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(CNN) -- Rafael Nadal remains on course for a record seventh French Open title after he dismissed the challenge of fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro to notch up his 50th Roland Garros victory. The world No.2 triumphed 7-6 6-2 6-3 over the 12th seed as he goes in search of the 11th grand slam title in his illustrious career. Standing between Nadal and a seventh Paris final is another Spaniard, David Ferrer, after the No. 6 seed beat Britain's Andy Murray 6-4 6-7 6-3 6-2. The former world No. 1 has lost only once at the French Open since making his debut as an 18-year-old in 2005. He is yet to lose a set in this year's tournament. "It was a tough one, but I am through and I am very happy," Nadal told the ATP Tour's official website. "You cannot expect to win an easy match in the quarterfinals of a grand slam. On his semi-final against Ferrer, Nadal added: "We played each other a lot of times. His game bothers everybody because he's one of the best players in the world on every surface -- on clay especially. "He's a complete player. It's very difficult to play against him, because his movement is probably the best in the world and he's able to hit the ball very early a lot of the time." Should Nadal secure his seventh title he will go one better than legendary Swede Bjorn Borg, who has six. He will also match Bjorg's record of 11 career grand slam titles. Murray, who said he was satisfied with his performance in the tournament despite going out to a player seeded two places below him, said Nadal is the favorite to win. He told reporters: "I think the four best clay court players in the world are left in and whoever plays best will win. Probably have to favor Rafa slightly, but everyone is playing very, very well." Ferrer's victory ensured he made the final four of the French Open for the first time in his career, a surprise statistic for someone who is renowned as a clay court specialist. He said his four-set win over Murray was grueling, but good preparation for his showdown with Nadal, who he labeled the best player on clay ever. "Tonight's match was very hard, physically very difficult," he said. "But I am happy to be in the semifinals at Roland Garros for the first time. "It will be a tough match against Rafa, he's the best in history on this surface, but I hope to have a good match." Murray's disappointment was evident on court, as he made 59 unforced errors during the match and seemed to be troubled by a series of injuries. "He had his chances and converted them," he said of Ferrer. "He's solid and consistent and if you don't convert opportunities against him, the games become longer and the pressure builds on you. "But it was a good tournament for me. I felt better coming in this year than I did last year. I lost to a better clay court player tonight. There are things to work on but I knew it would be a tough match." Thursday sees the first semifinal, between world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and 16-time grand slam champion Roger Federer, take place. | Rafael Nadal remains on course for a seventh French Open title after beating Nicolas Almagro . World No. 2 defeats fellow Spaniard 7-6 6-2 6-3 to set up semifinal clash with David Ferrer . Ferrer, also from Spain, defeats British No. 4 seed Andy Murray 6-4 6-7 6-3 6-2 . The other semifinal will be contested by world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer . | 600039d1fef6b55a58eb4477862da932be7a921c |
(CNN)Since 2008, FIFA's annual jamboree honoring the world's best player has been dominated by just two names. Ronaldo, Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi, Ronaldo, Ronaldo. Monday saw Portuguese and Real Madrid superstar Cristano Ronaldo crowned as winner of the FIFA Ballon d'Or for a second year in a row. It came as scant surprise, given his club's phenomenal form in 2014 that saw the return of Champions League trophy -- and with it the coveted "decima," or tenth European triumph -- to the Bernabeu. "It has been an incredible year," he said at the awards ceremony. "I would like to continue the work that I have done so far. I want to try to improve, to become better as each day goes by. "I never thought that I would bring this trophy back home on three occasions. I want to become one of the greatest players of all time." Top of their game . This seven-year duopoly reflects the importance of these two supreme athletes on the game, and allows us to see how lucky we are to be able to witness the long summers of two of the finest players to ever grace the sport. And part of the fascination lies in how different the two men are. Debating the relative merits of Ronaldo and his great rival Lionel Messi, talismans of Real and Barcelona, respectively, has been something of a parlor game in recent years. It's easy to compare and contrast, at least superficially. On the one hand, the improbable, mercurial talent of the shaggy haired, oddly stooped figure of Messi, confusing defenders as much as inspiring his teammates to a higher level. On the other: Ronaldo. A glistening, taut mass of muscle, neck like a tree trunk, powering forward relentlessly. He looks like he was created in a lab or a high tech factory; a Terminator, the ultimate footballer. Media matters . The two couldn't be much more different, in style and, if you are to believe the majority of the media, likability. Ronaldo has suffered the slings and arrows of a largely hostile press for much of his career, starting as a foal-limbed teen in Manchester, where he was often derided as a "show pony," for elaborate and unnecessary tricks, and -- a sin in the English game -- diving to win free kicks and penalties. The negativity followed him to Madrid and a then-record transfer fee. It is largely Real's cheerleading press, AS and Marca, that give him a free pass; the rest of the global sporting media grudgingly accept his gifts, but are quick to level criticism when they feel it due. He's often seen as a ball-hog, a selfish player who would rather shoot than pass to a teammate. That he has taken at least 10 shots at goal in nine matches doesn't exactly banish the perception. That his fellow "galactico" Gareth Bale would have the temerity to take a shot (and miss) in a recent Liga game rather than pass to CR7, as the virtuoso has styled himself, earned him a withering look from the Portuguese master, and the opprobrium of fans. Off the field, his reticence to engage the media -- a symptom, it is said, of his shyness -- has been interpreted as haughty and arrogant. Messi, on the other hand, who also eschews media coverage has typically been viewed as humble and self-effacing -- although recent tax and locker room scandals threaten to change that. Phenomenal 2014 . But the stats don't lie, and with the phenomenal return of 61 goals from 60 appearances (42 in 30 La Liga games alone) during 2014, it's hard not to give credit to this year's winner. He reached the 400-goal milestone for club and country (in 653 appearances) in January, . He is a footballing genius, and had he stood alone -- his yin unopposed by Messi's yang -- he would no doubt be already talked of as one of the all-time greats. As it stands, he's talking about that honor in aspirational terms, as a goal; he's spent most of his career battling comparisons. He's also developed in leaps and bounds since his 2008 World Player of the Year trophy, refined his unquestionable talent since he first grinned on that FIFA stage. He's far more mature; gone are the unnecessary stepovers and (almost) the petulance. To complement this, he long ago inherited an undimmable desire to win from his old mentor, Alex Ferguson, and he burns with passion and a need to score. That's only become more evident as he grows into the complete player he has developed into over the past couple of years. And along with his natural ability, he's long been an indefatigable, consummate professional who gives everything he has until the final whistle, and that's what has fueled his work- and goal-rate in 2014. He still takes a lot of shots, sure, but when "Ronaldo doesn't score," on the rare occasions that he walks away from a match without netting a goal is the headline, maybe he's right to do so. Certainly his Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, doesn't begrudge him the efforts. World Cup woes? Germany's irrepressible keeper Manuel Neuer -- who was a distant outlier for the Ballon d'Or this year -- may feel aggrieved that his superlative World Cup went unnoticed in voting. Indeed, Fabio Cannavaro won the award's predecessor, the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2006, off the back of his considerable influence captaining Italy to 2006 World Cup glory. But while he had a largely anonymous World Cup, it would be difficult to deny that, year round, it has been Cristiano's year. And, like the man or not, no one should begrudge him his time at the pinnacle. | Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo picks up his second consecutive FIFA Ballon d'Or . Comparisons with fellow great Lionel Messi have dogged Ronaldo's career . Portuguese midfielder has developed into a more refined, rounded player in recent years . | 0ebd8b78de6cdbafe42d808545adf61974c66e67 |
(CNN) -- Supporters of Proposition 8, California's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, are asking that a judge's injunction barring the measure's enforcement be thrown out because the judge failed to disclose his involvement in a long-term same-sex relationship. In August, then-U.S. Chief Judge Vaughn Walker ruled the measure violates the Constitution's equal protection clause. "Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples," Walker wrote in his 136-page opinion. But on April 6, Walker ended months of speculation by publicly disclosing "that he is gay and that he has been in a committed relationship for more than 10 years," said a motion filed Monday by Proposition 8 backers. In previous press reports, according to the motion, Walker refused comment on his sexual orientation. While the press reports do not address the question of whether Walker and his partner have any interest in marrying, the motion said, Walker should have either recused himself from the case or disclosed his sexual orientation "so that the parties could consider and decide, before the case proceeded further, whether to request his recusal." Walker, who retired at the end of February, told reporters earlier this month he didn't think it was appropriate for any judge's sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin or gender to stop them from presiding over a case, according to a Reuters report. "That's a very slippery slope," said Walker, who was appointed to the federal bench in 1989 by President George H.W. Bush. But, argues the motion filed Monday, if Walker and his partner ever wanted -- or thought they might want -- to marry, he "plainly had an 'interest that could be substantially affected by the outcome of the proceeding,'" it said, citing federal law regarding disqualification of judges. "Only if Chief Judge Walker had unequivocally disavowed any interest in marrying his partner could the parties and the public be confident that he did not have a direct personal interest in the outcome of the case," the motion said. Same-sex marriage advocates decried the move. "Supporters of Proposition 8 are grasping at straws because they don't like the outcome," said Michael Cole-Schwartz of the Human Rights Campaign. "If their real intent was to 'protect marriage,' they should argue that a straight married judge be disqualified since he would conceivably have an interest in protecting his own marriage. The argument is simply ridiculous on its face." However, Peter Sprigg, senior fellow for policy studies at the conservative Family Research Council, said he supports the motion. "The fact that Judge Walker was biased in a generic sense was obvious from his decision itself," Sprigg said. "But the revelation that he has been in a long-term homosexual relationship demonstrates that he had a very specific interest in the case which should have been disclosed." "I think there is zero chance of the decision being overturned because of this purported conflict, but it might have been wiser for Judge Walker to make this disclosure before taking on the case," said Jeffrey Toobin, CNN legal analyst. The motion says that proceedings in the case have been "marked by a number of irregular and unprecedented rulings, both procedural and substantive, that give gravely disquieting force to the 'appearance of partiality' created by the belated disclosure of Chief Judge Walker's long-term, committed relationship." It cites several examples, among them the fact that Walker refused to stay his judgment pending appeal despite its "unprecedented nature ... and its sharp conflict with the uniform judgment of appellate courts throughout the country." As a result, the motion argues, the Ninth Circuit was forced to issue such a stay. The Proposition 8 backers emphasize that in the motion, they are not suggesting a gay or lesbian judge could not hear the case -- only that no judge should try a case where they might have an interest in the outcome. "We deeply regret the necessity of this motion," it says. "In this case, it is undeniable that Chief Judge Walker failed to make the required disclosure. At no point prior to the entry of judgment did Chief Judge Walker disclose that he is in a now 10-year long, committed same-sex relationship. And he has yet to disclose whether he has any interest in marrying his partner should the injunction he issued be upheld on appeal," the motion said. "... Simply stated, under governing California law, Chief Judge Walker currently cannot marry his partner, but his decision in this case, and the sweeping injunction he entered to enforce it, would give him a right to do so." Toobin said the Proposition 8 supporters were not saying the judge shouldn't have heard the case because he is gay. "They're saying he couldn't hear the case because he was in precisely the kind of relationship that would be affected by his decision," he explained. "I still think that is not necessarily disqualifying, because judges deal with issues that affect them in a broad sense all the time, but it might have been a better practice to put the cards on the table," he said. "... It gets to be a closer question when it's not just the general group affected, but the precise sub-group whose rights are at issue in the case." While the argument is a legitimate one, Toobin predicted it will not succeed. "It's all part of the strategy of litigating a high-profile case. You look for every advantage you can." But, "if Walker was willing to say something publicly after the case, he probably should have been willing to say something before the case," he said. "... I think disclosure is almost always the better practice." The civil rights challenge remains at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, and the issue remains unresolved, although a ruling is expected later this year. The court in December set aside Walker's decision, which would have allowed same-sex marriages to resume in California. Walker's ruling assured a swift federal appeal that ultimately may reach the U.S. Supreme Court. One sticking point could be whether Proposition 8 supporters in court -- all private citizens and groups -- have legal "standing" to continue appealing the case. If the appeals court rules they do not, the Supreme Court may not wade into the issue, some legal experts have said, giving no clear guidance on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage nationwide. The high court, in a 1997 unrelated appeal, expressed "grave doubts" about the ability of such private groups to challenge rulings that strike down ballot initiatives. The state's high court had allowed same-sex marriages in California, but then Proposition 8 passed with 52 percent of the vote in 2008. Prior to Walker's ruling, the California Supreme Court allowed that initiative to stand, saying it represented the will of the people. CNN's Bill Mears and Alan Silverleib contributed to this report. | Human Rights Campaign: "The argument is simply ridiculous" Former Judge Vaughn Walker blocked enforcement of Proposition 8 . After his retirement, he confirmed he is involved in a same-sex relationship . Supporters of the same-sex marriage ban say Walker should have disclosed that . | 69c485b04122fbc29c6900ae9ad175eb4fd00f20 |
By . Rebecca English Royal Correspondent In Wellington . Prince George will carry out his debut public engagement tomorrow at a parent and baby group – meeting everyone from a single mother to a gay couple. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will take their eight-month-old son to a playgroup at Government House, the home of the Governor-General in Wellington, organised by the parent support organisation Plunket. All of the babies who will meet Prince George were born within a few weeks of his birthday on July 22 last year. Scroll down for video . Prince George began his tour of Australia and New Zealand with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on Monday . It will be the first time that the third in line to the throne has undertaken a public duty – of sorts. But it clearly won’t be the last, in a lifetime of royal service. The lucky ten families who have been chosen to meet the Cambridges spoke of their excitement today and said they were looking forward to swapping anecdotes about the trials and tribulations of being first-time parents. Kate Bainbridge, 29, a tax accountant whose daughter Sophie was born on July 11, said: 'I’ve had a few jealous looks from other parents when they found out we were meeting the Duke and Duchess. 'Even though we come from a very different background we have got a lot in common with the Duke and Duchess because we’ve been through the sleepless nights and we can talk to them about our experiences. 'We are all first-time parents, like them, so it should be quite easy to chat to them.' Ten families have been chosen to meet Kate, Will and baby George at the Government house in NZ after the royal family arrived in Wellington on Monday . Prince William receives a traditional Maori welcome at the Government house in New Zealand Wellington as Catherine looks on . Philip Gray, 40, who will meet the couple with his wife Alana, 31, and daughter Lily, born on July 16, said: 'The good thing about kids is they’re unpredictable so I’m sure there will be a lot of laughter. Babies are a great ice-breaker.' Also meeting the royal visitors will be gay fathers Jared and Ryan Mullen and their daughter Isabella. Jared, from Oregon, US, and Ryan, from Australia, were chosen to represent the growing numbers of same-sex couples in New Zealand who use Plunket’s parental support services. Tristine Clark, New Zealand president of Plunket, said: 'The parents are a spread of all the communities in New Zealand, including Maoris, Samoans, people of Chinese descent and gay couples. 'This is a very multi-cultural country and we wanted the Duke and Duchess to meet people from all backgrounds.' Mrs Clark said the Duke and Duchess did not specifically ask to meet a gay couple, leaving the choice of parents entirely down to Plunket. Tina Syme, Plunket’s area manager for Wellington, was the woman tasked with choosing the ten sets of parents. She said she started by looking for local couples whose children were born around the same time as Prince George, looked for parents from diverse backgrounds and tried to get an even split of girls and boys. 'The first 10 people who I called and who picked up the phone are the ones who will be attending,” she said. 'There are some couples who I called and who have missed out because they didn’t answer.' Prince William, Catherine and Prince George received a Ceremonial Welcome when they arrived in Wellington, where they are preparing to meet ten families with babies of George's age . Mr Gray said he will be the third generation of his family to meet a royal visitor. His grandfather Bob Graham met the Queen when he was serving in the Royal New Zealand Air Force and his father Robert Gray met the Prince of Wales. 'Now I’m meeting the next two generations down, and maybe our daughter will met Prince George’s children one day,' said Mr Gray, an accountant. His wife Alana, who works in marketing, said: 'We followed the Duchess’s pregnancy and birth because it was happening at the same that I was pregnant. 'It’s a nice link to the UK.' The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, known to all as Plunket, was founded in 1907 by paediatrician Sir Frederic Truby King. He wanted to help babies and mothers dying of malnutrition and disease, and in 1908 the influential Victoria Plunket, wife of the then Governor-General, became its patron, giving the organisation her name. Today Plunket, a non-profit organisation, helps more than 90 per cent of all babies born in New Zealand, with free childcare advice, home visits and other services including child car seat rental. Earlier this week it caused controversy by fitting a forward-facing car seat for eight-month-old Prince George in the Cambridges’ official car, despite telling parents all children under the age of two should be in rear-facing seats. The Duke and Duchess are currently enjoying a day of rest and recuperation with George after their 30-hour flight from London. | Kate, William and George will partake in a government house playgroup . Ten New Zealand families with children George's age will attend . Participants are excited to share parenting stories with the Royal couple . The royal family are currently resting after their 30-hour flight . | 0373dffb961452565ff502d8794f151701d990f8 |
It can cause major problems in water supplies, kill off fish and even give humans nausea, numbness and liver disease. Now the problem of algae in lakes has got so bad, Nasa is using a special sensor on the International Space Station to monitor it from orbit. The space agency has already released a stunning series of images showing the effect algae can have on Earth's lakes. Scroll down for video . A Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO) image of a massive Microcystis bloom (shown in green) in western Lake Erie, Sept. 3, 2011, as confirmed by spectral analysis. On the right is an image created by scientists to better show off the algae. The Hyperspectral Imager is mounted to the exterior of the orbiting laboratory. It provides a way for researchers to see 90 wavelengths of light not visible to the human eye. This can help with research on harmful algal blooms (HABs) because they, along with other organic materials, have a 'spectral signature.' The biological matter emits a unique wavelength as it absorbs and scatters solar energy, resulting in fluorescence and backscattering. Essentially the light reflects back to HICO, which reads the data like a fingerprint. 'If you've been watching recent news of algal bloom concerns in Lake Erie, you know that the right conditions for algae can lead to contamination of local water sources, potentially impacting aquatic life and humans,' Nasa said. The International Space Station's Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO) is mounted to the exterior of the orbiting laboratory. It provides a way for researchers to see 90 wavelengths of light not visible to the human eye. This can help with research on harmful algal blooms (HABs) because they, along with other organic materials, have a 'spectral signature.' The biological matter emits a unique wavelength as it absorbs and scatters solar energy, resulting in fluorescence and backscattering. Essentially the light reflects back to HICO, which reads the data like a fingerprint. A Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO) image of western Lake Erie, Aug. 15, 2014, taken from the orbital perspective of the International Space Station. Researchers can use the information from HICO to 'see' what they're missing with their own senses. With it they study biological and chemical signatures for aquatic and terrestrial materials. This can reveal the presence of microscopic plants, organic compounds, suspended sediments and other factors controlling water quality. The Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO) as seen aboard the International Space Station, where it is mounted to the Japanese Experiment Module External Facility. 'Historically, blooms have been visually observed by the naked eye due to the discoloration of the water,' said Ruhul Amin, Ph.D., principal investigator for the HICO CASIS-NRL project. 'Now optical sensors can detect these changes in the color of the water and quantitatively measure the spectral radiance changes due to algae blooms.' In the Lake Erie area researchers are looking at phytoplankton and algal blooms that occur regularly in summer months, often in the harmful quantities found this year. Of particular concern are blue-green algae Microcystis spp., which can cause health concerns in humans such as nausea, numbness or dizziness—potentially leading to liver damage. Once airborne in sea spray, the brevetoxin producing HAB Karenia brevis—known as red tide—can go beyond irritating the eyes and lungs of coastal visitors, according to Amin, as it is capable of killing fish, birds and marine mammals. No human fatalities are directly attributed to brevetoxins, he goes on to say, though it is possible to reach fatal toxin levels during K. brevis blooms . 'Unlike conventional multi-spectral images, the high spatial and spectral resolution afforded by HICO enables us to develop new approaches to more fully utilize hyperspectral data to distinguish HAB species from space,' said Amin. 'Conventional multi-spectral ocean color imagery in general does not contain sufficient information to discriminate between bloom species, but HICO's contiguous bands collect information that can enable us to identify the species.' A Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO) image of western Lake Erie, Aug. 15, 2014, taken from the orbital perspective of the International Space Station. Researchers at the NRL-SSC have used HICO's ability to show visible and near infrared wavelengths to follow the Lake Erie blooms for years. The most recent HICO data collections for the area took place in mid-August as the station passed over the Great Lakes region. This information, in addition to ground data and other resources, can help with developing and validating bloom-detection algorithms. | Scientists are using instrument on ISS to monitor growth of algae . Huge 'blooms' can kill off fish and even give humans disease . | 9e3d184cdb4e2ce3936dac21570ee97ad6a4efc0 |
The Los Angeles Lakers have confirmed that a man shot and killed in Philadelphia over the weekend was the father of player Wayne Ellington Jr. Ellington Jr. said in a Tuesday statement 'My family and I are devastated by the news of my father’s murder on Sunday night in Philadelphia. We appreciate everyone’s support and ask that you respect the privacy of our family during this very difficult time.' Police say the 26-year-old basketball player's father, 57-year-old Wayne Ellington Sr., was found shot in the head in the driver's seat of a car in the Germantown section just after 8 p.m. Sunday, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. 'Devastated': Los Angeles Lakers player Wayne Ellington Jr. released a statement mourning his father Wayne Ellington Sr., who died in Philadelphia over the weekend . Father: Wayne Ellington Sr. is seen with his family, including son Wayne Ellington Jr., in this Facebook photograph . Ellington was transported to Einstein Medical Center and pronounced dead Sunday evening, according to the newspaper. No arrests have been reported. The Lakers wrote online that Ellington Jr. was been granted an indefinite leave of absence. The team said there is no set time for his return. Ellington Sr.'s mother Betty Ellington told The Philadelphia Daily News 'I'm devastated. I couldn't even believe this.' Two parked cars were hit by Ellington Sr.'s car, Chief Inspector Scott Small told the newspaper. The only ballistic evidence police have uncovered was the bullet hole in Ellington Sr.'s passenger-side door - and investigators believe the bullet likely entered via his driver's-side window, the newspaper reported. 'It was his whole conversation, about his son playing in the NBA,' Betty Ellington told The Philadelphia Daily News, revealing her son was a father to two daughters as well as a grandfather to two granddaughters. Mitch Kupchak, the Lakers General Manager, said in a Monday statement 'Our players are upset for their friend and teammate. Additionally, ownership and all Lakers employees are also saddened by this tragedy.Those of us who work with and have gotten to know Wayne have come to know what a wonderful and caring person he is. Our hearts go out to Wayne and his family, as do our thoughts and prayers.' Byron Scott - the coach of the team - told ESPN on Tuesday 'It was just very sad news, obviously, and all of us have to give him space to grieve and deal with this with his family and we'll welcome him back with open arms when he decides to come back.' The Lakers have said that Ellington Jr. has been granted an indefinite leave of absence, with no set time for his return . During a walk to his vehicle, Ellington Jr. found out about his father, Scott told the sports website. Scott told ESPN 'I got the news when I was with my family in the hallway about to go to my car. I obviously kind of dropped everything and went straight to him, spent a few minutes with him. A lot of his teammates were there, as well as his fiancé. [Charlotte Hornets player] Gerald Henderson, who he grew up with, was there. He had a lot of support.' 'Again, this is our livelihood, but it's still just a game,' he also told ESPN. 'This thing that's happening with Wayne is real life. It kind of puts everything in perspective, too. 'As a team, we'll obviously keep going on and trying to win games, but I think all of us, every now and then - during the game, after the game, before the game - will have Wayne on our mind.' | The Los Angeles Lakers confirmed that a man shot and killed in Philadelphia over the weekend was the father of player Wayne Ellington Jr. Police say his father, 57-year-old Wayne Ellington, was found shot in the head in the driver's seat of a car in the Germantown section . The Lakers wrote online that Ellington Jr. has been granted an indefinite leave of absence, with no set time for his return . | 45834eace34f9c8bf52a4e0bfc972c88cc7e4576 |
By . John Drayton . Tony Hibbert has signed a two-year contract extension with Everton to keep his at the club until 2016. The 33-year-old has played 319 times for the Toffees despite playing a bit-part role in recent seasons. Everton boss Roberto Martinez values the defender and has given the full-back a chance to compete with Seamus Coleman next season. Staying: Tony Hibbert has signed a new two-year contract extension with Everton . Staying fit: The Toffees defender only managed to make four appearance last season . Speaking earlier this year, Martinez said: In my eyes Tony has got a lot to offer at Everton still and we need to make sure that a positive outcome.'Maybe in a couple of a key moments, he's picked up a couple of injuries that have stopped him playing more but I do value his contribution at the club and his experience. Trust: Everton Manager Roberto Martinez has decided to keep Hibbert at Goodison Park . | Everton defender Tony Hibbert has signed a new contract with the club . The Toffees defender will be at Everton until at least 2016 . | a2555996058574a2c5ad2f022876d85820f03953 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 11:41 EST, 12 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:44 EST, 12 July 2013 . Silvio Berlusconi's party boycotted a summit of Italy's fragile coalition government and blocked parliamentary activity on Wednesday in protest against a supreme court decision to fast track a ruling that could ban him from public office. The former premier's party forced legislative procedures to be suspended in parliament for a day, because of the protest by Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PDL) party, one of the two main partners in Enrico Letta's left-right coalition government. While the disgraced former leader was embroiled in political campaigning, his daughter Eleonora Berlusconi was pictured relaxing on a quiet and secluded beach in Sardinia, with British model boyfriend, Guy Binns and their son Riccardo. Happy couple: Eleonora Berlusconi with British model Guy Binns and his son Richard at Villa Certosa, Porto Rotondo, Sardinia . Miss Berlusconi, 27, has been linked to the British model since 2011 and the couple looked content in each others company on the Italian isle. They reportedly first met at a Milan fashion show and were said to have started dating straight after. The pair, who are on holiday at the Villa Certosa, Porto Rotondo, in Sardinia, made themselves comfortable in the shade with seven-month-old son sat between them. They are on holiday with friends as well as Barbara Berlusconi, the former premier's glamorous daughter, who was spotted relaxing in the sun and getting close to economics student Lorrenzo Guerrieri this week. Father Silvio Berlusconi announced the arrival of his seventh grandchild in January when he was invited to the TV programme Otto e mezzo. Content: The couple looked relaxed and content as they sheltered from the sun on a secluded beach in Sardinia . Good life: Eleonora Berlusconi smiles as her boyfriend and father of her son Riccardo reaches in for a kiss . He was quoted saying at the time: 'The political issues are far away from me now. I became grandfather for the seventh time: a baby named Riccardo was welcomed by my daughter Eleonora, he weighs 3kg and 200grams,' he said during the interview. Now however, it appears political issues are inescapable for the former prime minister who is trying to appeal being barred from politics. The supreme court decision to fast track a ruling to ban him from public office, has aggravated tension in the squabbling coalition which was already under fire for the slow pace of reforms desperately needed to boost recovery from the worst recession since World War Two. Beppe Grillo, leader of the populist 5-Star Movement which stunned Italy by winning an unprecedented quarter of the vote in a February election, said Italy was heading for catastrophe because of the government's failure to take extraordinary measures to tackle the economy. He said Italy was like a pressure cooker 'on the verge of blowing up' and called on President Giorgio Napolitano to call an election as soon as possible. The daughter of Italy's former premier has been linked to Brit Guy Binns since 2011 . The arrival of the couple's baby boy was announced by Silvio Berlusconi in January during a TV interview . Beautiful setting: The serene scene was far from the political turmoil that faces Silvio Berlusconi whose party blocked legislative proceedings today via a boycott . The supreme court was forced to issue an unusual statement defending its decision on Tuesday to hear Berlusconi's final appeal on July 30 against a tax fraud conviction. The 76-year-old media magnate's lawyers had not expected a ruling until late in the year. The court will rule on whether to uphold a four-year jail term and five-year ban on holding public office for complicity in tax fraud at Berlusconi's Mediaset television empire. Although Berlusconi will probably escape jail because of his age if the sentence is confirmed, he could be thrown out of parliament in what would be a major shock to Letta's fragile government. Letta said the government would survive whatever happened but some hawks in Berlusconi's party are thought to want to force an election in October if he is condemned. In an attempt to ensure PDL loyalty, Letta again promised in a television interview that he would abolish a hated housing tax which is the PDL's central demand, despite the difficulty of remaining within European Union budget constraints. The groups of friends spent some time on the beach relaxing before carrying their buggies and children back over the rocks . The supreme court said it had been forced to call a special summer sitting on July 30 because part of the case against Berlusconi will expire under the state of limitations on August 1. Berlusconi and his aides believe the court decision, in sharp contrast to the usual snail's pace of Italy's legal system, is another example of what he calls sustained and undemocratic persecution by leftist magistrates. Italy's former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, pictured in February, faces a supreme court decision to fast track a ruling to ban him from public office . The former premier said the decision was inspired by his enemies in the Milan prosecutor's office who have brought many cases against him, including his recent conviction for paying for sex with a Moroccan-born underage nightclub dancer nicknamed 'Ruby the Heartstealer' and abusing his office to try to cover it up. He was sentenced to seven years jail in the 'bunga bunga' case last month but that sentence will not become definitive until two appeals are exhausted. Berlusconi has played a key role since Letta's government was formed in April in keeping his hawkish lieutenants on a tight leash, but the supreme court decision has sparked demands for street protests and blocking of all parliamentary activity. A substantial faction of Letta's own centre-left Democratic Party also opposes the government alliance with Berlusconi but Napolitano, the effective godfather of the coalition, is adamantly opposed to early elections in the midst of Italy's worst postwar recession. | Legislative procedures to be suspended in parliament for a day after Berlusconi's party protested against a court ruling to ban him from office . Meanwhile, in Sardinia, his daughter Eleonara was a picture of happiness with Brit model boyfriend Guy Binns and their seven-month-old son . | c347b2bd3bccc8012f473a7bbd0cf6988e86167d |
By . Jill Reilly . and Chris Brooke . The garlic is one thing. And we have learned to put up with the occasional whiff of onions or eye-watering Gitanes. But yesterday France outdid itself in the nose-wrinkling stakes when a cloud of foul-smelling gas drifted across the Channel, leaving swathes of Britain spluttering in disgust. Emergency services were deluged as householders, fearing some sort of environmental disaster was engulfing the country, rang the police, ambulance and fire brigades. Wind: The noxious smell wafted across the Channel this morning after a leak at a chemical factory in Rouen, the historic city of Normandy in north eastern France . But, as they held their noses and . slammed shut their windows, they were told in no uncertain terms that it . wasn’t the end of the world – it was just France. The gas cloud, said to smell of sweat . and rotten eggs, drifted over from a factory in the northern French . city of Rouen and caused an almighty stink as the day went on. After wafting over Sussex, Kent, . Hampshire and Surrey, it made its way north. By the afternoon, it was . causing misery across Oxfordshire and in to the East Midlands. The National Grid, responsible for . the nation’s electricity supply, said it had received an ‘unprecedented’ 100,000 calls by mid-afternoon. The news of the pong’s origins led to some mirth on Twitter. ‘It’s now official, France smells,’ wrote Twitter user Phillip Smith. The gas is thought to have leaked . from a plant run by Lubrizol, a company that makes additives for . industrial lubricants and paint, and is based near Rouen, 75 miles . north-west of Paris. Winds blew the invisible cloud south towards Paris on Monday before it turned back and crossed into England yesterday. Last night experts said the cloud, . made up of methyl mercaptan gas, posed no threat to public health . although it could cause nausea in some people. Mercaptan has a sulphurous smell and . is added to odourless natural gas as a safety precaution. A spokesman . for the Health Protection Agency said: ‘It is not toxic and has also . been diluted before entering the air over England, so people should be . reassured it will cause no harm. ‘It is an unpleasant odour which may cause some people to feel slightly nauseous but it will dispel naturally.’ Lubrizol’s operations director Pierre-Jean Payrouse admitted the gas smelled ‘very bad’. He told French radio that the plant was trying to contain the problem but the cause remained unknown. He said: ‘It’s not so much a leak as a product that has decomposed, which smells very bad and which is escaping. ‘An investigation is under way but our priority is to deal with the problem.’ The cloud was not only a headache for Britain. A French Cup soccer match between . Rouen and Olympique Marseille had to be postponed and some Rouen . residents have complained of migraines. The fire brigade in the county of Kent, warned residents to keep their doors and windows closed due to a gas cloud it believed had come from France and London police said it had reports of an acrid smell in southeast London. Investigation: Workers inspecting the premises of the Lubrizol company in Rouen, western France, where a chemical substance became unstable causing gas odors that are similar to those of town gas . Harmless: Officials at Lubrizol factory in France, which makes additives for industrial lubricants and paint, said the sulphur-like smell was from a harmless additive in natural gas . Noxious smell: As the gas cloud spread across Kent concerned calls came in from residents in Maidstone, Ashford, Dover (pictured) and Folkestone . London's Metropolitan Police tweeted: 'We are aware of reports of a . strong, noxious, gas-like smell in some South East London boroughs. No . risks to public.' London Fire Brigade tweeted: 'We’ve been called to 25 gas incidents since 10.30am. The rotten egg smell is coming from France but has no risk to public #zutalors' Hastings resident Lucy Parker, 27, said: 'It is totally disgusting and makes you wretch.' Public service: Tweets from the London Fire Brigade about today's smell . Another local, James Boyes, 42, of Dover, Kent, said: 'The smell is just like the worst flatulent person ever standing with their back turned to you. 'It is truly, truly awful and the sooner they plug that leak the better for all concerned. Crew manager Andy Batchelor at Folkestone Fire Station said it had received 30 phone calls between 6.30am and 8.50am from as far as Dover, Lydd and Ashford this morning from members of the public reporting a smell of gas. He added: 'Transco believes there is a gas cloud sitting over south east Kent. 'Dover Coastguard have had reports from the French authorities saying there was a gas leak between Rouen and Paris. 'The prevailing winds have come from that area but it is not yet confirmed that the smell is from that source.' A report on the Kent Fire and Rescue Service website attributed it to the French stink. It . said: 'South Kent residents are being asked to keep doors and windows . closed due to a gas cloud that is believed to have come across from . France, following reports of a gas leak from a factory 75 miles west of . Paris. 'Kent Fire and Rescue Service is aware and liaising with partner agencies.' Some schools closed believing the stench to be down to a gas leak on the premises. Reports: Paris citizens reported headaches and nausea as the 'non-toxic' pong wafted through the streets . | Source blamed on a factory in Rouen in Northern France . Calls came in from residents in Maidstone, Ashford, Dover and Folkestone . Sulphur-like smell from a harmless additive in natural gas . Citizens of Paris reported headaches and nausea from the 'non-toxic' pong . School in Kent closes due to smell fearing gas leak . | 8c7665361bbd1c05c77238696d885936e2a8bbbc |
By . Mike Dawes . One was once the king of football, the other of wrestling, but now, David Beckham and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson have plenty of time to 'hang' now they're retired. The pair, who share the same birthday on May 2, got together and posed for a photo, which The Rock took to Instagram to show off. 'Hang time with the boys. Good to see my bud - one of the best dudes I know #Beckham,' he added. VIDEO Scroll down to watch David Beckham and his sons get covered in slime... Pose: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and David Beckham took the photograph together . The duo looked as fit as ever, and neither tend to shy away from showing off their physiques. Beckham was pictured modelling in his AW14 Bodywear collection for high street . store H&M at the beginning of July. Yet again, the 39-year-old showed off his chiseled abs and array of body art to make women swoon and plenty of men jealous. Hot stuff: Beckham may have retired a year ago but he has kept himself fit after finishing his career . Model professional: Beckham showed off some of his post-football work in his new H&M shoot . Longer: Not all of Beckham's shots were quite so raunchy, although he still showed off his torso . | David Beckham and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson have 'hang time' 'Good to see my bud - one of the best dudes I know,' writes Johnson . Photo of the two together was shared on Instagram . | 3d173ab0631d7fc590ea703dd0eb08dd87b560aa |
By . Oliver Pickup . Last updated at 4:34 PM on 26th August 2011 . The father-in-law of a missing Utah mother has today said that she would order him to smell her hair and pushed her breasts into his hands as he revealed more details of the sexual relationship he claims they had. Steve Powell alleges that he enjoyed a 'very sexual' relationship with daughter-in-law Susan Powell who disappeared in December 2009. Mr Powell said his missing daughter-in-law would frequently make passes at him and that they enjoyed 'sexual touching'. Scroll down for video . Mother: Susan Powell went missing from her hom in December 2009 and is now being described as a 'very sexual' person . Explosive claims: Steve Powell said he and his daughter-in-law enjoyed a very sexual relationship and that they were falling in love . 'I had a relationship with her that was probably beyond the pale, he told ABC News. 'When she was living at my house she would regularly come into my office after taking a shower.' He said that she would say to him, 'Smell my hair, I just shampooed it, it smells nice'. 'She would bend over my lap to let me smell her hair or come in and say I "I just waxed my legs, feel my thighs, how smooth they are",' he added. 'One day we were at an animal park with the boys. I was holding Brayden [her son] in my arms, she came over to take him from me and instead of just reaching out and grabbing him, she pushed her breasts against my hand, tightly.' Mr Powell called his daughter-in-law 'unstable', echoing by claims by his son Josh, who is the only person of interest named in the case. Family: Susan Powell shown with her two young children and her husband, Josh Powell . He told ABC News: 'Susan was very very sexual with me, . very flirtatious. She would do a lot of things to me, we interacted in a . lot of sexual ways. 'I think it is pretty likely I was falling love with her, and there is no . doubt in my mind that the feeling was mutual.' 'There was really a disconnect . between the Susan who was a faithful, loving wife, and the Susan who was . a very flirtatious, sexual being. 'Father-in-law, daughter-in-law . flirting with each other, maybe some sexual touching or whatever. And I . enjoyed it, frankly. Susan was a joy to be around in so many ways, not . just those ways,' he told Good Morning America. Josh Powell, 34, spoke yesterday as police investigating the disappearance searched the home of he shares with his father-in-law. He said: 'Everyone who knows me knows that I . would never hurt her and I would never hurt my boys. I would never hurt anyone. Emotional: Josh Powell fought back tears as he spoke about his missing wife, saying he was a good husband . 'I am a good dad and I was a good . husband. Though Susan was never unfaithful before that I know of, she . was a very sexual person.' He maintains that he left his . 28-year-old wife on her own when he took his two sons Charlie, then . four, and Braden, then two, camping in the middle of a blizzard in the . middle of the night, claiming that he simply tends to be 'spontaneous' and that the day was a blur to him. Mr Powell also described his wife as . an erratic and depressive person who contemplated suicide and would leave . the house in her underwear and walk down the street, a situation he . calls 'mortifying'. Steve Powell said his son was unaware of the relationship between he and Susan, saying: 'Josh wasn't aware of a lot of these . things at first because the first two or three years of his marriage - . it was really pretty much not something that really came to light. 'We interacted in a lot of sexual ways . because Susan enjoys doing that.' After the interview with GMA, Susan's . father Chuck Cox told the network that their claims are 'completely . false' and 'ridiculous'. Ridiculous: Chuck Cox said that Steve Powell's claims are completely false and it was him who made passes at his daughter . Speaking about Steve Powell, he said: . 'She told us a long time before they moved to Utah that he had made . advances towards her which she said made her very uncomfortable and that . her husband did not seem to care. 'She moved to Utah to get away from Steve.' Both Steven and Josh Powell are . trying to get her journals made public as they believe it illustrates . that she grew up around emotionally abusive parents and accused her . father of being a manipulator. They also said the teenage journals prove that his daughter-in-law is capable of walking out on her husband and their two sons. Steve Powell has said that the . journals, which stretch back to when Susan was a teenager, show that . she attempted to commit suicide and was 'lustful', and therefore could . have run off with another man. The allegation brought a furious . response from Susan’s father, Chuck Cox, who said he would fight the release of the pages. Mr Powell (left) is the only person of interest in the two-year investigation. Susan Powell (right) was last seen in December 2009 . He told ABC News : 'We . deny all allegations, they are just totally ridiculous and we’re very . disappointed and believe it’s unconscionable that he would first read . those journals and then think he had the right to publish them.' He said: 'They don't have authority to do it. If she is alive, . which they claim, she then still maintains control over her writings, copyright-wise. 'If they publish it, I'm prepared to take action. I have an attorney and we're waiting.' The . diary extracts show seven handwritten pages on what appears to be . school notebook paper, detailing events from Susan's life in 1996 . and 1998. Steve Powell . said that the documents prove that 'Susan is a lot more vulnerable . emotionally than Chuck and Judy Cox (her mother) would like people to . believe'. Further, the diary extracts show 'that Susan led a double-life from the time she was 13, 14, or possibly even 12,' Mr Powell claimed. Police widened their search to a network of abandoned mines in Ely, Nevada, but have not revealed any new evidence . The debate comes days after authorities searched a sprawling network of abandoned mines outside Ely, Nevada, but did not reveal any new evidence. The renewed interest into Susan Powell's disappearance comes after a remembrance rally for her descended into chaos on Friday as family members traded allegations in public. Chuck Cox has said that he will fight the release of his daughter's diaries . Tensions reached a boiling point between the feuding families as . loved ones gathered in Puyallup, Washington to pass out flyers and comb . for leads. Steve Powell confronted Mr Cox, calling him a 'liar' and a 'cyberbully'. The families are scheduled to meet in court today when Josh Powell will request a restraining order against Mr Cox. Mrs Powell was last seen at her home on December 6, 2009. She was reported missing the next day when she failed to show up for her job in West Valley City, Utah. Her husband recently told the Salt Lake Tribune that he is willing to talk with federal authorities, but not West Valley City police. He told the newspaper that he considered the search in Ely an opportunity for authorities to set him up. 'It occurred to me,' he said, according to the paper, 'they were planting something in Ely so they could magically show it to the media.' The FBI Utah office's spokeswoman, Debbie Dujanovic Bertram, declined to comment yesterday. Watch the video . | Susan Powell has not been seen since 2009 . Steve Powell said she made sexual passes at him . | 693d8c77b4423b86e7572f57982d057d55f0ff1d |
Scientists have created a map of the matter in a segment of the universe, which could reveal how the universe came to be. The incredible ‘pencil beam’ shows the distribution of the cosmic web across a slice of the sky 10.8 billion years ago. Amazingly it accurately predicts where galaxies will appear - and it could help us understand the evolution of the universe, both into the past and the future. Researchers led by the Max Planck Institute of Astronomy in Germany have observed a 'pencil beam' of the universe's cosmic web. This animation shows the slice of the night sky seen by the team. Denser regions of matter are bright, while the darker regions show the 'voids' between galaxies . The research was led by Dr Khee-Gan Lee from the Max Planck Institute of Astronomy in Germany. The three-dimensional map shows the ‘adolescent’ universe as it appeared just three billion years after the Big Bang, which occurred about 13.8 billion years ago. Using a technique similar to an X-ray computer-tomographic (CT) scan used in medicine, the researchers revealed the dense grid of light from background galaxies. The snippet we see here, though, merely predicts where galaxies will appear based on the density of matter and dark matter in certain areas of the universe - the cosmic web - before galaxies formed. 'The cosmic web is a nickname for the way in which matter is distributed on the largest scales of millions of light-years,' explains Dr Lee to MailOnline. 'This pattern has been seen in the nearby universe when astronomers plot the positions of a large numbers of galaxies. 'In the nearby universe, we see the galaxies arranged along the web-like filaments that intersect in 'galaxy clusters'. However, at greater distances it becomes progressively harder to measure large numbers of galaxy positions to do this kind of mapping, therefore our 'CT scan' instead uses the imprint of hydrogen gas, which also traces matter, to map out the cosmic web in 3D. 'The structures in our map represent the cosmic web at a much earlier stage of its growth, when the universe was merely a quarter its current age.' This is made possible as the light from background galaxies passes through hydrogen gas in the universe. In the map the lighter areas show regions of high-density matter where galaxies would ultimately form, while the black regions show ‘voids’ - the space between galaxies. The astronomers used the Keck I telescope at the W. M. Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea, Hawaii to make the map. In total they managed to observe the segment of space for four hours, although they had been hoping for longer. However that was enough time to create the three-dimensional section of the universe almost 11 billion light-years away. Speaking to MailOnline, Dr Xavier Prochaska from the University of California Santa Cruz, who was part of the research team, commented on the significance of the 3D map. ‘At the top level it’s a test of our current theory of cosmology,' he tells MailOnline. 'It shows us how the universe forms over cosmic time.' He described the segment as a ‘pinhole through the universe’ or a ‘pencil beam’ showing its grand history. Lead researcher Dr Lee, meanwhile, adds: ‘This is the first time people have used light to map the universe in such a way in 3D. ‘They have used it in the past, but previously it has always been to study the cosmic web in 1D, directionally along the line of sight.’ The segment, seen here, was 100 million light-years in length, 2.5 million light-years wide and six million light-years tall. It was made using the Keck I observatory and peering further and further into space. The results reveal the density of matter in this region of the universe, with brighter regions containing more . The snippet of the universe seen here was taken 10.8 billion years ago, and predicts where galaxies will appear based on the density of matter and dark matter in certain areas - the cosmic web. This is made possible as the light from background galaxies passes through hydrogen gas in the universe . The astronomers used the Keck I telescope at the W. M. Keck Observatory (shown) on Mauna Kea, Hawaii to make the map. In total they managed to observe the segment of space for four hours, although they had been hoping for longer. In December this year they will attempt to make longer observations . This is also the first time the cosmic web has been mapped at such a vast distance. Since observing to such immense distances is also looking back in time, the map reveals the early stages of cosmic structure formation when the universe was only a quarter of its current age. This was during an era when the galaxies were undergoing a major ‘growth spurt’. The map provides a tantalising glimpse of giant structures extending across millions of light-years, and paves the way for more extensive studies that should reveal not only the structure of the cosmic web, but also details of how it works. This includes the ways that gas moved around the web into galaxies, providing the raw material for the growth of galaxies through the formation of stars and planets. Dr Lee explains that the map should be able to predict the existence of these galaxies - and perhaps even some too small to see by other methods. And he also says it could help us understand the physics that govern galaxy formation, and even understand the future of the universe. ‘An understanding of the past will help us better predict the future of the universe,’ he says. The researchers add they will be hoping to repeat the experiment later this year, possibly in December, and map an even larger segment of the universe. This is the first time the cosmic web has been mapped (shown) at such a vast distance. Since observing to such immense distances is also looking back in time, the map reveals the early stages of cosmic structure formation when the universe was only a quarter of its current age . | Researchers led by the Max Planck Institute of Astronomy in Germany have observed a 'pencil beam' of the universe's cosmic web . The resultant 3D map shows the distribution of matter in one region of space . This cosmic web shows where matter is most densely concentrated . In this particular 'slice' of the universe it shows how such matter was distributed before the galaxies even formed . This means it can be used to predict where galaxies should have formed, which can be confirmed through observational evidence . It is the first time the cosmic web has been mapped at such a vast distance - in this case 10.8 billion light-years from Earth . The researchers made the map using the Keck I telescope in Hawaii . It could be used to help understand how the universe took shape . | 5e8a15671864bf9b61e0c19ee57f324847f14591 |
AC Milan have sacked Clarence Seedorf and appointed Filippo Inzaghi as the club's new manager. Dutchman Seedorf only arrived at the San Siro in January - succeeding Massimiliano Allegri after the club's disappointing start to the season - but has been relieved of his duties after Milan finished eighth in Serie A. Inzaghi, a San Siro legend like Seedorf, has never coached at a senior level but has been promoted from Milan's Under 19 team. Relieved of his duties: Clarence Seedorf has been sacked as manager of AC Milan . Pointing the way: AC Milan legend Filippo Inzaghi has been appointed as the new manager at the San Siro . Struggles: Milan, playing with Mario Balotelli up front, finished eighth in Serie A last season . A statement released by the club read: 'AC Milan wishes to communicate that Coach Clarence Seedorf has been sacked, and the first team has been entrusted to Pippo Inzaghi until June 30, 2016.' According to Gazzetta dello Sport the Milan board were initially unwilling to pay the remainder of Seedorf's wages he was owed after signing a two-and-a-half-year deal. However, the club will now put the former Holland midfielder on gardening leave and continue to pay him until the end of his contract. The sacking comes after Milan president Silvio Berlusconi said that the former Rossoneri star was part of the club's 'past' on Friday, though he did stop short of confirming that the Dutchman had been sacked. Seedorf scored a hat-trick for Jose Mourinho's Rest of the World team during Sunday's Soccer Aid charity match and also hit a stunning volley during last week's clash between Real Madrid and Juventus legends. Claude Makelele, recently appointed the new boss of Bastia in France, is now the only black manager working in Europe's top leagues now Seedorf has departed from the Milan hotseat. Star man: Seedorf (right) celebrates after scoring against England during Sunday's Soccer Aid charity match . All smiles: Former striker Inzaghi celebrates victory with his under-19 team last season . | AC Milan sack Seedorf and appoint Inzaghi as the club's new manager . Dutchman arrived at San Siro last January and guided Milan to eighth in Serie A following poor start to the season under Massimiliano Allegri . Inzaghi has never coached at senior level but has been promoted from Milan's Under-19 team . | 70b797fae6b91dc0811b2ab846ba57c5406808f0 |
Real Madrid stars Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez were both in attendance as super agent Jorge Mendes launched his new book 'The Key to Mendes' in Madrid on Thursday night. The pair appeared in a relaxed mood at the event as they enjoyed an evening off ahead of their La Liga match against Cordoba on Friday. Ronaldo and James were both represented by Mendes when they made their big-money moves from Manchester United and Monaco. Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez attended the launch of Jorge Mendes' new book 'The Key to Mendes' Ronaldo is represented by Mendes, who brokered the deal to take the forward to Real Madrid from Man United . Ronaldo poses for a photograph with a woman during the event in Madrid . Ronaldo, who was crowned Ballon d'Or winner for the third time earlier this month, move to the Bernabeu for £80million in 2009, and James joined the club in the summer for £60m after starring in the World Cup in Brazil. Mendes played a key role in both the deals and has represented players in many of the highest-profile transfers in recent years, including Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao last summer. It was revealed in the book earlier this week that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who is also represented by Mendes, was offered both Falcao and Di Maria last summer. The Real Madrid forward poses with Mendes, who is holding the new book . Ronaldo and James will line-up together when Real take on Cordoba on Friday night . 'Jorge [Mendes] told me Di Maria and Falcao are his players and he has to find solutions for them,' he said. 'But if Chelsea doesn't have the financial capacity to pay eight, nine, 10 million euros a year, because of Fair Play, of course Mendes has to think about his players.' 'I can't have a player earning €10m when others earn three, four or five. That would have caused an explosion.' | Agent Jorge Mendes launched new book 'The Key Mendes' on Thursday . Cristiano Ronaldo attended the event in Madrid with James Rodriguez . The pair are both represented by Mendes, who brokered their deals to Real . Ronaldo was joined by his son Cristiano Jnr at the presentation . | 822263484bcd9ab06609826a57e98fdde5bfe7e1 |
(CNN) -- Three people were killed and several more were wounded in a shooting at a town supervisors' meeting in eastern Pennsylvania, officials said Monday night. Earlier, Pennsylvania State Police said four people were killed, but later revised that number. The shooting broke out around 7:30 p.m. ET at the Ross Township building in Saylorsburg, about 75 miles north of Philadelphia, Monroe County Emergency Management Director Guy Miller told CNN. Police identified the suspect as Rockne Newell of Saylorsburg. Newell was among those shot and was being treated at Pocono Medical Center Monday night. Police said exactly how he was shot is under investigation. State police Lt. Robert Bartel said Newell had an ongoing dispute with officials involving the condemnation of his property and issues with his sewer. Bartel said it's not clear whether Newell knew any of the victims shot. Ross Township's three-member Board of Supervisors meets the first Monday night of the month at the township's municipal building. Monroe County Commissioner Suzanne McCool said it was "the quietest township in Monroe County." "They are never in the newspaper," McCool said. She said she knew of no controversial issues before the supervisors. "They are the only township in Monroe County that hasn't had a tax increase in many, many years," she said. CNN's Rick Martin contributed to this report. | Police identify the suspect as Rockne Newell of Saylorsburg . Authorities say he had an ongoing dispute with officials about his property . State police revise the death toll back to three . A commissioner calls the location "the quietest township in Monroe County" | 5b4b33c55e83a334787ff3bcecdb2620ccd1a4ca |
With weeks to go until the World Cup kicks off, the preparations are well and truly underway. It's time for new stars, new optimism, and of course a new ball. Unveiled by adidas in late 2013, the ‘Brazuca’ is the official ball of the World Cup 2014 and it’s the 12th the sports giant has made for the global tournament - and Sportsmail took the opportunity to road-test it back in December. Following on from the heavily criticised Jabulani in South Africa, the science inside the new ball has now been revealed to show how the best players in the world will have the perfect tool on the pitch. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Sportsmail's Matt Lawless testing the new Brazuca ball . The science revealed: Adidas' 'Brazuca' is set to be an improvement from the last World Cup, with more reliability . Stats: Weighs 0.96 pounds and has a low absorption rate, meaning it can retain shape and weight even in rain . Improvement: The Brazuca is set to be one of the most aerodynamic balls used at a World Cup in recent memory . 'Supermarket ball': The infamous Jabulani ball was used at the 2010 World Cup . The Brazuca ball has six polyurethane . panels that are bonded to keep the ball the same weight and roundness in . even the heaviest of rain. The never-before-seen panel shape revolutionizes the game by producing faster flight speed and maintaining true roundness. The bladder of the Brazuca ball is made of latex and provides the desired rebound. The . ball is textured and feels more like the adidas’ Finale 13, the . official UEFA Champions League ball, than the adidas Jabulani used in . South Africa four years ago. The . adidas Brazuca ball, in a bold white/night blue/multicolor colorway . befitting Brazil, is the most colorful ever for a FIFA World Cup. Adidas came under fire four years ago for the unpredictability of their ball, with goalkeepers especially unimpressed. Michael Carrick compared it to a 'beach ball', Daniel Agger said it made players 'look like drunken sailors' and Brazil stopper Julio Cesar claimed it was 'like a ball from a supermarket'. But adidas claim the 'rougher' Brazuca will avoid an 'unreliable flight', and will have vastly improved touch and accuracy. ‘We do extensive flight path analysis and the results have shown constant and predictable paths with deviations hardly recognisable,’ Matthias Mecking, Adidas football director, told the BBC. The ball itself weighs 437 grams (0.96 pounds) and it has a water absorption rate of just 0.2 per cent, meaning it can retain its shape, size and weight even in the rain (which could benefit England in Manaus). The manufacturers have recently announced that a promotional ball will be fitted with six cameras to capture a 360 degree view of the on-pitch action. According to their YouTube page: 'adidas developed an innovative camera-ball; the brazucam. Capturing 360º views through six different lenses, offering fans around the world the opportunity to enjoy and share the love of football from an entirely new perspective. Skills test: Oscar (left) and Neymar (centre) juggle with the Brazuca World Cup ball in training on Wednesday . Keep up: Dani Alves (second right) also got a taste of the official World Cup ball at Granja Comary . Likes what he sees? Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari (centre) casts his eye over his squad . Weighs 437grams . Circumference 69cm . Rebound 141cm . Loss of pressure 7% . Water absorption 0.2% . Altitude 0-1600m . Tested over 2.5 years . 600 players involved . 287 players interviewed (30% non-adidas players) Six-panel shape . Patched carcass . Butyl bladder . PU based foam material . 2D thermal bonding . All-over regular texture . The ball is created by six propeller-shaped polyurethane panels being thermally bonded together. Between the seams the Brazuca also has a different geometry to other balls, helping it remain more stable in the air. ‘The most important thing on the soccer ball is how much roughness you . have,’ Dr Rabi Mehta, an aerodynamics expert at Nasa’s Ames Research . Center in California, told the BBC. Smoother balls, as seen with the previous Jabulani, are more unpredictable due to a process known as ‘knuckling’. As air passes over the seams it can create a force that knocks or moves the ball. The Brazuca, with its multiple seams and roughness, will be less prone to the ‘volatile swoops’ of the Jabulani. ‘The smoother you make the ball, the higher the speed at which it knuckles,’ says Dr Mehta. ‘In . essence what happened in my opinion is that with the traditional ball, . the critical speed at which you got maximum knuckling was lower than the . typical kicking speed in World Cup soccer. ‘By . making the ball smoother, that critical speed went up and happened to . coincide with the typical kicking speeds, about 50 to 55 miles (80 to 88 . kilometres) per hour, especially in free kick situations.’ This year’s rougher ball brings us ‘back to square one’ says Dr Mehta. Another way the Brazuca seems to have overtaken the Jabulani from four years ago is the depth of the seams. The Brazuca’s are about 0.06 inches (1.56 millimetres), compared to just 0.02 inches (0.48 millimetres) for the Jabulani, about three times shallower. The total length of the seams on the Brazuca are also longer, and all of this combines to make the ball rougher - travelling further. It can be compared to dimples on a golf ball, with the seams disrupting the flow of air. ‘This agitation is essential for fast and reliable flight,’ Dr Simon Choppin, a research fellow at the Centre for Sports Engineering Research at Sheffield Hallam University. Robo-boot: The Brazuca underwent a series of extensive tests, including this robotic boot trial, in order to meet and exceed FIFA regulations . Putting the pieces together: The Brazuca ball is comprised of a groundbreaking six-panel design, which improves symmetry, uniformity and efficiency . ‘A perfectly smooth ball experiences large amounts of drag and high aerodynamic forces. ‘The seams of a football disturb the flow of the air. ‘This results in a smaller wake-area of low pressure - behind the ball - reducing the pressure difference and reducing the force, which slows the ball down. The lower drag force means the ball travels for a longer distance.’ The result is that the ball should more closely resemble traditional 32-panelled balls that most footballers are used to, with Mehta insisting 'the complaitns we got in the last two World Cups will be minimised. Despite this ball having just six panels, the deep and long seams will create one of the most advanced footballs yet used at a World Cup. And Cesar, hoping to lift a dream trophy with his Braziulian colleagues this summer, is a lot happier. 'The ball is a good one, we had contact with it today,' the former Inter Milan and Queens Park Rangers player said of the Brazuca after training with it on Wednesday. 'I think the outfield players are going to like it too,' he added. Glove affair: Goalkeeper Julio Cesar eyes the new Brazuca ball during training in Teresopolis . Still like it, Julio? The keeper gestures after a ball is struck past him and into the net . Back of the net: Goalkeeper Jefferson stretches for the ball but can't prevent a goal during training . Bring on the Brazuca: England captain Steven Gerrard believes the new World Cup ball will be the best yet . World in his hands: Lionel Messi will be hoping to lead Argentina to glory at next summer's showpiece in Brazil . German-based players have had a six-month advantage with the colourful samba-inspired ball, as England and other nations could not kick it competitively due to a Nike contract. They have been using a similar Nike Ordem ball. Brazil, . France, Portugal, USA, Holland, South Korea, Australia and Croatia must . also use the ball in their international friendlies leading towards the . World Cup. Lionel Messi used the Brazuca in an international friendly for Argentina, and England captain Steven Gerrard has joined him in praising the newest model. 'The sign of a good ball is when no one really talks about it,’ the Liverpool midfielder said at the launch event in December. ‘I . don’t think anyone will have anything negative to say about Brazuca. I . think the feedback from players will be really positive. 'It's very true and reliable, and those are the two most important things I want from a ball. 'The . Champions League ball has always been a big favourite among the players . because of how reliable it is. Brazuca’s very similar and I think the . players will be very happy about that.’ | Adidas has unveiled how the Brazuca has been improved for the players . The 2014 World Cup football is a big improvement from 2010's effort . It has longer and deeper seams to make it less volatile in the air . This means it will travel further and more accurately during games . 2010's Jabulani was criticised for being too unpredictable by players . Promotional ball has six cameras (Brazucam) fitted to capture on-field action . Brazilian national team already praising the new ball . | 8439d859ef0b1ea04015414f27b24eb9cd940e95 |
(CNN) -- Mike Myers' "Love Guru" may speak of "yin and yang," but the Hollywood version of bad balanced by good might be the Razzies and the Oscars. Mike Myers' "The Love Guru" was one of the year's biggest bombs. The day before the Motion Picture Academy releases the Oscar nominations -- honoring the movie industry's best -- the Golden Raspberry Award foundation reveals nominations for the Razzies, which recognize the worst films of 2008. And in 2008, Razzie founder and self-styled "Head Raspberry" John Wilson said, the bad seemed to outweigh the good among the 578 movies released. "We are saying that it wasn't just the economy that tanked," Wilson said. "So did the quality of the movies being offered to those of us who don't have as much money to buy tickets." "All of the voting was very close this year," he said. "There just was too much stuff to choose from." The bumper crop of "putrid motion pictures" may be partly a result of last spring's writers' strike "when nobody was rewriting, polishing or improving anything and it was still getting filmed," Wilson said. Bombs also happen when studios hedge their bets with high-priced stars by having them "do what worked before, coming back to same well." Which brings us back to Myers' "Love Guru," which followed his hugely profitable "Austin Powers" franchise. Myers' portrayal of "a platitude-spouting mystic" leads the Razzie list for worst picture, Wilson said. It may also have been the biggest box office bomb: the film, expected to be a summer hit, lost $30 million, he said. Other worst picture nominees include "Disaster Movie" and "Meet the Spartans" -- both featuring the same writer-directors and essentially the same cast. The latter film "somehow managed to work references to Britney Spears into an ancient Spartan 'plot,' " Wilson said. Also competing for the top dishonor is "The Happening," which Wilson described as "an eco-disaster tale whose 'villain' drew more guffaws than gasps," and Paris Hilton's "The Hottie and the Nottie," which earned three Razzie nominations overall. "She really is neither a movie star or an actress," Wilson said of Hilton. The movie -- for which Hilton was listed as executive producer -- sold only $27,000 in tickets but cost about $2 million to make. Other Razzie nominees include actor-comedian Eddie Murphy, who received two nominations for "Meet Dave"; Oscar winner Al Pacino, who earned a Razzie nod for making "two rotten movies this year," in Wilson's words (he's referring to "88 Minutes" and "Righteous Kill"); and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," which was singled out as "Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-Off or Sequel." Despite the opinions of Wilson and the Razzie voters, it was the year's third-highest-grossing movie. And a rare Razzie for "Worst Career Achievement" will go to "Bad Movie Uber-Meister" Uwe Boll for "In the Name of the King," Wilson said. The film, based on a video game, had a $60 million budget, yet brought in under $5 million at the box office, he said. Wilson said he began the Razzies in 1981 as a counterpoint to the Oscars. It takes guts to show up in person to accept a Razzie, but some notable actors have embraced the infamy, Wilson said. Tom Green, who made "a horrible little thing called 'Freddy Got Fingered' " several years ago, "insisted that he made the film with the intent of sweeping the Razzie Awards," Wilson said. Green showed up to accept his three awards with great enthusiasm, he said. "At the end of the ceremony, he launched into a harmonica solo and we had to pry his hands off the podium and physically remove him from the stage," Wilson said. The classiest and most memorable acceptance speech came in 2005 when Halle Berry showed up to get her worst actress Razzie for her "Catwoman" performance. Berry, who won a best actress Oscar for "Monster's Ball" in 2001, was given a one-minute standing ovation, Wilson said. "She had her Oscar in one hand and her Razzie in the other," Wilson said. Berry's speech was a parody of her Academy Award acceptance and "she was quite funny," he said. "She said that her mother had taught her that if you cannot accept valid criticism, you also, by the same token, are not entitled to bask in the glory when you get the good reviews," he said. The appearance and her sense of humor earned Berry a lot of respect, he said. The awards show -- a "shorter parody" of the Oscars -- can be seen only by members and journalists in person at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood on February 21. It cannot be televised or streamed online because studios would likely withhold permission for clips used in the presentation to be shown, Wilson said. Unlike the Oscars and other honors, Golden Raspberry Awards are not meant as recommendations for people to rent the DVDs, Wilson said. "If you were going to do that, I would suggest you put away all sharp implements before putting the DVDs in your machine," he said. | Razzie Awards, honoring Hollywood's worst, are a counterpoint to Oscars . Among this year's leaders: Mike Myers' "The Love Guru" "Bad Movie Uber-Meister" Uwe Boll will receive Razzie for career achievement . | 2daee20dcac238802e53440d0e95cddfd0e97b81 |
One of my favourite sayings comes from the legendary French chef Fernand Point. When cooking, he said that you must never forget the mantra: ‘Du beurre! Donnez-moi du beurre! Toujours du beurre!’ These words, taken from his book Ma Gastronomie, mean: ‘Butter! Give me butter! Always butter!’ Simon Hopkinson says there is no substitute for butter, and that a little bit of the spread is essential to his life . Point, who was awarded three Michelin stars for his cooking at La Pyramide restaurant near Lyon after World War I, also once observed that one should ‘never trust a thin chef’. It is for such passionate pronouncements on food that Point is the chef I’d most like to have cook me lunch. I have always known that just a little butter is essential in my life. Delicious to cook with or to eat just as it is, it richly flavours endless dishes. So, what a joy it is to read that, after years of margarine dominating our supermarket shelves, butter is back. Sales have risen by 7 per cent over the past five years, while those of margarine have fallen by 6 per cent. Butter has precious few competitors. It is a unique product, extraordinarily versatile, relatively inexpensive and, even at the lower end of the quality ladder, most acceptable melting on to hot toast or just-boiled new potatoes. My late father, when eating toast for breakfast, would add butter to each ‘bite’ of his toast. Rather than buttering the slice all at once, the first corner would receive a generous smear, then he would eat that and put the slice back down. Having read about half a page of his newspaper — the Daily Mail, as it happens — he would then butter the bit of toast that would form his next bite, applying a little more this time. And so on. Sometimes there would be a ratio of more butter than toast, simply because he loved the taste so much. Dad was never overweight and lived until he was 89. Butter has been unfairly demonised and, of course, if you eat too much of it you might become fat. If you eat too much of anything, you may get even fatter. And, furthermore, if you eat too much all the time and sit on your bottom all day, you could get very fat indeed. 'Delicious to cook with or to eat just as it is, it richly flavours endless dishes. So, what a joy it is to read that, after years of margarine dominating our supermarket shelves, butter is back' That little lecture is sharply given, maybe, but the moral is simple: a little bit of butter; not too much. My initiation to the joys of butter began early. At the age of 16, I was taken on as an apprentice during school holidays in the kitchen of La Normandie restaurant, not far from where I grew up in Bury, near Manchester. The French owners, as you might imagine, hailed from Normandy, so butter was a big thing with them and there was a lot of it about. Boxes and boxes were imported from France every two months. And Norman butter it most certainly was, complete with a picture of Le Mont Saint-Michel printed on each wrapper. In those days, the early Seventies, unsalted butter was rare indeed. It seemed so pale in comparison to our more tasty, yellow, salted, branded butters bought from the supermarket. 'When asked whether I would choose best dairy butter over the finest extra virgin olive oil as the preferred grease in my life, then I absolutely know the answer. It will be butter, every time' Yet, I soon came to love its delicacy, with a purity so suited to the rich French cooking I was there to learn. There was no skimping at La Normandie. Each day we would make a quantity of sauce hollandaise — enough to last an evening’s service. The recipe called for ten packets of this beautiful butter. Melted, then clarified to remove the water and milk solids, leaving only butterfat, it would be hand-whisked into 30 egg yolks — already whipped to a thick mousse over a low heat — until the mixture formed a glossy, thick emulsion. For this keen, teenage cook, that hollandaise was my introduction to the magic of butter. As a chef, I am often asked about my preference for one ingredient over another. Such questions can be irritating — surely it depends on the recipe? However, when asked whether I would choose best dairy butter over the finest extra virgin olive oil as the preferred grease in my life, then I absolutely know the answer. It will be butter, every time. And, anyway, we do dairy well in this country, and not much olive oil. I will always want my morning poached egg laid upon a slice of thickly buttered, soft white toast rather than oil-soaked bruschetta. And it is only best butter that makes scrambled eggs taste so good. An omelette without butter is unthinkable. Though a Spanish tortilla made with onions quietly stewed in olive oil may be fabulous when perfectly executed, it will always be a secondary treat compared with onions stewed in butter. Asparagus, too, is glorious eaten warmly buttered. And if I ever found that my Brussels sprouts were shined with olive oil rather than butter, I would regrettably have to shoot the cook. Discreetly, of course. The onions that begin the making of a risotto, I have always believed, should be gently stewed in butter, rather than olive oil. Yet cooking onions in olive oil now seems to be the initial instruction of all risotto recipes. 'I will always want my morning poached egg laid upon a slice of thickly buttered, soft white toast rather than oil-soaked bruschetta. And it is only best butter that makes scrambled eggs taste so good' Why is this? Risotto originated in northern Italy, where butter is the preferred, indigenous fat, so its use is as natural as can be. Frankly, I think that most cooks have simply forgotten how to quietly cook a chopped onion in just butter. A pat of butter in which to scrape the crisp tip of a thin breadstick is essential. Once, in a silly, posh restaurant — and in France, of all places! — a tiny dish of olive oil was offered instead. ‘I don’t know what to do with this,’ I muttered angrily. How did we lose our daily love of butter in the first place? When I was a child, bread always came with butter. But for the past 20 years our supermarkets have been filled with an absurd amount of olive oil and all kinds of TV programmes, books and cookery journalism seemed to omit butter in recipes. Fridges were filled with tubs of so-called ‘spreadable’ butters blended with olive, sunflower or corn oils. Even the French were doing them — zut alors! For 20 years supermarkets have been filled with an absurd amount of olive oil. Fridges were filled with tubs of 'spreadable' butters blended with olive, sunflower or corn oils. Even the French were doing them - zut alors! I find such butter unpleasant to use on toast as it has an over- emulsified texture. Slimy, almost. It occasionally has its uses in baking, though. This curious stuff is surprisingly good when incorporated into a rich bread dough I make, as it remains soft at room temperature. It keeps bread moist once it is baked. I usually make soft rolls with this sort of dough. But I would only ever think of it as ‘baking butter’, never as something to spread on my toast, thank you very much. Thank goodness that real butter is once again restored to our affections. As with childhood memories of unpasteurised milk in a glass bottle or a lick of thick, pale yellow cream, there is something about a lump of butter cut with a big knife from a block that speaks of special treats. Folded into its hand-wrapped paper package, artisan hand-churned butter seems like a present bought for oneself. I sometimes wonder just what the first block of my favourite Lurpak butter, churned at the end of the 19th century, tasted like. I imagine it being offered for sale by the farmgate, all cool, pale and creamy, by a kindly Danish farmer’s wife. It almost sounds like a scene from a Grimm’s fairy story — two small children smeared with butter for roasting later, that sort of thing — but I bet it would have been utterly delicious. The original real thing. For there is nothing quite like the taste of best butter. Simon’s book, Simon Hopkinson Cooks (Ebury, £25), is out now. To order a copy for £20 (P&P free), call 0844 472 4157. | Simon Hopkinson trained in a French kitchen as a teenager . Taught by Normandy chefs, butter became his favourite ingredient . Now he says the return of butter is something to be celebrated . | 0d7a7248fd854be1f8763354d7de050cc454c873 |
Washington (CNN) -- Could tractor-trailer rigs almost as long as Boeing 737s be driving on a highway near you? If a new transportation bill proposed by House Republicans passes, the answer is yes, and the safety ramifications would be astronomical, say congressional opponents of the bill and the AAA Auto Club. The American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act introduced Tuesday by Republicans would authorize about $260 billion over five years to fund federal highway programs. The legislation also contains a controversial provision allowing heavier tractor-trailer trucks on highways by increasing the federal weight limit from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds. In some cases, it would allow 126,000-pound trucks onto highways. The legislation also allows the largest rigs, which comprise two and sometimes three trailers, to be as much as 10 feet longer -- a total length of more than 100 feet. While statistics from 2010 show overall traffic fatalities declining across the nation, truck crash fatalities actually increased 9%, to 3,675, according to statistics from the Truck Safety Coalition. Opponents of the proposed legislation say having even bigger trucks on the roads would increase the amount of fatalities because bigger trucks take longer to stop and their crashes are even more destructive. "If there was ever a recipe for disaster, this is it," said Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-New Jersey, chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation. "We all value the importance of trucks to our economy, to our recovery ... but the trucks have to share the roads with our families, and that's why we're never going to let trucks take a priority over the well-being of our families." But the Coalition for Transportation Productivity, a transportation advocacy group, says heavier trucks don't create safety issues so long as states make sure to require the trucks to have a sixth axle. "The truck weight provision in the bill simply gives states the ability to open all, or portions of, their interstate networks to more productive, single-trailer trucks equipped with six axles rather than the typical five. Without changing truck size, the required sixth axle maintains all braking and handling characteristics at the new limit of 97,000 pounds," John Runyan, executive director of the coalition said in a written statement. Besides safety issues, opponents also say bigger trucks would put further stress on already deteriorating roads and bridges. "At a time when we are seriously under-investing in the nation's transportation infrastructure, allowing bigger and heavier trucks on our roads and bridges is a step in the wrong direction," said Jill Ingrassia, AAA managing director of government relations and traffic safety advocacy. The bill is heading for a hearing in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday, and Rep. James McGovern, D-Massachusetts, a member of the committee, said he will use everything in his power, including working with the Senate and the Obama administration, to get this provision taken out of the bill. "I feel confident we're going to prevail here, but we're here to tell the leadership of the House that we're raring for a fight here," McGovern said. "We are going to fight. This is a serious issue." | A proposed transportation bill would allow heavier and longer trucks on highways . "If there was ever a recipe for disaster, this is it," Sen. Frank Lautenberg says . Requiring a sixth axle would keep trucks as safe as now, an industry official says . | 97dc5f9e53dd1c79b3d03b84fa644fa22f90cf35 |
By . Beth Stebner and Sara Malm . PUBLISHED: . 06:37 EST, 17 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:13 EST, 17 October 2012 . Accused: Peter Gregory Chadwick, 48, denies murdering his wife Quee . A wealthy businessman charged with killing his wife has claimed another man is responsible for the murder. Peter Gregory Chadwick, 48, said his 46-year-old wife Quee was killed by a man who then forced him to load the body onto a truck. He says the person then ordered him to drive his own car towards Mexico, where Mr Chadwick contacted the police. The Newport Beach real-estate executive pleaded not guilty to a single count of murder for financial gain on Monday and remains on a $1.5 million bail. Police were called to the couple’s $2.5 million home on Wednesday after Mrs Chadwick had failed to pick up the couple’s three sons from school. They found ‘signs of foul play and struggle’ and prosecutors say Mr Chadwick killed his wife in a fight over a possible divorce and related financial issues. Stay-at-home mother Quee ‘Q.C.’ Chadwick has been missing since last Wednesday but no body has been found. Police have declined to say how they know the stay-at-home mother is dead. The couple's neighbour . Yulianna Nikulina told authorities that she heard Quee screaming around . 7am on Monday, the Daily Pilot reports, but said that was the only altercation she ever heard . coming from the family’s expansive home. She told the paper that Chadwick was a ‘nice man’ with ‘nothing wrong.’ She added: ‘I can only tell you good things about this couple.’ Ms Nikulina said that the couple’s three sons aged 8, 10, and 14, were also well-behaved. She said that Chadwick worked on his real estate businesses from home, and that Quee was a stay-at-home mother who had emigrated to California from China. Mr Chadwick was arrested on Thursday after he made a phone call to the San Diego police near the Mexican border at Tijuana. Newport Beach police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe said that police declined to specify why he called for help. Suspect: Peter Chadwick, far right, has pleaded not guilty over the murder of his wife, Quee, far left; they are pictured with their three sons . Prosperous: The family lives at this multimillion-dollar home in a gated community in Newport Beach, California . When police in San Diego took him into . custody Mr Chadwick claimed someone else had killed his wife. He said . the person had forced him to load his wife’s body onto a truck before . ordering him to drive his 2003 champagne-coloured Lexus SUV south . towards the Mexican border. A source close to the investigation . told the LA Times that Newport Beach detectives have evidence that . nobody else was seen in his car, and that even a CHP officer, who . happened by chance to tail Chadwick's car at one point, said there was . no passenger in his vehicle. The source also said that detectives found signs of a bloody struggle in one of the home's bathrooms. Police in Newport Beach are now . meticulously combing the areas Mr Chadwick could have visited between . his home and San Diego for his wife’s body. They said that the couple’s children are in good care, but did not elaborate. 'Struggle': Police said they found signs of distress and possible foul play within the home although Mrs Chadwick's body has yet to be found . | Peter Gregory Chadwick, 48, says another man murdered his wife Quee . He claims he was forced to load her body onto a truck and then ordered to drive south towards the Mexican border in another car . Authorities said there were signs of foul-play at couple's multimillion-dollar home in gated community in Newport Beach . | 2d42db5c92d914f67e0e62a8a7170f74c1414d7d |
A car bomb exploded just outside the French Embassy in Tripoli early Tuesday morning, injuring two French security guards and a Libyan girl, officials said. The blast was so powerful it blew the front wall off the embassy. Homes can cars adjacent to the embassy sustained heavy damage, and the windows of nearby buildings in this upscale, largely residential neighborhood were also blown out. During a visit to the area, Deputy Prime Minister Awad Barasi said a 13-year-old girl in a nearby house was injured in the attack and will be taken to Tunisia for treatment. Barasi, who condemned the attack, said he had spoken with the French ambassador to Libya, who assured him he will not leave Tripoli. The French Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the attack. "In conjunction with the Libyan authorities, our government departments will make every effort to ensure that all light be shed on the circumstances of this heinous act and its perpetrators quickly identified," the foreign ministry said. Barasi told CNN it was too early to "jump into conclusions" about who might have carried out the attack. A criminal investigation is under way to try to determine who was behind the attack and why. At least four French investigators were at the scene with what appeared to be forensic equipment gathering evidence. They seemed to be leading the investigation and working with Libyan officials from the Criminal Investigations Division. Libya's Interior Minister Ashour Shuail, who visited the site along with the country's justice minister, said one of the two French security guards had undergone a surgery in Tripoli and was now in stable condition. He would not say who the government believes is behind the attack and said the investigation would reveal that. The minister said security will be increased around diplomatic missions in the capital. Responding to questions about lax security, Shuail said no country is immune to this sort of security breach, not even the United States, referencing last week's Boston Marathon bombings. Residents in the area complained about lax security at the French Embassy. While there has been no claim of responsibility, Libyans at the scene blamed extremist groups. "We have to admit they exist here in Libya," said Mustafa, who was in a nearby house. "They are small groups, no one likes them or supports them." Western intelligence officials have said militants linked to al Qaeda had training camps in Libya. After the French military intervention in Mali in January, there were fears militants could strike French interests in the region, including Libya, which has been struggling to impose security across the country since the 2011 revolution that ousted Moammar Gadhafi. At a news conference, Shuail said he could not link the attack to Mali. He said Libya has to first deal with the widespread weapons in the country. Rami El Obeidi, former intelligence chief during the Libyan revolution, blamed the attack on al Qaeda-linked groups. "Without a doubt, extremist Jihadi movements aligned to al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (are responsible). Same alliance that's responsible for the attacks on the British, American, and Italian missions in Benghazi, their proven involvement in the Algeria attack, and the logistical support that was given to AQIM elements in Mali," El Obeidi said. The French Embassy bombing follows a series of attacks last year that targeted foreign diplomatic missions and the International Committee of the Red Cross in the eastern city of Benghazi. The attacks are believed to be the work of Islamist extremist groups with ties to al Qaeda. Last September, U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed in a militant attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. According to El Obeidi, Tuesday's early morning blast was a message to the French government about the capabilities of these groups, rather than a blast that aimed to kill. Residents and embassy staff said the bomb detonated an hour before the area is busy with dozens of Libyans who line up daily to apply for visas. "This was a political message because the attack was not designed to kill anyone, especially not Libyans, as this would have caused fractures within the extremist movements currently operating inside Libya" El Obeidi added. | Libyan deputy prime minister: The French ambassador said he will not leave Tripoli . Two French security guards and a 13-year-old girl are injured . The car bomb destroys the front wall of the embassy and shatters windows nearby . The attack comes 7 months after four Americans were killed at a consulate in Benghazi . | 2a72606c945eabd6ba9f82e83dc4275c8f547f09 |
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Federal agents found much of the information produced by the Bush administration's top-secret warrantless surveillance program vague and difficult to use, a sweeping review of the program found. Former President Bush claims his administration's surveillance program helped to ward off terrorist attacks. Then-President George Bush and other top administration officials have said the program was a critical tool in preventing terrorist attacks. However, a report Friday by the inspectors general of the CIA, the Justice Department, the Pentagon and other agencies found that some FBI and CIA agents were frustrated by the secrecy surrounding the program. Former CIA chiefs Michael Hayden and Porter Goss told investigators the wiretaps filled a gap in U.S. intelligence. One senior official quoted in the report called the wiretaps, dubbed the "President's Surveillance Program" by the report, "a key resource," while the FBI considered it "one tool of many" in their efforts to head off terrorist plots, the report states. "Even though most PSP leads were determined not to have any connection to terrorism, many of the FBI witnesses believed the mere possibility of the leads producing useful information made investigating the leads worthwhile," the report states. The program was hugely controversial when Bush acknowledged its existence in 2005. Critics said the program violated the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a 1978 law passed to rein in the wiretapping abuses of the Watergate era. Bush's approval allowed the National Security Agency to intercept communications between people in the United States and overseas who were suspected of having ties to terrorists without getting a court order. He and other officials said the program "prevented attacks and saved lives," as Vice President Dick Cheney put it in a May speech critical of their successors in the Obama administration. But Friday's report found that the intelligence gathered was only a small part of counterterrorism work, and most intelligence officials interviewed for the report had trouble "citing specific instances where PSP reporting had directly contributed to counterterrorism successes." In addition, the CIA "did not implement procedures to assess the usefulness of the product of the PSP, and did not routinely document whether particular PSP reporting had contributed to successful counterterrorism operations," the report states. At another point, it noted that some FBI agents "criticized the PSP-derived information they received for providing insufficient details, and the agents who managed counterterrorism programs at the FBI field offices the DOJ IG visited said the FBI's process for disseminating PSP-derived information failed to adequately prioritize the information for investigation. Meanwhile, CIA officers were unable to make "full use" of the data because too few people had been briefed on the closely held program. "According to one CIA manager, the tight control over access to the PSP prevented some officers who could have made effective use of the program reporting from being read in," the report states. The report also confirmed that the PSP was not limited to the electronic intercepts, referring repeatedly to "other intelligence activities" that remain classified. The report concluded the program was built on a "factually flawed" legal analysis inappropriately provided by a single Justice Department official, John Yoo, in 2001. Yoo did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment, and he was not interviewed for the report. A 2004 review by the Justice Department triggered a dramatic confrontation in 2004 between White House and Justice officials who concluded the program would not pass legal muster. Former Deputy Attorney General James Comey, who took part in that face-off, told investigators that the program's original authorization "involved ignoring an act of Congress, and doing so without full congressional notification." That line drew the ire of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who issued a statement Friday declaring that "no president should be able to operate outside the law." "The House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees will closely examine the findings and recommendations of the classified and unclassified reports, and will conduct appropriate oversight of electronic surveillance activities," the California Democrat said. Sen. Russ Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the report "highlights just how outrageous and damaging the illegal warrantless wiretapping program really was." "This report leaves no doubt that the warrantless wiretapping program was blatantly illegal and an unconstitutional assertion of executive power," Feingold said. "I once again call on the Obama administration and its Justice Department to withdraw the flawed legal memoranda that justified the program and that remain in effect today." | Audit: Info from Bush's surveillance program found to be vague . Program allowed for top-secret, warrantless wiretaps . Bush, other former administration officials have touted program's success . Review concluded program was built on "factually flawed" legal analysis . | 9d79671b786cd28c05724385ae711d99b00639cb |
London (CNN) -- It may be the biggest salvage operation in history, but no one would accuse it of being the fastest. Now, two and a half years after running aground and sinking off the coast of Italy, the Costa Concordia cruise liner is almost ready to make its final voyage. If everything goes to plan, over the next couple of weeks the rotting 951-foot vessel will be re-floated and towed north from the Italian island of Giglio -- its resting place since it capsized in January 2012, killing 32 passengers and crew in the process -- to the port in Genoa to be dismantled. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. There's a lot of work to do before this decaying husk of a ship is back out on the open seas, and there's a lot that could go wrong in the meantime. CNN contributor Barbie Nadeau is writing a book about the Concordia, so we asked her to break down the big questions for us. What's happening now? Before the Concordia can be towed away, it first has to be re-floated. That process starts Monday, when crews will attempt to lift the 114,000-tonne ship off of the underwater platforms that it's been resting on since it was "parbuckled," or rolled upright, last year. The re-floating process will take around five days. 30 huge steel hollow boxes, or sponsons, attached to either side of the Concordia are being pumped full of compressed air to give the ship buoyancy. Crews raised the ship two meters in the first six hours Monday before moving the ship off of its underwater platforms. Crews will now check it for fissures, clean it and attach the flotation devices on each side together under the bottom of the boat with giant chains and cables, creating a false bottom. Workers will then raise the decaying cruise liner one deck at a time by pumping more air into the sponsons. Each deck will take approximately six hours to raise and clean. Once they've raised the Concordia three decks above water, Italian environmental officials will inspect it for leaks. Then it's tow time. When will it be towed and how long will it take? With 60,000 tonnes of salvage gear attached to its 114,000 tonne frame, the Concordia isn't exactly a speedboat. Traveling at a maximum speed of two knots (2.3 miles per hour), it will take about five days to tow the ship to Genoa, roughly 200 miles north of Giglio. It could happen as early as July 18th, but only if the weather grants the salvage team a clear five-day forecast. It's just too risky to attempt to tow the decomposing liner through anything less than calm waters. The ship's been upright since September. What's taken so long? Weather has accounted for a number of delays. It was September 2013 (more than 18 months after it sank) by the time the stricken vessel was rotated upright, and the ideal time to tow it away had already passed for the year. The Mediterranean is at its most tranquil from mid-July to early August, so salvage crews spent the past 10 months making final preparations for this window of time. Interactive: How the ship was tipped upright . What does Greenpeace have to say about this? Greenpeace has chartered a ship to monitor the Concordia operation. The environmental group is concerned that the ship will leak a trail of toxins into the Mediterranean during its five-day voyage to Genoa, and says the fragile liner should be taken to Piombino, a much closer port that could be reached in a single day. So why is the Concordia going to Genoa? The port at Piombino may be closer, but it would need to be dredged in order to be deep enough to take the Concordia. The port wouldn't be ready until the end of September, and by then the weather conditions would make Mediterranean waters too choppy to navigate until this time next year. Costa Crociere, the firm that owns the Concordia, also runs a large part of Genoa's port. The company wants to bring what's left of their former marquee ship back to their home port, rather than having to keep tabs on it from afar. Costa also wants to recycle intact parts of the ship -- engine components, plumbing structures, anything else that's waterproof -- and use them in their other cruise liners. How long will it take to "recycle" the Concordia? It will take around 125 workers between 18 months and two and a half years. Once the Concordia's in Genoa, crews will construct a giant tent over the ship and none of us will ever see it again. The front and the back will be dismantled first, and any possessions that passengers left behind as they fled the sinking liner will be returned to their owners. How much is this all going to cost? Costa Crociere's Michael Tamm said the operation has already cost an eye-watering $1 billion, and will top $2 billion or more by the time it's done. That's more than three times the $612 million than it cost to build in 2004. What are the chances of the ship making it to Genoa? An optimistic 80%, according to the salvage firm. The worst case scenario was that the ship could fall apart during the first six hours, but things appear to have gone well. The next biggest risk is that it could break while it's being towed through the waters off the coast of Corsica, which is where the Mediterranean's currents are the strongest. Is this the end of the story? Not at all. Once the Concordia leaves Giglio, a company will come in to clean up the mess left by the salvage firms. Giglio's residents, meanwhile, are debating whether to turn their new underwater salvage platforms into a dive attraction, or to tear them down. Costa Crociere is also being sued by dozens of survivors of the accident, and the Costa Concordia's captain, Francesco Schettino, is on trial for manslaughter and abandoning ship. READ MORE: Will missing shipwreck victim surface? | Two and a half years after running aground in Giglio, Italy, the Costa Concordia is being re-floated . 32 passengers and crew were killed when the cruise ship capsized in January 2012 . Crews hope to re-float the Concordia and tow it from Giglio to the port in Genoa . Dismantling the ship could take two years; the total cost of the wreck is projected to be more than $2 billion . | 2f12ea16282de34c6eda2c45662cbf50ae699366 |
By . Lucy Waterlow . PUBLISHED: . 12:01 EST, 23 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:09 EST, 25 August 2013 . Health guru Hazel Walsh knows exactly what her clients desperate to lose weight are going through - as she has had to battle her own food demons to become the slim size 10 she is today. The 26-year-old, from Bradshaw, suffered from depression and bulimia when she was a dress size 24 weighing 18 stone - but she's turned her life around and now wants to help others do the same. Hazel used to comfort eat on cakes and cookies but - after having surgery to kick start her weightloss - she has now learnt how to eat healthily and exercise to stay in shape. Hazel at her heaviest: 18st and a dress size 24, left, and now a slim size 10 after losing more than 7st . Hazel started putting on weight as a teenager and was bullied as a result. Once she was humiliated when she was asked out on a date which she later found out was a dare to 'pull a fat girl'. She recalled of her youth: 'I was tall and gangly - 5ft 7in - then the weight started piling on so I was a target for bullies. 'I stopped being social and playing . sports and started comfort eating to try to isolate myself. I just ate more food - I started eating junk food, takeaways . and fast food. I always had cakes and cookies after school.' Drastic measure: Hazel has a £6,500 gastric sleeve operation in the Czech Republic to kick start her weightloss . Hazel admitted she suffered episodes of binge eating and bulimia and tried various diets that left her even more depressed when she failed to lose weight. She became so down she was prescribed anti-depression tablets. She said: 'The antidepressants . made me put on more weight so I stopped after two years and decided . something needed to be done.' At age 24, a size 24 and at her wits' end, Miss Walsh booked a £6,500 gastric sleeve operation in the Czech Republic. She started blogging about her experience at prettyfat.co.uk, documenting her . mental as well as physical recovery and progress as she shed more than 7st. Made a career out of her experiences: She has now trained to be a nutritionist so she can help others lose weight . She said: 'I know surgery is drastic . but I'd already tried every diet under the sun. I have been dieting . since I was about 15 and none of them did anything - or if they did the . weight went back on when I came off the diet. 'I started to write a blog about my . progress and I've had people contact me asking me about diet and . fitness. I was flattered that they asked me, so I thought I would do it . as a career. 'I started to learn all about . nutrition and fitness and signed up to a distance learning course last . year. I am just waiting for my diploma certificate in Level 3 Diet and . Nutrition which means I can advise others. I hope to do another qualification in fitness in the future too.' Hazel said she is now the happiest she has ever been and has launched her own business - healthyeats.co.uk - which she hopes will help others who were in the same position as she was. Help from someone who has been there: Hazel said her weightloss journey helps her know what her clients are going through . She said: 'I am now a size 10 and have lost just over seven stone and I now want to help individuals like me. 'I'll be offering advice on emotional eating, obesity and weight loss, binge eating, compulsive overeating, weight loss surgery and food intolerances. 'I'm aiming to provide clients with a meal plan that they can follow and recipes. I've done all the diets in the world so I know it's easy to be given a plan but when you come off it you put the weight back on so I want to try to teach them to plan what foods to eat and teach them to make healthy recipes.' | Hazel Walsh, 26, was bullied for being a size 24 . She tried and failed to lose weight by following diets . She opted for gastric band surgery and shed 7st . After blogging about her journey she decided to make it her career . She's trained to be a nutritionist and her launched her own business . 'I want to help individuals like me', she said . | 4337f90434022d770103417453f75de9fa3800f4 |
(CNN) -- Eminem was a bit of a novelty when he burst on the music scene in 1999 with his major-label debut album, "The Slim Shady LP." One of the highest-profile white rappers not only to have major crossover success but also street cred, the artist born Marshall Mathers no longer has to deal as much with the issue of race in a music genre dominated by African-American men. Instead, he is grappling with issues regarding another minority group. "I poke fun at other people, myself," Eminem recently told Rolling Stone magazine about using a slur against gay people in his rhymes. "But the real me sitting here right now talking to you has no issues with gay, straight, transgender, at all." The rapper has always courted controversy, and it's not the first time he's attracted attention for gay epithets in his music. Eminem now is feeling the heat for the not at all gay friendly lyrics in "Rap God" from his eighth solo album, "The Marshall Mathers LP 2," which came out Tuesday. A sequel to his hit 2000 album, "The Marshall Mathers LP," the latest project is garnering some critical acclaim. Consequence of Sound writer Mike Madden notes in a Time piece that "Eminem doesn't have that center-of-the-universe pull these days, nor could he or anyone else have expected 'MMLP2' to yield the results of its alpha." "But, this one's nostalgic in all the right ways, a worthy look back at the LP that made him the world's most popular cult figure," he writes. "And, since we still haven't found an inheritor to his madness, this version of Marshall Mathers is more than welcome." In reviewing the album, USA Today's Edna Gundersen gave it 3½ stars out of 4, saying, "On 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2,' he recaptures the original release's wild, clever, emotional brilliance in a flurry of caustic, brazenly honest, rapid-fire rhymes and aggressive beats. So what's the problem? Once the bravest visionary in rap's underworld, Eminem spends much of 'MMLP2' gazing into the past, reworking early tricks and wading in nostalgia rather than forging a fresh path." Eminem returns to hip-hop at an interesting time. Two of its biggest stars, Kanye West and Jay Z, are known as much for their high-profile relationships (to Kim Kardashian and Beyonce, respectively) and roles as fathers as they are for their music. And the new rising stars include the likes of Kendrick Lamar, who is making a name for himself basically by dissing everyone. It's an era where music artists strive to be shocking (Miley Cyrus, anyone?) while still in fear of running afoul of the political correctness police. Sober after an addiction to prescription drugs he told CNN almost killed him and the father of a teen daughter, Eminem, now 41, has also grown. The new album is a follow-up to a different time in his life, but it remains as personal as his past projects. "I always say this about my music, and music in general: Music is like a time capsule," he told Complex magazine. "Each album reflects what I'm going through or what's going on in my life at that moment." He told the magazine he is unsure of where he fits into today's musical landscape. "I struggle with that sometimes," Eminem said. "I guess it's more about where people see me, and where people feel like I fit in. Hopefully when all is said and done, people see me as just an MC." These days there are a plethora of white rappers that can thank Eminem for further opening the door to the genre. Artists such as Mac Miller, Yelawolf and Macklemore are now hip-hop mainstays. When Brand Nubian rapper Lord Jamar recently criticized the latter during an interview ("Okay, white rappers, you're coming to this almost as a guest. Okay, matter of fact you are guests in the house of Hip Hop. Just because you have a hit record doesn't give you the right as I feel to voice your opinion."), others condemned the comments. "I mean as far as white people rapping, who gives a f**k," said actor/comedian Lil Duval to Vlad TV. "Is it f***in' up yo money? No." Rapper Mackelmore offers an interesting counterpoint to Eminem's new single given that the former's anthem to gay equality, "Same Love," has become a hit. When Rolling Stone writer Brian Hiatt recently questioned Eminem as to "why, in 2013, use 'f**got' on that song ('Rap God')" and "why use 'gay-looking' as an insult" given that he has gone out of his way to say he has no problem with the gay community, the rapper attributed it to his hip-hop persona. "I don't know how to say this without saying it how I've said it a million times," he said. "But that word, those kind of words, when I came up battle-rappin' or whatever, I never really equated those words . ..." To being a homosexual, Hiatt asked? "Yeah," he said. "It was more like calling someone a b**ch or a punk or a**hole. So that word was just thrown around so freely back then. It goes back to that battle, back and forth in my head, of wanting to feel free to say what I want to say, and then (worrying about) what may or may not affect people." | Eminem is answering critics about anti-gay lyrics . His new single, "Rap God," uses a gay slur . Eminem's latest album is a sequel to "The Marshall Mathers LP" | 5870e2141c6d53c961709c79f2ed757c616689d8 |
Like any youngster, this tiny pup can think of no better way to spend a sunny day than playing in the golden sands at the beach. But there's no slathering on the factor 50 and mother has certainly got her flippers full - with 80 young sea lions to take care of. As these stunning pictures taken on the wildlife paradise of Galapagos show, sea lions have their own natural way of avoiding getting too much sun - covering themselves in sand. Safety first: Sea lions have their own natural way of avoiding getting too much sun - covering themselves in sand . Natures sun lotion: A sea lion on the Ecuadorian island of Galapagos shields itself from the sun by covering itself in a layer of sand . Sun seekers: These two sea lion pups make the most of the sun by lazing on the beach after a dip in the sea . Cute: This sea lion pup looks as if he is posing for the camera as he lays in the sun on the island of Galapagos . Loving: A mother sea lion carries her pup from the sea in her teeth after a dip in the Pacific Ocean . Fresh out of the water, the tiny creature rolls around on the shore covering himself from the glaring burn of the sun. And if he's missed a spot with the sand, mother is on hand to shield her son and stop him getting burnt. Galapagos has its own unique species of sea lion which was discovered by E Sivertsen in 1953. They are known to grow up to two and a half metres long and are classed as a vulnerable species by wildlife experts. Cuddling up: A sea lion pup nuzzles its mother in San Cristobal, on the Galapagos Islands . Exploring: A sea lion explores some of the marine life on show while going for a swim in the Pacific Ocean . Obedient: A sea lion pup follows its parent while coming out from the water . Group mentality: This sea lion was one of 80 enjoying a day at the beach on the Galapagos islands . They can grow to weigh more than 60 stone at their heaviest with the male of the species tending to grow larger than females. Males are coloured brown, females tend to be a lighter tan and juveniles are coloured chestnut brown. The mammals spend much of their time . swimming in the ocean but when on land prefer flat areas with plenty of . shade or laying on the beach like the group pictured. No fear: A sea lion seems completely unfazed as a tourist kisses it on the nose while swimming in the sea . Smile: This sea lion looks right down the lens of the camera as he goes for a refreshing swim . Playing in the sand: This tiny sea lion pub rolls around in the sand as it enjoys a beautifully sunny day on the beach . Pups normally weigh just under a . stone when they're born and are tended to continuously by their mother . for the first week of their life. They head into the water and begin swimming after one or two weeks. The marine mammals mainly feed upon fish, squid, crustaceans and octopus. Up close with nature: A beachgoer gets a closer look at the sea lions who don't seem to mind being in such close proximity to humans . Sitting pretty: A sea lion gets comfortable on the rocks close to the waters edge on the Galapagos Islands . | These stunning shots of 80 sea lions were taken in San Cristobal . Galapagos has its own species of sea lion discovered in 1953 . The Ecuadorian island is known as an exotic wildlife paradise . | b02baa1eda7f4dd16f8116b43e68a92d7df5a889 |
By . David Kent . New signing: Jose Mourinho is joining BT Sport . Jose Mourinho is joining a new team - but don't worry Chelsea fans, he won't be leaving the Bridge. The Chelsea manager has signed a three-year deal with BT Sport and will carry out various roles for the channel, including making football programmes, acting as an expert on the game and becoming an ambassador for the network. Mourinho's first appearance on the channel will be in a new TV advert which airs on Saturday, before the Brazil-Holland World Cup third-placed play-off. He said: 'I’m looking forward to working with BT Sport. In their first year they have shown they are not afraid to challenge, are open to new ideas and want to do things differently. This is the kind of team and ambition that I want to work with.' Grant Best, a senior channel executive producer at BT Sport, said: 'Jose Mourinho is one of the greatest managers of all time. He is a double UEFA Champions League winner, has won seven domestic league titles including the Barclays Premier League, which he has won twice, as well as numerous domestic cup competitions including the FA Cup. One of the greatest: BT Sport are delighted to have Mourinho on board . To add this winning mentality and . wealth of experience to BT Sport’s football coverage, and with the UEFA . Champions League coming to BT Sport next season, is simply fantastic. 'Jose . is well known for his sense of humour, strong views and unique . character and we will showcase this along with his expert insight into . our coverage of the Barclays Premier League, European leagues and . competitions.' BT Sport has the rights to live top tier matches from the Barclays Premier League, the FA Cup, Scottish Professional Football League, UEFA Europa League and the German Bundesliga, Serie A in Italy, Ligue 1 in France, Brasileiro in Brazil and Major League Soccer in the USA. VIDEO Next season will be tough - Mourinho . | Mourinho's first appearance will be in an advert on Saturday . 'This is the kind of team I want to work with,' he says of BT Sport . Channel hails him as 'one of the greatest managers of all time' | 8cd2d1e96558f15219356e860288e832fbc4818b |
X-ray images of an unopened cardboard box have revealed a treasure trove of Christmas tins sent to British soldiers on the Western Front 100 years ago. A collector, who bought the unremarkable-looking box at auction on a hunch it may contain gift tins, didn't want to damage the box by opening it. So instead, he decided to X-ray it - with the scans revealing hundreds of tins stuffed with goodies such as chocolate, cigarettes and sweets inside. During the war, the tins were made in their thousands then shipped off by the Royals to soldiers fighting in the trenches over the first Christmas of the war in 1914. Hidden treasures: 81 bronze tins stuffed with cigarettes, pencils and sweets that was due to be sent to the troops on the Western Front in 1914 have been found in a sealed cardboard box by a collector (pictured) Gift: Thousands of tins, similar to this one pictured, were sent to troops in 1914. The five-inch boxes were paid for by the Sailors and Soldiers Christmas Fund - organised by George V's daughter Princess Mary . But one box never made it to its intended destination - and is now up for sale 100 years on for almost £30,000. The five-inch long tins were paid for by the Sailors and Soldiers Christmas Fund - a nationwide appeal for donations organised by George V’s daughter Princess Mary. It is thought that more than 355,000 were sent to troops in 1914, although due to the pressures put on the postal service some soldiers did not get theirs until 1916. By the end of the war the fund had raised £200,000 and had sent out 2.5 million boxes. Mystery surrounds the box for sale, which was bought by a collector of First World War memorabilia several years ago after he spotted it at auction. The collector, who was told the box had been found in Ireland, suspected the box had Christmas tins inside so had it X-rayed as he didn't want to open it. Inside: The collector, who bought the box at auction on a hunch it would contain the tins, didn't want to open the box - so he had it X-rayed (pictured) to see what was inside . Hidden treats: The scan showed the box was stuffed to the brim with the Christmas gift tins, pictured, which contained a Christmas card, sweets and chocolate . It will be opened for the first time by Lady Emma Kitchener, great-grandniece of military great Lord Kitchener, at the Chalke Valley History Festival near Salisbury, Wiltshire, later this month. A select amount of tins will be sold at the festival for £300 to £350 with the rest being auctioned in Onslows’ Great War sale in Dorset on July 9. A proportion of the proceeds will be donated to a services charity. Patrick Bogue, from Onslows auction house in Blandford, said: 'With Christmas 1914 approaching, George V’s daughter Princess Mary came up with the idea for a fund which would pay for presents for soldiers and sailors fighting on the front lines. 100 years: The box will finally be opened later this month by Lady Emma Kitchener at the Chalke Vallye History Festival in Salisbury. A number of the tins will be auctioned off for £300 - £350 during the event - with the proceeds going to charity . At the start of the conflict, British soldiers were allowed 10oz of meat and 8oz of vegetables per day. However, this was soon reduced as supply lines were disrupted due to naval and land blockades across Europe. Two years later in 1916, the meat ration was down to 6oz a day. Towards the end of the conflict, soldiers were lucky to get meat once every nine days. Some sources suggest the troops ate horse meat from animals killed on the front line. Some soldiers reportedly grew their own vegetables in the trenches - but few were successful. Instead, nettles and weeds were used in stews. Other goods provided included tea, bacon, cheese, jam and meat stews - all of which were tinned. Flour was scarce also, so ground-up vegetables were used as a substitute. In terms of equipment, every soldier was issued with a 1908 Pattern Webbing for carrying personal items. It included: A wide belt, left and right ammunition pouches each stocked with 75 rounds and an entrenching tool head. A water bottle carrier, a small haversack - including a knife and unused rations - and large pack were also supplied. A mess tin was contained inside a cloth buff-coloured khaki cover. 'She had wanted to do her bit and the campaign was very successful. 'It . was common belief that the war was going to be very quick and so . hundreds of thousands of these little tins with gifts inside were put . together. 'It was meant to be a one off but as we know now the war lasted a lot longer than anticipated. 'The fund continued to grow and so the boxes were sent to others helping the war effort such as young soldiers and nurses. 'There were a few types of box - the initial ones contained a packet of cigarettes and a pencil made from a shell casing while others got sweets and chocolate. 'The box was found in Ireland but we don’t know any more about its history. 'It is a complete mystery as to whether this box was simply surplus to requirements or if there is another reason why it never made it to the front line. 'Its seal is still intact which would suggest it has never been opened which is incredible in itself because the tins potentially have packets of cigarettes in them. 'The box has been X-rayed and it confirms these are the tins with the shell cartridge pencils inside. 'It is amazing to think they have spent the last 100 years undisturbed.' Chalke Valley History Festival runs from June 23 to 29. The box will be opened on June 28. | 81 bronze tins containing cigarettes, pencils and sweets found by a collector . Tins been sealed in an unremarkable-looking box for over 100 years . Collector didn't want to open it - so had it X-rayed to see what was inside . Thought the box, worth around £30,000, got lost during shipping in 1914 . Christmas gifts were sent out in their thousands to troops on Western Front . Paid for by Sailors and Soldiers Christmas fun - organised by Princess Mary . | 1af89ac13db47259939efc00df2ecdd93d5ac5b3 |
By . Dan Bloom . PUBLISHED: . 13:42 EST, 14 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:31 EST, 14 December 2013 . A gardener put in intensive care after crashing his bicycle died of alcohol withdrawal because he wasn't drinking his daily pack of strong lager, an inquest heard. Victor Pickston - a well-known prankster who was spared jail for sending a hoax bomb to a pub - broke 11 ribs and cut his left kidney when he crashed into a wheelie bin, tumbling over the handlebars. He survived but doctors at St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London, grew worried when the 51-year-old became delirious. Despite treatment, he died a week later of a cardiac arrest. Tragic: Victor Pickston, 51, died in intensive care at St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London (pictured) - not because of a serious bicycle crash he had suffered, but because he missed his usual dose of Stella Artois . The gardener was cycling home at lunchtime on January 11 when he careered into a large wheelie bin on the pavement in his home town of Epsom, Surrey, an inquest heard. Drivers who dialled 999 reported a 'strong smell of alcohol' on him and he was taken to Epsom General Hospital, where he discharged himself later that day because he was 'getting bored' of waiting to be seen. Tipple: Mr Pickston favoured Stella Artois, a strong lager of 4.8 to 5.2 per cent, his brother said . That evening he collapsed in pain at his girlfriend's house and was taken to St George's Hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care the next day. His condition deteriorated and after two negative brain scans, medics diagnosed him with alcohol withdrawal syndrome and gave him medication and vitamins to combat its effects. Despite their efforts, Mr Pickston suffered a cardiac arrest on January 18 and could not be resuscitated. Mr Pickston's brother Lawrence told an inquest his brother was not an alcoholic and never seemed drunk. He said his brother bought four cans of Stella Artois, a strong Belgian lager which typically has an alcohol content of 4.8 to 5.2 per cent, after work each day. He added: 'He held down a job, he looked after my father who was in his 80s and he looked after his invalid girlfriend," he said. 'To me, he did not have a drink problem. Whenever I saw him, he never seemed actually drunk.' Pathologist Dr Michael Heath said Mr Pickston's heart had swelled to double the size of an average person. His liver was also twice the average weight, despite an earlier operation to remove half of the organ, which was described as 'incredibly fatty'. Mr Pickston also had a Body Mass Index of 33, making him clinically obese. The pathologist said: 'There's evidence Mr Pickston has used a little bit too much alcohol in the past. His heart was double its normal size. That could be due to high blood pressure and also because of alcohol. 'His liver was double the size despite half the liver being removed. That is due to chronic alcohol misuse over a considerable period of time. Crash: Mr Pickston broke 11 ribs and cut his left kidney when he was hurled over a wheelie bin in Chessington Road, Epsom (pictured). He discharged himself from hospital but was readmitted after he collapsed . 'He was getting better and suddenly there appears to be a sudden deterioration. This was likely to be as a consequence of withdrawing from alcohol.' Dr Heath said the lack of alcohol in Mr Pickston's system caused potassium levels in his blood to rise, leading to the fatal cardiac arrest. 'The biochemistry of the blood is so abnormal that it cannot be reverted,' the pathologist said. He gave the cause of death as cardiac arrest due to multiple injuries, with a secondary cause of 'established chronic liver disease with ongoing steatosis and cirrhosis, and acute confusion and delirium due to alcohol withdrawal syndrome'. The 51-year-old was a well-known prankster in Epsom, Surrey. In 2009, he received a suspended sentence at Guildford Crown Court after he admitted sending a hoax bomb to Ewell's Wheatsheaf pub in what was described as a 'practical joke gone wrong.' He left with a bottle of Tabasco sauce used in a Bloody Mary drink and sent it in a brown envelope to the pub the next day, along with a battery and a mobile phone. Prankster: The 51-year-old became famous after sending a hoax bomb to The Wheatsheaf pub in Ewell, Surrey, made out of a bottle of Tabasco sauce, a mobile phone and a battery. He also made pies from dog poo . The incident sparked a full response by the Army bomb disposal squad and his barrister told the court: 'He does have a reputation as a bit of a joker. He once made pies out of dog poo.' Coroner Karen Henderson recorded a verdict of accidental death. She added: 'It's clear there was a sudden, unpredictable cardiac arrest. We've heard a sudden cardiac arrest can occur because of withdrawal from alcohol. I find that was the case. 'Alcohol had played a significant part in Mr Pickston's life and it caused the damage that ultimately made it unsurvivable from this really unfortunate fall.' Mr Pickston's brother declined to comment after the inquest. | Victor Pickston, 51, had a cardiac arrest after suffering alcohol withdrawal . His brother told an inquest he used to buy the strong lager every day . Mr Pickston, from Epsom, Surrey, walked out of hospital but later collapsed . Gardener won fame after he sent a hoax Tabasco sauce bomb to a pub . | 2ab6ce18b39af64683c58beff37eafbd8ccfe84c |
(CNN)Indianapolis Colts backup linebacker Josh McNary has been charged with felony rape, a spokeswoman for the Marion County, Indiana, Prosecutor's Office said Wednesday. McNary, 26, was in police custody late Wednesday at the Marion County Jail, a booking log on the jail website said. McNary was also charged with felony criminal confinement and misdemeanor battery resulting in bodily injury. According to a probable cause affidavit, a 29-year-old woman reported to police on the morning of December 1 that she was raped hours earlier at the apartment of a man she met while out at a bar. She said she told the man several times she didn't want to have sex and fought with him, scratching him on the face, neck, back and shoulder. The man forced her to have sex on his bed, she told police. She took the man's cell phone as she left the apartment. A forensic nurse examined the woman and found injuries to her vagina and dried blood behind one ear. The document indicates detectives used the cell phone to identify McNary the next day. He was cooperative, police indicated, and he asked for a lawyer after being advised of his rights. A nurse found abrasions and scratches on his stomach, back, neck and shoulder, the document says. Investigators also found the woman's clothing and an earring in McNary's apartment. CNN's attempts to reach McNary's attorney weren't immediately successful. The Colts said they were aware of media reports about the incident. "But unfortunately that's the limit of our knowledge," the Colts said in a written statement. "At this time, we are very concerned and trying to find out what the relevant facts are, but we have insufficient information to venture any opinion. As we learn more, we will make appropriate updates." The National Football League said the matter is "under review." Recently, the NFL revised its Personal Conduct Policy. It includes a minimum six-game suspension for crimes involving violent conduct, including domestic violence and sexual assault. The league reviewed its stance after widespread criticism of its handling of the Ray Rice case. McNary is listed as a second-string inside linebacker for the Colts, who play the New England Patriots on Sunday in the AFC championship game. He has 28 tackles -- mostly on special teams -- in 15 games this season. He played in the Colts game on November 30 and had one tackle on punt coverage. The 6-foot, 251-pound player is in his second season. He played collegiate football at Army and served in the military from 2011 to 2013 before joining the Colts. CNN's Tina Burnside, Dave Alsup, Erica Henry and Wayne Sterling contributed to this report. | A woman told police she took a phone from the apartment of a man who raped her . In a probable cause affidavit, a detective says the phone belonged to John McNary . CNN is attempting to contact a lawyer for the accused football player, who spent time in the military . | e691ffa22d0c809bf32c87a2b74373cacb9887bf |
Rome (CNN) -- The trial began Saturday for Pope Benedict XVI's former butler over the alleged leaking of hundreds of secret papers from the pope's personal apartment to an Italian journalist. The butler, Paolo Gabriele, could face a sentence of up to eight years in an Italian prison if convicted, although it is possible the pope could choose to pardon him. He is charged with aggravated theft. Gabriele did not enter a plea but has admitted leaking the papers to the Vatican prosecutor, according to Vatican statements. Vatican computer technician Claudio Sciarpelletti, who worked in the Vatican's secretariat of state, is also on trial, accused of complicity in the crime. If found guilty, he faces a shorter prison term of only a few months. The Gabriele case is thought to be the most significant ever heard in the Vatican City courthouse, which has handled mostly petty theft cases in the past. Corruption claims based on the leaked documents rocked the Catholic Church hierarchy and could even affect who becomes the next pope. Pope's butler leaked papers to shock 'corrupt' church . Saturday's initial session was held under closely controlled conditions, with only a handful of approved reporters allowed to attend. Those reporters later briefed other journalists on the proceedings. They had been made to hand over their own pens in exchange for Vatican-issue ones in case any contained concealed listening devices, the reporters said. They recounted that the three lay judges, led by Giuseppe Dalla Torre, heard that Vatican investigators had seized 82 boxes of various sizes of evidence from Gabriele's apartments in Vatican City and Castel Gondolfo, a small town near Rome. The investigators also confiscated a gold nugget and a check made out to Pope Benedict XVI for 100,000 euros from the University Catolica San Antonio di Guadalupe and an original version of Virgil's Aeneid from 1581, from his apartment in Vatican City. Clean shaven and dressed in a light gray suit, Gabriele appeared pale and largely expressionless during Saturday's session. None of his family attended. Gabriele's lawyer, Christiana Arru, filed several motions concerning the admissibility of evidence, including the results of a psychological exam conducted without the presence of his lawyer and footage gathered via a hidden camera. The court will hear from Gabriele himself in its next session, set for Tuesday next week. Other witnesses called in his case include the pope's personal secretary, Georg Gaenswein, an attendant to the pope, Cristina Cernetti, and several police officers involved in the investigation. Sciarpelletti was not present in court but was represented by his lawyer, Gianluca Benedetti, who declared his client's innocence. Benedetti said Sciarpelletti was not a close friend of Gabriele, to which the latter reportedly nodded his head in agreement. The presiding judge, Dalla Torre, agreed to a request from Benedetti that the two trials be separated. Opinion: Scandals block Vatican's message . The Vatican has previously said Gabriele cooperated with investigators and admits leaking the papers, which consisted of faxes, letters and memos, including some from a high-ranking church official expressing concerns about corruption within the Vatican. A prosecutor in the case said in a report last month that Gabriele acted out of a desire to combat "evil and corruption everywhere in the Church." "I was certain that a shock ... would have been healthy to bring the church back onto the right track," Gabriele is quoted as saying by the prosecutor, Nicola Piccardi. The Vatican City State penal code for proceedings involving its citizens is based on the Italian penal code of the second half of the 19th century. Dalla Torre will lead the debate in the courthouse, located behind St. Peter's Basilica, and question the defendant directly. Prison terms handed down by the court are served in the Italian prison system, under an agreement between the Vatican City State and Italy. Gabriele was arrested in May, following a top-level Vatican investigation into how the pope's private documents appeared in the best-selling book "Sua Santita" ("His Holiness"), by Italian journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi. The Vatican called the publication of his book "criminal" when it was released in Italian. Journalist Barbie Nadeau contributed to this report. | NEW: Paolo Gabriele did not enter a plea Saturday to an aggravated theft charge . NEW: Investigators seized 82 boxes of evidence and a gold nugget from two apartments . The scandal, with its claims of corruption, has rocked the Catholic Church hierarchy . Vatican computer technician Claudio Sciarpelletti is accused of aiding Gabriele . | 4c723afd55fd77d00c00eceb7658bc756fcba541 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 18:22 EST, 23 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:26 EST, 23 August 2013 . He could easily have kept the stolen goods he found dumped on a busy sidewalk. But perhaps knowing what it's like to lose it all, this homeless man tracked down the distraught owner of the precious items and returned everything he found. Overwhelmed by the random act of kindess, the woman - an Obstetrics and Gynecology resident - and her husband posted a picture of the Good Samaritan on reddit.com which has now reaped its own rewards. Grateful: Reddit user 'anitasanger' posted this picture of a homeless man who returned some of her stolen property days after it went missing . Reddit user anitasanger's 2010 Dodge Charger was broken into on Tuesday night on East 15th Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The bandit stole a large purple Vera Bradley work bag, and most of its contents, including a wallet, iPad, iPhone, physician work papers and hospital ID badges for OSU Medical Center and St. Francis, according to the police report. The . thief had also rifled through the glovebox before fleeing, leaving the . screwdriver he or she used to break into the car on the vehicle's floorboard. But the woman, fearing she had lost everything, was stunned when she was contacted by a homeless man who found her important paperwork. He tracked her down because her name was written on most of the documents. 'This homeless man just found a bunch of my wife's stolen property strewn all over downtown Tulsa,' user anitasanger posted on reddit. 'He took the time to gather it all up in the rain and called us for retrieval. I just want to recognize him as an awesome human being.' The user, who has not been identified, hasn't responded to MailOnline's request for comment. Devastated: Reddit user 'anitasanger' posted this image of the victim (back to camera) crying after her red car was broken into (pictured) as her baby daughter looks on . The . post triggered an overwhelming response on reddit, with more than 1400 . comments relating to the man's random act of kindness. The couple said they were grateful for the rough sleeper's compassion and gave him a $15 cash reward - a sum which was roundly criticized by reddit users. 'I realize that $15 isn't much, and it may appear like we slighted the . guy. Yes we had some luxury items an ipad and an iphone that were . stolen. The ipad was a christmas gift from my father,' the user wrote. 'Residency is . pretty tough and we don't have much money left over each month. What . cash we had was in my wife's wallet, which was stolen. 'The reason we . even had $15 cash was because we pulled it from the sock drawer to . replace my wife's driver's license. The DMV only accepts checks, which . we don't have, or cash. 'It was literally all we had, so we gave it to . the nice man. I wasn't trying to be a hero by giving the guy a few . dollars, that's why I didn't even mention it in the title. The only . reason I mentioned it, is because people asked if we did anything for . the guy. I am grateful for his humanity and compassion.' Many of the users commented the couple should donate a substantial sum to Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless, a shelter for people who sleep rough where the man was known to frequent. Perhaps proving that karma exists, a number of people made small donations to the center, and posted the news to reddit. 'Donate guys. This guy and the others deserve to be kept warm and fed this winter,' one user wrote. 'Just for this action, a guy with nothing gave back everything her could to these two who have a damn site more than he does. He deserves all the karma that exists on reddit.' Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless declined to comment. | A homeless man found a woman's stolen medical paperwork and returned it to her . The grateful woman posted the man's picture on reddit.com . They were criticized for only giving the man a $15 reward . But users who recognized the man have sent donations to the local shelter he frequently stays at . | a8048cd4955d440fafeae1deaa782e1362cfa210 |
(CNN) -- We watched in horror this week at the execution of an Afghan woman who was shot nine times while a crowd of roaring men who call themselves Muslim cheered and screamed. We were reminded of a similar tragedy that took place in 1999 in which a mother of five, clad in a blue burqa, was shot dead in a soccer stadium in Kabul. Both of these women were wrongfully accused of adultery, as there was no proof, evidence, fair trial, due process or justice. The similarities between the two slayings signaled to us that not much has changed in Afghanistan in the decade since the United States first became involved there. When we Americans ask why we have failed in Afghanistan, we blame the Afghans' antiquated tribal practices and their hate of America's freedom, and most of all, we blame their religion: Islam. Though we have said it over and over again, let us reiterate once more: The actions of these men were in absolute and supreme violation of God's laws, and Islam does not condone unmitigated violence of any kind. Period. Manhunt under way for Taliban who shot woman in public execution . Though the U.S. declared the promotion of women's rights, human rights and democracy as its policy goals before invading Afghanistan, it would appear that all three were lost in our efforts to establish a "secular" democracy in an Islamic Republic. When our government deployed our troops intending to eliminate al Qaeda and the Taliban and establish a new government in Afghanistan, we took responsibility for the future of its people. Is it not tragic, after all the bloodshed and the billions of taxpayers' dollars spent, that there could be a resurgence of the Taliban and this kind of unimaginable violence? When the U.S. leaves Afghanistan permanently, Afghan women will undoubtedly suffer. Throughout the past decade, our policymakers have failed to take into account the important role that religion held (and still holds) in the structure of Afghan society. If we want to affect the way that Afghans conceptualize important notions such as justice, we must understand the forces in their lives that guide their decisions. Poll: Religion is not the biggest enemy for Arab women . After 30 years of constant warfare, unstable political, civil and governmental systems and a dismal education system, many Afghans look to religious authorities to guide their actions. The solution to fighting extremism and affecting change in Afghanistan lies within the religious system; secular ideologies that are imposed on Afghans are alien to them. Having said this, Americans do not have to sacrifice our goals of spreading democracy and peace to the Afghan people. Just as our Founding Fathers established "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" as basic rights for all Americans, so too does Islam establish the protection and preservation of life, religion, family, intellect, property and dignity for all. We must look for ways in which such rights can be realized, and ways in which we can work with Afghans to address these injustices. In 2006, Daisy founded the Women's Islamic Initiative on Spirituality and Equality (WISE), a social justice movement that works to reclaim women's rights in Islam. Its Global Muslim Women's Shura Council of scholars and activists were so compelled by the level of violence against women that they published "Jihad Against Violence," (PDF) a report that condemns both violent extremism and domestic violence. The response to this report, along with WISE's Imam Training Program to End Violence against Women in Afghanistan, was overwhelming. Many Afghan imams confided in us that the scriptural evidence that we provided helped them to realize that they were propagating distorted and incorrect interpretations of the Quran, unintentionally. Egypt's Islamists: Much to prove on women's rights . The value of these religious literacy trainings were so transformative that we were told, "The U.S. government should not have spent billions (on the war); they should have spent millions and involved the imams (with regards to women's rights), and everything would have been different today." Similarly, an Afghan woman told us, "imams are our only shield against the Taliban." The Arab Spring has forced U.S. policymakers to acknowledge the fundamental importance of engaging with religious-political movements in the Middle East, and efforts to include these movements are gradually making their way into our foreign policy. As Muslims, we know that it is only in the religious sphere that we can achieve our vision of peace, democracy, prosperity and the realization of human and women's rights in Afghanistan, and prevent atrocities like public executions from ever happening again. Opinion: Why world must react to Taliban execution . Saving Face: The struggle and survival of Afghan women . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and Daisy Khan. | Opinion: U.S. underestimates importance of Islam in making Afghanistan a better place . Authors say Islam establishes protection and preservation of life, and dignity for all . They say the U.S. should work with imams to improve lives in Afghanistan . | 56d3369db48bc1c1e449a11471a0a9598184357d |
An aide to Labour's leader in Wales has quit the party, branding Ed Miliband an out-of-touch 'Chuckle Brother' who is heading for 'inevitable' defeat in the general election. Luke Ellis, a Labour councillor who worked for Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones, claimed Labour strategists could not have found a leader with 'less charisma, sincerity or balls' than Mr Miliband if they had tried. It comes as former Labour Cabinet minister Charles Clarke warned voters do not think Mr Miliband will be any better than the Tory-Lib Dem coalition. Ed Miliband has been likened to one of the Chuckle Brothers by an aide to Welsh Labour leader Carwyn Jones who has quit the party . Mr Miliband's leadership has come under increasing pressure in recent days, with senior party figures fearing he is failing to make an impact ahead of the election on May 7. Mr Ellis, a councillor in Bridgend, announced his decision to quit Labour with an excoriating attack on Mr Miliband. Writing on his blog, he said: 'If political strategists all got together in a room to choose a leader with less charisma, sincerity or balls, they couldn't have chosen better than the hapless Chuckle Brother they chose to lead the party to the inevitable defeat coming it's way in less than 100 days. 'There are several sources of information that outline the multimillionaire's catalogue of failures and his massive disconnect with the public could not be more obvious than it already is.' Mr Ellis added: 'I have met both men and without a shadow of a doubt, Jeremy Kyle is more in touch with British voters than 'The wrong Miliband'.' He also claimed Labour in Wales 'has proven to be nothing more than a cult-like mafia that is frightened of free speech'. Luke Ellis, a councillor in Bridgend, announced his decision to quit Labour with an excoriating attack on Mr Miliband . Mr Miliband has come under increasing criticism in recent days from senior Blairite figures in the party unhappy at the direction of his leadership. Lord Mandelson warned Mr Miliband's plan to impose a mansion tax is 'crude' and would end up 'clobbering' people. Lord Hutton and Mr Milburn, two senior Blairites, accused the Labour leader and Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls of failing to defend the economic record of the last Labour government. Now Mr Clarke, a former Home Secretary who served in Tony Blair's Cabinet, said voters did not believe Labour would be any better than the coalition. Former home secretary Charles Clarke said voters did not believe Labour would be any better than the coalition . He told The Times: 'The reason why [minor parties have] gained support is because people don't think the Conservatives, Liberals are good and they are not confident enough that Labour will do better. 'Labour's challenge is to ensure that we convince people that we would do better. 'In a general way, I think that investment and reform, which was our slogan in the Blair years, is crucial. Certainly, the party has to campaign on the NHS, but it also has to campaign on education, which is another story of investment and reform. 'It has to campaign on transport, it has to campaign on policing and a whole set of other issues.' Mr Miliband yesterday insisted he has enough 'life experience' outside politics to lead the country - because he had been an adviser to Gordon Brown. The Labour leader said roles in the Treasury and lecturing at Harvard University in the United States before he became an MP qualified him to be prime minister. Mr Miliband highlighted his previous jobs as he took questions from young voters after being asked how he represented ordinary people. He was asked: 'Outside of politics, what life experience do you have ... to indicate you should be the one to represent the people of Britain?' Mr Milband, speaking at an Ask The Leaders session organised by Sky News and Facebook, replied: 'I've done a number of things which I think are relevant to this. 'I was obviously an economic adviser in the Treasury. I think that's important because the economy and how we change our economy is at the heart of the country.' He added: 'I taught at Harvard University. I actually taught around government and economics and I think that, actually, one of the things that that did for me (was learning) to listen and engage with people about what their issues are, what they're interested in.' Mr Miliband went to Oxford University before working briefly as a researcher in the media, and then becoming a Labour Party researcher. He was an adviser to Gordon Brown in the Treasury between 1997 and 2002, at which point he took an 18-month sabbatical to teach economics at Harvard. | Labour councillor quits party with excoriating attack on Ed Miliband . Luke Ellis worked as an aide to Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones . No leader has 'less charisma, sincerity or balls' than Mr Miliband, he claims . Ex-Home Secretary Charles Clarke warns voters don't have faith in Labour . | 7cab992bd96f0ab3a44bffedbcb08584b2a846d1 |
These alarming pictures show 18,000 freshly sliced shark fins drying on the roof of an industrial building in Hong Kong. Traders have taken to airing the fins on rooftops after a backlash against the old practice of scattering them on pavements. The meat is used to make a soup that is a popular delicacy served as a status symbol by the wealthy across Asia. Disgusted: Conservationist Sharon Kwok, director of NGO's Aquameridian & Mission Blue, stands on a roof covered in fins holding a photo of a mutilated shark . Out of sight: Traders have begun airing the fins on the of this industrial building following a public outcry over them being scattered on pavements . Cruel industry: Workers arrange the fins after they were hacked off live animal and transported to the Chinese city . Hunters hack the fins off live animals and then toss the creatures back into the ocean to drown. Many of China's richest citizens believe the soup has medicinal benefits and serve it at celebrations. Each fin can fetch up to £380 ($600) a pound, with a single bowl of the prized soup fetching up to £108. But the business is causing the death of up to 100million sharks every year. The fins were shipped from an unknown location and unloaded at a nearby pier to be dried on the rooftop. While sales have declined in Hong Kong in recent years, activists want to see a total ban in the city, labelled by some the shark fin capital of the world. Anger: Activists demand a total shark fin ban in the city, labelled by some as the shark fin capital of the world . Concerns: Sales of the gourmet soup - which can fetch up to £108 per bowl - have fallen in recent years because of its controversial nature . Delicacy: The fins are made into an expensive broth, which is served by wealthy households at dinner parties across Asia . The global population of sharks, who . are slow-growing and slow to reproduce, has declined significantly since . commercial fishing began. Finning . takes place off every the coast of every continent, particularly in . poorer countries that do not have the resources to monitor and prosecute . shark hunters. Countries with anti shark finning laws . include the US, Canada, Brazil, Namibia, South Africa and the European . Union, while Hawaii recently outlawed the sale of the soup. Numerous celebrities have made a stand against finning. Last year, Gordon Ramsey called the shark trade ‘cruel’, ‘sick’, ‘tragic’, ‘barbaric’, ‘wasteful’ and ‘out of control’. Efficient: The fins were shipped from an unknown location and unloaded at a nearby pier to be dried on the roof . The celebrity chef’s Channel 4 documentary, Shark Bait followed the sharks dying in horrific circumstances - ‘surgically separated’ from their fins with a machete, before being tossed back into the ocean, as the meat on the body is far less valuable. But two weeks later the chef was accused of being a hypocrite, as footage emerged that appeared to show a bronzed Ramsey reeling in a seven-foot bull shark. U.S. actress Bo Derek wants to ban the selling, trading or possessing of fins and said finning has created a global environmental crisis in which shark stocks could be wiped out in one generation. Actress January Jones was recently awarded for her commitment to sharks by Oceana, and NBA star Yao Ming, the 7ft 6in Chinese mega-celebrity, swore off the expensive delicacy back in 2006. | Hunters hack the fins off live animals and toss them back into the sea . Fins are later made into a soup that is considered a delicacy in Asia . The popular broth can sell for up to £108 a bowl . Traders dry the fins of roofs after an outcry against them using pavements . | c4cf20cc2e3665ba0b7d948683bfa1e82aa9b7e2 |
Our columnist predicted Barcelona's fawning over Luis Suarez in his comment piece in Tuesday's Daily Mail . Barcelona's courting of the shamed Luis Suarez stepped up a notch as their sporting director publicly backed the striker following his apology for biting Giorgio Chiellini. Questions persisted about the Uruguayan when the club were unveiling new signing Ivan Rakitic on Tuesday, with Andoni Zubizarreta unable to resist commenting. 'Suarez had the honour to come out and apologise for his actions and now it's time for him to begin the recovery process,' Zubizarreta said at the Nou Camp. VIDEO Scroll down for Barcelona fans discuss the potential signing of Luis Suarez . All smiles: Barcelona have publicly backed Luis Suarez after his apology for biting Giorgio Chiellini . All smiles: This is what Suarez would like if Barcelona managed to clinch his signature from Liverpool . What we want: Sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta (left) spoke about Suarez when unveiling Ivan Rakitic . VIDEO Barca in for Suarez . The Catalans are currently undergoing a minor rebuild after a year of stagnation under Gerardo Martino which eventually saw him sacked, with Suarez seemingly topping the list. Luis Enrique has been handed funds to sign Ivan Rakitic from Sevilla for £14million and Real Sociedad's Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. Suarez's future at Anfield looks more than uncertain as talk surrounding Liverpool's stance on his latest indiscretion continues and whether it could prove a stumbling block for Barcelona. But, on the day he was unveiled, new man Rakitic also had his say. 'To have the character and strength to apologise in front of the world shows what a noble person he is,' the Croatian added. Upon hearing Suarez's apology, former England international Gary Lineker was left in no doubt that it was designed to engineer a move to Catalonia. 'I hear that Barca insisted on apology if transfer is to proceed,' the BBC anchor tweeted on Monday. Shame: Suarez received a nine-game international ban and four month suspension from football . Accident? Suarez previously told FIFA he did not deliberately bite Giorgio Chiellini but fell on top of him . Showing support: Uruguay fans wore masks of their star striker during the World Cup defeat against Colombia . VIDEO Sorry Suarez admits Chiellini bite . After initially denying responsibility for his actions, claiming he had merely collided with the Italian defender, Suarez finally apologised to Chiellini on Monday. 'After several days of being home with my family, I have had the opportunity to regain my calm and reflect about the reality of what occurred during the Italy-Uruguay match on June 24, 2014. 'Independent from the fallout and the contradicting declarations that have surfaced during these past days, all of which have been without the intention of interfering with the good performance of my national team, the truth is that my colleague Giorgio Chillieni suffered the physical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me. 'For this: - I deeply regret what occurred. 'I apologise to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family. I vow to the public that there will never be another incident like.' | Catalans appear to have stepped up interest in Liverpool striker . Luis Enrique's side could take Suarez to the Nou Camp for £80m . The Catalans unveiled midfielder Ivan Rakitic on Tuesday . | 84333b8e1c238aa6039687760992f7935a432eb4 |
By . J J Anisiobi . PUBLISHED: . 03:48 EST, 26 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 21:19 EST, 26 August 2012 . Jersey Shore star Snooki has given birth this morning to a baby boy at a New Jersey hospital. The pint sized star and her fiancé, Jionni LaValle have called their first child Lorenzo Dominic LaValle, and he weighs a healthy 6lbs, 5oz. The reality TV star tweeted after the birth: 'I am SO IN LOVE with my son Lorenzo Dominic ! I had my little man last night, healthy at 6lbs! HE'S MY WORLD!' In labour: Snooki pictured running errands in New Jersey yesterday; has given birth . Welcome to motherhood! Snooki's heartfelt tweet just hours after giving birth . She later gushed: 'Being a mom is an amazing feeling!!! I love my little man to death! Jionni is such a cute dad.' And after receiving lots of well wishes from fans, Snooki added: 'Thank you all for your love and support!! Lorenzo loves you guys already!' A representative for Snooki told MTV: 'The world just got another Guido!!!'. Parents: Snooki and fiance Jionni have welcomed their first child into the world . The music channel congratulated their . biggest star and said: 'We couldn't be happier for Nicole and Jionni on . the healthy delivery of their baby boy! 'We look forward to Lorenzo's first trip to the Jersey Shore and can't wait to see his first animal print onesie.' The reality star went into labour this morning and simultaneously tweeted a picture with the caption 'fierce'. Best friends: Snooki's best friend and reality TV co-star JWoww tweeted her congratulations today, and has clearly already met the bub . Congratulations! Some of the other Jersey Shore cast members also tweeted Snooki . Luckily it wasn't of her, but rather of a . trio of big cats - a lion, tiger and cheetah. The news of her labour emerged after Snooki was seen checking into the maternity unit at her local hospital. TMZ confirmed the reports: 'We're told . she is at a hospital in New Jersey now and is expected to deliver her . little meatball to the world some time in the near future.' Flooding in: Fellow E! star Kendra Wilkinson also tweeted her congratulations to Snooki . Sending her thanks: Snooki made sure to thank all of her friends and family for their support . Earlier in the day the Jersey Shore . star had written 'I'm a balloon waiting to pop' as she prepared for the . birth of her first child. Snooki, and fiancé Jionni LaValle announced that they were to be parents in May. They revealed that they were expecting a boy, which they planned to name Lorenzo. 'Fierce': Snooki tweeted this picture to her fans as she went into labour . Earlier this week, Snooki admitted she was feeling apprehensive about becoming a parent for the first time. She told In Touch Weekly magazine: 'I’m nervous that I’m not going to be a good mom. I just really hope I know what I’m doing!' Snooki even said that while she had become famous for her partying and drinking on Jersey Shore, her pregnancy is crazier than anything she experienced throughout her time on the MTV show. Huge! Snooki kept the world updated with her size during her pregnancy . She said: 'At the Shore you’re going to hook up, get into a fight or go to jail. You only have three options. But being pregnant you have no idea what’s going on!' After the birth she also has plenty of work planned, with her MTV spin-off series alongside castmate Jennifer J-WOWW Farley recently picked up for a second season. However, next time around, the show will now relocate to a large house on Johnson Avenue, in Manchester, New Jersey. | Lorenzo Dominic LaValle weighs a healthy 6lbs, 5oz . The reality star went into labour and swiftly tweeted a picture with the caption 'fierce' She gushed that being a mother is 'an amazing feeling' and says Jionni is 'such a cute dad' | 695aede13e3d196def49347b8b8f633bd50ea5d9 |
Scientists said Mary Berry is a role model as she makes high calorie cakes but then only eats small amounts of them . Though she is famed for her calorific cakes, Great British Bake off presenter Mary Berry is a role model for people wanting to eat a healthy diet, scientists have said. While she is renowned for getting contestants on the BBC show to make high-fat masterpieces, the 79-year old food writer's attitude should be praised as she only eats a small amount of such foods. The group of leading nutritional scientists said that a diet low in saturated fat, along with keeping active, is key to a healthy lifestyle, and criticised a recent study which played down links between saturated fat and risk of heart disease. Tom Sanders, professor of nutrition and dietetics at King's College London said: 'Mary Berry, I always like her, she cooks these cakes with everything we think is awful - sugar, saturated fat and cream - but she said, "I only eat a little bit of it", and I think that is the key to it.' Speaking at London's Science Media Centre, scientists said that more needs to be done to counteract the marketing of high-calorie snack foods and coffees which have boomed in recent years. While the average UK diet contains less saturated fat than it did 40 years ago, obesity continues to rise. They said this is because while people have changed the way they eat at home - for example, eating less red meat - they are more sedentary. The foods they eat while out - in restaurants or as snacks - have got bigger in portion size and calorie count, they added. Professor Sanders added that 'susceptible' people are having food 'pushed on to them' and could not say no. He said: 'It is the "what else?" culture. It doesn't help. 'You go and get a coffee and you are asked, "Would you like a muffin with the coffee?" Or if I buy a magazine ... I'm offered a 100g bar of chocolate which I don't need. 'There is a whole thing about the marketing of food. I have referred to one retailer where you have to queue up as being the 'walk of shame' - you have all the high-calorie, high-sugar, high-fat snacks in the way and I think that is part of the problem.' The balance between diet, alcohol intake and exercise level is the key to keeping your weight down and lowering the risk of heart disease and diabetes, scientists said. Christine Williams, professor of human nutrition at the University of Reading, called for the government to give people advice about healthy snacking, because of the growth of food and drink being available around the clock. Scientists called for the government to give people advice about healthy snacking, because of the growth of food and drink being available around the clock . She said: 'You can see it, you only have to go to a station. There didn't used to be five or six different coffee shops, you sometimes couldn't get a snack on your way home from work. 'Alcohol - pubs are open, food is available 24 hours a day and people probably feel that if it is available it should be okay if I have it. 'Some people are less able to control that and make sense of it than others.' She added: 'A lot of the problems are to do with foods that don't ever see a plate - they are not considered to be food, they are a snack. 'They have gone straight from the hand to the mouth, the coffee is just warming you up in the middle of the day when you are tired, it is all subconscious. And yet it is all very calorific.' | Mary Berry is a role model because of her attitude to food, scientists say . Presenter is famed for making cakes but only eats small amounts of them . Scientists warned more should be done about marketing of unhealthy foods . People now eat bigger portions and are less sedentary than 40 years ago . Supermarkets and coffee shops offer snacks at the tills, they warn . 'Susceptible' people are having food 'pushed on them', scientists say . Balance between diet, alcohol and exercise is the key to keeping healthy . | 00fabee9282c83b702f9a3e9c6d9807f5ac08086 |
New York (CNN) -- The federal government moved Thursday to seize assets belonging to the Alavi Foundation and the Assa Corp., including a Manhattan skyscraper and four mosques, citing alleged links to the Iranian government. Preet Bharara, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced Thursday's filing of an amended civil complaint seeking forfeiture of the Alavi Foundation's interest in the 36-story office tower located on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The tower is owned by 650 Fifth Avenue Company, a partnership between the Alavi Foundation and Assa Corp., the Justice Department said. The amended complaint alleges that the Alavi Foundation provided services to the Iranian government and transferred money from 650 Fifth Avenue Company to Bank Melli, Iran's largest state-owned financial entity. U.S. and European Union officials last year designated Bank Melli as a proliferator for supporting Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and funneling money to the Revolutionary Guard and Quds Force, considered terrorist groups by the United States. Bank Melli issued a statement last year denying involvement in any deceptive banking practices. Thursday's amended complaint seeks forfeiture of all assets of the Alavi Foundation and Assa Corp., including bank accounts owned by 650 Fifth Avenue Company, the Alavi Foundation and Assa Corp.; and properties owned by the foundation in New York, Maryland, Virginia, Texas and California. It alleges that the properties were "involved in and [were] the proceeds of money laundering offenses," and that the owners violated the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, executive orders and U.S. Department of Treasury regulations. "As today's complaint alleges in great detail, the Alavi Foundation has effectively been a front for the government of Iran," Bharara said. "For two decades, the Alavi Foundation's affairs have been directed by various Iranian officials, including Iranian ambassadors to the United Nations, in violation of a series of American laws. The Alavi Foundation's former president remains under investigation for alleged obstruction of justice, and both the criminal and civil investigations are ongoing." John Winter, a New York lawyer representing the Alavi Foundation, said his client would challenge the complaint. "We're obviously disappointed that the government brought this action because we have been cooperating with the government since this investigation began about a year ago and we intend to litigate this matter," he said in a telephone interview. "It may take some time, but at the end of this litigation, we're of the mind that we're going to prevail here." The buildings remained open and were continuing to operate as usual. "There are no allegations of any wrongdoing on the part of any of these tenants or occupants," said Yusill Scribner, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York in a written statement. "The tenants and occupants remain free to use the properties as they have before today's filing." According to the complaint, the New York tower was built in the 1970s by a nonprofit organization operated by the Shah of Iran to pursue the country's charitable interests in the United States. Bank Melli financed its construction in prime real estate near Rockefeller Center. In 1979, after the Iranian revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran established the Bonyad Mostazafan of New York, since renamed the Alavi Foundation, to take possession of and manage property it had expropriated from the former government, including the Fifth Avenue building. Calls to the Iranian Mission were not immediately returned. The mosques are in New York, Maryland, California and Texas. At the Islamic Institute of New York in Queens, two worshipers said they found out about the move Thursday as they arrived for evening prayers. The front page of the court document stating the terms of the case was tacked to the front door accompanied by a letter from the U.S. Attorney's office to the Mostazafan Foundation. A senior Justice Department official, trying to blunt any criticism from Muslim groups, told reporters that the government is moving against the Iranian landlords of the buildings, not targeting or "seizing mosques" as religious-oriented facilities. The mosques just happen to be among the tenants of the buildings in question, the official said. But, in a statement, the Council on American-Islamic Relations called the move unprecedented and said it may have First Amendment implications. "Whatever the details of the government's case against the owners of the mosques, as a civil rights organization we are concerned that the seizure of American houses of worship could have a chilling effect on the religious freedom of citizens of all faiths and may send a negative message to Muslims worldwide," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. He said the move comes at a bad time, given the community's fear of a backlash resulting from a Muslim psychiatrist being charged in the deadly shooting spree at Fort Hood in Texas. Relations between Iran and much of the international community have been tense in recent years over Iran's nuclear ambitions. Iran states that it wants to develop its nuclear program solely for peaceful purposes; the United States and a number of other countries have said they suspect the oil-rich nation is pursuing a nuclear bomb. In another U.S.-Iran development, President Obama said Thursday in a letter to Congress that the national emergency with respect to Iran that was declared in 1979 during the Iranian revolution has not ended. "Our relations with Iran have not yet returned to normal, and the process of implementing the January 19, 1981, agreements with Iran is still under way," Obama wrote in an official "notice of continuation" required to extend the emergency status with Iran beyond the anniversary date of November 14. "For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared on November 14, 1979, with respect to Iran, beyond November 14, 2009." CNN's Terry Frieden, Brian Todd, Deb Feyerick, Eddie DeMarche and Ross Levitt contributed to this story. | Alavi Foundation, Assa Corp. accused of transferring money to Iran . U.S. Attorney: "Alavi Foundation has effectively been a front for the government of Iran" Companies own 3 mosques, have interest in New York skyscraper . U.S. wants company to forfeit the mosques and skyscraper . | ca6fa29aceb47f795ec0ff88e1da3c1d1f2fbac2 |
By . Tamara Cohen . PUBLISHED: . 22:03 EST, 23 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:48 EST, 24 April 2013 . Thousands of MMR vaccines have been stockpiled by the Government so anyone who has not had the jab can be immunised, it emerged last night. Health secretary Jeremy Hunt told MPs there was a 'national plan' in place in response to the epidemic in Swansea, where the number of measles cases has risen to 886. He said: 'I want to reassure you we are taking this extremely seriously. In terms of making sure we have sufficient numbers of vaccines, ensure that we are talking in a targeted way to communities and to schools, that's absolutely going on.' Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has told MPs that thousands . of MMR vaccines have been stockpiled by the Government so anyone who has . not had the jab can be immunised . He told MPs on the Commons Health Select Committee yesterday that 'making sure we have sufficient numbers' of the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine was 'absolutely going on', The Times reported. Mr Hunt was asked about whether there would be a national MMR vaccination campaign by Tory MP Dr Sarah Wollaston, a former GP, who said in parts of her Devon constituency 30 per cent of children had not had it. Dr Wollaston said it was time for a 'national vaccination campaign' which would tell parents that by vaccinating their children 'you protect the whole community'. Health officials are expected to announce shortly a 'catch-up' programme for people who have not been immunised. The number of people infected with measles has shot up by more than 78 in just than five days, health officials have confirmed. Last week the disease claimed its first victim - a 25-year-old father-of-one from Swansea. Doctors warned this week that two million children are at risk of catching measles if the latest outbreak spreads. They said London, where nearly half of children have not had the jab, could be worst hit if cases of the disease spread from Wales. Teenagers aged 13 to 15 are most at risk, as many were not vaccinated from the late 1990s, when a now-discredited scientific report was published linking the MMR jab with autism. Labour MP Barbara Keeley, one of the MPs on the Commons Health Select Committee who questioned Mr Hunt yesterday, said MMR uptake was also low in parts of her Salford constituency. Many children were not vaccinated from the late 1990s, when a now-discredited scientific report was published linking the MMR jab with autism . Mr Hunt told MPs: 'We certainly must not think of this as something that's [just] happening in Wales. I receive regular updates from the Chief Medical Officer. We have comprehensive plans in place. 'We need to use this as a moment to slay the myth about MMR. I do detect a turning point in terms of the public's attitudes towards this but there is still that critical 11 to 15 year old age group that may not have been vaccinated because they were toddlers at the time the MMR scare was so appallingly whipped up.' MMR is administered in two doses - at around one year and again at age 4/5 before starting school. One dose provides 95 per cent protection against measles, mumps and rubella. Levels of uptake are now high - 89 per cent in England and 93 per cent in Wales and rising. The World Health Organisation recommends 95 per cent of the population have it for full protection. By 2004 first dose uptake had fallen to 80 per cent in England and 79 per cent in Wales meaning more than 100,000 children did not have it in that year alone. Typical symptoms of measles include fever, cough, conjunctivitis and a rash. Complications are quite common, even in healthy people, and about 20 per cent of reported measles sufferers experience them, including ear infections, vomiting and diarrhoea, pneumonia, meningitis and serious eye disorders. A Department of Health spokesperson said: 'We currently have enough vaccine to protect everyone who needs it. If your child has not had two doses of MMR, whatever their age, contact your GP surgery and make an appointment.' Jeremy Hunt also revealed to the committee that all 2,000 civil servants in the Department of Health would be expected to get regular 'frontline' experience in NHS hospitals - and that he had started already. Mr Hunt is understood to have worked at the A&E department in Watford General Hospital last week, doing cleaning, portering and observing clinical work. He will undertake different roles at other hospital trusts. He said: 'It's been great fun. I've learned a huge amount.' It was announced all policy staff including ministers would get experience of frontline NHS care following the report into the scandal at Stafford Hospital. | Health secretary Jeremy Hunt told MPs a 'national plan' is in place . He said: 'I want to reassure you we are taking this extremely seriously' | edc9ad0d062844a30c0f496d0fb476258cfcf654 |
By . Wills Robinson . A couple are offering a £1,000 'reward' to anyone who helps them to sell their 116-year-old converted chapel through social media. Eden and Lizzi Sutcliffe, who have lived in the property at Corris, near Machynlleth, mid Wales, for more than seven years, became frustrated when they received only one viewing after placing the £199,000 property in the hands of an estate agent last September. So the pair decided to try a new sales tactic, turning to Facebook and Twitter and offering a £1,000 incentive to any user who puts them in direct touch with whoever eventually buys the house. The item has been on Facebook three days but has already attracted considerable interest. Sales: After only getting one initial views for the property, Eden and Lizzi Sutcliffe turned to social media tro try and sell the chapel at Corris, near Machynlleth, mid Wales. Built in 1898, this former Baptist Chapel came into private ownership in the 70s and now consists of a very large living area with multi-fuel stove and mezzanine, . a comfortable bedroom, bathroom and kitchen . Interior: The inside of the house still has a number of features in tact from when it was a functioning chapel. The couple have lived in the property for more than seven years . Privacy: The bedroom is built on a platform which stands higher than the rest of the house. Mrs Sutcliffe said: 'We are also prepared to pay £500 to someone who passes the information to a second person' Living room: The item has been on Facebook for only three days but has already attracted considerable interest . Raised: The original pulpit area is set up as a seating area which overlooks the rest of the hall. It also acts as a suitable resting place for pets . Doorway: The entrance to the property has a homely door mat in front of it, and leads on to a stain glass window . Open plan: Lizzi and Eden, who make jewellery and drums from recycled materials and also organise non-religious weddings and funeral services . Potential: On the website, the pair has said that Noddfa Chapel has plenty of scope for further development. They say it is great to live in as it is and handily located on the borders of Snowdonia National Park . Terrace: The new owners could relax in the sun on the patio which runs beside the road outside the chapel. The property is surrounded by flowers and colourful plants . Modest bathroom: The couple have used photos which contain all of the items which are still lying around their house . Kitchen: It has fitted wall cupboards and pine shelving, floor cupboard units with fitted worktop and incorporating appliance spaces, ceramic tiles above worktops, windows to both front and side . Spare bedroom: Guests can enjoy a bedroom a nights sleep away from the main hall in a different part of the chapel . Rural: A different view of the chapel shows it is nestled in the Welsh countryside. On the very edge of Snowdonia National Park with views of Cadair Idris . Patio: The new owners would be able to enjoy the table and chairs in the garden. The couple have admitted they do not have any future pans despite their plans to move . Garden: There is a stunning view of the surrounding woodland from the rear of the house . | Eden and Lizzi Sutcliffe have changed their selling tactics after only receiving two views through estate agents . The couple are offering £1000 to the person whose 'share' results in the sale of the property near Machynlleth, Wales . | a6fa17d9dfb8239059a9d25571602ea650af83fc |
By . Ap . PUBLISHED: . 00:34 EST, 16 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 00:34 EST, 16 December 2013 . Undaunted hobbits trumped princess power at the multiplex. Per studio estimates Sunday, Warner Bros. Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was No. 1 at the weekend box office with $73.7 million, besting last weekend's No. 1 film, Disney's animated fable Frozen. Melting down to the No. 2 position, Frozen earned $22.2 in its third weekend, bringing its impressive overall domestic ticket total to nearly $164.4 million. Internationally, the Disney hit gained $31.5 million. Cha-ching: The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug raked in $73.7 million in its opening weekend . Hobbit: Warner Bros. opted to split the Hobbit into three parts, the second of which opened on Friday . Despite its first place position, The Desolation of Smaug fell short of topping its prequel's debut. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which opened this same weekend last year, gained $84.6 million. It earned $131.2 million in international sales. 'Hobbit rules this date and Warner Bros. has linked this brand to this time of year very effectively,' said box-office analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Rentrak. 'We had an excellent weekend,' said Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution at Warner Bros. 'Of course, it could have been a little better, but the weather back East was really tough last night and probably took a couple million dollars out of my pocket. But our box office will survive. We are right on target to do very similar numbers to the last `Hobbit,' which grossed a $1 billion worldwide (overall).' Lionsgate's holiday-themed Tyler Perry's a Madea Christmas came in third place with $16.2 million. 'All of the Tyler Perry movies have done in that $20 million plus range, but the weather was a factor in some of the performances of these films,' said Dergarabedian. Busy man: Director Peter Jackson and his daughter, Katie, attended the premier of his latest installment of the Lord of the Rings series . Scary: Warner Bros. released this photo of Azog, performed by Manu Bennett, in a scene from the new Hobbit film . Another Lionsgate film, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, earned $13.2 million for the fourth place slot. To date Catching Fire has grossed $739.9 million, surpassing the worldwide box office total for The Hunger Games, which brought in $691 million. Disney's super hero sequel, Thor: The Dark World, continues to thrive as it remained in the top five with $2.7 million, bringing its domestic total to $198.1 million. In its second weekend, Relativity Media's redemption drama Out of the Furnace, starring Christian Bale and Casey Affleck, dropped to the sixth place position with $2.3 million after opening in the third place slot. Disney's comedy Delivery Man, with Vince Vaughn as the lead, dropped in at No. 7 in its fourth weekend at the box office with $1.9 million, bringing its domestic total to $28 million. The Weinstein Co.'s Philomena, starring Judi Dench, who received a best-actress Golden Globe Awards nomination for her performance as a nun in search of her son, landed in the No. 8 spot at the weekend box office with $1.8 million. Tech guy: Jackson says he hopes that the movie's story won't be overshadowed by the amazing technology and cinematography . In its sixth weekend at the box office, Fox's Nazi Germany-set The Book Thief, starring Emily Watson, Geoffrey Rush and Sophie Nelisse, held the ninth position with $1.7 million. Coming in at No. 10 was the Jason Statham and James Franco-starring Open Road crime thriller Homefront, which gained $1.6 million in its third weekend. Its total domestic gross is now $18.4 million. Opening in limited release in just six locations, David O. Russell's con artist tale, American Hustle, scored $690,000 over the weekend. This aces the success of his Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook, which saw $27,687 during its opening weekend in December of 2012. American Hustle, featuring stellar performances by Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence, has been nominated for seven Golden Globe Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Amazing: The imagery from the latest Hobbit is said to be even more spectacular than the previous films . 'The overall gross of this weekend's ticket sales is expected to surpass the $136.5 million gained the same weekend last year. "All films this weekend should estimate $145 million,' said Dergarabedian. With only a few weeks left in the year for moviegoers to populate the multiplex, the wide selection of impressive films fares well for eclipsing 2012's box office record of $10.8 billion. 'We are half a percent above last year,' added Dergarabedian. 'And we have a really strong crop of films with some notable titles still yet to open in wide release, like Anchorman 2, American Hustle' and Saving Mr. Banks, among others.' | The new Hobbit movie is the second of three in the series . In the same weekend last year, the movie's prequel, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, earned $84.6 . | 111037044da459498f93685bfb556c9f8dd734fe |
I use a Keurig coffee machine at home because I'm lazy. And, quite frankly, don't feel like I've really done my duty to God and country until I've added a little something to the landfill. "Here ya go, America. Have another K-Cup. Go Braves." Though, to be fair, I do actually use 97% biodegradable French roast OneCups from San Francisco Bay, a brand of the Rogers Family Company out of Lincoln, California. Mind you, I use these OneCups not so much for environmental reasons, but because the price is right and I quite like the taste. So hold your praise. I'm still a delightfully lousy, wasteful human being. However, my day-to-day brand of single-serve coffee may soon be a thing of the past, because this fall Keurig plans to launch a new system that will use DRM (Digital Rights Management) technology. It's fancy science, but ultimately it means unlicensed cups won't work with the new machines. Kate Binette, senior public relations specialist from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, the parent company of Keurig, couldn't tell me exactly how their new interactive technology would work -- and even if she did I'd probably have to take a 40-minute nap -- but I did get the basics. "Each Keurig 2.0 brewer will have a camera that can 'read' a proprietary taggant material," Binette says, adding that it's similar to current anti-counterfeiting technology and will be "embedded on the lid of each Keurig brand pack." So, essentially, our coffee is going bionic, and if your current pod doesn't have that taggant, it's no coffee for you! This includes my OneCups from San Francisco Bay. Which can only mean ... Brace yourself. Litigation is coming. Welcome to the Great Electronic Coffee War of 2014! Green Mountain argues that its new advancements in roasting and flavor extraction, as well as thermodynamics, have been expertly developed to ensure perfect consistency with each cup. Therefore, Binette told me, "It is critical for performance and safety reasons that the system only brews Keurig brand packs." And I didn't have to look far to find someone who agrees with that assessment. My co-worker, Tiago, says he doesn't want somebody's inferior brand of K-Cup malfunctioning and screwing up his system, declaring from his desk three cubicles away, "The sanctity of the K-Cup should be respected!" Mind you, I once said the exact same thing about Lean Pockets. It was 2:30 a.m. I was outside. Not wearing pants. In the rain. "The sanctity of the Lean Pocket should be respected!" Looking back, that probably wasn't my finest moment. Anyway, while Keurig says adding DRM is all about performance, Jon Rogers, founder and president of the Rogers Family Company (makers of my San Francisco Bay coffee) calls it "baloney." He thinks it's all about money and keeping non-Green Mountain coffee out of your hands. By e-mail, he explained to me, "Prices would be higher to the consumer. Innovation would be stifled." In February, another company, TreeHouse Foods Inc., even filed a lawsuit against Green Mountain. The Rogers Family Company is considering legal action as well. Jon Rogers says, "If Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is allowed to introduce Keurig 2.0 with the feature that, in our opinion, is clearly in restraint of trade, the Keurig 2.0 monopoly would be reinstated as it was when Keurig 1.0 was the only brewer on the market." Whatever happens, it'll be interesting to see this play out over the coming months. But I do have to say that the new Keurigs are really sexy. Plus, in addition to brewing single cups, they'll also do full carafes. So, never mind whose cup you choose (or are allowed) to brew. Brace yourself. Multiple sprints to the bathroom are coming. Follow @JarrettBellini on Twitter. | In the fall, Keurig plans to release their new 2.0 brewing system . The new systems will use Digital Rights Management technology . TreeHouse Foods Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Keurig's parent company . | d04961d3b2d51fd7e3656bb9336a5c4e7d918d41 |
(CNN) -- With its post-apocalyptic setting, Giancarlo Esposito in the role of endearing villain, and J.J. Abrams as an executive producer, creator Eric Kripke's "Revolution" is a surefire hit -- on paper. In fact, NBC ordered a full season of "Revolution," which also stars Billy Burke, after airing just three episodes, which is the same amount of time it took the network to axe "The Playboy Club" last year. Yet, it seems viewers become more disillusioned with the freshman drama each week. Still, with its mid-season finale airing tonight, "Revolution" has garnered competitive ratings, and helped NBC win November sweeps for the first time in nine years. On Tuesday, CNN.com commenter Bret wrote, "I've watched every episode, but I'm ready to give up" on the show, which takes place 15 years after a global blackout causes the government to collapse and prompts militias to take over. "The story moves at a snail's pace," Bret continued. "Even if we buy the science behind the show's premise, the individual episodes are so infuriating with their slow pace and stupid and unbelievable character interaction that I'm not watching anymore." As with many new shows, ratings for "Revolution" have declined since its September 17 premiere drew 11.7 million viewers and a 4.1 rating among adults 18 to 49. Of late, ratings leveled off at about 7 million viewers and a 2.6 rating. Despite NBC's apparent confidence, "Revolution" will soon embark on a three-month hiatus, to return on March 25, so it can continue benefiting from its current lead-in show, "The Voice." As Yahoo! TV's Dave Nemetz notes, a long hiatus "could be deadly. There are a ton of new shows coming out in January that could step in and take that audience away." But it's likely that if "Revolution" doesn't succeed during the second half of its first season, it won't be because of winter break. "A lot of people wanted to see how the world reacted when the power went out," Nemetz said. "They were disappointed that, basically, the story jumped forward and they didn't get to see the aftermath." Sure the show revisits these moments in flashbacks, but viewers "don't want to derail the storyline in the current time to keep going back," Nemetz said. "People have been burned with shows like 'Lost' and 'Heroes.' They get invested in them, and seasons later they still don't have answers to the questions they tuned in for, so they get a little disillusioned and give up. That might be happening earlier than usual (with 'Revolution')." As CNN.com commenter Martyr2 wrote on Wednesday, "I can't believe 'Revolution' continues to be a success. I was really interested in it at first but I think it has really lost steam." Apart from pace, it's the shows characters that seem to anger viewers. Though fans appear to enjoy Burke as protagonist Miles Matheson and Esposito ("Breaking Bad") as Major Tom Neville of the Monroe Militia, Tracy Spiridakos in the driver's seat as Charlie Matheson hasn't been as well received. In October, The Huffington Post's Maureen Ryan wrote, "If Spiridakos has any strengths as an actress (and that's not at all apparent), the show's writers haven't learned to write to them, and every week, despite 'Revolution's' general efficiency and the skills of its other cast members, there's a clunky Charlie moment that makes me want to delete the show's Season Pass from my DVR." CNN.com commenter Bret agrees: "Charlie is such an annoying, whiny, stupid character. It's not all the fault of the actor. The writers give her such dumb dialogue. Danny (Graham Rogers) is a much more interesting character, but the entire season is spent trying to rescue him (from the militia)." While other supporting characters like Zak Orth's Aaron Pittman and Elizabeth Mitchell as Rachel Matheson have garnered more positive feedback, TVLine.com editor-at-large Matt Webb Mitovich reminded viewers not to get too attached in an October recap: "NBC's 'Revolution,' in its fourth outing, busted out one of the oldest tricks in the book: inviting us to care, more than we had done to date, about a major-ish character, before killing that person off." "I believe that people love exploring 'What if?' scenarios, and the one at the heart of 'Revolution' is compelling, especially in an era where so many of us are 'wired in' and immersed in a digital age," Webb Mitovich told CNN via e-mail. "If anything (detracts) from the 'Revolution' experience -- and mind you, this is a show whose producers vetted with a physicist the very foundation of the global blackout -- it is other 'leaps' and lapses in continuity," he continued, "such as the seemingly fresh-from-Urban Outfitters wardrobe and a surprising dearth of bicycles." | "Revolution" has helped NBC win November sweeps for the first time in nine years . NBC ordered a full season of the Billy Burke-starrer after airing just three episodes . Ratings for "Revolution" have declined since it premiered in September . | 6496cd12d42665f5954d2bac9f0ab7dd9802d4b9 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . An Amish couple from Ohio who were sent to prison for hair-cutting attacks on other followers, have revealed how prison life gave them new experiences. Farmers Raymond and Kathryn Miller, who were part of a breakaway sect put on trial in 2011, have been introduced to public transport, fitness classes and even Mountain Dew soda. And although their Bergholz property has no electricity, the couple have even had a phone line installed so they can keep in contact with their probation officer. Changes: Kathryn and Raymond Miller were exposed to new experiences while in prison . Different world: Before prison, the Millers had not been exposed to pool, public transport, or Mountain Dew . Raymond Miller said that while in prison he developed a taste for Mountain Dew soda, got his . GED, and wonders if he should get a pool table after learning to play in . prison. Kathryn, who had never ridden a public bus before boarding one . last year to go to prison for forcibly cutting the hair of her . relatives, was introduced to yoga and step classes while behind bars. The . Millers . are trying to settle back into life at home after being exposed in . prison to a world their religion is focused on locking out. The Amish shun modern technology and regard beards for men and uncut hair for married women as sacred. A temporary exception to this rule has had to be made for 29-year-old Raymond Miller, who must make daily calls to his probation officer and wear an electronic ankle monitor while harvesting hay. 'I’m ready to get rid of it,' Raymond said of the telephone installed in his home. 'We get salesman calls about electric bills and they don’t believe that we don’t have an electric bill.' Trial: The Millers were among members of an Amish sect, some of them pictured above during the trial, who were charged with hate crimes after cutting off men's beards . The . couple, who were recently released after spending nearly a year in . prison, were part of a group of 16 Amish from Bergholz who were . convicted in 2012 of hate crimes for the hair-cutting attacks. The victims included Raymond Miller's parents. Prosecutors . said the attacks were intended to humiliate and were carried out in . retaliation for personal and spiritual disagreements that Bergholz's . bishop and leader Sam Mullet had with Amish in other groups. Mullet, who was portrayed as extremely authoritarian, is serving 15 years as mastermind of the attacks. His followers were sentenced to one to seven years each. Defense lawyers did not deny the hair-cutting took place but said that hate crime charges were over-reaching. One thing both of the Millers had to get accustomed to in prison was the concept of free time, something the Amish do not have a lot of at home. 'I read, played softball and played pool. I liked pool and I was pretty good at it,' Raymond said. 'I think we could get a pool table at Sam’s,' he said, referring to Mullet's home, which has a large meeting room for church services. 'I think it would be all right.' Kathryn, 25, who also learned the game, shook her head 'no' in the background. 'I like to play pool but we are not allowed to play pool here,' Kathryn said. 'The girls in prison gave me a hard time that I was gambling.' Changes: Laundry dries outside the Millers' farm. They have no electricity but since being released from prison on probation they have had to install a telephone line . Trade up: A buggy the couple use to get around. Kathryn's first experience of public transport was when she took the bus to prison . Raymond lost weight in prison because he did not like the food, but says he did develop a liking for Mountain Dew. Kathryn had to leave her three young children in the care of her mother while she was in prison. Her now nearly three-year-old daughter sometimes calls Kathryn's mother 'mom' even though Kathryn has been home two months. 'She still asks for my mom a lot,' she said. Kathryn said she wore a smaller head covering than her typical Amish bonnet while in prison, along with long brown dresses. She uses prison slang and referred to fellow prisoners as 'cellies' and 'bunkies' and talked about the SHU, or solitary housing unit. 'I didn't feel like I was Amish,' she said. Knowing that she would be returning soon to her family kept Kathryn going. She also discovered yoga and step classes. The Millers said they do not regret going to trial, but do not believe it was fair and are appealing their convictions. 'We really didn't have a jury of our peers,' Raymond said. 'They don't know about the Amish, the lifestyle.' | Raymond and Kathryn Miller have been released after a year behind bars . Couple, who shun modern technology, have had to install phone line so they can call their probation officer . | 2abfc0a2aa93d0dc9b9127ab73c01af12f08d84e |
An elite Tory dining club that enjoys direct access to David Cameron in return for cash has given more than £43million to the party, it can be revealed. The secretive Leader’s Group of major donors is open only to those prepared to give the Conservatives at least £50,000 a year. In return, they are promised regular dinners, lunches and drinks reception with the Prime Minister and other senior Tory figures. Social: David Cameron MP and wife Samantha entertain guests at The Conservative Summer Party, held in The Grounds of The Royal Hospital Chelsea, London . No list of members has ever been published and details of the topics discussed are never revealed. But data released to the Daily Mail in the wake of the 2012 ‘Dinners for donors’ row reveals that 72 members of the group have taken the opportunity to dine privately with Mr Cameron and other senior ministers in the past 18 months. Between them, they have given the party £43.4million since 2001. Some have attended at least six Leader’s Group events since 2012. The decision to publish limited data follows controversy in 2012 when it emerged that Mr Cameron had hosted secret dinners for major donors at his Downing Street flat and at Chequers. Ministers always denied that donors had used their access to influence policy but quarterly lists of donors who have attended events with the Prime Minister are now published. Under fire: A critics said these events where David Cameron, pictured was present were 'straight up cash for access of the type that we¿ve got very used to in this country' The disclosures will, however, raise concerns about the influence of behind-the-scenes lobbying and the ability of the rich to buy access to Mr Cameron. Other ministers who have attended the events include Chancellor George Osborne, Foreign Secretary William Hague, Home Secretary Theresa May, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Defence Secretary Philip Hammond. There is no evidence that the hedge fund bosses, property magnates, oil executives and others involved have ever asked for or received policy changes. But critics warn that the secrecy surrounding the events will inevitably raise suspicions. Tory sources insist that, in publishing the names of those attending functions with the Prime Minister, they are being more open than Labour. Ed Miliband has failed to keep his pledge to publish regular lists of meetings with union barons and other major donors. A Tory source said it was ‘malicious’ to suggest that members of the Leader’s Group enjoy undue influence. But Alexandra Runswick, director of campaign group Unlock Democracy, said the revelations would fuel public concern. ‘Whenever there is secrecy there is suspicion,’ she said. ‘It is very difficult for a member of the public to see a businessman spending £50,000 to meet David Cameron at a private dinner and not feel there is something going on that is not in their interests.’ The Leader’s Group was set up in 2003 and has grown to become a key part of Tory fundraising. Membership is dominated by financiers. Those attending dinners in the past 18 months include a dozen hedge fund bosses and five bankers, including three former executives from failed banks Lehman Brothers and Barings. The group also includes the wives of two controversial Middle Eastern businessmen not eligible to donate in their own right. Tamasin Cave, of the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency, said the Leader’s Group was the ‘tip of the iceberg’ in the hidden world of secret influence: ‘It’s straight up cash for access of the type that we’ve got very used to in this country. A seat at these dinner parties provides these businessmen with a private space in which to discuss their concerns, whether its taxes, regulation or policy. They’re not just social occasions. ‘At the same time, the Government... is pretending to expose such lobbying with a sham register of lobbyists. People are fed up with a system that provides an open door to government for the wealthy and well connected, while everyone else is excluded.’ Access: David Cameron had hosted secret dinners for major donors at his Downing Street flat and at Chequers, pictured, it has emerged . Labour MP Michael Dugher said: ‘It’s no wonder the Prime Minister stands up for the wrong people when he is selling access to a privileged few.’ But Labour was silent on why Mr Miliband has failed to publish details of his own meetings with major donors, including the trade union bosses who have bankrolled his leadership to the tune of more than £24million since 2010. A Conservative Party spokesman insisted that the operation of the Leader’s Group was above board and all donations declared to the Electoral Commission. The revelations follow controversy this week over the Government’s refusal to publish a full list of the people entertained by Mr Cameron at Chequers. Tory sources said data showed that since 2012 no dinners had been held for donors at the PM’s official residences, including Chequers. The Conservatives declined to say where Leader’s Group dinners are now held or what is discussed. Members of the Leader’s Group include Russian businessman Alexander Temerko, right, who has attended two events and donated more than £200,000 to the Tories since 2012. Mr Temerko runs a wind farm firm, Offshore Group Newcastle. Last summer he paid £90,000 for a . bust of Mr Cameron at a Tory fundraising event. The Leader’s Group also includes the wives of two controversial Middle Eastern businessmen. May . Makhzoumi, pictured below with her husband, who has given more than £1million since 2010, is married to Lebanese businessman Fouad Makhzoumi, who was caught up in a scandal involving Conservative Cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken. Rosemary Said, who has given the party . almost £580,000, is married to Syrian-born businessman Wafic Said who . made a fortune as a fixer to the Saudi Royal Family, including the . controversial Al Yamamah arms deal with the UK. Scottish property tycoon Malcolm Scott, who has given almost £850,000, attended a dinner with Mr Cameron in the spring of 2012 while his business empire was collapsing. It has since gone under, leaving debts of millions. Venture capitalist Adrian Beecroft, right, attracted controversy in 2012 after writing a report for Mr Cameron on cutting red tape, which included a proposal to allow employers to fire staff at will. Mr Beecroft has given more than £750,000 but his key recommendation was rejected by the Government because of opposition from the Liberal Democrats. Others the list include the celebrity hairdresser John Frieda, who has given the party more than £260,000, musician Michael Batt, who has donated more than £160,000, and Carphone Warehouse co-founder David Ross, who has donated more than £220,000. The Leader’s Group also contains some of Britain’s wealthiest individuals. Richest is the industrialist Sir Anthony Bamford, whose family is worth an estimated £3.1 billion and who has given more than £2.5million. Others include the hedge fund boss Michael Hintze and pharmaceuticals magnate Lord Ballyedmond. | Leader’s Group of major donors open only to those giving £50,000 a year . Secrecy surrounding the events will raise suspicions, opponents warn . Critic: Dining clubs is 'tip of the iceberg' in the world of secret influence . An earlier version of this article said Alexander Temerko was wanted for fraud in Russia and that donations he made to the Conservative Party were cleared by the Electoral Commission. We are happy to clarify that a British court found that the charges were politically motivated and that the donations did not require clearance because Mr Temerko is a British citizen. | 98383c36b4199884694c5bf2018e768480566d72 |
By . David Kent . Vincenzo Nibali was finally rewarded with a kiss after finishing safely in the third stage of the Tour de France to retain the overall lead. The Italian was left embarrassed after leaning in for a kiss with a podium girl following his stage two win only to be awkwardly rejected, but there was a happier ending this time round. Marcel Kittel won stage three, the final stage on UK soil - the 155-kilometre route from Cambridge - ahead of the race's return to France with a typically dominant sprint finish. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Vincenzo Nibali get rejected by podium girl . Lip service: Vincenzo Nibali gets a kiss from a podium girl after reatining the Tour de France yellow jersey . Full bloom: Vincenzo Nibali takes the race lead into France after stage three . Final push: Marcel Kittel (C) won the final stage held in the UK with a typically dominant sprint finish . Nibaldo had previously stormed to victory on the stage between York and Sheffield but . he was rejected by the podium girl when he went in for a celebratory . kiss during the presentation of his yellow jersey. He was given his maillot jaune . and handed some flowers but as he went in for a kiss the podium girl . awkwardly pulled away, leaving the Team Astana rider hanging. Leading man: Vincenzo Nibali, the champion of Italy, receives the Tour de France leader's yellow jersey from the podium girl after winning stage two in Sheffield . All smiles: Italian Vincenzo Nibali (centre) looks at the podium girl after being given his yellow jersey . Making a move: He leans his head towards the podium girl who looks straight towards him . Blanked: She then turns her head away from Nibali and flat out rejects his advances for a kiss . Red faced: Nibali looks awkward and places his hand behind his head as she turns away from him . Mellow yellow: Nibali takes the applause moments after his snub after the second stage of Le Tour, brilliantly hosted in Yorkshire . The finish to the final stage here in England proved fairly predictable. With Mark . Cavendish already out of the race with injury, it was left to the . powerfully built German Kittel to burst away from . the peloton for the second time in three days to secure victory on The . Mall. Just across to where the team vehicles were gathered on Horseguard’s Parade, however, it was rather more chaotic. Emergency . repair works on the Eurotunnel had the 22 teams in something of a panic . - the riders might have been flying to France on Monday night but talk . of ‘six hour delays’ had them concerned their bikes might be delayed. VIDEO Nibali takes yellow jersey after stage two win - highlights . Fun: Nibali was able to have a laugh on the podium with a cuddly toy lion after being rejected . | Vincenzo Nibali holds the yellow jersey after stage three of Tour de France . Italian shared a kiss with podium girl after being snubbed at stage two . Marcel Kittel won the final stage to the UK before heading across Channel . | 10ddcc22f7bd75c86ff32d0490045d025bdd47bb |
By . Sadie Whitelocks . A powerful new ad series shows mothers nursing their babies in bathroom stalls, in a bid to change negative attitudes towards breastfeeding in public. The posters - which ask 'would you eat here?' - were created by University of North Texas design students Kris Haro and Johnathan Wenske as part of a college project. The duo state on their website, When Nurture Calls, that they wanted to show 'mothers who have been harassed to the point where they feel they have no other option but to nurture their baby in the restroom as to not offend anyone.' Behind closed doors: A new ad series shows mothers feeding their babies in bathroom stalls in a bid to change negative attitudes towards breastfeeding in public . The posters are captioned: 'bon appetit', 'table for two' and 'private dining', presenting a strong contrast with the distressed looks on the women’s faces. Small print at the bottom of each ad reads: 'Would you eat here?’ It continues: 'By law, breastfeeding mothers are not protected from harassment and refusal of service in public, often forcing them to feed in secluded spaces such as public bathrooms. 'Contact your state and/or local representative to voice your support for breastfeeding mothers, because a baby should never be nurtured where nature calls.' Tackling undiscussed issues: The posters were created by University of North Texas design students Kris Haro and Johnathan Wenske as part of a college project . Miss Haro and Mr Wenske encourage people on their website to support the HB 1706 bill, which legally protects women from harassment when they breastfeed in public places such as movie theaters or restaurants. It was originally introduced in 2013 by Texas House Representative, Jessica Farrar, but has since been dismissed . 'I breastfeed my beautiful . daughter wherever I am, however I always feel on edge that . someone is going to have a go' Ms Farrar states that the lifelong benefits of breastfeeding include improved cognitive development and reduced risk factors for childhood obesity, asthma, celiac disease, post-neonatal death, and certain cancers. The HB 1706 bill is now expected to be reintroduced in January 2015, and Miss Haro and Mr Wenske say the purpose of their campaign is to keep support and momentum going. Since launching their initiative on Monday their Facebook page, When Nurture Calls, has attracted more than 1,000 ‘likes’. Many women have praised them for highlighting an 'undiscussed' issue. Spreading the word: The adverts were created in a bid to break the taboo of breastfeeding in public and many mothers have praised the initiative . One fan wrote: 'I am breastfeeding my beautiful daughter and I do this wherever I am, however I always feel on edge that someone is going to have a go. It would not stop me doing it as I refuse to feed my child in a toilet. Thank you for doing this. Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world.' Another added: 'I am so glad you are bringing attention to this. In addition to breastfeeding in bathrooms and cars, I (as a teacher) had to pump in the co-ed faculty high school bathroom between classes.' Miss Haro and Mr Wenske have also designed an app as part of their Breast Friends project, which will allow mothers to search for places that support breastfeeding and have a friendly attitude towards it. Forty-five states and the District of Columbia have laws that specifically give women the right to nurse in public. However, in many cases, the legislation would not allow a mother to take legal action against a person who harasses or discriminates against her. | The ads were created by University of North Texas design students Kris Haro and Johnathan Wenske as part of a college project . | a649f2be423deef9160f0144d4c26d140a99f11e |
NEW YORK (CNN) -- A letter penned by George Washington praising the new Constitution sold for $3.2 million at an auction, the highest price for a letter by America's first president. The four-page letter in Washington's slanting penmanship was written to his nephew Bushrod Washington in November 1787, according to Christie's, the company that auctioned it. It was in the possession of an unidentified British descendant of his family, Christie's said. Washington led the Philadelphia Convention, at which the Constitution was drafted in 1787. After the Constitution was produced, a nationwide debate ensued on whether to ratify it. In the letter written from Washington's Virginia estate, Mount Vernon, he endorses the Constitution and highlights the benefits of compromise and of states merging into one nation. "The central issues must be consolidated -- and local views as far as the general good will admit, must be attended to," he says in the letter, according to Christie's. The company said the president confided in his nephew. "Washington professed neutrality in public, but to Bushrod expressed his unequivocal conviction that the new Constitution must be ratified, in spite of opposition from many special-interest groups," Christie's said. The buyer was not identified. Christie's had earlier estimated that the letter would fetch $1.5 million to $2.5 million at Friday's auction. Washington served from 1789 to 1797, then died of a throat infection two years later. He died at his beloved Mount Vernon at age 67, plunging the nation into months of mourning. Last year, a 1864 letter in which President Abraham Lincoln replies to the abolitionist pleas of youth sold for $3.4 million. | Highest price ever paid for a letter penned by America's first president . Four-page letter sold for $3.2 million at auction by Christie's on Friday . Letter was written to his nephew Bushrod Washington in November 1787 . Last year, a 1864 letter by President Abraham Lincoln sold for $3.4 million . | 261c439efe60af5db578d41b9cf27426647ad3dc |
By . Jessica Jerreat . A Stradivarius violin and one of Monet's waterlily paintings, which once belonged to the reclusive New York heiress Huguette Clark, are due to be sold at auction. Starting on May 6, Christie's will host a series of sales as the estate of the mysterious millionaire, who died in 2011 aged 104, is divided up. Among the 400 items of fine art, rare manuscripts and collection of beautiful musical instruments, are lots expected to reach several million dollars. Scroll down for video . Captivating: Grammy Award winner Joshua Bell plays Huguette Clark's Stradivarius violin on Tuesday . Rare: This painting by French impressionist Claude Monet has not been seen in public since 1926 . One of the most prized pieces, which is due to be sold on June 18, is the Stradivarius violin that Miss Clark's copper baron father bought for her to play when she was a teenager. The instrument, crafted by the master violin maker in 1731, is known as the Kreutzer after the famed French musician who Beethoven composed Violin Sonata No 9 for, and who used to own it. The violin, found in a cupboard at one of Miss Clark's luxury vacant homes, is expected to sell for $7.5 million. Its sound was described to Today by grammy winner Joshua Bell as having a 'rich warm quality'. Miss Clark collected several Stradivarius violins in her lifetime. Of the 650 still in existence today, nine can be traced to her family including four known as the Paganini quartet, which she collected and donated to Corcoran Gallery of Art. 'She lived a wonderfully cultured life. She was the heiress to a . tremendous fortune, and certainly surrounded herself with many of the . trappings that one would expect,' Andrew McVinish, of Christie’s New York, told CBS. Art lovers: Huguette, pictured with her father W A Clark, shared his love of collecting paintings and instruments . Valuable: Miss Clark paid $125,000 for this Renoir, which is expected to sell for more than $10 million . Some of the items included in the collection, which was started by Miss Clark's father, are so rare that Christie's has exhibited them at its auction houses in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and London, as well as in New York. Prized: The Stradivarius is one of several the Clark family have owned . Miss Clark was the last surviving child of Senator. William A. Clark, who was born in a log cabin and became one of the wealthiest men of his day. He is the namesake of Nevada's Clark County and established its county seat, Las Vegas. A . onetime socialite who became a social shadow, Miss Clark died at . 104 in 2011. She had a penthouse and two other apartments on Manhattan's . Fifth Avenue and exquisite homes in Santa Barbara, California, and New . Canaan, Connecticut, but she chose to spend her last 20 years in a . hospital. The art collector also loved music, and several of her instruments are included in the auction, including 6ft tall Louis XV-style concert harp, which is expected to go for $3,000 to $5,000. A collection of rare and valuable paintings collected by the art lover are also being offered at auction. They . include three Renoirs, including one Miss Clark bought for $125,000 . which is expected to sell for $10 million, and a waterlily painting by . Monet, which has not been publicly exhibited since 1926. Miss . Clark bought the 1905 painting, Nymphéas, in 1930 and it spent the next . 80 years hanging in the dining room of her sumptuous Fifth Avenue . apartment. It is expected to attract up to $35 million when it is sold . on May 6, along with the Renoirs. A William Merritt Chase painting, A . Water Fountain in Prospect Park, expected to fetch $1 million, and John . Singer Sargent’s Girl Fishing at San Vigilio, which is estimated to make . more than $3 million, will be auctioned in a later sale on June 18. Miss . Clark didn't just admire art, she painted herself. A self-portrait and . her palette will be included in the sale of the family collection. Eye for art: Renoir's Chrysanthèmes will be displayed in Tokyo, London, Hong Kong and New York before being auctioned . American great: Girl Fishing at San Vigilio by John Singer Sargent from the Clark collection, is to be sold in June . Collection: This 1875 Renoir is expected to sell for up to $5 million . Decorative arts: This George I walnut and beech armchair from 1725 is estimated to sell for $60,000 to $90,000 . The June auction, An American Dynasty: The Clark Family Treasures, combines the bulk of the heiress's extensive collection of books, instruments and paintings. A 16th Century, beautifully illustrated copy of Book of Hours, and a first edition of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, printed in Brooklyn in 1855, are among the highlights of the book sale. The Book of Hours is expected to sell for at least $40,000 and the Whitman is anticipated to go for $100,000 to $150,000. The entire sale is expected to make about $70 million, and some of the proceeds will go towards a settlement from the disputed will between Miss Clark's nurse and her distant relatives. Heir to a fortune: Huguette Clark, pictured in 1930, was notoriously exclusive . Illustrious: Former U.S. Sen. William A. Clark, center, was the father of Huguette Clark. He is seen here walking through New York's Easter Parade with his niece Katherine Clark . With no close relatives, Miss Clark left a . roughly $300 million estate and a swirl of questions about the input . she had received from a close circle of caregivers and advisers, and about . the extensive gifts and bequests she had given them in return. She . signed two wills within six weeks at age 98, the first bequeathing her . riches mostly to about 20 distant relatives and the second cutting them . out. The September settlement mainly benefited arts institutions and the distant relations. Some . of Miss Clark's real estate and possessions have already been sold. A 2012 . Christie's auction of 17 pieces of her jewelry, including a pink nine-carat diamond ring, brought in about $21 million. Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy . | Huguette Clark died in 2011 at age 104, leaving behind an impressive collection of artworks and other items . Works by Renoir, Monet and Sargent, will be auctioned in May and June . Musical instruments, furniture and rare books included in sal . | ed56f2153b6c413454eb1a0689daf28c6f8579d8 |
A great grandmother whose 'dream' Egyptian getaway was ruined when she contracted a severe case of gastric illness has received £3,500 in compensation from her tour operator. Kathleen Smith, from Rawtenstall, Lancashire, suffered from abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and drowsiness just two days into her family getaway at MinaMark Beach Resort at the Red Sea resort of Hurghada. The 72-year-old believes her sickness was caused by hotel food that was left uncovered and exposed to flies. Kathleen Smith has received £3,500 in compensation after falling ill while on holiday in Egypt . The great grandmother was prescribed medication for acute gastroenteritis after she returned home . Mrs Smith became so sick that she was placed on an intravenous drip in her hotel room, she was unable to sleep and her symptoms continued for 12 days in June and July of 2013. She was prescribed medication for acute gastroenteritis when she visited her GP after she returned home with her 47-year-old daughter Lindsey, 26-year-old granddaughter Karli, 26, and five-year-old great granddaughter Lex-May. She said: ‘It was a really horrible experience. The illness ruined our holiday, falling so ill during a holiday is not something you expect to happen.’ She contacted Your Holiday Claims to pursue a claim for compensation against Thomas Cook, which agreed to pay £3,500 in compensation. She booked the holiday through Flexibletrips.com, a Thomas Cook subsidiary. The 72-year-old said her illness 'ruined' her trip with her daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughter . Hurghada, Egypt is a popular destination for British holidaymakers thanks to its clear waters and beaches . A Thomas Cook spokesperson said in a statement: 'We have extended our apologies to the party, and can confirm that we have reached agreement with their legal representatives to resolve this matter to the customer’s satisfaction. 'We would like to assure customers that incidents of this type are rare, as Thomas Cook and its subsidiary FlexibleTrips works closely with the management of all the properties to which it operates to ensure that only the very highest hygiene standards are maintained. 'We would kindly ask any customers who may have concerns relating to their holiday to contact us directly and as quickly as possible so that we can deal with them personally in an open, honest and fair manner.' | Kathleen Smith suffered from severe symptoms just two days into her trip . She fell ill while staying at the MinaMark Beach Resort in Hurghada, Egypt . Mrs Smith was prescribed medication for acute gastroenteritis . Her symptoms, including cramps and diarrhoea, continued for 12 days . | 8f11acb4d353f64dc2a8658d9731020668d3a228 |
By . John Hall . Oprah Winfrey's best friend Gayle King has said she would place a bet on the veteran talk show host buying the embattled LA Clippers basketball team in the near future. The CBS 'This Morning' presenter, 59, who has long been a confidante and business partner of Ms Winfrey, said 'If I was a betting man I'd say yes', when asked if her friend would buy the team. Since current Clippers owner Donald . Sterling was banned for life by NBA commissioner Adam Silver for making . racist remarks, a number of high profile figures have been linked with . the purchase of the club - including Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya . and Magic Johnson. Scroll down for video . New start: A consortium led by media mogul Oprah Winfrey (left) is widely considered the current favourite to purchase the embattled LA Clippers basketball team from Donald Sterling (right) in the near future . Inside knowledge? Oprah Winfrey's long-term confidante and business partner Gayle King (left) said 'If I was a betting man I'd say yes', when asked if she thought her best friend would buy the LA Clippers . Ms Winfrey, 60, is believed to have already formed a consortium with entertainment mogul David Geffen, 71, and software entrepreneur Larry Ellison, 69, to take over the NBA team. The trio of billionaires, who have a combined wealth of $60billion, are understood to be the favourites to buy the Clippers now that the NBA advisory panel has agreed to begin the process of selling the club. Describing the consortium as 'quite a . trifecta', Ms King said she 'wouldn't bet against' them being . successful in their efforts to buy the Clippers. They . will nevertheless face strong competition - not least from boxer Floyd . Mayweather, who hopes to invest the $40million he earned by beating . Argentine Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas on Saturday. Close: CBS 'This Morning' presenter Gayle King (right) has worked with Oprah Winfrey (left) for a number of years and is often referred to as her 'best friend' 'Quite a trifecta': Oprah Winfrey, 60, is believed to have already formed a consortium with entertainment mogul David Geffen, 71, (right) and software entrepreneur Larry Ellison, 69, (left) to take over the LA Clippers . Competition: The trio of billionaires will face strong competition to buy the club. Boxer Floyd Mayweather (pictured) hopes to invest the $40million he earned by beating Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas on Saturday . Despite plenty of celebrity . billionaire interest, 80-year-old Mr Sterling is still refusing to sell the team he bought for just $12 million in 1982, signalling a . lengthy and costly legal battle with the NBA. Earlier this week Clippers president Andy Roeser took an indefinite leave of absence as the league prepared to force a sale. A spokesman for the National Basketball Association said Mr Roeser's departure from the club after 30 years would allow a new executive to 'begin on a clean slate'. However the forced sale of the Clippers will require the approval of at least 21 owners of the NBA's other 28 clubs - and could even then still be opposed by Mr Sterling in court. Embattled: The NBA advisory panel has agreed to begin the process of selling the LA Clippers (pictured) Battle: Despite the celebrity billionaire interest, 80-year-old Donald Sterling (right) is refusing to sell the team he bought for just $12 million in 1982 . Ban: In April NBA Commissioner Adam Silver (pictured) announced a lifetime suspension and a $2.5million fine for Donald Sterling after audio recordings of him making racist comments came to light . At the end of last month, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced a lifetime suspension and a $2.5million fine for Mr Sterling after audio recordings of him making racist comments came to light. In the recorded conversations he could be heard telling his female friend V. Stiviano not to bring black friends to Clippers games or post photographs of herself with black people on Instagram. 'We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling's views... They simply have no place in the NBA,' Silver said in a press conference to announce the lifetime ban. The punishment is believed to be one of the most severe ever imposed on the owner of a professional sports team. Based in celebrity-packed LA, the Clippers have no shortage of famous admirers. And since the NBA announcement that it is preparing to force the sale of the basketball team, many of their well-known fans have been linked with the purchase of the club. Earlier this week Canadian pop star Justin Bieber emerged as a potential candidate to lead a consortium that also includes boxer Floyd Mayweather and retired LA Lakers star Earvin 'Magic' Johnson. Who will it be? Canadian pop star Justin Bieber (left) and rapper P Diddy (right) are among the many well-known names thought to be interested in purchasing the LA Clippers . Mayweather isn't the only boxer allegedly hoping to grab a piece of the Clippers, however. LA-born Oscar De La Hoya recently came out publically to announce he wants a piece of the franchise. 'To be an owner of an LA-based team would be a dream come true,' he told NBC4. Also in the mix is the billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso, who is understood to be putting together his own consortium to purchase the Clippers. 'Whether it’s me or somebody else, clearly there needs to be new ownership,' he told the LA Times. Other big names linked to the purchase include the rappers Sean Combs, commonly known as P Diddy or Puff Daddy, and Rick Ross. In the aftermath of Sterling's suspension, both men took to Twitter to state their interest in buying the club. 'I will always be a Knicks fan, but I am a business man. #DiddyBuyTheClippers #NameYourPrice',' said Combs, who is believed to be worth $700million. Ross later added: 'I'd be interested investing in @LAclippers !!!! Make It #WingstopArena @WingstopCEO Lets Goooo !!!' | Business partner and confidante suggests Ms Winfrey is likely to buy team . Gayle King, 59, said she 'wouldn't bet against' Clippers deal going ahead . Ms Winfrey thought to be leading consortium of three celebrity billionaires . She has partnered with David Geffen and Larry Ellison, it is understood . However boxer Floyd Mayweather has emerged as competition to buy team . Club to be sold after owner Donald Sterling was suspended for life by NBA . Sterling was banned over audio recordings of him making racist remarks . | 246c39826e32b66843067be9ad27d988c27b4bfd |
Srinivasa Ramanujan, described as a 'natural genius', has finally had the mathematical functions he came up with on his deathbed proved correct . Researchers have finally solved the cryptic deathbed puzzle renowned Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan claimed came to him in dreams. While on his death-bed in 1920, Ramanujan wrote a letter to his mentor, . English mathematician G. H. Hardy, outlining several new mathematical functions never before heard of, along with a hunch about how they worked, . Decades years later, researchers say they've proved he was right - and that the formula could explain the behaviour of black holes. 'We've solved the problems from his last mysterious letters,' Emory University mathematician Ken Ono said. 'For people who work in this area of math, the problem has been open for 90 years,' Ramanujan, a self-taught mathematician . born in a rural village in South India, spent so much time thinking . about math that he flunked out of college in India twice, Ono said. Ramanujan's letter described several new . functions that behaved differently from known theta functions, or . modular forms, and yet closely mimicked them. Functions are equations that can be drawn as graphs on an axis, like a sine wave, and produce an output when computed for any chosen input or value. Ramanujan conjectured that . his mock modular forms corresponded to the ordinary modular forms . earlier identified by Carl Jacobi, and that both would wind up with . similar outputs for roots of 1. Ramanujan, a devout Hindu, thought these patterns were revealed to him by the goddess Namagiri. Scroll down for video . Ramanujan claimed the patterns in numbers were revealed to him by a Hindu goddess . However, no one at the time understood . what Ramanujan was talking about. 'It wasn’t until 2002, through the . work of Sander Zwegers, that we had a description of the functions that . Ramanujan was writing about in 1920,' Ono said. Ono and his colleagues drew on . modern mathematical tools that had not been developed before Ramanujan’s . death to prove this theory was correct. 'We . proved that Ramanujan was right,' Ono says. 'We found the formula . explaining one of the visions that he believed came from his goddess.' The team were also stunned to find the function could be used today. 'No . one was talking about black holes back in the 1920s when Ramanujan . first came up with mock modular forms, and yet, his work may unlock . secrets about them,' Ono says. A highlight of working on a film about Ramanujan's life was getting to browse through some of the Indian master's original notebooks, said Ken Ono, right . 'Ramanujan's legacy, it turns . out, is much more important than anything anyone would have guessed when . Ramanujan died,' Ono said. The . findings were presented last month at the Ramanujan 125 conference at . the University of Florida, ahead of the 125th anniversary of the . mathematician's birth on Dec. 22nd. 'Raw genius' Ramanujan at Cambridge (centre) December 22, 2012 marks the 125th birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan, the self taught mathematician born into a modest and conservative family in Kumbakonam, a relatively small town in Tamilnad. Ramanujan was self-taught and worked in almost complete isolation from the mathematical community of his time. Described as a raw genius, he independently rediscovered many existing results, as well as making his own unique contributions, believing his inspiration came from the Hindu goddess Namagiri. He spent so much time thinking . about math that he flunked out of college in India twice. He overcame several hurdles to find a place among the celebrated intellectuals of Cambridge. Ramanujan passed away at the young age of 32 of tuberculosis, but he left behind formulations in mathematics that have paved the path for many scholars who came after him. | Theory came to Srinivasa Ramanujan in a dream on his deathbed in 1920 - but has never been proved . Discovery could now be used to explain the behaviour of parts of a black hole . | 93147e97153b33f4104fc35211b0aed67a1bce54 |
(CNN) -- A former policeman is on trial in Kansas, accused of killing his wife and setting their home on fire more than two years ago. Attorneys for Brett Seacat say his wife, Vashti, started the fire and shot herself. But prosecutors say he was upset about the dissolution of their marriage, giving him more than enough motive. On Monday, jurors heard from the Seacats' marriage counselor, CNN affiliate KWCH reported. Connie Suderman testified that Seacat called her just hours after his wife's death in April 2011. "He said, 'I killed her, Vashti is dead and it's my fault.' That's what he said," Suderman said, according to KWCH. The counselor also testified that she met with Vashti Seacat shortly before her death. She purportedly told Suderman she was worried about how her husband was handling their divorce but was happier than she'd been in years. CNN affiliate KSN reported the counselor also testified about a conversation she and Vashti Seacat had about suicide. "She couldn't do that to her boys. She elaborated by saying that she loved being a mom. She couldn't leave them. They needed her," Suderman said. Those sentiments were echoed Monday by Vashti Seacat's friend, Erika Head, who spoke to HLN's Nancy Grace. "She was very happy with her life, and she knew that things were looking up," Head said about Seacat, saying she was "never, ever" suicidal. Brett Seacat and the couple's two sons were at home the night of the fire. Prosecutors and the defense differ about exactly what happened. Brett Seacat says he was sleeping downstairs and heard a noise, KWCH reported. Moments later, his wife called him on his cell phone, saying he should get their boys before they got hurt. He then purportedly heard two pops. Brett Seacat went upstairs and saw flames. He reportedly says he found his wife in their bedroom and tried to save her. But prosecutors say Brett Seacat's story doesn't makes sense. For one, he had no soot or blood on him, they say, according to KWCH, and only a small burn on his foot. He and the couple's sons escaped from the blaze unharmed. The Seacats' home in Kingman, Kansas, sits not far from the courthouse where Brett Seacat is standing trial. Despite extensive fire damage, the house still stands; a brick chimney pokes out of the charred remains. "I'm smart enough that if I wanted to kill my wife ... I could've come up with something better than this," Brett Seacat told investigators about the shooting and the fire. "This is what a crazy person does." HLN's Amanda Sloane contributed to this report. | Brett Seacat is on trial for allegedly killing his wife, Vashti . Defense attorneys say she started the fire and shot herself . Prosecutors say he was upset about the couple's divorce . | d5bfdf42775f03609643b5a81d05229907a8d563 |
By . Paul Thompson . UPDATED: . 07:34 EST, 14 February 2012 . A newlywed woman and a horse were killed after an explosion at an equine rehabilitation centre in Florida. The accident which also left another woman with serious injuries, is said to have been caused when a horse accidentally triggered an explosion while being treated in a high oxygen chamber. It is feared the animal inside a hyperbaric chamber began kicking its steel clad hooves to get out and created a spark that caused a major explosion. Tragedy: Newlywed Erica Marshall, 28, was monitoring a horse receiving oxygen therapy when the animal kicked through the wall of the pressurised hyperbaric chamber . Tribute: Yesterday Erica's husband Kieran, of Corsham, Wilts., paid a heartfelt tribute to his 'best friend' who died 'doing what she loved' Explosion: Investigators said the horse accidentally caused the explosion while being treated in a high oxygen chamber when it began kicking its steel clad hooves to get out and created a spark that caused a major explosion . Fatal: The blast that killed 28 year old Erica Marshall and injured Sorcha Moneley, 33, was so loud it was heard over 30 miles away from Ocala, Florida . The horse died instantly while the blast also killed 28-year-old Erica Marshall, one of the workers at the equine rehab centre. Sorcha Moneley, 33, from Ireland, was also injured in the blast which was so loud it was heard over 30 miles away from Ocala, Florida. Yesterday her husband Kieran, of Corsham, Wilts., paid a heartfelt tribute to his 'best friend' who died 'doing what she loved'. He said: 'Erica was such a kind and generous woman. 'She only cared about other people and wouldn't want all this fuss but that was Erica, she was selfless.' The equine expert, who is originally from Medford in New Jersey, USA, met her husband while studying equine science at Hartpury College near Gloucester, England. They married in November and moved to Ocala in Florida in 2010 after she was was offered a role at at the Kentucky Equine Sports and Rehabilitation Centre. Investigators said the horse was being treated inside the chamber with pure oxygen. The horse, which has been treated in the chamber on four previous occasions, had not been sedated. Happier times: Rhonda Stroup, a Marion sheriff detective, confirmed the horse kicked off a protective shield inside of the oxygen-filled chamber. She said that there was nothing the women could do because it happened so fast . Grief: Two women console each other after the incident - Erica Marshall's husband said she died doing what she loved while friends left messages of support on her Facebook page . It managed to kick through the padding inside the chamber to the outside metal wall. As its metal shoe scrapped along the wall it created a spark which ignited the pure oxygen. Rhonda Stroup, a Marion sheriff detective, confirmed the horse kicked off a protective shield inside of the oxygen-filled chamber. Stroup described it as a 'horribly huge explosion,' and added that there was nothing the women could do because it happened so fast. The horse owner lives in Virginia and the animal was spending the winter in Florida. Stroup said the horse was put into chamber to be treated for a condition called EPM. The horse had been in the chamber approximately four times and had never had any problems, so they didn't give the horse a tranquilizer. Marshall had been running the chamber for two years as part of her daily job, officials said. Stroup said Marshall had treated two to six horses every day. Horses are typically treated in a hyperbaric chamber on the recommendation of a vet. Hyperbaric chambers are designed to push highly pressurized, pure oxygen into tissue to speed up recovery times for certain injuries. Deputies said Marshall died at the scene. Moneley was airlifted to Shands Hospital in Gainesville with serious injuries and underwent surgery. About 30 other horses were at the rehabilitation center when the explosion occurred and were not harmed. | Erica Marshall, 28, had married her husband in November last year . Investigators said the horse accidentally caused the explosion while being treated in a high oxygen chamber . Blast which was so loud it was heard over 30 miles away from Ocala, Florida . | 63832fe00a42677d2a131c43f38fcb4a1bc7eaff |
Washington (CNN) -- Two federal officials admitted Tuesday they made "mistakes" during the controversial Operation Fast and Furious gunrunner program, but they disputed contentions by a parade of other agents that their bureau knowingly let guns "walk" into Mexico. "It was not the purpose of the investigation to permit the transportation of firearms into Mexico," said William Newell, former special agent in charge of the Phoenix field office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "To the best of my knowledge none of the suspects in this case was ever witnessed by our agents crossing the border with firearms." Newell's insistence that guns were not allowed to cross the border drew an angry rebuke from Rep. Darrell Issa, chairman of the House committee investigating the program, who called Newell a "paid non-answerer" at Tuesday's hearing. "Are they (the other agents) lying, or are you lying?" Issa asked Newell. "We did not let guns walk," Newell responded. "You're entitled to your opinion, not to your facts," Issa said. Newell and William McMahon, the head of western field operations for ATF, both painted themselves as dedicated public servants whose only goal was to help dismantled drug cartels that were benefiting from the free flow of weapons from the United States to Mexico. Both testified previous tactics aimed at catching and prosecuting gun smugglers were ineffective, and Newell said Operation Fast and Furious was "innovative." He said he "made every reasonable effort" to keep his ATF colleagues in Mexico briefed about the investigation. Newell said he should have pressed for quicker action by prosecutors, and should have conducted "more frequent risk assessments." McMahon said his support for the program was based partly on his experience as assistant special agent in charge of the ATF's World Trade Center office on September 11, 2001, which added to his "zeal" to bring down complex criminal networks. But with "the advantage of hindsight ... I would have done (things) differently," McMahon said. Asked for one example of a mistake, he said he should have more thoroughly reviewed investigative documents that crossed his desk. Both McMahon and Newell testified Tuesday at the hearing of a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. At the hearing, several ATF agents testified the tactic of allowing guns to "walk" was ill-considered and violated long-established ATF policies and practices. They also said the ATF failed to inform Mexican authorities of the program, or to even notify U.S. officials in Mexico. The tactic "is insane," said Carlos Canino, acting ATF attache to Mexico. "I can say with authority 'walking guns' is not a recognized investigative technique," Canino testified. "These guns went to ruthless criminals. ... It infuriates me that people, including my law enforcement, diplomatic and military colleagues, may be killed or injured with these weapons." Canino said Mexican officials regularly complain about American indifference to Mexican violence and death, a view he does not share. "However, in this particular case, with these specific guns, I am unable to defend this operation." The former ATF attache to Mexico shared that sentiment. "I would like to apologize to my former Mexican law enforcement counterparts and to the Mexican people for Operation Fast and Furious," said Darren Gil. "I hope they understand that this was kept secret from most of ATF, including me and my colleagues in Mexico." At the opening of the hearing, Issa, R-California, accused the Obama administration of stonewalling the investigation, saying the Department of Justice continues to withhold information and has "inappropriately interfered" with the committee's work. "Let me be clear: the Justice Department is not our partner in this effort. They are the subject of this investigation and their continued interference will not be allowed to derail the committee's work," Issa said. Issa said the Justice Department has blocked efforts to identify those inside the department who were aware of the program, and who endorsed it. "We have not yet seen the end of the violence from operation Fast and Furious. The deadly consequences of this irresponsible program could last for years to come," Issa said. "Today the committee estimates at least 1,600 weapons, including .50 caliber sniper rifles, are still out there waiting to kill. The possibility that administration officials, perhaps at the highest level of the Justice Department, approved this strategy and are now trying to cover up their own involvement by stonewalling the committee (is) alarming," he said. The Justice Department refutes claims by Issa that it refused to cooperate with the congressional investigation and is "pushing away" investigators from senior political appointees at the department. "Ridiculous. Simply not true," said Justice Department spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler. "We have provided thousands of documents, interviews, and testimony." But Schmaler was critical of a committee report on the matter, saying it "promotes unsubstantiated theories by selectively releasing excerpts of transcripts while ignoring testimony and other information." "For whatever reason, the leadership of the committee chose not to release witness testimony that makes clear that operational details relating to this investigation were unknown to senior Department of Justice officials," she said. "The department, like the committee, is interested in getting to the bottom of the concerns raised by ATF agents about this operation, which is why the attorney general has asked the inspector general to investigate the matter. The department continues to cooperate with the investigation, but the committee must be willing to share all of the facts." CNN's Terry Frieden contributed to this report. | "We did not let guns 'walk,'" a former ATF field office chief says . Are the other agents lying, or are you lying, Rep. Darrell Issa asks William Newell . A former ATF attache to Mexico calls the tactic "insane" The Justice department denies it is stonewalling the committee's investigation . | 231bf35505fb87054c6470d40d768b45f87f293e |
(CNN) -- You might think childbirth would be a topic too personal, too beautiful or way too graphic to write about on Twitter. Sara, the wife of Twitter's CEO, posted online from a hospital while she was in labor. But, as Sara Williams showed on Tuesday when she posted Twitter updates about giving birth to her child, online social networking has pushed its way into the delivery room. It's now a trend for expectant moms to post to sites such as Twitter from the time they conceive to the moment they deliver a baby into the world. Williams, wife of Twitter CEO Evan Williams, posted to her 14,000-plus Twitter followers when her water broke, when she arrived at the hospital, during contractions and when she decided to get an epidural. Her husband broke the news on his Twitter feed that their "perfect baby boy" was delivered on Tuesday afternoon. As if the real-time drama of her labor wasn't enough, Sara Williams managed to spice up her Twitter feed with humor along the way. "Dear Twitter, My water broke. It wasn't like Charlotte in Sex and the City," she wrote at about midnight ET on Tuesday. "Now, timing contractions on an iPhone app." After noting later that contractions are painful, she wrote, "Epidural, yes please." Her childbirth drew widespread attention online, where people who have never met Williams eagerly awaited the birth of her baby. Some moms and dads cheered her on, saying that by posting through labor she lifted the veil on a period that can be terrifying for pregnant women who don't know what to expect when their baby is ready to leave the womb. Others cringed at the idea, saying childbirth posts are too much information. Williams' childbirth is among the first to be publicized though Twitter, but she's far from the only woman to have published thoughts about the birth of her child while the process was happening. Terra Carmichael, who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, said she tweeted through her third childbirth in February to keep her loved ones up to date. "At the moment nothing went through my head. It was just like, 'This is how I'm feeling and so this is going out there, and if you don't like it you don't have to read it,' " said the 36-year-old. "Afterwards, I was like 'I hope I wasn't too gross or graphic.'" She said posting to Twitter helped relieve some of the pain. "I would literally be coming down from a really painful contraction and I'd be saying, 'Give me my iPhone,' and [my husband] would be saying, 'You are weird. Why are you doing this,'" she said. "Some of it was for me. It just felt kinda good to get that out there, put that out to the universe so it wasn't just my pain, so other people could feel it for me and feel it with me a little bit." Kyle Monson, a new dad in New York City, did the tweeting for his wife. While she was in labor, he was busy sending text messages. "We were on our iPhone and Blackberry right up until the point when my wife started pushing, and then we had to put those phones down," he said. Monson posted updates about his wife's labor to Twitter by using code words only his friends could understand. Instead of posting "my wife just gave birth," for instance, he wrote, "Operation Bumblebee complete! Ada Elizabeth is 7lbs, 2oz, and is very happy to be here." Ada, who is the couple's first child, was born on August 5. Monson has nearly 800 Twitter followers and didn't want everyone in the world to know about the "blood and gore" of the birthing process. Most of the couple's friends and family live further West, he said, so the online networks helped them keep their loved ones updated. The senior editor at PCMag.com said his wife was sending text messages to people throughout her 10-hour labor. "She had an epidural so it was actually pretty easy for her," he said. Debora Robertson, group manager of the Expectant Mother's Guide, said she wouldn't feel comfortable sharing so many details on Twitter, but making such information public could be helpful for pregnant women who are anxious about childbirth. "I think it's great that she [Sara Williams] can do that with family and friends, and I would imagine a lot of first time moms have curiosity," she said. "They're peeking into the delivery rooms." Monson also said Twitter posts from the delivery room can be informative. "Going into it I had a lot of questions because no one really writes about this stuff" online, he said. Many new sites are promoting "mom-to-mom wisdom" as a way for expecting parents to become educated about childbirth, said Dina Freeman, spokeswoman for the Baby Center, an online resource for moms. Freeman said one of her friends tweeted through childbirth. She had mixed feelings about the posts. "Although I was happy for the updates, I was like, 'Are you sure you want that on Twitter?'" New moms also are joining mom-specific social networks to get important questions answered, said Freeman, who manages the Baby Center's Facebook page. She said the wisdom of the crowd is useful, but sometimes she recommends pregnant women and new moms see physicians for potentially serious health issues. Moms are finding other ways to share their pregnancies online, too. A quick search on YouTube found more than 3,600 videos matching "childbirth." And a product called the Kickbee is a belt that wraps around a pregnant woman's stomach and automatically posts to a Twitter feed when the baby kicks. Some people say too much technology in the delivery room is a bad thing. "I think it's terrible," Dr. Renana Brooks, a psychologist, told the Baltimore Sun in reference to people who post on Twitter during childbirth. "One of the few rituals we have, in terms of giving each other undivided attention, is that time in a delivery room. To be spending time writing to someone else destroys the whole ritual. "That's like Twittering on your wedding night. You can blog about it afterward." The Twittering parents, however, said they're just trying to include as many friends and family members in their special moment as possible. "I've got a lot of people in my life that I love," Carmichael said, "and I want to keep up on their lives. This is one of the biggest events of my life, and so [writing on Twitter] was my way of keeping people posted on what was happening." After his wife gave birth on Tuesday, Evan Williams beamed on his Twitter feed. "Yes! @sara gave birth to a perfect baby boy," he wrote. "Both are well. 8 pounds, 21 inches! Smiles all around." Moments later, friends responded with encouragement. "Yay! @ev and @sara just had their first baby and it's a boy -- can't wait to meet the mini CEO," Twitter co-founder Biz Stone wrote. | NEW: The wife of Twitter's CEO posted messages on Twitter during her labor . NEW: Sara Williams delivered a "perfect baby boy" Tuesday afternoon . One of her last posts from the hospital said, "Epidural, yes please" Some say it's a trend for moms to post online about labor and pregnancy . | e33ef6f8384b14aa3364910c665c70ec28ee4665 |
By . Rebecca Evans . For most women they are an occasional little luxury. Now a blow-dry could become a treat to indulge in more often. Thanks to high-street salons they can now cost less than £10 – much more affordable than the typical price range of £30-£100. Arch Angelz in the New Look clothing store in Nottingham offers a blow-dry for just £7, and has plans to expand the service to other cities thanks to soaring demand. Scroll down for video . Thanks to high-street salons blow-drys can now cost less than £10, making them a treat to indulge in more often . One member of staff said: ‘The £7 blow-dry has been really popular; we’re very busy at present. 'Women come in for one before work or for a night out, sometimes two or three times a week.’ Superdrug’s beauty store in Cardiff offers blow-dries for just £15. And Cheeky Parlour at Soho House in London stays open until 9pm with a £15 blow-dry lasting up to 30 minutes. Christina Russillo, CEO of brand Cowshed which runs Cheeky Parlour, said: ‘In New York and LA basic grooming is affordable and available at all times. TOWIE star Lauren Pope opened the new Beauty Studio by Superdrug in their Cardiff store, which offers a £15 blow-dry . 'When I moved to London, my regular blow-dry suddenly became a luxury. 'I wanted to change that. ‘Who has an hour to spare at the hairdresser when they have a big meeting to prepare for? ‘It shouldn’t be a treat to have great hair or glossy nails, it should be the norm.’ | High Street salons are now offering blow-dries costing less than £10 . Are now much more affordable than typical price range of £30 to £100 . Arch Angelz in New Look in Nottingham offering a blow-dry for just £7 . | 67d29ec60c66a770811fc0baeae89880750a89d4 |
(CNN) -- President Barack Obama announced that 300 companies -- including Apple, Wal-Mart and others -- have signed a pledge to help the long-term unemployed by making sure they don't have barriers in their hiring practices. This is good news, but it won't solve the problem. The best we can hope for is that the companies now will make special efforts to seek out and employ those who have suffered long-term joblessness. That's a nice start, but feel-good gestures won't cut it when there are almost 4 million Americans who have been out of work for more than six months. That's a big number. What's disconcerting is that the current long-term unemployment is more serious than in previous economic downturns. Data from previous business cycles show people suffering from long-run joblessness at worst accounted for about 20% to 25% of the unemployed. In recent months, that percentage has jumped to nearly 40% -- an all-time record! Indeed, America is beginning to look like Europe. It used to be that long-term unemployment in the U.S. was only a fraction of Europe's, but the latest data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development show that the United States has caught up to many of Europe's welfare states. That's not a race we want to be part of, much less win. So what's the solution? There's no silver bullet, but economic growth is the single most important key. All forms of unemployment get worse when the economy is weak. But when the economy is booming, the job market gets better for everybody -- including those who have been unemployed for long periods. Unfortunately, economic growth hasn't proven easy. The recession may have ended officially in the summer of 2009, but we're still suffering through a sluggish economic cycle. Recent improvements in the overall employment rate are in large part the result of people dropping out of the labor force, and the problem of long-run unemployment has barely budged. To boost employment, we need the kind of strong growth America enjoyed during the Reagan and Clinton years, when millions of new jobs were created and the unemployment rate fell dramatically. To get there, we need a return to the types of free-market policies we got under Reagan and Clinton: a lower burden of government spending and less intervention from Washington. Unfortunately, we've been moving in the exact opposite direction. Under both Presidents Bush and Obama, the size and scope of government has expanded, and the United States -- which had the world's third-most free-market economy when Bill Clinton left office -- has now dropped to 17th in the Economic Freedom of the World rankings. We also need to make sure the unemployed don't get lured into long-term dependency. One glaring example of misguided big-government policy is the argument to endlessly extend unemployment benefits. That sounds compassionate, but according to economists such policies discourage the unemployed from aggressively seeking new jobs. There is also persuasive evidence that employers are reluctant to hire people (regardless of any "pledges" they may sign) who have been out of work for lengthy periods, which makes the President's preferred approach of more unemployment benefits akin to an overprotective parent who hinders a child's development. Moreover, Obama's proposed hike in the minimum wage would actually counteract any good his pledge would do. Why? Increasing the minimum wage is the equivalent of sawing off the bottom rungs on the economic ladder. Simply stated, businesses create jobs when they think a new employee will help the bottom line. Artificially raising the cost of workers -- particularly those with marginal skills -- is a recipe for creating more unemployment. The president's effort to get companies on board with hiring the long-term unemployed should be applauded, but he shouldn't for one second think that it will solve the problem. In fact, too many of his other proposals would serve only to exacerbate the problem the long-term unemployed are facing. Instead, Obama should take a page out of the Reagan and Clinton presidencies and take action to get to the root of unemployment: economic growth. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Daniel J. Mitchell. | 300 companies pledged to aid Obama initiative to help the long-term unemployed . Daniel Mitchell: This is a nice gesture, but nearly 4 million Americans need jobs . He says economic growth is key and free-market polices are what we need . Mitchell: The unemployed should not get lured into long-term dependency . | 9364b04c327439dab6f10af9f6419f8d89617905 |
Israeli Defense Forces killed a 14-year-old Palestinian-American in a West Bank village Friday. Orwah Hammad, who grew up in New Orleans and traveled to the West Bank when he was six, was shot in the head, as violence flares in Jerusalem and the West Bank. On Wednesday, a Palestinian drove a car through a train station in Jerusalem, killing a three-month-old infant — also an American citizen — and injuring eight in what police called a terrorist attack. Killed: Orwah Hammad, 14, became the second teenager killed in the West Bank by Israeli Defense Forces when he was shot in the head on Friday . Conflicting reports have surfaced regarding the circumstances of Hammad's shooting. Soldiers 'managed to prevent an attack when they encountered a Palestinian man hurling a molotov cocktail at them on the main road next to Silwad,' an anonymous spokesperson for the Israeli army told Reuters. Hammad's cousin Moath claims that he was with a group of Palestinian boys throwing rocks at soldiers. 'I don't call that a clash — little kids throwing rocks or pebbles against live ammunition,' said an uncle, Hakeem Khalek, said an uncle from New Orleans. 'This all happens overseas, where kids throw rocks at military jeeps. And of course the Israeli army returned fire (and) we're not talking rubber bullets.' US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki expressed hope for a 'speedy and transparent investigation' into the shooting. Youth: Hammad was born in the West Bank, living for a short period in New Orleans before returning to Palestine when we was six . Protests: Palestinian youth were in the streets protesting on Saturday after Hammad was killed as US State Department calls for a 'speedy and transparent investigation' Psaki expressed condolences to the boy's family, and said that US officials will be 'closely engaged with the local authorities, who have the lead on this investigation.' Another US State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly, confirmed that Hammad was a US citizen. Hammad was born in the West Bank territory and spent a year in the US before returning to Palestine with his mother and five siblings. His father is an American citizen with roots in Palestine. 'He wanted Orwah to learn the culture,' said Khalek. 'He really wanted the kids to be brought up in the culture our generation was brought up in.' Khalek said the father was heading to the West Bank after leaving New Orleans Friday evening. Relations have improved little in the West Bank since the August ceasefire between Israel and various Palestinian armed groups. Hammad's death follows the shooting of a 13-year-old eight days ago and 12 other Palestinians were wounded in street clashes with Israeli soldiers on Friday. | Orwah Hammad, 14, was killed in a West Bank village on Friday . Israeli army official claimed the killing was done to prevent a firebomb attack . Hammad's family said that he was in the street with other Palestinians throwing rocks at soldiers . His killing follows the death of another US citizen, a three-month-old Jewish infant killed when a Palestinian deliberately targeted a crowd a train station . The Israeli army also killed a 13-year-old Palestinian last week . | cdc30c8b4910f989e37a0b9cea6044c5a90502e3 |
For most skiers, it is hard enough to try and complete a jump, but this professional managed to pull-off the ultimate stunt... and captured it on film. Nineteen-year-old Norwegian skier Johan Berg showed off serious skills in a recent Instagram video, by high-fiving a fellow skier while completing a jump. In the footage, Berg, a free-skier who works with brands Völkl and O'Neill, launches himself upside down to give an epic high-five to his friend and Sochi Olympian, Aleks Aurdal. 19-year-old Norwegian free-skier, Johan Berg, performed an epic high-five stunt to record for Instagram . In the video, Berg launched himself upside down to high-five his friend - and Sochi Olympian - Aleks Aurdal . Never breaking his stride, Berg and Aurdal connect while in mid-air . Aurdal laughs and cheers after the stunt has been completed, as Berg continues on down the mountain . Once he completes the impressive feat, Aurdal cheers and laughs as Berg continues down the hill. An Oslo native, Berg first began his career at the age of 11. In 2010 and 2011, he went on to claim the title of Norwegian Champion, and since, has competed on an international level. The 'proper high-five' as Berg refers to it on Instagram was filmed at the Stubai Glacier Prime Park Sessions in Austria, though he's known to frequent the tiny ski village of Vierli when he has the time. Recently, it seems that Berg and Aurdal have been recording a series of stunt videos, along with the hashtag #AleksVsJohan, where they show off their adventurous tricks. | 19-year-old Norwegian skier Johan Berg high-fived his friend while mid-air . The video was posted to his Instagram and has already almost 1,100 likes . Stunt performed with help of Berg's friend and Olympian, Aleks Aurdal . | 9c7c66022589acc0ceebc95f985c2d136746243b |
By . Beth Stebner . PUBLISHED: . 15:29 EST, 21 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:37 EST, 21 February 2013 . The Transportation Security Administration has offered an apology to a Missouri family after one of their agents detained their wheelchair-bound three-year-old daughter. The organization issued a statement apologizing for the ‘inaccurate guidance’ that was provided to Nathan and Annie Forck and their daughter, Lucy as they tried to fly to their Disney World vacation. A video taken by Mrs Forck on the day of their February flight show the child weeping and asking for her stuffed animal, ‘Lamby’ as a TSA agent tells Mrs Forck she cannot film the patdown. Scroll down for video . Trail of tears: Lucy, pictured bottom, was in tears after a TSA agent subjected the three-year-old girl to a full patdown; the TSA later issued an apology . Upset: Throughout the patdown, the little girl was weeping and saying: 'i don't want to go to Disney World.' The family was flying to Orlando from their home in Missouri; Lucy has spinal bifida . TSA told MailOnline in a statement: . ‘TSA regrets inaccurate guidance was provided to this family during . screening and offers its apology. 'We are committed to maintaining the . security of the traveling public and strive to treat all passengers with . dignity and respect. While no patdown was performed, we will address . specific concerns with our workforce.’ Lucy, who has spinal bifida, was . sobbing throughout the whole patdown. ‘Lamby’ was sent through for an . X-ray machine, and her hot pink wheelchair was swabbed down. Speaking with ABC News, Mrs Forck said that they accept the apology, but they want TSA . agents to receive more sensitivity training with regards to how to . handle children and the disabled. Acceptance: Annie and Nathan Forck said they accept the TSA's apology but said they'd like to see the agents better trained in sensitivity and how to handle children and those in wheelchairs . Disney magic: Lucy went to Disney World, and got to meet Mickey Mouse while she was there . Happiest place on earth: The family of five made it to Disney World in one piece and posted this snap on Twitter . ‘It bothers me because my daughter was . singled out specifically because my daughter is in a wheelchair,’ Mr . Forck told ABC News. As Fox News Radio reports, the Forcks were attempting to fly to Orlando to enjoy a family vacation at Disney World and were flying out of Lambert-St Louis International Airport in Missouri. Though they got through the TSA security checkpoint without incident, a TSA agent pulled the family aside to screen Lucy’s wheelchair further for a pat down and swabbing her mobility device. Mrs Forck pulled out her smart phone and began recording the whole event, against the TSA agent’s request. ‘It’s illegal to do that,’ the female agent is heard saying. Mrs Forcks responds: ‘You can’t touch my daughter unless I can record it,’ and later adds: ‘The problem is, I don’t allow anyone to touch my little daughter.’ Throughout the argument between the mother and the TSA agent, Lucy can be heard crying, apparently confused at what exactly was going on. Her stuffed animal, ‘Lamby,’ had been scanned via X-ray and had not been returned to her. Know your rights: Mother Annie Forck filmed the entire patdown and said she had the right to film it, despite the TSA agent's protest . At one point Lucy's beloved stuffed animal Lamby was taken from her as well . Mr Forck, an attorney, told Fox News . that he knew it was legal to record the event and said that if the same . instance had occurred outside the setting of an airport, it would be . illegal. ‘But you put a TSA badge on and now all of a sudden, it’s okay,’ he told the station. The father added that he and his wife were not trying to make a scene, but instead were looking out for the well-being of their daughter. The TSA later admitted its agents should never have threatened to patdown the little girl and apologized to the family. According to the TSA website, ‘passengers who can neither stand nor walk will be screened by a thorough patdown while they remain seated.’ The site adds: ‘A patdown procedure is used to resolve any alarms of a metal detector or anomalies identified by imaging technology.’ Checkpoint: The TSA states on its website that those in wheelchairs and scooters who cannot walk must go through a comprehensive patdown . The government agency offers a notification card for those with medical issues, but it is clearly stated on the card that presenting it to agents doesn’t exempt passengers from screening. Mr Forck told Fox News that Lucy had no problem coming through Orlando’s TSA checkpoint. And while she was at Disney World, she got to meet Mickey Mouse. The Transportation Security Administration was formed in early 2002 following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames. | Forck family was flying from Missouri to Orlando, Florida for vacation . Three-year-old daughter, Lucy, was detained for further testing ahead of family's February 8 flight . Stuffed animal 'Lamby' was confiscated . Lucy suffers from spinal bifida and is in a wheelchair . TSA later admitted girl should never have been threatened with patdown . | 86a7ef468e4d6ee3004ebd79b20f052cc63e4b28 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 19:15 EST, 25 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:03 EST, 26 November 2012 . More clashes erupted in Egypt yesterday following President Mohammed Mursi’s seizure of ‘Pharaoh-like’ powers. The latest confrontations broke out . between protesters and security forces in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, while demonstrations also erupted outside the capital. It follows his declaration on . Thursday that courts could not overturn any decree or law he has issued . since taking office in June. Violence: Egyptian protesters clash with security forces near Tahrir Square on Sunday as violence continued following President Morsi's grab for increased powers . Fury: Protesters from the Press Syndicate chant anti-Mursi slogans. More than 500 people have been injured in protests since Friday . The move sparked fierce and widespread . protests amid fears it could mark a return to the type of dictatorship . that was removed in the democratic revolution last year. Divisions between supporters of the president and those who resent his seizure of increased powers have widened. The sides are divided over President Mohammed Mursi and the Islamist movement that he once led. But both sides are planning to escalate action in the coming days. The opposition has called for an open-ended sit-in at Cairo’s Tahrir Square ‘to defend the revolution and the Egyptian state’. It is also planning a major protest on Tuesday. Encampment: Protesters have set up camp in Tahrir square as the sit-in protest continues . Divisions: Egyptian protesters gather in Tahrir Square on Sunday following days of violent clashes with security forces and Mursi supporters . Armed: Egyptian security forces clash with protesters near Tahrir Square in Cairo . The general assembly of the Egypt Judges Club called for a nationwide strike in all courts and prosecution offices to begin on Monday, until further notice. The Supreme Judicial Council called the decree an ‘unprecedented attack on the independence of the judiciary and its decisions’. But the Muslim Brotherhood – the movement Mursi once led and from which he retains his powerbase – has announced a ‘million man’ demonstration on Tuesday in Cairo to support the president. Yesterday saw clashes in Tahrir Square – the focal point of the uprising last year that forced long-term leader Hosni Mubarak out of office – between rival groups of demonstrators. White tents dotted the area, just as they . did during 2011, and protesters there said they wouldn’t leave until . Mursi rescinds his decrees. One critic of the president, Mohamed Abdul Wahab, said Mursi’s latest move threatened to make him ‘a new Pharaoh’. He added: ‘Actually, there was never a Pharaoh like this before because Mubarak, with all his arrogance and dictatorial tendencies, never gave himself the power that no one can appeal his decisions. Protesters tried to attack offices of the Muslim Brotherhood in the early hours of Sunday in the northern city of Damanhour, while supporters of the movement fought back, and arrests and injuries were reported. Anger: Egyptian protesters hurl stones towards riot police during clashes at Simon Bolivar square on Sunday . Tear gas: Protesters flee from security forces during continued clashes with security forces on Sunday . | Opposition say protest is needed to 'defend the revolution' President Mursi announced last week that courts cannot overturn any law he has issued . | 636bf1400e66ada2ca2906fab1589cba62c95c71 |
By . Michael Zennie . PUBLISHED: . 10:41 EST, 28 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:25 EST, 29 July 2013 . Serial offender: Edwin Alemany, 28, has a rap sheet 52 charges long . Police have named a 'person of interest' in the horrific kidnapping and murder of a 24-year-old woman in South Boston last week - and even the Boston police commission admits he never should have been on the streets. Boston Commissioner Ed revealed on Saturday that Edwin Alemany attempted another attack on a woman in a South Boston park last September but was never arrested, even though the victim managed to grab his wallet and ID and hand it to detectives. Alemany, a 28-year-old serial offender with a record of 52 charges . against him, has not yet been charged with abduction and stabbing Amy . Lord last week. He is currently in jail, facing charges from two similar . attacks on women in the same neighborhood that took place just days . after Miss Lord was killed. Miss Lord was kidnapped outside her . home at 6am when she stepped out Tuesday. She was held hostage for 19 . hours and driven to five ATMs, where she was made to withdraw money. She . was then brutally stabbed to death and her body dumped in a park. 'It's . incredibly frustrating that we're here today talking about a man that . has 18 juvenile arraignments and 34 adult arraignments and is still not . incarcerated,' Davis said, according to Fox Boston. Davis . revealed that on September 28, a 21-year-old woman was attacked by . Alemany in a park at 2am. He grabbed her around the throat and attempted . to strangle her, but she fought back. This surveillance camera image is the last photo of Amy Lord alive. She was kidnapped and made to withdraw money from five different ATMs before she was murdered . Tragic: The murder of Amy Lord, 24, has shocked her South Boston neighborhood. She was leaving her house at 6am to workout when she was abducted off the street . In the struggle, the woman managed to grab Alemany's wallet and ID card before he fled. She . handed that evidence over to detectives. Despite the key evidence, . Boston police never moved in to arrest Alemany or charge him with the . crime - which could have put him in prison for many years. Davis said a review of the police department's case from the 2012 attack reveals that detectives had enough evidence against the serial offender. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino told the Boston Herald he was outraged by the failure of police to lock up Alemany before he could strike again. 'My thoughts were, "My God, why?" The system broke down and that system can’t break down when there’s an investigation of a person who committed a crime of such magnitude,' he said. Lord's body was found at Hyde Park's Stony Brook Reservation on Tuesday. She had been stabbed to death . Davis said he and the commanders of the police department's investigative bureaus would conduct a review of past cases to see whether any other incidents like Alemany's alleged 2012 attack had slipped through the cracks. Alemany has been in and out of prison for years and may have been staying with a friend - illegally - at a South Boston public housing complex nearby. Alemany allegedly attacked two other women in the same neighborhood, as well. One attack was reported at 5am on Tuesday - one hour before the abduction of Miss Lord. The second attack took place about 12.10am on Thursday. Both escaped with minor injuries. The murder of Amy Lord - a high school cheerleader and Bentley University graduate - has shocked the neighborhood - resulting in candle-light vigils attended by hundreds and community meetings about neighborhood safety. | Amy Lord, 24, was abducted from her home in South Boston, held captive for 19 hours and then murdered . The lone person of interest in the case is Edwin Alemany, 28 . Alemany is being held after he was arrested on charges of two similar attacks - one an hour before Miss Lord's and one two days after . Police commissioner Ed Davis says Alemany should have been arrested last year after woman reported he attacked her and handed over his wallet . | 94a5147f55b1bfb45acc6d97319d60f6f71da26c |
By . Associated Press and Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 14:43 EST, 2 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 02:11 EST, 3 September 2012 . President Barack Obama has insisted he wasn't offended by Clint Eastwood's Republican National Convention jibe in which the movie star interrogated an empty chair that he said represented the nation's leader. 'One thing about being president or running for president - if you're easily offended, you should probably choose another profession,' Obama told USA Today. The legendary Hollywood actor stole the show at the RNC and sparked an internet craze now known as 'Eastwooding' after he had a heated, and hilarious, discussion with an invisible Obama, grilling a chair about the President's legacy. Scroll down for video . Still a fan: President Barack Obama, pictured in Colorado today, insists he wasn't offended by Clint Eastwood's Republican National Convention jibe in which the movie star interrogated an empty chair that he said represented . Obama, who was campaigning in Bolder, Colarado, today, went on to call Eastwood 'a great actor, and an even better director' in the interview. 'I think the last few movies that he's made have been terrific,' he added. He also praised Mitt Romney's business career, describing his Republican rival as 'incredibly successful' as well as 'disciplined and hard-working'. However, Mr Obama had harsher words for his GOP rival's healthcare plans, saying they could be summarised as 'Romney doesn't care'. The President said: 'You know, he calls it Obamacare. I like the name. I do care. 'I don't know exactly what the other side is proposing - I guess you could call it "Romney doesn't care". But this law is here to stay.' In a fierce defence of his controversial reforms, Mr Obama said: 'Governor Romney promised that on his first day in office he's gonna sit right down, grab a pen and repeal Obamacare. 'What that means is that right away he'd kick 7 million young people off their parents' plan. He'd take hope away from tens of millions of American with pre-exiting conditions by repealing reform.' Prime-time jibe: Clint Eastwood, pictured during his speech on Thursday, stole the show at the RNC and sparked an internet craze now known as 'Eastwooding' after his heated discussion with an invisible Obama . Obama's . response to Clint Eastwood's speech was the most . re-tweeted tweet of the Republican convention, a Twitter spokesman told TPM. It . was the President's second most re-tweeted tweet of all time, after his . note a few months ago showing his support for gay marriage. As . of today, more than 51,000 people had re-tweeted the picture of the . back of Obama's head in the grandiose leather chair embossed with his title, with a . message saying 'This seat's taken.' While the President was expressing . his approval of Eastwood's performance, other leading Democrats were far . less complimentary towards last week's GOP convention. Antonio Villaraigosa, the mayor of Los Angeles who is chair of the . Democrats' convention, said the Republican plan for office 'looks like . the platform of 1812'. In an appearance on Fox News, he added that 'Reagan would be turning in his grave' over the GOP's current agenda. Campaign aide Stephanie Cutter went even further, suggesting that the convention shows Republicans 'think lying is a virtue'. Most re-tweeted: Obama's response to Clint Eastwood's speech, which featured this photo, was the most re-tweeted tweet of the Republican convention . Rahm Emanuel, the President's combative former chief of staff, was also . on the attack, saying that Mr Romney's speech had 'nothing memorable' about it. But other Obama allies were forced to be more defensive, with Maryland . governor Martin O'Malley admitting that Americans were not 'better off . today than they were four years ago' in an interview on CBS's Face the . Nation. And Bill Richardson, former governor of New Mexico, resorted to arguing . that Mr Obama would win the support of 'the international community' in . his re-election attempt. These remarks all came as . hundreds of protesters marched on 'Wall Street South' in Charlotte, . North Carolina, and the town ramped up security ahead of the Democratic . National Convention. About 600 marchers carried signs and banners, including one accusing Obama of murdering children with drones, yesterday afternoon but the lively demonstration was a fraction of the size organisers had hoped. Placards: Demonstrators walk during the 'Wall Street South' protest . Rally: Hundreds of protesters marched through Charlotte's central business district today ahead of the Democratic National Convention . The march's general purpose was to decry corporate greed, but it drew people demonstrating for a variety of causes. Meanwhile, hundreds of law enforcement officers from . across the country descended on the Charlotte Police Training . Academy, getting ready for the convention, which officially starts on Tuesday. Charlotte-Mecklenburg . police haven't said exactly how many officers are being brought in for . the event, but they said they are ready for any challenge that may present itself. 'We . have (officers) in all areas and all facets of the venues, the traffic . assignments, the different visits, the routes people can expect to see . different colored patches and uniforms from all over the place,' Maj. Jeff Estes told NY 1. There will be countless security . hotspots in Charlotte during the convention but the most secretive is a . 17,000-square-foot office building near the airport, where more than 50 . agencies will house their representatives, according to Officer.com. The building, filled with tables, chairs and big-screen TVs, is called the Multi-Agency Communication Center and is the guts of the U.S. government, the website claims. It will house staff from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to the Secret Service from today. Angry: About 600 marchers carried signs and banners, banged drums and chanted on a sunny afternoon as part of the March on Wall Street South . Costumes: A demonstrator wears a pig snout occupying Marshall Park in advance of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina . The protest on the streets of Charlotte was planned as the week's biggest demonstration but the turn out was poor compared to the thousands organisers had touted. At . one point, about two-dozen of the protesters attempted to be disruptive . by sitting down and locking arms in front of the headquarters for Bank . of America. They had the phone numbers of lawyers written on their arms. But police officers standing nearby took no action. The group sat for about 10 minutes before getting up and moving on. At least 100 officers in plain uniforms walked along with the parade, carrying gas masks, wooden batons and plastic hand ties. A police helicopter hovered so low that people on the ground could feel the wind off its rotors. Organizers have pledged that the march will be peaceful. Beefing up security: Police officers from all around the country are being brought in to Charlotte ahead of the Democrat Convention . Security: Hundreds of extra police officers have descended on the North Carolina town . Aided by the pleasant weather, the . protesters showed more spirit than their rain-soaked counterparts at . last week's Republican National Convention in Tampa. There, effects of . Hurricane Isaac's outer bands thinned the ranks of protesters. The Charlotte demonstrators had . anti-war signs as well as those promoting unionized labor and the plight . of undocumented immigrants. One . read: 'Bankrupting America' with a font and logo that mimicked Bank of . America. Another said: 'OBAMA MURDERS CHILDREN WITH DRONES.' Participants ranged from young girls in cheerleading outfits and parents pushing strollers to Occupy Wall Street demonstrators in black shirts and red bandannas. Campaigning: US President Barack Obama was speaking at a campaign event in Colorado today . Supporters: Fans of Obama came out to show their support in Boulder . The route of the march was also taking . demonstrators by a major office hub for Wells Fargo. The banks are two . of the nation's largest financial institutions and beneficiaries of . massive taxpayer-backed loans during the 2008 bailout of the financial . sector. Both banks have also been criticized for roles in the home . foreclosure crisis. Before the march, the demonstrators gathered at a park on the outskirts of Charlotte's Uptown business district. Speakers addressed the crowd from a stage in front of a banner that read 'PEOPLE POWER NOW.' Official convention events begin on Tuesday, but thousands of delegates, officials, protesters and journalists began gathering over the weekend. | President tells crowd he's not 'easily offended' and enjoys star's movies . Praised Mitt Romney's 'incredibly successful' business career . But decried rival's health plans as meaning 'Romney doesn't care' | fbe9c3419104bdcc6594bf16b96a76de8623440c |
By . Katy Winter . PUBLISHED: . 09:00 EST, 25 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:41 EST, 25 September 2013 . You might imagine that having a 'royal' kitchen would be an unaffordable dream. But eco-friendly Prince Charles has prompted the design of a purse and planet-friendly kitchen 'for the people', that is specifically designed not to 'cost the earth.' The design of the new, lower-priced British Standard range of cupboards came about after Charles, well known for his environmental campaigns, was impressed with the kitchen in the model home built by Plain English for the The Prince's Foundation for Building Community. A kitchen fit for royalty: Plain English have created eco-friendly kitchen designs . The Prince was first impressed with the kitchen design in a model house at the Ideal Home show in 2011 . Charles was shown around the two-story Prince's House at the Ideal Home show by television property expert Kirstie Allsopp . Prince Charles, who toured the environmentally-friendly model home at the 2011 Ideal Home show, was apparently particularly impressed with the craftsmanship in the kitchen, Remodelista reports. His remarks led Plain English to consider finding a way to bring the 'green' designs to a mass market. The company set about designing a more affordable range of cupboards, which have now gone on sale online. The British Standard cabinets are built in the same workshop in Suffolk as Plain English's higher priced kitchens. But while Plain English is a bespoke company offering a full design and fitting service, customers must collect and install the British Standard cabinets themselves. 'The British Standard Kitchen' by British Standard Cupboards aims to bring high quality long lasting kitchens that are affordable . The British Standard cabinets are built in the same workshop in Suffolk as Plain English's higher priced kitchens, but customers must collect and install the cabinets themselves . Worktops are available in three colours, iroko, oak, or sycamore wood, to give your kitchen an elegant royal makeover, and the range contains floor, tall and wall cabinets, which come in egg shell for you to paint the colour of your choice. An entire kitchen costs about £5,000 while an individual single floor cupboard costs £400. This might not seem particularly cheap, . but the kitchen displayed in the original model home or 'Natural House' showcased at the Ideal Home Show in 2011 would have cost around £35,000 to have installed. Katie Fontana, Creative Director of Plain English and British Standard says: 'We wanted to celebrate 20 years of Plain English by taking a lead from His Royal Highness, Prince Charles: going back to basics and making cupboards that ordinary people can afford - 'sensible cupboards at sensible prices'. 'We are also paying tribute to the British craftsmen of the past whose honest, unfussy but eminently practical designs provided the original inspiration for Plain English all those years ago.' Inside, the house contained cushions made from old T-shirts and re-upholstered chairs made from recycled linen, as well as vintage furniture . It is a re-creation of the 'natural house', a new home design currently being pioneered by the educational charity at the Building Research Establishment in Watford. The house is a traditionally built low carbon home made from natural materials. Inside the exhibition hall, Charles was shown around the two-storey Prince's House by television property experts and ambassadors for the charity Kirstie Allsopp and George Clarke. The Prince appeared particularly taken with the crockery featuring dogs, exclaiming 'I love that', and also the red dinner place mats made from old fire hoses . Inside, the house contained cushions made from old T-shirts and re-upholstered chairs made from recycled linen, as well as vintage furniture. After their tour, Ms Allsopp spoke about the Prince's interest in the project. She said: 'He'd seen the blueprint. It was the first time he'd seen it in 3-D as it were, but was very aware of what was going on the whole way through and he'd been to Watford to see the prototype of the house. 'He loved it. What he particularly liked was all the different re-upholstered items and reuse of fabric. He was very impressed by the fact you could take something made for a different purpose and make it domestically useful.' She added: 'It's what the Prince has been so passionate about for so long and yet it is at the moment enormously fashionable.' | Plain English furniture co. created 'sensible cupboards at sensible prices' Prince Charles was first impressed with their environmentally-friendly designs at Ideal Home Show . The final kitchen now available for DIY fans to buy online . | 0956a154184005a09b5551fd6e1a9c1f60630744 |
By . Lydia Warren for MailOnline . A luxurious mansion built for the boss of beer company PBR has sold for $4.8 million - just a fraction of the $14 million price tag on previous listings. The eight-bedroom, 10-bathroom Georgian mansion in Glencoe, Illinois, which was originally built in 1936 for the late Pabst Brewing Co. executive Harris Perlstein, was most recently sold on August 1. Insurance CEO Jeffrey Lange is the new owner of the 14,364-square-foot home, which sits on 2.19 acres of landscaped gardens in suburban Chicago's North Shore. Inside, there is a commercial-grade kitchen, a restored walnut library, a playroom, a home theater, an elevator, a curved staircase, four fireplaces and beamed ceilings, the Chicago Tribune reported. Stunning: This Georgian mansion in Glencoe, Illinois, which was originally built for Pabst Brewing Co. exec Harris Perlstein in the 1930s, has sold for $4.8 million - a fraction of its highest listing price . Inside: The spacious Illinois mansion has 26 rooms, including eight bedrooms and 10 bedrooms . Stunning: The property was bought by a trader in 1997, who gave it a complete makeover . Spacious: The home was then listed in 1999 for $11 million - but ended up selling for just $7.05 million . Details: At one point - in 2003 - the home was even listed for $14 million, but sold in that case for $5 million . Unsurprisingly, there is also a bar - complete with a decorative PBR bottle on its top. Outside is a swimming pool with a water slide and a basketball court, while the property borders a ravine. Despite the opulence of the home, it has struggled to sell for listing prices over the years. The 26-room home was originally built for Perlstein - the Chicago-based head of the Pabst Brewery - in 1936. Perlstein, who passed away in 1986, had merged his company, Premier Malt, with Milwaukee's Pabst the year before Prohibition was repealed. Raising the bar: The home also has a bar complete with PBR on tap and a large, decorative bottle of the beer . Ready to entertain: PBR was established in Milwaukee but a Chicago-based exec lived in this home . Luxury: The home, which is close to Lake Michicagn, features a new, commerical grade kitchen . Comfortable: There is also a playroom and a home entertainment room inside the 14,000-sq-ft home . Home: The house, which has eight bedrooms, has now been bought by insurance boss Jeffrey Lange . Colorful: The home is being sold because its previous owners, a venture capitalist and his wife, are divorcing . Having fun: A spacious games room features a personal gym as well as large windows overlooking the lawn . It was then sold to Eurodollar trader Steven Mendes and his wife in 1997 for $2.15 million, the Chicago Tribune reported. The couple gave the house and grounds a complete makeover and listed it for $11 million with the furnishings - although ended up selling it for just $7.05 million in 1999 without the furnishings. That buyer, Red Hat Software cofounder Marc Ewing, then listed the home for a massive $14 million in 2003 but the property would not budge for six years. He finally sold it in 2009 for $5.2 million to venture capitalist Adam Brass and his wife Robyn, who put it on the market for $6.95 last year, before dropping the cost incrementally to $4.95 million. Beautiful: A summer room overlooks the swimming pool area and the 2.15 acres of landscaped gardens . Quiet: The home, in Glencoe, Illinois, is protected by walls and a security system . At night: The property will now be shared with an insurance CEO and his wife - who nabbed it for $4.8 million . The Brasses put the home up for sale because they are divorcing, Crain's Chicago Business reported. It added that the new owner, Jeffrey Lange, is CEO of EquiTrust Life Insurance Co. He previously said he would bring 200 jobs to Illinois after the company's primary shareholder, Magic Johnson, moved the company to Chicago from Iowa. The home was listed with @properties. | Georgian mansion in Glencoe, Illinois was built for Pabst Brewing Co. exec Harris Perstein in 1936 . The property has previously been listed for as high as $14 million . It has eight bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and, unsurprisingly, a bar . | f932163ea5b119c5a40c1e4cdd68c3d74bbb8e12 |
By . Simon Tomlinson . Charged: Former PCSO Peter Bunyan was found guilty at Taunton Crown Court of abusing his position to have affairs with five women while on duty . A police community support officer used the police database ‘as a dating agency’ to have affairs with single mothers and domestic abuse victims while on duty, a court heard. Peter Bunyan accessed inside information to do background checks on women and their ex-partners after ‘welfare’ visits to victims of crime, it is alleged. He is accused of neglecting his duties by turning his police radio off on shifts before having sex with women, including at a neighbourhood police office. He is alleged to have urged a mentally ill woman to email explicit pictures of herself to the police station. Married Bunyan, 40, a father of two, denies 12 counts of misconduct in a public office over a five-year period. Prosecutor Simon Burns told Taunton Crown Court yesterday: ‘If he was not in uniform or on duty, there would not be a trial. ‘But if on duty or in his uniform he should have been at work but he was in bed with somebody, he was not exercising his proper role as a police officer. ’ Bunyan, of Carharrack, Cornwall, admits he had sex with four women but said it was off duty. He denies sex with a fifth woman. All five say the sex was consensual. Mr Burns said of Bunyan’s use of the police database: ‘You do not use the criminal intelligence system as a dating agency.’ Peter Bunyan, an officer with Devon . and Cornwall Police, is alleged to have accessed highly sensitive police . data to perform background checks on women and their former partners . after so-called 'welfare' visits to victims of crime. He . is accused of neglecting his duties by turning his police radio down on . shifts before having sex with women, including at a police . neighbourhood office, as well as encouraging one mentally ill woman to . send explicit pictures of herself on email to the police station. Bunyan, a father-of-two, denies 12 . counts of misconduct in a public office, taking place over a five-year . period in the Camborne and Redruth areas of west Cornwall. On trial: Police community support officer Peter Bunyan (pictured, left, outside court and, right, in his uniform) is accused of using highly sensitive police data to strike up affairs with vulnerable women while on duty . The case is being held at Taunton Crown Court, Somerset, out of the Devon and Cornwall Police force area. Prosecutor . Simon Burns told the jury: 'This is not a court of morals. You will . hear all sorts of sordid details in relation to this case. 'He . (Bunyan) has abused his position as a police officer by targeting women . - targeting vulnerable women - and conducting inappropriate sexual . relationships with them while on duty. 'He has behaved, while on duty as a police officer, inappropriately and unprofessionally. 'Not only was he in his full uniform... but occasionally even turned down or off his police radio.' Mr Burns said Bunyan had sex with women at various locations, including at a neighbourhood police office. Bunyan . also accessed the police database, where he was able to find highly . personal details about people in the community, including the women he . targeted, the court heard. Mr . Burns added: 'He used that confidential information, which is not . allowed to be simply looked at by a police officer, unless they have a . lawful reason for doing so. 'You . don’t look up somebody simply to be nosy, to look at where they live, . to look for their telephone numbers. He abused the police computer . system to his own advantage. 'You do not use the criminal intelligence system as a dating agency.' Mr Burns said the public expected PSCOs such as Bunyan to protect them on the streets, 'not to be in bed with them'. Mr Burns said Bunyan’s first affair was with a woman who had some mental health issues. She . was later sectioned under the Mental Health Act. The woman previously . had reason to call the police following a dispute with someone. Another . woman struck up a relationship with Bunyan after he went to her home to . take a witness statement when she was a victim of domestic violence. But . the statement took “an inordinate amount of time to complete”, the . court heard. Bunyan then started to ask the woman intimate questions . about her body. The . couple developed a relationship, which in one case saw Bunyan collect . the single mother from a firework display and take her to a . neighbourhood police office where they had sex. The woman said Bunyan had been on duty - something Mr Burns said the PCSO later admitted. Redruth police station, where Bunyan would openly view explicit pictures of his victims . Bunyan is said to have “encouraged” the women to post naked pictures of themselves - some pornographic - to . his local police station. Colleagues of the PCSO told the jury . how he “clearly appreciated” the images, which were sent on CDs and . viewed by Bunyan on the police computer at Redruth police station. PCSO Karen Moreley, who worked with Bunyan for a year, said he was sent images of naked women regularly. She told the jury: 'There were topless images and images using mirrors. 'He clearly appreciated these images and would laugh and joke and check the mail to see if any discs arrived. 'I found him quite forthcoming to women, quite creepy and unprofessional.' Bunyan admits having sex with four women, who include single mothers, women in their 20s, and victims of domestic abuse, but said it was off duty. He denies sex with a fifth woman. All five say the sex was consensual. Bunyan denies 12 counts of misconduct in a public office and his trial, expected to last up to three weeks, continues. The officer has been suspended by Devon and Cornwall police. The trial continues. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Peter Bunyan 'accessed sensitive data to perform background checks' 'Turned his police radio down on shifts before having sex with women' Father denies 12 counts of misconduct in a public office over five years . | 64378ac900ba9ed5b1ddda0f64253174e6babb61 |
By . Becky Evans . PUBLISHED: . 10:52 EST, 19 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:49 EST, 19 May 2013 . British detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are probing claims a middle-aged couple 'soothed' the child the evening before she was abducted, it has been reported. Scotland Yard are also believed to be re-interviewing holidaymakers and staff at the complex where the three-year-old was last seen as part of an ongoing review into her abduction. They have drawn up a list of suspects, including British cleaners and Portuguese manual workers, who have been identified as 'people of interest' during a review of the inquiry. Detectives are believed to be investigating whether a couple comforted a crying Madeleine McCann . Scotland Yard are focusing their investigation on the blocks surrounding Block 5, where the McCanns were staying and believe the abductor may have been staying on the resort in Praia Da Luz, Portugal . Detectives are also probing whether the kidnapper was staying on one of the holiday flats at the Ocean Club. Madeleine disappeared in May, 2007, as her parents Gerry and Kate ate dinner with friends about 50 yards away at a tapas bar. She was left in the family's rented apartment at the resort in Praia de Luz, along with twin siblings Sean and Amelie. Two witnesses said they saw a middle-aged couple enter the apartment to comfort Madeleine, who was crying, The Sunday Express has reported. The newspaper quoted a source as saying: 'Apparently they were concerned about the crying and went to see if they could comfort the girl.' Detectives are now believed to be trying to identify the couple as part of an ongoing review into the case - codenamed Operation Grange. Gerry McCann and Kate McCann hold their twins Sean and Amelie at the Ocean Club Resort in 2007 . The Ocean Club in Praia da Luz where Maddie disappeared. Portuguese police refuse to reopen the case . The investigation is now thought to be focusing on a small number of apartment blocks close to block 5, where the McCann family were staying. The investigation includes identifying the owners, holidaymakers and those who may have illegally been subletting the flats at the time Madeleine disappeared. Blocks four and six, which are situated either side of the McCann building, and block two, which is behind their apartment, are the central to the investigation. There are fears that someone staying in the complex may have been able to watch the family's movements from their flat. Among those detectives want to speak to are British cleaners and 'low-level' workers, such as handymen and gardeners, The Mail on Sunday learned. Some are thought to have been employed by the Ocean Club complex on a . casual basis and may have already been interviewed. Police . are said to be keen to trace six British cleaners who were working in . Praia da Luz when Madeleine vanished and who did not appear in the . Portuguese files. They are . said to have used a white van and went from apartment to apartment . offering their services, chiefly concentrating on expats. Madeleine disappeared in 2007 when she was on holiday with her parents and brother and sister in Portugal . Kate and Gerry McCann have never given up hunting for their daughter . A British owner of one of the apartments said he had been asked about the cleaners by police from Operation Grange and had been told that blocks five, six, two and four were of particular interest. He told The Sunday Mirror: 'Every one of the properties they are interested in is right next door to, or on top of, the one where the little girl went missing. 'The officer said the people of interest were located in one of those blocks at the time'. Detective Chief . Superintendent Hamish Campbell, head of Scotland Yard’s Homicide and . Serious Crime Command, said this week that he believes Madeleine may still be alive - despite it being five years since her disappearance. He said: 'You only have to look at the case in . Cleveland, Ohio, and the European cases. Of course there is a . possibility she is alive. But the key is to investigate the case and, . alive or dead, we should be able to try and discern what happened.’ Despite the extraordinary amount of publicity Madeleine's disappearance generated, she has not been seen since May, 2007. Senior Met Police officers believe Madeleine (pictured left, and in an artist's impression of how she may look aged nine, right) may still be alive and said the Cleveland kidnappings show there could still be hope . Jane Tanner, who was at the tapas bar with the McCanns, told police she saw a man carrying a child the night Madeleine disappeared. However, no one has ever been traced. Detectives examining the Portuguese . files were alarmed that the original inquiry had not traced and . interviewed all the staff and holidaymakers who were at the Ocean Club . when Madeleine went missing. Last . year the Met said that it had identified 195 fresh leads that should . have been investigated either by conducting further witness interviews, . eliminating suspects or carrying out forensic tests that were missing . from the 2007 inquiry. Officers . found unexplained gaps in the investigation timeline and that there had . been a complete lack of forensic examination of mobile phone activity . in the area on the night Madeleine disappeared. However, police in Portugal said they would only reopen the case if new evidence came to light. A spokesman for the McCanns said earlier this week: ‘They have been encouraged from the moment the review started and . are now greatly encouraged that police have drawn up a short list of . people who they believe are of interest to the inquiry.’ | Scotland Yard believed to be tracing holidaymakers at the complex . Met Police detectives conducting a review of the Portuguese inquiry . Sources say investigators also looking for middle-aged couple seen going into the child's room to comfort her as she cried . | 89bbf84c951f9d42ef736bd9e4b8e8e9bbf010e3 |
JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli President Shimon Peres on Tuesday stressed the need for a two-state solution in the quest for Israeli-Palestinian peace, a position out of step with the current Israeli government. U.S. envoy George Mitchell says Israel and the United States will remain close allies. It was one of several key issues both sides must emphasize if they are to take advantage of the current "historic period" and achieve peace, Peres told visiting U.S. envoy George Mitchell. "Nobody knows whether it will recur and nobody will forgive himself if we miss the opportunity to make peace," Peres said, according to a release from his office. In their meeting, Mitchell said U.S. President Barack Obama is seeking a prompt resumption of the stalled Mideast peace talks and played down tensions that have arisen between the U.S. and Israel in recent days -- particularly over Israel's recent settlement expansion. "Israelis and Palestinians have a responsibility to meet their obligations under the road map," Mitchell said. "And we all share an obligation to create the conditions for the prompt resumption and early conclusion of negotiations." The 2003 road map is a peace plan that calls for an independent Palestinian state with a secure border with Israel, and the implementation of a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who took office in March, has stated his opposition to an independent Palestinian state, and his opposition has cast doubt on the future of the stalled Israel-Palestinian peace process. Peres was elected president during the term of Netanyahu's predecessor, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who supported a two-state solution to achieve peace. Peres won the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts as foreign minister to secure peace, along with Israeli President Yitzak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. But in his discussions with Mitchell, the 85-year-old president stood firm on Israel's current settlement policy, despite the road map's provision for Israel to halt building settlements in occupied territories. "There is agreement in Israel regarding the evacuation of illegal outposts and not to build new settlements," Peres told Mitchell. "However, the issue of natural growth in the settlement blocs must continue to be discussed intensively in order to reach agreement." In recent days, the Obama administration has repeatedly called on Israel to stop construction of settlements. In a speech to the Muslim world Thursday in Egypt, Obama said his country "does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements." So far, Netanyahu has refused U.S. calls to stop them, and said he will deliver a major speech Sunday in which he will lay out his plan for the country's peace and security. "Let me be clear. These are not disagreements among adversaries," said Mitchell, who was dispatched to the region to try and kick-start the negotiating process. "The United States and Israel are and will remain close allies and friends." Peres, too, tried to calm the diplomatic waters. "I think (Obama's) address was extremely sensitive, touching, concerning all sides without trying to play one against the other, paying compliments when it was justified, criticizing when it was necessary in the most honest way," he said after last week's speech. Watch a review of Obama's visit to the Mideast, Europe » . He told Mitchell that the Obama administration's focus on "a single issue ill-serves the wider diplomatic process which is supposed to set the agenda for Israel and its neighbors." Mitchell also met Tuesday with Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and is expected to meet with Netanyahu, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Meanwhile, the State Department announced that Mitchell will spend two days in Syria this weekend as part of the Obama administration's vision for comprehensive peace in the region. Before heading to Damascus, Mitchell plans to visit Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, and Lebanon, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters in Washington. "This is a very high priority," Kelly said. U.S.-Syrian ties have been strained in recent years over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the war in Iraq and the ongoing political struggle between pro- and anti-Syrian factions in Lebanon. The United States has not had an ambassador in Damascus since 2005. CNN's Elise Labott contributed to this report. | Israeli President Shimon Peres says this is an "opportunity to make peace" Peres meets with U.S. envoy George Mitchell, who urges resumption of peace talks . Israeli prime minister to give major speech Sunday on his plan for peace, security . NEW: Mitchell will travel to Syria this weekend, State Department announces . | b31aaf23e9f419f07932dd0569dee5ecddeb447c |
By . Mark Prigg . PUBLISHED: . 12:00 EST, 11 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 01:41 EST, 12 October 2012 . Google has hit back at Apple in the war of the map apps with the biggest ever update of its street view service, adding over 250,000 miles of roads around the world the the service. It comes days after Google made Street View available to iPhone owners via a web browser, after Apple dumped Google's map app for its own. Experts say the move is the latest round in the 'maps battle' between the two tech giants. Scroll down for video . Catherin ePalace, the Rococo summer residence of the Russian tsars, located in the town of Tsarskoye Selo near St Petersburg, is one of the buildings added to Google's Street View . The updates places include Catherine Palace and Ferapontov monastery in Russia, the Chiang Kai-shek . Memorial Hall in Taiwan, or Stanley Park in Vancouver. You can even . virtually walk through the urban jungle of Singapore's Fort Canning Park, and visit the castle which inspired Hamlet. 'Today we’re making our Street View coverage more comprehensive than ever before by launching our biggest ever update--doubling our number of special collections and updating over 250,000 miles of roads around the world,' Google's Ulf Spitzer, Street View Program Manager, said in a blog post announcing the update. 'We’re increasing Street View coverage in Macau, Singapore, Sweden, the U.S., Thailand, Taiwan, Italy, Great Britain, Denmark, Norway and Canada. And we’re launching special collections in South Africa, Japan, Spain, France, Brazil and Mexico, among others. ' 'We hope you enjoy taking a virtual stroll around some of the world’s . beautiful places, and stay tuned for more Street View updates as we . look to make our maps more comprehensive and useful for you' Elsinore Castle, where Bernardo and Francisco uttered the opening words to William Shakespeare¿s most famous tragedy, Hamlet, is now on Street View . Visitors can also walk around the courtyard of the castle virtually . Stuart Miles of web site Pocket Lint said the move put Google's maps even further ahead of Apple. 'They will continue to try and improve as much as they can, and with Street View in particular its going to be critical for when Google introduces driverless cars.' Google has already begun testing its driverless cars in Californai and Nevada. They will use Google's maps and Street View software to navigate. 'It's going to be very important for Google to have accurate maps,' said Miles. 'I'm not sure they care that much about Apple at the moment, they are so far ahead they just want to keep improving their product and made sure it stays the best on the market. Taroko Gorge in Taiwain, one of the areas added to Street View today . Google chairman Eric Schmidt says the biggest innovation from the firm is its driverless cars. 'It’s really an error that we’re allowed to drive the car,' he said in an interview with AllThingsD's Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher. 'Don't you want a car that drives you?' later calling it a 'life changing' experience. The cars work by using a series of cameras to and laser scanners to constantly check their surroundings. GPS systems built into the car can pinpoint exactly where the car is, and the system uses Google's maps and Street View service to find its way around. Google has already driven hundreds of thousands of miles in the cars, and believes they will soon become commonplace. | Search firm has added over 250,000 miles of road to the service . Comes days after Google made Street View available on the iPhone via a web browser . Move seen as critical for Google's plans for driverless cars . | 0c1d9992460a6272cf14481b1ec360fb8b8e6971 |
(CNN) -- A Wisconsin man was recovering Friday after being bit by a 7-year-old Siberian tiger, the local sheriff's office said. The tiger, "Khan," grabbed the arm of 38-year-old volunteer John Meeker and pulled the arm into his cage at the Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue and Educational Center in Rock Springs, said Chief Deputy Chip Meister with the Sauk County Sheriff's Office. Meeker had been watering the tiger when he was attacked, Meister said. He added that other volunteers were able to get him away from the animal and began first aid. The man was flown from the scene by an air ambulance service based at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. The south-central Wisconsin incident is under investigation, said Meister. | Volunteer John Meeker has been flown from the scene for treatment . Meeker had been watering the tiger when he was attacked . Other volunteers were able to get Meeker away from the tiger . Incident at Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue and Educational Center is under investigation . | c891b35006454fd42e1e3e307654dd955ea2cd83 |
(CNN) -- Novak Djokovic saved five match points before beating defending Shanghai Masters champion Andy Murray in a three-set final of breathtaking intensity Sunday. Murray, who overcame the Serbian to win the U.S. Open title in another classic duel, was poised for an emphatic straight sets victory and his third successive title in the Chinese city. He led by a set and 5-4 and was 30 love to the good on his own service before the World No.2 changed the course of the match with an audacious between the legs shot. It helped him win the rally and although Murray then set up the first of his championship points later in the game, the force was now with Djokovic. In the ensuing tiebreaker, which lasted over 20 minutes, he saved a further four match points before taking it 13-11 to set up the decider. The typical fist-pumping celebration said it all, but Djokovic still had to win the third set. More classic play followed, but Murray was the first to crack as Djokovic broke to lead 4-3. Serving to save the match at 3-5 down, the Scot himself bravely saved a pair of match points before his opponent clinched victory after three hours 21 minutes of relentless pressure tennis. After his 5-7 7-6 6-3 triumph, Djokovic told the official ATP Tour website that it could have gone either way. "When I faced those match points, I tried to focus on each individually. He was so close to the victory that I cannot say I was the better player." Murray was left to reflect on defeat in a match he had in his grasp. "It was a disappointing one to lose," he said . "I've lost tougher matches than that before in the biggest events. So I'm sure I'll recover from it pretty well. " The 25-year-old Djokovic, who was also beaten by Murray in the semifinals of the Olympic tennis tournament, came into the final in hot form after claiming the China Open in Beijing. He is closing on Roger Federer at the top of the rankings, heading into the Paris Masters and the ATP Tour Finals in London next month. Meanwhile, women's No.1 Victoria Azarenka claimed her sixth title this season when she beat German Julia Goerges in straight sets in Linz. The Belarusian won 6-3, 6-4 for a 14th career title, following on from her success in Beijing where she beat Maria Sharapova. And in the WTA event in Osaka, Heather Watson became the first British woman to win a Tour title in 24 years when she beat Chang Kai-chen in the Japan Open final. Watson won a marathon match 7-5 5-7 7-6 and takes over from Laura Robson as British No.1 . | Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray in Shanghai Masters final . World No.2 saves five match points against the defending champion . Second set tiebreaker key to Serbian's victory . Closes on Roger Federer at the top of the rankings . | 21a56fcc91afbf1813971956a2d27561f40c09e8 |
By . Gerri Peev . PUBLISHED: . 21:55 EST, 3 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:25 EST, 4 December 2013 . Senior Conservatives have warned they could lose the independence referendum in Scotland because its campaign chief Alistair Darling is ‘useless’ and ‘comatose’. Momentum is even building up behind getting Gordon Brown to return to frontline politics to lead the campaign. There are fears that the Better Together campaign has no ‘fire in its belly’ and could end up being outfoxed by Alex Salmond’s nationalists. Senior Conservatives have warned they could lose the independence referendum in Scotland because its campaign chief Alistair Darling is 'useless' and 'comatose' One Cabinet minister said: ‘We could be in real danger, we are not in any way complacent about this. The independence side have an easier sell.’ The source said there was even talk of the former Prime Minister Mr Brown being brought ‘out of self-imposed exile’ to lead the campaign. ‘We have to remember he is more popular in Scotland than he is in the rest of the country. But God help us if it takes Gordon to win the referendum.’ Labour’s own anti-separation campaign, United with Labour, is using Mr Brown as its frontman. Sources said he would be ready to play a starring role in the main campaign if called on to do so and has already spoken about the economic stumbling blocks for an independent Scotland. Momentum is building for Gordon Brown to return to frontline politics to lead the campaign . Another member of the Tory high command said they blamed Mr Darling, the former Labour Chancellor, for the lacklustre campaign. ‘Alistair Darling has never run a campaign. He is comatose most of the time.’ The source added that he had a ‘gut feeling’ that the no camp could lose. Another senior parliamentary party figure said he thought Mr Darling was ‘useless’. The Tory said that the no campaign should have used the Education Secretary Michael Gove - who is Scottish - or Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. ‘He’s not a very good communicator,’ he said of Mr Darling. ‘You need someone like Gove or Hunt, but it’s difficult because the head of the pro-union campaign has to be a Labour figure - it’s hard for a southern English Tory to criticise him publicly.’ While Mr Darling was seen as a credible Chancellor, his low-key personal charm has rattled senior Coalition figures. Supporters of Mr Darling insist that he has been doing a ‘steady’ job. ‘There has been no spike in the polls for the Better Together campaign since the white paper was released last week.’ The 670 page document set out the nationalist’s vision for a separate Scotland. The Tories have just one MP in Scotland and some have privately wondered if the party would be better off electorally if it did become independent. There are fears that the Better Together campaign has no 'fire in its belly' and could end up being outfoxed by Alex Salmond's nationalists . Another Better Campaign source said: ‘This is just nonsense. If you want any evidence as to why it is nonsense, you need only look at the work that Better Together - and Alistair Darling in particular - did last week to dismantle the nationalists’ white paper. 'The polls today show that support for Scotland leaving the UK is lower than it was when our campaign started.’ But the Tories themselves are largely unpopular north of the Border. David Cameron has refused to submit himself to one-on-one television debates with the Scottish First Minister ahead of the September 2014 referendum. The Prime Minister made his last major speech on Scotland in Edinburgh in February 2012. A Number 10 source said: ‘We are baffled by this. We do not recognise these concerns at all.' A Tory source added: ‘When we were casting around for a figure to lead this, we could think of no one better than Alistair and that remains the case. 'This was meant to be Salmond’s big week and they are no better placed in the polls than before the white paper.’ | There are fears that the Better Together campaign has no ‘fire in its belly’ Former Chancellor Darling is 'comatose most of the time', say Tory sources . There are fears campaign could be outfoxed by Alex Salmond’s nationalists . Momentum even building to get Gordon Brown to return to lead campaign . | ddaf0ad662ed99271e1c88f3ac00894afe2f75ab |
George Paskins, 81, was convicted of repeatedly raping three young girls during 16-year abuse . A pensioner who preyed on young girls in a 16-year long campaign of abuse has been jailed for 18 years. George Paskins from Paignton, Devon, began regularly raping one girl when she was just three and another when was eight in 1965 and was found guilty by a jury on his 81st birthday. A court heard that he was so relaxed during his abuse that on one occasion he even paused to make a cup of tea and another described how he used a comic to cover her face. One of the victims was repeatedly raped between the ages of three and four until the age of 10 or 11 while the abuse started at the age of eight for second girl and ended when she was 11. A third girl was also indecently assaulted, although Paskins swore 'on the Holy Bible' that he did not touch any of the girls. Recorder Paul Dunkels at Plymouth Crown Court said Paskins was a 'bully' who used violence and threats to make sure the girls never complained. He told the pensioner: 'Undoubtedly the two girls who were raped suffered serious psychological trauma. 'One of the girls was extremely young when you began to rape her.' All three victims, two via videolink from Australia, bravely spoke of the casual and perverse brutality they suffered at the hands of Paskins up until 1981. The former carpenter and joiner told the week-long trial his victims should be punished for fabricating claims against him. 'I have never touched them,' he said. 'To me, it is a terrible thing that they have done. I think they should be punished.' Paskins was convicted of raping the first victim three times between 1965 and 1977 and the second girl three times between 1970 and 1975. He was given another two years concurrent for indecent assault of the third girl and 12 months for indecency with her, and is expected to spend nine years behind bars - taking him to the age of 90. Neither he, nor his wife at the back of the court, showed any reaction when the foreman announced the verdicts. Plymouth Crown Court (pictured) heard that he was so relaxed during his abuse that on one occasion he even paused to make a cup of tea and another described how he used a comic to cover her face . | George Paskins began regularly raping two young girls 50 years ago . One of the girls was just three and the other was eight when abuse began . Court heard he made a cup of tea during abuse and covered girl's face . He denied abusing girls but was found guilty on six counts of rapes . Paskins is expected to serve nine years in jail - by which age he will be 90 . | 0c69ba814394897402e85bfc66f1a62e354b78f2 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 07:48 EST, 16 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 13:43 EST, 16 August 2012 . Two US Navy SEALs and a special operations demolition expert were among the seven US soldiers killed when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Taliban territory in Afghanistan on Thursday. The cause of the crash in southern Kandahar province, which also left three Afghan soldiers and an interpreter dead, is unknown -- through military officials said it did not appear that the aircraft was shot down. The casualties bring the US death toll . this month to 25 -- putting August on track to be the deadliest month in . a year. More than 1,960 Americans servicemen have been killed since the . war began more than a decade ago. Scroll down for video . Destroyed: Three US soldiers were on the Black Hawk helicopter that crashed in Kandahar . Deadly region: The helicopter went down in a Taliban region of Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan . Violence is beginning to surge in the country as the Taliban begins its annual summer offensive. Last week, a total of 13 US Army soldiers and Marines were killed. August has been marked by a spate of . 'green on blue' killings, with Afghan police officers and soldiers . opening fire on American troops. Last . week, three elite Special Forces soldiers were taken by surprise and . shot dead by an Afghan police officer who invited them to dinner. Two British soldiers were been killed the month in a similar attack by a supposed ally. The cause of the crash, which Afghan . authorities said was in the Shah Wali Kot district of southern Kandahar . province, was under investigation, the International Security Assistance . Force said in a statement. Pulling out: American forces are beginning to leave Afghanistan as the military prepares to end combat operations . The . Taliban claimed responsibility for shooting down the helicopter, . although the insurgency often exaggerates its victories and is quick to . claim responsibility for any incident involving foreign troop deaths. The military said it does not believe the craft was under fire when it crashed, though the Navy plans to conduct an investigation to determine what happened. The . area where the helicopter went down is an insurgent hotbed and supply . route, lying north of Kandahar city near volatile Zabul and Uruzgan . provinces. The aircraft was reportedly destroyed on impact. The Taliban shot down a CH-47 Chinook . transport helicopter in August 2011, killing all 38 people on board, . including 25 US special operations soldiers. The crash follows the deadliest month of the year for American troops. In July 40 soldiers were killed in war-related violence. Americans are still dying at a rate of one per day in the country. The US started drawing down forces from a peak of nearly 103,000 last year and plans to have decreased to 68,000 troops in Afghanistan by October. | Three special operations forces -- two SEALs and a Navy demolitions expert -- were on board the aircraft when it went down . 11 people died in the crash, including three Afghan soldiers and and interpreter . Military says it does not believe the helicopter was shot down . 25 Americans have been killed in Afghanistan so far this month as the Taliban's summer offensive ramps up . More than 1,960 Americans have been killed in Afghanistan . | c9d89fd89d6c40e3c747665c3571dbef51a504b9 |
New York (CNN) -- New Jersey resident Becky Fisher said Tuesday that she's counting the favors she'll now owe her neighbors after a powerful snowstorm left her family and more than a million others without power across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Fisher, along with her husband and their 6-month-old daughter, have been camped out at a neighbor's house in Maplewood, New Jersey, since the weekend storm coated her home in snow and knocked down trees and power lines across the region. "There are just pockets of those who have electricity," Fisher said. "So we're using our neighbors' goodwill. "We'll owe them lots." Fisher said they first lost power Saturday and were forced to relocate to her neighbor's house the following night as temperatures dropped to just above freezing. Fisher said that while she and her husband are accustomed to cold weather, they didn't want to risk it with their child. "Every time I call (the state's utility provider), they say the ticket's open," she said. "Initially the message (of when power would be restored) was for Wednesday night, then Thursday, and now maybe Friday. "Luckily, we have nice neighbors," she added. By Tuesday evening, about 195,000 New Jersey residents remained without power. Meanwhile, temperatures in parts of New England were expected to hit the low 50s Tuesday, which could be considered balmy to some who braved the October snowstorm that dropped more than 2 feet of snow in some places over the weekend. But while temperatures are on the rise for parts of the Northeastern United States, more than 1 million residents were still in the dark, dealing with widespread power outages. On Monday, officials warned it could be Friday before power is back on everywhere. At least 15 deaths have been blamed on the weekend storm, which prompted emergency declarations from the governors of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts, and also canceled Halloween trick-or-treating in some areas. President Barack Obama signed an emergency declaration for Connecticut Monday, ordering federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts. Gov. Dannel Malloy on Tuesday said he was not satisfied by the number of crews coming from out of state, CNN Hartford affiliate WFSB reported. By Tuesday evening, about 612,000 Connecticut residents remained without power, down from a peak of 830,000, according to the state utility company. More than 900 crews were restoring electricity. About a dozen Massachusetts cities postponed Halloween celebrations, according to CNN affiliate WGGB. At least 20 Connecticut cities and towns, including the capital, Hartford, canceled events or asked parents to wait until later to take their kids trick-or-treating, according to CNN affiliate WFSB. Malloy and his wife, Cathy, said they will be leaving the lights off. "No amount of candy is worth a potentially serious or even fatal accident," the governor said in a statement. In Worcester, Massachusetts, officials asked residents to postpone Halloween celebrations until Thursday, when temperatures are expected to climb to 60 degrees. Trick-or-treating, the city said, would "put families and our youth in harm's way as they negotiate piles of snow and downed limbs." In Springfield, Massachusetts, school officials announced classes would be canceled for the week. Some of the heaviest snow fell in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, but snowfall amounts of at least a foot were recorded from West Virginia to Maine. The Berkshire County community of Peru, Massachusetts, received 32 inches of snow during the storm. In Massachusetts, state officials said utility crews had come from as far as Louisiana and Texas to help. About 256,000 people remained without power Tuesday evening, according to officials. Elsewhere, about 77,000 customers were without power in Pennsylvania. Thousands also lost power in New Hampshire, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, according to figures from emergency managers and power companies in those states. About 128,000 were affected in New York. As of Monday, authorities reported at least 15 deaths blamed on the storm. Three people died in Massachusetts, officials said, including a Lunenberg resident who died in a fire and a resident of Hatfield who succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning, apparently from an improperly vented generator. The third death happened in Springfield when a man in his 20s ignored police barricades surrounding downed power lines and touched a metal guardrail, which was charged, city fire department spokesman Dennis Legere said. Four people also died in New Jersey because of the storm, police said. Two were killed in motor vehicle accidents, one in Bergen County and one in Passaic County, while two others died after trees fell on their cars. In Connecticut, four people died, officials said. They included one person who died in a traffic accident in Hebron, a second who died in an accident on Interstate 91 in Hartford, one who died in an ATV accident in Enfield and one who died of carbon monoxide poisoning while trying to heat their home, also in Enfield. CNN's Chuck Johnston and Marina Landis contributed to this report. | NEW: About 195,000 New Jersey residents remain without power . About 612,000 Connecticut residents still have no electricity . Trick-or-treat postponements spread through the Northeast . The death toll from the storm is now at 15 . | 7a5526b37eee78a266cb5ed01fa2366a7d4f11f4 |
London (CNN) -- In the broader frame, Vladimir Putin's decision to stand again as Russian president is no big surprise. Batman returns, though the idea of Robin (Dmitri Medvedev) becoming prime minister may not work out for long. Sure, the timing was unexpected. There were good reasons for making the decision later -- last time around Medvedev was revealed as Putin's choice for president only after the parliamentary (Duma) elections in December 2007. Medvedev now becomes an early lame duck -- the Kremlin has not dealt with that problem simply by saying he will be prime minister under Putin. By making the announcement before the Duma elections, Putin has guaranteed a majority for his new '"Popular Front" -- but that will also create problems. Russian voters quickly cottoned on to the fact that the old United Russia party was just a roadblock: it could stop opponents winning elections, but had no role in government or in the generation of policy or strategic thinking. The corporatist behemoth Popular Front will be even worse. Russia has a "managed democracy," but the campaign for the presidential elections next March will now be even longer, and in a long campaign not everything can be easily managed. Comment: Putin and Medvedev, trading places . There are other obvious downsides, even once the timing issue is out of the way. Western leaders who invested time and political capital in engaging Medvedev will be asking loudly what the interregnum was all about. The idea of a Kremlin-approved but reformist new liberal party has been squashed. So have the rumors that Russia's liberal conscience and enforcer of fiscal discipline, Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin, would be the next prime minister. But Kudrin would have been a much better choice than an ineffective Medvedev, and could have taken Russia back to the long-forgotten era of real reform when Putin first came to power in the early 2000s -- before the Yukos affair in 2003 and the oil price explosion that sucked the life out of the reform impulse. What does Kudrin do now to stop the markets freaking out? And how long will the mild-mannered Medvedev really last as PM, given that he is unlikely to transform himself overnight into a fire-breathing CEO? The Russian government can't be run on Twitter. Then there are much bigger strategic questions. Will Putin 2.0 be any different from Putin 1.0? Can Putin dismantle Putinism? Putin always hoped the history books would treat him well, which is why he chooses court historians to write them; but even many of the supposed achievements of his first two terms of office (2000-08), such as Russia's much-vaunted "stability," the restoration of state authority and victory in Chechnya, may now be under threat if Putin comes back in much more difficult economic circumstances and with real anarchy looming in Russia's North Caucasian "internal abroad." Even stagnation is not an easy option. Will Putin 2.0 be able to stop the growing torrent of capital flight out of Russia, which reached $21 billion in the first quarter of 2011? Putin's ideologue Vladislav Surkov once coined the term "offshore aristocracy'" to abuse the "cosmopolitan" oligarchs and Western advisers of the Yeltsin era; but this is precisely what Putin's oligarchy has become. The ruling elite is not investing at home -- many of them don't even live in Russia. And capital flight is no longer just for oligarchs, as genuine entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) despair of red tape and corruption. Will Putin be able to curb the bloated state that has grown so unwieldy under oil money? The budget only balances at an ever higher oil price -- currently reckoned to be about $125 a barrel. How high will the necessary price be in a few years? Putin has so far failed to build a new narrative. The same old guys still sit beside him. Even his old image as the "good tsar" reigning in the "bad boyars" is suspect. Putin has not cleansed the stables, and the oligarchs close to him may get bolder and more brazen once he comes back to power. Putin's favorite foreign policy initiatives will be pushed further forward, like the idea of a customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan, with Ukraine under pressure to join. If Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili "does a Putin" and makes himself prime minister after his second term runs out in January 2013, Saakashvili and Putin could then be squaring off for years. The ugly youth group Nashi and its skinhead hinterland will still be around. Periodically, Putin's PR machine has pushed out the idea that he is tired of office and looking forward to retirement. We can now put that myth to rest. He has now guaranteed himself another six or even 12 years of hyperactivity, with an overflowing in-tray. | Putin's decision to stand again as Russian president is no big surprise, says commentator . Andrew Wilson says markets and investors are unlikely to be impressed by move . He asks: Can Putin stop capital flight out of Russia; guarantee stability in Caucasus . And will Putin be able to curb bloated state that has grown unwieldy under oil money? | 8b1818ff6be8474aabfa3f7685ce2abdb2e5670b |
Expect your Thanksgiving flight to be packed. Nearly 24 million passengers are expected to fly this Thanksgiving travel season, an increase of about 150,000 passengers over last year, industry trade group Airlines for America predicted. With fewer planes flying, airplanes could be close to 90% full on the busiest travel days between Friday, November 16, and Tuesday, November 27, the trade group predicted. The busiest days are likely to be Wednesday, November 21 (2.3 million travelers), Sunday, November 25 (2.4 million travelers) and Monday, November 26 (2.3 million travelers). Despite reports that planes are going to be nearly full during the Thanksgiving holiday, some 78% of travelers have not booked their airline, hotel or car rentals yet, according to a Hotwire survey released Wednesday. Don't wait to book your flights . "Thanksgiving airfare and hotel prices are up compared to last year, and they're likely to increase even more as we get closer to the holiday," Clem Bason, president of the Hotwire Group, said in a statement. Book now, advises Hotwire, because fares are only likely to increase. Travelers who haven't yet bought their plane tickets might consider flying on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, when only 1.3 million people are expected to fly, and returning home on Friday, November 23, with only 1.6 million other passengers, according to Airlines for America estimates. Procrastinators take note: Holiday airfares are up . Also consider booking at alternate airports that may offer lower fares. While travelers continue to complain about airlines charging for everything from more leg room to window seats to snacks, airlines would have lost money this year without those fees, according to Airlines for America vice president and chief economist John Heimlich. Jet fuel prices continue to rise . Although airlines have seen a 5.6% increase in revenues in the third quarter of 2012 compared with the same time last year, Heimlich said that the 10 largest Unites States airlines have also faced costs that are 6.2% higher, reducing profits to a margin of 0.2% -- or about 50 cents per passenger. Without passengers paying an average of $8 each in ancillary fees on domestic, round-trip tickets, airlines would have been losing money, Heimlich said in a morning conference call. The price of jet fuel is a key factor in higher costs, he said. It has averaged $3.08 per gallon, more than last year's record high of $3 per gallon. Airlines have cut the number of flights and grounded some aircraft to reduce expenses. Those cuts in domestic service are likely to continue into the new year, with Airlines for America predicting a 2.4% cut in the number of domestic airline flights and a 1.3% cut in the number of domestic airline seats for the first quarter of 2013, compared with the first quarter of 2012. Do you have plans to fly this holiday season to see family or take a vacation? If so, have you bought your tickets yet? Please let us know in the comments section below. | Thanksgiving airfares are likely to increase the closer it gets to the holiday . Book your flights now, say experts, and look at alternate airports for lower fares . Expect prices to increase in the new year as airlines continue to reduce their domestic capacity . | e1d387f3c3d6b8e9485a69c3fbc370fd2df268d9 |
By . Neil Ashton . Follow @@neilashton_ . Carlo Ancelotti hailed Gareth Bale as the best player in the world ahead of his homecoming in Cardiff for the Super Cup tomorrow. The Real Madrid coach, who won the Champions League with the club last season, claimed the Wales forward is now one of the elite. Real Madrid, who won their tenth European Cup against Atletico Madrid last season, face Europa League winners Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup at the Cardiff City Stadium. VIDEO Scroll down to see Ronaldo rattle one in off the underside of the bar in training . The best: Carlo Ancelotti has hailed Gareth Bale ahead of the new campaign . Superstars: Bale trains with Cristiano Ronaldo, Daniel Carvajal, Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez . Lean back: Bale all smiles during Real Madrid training at the Millenium Stadium . VIDEO Ancelotti predicts big season for Bale . Support: Ronaldo takes a quick break to rest against one of the goalposts during the session . Ready: The Portuguese superstar will be hoping to use this season to forget a disappointing World Cup . In tow: Bale will be hoping he can follow Ronaldo to become a Real Madrid superstar . Although Ancelotti admitted competition was fierce for the world player of the year honour - even including some of his own Real Madrid’s stars - the Italian claimed Bale is at the pinnacle of his career. He said: ‘As I said a lot of the time last year, he is the best. He is one of the best players in the world now, but I’m not so interested in whether Gareth can be nominated and go on to win it. 'What is important is that Gareth is here to help the win titles. ‘But if I say Gareth deserves to win it, then I could say Ramos, or Ronaldo also deserves to win it.’ Meanwhile, Ancelotti says he is ready to unleash the full might of his enviable playing resources against Sevilla. World Cup stars James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos, signed from Monaco and Bayern Munich this summer, are set to feature in Ancelotti's starting line-up at Cardiff City Stadium. Slider: Ronaldo launches in to nick the ball away from the Welshman's feet . Sprint team: Kroos, Carvajal, Bale and Ronaldo working hard in the session . Impressed: Ancelotti has been delighted with the form of his Welsh wing wizard . Thumbs up: The game will be the first time Gareth Bale has played on home soil for Real Madrid . Rest stop: Sami Khedira sits on the floor whilst Bale, Marcelo and Luka Modric take a break . 'Kroos has done well in the last five days, and I think he is ready to face this match,' Ancelotti said, during his pre-match press conference in Cardiff. 'He is up to the task, and I think he will play tomorrow. 'Rodriguez is a fantastic player. He ran a lot in the World Cup, and he can help the team to be better. He will start. 'It's true we have had players who have come late to the team, with not a lot of training, but we are pleased with the state of preparation. 'Cristiano is well, he has no problem. I feel he's in good physical condition and has done everything to participate in this game. He is facing this game in good spirit. 'It's an honour for me to be the manager of Real Madrid. I have a fantastic squad, and the club has worked hard this summer to have a better squad. The squad has plenty of confidence to have a good season.' | Ancelotti hails Bale as the best in the world ahead of Super Cup . The Welsh midfielder is set to return home to play at Millenium Stadium . Enjoyed superb first season in Spain winning the Champions League . | 7a5a77c467a1fd3a60002ff8dd01e565f3cd2924 |
Cap Haitien, Haiti (CNN) -- Haiti's government appeared Tuesday to have lost control of Cap Haitien, where demonstrators angry over what they see as the United Nations' role in starting the ongoing cholera epidemic controlled many of the streets for a second consecutive day. At the airport in the country's second-largest city, commercial flights were suspended Tuesday. Police were not wearing uniforms in an apparent attempt to elude the wrath of Haitians, who had torched at least one police station on Monday. The only way to get from the airport into town was by motorcycle. Barricades composed of burning tires and vehicles blocked cars from traveling on many of the roads. As the sun set, smoke from the many fires mixed with tear gas fired by peacekeepers, and hovered over the city. The office of Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive had said early in the day that it was sending a delegation of government ministers by helicopter from the capital city of Port-au-Prince to Cap Haitien in an attempt to orchestrate a return to order, but by nightfall they were not visible. In Cap Haitien, at least one demonstrator was killed in riots Monday by a U.N. peacekeeper. At a hotel, guests were hunkered down, unwilling to brave the chaos of the streets. The focus of the the Haitians' ire centers on their contention that the cholera outbreak blamed for more than 1,000 deaths was started when untreated sewage from a Nepalese contingent of peacekeepers entered the water supply. That assertion has been denied by the United Nations. Protesters have demanded that the U.N. forces pull out of Haiti. Cap Haitien is in Haiti's North Department, which has had the nation's highest rate of cholera deaths. Of the 1,578 people hospitalized in the department from cholera, 119 have died. The 7.5 percent death rate is the nation's highest, according to figures released Tuesday by the Ministry of Public Health. The U.N. stabilization mission in Haiti charged that the riots may be politically motivated in advance of elections set for November 28. "The way in which the events unfolded leads to the belief that the incidents had a political motivation, aimed at creating a climate of insecurity on the eve of the elections," the U.N. mission, known by the acronym MINUSTAH, said in a statement Tuesday. "MINUSTAH calls on the population to remain vigilant and not let itself be manipulated by the enemies of stability and democracy in the country," the statement said. Imogen Wall, a spokeswoman for the United Nations, said at least one U.N. warehouse has been looted and that a flight that was to have carried cholera supplies intended for Cap Haitien was suspended. "Cap Haitien is very serious for cholera right now," she said. "You can't run cholera response in this atmosphere." In the town of Hinche, northeast of the capital, about 400 demonstrators protested the peacekeepers, six of whom were injured, said Vincenzo Pugliese, a spokesman for MINUSTAH. "This is a situation that began with a child who was in agony with cholera," said Lesley Voltaire, a former minister of education and presidential candidate who was campaigning for the upcoming elections. "They were calling ambulances and MINUSTAH but nobody came. The kid died in front of many people and made the people furious." Voltaire insisted the protests were spontaneous. "The Nepalese [peacekeepers] are their target," added Voltaire, who said he was stranded at a local hotel overnight after the riots erupted on Monday and the airport shut. "People believe the cholera came from Nepal." In Quartier Morin, a municipality in the Cap Haitien arrondissement, a protester was killed after he was hit by a peacekeeper who fired in self defense, the U.N. said. An investigation is underway. The cholera outbreak, which was confirmed last month in northwest Haiti, has killed 1,034 of the 16,799 people who had been hospitalized with the disease, the Ministry of Public Health reported. It has been confirmed in seven of the country's 10 departments. So far, the government has been keeping track of the outcome only for those patients who have sought treatment in hospitals. "We are now trying to ramp up the collection of data from the communities so that we can get a more realistic figure," Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator Nigel Fisher told reporters Monday at the United Nations in a teleconference call from Port-au-Prince. "We expect to have, once that data comes in, a significant increase in recorded cases." But counting the deaths that occur in the community will be difficult, said Pan American Health Organization spokesman Dan Epstein. He noted that care is being provided by "tons of NGOs," each with their own hospitals and health centers. "We're trying to integrate everything so we have one main source of information for Haiti, and that's a real challenge." The government was trying to halt the spread of rumors and to educate the populace via radio and television programs about how to stem the spread of the disease, which experts say is relatively easy to treat through oral-rehydration therapy, and to prevent, through good hygiene. Both are often in short supply in much of Haiti, the hemisphere's poorest country. Its already fragile infrastructure was worsened during last January's earthquake, which killed more than 200,000 people. Since then, more than 1 million people have been living in makeshift camps in and around the capital. Still, many of the camps are equipped with latrines and most people in the camps are getting clean, chlorinated water, Fisher said. "Our concern has been, I must say, less for the camps than it has been for the slums," he added, citing the Cite Soleil slum in the capital as an example. It has neither latrines nor access to clean water, ripe conditions for the spread of the disease. "It is moving more rapidly in the slums than in the camps," he said. Despite the dire conditions and the mounting death count, he said, "the government strategy, which we support at the moment, is to look at ways in which the (November 28) elections can go ahead -- even with the situation of cholera." Planning has begun on how to disinfect polling booths between voters, he said. The situation has gone far beyond one of health or sanitation, he said. "It's an issue, obviously, of national security." Efforts are under way to get 10,000 to 12,000 more "cholera beds" in place, and plans are being put in place to transport the sickest people to treatment centers, which some residents don't want, he said. "One of the demonstrations in Port-au-Prince was against the transport of sick people from a triage center to a cholera treatment center," he said. The government has asked Haiti's mayors to handle the disposition of bodies, but city authorities need help on how to do that, he said. The team leader in Haiti for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's anti-cholera effort said the agency determined that the strain of the bacteria is found not only in South Asia but elsewhere. "This is not an uncommon strain," Dr. Jordan Tappero told CNN in a telephone interview from Port-au-Prince. "It's around the world." He described the bacteria, orginally found in the Artibonite River in the country's northern region, as "like a hitchhiker," having arrived in Haiti through contaminated food, water, or in an infected individual who may have had no symptoms. "Trying to figure out who did it and what country they came from, I think, is extremely challenging to do, probably not possible," Tappero said. "What we should focus on, as we have been, is preventing deaths." Those prevention efforts include training health care workers, few of whom have experience treating patients who may be losing up to a liter of water per hour. "It requires some training" to manage them well, he said. The goal, he added, is to get mortality to less than 1 percent, "and we're not there yet." Indeed, as of Tuesday, the death rate among hospitalized patients with cholera was 3.9 percent nationwide, according to the Ministry of Public Health. The United Nations, which has appealed to international donors for $164 million in aid, said it anticipates as many as 200,000 Haitians will be sickened with cholera over the next six to 12 months. Symptoms of the acute, bacterial illness, which is caused by drinking tainted water, can be mild or even nonexistent. But sometimes they can be severe: leg cramps, profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting, which can cause rapid loss of body fluids and lead to dehydration, shock and death. CNN's Tom Watkins contributed to this story. | NEW: Haiti's government appears to have lost control of Cap Haitien . NEW: Haitians blame the Nepalese contingent of peacekeepers . NEW: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it's likely impossible to pinpoint the source . MINUSTAH charges the riots may be intended to spread unrest ahead of the elections . | 2a5e4d3cb23cde5c5c5a7de5f32b23f819438254 |
By . Anna Hodgekiss . PUBLISHED: . 07:02 EST, 11 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:19 EST, 12 April 2013 . A baby was born on the bathroom floor of his parents’ home just two hours after midwives sent them home from hospital. William Jones had to be delivered by his father after his mother Vanessa was told by maternity unit staff she was 'only in the early stages' of labour. The birth occurred shortly after she and husband Billy were turned away from the delivery suite at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Lancashire - despite Mr Jones making a video of her having her contractions and in obvious pain inside the maternity unit. Mr Jones, 41, a joiner, from Warton, near Preston, said: 'It is amazing and an honour to deliver my baby boy - not every husband gets to do that - but the fact is we do feel let down by the hospital. William Jones was born in his parents' bathroom after his mother Vanessa was told by the hospital she was only in the early stages of labour. His father Billy delivered him . Healthy: 8lb William was born with the umbilical cord around his neck, which his father had to untangle . 'William should have been born the safe environment of a maternity unit - not on my bathroom floor where they were obvious dangers. When he came out he was born with the umbilical cord around his neck and I had to untangle it and obviously I was very worried in case he couldn’t breathe. It was only when he cried that I could breathe a massive sigh of relief. 'I am so annoyed and concerned for other expecting parents visiting that hospital - could you imagine what that experience could do to first-time parents - it would destroy them and could put them off having other children. 'We were in shock a few days after it happened because it all could have gone horribly wrong.' Mrs Jones's waters broke on Wednesday April 2 and when she began suffering contractions, the couple headed to hospital. Mrs Jones, 33, a telesales worker, has two older sons. Mr Jones added: 'Vanessa knew she was going into labour and I thought it was pretty obvious she was too - we’re experienced with pregnancies, especially since she’s already given birth to her two sons and I’ve also got four children from a previous relationship. 'But they sent us away saying the baby wasn’t imminent and told us to go home and get some sleep. 'We were very surprised at the time, but you put your faith in the professionals and we followed their advice from the hospital and they went back home to bed to try and get some sleep. 'I drifted off to sleep but Vanessa was still suffering pain so must have got up. She said she was sat in the bathroom for around an hour and ran herself a bath. But the baby was coming - she yelled and screamed at me, "the heads here". 'I woke up and was thrown into the surreal situation. In a panic I phoned the hospital and it took around eight attempts to get hold of the midwife. She advised Vanessa not to go into the bath, so Vanessa got down on her knees on the bathroom floor. 'I screamed ‘Help us the baby is coming’ - she finally realised William was coming then and there.' Billy . said Vanessa’s sons, Jack, 8, and Kyle, 9, along with his 18-year-old . daughter Katie, who lived with them, woke up to the most awful scene. William was born weighing eight pounds. The unexpected birth occurred jut two hours after Mr and Mrs Jones were turned away from the delivery suite at Blackpool Victoria Hospital . He said: 'They woke up to her screaming "the head’s here", and I didn’t know what to do. 'We were on the phone to the delivery suite, which sent for an ambulance, but I had the baby in my hands by the time the paramedics got here. 'It was just so surreal how it all happened - Vanessa made me watch One Born Every Minute a few times, but it made me so squeamish. 'had no idea how to deliver a baby so to be put in that position was terrifying. 'We are just so relieved William was . breathing because otherwise, he could have died. It took paramedics . around 25 minutes to arrive after he was born, so anything could have . happened.' Mrs Jones said: . 'I knew I was in labour, but they said I wasn’t. They didn’t give me any . pain relief and told me to go home and get some sleep. Mr Jones said: 'It is amazing and an honour to deliver my baby boy - not every husband gets to do that - but the fact is, we do feel let down by the hospital' It took paramedics around 25 minutes to arrive after William was born. Staff at Blackpool Royal Infirmary (pictured) said it was not always possible to predict the speed of established labour . 'I could hardly move in the car coming home, and an hour and a half later I was in full blown labour. Luckily William was fine, but it could have been totally different if he came out not breathing. That upsets me more than anything.' Head of midwifery at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Nicola Parry, said: 'We are sorry to hear that Mrs Jones was unhappy with the quality of care she received at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. 'It is normal practice for midwives to encourage patients who are in the early stages of labour to go home, but to keep in touch with the hospital, letting us know if there has been any changes in what they are experiencing, such as their contractions becoming stronger, their waters breaking or if they have any blood loss or concerns. 'They can come back in to the hospital at any time, even if they have just returned home, if they start experiencing the symptoms of active labour. 'We cannot comment on Mrs Jones case because of patient confidentiality, but will meet with her to discuss in full any concerns she and her family have, taking forward any lessons learned from that meeting.' | Vanessa Jones, 33, went to Blackpool Royal Infirmary in labour . Despite having contractions and being in pain, maternity staff sent her home . Two hours later she gave birth to 8lb William, delivered by father Billy . He had to unwrap umbilical cord that was wrapped around his son's neck . Couple are angry that home birth could have gone disastrously wrong . | a1256c5b317f1ab991ac13d8104ced2cd59782b8 |
As the temperatures drop, thoughts are turning to our winter wardrobe and if you're looking for some serious seasonal style inspiration, look no further than Michelle Keegan's new range for Lipsy. The actress-turned-designer is back with her festive collection and it's full of faux furs, cosy knits and stylish coats. Speaking to MailOnline about her new range, which lands tomorrow, Michelle said: 'I love winter - Christmas is my favourite time of year so I couldn’t wait to get back into the design room to create some classic winter pieces. Scroll down for video . Behind the scenes with Michelle: Miss Keegan is getting set to launch her festive collection for Lipsy tomorrow so she invited us behind the scenes on her upcoming shoot to get a sneak peek of the new range . 'This range is a real mix of all of the looks and styles that I love to wear at this time of year and I hope everyone will love them just as much as I do.' As these behind the scenes shots reveal, Michelle has amped up the glamour for Christmas. The new Lipsy London love Michelle Keegan collection aims to reflect the season’s hottest shapes, fabrics and styles that incorporate both the catwalk trends of Winter 2014 and Michelle’s coveted wardrobe. Michelle, 27, has included reworked classics alongside fresh new designs that reflect looks and shapes that Michelle loves and wants to be seen in, say the brand. Getting ready with Michelle: The pint-sized star says that her new range is a real mix of all of the looks and styles that she loves to wear at this time of year . Backstage beauty: Michelle can be seen getting ready to shoot her new range, which is full of fun partywear and cosy knits . Michelle added: 'The fourth phase of my range for Lipsy is bursting with gorgeous glam pieces perfect for the festive season. 'From luxurious faux fur coats and beautifully embellished kimonos, to tops and some show-stopping maxi dresses!' Keeping it classy with a hint of sex appeal, Michelle has trimmed the necklines and hems of her peplum tops, dresses and trusty pencil skirts with lace. The kimono, which she loves to wear herself, comes in a bohemian style with Kate Moss-esque fringing, as well as with intricate beadwork. Posing up: Speaking about her new range, she said she's included luxurious faux fur coats and beautifully embellished kimonos, as well as tops and some show-stopping maxi dresses . This collection sees the introduction of a party wear crop top, which Michelle recommends teaming with the high-waisted coordinated trouser for an alternative party look that 'demands attention'. Perfect for the party season, Michelle has designed floor length eveningwear dresses with thigh splits and gold lace. 'I love a maxi dress during the festive season. There is nothing better than getting dressed up in full on Hollywood glam style,' said Michelle of the designs. Michelle added: 'I have spent a lot of time over the last few months working closely with the Lipsy design team to make sure that each piece in my collection is something I am excited about wearing. 'My collection is classic, unfussy and feminine in style, and I can’t wait for it to hit the high street and see everyone wearing it.' Coming soon: Michelle, who can be seen wearing a dress from her last collection, will be revealing her next drop in all its glory tomorrow . Speaking about the inspiration behind her range, she cited a certain fashionista as her muse. 'I love Victoria Beckham's style, she is effortlessly chic and looks amazing whenever she steps out.' Michelle, who loves high street stores Zara, Mango and Topshop - because you can get 'value for your money' - also shares style tips with fiance, Mark Wright. 'He's good with his fashion choices and always looks stylish but he will ask for my opinion sometimes,' she said. The brunette fashionista added: 'This range is my dream come true and I hope to design for many years to come.' Retailing from £28 - £85, Lipsy London love Michelle Keegan will be sold at select Lipsy retail and franchise outlets, Lipsy.com, Next.co.uk and all Next international websites and exclusive Lipsy wholesale accounts including Amazon, ASOS, BANK, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Myntra, Very and Zalando. Famous fan: Ariana Grande, who has a similar style to Michelle, was seen in Paris wearing a jacket from her collection this week . Aside from designing her new range, Michelle has been busy shooting upcoming drama Ordinary Lies on various occasions in Cheshire over the last few days. In the BBC series, Michelle reportedly plays car showroom receptionist, Tracy, who smuggles drugs through the airport for her boyfriend. In August, a source close to the actress told MailOnline that she was thrilled to have landed a role in the six-part BBC drama. 'She's been looking for the perfect acting role for quite some time, and this one is a dream come true for her,' said the source. 'She's very excited and can't wait to start shooting towards the end of the year.' Stylish couple: Michelle, who loves high street stores Zara, Mango and Topshop - because you can get 'value for your money' - also shares style tips with fiance, Mark Wright . | Michelle, 27, will unveil full winter collection tomorrow . Behind the scenes snaps show her getting ready for shoot . Says new range reflects her style and catwalk trends . | a0a8ffebc1ddadeaf0c0092d9cdd21e5eac344a9 |
By . Luke Salkeld and Wills Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 12:33 EST, 9 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:06 EST, 9 December 2013 . Facing jail: Edward Alexander Somerset subjected his wife to more than two decades of abuse, a court heard yesterday . An aristocrat from one of Britain’s grandest families is facing jail after subjecting his wife to more than two decades of domestic abuse. Edward Alexander Somerset – a son of the 11th Duke of Beaufort – kicked his wife Caroline and pulled her hair while affected by ‘drink or drugs or both’, a court heard yesterday. Lady Edward suffered bruising and a dislocated finger during the 22 years of violence. The couple, who have two grown-up daughters, are now divorcing after three decades of marriage. Yesterday Somerset, 55, admitted four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Looking gaunt and unshaven, he wore a dark blue suit with a red tie, pocket handkerchief and silver earring as he spoke clearly to plead guilty to the charges. Somerset admitted attacking his wife at the home they shared on the 52,000-acre Badminton Estate in Gloucestershire – home of the world-famous Badminton Horse Trials – and in France. His lawyer William Clegg QC told Bristol Crown Court: ‘Between 1990 and 2011 there were incidents of violence between the two, often in drunk or drugs or both, whereby the complainant received injuries. They included scratches and hair pulls.’ Judge Mark Horton, who will sentence the father-of-two in February, told the aristocrat the offences were so serious a prison sentence was possible. The estranged couple have not seen each other for a year and divorce proceedings are set to be finalised in the near future. He will also consider whether a restraining order to protect Somerset's wife from her estranged husband should be put in place. 'At this stage, I am unable to say a custodial sentence would not follow,' the judge told Somerset. 'Given that this reflects a substantial period of domestic violence, this is a case where I should like the defendant to meet with a probation officer.' Judge Horton said the guilty pleas reflected a 'different picture' to how Somerset, referred to simply as Edward Somerset in court, had described the case during police interview. Split: Somerset and his wife Caroline are pictured on their wedding day at Badminton House in 1982, left, and at a fancy dress party, right for Mick Jagger's 50th birthday, right . Treatment: It is understood that one of the recent alleged incidents left his wife hospitalised . Luxury: The attacks happened on the sprawling Badminton Estate in Gloucestershire where the couple lived . 'It doesn’t appear to me from having . read it that he had quite appreciated the seriousness of the domestic . violence in his marriage. 'As . I see it, there has been quite a dramatic period where things should . they have been approached differently, might have prevented this . violence to the complainant in this case.' He admitted a 'deliberate and hard' kick to his wife at Essex House on the Badminton Estate between January 1 2011 and November 29 2011. The aristocrat, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two further assaults, where he bruised his wife in October last year. Somerset also admitted assaulting his wife on numerous occasions between January 1990 and December 2011, giving her a variety of injuries including a bruise, scratches and pulled hair. His guilty plea for that charge, covering a 22-year period, represented 'incidents of violence between the two, often in drink or drugs or both' the court heard. Case: Bristol Crown Court heard the incidents of violence between the two often involved drink or drugs . Appearance: The 55-year-old was released on conditional bail and will return to court on February 6 . Prosecuting, Eleanor Laws QC, said Somerset’s wife feared him and was seeking a restraining order. 'She . would say she still has fears of this defendant because of his . offending and she is in a very emotional state,' Miss Laws said. 'While . she says there has been no real direct contact between the two of them . there is evidence that the defendant’s elder brother, working, so it . would seem, on behalf of the defendant’s father, had contacted the . complainant’s cousin, Lord Raleigh, and arranged a meeting in October, . during which there was a discussion about finances, dropping the case, . paying for advice for the complainant. The Badminton Estate lies in the heart of the Gloucestershire countryside and is home to the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort. The Duke of Beaufort title was created by Charles II in 1682 for Henry Somerset, the 3rd Marquess of Worcester. The . family are descendants in the male line from the French dynasty, the . House of Plantagenet, through John of Gaunt and Edward III. The sprawling estate dates back to the 17th century and is where the game of Badminton was invented in 1863. Lord . Somerset and his wife lived in the grade-two-listed Essex House, an . 18th-century building which stands at the village's entrance. He . is the third of four children of the 11th Duke of Beaufort, 85 year-old . David Somerset, who is estimated to be worth £135 million. His eldest brother Henry John Fitzroy, Marquess of Worcester, 60, is heir to the estate and title. 'It was this meeting which she found . out about and got to hear what was discussed which devastated her and . put her under considerable stress in the run up to this trial.' Miss . Laws said there was 'nothing to suggest' Somerset had been behind the . meeting but was the 'sort of conduct' his wife was 'vulnerable to'. Representing Somerset, William Clegg QC, said his client would not oppose a restraining order. 'The two haven’t seen each other for over a year,' he said. 'Lord Somerset’s view as far as a restraining order is concerned is that he would be perfectly happy to have such an order imposed. 'He accepts his marriage is completely over. He thinks it by far the best that he have no contact with the complainant, and she has no contact with him. 'I have no instructions from the Duke or his brother.' Mr Clegg said divorce proceedings between Somerset and Caroline are 'at a stage where hopefully things can be finalised between them'. 'The children are now at an age where they can make their own way between their parents,' Mr Clegg said. Judge Horton released Somerset on conditional bail after advising him to be 'frank with the reality of what has taken place' during the marriage with the probation service. 'The court looks forward to seeing you again on the 6th of February,' the judge added. A charge of assault causing actual bodily harm carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, according to sentencing guidelines. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Edward Alexander Somerset, 55, admitted four counts of assault . Subjected his wife Caroline to more than two decades of domestic abuse . Attacks were fuelled by 'drink or drugs or both', a court heard yesterday . They took place on the sprawling Badminton Estate in Gloucestershire ' Somerset's father, the 11th Duke of Beaufort, said to be worth £135million . Defendant and his wife are currently going through divorce proceedings . | 34c3ffc20c0e5e21166cf3c4e5a998f30d1dae5a |
By . Tom Goodenough . PUBLISHED: . 04:55 EST, 8 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:09 EST, 8 August 2012 . A passenger sparked an airport terrorist scare after security staff mistook his aftershave bottle for a hand grenade. Jimmy Ho said he was left panic-stricken after the incident at Edinburgh airport on Saturday night. The drama unfolded after a security scanner picked up a grenade-shaped bottle of Spicebomb aftershave in the 25-year-old's hand luggage as he prepared to board a flight to London. Jimmy Ho, 25, said he was left panic-stricken after being caught up in the security drama caused by his aftershave bottle . Mr Ho, of Ipswich, Suffolk, was flying back to Heathrow after enjoying a mini-break in the Scottish capital with his friends. The insurance worker said he knew something strange was going on when security staff did not return his hand luggage after putting it through a scanning machine. The Spicebomb aftershave, which comes in a grenade-shaped bottle, is made by designers Vikor & Rolf . 'I noticed that everyone was looking at me really strangely, and I had absolutely no idea what was going on,' he said. 'I was waiting quite a while before anyone actually said anything and then they asked me why I had a hand grenade in my luggage and I was totally shocked. 'I had no idea what they were talking about and then I realised it was my fragrance. 'The next thing I know I am surrounded by police and I just felt really panicked. 'I didn't really know what to do - you don't think anything like this will ever happen to you.' Airport security staff took away the suspect item - which was actually a fragrance made by designers Vikor & Rolf- for rigorous tests. Police repeatedly asked him if the bottle had any harmful or dangerous substances in it as they waited for the results to come back. Mr Ho said: 'They went and checked it all out for about 30 minutes so during that time I didn't know what to think. 'Thinking back now I guess it was really silly and I think the design of the bottom is really bad considering. The drama unfolded at Edinburgh Airport after a scanner picked up the Spicebomb aftershave in Mr Ho's hand luggage . 'I guess at the end of the day it is an airport and it's a good thing that they do all these checks.' After it was confirmed the grenade-shaped item was in fact a bottle of aftershave, Mr Ho was released 45 minutes later to board his flight. | Jimmy Ho was searched after staff thought his 'Spicebomb' aftershave bottle was a hand grenade . Incident happened at Edinburgh Airport as the 25-year-old prepared to board a flight back to London . The insurance worker said he knew something strange was going on when staff did not return his hand luggage after scanning it . | f58eb0fb367223c8a0a5d23cb6442b2008a9804b |
(CNN) -- The "disgusting" blob in Fred DeNegri's Diet Pepsi can was probably a frog or toad, the Food and Drug Administration said. Amy DeNegri took pictures of the can in question right after her husband gagged on its contents. DeNegri was grilling in his backyard tiki bar in Ormond Beach, Florida, when he popped open a can of Diet Pepsi, took a big gulp and started gagging, his wife, Amy, said. He emptied out the can down a sink but something heavy remained inside. He shook the can until something resembling "pink linguini" slid out, followed by "dark stuff," Amy DeNegri said. But the heavy object inside the can never came out, she said. "It was disgusting," said Amy DeNegri, 54. "And now, what started out as a normal afternoon in our tiki bar has blown up into this crazy thing." The DeNegris took pictures before calling poison control and the FDA, which showed up the next day to examine the can in question and collect it for lab testing. The couple received a copy of the completed report last week from the Food and Drug Administration Office of Regulatory Affairs, which concluded the foreign matter appeared to be a frog or a toad. Watch CNN's Nicole Lapin discuss the results » . "The animal was lacking internal organs normally found in the abdominal and thoracic cavity," the report notes. A second, closed can from the same 36-pack of Diet Pepsi from Sam's Club, was also submitted for testing, according to Amy DeNegri. No abnormalities were detected, the report states. The FDA also conducted an investigation at the local Pepsi bottling plant in Orlando from August 4 to 11 and "did not find any adverse conditions or association to this problem," spokeswoman Siobhan DeLancey said. "We have not determined when or how the contamination occurred," DeLancey said in an e-mail. Pepsi says the FDA results "affirmed" the company's confidence "in the quality of our products and the integrity of our manufacturing system," according to spokesman Jeff Dahncke. "The speed of our production lines and the rigor of our quality control systems make it virtually impossible for this type of thing to happen in a production environment. In fact, there never has been even a single instance when a claim of this nature has been traced back to a manufacturing issue," Dahncke said in an e-mail. "The FDA conducted a thorough inspection of our Orlando facility and found no cause for concern. In this case, the FDA simply was unable to determine when or how the specimen entered the package." When asked if Pepsi believed it was not responsible for the animal getting into the can, Dahncke said, "We have addressed the facts of the investigation and stated our position. It's not appropriate for us to comment beyond that." But the DeNegris say they're hopping mad over Pepsi's handling of the matter. Amy DeNegri said she hasn't heard from Pepsi since the day after the incident occurred, when she spoke with someone over the phone. At first, the woman was apologetic, but DeNegri says her attitude changed after she told her that the FDA was coming to take the can for testing. "She asked for my pictures, I sent them and never heard back," she said. The retired school staffer says she and her husband are seeking legal advice to examine their options. "I want to see Pepsi fess up to it and compensate my husband for the negative publicity they have caused," she said. "I'm easy, but they're the ones that are making it hard." CNN's Carolina Sanchez contributed to this report. | Fred DeNegri and wife found matter resembling "pink linguini" in Pepsi can in July . FDA concludes blob is toad or frog "lacking internal organs," not sure how it got there . FDA examined bottling plant in Orlando, did not find anything connected to incident . Pepsi says FDA's finding affirms its confidence in integrity of manufacturing system . | 4a740f7b357eef9bbdf6f1782458ce3cb48ca57c |
By . Gareth Finighan . UPDATED: . 11:51 EST, 22 April 2012 . The son of Bermuda's former Premier has been jailed for 12 years and eight months for a string of sex attacks on vulnerable women. Dr Kevin Brown, who ran a medical practice in Los Angeles, was found guilty of 21 charges including sexual battery by fraud, sexual exploitation by a physician, sexual penetration with a foreign object and committing a lewd act upon a child. He had pleaded not guilty to 30 felony counts including forcible rape. The attacks on nine patients - including a 15-year-old girl - took place at Brown's surgery during routine medical check-ups between 2003 and 2008. Predator: Kevin Brown, pictured during his trial in July, took advantage of women visiting his Los Angeles surgery . At today's sentencing, Brown was also . ordered to pay $18,000 in fines and penalties to his victims. He must . also register as a sex offender for life. During his trial in July, prosecutors said Brown, 40, ran his Crenshaw Boulevard practice as 'his personal playground' and viewed female patients as 'his prey'. The married father had faced similar charges in 2004 and 2006 but was acquitted on both those occasions. However, he was arrested yet again in July 2008 after assaulting an undercover police officer posing as a patient. The police sting operation had been launched a year earlier after detectives received yet another complaint against Brown. Playboy: Brown rubbed shoulders with celebrities at a charity poker tournament just weeks before his arrest . The female officer, who made an . appointment with Brown for an injured ankle, testified that Brown lifted . up her shirt and bra and fondled her breast during an examination. The . assault was recorded on monitoring equipment worn by the detective and . played back to the jury during Brown's trial. The trial jury also heard how other patients were given inappropriate pelvic and breast examinations. One victim who visited Brown to be evaluated for weight loss treatment said she had her breasts fondled and Brown also nuzzled his face in the breasts of another victim and sucked on her nipples, the court heard. Deputy District Attorney Ann-Marie Wise had estimated Brown could get a maximum term of 16 years and ten months in state prison for his crimes. 'I am extremely pleased with this verdict, and the women who came forward were very brave,' she said after Brown had been found guilty. Just weeks before his 2008 arrest, Brown - whose father Ewart Brown was Premier of Bermuda between 2006 and 2010 - organised a celebrity poker tournament at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles in support of his own charity, the Urban Health Institute. Actor Don Cheadle, reality TV star Khloe Kardashian and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner were among the celebrity guests, as was Brown's father. The charity, which has now been disbanded, later came under scrutiny after it was revealed that only a small proportion of its funds was ever spent on the needy. In the dock: Brown insisted he was innocent and his defence team claimed the authorities had a vendetta against him . Brown had to post $4million bail following his arrest because LA authorities were concerned that he could abscond to Bermuda while awaiting trial. He is now being probed by white-collar crime investigators over allegations that he defrauded a national health insurance scheme. Kevin Brown is the second of Ewart Brown's four sons to be jailed. Younger son Maurice Pitt, 29, is currently serving a ten-year sentence in California for armed robbery. Controversial: Ewart Brown's premiership was dogged by scandal . Ewart Brown - who attended the Criminal Court House in Los Angeles throughout his son's three-week trial - also practiced as a doctor in the city, but returned to his native Bermuda in 1993 to pursue a political career. He eventually took over the premiership of Britain's oldest colony in 2006 and secured a third general election victory for the Progressive Labour Party in 2007. But his four-year premiership was beset by controversy. Bermuda's national debt ballooned from $300million to more than $1billion under his flamboyant and confrontational leadership and Brown was often accused of squandering taxpayer money. In one nine-month period he ran up bills of $265,000 on overseas travel alone, staying at exclusive resorts such as the seven-star Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai and travelling in limousines accompanied by crews of bodyguards and flunkeys. In 2007, leaked police documents revealed Premier Brown had been a focus of an investigation into multi-million dollar corruption at a government-run housing quango set up to provide affordable accommodation for the poor. Prosecutors later stated that they could find evidence only of 'unethical rather than illegal' behaviour, and no charges were filed. Brown later demanded that control of Bermuda's police service be transferred from the Crown to his own government. And the regime was constantly accused of cronyism and corruption - particularly when lucrative government contracts were 'awarded ' to associates rather than put out to tender, only to then run massively over budget. Hobnobbing: Despite being a fervent supporter of independence, Dr Brown hosted a state visit by the Queen in 2009 . Premier Brown's successor, Paula Cox, has promised to launch an inquiry into how one such contract was awarded, while the Auditor General's office has been granted fresh powers to investigate government contracts under Brown's premiership. Premier Brown - who was also held the Tourism Ministry portfolio during his leadership - came in for further criticism after it was revealed he attended his son's 2008 charity poker tournament at the Playboy Mansion. Newspapers on the island claimed that Brown's Tourism Ministry had donated prizes for the charity event in the form of free holidays to Bermuda. The expose caused outrage on the deeply Christian and conservative territory, where gambling and pornography are illegal. And the controversial leader also survived a 2009 no-confidence motion - and a public demonstration outside Parliament - after personally negotiating an under-the-table deal with the White House for four Guantanamo Bay prisoners to be repatriated to the North Atlantic territory. The incident embarrassed Downing Street which is responsible for Bermuda's national security and foreign affairs. The Queen's representative on the island, Governor Sir Richard Gozney, was unaware of the deal until the plane transporting the four inmates touched down on the island. Three-times married Premier Brown, 65, a staunch advocate of independence, later claimed he had acted on humanitarian grounds, but critics argued the move was a calculated snub to Britain and, with his son awaiting trial in the U.S., a deliberate attempt to curry favour and influence with lawmakers in Washington. Always claiming that he would stand for just one term in office, Premier Brown quit politics last year and has remained largely out of the public eye ever since. He spends his retirement in lavish properties in Manhattan, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Martha's Vineyard and Bermuda. A petition requesting a Royal Commission of Inquiry 'into the numerous and various allegations and implications of Government fiscal impropriety and corruption' is now being circulated across the island. And in Britain, MP Andrew Rosindell - chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Overseas Territories - has written to the Foreign and Commonwealth office and Bermuda's governor calling for an investigation into corruption on the island. | Kevin Brown is second of former Bermuda Premier Ewart Brown's four sons to be jailed . | 456d5d1b7e567584ee6dd4f301f1235f00e57865 |
A second friend of Officer Darren Wilson has come forward to defend the cop, describing him as a 'really quiet, well-mannered, respectful guy', who never showed any signs of violence. The male friend of the Michael Brown shooter spoke to GMA on Tuesday but asked that his identity be concealed for his own safety. The friend has been exchanging text messages with the 28-year-old Ferguson officer and said: 'I can tell that this is really hard on him.' Scroll down for video . A woman called Josie called a St Louis radio station this weekend in defense of Michael Brown shoot Darren Wilson (pictured). She said that Brown had rushed at the officer after trying to grab his gun and punching him . A male friend of Michael Brown shooter, Officer Darren Wilson, spoke out to defend his friend on Tuesday but asked that his identity be concealed for his own safety . The friend also said that he had played hockey with Wilson for years and had never seen him get into a fight. The show of support for Officer Wilson came after a female friend told a radio station this weekend that the cop shot and killed Michael Brown, 18, because the teen tried to grab his gun, punched him in the face and then charged at him on August 9 in Ferguson, Missouri. A woman calling herself 'Josie' called The Dana Show last Friday to say Wilson had told her Brown had 'bum-rushed' him prior to the shooting. 'Josie', who would only give her first name but said she was friends with the cop's girlfriend, had her account corroborated by a source who said it matched what Wilson told investigators,CNN reported on Monday. The woman said most friends and family were too afraid to speak out but she wanted the public to know Wilson's side of the story. Josie said that on August 9, Wilson came across Brown and his friend Dorian Johnson walking down the middle of a street in the St Louis suburb and pulled up to tell them to get on to the sidewalk. 'He pulled up ahead of them. And then he got a call-in that there was a strong-arm robbery. And, they gave a description,' she told KFTK. 'And, he’s looking at them and they got something in their hands and it looks like it could be what, you know those cigars or whatever. So he goes in reverse back to them. Michael Brown was shot dead on August 9 by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri . 'Tries to get out of his car. They slam his door shut violently. I think he said Michael did. And, then he opened the car again. He tried to get out. He stands up. 'And then Michael just bum-rushes him and shoves him back into his car. Punches him in the face and them Darren grabs for his gun. Michael grabbed for the gun. At one point he got the gun entirely turned against his hip. 'And he shoves it away. And the gun goes off. 'Well, then Michael takes off and gets to be about 35 feet away. And, Darren’s first protocol is to pursue. 'So, he stands up and yells, ''Freeze!'' Michael and his friend turn around. 'And Michael taunts him… And then all the sudden he just started bum-rushing him. He just started coming at him full speed. So [Wilson] really thinks [Brown] was on something, because he just kept coming. It was unbelievable. 'And so he finally ended up, the final shot was in the forehead, and then he fell about two to three feet in front of the officer.' The friend's report, which has not been verified, added to the growing number of different versions of events from the day of the fatal shooting. According to St Louis Post-Dispatch crime reporter Christine Byers on Monday, more than a dozen witnesses had backed up Officer Wilson's report of what happened on August 9. The reporter later admitted she was on maternity leave and her post was 'personal'. Gilbert Bailon, editor for the St Louis Post-Dispatch, issued a statement which read: 'Christine Byers is a police reporter for the St Louis Post-Dispatch who has been on FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) since March. She is not involved in the Ferguson coverage while she is on leave. Her tweets are personal. 'She has tweeted today in regards to her tweet Monday: "On FMLA from papaer. Earlier tweets did not meet standards for publication."' Wilson is on paid administrative leave following the shooting and pending the outcome of the investigation. The 28-year-old officer won a commendation for 'extraordinary effort in the line of duty' in February this year. 'He never intended for any of this to happen,' Ferguson police Chief Thomas Jackson said. 'It’s devastating, absolutely devastating.' Assistant pathologist Shawn Parcells told CNN on Monday afternoon that it cannot be proved from the initial autopsy whether Brown was rushing the officer or simply standing at a distance. Earlier on Monday, an eye-witness to the shooting released a video of Brown in the street with Wilson pacing back and forth beside his lifeless body in the street. Piaget Crenshaw lives in an apartment with a balcony overlooking the street where the 18-year-old was killed. She said today that she waited until now to release the video as she feared for her safety and the officer's name had not been released. She told CNN today that she had recorded the incident because she believed that something was wrong. Officer Darren Wilson looks at the body of teenager Michael Brown lying dead in a Missouri street last Saturday after he fired multiple shots . 'From it all initially happening, I knew this was not right,' Miss Crenshaw said. 'I knew the police shouldn't have been chasing this boy and firing at the same time. 'And the fact he got shot in his face, something clicked in me and I thought someone else should see this so I recorded.' The radio caller's version of events also contradicted the statement of Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson who said at press conference on Friday that Officer Wilson was unaware of the store robbery when he stopped Brown. Chief Jackson released the name of Officer Wilson last Friday after mounting public pressure. He had waited after saying that the officer received death threats on social media. The Brown family's lawyer, Benjamin Crump, said on Monday that the teenager had been 'executed in broad daylight' as the results of their independent autopsy were revealed. Professor Shawn Parcells points on Monday to one of the shots that hit teen Michael Brown during a preliminary autopsy report conducted on behalf of the family . Michael Brown died from a 'kill shot' to the top of the head, medical examiner Dr Michael Baden revealed today - but could have survived his five other bullet wounds. Dr Baden told a press conference in Ferguson, Missouri on Monday that he had reassured the teen's mother, Lesley McSpadden, that her son did not suffer. The family's autopsy, which was released on Sunday, revealed the unarmed 18-year-old had been shot at least six times by Wilson. Eye-witnesses have also claimed that Brown had his hands up to signal that he was surrendering. The shooting of the unarmed black teenager has sparked eight days of protests in the once quiet Missouri suburb. Protests over the teen's shooting on August 9 had seen looting and violence in the area. Following a brief calm, trouble returned at the end of last week, prompting Missouri Governor Jay Nixon to put a curfew in place from midnight to 5am. Nixon lifted the curfew on Monday while ordering the National Guard to help restore order. He deployed the Guard Monday following an overnight clash between armored police and what he called ‘a violent criminal element intent upon terrorizing the community'. Nixon said the Guard will be under the direction of the state Highway Patrol. | A male friend of Ferguson cop Darren Wilson said on Tuesday that he played hockey with him for years and had never once seen him get into a fight . The friend asked that his identity be concealed for his own safety . A woman claiming to be a friend of Darren Wilson earlier told a St Louis radio station the cop HAD heard the 911 dispatch about the robbery . 'Josie' claimed Michael Brown punched Wilson and tried to grab his gun . A police source later corroborated her claims saying it was 'accurate' to what Wilson had told investigators . St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter who tweeted on Monday that 'more than a dozen witnesses corroborated cop's story' later admitted she was on leave and her post was 'personal' Brown then ran but turned around and charged at Wilson who fired shots, the friend claimed, saying that the teen seemed 'like he was on something' Obama sending Attorney General Eric Holder to Ferguson on Wednesday to meet with federal law enforcement authorities investigating Brown's death . | 03b6130f9621dfefa5f0166cdc69e5c3cebb9c2c |
A former pilot who killed his estranged wife in a car crash after disabling her airbag and unbuckling her seatbelt was jailed for at least 24 years yesterday. Iain Lawrence deliberately smashed into a tree in an attempt to commit ‘the perfect murder’ hours after he and 47-year-old Sally had an ‘acrimonious’ row over their divorce. Lawrence, 53, claimed the tragedy was an accident caused by an excruciating leg spasm that made him lose control of his Peugeot 406. 'Cunning': A court sketch shows Iain Lawrence in . the dock at Leicester Crown Court, where he was found guilty of murdering . his wife Sally, right, by deliberately crashing his car into a tree . Cynical: Mr Lawrence's Peugeot 406, pictured before the collision, which he drove at 50mph into a tree with no attempt to do an emergency stop . But a jury decided he killed his . businesswoman wife because he could not accept that their marriage was . over, and convicted him by an 11-1 majority. Company director Lawrence, who was . sacked as an airline pilot in 2007, was jailed for life with a minimum . of 24 years. Mr Justice Leggatt QC told him he had ‘executed with . meticulous planning and efficiency’ a ‘ruthless and vile’ crime. ‘You thought that the crash would be . seen as a tragic accident and that you would get away with murder,’ he . said. ‘You would indeed have done so if it had not been for the thorough . police investigation.’ The judge said the couple’s ten-year-old son will have to live with the knowledge that his mother was murdered by his father. During a 12-day trial, Leicester Crown . Court heard the couple had separated and Mrs Lawrence, who had two . adult daughters from a previous marriage, had begun a new relationship. But they were still living in the £300,000 marital home in Oadby, . Leicester. Nirmal Shant QC, prosecuting, accused . Lawrence of trying ‘to plot the perfect murder’. Gartree Road near Leicester, where Mrs Lawrrence died. The court heard the passenger's side airbag had been turned off . Tragedy: Sally Lawrence had warned a friends that estranged husband Iain Lawrence: 'One day he will kill me' She told the jury that . the couple had an acrimonious discussion about the division of their . assets the day before the crash in October last year. Later Mrs Lawrence told one of her daughters in a text message that her husband wanted more than half of the house. The jury were told the crash was . staged while the couple’s son was away on a school trip. Lawrence used . ‘trickery or force’ to get his wife – who had told friends she feared he . would kill her and would never normally travel in a car with him – into . the vehicle. It careered off a bend on a quiet . country road at 52mph. The passenger side received the brunt of the . collision and Mrs Lawrence, the managing director of a business which . specialised in cleaning up chemical spills, was found to be dead at the . scene. The court heard that she was . ‘fanatical’ about being strapped in, but was not on this occasion. Lawrence, who frequently did not wear his belt, was strapped in, . adopted the ‘brace’ position, and escaped with minor injuries. Accident investigators found that the car’s passenger airbag had been turned off for six journeys before Mrs Lawrence’s death. Lawrence of Knighton, Leicester, . denied murder, claiming his wife had willingly got into his car so that . they could take some wood from their garden to a tip. In an impact statement to the court, . Mrs Lawrence’s sister, Catherine Kudhail, described the killing as ‘a . monstrous act of utter cruelty’ and revealed that one of Mrs . Lawrence’s children is now plagued by suicidal thoughts. She added: ‘Sally was an inspirational, caring, kind woman with a huge heart.’ The Lawrences' £300,000 family home in Oadby, which the couple still shared. The court heard they had an 'acrimonious' discussion about the division of their assets the day before the crash . | Iain Lawrence killed . wife Sally Lawrence after careering off a bend at 50mph . As he hit the tree he unclipped his wife's seatbelt and took brace position . Murder was in revenge for her wanting a divorce and finding a new partner . Sally had said to a friend before the crash: 'One day he will kill me' Family and friends cheered and shouted 'yes' as guilty verdict was returned . 'Your cold-blooded . planning meant you came away with a few bruises while . Sally died of catastrophic injuries,' judge said . | 1db3a017a30335681ae077c694abb8cbb86278a3 |
A group of Nazi hunters says it has identified 76 men and four women - many of whom may still be alive - who ran mobile death squads killing thousands of Jews during the 1930s and 40s. The Simon Wiesenthal Center claims to have identified dozens of former members of the Nazi death squads, and says it is now pushing the German government for a formal investigation. The centre's top Nazi hunter, Efraim Zuroff, said that his research is so solid that he last month sent the German justice and interior ministries a list of 76 men and four women he has identified as having served in the so-called Einsatzgruppen, adding that he is demanding those still living face charges. Victims: The Einsatzgruppen are known to have rounded up and shot Jews in the opening salvo of the Holocaust before the Nazi concentration camp system was properly established . The Einsatzgruppen - made up of primarily SS and police personnel - followed Nazi Germany's troops as they battled their way eastward in the early years of the war. They are known to have rounded up and shot Jews in the opening salvo of the Holocaust before the Nazi concentration camp system was properly established. According to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Einsatzgruppen had killed more than a million Soviet Jews, as well as tens of thousands of other people, by the spring of 1943. 'In the death camps the actual act of murder was carried out by a very small number of people - the people who put the gas into the gas chambers. But the actual act of murder in the Einsatzgruppen was carried out individually,' Zuroff said. Find: The Simon Wiesenthal Center's top Nazi hunter, Efraim Zuroff (pictured), said he is now pushing the German government for a formal investigation . 'Almost every person in the Einsatzgruppen was a murderer, a hands-on murderer,' he added. Zuroff said he narrowed down the list of possible suspects by choosing the youngest from a list of some 1,100 with dates of birth known to his organization. It is estimated that there had been about 3,000 members of the death squads. All 80 of those on his list would now be elderly if still alive, born between 1920 and 1924, Zuroff said. 'Time is running out,' he said in a telephone interview from Jerusalem. 'Something has to be done.' Because of Germany's strict privacy laws, the Wiesenthal Center has been unable to confirm exactly where the suspects live. But Zuroff said that task, and determining whether the individuals are still alive, should be relatively easy for police or prosecutors. He added that his office is willing to assist in any way in coming up with evidence or other details. 'The hope is that as many as possible will be alive, but there's no guarantee obviously,' he said. 'But every person alive today is a victory of sorts.' The Einsatzgruppen - made up of primarily SS and police personnel - followed Nazi Germany's troops as they battled their way eastward in the early years of the war. Pictured, SS leader Heinrich Himmler inspects . Germany's Interior Ministry had no immediate comment but the Justice Ministry said it had passed the details of the letter to the special federal prosecutors' office that investigates Nazi-era crimes. The head of that office, Kurt Schrimm, told the AP he hasn't yet received the new information. A handful of Einsatzgruppen members were tried and convicted after the war but most have gone unpunished. Schrimm has said, however, they could now be prosecuted under new German legal theory that service in a Nazi unit whose sole purpose was murder is enough to convict someone of accessory to murder - even without evidence of participation in a specific crime as had previously been required. | Simon Wiesenthal Center claims to have identified dozens of former Nazis . Investigators believe the 80 individuals are former Einsatzgruppen members . Top Nazi hunter, Efraim Zuroff, is now pushing for a formal investigation . The Einsatzgruppen killed tens of thousands of Jews in the 1930s and 40s . | 2595d5d13e9bc4b7e4dd1ab4bbd862f6cbb98769 |
(CNN) -- The United States shares the blame for Mexican drug trafficking and the attendant violence that has killed thousands in the past year alone, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Mexico for a series of meetings on the drug crisis and other issues. "Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade," she said en route to Mexico City, Mexico, according to pool reports. "Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers and civilians. So, yes, I feel very strongly we have a co-responsibility." Clinton will meet with President Felipe Calderon and other Mexican leaders to discuss bilateral strategies for the drug war. But her aides said she will also make an effort to show that the U.S.-Mexican relationship is not restricted to matters related to drug violence. As Clinton arrived in the Mexican capital Wednesday, a day after the United States unveiled its plan to improve security along the southern border, the United States' investment in the drug war emerged as a predominant theme. Watch Clinton acknowledge the U.S. role in Mexico's drug war » . She emphasized that the United States has already appropriated $700 million in aid to Mexico, and Congress wants to see how the administration is applying it before sending more. "We are going to demonstrate that we are spending it in an accountable and effective manner that will assist the Mexicans" in law enforcement and justice, she said. The United States needs to stop the flow of guns, body armor and night-vision goggles to the cartels, Clinton said. "When you go into a gunfight or are trying to round up these bad guys and they have military-style equipment that is much better than yours, you start out at a disadvantage. Since we know the vast majority of that comes from our country, we are going to help stop it from getting there in the first place." Arturo Sarukhan, Mexico's ambassador to the United States, called the Obama administration's willingness to accept co-responsibility "a very encouraging sign." Watch Sarukhan share his thoughts on the U.S. move » . "I think that the fact that the Obama administration is seized with the importance of this issue is a clear indication that they understand that, to defang the drug syndicates in Mexico, we have to eliminate two of their most powerful sources -- bulk cash from the United States into Mexico and illicit weapons." In most instances, local and state police "are outgunned by the drug syndicates," which has necessitated the use of federal forces, he said. The Mexican army arrested a man Mexico calls a top drug cartel chief and four of his bodyguards, the government announced Wednesday. Hector Huerta Rios, also known as "La Burra" or "El Junior," was arrested Tuesday in the city of San Pedro Garza Garcia, outside Monterrey in Nuevo Leon state, a little more than 100 miles from Mexico's border with the United States. The Obama administration announced a crackdown on border violence and on the smuggling of cash and weapons into Mexico on Tuesday, a step that could mark an end to a nasty blame game over where responsibility for the violence lies. Clinton called the fighting "a terrible law-enforcement problem" in U.S. cities along the Mexican border, but said it does not yet pose a major threat to overall U.S. security. "This is more about trying to act proactively," she said in an interview with CNN's Jill Dougherty in Mexico City. "We need to help them, or we'll see the results in our own country. "[Traffickers] are distributing these drugs in our country. They're causing all kinds of criminal activity in our country. It has an effect on us, so we want to prevent it from going any further." Clinton will visit a Mexican police base to show U.S. support for the nation's embattled police force. And she will travel to Monterrey, a thriving industrial town, to meet with students, hold a town-hall meeting with business leaders and visit a clean energy plant. The Defense Department and the director of national intelligence have both warned of the national security threat an unstable Mexico poses to the United States. Congress has seized on the issue, holding eight hearings since coming back into session two months ago. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano testified at a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on violence along the U.S.-Mexican border Wednesday. Mexico is the United States' second-largest export market, after Canada, and its third-largest total trade partner. Hundreds of U.S. companies have factories in Mexico, and Mexico is a leading supplier of crude oil to the United States. Clinton noted many Americans have close ties and families in Mexico, adding she honeymooned there. Napolitano and Attorney General Eric Holder are due to visit Mexico soon, to be followed next month by President Obama, before he attends the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago. | NEW: Clinton says fighting does not pose major threat to U.S. security -- yet . Mexico's U.S. ambassador says willingness to share an "encouraging sign" "Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade," Clinton says in Mexico . U.S. needs to stop flow of guns, body armor, night-vision goggles to cartels, she says . | 7b5fa29cb7ff66d0899d320617982c24536c2ca4 |
(CNN) -- This week we mark Constitution Day, commemorating the electrifying moment on September 17, 1787 when the Philadelphia framers went public with their proposed Constitution. Over the ensuing year, Americans debated and ratified this audacious plan, and thereby gave birth to a far better world. Let's recall the central features of that year that changed everything so that we can measure how far we have come, and how far we still need to go, to redeem the Constitution's promise. After its public unveiling in mid-September, the Philadelphia plan was put to a vote across the continent, in a process that let vastly more ordinary folk than ever before in human history decide how they would be governed. In most states, standard property qualifications were lowered or eliminated for this special ratification election. New York, for the first time in its history, let all adult free male citizens vote -- no property qualifications, no race tests, no religious qualifications, no literacy tests -- for ratifying-convention delegates who in turn voted yes on the Constitution several months later. Later generations have nobly built upon this foundation, repeatedly adding the words "the right to vote" in a grand colonnade of amendments promising a permanent end to all sorts of electoral discrimination and exclusions. That's undeniable progress. But America no longer leads the world in the integrity and inclusiveness of our elections; several states are now shamelessly trying to roll back voting rights; the Supreme Court has renounced a key piece of the landmark Voting Rights Act; and Congress has yet to mend the tattered statute. Modern American free speech is a happier story, with robust free expression in almost every corner of the land. Here, too, we have 1787-88 to thank, a year when Americans dramatically embodied free speech in the very process of establishing the Constitution. No one was censored that year, and the document's opponents were not forever demonized or voted off the island. In fact, several of the Constitution's early critics came to rank among the new nation's highest leaders -- for example, President James Monroe, Vice Presidents George Clinton and Elbridge Gerry, and Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase. The two camps that had sharply divided over the Constitution's ratification -- the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists -- soon thereafter found common ground in supporting a Bill of Rights. Is it too much to hope that today's polarized parties might learn something from this inspiring example, and try to find something -- anything! -- that they can agree upon? Perhaps because the Constitution's supporters did not try to muzzle skeptics, these skeptics, when outvoted, acquiesced. In several states, the document squeaked through only by the narrowest of margins -- for example, 30 to 27 in New York. Yet everyone accepted the basic principle of majority rule, even though the document itself did not explicitly specify this voting rule. Here, too, there are lessons for today. The entrenched filibuster has made the current Senate a deeply dysfunctional body, yet some senators seem to think that a supermajority-rule system has deep roots in founding principles and practices. These senators are mistaken. The early Senate followed the principles of 1787-88, and the key principle that year in every single state ratifying convention was simple majority rule. Everyone got to speak; and then votes ensued, and simple majorities prevailed. Period. Finally, let's note the extraordinary religious inclusion championed by the document first unveiled in mid-September 1787. Unlike most revolutionary state constitutions and the contemporaneous rules generally in place elsewhere on the planet, the Constitution opened its doors to office seekers of all faiths and philosophies. Last year, three of the four men atop the major party tickets -- Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and Joe Biden -- were not members of the mainstream Protestant churches that dominated society at the founding. Today's speaker of the House is a Catholic, the Senate majority leader is a Mormon, and no Protestant sits on the current U.S. Supreme Court. One is tempted to say, "only in America!" but in fact there are other modern countries that are democratic and religiously pluralist. However, many of these democracies have been powerfully influenced by the American constitutional experience. Before the Constitution went public in 1787, pluralistic democracy existed almost nowhere on the planet, outside America. Thus it had always been throughout recorded history. Today, constitutional self-government reigns across half the globe, and it does so thanks largely to the legal, political, cultural, moral and military success of the American constitutional project. In short, the world is becoming more American (and America itself, thanks to trade and immigration, is becoming more global). So we should not say "only in America," but rather "only because of America" -- and in particular, because of America's Constitution and because of the year that changed everything. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Akhil Amar. | This week marks the anniversary of the unveiling of the U.S. Constitution in 1787 . Akhil Amar: Over the following 12 months, America debated the ground rules for a new kind of democracy . On voting rights, the U.S. has recently taken backward steps; free speech is flourishing, he says . Amar: Constitutional self-government rules half the globe, thanks to U.S. example . | 9f5525079c04e406d75accb6f363bc98e765115e |
The full statement delivered by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak concerning Malaysia Airlines MH370 Monday: . "This evening I was briefed by representatives from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch -- or AAIB. They informed me that Inmarsat, the UK company that provided the satellite data which indicated the northern and southern corridors, has been performing further calculations on the data. Using a type of analysis never before used in an investigation of this sort, they have been able to shed more light on MH370's flight path. "Based on their new analysis, Inmarsat and the AAIB have concluded that MH370 flew along the southern corridor, and that its last position was in the middle of the Indian Ocean, west of Perth. This is a remote location, far from any possible landing sites. "It is therefore with deep sadness and regret that I must inform you that, according to this new data, flight MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean. "We will be holding a press conference tomorrow with further details. In the meantime, we wanted to inform you of this new development at the earliest opportunity. We share this information out of a commitment to openness and respect for the families, two principles which have guided this investigation. "Malaysia Airlines have already spoken to the families of the passengers and crew to inform them of this development. For them, the past few weeks have been heartbreaking. I know this news must be harder still. I urge the media to respect their privacy, and to allow them the space they need at this difficult time." | "With deep sadness... I must inform you that... MH370 ended" in Indian Ocean, PM says . Najib says Malaysia Airlines has spoken to passengers' and crews' families . Prime Minister says data came from Inmarsat and British accident investigation board . | 50400ffdc88e539253bb560a8cfa32ceeae73094 |
Saugus, Massachusetts (CNN) -- The image is still vivid after 65 years. Bob Attubato and his fellow sixth-grade classmates rushed to the window just in time to see a crippled twin-engine bomber trailing smoke and flames over their school. "Suddenly, we heard this unearthly sound coming over the school," Attubato recalled. "It just reverberated through the building." As the class stood there and watched, the plane's wing and engine broke off and it disappeared from view. A loud explosion followed. Attubato later learned that the pilot, Army Air Force Maj. Doak Weston stayed with the B-25 until it crashed on a nearby golf course, giving his five-man crew time to bail out and missing nearby homes. The event faded with time, but Attubato never forgot that day. He and others campaigned to honor the heroic pilot. One of these was Dave Paquin, whose father was one of the surviving crew members. Sgt. Frederic Paquin parachuted from the burning plane that day, landing in a tree. Dave Paquin said his father used to joke about that being the only tree he climbed down that he never climbed up. Paquin's father died 15 years ago, but he still feels a debt of gratitude to Weston. "My father owes his life to him," he said. Recently, the mayor of Melrose, Massachusetts -- where Weston's plane crashed on the golf course -- agreed to honor the pilot's heroism. "In Massachusetts, we have many great historic events and some for whatever reason just get passed by," Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan said. "I just couldn't imagine that this individual doesn't have some remembrance for what he has done." On September 24, 2010 -- 65 years to the day of the accident -- the city held a ceremony on the eighth tee at the Mt. Hood Golf Club in Melrose, overlooking the site of the crash. Aside from the occasional golf cart passing by, it is a quiet, peaceful spot. At the conclusion of the service, Dolan lifted a sheet off a small stone engraved with the names of Weston and the crew he saved. Helping him to unveil the monument was Michael Weston, who was only 3 when his father died. He was overwhelmed by the city's gratitude. "I'm just very impressed," he said. "It's just made me very happy." Weston traveled with his family from California to attend the service. Until coming to Melrose, he said, they never had a full appreciation of what Doak Weston had done or what his sacrifice meant to this community. Weston graciously accepted the thanks given to him by the veterans and residents who lined up after the service to shake his hand. He said he knows their gratefulness is really directed at his father. They want to honor the memory of a man who gave his life for others. Michael Weston has the same feelings towards the father he never really knew. "There are lots of people who follow that instinct to do the right thing for their fellow man," he said. "That's what he stood for to me." | Maj. Doak Weston piloted a B-25 as it went down north of Boston, Massachusetts . He stayed with the plane until it crashed, avoiding buildings and allowing his crew to bail . Witnesses and survivors rallied to have Weston's sacrifice honored . A ceremony was held at the crash site, 65 years to the day after the crash . | 9139ad84f6cf68b01e0d0ae5b2fca16d838384bf |
(CNN) -- The two men suspected of shooting to death a Chicago teenage girl are facing murder charges and will not get bond. Kenneth Williams, 20, and Michael Ward, 18, went before a judge Tuesday in their first courtroom appearance concerning the killing of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old who performed at a brunch before the January inauguration of President Obama. Police earlier said that Ward, who allegedly shot Pendleton, was on probation for unlawful use of a firearm. Ward confessed to shooting Hadiya and two others in late January in a case of mistaken identity, according to Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy. Police said Ward and Williams were gang members seeking revenge against the people who had shot Williams in July, men against whom Williams had refused to press charges when police arrested them. He and Ward thought they had spotted members of a rival gang at the park when police said Ward sneaked up on Hadiya and her friends and began shooting. Williams was the getaway driver, McCarthy said. Escalating gang violence has raised Chicago's murder tally for 2012 to 500, up 50 from 2011, officials said. | Michael Ward and Kenneth Williams make their first court appearance Tuesday . Hadiya Pendleton, 15, was shot to death in Chicago . Pendleton performed at a brunch before the inauguration of President Obama . | e974da871c36d0ba2351355b45575ec13713a342 |
By . Aaron Sharp . PUBLISHED: . 08:42 EST, 19 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:49 EST, 19 September 2013 . A drawing by a pre-Raphaelite master worth £50,000 has been discovered hanging in the landing of a country house. The picture, by founder 19th century movement Dante Gabriel Rossetti, has hung unknown on a wall until it was discovered by chance. The owners, who have asked not to be named, had no idea what the work of an unremarkable female model was or who it was by until they invited an auctioneer round to value some silver. Master: The previously unknown drawing by pre-Raphaelite master Dante Gabriel Rossetti is expected to fetch £50,000 at auction. Eagle-eyed expert Guy Schwinge spotted the 16ins by 13ins framed drawing at the top of the stairs of the property and suspected it may have been a Rossetti. He then consulted leading Rossetti expert Christopher Newell and he has confirmed it to be an original work of the celebrated English artist. It is not a previously-recorded work by the Rossetti. The drawing, in coloured chalks, will now be sold at auction with a pre-sale estimate of 50,000 pounds. The woman in the drawing is Alexa Wilding, who was one of Rossetti's favourite models. She was paid a retaining fee by him on the agreement that she sat exclusively for him. Mr Schwinge, of Duke's Auctioneers of Dorchester, Dorset, said: "I was called out to value some silver at a country house in the Home Counties. "I chanced upon it as I climbed the stairs. It was at the top, hanging on a wall on the landing. "It was a powerful drawing which immediately shouted out Rossetti. "The client allowed me to take it away for further research and I contacted Christopher Newell who confirmed it from the style and execution and from who the sitter was. "It is neither dated nor previously recorded and it appears to be a preparatory sketch for a bigger work. For sale: The picture, held by Amy Brenan from Duke's Auctioneers, above is expected to fetch £50,000 when it is sold on September 26 . "When I told my clients they were naturally very pleased. There is lots of excitement in it from collectors interested in the pre-Raphaelite movement."The chalk drawing shows Alexa Wilding with her face turned to the left. Her eyes are a clear blue and her lips and skin seen as a rosy complexion. Rossetti had bumped into an 18-year-old Alexa as she walked down the Strand in London in 1865. He persuaded her to model for him and within a year he had embarked on the series of paintings of her which are exhibited in museums today. Art historian Mr Newell said: "It is immediately recognisable as a Rossetti. It is the type of drawing that he made and of a model who was familiar to him. "It is typical of his work. Parts of it are highly worked textures while other parts are just blocked in or left blank." The owners, who are descendants of a patron of Ressetti, were said to be 'very pleased' with the discovery. It will be sold by Duke's on September 26. | Original artist was previously unknown . It was discovered by chance when an auctioneer visited the house . Rossetti was a founder of the 19th century movement . | 69ca2cb785bf0b36afa2872c5d13ea08d080237b |
Liverpool go head to head with Swansea City in the Capital One Cup fourth round at Anfield. The competition provides former Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers with a great opportunity to win his first piece of silverware since taking charge of Liverpool in 2012. The Reds will be wary of a Swansea side that currently sit ahead of them in the Barclays Premier League on goal difference. Rodgers will know doubt remember the last time these two sides met in the fourth round of the Captial One Cup, with it being the first game he'd played against Swansea as Liverpool boss. A 3-1 loss to Swansea then should be enough warning that Liverpool cannot expect to cruise to victory. Ahead of this piece of Capital One Cup fourth-round action, Sportsmail will provide you with all you need to know about the tie, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for Liverpool's home clash against Swansea... Liverpool vs Swansea (Anfield) Kick-off: Tuesday 8.00pm . Odds (subject to change): . Liverpool 8/11 . Draw 11/4 . Swansea 7/2 . Referee: Keith Stroud . Managers: Brendan Rodgers (Liverpool), Garry Monk (Swansea) Head-to-head League Cup record: Liverpool wins 1, draws 0, Swansea wins 1 . Team news . Liverpool . It remains to be seen whether Mario Balotelli keeps his place when Liverpool rotate their players for Tuesday's Capital One Cup fourth-round clash with Swansea at Anfield. Reds assistant boss Colin Pascoe has confirmed changes will be made, but was giving little away on the chances of Balotelli being in the team. There could be another start for Rickie Lambert, who played in the third-round victory over Middlesbrough, as well as further game time for teenagers Jordan Rossiter and Jordan Williams, both of whom also featured in that win. Provisional squad: Mignolet, Johnson, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno, Gerrard, Henderson, Allen, Lallana, Balotelli, Sterling, Jones, Manquillo, Toure, Enrique, Can, Markovic, Lucas, Coutinho, Lambert, Borini, Suso, Rossiter, Williams. Joe Allen (right) could feature for Liverpool against his, and manager Brendan Rodgers', former side Swansea . Swansea . Garry Monk is expected to name a strong Swansea side as he prepares to renew acquaintances with his former manager Brendan Rodgers in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup at Liverpool on Tuesday night. Gerhard Tremmel has started Swansea's two previous League Cup ties this season and is likely to replace Lukasz Fabianski in goal, but Monk seems set to keep changes to a minimum as the Welsh club look to repeat their Anfield win at the same stage of the competition two years ago. But Gylfi Sigurdsson, who limped off during the second half of the 2-0 Premier League home victory against Leicester on Saturday, and Wayne Routledge could be handed breathers after their heavy workloads so far this term. Provisional squad: Tremmel, Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor, Ki, Shelvey, Carroll, Montero, Dyer, Gomis, Bony, Fabianski, Shephard, Bartley, Sigurdsson, Routledge, Emnes, Fulton, King, Kingsley. Gylfi Sigurdsson (left) is a doubt for the Swans but Wilfried Bony (right) is set to be involved at Anfield . Key match stats (supplied by Opta) Brendan Rodgers won three of his five matches in the League Cup as Swansea manager (60%); he has won just two of five for Liverpool so far (40%). Swansea have only won two of their 19 trips to Anfield in all competitions (D3 L14), but the most recent win was at this stage of the League Cup in October 2012 (the year they went on to win the competition). Liverpool's third round victory over Middlesbrough featured the highest scoring penalty shootout in League Cup history (14-13); Raheem Sterling was the only player to miss for the Reds. The Reds have not beaten a Premier League side in the League Cup at Anfield since October 2006 (4-3 v Reading). Swansea have only made it past the fourth round of this competition once in their history, but that was when they lifted the trophy in 2012/13. The Swans are unbeaten in four League Cup games against fellow Premier League sides (W3 D1). | Liverpool face Swansea City at Anfield (Tuesday 8.00pm) The Reds drew 0-0 with Hull on Saturday and are 7th in Premier League . Swans manager Garry Monk says he will name a strong side for the match . The likes of Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini and Lazar Markovic could feature . Gylfi Sigurdsson is a doubt after limping off against Leicester on Saturday . Brendan Rodgers managed the visitors between 2010 and 2012 . | 72d5148c51be295676595fc3ba399eb6c330cbb4 |
By . Jennifer Smith . PUBLISHED: . 11:21 EST, 27 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:20 EST, 28 October 2013 . Kathryn, 22, believes she would have longer to life if doctors had been able to find her more suitable liver and bone marrow transplants . A 22-year-old who has been battling leukaemia for six years has said her ill health could have been prevented if more people were registered as donors. Kathryn Cartwright of Sutton Coldfield believes she would have longer to live if doctors had been able to find her a suitable bone marrow match when she was 16. Kathryn, who was forced to undergo a second transplant and liver replacement in later years, is now unsure if she will see her 23rd birthday in January. After being diagnosed with the disease, Kathryn's older sister stepped in to donate her own bone marrow, a move which was boosted by chemotherapy. But after several months the teenager's health continued to deteriorate. 'I . found lumps in my face which turned out to be malignant tumours, and . tests revealed that my bone marrow was full of cancer again,' she recalls. She required a second transplant from a donor in Germany, after which doctors told her she had a 20 per cent chance at life. Though she surpassed doctor's expectations, Kathryn discovered she had developed graft-versus-host-virus disease (GvHD) shortly after the second operation. 'This is when the donor cells recognise the recipient's cells as foreign and they attack', she explains. 'It can happen in any of the systems of the body, and I've had it almost everywhere. 'I had it in my skin and my digestive system, but it was treated with several weeks of IV steroids. After receiving a bone marrow transplant from her sister Christine in 2008 and undergoing chemotherapy, doctors were hopeful Kathryn would make a recovery . Kathryn recalls how her skin turned yellow with jaundice as she was in desperate need of a new liver . 'Then . in the September I got it in my eyes. I lived in the dark for a month . because it made me incredibly photophobic. 'It was eventually treated . with eye drops made from stem cells from my own blood' As a result, Kathryn was hospitalised on Halloween 2008 - and did not return home until June the following year. Kathryn has undergone rounds of chemotherapy as well as the transplants throughout her six-year battle . It was during this time she received a liver transplant. But, as she was in such bad health, doctors selected an organ of a different blood type to try to keep her alive. Though the operation, which took place on December 21, was a success, experts didn't believe the teenager would be alive at Christmas. 'My donor was a different blood type to me - I was A-positive, but I received an O-negative liver because I was so poorly. 'While . the haematology doctors were still monitoring me, they discovered an . anomaly in one of my test results - the DNA in my bone marrow had . changed. 'It wasn't me. Neither was it my sister, nor the German donor. 'What happened was that the stem cells from the liver had travelled to my bone marrow, kicked out the German and set up shop. 'I . had effectively had a third accidental bone marrow transplant - I'm the . only person in the world for all this to happen to. 'There's a . scientific paper being written about me.' As more GvHD spread through her body, Kathryn's lung capacity reduced to just 50 to 60 per cent, and she was forced to start using a wheelchair. Kathryn stunned experts by reaching her 21st birthday last year after being told she only had a 20 per cent chance of survival . 'This . wasn't such a problem when my new liver was working fine. But in 2011 I . got biliary stones. They're basically the same as gallstones.' Though . this was temporarily resolved with the creation of a new bile duct, . Kathryn's liver is now failing to drain properly, causing infection . which is resistant to antibiotics. As . such, her only hope of survival is a new liver transplant - a prospect . which is becoming less likely as her respiratory function continues to . falter. Last year Kathryn was told it would be too much of a risk to her health to perform a second liver transplant . Kathryn recalls the moment doctors told her she wasn't eligible for a second transplant as the procedure would involve too much risk, describing the news as 'like being punched in the face'. 'It was . decided that I couldn't have a transplant because they would probably . not be able to get me off the ventilator post-surgery - and that's if I . survived the operation at all.' Speaking of her family's reaction to the life-threatening news, she said: 'We know everything is not going to be . all right, but for now we are just carrying on the best we can.' Though heartbroken, the 22-year-old says she is 'not surprised' by doctor's decisions as there merely aren't enough people willing to donate organs or bone marrow. 'I am going to die because not enough people are on the donor registers. 'One in three people die while on the waiting list for an organ, and it is so unnecessary. 'People die because they can't find suitable bone marrow donors, and that shouldn't happen when signing up and donating is so easy - no one has to die to donate bone marrow like they do with an organ. 'I have been to too many funerals that could have been prevented if more people were on the registers.' As well as a trip to America and celebrating Christmas, Kathryn wishes to use her remaining time 'spreading the word about organ and bone marrow donation'. 'I have things I want to do, I don't want to go before I've done them. The 22-year-old has said she will spend her remaining time campaigning for bone marrow donation so others don't find themselves in her situation . 'I want to try and stop this from happening to anyone else,' she said, adding: 'So many people "mean to do it", but never do - and it is so simple.' 'I want to get to Christmas and my birthday but I don't know what's going to happen. And God, I am so scared.' Kathryn has been documenting her condition and campaign for bone marrow and organ donation awareness on her blog which has received 5,000 views in just six days. | Kathryn Cartwright has been battling leukaemia since she was 16 . After undergoing two bone marrow transplants, a liver replacement and chemotherapy Kathryn has just months to live . The 22-year-old believes she would live for longer if more people were registered as donors . Kathryn is campaigning for more people to register to 'stop this from happening from anyone else' | e4313a00f74a12f8b76071d1b5780e44004f16c9 |
Thomas Muller has ended any lingering interest from Manchester United by penning a new contract at Bayern Munich. The Germany international was a target for Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford but has committed to Pep Guardiola's vision for the next five years. Philipp Lahm will also be staying put at the Allianz Arena after agreeing an extension to his deal until 2018 - one that is sure to see his career end in Munich. All smiles: Thomas Muller and Philipp Lahm (right) have both signed new contracts at Bayern Munich . Boost: Muller and Lahm will prove key figures for Joachim Low's Germany at this month's World Cup in Brazil . Focused: Muller trains with central defender Mats Hummels ahead of Germany's opener with Portugal . Muller had been the subject of interest from across Europe this summer and looked like he could have been on his way out of the Bundesliga champions when he sought assurances over his role within Guardiola's setup. But the 25-year-old revealed that talks with senior figures at the club won him over. 'I am very happy to have extended my contract at Bayern until 2019,' Muller told the club's official website. 'There were some very good discussions with the club who made me realise that I am in the right place here. 'I have the feeling that I am an important part of the club's plans. Bayern Munich has been my club since 2000 and it will remain so in the coming years.' Thirty-year-old Lahm has been the epitome of Bayern's rise over the last few seasons and will remain with them until 2018 at least, adding: 'I will end my career at FC Bayern. That was always my wish.' The developments mean Van Gaal will turn his attentions elsewhere, notably towards Muller's team-mate Toni Kroos, as United bid to arrest the alarming slide of last season. Out on his own: Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal had been interested in landing Muller . | Muller pens five-year contract at the Allianz Arena . Philipp Lahm also agrees new four-year extension with Pep Guardiola . United boss Louis van Gaal had been interested in Muller . | 4ccaf0540bd9718db7d9e0d452ea04b8102e399a |
A Twitter troll who sent vile messages to a feminist campaigner on Twitter posted a selfie of herself enjoying a sightseeing trip to Buckingham Palace just hours before appearing before Westminster Magistrates' Court. Isabella Sorley, 23, posted the picture of herself on to the site along with the message 'Just chilling at the queens' (sic) yesterday morning. She is believed to have travelled to London from Newcastle so she could appear before the court in Westminster. The picture, posted alongside a link to The Clash song 'London Calling', will raise questions about whether Sorley took her trip to London for a court appearance seriously. Earlier this month, she also posted tweets saying that 2014 was 'the year of Isabella Sorley'. Sorley, from Newcastle upon Tyne, and John Nimmo, 25, from South Shields, yesterday pleaded guilty to sending 'menacing' messages to campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez when they appeared at court. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Isabella Sorley posted a picture of herself outside Buckingham Palace on the day she appeared in court to plead guilty to sending 'menacing' messages on Twitter . The court heard how Sorley told Criado-Perez to 'f*** off and die', 'go kill yourself' and 'rape is the last of your worries'. Nimmo told Ms Criado-Perez to 'shut up b****' and 'Ya not that gd looking to rape u be fine' followed by 'I will find you (smiley face)' and then the message 'rape her nice a**'. Nimmo also targeted Stella Creasy, the Labour MP for Walthamstow, with the message 'The things I cud do to u (smiley face)', calling her 'Dumb blond b****.' Outside the court yesterday, Sorley blamed her Twitter tirade on jumping back on 'the bandwagon'. She told a reporter from The Newstatesman: 'I'd personally say the reason why I got into all this s**** is because I jumped on the bandwagon, so to speak. That isn't an excuse . . . I didn't even know who [Caroline] was until I was arrested and told by the police what she was about. 'Of course, I support woman's rights, being one myself. I'm ashamed of my behaviour and like I've previously stated I won't be doing anything like this again.' She said she made the comments to 'help people in the future to not make the same mistake that I have, [if] that only be just one person, then it will be worth it' The threats started in July last year after the Bank of England revealed Jane Austen would replace Charles Darwin as the face of the £10 note following a campaign spearheaded by Ms Criado-Perez. Sorley last month tweeted messages about how words 'are never a threat' and that 'Hard skin is something you have to develop in Britain'. One of the messages posted on December 10 reads: 'Bit pathetic really that you've wasted all of the time/money because you were scared by a couple of words'. Isabella Sorley (left), 23, and John Nimmo (right), 25, admitted a charge of sending 'menacing' tweets to 29-year-old student Caroline Criado-Perez when they appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday . On December 16 the Crown Prosecution Service revealed Sorley and Nimmo were to be charged with improper use of a communications network for their role in the 'avalanche' of abuse directed towards Ms Criado-Perez. Sorley has a degree in creative advertising from Leeds College of Art and is currently said to be working in an Asda supermarket in Newcastle. But she deluged Miss Criado-Perez with menacing messages claiming that she had just been released from prison, writing: ‘I will find you and you don’t want to know what I will do when I do, you’re pathetic, kill yourself before I do.’ Other vile messages included: ‘I’ve only just got out of prison and would happily do more time to see you berried!!’ (sic) and ‘Rape?! I’d do a lot worse things than rape you!!’ Troll: Sorley attempted to justify her actions on Twitter shortly after being asked to stop making threats . Rant: Sorley continued her Twitter rant despite police intervention . Sorley was arrested in October 2013 at her home in Newcastle and admitted to police that she had sent some of the tweets, suggesting she had been 'off my face on drink' at the time, the court heard. Nimmo was released on conditional bail, with Sorley, whose previous convictions include being drunk and disorderly on 21 occasions, remanded in custody. The pair are due to be sentenced on January 24 at Westminster Magistrates' Court. Sorley was warned by District Judge Howard Riddle it was 'almost inevitable' she would receive a jail sentence. He warned Nimmo, described to the court as a 'social recluse' who 'rarely leaves his house', that 'all options' as to sentencing remained open. Caroline Criado-Perez (left) and Stella Creasy MP (right) received the 'menacing' messages after a campaign for more women to be featured on banknotes in July last year was successful . Following the court hearing yesterday, Ms Criado-Perez thanked people for their support but warned that Sorley and Nimmo represented a 'small drop in the ocean' to the amount of abuse she received in July and August. She tweeted a statement saying: 'I am hugely relieved that these two defendants have pleaded guilty, meaning that there is no need for a trial and for the whole process to drag on longer - it has already dragged on for almost six months, with all the attendant anxiety you'd expect. 'This is not a joyful day; these two abusers reflect a small drop in the ocean, both in terms of the amount of abuse I received across July and August, but also in terms of the abuse that other women receive online - women who have little to no recourse to justice. 'However, I hope that for some people who are watching, this conviction will be a warning: online abuse is not consequence-free. I hope that some people watching will think twice before abusing someone else. There is not much else I can say given there are other cases still on-going.' | Isabella Sorley posted message 'Just chilling at the queens (sic)' yesterday . Sorley and John Nimmo pleaded guilty to sending 'menacing' tweets . She told campaigner 'go kill yourself' and 'rape is the last of your worries' | a35a102e2f814c2d2c3d58f211073bbd6dc8f23a |
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