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By . John Drayton . It proved to be a miserable World Cup for Chris Smalling, with the Manchester United defender part of the England squad which bombed out in the group stage at Brazil. But the 24-year-old has already put the South American disappointment behind him by spending time in the off-season with girlfriend Sam Cooke. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Van Gaal will rebuild United - Yorke . Soak up the sun: Chris Smalling poses with girlfriend Sam Cooke while on holiday after the World Cup . Final fling: Smalling played the full 90 minutes in England's 0-0 draw with Costa Rica . Flops: Smalling's World Cup appearance came after England were already eliminated from Brazil 2014 . VIDEO Van Gaal will rebuild United - Yorke . The pair posed for a selfie while on holiday, before Smalling prepares to return to pre-season training with the Red Devils. On a personal level the centre-back, proved faultless in Brazil as he played just one match in the 0-0 draw with Costa Rica, by which stage England were already eliminated. But in travelling with the England squad, Smalling is allowed extra time off before returning for Manchester United's pre-season which began on Monday. | Manchester United defender enjoys holiday after England's disastrous World Cup . Smalling played just once at Brazil 2014 . Red Devils due back for pre-season training ahead of new campaign . | b0801660feb98de2923258eede7a2a10e5625f56 |
(CNN) -- Red Bull, whose Formula One team has won the drivers' and constructors' titles for the past three years, could have a home race in Austria from 2014. Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone have struck a deal to return the race to the sport's global calendar after an 11-year absence. A statement from Red Bull's headquarters in Austria said: "Dietrich Mateschitz and Bernie Ecclestone have reached an agreement which will see Formula 1 return to Styria [a state in south-east Austria] as early as next year. "The race [is] to be staged at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. "Pending all of the necessary official authorizations for the Red Bull Ring, the race is scheduled for July 6, 2014. We are thrilled." The agreement and date is provisional until the sport's governing body, the FIA, ratify the calendar later this year. New circuits added to the F1 calendar also have to be pass the FIA's safety tests. The Red Bull Ring staged the Austrian Grand Prix between 1970 and 1987 in its former guise as the Osterreichring. The fast, narrow circuit was dropped from the calendar because of safety concerns before reappearing as a shortened A-Ring in 1997. Ferrari's Michael Schumacher won the last race held at the circuit in 2003 before it again lost its place on the calendar because further planned redevelopment of the track had stalled. Mateschitz bought and rebuilt the circuit, branding it the Red Bull Ring, and now his long held hope of bringing F1 back to his homeland could be about to be fulfilled. | The Austrian Grand Prix could return to the Formula One calendar in 2014 . Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone have struck a deal . The race will be held at the Red Bull Ring in south-east Austria . The Austrian GP was dropped from the calendar in 2003 . | d90c693e87fc35f4ab250c87ba690c3c45d2dbcd |
By . Abul Taher . PUBLISHED: . 17:04 EST, 22 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 13:48 EST, 23 February 2014 . The Duchess of Cambridge flashes her new necklace, a gift from her sister Pippa, bearing the names of her husband and her son . It's a gift that allows the Duchess of Cambridge to keep her two Princes close to her heart. She has been proudly wearing a new necklace that carries a disc engraved with her baby Prince George’s full name – George Alexander Louis – and a heart-shaped charm inscribed with the letter ‘W’ for her husband William. And though it is a precious token of love, it is hardly one of the Crown jewels. Kate’s new necklace is a gift from her sister Pippa which sells for £89 from an online boutique. The Duchess clearly loves it and has been seen wearing it several times over the past few weeks. Speculation has been rife as to where it came from and who made it, and now it has been identified as being from online boutique Merci Maman, based in Fulham, West London. Boutique owner Beatrice de Montille, 37, said she recognised the necklace, which has a third charm of a little boy, as her creation. She said: ‘After Prince George was born, we made this gold chain especially for the Duchess and sent it to Pippa to give to her sister as a gift, and she passed it on.’ Miss de Montille, who has been running her boutique for seven years, added: ‘I was so happy to see Kate wearing it. ‘She is easily the most inspirational woman of our generation, as she is very elegant, and comes across as so modest.’ Miss de Montille revealed that Pippa, 30, . has been a regular customer of Merci Maman for two years and has bought . a number of bracelets from the store. While the necklace mainly bears the name of her son in pride of place, it also has a slight addendum in the form of a small gold 'W', representing her husband . In 2012, Pippa even sent a thank-you email to Merci Maman after buying one of their creations. Miss de Montille said the necklace was the perfect gift as charms with babies’ names are worn by new mothers to symbolise their love for the newborn. ‘You keep the name of your baby close to your heart, wherever you go. It is a gift to new mothers, just like a baby is a gift to new mothers.’ The necklace was an small token to the Duchess from her sister Pippa Middleton, who says the has been going to the store where she bought it as a regular for two years . She added that since it emerged that Kate had worn one of her boutique’s necklaces, interest in the store had soared. ‘We had 25,000 hits [on the website] in just three days, which is the equivalent of all the traffic we get in December, our busiest month,’ said Miss de Montille. The Duchess was first spotted wearing the necklace two days after Prince George’s christening, when she went on a shopping trip to the high street store Zara in Chelsea, West London. Kate, 32, wore the low- key necklace on top of an every-day-looking floral-patterned white blouse and a cream cardigan. She also wore a pair of figure-hugging dark-blue jeans and a set of suspended gold earrings that matched the dangling necklace. The simple charm pendant is a stark contrast to the Duchess’s other recent headline-grabbing necklace choice. Two weeks ago at a gala dinner at the National Portrait Gallery – her first public engagement of the year – she wore a Cartier-designed chain featuring 38 diamonds supporting a double-drop diamond pendant. The priceless piece was lent to Kate by the Queen from her ‘jewel pool’, a separate collection from the Crown Jewels. | The necklace bears inscriptions of both Kate's son and her husband . It was bought for just under £90 in a high street store in Fulham . Kate has been seen wearing it several times over the past few weeks . | 271f6cd606df95f5fb95831c36d80f752e2be8a6 |
(CNN) -- The 54-year-old Michigan tree trimmer severely beaten after he accidentally struck a child who had stepped into the street earlier this month is breathing on his own, according to his daughter. "He is off the ventilator and is able to breathe on his own," Mandi Marie Utash posted Friday to a GoFundMe.com page she and her brother set up for their father, who they say does not have health insurance. Steven Utash was set upon by about a dozen people after his truck struck a 10-year-old boy, police said. After Utash stopped his vehicle to help the boy, he was "severely beaten" with "fists and feet," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement. Authorities credited a woman who stepped in as Utash was being attacked with saving his life. Mandi Marie Utash wrote that her father doesn't seem to know what happened to him or why he was in the hospital, but that he is able to wiggle his toes on command and answer yes or no questions. "These are baby steps," she says. She wrote that her father "keeps flashing back to the assault screaming for "HELP" and "PLEASE GET THEM OFF ME." "This is a long road ahead," she said. "But the end of the road will be worth it." Steven Utash had previously been in a medically induced coma. Jennifer Moreno, a police spokeswoman, told CNN that all of the alleged assailants were African-American and that none are known to be related to the boy or his family. She said the beating was "a spontaneous response." Utash is white. Five suspects ranging in age from 16 to 30 have been arrested so far and charged with assault with intent to murder and assault with intent to do great bodily harm, according to Worthy. The 16-year-old, who is charged as a juvenile, is accused of ethnic intimidation. The state of Michigan's penal code says a person is guilty of ethnic intimidation "if that person maliciously, and with specific intent to intimidate or harass another person because of that person's race, color, religion, gender, or national origin, causes physical contact with another person [or] damages, destroys, or defaces any real or personal property of another person." It can carry a prison sentence of up to two years. On Saturday, the 16-year-old had his preliminary hearing and was ordered held on $400,000 bond. His next court appearance will be April 17. The prosecutor's office said the boy who was struck by Utash's truck was taken to a local hospital and treated for a leg injury. He is at home recovering. Some have suggested that the attack reflects racial tensions in the city. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and City Council President Brenda Jones issued a statement Friday asking for calm. "This senseless vigilante-style attack is not the essence of who we are as Detroiters and will not be tolerated," the statement said. Utash's other daughter, Felicia Utash, told CNN affiliate WXYZ that she doesn't want to believe the assault on her father was a hate crime, but she is pleased that suspects have been apprehended. Police were searching for the remaining suspects. CNN's Haimy Assefa contributed to this report. | Steven Utash, 54, appears to be recovering from beating, daughter says . Utash was attacked after he accidentally hit a boy with his car . Five suspects ranging in age from 16 to 30 have been charged . | 421ae90da0eb912cb5c51fa52acfc511e12bdca6 |
New York (CNN) -- A cancer-stricken New Jersey student asked by superstar singer Taylor Swift to join her at Sunday's Academy of Country Music Awards is too ill to attend, supporters said. A Facebook group started by Kevin McGuire's older sister, Victoria, said Saturday that her 18-year-old brother was admitted to the hospital Friday night. The post continued, saying, "Please continue to pray for Kevin and his health, because that is the most important thing. As for Taylor, she is just as depressed as all of us to miss out on this date, and we are so thankful for the opportunity she has given us." The country sweetheart took to her Twitter page hours after, confirming the sad news. Swift wrote, "Just talked to Kevin McGuire. He's not well enough to join me at the ACMs. Please keep him in your thoughts. I'll make it up to you, Kevin!" McGuire, 18, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007 at the age of 13. The cancer was in remission for years before a relapse. Realizing he would lose his hair because of treatment, McGuire was worried about securing a date to his upcoming senior prom. Victoria McGuire asked, "What if I got Taylor Swift?" Victoria started the "Taylor Swift take Kevin McGuire to prom" Facebook page in February. It went viral overnight, gathering the attention of Ms. Swift herself. Shortly after, Swift expressed her apologies that she couldn't accompany McGuire to his prom. She did, however, ask him to be her date to the music awards show. CNN's Gabe LaMonica and Anisa Husain contributed to this report. | New Jersey student, 18, is suffering from leukemia . Singer Taylor Swift invited him to awards show Sunday . Kevin McGuire is in the hospital and cannot attend . | 6524c049937536bcf4f55ceca05c957ccca9135d |
By . Laurie Whitwell and Michael Zennie . UPDATED: . 10:33 EST, 9 October 2011 . As the parents of missing 10-month-old Lisa Irwin's parents patch up talks with police amid a cloud of suspicion, the Missouri couple says they will set up a trust fund in hopes of finding their daughter. But family spokesman Mike Lerette said Jeremy Irwin and Deborah Bradley will be giving fewer media interviews, because they want full attention on finding their daughter. The couple met with police on Saturday for the first time since officers said they had stopped cooperating with the investigation on Thursday. Scroll down for video . 'We don't know:' Parents appeared on morning shows Friday to fight claims that they have stopped cooperating with police . But Irwin and Bradley said they only needed a break from incessant police questioning. Kansas City Police Department Captain Steve Young told ABC News: 'They're talking with us and that is absolutely the best thing.' Lisa Irwin has been missing from her Kansas City home since Monday night. The couple reported her missing Tuesday, saying she'd been snatched from her crib overnight. The news came as police questioned a teenage neighbour of the parents of the child. On Friday, forensic experts took a DNA sample from the neighbour who had been at the Irwins' home the day Lisa vanished. The neighbour also knew the access code to the family garage, ABC News reported. Investigators are also looking into a . second lead, after a couple in California were seen with a small child . fitting Lisa's description, relative Mike Lerette told KMBC-TV. 'They're pursuing surveillance tape on a couple with the baby in California,' said Lerette. Find her: Deborah Bradley and Jeremy Irwin say they are frustrated with their treatment by police, who have begun accusing Bradley . Statistics on infant abductions in the U.S. show that one of the least likely scenarios in the disappearance of a baby is that a stranger broke into the family's home and quietly snatched the child from the crib. The numbers also lead experts to believe that if Baby Lisa were taken by an intruder in the middle of the night she is probably still alive. David Finkelhor, director of the Crimes Against Children Research Centre at the University of New Hampshire, said that strangers who kidnap infants or young children, though rare, often do so because they want a child of their own, not because they intend to hurt or kill the child. Ernie Allen, president of the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in Arlington, Virginia, added: 'The recovery rate for infants is very, very high. There is real hope here.' 'Suspicion almost always falls heavily on the parents, especially when it's young kids,' Mr Finkelhor said. 'Fifteen hundred parents kill their kids every year, and that's heavily focused on the under 1 year of age category.' Mr Allen said his organization has handled 278 infant abduction cases during his nearly three decades with the group. Only 13 cases involved a stranger coming into a home and taking a baby, and all but one of those children were recovered unharmed. The investigation into the . disappearance of baby Lisa took a grim turn yesterday as the FBI . revealed it has begun searching a landfill in Kansas as part of its . search for the 10-month-old who disappeared from her crib four days ago. More than a dozen investigators were . at the waste dump, 23 miles from the Kansas City house where she . disappeared, for several hours today although they did not appear to . remove any evidence. The mother of the missing baby . revealed yesterday police had accused her of having a role in her . 10-month-old daughter's disappearance from her Kansas City home. 'From the start when they've questioned . me, once I couldn't fill in gaps, it turned into "you did it, you did . it,' Bradley, 25, told Good Morning America on Friday. Police say the baby's parents have stopped cooperating with investigators and Bradley admitted to failing a lie detector test. The . Deffenbaugh Industries Johnson County landfill is across the state line . in Shawnee, Kansas. The garbage collected in Kansas City goes to the . Shawnee dump. But . the couple are sticking to their story that little Lisa Irwin was . abducted from her crib after Bradley put her to bed at 10:30pm Monday. Jeremy Irwin, Lisa's father, says he came home from work at 4am Tuesday . and found the front door unlocked, his daughter's bedroom window open . and Lisa gone. They took to morning talk shows today to fight back against the accusations from police and renew their claims that neither of them has any idea what happened to their infant daughter. Gone: Police still have no suspects and no clear leads in the disappearance of baby Lisa . 'We don't know, which is why we need . everyone out there looking for her,' Bradley said on the Today Show Friday, with tears streaming down her face. The new developments have changed the game in the four-day-old hunt for the infant. After their announcement that Jeremy Irwin walked out of an interrogation Thursday, detectives shut down their command centre in the working-class neighbourhood where baby Lisa lived. Police said they have halted their extensive searches of the woods and areas around the home, but investigators would continue to work the case and follow leads. They still have no solid leads or any suspects. In their television interviews, baby Lisa's parents said they were still cooperating with authorities. However, Jeremy Irwin said he reached a 'boiling point' Thursday after 11 hours of questioning and couldn't stand any more. Bradley said detectives have grown increasingly aggressive in their interviews with her. 'They . took a picture down from the table and said "look at your baby! And do . what's right for her!" I kept saying I don't know ... I just sat there. I . didn't even ask to leave - I just let them keep asking questions,' she . told Good Morning America. At . a news conference Thursday evening, Capt . Young said baby Lisa's parents had ceased communication with . authorities. Coming up empty: More than a dozen FBI agents and officers were at the waste dump but did not appear to collect evidence . 'Tonight, they decided to stop talking to detectives, and I don't have to illustrate how that affects the investigation. That speaks for itself,' Mr Young said. Asked after the news conference what . would happen to the investigation without the parents' cooperation, . Young said he could not comment. Bradley told The Associated Press today that she took the polygraph earlier this week and police told her she failed the test. She says they didn't show her any paperwork verifying the results or know which questions she failed. Young . also said the parents' claim that whoever took their daughter also . stole their cellphones had not produced any leads. And he reiterated . that investigators still have no suspects. No leads: Police have closed down their command post and stopped searching for baby Lisa . The parents had earlier joined together to plead for the safe return of their daughter. 'We . just want our baby back. Please, bring her home. ... Please just drop . her off anywhere, please. We don’t care, just somewhere safe where she . can come home. Please,' Bradley begged, sobbing as she . clutched one of her daughter's purple teddy bears. In their first public appearance . since their daughter disappeared, . choked back tears on Wednesday as they asked the kidnapper to return their . 10-month-old daughter. More than 300 investigators took up the search for baby Lisa - using tracking dogs, horse-mounted . patrols, helicopters and taking to ropes to rappel down steep slopes. Officers stood shoulder-to-shoulder as they walked through the woods near her home. A team of FBI forensic analysts, clad head-to-toe in white sterile suits, meticulously combed the house for any trace evidence. Police . have knocked on more than 300 doors in the quiet, working-class . neighbourhood where Baby Lisa lived. But their search has been in vain . so far. One neighbour reported seeing a man with an infant in the area at 2am on Tuesday, but that tip has gone nowhere. Far from home: The landfill where authorities searched is 23 miles from baby Lisa's home . The search grows desperate but there may be hope, experts say. Most infants who are abducted are found unharmed, Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Alexandria, Virginia, told the Kansas City Star. 'The vast majority of those who take infants don’t take them to harm, so the safe return of an abducted infant is pretty high,' Mr Allen said. Strangers who kidnap infants are usually women who are looking for a baby of their own, he said. The story has attracted national attention since Tuesday. Friends and supporters from around the country gave an outpouring of support on the Facebook page 'Help Find Lisa Irwin.' More than 2,600 people have joined the group. | Parents Deborah Bradley and Jeremy Irwin begin speaking to investigators again . Baby Lisa missing since Monday night, police say . Teenage neighbour who knew access codes questioned Friday . Police searched landfill but found nothing . | 7fa22e6f4df2b686954d5e643a07a1981233195a |
(CNN) -- When it comes to the future of the music business, Taylor Swift sees the glass half-full. In a Wall Street Journal opinion piece about the state of the industry, the 24-year-old singer/songwriter puts a hopeful spin on what's to come, declaring herself from the outset to be an optimist. That's not exactly a surprising stance when you consider that she's created an empire on the strength of her pen and persona. With four albums and seven Grammys to her name, Swift earned almost $40 million in 2013 from a combination of albums sold, digital downloads, touring revenue, branding and sponsorships. And when it comes to those album sales, Swift knows that "piracy, file sharing and streaming have shrunk the numbers ... drastically." But she also points out that people do still buy records -- just fewer of them. "They are buying only the ones that hit them like an arrow through the heart or have made them feel strong or allowed them to feel like they really aren't alone in feeling so alone," she writes. "The value of an album is, and will continue to be, based on the amount of heart and soul an artist has bled into a body of work, and the financial value that artists (and their labels) place on their music when it goes out into the marketplace." It probably goes without saying that Swift does not believe in music for free; it's "art," after all, and "art is important and rare." Rather, she hopes for a future in which "every young girl I meet ... all realize their worth and ask for it" and predicts that "individual artists and their labels will someday decide what an album's price point is. I hope they don't underestimate themselves or undervalue their art." But album sales are just one piece of the music industry's jumbled puzzle. Artists are also challenged with sustaining interest, a challenge made difficult by younger generations that are "raised being able to flip channels if we got bored, and ... read the last page of the book when we got impatient," Swift acknowledges. From the star's perspective, the trick will be in the element of surprise. "I believe couples can stay in love for decades if they just continue to surprise each other, so why can't this love affair exist between an artist and their fans?" she asks. "In the YouTube generation we live in, I walked out onstage every night of my stadium tour last year knowing almost every fan had already seen the show online. To continue to show them something they had never seen before, I brought out dozens of special guest performers to sing their hits with me." Instead of signing an autograph, Swift says, just take a selfie. Yet with all of the things that are changing in music, Swift predicts that at least one thing that will stay the same: an intense interest in the artist's personal life. "There will always be an increasing fixation on the private lives of musicians, especially the younger ones," she observes. "There continues to be a bad girl vs. good girl/clean-cut vs. sexy debate, and for as long as those labels exist, I just hope there will be contenders on both sides. Everyone needs someone to relate to." So 20, 30 or 40 years down the line, where does Swift see herself -- aside from surprising her fans? "I'll just be sitting back and growing old, watching all of this happen or not happen, all the while trying to maintain a life rooted in this same optimism," the singer concludes. "And I'd also like a nice garden." | Taylor Swift wrote an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal on the music industry . She remains optimistic about its future . Swift says the key is to create art that is valuable and connects with fans . | 5fb1126960e161a6e9448afe7ac96e4195756f80 |
(CNN) -- Sure hope Amal isn't upset. George Clooney took an apparent break from his honeymoon with Amal Alamuddin to make a surprise appearance Thursday at New York Comic Con. The actor, who was there to talk about his role in next summer's "Tomorrowland," admitted he wondered himself what he was doing there. "It is not lost on me that I am spending my honeymoon at Comic Con," said Clooney, according to several reports from the event. Marriage seems to be treating Clooney well so far. He kept the crowd entertained with one-liners and enthusiasm. Nodding to co-star Hugh Laurie, who played Dr. Gregory House on "House," Clooney issued a challenge to other actors who played doctors on television. (Clooney played Dr. Doug Ross on "ER.") "We were all over the world -- Hugh and I got to get in trouble in the Bahamas, it was fun. Two former television doctors! Bring on that McSteamy guy! We'll take 'em all on, them TV doctors," he said. And noting his quick appearance in the "Tomorrowland" trailer, Clooney worked up a phony bluster. "What the hell, that's it? We've been waiting for this thing for a year and a half and that's it?" he said. "I'm so barely in the teaser! I don't want to have to say, I'm a big star!" "Tomorrowland," directed by Brad Bird ("The Incredibles") and written by Bird and Damon Lindelof, opens in May 2015. | George Clooney promotes "Tomorrowland" at New York Comic Con . Actor "spending my honeymoon at Comic Con" for film . Movie is directed by Brad Bird . Clooney married Amal Alamuddin last month . | ebc545ee21804a2e82d8c90ddc56519a2c2fa3a6 |
Washington (CNN) -- Newt Gingrich left the Republican presidential campaign with a mixed legacy and a campaign deep in debt. The former speaker was left for political dead last year after his top campaign advisers quit over a disagreement on the direction of the campaign and its financial structure. But he came roaring back in late 2011 -- due in part to a Republican electorate that was not sold on Mitt Romney's candidacy. It is the past few months, though, for which he may be most remembered -- for staying in the race for too long, rather than for the big ideas he espoused on the campaign trail. "He has not made a good case for his name after this primary is over," said Ari Fleischer, a CNN contributor who served as President George W. Bush's spokesman. "And that's a shame, because Newt's done a lot for the Republican Party, but graciousness is part of politics. You just have to know when your time has come to walk off the stage." For most, that time would have been after his Southern strategy failed, when he failed to win the Alabama and Mississippi primaries after coming out on top of the South Carolina and Georgia primaries. On Wednesday, Gingrich suspended his campaign and pledged to be an "active citizen" and to continue to work on behalf of "American exceptionalism," energy independence and health care reform. In throwing his support to Romney, Gingrich seemed to put aside differences he and other conservatives have with the presumptive nominee and look instead to the general election. "You know, this is not a choice between Mitt Romney and Ronald Reagan, this is a choice between Mitt Romney and the most radical leftist president in American history," Gingrich said. After limping along for weeks, Gingrich's campaign ended last week after a disappointing last stand in Delaware, one of five states that went for Romney that day. Campaign sources said a day later that Gingrich would end his campaign this week. Ron Brownstein, editorial director of National Journal and a CNN contributor, said the campaign's impact on Gingrich's legacy will be mixed. "On the one hand, his ascent was a reminder that he remains one of the most skilled provocateurs in American politics. The fact that he was able to emerge as a serious contender, more than a decade after he last was a major player in Republican politics, was a testament to his skill at framing issues and shaping debate," Brownstein said. "On the other hand, the campaign was also a reminder of Gingrich's weakness, including a self-confidence that tips over into hubris and a lack of discipline. And while Gingrich reaffirmed his identity as a politician who believes in big ideas, that image is more lasting than any of the specific ideas he proposed." Little of Gingrich's agenda will be part of the Republican campaign going forward, Brownstein said. "He wanted colonizing the moon to be a symbol of thinking big and outside the box; instead it became a symbol of grandiosity and impractical thinking. After this campaign, as before it, Gingrich will always symbolize some of both." Campaign on the rocks early . Gingrich formally announced his bid for the nomination last May, only to see it almost crash the next month when a half-dozen staffers, including the senior leadership, left the campaign. Among the gripes from the departed staffers was that it was difficult to schedule campaign events or spend the time needed to raise money to fuel the campaign. In addition, there were complaints that Gingrich's wife, Callista, had veto power over all scheduling requests. While his staffers felt Gingrich should be hitting the trail, he and Callista embarked on a two-week luxury cruise in the Mediterranean that for some in the campaign was the last straw. Two of Gingrich's top staffers with ties to Texas Gov. Rick Perry bolted for the Perry campaign in June, and Gingrich's campaign was presumed dead just as it was getting started. His campaign languished over the summer and into the fall as conservatives test-drove a series of anyone-but-Romney candidates: first Michele Bachmann, then Rick Perry, then Herman Cain. As his rivals rose and fell, Gingrich turned in strong performances in GOP debates -- which earned him a second look from those who were longing for an alternative to Romney, whose conservative convictions they questioned. By December, polls had made Gingrich the front-runner with a double-digit lead over Romney. But Romney, his supporters and Gingrich opponents went on the attack -- calling his consulting firm's work for the conservative-despised federal mortgage giant Freddie Mac "lobbying" and re-airing dirty laundry from his previous four decades in government. After lackluster showings in Iowa and New Hampshire, Gingrich made a stand in friendlier South Carolina, with the help of a super PAC funded by casino magnate Shel Adelson which went on the attack against Romney. Gingrich scored a double-digit win. That was arguably Gingrich's high-water mark. Florida results stop momentum . Romney's better-funded campaign, aided by friendly super PACs, crushed Gingrich in Florida and stopped his momentum. Gingrich focused his campaign on the South and Super Tuesday. He won Georgia, which he represented in Congress for 20 years, but he couldn't pick up Tennessee. He went on to lose Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, which all went to Rick Santorum. As Gingrich and Santorum continued to split the conservative vote, calls got louder for the former speaker to drop out and make it a two-man race between Santorum and Romney. Hearing the calls, Gingrich instead suggested that Santorum drop out and questioned the former Pennsylvania senator's qualifications. And then as Santorum surged, Gingrich suggested that he and Santorum form an alliance to "tag-team" Romney and derail his run to the nomination. Despite all this, Gingrich did accomplish something few have, Brownstein said. "With this campaign, Gingrich established himself as someone who has been a serious force in Republican politics in five different decades, a pretty remarkable accomplishment." Gingrich's five decades in government began when the then-college professor was elected to Congress in the late 1970s. He rode the Republican Contract with America into the speaker's chair in the mid 1990s -- a pledge to the American people to institute sweeping changes if the GOP took over the majority in Congress. When Republicans took over the House in 1994 -- the first time in four decades -- Gingrich was chosen as the new speaker. Gingrich challenged President Bill Clinton's White House as congressional Republicans pushed government cuts to help balance the budget. Both sides dug in and there were two government shutdowns -- but the shutdowns backfired on Gingrich, and Republicans came out the political losers. Gingrich led efforts to impeach Clinton over an investigation of his infidelities with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, but Clinton was acquitted. It was later revealed the Gingrich was having an affair with a congressional staffer as he was leading the charge against Clinton. Dogged by ethics questions . He was also dogged by ethics issues brought by Democrats. He voluntarily turned in a $4.5 million book advance after critics questioned its appropriateness. And in 1997, Gingrich agreed to pay $300,000 to the House to reimburse the cost of an investigation into whether he used tax-exempt funds to promote Republican causes. He was not found guilty of those charges, but was reprimanded by the House for giving what was considered misleading information. Republicans kept control of the House for a third consecutive term in the 1998 elections, but won fewer seats than expected. Gingrich took the fall. He resigned as speaker and left Congress the next year. Over the next decade, Gingrich mounted a comeback, expounding on the lecture circuit and through think tanks on how to reform government and society -- ranging from creating a new Social Security system based on what a person contributes, to completely revamping the country's energy policy, to replacing the Environmental Protection Agency with a new Environmental Solutions Agency. He was also a prolific fundraiser for conservative candidates and causes. His visibility was elevated when he joined Fox News as a contributor, which gave him a national platform to comment on the events of the day and promote a number of books he has written on subjects ranging from the American political scene to Ronald Reagan. His Fox contract was suspended when he announced his bid for the White House. Gingrich leaves the trail with his campaign $4.3 million in debt, according to Federal Election Commission filings. A Republican strategist said that Gingrich's run reflected how badly the party wanted a big thinker in the White House. "Republicans wanted an ideas guy like Newt Gingrich to be president so badly that at times we even turned to Newt Gingrich, a fatally flawed candidate," said Alex Castellanos, a CNN contributor who advised Romney's campaign in 2008. Castellanos sees Gingrich's legacy as like Moses': "He helped lead his party to the promised land, but he didn't get there himself." CNN's Kevin Bohn, Mark Preston and Shannon Travis contributed to this report. | Former House speaker announces he's suspending campaign . Gingrich leaves campaign trail $4.3 million in debt . Analysts say 2012 campaign will have mixed effects on his political legacy . Gingrich's campaign peaked with early win in South Carolina . | f8d4e9e73bf95892888d21e4f508aa9afd040a81 |
By . Sarah Johnson . PUBLISHED: . 15:20 EST, 3 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 18:38 EST, 3 December 2012 . A grieving widower has been banned from being a patient at a medical practice after they paid him £30,000 compensation for mistaking his wife's heart condition for bronchitis. Martin Howell, 60, was shocked when the GP surgery wrote to him saying his legal action against them had caused their relationship to ‘break down’. The angry father-of-two said: ‘I’m being penalised for complaining about a doctor who I blame for my wife’s death. Devastated: Martin Howell has been banned from being a patient at his medical practice after he received £30,000 compensation for his wife's death . ‘It is absolutely disgusting. These doctors are employed with taxpayers’ money and they can just pick and choose who they want.’ Mr Howell received an out-of-court settlement two years after his wife Irene, 60, died from a heart condition. Mrs Howell was first diagnosed with a heart problem at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS) in 2008. Two years later she started suffering breathing problems and water blisters on her legs. She was examined by Dr HL Verma at Meir Health Centre in Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire who misdiagnosed her with bronchitis and prescribed antibiotics. Happier times: Irene Howell died after a GP mistook her heart condition for bronchitis . Her condition did not improve and the couple eventually saw a different . doctor at the same practice who sent Irene to the University Hospital . North Staffordshire where she died hours later. Mr Howell said: ‘I thought they would just give her some drugs and after a couple of days she would be back home. ‘By 2am, I had to make the awful decision to turn off her life-support machine. Dr Verma no longer works at the . surgery and after moving back to the area, Mr Howell tried to register . as a patient but was told he was not welcome. Angry: Mr Howell said he was 'being penalised for complaining about a doctor who I blame for my wife's death.' A . letter from the surgery stated: ‘Your relationship with the practice, . as a result of the action taken against us, has broken down.’ Mr Howell appealed to Stoke-on-Trent’s NHS but his pleas were rejected over the weekend. He said: ‘It was never about the money. I just wanted it to be recognised that something had gone terribly wrong.’ The couple were married for 39 years after living opposite each other in their teens. Misdiagnosis: Mrs Howell was examined by Dr HL Verma at Meir Health Centre (pictured) in Stoke-on-Trent . Part of the pay-out has been split between sons Steven, 34, and Mark, 31, who live in Blythe Bridge in Staffordshire. The NHS confirmed Dr Verma is no longer registered as a GP. A spokesman for the Staffordshire Cluster of PCTs said: ‘Dr Verma retired and removed his name from the General Medical Council Register so he can no longer practice.’ The practice declined to comment on the ban. | Martin Howell was paid £30,000 after a bungling GP misdiagnosed his wife . He got a letter saying legal action caused their relationship to 'break down' | f7c8a29f29b821b7c67087057dbf82841e368fd0 |
He celebrated his half century yesterday with a party attended by the Queen and other ROyals. But today Prince Edward showed no signs of heavy night as he arrived bright and early at a primary school today. The Queen's youngest son and his wife, Countess of Wessex, paid a visit to Robert Browning primary school in Walworth, London to see work carried out by Kidscape, one of the charities to receive money from the Wessex Youth Trust, the charity the couple set up shortly before . their marriage in 1999. The Earl and Countess of Wessex arrive for a visit to Robert Browning Primary School in Walworth, London . Happy birthday, Edward! The Earl of Wessex visited Robert Browning primary school on his 50th birthday today where he was presented with a card by pupils John Lieu, nine, left, and Pharez Billy, seven . Edward and Sophie set up the Wessex Youth Trust in 1999 before they got married . Pupils at the school presented Edward with a cake during the visit . Sofia Jardine-Kerr, five, presents the Countess of Wessex with flowers during the visit . The Earl and Countess of Wessex with two of the children from Robert Browning school . n 2013 Prince Edward conducted 87 engagement overseas, bettered only by Sophie - who carried out 95.The couple were in Barbados and Jamaica last week . Sophie Wessex looked chic as ever, wearing slim-fitted tailoring and the leg-lengthening nude heels that have become standard issue for the wives of Windsor . Birthday boy Prince Edward spent the morning at the school to see the work of youth charity Kidscape, which receives grants from the Wessex Youth Trust . The Wessexes received a warm welcome from locals who lined the streets outside the school and gave the couple a round of applause as they arrived. Inside the school, a group of excited children presented Edward with a large card they had made and signed themselves. Yesterday, to mark the occasion of Edward's birthday, Buckingham Palace yesterday issued a charming new portrait of the Earl of Wessex, the title he was granted on his marriage, his wife, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex and their two children The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James, Viscount Severn. Taken in in the panelled dining room in their Berkshire home, Bagshot Park, by photographer Millie Pilkington, who also took the private photographs at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding, it is a particularly relaxed family portrait. To mark Prince Edward's 50th birthday, Buckingham Palace have issued a charming new portrait of the Earl of Wessex, the title he was granted on his marriage, his wife, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex and their two children The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James, Viscount Severn . Edward, . dressed in a lilac shirt unbuttoned at the neck to display a hint of . hairy chest, and bottle green trousers sits holding his giggling son, . six, on the arm of his chair. His . daughter, ten, wearing a grey pinafore and white jumper clutches his . arm affectionately, while his wife of almost 15 years, Sophie, smiles . broadly as she crouches behind. Aside . from the release of the official portrait, the prince has determinedly . refused to make a big deal of out his landmark birthday, granting a . single interview to a children’s news programme. The couple will later accompany the Queen and other senior royals to the Commonwealth Observance Service at Westminster Abbey. The Queen’s youngest child, Prince Edward, turns 50 today. In honour of his birthday FEMAIL round up ten facts you may not know about Prince Charles’ little brother...1. Edward was born on 10 March 1964 and is the third son and youngest child of The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. 2. The prince completed his A-Levels in History, English Literature and Economic and Political Studies in 1982, and then decided to take a gap year. During his time abroad, he worked as a house tutor teaching English and History at the Collegiate School in Wanganui, New Zealand.3. Prince Edward currently holds 4 degrees: his BA in History from Cambridge, and 2 honorary degrees. He has also been awarded The Earl of Wessex a degree by both The University of Victoria awarded and the University of Prince Edward Island. As Chancellor of the University of Bath, he holds an honorary doctorate in Law.4. In 1986, after graduating, Prince Edward decided to embark on a career in theatrical productions. He has a successful run working at two companies, including Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Theatre Company. In 1993, Edward formed his own company Ardent Productions. Prince Edward also tried his hand at a military role and started training as an Officer Cadet in the Royal Marines in 1986. He didn’t take to military life and left the Marines in January 1987.5. Prince Edward met his wife, Sophie Rhys-Jones at a tennis event in 1993. Sophie was standing in for sports personality, Sue Barker, and had to pose for promotional photos with Edward for the event, leading to the start of their relationship.6. In June 1999, the couple of six years were married at Windsor Castle. The couple requested that guests didn’t wear evening dress or hats as they wanted a low key affair. However, the Queen Mother did wear a lavender hat. Princes William and Harry, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attended, but the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, was not invited.7. Edward’s full title is ‘HRH, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Viscount Severn’. The title of Earl of Wessex was given to him by The Queen, on his wedding day. The last person to hold that title was Harold II, who died at the Battle of Hastings, 1066. Prince Edward is now 7th in line to the throne.8. In 2002, Edward and his wife both quit their private jobs in order to support The Queen during her jubilee. The Prince is currently involved with over 79 organisations, many in aid of charities that provide opportunities for young people.9. Edward has become heavily involved with the Duke of Edinburgh Award ever since achieving the Gold Award himself in 1986. After the passing of both his parents, it is intended that Prince Edward will be granted the title of Duke of Edinburgh. 10. The Prince became a father for the first time in November 2003. Despite birth complications, the Prince and his wife welcomed Lady Windsor into their family. The couple had their second child a year later, a boy, James, Viscount Severn. In . recent years Edward, often cited as the Queen’s favoured son, has . become something of the quiet man of the British monarchy, conducting . 258 engagements last year with little fanfare. He . is also considered the successor to his father’s Duke of Edinburgh . Awards scheme and been handed the plum role of International Trustee and . Chairman of the International Council. This has resulted in him becoming one of the most well-travelled members of the royal family last year. In . 2013 he conducted 87 engagement overseas, bettered only by his wife - . who carried out 95 - and Prince Charles, who also clocked up 95 jobs but . undertook two lengthy foreign tours on behalf of the British . government. The couple were in Barbados and Jamaica only last week. It is, perhaps, seen as a reward for years of quiet service after being forced to give up his chosen career. The Royal couple dressed smartly to celebrate their youngest son's half century birthday . The Queen wore a pearl necklace and matching earrings and a bright red lipstick to go with her cream coat . The Queen and The Duke Of Edinburgh arrive at Bagshot Park, Surrey for Prince Edwards 50th . Lord Linley arrives at Bagshot Park, Surrey for Prince Edwards 50th Birthday Party . Tim and Lady Helen Taylor, first cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth II, arrive at Bagshot Park . After leaving university, Edward famously joined the Royal Marines but dropped out of training within months. He . decided to pursue a career in entertainment, starting off as a . production assistant for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatre . Company but also produced the ill-fate It’s A Royal Knockout in 1987. In . 1993 he formed his own company, Ardent Productions, but was accused of . profiting out of his position by making a series of royal documentaries . The . company made a series of losses until, in 2001, one of his own film . crews invaded his nephew, Prince William’s privacy, while he was . studying in Scotland by secretly filming him, causing a public – and . private – furore. The . following year it was announced that he and his wife, whose own PR . business had been similarly dogged by controversy, would give up their . business interests to concentrate on their royal duties. Friends, . however, say Edward, who is now eighth-in-line to the throne, is happy . and relaxed in his new role as a dutiful son and now father. He and his wife tried for several years to start a family and suffered the devastating loss of an ectopic pregnancy. One . friend said: ‘It really is lovely to see Edward and Sophie sitting down . on the floor playing with their children. They are such hand-on parents . and totally unstuffy. Louise and James were much longed-for children . and are the centre of their world.’ Earlier . this year it was revealed that Louise, the Queen’s youngest . grand-daughter, had undergone surgery to correct a severe squint she had . since birth. This latest portrait shows the surgery appears to have been successful. Bagshot Park, Surrey, the home of the Earl and Countess of Wessex . Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, turns 50 tomorrow and celebrations are being held today at his home . Prince Edward and wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, were on tour in Barbados last week . | Queen and Prince Philip's youngest son Edward turns 50 today . Celebrations were held last night at his family home in Bagshot Park . Visited Robert Browning school in Walworth, London with wife Sophie . Saw work of Kidscape, a charity given grants by the Wessex Youth Trust . | 29c77dac0286069669ac171bde3696a20fb827ae |
New Delhi (CNN) -- A lawyer who says he's representing three of the five men charged with raping and fatally beating a woman on a New Delhi bus said Tuesday that he has advised his clients to plead not guilty. "So far they have agreed to my advice, but a clearer picture will emerge by tomorrow evening," the attorney, Manohar Lal Sharma, told CNN. "I fear they might come under pressure to change their mind." Sharma said one of those he is representing is Ram Singh, the main accused in the case. The other two are Mukesh Singh and Akshay Thakur, he said. The horrific attack on the 23-year-old woman in New Delhi on December 16 has prompted angry protests over the country's treatment of women and handling of sexual attacks. India's interior minister has said he was also working with security officials to strengthen laws regarding rape and assault following the attack, which also stirred outrage worldwide. Proceedings against the five adult suspects began Monday, when a New Delhi judge ordered the trial closed after tempers flared inside the packed courtroom. Some lawyers loudly criticized colleagues for offering to represent the suspects, with one young lawyer shouting at Sharma, "You will not defend those barbarians." The magistrate, Namrita Aggarwal, ordered that the hearing take place behind closed doors and barred news outlets from publishing proceedings related to the case without the court's permission, citing concerns about the suspects' safety. The five men in court this week are charged with murder, rape and kidnapping, and could be sentenced to death if convicted. A juvenile court will take up the matter of determining the age of a sixth suspect, who claims to be 17 and therefore not old enough to be tried as an adult, CNN affiliate IBN reported. The female victim of the attack, whose name has not been released, died in a Singapore hospital in late December. Her male companion survived with a broken leg. | A lawyer for three suspects says he has advised them to plead not guilty . Five men are charged in the rape and beating death of a woman on a New Delhi bus . A judge ordered proceedings closed amid a tumultuous hearing Monday . | 8ffc20bef302924441f7f19fe2d79c1b2f82cd7c |
By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 05:08 EST, 26 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:13 EST, 26 September 2013 . Men may believe that whizzing around in an expensive set of wheels is the way to a woman's heart, but they couldn't be more wrong. The stereotype that women are turned on by flashy cars is in tatters as new research has shown that, while 48 per cent of men are convinced an expensive car makes them more attractive to the opposite sex, women actually labelled drivers of expensive sports cars as arrogant, self-centred and dangerous. New research aimed to establish whether the type of car you drive actually does influence perceptions - and the results could make you think twice before buying your next car. Sorry, Lewis Hamilton! Women label drivers of sports cars as 'arrogant, self-centred and dangerous' While men might believe a sports car gives them the edge, women overwhelmingly associated the drivers of these cars with more negative personality traits. Meanwhile, men tended to most associate negative personality traits with drivers of 4x4s, viewing owners of these vehicles as arrogant, rude, and self-centred. By comparison, women felt that saloon drivers (like Ford Mondeo, Renault Megane, VW Passsat) were likely to be hard working and safe drivers, while hatchback drivers were seen as being modest. Both sexes attributed the most positive personality types with eco- car drivers (such as Nissan Leaf, Toyota Prius), naming them as the most likely to be conscientious, intelligent and also the safest drivers on the road. Despite being one of the most difficult colours to keep clean, the research found that black is the car colour that is most likely to turn someone’s head. Not so fast! While men might believe a sports car gives them the edge, women overwhelmingly associated the drivers of these cars with more negative personality traits and prefer those who drive eco-friendly cars . The research suggests that the perfect car for a man looking to attract a partner would be a black eco-car, such as a Toyota Prius or Nissan Leaf. Phill Jones, a spokesman for Motors.co.uk, who carried out the research, said: 'Our survey provided an interesting snapshot into how people perceive car drivers, with the bad boy sports car stereotype still holding true. 'The disparity between men and women suggests that the yummy mummy “Chelsea tractor” stereotype might be having a similar effect on men as sports cars appear to be having on women. 'While there is no doubt that owning the Batmobile or a Back to the Future Delorean would be a conversation starter if you’re looking to meet new people, in reality the car we buy is likely to make us feel more confident rather than make other people find us more attractive.' Opposite effect: While 48 per cent of men are convinced an expensive car makes them more attractive to the opposite sex, women labelled drivers of expensive sports cars as arrogant, self-centred and dangerous . | Some 48% of men think an expensive car makes them more attractive . Black eco-car, such as a Toyota Prius or Nissan Leaf, is most attractive . Men dislike women who drive 4x . | 8f5aa0e74c3beb16085610ee4a4d3c22f33834dd |
By . Anthony Bond . PUBLISHED: . 05:16 EST, 13 June 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:49 EST, 13 June 2012 . Detained: Australian lawyer Melinda Taylor is being held in Libya over allegations of spying . An Australian lawyer being held in Libya over allegations of spying following a visit to Colonel Gaddafi's son will be released if she provides details of where the country's most wanted man is, authorities have said. Melinda Taylor and her Lebanese-born interpreter Helene Assaf were detained last week while visiting Saif al-Islam Gaddafi in Zintan as part of an International Criminal Court (ICC) team. Officials in the town alleged that during the meeting the pair were caught passing documents to Saif al-Islam from his fugitive right-hand man Mohammed Ismail. Authorities say 36-year-old Ms Taylor had a suspicious pen camera on her and attempted to pass Saif al-Islam - the son of former Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi - a coded letter from the fugitive. The authorities say if Ms Taylor - who has a two-year-old daughter - was carrying a letter from Ismail, that means she had met the wanted man. The deal was proposed yesterday by a government official as a second delegation from the ICC visited their colleagues. Speaking to The Times, Mohammed al-Harizi, a government spokesman, said it was very important for the country's new rulers to catch Ismail. He said: 'We do not have anything against this woman. Just we need some information from her. After that she will be free.' Human rights groups, the court in The Hague, and the Australian government have all demanded that they be released immediately, but Libyan prosecutors say Taylor and Assaf will be held for at least 45 days while they are investigated. Allegations: Ms Taylor has been accused of passing documents to Saif al-Islam, left, from his fugitive right-hand man Mohammed Ismail, right . 'The delegation as well as ambassadors for their (the detained ICC staff) countries visited them,' said Ahmed al-Gehani, a Libyan lawyer who is in charge of the Saif al-Islam case and liaises between the government and the ICC. 'They are well, they are in a guesthouse, not in a prison. They have food, water, and are being treated well.' The ICC delegation had earlier yesterday been prevented from entering Zintan by a local militia which closed roads into the town because of tribal clashes in the area. In scenes that summed up the chaos and instability in Libya since a revolt last year ousted and killed Gaddafi, when the delegation arrived at a checkpoint outside Zintan, militiamen told them no one was being allowed in because of clashes with a rival tribe nearby. Captured: Ms Taylor is being held in the town of Zintan, pictured, which was yesterday affected by tribal clashes . The 7-vehicle convoy parked near the checkpoint but waited to get into Zintan, even though the visit had been approved by authorities in the capital, Tripoli. The incident underscored the problem complicating negotiations over the ICC staff: Zintan is effectively outside the control of the central government. Instead, it is the brigade in Zintan, which captured Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam in November and has since refused to transfer him to the capital, which is, de facto, in charge. Saif al-Islam is wanted by the ICC for crimes during the uprising that ended his father's 42-year rule last year. Libya's new rulers insist he should be tried in his home country. Saif al-Islam is being held in Zintan by a local militia that captured him in November. An ICC team, including Taylor and Assaf, was meeting him under an arrangement with the Libyan authorities for him to have access to ICC-appointed defence lawyers. | Melinda Taylor was detained last week while visiting Saif . al-Islam Gaddafi in Zintan . It is alleged she gave documents to Colonel Gaddafi's son from his fugitive friend Mohammed Ismail . Libyan official proposed deal following visit from International Criminal Court team . | f97b94473ffcbc81d0dc2c0a244fe65ac9f82c41 |
By . Fiona Macrae . Last updated at 4:38 PM on 20th December 2011 . Tens of thousands of women with breast implants are being urged to have medical check-ups amid fears they are at heightened risk of cancer. The safety alert follows the death of a French woman who had implants filled with silicone gel believed to have been made for mattresses. Up to 50,000 British women – including some breast cancer survivors – have the French-made implants, which are fragile and more likely to leak than other brands. Edwige Ligoneche was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer two years after having breast surgery using a French-made silicone gel. (See box below) Fears about the safety of Poly Implants Prothèses – or PIPs – which were among the cheapest implants on the market, first surfaced 18 months ago. However, they receded after tests failed to find any firm evidence that the implants could trigger cancer. Now, the death of 53-year-old Edwige Ligoneche, in a Marseille cancer clinic, from a rare form of cancer, has reignited concern. Although the link with the implants . hasn’t been established, it is feared that the gel leaked out of her . breasts and into her system. The French Society of Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons says the gel could have been an ‘aggravating factor’ in the cancer. It is reviewing its policy on the implants. Their British counterparts have urged women not to worry – but say that patients who have, or suspect they have these implants, should have regular scans to check for flaws and cracks. If there are signs of damage, implants on both sides should be removed. Some GPs may be happy to refer women for an ultrasound, otherwise they will have to pay for it privately. The . NHS does take out damaged implants but won’t pay for new ones to be put . in, meaning patients could be left with a bill that runs into thousands . of pounds – as well as the trauma of additional surgery. The alarm was first raised in France after surgeons noticed that PIP implants were rupturing much more quickly than other more expensive brands. An inquiry ordered by the French health watchdog reported ‘serious’ irregularities in the implants last summer. Among other things, when the gel’s manufacturer was asked for studies on its safety, it said it did not have any – because it believed it was to be used in the manufacture of mattresses. In 2009, the French government agency responsible for medical equipment safety standards, Afssaps, received a number of complaints about the PIP implants. An inquiry ordered by the French health watchdog reported 'serious' irregularities in the implants last summer (posed by models) Afssaps found that 10 per cent of the company’s implants ruptured within a year. On average, implants should last at least 10 years. In Britain, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which is responsible for the safety of drugs and medical devices, told surgeons to stop using the implants. Subsequent tests appeared to rule out any risk of cancer or poisoning and the MHRA said patients should be reassured that there is ‘no current evidence’ of a health risk. Last night, the MHRA said that breast implants have also been linked to cancer in America. A spokesman added that any woman concerned that her implants has ruptured should speak to the surgeon who put them in for her. British plastic surgeons said the fault lies at the door of the manufacturer, who has now gone into liquidation. Fazel Fatah, president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, said: ‘It is important to remember that the number of breast implant patients globally is considered to be higher than ten million, yet these tumours are extremely rare. ‘In relation to PIPs, we continue to reiterate our advice to UK patients in line with the French authorities: if you have, or suspect you have these implants, you should have a scan every six months. ‘If there is any rupture or weakening, have both implants removed.’ | Alert follows death of French woman who had implants with silicone gel 'made for mattresses' | 64ee10dd235482d114e687bd3c2210ec1d228b63 |
By . James Salmon . PUBLISHED: . 19:07 EST, 11 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 19:23 EST, 11 May 2012 . He owns a £7million home, earns £1.2million a year running a bank bailed out by the taxpayer and reluctantly bowed to pressure and declined a £963,000 bonus. But Royal Bank of Scotland boss Stephen Hester says ‘life is not about money’. Mr Hester told pupils at a South London school that life ‘is about doing things that make you feel valuable, not necessarily measured by money’. Controversial: Stephen Hester, 51, who hates this picture being used, has been criticised for his fat-cat pay . But he added: ‘Like it or not, money is one of the things that motivates people.’ Mr Hester, 51, has become a lightning rod for anger over fat-cat pay, attracting criticism for his lavish lifestyle despite presiding over a bank that was bailed out with £45.5billion of taxpayers’ money. Last month he invited the public to see the manicured 350-acre gardens of his £7million home, just outside Banbury in Oxfordshire. In January, after weeks of holding out, the controversial bank boss waived his bonus for last year after intense media and political pressure. Asked by a pupil at Dunraven School in Streatham whether he declined his bonus because he thought it was immoral, Mr Hester replied: ‘I want to be paid well – I have no hesitation about saying that. ‘There’s no morality involved and it allows me to pay a large amount of tax for other things to be done.’ Mr Hester branded criticism of his pay ‘unfair’ and said he ‘came within inches of quitting’ during the row over his bonus. Anger: A string of companies, including Barclays, insurance giant Aviva, . publishing group Trinity Mirror and Britain's biggest car dealer . Pendragon, have faced rebellions from shareholders over boardroom greed . He added: ‘We are in a time of high emotion, people looking for things to blame. ‘If you have a high-profile job as I have, at times you get caught in the swirls of politics. ‘It was a tsunami at the time, I think it caught me unfairly, but nevertheless I’m a volunteer in this job; you have to deal with what it throws you.’ A string of companies, including Barclays, insurance giant Aviva, publishing group Trinity Mirror and Britain’s biggest car dealer Pendragon, have faced rebellions from shareholders over boardroom greed. Liberal Democrat peer Lord Oakeshott says RBS should lend small businesses money so they can employ young people . RBS, which is 82 per cent owned by taxpayers and plunged to a £2billion loss last year, will face its shareholders at its annual meeting later this month. Asked whether the reputation of bankers could be restored, Mr Hester said: ‘People have hated money lenders for thousands of years.’ The RBS chief’s unapologetic words resulted in a fresh salvo from his critics. Liberal Democrat peer Lord Oakeshott said: ‘What would make small businesses feel valuable is if RBS could lend them the money so they can employ young people.’ High Pay Centre chairman Deborah Hargreaves said: ‘It’s a bit rich of Hester to say this when he employs eight gardeners to keep his 350-acre landscaped garden. ‘He should remember he is talking to people who won’t earn in a lifetime what he earns in a year. He makes a strong case for cutting pay across the board.’ | Stephen Hester is target for anger over fat-cat pay . Tells school pupil 'I want to be well paid' Says he came within inches of quitting due to bonus row . | fff048b7c5b9578c3a494d42a5bece64753af818 |
By . Paul Thompson . and Alasdair Baverstock In Caracas, Venezuela . The five-year-old girl left orphaned after her beauty queen mother and British dad were shot dead in Venezuela has been given the shattering news about their horrific deaths and has left hospital to attend their funeral, it was revealed today. Tragic Maya Spear is being comforted by her grandparents and extended family after being treated for a gunshot wound to her leg. Yesterday, the brother of former Miss Venezuela, Monica Spear Mootz, said the family had yet to tell Maya that her mother and father, Thomas Berry, were dead. Scroll down for video . Despicable: Maya was also shot by the robbers who killed her mother and father in cold blood. The brave girl has now left hospital and been given the crushing news they are dead . Support: Maya is in the care of her parents' extended families and who she will ultimately live with has yet to be decided. Her paternal grandfather told MailOnline: 'We . will discuss it with her family once the parents have been seen off . properly' But on her release from hospital the bewildered little girl was told the shattering news. The couple were gunned down during a robbery on the Puerto-Cabello to Valencia highway in Venezuela's Carabobo state on Monday. Maya was in their car with them and suffered a glancing wound to her leg during the robbery. She was treated in hospital but did not require any surgery. Family members arriving in Caracas from Florida, where most of Monica's family now live, told MailOnline that Maya had been allowed to leave hospital and was being cared for by her mother's cousins. She is now expected to attend the funeral of her 29-year-old mother and ex-pat British father on Friday in Caracas. Her fate has yet to be decided, according to her . grandfather. 'We still . don’t yet know whether Maya will remain in Caracas with us or go to . Orlando to live with Monica’s parents', said Thomas Berry Sr, speaking . at the lying in state ceremony in Caracas’s East Cemetery today. 'We . will discuss it with her family once the parents have been seen off . properly,' he said. 'For the moment Maya is staying with some of Monica’s . cousins in Caracas. The most important thing is that she is safe'. Grief: The bodies of Berry and Spear were open for public viewing on Thursday at the Eastern Caracas Cemetery ahead of a funeral tomorrow . Mourning: Two cousins of Monica Spear attend the cemetery where her body and that of her brother are lying in state. Her brother, Ricardo, right, addressed the awaiting press outside . Crowds: Huge numbers of people turned up to the cemetery to pay their respects. The deaths have sparked protests and convulsed the crime-ridden country . The couple's five-year-old daughter Maya survived the shooting after being hit in the leg and is recovering in a Caracas hospital, although she doesn't yet know that her parents are dead . The . pair, who were never formally divorced, were taking a New Year holiday . as a family following more than a year’s estrangement which many thought was a sign of reconciliation. 'They . truly loved each other, and their daughter only cemented their love”, . said Monica's father, Rafael Spear, who had flown in from his home in Orlando to attend . his daughter’s funeral. Monica was an American citizen, and although she had spent the last few years in Venezuela, where she is a TV star, she had lived with her parents for years and was a graduate of the University of Central Florida. 'We all expected them to return from holiday . with the news tat they were back together again'. The . camera bag belonging to the murdered Miss Venezuela Monica Spear has . been found in the possession of the only woman arrested in connection . with the case. Several family members caught at 6am flight from Miami to Caracas to join up with others who had been flown to Venezuela on a jet chartered by the country's president. Maya is being looked after by her cousins and also Rafael and his wife, Inceborg, and Berry's parents Tom and Kate who live in Caracas. The bodies of Berry and Spear were open for public viewing on Thursday at the Eastern Caracas cemetery. Loving: Former Miss Venezuela Monica Spear Mootz and Thomas Berry had maintained a good relationship following their divorce and family say they were close to getting back together for the sake of Maya . Hundreds of mourners are expected at the funeral on Friday as Spear was well known in the south America country having been named Miss Venezuela in 2004. She also appeared in a popular soap opera which brought her an even bigger fan base. As family members made final preparations for the funeral new details emerged about the gang alleged to have carried out the brutal killing. The only woman among the six arrested was found to have Spear's camera bag in her possession. The female bandit is known as Eva "Guns" Mejias. Authorities were quizzing Mejias and six men aged from 15 to 26. The group which believed to have carried out the murder acted from a building where they were squatters known as El Churro, a notoriously dangerous government project in the region. Horrific: Robbers shot through the car windscreen when the terrified family locked themselves in . Brutal: The gang, known as the 'Los Rapiditos', wasted no time in gunning down the couple in front of their daughter . Theft: Police revealed today they recovered Spear's camera bag from a female member of the alleged gang . Trap: Police believe the killers deliberately left something in the road to cause a puncture on their car . Residents of El Cambur, the village close to the squatters den, have told local press that their lives had been ruined by the invasion of the building by the dangerous gang a few years ago. 'Before we could go where we wanted, but since they moved in and established a "Red Zone'. 'I have to take a different route home at night to avoid it?, one resident of the sector told El Nacional. 'There are police and military patrols on the highway, said Mary Gonzalez, another resident of El Cambur. But there is no phone signal, a lot of places to hide and although everyone knows where the gang is squatting no one has done anything about it'. 'It's only now that this tragedy has occurred that they have done anything.' The couple and Maya are believed to have been targeted by the robbers after they left an obstacle in the road, causing the car to tire to puncture. A tow truck arrived and was being loaded onto it when the armed gang approached. It is believed the couple locked them inside and the gang fired through the windows, killing them and injuring Maya. The only two witnesses to the crime are two men from the road rescue team who fled for their lives as the couple were in the car. The deaths of the couple has outraged millions in the crime plagued country. The country's President Nicolas Maduro has promised a crackdown on crime in a nation that had more than 24,000 homicides last year. Love: Relatives said they told Monica to return to the US. but said she was so in love with the country and wanted to teach her daughter about it . Maduro called for a security meeting with all the country's governors and the mayors of the 79 cities with the highest crime rates. 'If there's any sense to this pain, it has to be so that we all wake up,' he said. Police chief Jose Gregorio Sierralta said they were killed after locking themselves inside their Toyota Corolla to stop their attackers stealing their car as the tow truck driver and an assistant ran to a police checkpoint a mile away for help. Monica's family told NBC News they had . tried and failed to persuade the former beauty queen, to leave violence-racked Venezuela and join them in the . United States after she was robbed six times. 'She loved her country too much,' said her brother, Ricardo. 'It was her home.' Her ex-husband shared her passion for Venezuela and worked as an adventure tour operator. He moved to the U.S. about 15 years ago after being shot, but returned to Venezuela in 2006, his business partner said. 'I . think he was kind of naïve because he loved what he did and he loved . showing the good side of Venezuela,' Luis Dominguez said. People gather in a demonstration in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, to protest over the death of Monica Spear . A still from a short film showing the actress riding before she blew a kiss to the camera on the day she died . 'To think there are people who can . shoot a mother and father in front of their daughter is very sad and . unbelievable,' family friend Diego Sanchez said. 'And it's shocking when . it happens to someone you know.' As well as Maya's grandparents from Orlando, Berry's parents Tom and Kate were at her bedside. Berry's sister Katie, who lives in Edinburgh, was expected to join her retired university maths professor dad and mum. She and her brother moved to Venezuela as young children but she returned to Britain to find work with her Venezuelan husband. Mr Berry, 39, a travel firm boss, also used to return regularly to Britain to see family and friends. Another family member described Ms Spear as a 'sweet young girl.' 'She was so sweet, just like you see her in the photos,' said her aunt Mayela. 'She was as beautiful a person on the inside as she was on the outside. 'She was very loving and dreamed of triumphing in French cinema after spending time in France where she learn't the language. 'There was no need for what happened. There's no respect for life anymore.' Spear . and her ex had spent the New Year on a road trip that took them from . scenic Merida to the beach and to the plains, where the beauty queen . was raised on a ranch, rode horses. A video she posted to Instagram showed her blowing kisses to the camera on horseback. | Maya Spear was orphaned when her mother Monica Spear Mootz and father Thomas Berry were gunned down in front of her in their broken down car in Venezuela . Maya was also shot, but has left hospital and is expected to attend her parents' funeral after being told the shattering news . Family say no decision has yet been made about her future . Monica, who won the Miss Venezuela title . in 2004, had joined her 39-year-old ex on a drive holiday through the west of the country . The killings have convulsed the crime-ridden country and sparked protests . Police revealed that Spear's camerabag was today found in possession of a woman believed to be in gang behind the murders . | 138e5a30027bd1ba68e7e04f53906a89c5ac1501 |
President Barack Obama has received the SNL treatment with a sketch that took aim at his executive order vetoing Congress to secure the protection of at least five million immigrants from deportation. The Bill from the educational series Schoolhouse Rock! arrives at Capitol Hill to explain to a student the route he makes through Congress. But the lesson is disrupted by a calm, collected and smiling Obama who kicks him down the steps - before introducing a very laid back Executive Order. An education: SNL staged a mock version of Schoolhouse Rock! informing viewers how President Obama vetoed Congress with an executive order to protect five million immigrants from deportation . Smoking a cigarette, Executive Order explains he is used for simple things, like declaring holidays and creating national parks. That is until Obama reveals he will be used to grant amnesty to millions of immigrants. 'Whoa... Go hard or go home, right?' the flummoxed Executive Order remarks to the camera. The president then asks the student what he thinks about politics. 'I think I want to go into the private sector,' the boy remarks. 'Me too,' Obama replies with a knowing grin. The sketch comes amid a furious backlash against the president's broadcast to the nation on Thursday, announcing work permits for migrants. And analysts claim the policy - which has been months in the making - will not have the full economic benefits that widespread reforms passed through Congress would have delivered. White House sources claim Obama wanted to make the announcement by the end of the summer but was blocked by Democrats fearing it could derail election hopes for candidates in conservative states. Previously executive orders were used for simple things like announcing holidays and national parks . But in the sketch Obama pushes The Bill down the hill and uses the order to make a significant change . Video Source SNL . It was days after the party conceded an overwhelming number of congressional seats to the Republicans that Obama - now a 'lame duck' president - finally put pen to paper. Proponents of comprehensive reform cite the benefits compulsory work permits will provide for the economy. 'This is focused on people who are already in the economy today, who are contributing mightily but are basically operating in the shadows,' said Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. 'Their economic potential is being held back.' The new order could boost labor income by $6.8 billion, helping to generate 160,000 new jobs and $2.5 billion in additional tax revenues, according to estimates by Hinojosa-Ojeda. However, the president's order 'falls short of a comprehensive reform that would have a more sweeping effect on the economic landscape,' said Joel Prakken of the forecasting firm Macroeconomic Advisers. More substantial reforms could lift economic growth by an additional 0.24 percent a year — or about $41 billion — for the next two decades, according to an analysis that Prakken contributed to last year for the Bipartisan Policy Center. Backlash: Analysts claim the move will not have the full economic impact that a bill would have delivered . Crowds lined the streets of DC with signs thanking Obama for the move which was months in the making . The reforms could also cut the federal debt by $1.2 trillion over the same period, increase home construction, lift wages and add 8.3 million workers to the economy. A broader overhaul would also create a framework for attracting more immigrants, which would mute the negative economic impacts of an aging population. As more Americans retire, the percentage of the population with jobs has slipped, limiting the ability of the economy to expand. Obama has also been criticized for simply protecting the current immigrant population, rather than promoting the immigration of more high-skilled workers. Despite repeated calls to raise the 65,000 limit on 'H-1B' visas issued to skilled workers per year, this is not covered by the executive order. Scientists, engineers and computer programmers all earn higher wages than the comparatively low-paid workers who would be helped by Obama. | Saturday Night Live staged a mock edition of Schoolhouse Rock! featuring The Bill who explains to a student how he passes through Congress . Obama kicks The Bill down Capitol Hill and introduces Executive Order . Executive Order thinks he is used to declare holidays and national parks until Obama says he will be used to grant 5m immigrants amnesty . Sketch comes amid backlash at Obama's ruling that vetoed Congress . Analysts claim it falls short of full economic potential a bill would have . | 42f19c40212991a16a06a07f8d54467ed2f273b6 |
Conman Peter Foster, who was dramatically arrested this week after a year on the run, was making millions of dollars running an online betting scheme from his Australian hideout, it has been revealed. As Australian television viewers were being treated to vision of his dramatic arrest, it emerged he had been using a false name to operate the business with a male friend who was sharing a rented house with him near the New South Wales resort town of Byron Bay. But Sports Trading Club has now taken its last bet with the arrest of Foster, who will be extradited across the border to Queensland to serve at least 18 months jail of a three year sentence imposed on him last year for contempt of court. Scroll down for video . Peter Foster, 52, was arrested in Byron Bay on Tuesday afternoon (pictured here in 2007) Foster appeared in a magistrate court earlier today charged with assaulting police and resisting arrest when police, tipped off by Channel Nine' s 'A Current Affair' television programme, jumped on him near the house he had been living in. Magistrate Jeff Linden formally accepted Foster's guilty plea but did not punish him, noting that an outstanding arrest warrant allowed police to take the fugitive to a Brisbane prison to serve the outstanding prison sentence . The 52-year-old conman - who sparked the 'Cheriegate' in 2002 when he helped Cherie Blair purchase two flats in Bristol at a discounted price - was said by his solicitor outside the court to have been caring for his ill mother, Louise Foster, in Australia for the past 11 months. Private detective Ken Gamble, who had been working with the television crew to track down Foster after many weeks of surveillance, said the conman and the other man (named in the programme as Peter Noble) had set up Sports Trading Club in such a way 'it was difficult to see who was operating it.' Footage shows the man with long grey hair, a ragged beard, and barefoot . Footage shows officers arresting the wanted man, who has let his hair and beard grow long and grey . Mr Gamble said he was pleased that Foster had been caught 'because he has stolen the dreams of mums and dads of Australia.' The arrest of the self-styled 'international man of mischief' made for compulsive viewing last night, with half a dozen detectives and uniformed police pouncing on Foster in a clump of bushes. It was in September last year that the Federal Court in Brisbane found Foster guilty of contempt for disregarding a 2005 ban on him being involved in the weight loss industry. The ban had been imposed after he conned A$6 million - about £3.5 million - from 90 investors in a nasal spray he claimed help people lose weight. When he failed to turn up at the Federal Court in Brisbane, he was sentenced to three years in jail, with at least 18 months of that to be served behind bars. Foster has previously been jailed in the UK, the US and Australia because of his forbidden involvement in the slimming industry . He looked dramatically different on Tuesday when he was captured by a number of officers on the NSW coast . Footage from his arrest on Tuesday shows officers surrounding the wanted man before pinning him to the ground . Foster's solicitor's comment has put into question a number of photographs he posted of himself in October last year - a week after he had been sentenced to three years jail for contempt of court - purporting to show that he was in the Pacific nation of Fiji. The photographs showed him wearing a floral island-style shirt and lifting a coconut shell filled with kava. Photos also purported to show him reading the current edition of the Fiji Times and sitting near a televison set which had the current news programme playing. This morning solicitor Mr Fisher said outside the Tweed Heads magistrates court in northern New South Wales that Foster was still coming to terms with what he was facing. 'He's a it shell-shocked at the moment, but his main concern is that he gets reunited with his mother because he's been looking after his mother for the last 11 months. He's effectively been living like a monk.' But a news crew from A Current Affair took their camera through the house that Foster had been renting under the false name of Mark Hughes and found television screens displaying the online betting club and a number of mobile phones. In 2002 Cherie Blair, wife of of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair allegedly purchased two apartments with the help of the Australian conman . During his time in Britain, he befriended Carole Caplin, Cherie Blair's fitness 'guru' which is how he came to get close to the Blair family . Foster was jailed for false advertising in the UK and later faced similar punishment in the US . Cherie Blar, pictured with Carole Caplin, who at the time was in a relationship with Peter Foster . The photos convinced many people that they were too good to have been Photoshopped, but police who had been ordered to look for him following his failure to appear in court to hear the judge sentence him said they still believed he could be in Australia. There was no record of him leaving the country legally through an airport or a sea port, but Foster claimed he had made his escape by wearing a wig and using a false passport. During a fierce struggle police were heard telling him to 'let go of the gun' - his solicitor saying later that Foster had not realised he had grabbed one of the officer's weapons. 'My client's stated he was just simply grabbing at it - it could have been a torch,' said Mr Fisher. As he was being led to a police car, Foster was seen clutching at his chest and then dropping to his knees. Ambulance officers were called to check him over before his burly frame was lifted up onto a stretcher and he was taken to hospital for observation. Today, when he appeared before magistrate Linden, Foster was still wearing a hospital gown. But by the end of the week, the man who has boasted of being behind bars in the UK, Australia, the US and Vanuatu, will be back in a more familiar outfit - a prison uniform. | Peter Foster was arrested in Byron Bay, New South Wales yesterday . Conman on the run since an arrest warrant was issued last November . Foster - who was involved in a scandal involving Tony Blair's wife, Cherie - was on Interpol's most wanted list . Solicitor claimed he had been caring for his sick mother in recent months . Foster will now serve at least 18 months jail of a three year sentence imposed on him last year for contempt of court . | 15b4b027f5395e842723f1f8f2bf3bffd04f9c9d |
By . Julian Robinson . A suspected burglar perched in a tree overhanging a railway line caused 17 hours of travel misery for commuters. The strong-willed fugitive climbed the tree near Charlton station in south-east London in the early hours of yesterday, and refused to come down throughout the morning rush hour. He had been chased by police after an alleged attempted burglary at a nearby retail park shortly before 2am, in a pursuit involving the Metropolitan Police helicopter. Emergency services spent hours trying to coax the man, pictured left, out of the tree . Delays caused by the incident sparked fury among passengers with a number of London-bound trains diverted or delayed. British Transport Police (BTP) sent specialist officers to try to persuade him to come down from the tree near Barney Close, but rail operator Southeastern was forced to close the track during the morning peak. Chief Inspector Jenny Gilmer said: 'Shortly after 7pm on Wednesday 13 August, a man was talked down from a tree near to the rail line at Charlton. 'The man had been in the tree since the early hours of the morning and his return to the ground marked the end of a difficult and lengthy operation involving British Transport Police, Met Police, London Fire and Rescue, Network Rail and Southeastern Trains. Delays: The strong-willed fugitive (left) climbed the tree near Charlton station in south-east London and refused to come down throughout the morning rush hour despite attempted to coax him down (right) 'The 32-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of burglary and obstruction of trains with intent and he remains in police custody. 'I'd like to thank all those who have worked tirelessly throughout the day to bring this operation to a safe conclusion and would also like to thank the local community and travelling public for their continuing patience and understanding during what was an extremely sensitive process.' Southeastern said that the tree overhangs the London-bound track and so it was not safe to run services while the man refused to come down - although trains out of London were able to run normally after an initial closure. London-bound services were diverted or delayed, and tickets were accepted on the Underground and buses. The incident unfolded close to Charlton station (pictured) in south east London and caused chaos during morning rush hour . But the delays angered passengers, many of whom took to Twitter to vent their frustration. Adam Martin-Lawrence wrote: 'How many people does it take to drag a burglar out of a tree at Charlton - apparently many, but none of them can lay a finger on the guy.' Another Twitter user, Jess Williams, posted: 'So just found out the reason my train was cancelled this morning was because a man running from the police was hiding up a tree at Charlton. A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'Police were called to reports of an attempted burglary at a commercial unit on the Stone Lake Retail Park, SE7, at 1.50am on August 13. 'On arrival, officers identified a suspect and began a pursuit which also involved the Metropolitan Police's Air Support Unit, during which the man was observed running close to rail lines. 'The suspect subsequently climbed a tree next to the rail lines off Barney Close.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Suspected burglar perched in tree overhanging line near Charlton in London . He had been chased by police after an alleged attempted break-in nearby . The incident caused 17-hours of travel misery for commuters yesterday . Track was closed as specialist offices tried to persuade him to come down . 32-year-old was later arrested on suspicion of burglary and obstruction of trains . | f3a1e1629c6d1f4af9fd59ef9909a1d321ae50ba |
By . Sarah Griffiths . Scinetists have discovered that people with a mutation of the CHD8 gene have a 'very strong' likelihood of having autism (stock image) Scientists have taken a breakthrough step towards understanding exactly what causes autism. Researchers from 13 institutions around the world have discovered that people with a mutation of the CHD8 gene have a 'very strong' likelihood of having autism. The new study found the gene mutation was marked by common characteristics, including gastrointestinal disorders, a larger head and wide set eyes. It is the first time researchers have linked a definitive cause of autism to a genetic mutation, the team claim. Associate professor at the University of Washington, and lead author of the new research, Raphael Bernier, said: 'We finally got a clear cut case of an autism specific gene.’ In the study, published in Cell magazine, 6,176 children with autism spectrum disorder were anaylsed. Researchers found 15 had a CHD8 mutation and all of these children had similar characteristics in appearance. The 15 children also shared sleep disturbance and gastrointestinal problems. Professor Bernier and his team worked with scientists at Duke University who specialise in zebra fish modelling. The Duke team disrupted the CHD8 gene in the fish, and noted they developed large heads and wide set eyes. They then fed the fish fluorescent pellets and found that the fish had problems discarding food waste and were constipated. Professor Bernier said this is the first time that researchers have linked a definitive cause of autism to a genetic mutation. Although just 0.5 per cent of all children have the kind of autism related to the CHD8 mutation, he said that there are lots of implications from the study. A team of researchers disrupted the CHD8 gene in the zebra fish, (pictured) which developed large heads and wide set eyes. They then fed the fish fluorescent pellets and found that the fish had problems discarding food waste and were constipated . ‘This will be a game changer in the way scientists are researching autism,’ Professor Bernier said. The results could pave the way for a ‘genetics-first approach’ that could uncover hundreds more genetic mutations and lead to genetic testing, he explained. Genetic testing could be offered to families as a way of guiding them on what to expect and how to care for their child. Currently autism is diagnosed by doctors examining and assessing a child's behaviour. In the short term, Professor Bernier said that clinicians can pay attention to the small population with this CHD8 mutation and provide targeted treatment. Autism has already been linked to different types of genetic events. The most commonly researched genetic events associated with autism are chromosomal re-arrangements, called ‘copy number variations,’ in which a chunk of chromosome is copied or deleted. But no one rearrangement affects more than one per cent of all autism cases and there is no definitive link between the rearrangement and autism. The CHD8 gene mutation is the first gene mutation to show a ‘very strong penetrance’ – or link - to a certain subtype of autism. Scientists have developed an app that can detect signs of autism as well as a trained expert. They said in May that the software is also more accurate than medics who are not autism experts . The researchers, from Duke University, in North Carolina, believe the technology could eventually be placed in schools as a way of screening children for autism. They believe this would be particularly beneficial as it is known children with autism develop fewer symptoms if they are diagnosed early. The software works by tracking and recording infants’ activity during filmed autism screening tests. Experts currently use behavioural tests to identify autism in very young children, such as shaking a toy from side to side and seeing how long it takes for a child's attention to shift in response to the changing stimulus. The new programme provides automatic measurements of reaction times down to tenths of a second. ‘The great benefit of the video and software is for general practitioners who do not have the trained eye to look for subtle early warning signs of autism,’ said Amy Esler, an assistant professor of paediatrics and autism researcher at the University of Minnesota, who participated in some of the trials. ‘The software has the potential to automatically analyse a child's eye gaze, walking patterns or motor behaviours for signs that are distinct from typical development. | Scientists from the University of Washington discovered that people with a mutation of the CHD8 gene have a 'very strong' likelihood of having autism . It is the first time that researchers - from 13 institutions - have linked a definitive cause of autism to a genetic mutation . A total of 15 children with the CHD8 mutation shared similar characteristics in appearance as well as problems with sleeping and digesting food . When scientists disrupted the CHD8 gene in fish they found they too showed characteristics such as wide-set eyes and problems digesting food . Experts believe their study will help uncover hundreds of genetic mutations and lead to genetic testing for the condition . | 5c8c7b1a09dd146e9ffdb55a54475b35eddf2815 |
A mother of two locked in a £11million divorce battle claims she is facing discrimination because she sacrificed her high-flying career to be a housewife. Julia Hammans, 55, worked as a financial director for a major department store during the early years of her marriage to Nicholas Hammans. When she became pregnant with their first child she agreed to give up her job to care for the family, the High Court heard yesterday. Divorce battle: High-flying Julia Hammans (left), who gave up her career as a financial director to look after her children, is claiming a slice of her ex-husband Nicholas Hammans's (right) fortune . Mr Hammans, 54, went on to carve out a successful career and is now a multi-millionaire partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Last year he earned £800,000. After the couple split up in 2004, Mrs Hammans was awarded the £1.75million six-bedroom Edwardian family home in Middlesex, as part of an interim divorce settlement. But in March this year, Mr Justice Coleridge, sitting in the High Court Family Division, ordered her to sell the home to part-fund her living expenses. She had sought a further £2.6million from her ex-husband, but the judge told Mr Hammans to pay only £400,000. He ruled that she needed £80,000 a year, which she could generate largely herself from interest on her £1million in savings and by moving home. Family home: After a judge divided the family fortune - which Mrs Hammans values at £11million - she says her income is 10 times smaller than that of Mr Hammans, and she is being forced to sell her £1.75million home in Twickenham, Middlesex . Property: Mr Hammans also lives in a £1million-plus house in Twickenham (pictured), as well as enjoying a holiday home in Paris, and the court heard he earned £800,000 last year . At the Court of Appeal yesterday her lawyer, Patrick Chamberlayne QC, argued she should be given an extra £2.2million so she could keep her house. He said: ‘It clearly is discriminatory that wives have to jump through these hurdles in order to qualify for a fair outcome. 1983: Julia Hammans, a finance director for department store Dickens and Jones marries accountant Nicholas Hammans . 1989: Mrs Hammans becomes pregnant and the couple 'agree' she will give up work. 2005: The couple divorce, Mrs Hammans is awarded the £1.75million family home, as part of a larger settlement. March 2014: After Mrs Hammans requests a further £2.6million from her ex-husband, a the family judge at the High Court rules Mr Hammans should pay just £400,000. He says the £400,000 sum, plus money from the sale of the house and interest on her £1million savings, would produce around £2million - giving her the £80,000-a-year he said she needed to live on. October 2014: At the Court of Appeal, Mrs Hammans argues she deserves £2.2million, in addition to the £400,000, and should be free to keep her house. ‘There ought to be an acknowledgement of what she has given up, but there has not been. Lip service is being paid to it, and she has to sell her house. ‘The judge provided no explanation of why he considered it appropriate for the wife to sell the home she received in the 2005 settlement. It was her family home and dear to her and was worth £1.75million. ‘Husband and wife are left in radically different positions by this judgement and that cannot be right. ‘This wife proved she had given up a well-paid lucrative career – that is enough.’ Mr Chamberlayne insisted the house was ‘a perfectly appropriate standard of accommodation for the wife to live in for the rest of her life, given the available assets in the case’. Mrs Hammans was on the board of Dickins and Jones, which now trades as House of Fraser, and was earning a similar salary to her husband soon after they married in 1983. Her barrister said her ex-husband’s career had in part taken off ‘through her investment, her sacrifice’. He added: The husband and wife started their careers at exactly the same time. ‘Both qualified as chartered accountants. She became pregnant in 1989 and, by agreement, gave up work to care for the family. ‘By this time she was a finance director of the Dickins and Jones Group with a seat on the board…earning the same as the husband.’ Court: Mrs Hammans is challenging what she says was an unfair division of marital wealth at the Court of Appeal, and is seeking a further £2.2million . Mr Hammans has re-married and has two young children with his new wife, lives in a £1.5million house in the same part of Middlesex . She believes it is unfair she should be forced to sell the family home simply because her income is ten times smaller than that of her former husband. The ex-couple had two children, who are now both grown up. Mr Hammans, who has re-married and has two young children with his new wife, lives in a £1.5million house in the same part of Middlesex and has a holiday home in Paris. Lord Justice Moore-Bick – sitting with Lord Justice Kitchin and Lord Justice Ryder – said: ‘It seems to me the wife is saying “I gave up my career. If I had not, I would have a lot of money in the bank and, post-divorce, would have been able to carry on with my career for the rest of my working life and live on the proceeds”. ‘When deciding what is fair, is it inappropriate to look at the consequences of giving up one’s career?’ Philip Marshall QC, acting for Mr Hammans, insisted his client’s ex-wife ‘has been properly and fairly treated’. He agreed that it was important to ‘avoid discrimination by giving equal value to the contribution of the breadwinner and the homemaker’. But Mr Marshall argued that Mr Justice Coleridge had taken Mrs Hammans’ loss of career earning into account by valuing her needs ‘generously’ at £80,000 a year. He said that Mrs Hammans lived in a home with three reception rooms and six bedrooms by herself. He insisted that a move to a £1.25million four-bedroom house in the same area ‘did not amount to a drop in her standard of living’. The judges will give their ruling at a later date. | Julia Hammans married accountant Nicholas Hammans in 1983 . At the time she was finance director for Dickens and Jones . When she became pregnant in 1989 she 'agreed' to give up work . Mr Hammans, 54, later became a partner at Pricewaterhouse Coopers . The couple separated in 2004, and she received their £1.75m home . Mrs Hammans has estimated the family fortune to be worth £11m . She had sought a further £2.6m from ex, but he was told to pay £400,000 . Judge ruled that sum, plus money from savings and house sale would give her around £2million, equal to an income of £80,000-a-year . Mrs Hammans, 55, is now challenging that ruling at the Court of Appeal . She wants a further £2.2million, and to be able to keep her home . | eeb87c384f50e39371654b711149a1b82a33968f |
(CNN) -- Tourist traps -- overcrowded, over-hyped and, of course, overpriced. Yet we keep going. By the millions. Why? Because however one bad experience may make us feel about them, they're awesome. That's why they get overcrowded in the first place. That's why, as Yogi Berra supposedly once said of popular St. Louis restaurant Ruggeri's: "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded." Professional globetrotter Gary Arndt perhaps sums it up best when he says, "I had a horrible time at the Pyramids, but I'd go back and recommend people go because ... they're the Pyramids. Some places you just have to suck it up and go visit." Here are eight over-popular places that are well worth a visit anyway -- and a few tips for avoiding the scrum, if you really have to. Share your picks for most-worth-it tourist traps in the comments. 1. Taj Mahal (Agra, India) It's one of India's most popular sights, attracting 3 million visitors a year -- which automatically puts it on many tourist's verboten list. More fool them: they're missing a World Heritage Site that really lives up to the hype. At sunrise or sunset the crowds are slimmest and the building is at its most photogenic. Travel writer Jodi Ettenberg picked the dawn hours of a rainy day for her visit, when most tourists would stay in bed. National Geographic Traveler of the Year Shannon O'Donnell took a different approach. "I went on a sunny day and still had a wonderful visit," says O'Donnell. "The site is just as popular with Indian tourists, so it was fun to interact with the families." 2. The Acropolis (Athens, Greece) Ruggedly modern Athens may be a culture shock to those expecting white marble and togas at every turn, but for many the most jarring experience awaits at the ticket barriers to the Acropolis, complete with security guards and a sea of visitors. The climb up is hot and crowded -- but at the top, you'll see why a million people do this every year. This is Athenian culture refined and placed on a pedestal 150 meters high -- in every sense, it's the heart of Athens and maybe even of Greece. The country's monuments have endured thousands of years of warfare, stone theft, punishing heat and, in one dramatic incident, an exploding ammo dump -- but they're still here. Be inspired by that, grit your teeth and brave those crowds. It's worth it. Alternately ... If you're looking for the best view in the city, head northeast and climb Lykavitos Hill. From its peak (at 277 meters, the highest point in the city), you'll be looking down onto the Acropolis, and the rest of the view will punch the breath out of you. 3. London Underground (UK) Canned sardines would gloat if they ever saw the twisted, conjoined bodies scrapping for pockets of air during rush hour on London's Tube service. During tourist season, it can get spectacularly horrible. There are tricks and shortcuts to avoid bottlenecks, including going up to street level and walking to the next station. Alternative Tube maps have become an art form (like the incredible Wonderground map) and the network's history is fascinating. If you need an excuse to explore, there's the Tube Challenge -- visiting all 270 stations in 24 hours. 4. Khao San Road (Bangkok) Online reviews of Khao San can be damning: "Meh, lots of drunk backpackers, tacky, noisy and crowded." Dubbed by Susan Orlean as The Place To Disappear, it's usually raucous and requires a particular mindset to enjoy. It's a tourist trap -- but not an unwelcome one, according to the average review on TripAdvisor. People visit Khao San because it's thrillingly chaotic -- the noise and the crowds are the price of that excitement. They're usually a bargain. Alternately... Too much chaos for you? Look to the surrounding streets. While food on Khao San itself has a reputation for being underwhelming and overpriced, writer Mark Piano found a wealth of Lebanese and Israeli food nearby, including the well-reviewed Shoshana, the "cheapest and best hummus I've found in town." 5. Sacre Coeur (Paris) Acting as Paris's own Acropolis is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, better known as Sacre Coeur, high above the city on the hill of Montmartre. Consecrated less than a century ago, it's the city's must-see symbol of unity and renewed confidence -- and yet the approach to it is plagued with Paris's worst tourist scams, including the Paris String Trick. Disheartening? Of course. Avoidable? Absolutely. "Most visitors take the same route," says travel blogger James Feess. "They get off at the Anvers metro stop, walk through the gauntlet of tacky souvenir shops on Rue de Steinkerque, take the funicular up to Sacre Coeur, walk to the Place du Tertre to see the artists selling their original paintings and finally walk back down the hill to see the underwhelming Moulin Rouge. "Venture outside these few areas and you'll find a whole different world of quintessential Parisian cafes, tree-lined streets, private gardens, hidden alleyways and boulangeries that most tourists never see. " 6. Stonehenge (UK) Ah, Stonehenge. These days you're unlikely to step between the stones unless you're allowed special access (say, you're Doctor Who). Most visitors have to walk around the outside -- and yet that's enough. It's the crowning monument in a staggeringly archaeology-rich landscape. It's also changing dramatically. A new £27 million ($45 million) visitor center opened in December 2013, and as with many new arrivals it's suffered a few teething problems. This is the most famous prehistoric monument in England, perhaps in the world -- and we still don't know what it was for. Alternately ... Twenty miles to the north, Avebury's stone circles has no admission fee and gets a quarter of the annual visitors. The stone circles are a short walk from West Kennet Avenue and other stunning prehistoric monuments. 7. Christ The Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro) It's the most famous sight in Brazil, it's stunningly beautiful and it has a remarkable history. Of course you need to go. Even if the area around the 98-foot-tall statue is almost always heaving with visitors. "Most of the photos you'll have seen are likely to have been taken by photographers in helicopters who can find the space they need for the shot without the crowds," says travel photographer Laurence Norah. "If you want to avoid the crush, go on a weekday rather than the weekend and perhaps pick a day that isn't totally clear. "The morning is better for photos of the statue, as the light is on him, whilst the afternoon and evening offers better light across Rio." 8. Grand Canyon (Arizona) If North America's Natural Wonder Of The World is your destination this year, don't waste your visit on a whistle-stop trip to the edge. That's how most people experience it, and it's a poor way to do this 17-million-year-old landmark justice. To avoid the beaten track do as the wisest local guides suggest -- book a few days and venture below the rim -- best to go out of season, as the canyon floor can be unbearably hot (39C/102F) during summer. | Rio's most famous landmark, Christ the Redeemer, is usually heaving with visitors. So what? It's worth booking a couple days at the Grand Canyon rather than peering over the edge and leaving . Choosing a weekday over weekend or early morning over midday can spare you crowds at big attractions . | c9c8ac15809eab9c65d47b2a3d91d97e338beb01 |
Grand Rapids, Michigan (CNN) -- I wish I were surprised that Texas Gov. Rick Perry doesn't see a problem with concealed weapons in schools, but after watching his failed bid for the presidency, the truth is there's very little that man can say that will truly surprise me. "If you have been duly back-grounded and trained and you are a concealed handgun license-carrying individual, you should be able to carry your handgun anywhere in this state," Perry said at a tea party event held on Monday. It seems his line of reasoning is in line with some of his gun-loving brethren who believe if teachers and principals are armed, tragedies like the one in Newtown would go away. It's as if he thinks "Rambo" is a documentary. In a country with fewer than 350 million people but more than 310 million guns, we don't need more of them. We need fewer. And when it comes to our schools, we don't need guns at all. So it's very fortunate that Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder had the good sense to veto Michigan Senate Bill 59 on Tuesday. The proposed law would have allowed people with permits to carry concealed weapons and with extra training, to bring their guns to traditional "gun-free" zones such as day care centers and schools. And by "extra training," the bill called for an additional eight hours and another 94 rounds on the firing range. That's it. It was approved the day before the shootings in Newtown. On Monday -- while Perry was encouraging guns in schools -- a letter signed by all 21 superintendents in my county was sent to Gov. Snyder asking him to veto the bill because, unlike the gun-happy politicians who rammed the legislation through in a lame duck session, educators do not believe guns in schools are a good thing. I have yet to hear a teacher who has survived a massacre advocate for guns in schools. In fact, the American Federation of Teachers -- with its 1.5 million members -- also sent a letter to Snyder opposing the bill, saying, "We should be doing everything we can to reduce the possibility of any gunfire in schools and concentrate on ways to keep all guns off school property." In moments of stress, typically the first thing to erode is our motor skills. So the argument that educators should be ready to dodge gunfire, avoid hitting students and take out a gunman so someone hundreds of miles away can buy military-grade weapons and ammunition for kicks is a very stupid argument to make. And yet, we heard elements of that reasoning soon after the movie theater killings in Aurora, Colorado. Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert asked: "It does make me wonder, with all those people in the theater, was there nobody that was carrying a gun that could have stopped this guy more quickly?" Yes, Gohmert -- because what a dark room filled with tear gas and panicked people needs is more guns. That makes as much sense as the lawmakers in Florida allowing concealed weapons in the state Capitol building in Tallahassee -- and then needing to install alert buttons on the phones of every senator and staffer in case someone came in and started shooting up the place with one of those concealed weapons. Gov. Snyder needed to veto SB 59, not because the mood of the country has shifted because of the Newtown tragedy, but because it was bad legislation to begin with. We don't need -- and most educators don't want -- guns in schools. I said most because David Thweatt, superintendent of the Harrold school district in Texas, where employees have been allowed to carry guns in schools since 2008, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "Nothing is 100%. But what we do know is that we've done all we can to protect our children." Also, on "Meet the Press," former Secretary of Education William Bennett said, "I'm not so sure I wouldn't want one person in a school armed, ready for this kind of thing. ... It has to be someone who's trained, responsible. But, my God, if you can prevent this kind of thing, I think you ought to." Bennett: The case for gun rights is stronger than you think . Let's think about this: In August, nine bystanders in New York were wounded as a result of police gunfire -- the police were trying to arrest a suspect connected with another shooting. In September, police in Houston shot and killed a double amputee in a wheelchair who was trying to stab an officer -- with a pen. Back in 2009, in Perry's state of Texas, a military doctor opened fire at the Fort Hood Army post, killing 13 and wounding 30 others. The victims were all professionals, surrounded by guns, and trained to handle -- in Bennett's words -- "this kind of thing." Why would anyone think teachers and principals could take a couple of weekend classes and do better than them? It just doesn't make sense. Having police patrol the area during school hours is fine. But allowing guns in school is simply counterintuitive to the kind of civilized society we want to live in and represent to the rest of the world. Did you know, in addition to schools and day care centers, SB 59 would've allowed guns in hospitals, stadiums and churches? I'm not anti-gun -- I have one in my house. But I ask you: What kind of people feel the need to have a gun with them in church? I'll tell you what kind: The kind who probably shouldn't have one in the first place. The opinions in this commentary are solely those of LZ Granderson. | LZ Granderson: Texas governor Perry among those ok with concealed weapons in schools . Granderson commends Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder for vetoing concealed weapons bill . A school official trying to take out a gunman more likely to hit kids or be killed, he says . Granderson: Trained police end up killing people by accident all the time . | 41a2575f586faa2c8193872b1bd90e273fc29c0f |
By . Ben Kendall, Press Association . Carlo Nash will be sentenced today after being caught driving at 140mph. The former Manchester City, Everton, Wigan Athletic, Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace, Stoke City and Norwich City goalkeeper was clocked by a traffic officer on the A11 at Wymondham in Norfolk. The 40-year-old from Leftbank, Manchester, was stopped in a 70mph zone by a marked car with a speed detector on February 2 this year. Trouble: Former Norwich keeper Carlo Nash will be sentenced after being caught driving at 140mph . He did not appear at a previous hearing at Norwich Magistrates’ Court but the bench found the case proved in his absence. The case was adjourned to allow Nash to attend. Today’s hearing will consider imposing a diving ban and any other penalty. Nash was released by Norwich City, where he was third choice goalkeeper, following their relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season. Veteran: Nash, who is now 40, has also played for Stoke, Manchester City and Preston among other clubs . | Nash will be sentenced on Tuesday aftter being caught driving at 140mph . He was stopped in a 70mph zone by a marked car in February . The 40-year-old could be banned from driving and face other penalties . Nash is currently without a club after leaving Norwich . | e5ffe97229c69589469859ff94ba21b2c51f0f24 |
London (CNN) -- The Red Cross's declaration Sunday that Syria is engaged in a civil war -- or in the organization's legalistic phrasing, a "non-international armed conflict" -- may have struck some observers as a case of stating the obvious. But the assessment from the Geneva-based body is significant. It means the violence that has plagued the Middle Eastern nation since early 2011 has crossed a legal threshold whereby combatants throughout the country are subject to the Geneva Conventions -- and as such can be prosecuted for war crimes. Who are the Red Cross? The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is the guardian of the Geneva Conventions, which set down the rules of war. The organization was formed after the Battle of Solferino in 1859 in Italy. A Swiss businessman, Henry Dunant, encountered nearly 40,000 wounded, dying and dead lying unattended on the battlefield. He subsequently lobbied for the establishment of a permanent humanitarian relief agency to act during times of war, protected by a government treaty recognizing the neutrality of the agency and safeguarding its operations. These goals were realized through the establishment of the Red Cross and the First Geneva Convention, ratified by 12 nations in 1864. Dunant was jointly awarded the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 for his efforts. Part of the Red Cross's legal mandate is to determine whether an armed conflict exists, and whether international humanitarian law applies. What is the ICRC's new assessment of the situation? The ICRC's classification of the violence as a "non-international armed conflict" means international humanitarian law will extend beyond the three regions in Syria where the organization had previously determined to be areas of armed conflict -- namely Homs, Hama and Idlib -- to apply wherever fighting occurs. "These rules impose limits on all parties on how fighting can be conducted, with the aim of protecting the civilian population and persons not, or no longer, directly participating in the hostilities," said ICRC spokeswoman Carla Haddad Mardini told CNN. The ICRC will work to remind both the Syrian government and the armed opposition of their obligations to respect international humanitarian law, and share its analysis of what is occurring with both sides. It is hoped this will have an effect on the way the war is fought, by helping to regulate the conduct of fighters and safeguard the rights of innocents affected by the violence. How was the violence in Syria classified previously? For months, the Red Cross has classified the violence in Syria as internal armed conflicts between government forces and armed opposition groups localized to three flashpoints mentioned above. But the spread of hostilities to other areas has led the Swiss-based agency to conclude the fighting meets its threshold for an internal armed conflict. International humanitarian law now applies "wherever hostilities take place," the organization said Monday. What are the Geneva Conventions? The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are international treaties that, in the words of the Red Cross, "contain the most important rules limiting the barbarity of war." Applicable during times of armed conflict, they form the cornerstone of international humanitarian law, setting rules for the treatment of people who are not participating in the fighting -- civilians, health workers and aid workers -- as well as for the wounded, sick or prisoners of war. Read the 1949 Geneva Conventions here . Common Article 3 of the conventions, which relates to "non-international armed conflicts" -- the most common form of conflict in the world today -- is applicable to the situation in Syria. "The term "civil war", often used as a synonym for "internal armed conflict" (or) "armed conflict not of an international character," has no legal status," said Mardini. Special rules apply to the most serious contraventions of the law, which are termed grave breaches and constitute war crimes. What counts as a "grave breach?" These crimes include willful killing, torture or inhumane treatment, including biological experiments; willfully causing great suffering or serious injury; and wanton, unlawful extensive destruction and appropriation of property not justified by military necessity. Read the definition of grave breaches here . Nations that are party to the conventions have an obligation to seek and put on trial or extradite those responsible for grave breaches, regardless of their nationality. What is the history of the Geneva Conventions? Efforts to moderate the behavior of soldiers are as old as recorded history itself. In the sixth century BC, the Chinese general and military strategist Sun Tzu suggested specific restrictions on military conduct, while in 1625, the Dutch theorist Hugo Grotius called for civilian protections in "On the Law of War and Peace." Throughout the history of warfare, agreements on the rules of war were defined by custom or negotiated between generals prior to battle, but did not extend widely beyond the conflict in question. The modern Geneva Conventions were adopted in 1949, in the aftermath of World War II, and expanded their focus to include civilians for the first time, in an attempt to prevent another outbreak of the "total war" which had wreaked havoc on civilian populations. Who recognizes the Geneva Conventions? The Geneva Conventions entered into force on 21 October 1950 and have gradually grown in recognition to become universally applicable. More than 70 countries ratified the conventions during the 1950s, and today 194 nations are party to the agreement. Do they have an impact on the battlefield? According to the ICRC, yes. While the nature of war has changed radically in the decades since the conventions were drafted, they continue to act as a powerful deterrent to the commission of atrocities in times of conflict. The ICRC's director of international law Philip Spoerri told CNN in 2009 that enforcing compliance with the conventions, rather than recodifying their core principles, should be a priority for international humanitarian law. Simon Hooper contributed to this report. | The Red Cross has determined that Syria is in a state of civil war . This means international humanitarian law applies wherever there is fighting . The Geneva Conventions, overseen by the Red Cross, govern behavior in war zones . They lay the legal groundwork for war crimes prosecutions . | d5eae252954afcb6bcf9162dfd39135a95634317 |
New York (CNN) -- Exposure to debris at Ground Zero may be linked to heart problems in police officers, according to a new study announced Saturday. The study revealed that police officers who worked at the World Trade Center site in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks had unusually high occurrences of abnormal left and right ventricular functioning, leading doctors to consider the role Ground Zero played in their diminished heart function. The study, which started in January 2008 and ended in June, was funded by the Fraternal Order of Police of New York State. The study was not intended at first to focus on the effects of Ground Zero, but rather to test the strains of the job, said Dr. Lori Croft, the study's lead investigator. Many Ground Zero workers have been reported to suffer from lung ailments after exposure to dust and debris at the site, but this is the first study that offers evidence that work at Ground Zero may lead to cardiovascular problems, said Croft of the Mount Sinai Medical Center. Once microscopic matter is inhaled, it can result in harmful scarring to the lungs and heart, said Croft. Croft said that a healthy person's heart muscle relaxes when it fills with blood. In the cases of the study participants, Croft said the heart remains somewhat stiff, which hinders blood flow and can lead to heart disease later in life. Croft tested about 1,200 police officers over an 18-month period and found that 53 percent had abnormal left ventricular functioning and 59 percent had problems with their right ventricle. This would come as little surprise if they were in their 80s, but the mean age in the group was 49, Croft said. "If you're talking about 80-year-olds with these statistics, that's one thing," she said. "But these are people in their 40s and 50s. That's unusual." About 7 percent of 50-year-olds have this problem, Croft said. Croft said some questions remain. Law enforcement is generally a stressful occupation and police often work varying shifts and might sit in a patrol car for long periods -- all unhealthy for the heart, she said. The study, while revealing, needs to be further explored, she said. For example, testing police officers in other cities might help put the findings in context, she said. | Study finds unusually high occurrences of abnormal left and right ventricular functioning . Findings are first to possibly link work at Ground Zero to cardiovascular problems . Study was initially intended to test strains of job and effects of Ground Zero . Testing officers in other cities could help put findings in context, study's leader says . | 84c9576660c943d2249824846e44372d4159f79b |
By . Emily Davies . PUBLISHED: . 12:59 EST, 24 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:59 EST, 24 March 2013 . These beautiful images might look like a terrifying battle between two of the planet's most ferocious beasts, but the two cats are actually a bickering mother and cub. The pair were captured pawing and leaping in the air in a friendly scrap as they enjoyed a playfight in the wilderness. Photographer Marlon du Toit shot the rare sighting in Singita Sabi Sand, South Africa. The mother and cub can be seen pawing and leaping in the air in a friendly scrap in Singita Sabi Sand, South Africa . Photographer Marlon du Toit shot the rare sighting of the family of leopards in a moment he described as 'breathtaking' Marlon said: 'There is so much more to simply taking a photograph. A story needs to be told. 'This was an absolutely breathtaking moment. Everything in nature has purpose and reason. 'Movement beckons the leopards' attention and his eyes light up, ears cock forward and whiskers stand erect.' Don't be so catty: A mother and cub were pictured play fighting in their natural habitat in South Africa . Leopards are predators which can run up to 36mph in order to catch their prey . Leopards are skilled tree climbers and are even able to climb when carrying the carcasses of their prey in their mouths . Nine lives: Leopards are expert tree climbers and can jump from great heights without injuring themselves . Marlon spends most of his day on safari and says he witnesses the secret lives of some of the most amazing creatures. Most of the animals are accustomed to the safari jeeps and this allows Marlon to step into the personal space of lions, leopards and many more. Leopards can grow up to 65 inches and can weigh up to 200 lbs. | Marlon du Toit captured images of the mother and cub playfighting . The leopards were photographed in Singita Sabi Sand in South Africa . | bb1387ccdab7646606a7cf376bc50b4d600ed1b4 |
Editor's note: Abigail Thernstrom is the author of "Voting Rights -- and Wrongs: The Elusive Quest for Racially Fair Elections," published this month by the AEI Press. She is the vice-chairwoman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and an adjunct scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. Her writing can be found at http://www.thernstrom.com/. Abigail Thernstrom says ethnic and racial politics haven't faded away with the election of Barack Obama. (CNN) -- Some of us thought the election of Barack Obama as president might signal a fading away of the old identity politics. The assumption that fundamental lines of division in politics are set by race and ethnicity would seem to be a bit passé when 43 percent of white voters cast their ballots for a proudly "post-racial" African-American. But the president himself has made identity politics front-page news with his selection of Judge Sonia Sotomayor as his Supreme Court nominee. She played an important role in the New Haven firefighters' case (Ricci v. DeStefano) now awaiting decision by the Supreme Court. Sotomayor and two colleagues simply brushed aside the important constitutional and statutory questions raised by the city's decision to discard the results of a race-neutral test given to applicants for promotions within the department. Too many men of the "wrong" color had passed it -- that is, all of those who scored highest were white except for one Hispanic. Those firefighters had worked hard to get the test results they did; the lead plaintiff, Frank Ricci, is dyslexic, but he had been on the force for 11 years and was determined to become a lieutenant, so he paid an acquaintance more than $1,000 to read textbooks onto audiotapes and make flash cards. Ricci gave up his second job in order to study long hours -- and aced the test. President Obama, in his famous Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, race speech during the campaign, said that when whites hear "that an African-American is getting an advantage in landing a good job or a spot in a good college because of an injustice that they themselves never committed ... resentment builds over time." Yes. And when firefighters are denied promotions they earned simply because they are white, resentment builds. Discarding that test has struck many as an instance of racial preferences run amok. Will the real Barack Obama please stand up? Did he mean to imply in that Philadelphia speech that the "empathy" he claims to celebrate extends not only to minority victims of injustice, but also to whites? And is he a man who remains eager to move beyond identity politics, as he suggested numerous times in the course of his campaign -- or not? Questions abound. He has tried to downplay Sotomayor's now infamous declaration that "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life," suggesting that it was nothing more than a poor choice of words. But in the same speech, Sotomayor wondered "whether by ignoring our differences as women or men of color we do a disservice both to the law and society." And, most remarkably, she stated: "Whether born from experience or inherent physiological or cultural differences ... our gender and national origins may and will make a difference in our judging." "Inherent physiological or cultural differences"? Can the president possibly believe that Latina women -- and indeed minority women in general -- are born to see questions of law in a different and better light than white men or even men of color? It's in their physiological and cultural makeup. A fact of nature. If indeed the president believes in such disturbing racial determinism, weep for our nation. Either the president is a man of many parts, untroubled by his own conflicting views, or he is an immensely skilled and coldly calculating politician who is eager to court the Latino vote and knows that few senators are likely to vote against a "first." Identity politics is on the line in Ricci and also in another forthcoming Supreme Court decision, a key case involving minority voting rights. Later this month, the Supreme Court will decide whether in 2009, black candidates for public office can win running in majority-white settings. At issue in "Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District No. 1 v. Holder" is the constitutionality of a key, temporary provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that was renewed for the fourth time in 2006 on the theory that voting discrimination had just become "more subtle" than it was four decades earlier. The renewal meant that the Justice Department could continue to insist on districting maps that were carefully racially gerrymandered to elect black and Hispanic candidates. Legislative quotas have been the remedy for persistent racial exclusion -- seats reserved for candidates who are the choice of minority voters. But is America still a nation steeped in the muck of old-fashioned racism -- the results of the 2008 election notwithstanding? Are we condemned to identity politics in choosing firefighters for promotion, in drawing districting maps for legislative bodies (from school boards all the way up to congressional delegations), and in a multitude of other spheres into the indefinite future? Sonia Sotomayor's nomination suggests that the answer will be yes. A sad thought. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Abigail Thernstrom. | Abigail Thernstrom: There were hopes ethnic politics would fade after Obama's win . She says nomination of Sonia Sotomayor rekindled racial and ethnic debate . Thernstrom: Two pending Supreme Court cases also raise identity politics issues . | a6922169d05382dc12358c21490980aa9a782d8e |
(EW.com) -- Gru, the bald and beetle-browed rascal hero of "Despicable Me 2," is an infectious imp — as voiced by Steve Carell, he's like Uncle Fester with the personality of Nikita Khrushchev. But in the first "Despicable Me" (2010), he was a supervillain with a grand plan (he wanted to steal the moon), and in the surprisingly toothless sequel, he has been neutered into a boring nice guy. The co-directors, Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, create a seductively tactile computer-animated landscape in which gentle slapstick rules the day. For some reason, though, they have mostly left out the flashes of egomaniacal dastardliness that even a movie for kids can thrive on (e.g., the far superior Will Ferrell animation Megamind). Kristen Wiig voices Lucy, the Anti-Villain League agent who has a crush on Gru and recruits him to be a spy. You keep waiting for Wiig to display some of her flaked-out inspiration, but she, too, has been given almost nothing to play but sweetness and light. The best thing in the movie is the army of chattery yellow minions who are injected with a serum that transforms them into gnashing purple beasties. By the end, every child in the audience will want his or her own monster-minion toy. Adults will just regret the way that "Despicable Me 2" betrays the original film's devotion to bad-guy gaiety. Grade: C . CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved. | The film is sequel to the 2010 original . This time the main character Gru is a nice guy . Reviewer says the best thing about the film is the minions . | 2912f518e901e336cdf045fc53e318b1e611d399 |
By . Misty White Sidell . PUBLISHED: . 10:55 EST, 20 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:55 EST, 20 December 2013 . Vogue has broken the terms of its own health initiatives again, this time by publishing a fashion spread in Vogue Mexico’s November issue that features a 15-year-old model. Young Polish model Julie Borawska stars in the shoot looking every bit the Vogue model in the story’s mostly-blue clothes – but she does not fit the magazine’s self-imposed rule of using faces that are older than 16. Julie’s feature represents the third time that Vogue’s international editions have broken their health initiative by using young models. Too young: Julia Borawski (pictured on the cover of Barrel Fashion), is a 15-year-old Polish model who appeared in Vogue Mexico, despite the magazine's guideline not to use models under the age of 16 . The Vogue Health Initiative was established in 2012 to emulate similar guidelines that were being implemented across the global fashion industry – from Israel to the United States. But two months later, in Vogue China’s August 2012 issue, 15-year-old model Ondria Hardin appeared in a fashion spread. The following month, another 15-year-old, Sarah Kees, appeared in Vogue Italia’s September issue. A fourth violation almost occurred around the same time when 14-year-old Thairine Garcia was photographed for Vogue Japan. Her shoot, however, was never published. Regarding Borawska’s feature, Vogue . Mexico’s editor Kelly Talamas says that the magazine bought her spread . as syndicated content and that it was unaware of the model’s real age. She . told Fashionista that the publication ‘did not cast any models for this . shoot, and was not involved in any manner with the production.’ Syndicated content: Vogue Mexico's editor says that the magazine was not involved in the production of Borawski's shoot and that her photographs were purchased as syndicated content . Representatives for Vogue Mexico have since contacted the shoot’s photographer Kevin Sinclair ‘to clarify this issue and identify exactly where the protocol failed in order to avoid this from ever happening again.’ But as Mr Sinclair told the site: ‘I am aware of the age restrictions with Condé Nast. I was not aware the model was 15 years of age. When we communicated with her agency in Poland they never mentioned that she was so young. We were all under the impression that she was 18 years or older, not 15.’ Representatives for Julie's Polish agency Gaga Models told MailOnline that they took care to make Mr Sinclair aware of her age before she was hired. Julie’s birth year (1998) is clearly labeled on the agency’s website. Her Instagram bio also confirms her age, reading: ’15 yo polish model...[sic]’ At the time of Ondria Hardin’s feature in Vogue China, Condé . Nast International’s chairman and chief executive Jonathan Newhouse . said that the company was ‘very serious’ about its health initiative and . that it would do ‘everything possible to prevent future errors.’ Vogue Mexico's oversight does not correlate with his comments. | Polish model Julia Borawska appears in Vogue Mexico's November 2013 issue . Vogue Mexico's editor says that the magazine was not involved in the shoot's production and the photos were purchased as syndicated content . | 41287bd7c64260489584a7a75dcf9747ad773ece |
By . Andy Dolan . PUBLISHED: . 07:05 EST, 14 March 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 19:25 EST, 14 March 2012 . It wasn't the bridal march she may have had in mind. Staring back at the camera with a look of resignation, bogus bride Helena Puchalska is frogmarched out of a register office in handcuffs. Polish Puchalska, 20, arrived for the sham ceremony with Asif Ali, a 31-year-old Pakistani graduate whom she barely knew, in a tight white dress wrapped in a fur coat. The happiest day of their lives: Polish 'bride' Helena Puchalska and her Pakistani husband-to-be Asif Ali are marched away from their wedding ceremony in handcuffs . Jailed: Puchalska (left) was sentenced to 15 months in prison, while Ali (right) was given two years . But the couple found officers from the UK Border Agency ready to arrest them after being tipped off by a suspicious registrar. Officers discovered Ali had arrived in . Britain four years earlier to study on a legitimate visa at a London . university. But the visa had expired. Northampton Crown Court heard how he . offered money, believed to be £2,500, to EU citizen Puchalska if she . married him, which would have allowed him to remain in the UK. Puchalska, a warehouse worker, was . jailed for 15 months while Ali, described as the driving force behind . the deception, was jailed for two years after they admitted conspiring . to breach immigration laws with their sham wedding. Sentencing the pair, Judge Richard Bray said the bogus ceremony struck at the 'sanctity of marriage'. He said: 'You were caught undergoing a sham marriage for the purposes of immigration. 'This . is a serious offence, not only because it breaches our immigration laws . but because of the aggravating feature that it strikes at the sanctity . of marriage. Sham: Officers from the UK Border Agency arrested the couple at Northampton Guildhall just as they were about to go through with the ceremony . 'Such offences . are still prevalent today as anyone who reads the newspapers knows. Sentences of some length are needed for such blatant and cynical . offending. 'You, Ali, were . the instigator and had most to gain. You are intelligent and knew . perfectly well what you were doing. You, Puchalska, went along with this . enterprise for money.' They claimed to have met in a . nightclub last March. Ali said they toasted their engagement with vodka – . in honour of Puchalska's Polish heritage. In December the couple met the . registrar at Northampton Guildhall – where they would be arrested the . next week – to plan the ceremony. The official became suspicious when . Ali could not spell his bride-to-be's name and did not know her home . town. The only thing he could tell the . official about his bride's homeland was that it was cold, had forests . and that soup and ham dominated the national diet. Joe Spicer, prosecuting, said: 'There was a ceremony planning meeting on December 19 at which the registrar became concerned this wedding did not appear to be genuine. 'She noticed Ali was answering all the questions and the bride appeared to be entirely disinterested in what was to take place. There was also no intimacy or contact between them.' After the hearing, a UK Border Agency spokesman said: 'As they pleaded guilty, the notes were not subject to handwriting analysis so we cannot say they were definitively written by Ali but it's true to say they were found in the boot of his car.' Inspector Andy Radcliffe, of the UK Border Agency's Criminal and Financial Investigations team, added: 'This was a marriage of convenience - convenient for Puchalska because it would have lined her pockets and convenient for Ali because it was a means to UK residency.' | 'Bride' and 'groom' were arrested as they made their vows during ceremony . Pair were jailed after admitting taking part in the sham marriage . Asif Ali claimed he wooed Helena Puchalska by cooking her a curry and serving her vodka after they met in a nightclub . But Ali was facing deportation and paid Puchalska £2,500 to marry him so he could stay in the country . | 78ede7624eaf591d339580f2e5b8e78a9d32eb75 |
(CNN) -- Before two pirate leaders departed the captured yacht where they held four Americans earlier this month, a maritime source says they left instructions: Kill the hostages if we do not come back from negotiations. U.S. officials later took the two negotiating pirates into custody -- a move that goes against standard negotiation practices, the maritime source said. The four Americans were later killed, but it is not clear why. Also not clear is when during the negotiations -- or why -- the Americans detained the two pirate negotiators. The pirates' detention goes against standard negotiating practices, as the pirates came in good faith to make a deal to hand over the hostages, said the maritime source, who was briefed on the incident and has connections to British intelligence officials. The source asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation. U.S. Central Command declined to comment on whether officials detained the pirates and said the FBI and the Justice Department have the lead in the case. The Justice Department had no comment Sunday. On Friday, the FBI said there was no comment due to the continuing investigation. However, a U.S. government official told CNN the talks with the two pirate negotiators faltered when it was determined the men "had no authority to negotiate anything." American officials then took the men into custody rather then let them return to the yacht, the U.S. official said. "It would be unfathomable to have put them back on the boat where they might have done harm to the hostages," the official said, disagreeing with a published report that the detention of two fellow pirates might have upset those still aboard the captured yacht -- named the Quest -- who were holding four Americans. "There was no change in mood, no escalation" and gunfire broke out on the Quest more than eight hours later, the U.S. official said. The official took issue with a New York Times report that said the FBI's hostage negotiator aboard the USS Sterett decided the two Somalis were not serious about resolving the matter, which led U.S. officials to take the two men into custody and ask for a new representative from the pirates. According to the the U.S. official, who was not authorized to discuss the Quest hijacking on the record, the issue was not whether the two pirates were serious about negotiating, but that they lacked the power to cut a deal. The American side continued trying to negotiate via radio with those still aboard the yacht and made an offer, and were told by the suspects aboard the Quest they would sleep on the matter before providing a reply, the U.S. official said. The Navy also tried to contact Somalis on land who might be able to exert influence over the men holding the Quest. The FBI hostage negotiator is part of a special team based at Quantico, Virginia, and had field experience, the U.S. official said. It was unclear if that experience included any previous negotiations with Somali pirates. Americans Jean and Scott Adam, Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle were found shot to death after U.S. forces boarded the Quest around 1 a.m. Tuesday, U.S. officials have said. The 58-foot yacht was being shadowed at the time by the military after pirates took it over off the coast of Oman on February 18. U.S. forces had responded after a rocket-propelled grenade was fired at a U.S. Navy ship about 600 yards away -- and missed -- and the sound of gunfire could be heard on board the Quest, U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Mark Fox has said. The killings took place as negotiations involving the FBI were under way for the hostages' release. When Fox spoke last week, he said two pirates boarded a U.S. Navy ship Monday for talks. He told reporters he had no information on details of the negotiations or whether a ransom had been offered. Two pirates were found dead on board the Quest, said Fox. In the process of clearing the vessel, U.S. forces killed two others, he said. Thirteen other pirates were captured and detained on the Quest, along with the other two already aboard the U.S. Navy ship. Fox said authorities believe the pirates were trying to get the vessel and hostages to Somalia, or at least into Somali territorial waters. Piracy has flourished recently off the coast of Somalia, which has not had an effective government for two decades. Globally, more than 50 pirate attacks have already taken place in 2011. As of February 15 -- the most recent statistic posted on the International Maritime Bureau's website, pirates were holding 33 vessels and 712 hostages. CNN's Zain Verjee and Carol Cratty contributed to this report . | NEW: A second source says two pirates were detained by U.S. forces . Four Americans were killed after pirates hijacked their vessel . Negotiations for their release had been under way, involving the FBI . Two pirates had boarded a U.S. Navy ship Monday for talks . | 03122b91950b24a507587616eb1d47c035cddf9a |
By . David Mccormack . PUBLISHED: . 20:22 EST, 8 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 22:51 EST, 8 December 2013 . A business promising to bring ‘snuggles’ to the people of Madison, Wisconsin, has shut less than a month after opening, citing ‘harassment’ from city officials who had publicly expressed concerns that it was really just a front for prostitution. The Snuggle House, which offered hugging, cuddling and spooning with professional snugglers for $60 an hour, attracted nationwide attention back in October when it was initially due to open. In the end the business only opened on November 15 after weeks of delays because of inspections by city officials who were concerned that the second-floor business could be a front for prostitution. These professional snugglers are out of work after The Snuggle House in Madison, Wisconsin, shut after being open less than a month . Assistant city attorney Jennifer Zilavy , said her first thought when she heard about the Snuggle House was ‘OK, this is going to be a place of prostitution.’ She said owner Matthew Hurtado initially . had no business plan, no business insurance, no training protocols and . no answers when she asked him what he would do if a snuggler was . sexually assaulted. Snugglers contend that touching helps relieve stress, but before it had even opened Madison police had talked openly about conducting a sting operation and city attorneys were drafting a new ordinance to regulate snuggling. 'There's no way that (sexual assault) will not happen,' said Zilavy. 'No offense to men, but I don't know any man who wants to just snuggle.' Snuggle House owner Matthew Hurtado was accused by local officials of having no business plan, no business insurance, no training protocols and no answers when asked him what he would do if a snuggler was sexually assaulted . On Friday the business posted a message on its Facebook page that it had closed for good. ‘The Snuggle House is Officially Closed - for good. For those people who supported us, thank you. Snuggle on!’ the post read. No specific reason was given, but on Facebook The Snuggle House posted: 'The push back and harassment is not worth it, honestly.' The closing announcement drew scores of comments on The Snuggle House’s Facebook page, most of them sympathetic. Some said they were sad to see the business close so soon; a few said they had been hoping to try the service. Alderman Mike Verveer, who represents the area, said he received quite a few concerned questions from locals residents and businesspeople before the business opened, but no complaints since then. The Snuggle House had opened in downtown Madison, Wisconsin, last month, but announced on Friday that it has closed for good. He said he was surprised to hear that The Snuggle House had closed so soon and so abruptly. 'My guess would probably be that they just didn’t have the business that they anticipated,' he told the Wisconsin State Journal. The Facebook page for the business offers . The Snuggle House’s furniture to local church organizations 'for people . who are in need,' and promises refunds for unused gift certificates. This type of business has been successful in the likes of New York, Colorado, and California. But Wisconsin's ultra-liberal capital city seemed to have deeper concerns than others where similar businesses have set up shop as cuddling has grown into a cottage industry over the past decade. The concept was that clients would be able to book in for an hour of hugs and cuddles for $60 . The Snuggle House claimed it was a legitimate business and its advertising materials included a disclaimer warning that there would be no nudity or sex . Police in Rochester, N.Y., said they've had no complaints about The Snuggery, which offers overnight cuddle sessions. Be The Love You Are in Boulder, Colo., offers cuddles with ‘Snuggle Stars.’ Cuddle Therapy in San Francisco offers packages that ‘focus directly with your current needs around connection, intimacy and touch,’ according to its website. The nonprofit organization Cuddle Party has trained about 100 people across five continents to run group snuggle sessions, said Len Daley, a psychologist who serves as executive director at Cuddle Party headquarters in Montgomery, Ala. Betty Martin, a Seattle-based sex educator who facilities cuddle parties in that city, said she's never had problems with government officials or police. Cuddle Party participants must keep their clothes on and go through a pre-session workshop on how to say ‘no,’ she said. ‘People think if there's touch happening there must be sex happening. That's not the case at all,’ Martin said. | The business which offered hugging, cuddling and spooning with professional snugglers for $60 an hour has shut . 'The push back and harassment is not worth it, honestly,' read a message on the business' Facebook page . City authorities had expressed grave concerns that the business was little more than a front for prostitution . | ba33cee794ed6efdab5e3f0fe03d6536648bd1ca |
By . James Daniel . PUBLISHED: . 09:23 EST, 8 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:49 EST, 8 June 2013 . Authorities in northern Arizona say a 4-year-old boy has accidentally shot and killed his father at a Prescott Valley home. The 35-year-old man has been identified as Justin Stanfield Thomas, a military veteran who served in the army special forces. Prescott Valley police say the shooting occurred just after noon on Friday. Killed: Justin Thomas, a former military policeman, was accidentally shot dead by his four-year-old son on Friday . Great dad: Thomas was he was an Iraq War veteran and a former member of the Army's Green Beret . He and his young son were visiting from Phoenix and were at a friend's house. Police say the boy somehow found a gun in the home's living room and accidentally fired it when a bullet hit his father, who was rushed to a hospital where he died. Jeremy Hart who lives next door and knew all the parties involved explained that his neighbour kept a loaded gun for protection. The visit was a surprise which may explain why the gun was not locked up or secured. Detectives are calling it a tragic mistake. Investigation: Police believe the kiling is just a tragic accident but will look to see if there's any negligence issues . Dead: Justin Thomas passed away a short time after being shot. He had recently become a dad for the second time . 'At this point, it does appear that this is just a tragic accident from this child, and we will look to see if there's any negligence issues there,' said Prescott Valley police Sgt. Brandon Bonney. 'But, at this point, the information we have is it's just a tragic accident that was unforeseen.' Friends say Justin Thomas used to live in Prescott Valley before moving to Phoenix. Police say the boy, who is too young to comprehend what happened, is with his mother and his new born baby brother. | Father and his son drove up from Phoenix for an unannounced visit to see his former roommate . Within minutes, little boy found a gun, picked it up and asked what it was as it fired . Dad passed away in hospital from his injuries . | 5031b8c2000fc509d0a0330e94728c92fbcada37 |
By . Lucy Osborne and Adam Shergold . PUBLISHED: . 08:16 EST, 6 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 14:11 EST, 6 November 2012 . Most of us stick to warm winter coats, hats and gloves for our Bonfire Night attire. So when police arrived at Lewes bonfire night wearing protective goggles, many thought it was rather an extreme precaution. However, all visitors to this year’s event in Sussex – the UK’s largest and most famous bonfire night – were urged by police to wear such safety goggles to avoid receiving any serious eye injuries. Sussex Police said that wearing goggles to firework displays is ‘a standard procedure if attending firework displays.’ Scroll down for video . Prepared: Police wear eye protection at the annual bonfire revelry in the Sussex town . Dazzling spectacle: Crowds cluster round as dozens of performers with burning torches perform a ceremony - without wearing goggles . All ages: Young participants in the festivities, which also link to the infamous Guy Fawkes Gunpowder Plot against the Houses of Parliament in 1605 . March of the flaming crosses: Lewes residents lined the streets in their hundreds to watch the procession of 17 flaming crosses to represent the Protestant martyrs burnt at the stake in the town in the 16th century . Spectacular show: Participants in the parade hold flaming torches to light up the chilly night air. Forecasters said tonight will be the coldest November 5 for over a decade . Religious connection: The flame procession in Lewes has its roots in the 16th century. In previous years, 80,000 people have lined the streets to watch as many as 3,000 marchers brandishing torches . Step back in time: The shops and buildings on the main streets of Lewes may have changed, but this is one annual tradition that holds strong . Showpiece: Crowds and marchers gathered around the Lewes war memorial to light crosses. An effigy of Guy Fawkes, who died in 1606 after an unsuccessful attempt to blow up Parliament, is also burnt . Last year, 170 people were injured and two visitors received eye injuries that left them permanently blinded. Around 20,000 people travelled by train to Lewes last night – with many more attending from the town itself. Torch-lit parades of people in a variety of outfits, many in period costume, walked through streets packed full with the crowds. A large effigy of Secretary of State for Education, Tory MP Michael Gove, was one of those that were burned. Several people were arrested for illegal possession of fireworks or other offensive weapons. The fiery procession traces its roots to the 16th-century reign of Mary I and the Guy Fawkes Gunpowder Plot of 1605. It . is just one of many November 5 gatherings up and down the country, . which illuminated the night sky with colourful pyrotechnics last night. While some struck lucky with the weather, others were not so fortunate as their fireworks displays are spoilt by torrential rain. Temperatures plummeted to below freezing in many areas. Smoky: This marcher seemed to be creating his own trail of thick red smoke as he made his way through the streets of Lewes . Burn him! The effigy of Guy Fawkes is carried through the streets to be set alight . Spooky: Halloween may have been last week but there were still plenty of scary characters in the parade . The procession, organised annually by six local societies, marks a tumultuous time in English history. A . key part of the parade is 17 flaming crosses, one for each of the . Protestant martyrs burnt at the stake in the town between 1555 and 1557 . as part of the Marian Prosecutions. The . purge was initiated by the Roman Catholic monarch Queen Mary, who . reigned between 1553 and 1558, and passed strict anti-Protestant . legislation against anyone guilty of heresy against the Pope. At least three hundred were martyred in just five years - many meeting a fiery end on the stake and others hung, drawn and quartered. It is just a part of a number of parades and displays of pyrotechnics in the town - which can attract as many as 80,000 despite the place only having a population of 16,000. An effigy of Guy Fawkes, who died in 1606 a year after an unsuccessful plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament with Gunpowder. The Lewes event has previously courted controversy - in 2001, an effigy of Osama Bin Laden attracted national attention, as did the 2003 choice of a gypsy caravan. A fiery history: The seventeen flaming crosses in the parade represent the 17 martyrs who were burnt at the stake in Lewes as part of the Marian persecutions against Protestants in the reign of Mary I . History lesson: The Lewes Bonfire Night celebrations mark, in part, the Marian Persecutions of 1555-1557, a purge of Protestant religious reformers during the reign of Roman Catholic monarch Mary I. Heresy against the Catholic faith was punishable by death, with some burnt at the stake, as in Lewes, and other hung, drawn and quartered . While the flames remained alight in Lewes, others in the country saw their Bonfire Night pyrotechnics washed out by heavy rain. A number of fireworks displays were cancelled after heavy deluges of rain caused flash flooding, with Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire the worst affected. It follows the cancellation of a number of large displays over the weekend, including one in Newham, East London and in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. In all, the Environment Agency issued seven flood warnings in England and Wales yesterday morning, covering areas of the South-West, South-East, East Anglia, the Midlands and Wales.There were also 53 flood alerts in operation . In Carmarthenshire, nine adults and six children had to be rescued from a caravan park as flood waters rose on Sunday evening. The Mid and West Wales fire and rescue service used a boat as part of their operation at the Pendine Caravan Park. Flaming! Two of the marchers taking part in the annual Bonfire Night celebrations in Lewes, the county town of East Sussex, this evening. Dressed in vivid, blood-red costumes and brandishing burning torches, they are participating in an event which can trace its origins to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and the burning of 17 martyrs at the stake in the town in the period 1555-1557 . VIDEO: Spectacular! Torchbearers light up Lewes in anti-papist parade . | Spectacular display as torchbearers light up town with traditional anti-papist parade . Thousands line the streets to watch procession in event which traces its roots to the 16th century . One of thousands of fireworks displays and events up and down the country . Disappointment for some in Essex, the Westcountry and Wales as torrential rain washes out events . Robbie Williams switches on Oxford Street Christmas lights . | c30644c5d24dcc592a002f64aff373ff87ea9973 |
By . Alex Sharp . Gael Kakuta has joined Rayo Vallecano on loan from Chelsea, the Spanish club have announced. The 23-year-old winger, who first headed to Stamford Bridge as a teenager in 2007, has only made six appearances for Chelsea and has had a succession of loan spells with clubs such as Fulham, Bolton and Lazio. ‘Rayo Vallecano can report that Gael Kakuta has joined for the 2014-15 season from Chelsea FC on loan,’ Rayo Vallecano said on their official website. Forgotten man: Kakuta has failed to gain playing time at Chelsea and has been out on several loan spells . Kakuta is most well-known for the fact his signing led to Chelsea being issued with a transfer ban due to the circumstances of his departure from former club Lens.That ban was subsequently lifted as Chelsea appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but the Frenchman has struggled to make his mark since. He only made 11 appearances across loan spells at Fulham and Bolton before finishing the 2010-11 campaign at Dijon in Ligue 1.A two-year stint in Holland with Vitesse Arnhem saw him finally start to play more regularly, but he then only managed to make a handful of appearances at Lazio after joining them for the second half of last season. Mixed bag: The winger has had mixed experiences on loan at Fulham, Bolton, Lazio and more . | Joined Chelsea in 2007 from Lens, prompting a transfer embargo . Had only made 6 first team appearances for Chelsea . The 23-year-old has been sent on numerous loan spells with mixed results . | 4a0309c34db63c9a786be029de8e6b803e3782c6 |
By . Ted Thornhill . Frustrated: President Barack Obama pauses while speaking about the budget and the partial government shutdown . Taliban has mocked the US shutdown, telling politicians that they are ‘sucking the blood of their own people’. The comment was made by the Islamist militants, who are embroiled in a conflict with troops from the US and its allies in Afghanistan, in a statement issued on Wednesday. It described American leaders as ‘selfish and empty-headed for taking money from their people and ‘lavishly spending the same money in shedding the blood of the innocent and oppressed people’. The statement, according to AFP, said: ‘The American people should realise that their politicians play with their destinies as well as the destinies of other oppressed nations for the sake of their personal vested interests.’ It added: ‘Instead of sucking the blood of their own people, this money should be utilised for the sake of peace.’ The conflict in Afghanistan has claimed the lives of 444 UK servicemen and women and 2,270 US troops. There was anger on Tuesday over remarks made by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who said that Britain and the US had done little more than cause ‘suffering, loss of life and no gains’. In an interview to mark six months before he leaves office, he said: ‘The entire Nato exercise was one that caused Afghanistan a lot of suffering, a lot of loss of life and no gains because the country is not secure.’ Mocking: The Taliban has decreed that US politicians are sucking the blood of their own people . Losses: The war in Afghanistan has resulted in thousands of deaths for Nato forces . He accused Nato of focusing on Afghan villages rather than Taliban and Al Qaeda ‘sanctuaries and training grounds’ in Pakistan and also attacked air strikes as a ‘violation’ of sovereignty. Karzai was installed in 2001 after allies drove the Taliban from power and he agreed that they should continue fighting. In the interview he also accused NATO on . focusing their war against terrorism on Afghan villages instead of . Taliban and al-Qaeda bases in neighbouring Pakistan. No entry: A sign at the entrance of the World War Veterans Park in New York, which the shutdown has closed . Following his attack on the organisation, NATO’s former Secretary-General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, hit back at Karzai's critique, calling it 'unfair' to the soldiers who have lost their lives to protect a country not their own. The shutdown, meanwhile, has pushed . hundreds of thousands of workers off the job, closed national parks and . museums and stopped an array of government services. President Barack Obama and John Boehner, the top Republican in Congress, are pressuring each other to open the way for votes to end the government shutdown and raise the federal debt limit. The shutdown has been forced by Republicans who oppose the Affordable Care Act – or Obamacare – a healthcare reform plan that recently became law. They want to see cuts made to it, so are refusing to vote on the federal debt limit being extended until they can negotiate changes. The debit limit, currently at $16.94tn, is set every year by a normally routine temporary spending bill, but this year Republicans are using it as leverage. Without having approval from both sides on what it can borrow, the Government has had to halt payments to various institutions and services it funds and, of course, lots of employees. Barack Obama has warned that if the government's borrowing authority is not extended by October 17, the United States will not be able to pay its bills. | The militants described American leaders as 'selfish and empty-headed' The Taliban is locked in conflict with troops from the US and allied nations . The shutdown has stopped work for hundreds of thousands of people . | b4541353e39c60e027c7edf6c027aa2a9615054f |
A British gym has become the first in the world to harness the energy of its users to generate its own electricity. Bikes, cross trainers and 'vario' machines at Cadbury House in Congresbury, near Bristol will each feed around 100w per hour back into the building's power supply. The new treadmills will also use 30 per cent less electricity and generate enough energy to power their own information screens. A first: The Cadbury House gym in Congresbury, Somerset is the first in the world to harness the energy of its users to generate electricity . Power: The machines, which use 30 per cent less electricity than usual machines, store energy produced by users in a dynamo . The 42 pieces of equipment, called ARTIS and supplied by Technogym, cost £600,000 and are considered the most energy efficient in the world. Jason Eaton, general manager of the . club said: 'This is the very latest in health club technology in terms . of design, sustainability, connectivity and biomechanical excellence. 'On top of that we're reducing the level of energy needed to power the club which is great for the environment.' The technology works by using a dynamo or holding cell. Once the user has begun to exercise, the equipment will power up - generating electricity from the energy they are producing. Work out: The energy generated by users helps power the machine's screens, pictured . View: The machine's screen shows how much energy is being produced by the exerciser . As soon as the machines have generated enough power to operate, any surplus energy will be stored inside a holding cell, or dynamo, which is then fed back into the building's electricity supply. The treadmills use innovative brushless motor technology, combined with low friction materials, to reduce their energy consumption by 30 per cent. The state-of the-art equipment also allows users to connect to the machines using their smart phones. Users can log on via Quick Response (QR) codes of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology and track their own training programme and records. Web bookmarks, apps and social networks are accessible from the machines and gym-goers can even use programmes such as Facebook or even Skype while exercising. Range: There are 42 pieces of ARTIS equipment in the gym, which cost £600,000 to install . Each cycling and running machines have a screen on the front, which can access the internet and various TV services, as well as provide access to training information and professionals. Users can also virtually compete against anyone else around on the Unity system. Outside workouts can also be linked to 'Unity' so users can keep track of bike rides, runs, hill walks or team sports allowing a complete overview of their physical activity. Mr Eaton added: 'The prevalence of smart phones has opened up the way people live their lives and by allowing them to manage their work out and training programme via this sort of technology is a great step forward.' | ARTIS machines at Cadbury House in Congresbury, near Bristol will each feed around 100w per hour back into the building's power supply . Also use 30 per cent less electricity than regular machines . Energy generated by the eco machines - which can be controlled by a smartphone - also powers up the screen displays . | 2df346aec6ccdf5f456d1a8a130e721b2aaffe4f |
By . Meghan Keneally . PUBLISHED: . 20:47 EST, 8 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:44 EST, 9 May 2013 . Jodi Arias said last night that she would prefer to be given the death penalty rather than life in prison after she was yesterday found guilty of first degree murder. Because of her emotional state, Arias is now on suicide watch as she awaits her sentencing hearing which begins today. 'The worst outcome would be natural life because longevity runs in my family,' she told MyFoxPhoenix. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Speaking out: Jodi Arias gave an interview to a local news station just minutes after the verdict and she said that she hopes she gets the death penalty because she doesn't want to 'spend the rest of my natural life in one place' 'The worst outcome would be natural life. I would much rather die sooner rather than later because Longevity runs in my family, and I don't want to spend the rest of my natural life in one place. I'm pretty healthy, I don't smoke and I'll probably live for a long time so that's not something that I am looking forward to. 'I believe death is the ultimate freedom and I'd rather have my freedom as soon as I can get it.' The interview took place in a holding room inside the courthouse just 20 minutes after the verdict was rendered. And now, because of the suicidal comments she made in the interview as well as prior threats, police have put her under psychological watch to insure that she does not hurt herself while in court custody. The moment: Arias showed little reaction when the verdict was read . Welling up: Arias had tears in her eyes when she looked back at her family sitting behind her in the courtroom . Since she admitted that she killed Alexander, there was no chance that she would have been found innocent, but the question of whether or not she planned the murder or whether it was committed as an act of self defense. Today five members of the 12-person jury found it was premeditated and the seven others found that it was both premeditated and a felony murder. 'It was unexpected for me yes because there was no premeditation on my part,' she said in the interview. 'The whole time I was fairly confident that I wouldn't get premeditation because there was no premeditation.' She said that she would have . understood if they simply found her guilty of felony murder 'because of . the way that the law is written' but also attributes some of her own . actions that caused the jury not to believe her. 'I can understand that because of the lies I told in the beginning, to try to cover this and hide that,' Arias said. Spectacle: Court officials told the public that the verdict was going to be read three hours before it actually happened, giving followers time to gather outside of the Maricopa Courthouse . Victory: Crowds cheer when they heard Jodi Arias was convicted of first degree murder Wednesday afternoon . She took shots at prosecutor Juan Martinez, who she sparred with for weeks during her questioning. 'Prior to trial, I respected Juan as a capable attorney even though he’s done some very shady things in my case as far as hiding evidence,' she said in the Fox interview. 'In the end what does it matter it doesn’t help my case.' Some of the hundreds of Alexander supporters who gathered outside of the courtroom awaiting the verdict held posters praising Martinez, one even suggesting he runs for governor of Arizona. Arias said that she was 'overwhelmed' and 'went blank' following the verdict, but showed little emotion. Closure: The victim's sisters Samantha Alexander (left) and Tanisha Sorenson (right) were visibly relieved . She did not apologize to the Alexander family, saying only that 'now that a verdict has been rendered that they can find peace, or some semblance of peace.' When asked what she would do if she were to go back to the moment when she was standing by her car in the desert with her hands covered in Alexander's blood, she said that she would drive directly to the Mesa, Arizona police department. In the courtroom, she repeatedly said that she did not know what she would have done. Though she has been separated from her original pod of cellmates, Arias said that she got a sense of how big the trial was getting when new inmates would enter the prison and seek her out. 'They want to shake my hand, they want to give me a hug. They want my autograph- I'm not going to sign anything,' she said. Arias was originally scheduled to speak to Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren at 10pm on Wednesday, but now that she is on suicide watch, she may not be able to grant media requests. The jurors will reconvene tomorrow to begin the two-part process of deciding whether or not she will receive the death penalty. WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE . | Found guilty of first degree murder and the jury will now decide whether she will spend life in prison or be put to death . Arias now on suicide watch after speaking about how she wants to die . | 9d7725ba4da163e72a38bb141f6b8162263f105b |
(CNN) -- Huddled on the top floor of her home after waist-deep water inundated the lower story, Doranne Lim is bothered by the debris -- and the smell. Residents remove mud from a home Monday as waters recede in Marikina City, suburban Manila. "My house is super, super messy," she said, speaking from her home in the eastern Manila suburb of Pasig City. The mud left behind by receding floodwaters -- caused when the nearby river flooded its banks -- is "really smelly." Her car won't start, probably because the engine is flooded. Her microwave and refrigerator won't function. Most of her possessions have been moved upstairs. Still, as one of the more than 1.8 million affected by recent floods, the 28-year-old Lim is counting her blessings. Her power is back on and she believes she can salvage most of her furniture. In addition, people she knows are still searching for missing friends and relatives in the flooding. Are you there? Share your story or pictures . "My office mate, she lives in a village with actually really nice houses," Lim said. "She was sitting on her roof for 15 hours. They didn't save anything, nothing." The floodwaters were beginning to subside in some areas Monday after a weekend that saw Manila hit with torrential rainfall caused by Typhoon Ketsana, which has since strengthened into a typhoon. Officials said the Philippine capital saw its heaviest rain in more than four decades. The water swallowed whole houses and buses. At least 240 people are dead, officials say. See incredible images of the flooding » . Lim said she is cleaning up the smelly mess, but no one she knows has begun fixing the damage -- because another typhoon could be bearing down on the island nation in several days. Tracking maps show Tropical Storm Nineteen approaching the Philippines later this week. Lim submitted a photo to CNN's iReport site of people traveling down a flooded road -- a main thoroughfare -- in Pasig City. Some are wading through thigh-deep water; others are being pulled on rafts. Some opportunists are charging others money to pull them on rafts, she said. At the end of the road is a church and a market, she said. The market is not flooded, but is "really, really muddy," she said. "Most of the vendors in the market said they are going to sleep in the market tonight because they don't have any place to go." Manila, on the island of Luzon, and the nearby province of Rizal bore the brunt of the storm. People like Lim's office mate huddled on rooftops Sunday waiting on army helicopters to pluck them to safety. Others used ropes to wade through waist-deep muddy waters. Watch how people of Manila are coping » . Power and water supply failed in some areas. Roads were rendered impassable, making rescue efforts challenging. Rescue crews were handing out food rations. "Right now the challenge is to find out how many people have actually died and how many people we have to take care of in terms of people who've been displaced," said Richard Gordon, the chairman of the Philippines National Red Cross. He estimated up to 300,000 people have been displaced on the island of Luzon alone. Another Pasig City resident, Arturo Fidelino, said 80 percent of his village was flooded. He counts himself lucky that his home was not inundated, but his family had to evacuate and move in with his in-laws because nearby streets were impassable. Fidelino said he and his wife have to get to work, and their 14-year-old daughter has to get to school. Fidelino said his family was stuck in their home for two days, before a relative who owns heavy machinery was able to remove them. "It's our first time to experience that kind of flood," he said, estimating it could take about a month for the waters to completely recede. He said many of his neighbors remain stuck in their homes, as the homeowners' association organizes a removal effort. Other Pasig City residents were evacuated to temporary shelters set up in a municipal hall or gymnasium, he said. Officials worried that if the rains return, they could bring more floods if reservoirs burst. "We're hoping that there will be no more breaching of the dams," Gordon said. "That's one of the things that are very disconcerting to many people right now." Fidelino said many Filipinos aren't sure if the flooding was caused by the typhoon or by the opening of dams. "It was so sudden," he said. "It was sort of a flash flood." The floodwaters contained all sorts of animals as well -- snails, snakes, Lim said. Two crocodiles escaped from the zoo, she said -- "it's funny, but it's scary." "I'm happy that I'm a lot better off than so many other people I see on TV, clinging to electric posts, electric wires, so they won't be carried away (by the water)," she said. "I have friends who are still missing their siblings, missing their dogs." Both she and Fidelino said residents have banded together to help one another. Lim said that after her electricity was restored, she got on Facebook, where she saw numerous posts from people seeking missing friends or loved ones. Members of the media and even the government were trying to help on the social networking site, asking them to send more information. Some people are putting together "relief bags" of food and other items to distribute to those in shelters, while others were bringing canned goods, Lim said. "Everyone is united right now to help feed everyone," she said. Others are just trying to feed themselves. John Gonzalez, 11, has been pushing a trolley through his flooded neighborhood in Manila's Marietta Romeo village for two days. "The flood went above the height of a man," he said. "Way above our heads. Today, the water just comes to my mouth. That's why we are out looking for food." CNN's Dan Rivers contributed to this report from Manila, Philippines. | Survivors face mud and destruction, but they are thankful for their lives . Floods caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana kill at least 240 people . More than 80 percent of capital was under water at one point Sunday . iReport.com: Are you there? Send images . | 65efeaf0f88689efad48b0c11769113e1aedfeb4 |
Washington (CNN) -- Gay rights activist Kevin Cathcart remembers keenly the day President Barack Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage. There sat Obama, who for years had frustrated many in the gay community by not supporting same-sex marriage, telling ABC's Robin Roberts that conversations with his daughters and friends led him to change his mind. "When it finished I hit the replay button and I watched it again," said Cathcart, executive director of LAMBDA Legal, a gay civil rights organization. "Then I hit the replay button and watched it again." Obama hosted a White House reception Friday in honor of Gay Pride month, an event that brought the president full circle with a community whose support helped launch him into the Oval Office. "After decades of inaction and indifference, you have every reason and right to push loudly and forcefully for equality," Obama said at the event. "But three years ago I promised you this, I said that even if it took more time that I would like, we would see progress, we would see success, we would see real and lasting change, and together that's what we're witnessing." It is also a community that, according to a recent CNN analysis of the president's biggest openly gay "bundlers," or fundraisers, helped add at least $8 million to Obama's campaign coffers between January and the end of March. "President Obama has the enormous admiration and appreciation of not just gay people, but people who care about gay people: our family, loved ones and friends. He has shown moral leadership and taken tremendous steps to end discrimination against gays," said Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry. The president "made such a heartfelt and personal description of how he had changed his mind (on allowing gays to legally marry). It's the very same journey that a majority of Americans have taken." According to a recent CNN/ORC International Poll, 54% of Americans support legalizing marriages between gay and lesbian couples, with 42% opposed. Sixty percent of Americans also say they have a close friend or family member who is gay. This would seem to suggest good news for Obama, a man who Newsweek magazine recently dubbed America's "first gay president." Given his opposition to same-sex marriage and the pressure an openly gay staffer faced from conservatives, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will be hard-pressed to get similar support from the gay and lesbian community. "My sense is that Romney perceives that not only to secure the nomination but to get the support of the Republican base he needs, he has to take a hard right stand on the issue of same-sex marriage," said Craig Rimmerman, professor of public policy and political science at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and author of "From Identity to Politics: The Lesbian and Gay Movements in the United States." Romney has not received an endorsement from Log Cabin Republicans, a national gay and lesbian GOP organization. Up until about eight weeks ago, some gay rights activists were feeling similarly tepid about Obama, Cathcart said. As a candidate in the last presidential election, Obama enjoyed rock star status among the gay and lesbian community. High-profile, openly gay figures such as musician Melissa Etheridge and DreamWorks SKG mogul David Geffen joined a grassroots army of supporters at campaign rallies for the Illinois senator. But once in office, President Obama's efforts at pressing the case for gay rights were more muted, gay rights activists said. Some in the community even felt betrayed. "The administration has done a great deal, but a lot of it was under the radar and less visible and people were focused on the big things," Cathcart said. " 'Don't ask, don't tell' took a long time and his evolution on marriage took a long time." Still, some activists found reason to hope for change. The Obama administration criticized a measure in North Carolina, a swing state, that banned same-sex marriage and made civil unions illegal. The president took the same position on a similar Minnesota proposal. On Friday, when the Pentagon held its first Gay Pride event, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta highlighted the administration's biggest accomplishment in the gay rights cause: repealing "don't ask, don't tell," the military's ban on openly gay and lesbian members serving in the forces. "The successful repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' proved to the nation that just like the country we defend, we share different backgrounds, different values and different beliefs but together we are the greatest military force in the world," Panetta said Friday in a video message to troops. The administration's push to emphasize the White House's support of gay rights is meant to signal to supporters in that community that the president still stands with them, Rimmerman said. "My sense is that it is going to firm up his support in the lesbian and gay community," Rimmerman said. Obama "has been quite cautious in how he approaches significant policy changes. He was afraid to take the lead on this issue until he felt it could be politically justified. It suggests to me a degree of caution that's probably unwarranted given what he promised as a candidate." | Obama has boosted his bona fides with gay community . 54% of Americans support legalizing marriages between gay and lesbian couples . Newsweek dubbed Obama America's "first gay president" on its cover . | 40c1b8803991c8bfd7d9f4f027ad248a921343b0 |
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (CNN) -- It is the most popular photograph in history: Argentine revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara stares pensively at the horizon, his steely eyes shielded behind a thick beard and his trademark beret. The shot -- taken by Cuban photographer Alberto Korda in Havana on March 5, 1960 -- turned the charismatic and controversial leader into a cultural icon. Che's image, here advertising soda, is still seen around the world. Now, nearly a half-century later, the photograph is used by communists and capitalists, Marxists and marketers to sell ideas. In his new book, "Che's Afterlife: The Legacy of an Image" (Vintage Books), journalist Michael Casey examines how this photograph came to take on a life of its own and become the most reproduced photograph in the world. "The Korda photograph can be seen on t-shirts, beach towels and condoms, even," he said. "And it is in all corners of the world. You can find it in East Timor, parts of Africa, Israel, as well as Lebanon. You can see it in the United States and here in Latin America. And what this book is trying to do is discover why. What made this thing so big? So universal?" The life of Che, the Argentine-born doctor turned revolutionary, has been well documented since his death in a Bolivian jungle in 1967. Countless books have been written about his role in leading Fidel Castro's Cuban revolution and translated into dozens of languages. Hollywood has given Che the treatment twice: in 2004's "Motorcycle Diaries" and last year in a two-part biopic starring Benicio Del Toro. Last month, "Che: The Musical" premiered at the Konex Cultural Center in Buenos Aires. What Casey -- the Buenos Aires bureau chief for Dow Jones Newswires -- discovered during three years of investigation throughout Latin America for the book, was that Korda's image became so popular because it was promoted by people from all walks of life, including Castro, pop-artist Andy Warhol and countless students from Paris, Berkeley and beyond, who embraced the image as a symbol of rebellion during an era when the world was aching for change. "Whether or not people believe in Che's hard-line version of Marxism, they want hope," Casey said. "They want hope and beauty -- and somehow both of those things are encapsulated in this image. And so you get people investing their dreams in it. I think that is at the heart of it, with all these other forces: political, artistic, marketing, economic, all coming together in a way that really makes it a ubiquitous brand." Watch author Michael Casey discuss the Che Guevara image » . The brand, Casey writes, is the "quintessential post-modern icon" but may be surpassed by a newer image: artist Shepard Fairey's Barack Obama "Hope" poster, which Obama used during his run to the White House. "I think that Obama is extremely cognizant of the power of images," Casey said. "[The 'Hope'] poster is very much caught up in some of these forces that moved Che forward. They are very different people, obviously, but that's only part of the point. "Part of the point is that the U.S. is engaged in a battle of brands, always has been. 'Uncle Sam vs. Che' if you really want to boil it down to what Latin America and its ugly history in part has been," he said. "So, part of the United States' battle to improve relations with the region is improving its image. And in some respects you now have an alternative brand with Obama. The previous brand did not sell very well in Latin America. The new brand is getting off to a much better start." So while U.S. relations with Latin America, and much of the world, look to be changing, it's safe to say that the Che image -- and its ability to mean all things to all people -- will likely always stay the same. | Photo of revolutionary Che Guevara is the most reproduced image in history . Michael Casey examines how photo became "quintessential post-modern icon" The picture was taken on March 5, 1960 by Cuban photographer Alberto Korda . The image is now seen around the world, on everything from t-shirts to condoms . | cd11075a7253dad7dc95b97f4d65c1271af875be |
By . Laura Collins . PUBLISHED: . 16:35 EST, 29 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 20:01 EST, 29 November 2012 . Sesame Street puppeteer Kevin Clash, 52, is facing the threat of a fourth legal suit from a young man alleging sexual abuse at his hands. He will be represented by Jeff Herman, the attorney for Clash's second and third accusers, Cecil Singleton, 24, and a 29-year-old man so far known only as John Doe. Mr . Herman is still 'verifying' the fourth man's story, but has told Mail Online, 'It is very similar and so far nothing has fallen by the wayside in vetting it'. An adolescent Kevin Clash with his mentor Kermit Love, the choreorgrapher, costumer designer and creator of some of Sesame Street's most popular characters . A 19-year-old Kevin Clash, two years after his first encounter with Kermit Love and the same year he met his future wife, Genia. Whatever the outcome of these cases one thing is clear. Clash's life is far from the open book which he suggested when he described himself recently as a 'proud gay man'. In reality he has lived a double life for decades. It began with an invitation to join in Macy's Thanksgiving parade 33 years ago. Clash was just 17 - a gangly 6 foot boy - wowed to have been invited to New York by an older man he had met only once. That invitation came from the . flamboyantly named Kermit Love, a man to whom Clash has professed . life-long gratitude and loyalty. Love died in 2008 at the age of 91 and . is survived by partner of 50 years, Christopher Lyall. 'That year many of the Sesame Street . characters were literally in need of warm bodies, of hands, actually,' Clash has recalled. 'I would be a sort of Muppet temp on the Sesame float, filing in where needed. 'I was so wired on the train up to New York that I couldn't relax of focus on anything.' The voice of Elmo; the face of something far less appealing. Clash has been hit by a series of damaging allegations that he had sexual relations with underage boys . Sheldon Stephens, 23, the first accuser who recanted but now stands by his original claims . Cecil Singleton, 24, the second accuser to file a suit against Clash in as many weeks . A generous mentor: Kermit Love with his creaton, Big Bird, he invited Clash to stay in Manhattan after several phonecalls and one brief meeting . Love was a remarkable man with a lifetime's experience of theatre, costume design and puppets. He worked with choreographers like George Balanchine, designed costumes for the Joffre Ballet and created Big Bird and the mammoth like Mr Snuffleupagus. He spoke with an affected English, sometimes French, accent though he was from New Jersey and he was Kevin Clash's first entre into a world that was exotic, exhilarating and far removed from his Baltimore background. Clash has called them his 'fairy godmothers'. Clash is now the older man. But the difference is that Clash is being accused of a much more sinister 'game of father and son', as one of his accusers put it. Clash grew up in Turner's Station, a . blue-collar community just east of Baltimore, Maryland. His father, . George, was a flash welder, his mother, Gladys, ran a 'home-style . daycare centre' from the two bedroom, one bathroom home in which Kevin was raised with his three siblings. It was a hardworking, loving environment but, from the very start, it was one from which Clash stood apart. In a neighbourhood where kids played hopscotch, rode bicycles and jumped rope Clash had a fascination with fabric, old buttons, his mother's discarded house-slippers...anything from which he could make the puppets he loved from watching children's television shows. As a young man living in Baltimore Clash lived one life: in New York he lived another entirely . Driven by passion: Clash age 19, in New York on the set of children's show, 'Captain Kangaroo' As a boy Clash put on puppet shows for the children at his mother's daycare centre. While other kids played sport, Clash performed puppet shows for the children at his mother's day-care. Neighbours and peers thought his fascination was out of the ordinary, not that it bothered Clash. When he was 15 he performed at the local heritage fair in Dundalk. He made his own puppets, built his own set and met his first mentor as a result - local television host Stu Kerr. He was a fixture on local CBS affiliate WMAR, news announcer, weatherman, popular children's entertainer. He approached Kevin after his show and asked him to audition for a show he was putting together. 'I'd never had a boss before,' Clash recalls. 'I had to master the art of give and take'. It was an art he mastered and by the time he was 17, Clash was obsessed. Kermit Love - whose shared first name with Jim Henson's famous frog is only coincidental - came into Clash's life when he his puppet workshop was featured in a television show. Clash was 'blown away' he recalls in his memoir, My Life as a Furry Red Monster. It was his mother who encouraged her son to make contact, to look up Mr Love's number and give him a call. Nervous and fearful of rejection Clash did just that. 'We spoke for about ten minutes,' he writes. 'Before hanging up he invited me to come up to his workshop for a visit'. As luck would have it Clash's school, Dundalk High, had a trip to New York planned. For Clash, this included a personal visit to Mr Love's Greenwich Village workshop. The man looked, Clash recalled, 'like Santa Claus,' with his long white beard and workshop full of marionettes and muppets. They kept in touch - the 17-year-old fan and the mentor four decades his senior. After that stint he returned to Baltimore. He hung out at his mother's daycare centre. He observed the kids, 'how their emotions turned on a dime'. He studied them to improve his art and years later putting into practice those observations in the tactile character of Elmo. Elmo and Big Bird together on the Sesame Street float at this year's Thanksgiving Parade but for the first time in more than 30 years Clash was not there . When Love telephoned and invited Clash . to join in Macy's Thanksgiving parade his parents, he says, 'didn't . hesitate to let me go'. They dropped him off at the station. Clash spent the night in Love's Greenwich Village workshop. 'Kermit had a pull-out futon in the office area,' he remembers in his memoir. 'and I dutifully got ready for bed trying to avoid the temptation to poke around...I couldn't sleep and eventually abandoned the futon, giving in to my urge to check things out'. Richard Hunt, left, with Jim Henson, centre, and Frank Oz, right on the set of Sesame Street . Over the course of the next day's parade Clash was introduced to the cadre of puppeteers who would become his colleagues and companions on his increasingly regular visits to Manhattan. Richard Hunt was key among them. A talented puppeteer who died of AIDS in 1992. Hunt was openly gay - when Rudolf Nureyev made a guest appearance on the Muppet Show he notoriously and rather bluntly hit on Hunt. It was Hunt who, four years later, threw a small red muppet in Clash's direction and said 'Give him a voice'. That voice was that of the Elmo that millions of children so love today. After the Thanksgiving Parade he remained in touch with the Sesame Street puppeteers. He travelled regularly to Manhattan, shared an apartment with a fellow struggling artist Jim Martin and started to establish his 'big city' life supported by his 'fairy godmothers'. Kermit Love was 'generous with his time' and often on set as both puppeteer and Sesame Street character, Willy the Hot Dog man. Meanwhile, back in Baltimore Clash . lived a different life entirely. At the age of 19 he met Genia, a . student nurse and they began dating. In 1983 he was invited to be a full . time cast member on one season of Sesame Street, though was still to secure his own character. Double life: Genia, above, was married to Clash for 17 years and they had a daughter, Shannon, right . Clash attending the Peabody Awards in New York, 2010. He honed the excitable, tactile character of Elmo from watching the children in his mother's daycare . Clash and Genia married in 1986. Genia gave birth to their daughter, Shannon, in 1993 and it is clear that both remain committed, loving and mutually supportive parents.They were together for 17 years before, as Clash puts it, they 'finally admitted the relationship was in trouble'. After all, his life was increasingly riven between that of his Manhattan circle and his Baltimore family. Perhaps it was inevitable that the two lives - one that began with that invitation to New York from Love, the other embarked upon with Clash's own proposal of marriage - would prove unsustainable. Though none could have imagined quite how catastrophically they would be thrust into the spotlight. Clash's lawyer has said that the allegations have 'no merit' and that his client's reputation will be 'robustly defended' should the cases go to trial. But for the time being the man whose career was made by finding a voice remains silent. And the voice of Elmo has become the . face of something altogether less endearing. | How Big Bird creator, Kermit Love, changed the course of Kevin Clash's life after inviting him to stay over and help out at Macy's Thanksgiving Parade . Sparked a 'passion' for the art of puppetry that drove Clash to lead a double life for decades before his eventual divorce from his wife . Now faces a fourth claim after trio of young men claim he 'groomed' them for underage sexual abuse . | 93eb62920939498e5e092c805fd6dc17b355fa2d |
Tragic: Schoolgirl Isabel Pearce, pictured, died after choking on a meatball from her school canteen . A 13-year-old girl who suffered from a rare form of autism died after choking on a meatball from her school canteen. Isabel Pearce never regained consciousness after eating the meal at Ridge View School for special needs children in Tonbridge, Kent, during a regular lunchtime last month. The schoolgirl suffered from a rare form of autism and Sotos Syndrome and died in hospital on January 27 - the day after the incident - leaving her parents, Anthony and Jane Pearce, devastated. Mr Pearce, 56, from Ide Hill, in Sevenoaks, Kent, said her death was incomprehensible. 'It is unbelievable that it could happen. You send your child off to school - to somewhere you imagine is safe,' he said. 'She was in a good place. She was not at all compromised in any way - to any degree - that could have caused this to happen. 'Her condition did not affect how she was able to swallow. It could not have been further from the truth.' Mrs Pearce, 56, added: 'I still expect to her to come in - I suppose it is something in my brain. 'On the day it happened she was not ill, she just went to school and never came home. I hugged her. I don't normally do that. I put her in the taxi that morning. 'Her hair had been washed and she did look really beautiful.' Kent Police confirmed it is looking into the circumstances surrounding the teenagers sudden death. A spokesman from the force said: 'Kent Police is currently reviewing the death of a 13-year-old girl and is liaising with the coroner's officer as part of the coronial process.' Isabel Pearce died after choking on a meatball at lunchtime at Ridge View School in Tonbridge, Kent, above . Head teacher, Jacqui Tovey, head teacher, said: 'Isabel's death has been a tremendous shock to us all and our thoughts are with Isabel's family. 'The whole school community has been devastated by her death and she will be greatly missed. 'We understand it is normal procedure for the police to be involved in a review of an unexpected death and the school is co-operating fully with the police over this.' | Isabel Pearce never regained consciousness after eating her lunch meal . The teenager, who had autism, was taken to hospital but died the next day . Her parents, Anthony and Jane Pearce, say death was 'incomprehensible' Head teacher at Ridge View school said the community was 'devastated' Kent Police has said it will review her death and liaise with coroner's office . | 2b8573c1b9c30651755af143a521813ef35018f2 |
By . Sarah Griffiths . Teenagers in hoodies are stereotypically portrayed as uncommunicative. But this could be about to change after a team of graduate students created a hooded sweatshirt that lets the wearer send subtle and covert messages. Different pre-programmed texts can be sent using a number of gestures, so wearers can tell a friend they're free to chat or they're missing them, merely by touching their sleeve. Scroll down for video . Sending messages on the sly: Graduate students have created a hooded sweatshirt with built-in technology that allows the wearer to keep in touch by subtly sending a text. By touching the sides of her hood, designer Alina Balean (pictured) can send a text to her mother . The prototype hoodie is designed to respond to three gestures in order to send pre-programmed messages. The smart sweatshirt was created by students at New York University’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP). The prototype hoodie has a GSM radio and sensors sewn inside it, allowing the piece of clothing to respond to different gestures, The Verge reported. In a demonstration video, the wearer touches the hood and rolls up a sleeve to send messages to a pre-programmed contact. Rucha Patwardhan and Alina Balean learned how to build a simple mobile phone using an Arduino board - a microcontroller. It also features an Arduino GSM shield, which connects the Arduino to the internet using the GPRS wireless network. They said they wanted to put ‘the technology behind a cell phone into something truly wearable and every day,’ and so created the ‘smart hoodie’. Smart inside: The prototype hoodie has a GSM radio and sensors sewn inside it (pictured), allowing the piece of clothing to respond to different gestures . A textile designer in Budapest has taken the first steps to creating clothing that can change colour like a chameleon. Judit Eszter Karpati's experimental fabric can change colour in seconds using a number of electronic devices. She created the interactive fabric using computer programming, engineering and electronic devices. The fabric consists of an ‘arduino with 12V power supply and 20 custom PCBs [printed circuit boards] driving and controlling four industrial 24V DC power supplies.' These heat two handmade woven pockets fitted with nichrome wires, and screen-printed with thermochromatic dying, which reveal the pre-programmed patterns. Two slow moving textile ‘displays’ show the content. They react to environmental changes such as heat and pressure by changing colour and pattern. Karpati's work could be one of the first steps in creating clothes and military uniforms that enable wearers to blend into changing backgrounds. Balean wrote in a blog post that the first switch was concealed in the left sleeve of the hoodie so she could secretly send messages to her Facebook account. ‘After that we tested switches with the hoodie and other sleeve. Gestures that used to require your fingers on a tiny piece of glass now are translated into everyday movement; buttons no more,’ she said. The duo then programmed the hoodie to send set text messages to Balean’s mother, notifying her of her daughter’s activities at university. ‘If I rolled up my left sleeve it tells her I am in class and can’t talk, if I put my hoodie on it tells her that I miss her, and if I push the right sleeve it lets her know I am free and can chat online,’ she said. The graduates believe their innovation could be the first step in producing a hoodie that can be used as a safety device, so that someone walking along in a bad area at night, for example, could subtly send a message about their whereabouts without attracting any unwanted attention. ‘Iterations of this hoodie can be a safety device for individuals traveling alone, children or others that need to communicate discreetly,’ Balean said. Currently, the wearers of the hoodie need a certain amount of tech know-how to pre-programme messages, but in the future there could be an easy web interface to let users write messages and numbers so they could easily communicate using the clothing. In a demonstration video, Balean touches the hood and sleeves of the garment, and rolls up a sleeve to send messages to her mother. For example, rolling up the sleeve sends a message (pictured) informing her mother she is in class and unable to talk . The graduates believe that their innovation could be the first step in producing a hoodie that can be used as a safety device, so that someone walking along in a bad area at night for example, could subtly send a message about their whereabouts. Here, Balean touches the hoodie's sleeve to send a message . | Graduate students from New York University created the smart hoodie . Wearers can touch the hood and sleeves to send secret messages . Hoodie is fitted with sensors that send pre-programmed messages . Clothing can be used secretly to communicate and could one day be made into a safety device for children, or even the police . | 4fb96282b8999921ad6042c53a41b776936a659b |
(CNN) -- The Vietnam War began in the decade before, but the conflict, and especially U.S. involvement, escalated in the 1960s. For the first time, Americans witnessed the horrors of war, played out on television screens in their living rooms. This week's episode of "The Sixties" explores the war and its impact on American culture, then and now. Here are five facts from the episode that may surprise those too young to remember the Vietnam War: . 1. U.S. involvement in Vietnam began with Eisenhower. In the late 1950s, during the Eisenhower administration, Vietnam had split into North Vietnam, which was communist, and South Vietnam. Cold War anxieties dictated that if the North Vietnamese communists prevailed, the rest of Southeast Asia would fall like dominoes. When he took office in 1961, President John F. Kennedy vowed not to allow South Vietnam fall to communism. 2. The United States and South Vietnam had Catholic presidents who were shot to death in November 1963. By the early 1960s, South Vietnam's conventionally trained army was no match for the Vietcong's guerrilla-style tactics. In addition, South Vietnam's Buddhist majority revolted against their president, Ngo Dinh Diem. They saw the Catholic ruler as a tyrant. The Western-educated Diem, however, wielded absolute power and rose to dictator level by the summer of 1963. The CIA discussed toppling the regime. With U.S. knowledge, Diem was killed by South Vietnamese generals on November 2, 1963. Kennedy immediately regretted Diem's death and U.S. support for the coup. Less than three weeks later, on November 22, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson took the oath of office aboard Air Force One later that day. Soon after, Johnson told a grieving nation, "John Kennedy's death commands what his life conveyed, that America must move forward." 3. TV forever changed the way Americans viewed war . As casualties rose, the country increasingly turned against the war. The official line was that Americans were winning in Vietnam, but the evening news told a different story. "What Vietnam did to America via television was introduce us to a new kind of America," said author Lawrence Wright. "One that was not pure, one that committed the same kinds of atrocities that are always committed in war, but we had never allowed ourselves to see them." Reporter Morley Safer recalled the shock of witnessing Marines burn down 150 houses on the outskirts of the village of Cam Ne. An officer told the newsman that he had been ordered to level the area. Three women were wounded in the attack, one baby was killed, and four people were taken prisoner. Safer asked a soldier if he had regrets about leaving people homeless, and the soldier replied, "You can't expect to do your job and feel pity for these people." Another soldier told Safer, "I think it's sad in a way, but I don't think there's any other way you can get around it in this kind of a war." Americans back home were stunned when the CBS report about the Cam Ne village hit the news. After the broadcast, Johnson reportedly called then-CBS president, Frank Stanton, and said, "Frank, this is your President, your boys just s--t on the flag of the United States." 4. Some Americans resorted to self-mutilation to avoid the draft. When the choices were Vietnam, jail or draft-dodging by going to Canada, some young men panicked and devised ways to fail the military's physical exam, including mutilating themselves, starving or pretending to be gay. The compulsory draft, which had been initiated during World War II, meant registration for young men was mandatory at 18. Working-class men were more likely to get drafted over those in the middle class because college students could get deferments. In January 1965, 5,400 young men were called for the draft. By December of that year, more than 45,000 young men were called. When the monthly draft call rose from 17,000 to 35,000 per month, young people across the nation began engaging in civil disobedience. On November 27, 1965, the March on Washington for Peace in Vietnam took place, attracting tens of thousands of protesters. 5. U.S. troops endured 120-degree temperatures while sitting in swamps. Facing temperatures sometimes of up to 120 degrees F in the wet jungle terrain, soldiers regularly became afflicted with infections such as ringworm. Author and Vietnam veteran Karl Marlantes recalled the difficulty of dealing with losing his friends on the battlefield. "You'd throw them on a chopper and that'd be the last you'd see of them," he said, "and so you were constantly shoving it down because if you didn't you couldn't function." Bonus: LBJ feared being remembered for his handling of Vietnam . Johnson, who made great strides with civil rights legislation at home, did not want to be remembered as the American president who lost Southeast Asia. In a taped 1965 conversation, Sen. Richard Russell told Johnson that he "couldn't have inherited a worse mess." "Well, if they say I inherited it, I'd be lucky," Johnson said, "but they'll all say I created it. Dick, the trouble is, the great trouble I'm under, a man can fight if he can see daylight down the road somewhere, but there ain't no daylight in Vietnam. There's not a bit." Luci Baines Johnson on her father's legacy . When CBS anchor Walter Cronkite, who was called the most trusted man in America, traveled to Vietnam in 1968 and announced it was time for America to pull out, Johnson reportedly old an aide, "If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost middle America." Journalist Marvin Kalb noted that Johnson "realized he was no longer in charge of the war. The war was in charge of him." In 1968, Johnson announced that he would not be running for re-election. | This week's episode of "The Sixties" explores the Vietnam War . U.S. involvement escalated in the '60s . LBJ: "A man can fight if he can see daylight ... but there ain't no daylight in Vietnam" | 88f4cb34b4f026d66303760aee0a8d5197b7d3c2 |
(CNN) -- A Sudanese Christian woman who was sentenced to die for refusing to renounce her faith -- and then released -- has been charged on two criminal counts after trying to leave the African country for the United States, her legal team said Wednesday. Meriam Yehya Ibrahim, who was detained with her American husband, Daniel Wani, and their two children at an airport in Khartoum on Tuesday, is accused of traveling with falsified documents and giving false information, according to her legal team. The family is currently being held in a Khartoum police station and has been refused bail. Ibrahim's legal team told CNN that Daniel Wani is being held as an accessory. The family was stopped at the airport after what Ibrahim's lawyers described Tuesday as an alleged "irregularity with her documentation." Ibrahim has a U.S. visa and was headed to the United States with her family, her legal team said. The U.S. State Department said Tuesday that Ibrahim and her family had been "temporarily detained at the airport" for questioning over issues relating to their travel and documentation. "They have not been arrested. The government has assured us of their safety," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said then. Harf said that the U.S. Embassy "has been and will remain highly involved in working with the family and the government," saying "we are engaging directly with Sudanese officials to secure their safe and swift departure from Sudan." Sudanese authorities said Ibrahim had been detained because of the documents she submitted. Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services said that she had South Sudanese travel documents, despite not being a citizen of South Sudan, and she was heading to the United States, which is not her native country. "This was considered illegal by the Sudanese authorities, who have summoned both the U.S. and South Sudanese ambassadors," the agency said in a message posted on its media Facebook page early Wednesday. The airport detention came a day after Ibrahim's legal team announced the 27-year-old woman had been released from prison after weeks of international controversy over her conviction on apostasy and adultery charges. According to her lawyer, the case began when one of Ibrahim's relatives, a Muslim, filed a criminal complaint saying her family was shocked to find out she had married Wani, a Christian, after she was missing for several years. The Sudanese court considered Ibrahim a Muslim because her father was Muslim, but she said she was a Christian and never practiced Islam. She was charged with adultery, because a Muslim woman's marriage to a Christian man is illegal in Sudan, and with apostasy, accused of illegally renouncing what was alleged to be her original faith. | Meriam Yehya Ibrahim faces criminal charges after being stopped at Khartoum airport . She is accused of traveling with falsified documents and giving false information . Sudanese authorities summon the U.S. and South Sudanese ambassadors . Ibrahim had been sentenced to death for apostasy, then released on appeal . | 031267382e7345ecf160cec7d98f6ab1dd2a0145 |
By . Ben Endley . PUBLISHED: . 08:11 EST, 6 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 09:11 EST, 6 February 2014 . A newborn baby died at just eight hours old after her mother was made to wait three-and-a-half hours for a caesarian, an inquest heard. Mary-Jayne Harrison’s baby Jessica died at Southend Hospital, Essex after picking up an infection before her birth. The one specialist in duty ordered a caesarian but was then called to deal with another birth and midwives decided not to call for another specialist because they 'hoped for a good outcome'. Jessica Harrison died after her mother was kept waiting three-and-a-half hours for an unplanned caesarean, an inquest heard . Mary-Jayne Harrison (left) pictured with her husband Simon (right) and their 20-month old daughter Rebecca (centre) Pauline Moore, the midwife in charge of coordinating staff that night, was asked why she didn’t call the extra consultant, during the case at Chelmsford Coroner's Court on Wednesday. Assistant coroner Yvonne Blake asked: 'Women give birth at inconvenient times, you must have called for help at inconvenient times before, why didn’t you call for help on this occasion?' Mrs Moore replied simply: 'Because we hoped for a good outcome.' There was a muted response. The mother went into labour shortly around 9.40pm on September 29 last year. By 3am the pregnancy had not progressed at adequate speed, and Dr Fozia Malik, the specialist registrar, decided to send her for a caesarean. However, he was then sent into theatre to help a woman two rooms away who had been fully dilated for two hours, was not on painkillers and was slightly overweight. By 4am, Ms Harrison was showing signs that she was suffering from an infection and was given antibiotics and paracetamol through a drip. The inquest is being held at Chelmsford Coroner's Court (pictured) and is expected to conclude today . Baby Jessica died at Southend Hospital (pictured) after picking up an infection before her birth . She was not seen again by Dr Malik until about 6am, by which time it was too late to perform a caesarean, and Jessica was born around 6.30am by forceps delivery. Jessica showed signs of inhaling meconium, a baby’s first stool passed when in distress in the womb, and doctors tried to get her breathing on her own. However, they were unable to help her survive longer than eight hours. She had no other underlying health issues. Dr Malik and two midwives told the inquest that with hindsight they would have acted differently, but said Mrs Harrison didn’t appear to be an emergency case and that the other birth took longer than expected. Mrs Harrison, questioning Dr Malik, said: 'Three-and-a-half hours, I think that’s too long, so much could be done in that time.' The doctor replied: 'I wouldn’t have planned three-and-a-hours hours but there was an emergency, I was tied up elsewhere.” The inquest also heard evidence suggesting that a speedier delivery may not have helped Jessica. Pathologist Michael Ashworth said: 'The infection must have been picked up from the umbilical chord in the womb, so it was before birth, but I am unable to say if it was hours, days or whatever period.” The inquest is expected to conclude today. | Jessica was just eight hours old when she died at Southend Hospital . Mother Mary-Jayne Harrison kept waiting because the specialist was busy . Midwives didn't call extra doctor because they 'hoped for good outcome' By the time specialist was available it was too late to perform a caesarian . Inquest at Chelmsford Coroner's Court yet to determine cause of death . | 32fc7d5bf261cb01f075d719c5ff23d3b56333fe |
(CNN) -- A major winter storm walloped the Northeast on Friday, a day after heavy snow closed schools and roads and caused dangerous conditions. The storm knocked out power to nearly 240,000 homes and businesses in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, slowed traffic and could prompt authorities to cancel up to 1,000 flights at airports serving New York and New Jersey. The storm also frustrated people such as Lulis Leal, a medical office manager who was working from her home in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. She was planning to help her son move into an apartment when she peered out the window Friday morning to see her car covered in snow. "I can't even move it out of my driveway," she said. "The snow is up over my knee." She ventured out amid the snow Thursday, saw several wrecks and added a half-hour to her trip by avoiding a snow-covered hill. "It's very pretty to look at, but it's like, come on, enough already," she said. "I'm very much looking forward to spring." The rough weather prompted officials to suspend bus service in northern New Jersey. About 225,000 homes and businesses were without power Friday in New York, said Jim Denn of the New York State Public Service Commission. The storm left 10,638 homes and businesses without power in New Jersey and knocked out electrical services to about 3,000 homes and businesses in Pennsylvania, officials in those states said. A snow-covered tree limb fell Thursday in New York's Central Park and killed a 46-year-old man. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation warned residents to stay out of city parks after the death. Forecasters said parts of New York state could get up to a foot of snow, and public schools were closed Friday in New York City. "The heavy, wet snow will be sufficient to bring down trees and power lines and could also cause roof collapses," the National Weather Service said. The storm is the third to hit the region this month. Early Friday, American Airlines had canceled 42 flights out of New York, a spokeswoman said. Delta Air Lines canceled 300 flights from airports in New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. U.S. Airways had canceled 80 flights from airports in and around New York, a spokesman said. Steve Coleman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said authorities expect roughly 1,000 flights to be canceled from the three major airports serving New York and parts of New Jersey. More cancellations were expected for other airlines Friday, according to airport officials. The storm prompted the cancellation of more than 1,000 flights at New York-area airports Thursday, said Port Authority spokesman John Kelly. Buried in snow? Send pictures, video . Parts of New York had received from 22 to 30 inches of snow by Thursday evening, the weather service said. Massachusetts was averaging 22 inches across the state. Parts of Pennsylvania had as much as 12 inches. Areas in Vermont received as much as 38 inches of snow. For some, any more snow was just too much. "I've just been shoveling," a weary man told CNN affiliate WBRE-TV in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. "And it looks like I'll be doing some more shoveling." CNN's Emily Anderson and Mark Bixler contributed to this report. | NEW: Nearly 240,000 homes and businesses without power in three states, officials say . "It's very pretty to look at, but it's like, come on, enough already," woman says . Dozens of flights canceled early Friday, with more likely . Parts of New York could get as much as a foot of snow; storm is third to hit Northeast in month . | 83c4fea1ef9c6d25896ce00ad71e34d710d9bf73 |
By . Erin Clements . Six months pregnant Chelsea Clinton reportedly celebrated her impending due date with a lavish -albeit healthy - baby shower in Westchester last week. Hillary Clinton hosted the event at Crabtree's Kittle House, an upscale restaurant near the Clintons' estate in Chappaqua, New York, on July 13, according to the New York Daily News. Due to the 34-year-old expectant mom's wheat intolerance, the menu was said to be 99per cent gluten free - as was the cake at her 2010 wedding to Marc Mezvinsky. Scroll down for video . Mother to be: Chelsea Clinton, seen here reporting for jury duty last week, celebrated her first pregnancy with a gluten-free baby shower . Fine dining: The event took place at Crabtree's Kittle House in in Chappaqua, New York . One witness told the Daily News that former President Bill Clinton made an appearance. 'He showed up when it was about to end and worked the room. He was upstairs talking to everyone too,' the source said. Mr Mezvinsky also attended the festivities. Proud parents: 'Marc and I are very excited that we have our first child arriving later this year,' Chelsea said in April . Family affair: Hillary Clinton hosted the event, and Bill Clinton made an appearance (both pictured here at a gala in June) The couple announced that they are expecting their first child during a Clinton Foundation event devoted to empowering young women at New York's Lower East Side Girls Club on April 17. She told guests at the event: 'Marc and I are very excited that we have our first child arriving later this year.' 'I certainly feel all the better whether it's a girl or a boy that she or he will grow up in world filled with so many strong, young female leaders,' she added. 'I just hope that I will be as good a mom to my child and hopefully children as my mom was to me.' | Former President Bill Clinton made an appearance and 'worked the room' | 5c1fa5782ec940d15c1c6ba890b526191320b2d0 |
Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor has handed manager Paul Lambert a major boost by penning a new long-term deal. The forward has been an integral member of Lambert’s team and the Scot was keen to secure his future. The forward has been locked in negotiations over fresh terms for several weeks and has now agreed a new four-year deal. Gabby Agbonlahor has signed a new long-term deal at Aston Villa keeping him at the club until 2018 . Agbonlahor's new deal will come as good news to Villa boss Paul Lambert . Agbonlahor has been with Villa for 10 years and he says it has gone 'crazy quick' 'I’m excited for this season and I'm excited for the next four years,' Agbonlahor told the club website. 'It's a fantastic feeling for me to commit my future to Aston Villa. I can still remember my debut and the past 10 years have gone by crazy quick.' 'To be able to contribute still is a real source of pride for me and my family.' Fabian Delph is also set to commit his future to Villa by signing a new deal . Jack Grealish has been offered a long-term contract after interest from Chelsea . Villa are also hopeful of signing duo Ron Vlaar and Fabian Delph to contract extensions in the coming weeks, too. Youngster Jack Grealish, who has attracted interest from Chelsea, has also been offered a new long-term deal to stay at Villa Park. | Striker Gabby Agbonlahor had been locked in talks for several weeks . Pens new four-year deal at Villa Park to keep him at club until 2018 . Paul Lambert is hopeful of tying Fabian Delph and Ron Vlaar to new long-term contracts too . Villa have also offered a deal to Chelsea target Jack Grealish . | c934f338a86f1510439bb8a1ad76ab8fba3fd276 |
Snoopy, Indiana Jones and He-Man are just a few of the characters that have been turned into novelty cameras and showcased in a new book. Christopher D. Salyers has been collecting novelty cameras for more than a decade and along with friend Buzz Poole, he travels the world searching for some of the rarest models. Now, the pair, from New York, have released a coffee table book called 'Camera Crazy' which chronicles the history of novelty cameras. Quirky: The Snoopy-Matic camera was manufactured in Hong Kong for the Helm Toy Corp in 1980 . Masters of the Universe He-Man Camera manufactured in China for HG Toys in 1985 . Indiana Jones is another character used to market cameras. Pictured, Indiana Jones Werlisa Safari Camera . The book explains the rise of photography from the launch of Kodak's Brownie, the world's first simple, low-cost camera, which made photography accessible to the masses in 1900 . Snapshots soon became the most popular method of capturing memories and soon the variety of cameras available increased. The book celebrates the toy camera - once, quirky models marketed to children with cartoon characters which have since become niche collectors' items. These cameras, which offer soft focus and effects, became ubiquitous in the analogue age and remain popular today. In essays studying the role of 'marketing and hipster culture' in the popularity of these cameras, the authors also discuss the surge of enthusiasm for their 'special effects' - paralleled by the rise of apps like Instagram, which mimic the effect of analogue cameras. Christopher D. Salyers and Buzz Poole have been collecting cameras for 10 years and travel the world in search of rare models . In 'Camera Crazy', full-colour photographs by J. K. Putnam showcase the strangest examples, including retro analogues, custom pieces, new products from Japan as well as camera-themed objects and accessories. It features a model made of Lego and even a dog modelling a pair of sunglasses with a camera attached. Their book also includes interviews with the inventor of the Holga camera and those responsible for Lomography. They explain Game Boy and Batman-themed cameras, as well as cameras specifically made to photograph cats. The Voltron Star Shooter Camera, manufactured in Macau for Impulse Ltd in 1985, masquerades as an ordinary camera . But fiddle a little and it transforms into a science fiction hero, making it actually a toy as well as a camera . The Game Boy Camera made in Japan for Nintendo in 1998, was the world's smallest digital camera at the time . A little girl frames her shot with the Mick-a-Matic, manufactured in USA for Child Guidance Products in 1971 . Buzz, 37, said: 'Novelty cameras are hugely popular, in part because a lot of them are instant cameras and they produce a unique type of photos. 'But partly it's just because people love Mickey Mouse or Heineken beer and want to get their hands on all the merchandise they can. 'A lot aren't expensive at all and even the most collectible go for a couple of hundred dollars.' Photographer J. K. Purnam said: 'Not only did I photograph hundreds of these cameras I also had the opportunity to shoot with them. 'For the most part these cameras shoot film, some shot formats that were tricky to get a hold of and have developed, but after a bit of trial and error and a few expired rolls I was able to get some pretty interesting shots.' The Airou Toy Digital Camera manufactured in China for Capcom . The Pokemon camera from 1999 gave each photo taken a special border featuring all 150 Pokemon . The Lego Digital Camera manufactured in China for Digital Blue in 2011 featured a built-in flash . Charlie Tuna Camera was manufactured in USA for StarKist in 1971 . The Webster's Dictionary Book Camera manufactured in China for Shutter Chance in the 1970s . | Camera collectors Christopher D. Salyers and Buzz Poole's book charts history of novelty cameras . Once cheap and marketed to children, they are now niche collector's items . Examples feature Mickey Mouse, Game Boy, Lego and Charlie Tuna . | da176ada5c7024bbd74a6c2e342840158d450eed |
By . Mark Duell . PUBLISHED: . 06:03 EST, 12 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:01 EST, 12 November 2013 . A couple tied the knot wearing clothes donated to the charity shop where they met and fell in love. Volunteers Ann Davies and Pete Edwards chose their outfits from the Wales Air Ambulance shop, in Wrexham, North Wales, and invited charity mascots to attend their big day. The couple got together after Miss Davies, 55, visited the shop in February, where she first met her shop assistant partner Mr Edwards, 42. Big day: Ann Davies and Pete Edwards were joined by Wales Ambulance Service mascots for their wedding after meeting at the charity's shop . Happy couple: The pair got engaged just 10 days after meeting at the charity shop in Wrexham, North Wales . Unusual sight: Wedding guests are accompanied by mascots from Wales Air Ambulance including Elliecopter . Friends at the store lent a hand with the wedding, having bought everything for the big day from stock donated to the charity shop including the couple’s outfits, wedding decorations, flowers and furniture. Wales Air Ambulance even chipped in to help with their wedding transport, lending one of its charity vans to take the couple to their wedding breakfast at the Wrexham and District War Memorial Club. After first meeting, the couple, who now live together in the town's Caia Park area, exchanged numbers and arranged a dinner date. They got engaged on Valentine’s Day, 10 days after their first meeting. Since announcing their nuptials, Miss Davies has joined Mr Edwards as a volunteer at the shop. Here comes the bride! The pair were taken from their wedding venue to their reception by one of the charity's vans, pictured behind Miss Davies and the mascots . Quickly: The couple are accompanied by wedding guests and the brightly-coloured air ambulance mascots . Marriage: After first meeting, the couple, who now live together in the town's Caia Park area, exchanged numbers and arranged a dinner date . As well as assisting with the couple’s transport on the big day, Wales Air Ambulance mascots Elliecopter and Huw HEMS also joined in the celebrations. 'They’re both really pleased and it’s Pete’s birthday too. I was quite choked myself during the ceremony' Sharon Jones, Wrexham Wales Air Ambulance shop manager . Wrexham Wales Air Ambulance shop manager Sharon Jones said: 'It’s been a fantastic day, I’m so proud of both of them. 'Peter has been working for us for two years and Ann joined in April after they got engaged. They’re both really pleased and it’s Pete’s birthday too. I was quite choked myself during the ceremony. 'Everything for the wedding has come from the shop from their outfits to the flowers and decorations. Pete came to the wedding in the Wales Air Ambulance van and it took them to the wedding breakfast.' She added: 'I really do wish them all the luck in the world, they deserve it.' | Ann Davies and Pete Edwards get married in Wrexham, North Wales . They got together after Davies, 55, visited shop and met Edwards, 42 . Wales Air Ambulance even chipped in to help with wedding transport . | 65747cd9a366081f7b5b0b25bee4acf58eea88e1 |
Attack: Sir Antony Jay worked as a BBC producer before writing the hit comedy Yes Minister . The co-creator of Yes Minister has launched a blistering attack on the BBC – saying it is biased on issues such as climate change. Sir Antony Jay, who worked as a BBC producer before writing the hit comedy, called for a dramatic downsizing of the corporation, saying it had simply become too powerful. In an attack on his former paymasters, he said he would scrap all its radio stations except Radio 4, and all TV stations other than BBC One. And he claimed that the values of the organisation were opposed to the principle of private profit and the monarchy. Sir Antony was speaking at the launch of a report by the Global Warming Policy Foundation, which claims the BBC is biased over climate change. ‘If you believe in a free country and a free press, why do we have a state broadcasting system at all?’ he said. ‘Or why do we not have a state newspaper with £4billion spent on it and associated magazines all published by the state? ‘Why is the BBC so huge, why does in dominate the nation’s communication? ‘It is the biggest communications organisation in the world.’ He went on: ‘I do think it does some very good things and I’m not actually in favour of abolishing it – not at the moment anyway. I do ask why it dominates the media so much. ‘Why do we not simply have one BBC television channel, one speech radio channel – what more do we need?’ This week he wrote the foreword for a report on climate change bias in the BBC. Hit cast: Yes Minister stars Derek Fowlds, Nigel Hawthorne and Paul Eddington . 'Too powerful': Si Antony Jay said the Corporation should be downsized . On Thursday, he said that when he was there, BBC people tended to be anti-industry and saw private profit as distasteful. Many were anti-monarchy, and were suspicious of the Army. He said: ‘What I have noticed is that it comes down to values, and the hardest thing to change in an organisation is its values. ‘And these values are behind the BBC’s view on global warming, which is everything the BBC didn’t like – it was about industry, profit, big corporations and that sort of thing.’ Sir Antony said the BBC would not be as large as it is if the broadcasting landscape had been designed now, rather than in the 1920s. In the foreword he wrote to the Global Warming Policy Foundation’s report, he developed his theme of a slimmed-down BBC. He wrote: ‘All its other mass of activities – publishing, websites, orchestras, digital channels, music and local radio stations – could be disposed of without any noticeable loss to the cultural life of the country, and the licence fee could probably be cut by two thirds. Could it happen? ‘As the economic squeeze tightens, the case for a drastic slimming down of the BBC gets stronger every day. Cash-strapped households might be glad of the extra £100 a year.’ Sir Antony admitted that when he was a BBC staffer, he ‘absorbed and expressed all the accepted BBC attitudes: hostility to, or at least suspicion of, America, monarchy, government, capitalism, empire, banking and the defence establishment; and in favour of the Health Service, state welfare, the social sciences, the environment and state education’. Yes Minister and sequel Yes, Prime Minister, which Sir Antony wrote with Jonathan Lynn, were hits in the 1980s and a particular favourite of Margaret Thatcher. They follow the ministerial career of Jim Hacker, played by Paul Eddington, and also star Sir Nigel Hawthorne and Derek Fowlds. Sir Antony worked as a BBC producer and editor in the 1950s and 1960s, where he established the Tonight programme. | Corporation has become 'too powerful' and should be downsized, says Sir Antony Jay . | 765388eb576e1f2db5966355aa4b46baf748ad6c |
At time it might have seemed something of a gamble. But an unknown bookie ended up with a £100 million art collection after agreeing to be painted by artist Lucian Freud as payment for debts from betting. When he died, Alfie McLean is said to have owned 23 Freud canvasses and several more by fellow artist and Soho denizen Francis Bacon – who had also become a close friend and client of the bookie through his gambling habits. Over a period of 40 years, Freud painted about 20 portraits of McLean and his family. Favourite: The Lucian Freud painting is of Alfie McLean's two son's Sam and Paul which Mr McLean's wife Wilma lists as her favourite painting by the artist . Mr McLean began life as a trainer and small-time bookie on Northern Ireland's greyhound tracks and built up his businesses to include a chain of bookmakers' shops. He first met Freud about 40 years ago at a racecourse after striking up a conversation about vintage Bentley cars. Freud – who died last year and left £96 million in his will – had a lifelong fascination with horses and soon opened an account with his new bookmaking friend and began to run up losses. The first portraits of Mr McLean – known to Freud as 'The Big Man' – were painted in exchange for the bookie writing off gambling debts of just a few thousand pounds. Alfie was discreet about his friendship with the great painter, except for giving one of his racehorses the cheeky name of Freud Bacon . But the two men's friendship seemed not to have been affected by their financial dealings – Freud was fascinated by Mr McLean and was often his guest at race meetings and sporting occasions such as Ulsterman Barry McGuigan's world title fights in the Eighties. In return, McLean was discreet about his friendship with the great painter, except for giving one of his racehorses the cheeky name of Freud Bacon. Mr McLean's widow, Wilma, said: 'My husband was very interested in Lucian and his art. They became very good friends. I met Lucian three times in London. He never came over here. He was a nice man and painted my sons Sam and Paul.' Freud preserved the sons' anonymity by simply calling the 2001 picture The Two Brothers From Ulster. Mr McLean died aged 77 in 2006 and left £118 million in his will. But it is not thought to contain the bulk of his extraordinary art collection, believed to be worth about £100 million, as he gave it to his children before his death. Mrs McLean said: 'I do love art but I don't own the paintings any longer. 'The collection is all gone. They all belong to the children now. That was what Alfie wanted and they would have inherited them anyway. 'I believe they are kept in safe storage now but I do not go into that. I do not really see the pictures. The collection is for the younger ones and I have not seen them in a few years. I gave them the pictures before my husband died. 'There were around 20 of them. I think . my favourite one was with my husband and my eldest son Paul. Paul had . his hand on Alfie's shoulder. Unlikely muse: At the time it might have seemed something of a gamble. But Alfie McLean ended up with a £100¿million art collection after agreeing to be painted by artist Lucian Freud as payment for debts from betting . Popular: Artist Lucian Freud who ended up painting a total of 23 paintings for bookie Alfie McLean as payment for gambling debts . 'It was painted in Lucian's studio about 30 years ago. He did not offer to paint me, which was a relief. I was hoping he wouldn't. Alfie quite enjoyed posing for the paintings. The two of them got on pretty well.' Freud began painting his bookie after he signed up with New York art dealer William Acquavella in 1992 – and immediately confided in him that he had a problem. Acquavella said: 'When I took him on, he said to me, “I've got a bookie – and I've got a bill with him.” 'So I had dinner with Alfie and I said, “Alfie, what does he owe you?” He says, “£2.7 million.” I said, . “OK, thanks.” We had to work this out.' The bookie's children all still live in Ballymena, County Antrim, where Mr McLean was raised. Sam and Paul, who runs the family bookmakers, live within yards of each other in comparatively modest homes – although Sam's generous driveway now boasts a brand new Maserati, a rare Mercedes sports car, a Mercedes SUV and another people carrier. Their sister Catherine also lives in Ballymena, but in a flat close to the town centre. A local source, who has met both Freud and Mr McLean but did not want to be named, said: 'I believe Alfie and Lucian Freud were both members of a Bentley owners' club and met at some outing in England a long time ago. 'Lucian, who was a fanatical gambler, then pricked up his ears when he realised this man was a bookmaker from Ballymena and started betting with McLean.' A friend added: 'Freud ran up massive debts, but apparently found Alfie McLean an irresistibly huge and ugly man. 'Freud painted people as he saw them, and that was not necessarily in a flattering light. 'Lucian introduced him to Francis Bacon, who was also a gambler.' | Alfie McLean was given paintings by Freud as payment for gambling debts . When McLean died in 2006 he owned 23 paintings by the artist . The pair were friends for four decades with the pair sharing a love for horse racing . | 96224a88543b055d0cb98f6601030d1b64c869c3 |
A teenager has shared images of her horrifying scars after her ex-boyfriend broke into her house, brutally assaulted her and torched her room. Sophia Putney-Wilcox, 17, revealed her sickening injuries after her ex Adam Shigwadja allegedly assaulted her with a knife in the bedroom of her Michigan home before setting a fire on Monday. Shigwadja, 18, was arrested on Tuesday. Police are expected to charge him with attempted murder, arson, home invasion, unlawful imprisonment and violation of conditional bond. Scroll down for video . Sophia Putney-Wilcox is recovering from injuries in hospital after her ex-boyfriend allegedly broke into her home in Michigan on Monday with a knife . The teenager said that she feels 'grateful to be alive' after she was attacked in her home by her ex-boyfriend on Monday night . Miss Putney-Wilcox told Mlive on Wednesday: 'I'm really grateful to be alive' as she recovered from her injuries at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. The 17-year-old said that she ended her relationship with Shigwadja last year after they had been dating for a year and a half when she found out he had been cheating on her. He broke into her home on February 20, 2013, she told Mlive, holding a knife to her throat and trying to force her outside in her underwear and T-shirt. He was arrested and released on $10,000 bail and ordered to stay away from his ex-girlfriend. The teen tried to file an extra protection order but request was denied. Adam Shigwadja, 18, was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly breaking into his girlfriend's home with a knife. Police are expected to charge him with attempted murder, arson, home invasion, unlawful imprisonment and violation of conditional bond . Shigwadja allegedly broke into her home again on Monday and attacked her before her brother, hearing the noise, intervened with a baseball bat. The attacker escaped through a window but Miss Putney-Wilcox was accidentally hit with the bat, leaving her with a had injury which required a row of stitches. The high school student said that she wanted to share details of her attack to encourage victims of domestic violence to come forward. In a statement on Wednesday, police said: 'Adam Shigwadja was located by Public Safety officers on Tuesday at approximately 7.30pm... and was apprehended without incident.' He is expected to be arraigned today. MailOnline was awaiting a response from the Kalamazoo Public Safety Department today. Sophia Putney-Wilcox pictured before her ex-boyfriend's attack on Monday after he broke into her bedroom with a knife . | Sophia Putney-Wilcox, 17, revealed her sickening injuries after her ex Adam Shigwadja allegedly assaulted her at her Michigan home on Monday . Shigwadja is facing attempted murder, arson and home invasion charges . Miss Putney-Wilcox has already been attacked in her home by Shigwadja in February 2013 . She had asked a judge for a protection order against him but was refused . | 37e182ebde47df44ae7da9121eed4a2e7705bdcb |
(CNN)America's national parks welcomed a record-breaking 292.8 million visits in 2014, shattering the previous record of 287.1 million visits set in 1999. Golden Gate National Recreation Area took the top spot in the National Park Service's list of the most visited places in the National Park System for the second year in a row, while Great Smoky Mountain National Park was the most popular national park. The National Park Service's 405 park sites include the 59 headliner national parks, national seashores, national monuments and other designations. "As the National Park Service strives to share a more inclusive and well-rounded version of the American story through the places we care for, it is gratifying to see more people than ever coming to their national parks to enjoy nature, learn about history, and spend time with their families," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis in a press statement. "As we look ahead to our centennial in 2016, I am looking forward to announcing a new record-breaking number of visitors coming to experience national parks next year and beyond." The most popular national park sites . National park sites saw 20.2 million more visits in 2014 than in the previous year, according to National Park Service visitation data. In 2013, the national park sites counted just 273 million visits, due to the 16-day U.S. government shutdown which forced many national sites to close. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area had more than 15 million visits last year, while second-place Blue Ridge Parkway hosted 13.9 million visits. Great Smoky Mountains National Park came in third place in the list of most visited park sites with 10 million visits. Of the 59 specially designated national parks, Great Smoky Mountains was the most visited, while Grand Canyon National Park came in second place, with 4.8 million visitors. Yosemite came in third place with 3.9 million visitors. 50 spots, 50 states for 2014 . Visitors certainly love their national park sites, and here are their favorites for 2014. Top 10 most-visited National Park Service sites . 1. Golden Gate National Recreation Area (15 million) 2. Blue Ridge Parkway (13.9 million) 3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (10 million) 4. George Washington Memorial Parkway (7.5 million) 5. Lincoln Memorial (7.1 million) 6. Lake Mead National Recreation Area (6.9 million) 7. Gateway National Recreation Area (6 million) 8. Natchez Trace Parkway (5.8 million) 9. Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park (5 million) 10. Grand Canyon National Park (4.8 million) Top 10 most-visited national parks . 1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (10 million) 2. Grand Canyon National Park (4.8 million) 3. Yosemite National Park (3.9 million) 4. Yellowstone National Park (3.5 million) 5. Rocky Mountain National Park (3.4 million) 6. Olympic National Park (3.2 million) 7. Zion National Park (3.2 million) 8. Grand Teton National Park (2.8 million) 9. Acadia National Park (2.6 million) 10. Glacier National Park (2.3 million) | National Park Service hosts record-breaking number of visits . Golden Gate National Recreational Area is most popular site . Great Smoky Mountain is most popular national park . | 5ad70b6b3488ee4bf297eaaa89e3a642614852ea |
By . James Tozer . PUBLISHED: . 12:19 EST, 15 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:08 EST, 16 January 2013 . A choirmaster groomed a pupil at a leading private school and raped her while his wife watched, a court heard yesterday. The teenager was allegedly tied to a bed with a belt before Michael Brewer was told by his wife Hilary to ‘show her what he’d done to her’ during their two-year teacher-pupil affair. The pair, both 68, are on trial over sex offences dating back more than 30 years. Trial: Today Michael Brewer appeared at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court charged with rape and six counts of indecent assault following a police investigation along with his wife Hilary Brewer . Peter Cadwallader, prosecuting, told . the court Brewer was a brilliant and charismatic teacher whose only . problem was he ‘could not keep his hands off’ the girls at Chetham’s . School in Manchester. He allegedly used his office there to initiate sex acts with the pupil, beginning in 1978 when she was 14. He also indecently assaulted her in a . camper van he kept parked at school and at his home when she helped . babysit his daughters, Manchester Crown Court was told. The alleged abuse culminated when she . visited the couple at home aged 18 and was told Mrs Brewer knew of the . affair. Mrs Brewer is said to have told the teenager ‘she had always . wanted a sexual relationship with a woman’ and that the girl ‘owed her’ because of what had happened with her husband. The girl was taken upstairs and forced . to take part in a sex act by Mrs Brewer, who displayed a ‘great . thrill’, said Mr Cadwallader. She was loosely tied to a bed using a . belt, the jury was told, before Mrs Brewer told her husband to ‘show her . what he’d done’ to her, and the pair had sex. Brewer went on to target at least two more girls, the court was told, one of which resulted in a sexual affair. Prestigious: Brewer was director of music at the renowned Chetham's School in Manchester until 1994 . Court hearing: The charges relate to the alleged abuse and rape of a teenage girl . The first, a boarder at Chetham’s at . the same time as the alleged victim, was said to have been propositioned . during a school trip when she was 17. Brewer pinned her up against the wall . in a dark corridor and told her ‘You want it really, don’t you?’, Mr . Cadwallader said. But she told him to ‘**** off’, ducked out of the way . and ran back to her dormitory, he said. Around 15 years later, in the . mid-1990s, Brewer allegedly groomed a 16-year-old, first giving her . ‘platonic’ hugs in his office before moving on to kisses. Eventually he began helping to take . off her top and suggesting she perform a sex act on him, the court . heard. But one evening principal Peter Hullah knocked on Brewer’s door . and heard ‘scuffling’.Brewer called out ‘Wait a minute’ and, when Mr . Hullah was allowed in, the girl could be seen exiting by a second door. Following an inquiry that year, 1994, Brewer resigned. The trial was told the original . alleged victim later told several people of her affair with Brewer but . never directly complained to police. However three decades on she told a . doctor who did inform detectives, resulting in the now divorced . couple’s arrest. The court heard the former pupil – now 48 – had been a hugely gifted musician. But she was also a disruptive, . badly-behaved teenager who used alcohol from a young age and had been . sexually abused by a relative. Court: The pair have both pleaded not guilty at their trial at Manchester Crown Court, pictured . Brewer groomed her and the later pupil . through flattery, Mr Cadwallader said, ‘commenting on their figure, . their dress’ and also ‘their musical talent’. He would encourage the first girl to . take part in sex acts in his office, telling her to use a side door . rather than the main entrance so his secretary didn’t become suspicious, . the jury was told. Her bad behaviour eventually led to her being suspended, and she was sent to live with the Brewers. By the time she was 15 he was treating . her as his girlfriend, taking her to pubs and allegedly indecently . assaulting her beside a canal. She went to study music abroad when . she was 16, but on her return to Britain went to visit the Brewers where . the alleged rape took place. At the time, she didn’t regard what happened as abuse and saw it as ‘a small price to pay for the affection’ he showed her. ‘The prosecution case is very much . that he abused that position using his power, influence and personality . to seduce her,’ Mr Cadwallader added. The alleged victim began her evidence yesterday by describing how her home life was ‘hell’. She said she thought Brewer was ‘the bee’s knees’, ‘a special teacher’ who needed to be ‘worshipped’ by his pupils. Brewer, of Selly Oak, Birmingham, denies one count of rape and 13 counts of indecent assault. His ex-wife, of Rossendale, Lancashire, denies one count of indecent assault and one of aiding and abetting rape. The trial continues. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Michael Brewer accused of abusing teenagers in office at Chetham's School . His wife Hilary is also on trial for allegedly helping him rape a girl . | de2013ca8edee756c219cabf9c99f2667d5ea299 |
(CNN) -- Israel acknowledged Sunday that it edited recordings of what it said were anti-Semitic and anti-American radio calls by pro-Palestinian activists who tried to run the Gaza blockade and that it could not identify the origin of the broadcasts. The Israeli military released a 26-second recording Friday night in which a warning call to a ship in the flotilla was met with the reply of "Shut up -- go back to Auschwitz." After another voice reports that the convoy has the permission of Palestinian officials to dock in Gaza, a third voice responds, "We are helping Arabs going against the U.S. Don't forget 9/11, guys." But after the organizers of the aid convoy accused Israeli officials of manipulating the tapes, the Israel Defense Forces reported it had mistakenly identified one of the six ships in the activists' "Freedom Flotilla" as the source of the broadcasts. And it released a nearly six-minute recording of radio traffic that included those calls and several others, along with bursts of static and calls in other languages on the same channel. "So to clarify: The audio was edited down to cut out periods of silence over the radio as well as incomprehensible comments so as to make it easier for people to listen to the exchange," the Israeli military said in a statement posted on its Web site. And it added, "Due to an open channel, the specific ship or ships in the 'Freedom Flotilla' responding to the Israeli Navy could not be identified." Israeli commandos intercepted the convoy at sea on May 31 and stormed the largest vessel, the Turkish-flagged Mavi Marmara, killing nine people aboard. The ships were carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Palestinian territory that has been blockaded by Israel since its takeover by the Islamic movement Hamas in 2007, and the deadly raid sparked international condemnation. Convoy organizers from Free Gaza said Israel "doctored" the recordings "in order to paint the flotilla passengers as anti-Semites." The group denied its vessels were the source of the broadcasts and said the Israeli accusations made "no more sense with the explanation." "All radio transmissions on the sea are heard by all captains," the group said. "Once again, Israel is caught in a lie trying to defend itself for the murder and mayhem it committed the morning of May 31, 2010." On the full recording, an Israeli warship hails one of the vessels in the flotilla to warn it was approaching a blockade zone and warned that "all necessary measures" would be taken to prevent it from docking in Gaza. After three warnings, Free Gaza activist Huwaida Arraf replied that the blockade was a violation of international law and that the convoy was carrying only humanitarian aid. "We do not carry anything that constitutes a threat to your armed forces," she says on the recording. | Edits made for easier listening, Israel says . IDF can't ID source of transmissions . Free Gaza: Israel "doctored" tapes . New story makes "no more sense," group says . | bc2a07fe023ec910a1407a92be79c90271b1d5a3 |
The International Court of Justice ruled Monday that Japan can no longer continue its annual whale hunt, rejecting the country's argument that it was for scientific purposes. "Japan shall revoke any extant authorization, permit or license granted in relation to JARPA II, and refrain from granting any further permits in pursuance of that program," the court said, referring to the research program. The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Japan's fleet carries out an annual whale hunt despite a worldwide moratorium, taking advantage of a loophole in the law that permits the killing of the mammals for scientific research. Whale meat is commonly available for consumption in Japan. Each year, environmental groups such as Sea Shepherd pursue the Japanese hunters in an attempt to disrupt the whaling. The resulting confrontations have led to collisions of ships and the detention of activists. The Australian government challenged the Japanese whaling program in the International Court of Justice, leading to Monday's ruling. PHOTOS: Waiting for the whales . Japan officials defend dolphin hunting in Taiji Cove . | Japan's fleet carries out an annual whale hunt despite a worldwide moratorium . The Australian government challenged the whaling program . | af72e1a0271803420cef9296694736dba0d46c3f |
It seems a roaring fire wasn't the only thing keeping Bronze and Iron Age Scandinavians warm through cold winter nights. From northwest Denmark, from 1500 to 1300 BC, to the Swedish island of Gotland as late as the first century AD, Nordic people were drinking an alcoholic ‘grog’. Chemical traces of the ingredients of the drink were found buried in tombs alongside warriors and priestesses, . Scroll down for video... Ancient Scandinavians drunk an alcoholic mixture of barley, honey, cranberries, herbs and grape wine imported from Greece and Rome. Pictured here is an ancient Roman drinking-set, comprised of a bucket a ladle, and several drinking cups. They were uncovered under the floor of a settlement at Havor in Sweden . Honey . Bog cranberry . Lingonberry . Bog myrtle . Yarrow . Juniper . Birch tree resin . Wheat . Grapes . Barley . Rye . By analysing chemicals found in ancient jars, scientists revealed that the drink was a hybrid of local ingredients. These included honey, bog cranberry, lingonberry, bog myrtle, yarrow, juniper, birch tree resin, and cereals including wheat, grapes barley and rye. The research proves the existence of an early, widespread, and long-lived Nordic grog tradition - one with distinctive flavours and probable medicinal purposes. It also provides the first chemically proven evidence of importing grapes from southern or central Europe as early as 1100 BC, demonstrating both the social and cultural prestige attached to wine. Samples of the drink were found buried in tombs alongside warriors and priestesses. Pictured here is a uoung woman, believed to be a priestess, buried in an oak trunk coffin under a mound at Egtved in Jutland, Denmark . With Dr McGovern's help, Delaware-based . Dogfish Head Craft Brewery recreated the Nordic grog in October 2013, . using wheat, berries, honey and herbs. According to Dr McGovern, the grog tastes sour, like a Belgian lambic. There are also other options available to those who want a taste of Bronze Age Europe. The Swedish brewery Nynäshamns Ångbryggeri, for instance, created different version of grog called Arketyp. ‘About the closest thing to the grog today is produced on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea,’ Dr McGovern noted. ‘You can taste Gotlandsdryka in . farmhouses. It’s made from barley, honey, juniper, and other herbs like . those in the ancient version.' ‘Far from being the barbarians so vividly described by ancient Greeks and Romans, the early Scandinavians, northern inhabitants of so-called Proxima Thule, emerge with this new evidence as a people with an innovative flair for using available natural products’, said Dr Patrick McGovern, lead author of the paper. ‘They were not averse to adopting the accoutrements of southern or central Europeans, drinking their preferred beverages out of imported and often ostentatiously grand vessels,# he added. ‘They were also not averse to importing and drinking the southern beverage of preference, grape wine, though sometimes mixed with local ingredients.” To reach their conclusions the researchers, based at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, obtained ancient residue samples from four sites in a 150-mile radius of southern Sweden and encompassing Denmark. The oldest, dated 1500 – 1300 BC, was from Nandrup in northwestern Denmark, where a warrior prince had been buried in an oak coffin with a massively hafted bronze sword, battle-axe, and pottery jar whose interior was covered with a dark residue that was sampled. A second Danish sample, dated to a later phase of the Nordic Bronze Age from about 1100 – 500 BC, came from a pit hoard at Kostræde, southwest of Copenhagen. A brownish residue filling a perforation of a bronze strainer, the earliest strainer yet recovered in the region, was sampled. VIDEO: Dogfish Brewery recounst re-creation of Scandinavian ancient ale . A third Danish sample was a dark residue on the interior base of a large bronze bucket from inside a wooden coffin of a 30-year-old woman, dating to the Early Roman Iron Age, about 200 BC, at Juellinge on the island of Lolland, southwest of Kostræde. The bucket was part of a standard, imported Roman wine-set, and the woman held the strainer-cup in her right hand. A reddish-brown residue filling the holes and interior of a strainer-cup, again part of imported Roman wine-set, provided the fourth sample. Dating to the first century AD, the strainer-cup was excavated from a hoard, which also included a large gold torque or neck ring and a pair of bronze bells, at Havor on the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. According to Dr McGovern, the . importation of southern wine grew rapidly in the Bronze and Iron Ages, . and eventually eclipsed the grog tradition - but never completely. Many . of the ingredients in Nordic grog went on to be consumed in birch beer . and as the principal bittering agents of medieval beers, before hops . gained popularity. To reach their conclusions the researchers obtained ancient residue samples from four sites in a 150-mile radius of southern Sweden and encompassing Denmark. Pictured here is a map of southern Scandinavia, showing archaeological sites investigated . ‘About the closest thing to the grog today is produced on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea,’ Dr McGovern noted. ‘You can taste Gotlandsdryka in farmhouses. It’s made from barley, honey, juniper, and other herbs like those in the ancient version.’ With Dr McGovern's help, Delaware-based Dogfish Head Craft Brewery recreated the Nordic grog in October 2013, using wheat, berries, honey and herbs. 'The base of Kvasir is a toasty red winter wheat, and the bog-grown berries deliver a pungent tartness,' according to the website. 'While a handful of hops is used, the earthy, bitter counterpunch to the sweet honey and birch syrup comes from the herbs.' | Nordic grog predates Vikings and was found buried in tombs of warriors . Other grog ingredients included honey, lingonberry, juniper and cereals . There was also evidence of grape wine imported from Greece and Rome . Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Delaware has recreated the drink using wheat, berries, honey and herbs . | e3f86ff7d508e570a4abfdb66453669b5fe0deaf |
(CNN) -- It began as horseplay, with two teenage stepbrothers chasing each other with blow guns and darts. But it soon escalated when one of the boys grabbed a knife. Michael Barton, Quantel Lotts' stepbrother, was stabbed to death at age 17. The older teen, Michael Barton, 17, was dead by the time he reached the hospital, stabbed twice.The younger boy, Quantel Lotts, 14, would eventually become one of Missouri's youngest lifers. Lotts was sentenced in Missouri's St. Francois County Circuit Court in 2002 to life in prison without parole for first-degree murder in his stepbrother's stabbing death. It made no difference that at the time of the deadly scuffle, Lotts was barely old enough to watch PG-13 movie and too young to drive, vote or buy beer. "They locked me up and threw away the keys," Lotts, now 23, said from prison. "They took away all hope for the future." His stepmother, the victim's mother, has forgiven Lotts and is working with lawyers to gain his release. Lotts is one of at least 73 U.S. inmates -- most of them minorities -- who were sentenced to spend the rest of their lives in prison for crimes committed when they were 13 or 14, according to the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit organization in Alabama that defends indigent defendants and prisoners. The 73 are just a fraction of the more than 2,000 offenders serving life sentences for crimes they committed as minors under the age of 18. Across the country, most juvenile offenders and many adults are given a second chance. Charles Manson, convicted in seven notorious murders committed when he was 27, will be eligible for his 12th parole hearing in 2012. He's been denied parole 11 times. Even "Son of Sam" killer David Berkowitz, who confessed to killing six people in the 1970s when he was in his 20s, has had four parole hearings, though he has said he doesn't deserve parole and doesn't want it. But Quantel Lotts has no hope for a parole hearing. At least not yet. See which states have sentenced minors to life without parole » . Lotts is part of a trend that has developed over the past two decades. Numerous studies have shown that In the 1970s and 1980s, minors were rarely given life sentences, let alone life without parole, experts said. By the early 1990s, according to the Department of Justice, an alarming spike in juvenile homicides spawned a nationwide crackdown, including a movement to try kids in adult courts. "Criminal court doesn't care they are kids," said Melissa Sickmund, chief of systems research at the National Center for Juvenile Justice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "Once they are there, it's just another case." Today, there are only a handful of states -- including Alaska, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Oregon -- that prohibit sentencing minors to life without parole, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Proponents of the strict sentencing laws said public safety should be top priority. They argued that judges give certain criminals, regardless of their age, life sentences because the crimes are so abhorrent. "There are some people who are so fundamentally dangerous that they can't walk among us," said Jennifer Jenkins, who co-founded the National Organization for Victims of Juvenile Lifers. The Illinois-based group has fought legislation in nine states that would remove sentences of life without parole. Jenkins has experienced the devastation of losing family members to a teen killer. In 1990, her sister and her sister's family, who were living in a wealthy suburb in Chicago, Illinois, were murdered by a teenager. "Victims have the right not to be constantly revictimized," she said. "They will come back to my community and your community and repeat," said Harriet Salerno, president of Crime Victims United of California, a group trying to block the passage of laws that would ease sentencing for juveniles. She founded the victim's group after her daughter, a pre-medical student, was murdered at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California in the 1979. "Many of them have dysfunctional homes, and the crimes will escalate because there is no place to put them." Only 19 states punish children under 14 with life sentences without parole, according to a study conducted by the Equal Justice Initiative. Over the past three years, the advocacy group's attorneys have appealed cases involving 13- and 14-year-old offenders in state and federal court. Attorneys argue that the sentences are "cruel and unusual punishment" given the tender years of the offenders. Read the center's report . Last week, the state of Missouri dismissed Quantel Lotts' case in St. Francois County Circuit Court. The Equal Justice Initiative will challenge the decision in the Missouri Court of Appeals. A separate petition, filed in 2007, is pending in federal court in the Eastern District of Missouri. Lotts remains in prison in Bonne Terre, Missouri, and he is hopeful. He has new dreams of going to college and maybe even becoming a lawyer. "My family motivates me," he explained. "Because I want to be out there with them so I can never give up." He wishes he could start over, but not at the beginning. He grew up in a crack house with a mother who used and sold drugs. In Lotts' case, court documents reveal that he was sexually abused as a child. When child welfare officials took Lotts from his mother at the age of 8, they noted that he "smelled of urine and had badly decayed molars as well as numerous scars on his arms, legs and forehead." "Quantel had a lot of anger because of all he has been through," said stepmother Tammy Lotts, 45, whose son Michael Barton was Lotts' victim. iReport.com: Sentence 'totally unfair' At the time of the crime, Tammy Lotts said she left her children for several days with her husband to get high on crack cocaine. "But I don't believe that Quantel did it," she added. "They took care of each other. They didn't see each other as stepbrothers; they considered them brothers." Most young offenders serving life without parole were exposed to poverty, violence or drugs during childhood, the Equal Justice Initiative reported. Some victims' families say that's exactly why the juveniles should stay locked up. Salerno, of Crime Victims United of California, said that some juveniles can be rehabilitated but that some committed crimes so severe, resources shouldn't be wasted on them. Two cases in which juvenile offenders got life without parole didn't even involve murder. Antonio Nunez was 14 years old when he committed a crime that gave him life without parole. The crime was an armed kidnapping that occurred in 2001. He spent his childhood in a gang-ridden neighborhood in South Central Los Angeles, California. He was shot in the stomach multiple times while riding his bike at age 13. See stories of other inmates who were sentenced to life in prison without parole » . In Florida, Joe Sullivan, who case will be heard soon by the U.S. Supreme Court, was sentenced to life without parole for 1989 rape of an elderly woman. He was 13 at the time of the crime and is mentally disabled. In 2005, groups that opposed life sentences without parole for young people, began to gain traction after the U.S. Supreme Court abolished the death penalty for crimes committed by 16 and 17 year olds in the landmark case Roper v. Simmons. A year later, Colorado abolished life without parole for minors who commit crimes. At the federal level, Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Virginia, will introduce legislation this year to give youthful offenders the option of parole. In California, Democratic Sen. Leland Yee has proposed a law that grants young offenders a chance at parole after ten years. "Children aren't just little adults, and it's starting to resonate with people," said Ashley Nellis, an analyst at the Sentencing Project, a research organization tracking sentencing patterns. "There has been a general momentum of changing juvenile law in the last few years." Nearly a decade later, Lotts, now a grown man, still cries himself to sleep over the loss of his stepbrother. To ease the pain, he reads novels or listens to the tunes of R&B group Dru Hill. One sleepless night in prison, Lotts found himself reading the book "Lightning" by Dean Koontz. The novel, about time travel, has become one of his favorites. He often thinks about what it would be like to turn back time. "This would have never happened," he said. "My brother would be here today." | At least 73 inmates serve life without parole for offenses committed at 13 and 14 . Proponents of tough sentencing laws say public safety is top priority . Only 19 states punish minors under 14 with sentences of life without parole . "They took away all hope for the future," says Quantel Lotts, now 23 . | 4da9121c0db7a6be67655ab98b5de32ac8e976e7 |
By . Louise Boyle . and Associated Press . Two people were arrested when a brawl involving almost 300 wedding guests broke out at a reception in central New Jersey. Middletown Township police said the party had been going on for several hours when the fight started on Sunday night around 10.30pm. It apparently began inside the hall and spilled out on to the street. Officers arriving on scene found several guests who were mostly shoving each other and shouting, so assistance was sought from several nearby police departments. The wedding reception had been underway for several hours in Middletown Township, New Jersey on Saturday when a fight broke out and spilled into the street . Bystanders told News12 that guests were urinating outside the Jacques Reception Center in Middletown. According . to a police statement, Sergeant William Colangelo and Patrolman Frank . Mazza were working the reception as an off-duty assignment when they . were alerted to a fight taking place. The reception hall provides security for all of its events as part of the service. The officers attempted to break up the . fight when the crowd, of which many people had been drinking, swelled to about 80 people. The officers radioed for back-up to disperse the crowd. As officers tried to gain . control of the situation approximately 300 people became involved in the . altercation which consisted of fighting, yelling and screaming and . people refusing to leave the area and return inside to the reception, police reported. The Middletown police department received help from departments in Keansburg, . Holmdel and Hazlet at the rowdy scene. Police chiefs decided that the wedding had to be shut down because of the chaos. Order was eventually restored, but authorities shut down the reception and told the guests to leave. It took about 45 minutes to clear out the facility. It’s not clear what sparked the brawl, but an iunvestigation is ongoing. No injuries were reported. Jonathan Accardi, 32, from Oceanside, New York, was arrested for obstruction and disorderly conduct. Emily George, 23, from . Haledon, New Jersey was arrested for disorderly conduct. Both have been released and are awaiting a court date. The wedding reception had been underway for several hours in the banquet hall (pictured) when fighting between guests erupted . Witnesses said guests were urinating outside the Jacques reception center and screaming at each other on Saturday . | Middletown Township police said the party had been going on for several hours when the fight started on Sunday night . Witnesses reported guests screaming, shoving each other and urinating outside the Jacques Reception Center . | 6d6fe5bfecb0c4a84e72b4624da5eac61144b523 |
By . Lucy Crossley . PUBLISHED: . 07:32 EST, 12 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 08:02 EST, 12 January 2014 . Savaged: Simon McKinley's ear was bitten off during the attack by his Staffordshire Bull Terrier Tyson . A dog owner survived a savage attack in which his ear was bitten off by his pet... the somewhat aptly named Tyson. Simon McKinley's ear was torn off during the attack by his beloved Staffordshire Bull Terrier which shares the name with boxer Mike - who infamously bit off the top of Evander Holyfield's ear during a 1997 bout. Mr McKinley, 38, blacked out twice during the frenzied 15-minute attack at his home in Westtown, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. He has lost 50per cent of his hearing in his left ear, ripped off in the incident on New Year's Eve, and was bitten on his right arm after he tried to fend off the dog. His girlfriend, Alaina Noble was also cut on her face and needed stitches, after she desperately tried to pull Tyson away. It was only when police arrived that the dog was finally hauled away from his terrified owner. Mr McKinley was rushed to hospital where he had an operation on his arm, and is now facing a further three where doctors will try to partially reconstruct his ear. He said: 'I was on the bed stroking him and suddenly he just went. It was just like turning a light switch.' Tyson sunk his teeth into Mr McKinley's left ear and right arm as he attempted to push the pet away. 'He just came back for more,' he said. 'He was not giving in. Terror: Mr McKinley's girlfriend, Alaina Noble (right) was also cut on her face and needed stitches, after she desperately tried to pull Tyson away . Emergency: Mr McKinley was rushed to hospital where he had an operation on his arm, and is now facing a further three where doctors will try to partially reconstruct his ear . 'Everyone else said it had been going on for about 15 minutes or so, but I didn't know what was going on.' Ms Noble added: 'Me and the police were trying to get the dog out of the bedroom and he went for me. It's put me off having another dog for life.' The couple were taken to nearby Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, while their dog was taken to kennels. Tough decision: The couple have opted to have Tyson humanely destroyed . Mr McKinley has lost 50per cent of his hearing in his left ear but was told it could improve over the next five years. As well as three reconstructive operations, he will also undergo physiotherapy to help return movement to his right wrist. He said he has opted to have Tyson humanely put down. 'They said some people, believe it or not, want to keep the dog,' he said. 'But I said he should be destroyed. 'It was hard but I couldn't have had him back. I'm just glad it was me and not a kid. 'The police said a kid wouldn't have survived these injuries.' The couple got Tyson when he was around 18 months old. Mr McKinley said his temperament had always been very good, but that the pet had fought with another dog a few weeks earlier. He said Tyson had later been found to have distemper, a viral disease, which he believed had made it act aggressively. Tyson had not been given the recommended vaccinations for parvo or distemper. Mr McKinley added: 'I'd like other people to know that if they're going to buy a dog, particularly a Staffy, they should make sure they don't make the mistake I made. 'I should have asked for a breed certificate and vaccination records, but I took it on trust.' Namesake: Mr McKinley's dog shares the name with boxer MikeTyson (right) - who infamously bit off the top of Evander Holyfield's ear (left) during a 1997 bout . | Simon McKinley's ear torn off in 15-minute attack by his pet, Tyson . 38-year-old was bitten on his arm and lost 50% of his hearing in his left ear . Girlfriend Alaina Noble was also injured in the attack at the couple's home . Dog shares a name with boxer Mike, who infamously bit off the top of Evander Holyfield's ear during a 1997 bout . | 967d8a82b9ee3383c495858020ffa9f27d2d2409 |
By . Hayley Dixon . PUBLISHED: . 11:34 EST, 8 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 15:17 EST, 8 December 2012 . Gypsy children in the township of Tandarei, in south-eastern Romania, pictured . Despite being shunned as disruptive outsiders across huge swathes of the continent gypsies have European roots stretching more than a millennium ago, research has found. The Romani, Europe's largest minority group with approximately 11 million people, speak a mosaic of languages and practice different religions and lifestyle - but all share a common if complex past. Genetic scientists have now found they began their migration into Europe 1,500 years ago, much earlier than previously thought, from a single population in northern India. Despite their beginnings the size of . the Romani population now rivals that of several countries, including . Greece, Portugal, and Belgium. They first arrived through the Balkans and began dispersing outwards from there 900 years ago, the team found. They first arrived in the UK in 1513, the team believe. Professor David Comas, of the Institut de Biologia Evolutiva at Universitat Pompeu . Fabra in Spain, said:'We . were interested in exploring the population history of European Romani . because they constitute an important fraction of the European . population, but their marginalised situation in many countries also . seems to have affected their visibility in scientific studies.' The graph shows the Romani population throughout Europe. The blue numbers indicate when the communities are thought to have settled in the country . The Romani people lack written . historical records on their origins and dispersal so the team gathered genome-wide data from 13 Romani groups collected . across Europe to confirm an Indian origin for European Romani, . consistent with earlier linguistic studies. My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding . Channel . 4's series followed those marrying Gypsy-style in Britain.It had audiences of 7 million, and spawned spinoffs including Thelma's gypsy girls which was criticised by the stars for making them look 'tarty and stupid'. Snatch . Guy Ritchie's 2000 blockbuster set in London's east end starred Brad Pitt as Irish Gypsy Mickey O'Neil, a bare-knuckle boxing champion who dupes the gangsters who find his camp deserted when they go to avenge him. And the violins stopped playing . The 1988 film follows a small group of gypsies escaping the Nazi's during World War II. The group, including south from Poland through Czechoslovakia and Hungary. The study in journal Current Biology offers . the first genome-wide perspective on Romani origins and demographic . history. The authors claim that their findings could have implications for various disciplines including human evolution and health sciences. 'From a genome-wide perspective, Romani people share a common and unique history that consists of two elements - the roots in northwestern India and the admixture with non-Romani Europeans accumulating with different magnitudes during the out-of-India migration across Europe,' co-author Professor Manfred Kayser from Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands said. 'Our study clearly illustrates that understanding the Romani's genetic legacy is necessary to complete the genetic characterisation of Europeans as a whole, with implications for various fields, from human evolution to the health sciences.' In the UK Gypsies were originally thought to have come from Egypt and early European references describe wandering, nomadic communities who were known for their music and skill with horses. The earliest references to gypsies come from Spain in the 15th Century. They are traditionally thought of as nomadic groups and have suffered centuries of discrimination, including extermination by some 20th-century fascist regimes including HItler and Stalin. Campaign groups the European Roma Rights Centre in Hungary say that the persecution and discrimination is still rife against the group which are now found to have settled in the sixth century. Robert Kushner, chairman of the board of the ERRC, said: 'I think Roma has been discriminated against in Europe almost since their arrival and they continue to suffer discrimination and structural poverty throughout Europe today. 'The vast majority of them are now settled. There are of course a great number of migrants but it is a different phenomenon, these are people seeking better lives because of discrimination, they're looking for jobs, looking for places to put their children through school. Lavinia with her groom Edward and bridesmaids, pictured, featured in Channel 4 series My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding when they wed the in small Irish town of Rathkeale - the spiritual home of Irish travellers . 'I think regardless of how long they have been in Europe the problems of discrimination and poverty should be addressed. 'In some countries Roma will compromise 25 per cent of the work force in the near future so for a whole number of reasons - economic, moral, and for legal obligations to human rights - the discrimination should be addressed.' Despite their longstanding roots the communities are still segregated and subjected to 'hate speech' even by public figures, Mr Kushner said. The communities have recently been targeted both in France, during Nicolas Sarkozy's presidency, and Italy, under Silvio Berlusconi, and suffered from forced evictions. But despite their persecution Gypsys' have had a major influence on European culture including influencing Flamenco dancing. Mr Kushner said: 'We see their influence on many forms of culture.' | Romani population rivals that of several countries including . Greece . The community has had an influence on European culture . They are still 'discriminated' against across Europe . | 97480d0677b74618358478e8461ad36e68a5cadc |
A competitive eater has chewed his way through the UK's most prolific eating challenges consuming more than 200,000 calories. Ravenous Randy Santel, 28, conquered a 92oz steak challenge, a 60oz burger and 27in pizzas for his eating marathon. The mountain man from Missouri, who stands at 6ft 5in, finished 42 UK challenges including British traditional feasts such as full English breakfasts and fish and chips. Scroll down for video . Randy Santel, 28, traveled from Missouri to the UK to take part in 42 UK food challenges which saw him eat a whopping 200,000 calories. Here he is dong the English Breakfast challenge in Barnsley at Baileys cafe . He devoured a jaw-dropping 205lb of food since his journey began and based on the average calorie intake for men - 2,500 a day - Randy has nearly doubled his daily calorie allowance in just one meal. Randy said: 'At home around 70 per cent of the challenges are big burgers, so here I tried to tackle British food including my new favourite meal, bangers and mash. 'My favourite challenge so far has been a 12in burger the size of a mini cooper wheel with 200g of chips. 'Everyone was cheering my name, more than a hundred people watched and I even made front page news. He continued: 'The Brits I've met along the way have been really supportive some even letting me stay with them, I think they're amazed I've travelled so far to take on these challenges. 'One minute I was battling a food challenge next thing I'm at a stranger's home playing Xbox with their son and all because I can eat. It's crazy but great that everyone's been so welcoming.' On one of the 42 days Randy chewed his way through another giant breakfast challenge complete with toast, eggs, beans, hash browns, chips, sausages, mushrooms, bacon, sausages and black pudding . For this challenge which is called the 'Bagel Boy' Randy had to eat cheesy, beany chips and a giant stuffed bagel . His final challenge saw him battle a stack of five burgers stacked between five pieces of bacon and five pieces of cheese, with a side portion of chips and coleslaw at Scotty's Steakhouse, Galway. The epic meal named the Scotty's 5x5 challenge tallies up a whopping total of 9,000 calories, which is nearly four times the recommended amount of calories a man should consume in one day. Beating the challenge makes him one of 16 people to finish the meal in the half hour time limit as Randy scoffed it in 18 minutes 28 seconds. He surpassed his target of reaching the milestone of 250 extreme food victories across the United States and Europe after starting his one-a-day attempts in December. By comparison, former competitive eater Adam Richman from TV Programme Man Versus Food, completed 48 in two years. Randy says the most challenging eat on his tour was four individual foot-long breakfast sandwiches and a bowl of chips at Mac's Café in Burton-upon-Trent. At the Hobgoblin in Bristol Randy ate his way through The Kraken Burger challenge which includes dirty fries, a pile of wings and a giant burger . Randy said: 'Competitive eating isn't something that everybody can do, most professionals only do three challenges a month - I did one every day with only a couple days of rest. 'I can almost tell you what time I'll finish before my first bite, I know what my body can do so I can work out my tactics from there. 'You wouldn't face a giant burger in the same way you battle a dessert challenge, but with both of them you have to know you can finish it. 'I don't think anyone in the world could beat the macaroni and cheese challenge I lost, there was a tray full, it was too much, and I barely made it through half.' Randy, who has a construction management degree, believes his insatiable appetite started at an early age, at one point weighed more than 23-stone before losing weight through body building. At Tonys Pizzeria in Glasgow Randy decided to chow down on this 27 inch pizza . He added: 'I never thought I'd have seen these amazing sights when I was behind a desk in construction jobs, so to have eaten through 75 per cent of the UK's toughest challenges fills me with pride. 'I was sceptical about whether I'd make it but I kept pushing and my body stayed strong, I did it!' Randy also appeared in US TV show, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, after winning a Men's Health competition for men to transform their bodies into that of a muscle-clad Spartan in 12 weeks. Randy lost two stone in two months, dropped down to 16st, but still found he had an impressive appetite for large meals. He said: 'After winning the competition me and a buddy took on a meat challenge and shocked the owners by completing it, that's when I realised I wanted to pursue this seriously. 'I get my eating from my dad, we were always very hungry men - there's a big joke in my family about there never being any leftovers. As well as being a competitive eater Randy took part in the US TV show Spartacus: Gods of the Arena after winning a competition with Men's Health to transform his body in 12 weeks . Randy gets ready to build a burger with a bun the size of a loaf of bread . 'My grandma would tease me saying that I could slow down as no one was trying to steal my food, I think that was an early sign growing up that I could conquer such epic food challenges. 'I was following a career in construction but I'm glad I've converted and can't wait to keep taking on large meals, I feel like it was what I was born to do. 'When I feel full I remember the other billions of people who hate their job, like I used to, who wish they don't have to do it which puts it into perspective - basically I'm eating, working out and travelling - I can't complain. Back at home in St Peters, Missouri, the competitive eater will be downsizing his meals and opting for healthier options to counterbalance the high calorific intake. Randy said: 'I'll be on a diet from now on to lose any weight I've gained and to let my body recover, so it'll be back to vegetables for me for a good while.' 'It will be back to canned vegetables and sandwiches for me now - it's a world away from my eating challenges.' In Bromsgrove Randy tried the Big Davs breakfast challenge eating a breakfast sandwich made from a whole loaf of bread . At the Amalfis Italian Lounge in Darwen Randy tried the 27 Metro Pizza challenge . | Randy Santel, 28, came to the UK from Missouri to tackle food challenges . Entered 42 competitions, including one where he ate a 92oz steak . He is now going on a healthy kick after consuming 200,000 calories . | c8afddd78d72854cc799c420fa0fdc543bb84bb5 |
(RollingStone.com) -- U2 have been announced as the headliner for the first night of the 2011 Glastonbury festival, one of the world's largest outdoor music events. The band will join Coldplay and Beyoncé at the top of the festival's bill, which will take place June 24th-26th in Somerset, England. Rolling Stone: Three decades of U2 . U2 were originally scheduled to perform at last year's Glastonbury festival but had to drop out when Bono injured his back. Gorillaz were brought on as a last-minute replacement headliner. Rolling Stone: US's magazine covers . U2's Glastonbury performance will fall in the middle of the next American leg of their 360 stadium tour. Given that they would need to bring their elaborate production overseas and back again in the span of a couple days, it seems safe to say that the band will be abandoning their 360 stage for this performance. In other U2 news, an early song written by the band when they were known as the Hype will appear on the soundtrack to "Killing Bono," a comedy film about the two members of the Hype who did not go on to join U2. The song, "Street Mission," has been bootlegged by U2 fans for years. Copyright © 2010 Rolling Stone. | Glastonbury Festival is one of the world's largest outdoor music events . U2 originally scheduled to perform at last year's Glastonbury festival but didn't . Seems safe to say the band will be abandoning their 360 stage for this performance . | 371166c48f31d2979648b49a8be526b837569e27 |
White British pupils have become a minority in many secondary schools in England, according to a study. The research found that the number of ethnic minority pupils has sharply risen by 57 per cent in ten years. In some areas, including inner London boroughs, up to 67 per cent – just over two thirds – are from ethnic minorities. Study: Black and Asian pupils now outnumber white children in London schools. Experts have warned of 'very high' levels of segregation (file picture) In some individual secondary schools, the figure rises to 98 per cent of pupils, said the survey by King’s College London. The trend is seen right across England, showing that ethnic minority families are moving out of town centres to the suburbs. Professor Chris Hamnett, a geographer who conducted the study, said the increase is not due to children who have recently arrived but pupils who were born in England. He said patterns of birth rates indicate that the proportion of ethnic minority pupils will continue to increase in future decades. Such changes have become a lasting feature of the ethnic make-up of England’s population, added the professor. He said his data reveals a ‘very substantial’ shift in the population, representing an ‘irrevocable’ change. Surge: The percentage of ethnic minority pupils in 1999 compared to 2009 . The study examined the changing demographics of schools from 1999 to 2009 following decades of migration to this country. The 57 per cent increase in ethnic minority pupils came as the overall secondary school population rose 4.7 per cent. There has also been a slight decline in the number of white pupils, a figure which also includes migrants from Eastern Europe. Across the country, the proportion of ethnic minority pupils has risen in a decade from 11.5 per cent to 17 per cent. Professor Hamnett forecasts that it is set to continue increasing to 20 per cent. He found that London has the highest proportion of ethnic minority pupils at 67 per cent. Segregation: Brick Lane in the London area of Tower Hamlets. More than 90 per cent of pupils there are from an ethnic minority background . The capital was followed by Slough with 64 per cent, Leicester at 58 per cent, Birmingham at 52 per cent and Luton with 51 per cent. Manchester and Bradford both have 43 per cent. There are also wide differences in the ethnic breakdowns of schools in different parts of the country. In places such as Knowsley, near Liverpool, Cumbria and Durham, fewer than two per cent of secondary pupils are from ethnic minorities. In the London boroughs of Brent, Tower Hamlets and Newham, the figure is above 80 per cent. In primary schools, the government’s annual school census this year showed that 862,735 children, more than a quarter of pupils, are from an ethnic minority. The figure is up from 22 per cent in 2007. When Labour took power in 1997, the total was 380,954. In Newham, only eight per cent of primary pupils are from a white British background. | Study author describes 'irrevocable change' Trend seen right across England . In Tower Hamlets, pupils from ethnic minorities make up more than 80% . | d813edfb22a2bcbd43e2babcb88bded1f32ce87e |
(CNN) -- "Take our country back." Almost as soon as Barack Obama became president four years ago, we began hearing that phrase, as if black folks had stolen the White House. Each time I see one of those "Take Our Country Back" signs on someone's lawn, I want to knock on the door and ask, "from whom?" From whom are you trying to take this country back? But I don't, because I already know the answer. It's the same answer to the question of why so many people still don't believe that President Obama was born in the United States. Or why they continue to question his faith or why Donald Trump feels comfortable insulting the office by promising his pocket change in exchange for Obama's college transcripts, as if the president is a stripper desperate for singles. He and his kind are so pathetic. They don't just disagree with him. They disrespect him, because in their minds, he's not supposed to be there. He got a handout. He's not a real American. Something about him ain't ... quite ... right. Opinion: Obama's victory won't transform America . So when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, his critics spent more time discrediting the importance of the award than congratulating him for winning it. When unemployment fell under 8%, they accused the Obama administration of fixing the numbers. When the president opted to campaign instead of surveying the damage caused by Hurricane Isaac sooner, he was called selfish. When Obama left the campaign trail to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, former FEMA Director Michael Brown criticized him for responding too quickly. Nothing he did was good enough for them. But on Tuesday, it was good enough for the majority of real Americans. We watched then-congressman Pete Hoekstra call the stimulus package a failure and then show up for a groundbreaking ceremony for a manufacturing plant made possible by the stimulus. We saw Texas Gov. Rick Perry call the stimulus a waste during debates while quietly using stimulus money to balance his state's budget. Rep. Paul Ryan, the supposed numbers man of the Republican Party, repeatedly called the stimulus a wasteful spending spree, and then we found out he wrote letters asking for stimulus money in his district (PDF), because according to him, it would "stimulate the local and area economy by creating new jobs." It was hard for real Americans to take criticism of the Recovery Act seriously when those doing the criticizing were busy talking out of both sides of their anti-Obama mouths. And that's exactly what we've watched for much of four years: the president's critics being more focused on making him look like a failure than on helping the country succeed. Some call it politics. I call it unpatriotic. Either way, despite the disrespect and the disregard and the attempts to suppress votes or intimidate voters, despite the misguided cry of "take our country back," Obama was re-elected because the majority of the American people saw the truth. You remember when Ryan stood up in front of nation during the Republican National Convention and blamed the president for a plant closing in Janesville, Wisconsin? Yeah, turns out the closure was planned before Obama even took office. The people in Janesville knew the truth, which is probably why more than 60% of the county it's in voted for Obama. Opinion: Five things Obama must do . There is no need to take this country back, because it hasn't gone anywhere ... except forward ... toward a more perfect union where the "All-American look" is getting a little bit harder to define. That may make a lot of people uncomfortable, but personal discomfort isn't a good enough reason to slight 25 consecutive months of job growth, resurgent house prices and corporations seeing record profit. Every president since Theodore Roosevelt has talked about reforming health care, and Obama is the one who got it done -- yet his critics say he's done nothing since he's been in office. Now, of course, there is still a lot of work ahead. We have a deficit to address, a fiscal cliff that is threatening millions of jobs and a GDP that is limping. And the administration is going to make mistakes. Every administration does. But now that this election is finally over, maybe more Republicans will be willing to take a page from the book of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and give Obama some credit for the things he's done right. We can still challenge the president's ideas without asking for his papers or spitting on our highest office. When I think about where this country was four years ago -- with us losing hundreds of thousands of jobs a month, engulfed in two wars and disliked by many of our allies -- I believe Obama has done a lot that's right. And from the looks of his resounding re-election, the majority of real Americans feel the same way. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of LZ Granderson. | LZ Granderson: Some critics don't just disagree with him; they disrespect him . Nothing Obama has ever done was good enough for them, Granderson says . But on Tuesday, it was good enough for voters, he says . No one needs to take this country back, because it hasn't been stolen, says Granderson . | 365f1267e12fdd04cb99b3ab33be305d05193216 |
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz could lose the right to her entire portfolio of world-famous photographs if she doesn't meet a Tuesday deadline to pay back a $24 million loan she is alleged to owe. Annie Leibovitz appears before her photo of Demi Moore during an exhibition of her work in June in Madrid, Spain. Leibovitz, who has photographed everyone from the Rolling Stones to Queen Elizabeth II, put her art, intellectual property and even real estate assets up for collateral last year when she consolidated her massive debts. Art Capital Group, which restructured the debts, says Leibovitz agreed "to make Art Capital her 'irrevocable exclusive agent'" of the assets "in exchange for a reduced interest rate on the loan." Now the company is suing Leibovitz for breach of contract, saying she has "refused to cooperate in the sale of those assets," according to a question-and-answer sheet on the lawsuit issued by Art Capital. It also says she has "refused to pay to Art Capital hundreds of thousands of dollars she owed as part of the same agreement." Asked by CNN for comment, Leibovitz's attorney, Steven Brawer, said, "I don't have anything I can tell you." They have until October 1 to respond to the lawsuit. In the question-and-answer sheet, Art Capital says Leibovitz "acknowledged that in order to repay the loan she would sell her fine art, intellectual property and real estate assets. She authorized Art Capital to act as agent in the sale of those assets through which Art Capital could recoup its decrease in interest rate. She would have realized a significant gain from that sale." It says the loan agreement gave Art Capital "the right to sell the collateral before the loan came due on September 8 and for a two-year period thereafter." One of Leibovitz's best known photos is of John Lennon with his wife, Yoko Ono, shortly before the Beatles star was assassinated in 1980. She is no stranger to controversy. In 1991, Leibovitz photographed a nude and extremely pregnant Demi Moore for the cover of Vanity Fair. The issue, considered scandalous at the time, was sold in many places nationwide with a sheath of white paper. Last year, Leibovitz photographed Disney star Miley Cyrus wrapped in a bedsheet, eliciting claims that the photographer pressured the teen queen into poses that were too provocative for her young age. In July, Art Capital filed a complaint with the New York Supreme Court, asking it to uphold the sales agreement it signed with Leibovitz, including its right to sell her art and real estate. If the court agrees with Art Capital, it means Leibovitz could end up owing far more than she did originally. Art Capital has asked for an unspecified amount of damages in addition to the money it says the photographer originally borrowed. Art Capital -- through its affiliate, American Photography -- provides financial and consulting services to artists, galleries and art owners, and offers loans based on their intellectual property and fine art assets. | Photographer Annie Leibovitz faces Tuesday deadline to pay back $24 million loan . Leibovitz put up art, real estate as collateral in consolidating massive debt . Art Capital Group sues Leibovitz, alleging she hasn't repaid money . Photos of Demi Moore, Miley Cyrus among Leibovitz's most controversial works . | 19b51a4b155b86fae01204ecd0dbbc5e28a55e25 |
By . Tara Brady . PUBLISHED: . 04:22 EST, 8 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:10 EST, 8 December 2013 . Television presenter Mary Berry says she hit her children with kitchen utensils if they were misbehaving . Firm discipline in the house didn't do her children any harm, says Great British Bake Off presenter Mary Berry who has admitted to hitting her children with a wooden butter pat if they misbehaved. The 78-year-old said she reached for the kitchen utensil if Thomas, Annabel and William were naughty. Speaking to Piers Morgan during his television series Life Stories, the cook said: 'We had corporal punishment in our house. I don't think it hurts them too much, a quick slap on the legs. 'They would run very fast.' Despite her rise to fame as a culinary star her husband Paul, who she has been married to for 47 years, critised her food and preferred his mother's cakes to her own. According to The Sun on Sunday, the presenter also turned down a visit to see the Queen at Buckingham Palace because she thought it was a 'wind up'. 'I told them I was doing a cookery demo', she said. During the interview, which airs later this month on ITV, Mary said she likes to have a spray tan and owns a onesie which has stars on it. She also remembers going to Ibiza when she was 71 and visiting the club Pacha describing it as a rabbit warren where there were funny coloured drinks. Earlier this year, Mary said she has ensured the longevity of her marriage by learning to make the dishes her husband's mother used to make. Leave some for me! Mary's tasting team, William, Annabel and Tom . Proving that the way to a man's heart is through food, Mary revealed she has made his favourite recipes throughout their whole marriage. She tied the knot with Paul, now 80 and a retired seller of antique books, in 1966. However, tragedy struck when their son William died in a car crash aged 19. William had decided to take the car to go and buy a newspaper with his sister Annabel. But he went around a corner too fast and was killed. Annabel escaped unhurt. After the death of her son, Mary began making programmes from home and ran cookery courses. Her daughter Annabel went on to become a Cordon Bleu certified chef and Thomas, a tree surgeon. Mary published more than 70 books in nearly half a decade as a cook before appearing in Great British Bake Off. She was awarded a CBE in 2012 for services to culinary arts. Still going strong: Mary Berry with her husband Paul after she became a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2012 . She recently admitted she spoils her husband rotten and revealing how important family is to her, said: 'Having children is the greatest thing that can happen to you as a husband and wife. I was brought up to believe that it's family first.' Mary, who trained at Le Cordon Bleu school in France and Bath School of Home Economics, revealed one of her popular short cuts: using shop bought pastry. She has turned the Great British Bake Off into a major success which attracting more than six million viewers. | The 78-year-old believes a 'quick slap on the legs' doesn't hurt too much . Kitchen utensils were used if Thomas, Annabel and William misbehaved . Despite rise to fame as a culinary star her husband often criticises her food . He prefers his mother's cakes to Mary's the cook said . | 1e3c51eadcb38ab07318e2a0db8551442ea85fe9 |
New York (CNN) -- A former New York Police Department officer is in custody and faces hate crime charges in connection to a string of anti-Semitic vandalism in Brooklyn, according to authorities. Michael Setiawan, who resigned from the department in 2007, was arrested Sunday after anti-Semitic graffiti was discovered Saturday evening in the Borough Park area of Brooklyn. Four buildings and 14 to 15 vehicles were vandalized, according to Sgt. John Buthorn. Police would not detail the specific wording of the messages, but said that the graffiti was anti-Semitic. New York City Councilman David Greenfield, D-Brooklyn, said the phrases were obscene and some swastikas were drawn. Greenfield added that a girls school was vandalized and that some students told their parents they are scared to return. "This was an extremely brazen and hateful act," Greenfield told CNN. Setiawan, 36, is charged with 19 counts each of criminal mischief as a hate crime, aggravated harassment as a hate crime and criminal mischief. It is not clear whether Setiawan has legal representation. CNN's Sho Wills and Kristina Sgueglia contributed to this report. | Several buildings and vehicles vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti, NYPD says . Michael Setiawan, 36, a former officer, has been charged with hate crimes, police say . "This was an extremely brazen and hateful act," city councilman says . | 45b7a9ae738a48a313df35a0439d9998bab04934 |
Editor's note: Dan Buettner is the author of "The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest." He spoke at the TEDxTC Event at the Science Museum of Minnesota in September, 2009. His Web site is http://www.bluezones.com/ For more TED Talks, click here . In the same way organisms select for characteristics that favor the survival and well-being of its species over successive generations, so too do cultures. With organisms, we call this process evolution and it represents a sort of accumulated wisdom. There is no word for this process in cultures, but there is one for the result. And that word is tradition. For that past eight years, my team of scientists and National Geographic researchers have explored five parts of the world -- "Blue Zones" -- where people live measurably longer lives. Compared to American averages, we found a bronze-age culture in Sardinia's interior that produces about 10 times more male centenarians; a remote peninsula in Costa Rica where 50 year-olds have a three-fold better chance or reaching age 90; a Greek island completely free of Alzheimer's (about 50 percent of Americans over age 90 suffer from dementia); and islands in southern Japan where people suffer one-sixth the rate of heart disease. How do they do it? The Danish Twin Studies established that only about 20 percent of average lifespan (within certain biological limits) is dictated by genes. Lifestyle explains most of the rest of the longevity formula. We found that all five Blue Zones possessed the same nine lifestyle characteristics. Among them: a low-meat, plant-based diet (all of them ate a lot of beans) and a ritual of "downshifting" each day. They experience the same stresses we do -- kids, health, finances -- but they managed it through daily prayer, meditation, ancestor veneration or city-wide happy hours (like the Sardinians). The secret to longevity, as I see it, has less to do with diet, or even exercise, and more to do with the environment in which a person lives: social and physical. What do I mean by this? They live rewardingly inconvenient lives. They walk to the store and to their friends' homes and they live in houses set up with opportunities to move mindlessly. They do their own yard work, hand-knead their own bread dough, and, in the case of Okinawa, get up and down off the floor several dozen times a day. They live in strong families that keep them motivated to support loved ones. Centenarians are still living near their children and feel loved and the expectation to love. Instead of being mere recipients of care, they are contributors to the lives of their families. They grow gardens to contribute vegetables, they continue to cook and clean. This has a powerful two-fold effect: Children and grandchildren in these families benefit from their grandparents' wisdom and care while the centenarians feel the motivation to stay active, to get out of bed in the morning, and live for a purpose. They live in cities where it is easy to walk to their friends' houses, to the store or to church. So, we figured they get about 105 minutes of physical activity everyday -- and no health club membership! We know from the Framingham studies that happiness, smoking and obesity are all "contagious." If your three best friends are obese, there's a 70 percent better chance that you'll be overweight. People in the Blue Zones either proactively surround themselves with people who practice the right behaviors or are born into communities of people who do -- or people whose idea of fun is gardening, or bocce ball or swimming; people who eat meat sparingly, who have faith, who are trusting and trust-worthy. Why is this so important? No supplement, hormone, antioxidant or pill of any sort has been shown to reverse, stop or even slow aging. The problem is two-fold: to do the study properly, you'd need to follow two groups of people for life: one who takes the pill, the other that doesn't. Then you'd have to control for all other factors and compare the average age of death for each group. No such study has ever been done on a "longevity" supplement. The second problem is adherence. People in general just don't stick to doing anything for very long. Are you taking supplements? How long have you been taking them? I'll bet not more than a few years. Science (and hucksters) have offered us countless diets but research done by the University of Minnesota's Dr. Robert W. Jeffrey has shown that fewer than 2 percent of people adhere to diets for more than two years. For anything to really impact your life expectancy positively, you need to do it for most of your life. Friends, unlike pills or diets, are much more likely to be much longer-term undertakings. The secret to solving much of America's health care crisis and battle with chronic diseases lies in emulating the environment in Blue Zones. Is it possible? Last year, my partners and I made Blue Zones-inspired changes to the environment of an entire American town -- Albert Lea, Minnesota, (see AARP Magazine article). We made the town more walkable and bikeable, dug public gardens, made it easier for kids to walk to school and people to expand their face-to-face social networks to include more people motivated to change their health habits. The results were astounding. If the trends continue, life expectancy for the average participant would rise about three years and health care costs for city workers would decrease by 48 percent. The wisdom of the world's Blue Zones represents centuries or even millennia of observed human experience. As Democrats and Republicans argue over how to solve the health care crisis, perhaps they should take a moment to consider the wisdom of their grandmothers. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Dan Buettner. | Researchers looked at regions where people live long lives . Dan Buettner says they found common practices in these "Blue Zone" regions . People live longer when they have active physical and social lives, he says . Buettner: Pills, diets aren't as important as having purpose in life . | 8afecdda5690ab2cb33b0c4781c0ed187798bb67 |
(CNN) -- As South Carolina Republicans begin voting in the first primary of the south today, GOP insiders say that all the candidates have had their problems in Palmetto State, one reason why today's outcome has been so hard to predict. One veteran South Carolina GOP operative summed up the dilemma of many of his colleagues in the state who are still on the fence. "For the first time in my professional life I am not working for a candidate and undecided on whom I will vote for. My heart says one thing, my mind says another." According to a CNN survey of 46 South Carolina GOP insiders -- including state legislators, state and local party officials, business and conservative interest group leaders, veterans of previous presidential primary campaigns, Palmetto State GOP political consultants, and other party activists -- former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's biggest hurdles in South Carolina are his Massachusetts political roots and his more centrist views. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich calls Romney a "Massachusetts moderate." What do you think has been the biggest obstacle for Romney in South Carolina? His record in Massachusetts -- 85% . His Mormon faith -- 13% . His role at Bain Capital -- 2% . Now that Romney wants the GOP presidential nomination again, he has moved to the right from some of his positions and the tone of his previous campaigns in the state. And that has fed the perception that Romney is willing to change his stands for political expediency. Ironically, Romney's continued defense of the Massachusetts health care reform law he helped enact as governor remains a stumbling block with some conservatives who would rather he repent on that issue. "The two big issues that stick out to me regarding his record are his flip-flopping on abortion which many voters in South Carolina don't understand, and of course his signing of 'Romney-care,' " said one South Carolina insider. "As a result, many don't trust him and wonder if he will simply say anything in order to win the election." And while Gingrich maintains that he's the logical alternative for conservatives, the former House Speaker's problem has been that, up until Thursday, there were two other options for South Carolina voters who were uneasy with Romney -- former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Texas Gov Rick Perry, who has since suspended his campaign. However, the insiders don't think Gingrich's personal issues have played as much of a factor, although they were surveyed before reports surfaced on January 19 that Gingrich's second wife said he asked her for an "open marriage." What do you think has been the biggest obstacle for Gingrich in South Carolina? Conservative vote is too divided among candidates -- 52% . Attacks against Romney's role at Bain Capital backfired -- 33% . The negative ads run against him -- 13% . Personal baggage (volunteered) -- 2% . "Newt's populism resonates with red-meat voters in South Carolina, but the Romney-alternative field (has been) too crowded for him to lock down a solid win here," said one GOP insider. The other main contender for the fervent conservative vote in South Carolina has been Santorum and he shares Gingrich's problem of being one of too many choice on the right. What do you think has been the biggest obstacle for Santorum in South Carolina? His past record as senator on earmarks and right-to-work -- 41% . Conservative vote is too divided among candidates -- 56% . Doubts about him among Southern voters -- 2% . "The biggest obstacle for all the 'not-Romney' candidates has been in a word, 'ego,' " said one GOP Insider. "All of their egos were too big to drop out (early) and work to truly consolidate conservative voters." But another operative noted that in a state where the Republican governor had battled with the Obama administration over whether Boeing could move airplane production from assembly lines that were unionized in Washington State to a nonunion facility in South Carolina, Santorum's defense of his opposition to right-to-work laws while he was a senator has been "awkward, at best." Texas Rep. Ron Paul's liability in South Carolina has been the same as in Iowa and New Hampshire—his isolationist views on foreign policy and his eagerness to cut military spending. What do you think has been the biggest obstacle for Paul in South Carolina? His stance on national security -- 78% . He didn't spend enough time in the state -- 20% . Perception that he can't win in the general election -- 2% . "Because of this and other stands, no one takes him seriously outside of his hard-core supporters," said one GOP Insider. The CNN South Carolina GOP insiders were surveyed on these questions from the evening of Jan. 16 thru Jan. 18. The survey was conducted over the internet. The South Carolina insiders were given anonymity for their individual answers in order to encourage candid responses. And while some insiders were aligned with one or another of the presidential campaigns, two-thirds said they had neither endorsed nor were they working for any candidate in the race. Here are the names of the participants in the survey: Eric Bedingfield, Peter Brown, Kevin Bryant, Luke Byars, Drea Byars, Chris Carino, Phillip Cease, Alan Clemmons, Chad Connelley, Wesley Donehue, Shannon Erickson, Justin Evans, Scott Farmer, Chip Felkel, Becky Fleming, Douglas Ford, Greg Foster, Mark Harmon, Wes Hayes, Allen Klump, Scott Malyerck, Janice McCord, Joe McKeown, Drew McKissick, Ed McMullen, Matt Moore, Matthew Nichols, Mark Nix, Ralph Norman, Randy Page, Sunny Philips, Mike Pitts, Tommy Pope, Richard Quinn, Jay W. Ragley, George Ramsey, Scott Richardson, Oran P. Smith, Bob Taylor, Adam Temple, Taylor Tompkins, Trey Walker, Chad Walldorf, Ellen Weaver, Joe Wilson, Robert Yerger. | GOP insiders in South Carolina say that each candidate has worrisome issues . Romney has been seen as too centrist, says poll . The anti-Romney vote is split between Gingrich and Santorum . Ron Paul's national security positions keep him out of mainstream, says poll . | 09f8ebf0d5319187d944977219fb8edb62f23c29 |
By . Mark Duell . PUBLISHED: . 17:20 EST, 26 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 01:46 EST, 27 September 2012 . She usually avoids the public glare - instead focusing on family life with her husband, three children and high-flying legal career. But Miriam Clegg has risked upstaging the Deputy Prime Minister this week at the Liberal Democrat conference - and she managed it again yesterday with a stunning outfit for her husband’s speech. The wife of Nick Clegg, who goes by her maiden name of Miriam Gonzalez Durantez, wore a white knee-length ‘New York Dress’ by Scottish designer Henrietta Ludgate, which normally sells for £390. Scroll down for video . Dress sense: Miriam Clegg has spent this week upstaging her husband Nick Clegg during the Liberal Democrat conference - and she managed it again with a stunning white outfit for the Deputy Prime Minister's speech . But the 44-year-old Spanish lawyer’s cropped-sleeve version by the luxury womenswear designer was made to order, so would have cost substantially more than its retail price. In a subtle nod to her homeland, her dress, with sleeves to the elbow, was teamed with pointed orange heels from popular high street name and Spanish-owned clothing chain Zara. The Scottish label's website describes an ‘ethos of supporting Scottish craftsmanship’ with fabrics sourced from within Britain and pieces produced locally. It states: ‘When you buy a Henrietta Ludgate creation, you are not only investing in the British textile industry, but also supporting traditional skills and providing employment for local communities.’ All smiles: Nick Clegg waves to party members as he walks next to his wife after delivering his keynote speech . Well-chosen: In a subtle nod to her homeland, her dress, with sleeves to the elbow, was teamed with pointed orange heels from popular high street name and Spanish-owned clothing chain Zara . Mr Clegg, wearing a dark suit and pink tie, sought out his wife after the keynote speech before the couple made their way out of the hall together through the cheering conference crowd in Brighton. Delegates, journalists and photographers have seemed apparently more interested in the Spanish lovely than the Deputy Prime Minister's pronouncements on tax and spending this week. He was left visibly uncomfortable on Monday - the day of his wedding anniversary - after Sky News host Eamonn Holmes ended an interview on live television by remarking on Mrs Clegg's appearance. ‘Congratulations on your long lasting marriage. May I just say you have a very attractive wife,’ Mr Holmes said as Mr Clegg squirmed, replying: 'I think she will be very flattered by that. I think so.' Carrying on regardless Mr Holmes then said: 'I think he blushed at that,' and the Deputy Prime Minister tried to end the conversation by saying simply: 'Yes'. | Nick Clegg's wife wore white dress by Scottish designer Henrietta Ludgate . Stylish knee-length outfit was teamed with pointed orange heels from Zara . She normally avoids public eye but has been upstaging husband this week . | 28fd62d501e5b9d60f0924c58c19b85a9f2a680e |
By . Mike Dawes . A finger injury means Kevin Pietersen will not play for Surrey on Friday but he will be available to face Essex in a weeks' time. Pietersen is still to make his seasonal debut on the county scene and when he does, it will be his first game on home soil since his acrimonious parting of ways with the England team. He was a casualty of the disastrous Ashes tour of last winter and has had to rail against suggestions he was a disruptive influence in the camp. Hitting back: Kevin Pietersen rejected Paul Downton's claims made on Test Match Special . Hitting out: Pietersen was criticised for his 'irresponsible' batting style during the Ashes series in Australia . Since his central contract was terminated he has been on IPL duty with Delhi but is travelling back to England for the T20 Blast competition. It was expected Surrey may ask him to play against Middlesex in that competition on Friday, but a statement on Surrey's website said Pietersen has a finger injury. 'Kevin Pietersen is unavailable for the game due to ongoing problems with the finger injury which hampered him throughout the IPL. After seeing a hand specialist today Kevin has been told he does not need surgery but will require five days of intensive physiotherapy,' the statement said. 'Pietersen will be available to play against Essex in the NatWest T20 Blast at the Kia Oval on Friday June 6 and for the remainder of the competition.' Pietersen then took to Twitter to confirm his Surrey debut was likely to come next week. He said: 'Frustrating having to miss tomorrow night for @surreycricket, but all being well, my debut for summer '14 will be next week!' Outcast: New England coach Peter Moores could not find any support among senior players for Pietersen . | Batsman has not played on home soil since parting ways with England . Pietersen was expected to make seasonal debut for Surrey on Friday . Former England international has been ruled out of T20 Blast match with finger injury . | b66377cc855c52ad4d5e19ac3e6bd38f1c723483 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 09:58 EST, 3 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:12 EST, 4 February 2013 . Bulgarian and Romanian workers will go to other European countries when an immigration ban is relaxed at the beginning of next year, leading politicians from the two countries said today. Bulgarian foreign minister Nikolay Mladenov said many of his compatriots would much rather travel to Germany, Spain and Italy, as his country has stronger business links with those countries. He said there was a danger that fears about thousands of immigrants descending on the UK could 'dampen' relations with Bulgaria. Migration: Bulgarian nationals queuing up outside the British Embassy in Sofia for visa applications in 2006 . Romanian ambassador to the UK, Dr Ion Jinga, said many immigrants had already by-passed the restrictions by declaring themselves self-employed and finding jobs in sectors such as construction. The two men were interviewed by Dermot Murnaghan on Sky News amid fears that when the ban preventing immigrants from the two countries working in the UK comes to an end at the beginning of next year, thousands will arrive and look for jobs. Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union in 2007 but under 'transitional arrangements' workers from the two countries were prevented from travelling to the UK. Mr Mladenov said the relaxing of the restrictions would not lead to a flood of immigrants coming here. He said: 'I do not expect the UK to be overwhelmed by a wave of our nationals coming over seeking employment for a number of reasons. 'When we look at the experience of other countries over the last seven years, this has not happened and there is no reason to believe that this would happen in the UK in the January of next year. Bulgarian foreign minister Nikolay Mladenov said many of his compatriots would much rather travel to Germany, Spain and Italy . 'We have not seen since Bulgaria's accession to the European Union mass waves of Bulgarians moving across Europe and seeking illegal rights or illegal immigration to other countries. 'We had some issues in the first days after accession but in a number of cases we acted very swiftly and they were addressed, and so there were no lasting concerns. 'The UK would not be the primary . country of choice for many people to go and work. Our economy is mostly . connected to the German economy. 'We . have a large number of companies working in places like Spain and . Italy, where we have long-standing traditions and where the labour . market had opened to Bulgarians quite some time ago. 'I really don't believe that there is a need to have these fearful debates that are happening. 'On . the contrary, I think people in the United Kingdom, given your history, . must understand that immigration has always been beneficial to your . economy, just as Britain's membership of the European Union has been . beneficial to not only jobs creation but prosperity in your country.' Meanwhile a diplomatic row has broken out after Britain made public last week plans to warn off Romanian migrants. It emerged the government is considering launching a campaign in Romania and Bulgaria to put people off coming to the UK. The ban preventing immigrants from Romania and Bulgaria working in the UK comes to an end at the beginning of next year. It is thought thousands will arrive looking for jobs . But the Romanian foreign minister has said restrictions on its citizens to work in the UK has caused 'serious concern.' Dr Jinga said fears that many Romanians would come to the UK was a 'false problem'. He said: 'Romanians' immigration pattern is not towards the UK but towards Spain, Italy and France, for instance because of the language proximity, Romanian being a Latin language. 'We have one million Romanians already living and working in Spain, one million in Italy, probably half a million in France." He added: 'Those Romanians who have wanted to come to Britain, they have already done it.'There are some restrictions for some areas of activities but no visa requirements, so those who have wanted to come, they have done it. 'It is always a possibility to find a job, even if it is under restrictions, and that solution is to declare yourself self-employed, and many Romanians have done so. 'For instance in the construction sector, there are many Romanians here and that is why your Olympic village was built up last year.' New data shows the proportion of people across who say English is not their main language ranging from 0.7 per cent in Redcar and Cleveland to 41.4 per cent in Newham in London. The breakdown from the 2011 national census also revealed the second most commonly spoken language in the country is now Polish. Polish was virtually unheard on the streets of Britain a decade ago but its use has soared since the country joined the EU in May 2004. The census figures show that other Eastern European languages are now in the list of the most popular, including Lithuanian, spoken by 85,000 people, and Latvian, first language of 32,000. Romanian and Bulgarian are other languages that can be heard – a year before citizens of Romania and Bulgaria are allowed access to the UK in the same way they have been to Poles since 2004. Romanian is the first language of 68,000 people in England and Wales, and Bulgarian of 38,000 people. | Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union in 2007 but workers were prevented from travelling to the UK . Ban preventing them from working in the UK comes to an end at the beginning of next year . | 1be0c805d10591a413d1176e04c818a1052e526e |
By . Daniel Miller . PUBLISHED: . 03:25 EST, 19 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:24 EST, 19 September 2013 . Tragic accident: John Coughlin, pictured attending Sunday's Giants game at the Met Life stadium where his brother Tom is coach . The younger brother of New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin, the racehorse trainer John Coughlin, has died following a freak accident when he fell out of a taxi on his way back from watching a game. John Coughlin suffered a brain hemorrhage after falling from the cab and hitting his head outside his home in Hackensack New Jersey on Monday night. He was 63. He was rushed to Hackensack University Medical Center but died of his injuries. His brother is understood to have been by his side. Earlier that day he had attended the . Manning Bowl III game between the Giants and Denver at the Met Life . Stadium, where he stood on the sidelines with his brother wearing a . Giants jacket. In a . statement released by the team brother Tom said: 'Our family is thankful . for the expressions of sympathy and prayers for our brother John's . passing. 'We all appreciate them. John was a friend to all. He loved life, and he will be greatly missed. He left us way too soon.' John . Coughlin had been a successful racehorse trainer for many years and was . a familiar figure at the Meadowlands racetrack. He trained 154 winners . raking in over $1.4 million in earnings. A . New Jersey resident for over 20 years, he owned and operated Coughlin's . Stables at the Meadowlands located just across the parking lot from the . Giants stadium. He was a . former member of both the Standardbred Owners Association of New York . and the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey. Loss: New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin attends a press conference yesterday. He said he will travel with the team for the away game against Carolina Panthers on the weekend before returning for his brother's wake on Monday . A . friend and fellow racehorse trainer Larry Remmen, who had joined Mr . Coughlin at the game, told the New York Daily News: 'As a result of the . fall, he had a brain hemorrhage. 'It was just a freak thing that happened.' Besides . his brother, John Coughlin is survived by his companion, Suzanne . Malloy, and five sisters, Carole Kingston of Canandaigua, N.Y., Kathleen . Troutman of Waterloo, N.Y., Patricia Reed of Waterloo, Luann Coughlin . of Waterloo and Christine Cohn of East Long Meadow, Mass. John Coughlin was taken to Hackensack University Medical Centre where he died of a brain hemorrhage after falling out of a taxi outside his home . A wake will be held on Monday night at Doran's Funeral Home in Seneca Falls, N.Y. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday morning at St. Mary's Church in Waterloo, N.Y. Tom Coughlin, 67, was back at work at the Giants’ team facility on Monday morning, however he cancelled an afternoon news conference. It is understood he plans to accompany the team to the away game against the Carolina Panthers on the weekend before returning for the Monday wake. | Racehorse trainer suffered a brain hemorrhage after hitting his head . He had just joined his brother for the Giants' home game against Denver . Rushed to Hackensack University Medical Center but died of his injuries . Coach Coughlin set to travel for weekend game against Carolina Panthers . | fbb61fffa173d94b78aa33d6cca4c3703afd36aa |
By . Scarlett Russell . Kate Middleton might touring New Zealand, but Princess Eugenie charmed New York yesterday as she attended the launch of a new parenting app. Joined by pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg at the Manhattan event, 24-year-old Princess Eugenie smiled and posed happily for pictures. The Baby Bundle App - free for iPhones and iPads - tracks babies eating, sleeping and nappy changes. Princess Eugenie, far right, pictured here with Dr Jennifer Trachtenberg (second from right) and Anthony von Christierson (center) at the Baby Bundle App launch in Manhattan . Royal style: Princess Eugenie wraps up in a grey coat accessorised with brightly coloured scarf whilst attending the Baby Bundle parenting app in Manhattan . It can also record and remind you of doctor’s appointments, vaccinations and your baby’s growth and has a breast-feeding timer. Princess Eugenie wrapped up against . the New York chill, wearing a stylish long grey coat, accessorised with a . brightly coloured scarf. Also attending the launch were mother and former Gossip Girl actress Kelly Rutherford, Nick von Christierson, Prince Philippos of Greece and Anthony von Christierson. All smiles: Princess Eugenie, pictured here, attending the launch of new parenting app, Baby Bundle, in Manhattan (left) and at the opening of the new Children's High Dependancy Unit at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London . Royal visit: Princess Eugenie meets patient Chloe Golding and her mother Marie Golding during a visit to Royal National Orthopaedic hospital in Stanmore, London . Dr Trachtenberg has written Good Kids, . Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children, The Smart . Parent's Guide to Getting Your Kids Through Checkups, Illnesses, and . Accidents: Expert Answers to the Questions Parents Ask Most. Before . flying out to the States Princess Eugenie visited the High Dependency . Unit at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital last week. It was the hospital where she had undergone spinal surgery when she was 12. | Eugenie attended the launch of parenting app, Baby Bundle in Manhattan . Was joined by Prince Philippos of Greece and Dr Jennifer Trachtenberg . App records babies doctor's appointments, growth and sleeping patterns . | ce527b25433f60c4379ec125a3c1c1ca8fd60a5e |
(CNN) -- They used to say there wasn't any law in Texas west of the Pecos. But there was; it just came out of the end of someone's gun. And apparently that still works as a legal construct in our courts. A San Antonio man was just acquitted of murder even though he admitted to shooting a woman during a dispute over paid sex. Ezekiel Gilbert said he shot Ivie Frago in the neck when she refused to return the $150 he gave her for sex. She was paralyzed and died seven months later at 23. Frago had made the dreaded mistake of not understanding Texas has laws on the books that are much more frightful than Florida's "Stand Your Ground" statutes. The use of deadly force is apparently justified "in the night" when someone attempts to leave with your valuable or tangible property. Frago instantly became a thief under Texas law when she refused to have sex or return the money, even though prostitution is also a crime. Gilbert, sadly, was transformed by circumstance into a legalized executioner of a young woman who would've probably been out on bail an hour after being arrested for stealing the money. Gilbert says he is suffering, too, though, and now has to "change the channel" when he sees TV shows "about people using guns." Gilbert broke down in tears when he heard the verdict and that might be because he knows he lives in a state where the rest of the nation thinks we have an express lane to get killers to death row. Texas is, usually, unduly hard on criminals. A few days before Gilbert was set free, a Waco man got 50 years in prison for stealing a rack of ribs. Willie Smith, 43, had previous convictions for theft, cocaine possession and assault. The grocery store employee said Smith told him he was carrying a knife in his pocket when he stole the ribs. Because of that, he was classified under the law as a robber, which escalated the crime to a more severe category. Don't get hungry with a knife in your pocket if you live in Texas, even though that $35 rack of ribs will cost Texas taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars to feed and incarcerate Smith until he is eligible for parole in about 15 years. Those of us who live here often can't make sense of our state, either. Maybe our love of Texas is a kind of curse. We often feel like we have fallen for someone perfect who has since gone crazy. In one of the world's largest economies, driving development in technology, agriculture and energy and developing a culture that has given to history eternal art and literature, we also are the most abundant source of America's clowns and political hypocrites. And they even proliferate during a drought while other crops are dying. I'd like to believe there's a form of Texas Tourette syndrome that causes our governmental institutions and some individuals to emit the unspeakable, or take actions that are disconnected from accepted norms of, well, at least the late 20th century. As discomforting as that lay diagnosis might be, none of us wants to believe headlines like the one about the travesty of Gilbert's acquittal reflect the beliefs of Texas and its people. But we can no longer be certain. Some of our crazies we are proud of because they have national entertainment value. Our Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert sees a bright clear line running from gay marriage and bestiality to any attempts at gun control. If you don't understand that limiting to 10 the number of bullets in a gun's magazine is a consequence of allowing people of the same sex to be married, you might not live in Gohmert's district. We are also the state that sent Ted Cruz to the U.S. Senate even as he touted a deep belief in a conspiracy between President Barack Obama and the United Nations to rid America of golf courses and paved roads. Ignorance is often no obstacle to success in Texas. In fact, it might be an advantage. Edith Jones, who sits as a justice on the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, a jurisdiction that includes her home state of Texas, is a Ronald Reagan appointee who allegedly argued in a February lecture at the University of Pennsylvania that blacks and Hispanics are more likely to commit violent crimes. According to a judicial misconduct complaint filed by civil rights groups and others, she insisted blacks and Hispanics outnumber Anglos on death row because "these racial groups are involved in more violent crime." Though it would not have affected her insights, Judge and Jury Jones was speaking before the release of a new study of federal crime data by the ACLU that shows blacks, in particular, are arrested at a national rate almost four times that of whites, even for minor crimes such as marijuana use. "Her honor" also allegedly insisted that it was a disservice to outlaw the death penalty for the mentally retarded, and that "most Mexican nationals would rather be on death row in the U.S. than in a Mexican prison." Although her cultural sensitivity courses were probably not completed, Jones is a graduate of the University of Texas Law School, which more than 25 years ago launched a national civil rights symposium to honor Heman Sweatt, an African-American who won a landmark case in 1950 to integrate the law school at the University of Texas. A part of the campus now bears his name. Many civil rights groups, meanwhile, have filed affidavits seeking Jones' removal from the federal bench. A lot of Texans would like to start a similar process to dump our governor. But the odds of success aren't great. We have elected Rick Perry three times, regardless of his political behavior. He appoints creationists to the state school board to put his religion in textbooks, calls evolution a theory and he even tried to make same-sex marriage a felony. But Perry may have sinned against his own party when he vetoed a "Buy American" bill that was approved overwhelmingly by a Republican-dominated legislature. There are many multinational corporations that are, in fact, "buying American" when they make their large donations to Perry's quivering national political aspirations, which might explain the veto pen. I was going to tell you about our attorney general who said that registering Democrats to vote in Texas was "more dangerous than what the leader of North Korea threatened when he said he was going to add Austin as one of the recipients of his nuclear weapons." I also wanted to mention the tea party activist who was recorded claiming, "Republicans in Texas don't want blacks to vote." But I'm trying to retain a little bit of pride here, and, anyway, there just isn't enough space to get it all told. In Texas, even our crazy is big. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of James C. Moore. | Texas man shot escort for not providing sex; he was acquitted of murder . James Moore: Texans who love Texas feel like they've fallen for someone who's gone crazy . Moore: Judge said blacks, Hispanics more likely to commit crimes . Moore says he can no longer be sure headlines like these don't reflect everyday beliefs . | e280f982a60f6cd7b703648b15d3a01eadd9d6da |
Bode Miller’s pregnant ex-lover claims she has forwarded messages sent to her by the Olympian’s wife to police as the custody battle over the skier’s unborn child escalates into an extraordinary war between the two women. Miller, 35, launched his fight for joint legal and physical custody of Sara McKenna’s child just days after his wife, Morgan Beck, suffered a miscarriage. Now in an increasingly vitriolic online exchange between McKenna and Miller’s wife of three months, Beck brands her adversary a woman who lied about being on the Pill ‘to lock down a man who doesn’t want to be with her.’ War of Words: Miller's wife Morgan Beck, left, and his ex-lover Sara McKenna's vicious Twitter war has seen threats of arrest and police involvement . Sara and Morgan pull no punches as one fights for her man and the other fights for her child . Joy: Sara announced her pregnancy on Facebook and proudly revealed what he planned to call the child . McKenna responds, ‘No Morgan, not even the pill is 100% effective when you are having unprotected sex.’ She today told TMZ, 'I will be fighting this in court and will not give up my son to somebody who did not want him to begin with.' Messages posted by Beck on January 9 paint McKenna, 35, as a desperate woman who duped Miller by lying about being on the Pill. Beck threatens, ‘there will be a warrant for your arrest for kidnapping the moment you go into labor.’ At one point during the catty exchange McKenna states, ‘Now I’m going to cut this off since I sent your messages to a police officer. Your IP (Internet Provider) address gets tracked. Can’t deny your ID.’ Using the screen name Ana appert isn't enough to disguise Morgan's identity as she threatens her rival . Escalating hostilities: McKenna attempts to silence Beck by bringing in the police . On the slopes: Miller pictured last year - is sitting out this season as he recovers from surgery, but any hopes for a quiet recuperation have been in vain . War: Last week, McKenna, pictured, filed a police report against Beck, claiming online attacks and threatening messages on Twitter . McKenna is due to give birth next month, leaving little time between the conception of her child with Miller and his meeting professional volleyball player, Beck, in May last year. The New Hampshire-born Miller married her five months later in a private ceremony on his boat in San Diego in October. But already the storm with McKenna was brewing. Just weeks before his marriage, she posted, ‘Go take your paternity test already Bode. I’m over the way you have been treating us. You can’t hide DNA in court documents.’ On the same day McKenna posted a message directed at 25-year-old Beck: ‘If you make a fake Twitter to ask me questions about your new “fiance” at least be clever enough not to use your cat’s name #block.’ McKenna, who describes herself as a ‘Firefighter, helicopter pilot, former U.S Marine, model, Ivy Leaguer and future mommy,’ claims that Miller wanted nothing to do with the child when she first fell pregnant eight months ago. Now she has made it clear that she has no intention of surrendering any rights to the child’s father. In a clear show of solidarity with her husband earlier this month Beck informed McKenna: ‘You are stuck with BOTH of us for the rest of your life.’ Miller has also filed for joint legal and physical custody as well as child support payments for a child by another woman – Chanel Johnson. Johnson, now married, is the mother of Miller’s four-year-old daughter Neesyn Dacey. According to Miller the two are friends and he was involved in naming the little girl. Miller has won five Olympic medals – including a gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games, holds four World Championships and 33 World Cup wins, which is an American men's record. He recently announced his intention to sit this season out as he is recovering from knee surgery and determined to compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. 'Trying to be a good parent:' Miller with four-year-old Neesyn Darcey his daughter by Chanel Johnson who is the subject of a custody suit . Writing about his relationship with Johnson and their daughter in his personal journal on Universalsports.com on Friday, Miller insisted that he had never tried to keep the child a secret. ‘If someone asked I would talk about it,’ he said. ‘But no-one ever really brought it up. We were kind of already doing our own thing when Chanel found out she was pregnant. 'We are just really good friends trying to be good parents…I’m happy the way it is.’ The same cannot be said for the situation with McKenna. High flying: The war between helicopter McKenna, left, and Miller's wife, a volleyball player, have become extremely bitter . Her tweets of her pregnancy progress – she has tweeted from the moment of the pregnancy test – must be particularly painful for Beck. She posted the news of her miscarriage on Friday in this very public play by play. The battle's impact on surrounding friendships is also clear. Earlier this month McKenna could be found lambasting a friend for a perceived betrayal. Yet only a few months before the women were excitedly exchanging details of the impending birth and telilng the world how delighted they were to be friends. Collateral damage: Former friendships are falling by the wayside as McKenna pits herself against Miller and Beck . In September @Tehren_Anaiis tweets, 'i . am so honoured to know such an amazing strong woman like . @Sarah_A_McKenna can't wait to meet little bode babe!' But only last month McKenna is accusing her friend of a 'back stab' by feeding information to Beck. McKenna's agent did not respond to requests for comment. | Model Sara McKenna is expecting Olympian's baby next month - he will fight her in court for custody . Miller's wife, Morgan Beck, threatens to have McKenna arrested 'for kidnapping' in a very public cat-fight . Miller already has a four-year-old daughter by a third woman who he is also suing for legal and physical custody . Beck suffered a miscarriage just days before papers for the custody case were filed . | 84d3f9dc5be49e13ac63bf8ddb342676f25e19fe |
New York (CNN) -- The premiere of "Gone with the Wind" took place in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 15, 1939, but not without a territorial struggle of its own, a war between the states of California and Georgia. Producer David O. Selznick of course wanted it in Hollywood. But William B. Hartsfield, the feisty mayor of Atlanta, with a rampant Junior League and the full force of its citizenry behind him, argued it was "their" story and won the day. Selznick was terrified that he and the hyper-glittery event would be ridiculed by Northerners. Margaret Mitchell, by then a Pulitzer Prize winner and long past her scapegrace flapper days, was terrified the movie would be a vulgar travesty, embarrassing her in front of her friends. It was, of course, a triumph -- for the South it was like a sweet vindication for their humiliation at the hands of Sherman's army. For Selznick, the biggest gamble of his life would go on to win 10 Oscars and become a success beyond his wildest dreams. In its day the longest and most expensive film ever made, it had cost $4,250,000 to produce. It would go on to become a global hit and, with dollars adjusted for inflation, it remains the biggest blockbuster of all time. But the tensions and ironies present at the premiere were an indication of fault lines that, without ever completely tarnishing the film as an audience favorite, would plague its 70-year history. How could it not be so in a movie that told "our" nation's history, the Civil War and Reconstruction, from the unreconstructed South's point of view? A hundred-thousand people turned out on a bitter cold night and there were bands on every street and old men marching in Confederate uniforms. The stars arrived in full force ... the white ones, that is. Not permitted to attend the premiere in segregated Atlanta were the black cast members, including Hattie McDaniel, who would go on to win an Academy Award for her portrayal of Mammy (and would be the first black to do so). Among the three days of festivities was an all-white Junior League ball serenaded by the Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir, an all-black boys choir directed by the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. and including a 6-year-old Martin Luther King Jr. among its members. Many of the young who watch "Gone with the Wind" today are horrified -- not only are all blacks slaves, but they are also apparently content with their lot; Reconstruction is an unalloyed disaster. Yet calling the movie racially retrograde is a misnomer. It is very much of its time and place, it's just that we can't bear to look at that time and place -- itself a mark of how far we've progressed. Most critics today wouldn't touch "Gone with the Wind" with a 10-foot pole -- it's easier to dismiss it as racist or overblown or an apologia for the plantation culture than to take a fresh look at how it has fared and why it has endured for 70 years. I'm speaking from experience, as I recently published a book about "Gone with the Wind" -- the novel and film. While doing some National Public Radio interviews and responding to listeners' questions, I was struck by how the film continues to raise tempers and inflame feelings. An elderly gent from South Carolina ranted on about Sherman's burning of the local church, while a youngish black woman said the movie should be consigned to the dustbin of history ... after admitting she'd seen it 500 times. But no less surprising was the huge number of well-considered (and favorable) online responses -- a long, thoughtful appreciation by a black female historian, another from a black male librarian in North Carolina, and other passionate pro-"Gone with the Wind" responses from across the spectrum, some under the guise of "guilty pleasure." Young-ish black women have told me of responding to the book as teenagers, much as I did, even reading it under the covers with a flashlight. For my generation, Scarlett was outspoken, a renegade, a feminist in hoop skirts, maybe the first of a long line of teenage rebels with a barely defined cause, a vendetta against grown-up hypocrisy. For my generation of '50s adolescents, it was the book's raciness that made it deliciously taboo (Margaret Mitchell said her own mother wouldn't have let her read it until she was 18). For young black teenagers in the '70s and '80s, it wasn't the raciness as much as the rebellion, the stubborn selfishness of Scarlett -- and they were defying parents who would be horrified to know their daughters could sympathize in any way with a slave-owning plantation mistress. Yes, the movie may be overblown, may be guilty of giving the South an undeserved moral victory, yet it tells a complicated story in swift, riveting brushstrokes, pulls out all the emotional stops so that even those of us not besotted with the film can hardly resist individual scenes: Just try to stop watching once engaged. Crafted by the geniuses of the studio system, "Gone with the Wind" is a panoramic epic that never loses sight of its main characters, and -- also startling to young viewers today -- those characters endure vast quantities of pain and suffering in a world turned upside down. There are star-crossed lovers (the fierce beauty of Vivien Leigh, the gentleness beneath the swagger of Clark Gable), the agony of war, of economic loss and devastation, the resilience of a woman who won't accept defeat. Most original of all is Scarlett herself (you hate her and you love her), a heroine of ambiguous morality who is revolutionary in Hollywood terms in that she refuses to be chastened, brought to heel, transformed by love. The movie crosses race and gender lines and shows that single-issue sympathies are out of date. We can finally take a more nuanced approach, appreciate just how majestic Hattie McDaniel's performance is. (When she was criticized at the time by the NAACP she famously retorted, "I'd rather get paid $700 a week playing a maid than $7 a week being one.") After the controversy, Hollywood made a concerted effort to expand roles for blacks. It has been a slow and arduous process as we can see by the fact that despite a record number of African-American performers, no black director has won an Oscar. But if there'd been no "Gone with the Wind," it might have started later and taken even longer. The movie is a cultural touchstone that, as one reader wrote to The Wall Street Journal, "shows us not only where we've been, but also how far we've come." The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Molly Haskell. | "Gone with the Wind" premiered 70 years ago today . What was in its day the longest, most expensive film ever remains biggest blockbuster of all time . Black cast members were forbidden from attending the premiere in segregated Atlanta . Film, though criticized for being overblown, crossed race and gender lines . | 65ee5a5d8dfab61ccc8e52e8b150e3cc83e76dc1 |
Retired surgeon Ben Carson said on Sunday that he could form a committee to explore a bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination this month and make a formal announcement in May. 'That's a reasonable time frame,' Carson told Fox News Sunday when asked by host Chris Wallace about the timing of an exploratory committee and formal announcement. 'We're putting all that together,' Carson is a former Fox News contributor who is popular with Tea Party conservatives and ranked fourth among possible Republican candidates in a recent Fox News poll of potential voters in Iowa. He finished behind former Florida Governor Job Bush, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. The poll showed growing support for Carson, a bestselling author and conservative commentator, with 10 percent of potential voters saying they would vote for Carson, up from about 8 percent last year. With a dozen Republicans thinking seriously about running for president in 2016 and 10 more talking up the idea, it's a good time to be an experienced campaign hand. Potential candidates are scrambling to sort through the rosters of campaign veterans in the early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire and elsewhere in a talent search that reflects the fact that the Republican field for 2016 is the largest in recent memory. The competition, dubbed by some as a 'staff primary,' aims to find the right of mix of get-out-the-vote organizers, digital experts, fund-raising stars and messaging professionals able to set up a functioning campaign. 'There is a known universe of operatives with many of them headquartered in early primary states,' said Republican strategist Kevin Madden, a senior adviser to Mitt Romney in his 2012 presidential campaign. 'Right now I think the contest is focused on all the candidates trying to go after that universe of staffers.' As many as 21 Republicans are in various stages of considering a presidential run, far more than the dozen or so who gave it a go four years ago. Of these, probably 10 or 12 are really serious and the rest are testing the waters or are trying to promote their personal brand. Every ideological slice of the Republican spectrum is represented, from mainstream former Florida Governor Jeb Bush to Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a favorite of the small government Tea Party movement, to libertarian Kentucky Senator Rand Paul to retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, a Fox News personality. Others exploring presidential runs include New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and former Texas Governor Rick Perry. The field is so large because there is no nominee-in-waiting as there is in the Democratic arena, where former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is widely seen as having a lock on the Democratic nomination should she choose to run. There is also a younger generation of Republican leaders eager to make their mark like Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who is 47, and Florida Senator Marco Rubio, 43. | Carson said on Sunday that he could form a committee to explore a bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination this month . The former Fox News contributor who is popular with Tea Party conservatives would then make a formal announcement in May . He recently ranked fourth among possible Republican candidates in a recent Fox News poll of potential voters in Iowa . A dozen Republicans are believed to be thinking seriously about running for president in 2016 and 10 more are also talking up the idea . | ee7e11a32b3607f691cd5adea1bff5df265b7a73 |
‘Double wife killer’ Harold Henthorn is fighting to keep a $1.5million life insurance payout from a policy taken out on his second wife, whom he is accused of murdering. Henthorn was charged with the murder of second wife, Toni Bertolet, 51, last November and police have reopened their investigation into the suspicious death of his first wife some 20 years earlier. Both women died in ‘freak’ accidents to which Henthorn, 59, was the sole witness. Dr Toni Jill Bertolet plunged 140ft to her death shortly before her 12th wedding anniversary while hiking with Henthorn in a remote stretch of Rocky Mountain National Park. Lynn Rishell - his first wife - was crushed to death under the front of Henthorn’s Jeep when, he told first responders, the jack gave way as she reached under the vehicle for a lug night while changing a flat tire in the dark. In both cases Henthorn was named as the sole beneficiary in a string of lucrative life insurance policies totalling $500,000 on the death of his first wife and $4.5million on the death of his second. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Married: Harold and Toni Henthorn with their daughter. The couple were married for 12 years and her life was insured against death when she feel 140ft and died in the Rockies. He claimed it was an accident . Scene: Deer Mountain in the Rocky Mountains National Park in Colorado, where the couple were hiking at the time of the 'freak accident' which claimed her life. He is now on trial for murder . First wife: Harold and Lynn Henthorn on their wedding day. She died in what he said was a freak accident but his trial for the alleged murder of his second wife will hear claims the 'accident' was also murder . Now court documents seen by DailyMail.com and filed as part of a civil case in Colorado have revealed that Henthorn is fighting a case brought by American General Life Insurance Company for a $1.5million policy taken out on Dr Bertolet. Submitted to the court as Exhibit A, the policy gives the reason for taking out such a substantial coverage as ‘Estate planning and income protection/planning to have children’. Henthorn has not relinquished the claim he made in September 2013, one year after his wife’s death the previous September. He cited cause of death as ‘Accidental Fall.’ At the time of making this claim Henthorn was unaware that he was under investigation by the FBI who painstakingly scrutinized every aspect of the widower’s life across two years before swooping and arresting him in November last year. But an autopsy carried out on Dr Bertolet had already concluded that she ‘died as a result of multiple blunt force injuries when she fell or was pushed down a cliff’. The manner of death was noted as ‘undetermined,’ by the coroner who stated: ‘Homicide cannot be excluded.’ Now, in its case against Henthorn, American General Life Insurance Company has asked the court to decide what should be done with the $1.5million currently being held by the court. And shockingly, in a separate motion, court documents filed just last week show that Henthorn fought his late wife’s family to have funds from Dr Bertolet’s estate released into his possession. As well as owning her own successful practice, ophthalmologist Dr Bertolet had two further life insurance policies taken out in her name. Last February the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado found in her family’s favor and barred Henthorn from accessing his late wife’s estate on the grounds that allowing him to do so posed an ‘imminent risk of substantial harm…to [its] financial interests.’ But newly filed documents reveal that Henthorn attempted to have these funds released into his possession as recently as December. He only finally failed in his bid last month, when a court denied him access to the funds, and demanded that he appoint a forensic accountant to detail the contents of his late wife’s estate. Last month DailyMail.com revealed that, in 2009, Henthorn also took out a life insurance policy on his sister-in-law Grace Rishell who was married to his first wife’s brother. Verdict: Harold and Toni Henthorn before her death. An autopsy carried out on Dr Bertolet concluded that she ‘died as a result of multiple blunt force injuries when she fell or was pushed down a cliff’. Survived: Toni henthorn left behind a daughter, Hayley, who was seven when she died. The $1.5 million policy at the center of the legal dispute was for ‘estate planning and income protection/planning to have children’. Payout: Harold Henthorn and Lynn, whose death, supposedly when their Jeep fell on top of her while jacked up, resulted in $500,000 in insurance payouts. It is not known if this is the car which claimed her life . Grace Rishell was going through a divorce and ‘concerned for her financial stability,’ when she initially agreed to Henthorn taking out a policy that would pay $50,000 to Grace’s brother and each of her four daughters for a total of $250,000. According to prosecutors in Dr Bertolet’s murder case, ‘the evidence will show that Henthorn had a romantic interest in Rishell’. But Rishell had a change of heart in spring 2010 and told the insurance agent to stop the policy from going through. Instead she took out a policy of her own with another insurer. Unbeknownst to her ‘her signature was forged to procure the original policy as well,’ with Henthorn making payments on the policy until December 2012 and listing himself as sole beneficiary. The policy was cancelled in 2013 when the insurer concluded that Henthorn had no insurable interest in Rishell. But the very fact of its existence raises the specter that Henthorn had Rishell in his sights as a third potential victim. Henthorn was arrested on November 6 when FBI apprehended him as he returned home after dropping his nine-year-old daughter, Hayley, at school. His indictment was the result of a prolonged investigation during which the FBI eavesdropped on his telephone conversations, combed through his finances, scrutinized his employment history and concluded that the ‘freak’ hiking accident that claimed the mother-of-one’s life was murder. College days: Harold Henthorn and Lynn Rishell when he was a new geology graduate from Virginia. The couple moved to Colorado, where after 12 years of marriage, she died in a 'freak accident', now said to be murder . He was denied bail by US District Judge Kathleen Latoyfa who described him as a ‘danger’ and said, ‘there are rather glaring similarities between the loss of his first wife and the loss of his second’ and pointed to large sums of money recently transferred by Henthorn to his brother as suggestive that he was ‘hiding funds.’ Though Henthorn claimed to work as a fundraiser for a charity the economic crime auditor for the US Attorney found no evidence that the geology graduate from Virginia had any earnings other than some in 1993, 1999 and 2000. The only job he appears to have had was one briefly held in the petroleum industry – the job that saw him and his then new bride, Lynn Rishell, move from their hometown of Harrington, Virginia, across the country to Colorado. The prosecution’s case against Henthorn highlights the similarities between both his wives’ passing – not least the substantial windfall both saw him set to receive. Both ‘freak accidents’ occurred at remote locations with Henthorn the lone witness. Both occurred after about 12 years of marriage and Henthorn told wildly varying stories about both deaths. Prepared: Harold Henthorn was said to have made nine different trips to the area around Rocky Mountain Park in the summer before his wife died . According to prosecution documents Henthorn even told a Sunday school class that his first wife died of cancer and that she lost a baby she was carrying to chemotherapy. In the case of his second wife, two years before her death Dr Bertolet almost died when she was struck by a wooden beam Henthorn had thrown off the deck of their cottage. After that incident Henthorn joked to friends, ‘I was trying to kill my wife.’ Investigators have also established that Henthorn ‘extensively scouted’ the fatal hike trail. Contrary to what he told law enforcement he made nine different trips to the area around Rocky Mountain Park that summer. The fortnight before their anniversary – the date of her death – Henthorn had hiked six trails to ‘find the perfect one for the trip.’ And damningly a map found in his car showed the spot where Dr Bertolet fell to her death, marked with a pink X. In both Lynn Rishell and Dr Toni Jill Bertolet’s deaths Henthorn was eager to have his wives’ bodies cremated quickly despite family requests against it and, disturbingly, he spread both women’s ashes on the same mountain near Ouray, Colorado. A hearing for the civil case is scheduled for April while a trial date of May 4 -15 has been set for the murder case to which Henthorn has entered a not guilty plea. | Harold Henthorn is charged with murdering his second wife in criminal trial which will also hear that he killed his first wife . Both died in freak 'accidents' to which he was sole witness and FBI spent months investigating second death before he was charged . Court papers disclose he is trying to keep $1.5 million paid when second wife - Dr Toni Jill Bertolet - plunged 140ft to her death in Rockies . Civil case in Douglas County, Colorado comes ahead of May criminal trial . | 40728500edf2e94883ea28f04ced6c357bf9fc1a |
By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 04:59 EST, 19 March 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 05:42 EST, 19 March 2012 . BBC radio presenter Richard Bacon has revealed he was targeted by an abusive internet troll for nearly two years after he replaced Simon Mayo on BBC Radio Five Live. The anonymous online abuse was directed not only at him, but also his wife and baby son and became so hateful, he was forced to report the suspect to the police. The 36-year-old has spoken out in a documentary about cyber bullying due to be shown tonight, despite fearing this will provide further ammunition for internet trolls. Concern: BBC radio presenter Richard Bacon has revealed he was targeted by an abusive internet troll for nearly two years . The rise of internet trolls - the name for people who offend and bait others on the web - has significantly risen with the development of social networks which people feel give them a place to insult other internet users without real-life repercussions. Bacon said the abuse began when he replaced Simon Mayo on the radio show and the man voiced his dislike of the new programme on Twitter. But then it started to take on a more sinister tone when the troll started to mention the former Blue Peter presenter's wife Rebecca McFarlane and the couple's five-month-old son Arthur. In a BBC article Bacon explained 'This fella was fantasising about my death, daydreaming about me dying in a plane crash, and expressing his hope that my body would be mangled in a car wreck.' Personal attack: The online comments started to take on a more sinister tone when the troll started to mention the presenter's wife Rebecca McFarlane and the couple's five-month-old son Arthur . 'Not content with just repeating how much he hated me on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis, he started posting links full of abuse to my wife, mother and work colleagues.' In the BBC 3 documentary, The Anti-Social Network, Bacon tried to track down his abuser and also met bereaved relatives left distraught after they were preyed on by 'RIP Trolls' posting offensive messages on tribute sites. The suspect is a man in his forties and during the three months the documentary was being made, the man posted 255 abusive Tweets. Bacon originally wanted to try to meet the troll who was targeting him, but had been advised to take it to the police. 'I wanted to know how a dislike of a radio station could go to contacting my family and tweeting about my baby,' he said. 'But the advice I got from a psychologist . and a police officer was to make an official complaint, so I'm in the . process right now of making a complaint to the police.' In an article for the Sun on Sunday, the radio presenter described how the internet abuse spread. 'A few years ago, he began a blog called . ‘Richard Bacon is a ****’. He then went on Twitter and, using as his . wallpaper a photograph of me when I had been assaulted a few years ago, . he began tweeting abuse to me, my family and work colleagues. 'As a broadcaster, a bit of abuse comes with the territory, and in no way am I comparing what I was exposed to with the shocking levels of abuse directed at the grieving families I met. 'But when the abuse started to escalate, I felt he had crossed a line,' he wrote in the newspaper. His partner Rebecca McFarlane tried to reason with the troll on Twitter, but the abuse escalated and IT experts were called in to help piece together the identity of the suspected troll using clues from his online activity. Hate campaign: He said the abuse began when he replaced Simon Mayo on the radio show and the man voiced his dislike of Bacon's programme on Twitter . During the programme Bacon met families who had been targeted by trolls, in cases he said were far more distressing than what he had been through. 'What I have been through isn't that bad really, it's been distressing for my family but personally as a broadcaster it's something I know how to deal with. 'What's really heartbreaking is the parents and families of people who have killed themselves.' He met the parents of Tom Mullaney, 15, from Bournville, Birmingham, who apparently killed himself after being bullied online. A tribute site for him was hit by trolls, leaving vulgar messages that were seen by his family and friends. 'They see these nice tributes then they also see these weird sexual, violent comment and imagery,' he said. 'For people who don't even understand Facebook in the first place, as well as being upsetting and prolonging their grief, it's confusing.' During the documentary, he also met a self-appointed 'troll hunter', who tries to track the people down and expose them. 'What he does is he works out who they are then posts letters to their neighbours saying, 'do you know your neighbour is doing this?' In the documentary Bacon . tracked down Colm Coss, who was jailed for posting . obscene messages on sites in memory of dead people, including . Big Brother star Jade Goody and tribute site to John Paul Massey, a . Liverpool boy mauled to death by a dog . He said the 'troll hunter' told him perpetrators had started hacking other people's accounts and sending offensive messages from their identities, which could lead to retaliation. 'Imagine if you're the brother of the person who has killed themselves and you see the name and picture of a person you think is doing it, some people might react with violence. 'The troll thing is in an abstract world, but increasingly what they do is crossing over into the real world.' In the documentary Bacon also tracks down Colm Coss, who was jailed for 18 weeks in October 2010 for posting obscene messages on Facebook sites in memory of dead people, including Big Brother star Jade Goody and tribute site to John Paul Massey, a Liverpool boy mauled to death by a dog. Bacon said he hoped to alert people to the growing problem and how to stop it: 'I met two in the show, they are quite intelligent, meek and mild people and some have quite respectable jobs. 'Their power and the thrills they get all come from their anonymity.' He said he thought some trolls saw themselves as 'brave', and making dangerous 'jokes', but added: . 'But what they are doing is targeting individuals. 'They know their fellow trolls are watching. You can abuse someone in front of an audience and that's why in the end all it is is bullying. 'Some of these trolls will themselves be deserving of sympathy but that doesn't mean we shouldn't tackle them. 'It's time to stand up to them, it's time to either expose them or if you're a victim go to the police.' The Anti-Social Network airs tonight at 9pm on BBC Three. | Radio Five Live presenter said criticism of his radio show . turned into abuse involving his mother and wife, as well as his . five-month old son . The former Blue Peter said the online troll 'fantasised about me dying in a plane crash and being mangled in a car wreck' | 2a50526f38cd3f7ae9e7528703106e811ce3c083 |
American photographer Christopher Makos has released a new book featuring stunning celebrity photographs taken over the past three decades. Among those featured are Brooke Shields,Michael Jackson and Calvin Klein at a 1983 party at the American Museum of Natural History in 1983, Queen Elizabeth out at Ascot back in 1991, and photos of actors Rob Lowe and Matt Dillon taking in 1983 and 1980 respectively. Scroll down for video . Michael Jackson, Brooke Shields and Calvin Klein in 1983 . Queen Elizabeth at Ascot in 1991 . Karen Smatt and Peter Wise in New York City in 1981 . The book, Everything: The Black and White Monograph by Christopher Makos, which is published by Glitterati Incorporated,is available to purchase now. Other photos include OJ Simpson, John Lennon hanging with Liza Minelli, and a gaunt looking Mick Jagger taken out in Montauk, New York, back in 1977. Makos, who was born in Massachusetts in 1948 has worked with many of the greats in his lifetime, apprenticing with Man Ray in Paris and collaborating with Andy Warhol. A young Matt Dillon in 1980 . A young Rob Lowe in 1983 . Mick Jagger in Montauk, New York in 1977 . He is also the man who introduced Warhol to the work of two of the biggest artists of the eighties, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. His photos have appeared in magazines including Interview, Rolling Stone and New York, and he is displayed in over 100 galleries. Jack Nicholson enjoying some champagne in Aspen in 1983 . Ivana Trump at her apartment in the Trump Tower in 1990 . Charlton Heston playing tennis in Bel Air, California in 1986 . He currently lives in New York City. | American photographer Christopher Makos has released a new book of pictures, Everything: The Black and White Monograph . Among the celebrities photographed are Michael Jackson, Brooke Shields, Rob Lowe and Matt Dillon . The book also features a snap of Queen Elizabeth at Royal Ascot . | 80c88b9c9a4b211cf9bdc9693786f200d9a7c1b4 |
(CNN) -- It's been a long time between wins for Steve Nyman, but the American skier is determined to prove he is over his injury problems. On Saturday Nyman celebrated his first World Cup victory since 2006, having recently returned to top-level action after missing all of last season. The 30-year-old had placed 29th in Friday's Super G race at Val Gardena-Groden, but stormed home in Saturday's downhill after starting 39th in the Italian event. His triumph came in the same Saslong Classic race where he earned his only other career win six years ago, as he earned a podium place for the first time since 2007. The two-time Olympian took advantage of improving conditions to head off Slovenia's surprise second-placer Rok Perko by 0.19 seconds, with Canadian Erik Guay finishing third from Norway's Kjetil Jansrud. Alpine Edge: Inside World Cup venues . "Weather was a huge factor but hats off to Erik and Jansrud who ran in the snow and the fog," Nyman said. "When I heard Rok coming into the lead I said, 'Right on, it's on, it's open!' "I've always believed I had the speed. I hope to prove it through the year. But I guess no points to 100 points isn't that consistent. "I'm just happy to feel good again. My body's feeling good. I had the flu, but battled that off. I had rib issues the first few races because I put it into the fence while training in Copper. The Achilles last year, the knees years before that and the back -- this is the best gift I could have." Friday's race winner Aksel Lund Svindal was fifth, extending his overall lead to 177 points from absent American Ted Ligety, who will return to action for Sunday's giant slalom across the mountain at Alta Badia. "Having trouble because of too much snow is in many ways a good thing," the Norwegian wrote on his blog on Saturday. "Snow is good for ski business. And we're all a part of the business. But as a racer and an athlete days like todays like today are tough. "We want to compete under equal and fair conditions. But sometimes that's not possible in the mountains. We didnt have good conditions but it could have been worse. The poor guys that started first had no chance. Racing is less fun on days like today." Meanwhile, Saturday's women's World Cup Super G race at Val d'Isere was called off due to heavy snow at the French resort. Val d'Isere is the traditional host of the start of the main European swing of the World Cup season, having staged men's races last weekend as part of the traditional Criterium de la Premiere Neige ("races of the first snow"). | History repeats as Steve Nyman wins second World Cup race of his career . The U.S. skier's only other victory came at the same Italian downhill event in 2006 . The 30-year-old beat second-placed Slovenian Rok Perko, with Canada's Erik Guay third . Aksel Lund Svindal was fifth in difficult conditions to extend his overall lead to 177 points . | 6f8f28c03650d2721c2f87a277956ea674a3cc6b |
By . Ellie Buchdahl . PUBLISHED: . 10:23 EST, 26 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:34 EST, 26 September 2013 . A seven-year-old boy died in a fire in a slum house after the wealthy landlord who owned the property left the batteries out of the smoke alarm. Ajit Singh, 50, has been jailed for taking a series of health and safety shortcuts across the 14 properties he owned in Kettering, Northamptonshire, which left them 'like a death-trap'. There was only one smoke detector in the terraced house where young Mateusz Wlodarczyk lived, a court heard, and its battery had been disconnected, meaning it failed to go off when a fire broke out due to an electrical fault. Death-trap: Landlord Ajit Singh, pictured left, had not ensured there were adequate smoke alarms of fire exits in the house where seven-year-old Mateusz Wlodarczyk, right, died in a blaze . There were also no fire doors in the . premises and the front door could only be opened from the inside with a . key - preventing the occupants from escaping quickly. Firefighters battled to rescue the boy after the blaze took hold of the property in Edinburgh Road on May 22 last year. But he suffocated after inhaling thick plumes of smoke. An inquest heard that if the fire alarm had been fitted then the youngster would have probably survived. Earlier this year Singh - who himself lives in a swanky £350,000 detached house in Kettering - pleaded guilty to failing to take general fire precautions at nine properties he owned in run-down areas of the town. He was jailed yesterday for nine months by Judge Rupert Mayo and also ordered to pay £7,500 in costs. Slum: Investigators inspect the scene of the house fire in Edinburgh Road, Kettering, one of 14 properties owned by Ajit Singh - eight of which were deemed unsafe . Prosecutor Cameron Crowe told the court: 'Legislation means that the person responsible for a property is required legally to maintain a standard of fire safety to properly secure the safety of the occupants. 'The fire precautions fell woefully short at Edinburgh Road and the fire subsequently claimed the life of a seven-year-old boy. 'The lengths taken to prevent fire at other properties owned by Singh was grossly inadequate.' Northampton Crown Court heard that most of the houses for which Singh faced charges were lived in by several people - known as houses of multiple occupancy - which greatly increased the risk of fire. Two other men, who acted as property managers for Singh, escaped jail after being sentenced for the same charges relating to different properties. Managers: Huseyin Ozzengin (left) and Waldemar Ordynowski (right) will serve suspended sentences and undertake unpaid work . Husseyin Ozzengin, 45, from Kettering, was handed a four-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work. And Waldemar Ordynowski, 41, from Kettering, was sentenced to three months, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to do 175 hours of unpaid work. The pair were also ordered to pay £2,000 in court costs. Speaking outside court, Martyn Emberson, chief fire officer of Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'This case clearly demonstrates how seriously fire safety breaches are viewed by the courts. 'I hope it sends a clear message to landlords and managing agents across the county.' He added that fire services actively investigate houses of multiple occupancy as they are the highest risk premises, often housing vulnerable people who might be exploited by landlords. The failure to take general fire precaution charges relates to breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. Under the order the person responsible for a property must ensure adequate fire alarms and protectors are in place in a property, adequate emergency escape routes and exits are in place, and adequate 'fire compartmenation' is in place, to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. | Ajit Singh owned 14 properties accross Kettering, Northamptonshire . Terraced house where Mateusz Wlodarczyk, 7, lived had no proper fire exit . Smoke detector in house where boy died had been disconnected . Two managers who worked with Singh also sentenced . | ac72a8b701d44cee8f75fb811c7a301c8c420406 |
Marc Marquez has won the 2014 MotoGP world title for the second year in a row after his second-place finish in the Japanese Grand Prix. The 21-year-old Spaniard stretched his championship lead over compatriot Dani Pedrosa and Italian veteran Valentino Rossi to an unassailable 82 points - with just three races of the season remaining - after finishing runner-up to Jorge Lorenzo at the Motegi circuit on Sunday. Lorenzo finished 1.638seconds ahead of Honda's Marquez, who overtook several riders before passing, and then holding off, Rossi midway through the race. Niklas Ajo loses control during the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi and falls heavily off his bike . Ajo's bike spins out of control in the concluding race of the 2014 Moto GP championship . Ajo lands heavily on his back after crashing during the Japanese Grand Prix . 21-year-old Spaniard Marc Marquez has clinched his second consecutive MotoGP title . Marquez finished second behind Jorge Lorenzo at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday . Marquez celebrates on the podium after his championship victory was confirmed . Elsewhere, Niklas Ajo failed to finish after crashing during the final event on Sunday. Six-time MotoGP champion Rossi claimed the final podium place on his Yamaha but the day belonged to Marquez as he retained his title in emphatic style. Marquez, who became the first person since Kenny Roberts in 1978 to accomplish the premier class title in his first season last year, is now the youngest back-to-back champion. Despite working his way up after starting fourth on the grid, Marquez was unable to catch Yamaha's Lorenzo, who claimed his second successive victory after his triumph in Aragon two weeks ago. Nevertheless, it was a good return to form for Marquez after poor results in San Marino and Aragon in his last two outings. Marquez, whose title triumph was largely down to winning 11 of the first 12 grands prix, said on MotoGP's official website: 'You know, the race doesn't really matter today! Maybe I wasn't riding like always, as I felt a little different. Marquwz, Lorenzo and third-placed Valentino Rossi stand on the podium after the race . 'It was hard to overtake and I didn't want a mistake. I had two mistakes in the last races but we got the title. It's incredible to take it at home. 'Just two years in MotoGP with two titles is incredible. Maybe for the people it looks easy because I'm always smiling, but there is a lot of pressure. 'Misano and Aragon we made some mistakes so it was important to focus here for Honda. I'm really happy with my team and family and fans, they're all pushing me. It's like a dream right now.' Rossi (right) and Marquez (in the distance) were involved in a close battle for second place . Rossi - who will be battling for second place in the championship with Pedrosa, with whom he is level on points - paid tribute to Marquez. 'I had a small chance to keep the championship party open, I wanted to keep it open another race. Marc's advantage was very big, but maybe we could keep it open still,' he said. 'I tried my maximum, especially with Pedrosa behind me at the end. I had a good pace but Marquez had something a little extra so it was impossible. 'I think that Marc deserves the championship; he won a lot of races and in a lot of conditions. He doesn't make mistakes and he improved his level so congratulations to Marc.' | Niklas Ajo crashed during the final race of the MotoGP Championship . Ajo had a heavy fall during the Japanese Grand Prix - finishing 16th overall . Marc Marquez won the MotoGP world title for second year in a row . 21-year-old Spaniard finished second behind Jorge Lorenzo in Japan . Stretched championship lead over Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi . | 635ebae4f391ae3da80045ee7dde410fb3f6ff0c |
Ukraine accused Russia of invasion today, after Vladimir Putin ordered a controversial aid convoy into the country because he could 'wait no longer'. The Russian President held telephone talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and, according to the Kremlin, expressed 'serious concern' about the military escalation in eastern Ukraine and admitted he had lost patience in the stand-off over the convoy. Hundreds of lorries that Russia claims are carrying humanitarian aid but which Ukraine insists have a military purpose were sent over the border this morning without permission from the Kiev government, which added that its border guards had been 'blocked'. Scroll down for video . Leading the way: An official opens the gate at the border to let the first lorry across into Ukraine . Convoy: The first batch of trucks make their way towards the Ukrainian border this morning . Tensions in the six-month crisis rose to dangerous levels, as senior Ukrainian officials warned that an attack on the fleet of white trucks could be staged by pro-Russian militants to give a pretext for a full-scale Kremlin occupation of eastern regions of the country. Such a development would trigger a full-scale war on the European Union's doorstep. Nato last night issued a savage rebuke of the Russian move. 'It can only deepen the crisis in the region, which Russia itself has created and has continued to fuel,' warned chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen. He suspected the convoy was not to help hungry people hit by the civil war but 'to resupply armed separatists'. Sending in Moscow's trucks was a 'blatant breach' of Russia's international commitments and a 'further violation of Ukraine's sovereignty', he said. Partisan locals: The trucks arrive at the Russian side of the border this morning . No entry: But Ukrainian border guards were allegedly 'blocked' from intervening by Russian officials . Warm welcome: Locals in rebel-held eastern Ukraine applaud the first of the lorries in the convoy . The Kremlin was guilty of 'a major escalation in Russian military involvement in eastern Ukraine since mid-August', including the use of Vladimir Putin's forces. Mr Putin said 'further delays would have been unacceptable' in sending the convoy due to the humanitarian catastrophe in the conflict zone. Last night the first the trucks had reached the war-ravaged region of Lugansk, greeted by posters reading: 'Mother Russia will not desert us in hard times.' The Ukrainian secret service, SBU, alleged the convoy has a military purpose, while the Red Cross refused to accompany the lorries as had been planned, after it failed to receive security guarantees from the warring factions. 'This is a direct invasion,' claimed SBU chief Valentyn Nalyvaychenko, as rebel militias escorted the trucks. The Ukrainian foreign ministry denounced a 'deliberate and aggressive' move from Moscow in 'flagrant violation' of international law. 'The fact that Russia's trucks entered Ukrainian territory without proper border and custom formalisation and that the cargo was not handed over to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross bespeaks the premeditated and aggressive nature of the Russian party's actions,' it said a statement. 'We call upon all international partners to unite in decisively condemning Russia's illegal and aggressive actions.' Suspicions: Kiev warned that the lorries' drivers would be used to drive military vehicles once inside Ukraine . Shadow of war: Moscow said it had decided to act after growing tired of the 'open-faced lies' about the convoy . White lines: Border guard sources said 145 of the trucks massed on the border had crossed into Ukraine . Inspections: Red Cross officials said they would not be escorting the convoy due to a lack of safety guarantees . Green light: Vladimir Putin told German Chancellor Angela Merkel he could 'wait no longer' to send in the convoy . Ukraine's prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said there was a dire risk that 'several of the trucks of this so-called convoy will be bombed' by pro-Russians but it would be staged to blame Ukraine. A Kiev security official said that Moscow was 'exclusively responsible' for the security of the convoy as it travels across rebel-held territory. Mr Nalyvaychenko warned that the drivers of the convoy would be redeployed to drive military vehicles already smuggled into Ukraine, and the 'aid' would benefit rebel fighters. 'In reality, a group of drivers enters to drive military vehicles which are illegally brought into our country every day via Izvaryne border check post and other checkpoints,' he said. 'There are individuals from prison escort and other units of the Russian Federation among the so-called drivers - for the purpose of kidnapping and covering up crimes. Queue: A family heads past some of the convoy as it waits on the Russian side of the border this morning . Waiting game: Drivers of some of the trucks take a break in the sun as they await instruction in a nearby field . Under scrutiny: Some of the trucks are inspected at the border. Although Ukrainian customs officials searched 34 vehicles, they still did not have security clearance to enter the country . 'These lorries will be used to transport equipment and weapons. Terrorists catastrophically lack them after the successful action by our military.' With tensions high, Russia earlier expressed fury that Kiev had blocked the 270-vehicle convoy for more than week, stressing the lorries contained 2000 tons of aid including baby food and bottled water. 'We can no longer stand this outrage, these open-faced lies and [Kiev's] refusal to reach an agreement. Russia has decided to act', said the Russian foreign ministry. By last night, Russian customs had allowed all the convoy's vehicles to pass its border post, but Ukrainian officials said they had inspected hardly any of the vehicles after being 'blocked'. A Ukrainian soldier inspects a destroyed tank allegedly belonging to pro-Russian militants near Lugansk . The area of eastern Ukraine, where the 'aid' convoy is destined, has seen some of the heaviest fighting . Uneasy calm: Ukrainian troops patrol the streets of a village in the Lugansk region . A spokesman Kiev's border guard service said: 'The trucks that underwent customs clearance have started moving on the territory of Ukraine while a group of Ukrainian border guards and customs officers was blocked in Russia's Donetsk checkpoint.' The convoy 'started moving at 11.20am without being accompanied by ICRC [International Committee of the Red Cross] representatives and in breach of the existing agreements about customs clearance of the cargo'. Kiev last night pledged not to attack the convoy with war planes but defence minister Valeriy Heletey vowed to revenge the act. 'Let's wait a little bit, and the response will be appropriate', he said. An official inspects damage to the Local History Museum in Donetsk after an attack by Ukrainian forces . A local helps with the clear-up after the missile strike on the museum in the downtown area of the city . The clear-up inside the museum begins, as officials said several areas were hit by artillery fire overnight . A pro-Russian gunman inspects damage in Donetsk after overnight shelling hit a residential area . At least 415,800 people have had to flee their homes due to fighting, the UN refugee agency said . For the past week the lorries have been holed up next to a Russian military base close to the border, amid fears by Ukraine that some of the lorries contained military equipment. The Red Cross said of the convoy: 'We are no way part of it.' Ukraine this weekend marks its Independence Day with a parade in Kiev organised by boxer turned mayor Vitali Klitschko, who vowed that after the show of patriotism soldiers and tanks taking part would immediately head to rebel regions to fight. But the country's economy is in dire straits due to the civil war in which 2,200 have so far died, as Yatsenyuk admitted. 'Can Ukraine now survive without Russian gas? No, it can't. How much Russian gas do we need to buy? About 5 billion cubic meters,' he said. The Red Cross reported heavy shelling overnight in the rebel-held bastion of Lugansk where the Russian trucks were heading. The Russian Red Cross said today it could help distribute the aid in Lugansk. 'We are ready to take part,' said a spokesman. Ukrainian customs officers said they had completed customs clearance for just 34 of the lorries. A burning effigy of Vladimir Putin was the main attraction at a children's festival in Ukraine. In a clip posted on YouTube, the life-sized doll appears to be insulted by the host of the event before being set alight by several people. Jeering children taking part in the summer holiday festival in Ivano-Frankovsk are then encouraged to join in taunts, before the protesters - including young children - link hands and dance around the effigy. Witness Denis Petrov said: 'Feelings against Putin and Russia are running very high.' One internet user commented on the film: 'It is a pity it was only a doll. How to get to the original?' Fanning the flames: A woman appears to pour lighter fluid on a crude doll of Russian leader Vladimir Putin . Young protesters: As the flames take hold, young children join in a dance around the effigy . | Russians defy Kiev to send 270 lorries over border after week-long stand-off . President Putin admits in call to Angela Merkel that he could 'wait no longer' Ukraine claims its border guards were 'blocked' as vehicles entered country . Tensions escalate to dangerous levels, as Nato rebukes Moscow tactics . Kiev warns rebels may attack convoy then blame it on Ukrainian forces . | 094496fceec94f999592ca067c522194ce2e233d |
By . Kate Lyons For Daily Mail Australia . The woman who survived a vicious attack, during which her ex-partner hacked her arms off with a samurai sword, has written a book about the horrific ordeal and her inspiring recovery. Simonne Butler, 39, from Auckland had both her arms reattached by doctors after they were cut off by killer Antoine Dixon. Dixon also attacked Ms Butler's friend Renee Gunbie, whose left-hand was cut off and could not be reattached, before he went on a drug-fuelled crime spree in January 2003. Ms Butler and Ms Gunbie were left for dead by Dixon and paramedics called to the scene said they were minutes away from dying when they arrived. Simonne Butler had both of her arms chopped off by her ex-partner in a horrific attack in 2003 . Eleven years after the brutal attack, Ms Butler has written a book about her ordeal and her healing . Antoine Dixon was convicted for murder, shooting at a police officer, wounding, aggravated robbery and kidnapping in relation to the attack in 2003 . Dixon then murdered a man at an Auckland petrol station in a spray of bullets from a machine gun, before taking another man hostage and engaging in a standoff with police. Dixon, who had taken methamphetamine during the day of the crimes, eventually surrendered to police and was sentenced to life in prison with a 20 year non-parole period. He died in prison in 2009, from what were believed to be self-inflicted injuries. More than 11 years after the horrific events, Ms Butler has written a book about the ordeal and her physical and emotional healing. 'It was the most intense moment – or five minutes, or however long it lasted – of my life,' Ms Butler told Daily Mail Australia. 'It could be the defining moment [of my life]. But I think my healing journey is what's defined me as a person, rather than the incident.' Between 2003 and 2008, Ms Butler underwent 12 general anaesthetic surgeries and about 100 procedures to reattach and repair her arms. 'It wasn't a really sharp samurai sword that just sliced my arms off. It took five, six, seven, maybe ten hacks to get them off,' she said. The bones in her left arm were smashed so severely that she required a bone graft from her hips to reconnect the bones. She still has very little function in her left hand and is only able to move her wrist and thumb a few millimetres. Her right hand was sliced vertically in half and her forearm was chopped diagonally, though was not completely severed, and after multiple surgeries and years of physiotherapy she now has between 60 and 70 percent of normal function in her right hand. After 12 general anaesthetics and 100 procedures, doctors were able to reattach her arms and she now has 60-70 percent of function in her right arm . Simonne still does several hours of physiotherapy every day in order to keep her hands working . Ms Butler was in a relationship with her attacker Antoine Dixon for five years and had separated from him when he went on a violent rampage, ending with him murdering a man at a petrol station . The physical healing process has been incredibly demanding, but the emotional recovery has proved even more challenging. Ms Butler says it took her years to deal with the emotional trauma of the attack, as well as the five-year abusive relationship she had with Dixon before it occurred. 'I was ashamed and embarrassed and it took me years to deal with that. For me, the emotional side of it was forgiving myself. I'd done so many dumb things, made so many bad choices and put myself in danger so many times. I didn't have the self-respect to say, "You can't treat me like that,"' she said. Ms Butler said she was not surprised that Dixon, who had stalked her for six months before they started dating and been physically abusive to her throughout the relationship, was capable of such violence. 'He used to threaten to slit my grandparents' throats in the night and burn down their house,' she said. 'It ended up being a very sick and twisted cycle in my head that I deserved to be punished for making the terrible decision to be with him.' After the incident she had 'lots and lots' of panic attacks. 'Whether it was over going out in public, or about the thought of him getting out of jail and finding me, not even finding me to be violent, just showing up with a silly big grin,' she said. Ms Butler says her 'healing journey' rather than the horrific attack in 2003 have defined her as a person . Ms Butler's left arm was so badly damaged in the attack that she can only move her fingers a few millimetres. Her right arm has 60 to 70 percent function . She hit a low point in 2007, when Dixon's conviction for murder, wounding, kidnapping, shooting at police and aggravated burglary was overturned due to a mistrial. 'When I found out there was a mistrial I had such a panic, I didn't understand what had happened, I expected him to turn up at my house,' she said. Dixon was convicted a second time in 2008 after a re-trial and died in prison, from what were believed to be self-inflicted injuries, in 2009 at the age of 41. When Ms Butler learnt he was dead, she felt incredibly liberated. 'I was dancing around my house with joy. I felt so light and so free and really amazing,' she said. But Ms Butler has put the terrifying ordeal behind her and is moving on with her life. 'It's a long time ago now,' she said. 'I don't think about him or even the incident. I've got so much going on.' Ms Butler says she does not think about the attack or her former partner, because she has too much going on in her life . Since the attack, Ms Butler has taken up horse-riding, completed her diploma in naturopathy and is half-way through a course in flower essence therapy and a shamanic apprenticeship with a master shaman . Since the attack, Ms Butler has taken up horse-riding, completed her diploma in naturopathy and is half-way through a course in flower essence therapy and a shamanic apprenticeship with a master shaman. On top of this she has just finished writing a book about her experience, titled Recalibrate. 'That's what I did to myself. I had to fully recalibrate my mind, my body, myself,' she said. She plans to self-publish the book with Mary Egan Publishing and she is currently crowd-funding the final stages of the book's production. Despite everything she has achieved, Ms Butler acknowledges that she cannot help but continue to be affected by the traumatic events of her past. 'I'm so much better, but I haven't been in a long-term relationship yet. I had two six months flings with boys I could very much control. I like to think I'm fearless, but I think it is [fear] that holds me back. 'I made such a terrible mess the last time I fell in love.' For the meantime, Ms Butler's love is reserved for her supportive family and friends – 'I live in a perpetual state of gratitude for all the amazing people I have in my life' – and for her work. '[The book] has been a labour of love. This is the first step, my launching pad so I can go out and do really good things in the world.' | Simonne Butler, 39, was attacked by killer Antoine Dixon in 2003 . The Auckland woman had both her arms cut off by a samurai sword . Doctors were able to reattach them and after 11 years of physical and emotional healing she has written a book about her experiences . | ff2d8f475f668c43fc7e259475fd78c2e6cbf496 |
A woman who was dubbed the 'ugly duckling' has finally beaten her bullies by undergoing a nose job. Jessica Leigh, from Rochester, Kent had always been tormented for the shape of her nose but now claims that her bullies have made her more beautiful. The 20-year-old had suffered torment from a young age and unlike most bullying it didn't end as she got older with the teasing continuing even after finishing high school. Scroll down for video . Jessica has changed her life around and beaten her bullies after having a nose job . Jessica says that the constant goading made her lose all of her self-esteem. 'I had spent all my life feeling like the ugly duckling, I was bullied throughout school because of my big nose. 'I was constantly picked on by the popular girls at school, I was made to feel different and gradually my confidence disappeared. 'Even when I left school and started college, the bullying continued.' For Jessica the shape of her nose had not only resulted in vicious teasing but had also stood in the way of her dream career with the 20-year-old quitting her modelling job as she didn't feel pretty enough. Jessica had always been dubbed the 'ugly duckling' and let her nose get in the way of her modelling career . Jessica finally decided to go in for surgery after having breathing difficulty in a yoga class . After finally building up the confidence to pursue her modelling career after years of teasing, it was seeing her head shots that bought Jessica's confidence to an all time low. 'My modelling dreams were crushed when I saw a photograph of my side profile. I knew I wouldn't make it in the modelling world with a nose like mine, so I gave it all up. 'It hit me like a tonne of bricks, my confidence plummeted after that.' Despite having considered corrective surgery her whole life, Jessica didn't turn to it until a Yoga class confirmed what she saw as the necessity of the procedure. 'I was taking lessons in how to teach yoga when I realised that I couldn't breathe properly. Jessica's boyfriend Kev (right) proposed a week before she went in for surgery and the 20-year-old is looking forward to planning her wedding now she is happier with her appearance . 'The one side of my nose had a defect that meant I couldn't pass as much oxygen through it when breathing out.' With her decision made Jessica booked her rhinoplasty. This was not a decision that Jessica made lightly and after years of consideration she was careful to do plenty of research before settling on a surgeon. Jessica began researching cosmetic clinics online in January, attending seven consultations before choosing MYA. Jessica did plenty of research before finally settling with plastic surgeons MYA, she is thrilled with the results . The surgery was not cheap costing Jessica £3,500, but the 20-year-old was determined to fund the procedure herself paying half up front, with the rest being on finance. Despite, the hefty price Jessica was satisfied with her decision and felt as though she was in good hands. 'MYA were by far the best and I booked my Rhinoplasty there and then in March for July10. 'I gave myself a few months to prepare for surgery as I had a few holidays booked beforehand.' She was so thrilled with the results and couldn't wait to show off her new nose. 'I am like a completely different person since my surgery. 'I smile more and I can honestly say I'm a happier person.' It isn't surprising that Jessica is happier than ever, with her boyfriend Kev Pender, 27, recently proposing. Jessica says that she has finally dropped her unflattering nickname and feels as though she has beaten her bullies . Kev's proposal was not influenced by Jessica's new appearance with it coming a week before the surgery however Jessica says that she is looking forward to her wedding more than ever now that she is brimming with self confidence. 'I can't wait to start planning my wedding now I have my new nose. 'I will actually feel comfortable in my wedding pictures now as my profile is smaller and face is much more feminine.' Jessica added that her transformation shows that she has beaten her playground bullies adding that she can now finally drop her unflattering nickname. 'I'm no longer the ugly duckling. I have a fiancé, a great job in the jewellery industry and hope to start my modelling again in the near future. Jessica has documented her story on her social networking sites . 'Despite all the comments I've received about my nose, I'm finally moving on with my life.' The 20-year-old says that the surgery was completely worth it as she is finally satisfied with her appearance. 'Finally I feel happy with my appearance.' A spokesperson for MYA said: 'Jessica is a real testament to a MYA patient documenting her full journey on Instagram helping others with advice as well as sharing her before and after images, we are extremely pleased that Jessica's Rhinoplasty has given her the confidence she desired for years.' Find out more about surgery options at www.mya.co.uk . | Jessica Leigh had always been bullied for the shape of her nose . Her appearance had even put her off her dream career of modelling . She decided to go in for surgery after breathing difficulties during yoga . Jessica says she is happier than ever and is even engaged to her fiance . | e46917f7e2381aa3716951c48b7a34617b85c7a0 |
(CNN) -- When most Americans think about heroic efforts that save lives and keep communities safe from gun violence, I suspect they picture someone with a badge, gun or bullet-proof vest who, with similarly equipped colleagues, busts down doors in pursuit of criminal thugs. I salute the fine officers who arrest violent criminals, but there is another kind of hero dedicated to preventing homicides and shootings. CNN Heroes called attention to him, and others like him, in a recent article. In part, it recounted the story of Tard Carter, 34, of Baltimore, who is a convicted felon turned outreach worker. Carter goes into the most violent neighborhoods in Baltimore to keep people with histories of gang involvement, criminality and violence from shooting at each other. Carter and his street outreach colleagues have no weapons or means of protection other than their reputation, authenticity and skills as "violence interrupters." They help settle disputes peacefully, but they also are much needed role models and mentors who steer youth away from gangs and toward opportunities to live productive, crime-free lives. It sounds admirable, what these brave and committed people do. But can potential killers really be talked out of their initial violent impulses and intentions? My experience evaluating Baltimore's Safe Streets program, which aims to reduce shootings among people ages 14-25, has convinced me that the answer is definitely yes. With the support of funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, my colleagues from the Johns Hopkins Center for the Prevention of Youth Violence and I spent the past five years studying the work of outreach workers and violence interrupters like Carter, working in four Baltimore neighborhoods that have historically been among the city's most violent areas. Each of the intervention sites was in the top 10% of police posts in Baltimore for homicides and nonfatal shootings from 2003 to 2006. Three of four neighborhoods in the program experienced reductions in gun violence significantly greater than those in other high-crime neighborhoods that were not involved in the program. After outreach staff mediated numerous gang conflicts during the initial five months Safe Streets was implemented in Carter's neighborhood, the community did not have a single homicide for nearly two years. This was a feat that had not been accomplished in recent memory. (The neighborhoods had had at least three homicides a year before the program. Sometimes more.) Safe Streets replicates Chicago's CeaseFire program, in which an evaluation showed impressive reductions in gun violence in seven Chicago neighborhoods. The program saved taxpayers the costs of incarceration. A common wisdom in police enforcement has long been that cities could curb gun violence through law enforcement crackdowns on drug dealers, since so much violent crime is related to drugs. But research has shown that these efforts are actually much more likely to increase than decrease violence. Government officials have begun to realize that billions of dollars spent fighting a war on drugs has not been responsible for curbing addiction or reducing violence. Law enforcement efforts targeted at violent gun offenders are often effective and vital to keeping communities safe. But public health initiatives such as CeaseFire and Safe Streets are necessary complements to law enforcement. These programs prevent violence before it occurs in the first place. Homicide is the second leading cause of death for young people in the United States, and the leading cause of death among young black males. The social cost of gun violence in the United States has been estimated to be $100 billion annually. To save lives and reduce these costs, we must invest in effective violence prevention programs. Regrettably, some communities that have been implementing Ceasefire have seen their funding cut and programs eliminated. The CDC is an important source of funding for such programs and for the research that determines which strategies are most effective. In light of this, it is disappointing that last week the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee voted to eliminate the CDC's entire budget for youth violence prevention. This is short-sighted thinking that will keep heroes like Tard Carter -- whose job still survives -- from interrupting the cycle of violence in communities across the country and will stall progress toward an array of other efforts to prevent youth violence. Congress allocates billions of dollars to federal law enforcement against drug traffickers each year. By reallocating only a tiny fraction of those funds to continue CDC's implementation and evaluation of prevention programs, Congress could really have a positive impact on youth violence. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Daniel Webster. | Tard Carter is Baltimore outreach worker who helps settle street disputes . Daniel Webster says programs like "Safe Streets" are effective in cutting gun violence . Such initiatives, including Chicago's "CeaseFire," complement policing, he says . Webster: Recent federal cuts will hurt programs' ability to curb street violence . | 8ce477dc02bf5fa72b83acf4f5496251b6f123ea |
It's been a stormy couple of weeks for Phil Rudd, but the AC/DC drummer has been pictured larking around on a guitar in his street, with what seems like not a care in the world . No one would ever know that the famous drummer is set to appear in court for threatening to kill a man in a few day's time as he larked around with a mate out the front of his New Zealand home. The legend may not be set to tour with the rest of the band anytime soon - but that didn't stop him from rocking out with a mate in the first sighting of the musician since being charged with procuring a murder, threatening to kill man and drug possession charges. The charge for plotting a murder was dropped the next day but Rudd is set to appear Tauranga district court on November 27 for the remaining charges. Scroll down for video . No one would ever know that AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has to appear in court for threatening to kill a man in a few day's time as he larked around with a mate out the front of his New Zealand home . The 60-year-old was standing out the front of his beachside home in Tauranga in New Zealand with another man wearing an AC/DC hooded jumper as he played tunes on a guitar for up to an hour on Sunday . It's the first time Phil Rudd has been seen since being charged with the offences as chatted with neighbours . The 60-year-old was standing out the front of his beachside home in Tauranga in New Zealand with another man wearing an AC/DC hooded jumper as he played tunes on a guitar for up to an hour on Sunday. Due to reappear in court in just four day's time, Rudd seemed relaxed and at ease while he smiled and talked to residents walking passed as two of his luxury cars are seen parked on the front grass of his residence. Later Rudd left his house with a security guard and came back with a remote control helicopter carried in by the security guard. Phil Rudd looks distinctly annoyed as he looks out of the window of his home in Tauranga, New Zealand . Security outside Phil Rudd's home at Tauranga, on New Zealand's north island . Phil Rudd's boat Barchetta, berthed near his restaurant, where he allegedly took prostitutes . On November 6, the rock legend appeared in court on charges of attempting to procure a man to murder two other men between September 25 and 26 and with threatening to kill another man on September 26. He was also charged with possession of amphetamines and cannabis following a police raid on his North Island home earlier that day. But Tauranga Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones said after reviewing the file the next day that he had 'made the decision that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the charge of attempting to procure murder.' However, he still faces the threat to kill charge. The drummer, who released a solo album, Head Job, in August, was released free on bail. Phil Rudd's restaurant Phil's Place on New Zealand's north island, his boat is berthed nearby . Heyday: Phil Rudd (far left) with AC/DC bandmates Angus Young (top), Bon Scott (below) and Malcolm Young . The Crown Charge Notice saying that the attempting to procure murder charge had been dropped . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd is seen for the first time since being charged . 60-year-old was larking around with a mate outside his New Zealand home . The musician was playing tunes on a guitar and chatting to residents . Rudd is charged with threatening to kill a man and drug-related offences . He was charged with procuring a murder but those charges were dropped . Rock legend will reappear in court on November 27 . | cc726faf98cf2cef3d5f6c09c24195bc62f86008 |
(CNN) -- Novak Djokovic ensured he will remain world No. 1 next week after overcoming a titanic challenge from Stanislas Wawrinka to reach the U.S. Open final for the fourth year in a row. The 10th-ranked Swiss ended Andy Murray's title defense in the quarterfinals, and seemed set to inflict another major upset after winning the opening set in convincing style. But last year's runner-up Djokovic twice came from a set down to take Saturday's opening semifinal to a decider before triumphing 2-6 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-3 6-4. The Serbian will face Rafael Nadal in Monday's final -- a rematch of their 2010 and 2011 title clashes -- after the world No. 2 beat his childhood friend Richard Gasquet 6-4 7-6 (7-1) 6-2 in the second semi. However, the Spaniard should have less fatigue to overcome before then -- he needed just two hours 21 minutes to beat the French eighth seed, while Djokovic was on court for just over four hours in a grueling contest. He edged Wawrinka in a five-hour epic in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in January before claiming his sixth grand slam title, but lost to Murray in the Wimbledon final in July after being drained by a five-set semi against Juan Martin del Potro. Djokovic acknowledged that he had struggled to impose himself in the match against Wawrinka. "It was obvious Stan played more aggressive. He played better tennis," he said. "I was trying to hang in there, to adjust. "It was tough on both of us. I had to run a lot. I had to find my rhythm. I was just so fortunate to play my best tennis when I needed to." Wawrinka said he was struggling physically with an injury picked up earlier in the New York tournament, where he reached the last four of a grand slam for the first time. "Today I had the feeling when I was still fit, when I was still healthy, I had the match in control. I think I was playing better than him. I was doing much more things than him," the 28-year-old told reporters. "But he's not No. 1 for nothing. He was staying with me all the match, and at the end he pushed me, pushed me far, far, far back. I had to find everything I had in my body today to stay with him, and he won the match." | World No. 1 Novak Djokovic battles to a place in Monday's U.S. Open final . The 2011 winner beats Stanislas Wawrinka in a grueling five-set encounter . He will next play Rafael Nadal, who beat him in the 2010 final in New York . World No. 2 Nadal defeats Richard Gasquet in straight sets in second semi . | a965425abf944802e83b09b3723c873061adc7e3 |
Zinedine Zidane has been suspended from coaching for three months as a consequence of not having the required Level 3 qualification demanded by Spanish authorities. The former World Cup winner served as Carlo Ancelotti's assistant with the Real Madrid first team in 2013 before taking charge of the Castilla B team, although his assistant Santiago Sanchez was named as head coach. However, following an official complaint lodged with the country's football federation, Competition Committee judge Francisco Rubio has decided to ban Zidane and Sanchez from coaching for three months. Zinedine Zidane has been handed a three-month ban from coaching Real Madrid's B team . The Frenchman has complained at his treatment after Spanish authorities lodged an official complaint . Zidane acted as Carlo Ancelotti's (R) first team assistant before taking charge of Castilla this season . Rubio accepted a complaint lodged by Miguel Galan, president of Spain's national training center for football coaches. Madrid announced in June that Zidane, who played at the club from 2001 until retiring in 2006, would coach its reserve team this season. However, Galan complained that Zidane lacked the appropriate qualifications to do so, and Rubio agreed. The former Madrid star currently carries a UEFA A Licence, equivalent to a Level 2 qualification. He escaped a six-month ban but must now obtain the 3rd level of his French coaching qualifications by April 2015. The 42-year-old had previously complained at the treatment he has received over the matter. He told Le Figaro: 'I have no regrets about having taken my qualifications in France. It's still amazing that there are also so few people to defend me and explain that I did not have special privilege. 'I did not circumvent the difficulty - but some took the opportunity to spit on me.' Zidane scores the winning goal for Real Madrid with a memorable volley in the 2002 Champions League final . Zidane was fined and banned for three games after headbutting Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final . It is not the first time that the Frenchman has fallen foul of authorities - having been banned for three games and fined £3,260 following his infamous headbutt on Italy defender Marco Materazzi that saw him sent off in the 2006 World Cup final. Real Madrid have 10 working days to appeal against the decision with the Competition Committee’s appeals tribunal, and could also be taken to Spain’s Administrative Court for Sport. As a final resort, an appeal could be made to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. In response to the sanction handed down by the Competition Committee to the Real Madrid Castilla's head coach and second coach, Santiago Sánchez and Zinedine Zidane respectively, Real Madrid C. F. would like to outline the following: . 1. The club's absolute disagreement with the decision, not least of all because Zinedine Zidane has been authorised by the French Football Federation to work as a head coach in the category Real Madrid Castilla currently find themselves in, as the certificate issued by said Federation from 13 October 2014 states. 2. Real Madrid will pursue every available legal avenue so that this decision is overturned. | Zinedine Zidane has been banned from coaching Real Madrid's B team . The France legend took charge of Castilla after acting as Carlo Ancelotti's first team assistant in 2013 . The former World Cup winner must now complete level 3 of his French coaching qualifications before returning . | 094e2c398e2ef9a43887b0971a81e5e09aaaa95e |
By . Leon Watson . PUBLISHED: . 10:50 EST, 26 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:23 EST, 26 February 2014 . They call him PicASHo - because his bizarre work incorporates his dead subjects' ashes into his artwork. And he's certainly proved popular. Artist Adam Brown has cut out a rather odd niche in the art world by turn his customers' ashes, or the ashes of a loved one, into paintings. Among the bizarre requests he's had are paintings of a customer's favourite fishing spots, animals, flowers and even Albert Einstein. Artist Adam Browns receives daily requests from people wishing for either their ashes, or the ashes of others, to be turned into paintings. At work: Mr Brown, from Grandview in Missouri, came across the unique concept while watching a TV show . Mr Brown, from Grandview, in Missouri, . was approached by a friend of a friend, who asked if he could create a . memorial portrait of a loved one - and he suggested painting it with . their ashes. Though initially nervous, Mr Brown, 32, said that he found handling the human remains quite natural. The artist only requests a small amount of the cremated remains, which he then mixes into certain areas of a portrait. He works off a photograph provided by either the deceased's friend, relative or loved one, and asks for their input throughout the process. Mr Brown said that each work takes him between four and eight hours to complete, and that as well as mixing the ashes into the paint, he also adds some to the surface of the portrait, using special glues and resin. The artist marks the back of every portrait to state that the work was created using some human remains - just in case if falls into the hands of someone who is unaware of his methods. One of Mr Brown's masterpieces, painted using the ash supplied by a customer . The artist has said some people find his work 'sick' or 'creepy', but he says his customers are pleased . Another happy customer: This woman looks overjoyed at the painting she commissioned from Mr Brown . Mr Brown, whose collection is called 'Ashes to Art,' now receives requests from people everyday. The artist, who believes the majority of people do not find his work creepy or weird, said: 'A friend of a friend in another state asked me to do a memorial portrait of her recently deceased husband. 'After agreeing to it, as I had done before, she asked if I could use the cremation remains in the work - something she believed he would have liked. Tentatively, I said that would be fine. Mr Brown, 32, was approached by a friend of a friend, who asked if he could create a memorial portrait of a loved one . Not all the work Mr Brown does is of dead people, here is a painting he created of a woman . 'I thought I'd have an odd reaction to handling human remains the first time, but it wasn't strange at all. It was just another medium to work in. I wore gloves, handled them respectfully, adhered them to the surface of the painting, and sent the unused portion back.' 'The majority of people seem to really love the idea and have expressed interest in getting one for a loved one or even having one made for themselves when they pass away. 'I've even had elderly people contact me to arrange this service for themselves when they pass. But I also had one girl on Facebook who compared me to Hitler - although others commenting on the thread were quick to correct her. 'For those that find it "sick" or "creepy", I just tell them they don't have to purchase one. For everyone else, they are truly touched by the unique service. 'I always say, "Having ashes in an urn on the fireplace is a good way to constantly remember that someone died. Using their remains to create a beautiful piece of art is a great way to remember that they lived."' | Missouri artist Adam Brown gets asked turn ashes into paintings . Customers come to him asking him to paint them when they die . Mr Brown, 32, also gets asked to paint loved ones when they've died . | 571c26707a2249c5990dc8ac4552d5e014f998be |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 20:59 EST, 12 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 21:08 EST, 12 March 2014 . A California board has again approved parole for former Charles Manson follower and convicted double murderer Bruce Davis. The department of corrections first granted the 71-year-old parole in 2012, but Governor Jerry Brown vetoed the decision after a public outcry and opposition from the families of Manson victims. Brown now has 30 days to decide whether he'll oppose the decision again. Paid the price? Charles Manson follower Bruce Davis (left as he appears now and right after the 1969 double murder) was convicted of double homicide and has been in prison in California since. He was deemed suitable for parole once again . The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation granted parole to Davis after a hearing Wednesday at the California Men's Colony. The decision is subject to a 120-day decision review period, reports NBC News. Brown spokesman Jim Evans said in an email Wednesday that he could not comment beyond the parole board's statement. Davis has been in prison since he was convicted of aiding in the murders of musician Gary Hinman and stuntman Donald 'Shorty' Shea in 1972 in a case that was a postscript to Manson's notorious reign as leader of the murderous cult known as the Manson family. Brown rejected the original parole it last March, saying he wanted Davis to reveal more details about the killings. Governor . Arnold Schwarzenegger blocked Davis’s release years before that, saying . he ‘would pose an unreasonable risk of danger to society.’ . The parole bid was opposed by a former Manson family member, Barbara Hoyt, as well as Sharon Tate's sister, Debra Tate. The 71-year-old Manson family member has won parole before, but seen it blocked by Governors Brown and Schwarzenegger . Frightening: Davis has been in prison since he was convicted of aiding in the murders of musician Gary Hinman and stuntman Donald 'Shorty' Shea in 1972 in a case that was a postscript to Manson's notorious reign as leader of the murderous cult known as the Manson family . Davis long maintained he was a bystander in the killings of the two men but in recent years he acknowledged his shared responsibility because he was present. Davis became a born-again Christian in prison and ministered to other inmates, married and divorced a woman he met through the prison ministry, and has a grown daughter. Davis also earned a master's degree and a doctorate in philosophy of religion. Few followers of the infamous Manson cult have been released from prison. Steve Grogan, who was convicted with Davis, was freed in 1985 after he led police to Shea's buried body. Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme was released from prison in 2009 after serving time for the attempted assassination of President Gerald Ford. Manson and two of his followers, Leslie Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkel, remain in prison for life in the Tate killings. Their co-defendant, Susan Atkins, died of cancer behind bars in 2009. Another of the Tate killers, Charles 'Tex' Watson, is still in prison. Opposition: Barbara Hoyt, left, a former member of the Manson Family, and Debra Tate, sister of Manson Family murder victim Sharon Tate, moments before the start of Bruce Davis' last parole hearing in 2012. Davis has long denied he ever actually killed anyone and was not present for Tate's murder . Manson and his 'Family' became some of the 20th century's most infamous criminals in the summer of 1969, when he directed his mostly young, female followers to murder seven people in what prosecutors said was part of a plan to incite a race war between whites and blacks. Among the victims was actress Sharon Tate, the pregnant wife of filmmaker Roman Polanski. She was stabbed 16 times by members of the cult in the early morning hours of August 9, 1969. Four other people were also stabbed or shot to death at Tate's home that night by the Manson followers, who scrawled the word "Pig" in blood on the front door before leaving. The following night, Manson's group stabbed Leno and Rosemary LaBianca to death, using their blood to write "Rise," "Death to Pigs" and "Healter Skelter" - a misspelled reference to the Beatles song "Helter Skelter" - on the walls and refrigerator door. Davis did not take part in those murders. Manson was originally sentenced to death for the murder spree that horrified the nation in the late 1960s but was spared execution after the California Supreme Court declared the death penalty unconstitutional in 1972. Now 79, he is serving a life sentence at Corcoran State Prison for the seven Tate-LaBianca killings and the murder of Hinman. He has been repeatedly denied parole. | Bruce Davis, 71, was granted parole after a hearing at the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo on Wednesday . Davis also won parole in 2012, but Governor Jerry Brown rejected it last March after public outcry and opposition from victims' family . Davis was sentenced to life in prison in 1972 for helping Manson kill musician Gary Hinman and stuntman Donald 'Shorty' Shea . | 16b5328031ef5f7f73f28cd6db50a6e2826eac08 |
(CNN) -- Newly released documents have reignited the debate in Washington over whether Obama administration officials granted too much access to filmmakers making a movie about the raid that killed Osama bin Laden -- and whether national security was compromised in the process. The documents show, for example, that a defense official offered the filmmakers access to a planner from SEAL Team Six, the super-secret special ops division that successfully executed the high-stakes raid in Pakistan last year. It is not clear if any such access eventually took place. But according to a transcript from the meeting, in July of last year, Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence Michael Vickers told screenwriter Mark Boal and director Kathryn Bigelow that the defense department would offer up a plum interview. "They'll make a guy available who was involved from the beginning as a planner; a SEAL Team 6 Operator and Commander," Vickers said, according to the transcript. The name of that man is blacked out in the transcript that was released, and Vickers tells the filmmakers not to reveal the man's identity. "He shouldn't be talking out of school," Vickers says, but "he knows what he can and can't say." "That's dynamite," says Boal, according to the transcript. "That's incredible," says Bigelow. "You're going to get a little bit of operational stuff," Vickers says, "but more really policy -- like how did we make the decision, the risks, that kind of stuff." It was not clear whether the SEAL team commander ever met with the filmmakers. A Pentagon spokesman said the Defense Department gave them no access to classified information about the raid. But Rep. Peter King, R-New York, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, says the offer of access looks like a "potentially dangerous collaboration" and raises "very serious questions" about whether the administration is sufficiently protecting operational secrets. "If this is too sensitive for the average person to know about," King said, "did Kathryn Bigelow have security clearance? Is she cleared to go in there?" Fran Townsend, former White House homeland security adviser under President George W. Bush and a CNN contributor, called the revelations "troubling." She said revealing too much information about how the bin Laden raid was planned and executed could help other terrorists escape attempts to capture them. "The understanding of how that happens is really very important to our enemies because then they know which information to withhold from us," she said. "We don't want to make that mission -- attacking or targeting future al Qeada leaders -- any more difficult than it already is." "There's a real downside to giving too much access to Hollywood," she said. The records were released to the Washington watchdog organization Judicial Watch, after it filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit. According to e-mails among the documents, the filmmakers also met with acting CIA Director Michael Morrell, National Security Council Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, and White House Counterterrorism Adviser John Brennan. The records also suggest that they were given a walk-though of the "vault" room used by the CIA when planning the raid. Doctor linked to raid sent to prison . A CIA spokesperson confirmed that CIA officers sometimes to meet with writers and filmmakers to help make the portrayal of the CIA more accurate, but called those meetings unclassified. The spokesperson added that "the 'vault' in question, that had been used for planning the raid, was empty at the time of the filmmakers' visit." Likewise, White House officials have said they did not give the filmmakers anything that was not also provided to journalists. "The same information was given to the White House press corps," said National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor. "We do not discuss classified information." Administration officials have also rejected suggestions that they were hoping that a movie recounting the daring and successful raid ordered by President Barack Obama would burnish his image just when the presidential campaign reached its height. The released documents show that the political strategy firm Glover Park Group, which has ties to Democrats, helped the filmmakers arrange meetings in Washington. "To have Democratic consultants, lobbyists, having access with Hollywood producers to inner workings of the CIA, of the military, raises very serious questions," said Republican Rep. King. But the filmmakers, whose representatives declined to comment Wednesday, have said in the past that the film would be about a nonpartisan American triumph without regard for political affiliation. And while the release of the film had once been anticipated for October, just weeks before Election Day, its release is not expected until December. CNN's Suzanne Kelly, Brianna Keilar, and Larry Shaughnessy contributed to this report. | Filmmakers are making a movie about the raid that killed Osama bin Laden . Newly released documents recount access granted to the filmmakers . A congressman says the offer of access raises "very serious questions" Rep. Peter King questions whether operational secrets are being adequately protected . | 7219cab4c5b5e5b4981d31d23c1c6ad72ed76e25 |
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