in the crystal blue waters off the coast of Malta. With the appearance of an underwater blimp, the fascinating Mola mola, also known as an ocean sunfish, dwarfs the humans as they swim around it and capture the moment on video. Diver Erik van der Goot, who posted the close-up footage on YouTube, said the ‘once-in-a-lifetime experience’ occurred near Wied il-Mielah off the island of Gozo. Here's looking at you: The divers encountered the Mola mola fish off the island of Gozo in Malta . Like a floating blob: Mola mola are docile creatures that have been known to weigh as much as 5,000 pounds . Erik said the group bumped into the bizarre-looking fish at a depth of around 15 metres and had a difficult time keeping up with it. The underwater video shows just how massive and unusual the creature is, as it resembles a floating blob while cutting through the Mediterranean Sea. Mola mola are docile creatures that have been known to weigh as much as 5,000 pounds, and they are unable to fully close their mouths. Found in temperate and tropical waters, they are the heaviest of all the bony fish and have been measured at 14ft in height and 10ft in length. Rare encounter: The underwater video shows just how massive and unusual the creature is . Mola mola are the heaviest of all the bony fish and have been measured at 14ft in height and 10ft in length . The group bumped into the fish at a depth of around 15 metres and had a difficult time keeping up with it . | Divers bumped into the fish near Wied il-Mielah off the island of Gozo . Underwater video shows just how massive and bizarre the creature is . They are docile creatures that can weigh as much as 5,000 pounds . | 0e1fdf62851ff52beb66776ff9d2b89c46af9fe7 |
A judge in the murder trial of former NFL star Aaron Hernandez handed his defense pretrial legal victories Friday, throwing out as evidence text messages sent by the homicide victim the night he died and ruling that prosecutors may not tell jurors about two other slayings allegedly committed by the former New England Patriot. Hernandez, wearing a dark suit, sat with his lawyers during the Massachusetts hearing, at times smiling and scribbling notes to his defense team. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Superior Court Judge Susan Garsh ruled that prosecutors may not introduce the texts that murder victim Odin Lloyd sent his sister shortly before his death. In the texts, Lloyd said that he was with Hernandez, whose trial is scheduled to start next month. Lloyd was dating a sister of Hernandez's fiancee. "U see who I'm with?" Lloyd, who was shot and killed on June 17, 2013, wrote in a text. "NFL," he wrote, referring to Hernandez, "just so you know." Prosecutor William McCauley said the messages demonstrated Lloyd feared for his life. But defense attorney James Sultan said the texts "do not suggest fear. They do not suggest knowledge of impending death. They are totally innocuous on their face." Garsh said the victim's "state of mind is relevant to motive only if there is reason to believe the defendant knew of it." Lloyd's texts were not a "dying declaration," the judge said, adding that prosecutors "do not provide a basis to infer that he was under the belief of imminent death." Lloyd's mother, Ursula Ward, left court in tears after the ruling. She later returned. The decision could hurt the case, said Michael McCann, a legal analyst and Sports Illustrated writer. "The prosecution now has a more difficult case in convincing a jury, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Aaron Hernandez murdered Odin Lloyd," he said. "While there remains incriminating evidence, such as video of Hernandez the night of the murder and an inexplicable use of a cleaning service at Hernandez's home, the loss of Odin Lloyd's text messages is a significant blow to the prosecution." Authorities have said that Hernandez and two other men picked Lloyd up from his Boston apartment in a rental car shortly before he was found shot to death in a North Attleborough, Massachusetts, industrial park. Surveillance cameras at the time captured the rental car leaving the crime scene and Hernandez carrying a gun as he returned to his home minutes later. He was with two other people at the time. Lloyd, a 27-year-old semi-pro football player himself, was not among them. In another defense victory, Garsh ruled that prosecutors may not tell jurors about a separate homicide case involving Hernandez: the July 2012 killings of two men in Boston. In May, Hernandez was charged in the shooting deaths of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado, who prosecutors say were ambushed and executed as they drove home in Boston's South End on July 16, 2012. In addition to the two counts of first-degree murder, Hernandez also has been charged with three counts of armed assault with intent to murder and one count of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, prosecutors said. The latter four counts reflect shots fired at three people, one of whom was wounded, inside the car that de Abreu and Furtado were in, according to prosecutors. The prosecution has said that Hernandez may have showed Lloyd the place where the double homicide allegedly took place, giving the former player a possible motive for killing Lloyd. The defense called the theory "incredible." Garsh ruled there was no link between the two crimes. She dismissed the theory as "clearly in the realm of speculation" and said it "does not comport with common sense." The judge also ruled out testimony about Hernandez's February 2013 shooting of Alexander Bradley, a former friend who was allegedly with Hernandez on the night de Abreu and Furtado were killed. Bradley, who was shot in the face, is suing Hernandez in federal court. | A judge throws out as evidence text messages sent by the homicide victim . Massachusetts judge also says prosecutors may not tell jurors about two other murder cases . Judge Susan Garsh rules out testimony about Hernandez's shooting of former friend . Hernandez's murder trial is scheduled to begin next month . | 3e85629f70bdb5b43e2bbf5b290704867e14b8f1 |
By . Ellie Zolfagharifard . PUBLISHED: . 08:59 EST, 27 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:55 EST, 27 December 2013 . Over 15 per cent of the Earth’s population use Facebook, with 1.19 billion users logging on each month. The social network knows intimate details about most of these people - whether it be what they eat for lunch or who they spend most of their time with. While the concept is unnerving, the vast quantities of personal data can also provide fascinating insights about the world we live in and how it’s changing. This map represents coordinated migrations over the world. The map highlights (in yellow and blue) the countries with the largest urbanisation growth between 2000 and 2012, according to the data from the World Bank. The data found that Lagos, Nigeria grew 18.6 per cent between 2000 and 2012 as a destination city . Facebook data scientists recently compared users’ hometowns with their current residences to uncover the top 10 cities that had ‘coordinated migrations’- or the movement of large numbers of people from one place to another. The top destinations were found throughout the world in countries that are rapidly urbanising. In these areas at least 20 per cent of the population of one city had moved to another city. London was listed as the 10th most popular region for migration, with a growth of 1.4 per cent in ten years. Around 94 per cent of these migrants came from within the UK. In the U.S. coordinated migrations tend to come from other countries, such as from Cuba to Miami and from Mexico to cities such as Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles . This table shows the major destinations of coordinated migration in ten rapidly urbanising countries . Countries such as India, Nigeria, and . Turkey are becoming increasingly urban, with many people moving from . rural areas into large cities such as Lagos in Nigeria. The data found that Lagos, Nigeria grew 18.6 per cent between 2000 and 2012 as a destination city. Istanbul was the second most popular city. A large proportion came from other parts of Turkey, with the rest originating from Eastern Europe. London was listed as the 10th most . popular region, with a growth of 1.4 per cent between 2000 and 2012. Around 94 per cent of its migrants came from within . the UK. In the U.S. coordinated migrations tend . to come from other countries, such as from Cuba to Miami and from Mexico . to cities such as Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles. A few interesting patterns emerged. For instance, Kampala in Uganda, is . absorbing a significant number of people from towns in the war-torn . Democratic Republic of Congo. The data found that Lagos in Nigeria grew 18.6 per cent between 2000 and 2012 as a destination city . Istanbul was the second most popular city. A large proportion of migrants came from other parts of Turkey, with the rest originating from Eastern Europe. ‘We believe that these migrations have cultural and political motives, on top of economical ones,’ said Facebook. ‘For instance, we observe migration from Bulgaria (with a considerable Turkish minority) and from majority-Muslim Bosnia.’ According to this data, countries such as India, Nigeria, and Turkey are becoming increasingly urban, with many people moving from rural areas into large cities such as Hyderabad and Chennai in India and Lagos in Nigeria. For most of the cities on the top 10 list, the megacity migrations are coming from within the same countries. But there are a few interesting patterns. Kampala in Uganda, for instance, is absorbing a significant number of people from towns in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. In the U.S. coordinated migrations . tend to come from other countries, such as from Cuba to Miami and from . Mexico to cities such as Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles. The Facebook data, however, excludes . China, where the social network is banned but which has undergone the . largest migration in human history. Istanbul was the second most popular city with the largest number of coordinated migrations. A large proportion came from other parts of Turkey, while the rest originating from Eastern Europe . This map shows coordinated migration in Asia. The Facebook data excludes of China where the social network is banned . A separate study used Facebook data to look more specifically at movements between countries, rather than cities. A team at Wolfram Research found major inflows of U.S. immigration from India, China and the UK. This isn’t the first time scientists have used Facebook to analyse migration trends. Two years ago, former Apple developer Pete Warden published a blog revealing data he scraped from public Facebook profiles. He initially shared the data with the world but later took it offline after a legal threat from Facebook. The social site said he had failed to obtain prior written permission. Two years ago, former Apple developer Pete Warden published a blog revealing data he scraped from public Facebook profiles. His latest visualisation shows the information by location, with connections drawn between places that share friends . Depending on how centralised a country is, there might be a single hub attracting people from the entire country (as seen in this map of Africa) or different hubs as seen in South-East Asia and even more strongly in India . | The social network compared users’ hometowns with their current homes . Data found that Lagos, Nigeria grew 18.6 per cent between 2000 and 2012 . Istanbul was second most popular city with migrants from within Turkey . London was listed as the 10th most popular region with a growth of 1.4 per cent between 2000 and 2012 - mostly from within the UK . | 6509d4b8fedd1f716cff401f58935425b2397220 |
A severely injured horse left for dead in Oklahoma City is now on the road to recovery after receiving more than $16,000 in donations towards his care. The equine named Rudy spent two days tangled in barbed wire fencing during freezing conditions. Unable to move, he lost both ears, eyelids and fractured his jaw after being ravaged by dogs. But last Friday morning he was rescued by workers from Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue center, who promptly set up a crowdfunding page in a bid to fund his rehabilitation. As news of Rudy's plight spread, the $8,000 goal was quickly surpassed. Scroll down for video . Severely injured: Rudy the horse, who was left for dead in Oklahoma City this New Years, is now on the road to recovery after receiving more than $16,000 in donations towards his care . Oklahoma City Animal Control is currently pursuing charges against the man who called them last Thursday night saying he wanted Rudy removed from his property. 'They didn't even go out there to check on him to see if he was alive. 'They didn't call a vet to come out and help or anything like that, and I think that's the most distressing thing,' one of Rudy's rescuers told News 9. When authorities arrived to collect Rudy they found him in a state of distress covered in blood and mud but still breathing. He was transported from his paddock on St. Bernard Street to Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue center. Sorry state: The equine apparently spent two days tangled in barbed wire fencing - after being ravaged by dogs he lost both ears, eyelids and fractured his jaw . In safe hands: But last Friday morning he was rescued by workers from Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue center, who promptly set up a crowdfunding page in a bid to fund his rehabilitation. Vets tended to Rudy's wounds and bandaged him up from head to toe. They also administered strong painkillers and antibiotics to fight infection. After receiving several days of round the clock care, Rudy is able to walk, see and eat with ease. 'Rudy is just like the movie, he's a fighter,' Shawn Cross of Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue said. Rudy has received overwhelming support from around the world with donations pouring in from far and wide. On the case: Oklahoma City Animal Control is currently pursuing charges against the man who called them last Thursday night saying he wanted Rudy removed from his property . When he is given the all clear, the horse will be put forward for adoption. He has already been inundated with offers. His carers wrote on Facebook this weekend of his progress: 'He is doing really well. He is starved for attention and can't get enough of the loving. 'If you try to leave, he tries to come with you . . . Here is the deal guys, this horse has a fighting chance and will have a good quality of life.' | The equine spent two days tangled in wire fencing during icy conditions . After being ravaged by dogs he lost his ears, eyelids and fractured his jaw . Last Friday he was rescued by Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue center . The organization set up a crowdfunding page to raise money for his care . Authorities are currently pursuing charges against Rudy's former owner . | 161daf11c558fcdfc069fecb9c77e8392ffeb954 |
Formula One driver Nico Rosberg and two of Germany's World Cup squad have been involved in a car accident during a promotional shoot at their World Cup training base on Tuesday which left two people in hospital. Rosberg and DTM driver Pascal Wehrlein were carrying Germany team-mates Julian Draxler and Benedikt Howedes in separate vehicles when Wehrlein's car collided with two people on a road in northern Italy's South Tyrol region. The road had been closed to the public. 'I am shocked by the accident,' said Rosberg, who leads the Formula One World Championship after winning Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Nico Rosberg and Lukas Podolski do keep-ups . Investigation: Italian Police closed a road following an accident near Germany's national football team's training camp in San Martino . World Cup bound: Germany internationals Benedikt Howedes (left) and Julian Draxler were both involved . Monaco winner: Nico Rosberg was involved during the filming for the Mercedes advert . 'My thoughts are with the two people who were injured and I wish them a fast recovery.' Rosberg, Wehrlein, Draxler and Howedes were not injured in the accident. A . statement from Mercedes Motorsport said: 'An accident occurred during a . visit to the training camp of the German National Football Team: while . driving on a closed circuit, DTM driver Pascal Wehrlein injured two . people whom he unexpectedly encountered walking on the closed course. 'We . cannot offer any statement concerning the severity of injuries, as both . injured parties are currently undergoing medical treatment. Pascal . Wehrlein was uninjured in the accident. 'We . deeply regret this accident and send wishes of quick recovery to the . injured. We will work in full cooperation with the authorities in . determining the exact circumstances of the accident.' Media: Rosberg, golfer Martin Kaymer and Pascal Wehrlein spoke to the German press earlier in the day . Accident: Two people were taken to hospital - one with serious injuries . Walk away: None of the football players were injured in the accident . Germany manager Oliver Bierhoff said in a statement: 'During a driving event of our partner Mercedes-Benz there was a serious accident,' 'We regret to say that two people were injured and treated on the spot before being taken to hospital. 'At the moment all our thoughts are with those injured. We do not have more information at this moment.' The Germans have been preparing for next month's World Cup at an Alpine hotel in northern Italy since last week and will remain there until June 1. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Two people taken to hospital during Mercedes advert shoot . Germany internationals Benedikt Howedes and Julian Draxler involved in cars when incident took place . Pascal Wehrlein was driving the car involved in the crash, Nico Rosberg was driving the second vehicle . Film set was near German team's hotel in South Tyrol, northern Italy . | e9e6170a823aee5f1246e9cab756eb14d9fe3664 |
The secret wife of a Roman Catholic priest made it clear she is standing by him yesterday as he was jailed for sexually assaulting a teenage girl parishioner. William Finnegan, 60, and 48-year-old Beverley Dawson held hands and kissed outside court as he arrived for sentence. And the divorced mother of two sobbed as her husband was given six months. Jailed: William Finnegan appeared distraught outside Bradford Crown Court, where he wassentenced to six months in prison . During his trial at Bradford Crown . Court, Finnegan revealed he had duped his parishioners and the church . authorities by marrying Mrs Dawson abroad, and secretly living with her . for part of the week. The revelation of his broken vows was . made as part of his defence – arguing he enjoyed an ‘active sex life’ with his wife rather than being a sexually frustrated celibate priest . who would assault a girl. Despite Finnegan’s conviction last . month, many of his parishioners have continued to support him and turned . against his 17-year-old victim. Passing sentence, Judge Roger Thomas, . QC, showed his displeasure at the congregation’s blind faith in him and . his lack of remorse. He said: ‘It seems to me he can’t face . up to what he has done. It may be he cannot lose face amidst so much . shame for those who still respect him. ‘Many of his supporters might believe that the sun would rise in the west tomorrow if he said it would.’ Couple: The former Catholic priest with Beverly Dawson, whom he secretly married . ‘Father Bill’ was the parish priest at . St Clare’s Roman Catholic Church in Fagley, Bradford, when he pounced . on his blonde victim on Easter Sunday last year. He touched her bottom and passionately kissed her. Two days later he visited her home to tell her he had sexual feelings towards her. Finnegan claimed she instigated the kiss. Yesterday the judge told him he had . undoubtedly given ‘real and beneficial religious and pastoral support’ to many during his 30 years as a parish priest, even though he was in . breach of his vow of celibacy for more than a decade. Embrace: The couple kissed in front of photographers as they arrived at Bradford Crown Court . But he told Finnegan he ‘took the chance to act out your sexual desires’ on the teenage worshipper. The judge said his victim had been affected physically and spiritually by the priest’s lies. She was left feeling ‘nauseated’ and . ‘scared’ after the sex assault. ‘You’ve also caused real damage to the . wider church community, particularly the Catholic Church, and at a time . when such churches can ill afford such damage.’ As well as serving his . jail term, Finnegan must also sign the sex offender register. Referring to a victim impact statement . written by the girl, prosecutor Heather Weir said she felt ‘abandoned . and alone and bereft’. Assault: St Clare's church in Bradford, where Finnegan attacked a 17-year-old female parishioner . The statement read: ‘Father Bill was . my priest, who I trusted and someone who was supposed to guide me . through my faith, and this has all been taken from me. I’ve not felt . able to go to my family church because I can’t cope with the animosity.’ Finnegan voluntarily stopped working as a priest after being charged and the Catholic Church says his career is over. Jeremy Hill-Baker, defending, said he . had written a suicide note and overdosed on a cocktail of liquid . morphine and whisky in September last year. ‘He’d stopped breathing and . only because his wife knew CPR did she manage to revive him,’ said Mr . Hill-Baker. ‘It was an attempt to take his own life – this was not what is sometimes called a cry for help.’ Mr Hill-Baker said the former priest’s . life lies in tatters following the conviction. ‘He has no income, he . had no pension. His ministry is lost, as is his reputation, which is in . ruins.’ | William Finnegan argued he had 'active sex life' and would not assault a girl . But judge sentenced him to six months for assaulting 17-year-old girl . Despite conviction, many of his parishioners have continued to support him . Judge showed his displeasure at congregation's blind faith in him . | 45b03c0350988fe670bc2b7ef1a3f99ad6e68062 |
A probe into whether a controversial police and crime commissioner was properly insured during a car crash has been widened amid claims an investigating officer was obstructed. Ann Barnes, who earns £85,000-a-year as Kent's crime tsar, was driving her Mercedes sports car when she was involved in a collision in Dartford two months ago. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is already probing whether she committed a criminal offence by not having proper insurance to cover business use of her own car. But today the police watchdog said its team is now examining whether a police officer was 'obstructed in the execution of their duty' when initial inquiries into her insurance cover were being made by her force, Kent Police. Fresh investigation: The Independent Police Complaints Commission has said it will consider if a police officer was 'obstructed in the execution of their duty' after Ann Barnes crashed her Mercedes, pictured . New probe: Kent PCC Ann Barnes, pictured with battle bus 'Ann Force One', is being probed over whether she was properly insured in a crash . Mrs Barnes’s latest troubles began on September 16 when her soft-top Mercedes crashed into another car and then a tree as she drove to a meeting in Dartford. She suffered only minor injuries and later tweeted: ‘Not feeling too bright today, but OK.’ If Mrs Barnes is prosecuted on a charge of driving without insurance, she could be fined £300 and hit with six penalty points on her licence. An IPCC spokesman said: 'The IPCC is investigating whether the police and crime commissioner for Kent, Ann Barnes, may have committed a criminal offence by not having in place appropriate insurance to cover business use of her own car when she was involved in a road traffic accident on 16 September 2014. 'The investigation will also determine how long the relevant insurance was not in place, if that is the case, and how many miles the PCC travelled on business use while uninsured. 'The IPCC is also investigating whether a police constable was obstructed in the execution of their duty when initial inquiries into the PCC's insurance cover were being made by Kent Police.' The office for Mrs Barnes, who was shaken but uninjured in the crash, said no comment would be made on the latest update from the IPCC until after its investigation had ended. Ann Barnes has faced calls to resign and has at times been widely ridiculed since she took office in 2012. Her first major gaffe came when she appointed Paris Brown, then aged 17, as Britain's first youth crime commissioner. But Paris Brown later resigned from the £15,000-a-year job after making offensive comments on her Twitter feed. She wrote the offensive messages on her personal Twitter account, which also included boasts about her sex life, violence, drinking binges and drugs. In trouble: Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes with her 'Onion' diagram explaining police priorities, but when asked to explain what it meant she said: 'Oh God, I've got no idea' Repeat: The Cutting Edge documentary producer also asked her to name crimes towards the outer rings of the onion and again said, 'no idea' Pressure: The storm over the documentary culminated in a rented plane flying over Maidstone, where she works, dragging a banner reading '#annbarnesout - resign'. Then later Miss Brown's replacement was temporarily suspended over allegations of a relationship with a married former councillor. On her documentary: 'The only reason I agreed to do the documentary was to help people better understand the role of police and crime commissioner. It is very complex and there are lots of challenges. Unfortunately I don't think the programme did that and I'm deeply sorry'. When asked about her job:'Oh dear, what is a police commissioner? Right, well it's not . the Police Commissioner, it's the Police and Crime Commissioner. 'It's . a strange job because there is actually no description at all - there . are certain responsibilities you have to do, but there is no actual job . description.' On . what her 'Crime Onion' meant: 'Oh God, I've got no idea - I can't tell . you actually - I wasn't thinking I'd be talking about the actual onion . (the concentric circles) as we call it - umm I don't know know really - . everything's important.' On . her Ann Force One battle bus: 'My budget is £317million, £15,000 is . money well spent - I could have had a top of range Mercedes, but it's . not my image.' Mrs Barnes was then seen driving her personal Mercedes. On resignation of Paris Brown: 'I was not recruiting an angel. I was not recruiting a police officer. I was recruiting a young person, warts and all. It is personally sad for Paris and her family' In June Mrs Barnes said she was 'deeply sorry' for her 'toe-curling' appearance on a fly-on-the-wall television documentary about her job - but refused to quit. She was filmed saying she had 'no idea' what her taxpayer-funded job entailed in an hour-long Channel Four show branded a 'disaster from start to finish'. Mrs Barnes was widely criticised for her performance on Meet The Police Commissioner where she was compared to David Brent and accused of making Kent Police a 'laughing stock'. The storm culminated in a rented plane flying over Maidstone, where she works, dragging a banner reading '#annbarnesout - resign'. The documentary, aired on May 29, showed Mrs Barnes travelling in a van she dubs 'Ann Force 1 and bringing her dogs into the office. In one clip Mrs Barnes was seen drawing an onion in an attempt to explain what types of crime Kent Police prioritises. But when asked what the rings meant she said: 'Oh God, I've got no idea - I can't tell you actually - I wasn't thinking I'd be talking about the actual onion (the concentric circles) as we call it - umm I don't know know really - everything's important.' She is then asked: 'So what would be an example of the kind of crime on the outside of that ring?', to which she replies that he had 'no idea'. The documentary, aired on May 29, showed Mrs Barnes travelling in a van she dubs 'Ann Force 1' and bringing her dogs into the office. She said: 'My budget is £317million, £15,000 is money well spent - I could have had a top of range Mercedes, but it's not my image.' Turned sour: Ann Barnes appointed Paris Brown as Britain's first youth crime commissioner but she resigned after it emerged she boasted about her sex life, violence, drinking binges and drugs online . But later in the documentary she then pulled up at her office in her top of the range soft-top Mercedes. In one scene she was also filmed painting her 'flaky nails'. | Ann Barnes' soft-top Mercedes collided with another car and a tree . Kent police commissioner was allegedly driving without proper insurance . Now investigators will probe if police officer was 'obstructed in the execution of their duty' Mrs Barnes under renewed pressure after her documentary 'fiasco' There were calls for her to resign over her 'crime onion' and other gaffes . Furore over role started after her youth crime tsar resigned over tweets . | 885bfc4b2ff9cca45ba094fe581a1c061dec4b49 |
By . James Rush . PUBLISHED: . 10:46 EST, 9 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:53 EST, 9 July 2013 . Two doctors locked their nanny in her room, told her she would never be allowed to go home and said they would ‘sell’ her because she was costing too much money, a court heard. Drs Safaa Hassan Ismail, 45, and Hussien El-Maghraby, 47, are accused of trafficking, false imprisonment and holding Egyptian Asmaa Hemdan in servitude, Southwark Crown Court heard today. The couple arranged travel documents through a relative bringing the 27-year-old to their home in Muswell Hill in May 2011 with the intention of exploiting her, it is claimed. Accused: Safaa Hassan Ismail (left) and Hussien El-Maghraby (right) are accused of trafficking, false imprisonment and holding Egyptian Asmaa Hemdan in servitude . The alleged victim was told she would be working as a nanny for the couple’s young son, and occasionally looking after their niece, who also lived with the couple, being paid £200 a month to work six days a week. But when she arrived her passport was taken from her and she was forced to work long hours doing other chores including cleaning the house. The court heard how the woman was locked in the house when the couple went out, kept under ‘constant watch’ and only allowed out of the house when accompanying Dr Ismail. After becoming ‘very depressed’ she asked to go back to Egypt, but was locked in her room without food and water and told she couldn’t come out until ‘she learnt some manners’, the court heard. Following a discussion with Dr Ismail after the incident, she was told she would ‘never be allowed to leave’. The court heard the woman overheard a conversation between the couple in which she claims they said she would be sold as she was costing to much. Hearing: Southwark Crown Court (pictured) heard how the couple allegedly arranged travel documents to bring the 27-year-old to their home in Muswell Hill in May 2011 with the intention of exploiting her . The family were preparing to move from London to Rugby for Dr Maghraby’s job. After four months of her alleged ordeal she took a rare opportunity to flee, the court heard. She was found sobbing at a bus stop by a stranger and later reported her ordeal to the police. Opening the case, prosecutor Timothy Forster said today: 'Asmaa Hemdan was told that she would be working as a nanny for the couple's young son for these two defendants Dr Safaa Ismail and Dr Hussien El-Maghraby, both of whom are medical doctors. 'She said she was physically abused, . pushed and shoved by Dr Ismail. There are photos that you will see that . show bruising on the alleged victim. Even though she is a very religious . woman she was prevented from going to the Mosque' - Prosecutor Timothy Forster . 'Asmaa Hemdan comes from Eygpt and is from a very poor background. She had previously worked as a cleaner for Dr Ismail’s sister. This is the connection to the two defendants. 'This case is essentially about expectations.' He said she expected to be paid a fixed sum of £200 to be a nanny and would be treated as a member of the family. He said: 'She thought she would be given the opportunity to improve herself by taking an educational course and by meeting people. 'She had been interviewed in Egypt by Dr Ismail’s sister in law and this is when she says she was told what her duties would be. 'But when she arrived with the family the reality of her life was decidedly different from what she had been lead to expect.' Mr Forster said the victim's passport was taken away from her and never returned and she was forced to work long hours. He said: 'Indeed, she was a nanny, she was a cleaner, on top of that she was expected to look after Dr Ismail’s every need, and kept under watch by Dr Ismail constantly. Allegation: The court heard how the woman was locked in the house when the couple went out and only allowed out when accompanying Dr Ismail. Pictured is Dr Hussein El Maghraby at Southwark Crown Court . 'She was told she would be paid £200 a month into a bank account and indeed an account was opened for her when she first arrived. Four hundred pounds was paid into the bank account in the four month period she was living with the family. 'But she was never given access to this money. She never had a bank card. If she wanted to get money she would have to go with Dr Ismail.' He said she was not allowed to leave the house on her own and when Ismail left the house should be locked inside. He said: 'She said she was physically abused, pushed and shoved by Dr Ismail. There are photos that you will see that show bruising on the alleged victim. Even though she is a very religious woman she was prevented from going to the Mosque. 'The hard work and long hours she was forced to do resulted in back pain but when she asked to go the doctor she was not allowed to go.' Mr Forster said Ms Hemdan asked to go home to Egypt after she became depressed with the work, but Ismail became angry following the request and locked her in her room. Mr Forster said: 'She was not given any water or food and told she couldn’t come out until she had apologised to the family and learned some manners.' Mr Forster went on to say: 'She recalls overhearing a conversation between Dr Ismail and Dr Maghraby, in which Dr Maghraby is said to have complained that the victim was costing the family too much money. To which she says she heard Dr Ismail say "don’t worry when we move house we can sell her". 'If you believe this account this is a clear indication of how the pair viewed the victim.' Ms Hemdan accepted the job in the UK hoping to be able to provide for her brothers and sisters in Cairo, the court heard. The alleged victim, who is giving evidence from behind a screen, said she had been promised a regular wage and support for her struggling family. 'My siblings were the main reason for me to accept to travel to England’, she told the court. ‘They had no income, and I had high hopes that I could work and help them financially.’ Ms Hemdan said her previous employer, Ismail’s sister Hanaa, had promised her a better life in the UK. ‘Dr Hanaa told me that while I was away, if I took the job they would take care of my brothers and sisters’, she said. ‘We didn’t have enough money to pay the rent, or for food, and she reassured me they would be taken care of while I was away.’ She added: ‘Dr Hanaa told me that any time I wanted to come back home, they would bring me.’ The alleged victim said her previous employer treated her well, but she was told to expect even better conditions in the UK with Ismail and El Maghraby. ‘Dr Hanaa used to mention she had a sister who lived in London, who had a son’, she said. ‘She used to tell me she liked my work, I was honest and straight forward, and she would recommend me to work for her sister.’ Ms Hemdan was taken to the British embassy to get a visa, and signed papers for a new passport before leaving Cairo. Speaking through an interpreter, she said she did not understand the paperwork, which was in English, but signed it because she trusted her employer at the time. She was handed her passport on the plane to the UK, the court heard, but it was taken from her as soon as she got through customs. ‘There was a page in Arabic which said that every person was responsible for their passport’, she said. ‘When I found out it was my responsibility to hold on to that document, I would have preferred to hold on to it. But when I crossed passport control, she took it from me.’ Ms Hemdan said she never saw the passport again. Her evidence continues. The trail is expected to last eight days. Both defendants deny the charges. The case continues. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Doctors accused of trafficking and false imprisonment . They are also accused of holding Asmaa Hemdan in servitude . Court heard they planned to 'sell' her because she was costing too much . | 023299c641b14f0acf3ebda5ecf5e137b0e507fb |
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (CNN) -- Saudi King Abdullah confirmed Sunday that his country will increase daily oil production from 9 million barrels to 9.7 million in the near future to counter the sharp rise in international oil prices. Saudi Arabia has announced an increase in oil production in a bid to ease the pressure on oil prices. The Saudi petroleum minister, Ali I. Al-Naimi, said the country will reach the 9.7 million level by July. The announcement comes after Saudi officials announced modest increases. It would be Saudi Arabia's highest production rate since 1981. White House Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto praised the step, saying, "Any increase in production in today's oil market is welcome. It is important that we also take steps to increase domestic production and our refining capacity." Meanwhile, the average price of gasoline in the U.S. rose nearly 10 cents in the past two weeks to almost $4.10 a gallon for self-serve regular, according to a national survey released Sunday. The survey showed the national average was just a fraction of a cent under $4.10 a gallon, said survey publisher Trilby Lundberg. That is up 9.7 cents a gallon from the same survey two weeks ago, Lundberg said. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, downplayed the Saudi increase. "Nice try, but no cigar. When gas is at $4 per gallon, demand increases almost daily, and the Saudis have millions of barrels per day more in spare capacity," he said. "This isn't nearly good enough." Al-Naimi, the petroleum minister, also said the Saudi government will invest in oil projects that would allow Saudi Arabia to have the capacity to produce 12.5 million barrels per day by the end of next year. King Abdullah's announcement came at the end of the Jeddah energy summit, where he also called for OPEC to set aside $1 billion for a strategy to ease the oil price crisis. He said $500 million should be given to developing nations to help them get the energy they need. King Abdullah said there are "many factors that made oil prices high." Along with increased demand, he also cited oil speculators and an increase in taxes in consumer nations. "Now we see a lot of people point the finger at OPEC as it is solely responsible for this," he said. The king's statement came a day after U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, attending the summit, blamed the record oil prices on lack of production. "All nations must be better at conservation, and the U.S. is at the top of that list," said Bodman, who met with journalists ahead of the international meeting of oil producing and consuming nations focusing on high oil prices. Some observers have blamed speculators for driving up oil prices. A key adviser to Saudi Arabia's oil minister said Friday that a number of factors, including speculators and currency fluctuations, are to blame for rising oil prices. "We need stability," Dr. Ibrahim al Muhanna said, adding that Saudi Arabia would like to see producers, consumers and distributors cooperate. But Bodman said he did not believe that they are the cause. Since 2003, he said, global demand for oil has increased because of industry in China, India and the Middle East. But from 2005 to 2007, there was very little increase in supply. Nations need an additional supply of energy to market, whether that energy is nuclear, coal, fossil fuels, solar or wind power, Bodman said. "We spent 30 years digging ourselves into this hole," he said. "It won't be solved soon." On Wednesday, President Bush asked Congress to permit drilling for oil in deep water off the U.S. coast to combat rising oil prices. He also renewed his demand that Congress allow oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, clear the way for more refineries and encourage efforts to recover oil from shale in areas like the Green River Basin, which encompasses parts of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. "In the short run, the American economy will continue to rely largely on oil, and that means we need to increase supply here at home," Bush said in a Rose Garden statement. | Saudis will increase daily oil production from 9 million barrels to 9.7 million . Increase from July, boosting production to highest level since 1981 . Announcement at Jeddah energy summit to help ease pain of oil price hike . Saudis: OPEC should give $1B for strategy, $500M of which for developing nations . | 421cdcf2fa76015c98cf831270fb651e123eaf4c |
Washington (CNN) -- Roughly half of all Americans now think the White House was behind the Internal Revenue Service decision to target conservative political groups, according to a recent CNN/ORC International poll, a growing belief at odds with information recently provided to CNN by congressional investigators. The information includes a full transcript of the May 21 deposition of Holly Paz, a high-ranking IRS official placed on administrative leave as a result of her role in the scandal. Paz was questioned extensively by investigators from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which is chaired by one of the administration's fiercest congressional critics, California GOP Rep. Darrell Issa. The transcript of Paz's deposition, examined by CNN this week, shows an agency plagued more by bureaucratic ineptitude than partisan political scheming. IRS agents are revealed as politically tone deaf and blind to what was being done, or not done, in different offices that presumably should have been in closer contact. "Politics was not something they were interested in," Paz told investigators. "Because they are so apolitical, they are not as sensitive as we would like them to be as to how things might appear." Paz is a top official at the IRS division responsible for reviewing applications for tax-exempt status. Some critics argue the division intentionally intimidated and harassed tea party and other conservative groups, often delaying the processing of their applications for months or years. An inspector general's report released last month found that an IRS unit in Cincinnati had used criteria that included conservative labels such as "tea party" to target certain groups for extra questioning. IRS rules prevent groups engaged in excessive political activity from becoming tax exempt, but the agency has struggled to develop clear guidelines on the matter. The targeting began in 2010 and ended last year when senior IRS officials learned of it, according to the report. Boehner: 'Who is going to jail' over IRS scandal . Last month, 37% of the public thought the White House was tied to the IRS controversy. Now, 47% say the White House was directing the IRS, according to the latest CNN/ORC International survey. Democrats are sensitive to the charge, which some analysts contend has contributed to a recent drop in President Barack Obama's approval ratings. Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, the top Democrat on Issa's panel, released the full transcript on Tuesday of the deposition of a self-described "conservative Republican" IRS manager who has denied any administration involvement in the scandal. The manager also insisted that the initial decision to flag tea party groups for additional scrutiny originated with lower level IRS staff in Cincinnati, not upper management in Washington or elsewhere. "This interview transcript provides a detailed first-hand account of how these practices first originated, and it debunks conspiracy theories about how the IRS first started reviewing these cases," Cummings said. "Releasing this transcript serves the best interest of Congress and the American people by ensuring that there is an accurate and fair picture of the management challenges facing the IRS." Obama: IRS actions "intolerable and inexcusable" The move by Cummings drew a sharp rebuke from Issa, who has also released certain elements of the investigation at different points. "I am deeply disappointed that Ranking Member Cummings has decided to broadly disseminate and post online a 205 page transcript that will serve as a roadmap for IRS officials to navigate investigative interviews with Congress," Issa said. "Americans who think Congress should investigate IRS misconduct should be outraged by Mr. Cummings' efforts to obstruct needed oversight." Issa and Cummings have both promised in appearances on CNN's "State of the Union" to release transcripts of all of the depositions conducted in the investigation. For her part, Paz told investigators from two House committees that questions about certain applications often remained unanswered because IRS agents were simply "waiting for guidance" from Washington that was never provided. Meanwhile, agency leaders in Washington remained unaware that applicants were not receiving final answers. Paz was under the impression that the "tea party" label was internal IRS shorthand for all cases regarding groups involved in campaign politics. "It was really just an efficient way to refer to this issue," Paz told investigators, noting that the first case identified with political campaign activity related to an application from a tea party group. "It's like calling soda 'Coke' or you know, tissue 'Kleenex.' They knew what they meant, and the issue was campaign intervention." Applications for tax-exempt status "was an area that did not get a great deal of attention ... outside the IRS," Paz added. "It's only been in recent years that it's something that has gotten, you know, more media attention and congressional attention." Many IRS employees have been with the agency "for decades" and "were used to a world where how they talked about things internally was not something that would be public or that anyone would be interested in," Paz said. "So I don't think they thought much about how it would appear to others. They knew what they meant, and that was sort of good enough for them." Paz insisted she never took part in any discussion about targeting conservatives. She also noted other cases in recent years involved a denial of tax-exempt status for liberal groups, an assertion challenged by critics. "I had no indication that we were not being balanced in what we were doing," she said. Paz noted that she was personally involved in a review of roughly 40 cases in the fall of 2010, an acknowledgment undercutting claims that the Cincinnati office was solely to blame for the debacle. Roughly half of the cases involved groups with the words "tea party" in the name. Tea party and other conservative activists are planning to hold a rally on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to protest the IRS actions. | Deposition of IRS official Holly Paz shows no political motivation behind IRS scandal . Paz: "Politics was not something they were interested in" Paz's assertion is at odds with belief of growing number of Americans . Reps. Issa and Cummings argue over release of deposition transcripts . | 1eee36dc4463c6e72f2d24fd1a8504dc748b4925 |
Amazing images have been emerged of the moment a mammoth saltwater crocodile shattered a dead sea turtle's shell out on a remote beach in the Northern Territory. Ranger Dani Best first discovered the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle washed up on shore two weeks ago, killed by a ghost net. She cut the endangered species out of the net and placed a wildlife monitoring camera, which captured a number of animals coming in for a free feed. But the footage also showed the powerful pressure of a crocodile's bite as it crushed the outer layer of the turtle in order to gain access to the meaty goods. Amazing images have been emerged of the moment a saltwater crocodile shattered a dead sea turtle's shell out in a remote beach in the Northern Territory . Ranger Dani Best first discovered the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, which was killed by a ghost net, washed up on shore two weeks ago . Rangers cut the endangered species out of the net and placed a wildlife monitoring camera, which captured a number of animals coming in for a free feed . According to Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife, the sea creature is a threatened species . Ms Best was collecting rubbish along the coast at Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the Cobourg Peninsula, east of Darwin, when she found the turtle - also known as the Lepidochelys olivacea. According to Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife, the sea creature is a threatened species. Crocodylus Park owner Grahame Webb told NT News the forceful bite of a crocodile is about three tonnes. 'No other animal on the planet has a comparable bite force to a crocodile,' he said. Ms Best along with other rangers cut the dead turtle out of the net then planted a camera to film Cobourg wildlife eating the deceased reptile. Among those animals include the saltwater croc and a Beach Stone-curlew, which is a large ground-dwelling bird. Ms Best was collecting rubbish along the coast at Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the Cobourg Peninsula, east of Darwin, when she found the turtle - also known as the Lepidochelys olivacea . Crocodylus Park owner Grahame Webb told NT News the forceful bite of a crocodile is about three tonnes . | Ranger Dani Best captured the moment a saltwater crocodile fed on a dead sea turtle . The turtle was found on a beach at Garig Gunak Barlu National Park in the Northern Territory . According to Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife, the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle is a threatened species . | 1a22f0dbfed144efe9950e1fd5e82790c534ae08 |
By . David Mccormack . PUBLISHED: . 12:11 EST, 9 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:09 EST, 9 August 2013 . The husband of Alice Gruppioni, the Italian newlywed killed on the boardwalk at Venice Beach, kissed her coffin one final time as she was taken away to be laid to rest in her hometown of Bologna, Italy, on Thursday. Gruppioni, 32, was killed when a crazed driver mowed down dozens of pedestrians in Los Angeles last Saturday. She and husband Christian Casadei were in L.A. as part of their honeymoon after only getting married on July 20. Scroll down for video . Farewell my love: Alice Gruppioni's husband Christian Casadei kisses his wife's coffin as she is led away to be buried . Alice Gruppioni's coffin is carried into the same church in Bologna, Italy, where she got married on July 20 . Christian Casadei, together with his late wife's parents stand beside her coffin after a service to commemorate her life . Suspect Nathan Campbell, 38, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to one count of murder, 16 counts of assault with a deadly weapon and 17 counts of hit-and-run. He could face life in prison if convicted and remains jailed on $1.48 million bail. Gruppioni was rushed to hospital after the 6pm crash but died a few hours later of her injuries, with her husband by her side. The daughter of a prominent Italian businessman, she was buried on Thursday in the same church in the northern town of Bologna where she was married last month. Write caption here Nathan Campbell, left, faces life in prison if convicted of the death of Alice Gruppioni, pictured right with husband Christian Casadei on their wedding day last month . Father Paolo Rubbi, in purple, conducted the ceremony and said the whole town was devastated by the loss of Alice Gruppioni . Alice Gruppioni's father, a prominent Italian businessman, has to be helped into the church to bury his middle daughter . Father Paolo Rubbi, the priest who conducted ceremony at the local church two blocks from the family home, said the whole town was devastated. ‘She was the image of joy and enthusiasm and was very unpretentious. She had an immediate rapport with everyone, today everyone is in tears. Her marriage was too brief on this earth.’ The victim’s younger sister Carlotta described Alice - the middle one of three girls - as ‘the diamond of our lives.’ ‘Everybody loved her and she loved everybody. When you lose a diamond, you lose everything,’ she told The Telegraph. A family friend described Alice as a very generous person. Celebration: Alice Gruppioni, 32, pictured with her husband Christian Casadei at their wedding just three weeks ago - before they set off on their ill-fated honeymoon in the U.S. Wedding Day: Alice Gruppion kisses her new husband, left, and poses with her proud father, right . ‘Alice was really special. She was . always helping her neighbors and she invited everyone to her wedding, . even the shopkeepers of the town. Rich and poor, for her it made no . difference,’ said Silvano Scandellari. The victim's husband Casadei, who received minor injuries, kissed his wife’s coffin on Thursday as it was led away to be buried. In . the aftermath of Saturday’s crash he had talked with disbelief about . how the couple's happiness had been so suddenly shattered. 'We . were walking, we were happy, we were on our honeymoon and everything, . and suddenly everything changed,' Casadei said, according to Giuseppe . Perrone, the Italian consul general in L.A., who accompanied Casadei to . the hospital. 'I still can't believe it, and I don't even remember exactly what happened. It's all very confusing.' Perrone described Casadei as 'destroyed and in disbelief'. Video footage taken last Saturday shows a dark-colored 2008 Dodge Avenger mowing down vendors and tourists along the popular boardwalk . Gruppioni . and Casadei were in California for their honeymoon, which was to be a trip . across the U.S. 'It's a tragedy. There's nothing more to say,' Casadei told the Italian news agency ANSA. Video taken on Saturday shows a dark-colored 2008 Dodge Avenger mowing down vendors and tourists along the popular boardwalk. Prosecutors . contend that Campbell deliberately maneuvered around a barrier and . drove though the crowds. His attorney Philip Dube called it "a horrible . accident." On Saturday . morning, Campbell - who struggled with alcohol abuse in the past - had . an appointment at the day-labor center 15 miles away in Malibu. He told the manager of the Malibu Community Labor Exchange that he had purchased a car in Colorado and was living in it. Campbell . has a history of run-ins with the law in several states in including a . conviction for driving with alcohol, although Dube told reporters there . was no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved in the weekend . incident. Injured: Police and fire officials assist an injured pedestrian at the scene where a car drove through a packed afternoon crowd along the Venice Beach boardwalk . Firefighters and paramedics treat some of the injured at the scene of last Saturday's incident . | Alice Gruppioni, 32, who was on her honeymoon died a few hours after she was struck by the crazed driver last Saturday . On Thursday, husband Christian Casadei buried his young wife in her hometown of Bologna, Italy . The couple had only been married for two weeks when the tragic incident occurred . Nathan Campbell has been charged with ploughing his car into the crowd of people and faces life in prison if convicted . | 5b3ef1408ae4e8a2f7d488dcfd9649bd52dac281 |
Who says pensioners have to wear slacks and flatcaps? A new photo series show senior citizens in ghetto gear - and they look fabulous. An array of elderly male and female models are seen rocking hoodies and baseball tops, pulling hip hop signs more suited to East Coast rappers. Scroll down for video . Peter Gowens, 72, modelling clothing from the trendy Capology shop in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK . Photographer Ryan Edy, 25, took the pictures in junction with independent clothes shop Capology and NE LOVE Magazine. 'The models where dubious when we first pitched the concept to them as they were, quite naturally, out of their comfort zone,' said Ryan, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 'The first few frames where tense, but the models soon warmed to the idea and by the end were really getting into the zone and having fun.' Ryan admits that the shoot is in stark contrast to the independent shop's usual demographic. A nonchalant Wendy Young, 69, rocks cap, sweatshirt and skateboard . Larry Bedigan, 59, in hooded bomber jacket, check shirt, T shirt and cap . 'We wanted to create striking and powerful images that were a bit tongue-in-cheek. 'The response has been amazing, more than we ever could have imagined. It's been a healthy mixture of skeptical and very positive.' When asked if older people can generally get away with donning trendy gear, Ryan responded: 'Of course, in this day and age, everyone has their own personality and style which is often portrayed in their choice of clothing.' Anne Gowens, 70, on her way to the court, basketball under arm, showing off all her bling . Larry 'chunks a deuce' (throws a peace sign sideways) for photographer Ryan Edy, 25 . Wendy changes up her outfit and pulls a classic rapper pose for trendy shop Capology . | Nonchalant OAPs wear rapper threads and make hip hop hand signs . Photographer Ryan Edy, 25, took the pictures for clothes shop Capology . Project is in conjunction with NE LOVE Magazine . | 1eddce72040f249d8a13e7a2156dfc729feb0123 |
England’s hopes of a revival following Wednesday’s win in Hambantota lasted as long as it took Kumar Sangakkara to reassert his superiority here in Colombo. For Sri Lanka, Sangakkara’s effortless 86 meant a six-wicket win and a nigh-on uncatchable 3-1 lead. For England’s stand-in captain Eoin Morgan, whose side blew their chance with the bat after a highly promising 90 in 109 balls from James Taylor, it was a reminder of how thankless leadership can be. And news that England had been fined for a slow over-rate — only four days after Alastair Cook had been suspended for the same offence — confirmed it. Batting at No 3 as the order was rejigged in Cook’s absence, Taylor produced an innings full of chutzpah, while Morgan himself crashed 62 off 47 balls as others flailed around him. England must now win the last three games to avoid another one-day series defeat. Even the most optimistic might struggle with that one. The truth was that, from 170 for three in the 35th over, a total of 265 was at least 20 below what they should have achieved. Taylor, needing treatment for cramp — a consequence of Colombo’s cloying heat and the energy-sapping exuberance of his batting — finally went when he could only sky Ajantha Mendis into the covers. In the next over, Ravi Bopara — having pleaded for a chance in the middle order — was bowled tamely by Tillekeratne Dilshan. That heralded some dim batting from the rest, and it was left to Morgan, with 18 off the last over, to ensure respectability. Kumar Sangakkara's innings of 85 guided Sri Lanka to victory over England in the fourth ODI in Colombo . James Taylor anchored England's innings as he scored 90 from 109 deliveries . Alex Hales was sent back to the pavilion with a golden duck to his name by Dhammika Prasad . Moeen Ali hit three boundaries before being stumped by Sangakkara for 19 . ‘We were aiming for 280-290 and the latter part of the innings wasn’t good enough,’ he said. ‘But James was outstanding. To come in after a long break and play as he did was brilliant.’ Morgan’s late flurry, which lifts his record as captain to 427 runs at an average of 71, briefly camouflaged another problem. On a Premadasa pitch offering turn, Sri Lanka’s four slow bowlers had taken nine wickets. England, on the other hand, again omitted off-spinner James Tredwell, preferring to take another look at the out-of-sorts Ben Stokes. Morgan said: ‘We did need another spinner but we wanted to give other guys a chance. Giving Ben a game here gives the selectors another chance to see what he’s about.’ In the event, Stokes sent down only two overs, taking his series figures to 8-0-85-0. Earlier, he had scored six before top-edging a sweep. If a cricketer can unpick himself for a World Cup, Stokes is doing precisely that. Joe Root was bowled by Rangana Herath for 36 to leave England on 122 for three in the 26th over . Taylor celebrates his 50, but he had to depart for 90 after being catch by Kusal Perera . Ravi Bopara departed soon after Taylor as he was bowled by Tillakaratne Dilshan . Dilshan celebrates the wicket of Bopara to leave England at 173 for five in the 36th over . Stand-in captain Eoin Morgan made a valuable contribution of 62 down the order . Morgan and Jos Buttler got into a tangle when they collided in the middle of the wicket while running . Chris Woakes had removed Dilshan early, but the folly of omitting Tredwell in a game which England had to win was underlined by a sharp-turning off-break from Moeen Ali which had Kusal Perera edging to slip. Instead, Mahela Jayawardene, back after missing the third game to mark his daughter’s birthday, helped his old mate Sangakkara put on 96 before Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews finished the job with two balls to spare. The 12 wides England bowled took their tally for the series to 43. Sri Lanka have sent down only 22. In the endless search for positives, Taylor provided a gimme. Playing only his third one-day international — and his first not against Ireland — he was nervous initially, before settling down with a six over midwicket off Thisara Perera. Ajantha Mendis also disappeared over the ropes and Taylor began to resemble the buccaneer who slashed three hundreds for Nottinghamshire in last summer’s Royal London One-Day Cup. Captain Morgan hit two sixes and a four in the last over to nudge England up to a total of 265 . Chris Woakes picked up England's first wicket as he dismissed opener Dlishan for 16 . Kusal Perera was the second wicket to fall for Sri Lanka as he was dismissed by Ali for 31 . Mahela Jayawardene (left) and Sangakkara put on a 96-run partnership as Sri Lanka took command . Now England’s management face a dilemma when selecting the team for Wednesday’s fifth game in Kandy, when Cook, confirmed as captain for the World Cup, returns as opener. That leaves Alex Hales vulnerable only two matches after his return. His golden duck here was horribly anti-climactic, and he later dropped Mathews off Chris Jordan as Sri Lanka’s chase neared its conclusion. The other option would be to rest Joe Root, whose last two innings have brought him 48 not out and 36. Chris Jordan bowled Jayawardene for 44 to end his long partnership with Sangakkara . Sangakkara looked to be in complete control before picking out Woakes on the boundary for 86 . Jordan's double scalp of Jayawardene and Sangakkara proved to be too little, too late for England . Either way, Cook remains the cog around which others must fit. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek programme, England’s former batting coach Graham Gooch summed up the situation. ‘The best thing is to somehow get Cook back in form to make him worthwhile of his place in the team,’ he said. ‘He can only open and if he scores runs then all this talk will go away. I can’t see him not playing and still being in the squad.’ For the time being, though, England will be nursing their disappointment that another one-day series is on the verge of passing them by. | Kumar Sangakkara scores 86 as Sri Lanka win fourth ODI in Colombo . England won the toss and scored 265 after electing to bat first . James Taylor top scored with 90 as captain Eoin Morgan added 62 . Sangakkara anchored Sri Lanka's response as they won by six wickets . Sri Lanka take 3-1 series lead with three matches to play . Morgan rues England's lack of spinning options in defeat . | cef477970a2d091314e68007f3e295f0da0cf570 |
By . Associated Press . and Daily Mail Reporter . The Walmart truck driver who smashed into comedian Tracy Morgan's limo van - seriously injuring him and two others and killing another man - was speeding before the crash, a report has revealed. The preliminary report released on Thursday by the National Transportation Safety Board said that trucker Kevin Roper was driving 65 mph for the 60 seconds before the June 7 crash. But about a half-mile south of the crash on the northbound New Jersey Turnpike, signs advised drivers to slow from 55 mph to 45 mph because of construction ahead, the report said. Questions: Kevin Roper, in court on June 11, was driving the truck that hit a limo van on June 7, killing one man and injuring comedian Tracy Morgan. On Thursday, a preliminary report by the NTSB revealed that he had been speeding . The NTSB used the truck's electronic engine-control system to calculate how fast Roper was driving. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. trucks are equipped with devices that limit the vehicles' speed to 65 mph, a spokeswoman said, so Roper was going at the top speed possible. Drivers are required to follow the posted speed limit under Wal-Mart policy, spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan said on Thursday. 'Of course we expect our drivers to comply with the laws, whether it's a speed limit, or (something else),' she said. 'We don't condone speeding.' In the report, officials also said that Roper had been on duty for 13 hours and 32 minutes, which is half an hour below the federal limit. He had been driving for nine hours and 37 minutes. Hurt: Morgan, pictured in 2012, was seriously injured in the New Jersey crash and remains hospitalized . A criminal complaint also alleged that . he had not slept for more than 24 hours before the crash, but the NTSB . said in its report that it is still investigating how much rest he had. It concluded that Roper left a . Wal-Mart facility in Smyrna, Delaware, at about 11.30am on June 6 and . made stops in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania during the day. Just . after midnight on June 7 he left Bristol, Pennsylvania, en route to . Perth Amboy, New Jersey, when the crash happened about 30 minutes into . his trip. The truck . struck Morgan's limo from behind, sending it into other vehicles and . eventually onto its side. The limo van was carrying Morgan and six . others. The 45-year-old . former 'Saturday Night Live' and '30 Rock' star suffered broken ribs . and a broken leg, while his friend and fellow comedian James McNair, 63, . was killed. Wreck: An image taken the night of the June 7 crash shows the limo van flipped over after the collision . Crash: Roper was driving this Walmart truck when he hit the van carrying Morgan and six other people . Just before his . death, McNair, who was laid to rest in Peeskill, New York last week, . had been helping Morgan work on material for his new stand-up routine. This week, Morgan's condition was upgraded to fair condition. 'His personality is certainly starting to come back as well,' spokesman Lewis Kay said. Morgan's . assistant, Jeffrey Millea, has also been upgraded to fair condition, . Kay said. Hospital officials said comedian Ardie Fuqua remains in . critical condition. Comedian Harris Stanton, 37, was released from hospital last week with a broken wrist. New . Jersey prosecutors have charged Roper, who is from Jonesboro, Georgia, . with vehicular homicide and assault, but he has pleaded not guilty. Remembered: Mourners gathered for comedian James McNair's funeral in Peeskill, New York last weekend . A conviction on a death by auto charge . carries a five to 10-year prison sentence. Each assault by auto charge . is punishable by up to 18 months in prison. Following a hearing earlier this month, Roper, 35, was released on $50,000 bail. Roper, . who is from Jonesboro, Georgia, was driving the truck for Wal-Mart, . which said its trucks are equipped with devices that limit speed to 65 . mph. | Due to construction works on the stretch of road, driver Kevin Roper should have been driving at 45mph, according to a report out on Thursday . But for the 60 seconds before the crash, he was traveling at 65mph . He had also been driving for nearly 10 hours, the NTSB's report shows . Roper has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter for the death of Morgan's friend, James McNair . | 77a24b3f562a40805d090c1f70fc6ef85965875a |
By . Chris Pleasance . PUBLISHED: . 05:20 EST, 21 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 05:42 EST, 21 January 2014 . A pensioner who lost her wedding ring 55 years ago has been reunited with the gold band after an expert metal detector took just two hours to find it. Joan MacLeod was helping her parents to gather corn on a croft in . Kirkhill, Inverness in August 1958 when the 22 carat ring slipped from her finger. Despite a thorough search, she was unable to find it and eventually her husband Duncan bought a replacement, though they have kept their eyes peeled for the last five decades in the hope of being reunited with it. But it took Eric Soane, 75, just two . hours to track the ring down after the couple, now both 77, saw him . using his metal detector in a field and set him the challenge of finding . it. Joan MacLeod, 77, has been reunited with the wedding ring she lost five years ago while gathering corn . Soane is one of Scotland's top three suppliers of treasure trove and has previously discovered hoard of Roman coins and Robert II coins at Belladrum in 2012, and 600 artefacts at Fort George. Mrs MacLeod said: 'He produced this little plastic bag from his pocket and said "look what I found"; I just thought I would hit the floor.' 'It won’t go on properly now because I have a touch of arthritis and my joints are slightly swollen but I am going to take it to my jeweller to see if he will stretch it. I do not want to cut it.' Mrs MacLeod, of Cabrich, Kirkhill, recalled the turmoil of losing her precious ring, adding: 'I was helping to gather the corn. I had gloves on but the wool got worn and it must have slipped off. I just about went crazy. 'The following day my mum went down with a big sheet and shook out the shears of corn to see if the ring had fallen into it. After a fruitless search Joan and her husband Duncan bought a replacement but have kept the search up for the last five decades in the hope of one day finding the ring . Expert metal detector Eric Soane (far left) is one of Scotland's top finders of treasure and took just two hours to find the missing ring under six inches of mud . 'She must have spent the whole day because I was at work. I was crying my eyes out. I felt terrible. How careless for goodness sake.' Mr MacLeod came home from serving in the air force and bought her another ring but it never replaced the original for his wife. Mr Soane, who is a retired social worker from Tornagrain, near Nairn, said: 'I dug down about six inches into the soil and I saw it straight away. The ring was shining bright from the mud.' | Joan MacLoed, 77, was helping to gather corn in 1958 when the ring fell off . A search failed to turn up anything, and husband Duncan bought another . The pair kept looking for five decades in the hope of tracking it down . Expert metal detector Eric Soane, 75, took just two hours to locate the ring . | af045a3f0cd28330dad75201e6713c65cbc47280 |
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Handsome, articulate and lightning fast -- McLaren's Lewis Hamilton can now add two more words to his list of qualities: very rich. Lewis Hamilton will be able to afford a lot more champagne in the future. The Briton is set to become one of the most marketable sport stars in the world -- perhaps second only to Tiger Woods -- and earn more than a billion dollars if he can maintain the buzz created by his first season in Formula One, experts say. On Sunday he started his second season in perfect fashion, easily winning the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. The 23-year-old signed a five-year contract with McLaren worth an estimated $140m in January. It leaves him lagging along way behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, who is paid an estimated $50m a year for driving, but it is through endorsements that he stands to reap a greater windfall. Stephen Cheliotis, chief executive of the Centre for Brand Analysis and UK Superbrands and CoolBrands Councils' chairman, said Hamilton was the most marketable driver because he was a breath of fresh air. He had helped drive up race attendance and television fewer figures dramatically in his first season. "He is young, mixing with the right people everyday -- rappers, film stars -- and a lot more articulate than Kimi Raikkonen," Cheliotis said. "He is also the first black driver and it does have a bearing, much like Tiger Woods in golf. He is also the most marketable because he is going to be the best, much like Michael Schumacher." Pippa Collett, Sponsorship Consulting's managing director, said Hamilton was certainly the most marketable driver in the short term. His performance meant he was the dominant member of a group of "young turks" -- Nelson Piquet Jr, Nico Rosberg, Heikki Kovalainen -- who had great potential. Collett said in terms of the media Hamilton's performance, friendliness, English speaking background and professionalism were key assets. If he could maintain these he would earn more than Schumacher -- the sport's first billionaire driver. Indeed, Schumacher set an example which Hamilton would be wise to follow. He was the first driver to win personal sponsors after Ferrari allowed him to sign a $10m annual deal with a German bank to place its logo on his cap. The German also actively pursued the development of his own retail range, which included caps -- he sold hundreds of thousands at $30 a pop -- and even a branded vacuum cleaner. Collett said Schumacher's manager, Willi Weber, was very good. "Schumacher was a nice guy but not very charming. However, he was very professional and you knew he would turn up," Collett said. Cheliotis agreed Hamilton would earn considerably more than Schumacher, and that there would be a big gap between his earnings and that of the other drivers. However, there were pitfalls. Lewis had already made the mistake of saying he was moving to Switzerland to avoid the limelight when it was all about avoiding tax, Cheliotis said. "He said that and then turned up at every awards night for a month." Cheliotis said appearing arrogant, being caught out by the tabloid press, endorsing a brand and then using another and over selling himself could also damage his value. "The big danger with someone like Hamilton is that he is so in demand and that he has so many sponsors it leads to brand confusion. There is a danger of being one of 50 sponsors and not getting any value." Collett said Hamilton needed to develop his "life-time brand". While Raikkonen may not be a media darling he had developed an "Iceman" image, which was just as important in the long term. English footballer David Beckham, whose performance had dropped off, had successfully developed a life-time brand that would out last his playing career. Collett said Hamilton's one weakness may be his father, Anthony. "His dad is his manager. Your brand positioning is as an individual... having your dad around too much could affect your brand." Collett said Hamilton would have to be wary of bad press, but a little bit of young turk behaviour could enhance his image as long as he continued to excel. "I think that is part of the glamour... some of that and continued brilliant performances will make his life very easy." E-mail to a friend . | Experts say Lewis Hamilton is set to earn more than Michael Schumacher . David Beckham's "life-time brand" provides valuable lessons . A little bit of scandal is good for the bank balance . Raikkonen's "Iceman" persona allows sponsors to find perfect match . | fe9d63d0ed719a42735cadaf10e76416545f680c |
In this new weekly feature, CNN.com highlights five recommended Twitter feeds about a hot topic in the news. Despite her importance in the health care debate, Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine is not on Twitter. (CNN) -- The U.S. Senate Finance Committee this week passed a 10-year, $829 billion health care reform bill -- partly because of a "yes" vote from a lone Republican, Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine. Snowe doesn't appear to be on Twitter. Too bad. But plenty of other people are posting about health care reform and the U.S. health care system on the micro-blogging site. This list of health care twitterers is by no means comprehensive, so feel free to tell us about your favorites in the comments section below. 1. PolitiFact: The health care reform debate has been nothing if not confusing. "Death panels," "tea parties," Rep. Joe Wilson shouting "You lie!" at the president. It's a mess to sort through, especially on a vat of commentary and opinion like Twitter. Luckily, there are feeds like @PolitiFact to help. This Pulitzer-Prize-winning news group, which is part of the St. Petersburg Times, sorts fact from fiction on the health care debate and other topics. That "You lie!" comment, for instance? A lie, Politifact says. Followers: More than 4,800 . Sample tweet: We fact-check whether the Baucus #healthcare bill would tax medical devices such as X-ray tests and surgical needles http://bit.ly/dzZdu . 2. SusannahFox: Fox is a researcher at the Pew Internet and American Life Project. Doesn't sound very health-care-relevant, huh? But Fox's Twitter feed is packed with anecdotes and statistics about how social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are changing doctor-patient relationships and the state of health care at large. Followers: More than 2,150 . Sample tweet: Pew Internet: 38% of internet users look online for information about hospitals or other medical facilities http://bit.ly/oS9mq . 3. kevinmd: Blogger and doctor Kevin Pho offers up commentary on his life as a physician and the health care system. His random tidbits of medical information can be a riot, especially if you're looking in from outside the medical community. Followers: More than 15,300 . Sample tweet: Should medical journals use the term nauseous, nauseated, or nauseating? http://bit.ly/1yffx . 4. whitehouse: Buildings can type? Apparently. The official White House Twitter feed covers a slate of topics, but heath care has been especially big on the administration's recent tweeting agenda. Followers: More than 1.3 million . Sample tweet: Jibber jabber on costs in reform from protectors of the status quo. Take it from the expert instead: http://bit.ly/4CGmMs . 5. AmerMedicalAssn: This doctors' group tries to spice up the health care debate with its purple font! Oh, and tons of newsy updates on the latest votes, disputes and developments. Followers: More than 5,600 . Sample tweet: Why do #healthcare costs keep rising? An in-depth analysis of America's health system. @ThisAmericanLife http://ow.ly/u0JX . | On "Follow Friday," CNN.com recommends Twitter feeds on a news topic . This week's topic: The U.S. debate over health care . SusannahFox comments on health care and social media . kevinmd posts insights from his life as a physician . | 128bf641f6a35a845ecf89dbab736cfadbb4043e |
By . Mark Duell . UPDATED: . 16:45 EST, 1 March 2012 . It’s probably not the sort of controversy that will concern the majority of five-year-old girls who sit on the sofa after school to watch My Little Pony. But the TV show’s creators are under fire from their adult male audience who say they recreated character ‘Derpy’ to appear less mentally-disabled. The pony in the Hasbro cartoon began as a background character whose eyes were believed to have been skewed as a joke by an animator. 'Derpy': The pony in the Hasbro cartoon (right) began as a background character whose eyes were believed to have been skewed as a joke by an animator . But a group of older male fans of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, known as ‘bronies’ (bro+pony), named the anonymous pony ‘Derpy’. This was picked up by Hasbro, who decided to include her in the series with that name, and she became the ‘bronies’ community horse’. Her first lines came in The Last Roundup episode in January, when she proclaimed: ‘Oh, I just don't know what went wrong’, reported Gawker. But critics of Derpy said her name refers to ‘derp’ - an explicit word used to mock the disabled - and described her as a ‘giant retard joke’. Loyal following: 'Bronies' - pictured at the BronyCon event in January in Manhattan, New York - get their name for the combination of 'bro' and 'pony' Beloved character: Her first lines came in The Last Roundup episode in January, when she proclaimed: 'Oh, I just don't know what went wrong' This is said to stem from the sound . some children make to each other at schools, making fun of those with Down . Syndrome and other disabilities. 'This whole situation has been sort of depressing for most of us' Equestria Daily spokesman . Hasbro . decided to make her voice sound less like she had a disability when it . put the episode on iTunes - much to the dismay of ‘bronies’. And . in a further move that angered fans, her name was cut altogether as she . ‘did not stay true to the core message of friendship’ in the series. The . character was voiced by Tabitha St. Germain, who has also worked on the likes of . Barbie, Care Bears, Dragon Ball Z, Sabrina and Action Man. Different: Hasbro decided to make her voice sound less like she had a disability when it put the episode on iTunes - much to the dismay of 'bronies' ‘The series has always been about acceptance and inclusion, and the series strives to convey that,’ a Hasbro spokesman told Gawker. 'The series has always been about acceptance and inclusion, and the series strives to convey that' Hasbro spokesman . ‘Some viewers felt that aspects of the episode did not stay true to the core message of friendship which is the heart and soul of the series.’ She added that Hasbro decided to then make small audio alterations. But a Change.org petition by fans to return Derpy to normal now has an astonishing 40,000 signatures. A spokesman for ‘bronies’ blog Equestria Daily said the whole thing has been ‘depressing’, but Derpy ‘isn't the reason the show is awesome’. Watch Derpy in the original My Little Pony episode for television . Watch Derpy in the altered My Little Pony episode for iTunes . Watch the 'Save Derpy' video . | Character first spoke in January episode of animation . Adult male fans known as 'brownies' helped name her . But voice changed for iTunes version after complaints . | 1e77729d8c80d89ec360d7a66241611909c9aadb |
(CNN) -- The Poison Pill. The Doomsday Files. Or simply, The Insurance. Whatever you call the file Julian Assange has threatened to release if he's imprisoned or dies or WikiLeaks is destroyed, it's impossible to stop. "It's all tech talk to say, 'I have in my hand a button and if I press it or I order my friends to press it, it will go off,'" said Hemu Nigam, who has worked in computer security for more than two decades, in the government and private sector. "Julian is saying, 'I've calibrated this so that no matter how many ways you try, you're never going to be able to deactivate it,'" Nigam said. "He's sending a call to action to hackers to try it. To the government, he's also saying, 'Try me.'" Read more about Nigam's experience and the Pentagon's cyber security . There's a reason Assange specifically announced -- on the Web -- that there is a 256-bit key encryption code that only a few trusted associates know that will unleash the contents of the 1.4 gigabyte-size file. "He's saying don't even bother trying. It will take you so long to succeed that by that time, it will be too late," Nigam said. "Most of the time, you see a 56-[bit]key encryption. That's considered secure. When you are using 256, you are sending a message: 'I'm smart enough to know that you will try to get in.'" It's not the first time Assange, the face and founder of WikiLeaks, has asked someone to dare him. He and the anonymous, globally scattered WikiLeaks staff have warned since July's release of Afghanistan War documents that they are not to be messed with. Press them, they say, and they will retaliate by releasing more secret information. But this week, the stakes got higher. Assange was arrested Tuesday in Great Britain in relation to a sex crimes investigation in Sweden. A British judge denied bail, and Assange is expected to remain in a jail in England for at least a week, officials said. Assange's lawyer, Mark Stephens, called evidence against his client "very thin" and he will fight extradition to Sweden. Assange has called the rape allegations a "smear campaign." Often described as suspicious and even paranoid, Assange reportedly refused on Tuesday to be photographed or fingerprinted or have a swab of his DNA taken, all standard procedures for British arrests. Who is Julian Assange? Is the arrest politically motivated, a witch hunt for the man responsible for stoking the ire of the U.S. government by sharing with the world its confidential and sensitive war-time intelligence? The Pentagon has denied that. Nevertheless, the public is eating up this modern-day spy novel in which the main character's deadliest weapon is a computer. "We will release more cables" -- WikiLeaks tweet . Assange has repeatedly said that stopping him would not stop WikiLeaks. Tuesday night, the organization fulfilled a tweet earlier in the day: "Today's actions against our editor-in-chief Julian Assange won't affect our operations: we will release more cables tonight as normal" More cables -- at least 75 -- were indeed released Tuesday, several having to do with Libya. Demonstrating the democracy of the internet, supporters with $35 for a domain name and a basic knowledge of HTML are giving WikiLeaks an assist. Hundreds of Web sites have popped up which appear to have copied WikiLeaks' data for display on "mirror sites." Some sites are offering a how-to guide on mirroring. While that's happening, an anonymous group of hackers apparently hacked PayPal, one of the service providers that cut off service to WikiLeaks. Smaller tokens of support could be found on Time magazine's site. As of Thursday afternoon, Assange was leading against more than 25 other candidates to be the magazine's Person of the Year with more than 320,000 votes cast online. Ben Laurie, a London-based computer security expert who has reportedly advised WikiLeaks in the past, said Assange is nothing if not exacting. "Julian's a smart guy, and this is an interesting tactic," Laurie told reporters. "He will hope it deters anyone from acting against him." Years to crack code . It could take an incalculable number of years to figure out the combination of letters, numbers and symbols comprising the 256-bit key code. It's anyone's guess what's in the file labeled "insurance.aes256." But few doubt that it's interesting. That massive file size is big enough to hold the contents of all of the group's leaks since July: 90,000 secret intelligence documents about the Afghanistan War; 400,000 pages of classified intel about the Iraq War, and purportedly more than a quarter million cables authored by U.S. diplomats. Assange has said in previous interviews that Bank of America leaked him a hard drive, and he's warned that WikiLeaks is planning a major leak about a large bank, according to Forbes. Assange has also claimed to have files on oil giant BP. Reports of the "poison pill" file containing any sort of "nuclear bomb of information are completely over exaggerated," Jennifer Robinson, one of Assange¹s lawyers, told CNN. Assange has hinted that whatever information he has, it's unredacted. WikiLeaks came under tremendous fire this summer after its release of the Afghan War logs. Human rights organizations and government officials across the world said that the group's failure to remove the names of informants who had helped coalition forces in Afghanistan put those sources in grave jeopardy. Assange told Time that he was not aware of anyone ever hurt by a WikiLeaks document release. Read the full transcript . If the "poison pill" file is opened and its contents published online, it becomes easier to trace who might be involved, Nigam said. But it will still be hard. "You could have your IP address visible and accessible to trace," he said. "But if your goal is to hide your identity, then you will use proxy servers, hide your ID through rerouting so that information bounces from place to place until the person chasing you ends up in a dead zone. You could leave traces behind by accident, but I think we are safe in saying people affiliated with this situation know what they're doing." Nigam was one of the first prosecutors in the U.S. Justice Department to pursue internet child predators. He's experienced in investigating cases using online techniques, but also in the real world. "The government would be wise not to focus on the technical, and instead concentrate on finding and talking with people who were around Assange in the last few years, the people who he trusts," Nigam said. Technology won't turn on a friend, he said, but people will. | Expert: "Julian [Assange] is saying 'I've calibrated this so that ... you're never going to deactivate it" A 256-bit key encryption code will reportedly release the contents of a 1.4 gigabyte-size file . It could take years to crack the code, a combination of letters, numbers and symbols . Assange lawyer: Reports of a "nuclear bomb of information" in a file is exaggerated . | ce7f84e3bed8d1b0f362aa7c393d5c753b3f9061 |
Cairo (CNN) -- A leading figure in the Sunni Islam world called for fellow believers to respond to recent controversial portrayals of Mohammed -- which he said "spread hatred" -- just like the prophet himself would, "through patience and wisdom." The Grand Mufti of Egypt Ali Gomaa spoke to CNN as Muslims staged yet more passionate protests Saturday in yet more locales, from Germany to Lebanon to Bangladesh, as they have since September 11. Demonstrators railed against an obscure, 14-minute trailer for a film that mocks Mohammed as a womanizer, child molester and killer -- as well as the country in which it was privately produced, the United States -- and more recently a French satirical magazine's cartoons of a figure representing Mohammed. Egypt's grand mufti questioned whether in the United States, for example, the inflammatory film "Innocence of Muslims" was not illegal under laws prohibiting the spread of hatred. And he also challenged if laws protecting freedom of speech were applicable. "This is not freedom of speech, this is an attack on humanity, (an) attack on religions, and (an) attack on human rights," he said. At the same time, the North African nation's grand mufti -- a figure appointed by Egypt's government whose pronouncements often hold significant sway in the Muslim world -- stressed conflict is not the answer, saying, "We live together and must respect our neighbors." "These cartoons spread hatred, and we call for peace," he said, adding that Islamic leaders "fear the spread of hatred" against their religion and oppose "the mocking" of any religion. Noting Egypt-based Coptic Church bishops had condemned the film that sparked protests, Egypt's grand mufti -- who noted he's active in the Coexist Foundation, which promotes religious tolerance -- urged an end to the cycle of different groups attacking each other. And in Egypt, at least, he vowed Muslims and Christians will continue to peacefully coexist despite the recent turmoil. "My message to those who want (strife) between Muslims and Christians in Egypt, I tell them, 'You will not succeed, because we are one people that have been living together for more than 1,400 years,'" he said. More Muslims protest inflammatory film, cartoons . The trailer for "Innocence of Muslims" was posted online to YouTube in July, but it wasn't until earlier this month that it gained attention in the Muslim world and stirred tens of thousands of protest in more than 20 nations. While most of these demonstrations have been peaceful, a number have been marred by violence that has left more than two dozen people dead -- among them U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three other Americans killed in an attack on the consulate in Benghazi, Libya. And there were more protests Saturday, in which Muslims once again derided the film and, in many cases, the United States. Among them: . -- Thousands of Shiite Muslims protested in the Nigerian city of Kano, with the crowd shouting "God is great" and "Death to America," resident Sani isa Mohammed told CNN. There were no immediate reports of violence, according to a police officer said. "The imam called us to join in the call to damn the evil film from America which insulted the prophet and we joined in the march," Mohammed said. "We chanted and shouted. My voice is hoarse from screaming!" -- Protests in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, turned violent as police fired tear gas and used clubs to disperse the crowd, which included some wielding sticks and flinging chunks of bricks, police and witnesses said. Demonstrators in the South Asian nation -- which has one of the world's largest Muslim populations -- torched a police van and damaged police cars, and several protesters and protest leaders were arrested, the spokesman said. Activists called a countrywide general strike for Sunday in protest of a government ban issued Friday on any kind of gatherings and rallies in downtown Purana Paltan, centering the national mosque. Benazir Ahmed, chief of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, defended a ban that he said was imposed to maintain law and order. -- Hundreds took to the streets of Dortmund, Germany, chanting and peacefully denouncing what they described as injustices against Islam. One banner, for instance, noted that insulting blacks, Jews or women would be defined as racism, anti-Semitism and sexism, respectively, but questioned why insulting the Muslim Prophet would qualify as freedom of opinion. -- Thousands carrying Lebanese and Hezbollah flags turned out in Bint Jbeil, in southeastern Lebanon. Prompted by speakers, they chanted anti-American slogans and derided any attempt to defame the Prophet Mohammed. Druze and Christian leaders in the area joined top Muslim figures at the demonstration. -- A day after at least 27 people were killed and more than 100 injured as mobs ransacked banks, theaters, government offices and a church and clashed with security forces, at least 3,500 female students of Islamabad's Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, protested the film . The women and girls wore headbands on top of their burqas as they marched through Islamabad's streets, carrying placards saying "America is the biggest terrorist" and "Say NO to American products," mosque spokesman Abdul Qadir told CNN. "We will respond to this insult whether we are men or women," they chanted. American diplomatic official summoned in Pakistan . Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, summoned U.S. charges d'affaires Ambassador Richard Hoagland on Friday to demand the United States remove the controversial movie from YouTube. Islamabad -- which had declared a "national holiday" to protest the film -- has blocked the site in recent days. According to a statement, the ministry lodged a protest with Hoagland over the movie, describing it as "a premeditated and a malicious act to spread hatred and violence among people of different faiths." Hoagland reiterated the Obama administration's repeated condemnation of the movie and its message, emphasizing that the United States government had nothing to do with it. "Ambassador Hoagland stated that this act was a deeply insensitive decision by a single individual to disseminate hatred," according to a statement released by the U.S. Embassy. "It does not reflect the values of the United States, a nation of more than 300 million people, built upon the pillars of religious freedom and tolerance." The U.S. mission in Lahore, Pakistan, on Saturday extended the temporary suspension of services amid news of two planned protests that were expected to draw hundreds, according to a U.S. State Department security announcement. Washington launches TV, social media campaign . The United States has been trying to stem anger in Pakistan through television advertisements and a Facebook campaign. The U.S. State Department spent $70,000 on television public service announcements that began airing last week in Pakistan. The ads feature Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton disavowing the anti-Islam video. On the Facebook page of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, officials posted a video of two Americans speaking out against the film, but that has drawn overwhelmingly negative responses. "If America (does) not have any concern with this film then why (is) their government not taking any action against this act? Why there is no law (to) protect the religious (beliefs) of Muslims?" read a Facebook post by someone identified as Numra Sheikh. CNN's Yousuf Basil, Shaan Khan, Reza Sayah and Chelsea J. Carter and journalists Farid Ahmed and Hassan John contributed to this report. | NEW: Angry about government ban on protests, activists in Bangladesh call a general strike . The grand mufti of Egypt says anti-Islam video spreads "hatred," which should be illegal . He adds that Muslims want peace and respect, not conflict . Muslims protest Saturday in Nigeria, Bangladesh, Germany and Pakistan . | 66fae69c2c26a1758883da4ddb759bcf6596567c |
(CNN) -- Mississippi's lone abortion clinic can stay open, after a federal appeals court Tuesday ruled against a law that effectively would have shut it down -- contending that it's not right to simply pass the buck to other states. Tuesday's decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals spares the Jackson Women's Health Organization, at least for now. The law's sponsor, state Rep. Sam Mims, said Tuesday that "all the parties involved are looking" at what to do next -- including a possible appeal that could end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. It all stems from House Bill 1390, legislation signed into law in 2012 that requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. Three doctors work in the clinic in the Mississippi capital, only one of whom meets this requirement. Seven hospitals in and around Jackson rebuffed the other two doctors' requests to get the same privileges -- not because of their qualifications, per se, but because their "medical practice is inconsistent with" the hospitals' practices. State's clinic faced threat of shutdown . As the appeals court noted Tuesday, this isn't a matter of whether abortion is legal: The Supreme Court "long ago" established that it is. "The ultimate issue in this appeal is whether the state of Mississippi can impose a regulation that effectively will close its only abortion clinic," the judges wrote in the prevailing opinion. The state had ceded this fact, contending that Mississippi residents still could get an abortion in Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama or elsewhere. But that didn't satisfy the appeals court. "We ... hold that Mississippi may not shift its obligation to respect the established constitutional rights of its citizens to another state," the judges wrote. "Such a proposal would not only place an undue burden on the exercise of a constitutional right, but would also disregard a state's obligation under the principle of federalism -- applicable to all 50 states." In a post on its Facebook page, the Jackson Women's Health Organization cheered the decision and thanked its supporters. Mims expressed disappointment. "This legislation has always been about the best possible health care for women who receive an abortion," he told CNN. "I still believe that having physicians obtain privileges in a local hospital makes sense." Mims noted that other states have similar requirements. One of them is Texas, which had its own regulation held up -- ironically, by the same federal appeals court that ruled on the Mississippi matter. Appeals court upholds parts of Texas abortion law . That decision found that making some women travel less than 150 miles, because of the regulations within the Texas law, "is not an undue burden." But forcing them to cross state lines -- and allowing some states not to offer abortions while others do -- is a different matter. The judges on Tuesday referred to a 1938 Supreme Court decision involving an African-American being denied admission to the University of Missouri's law school because of his race. The university system offered him, instead, a tuition stipend to go to a law school in another state. A common tie between that case and what's happening with regarding to the Mississippi abortion clinic is that "a state cannot lean on its sovereign neighbors to provide protection of its citizens' federal constitutional rights," the judges said. Nancy Northup, head of the Center for Reproductive Rights, applauded Tuesday's appeals court ruling on Mississippi while acknowledging its future is still uncertain. "For far too long, women in Mississippi have been teetering on the precipice of a reality similar to the dark days before Roe v. Wade," Northup said in a news release. "This is unacceptable, unconstitutional and contrary to the consensus of the strong majority of Americans who do not wish to see Roe's constitutional protections overturned." Mims thinks that House Bill 1390 should still stand, contending that it includes a sensible measure to safeguard women's health. "I think it's a very important piece of legislation that passed the Mississippi Legislature," the Republican from McComb said. "And we'll have to see what happens next." Opinion: Mississippi's end run around abortion . CNN's Rich Phillips contributed to this report. | NEW: Rep. Mims disappointed; he says his bill seeks to give women best possible care . NEW: Mississippi's lone abortion clinic cheers the ruling; supporters say fight isn't over . State law: All clinic doctors had to get privileges at local hospitals; they could not . The state argued that those wanting abortions could go to nearby states . | 4eb7fdd9d30d8edf00c558d798354eedd4d4cec3 |
By . Rachel Quigley . PUBLISHED: . 14:05 EST, 4 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 02:24 EST, 6 November 2012 . This is the tragic two-year-old boy who was mauled to death by a pack of ravenous African wild dogs after he fell off a zoo railing his mother put him on to get a better view of the animals on Sunday. Maddox Derkosh had 'no chance' of surviving after falling 11 feet into the dog pit at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium while his horrified parents Jason and Elizabeth Derkosh looked on helpless. Desperate rescue attempts by zookeepers and armed police officers could not deter the 11 aggressive beasts as they savagely attacked the two-year-old, from Pleasant Hills, on Sunday morning. A medical examiner concluded today that the toddler was killed by the animals, not by the fall. Scroll down for video . Victim: Maddox Derkosh, two, 'didn't stand a chance' of surviving after falling 11 feet into the dog pit at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium while his horrified parents Jason and Elizabeth Derkosh looked on helpless . Deadly hunters: The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium has housed a pack of 11 African Painted dogs, one of which is seen here in 2009, for several years . Scene: The overlook platform where the boy fell into the exhibit that was home to a pack of African painted dogs is seen through a window from another observation area at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium . Where: This is the overlook platform where two-year-old Maddox fell into the dog enclosure. He bounced off the net, which is there to save small items like cameras and phones . Barbara Baker, CEO and president of . the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium said there is a net below the rail, . but the boy bounced off it and into the enclosure. She said the animals attacked the . child so quickly that by the time a veterinarian and other zoo staffers . arrived seconds later, they determined it would have been futile to try . to rescue the child. Authorities said that zoo staff and . then police responded 'within minutes' but visitors described that time . as being filled with screams for help. Zookeepers called off some of the dogs, and seven of them immediately went to a back building. The African wild dog is an endangered species which typically roams the open plains and sparse woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. The dog's Latin name Lycaon pictus means 'painted wolf' because of the animal's patchy colored coat of red, black, brown, white and yellow fur, each with their own unique pattern. These dogs are very social, and packs have been known to share food and to assist weak or ill members. In fact after a successful hunt, the dogs regurgitate meat for those that remained at the den. They hunt in packs of six to 20 and despite their small size they prey on large animals like antelopes and wildebeests. They kill the larger prey by disemboweling, a technique . that is rapid but has caused this species to have a negative, ferocious . reputation. They are often hunted and killed by farmers who fear for their domestic animals and are susceptible to diseases spread by domestic animals. Its large teeth allow it to consume a lot of bone in the same way a hyena does and it has a bite force quotient - BFQ, the strength of bite relative to the animal's mass - measured at 142, the highest of any carnivore, except for the Tasmanian devil. They are extremely aggressive and nearly 80 per cent of their hunts end in a kill - as opposed to a lion with a success rate of just 30 percent. There were once approximately 500,000 African wild dogs in 39 countries, and packs of 100 or more were not uncommon. Now there are only about 3,000-5,500 in fewer than 25 countries . Three more eventually were drawn away . from the child and one especially aggressive dog refused to back down and stop attacking . the boy. It was shot dead by an officer. Experts said the death is highly unusual. The family's neighbor Rachel Majcher told . the Tribune Review: '(Jason and Elizabeth) went nowhere without Maddox. I cannot imagine . the dark cloud that is following them.' 'I can’t imagine as a mom myself what tragedy that would be, Your heart stops when your kid skins a knee.' She . said her father saw Maddox trick-or-treating in a Superman costume, and . he could often be found playing on a swing set with his cousin, who . lives nearby. 'The hardest part is going to be to explain to my kids that their playmate is no longer here. His life will be celebrated.' Steve Feldman, a spokesman for the . Association of Zoos and Aquariums, said no one he's spoken to can recall . any deaths of children at an accredited zoo over the last 40 years or . more. Feldman said the Pittsburgh Zoo . successfully completed its five-year review in September, which means it . meets or exceeds all safety standards. The zoo was immediately closed, and it was not clear when it will reopen, authorities said. The so-called painted dogs are about . as big as medium-sized domestic dogs, and 37 to 80 pounds , according to . the zoo. They have large, rounded ears and dark brown circles around . their eyes and are considered endangered. The attack happened in a 1.5 acre . exhibit called the Painted Dog Bush Camp that's part of a larger open . area where elephants, lions and other animals can be seen. Visitors walk . onto a deck that is glassed on the sides, but open in front where the . roughly four-foot railing is located. In May, some of the dogs crawled . under a fence and escaped into a part of the exhibit that's usually . closed. The zoo was on lockdown for about an hour as a precaution. Kraus said there was nothing to prevent visitors to the painted dog exhibit from jumping into the exhibit area. He described the accident as 'horrific'. 'Unfortunately, . the dogs were in pack mentality and not responding to zookeepers' efforts to control them,' the zoo said in a statement. Police and the Allegheny County . medical examiner's office are investigating, and they haven't yet . interviewed the mother or father, who are receiving grief counseling. Baker said the zoo, which has never . had a visitor death, will also investigate. She said no decision has . been made yet on the future of the exhibit. Emergency: Now closed, the Pittsburgh Zoo's entrance is seen after the young boy was killed after falling into the exhibit around noon . Lock-dock: The zoo immediately closed and patrons were hurried inside buildings during the attack . Deadly: The dogs, which are smaller than Labrador retrievers, can be dangerous on their own by are deadly killers when hunting in packs . Zoo officials said there is a mesh . barrier beyond the railing, but Lt Kraus said it was designed to catch . small objects such as cameras, and not humans. Investigators have not determined the exact cause of death, he said. 'The screams just kept coming and coming: "Someone help. Someone has to do something,''' witness Angela Cinti, 20, who was visiting the zoowith her boyfriend told the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette. 'We were on our way to the polar bear exhibit when we heard the most horrible piercing screams,' Ms Ciniti recalled. 'Someone was begging for help, asking someone to do something.' Guests recounted being hurried into the nearest building for safety, waiting for a half an hour according to Ms Cinit. 'We were locked down in the building . and told to stay inside,' Ms Cinit told the paper. 'We thought it was a . problem with one of the animals that got loose. Then we were told it was . an incident with the wild dogs and that a child had been hurt.' Uncertainty: A security guard closes the gate to the park though it's not yet clear whether he died from the fall or the attack . Reaction: The boy was pronounced dead at the scene as guests were hurried into the nearest buildings as a safety precaution, ushered under zoo officials like Ms Baker, pictured . In May, 200 patrons were rushed inside buildings and the zoo was put on lock-down when nine of the dogs sneaked out of the exhibit and found its way into a secondary holding pen. Alone, the dogs, which weigh up to 80 pounds, can be formidable, but in packs they are vicious -- capable of hunting and killing prey many times their size. They have been known to kill wildebeest and zebras, though they usually pursue less dangerous prey. The dogs, which are endangered, are among the most deadly predators of the Serengeti Plain. Their hunts end in a kill 80 per cent of the time. Lions have a success rate of just 30 per cent. Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames. | Maddox Derkosh fell over railing about 12pm on Sunday at Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium . Dogs developed 'pack mentality' and could not be stopped by zookeepers who fired darts at them . Police officer opened fire and killed one dog that would not stop mauling boy . Both parents are currently being medicated to deal with shock . | 8ddf1fd00ccf86d0acf50ef91190e7c87f2aab16 |
The family of the 53-year-old Colorado man found safe five days after he went missing during a Denver Broncos game have revealed that he 'had some sort of breakdown' and is currently recovering from his ordeal. The Denver Police Department tweeted just before 11pm on Tuesday that 53-year-old Paul Kitterman had been found alive more than 110 miles south of Denver in the city of Pueblo, and that no foul play is suspected. 'Right now we are still unsure what happened to Paul. We know he is very tired. Scroll down for videos . Vanishing act: Paul Kitterman (second left) told police he disposed of his Denver Broncos hat after leaving the stadium last Thursday during halftime so he would not be recognized on his way 'somewhere warm.' Also pictured are his stepson Jarod (far right), friend Tia Bakke (second right) and her boyfriend Jay Yust (left) 'We are not certain of what has happened but we know Paul had some sort of breakdown,' said stepson Jarod Tonneson and friend Tia Bakke in a statement to ABC News. Reached by phone, Kitterman's father, Allen, told MailOnline that his son was 'catching up on his sleep.' 'He's back home with his friends. We have not spoken to him but we are glad he's OK,' he said. 'We are trying to let him sleep, he's catching up on his sleep. I appreciate your concern.' Earlier on Wednesday Kitterman's family had released a statement saying the 53-year-old man was 'in a fragile state, both physically and mentally.' 'At this time, even family and friends do not have the while story. They are respecting Paul's wishes for personal space and time to process the events of the past five days.' Colorado police have revealed that Kitterman disposed of his hat emblazoned with the Broncos' logo before embarking on a 112-mile journey to Pueblo last Thursday. The above map shows the distance between Broncos Stadium, where Kitterman went missing on Thursday, and Pueblo, Colorado where he was found unharmed five days later . Pueblo police said they found Kitterman coherent outside a Kmart store after a citizen spotted him, Fox Denver reports. He reportedly told police that he wanted to escape to some place warm. Police there said he appeared to be in good health, and has been put up in a hotel to await the arrival of his grown stepson, whom he had left alone during halftime at Mile High Stadium five days earlier. According to police, they got a call from a family friend Tuesday saying they had picked up Kitterman at a Salvation Army and took him to a Rodeway Inn in Pueblo, but by the time officers arrived at the motel the man was gone. Soon after, police received a call from the owner of Benfatti Furniture who spotted Kitterman and recognized him as the missing man from news reports. The 53-year-old was picked up next to a Kmart store near the Pueblo Mall. Kitterman, who had no car and no cellphone on him, revealed that he walked and hitchhiked from Denver to Pueblo located 112 miles away because 'he'd had his fill of football,' reported USA Today. The father also allegedly told police that he enjoyed taking walks, reported the station KOAA. With only about $50 in his pocket, the construction warm said he slept in trees and bushes along the way. Kitterman 'even mentioned disposing of his Broncos hat as he did not want to be recognized,' police told NBC News. According to police in Pueblo, the divorced dad was surprised to learn that his disappearance has made national headlines. Kitterman, who had been described by his family as someone who is not comfortable with technology, told officers that he had not seen any television since he took off from the stadium. Earlier in the day Tuesday, Kitterman's family had a scare when police found the body of a middle-aged man near train tracks in the vicinity of the football stadium, but it was quickly determined that it was not the missing dad. Paul Kitterman's family have released a statement on Facebook thanking everyone for offering them support and asking the public and the media to respect their privacy. 'The family is happy to report Paul has been found and they are now with him and he is safe,' read the status update posted Tuesday night. Safe and well - but where was he? Denver Police said that no foul play was suspected in Kitterman's disappearance. They referred all further questions to the man's family . Denver Police Sgt. Steve Warneke said that no criminal charges are expected. 'All we were trying to do was make sure he was unharmed, and he was,' Warneke said. 'So at that point, we're finished." Police referred all other questions to Kitterman's family. Kitterman was last seen on Thursday when his stepson left him at halftime to use the restroom. On Monday night, Denver police revealed that a witness saw Kitterman inside the stadium during the third quarter, but it remains unknown where the man went after the game. Jarod Tonneson, Kitterman’s stepson, as well as his friends, have publicly criticized investigators for allegedly not doing enough to locate the missing man. 'I think they should take us more seriously,' Tonneson said during an interview on Fox News Tuesday morning. Tia Bakke, Kitterman's friend who took him to the fateful game on Thursday, told MailOnline Monday: 'He's now been missing for four days and we have had absolutely no leads whatsoever. But police don't consider it a priority. Father and son: Jarod Tonneson (left) and Paul went with Tia Bakke and her boyfriend for their first Broncos game on Thursday . 'They say he is an adult and there is no sign of foul play so there is nothing much they can do,' she added. 'I am trying to maintain a positive, hopeful attitude, but I am very, very worried.' Kitterman, who is unmarried and lives alone in Kremmling, was at his first ever professional football game when he vanished. Bakke and her boyfriend Jay Yust - for whom Kitterman has worked for the last 10 years - had invited him last-minute to go to Thursday's crunch AFC West face-off against the San Diego Chargers along with his 21-year-old stepson, Jarod Tonneson. In their haste, Kitterman forgot his cellphone, took no credit cards and very little cash. Still, Kitterman had memorized his friends' phone numbers and would have found ways to reach out if he wanted to leave. Mystery: Kitterman - pictured with Jarod at the game - did not have his cell phone or his credit cards with him when he vanished, Bakke said . 'We are regulars, we are not season ticket holders, but this was the fourth Broncos game we have been to this season, and we have taken other friends with us before,' said Bakke. 'But Paul had never been to a game.' The friends couldn't get seats together so Bakke and Yust sat in one section of the Sports Authority Field at Mile High while Kitterman and his son went to another, section number 230. The foursome met up at halftime when the Broncos were leading 14-7 — but that is the last time that Kitterman, who works on Yust's MY Ranch in Kremmling, Colorado, was seen. 'He was super-excited about the game. It was the first time he had been and the Broncos were ahead and playing well,' Bakke, 24, told MailOnline. 'Jarod needed to use the restroom and we left Paul waiting outside for him - it couldn't have been more than 10 feet from where we had been standing.' But when Jarod came out, his father was nowhere to be found so he went back to his seat in the south bleachers to watch the second half of the game, assuming he would soon rejoin him. Back home: Bakke told MailOnline that Kitterman said that it was uncharacteristic of him to disappear. She said he's 'extremely reliable. Paul is the most trustworthy person you could ever wish to meet' When the game ended in a 35-21 Bronco victory around 9.30 pm, Bakke called Tonneson telling him she and her 30-year-old boyfriend were waiting at Gate 8 ready for the two-hour drive back to Kremmling. 'He said he was waiting for Paul and asked me if he was with us, I said "no, I thought he was with you."' For nearly three frantic hours the trio searched the 13-year-old, 76,000-capacity stadium with no luck. They called the police, local hospitals, even jails and detox facilities in the hope that someone could give them a lead. Tonneson told Denver's Fox affiliate, KDVR-TV he and his friends had looked in 'parking lots, trees, bushes, anywhere we could think of'. Farm hand: Kitterman worked at a ranch owned by the friends he went to the game with. Bakke said: 'He would hate the fuss that is growing up around his disappearance' Eventually they left for the long journey home, hoping against hope that Paul would be waiting for them when they returned to Kremmling. Bakke called the frustrating days following the game 'the longest, most miserable days of her life'. According to his son, Paul had four or five beers in the course of a four-hour span, not enough to become disoriented. Tia Bakke told MailOnline that Kitterman has worked for her boyfriend for nearly a decade and has always been extremely reliable. 'Paul is the most trustworthy person you could ever wish to meet,' she said. 'He would hate the fuss that is growing up around his disappearance. Paul is just not the type of person who would do something like this for attention. 'He would never deliberately let anyone worry about him, that is just not who he is,' she added. 'He never wants stress or heartache or anything like that. He is the type of person that if you are having a bad day will do anything he can to be there for you. | Denver Police say Paul Kitterman, 53, is safe after being located more than 110 miles away in Pueblo, Colorado . Kitterman told police he walked and hitchhiked to Pueblo . He was surprised to learn his disappearance sparked a media frenzy . A joint statement from his stepson and a friend said Kitterman had 'some sort of breakdown' Kitterman's father told MailOnline the 53-year-old is currently staying with friends and catching up on his sleep . Family released a statement to the media saying Paul is exhausted and 'in a fragile state, both physically and mentally' Mr Kitterman slept in trees and bushes along the way . Police are not expecting to file any charges against Kitterman . They are directing all questions about his disappearance to family . Kitterman was last seen by his stepson at a game at Mile High stadium in Denver on Thursday . Stepson Jarod Tonneson, 21, went to the bathroom during halftime, but after returning to his seat his father never rejoined him . | c5c49d0b09bbfc3588545f4b98e7488eef11a7a3 |
On Monday, Pakistan's long-awaited report into the death of Osama bin Laden in the city of Abbottabad two years ago was leaked in full to Al Jazeera. The independent Abbottabad Commission was established by Pakistan's parliament to investigate what for many Pakistanis was an embarrassing double national humiliation. First, that bin Laden lived in Pakistan for nine years undetected before he was killed. Second, that the U.S. conducted a military operation inside Pakistan that, from the moment that four U.S. helicopters penetrated Pakistan's airspace, lasted for more than three hours without detection by the Pakistani military. In more than 300 pages, the report paints an intimate picture of the final days and years of the leader of al Qaeda and is also a devastating indictment of what it describes as the incompetence of many institutions of the Pakistani state. A senior Pakistani government official told CNN the Abbottabad Commission report is authentic. Report: Osama bin Laden -- doting grandpa, paranoid terrorist . The night of the raid . The report describes the "fateful night" of May 2, 2011, when bin Laden was killed by a U.S. Navy SEAL team and begins with a flourish out of a Harlequin romance: "Today was Amal's turn for the Shaikh [bin Laden] to be with her. She was the youngest of his wives." The report goes on to describe in almost minute-by-minute detail the SEAL raid on the bin Laden compound in Abbottabad, which, it estimates, took between 36 and 38 minutes. Bin Laden and Amal were sleeping in their top floor bedroom with their 3-year-old son Hussain when they were startled awake by a noise that sounded like a "a storm," the report recounts. Amal reached to turn on the light in the bedroom but bin Laden told her: "No!" Soon bin Laden and his young wife were joined by two of bin Laden's adult daughters. Together they quickly recited verses of the Koran and bin Laden informed them that American helicopters had arrived. He ordered his children to leave his bedroom. Suddenly, an American soldier appeared in the room. Amal saw a red beam of light from the laser of the soldier's gun but she heard no sounds, as the weapon had a silencer. Amal rushed the soldier who shot her "in the knee," the report says. A shot from the U.S .soldier hit bin Laden in the head and he died at around 12:50 a.m. on May 2, 2011, according to the report. The report -- by four retired senior Pakistani military, diplomatic, police and judicial officials -- is based on 201 interviews of government officials and other witnesses. Bin Laden's death: How the story unfolded . An obsession with security . Bin Laden went to great lengths to avoid detection, according to the report's description. When he left his three-story residence to tour his Abbottabad compound, he wore a cowboy hat that prevented prying eyes or satellites from recognizing him. Bin Laden's two bodyguards also practiced careful operational security, making phone calls from public call booths in cities at least an hour's drive from the Abbottabad compound, where they lived with al Qaeda's leader. When one of the bodyguard's young daughters saw a picture of bin Laden on a television program and recognized him to be the tall Arab man who was living on the Abbottabad compound, the report says, the bodyguard banned any further TV watching and any subsequent contact between his family and the bin Laden family. After the arrest of 9/11 operational commander Khalid Sheik Mohammed in Pakistan in March 2003, bin Laden decided to stop meeting with any al Qaeda members in person, with the exception of his two bodyguards. During bin Laden's nine years on the run, his wife Amal gave birth to four children in Pakistan. To avoid any troublesome questions, when Amal gave birth in a hospital the nurses and doctors were informed that she was "deaf and dumb." The bin Laden bodyguards installed four separate gas and electricity meters at the Abbottabad compound to ensure that there wasn't ever a suspiciously large gas or electricity bill betraying the presence of the 16 members of the bin Laden family. Despite bin Laden complaints of pains in his heart or kidney he never saw a doctor, preferring to treat these ailments with "traditional Arab medicine," the report says. When bin Laden traveled around Pakistan, which he did relatively frequently in the early years of his life on the run, he shaved off his distinctive beard. Opinion: From bin Laden to Boston . The Family Man . The report shows bin Laden to be an involved father and grandfather to the dozen or so of his children and grandchildren who were living at the Abbottabad compound. He supervised their playtime, which included cultivating vegetable plots and he handed out "prizes for best performance." Bin Laden was also strict when it came to his Islamic beliefs. In the bin Laden family, girls were completely separated from males at the unusually early age of three. And even when men appeared on TV, the bin Laden women would leave the room. For the scion of one of the richest families in the Middle East, bin Laden certainly was careful with money. He had only a few changes of clothes and was paying the two bodyguards who were his only connection to the outside world around $100 a month each, according to the report. The CIA . The Abbottabad commission also examined the recruitment of Pakistani doctor Shakeel Afridi, who, according to the commissioners, was paid 10 million rupees by the CIA -- around $100,000 -- to mount a hepatitis-B vaccination program in Abbottabad. The aim was to confirm the presence of bin Laden at his suspected hideout by extracting blood samples from his children. The CIA hoped to compare that DNA to DNA the U.S. government had already obtained from other members of the bin Laden family. Afridi met with CIA officials on a number of occasions, including with two female operatives named "Kate" and "Sue," who posed as officials with the U.S. Agency for International Development. Dr. Afridi's CIA handlers provided him with a satellite radio so they could stay in touch with him and easily track him. Two weeks before bin Laden was killed, Dr. Afridi arrived outside the bin Laden compound. He called one of bin Laden's bodyguards on the phone seeking entry, but the bodyguard told him there that no one was at home. The CIA plans to extract blood samples from the bin Laden kids never panned out. Afridi is now serving a 33-year prison term in Pakistan for what the independent report characterizes as the "trumped-up charges" of providing support to the Taliban. Opinion: Who really killed bin Laden? Pakistani government failures . The report found that the at the time of the raid on bin Laden's compound, the Pakistani Air Force was focused on its traditional Indian enemy on its eastern border and its radar systems were in "peacetime mode" on its western border with Afghanistan. This helped explain how the U.S. was able to insert four helicopters into Pakistan without detection. When the Pakistani Air Force finally scrambled jets to intercept the American helicopters they were long gone from Abbottabad. The report faults local officials in Abbottabad for their "collective incompetence and negligence" for not paying more attention to the mysterious compound where bin Laden was hiding out. And it faults Pakistan's intelligence agencies for not mounting any kind of serious effort to discover if bin Laden was living in Pakistan. The report also lambastes the same intelligence agencies for not detecting the "nationwide CIA network" in Pakistan. On two occasions the report makes reference to bin Laden's "diary" which was recovered at the Abbottabad compound. Hopefully, the U.S. or Pakistani government will at some point make public the contents of that diary, which will doubtless provide important new insights about the life and thinking of al-Qaeda's founder. | Peter Bergen: Abbottabad Report gives intimate picture of bin Laden's life hiding in Pakistan . He says it's sharp indictment of what report calls Pakistan intelligence's "incompetence" It recounts bin Laden's daily life, tactics to evade discovery, and the drama of the night of the raid . Bergen: It calls out CIA ploys that used doctor to help find bin Laden; fault's local government . | 35fd38fa14b06d0978c97a030daf73338bd42161 |
Within the next 30 years, the global population is set to increase by almost 3 billion up to 10 billion, and this rise is set to put a heavy burden on the healthcare industry. Futurologist Peter Cochrane has predicted how he believes the world will cope with this extra demand, and which technologies are set to revolutionise medical treatment over the next 25 years. His forecasts include lighting that helps people recover from illness, virtual surgeries and wearables that detect cancer molecules. Scroll down for video . Futurologist Peter Cochrane has predicted how he believes the world will cope with an ageing and increasing population over the next 25 years, and which technologies are set to revolutionise medical treatment . The claims were made in Mr Cochrane’s Future Technologies of Health and Care, Wellbeing and Transformation report, commissioned by Philips Innovation. It also addressed how traditional job roles will evolve. The claims were made in Peter Cochrane’s (pictutred) Future Technologies of Health and Care, Wellbeing and Transformation report . Peter Cochrane believes that technology is easing people away from ‘mass medicine and treatment’ into a more focused world of personalised medicine targeted at the individual, whether that be at home or in public hospitals. Sensors will soon be able to relief pain, as well as detect cancer and other chemical inbalances in the body. Material, food, water and energy waste will be reduced thanks to the so-called Clouds of Things, where everything is tracked, has sensors, and can communicate with each other. And within 25 years, Mr Cochrane said jobs such as bankers, receptionists, call centre and warehouse operatives, will become redundant, with occupations such as 'cyborg engineers' and 'crime predictors' becoming common. ‘[Population figures] sound bleak, but the reality is that technology has satisfied all our desires and needs and we’ve never been in a better position than we are today,’ said Mr Cochrane. ‘I’ve looked at how human needs will impact on innovation, both now and in the future.’ Mr Cochrane explained that all the complex technology of medical care is currently concentrated in hospitals, but it is gradually heading to the doctor’s office. This will then head to bathroom cabinets, and in the future, people are increasingly going to be looking after their own health, using apps or virtual surgeries. The NetDoctors website, for example, already offers virtual appointments with doctors, so patients can discuss conditions or problems, ask queries about an odd-looking rash or seek advice when they can’t get an appointment with their GP. Dr Sirfraz Hussain, a GP at the Moss Side Family Practice in Manchester, similarly uses Skype to consult with his patients and said they have ‘revolutionised’ his practice by cutting waiting times. According to the report, these advancements prove that technology is moving away from mass medical treatment into a more ‘focused, personalised approach targeted at the individual.’ ‘Whether at home, or in public hospitals many of the big expensive machines and laboratory facilities associated with hospitals are being miniaturised, simplified and migrated to the doctors’ surgery and in turn will soon be seen in our bathroom cabinets,’ continued the report. It also explained that a new range of sensors could one day promise everything from non-invasive scanning, to pheromone analysis capable of detecting the early onset of some cancers and other diseases. These in theory could be placed inside wearable devices such as a wristband. There are already a number of skin cancer apps available, too, that claim to be able to analyse and assess moles based on size and shape, including Doctor Mole and DermoScreen. Elsewhere, Philips has been working with devices including Pulse Relief - a gadget that tracks an individual’s pain, and monitors how it affects their life. The Future Technologies of Health and Care, Wellbeing and Transformation report, by futurologist Peter Cochrane looks at how medical trends will revolutionise healthcare by 2040, His predictions include the rise of blue LEDs, virtual surgeries and appointments (pictured), and sensors that detect cancer molecules . While blue LED light technology, which recently won the Nobel Prize in Physics, is used in products such as Blue Touch, a wearable blue LED light pain patch. Philips BlueTouch uses blue LED lights to stimulate the body’s natural production of nitric oxide. Mr Cochrane also believes that in the near future, we will be able to 3D print replacement body parts . This boosts circulation and increases the spread of oxygen and nutrients through the body to treat mild to moderate pains. The report went on to say that our homes and hospitals will look different in the future meaning our environments will help with recovery, in addition to medical technologies. Lighting and sound, for example, is being experimented with to see how changes in hues, or noise, can help a patient heal or recover quicker. And these rooms can ‘adapt’ to respond to any changes. Another such innovation in offices, hotels and public buildings is carpets that provide information and directions through the combination of LED lighting and light-transmissive materials. Lighting is also being used to boost food production. For example, an indoor farm in Japan uses 17,500 LED lights spread over 18 cultivation racks, and these lights are used to mimic day and night. By monitoring the photosynthesis process carefully, the system grows lettuce two-and-a-half times faster than an outdoor farm. It also cuts waste product by 40 per cent and productivity per square foot is up 100-fold. Purple lighting is used to mimic night, . for example, while the white lights are adjusted slowly throughout the . day to mimic a sun moving through the sky. And home lighting, including examples such as Philips Hue and LiFx, can now alert users if there is someone at the door, flash when a favourite team scores a goal, or change colour when a text message is received. Philips, for example, has been working with devices including Blue Touch (pictured). It uses blue LED lights, which recently won the Nobel Prize in Physics, to detect and relieve back pain. It uses the lights to stimulate the body’s natural production of nitric oxide to boost circulation and the spread of oxygen around the body . Technology, and in particular smart lighting, is similarly being used to tackle food shortages and waste. For example, an indoor farm in Japan uses 17,500 LED lights (pictured) to mimic day and night. By monitoring photosynthesis process carefully, the system grows lettuce two-and-a-half times faster than an outdoor farm . They can also be remotely controlled to protect houses when homeowners are on holiday, for example. Finally, the report looked at how jobs will change and evolve thanks to advances in technology. In the next 25 years, jobs such as bankers, receptionists, call centre and warehouse operatives, stock traders, train drivers, pilots and even journalists are expected to change, said Mr Cochrane, as innovations develop to respond to human needs. And home lighting, including examples such as Philips Hue (pictured left) and LiFx (pictured right), can now alert users if there is someone at the door, flash when a favourite team scores a goal, or change colour when a text message is received to make our lives easier . Finally, the report looked at how jobs will change and evolve thanks to advances in technology. In the next 25 years, Mr Cochrane believes new jobs will be created, such as ‘cyborg engineers’, ‘crime predictors’ - similar to those seen in film Minority Report (Tom Cruise pictured) - and ‘information caretakers’ Mr Cochrane believes this will result in the creation of as yet unheard of jobs such as ‘cyborg engineers’, ‘crime predictors’ – similar to those seen in film Minority Report - and ‘information caretakers.’ Twitter and Facebook is often praised for increasing awareness, and boosting so-called 'citizen journalism', but Mr Cochrane said that this also increases the spread of misinformation. He predicts that this will additionally lead to the rise of 'truth engines', that act like search engines but only show verified information. ‘When confronted by any new technology we should ask one vital question - what benefit will it bring to my life? And the answer should guide our decision to embrace or avoid,’ concluded Mr Cochrane. | Report was written by futurologist Peter Cochrane and Philips Innovation . It looks at medical trends that will revolutionise healthcare by 2040 . Blue LEDs, virtual surgeries and cancer sensors are among the innovations . Future Technologies of Health and Care, Wellbeing and Transformation report also predicts how job roles will change . It claims 'cyborg engineers' and 'truth engines' will become common place . | 816a28811379cba37ad9deda99b05db22696a63a |
A witness says he heard the sarcastic final words of a Texas student moments before he was shot dead by a college police officer. Robert Cameron Redus, 23, was killed . when Corporal Chris Carter, 35, opened fire on him in the early hours of . Friday morning a few blocks away from the University of the Incarnate . Word in San Antonio where Redus studied, set to graduate in May. Neighbour Mohammad Haidaras told My San Antonio that he heard a tense exchange between Redus and Carter sixty seconds before shots rang out. He told the website: 'I heard (a man) say, 'Oh, you're gonna shoot me?' like sarcastic almost.' The 22-year-old claims he heard gunshots less than a minute later and jumped into his closet. Investigators say an altercation began when Carter tried to pull Redus over for speeding and driving erratically. College shooting: Cameron Redus was killed after a campus cop shot him multiple times during a traffic stop . Under investigation: The parking lot of Redus' apartment block where he died is cordoned off by police . Lieutenant Cindy Pruitt of the Alamo Heights Police Department told KSAT that the incident occurred about 2am in the parking lot of the Tree House apartments in the 100 block of Grandview Place off Broadway, where Redus was a resident. Redus, known to friends by his second name Cameron, had spent the evening celebrating the end of semester with classmates. According to Pruitt, Carter tried to pull him over on Broadway for driving erratically, despite the fact that Redus was off-campus. It is not clear where Carter first tried to pull Redus over, but both vehicles drove north on Broadway until they pulled into the parking lot of the Treehouse Apartments. Once there, both got out of their cars and some kind of struggle ensued. Pruitt told My San Antonio that Carter radioed for help shortly before Redus was shot. A witness who lives in the Treehouse Apartments described hearing 'five or six' gunshots, but no verbal warnings. 'I didn't hear him say anything like, "Get down on your hands and knees," you know? I didn't hear him say anything. He just started shooting,' the man told KSAT. 'He emptied the gun on him,' he said. 'Boom, boom, boom.' Crime scene: Police investigate the street outside Cameron's apartment, where he was shot dead . Moving on: Cameron was due to graduate from the University of the Incarnate Word in May . Gentle: Cameron Redus, who was described by friends as not being aggressive, was shot five times by a campus cop . Mohammad Haidarasl lives directly below Redus at the Treehouse Apartments. He told My San Antonio that he was asleep on his sofa when he heard an exchange between Redus and Carter. 'I heard [a man] say, "Oh, you're gonna shoot me?" like sarcastic almost,' he said. Less than a minute later, Haidarasl heard four to six gunshots. He only realized the man who had been shot was his upstairs neighbor, whom Haidrasl described as 'the nicest guy.' Carter has been placed on administrative leave while officers investigate the shooting. University officials describe him as having 'extensive law enforcement background.' According to records viewed by My San Antonio, Carter has had nine jobs at eight different agencies over his eight-year law enforcement career. Devastated: Friends Sarah Davis (left) and Annie Jones (right) speak of their disbelief at the shooting of Cameron Redus . Cameron had been celebrating the end of semester with friends before he was shot . He rarely stayed in any job for more than a year and the two years and seven months as a campus officer for UIW was the longest stint in his career. Officers investigating the incident haven't attempted to contact Haidrasl about what he heard, Haidrasl told My San Antonio. Back in Redus' hometown of Baytown, the promising student's mother, father, brothers and friends are struggling to understand their loss. 'We are understandably devastated by the death of our dear son Cameron and we ask for your prayers as we deal with our tragic loss. We trust that God is faithful and will see us through this most difficult time,' the victim's family said in a statement. Redus old friends from high school were shocked to hear the news. 'He was so kind. He’s not an aggressive person at all,' friend Sara Davis told KHOU. 'The story doesn’t really make sense to any of us.' 'He was an honor student, dean’s list every semester, incredibly intelligent,' said Annie Jones. 'So, so, so smart. He was our co-valedictorian in high school.' A vigil has been set for 7pm on Saturday at the University of the Incarnate Word grotto. According to ABC, Redus' family has hired an attorney. | University student Cameron Redus, 23, was shot and killed by a campus police officer . According to police, the officer tried to pull Redus over for driving erratically and speeding . The two pulled into the parking lot of Redus' apartment block . Minutes later, Redus was shot 'four to six times' by Carter . Redus was a straight-A student set to graduate in May . Alamo Heights police and Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting . Carter is on administrative leave during the investigation . | 9874ebc2305878029d5b081c0720a70c150f80da |
In a 2011 conversation about the Affordable Care Act, MIT economist Jonathan Gruber, one of the architects of the law more commonly known as Obamacare, talked about how the bill would get rid of all tax credits for employer-based health insurance through "mislabeling" what the tax is and who it would hit. In recent days, the past comments of Gruber -- who in a 2010 speech noted that he "helped write the federal bill" and "was a paid consultant to the Obama administration to help develop the technical details as well" -- have been given renewed attention. In previously posted but only recently noticed speeches, Gruber discusses how those pushing the bill took part in an "exploitation of the lack of economic understanding of the American voter," taking advantage of voters' "stupidity" to create a law that would ultimately be good for them. The issue at hand in this sixth video is known as the "Cadillac tax," which was represented as a tax on employers' expensive health insurance plans. While employers do not currently have to pay taxes on health insurance plans they provide employees, starting in 2018, companies that provide health insurance that costs more than $10,200 for an individual or $27,500 for a family will have to pay a 40 percent tax. "Economists have called for 40 years to get rid of the regressive, inefficient and expensive tax subsidy provided for employer provider health insurance," Gruber said at the Pioneer Institute for public policy research in Boston. The subsidy is "terrible policy," Gruber said. "It turns out politically it's really hard to get rid of," Gruber said. "And the only way we could get rid of it was first by mislabeling it, calling it a tax on insurance plans rather than a tax on people when we all know it's a tax on people who hold those insurance plans." (The White House press secretary said at a press briefing in 2010: "I would disagree with your notion that it is a tax on an individual since the proposal is written as a tax on an insurance company that offers a plan.") The second way was have the tax kick in "late, starting in 2018. But by starting it late, we were able to tie the cap for Cadillac Tax to CPI, not medical inflation," Gruber said. CPI is the consumer price index, which is lower than medical inflation. Gruber explains that by drafting the bill this way, they were able to pass something that would initially only impact some employer plans though it would eventually hit almost every employer plan. And by that time, those who object to the tax will be obligated to figure out how to come up with the money that repealing the tax will take from the treasury, or risk significantly adding to the national debt. "What that means is the tax that starts out hitting only 8% of the insurance plans essentially amounts over the next 20 years essentially getting rid of the exclusion for employer sponsored plans," Gruber said. "This was the only political way we were ever going to take on one of the worst public policies in America." Unions and employers who object in 2018, he noted, "at that point if they want to get rid of it they're going to have to fill a trillion dollar hole in the deficit...It's on the books now." (When the Cadillac tax was first rolled out, it was explained by Obamacare backers as a tax that would only impact those with "high end plans" -- not all employer sponsored plans. A White House economic adviser in 2009 set "the record straight" by saying "the excise tax levied on insurance companies for high-premium plans, the so-called 'Cadillac tax,' will affect only a small portion of the very highest cost health plans -- a total of 3% of premiums in 2013.") Gruber's are at about the 30:38 mark here. Former White House press secretary Jay Carney told CNN that Gruber's remarks in general were "very harmful politically to the president." Gruber "speaks from the Ivory tower with remarkable hubris about the American voter and by extension the American Congress," Carney told The Lead with Jake Tapper. "Any health care reform that sought to control costs and expand insurance would involve winners and losers. And that's always going to be the case." Many of the videos were discovered by a Philadelphia-area financial adviser named Rich Weinstein who has spent the last year researching Obamacare after his family insurance premiums doubled. Weinstein told CNN that he had assumed, incorrectly, that since he liked his health insurance plan and he had insurance, he wouldn't be much impacted by the new law. | MIT economist Jonathan Gruber is considered the architect of Obamacare . Videos where Gruber insults voters and explains the law have recently emerged . Opponents of Obamacare see this as evidence of the law's ill will . | cb6fa209cfd91b4dec0bf8c5a7343377bdaa8d76 |
(CNN) -- Venus Williams could not find the energy and inspiration which had seen her defeat sister Serena in the last four as she slipped to a straight sets defeat to Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska in the final of the Rogers Cup in Montreal Sunday. Maybe the effort of three straight three-set matches took its tool, but the seven-time grand slam champion was rarely a factor as she lost 6-4 6-2 in 81 minutes at the hard court tournament. "I am sorry. I fell a little short. I didn't have as much to give as I would have liked," Venus said. She took the opening game of the match before Radwanska went on a run of four straight to take an early stranglehold. Williams broke back for 4-3, but the third seed rounded out the set 6-4. The pair exchanged breaks at the start of the second, but Radwanska broke again in the fifth game and did not drop another to claim her 14th WTA career title. The Wimbledon 2012 runner-up to Serena Wlliams was delighted by her victory and a check for $467,000 for the win. "Everything was working for me today," she said. Consolation for Williams is that she will improve her current ranking of 26 after her fine run at the tournament and an earlier title in 2014. Later Sunday, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga completed a triumphant week at the men's Rogers Cup in Toronto with a straight sets victory over Roger Federer. The Frenchman had beaten world number one Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray on his way to the title match at the Masters 1000 tournament and Federer went the same way in a 7-5 7-6 victory. The 13th seed had also gone into this match as the underdog, with Federer looking for a remarkable 300th win at this level. But a single break after a pair of errors from Federer saw him wrap up the opener. The second set went with service with Tsonga wrapping up the tiebreaker 7-3 to win his second Masters 1000 crown and to climb back into the top 10 of the world rankings. Tsonga had not won a title in 18 months after struggling with injury and loss of form, but has returned to his best with a vengeance ahead of the U.S. Open later this month. | Agnieszka Radwanska wins Rogers Cup in Montreal . Beats Venus Williams 6-4 6-2 in final . Jo-Wilfried Tsonga stuns Roger Federer in Toronto final . Tsonga beat Novak Djokovic on the way to title match . | b36b63b2d22f9edba214afda0eabc15c959ce9a6 |
The Pet Shop Boys are set to swap the bright lights of the West End for the rolling hills of Ambridge to make a surprise appearance on the Archers. The band – Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe – will arrive as last-minute headliners for the rural soap's fictional music festival Loxfest this weekend, after the original act drops out. Festival organiser Roy Tucker will reveal the news backstage. Change of tempo? Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe of the Pet Shop Boys will arrive as last minute headliner's . The duo, whose hits include It's A Sin, Go West and Heart, said: 'It's a thrill for us to enter the world of The Archers, the UK's most famous radio drama.' They are joined on the show by Radio 6 Music DJ Steve Lamacq who is heard organising the festivities of the fictional festival. He said: 'Loxfest is the Archers storyline we've been waiting for. 'As someone who spends a lot of time covering festivals for the BBC, it was one we really wanted to be involved with. 'So when we first heard the rumours about the festival at the start of the year we offered up our services, helping to suggest bands that might fit the bill. 'I'd have probably have gone down and helped them put up the security fencing if they'd asked. Popular: The fictional town of Ambridge has hosted the Duchess of Cornwall and Sir Bradley Wiggins . 'I've been a fan of The Archers off and on for more than a decade, but got hooked again about three years ago. 'You'd be surprised how many Archers fans there are in the music industry. 'Even the former stage manager at Reading Festival would come up to me and ask to borrow my pocket radio when the Archers omnibus came on.' The Archers, which started out as an educational programme for farmers, is recorded in Birmingham and set in the fictional nearby village of Ambridge. Previous guest stars include the Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Margaret and Sir Bradley Wiggins. | Pop duo will arrive as last-minute headliners for the rural soap's festival . They follow guests such as Sir Bradley Wiggins and Princess Margaret . | 6cebd25c2ccca26749ec530950b5ff9c518dae85 |
By . Associated Press Reporter . and Reuters Reporter . California’s Central Valley was once known as America's food basket providing vast supplies of fruit, vegetables and meat, but as these recent photographs show the devastating effects of the state’s worst drought in decades has played havoc on the region leaving much of it unfit for farming. And it's not just farms in the region, as luxury homes and golf clubs have also been left with scorched earth where once there had been lush grass. The most populous U.S. state is in its third year of what officials are calling a catastrophic drought, leading farmers to leave fallow nearly a half-million acres of land and leaving some small communities at risk of running out of drinking water. Thousands of workers facing losing their jobs and farmers in the state are facing losses of $1.7 billion, according to recent economic study of what may be the state's driest year on record. A series of new ariel photos reveal the terrible impact that three years of catastrophic drought have had on California's Central Valle . Thousands of workers facing losing their jobs and farmers in the state are facing losses of $1.7 billion, according to recent economic study of what may be the state's driest year on record . ‘We wanted to provide a foundation for state agricultural and water policymakers to understand the impacts of the drought on farmers and farm communities,’ said Richard Howitt, professor emeritus of agricultural and resource economics at the University of California, Davis and the report's lead author. As many as 14,500 full time and seasonal jobs could be lost as a result of the drought, as farmers fallow land and there are fewer crops to plant and pick, according to the preliminary study. Altogether, 410,000 acres may be left unplanted in the San Joaquin Valley alone, the analysis showed, as farmers enter the growing season with about two-thirds of the water that they need. By comparison, a drought in 2009 led to the fallowing of 270,000 acres of cropland and the loss of 7,500 jobs, the study showed. It's not just farms in the region, as luxury homes and golf clubs have also been left with scorched earth where once there had been lush grass . The everlasting drought for the past 14 years has forced waters down more than 130 feet since a high-water mark was last reached in 2000 . ‘Everyone is trying to get a handle on how bad it's going to be,’ said Dave Kranz, a spokesman for the California Farm Bureau Federation. Most farmers in California rely on irrigation rather than rain, many purchasing supplies from federal and state projects that pump from the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta. But less water than normal is available from those sources this year. Last week, Lake Mead dropped to the lowest levels since the reservoir was filled upon the completion of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s. The everlasting drought for the past 14 years has forced waters down more than 130 feet since a high-water mark was last reached in 2000. As entire marinas run dry, the Bureau of Reclamation fears that an ongoing drought could force the agency to declare a shortage by 2017, which could ultimately affect the more than 40 million people that rely on Lake Mead for water. This picture taken from a helicopter shows aircrafts lining up next to fields of dead grass at the San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California . Altogether, 410,000 acres may be left unplanted in the San Joaquin Valley alone, the analysis showed, as farmers enter the growing season with about two-thirds of the water that they need . U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited drought-stricken homeowners on Friday in Central California, saying drought and climate change would require major investment to secure future water supplies. Vilsack also announced $9.7 million in new emergency drought aid to help rural Californians hurt by the state's three-year drought. A drought monitor sponsored by the federal government says 81 percent of the state is experiencing major agricultural losses and widespread water shortages or restrictions. All but one of the state's 58 counties are now federally designated disaster areas because of the drought, making farmers and ranchers eligible for emergency loans, according to the agriculture department. Outside the small city of Farmersville in Tulare County, 60-year-old Carlen Overby told Vilsack the running water in her home now came via a garden hose connected to a neighbor's well, the Fresno Bee reported. The drought could leave 14,500 workers without jobs in California's Central Valley, known as America's food basket for providing vast supplies of fruit, vegetables and meat . The Obama administration says it has designated more than $50 million in drought-related aid for California. Projects include supporting climate-change research hubs to seek ways to ease the impact . Overby's own well, like others in her area, had gone dry. She now showers each morning with the hose. ‘When you get up in the morning and turn the water on, you wonder if the water is going to come out,’ Overby told the agriculture secretary. The new drought spending is intended to help secure water supplies for 73,000 Californians in 11 counties. Recipients include Farmersville, where a $500,000 grant will connect residents who have dry wells to a water main. Vilsack called drought and climate change a major national concern. He said the country will have to invest in infrastructure, including more storage facilities. California Gov. Jerry Brown also is pushing for heavy investment to secure state water service, including a proposed $15 billion to build giant tunnels to carry water from the San Francisco Bay Area to the state's water-thirsty south . This picture taken from a helicopter shows a drought affected area - including a golf course - near Los Altos Hills, California, on Wednesday . California Gov. Jerry Brown also is pushing for heavy investment to secure state water service, including a proposed $15 billion to build giant tunnels to carry water from the San Francisco Bay Area to the state's water-thirsty south. The Obama administration says it has designated more than $50 million in drought-related aid for California. Projects include supporting climate-change research hubs to seek ways to ease the impact. The University of California, Davis, is a designated 'sub-hub' for that research. | A series of new ariel photos reveal the terrible impact that 14 years of drought have had on California's Central Valley . Once known as America's food basket providing vast supplies of fruit, vegetables and meat, now thousands of people risk losing their jobs and farmers are facing losses of $1.7 billion . Luxury homes and golf clubs in the region have also been left with scorched earth where once there had been lush grass . | 2d95cf5e52f9318a362b88b6700b5a4ab76ef6cd |
(EW.com) -- Moms and Dads: Get your kids to take you to see "The LEGO Movie" this weekend! That seems to be the message from the nation's movie critics, who have uniformly crowned this 3-D toy story the brilliant hybrid offspring of Pixar's best infused with "South Park's" irreverent humor. Based on the ubiquitous lock-block toy and licensed with many of pop-culture's most ubiquitous heroes, "The LEGO Movie" is a sly Trojan horse of a movie. "Using the building-block world of LEGO to parody the creeping conformity of our world, 'The LEGO Movie' proves even more biting than 'WALL-E,' because it has the sauciness to send up its own rise-of-a-hero story line," writes EW's Owen Gleiberman. EW review: 'The LEGO Movie' "Parks and Rec's" Chris Pratt voices Emmet, a typical LEGO drone who accidentally stumbles upon a LEGO piece that makes a band of Matrix-like revolutionaries think he's the Special, the one who can save their world from the fascist President Business (Will Ferrell). Emmet has some high-profile allies, including Batman (Will Arnett), Superman (Channing Tatum), Abraham Lincoln (Will Forte), Wonder Woman (Cobie Smulders), and Shaquille O'Neal, as well as the beautiful rebel Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks) and the sage mystic Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman). Written and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the duo behind the first "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" and "21 Jump Street," "The LEGO Movie" is a clever combination of stop-motion animation and ingenuous CG effects — fire, water — all made to resemble stop-motion. Toss in the ironic Tegan and Sara anthem to conformity, "Everything Is Awesome," and your inner-nerd child has plenty to play with. Before you head to the theaters, read what some of the nation's top critics are saying about "The LEGO Movie." (Or just go see it before they hype it beyond realistic expectations.) Owen Gleiberman (Entertainment Weekly) ▲ . "It may be a helter-skelter kiddie adventure built out of plastic toy components, but it's fast and original, it's conceptually audacious, it's visually astonishing, and it's 10 times more clever and smart and funny than it needed to be. Here, at last, is an animated comedy that never stops surprising you." A.O. Scott (New York Times) "The overt message is that you should throw out the manuals and follow the lead of your own ingenuity, improvising new combinations for the building blocks in front of you. But the movie itself follows a fairly strict and careful formula, thwarting its inventive potential in favor of the expected and familiar." 'The Lego Movie' could be 2014's first big 'block'buster . Peter Hartlaub (San Francisco Chronicle) "Filled with humor and action, the Warner Bros. movie pulls off an emotional finish that rivals some of Pixar's best work. You can argue — and not sound completely crazy — that this is a better film than a few recent Academy Awards best picture nominees." Bilge Ebiri (New York — Vulture) ▲ . "'The LEGO Movie' is the kind of animated free-for-all that comes around very rarely, if ever: A kids' movie that matches shameless fun with razor-sharp wit, that offers up a spectacle of pure, freewheeling joy even as it tackles the thorniest of issues. It's part 'South Park,' part 'Lord of the Rings'; part 'The Matrix,' part 'Idiocracy.'" Ty Burr (Boston Globe) ▲ . "The keys to the movie's absurdly high enjoyment factor are its exuberance, timing, wit and willingness to stoop to its source — or kneel on the carpet looking for lost bricks, as the case may be. Unlike 'Battleship,' 'G.I. Joe,' and the dreaded 'Transformers' series, 'The LEGO Movie' is rooted in the wonky hobbyist esthetic of the LEGO system itself." Rene Rodriguez (Miami Herald) "The movie's secret weapon is the vividly detailed world Lord and Miller have created for their characters, stuffing the screen with so many visual puns and easter eggs, you often want to hit the pause button to take it all in." Betsy Sharkey (Los Angeles Times) ▲ . "If you're wondering if the film plays like a 90-plus-minute commercial, strangely it does not. There is a very familiar feel to the film, which remains true to the style of those ubiquitous bits and pieces that are EVERYWHERE. At the same time, 'The LEGO Movie' is strikingly, exhilaratingly, exhaustingly fresh. Not plastic at all." 'The LEGO Movie' trailer: 'Come with me if you wanna not die' Andrew O'Hehir (Salon) "Even in delivering the message that Lord Business' fetish for order is not the true Way of LEGO, there are limits. LEGO long ago forged corporate partnerships with Marvel, Disney, Lucasfilm, DC Comics, Warner Bros. and so on, and those interests are protected." Richard Corliss (TIME) ▲ . "No question that the movie promotes what Prez Biz would call a subversive message: Be creative with your toys. It also urges kids to venture out of the virtual world they live in and use their hands for something other than typing." Peter Debruge (Variety) ▲ . "The film functions as a massive homage to a shared childhood experience, amplified and projected on the big screen. So, while the result is undoubtedly the single most product-centric film of all time, it's also just hip and irreverent enough to leave audiences feeling as though its makers managed to pull one over on the business guys." Michael O'Sullivan (Washington Post) ▲ . "'The LEGO Movie' pokes fun at anyone who would argue that LEGO products are, as one character puts it, 'a highly sophisticated, interlocking brick system,' and not simply toys. But it also makes fun of itself, tweaking the conventions of narrative filmmaking, animation and LEGO model-making itself." See the original story at EW.com. CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved. | Movie critics have crowned "The Lego Movie" as a must-see . Reviews are pegging it as a cross between Pixar and "South Park" | 1df3ecdf455eff338cbb45e79933936df68aac5e |
Phil Taylor, the 16-time world champion, avoided a giant-killing by the giant Dutchman Vincent van der Voort on Friday night to reach the 20th world semi-final of his illustrious career. The 54-year-old believes this is his last realistic opportunity to lift the Sid Waddell trophy. And he remains on track with that target, moving into the semi-finals of the William Hill World Darts Championship with a 5-3 victory at Alexandra Palace. From the Power's perspective, though, this was an edgy and nervous win against a 6ft 5in opponent who has been struggling with a severe back problem. Taylor, who won his first world crown, albeit the BDO version, nearly 25 years ago, appreciated afterwards that he came close to being toppled, especially as Van der Voort led 3-2 in sets after being 2-0 down. VIDEO Scroll down for Phil 'the power' Taylor's thoughts on reaching the semi-final . Phil Taylor reacts after winning the sixth set of his match with Vincent van der Voort on Friday night . Dutchman Van der Voort had been suffering with back problems but said he gave the match all he could . Taylor, 5ft 8in, said: 'That match was all about survival. Vincent was in agony with his back. I tried to extend the game as long as I could. He was in trouble and yet he was still hitting his scores and 180s. I need to rest now because I' m shattered.' Taylor, as he has done so often in the past, asserted his authority on this match in the opening stages. When Van der Voort missed the bullseye on a 126 finish in the fifth leg of the first set, Taylor punished him with an 87 checkout. His average of 107.82 after five legs gave the impression he was in the mood for an early finish. It was a similar story in the second set as, after Van der Vort missed three darts for 16, Taylor nailed 80. Yet the 39-year-old Dutchman refused to lie down and reacted by winning three successive sets in a row, taking nine of out 11 legs. In the fourth set, Van der Voort knocked off 113 and 107, both on a double 20 finish; in the fifth, he took out 100 and 104 against Taylor's throw and enjoyed a three-dart set average of 120.61. Taylor clenches his fist as he celebrates winning a leg during the match at Alexandra Palace . Van der Voort (left) celebrates going 3-2 ahead but it wasn't enough to beat Taylor who came back to win 5-3 . However, the sixth set end up being a pivotal one in terms of the narrative of this match. Had Taylor lost, he would have gone 4-2 behind. Instead the relieved Stoke thrower won it to draw level at 3-3 apiece – but he only sealed the leveller with his 21st dart and surprisingly after missing eight darts at the double. Little wonder that he celebrated by sticking his index finger to his temple and mouthing to the crowd the words: 'This is doing my head in – I need bloody shooting!' The pressure on his shoulders eased in the seventh set as he won it against the throw. And the eighth set was a mere formality as he booked yet another semi-final appearance. Van der Voort said: 'I gave it everything I had. It just wasn't good enough. I don't want to use my back as an excuse. I lost to the better player.' Taylor will face Raymond van Barneveld who overcame reigning BDO world champion Stephen Bunting in a 5-4 thriller. The two men matched each other almost all the way, but Van Barneveld broke the game in his favour with a 124 checkout to go two-up midway through the final set. 'I needed extra eyes in set five because I couldn't see, it was all blurred,' the Dutchman said before taking the microphone and turning to the crowd to praise his opponent. 'This man here, he won everything in the BDO and then he said I will come over, I want to play with the best of the best and he is one of the best. 'Stephen, you are a world class player.' | Phil Taylor avoided a giant killing to win 5-3 against Vincent van der Voort . The win put the Power into the 20th semi-final of his career . He believes this is his last realistic chance to lift the Sid Waddell trophy . | 154960ccb9492052c481d0c132770c5dda70de54 |
The world's animal population has halved in 40 years as humans put unsustainable demands on Earth, a new report warns. The World Wide Fund for Nature's Living Planet Index, released Tuesday, revealed the dramatic decline in animal species, and said the trend could cost the world billions in economic losses. Humans need one and a half Earths to sustain their current demands, it said. The index, which draws on research around WWF's database of 3,000 animal species, is released every two years. This year's has the starkest warning yet of the risks associated with the decline of wildlife. The fund notes that it's relying on a never-before-used methodology in this year's report, "which aims to be more representative of global biodiversity." The index showed shows a 52% decline in wildlife between 1970 and 2010, far more than earlier estimates of 30%. It is due to people killing too many animals for food and destroying their habitats. "We are eating into our natural capital, making it more difficult to sustain the needs of future generations," the report said. Researchers from the Zoological Society of London looked at changes in populations of more than 3,000 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, tracking over 10,000 different populations. Photos: Spectacular wildlife around the world . The decline in animals living in rivers, lakes and wetlands is the worst -- 76% of freshwater wildlife disappeared in just 40 years. Marine species and animals living on land suffered 39% decline in their populations. Animals living in tropics are the worst hit by what WWF calls "the biggest recorded threats to our planet's wildlife" as 63% of wildlife living in tropics has vanished. Central and South America shows the most dramatic regional decline, with a fall of 83%. And while the animals are suffering now, the long-term impact will be on people, the report said. Marco Lambertini, director general of WWF International, said "protecting nature is not a luxury....it is quite the opposite. For many of the world's poorest people, it is a lifeline." According to Lambertini, the threat to oceans could create economic losses of up to $428 billion by 2050. The global fishing sector employs more than 660 million people, and fish provide more than 15% of protein in people's diet. Global food security is under threat as the demands of growing population drain the resources. Forests provide water, fuel and food for more than billion people, including 350 million of the world's poorest people. | WWF said 52% of wildlife disappeared between 1970 and 2010 . The decline in animals living in rivers, lakes and wetlands is the worst . The alarming trend could cost the world billions in economic losses. | aa6574b4000b748d2a373dce0b648ba748c19275 |
Heather Dureen Hegre, 20, has been arrested over claims she stole a man's wallet on their first date . A 20-year-old Wisconsin woman faces theft charges after running off with a man's wallet on their first date. Heather Dureen Hegre struck up conversation with Jeffrey Mack, 23, from North Plains, Oregon, on the dating website MeetMe.com and the two met in person at around 10pm on Monday at an Arby’s restaurant in Wilsonville. Hegre apparently got into Mack's car at the drive-thru, where he bought her a milkshake. But when he placed his wallet down on the center console of the vehicle, Hegre grabbed it and disappeared. The Oregonian reports that there was only two $1 bills in the money holder - change from a $5 bill Mack used to buy the milkshake. After being robbed, Mack called 911 and provided police with Hegre's cellphone number. Officers then called to arrange a meeting with her at the same Arby's restaurant. They arrested her early Tuesday morning and recovered the wallet - with the two $1 bills still inside. Sergeant Dan Kraus of the Wilsonville Police Department told The Oregonian that Hegre confessed to taking the wallet. A subsequent search of her maroon minivan revealed hypodermic needles, two jars of hash oil, marijuana pipes, a weighing scale and a pill bottle containing what is believed to be methamphetamine. Scene of the crime: Hegre struck up conversation with Jeffrey Mack, 23, from Oregon on the dating website MeetMe.com and the two met in person at around 10pm on Monday at an Arby’s restaurant in Wilsonville . Hegre was booked into the Clackamas County jail before being released on police bail pending further investigation. She faces charges related to the theft of Mack''s wallet as well as drug possession. 'It will not go down as a good first date. But at least [Mack] got his wallet and his $2 back,' Sergeant Kraus concluded. | Heather Dureen Hegre, 20, struck up conversation with Jeffrey Mack, 23, from North Plains, Oregon, on the dating website MeetMe.com . The two met in person at around 10pm on Monday at an Arby’s restaurant in Wilsonville . Hegre reportedly got into Mack's car and then ran off with his wallet after he purchased a milkshake - there were only two $1 bills in the holder . He called 911 and provided police with Hegre's cellphone number . She was later arrested and now faces charges . | f7ab33cb72fc53fd4dc9660280362cc16cd6ecda |
By . Iona Kirby . Updated: . 05:59 EST, 1 February 2012 . Judge Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones have been unceremoniously dumped from the X Factor USA after just one season. Simon Cowell's former darling Paula Abdul today confirmed she had also been fired from the panel in a desperate shake-up by the mogul and the show's producers. 'Yes, it’s true; I won’t be returning to The X Factor next season,' Abdul said in a statement today. 'I’ve learned through my longevity in this industry that business decisions often times override personal considerations. She continued: 'Simon is, and will remain a dear friend of mine and I’ve treasured my experience working this past season. I want nothing more than for The X Factor to exceed ALL of their wildest dreams. This truly has been a blessing and I am most grateful.' 'Cleaning house': Nicole Scherzinger (left), Paula Abdul (centre) and Steve Jones (right) have all been axed from the X Factor USA, leaving only Simon Cowell and LA Reid on the panel . Cowell, who first worked with Abdul on . American Idol, wants to re-boot the show after its ratings fell short of . expectations when it was launched last year. 'I want to say a massive thank you to Paula, Nicole and Steve for being part of The X Factor last year. We had a lot of fun making the show together and importantly, we found some real talent and stars. You do develop friendships with the people you work with and Paula, in particular, is a very close friend and I expect to be working with her on another project in the near future. I'm sure all three are going to have massive success in what they do next , but now is the time to thank them all for everything they did last year.' The decision to dismiss Abdul has surprised many, given how hard Cowell worked to secure her on the panel. It took several months for her contract to negotiated and she only closed her deal hours before the first televised audition. 'You just have to get that chemistry, and she’s right,' he said at the time. 'I’ve never found anyone better than her.' Both Abdul and Scherzinger were . embroiled in the controversy surrounding the shock elimination of . 13-year-old frontrunner Rachel Crow. Cowell hinted at a major changes on the show last month when he was . quoted as saying: 'We change these shows all the time.' And he said in a statement today: 'I want to say a massive thank you to Paula, Nicole and Steve for being part of The X Factor last year. I'm sure all three are going to have massive success in what they do next , but now is the time to thank them all for everything they did last year.' Although the X Factor performed solidly . in the ratings, hovering around the 12 million mark, it did not attract the same kind of huge viewing figures . regularly attained by Cowell's former show American Idol. Out: The former Pussycat Doll managed a brave face in New York yesterday as sources insisted she left of her own accord to 'focus on her music' Racy in lace: The singer appeared to look unconcerned as she stepped out for lunch . Cowell had also recently . admitted that that he may have been overconfident when it came to the . American version of his hit show, after ratings did not reach his 20 million prediction. He said he became ‘a bit too cocky' last year and admitted the slumping viewing figures had 'put my ego in check'. Record executive L.A. Reid, who has previously worked with Mariah Carey, Pink, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, survived the cut. Nicole . managed a brave face as she stepped out in New York City in a black . lacy top, skinny black jeans and an oversized fluffy fur gilet. Out with the old: Nicole appeared alongside LA Reid, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell on the show . Deadline reports that sources say neither Jones, Scherzinger and Abdul left the show of their own accord. But Nicole's camp insist it was her decision not to return. 'She wants to focus on her music career,' a source said. 'She's spoken to Simon [Cowell] and he's given her his blessing.' Nicole, 33, is currently rehearsing for her upcoming European tour that kicks off next month. 'X . Factor took a lot more of her time than she ever expected,' the source . said. 'She didn't have any time really to work on her music. She was . doing X Factor six days a week.' Axed? Paula Abdul is rumoured to also be ditched from the hit show, leaving just Simon and L.A. Reid . Nicole . had originally been slated to be a presenter on the U.S. version of the . TV talent show, but ended up stepping onto the judging panel when . original judge Cheryl Cole was ditched. 'She found out today,' a show source told E! Online. 'At this point, the only ones staying are Simon and L.A. Reid.' Another source confirms to E! News . that both Paula and Nicole's contracts were not renewed. 'Simon wants to . take the show in a different direction,' the insider added. Jones took to his Twitter account to call his departure 'a shame.' The show's over: The news comes after weeks of speculation that the Welsh TV presenter may not return to his role as X Factor USA host . 'I won't be hosting next seasons X Factor which is a shame but I . can't complain as I've had a great time,' he wrote. 'Good luck to . everyone on the show.' He gave no reason as to why he wasn't returning to the singing contest, but his manager John Ferriter told E! News that the parting is 'totally amicable.' Last . month, a representative claimed the reports of Jones's departure were ‘a fabrication’, . however the show’s creator Cowell did not exactly stick up for the . star when asked about his performance. He told The Mirror: ‘I don’t think he did a bad job but there is a Brit limit on the show.’ No replacements have been announced but Cowell has made no secret of his desire to get Mariah Carey on the show. 'A shame': Steve took to his Twitter account to announce the disappointing news . | Simon Cowell thanks sacked stars for 'everything they did last year' Paula says she understands 'business decisions often times override personal considerations' Sources say all three were cut from the show, but Nicole's camp insists she left to 'focus on her music' Steve describes decision as 'a shame' No replacements have been announced but Simon has made no secret of his desire to get Mariah Carey on the show . | 6a0c71de1adeae914f597b023a13f027003a8b6c |
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole has apologized to London police for a foul-mouthed tirade that led to him being arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct in the early hours of Thursday morning. Ashley Cole, pictured signing an autograph at a charity event in London Wednesday. In a statement released by the left-back, Cole said he swore out of his frustration with the paparazzi and insisted he would never disrespect the police. However, Cole admits he did not heed their warnings to calm down and regrets not taking their advice. He also made it clear that he had not consumed a vast amount of alcohol. Cole declared: "I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to the police officers on duty last night for my language. "I felt I was being harassed by paparazzi and while complaining to the police about this at the scene they did warn me to calm down, a warning that I regrettably did not heed. "I fully appreciate that whatever frustrations I may have had with others that it was completely inappropriate to vent those in conversations with the police. "However, I do want to make clear that I swore in frustration at the paparazzi's behavior. I would never disrespect police officers in anyway. "I take very seriously my responsibilities as a professional footballer, this includes keeping my body in the best condition. Although I had consumed some alcohol earlier in the evening on a night out with friends it had not been excessive. "But I accept that the language I used on this occasion was wrong. I regret my actions and how it reflects on myself and Chelsea Football Club." The 28-year-old was arrested in Brompton Road in the upmarket west London area of South Kensington, close to Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground, at about 2.15am on Thursday morning after emerging from the Collection nightclub. Police sources said the officers were already on patrol in the street and were not called to any disorder. One source denied reports they were following up a complaint from a photographer over an alleged bust-up with Cole. Cole was taken to a central London police station and issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice for being drunk and disorderly before being released shortly after 5.30am. Cole is likely to be fined by Chelsea. Before his arrest, Cole had joined Chelsea's first-team squad and more than 300 charity workers, celebrities and supporters for the second annual Chelsea FC and Armani charity fundraiser. Cole, who previously played for Arsenal before joining Chelsea in 2006, is married to the Girls Aloud singer and reality TV judge Cheryl Cole, who is currently on a charity climb on Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro. | Chelsea defender Ashley Cole apologizes after his arrest on Thursday morning . 28-year-old England left-back was charged with drunk and disorderly conduct . Cole blames his frustration at paparazzi for swearing at London police officers . Cole is married to the Girls Aloud singer and reality TV judge Cheryl Cole . | 5248c1d62c2ee4de22d91655d3889f1fff5f3e20 |
(CNN) -- Nearly 35 years after a Texas judge sentenced him to death, Ronald Chambers was found dead Monday morning on the floor of his cell. Guards found Chambers, 55, unresponsive around 6:30 a.m. while doing their rounds, Dallas County Sheriff Spokeswoman Kim Leach said. He was then transported to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, where he was pronounced dead. The Dallas County medical examiner's office said it would take six to 12 weeks before Chambers' cause of death could be definitively determined. But Leach said Chambers had many health complications when he came last year to the Dallas County jail. Chambers was 19 when he and Clarence Ray Williams kidnapped Mike McMahon and his date from the parking lot of a Dallas nightclub, then ordered them down the embankment of the Trinity River, according to the Texas Attorney General's Office. The two men robbed the couple and, after shooting at them, left them for dead. The female survivor, Deia Sutton, testified that she and her boyfriend survived the first attack, but Chambers went back and killed McMahan by repeatedly hitting him over the head with the barrel of a shotgun. On December 18, 1975, a jury found Chambers guilty of capital murder and a judge subsequently put him on the state's death row. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals twice set aside his conviction -- once because he wasn't read his Miranda rights after being interviewed by a state psychiatrist -- but both times he was retried and convicted again. In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court again granted Chambers a stay of execution, amid questions about the instructions given to the jury, the Dallas Observer reported. The case was sent back to Texas and a fourth sentencing trial was set for spring 2011, according to published reports. While numerous reports called Chambers the "Dean of Death Row," because of the various legal maneuverings he didn't have a death sentence the entire time he was behind bars, including at the time of his death. Excell White, who killed four people in 1974 and wasn't executed until 1999, spent more time -- 8,854 days -- on death row before being put to death than any other Texas convict. Texas, which has executed more prisoners since 1976 than any other state, pays $86.08 to execute a death row inmate, or the cost of drugs used in a lethal injection, the state's Division of Criminal Justice reports. That compares to the $17,338, on average, that it costs to jail a Texas inmate for 12 months, according to 2009 data from the National Institute of Corrections, which is below the national yearly average of $28,689. | Ronald Chambers was found on the floor of his cell and later pronounced dead . He was convicted of capital murder in 1975, then sentenced to Texas' death row . Chambers' conviction was twice set aside, but he was later convicted again . | 02878cf098084bc701898dd86ec37c7c5ccb3b01 |
A £13,000 coffee maker, a £10,400 pinball machine and a £6,500 set of stones from Papua New Guinea are just three of the high-value items Christie's is putting up for sale in time for Christmas. But this year the London auction house will break with tradition and sell the 42 lots at a fixed price - offering shoppers the chance to bypass bidding and walk away with their big-ticket gifts immediately. The new approach to buying, called 'Buy or Bid', is a first in Christie's 250-year history and will offer customers a service similar to the 'Buy It Now' option offered by online auction giant eBay. Pricey playtime: This vintage 1962 pinball machine can be bought outright for £10,400 at Christie's, London . Most expensive: This coffee maker, left, will cost £13,000 and this large Moroccan Ammonite from the cretaceous period (right) is available to buy at Christie's for £2,080 from 14 November to 3 December . Unusual gift: This group of Papua New Guinea chloromelanite ceremonial stone adze blades or obligation stones can be bought outright, online or in their South Kensington showroom, for £6,500 . Shoppers will be able to take a look at the selection of the out-of-the-ordinary gifts, both online and in their showroom in South Kensington, London, between 14 November and 3 December. And while each item, hand-picked by experts at the auction house, is priced at more than its auction estimate - shoppers willing to pay the premium will be able to buy without the competition and unpredictability of auction. Any lots that are not bought outright in the three-week period will then go into the 'Interiors' auction on 9 December - where they will be on offer for their auction estimates. Nic McElhatton, Chairman of Christie's South Kensington, said: 'For the first time at Christie's, buyers can secure a handpicked item for a fixed price – they don't have to bid; they can walk in and walk out of Christie's with their purchase, or buy on our website.' New approach: With 'Buy or Bid' shoppers will be able to immediately walk away with this pair of fossilised giant deer or 'Irish elk' antlers . circa 10,500-5,700 B.C. for £10,400, rather than wait for auction . Fine jewellery: An 18th Century white gold and diamond ring, left, is on offer for £3,900 and this Bulgari quartz watch (left) can be bought for £5,200 . Exotic earrings: This pair of Tamil Nadu gold earrings, from South India, 19th century, will cost £3,250 . He added that 'Buy or Bid' should appeal to those new to auction and Christie's regulars. Among the more unusual items up for sale are a striking pair of fossilised giant deer or 'Irish elk' antlers, which date back to roughly 10,500 and 5,700 B.C. Time for something special: A Swiss gilt-brass Atmos clock will be available to buy for £1,040 . Foodies might be drawn to a pair of novelty silver salt shakers from the Victorian era which a Christie's specialist promises 'would be the perfect addition to anyone’s dinner table'. Formed as pillar post boxes, which were first introduced in Britain in 1855, they are enamelled with plaques listing collection times and the tops are pierced with flowers. The specialist added that the shakers, which are housed in a velvet-lined case, 'would make a universally entertaining gift.’ The most expensive lot up for sale is a £13,000 coffee machine which 'epitomises 1930s style and would look wonderful in a contemporary kitchen,' according to another Christie's specialist. It is followed by a 1962 pinball machine - on sale for £10,400 - which offers 'unbeatable' entertainment. Mr McElhatton said that his top pick is the taxidermy dog - a German spitz from the late Victorian era that is mounted in a glass case. The dog, which has a gold ribbon died around its neck, is on sale for £1,950. Mr McElhatton said: 'Recently taxidermy has been enjoying a renaissance in interior design and contemporary art and I think this piece is really cool – I’m even planning to have my own dog Alfie the black Labrador mounted on wheels with a push bar for my grandchildren when his time comes!’ | A £13,000 coffee maker and 1962 pinball machine are among 42 lots for sale . Items have been given a set price by London auction house Christie's . 'Buy or Bid' allows shoppers to bypass bidding and purchase outright . Similar to the 'Buy It Now' option offered by online auction giant eBay . | 969941ae2692e9470e3b30bd1461cd7365951c56 |
By . Kerry Mcqueeney . PUBLISHED: . 11:54 EST, 28 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:51 EST, 28 September 2012 . His booming voice has been heard by thousands of visitors to a market town in North Yorkshire for the last six years. So it is perhaps a little fitting that a town crier who was sacked for allegedly boozing while on duty has refused to go quietly. Kevin Griffiths was shown the door after he called a councillor 'an idiot' and was accused of going drinking in Skipton's pubs dressed in full official regalia. Refusing to go quietly: Town crier Kevin Griffiths has vowed to carry on bell-ringing - despite his licence being revoked by the council . However the 58-year-old has refused to be silenced, instead going 'rogue' and vowing to carry on bell-ringing - despite his licence being revoked by Skipton Town Council. He is now seeking alternative backing - from Skipton Castle as Lord of the Manor or one of the local churches who can appoint their own bellmen. Failing that, he says he will act in his other capacity as town crier for Bradford. He said: 'If necessary, I will act as an independent crier and will fight for my rights in court.' However, the town council’s withdrawal of support does mean he will not defend his position as National Champion at Hastings in two weeks’ time. Mr Griffiths, who has been Skipton's town crier since 2006, added: 'The town council used to give me £500 in expenses and I used that to cover the costs. Without it, I can’t compete.' Familiar face... and voice: Mr Griffiths has been a town crier in Skipton since 2006 . He described the town council’s decision as totally and utterly ridiculous and claimed he was the victim of a personal vendetta. He said: 'All the people in the town are behind me; it’s just the council. They have got rid of me for doing my job.' At issue has been his use of Craven District Council’s town centre car park, where he meets coaches and advises visitors where they can get refreshments. It is claimed it is a breach of bylaws which prevent commercial activity on council land. The matter was discussed by the town council behind closed doors on Thursday. The authority acted after 'numerous complaints, over a lengthy period of time' relating to Mr Griffiths’ behaviour, a spokesman. Complaints centred on claims that he had promoted local businesses while standing in a council car park, a breach of a local byelaw. He also got into trouble for calling a councillor an 'idiot' during an argument, which he had admitted. Councillors also looked into allegations that Mr Griffiths had been drinking while dressed for the role. Mr Griffiths, a former fireman, said he had not been treated fairly because the allegations about drinking had not been put to him. He said: 'The meetings have been held behind closed doors and these allegations (about drinking) are the first I have heard. How can I defend against that?' Mr Griffiths said he would sometimes have 'four or five pints' in the pub but only after his town crier shift had ended, adding: 'I am conscious of the fact that I am wearing the livery and I would not get smashed out of my skull be-cause it’s an insult to the Queen.' Silenced for good? The rogue crier said he would sometimes have 'four or five pints' in the pub but only after his shift had ended . He said he was self-employed and therefore not 'on duty' when he was in the pub. He believes businesses complained about him promoting one establishment over another but he denied any bias. A . council statement said: 'Skipton Town Council has withdrawn its . permission for Mr Kevin Reid Griffiths to act in the capacity of town . crier to the parish of Skipton. 'The council has been in receipt of numerous complaints, over a lengthy period of time, relating to activities being undertaken by Mr Griffiths while acting as town crier. 'The quantity of complaints received, together with the repeated refusal to adhere to the reasonable requests and instructions of the council, and a failure to follow the rules of membership of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers has made the position untenable. 'The position of town crier to Skipton is an honorary position in the gift of Skipton Town Council. 'At a meeting of the full council, held on September 20, members discussed the situation in full, including the complaints received by the council and the responses from Mr Griffiths to requests made previously by the council in an attempt to find a constructive way forward. 'The decision of members was to revoke the town council’s consent for Mr Griffiths to act as Skipton Town Crier, with immediate effect.' | Kevin Griffiths was shown the door following a string of complaints . He was accused of going drinking in the town's pubs dressed in full regalia . Despite having his licence revoked, he has vowed carry on bell-ringing . | 48397f26aed85086dde20b24906be7b3338be317 |
By . James Gordon . A small chihuahua that was rescued off the California highway has been reunited with its owners. California Highway Patrol in Contra Costa tweeted a photo last Friday of an officer trying to get the dog off the I-680 highway median. Two little girls and their dad have now picked up their lost Chihuahua named Charm (aka 'Freeway') and taken her home. The dog had escaped from the family’s backyard and somehow survived crossing the nearby three-lane highway. Happy ending: The young lady who is very happy to have her dog, Charm, back alongside Animal Services Officer Andrew Tara . Our best friend: Two little girls are reunited with Charm (aka Freeway). They had searched for their lost pet for days and posted messages on Instagram . Scared: The pooch was reportedly frightened and taken to animal control . Come here! A CHP officer is seen trying to get the dog off of the median divider . Nobody knew at the time where the dog came from — whether she had been abandoned or escaped from her owners. Contra Costa Animal Services took the dog into their care at their Martinez shelter, saying that she would be put up for adoption if nobody claimed her . The reunion was very sweet affair for everyone involved. Charm appeared to be exceptionally happy to see her family once again. The pooch had escaped from her . backyard near Hwy 680 and amazingly survived a frightening dash dash across several . lanes of traffic before jumping onto the median where she was found. A . California Highway Patrol officer tweeted the now famous photo of his partner enticing Charm . with a protein bar. Animal Services Officer Andrew Tara carefully picked her up and transported her to a shelter . in Martinez. Our heroes: Charm is now safe with her family, and the two girls drew a picture to thank the agency and the police officer who helped rescue their pet. Split personality: In the drawing, the dog has two food bowls: one that says Charm and one that says Freeway . Never let go: It was an emotional and teary reunion as the girls were reunited with Charm after a week apart . Hero: Animal Services Officer Andrew Tara holds Charm after delicately rescuing her from the 608 Highway last Friday night . Where she belongs: Since Charm had not been microchipped, it was believed she was either a stray or abandoned, but in fact, the dog¿s family was heartbroken when she disappeared. The two little girls had been posting photos of their dog on Instagram for days looking for help . Scared: Charm was said to be frightened when she was initially found but by Mothers Day she had calmed down somewhat . Dynamic duo: One officer lured the frightened dog using a piece of a protein bar. The other officer snapped a photo that soon began to tug at heartstrings across the Internet . The girls had been posting Instagram photos of their lost . dog for days and had been looking for her since she escaped from their backyard.Since Charm had not been microchipped, it was believed she was either a stray or abandoned, but in fact, the dog’s family was heartbroken when she disappeared. The two little girls thanked Officer Tara and drew a picture which . included Charm and twofood bowls: one that said Charm and the other . that said Freeway. 'We are ALL very happy for the family, who . have learned a very valuable and expensive lesson in pet licensing, . microchipping, spaying, good fencing, and the power of social media!' said the Contra Costa Animal Shelter in a statement. The story began on Saturday after a tweet by the Contra Costa patrol division said that the dog had been found in the middle of the road. CHP officer Alex Edmond responded after police received two calls about the chihuahua. 'We attempted to coax it, we could tell it was very frightened, it was shaking - we were able to pet it a little bit, but other than that we could tell it was not happy,' Edmon said. The dog did not respond to his offer of trail mix and was eventually lured by a protein bar. If Charm the chihuahua had not been picked up, she would likely have been adopted by an eager new owner . Driving the message home: Now that the little Chihuahua's story has had a happy ending, the agency wants to raise awareness about the other homeless shelter dogs waiting for adoption . The chihuahua also seemed to enjoy herself on Mother's Day, according to a Sunday Facebook announcement. She 'is starting to relax and come out of her shell,' it said. 'Today on Mother's day [sic], two of our wonderful kennel technicians spent their lunch socializing her and helping her overcome her fear.' Now that the little Chihuahua's story has had a happy ending, the agency wants to raise awareness about the other homeless shelter dogs waiting for adoption. 'They haven't had the media attention this little Chihuahua has had, but they are just as deserving,' the agency said. For more information on how to adopt a pet from the Contra Costa Animal Services, visit their Facebook page. | The tiny Chihuahua whose freeway rescue by California Highway Patrol went viral has been reunited with its owners . The scared dog was found stranded on a roadway median on Interstate 680 . Dog was taken to Contra Costa Animal Services . The owners and their small children were tearfully reunited with their lost dog . | 30d95b01e23bf07932cdf54662e1ce6c74af0683 |
Fulham's woeful start to the season continued when they were thrashed 5-1 at Derby to pile the pressure on manager Felix Magath. His young side looked worryingly frail at the back and fell apart as Derby ran riot in the second half with Chris Martin scoring twice. Jamie Ward gave Derby a half-time lead and although Scott Parker equalised, Martin's double and strikes from Craig Bryson and Simon Dawkins made it a miserable day for relegated Fulham and Magath. All smiles: Chris Martin and Jamie Ward celebrate Derby's first goal against Fulham . Derby County: Grant, Christie, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Hendrick, Eustace, Bryson (Hughes 84), Ward (Best 89), Martin, Russell (Dawkins 83). Subs not used: Naylor, Whitbread, Roos, Mascarell . Goals: Ward 23, Bryson 59, Martin 61, 87, Dawkins 88 . Fulham: Joronen, Hoogland (Voser 67), Bodurov, Burgess, Kavanagh, Roberts (Eisfeld 80), Williams, Parker, Stafylidis (Kacaniklic 60), Woodrow, McCormack . Subs not used: Hutchinson, Dembele, Hyndman, Bettinelli . Goal: Parker 54 . Att: 26,577 . Ref: Oliver Langford (W Midlands) Despite losing the opening three games, Fulham made only one change while Derby made two with 34-year-old midfielder John Eustace coming in for his first appearance since March in place of Will Hughes. Given those poor results, it was not surprising that Fulham started nervously and Derby had a chance in the third minute when Cyrus Christie found Johnny Russell just inside the area but the Scot volleyed over. Parker's measured passing got the Londoners moving but Derby had another opening in the 13th minute when the ball dropped invitingly to Christie but he shot straight at Jesse Joronen from 15 yards. Fulham were being stretched by Derby's movement and in the 23rd minute, they were behind once again when Russell crossed from the right and Ward steered a volley from eight yards into the roof of the net. The visitors needed a spark of inspiration and Ross McCormack nearly supplied it in the 37th minute with a shot from just inside his own half which Lee Grant had to back-pedal to take under his crossbar. But Derby had been the better side and they came close to scoring again in the 51st minute when Ward crossed from the right touchline and Richard Keogh headed over from eight yards. Fulham had created little but they were level in the 54th minute when McCormack chipped the ball in and Ryan Williams laid it to Parker who placed a low shot from 15 yards inside Grant's right post. Fulham woe: Felix Magath suffers his fourth straight defeat this season leaving him on the brink . Home and dry: Derby celebrate their 5-1 victory over Fulham to leave the visitors in trouble at the bottom . It stung Derby into a rousing response that brought them two goals in three minutes to leave Fulham sliding to another defeat. Jeff Hendrick played in Russell on the left in the 59th minute and his ball back across was swept past Joronen by Bryson. Fulham's defence was exposed again in the 61st minute when Martin was allowed to turn just inside the right side of the area and the striker arrowed a low shot across the keeper for his first Championship goal of the season.The closing minutes were a nightmare for Fulham as Martin tapped in after Dawkins hit a post in the 87th minute before Dawkins strode through another gaping hole in the defence to slide in Derby's fifth. | Felix Magath suffers his fourth straight defeat as Fulham boss . There were second half goals from Bryson, Martin and Dawkins for Derby . Scott Parker got on the scoresheet for the visitors at Pride Park . | af28d3991142b001d901638d8b92eb6934c9b188 |
This week it was reported that Steve Jobs, the CEO and cofounder of Apple, underwent a liver transplant two months ago. One detail concerning Jobs's transplant seemed odd: The surgery took place at a hospital in Tennessee, some 2,000 miles from Jobs' home in northern California. Why Tennessee? Steve Jobs (pictured in October 2008) has been on a health-related leave of absence since January 2009. The answer sheds light on the intricacies of the organ transplant system, as well as why it's sometimes easier for people with significant financial resources to get an organ transplant. (Jobs' estimated net worth: $5.7 billion.) Livers are a scarce resource. In any given year, only about one-third of the people on the national transplant waiting list receive one, and as of late June, more than 16,000 people were on the list. Yet it sometimes seems that celebrities in need end up at the front of the line when they need a transplant, and people often assume they get preferential treatment. (Rumors about special treatment circulated after baseball player Mickey Mantle's liver transplant in 1995, for example.) Health.com: The real gift of life: How medical donations help . The truth is more complicated. No one can actually buy an organ in the United States (legally, that is). But getting a liver transplant, it turns out, is a lot like getting into college. Once you're on the waiting list, your chances of getting off it depend largely on your personal circumstances -- how sick you are and whether you are a good donor match. But getting on the list in the first place -- or on more than one list, as the case may be -- requires resources and know-how that most people don't have. Can some people 'cut the line'? There are 127 centers in the U.S. that perform liver transplants. If you need an organ transplant, your doctor will refer you to one of these centers, where you will be evaluated, given a score based on the severity of illness, and placed on the center's waiting list, if you are indeed a candidate for transplant. The center's waiting list feeds into a national database managed by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), a nonprofit organization that contracts with the federal government to manage the nation's organ transplant system. UNOS works with 58 organ procurement organizations (OPOs) that coordinate organ distribution in their region of the country. When an organ becomes available, the OPO in that region searches the UNOS database for a local match using blood type (and other biological considerations), the patient's severity score, and the time spent on the waiting list. If a match can't be made within that region, the organization expands its search to neighboring regions. The problem -- or the advantage for some patients -- is that not all OPOs are created equal. Some regions contain nearly 15 times as many people as others, and their waiting list times vary widely. Patients in the smaller OPOs tend to be less sick and experience shorter wait times before getting an organ. In the Tennessee OPO where Jobs received his transplant, the median wait for a liver between 2002 and 2007 was just over four months. The national average was just over a year, and in some OPOs it was more than three years. Though there is always the possibility of preferential treatment once a patient is on a waiting list -- UNOS conducts periodic audits of transplant centers for exactly this reason -- it is unlikely that someone like Steve Jobs can "cut the line" of the transplant waiting list. Health.com: Three sisters find kidney donor for dad using craigslist . The reason that some people might be able to get transplants more quickly is that they're standing in more lines. Nothing prevents someone from being evaluated and listed at multiple transplant centers. As long as a patient has the wherewithal to fly around the country -- and be available at the drop of a hat if a liver becomes available (this is where the private jet comes in handy) -- a patient can, in theory, be evaluated by all the transplant centers in the country. "The system works at two levels," explains Arthur Caplan, Ph.D., the chair of the department of medical ethics at the University of Pennsylvania. "One, who gets in to a center. Two, who gets transplanted off a particular center's list when an organ becomes available. Most of the attention goes to stage two, but the biggest ethical challenges are really at stage one." Jobs underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer in 2004. (He reportedly had a type that grows more slowly -- and has a better prognosis -- than others.) He was said to have recovered, but last year he appeared in public looking thin and sick. He took a leave of absence in January and underwent a liver transplant a few months later. However, it's not clear how long he was on the transplant waiting list, or whether he was on the waiting list for a center other than the one in Tennessee. Insurance matters too . Since 2003, UNOS has required that transplant centers inform all candidates that they can be evaluated and listed at more than one center, and that they can also transfer their care from one center to another without losing the time they have accrued on the waiting list. However, not everyone can afford to fly around the country and be evaluated at more than one transplant center. In fact, many people can't afford a liver transplant, period. According to the most recent estimates, the cost of a liver transplant is $519,600 -- a price tag that excludes roughly one-third of Americans because they don't have sufficient insurance (or any insurance), Caplan estimates. According to data collected for UNOS, only about 5 percent of liver transplants are paid for out of pocket. Health.com: Where the money goes: A breast cancer donation guide . "What your insurance covers is very different from everyone else's," says Anne Paschke, a spokesperson for UNOS. Some insurance companies won't cover evaluations at multiple transplant centers, Paschke explains, and in at least one case, an insurance company has restricted its coverage to a single transplant center that the company itself owned. Moreover, your insurance continues to be important during the evaluation process. The decision to accept a transplant candidate takes place before UNOS enters the picture, and the committees that determine whether a patient is added to the transplant center's waiting list have access to a patient's full medical and financial history. "There's a huge triage involved in getting in," says Caplan. "If you're a homeless alcoholic sleeping on the streets of L.A., and you're going toe-to-toe with Steve Jobs, you're going to lose." For most people, the ability to pay is a precondition for acceptance at more than one transplant center. Wealthy people who are, in effect, financially "pre-approved" for a liver transplant, can shop around and identify the transplant centers that will give them the best chance of receiving a new organ. Reforming the system . Despite the apparent problems with the transplant system, past efforts at reform have generally failed. Health.com: Could painkillers be hurting your heart? In the late 1990s, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued new regulations that would have given priority to the sickest patients, regardless of region. This would have eliminated the geographic disparities that make approval at multiple transplant centers advantageous, but Congress blocked the regulations and instead asked the Institute of Medicine, an advisory organization that belongs to the National Academy of Sciences, to consider the issue. The IOM's proposal was less far-reaching, but it did recommend standardizing the size of the organ donor pool for the sickest patients. Congress failed to implement this measure as well, however. Some transplant centers advocated the shift away from the OPO system, but others vigorously lobbied Congress to oppose the new policy. The smaller transplant centers were concerned that in a national organ allocation system, they would receive fewer transplants and be driven out of business. The larger transplant centers, meanwhile, wanted to maintain the size and geographical reach of the OPOs in their areas. "There was a huge split in the transplant community," says Paschke. "It was very territorial at the time, and there was a lot of maneuvering going on. There were a lot of business interests on the part of the transplant centers." UNOS itself has been split on the issue of multiple listing. The organization's board of directors has voted on whether to restrict multiple listing three times in the past 15 years; the first vote resulted in a tie, and in the others the proposal was rejected by a divided vote. The inequity revealed in the liver transplant process is symptomatic of the larger inequalities in the American health-care system, says Caplan, who also cochairs a United Nations task force on organ trafficking. In countries such as Canada or Switzerland that have national health-care systems, a patient's finances don't influence access to organs to the same extent, he says. "Money doesn't play such a big role in entry into the system," he says. "Steve Jobs' transplant is relevant to why we need some health reform." Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com . Copyright Health Magazine 2009 . | Apple cofounder Steve Jobs is recovering from transplant surgery in Tennessee . His surgery raises questions about preferential treatment . Current system results in regions with much shorter wait times than others . 16,000 people on the liver waiting list; in any one year only one-third get liver . | 8cf63408f77fb5e41e0c274df6b3e0b6664ffb52 |
By . Dr Tony Cooper . On Saturday, a huge sinkhole opened up at the side of a house in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Swallowing up half of the front lawn, it was 35ft wide and 20ft deep. Last week, a hole as deep as a double-decker bus is high suddenly opened up in the back-garden of a house in South-East London, almost swallowing a child’s trampoline as the ground collapsed without warning. Had the poor owner’s daughter been rushing out to play on the trampoline, she could have very easily have been seriously injured or even killed. Scroll down for video . A 50ft-deep hole appeared in the central reservation on a section of the M2 in north Kent earlier this year . Two weeks ago, there was a similarly narrow escape for a family living in High Wycombe, when, overnight, a deep hole appeared without warning in the driveway just next to the house. This time the adult daughter’s car did end up buried at the bottom of the hole, thankfully, while there was no one in it. And in Kent last week, motorists hoping to use the M2 were left fuming by the motorway’s temporary closure, after a substantial hole — 15ft deep — suddenly appeared in the central reservation. Again, no one was hurt but had the hole opened up just a few yards away, it is obvious what a different story it could so easily have been. All of these holes are what the public call sinkholes and now, after weeks of heavy rain, they seem to be appearing with ever greater regularity. Hard statistics are difficult to find — not least because sinkholes that appear on farmland often go unreported — but having studied them for 35 years, I’d estimate that sinkholes are currently appearing at four-to-five times their normal rate. Gone: A Volkswagen Lupo was swallowed up by this sink hole in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire . Brand new: Zoe Smith, 19, was given a replacement after the car was engulfed by the hole which developed outside her home . With more heavy rain forecast, I’d be surprised if we’ve seen the last sudden sinkhole of this winter. Even when the rain does stop and warmer weather returns, for reasons that I’ll come to, there could be a second spate of them. Strictly speaking — and as I work for the British Geological Survey I do need to be strict about these things — not all the big holes that have been appearing are sinkholes. Technically, a sinkhole is a hole that opens up when the surface layers collapse into a naturally made cavity. When the surface layers collapse into a cavity made by man — and at least two of the recent holes are in areas where mining has been carried out in the past — then it should be called a dene or crown hole. But given that both types are caused by a collapse into an underground cavity and the end result — a large, potentially dangerous hole in the ground at the surface — is the same, for the sake of simplicity, let us call them all sinkholes. Certainly, anyone suffering the tragedy of having their house fall into one won’t be worrying about the difference. Fatalities caused by sinkholes in this country are thankfully very rare, but a homeowner in Florida did die in exactly those circumstances only last year. Risk: Gretel Davidson feared she would have to pay around £10,000 after a sinkhole twice the height of a double-decker bus appeared in her garden in Banehurst, South-East London . The sheer size of sinkholes and their sudden appearance without warning does make them extremely hazardous. This explains why in the superstitious distant past, their appearance was often linked to misfortune. Some saw them as a direct route to Hell itself; one near Darlington that collapsed in the 12th century is called Hell Kettle and the rising groundwater in it steams in the winter. Of course, it’s not the Devil but all the heavy rain that lies behind the sudden spate of sinkholes. Rainwater dissolves limestone easily because it gets acidified from carbon dioxide in the air and by passing through rotting vegetation or certain types of rock. The water dissolves rocks such as chalk, limestone and gypsum, making existing natural underground cavities bigger. It also scours fine material out of existing cavities. In addition, it makes the surface layers of soil composed of such things as clay or gravel heavier as they become waterlogged. Bit by bit, the cavity becomes a little bigger, the covering layers a little heavier until . . . snap . . . those covering layers no longer have the mechanical strength to span the cavity and suddenly they collapse into it, taking anything unfortunate to have been standing on the surface down with them. Concern: A 35ft wide hole appeared underneath a home in Hemel Hempstead last week, prompting the surrounding properties to be evacuated . It’s no accident that sinkholes often seem to appear next to a fairly substantial piece of civil engineering, such as a house or road, rather than underneath the piece of civil engineering itself. As long as we put roofs on houses and impermeable cambers on our roads, rainwater will be thrown off the things being protected. It’s often where that rainwater ends up — by the side of the road, by side of the house — that becomes vulnerable to sinkholes. Nor is it a coincidence that so many of the new sinkholes have appeared in the South-East. Not only has this part of the country endured one of its wettest winters for decades, possibly centuries, but it is also home to one of the four types of underlying soluble rock — in this case chalk — that make an area vulnerable to sinkholes. It’s also an area where mining of some sort — in the form of chalk diggings, clay pits, flint mines etc — has been going on for thousands of years. The South-East, however, is not the only area that is vulnerable. Much of Yorkshire lies on chalk, although the fact that it has been covered by glaciers several times means that most of the surface cavities have long been worn away, making it more resilient to sinkholes than the softer, purer chalk of the South-East. Pipes: The owner of the house above the hole is said to have warned the council about the situation weeks in advance . The underlying limestone of areas such as the Pennines, South Wales, North Wales and part of Cumbria make all those areas vulnerable to both natural sinkholes and collapses over mines, as the appearance of one of the biggest recent holes — some 160ft across in Foolow, Derbyshire — at the end of last year certainly confirmed, when an old lead and fluorite mine collapsed. Other vulnerable areas include a belt between Darlington and Doncaster, where the underlying rock is the highly soluble gypsum. This belt takes in the city of Ripon, which could well lay claim to the unwanted title of Sinkhole Capital Of Britain and is home to one of the most enduring sinkholes in the country, which first appeared in 1834 and remains open today, being some 36ft across and 46ft deep. Wedged: A Los Angeles fireman looks under a fire truck stuck in a sinkhole in 2009 . Parts of Cheshire are also highly vulnerable to sinkholes, thanks to underlying mineral salt deposits which could have been removed both naturally and, of course, by man. Britain’s sinkholes, however, tend to be dwarfed by those found in other parts of the world, such as the 131ft wide, 67ft deep, water-filled Bimmah Sinkhole in Oman, the 400ft deep Devil’s Sinkhole in Texas, and the Great Blue Hole off the coast of Belize, another underwater hole some 984ft wide and 410ft deep. Guatemala City, built on particularly soft, volcanic rock, has been dubbed the Sinkhole Capital Of The World. But it’s the growing number of sinkholes reported in parts of China and the United States that is potentially of greater concern for those keeping an eye on sinkhole activity in the UK. Trapped: A family were in a car when it fell into a sink hold in Hetian, Xinjiang, China . In these countries, many of the new sinkholes are being caused not by an excess of water — be it rain, leaking drains or burst water mains — but by the systematic extraction of groundwater for irrigation or mining purposes; often with disastrous consequences. Just as covering layers can become too waterlogged to support themselves over a cavity, so they can also collapse as water drains out of a cavity below. And that does worry me about what might happen in Britain over the coming months. The heavy winter rains have already produced more sinkholes than normal and, although their appearance is notoriously hard to predict, it would be a brave geologist who would say we’ve seen the last of them for this winter. Vanished: 20 holes disappeared after a 150m-wide sink hole opened up in Guatemala . But the rain will also have done more unseen damage underground, widening out cavities, weakening supporting pillars, washing out the fine deposits that may have kept them stable for decades. When warmer weather does return, the groundwater will lower, the layers that cover these now widened holes will begin to drain and, in certain cases, their mechanical strength begin to weaken until — crash! — those surface layers literally reach breaking point. One way or another, come rain or indeed shine, we almost certainly haven’t seen the last sinkhole of 2014. So be careful where you park your car tonight. | Sinkholes seen in Kent, South-East London and Hemel Hempstead . One in High Wycombe engulfed a car as it was parked in the driveway . Expert believes sinkholes are appearing five times their normal rate . Forecast heavy rain could mean more holes appear around the country . | ec02c219732dde40043d54f6d6755a788bafbf84 |
By . Amie Keeley . Cheesy festive songs are a Christmas staple... but what about a block of cheddar that tastes like turkey and all the trimmings? That’s exactly what you could be spreading on crackers or grilling on toast after a chef created the world’s first Christmas dinner cheese. The unique cheddar contains turkey flavouring as well as whole sprouts, pieces of carrot and festive fruit. Christmas dinner is served: The cheese contains turkey flavouring with added carrots and sprouts . Pudding cheese: The cheddar contains brandy-soaked sultanas, raisins, currants, candied cherries, apple, cinnamon and a special Christmas liqueur . There’s also a Christmas pudding . cheese with brandy-soaked sultanas, raisins and currants, candied . cherries and apple, cinnamon and liqueur. The idea for the festive cheeses came from chef and product developer at the Pilgrims Choice cheddar company, Linda Appel, 31. ‘We wanted to give the nation . something really special and unique for Christmas which brought together . two of our favourite foods – Christmas dinner and cheddar,’ she said. ‘So I worked to combine the two. We’ve done the same thing with . Christmas pudding – because you can’t have Christmas without a bit of . Christmas pudding. ‘The best bit about it, is that now you can have Christmas dinner on toast. ‘It means I can have Christmas dinner . whenever and as often as I like without all the hard work and hassle . that usually comes with it.’ Both festive cheeses are available in limited quantities from the company on request. Last Christmas, lazy chefs were given a . quick alternative to cooking in the form of a self-heating dinner in a . can. Including all the usual trimmings, the Christmas Dinner HotCan just . required cooks to peel back the lid and pierce the sachet, which . triggered a natural heat-producing reaction. Christmas on toast anyone? You could keep enjoying a festive feast after the big day with just a slice . | Pilgrims Choice have created a cheddar with turkey flavouring . Cheese also contains carrots and sprouts . For dessert, they've invented cheese with flavours of Christmas pudding . | 1e6b5c50848d1beca7f3bfca0efd08b2b244a454 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is using the same app that caught him texting while driving last week. Last night, Zuckerberg found a scary-looking spider in his bathroom and posted a picture of it using the app Jelly. The app was developed by Twitter co-founder Biz Stone for crowd-sourcing questions from social media friends. Users post a picture with a question and other users contribute their answers. Scroll down for video . What's this? Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg posted a picture of a spider in his bathroom using the app Jelly, the same app that caught him texting and driving last week . The app aided in the embarassment of Zuckerberg last week when user Ben Schaechter posted a picture of the Facebook founder texting while driving. 'Mark Zuckerberg texting and driving. How do you respond?' Schaechter wrote. But that hasn't stopped Zuckerberg from continuing to use the app. 'What kind of spider is this, and is it okay to let it keep living in my shower?' Zuckerberg queried his friends last night. The app's COO Kevin Thau answered the question, identifying the spider as a Phiddippus Johnsoni and said Zuckerberg should 'probably want to relocate it out of the house.' Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, right, launched Jelly last Tuesday. One user caught Mark Zuckerberg, left, while texting and driving and posted the picture on the app asking 'Mark Zuckerberg texting and driving. How do you respond?' While the spider is not poisonous, but it does bite and has the ability to jump. 'First life saved on Jelly! (The spider, not Zuck)' Stone later tweeted. The app has been called a 'vanity project' by critics despite Stone believing it can grow into an 'awesome business'. Stone thinks the app will help teach people that computer-driven algorithms don't necessarilly have all the answers in life. ‘If we are successful, then we will be introducing into the daily muscle memory of a whole lot of people this idea of, “How can I help someone today?”’ said Stone. ‘Maybe we can sort of nudge up the global empathy quotient so people start thinking about other people a little more.’ But some critics aren’t so sure, Valleywag has described it as ‘an app for the sake of apps’, a ‘software Fabergé egg’ and a ‘vanity project.’ Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerman was caught texting and driving in his black Volkswagen GTI last week . Ben Schaechter was quick to put the Jelly app to good use and posted his photo of the Facebook founder along with the words 'Mark Zuckerberg texting and driving. How do you respond?' ‘Have you ever posted on Facebook, asking if anyone knows a good . barber? Or tweeted to your followers asking if "House of Cards" is any . good? That's Jelly - a search engine that uses your friends - only more . convoluted than ever before,’ wrote Valleywag’s Sam Biddle. Stone, . 39, can afford to gamble on a company with an altruistic bent after . Twitter's successful public stock offering two months ago. Twitter's . stock has more than doubled from its initial public offering price of . $26. Just how many millions Stone has made from Twitter remains a . mystery because he didn't own enough stock for his stake to be disclosed . in regulatory filings. He has also persuaded former Vice . President Al Gore and U2 lead singer Bono to invest, as well as Reid . Hoffman, who became a billionaire as co-founder and chairman of . professional networking service LinkedIn Corp. The venture capital firm Spark Capital also has invested an undisclosed amount. Eventually, Jelly's app will extend its reach into other online networks besides Twitter and Facebook, Stone said. | The Facebook founder posted a picture of a spider in his bathroom on app Jelly last night . The app was developed by Twitter co-founder Biz Stone to crowd-source answers from social media friends . Last week, a Jelly user posted a picture of Zuckerberg texting while driving to work in Palo Alto . | a2d6a60661d2b065340ee46061cad43e998f1ab9 |
By . Sarah Dean . A second Marist church official, who held high positions in the order up to 2012, has said he didn't know touching a child 'intimately' was a crime and would need to get legal advice to find out. Alexis Turton, who was until 2012 head of the orders' professional standards office, has told the Royal Commission into Institutional Handling of Child Sexual abuse, he only knew sexual intercourse with a child was a crime in the 80s. He was giving evidence in the case of former brother Gregory Sutton who was jailed in 1996 for 67 counts of sexual abuse against boys and girls in NSW, Queensland and the ACT. On Wednesday, it was also revealed that three days after it became known that police were investigating Sutton, Turton put the paedophile on a plane to Canada. Turton denied repeatedly that he knew police were involved when he sent Sutton for 'intensive therapy' to the Southdown clinic in Canada. Marist Brother Alexis Turton at Wednesday's hearing of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse . Br Turton became involved in 1985, when as vice-provincial he visited St Carthage's school in Lismore where the principal had raised concerns about Sutton's behaviour with primary school girls. He told the commission he was not aware in 1985 that Sutton had a history of abuse at other schools, specifically at a primary school in far North Queensland where the principal had told the order Sutton was interfering with boys. As far as he knew, there were no files the order had that would record his history. He told Simeon Beckett, counsel for the commission, that in 1985 he would have considered an adult having sexual intercourse with a child to be a crime but while he knew touching was wrong he would have to check if it was criminal. Mr Beckett said: 'Are you seriously saying that if an adult touched a child on the vagina, for example, that that was to your knowledge, not a crime in 1985 and 1987?' Convicted paeodophile Gregory Sutton was sent to Canada for 'intensive therapy' Br Turton: 'No, I couldn't say that to my knowledge that it wasn't a crime. I certainly couldn't say that. I would know it would be very wrong and probably criminal, but I would want to go to an expert if it came to a definition.' Mr Beckett: 'What if a child was made to touch an adult, a man for example on the penis. Did you consider in 1985 to 1987, whether that was a crime?' Br Turton said: 'I would consider it definitely to be wrong'. He also told the commission he did not interpret 'inappropriate behaviour' as specifically relating to sexual assault. When Sister Julia, the principal at St Carthage's informed the order she had sent letters to Sutton about his behaviour, Br Turton saw them as warning in the industrial relations sense and did not act to remove Sutton. He was finally moved in 1987 but Br Turton said he was not responsible for that because it was in the hands of the then provincial Br Alman Dwyer. Sutton was sent to the clinic in Canada on August 18, 1989 and documents produced at the commission showed he was telling people there that when investigations began to surface about his sexual activities with children 'within three days he was on a plane heading for Canada'. Another communication from Canada to Br Turton dated August 30, 1989 stated that Sutton had said his provincial had decided he should come to Southdown and this 'was due to the fact that investigations were occurring on himself for school activities five years ago regarding his child abuse'. Br Turton denied he had sent Sutton to Canada to avoid the police investigations in Australia. And when he was told that sending Sutton to Canada was first raised by him on August 15 and he was on a plane on the 18th, Br Turton said he did not consider it 'excessive haste'. 'I didn't see it as excessive haste; I saw it as continuing the process that we had been through to get him through to intensive therapy,' he said. Brother Anthony Hunt has told a Royal Commission that during the 1980s he was not aware that child sex abuse was a crime . He said it was possible a session was starting in Canada and there would be a significant break until he got to the next one. At the time, parents of children who were at St Thomas More School, Cambelltown, NSW had gone to police alleging Sutton, who was there from 1984 to 1985, had abused year five girls. Mr Beckett put it to him that the account he gave the commission about the reason for sending Sutton to Canada was false. 'That is not correct your honour,' Br Turton said. Br Turton also denied that he was the author of a memo which detailed Sutton's history of abusive behaviour with children going back to the 1970s. In that memo the name 'Bart' is used, not Gregory Sutton although the history is Sutton's. 'It's a mystery to me', Br Turton said. Mr Beckett put it to him that the name was used to deceive a reader on the subject of the memorandum, and readers were likely to be police and anyone involved in civil litigation against the Marist Brothers. 'I am totally mystified by this document. I can't make any other assessment of it,' Br Turton said. On Tuesday, the former superior of a NSW Marist Brothers community and deputy principal of a school for 600 students also told an inquiry he did not associate child sexual abuse with crime in the 1980s. Brother Anthony Hunt was head of the Lismore Marist community to which Gregory Sutton - who was later jailed for sexually assaulting 15 children - was attached from 1985 to 1987. Brother Hunt was also deputy principal of the Marist Trinity College in Lismore which had 600 students at the time. He gave evidence at the royal commission into child sexual abuse that although concerns were raised with him about the behaviour of Sutton at St Carthage's primary school, he left it to the school to deal with it. Towards the end of two-and-a-half hours of evidence he said he considered complaints of inappropriate behaviour by Sutton as 'excessive expressions of affection' and had not heard the word pedophile at the time. 'When you give that answer, that as the deputy principal of that Catholic college in the mid-to-late 80s in this nation, you did not understand that the sexual assault of children was a crime?' Presiding Commissioner Justice Jennifer Coate asked. Brother Hunt responded 'I would have to say that's correct at the time.' Justice Coate asked him if he accepted that part of his role was to protect children. 'What is the difficulty that you have with accepting that it was a crime,' Justice Coate asked. Justice Coate asked him if he had seen media reports at the time about people charged with sexual offences against children. 'I don't specifically remember, but I can't rule it out,' Brother Hunt said. Justice Coate asked: 'Is that a serious answer to the Royal Commission, Brother?' To which Brother Hunt replied it was the best he could do with his understanding at the time. He said at the time he saw it as his duty to pass on concerns about brothers to the provincial and deputy provincial of the order who headed the community in Australia. Brother Hunt said his awareness grew in time and in retrospect he was sorry for the 'great harm that was done to children'. Meanwhile, Swimming Australia's response to child sexual abuse allegations made against two high profile coaches is to come under the spotlight at a royal commission next month. The commission will examine Swimming Australia's reaction to claims made against Olympic coaches Scott Volkers and Terry Buck. | Brother Alexis Turton said he would have had to get expert advice . Denied knowing police were involved when he put convicted paedophile Gregory Sutton on a plane to Canada for 'intensive therapy' Turton's appearance at Royal Commission came on Wednesday . The day before, Brother Anthony Hunt also told Royal Commission he didn't understand sexual assault on children was a crime . | 74812fec9c522bdbe85d8a5eac51dbba88108ea2 |
Boys as well as girls should be given the HPV jab to prevent rising rates of cancer, according to experts. The vaccine is currently given to girls aged 12 and 13 to protect against the human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer. But the virus is actually thought to trigger 5 per cent of all cancers worldwide including those affecting 2,000 men a year. Girls aged 12 and 13 are currently offered the HPV vaccine to help protect against cervical cancer, which is caused by the human papillomavirus . A committee of experts working for the Department of Health are currently deciding whether boys aged 12 to 13 should also be offered the vaccine. Campaigners say it would save lives, avoid needless suffering and spare the NHS millions of pounds in treatment costs. The vaccines would be offered on a voluntary basis to boys at school and would cost the health service up to £22 million annually. HPV is spread via sexual contact and causes cervical cancer in women as well as cancer of the throat, anus and penis. The experts – the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation – met yesterday are expected to make a final decision next month. Girls aged 12 and 13 have been offered the jab on a voluntary basis since 2008 and around 80 per cent have it. Peter Baker, Campaign Director of HPV Action.org, said it was 'blatantly unfair' that women were protected from cancers and other diseases caused by HPV infection while men were not. ‘Men will continue to die from HPV-related diseases unless the government acts to extend the national vaccination programme to all adolescent boys,’ he said. ‘This would only cost about £20-£22 million a year and, in the long run, save the money spent by the NHS on treatment as well as reducing human suffering. ‘If parents knew that their sons as well as their daughters could be protected from the virus that causes 5 per cent of all cancers, then I'm sure most would also agree.' Earlier this month MPs from the All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Cancer, Dentistry, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Men's Health and HIV and Aids said more than 2,000 cases of cancer in men each year in the UK were caused by HPV. In an open letter they wrote: ‘The long-term savings in treatment and care of men with HPV-related diseases would considerably outweigh the extra cost (about £20 million a year) of extending the programme.’ Dr Kate Soldan, head of HPV surveillance at Public Health England, the Department of Health agency in charge of vaccines said it would provide ‘few additional benefits.’ The Department of Health is currently debating whether to extend the vaccination programme to include boys aged 12 and 13, to help protect against HPV (pictured). The virus is linked to cancer of the throat, anus and penis - affecting around 2,000 men each year . | Girls aged 12 and 13 are offered the jab to protect against cervical cancer . Department of Health is meeting to decide if the vaccine should be extended to include boys aged 12 and 13 . Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes the disease and is thought to trigger 5% of cancers worldwide - including those affecting 2,000 men a year . It is also linked to cancer of the throat, anus and penis . | 18b52e5848fe4c564ecc64ae00f897a5474074bb |
By . Becky Evans . PUBLISHED: . 07:19 EST, 16 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 13:55 EST, 16 November 2012 . A horrified mum today described how her 16-month old daughter was savaged by a foot-long rat as she lay sleeping in her cot. Lindsey Molyneux, 30, heard her daughter Lolly wake up screaming and went to check on her. But she was stunned to see the little girl covered in blood with deep bite marks on her hand. Horrified: Lindsey Molyneux, pictured left, said her 'mother bear instinct' kicked in when she saw a foot-long rat had bitten her 16-month-old daughter Lolly's wrist (pictured right) Bitten: Little Lolly was asleep in her cot when the rat attacked her and bit her wrist, pictured . Bloodied: Lolly's tiny T-shirt was covered in blood after the foot-long rat attacked her in her cot . Her husband Michael, 41 then spotted the rodent scurrying around their one bedroom flat in Camden, north London. Mrs Molyneux, 30, says the rat also chewed through Lolly’s pyjama pants. She said: 'They went down to bed at about 8.15pm and it was about 9pm because I’m a Celebrity was just about to come on. 'So we were waiting for that and she just started crying through the monitor. I went in because I didn’t want her to wake her twin Lily up. 'I went in there and she was shaking and I thought maybe she was just having one of her nightmares. 'She threw up on my shoulder so I walked her out of the bedroom, holding her over my left shoulder, sat her down on the floor on the kitchen and as I started to strip her I saw all the blood because I hadn’t seen it in the bedroom because it was dark. 'I just started screaming, I tried not to swear but every swear word was coming out of my mouth. Vermin: Lindsey Molyneux said at first she did not know why her baby daughter was bleeding until her husband Michael spotted the huge rat, pictured, run through their Camden flat . Hospital: Lolly was rushed to A&E after the rat left bite marks across her wrist, pictured . 'I said "she’s bleeding, she’s bleeding". I couldn’t see where she was bleeding from then I suddenly saw her hand, you could just see that it was gushing out. 'The only way I could describe it is we were just befuddled, we just could not figure out what had happened. We’ve got no pets and there’s nothing around her bed that could do that.' With the bleeding stopped, she called her mum and then the NHS direct in an effort to determine the cause. It was then, she said, the rat scurried past her. 'I was literally on the phone to the nurse. I saw it at the door and it was about a foot long. I just started screaming down the phone at this poor woman, "there’s a rat". The nurse said "okay you need to take her to A&E". 'Mother bear instinct kicked in with us and we were like "now we know what it is, we have to get it out of the house". 'My husband filmed it on his phone. Foot-long: Lindsey Molyneux said the GP did not believe that the marks were caused by the rat until the family showed the video her husband Michael had taken on his phone . Chased out: The rat, pictured, was chased out by Michael Molyneux and the family have since contacted pest controllers who have laid traps . 'As I got off the phone, my husband ended up getting the broom. I went around the patio door, opened up the front door and as soon as I opened it up, it’s legged it. 'You could clearly see it was a rat, the size of it was massive.' Full time mum Mrs Molyneux said her GP didn’t believe the story until she showed him the footage. 'He was looking at me like I was crazy before I showed him the video.' The couple have since disinfected and cleaned the entire house while pest control experts from Camden council have laid traps and checked nearby sewers. Lolly received treatment and is recovering well. Mrs Molyneux said the front door had been left open for half an hour earlier in the night to ventilate the house while her husband, an engineer, cooked dinner but pest controllers were still unsure how the rat got in. 'It’s not even the thought that it bit her, that’s bad enough, it’s just the thought that it was crawling on her. It’s got in once and I’m still afraid it can get in again.' | Baby Lolly was left covered in blood as the huge rat attacked her wrist . Mother Lindsey Molyneux thought injury cause was a mystery until the animal was spotted running through their London flat . Lindsey's husband Michael chased the giant rat out with a broom . Council pest control experts have laid traps and checked nearby sewers . | 2650f75f7cbea965d8780b0c94473f9e471c661e |
By . Steph Cockroft . A Royal Marine Commando has been jailed for attacking two women sex workers because he was angry with the service he received. Nathan Bantick, 22, of Neath, South Wales, was caught on a massage parlour’s CCTV cameras assaulting the women on Christmas Day morning. Swansea Crown Court heard Bantick became aggressive when he was told his 30-minute massage session, which cost £40, was over. Scroll down for video . Guilty: Nathan Bantick, 22, from Neath, South Wales, standing outside Swansea Crown Court with an electronic cigarette. He pleaded guilty to assaulting two women sex workers and causing actual bodily harm to another customer . He shouted that he'd been 'ripped off' and showed the women, who worked at the massage parlour on Swansea high street, his military ID. The court heard Bantick then told them: 'Who are the police going to want to believe - you or me?' Bantick, who was jailed for 12 months at Swansea Crown Court, now faces being discharged from the Royal Navy for the 'uncontrollable attack'. He pleaded guilty to assaulting Tammy Davie and Xhenia Thoncheva, admitting punching each woman in the head three times. He also pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to another customer, Jeremy Rees, who confronted Bantick about his behaviour. The court heard Bantick punched and kneed Mr Rees 20 times. The victim was left with permanent nerve damage after the attack. Thumbs up: Nathan Bantick puts his thumbs up outside court where he was jailed for 12 months for the 'uncontrollable' attack on Christmas Day. Bantick became angry and said he'd been 'ripped off' when he was told his 30-minute massage was over . The court was told that Bantick and his . brother Christopher were dressed in Santa hats when they visited the . Park Lane massage parlour in Swansea at 3am after a night . out together. Prosecutor James Hartson said: 'Bantick paid for a 30-minute massage and when he was told his 30 minutes were over he became very agitated. 'He started shouting that he hadn’t received his full 30 minutes and said he’s been mugged off. Attack: Bantick, bottom of the picture, was captured on CCTV assaulting a person at the massage parlour on Swansea high street. He had gone to the parlour with his brother wearing a Christmas Santa hat . Aggressive: The Royal Marine commando attacked workers Tammy Davie and Xhenia Thoncheva and also dealt 20 blows to Jeremy Rees, another customer who tried to intervene . 'He shouted aggressively and threatened to hit two masseuses if they didn’t give his money back. 'He punched the plaster board wall near the head of one of the women, grabbed her and pushed her against a wall. 'He took out his military ID saying: “Who do you think the police are going to want to believe, you or me?' Swansea Crown Court heard how Mr Rees then confronted Bantick telling him: 'You can’t do that to women'. Mr Hartson added: 'Bantick then launched a sustained attack punching and kneeing Mr Rees to the body. He dealt him 20 blows in total.' The court heard Bantick also attacked the two women, punching each one of them around three times to the head. Captured: Bantick was seen walking into the parlour on CCTV. After becoming angry, the Royal Marine commando took out his military ID and asked the women 'who the police would believe' He was given his £40 back before kicking Mr Rees 'forcibly to the head'. Bantick fled the parlour but was caught after police issued pictures of him from the CCTV system. When interviewed by police he told them he’s been ripped off and had become angry when they refused a refund. Bantick also admitted causing £875 damage to the massage parlour, which sits above an environmental company in the centre of Swansea. Parlour: The massage parlour, on the top floor of this building on Swansea high street, where the attack took place . Defence barrister Huw Rees-Davies said a prison sentence could mean Bantick is discharged from the Royal Navy. His senior officer was in court. Judge Keith Thomas told him: 'This was a frightening display of aggression. 'You showed your military ID in order to threaten and bully - then you launched a sustained and uncontrollable attack. 'Out of spite and revenge you kicked Mr Rees in the head as he lay defenceless on the floor.' | Nathan Bantick, 22, assaulted the workers on Christmas Day morning . He launched the attack after his £40 massage session was over . Bantick tried to threaten the sex workers by showing his military ID . The Royal Marine pleaded guilty to assault and actual bodily harm at Swansea Crown Court . Bantick, jailed for 12 months, could be discharged from the Royal Navy for the 'uncontrollable attack' | 53528240cc636b6ae58aed6ca1b8f78b9d09288a |
By . Martin Allen . Martin 'Mad Dog' Allen returns with the latest instalment of his new weekly column for MailOnline Sport. The former Gillingham boss does not hold back with his views on current issues in football. In this week’s column he gets behind beleaguered Sam Allardyce, notes Adam Lallana is ready to get on that plane to Brazil and reveals whose leg looks like a slice of stilton! When your key players are missing as a manager, whether it's in schoolboy football, pub football or at semi-professional level, you don't win games. It's as simple as that. Emotionally that's difficult for supporters to accept. Hold tight: Sam Allardyce was right to write off the FA Cup because he has a depleted squad at West Ham . I fully understand why Sam Allardyce felt the need to write off the FA Cup game away at Nottingham Forest and you would have to be mad to have expected any different result in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg at the Etihad against Manchester City. The dogfight to avoid relegation will go right down to the wire. The compensation figure to pay off Allardyce and his staff will be better off spent trying to hook a few loan players to come to West Ham to help strengthen their squad and save their season. He knows what he's doing. Timely boost: Andy Carroll made his first team return during the impressive win away at Cardiff on Saturday . Think! Despite bad results recently, the compensation money to sack Allardyce is better spent on signings . Manchester City smashed seven past Norwich, Arsenal and Spurs were hit for six, Manchester United and Newcastle conceded four and they played a half-strength team away to Bayern Munich – the Champions League winners – and beat them 3-2. They taught Allardyce's West Ham a lesson, too. It's easy to say you should be doing this and you should be doing that, but the City players are faster, stronger, far superior technically. It looks like Manuel Pellegrini has harmonised the expensive squad with calmness, confidence and a management style which is very different from Roberto Mancini. Calmness personified: Manuel Pellegrini's cool demeanour has settled the Manchester City squad down . Adam Lallana is technically good enough to get into Roy Hodgson's squad for the Brazil World Cup and mentally he looks to have the confidence and arrogance to make the step up to get on that plane. He showed that again with his well-taken goal to beat West Brom on Saturday. It looks like he believes he's good enough and it looks like he believes he should be going. This mental hurdle is the most significant thing to overcome when you get to the top level. Boy for Brazil: Adam Lallana has produced a number of eye-catching performances for Southampton . Cheers mum! The playmaker scored against West Brom and is in contention to go to the World Cup . The England cricket team have looked inferior in recent weeks and have been verbally beaten with barbed comments from Australia that have weakened their squad and dissolved self-belief. They fought to take the Ashes back from us. Lallana is fighting for his place, with that Aussie spirit. Jose Mourinho, Rafael Benitez, Arsene Wenger, Brendan Rodgers, Mark Warburton – what do they all have in common? None of them played football at a decent level but are making it as managers. They've been to university, done this course and that course. Back in my playing days if you didn't play at the top level, you had no chance. We're laughing! Jose Mourinho and Brendan Rodgers are from the managerial breed who never made it playing . Not even Jason Puncheon's penalty miss against Tottenham. But I'll tell you what, I've got a lot of respect for Jason (right). My . friend Ray asked me if I'd seen the worst penalty ever shortly after it . happened. He laughed as he explained that the penalty kick nearly hit . the floodlights. I . reminded him that Puncheon used to play at my old club Barnet and had . spells at Southampton, MK Dons, Blackpool; 11 clubs in total. And I also . reminded him that in his time Puncheon had been in trouble with the . law. He was arrested in connection with a robbery seven years ago – but not convicted – and used to hang around with a bad crowd. I admire Puncheon for not only turning his life around but also for maximising his undoubted ability, and . for the courage and guts to take responsibility to grab that ball and . take the penalty in the first place. My friend Ray just nodded in . agreement. My old club Brentford appointed a . manager a few weeks ago who has never played professional football. Mark . Warburton had been a trader in the City when he started work at the . Watford academy coaching, training and developing the youngsters and . bringing through some good young players. He moved to Brentford to work as director of football operations for his friend and very wealthy owner Matthew Benham. Benham has invested heavily throughout the club and in a few years' time Brentford will be playing in a brand new 20,000-seater stadium in a prime location. Mark has just won League One Manager of the Month and got the record of six straight league wins - the best start of any Brentford manager - and the team are flying at the top of the division. Gone are the days that if you had 50 England caps you got a manager's job. Now, you need to be up to speed with strength and conditioning, in-depth match analysis, have excellent communication and man-management skills, be good at delegation, international recruitment, nutrition, counselling... the list goes on and on and on. Watch out for the rise of Brentford Football Club and Warburton. New kid on the block: Brentford are flying at the top of League One with Mark Warburton in charge . The players, supporters and owners of clubs at the bottom of League Two will be anxiously looking over their shoulders and scared stiff of the prospect of going to play in the Conference next year. It's a good league, with lots of good professionals in it that have had to drop down with the influx of so many foreign players in the top leagues. To get out of it, you need a mixture of David Blaine, Dynamo and John Still – the Luton manager who is five points clear at the top. Once you're in it, don't expect to come back too quick! Eyes down! Northampton Town caretaker Andy King is trying to keep the struggling club in League Two . I see in the news that Thomas Hitzlsperger became the first Premier League player to come out as gay last week. I don't think anyone cares, in this day and age, about homosexuality. Who is seriously bothered about it? No one is nowadays. It's all part of life and the world we live in. Who cares? Thomas Hitzlsperger came out as gay last week but modern society is beyond such prejudices . I now have the time to try to lose some weight and to help in my quest I joined the local gym. I enrolled myself into a fitness class for a 10 o'clock start last Wednesday morning to do yoga. I . thought yoga was just stretching to improve flexibility and mobility, . but as I lay there doing my utmost to loosen my hamstrings I couldn’t . help but notice the lady next to me had a stilton leg – there were blue . veins all over it. She . managed to stretch her hamstring, by pulling her straightened leg all . the way back over her head, but I couldn't stop thinking how much it . looked like a block of stilton cheese. I . was sweating, a little bit embarrassed and, as I kept staring at the . blue veins, knew it was about time I got myself into shape. | Sam Allardyce made the right decision to field a weakened cup team . Manuel Pellegrini is the cool customer Manchester City craved . Adam Lallana is making a late run for the World Cup . | 9b6805baaef4ea62a0fe95f282472719d5daf90b |
(CNN) -- United Express Flight 5573 from San Francisco to San Antonio was diverted to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Thursday afternoon when a crew member discovered an undisclosed security threat, according to Phoenix police. The nature of the apparent threat was not known, and after an investigation and a security check were completed, nothing suspicious was found, Phoenix police Sgt. Steve Martos told CNN affiliate KPHO. The plane had been diverted Thursday afternoon, and Sky Harbor officials said passengers were removed from the airplane and rescreened. The airport was not evacuated. The small commuter plane carried 47 passengers. | NEW: Police did not find anything suspicious during their security check at Phoenix airport . 47 passengers were removed from United Express Flight 5573 . | 94a0bdc3ac805227ccca5cb3dd51fdf40dcc837c |
Everton boss Roberto Martinez is busy looking for a new goalkeeper but has played down talk linking him with Cardiff's David Marshall - and emphasised that neither Samuel Eto'o nor Seamus Coleman are about to leave Goodison Park. Martinez has wanted to bring in a shot-stopper since first-choice Tim Howard picked up a calf injury on Boxing Day that is set to rule him out until well into February. Reports have suggested the manager is interested in Marshall, but when asked on Monday if there was anything in the stories about the Scotland international - who missed Cardiff's match at the weekend due to an injury of his own - potentially joining Everton, Martinez said: 'No - nothing at all.' Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall has been linked with a move to Roberto Martinez's Everton . Despite the reports, Martinez has claimed that Marshall (pictured) is not on Everton's radar . The Spaniard did, however, confirm he had made some enquiries about goalkeepers this month, adding: 'It is something we have done for a while now, but nothing has been conclusive or done in a way that we can announce any names. 'I'm not interested in bringing in a short-term goalkeeper - we'll look at the options, but if we bring in anyone, it has to be someone who can stay with us for the long term. 'We are going to explore that avenue and if we find the right personality, we'll act on it.' With regard to potential outgoings from Everton in the current transfer window, there has been speculation that striker Eto'o could move to Italian side Sampdoria and full-back Coleman make a switch to Manchester United. Speaking at his press conference to preview Tuesday's FA Cup third-round replay at West Ham, Martinez also dismissed those suggestions, insisting there would be no 'big sales' made by the Merseysiders this month. Martinez has said that there is 'nothing at all' in the Marshall rumours, while stating that Seamus Coleman and Samuel Eto'o will both stay at the club beyond the January transfer window . Coleman (right) has been linked with a move to Manchester United, but Martinez says there will be no big exits . On Eto'o, Martinez said: 'I know there has been a lot of speculation, but we haven't been contacted - we have had no conversations about that issue at all. 'At the moment Samuel is working really well and is always a really strong influence in the day-to-day work, and there is nothing to comment on really.' And when asked about there being any truth in the Coleman reports, Martinez said: 'No. 'I have said before that we are in a position where all that matters is to get good momentum in the league and be as strong as we can in the cups. 'We are not entertaining that speculation of big sales. We are not going to sell our big assets in the window, so I think all those stories and admiration from the outside are just a waste of time.' Everton have struggled for 'good momentum' in recent weeks - indeed, prior to the original cup tie against West Ham last Tuesday they had lost four games in a row and won only one in nine in all competitions. It has been reported that Samuel Eto'o (left) could be set for a move to Serie A side Sampdoria in January . Martinez has played down reports of Coleman (left) moving to Louis van Gaal's Manchester United . The rot has been stopped with 1-1 draws in that match and then against Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday; performances Martinez believes have provided a platform from which his side can now build for a decent second half of the season. Although he accepts questions have been asked of his players, the 41-year-old has stressed he has never doubted them himself. And that includes striker Romelu Lukaku, the £28million club record summer signing who has bounced back from starting two successive games on the bench to put in eye-catching displays as part of the first XI against the Hammers and City. Lukaku's last-gasp equaliser against the London outfit last week means he has scored a goal in each of his last four encounters with West Ham. There were doubts over Romelu Lukaku, but he proved his worth with two eye-catching displays for Everton . Lukaku scored a last-gasp equaliser against West Ham to nick a draw for Everton in the FA Cup last Tuesday . Martinez will be hoping for more of the same on Tuesday, and said of the Belgium international: 'Romelu is now performing at a very good level, but he has always showed real desire to help the team and strong responsibility. 'I have always known that Romelu, fully fit, is in my eyes one of the best strikers in world football. 'Now he is in the right place and it has been very pleasing to see him enjoying his football and being so effective in the last two games.' Everton will on Tuesday be without the same seven players who missed the City contest - Howard, Sylvain Distin (groin), Tony Hibbert (unspecified), Leon Osman (foot), Darron Gibson, Steven Pienaar (both knee) and James McCarthy (hamstring). Martinez has confirmed he intends to include 22-year-old forward Conor McAleny in the squad to face West Ham. | Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard picked up an injury on Boxing Day . He will be out until February and Everton are looking for a new goalkeeper . Cardiff shot-stopper David Marshall has been linked with the Merseysiders . Martinez has played down rumours over Marshall, while also emphasising that neither Samuel Eto'o nor Seamus Coleman will leave Goodison Park . The Everton manager also heaped praise on forward Romelu Lukaku . | beadbdd986cfabc004ef0c255454c8384c7bf708 |
(CNN) -- A CNN team has been denied credentials to cover upcoming local elections in Venezuela. A CNN en Español correspondent and producer appeared Friday at the Ministry of Communications in Caracas, and an official told them their credentials were denied. When the crew asked for an explanation, the official said that "they didn't understand why CNN needed to send an anchor to cover local elections when there are two correspondents accredited in Venezuela." The CNN team, including reporter Fernando del Rincón, intended to travel to the state of Táchira, where the most violent protests erupted in February in the southwestern city of San Cristóbal. Opposition Mayor Daniel Ceballos was accused of civil rebellion and conspiracy after the government said he failed to stop violent protests in his city. He was jailed in March and given a 12-month sentence. The city of San Cristóbal has never had a pro-government mayor. San Diego Mayor Enzo Scarano was also jailed for 10 months after the government accused him of ignoring an order given by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice to stop the protests. The wives of both the mayors are running in the municipal elections Sunday. Ceballos' wife has no political experience, while Scarano's spouse is a city councilwoman. CNN has been reporting on the protests since February when the attempted rape of a young student on a San Cristóbal university campus galvanized students, who took to the streets to speak out against crime, shortages, blackouts and a dire economic situation. Students were jailed and, in solidarity, protests began in other cities. In the course of CNN's coverage of the protests, del Rincón has been criticized by both President Nicolas Maduro and the president of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello. An investigative piece by CNN showed that Cabello lied about alleged weapons found at a retired general's home. The picture that he used as evidence of the weaponry was of a gun shop in Wisconsin. Human Rights Watch voiced concern in February that Venezuela was censoring the news media and highlighted Maduro's efforts to take CNN off the airwaves. Clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces have left more than 40 people dead and around 800 injured since February, according to officials. Maduro has said protesters are "fascists and extreme right thugs" who are trying to destabilize the government to promote a coup. Protesters call Maduro a dictator who has ruined the Venezuelan economy with failed socialist policies. | CNN's Fernando del Rincón and his producer are denied accreditation in Venezuela . The CNN team intended to cover municipal elections in San Cristóbal, scene of protests . CNN has been criticized by Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro for its coverage . Students first took to the streets to protest in San Cristóbal in February . | 45643668f60d6e78ec0bfc9ee12146857e327b1f |
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