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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 21:38 EST, 18 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:54 EST, 19 July 2013 . A teenager banished from the insulated world of the Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints Church (FLDS) has spoken about how his life has dramatically changed since being forced out of the polygamous sect. Willy Steed, 19, together with his parents and six sisters were among a group of between 500 and 600 people banished by the sect’s leader - and so-called prophet - Warren Jeffs, who has spent the past seven years behind bars after being convicted of sexual abuse of young girls. The Steed family received help of a group called Holding Out Help, a nonprofit for those leaving polygamist groups. Write caption here . Willy was placed with a couple called Pam and Ron Jenson, who have helped him to reclaim his lost childhood and experience a number of things for the first time - including his first ride on a rollercoaster, his first birthday cake and even Facebook. Like most boys in the FLDS, Steed was pulled out of grade school to work and so he has also had to learn to read for the first time. Steed's life also took an unexpected turn in June, when he met a photographer who believed he had model potential and invited him to a photo shoot. The invitation to become a model shows just how far Steed's physical and emotional transformation has come since leaving the sect. Willy Steed, left with his back to the camera, visits the spot where several of his friends died in a car crash after a beer party . ‘Someone saw me for who I was and singled me out and picked me because of that,’ Steed told ABC News. ‘All my life [I] never believed in myself. It was so easy for me to get lost in the crowd of family, but out here it's so easy to be seen in a crowd and not get lost.’ Steed is one of the lucky ones. Just weeks after he left several of his close friends died in a car crash after a beer party. Under the FLDS' strict religious code, boys and girls are forbidden from speaking to one another in their community and so many attend the secret desert parties. ‘There's a reason the young boys go out at night, and the young girls go to those parties,’ he told ANC News. Under the FLDS' strict religious code women are forced to wear long-sleeved prairie dresses and aren't allowed to cut their hair . Willy Steed has joined Facebook since leaving the FLDS and has posted several pictures of his adventures since . 'It's because they can drink, they can be themselves and they can put away all that stress.’ According to church teachings, anyone who attends these parties becomes a ‘son of perdition.’ ‘Son of perdition means you are Satan's property, and that you will burn in hell when you leave this life for what you have done,’ Steed explained. The community lives a lifestyle far removed from the modern world with no internet, no television and little contact with the outside world. Every aspect of life - what people wear, what they eat, even whom they marry - continues to be controlled by Jeffs, even though he is behind bars. Some of is more recent bizarre edicts have included banning toys, bicycles and the eating of corn. Criminal: Warren Jeffs continues to run his 'church' from behind bars after being imprisoned for sexual assault on a 15 and 12-year-old . Cult: Jeffs was said to have been married to an estimated 80 women as he lead the polygamous sect . The community, which has up to 10,000 members worldwide, still believes in their 'prophet' even though he is serving life plus 20 years for sexually abusing children. Approximately 8,000 people still reside at the Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado, Texas and they are still reportedly receiving instructions from him. 'We know he is innocent,' Dr. Maryam Holm, primary health care provider at the Yearning for Zion Ranch, told ABC. 'And we all yearn for his deliverance,' she added. When questioned about why Jeffs is still allowed to give guidance from the jail cell, officials say there is little they can do. 'If somebody comes in and visits with him, and he gives them . instructions and they take them back by word of mouth, there’s just . nothing we can do to control that,' John Hurt, director of public . information at the Texas Department of Corrections, told ABC News. Shocking: Members of the sect are escorted onto a bus in Eldorado, Texas after a raid on a compound built by Warren Jeffs, jailed leader of The Fundamentalist Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints . Followers of the movement had also congregated in sites in Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah. Arizona's Attorney General Tom Horne in February announced a criminal probe of the FLDS and the Marshal's Office, which serves as a small police force in the twin polygamous towns Hildale and Colorado City. A highly publicized raid in 2008 on the sect's community - the Yearning for Zion compound in Eldorado, Texas - revealed to the world for the first time the society Jeffs had been developing. The move led to a chaotic roundup of 400 children living at the secretive location in what became one of the largest custody cases in U.S. history. Pictures showing members' unusual . appearance, particularly of the women in the community who wear . restrictive floor length dresses and are forbidden from cutting their . hair, were broadcast across the world as 400 children were put in . temporary custody for the duration of the police investigation into . sexual abuse. The FLDS temple at the YFZ Ranch near Eldorado, Texas . During his trial, jurors wept as they heard a graphic tape of the twisted sexual instructions Jeffs gave his brides - some of whom were just children. He warned God would reject them if they did not to submit to his instructions and DNA evidence presented during the trial proved he had fathered a child with a 15-year-old girl. 'If the world knew what I was doing, they would hang me from the highest tree,' Jeffs wrote in a chilling journal entry from 2005 - one of thousands of pages of notes seized by authorities. He was given life behind bars for one count of aggravated sexual assault and an extra 20 years, to be served consecutively, for the second count of sexual assault - the maximum allowed for each count. | Willy Steed, 19, is enjoying his freedom after leaving the polygamous sect . In June a photographer approached him about posing for modeling work . A number of friends died just weeks after he left the church when they were involved in a car crash after a beer party . The young members of the church hold secret parties in the desert because their religion forbids them from speaking to one and another . | 5d85af0611365240211d443c86e163730e152162 |
CNN's Going Green: Oceans will take you above and below the water for a unique perspective on how coral reefs impact the world's oceans and you. Join CNN Special Correspondent Philippe Cousteau as he explores Australia's Great Barrier Reef with scientists from the Catlin Seaview Survey as they map the extraordinary eco-system with pioneering photographic equipment. Watch the 30-minute Going Green: Oceans special on Friday March 29 at 15:30 GMT (11:30 ET). Join Cousteau online immediately after the show at 16:00 GMT for a live one-hour Twitter chat about ocean health and how you can help promote and preserve biodiversity beneath the waves. Send your questions to Philippe using #CousteauCNN . | Environmental advocate Philippe Cousteau hosting a Going Green: Oceans special . Cousteau joins team from Catlin Seaview Survey as they map Australia's Great Barrier Reef . Watch Friday March 29 at 15:30 GMT (11:30 ET) Join Cousteau for Twitter chat immediately after show #CousteauCNN . | 36da38f2d8867b030fd96635d67180976a6e170f |
By . John Drayton . Darren Campbell claims Commonwealth Games silver medallist Adam Gemili has 'embarrassed' the best of the rest British sprinters into stepping up their performances. Campbell, a former Olympic relay gold medallist and Sydney 2000 runner-up over 200 metres, believes the emergence of English ace Gemili, a struggling footballer who found his true talent was in athletics, has shaken up the domestic scene. And he also claims women's sprinting in Britain is close to a peak, after a period in his career when he contends the fastest home-grown female athletes were obsessed with 'looking pretty' above racing quick times. Rise: Darren Campbell believes British sprinters should be embarrassed by Adam Gemili's success . Darren Campbell told BBC Radio 5 Live: 'You let a former footballer come into our sport, who's not gone through the junior ranks, through English Schools, or anything like that. He's just come in having trained for six months and he's the best in Britain. 'You should be embarrassed, the rest of you. You need to step it up. They're all having to step it up. You need the extra encouragement, the extra belief that anything is possible. 'With the women, from what I remember being back in the team, too many of them were bothered about getting in the team, getting the kit, and looking pretty. Close: Jamaica's Kemar Bailey-Cole beats England's Gemili in to first place in the men's 100m final . 'But now with this current crop, no, they're inspired by what they've witnessed from London 2012. They've realised they can be the best in the world. 'You look at the likes of Dina Asher-Smith going to the World Junior Championships and becoming world junior champion. 'They realised if they put in the work, train hard, they can be the best in the world. The girls are leading the way, and I think the times they performed over the 4x100m relay has given them the extra bit of confidence that they can beat the best in the world, and that's what it's about: belief.' Future: Campbell believes Britain's Dina Asher-Smith (right) is leading the way for Team GB . | Darren Campbell believes British sprinters should be 'embarrassed' by Gemili's rise to the top . Gemili started out as a footballer before deciding to take up athletics . The 20-year-old won his first senior medal with the 100m men's silver on Monday night . | 8021a105f733d7061c6b4dea6bbae6d475b4f8db |
(CNN) -- The U.S. economy exceeded forecasters' expectations in February, adding 175,000 new positions. This is a welcome jump from the paltry 75,000 jobs gained in December and 113,000 in January -- which had constituted the weakest back-to-back monthly figures in three years -- but the unemployment rate edged up to 6.7%. And we are still far off pace for the recovery federal officials would like to see as they scale back a massive bond-buying program. The fact is there is a fundamental shift underway that we must address to get the economy humming again: the steady substitution of human labor with computers. More companies are mechanizing positions traditionally reserved for flesh-and-blood workers. Low-cost software is replacing blue- and white-collar jobs alike. A recent study by Oxford University researchers projected that up to 45% of U.S. jobs could be replaced by computers within the next two decades. America needs to adapt to this shift, or these lackluster job gains are going to become the new normal. And there is no better place to start than our schools. The fact is American teens are falling behind in key subjects that will prepare them for the new age of computing. In the most recent global education assessment, America's 15-year-olds scored below the international average in math and about average in science and reading. Furthermore, many of the specific skills our kids are learning in school today won't prepare them at all for the professional world they'll enter. Our schools need to change. And there is a clear strategy for how to do it. But first, the essence of the challenge. The first wave of professional technologies replaced physical laborers -- car production lines, for instance, evolved from a series of Bobs and Joes with specific technical proficiencies to just a handful of hyper-efficient assembly bots. Today, processors and software have grown so sophisticated that they can replicate core cognitive functions once thought to be the exclusive domain of humans. You can now hire computers to do your taxes and trade stocks. And these replacement technologies usually operate at much lower cost and higher reliability than their brain-ware competitors. MIT scholars Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee have been particularly perceptive in formulating strategies for how Americans can adapt to this seismic shift in the labor market. They note it's futile to try to outcompete; the flip side of the John Henry legend is that humans will eventually lose any direct competition with machines. Instead, they point to a teamwork model exemplified in competitive chess. About a decade ago, programs like Deep Blue started beating the top grandmasters on a regular basis. In response, there emerged what's called "freestyle" chess, which pairs a human and computer together -- the machine crunches the numbers and the person consults on broader strategy. It turns out that freestyle teams -- even when they include a mediocre human player -- can beat the top computers and grandmasters. This pairing synthesizes what each partner does best for a more complete chess strategy. The key lesson here is that American workers need to be trained to complement the raw processing and networking power of computers with uniquely human facilities, like evaluating subtle social cues and crafting macro strategies. Workers should use their wetware to amplify the software. This insight has clear implications for how to reform our schools so they can better prepare students for the new age of computing. First, classroom learning needs to shift focus from the accumulation of particular facts and figures -- How many countries are in Europe? When did Columbus arrive in America? -- to a broader emphasis on flexible analytical thinking and strategizing. After all, most Americans already have instant access to the sum total of human knowledge in the phone in their pocket. What will distinguish the workers of the future is an ability to harness, filter and synthesize all that data. Second, computers need to play a more central role in all learning. Young people need to feel comfortable using machines to meet a wide variety of educational ends. Third, schools need to teach entrepreneurship. Seeing business opportunities and then executing on them is a skill. It can be learned like geology and history. Young people need to be encouraged to take a critical eye to the world around them, find the inefficiencies and then problem-solve their way to potential solutions. Don't get me wrong: personality will be a key differentiator between machines and people for the foreseeable future. There will always be a role for the best-in-class customer service-orientated people with great personalities who can instantly establish an emotional connection to their customers. But the new age of computing is deeply disrupting the American labor market. By training the next generation of American workers how to complement -- not compete with -- these fabulous new technologies, our schools can ensure this country will flourish for decades to come. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Adam Lewis. | Adam Lewis: Jobs up last month; but this conceals reality about changing job picture . He says U.S. must adapt to major ongoing shift of replacing human jobs with computers . He says U.S.'s lagging schools must focus on flexible thinking, computers, entrepreneurship . Lewis: Next generation should learn how to complement, not compete with, new technologies . | 0d8f5377048d121c9ac3635bcfd5948fa8ccc84a |
By . Claire Bates . PUBLISHED: . 03:47 EST, 29 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:15 EST, 29 October 2012 . Patients at an NHS hospital will receive 'bills' to see what they would have paid if their treatment had been private. The controversial scheme at Hull And East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust is to raise awareness of how much various tests, procedures and visits cost. It is hoped that this will deter time-wasters. Phil Morley, chief executive of the trust that runs Hull Royal Infirmary said he hoped the move would encourage patients to 'value' and 'appreciate' the service. Unexpected: Patients may soon receive fake bills to raise awareness of how much treatments actually cost . Mr Morley wants to introduce printouts of costs next year. He said: 'I don't think people recognise the value of what we have in the NHS. One visit to A&E for painkillers alone costs the NHS £150. 'What we get for free, we often take for granted. It's reminding people how precious the NHS is. 'We have people coming into A&E for paracetamol because they have a headache. It costs an A&E visit for something they could get for pennies. We still prescribe paracetamol for people. Is that right when most people have it at home in their cupboards?' The trust, which runs Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital in nearby Cottingham, is under pressure to save £99m. Mr Morley: Fed up of people attending A&E to get paracetamol for a headache . The efficiency savings have to be made by 2018 and include ward closures and bed losses. Mr Morley said the budget for one person's health each year in England is about £1,700. But some patients need more treatment than others, depending on their condition or problem, and the cost of operations, procedures and tests vary. 'Some people will be surprised by what they think is a tiny cost,' said Mr Morley. 'It's a lot of money and some people will be staggered. 'I want people to recognise the value and preciousness of what we have and see if it helps us all make better choices, make people stop and think about what we need to do differently. 'The NHS is all of ours and when somebody has been through A&E eight times in a month, it's a lot of money. But I don't want people to feel this is a disincentive for coming in. Mr Morley wants to bring in the scheme for patients treated at the Hull Royal Infirmary . 'It's so people make the best use of the NHS and appreciate it. If you had been in the US, you would have had to pay for it. 'If some care could have been given somewhere that is just as good but cheaper, is hospital the right place to be? 'The hospital needs to be there when you need it. 'We do fantastic things and save lives but we also spend £500m a year as a trust. 'We want people to be aware of the valuable resources we have and use them more wisely.' | 'Bills' will reveal what patients would have paid if they had gone private . 'I don't think people recognise the value of what we have in the NHS,' says Trust chief . | cee0488ec594b5ef69d8f20f903ccb7875944850 |
(CNN) -- The setup was bizarre. North Korean officials whisked a CNN team away in a van, purportedly to go meet with a high-ranking government official. Hours later, they arrived in the capital and were presented with three Americans held captive in the reclusive country. Like virtually everything in Pyongyang, the interviews were carefully managed by the regime. Each man had exactly five minutes to speak. Some of their statements seemed eerily similar. So what was the government's motive in letting Kenneth Bae, Matthew Todd Miller and Jeffrey Edward Fowle address the world? "First of all, their motivation always behind these interviews has been to gather U.S. attention and then try to pave a way for high-level dialogue with Washington," said Ellen Kim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. During their interviews Monday, all three men said they hope the U.S. government will send an envoy to help get them out of their situations -- similar to how former President Bill Clinton helped secure the release of two journalists in 2009. "I do believe that (a) special envoy need to come in order to resolve the situation I am in right now," said Bae, who is serving 15 years at a labor camp after North Korea claimed he was part of a Christian plot to overthrow the regime. What might North Korea want in return? "Their negotiating ploy with the U.S. is to try to get us to agree to nuclear arms control, to sort of accept them as a nuclear weapons state -- which we can't do," said Michael Green of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Another possibility: That North Korea wants sanctions against the regime lifted. Victor Cha, the North Korea adviser to former President George W. Bush, said the presentation of all three Americans at once could be telling. "My guess is the fact that all three of them were put on tape for an American audience on Labor Day as a signal from the North Koreans that they're looking for some sort of package deal to try to get them all out," Cha said. "Whether they're trying to connect this to the long-style nuclear negotiations is anybody's guess." Washington responds . The detainees' surprise interviews with CNN's Will Ripley on Monday prompted renewed calls out of Washington for the men's release. "Out of humanitarian concern for Jeffrey Fowle, Matthew Miller, and their families, we request the DPRK release them so they may return home," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, using the initials for North Korea's official name -- the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. She said the United States is in "regular, close coordination" with the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang, which acts as the "protecting power for issues involving U.S. citizens in North Korea." But it's apparent the three men are now being used by North Korea as "bargaining chips," said Bill Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations who has traveled to the isolated country. "They're sending a signal, saying, 'We're ready to bargain for the three hostages,'" Richardson said. What the detainees said . All three men said they have signed statements admitting their guilt. North Korean officials monitored and recorded all three interviews, and CNN was unable to assess independently the conditions under which the men were being held. Bae said he is working eight hours a day, six days a week at a labor camp, even though he said his health has "been failing" over the past 1½ months. The 46-year-old has diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney stones. Despite what he called "hard labor," Bae said he has been treated "as humanely as possible." U.S. officials have repeatedly called on North Korea to release Bae, but to no avail. Even former basketball star Dennis Rodman, who has visited North Korea and called its ruler Kim Jong Un a "friend for life," asked Kim to "do me a solid and cut Kenneth Bae loose." Terri Chung, Bae's sister, told CNN on Monday the video of his interview was "really difficult to watch." "It is clear from the video that he is under a lot of stress. And he talks about his health failing and being in complete isolation for almost two years. And it is devastating for our family to see that on TV." She also released a statement asking the North Korean authorities to have mercy. "It is in your power to release my brother. You could do it today. Please do so," Chung said. "He has confessed to the crimes for which he has been charged, and he has served a longer detainment than any other American since the war." Miller: 'My situation is very urgent' Dressed in a black turtleneck and often avoiding eye contact, Miller said he has admitted his guilt -- even though he won't learn of his charges until he goes to trial. "But I will say that I prepared to violate the law of the DPRK before coming here," Miller told Ripley. The 24-year-old is accused of tearing up his tourist visa and seeking asylum upon entry. He expressed frustration that "there's been no movement from my government." Miller said he wanted to tell the United States that "my situation is very urgent, that very soon I am going to trial, and I would directly be sent to prison." "I think this interview is my final chance to push the American government into helping me," he said. Fowle describes 'desperate situation' Fowle, an American tourist accused of leaving a Bible in a hotel where he was staying, said he has "no complaints" about his treatment. "It's been very good so far, and I hope and pray that it continues, while I'm here two more days or two more decades," the 56-year-old said. North Korea announced Fowle's detention in June, saying he had violated the law by acting "contrary to the purpose of tourism." "The charges are violations of DPRK law, which stems from me trying to leave a Bible," Fowle told Ripley. "It's a covert act and a violation of tourists rules. I've admitted my guilt to the government and signed a statement to that effect and requested forgiveness from the people and the government of the DPRK." Fowle said with his trial expected to begin within a month, he is getting desperate. "You guys should convey my desperate situation," he said. "I've got a wife and three elementary school-aged kids that depend on me for support." CNN's Elise Labott, Barbara Starr and Brianna Keilar contributed to this report. | North Korea could try to use the detainees as leverage for nuclear talks . The regime surprised CNN by presenting the three men for interviews . All three said they have signed statements admitting guilt . Analyst: North Korea may want to use the 3 detainees in a "package deal" | 3e360355b777f95bc9850e6e51b842d5b0d611fc |
When my phone rang just a few seconds after the NCAA sanctions were handed down Monday, I knew it was someone from Penn State calling, likely outraged that our beloved university was being punished so harshly. I've received these calls all week. "I don't think it's fair mainly because there were no violations on the field of play. There were no violations by athletes," said one caller, decrying the raft of penalties that will, among other things, keep the university's football program out of the post-season for four years. "Only by coaches and administration, all of whom are gone and facing criminal charges. ... I just feel the NCAA is pimping off the Penn State situation," said my friend on the phone, a former football player and current college administrator. "What do you think?" he asked. He was clearly upset. And, he is clearly wrong. I'm sorry. I just can't join the throngs of furious Nittany Lions. My outrage is too focused on a university that failed us and, more importantly, all of the boys who were raped and abused by former coach Jerry Sandusky. He was convicted last month for sexually assaulting 10 boys over more than 10 years, while everyone, according to the Freeh report on the scandal -- coaches, administrators and Penn State's Board of Trustees, sat back and let it happen. Too afraid to ask any questions, too afraid to lose their careers, too selfish to care about anything but football and the big money it represented. What do I think, my friend? I think the NCAA sanctions are not only fair but also could have been harsher. Arguing that the NCAA overstepped its bounds and has no right to butt into this criminal case is ridiculous. That is the same type of legal-loophole thinking that Joe Paterno, Mike McQueary and other top officials who knew about Sandusky's behavior used when they "followed the letter of the law" and reported to their superiors that Sandusky may have done "something" to a boy in the shower that awful night in 1998. They reported this suspected rape to their bosses and then went home. I think we got off easy. But to hear the indignant reaction of those in the Penn State family and in the media, you would think that the NCAA was shutting down the entire university. I just don't get it. We are talking about a university -- not one man, many men and women, an entire culture -- that allowed a former coach to repeatedly rape and abuse boys for decades on university property and school trips. Penn State alum: 'We are more than this tragedy' We are talking about a university (not just a football program) that covered up these crimes, allowing the football program to become a safe haven for a child rapist. It is a university and the entire culture around Happy Valley that happily saw no evil, heard no evil and spoke no evil as long as the profits were rolling in and the stadium seats were filled. And now we all have to pay the penalty for allowing that culture to fester. I'm willing to believe the board of trustees also realizes we got off easy, considering how quickly it agreed not to appeal any of the NCAA sanctions. Small wonder. Said the Freeh report: "The board also failed in its duties to oversee the president and senior university officials in 1998 and 2001 by not inquiring about important university matters and by not creating an environment where senior university officials felt accountable." That is why it is time to clean house on the board. Any board member who sat back, asked no questions or failed to demand on the record that university President Graham Spanier be more accountable to his bosses — that would be the board itself -- needs to step down. According to the university's alumni website, trustees have "complete responsibility for the government and welfare of the university and all the interests pertaining thereto including students, faculty, staff and alumni." Is there any doubt that the current lame-duck board miserably failed in its job? It is a positive step that the board commissioned the Freeh's report, but they must still be held to account for leading our university down a path of destruction. If we are going to clean house in the football program -- and we are not quite done there -- then, next, every trustee who sat silent on that board since 1998 should also be asked to leave. If this were any other board (corporate or nonprofit) there would be angry calls from constituents and sponsors for resignations. Well, we who are Penn State are the constituents and sponsors. Board members are entrusted with the care of the university. They are the gatekeepers. And believe me, board service is not for the weak or cowardly. I've sat on many boards; the work is hard, especially since members generally depend on the president of the organization to keep them informed. But that is not a board member's only role. The trustee website also states that the board: "...has a continuing obligation to require information or answers on any university matter with which it is concerned." In other words, your job as a trustee is to always ask the tough questions, do your homework and examine the facts around issues pertaining to the well-being of the university. Sometimes, it means that you have to confront an arrogant bully. Sometimes that bully is your president. To do anything less is a failure to the organization you serve. Even after the board was updated about the Sandusky investigation in May 2011, several trustees recalled in the Freeh Report, no one asked tough questions. Several present at that meeting recalled that after a three- to five-minute meeting on Sandusky and the grand jury investigation, "the university did not appear to focus on the investigation." It did not seem that important to Penn State. Weak leaders put their own agenda and profits before all else. These people do not deserve to serve on the board. Our house is still dirty and we need to finish cleaning up so we can all once again proudly proclaim: . We are ... Penn State. | Roxanne Jones: Some Penn Staters outraged at post-Sandusky NCAA penalties . She says many at university, not just football program, were responsible . She says Penn State got off easy after heinous behavior administration allowed . Jones: Housecleaning not done: Trustees who sat silent should be made to step down . | 0811a0b57711757250ef929e08a10bdca08771c2 |
Normal programming has resumed. After three days of great respect between Australia and India, traditional hostilities, which have marked recent matches between the two nations, have resumed on day four of the first cricket Test after David Warner reacted to being bowled by a no-ball from young paceman Varun Aaron. As the ball clattered into the stumps, Aaron celebrated by yelling out 'c'mon!' to his team-mates. But a review of the dismissal found he had over-stepped and the umpires called Warner back to the middle. The first innings centurion looked directly at the fast bowler and mouthed 'c'mon' on several occasions. Tempers flared, with non-striker Shane Watson also becoming involved as other Indian players chastised Warner for his reaction. The umpires were forced to intervene and asked them all to cool down. After three days of great respect between Australia and India, traditional hostilities which have marked recent matches between the two nations, have resumed on day four of the first cricket Test after David Warner reacted to being bowled by a no-ball from young paceman Varun Aaron . Shane Watson of Australia has words with the Indian players during day four of the First Test match between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval . Shikhar Dhawan of India exchanges words with Shane Watson of Australia during day four of the First Test match between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval . Tempers flared, with non-striker Shane Watson becoming involved as other Indian players chastised Warner for his reaction . Let's calm down says Virat Kohli to Shane Watson after the Australian batsman exchanged heated words with some of the Indian fielders on day four . Peacemaker. India captain Virat Kohli does his best to diffuse the situation between David Warner and Varun Aaron at the Adelaide Oval . 'C'mon'. David Warner has a mid-pitch discussion with Indian captain Virat Kohli after he was recalled on a no-ball dismissal by young paceman Varun Aaron . But Warner taunted the bowler again when he let the next ball pass through with another audible and sarcastic 'c'mon'. With the Test on the line, both sides have been giving their all. Australia scored more than 100 runs in the second session with Warner leading the way, as the home team pushed to post a competitive lead going into the last day on Saturday. Indian ire rose further when Warner appeared to be caught behind off Aaron immediately after the tea break, only for the appeal to be turned down. The in-their-face attitude was in stark contrast to Thursday's proceedings when Mitchell Johnson hit India's captain Virat Kohli on the helmet and the entire Australian side was visibly shaken. The first Test of the summer was delayed and moved to Adelaide, instead of Brisbane, because of the tragic death of Australian opener Phillip Hughes. This match has been dedicated to the late batsman, with a 63-second standing ovation featuring on day one along with the number 408 on both the Australians' shirts and on the ground. There have also been several touching tributes on the field of play but with a Test victory on the line, no quarter was asked nor given. Back on day one Varun Aaron put David Warner under pressure early in the innings with the first bouncer of the Test series . Virat Kohli hit on the helmet by Mitchell Johnson on day three which saw the entire Australian team rush in to check on the welfare of the Indian skipper . Mitchell Johnson was consoled by Australian captain Michael Clarke after striking his Indian counterpart with a short delivery. But the spirit of cricket has been tested on day four as both sides exchanged words in the middle . Earlier, off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed his sixth five-wicket Test haul to bowl Australia into a handy lead. Lyon captured five for 134 off 36 overs to help dismiss the tourists for 444 and trail Australia by 73 runs in the first innings. India unravelled after resuming at 369 for five and lost five wickets for 75 on the fourth morning, with Lyon leading the way with his unpredictable turn out of the bowlers' footmarks. Lyon, coming off an underwhelming series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates where he captured three Test wickets at an average of 140, thanked India paceman Ishant Sharma for creating demons in the Adelaide Oval pitch. 'It's pretty easy, we had big Ishant running down the middle of the wicket (in Australia's first innings),' Lyon said after Thursday's third day's play. 'I'm thankful for him making some footmarks. Hopefully, he does it the whole series.' | The heat is on at Adelaide Oval with the Australian and Indian teams exchanging words in the middle of the ground . David Warner was angered by young paceman Varun Aaron's celebration of 'c'mon!' when he bowled him off a no-ball . The umpires were forced to intervene as Shane Watson and other Indian players became involved . | d2049dc82eae9e678019f0c4e956cfce267ab4f5 |
THE MADWOMAN IN THE VOLVO: MY YEAR OF RAGING HORMONES by Sandra Tsing Loh (Norton £16.99) My heart is broken, my world is dead, my home destroyed. I’m staring into the void.’ Sandra Tsing Loh, 49 years old, is in a state of near-despair: anxious, newly-divorced, putting on weight and stumbling through the ruins of a love affair she’d hoped would be her salvation. She is sobbing uncontrollably in her car about the death of her children’s hamster. She is sad, disappointed and confused. She is also, she soon discovers, in the early stages of the menopause. Loh’s midlife malaise manifests itself with bloating, weight gain and uncontrollable moods, until a diagnosis of menopause galvanises her into finding ways to navigate ‘the change’. Scroll down for video . Sandra Loh’s midlife malaise manifested itself with bloating, weight gain and uncontrollable moods, until a diagnosis of menopause galvanises her into finding ways to navigate ‘the change’ Her voyage of self-discovery is at the heart of this frank and funny memoir: she is encouraged that women such as Madonna and Oprah have helped remove the stigma associated with middle-age, and demonstrated that it can be a time of female empowerment. In non-European cultures, menopause is often regarded positively: in India, for example, it is seen as a time of growth, opening the door to enlightenment and wisdom. On this side of the world, meanwhile, the menopause is seen as profoundly unglamorous: three parts desiccation, one part fury, when a woman’s face becomes a tangle of wrinkles and lost gravity. Loh laments ‘the appearance of morning chin hairs that, by noon, are long enough to braid and twirl up into thick Princess Leia buns’. Her solution? Self-help books, wacky, new exercise regimes, a personal trainer, fanatical dieting (‘I have counted the carbs in ketchup’) and a haircut. She and her lover manage to patch things up, at first ecstatically reunited, later irritating each other to the point where he temporarily moves out. The ups and downs of their relationship provide a metaphor for what is happening inside Loh’s head and body. This candid account of Loh’s darkest hour will strike a chord with more women than would ever admit it (stock picture) After one of her two daughters — 11-year-old Hannah — is teased on Facebook, for example, Loh prepares to exact ruthless revenge on the schoolboy culprit, stationing herself outside his classroom, ready to do violence. In the book’s most moving section, Loh charts her devastating feelings as she loses her enthusiasm for being a mother. In a terrible admission, she writes that she feels she no longer loves her daughters, that she has nothing left to offer, as she sinks into an emotional paralysis. ‘I feel they will immediately read from my dull eyes what I can no longer hide: that I don’t love them, never will again. That’s the horrible secret at the core of this, the devil’s sibilant whisper.’ Happily, her two daughters rise to the occasion, making cards and a sumptuous breakfast, proffering hugs and understanding, until, slowly, Loh emerges back into the warm, familiar joy of motherhood. This candid account of Loh’s darkest hour will strike a chord with more women than would ever admit it. She can be hilarious, such as with her conclusion that no single husband can ever really suffice: ‘Your first husband is the provider; your second husband is the one who talks to you; my third husband will be a cat. If I am lucky.’ Everything changes when she consults a doctor who prescribes hormone replacement therapy. A dab of topical oestrogen cream on her wrists and, suddenly, her world changes. Two key truths emerge from this book. The first is that women today live longer and have their children later. ‘They have adjusted the timetable for childbearing, so that menopause and teaching a teenager how to drive a car will occur in the same week.’ The second is that the menopause is traditionally seen as a disease of deficiency — rather than a wholly natural event. But Loh suggests that, when women are no longer buoyed by oestrogen — the hormone that makes them ‘want to help people and serve people and cut up their sandwiches into ever-tinier squares’ — they are free to play a wider role in the world. | Sandra, 49, suffered bloating, weight gain and uncontrollable moods . Diagnosing the menopause led her to find ways to deal with ‘the change’ This account of Loh’s darkest hour will strike a chord with many women . | 0528d7b2597af3fe8ce3a54c03b916101092e601 |
Vanished: Nida Ul-Naseer, 18, left her medication fro anaemia at home in Newport, South Wales, last week . The family of a missing teenage girl who is believed to have walked out following a row about university have made an emotional public appeal for information on TV. Nida Ul-Naseer, 18, went missing from her home in Newport, south Wales, on December 28 when she went to take the rubbish out. When she left, Nida did not have shoes, her mobile phone or a jacket and she needs medication to stop her becoming anaemic. A major police search operation to find her, which has gone on during the extreme weather, is continuing today. Her father Naseer Tahir, sister Naila Anwar and a brother appeared together in an interview on ITV's Daybreak programme this morning. The programme said they felt that earlier reports of a family argument involving Nida had been taken out of context. It also showed a printed sign pinned to the front door of their home in Newport which reads: 'Nida please come home. Don't worry. We are all missing you.' Her father said: 'We have some issues, but only in the family. The family are good. We want to see Nida here.' Naila Anwar described her sister as someone who is 'very close to us. She would always share everything with us. It is just out of character'. She said of her sister: 'She can't live without a phone. She just always talks to me on the phone.' She agreed there was no indication that her sister had in any way prepared to leave before vanishing. She had packed nothing. Pakistan-born Nida had been forced to sacrifice a place at the University of South Wales due to money problems . 'Everything is at home, her purse that she used, everything is at home, she's not even taken her coat. Nothing.' Nida is described as a quiet and very shy girl who is addicted to her mobile phone and afraid of the dark. It is not known what condition she suffers, as it is understood that the family have declined to elaborate. Her sister added: 'If you know anything about Nida, just tell us, just call the police. We just want to know that she's safe.' Friends . said the 18-year-old was 'disturbed and depressed' when she ran away . after a row with her parents over her wish to go to university. A major police search across marshlands is now under way as Nida remains missing for more than a week . Police have been scouring scrubland by a nearby river after the area was flooded in the storms. Nida’s parents have put a sign on the door of their home in Newport, South Wales, pleading with her to come home. The family, who were all born in Pakistan, are Ahmadiyya Muslims, an offshoot of Islam. Women . are usually allowed to go to university but are not allowed to marry . outside the community. Parents arrange marriages and men can take . multiple wives. Nida’s father, homeopath Naseer Tahir, 54, and mother Najma, 47, have refused to speak publicly about their daughter. However, . their eldest daughter Shamyla Naseer, 23, said: ‘They are really . depressed. It is a big loss for us. We are still looking.’ Nida, . a diligent student who finished school last summer, was looking forward . to starting a business and finance degree at the University of South . Wales but had to give up her place because of money problems. The family placed a sign on the door and issued public appeals to encourage Nida to come home . Gwent Police said: 'We believe she had a verbal disagreement within the home' Friends of the family said she fled after a furious argument with her parents on Saturday, December 28. ‘Her mother came to our house after to tell us,’ one said. ‘They . said she was in anger [sic] and she just left the house with nothing. No shoes on and no money. No medication, no jacket. She was supposed to . go to university but she couldn’t. They just said she couldn’t go.’ Another . close friend said: ‘She was disturbed about university admission and . finance problems. She couldn’t go so had to start a different course at a . college.’ The friend’s husband added: ‘She couldn’t go to uni and she was depressed and had arguments.’ Gwent Police assistant chief constable Paul Symes said: ‘We believe she had a verbal disagreement within the home which could have upset her and led to her leaving.’ Nida is 5ft 3in and slim with long dark hair. She is described as being of Asian-Pakistani appearance and was last seen in blue jeans and a black top. | Nida Ul-Naseer, 18, 'disturbed' when she fled South Wales home last week . Pakistan-born Nida also missing her medication for anaemia . Forced to give up university studies because of money problems . Father pleads with her not to worry saying her family is missing her . | ce1bc9d7bd07505e563f6dea40711aeb902af205 |
By . Sam Webb . New images taken from space show an island that formed last year after a volcanic eruption in a remote region of the Pacific Ocean is swallowing up a neighbouring island. The land mass, named Niijima, was first spotted in November 2013, in the Ogasawara chain around 600 miles south of Tokyo, as a result of continuing eruptions from the volcano below. Initially, scientists were unsure how long it would last because volcanic islets of that type tend to be reclaimed by the sea after a short time. Overwhelmed: Niijima, was formed as a result of continuing eruptions from the volcano below. It has now merged with its smaller pre-existing neighbour Nishino-shima . My, how you've grown: In this NASA satellite image from December 8, Niijima can be clearly seen next to the larger Nishino Shima . But the mass, located in the Pacific's volatile 'Ring of Fire', has grown rapidly to merge with its smaller pre-existing neighbour Nishino-shima, as these satellite images from the Operational Land Imager on Landsat 8 show. The new landmass measures about 3,000ft across and has soared to a height of 200ft above sea level, reports the Huffington Post. 'The intermittent, pulsing shape of the cloud stream might be a reflection of the volcanic eruption itself,' officials from NASA's Earth Observatory said. Growing presence: This picture was taken on December 6, just over two weeks after the island formed . Smoke billows from the new islet off the coast of Nishino Shima, a small, uninhabited island in the Ogasawara chain off the coats of Tokyo. At that point, it was around 600ft in diameter . The formation of the new island was the first time the phenomenon has happened in almost 30 years . 'Strombolian explosions are essentially bubbles of lava and gas rising from Earth's interior in pulses. 'Underwater, sediment appears to be stirred up in a green plume that stretches eastward from the island.' In September a similar new island appeared off the coast of Pakistan. It was forced to the surface following an earthquake and was made up a mound of mud and rock 70ft high and 295ft wide. The phenomenon on the coastline near the port of Gwadar caused astonishment when it emerged from the Arabian Sea, but experts from Pakistan's National Institute of Oceanography say it is now fast eroding. Although the area regularly experiences earthquakes and eruptions, they are rarely as powerful as the one that formed Niijima. The chain is made up of over 30 subtropical and tropical islands. The islet is made up of volcanic lava and rocks forced from the ocean floor. Volcanologists claim the temperature of the rocks could have been as high as 1,000C when it emerged. Similar eruptions in the early 1970s and 80s created tiny islets in Japan's territory that have since disappeared. Experts initially said the islet, pictured, may not last long due to erosion, but it is still growing . Similar eruptions in the early 1970s and 80s created tiny islets in Japan's territory that have since disappeared . The new islet rose into the ocean near the Bonin Islands, also known as the Ogasawara chain . | Niijima was formed by underwater volcano in Pacific in November . It has grown to merge with a smaller nearby island called Nishino-shima . The combined landmass is 3,000ft wide and 200ft above sea level . | 15260cd6b67cab3ff20d87688d2a65dca1435b0e |
Devastated defender Steven Taylor has admitted Newcastle had only themselves to blame for an unprecedented fourth successive derby defeat by Sunderland. Sunday's high-octane clash at St James' Park looked to be heading for a first goalless draw since May 1990 when Adam Johnson settled it with a 90th-minute winner, his third goal in as many visits to Tyneside. Victory was little more than the Black Cats deserved after creating the better chances throughout the game, but it arrived with the Magpies on top and pushing for a winner of their own. Steven Taylor (right) finds himself on the wrong side of Sunderland forward Steven Fletcher on Sunday . Taylor collided with the post during the match, resulting in him needing two stitches in the wound . Taylor said: 'We can't believe it. We were looking at the clock and thinking it would be a draw. 'We were just looking to see the game out. 'Maybe we got a bit carried away. Sometimes you have to shut the back door. It came from our own set-piece so we only have ourselves to blame. 'I just can't believe it's another season that we have been beaten.' Newcastle went into the game desperate not to set a new record for consecutive Tyne-Wear derby defeats and knowing they had a debt to repay to their fans after losing to last two editions on their own pitch 3-0. Newcastle lost in the 90th minute when Adam Johnson fired home against keeper Jak Alnwick . Johnson gestures to the Sunderland supporters at the full-time whistle as he revels in the moment . On a day when both sets of fans put aside their fierce rivalry momentarily - the travelling supporters joined in the 17th-minute applause for John Alder and Liam Sweeney, who died in the MH17 Malaysia Airlines disaster, and their Newcastle counterparts acknowledged their efforts in raising more than £33,000 for a memorial 16 minutes later - the home side started as if they meant business. However, the initial flurry, during which a Black Cats defence shorn of the services of specialist full-back Anthony Reveillere - he had damaged a calf muscle during the warm-up - was at sixes and sevens, failed to produce tangible reward and Gus Poyet's men responded in concerted fashion. As Sebastian Larsson and Jordi Gomez started to gain the upper hand in the middle of the field, Steven Fletcher clipped the crossbar with a side-footed effort and Connor Wickham forced a good save from rookie keeper Jak Alnwick, who did not wilt in the heat of the derby atmosphere. Gomez and Johnson both passed up glorious opportunities to give the visitors the lead, but in the meantime, Sunderland keeper Costel Pantilimon needed every bit of his 6ft 8in frame to get to Ayoze Perez's 63rd-minute shot as it curled towards the top corner. Taylor looked in a bad way as he was assisted by Newcastle medics in the goalmouth during the match . Taylor was disappointed with the result, but says Newcastle only have themselves to blame . But with the clock running down, Johnson held off Moussa Sissoko inside his own half and then set off towards the Gallowgate End goal, finding Fletcher before making his way into the box to dispatch substitute Will Buckley's lay-off from the Scotland international's pass. Taylor, who had two stitches put into a head wound after a nasty collision with the post as he denied Fletcher a certain goal, was left to rue a lack of cutting edge at the other end of the pitch. He said: 'We had the chances. Everything was at the keeper - straight at him. Two or three yards either side of him is a different ball game. 'We are gutted with that, but Adam Johnson is a top-class player and he proved that today.' | Newcastle lost the Tyne-Wear derby after a late Adam Johnson goal . Steven Taylor says Newcastle were just trying to see the game out . Earlier on, Taylor crashed into the post and cut his eye and cheek . The Newcastle defender also said Johnson is a top-class player . | ad293699ceff5bc60b071bf85529014c2c79ad39 |
(CNN) -- A massive landslide swallowed homes in eastern Uganda early Monday, killing at least 23 people, the Red Cross said. Torrential rains triggered the landslide, Red Cross spokeswoman Catherine Ntabadde said by phone from the scene. Two people have been rescued, but the death toll is expected to rise as rescue crews scour through the site in Bulambuli district. Bulambuli district is about 300 kilometers northeast of the capital, Kampala. It occurred in the same region where a landslide killed at least 87 last year near Mount Elgon, on the Kenya-Uganda border. Heavy rain, hilly terrain and inadequate equipment slowed efforts to recover hundreds of people buried last year. Flooding also destroyed roads and washed away bridges in the region at the time. | Red Cross: Torrential rains trigger the landslide . Two people are rescued, but the death toll is expected to go up . | 48853ec44b404c70dbf0ca1481aee41c56cd9832 |
The posters show apparently terrified people running down flights of stairs, cowering in a darkened corner and anxiously talking on their mobile phones . Alarmist posters on what commuters should do in the event of a terror outrage were issued by police yesterday. Instead of an appeal for calm, the advice is ‘run, hide and tell’ in a throwback to notices at the height of nuclear attack hysteria in the 1980s. The campaign urges commuters to ‘stay safe’ during a firearms or weapons attack. The posters show apparently terrified people running down flights of stairs, cowering in a darkened corner and anxiously talking on their mobile phones. The flyers tell passengers what to do in the event of a Mumbai-style gun attack or bombing at one of the UK’s busy terminals. They are being distributed by police after Home Secretary Theresa May warned this week that the threat to Britain from home-grown Muslim extremists or those returning from fighting with Islamic State in Syria or Iraq is ‘greater than ever’. The posters instruct: ‘If you hear gunfire or a weapons attack, leave the area safely if you can. If this puts you in greater danger, find a safe place to take cover.’ But critics have claimed the posters, handed out around the country as part of Counter Terrorism Awareness Week, are ‘scaremongering’ and have been compared the leaflets to the Cold War adverts telling people to ‘Duck and Cover’ if caught in a nuclear attack. Chief Constable Paul Crowther, of the British Transport Police (BTP) said: ‘For commuters, who make the same journey over and over again, it can be easy to become oblivious to their surroundings. ‘But I would urge them to remain alert, use their instinct and have the confidence to report anything that strikes them as out-of-place or suspicious. He added that earlier this month a man was sentenced for terrorism offences after being caught in possession of information about how to make bombs. University student Andreas Pierides, 22, narrowly avoided jail after he admitted taking nine distress flares on to a passenger jet at Stansted Airport and possessing a terrorist manual. Police arrested him as he was about to board a flight after a member of the public saw him reading an electronic publication on a train which appeared to include bomb-making instructions. The flyers tell passengers what to do in the event of a Mumbai-style gun attack or bombing at one of the UK’s busy terminals. Pictured, a gunman identified by police as Ajmal Kasab walks through the Chatrapathi Sivaji Terminal railway station in Mumbai, India . He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for two years after claiming he was going to set off the flares at a football match.‘This was as a direct result of a rail passenger reporting suspicions to train staff. We need others to follow suit and play their part in keeping the UK’s transport systems safe from terrorists,’ he said. But transport users took to Twitter to complain about the leaflets, which some said were stoking fear. Rob Thompson wrote: ‘These leaflets are more likely to cause panic than any apparent terrorism. Chris Irvine, from Rochester, Kent, said: ‘I cannot believe that the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Metropolitan Police are putting this out. ‘It’s totally alarmist. I grew up in Northern Ireland but I have never seen anything like it. Obviously we have to take the threat seriously, but I don’t see how striking the fear of God into people helps.’ And Michael Earl added: ‘Unbelievable! They might as well just say “Run like hell and start a panic”.’ The leaflets were handed out after Mrs May used a keynote speech to reveal that 40 terrorist attacks had been foiled since the July 7 bombings in London in 2005, which killed 52 commuters. Yesterday the Home Office published a range of anti-terrorism measures aimed at tackling the threat, including stripping would-be jihadists of their passports and a legal requirement by schools, prisons and councils to put in place policies to stop would-be extremists being radicalised. In her speech on Monday, Mrs May said: ‘We are in the middle of a generational struggle against a deadly terrorist ideology. These powers are essential to keep up with the very serious and rapidly changing threats we face. ‘In an open and free society, we can never entirely eliminate the threat from terrorism. But we must do everything possible in line with our shared values to reduce the risks posed by our enemies.’ | Posters advise travellers what to do in case of gun or bomb attack . But Twitter users derided the message as Cold War-style paranoia . | 1deac9f8c6ab17046a940ecbfaae6cfe9968fa19 |
Ahead of this week's Capital One Cup fourth-round action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture involving the Premier League clubs, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for Tottenham's home clash against Brighton... Tottenham vs Brighton (White Hart Lane) Kick-off: Wednesday 7.45pm . Odds (subject to change): . Tottenham 4/9 . Draw 10/3 . Brighton 6/1 . Referee: Mark Clattenburg . Managers: Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham), Sami Hyypia (Brighton) Head-to-head League Cup record: Tottenham wins 1, draws 1, Brighton wins 0 . Team news . Tottenham . Defenders Kyle Naughton and Federico Fazio return to the Tottenham squad for the Capital One Cup fourth-round visit of Brighton on Wednesday. Full-back Naughton is back after missing the last three matches with an ankle injury, while Fazio is available again following a one-match suspension. Nabil Bentaleb (ankle) and Kyle Walker (pelvis) remain sidelined, while Mauricio Pochettino must decide whether to give Europa League success stories such as Harry Kane another starting chance. Tottenham provisional squad: Lloris, Vorm, Naughton, Rose, Davies, Fazio, Vertonghen, Chiriches, Dier, Kaboul, Capoue, Stambouli, Paulinho, Dembele, Mason, Eriksen, Lennon, Townsend, Chadli, Lamela, Soldado, Adebayor, Kane. Danny Rose (right) gets a cross in during Tottenham's 2-1 loss against Newcastle on Sunday . Brighton . Winger Kazenga LuaLua is back in the squad after serving a one-match ban over the weekend, but Sam Baldock is cup-tied. Fellow striker Craig Mackail-Smith could miss out again with a hamstring injury and right-back Bruno is struggling with groin trouble while long-term injury victims Solly March, Dale Stephens and Andrew Crofts are still out. Provisional squad: TBC . Next up for Spurs is a Capital One Cup tie against Brighton, who drew 1-1 with Rotherham on Saturday . Key match stats (supplied by Opta) Spurs have won four and lost just one of their last six against the Seagulls (D1). Brighton have won more away games in this season’s League Cup (2) than they had in the last 19 seasons combined (1). The one previous League Cup meeting between these sides came in the 1982/83 competition, when Spurs won 2-1 on aggregate in a two-legged second round tie. Tottenham have won 10 of their last 11 in this competition against lower ranked sides, scoring in all 11 games in this run. The Lilywhites have scored in each of their last 24 home games in the League Cup. The Seagulls have made this stage of the competition for the first time since 1979/80, when they were beaten 4-0 in a replay by Tottenham’s North London rivals Arsenal (first game was 0-0). | Tottenham face Brighton at White Hart Lane (Wednesday 7.45pm) Spurs lost 2-1 to struggling Newcastle on Sunday . Mauricio Pochettino's side are 11th in the Premier League . Brighton drew 1-1 with Rotherham on Saturday and are 21st in the Championship . Spurs have scored in each of their last 24 home games in the League Cup . | e09273eae5cb3db7cc335517806f84be34869698 |
By . Hamish Mackay for MailOnline . Follow @@H_Mackay . Kevin Sutherland made history on the Champions Tour on Saturday by becoming the first person to card a sub-60 round, with a magical 59 seeing him storm to the top of the Dick's Sporting Goods Open leaderboard. Perhaps what is most remarkable about the 50-year-old's record is that he made a bogey on the final hole of his second round, with his tee on the 18th finding the rough costing him a chance of recording 14-under-par 58. He began the day at Endicott, New York by incredibly picking up shots at the first eight holes, the highlight of which was an eagle at the par-five fifth to approach the turn in 28. History: Kevin Sutherland became the first person to card a sub-60 round on the Champions Tour . Final: Remarkably, Sutherland actually made a bogey on the final hole of the round . He birdied the 10th and 11th and then added another three from the 15th, and only needed a par on the last to completea sensational 58. It was not to be, but he settled for a 13-under-par round that featured 12 birdies to move to 14-under-par overall, three shots clear of his nearest challenger. While the feat has not been achieved on the Champions Tour before now, six players have carded 59s on the PGA Tour. Card: The 50-year-old golfer scored 59 as he stormed to the top of the leaderboard in New York . Success: Sutherland picked up shots in each of the first eight holes, including a brilliant eagle on a par-five . | Kevin Sutherland became the first person to card a sub-60 round . 50-year-old was playing at Endicott on the Champions Tour . Sutherland actually made a bogey on final hole but still carded 59 . | b87ff867e115dfff18869d074f7614eaa3d7ac59 |
By . Peter Rugg . A recovering meth addict resisted the temptation to run off with a small fortune when he returned a bag filled with $125,000 he saw fall from a Brinks armored truck. Joe Cornell, of Fresno, has been living at a Salvation Army rehab center and trying to get clean. He was the only one who saw the bag fall on Wednesday, and could easily have made off with the cash. Joe Cornell was living at the Salvation Army and finishing rehab for meth addiction when he saw a bag filled with $125,000 fall off a Brinks truck . Instead he returned the money to Brinks. Cornell told reporters the act of integrity was spurred after thinking about all the people missing cash could affect. 'Deposits from businesses and stuff, so that could have trickled down . to a lot of people’s jobs, who knows what,' he told KTLA. 'So I just . figured it was the right thing to do.' Joe's wife Virginia hopes his honesty will help him find a job when he finishes rehab next month . Brinks was so impressed with Cornell's honesty they gave he and his wife Virginia a $5,000 debit card as a reward. Cornell will be out of rehab in July. Hopefully, his reputation for doing the right thing will help land him a job. | Joe Cornell has been getting clean from a meth addcition . Saw the bag fall from a Brinks truck Wednesday . Brinks rewarded him with a $5,000 debit card for his honesty . | fb91a313c56d43a78a84d64229e58eafb6cc7957 |
(CNN) -- It's been a busy year for the British royal family. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall alone covered almost 48,000 miles to undertake 804 official engagements between April 2011 and the end of March this year. So who pays the bills? Prince Charles' office at Clarence House released its annual review Friday, shedding light on how money is spent on the couple, as well as Princes William and Harry and, of course, the newest addition to the family, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. As the queen's eldest son, Charles, Prince of Wales, is mostly funded by the Duchy of Cornwall, a private estate consisting of more than 200 square miles of agricultural, commercial and residential land mostly in southwest England. In the 2011-12 fiscal year, the prince's private income from the duchy rose by 3% to slightly more than $28.5 million. He received an additional $3.42 million in public funding from Parliament and government departments, a year-on-year increase of 11.8%. With more private and public income, Prince Charles' household spending increased by 4.1% to $15.3 million, and all 135 full-time staff members received a pay raise of 3%. Nine of those employees work for Princes William and Harry, and for Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. So what is the expense of the royal family's newest member? "It's actually quite minimal," said Prince Charles' communications secretary, Paddy Harverson, "There's been quite a lot of focus on things like clothes but actually, when you look at the numbers, it's mostly absorbed into the existing expenditure." A royal aide added that it would be "rather impolite" to disclose how much money had been spent on the dresses that hit front pages of newspapers around the world every time Catherine steps out in public. What we do know, though, is that Prince Charles pays for his daughter-in-law's outfits for official engagements out of his private income. Anti-monarchy groups such as Republic have criticized the royal family for using public money to travel. "Prince Charles gives little back to the country yet has a deeply held sense of entitlement when it comes to accessing public funds," Chief Executive Graham Smith said Friday. "We believe time is long overdue that the government brought royal spending under proper control." However, Harverson maintains: "Members of the royal family do a huge amount of work. ... We really feel it's fantastic value for money. As it happens, 90% of it is his (Prince Charles') own income, so it's not coming from central government coffers." Royal aides champion the continued success of the prince's group of 16 charities as the greatest example of the royal family giving back to the public. Between April 2011 and the end of March this year, the Prince of Wales directly or indirectly raised more than $200 million for his charities, which support young people, the environment and enterprise. After last year's royal wedding and the recent Diamond Jubilee celebrations, polls have showed that the British royal family is as popular as ever. Riding high on that wave is the household of the Prince of Wales, as exemplified by the 76,825 letters received from the public in 2011-12. That is more than double the mail from the previous year. | Clarence House releases its annual review of royal household costs . Expenses of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, are "quite minimal" An anti-monarchy group says it is time to bring "royal spending under proper control" Clarence House calls the royal family a "fantastic value" for all the work they do . | 09b3966e450fdfe4af4a753b07738f6d3b8b9e1b |
Washington (CNN) -- More than 200 federal, state and local law enforcement personnel have been assigned to an operation intended to find who was responsible for Saturday's fatal shootings of three people linked to the U.S. consulate in Cuidad Juarez, Mexico, an official said. Among the agencies involved in Operation Knock Down -- taking place in southern New Mexico and in the vicinity of El Paso, Texas -- are the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration, said DEA spokesman David Ausiello. El Paso is across the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juarez. A law enforcement official said investigators believe that there could be a connection between Barrio Azteca, a gang that operates in both cities, and the killings. The official said that mistaken identity has not been ruled out. A relative of U.S. consulate worker Lesley Ann Enriquez said Wednesday that the 35-year-old woman was four months pregnant with a boy when she was shot dead. Enriquez's husband, 34-year-old Arthur Redelfs, was also killed. He was a 10-year veteran of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. The couple was fired on in their SUV as they left a birthday party at the U.S. consulate. Their 7-month-old daughter, Rebecca, who was in the back of the SUV, was unhurt. A third victim, who had also left the party, was identified as Jorge Alberto Salcido Ceniceros, 37, a state police officer who was married to a Mexican employee of the U.S. consulate. His wife was not traveling with him, but two of their children, ages 4 and 7, were in the car and were wounded, officials said. "We have all come together to find Barrio Azteca members as part of a major intelligence effort," said Andrea Simmons, a public information officer for the FBI in El Paso. In addition to the FBI and the DEA, other organizations involved are the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the El Paso Police Department, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety. "Part of this is being done to generate leads regarding the ongoing investigation in Juarez as well as an opportunity to gather information on the location of Eduardo Ravelo, one of the top 10 fugitives," she said. The FBI is offering $100,000 for information leading to the arrest of Ravelo, who is accused of being a leader of Barrio Azteca. This week, Mexican President Felipe Calderon made his third visit in slightly more than a month to Ciudad Juarez. Its more than 2,600 drug-related deaths last year made it the most violent city in Mexico. No official numbers are available, but more than 400 killings have been reported in local media this year. CNN's Arthur Brice contributed to this story. | Hundreds of law enforcement officers assigned to Operation Knock Down . Among possible links being investigated is Barrio Azteca gang . Three people connected to U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez killed Saturday . | bc89d4157ad8e578922fc498fdd3631d79bc24e3 |
By . Sam Webb for MailOnline . A man has been caught on video throwing himself from a 65ft cliff and landing painfully on his stomach in the water - just inches from the jagged rocks below. The thrill-seeker was caught on video hurling himself into the water below a harbour wall in Plymouth, Devon - at the same spot where one victim has already been paralysed in a similar stunt. The footage shows the man soaring chest-first through the air before hitting the water face down just a few feet from the stones. A second man looks poised to jump from the same concrete ledge - but decides against it after wincing at the huge crash his friend makes as he slams into the sea. The video was filmed by bystanders along Plymouth Hoe in Devon, with one shouting 'oh my god' and another heard to say: 'That one's going to die'. Scroll down for video . Dizzying: The man takes a run-up and throws himself from the harbour wall, with the rocks looming 65ft below him... ... and crashes into the sea flat on his belly, barely clearing the rocks below. Police have warned about the dangers of high-risk plunges into the sea . It was posted on YouTube and is of the tombstoning craze - the fast-growing craze for jumping into water from cliffs, piers and other structures. The name is said to come from the aim of entering the water upright and straight, like a tombstone, but has become a more general term for all high-risk plunges. The man leapt from the harbour wall just yards from where a teen tombstoner was left paralysed and wheelchair-bound in 2010. Ben Thompson, 17, broke his neck after leaping off an 8ft ledge but landing on rocks. Police, MPs and Coastguards have all warned teenagers about the dangers of tombstoning off cliffs, piers and other structures. It is not illegal but Devon and Cornwall Police have branded it a 'potentially lethal pursuit.' Ben Thompson from Plymouth, Devon, who was left paralysed after breaking his neck. He will spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair because of one leap from Plymouth Hoe into shallow waters. Right, a montage taken last year shows the stages of the terrifying craze of jumping 65ft off the sea wall into 'Dead Man's Cove' The force issued a warning saying: 'This is a reckless activity and even in calmer waters it can be extremely dangerous. 'We, along with the Coastguard, are trying to deter young people from this potentially lethal pursuit and we strongly advise against it. 'It may seem like fun but people are gambling with their lives against the power of the sea by jumping into unknown waters. 'It is unfortunately the case that if they carry on they are likely to end up with serious, life-changing injury or even death. This risk-taking behaviour is just not worth it.' The UK's first known fatality was Stephen Royston, 24, who jumped 100ft into a water-filled quarry at Kit Hill, Cornwall, in 2003. | The thrill-seeker was recorded plunging from a 65ft harbour wall in Plymouth . He smashes into the water in a wince-inducing belly flop just inches from the rocks below . It is the same site a teenager broke his neck and was paralysed in a similar stunt four years ago . | 7312f298446c7f278b22f655d714aa7dfbee4343 |
You might need to dig out those sunglasses earlier than expected this year. Scientists believe there is a 75 per cent chance that 2014 will be the hottest on record. That’s because the menacing El Niño weather pattern seems to be ready to blow huge amounts of heat into the atmosphere. The image shows what happens when a El Nino strikes surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Warm water anomalies (red) develop in the Central Pacific Ocean. Winds that normally blow in a westerly direction weaken allowing the easterly winds to push the warm water up against the South American Coast . An El Niño occurs when equatorial Pacific waters are unusually warm. It can change ocean and wind currents across the globe, wreaking havoc on the climate. Scientists in Germany now believe they can forecast disruptive El Niño events a year in advance, according to a study in PNAS. They hope the forecast could allow countries to develop better strategies that can counter the devastating effects of an El Niño event. Scientists commonly forecast El Niño, which means ‘little boy’ in Spanish, about six months in advance, but long-term predictions have so far been tricky. Scientists in Germany recently said they can forecast disruptive El Niño events a year in advance. They hope the forecast will help countries develop better strategies to counter the effects such as wild fires, pictured in the Philippines. Meteorologists said the prospect of a 2014 El Niño will be firmed up 'in the next month or two' During an El Niño event the trade winds weaken. Warm, nutrient-poor water is not pushed westward and comes to occupy the entire tropical Pacific Ocean. The cold water is not forced to the surface and the coastal waters of Peru and Ecuador are unusually warm. This warmer water has a devastating impact on their fishing crops which rely on cool waters to thrive. The region also experiences an extremely higher than average amounts of rainfall. The name El Nino is believed to have been coined in the 19th century after Peruvian fisherman observed it around Christmas. The word is Spanish for 'boy' in reference to the infant Jesus Christ. Up until now, scientists have forecast the event by analysing water temperatures in the eastern Pacific, along the equator. But because water temperature is strongly influenced by the winds blowing across the equator, predictions have been limited to six months or less. Instead of analysing the water temperature in a specific area of the Pacific Ocean, Armin Bunde of Justus Liebig University in Giessen, Germany, and his colleagues looked at the atmospheric temperatures in all areas of the Pacific. They then looks at how the temperatures in the El Niño basin are linked to the temperatures in the rest of the Pacific area. The researchers claim their method correctly predicted the absence of El Niño events over the past two years, and forecast about a 75 per cent chance of an El Niño in late 2014. Climatologist Tim Barnett at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, told LiveScience that the methods the researchers employed were outdated. ‘The techniques the researchers used made me feel like I was back in the 1980s and 1990s,’ Mr Barnett said in an interview. The warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean are seen in this map of ocean temperatures taken by satellite in 2006. Redder spots are where temperatures are warmer than normal . A separate study has found that extreme weather events fuelled by El Niños are expected to double. Climate scientists warned that countries could be struck by devastating droughts, fires and foods every ten years. Extreme El Niño events develop differently from standard El Ninos, which first appear in the western Pacific. The extreme events occur when sea surface temperatures exceeding 28°C develop in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Others argue that this approach does not look at the physics of the seas or atmosphere, but only looked for statistical patterns in temperature – which they claim can always be found if you look hard enough. ‘The risk of an El Nino event in the second half of 2014 has increased, but it's certainly not guaranteed at this point in time,’ said Andrew Watkins, Supervisor, Climate Prediction at Australia's Bureau of Meteorology. Mr Watkins said early indications suggested that the weather pattern could arrive as early as June, though the prospect would not become clear until the second quarter. Last month, a separate study found that extreme weather events fuelled by unusually strong El Niños are expected to double. Climate scientists warned that countries could be struck by devastating droughts, wild fires and dramatic foods approximately every ten years. An international team of scientists from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science (CoECSS), the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and CSIRO, has spotted a link between global warming and extreme El Niño events. ‘We currently experience an unusually strong El Niño event every 20 years. Our research shows this will double to one event every 10 years,’ said Agus Santoso of CoECSS, who co-authored the study. | Event occurs when equatorial Pacific . waters are unusually warm . It can change ocean and wind currents, wreaking havoc on the climate . German scientists claim they can forecast El Niño events a year in advance . They believe there is a 75 per cent chance of an El Niño occurring this year . But some experts have argued the methods used in study were outdated . | 09705ce0492f66d03737e7baa9890b8bcea4764a |
(CNN) -- Family, food and faith have guided Kylie Kwong to where she is today. The 41-year-old chef has been cooking up a storm with her TV shows and restaurant for over a decade, adding a dash of color and flavor to Australia's cultural life. A third generation Chinese who grew up in the suburbs of Sydney in the 1970s, Kwong left High School to work for an advertising agency. She soon realized, however, that making people feel bad in order to make them buy things they didn't want wasn't for her. Making people happy through good food was much more appealing. After leaving the advertising industry she worked part-time for a caterer where she saw a way to combine the love of cooking she inherited from her mother with a growing interest in creating her own business. She opened her first restaurant "Billy Kwong" 10 years ago and it has since become a fixture on the Sydney restaurant scene. "When I opened the goal was very simple. I wanted to fill it every night and serve really fantastic, amazing, fresh Chinese food out of this funny little arty place," she told CNN. "And I love running a business. It's so challenging. And I love what it brings out of you. You find these hidden strengths you find that you didn't know you had." Since then Kwong has developed a larger profile through her cooking shows and recipe books. She also let cameras follow her to southern China and the village where her great grandfather once lived; the first time a member of Kwong's immediate family had been there in 90 years. It was a world apart from the suburban Australia that Kwong knew. Coming from the only Chinese family in her suburb, Kwong says she always felt different from other children. "I certainly felt different when I'd go to school and open the lunch box and there I'd have last night's rice and soy sauce chicken wings and my friend had the Vegemite sandwiches," she told CNN. "And that point it was very good to be different because our food was so much more interesting. Yes, I felt different, yes, my brothers felt different. But it really didn't affect us negatively at all." In touch with her roots and a vast extended family (family reunions number in the hundreds) Kwong is also a practicing Buddhist who cooked for the Dalai Lama when he visited Australia in 2009. "It was one of the great weeks of my life. I still can't believe that it actually happened. We spent all week with him backstage in Sydney," she said. "His practice just really encouraged me to keep practicing and doing what we're doing, and to always try harder and harder in everything we do. And to know every single thing that we feel, or think, or do, makes a really big difference." | Kylie Kwong is an Australian TV chef and restaurateur . Grew up in Sydney suburbs and opened her restaurant in 2000 . Practicing Buddhist she cooked for the Dalai Lama in 2009 . | 7779b62d3110e10e446a81172c6d966463ea5010 |
Washington (CNN) -- What a difference a decade makes. When George W. Bush and Dick Cheney led the United States to war in Iraq over the issue of chemical weapons 11 years ago, they had the support of all but six of the majority Republicans in the House of Representatives. Now there are three times as many Republicans on the record against a strike on Syria. U.S. Senate: How they'll vote on Syria strike . U.S. House: How they'll vote on Syria strike . Bush has declined to weigh in on Syria and Cheney's daughter, Liz Cheney, running for U.S. Senate in a tough primary challenge against fellow Republican Mike Enzi in Wyoming, has come out against Obama's plan to strike Syria. Cheney told a town hall meeting in Wyoming on Tuesday that Obama has taken "an amateurish approach to national security and foreign policy," according to the Jackson Hole News and Guide. Cheney also said her opposition to intervention should not be misconstrued. "The press will try to portray this Syria debate as a battle between wings of the Republican Party," she said, according to the newspaper. "Don't believe them." But there's a lot of evidence that there is a battle going on in the GOP. Start with Cheney, who has defended her father's involvement in the lead-up to the Iraq war and who, before she was a Senate candidate, talked about the need for red lines in Syria. If Obama wants to lead the United States against Syria this year to ward off the spread of chemical weapons, he'll have to do it in spite of a Republican House, not with its help. Senate panel backs military strike plan . What happened between now and then? War -- 11 years of it in Afghanistan and Iraq. Those wars are not popular with Americans and neither is the prospect of military strikes within Syria. Two polls out Wednesday from ABC News/The Washington Post and from Pew showed opposition to military strikes far outweighed support. Polls: Should U.S. launch strikes against Syria? There are stalwart security-minded Republicans who beat the drum and argue the United States should lead the international community against bad actors. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the party's standard-bearer in 2008, has been the single most vocal lawmaker in favor of U.S. military action against Syria. McCain, Graham issue tough warnings on Syria dilemma . Borger: Obama's irony, McCain's agony . But most of the convincing he'll have to do is among his own party, which rode the war on terror into Iraq on the premise of weapons of mass destruction. When McCain ran for president, he easily defeated Rep. Ron Paul of Texas in the primaries and at times he laughed off Paul's noninterventionist approach to foreign policy. McCain isn't laughing now at Paul's son, Rand, the Kentucky Republican and potential 2016 presidential candidate who shares many of his father's noninterventionist views and is organizing the effort against a strike on Syria. Paul to Obama: Don't rush into war in Syria . The first test vote on Capitol Hill came Wednesday when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 10-7 in favor of the president's proposal. That's a margin close enough to raise questions about whether the proposal will have enough support to get beyond a filibuster. Five of the committee's Republicans, including Paul, voted no. McCain joined the majority of Democrats in voting yes. A number of Republican leaders have joined the call for military strikes, including House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, the top Republicans in the House. But they're just two of eight Republicans in the House to publicly endorse military action. Other voices in the party are growing louder in their opposition. Sarah Palin, who defended the war in Iraq as McCain's running mate in 2008, posted a Facebook message on Syria that declared Americans should just let "Allah sort it out." Obeidallah: Palin's offensive remarks about Syria . Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, has questions about the motives of the Syrian opposition fighting against the government there. He said the airstrikes against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would turn the U.S. military into "al Qaeda's Air Force." Certainly, there are Democrats who opposed the war in Iraq who are now arguing for intervention in Syria. Both Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Barbara Boxer of California voted against the resolution in 2002 that gave Bush the authority to invade Iraq. They both supported Obama on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. John Kerry, the secretary of state making Obama's case this week, came to regret his own vote in favor of invading Iraq. Now he finds himself arguing that the use of chemical weapons in Syria requires that the United States takes action. But the story of foreign policy transformation here seems more definitive on the Republican side. Nowhere is that tension more obvious than with Sen. Marco Rubio, the Florida Republican and another potential 2016 presidential candidate, who seems torn between McCain and Paul on the issue. Rubio has long been critical of the Obama administration on Syria and called for more support of the rebel factions struggling to topple Assad. But Rubio ended up voting against giving the president war powers on Wednesday even as he said Obama should have done much more earlier. "While I have long argued forcefully for engagement in empowering the Syrian people, I have never supported the use of U.S. military force in the conflict. And I still don't. I remain unconvinced that the use of force proposed here will work," he said. "The only thing that will prevent Assad from using chemical weapons in the future is for the Syrian people to remove him from power. The strike the administration wants us to approve I do not believe furthers that goal. And in fact, I believe U.S. military action of the type contemplated here might prove to be counterproductive." For now, at least, the GOP's foreign policy preference appears to be slanting away from John McCain and toward Rand Paul. | When the war in Iraq started 11 years ago, many Republicans in the House supported it . Now it appears many House Republicans opposes military action in Syria . More than a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan has led to noninterventionist views in GOP . John McCain favors intervention, Rand Paul does not, and Marco Rubio is in between . | 86c525e5e05f7d0617c78fed008f410f1c5b350f |
By . Martha De Lacey . PUBLISHED: . 09:34 EST, 6 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:21 EST, 6 December 2012 . When the Duchess of Cambridge wore emerald green on a visit to the Natural History Museum last month, little did she know that she was setting the tone for the coming year. Globally renowned colour charters Pantone have announced the same hue as the official Colour Of The Year 2013, replacing tangerine, their colour for 2012. Pantone commented that '17-1463 Tangerine Tango, a spirited, . reddish orange, provided the energy boost we needed to recharge and . move forward', while Pantone 17-5641 Emerald is 'a lively, radiant, lush, vivid, verdant green' which 'enhances our sense of . well-being further by inspiring insight, as well as promoting balance . and harmony'. Emerald green, favoured by the Duchess of Cambridge, right, has been chosen for Pantone's top prize . Every December Pantone announces their forecast for the following year, and other colours that have won top prize include Honeysuckle, turqoise, mimosa and blue iris. The brand said: 'Most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception . of Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious. 'Since antiquity, this . luminous, magnificent hue has been the color of beauty and new life in . many cultures and religions. It’s also the color of growth, renewal and . prosperity - no other color conveys regeneration more than green. For . centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and . unity.' Emerald Green has been chosen as Pantone's Colour Of The Year . Leatrice Eiseman, . executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said: 'Green is the most abundant hue in nature - the human eye sees more . green than any other color in the spectrum. 'As it has . throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and . fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and . rejuvenation, which is so important in today's complex world. This . powerful and universally appealing tone translates easily to both . fashion and home interiors.' Emerald featured in Pantone's last Colour Report, and was also incorporated into the Spring/Summer 2013 collections of many designers, including Tracy Reese, Nanette . Lepore, Barbara Tfank, NAHM and Marimekko. Zac Posen used plenty of emerald green in his Spring/Summer 2013 runway shows at New York Fashion Week . To arrive . at their selection for Colour Of The Year, Pantone 'combs the world looking for . color influences'. This can include the films . that are in production, traveling art collections, hot new artists, . popular travel destinations, technology, new textures and sports events. Salma Hayek, left, and Victoria Beckham, right, wearing tangerine in 2012 . Past Pantone Colours Of The Year... Tangerine Tango, 2012 . Honeysuckle, 2011 . Turquoise, 2010 . Mimosa, 2009 . Blue Iris, 2008 . Chilli Pepper, 2007 . | Pantone 17-5641 Emerald to replace 17-1463 Tangerine Tango . Emerald considered 'a lively, radiant, lush, vivid, verdant green' | fba7d6e7d25cbb1e6a0e25b21b129b1b3d6961f5 |
By . Lizzie Edmonds . PUBLISHED: . 11:15 EST, 4 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 11:36 EST, 4 January 2014 . The body of an elderly woman has been found inside a home that partially collapsed during a fire overnight. Fire services were called to a house in Green Lane, Woodstock, Oxfordshire shortly after 1am. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service teams immediately began to search the property as they believed someone was trapped in the building. Death: A firefighter stands outside a property in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, after the body of a woman was found . They managed to get search part of the ground and first floors - but when part of the building collapsed they had to evacuate. The body of a woman, aged in her 70s, was later discovered at the property. The woman, whose next-of-kin have been informed, is thought to be the owner of the home. Four fire engines attended the blaze. Sadness: Two people embrace at the scene where the body - a woman in her 70s, thought to be the home owner - was discovered this morning . A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: 'The woman's next-of-kin has been informed. 'Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Thames Valley Police are jointly working to establish a cause of the fire however early indications suggest the fire is not believed to be suspicious.' Fire crews and police remain on the scene and the road has been closed. | Fire services called to home in Woodstock, Oxfordshire at 1am . Searched property after reports suggested someone was trapped . Home then partially collapsed - and firefighters evacuated . Body of woman in her 70s later discovered in the home . | a4b999a7dcc8f596f5d4138af60ad3646e8475e1 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . European and African vultures could become extinct within a generation without action to save them, conservationists have warned. The fears over the fate of vultures in Europe and Africa come after populations of the birds, which play an important role as scavengers cleaning up dead wildlife, plummeted by more than 99% in Asia. Asian populations were the victim of a veterinary drug, diclofenac, which is used to treat inflammation in livestock but which is lethally toxic to vultures when they ingest it from carcasses, with numbers plummeting faster than the Dodo before its extinction. At risk: Conservation group, Birdlife International, have warned that vulture populations are plummeting faster than the dodo did before it became extinct (above - griffon vulture in flight in Hoces del Duraton, Spain) Conservation group BirdLife International is warning that the drug is commercially available in at least two European countries - Spain and Italy - both of which are strongholds for vultures in Europe. And vultures in Africa are facing increasing threats, due to accidental and deliberate poisoning, persecution for body parts to be used in traditional medicine, habitat loss and collision with power lines, BirdLife said. Three-quarters of vultures found in the Old World - Europe, Africa and Asia - are threatened or near-threatened with extinction, BirdLife warned. Kariuki Ndanganga, BirdLife Africa’s species programme manager, said: “Unless threats are identified and tackled quickly and effectively, vultures in Africa and Europe could face extinction within our lifetime.” Three-quarters of vultures found in the Old World - Europe, Africa and Asia - are threatened or near-threatened with extinction, according to BirdLife (above - white-backed vultures eat a carcass in Athi Kapiti, Kenya) Jim Lawrence, BirdLife’s preventing extinctions programme manager, said: “We know what to do in Europe - ban veterinary diclofenac. “We also know what we need to do for Africa - urgently understand fully the threats and extinction risk so we can act quickly, with priority.” The conservation charity is calling for support for its campaign to stop vulture poisoning in a bid to tackle the threats the birds face. | Fears for European and African vulture after drug used to treat livestock devastates bird's Asian population . Drug is available in Spain and Italy - two strongholds of vultures in Europe . African vultures are also under threat as they are killed for medicine, poisoned, and are also losing their natural habitat . Bird's population is declining faster than the dodo did before its extinction . | fdad91d996349e5f275473268e9794d37f3b93fa |
(CNN) -- With recent polls showing Sen. Barack Obama's lead increasing nationwide and in several GOP-leaning states, some Republicans attending John McCain-Sarah Palin campaign rallies are showing a new emotion: rage. An angry supporter confronts Sen. John McCain at a rally in Wisconsin on Thursday. At a rally in Minnesota on Friday, a woman told McCain: "I don't trust Obama. I have read about him and he's an Arab." McCain shook his head and said, "No ma'am, no ma'am. He's a decent family man...[a] citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues. That's what this campaign is all about." One man at the rally said he was "scared of an Obama presidency." McCain later told the man he should not fear Obama. "I want to be president of the United States, and I don't want Obama to be," he said. "But I have to tell you, I have to tell you, he is a decent person, and a person that you do not have to be scared as President of the United States." McCain's response was met with boos from the crowd. When asked about these outbursts, McCain campaign manager Rick Davis said that he didn't know who those people were and if they were there as supporters or to disrupt the rallies. A day earlier, the same type of hostility toward Obama was evident at McCain-Palin rallies. "When you have an Obama, [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and the rest of the hooligans up there going to run this country, we have got to have our head examined. It's time that you two are representing us, and we are mad. So, go get them," one man told McCain at a town hall meeting in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Another man was more pointed. "And we're all wondering why that Obama is where he's at, how he got here. I mean, everybody in this room is stunned that we're in this position," another man said at Thursday's rally. "I'm mad. I'm really mad. And what's going to surprise you, it's not the economy. It's the socialists taking over our country," one said. Watch more of the anger at the rallies » . McCain urged his supporters to be respectful of Obama. "We want to fight and I will fight. But we will be respectful," he said. "I admire Sen. Obama and his accomplishments. I will respect him and I want everyone to be respectful, and let's make sure we are." Watch McCain address attacks on Obama » . CNN contributor David Gergen, who has advised Democratic and Republican presidential administrations, said Thursday that the negative tone of these rallies is "incendiary" and could lead to violence. "There is this free floating sort of whipping around anger that could really lead to some violence. I think we're not far from that," he said. "I think it's really imperative that the candidates try to calm people down." On Friday, Obama said the "barrage of nasty insinuations and attacks" was a result of the Republican nominee's failed economic ideas. "They can run misleading ads, they can pursue the politics of anything goes. It will not work. Not this time. I think that folks are looking for something different this time. It's easy to rile up a crowd, nothing's easier than riling up a crowd by stoking anger and division. But that's not what we need right now in the United States. The times are too serious," Obama said at a rally in Chillicothe, Ohio. Recently, McCain's campaign launched a string of ads that question Obama's judgment and character. The McCain campaign calls Obama "too risky for America" in a new Web ad that focuses on his political relationship with Bill Ayers, a founding member of the radical Weather Underground. "Barack Obama and domestic terrorist Bill Ayers. Friends. They've worked together for years. But Obama tries to hide it," the announcer said in the 90-second ad. The now-defunct Weather Underground was involved in bombings in the early 1970s, including attacks on the Pentagon and the Capitol. Obama was a young child at the time of the bombings. Obama and Ayers, now a university professor, met in 1995, when both worked with a nonprofit group trying to raise funds for a school improvement project and a charitable foundation. CNN's review of project records found nothing to suggest anything inappropriate in the volunteer projects in which the two men were involved. CNN Fact Check: Is Obama 'palling around with terrorists'? Obama, in an April debate during the primaries, called Ayers "somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago, when I was 8." At a rally Tuesday in Clearwater, Florida, Sarah Palin said Obama was being "less than truthful" about his ties to Ayers. "His own top adviser said they were 'certainly friendly.' ... I am just so fearful that this is not a man who sees America the way that you and I see America -- as the greatest source for good in this world," she said. Palin told the crowd that she sees "a pattern in how our opponent has talked about one of his most troubling associations." Watch more of Palin's comments » . One member of the Palin audience in Jacksonville, Florida, Tuesday shouted out "treason." And at another rally in the state Monday, Palin's mention of the Obama-Ayers tie caused one member to yell out: "kill him" -- though it was unclear if it was targeted at Obama or Ayers. At several recent rallies, Palin has stirred up crowds by mentioning the "liberal media." Routinely, there are boos at every mention of The New York Times and the "mainstream media," both of which are staples of Palin's stump speech. Some audience members are openly hostile to members of the traveling press covering Palin; one crowd member hurled a racial epithet at an African-American member of the press in Clearwater, Florida, on Monday. And at a McCain rally in New Mexico on Monday, one supporter yelled out "terrorist" when McCain asked, "Who is the real Barack Obama?" McCain didn't respond. Watch as McCain ramps up his criticism of Obama » . Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat, on Friday told voters that the McCain-Palin campaign "would want you to be afraid of Barack Obama." Some Republicans have also been critical of the McCain campaign. Former Michigan Gov. William Milliken, a Republican, told the Grand Rapids Press he was "disappointed in the tenor and the personal attacks on the part of the McCain campaign." "He is not the McCain I endorsed," Milliken said Thursday. Some anger found at McCain-Palin rallies is directed at McCain for a different reason. Watch analysts weigh in on the recent attacks » . "I am begging you, sir, I am begging you, take it to him," another supporter said to the Arizona senator at the Wisconsin rally. McCain, however, seems torn. On one hand, he is going negative on the Ayers controversy. "The point is, Sen. Obama said he was just a guy in the neighborhood. We know that's not true," he said at the rally in Wisconsin. "We need to know the full extent of the relationship because of whether Sen. Obama is telling the truth to the American people or not." On the other hand, McCain is trying to focus on the economic downturn plaguing the country. "But I also, my friends, want to address the greatest financial challenge of our lifetime with a positive plan for action," he added. Also, the McCains said months ago they didn't want their son Jimmy -- a Marine serving in Iraq -- dragged into the campaign. But on Thursday, Cindy McCain brought up her son. She criticized the Illinois senator for voting against a bill to fund troops in Iraq, a regular line of attack from her husband's campaign. "The day that Sen. Obama cast a vote not to fund my son when he was serving sent a cold chill through my body, let me tell you," she told a Pennsylvania crowd before introducing her husband and his No. 2. The vote Cindy McCain is referencing came in May 2007, when Obama was one of 14 senators who voted against a war-spending plan that would have provided emergency funds for American troops overseas. A CNN fact check deemed the charge that Obama voted against troop funding "misleading." Obama supported a different version of the troop-funding plan -- one that McCain spoke against. Fact Check: Did Obama vote to cut funds for the troops? CNN's Carey Bodenheimer, Dana Bash and Anastasia Diakides contributed to this article. | NEW: McCain urges his supporters to be respectful of Obama . McCain-Palin supporters increasing their attacks on Obama during rallies . Some supporters have yelled out "treason," "kill him" and "terrorist" Obama says Friday: Anger and division are "not what we need right now" | 36c91f5917133620aba54500137a5f6eb7a548b2 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 8:32 PM on 28th September 2011 . A woman is accusing Ashton Kutcher of cheating on wife Demi Moore, the same weekend as the couple celebrated their six year wedding anniversary, according to Radaronline. The entertainment website claims the liaison happened last Friday in San Diego, California, after a alcohol-fuelled night out at Fluxx bar with his former That '70s Show co-star Danny Masterson. The 23-year-old woman, who has not been identified, has reportedly hired a high powered Hollywood attorney and has gone into hiding. Cheating scandal: A new report claims Demi Moore's husband Ashton Kutcher hooked up with a 23-year-old woman last weekend . Radar Online says it received the information from 'multiple friends of the woman.' According to one unnamed source: 'She is due to meet with an attorney tonight (Tuesday). She is freaking out.' The Two and a Half Men star's wedding anniversary was on Saturday, September 24, one day after the alleged encounter happened. Sign of trouble? The actress posted this message about 'anger' the night before spending her wedding anniversary apart from her husband . 'Ashton didn't look like someone who was celebrating a wedding anniversary,' one club goer told RadarOnline. Bad timing: The scandal has erupted just one week after Ashton's high profile debut on Two and a Half Men . Moore seemed to hint at trouble on her Twitter page by sharing a quote from Greek philosopher Epictetus. On . September 23, she wrote: 'When we are offended at any man's fault, turn . to yourself & study your own failings. Then you will forget your . anger.' The scandal . also comes as Star magazine, a sister publication of RadarOnline, . released an explosive new report claiming the marriage between Ashton, . 33, and Demi, 48, is 'officially over.' According to Star: 'Ashton and Demi have separated and the marriage is over.' MailOnline contacted Ashton's representatives, but so far they have not responded. A . source close to the pair reportedly told Star magazine: 'The . relationship ended because of Ashton's serial cheating. It's a painful . time for Demi.' In . September 2010, as Mailonline previously reported, Ashton was rocked by . another cheating scandal after Star reported that he had had a fling . with a 21-year-old woman named Brittney Jones. The young woman told the magazine she had sex with the actor inside the Beverly Hills home he shares with his wife. The . magazine also claimed that Ashton was so worried that the alleged . affair would be exposed that he made her delete their text messages, but . Star reported that she didn't remove all of them. Frail: Demi looked more slender than usual and preoccupied on Monday night at a screening of the new Lifetime movie Five in New York City . Brittney . told Star: 'He looked over the texts and said he wanted me to delete . all the messages from him,' she revealed. 'He then told me he wanted me . to delete the texts I had sent to him. He said they could hurt him.' Despite . the explosive report, Ashton and Demi brushed off the allegations with . Ashton making sure to express just how he felt by taking his Twitter to . make a statement. He said, 'I think Star magazine calling me a 'cheater' qualifies as defamation of character. I hope my lawyer agrees. 'STAR magazine - you don't get to stand behind "freedom of the press" when you are writing fiction.' Kutcher's representative also denied the story, while his wife of nearly five years came out in support of her husband. 'Excellent point my love!' and 'No question!' she wrote in response to Kutcher's comments. | Moore hints at trouble with Twitter message about 'anger' | 08ad7868bca230888791c741a8b736f5dee49d09 |
Tokyo, Japan (CNN) -- Without issuing a recall of its iconic Prius hybrid vehicles, Toyota said Thursday a software glitch is to blame for braking problems in the 2010 model. "We would want to be given a little time," Hiro Yuki Yokoyama, Toyota's managing officer, said when reporters asked whether a recall was in the works. The company changed its braking system software in January as part of what it called "constant quality improvements," but did not say what it would do about vehicles manufactured before then. Toyota officials described the problem as a "disconnect" in the vehicle's complex anti-lock brake system (ABS) that causes less than a one-second lag. With the delay, a vehicle going 60 mph will have traveled nearly another 90 feet before the brakes begin to take hold. Brakes in hybrids such as the Prius operate differently from brakes in most cars. In addition to standard brakes, which use friction from pads pressed against drums or rotors, the electric motors in hybrids help slow them. The process also generates electricity to recharge the batteries. The Japanese government has warned Toyota to take seriously mounting complaints with the Prius. Toyota Vice President Shinichi Sasaki met with Japan's transport minister on Wednesday. iReport: How are Toyota's problems affecting you? In Japan, 14 complaints about brakes in the Prius have been lodged since July. Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has asked Toyota to investigate, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association. "The complaints received via our dealers center around when drivers are on a bumpy road or frozen surface," said Paul Nolasco, a Toyota Motor Corp. spokesman in Japan. "The driver steps on the brake, and they do not get as full of a braking feel as expected." Full coverage of Toyota recall . In the United States, more than 100 complaints alleging poor brake performance have been lodged with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration against the 2010 Prius, a newly designed version of the car that was introduced last summer. "NHTSA has received a number of complaints about a potential defect affecting the brake system in Toyota's Prius hybrid and is conducting field work to examine the issue," the agency said Wednesday. A search of NHTSA's complaint database turned up many similar-sounding complaints in the United States. "I have been driving my 2010 Prius for 6 months and have experienced the following nearly 10 times," one owner wrote. "When braking, if a pothole or bump in the road is hit, the car seemingly jerks forward/accelerates for a split second." The Prius is Toyota's third best-selling model in the United States, ranking behind the Camry mid-size sedan and the Corolla compact car. Toyota's public image, and its sales, have been hit by recent recalls involving unintended acceleration. The automaker recalled 2.3 million vehicles on January 21 because of problems with sticking gas pedals and later halted the sale of the eight models involved in the recall. Toyota's U.S. sales plunged 16 percent in January as a result, even as sales of other automakers rose. Toyota announced third-quarter results Thursday, posting a 10.2 percent rise in net revenue from the year before. The quarter ended December 31, three weeks before Toyota stopped selling the recalled models. In a separate recall, about 4.2 million vehicles were called back in November for a problem in which the cars' gas pedals could get stuck in some floor mats. The last-generation version of the Prius was included in that recall, which was expanded to include an additional 1.1 million cars last week. CNNMoney's Peter Valdes-Dapena and Kyung Lah contributed to this report. | NEW: Toyota will not issue recall on 2010 Prius models over braking issue . Officials: Software glitch causes cars to move even if brakes are engaged . Toyota is already under fire for issues surrounding sticking gas pedals in several vehicles . | 4424c8580952975a3e367176a215c78711246bdd |
A woman who lured a school girl into prostitution was back in jail today after she was captured following a nationwide hunt. Leanne Gilder, 28, formerly of Chadderton in Manchester, was jailed for five years for selling the sexual services of the 14-year-old from the back of a van. Ms Gilder, who forced the girl to take cocaine before bringing her into Manchester's red light area, was freed last month after serving just two and a half years of her sentence. Leanne Gilder failed to tell police of her whereabouts under the terms of a Sex Offenders Prevention Order . She checked into a hostel in Preston, Lancs, and was obliged to notify the police of any change of address under the terms of a Sex Offenders Prevention Order (SOPO). But within 24 hours Ms Gilder left the premises and failed to tell officers of her whereabouts. Police had been hunting for her since the weekend and tracked her down last night in Peaches massage parlour on Cookson Street, Blackpool. Ms Gilder today admitted breaching the terms of her release before a sitting of Blackpool Magistrates. District Judge Alexandra Simmons said: 'You may have had problems at the hostel but you ran knowing you were going to be in breach of the SOPO which is there to protect the public after you committed an extremely serious offence for which you were jailed.' 'You showed a complete disregard for your obligations.' Patrick Nelligan, defending, said: 'Some of the rules of the hostel in Preston caused her problems. She was not allowed alcohol.' Police last night tracked down the Ms Gilder in Peaches massage parlour (pictured on right) in Blackpool . 'She has a great fear of going back to prison and she failed to tell police where she was going and just dug herself into a serious position where the only thing that was going to happen was going back to prison - the very thing she fears the most.' Ms Gilder was convicted of the child prostitution offence in May 2012. Manchester Crown Court had heard how she forced the 14-year-old girl to take cocaine before taking her into Manchester city centre to sell her for sex. After she was released last month, she had tried to evade officers by dying her blonde hair black. Judge Simmons today ordered Ms Guilder back into custody and added eight weeks to her five-year sentence. | Leanne Gilder, 28, was freed after serving half of a five year jail term . She failed to notify police of her whereabouts under the release terms . Officers launched a nationwide hunt and found her in a massage parlour . Blackpool magistrates today added eight weeks on to her sentence . | 36fc92c9ccfbf89134e995f8f405eaba0a78df86 |
Van driver Richard Orlu admits he faces 'the biggest game of my life' when Dover Athletic host his home town club Crystal Palace. Defender Orlu could line up against friend Jason Puncheon as Conference side Dover entertain Premier League Palace in Sunday's FA Cup third-round clash. Orlu put his part-time delivery work on hold for the hectic Christmas schedule that has seen Dover stretch to 16 games without defeat. Dover Athletic's Richard Orlu (left) and captain Connor Essam pose at the Crabble Athletic Ground . Alan Pardew will manage Crystal Palace's FA Cup third round clash at Dover after leaving Newcastle United . The 26-year-old defender grew up a stone's throw from Selhurst Park in Thornton Heath, and conceded he cannot wait for Palace to arrive on the south coast. 'This is definitely the biggest game of my life,' Orlu said. 'I'm an Arsenal fan actually, even though Palace are my local team. 'I've got friends who are Palace fans and I knew a lot of people who went through their youth system growing up. 'It's the biggest club around where I come from, so if you're one of the best players where I'm from, you play for Palace. 'I was never amongst that to be honest, I never played for them. Dover entertain Crystal Palace at The Crabble Athletic Ground in the FA Cup third round on Sunday . Eagles midfielder James McArthur (right) is a doubt for the match after injuring himself at Villa . 'So it will be a bit weird to be on the same pitch as them. 'It hasn't really sunk in yet, and it probably won't until after the game. 'I know Jason Puncheon a little, he's very friendly; he's a really nice guy and I don't think anyone has a bad word to say about him. 'He's an excellent player as well, he's got great feet and he's a huge threat for them.' Dover have already fended off two League Two clubs in Morecambe and Cheltenham to reach the FA Cup's third round. The Crabble Athletic Ground outfit were paired with Tottenham away in the rehearsal for the third-round drawn, but are more excited to play host to Palace. Caretaker boss Keith Millen took charge of Palace's 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on New Year's Day . Dover could net as much as £250,000 from their cup exploits once television revenue is accounted, with chairman Jim Parmenter guiding the club away from the brink of administration on taking charge 10 years ago. Orlu leads a cast of hard-working semi-professionals who hold down day jobs while training three evenings a week with Dover. 'We've got a far greater chance of winning it here,' he said. 'I'd rather have more chance of winning than to play at Selhurst Park.' Dover assistant Mark Newson doubles as an academy coach at Palace, and embarked on an improbable Intertoto Cup campaign with Alan Pardew at Tottenham in 1995. Pardew will lead his first game with Palace after they agreed a £3.5million compensation deal with Newcastle . Pardew is expected to complete his move from Newcastle to the managerial hotseat at Palace in time to direct operations from the dugout on Sunday. Newson and Pardew were drafted into the Spurs set-up on loan from lower leagues for that unlikely European sojourn, and will now link up again at Palace. Newson admitted a Dover win this weekend may place his Selhurst Park position in jeopardy next week. 'I haven't seen Alan at Palace this week myself, but I'm just hoping that if we beat them on Sunday I'm still in a job on Monday!' Newson said. 'Alan's done a terrific job at Newcastle even though he's taken a lot of stick. 'I think he'll have more control and more say at Palace, which will be different from Newcastle.' Pardew was at Palace's training ground on Friday for just under 12 hours as he started life at his new club . | Dover Athletic host Crystal Palace in FA Cup third round on Sunday . Richard Orlu plays in defence for Dover but is also a van driver . Orlu admits match at The Crabble Athletic Ground will be biggest of his life . He grew up near Selhurst Park and is friends with Jason Puncheon . | eb082cb1ff23b319fd6e975c3db4cffe1e419fd3 |
Joleon Lescott is ready play three games in seven days for West Bromwich Albion as he manages his body through the busy Christmas period. At 32, Lescott tailors his training to ensure he plays as often as possible, beginning with a match against his friends from Manchester City on Boxing Day. Lescott insists any cordiality with his former team-mates will stop before kick-off, and head coach Alan Irvine has picked the brains of his best defender about the champions. Joleon Lescott said he still has friends at Manchester City but there will be 'no friendly handshakes' Baggies manager Alan Irvine has revealed that Lescott knows how to manage his own fitness . ‘I’ve still got a lot of friends there,’ said Lescott. 'We’ll do our bit beforehand and then we can concentrate on the game. There’ll be no friendly handshakes during the game.’ After City, it is Stoke on Sunday, before West Ham on New Year’s Day. ‘I spoke to Joleon and asked him how he felt about the double-headers and straight away he said “fine”,’ said Irvine. ‘Generally Joleon will do his own ‘prehab’ and recovery sessions on a Monday and everyone is fine with that. He knows his body and he’s not just having a day off. He’s an expert at it. ‘The culture in the past has been to treat everybody the same but that can’t be right because they are all different.’ Lescott heads in West Brom's opening goal against QPR in their Premier League clash at Loftus Road . Lescott has said that he is ready to play three games in seven days for the Baggies over the festive period . | West Brom take on Manchester City on Boxing Day in the Premier League . Joleon Lescott says his body is ready for the busy Christmas period . The Baggies then face Stoke on Sunday and West Ham on New Year's Day . | ec92eeb018ae9348d93ef9b2dd80cc81fed3c2eb |
(CNN) -- An emerging commercial space race just got more intense. ATK, Alliant Techsystems, has for 30 years built space shuttle booster rockets at its plant in Promontory, Utah. The company has just announced it plans to build a rocket to take astronauts to the international space station. ATK says it will offer NASA launch services to the station using a new rocket called Liberty. Kent Rominger, former space shuttle astronaut and now ATK's program manager for Liberty, said, "We will be the safest vehicle on the street to carry a crew." The entrance of ATK into the commercial crew arena clearly signals an intense fight for NASA dollars and contracts to fly crews to the space station. Is this now a commercial space race? "Absolutely yes," Rominger said. Elon Musk, the multimillionaire head of Space X, has already been awarded a NASA contract to begin flying cargo to the station within a year using his Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule. Musk has said Space X can start flying astronauts in Dragon by 2015. ATK said its rocket will be ready to fly that same year. Rominger said he believes Liberty is instantly way ahead in the race, because much of the rocket is already rated for humans. Rominger said of Musk, "When it comes to flying humans, he's never demonstrated anything close to that capability." Space X says it welcomes the competition. "The American-made Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon Spacecraft were designed from the start to be the safest, most reliable and economical vehicle to carry crews into space," said Ken Bowersox, a former astronaut and now vice president of Space X. "We will meet NASA'S certification requirements." Space X says its Dragon spacecraft will deliver seven astronauts to the station for $140 million. ATK's $180 million price tag does not include the cost of a crew capsule. But Rominger says Liberty will have twice the payload capacity of Musk's Falcon rocket. The new rocket is a partnership between ATK and Astrium, a company that builds the Ariane 5 launcher for the European Space Agency. The Liberty rocket would stand some 300 feet tall. It is being designed, ATK said, so any crew capsule NASA chooses could fly on it. The Space X vehicle is the complete package, both rocket and capsule. ATK will build a five-segment solid rocket booster, which is larger than a shuttle booster. Astrium will provide a liquid fueled upper stage. ATK officials said their rocket will provide NASA tremendous value because they will assemble Liberty in the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center and launch from one of the existing space shuttle launchpads. | ATK announces plans for rocket to take astronauts to space station . Space X has already been awarded a NASA contract to fly cargo to station . Space X says it can start transporting astronauts to station by 2015 . Each company says its system is NASA's best bet for crew transport . | 1bfac21567930166cf3288bb77212340da3b2bf3 |
He may have been named after the London station he was found in, but Paddington Bear hailed from deepest, darkest Peru. And now fans of the loveable children's character are being given the chance to meet the real Paddington Bear in his home country - or at least a distant relative of Michael Bond's famous creation. Rare sight: The Andean Spectacled Bear is on the list of critically-endangered species . Remote: The Inkaterra Andean Bear Sanctuary in located in Machu Picchu . Instantly recognisable: The loveable children's character is known for his red hat and blue duffle coat . The Inkaterra Andean Bear Sanctuary in Machu Picchu is offering people the chance to meet relatives of the much-loved character with a penchant for duffle coats and marmalade sandwiches. The sanctuary is home to five Andean Spectacled Bears, which are on a list of critically endangered species. Lucky visitors will be given exclusive access to their enclosure and can shadow the bears' keepers to learn about how the resort is helping them to thrive. Getting back to nature: The luxury Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel is hidden in the mountains of Peru . Visitors will be given exclusive access to the bear enclosure and can shadow the keepers for the day . Wilderness retreat: The package includes a three-night stay at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel . Carmen Soto, Inkaterra's resident naturalist, said: 'The Andean Spectacled Bear has suffered through a gradual destruction of its natural habitat, through agricultural development and an increased human population in South America's Andes Mountains. 'As a consequence, the only species of bear in South America is now in danger of extinction. 'We hope that our continued work, including this new Andean Spectacled Bear package will help in the raising of international awareness of the bears' plight, in order to save this endangered species.' The package includes a three-night stay at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel, which is located near the sanctuary, and guests will learn about the life of a keeper at the Andean Spectacled Bear project. They will also receive a special 'bear kit', which includes a Bear Keeper's certificate and a soft toy Spectacled bear. Luxury retreat: Prices for the Andean Spectacled Bear Package start from around £620 per guest . The Andean Spectacled Bear - the only species of bear in South America - is now in danger of extinction . Helping them to thrive: The sanctuary hopes to raise international awareness of the bears' plight . Guests will also get a guided tour of the Machu Picchu Citadel, along with two tickets to see the upcoming Paddington Bear film, which is due to be released in October 2014. Prices for the Andean Spectacled Bear Package start from around £620 per person and a percentage of all proceeds will be donated to the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Spectacled Bear Sanctuary Project. Paddington Bear first appeared in 1958 when BBC cameraman Michael Bond began writing about a bear he had purchased from Selfridges in London. The bear - who was named after the station near Bond’s house - wore a duffle coat and Wellington boots and had a penchant for marmalade sandwiches. The first book was called ‘A Bear Called Paddington’ and since then more than 150 titles have been published and translated into over 40 different languages. | Inkaterra Andean Bear Sanctuary is located in Machu Picchu . The sanctuary is home to endangered Andean Spectacled Bears . Visitors will be given access to bear enclosure and will shadow keepers . Package costs £620 per person and includes tour of Machu Picchu Citadel . | d54ab14f554f2b3dfbd48dfe6d1cf1410b430b64 |
By . Tim Shipman . PUBLISHED: . 16:55 EST, 30 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:35 EST, 1 July 2013 . Kazakhstan's brutal regime has gloated that David Cameron and Tony Blair have put their bloodsoaked country on the map yesterday. The foreign minister of the former Soviet dictatorship, best known as the home of comic creation Borat, said the country was ‘very honoured and privileged’ that two prime ministers have sought to bring the country in from the cold. Mr Cameron yesterday became the first serving prime minister to visit Kazakhstan and its ageing autocrat Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is accused of sanctioning the torture of his political opponents. Scroll down for video . 'Honourable' visit: David Cameron delivers a speech during a presentation at the Bolashak oil plant, near Atyrau in Kazakhstan on Sunday . But he dismissed concerns about human rights, saying that it was more important to drum up business deals. Mr Cameron is set to win business worth around £700m on the trip with another £85 billion in the pipeline in the years to come. He said he would raise the issue of human rights with President Nazarbayev, who has ruled the country with an iron fist since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. But he made clear he thinks it is more important for Britain to cash in on oil deals with one of the world’s fastest growing economies. ‘I always raise all these issues with all the partners that we have around the world. Business trip: David Cameron pictured at an oil plant in Kazakhstan on Sunday, hopes to sign trade deals worth more than £700 million . UK's friend: Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev, accused of violating human rights and million pound corruption, is Cameron's prospective business partner . But let’s be clear, why am I in Khazakstan on a Sunday? We are in a global race. This is one of the next emerging countries of the world. ‘I’ve over 30 British companies with me. We hope to conclude £700million worth of deals, that will mean jobs back at home. That’s what this is about.’ He and President Nazarbayev also discussed plans for Britain to evacuate military kit from Afghanistan using Kazakh air bases and trains. In a sign of Mr Cameron’s closeness to the Kazakh regime, the Prime Minister last night flew from the oil port city of Atyrau to the capital Astana in Mr Nazarbayev’s personal private jet, while his aides followed in a charter plane. Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov made clear that Tony Blair helped pave the way for the visit. Mr Blair’s consultancy has secured a £16 million two year deal to advise the government of Kazakhstan on political reform - a move which critics say has led to a ‘whitewash’ of the country’s human rights record. Mr Idrissov said: ‘We are very honoured and privileged to have such attention on the part of two prime ministers [towards] kazakhstan - Tony Blair and David Cameron. We cherish and enjoy the support of developed countries on our part for development.’ 'Jagshemash': Sasha Baron Cohen's character Borat is what most Britons associate Kazakhstan with . He added: ‘We are grateful that Mr Tony Blair and his colleagues are providing invaluable advice.’ Mr Cameron last night faced warnings that his visit would boost the standing of the dictatorial regime which gunned down 15 unarmed protestors during a strike by oil workers in December 2011. Algerim Dzhakisheva, whose father . Muktur was seized by secret police and imprisoned on trumped up charges, . said: ‘The government of Kazakhstan is carrying out a massive PR . offensive around the world and looking to be seen as a credible, . constructive player on the world stage. ‘But . that shouldn’t blind people to its massive abuses of the human rights . of its own citizens.’ Mr Cameron also risked a diplomatic row last night . by admitting that he has watched the Borat movie, in which comedian . Sacha Baron Cohen depicted the nation as a group of idiots and rapists . who throw Jews down wells. 'As . for the film, I did see it, it was a long time ago. I think I will rest . on the words of the foreign minister who I gather pointed out that his . country had survived Stalin and could probably survive anything else.’ Mr Idrissov admitted that Kazakhstan has faced criticisms and made the . adventurous claim that it is on the path to democracy despite the most . recent rigged election giving Mr Nazarbayev 95 per cent of the vote. He said: ‘We do not claim that we have got everything right or that there are no problems to overcome. ‘It . was never going to be possible to turn a country with no democratic . institutions or culture into a Jeffersonian democracy in two decades. What is important is the direction of travel. Kazakhstan remains . committed to a democratic path.’ A . spokeswoman for Tony Blair insisted the former prime minister does not . personally profit from his dealings with the Nazarbayev regime. She said: ‘Kazakhstan is an important country in an important region at an important time for the world. ‘David Cameron is absolutely right to be seeking to forge closer economic and political ties for these reasons and because of Kazakhstan’s strategic positioning in the world and the supportive role it is playing with regard to troops returning from Afghanistan.’ Earlier in the day, Mr Cameron became the first Western leader to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif since his recent election. He urged the Pakistanis to press the Taliban to engage in peace talks. On Saturday he visited troops in Afghanistan to mark Armed Forces Day. | David Cameron became first UK Prime Minister to visit Kazakhstan . PM set to win £700million in business for Britain following trip . Kazakh ministers say they are is 'honoured’ to have UK business . | d73db3548698c5de93025e9058d732b59ce58af8 |
Death: Martin Hadfield (pictured with his mother Annie O'Gorman) failed to get responses on almost every job application over a three-month period . A young gardener who was ‘too proud’ to claim benefits killed himself after unsuccessfully applying for 40 . jobs in three months, his devastated family said yesterday. Martin . Hadfield was left ‘demoralised’ and ‘with no self-worth’ after hours . filling in forms at his local Job Centre turned out to be in vain. His . family said the ‘industrious and hardworking’ 20-year-old lost hope . after he was repeatedly passed over in favour of younger applicants . prepared to work for less. Although . youth unemployment is now falling, Mr Hadfield’s family said they . wanted him to be remembered as more than a statistic – and appealed for . other young jobseekers in his situation to be treated with a ‘human . touch’ rather than facing red tape and bureaucracy. ‘Martin . was the kind of guy who was industrious but too proud to tell us if . anything was wrong,’ his stepfather Peter O’Gorman, 47, said after an . inquest into Mr Hadfield’s death. Describing . how his stepson ‘hated’ going into the Job Centre, he added: ‘Many . people go in with a sense of self-worth – they really do want a job – . but come out feeling demoralised and put down.’ Mr . Hadfield had worked for his stepfather’s car valeting business after . his GCSEs before getting a job as a landscape gardener and achieving NVQ . qualifications. But in . April last year he lost his job when the firm downsized. He . unsuccessfully applied for 40 posts over the next three months – and . most of these applications went ignored because he was ‘undercut’ on . wages by younger and less experienced candidates. Just . 24 hours after his last Job Centre appointment in July – which simply . resulted in an invitation to a ‘follow-up’ meeting – he was found hanged . at his flat in Tottington, Greater Manchester. ‘On . the day he died, his mum gave him some money for the bus home and . instead he walked the five miles home and saved it for something . important,’ his stepfather said. 'Became a statistic': Mr Hadfield was 'undercut' on wages by younger and more inexperienced candidates . ‘That . was the kind of boy he was, hardworking and with so much potential. Martin never claimed any money or benefits in his life. He got nothing . off the government and was proud not to.’ His . mother Annie O’Gorman, 50, a former prison officer, said: ‘Martin was . just a regular boy and he just didn’t think to talk to someone about . what he was going through. It was just a tragic moment of madness.’ Mr O’Gorman said his stepson’s experience of constantly attending the Job Centre had been ‘demoralising’. 'Demoralising': Just 24 hours after a meeting where staff a the Jobcentre Plus in Bury (pictured) invited him to a 'follow up' meeting, he was found hanged at his flat . Younger days: Mr Hadfield (pictured above in his earlier years) left school with GCSEs and - after helping his stepfather valet cars - got a job at as a landscape gardener and achieved National Vocational Qualifications . There were 5,981 suicides in the UK in 2012 - 77 per cent of which were men, according to statistics published by the Samaritans charity. This total figure was down slightly from 6,045 in 2011, but up significantly from 5,608 in 2010. The UK rate of suicide among men aged 20 to 24 in 2012 was 15.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.2 for women of the same age. The only age groups with lower male suicide rates in 2012 were the under 20s and over 60s, the figures also showed. ‘The human touch is so much better than looking at a name on a piece of paper,’ he said. ‘The bureaucracy is ridiculous. ‘In . the last months of his life [Martin] became a statistic to other . people. He was a statistic by being out of work, a statistic when he . went into the Job Centre and now he is a statistic by killing himself. ‘Sadly this statistic seems to be growing, especially in boys Martin’s age who are struggling.’ Mr . Hadfield’s flatmate Stuart Evans, 20, who found his body, told the . hearing in Heywood that his friend had been ‘getting more and more fed . up’ with his fruitless job hunt. Recording . a verdict of suicide, coroner Simon Nelson said: ‘Martin was clearly . very highly thought of and these are fine attributes indeed. It may well . be a moment of madness – but I feel sure he intended the consequences . of his actions.’ He urged others in Mr Hadfield’s position to talk through their problems. Last week figures revealed the number of unemployed 16- to 24-year-olds has fallen to 868,000, its lowest level in five years. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Martin Hadfield, 20, failed to get responses on almost every application . He was 'undercut' on wages by younger and less experienced candidates . Workless period and red tape made him feel 'put down with no self worth' Stepfather: 'He got fed up with the system and had a moment of madness' Mother: 'Didn't think to talk to someone about what he was going through' For confidential . support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local . Samaritans branch or click here for details . | 1ef835f7fd809b4312a60a222706a765cc0c2c94 |
(CNN) -- Death Cab for Cutie, the Grammy-nominated indie band that shot to the top of the Billboard charts with its latest album, "Narrow Stairs," has come a long way since its basement-recording beginnings in Bellingham, Washington. Chris Walla, left, and Nick Harmer of indie band Death Cab for Cutie discuss their newly released EP. Together for more than 10 years and formed while its members attended Western Washington University, the band has six studio albums behind them, their songs have graced popular TV and film soundtracks, and their sell-out tours have brought the musicians all over the globe. But the success is not something the group takes for granted. "We never got into this for world domination. There were never designs to be 'rock stars,' " said Chris Walla, guitarist and producer. "The fact that I get to make a living doing something that I just passionately love to do is something that I wake up every day and am thankful for," added Nick Harmer, bass player. "It's not lost on me; it really isn't. It's phenomenal." Death Cab for Cutie, which is named after a song performed by the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band in the 1967 Beatles film "Magical Mystery Tour," released "The Open Door EP" last month. It's a compilation of tracks that didn't find a home on "Narrow Stairs" but that the band didn't want to lose forever. Days before their most recent tour cycle ended and before the summer tour begins, Walla and Harmer -- two of the band's four members -- sat down with CNN to discuss the latest EP, the current bands that move them and the darkness that may or may not drive their music. CNN: Talk to me about the band's name, which was selected by Ben Gibbard, Death Cab for Cutie's founder. If you could turn back the clock, would you go with something different? Chris Walla: [Ben] was in a "Magical Mystery Tour" all-the-time kind of phase. He made a grand proclamation from the couch at one point that if he ever had another band, he was going to call it Death Cab for Cutie. Nick Harmer: Knowing what we know now, Ben has said that he would love to have shortened it somehow to a snappier name. We joke about changing it. CNN: To what? Chris Walla: Exactly! All the band names are taken. CNN: Why release an EP (extended play; more than a single but less than a full-on album) right now? Is it a taste of things to come? Harmer: We've always treated the EP as kind of a side dish to the main course during an album cycle. These are songs that were recorded at the same time as the songs that made the album "Narrow Stairs." They're sort of part of this chapter of the band. For us, it's a nice way to have some new songs to play on tour, kind of get some new material in the world and keep things interesting. We recorded them. They were finished. It would be kind of weird to leave them on a reel someplace. CNN: How has the state of the economy, if at all, affected your tour and plans? Walla: This tour has done really, really well for us. If anything, I think that we're more mindful of just the fact that in a world of so many entertainment choices how amazing it really is to be on a really successful, solid, good tour. Harmer: We really haven't seen an impact. I expected there to be one, to be honest, but all the numbers are pretty consistent with all the touring numbers we've ever done. CNN: Let's talk a bit about the persona of indie rock musicians: the depression, the melancholy, the darkness. What do your parents make of this? Are there any issues you'd like to discuss? Walla: Our parents are all terrible people. We all came from broken homes. (laugh) Harmer: We cry a whole lot ... (laugh) Walla: It's not by design. We have great families. We have great homes. It's sort of hard to explain, I guess. ... We do this because music totally moves us in a complete and absolute sort of way. It ends up just coming out in heart-on-your-sleeve, heavy, sort of really personal ways. Harmer: I've always felt like it's more about the bittersweet qualities of life than it is about the dark brooding. ... It's more about just being honest about the different stations that you find yourself in in life. CNN: What bands are you listening to these days? Who do you really like? Harmer: That's the thing about being on the road with so many people that are music fans. There's always a new record that someone's found that we're listening to. Ben is really kind of always combing through old records. I think [Walla] and I probably do more on the what's new and what's out in the world. The Gaslight Anthem, I hear them all the time now. Walla: Yeah, the Gaslight Anthem record's great. There's a band from Seattle called the Lonely Forest whose record I just picked up. They're a new band, it came out few weeks ago, and that's totally doing it for me right now. ... Telekinesis from Seattle, the new Metric record I think is great. Those are the big ones right now. CNN: Tell me about your political involvement and your backing of causes. (Walla, for example, got involved in the Obama campaign and has done some work for PETA.) Walla: It's little things here and there, which is sort of how I feel activism should work. You can't do everything all the time, but you can do what you can when you can. I wish I could do more, but ... not everybody can be Bono. | Death Cab for Cutie, the Grammy-nominated indie band, has a new EP . Chris Walla and Nick Harmer discuss the music, their moods and bands they like . Harmer: "Bittersweet qualities of life" and not "dark brooding" drive songs . Walla on activism: "You can't do everything all the time. ... Not everybody can be Bono" | f0f8b6f04ebff4fddd9b2d29d423e162d57b5520 |
London (CNN) -- Lee Ridley staggers onto the stage at London's Soho Theatre and squints into the darkness at the sell-out crowd. It's the first paid gig in his short career as a stand-up comedian. The microphone stands in the spotlight in the centre of the stage but Lee doesn't approach it. He doesn't need to because he has no voice. Under the stage name "Lost Voice Guy," Lee is fast becoming the talk of the town. Born with cerebral palsy he has been unable to speak since birth. Off-stage he uses a somewhat cumbersome machine which resembles an electric typewriter to convert his words to speech. On stage he uses an iPad with a text-to-voice app. Lost Voice Guy thanks the audience for their warm welcome and adds: "I haven't felt this important since the doctors said I was going to be a special child." Encouraged by the laughter he continues, referring to his difficulty walking. "I know what you were thinking when I walked on. It's OK I'm used to it." Having apparently played on the sympathy of the audience he switches the joke. "You thought 'here comes another ****** with an iPad.' Well I'm not. I'm a disabled ****** with an iPad -- the difference being I paid for mine with my benefit [welfare] money." Don't tell David Cameron. He still thinks I cannot walk, can barely see and have a problem with my bladder. Unfortunately for those closest to the stage -- one of those facts is actually true." He's into his stride now and has the crowd on his side. "In case you were in any doubt I really am disabled. It's not just really good acting and I'm definitely not just in it for the parking space. "When I realized I would never be able to talk again I was speechless." Ridley continues, talking about his synthesized voice, a mature male English accent which he refers to as a "posh version of Robocop" and demonstrates the limited alternatives he had to choose from including a woman's voice, American accents and a German translation. But just when things are proceeding smoothly, disaster strikes and technology kicks him in the seat of his pants. After an uncomfortable silence Ridley recovers with a little improvisation. "Sorry Ladies and gentlemen, my iPad has just crashed. Where the **** is Steve Jobs when you need him?" As the laughter continues he's up and running once more. "I am not related to Steven Hawking in any way. However I do hate the way people take the *** out of the way he speaks. I can really synthesize with him! "People have often asked me why I want to put myself in a position where everyone can look and stare at me. The truth is that it happens to me every day any way. At least this way there's a scheduled time and place for it." He finishes his set with an account of his audition for Simon Cowell's "X-Factor" with a dead-pan spoken-word version of "I believe I can fly" leaving the producers unsure how to handle him. With that he thanks his audience and lurches off the stage with loud cheers ringing in his ears. Just as Ridley thinks the night cannot get any better he bumps into one of his heroes -- not a comedian but the manager of his favorite football team, Newcastle United. Manager Alan Pardew is warm in his admiration. "Let's be honest -- it takes incredible bravery to do what he's doing. More bravery than me or any of my players show to do what he's trying to do. So all I can say is that I wish him all the best in a very tough business. Our business is tough but his is tougher so I wish him all the best." I suggest to Ridley that his act creates a dilemma for audiences: in normal circumstances it would be offensive for people to laugh at someone's disability but Lost Voice Guy invites his audience to laugh along with him at his own disability . Ridley begins typing and about a minute later his machine gives voice to his thoughts. "I've also thought that any subject can be joked about if handled correctly. I think I can get away with more because it's essentially about me. I'd like to think the audience go away with a more positive view about disability." The bookings have begun to roll in -- Ridley has been hired to perform at the prestigious Edinburgh Festival Fringe, attended by many a talent booker in search of the next comedy breakthrough act. | Born with cerebral palsy, Lee Ridley has been unable to speak since birth . On stage he uses an iPad with a text-to-voice app . The manager of Ridley's favorite football team praises his bravery . Lost Voice Guy invites his audience to laugh along with him at his own disability . | 71c2f9bf7154294f679e31298e5a2ed54aa3fabe |
By . Candace Sutton . They are members of the nation's squattocracy from Australia's richest agricultural shire where the families of the landed gentry enjoy a life of picnic race meetings and the town and country club. The Turnbulls - whose patriarch Ian Robert Turnbull stands accused of murdering government officer and father of two, Glen Turner, by shooting him in the back - are among the lucky families who live in Australia's 'Golden Triangle' around Moree in NSW's northwest. The area earned the name because it is blessed by a temperate climate and abundant water supply both from inland rivers and the Great Artesian Basin, the rich black soil plains of Moree, Tamworth and Gunnedah in northern NSW stretching up to the Queensland border are so fertile, the locals say, 'they could grow babies'. Balck gold: the black soil palins of Moree and teh area in northern NSW which borders Queensland known as the golden triangle attracts the country's highest wheat yield and is valued at more than $4000 per hectare. Grazier families going back generations in this region are regarded as Australia's rural aristocracy, of which accused murderer Ian Robert Turnbull is one . Wrong place: Environment and Heritage compliance officer Glen Turner, 51, (pictured) was allegedly shot in the back by wealthy farmer Ian Turnbull after the father-of-two served an illegal land clearing notice. The accused's family has lived in Australia's rich 'golden triangle' agricultural region since the 1880s among other families known as the nation's 'squattocracy' Farmer Ian Turnbull (pictured, left) is accused of murdering environmental officer Glen Turner on Tuesday after the 79-year-old grazier whose family has been in the Moree area for more than a century allegedly shot Mr Turner in the back on a property at Croppa Creek, 60km north east of Moree. In a long running land dispute which began in 2011, Turnbull had pleaded guilty in the Land and Environment Court to illegally clearing native vegetation on land which was then ploughed, and sowed with crops which were harvested in late 2012 . But this way of life for the privileged families who have occupied homesteads on cattle and crop stations for generations is under threat of disappearing. And the allegations of murder against a prominent member of one of these families has blown a cover off the charmed lives enjoyed by those who own thousands of hectares worth millions of dollars. Police allege Turnbull, a 79-year-old farmer whose family owns large tracts of land on the Moree Plains, shot Mr Turner, 51, an Environment and Heritage compliance officer at around 5.40pm on Tuesday on a property at Croppa Creek, 60km north-west of Moree. The Turnbulls are said to have been in the area since the 1880s, own at least four homesteads and and properties totalling thousands of hectares in a region where prime cropping land can reach up to $4300 a hectare. On the way out: Allegations of murder against Ian Turnbull, a prominent member of one of the families who farm Australia's most lucrative wheat growing belt (pictured), around Moree in northern NSW, has blown the cover off the charmed lives enjoyed by those who own thousands of hectares worth millions. This way of life for the privileged families who have occupied homesteads on cattle and crop stations for generations is under threat of disappearing . Police allege Turnbull, a 79-year-old farmer whose family owns large tracts of land and homsteads on the Moree Plains, shot Mr Turner, 51, an Environment and Heritage compliance officer at around 5.40pm on Tuesday on a property near Croppa Creek, a town whose iconic grain silos, pictured, dominate the skyline) 60km north-west of Moree . Mr Turner had arrived at the property to serve a notice for illegally clearing vegetation off his land. 'If you look at this family inside the tragedy they are typical of squattocracy who have owned a lot of properties for generations,' country real estate agent and deputy president of the Real Estate institute of NSW, Malcolm Gunning told Daily Mail Australia. 'These are families who used to own the flat in [exclusive Sydney suburb] Darling Point and show their cattle at the Royal Easter Show. 'For some that sort of life is coming to an end, but the local economies in these places are doing well. 'Their land is thousands for each hectare and this is where we are seeing a lot of interest from foreign investors.' It could grow babies: So rich are the black soil plains in the 'golden triangle' region of northern NSW which stretches to the Queensland border that hectares of prime wheat cropping properties go for up to $4300 and the rich farming families that have been there for generations are regarded as Australia's rural landed gentry . The families who farm the black soil plains around Moree (pictured) are the landed gentry who 'used to own the flat in [exclusive Sydney suburb] Darling Point and show their cattle at the Royal Easter Show ... their land is thousands for each hectare and this is where we are seeing a lot of interest from foreign investors.' Daily Mail Australia spoke with a former Tamworth resident who did not want to be identified, but who said the wealth on the Moree Plains and the environmental laws were in a head on clash. 'There's massive wealth in Moree and it's led to some huge land disputes which never happened before land clearing was made illegal. 'The families who own this land think it's their right to do with it what they want and get in a fleet of 14 bulldozers and root rape it up and plant wheat. 'They are the local aristocracy and they've been there for more than a century. 'It's black volcanic soil and basalt and if you can clear the bush of lignum and brigalow to make way for crops you can make squillions. 'But you're dealing with an environment department which says some plants farmers would regard as weeds are native and can't be removed.' The Turnbulls are well-respected among Australia's largest grain producers and family concerns who grow wheat, cotton, oil seeds like canola, olives and pecans in the Moree Plains Shire, which has a population of around 13.500 living on 18,000km of land. Ian Turnbull and members of his family have been in disputes over land clearing with the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) since 2011. Turnbull pleaded guilty to illegally clearing native vegetation between November 2011 and January 2012 after he bulldozed 421ha on Colorado (pictured, in an OEH submission document), owned by his son Grant, and 73ha on Strathdoon, owned by his grandson, Cory . Ian and Robeena Turnbull, their sons Grant and Roger and their grandchildren and the family companies own properties including Colorado and Strathdoon which totalled 2500ha, as well as Wallam and Buckie Station, and numerous parcels of land making up thousands of hectares in and around the Moree Plains. In April this year, RP Data showed recent grain property sales in the Moree area reached $4000 a hectare and some better know properties were going for up to $4300/ha. 'There are families who been there since the 1800s and they have substantial holdings, although 100,000 acres will do in this region because the soil is so good,' Mr Gunning said. $4300 a hectare: The land where Ian Turnbull and his family own thousands of hectares in the Moree region (pictured) in northern NSW has a temperate climate, rich volcanic soil and plenty of irrigation from surface water or the Great Artesian Basin beneath it, making the Turnbulls and other families who go back generations among the nation's wealthiest graziers . 'That's a very good income. Moree, Tamworth, Gunnedah and Dubbo are the booming cities of NSW. 'The crop prices are OK, there's been reasonable rain and if you look at the undulating land around Gunnedah with such good soil, you undersow the crop with clover so you can graze and what they do is rotate the livestock and the grain and they do it very very successfully.' Ian Turnbull and members of his family have been in disputes over land clearing with the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) since 2011. Turnbull pleaded guilty in the Land and Environment Court to illegally clearing native vegetation between November 2011 and January 2012 after, the OEH said, he bulldozed 421ha on Colorado, owned by his son Grant, and 73ha on Strathdoon, owned by his grandson, Cory. Documents filed by the department show that an environmental assessment of an application to clear grazing land on Colorado for cropping found there was a koala colony on the land. A survey lists brigalow as a threatened native plant. Two properties of 999ha and 74ha were bought by Ian and Grant Turnbull in 2011 for $4m each. The Land and Environment Court heard, after contracts were exchanged but before the sales settled, Mr Turnbull and another unnamed man felled 2708 trees on Colorado and 694 trees on Strathdoon, Fairfax Media reported . The felled timbers was burnt, the land was then ploughed, sprayed with herbicide and sowed with wheat and barley which was subsequently harvested in late 2012. 'He didn't lodge a DA to get rid of the trees and did it because he probably had done it before and he was pressed,' Mr Gunning said, 'it's a tragedy. 'The family would be devastated.' A Croppa Creek farmer who knows Turnbull told Daily Mail Australia through an intermediary that 'land clearing is hard' on farmers. A tearful Ian Robert Turnbull appeared distraught as he was led into the dock of Moree Local Court on Wednesday, where he was refused bail and remanded in custody. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | The murder of father of two Glen Turner has thrown a spotlight on the good life which may be on the way out . The accused murderer Ian Turnbull comes from Australia's landed gentry known as the 'squattocracy' The black soil plains in northern NSW are the nation's richest agricultural region with land worth $4000 a hectare . The area known as 'the Golden Triangle' is the home of rich rural families who have owned property for generations . | bf42554bd29ef662f8390a8cfea3647c7969c3f8 |
CARACAS, Venezuela (CNN) -- Venezuela temporarily seized a pasta-making plant Friday belonging to U.S.-based food giant Cargill, citing a production quota dispute. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's government takes over a Cargill plant for the second time in recent months. Rafael Coronado, Venezuela's deputy minister for food, announced the takeover live on the state-run Venezolana de Television channel. He said the plant did not meet production levels for pasta sold at lower, government-mandated prices. An inspection of the plant Thursday found that 41 percent of its pasta met the government-established level, Coronado said at a news conference in front of the food plant. Fifty-nine percent was "out of regulation," he said. The Venezuelan government will take over the plant for 90 days, he said, and then will determine what steps to take next. It was the second time in recent months that the government of left-wing President Hugo Chavez has taken over a Cargill plant. Chavez announced in March that he had ordered the takeover of a Cargill rice plant. Cargill spokesman Mark Klein said Friday afternoon the Minnesota-based company did not have an immediate comment. But Klein said in March, when the rice plant was taken over, that Cargill "is committed to the production of food in Venezuela that complies with all laws and regulations." Cargill has been doing business in Venezuela since 1986, according to the company's Web site. Its operations include oilseed processing, grain and oilseed trading, animal feed, salt, and financial and risk management. The company has 2,000 employees in 22 locations in Venezuela, the Web site says. | Venezuela cites production quota dispute in takeover of pasta-making plant . Government will take over plant belonging to Cargill for 90 days . Minnesota-based food giant has no immediate comment on seizure . Cargill rice plant seized by President Hugo Chavez's government in March . | 592f92e276968254742d511c535519c9571f749e |
By . Beth Stebner . PUBLISHED: . 01:04 EST, 11 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:19 EST, 13 November 2012 . Giving a nod to Mitt Romney’s heavy defeat on Tuesday, Saturday Night Live began their weekly show with the defeated Massachusetts governor drowning his sorrows – with milk. Jason Sudeikis reprised his role as Romney during the cold open, sneaking dairy products on the back of his expansive balcony. ‘Darn it all to heck,’ he began. Numerous members of his family – including Kate McKinnon as his wife Ann and Taran Killam as his sons Tag, Matt, and Josh – came outside to try and comfort him, to no avail. Killam as Tag said that his father’s loss made him want to ‘punch America in the face.’ SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Pensive: Jason Sudeikis, right, played Mitt Romney in the cold open, joined by Taran Killam, left as they reflected on his presidential loss . Getting fresh: Ann Romney, played by Kate McKinnon, acts surprised as Sudeikis shows physical affection . Does the body good: Sudeikis drowned his sorrow in milk, one hidden in the shrubs and another in his shoe; Romney was pictured with a gallon of chocolate milk following his loss . SNL took it aim on the Republican presidential candidate, after he lost the Electoral College vote tally 332 to 206 in Tuesday’s election. In the skit, Romney’s family was throwing a dignified post-election soiree, but Sudeikis had retired to the balcony to chug Vitamin D milk. Romney himself was pictured with a gallon of chocolate milk following the disappointing loss. Sudeikis’ son, Killam as Tag Romney, came out to ask what more he wanted to accomplish. ‘I have so much I want to do,’ Sudeikis said. ‘I want to find out how mayonnaise is made.’ After ‘cracking open’ another carton of milk, Killam as Matt comes out, begging his father to come into the house. ‘Paul Ryan is doing feats of strength in the living room,’ he said. Sudeikis responded with vitriol. ‘I would’ve liked to see him carry Wisconsin.’ A concerned Killam then asked, ‘Have you been drinking? You smell like a dairy.’ Sudeikis offers his son a drink, but Killam sounds horrified. ‘I’m only 38!’ he said. A third son, Josh, tries to entice his father into the party. ‘Donald Trump is doing a very amusing thing where he’s racist,’ Killam said. My way or the highway: Jay Pharoah again played Obama, saying that he was not going to let anything stand in his way during his second term . Four more years: Pharoah said he was a little surprised at the election outcome, saying Republicans had his defeat in the bag - high unemployment, high gas prices, and a bad first debate performance to boot . But it’s not until McKinnon comes out again that Sudeikis really gets fired up. He kisses her on the lips, causing McKinnon to say in shock: ‘My, oh my, what has gotten into you?’ Sudeikis responds: ‘Oh, I don’t know, about 10 gallons of milk.’ On Weekend Update, Seth Meyers celebrated ‘four...more…years…of gridlock,’ showing pictures of Republicans Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner. Noting how the president won many unemployed and student voters, Meyers noted: ‘Basically, Obama became president the same way Budweiser became the king of beer.’ Meyers also commented on the David Petraeus scandal, noting the name of biographer Paula Broadwell’s biography on him, entitled ‘All In.’ ‘When they first started working on the book,’ Meyers said, ‘it was called “Just The Tip.”’ Meyers was joined by Jay Pharoah, playing the newly re-elected President Obama. Asked if he was surprised by the result, Pharoah responded: ‘A little. Come on Republicans, what happened? This was yours to win! Brokeback Maine-ton: Bill Hader, left, and Fred Armisen, right, played a gay couple from Maine dressed in fisherman's sweaters, wool caps, and waders . Angry: Bobby Moynihan played a drunk uncle on Weekend Update, bemoaning the fact that he never graduated from Electoral College . ‘Five-dollar gas, eight percent unemployment, I even gave you a first-debate head start! nd on top of that, I’m Black.’ But Pharoah said that as a second-term president, he wasn’t going to concede to those who were against him. ‘Look out!’ he said. ‘From here on out, we do it my way! Republicans don’t want to talk of immigration? Fine. Meanwhile, a gay Hispanic woman is born every 15 seconds.’ Speaking of what has traditionally been a bipartisan dead end between him and Boehner, he said: ‘Fine, you wanna be unreasonable, fine let’s be unreasonable. The military? Gone! If you want to go to war with Iran, you have to send in Ted Nugent.’ The ‘president’ seemed to be energized, and kept bouncing his shoulders. When Meyers commented, Pharoah responded: ‘Seth, I’m in a good place. 'I want to thank Mitt Romney. Governor, I admire your tenacity, even though watching you run for president was like watching someone in roller skates trying to climb stairs.’ Leading lady: This week's episode was hosted by Anne Hathaway, who plays Fantine in the upcoming film adaptation of Les Miserables . Though he said he was glad for four more years in office, Pharoah’s closing remarks were over how awful his job is. ‘Mainly, this is a terrible job and I hate it,’ he said. Also appearing on Weekend Update were a gay couple from Maine, which just passed a gay marriage law, and a drunk uncle to talk about the election recount. Anne Hathaway, who plays Fantine in the upcoming movie version of Les Miserables, hosted for a third time, and Rihanna was the musical guest. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE . | NBC show poked fun at Mitt Romney after he was pictured with a gallon of chocolate milk following his presidential loss . Also featured Jay Pharoah as Obama, who said he was surprised at the election's outcome . Told Seth Meyers odds were against him but watching Romney run was like 'watching someone in roller skates trying to climb stairs' | ff2224074ec914a5b65b7194d68320d49fa3c066 |
By . Meghan Keneally . PUBLISHED: . 10:20 EST, 19 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:06 EST, 19 August 2013 . Former Massachusetts senator Scott Brown has announced that his daughter is engaged to one of his ex-staffers. 'Big news in the Brown Family! Arianna and Jimmy got engaged today!! They grow up so fast Gail and I are so happy for them!' the Republican announced via Twitter. This isn't the first time that Brown has made his daughter's personal lives public information, as he infamously said that they were 'available' during his 2010 acceptance speech. Happy news: Scott Brown announced that his younger daughter Arianna (center left in yellow) is engaged (pictured alongside his wife Gail and elder daughter Ayla (right) in 2010 at the White House Correspondent's Dinner . Rising profile: Even though he was voted out of office in 2012 (seen here at a re-election rally with Senator John McCain, daughters Ayla at center right and Arianna at right), Brown is trying to re-bolster his public image . Arianna Brown has been dating Jim Hendry, both 23, since he worked in his Senate office. New member of the family: Jim Hendry proposed to Arianna this weekend, though they will be waiting at least a year to marry . Now he works at the Department of Justice as Arianna is training to become a vetrinarian. The proposal took place over this weekend, and according to The Boston Herald, the former Senator was in on the plan. During a recent visit to Washington, Brown spent time with Hendry who said that he was 'working hard, I'm saving up money and paying back my school loans'. The next day, Hendry said that he was also saving up for a ring for Arianna and Brown gave him his blessing, but he still made him wait a few days before formally giving him the go-ahead. Since graduating from Syracuse University in 2012 and putting her modelling days behind her, Arianna has led a fairly private life. Her father is the one to update his growing mass of supporters on her latest news, and in July that came in the form of a hospital visit. 'In DC with Arianna. She got bit by a nasty cat at her vet job. Got infected, in the hospital in VA since Monday. Had an operation last night to scrape, irrigate, tendon and bone. Unreal. Think we are past the danger,' he wrote on his Facebook page. Brown has been growing his public fan base since being voted out of office last year, with speculation mounting that he may be trying to launch a presidential campaign in 2016. A way with animals: Arianna, seen here with her father and their dog Koda, is training to be a veterinarian and had a run in with an infected cat bite earlier this summer that sent her to the hospital . Proud dad: Brown previously got in trouble for joking during his 2010 acceptance speech that both of his daughters were single, but that is no longer the case . The clearest indication that he is trying to boost his national profile is by attending the Iowa State Fair this past weekend with his wife Gail. Though the state fair is a family-friendly event, it is also a breeding ground for political fodder since Iowa plays such a pivotal role in the early primary elections. 'I want to get an indication of whether there’s even an interest, in Massachusetts and throughout the country, if there’s room for a bi-partisan problem solver,' he told The Herald on Sunday. 'It’s 2013 -- I think it’s premature, but I am curious.' Mounting speculation: Brown has said that he is mulling a presidential run in 2016, and added fuel to that fire this weekend by attending the Iowa State Fair . | Scott Brown famously said that his daughters were 'available' when they were standing next to him during his acceptance speech in 2010 . That's not the case anymore as younger daughter Arianna, 23, is now engaged to her boyfriend, though they won't get married for at least a year . His elder daughter Ayla, who competed on American Idol, is still single . | bae6c89f3544278620f33f1fcc48b83b2912ff59 |
By . Jim Norton . Insurers and banks are sending customers reems of terms and conditions, with more words than Shakespeare's Macbeth, which is 19,000 words long . Insurers and banks have come under attack for sending customers reams of unnecessary policy documents that are even longer than Macbeth. Nearly three quarters of consumers admitted to not reading all of their policy documents or T&Cs because they were too long. While only 17 per cent of people who did read it in full said they understood it, according to the survey of more than 2,000 people. Consumer group Fairer Finance, who commissioned the survey, has launched a campaign against the book-length policy documents that are riddled with legalese and jargon. Several terms and conditions sent out to customers were found to be nearly twice the length of Shakespeare’s Macbeth - which is 19,000 words long. Analysis by Fairer Finance found HSBC topped the table for the longest bank account T&Cs at just over 34,000 words long - almost 5,000 words longer than John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. The shortest in the sector was Nationwide’s, though it still weighed in at a hefty 11,000 words. In car insurance, Endsleigh has the dubious honour of longest motor policy with more than 37,000 words - just a few hundred words shy of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. While Sheila’s Wheels, Esure and M&S Bank all had policy documents of over 30,000 words - longer than George Orwell’s Animal Farm. The shortest in the sector was LV with just under 7,000 words. James Daley, founder and managing director of Fairer Finance, said all banks and insurers should make documents more accessible and do away with small print that is riddled with legalese and jargon. He said: ‘If next to no one is reading terms and conditions, and even those who do are struggling to understand them, then what exactly is the point of these documents? ‘Of course it’s important that customers know what’s covered and what isn’t in their insurance policy, but if one company can do the job in less than 7,000 words, there’s no excuse for insurers who are producing documents that are five times as long. HSBC's terms and conditions were among the longest, the survey found, totalling 34,000 words . | Nearly 75 per cent of customers admit not reading policy documents . Consumer group has launched campaign against length of T&Cs . HSBC was worst offending bank with more than 34,000 words . Shakespeare's play Macbeth is 19,000 words long in comparison . | 2c4cb3ef9008e324ddc8d2603f6c845f7535e75c |
A camping holiday in Britain requires careful packing. A sleeping bag, coat and jacket are all a must. But if you've only got room for one of your three essentials, a new all-in-one product promises to be the answer to your problem. The Doppelganger Outdoors wearable sleeping bag gives you all three. It begins as a short jacket jacket then rolls down into a coat, and a final strip of material unfolds to make it into a sleeping bag. The first sleeping bag you can wear that doesn't make you look like you're wrapped in a spacesuit . One is outside with a brew while the other is in bed... but both are wearing the jacket-come-sleeping bag . It unzips in sections making it wearable as a coat, jacket and as a sleeping bag . The sleeves are sealable and the bag wraps around your legs and feet. The whole thing essentially . becomes a cocoon of fibre-filled polyester to keep you warm at night. In the morning, you can just remove the sleeping bag bottom section turning it into a long winter coat, or a shorter jacket when you need the freedom to move around. The bottom section rolls up into a packet so small it will fit in your pocket, helping keep your camping kit as minimal as possible. The whole product, which comes in at £90, rolls up into a . compressed bag and product promises to be the first sleeping bag you can wear that doesn't make you look like you're 'wrapped in a puffy spacesuit'. It comes in purple and blue or black and orange and retails online at Japan Trend Shop - who ship to the UK. The product comes in one size, waist 90cm (35 inches), height 183cm (6 ft) and with instructions in Japanese. The clever sleeve ends fold back for day and zip up for bedtime . The product means you can take a cosy nap wherever you like - as long as you're wearing your nifty coat . | Three-in-one product is coat and sleeping bag . Comes in black or purple and retails at £90 . Sold on Japan Trend Shop who ship to UK . | 1e9a36dc414f8a2e16b4b9756750c40c017270b8 |
Chicago (CNN) -- The headline in the Chicago Tribune left no one in any doubt. "Obama Solid in Illinois." The latest polls are clear -- President Barack Obama will carry his home city and state and scoop up its 20 electoral college votes in his battle for re-election by a large majority. Illinois will vote Democrat, as it has for the past five elections. Obviously Chicago is amongst the last places to get an unbiased opinion on this year's presidential race. This is the absolute heart of Obama country. It is the place where Obama lived and taught law. The city where he started his political life, first elected to the state legislature then, in a few short years, honing his policies for national office. Full coverage: CNN's Election Center . Illinois is where he announced his run for the presidency. Four years ago, in Chicago's Grant Park, the new President-elect Obama delivered his victory speech in front of tens of thousands of screaming supporters. So if this mid-western city is so firmly in the Obama camp, why am I here? What can I hope to learn from a place so biased they should just weight his vote rather than count it? It is the perfect place to start my American Quest. See more: American Quest in pictures . Chicago is the third largest city in the U.S. Here, the buildings rival New York's in size and beauty. The hardy mid-western people play on the national stage. Chicago is a confident, muscular city whose people need none of the tinsel show-and-tell of the west, nor the power posturing of the east. Boeing, McDonald's, United Airlines and Kraft foods are some of the global companies headquartered in the metropolitan area. Here, they make things. Early today, as I stood by the Buckingham Fountain, just yards from where Obama addressed his adoring base four years ago, the city was at its resplendent best. Debate analysis: Biden, Ryan slug it out . A crisp breeze blew in from Lake Michigan and a rainbow appeared in the fountain's spray, forming a perfect arc over the magnificent skyline. Chicago was putting on a show of contended bravado. By starting here, we gauge how the faithful view their man, before we delve into those parts of the country where the doubters, naysayers and downright critics live. This American Quest will take us from Chicago to the swing states of Iowa and Colorado. We will sojourn in the strong Romney state of Utah, home of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, whose followers are known as Mormons. And we will end up in California, a state which even though it will almost certainly vote Democrat, we can learn much of the trends for the future. Five States: Two Swing. Two Democrat. One Republican. Austan Goolsbee was head of Obama's Council of Economic Advisers and is now a professor in Chicago's prestigious Booth School of Business at The University of Chicago, where Obama taught law. He told me we will find many different types of economies as we travel by rail to California. Read more: The 25 funniest tweets about the VP debate . Some states, like Illinois, with its wide variety of industries, have rebounded strongly from the recession. At 9.1% unemployment, it is above the national average and amongst the worst in the country. But the state's mainstay, Chicago, has bounced back. A diverse economy across services and manufacturing has helped insulate it from the severest bite of the economic chill. As we travel across America, Goolsbee points out that we will see how the rise in commodity prices has benefited other Great Plain states like Iowa, which should benefit the president in this swing state. Then we will head to Colorado, which Goolsbee calls "ground zero" in the White House race because of its mixture of new business and old. This is where the economy is being reborn through new business like health care and technology. Map: Voices from around the world . But more depressingly, out of the window of our train we will see neighborhoods in Nevada built with more optimism than pragmatism, now abandoned to economic fate and foreclosure. More than half the state's homeowners are "underwater," owing more to the banks than their properties are worth. We will end our journey in California. Lively. Maverick. Trendsetting -- and amongst the most diverse states socially and economically. The Golden State's manufacturing and high tech industries will warrant close inspection. This journey is more than just about "the economy, stupid" although that is by far the single biggest concern. Expect issues of birth control, same sex marriage, gun laws and more to be on our menu. And throughout we will return to the comfort of our Amtrak train, to muse on our findings as we cross these United States. When I asked him what he thought of our plan to cross all of these states by rail, Goolsbee said he thought we were crazy. Personally, I can't wait to see all this for myself. | CNN's Richard Quest is traveling across the U.S. for American Quest, which will air from October 29 . He has started in Chicago -- the heart of President Barack Obama country . By starting in Chicago, Quest will understand how the faithful view their man . Quest will travel across the U.S., through five states: Two Swing. Two Democrat. One Republican . | 7ab80e0a45ccef4045f7b21ea4c2e877f75aa343 |
By . Leesa Smith . The children of an Australian drug mule, jailed last week in Cambodia for trying to smuggle heroin out of the country, have written her heartwrenching letters, telling her how much they miss her. The touching notes, in the children's own handwriting, were delivered to Yoshe Ann Taylor in her cell at Phnom Penh’s Police Judiciary this week as she began her 23-year sentence. The emotive words express the children’s desperate wish to see their mother again, The Courier Mail reported. 'I miss you very much and hope to see you soon … Have you been OK? Happy birthday for before,' one of the letters said. Scroll down for video . Serving 23 years in a Cambodian jail, Yoshe Ann Taylor received letters from her children this week which expressed their longing to see their mother 'soon' She planned to be away for a week - but never came home. 'I miss you very much and hope to see you soon … have you been OK? Happy birthday for before' From a letter sent to Taylor by one of her children . Taylor, 42, who had taught at schools in Esk and Fernvale, was arrested at Phnom Penh International Airport in September as she prepared to board a plane. Officials found 2.2kg of heroin stitched into the spine of the woman’s backpack, which she claimed she did not know was there. More... Harre looks at decriminalising cannabis . La. cops seize 1,852 silver bars from drug suspect . Taylor, who had been living in Esk, in south east Queensland, and homeschooling her children, told authorities she had travelled overseas to start an Australian arm of an art company based in Cambodia. Taylor’s ex-partner said she had run up debts and had experimented with drugs in the past, but he believed she had been duped into being a drug mule. 'She is incredibly naive,' he said. Yoshe Ann Taylor (right) pictured with a French inmate, was arrested with more then 2kg of heroin sewed into her backpack at Phnom Penh International Airport in September . Taylor was arrested with a 19-year-old Frenchwoman, Charlene Savarino, after police also found heroin in her luggage. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced Taylor to 23 years and Savarino to 25 years in prison on May 28, and ordered both to pay $US12,500 ($A13,500) in fines. A Nigerian accomplice, 23-year-old Precious Chneme Nwoko, was subsequently arrested in Phnom Penh and sentenced to 27 years in jail. Two other Nigerian men, who remain at large, were sentenced in their absence to 27 years in jail each for their involvement in the case. | Letters sent by children of teacher Yoshe Ann Taylor who was jailed for 23 years for drug smuggling in Cambodia . Taylor, 42, from Queensland, stopped in Phnom Penh with heroin in her bag . Her daughter, 11, and son, 6, have not seen her since September when she left them with her an ex-partner in the school holidays . The children’s letters, written days ago, were delivered to their mother in her jail cell this week . | 61dca3346d3b0f32f5a840186aa9df31b5203592 |
By . Bianca London . Move over Harrods, there's a new luxury shopping centre in town and Chanel kaiser Karl Lagerfeld is at the helm. The Chanel creative director today transformed his catwalk into a high-end supermarket all in the name of fashion at his AW14 show in Paris. Cara Delevingne, a favourite of the French fashion house, was joined by Chanel newcomer and fashion's new darling (and little sister of Kim Kardashian) Kendall Jenner on the catwalk. Scroll down for video . It's the Chanel supermarket sweep! Karl Lagerfeld (R) and model Cara Delevingne close the Chanel show in Paris today . Who needs Harrods? A far cry from our local Tesco, Karl's catwalk was transformed into a luxury supermarket . Just picking up some essentials! The models wore practical but stylish trainers at the show today as they browsed the luxury goods on offer . Guess who? Kendall Jenner makes her Chanel debut on the catwalk today at the supermarket-themed show . Supermarket chic: Models draped in the fashion house's luxury tweed coats made their way around the supermarket . Famous face: Sam Rollinson starred in the show in Paris today, which was watched by the likes of Rihanna . Karl, well known for his theatrical shows - which have previously featured giant icebergs and even an underwater kingdom - transformed the French capital's Grand Palais into the world's chicest and most luxurious grocery store. Shopping 'baskets' were adorned with the label's famous chains, as seen on their luxury handbags, and models pushed trollies around the 'supermarket' as they perused the Chanel-branded food - such as haute Ketchup, eau de Chanel and Jambon Cambon, named after the location of Chanel's original store. The help: A model rocking Karl's most iconic pink tweet suit (complete with the pearls that Coco herself put on the map) was accompanied by a male assistant . Check it out! Oversized sunglasses and fingerless gloves were the order of the day as models headed to the 'check out' The world is his stage: Karl Lagerfeld loves putting on a huge show and today transformed the Grand Palais into a high-end supermarket . Nice touch! Karl even had signs installed directing the models to the latest offers . Hitting the deli: The 'supermarket' was packed with smoked salmon, caviar, pate and lemons . Picking up dinner: Tracksuit clad models browsed the foodie displays and picked up a few essentials on their way round the show . Browsing: Models perused the Chanel-branded food - such as haute Ketchup, eau de Chanel and Jambon Cambon, named after the location of Chanel's original store . Afternoon shop: The models scooped up Chanel-themed goodies as they made their way around the supermarket aisles - all while modelling the new collection . Cara mia! Cara Delevingne clowns around as she closes the show with close friend Karl . Pretty in pink: Cara showcases the French label's latest offering and it's the season to think pink . Sports luxe: Trainers were given a stylish update on Karl's catwalk and came knee-length . Most stylist basket ever? Karl revamped the shopping baskets with his famed handbag chains . Kendall, who has no doubt made Kris Jenner proud with her fashion week debut, posted a picture of Chanel's spaghettini on Instagram with the caption: 'Lifetime supply please? #Chanel.' The models were treated to a quirky hairstyle courtesy of supremo Sam McKnight who created tweed dreadlocks for the models' hair to match their outfits. Clothes came in the form of classic cocoon tweeds, which Karl does so well, bubblegum pink cut-out matchy two-pieces, slouchy leggings and floral print trainers, often knee length. Chanel's catwalk proved that the sports luxe trend shows no sign of abating and we're adamant that Rihanna and Rita Ora will be rocking those high trainers in no time. Perfect attire for your next trip to Sainsburys, right? Look what I found on aisle four! Joan Smalls pushes best pals Cara Delevingne and Rihanna around in a trolly after the show . Rise of the midi: The on-trend midi made an appearance at Karl's show - and models wore his favourite cut-away gloves . Recognise me? Stella Tennant starred in the show and carried one of the coveted shopping baskets . Pastel palette: The pastel trend looks set to carry through to AW14 if Karl's new offering is anything to go by . Fashion royalty: Anna Wintour was on the front row alongside supermodel Joan Smalls, who took a break from the catwalk to watch the show instead . | Stella Tennant and Sam Rollinson also walked in hotly anticipated show . Watched by Michelle Rodriguez, Rihanna and Clemence Poesy . Tweeds came injected with fluro pinks and models even had matching dreadlocks . Wave goodbye to heels, trainers were the only shoes on Karl's catwalk . | 3a91d93369dd41e313ca7c4e925afe0274577ee3 |
By . Jason Groves . PUBLISHED: . 18:53 EST, 8 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:53 EST, 8 May 2013 . David Cameron was accused of ‘running scared’ on gay marriage after the controversial legislation was left out of the Queen’s Speech. Downing Street insisted that the law – which has already cleared the Commons – would continue its passage through the Lords in the new session of Parliament. But, in apparent recognition of its unpopularity with many traditional Tory voters – there was no mention of it in yesterday’s speech setting out the Government’s legislative programme for the year. In apparent recognition of its unpopularity with many traditional Tory voters ¿ there was no mention of it in yesterday¿s speech setting out the Government¿s legislative programme . The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was rejected by more than half of his MPs in a Commons vote in February and was blamed by some for an exodus of traditional Tory supporters to the UK Independence Party in last week’s council elections. Labour MP Stephen Pound said the legislation was becoming ‘the Bill that dare not speak its name’. He added: ‘The speech has UKIP’s footprints all over it.’ Downing Street said there was no need for legislation to be in the speech because it was a ‘carry-over’ measure introduced midway through the last session. But other carried-over legislation, such as the Energy Bill, was included in the speech, as were populist measures that do not need legislation at all. The measure was one of a number of controversial issues left out of the Queen's Speech. Ministers have also abandoned a pre-election pledge to allow voters to 'recall' MPs found guilty of serious wrongdoing . Andrea Minichiello Williams, chief executive of the group Christian Concern, which opposes gay marriage, said the Prime Minister was ‘running scared’ on the issue. She added: ‘The local elections last week were disastrous for the Conservatives in large part due to the divisive nature of this policy. The voices calling for him to drop it are increasing in number and in volume, both inside and outside of his party. ‘Perhaps the Prime Minister thinks that if he keeps quiet on the issue it will slip through unnoticed. 'But it cannot go unnoticed that there is now absolutely no mandate for this Bill.’ The measure was one of a number of controversial issues left out of the Queen’s Speech. Ministers have also abandoned a pre-election pledge to allow voters to ‘recall’ MPs found guilty of serious wrongdoing. Legislation to guarantee lavish aid spending, a crackdown on the lobbying industry and plans to allow the public to sack errant MPs were among a raft of pledges quietly dropped as the Government tried to focus on core messages such as the economy and immigration. | Downing Street insists that law will continue its passage through Lords . The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was rejected by more than half of Prime Minister's MPs in February . | 4352a2079c1961f1c03da3057a939c8844cb92e2 |
Amir Khan is thinking globally rather than nationally after beating Devon Alexander in Las Vegas. There was no middleweight world title on offer for the Bolton man but his slick points win means he can consider himself a strong contender to face unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather in 2015. Khan has long sought the fight but now, after impressing in Vegas, can offer a genuine case for the match being made. If he cannot meet Mayweather he is eyeing former stablemate Manny Pacquiao. Amir Khan is aiming high for his next bout after dominating Devon Alexander in Las Vegas . Khan on his way to a unanimous points decision against Alexander at the MGM Grand Garden Arena . The Briton celebrates his victory and later made his desire to take on Floyd Mayweather Jr clear . Either of those would mean there will be no domestic grudge match with IBF champion Kell Brook next, but Khan wants to cash in while his stock is high. 'If Mayweather doesn't happen, Manny Pacquiao is a great name,' he told BBC Radio Five Live. 'We trained together, there's a great storyline there. With Kell Brook, that fight will always be there but at the moment I want to catch the right guys because how long are they going to be in boxing for? They're at the top of their game.' Khan wants Floyd Mayweather Jr as his next opponent but failing that he'd take on Manny Pacquiao . Marcos Maidana (right) was the 46th and 47th victim in Mayweather's so far unbeaten career . Khan is targeting a May 2 date with Mayweather, who has not lost in 47 fights. 'This puts me in a great position to fight the biggest names of boxing; Mayweather, Pacquiao. That's where I belong and today (Alexander) was a great statement,' he added. 'Everybody now wants that fight (against Mayweather). 'The public demand, Golden Boy (Khan's promoters) were saying they want that fight with Mayweather. It's up to him, the ball is in his court. 'It's the fight the fans want, why don't we get it done now? I'm only getting better, I am hitting my peak. I can't wait to show the world what I have.' Khan already did that in the early hours of Sunday. Mayweather is trying to make a long-awaited fight happen with Manny Pacquiao . Should Khan not be able to make the Mayweather bout happen, he wants to take on Pacquiao . He controlled the fight from the start, using his superior speed to stay ahead of Alexander and out-punching his American opponent who could do nothing to change the rhythm as the night went on. Khan's performance was reflected in a comfortable win, with the fight scored 119-109, 118-110, 120-108 - the 30th win of his professional career. The match-up had been billed as a 50/50 contest, but Khan had other ideas as he controlled the flow of the fight and knocked Alexander off his game. Kell Brook has said Khan should be taking him on in an all-Britain grudge match . Khan says Brook will always be there but there is a limited time frame on Mayweather and Pacquiao . Wearing his specially-designed shorts encrusted with 24-carat gold, Khan ruled the ring as he was able to have the final word in almost every round. Alexander could not make his jabs count, with Khan's carefully-timed flurries making much the bigger impact. Khan was quick and hard with his punches, and Alexander was put on the defensive with his frustration - and that of his corner - clear as the rounds went by. It was not until the eighth that Alexander landed anything to bring him encouragement, but Khan immediately responded with a big counter-punch. Khan with Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya after victory early on Sunday . Alexander, desperate for any momentum, attacked in the 10th but Khan responded with a series of huge blows and Alexander looked resigned to defeat well before the end. 'We worked very hard for this fight,' Khan said. 'I knew I had to make a statement at the 147lbs division against a tough guy in Devon. I think it was one of my best performances because I wasn't rushing, I was on my feet, up against a very good fighter. I knew not to make any mistakes.' | Amir Khan wants to fight unbeaten champion Floyd Mayweather Jr next . If that can't happen, he aims to meet former stablemate Manny Pacquiao . Khan dominated Devon Alexander early on Sunday in Las Vegas . The was fight scored 119-109, 118-110, 120-108 in Khan's favour . Fellow Briton Kell Brook believes he should be the next to face Khan . | 73265b308f3b34bc796ea3bbab0636bfe7c94305 |
By . Rob Draper . Follow @@draper_rob . David Moyes is planning a world tour of football to refresh himself if the right job doesn’t come up in the next few months. The former Manchester United manager, sacked after just ten months at United, has already had two offers from Premier League clubs and three from abroad – but is looking to return to a Champions League club. Moyes is enthusiastic about the prospect of managing abroad if a good opportunity arises – but if not, he will use the time to broaden his horizons and travel to prepare himself for his next job. Planning ahead: David Moyes, pictured here watching England's friendly against Ecuador in Miami, is keen to travel the world to learn more about football . Dejected: Manchester United failed to find their best form during Moyes' time at the helm . Nightmare: Moyes endured a disastrous time in charge at Old Trafford before being sacked in April . ‘I’m getting ready to work again,’ said Moyes. ‘I don’t know how I’ll be in a few weeks time when pre season starts. It’ll be the first time since I was 16 that I’m not starting a pre-season. But if a job doesn’t crop up which suits me, I’ll travel. ‘So many players come out of South America, I’d like to go and watch what they do. There’s more players from Brazil playing overseas than any other country and more in the Champions League than any nationality. So, there is a continual conveyer belt of them. Is it their development? Is the raw talent just better? And at the top level, any team you work for is going to have plenty of South Americans, so it would be good to understand the culture they’re from. ‘There’s got to be something to learn from youth development in South America, because if you get good young players you can build a club. You want to see where the good young players come from, their coaching and meet people involved in it - and that might help you sign them in the future. ‘I’d also like to go and look at the J-League. Places like Japan and Korea have emerging leagues and are producing more players and I’d like to see what they’re doing in that part of the world. They’re beginning to show signs of improving in talent development in a big way, as are the States. I’d just like to have a look around.’ Wanted man: Moyes has already received five job offers since leaving Old Trafford . Talent factory: Moyes wants to learn more about South American football and the production of superstars like Brazil's Neymar (left) Moyes, who was in Miami on holiday last week and took in England’s friendly match against Ecuador, says that he hopes his dismissal from Manchester United won’t stop major clubs from looking at British coaches again – and that he was even pleased by Brendan Rodgers’ success last season with Liverpool, because it demonstrated that home-grown coaches can thrive. ‘The route through to the top for a British manager is a long process and maybe having a job abroad at some of the clubs and getting recognized for your work there, might be the way in the future,’ said Moyes. ‘But I hope I won’t be the last one to be given a chance to manage on of the top ones. ‘Brendan has come in and with the time he’s been given has been able to turn round Liverpool and I think it’s really important for British mangers that he’s done that. 'I’ve spent most of my career in rivalry with Liverpool but part of me was glad, because Brendan was given the opportunity to go in there and change things around and because of that Liverpool have got their strategy in place and a good future.’ Role model: Moyes has been impressed with the work of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool . | Moyes was sacked as Manchester United manager in April . The Scot spent less than a season at Old Trafford before being shown the exit door . Moyes has received five job offers since leaving United . He will look to travel and learn more about football if the right job doesn't come up soon . | 025b1b8f647b1f7ca70aa79d5d507d89388dc30c |
When a young Championship manager proclaimed in 2011 that his greatest influence and inspiration in life was himself, eyebrows were raised. As Brendan Rodgers' time in the limelight increased, the now-Liverpool manager's proverbs have become part of Premier League life. But more than a few of these have come back to haunt him. Here, Sportsmail gives you Rodgers' Anfield career in quotes... Brendan Rodgers' quotes and proverbs have become legendary, but not always for the right reasons . 2012-13 . 'It's not just about training players, it's about educating players. You train dogs.' 'I will leave no stone unturned in my quest - and that quest will be relentless.' 'That's the problem with being a manager - it's like trying to build an aircraft while it is flying.' 'It (the documentary Being Liverpool) was something I didn't watch, and thankfully it's over.' 'I think there are three players who will let us down this year - the cause, the fight, everything - and I have written them down already in these three envelopes. Make sure you are not in one of the envelopes.' Rodgers admitted that he never watched the documentary Being Liverpool, and didn't enjoy being in it . 'I use a quote with the players, "Per aspera as astra", which is Latin for "Through adversity to the stars".' On Luis Suarez: 'He's a good guy.' He also said: 'He's so clever.' 'I've always said that you can live without water for many days, but you can't live for a second without hope.' 'I always say a squad is like a good meal. I'm not a great cook, but a good meal takes a wee bit of time. But also, to offer a good meal you need good ingredients.' 'I believe a young man will run through a barbed-wire fence for you. An older player looks for a hole in the fence.' Rodgers described Luis Suarez as really clever and a good guy, some footbalelrs may disagree . 'I've always worked along the statistic, that if you can dominate the game with the ball you have a 79 per cent chance of winning a game of football.' 'When we have the football everybody's a player. The difference with us is that when we have the ball we play with 11 men, other teams play with 10 and a goalkeeper.' 2013-14 . On his speech about envelopes: 'There never were any names.' 'When we lost at Stoke last season I got home on Boxing Day night and family and guests were all around the house. I went straight upstairs to my room and didn't come out.' Rodgers said that Tottenham should be challenging for the title considering the money they spent in 2013 . 'Look at Tottenham. If you spend more than £100million, you expect to be challenging for the league.' (Liverpool spent £113m in the summer of 2014) 2014-15 . 'They don't have to sell. (Southampton) have a choice. Maybe Southampton's objectives have changed. They were looking to be a Champions League club, I believe. 'It's the nature of it. The players will want to compete at the highest level they possibly can.' 'Lots of players are really impressed by what we are doing as a club and really excited about coming to Liverpool.' 'The last 18 months we have been on a magic carpet ride of development but we still have a lot of growth to make. 'We obviously lost a world-class player but our challenge now is to progress. It will be slow but steady and that will always be the best way to get to where we want to.' Liverpool's boss also suggested that Southampton perhaps didn't have much ambition for the current season . VIDEO Rodgers shoulders blame for defeat . | Liverpool are currently 12th in the Barclays Premier League . Liverpool were beaten 3-1 by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday . Brendan Rodgers side have lost their last four games in all competitions . Sportsmail gives you the manager's best quotes from his time at the club . | bf75497fb2cdb769fc8b4ce2505174221b1438e7 |
By . Liz Thomas . PUBLISHED: . 06:28 EST, 6 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 18:32 EST, 6 May 2012 . One of the favourites to win The Voice has become the victim of racist internet trolls. The BBC called in police to investigate after Ruth Brown, 20, received a . deluge of vile remarks on Twitter targeting her skin colour, appearance . and weight. The singer said she sobbed when she read the comments. Some users even . made derogatory remarks about her father, Lloyd, who died of stomach . cancer days before she auditioned for the show. Ruth Brown singing on BBC programme the Voice, on Saturday April 28. She is fighting against online bullying . But after the BBC reported the comments to the Metropolitan Police, Miss Brown decided to fight back. She has now spoken out about the growing problem of online bullying and . racism. ‘Not only have I endured jibes of a racist nature but sick . comments about my weight,’ she said in an interview yesterday. ‘Things have been said about my dad, too. At first, I was upset and cried my heart out. But I want to speak out because I hope it will encourage other people to fight back against bullies.’ She also defiantly reposted some of the hateful remarks on her own . account to bring attention to the trolls, but the BBC has since asked . her to take them down. They have been recorded as evidence. Defiant: Ruth said at first, she cried her heart out, but then she decided to speak out about it, 'to encourage other people to fight out against the bullies' Some are from serial trolls, who seem to enjoy targeting horrific comments at those in the public eye. One Twitter user, called Jay Smith, wrote: ‘u ugly ******g black . .....b****,’ while another, Rizwan Ali, posted: ‘u are a fat ugly . ******. Your dad must think what monster did I give birth to haha.’ Other trolls joined in, branding her ‘fat’ and ‘ugly’. But scores of . other social networking users offered the singer their support and . condemned the abuse. Popular: Ruth (pictured right) already has a huge fan base on Twitter, who have expressed their concern and offered support after reading the vile and racist remarks . Ruth (right), who is being coached by world-famous Welsh singer Sir Tom Jones, is one of the bookies' favourites to win the show . Writing on her Twitter account, Miss Brown said: ‘I am not gonna lie . those comments did hurt but I’m getting my dream and have amazing . support thank you all.’ The BBC has also provided the aspiring star with a counsellor. Miss . Brown, whose voice has been compared to Aretha Franklin’s, is mentored . by Sir Tom Jones. She added: ‘I do think it is wrong that people can bully others while . hiding behind their computer screens. 'I am glad the police are involved . but for other people who perhaps do not have such strong support . networks, the effects will be much more severe and traumatic.’ Ruth Brown, from The Voice, thanks supporters after receiving some hurtful messages on Twitter . Internet trolls believe that by hiding behind anonymity they can write . whatever they want. But their internet service providers can easily . access their details, which can then be passed on to police as part of a . criminal investigation. Miss Brown is one of the favourites to win the competition. On last . weekend’s show she sailed through to the next round with her powerful . rendition of Oleta Adams’s Get Here (If You Can). Her case comes only two months after a student was jailed for posting . offensive comments on Twitter about the collapse of Bolton Wanderers . footballer Fabrice Muamba in the middle of a match. Ruth Brown (pictured), from the game show The Voice speaks out about bullying on Twitter . Liam Stacey was arrested after other Twitter users – including the . former England striker Stan Collymore – reported his tweets to police. The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to the Racially Aggravated s4A of the . Public Order Act 1986 and was sentenced to 56 days in prison. He posted his comments shortly after Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest . during his team’s FA Cup quarter-final tie against Tottenham Hotspur. Stacey later said he had been drunk and bitterly regretted his actions. And police in North Wales made a number of arrests last month after . Twitter users identified and insulted a teenager who was raped by . Sheffield United and Wales football player Ched Evans. | Ruth Brown, 20, targeting for her skin colour, appearance . and weight on Twitter . Posts recorded as evidence by police who will trace those responsible for the sickening abuse . Scores of . other social networking users have offered Ruth support and condemned the posts . | a6766a401ccf41958f732be77b2fab4b98482af4 |
By . Nazia Parveen . PUBLISHED: . 05:58 EST, 13 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 19:20 EST, 13 August 2012 . It was meant to give the public a taste of life in wartime Britain. But onlookers were left horrified after a Second World War festival saw volunteers take to the streets in Nazi uniforms with swastikas flying from their cars. One open-top vehicle fitted with an SS registration plate was driven by a grinning man wearing a senior SS uniform flanked by a woman with a machine gun. 'Offensive': A row has erupted after war enthusiasts took to the streets in Nazi uniforms and flying swastikas from their cars, pictured . Jewish leaders and anti-fascism campaigners yesterday attacked the ‘disturbing’ event. The ‘Yanks’ festival, which attracts . up to 5,000 visitors each year, sees hundreds of volunteers dress up in . traditional military uniforms to re-enact life in Uppermill, . Saddleworth, near Oldham, during the 1940s. The weekend, which also included swing . dance lessons and a vintage fun fair, was inspired by the Richard Gere . movie Yanks, which was filmed in the town in the late 1970s. Mark Gardner, from the Community . Security Trust, which campaigns against anti-Semitic attacks, said: . ‘Most decent people - not only Jews – will be disturbed by the sight of . people walking the streets in Nazi uniform and displaying swastikas. It’s sick.’ Angry: Protesters compared it to a Nazi rally, shown here as German soldiers occupied the Sudetenland in October 1938 . John Brooks, who lives in the mill . town, added: ‘The film Yanks was about the relationship between the . local community and the US forces stationed here. ‘As such you might expect to see . festival goers dressed as US soldiers, locals in 1940s civvies and a few . British service personnel on leave. ‘There is no place for German . uniforms. I cannot understand why anyone would want to wear a German . uniform. I do not want to see it in my town. The organisers must try . harder to stop this affront to the millions who died at the hands of the . Nazis.’ Mike Killian, from campaign group . Unite Against Fascism, called for the public to boycott the event. ‘It’s . really horrific – I’m disgusted,’ he added. ‘It’s intolerable that . genuine attempts to recreate history through re-enactment are undermined . by this. People should be prepared to protest.’ Parade: Hundreds of people wore clothing and drove vehicles from the 1940s at the event near Manchester . But Bury Councillor Michelle Wiseman . said that although it was illegal in Germany and France to display . Nazi insignia, no such law exists in Britain. ‘It’s difficult because when you start . banning things where do you draw the line?’ she added. ‘I never . understand why people would want to dress up like this. ‘Unfortunately until it’s banned nothing can be done.’ The Northern Military Vehicle and . Vintage Club, which organised the event, said that anyone wearing SS . uniforms or insignia would be asked to leave or remove the offending . items. | The incident happened at the Yanks festival in Uppermill near Manchester . War enthusiasts donned Nazi uniforms and drove through in cars with Nazi flags attached . Jewish and anti-fascism groups brand it offensive . | 6442b98c9c4218c7846ce840038709bfdced0c11 |
Editor's note: Jared L. Cohon is president of Carnegie Mellon University. Jared Cohon says Pittsburgh shows the power of education and innovation to revive an economy in crisis. (CNN) -- This week the international community is converging on my chosen hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as heads of state gather for the G20 summit. Pittsburgh may seem like an unlikely choice for such a high-profile event, but a closer look shows why this city personifies the transformative power of education and research, and how the practical application of innovation can drive growth and improvement in quality of life the world over. Pittsburgh is a city that was largely written off as a rusted industrial center. But as heads of state from around the world tour the city this week, they will see running trails replacing former industrial railways and they will find green hotels and LEED-certified buildings rising where abandoned steel mills once stood. These changes are creating jobs, bringing new commerce and making Pittsburgh the most livable city in the United States, according to the Economist magazine. President Obama has praised our city as a "bold example" of the new green economy. A significant part of Pittsburgh's renaissance can be attributed to its two major research universities: Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh. Having one such institution is an advantage in today's global economy; having two (very close to each other) puts Pittsburgh in a very small group of American cities. The shape of today's research university, with its heavy dependence on federally sponsored research, can be traced to World War II and its immediate aftermath, with a major boost a decade later when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik. But what began as a response to national security threats has turned into the engine of America's -- and the world's -- prosperity. As my colleague, the Dean of Carnegie Mellon's College of Engineering, Pradeep Khosla has written, the industries that have fueled economic growth have come out of the American research university enterprise. Biotechnology, nanotechnology, digital communications, and computers and software that have improved our quality of life and economic standing all have their origins in research universities. The companies that apply this research create jobs and fuel economic growth and wealth generation in ways that the world has never before experienced. According to one report prepared for the White House, 50 percent of the growth in the American economy in the last 40 years has been due to investments in research and development. Obviously, the private sector is a major driver of R&D, but federally funded research at universities throughout the United States plays a key role. The presence of a major research university does not, by itself, guarantee economic progress beyond the direct jobs that the university creates. Realizing the full potential of a university depends on effectively tapping into the brilliance and ingenuity of its faculty and students and the innovations they create. Technology commercialization -- shaping a bright idea into a commercially successful product -- has been described as a "contact sport". It requires an innovative and entrepreneurial campus culture and an ecosystem surrounding it that supports technology-based economic development with facilities, money and people who know how to take ideas to the market. More than a decade ago, Carnegie Mellon embraced Pittsburgh's economic development as one of its institutional strategic priorities. We changed our technology transfer policies to make it easier and faster for our faculty and alumni to create local companies based on our technology. We joined forces with the University of Pittsburgh and partnered with state and local government and industry to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem on which we all rely. Today, there are more than 200 Pittsburgh companies commercializing Carnegie Mellon technology. Our economic development efforts have also included company attraction. With state and local government support, we built a building on campus for global technology companies, which see value in being so close to our faculty and students. There are now hundreds of new jobs in that building, created by Intel, Google and Apple. Disney set up their first research lab here, but they're across the street -- the new building is full. The success of the American research university has been, and continues to be, studied by many developing and developed countries that want to advance technology, secure a stronger position for themselves in global markets and raise the standard of living for their citizens. It is clear that the U.S. model must be replicated in many countries in order for the world to be a better place. During the last decade, in pursuit of another of our strategic priorities, Carnegie Mellon has partnered with several countries, including Qatar, Portugal, Greece, Australia and Japan, among others, to establish high-caliber education and research programs. Countries that can successfully replicate the U.S. research university enterprise will secure for themselves a strong position for the future, for they will be the source of the next wave of economic expansion in the world. We are living in one of the most intellectually exciting eras in history. From medicine to energy, to robotics and computing, many fields of science are experiencing a revolution that will change our understanding of what is possible. These revolutions are occurring on the campuses and laboratories of research universities every day around the world. As world leaders arrive here in Pittsburgh, they must keep in mind the importance of research and education, historically and in addressing today's most challenging issues. As they contemplate stimulus plans and regulation of the financial industry, and enjoy Pittsburgh's beauty and impressive progress, they must also resolve to sustain and, in most countries, grow their systems of higher education, including and especially their research universities. Research universities are at the heart of Pittsburgh's transformation, and they are a key to our collective future. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Jared L. Cohon. | Jared Cohon: Pittsburgh economy has been reinvented through innovation . He says universities have played a key role in economic revival . He says G-20 meeting focuses attention on role of universities . Cohon: Nations must focus on key role of education and research . | d113c4683959beecd4bcad53c04d9c62317085ed |
(CNN) -- The family of a woman who died last year while in police custody at Phoenix, Arizona's, Sky Harbor International Airport filed an $8 million claim Wednesday against the city of Phoenix and its police department, the first step in filing a wrongful death suit. Carol Gotbaum, shown in an undated family photo, died accidentally, a medical examiner said. Carol Gotbaum, a 45-year-old mother of three from New York traveling to Tucson, Arizona, to enter an alcohol rehabilitation center, was taken into custody by Phoenix police on September 28 after she missed her connecting flight and flew into a rage. She was left alone in a holding cell at the airport and subsequently died, accidentally strangling herself while trying to escape her handcuffs. The claim accuses the Police Department of using "excessive and unreasonable force" on Gotbaum and failing to follow its own procedures in handling people who are obviously disturbed. "Good people here made lethal, unreasonable mistakes, with catastrophic results for Carol, her three small children and for her husband," the claim says. Gotbaum was treated "as if she was a dangerous criminal, rather than as a sick, intoxicated and vulnerable person she was," it says. "She had no weapon and never threatened anyone." City attorneys responded to the claim, saying that police officers acted properly and responsibly in restraining Gotbaum. "The Gotbaum family has publicly admitted, not only that Carol hid her medical and mental condition, but that the officers responded to Carol exactly the way her husband knew they would respond because they did not have critical information known only to the Gotbaum family," city attorneys representing the Police Department wrote. Gotbaum, the stepdaughter-in-law of New York public advocate Betsy Gotbaum, became agitated after missing her flight when gate agents were unable to seat her on a subsequent flight. Airport surveillance video shows Gotbaum's arrest, with police officers struggling to handcuff her. Police reports say she was "uncooperative" and resisted arrest, screaming during their attempts to escort her out of the airport terminal. She was accused of disorderly conduct and placed in a holding cell at the airport, where she continued to scream for several minutes after police left the room. Shortly after she stopped screaming, an officer found her unconscious, and rescuers were unable to resuscitate her. The Maricopa County medical examiner ruled that her death was an accidental hanging. E-mail to a friend . | Police took Carol Gotbaum into custody after she missed a flight, flew into a rage . Accused of disorderly conduct, she was put in an airport holding cell, where she died . Claim says police used excessive, unreasonable force, disregarded own procedures . City says police officers acted properly and responsibly in restraining Gotbaum . | f777e7a5549b870b123363351d6b36d1362c68b3 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 04:05 EST, 3 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:56 EST, 3 September 2013 . A teacher has died after being crushed against her car as she loaded it with shopping in a supermarket car park. Mother-of-four Tracey Askham became trapped by her Mini Cooper when it was hit by a Suzuki Vitara. The 47-year-old was taken to Leeds General Infirmary following the accident outside Morrisons in the village of Idle, near Bradford, West Yorkshire, but died a week later. Death: Tracey Askham, 47, died in hospital after being crushed against her car while loading her shopping . Accident: Tracey Askham, 47, became trapped behind her Mini Cooper when it was hit by a Suzuki Vitara as she was loading her shopping at a Morrisons store (pictured) in the Idle area of Bradford, West Yorkshire . A statement published on the website . of Immanuel College, in Thackley, said: ‘It is with great sadness that . we have learnt of the death of Tracey Askham, a much loved and respected . member of our Immanuel family. ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.’ Staff . and pupils also laid flowers and tributes to an ‘inspirational’ and . ‘brilliant’ teacher outside the Church of England secondary school, . where she had worked since 2001. One wrote: ‘Mrs Askham was a wonderful, . loyal woman. She would do anything in the world to make every single . student in school become successful and achieve their goal in life. She’d do anything to help others.’ Another tribute read: ‘You were a brilliant teacher. You will be sadly missed by everyone.’ A . further card said Mrs Askham, who had two grandchildren, was ‘amazing . and an inspiration’, while another pupil described her as ‘the best . teacher ever’. Tributes: Flowers at Immanuel College in Bradford for Mrs Askham, who died after being crushed by a car . Well liked: Messages from pupils described Mrs Askham as an inspirational, caring and passionate teacher . Others . recalled how a determined Mrs Askham ran the city’s half marathon in . memory of a friend and former pupil who died of a heart condition aged . 21 – completing the challenge despite breaking both of her elbows during . training. Facebook was also . flooded with tributes to the teacher, with one, by Katie Broadley, . saying she was a ‘beautiful woman inside and out’. Lucy-Ann . Lowde said: ‘Just been to Immanuel to lay some flowers. In absolute awe . of the beauty. What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady. ‘Reading the messages really shows what an amazing and inspirational woman Tracey Askham was!’ Jill . Whitfield wrote: ‘Just been looking at all the tributes to Tracey . Askham. Makes you feel humbled… what a beautiful, well thought of lady . she was.’ West Yorkshire Police said inquiries were continuing into the accident, which occurred shortly after 7pm on August 21. Special teacher: One moving tribute left at Immanuel College for Mrs Askham said: 'Sleep tight, special lady' Memories: A pupil's drawing of Mrs Askham was pinned to a tree with other floral tributes outside the college . | Tracey Askham, 47, became trapped behind her Mini Cooper in Bradford . Immanuel College teacher was loading her shopping at Morrisons store . Spent week at Leeds General Infirmary after accident at 7pm on August 21 . | 47184e6bb25ad05d79445a0bd65a55add96ce6d2 |
British Muslim extremists are offering teenage girls in the UK money to marry Islamic State militants waging bloody jihad in Syria and Iraq, it has been claimed. Supporters of the terror group are believed to be offering cash incentives to encourage schoolgirls as young as 17 to travel to the group's de facto capital Raqqa and marry fighters. It is understood that ISIS channels money for the would-be jihadis' payment and travel expenses through international money wire systems, enabling the group's UK cell to offer significant sums of cash to disenfranchised teenagers, many of whom are from poverty-stricken backgrounds. The whole grooming process operates using the same techniques of trust-building and reward-offering employed by sexual predators, and is designed to turn the teenage girls into jihadi brides. Grooming: Islamic State supporters are believed to be using British intermediaries to offer cash incentives to encourage schoolgirls as young as 17 to travel to the group's de facto capital Raqqa and marry fighters . 'Terror twins': Zahra (left) and Salma (right) Halane, who have 28 GCSE's between them, were groomed online and flew to join ISIS. The 16-year-olds ran away from their Manchester home on 26 June . Jihadi bride: Another Briton who left Britain to join ISIS is Lewisham-born Khadijah Dare (left). Here she is pictured alongside her Swedish terrorist husband Abu Bakr. Their marriage was arranged by his mother . News of ISIS' secret teenage terror trade was revealed in The Times today, following a three month investigation by the newspaper in which reporters posed as two schoolgirls. It exposes how vulnerable young British Muslims are to ISIS' chilling network or groomers - and reveals that police are taking seriously the idea that the terror group has already provided money and travel assistance to children under the age of 16. Posing as Aisha, a 17-year-old girl from East London, the reporters - who have not been named for their own safety - were swamped with approaches from ISIS sympathisers, and were eventually put in touch with an alleged Syria-based extremist of Lebanese origin named Abu Abbas al-Lubnani. Having built something of a rapport with the jihadi - including getting him to prove his authenticity by asking him to send photos taken in Raqqa with a banner reading 'Aisha' - al-Lubnani then offered to introduce 'Aisha' to a British intermediary, who would then pay for her to travel to the Islamic State. A surveillance operation followed, in which investigators identified a white British Muslim convert as the prime candidate for being the UK-based jihadi who offered to pay for two girls to travel to Syria. The man reportedly also offered intensive coaching on how the girls could avoid drawing attention to themselves before and during their journey to the Middle East. Terror: Aqsa Mahmood was reported missing by her Scottish parents a year ago before surfacing in Syria in February. She is now a prominent member of ISIS' all-female police force in de facto capital Raqqa . Shocking: Earlier this year Aqsa Mahmood posted this photograph of her holding the severed head of a Syrian man executed for criminal acts in Syria. She was standing alongside young children at the time . Yusra Hussien, 15, from Bristol, left home in September but instead of going to class went to Heathrow where she caught a flight to Turkey and went on to Syria . Police in Britain have been urging families to contact them if they believe their loved-ones are trying to leave for Syria so they can be stopped. Detectives say young women are being manipulated online with glamorous descriptions of life in Syria with ISIS, only to suffer a miserable existence when they arrive. Yusra Hussien, 15, from Bristol, left home in September but instead of going to class went to Heathrow where she caught a flight to Turkey. She boarded a plane with a 17-year-old British girl Samya Dirie, who she met online and the two are now believed to be in Syria, and may have married jihadist fighters. Police failed to stop schoolgirl Miss Dirie despite being told she had run away with her passport. Three hours after her panicked parents alerted officers that she was missing, she was allowed to fly from Heathrow to Turkey. Her exit may have prompted the urgent response in the latest Heathrow case. In June 'terror twins' Zahra and Salma Halane, both 16, of Chorlton, Manchester, are thought to have married in the war-torn nation since disappearing overnight from their home. Both have insisted that Allah had 'chosen' for them to be in Syria. The pair have 28 GCSEs between them and were planning to become doctors, having just finished their first year of sixth-form college, but were said to have been radicalised over the internet. Their father Ibrahim and mother Khadra travelled to the region to try to bring them home, but without success. The couple have 10 children and their 21-year-old son Ahmed is said to be fighting with Al Shabaab, a militant group in Somalia. Bodies of Islamic State militants killed during fighting in Koban, Iraq were photographed this morning . Details of the investigation came after it was revealed that police stopped a plane at Heathrow just seconds before it was due to take off because a 15-year-old girl on board was planning to fly to Turkey before continuing her journey on to join ISIS militants in Syria. The young girl had secretly saved up to buy a ticket from London to Istanbul and planned to continue her journey through Turkey and over the border into Syria. It appears it was treated as a missing person's inquiry and she was not arrested. Her family, who had no idea she harboured extremist views, reported her missing and Scotland Yard tracked her down to a passenger jet about to leave Britain. After rushing to Heathrow, officers realised the girl's plane was already taxiing along the runway, so the pilot was ordered to stop and the girl taken home. It later emerged that a second British 15-year-old girl was not spotted on board and was able to continue her journey to join the Islamic State in Syria. A United Nations official says one of the two Austrian girls who fled their middle class homes in Vienna earlier this year to fight in Syria has definitely died in the conflict. The two Viennese girls, Samra Kesinovic, 17, and 15-year-old Sabina Selimovic, whose parents are Bosnian refugees, disappeared in April after saying that they wanted to fight in Syria. They first went to the Turkish capital Ankara by plane, and then on into the southern Turkish region of Adana. After that, their tracks were lost. But they appeared on social networking sites branding Kalashnikov rifles and surrounded by armed men - photos which Austrian police said acted as recruitment posters for young girls. The teens appeared on social networking sites branding Kalashnikov rifles and surrounded by armed men . The two Viennese girls, Samra Kesinovic (left), 16, and 15-year-old Sabina Selimovic (right), whose parents are Bosnian refugees, disappeared in April after saying that they wanted to fight in Syria . David Scharia, a senior Israeli expert of the United Nations Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTED) said: 'We received information just recently about two 15-year-old girls, of Bosnian origin, who left Austria, where they had been living in recent years; and everyone, the families and the intelligence services of the two countries, is looking for them. He added: 'Both were recruited by Islamic State. One was killed in the fighting in Syria, the other has disappeared.' His confirmation comes three months after the Austrian government said it had informed both sets of parents of the girls that one of them might have been killed. | ISIS supporters offer cash incentives to encourage schoolgirls to join them . Use money wires to transfer cash for girls' payment and travel expenses . Employs UK fixer to train girls in how to behave to not arouse suspicion . Uses grooming techniques employed by paedophiles to lure young girls . Police believe under-16s have already been lured to marry fighters in Syria . | e5c62de66cccf9e657e9924ca97a9276cba2595f |
(CNN) -- All four people found dead inside tennis great James Blake's burning mansion had been shot, investigators said Thursday. Blake was not at the Florida home at the time of the blaze Wednesday and was leasing out the property, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Col. Donna Lusczynski told reporters. The medical examiner is working to determine the cause of death for two adults and two teenagers, apparently from the same family, Lusczynski said. Authorities haven't identified the victims, but they say Darrin and Kimberly Campbell lived in the house with their children, Megan and Colin. The Campbells had been renting the 5,800-square-foot house from Blake for the past two years. Investigators found fireworks throughout the home, and a surveillance video obtained by CNN shows a man believed to be Darrin Campbell inside a Phantom Fireworks store in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, buying about $600 worth of fireworks. He walks out of the store with one cart, and an employee seems to help him out with a second. He bought several gas cans that same day at a home improvement store, and a firearm registered to him was found in the residence, Lusczynski added. On Wednesday, Lusczynski said the fire had been "started intentionally by an unknown accelerant." The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office would not elaborate on what they believe happened or on a possible motive. But investigators say they are not searching for a suspect. Firefighters first learned of the blaze in a 911 call around 5:45 a.m. Wednesday reporting an explosion and flames. Blake, 34, born in Yonkers, New York, starred at Harvard before breaking into professional tennis. He peaked at No. 4 in the world rankings in November 2006, according to his ATP World Tour profile. He retired from the sport last year, and remains active with his namesake foundation and Thomas Blake Sr. Memorial Research Fund to support research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. CNN's Susan Candiotti contributed to this report. | Sheriff's official: The father had bought a large amount of fireworks . A 911 call reports an explosion, flames at a Tampa home . A sheriff's colonel says 2 adults, 2 teens were shot; cause of death is being determined . The home belonged to former pro tennis player James Blake, who was leasing it out . | 3a77c4bf6fceed801b0de54fe92fe8f1802af611 |
Ginseng: New research from South Korea claims the herbal remedy, a traditional aphrodisiac, can indeed help men combat erectile dysfunction . It's long been used by the Chinese as an aphrodisiac, but new research claims tablets made from ginseng really can perk up a man's love life. A South Korean study found men with erectile dysfunction improved their performance in the bedroom after taking the tablets for just a few weeks. Although some previous studies have suggested ginseng can help tackle impotence, many have been conducted in mice. The latest research involved more than 100 men who had been diagnosed with erection problems. Impotence affects one in ten men in the UK at some point in their lives. Although drugs such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra have revolutionised treatment in the last ten years, around 30 per cent of men who take them see no improvement. For these men, the only other options are to inject drugs straight into the penis, or use a pump that manually increases blood supply to the organ. Neither is very popular. While herbal remedies like ginseng have been touted as alternative treatments, the evidence to support their use has been lacking. Ginseng is a plant that has been used for thousands of years to bolster overall health. Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction, is where a man is unable to get a proper erection. The condition affects one in ten men in the UK at some point in their lives. Most cases are due to narrowing of the arteries that take blood to the penis due to a build of the same kind of plaque that causes heart disease. Erectile dysfunction can occur at any time of life, but it becomes more common with age. As much as half of men over 40 suffer from it, rising to about 70 per cent of over-70s. As with heart disease, smoking and heavy drinking can significantly increase the risk. The root contains several active . substances, called either ginsenosides or panaxosides, that are thought . to be responsible for the medicinal effects of the herb. Scientists at the Yonsei University . College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, recruited 119 men with mild . to moderate erectile dysfunction. The group was split into two and while half took four tablets a day containing extracts of Korean ginseng berry, the rest took identical dummy pills. After eight weeks, researchers measured improvements by using a recognised scale called the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction. The results, published in the International Journal of Impotence Research, showed a small but significant improvement in sexual function in the ginseng group compared to those on the dummy tablets. In a report on their findings the researchers said: 'Korean ginseng berry extract improved all domains of sexual function. 'It can be used as an alternative to medicine to improve sexual life in men.' | Ginsend has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for thousands of years . Now study claims it can help men with impotence in just eight weeks . Impotence affects one in 10 men in the UK at some point in their lives . | e2e34a98bbeb700b35a9bbad580a0f532ef2e8ef |
By . Lucy Waterlow . Getting married is cherished as the biggest and best day of your life - so would you let strangers decide how it will unfold? That's exactly what Cara Day, 29, and David Giles, 32, from Dorset, are doing after winning a competition run by Pearl Drops. The couple have passed the entire decision-making for their white wedding over to the public who will choose everything from where the reception will take place to what the bride will wear. Scroll down for video . Dress A: Bride-to-be Cara in the Essense of Australia gown which has layers of beautiful tulle and a detachable decorated sash . Dress B: A Martina Liana design with a sweetheart neckline and embroidered Alencon lace with a long train . Dress C: Enzoani's 'Dakota' gown in ivory with a sweetheart neckline, fitted bodice, and a flared mermaid skirt . A public vote has already decided that their venue will be the picturesque Larmer Tree Gardens in Salisbury, Wiltshire. And voting is now underway to decide which dress mother-of-three Cara will walk down the aisle in. Lucky for the bride-to-be, she looks stunning in each of the three choices - which are all strapless with a sweetheart neckline. Dress A, by Essense of Australia, has layers of beautiful tulle, a figure-flattering bodice and a detachable decorated sash. Dress B is a Martina Liana design with a sweetheart neckline and embroidered Alencon lace with a train with scalloped lace edging. The final choice, dress C, is Enzoani's 'Dakota' gown in ivory with a sweetheart neckline, fitted bodice, and a flared mermaid skirt. Soon to be Mr and Mrs: David and Cara will have been together for five years when they tie the knot in October . Despite giving up all control over her white wedding, Cara said she and David are 'extremely excited about the whole process'. The up side of them sacrificing decision-making is that their £25,000 nuptials will all be paid for. The couple won the prize after entering Pearl Drops competition when it opened in May. They won the judges over with their 30 second video which showed them larking around and revealed how much their three children - Maya, aged nine, Giana, three, and Arabella, 14 months, wanted their parents to tie the knot. They held up signs stating they would love to be bridesmaids and share the same surname. Now their dream has come true as their mother and father will become Mr and Mrs at a ceremony in October. When they tie the knot, Cara and David will have been together for five years, although they have known each other since they were teenagers. Cara explains: 'We first dated when we were around 17 years old, but it only lasted a month or so and we went our seperate ways and bizarrely never saw each other again, even though we have lived in a five mile radius of each other. 'It wasn't until eight years later, I had a random dream about David one night, which resulted in me thinking about him and wondering how he was and what he was up to. I ended up searching for him on Facebook. Dream come true: The couple have three daughters who can't wait to be bridesmaids after their parents won the prize of a £25,000 wedding . Blushing bride: Cara, pictured in the Martina Liana dress, says she can't wait to get married - even though she has no control over the day . 'I contacted him and found that he was severely ill in hospital and was in the process of being diagnosed with Crohns disease, the same thing I was diagnosed with shortly after we had split up when I was 18 years old. 'I offered to come into hospital to see him and talk to him about my experience with having Crohns disease and maybe offer some advice. When we met again even though we hadn't seen each other in years there was no awkwardness at all and we didn't stop talking until I was kicked out at the end of visiting hours!' She added: 'When I left the hospital all I could think about was seeing him again and thankfully the feeling was mutual as we constantly talked for the next week until he was discharged.' Their relationship went from strength to strength and David soon moved in with Cara and her daughter, Maya, from a previous relationship, who was four at the time. However, plans for a big white wedding were far from their minds due to David's ill-health. He had to return to hospital for an operation and the couple experienced some financial difficulties. Cara said: 'The start of our relationship wasn't all "hearts and flowers" but we never seemed to struggle, we just got on with fixing all the things that went wrong and putting the pieces back together. One of the reasons I think we're so strong as a couple is because we are constantly laughing together, until this day David is still the funniest person I have ever met!' The couple then decided to try for a baby and Giana was born on 3rd May 2011. Cara then sadly had a miscarriage in 2012 but she was delighted when they then welcomed Arabella who was born on 10th May 2013. David proposed on Christmas Day 2013 and now Cara said she can't wait till the day they officially become man and wife. She said: 'We have three beautiful girls and David and I are still inseparable, I don't know who is more excited when Dave comes home from work, our daughters or me! 'I cannot wait for the day that I can finally call him my husband.' To cast your vote for Cara's dress and other aspects of their big day in the coming weeks, visit Pearl Drops Facebook page . Paula King, who has been a wedding planner for the past ten years has the following advice... | Cara Day, 29, and David Giles, 32, from Dorset, will tie the knot in October . Couple have been together for five years and have three daughters . They won £25,000 wedding after entering competition . Condition of the prize is that every aspect of the big day will be chosen for them by the public . Voting is currently open to decide which wedding dress Cara will walk down the aisle in . | d8891d0921b7f5a65ca9bf01c370827aee8874cb |
By . John Stevens . PUBLISHED: . 07:21 EST, 5 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:09 EST, 6 October 2013 . Victim: James May, 76, was taken to hospital after collapsing while playing bowls. He seemed to recover, but then died suddenly . A hospital worker was arrested on suspicion of murder after a patient who was expected to be let home suddenly died. James May, 76, was taken to hospital after collapsing while playing bowls, but he quickly seemed to recover and was kept in as a precaution. But in the middle of the night, Mr May, who was described by friends and family as fit and active, died after an alleged drug overdose was administered. A middle-aged man, who is a member of the medical staff at the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and suspended. A hospital employee yesterday told the Mail she understood the suspect was a nurse. Mr May, a retired driving instructor who lived in Great Yarmouth, suffered a heart attack while playing short-mat bowls at the village hall in Hemsby, Norfolk, on September 19. Paramedics treated him at the scene and his condition seemed to improve, but he was taken to hospital for observation. Helen Farrow, of Hemsby Outdoor Bowls Club, where Mr May also played, said: ‘Someone called for an ambulance and they sorted him out. He was taken to hospital but we understood it was just a matter of checking him over. As he was leaving the village hall he said, “sorry to be so much trouble” and asked one of the members to make sure his dog was looked after. ‘So everyone was shocked when we were told he died in the early hours the next morning. We thought he would be straight out of hospital. It was terrible.’ The James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk, where a member of staff has been arrested on suspicion of murder and suspended . Murder scene: the hospital staff member, who has not been named, was arrested on Saturday after patient James May, 76, was found dead . Police . began an investigation last week after they received an ‘allegation of . medical malpractice’ in connection with Mr May’s death. The . hospital staff member, who has not been named, was arrested on Saturday . after he was asked to voluntarily attend a police station for . interview. Detective . Chief Inspector Paul Durham said: ‘We are investigating an allegation . that a drugs overdose was administered to a patient, leading to his . death. It is alleged the victim died after being given an overdose. A hospital employee has told the Mail she understood the suspect was a nurse . ‘A . Home Office post-mortem, carried out earlier this week, determined the . cause of Mr May’s death as heart failure and we now await the results of . further toxicology tests which will help inform our inquiry.’ Christine . Allen, chief executive of the James Paget University Hospitals NHS . Trust, added: ‘We believe it is an isolated incident and relates to the . alleged action of a single member of staff. ‘The . member of staff against whom the allegation has been made is absent . from the trust and will not return until the investigation is . completed.’ A . staff member, who did not wish to be named, yesterday told the Mail: . ‘We understand the man is a nurse. He unexpectedly stopped coming into . work a couple of days ago.’ James May, 76, died as a result of heart failure - the staff member arrested on suspicion of murder has not been named . Yesterday . Mr May’s next of kin, nephew Kevin May, 28, said he was ‘devastated’ his uncle had died so suddenly and described him as being ‘as strong as . an ox’. ‘We . started to arrange his funeral … but out of the blue in the middle of . last week the police rang to tell me that they were investigating some . suspicious circumstances and we would have to postpone the funeral.’ He added: ‘I don’t know how or why anyone would ever want to hurt him.’ The suspect was bailed while the investigation continues. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | James May, 76, found dead at James Paget University Hospital, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk . A middle-aged man, a member of . the medical staff at the hospital, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and suspended . Investigation launched after ‘allegation of . medical malpractice’ in connection with Mr May’s death . | fd553b9f7d356ac104b83c8fb543fb569dadf807 |
(CNN) -- "Are y'all alive?" Andre 3000 probed the first-day Coachella goers as he took the stage with Big Boi in the first of their reunion shows. The duo, who haven't performed together since their 2006 Idlewild album, hooked the crowd as they opened with their Stankonia hit "B.O.B." ("Bombs Over Baghdad"), before going into a rapid-fire of "Gasoline Dreams," "ATLiens," "Skew It on the Bar-B" and "Rosa Parks." Andre 3000 then told the crowd it feels so good to be back, as he talked about the 20-year anniversary of Outkast (they formed when they were in high school in 1992 and released their debut album in 1994). A notable legend was there to witness the first of their many reunion shows. Andre told the crowd that "one of his idols" -- the Purple One, Prince -- was backstage watching as they also ran through "SpottieOttieDopaliscious," "Roses" and "Elevators." In the middle of the set, Big Boi and Andre both took time to showcase some of their solo work from their double album, "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," before rapper Future and Janelle Monae also made appearances. "This is my favorite group in the entire world," proclaimed Monae. "And what we're witnessing tonight is history." Outkast's run of mainstream hits came at the end of their set as they went from "Ms. Jackson" to "So Fresh, So Clean," "The Way You Move" and "Hey Ya!" They then tried to squeeze in an encore song with Killer Mike, but weren't able to perform it before the festival's 1 a.m. cutoff. Earlier in the day, Grouplove, Ellie Goulding, Chromeo and Girl Talk were among the acts that prepped the main stage before Outkast. Grouplove got the crowd dancing to tracks off their latest album "Spreading Rumours," before Ellie Goulding really got fans fired up with her sunset set, drawing celebrities including Selena Gomez, Kendall and Kylie Jenner and Joe Jonas to the front for the Brit's high-energy performance. The Top-40 mainstay powered through her list of electro-pop hits like "Lights" and "I Need Your Love," before getting everyone to their feet with closer "Burn." Chromeo got the masses moving with their disco-flavored electro-funk. Although they are Coachella vets, this weekend brought them a few festival firsts -- playing on a Friday and performing on the main stage, which they told CNN they found to be more challenging to connect with the crowd. "On the big stage, they're 50 feet away, so I could barely hear them," said guitarist and lead singer Dave 1 after their set. The duo ran through a mixture of familiar hits, including "Fancy Footwork" and "Momma's Boy," as well as tracks from their forthcoming album, "White Women." Toro Y Moi made a guest appearance for recent single, "Come Alive." Other Day 1 crowd-pleasers included Aloe Blacc, Bastille (who garnered a crowd that waited through their entire set to hear the familiar hit song "Pompeii"), Broken Bells and HAIM. The sister act performed on the Outdoor Theatre during the peak of the heat in the afternoon. In between her now-notable "bassface" expressions, Este Haim told the crowd that she has been coming to Coachella since 2004, but that this is the first year she hasn't had to run through a rose bush or hop a fence to get inside. Meanwhile in the Sahara tent, newcomer Martin Garrix attracted a crowd that extended past the tent walls as he opened his set with his notable track "Animals." His mix included samples from other Coachella weekend acts like Kid Cudi and Krewella, which had the crowd yelling along to the lyrics. But the most impressive part of the 17-year-old's hour-set was the striking laser-light show that prompted the majority of the tent to take out their cell phones and capture it on video. Mainstream DJ/producer Zedd continued the fist-pumping/sing-along combination next as he played his radio hits like "Stay the Night" and "Clarity." The 24-year-old's set got the stamp of approval from Oscar winner Jared Leto who Instagrammed a photo from the stage writing "My friend @Zedd destroying #coachella." With two more days ahead in Indio, California, Chromeo's Dave 1 summed up the festival's continued attraction calling it "the most indie-centric music curation" with mainstream appeal. "It's the festival where you have the coolest bands that get the biggest looks," he said. "Coachella's got a sexiness to it that no other festival in the world has." | Outkast headlined the opening night of the Coachella music festival . The hip-hop duo hasn't performed together in eight years . Stars including Selena Gomez and Joe Jonas came out to see Ellie Goulding . | 4352a45de0a846fa54ce700b8af96bbd07010fd7 |
By . Matt Morlidge for MailOnline . Follow @@MattMorlidge . Francesco Totti was given an unexpected gift as his Roma side beat AEK Athens on Saturday. Unforunately, he broke it. The 37-year-old was handed a glass plaque by the Greek side in a pre-season friendly between the two teams. But as the legendary playmaker accepted the gift, he dropped it onto the floor. Nice gift: Francesco Totti poses with a glass plaque given to him by AEK Athens on Saturday . Uh-oh: The Roma star fumbles with the gift ahead of the 2-1 victory . Smash: Totti drops the glass plaque onto the floor . Roma beat AEK Athens 2-1 and the plaque was to celebrate Totti's glittering career in Italy. It was last year's Serie A runner's up's final friendly before the domestic season started. They will be hoping Totti's eye is far more on the ball come Saturday evening, when they host Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. | Totti handed plaque ahead of 2-1 victory for Roma against AEK Athens . But legendary playmaker drops and breaks the gift . Roma begin Serie A season against Fiorentina on Saturday . | 24efbac9979d161d5c118192e95705c4858aedee |
By . Dan Bloom . and Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 09:24 EST, 22 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:52 EST, 23 December 2013 . Russian former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been reunited with his family after being freed from prison and arriving in Berlin . Russia's former richest man Mikhail Khodorkovsky has revealed he was stabbed in the nose during a gruelling 10-year prison term. The 50-year-old oil magnate was freed two days ago from his 'politically-motivated' sentence by the Russian authorities, who many claim are trying to improve their image before February's Winter Olympics. Today the long-standing rival to President Putin gave an emotional press conference in which he vowed to keep campaigning for political prisoners - but admitted he will no longer be involved in the 'struggle for power'. He urged the world not to boycott the Games in Sochi, saying it was a time for sport not politics. Yet he also insisted the global event should not be turned into 'a great party for President Putin'. Giving his first TV interview to CNN, Khodorkovsky shed light on his terrifying time in jail. He said: 'When I was stabbed with a knife I was lucky - he tried to get to my eye but he got my nose. 'As a result, the dentist who was there - someone who was also a plastic surgeon - carried out an operation on me, which means it was virtually not noticeable.' Asked whether he forgave Putin, he replied: 'I would put it differently, perhaps. I . don't think that revenge would be any rational behavior. And something . that is rational behaviour I can always deal with.' The former chairman of the Yukos Oil Company was jailed for tax evasion, fraud and embezzlement in 2003 - charges he denied - and was supposed to be released next August, but was freed early two days ago. Officials insist he was freed on humanitarian grounds because his mother Marina, 79, is ill. During today's press conference, held somewhat appropriately in Germany's Berlin Wall museum, he thanked media pressure and German officials for . helping secure the release from his 'political' sentence. He added he would not be returning to the . world of business since his financial situation 'did not require it.' Emotional: Mikhail Khodorkovsky (right) is reunited with his father Boris (centre) and his son Pavel (left) Flowers: Khodorkovsky flew to Berlin to meet the former German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher . Family: Khodorkovsky's first wife Elena Khodorkovskaya, his mother Marina Khodorkovskaya and his father Boris Khodorkovsky look on today during the former Yukos oil chairman's first press conference for 10 years . Illness: The Kremlin insisted Khodorkovsky was released on compassionate grounds because his mother Marina, 79 (pictured left with husband Boris) is receiving cancer treatment in Germany . Russia's former richest man said he will step back from politics, prompting fears he struck a deal with Putin . Mobbed: Hundreds of journalists attended the ex-prisoner's first press conference at the Berlin Wall Museum . Freed Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky has urged people not to boycott Russia's Winter Olympics during an emotional press conference . Freedom: Khodorkovsky speaks on a screen to journalists in Berlin, where the authorities pushed for his release . Khodorkovsky, right walks through the Wall Museum, Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, accompanied by museum curator, Alexandra Hildebrandt, front left, as he arrives for the conference . Photographers crowd to get a picture of Marina Khodorkovsky and Boris Khodorkovsky, parents of the Russian former oil tycoon and Kremlin critic . 'The time that is left for me is time I . would like to devote to the activity to paying back the debts to the . people ...and by that I mean the people who are still in prison,' he added. Yesterday he was reunited with his family, including his mother Marina, after his parents travelled from Moscow for the reunion. Suspicions are growing that the oil tycoon had struck a deal with his political foe Vladimir Putin which will prevent him becoming politically active against the Russian President. Supporters fear he agreed to the pardon after being threatened with new legal action to keep him in jail for another five years. Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service . said in a statement that Khodorkovsky had petitioned to be allowed to . travel to Germany to meet his mother, who is reportedly being treated for . cancer. In his 10 years in . prison, . 50-year-old Khodorkovsky turned from a powerful oligarch into a . respected dissident, becoming a political thinker who argued for social . justice and placed the blame for Russia's stagnating economy on Mr Putin. Khodorkovsky withhis parents and his son Pavel Khodorkovsky. Several hours before his release, Khodorkovsky's lawyers and family said they still had no idea when he would be let out . Speaking today, the 50-year-old said he shouldn't be viewed as a symbol that there are no more political prisoners in Russia and said he would do 'all I can do' to ensure the release of others . Christmas reunion: Khodorkovsky embraces his . mother Marina in Berlin, a day after his release from a decade-long . jail term during which he became one of Vladimir . Putin's most prominent critics . Khodorkovsky's father Boris arrives at the Adlon hotel in Berlin for the reunion with his freed son . Reunion: The Russian prison service earlier said . Khodorkovsky was on his way to Germany where his cancer-stricken mother . Marina Khodorkovskaya (right), who is undergoing medical treatment . Compassionate grounds: Vladimir Putin said that Russia's most famous prisoner had asked for clemency on humanitarian grounds as his mother was ill . Mr Putin's announcement of his release, less than 24 . hours before it happened, appeared to catch both . the public and Khodorkovsky's lawyers by surprise. The release itself was also shrouded in mystery. Several hours before, . Khodorkovsky's lawyers and family said they still had no idea when he . would be let out of the prison colony, Segezha in the Karelia region of northwestern Russia. Khodorkovsky's . second wife and three children live in the Moscow region. His eldest . son from the first marriage lives with his family in New York City. In a shock remark after his annual . marathon news conference yesterday, Putin had said that Russia's most . famous prisoner had asked for clemency on humanitarian grounds as his . mother was ill. The Kremlin followed with a swift announcement today that Putin had already signed the pardon decree. 'Guided . by humanitarian principles, I decree that Mikhail Borisovich . Khodorkovsky... should be pardoned and freed from any further punishment . in the form of imprisonment,' said the decree signed by Putin and published by the Kremlin. Khodorkovsky and his business partner Platon Lebedev were convicted of fraud and tax evasion in 2005. Khodorkovsky was then convicted of embezzlement in a second . trial in 2010 and had been due for release in August. An Emergency Situations Ministry helicopter takes off near the prison where Khodorkovsky was being held . Activity: Emergency Situations Ministry officers move a stretcher near an ambulance, although it is not clear if this was linked to the release of Khodorkovsky . Intense atmosphere: Putin pictured during a meeting with Khodorkovsky in 2002, a year before the oil tycoon was snatched off his corporate plane in 2003 soon after Putin warned oligarchs against meddling in politics . The tycoon had . repeatedly said he would not ask Putin for a pardon because it would be . tantamount to admitting guilt. The Kommersant broadsheet, citing . unnamed sources, said on Friday Khodorkovsky had made the decision to . seek a pardon after a recent meeting with representatives of Russia's . security services, who had raised the menace of a third trial against . him. 'This . conversation, which was conducted without lawyers, forced Mikhail . Khodorkovsky to turn to the president,' said the newspaper. Putin told reporters on Thursday that he saw no prospects for the third case. Economists and political analysts said that while . Khodorkovsky's imminent release was a watershed moment, it would not . dramatically change Russia's battered . international image. Rivals: Putin has long singled out Khodorkovsky, who would be due for release in August, for bitter personal attacks, once saying that 'a thief should sit in jail' | Once Russia's richest man, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, 50, was freed this week . He told first TV interview how his attacker just missed his eye with a knife . Putin released him on 'compassionate grounds' because his mother is ill . But many fear the former tycoon has made a deal to duck out of politics . He was jailed for fraud, tax evasion and embezzlement in 2003 . Supporters say he was targeted for daring to finance opposition to Putin . | 641afcca41a271a92cb323816e86e673a6599902 |
By . Joel Christie . A bank teller in Northern Kentucky who said she has held her job for 24 years claims to have been fired for telling a customer: 'Have a blessed day.' However the U.S. Bank in Walton say that Polly Neace had numerous strikes against her name, including lecturing one person about salvation. 'I say 'have a blessed day' all of the time,' Neace told Fox 19. 'I don't think there's any better kind of day you can have than a blessed day.' Neace filed a lawsuit against U.S. Bank on the grounds that her termination was based on her religious beliefs. Out-of-work: Polly Neace is suing U.S. Bank, who she claims fired her on the basis of her religious beliefs . WALTON, KY (FOX19) - . A former Northern Kentucky bank teller claims she was fired from her job for telling customer to "Have a blessed day." MORE . Poll . Do you think US Bank should have fired Nease? Yes . No . "I say 'have a blessed day' all of the time," says Polly Neace. "I don't think there's any better kind of day you can have than a blessed day." Neace filed a lawsuit against U.S. Bank claiming she was discriminated against for her religious beliefs. Neace clams after years of saying "Have a blessed day" to customers, she was reprimanded in March 2011 . She said it all started in March 2011 when someone complained she had told them 'have a blessed day'. In a Code of Ethics violation, US Bank states several customers had complained when Neace said the phrase, which has Christian connotations. The written warning also states that Neace asked a customer 'Did you take the Lord's name in vain?' and then proceeded to talk to that customer about salvation. That Code of Ethics Violation warns Neace that 'effective immediately you will no longer discuss the subject of faith or religion with customers and co-workers alike'. 'I was upset with the fact they were stifling me and not allowing me to act on my beliefs,' Neace told Fox 19. Neace admits she was reprimanded again a few months later. 'A customer went through the drive thru and I waited on them. She said, ''God bless you'',' Neace said. 'I said, ''Thank you, God bless you too''.' Polly Neace is a devout Christian who attends church each Sunday . U.S. Bank says they are confident they can fight the claims of Polly Neace . Neace said the final straw then came when she jokingly told a manager something along the lines of: 'Maybe I should just go back to saying ''Have a blessed day''.' She was then fired. 'I can't back down from this. It's the principle behind everything,' Neace said. However U.S. Bank says they are also willing to fight. 'At U.S. Bank, we hold our employees to high ethical standards when interacting with customers and co-workers, and take violations of these standards seriously,' the bank said in a statement. 'While we cannot comment provide comment on pending litigation, we believe that this lawsuit is without merit and believe the facts presented in future legal proceedings will justify our actions.' Cincinnati News, FOX19-WXIX TV . | Polly Neace is suing the U.S. Bank in Walton, Kentucky, on the grounds of discrimination . Claims she was fired for her religious beliefs . U.S. Bank say Neace had repeated warnings about her behavior . They are confident they can flight her claims . | beb424491de04c9ba750e30bbbde4f1e16f81316 |
Chatting on your phone drains its battery, but in the future, all this talk time could actually be used to boost its power. Researchers from Canada have created a chin strap that harvests energy from jaw movements, including chewing and talking. It is hoped the device could soon be used to power electronic devices, such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and even phones. The chin strap, (setup pictured) is made from a smart piezoelectric material known as PFC, which consists of integrated electrodes and adhesive polymer. It produces an electric charge when it stretches, and is subjected to mechanical stress . The strap is made from a smart material known as PFC. PFC is a type of piezoelectric material made up of integrated electrodes, and an adhesive polymer matrix. The material is able to produce an electric charge when it stretches, and is subjected to mechanical stress. The strap is made from a smart material known as PFC. PFC is a type of piezoelectric material made up of integrated electrodes, and an adhesive polymer matrix. The material is able to produce an electric charge when it stretches and is subjected to mechanical stress. To ensure maximum performance, the chin strap was fitted snugly to the user, so when the user’s jaw moved it caused the strap to stretch. To test the performance of the device, the subject was asked to chew gum for 60 seconds while wearing the head-mounted device. The maximum amount of power that could be harvested from the jaw movements was around 18 microwatts, but researchers claim that a realistic output is closer to 10 microwatts. This is still just a fraction of the energy used in a typical phone charger, which uses between 10 and 16 watts per day - but the strap is still in an experimental phase. In their study, researchers from Sonomax-ÉTS Industrial Research Chair in In-ear Technologies (CRITIAS) in Montreal, Canada, created an energy harvesting strap made from a single layer of PFC and attached it to a pair of ear muffs using a pair of elastic side straps. To ensure maximum performance, the chin strap was fitted snugly to the user, so when the user’s jaw moved it caused the strap to stretch. To test the performance of the device, the subject was asked to chew gum for 60 seconds while wearing the head-mounted device. The maximum amount of power that could be harvested from the jaw movements was around 18 microwatts, but researchers claim that a realistic output is closer to 10 microwatts. This is still just a fraction of the energy used in a typical phone charger, which uses between 10 and 16 watts per day - but the strap is still in an experimental phase. The first results of the device’s performance have been published in IOP Publishing’s journal Smart Materials and Structures. Jaw movements proved to be one of the most promising candidates for generating electricity from human body movements, with researchers estimating that an average of around seven microwatts of power could be generated from chewing during meals alone. Co-author of the study Aidin Delnavaz said: ‘Given that the average power available from chewing is around seven microwatts, we still have a long way to go before we perfect the performance of the device. To ensure maximum performance, the chin strap was fitted snugly to the user, so when the user’s jaw moved it caused the strap to stretch. The maximum amount of power harvested from the chin strap (pictured) was 18 microwatts, but researchers are working on increasing this output significantly . ‘The power level we achieved is hardly sufficient for powering electrical devices at the moment; however, we can multiply the power output by adding more PFC layers to the chin strap. 'For example, 20 PFC layers, with a total thickness of 6mm, would be able to power a 200 microwatts intelligent hearing protector. 'The only expensive part of the energy harvesting device is the single PFC layer, which costs around $20 (£12). ‘Considering the price and short lifetime of batteries, we estimate that a self-powered hearing protector based on the proposed chin strap energy harvesting device will start to pay back the investment after three years of use,’ continued Delnavaz. ‘Additionally, the device could substantially decrease the environmental impact of batteries and bring more comfort to users. ‘We will now look at ways to increase the number of piezoelectric elements in the chin strap to supply the power that small electronic devices demand, and also develop an appropriate power management circuit so that a tiny, rechargeable battery can be integrated into the device.’ | The chin strap is made from a smart piezoelectric material known as PFC . PFC is made up of integrated electrodes and adhesive polymer . It produces electric charge when it stretches and is subjected to stress . The maximum amount of power harvested was 18 microwatts . But Canadian researchers are working on increasing this output significantly . | 497bbcfb699408363230350111e7bb3116a90cf5 |
By . Adam Duggan . Two men have been arrested by the Australian Federal Police over an alleged multi-million dollar insider trading scheme. A 26-year-old National Australia Bank officer and a 24-year-old Australian Bureau of Stastics employee allegedly profited themselves $7 million over a nine month period. The men have been charged with offences relating to insider trading, money laundering, corruption and abuse of public office. Cashing-in: An NAB employee worked with an ABS employee to profit $7 million in an insider trading scheme . The arrests came as a result of a joint AFP and Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) operation. The operation commenced after suspicious foreign exchange derivative trading was identified, with the taskforce continuing to monitor up until today. The men were able to profit the $7 million between August 2013 and May 2014. Early on Friday, the AFP and ASIC executed eight search warrants at both of the men's properties and arrested the pair in the process. Included in the items seized was $9,000 in cash. Caught up in corruption: An ABS employee has been charged with has been charged with abuse of public office, releasing sensitive information, receiving a corrupt benefit and insider trading . The 26-year-old Melbourne man, based in Clifton Hill, has been charged with offences relating to corrupting a public official and using inside information to unlawfully profit from positive foreign exchange derivatives. Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Canberra man, based in Belconnen, has been charged with abuse of public office, releasing sensitive information, receiving a corrupt benefit and insider trading. ‘The AFP and ASIC have worked together closely on this serious and complex investigation, utilising the resources and expertise of both agencies to bring about today's arrests,’ AFP Acting National Manager Crime Operations Ian McCartney said. ‘Investigations like this send a clear message to anyone who is thinking of engaging in this type of criminal activity - we have the ability to monitor you and take action, as we've done today.’ Where did the money come from? NAB users will no doubt be concerned, following the arrest of one of the bank's employees in an insider trading sting . 'The outcome of today's operation is a testament to the close working relationship and cooperation between the AFP and ASIC, and the dedication and expertise of the teams involved,' ASIC head of markets enforcement Chris Savundra said. The National Australia Bank and Australian Bureau of Statistics fully cooperated with the investigation. When phoned for comment, a spokesperson for the Australian Federal Police said no further charges would be brought against the pair. The men, who were university friends, are fronting court in Melbourne and Canberra on Friday. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | 24-year-old ABS employee provided sensitive information to friend . 26-year-old NAB employee used sensitive information to profit illegally . Pair reportedly met at university . | c2963c63b5ab21b49e8542cf8acad6f761d67eed |
'Extremely dangerous': Mark Lazarus has been jailed indefinitely . An 'extremely dangerous' cross-dressing sex attacker with an obsession for skirts tried to rape an elderly women while wearing one of the garments. Mark Lazarus waited outside a public toilet in Teignmouth, south Devon, for more than hour until someone wearing a skirt went in. He followed a 71-year-old into the toilets and went into a cubicle to change into skirt and tights himself, before pouncing on the woman as she washed her hands. The terrified pensioner needed medical treatment for shock after heavily-built Lazarus dragged her into a cubicle where he tried to have sex with her. She was only saved from the ordeal because she screamed for help and Lazarus fled - still wearing his skirt - and was seized by a brave passer-by who made a citizen’s arrest. Lazarus, 39, was jailed indefinitely at Exeter Crown Court for the attack. The court was obsessed with skirts and carried out two previous attacks while dressed as a woman, in one of which he walked behind a group of schoolgirls muttering ‘skirt, skirt’. He was rated as extremely dangerous in risk assessments carried out by a psychiatrist and probation officer and highly likely to commit further attacks. Lazarus, who is from Tiverton, but was living in a hostel in Howell Road, Exeter, admitted attempted rape and was jailed indefinitely. Judge Phillip Wassall told him he could not apply for parole for at least four years. The judge told him: 'If this lady of 71 had not resisted, you would have carried on and raped her. She received sever psychological trauma and now needs counselling. Lazarus, 39, was given a custodial sentence by a judge at Exeter Crown Court (pictured) 'You have a predilection for dressing in skirts and that is exactly what you did when you went out looking for sexual stimulation and intending to commit a sexual offence. 'You saw this lady entering the toilet and you were attracted to her because she was wearing a skirt. You thought ‘skirt’ to yourself and that triggered this violent sexual attack. 'She was a vulnerable lady in a public situation and you attacked her for your sexual gratification. It was only because she fought you off and made so much noise and commotion that you stopped and fled. 'The public minded citizen who grabbed and tackled you and held on to you deserves commendation. This attack was cunning and conceived and but for her perseverance you would have completed the offence. 'There was an element of stealth and cunning. It was predatory behaviour with a chilling echo of your previous offending. 'The reports say that you acknowledge you are a high risk to women and you told the probation officer you don’t think you will ever change. 'You are in my view extremely dangerous. You are likely to re-offend with potentially incalculable consequences for the public. 'You victims are likely to be confronted by someone wearing a skirt and tights and that is likely to impact on them even more than a stranger rape in other circumstances. 'It was predatory behaviour with a chilling echo of your previous offending' 'Your risk of reoffending increases . when you cross dress. This offence highlights your fascination with . skirts. It seems that anyone of any age, from schoolgirls right up to . ladies of this age, are at risk.' Mr . Sean Brunton, prosecuting, said the attack took place in February when . Lazarus took a train to Teignmouth with a skirt and tights on under his . clothing and waited outside the toilet block until a suitable victim . entered. He followed her in, stripped off to his skirt and tights, and attacked her as she washed her hands. Mr Brunton said: 'He got her to the floor and she pulled back from him and screamed. He later told police that if it had not been for her screams he would have raped her. 'The victim said she was pushed to the ground and Lazarus lay on her and simulated sex. She was bruised and suffered psychological effects. She said she was devastated and was petrified by her ordeal.' Lazarus was held by passer-by Sean Pope, who saw him fleeing the toilets in a skirt and tights and seized him, holding him until police arrived. While being held on the ground Lazarus himself dialled 999 and made a full confession. Mr Brunton said Lazarus is originally from Tiverton and his previous sexual offences took place on the banks of the River Exe in the town in July 1999. On both occasions he dressed as a schoolgirl and followed young girls along the towpath, assaulting an 11-year-old and exposing himself to others. Mr William Parkhill, defending, said Lazarus deserved credit for being totally candid to both the police and probation about the extent of his sexual obsessions. He said that while reports currently rate him as extremely dangerous, it is possible he could benefit from many years of psychiatric treatment in prison. | Mark Lazarus waited outside a public toilet for more than an hour before someone wearing a skirt walked in . He followed an elderly woman in and stripped off to reveal a skirt and tights under his normal clothes . He pounced on the pensioner as she washed her hands and dragged her into a cubicle . Lazarus was rated as 'extremely dangerous' in risk assessments carried out by a psychiatrist and probation officer . | 0998be2080aaa23cc1d92c54522b8c13f00eaef3 |
By . Martha De Lacey . PUBLISHED: . 12:30 EST, 16 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:30 EST, 16 December 2013 . Former ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell says she never moans about her figure in front of her two daughters, in order to ensure they grow up feeling confident about their bodies. Instead, Bussell promotes healthy eating and fitness around Phoebe, 12, and nine-year-old Zoe, her two children with husband Angus Forbes. And she always makes them eat breakfast. Speaking to Hello! magazine, Bussell, 44, says being a mother has made her suddenly 'very conscious' of her age, and now that she is 'not as toned as I used to be', she chooses to cover her arms. Darcey Bussell with her fellow Strictly Come Dancing judges Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli . Darcy Bussell in 2006 with her children, Zoe, three, left, and Pheobe, five, and her CBE outside Buckingham Palace, London, after receiving the honour from Queen Elizabeth II . Although she has given up dancing, Bussell's lifestyle is still impressively active: she swims twice a week, walks her two dogs daily, and regularly attempts Zumba classes, saying: 'I stand at the back and make a fool of myself but I don't care.' Talking about her children, the former dancer added: 'I can never whinge in front of them. If I don't say things like, "Ooh, I can't do up my skirt, my waist is going," or, "I've got to keep my tummy in," they won't worry about those things. 'It's an instinct with any girl to want to look good, and my eldest loves fashion and clothes, but I just tell them: "You've got to be healthy, you've got to have a proper breakfast.' I’m a bit of a sergeant major on that one.' Bussell, 44, pictured in a publicity shot for Strictly Come Dancing, says she is more self-conscious about her figure now that she is in her mid-forties . Performing the Awakening Pas De Deux during a dress rehearsal for the Ashton Mixed Programme at the Royal Opera House in London during November 2004 . | Bussell, 44, has two Phoebe, 12, and Zoe, 9, with husband Angus Forbes . Says she is 'a bit of a sergeant major' when it comes to eating breakfast . Regularly does Zumba, swims and walks her two dogs . Says she is 'very conscious' of her age and likes to have her arms covered . | aae38d2ef3a6d31d4e67740952ea62cc91bf2cd9 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 06:42 EST, 2 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:38 EST, 2 October 2013 . This young wildebeest looked destined to become lunch for a hungry leopard - but the big cat hadn't counted on a powerfully protective mother. These jaw-dropping shots show the predator stalking and then pouncing on the seemingly doomed six-month-old calf. However, its nearby mother was well-placed to react quickly and counteracted with a precision horned-headbutt to the leopard's upper body.Scroll down for video . Defence: A young wildebeest looked destined to become lunch for a hungry leopard - but the big cat hadn't counted on a powerfully protective mother . In a blink of an eye, the stunned cat . went from being the attacker to scampering off with its tail between . its legs with the angry female in pursuit. The . stunning images were captured by Martin Farrell, 54, from Bristol, who . was taking a Kicheche safari camp tour of the Mara North Conservancy in . Kenya. His wife Kathy, 58, . a recently retired pharmacist, also managed to shoot a dramatic video . of the encounter. On the prowl: The hungry leopard spots its next lunch and skulks forward . Skulking: The leopard moves through the grass nearer to his unaware prey . Waiting: The animal stops to watch the pair before pouncing . Kicheche guide Benjamin Kaluena, who . spotted the cat and sensed that there may be action, said: 'Leopard . kills in daylight hours are incredibly rare but in over 5,000 game . drives I have never seen anything like this!' Kathy . said: 'We have done many safari but have never seen anything remotely . like this and somehow Benjamin put us in the right place at the right . time.' Kicheche camp . co-owner and wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein explains: 'Martin and . Kathy Farrell stopped to observe a sleeping leopard. It soon awoke and . immediately started hunting. Attack: The leopard launches forward and sinks its teeth into the baby wildebeest . Distraught: The terrified calf vainly attempts to get away from the clutches of the leopard . 'This was a big, fully adult male after a young wildebeest which, during migration will form a major part of its diet. 'However, . having brought it down with a tackle any rugby wing forward would have . been proud of, it was not prepared for the 'mother-lode' of anguish and . protection the wildebeest mum threw at him. 'Chastened . and bruised it slunk away to lick its wounds. Somehow, despite their . feverish excitement, Martin and Kathy took some amazing images and footage. 'The wildebeest cow could easily have paid the ultimate sacrifice with this astonishing show of tenaciousness, but did not.' Back to the rescue: As the leopard firmly grabs hold of the wildebeest its mother approaches . Protective: It's nearby mother is well-placed to react quickly and counteracted with a precision horned-headbutt to the leopard's upper body . Determined: The mother rams her horns into the predator lifting it into the air . Escape: The calf escapes to safety as the mother takes on the leopard . Terrified: The beast runs off in fright after the mauling as the younger animal escapes . Turn around: In a blink of an eye, the stunned cat went from being the attacker to scampering off with its tail between its legs with the angry female in pursuit . | Jaw-dropping shots were taken in Mara North Conservancy in Kenya . Predator stalks and pounces on the seemingly doomed six-month-old calf . But mother was well-placed to react quickly and saved young animal . | 8e2ccd090f90a32a15156ec5d7b4e1af189ba6a2 |
Covered: Female teachers at Al-Madinah School, pictured, have been ordered to cover their heads with Islamic scarves during school hours even if they are not Muslim . Inspectors are to be sent ‘within days’ to a Muslim free school where girls are segregated from boys and non-Muslim female staff forced to wear hijabs. Michael Gove has ordered Ofsted to immediately investigate Al-Madinah School amid reports lessons are being replaced by prayers. The Derby school, which opened last year, was due to have its first inspection later this term but the quality of teaching and leadership will now be scrutinised as a matter of urgency. Possible outcomes include it being given the lowest possible rating of ‘inadequate’ and placed in special measures. The Secretary of State acted as critics warned similar practices could spread to other free schools, which are state funded but operate outside local authority control. The revelations have been embarrassing for Mr Gove, who introduced the schools in 2010 to raise the standard of education. Insiders at Al-Madinah School say it has become increasingly religious since opening. Teachers claim this has led to children’s education suffering. Girls allegedly have to sit at the back of the class and give up their place at the front of queues to boys. Stringed instruments, singing, reading fairy tales and even using the word ‘pig’ are banned, according to staff, who say they are also obliged to wear headscarves. Former headteacher Andrew Cutts-McKay resigned last month, two months after his deputy, Suzanne Southerland. Sources claimed they had been ‘bullied’ out of their jobs over concerns about hardline policies. The school denies the claims. Pressure groups and education experts said failure to take action would promote segregation – and encourage other Islamic free schools to follow Al-Madinah’s extreme model. They also warned that the way female pupils were being treated could end up damaging their sense of self-worth. Margaret Morrissey, from pressure group Parents Outloud, said: ‘This is going to make life extremely difficult for female pupils. ‘All the time they are being told they are second-class citizens. It is promoting a segregated society. ‘Children have to understand how to live in our society. If they’re not getting that at school then they’re not getting it anywhere.’ Chris McGovern, from the Campaign for Real Education, said: ‘This is a very difficult situation. We live in a multicultural society and a consequence of that is you have multicultural practices. But the buck stops with Michael Gove.’ Investigation: Michael Gove has ordered inspectors to visit Al-Madinah School 'within days' Under scrutiny: The nation's first Muslim free school has caused controversy with its hard-line rules . And Alasdair Smith, national secretary of the Anti Academies Alliance, said: ‘I can’t understand why there has been the argument that deregulation [of free schools] is a good idea. ‘Some regulation is important because otherwise you get extremism in schools.’ He added: ‘We are creating an education system that is separating sections of society. ‘For the last 40 or 50 years people were brought together by being educated side by side. Now Mr Gove is allowing space for confusion and bigotry.’ A message posted on the school’s website by interim principal Stuart Wilson said: ‘There are a number of rumours circulating that are worrying parents. The school is not going to shut down.’ But a Department for Education spokesman said: ‘These allegations are very worrying. The DfE will not hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to prevent religious intolerance or any breaking of the rules for free schools.’ | Ofsted investigating claims Al-Madinah School in Derby has replaced lessons with prayers . Inspection due later this month brought forward 'as a matter of urgency' Female pupils have to sit at the back of class and give up their place in queues for male classmates, it is claimed . | 6ea8ea01ce063fe34fe4930b97391b00c4ccddb6 |
By . Ted Thornhill . Elections are sure to throw up eccentric characters from time to time with a colorful back story - – but none quite like the candidates running for mayor in one Colorado town. Voters in the mountain community of Divide have been deciding between various animals at the ballot box. In total 11 have been competing for the title – seven dogs, one hedgehog, one cat, one horse and a donkey. Paws for thought: The full list of candidates competing in the Divide election, which is running to raise money for the Teller County Regional Animal Shelter . Who you calling Buster! A local cat 'competing' for the unofficial title of mayor in a promotional online race to raise funds for a shelter in Divide, Colorado . The election, however, isn’t an official one, unsurprisingly. It is actually being run to raise money for the Teller County Regional Animal Shelter and awareness for groups like Teller County Search and Rescue. Each vote means $1 for the shelter, and voters have been clicking from round the country. Election that has gone to the dogs: Pa Kettle the bloodhound is a favorite to win . Voting began in February, and chief operating officer Mary Steinbeiser says about $9,000 had been raised by Monday. That will pay for scores of spaying or neutering operations. Steinbeiser says she likes Pa Kettle the soulful-eyed bloodhound the best. 'Anyone of them would be a good mayor,' Marti Benson, a local vet, said. Nancy Adams, the fundraising coordinator, said: 'Most of them say, "are you kidding?" And we say, "no. We're not kidding"'She added that the last election they held raised about $8,800 and the current one has surpassed $9,000, which will go towards helping hundreds of abandoned animals each year. | Mayoral election in Divide, Colorado, featured eleven animals . There were seven dogs, one hedgehog, one cat, one horse and a donkey . Pa Kettle the bloodhound was a favorite of the chief operating officer . | ab6387096637ae09dc8ff194d826f7a78b4dbbe7 |
(CNN) -- England striker Wayne Rooney scored his 100th English Premier League goal to help Manchester United keep their title hopes alive with a stunning 3-1 win at rivals Arsenal. The in-form Rooney, who had scored 22 goals in all competitions this season prior to the match -- including four against Hull City last weekend -- achieved the milestone with United's second goal, a brilliant finish following a devastating counter-attack. United, who won by the same scoreline at the Emirates in last year's Champions League semifinal, needed a victory to keep pace with Chelsea at the top of the table -- and they took a 33rd-minute lead with a moment of skill from Portuguese winger Nani. Nani, who has failed to establish himself as a regular during his time at Old Trafford, flicked the ball past Arsenal's Gael Clichy and Samir Nasir on the right wing, before producing a delicate lob that goalkeeper Manuel Almunia could only palm into his own net. And United doubled their lead four minutes later when Nani out-stripped the Arsenal defence on the break and Rooney -- who had started the move -- ran half the length of the pitch to be on hand in support to fire past Almunia. Arsenal continued to press forward looking for a way back into the match, but once again they were caught on the break as this time Korean Ji-Sung Park burst through a huge gap in the home defence to slide home the decisive third goal early in the second half. United had chances to increase their advantage with both Rooney and Nani close to adding a fouth, but it was Arsenal who claimed a late consolation when Thomas Vermaelen's shot found the net after taking a deflection off Jonny Evans. "That was a great performance by us. We played really well," United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports. "This is the time of the season we really need to kick on -- and it was an impressive result. We were sharp and incisive and could have scored more. "But we are still behind Chelsea and I hope that Arsenal go there and batter them next Sunday!" The result means United remain a point behind Chelsea at the top of the table, although the London side have a game in hand -- at Hull on Tuesday. Arsenal are now five points behind Chelsea in third place having played a game more and, if Chelsea win in midweek, that gap will increase to eight points ahead of the two sides meeting at Stamford Bridge next Sunday. It proved a good day for Manchester as United's rivals City maintained their push for a Champions League place with a comfortable 2-0 home win over crisis-club Portsmouth. Bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth -- who agreed to sell defender Younes Kaboul to Tottenham this weekend just so the wage bill could be paid -- went behind when Emmanuel Adebayor fired City ahead with his first goal since his traumatic experience with Togo at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola. And City made the points safe on the stroke of half-time when Vincent Kompany powered a header past goalkeeper David James from Martin Petrov's corner. | England striker Wayne Rooney scores his 100th Premier League goal on Sunday . Rooney helps Manchester United claim a superb 3-1 victory at Premier League rivals Arsenal . The result keeps champions United just a point behind leaders Chelsea at the top of the table . | e513e7c85c16658d0304a3875ce6e744c75317d2 |
By . David Kent . England's final World Cup warm-up game against Honduras was postponed after just 22 minutes due to an electrical storm in Miami. The players were ordered off the pitch at the Sun Life Stadium as stormy clouds appeared over the venue. Fans were also urged to move out of the stadium. A message displayed on the big screen read: ‘Due to inclement weather, with associated lightning, feel free to exit the seating bowl and move to the inner concourse.’ Threat: Lightning strikes in Miami after England's friendly with Honduras was suspended because of a storm . Danger: Fans were asked to leave the Sun Life stadium as the players departed the pitch . You're off: Referee Ricardo Salazar informs Jordan Hendersoon (right) and Wayne Rooney (second right) of his decision . Big decision: Referee Salazar blows his whistle as he prepares to tell players about the storm threat . The players went to the sidelines for what appeared to be a drinks break, only to be called over by referee Ricardo Salazar who informed them of his decision to impose a 30-minute match suspension. Both teams re-emerged at 5.44pm local time - 36 minutes after they began leaving the field - for a warm-up, with the scoreboard announcing play would resume at 5.51pm. The match restarted shortly afterwards with a Honduras goal-kick. The players had begun playing in temperatures of 31 degrees Celsius and 59 per cent humidity - almost identical to the conditions in Manaus, where England's World Cup campaign starts in seven days. Speaking to ITV after leading his players down the tunnel, England boss Roy Hodgson said: ‘It’s a surprise. You don’t come across this very often. ‘I’ve encountered this on the golf course and you don’t continue if there is a storm around. ‘We can only accept and appreciate the referee’s decision. All we can do is wait for the 30 minutes.’ The Three Lions are due to depart for Brazil at 10.30pm local time and Hodgson was confident that the delay will not affect their plans. He added: ‘It’s a private plane so I would like to think we will be okay.’ Blow: England's players trudge off the field as fans of both countries look on from the stands . Insight: England boss Roy Hodgson (second from right) chats with ITV presenter Adrian Chiles (right) On the run: Adam Lallana (left) attempts to beat his man at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami . Hodgson's men kept possession well in the early stages, perhaps in preparation for the style they will need to play against Italy next Saturday. Danny Welbeck managed the first shot of the day with just four minutes on the clock, stinging the palms of Noel Valladares but getting a knock for his troubles. The Manchester United attacker eventually stopped limping but the sight was a concern - much like Glen Johnson's early defensive play. Back in the side after James Milner played makeshift right-back against Ecuador, first his clumsy touch gave away a corner from which Victor Bernardez blazed over and then he was unable to prevent Carlo Costly clipping over a cross. They were, however, rare nervy moments for England returned to the attack, with Steven Gerrard skewing a strike wide before Valladares somehow spilled a 30-yard Wayne Rooney free-kick. Before the storm: Steven Gerrard plays a pass before the game was suspended . Going for goal: Wayne Rooney bends a free-kick towards Honduras' goal early in the game . Famous fan: Former England captain David Beckham (left) watches England in action . A loud crack of thunder rang around the ground as Rooney overran a ball, before he linked-up with United team-mate Welbeck to set-up England's best chance yet. The latter played the ball out wide to Rooney, whose ball back across was met by a neat stepover by Welbeck, allowing Sturridge to spin and strike a left-footed shot inches wide. That was the best moment of the match and the last before the unforeseen break in play. | Thunder, lightning and heavy rain hit Miami . Referee Ricardo Salazar decided to postpone the game for 30 minutes . Roy Hodgson appeared relaxed in an interview with ITV . Players returned to action around 40 minutes later . | 6e9413b5a079d094002dec37c71b489fa131891d |
By . William Turvill . PUBLISHED: . 15:41 EST, 20 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 15:41 EST, 20 February 2014 . Polina Artamonova was discovered in her room at Bellerbys College in Greenwhich, according to reports . A Russian businessman’s teenage daughter was found dead at a private international school in London in an apparent suicide. Polina Artamonova, 17, was discovered in her room at Bellerbys College in Greenwhich, according to reports. The teenager, from Ufa, Russia, originally, is said to have consumed alcohol in the hours leading up to her death. Police were called to the scene on the morning of January 21 and the death is not being treated as suspicious. According to the Evening Standard, paramedics tried to save her after rushing to her third floor flat - but she was pronounced dead at the scene. The paper reported that friends said she was heartbroken about a secret relationship with a man and was having ‘difficulties’. Her . parents visited the school last month. And Igor Artamonov today said he . wanted to uncover the truth behind his daughter’s death and that he had . ‘hired people to gather information’. A Russian friend told the paper: ‘Polina was the sort of person who kept a lot of feelings and emotions inside. ‘She loved a man - there were difficulties with this. Police were called to Bellerbys College on January 21 and the death is not being treated as suspicious . ‘I think her family simply didn’t know. Not because the family didn’t try to know, I think it was that Polina tried to hide it not to upset them.’ The Metropolitan Police said they were called at 8.12am on January 21 following reports of a female suffering from a cardiac arrest in Stowage. The teenager, from Ufa originally, is said to have consumed alcohol in the hours leading up to her death . | Polina Artamonova, 17, was discovered in her room at Bellerbys College . She is said to have consumed alcohol in the hours leading to her death . For confidential help or advice call the Samaritans on 08457 909090 . | afa4984d083e9d3702236969c37cbec48a6dc36d |
(CNN) -- Fireworks continued to erupt between Bolivia and Peru over a costume worn at this year's Miss Universe pageant. Last week, during the national costume part of the competition, Miss Peru, Karen Schwarz, wore an Andean-inspired outfit featuring a headpiece with large horns based on the costume used in the traditional Diablada, or deviled, folk dance. In wearing the outfit, Schwarz unwittingly set off a firestorm in Bolivia, whose culture minister Pablo Groux threatened to go to the International Court of Justice in The Hague to claim that the Diablada belongs to Bolivia's culture and no one else. Bolivia sent a letter to the Miss Universe organizers, citing evidence that the dance has its roots in Bolivia and distinctly belongs to the country, Bolivia's state-run news agency ABI reported. Bolivia dancers showcased the Diablada at events in Washington and Panama, and Bolivia's ambassador to France summed up the country's stance, according to ABI: "We ask that urgent, adequate, opportune and pertinent measures be taken to protect Bolivian cultural patrimony and the respect of the origin of our customs and ancient traditions." Peruvian officials have said that the Diablada folk dance has its roots in both countries. Bolivia has no grounds to claim the dance in the international court, countered Peru's director of its National Institute of Culture, Cecilia Bakula told the newspaper El Comercio. "This issue should stop because we can't lose tolerance or respect between both countries over things like this," Schwarz said in an interview with Bolivian media. "We have a dance that unites us because the Diablada is danced in Bolivia and Peru." The cultural dispute comes at a time of political disagreement between the countries relating to maritime access at the border between Chile and Peru. Peruvian President Alan Garcia has accused Chile and land-locked Bolivia of negotiating an under-the-table deal that would leave Peru out. On Monday Peru said it was taking its own case to the International Court of Justice over the maritime dispute. | Miss Peru, Karen Schwarz, set off firestorm in Bolivia with Andean-inspired outfit . Bolivia's cultural minister threatens to go to international court . Report: Peru cultural director says Bolivia has no grounds to claim dance . Peru also threatens to go to court: over maritime dispute with Chile and Bolivia . | bedab14a1d24e2f11b27df3c543bb82b977bbe8c |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 13:19 EST, 26 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:46 EST, 26 May 2013 . The two passengers who died in an Angel Flight crash in upstate New York were a Vietnam veteran with brain cancer and his wife, a volunteer pilot said Sunday. Authorities investigating the crash of the twin-engine aircraft that went down Friday evening in Ephratah, a small town about an hour west of Albany, returned to the site Sunday to scour the woods and a nearby pond for the missing pilot. Terence Kindlon, an Albany attorney who is a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight, said he and another lawyer, Dale Thuillez, had flown the cancer patient and his wife to Boston on Friday morning in Thuillez's plane. Kindlon, 66, said the husband was being treated for glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. He said they seemed like a happy pair. Short flight:The plane was headed for Rome, NY, and the crash occurred about 60 miles east of its intended destination . 'We were both former Marines and had been in Vietnam pretty close together in time,' Kindlon said. 'We hit it right off. He was a nice guy.' The two lawyers flew back to Albany in Thuillez's plane after dropping off the couple in Boston. Kindlon did not name the couple since authorities have yet to reveal their identities. Their bodies were found Friday near the crash site, Fulton County Sheriff Thomas Lorey said. National Transportation Safety Board investigators that returned to the crash site today aim to retrieve the bulk of the wreckage from the water over the next few days, said agency spokesman Eric Weiss. They are looking for smartphones, GPS devices, computer tablets or other items that could 'give the investigators some electronic evidence of what happened in the last minutes of flight,' he said. Wreckage from the crash was dispersed over a large area, with pieces of the plane found as far as five miles away. Plans called for rescue workers to canvass the woods and divers to use sonar to search a big, murky pond where the bulk of the aircraft was submerged. Town Supervisor Todd Bradt has said divers had trouble seeing in the water because it's so muddy, but a piece of the plane was removed earlier. Angel Flight is a nonprofit group that arranges free air transportation for sick patients from volunteer pilots. Larry Camerlin, president and founder of Angel Flight Northeast, said the organization was 'tremendously saddened' by news of the crash. Small plane: A Piper PA 34 was being used by the Angel Flight organization, a non-profit that sets up free air transportation for children and adults who need to travel to receive medical treatment . While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, Kindlon stressed that 'the standards for being an Angel Flight pilot are rigorous.' The Piper PA 34 had departed from Hanscom Field in Bedford, Massachusetts, and was headed to Rome, New York, before it crashed just after 5 p.m. Friday, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said. The plane did not issue a distress call before losing radar and radio contact, the NTSB said. Visibility at the time in Rome was 10 miles, said National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Montgomery. It was slightly raining with winds of 13 to 14 mph. Witnesses described the destruction that started in the air above Ephratah, a sleepy town of about 700 people. The parking lot of Granny's Ice Cream Shanty, which is less than a mile from the crash site, was filled with emergency vehicles Saturday morning. Owner Joan Dudley said she and her employees were among the first at the scene Friday night. 'We were just leaving to get something to eat, and we heard this noise,' Dudley said. 'We looked up and saw the plane flipping in the air. Then it fell apart,' she said. 'Parts and pieces of it were flying through the sky, and a body fell out.' They called 911 as they parked their car and ran to the crash site in the rain to see if they could rescue anyone. Ephratah resident Roger Berry, 75, said he was outside chopping wood when the plane crashed. 'When I heard it, I knew something was wrong,' Berry said. 'It made one circle and came back around.' Searching: Rescue workers gather in the car park of Granny's Ice Cream Shanty near the site of the plane crash in Ephratah, New York . Berry said he heard a bang, then saw pieces of the plane fall from the sky and scatter. The motor fell 50 feet from his neighbor's bedroom, where she was sleeping, Berry said. Angel Flight Northeast said it has set up free air transportation and medical care for more than 65,000 children and adults on about 60,000 flights covering more than 12 million miles. It was founded in 1996. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating what might have caused the crash. 'We all offer our thoughts and prayers to the families of those affected,' Camerlin said in a statement. 'Our volunteer pilots are the most compassionate and generous individuals who donate their time, aircraft and fuel to transport patients and loved ones for free to essential medical care that would otherwise not be readily available to them. There are no words that can adequately express our sorrow.' | A brain cancer patient and Vietnam veteran and his wife have been revealed as the passengers in the flight that crashed over New York state on Friday . The bodies of the couple were found on Friday near the wreckage . Authorities are still searching for the pilot, whose identity has not been revealed . | 058794f714f1c79f5d68d73f6b78cea156b422fe |
By . Ap . PUBLISHED: . 19:56 EST, 11 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:14 EST, 12 June 2013 . A truck driver was killed and several others were injured after a dust storm in rural Nevada blinded drivers, leading to a 27-car pile-up. Humboldt County sheriff's dispatchers . called in every emergency services worker in . the sparsely populated area after drivers reported 'near-apocalyptic' conditions on Interstate 80 at Winnemucca on Monday evening. A mine rescue crew also assisted, while a charter bus helped transport victims. A dust storm on Interstate 80 in rural northern Nevada led to a 27-car pile-up in zero-visibility conditions. One truck driver was killed and several people were injured . The carnage on I-80 at Winnemucca shut down the east-west corridor, a major trucking route, in both directions while workers cleared the scene of wrecked vehicles and debris . High winds at about 5pm on Monday whipped up dust - possibly loose from recently cleared fields - and created whiteout-like conditions, authorities said . All emergency services workers in the sparsely populated area of Humboldt County were called in after drivers reported 'near-apocalyptic' conditions on Monday evening . The carnage shut down the east-west corridor, a major trucking route, in both directions while workers cleared the scene of wrecked vehicles and debris. One side reopened after 19 hours, while the other remained closed yesterday afternoon. Chicago resident Ravi Dyer, 51, was killed when his truck rear-ended another commercial vehicle in the zero-visibility conditions, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol. Two other trucks hit his from behind, seriously injuring his passenger. A Humboldt General Hospital spokeswoman said 26 people were treated at the hospital, including three in critical condition . Images from the scene showed crunched-up vehicles, at least one overturned SUV, and damaged big rigs with their loads spilling onto the road . Overturned vehicles lie strewn across the freeway after the storm . Humboldt General Hospital spokeswoman Nicole Maher said 26 people were treated at the hospital, including three in critical condition who were later transferred to a hospital in much-larger Reno, about 160 miles away. High winds at about 5pm on Monday . whipped up dust — possibly loose from recently cleared fields — and . created whiteout-like conditions, authorities said. Vehicles, including . semitrailers, passenger cars and a tow truck piled up in both . directions. Images from the scene showed . crunched-up vehicles, at least one overturned SUV, and damaged big rigs . with their loads spilling onto the road. Vehicles, including semitrailers, passenger cars and a tow truck piled up in both directions . Authorities identified the man killed during the massive pile-up as 51-year-old truck driver Ravi Dyer from Chicago . The Winnemucca Police Department brought in a police transport vehicle, and the Coach America charter bus company sent a vehicle to transport victims . A mine rescue crew from Newmont Mining Corp. assisted, along with the entire emergency room and operating room teams at the 52-bed Winnemucca hospital . Maher said that it took . about three and a half hours to remove one person from a vehicle. Traffic was still being diverted more than 12 hours later, troopers said. Hospital officials said the emergency response included some unusual helpers. A car is crushed between two trailers as the extent of the devastation became apparent . Incident Commander Ken Whittaker praised officials who brought in water trucks and helped quell the brown dust so emergency crews could help the victims . The Winnemucca Police Department brought in a police transport vehicle, and the Coach America charter bus company sent a vehicle to transport victims . A mine rescue crew from Newmont Mining Corp. assisted, Maher said, along with the entire emergency room and operating room teams at the 52-bed Winnemucca hospital . Incident Commander Ken Whittaker also praised officials from Humboldt County who brought in water trucks and helped quell the brown dust so emergency crews could help the victims. Traffic was still being diverted more than 12 hours later, troopers said . | Storm caused a 27-car pile-up in zero-visibility conditions . Every emergency worker in the county dispatched to respond to disaster . Ravi Dyer, 51, from Chicago, killed when his truck rear-ended vehicle . | 9a6bcfc795ce3ebadf6e189ec1ae5d30e8ca3e90 |
By . Kieran Gill . Follow @@kie1410 . Ander Herrera will become an influential figure for Manchester United, says Juan Mata. Herrera was crowned man of the match after one of the most complete debut performances a player could hope to make, pulling the strings in United's 7-0 demolishing of LA Galaxy at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. And Mata was all for praising his midfield partner: 'He did great. I know him very well from our days with the Spanish . national youth teams and he was very good. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Ander Herrera say he is the right age to join such a big club . Winner: Ander Herrera 'did great' according to Manchester United team-mate Juan Mata . Working hard, Ander? Herrera gave his all as United demolished LA Galaxy 7-0 in their pre-season friendly . Assisting: Herrera pulled the strings against LA Galaxy and was instrumental in Louis van Gaal's first win . The right angle: Darren Fletcher and Herrera were the only two players to stay on for the full 90 . BORN: Bilbao, Spain, Aug 14 1989 (age 24) 2008-2009: Zaragoza B (10 apps, 2 gls) 2009-2011: Zaragoza (82, 6) 2011-2014: Athletic Bilbao (94, 7) 2014-NOW: Manchester United (0, 0) Herrera joined United in a £29million switch from Athletic Bilbao in June, and was Louis van Gaal's first signing as manager. It was a move that Mata feels will benefit himself and the entire club. 'I . am very happy for him,' Mata continued. 'We have a good connection on and off the pitch . and I think he will give us a lot of good things this season.' Herrera proved instrumental in Van Gaal's first win as United boss, and put his experience with Mata from their Under-21 days for Spain to good use. Herrera and Darren Fletcher were the only Reds to play the full 90, as Van Gaal made nine changes at half time. The Dutchman opted for a 3-4-3 formation against the MLS franchise, a shape the 62-year-old plans to bring to the English Premier League. Pals: Herrera (left) and Mata (right) walk together in Pasadena and were deadly for United . | Ander Herrera 'did great' during Manchester United's 7-0 win over LA Galaxy in their pre-season friendly, according to team-mate Juan Mata . Herrera won man of the match award and created a string of chances as he was one of just two players to stay on for 90 minutes . 'We have a good connection on and off the pitch,' says midfielder Mata . He adds: 'I think he will give us a lot of good things this season' | b5f527fdcb8fd1bf5f7111f58dbc3faa0f9eb94e |
The son of an Ohio police officer who vanished nine years ago has been found dead in a car pulled from a pond this week. The coroner's office in Franklin County confirmed the body found in the submerged car was that of Anthony 'Tony' Luzio Jr., Delaware County sheriff's spokeswoman Tracy Whited said. The 25-year-old Luzio disappeared on July 4, 2005, after leaving an Independence Day party. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Found: The dead body of Anthony Luzio Jr. was discovered in a car pulled from a pond nine years after he went missing from a Fourth of July party . The pond: Investigators used geographic-information-systems technology to search for bodies of water that back in 2005 would have had no obstacles like trees or fences around them like this Ohio pond . The discovery: Search Crews discover Anthony Luzio Jr.'s body nine years after he disappeared . Closure: Anthony Luzio Jr.'s family has some closure now that their son's remains and his car were found submerged beneath the waters of an Ohio pond . Luzio was the son of retired Columbus Police Sgt Anthony Luzio Sr. His family's years of hoping, waiting and wondering ended Tuesday, when the car he'd driven was pulled from the central Ohio pond. Luzio's father told The Columbus Dispatch the discovery was bittersweet. He said the family always had a bit of hope of finding Luzio but now can put him to rest. 'After 9 1/2 years to prepare for this, we thought we would be ready for the inevitable. But it hurts as bad as if it happened yesterday,' said Anthony Luzio Sr., a retired Columbus police sergeant. The pond was searched after police officers identified bodies of water big enough for a car to go into around where Luzio Jr. was last seen. A search company that relies largely on donations found the car using a small boat equipped with sonar. It located the car within minutes of launching the boat . A fire department diver then went into the water to confirm it was Luzio's car. The Clothing matched what Luzio was seen last wearing and his driver's license was inside the car. Members of the dive team sent their condolences to the Luzio family and told WCMH-TV in Columbus they hoped the discovery of the car and Luzio's body would bring some closure. The car was towed to the sheriff's office to be examined. Long search: Investigators searched twelve ponds using the sonar-equipped boat before they found the car at around 4:30 p.m. in the thirteenth body of water . Team effort: Several agencies used geographic-information-systems technology to search for bodies of water that back in 2005 would have had no obstacles like trees or fences around them . Desperately searched: Anthony J. Luzio Jr.'s family's years of hoping, waiting and wondering ended Tuesday, when the car he'd driven was pulled from the central Ohio pond . Mystery: How Anthony J. Luzio Jr. ended up in the pond remains a mystery and police say they aren't jumping to speculate nine years after his tragic disappearance . The Columbus Dispatch reports that investigators from numerous agencies searched long and hard for the missing Luzio and enlisted the help of both the sheriff's office and the Powell Police Department to search through the county's 1,000 bodies of water. Dennis and Tammy Watters who own Team Watters Sonar Search and Recovery in Moro, Illinois travelled to Delaware County eight times over the past year to help search for Luzio and in that time became close to Luzio's parents Carla and Anthony Sr. The heartbroken parents along with the Watterses looked for ponds that could hide a car and be driven into from a road. They used geographic-information-systems technology to search for bodies of water that back in 2005 would have had no obstacles like trees or fences around them. 'We believe he drove off the roadway for whatever reason,' Capt. Kevin Savage of the sheriff's office said. Close family: Anthony J. Luzio Jr. was the son of retired Columbus Police Sgt Anthony Luzio Sr. with whom he had a strong family bond . 'When you never have a person or a vehicle show up, in our mind, that vehicle has to be hidden somewhere.' In the spring of this year, investigators searched 300 bodies of water all within a 3-mile radius of the home where Luzio was last spotted. 'We were prepared to search every pond in Delaware County,' Savage said. They looked at water near Old State Road because a friend of Luzio's lived nearby. They searched twelve ponds using the Watterses' sonar-eqipped boat before they found the car at around 4:30 p.m. 'We always knew it was a solvable case,' Mr. Watters told the Dispatch. Even though they found Luzio body and his car, Investigators said they aren't trying to speculate about what happened on the night that he went missing. The investigation spanned for 9 1/2 years and Martin Watters says there's no rush to figure out what happened. 'It would be premature and presumptuous on my part to speculate what happened that night,' the sheriff said. Devastated: Anthony J. Luzio Jr.'s parents are happy their son was found but they said that discovering him dead only gives so much closure as though it 'feels as though it happened yesterday' | The coroner's office in Franklin County confirmed the body found in the submerged car was that of Anthony 'Tony' Luzio Jr. The 25-year-old Luzio disappeared on July 4, 2005, after leaving a party . Though he's been found, police say that they won't try to speculate as to what happened the night he went missing nine years ago . 'After 9 1/2 years to prepare for this, we thought we would be ready for the inevitable. But it hurts as bad as if it happened yesterday,' said father Anthony Luzio Sr., a retired Columbus police sergeant . | 80296725c6929e4d77348c974bfc1022c4cef2d6 |
If you've ever dreamed of having a fairytale wedding, your wish has been granted - thanks to a new edible invention. At Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings Expo this weekend, the company unveiled a brand new creation: a tiered wedding cake with animations projected onto its surface. In a video demonstrating how it works, an animated Tinkerbell is seen flying across the surface of the cake, sprinkling fairy dust all over it. Scroll down for video . The technology used to map animation onto the cake is similar to the kind Disney uses in its nightly light shows at Magic Kingdom and Disneyland. And the animation that can be projected onto your wedding cake isn't limited to just Disney characters. In fact, the light show can be customized, letting couples create their own special love story for their wedding guests to watch. These fairytale cakes are available as part of Disney's Wishes Collection' wedding package, which starts at $12,000. Talk about a fairytale wedding! Disney has unveiled a brand new creation: a tiered wedding cake with animations projected onto its surface . Make it your own: The light show can be customized, letting couples create their own special love story for their wedding guests to watch . Couples who sign up for the package can choose to have their wedding in a Disney park in Florida, Disneyland California, Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii, or aboard a Disney cruise line. 'Today's couples are looking for that customization and they want to look unique, and they want to do something amazing at their wedding,' a woman says in the demonstration video. 'We have the perfect solution for you.' She explains that the images are projected onto a blank canvas on the cake, which is perfectly edible. And when it comes to cutting the cake, couples can do it while the animation is playing - as long as they stand behind it so as not to block the light. | The cakes are only available as part of Disney's Wishes Collection' wedding package, which starts at $12,000 . | 3a1f9e6be32471cf8abab3833a6eba89d351a87a |
By . Anna Hodgekiss . PUBLISHED: . 11:43 EST, 10 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:02 EST, 10 January 2013 . For Ally Vagg and her boyfriend Bryan Williams, their trip to the Amazon basin was meant to be the holiday of a lifetime. And it has been just that - but for all the wrong reasons. The couple, from Australia, are now stranded in Bolivia and are not allowed to return home after contracting a rare flesh-eating parasite. Ally Vagg and her boyfriend Bryan Williams are stranded in Bolivia, unable to return home due to contracting a rare flesh-eating parasite . After suffering from irritated skin, they initially thought they were simply suffering from mosquito bites - a standard occurrence in that part of the world. But then, to their horror, both Ally and Bryan started to feel something squirming under their skin . and occasionally poking its head out of some of the open wounds. It was then they were diagnosed with the human bot fly . infection, according to The Gold Cost Bulletin. While their wounds probably did start as mosquito bites, the theory is the insects were carrying bot fly eggs. These dropped into the wounds caused by the mosquito bites before the larvae then hatched under the skin. Fly larvae had been living under their skin, feeding on their flesh. The maggots eventually crawl out of the host body and become large densely haired bot flies that resemble bees . The couple, who live in Sydney, are now stranded in Bolivia until they are free of the parasites. It's thought that up to 50 eggs could be living in each wound. Fly larvae had been living under their skin, feeding on their flesh. The . maggots eventually crawl out of the host body and become large densely . haired bot flies that resemble bumblebees. 'I lifted my shirt to see the head of it crawling at the top of my skin . looking like a worm or fishing bait,'' Mr Williams told the newspaper. The newspaper reports that they have already pulled seven of the worm-like larvae from wounds on their stomach, back and legs. Mr Williams is also said to have spent days with tape over his stomach wound, a method used to starve the larvae of air and draw them to the surface. During another attempt to remove the parasites his friend pulled out three of the inch-long larvae. He said: 'We all nearly puked. Repeatedly.' The pair may also need minor surgery to remove the remaining parasites. The couple hope to return to Australia in mid to late February but must remain in Bolivia until at least next month when they expect to be fully healed. Ordeal: The couple must remain in Bolivia until at least next month when they expect to be fully healed . A female bot fly captures a mosquito and attaches its eggs to its body before releasing it. The mosquito then carries the eggs and when it bites an animal's skin, will drop the eggs and they burrow under the skin's surface. They stay just below the surface to breathe, and the most common . treatment is to cut off their air supply with vaseline - so they will . crawl out. Untreated, they can burrow too far down and need to be cut out before they develop into flies. Contracting the condition is highly unlikely, and the only reported . cases are from tropical areas, mainly Africa and South America. Dr Ron Behrens of the London Hospital of Tropical Diseases said: 'It can occur in anyone. A mosquito drops the bot fly's eggs . onto the skin. The bot fly doesn't come into contact with the person, . the mosquito does it, as a third party. 'The pupae then burrow under the skin - often the scalp, legs or groin . area - and feed off it, but stay close to the surface so they can . breathe. 'Flies can also lay their eggs on clothing hanging out to dry, so we . recommend ironing it beforehand, if you're staying in a tropical area. 'They would have been growing bigger under this man's skin, which makes . it very painful. After a couple of weeks they develop into flies, and . are moving around - which is very unpleasant. But luckily it can be . successfully treated.' | Ally Vagg and boyfriend Bryan Williams got mosquito bites on Amazon trip . Fly larvae penetrated bites to live under their skin, feeding on their flesh . Parasite could hatch into maggots and crawl out of their skin within weeks . Australian couple stranded in Bolivia until they are free of the parasite . | 12f0fe53fd10c214c4470ccf2997458d7d6baaec |
Life lost: Police in Denver shot and killed a 17-year-old girl identified by her friends as Jessica Hernandez early Monday morning . A deadly shooting of a 17-year-old girl at the hands of Denver police officers sparked angry protests in the city Tuesday, with members of the community demanding answers about the fatal encounter. Police shot the teenager early Monday morning after they say she struck and injured an officer with a stolen car. Authorities did not release the girl's name, but friends identified her as Jessica Hernandez. 'We're angry about it. It's another life taken by another cop,' said 19-year-old Cynthia Valdez, a close friend and schoolmate of the girl. 'She was trying to find her talent. She wanted to find out what she wanted to be. ... Who knows what she could have been?' Few details were immediately released after the shooting in an alley in the older, middle-class residential neighborhood. The four other people - three girls and a boy - in the car were not injured by the gunfire, and all were being questioned as part of the investigation, police said. It was not clear whether any had been arrested. Police Chief Robert White said an officer was called to check on a suspicious vehicle at around 6.30am Monday in the Park Hill section of Denver and a colleague arrived after it was determined the car had been reported stolen. In a statement, police said the two officers then 'approached the vehicle on foot when the driver drove the car into one of the officers.' White said both officers then opened fire. The officer hit by the car was taken to a hospital with a leg injury. Scroll down for video . Shots fired: Denver police shot and killed a 17-year-old gir early Monday after they said she drove a stolen car at officers, hitting one of them in the leg . Public rage: Nazzi McDonnell, left, of Colorado Springs, joins other participants in waving placards during a vigil near the scene of the early morning fatal shooting of a young woman . Emotional: Destiny Moya fights back tears as she talks to reporters during a vigil near the scene of the early morning fatal shooting of Jessica Hernandez . Making their voices heard: Brandi Mendieta, front, of Colorado Springs, listens to speakers while surrounded by placard-waving participants at a vigil . Rev. Terrence Hughes, center, leads participants in prayer during a vigil near the scene of the early morning fatal shooting of 17-year-old Jessica . Bobbie Diaz, whose 17-year-old daughter was in the car, said she was lying in bed when she heard four gunshots followed by an officer yelling, 'Freeze! Get out of the car! Get down!' Diaz said she came outside to see officers with their guns drawn pulling people out of the car, including Jessica. 'She seemed like she was not responding, not moving,' she said. 'They just yanked her out and handcuffed her.' Meanwhile, Diaz said she heard another person screaming, 'She's dead! She's dead!' 'I'm just trying to process everything. I'm just heartbroken for the girl's family,' Diaz said. 'How could something like this happen again?' Another woman, Arellia Hammock, who has lived in the neighborhood for about a decade, said she heard three gunshots about 6.30am and then saw several police cars streaming down the street. Hammock said she understands one of the officers was injured, but 'that's still no reason to shoot.' 'They shouldn't have stolen a car. But the cops are too fast on the gun,' she said. 'You've got stun guns. You've got rubber bullets. Why do they have to shoot all the time?' That sentiment was echoed during Monday's vigil as some held signs decrying police brutality. Jessica's friend Cynthia Valdez, 19, said the 17-year-old was trying to find her talent . Candles burn in front of participants at a vigil and protest against police brutality . Makeshift memorial: A teddy bear sits near a display of candles standing near the spot where Hernandez was shot dead by police . Speaking out: Protesters wave placards as activists head into a meeting on Tuesday with officials from the office of the Denver District Attorney about the fatal shooting . One of the signs read, 'Girls' Lives Matter,' a play on the 'Black Lives Matter' slogan that became a rallying cry after the police killings of unarmed black men in Ferguson, Missouri and New York City. 'It should have been handled differently. She's a young girl. I'm just not OK with it,' said 17-year-old Destiny Moya, who grew up with Jessica. Both officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation, which was being conducted by police, the district attorney and the Office of the Independent Monitor, a civilian oversight agency for the city. Earlier today, prosecutors promised a thorough investigation and asked angry protesters gathered outside District Attorney Mitch Morrissey's office for patience. Morrissey wasn't there during the tense confrontation at his office, where chief deputy district attorneys Doug Jackson and Lamar Sims spoke over shouts and obscenities from some of the protesters. Jackson said he could not discuss the facts of the case but assured the group that the findings of the investigation will be made public when it's finished. 'You can decide whether we made the right decision or not,' Jackson said. Furious: Jose Castaneda, front left, who lost his cousin in a police shooting early Monday, joins activist Anthony Grimes Tuesday . Justice for Jessica: Castaneda and his fellow activists are calling for a special prosecutor to be appointed to investigate Hernandez's shooting . In tears: A tear runs down the cheek of Rev. Patrick Demmer, left, as he is consoled by Anthony Grimes as the activists speak before Tuesday's meeting with officials . Plea: Doug Jackson, center, and Lamar Sims, right, senior chief deputy district attorneys with the office of the Denver District Attorney, promised a thorough investigation and asked for patience . The girl's cousin, Jose Castaneda, said he was frustrated and didn't want to wait months to find out what happened. 'Let me ask you one question, how would you feel if it was your kid?' he yelled before storming away. Protesters said they don't trust Morrissey's office to handle the case because the last time a Denver police officer faced charges in a shooting was 1992. 'We are sick and tired of these kinds of things happening and there seems to be no true objective investigation,' said the Rev. Patrick Demmer of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance. A shrine of red and white flowers and candles, and a grinning white teddy bear marked the shooting scene Tuesday. Magaly Castaneda, 17, a friend of Hernandez, visited the site and said she doubted Hernandez would have intentionally hit an officer. Those who knew Jessica (pictured left and right) said she had a lot of heart and expressed doubt that she had struck the officer on purpose with the car . 'She didn't even get time to think that she was going to get shot,' Castaneda said. She had known Hernandez since both were middle school students doing each other's hair and makeup. Castaneda said Hernandez would bring home friends who had nowhere else to go, sometimes exasperating her mother. 'She always had a heart. She always cared about everyone,' Castaneda said. By law, police are allowed to use force to stop and overcome the resistance of another person. They can use it to match the force and overcome it. | Police shot and killed girl identified by friends as Jessica Hernandez early Monday morning . Deadly confrontation in Park Hill section of Denver left police officer responding to call about suspicious vehicle with an injured leg . Eyewitness described how officers 'yanked' Jessica Hernandez's limp body from the car and handcuffed her . Dozens of people came out for a vigil at the crime scene carrying signs decrying police brutality . Prosecutors promised a thorough investigation into the police killing and asked angry protesters for patience . | 5c146d274266fed3cb4a3bb39b630465f575b5e5 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 16:50 EST, 7 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:33 EST, 7 November 2013 . Newly-released footage taken from police body cameras have revealed the dramatic moment officers opened fire on a former NFL player as he was apparently about to stab his girlfriend. The video shows two officers shooting former New York Giants recruit Jermaine Green, 32, six times as he held Katrina Johnson, 37, at knifepoint in a home in Daytona Beach, Florida in September. Both sustained non-fatal gunshot wounds; Green was shot in the hip, abdomen and right arm, while Johnson was hit with a seventh bullet in her right arm, the footage shows. It was released as authorities investigate whether officers Richard Maher and Kevin Connelly were justified in opening fire during the September 25 incident. Scroll down for video: WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT . Tense: Officers can be seen raising their weapons as they head towards a domestic dispute in Florida . Struggle: In the bedroom they find Jermaine Green pinning his girlfriend Katrina Johnson down on top of him. The former NFL player has her in a choke hold with his left arm and a knife in his right hand . 'I'm proud of what the officers did,' Dayton Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood told the Orlando Sentinel. 'Everybody went home to their families.' Three officers had been called to the home just after 3am after receiving two 911 calls about a fight and domestic dispute between the couple, the Daytona News-Journal reported. Chitwood said the row between Green and Johnson had started a day earlier when Green allegedly hit his girlfriend over the head with a brick, although this was not reported to police. Officers arrived at the home to find concerned relatives running from the home in their pjamas. They tell the pair that they had tried to stop the fight but that Green had gone 'crazy'. The footage shows them kicking the . door down to see Green, who then pulls Johnson into a bedroom. With . their weapons raised, they inch into the room. Danger: He brings down his right hand - carrying the knife - and misses her but the police begin to shoot . Chaos: Green was hit multiple times and Johnson is seen trying to get away after being shot in the arm . Hurt: Green lies beside the bed - he was shot in the hip, the arm and the abdomen but has recovered . There, . they see Green laying on the bed with his girlfriend pulled down on top . of him in a choke hold with his left arm. His right hand is gripping a . large knife held over Johnson's chest. 'Let her go dude, let her go,' one officer yells. 'Let her go man, I'm telling you right now.' They see Green raise his right arm slightly and then come down rapidly - in an apparent attempt to stab his girlfriend. 'He's doing it,' the policeman said to his partner - before seven shots rang out in the room. What follows is chaos as both Green and Johnson are hit in the series of bright flashes. One officer helps Johnson get up, but Green remains slumped on the floor. They were taken to Halifax Health Medical Center, where Green was listed in critical condition and was in the intensive care unit for several days. Fight: Green, left, allegedly attacked his girlfriend, Katrina Johnson (pictured right in an earlier mug shot) a day after he allegedly hit her over the head with a brick. He is being held without bail in jail . Johnson's injury was not serious but she has threatened to sue the Police Department over the shooting, the Daytona News-Journal reported. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now investigating the use of deadly force by the officers. When the investigation is complete, it will be sent to the State Attorney's Office. After the incident, the officers were placed on paid administrative leave for a few days but have been back on duty for nearly a month. Green, who played for Washington State then the Giants, is being held without bail at the Volusia County Branch Jail on charges including kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Since 2002, Green has been arrested nine times, including for domestic battery in 2010. | Newly-released footage shows the moment two officers opened fire on Jermaine Green, 32, in Daytona Beach, Florida in September . Video shows him holding his girlfriend Katrina Johnson, 37, at knifepoint before bringing down the weapon in an apparent attempt to stab her . Cops open fire, hitting him three times and her once - both recovered . Video has been released as authorities investigate whether the cops were justified in opening fire . Green signed with the New York Giants in 2004 but never took the field . | 4728c8f8384d4dae518fd483e60567a362f5dc3e |
Washington (CNN) -- A Supreme Court majority appeared poised Tuesday to give a woman convicted of trying to poison her best friend a chance to argue that her case should have been handled in state courts. Carol Anne Bond was given a longer prison sentence in the federal system, after being charged with violating an international treaty on the use of chemical weapons. The case of toxic love has soap-opera elements, but Bond's lawyers argued she was being treated like an international terrorist, instead of someone caught up in a domestic dispute. Several justices seemed to agree. "She wants to make the argument that this is a strictly state, local crime, and that any attempt by the federal government to convert it into a treaty-based terrorism crime is erroneous," said Justice Antonin Scalia. "Why doesn't she have standing to make that argument?" Justice Elena Kagan added, "It's all a question of what Congress' scope of authority is under the (Constitution's) Necessary and Proper Clause" on federal authority. The implications go far beyond this case, and could establish important precedents on the strength and purpose of the Constitution's 10th Amendment, which preserves state sovereignty. It is also an issue roiling the current political debate, especially among Tea Party conservatives in this post-9/11, security-conscious environment. At issue is whether Bond has a right -- called "standing"-- to contest her conviction on grounds it went far beyond the normal scope of federal jurisdiction in this kind of crime. The high court, in a case from more than 70 years ago, suggested that this so-called "gateway" claim could only be raised by state officials, not individual plaintiffs. Bond, a native of Barbados, lived outside Philadelphia and worked as a microbiologist. As a federal appeals court succinctly summarized the relevant facts in the case: "Bond was excited when her closest friend, Myrlinda Haynes, announced she was pregnant. Bond's excitement turned to rage when she learned that her husband, Clifford Bond, was the child's father. She vowed revenge." Bond, known to her family as Betty, struck back by stealing dangerous chemicals -- arsenic-based 10-chloro-10H-phenoxarsine -- from her company, and also obtained potassium dichromate over the internet. Both substances in heavy doses can cause toxic, even lethal harm with very little physical contact. The 40-year-old then tried to poison Haynes some two dozen times over several months, secretly sprinkling small amounts of the chemicals on an apartment doorknob, car door handles and a mailbox. While suffering no more than a chemical burn on her thumb, Haynes grew suspicious -- one of the chemicals was a bright orange powder. After getting little help from local police, she called postal inspectors in 2007, who set up surveillance cameras. Bond was videotaped stealing mail and placing chemicals inside the mailbox and car muffler, court records show. She was soon arrested. Bond admitted her guilt early on and claimed she never meant to kill Haynes, but only wanted to cause her "an uncomfortable rash." The defendant also said her friend's betrayal caused an "emotional breakdown" that made her respond in such a shocking fashion. Instead of being charged with simple assault, which may have gotten her six months to a year or two in state prison, Bond was indicted in federal court on two counts of mail fraud and two counts of violating a federal law and international treaty for the possession and use of "chemical weapons." When a judge denied her motions to transfer the case to state court, Bond pleaded guilty and immediately appealed. She received a sentence of six years behind bars and nearly $12,000 in fines and restitution. An appeals court ultimately rejected her standing claims. The strange case took an even stranger turn when the Supreme Court was asked to weigh in. After first adamantly claiming Bond had no right to appeal, the Justice Department reversed course. But the Obama administration still believes Bond's federal conviction was valid. In court arguments, the standing issue dominated the debate. "This isn't sarin," a lethal nerve agent terrorists have used in the past against civilians, said Bond's attorney Paul Clement. "There is something sort of odd about the government's theory that says that I can buy a chemical 'weapon' at Amazon.com. That strikes me as odd." He added Bond used a "commonly available chemical." That received a sympathetic response from some on the court after Clement's legal opponent stepped up. "If it is in fact a 10th Amendment claim, unless you have a state official or the state, there is no standing," said attorney Stephen McAllister. "Pretty harsh, if we're talking about prudential standing, to deny that to a criminal defendant, isn't it?" replied Chief Justice John Roberts. Justice Anthony Kennedy went further. "Your underlying premise is that the individual has no interest in whether or not the state has surrendered its powers to the federal government, and I just don't think the Constitution was framed on that theory," he said. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg pushed McAllister to admit there was no previous high court case in which a criminal defendant was held to have lacked standing to challenge a statute under which the defendant was prosecuted. Since the Obama Justice Department admitted its handling of the standing issue was wrong, the justices had to appoint an outside private attorney to argue what the government had originally claimed. McAllister, an experienced lawyer and onetime law clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas, was given the tough assignment. Many conservatives hoped the majority right-leaning bench would use the opportunity to delve further into the scope of the 10th Amendment, which states, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people." While some justices thought the case should be decided only on standing grounds, others were more eager to explore the larger issues. Obama administration attorney Michael Dreeben argued Congress' power to enforce treaties and to control commerce was sweeping, including state "regulation of a commodity." "Given the breadth of this statute, that would be a very far-reaching decision, wouldn't it?" said Justice Samuel Alito, clearly troubled. By the federal government's reading, he noted, "a chemical weapon is a weapon that includes toxic chemicals. And a toxic chemical is a chemical that can cause death to animals. And pouring vinegar in a goldfish bowl, I believe, will cause death to the goldfish, so that's a chemical weapon," which could potentially mean life imprisonment for the perpetrator. He suggested that was not what Congress had intended. In the broader political context, conservatives, along with a healthy mix of liberals and libertarians, worry that the federal government and Congress have been overly aggressive in staking claims to disputes they believe are best left to states, especially in the criminal arena. And it's not just felonies. Areas like gun ownership, zoning laws, environmental regulations, taxation, health care and education standards all could be re-examined in the wake of a high court decision. Even if Bond prevails on the standing issue, she might still face an uphill battle in phase two of the her legal fight, getting her federal conviction ultimately thrown out on 10th Amendment grounds. Either way, it may come too late to do her any good, if the justices sidestep the 10th Amendment aspects. She is set to be freed from federal prison in West Virginia next year, likely before any future case on the merits would be resolved. A high court ruling will likely be issued by June. The case is Bond v. U.S. (09-1227). | The case involves a woman convicted of federal charges related to chemical weapons . Bond found out her husband and best friend were having an affair, and a baby . Justices mull Bond's standing to argue that her case should have been decided in state courts . | 7d252a752de10d20e71d95918ba28fe01ee2482a |
By . Tim Shipman . PUBLISHED: . 17:49 EST, 26 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:06 EST, 27 April 2013 . Ministers plan to use £1billion of the NHS budget to pay for social care – effectively tearing up the Coalition’s pledge to ringfence Health Service spending. The move comes amid fears hospital accident and emergency departments are being flooded by patients who could be cared for at home. Despite a promise to protect the NHS from the £11.5billion cuts the Treasury has ordered for 2015/16, the proposals could see more than £1billion funnelled from the Department of Health to local authorities. A&E waiting times have risen and needy patients have been left on hospital trolleys . Ministers will argue that pouring NHS funds into community care will enable some elderly patients and those with chronic conditions to be treated outside hospital, reducing pressure on overstretched A&E units – which will in turn save the NHS money. But removing money from the NHS will prove highly controversial, since the Prime Minister was boasting earlier this week that the Coalition is spending more on health. With the NHS already having to save £20billion for the four-year period of the spending review, critics will argue that other services could suffer. Proposals could see more than £1billion funnelled from the Department of Health to local authorities . Town hall chiefs have reduced dramatically their funding of social care as a result of budget cuts, leaving people with long-running health conditions to seek help in hospitals instead. A&E waiting times have risen and needy patients have been left on hospital trolleys because of ‘bed-blocking’ by those who should be treated at home. Last year nearly 900,000 waited longer than four hours and recent reports suggest some patients wait up to 12 hours to be seen. A source said the plan was a ‘win-win’ because ‘if you look after people outside hospital you relieve the pressure on Health Service budgets’. Non-ringfenced departments have been ordered to find cuts of around 10 per cent in their 2015/16 budgets. Plans will be submitted on Monday to the Treasury, with the final deal announced in June. | Comes amid fears that A&E departments are being flooded by patients who could be cared for at home . | d27df81ab9643a0a2379ffc8d6393cc23e49c4b6 |
By . Sam Creighton . Charlize Theron sparked outrage last night by comparing media intrusion into her personal life to rape. The South African actress, 38, was accused of cheapening the suffering of victims after she made the insensitive remarks in a TV interview. The Oscar-winner was also branded a hypocrite because of her past as an anti-rape campaigner and for using a media appearance to make the comparison. Courting controversy: Charlize Theron said she doesn't Google herself because 'it feels like being raped' Appearing on Sky News – to promote her latest film – she was asked if she ever Googled herself. Miss Theron replied: ‘I don’t do that, so that’s my saving grace. 'When you start living in that world, and doing that, you start, I guess, feeling raped.’ The actress, who hours earlier had been photographed leaving Claridge’s hotel in London with her adopted son Jackson, two, and her partner, fellow Oscar-winner Sean Penn, 53, was then pushed on whether she really felt invasions of her privacy were equivalent to sexual violence. Miss Theron replied: ‘Well, you know when it comes to your son and your private life. Maybe that’s just me. Awareness: Twitter user Cliff Murray said the timing of Charlize Theron's comments is 'shocking given the brutal rape and murders in India' 'Get a grip': Danielle Hayward described the actress as a 'complete moron' after hearing her comments . Controversial: The Hollywood actress Charlize Theron has compared press intrusion to rape in an interview . 2004: Defends her mother for shooting her alcoholic father dead in front of her in 1991, telling American TV channel ABC: ‘He was a verbal abuser… and I know that if my daughter was in the same situation, I would do the same thing.’ (To promote Monster) 2005: Tells Oprah Winfrey: ‘The way my father died was traumatic. I would wish for nothing more in my life than for it not to have happened the way it did. But I can’t change that.’ (Aeon Flux) 2008: Tells The Guardian: ‘I’m a sexual creature. There’s nothing wrong with that. Why do we have to be ashamed of being so many different things? Why do we have to be only one thing, a good mother or a hooker? I don’t think that what’s under my clothes is evil.’ (Hancock) 2010: On her desire to have children with then boyfriend Stuart Townsend: ‘I’m reaching the point where I want to be a mom and Stuart is the man I want to take that step with.’ (The Road) 2012: On adopting Jackson: ‘I always knew I would adopt. I don’t think any mother aims to be a single mum. I didn’t wish for that but it happened.’ (Snow White And The Huntsman and Prometheus) 2014: On marriage: ‘I never had the dream of the white dress. And watching other people getting married? I think it’s beautiful for them, but to be quite honest, usually I’m sitting there just devastated.’ (A Million Ways To Die In The West) 'Some people might relish all that . stuff but there are certain things in my life that I think of as very . sacred and I am very protective over them.’ Rape campaigners condemned the . actress’s remarks, made while she was meant to be talking about her new . film A Million Ways To Die In The West, a comedy western. Others pointed out she has regularly used media interviews to offer up details of her personal life while promoting her films. Karen Ingala Smith, chief executive of victim support charity Nia, which runs the East London Rape Crisis Service, said: ‘There’s one thing that’s like rape and that’s rape. 'It weakens what we understand as rape when we use that word inappropriately. It cheapens the aftermath of rape and it cheapens [victims’] suffering. ‘If Charlize Theron spent an afternoon listening to a rape crisis helpline she would understand very quickly that unwanted press attention is very different.’ Katie Russell from Rape Crisis England and Wales added that Miss Theron had no excuse for making comments that would ‘upset people who have survived attacks’. She said: ‘It is always disappointing when someone high profile uses that language and turns sexual violence into a metaphor for something else. ‘It is never appropriate and it trivialises the experience of sexual violence. ‘It’s particularly disappointing in this case because Charlize Theron has campaigned against sexual violence before.’ Miss Theron has been involved in several anti-rape campaigns, including appearing in a South African advert in 1999 standing under a banner reading ‘Real men don’t rape’. The actress, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of a serial killer in Monster, was also criticised on social media. Mark Merryweather wrote: ‘How dare Charlize Theron compare press intrusion to rape – try telling a victim of rape that.’ Miss Theron is not the first celebrity to court criticism in this way. In 2010, Kristen Stewart apologised after telling a magazine that looking at paparazzi photos of herself was like ‘looking at someone being raped’. In 2011, Johnny Depp said being photographed by the paparazzi makes ‘you just feel like you’re being raped somehow’. He later apologised. | Hollywood actress caused a backlash on Twitter following the remarks . Made the comments when Sky News asked whether she googled herself . She was promoting her new film A Million Ways To Die In The West . Charity who help victims of sexual violence say remarks 'trivialise rape' | 74c6b048e5efe8164d21b1a88a97cdf10fdd4f48 |
(CNNMexico.com) -- Carlos and Adriana have been dating for six years, and though they don't see each other regularly, they value their relationship. A decade ago, when they didn't even know each other, Carlos and Adriana were diagnosed with schizophrenia; from that moment their love lives became a more complex issue than most people have to deal with. Adriana describes herself as an introverted woman. She is 42 years old and was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 33. "I didn't take care of myself. I didn't want to shower and I was not wearing clothes for my age," she remembers. "I was very depressed. My dad was concerned and decided to take me to a doctor." Carlos, 46, says he passed out while he was working back in 2000. He didn't realize that from that moment he was going to start experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, a mental disorder suffered by approximately 1.5 million Mexicans. "I began to have delusion of persecution. I was very stressed," he says. "This led me to be a person that was very hard to deal with. I used to think that people knew what I was going to say, that people could read my mind. I was living in a permanent state of stress, I was paranoiac and it was horrible." The couple met in a therapy group. Adriana says she is happy now that she has someone to talk with. "I don't have a lot of people to talk with about my personal issues because they don't believe me or they don't want to help me with my deliriums," she says. Carlos was married when he was diagnosed. He says his wife didn't know "how to understand" that he was suffering from a mental disorder and that is why she decided to leave him. She doesn't allow Carlos to stay in touch with his kids. "My oldest daughter is now 19. The other two were really young the last time I saw them," he says. "They don't recognize me. A year ago my ex-wife allowed me to meet with my daughter -- she told me she was going to college to be a psychologist. I kissed her and hugged her, but she told me she needed time to understand this situation. Since then, she hasn't answered my letters or phone calls." María Luisa Rascón, a psychologist and researcher at the National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente in Mexico explains that schizophrenia is a degenerative chronic disease that alters human senses; this leads the patient to suffer delusion of persecution, to hear voices or even think that water tastes like acid. It prevents the patient from having a clear perception of what is real and what is not, she says. For Carlos, the main reason to get better is to recover his children. However, he knows that to achieve this, he will need to become financially stable again, in order to help support his children. "I lost everything because of the schizophrenia," he says. Rascón says that in some cases family members are not aware of what a patient is going through after the diagnosis of a mental disorder, and that leads them to leave them. "The family stigmatizes their sick relative because they are also suffering a social stigma; they feel pushed back and do the same to their loved one. Having a relationship while you are handling with that negative interaction of the rejection, it could be very difficult." According to the National Institute of Psychiatry of Mexico, 28% of the Mexican population has suffered from some type of mental disorder, such as emotional disorders or anxiety. The National Survey on Discrimination in Mexico made by the National Council to Prevent Discrimination in 2010 showed that 20% of people with disabilities are discriminated against. For another patient, Rocío, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1996, discrimination was a complex difficulty during her rehabilitation. She and her husband worked in the same company, but when Rocío started to show symptoms such as deliriums and hallucinations, the husband's co-workers started to joke about it, making him feel bad. He felt pressure to quit his job. After the couple left their jobs, their relationship ended because of their financial struggles. In 1994 she moved with her 4-year-old son to her mother's house. "In 1990, I started to hear voices everywhere. I tried to run away, I closed doors and windows in my house to avoid hearing them, but it was useless. I heard laughs and people gossiping about me while walking in the street. I heard them even on the TV and on the radio," Rocío remembers. The stress due to a lack of job security exaggerated her disease, she adds. Five years after she separated from her husband, her son confessed that his father was already living with another family. Rocío did not feel angry. "I felt good for him, he found happiness, something he didn't have with me." During a job interview -- a couple of years after she started her treatment -- she met her current partner. "We see each other a few times, not very often because he has a family," she says. "We keep our relation secret; my son doesn't know about it and thinks he is only a friend of mine." As part of her rehabilitation therapy, Rocío attends a radio show called Open Radio every week. It is hosted by people who previously had a mental disease and is produced by the psychologist Sara Makowski. It airs from The Metropolitan Autonomous University in Mexico City. Makowski describes the radio show as a space for dialogue, which offers a safe environment in which people suffering from a mental disorder can express themselves. In three years, Makowski says, relationships with a partner have been a recurrent topic of discussion among the participants. "The issues with love ... (are) deeply human. To listen to what they think about love is a great way to get closer to them and to understand that we are not living in distant worlds, that there are bridges that can help us go from one world to another." "We are lonely people," Rocío affirms. She is ready to find a man who hasn't suffered from any mental disorder and is willing to commit. This is not the case for another patient, Enrique, 42; he admits to being comfortable without a girlfriend. Since he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, eight years ago, he has become more social because of the workshops he has gone to as part of his rehabilitation process. "Because of the disease, I became unfriendly and shy," he says. "In my life I have made few friends, the majority in my childhood. When I was sick I felt like a monster. I didn't understand what my physical constitution was." Enrique hasn't been able to understand what happened to the 15 years of his life before he was diagnosed with a mental disorder at the age of 34. Schizophrenia made him think he could communicate telepathically with his ancestors and he was feeling that everything was an aggression against him. He says he already has overcome that phase. Now Enrique compares himself with the movie "El Bulto" ("Excess Baggage"), in which a man wakes up after 20 years in coma, without understanding that his country, his family and his world have changed. "I've never been in a romantic relationship. It is difficult to be in a relationship with someone with a mental disease; you have a lot of issues," Enrique says. "I can't be with a person like me. I would like to be with someone that didn't have a mental disorder." Read this story in Spanish at CNNMéxico.com . | Schizophrenia is a degenerative chronic disease that alters human senses . Carlos lost his wife because she didn't understand his mental disorder, he says . Enrique says he can't be with someone who also has schizophrenia . | 6372b0fd568780e62f00d71765d490c141e27917 |
By . Donna Mcconnell . PUBLISHED: . 09:39 EST, 14 June 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 06:16 EST, 15 June 2012 . Chris Brown has posted a picture of a nasty gash on his chin - apparently sustained from a nightclub brawl with rapper Drake and his entourage in New York. Brown allegedly flew into a rage after Drake taunted him by returning a bottle of champagne he'd sent over as 'peace offering' with a note reading: 'I'm f****** the love of your life, deal with it'. Drakes crude response was clearly a reference to Brown's ex-girlfriend Rihanna. Scroll down to see the video . Best of enemies: Drake, left, and Chris Brown, right, seen partying on opposite sides of club WiP before the night ended in bottle throwing with Chris sustaining a cut to the chin . The aftermath: Broken glass can be seen strewn across the bar following the Chris and Drake fight . Clash: Chris Brown posted a picture of his cut chin to his ten million followers after an alleged brawl with rapper Drake . According to website Global Grind Chris reportedly flew into a rage and confronted Drake. Drake allegedly threw a punch but before the singer could retaliate, another man hit Brown in the face with a bottle. A source told the New York Post: 'They were on opposite sides of the room, Drake went over to the middle of the club to talk to someone, then words were exchanged with Chris and his entourage. The source said someone from Drake's entourage, possibly the singer himself, threw a bottle. 'Once the bottle was thrown, all hell broke loose and there were more bottles thrown.' The fight allegedly kicked off as the last song was playing, just before 4 a.m. Police were . already at the scene because it was closing time and that they 'were on . it in seconds and began getting everyone out of the club.' Pictures of the aftermath show the club floor strewn with broken glass. Brown was pulled out of the situation by his own security and helped out of the club while Drake was pulled to the back of the club, the source said. '[Drake] was one of the last out of W.I.P.' Bloody: An Australian tourist, Hollie C, 24, and Brown's bodyguard Big Pat were among the five people injured according to the NYPD . The New York Police department . confirmed to the Global Grind that the two singers' crews got into a . fight at . Manhattan nightclub - 5 people were injured in the melee including . Chris' bodyguard who suffered a serious cut to the head, two other men . and two women suffered minor cuts. At least three were hospitalised. Police . were looking at surveillance footage and talking to patrons who . witnessed the melee. No arrests have been made and no complaints filed. Drake . has today denied he was involved in 'any kind last night at W.i.P.' His . spokeswoman said in a statement: 'He was on his way out of the club . when the altercation began. Chris Brown was caught on video leaving the club in New York . Drake is surrounded by his entourage as he leaves the club . Club W.I.P the Soho basement club where Chris Brown and Drake got into a brawl last night . 'He did not engage in any activity which resulted in injury to person or damage to property.' Brown and Toronto rapper Drake two have had a war of words since both being romantically attached to Rihanna. Chris, showed the bleeding chin to his ten million followers before taking himself to hospital. And graphic photos of his bodyguard Big Pat have emerged showing him lying in a hospital bed with a severe head injury. Chris Brown tweets during the Drake fight . No love lost: Chris Brown seen in New York earlier this week, and Drake, . right, seen in London in March, the pair clashed at a nightspot in NYC . last night . Tug of love: Rihanna, seen in New York last night, is at the centre of a . war between former love Chris Brown and rapper Drake who is she . previously had a fling with . The photo and the message have since been removed from Brown's Twitter page. The fight will further fuel rumours regarding the closeness of Rihanna to her ex Brown. Earlier this week the . two pop superstars partied at the same club at the same time for the . second time in as many days, leaving within minutes of each other. TMZ reported the pair . were in the club together for around 30 minutes and Brown spent some . time with the Rude Girl singer at her table. Still close: Rihanna leaves New York club Avenue minutes after her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown . Sitting . in different booths, the couple still 'kept a close eye on each other' - . and Brown sent her over two bottles of Ace of Spades Champagne. A video surfaced earlier this week of the pair leaving the club minutes apart. The lovelorn pair have been linked . together several times already this year, after it emerged that they had . recorded songs with each. And of late wherever Rihanna is, . Brown isn't far behind, as they party at birthday celebrations and . nightclubs in West Hollywood. The sighting comes after another sign . that Rihanna is paving the way for a reconciliation with singer Chris , . as the raunchy singer reportedly invited the singer to attend a . basketball game party on Saturday with her family. The singer and Brown joined her family - including grandfather Lionel Braithwaite on Saturday at an intimate gathering at Jay-Z's New York club 40/40 to watch the Miami Heat beat the Boston Celtics. A source told The New York Post: 'Rihanna arrives first in a yellow cab, with her family and friends, and was escorted to a private room. 'Brown arrived a little later and joined her and her family.' The pair have been spotted together often in recent weeks . Full footage will be released on WeMobbinDVD' | Police investigating after five partygoers injured in Manhattan club brawl . Brown hit in the face with a bottle . | 5c430ac3cdc55250e54b7c6b3db6b88e62d04a34 |
Within two weeks of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, the head of U.S. special forces issued orders that all photos of the body be either turned in or destroyed, a newly released document shows. In an e-mail dated May 13, 2011, then-Vice Adm. William McRaven wrote the following: "One particular item that I want to emphasize is photos; particularly UBLs remains. At this point -- all photos should have been turned over to the CIA; if you still have them destroy them immediately or get them to the [redacted.]" The e-mail was obtained by the conservative activist group Judicial Watch, which has called for the public release of photos of the raid in Pakistan that killed the al Qaeda leader. The e-mail, which was almost entirely redacted, was released under a Freedom of Information Act request. See a PDF of the redacted e-mail . Days before McRaven's instructions, Judicial Watch had filed a FOIA request for such photos, and hours before, they filed a lawsuit, according to the group's president, Tom Fitton. "Despite there being multiple requests for this information, and a lawsuit for this information, there was a directive that was sent out, to who knows who, to destroy records," he said. "It may have been in violation of the law," he said. It is not clear whether any photos of bin Laden's remains were actually destroyed. Through a spokesman, McRaven declined to comment. Retired Gen. James "Spider" Marks, a CNN military analyst, says if McRaven ordered photos deleted, he may have been trying to protect operational secrets, sources and methods and trying to make sure no commandos kept any photos or video of the covert raid that they were not authorized to keep. "It wouldn't be surprising if they shook them down, and they said 'OK, I want to make sure you don't have something that's hidden away someplace,' " he said. In the days after the raid, President Barack Obama said he would not authorize the release of any images of bin Laden's corpse, saying it would create a security risk. Osama bin Laden: The fast facts . "It is important for us to make sure that very graphic photos of somebody who was shot in the head are not floating around as an incitement to additional violence, as a propaganda tool," the president told CBS news magazine "60 Minutes." Former FBI Assistant Director Tom Fuentes said he would have similar concerns if photos of the terrorist's body were made public. "You would see those images forever on television," he said. "That could lead to more recruitment of future al Qaeda members, making him a martyr." Fitton is not persuaded by that argument. "Americans' right to know about what their government is up to should be circumscribed because we don't want to offend terrorists and their sympathizers? That to me is unbelievable," he said. "This is a historic raid. People have a right to this information." But so far, the courts have not sided with Judicial Watch on that question, and the Supreme Court declined to hear the organization's appeal. The U.S. raid on bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, was conducted on May 2, 2011. What the U.S. planned if the raid in Pakistan had not worked . 'Nightmare' at home for SEAL who shot Osama bin Laden . | Then-Vice Adm. William McRaven sent an e-mail dated May 13, 2011 . Concerns were high about the possible leak of photos of Osama bin Laden's corpse . His orders: "If you still have them destroy them immediately or get them to the [redacted.]" The conservative activist group Judicial Watch obtained the e-mails . | 583c17fb10b129306b36d38af457765a087d0e9e |
By . Sam Adams . PUBLISHED: . 10:32 EST, 4 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:25 EST, 4 October 2012 . A British woman facing execution in Bali if she is convicted on drugs charges told a court today that the case against her was ‘full of inaccuracies’. Lindsay Sandiford, 56, from Redcar, Teesside, was arrested with three other Britons by Bali police in May after she . arrived at the airport with a suitcase allegedly packed with 4.8kg of . cocaine worth £1.6m. During her brief appearance, in which she was charged with selling or facilitating the sale of illegal narcotics - she insisted that many aspects of the prosecution’s case was wrong. Accused: Lindsay Sandiford, 56, (pictured) faces execution if found guilty of cocaine smuggling in Bali. She told a court today that the case against her was 'riddled with inaccuracies' Stress: Mrs Sandiford, seen here at an earlier court hearing in Bali last week (above left and right) is one of four Britons who have been charged in connection with the case . Drama: She also tried to cover her face during the earlier hearing (above) after cameramen were allowed into court . Mrs Sandiford appeared in court with a scarf . over her head in an attempt to keep her face hidden from cameramen who . were allowed to be present. She spoke in English to the three judges, telling them that she would respond to the charges in full at her next hearing, set for October 10. But the fact that she has already disputed much of the prosecution case suggested to observers that she was determined to put up a fight in her defence. Because she did not have a lawyer with her, she was told that the court would appoint one for her if she did not find one herself by then. Custody: Mrs Sandiford is being held at Bali's notorious Kerobokan prison along with three other Britons charged in connection with the case . This was her second appearance without a . lawyer. The court has told her that it will not hear her side of . the case until she has appointed one. When she appeared last week the hearing was immediately postponed because she was not legally represented. She told the court at the time that she had been asked by police to sign a number of documents. But because they were all in Indonesian she had refused to put her name to them. Mrs Sandiford is being held at Bali’s notorious Kerobokan prison. The prison, which opened more than 30 years ago, contains hundreds of male and female prisoners of various nationalities. Three other Britons charged as part of the case are also being held at the jail – Rachel Dougall, Julian Ponder and Paul Beales. While Miss Dougall has yet to appear, she and Mr Ponder are facing a death sentence if convicted. Mr Beales has been told he is not likely to face execution if convicted but could receive up to 20 years in jail. Bali is a province of Indonesia - which has some of the toughest anti-drugs laws in the world. | Lindsay Sandiford faces death penalty if found guilty . She insisted today that many elements of the case against her are incorrect . She wore a scarf over her head in court in a bid to hide her face . Three other Britons have also been charged in connection with the case . | 7217061949229ed3ddb99308a7a6d52002c2d771 |
By . Ap Reporter and Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 00:56 EST, 8 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:04 EST, 8 July 2013 . Thousands of people today paid their respects to the 19 Hotshot firefighters killed in last week's Arizona wildfire at a procession through Phoenix. Carrying American flags and patriotic signs, the mourners lined highways and overpasses as 19 white hearses carrying the fallen traveled for 125 miles through Arizona cities and towns. Fellow firefighters, the men's family members and residents of Yarnell, the small town they died trying to save, openly cried as the hourslong caravan crawled past. The crew of elite Granite Mountain Hotshots was working to build a fire line between the blaze and Yarnell when erratic winds suddenly shifted the fire's direction, causing it to hook around the firefighters and cut off access to a ranch that was to be their safety zone. Scroll down for video . Patriotic: A motorcade of hearses carrying the remains of 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots firefighting team, who were killed fighting the Yarnell Fire, drive along the crowd filled street around Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in Phoenix, Arizona . Emotional: Former Central Yavapai firefighter Adam Avon, left, and Lee Montgomery wipe away tears after a procession of hearses through downtown Prescott . Grieving: Two women mourn the tragic death of 19 firefighters in downtown Prescott, Arizona . A man waves the American flag as hearses, carrying the remains of the 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots firefighting team who were killed fighting the Yarnell Fire, drive past in a motorcade . 'It's overwhelming to watch this slow . procession of 19 hearses,' Bill Morse, a Flagstaff fire captain . stationed in Prescott for a week helping the fire department deal with . the tragedy, told Dallas News. 'The ceremonious air of it all. It's heartbreaking.' Motorcycle escorts, honor guard members, and firefighting trucks accompanied the 19 hearses along the route. The American flags accompanied the . victims as their remains were transported in individual hearses Sunday . back to Prescott. The flags will then be given to their families. Family members of the firefighters watched the procession in private, away from the public and members of the media, according to Dallas News. Pictured: An aerial photo shows the site where 19 firefighters were killed in an Arizona wildfire on June 30. The line in dug in the center allowed rescuers to reach the fallen firefighters and remove their bodies . Honor on parade: A procession of 19 hearses drives through Phoenix July 7 carrying the Prescott firefighters killed while battling a wildfire about a week ago . Honored: Nineteen Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighters were killed by an out-of-control blaze near Yarnell, Arizona on June 30 . An idea to drape the bodies of 19 dead firefighters in American flags came from Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher, shortly after the men were found dead. ‘He was overwhelmed. He was down there at the time the evacuations were in progress, then when he met with the staff and learned of some firsthand details with folks on the scene that the firefighters passed away, he made the decision we need to bring them down the hill in honor,’ agency spokesman Dwight D'Evelyn said. The fire was 90 percent contained Sunday, after destroying more than 100 homes in Yarnell and burning about 13 square miles. The town remained evacuated Sunday. Dearly missed: In a sprawling makeshift memorial, items are displayed to honor the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighters killed by an out-of-control blaze near Yarnell, Arizona June 30 . A few photos were snapped, and the moment was memorialized. Everyone agreed the pictures would remain private. Then one appeared anonymously Thursday on Facebook: A stark image of the victims lying next to one another in two rows on the scorched earth, American flags draped over the remains. Several media outlets, including the Arizona Republic and USA Today, published the photo on Friday. For family members and first responders, the picture is both haunting and a comfort, providing a brief window into how fellow firefighters and law enforcement tried to bring dignity to a situation that was unbearable. ‘I personally felt comfort seeing how taken care of they were and honored at the site,’ said Paul Bourgeois, a Phoenix-area fire chief who is acting as a spokesman in Prescott for the families. ‘What bothers me is the insensitivity of the person who took the picture and shared it.’ Touching: Linda Lambert places her hand across a plaque outside the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew fire station, in Prescott, Arizona, a plaque that carries the names the names of the 19 firefighters killed June 30 . A community mourns: Grief reigned at the Fire Station No. 7 in Prescott, Arizona as they remember the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighters killed in a June 30 fires . Tragic: The Arizona fire killed the 19 expert firefighters without warning as winds shifted, whipping the fire all around them with no escape possible . The families ‘just feel it was a violation of privacy,’ he said. Wade Ward, a Prescott fire spokesman, said he had taken similar images and others at the scene, and had met with families of the firefighters and asked them if they wanted to see the photos of the American flag-draped bodies. Some weren't ready, but they said one day they would be, and when that day came, the photos could be released to the public. We walk for our daddy: Family members rode a Prescott Arizona Fire Department truck in honor of their fallen loved ones in a July 6 parade . Respect: As soon as the bodies were discovered, it was suggested they be covered in American flags, which were subsequently sent to the site by Governor Jan Brewer . American farewell: Childern dressed as firefighters watch as a fire truck carrying friends and family members of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew lead the Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo Parade July 6 . The flags were just one of many efforts to honor the fallen firefighters. Their bodies have also never been left alone, a tradition that most firefighters follow whenever one of their own is lost. Someone stands watch with the bodies at the morgue, and accompanies them as they are transported. Randy Lovely, senior vice president for Republic media, said in an email Saturday that the newspaper had several careful and thoughtful discussions before publishing the photo, including conversations with an ethicist. ‘Throughout our conversations two issues were top of mind - honoring our responsibility to chronicle the events of last Sunday but always being mindful of the huge sacrifice of life,’ Lovely wrote. ‘Ultimately, we felt that the picture showed the deliberate care and attention given to honor the firefighters while also filling in more details of the events as they occurred. 'I believe the picture is incredibly moving and a tribute to the 19 men.’ Wrenching: Creative and touching items decorate the makeshift memorial honoring the fallen 19 firefighters . Angels with angels: The firefighters were surrounded by and succumbed to flames as they fought to stave off fires from a nearby town and its people . Grieving: Prescott Fire Marshal Don Devendorf, right, is hugged by Robert Gill as a fire truck carrying friends and family members of Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew rides in a Prescott, Arizona parade July 6 . He said that the Republic doesn't know who exactly took the picture, ‘but we know that only a limited number of officials had access to the scene.’ Officials confirmed the contents of the picture to The Associated Press, but said they didn't know who took it and declined to release another version. Another photo first posted to Facebook on Saturday, this time by the Prescott Fire Department, shows the site where the fighters were killed. The aerial shot looks like a moonscape, with no vegetation recognizable on the blackened earth. A thin road built by a bulldozer cuts through the middle of the land, stopping where the bodies were found. The highly trained men were in the prime of their lives, and many left behind wives - some pregnant - and small children. Far and away: Russ Reason, Jr., of North Pole, Alaska, places a signed hat from oil refinery firefighters in Alaska at a makeshift memorial . | Thousands of people mourned the loss of 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots at a procession through Arizona . Family members grieved in private, away from the crowds . The release of a photo showing the victims lying next to each other under American flags has infuriated family members . | a5ea6984c67c1bebf11fbf556a7c058026cbe376 |
By . Anna Hodgekiss . PUBLISHED: . 11:19 EST, 13 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 13:39 EST, 13 December 2012 . A father-of-two whose hand was sliced in half by a machine has made a miraculous recovery, thanks to painstaking surgery. Atushkumar Patel, 37, lost four fingers and part of his right hand when the machine he was cleaning turned itself on automatically. Mr Patel, from east London, was rushed to Broomfield Hospital in Essex, where surgeons spent ten hours painstakingly wiring his bones, tendons and nerves back together. Incredibly, just five weeks after his horrific accident, Mr Patel has managed to regain the movement and feeling in his fingers. Atushkumar Patel's right hand was sliced in half by a machine he was cleaning. Surgeon Mak Tare (right) spent 10 hours painstakingly wiring his bones, tendons and nerves back together . Mak Tare, the consultant plastic surgeon at Broomfield Hospital who operated on Mr Patel said: 'From the accident to the procedure you have about six hours to get into surgery so it's high-pressured. 'I've never seen a case like this at the hospital but your training immediately kicks in and you know what to do.' He added: 'Mr Patel is the sole breadwinner, has two young children and is right handed so we knew we had to do everything we could to save his hand.' Mr Patel had been cleaning a machine when it started automatically, slicing off his hand.He said: 'The machine started, I don't know how, and my hand was caught. I instantly felt pain.' The part of the machine that had started was one that carries things to another part of the equipment and drops them elsewhere - which is exactly what happened with Mr Patel's hand. Incredibly, just five weeks after his horrific accident, Mr Atushkumar has managed to regain the movement and feeling in his fingers . He said: 'I was very shocked, but the hospital and Mr Tare have been fantastic. I can't believe what they've managed to do.' Mr Patel spent 20 days in hospital and underwent another six-hour operation to attach skin and blood vessels from his thigh onto his hand. Mr Tare said: 'I'm delighted with how things have progressed so far and the team really has done a miraculous job. 'If you can only save one person's hand in your career then it's definitely worth it. 'Mr Patel underwent two big . operations and is now undergoing physiotherapy, but we hope he'll be . able to return to work very soon. Mr Patel with surgeon Mak Tare and the team who oversaw his recovery . 'Broomfield is a centre of excellence in this sort of surgery because of the infrastructure we have in place and the fact that we're able to mobilise our resources so quickly to deal with traumas like this. 'It was a remarkable case to work on and Mr Patel has become quite famous in the hospital.' Karen Hibberd, associate practitioner, who was working on the night Mr Patel came in, added: "He was brilliant throughout, he didn't faint and was smiling all the time. It's been fantastic to be part of something so amazing.' | Atushkumar Patel, 37, lost four fingers and part of his right hand when the machine he was cleaning turned itself on automatically . Was rushed to Broomfield Hospital in Essex, where surgeons spent ten hours painstakingly wiring his bones, tendons and nerves back together . Now, just five weeks after his horrific accident, he has managed to regain the movement and feeling in his fingers . | e4c659789e4d4fb58dba1cfec5e11566e79d1542 |
By . James Chapman . PUBLISHED: . 06:39 EST, 4 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:27 EST, 4 January 2013 . George Osborne's plan to claw back child benefit through the tax system is due to kick in from Monday . Hundreds of thousands more families could end up losing some or all of their child benefit, it emerged yesterday. Financial experts say they would join the ranks of the more than a million who will lose an average of £1,300 this year. With the benefit starting to be means-tested from Monday, the Institute for Fiscal Studies issued a withering verdict on the ‘incoherence’ of the policy. It said that while 85 per cent of families would continue to receive the benefit following this year’s reforms, more and more families will lose it in the years ahead as wages rise but the threshold for losing the benefit remains at the same level. ‘The number who will lose at least some child benefit will just increase indefinitely as you go further and further into the future,’ said Robert Joyce, of the IFS. The Government says it has no plans to change the threshold at which child benefit is lost from the current £60,000. The IFS estimated that 820,000 families in which one partner earns more than £60,000 will lose all their child benefit this year, while a further 320,000 families in which the highest earner is paid between £50,000 and £60,000 will see some of their payments cut. The Institute for Fiscal Studies released this graph which shows how the marginal tax rate faced by parents earning between £50,000 and £60,000 could top 65 per cent for anyone with three children in 2013-14 . It said the average loss is £1,300 a . year. Its report warned that larger families will face crippling . marginal tax rates – the effective tax rate on every extra pound of . income, taking into account both extra tax paid and withdrawn benefits. This is because for every £100 earned between £50,000 and £60,0000, 1 . per cent of child benefit will be cut. The marginal tax rate between £50,000 and £60,000 will increase by about . 11 percentage points for the first child, to 51 per cent, and a further . seven points for each subsequent child, the IFS said. So, for example, while about 320,000 people will lose more than 50p in every extra pound they earn between £50,000 and £60,000, about 40,000 of them – those with three or more children – will find that their marginal tax rate jumps to at least 65 per cent. David Gauke said he is 'pleased' with how things were going despite the confusion . Families with four children with one . earner on between £50,000 and £60,000 will face an extraordinary . marginal tax rate of 71.5 per cent. Experts say this will create huge . incentives for people in this income band to reduce their taxable income . – for example, by contributing more to a private pension or working . less. Mr Joyce said the reforms, which were watered down by the Chancellor following protests from Conservative MPs, will create ‘a series of administrative complexities, including the need for up to 500,000 more individuals to fill in self-assessment forms’. He added that the ‘biggest concern’ is the incoherence the change will create in the welfare system. Families will have to get to grips with the different ways child benefit and child tax credits – soon to be the child addition within the universal credit – are assessed, Mr Joyce said. A Treasury spokesman said: ‘Withdrawing child benefit on the basis of the combined family income would require intrusive means-testing of all eight million households getting child benefit. ‘The way we are doing it is simpler for the vast majority of families.’ | Changes to cut child benefit for families with someone earning more than £50,000 start on Monday . Institute for Fiscal Studies warns average household will lose £1,300-a-year . Parents with more than three children will face tax rates of over 65% . Claw back through tax system means government will make welfare system more complex . Labour accuse Chancellor of failing to think policy through . Tory heartlands in the south will be hardest hit . | 9693e50bdb6b520c9aeaed530886777000f789a6 |
For any normal human 50 cents is worthless – for Tony Fernandes it was all he needed to buy his own airline. When Fernandes bought AirAsia in 2001 from Malaysian conglomerate DRB-Hicom for a single Malaysian ringgit – worth about 50 cents at the time – the carrier was in free fall and plunging deeper into debt by the day. But the flamboyant businessman built the small and failing company into a dominant player in south-east Asia with a low-cost model that focused on short and cheap flights. Some years later he started AirAsia X, which focused on long-haul flights. Scroll down for video . AIrAsia CEO Tony Fernandes used a low-cost model that focused on short and cheap flights to make the airline a major player in south-east Asia . Mr Fernandes worked with fellow air tycoon Sir Richard Branson at Virgin Communications London in the late 1980s. They are now firm friends . His cavalier attitude in business and willingness to take a punt on an outside chance made his name. One of his most notable recently was when he bought Premier League football team Queens Park Rangers in 2011. He is currently their chairman and the team is sponsored by AirAsia. A minute's silence was observed at the start of Rangers' Premier League game against Crystal Palace on Sunday for those missing. But the 50-year-old’s renowned self-belief will be severely tested after AirAsia flight QZ8501 between Surabaya, Indonesia and Singapore went missing with 137 adults, 17 children and one infant on board. It’s a nightmare now, but he’d dreamed of operating his own budget airline since he was in school, he told the BBC in 2010. His motto, according to the AirAsia website, is: ‘Believe the unbelievable. Dream the impossible. Never take no for an answer.’ Fernandes’ career in business would seem to reflect this. He had a net worth of $US650 million ($A703.27 million) as of February, according to Forbes, which listed him as the 28th richest person in Malaysia. The entrepreneur, who went to school at Epsom College in Surrey and later studied at the London School of Economics, made sure his first flight with the company – which had just two aircraft when he bought it – was one he was unable to take as a young boy. Mr Fernandes' motto with AirAsia is: ‘Believe the unbelievable. Dream the impossible. Never take no for an answer.’ ‘I always dreamt about doing a long-haul, low-cost airline,’ he said in a 2010 interview. ‘For my first ever flight in Air Asia X, I refused to do the launch to Australia and China and everyone thought it was a bit odd. But I wanted my first flight to be London-Kuala Lumpur. ‘It was very emotional for me 35 years on.’ The multi-millionaire's interests spread even further than the airline industry. As well as buying Queens Park Rangers in 2011, he also owned Formula One Team Caterham until this year. The Asian entrenprenuer bought Premier League football team Queens Park Rangers in 2011 . He previously worked with fellow air tycoon Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Communications London in the late 1980s, before joining Warner Music International in 1989. he adopted the Virgin airline owner's public, larger-than-life persona, and is now seen as the ‘Richard Branson of south-east Asia’. The two are now close friendsn 2013, Branson dressed up as an AirAsiaX female flight attendant after losing a bet to Fernandes over a Formula 1 race. Sir Richard Branson arrives at Kuala Lumpur dressed in an Air Asia flight attendant uniform and is handed a flight attendant graduation certificate by Mr Fernandes. The Virgin mogul had to do the stunt after losing a bet to Fernandes over a Formula One race . He was awarded a CBE in 2011, and is an Officer of the Legion d'Honneur in France, the highest honour a non-national can receive. Today though the devastated AirAsia CEO faces his biggest crisis and all he can do is hope. 'We are very devastated by what’s happened, it’s unbelievable,' he said in a media address in Surabaya on Monday. 'Our concern right now is for the relatives and for the next of kin – there is nothing more important to us, for our crew’s family, and for the passengers’ families. ‘We hope that the aircraft is found quickly, and we can find out the cause of what has happened.’ Mr Branson of Virgin GP and Mr Fernandes of Lotus stand beside their race cars before qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in 2010 . | Fernandes bought AirAsia in 2001 from Malaysian conglomerate DRB-Hicom for a single Malaysian ringgit – worth about 50 cents . At this time the carrier was in complete free fall and plunging deeper into debt by the day . But he made into a dominant player in south-east Asia with a low-cost model that focused on short and cheap flights . Fernandes had a net worth of $US650 million as of February, according to Forbes, which listed him as the 28th richest person in Malaysia . The 50-year-old bought Premier League football team Queens Park Rangers in 2011 and is currently their chairman . After working for Virgin Communications London in the 1980s he later became close friends with their CEO Sir Richard Branson . | 96458af9ad7a2190207b9508e1d357c32d3f5611 |
Tony Abbott has endured another awkward grilling on live television after calling Sunrise host David 'Kochie' Koch the wrong name on two occasions. The Prime Minister appeared on Channel Seven's Sunrise on Monday to face questions over his low approval rating and to talk about his paid parental leave plan. But just like his interview with Karl Stefanovic on rival program Today last week, the dialogue with Kochie didn't go so well. Scroll down for video . Tony Abbott appeared on Channel Seven's Sunrise on Monday to face questions over his low approval rating and to talk about his paid parental leave plan . The interview started with Kochie quoting the new opinion poll results and saying Mr Abbott was 'now as unpopular as Julia Gillard at her lowest'. 'Well Chris, sorry David... We're not the first government that's had a rough patch in the polls. We're getting on with delivering for the Australian people,' Mr Abbott said. As the Prime Minister listed promises and policies the Liberal government had delivered on in its first year, Kochie interrupted and told him people were actually focusing on the promises he had broken. 'The public feels like you have lied to them consistently over your first term,' Kochie told the PM. The interview started with Kochie quoting the new opinion poll results and saying Mr Abbott was 'now as unpopular as Julia Gillard at her lowest' As the Prime Minister listed promises and policies the Liberal government had delivered on in its first year, Kochie interrupted and told people were actually focusing on the promises he had broken . 'They didn't think they'd get a $7 co-payment or have to pay university fees… all things that you've broken since then. 'Do you need to apologise to the public and say "Yeah I've let you down, I did lie to you, I did break a lot of promises but hey I'm going to rebuild from here?".' After repeated questions from Kochie asking if the Prime Minister would apologise to the public, Mr Abbott slipped up on his name again. 'Well Chris, Kochie, I do not accept the accusations that you’re making. I just don’t accept them,' he said shaking his head. 'I think there are a lot of things that people have said and frankly a lot of these so called commitments were commitments other people had attributed to us post the election.' Sunrise host Kochie repeatedly asked Mr Abbott is he was going to apologise to the public over his broken election promises . Mr Abbott had a radio interview with the ABC's Chris Uhlmann prior to Sunrise, which may explain the slip-up. In last week's interview on Channel Nine, Mr Abbott took aim at the Labor party saying they were trying to sabotage the government's budget and he wished they weren't 'in such a feral mood'. Karl Stefanovic hit back by saying he was exactly the same in Opposition. 'With respect you were fairly feral in Opposition weren't you, I mean the greatest respect by that, and ... why would (Bill Shorten) do anything different when it worked for you?' Stefanovic asked. 'The reality here is that the budget position is in a shambles and every day it does get worse. 'No one is buying what you are selling, what you are laying down. That is the problem.' It comes a just week after Mr Abbott came under fire from Channel Nine's Karl Stefanovic . Mr Abbott took aim at the Labor party saying they were trying to sabotage the government's budget and he wished they weren't 'in such a feral mood' | Tony Abbott was interviewed by David Koch on Sunrise on Monday . Kochie grilled the Prime Minister about his low approval rating and paid parental leave scheme . The Channel Seven host asked Mr Abbott if he was going to apologise to the public for his broken election promises . It comes a week after Nine's Karl Stefanovic slammed the PM on Today . | 11f24e28c989d957f6ff36ad1c60a9d6d428f173 |
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (CNN) -- President Bush gave Tanzania's president, who played basketball as a youth, a pair of Shaquille O'Neal's shoes Sunday, along with millions of dollars to help combat disease and poverty in the east African country. President Jakaya Kikwete, next to President Bush, looks on as Bush greets a boy at a Tanzanian hospital Sunday. The gift of the American basketball icon's size-23 hightops spoke to the lighter side of Bush's visit. President Jakaya Kikwete presented gifts, too -- a stuffed leopard and lion, a Zebra skin and a wood carving for the American president who was enthusiastically welcomed on the second stop of his five-nation African tour. The Tanzanian president later artfully dodged a reporter's question on the potential that the U.S. might elect a black president, Sen. Barack Obama, whose father is Kenyan. Kikwete looked at Bush before demonstrating his political deftness, saying, "Let him be as good a friend of Africa as President Bush has been." But there was plenty of serious business to tend to as well, namely the signing of a compact under which the U.S. is to provide a $698 million grant to Tanzania. Watch how Bush explained what African nations are candidates for U.S. aid » . U.S. funding is intended to help African governments buy mosquito netting and insecticide to prevent the spread of malaria. "It breaks my heart to know that little children are dying needlessly because of a mosquito bite," Bush said. Bush also attended a roundtable on the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, program, which Kikwete said is saving lives and helping the African continent avert a health disaster. Bush said he has requested $30 billion over the next five years for the program. Though PEPFAR has helped increase accessibility to anti-viral drugs, the program is controversial because there is little focus on distributing condoms -- a staple of the program under President Clinton -- or on sex education, said Joel Barkan, a senior associate for the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The program is "largely pursued through faith-based initiatives," he said, adding that it's not clear whether the AIDS-prevalence rates are going down. After their visit to Tanzania, the president and first lady Laura Bush will travel to Rwanda to meet with President Paul Kagame. Watch why Bush looks to Africa as part of his legacy » . The U.S. has provided nearly 7,000 Rwandan troops with training, and spent more than $17 million to equip the troops and send them to Sudan, according to National Security adviser Stephen Hadley. Ethnic and tribal violence has raged for years in Sudan's western Darfur region, leaving about 200,000 dead and more than 2 million displaced. Arab militias, said to be backed by the Sudanese government, have wantonly attacked Africans, and numerous rebel groups have attacked government targets. "In Darfur, the U.S. will continue to call the killing what it is -- genocide," Bush said last week. The Bushes will go to Ghana then Liberia after visiting Rwanda. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is on the Africa trip, will head to Kenya on Monday to support efforts to reach political conciliation there. The country erupted in ethnic violence after a December presidential vote, in which President Mwai Kibaki kept his post. Opposition leader Raila Odinga blasted the results, saying the election was rigged. He and his supporters declined to recognize the election results. Violence has declined some since former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan began mediating between the two groups. Bush's first stop on the six-day tour was Benin, where he arrived Saturday. There, President Thomas Yayi Boni inducted Bush into the National Order of Benin and gave the American president a sash, cross medallion and lapel pin. He also thanked Bush for U.S. aid aimed at fighting poverty, malaria and HIV/AIDS, and he asked for help for Benin's struggling cotton exports. Boni said it was tough for Benin to compete with Asian cotton producers because of their superior infrastructure and with U.S. cotton growers because of government subsidies. Bush responded that the U.S. is willing to make concessions, but suggested that Benin might be better served to develop a cotton-products industry rather than trying to export raw cotton. Boni said Benin needs international help bolstering its electricity, water, communication and transportation systems before expanding its manufacturing sector. Bush said he chose Benin to start his African tour because its leaders were determined to fight corruption and were careful to make sure U.S. aid dollars were properly spent. "The United States wants to partner with leaders and their people, but we're not going to do so with people who steal money, pure and simple," Bush said. The United States has given Benin $307 million in a five-year grant to fight poverty, part of Bush's Millennium Challenge Account, which provides aid to countries that practice democratic principles and sound economic policy. Bush's trip to Africa is "basically an effort to celebrate successes," said Joel Barkan of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Most Americans picture Africa as the "continent of gloom and doom," but the president is saying the bigger picture is one of "making progress." Barkan added, "The question might be asked why he's not going to a number of countries," in particular the regional powers of Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria. "If the election in Kenya had gone well," the analyst said, "I'm sure Kenya would have been included. That's not possible now." The trip marks Bush's second to the continent and his wife's fifth. E-mail to a friend . | President Bush signs aid compact with Tanzania during Africa tour . President, first lady visiting five nations during six-day visit to the region . Benin thanked President Bush for anti-AIDS efforts, other U.S. help Saturday Condoleezza Rice will visit Kenya to back efforts to end political crisis there . | 861a6c71964af23f2eaa308256514d97f442fd80 |
(CNN) -- Entrepreneur and media mogul Jimmy Lai is not afraid of a challenge. He took on Hong Kong media barons to set up his publishing company in 1981 and provoked the wrath of the Chinese government when he spoke out against the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown against pro-democracy protesters. On topics ranging from China to the economic crisis, Jimmy Lai opened up to CNN's Talk Asia. Despite taking on such formidable opponents, he continues to run a successful publishing company in Hong Kong and Taiwan and remains outspoken defender of a free press and freedom of speech. "I think when you are not free you don't have dignity. And to me it's not a political issue whether you have democracy or what, it's a moral issue," he told CNN from his offices in Hong Kong. These days the Chinese Government tend to turn a blind eye to Jimmy Lai, but his criticism of them post Tiananmen -- calling then prime minister Li Peng a "turtle's egg" (an unpleasant insult in China) in an editorial -- precipitated his downfall in the clothing business. After the controversy he had to sell his stake in Giordano, the clothing company he set up in 1975 or risk the closure of all his shops in mainland China. It cost him millions in lost business opportunities. He's suffered other business failures; a shopping web site set up during the first dot.com boom was one of a number of causalities when the bubble burst. Lai, however, remains philosophical about money. "I think I'm a bit different to other people because I'm actually from a very rich family so I had the riches, I had the sense of it. I was never insecure about money. I was very poor, but I never felt sorry." Hailing from southern China, Lai's family was wealthy but marginalized by the communist government. After working as a railway porter boy, Lai dabbled in the black market before being smuggled into Hong Kong when just 12 years old, taking a job as a child laborer and earning just over $1 a month. "You know I was free. I was full of hope. When I saw people in a Rolls Royce, in a Mercedes Benz, there was no envy, there was no jealousy, there was just hope that one day I was the one that will sit there," he told CNN. "You know the opportunity is there. You know that it is open for you. That was a wonderful society. You know that if you try hard, you will get it." Lai's can-do attitude and the heady free-market environment have proved to be a winning combination. However, Lai insists that freedom to make money is not the only thing that inspires him to run his publishing company. He remains politically aware and often an outspoken critic of China at a time when many try a more diplomatic policy of engagement. "It's the dictatorship that rubs me up the wrong way. It's the freedom that we, the Chinese people, are not allowed to flourish. I think when you are not free you don't have dignity. And to me it's not a political issue whether you have democracy or what, it's a moral issue," he said. Optimistic, determined, sometimes contrary, Lai is committed to pursuing his business interests in Hong Kong and Taiwan, as both value the freedom of press. He believes Taiwan will be a "very powerful catalyst that will change China". "In China you have a vacuum of moral infrastructure...It's just the free market and the government. So if the market fail and the government is dragging down with it, what is hold the whole society up?" he said. "I think if China has to make decisions to take measures which are so painful, without the mandate of the people they can't do it. That will be the beginning of a new China. China will have to go through a political restructuring." | Lai is a Hong Kong publishing tycoon and outspoken pro-democracy campaigner . Smuggled into Hong Kong, he worked in a factory before setting up clothing chain . Lai was forced to sell business after criticism of China's government . He set up publishing company in 1981, expanded business into Taiwan . | 9d33d4c7926a813943ff31e8e65b45ac97366c96 |
By . Sarah Griffiths . PUBLISHED: . 08:16 EST, 13 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 09:48 EST, 13 February 2014 . It might look at first glance like a villain's luxurious lair from a sci-fi film. But this five star floating hotel with restaurants, a spa, nightclub and rooftop pool, could be built to accommodate visitors to the next World Cup. The concept has been developed by a Finnish architects firm and the Qatari authorities are said to be interested in the idea. Scroll down for video . This five star floating hotel with restaurants, a spa, nightclub and rooftop pool, could be built to accommodate visitors to the next World Cup . The floating hotel would generate its own energy, as well as treat its own water and waste, putting no additional strain on the state’s resources. If built, it could have luxurious suites with private access, restaurants, shops, a rooftop spa, gym, pool and nightclub as well as a number of luxurious rooms for guests. Sigge Architects designed the concept and told Construction Week that the Qatari government is interested in the idea because the hotel is designed to be sustainable and environmentally friendly. The concept (the atrium is pictured) has been developed by a Finnish architects firm and the Qatari authorities are said to be interested in the idea . Despite its luxurious interior (pictured) the floating hotel would generate its own energy, as well as treat its own water and waste, putting no additional strain on the state's resources . The hotel was designed with the help of the Almaco Group, which specialises in building marine structures. The Finnish company said that it could build the giant hotel off-site and tow it into situ at a docking site close to World Cup venues – perhaps being moved elsewhere after the event in 2022. A spokesman for GAM Group, which includes Almaco, told MailOnline: 'This is a true five star hotel on water with all the same amenities as in a typical five star hotel – restaurants, conference centre, shopping centre, spa, night club, speciality restaurants, bars, major rooftop pool area, hotel rooms, suites and a parking garage.' If built, the floating hotel could have restaurants, shops restaurants and a and nightclub (pictured) as well as a number of luxurious rooms for guests . Almaco's website says that as well as offering all the same amenities as a plush hotel on land, the floating hotel (interior concept pictured) also offers 'the additional experience of floating on water and all around access to exceptional views' Almaco's website says that as well as offering all the same amenities as a plush hotel on land, the floating hotel could also have ‘the additional experience of floating on water and all around access to exceptional views.’ ‘A floating hotel is a viable option for areas where land is scarce, fully developed or challenging to develop,’ it adds. The Finnish company said that it could build the giant hotel (plans pictured) off-site and tow it into situ at a docking site close to World Cup venues - perhaps being moved elsewhere after the event in 2022 . Visitors to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar could splash out on a plush hotel suite with a huge sofa and amazing panoramic views . The ‘building’ could be altered to provide a certain number of rooms, or add on extra features from swimming pools to balconies, according to the firm. It said the exterior architecture is fully customisable to suit the location’s surroundings' and that a garage could be included to offer extra parking. The 'building' could be customised to provide a certain number of rooms, or add on extra features from swimming pools to balconies, according to the firm. A design for a suite is pictured . | The floating hotel concept has been developed by a Finnish architects firm . Qatari authorities are said to be interested in the design which includes five star facilities as well as green technologies . Five star hotel is intended to include restaurants, a spa, nightclub and rooftop pool as well as luxurious suites and rooms . | 5ffe93b16230952a9956694c0267ad425e8ee3aa |
A cement truck driver is lucky to be alive after the coastal highway he was driving on in Mexico cracked and sunk some 300 feet down a mountainside into the sea near the U.S. border. The driver was rescued by heavy machinery before his truck, along with a 300-yard section of the road, which leads to port city Ensenada on the Baja California peninsula, slid into the Pacific Ocean. While it remains unclear what caused the landslide, fractures in the Tijuana-Ensenada toll road were seen after several small earthquakes ranging from 1.3 to 4.3 in magnitude shook the area on December 19, according to some media reports. By Saturday morning huge cracks appeared in the cliff-side, exacerbated by heavy rain, before it slid into the sea. Scroll down for video . Cliff-side cracks: A cement truck driver was rescued from his vehicle after huge section of the Tijuana-Ensenada toll road cracked and slid 300 feet into the Pacific Ocean . The landslide caused gaping holes, one more than 40 feet deep and 200 feet long. The collapse occurred about 58 miles south of the American border, closing the scenic road near the San Miguel toll booth. Some media reports suggest that the road may remain closed for up to a year with vehicles advised to use a smaller, alternate freeway. Fault line: Days before the road collapsed, several small earthquakes were recorded in the area and cracks started to appear in the road . Caved-in construction: The landslide caused gaping holes in the road up to 40 feet deep and 200 feet long . Gilberto Hirata, the mayor of Ensenada, has blamed the national road authority CAPUFE for not closing the road sooner after pictures and reports of fractures were posted on social media according to SanDiego6.com. He also said that discussions were underway to build a replacement highway after years of recurring damage on the route. The day before the landslide, the road authority and the Ministry of Communications and Transport announced that work to strengthen the asphalt had begun on sections of the troublesome highway in sloped areas according to El Mexicano. The road closure could prove devastating for Ensenada which is home to the third busiest cruise ship terminal in Mexico and the major access point to Baja by sea. Delayed reaction? The mayor of Ensenada blamed the road authority for not acting sooner after pictures and reports of cracks in the road were posted on social media days before the collapse . Devastating damage: The toll road, which could be closed for up to a year, provides access to the major port of Ensenada and is the main access point to Baja by sea . | A 300-yard section of the Tijuana-Ensenada toll road sunk into the Pacific Ocean on Saturday . Several small earthquakes shook the area on December 19 and cracks were seen in the lead up to the collapse . Road might be closed for up to year according to some media reports . | ff518e366f3aa9037484c983f268fe841987affc |
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