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The purse was by designer Baby Phat, and it was only $5. But when Elizabeth Deiter bought it at the thrift store where she works, she immediately had to run over to the bank and deposit money to avoid running a negative balance. She and her husband only recently caught up on their rent, after four or five months, and Deiter has close to 100 purses already, but she still went for the bargain. In thinking about this and other splurges on things she didn't need, Deiter has begun to consider herself a compulsive shopper. "I am ashamed of it," says Deiter, 22, of Reading, Pennsylvania. "I've screwed up a lot. I know I should stop." With holiday season discounts running rampant online and in stores, it's especially easy to fall into the trap of overspending this month, especially if you have a problem with impulse control at the mall. But beyond carelessness with finances, compulsive shopping is a mental disorder that psychologists recognize, although it has not been studied extensively. For compulsive shoppers, buying something creates a feeling related to the euphoria that alcohol induces, said Bonny Forrest, a psychologist in San Diego. As with alcoholics, it's hard to keep away from that rush of pleasure. About 6% of women and 5.5% of men are compulsive buyers, according to a 2006 study from Stanford University in the American Journal of Psychiatry. The mental disorder has not been studied extensively, but it is thought to be an impulse control disorder. April Lane Benson, New York psychologist and author of "To Buy or Not to Buy: Why We Overshop and How to Stop," estimates that between one third and one half of compulsive buyers eventually turn into hoarders, but some just buy a lot of items and get rid of the old ones. Where does compulsive shopping come from? Sometimes, people acquire objects as a way of dealing with chaos and feeling out of control, Benson said. "You buy something, you're in control of it," she said. It may also be related to childhood. Parents may have given presents instead of time and attention, leading a child to grow up wanting to get more material possessions. Other people may have grown up with a lot of emotional or financial deprivation, and when they're able to afford shopping for themselves, they overbuy as a way of not going back to the way things were. Another theory is that "we buy as a way of trying to deal with our fears of death and the inevitability of death," Benson said. Compulsive shopping sometimes goes hand in hand with alcoholism and eating disorders, Forrest said. It's not currently a separate diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the "Bible" by which mental health professionals identify conditions. Psychologists usually view it as an issue of impulse control rather than a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder; OCD medications do not tend to work for shopping problems, Forrest said. There's no hard line between treating yourself to a pair of shoes on a bad day and being a compulsive shopper -- it is a spectrum. When shopping causes distress in your relationship or if shopping is the only way you can deal with negative feelings, it can be a real problem, Forrest says. Compulsive shoppers might have continued arguments with their spouses over money and can't afford basic necessities, she said. Deiter can relate to this. "When I'm upset, it happens more often. I get into an argument with my husband or my day is not going right, I definitely spend more," Deiter said. When her husband asks her what happened to the other $400 that was supposed to be in their bank account, she honestly doesn't know -- she doesn't remember what she spent it all on. And she says her husband has threatened to end the marriage if her spending puts them behind in the bills again. Shopping addicts are especially vulnerable right now because retailers play up the hysteria of limited chances at bargain prices. Someone with feelings of low self-esteem might equate having a good holiday with buying things. Especially given the slumping economy of the past few years, consumers are made to feel that, with regard to making certain purchases, it's now or never. "Think of a car's brakes. If you don't have brake fluid you can't stop," Forrest says. "With the impulse to gamble, drink, shop, you can't put the brakes on." Deiter remembers her buying habits started small, with snacks. Then she moved on to Five and Below, which she thought would be cheap, but ended up spending $140 at once there. Two months ago, she bought $80 worth of beads to make jewelry; the beads are still in a box. "I always end up finding a way to pay the bills," she said. "Then, I'll fall into old patterns." Deiter learned about the phenomenon through the movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic," but she only stopped to think about herself that way a couple months ago. She has joined an online support group, but the meetings happen while she's at work, and she doesn't have enough money for a therapist. She hasn't found any meetings in her area, either. She wrote about her problem on the blog Secret Regrets. One strategy that helps some compulsive shoppers curb their habits is to pay in cash, so they see how much they're spending, Forrest said. They also can try going shopping with other people who can act as a check, making sure they don't overspend. Online, they might want to avoid storing credit card information, so that it's harder to make a purchase before thinking about it. Forrest recommends waiting 24 hours before actually buying something you don't really need, to give yourself time to reconsider. Another source of help might be an online support group, such as Debtors Anonymous. Benson has a whole program planned out for compulsive shoppers. It begins with examining why they impulsively overshop and what are triggers and consequences of that behavior. She helps her clients examine the costs and benefits of spending in this way, . "I have them really think through the vision of what they want to be true in their lives, so that they can project ahead and see whether the way they're living their lives now is likely to get them to where they want to be," Benson said. Motivation to change comes from recognizing the disconnect between who they want to be and who they are right now, Benson said. She then takes them through the nitty-gritty of finances: How much did they spend and how much did they want to spend? How much could they have saved by not buying so much? This is a nine-week process. Clients also create a "shopping self-portrait," in which they envision themselves buying something they later regretted purchasing. What needs are they fulfilling by shopping? Love and affection, belonging, self-esteem, the esteem of others, and autonomy are all needs that the client may wish to consider fulfilling in different ways, instead of going to the mall. "The underlying rubric of the whole thing is to really get in touch with what it is you really need, and how to get that," Benson said. "It's not that sixth pair of black boots." | About 6% of women and 5.5% of men are compulsive buyers . Compulsive shopping sometimes goes hand in hand with alcoholism and eating disorders . Compulsive shoppers may have continuing arguments with their spouses over money . | 68be44fe85cb7359329c4c17562c8961128bb81c |
Teenage girls are increasingly looking at fitness bloggers on Instagram and Facebook as role models but it is making them feel guilty that their bodies don't match up, new research shows. Associate Professor Claire Drummond from Flinders University set out to study what motivates or discourages girls aged 13 to 17 to do physical activity. But in her interviews with 75 teens she was surprised to find that most of them said their main role models were women who ran 'fitspo' or fitness inspiration pages. Scroll down for video . Rebecca Lomas, from the NSW Central Coast, has 115,000 followers on Instagram and says she is mindful to portray a 'balanced' attitude for her young fans . Ms Lomas, 20, lost 11kg after switching to a 'clean eating' diet, which avoids processed foods, two years ago and has since gathered followers by posting pictures of her workouts and meals . 'I thought they would say people like Sally Pearson or their parents, but for the majority it came out that it was these online fitness models on Instagram and Facebook,' she said, . 'I asked them to explain what do you like about them and they said the fact they have magnificent, awesome bodies or great abs. 'But they also said things like "Seeing how perfect they are made me feel really bad about my body".' Professor Drummond said when she looked at the 'fitspo' pages mentioned by her interview subjects, the majority of the women running the sites had no background in fitness or nutrition. Others were models or personal trainers whose jobs allowed them plenty of time for exercise. Ms Lomas works for a fitness marketing company and is signed to Chadwick modelling agency . 'I try to post every aspect of the health and fitness world, like when it comes to days when I don't feel like working out, because obviously everyone's human and everyone has days like that,' Ms Lomas said . 'Some of them have degrees but the majority are doing it because they're, let's face it, genetically-blessed and really good at doing their fitness,' she said. 'A very small percentage can spend all day long working on their bodies, it's just an unrealistic perception that some girls are taking away.' Associate Professor Claire Drummond from Flinders University . But Professor Drummond said fitness models didn't always have a negative effect. 'They also motivated girls and it's normally the girls who are good at fitness and look at their bodies and think that's something they can do,' she said. 'The girls who are not so active, that's where there are some concerns.' Rebecca Lomas, 20, from the NSW Central Coast runs the Instagram account @strongisthenewskinny94 and has more than 115,000 followers. Ms Lomas lost 11kg after switching to a 'clean eating' diet, which avoids processed foods, two years ago and has since gathered followers by posting pictures of her workouts and meals. Ms Lomas, who works for a fitness marketing company and is signed to Chadwick modelling agency, says she is mindful to portray a balanced attitude. 'I know a lot of young girls are following and they're very impressionable so I do take that into account a lot,' she said. 'I try to post every aspect of the health and fitness world, like when it comes to days when I don't feel like working out, because obviously everyone's human and everyone has days like that. 'Last night I did a post about how bloated I get sometimes.' She also sells ebooks through her website which contain clean eating tips and recipes. Ms Lomas, who does not have a fitness or nutrition background, says she tries to stress that her posts are based on personal experience . Ms Lomas, who does not have a fitness or nutrition background, says she tries to stress that her posts are based on personal experience. 'I'm careful when I post things about workouts to say this is what works for me, it might not work for everyone,' she said. Prof Drummond said she believed fitness models would only grow in popularity so it was important to help teens develop realistic perceptions of health and fitness. 'This is not going to go away, Facebook and Instagram are here to stay,' she said. 'We need to tell our girls to be more critical when they look at these models to understands that this person has great genetics, a lot of time, they can make small meals for themselves and they may not have to worry about brothers, sisters, mums and dads.' Last night she posted a picture to show that she gets bloated after some meals . | Flinders University studied what motivates girls 13-17 to exercise . Teens are increasingly looking at fitness bloggers as role models . The accounts made some girls feel self-conscious about their bodies . But girls who were already active found the women motivational . | 81ffe9d5c78d20a77ad448bc5cd0226bf3ede281 |
By . Sara Malm . PUBLISHED: . 05:03 EST, 8 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 06:47 EST, 8 November 2012 . A teenager has been arrested after he allegedly burned his 4-year-old half-brother with cigarettes. Timothy Rowland, 18, was taken into police custody after his little brother told police ‘Timothy did it’. The abuse was uncovered when the 4-year-old's father visited their home in Yelm, Washington and found the burn on the young boy’s arm. Arrested: Timothy Rowland, 18, has been charged with child assault following his little brother's accusations . A sergeant in the Army, the boy’s father had returned home from deployment in Afghanistan three days earlier. He was alarmed by the child’s decaying teeth and noticed a significant 'cigarette burn' underneath the left forearm. When the father, who is divorced from the mother, called police, the 4-year-old told them his half-brother had ‘set him on fire’ with a cigarette. Danielle Hathaway, mother of the two boys fervently denies the claims made by the father of her youngest son. ‘He [Timothy] has been very good to him,’ she told KOMO news. ‘I don't believe that he would have done that. He loves him.’ Injuries: The 4-year-old photographed by police showing the injuries on his arms allegedly inflicted by his half-brother Timothy Rowland . Burn: The reddish area on the boy's arm shows a large burn which his mother claims is from an accident involving an iron . However, when the police spoke to the child, the boy told police ‘they’ had been mean to him, although it has not been specified if ‘they’ means his mother and half-brother. ‘He was afraid of them and they liked to hurt him. He also mentioned that he had been kicked in the stomach,’ Chief Todd Stancil, Yelm Police, told KOMO news. Ms Hathaway says the boy was not afraid to be in her house and blames her ex-husband for her oldest son’s arrest. 'Lies': Mother Danielle Hathaway says the 4-year-old's father has made up the story in an attempt to get revenge on her since their divorce . Accusations: The young boy told police he was afraid of the house and that 'they were mean' ‘I have an ex-husband that has been after me since our divorce in regards to trying to take the children away from me,’ Ms Hathaway said. She says there are no cigarette burns on the boy and another larger burn on his arm is from an ironing accident with her. She admitted to leaving the boy’s teeth in a bad state, but said it was because she cannot afford to take him to the dentist. ‘This is nothing but lies,’ she said. Ms Hathaway is being investigated by Yelm Police while Timothy Rowland remains in custody on a $200,000 bail charged with child assault. The 4-year-old boy is staying with his father. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | The boy's father found the burn upon his return from deployment in Afghanistan . The 4-year-old told police 'Timothy did it' Timothy Rowland, 18, is charged with child assault . | 5a398202eedcb35ed0baf1846447799b2aa28e59 |
By . Chris Hastings . PUBLISHED: . 20:22 EST, 30 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:22 EST, 30 November 2013 . One of Britain’s top barristers will tomorrow demand the release of court papers from the trial of Stephen Ward, the high-society fixer at the centre of the Profumo sex scandal, claiming there has been a cover-up. Geoffrey Robertson QC will publicly criticise the National Archives for what he claims is its refusal to release the transcripts of the trial which took place 50 years ago. Such transcripts are routinely made available to the public and Mr Robertson last night said he was not aware of another case where relevant papers had not been disclosed. Stephen Ward with Christine Keeler (bottom left) Grundie Heiber and Sally Norrie (right) He said: ‘The Ward trial is the only trial in British legal history in which papers are being withheld. 'This is the most idiotic secrecy which has meant that the cover-up in relation to Stephen Ward continues to this day.’ Osteopath Dr Stephen Ward who was involved in the 1963 Profumo affair . Mr Robertson added: ‘They have refused me access on an entirely bogus claim that the disclosure of the documents would contrary to the Data Protection Act. Once a trial is heard in open court, the open justice principle requires transcripts relating to that trial to be public.’ Mr Robertson has carried out his own review of the Ward trial after a lifetime’s fascination with the case. Tomorrow he will publish his findings in a 190-page report which is expected to cast serious doubt on Ward’s 1963 conviction for living off immoral earnings. It could lead to renewed pressure that the conviction should be overturned. The Profumo scandal was sparked by the . revelation that War Minister John Profumo had an affair with Christine . Keeler, a showgirl who was also in a relationship with a Russian naval . attache. Ward, a successful osteopath and society portrait painter, had . introduced the pair at a party in 1961. Ward . was subsequently charged with living off the immoral earnings of Keeler . and her friend Mandy Rice-Davies, and with a separate charge of . procuring prostitutes. He . took a fatal overdose before his trial at the Old Bailey ended and was . still in a coma when he was found guilty of the first charge but cleared . of the second. He died three days later on August 3, 1963. John Profumo, in his time as the Secretary of State for War before the scandal . Tony Blair wanted to give a knighthood to John Profumo but his plan was blocked by civil servants. Mr Blair believed that Profumo – forced to quit as Minister of War in 1963 over his scandalous affair with Christine Keeler – deserved the honour because he worked tirelessly to restore his public reputation. Documents obtained by this newspaper under Freedom of Information laws show that Mr Blair was considering a knighthood for the former Tory MP in the New Year’s Honours List of 2000 in recognition of Profumo’s work for charity, including the Toynbee Hall homeless project in London. But the documents also show that civil servants were adamant that Profumo did not deserve the award. One official wrote: ‘Toynbee Hall is not the most active or stimulating organisation. As a training provider it is very poor . . . we do not support a further honour.’ Profumo, who had already been awarded a CBE in 1975, died in 2006 aged 91. The decision to prosecute Ward, who is the subject of a new musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, remains highly contentious. Sources close to Mr Robertson’s investigation – first revealed by this newspaper in September – say it will argue that either the conviction should be quashed or that Ward should be granted a Royal pardon. Tony Blair thought that John Profumo had worked hard to rebuild his reputation after the 1963 scandal . Mr Robertson declined to reveal his full conclusions, but added: ‘I do analyse certain issues including whether the women were prostitutes at all, whether Ward lived off them or whether they, in fact, lived off him, and whether the judge behaved correctly in allowing the jury to convict on the evidence that was presented.’ A spokeswoman for the National Archives said none of the six files relating to the Ward case was described as a ‘transcript’. But she confirmed that one file which contained allegations of prostitution and details of the sex lives of named individuals was closed until 2046. | It is thought that 'covered-up' papers could clear Osteopath Stephen Ward . The society fixer took a fatal overdose during his trial in 1963 . Geoffrey Robertson QC will publicly criticise the National Archive . | bf46b6af9af765ec655bb1bb85355bf46e67a8ff |
PUBLISHED: . 13:04 EST, 31 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:44 EST, 1 January 2014 . With its dark panelled walls and shelves crammed with books, there are hardly any clues to suggest this cosy study isn't at the heart of Oxford University and its dreaming spires. But the seemingly old-fashioned room has only just been installed at Ashton Sixth Form College in Greater Manchester to encourage its students to set their sights on the UK’s top universities. A room at the college has been completely made-over to resemble an Oxford Don's study as part of a new initiative launched this year to send more state pupils from the area to Oxford and Cambridge. Spot the difference: The replica at Ashton Sixth Form College (left) bears more than a passing resemblance to a real Oxford University don's study area (right) Inspiring: The make-over is part of an initiative to send more state pupils to top universities . Lecturers from Oxford’s Pembroke College and leading local universities, including Manchester, will travel to Ashton Sixth Form College to hold lectures and tutorials with A-level students. They will also coach them in the daunting admission process. College principal Janet Nevins, herself an Oxford graduate, said that for too long elite universities had recruited disproportionately from private schools. She said: 'As someone totally committed to the furthering of academic skills and a love of learning, I am so pleased that we have been chosen.' Ms Nevins added: 'I think we are doing something really quite special here.' Pembroke College tutors, including Dr Peter Claus (pictured), will hold lectures at the College . The idea that Oxbridge-esque surroundings may help to inspire pupils from poorer backgrounds is nothing new. In 2012, Brooke House Sixth Form College in Hackney spent £10,000 building a room based on that of an Oxford don in order to put students at ease during the interview process. A-level students at the college found themselves surrounded by leather bound books in the room, and elaborate statues were placed outside the windows to mimic top universities' ornate gardens. The Brook House scheme was another partnership with Pembroke College and has seen a number of tutors hold seminars designed to increase pupils understanding of what to expect at a top university. Headmaster of Brooke House, Ken Warman, said: 'If you go to Oxford it is a daunting experience. But if our students have already done it, they will be much more able to cope without being thrown by the unfamiliar surroundings. 'The pupils here really like it and are wowed every time they step inside because it’s something different to what they usually see, especially with all the books around the room and the cosy atmosphere.' The room is also used for teaching, with tutors from Pembroke college holding seminars. Students can apply for Easter and summer schools to help with Oxford interviews, and visit the university to get used to the environment. Calming: In 2012, Brooke House Sixth Form College in Hackney spent £10,000 building a room based on that of an Oxford don in order to put students at ease during the interview process. The Brook House scheme also saw tutors from Pembroke College hold seminars designed to increase pupils understanding of what to expect at a top university. Preparation: At Brook House, elaborate statues were placed outside the windows to mimic the ornate gardens found at many top universities . The real deal: It is hoped the room, part of a project with Pembroke College, Oxford, will encourage more students from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply for the world famous university . Mr Warman added: 'One or two of our . pupils go to Oxford every year for interviews. Last year, one attended . Oxford and another went to Cambridge. 'We spoke to former pupils who had been intimidated by going to the Oxbridge interviews and they helped us with the design. 'In total, including the building work, the whole project cost about £10,000 but we think it’s worth it.' Figures from Brooke College reveal 319 students went to university in 2011, with 75 per cent of them the first in their family to do so. | Ashton Sixth Form College's Oxbridge make-over designed to inspire pupils . The college wants to raise number of pupils heading to top universities . Lecturers from Oxford will coach pupils on the daunting interview process . | 104a1c65f28f9ecb7aa2b1d857fe412aa76b3dfe |
Detroit (CNN) -- A relieved Mitt Romney headed back to the campaign trail Wednesday after sweeping crucial primaries in Arizona and his childhood home of Michigan to revitalize his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. Romney needed to win both states, but especially Michigan -- where he grew up when his father was governor -- to assert his ability to overcome the conservative challenge from former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. A Santorum victory in Michigan would have raised questions about how strong a candidate Romney is within his own party. By early Wednesday morning, the Michigan Department of State had posted unofficial results from 80 of the total 83 counties. They showed Romney with 36% to 33% for Santorum. Texas Rep. Ron Paul had 10% while former House speaker Newt Gingrich had 6% . Wayne County, home to Detroit, was not among the tallies, but numbers posted on its website also showed Romney with a sizable lead. The state's 30 delegates will be allocated on a proportional basis, and Romney and Santorum each won three so far, according to the returns. However, it was unclear who would win the most Michigan delegates, which are based on congressional districts. Romney's victory in Arizona was expected and more thorough. He had 47% to 27% for Santorum, 16% for Gingrich and 8% for Paul with 88% of the unofficial returns counted, according to the secretary of state website. The result gave Romney all of the state's 29 delegates in the winner-take-all primary. In a speech to supporters, Romney acknowledged he had to come from behind on his home turf in Michigan. "A week ago, it was just a week ago, the pundits and the pollsters, they were ready to count us out," he said of surveys showing Santorum leading in Michigan. " ... We didn't win by a lot, but we won by enough and that's all that counts." Santorum portrayed his Michigan defeat after leading in the polls as a better-than-expected performance in his main rival's territory. "This was going to be Romney's night. The question was how big. And it wasn't very big," Santorum said. The outcome showed it's a "two-person race right now" with Romney, he added. "A month ago, they didn't know who we are, but they do now," Santorum said, calling it "an absolutely great night." "The people of Michigan looked into the hearts of the candidates, and all I have to say is 'I love you back.' " Santorum and Gingrich are vying for the support of conservatives to try to overcome Romney's advantage in spending and organization. The results Tuesday showed that combining the support for Santorum and the former House speaker would equal or exceed Romney's support, a point certain to heighten the competition in coming weeks as the campaign heads toward Super Tuesday on March 6 and beyond. In an attempt to capitalize on Michigan's open primary in which any voter could participate, Santorum launched automated phone calls Monday asking Democrats to support him "to send a loud message to Massachusetts' Mitt Romney." Liberal bloggers also asked Democrats and independents to vote for Santorum as a way of damaging Romney's chances of winning the nomination. Speaking to reporters in Livonia, Michigan, on Tuesday morning -- his first news conference in nearly three weeks -- Romney called the tactics by Santorum and Democrats "a real effort to kidnap our primary process." He called on Republicans to turn out "and say no to the dirty tricks of a desperate campaign." Santorum defended the calls to Democrats at a campaign stop Tuesday in Kentwood, saying Romney used the same tactics earlier when he encouraged New Hampshire Democrats to cross over to support him. A majority of voters in New Hampshire, which Romney won last month, were independents or Democrats, Santorum said. "And when he goes out and recruits folks who aren't Republicans, that's all right," said Santorum, who later said of Romney: "That's what bullies do -- when you hit 'em back, they whine." However, it was Santorum who first complained of the crossover voting tactic in January, telling a Minnesota event that "We want the activists of the party, the people who make up the backbone of the Republican Party, to have a say in who our nominee is as opposed to a bunch of people who don't even identify themselves as Republicans picking our nominee." He called for closed primaries with only Republicans allowed to take part "because it's the Republican nomination, not the independent nomination or the Democratic nomination." Democrats who voted Tuesday said they didn't need much convincing to support Santorum in order to weaken Romney. Bruce Fealk said he voted for Santorum because he's the weaker candidate. "The idea is to help Obama get re-elected," he said. "We want Mitt Romney to go bankrupt in Michigan." Romney attributed Santorum's late rise in the polls to his recent "incendiary comments" about Obama, such as questioning the president's theology and accusing him of snobbery for advocating higher education. "We have seen throughout the campaign that if you are willing to say really outrageous things that are accusative and attacking of President Obama, that you are going to jump up in the polls," Romney said. "You know, I am not willing to light my hair on fire to try and get support. I am who I am." The tough talk reflected the high stakes in Michigan. Romney has led nationwide polls off-and-on over the course of the campaign, but has been unable to increase his support base. Santorum is the latest of Romney's rivals to challenge him for frontrunner status by playing on conservatives' reservations about the former Massachusetts governor. Santorum's hat trick earlier this month in Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado propelled him to a lead in national polls and a double-digit lead in Michigan two weeks ago. But he had a lackluster performance in last week's CNN/Arizona Republican debate and has fallen into a statistical tie with Romney in national polls. Both candidates spent most of their time following the last debate in Michigan, making it the key showdown for both their efforts to establish momentum. CNN chief political analyst Gloria Borger called Santorum's focus on social issues in recent weeks "detours he didn't need to take" from the economic message that resonates most with voters in a sluggish economy. To David Gergen, CNN's senior political analyst, Romney's victories strengthened the narrative that his campaign is on an inevitable march to the nomination. While noting it was "easy to see how Mitt Romney can lose this," Gergen added that it was "very hard to see how any of his rivals can win it." Michigan and Arizona come four days before Washington state holds its caucuses on Saturday and a week before 10 states hold primaries and caucuses worth 437 delegates on Super Tuesday. Santorum adviser John Brabender, who had downplayed expectations for his candidate in Michigan, noted that the 30 delegates at stake there were proportional, so a second-place finish with a decent delegate haul is just as good as a win. Brabender said Santorum has already won by forcing Romney to spend major campaign resources in a state considered home turf. "The Romney campaign is spending a fortune they never expected to spend in Michigan, and every dollar they spend in Michigan is a dollar they don't have on Super Tuesday," Brabender said. For Gingrich, it's all about Super Tuesday and Georgia, which he represented in Congress for more than two decades. "I want to focus on winning in Georgia. I think it is essential to us to do that, and we are going to do everything we can between now and next Tuesday to win here at home," Gingrich said last weekend while campaigning in the state. However, Gingrich's hopes of building a strong support base in the South after his lone victory in South Carolina appears in trouble. Santorum holds a big lead in polls in Tennessee, another Super Tuesday state. Paul, the libertarian champion making his third bid for the White House, campaigned briefly in Michigan to try to win some delegates, but was mostly looking ahead to Washington state and Super Tuesday caucuses to try to increase his delegate count. "We'll continue to work in the caucus states" where investments of time and resources pay off in delegates, Paul said. CNN's Paul Steinhauser, John Helton and Ed Payne contributed to this report. | Romney grew up in Michigan, so a win there was crucial . His victory in Arizona was expected and more thorough . Despite his loss in Michigan, Santorum says he performed better than expected . The outcome shows it's a "two-person race right now," Santorum says . | 26f70ed7061a138c60fe5d6e4c1ee1d511df8a12 |
Washington (CNN) -- Reinforcing identity and learning more about who we are: That's the theme of "American Stories," a new exhibit now open at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington. "There are so many stories in American history," says museum curator Bonnie Lilienfeld. "We tell big stories here about the foundation of this country. But we also tell individual stories." From large swaths of America's past to the tales of everyday Americans, the exhibit features more than 100 objects tracing history from the 1620 arrival of the pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts, to the 2008 presidential election. A slave ship manifest is one new Smithsonian acquisition that will be on display. "The public hasn't even seen this yet," says Lilienfeld. "We all have a sense of the fact that slaves worked in fields and as domestic workers," but Lilienfeld adds that there are items on display that show that people forced into slavery were also painters, sculptors and poets. Another item that dates back to America's beginnings is a suit once worn by founding father Benjamin Franklin. "It's from the 18th century ... the fabric is very fragile," says Lilenfeld. Technology in our society is ever-changing. The people behind the exhibit are well aware of that, but they say it's important to note how that foundation was first laid down. A section of the first transatlantic telegraph cable is a testament to some of those early innovations. "Innovation is a big theme in this exhibit," said Lilienfeld. "One of the things we thought was really interesting was to talk about objects that everybody knows." Evidence of that comes in the form of the first iPod ever to hit the market as well as an old Apple II computer. Entertainment also takes the spotlight. The red ruby slippers Dorothy wore as she skipped down the yellow brick road in "The Wizard of Oz" are on display. And the sports portion wouldn't be complete without something from "The Greatest." "Muhammad Ali's gloves are here," said Lilienfeld. "We all know Muhammad Ali ... float like a butterfly and sting like a bee." You will even find Kermit the Frog seated and smiling. Museum officials realize that many visitors may be drawn to cultural touchstones like Dorothy's red ruby slippers or Ali's boxing gloves, but the hope is that visitors will also take time to learn or relearn more about America's early days. "I think one of the main things we want visitors to walk away with is that they're part of American history," says Lilienfeld. | A new Smithsonian exhibit features American stories, large and small . The exhibit at the Museum of American History opened Thursday . Kermit the Frog, Ben Franklin and more tell the tale of America . | a359f433db9995012532a0aaf38e106aadbca200 |
(Entertainment Weekly) -- If you're interested in actor Marlee Matlin, you'll want two questions answered before deciding whether to read her memoir, "I'll Scream Later": . Actress Marlee Matlin appears on CNN's "Larry King Live" to talk about her sexual abuse. 1. What does she say about her relationship with William Hurt, her former lover and costar in "Children of a Lesser God," for which Matlin won a Golden Globe and an Oscar in 1987? 2. Why does she want to scream? The answer to the first is easy: Yes, yes, good Lord, yes, Matlin can't stop talking about Hurt and their passionate, turbulent, at times violent relationship. For instance, "We made amazing, mind-blowing love. And we fought." Good to know. And also, "No matter what triggered our fights, they were made far worse by his drinking and my drug use." Got it. Mr. Hurt no doubt sends his regards. The answer to the second is more complicated -- something to do with Matlin's being deaf in a hearing world, and being headstrong and wild, and receiving news of her Oscar nomination while dealing with drug addiction (at the age of 21) at the Betty Ford Center. This memoir, dutifully wrestled into order by L.A. Times film critic Betsy Sharkey, is more ramble than holler, but Matlin clearly enjoys making some noise. EW Grade: C+ . CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . Copyright 2009 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved. | Marlee Matlin's memoir "I'll Scream Later" says plenty about William Hurt . Book more muddied when it comes to why she wants to scream . For a ramble, it isn't bad, but EW gives it a C-plus . | f3c235ed08eb9caf00da936de972d7912bba73ae |
By . Jason Groves . PUBLISHED: . 17:01 EST, 23 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 01:43 EST, 24 October 2012 . Justine Greening, the International Development Secretary, will personally assess all aid spending of more than £1m. The ministry has faced criticism about deals with contractors . Justine Greening is to examine every aid contract worth more than £1million in a bid to tackle her ministry’s reputation for waste. She said she was determined to improve financial controls ahead of another massive budget increase at the Department for International Development. Her intervention will mean a major tightening of the rules – her predecessor Andrew Mitchell took personal control only when contracts cost more than £40million. Deals worth less were handled by junior ministers or even officials. Miss Greening is also summoning the department’s major contractors for talks on cutting costs. DfID has faced criticism over its reliance on private sector consultants – dubbed poverty barons – who were paid almost £500million last year. 'Suppliers must show they’re not just in it for the money,’ said a Whitehall source. 'In the next few weeks Justine will get all our top suppliers in for face-to-face meetings to explain that the department will be looking for better value for money in new contracts. 'If they can’t deliver better value, we’ll use suppliers who do.' Miss Greening is also insisting on personally signing off IT and buildings deals worth more than £500,000. She was appointed International Development Secretary last month at a time of renewed criticism of the Government’s plans to pour billions more into foreign aid in the coming years. A string of peers on all sides used a Lords debate yesterday to urge ministers to drop the controversial target to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on aid. Former Tory chancellor Lord Lawson said it was bizarre that the aid budget was 'roaring ahead' when other spending programmes were being cut back. He said it was 'pathetic' that the Government’s main argument for imposing the target was that all three parties had pledged to at the last election. 'In my rather long political experience when all three political parties are agreed on a policy it is nearly always mistaken – as it is in this case,' he added. Labour peer Lord Hollick said the extra £4billion to be spent on aid spending could be spent on a 2p cut in income tax to help the economy . Another Tory ex-minister, Lord MacGregor, said it was wrong to judge a department 'by whether it pushes money out of the door rather than whether it is properly spent'. He called for an end to the £285million-a-year aid programme to India, saying it risked creating a ‘perverse incentive to the Indian government to use less of their own resources to relieve poverty’. Aid spending is due to increase from £8billion a year to £12billion in order to hit the Government’s 0.7 per cent target. Labour peer Lord Hollick said the extra money should be used instead to fund a 2p cut in income tax to 'reduce the burden of recession on the hard-working squeezed middle and stimulate growth'. Lord Boateng said although he supported the idea of increasing aid he had concerns about DfID’s capacity to spend the money effectively. The former Labour cabinet minister said the department 'had more money at its disposal than it could deal with'. Responding for the Government, Baroness Northover rejected the call for ministers to drop the commitment on aid spending, insisting it was both in the interests of Britain and recipient countries. Lady Northover denied achieving the pledge would prioritise the amount of aid over results achieved. | Justine Greening to curb waste at Department for International Development . Department set to spend £12billion on aid in 2013 . | 8f9ca57c34d9ee980adbf98f8f3f24c3441ecf2a |
(CNN) -- With Walter White dead, fans everywhere are mourning, celebrating, tallying up bets and discussing what just happened. Was the series finale of "Breaking Bad" satisfying? Did it tie up all loose ends? Did the character you wanted to live survive and did the ones you wanted to die get their just deserts? Is it sending you back to the beginning to binge watch it all over again? Just when it seemed Walt was heading out of his New Hampshire hideaway to exact revenge on Elliot and Gretchen Schwartz (for dismissing his involvement with Gray Matter Technologies in the episode previous), he pulled the first of several surprises of the evening. Instead of threatening to kill them outright, he asks them to set up a trust fund so that his children would benefit from the money he'd illegally amassed (presumably the goal of his entire meth enterprise to begin with). Gretchen and Elliott of course are terrified by his sudden appearance in their ritzy new home, but had they been paying attention, they would have seen Walt waltz on in. His entrance is a bit ironic, considering their wealth and legitimacy is in some way a result of his earlier contributions. He's always been there, in the shadows, whether they acknowledged him or not. Bryan Cranston, man of the moment . Walt wants them to "make it right," but of course, he knows he can't trust them to take care of his kids on a handshake alone, so he brought backup -- two "hitmen" who shine sniper-style red lights on the Schwartzes to lend credibility to Walt's threat that if for any reason his children don't receive the money, "a kind of countdown begins," in which they would be killed. It's a bluff, but they don't know that, so it's a win-win. Walt's children will get the money in a semi-legal fashion, and no one will actually die in the process. That's not to say Walt's above taking a life or two (or more) on his way out. As he progresses down the list of necessary showdowns, Walt crashes a regularly scheduled meeting with Todd and Lydia ("10 a.m., every Tuesday") and slips a little something extra in Lydia's morning coffee via what she thinks is her favorite sugar substitute Stevia -- actually the long-awaited use of his ricin, made back in season four. With the lingering close-up on her cup, we know long before she starts getting flu-like symptoms that she's doomed. There's no antidote. And it's been inevitable for a long time that Walt would finally successfully use the ricin on somebody, it was just a question of how and when. By the time Lydia realizes that her humidifier is not enough, she's only got about one day left to live. 'Breaking Bad' creator signs deal for CBS drama . Thinking that Jesse has partnered with the neo-Nazis, Walt preps for his ultimate showdown, but he has one last detour to make -- to see his wife Skyler and their kids. "I needed a proper goodbye," he tells her, after it's revealed he evaded her police protection and slipped in her new home as well. She refuses his money, and he gives her the lotto ticket with the coordinates of where Hank is buried, of where his money used to be. "If I have to hear one more time that you did this for the family," she starts, before he finally tells the truth: "I did it for me. I liked it. I was good at it. And I was alive." He gets a glimpse of Holly and Flynn, but he has one last threat to take care of, so that men in masks don't come and threaten his family anymore in the night. Walt must have known that he wouldn't leave this last altercation alive, but once he realized that Jesse was not a partner but a prisoner of the neo-Nazis, he does his last good deed, and protects Jesse from the barrage of machine gun fire set to emanate from his trunk, throwing him down on the ground just below the firing line. And finally, it comes down to the two of them. Walt puts down his gun, and Jesse picks it up. Opinion: 'Breaking Bad' is watching you . "Do it," Walt tells him. "You want this." "Say you want this," Jesse demands. "Nothing happens until I hear you say it." "I want this," Walt concedes. And then Jesse drops the gun and tells him, "Then do it yourself." After all the grief and pain of their partnership, Walt and Jesse don't kill each other. They don't hug it out. They leave each other with a nod and a semi-smile, and poor scarred and tortured Jesse presumably gets to go and actually have a life. (Maybe with Brock? The kid needs a parental figure, stat). Chemistry is the study of transformation, as "Breaking Bad" has repeatedly reminded us. Mr. Chips turned into Scarface-level meth kingpin and died of a gunshot wound from his own device, as police arrived to arrest him for his many crimes. Was Walt always Heisenberg? Was Heisenberg only a creation out of necessity? Would Walt have allowed Jane to die if his criminal enterprise were not threatened? Would Walt have poisoned a child if he didn't need to take down a major rival? And is his death "justice?" AMC fix for 'Breaking Bad' addicts: 'Better Call Saul' We've all seen Walter White's death coming. It was merely a question of whether his cancer or his criminal activity would get him first. With Walt coughing all the way, we've had ample warning. This antihero was not long for this world. It took five seasons, but in Walt's world, it was two years, two long years in which a baby was born, a psychopath was made, a DEA agent finally saw the light (albeit too late) and a mild-mannered chemistry teacher learned what it took to make him feel alive. Of course, not every loose end is tied off, but for now, it's enough. That is, until the inevitable "Better Call Saul" spinoff. | Walter White made several surprising moves in the finale . Walt's final confrontation was with his partner Jesse . The hit AMC show took five seasons to cover two years of Walter White's life . | 7a6109f0f4f1547ea94c0708bd3e2a57fc39c859 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 13:13 EST, 21 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 20:45 EST, 21 November 2012 . 'A sham': Accountant Marian Herron, 59, is claiming unfair dismissal from from Land Securities . An accountant was forced out of her job at a major corporation because of her foreign accent, a tribunal heard today. Model employee Marian Herron, 59, claims she was sacked in a 'sham redundancy process' the day before Land Securities announced a £378.9m profit. Ms Herron, 59, worked as a £40,000-a-year service charge administrator for the FTSE100 firm, which deals in commercial property. Originally from Singapore, she claims bosses singled her out because of her foreign accent coupled with the fact she was nearing retirement age. Ms Herron, who calculated service charges for tenants in the department, lost her job in the reshuffle and was made redundant last November despite good performance and never taking a day off sick. The London Central Employment Tribunal heard a temporary worker in Ms Herron’s department, who was much younger, was offered a permanent job the week before. Land Securities’ portfolio includes some of UK’s largest shopping centres. The tribunal heard Ms Herron had been working at the firm’s head office in the Strand. Judges were told the firm ‘restructured’ the department Ms Herron worked in last summer, cutting staff numbers from 22 to 12. Land Securities, a FTSE100 firm, is the company behind some of London's biggest building projects such as this 630ft high Walkie Talkie Tower in Fenchurch Street, London, set for completion in 2014 . Office: Ms Herron worked as a £40,000-a-year service charge administrator at Land Securities' headquarters based on The Strand in London (pictured) Senior manager Amy Hayward admitted the redundancy process was a 'sham' but denied discrimination on the grounds of race or age. Ms Hayward drew up a job description for the role of 'property accountant' but admitted there was ‘no real distinction’ between that role and Ms Herron's old job. At the tribunal: Land Securities Senior Manager Amy Hayward denies the redundancy process was rigged . ‘It was two ways of saying exactly the same thing,’ she said. She admitted that past performance of workers were not considered when they were forced to re-apply for their jobs. Michael Tanney, representing Ms Herron, asked: ‘Doesn’t it defy logic to rule out the fact that the employee was a much sought out adviser to senior colleagues?’ Ms Hayward replied: ‘Yes it does defy logic, when you put it like that.’ The tribunal also heard that the department made another temporary employee, much younger than Ms Herron, permanent just days before the redundancy process started. That worker kept her job at the firm after the shake-up despite her lack of experience. Ms Hayward denied the process was rigged and that Ms Herron was made redundant unfairly because of her age and accented English. Many of the staff involved in implementing the redundancy process have since lost their jobs, the tribunal heard. Ms Herron is claiming for unfair dismissal, race discrimination and age discrimination. The hearing continues. | Marian Herron, 59, claims she was let go by Land Securities because of her foreign accent and age . The FTSE100 firm's portfolio includes some of UK’s largest shopping centres . The experienced service charge administrator lost her job in a reshuffle which saw her department cut from 22 employees to 12 . Herron is claiming for unfair dismissal, race discrimination and age discrimination at a London Central Employment Tribunal . | c696686789434967a1e6e518599a58bce57af69a |
New York (CNN) -- There are dozens of get-well cards on his wall. On his bed, there's another pile from family, friends, high school pals. The patient must be 19 or 20 -- a kid -- and his smile is magnetic. His mother hugs every visitor, strangers like us included. "I'm a hugger," she explains. His girlfriend is by his bedside too, wearing a sweatshirt from her college in upstate New York, her studies interrupted. "My leg will never be a hundred percent," he says, "which means I just have to get a new hundred percent." It helps that we were visiting this wounded soldier at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, a few weeks ago, with the actor Woody Harrelson, instantly recognizable from TV and movies. Woody is profoundly good-natured and can make anyone smile, even the maimed young men and women, just back from a combat zone they carried home with them. But this particular soldier/kid is happy anyway. Happy to be alive, mature enough to be grateful. A few weeks earlier, an Afghan soldier he had known for eight months -- a man who fought by his side -- turned his rifle on his American "allies" and killed two of this soldier's buddies, wounding three, including him. This kid knows he's among the lucky ones. "I have no idea why he did it," he says. "It's the Middle East," I reply. "I guess so," he says with a sigh. In room after room, our delegation encounters stories of war that are just not a part of the national conversation. I keep thinking: Whatever happened to the telling of these stories in America? Do we need a Washington lobbyist to push the soldier's-story agenda? Individual tales make up the reality of war; anecdote by anecdote, they become the truth of combat. But in the U.S. mainstream media, they have too little presence. How did we get to a place where sharing a soldier's narrative or reading soldiers' names on television or meeting their coffins when they are brought back to their country becomes a political or disloyal act? Why can't we share the truth about war? When I was growing up in Israel, we saw scenes from military funerals on the news: screaming, crying mothers and all. Wounded soldiers would be interviewed, sometimes with burned bodies or missing limbs. It was not political; it was just the subjective, human reality of the soldier. There was a need to know. It gave our warriors a public stage from which to reconnect. I remember coming back from Lebanon when I was a soldier in the '80s, feeling like I've just been to another planet. Filmmaking, storytelling, was my therapy. We made an earlier trip to Walter Reed, along with our lead Ben Foster, to immerse ourselves in the lives of returning soldiers in preparation for making a movie about casualty notification officers, the soldiers who knock on the door to bring the grim news of a loved one's death while on military duty. We think of it as an uplifting movie about getting back to life. When we tell these troops about our movie, most smile bitterly; they know their families were spared that awful encounter -- they got a phone call -- but they imagine their friends' families having their hearts ripped out by two soldiers in Class A uniforms at the door. "The secretary of the Army regrets to inform you ..." Visiting a military hospital is always an inspiring, shocking, beautiful, complicated experience. I highly recommend it. It's a gift to the soldier, and it's a blessing for the visitor. Those who are in good enough shape to talk take us to the front lines of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in vivid, visceral detail. We feel privileged to hear their voices crack, to see their eyes fill with tears. Firefights. IEDs. Accidents. Friendly fire. Boredom. Porn. Burn pits. Torn up buddies. Locals. Shifting alliances. Lives lost in translation. The stuff of war. Nothing pretty about it. And that's OK. If these guys can live through it, we can listen. It doesn't take much before you're reminded that wars are about human beings -- on both sides. With more than 5,000 dead; more than 35,000 soldiers coming back with injuries, many that will last a lifetime; with one in six returning soldiers afflicted with post-traumatic stress disorder; and with families torn apart by multiple deployments, domestic violence, substance abuse, divorces, suicides, homelessness, etc., we are slowly transitioning into the longest part of the war: the aftermath. There are many dedicated professionals and volunteers who are dealing with these issues. They're the ones who will be learning the soldier-stories that we all must know, the individual accounts that should allow us to address, head-on, our collective responsibility as a society toward those who fight in our name. But we won't hear these stories unless we insist. Instead, we'll get more statistics, political punditry, screamers trying to pull us left or right. We say goodbye to this kid in his military hospital bed. He waves and says, "No need to worry about me." Which is the only thing I think he got wrong. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Oren Moverman. | Oren Moverman says soldiers' stories tell war's truth, but media often avoid them . He says visiting soldiers in a military hospital is inspiring, not pretty, but important . Listening to soldiers' experience lets society confront its responsibility in war, he says . | 14e74935beef1ce9218a8d7ad5b0543fc07eca05 |
By . Inderdeep Bains . New installation: The Tate Modern (pictured) in London has purchased a cluster of Scottish sheep droppings strung across wire for £16,000 . A cluster of Scottish sheep droppings strung across wire is one of the art works among a collection the Tate Modern purchased for more than £200,000 from a Mexican artist. The gallery bought the £16,000 installation entitled ‘S**t Models ‘ along with 17 other works by artist Abraham Cruzvillegas. The taxpayer funded gallery in London describes the 2008 creation on its website as ‘sheep excrement, dung, plaster, cardboard, steel and wood’. Mr Cruzvillega admitted he used discarded items he found on the street or in fields for his works when he spent six months in Scotland creating his exhibition; Autoconstruction. The 45-year-old told a contemporary art magazine that he used ‘wool, sheep shit, chicken wire, discarded furniture, cardboard, stones, grass and my own hair’ to make the installations. ‘They are unplanned assemblages, made to test new dialogues between odd and contradictory objects and prime matter,’ the artist explained. S**t Models appears to be made from a discarded bird table on top of which upright metal wires have been placed with lumps of sheep excrement hung on top. His collection also includes ‘Blind in Self Portrait’ which consists of scores of scraps of paper he came by in Scotland, such as leaflets, ferry tickets and receipts which he painted red. According to a report, the cost of the installations was revealed in a document showing all the artworks bought by the Tate, which is Britain’s national gallery, in the past year. Expensive purchases: The Tate, which is run by Sir Nicolas Serota (pictured), also spent £2,100 from a Government grant to buy a piece from artist Ed Herring which consisted of an old plastic card-index file . Mr Cruzvillegas’s work was bought with funds given to the Tate, which with almost 5million visitors a year is the most visited modern art gallery in the world, by wealthy benefactors. A further £229,000 was spent on a piece by Cuban Felix Gonzalez-Torres which featured two light bulbs, light sockets and cable. The Tate, which is run by Sir Nicolas Serota, also spent £2,100 from a Government grant to buy a piece from artist Ed Herring which consisted of an old plastic card-index file. Charles Thomson, of Stuckists, which promotes traditional art, told the Sunday Express: ‘If this stuff was auctioned on eBay it would sell for a fiver. ‘The Tate’s meant to be the national collection of modern art. It’s more like the national junk shop.’ However, The Tate defended its decisions saying: ‘We are pleased to acquire works by these artists using funds raised by Tate.’ Mr Cruzvillegas’s collection is currently on loan to the Haus der Kunst gallery in Munich, Germany. | London's Tate Modern bought installation entitled 'S**t Models' for £16,000 . One of 18 works purchased for more than £200,000 from a Mexican artist . Installation is made from sheep excrement, plaster, cardboard and wool . | 36f5fe4ad3a4388fd3c84236c88bb624ab934313 |
Authorities may have recovered an Alabama woman's body over the weekend - more than one month after she disappeared. The body is that of Theresa Benn, the Talladega County Sheriff revealed to ABC 33/40 on Saturday -- though the affiliate station noted the Lincoln Police Department has not publicly identified the body. 'We had people on ATVs, on foot, and on boats,' Amanda Crowe with the Lincoln Police Department told ABC 33 40 of the multi-agency search for Benn. The last sighting of Benn, 42, took place at Speedway Industrial Drive October 19, the news outlet reported. Scroll down for video . Is it her? Though the Lincoln Police Department did not confirm the identity of a body found on Saturday, the Talladega County Sheriff has said the body is that of Theresa Benn, pictured . 'We're still asking for any information from the public,' Crowe also said. 'Anyone that might have saw something or have anything information that we don't already have to come forward.' The Lincoln Police Department said in a Saturday release 'On this date at approximately 1:00pm, searchers located the body of a white female in the Jackson Shoals area of Choccolocco Creek. Positive identification of the body will be determined by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences pending their forensic investigation. The release continued 'The search was conducted and coordinated by Lincoln police in conjunction with Texas Equusearch in hopes of locating Theresa Benn, a local woman missing since October 19, 2014. 'Volunteers from Texas Equusearch, members of the community as well as off duty personnel from Lincoln Fire and Rescue, Etowah County Search and Rescue, Talladaga County Sheriff's Office, Talladega County DTF, and Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, took part in the search. The Lincoln Police Department would like to send a heartfelt thank you to all those who helped in the search.' Disappearance: The last sighting of Benn, 42 took place at Speedway Industrial Drive October 19, not far from the Talladega Superspeedway . Benn's family said in a November 17 statement to WIAT that 'Theresa’s husband, Kevin Dulaney, reported to police that he dropped Theresa off on the East end of Speedway Blvd near Mapco and Stuckey’s around 2 a.m. Sunday morning. Beyond this point in time, Theresa’s whereabouts are unknown.' It continued, 'Theresa was reported wearing a black tank top, blue jeans with a rhinestone covered belt and pink and brown cowboy boots. She was carrying her purse and cell phone. Theresa currently has long dyed blonde hair (natural brunette). She is 5’5” and 108 lbs.' According to the affiliate station, Dulaney had said to cops his wife exited the vehicle in the middle of an argument between the couple. Other searches via helicopter and in the water had not recovered Benn's body, Al.com reported earlier this month. Authorities told the website that Benn got out of Dulaney's car due to her desire to head toward Talladega Speedway. Crowe told Al.com at the time Dulaney had claimed Benn got out of the car around Easataboga Road, and that she had been heading toward Talladega Speedway. | Authorities may have recovered the body of Theresa Benn . The last sighting of Benn, 42, took place at Speedway Industrial Drive October 19 . Her husband Kevin Dulaney has said she got out of his car in the middle of an argument between the couple . A body was found Saturday afternoon near a creek and is being subject to an autopsy for identification . | ff31e18e54d3205a71f4396f89bbfcbd87247fcc |
Caught: Retired school principal and 911 dispatcher Dennis Blake, 64, of Delray Beach, went to a teen boy's Lantana home for sex after they met online, federal prosecutors say . A retired school principal from Indiana is facing federal sex and child porn charges after he was arrested in Boynton Beach, Florida for soliciting sex from an officer posing as a 15-year-old boy. Dennis Blake, 64, of Delray Beach was arrested after he drove from Indiana to South Florida to have sex with what he thought was a teenage boy. The officer posing as the teen had been exchanging messages with Blake since October and arranged to meet him in January at the Boynton Beach Mall. The person he was meeting was an undercover city police officer who posed as a minor on the online Grindr service. During their messaging, Blake sent the officer sexually explicit pictures of himself, police said. Blake went to the boy's Lantana home within two hours of starting to chat online. When investigators later conducted a detailed forensic search of his cell phone, they found evidence Blake had also gone to meet a real teen whom he thought was 16. He is charged with soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct, traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act and transmission of harmful material to a minor. Blake moved to Delray Beach in August after retiring from his jobs in southern Indiana. His online perversion began when he began using the online service Growlr, and they discussed meeting for sex. Blake asked for, and received, sexually explicit photos of the boy. The boy first told Blake that he was 18, then said he was 16 in online messages. The former school head was well aware he was playing with fire. Undercover: Blake showed up to meet what he thought was a 15-year-old boy at a Boynton Beach Mall restaurant. The person he was meeting was an undercover city police officer who posed as a minor on Grindr . In one online message 'Blake responded, 'I can't come to your house since you're underage. But you can come here,' 'Too much danger in getting caught. And I can't risk that,'' Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Schiller wrote in court records. The boy sent Blake his home address and Blake sent the boy a photo of his penis. Soon after the encounter, Blake began communicating with what he thought was another underage teen, only this time it was a police officer on the other end of his texts. Blake pleaded not guilty to four federal charges Wednesday in federal court in Fort Lauderdale. He is charged with two counts of enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity and one count each of receiving and possession child pornography. Three of the charges involve the real teen; one enticement charge involves the undercover officer. The most serious charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years to life in federal prison. | Retired Indiana teacher arrested in Florida for soliciting sex from teen . Dennis Blake, 64, was caught after a cop posed as a teenager online . Upon further investigation it was found the former school principal tried to have sex with a real teen . | 9931f60b68da94e28e87ce88d3dd4fd14ddff20c |
By . Kerry Mcqueeney . PUBLISHED: . 06:51 EST, 17 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:28 EST, 17 July 2012 . It looks innocent enough. An ancient piece of pottery, in pretty good condition aside from a few cracks here and there. However, this artefact is causing somewhat of a stink in archeological circles. It . was assumed this ancient relic was a piece of tableware when it was . unearthed at a ruined castle 25 years ago. However, it has emerged it is . a 17th century stink bomb used to clear rooms during raids. For . years, experts wrongly-assumed the pot was used to store olive oil. But . when a picture of it was posted on Facebook a Dutch archeologist . identified it as a 400-year-old 'stankpotten' - a stink bomb. Causing a stink: The 'bombs' had fuses attached to the and were often filled with substances such as charcoal, sulphur and pepper seeds which exploded when they smashed . With fuses attached to them, these . bombs were often filled with substances including charcoal, sulphur and . pepper seeds and exploded as they smashed. They filled rooms with noxious smells . and smoke, clearing them immediately - exactly the same principle used . by the SAS when they stormed the Iranian Embassy in 1980. The bomb - found at Corfe Castle in . Dorset - dates back to the Civil War, when Cromwell's Parliamentarian . forces attacked the fortress that was a royalist stronghold. National Trust worker Nancy Grace uncovered pieces of the relic in . 1986 and painstakingly stuck the parts back together to reveal a six . inch high, three-handled receptacle. It was found outside the outer gatehouse at Corfe Castle, that was almost completely destroyed during the war. Some were used as just incendiary weapons and because they were all destroyed when used very few survived. From tableware to warfare: The bomb - found at Corfe Castle in Dorset (pictured) - dates back to the Civil War, when Cromwell's Parliamentarian forces attacked the fortress that was a royalist stronghold . This . is the only one known of this design found in the UK, although . spherical metal versions that look like cartoon bombs have been . discovered. Earlier this year the National Trust found funds to send . some of its finds for identification and the stink bomb was sent to . Lorraine Mepham at Wessex Archaeology. She is a member of the Medieval Pottery Research Group and posted a picture of the artefact on the group's Facebook page. Miss . Grace, who still works for the National Trust, said: 'I found it in . 1986. I stuck it back together and thought it was tableware for storing . oil or something. 'Experts at the time said it wasn't English and had been imported but we didn't know any more than that. 'Then earlier this year we sent it off to Wessex Archaeology for a finds report. Some were used as just incendiary weapons but very few survived because they were destroyed once they were launched . Sarah Morgan from the National Trust carefully holds the 400-year-old stink bomb - a cunning 17th century Civil war weapon . 'When I got their email I was so excited to find out what it was after all these years. 'It . was found to be a weapon that would have contained any number of . contents that could catch fire or cause smelly smoke to be emitted. 'It had three fuses attached to the three handles and it would have been thrown. 'I found it outside the guard room where the men who were in charge of the main gate of the castle would have worked. 'As all the pieces were in the same spot and it is clear this was never used, which was lucky really.'Miss Mepham said: 'This was very exciting and the first one I have ever seen. 'When I got it I put it on the Facebook page of the Medieval Pottery Research Group. 'We . have a lot of members and it is used for discussion and where people . help each other identify sherds and vessels. And I received details of . what it was. 'It is likely that this was imported, and possibly of . Dutch origin. They were either used as incendiary devices or as, . literally, stink bombs. Ancient form of attack: Experts thought the 'stankpotten' had been used to store olive oil... but its real purpose was far more cunning . 'They would have either been thrown into a room to clear it, or from a castle towards those trying to take it. 'The idea was to create noxious, smoky substance that would have cleared an area. 'Research has shown that they would fill these things with anything including charcoal, pepper seeds, sulphur and pitch. 'The fuses would have been lit and it would have exploded on impact. 'It . would have been used in the same way that professionals today clear . buildings with stun grenades and shows that things haven't changed all . that much.' The object will be on display at Corfe Castle from July 22 to July 29. Corfe Castle was built by William the Conqueror and was bought Sir John Bankes in 1635. During . the Civil War his wife, Lady Mary Bankes, led the defence of the castle . when it was twice besieged by Parliamentarian forces. The first . siege, in 1643, was unsuccessful, but by 1645 Corfe was one of the last . remaining royalist strongholds in southern England and fell to a siege . ending in an assault. In March that year Corfe Castle was demolished on Parliament's orders. The National Trust took over its running in the 1980s. | Experts believed for 25 years the pot was used to store olive oil . It's real purpose was revealed when a picture of it was posted on Facebook . Dutch archeologist reveals it is a 17th century civil war 'stankpotten' | c4294952994579b4f7c1dd21c4be336012b8db74 |
(CNN) -- Austrian director Michael Haneke took home the prestigious Palme d'Or prize -- his second -- at the Cannes Film Festival for his film "Amour." The film, according to the festival's website, is about a retired couple in their 80s and how their bond is severely tested after the woman, Anne, "has an attack." It features actors Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva. Haneke also won the Palme d'Or at the festival in 2009 for "The White Ribbon." That film depicted the cruel punishments meted out at a rural German school before World War I. "The Palme d'Or is the best prize a filmmaker can win," said Haneke at a press conference following his 2009 award. "I am not proud, but I am very happy. In my opinion, it's silly to be proud." Another contender for the top prize was "Moonrise Kingdom," a film by Wes Anderson that tells the tale of two young lovers who reunite and run away into the wilderness in 1965 after a year apart. The film stars Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton and Ed Norton along with Anderson favorite Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman. But it's the two young lovers, portrayed by newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward, who steal the show. "My point of view about it was the memory of feeling that way is so strong for me," Anderson told CNN earlier this week. "Rather than starting with an idea of a character or characters and a setting, instead I was starting out with a feeling. An emotion. A memory of an emotion that I was hoping to recreate in some way." Pictures from 65th annual Cannes Film Festival . "Moonrise Kingdom" was one of a handful of American movies in the 22-strong competition section. Others included John Hillcoat's Prohibition-era move "Lawless," with Shia LaBoeuf, Gary Oldman and Guy Pearce; Andrew Dominick's thriller "Killing Them Softly" with Brad Pitt; Lee Daniels' "The Paperboy" with Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey and Nicole Kidman. Also featured is Jeff Nichols' "Mud" with McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon and David Cronenberg's Don DeLillo adaptation "Cosmopolis" starting Robert Pattinson of "Twilight" fame and Juliette Binoche. In addition, Kanye West also premiered a short film/art installation, "Cruel Summer," at the festival, which kicked off May 16. It stars Kid Cudi as a car thief who falls in love with a blind Arabian princess, but West also makes an appearance. And British rock start Pete Doherty, the on-again, off-again lead singer of the Libertines, also made his acting debut in "Confession of a Child of the Century," which screened at the festival. Last year's Palme d'Or prize went to "The Tree of Life," a film from American director and writer Terrence Malick. | NEW: The winning film is "Amour" NEW: It's the second Palme d'Or for Michael Haneke . 22 films were in competition for the top prize . The Cannes festival began May 16 . | 0a95281ccd4317e73afcc13bc379c103380df5d5 |
By . Sally Lee for Daily Mail Australia . and Australian Associated Press . Hamid Kehazaei, who had been detained on Australia's Manus Island facility, has died after an infection in a cut foot deteriorated to septicaemia . A brain-dead Iranian asylum seeker who had been detained on Australia's Manus Island facility has died after his family decided to switch off his life support. Hamid Kehazaei was taken from Papua New Guinea last week after an infection in a cut foot deteriorated to severe septicaemia. He was then treated at a Brisbane hospital. He was pronounced brain dead this week, according to refugee advocates. Mr Kehazaei's family gave consent on Friday afternoon to switch his life support off, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison confirmed. 'I am very saddened by this man's passing and on behalf of the Australian government I extend our deepest sympathy to the man's family and friends,' Mr Morrison said in a statement. 'My department has and will continue to provide support to the family and has been in contact with family members during the course of the man's treatment,' he said, adding that the name and age of the man would not be released, subject to agreement from his family.' The Australian Greens earlier disputed Mr Morrison's claim's that Mr Kehazaei had received 'outstanding' care before his transfer to Brisbane. 'If outstanding care on Manus Island sees someone die because of a cut foot, it needs to be shut down,' Greens immigration spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young said. Mr Kehazaei's family gave consent on Friday afternoon to switch his life support off, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison confirmed . Mr Kehazaei was initially transferred to a Port Moresby hospital last Wednesday, where he had a heart attack before being sent to Brisbane. Mr Morrison rejected suggestions the care provided to Mr Kehazaei was inadequate. 'When someone becomes ill they receive outstanding care from the people who work as part of our mainland detention network,' he said. Mr Morrison has asked the immigration department's chief medical officer to review Mr Kehazaei's treatment. 'I will base my assessment of that treatment on facts and not Facebook,' he said. Refugee advocate Ian Rintoul claimed asylum seekers on Manus Island sometimes had to walk through raw sewage. 'Nothing else to describe it, but it is just sheer negligence,' Mr Rintoul told the ABC. 'Hamid is a victim of the shocking conditions and medical neglect on Manus Island.' The 24-year-old was transferred to a Port Moresby hospital (pictured) after suffering from septicaemia following a cut on his foot. He suffered a heart attack at the hospital and was taken to a Brisbane hospital . He is believed to have spent days seeking treatment for his cut foot that had been there for a few weeks at the Manus Island detention centre (pictured) Labor has called for the review to be made public as soon as possible. Opposition immigration spokesman Richard Marles said Labor continued to be concerned about the lack of transparency surrounding the treatment of asylum seekers. Mr Rintoul said Mr Kehazaei's death was 'senseless and inexcusable'. 'Hamid's death speaks for the medical neglect, and to the culture of punishment, and indifference that pervades Manus Island,' he said. 'Infections and skin disease are endemic in the detention centre. It is unhygienic, unsanitary and unsafe.' The family have indicated they wish to have his organs donated. | Hamid Kehazaei, who had been detained on Australia's Manus Island facility, had an infection in a cut foot deteriorated to septicaemia . He was declared brain dead on Tuesday at a Brisbane Hospital . His family decide to switch off his life support on Friday evening . The 24-year-old was transferred to a Port Moresby hospital to treat his septicaemia when he suffered a heart attack . He is believed to have spent days seeking treatment for a cut on his foot that had been there for a few weeks at the detention centre . | 73121413f42740c257ff3adc8e79643f1c9e0857 |
Side-by-side with a Government minister in the House of Lords, this is the millionaire hotelier accused of making huge profits turning a suburban London street into a refugee camp. Indian businessman Gauhar Nawab, 73, has reportedly negotiated a deal to be paid £500,000 of taxpayers’ money to cram nearly 800 asylum seekers into his 98-room hotel. As a result of the block booking, prices for other guests at the three-star Euro Queens Hotel in Crystal Palace have been pushed up by more than 500 per cent. High society: Baroness Verma with Gauhar Nawab at an awards ceremony in October 2013 . There were serious questions over the deal on Friday as it emerged he has twice in the past three years been photographed being entertained in the House of Lords by a junior minister. Mr Nawab, who lives with his wife in a £2million mansion, is seen posing at Indian community events with Baroness Verma, Conservative Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change. In October 2012, Baroness Verma hosted an award ceremony for the Non-Resident Indians Welfare Society Of India, of which Mr Nawab is international president. At a similar event the following year, guests including Mr Nawab were offered personal tours of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. He is also the patron of the India International Foundation – which supports Indian culture in the UK – alongside Labour MP Keith Vaz. On Friday, the Mail told how the Euro Queens Hotel is being used as a makeshift camp for refugees who have made their way to Britain from countries including Eritrea, Sudan, Syria and Pakistan. A council inspection has found the 98-room hotel has an astonishing 791 asylum seekers in residence. They are crammed up to nine to a room while they wait to be processed by the Home Office. It emerged on Friday that the hotel is owned by Mr Nawab, a businessman and socialite who owns the Euro Hotels Group – which is worth around £6.7million. He and his wife Athar, 69, have been accused of making huge profits from the refugee crisis – apparently negotiating a four-month deal with a Home Office provider earning them an estimated £500,000. Prices for regular customers at the hotel have also shot up, with a double room advertised yesterday for £333, compared to the usual price of £49. Crammed: Asylum seekers gather outside the three-star Queens Hotel in Crystal Palace, London . Mr Nawab and his wife live in a huge seven-bedroom detached house in Tooting – three miles from the Euro Queens Hotel – where they have two male housekeepers. This week, there were two cars outside, including a Daimler Super V8 Jaguar with a personalised number plate. But there has been fierce opposition from residents as Mr Nawab has attempted to expand his business empire. Local MP Steve Reed, who has taken up the case with the immigration minister, said: ‘I am furious. The hotel is on the edge of our shopping centre in a highly residential area. ‘It seems highly inappropriate to place so many asylum seekers in an area like this without proper consultation, planning or preparation.’ A resident yesterday added: ‘I feel for the refugees... but having hundreds in a small hotel and spilling out on to our street... is not acceptable. ‘The owners want to keep expanding to do this more. They are making millions and our front gardens have turned into a refugee camp.’ The asylum seekers were placed in the hotel by private contractors Clearel under a Home Office scheme. A spokesman for Clearel declined to comment. A Home Office spokesman said: ‘The use of hotels is only ever acceptable as a short-term measure... We have instructed our providers to cut substantially the number staying at the Queens Hotel, and to cease further bookings there by the end of the week.’ A spokesman for Baroness Verma denied links to Mr Nawab, adding: ‘There are no business links between them at all. A lot of businessmen come to the House of Lords.’ The Nawabs declined to comment yesterday. | Gauhar Nawab, 73, runs the three-star Euro Queens Hotel in Crystal Palace . He has reportedly negotiated a deal to cram 800 asylum seekers in the hotel . It is thought that he will earn £500,000 of taxpayers' money in the deal . Mr Nawab has been hosted in the Lords by a junior minister twice . The block booking has pushed prices for other guests up more than 500% . | 217dd477f5ee5b870ad9faf3927b74d1586f6e02 |
(CNN) -- Greece is through to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in its history after a dramatic 2-1 win against Ivory Coast in Group C. Georgios Samaras kept a cool head to net from the penalty spot in injury time to seal second place in the group behind Colombia. It was a cruel blow for the Ivorians who were themselves on course to make the knockout stages for the first time after Wilfried Bony scored in the 74th minute. The Swansea City striker had leveled the scores after Andreas Samaris had put the Greeks ahead three minutes before the break. A draw would have been enough for Sabri Lamouchi's side but Greece's persistence paid off when Samaras fired home a spot kick after being brought down by substitute Giovanni Sio in the 91st minute. Victory means Fernando Santos' side finish second in Group C with four points and will now face Group D winners Costa Rica who drew with England 0-0 earlier on Tuesday. Defeat not only brought Ivory Coast's tournament to an end but also the reign of manager Lamouchi who announced he was stepping down shortly after the match. "I have put a lot of time and effort into the past two years but unfortunately my story with Ivory Coast ends this evening," Lamouchi said. "The outcome is a cruel one but the Greeks did not steal this victory. I am very disappointed and sad and also for the players and the Ivorian people," he added. Colombia, meanwhile, will meet Uruguay in Rio on Saturday after confirming top spot in the group with another convincing display. A 4-1 win against Japan in Cuiaba ensured Jose Pekerman's side scored maximum points from their three matches. Juan Cuadrado gave Los Cafeteros the lead in the 17th minute -- firing home from the penalty spot after Yasuyuki Konno had brought down Adrián Ramos. Japan drew level on the stroke of halftime when Shinji Okazaki headed home from Keisuke Honda's cross before Colombia ran away with the match in the second half. Jackson Martinez netted on the hour mark after substitute James Rodriguez's neat pass allowed the Porto striker to drill a low shot past goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima. Martinez added a third with eight minutes remaining before Rodriguez banged in a fourth in the last minute of the match. Colombia's will have to wait to see if Uruguay, who claimed second spot in Group D after beating Italy 1-0, will be fielding Luis Suarez. The mercurial striker was once again in the spotlight for the wrong reasons after appearing to bite Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the match in Natal. The incident, which happened moments before Uruguay scored the winning goal, was not seen by the referee but is being investigated by FIFA. Read more: Luis Suarez embroiled in new 'biting' storm . Read more: How social media chewed up Luis Suarez . | Georgios Samaras' injury time penalty sends Greece into last 16 . Greece beat Ivory Coast 2-1 to finish second in Group C . Colombia beat Japan 4-1 to confirm top spot in group . Colombia will face Uruguay in last 16; Greece to play Costa Rica . | 21b9b102455584f34478e2e41ac9c3a9a0656c43 |
By . Leon Watson . A rare two-faced kitten, also known as a 'Janus' kitten, has been born in Oregon. The birth of tiny Duecy made her owner Stephanie Durkee, from Amity, do a double-take when she was delivered. Shortly afterwards, the newborn was rejected by its mother so Ms Durkee is feeding her by hand. Scroll down for video . Stephanie Durkee is giving her kitten formula with a syringe and keeping her warm with a heating pad . Double-take: One-day-old Duecy was rejected by its mother so Stephanie Durkee is feeding her by hand . The kitten was examined by a vet and everything appears to be in good working order. Ms Durkee said: 'The kids actually found . them and came in and said, "mom there's a kitty with two heads," and I . said, "I think you guys are just tired, you're crazy, that doesn't . happen."' In February last year, a kitten born with two faces died after barely living to the age of just two days. Nash . Hand and Amelia Forsythe, of Port Charlotte, Florida, named him Harvey . Dent after the character's Two-Face alter-ego in Batman. But the little . boy died from complications. Safe and sound: Owner Stephanie Durkee with the tiny new ktten all wrapped up . | Owner Stephanie Durkee did a double-take when kitten was delivered . Shortly afterwards, the newborn was rejected by its mother . | c2b67622889e11b9fa869446080165f849aead3f |
By . Toni Jones . PUBLISHED: . 18:01 EST, 15 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:01 EST, 16 May 2013 . Actress Kate Bosworth is a regular on the summer music scene and her boho outfits inspire thousands of fun-loving festival goers each season. This year at Coachella Kate confirmed that she had been working with British fashion brand Topshop on their festival collection and now we can finally steal her summer style as the range launches today. To celebrate, Topshop have launched a rather spacey short film starring the stylish blonde and shot by her filmmmaker boyfriend Michael Polish. Scroll down for video . Topshop have launched their 'Festival Project' with a short film starring celebrity ambassador Kate Bosworth . 'The Road to Coachella' features the 29-year-old floating around California's Mono Lake as she travelled to the Palm Springs music event earlier this year, where she showed off several of the pieces that she helped inspire. The Topshop design team worked with Kate to create 16 signature pieces based on her personal style, including a pair of buckled boots and a furry gillet that she wore to the three day music festival. Kate said: 'I’ve always had a love of fashion. To gain learning experience from the . Topshop design team has been a great opportunity for me. Our intent was . to create fresh, wearable, and effortless festival pieces. I am proud . of our work together and I adore these pieces.' Kate has worked with the fashion brand on a festival collection of 16 signature pieces inspired by her own style . The capsule collection features accessories and clothing to inspire this summer's coolest festival goers . The short film was shot by Kate's boyfriend Michael Polish . Topshop Creative Director Kate Phelan said: 'Kate and I were discussing the summer trends and how she had been one . of our inspirations, she was here working with us on our Christmas . project - the next day Kate came in with all these incredible images and . references and shared what her ultimate festival outfits looked like. 'It is an organic extension of Kate’s fashion sense aligned with the . Topshop brand . We think that’s fresh and exciting.' The Topshop 'Festival Campaign' is inspired by the attitude and energy of British festivals and centres around 'The discovery of music'. The fashion brand will be hosting live ‘secret pop-up gigs’ all over the world, giving out invitations to random customers shopping on tablet, mobile and in store as well as a series of online competitions and clues that customers can follow to win tickets. 29-year-old Kate is famous for her Californian boho style . Kate and boyfriend Michael Polish were amongst the most glamorous VIP guests at this year's Coachella festival . | Actress Kate, 29, consulted with the brand on the 16 piece collection . The range features feathered wings, floral headresses and buckled boots . Kate was named as Topshop ambassador in December . Brand has released short film set in California to celebrate 'festival project' | af5f9e953288d4048949bb1fc30c8cade591cc3b |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 13:59 EST, 31 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:38 EST, 31 May 2013 . Katie Couric revealed this week that she once went on first dates with . Full House star Bob Saget and Survivor host Jeff Probst - but neither . ever called her again. Now the guys have given their take on their experience with the TV journalist and talk show host, now 56. In an endearing email to Us Weekly, Probst revealed a mutual friend first tried to set them up in 2001, but 'the timing never worked out'. It wasn't meant to be: Katie Couric and Jeff Probst have both given their take on their first - and only - date . The 51-year-old continued: 'A few years later the same friend connected us again and this time the date was set. The next time I was in New York we would have dinner.' Not interested: She also went to dinner once with Bob Saget . 'What I remember most about the date is how nervous I was and how little I offered to the conversation,' Probst recalled. 'It was like I forgot how to go on a date. Like I was 14. We talked a bit about her kids and the challenges of being a parent to teenagers, and we talked a bit about our careers and lifestyles but we never got much beyond the surface." He insists he 'would have definitely asked for a second date' and added that 'it wasn't lack of interest' on his part. 'The only reason I didn't call back was the date was set up through her assistant and I never got her number. It felt weird to call her assistant for a second date,' he said. 'So it never had a chance to be a romance. Who knows what might have been? But it's a date I definitely remember! I mean, come on, it's Katie Couric!' Probst, who is currently shooting Survivor: Blood vs. Water, went on to marry to Lisa Ann Russell, 41, in 2011. Full House star Saget, 57, also chimed in on his first and only date with Couric. 'I did a benefit with Katie Couric in New York and I went to dinner with her,' he told Us Weekly on Thursday. 'She's a lovely person and we had a good time. I've seen her many times since.' He revealed that Couric 'gave me a hard time' about his lack of interest. Happy with her new guy: Katie took banker John Molner to a charity event hosted by Bette Midler in New York on Thursday . 'She told it on a talk show and I think she told it again,' Saget said. 'I think she's out of material.' Couric, who has two Caroline, 17, and . Ellie, 21, with her late husband Jay Monahan, is now in year-long . romance with NYC financier John Molner. She spoke about her one-time dates with the Hollywood stars in an interview with Howard Stern on his SiriusXM radio show on Wednesday. 'I can't say that I was devastated that neither called me back,' she said. 'I thought they were both nice . guys... I don't think there was real magic there with either [of them], . but I enjoyed spending time with them.' | Bob Saget also responds to talk show host's revelation the pair once had a romantic dinner . | 8874222ad19af030ab32420d1848a586973d2606 |
At the height of this summer's travel season, airline flights were more likely to arrive on time and less likely to be canceled than they were last year. The improvement in airline performance in July was a welcome break for travelers. Over the first six months of 2014, delays were the highest since 2008 and cancelations the highest since 2000. The U.S. Department of Transportation said Wednesday that among 14 of the largest airlines, 75.6 percent of flights arrived on time in July, up from 73.1 percent in July 2013 and from June 2014's 71.8 percent rate. Ready when you are: The world's biggest airline was also the most punctual during the summer months . The airlines covered by the report canceled 1.6 percent of their trips, down from 1.7 percent a year earlier and 2 percent in June. The best for arriving on time were Hawaiian, Delta and Alaska, all above 84 percent. At the bottom of the rankings: JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines, with nearly one in three flights arriving late. JetBlue spokesman Morgan Johnston said the airline was making better use of spare planes and adjusting staffing in its operations center to handle delays during summer thunderstorms. He said the airline's August numbers, not yet released by the government, were better. Southwest had a pattern of consistently late arrivals on many routes. According to the government, Southwest ran late more than half the time in May, June and July on three short daily flights — a 6 p.m. Houston-Dallas trip, a 7:45 p.m. flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco, and a 9 p.m. Las Vegas-Phoenix flight. Delayed: Southwest had 108 flights that ran late for two months straight. They were the worst out of all U.S. airlines when it came to punctuality . Rankings: The best for arriving on time were Hawaiian, Delta and Alaska, all above 84 percent. At the bottom of the rankings: JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines, with nearly one in three flights arriving late . No other airline had any flights that were tardy so often for so long. Another 108 Southwest flights regularly ran late for two straight months. No other airline had more than six such chronically delayed flights. Southwest has struggled to fly on time since tightening its schedule in August 2013. Senior vice president of operations Greg Wells said that the airline thought it could boost revenue by adding 16 planes' worth of new flights without increasing the fleet. 'We gave it our best shot,' Wells told reporters this week. 'The combination of weather, higher load factors (fuller planes) and things like that just caused our on-time performance to plummet.' Wells said the airline 'stopped the bleeding' by focusing on starting morning flights on time, putting more time between connecting flights, and allowing more time to unload and load planes. Since Aug. 24, he said, the airline has been running at 84 percent on-time. The Department of Transportation said that two flights in July — one by Spirit Airlines and another by US Airways — were stuck on the tarmac longer than the allowed three hours. The airlines could face fines. There were 10 reports of pets that were lost, injured or died during flights, down from 11 in June. That only covers pets that were accompanied by their owners. Beginning January 1, the Department of Transportation will require airlines to report deaths of cats and dogs that are shipped by breeders too. | In July, among 14 of the largest airlines, 75.6% of flights arrived on time . The best for arriving on time were Hawaiian, Delta and Alaska, all above 84% . Southwest ran late more than half the time in May, June and July with 108 flights consistently delayed . | 4100fefe3f2bc1f32e51bb9963abd800982d242d |
By . Ruth Styles . PUBLISHED: . 11:47 EST, 23 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 06:01 EST, 29 January 2014 . Her hair was perfect, her make-up expertly applied and her dress, beautiful. But for one model appearing in yesterday's Elie Saab show, walking appeared to be a little more problematic. During her sashay down the runway, the unnamed model wobbled unsteadily before clattering to the floor. But there was one silver lining: ignoring the beady stares of the watching fashion press, the model managed to keep her cool and got back up gracefully before completing her turn. Taking a tumble: One unfortunate model managed to wobble over in front of the watching fashion pack . One of Paris' most popular designers, Saab always draws a crowd and yesterday's show proved no exception. Watching from the front row was Russian actress and erstwhile Bond girl, Olga Kurylenko, who was ravishing in a vibrant emerald dress. Also on hand to see the unfortunate model's struggles was the ever-elegant Clotilde Courau, a French actress and the princess of Venice and Piedmont, and Canadian actress, Marie-Josée Croze. The show was part of Paris Couture Week, which started on Monday, and proved to be one of the highlights so far. Spectacular: Saab specialises in glamorous, ladylike pieces and this time proved no exception . A-list: The front row included Olga Kurylenko and Clotilde Courau, princess of Venice and Piedmont . Lace proved the dominant theme with chic creations in lilac, coral, purple and cream all crafted from the material. Among them was a spectacular wedding gown, complete with a skirt large enough to satisfy Elizabeth I or one of the stars of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, crafted from cream silk overlaid with delicate Chantilly lace. Other stunning pieces created by the Lebanese designer included a delicate coral-red day dress, its calf-length full skirt embellished with intricate bead-work. Big enough for a gypsy bride: Saab showed some fabulously full skirts, lavishly decorated with embroidery . Elegant: A model appears on the runway wearing Saab's blockbuster of a bridal gown . | The model was halfway down the catwalk when she wobbled over . Walking in the Elie Saab show during Paris Couture Week yesterday . Watched by Olga Kurylenko and Princess Clotilde of Venice and Piedmont . | 58c730f9648536acf5c27c5919aed9325e5ccfe8 |
Martin Sculpher said he joined the EDL, pictured clashing with police in Birmingham, after feeling 'let down' by politicians in the wake of the 7/7 attacks . A tube worker who cut the bodies of victims from the mangled wreckage at Edgware Road station in the wake of the 7/7 bombings claims he is 'fighting to protect Britain' after joining the English Defence League. Martin Sculpher, who was publicly honoured for his bravery, has turned to the far-right group after becoming disillusioned by politicians in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. The 52-year-old from east London believes by aligning himself with the group, which stages protests against what it sees as the spread of Islamic extremism, he is fighting to protect the country's future. He told The Sunday Times he joined because he felt 'let down' by ministers including former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who 'pontificated about terror in London' with their 'heads in the clouds' about 'what's going on in this country'. Mr Sculpher, who met his wife through the EDL, does not feel guilty about being a member of the radical group, dismissing the idea they incite racial hatred blaming the media for its bad reputation. He said: 'It is not racist to challenge a radical ideology of Islam.' The father said the group was in its infancy and that it would make mistakes, adding 'I hate the Nazi element as much as I hate radical Islam'. Prior to his career on the London Underground, Mr Sculpher worked as a bomb disposal apprentice at the Ministry of Defence. When terrorist bombers Mohammed Sidique . Khan, Shehzad Tanweer, Hasib Hussain and Germaine Lindsay, struck on . July 7, 2005, Mr Sculpher was head of the Underground's emergency . response unit. Mr Sculpher led a response team at Edgware Road tube station, crawling under the wreckage of the twisted carriage to cut the bodies of victims free from the tunnel . He was alerted to the bomb detonated at Edgware Road station by ringleader Khan, killing six people. He . led a response team to the scene and crawled under the mangled wreckage . of the train to help search for victims and free bodies from the . twisted carriage. Richard . Barnes, who chaired the London Assembly inquiry into the tragedy, . publicly recognised Mr Sculpher and his colleagues' bravery. Mr . Sculpher was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in the wake . of his experiences, leaving him suffering insomnia, weight loss and . nausea when he smelt burning meat. He turned to alcohol and by 2009 was living in a hostel for the homeless in Luton. Evidence of the destruction wrought by the bomb which exploded on a train travelling between King's Cross and Russell Square. Twenty-seven people were killed in the blast . The 52-year-old . has said he will never ride on a London bus again or step foot inside the . first two carriages of an underground train. During treatment for his post-traumatic stress disorder, Mr Sculpher said his therapist advised he read the Koran to learn more about the culture. But he said he was shocked by what he read. He joined the United Peoples of Luton, formed by Tommy Robinson. Staying with the group when it was renamed the English Defence League, Mr Sculper met his wife through it. He added: 'I want to do something for my children's children.' | Martin Sculpher was publicly honoured for his bravery helping victims . 52-year-old felt 'let down' by politicians in wake of terrorist attacks . Turned to far-right group to 'fight to protect Britain's future' | e6f401e8f41a761897beb5a57e7e0e82c852d021 |
The woman who was jailed for planting a severed human finger in a bowl of chili in an attempt to extort money from Wendy's has been accused of lying again. Authorities alleged that infamous 'chili finger lady', Anna Ayala, 47, invented detailed reports of two men who 'shot' her 26-year-old son outside their home in San Jose, California. Officers believe that Guadalupe 'Junior' Reyes, who has a previous burglary conviction and is not allowed to own a gun, shot himself, and his mother backed up the false story. After the pair got their tales mixed up, police arrested them both on Thursday. The infamous 'chili finger lady' Anna Ayala (left) is now accused of making up a story to protect her son Junior Reyes (right) who was found with a gunshot wound despite not being allowed to own a gun . They face up to four years in prison if convicted. Ayala is accused of being an . accessory to a felony and filing a false police report, while Reyes . faces charges related to being felon in possession of a firearm and . ammunition. The mother, who has a long history of filing lawsuits, was released from prison after serving four years for the gruesome Wendy's chili finger case in 2005. The bizarre scam gathered . worldwide attention after Ayala dropped the 1 1/2 inch section of ring . finger in her bowl of fast-food chili. Bizarre hoax: Anna Ayala and her husband, Jaime Plascencia, were jailed in 2005 after cooking up a scheme to plant a severed finger in a bowl of Wendy's chili to extort money from the fast food chain . It was revealed Ayala's husband, Jaime Plascencia, had bought the digit for $100 from a co-worker who lost it in an accident. He then took it home where Ayala cooked it before depositing it in her meal on March 24, 2005. Wendy's claimed they lost $21 million in business because of the bogus allegations. Now police accuse Ayala of dreaming up another tall tale to protect her son. When officers found Junior Reyes suffering from a gunshot wound to . his ankle outside the family home he told them that he had . been attacked by a pair of men for 'for no rhyme or reason.' According to the Mercury News, Ayala is charged with using her vivid imagination to back up his claims and she now faces more time in prison. The mom said one of the attackers . wore a black Oakland A's cap and Air Jordan sneakers, while his . accomplice was a big man with a goatee and abnormally large ears who . rode a black bicycle. Ayala even gave a name for the . supposed attacker. But when authorities found a match for the supposed . suspect, they quickly ruled the man out of the accusations. 'I don't know if it was someone she . knew who she described or how she came up with the description,' said . Santa Clara County prosecutor Bret Wasley. When officers went back to question . mother and son, Wasley said that 'She backed off from her statements' while 'Junior changed his story into something unbelievable about him . chasing after a dog.' On her Facebook page 'about' section Ayala describes herself as 'Crazzzzzyyyyy and a very good chili cook... (finger lady )' San Jose police Detective Nathaniel Braxton then confronted Reyes with the theory that the pair had made up the whole story as he wasn't supposed to even own a gun. 'I told Reyes that shooting yourself in the foot is not a crime, it's an accident, but making a false report is a crime,' reports the Mercury News. 'Yea,' said Reyes, according to the report. 'I shot myself.' But when Braxton asked his mother about the new information she told him: 'I don't know nothing.' Braxton said that he 'reminded Ayala that she went to prison for doing the same thing before' and asked her where the gun was. She replied 'There's no gun no more, . it's done, thrown away' before telling police she had returned the . firearm to an unidentified friend. 'Ayala's statement confirms Reyes shot himself and she admitted to getting rid of the evidence,' reads the report. Both are being held on $21,000 bail each and are scheduled to appear in court on Friday. Ayala now faces a maximum of another four years in jail while Reyes could be convicted to up to four years and eight months. According to the detective's report, 'Ayala's final statement was, 'I'm not going back to prison for something that has nothing to do with me."' Ayala appeared contrite after her release from prison, telling CBS that she had faced ridicule in jail for her part in the scam and that 'I learned my lesson and I just want to move on with my life.' On Facebook, Ayala's 'favorite quote' is: . What happend (all sic) in 2005 was the biges badest ? That happend in . my life ....Im sorry for all the dameges i was in ..........i did the . time and its in the past...' The 'chili finger lady' was convicted in 2005 and released for good behavior in 2009 . Also on Facebook, Ayala's 'about' section reads: 'Crazzzzzyyyyy and a very good chili cook ... (finger lady ) ...' In 2005, the Associated Press revealed that even before the chili finger episode, Ayala had been involved in at least half a dozen legal battles in the San Francisco Bay area. She brought a suit against an ex-boss in 1998 for sexual harassment and sued an auto dealership in 2000, alleging the wheel fell off her car. That suit was dismissed after Ayala fired her lawyer, who said she had threatened him. The case against her former employer was settled in arbitration in June 2002, but it was not known whether she received any money. Ayala acknowledged, however, that her family received a settlement for their medical expenses about a year ago after reporting that her daughter, Genesis, got sick from food at an El Pollo Loco restaurant in Las Vegas. She declined to provide any further details. | Anna Ayala, 47, accused of making up evidence to protect son who 'shot himself in foot' despite being banned from owning a gun . Infamous 'chili finger lady' served four years in prison for her part in bizarre human finger extortion scam against Wendy's in 2005 . | a75e055aaa84ddddb6a62b3fc4aa8d7e8c58f971 |
(CNN) -- Ted Ligety's winning streak in the giant slalom is over. Ligety made it four victories in a row last week in Beaver Creek, Colorado to become the first man since legendary Italian Alberto Tomba more than 20 years ago to achieve that feat but his race was quickly over in Val d'Isere, France on Saturday. Starting first in the first run -- usually not an enviable bib number -- the American went wide on a turn and couldn't make the next gate on the icy Face de Bellevarde. The last time he finished off the podium in the giant slalom was in 2012 and he failed to make the 30-man second run for the first time since 2009. "Just a little bit (of) bad luck on my part today," Ligety told reporters. "This course is always super, super bumpy and miserable to ski so I wasn't surprised by that at all. "It's not ideal. It's the kind of hill where anything can really happen, because it's such a tough and rough and bumpy hill." Former overall champion Bode Miller -- second behind teammate Ligety in Beaver Creek -- and current overall leader Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway also couldn't complete the first run. Austrian Marcel Hirscher took advantage of Ligety's mishap to win, rallying from a 0.41-second deficit after the first run to cruise past Thomas Fanara of France and Stefan Luitz of Germany. Frenchman Alexis Pinturault, the leader entering the second run, slipped to fourth. Gut seventh in St. Moritz . In the women's Super-G in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Tina Weirather of Liechtenstein -- who registered two second-place finishes in Lake Louise, Canada last week -- beat surprise package Kling Kajsa of Sweden by 0.31 seconds. The win was a birthday gift for Weirather's mom, Hanni Wenzel, a gold medalist in the slalom at the world championships in St. Moritz in 1974. "It's an awesome story to win here today in front of my mother on such a special day," Weirather was quoted as saying by the website of alpine skiing's governing body. "The goal was to give her a nice present." Kajsa finished on the podium from a starting position of 44th but overall leader Lara Gut of Switzerland only managed a seventh. Weirather is now fewer than 40 points behind Gut in the overall standings. Two months ahead of the Sochi Olympics, Lindsey Vonn elected to sit out this weekend's races. The four-time overall champion only recently returned to action after a crash in training last month. | American Ted Ligety's four-race winning streak in the giant slalom comes to an end . Ligety, starting first, didn't finish the first run Saturday in Val d'Isere . The last time he missed out on a podium finish in the giant slalom was in 2012 . Lindsey Vonn elects to sit out this weekend's women's races in Switzerland . | 2f5ffb9721e3486f0d6cad7284ee86fa030fec16 |
By . Luke Salkeld . PUBLISHED: . 08:39 EST, 10 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:25 EST, 10 July 2013 . With quite so many bundles of joy all lined up together, a bonny baby contest will inevitably involve the odd tantrum. In the Wiltshire town of Devizes, however, it’s not the toddlers who are throwing their toys out of the pram – it’s the grown-ups. The annual event has provoked a row after carnival organisers cancelled it for being ‘unfair’ to the children deemed less than bonny. Last year's winners: Organisers of Devizes Carnival, in Wiltshire, have ruled the 'bonny baby' contest is 'no longer an appropriate item' for the event. Pictured are last year's winners . But they reckoned without the mothers of Devizes, who have accused the committee of excessive ‘political correctness’ – and launched their own unofficial bonny baby contest. Stephanie Gale, 28, is the mother of one of last year’s winners, Toby. She said: ‘It’s a bit of fun and everybody likes looking at pictures of babies.’ Support: The alternative pageant has won the backing of Devizes Mayor Pete Smith (pictured), who said the event brings the community together . But Dave Buxton, of Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts, which organises the carnival, said: ‘It’s a really modern carnival with hundreds of people taking part. ‘Do you really think it is a good idea to judge babies and decide which ones are the best? 'We are a community arts organisation and it is not really appropriate. ‘It just doesn’t seem a very nice thing to do. Everyone believes that their baby is the best baby. 'How do you feel if your baby isn’t the one that has won?’ Organisers have also abolished the role of Carnival Queen this year as it does not ‘fit with the ethos’ of the event. The carnival procession will be held on August 31, with an unofficial ‘Mayor’s Baby Show’ four days beforehand. The alternative event has been organised by the former chairman of Devizes Carnival, Jeanette Von Berg, and endorsed by mayor Peter Smith. He said: ‘The committee are doing a good job, but people like the old-fashioned stuff. ‘They like to take their kids along and say “Granny did this when she was a little girl”. ‘The mums said it was political correctness gone mad and I agree – it’s absolutely stupid.’ Devizes: Committee members have also abolished the role of Carnival Queen as it does not 'fit with the ethos' of the event (picture shows general view of Devizes) | Organisers of Devizes Carnival ruled baby pageant 'no longer appropriate' Committee members were unanimously against the pageant . Some mothers have now organised their own 'unofficial' contest . | ec056c7e48975c36bb939e6f838137f78f31ce03 |
(CNN) -- We've come to know her as Lady Gaga, but before the world tours, "The Fame" or even the dress made of meat, photographer Malgorzata Saniewska knew her simply as her restaurant co-worker, Stefani Germanotta. In the summer of 2005, Saniewska, who goes by Maggie, happened to be tending bar at the same West Village restaurant where the 19-year-old soon-to-be star worked as a waitress. Just 24 at the time, Saniewska had moved from her native Poland to the United States two years prior with dreams of becoming a photographer. But to support herself, "I started working as a bartender," she recalled. "It was definitely a money thing. I did want to go to school, but I didn't do research on photography, my focus was to make better money." Keeping an eye on her bank account is what drove Saniewska to study accounting, leaving photography to become an amateur pursuit for a while. She went from taking landscape photos of New York City to setting up her own shoots, with Gaga being among some of her first ones. "We were colleagues, we didn't hang out really heavily, but she's the nicest girl ever. ... She's down-to-earth," Saniewska said. "At that time, she gave me a CD of her first single, and I listened to it and I was really impressed. And she's a beautiful girl. Based on her looks and her personality I thought (a photo shoot) would be great fun." CNN Photos: See Malgorzata Saniewska's exclusive and unseen photos of Lady Gaga . Back then, Gaga "played piano and sang. This 19-year-old girl, she was really talented. She didn't talk about it a lot, (but) she did say that she studied music. ... I cannot even explain to you what she sounds like with just a piano, then or now," Saniewska said. "I offered her the photo shoot, and she said yes right away." Gaga had the perfect location in mind: Her parents' place on the Upper East Side. (CNN has reached out to Lady Gaga's rep for comment.) The two young women hopped on a train and headed over there, and set to work creating what Saniewska says became Lady Gaga's first photo shoot, although Saniewska didn't know that at the time. "The house was empty, it was just the two of us," Saniewska said. "I knew she was a singer, so our focus was her and her very first piano. We just hung out in her parents' living room, and the piano was right by the window." "She's a good model, obviously," Saniewska added with a laugh. Armed with just her first point-and-shoot camera, Saniewska let the intimate shoot unfold organically. "We had no plan." "We basically walked into her house, she did hair and makeup, picked out the clothes and we started," she recalled. The lighting was natural: "No strobe lights, nothing special, no tripods," she said. "It was hand-held." Saniewska, who's never been formally trained, said she shot around 200 photos that day. After culling through the resulting images, choosing the photos with the best natural lighting, she presented Gaga with a CD of the pictures. The burgeoning singer was happy with them, and used some of the art for her own promotional materials. Of course, there's no way Saniewska could have known that the young woman she photographed on a summer day in 2005 would become the international superstar she is today. As a matter of fact, Saniewska says that at first, when she saw her as Lady Gaga, she didn't recognize her, having been accustomed to her as a long-haired brunette waitress. Even as Gaga's fame continued to grow, Saniewska kept those early photos to herself "out of respect," she said, particularly because she wasn't in touch with her. And then, she just so happened to bump into her old colleague in 2010. "I actually ran into her in the East Village, and she came up to me. She was already Lady Gaga, and we spoke a little, and she leaned on me, and she said in my ear, 'Did you know that this was my first photo shoot?' I had no idea," Saniewska said. "She was really excited. From that moment on I figured I could do something about it. And she's OK with it." Saniewska hopes that those viewing the photos will get to see another side of Gaga, a peek at who the star was before the world knew her name. But even with all the fame, to Saniewska, she's "still the same girl. The fact that we ran into each other and she came up to me - she didn't say 'Hi' and run off. She stood there for 15 minutes, just chatting. She remembered my name, she remembered who I was, and she had so much to say. She's still the same person to me." | Malgorzata Saniewska worked at the same restaurant where Stefani Germanotta worked . "I offered her the photo shoot, and she said yes right away," Saniewska said . Saniewska kept those early photos to herself "out of respect," she said . Saniewska hopes that those viewing the photos will get to see another side of Gaga . | 83f577d705279fbc157fd9722312e269f491e69e |
A puppy was used to lure two Amish girls into a car in upstate New York, with the captors plotting to enslave the sisters, authorities said. Nicole Vaisey, 25, told investigators that she and her boyfriend, Stephen Howells II, 39, were on a "shopping trip" for "slaves" when they allegedly kidnapped the girls, according to a detective. The girls were picked up at a vegetable stand outside the sisters' family farm about 50 miles from the Canadian border on August 13. New details about the abduction in Oswegatchie emerged during a preliminary hearing in St. Lawrence County on Thursday. Detective Sgt. Brooks Bigwarfe detailed the couples' alleged plan and kidnapping of the girls, as related to him by Vaisey. "They had been planning this for several weeks," Bigwarfe said. Howells and Vaisey drove to the farm, pulled up to the stand in a location where they couldn't be seen, and waited for the girls -- ages 6 and 12 -- to approach the car, Bigwarfe said. Howells allegedly scoped out the stand the previous week. Howells asked the girls whether they wanted to pet the dog, a Doberman pinscher-golden retriever mix named Kaleidoscope, police said. When the older sister grew suspicious, Bigwarfe said, Howells pushed the girls into the back of the car. "When he started forcing them into the vehicle, they were both screaming and yelling," Bigwarfe said. The girls were held captive for nearly 24 hours, during which they were handcuffed together, shackled to a bed and sexually abused, according to the sheriff's department. With widening media coverage, a large police response in the area and an Amber Alert, though, Bigwarfe said the couple began to worry and decided it was too risky to keep the girls. Howells abandoned the two girls in an isolated area 12 miles from where they were being held, Bigwarfe said. "There's no doubt in my mind that if they were successful they were going to continue with future acts," said Mary Rain, district attorney for St. Lawrence County. Howells' attorney, Amy Dona, declined to comment Friday. Vaisey appeared at the hearing wearing a bulletproof vest, according to her lawyer, Bradford Riendeau. Riendeau alleged his client was in a master-slave relationship with Howells and that she was not the mastermind of the planned kidnapping. "I don't think she had any control over what went on in the relationship. That was the essential ground rule of it," Riendeau alleged. "He told her what to do." Fowler Township Justice Paul Lamson ruled that there was reasonable cause to believe Vaisey committed a felony and ordered her held without bail. Howells waived his right to a hearing and did not appear in court Thursday. Howells also was being held without bail, Riendeau said. The two were charged with second-degree kidnapping and face up to 25 years in prison if convicted, according to Riendeau. | Couple used a puppy to lure two Amish sisters to a car, according to the sheriff's department . Couple was on a "shopping trip" to turn the girls into "slaves," says a sheriff's detective . Girls were chained and sexually abused while in captivity . Stephen Howells II, 39, and Nicole Vaisey, 25, are being held without bail . | b86c612955d82246210eeb991e5d6b5432ea854f |
(CNN) -- Sprawling online bulletin board Reddit is especially popular with young men, according to a new study. Six percent of all adults on the Internet use Reddit, and it is most popular with men between 18 and 29 -- 15% of whom frequent the site. The survey was conducted by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, an ongoing effort to study the how Americans' use of the Internet is evolving and the impact it has on their lives. In a telephone survey of 2,252 adults, Pew found that men were twice as likely as women to use Reddit and that the site's popularly dropped significantly with the 50-and-older age group. Reddit: Gifts for men . On the social news site and meme factory, people share links, photos and original content in themed sections, called subreddits. The posts are then voted up or down by the community. The 5,360 active subreddits cover a wide range of topics, including politics, corgis, Starcraft, conspiracy theories and parenting. Reddit co-founder urges tech leaders to fight CISPA . Recent news events have pushed the site into the spotlight. Redditors helped uncover pieces of Aurora, Colorado, shooter James Holmes' online identity. Its boards are being used to organize protests against NSA privacy violations for the Fourth of July. And after the Boston Marathon bombings, members of the community attempted to do amateur investigating using public photos from the scene. Should criminal investigations be crowdsourced? Multiple people were wrongly identified as suspects by the community, prompting an apology from Reddit's general manager. One of the most popular and visible Reddit features is the Ask Me Anything (AMA) question-and-answer session. It has featured big-name actors, politicians, CEOs, an astronaut still in space, and even President Barack Obama. Launched in 2005 by Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian, Reddit has grown into an influential site with a wide reach. It had more than 70 million visitors in June from 183 different countries, according to the site's own stats. Those people visited a staggering 4.5 billion pages. Read more: The Redditor who saved the bunnies . | Men are twice as likely as women to use online message board Reddit . A study from Pew found that 6% of online adults visit the site . The site is most popular with men between the ages of 18 and 29 . | 32a5d8e127fe12a1c750aae6e924f1ef0ee85e3f |
Doctors in Belgium are killing an average of five people every day by euthanasia, new figures have revealed. The statistics also show a huge 27 per cent surge in the number of euthanasia cases in the last year alone. The soaring number of deaths will inevitably fuel fears that euthanasia is out of control in Belgium, a country which only months ago became the first in the world to allow doctors to kill terminally ill children. There have been a surge in the number of euthanasia deaths in Belgium since it was legalised in 2003. Earlier this year there were protests to stop the law being extended to children . The figures, published in Sudpresse, Belgium’s leading French-speaking newspaper, showed that 1,816 cases of euthanasia were reported in 2013 compared to to 1,432 in 2012, an overall increase of 26.8 per cent. ‘You could say that currently there are 150 cases of euthanasia per month in Belgium or, even more telling, five people euthanised a day,’ the newspaper said. Of the total number of cases in 2013, 51.7 per cent were male patients and 48.3 per cent were female. Elderly people aged between 70 and 90 years made up just over half (53.5 per cent) of the total. Those aged between 60 and 70 years represented 21 per cent and those aged over 90 years seven per cent. The under-60s accounted for just 15 per cent of the total number of cases. In . 2003 Belgium was the second country in the world to legalise euthanasia . after Holland liberalised the law a year earlier, becoming the first . country since Nazi Germany to permit the practice. Over the past decade the numbers of Belgians dying by euthanasia has crept up incrementally. Controversial: In February, the Belgian House of Representatives voted in favour of extending the policy to children who are terminally-ill or in a state of unrelieved suffering . There was a 25 per cent increase in the number of euthanasia deaths from 2011 to 2012, soaring from 1,133 to 1,432, a figure representing about two per cent of all deaths in the country. In February Belgium extended euthanasia to children who are terminally-ill and in a state of unrelieved suffering. They must also be judged to have ‘capacity of discernment’, affirmed by a psychologist, and the consent of their parents before they can die by injection. Anti-euthanasia campaigners have argued that such safeguards have consistently proved to be meaningless. They say that besides patients who are gravely ill euthanasia is used increasingly on people with depression or non-terminal conditions. Those killed include deaf twins Marc and Eddy Verbessem, 45, who were granted their wish to die in December 2012 after they learned they would likely to become blind. Last year Nancy Verhelst, 44, a transsexual, was also killed by euthanasia after doctors botched her sex change operation, leaving her with physical deformities she felt made her look like a ‘monster’. Disability rights campaigner Nikki Kenward of the UK-based Distant Voices pressure group said the figures demonstrated the difficulties in regulating euthanasia. She said that once a country legalised assisted suicide or euthanasia people were inevitably killed in greater numbers than ever envisaged. The figures should serve as a warning to the Parliament not to change the law on homicide to allow even assisted suicide, she said. ‘As the numbers of people dying from euthanasia in Belgium grow, that slippery slope comes into vision,’ said Mrs Kenward of Aston on Clun, Shropshire. ‘I am vulnerable,’ said Mrs Kenward, who has been in a wheelchair since the 1990s when she developed Guillain Barre syndrome. ‘I’m afraid of becoming another statistic, another faceless victim,’ she said, adding: ‘We are told that safeguards will protect us from abuses. They certainly do not protect the elderly in Belgium.’ | Rise in deaths will fuel fears about country's controversial policies . Under-60s accounted for just 15 per cent of the total number of cases . Belgium was only second country in Europe after Holland to legalise practice . | 9800037ed8ebd0fc207e8eac14a922a4bcdb5988 |
By . Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 05:57 EST, 29 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:30 EST, 29 November 2012 . A father has miraculously survived after he was hit on the head by a speeding train as he leaned over the edge of a platform to vomit. Stephen Wright's two terrified sons watched as their father's skull was struck with the commuter train, though to be reaching speeds of up to 70mph. Warehouse clerk Stephen was hit after he began to feel unwell while waiting on the platform in Goodmayes, near Ilford, Essex. Warehouse clerk Stephen was struck on the head in front of his two horrified little boys . But against all the odds the 34-year-old father escaped the accident with just shock, whiplash and swelling. The packed commuter train, which was not scheduled to stop at the station, is thought to have been reaching speeds of up to 70mph. Stephen managed to board another train with his two sons Kye, seven, and Keon, five, and went home after the incident. But baffled police did not realise he had staggered away from the scene and searched the tracks for his body after the alarm was raised. Mr Wright, of Upton Park, east London, said: 'My aunt said that God was rolling with me, and she's right. 'There's no way I should be here.' The accident happened after Stephen . picked up his two sons from Barley Lane Primary School in Chadwell Heath . last Wednesday night. He went into the station in Goodmayes Road at about 6.30pm and began to feel unwell. The father managed to board another train after the horrifying accident at Goodmayes Station, Ilford, Essex . He stepped to the edge of the platform to be sick on the tracks and was standing on the yellow line leaning over when the train smashed into him. 'The next thing I knew I felt the biggest bang in my head and I screamed out and grabbed my head,' he recalled with horror. 'I thought I could fall down. 'My son was so scared and I had to be strong.' Deeply shocked and bleeding from his mouth, Stephen managed to stagger across the platform with his sons and board a waiting train to Stratford. He was having tea at his girlfriend's . house in Manor Park as he recovered from his ordeal when a train . accident was reported and the line was closed for two hours that night. Shaken-up . Stephen went to King George Hospital, Goodmayes, the next day after he . suffered swelling to his head and neck as well as whiplash. The packed train (not pictured) smashed into Stephen but left him with just swelling and minor whiplash . He underwent two brain scans at Romford's Queen's Hospital but was given the all-clear. Stephen said it struck home just how lucky he had been to survive after he was tracked down by a police officer involved in the station search for his body after the dramatic scare. 'A policeman told me, 'we were searching for you on the tracks last night'. 'That's when it came to me more and started to sink in,' he said. This is not the first time Stephen has had a brush with death - when he was a baby he plunged 50ft out of his flat. He plummeted five storeys out of a tower block in Hackney, east London, when he was a 15-month-old infant and survived without any broken bones or hardly a scratch. 'Nobody could believe how I'd got out of my cot but I did. 'I fell on the hard concrete - I should have been dead,' he said. A British Transport Police spokesman said: ''BTP officers were called to the line close to Goodmayes rail station on Wednesday, 21 November after a driver reported striking a person on one of the platforms. 'BTP and Essex Police officers attended the incident, which was reported to BTP at 7pm. 'A thorough search of the area was carried out by officers, but no person was found. 'A man in his thirties has since come forward to police reporting he was struck by a train at the station. 'Officers have spoken to the man, who voluntarily attended Goodmayes hospital following the incident, which appears to have been an accident. 'The man sustained minor injuries and has since been discharged from hospital.' | Father-of-two escaped with only whiplash, shock and swelling to his head . Stephen Wright, 34, had leaned over platform edge to vomit after he began to feel unwell . Police searched the tracks in Essex for a body . | 9babcb56f881f258fcd890063b24d8247409d92a |
By . Snejana Farberov . PUBLISHED: . 20:51 EST, 14 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 00:49 EST, 15 March 2014 . A mother of two from Delaware has been charged with murder after police say she poisoned her husband to death by spiking his steroids with anti-freeze. Jamie Baker, 44, was arrested Thursday on one count each of first-degree murder and possession of a deadly weapon in connection to the September 2013 death of her husband, 42-year-old James Baker II. An autopsy revealed that Mr Baker had ethylene glycol - a chemical found in anti-freeze - in his system, and his death was ruled homicide by poisoning. Admission of guilt: Jamie Baker (left) confessed to detectives that she killed her husband, James Baker II (right) last September by lacing his steroids with anti-freeze . Happier times: Jamie and James Baker, pictured here on their wedding day, were married for 21 years . Following his passing, police found syringes and liquid steroids in his Smyrna home. According to detectives, he had ordered the supplements through the Internet. Investigators searched the home again Thursday, after which police say the victim's widow admitted that she had used a hypodermic syringe to extract anti-freeze from a bottle and then injected it into her husband’s liquid steroids. Mrs Baker, who has two young daughters, remained jailed Friday at the Delores Baylor Women's Correctional Institution without bail. On September 16, 2013, Mr Baker was found dead in the master bedroom of his home in the 2000 block of Bryn Zion Road just outside of Smyrna. Officers on the scene recovered pills, syringes, and a box containing several bottles of liquid steroids, the contents of which tested positive for anti-freeze. New evidence: Police discovered that Mr Baker (right), a professional weightlifter, ordered liquid steroids last June; following a search of their house, Mrs Baker came clean about how she poisoned her husband . During the months-long investigation, police were able to determine that Mr Baker had purchased the steroids online in June 2013 and had them shipped to a friend’s house, The Smyrna-Clayton Sun-Times reported. The two men then divided the bottles between themselves, and Baker stashed his share in a locked toolbox in a closet. Police officers returned to the Bakers' home Thursday and executed a second search warrant, which ended in Jamie Baker's arrest following her confession to the crime. The woman did not provide a motive for her actions, according to police. The 42-year-old man was a competitive weightlifter who worked as an environmental specialist at the DuPont Experimental Station. He and Jamie were married for 21 years. Broken home: Mr Baker left behind two young daughters, who will now likely lose their mother as well . On her Facebook page filled with family photos and pictures of her two daughters, Jamie Baker expertly played the part of the grieving widow. On her late husband's birthday December 6, she wrote a touching status update where she professed her feelings to her 'first and only love' and her 'best friend.' A month later, she posted a prayer in which she wrote in part: 'I miss Jimmy.' | Jamie Baker, 44, charged with first-degree murder in the September 2013 death of her husband, 42-year-old James Baker II . Autopsy revealed Baker had a chemical in his system found in anti-freeze . Months-long investigation determined the victim, a professional weightlifter, ordered liquid steroids online in June . | 3b9e038cb1a3804529f934c21c79ce8e60ff2799 |
By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor and Tamara Cohen . PUBLISHED: . 04:55 EST, 2 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:12 EST, 2 September 2013 . Paternity leave rules which give fathers only two weeks off work are ‘Edwardian’, Nick Clegg said yesterday, as he said parents should share up to a year at home with their newborn. The Deputy Prime Minister said he wanted more fathers to help with the ‘heavy lifting’ of childcare if mothers choose to return to work earlier. In a defence of working parents, he said both mothers and fathers would be able to ‘chop and change’ blocks of up to 12 months leave between them, under the Government’s plans to ‘revolutionise’ childcare by 2015. Crazy: Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg attacked paternity leave rules as he met two-year-old Sienna-Leigh at the Mace Montessori nursery . At present, mothers have six months maternity leave at full pay, but can take up to 12 months off. Mr Clegg was speaking as he confirmed the number of two-year-olds receiving . free childcare will double as a government scheme is extended to working . families on low incomes. From today, 130,000 youngsters - 20 . per cent of two-year-olds - will be eligible for funding because their . families qualify for Free School Meals or they are looked after by their . local authority. Mr Clegg has revealed that next September, the number . will rise to 260,000, or 40 per cent of the cohort. But speaking on a visit to the Mace Montessori nursery in London today, he also took aim at 'crazy' rules which meant new fathers could only take two weeks from work. He told reporters: 'We are revolutionising parental leave so it is not paternity leave anymore, it becomes parental leave. 'You and your wife or partner will be able to chop and change, and exchange the block of leave that presently is afforded to the mother through maternity leave, as you wish.' Child's play: Mr Clegg did his best to win over the toddlers, including two-year-old Alice at the Mace Montessori nursery . Mr Clegg went on: 'I know plenty of women who feel that they want to go back to work earlier than their partners or their husbands do, that’s just the way families are, obviously that’s great. 'But we’ve got these Edwardian rules - I’ve experienced it myself three times. 'It’s crazy that when your child is born you’ve got just a couple of weeks, when in a sense you’re least relevant to the child, because they’re barely aware that you’re there.' He said it 'makes much more sense' for new dads 'to be able to maybe do some of the heavy lifting in those early months'. Mr Clegg added: 'All the evidence is overwhelming that it has a very profound bonding effect not just but especially a powerful effect for boys as they grow up.' Help: Under the childcare plans, parents who qualify will be able to claim up to 15 hours a week of free early education for their child . Mr Clegg was forced to defend the government's childcare plans from charges it penalised stay-ay-home mothers. The scheme is being opened up to families that earn less than £16,910 a year and receive working tax credits. Children who have been adopted, are in care or have a disability or special educational needs will also benefit from next year. The Coalition is investing £534million in the scheme this year, rising to £760million in 2014/15. Parents who qualify will be able to claim up to 15 hours a week of free early education for their child. But critics claim funding is not availble to parents who do not work. Mr Clegg said: 'Of course if we had pots and pots of gold, it would be lovely go give everyone universal entitlement to everything. 'But we can’t, we have a limited amount of money and we have to take decisions and our view is that when designing the tax-free childcare offer that will be made available from 2015 we need to start and focus in particular on those families where mothers – it’s usually mothers but fathers sometimes as well – tell us that they would like to work, if only they were given extra support with childcare costs.' Mr Clegg outlined the overhaul in a speech today, stressing that the government is helping more children achieve a ‘brighter start in life’ He said: ‘All the evidence shows that if you take two children - two five-year-olds hanging up their coats next to each other on the first day of school - the poorer child will already be behind their better off classmate before a single lesson has been taught. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has revealed that next September, the number will rise to 260,000 . ‘Without this help, children suffer and the whole class suffers as teachers have to focus more of their efforts on children who are frustrated and left behind through no fault of their own. ‘I believe that every British family, whatever its structure, background and circumstances, should be able to get on in life.’ The free childcare entitlement for two-year-olds was announced in the 2010 spending review. From last September, ten trial areas including Blackpool, Cornwall, Greenwich, Kent, Lambeth and Newcastle introduced the scheme, benefiting almost 1,000 two-year-olds. Speaking at the time, Mr Clegg said that parents would be given the option to spread their free nursery place over two days, rather than three, and to use the free hours between 7am and 7pm rather than 8am to 6pm. This was intended to make it easier to fit the childcare around working lives. The Pre-school Learning Alliance yesterday welcomed the expansion but warned that the scheme would not achieve its goal of giving two-year-olds a good start in life without proper funding. Neil Leitch, chief executive of the alliance, said: ‘From taking part in the pilot scheme for two-year-olds, we are acutely aware that many of these young children from struggling families will have additional needs requiring specialist one-to-one help. ‘Indeed, from our experience, we estimate that the true cost of providing such care could be double the amount per place the government has allocated.’ He said that the early years sector ‘fully supported’ the government plans but was wary of getting involved because many child carers have provided free places at a loss under a similar scheme for three and four-year-olds. He added: ‘The free early years entitlement scheme for three and four-year-olds has been historically underfunded by successive governments. ‘We cannot afford such underfunding to continue indefinitely and trust that now the government is extending the scheme to this younger age group that the higher costs of providing care to these children will be recognised and fully met.’ Anand Shukla, chief executive of the Family and Childcare Trust, warned that nursery closures could impede the delivery of free childcare. He said: ‘We are concerned that loss of nursery provision in children’s centres is impacting on local authorities’ ability to find sufficient places for the offer.’ New research by the Family and Childcare Trust - to be published this month - indicates that a minimum of 108 nurseries across England have closed or were never commissioned as they were supposed to be . Mr Shukla added: ‘Cost savings have driven nursery closures and this approach reduces capacity in the system which will damage government hopes of meeting its targets for provision of childcare for two-year-olds.’ | From today 20 per cent of two-year-olds will be eligible for funding . Nick Clegg said the number will rise to 260,000 next September . The scheme is being opened up to families that earn less than £16,910 a year and receive working tax credits . | 4b4de24576740e28ae7ba9830fe9c87e9066b31d |
By . Sara Malm . PUBLISHED: . 07:01 EST, 10 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:09 EST, 10 July 2013 . The terror of a man trapped in a house about to collapse into a flooded river is plan to see, even though he is too far from the camera for his face to be seen. The dramatic incident is believed to have been filmed in Shifang, Southwest China’s Sichuan Province where the flooding has seen the Shiting River swell over weekend. The footage shows a lonely man standing on a balcony on a three-story house which has ended up in the middle of the roaring river. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Trapped: The man, seen standing by the window on the top floor, is completely surrounded by the flowing river . Fear: As he moves across the balcony he appears to try to communicate with the people safely ashore . The flooding in Sichuan triggered a landslide which buried about 30 people in the city of Dujiangyan and trapped hundreds in a nearby highway tunnel. There was no immediate word on the chances of survival for the 30 or so people buried in the landslide in the city, but rescue workers with search dogs rushed to the area, the official Xinhua News Agency said. The conditions of the hundreds trapped in a highway tunnel between Dujiangyan and Wenchuan are unclear as authorities are unable to make contact with them, state-run China Central Television said. The landslide and destroyed a high-profile memorial to a devastating 2008 earthquake that left 90,000 people dead or missing in the area. He can be seen walking back and . forwards outside the house in an attempt to communicate with people . ashore, but it is mere seconds before the river overpowers the . structure. In front of his shocked neighbours, the house is swallowed by the water and collapses into the river. Powerless to do anything to help, the . people ashore are forced to watch the poor man disappear into the river . as the house crumbles. Torrential rain started to fall in . Shifang County of Deyang on Monday evening, damaging factory buildings . and residential houses, and trapping hundreds of people. As he holds on the the window ledge, the second floor collapses underneath his feet as the power of the river becomes too strong for the isolated house . No escape: The house collapses below the man's feet and his neighbours are powerless . Destruction: The house is engulfed by the river and only the bright blue roof can be seen above the roaring wave . According to Shifang Meteorological . Department, continues rain has swelled the flow of the Shiting River to . 2,710 cubic meters per second, a historical level. In another part of Shifang, a phosphate factory had to be rescued when he was stranded by the flowing Shiting River. Buildings of a phosphate factory in the city of Deyang, were damaged in the floods. The worker, stranded outside a damaged building, could find no escape as all paths were inundated and his co-workers had to use sticks to save him. Cut off: The river is raging behind the man as his co-workers help him to safety after he was stranded among collapsing buildings . Destruction: A building collapses near the factory worker in the city of Deyang . Power of nature: The river shows no mercy as it swallows factory buildings, roads and construction . Cause: Torrential rain started to fall in Shifang on Monday which has led to the flooding of Shiting River . According to local police, the more . than 200 factory workers and local villagers have been transferred to . safety with one seriously injured and four missing, as the rescue . mission continues. The flooding in Sichuan has affected . an area that is home to 360,000 people, damaging or destroying 300 . homes, and forcing 6,100 people to evacuate, local news quoted China's . Civil Affairs Ministry as saying. 'The water is rather torrential and . has submerged the railway after inundating the highway. The water is so . high that vehicles, forklifts and excavators have all been washed away,' said Wei Xiao, a factory worker. Overflow: Landslides hit the Duwen Expressway linking Dujiangyan City and Wenchuan County in Sichuan as a result of the weather . Risky journey: A train runs across the Mianyuan River Bridge of the Baoji-Chengdu Railway Sichuan as the Shiting river rages underneath . Close call: Some land slides have had severely damaging effects, such as this where a huge stone is seen on the Duwen Expressway . Effects: Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes as a result of the floods in Sichuan . | Lone man's ordeal captured on camera in China . Left stranded by his house as flooded river engulfed in . Shifang, Sichuan Province has seen floods over the weekend . | aeb81b8150a34c6992ca610f05ac6836f5fa478b |
They normally inhabit the deep waters far off our coast, but thanks to our warm weather huge barrel jellyfish, weighing up to 35kg, have been spotted just off the beaches of Cornwall. Attracted by plentiful plankton the creatures have ventured closer to shore as they feed and reproduce in vast numbers, forming dense groups known as blooms. Scuba diving photographer Charles Hood captured this creature with his 6’3' tall son Will, just off St Michael’s Mount, Penzance, Mr Hood was stunned to find a massive group of barrel jellyfish spread out over an area of eight square miles towards Lands End. Leviathan: Will Hood, who for reference to scale is 6ft 3in, swims with a barrel jellyfish off Cornwall . Beast from the deep: The jellyfish was pictured close to St Michael's Mount, Penzance, Cornwall . ‘We usually get perhaps a dozen sightings a year,’ said Mr Hood. ‘But at the moment they are everywhere, itís like a super bloom with some of them a metre and a half in size. ‘There is a massive amount of plankton forming which they seem to be feeding on.’ The Marine Conservation Society said it had received reports of jellyfish being spotted across the south coast and west coast of England, as well as parts of Scotland because of the warmer weather. Easily identified by their distinctive smooth bell and cauliflower-shaped mass of tentacles that house hundreds of tiny mouths, a digestive system and stinging cells, the jellyfish feed only on microscopic plankton but thankfully pose no threat to swimmers as their sting is not strong enough to harm humans. Last month one of the dustbin-lid-sized creatures was spotted swimming up the Hereford Estuary in Cornwall, fuelling predictions that this summer would see a barrage of the animals . Photographer Charles Hood was stunned to find a massive group of barrel jellyfish spread out over an area of eight square miles towards Lands End . Will, 16, said: ‘It was my first encounter swimming with them and although there’s nothing to fear from their sting I felt fine as I was in a drysuit. ‘There was a tiny little fish living in the tentacles that appeared to be immune to the sting, They could swim relatively quickly for a jellyfish, perhaps about half a kilometre per hour.’ Last month one of the dustbin-lid-sized creatures was spotted swimming up the Hereford Estuary in Cornwall, fuelling predictions that this summer would see a barrage of the animals. Both humans and jellyfish will be glad to know continuous sunshine could be on the way for the . next 40 days – if British folklore is to be believed. Many . will welcome the fact the Met Office is forecasting bright sunshine and . temperatures of 25C, as superstition states that if the sun shines on . July 15, it will continue to do so for the next 40 days. Temperatures were expected to reach 25C across many parts of the country yesterday before soaring to the late twenties on Thursday and Friday making Britain hotter than some European holiday destinations including Ibiza, Nice and Barcelona. Pictured: Eight-year-old Poppy Mae Priest relaxes in the sun at Bournemouth this afternoon . Pictured: Charlotte Finch, six, makes a splash at Bournemouth beach . Temperatures could rise to a sweltering 30C in . many parts of the country on Thursday and Friday, including in the south . east which is set to enjoy some of the warmest weather in the UK over . the next few days. Sun-seekers enjoyed the sunshine in Bournemouth . today, including Talia Jade Rahl, one (left), and Charlotte Finch, six . (right) Wednesday also looks promising, with the bulk of England and Wales likely to remain dry and sunny. It . will herald the start of another hot spell in Britain, where . temperatures could exceed those in popular European holiday destinations . such as Barcelona, Ibiza and Nice. Temperatures . will start to rise from Thursday, peaking on Friday when the 30C . barrier could be reached for the first time this year, with the most . likely location somewhere to the north-west of London. Heather Welby, of Portishead, (left) and Gaye Senior-Smith (right), of Bristol, enjoy the sun on St Swithun's Day in the University of Bristol Botanic Garden . Forecasters say there is is a 'very good chance' the hottest day of the year so far could be surpassed by Friday. The hottest day of 2014 so far was July 4, when 28.7C (83.7F) was detected in Norfolk and Essex. Pictured: One lady cycles past cattle on Midsummer Common in Cambridge, where the sun peeped through the grey clouds . However, . the balmy conditions towards the end of the week – which could see the . hottest day of the year so far surpassed – could bring ‘thundery’ rain. Mr . Williams said there was a chance heavy showers could develop in parts . of the UK on Thursday before it clears later in the afternoon. However, . despite the blip, temperatures are expected to rise to a sweltering 30C . in many parts of the country on Thursday and Friday, including in the . south east which is set to enjoy some of the warmest weather in the UK . over the next few days. Mr Williams said there was a very good chance the hottest day of the year so far could be surpassed by Friday. The hottest day of 2014 so far was July 4, when 28.7C (83.7F) was detected in Norfolk and Essex. However, . despite the ‘hot and humid’ weather, forecasters have warned the . conditions could be uncomfortable for some as it will feel muggy instead . of fresh. Met Office . forecaster Helen Roberts said ‘thundery downpours’ could give brief . respite from the hot and sticky weather on Friday and Saturday. She said: ‘Most people won't enjoy these conditions. It can be difficult sleeping during the hot humid nights. ‘Although it probably is shorts and T-shirt weather, you will need a brolly at the same time.’ Many will be relieved it stayed dry to coincide with the folklore of St Swithun's Day. While legend states that rain on July 15 means it will rain for the next 40 days, it also says that if it remains dry for the day, the country will be in for 40 days of sun. Pictured: Ellie Wimshurt, 22, wanders through Barley Wood Walled Garden in Somerset . Despite the 'hot and humid' weather over the next few days, forecasters have warned the conditions could be uncomfortable for some people as it will feel muggy and sticky instead of fresh. Pictured: Ken Roberts cuts daisies at Somerset Flower Farm in Wrington, Somerset where temperatures reached up to 25C today . The conditions, which should . ease when a band of fresher air sweeps in on Sunday, are not expected to . trigger the Met Office's official threshold for a heatwave. While . the legend states that rain on July 15 means it will rain for the next . 40 days, it also says that if it remains dry for the day, the country . will be in for 40 days of sunshine. The British folklore dates back to c.800, when St Swithun was a Saxon bishop at Winchester Cathedral. As he lay on his deathbed he asked to be buried outside where he would be trodden on and rained on. His . wishes were followed for nine years, then on July 15, 971, the monks of . Winchester attempted to remove his remains to a shrine inside the . cathedral. This week's warm weather heralds the start of another hot spell in Britain, where temperatures could exceed those in popular European holiday destinations such as Barcelona, Ibiza and Nice. Pictured: A man enjoys a walk through Midsummer Common in Cambridge this afternoon as the sun makes a break through the clouds . According to legend, the . removal was accompanied by ferocious and violent rain storms which . lasted 40 days and nights and were said to indicate the saint's . displeasure at being moved. The . story soon became British folklore and ever since the weather patterns . on July 15 have been closely followed by the superstitious. The . folklore’s rhyme reads: 'St Swithin’s day if thou dost rain, For 40 . days it will remain. St Swithin’s day if thou be fair, For 40 days . ’twill rain no more.' However, . the Met Office has routinely said there is no ‘scientific evidence’ supporting the folklore and said numerous studies have been carried out . on past weather observations, with none proving the legend to be true. It . also said that since the start of records in 1861, there has been . neither 40 dry or 40 wet days following the corresponding weather on St . Swithun's Day. While . it is unlikely that any one location will see rain fall every day for . the next 40, there is some element of truth to weather patterns . continuing. By this point in the summer, the jet stream is usually set in a pattern which tends to last until the end of August. The jet stream is a fast-flowing current of air located around four to seven miles up in the atmosphere. It . tends to steer the areas of high and low pressure around the globe and . marks a boundary between cold air to the north and warmer air to the . south. If it is . sitting to the north of the UK, then warm air tends to invade from the . south, usually associated with high pressure building in from the . Azores, leading to fine and settled weather for the British Isles. However, . should the jet stream sit across the UK or to the south, then cooler . air from the north is dragged down and low pressure systems move across . the country from the Atlantic, leading to unsettled weather. So far, the jet stream is pointing directly towards the British Isles, indicating unsettled weather. | Creatures rarely seen this close to shore but have flourished in unusually warm waters . Jellyfish weighs up to 35kg, but sting is not strong enough to harm humans . Majestic creatures were captured on camera by scuba photographer Charles Hood . Forecasters predict Britain will bask in some of the hottest temperatures of the year so far towards end of the week . Mercury expected to soar to 30C in many parts of UK on Thursday and Friday . UK is set to be hotter than some European holiday destinations over next few days including Ibiza and Barcelona . | f40330ba90619700f5e7e495da0a25a983534d1f |
(CNN) -- The Zumba instructor in Maine who ran a prostitution ring out of her fitness studio Saturday was released from jail early for good behavior and participating in a work program, according to a York County Jail spokesman. Alexis Wright, 29, walked out of the Maine jail at 8 a.m. Saturday after serving nearly six months of a ten-month term for a prostitution case that last year rocked the sleepy New England town of Kennebunk. Her client list, including accountants, lawyers and even a local TV personality, became the talk of the picturesque Maine town. The State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating the prostitution ring in 2011 after receiving a tip that there was more going on at the studio than a Latin dance fitness party. In February 2012, Wright's Zumba studio was raided. Court documents showed that Wright videotaped intimate encounters with some of her customers in three locations -- including her store-front Zumba exercise studio -- and would send the footage to her business partner, Mark Strong. Attorneys act to conceal names in Zumba sex case . According to Strong's sentencing memo, Wright would not engage in a prostitution session unless Strong had "prior knowledge of the session and was actively watching via the Skype connection." More than 13,000 Skype video call snapshots were recovered from Strong's computer, according to the memo. Strong was found guilty of promotion of prostitution and conspiracy to promote prostitution in March. He was sentenced to 20 days in jail, court documents said. In addition to jail time, Wright was ordered to pay $57,000 in restitution and $1,000 in fines. Prosecutors dropped more than 80 other counts and reduced more serious tax-related charges from felonies to misdemeanors, according to the sentencing documents. CNN's calls to Wright and her attorney were not returned. Talk of the town: Who's on 'The List' of alleged sex clients? CNN's Lorenzo Ferrigno contributed to this report . | Zumba instructor in Maine prostitution ring released from jail on good behavior . Alexis Wright serves nearly six months of her ten-month sentence . Prostitution case rocked Kennebunk, where client list became talk of the town . | 5fa53068fa9eace02e896e2fb317ab9a4b19f5df |
(CNN) -- Once called the "mad dog of the Middle East," Libya's often flamboyantly dressed ruler, Moammar Gadhafi, has ruled the north African nation for 42 years. But Libya's 679,362 square miles and 6.4 million people have rarely seemed enough for Gadhafi, who in 2008 gathered a group of African tribal leaders and had them grant him the lofty title, "King of Kings." It was part of his campaign for a unified Africa -- a single federation with a million-man army at its disposal -- a nation that he, naturally, would serve as president, said Ronald Bruce St. John, the author of seven books on Libya. "The Libyan stage is not enough of a playhouse for Gadhafi. It never has been," St. John said. Gadhafi's "King of Kings" ploy was only another in a string of efforts by the mercurial leader to secure a larger-than-life place for himself on the world stage, efforts that have frequently landed him and his citizens in the harsh glare of an angry international community, according to St. John. Gadhafi's growing anger over the rejection of Arab and African leaders and his own growing anti-Western sentiment led him to turn to terrorism in the 1970s and 1980s, said Dirk J. Vandewalle, a Libya expert at Darmouth University. It led to the infamous bombing of a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, in which 270 people died. "Terrorism was a cheap way to get even with the West," Vandewalle said. Gadhafi, who will turn 69 in March, seized control of Libya in the very place where the current tumult seems strongest, the city of Benghazi. As an Army captain, he led a bloodless coup against King Idris on September 1, 1969, establishing the Libyan Arab Republic in just two hours, according to GlobalSecurity.org, an independent provider of security information. He established a putative system of direct democracy called Jamahiriya that supposedly allowed the nation's citizens direct input into their government, St. John said. In reality, the country was sliding into a dictatorship led by Gadhafi, he said. In taking control of the country, he became one of a number of young revolutionaries in the region carrying a strong message of Arab nationalism in the mold of Egyptian President Gamel Abdel Nasser, Vandewalle said. Although U.S. leaders initially tried working with Gadhafi, it quickly became clear he was an Arab nationalist and relations with the West quickly deteriorated, St. John said. By 1972, he was urging Muslims to fight Western powers, including the United States and Great Britain, and backing black militants in the United States as he pursued a leadership position in the Arab world, seeking to succeed his political idol, Nasser, who had died in 1972. But Arab leaders shunned his responses, Vandewalle said, seeing him more as a "buffoon" and a "clown" than a potential pan-Arab leader. That rejection, his own growing anti-Western sentiment and a lack of criticism within the tightly controlled Libyan political environment led Gadhafi to turn to terrorism, Vandewalle said. "I think it was frustration more than anything else," he said. In 1986, Libya was implicated in the fatal bombing at a West Berlin nightclub that left one American service member dead, prompting U.S. President Ronald Reagan to dub the Libyan leader the "mad dog of the Middle East." The United States bombed targets in Libya in response and imposed economic sanctions. Two years later, Libya was implicated in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland. In 1999, seeking rapprochement with the West, Gadhafi succumbed to Western demands to turn over suspects in the Lockerbie bombing, and in 2003 the country agreed to eliminate weapons of mass destruction. The moves helped the country regain diplomatic relations with the United States in 2006, but that wasn't the end of Gadhafi's touchy relations with foreign nations. In 2008, Swiss officials jailed one of Gadhafi's sons, prompting the furious leader to cut off the country's oil supplies, withdraw the country's money from Swiss banks and threaten to cut off diplomatic relations. And in 2009, Libya and Gadhafi again became the subject of international ire in 2009 when the government granted a hero's welcome to Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, who had been convicted in the Lockerbie bombing but was released by Scottish authorities for health reasons. While his politics have brought the attention of international leaders, it may be Gadhafi's personal style that has brought him the most awareness around the world. Gadhafi is known for appearing in public in outrageous, sometimes outlandish, garb, St. John said. Images of the Libyan leaders available on the Internet show him dressed in everything from lavishly decorated military uniforms to animal prints. Gadhafi famously travels with a traditional Bedouin tent, whose appearance in 2009 frustrated officials in Bedford, New York, when he came to New York to address the United Nations. He also travels with a retinue of female bodyguards, St. John noted. While Gadhafi has a substantial number of enemies within Libya, his use of the county's enormous oil revenues to provide subsidized health care, education and housing to citizens, as well as his willingness to stand up to the West, granted him a reserve of good will that he still draws on today, said Vandewalle. "This was a young nationalist who stood up to the West, who nationalized the oil companies, who stood up to Great Britain and the United States," Vandewalle said. "It was highly symbolic and there are a number of people there who still grudgingly respect him for that." CNN's Greg Botelho contributed to this report . | Moammar Gadhafi has ruled Libya for 42 years . He took control in a bloodless coup with fellow military officers in 1969 . His efforts at a larger world role have often brought harsh international attention to his nation . | 963b22db84727b454c49b2296cb1255d79a0edb2 |
An elderly woman has died after a car without a driver rolled down a hill and knocked her over - before the owner retrieved the vehicle and accidentally ran over her again. Lee Sheila Mahoney, 73, was walking outside her home in Edgewater, Maryland on Monday afternoon when a car that did not have its parking brake secured drifted towards her. The 2010 Ford Mustang struck Mahoney and came to a stop on top of her, the Anne Arundel County Police Department said in a press release. The owner of the car, 23-year-old David Adam Garman, was in a nearby home when he saw the car rolling down the street, which has a gentle incline. Tragic loss: Lee Mahoney, pictured, was walking . along her Edgewater, Maryland street when she was knocked over and . killed by a driverless car on Monday. The owner then accidentally backed . over her . Garman reached the car, climbed inside and began to reverse - unaware that Mahoney was underneath, police said. Emergency services arrived on the scene and rushed Mahoney to Anne Arundel Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Public records indicate Mrs Mahoney was married with children and that the couple had lived in the same house on the street for nearly 40 years. On Facebook, one family friend said the Mahoneys were in their prayers. 'I . think Ms. Lee helped raise almost every kid on this street and then . some,' Heather Price LoBianco wrote. 'She will be missed by so many . people.' Error: The car's owner, David Adam Garman (believed to be pictured right) saw the car rolling and ran to it . Scene: The street, where Mrs Mahoney has lived (in the house left) for nearly 40 years, is on a slight incline so when the car was not properly secured, it began rolling towards her . One relative said: 'She was the heart and soul of our family', while her sister Elaine Ritchey, added: 'God I just want to pick up the phone and call her and better yet, tell her again how much I love her.' Police said the preliminary cause of the crash is driver error. 'The driver failed park the vehicle with its wheels turned properly towards the curb with the parking brake set,' Anne Arundel County Police spokesman Justin Mulcahy said. It is unclear if Garman could face charges. Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and being conducted by members of the Traffic Safety Section. Investigators will also be consulting with the State's Attorney's Office. | Lee Sheila Mahoney was walking outside her home in Edgewater, Maryland when the car hit her and pinned her to the ground . Owner David Garman, 23, saw the car rolling down the street and jumped inside and reversed - unaware she was underneath . Police say the driver had not set the parking brake or turned the wheels to the curb, causing it to roll down the slight hill . Friends and family remembered Mrs Mahoney as a caring woman who helped bring up numerous children on the street . | 370458eb749f7f1a1e5914299df311941bd9a97d |
(CNN) -- Energy ministers at Wednesday's OPEC meeting in Vienna agreed to maintain oil production levels, after negotiating in the shadow of flaring violence in the second-biggest city of Iraq, one of the consortium's key producers. More than 500,000 citizens have fled Mosul as extremist militants overrun the town. The impact of the insurgency has so far been limited, but a drive into the deep south, around Basra, or further into the Kurdish region, could quickly alter the dynamics of the oil market. The OPEC agenda has also been destabilized by complications on the path to an agreement between world powers and Iran over its nuclear program. Further, chaos continues to reign in Eastern Libya, which has brought down the country's production to an eighth of its pre-war average of 1.6 million barrels a day. OPEC agreed to keep production at 30 million barrels a day, despite rising production from Iraq and Iran. They will meet again in Vienna in November. In a statement, OPEC said member countries affirmed they would "if required, take steps to ensure market balance which is so important to world economic activity." Further, they "reiterated their willingness to firmly respond to developments that might jeopardize oil market stability." Strategists say the cartel's traditional swing producer Saudi Arabia (the one that balances market demand for OPEC crude) may need to step in to produce a record 11 million barrels a day to fill a potential void. The Kingdom moved to increase production capacity to 12.5 million barrels a day when the former government in Iran threatened to chock off exports through the Strait of Hormuz. The situation could be much worse for the group that produces about 40% of the world's daily oil output. These countries -- dominated by the major players of the Middle East -- have enjoyed triple digit oil prices, meaning $100 or more, for three years. This has kept export revenues within OPEC above $1 trillion since 2011. So far, we are witnessing the same scenario playing out in 2014. Four investment banks raised their annual forecasts for North Sea Brent based on the uncertainty that prevails over supply. At the same time, Paris-based think tank the International Energy Agency said that OPEC production would need to rise in the second half since inventories for April were at their lowest level since 2008. That amounts to a 180 degree turn in sentiment from the last time OPEC members convened in December. With North American output at a 30-year high as a result of the shale oil and gas boom, many expected OPEC members to be vying amongst themselves for global market share. The Middle East uncertainty is allowing OPEC to delay tough decisions. Long-time rivals Iran and Iraq both say they will take production to four million barrels a day in 2015, if geo-politics and violence do not stand in the way. But all eyes will remain on Iraq, and the insurgency. So far, the real oil bounty has not been hit. Andrey Kuzyaev, president of Lukoil Overseas, the Russian oil group told me in an interview back in April "to date we had zero cases of kidnappings and zero terrorist attacks." The company plans to move forward with an estimated investment of $36 billion in the West Qurna field near Basra in southern Iraq. But the situation remains fluid. The Iraqi government was hoping to boost production in Kirkuk, near where the violence has broken out, from its recent low of 260 thousand barrels a day. Those plans seem to be in jeopardy as the insurgence spreads. The siege of Mosul: What's happening? Why is it significant? More from John Defterios: Investors welcome el-Sisi . More from John Defterios: Putin's 48 hours in St Petersburg . | OPEC is meeting to discuss oil production, including rising output from Iran and Iraq . Production in Libya, meanwhile, has dropped as chaos reigns in the east of the country . Uncertainty in the Middle East is enabling OPEC to delay tough decisions, John Defterios says . | 9414c3e34a6670242f7f75ecb9ae5ad4a418e4d9 |
British ISIS jihadist Nasser Muthana should face execution, his father said . The British medical student suspected of involvement in an Islamic State death squad should face execution himself, his father said yesterday. Nasser Muthana, 20, deserved to die because it would be a ‘head for a head’. The 20-year-old from Cardiff is thought to be part of an Islamic State ‘foreign legion’ of at least 16 jihadis who were filmed beheading Syrian soldiers in the desert. As David Cameron last night claimed the ‘sick terrorists’ of IS must face the ‘justice they deserve’ including charges of treason, Muthana’s father Ahmed said he would disown his son if he is involved. The former electrical engineer, 57, told the Mail: ‘What they are doing is inhuman, this is not the son I brought up. ‘I cannot have him back. No father wants to disown their children but I have no choice.’ Speaking from his home in Wales, Mr Muthana said: ‘I am like any other father. I am trying not to believe it is my boy, but it looks like him. ‘If that’s what he has done to someone then that is what should be done to him. A head for a head. I am not going to make excuses for him. He is a grown man and he must face up to what he has done.’ Nasser Muthana, who appeared in a recruitment video for IS in June, has also been joined in Syria by his younger brother Aseel, 17. Scroll down for video . Mr Muthana said he called police after recognising Nasser in the video and South Wales police confirmed they were looking into the footage. The clip also shows the decapitated head of Peter Kassig, a 26-year-old American aid worker, who is the fifth Western hostage to be murdered by fanatics. In the Commons, the Prime Minister vowed that Britain would not be intimidated by IS. He told MPs: ‘We will not be cowed by these sick terrorists. They will be defeated and they must face the justice they deserve. ‘The threat is faced by countries right across the world. We must face it together.’ Terror: The sickening video showed the graphic beheading of at least 16 Syrian soldiers by ISIS jihadists . Nasser Muthana, a medical student from Cardiff, appeared in an online recruitment video for ISIS in June . Agreeing with Tory MP Philip Hollobone that British jihadis should face treason charges, he said that radicalised Britons made him ‘sick to the stomach’. He added: ‘It is not only the full force of the law that these people should face; they should also recognise that when they take up arms in this way in another country, they become enemies of the state.’ Analysts examining the sickening video believe the jihadis – led by the Briton known as Jihadi John – are from at least six countries. French intelligence officers identified one as Maxime Hauchard, 22, from Normandy and are trying to determine if a second fighter is French. A German was also identified – but neither were officially named. France’s interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve said one of the killers was ‘almost certainly’ Hauchard – now known as Abou Abdallah Al Faransi. Friends said he was a quiet youth with a spiritual side who liked ‘partying with friends and drinking’. The video, released online on Sunday, shows how the jihadis are seeking to heighten the disgust they provoke. Jihadi John, dressed in black, is flanked by at least 15 other IS fighters dressed in desert fatigues and one brutal scene ends with an image of the captives’ heads on top of their bent-over bodies. Last night there were also unverified claims that Mr Kassig had been killed in a US-led air strike in Syria nearly two weeks ago. However, analysts said if the claims were true then IS militants would have used it as a propaganda victory. British journalist John Cantlie has featured in several propaganda videos but is yet to be named as the next to be killed. | British ISIS jihadist Nasser Muthana should face death, his father said . Muthana is thought to be one of the killers in a sick ISIS beheading video . Medical student from Cardiff 'must face up to what he has done' says father . David Cameron claimed 'sick terrorists' could face charges of treason . | 410ba48839cf41f480232c92f48f70016b8a3f82 |
Houston (CNN) -- A plane carrying U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords departed Houston on Wednesday headed for Florida, where she is scheduled to attend the Friday launch of the space shuttle Endeavour, commanded by her husband, Mark Kelly. Giffords has been recovering at a Houston rehabilitation hospital after she was shot in the head at a public event January 8 in Tucson, Arizona. Her staffers put a picture taken from the plane on Twitter, saying she "is looking forward to some time away" from TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. Last week, her doctors gave her final clearance to attend the launch. Giffords will not make a statement or meet with the media while she is at Kennedy Space Center, officials said. Doctors and friends have spoken of Giffords' strong recovery. She speaks in short sentences, walks with a cart for therapy and has full use of her left side. Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, D-Florida, recently said her friend "continues to make remarkable progress, has a little bit more mobility now ... is a lot more responsive, interactive and initiating speech." Earlier this month, CNN's Sanjay Gupta visited Giffords' medical team in Tucson, including Dr. Peter Rhee, the trauma chief at University Medical Center, where she was first treated. Dr. Gupta on Giffords' skull surgery . "I'll tell you she's not going to be 100%, I know that for a fact," Rhee said of Giffords. "She has a scar on her head, she's going to have multiple scars on her ... there are a lot of things that are permanently damaged that won't ever come back. Is she going to be the same as she was before? I think she's going to have permanent changes in thoughts and memories and feelings and emotions, so we'll have to see how that pans out in the future. But I think she'll be doing very well." Kelly will be commanding a crew of four other Americans and one astronaut from the European Space Agency. Liftoff is scheduled for 3:47 p.m. ET Friday. According to a senior administration official, President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Malia and Sasha will also watch the launch in person.; . | NEW: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' staff posts a picture taken from her plane . Giffords is scheduled to attend a space shuttle launch Friday . The shuttle will be commanded by her husband, Mark Kelly . | 1c64eb67c5008f33c6d01f88d0f8b4ff320127b9 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 23:24 EST, 14 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:45 EST, 15 April 2013 . A new series of painterly photographs from artist Sally Davies captures America's love affair with cars in a rare way. Davies, who was born in Canada and has established herself as a New York artist, is well known for capturing the essence of her Big Apple home. Her paintings which have appeared in Sex and the City . and the film 200 Cigarettes and feature in many major New York and . celebrity collections, including those of Sarah Jessica Parker and Debra . Winger. Now with this collection of car photos, she has found a new way to capture the city's changing neighborhoods and the characters of its millions of inhabitants. The collection, titled Cars on the American Landscape, can also be viewed at Sally Davies' website and is a natural extension of her chronicle of the American experience. Character: Canadian Sally Davies is well-known for her paintings which have appeared in Sex and the City and the film 200 Cigarettes and feature in many major New York and celebrity collections . Style: Davies' photographs of cars in New York's fabled East Village tell a romantic tale of the American road, and testify to the great love affair that Americans have with their cars . History: Celebrity collectors of Davies' work include Sarah Jessica Parker and Debra Winger . People: Many cars are kept for years or even decades by people unable to buy new ones and their appearance tells the story . Beauty: Davies has spent years photographing the urban landscape as well as becoming an accomplished painter . Unusual: Davies has also exhibited a collection of photographs from 9/11 . Life: Davies find classic cars that often look as if they were designed to be one with the streets they're parked on . Classic: 'There is no way that I can continue to document the American Story, without including the cars,' Davies is reported to have said . Colour: The stunning images are of an almost painterly quality . Eccentricity: The cars range across all makes and models, in conditions of near mint to dented beater . Iconic: Before turning to cars, Davies photographed a variety of subjects including a Chinatown laundry . Time: Davies excels at finding artistic compositions in the most cluttered settings . Memories: Many of the cars Davies photographs have vintage designs . Design: Several of the autos are from a time when America's booming auto industry produced gorgeous designs Americans fell in love with . Dreams: The images can be starkly realistic yet also dreamlike . Glamour: Few cars are designed with as much verve as those Davies captures . Cherished: The beautiful cars reflect not only the characters of their owners but the changing neighborhoods of New York . | Photographs by artist Sally Davies capture essence of the Big Apple . Collection - entitled Cars on the American Landscape - shows city's changing neighbourhoods . | 9dda21313e7fabb91aa94ad103387b88e8e88729 |
BEIJING, China (CNN) -- Senior North Korean officials say the communist regime has "weaponized" its stockpile of plutonium, according to a U.S. scholar, in a move suggesting that North Korea may have significantly hardened its stance on nuclear negotiations. Selig Harrison said North Korean officials claimed to have enough plutonium for four or five warheads. Selig Harrison, one of the few U.S. scholars granted access to senior North Korean officials, said at a news conference in Beijing that the officials told him they had weaponized 30.8 kilograms of plutonium, enough for four or five warheads. The director of the Asia Program at the Center for International Policy, who just returned from a five-day visit to Pyongyang, said senior North Korean officials told him the warheads will not be open for inspection. If it is true, the news portends a gloomy outlook for the future of the six-party talks that began in 2003 with the goal of getting North Korea to end its nuclear program. "It does change the game," Harrison said. South Korea, the United States, Japan, China and Russia are participating in the talks. A 2007 agreement calls for scrapping nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula in return for energy aid to the North, normalized relations between the North and the United States and Japan, and a formal peace pact. Watch a report on North Korea's nuclear negotiations » . The North Koreans told Harrison they want the rest of the fuel aid that Japan has promised them. North Korea had agreed to disable the reactor that had produced plutonium for nuclear weapons. But the United States and its allies have asked it to give up the plutonium it already has, an estimated 30 kilograms, as well as details of any other bomb-producing programs. Harrison said one possible reason for Pyongyang's tough new stance could be the declining health of leader Kim Jong Il, who reportedly suffered a stroke last year and may no longer be involved in day-to-day decisions. "People I talked to have many indications that some important things are submitted to him, but he is not working in the way he used to," Harrison said. He said military hard-liners have taken the lead in demanding from the United States a full declaration and verification of all nuclear weapons sent to South Korea between 1957 and 1991. The hard-liners also seek full normalization of relations with Washington before more talks about scrapping their nuclear arsenal. On Tuesday, during her Senate confirmation hearing for the secretary of state position, Sen. Hillary Clinton made it clear: de-nuclearization first, then diplomatic normalization. President-elect Barack Obama has stated his willingness to talk to the North Korean leader. Harrison also said the North demanded the completion of the light-water reactors as compensation for the dismantling of the Yongbyon nuclear reactor. The light-water reactor, which is not capable of producing weapons-grade plutonium, was promised to North Korea in the early 1990s for the North giving up its nuclear weapons. Its construction has been suspended. North Korea has long considered its nuclear program integral to its national security. North Korea tested a nuclear weapon in 2006. In June, it acknowledged producing about 40 kilograms of enriched plutonium. CNN's John Vause contributed to this report. | News may bode ill for future of talks to end North Korean nuclear program . North Korean officials tell U.S. scholar they want rest of promised fuel aid . One possible reason for tough stance could be declining health of leader Kim Jung Il . Military hard-liners seek normalization of relations with Washington before more talks . | 7c368607c8b60d4067d217cdfe5a95e69a9df2b1 |
(CNN) -- Tour de France legend Laurent Fignon has died from cancer in a Paris hospital aged just 50. Fignon won the Tour in 1983 and 1984 but was perhaps most famous for the 1989 contest, when he was beaten by Greg Lemond by only eight seconds -- the smallest winning margin in the history of the race. The Frenchman actually held the lead going into the final stage time-trial into Paris, but he let his advantage slip to allow American Lemond to snatch victory in the most dramatic finish ever seen. As well as his two Tour victories, Fignon won nine stages and held the leader's yellow jersey for 22 days. His other big race successes included two wins in the Milan-San Remo one-day classic and two stage wins in both the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta Espana. Fignon was a colorful character on and off the bike, famous for his flowing blond hair and glasses, and was also regarded as an anti-establishment figure. In his autobiography, "We Were Young and Carefree", Fignon admitted taking amphetamines and cortisone during his career but did not establish a direct link with his cancer. "In those days everyone was doing it," he explained in his book. "But it is impossible to know to what extent doping harms you. "Whether those who lived through 1998, when a lot of extreme things happened, will get cancer after 10 or 20 years, I really can't say." Meanwhile, tributes for Fignon have poured in from the world of cycling. Defending Tour de France champion Alberto Contador led the tributes on his Twitter page, saying: "Today we lost a great champion, Laurent Fignon, after a hard struggle. It was a privilege to share some time with him in Paris. Rest in peace. Lance Armstrong, who himself battled cancer before becoming the greatest Tour de France champion of all time, said on his official website: "I awoke today to the terrible news that my dear friend and legendary cyclist Laurent Fignon has passed away. "I will never forget the early 90's when I first turned pro, of course terrified of the older guys. Laurent was always a friendly face with words of advice. He was a special man to me, to cycling, and to all of France. Laurent, we will all miss you." And fellow-American Lemond, whose name will always be linked with Fignon after their epic 1989 duel, echoed those sentiments. "I will miss Laurent Fignon as a great person and competitor. A truly sad day for everyone whose lives he touched." In later life, Fignon became a consultant for French television and commentated on the Tour de France in 2009 and 2010 despite the treatment he was receiving. | Tour de France legend Laurent Fignon has died from cancer in a Paris hospital . The 50-year-old won the Tour de France twice in the 1980s and was second in 1989 . Fignon lost the 1989 Tour to Greg Lemond by eight seconds, the smallest-margin ever . | 6e4e66c0c993a79cdb1dfa2b134c92e719b60bf8 |
Lewis Hamilton’s victory was his seventh of the season, three more than Nico Rosberg and two more than the Briton secured during his championship year of 2008. He has now led 63 grands prix during his 143-race career, surpassing David Coulthard’s British record. Michael Schumacher’s all-time record is 142. Lewis Hamilton poses on the podium with his trophy and champagne after winning the Singapore Grand Prix . Singapore is one of the toughest tests on the calendar given the searing heat, humidity and the race’s length — yesterday’s reached the two-hour limit before the scheduled number of laps was completed — and it appeared to take its toll on the rookies. Daniil Kyvat, 19, asked to park his Toro Rosso after his drinks bottle failed before the race started, while McLaren’s Kevin Magnussen, 21, required medical attention for burns following an unexplained build-up of heat in his cockpit. He, too, was unable to take on liquids during the race and was seen with his arm raised in a bid to direct cool air down his back. ‘It was the hardest point I’ve ever earned,’ the Dane said after finishing 10th. Kevin Magnussen suffered burns on his back after his cockpit overheated at the Singapore Grand Prix . In the wake of Rosberg’s arm-waving retirement (right) on lap 13, and the conspiracy theories which followed the Italian Grand Prix, Lotus rather mischievously tweeted: ‘@nico_rosberg now wondering if anyone will notice if he joins the @MercedesAMGF1 crew for the next @LewisHamilton pit stop…’ Unsurprisingly, the Hamilton fans, adamant Mercedes have been conspiring against their man all season, were rather quiet on the social-media front yesterday. Nico Rosberg signals to the Mercedes crew as he retires from the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday . With Hamilton now leading the table, it’s worth recalling his four wins on the spin in Malaysia, Bahrain, China and Spain. On the 21 occasions a driver has won four straight races, they’ve gone on to take the title. Rosberg’s day got off to a bad start when the car chosen to show him off to the crowd — a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL — stalled with him on the back. Rosberg can't hide his frustration as he has to watch on from pit lane as Hamilton takes the title lead . The Singapore Grand Prix kept its unique record of seeing a safety car deployed at every race since its inception in 2008 after Sergio Perez’s front wing shattered across the track. The Singapore Grand Prix has created a record of deploying the safety car at every race since its inception . | Hamilton has surpassed David Coulthard's British record for leading races . Daniil Kyvat and Kevin Magnussen toil in the heat of Singapore . Lotus team tweet making mischief out of Nico Rosberg's misery . | 4123c58d8f30e2f4f27f6fb0d6a0c27d5bd94bde |
Wrestling coach Gary Scott Goins, 46, has been found guilty of raping and molesting team members . A former high school wrestling coach faces 40 years in prison after being found guilty of raping and molesting his players. Gary Scott Goins, 46, was found guilty on 17 counts of the 20 brought before him, relating to sex crimes against three members of his East Gaston High School team between 1998 and 2004. This included oral and anal sex, which Goins would describe as training. Superior Court Judge Jesse Caldwell sentenced him to a minimum of 34 years and ten months in prison, and a maximum of 43 years and four months. Goins denies any sexual contact with the victims, and has lodged an appeal. Members of the victims' families burst into tears when the former coach was declared guilty. One of the victims told the court he wanted to apologise for not coming forward sooner, the Charlotte Observer reported. 'I could have stopped this from happening,' he said. 'I will not let it happen again. That's one good thing to come out of something so evil.' Turning to a fellow victim, he added: 'Stand true and proud. We can overcome. You can overcome.' The three chief witnesses told of how their coach had abused them on many occasions, in hotel rooms, at school, in his apartment and even in their own homes. One witness described sessions which took place in the his locked bedroom involving different scenarios thought up by Goins, including one for a car race, while the witness had to keep his eyes shut. The outside of East Gaston High School, where Goins had been a trusted wrestling coach . The witness said Goins told him to 'grab the throttle' - his finger, but the next time he did it 'it was his penis in my hand.' The Judge said that Goins had broken trust 'in homes, public schools, taxpayers support and in public property.' He added: 'The coach kept bringing home the gold.' He went on to mention how during the trial 'we’ve heard various officials [at the school] were alerted about problems and nothing was done,' though did not want to pass judgement on the North Carolina school itself. Goins' lawyer, Brent Ratchford, said he had grown close to the defendant during the trial, and believed he should have been given a sentence of maximum 20 years. He told the judge how he had 'tried to serve his community', and how he had turned to God in 2008 - a decision which had changed him. The emotional lawyer told how Goins had said to him: 'God never promised it would be easy'. | East Gaston High's Gary Scott Goins, 46, found guilty of 17 of 20 counts . Sexually abused three of his team, including through oral and anal sex . Could be handed sentence of 43 years and four months . Judge said he had betrayed the trust of the community he lived in . | c1e86fd0fa29f39b8d83804638fa314a54288258 |
Yemen's parliament Sunday called for an end to drone strikes on its territory after a U.S. missile attack mistakenly struck a wedding convoy, killing more than a dozen people. The nearly unanimous but non-binding vote was "a strong warning" to both the United States and the government of Yemeni President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi, a Yemeni government official told CNN. "The Yemeni public is angered by the drone strikes," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he's not authorized to talk to reporters. "The people's representatives reflected on the tone of the streets." That anger was further stoked last week after what Yemeni security officials said was a U.S. attack in southwestern Yemen last week. Intelligence reports had identified the targeted convoy as carrying al Qaeda militants, but the passengers were actually members of a wedding party, the officials said. The officials said that 14 people were killed and 22 others wounded, nine critically. U.S. officials declined to comment on the report. The attacks are part of a joint U.S.-Yemeni campaign against al Qaeda, and Yemen's government is unlikely to approve any measure that would limit the use of unmanned aircraft, the government official said. "Yemen's air force and troops can't carry out missions in remote areas. Drones have had success in targeting small number of militants," the official said. The highest-profile target of that campaign was Anwar al-Awlaki, the American-born Muslim scholar and cleric who acted as a spokesman for the Yemeni-based branch of al Qaeda. Al-Awlaki was killed in a drone strike in September 2011. But the U.S.-based Human Rights Watch reported in October that at least 57 civilians had also been killed by missiles fired from the unmanned aircraft. And some Yemeni security experts argue that drone strikes have aided al Qaeda by turning peaceful tribal communities into vengeful killers. Drones also have been used extensively against al Qaeda and Taliban fighters in Pakistan. Lawmakers there have objected strenuously to the attacks, but former President Pervez Musharraf acknowledged in April that his government secretly signed off on some strikes inside his country. | Yemeni lawmakers call for an end to drone strikes after an attack on a wedding party . The vote was "a strong warning" to Yemen's government and the United States, official says . But Yemen's government is unlikely to approve any ban on the attacks . | 073fe5d27830b5b573fe40aa49789e6e36c3e967 |
(CNN) -- Five members of a family died Saturday morning when a small plane crashed at an airport in Brussels, Belgium, an airport spokesman said. The plane is thought to have crashed as it sought to make an emergency landing after encountering problems shortly after takeoff, said David Gering, spokesman for the Brussels South Charleroi Airport. "We know it was a family of five who were all of Belgian nationality," Gering said. He did not give the victims' ages. The airport was shut down, with flights diverted, delayed or canceled, he said, while accident investigators examined the crash scene. It was expected to reopen Saturday afternoon. The aircraft that crashed was a privately-owned five-seater Cessna. | Five family members died when their small plane crashed, an airport official says . The plane was trying to make an emergency landing when it crashed, he says . The family, who were in a privately-owned Cessna, were all Belgian, he says . | f2bb147b7398fd236d87d2f5c5a975219df9089b |
Detroit's top law enforcement officer has been suspended amid allegations that he had a sexual . relationship with a subordinate. Chief Ralph Godbee's affair with Angelica Robinson, an internal . affairs officer, emerged after she posted a photo with her service weapon in her mouth on Twitter, after learning Godbee was at a police conference with another woman. Godbee had other officers locate the 37-year-old and put her under surveillance after seeing her photo. Shocking photo: Angelica Robinson posted this image after finding out that Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee was seeing another woman . Her attorney, David Robinson has confirmed that there was a relationship between his client and Chief Godbee, who is married but filed for divorce in August, according to myFoxDetroit.com. She now refers to herself as Godbee's former lover, and claims he is a 'sex addict,' the news website reports. 'There was a sexual relationship between my client and . Godbee,' Robinson told The Associated Press. 'She was trying . to end the relationship, and Godbee didn't want to let it go.' With regards the images his client posted on Twitter, Robinson added; 'Obviously, it raised the implication of suicide.' 'The story is that she was hurt he was at a conference with . another woman. Certainly this has created a lot of pressure. Unfairly, her . future is a little bit uncertain. She has to suffer the humiliation.' Angelica Robinson has been reassigned from internal affairs . to other duties. Her gun has since been taken away as she undergoes evaluation, myFoxDetroit.com reports. This is the second time in two years that a Detroit police . chief has been embroiled in scandal. Godbee's predecessor, Warren Evans, was fired by Mayor Dave Bing in . 2010 partly because he was romantically involved with a female officer. Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee has been suspended after allegations that he was involved in a relationship with Angelica Robinson . 'After learning of the allegations regarding Chief Ralph . Godbee, I have placed him on a 30-day suspension pending a full and thorough . investigation of this matter,' the mayor said in a statement Tuesday that did . not specify the allegations. Godbee could not be reached Tuesday afternoon for comment, . police spokeswoman Sgt. Eren Stephens said. Angelica Robinson, who is married, told her attorney the . relationship with Godbee lasted about a year. Godbee is separated from his . wife. David Robinson said the relationship was consensual. Without being specific, Robinson said he will approach the . city 'and see what their position would be and hopefully (the city will) do the . right thing' in regard to his client. 'The chief of police exceeded his professional status,' David Robinson said. 'He's breached the trust of the department.' Godbee and Bing have been assailed by officers in recent . weeks over a 10 percent pay cut and implementation of 12-hour workdays to help . cut millions of dollars from the police budget. Officers complain the cuts and . new work rules are too much to take in a city with one of the highest violent . crime rates in the country. The 287 murders committed through Sept. 23 in Detroit are 26 . more than at the same point last year. Godbee was named chief in 2010 after Bing fired Evans. Evans, a former Wayne County sheriff, was appointed chief by . Bing in 2009 and fired after he raised the mayor's ire by taking part in a . promotional video for a cable police reality show. Bing later said he also fired . Evans because the chief was romantically involved with Lt. Monique . Patterson. Godbee, too, had a romantic relationship with Patterson . before she began dating Evans and when she was Godbee's subordinate. The prior relationship between Godbee and Patterson was . disclosed publicly after Godbee was named interim chief, and Bing issued a . strongly worded statement after its disclosure saying he wasn't considering . firing Godbee for having an affair with a subordinate. Godbee, 44, joined the department in 1987 and rose to . assistant chief in 2007. He later retired only to be reappointed assistant chief . in July 2009 when Evans was hired. Assistant Chief Chester Logan will assume Godbee's . responsibilities during the suspension, Bing said. Video: Chief Ralph Godbee sex scandal . | Ralph Godbee accused of placing 'lover' under surveillance after seeing Twitter photos of her with gun in her mouth . She claims Godbee, who is married but reported to have filed for divorce, is a 'sex addict' Second time in two years a Detroit police chief has been embroiled in a scandal . Godbee's predecessor, Warren Evans, was fired in . 2010 partly because of a relationship with a female officer . | 9893de34c73a55ca0217e1dff1b56e9e1d519277 |
A 57-year-old woman who owned 20 cats was mauled to death by two vicious neighborhood dogs outside her Ohio home on Friday morning. Klonda Richey's lacerated body was found naked on snow-covered Bruce Avenue, Dayton about 8.15am, thrashed by her next door neighbors' male mixed breed Bullmastiffs. Records have revealed Richey complained at least six times about the 60-pound canines before her horrific death, but authorities said they were never able to find the dogs. Tragic: Cat-lover Klonda Richey, 57 (pictured with former Montgomery County Republican Party Chairman Rob Scott) was mauled to death by two vicious Bullmastiffs outside her Ohio home on Friday . Richey's next-door neighbors, 28-year-old Andrew . Nason and 23-year-old Julie Custer, were taken into custody after the attack. They are being . held on a charge of reckless homicide, pending the filing of formal . charges. WDTN reported Custer, a Wright State University nursing graduate and mother, was the registered owner of the dogs. The animals, which ripped off Richey's coat during the attack, were put down after they charged responding police officers on Friday. The Montgomery County Coroner's Office said an autopsy was completed yesterday but the results will be released on Monday. Richey's body is being held for further testing, according to Dayton Daily News. Arrested: Richey's next-door neighbors, Andrew Nason (right) and Julie . Custer (left) were taken into custody on Friday and are being held on a . charge of reckless homicide, pending the filing of formal charges . No action taken: Records show Richey repeatedly complained to authorities about the dangerous dogs owned by her next-door neighbors, Andrew Nason (left) and Julie Custer (right) Dog owner: Police said two dogs owned by Julie Custer (pictured) mauled Klonda Richey to death and left her naked on a sidewalk . 'My right hand man!' Julie Custer, who was arrested over the death of her neighbor, posted a picture of this dog to her Facebook page in 2012 . News of the shocking incident has devastated Richey's family and friends, who they described as a caring person who doted on her 20 cats. She had worked at Montgomery County Job & Family Services Administration Services Division for 25 years. 'It's so ironic that this devout animal lover would be killed by animals in such a brutal aggressive way,' colleague Ann Stevens said. 'Every conversation I had with Klonda included cats - she was very passionate about animals and their well being and because of that she always had a special place in my heart.' Richey was also an active Republican party volunteer, according to Dayton Daily News, and campaigned for Mitt Romney. Rob Scott, former chairman of the Montgomery County Republican party, met Richey when he became chairman of the party in April 2012. 'She was always smiling and upbeat and positive, I never heard her say one negative thing about anyone,' he said. 'She always looked on the positive side of life.' It is understood Richey lived alone in her clapboard home with her beloved cats. In the wake of Friday's attack, Montgomery County Animal Control Resource Center officers removed her cats, which were well cared for. They are reportedly being adopted by her friends. In a troubling twist, it has been revealed that Richey complained to law enforcers about the dangerous dogs before she was fatally mauled. A WTDN investigation showed in July of last year, Richey called 911 and told the dispatcher that two Bullmastiffs living at 35 East Bruce Avenue charged her. Police turned over the issue to Montgomery County’s Animal Resource Center. ARC director Mark Kumpf said he was aware of nine complaints about the . dogs responsible for the woman’s death. 'We have had previous complaints on the animals but we’ve never located them or seen them,' he said. The six calls made by Richey mainly related to concerns about the dogs' barking: 'Dog is straining to get to water and food that are empty, advised is ongoing issue'. 'We are aware of additional complaints, unfortunately, the owners have never responded to any of our calls to the best of our knowledge. We are looking into this matter,' Kumpf said. Deadly dog attack: Klonda Richey's body was found torn to shreds on the snow-covered sidewalk outside her Ohio home on Friday . Scene: Klonda Richey was found naked outside her home on Bruce Avenue in Dayton, Ohio on Friday . Safe: Animal protection workers rescued Richey's 20 well-looked-after cats from her home following her death . Lack of action: Records show Richey complained to authorities about her neighbors' vicious dogs numerous times before her death, but nothing was done . | Klonda Richey's naked body found outside her Ohio home on Friday morning . Her next door neighbors' two Bullmastiffs ripped her clothes off and mauled her to death . Andrew Nason, 28, and nursing graduate Julie Custer, 23, being held on a charge of reckless homicide . The dogs have been put down . Records show Richey complained to authorities numerous times about the vicious dogs . The active Republican party volunteer owned 20 cats. They are safe . | 59b36788ad5b76a0b28acae61ee86a6dafa9bbfc |
Syrian rebels beheaded a Christian man and fed his body to dogs, according to a nun who says the West is ignoring atrocities committed by Islamic extremists. The nun said taxi driver Andrei Arbashe, 38, was kidnapped after his brother was heard complaining that fighters against the ruling regime behaved like bandits. She said his headless corpse was found by the side of the road, surrounded by hungry dogs. He had recently married and was soon to be a father. Volatile fighting: The news of the kidnapping and beheading of Mr Arbashe came as pro-government forces celebrated their victory against rebels at the Air Defence Base in Tal Hassil near Aleppo Airport last night . Sister Agnes-Mariam de la Croix said: ‘His only crime was his brother criticised the rebels, accused them of acting like bandits, which is what they are.’ There have been a growing number of accounts of atrocities carried out by rogue elements of the Syrian Free Army, which opposes dictator Bashar al-Assad and is recognised by Britain and the West as the legitimate leadership. Sister Agnes-Miriam, mother superior of the Monastery of St James the Mutilated, has condemned Britain and the west for supporting the rebels despite growing evidence of human rights abuses. Murder, kidnapping, rape and robbery are becoming commonplace, she says. ‘The free and democratic world is supporting extremists,’ Sister Agnes-Miriam said from her sanctuary in Lebanon. ‘They want to impose Sharia Law and create an Islamic state in Syria.’ Fatal: Fighting in Aleppo has intensified with rebel forces specifically targeting air bases. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said fighting led to closure of Aleppo International Airport on Monday . The 60-year-old Carmelite nun claims the west has turned a blind eye to growing evidence of a ‘fifth column’ of fanatics within the rag-tag ranks that make up the Free Syrian Army that they back to oust Assad. One of the most effective fighting forces is the Jabat Al-Nusra, which has an ideology similar to Al Qaeda. ‘The uprising has been hijacked by Islamist mercenaries who are more interested in fighting a holy war than in changing the government,’ she said. ‘It has turned into a sectarian conflict. One in which Christians are paying a high price.’ The rebel attacked the northern town of Ras Al-Ayn, on the Turkish border, last month. The fighters entered the Christian quarter, ordering civilians to leave and leaving their homes. ‘More than 200 families were driven out in the night,’ Sister Agnes-Miriam says. ‘People are afraid. Everywhere the deaths squads stop civilians, abduct them and ask for ransom, sometimes they kill them.’ Threat: Rebel fighters launched a major offensive on Aleppo in mid-July but the city had remained in stalemate until recent weeks . Militants wearing black bandanas of Al Qaeda recently laid siege to the Monastery of St James the Mutilated, located between Damascus and Homs, for two days in an attempt to prevent Christmas celebrations, the nun claims. An estimated 300,000 Christians have been displaced in the conflict, with 80,000 forced out of the Homs region alone, she claims. Many have fled abroad raising fears that Syria’s Christian community may vanish - like others across Middle East, the birthplace of Christianity. Al Assad, a member of the Alawite Muslim sect, claims only his regime can protect Syria’s minorities from domination from the Sunni Muslims majority. Meanwhile the fighting continues to rage with government forces retaking control of a key district in the city of Homs yesterday. The latest violence comes after United Nations peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi warned of ‘hell’ for Syria if no political solution could be found. Russia has stated the conflict is becoming increasingly militarised and sectarian and risks bringing chaos to the whole region. Some 44,000 people have been killed since the uprising against the Al Assad regime began in March 2011. | Christian Andrei Arbashe, 38, was kidnapped and beheaded by rebel fighters in northern town of Ras Al-Ayn on the Turkish border . News came as pro-government forces celebrated their victory against rebels near Aleppo Airport . | 14911f28fa6b374ea5f1bff5d0570d8b62d631a7 |
It's not only soldiers who need to train for life-threatening situations on the battlefield. Experts have created a learning tool for army medics so they, too, can practice treating the wounded before putting themselves in the line of fire. A 360-degree virtual training programme has been created using the Oculus Rift headset to prepare the medical teams for the realities of war. Warning: Graphic content below. Scroll down for video . Using an Oculus Rift virtual reality headset, medics-to-be can be plunged into chaotic life on the battlefield. This is a view of the scene from the 'controller's' point-of-view but medics could get close-ups of wounds in future as well as learn how to look out for enemy fire . A terminally ill grandmother with cancer is using an Oculus Rift virtual reality headset to experience life outside a virtual Italian villa, from her armchair in Seattle. The idea to use virtual reality to give Roberta Firstenberg an outdoor experience without leaving her home came from her granddaughter, Priscilla, who works as an artist designing video games. She emailed Oculus about her idea and they sent her a headset, for free, for Roberta to use. Before long, Roberta was walking through a virtual Tuscan villa, trying to catch butterflies and admiring the sunshine. 'Her favorite part was just being able to walk up and down the stairs again of the villa in the Tuscany demo,' said Priscilla. 'I guess we take a lot of things for granted.' The technology uses ‘head tracking’ to enable the user to look around the virtual world they have entered, just as they can in real life. Essex-based developers Plextek Consulting and Bespoke VR created the virtual simulation using the Facebook-owned technology, so trainee medics can assist injured soldiers in life-like battle scenarios. The simulation emulates pre-hospital care on the battlefield and allows trainees to negotiate and prioritise clinical needs. This is designed to teach teamwork and decision-making skills within high-stress ‘under-fire’ scenarios, a spokesman explained. The prototype, which was funded by the UK's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), has been ‘well received’ and virtual reality training could become common practice in few years. A 360-degree virtual reality training programme for medics working on the battlefield has been created using Oculus Rift (pictured), which is a headset originally developed for gamers that covers the eyes with two screens presenting a 3D view that looks as though users have entered the world they are playing in . The technology uses 'head tracking' to enable the user to look around the virtual world they have entered, just as they can in real life. Medics could face frightening scenes of gruesome injuries (pictured) in their training one day . The simulation technology also has the potential to be applied to other scenarios, such as people training to help with natural disasters or medical training for paramedics. ‘Our work with DSTL is enabling us to revolutionise the way medical treatment can be applied in the battlefield, while creating a multitude of opportunities for advanced health training applications across a breadth of industries,’ said Collette Johnson, medical business manager at Plextek Consulting. ‘The innovative technology used in immersive reality solutions enables such a real-life perception that the education and response level of the trainee can be greatly heightened. ‘Any negative psychological effects could also be improved, by preparing the trainees better with a more accurate vision of what they could experience during military conflict.’ The simulation emulates pre-hospital care on the battlefield (pictured) and allows trainees to negotiate and prioritise clinical needs, teaching teamwork and decision-making skills within high-stress 'under-fire' scenarios, a spokesman explained . | The virtual reality training ground has been created using Oculus Rift . The headset was originally developed to provide immersive gaming . An Essex-based firm used the technology to build the life-like battlefield . It was designed to help medics treat soldiers in 'under fire' scenarios . The technology could be widely used to train experts 'within a few years' | 66be3635c6bcb78cde4c9ebb460c5b934c6989ed |
With a thrilling end to La Liga and an all-Madrid Champions League final done and dusted, Spanish eyes turned to the World Cup as their stars joined up Brazil. Spain are the reigning World Cup holders having won in South Africa four years ago, and the likes of David Silva and Pepe Reina touched down in Madrid on Monday in preparation for another assault on football's biggest prize. Manchester City's creative genius Silva was pictured undergoing what appeared to be a medical, while other Premier League stars David De Gea and Fernando Torres addressed the media. Fit and healthy: David Silva undergoes a medical check-up after joining up with Spain's World Cup squad . Welcome: Silva arrives at Las Rozas Sports City . Arrival: Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata . Attention: Chelsea striker Fernando Torres addresses the media at Las Rozas Sports City . Through their paces: Spain's squad take part in a training session in Madrid . Winners: Spain are the reigning World Cup holders after their victory in South Africa four years ago . Tricky: Spain begin their campaign against Netherlands in a repeat of the last World Cup final . Manchester United's Juan Mata and former Liverpool goalkeeper Reina were also pictured in the Spanish capital on Monday. Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque has named a provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup and will wait until the June 2 deadline before narrowing down his selection to 23 players. Gerard Deulofeu, who spent last season on loan at Everton from Barcelona, was named in a 19-man squad for a friendly against Bolivia in Seville on May 30. Speaking out: Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea talks to the Spanish press . Familiar face: Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina . All smiles: Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla . Baggage: Chelsea forward Torres in Madrid . Shady: Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez . Force: Barcelona's Xavi . Anchor: Sergio Busquets . Rock: Gerard Pique . Popular: Mata waves to a spectator as he arrives for training with Cazorla . Leader: Spain's coach Vicente del Bosque watches Gerard Deulofeu and Ander Iturraspe . Keep it up: Xavi, Torres and Cesc Fabregas show off their skills in Madrid . Spain kick-off their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands in a repeat of the final from Johannesburg four years ago. Also in Group B are Australia and Chile, who Spain also met in the group stage in South Africa. | Spain players arrive in Madrid to begin World Cup preparations . David Silva, Fernando Torres, Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla in attendance . Vicente Del Bosque has named preliminary 30-man squad . Spain manager will finalise 23-man squad for Brazil on June 2 . | 5882205a7dfc163eb07f158168fba5f90ac57260 |
(CNN) -- After days of insisting no formal complaints had been made about a teen gang calling themselves the "Roast Busters," New Zealand police now admit a 13-year-old girl made a rape allegation two years ago. The girl, now 15, told 3 News on Wednesday that police officers asked her to re-enact the alleged rape using dolls during a videotaped interview in 2011. "It was traumatizing," she said. The teenager repeated claims she said she'd made to police that she'd been raped by three boys from the "Roast Busters," a gang of teenagers whose online boasts about raping drunk underage girls caused outrage when they were exposed by local media this week. For days, police said they were powerless to arrest the boys because none of their alleged victims had filed a formal statement. However, on Wednesday, they admitted the girl had made a formal complaint just weeks after the alleged attack. "An investigation was launched and the complaint was thoroughly investigated," police said. "Whilst this was a distressing situation for the girl and her family, police determined that there was not sufficient evidence to bring a prosecution." Waitematä Police District Commander Superintendent Bill Searle told 3 News on Thursday the decision not to prosecute the girl's alleged attackers would be reviewed in coming days. He also said he'd be investigating why he wasn't told a formal complaint existed, adding there was a "little bit of disagreement" over what constituted a complaint. "I was briefed there was no formal complaint. As far as I'm concerned what the lady said was a formal complaint. I'd like to apologize to her for any stress that this would have caused," he told 3 News. Opinion: Don't blame women's drinking for rape . He said he'd also be investigating the girl's claims she was asked a "lot of questions" about what she was wearing at the time of the attack. She said officers asked "why did you go out in this skirt?" "It's not part of our policy, it's not part of our general practice to ask these sorts of questions," Searle said. The country's police minister Anne Tolley has asked the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) to investigate the matter, particularly officers' questioning of the then 13-year-old alleged rape victim. "Parents of young girls need to have confidence that complaints to police about sexual assault are investigated thoroughly and appropriately," she said in a statement. Referring to the apparent confusion over whether a formal complaint had ever been filed, she said she was "disappointed" the full facts had not been divulged to her or the country's police commissioner. "I don't expect to be told finer details of police operations. Police must remain independent of politicians. But I do expect police to be talking to each other," she said. In a statement on Thursday, Police Commissioner Peter Marshall welcomed the independent review and said Waitemata District police remained "absolutely committed" to pursuing the matter. "Prosecuting these matters before the court requires a very high threshold, and we only get one opportunity to get it right. This means it absolutely critical for victims that we have the strongest case possible, backed by the appropriate evidence before we can proceed." Earlier this week, Searle told CNN they had been actively monitoring the group since the first alleged offense was committed in 2011. He said police interviewed two boys identified as the group's ringleaders again on Monday, but they hadn't admitted to anything that constitutes a criminal offense. "The online claims themselves are not enough to warrant a prosecution," Searle said. "They might be morally inappropriate and unacceptable to us but we have to deal with evidence that would be admissible in a court of law and we haven't got to that stage yet." Searle declined to confirm how many boys were involved in "Roast Busters," but said the two ringleaders led a "core group," as well as "an associated group." The boys were attending at least two different schools at the time the alleged offenses were committed but all have since graduated, he said. It's believed they're now around 17 to 18 years old. In a video posted to YouTube, two boys made no attempt to hide their faces as they told the camera: "We don't choose the roast, the roast chooses us ... They know what we're like; they know what they're in for." They boasted of their exploits on a number of social media sites, including Ask.fm and Twitter, as well as a Facebook page which has since been shut down. Searle said on Tuesday the boys had recently received death threats but had not requested police protection. | New Zealand police backtrack on earlier claims they'd received no formal complaints about "Roast Busters" They've confirmed a 13-year-old girl made a video statement two years ago alleging she'd been raped . Officers decided at the time there was not enough evidence to file charges against the boys . Alleged ringleaders have caused outrage with online boasts about raping drunk underage girls . | ddf1e111f3574d61cf895ed6b0501982a79b289c |
Marijuana is the most used illegal drug worldwide but addiction to legal painkillers kills the most people, according to new research. Scientists found that cannabis was used more than cocaine and heroin in the first ever study of world-wide drug use. But experts from the University of Washington found that opioid painkillers such as vicodin, oxycontin and codeine caused more than half of the estimated 78,000 drug-related deaths worldwide. Study: Scientists have found that marijuana topped the list of most used illicit drugs worldwide, but prescription painkillers accounted for more than half of the estimated 78,000 drug-related deaths around the globe in 2010 . The study, which did not include data on ecstasy and hallucinogens, also found that men in their 20s are most likely to abuse drugs, with the highest rates of abuse found in Australia, the UK, Russia and the U.S. The research, which was published in The Lancet, found that the rate of drug-related deaths in countries that take a hard-line against illicit substance abuse was much higher than in states where the policy is to wean people off drugs by using methadone clinics and needle exchange programmes. Theo Vos, from the university's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and senior author of the study, said that although his team had few concrete numbers and had to rely on modeling techniques, the results still prove that there are drug problems in most parts of the world. Professor Vos added that people tended to abuse drugs produced close to home: cocaine in North America, amphetamines and opioids in Asia and Australia. The lowest rates of drug abuse were in Asia and Africa. New problem: Researchers warned that prescription drug abuse has only been a problem in the U.S for the past decade . Abuse: While cannabis is the most popular illegal drug used, the study found that people are more likely to use drugs made closer to home, for instance people in North America are more likely to abuse cocaine (file picture) Michael Lysnkey, of the National Addiction Centre at King's College London, who co-authored an accompanying commentary warned that prescription drug abuse in the U.S only appears to have become problematic in the last decade and warned that health officials will need to address the issue. He said: 'It's possible in another 20 years, patterns will again change in ways we can't predict.' In a related study, scientists also found that mental health and drug abuse problems including depression, schizophrenia and cocaine addiction kill more people worldwide than AIDS, tuberculosis, diabetes or road accidents. In some developing countries such as India, attempts to stop AIDS have slowed drug abuse as they focus on helping people kick their addictions, according to Vikram Patel, of the Centre for Global Mental Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Worrying: A separate study found that mental health and drug abuse problems including depression, schizophrenia and cocaine addiction kill more people worldwide than AIDS, tuberculosis, diabetes or road accidents . He recommended an approach to drug use similar to current controls on tobacco. He said: 'A decriminalized drug policy could potentially transform the public health approach to drug use. 'The enormous savings in the criminal justice system could be used to fund addiction treatment programs.' The results of the study were published as the the U.S Government confirmed that it will not sue the states of Colorado and Washington to stop them from legalising marijuana. Instead of trying to reverse the legalisation following a vote in November, the justice department said that it will try and focus on stopping underage access to the drug and keeping drug cash from criminals. As well as the two states which legalised the drug asap, 20 other states allow the drug to be used for medicinal purposes. Marijuana is still banned by federal law. | Prescription painkillers caused more than half of the estimated 78,000 worldwide drug-related deaths in 2010 . A study by the University of Washington found that drug users most likely to use substance produced close to home . | 7a05eec250ca0d57b20970463f4a04b40d6bba14 |
Tickets for next year's Glastonbury festival sold out yesterday in a record-breaking 26 minutes. Eager music fans sent internet servers into meltdown as they snapped up an eye-watering 5,769 tickets per minute. More than one million would-be festival goers descended on website seetickets.com at 9am in the hope of bagging a coveted spot at the legendary event. Scroll down for video . The Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival: Tickets for next year have sold out in a record 26 minutes . It took just 26 minutes for all 150,000 tickets, priced at £225 each, to be snapped up - beating last year's record by more than an hour. Organisers of the festival said: 'Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who's bought a ticket. 'We're humbled by the incredible numbers of people who would like to come to the Festival - and it's clear that demand once again outstripped supply this year. 'We're sorry that some of you have missed out, but there will be a resale of returned tickets in the spring. 'Thank you all for your never-ending support for our Festival.' Emily Eavis, the co-organiser of the festival, tweeted: 'I'm sorry to everyone who missed out, so wish we could get everyone in. There will be a resale in the spring.' An allocation of coach tickets went on sale last Wednesday and was snapped up within 15 minutes. The line-up for the festival has not yet been revealed, but Sixties band Fleetwood Mac are amongst the favourites to be announced. Last year's bash at Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset, saw Dolly Parton headline the famous Pyramid Stage to rave reviews. | An incredible 5,769 tickets were sold per minute in rush on Sunday morning . Sold out in record time - beating last year's record by more than an hour . More than one million hopefuls logged on to try and bag their tickets . Fleetwood Mac are among the favourites rumoured to be announced . | ce551967d174afc282f260000db517ba24f0aacb |
By . Deni Kirkova . John Lewis have appointed a new set of 'little' product experts to help design a toys and interiors collection for little ones. The so-called Little Panel consists of six 6 and 7 year olds who will help to shape the department store's Children's Rooms homeware range. Three boys and three girls from East London's Maryland Primary School in Stratford, will name new product items as well as writing product descriptions which can be easily understood by children of the same age. John Lewis' Little Panel, (left to right) Jasmine Rannie, 6, Lorenzo Hindley-Quattrini, 7, Teodora Buljcik, 7, Omar Kamran, 6, Julia Aleksandrowick, 7, and Kai Prasal, 7 . a duvet cover designed by the panelists, will now go into production ahead of going on sale in September of this year. In addition, descriptions written by the panel will appear on product packaging and on the John Lewis website. The children have also named four products, including Mr Sharky the shark bean bag and Tommy the toy monkey. Omar Kamran, aged 6, who named the shark bean bag said: 'I always go shopping with my mum and dad and now I am part of it as my opinions count.' Kai Prasal, aged 7, who has designed a new duvet cover, said: 'It's good giving toys names, because that's how they come alive. Teodora and Kai test out the new Children's Room department . 'I like my rainbow design as it has got lots of bright colours and is nice to look at. It was very exciting and I feel very lucky to do it.' The duvet cover, featuring a rainbow design, will be available online from September 2014. Dr Pat Spungin, Child Psychologist said: 'Children start to assert their independence and individuality from a very young age. 'With toddlers it is often tantrums and saying no, but as children grow older they're more comfortable expressing their personality. 'One of the ways in which they can do this is by choosing how to decorate their own personal space, their bedroom. 'Being able to choose among different furnishing styles, gives a child the feeling of independence and self-confidence that comes from making an important decision.' Aleksandra Zivkovic-Buljcik, Teodora Buljcik's mother, said: 'It's fantastic to see a retailer such as John Lewis involving children in product decisions. 'Over the last few years Teodora has developed her own taste and interests, for example, she particularly likes owls, so is naturally drawn to products that include them. 'I believe it's important as a parent to listen to your child's opinion and let them express their creativity when decorating their own private space. 'Teodora thinks in her own way, and I try to nurture this. I encourage her choices as this is how she expresses her personality and what makes her special.' Teodora, Lorenzo, Kai, Omar, Jasmine and Julia with Luke Arnold, Department Manager for Nurseries at John Lewis . Lorna . Jackson, Head Teacher at Maryland Primary School, said: 'It has been a . fantastic opportunity for the children, who have really enjoyed being . involved. 'We . see children develop their own personal taste at a young age, and we . encourage them to express their personalities as much as possible.' A John Lewis spokesperson said: . 'Children very much like to be involved in the design process of their . rooms, and are naturally very creative. This year we decided to work . with a small group of children to find out exactly what they want for . their bedrooms. With the help from our 'Little Panel', we will aim to . make buying children's homewares easier for parents and more fun for the . kids themselves.' The ongoing partnership will see children being being consulted for their input on new ranges and products. The children will not be paid but all of the Little Panel get to keep all the toys and products that they test - and of course full consent has been granted by all parents involved. The project is been part of their art project, so hasn’t taken anytime out of their school day. The initiative launched this week and will be piloted at the John Lewis Stratford store. The new duvet cover designed by the children can be found online from September 2014. Kai and Teodora with Deborah Kasozi, Nursery Sales Assistant. The pair are helping design the range . | The so-called Little Panel consists of six 6 and 7 year olds . 3 boys and 3 girls will help with store's Children's Rooms homeware . | f44eb56238f6995bd99efb9db576a6b12779ed87 |
Washington (CNN) -- President Obama announced $8.3 billion in loan guarantees Tuesday for two nuclear reactors to be built in Burke County, Georgia. A new nuclear power plant has not been built in the United States in three decades. The new reactors are to be part of an expansion of an existing nuclear facility near Augusta, Georgia, operated by Atlanta-based Southern Co. The loan guarantees will help create 3,500 on-site construction jobs and 850 permanent operations jobs, administration officials claimed. The reactors will help provide power to over 550,000 homes and 1.4 million people, it said. "This is only the beginning," Obama said during a visit to an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers training facility in Lanham, Maryland. "We'll continue to provide financing for clean energy projects ... across America." The president acknowledged that construction of new nuclear facilities will meet with some political resistance. Nuclear development has traditionally been opposed by more progressive elements of the Democratic Party. But nuclear power, he said, remains the country's largest source of fuel that produces no carbon emissions. "To meet our growing energy needs and prevent the worst consequences of climate change, we'll need to increase our supply of nuclear power. It's that simple," he said. At the same time, the president argued, traditional Republican proponents of nuclear power should acknowledge that comprehensive energy legislation is needed to help provide incentives to make clean energy more profitable. Any new nuclear facilities, he promised, will "be held to the highest and strictest safety standards." Leading congressional Republicans -- including both Georgia senators -- were quick to praise Obama's decision. "This announcement represents a step in the right direction," said Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Georgia. "The power generated by [the Burke County facility] is safe, reliable, emissions-free and environmentally responsible." Nuclear power critics, on the other hand, slammed the administration's decision to back the construction of new reactors. "The last thing Americans want is another government bailout for a failing industry, but that's exactly what they're getting from the Obama administration," energy analyst Ben Schreiber said in a press release issued this past weekend. Schreiber works for the progressive group Friends of the Earth, which opposes nuclear power. "The Department of Energy is putting taxpayers on the hook for bailing out costly and dangerous nuclear reactor projects when the loans used to finance those projects default. This is great news for Wall Street but a bad deal for Main Street." The risk of default is high, Schreiber argued, while nuclear power "remains unsafe and dirty." Energy Secretary Steven Chu, in turn, claimed that modern nuclear reactors are far safer than those built prior to the accident at Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island in 1979. Chu also told reporters in a conference call that one of the reasons the Georgia facility was the first to receive a federal loan guarantee is the project's low probability of default. He added that the administration is now considering at least a half-dozen additional loan applications for nuclear facilities. We are working "as hard and as fast as we can" to "recapture the lead in nuclear technology," Chu said. America has been "sitting on the sidelines... for far too long." Obama's proposed fiscal year 2011 budget triples loan guarantees for nuclear power plants to over $54 billion, the White House noted. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux, Evan Glass, Deirdre Walsh and Alan Silverleib contributed to this report. | NEW: Modern reactors far safer than pre-Three Mile Island reactors, energy secretary says . NEW: Loan applications for more nuclear facilities being considered, Steven Chu says . NEW: GOP senator from Georgia praises Obama's decision as "a step in the right direction" 3,500 on-site construction jobs and 850 permanent operations jobs projected, officials say . | a57e4b9a676670ddce562ae6b39c9c64e80e4ae1 |
New York (CNN) -- Let's imagine this terrifying scenario for a moment. You come home from a long day of work and sit in front of your computer to try out your newly purchased copy of the video game Assassin's Creed 2, and then ... nothing happens. You face an immobile title screen. You check to make sure everything's plugged in -- yup, sure is -- and simply cannot figure out what's going on. "Why doesn't this game work? It cost me $60!" Meanwhile, on the other side of town, some no-good 12-year-old is illegally downloading the game from the Internet and playing it way past his bedtime. Whom do you blame? You blame the game's publisher, Ubisoft, for implementing the most egregious form of digital rights management (DRM) ever seen by mere gamers; in order for the game you bought at a store to work, it has to interact at all times with the company's server online. Consumers, naturally, are the ones to suffer. Thanks, Ubisoft. The French video game giant has created a form of DRM that made its big debut this week with the highly anticipated release of the PC version of Assassin's Creed 2. (The game came out for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in November.) DRM is an "access control technology" used by publishers and other content owners to prevent piracy by placing limitations on how you use their products. It is always annoying, almost by definition, but Ubisoft's latest implementation is particularly onerous and has caused a giant kerfuffle in the gaming world. The most glaring problem is the requirement that you always be connected to the Internet for the game to work. Now, in today's environment of widely available broadband, that might not seem like such a big deal. But unless you have a perfectly flawless Internet connection (or live in the middle of nowhere), you're going to run into problems -- namely that you won't necessarily be able to play the game when you want. The Wi-Fi routers typically used by consumers are cheap, flimsy things, and it's not uncommon for the signal to frequently "die." (I have a D-Link wireless router, and it dies four or five times per day.) Without a constant connection to Ubisoft's servers, the game disconnects; you lose your game and have to wait for your connection to come back to start again. This is an offline-only game, mind you, not an online multiplayer game like World of Warcraft. You shouldn't have to connect to any server at all. Imagine putting a new Blu-ray disc into your player and having the movie play for five minutes and then returning to the title screen because the player decided it didn't like the color of your shirt. Would you tolerate that? Yes, you can almost understand where Ubisoft is coming from. It's merely taking the only course of action that it and other publishers think will stymie piracy. (It won't.) Ubisoft is part of a lucrative industry that is doing everything it can to protect its content. Video games made $20.2 billion in 2009 and $22.11 billion the year before (the industry blames the recession for the slight dip). Estimates abound on what piracy costs the industry: The best-selling game of 2009, Activision's Modern Warfare 2, is said to have been illegally downloaded more than 5 million times, according to BitTorrent news site TorrentFreak. At $60 per copy, that's $300 million down the drain for the company. Even going back to the days of floppy discs, publishers have made users do such things as inputting (only once, and not over the lifetime of the product, as Ubisoft now requires) a unique serial number at installation to prevent the disc from being passed around the office or university computer club. Up until very recently, the only music Apple sold on its iTunes Store was wrapped tightly with DRM; songs could be played on only one iPod at a time. The music industry thought this would help ensure its survival, but it had long since alienated its customers with years of higher-than-necessary CD prices and uninspired pop acts hogging the spotlight (a discussion for another day). And plain old DVDs have always had DRM, too. Ever try to copy a DVD to your laptop? It's impossible without special (and illegal, I might add) software. As a consumer, your options with Assassins Creed 2 are fairly limited, which has caused the ongoing uproar on gaming Web sites. The new DRM cannot be circumvented legally -- you could pirate the game, but that would be stealing from the game developers' tables -- and Ubisoft has said the system is here to stay. Good luck trying to return the game, too, since many stores have a policy of only allowing a direct, one-to-one exchange of opened PC games. The best part? The DRM has already been hacked! That means unscrupulous pirates are able to play the game without having to deal with DRM at all. They get off scot-free while legitimate customers have to jump through hoops to use what they actually paid for. That'll teach you to spend your money like an honest person. [A Ubisoft representative said that gamers who download and play a hacked version "will find that their version is not complete."] . All of this, of course, assumes that Ubisoft's DRM servers are even working to begin with. This past weekend, the servers were down for several hours. Ubisoft initially claimed that it was because of "exceptional demand" but later admitted to being the victim of a denial of service attack, leaving legitimate customers completely unable to play the game. Think of all the time, money and effort that Ubisoft invested in coming up with this DRM, only for it to be broken before the big game even came out, and then for the servers themselves to go down. That's time, money and effort the company could have put toward, you know, just making a good game. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Nicholas Deleon. | Nicholas Deleon says game's rights management can shut down play . Game company requires constant Internet connection to work, he says . Digital rights management meant to protect content, but consumers suffer, he says . Deleon: Hackers can, and do, break through content protections anyway . | f9b8e1bd9742c0a2311e76b79518fc5b71005c32 |
By . Steve Hopkins . A pensioner who has used a stairwell balcony to dry her clothes for 25 years has been told to stop by council officials who say it is a fire hazard. Margaret Jowsey, 70, doesn't have a balcony at her top-floor Norwich council flat and says she has never received any complaints about her using the space. But health and safety bosses have now ordered her to stop. Margaret Jowsey in the stairwell outside her Norwich flat where she has hung her washing for 25 years . Officers at Norwich City Council claim her damp clothes are a fire hazard and fear somebody could trip over her washing line in an emergency. In a letter to Ms Jowsey the council also said communal areas needed to be kept clear to enable repairs, and that as a landlord they had to 'work with our residents to minimise this risk'. Ms Jowsey said she had no option but to dry her washing on the stairwell: 'I’m on a low income so I can’t afford to go to the laundrette and I don’t have room for a tumble dryer. 'I just can’t believe they’re trying to stop me putting my washing out after all this time.' The letter Ms Jowsey received from the Norwich City Council saying that her washing line poses a trip or fire risk and that communal areas need to be kept clear to enable repairs and maintenance . Ms Jowsey works three nights a week as a carer and says she knows all about health and safety. 'A washing line ban is way beyond common sense. 'You could say there should be a sprinkler on the stairs instead. 'The postman has never hung himself up on our washing line and when workmen come they’ve never had a problem. Ms Jowsey's flat does not have a balcony and she does not want to dry her washing indoors for fear of mildew . 'So what’s this all about then? 'It’s just people with a bit of power, that’s all.' Ms Jowsey does not want to dry her washing indoors for fear of mildew. She . has vowed to keep drying her washing in the stairwell and her son, . Lawrence, 43, who lives with her, has launched a petition against the . ban. Despite being told council officials will remove her clothes and charge her for doing so, Ms Jowsey has vowed to keep using the balcony and her son has launched a petition against the ban . He said: 'You have to stand up for what you believe in. 'That’s a laundry line. 'This ban is going against our human rights.' Councillor Brenda Arthur, leader of Labour-ruled Norwich City Council, said the council was 'very happy' to talk to Ms Jowsey about her concerns. He said: 'We want to talk to residents and work with them to find alternative ways to accommodate their needs. 'Separately to this, I know Cllr Bert Bremner, as the cabinet member for housing, has asked officers to carry out an immediate review on the use of communal areas to ensure that a common sense approach prevails.' The ban comes after award-winning Norwich gardener, Kerry Annison, was warned last year that her pot plants were a health and safety danger and must be removed. Council officers ordered the 48-year-old to remove her plants from a balcony which leads up to her former council flat. They acted just months after she had been presented with a prize for them by the city’s Lord Mayor. | Margaret Jowsey has been using the area to dry her washing for 25 years . She can't afford to go to a laundrette and has no room for a dryer . Norwich City Council says it will clear her washing and charge her costs . | cce52e67b9493d62938d532d01a936837261c930 |
By . Ray Massey . PUBLISHED: . 18:53 EST, 11 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:00 EST, 12 June 2013 . Sting: Emails showing how councils are delighted when there's an increase in the number of parking fines dished out . Damning evidence of how councils use CCTV cameras to ‘sting’ motorists with unfair fines to raise extra cash is revealed today. Emails expose officials’ delight that rising numbers of traffic fines are being issued, with one saying: ‘Another record month, guys. Well done.’ Hundreds of the documents were released to a motoring campaigner under the Freedom of Information Act and will be screened tonight in an investigation by BBC1’s Panorama. They show how surveillance cameras are catching out cars performing U-turns and being stuck in box junctions as part of a ‘target-based, revenue-raising culture’. The programme highlights Britain’s most notorious yellow box junction, which has been dubbed ‘the money box’ for raking in £2.7million a year by trapping and photographing up to 40,000 drivers before sending them a £130 fine in the post. Motoring groups say such tactics ‘verge on entrapment’ and fear they will spread across Britain. The programme obtained hundreds of emails between employees at the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham which show staff being congratulated on increasing the number of fines. Among the comments in the emails are: ‘Another record month, guys. Well done’; ‘Another increase ... holidays, as expected, bring back the traffic’; ‘Another good month last month. That’s despite the systems problems we had. So well done to everyone.’ A note to the head of parking services about the council’s procurement of specialist ‘close circuit TV equipment’ says: ‘Aim of project: To increase parking revenue (target: additional £5m.)’ The council said the email was from a management trainee temporarily seconded to the council and ‘wrongly’ suggested the aim was to raise revenue. Other messages between traffic officials reveal dismay that not enough cash is being raised from traffic and parking fines. Big business: Councils are using CCTV to catch motorists performing u-turns and getting stuck in box junctions to raise revenue . One notes: ‘A worrying start as Penalty Charge Notices seemed to reduce.’ Another adds: ‘We may get a negative hit on the U-turn tickets for this month.’ Panorama says the council is ‘exploiting a sophisticated new camera system to fine motorists for moving traffic offences, such as stopping in a yellow box junction or making a banned turn’. No cash cow: Hammersmith and Fulham Council has denied issuing tickets to raise money . Critics say the ‘money box’ junction, controlled by traffic lights at the intersection Bagley’s Lane and New Kings Road, is badly signed and designed. Only four spaces are available for cars leaving the junction, so drivers can easily get trapped in the box and fined £130. Researchers who put up clearer warning signs at the junction recorded a 25 per cent fall in cars getting stuck – before being told by the council to remove the signs. The council has spent £500,000 installing a round-the-clock camera system called Zengrab which spots errant motorists automatically. Motoring groups fear that more drivers will suffer because more than 20 cash-strapped councils have lobbied ministers for extra powers – currently available only in London – to fine motorists for a range of 26 moving traffic offences. Solicitor Jeanette Miller, a specialist in motoring law, tells Panorama that the Hammersmith & Fulham emails ‘indicate to me that this local authority is motivated primarily by revenue raising’. Professor Stephen Glaister of the RAC Foundation said: ‘You could understand if drivers thought this behaviour verged on entrapment. Councils have a legal obligation to keep traffic moving. ‘Bulging bank balances, swollen by penalty charges, should not be viewed with pride but as a sign that something is wrong with the way traffic is managed.’ Hammersmith & Fulham denied issuing tickets to raise money and described the emails as ‘office banter’. Panorama: Traffic Fines – Highway Robbery?, 7.30pm BBC1 today. | BBC's Panorama exposes Hammersmith & Fulham Council emails . One box junction in the borough has raked in £2.7million in a year . | be1693aa185affda5d9754eb8053948641a67b71 |
(CNN) -- At least 14 people were killed in 48 hours in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, including the Tuesday deaths of a municipal police officer and a newspaper vendor who police believe was targeted because of her job. In a statement Tuesday, federal police said they believed the female newspaper vendor was targeted by an area gang because she was seen as a threat to the gang's control of street vendors. "La Linea thought she was discriminating against newspaper vendors they were extorting," municipal police spokesman Adrian Sanchez said. The woman, identified as Maribel Hernandez, distributed the El Diario de Juarez newspaper, the most widely circulated paper in the city. Police said they had arrested a suspect who told them he was paid about $250 for the killing. Also Tuesday, municipal police officer Ciro Puga Cruz, 39, was killed after armed gunmen shot him 15 times at a crowded intersection while his car stopped at a red light. The killing happened in front of dozens of people and caused panic, said journalist Arturo Chacon who was at the scene. The brazen shooting occurred after the officer left the police station at the end of his shift, Sanchez said. The shooters fled the scene and are still at large, police said. More than 100 police officers were killed in 2010, 67 of which were municipal, according to Sanchez. | Police: A newspaper vendor is targeted by an area gang in turf war . A police officer is killed at a crowded intersection . More than 100 police officers were killed last year, Sanchez says . | 48d99fc48cc475f297bbbcb369eb99fe18aecfef |
By . Leon Watson and Sara Malm . PUBLISHED: . 03:07 EST, 29 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:20 EST, 29 May 2013 . A man charged with murdering an elderly couple and sexually assaulting their two year old grandchild had been released from prison just hours earlier after serving time for a similar attack. Jerry Active, 24, broke in to the house where Touch Chea, 71, and his wife, Sorn Sreap, 73, were babysitting their granddaughter and allegedly beat the couple to death and raped the little girl. The toddler's parents returned to their home in Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday night to find Active naked in their bedroom with the two-year-old. Suspect: Jerry Andrew Active tries to shield his face during his arraignment on charges of murder and sexual assault of a minor in the Anchorage jail court on Sunday . Active was arrested about a block from an apartment where the bodies of Sorn Sreap and Touch Chea were found dead on Saturday night by their granddaughter, who had returned from a trip to a movie with her husband . A few hours earlier Active had been . released on probation after serving part of a seven-year sentence for a similar crime committed in 2009. Active broke into a . house and sexually assaulted an 11-year-old while her parents were . asleep, before attacking three members of the family. The 24-year-old was convicted for the attack . in Dillingham, Alaska, after a guilty plea but it has not been made . clear why Active was allowed on probation. He was first released on the case on . October 2, 2011, but violated probation and was sent back to prison two . days later, according to records. Since then, he has been in and out of prison after committing other probation violations. Registered sex offender: Active spent time in jail in 2010 and 2011 for a similar attack four years ago and was on probation . Victims Mr Chea and Ms Sreap both suffered significant blunt force injuries, and police said both Sreap and the toddler were raped. Officers arrested Active as he fled the east Anchorage homicide scene wearing just his boxer shorts. The registered sex offender has been charged with first and second-degree murder, sexual assault and burglary, with bail set at $1.5 million. Police said the younger couple, who . are in their twenties, went to a movie on Saturday night with their son and left . the two-year-old in the care of Chea and Sreap. They returned shortly before 8pm and found the door locked from the inside by the chain, but were able to spot the body of one of their grandparents from outside. The father told police he forced his way in through a window and found the bodies of Chea and Sreap before discovering a naked man in the bedroom with their daughter. Scene: The victims were part of an extended family that lived in a ground-floor, east Anchorage apartment with their granddaughter and her husband . The mother called police and dispatchers said they heard screaming over the phone as the woman, who is pregnant, reported that a man had broken into her home and killed 73-year-old Ms Sreap. The couple tried to apprehend Active but he was able to get away after a short struggle, Police Sergeant Slawomir Markiewicz said. Officers found Active about a block away wearing nothing but his boxers. 'He did offer some resistance but he was arrested,' Markiewicz said. The suspect apparently entered the apartment through a window, Markiewicz said. The . two-year-old was taken to hospital for a forensic physical examination, . and it was discovered that she had also been physically assaulted. She was taken to a hospital where she underwent surgery for her injuries. Investigators were affected by the brutality and the ages of the victims, police department spokeswoman Anita Shell said. 'They said this was the worst thing they had ever seen in their lives, and these are seasoned detectives,' Shell said. Accused: The registered sex offender was charged with first and second-degree murder, sexual assault and burglary . Merciless: Active entered the apartment through an open window and locked it from the inside so he could commit the horrific acts . Social media: Active had a number of menacing and ominous pictures on his MySpace account . Police Sergeant Markiewicz said that there are no indications that the victims were connected to the suspect. 'It doesn't appear that he knew them,' he said. 'It looks like a totally random act.' The . victims were part of an extended family that lived in a ground-floor, . east Anchorage apartment with their granddaughter and her husband, who . are the parents of the toddler and her four-year-old brother. The younger couple's 90-year-old great-grandmother also lives in the apartment and was at home during the incident. Markiewicz said the case is unusual. 'It's certainly very rare to see this kind of violence - a complete stranger, sexually assaulting and murdering someone,' he said. The bodies of Sreap and Chea were taken to the state medical examiner's office for autopsies. Names of the toddler and her parents were withheld. The double homicide happened Anchorage, Alaska. Police said they were affected by the brutality and the ages of the victims . | Two-year-old girl was raped and her grandparents killed in Alaska . Suspect Jerry Active was on probation for a similar attack in 2009 . Parents came home to find Active naked with their daughter . Investigators affected by the 'brutality and the ages of victims' | 1f1edb6caa9e2cc827954093560c1a60f6e81956 |
By . Amanda Williams . PUBLISHED: . 04:01 EST, 7 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:25 EST, 7 October 2013 . Dog attacks are leaving 100 people a week with injuries so severe they need to call for emergency treatment, it was today revealed. Paramedic crews were called out to more than 5,000 incidents involving out of control dogs in England and Wales last year. The number requiring urgent treatment includes pensioners and babies. It comes as the Government considers tougher penalties for dog owners whose pets inflict serious or fatal injuries. Dog attacks are leaving 100 people a week with injuries so severe they need to call for emergency treatment . Under current laws, they can be sent to prison for a maximum of two years. They also cannot be prosecuted for attacks on private property. A mother-of-five whose four dogs mauled 14-year-old Jade . Lomas-Anderson to death is facing jail after admitting causing . unnecessary suffering to the animals. The teenager was left with . bites all over her body and catastrophic injuries to her neck and throat . following the attack near Wigan, Greater Manchester earlier this year. Beverley Concannon, 45, last week admitted a cruelty offence under the Animal Welfare Act when she appeared before Wigan Magistrates' Court. The mother, who went into hiding in the days after the killing, could face up six months in prison when she is sentenced. Jade’s parents are now calling for tighter controls on dangerous dogs. Step-father Mike Anderson, 34, told the Mirror: 'Dog control is based on 170-year-old laws and there’s no enforcement.' Beverley Concannon (left) whose four dogs mauled 14-year-old Jade . Lomas-Anderson (right) to death is facing jail after admitting causing . unnecessary suffering to the animals . Newborn Harry Harper was mauled to death by his grandmother’s pet Jack Russell as he slept in his cot, in Shropshire, last November. The eight day old baby suffered a fractured skull and brain damage after he was bitten by the terrier in his table-top carry cot when grandmother Teresa Bell’s back was turned. Mrs Bell had taken the eight-day-old infant downstairs to give his parents, Mikayla Bell, 19, and trainee electrician father Tom Harper, 19, a lie-in. The dog, which had never bitten anybody before and was usually placid, was put down. Figures obtained by the Mirror reveal that the number of attacks is topping 100 a week. They revealed that paramedics in the East Midlands have been called to hundreds of attacks. They had to treat an eight -year-old boy for . serious injuries after he was attacked by his grandmother’s American pit . bull while on a car journey. Newborn Harry Harper was mauled to death by his grandmother's pet Jack Russell as he slept in his cot, in Shropshire, last November . Part of his ear was severed in the attack which also left him with bite marks to the right side of his face, a laceration above his left eye, and injuries to his leg. The Government's Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Bill aims to remove the immunity from prosecution of dog owners whose animal attacks someone on private property. Under the plans for England and Wales, announced in February, a dog owner could be prosecuted if they fail to stop their pet attacking someone on their own, or someone else's property. The Bill was designed to protect people who visit houses as part of their job, such as postal workers, utility staff and healthcare employees. In a separate attack, an eight-year-old boy was attacked by his family’s dog after it stuck its . head through the bars on a stair gate. It clamped its jaws around the child's head until his father was able to drag the animal off, and call paramedics. A 23-year-old mother also fled in terror after her three dogs rounded on her when she tried to intercept a fight between them. She broke a window to escape with her two children - passing them both to neighbours before escaping herself. One owner also had their nose bitten off in North London, and paramedics were called to treat a 96-year-old pensioner who was attacked alongside her dog by a Staffordshire bull terrier while walking. Crime Prevention Minister Jeremy Browne said: 'We are taking urgent action to protect the public from out-of-control dogs. 'We are changing the law so owners can be prosecuted for attacks on private property.' | 5,000 incidents involving out of control dogs in England and Wales last year . Victims include pensioners, babies, and the dogs' owners . Government considering tougher rules for owners whose pets inflict injury . | f5bf890f9e7d86efba4ba1cd0bbaff0c83317701 |
(CNN) -- Tennis ace Roger Federer has given his unfailing support to his "good friend" Tiger Woods as the embattled golfer attempts to restore his reputation. Federer believes the "worst has passed" for Tiger after his very public apology to a world wide television audience. Woods fought back the tears as he admitted he had cheated on his wife Elin, but surprised observers by not setting any date for his return to golf ahead of major tournaments later this year, although he subsequently announced he would return for the U.S. masters in April. It's time to give Tiger some peace . But Federer told The Gulf News that whatever the future held, Woods would remain his friend. "What's happened to him has been hard to watch over the last three months right down to when he made his apology. I am sure he's headed in a better direction now," he added. Federer, who has appeared in a well-known advertisement for Gillette with Woods and football star Thierry Henry, went on: . "The worst has passed. I hope that he can also work things out with his wife Elin because they are very nice people - obviously for the sake of their kids as well." But Federer admitted he had not spoken to Woods since the November car crash which set in chain a stream of revelations about the American's private life. "I have supported him, but I haven't had any contact with him," added the Swiss maestro, who was forced to withdraw from the Dubai Open with a lung infection which is set to sideline him for several weeks. "It's been hard to watch from far away but I would love to see him back on the golf course. It is what he does best," added the 16-time grand slam winner. | Roger Federer goes public to back his "good friend" Tiger Woods . Tennis ace Federer has appeared in the same Gillette adverts with the golfer . Woods made a televised public apology after admitting he cheated on his wife . | 26dccc463a8012c35722c3130f67af23dcc26818 |
A Manhattan man claims his boyfriend swindled him out of millions to bankroll a high class lifestyle leaving him with a mere 11 cents to his name. Daniel Ding claims his former boyfriend Michael Eubank used up his fortune leaving him with nothing, and now he's taking him to court. Ding claims Eubank blew his cash on luxury cars and Vegas trips when not working at his job in finance. Daniel Ding (right) claims his former boyfriend Michael Eubank used up his fortune leaving him with nothing . But now the pair have split, Ding tells the Post, and he's reduced to squatting at a West 30th Street property. According to court papers Eubank 'continuously abused Ding's trust for his own individual gain.' Eubank, an interior designer, says there's no basis for the suit. 'There's a lot of lies and perjury going on in this,' he says. The 27-year-old Ding says Eubank convinced him that the couple should have a joint account, except Eubank only made withdrawals on Ding's $1.2 million contribution without depositing any money of his own. Now Ding says he's broke. Eubanks, however, claims Ding drained the finances all on his own. Ding claims Eubank blew his cash on luxury cars and Vegas trips (pictured_ when not working at his job in finance (file photo) | Daniel Ding claims his former boyfriend Michael Eubank used up his fortune leaving him with nothing . Ding is now squatting in an apartment completely broke . Eubanks, an interior designer, claims Ding spent the joint account on his own . | bedba5641f3f4493c61b2a1e87b6f147e42f80df |
Former footballer and pundit Clarke Carlisle is in hospital after he was hit by a lorry. The 35-year-old former Leeds, Burnley and QPR defender was airlifted to hospital after being struck by the vehicle on the A64 near Bishopthorpe, North Yorkshire. Carlisle, who went on to become chairman of the Professional Footballer's Association and found fame away from the pitch for his appearance on TV show Countdown, was taken to Leeds General Infirmary, where police said he was being treated for 'serious injuries'. Scroll down for video . Ex-Premier League footballer Clarke Carlisle is in hospital with 'serious injuries' after he was hit by a lorry . The cause of the accident, which took place at 7.30am this morning remains unclear, however a police spokeswoman said they were 'pursuing all avenues'. The road was closed to allow the air ambulance to reach the scene, and North Yorkshire police said the incident had involved a lorry and a pedestrian. Carlisle is considered one of the most intelligent footballers of his generation with 10 Grade A GCSEs. He also studied maths and politics at A-level while sidelined from football due to injury, and has a degree in Sportswriting and Broadcasting from Staffordshire University. He made more than 500 appearances for nine clubs in a career that spanned 16 years and became the first player to appear on Channel 4's long-running gameshow Countdown. Carlisle, who went on to become chairman of the Professional Footballer's Association, has been working as a commentator for ITV since retiring in May 2013 . Carlisle celebrates while playing for Queens Park Rangers against Colchester in September 2002. He was taken to Leeds General Infirmary, where police said he was being treated for 'serious injuries' On his first appearance on the programme he beat the reigning champion with a score of 89 to 55, telling then host Jeff Stelling: 'I can't say it's better than winning a big football game - but it's up there.' He has also appeared twice on BBC current affairs discussion show Question Time, becoming the first footballer to do so. In 2002 he was awarded the title ‘Britain’s Brainiest Footballer’ by BBC Sport. His last match was Northampton’s 3–0 defeat by Bradford in the 2013 League Two play-off Final at Wembley in 2013. Since retiring from the game, he has been a regular pundit on ITV, working at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil and commentating on the Europa League. He is also a leading ambassador for anti-discrimination group Kick It Out. He also released his autobiography ‘You don’t know me, but... A footballer’s life’, in which he wrote powerfully about a suicide attempt after suffering a career threatening injury in his playing days. Carlisle, who has a wife Gemma and three children, also presented a BBC documentary called ‘Football’s Suicide Secrets’ and has been open about his own battles with depression. On Monday night, North Yorkshire Police would only confirm that a 35-year-old man was struck by a lorry on the A64 south of York. 'The collision involved a male pedestrian and a lorry,' said a spokesman. 'The injured man has been airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary with serious injuries. The defender celebrates winning promotion to the Premier League with Burnley in 2009. North Yorkshire Police would only confirm that a 35-year-old man was struck by a lorry on the A64 south of York . Carlisle has appeared several times on Channel 4 gameshow Countdown . The 35-year-old has also been a guest on BBC current affairs programme Question Time . 'The road was closed to allow the air ambulance to land and to allow collision investigators to examine the scene.' Part of the road was closed for a number of hours while investigations took place. The world of football has pledged its support and best wishes to Carlisle, and social media was full messages from well-wishers hoping he makes a quick recovery. The Football Association tweeted: 'The thoughts & prayers of all at The FA are with Clarke Carlisle & his family at this sad time.' One of his former clubs, Burnley, said: 'The thoughts of all at Burnley Football Club are with Clarke Carlisle and his family.' And the Kick It Out anti-racism campaign posted: 'The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Kick It Out are with Clarke Carlisle and his family. Stay strong our dear friend - keep on fighting.' Former player and media pundit Kevin Kilbane posted: 'Shocked to hear the news on Clarke Carlisle. I pray for him and his family. Hope he pulls through.' Burnley fan and former Downing Street communications chief Alastair Campbell Tweeted: 'Really hoping @clarkecarlisle going be ok. Thoughts with Gemma/two lovely kids. A great @BurnleyOfficial man and mental health campaigner.' The former central defender won Britain's Brainiest Footballer competition on ITV in 2002 . Professional debut aged 18 for Blackpool against Wrexham on September 2, 1997 . Joined Queens Park Rangers for £250,000 on 25 May, 2000 . Called up to England Under 21 side during the 2000-01 season . Won Second Division player of the month award in November 2003 . Played integral role in QPR's 2003-04 promotion campaign to the Championship . Joined Leeds United on a two-year deal in June 2004 after his contract expired at west London side . Left the Yorkshire side after just one season, moving back to London to join Watford for £100,000 . Played a big role as the Hornets gained promotion to the Premier League in May 2006 via the play-offs - beating his old side Leeds 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium . Featured in his first Premier League game for Watford on April 9, 2007 in a 4-2 win against Portsmouth . Named man of the match in FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United on April 14, 2007 - but that wasn't enough to stop his side comfortably losing 4-1 . Following Watford's relegation at the end of that season he joined Burnley for £200,000 . Won promotion to the Premier League again this time with the Clarets in May 2009 . On November 17, 2010 Carlisle was named as the chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association replacing Chris Powell . Joined Preston North End on loan for the duration of 2011-12 season . Spent the remainder of the season at Northampton after his spell at Preston was cut short . Joined League Two outfit York City on August 30, 2012 . Re-joined Northampton on loan until January 2013, before penning permanent deal . On May 23, 2013 Carlisle announced his retirement from professional football . ALSO... Ambassador for Premier League and Kick It Out - which campaigns for inclusion and equality in football . Co-commentator for ITV Sport on Europa League and FA Cup games . Overall won three caps for England Under 21 side . Sean Gallagher . | Carlisle, 35, airlifted to Leeds General infirmary with life threatening injuries . He was hit by a lorry on the A64, near Bishopthorpe on Monday morning . The former QPR defender went on to become chairman of the PFA . He also found fame away from the pitch for appearances on Countdown . Since retiring from the game, he has been a regular pundit on ITV . He is also a leading ambassador for anti-discrimination group Kick It Out . | 0aa3316c59fea6e13881d850a652c9b5b2479e71 |
By . Mark Prigg . Apple's first ever computer has been sold for £398,000 at a German auction - and it still runs. The revolutionary Apple 1 has been signed by Apple computer inventor and co-founder Steve Wozniak, who designed and built the machine from scratch with his own hands in 1976. Produced by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs, only 200 units of the Apple 1 were ever built - and originally dol for $666.66 . The first ever Apple computer which founder Steve Jobs sold from his parents' garage is expected to fetch £250,000 at auction. The Apple 1, the first ready-made PC to ever come on the market, was created by Jobs and fellow founder Steve Wozniak in 1976. The pair built 200 units in Jobs' parents garage in California, selling 50 to a local shop called Byte. How the Apple 1 works . The . eye-catching price-tag of the original Apple caused wild speculation as . to the reasons behind selling for $666 - the number of the Devil. But the number was classic Apple; it was design for the sake of it. Beauty for no reason other than because it looked nice. Steve . Wozinak once revealed: 'I simply like triple digit numbers with all the . things I'm involved with. The cost of making the Apple 1 was around . $540 or there about and we agreed on the best markup, retail price above . the cost of building it, which worked out to $666. 'Jobs . then tacked on the 66 cents to make it an eye-catcher price for the ads . with the sale and promotion publications of it to the public. As the . computer that gave birth to the Apple empire, including the MacBook, . iPod, iPhone and iPad, it is among the most prized Apple products in the . world. Only 46 of these original Apple machines are known to exist on the planet and only six are in working order - like the one that was sold. Auctioneer Uwe H. Breker from Cologne in Germany said: 'This is the sensational first product of today's highest valued company, . 'The Apple 1 is already a legendary milestone from the dynamic dawn of the personal computer age. 'This computer is one hundred-percent authentic and in fully-working condition. 'At the time it was first sold the machine was always delivered as a motherboard only. 'The peripheral equipment such as power pack, keyboard, monitor and cassette recorder had to be obtained personally by the user. 'Apple never offered a housing - every user had to make his own. 'The Apple 1 did not have an operating system, just a monitor-program, which provided the interface between keyboard entry, the computer memory and monitor exit. 'Any software system had to be loaded on cassettes.' The machine's main motherboard. Steve Wozniak was renowned for his neat designs, and his ability to create machines using fewer chips than any of the competition . The rare part of computer history is being sold with an original manual, software tapes which allow it to be run and a company letter from Steve Jobs. 'To date, the only two fully-working Apple 1 sets in comparable condition to the one were auctioned in 2012,' said Uwe. 'The first was sold by Sotheby's New York on June 15th for $374,500 and the second on 24 November 24th by my auction house for $640,000. The sale was held on May 24th by Auction Team Beker of Cologne, Germany. The Apple 1, the first ready-made PC to ever come on the market, was created by Jobs and fellow founder Steve Wozniak in 1976. The pair built 200 units in Jobs' parents garage in California, selling 50 to a local shop called Byte. They cost 666.66 US dollars although buyers would have been expected to cough up extra to add a monitor, keyboard and cassette player. The Apple machine has even been signed by Apple computer wiz Steve Wozniak, who created the firm with Steve Jobs in 1976, building 200 units in Jobs' parents garage in California . The Apple 1 came with a tiny 8K memory - around 600,000 times less than is standard with today's Apple computers. It would not even have the capacity to store one song. This example comes with all the original gizmos needed to make it run and is one of only six of the 46 surviving Apple 1s still working. It even carries Wozniak's signature on the motherboard, and also included in the auction is a company letter signed by Jobs. The machine runs on the 'Basic' software system, which had to be loaded using a cassette. Only two working Apple 1s have ever . been auctioned; the first fetching around 241,000 pounds last year and . the second selling for a record 412,500 pounds just months later. Only two working Apple 1s have ever been auctioned; the first fetching around £241,000 last year and the second selling for a record £412,500 just months later . The Apple founders created the personal computer in 1976 and presented it at a Palo Alto computer club, but there were few takers at the time. Paul Terrell, owner of a retail chain called Byte Shop, placed an order for 50 of the machines and sold them for $666.66 retail - once Wozniak and Jobs agreed to assemble the circuit boards rather than offer them as kits. The pair then produced 150 more and sold them to friends and other vendors. Fewer than 50 original Apple 1s are believed to survive, with only six known to be in working condition. In a nod to the technology created by Jobs and Wozniak, potential buyers can even follow the auction online on their iPads. Uwe Breker, the auctioneer who sold the machine, said: 'The Apple 1 really is the symbol for the American dream. 'Two students had an idea, built and marketed it, and 35 years later it is the highest valued company ever. 'Steve Wozniak designed the Apple 1 computer, the first fully assembled computer kit, in 1976 and Steve Jobs took on the task of selling it. 'In Jobs' parents garage the pair built 200 Apple machines and sold 50 to a computer shop called Byte. 'The shop marketed it with the slogan 'Byte into an Apple' which gave Jobs the idea for the iconic logo we know so well today. The main board of the Apple machine, which is expected to sell for £250,000 . The gadgets comes with all manuals & certificates, making it a unique purchase . The heart of the machine: The 6502 microprocessor which powered the Apple 1, which was chosen because of its low cost . 'As with all Apple products the Apple 1 wasn't around long before a better model was launched, but a legend had begun. 'The rest is history. Apple is now the most valuable country in the world and interest in their early items only increased after Jobs' death. 'You couldn't actually do very much with the Apple 1. 'You had to load your program each time on a cassette and it only had eight kilobytes of memory - enough for only the most basic of word processing. 'From the 200 built only 46 remain but just six of them are working - and this is one of them. 'That makes it even more rare than it would be already - plus this one is signed on its motherboard by Steve Wozniak. 'This item was bought by a software company owner 30 years ago and when he saw our Apple 1 auction last November in which one sold for 640,000 US dollars he thought now was the time to sell.' An original advert for the machine, which sold as a joke for $666.66 . | The Apple 1, the first ready-made PC to ever come on the market, was created by Jobs and fellow founder Steve Wozniak in 1976 . The pair built 200 units in Jobs' parents garage in California, selling them for $666.66 each . | 61cad4784ea6b623ddc674bad9137e9ff812358b |
It's not often fans get a look at what Premier League players get up to in the changing room - never mind the bathroom. But with the Premier League throwing its backing behind a new cancer campaign, players including Jay Rodriguez, Georgios Samaras and Carlton Cole are all bizarrely posing in toilets to raise awareness among supporters. It's all part of the 'Blood in Pee' campaign which aims to gets fans aware that men face a higher risk of developing and dying from bladder and kidney cancer than women. Jay Rodriguez and Southampton mascot Sammy Saint pose in a toilet to launch the new cancer campaign . West Brom's Cristian Gamboa, Jason Davidson and Georgios Samaras posed at a urinal to show support . Carlton Cole poses with the message that encourages fans to talk to their doctor if they spot blood in urine . Posters and stickers are going up in toilets at grounds across the country with fans urged to tell their doctor if they notice blood in their urine. Liverpool, West Ham, West Brom and Southampton are all involved - raising awareness that despite only 1 in 3 people surviving bladder or kidney cancer beyond 12 months if diagnosed at a late stage, 43% of people would wait until they saw blood in their pee at least a second time before they contacted their GP. 'As a footballer I am always keeping an eye on my health and we want our fans and their loved ones to do the same,' said Southampton striker Rodriguez. 'If you notice something unusual, like blood in pee, you should always go straight to your doctor. That’s why I’m supporting the Be Clear on Cancer campaign, to raise awareness amongst fans of the signs of bladder and kidney cancer.' Davidson holds up the slogan, to appear in toilets, while his team-mate's relieve themselves . Cole wasn't snapped using the toilet, but still threw his backing behind the Be Clear on Cancer campaign . Simon Morgan, the Premier League's Head of Community Development, said: 'The Premier League is proud to be supporting the Be Clear on Cancer ‘Blood in Pee’ campaign. 'The health of football fans across the country is a serious issue, with men more at risk of developing and dying from bladder and kidney cancer than women. This campaign, being delivered with the help of Premier League clubs, is hugely important in raising awareness of a key sign of these cancers.' The posters and stickers will greet fans visiting the toilets at Liverpool's Anfield ground in the coming weeks . | The Premier League is telling fans to check their urine for blood in future . The campaign is aimed to raise awareness for bladder and kidney cancer . Liverpool, West Brom, West Ham and Southampton support the campaign . Players have been posing in toilets at Premier League grounds in support . | e4efe8937f2bfb5f186a5e2c1cf6dde708428a79 |
Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar has played down talk of a move to Manchester United after claiming they would have contacted him if they were interested. Vlaar was a mainstay in Holland's defence under United manager Louis van Gaal at the World Cup in Brazil, prompting speculation that the pair could be reunited at Old Trafford. However, despite United's continuing problems at the back, 29-year-old Vlaar insists there has been no contact between himself and the club with the January transfer window about to open. Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar (centre) insists he has had no contact from Manchester United . The Dutchman has been linked with a reunion with Louis van Gaal after playing under him at the World Cup . Vlaar shakes hands with Radamel Falcao after Villa's 1-1 draw with United . Speaking to Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, he said: 'I've never heard from them. If a club had really wanted me, I would have noticed. That has not been the case.' The Holland international was also publicly courted by Southampton manager Ronald Koeman in the summer - much to the annoyance of Villa boss Paul Lambert who has since insisted that none of his star players will be allowed to leave in January. ‘They’ll (Vlaar and Fabian Delph) not go anywhere in January,’ said Lambert. ‘It’s my say. The way January works, if somebody’s worth something you may as well put another 15 zeroes on the end of it. Price is inflated. 'Even if anybody came in you would never let them go cheap or anything like that.’ Asked if any sum could prise either player away, the Villa manager said: ‘Nothing, no.’ United manager Van Gaal has had to patch together a defence following a spate of injuries . United are understood to be interested in Mats Hummels, although a January deal is unlikely . United's defence has been beset by injuries this season with Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Marcos Rojo all being sidelined - forcing Van Gaal to put his faith in inexperienced youngsters like Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair. The Red Devils are prepared to spend in January, although primary targets such as Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels are unlikely to be available until next season. Vlaar arrived at Villa Park from Feyenoord for £3.2million in 2012 and has made 76 appearances for the club. | Aston Villa captain has played down talk of a move to Old Trafford . Holland international claims he has not received any contact from United . Louis van Gaal still needs defensive reinforcements . Primary targets such as Mats Hummels unlikely to be available in January . | 786c2e655cc9ab650b09d990d881378029d93ee2 |
(CNN) -- Efforts to minimize the damage from the huge oil spill from a rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico are under way, but wildlife conservation groups say the oil could pose a disaster for Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida coastal areas. How can you help? A number of organizations are recruiting volunteers. The Audubon Society, which is affiliated with the Louisiana Coastal Initiative, is making its Center for Birds of Prey in Florida available for bird cleansing and rehabilitation and is seeking volunteers. Elsewhere, Audubon said it was gearing up to mobilize volunteers and provide assistance as the oil reaches land in Louisiana and elsewhere. Find a local office . The Deep Water Horizon response team is looking for help in identifying shoreline and animals affected. Oiled wildlife should not be captured but instead reported at 1-866-557-1401. To report areas with oil ashore or to leave contact information to volunteer in the affected areas, call 1-866-448-5816. These local organizations also are gathering volunteers' information as they prepare for the environmental damage this oil can cause: . The Alabama Coastal Foundation is collecting contact information from volunteers for cleanup efforts along the Alabama coast should the oil spill reach the state's shores. Call 251-990-6002 . The Mobile Bay National Estuary Program is looking for volunteers to help reduce the potential impact of the oil spill in Mobile Bay. Call 251-431-6409. The Mobile Baykeeper is collecting contact information for volunteers to respond anywhere along the Gulf Coast, if needed. Call 251-433-4229. Save Our Seabirds is a Florida bird rescue group that is looking for support as its response team prepares to help oiled wildlife. Call 941-388-3010. The National Wildlife Federation is looking for volunteers and support to help spot distressed or oiled wildlife, and to assist in the cleanup and restoration efforts along the coast of Louisiana. You can text the word "NWF" to 20222. That'll donate $10 to the National Wildlife Federation through your phone bill. In addition to the wildlife specific organizations, others are also looking to assist with the effects of the oil spill. The Greater New Orleans Foundation, which serves the 13 parishes that comprise New Orleans, has opened the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund, which will offer emergency grants to nonprofit organizations helping the victims of the oil spill, and address the long-term economic, environmental, and cultural effects of the disaster. The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana's mission is to help restore and protect a sustainable coastal Louisiana. They are accepting volunteers and support to assist with spill recovery efforts. The Gulf Coast states likely to be affected have also set up sites where information about volunteering can be found: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. United Way has launched the Gulf Recovery Fund, which is providing emergency assistance and long term recovery support for the communities devastated by this oil spill. Those who need help or want to volunteer to help can dial 2-1-1. You can donate to this fund by going to liveunited.org/gulfrecovery, or text the word "United" to 50555 to donate $10 from your mobile phone. The Nature Conservancy has committed to the long-term restoration work needed in the Gulf and states along its coast, and has launched their Fund for Gulf Coast Restoration to support this effort. The Fund was set up to aid in re-establishing critical habitats such as marshes, seagrass beds, oyster reefs, and coastal wetlands. You can text the word "coast" to 50555. That'll donate $10 through your mobile phone. The Gulf Coast Fund has created special emergency grants in response to the oil disaster. The organization is distributing these grants to registered non-profit groups engaged in community-lead responses to this crisis. Call 212-812-4361. Save Our Gulf is a campaign by the Waterkeeper Alliance to support and coordinate efforts to protect the Gulf Coast. Their fund supports Waterkeepers from Texas to Florida who are working to hold back this oil spill from their waterways and communities. The First Response Team of America is working with the National Guard in Southern Louisiana to build dams to hold back the oil from the fragile coastal habitats. Their founder, Tad Agoglia -- who was named a CNN Hero in 2008 - has made their work on the oil spill their top priority until the disaster is contained. AmeriCares is providing medical care and supplies to organizations along the Gulf, and is funding and assisting mental health assessments and counseling needs for the immediate and long-term recovery of the region. Call 1-800-486-4357 . The Children's Health Fund has been in the Gulf since Katrina, and are providing medical and mental health care, and addressing long-term health and mental health issues affecting children as a result of this disaster. They can be reached at 1-800-535-7448. | Conservation groups seek volunteers to help in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida . Audubon Society making Center for Birds of Prey available for bird cleansing and rehabilitation . Deep Water Horizon response team looking for help in identifying affected animals . | dbd2771ae2a4f1be015d6eef6d14e8e3ef7c2809 |
By . Gerard Couzens . and Daily Mail Reporter . Madeleine McCann’s parents are to apply under Portuguese law to become private ‘prosecutors’ in the reopened criminal inquiry into her disappearance. If Kate and Gerry McCann are granted the status of ‘assistentes’, their legal team could work alongside state prosecutors so they are kept informed of all new developments and conduct their own private prosecution – running parallel to the state prosecution – against any future suspects. It’s a distant cry from the days in 2007 when Portuguese police labelled the couple with ‘arguido’ – or suspect – status. Under the country’s legal system, ‘there is a place for the victims that want to be side by side with the prosecutors’, said the McCanns’ Portuguese lawyer, Rogerio Alves. ‘They can press their own charges.’ Hopeful: Gerry and Kate McCann's fight for justice after the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine is fuelled by the hope that she is alive, their Portuguese lawyer claims . Portugal’s Attorney General confirmed . on Thursday that the probe was being reopened at the request of police . based in Porto who have spent the last two and a half years reviewing . the case. The McCanns’ Portuguese lawyer, Rogerio Alves, said local police have finally . admitted to the couple they no longer regard them as suspects, more than . five years after the original investigation was shelved. The couple were told in a police briefing last week in Lisbon, new lines of inquiry which have led to the reopening of the investigation in Portugal, absolve them of any responsibility. Mr Alves said: 'The McCanns were already informed about the reopening of the inquiry and the reasons why it was being reopened. 'They also know that this new line of inquiry excludes any responsibility of the parents. 'The Portuguese police told them this at a meeting in Lisbon last week at which British police were also present. Access all areas: The McCanns will apply for prosecutor status in the reopened criminal inquiry into Maddie's disappearance (pictured right on the day she vanished) allowing them to be kept informed of all new developments in the case . 'What it means is that the police understand there are new avenues that should be explored. 'This brings Madeleine’s parents a legitimate expectation not only that the truth will be discovered but also that it will be possible to find Madeleine alive which is the sole aim of all the efforts they’ve been making.' Portugal’s current Attorney General, Joana Marques Vidal, is the first woman ever appointed to the post. An e-fit image released by the Metropolitan Police this month of a man they want to investigate as Portuguese authorities reopen the case with new inquiries . She took over as the country’s top legal advisor in October 2012 from predecessor Fernando Pinto Monteiro after his six-year mandate came to an end. It was still unclear last night which police force would be appointed to lead the reopened inquiry. Initial reports suggested it would be a team of Algarve-based Policia Judiciaria detectives but today it appeared more likely the review team from Porto would be asked to do the job. The detectives will work under the direction of public prosecutors based in the Algarve resort of Portimao. Jose Magalhaes e Menezes, the public prosecutor in charge of the original investigation, is expected to oversee the reopened inquiry. He was damning of the original probe pointing the finger at Madeleine’s parents and claimed officers under disgraced Goncalo Amaral achieved 'very little' during their 15-month investigation. He also thwarted attempts by Mr Amaral to charge the McCanns with child abandonment, leading to a souring in relations between police and prosecutors. Mr Amaral went on to write a controversial book called ‘The Truth of the Lie’ which the McCanns are currently suing him over at an ongoing civil trial in a Lisbon court because of his claims they faked their daughter’s abduction to cover up her death in their holiday apartment. It also emerged last night Madeleine’s parents are set to apply to become private prosecutors - ‘assistentes’ under Portuguese law - in the reopened criminal inquiry. It will mean their legal team can work alongside state prosecutors so they are kept informed of all new developments and conduct their own private prosecution - running parallel to the state prosecution - against any future suspects charged over Madeleine’s disappearance. Can press their own charges: The McCanns (pictured in 2007 after Maddie's disappearance) will be able to be in court with their lawyer if they are granted prosecutor status once the secrecy order is lifted . It marks a remarkable turnaround in a case in which they were once 'arguidos' or suspects. Their status as ‘assistentes’ would be crucial because of the secrecy order slapped on the case by Portugal’s Attorney General. They wouldn’t have access to all case files at present because of the secrecy order as ‘assistentes’ - but would once the secrecy order is lifted. Mr Alves said today: 'I will be applying for the McCanns to become assistentes in this case but don’t know yet when. 'Madeleine is the victim as well as her parents who are also her legal representatives. 'According to Portuguese criminal procedural law there is a place for the victims that want to be side by side with the prosecutors. 'It’s a question of them helping the prosecutor deliver to the case files all the information they have that can assist the investigation. Disappearance: The Ocean Club resort in Praia Da Luz where Madeleine McCann disappeared from in May 2007 . 'They can submit an accusation, they can press their own charges. 'At the trial, if there is a trial, they can be in court with their own lawyer, asking their own questions. 'It’s a sort of a private accusation to help the state prosecution.” He added: 'The secrecy order that’s been placed on this case prevents me from saying what the new lines of inquiry are. 'The police asked us specifically not to compromise the investigation and we are all obliged to respect the secrecy order. 'It would be a crime for anyone working within the file with full information on the details to talk about it. We don’t have the full details, we just have an idea. 'Madeleine’s parents are the ones with most interest in abiding by the secrecy order and maintaining the efficiency of the investigation. But I can say that the information they got from the Portuguse police directly is that the new lines of investigation absolve them of any responsibility in their daughter’s disappearance.' | The McCanns' lawyer claims Portuguese police have finally admitted that the parents are no longer suspects . The couple will apply for prosecutor status allowing them to be updated of new developments in the case . Madeleine was snatched in 2007 from family's holiday apartment . Portugal police have re-opened case five years after it was closed . | 5eff9ee1aa67ea7316cd820ee4bf668f18b51374 |
(CNN) -- Michigan Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirvell -- who for nearly six months has blogged about an openly gay college student -- has taken a voluntary leave of absence, the state's attorney general's office confirmed to CNN Friday. The office does not know the length of Shirvell's leave, but says that it will hold a disciplinary hearing upon his return. Earlier this week, Attorney General Mike Cox defended his assistant's constitutional right to wage the internet campaign against Chris Armstrong, even though he said he considers Shirvell a "bully." "Here in America, we have this thing called the First Amendment, which allows people to express what they think and engage in political and social speech," Cox told Anderson Cooper on CNN's "AC 360" on Wednesday night. "He's clearly a bully ... but is that protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution? Yes." "Mr. [Andrew] Shirvell is sort of a frontline grunt assistant prosecutor in my office," Cox said. "He does satisfactory work and off-hours, he's free to engage under both our civil service rules, Michigan Supreme Court rulings and the United States Supreme Court rule." But Gov. Jennifer Granholm disagreed. Late Thursday she tweeted, "If I was still attorney general and Andrew Shirvell worked for me, he would have already been fired." For nearly six months, Shirvell has blogged about Armstrong, an openly gay student assembly president at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Shirvell has been banned from the Ann Arbor campus, said university spokeswoman Kelly Cunningham. The ban was in the form of a "trespass warning" issued by the university on September 14. Shirvell launched his blog in late April using the online moniker "Concerned Michigan Alumnus." "Welcome to 'Chris Armstrong Watch,' " Shirvell wrote in his inaugural blog post. "This is a site for concerned University of Michigan alumni, students and others who oppose the recent election of Chris Armstrong -- a RADICAL HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVIST, RACIST, ELITIST, & LIAR -- as the new head of student government." Among other things, Shirvell has published blog posts that accuse Armstrong of going back on a campaign promise he made to minority students; engaging in "flagrant sexual promiscuity" with another male member of the student government; sexually seducing and influencing "a previously conservative [male] student" so much so that the student, according to Shirvell, "morphed into a proponent of the radical homosexual agenda;" hosting a gay orgy in his dorm room in October 2009; and trying to recruit incoming first-year students "to join the homosexual 'lifestyle.' " In a written statement from his office on Tuesday, Cox distanced his office from Shirvell's comments. "Mr. Shirvell's personal opinions are his and his alone, and do not reflect the views of the Michigan Department of Attorney General," Cox said in the statement. "But his immaturity and lack of judgment outside the office are clear." Shirvell said he works on the blog during his off-hours. On "AC 360" on Tuesday, Shirvell made no apologies for his blog postings, which include a picture of Armstrong with "Resign" written over his face. The same picture also had a swastika superimposed over a gay pride flag, with an arrow pointing toward Armstrong. Shirvell acknowledged protesting outside of Armstrong's house and calling him "Satan's representative on the student assembly." "I'm a Christian citizen exercising my First Amendment rights," Shirvell told Cooper. "I have no problem with the fact that Chris is a homosexual. I have a problem with the fact that he's advancing a radical homosexual agenda." Armstrong has supported gender-neutral housing at the university for transgender students who haven't had sexual reassignment surgery. Armstrong told CNN he has hired an attorney and is pursuing legal action against Shirvell. Watch Anderson Cooper 360° weeknights 10pm ET. For the latest from AC360° click here. | NEW: University of Michigan won't allow blogger on campus . Michigan assistant attorney general takes leave of absence . He's been under fire for blogging about gay college student . Attorney general previously defended Andrew Shirvell's right to blog on own time . | 2fce35f071332d9830c9ed99a68c910c002b9433 |
As he waited for those behind to . finish, Rory McIlroy sat in the recorder’s area with his face in his . hands, shaking his head in disbelief. Even . by his own standards for shoving a cold shoulder in the face of the . conventional, what happened at Wentworth on Sunday was simply stunning. A . week that had begun with one jaw-dropping statement concerning his . split from fiancee Caroline Wozniacki had ended with another and a . final-round 66 that earned him the unlikeliest of victories in the . European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Rory McIlroy say it has been a week of mixed emotions . Champion: Rory McIlroy won the BMW PGA Championship by five shots on Sunday with a final round of 66 . Pure joy: McIlroy throws his ball into the crowd after holing a birdie putt on the 18th at Wentworth . On form: McIlroy celebrates chipping in for birdie at the 10th hole during day four at BMW PGA Championship . Tough shot: The Northern Irishman chips from a bunker at the BMW PGA Championship . Heartbroken: McIlroy split with his fiancee and tennis star Caroline Wozniacki earlier in the week . The 25-year-old had started the final round trailing overnight leader Thomas Bjorn by seven shots. Thanks to his own brilliance and the shortcomings of Bjorn, another leading Danish sports figure was left with an aching heart as McIlroy claimed his first ever professional title in Europe and a handsome £640,000 first prize. McIlroy has been playing well all year and was just waiting for the sort of final round he enjoyed here to finish things off. Few, however, would have predicted it would come at the end of this of all weeks and on this of all courses, where he has enjoyed so little joy in the past. Runner’s-up spot went to Irishman Shane . Lowry, who finished a stroke behind, with Bjorn having to settle for a . tie for third place with Wentworth specialist Luke Donald. Poor . Bjorn. Five shots is the sort of final-round advantage no class player . should cough up but how many times have we seen it happen over the . years? All it takes is one bad hole and here the demons that have . tormented the doleful Dane throughout his career made a wretched . reappearance once he made a complete hash of the par-four sixth. A . triple-bogey seven there and the two Irishmen from north and south of . the border had a veritable sparkle in their eye. Then there was Donald, . who summoned up commendable resolve to come back from a seven of his own . at the sixth to make a wonderful fist of winning his third PGA title in . the space of just four years. He chipped in twice on the back nine but . ultimately left himself with too much to do. In the mix: But Shane Lowry was struggling to keep up with McIlroy in the final round . Scandinavian pride: Thomas Bjorn hit a 62 on the opening day but couldn't replicate that form on Sunday . Wentworth master: Luke Donald hit some sumptuous shots in a fine back nine . There’s nothing in golf . that compares with watching someone of McIlroy’s ilk when they get the . scent of victory in their nostrils. At times he can look such an average . putter but it’s uncanny the way they start dropping when nothing else . will do. He chipped in for a birdie at the 10th then holed a good . six-foot putt for another birdie at the 12th. Perhaps the biggest one . of all was the 30-footer that disappeared below ground at the 13th. Ten . minutes later, McIlroy was receiving his second helping hand of the day . after Bjorn’s early collapse when Lowry, who had moved into a . three-shot lead, hooked his drive at the 13th and ran up a double bogey. McIlroy was worried his concentration might waver during this event, . given all that had happened off the course in the build-up. But there . was no chance of that now as he was fully engaged in pulling off the . victory. At the 16th he made another good up and down, and then another . at the 17th for a fourth birdie on the back nine. That one might have . been the sweetest of all. For the first time in the entire tournament, . he had hit the front. Sandy landing: bjorn blew the tournament open when he triple bogeyed the 6th hole . At the par-five 18th, McIlroy hit a wonderful . drive but pushed his second shot into a greenside bunker. Once more, his . short game saved him as he splashed out to six feet and holed yet . another gutsy putt for his sixth birdie of the day to go with an eagle . at the fourth. After his opening round on Thursday, McIlroy’s . expectations were so modest he expressed the hope he would simply be . around for the weekend. Now here he was, in such a commanding position . that Lowry could hole a mammoth 50-footer for a birdie on the last but . still come up a shot shy. Donald had no option but to go for the . green at the last since he needed an eagle three to tie, and he was . unlucky to see his ball splash down in the water hazard about three . yards short of where he was aiming. Nightmare hole: Donald also struggled on the 6th landing in the bunker and taking a drop out of the bushes . Never mind a week is a long time . in politics. Five days seems to be an eternity in McIlroy’s world. Was . this the same man who sat in the interview room on Wednesday looking so . devastated it appeared it might be towards the end of summer before he . would be back to his best? As it turned out, it took until the end of . the week. This win is his first of the year and comes just three . weeks before the US Open over a Pinehurst course where the long drivers . and the demon short-game merchants will have an enormous advantage. In . other words, exactly the qualities that got the job done for McIlroy . last week — that, and a new-found resolution when things are not going . so well that he showed on Friday, and the requisite touch of luck. At . the par-five fourth, his eagle putt hovered on the edge of the hole for . a few seconds before it eventually dropped. In the end, that proved the . difference.What a finish to the 60th edition of the PGA . Championship, then. A little sprinkling of McIlroy stardust and suddenly . a previously flat golfing season has positively ignited. | Rory McIlroy wins the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth . McIlroy carded a final round off 66 to finish one shot ahead of Shane Lowry . McIlroy split from fiancee Caroline Wozniacki earlier in the week . Lowry finished 13 under par for the tournament . Luke Donald and Thomas Bjorn finished tied third on 12 under par . | 0771bcb0f8da1c70bd127d98fa0b2ba4446d3c28 |
Atlanta (CNN) -- A Georgia man was alone before his fatal fall from an upper level of Atlanta's Turner Field, police said Tuesday, as they continue to investigate his death. Ronald L. Homer, 30, was attending Monday night's Braves game against the Phillies. The Braves said they planned to observe a moment of silence for Homer before Tuesday's game. Four witnesses told officers that they saw Homer fall from the fourth level of the stadium during a rain delay in the game, the Atlanta Police Department said. "All the witnesses stated that there was (sic) no other people around Mr. Homer when he fell," police said, adding there were no surveillance cameras at the scene. Police said the fall appeared to be accidental but that it was too early to tell if alcohol was a factor. Homer, of nearby Conyers, fell 65 feet into the players' parking lot. He was unconscious when emergency responders found him, but he died later at the hospital, police said. An autopsy on Homer is complete, but authorities are not releasing details, citing pending toxicology results, Tami Sedivy-Schroder, an investigator with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, said Tuesday. Results can take up to eight weeks, she said. Homer's mother, Connie Homer, told CNN affiliate WXIA that he was a big Braves fan who was attending the game with a friend. "I'm just sick," she said. "We're a very close family. He was big-hearted." The game was scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m. but heavy rains pushed back the start time nearly two hours. His family said Homer went to the platform to smoke and may have lost his footing on the wet pavement, according to WXIA. Homer was 6 feet, 6 inches tall; the guard rail where he fell is 42 inches high, the industry standard and state code, WXIA reported. In a statement released Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves extended condolences to Homer's family. "We are saddened by this tragic incident and will continue our investigation along with the Atlanta Police Department. We will have no further comment until the investigation is complete." It's the second such death at an Atlanta sporting venue in the last year. On August 31, a Tennessee fan died after falling about 45 feet at the Georgia Dome during a college football game between North Carolina State and the University of Tennessee. In July 2011, a Texas fan died after falling 20 feet at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas, while trying to catch a ball thrown to him by outfielder Josh Hamilton. CNN's Devon Sayers, Jill Martin and Jamie Morrison contributed to this report. | NEW: Homer was alone when he fell, witnesses tell police . A cause of death has not being released, pending toxicology results . Homer, 30, of Georgia, dies after falling at Turner Field, officials say . He fell about 65 feet from an upper level of Atlanta Braves' baseball stadium . | 09e77398895c34bc8b903df06c0b3a792a966831 |
David Moyes insists that no-one is good enough to displace Wayne Rooney up front for both Manchester United and England. Moyes, who put Rooney at the heart of his Manchester United side before being sacked in April after less than a year in charge, reckons that the best could be yet to come from the forward - so long as he concentrates on scoring goals rather than all-action forays across the pitch. The Scot did, however, urge Rooney's team-mates to help ease the pressure on their captain by creating more chances for him. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Rooney: Good performance four years ago counts for nothing . Plenty to say: Wayne Rooney in training with England at St-Jokob Park in Basle on Sunday . Centre of attention: Rooney will lead England against Switzerland in their first Euro 2016 qualifier on Monday . Rooney has taken over the armband for both club and country this season but both teams have been lacklustre and the 28-year-old is showing far from his best form, despite scoring the winning goal in last week's friendly win over Norway. Radamel Falcao's blockbuster loan signing at United has raised questions over Rooney's role in his club team, while Raheem Sterling's emergence has led to calls for the Liverpool starlet to fill the No 10 role in Roy Hodgson's side currently occupied by Rooney. 'Some people might wonder if we have seen the best of him. I don't,' Moyes told The Sun. 'I still believe he is one of the best in the Premier League. Bright future: Raheem Sterling (second left) is viewed by many as England's No 10 in waiting . Pressure: Colombia striker Radamel Falcao could be competing for a place with Rooney at Old Trafford . 'What he needs to make sure is that he's not trying to do everyone else's job too. Sometimes he feels like he has to do everything. 'Other players have to help Wayne, find him in the right positions, supply him so he can score goals.' Rooney will lead England against Switzerland in Basle on Monday night in the Three Lions' first Euro 2016 qualifier. Despite 19-year-old Sterling's brilliant displays for both Liverpool and England, Moyes made it clear that he thought Rooney remained a better player than anyone younger than him and deserved his lead role in Roy Hodgson's side. Moyes also added that in future he could see Rooney dropping deeper into a midfield role but not while he still had plenty to offer as a striker. | Wayne Rooney needs Manchester United and England team-mates to create more chances for him, according to David Moyes . Moyes insists Rooney is still first-choice striker for both teams . Radamel Falcao and Raheem Sterling among the players putting pressure on Rooney's place . Rooney is still one of top players in Premier League, says Moyes . England captain should not move into midfield yet, says Scot . | 3868f5f99f8b92444b9aee1f31e23459654cebdb |
Ahead of this weekend's Premier League action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats... Here is all the information you need for Arsenal's home clash with Manchester City... You can like our Arsenal Facebook page here . Arsenal vs Manchester City (Emirates Stadium) Kick-off: Saturday 12.45pm - BT Sport 1 . Odds (subject to change): . Arsenal 7/4 . Draw 12/5 . Manchester City 6/4 . Referee: Mark Clattenburg . Managers: Arsene Wenger (Arsenal), Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City) Head-to-head league record: Arsenal wins 85, draws 41, Manchester City wins 46 . Team news . Arsenal . England forward Danny Welbeck could make his Arsenal debut in the lunchtime clash against Manchester City following a £16million deadline day move from Manchester United. Midfielder Aaron Ramsey (ankle) will be assessed while captain Mikel Arteta (ankle) is back in full training, along with goalkeeper David Ospina (thigh) and full-back Kieran Gibbs (hamstring). Danny Welbeck trains with Arsenal in the run-up to a likely debut for the Gunners . German playmaker Mesut Ozil should be available after returning early from international duty because of a sprained ankle. England forward Theo Walcott is a couple of weeks away from returning after a serious knee injury, but midfielder Serge Gnabry (knee) remains out and striker Olivier Giroud (fractured foot) is a long-term absentee. Provisional squad: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Sanchez, Ozil, Welbeck, Ospina, Cazorla, Monreal, Chambers, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanogo, Podolski, Campbell. Manchester City . Manchester City are without midfielder Fernando (groin) and striker Stevan Jovetic (hamstring) will miss Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Arsenal. Defender Eliaquim Mangala, signed from Porto last month for £32million, and on-loan former England midfielder Frank Lampard are both in contention for debuts after building up their general fitness. Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic will miss out at Arsenal through a hamstring injury . Captain Vincent Kompany is fit after coming through Belgium's friendly with Australia unscathed despite concerns over a calf injury. Provisional squad: Hart, Caballero, Zabaleta, Sagna, Kompany, Demichelis, Mangala, Nastasic, Boyata, Clichy, Kolarov, Silva, Milner, Navas, Nasri, Toure, Fernandinho, Lampard, Aguero, Dzeko. Key match stats (supplied by Opta) Arsenal won 18 of their first 22 Premier League fixtures against Manchester City, but have only won three of the last 12 (D4 L5). The Citizens have only won one of 17 previous Premier League games away at Arsenal; a 2-0 win in January 2013 (L11 D5). Indeed, that 2-0 win was also the only time Manchester City have scored more than once in 17 Premier League games at either Highbury or the Emirates. Danny Welbeck could become only the third player in Premier League history to play for both Arsenal and Manchester United (Mikael Silvestre, Robin van Persie). James Milner celebrates with Manchester City team-mates Carlos Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta as Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs looks on following City's 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium in 2013 . The Gunners have won more Premier League games in September than any other Premier League side (48) and also have the best points/game average (2.02). Arsene Wenger’s side are unbeaten in 19 Premier League games at the Emirates Stadium (W14 D5) and have won their last four in a row there. Arsenal have conceded four goals from only seven shots on target faced in the top-flight this term. Manchester City have not lost two consecutive league games since October 2010 – one of the games that they lost back then was against Arsenal. Arsenal have already gained a league-high four points from losing positions in 2014/15. Sergio Aguero has scored eight goals in his last 10 Premier League away appearances. | Danny Welbeck could make his Arsenal debut following £16million arrival from Manchester United on transfer deadline day . Aaron Ramsey to be assessed while Mikel Arteta back in full training . David Ospina and Kieran Gibbs are also on the mend for Gunners . Mesut Ozil likely to be fit after missing out for Germany . Stevan Jovetic will miss out for Manchester City with hamstring injury . Fernando will also miss out but Vincent Kompany likely to start . Eliaquim Mangala and Frank Lampard could make debuts . | c5d1bdc083b28efc23d02a1ead8eb09ad751b30b |
A picture has emerged of a bullet hole inside the cabin of a flydubai airliner that was shot at as it came in to land at Baghdad airport, injuring a young girl. The dramatic incident prompted a suspension of flights by UAE carriers to the Iraqi capital. Twitter user Bin Tamim posted a picture on his feed that he claimed was one of the bullet holes caused by the small arms fire. It can clearly be seen between the seat and the armrest. Dangerous: A picture purporting to be of one of the bullet holes caused by small arms fire was uploaded to Twitter to user BinTamin . A bullet hit the fuselage of a flydubai airliner on its descent into Baghdad, injuring two passengers and prompting a suspension of flights by UAE carriers to the Iraqi capital . This picture has yet to be confirmed as authentic. 'There was no consequence other than a slight injury to a young girl. The pilot landed and he was not aware of what had happened,' Transport Minister Baqr Jabr al-Zubaidi told reporters at the airport. Flight FZ215 was hit by 'small arms fire' before landing on Monday but all passengers disembarked safely, a flydubai spokesperson told AFP. An aviation official and a security official told Reuters two passengers were lightly injured when three or four bullets hit the body of flight FZ215 but they were unable to specify the source of the gunfire. The no-frills carrier, a sister firm of Emirates, said it was working with Iraqi authorities to investigate the incident, adding that it will continue to fly to its other destinations in Iraq. Other UAE airlines, including Emirates, Etihad and Air Arabia, suspended their flights to Baghdad. 'Emirates has suspended its services to Baghdad until further notice due to operational reasons,' the Dubai-based airline said. The Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said it had 'suspended all flights to the Iraqi city with immediate effect and until further notice.' The website of Sharjah-based budget carrier Air Arabia also showed that flights to Baghdad were not available. An aviation official and a security official said two passengers were lightly injured when three or four bullets hit the body of the flydubai aircraft. Pictured is one of the airline's planes landing at Dubai International airport . Baghdad airport staff confirmed there had been disruption to flights after Monday's incident. 'The plane was able to land normally but some airlines have cancelled or delayed their flights today,' one airport employee said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Flights from some of the other major airlines flying to Baghdad, such as Turkish Airlines and Royal Jordanian, were delayed, their websites showed. 'The exact timing of flights is not yet clear. Operation directors are currently having a meeting,' a Turkish Airlines official told AFP in Ankara. Western airlines flying over Iraq have taken extra precautions in recent months for fear that jihadists of the Islamic State group might acquire weapons able to hit cruising airliners. Baghdad International Airport is located west of the capital, near the province of Anbar, which is largely controlled by IS fighters. | Bullets hit the fuselage of a flydubai airliner on its descent into Baghdad . Two passengers injured, prompting suspension of flights by UAE carriers . Flight FZ215 was hit by 'small arms fire' before landing on Monday . Twitter user posted picture he claimed was of a bullet hole in the cabin . | 332369b164983fd30aef6989433c025290b4ce7a |
(CNN) -- The U.S. Justice Department is reviewing a request from 13 states on how to acquire an execution drug no longer made in the United States and whether the federal government would share its supplies, a federal spokeswoman said Wednesday. The sole U.S. manufacturer of sodium thiopental, an anesthetic used as part of the lethal three-drug cocktail, announced last month that it would stop making the drug because the producer never intended it to be used to kill people. The U.S. shortage of sodium thiopental, also used as an anesthetic for brief surgical procedures, may force states to postpone executions and has forced them to look outside the country for a supply or come up with alternatives. Those substitutes haven't been without controversy. In December, Oklahoma used an anesthetic commonly used to euthanize animals to execute John David Duty for killing a cellmate. Additional controversy surfaced last week about the drug's shortage when six death row inmates filed a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent the Food and Drug Administration from importing the drug, saying the imports may be unsafe. In a letter last month to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, the attorneys general in 13 states said injection is the execution method in the majority of states with a death penalty, and protocols in those states use sodium thiopental, "an ultra-short-acting barbiturate." "Sodium thiopental is in very short supply worldwide and, for various reasons, essentially unavailable on the open market," the letter said. "For those jurisdictions that have the drug available, their supplies are very small -- measured in a handful of doses. The result is that many jurisdictions shortly will be unable to perform executions in cases where appeals have been exhausted and governors have signed death warrants. "Therefore, we solicit your assistance in either identifying an appropriate source for sodium thiopental or making supplies held by the federal government available to the states," the letter said. Justice Department spokeswoman Alisa Finelli said Wednesday that federal officials have received the communication. "We'll review the letter," she said. Oregon is one of the 13 states signing the letter and has run out of the execution drug, said spokesman Tony Green of the Oregon Department of Justice. "It's pretty straightforward. We don't have a supply of the drug so we're looking for sources for them should we need them," Green said. Oregon, which hasn't had an execution since 1997, doesn't have any lethal injections scheduled, though more than 30 men are on death row, he said. All those cases are in various stages of appeal, he said. The other states signing the letter are Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Texas, which wasn't part of the letter, performs the most executions in the country and is also facing a shortage of the drug, said spokesman Jason Clark of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Texas has enough sodium thiopental to carry out this month's two scheduled executions, on February 15 and February 22, but the state's stock of the drug will reach its expiration date in March, Clark said. Texas has executions scheduled in April, May and July, he said. "The agency is exploring all of its options at this point, including seeking an alternative source of sodium thiopental as well as seeking an alternative drug to use in a lethal injection process," Clark said. Switching to an alternative drug could be done administratively, but switching to a different execution method would require legislative approval, Clark said. "If we were to go to a firing squad, that would be a change in the execution method" requiring lawmakers' approval, Clark said. In their recently filed federal lawsuit, death row convicts are seeking an injunction barring future imports of the drug and removal of supplies of the drug already in possession of state governments. The lawsuit represents inmates in Arizona, California and Tennessee. The FDA continues to allow states to import "bulk amounts" of the drug for use in lethal injection without vetting it to ensure it meets regulatory standards, the lawsuit charges. "The imported thiopental in question has not been listed with FDA, was manufactured by foreign companies that have not registered with FDA, and was exported by a wholesaler located in the United Kingdom," says the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia. "FDA has not determined whether the thiopental being imported into the United States is safe and effective, whether the imported thiopental is adulterated or whether the imported thiopental is counterfeit," the suit says. An FDA spokesman declined to comment last week, citing the litigation. | Sodium thiopental is part of three-drug cocktail used in lethal injection . The U.S. manufacturer of the drug said last month it would stop making the drug . 13 states that use the drug in executions are asking feds if they will share their supplies . Meanwhile, six death row inmates are suing to stop imports they claim may be unsafe . | de3b14845ef548b0c2ce39722b8ad9cf0bfba2c3 |
By . Adam Lee Potter . The days of squinting at a map or the screen of your smartphone when you’re lost will soon be over – thanks to new shoes that tell you which way to turn. The shoes use a Bluetooth link to communicate with your mobile’s mapping system. The mobile works out which route you should be following and the shoes then emit a discreet vibration in either foot telling you when and where to change direction. End of the SatNav? The team at Lechal, which is based in India, designed the shoe so that it connects to the owner's smartphone via Bluetooth . Best foot forward: Using a similar concept, two engineers have created a $100 (£60) smart trainer that guides its wearer by vibration. The team at Lechal, which is based in India, designed the shoe so that it connects to the owner's smartphone via Bluetooth to work out their location and destination . The shoes will also count the number of steps you’ve taken and the calories you’ve burned – and they’ll even buzz to warn you you’ve left your phone behind, or to alert you when you’re travelling past an interesting landmark. The ‘footnav’ technology, called Lechal, comes either ready-fitted in a Ferrari-red shoe or as an insole that can be slipped into any shoe. Both cost $100. 'They are as easy to use as a tap on . the shoulder,’ said Krispian Lawrence, 30, who developed the shoes with . partner Anirudh Sharma, 28, in Hyderabad, India. ‘It’s . that intuitive – if someone taps you on the left shoulder, you . immediately turn left. This product harnesses that basic instinct. ‘You . can even communicate with them using hand gestures and finger snaps . because the shoes have sensors that can pick up movement and sound. 'You can also tell them how many calories you want to burn and they’ll plot the perfect run or cycle.’ Good vibrations: The shoes and insoles connect to the owner's smartphone via Bluetooth to work out their location and destination. That means the shoe will let the owner know when they have to turn left or right by vibrating in either the left or right shoe . The Lechal shoes go on sale worldwide in June but Lawrence and Sharma’s company, Ducere Technologies, has already taken more than 3,000 pre-orders. Lawrence believes the shoes will also improve road safety. ‘If I’m on my bike or motorbike, I don’t want to stare at my phone – it’s dangerous,’ he says. ‘I’d rather be guided by my footwear.’ He believes his innovation will prove invaluable for the visually impaired and has pledged that every mainstream pair sold by Ducere will subsidise a cheaper pair for a visually impaired person. Footnav technology does not impress explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, however. ‘What’s wrong with a good old-fashioned map?’ said the 70-year-old when told of the shoes. ‘If you rely too heavily on technology you’re heading for trouble. 'Too many people have forgotten – or never learned – the basics: how to read a map and a compass.’ Just say no: Television presenter Hannah White is not a fan of the new shoes believing that they kill off skills like map-reading . TV presenter and adventurer Hannah White is also sceptical. White, a patron of the British Exploring Society and host of Channel 5’s Go Hard Or Go Home, said: . ‘The art of map-reading is dying out – killed off by inventions like this – and that’s tragic. ‘The global positioning system works best when it teaches you the way so you don’t have to use it the next time. 'With satnav in your shoes, you’ll never have to look even at an on-screen map so you’ll never learn. That’s going backwards, not forwards.’ | New trainer uses Bluetooth technology to guide runner around course . Shoes emit a discreet vibration in either foot telling you when and where to change direction . Trainer comes in Ferrari-red or can be added as an insole - both cost $100 . Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes thinks shoes are a bad idea . | cbd5a90078cfebfdd338b696caf3f90194899321 |
(CNN) -- On a day when global doomsday predictions failed to pan out, NASA had more good news for the Earth: An asteroid feared to be on a collision course with our planet no longer poses a threat. Uncertainties about the orbit of the asteroid, known as 2011 AG5, previously allowed for a less than a 1% chance it would hit the Earth in February 2040, NASA said. To narrow down the asteroid's future course, NASA put out a call for more observation. Astronomers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa took up the task and managed to observe the asteroid over several days in October. "An analysis of the new data conducted by NASA's Near-Earth Object Program Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, shows that the risk of collision in 2040 has been eliminated," NASA declared Friday. The new observations, made with the Gemini 8-meter telescope in Mauna Kea, Hawaii, reduce the orbit uncertainties by more than a factor of 60. That means the Earth's position in February 2040 is not in range of the asteroid's possible future paths. The asteroid, which is 140 meters (460 feet) in diameter, will get no closer to Earth than 890,000 kilometers (553,000 miles), or more than twice the distance to the moon, NASA said. A collision with Earth would have released about 100 megatons of energy, several thousand times more powerful than the atomic bombs that ended World War II, according to the Gemini Observatory. Observing the asteroid wasn't easy, said David Tholen, an astronomer at the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy. The asteroid's position was very close to the sun, so astronomers had to observe it when the sky was dark. Tholen told CNN there was about a half-hour between when the asteroid got high enough in the sky for the telescope to point at it and before the sky became too light to observe it. Because the astronomers were looking at the asteroid low in the sky, they were viewing it through a lot of atmosphere, which scattered some of the light and made the object fainter, he said. "The second effect is the turbulence of the atmosphere makes things fainter," Tholen said. "We had to keep trying over and over until we got one of those nights when the atmosphere was calm." Tholen and the team also discovered the asteroid is elongated, so that as it rotates, its brightness changes. That was another challenge for the astronomers: Because they didn't know the asteroid's rotation period, they didn't know when it would wax and wane, and when it would grow too faint to see. "This object was changing its brightness by a factor of three or four -- it was just enormously variable," Tholen said. "It was hit and miss depending on which night you observed it." Many predicted the end of the world would come Friday, the day on which a long phase in the ancient Mayan calendar came to an end. Some believe the day actually comes Sunday. Modern-day Mayans say the end of the calendar phase doesn't mean the end of the world -- just the end of an era, and the start of a new one. NASA estimates 4,700 'potentially hazardous' asteroids . | The asteroid previously had a 0.2% chance of hitting the Earth . More observation by astronomers in Hawaii shows no risk of collision . A collision would have released about 100 megatons of energy . Observing the asteroid wasn't easy . | 956d65e08a8cd152436f015557d194c90fabb248 |
(CNN) -- Susie Wolff put the disappointments of Silverstone behind her on Friday with an impressive run in the first free practice session ahead of Sunday's German Grand Prix. The Williams development driver only managed four laps during practice at the British Grand Prix a fortnight ago before engine problems curtailed her involvement. But it was a happier story at Hockenheim as the 31-year-old Scot completed 20 laps finishing a highly respectable 15th. Her best lap time of one minute 20.769 seconds was just 0.227 seconds behind Williams' driver Felipe Massa who finished the session in 11th place. Things had not looked so promising for Wolff earlier in the day as she crawled round her out lap in first gear before returning to the pits. Thankfully, it wasn't long before the mechanical problems were resolved and she was back on track -- even briefly clocking the fastest lap of the session. Wolff has been a development driver for Williams since 2012 and is the first female driver to participate in a F1 race weekend since Italy's Giovanna Amati attempted to qualify for three races during the 1992 season. Lewis Hamilton, speaking ahead of his recent victory at Silverstone, said Wolff's participation at two practice sessions this season was fully deserved. "She's very, very talented," said the Mercedes driver, who raced against her in his junior career in karting and Formula Renault. "It's really cool to see her in a Formula One car. "I didn't race against many girls. Susie was one of the very few, if not the only one, I raced against. We shared a podium together a couple of times." Wolff, who replaced Massa's teammate Valtteri Bottas for Friday's first practice session, finished 1.638 seconds off the pace set by current championship leader Nico Rosberg. Hamilton was fractionally behind (0.065 seconds) his teammate with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso third and Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull fourth. The Australian's teammate and last year's race winner Sebastian Vettel finished the session in sixth, one place behind McLaren's Jenson Button. Read more: Historic Formula One outing stalls . Read more: Why can't women win in F1? | Williams development driver impresses finishing 15th out of 22 drivers . Wolff completes 20 laps with a fastest time of one minute 20.769 seconds . The 31-year-old finishes just 0.227 seconds behind main Williams driver Felipe Massa . | ba72e97df9a8301d709a88260f56336ed3016b5a |
By . Ian Sparks . PUBLISHED: . 11:40 EST, 5 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:53 EST, 5 December 2012 . Shamed former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has celebrated his six million dollar pay-off to a hotel maid who accused him of trying to rape her - by cavorting with three blonde models at a Paris nightclub. The disgraced 64-year-old economist was caught on camera brazenly posing with the attractive young women during a night out with pals in the French capital. Strauss-Kahn hit the town with five friends on Saturday after reaching the £3.8 million deal with New York hotel cleaner Nafissatou Diallo to settle her civil action for sexual assault. Celebration: Shamed former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has celebrated his six million dollar pay-off to a hotel maid who accused him of trying to rape her - by cavorting with three blonde models at a Paris nightclub . They are both expected to appear before a judge in the Bronx on December 7 to sign the papers that will end all legal action against him in the US. But the cash-strapped Frenchman is so hard up he may have to borrow half the money from his multi-millionaire estranged wife, French daily Le Monde said. Accuser: Nafissatou Diallo maintained her claims the she was the victim of a 'violent, sadistic attack,' despite criminal charges being dropped . Meanwhile in France, Strauss-Kahn - a self-confessed sex addict - is also waiting to learn if he will face charges of conspiring with pimps to procure girls for sex parties around the world. A judge in Lille will rule on December 19 whether he should stand trial over the accusations. Strauss-Kahn - once tipped as a future president of France - seemed unworried by his ongoing legal woes as he relaxed at the chic Le Matignon night spot. He and his friends mingled with models, who were at the club to promote a new ready-made cocktail called Sex on the Beach. A reveller at the club told France’s Europe 1 radio: 'Strauss-Kahn arrived at the club at about 10.30pm with five or six other men and two bodyguards. 'They sat at a table in the VIP area before going down to the nightclub floor itself.' Jean-Albert Vergnaud, boss of the Sex on the Beach drinks company, added: 'Mr Strauss-Kahn seemed to love our brand, and happily posed for pictures. 'Despite what some people have said, these photos are not faked and he was genuinely there that evening enjoying himself. 'It was a bit of a marketing coup for us too.' Strauss-Kahn has been embroiled in a catalogue of sex scandals since being arrested in May 2011 for trying to rape Guinea immigrant Miss Diallo, 29, when she came to clean his suite in New York’s Sofitel hotel. He was charged with attempted rape, sexual abuse, a criminal sexual act, unlawful imprisonment and forcible touching and held at the city’s notorious Ryker’s Island prison. He claimed Ms Diallo had consented to sex but later described the encounter as ‘a moral failure’ that he would regret his whole life. All charges were then dropped a month later over concerns about the cleaner’s credibility. She went on to file a civil case against him for what she called a ‘violent and sadistic attack’ that humiliated and degraded her, and ‘robbed her of her dignity as a woman’. Loan: . With no income or savings, Strauss-Kahn may have to ask . multi-millionaire heiress Anne Sinclair, his 63-year-old wife who left . him in the summer, for half of the money . Miss Sinclair, also 63, a heiress and . former television presenter who now runs a Paris website, originally . put up a £624,000 deposit and £3.1million bond to get Strauss-Kahn out . of the notorious Rikers Island prison in May 2011 after his arrest at . the Sofitel hotel in Manhattan. At the time, she insisted her husband was innocent, but the couple who have a daughter Camille, and had been married for 20 years, split . up in the summer. Strauss-Kahn also faces legal woes in France, where he returned after criminal charges were dropped, only to face similar accusations of sexually abusing a young French writer. Moving on: Dominique Strauss-Khan seen with his new partner Myriam Aouffir earlier this year . When those allegations were also abandoned, he was then confronted with more claims he used hookers supplied by a vice network in Lille, northern France. Strauss-Kahn confessed to attending many group sex sessions but insisted he did not know the young women were hookers and that he often had sex with ‘willing girls’ in their 20s. He is now under ‘judicial control’ on £85,000 bail pending a decision on whether he should face trial. The hugely experienced economist has meanwhile made a discreet return to public life, giving a speech on the global finances in China and advising the Greek government on their massive debts. | Shamed former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has celebrated by cavorting with three blonde models at a Paris nightclub . Reached the £3.8 million deal with New York hotel cleaner Nafissatou Diallo to settle her civil action for sexual assault . May 2011 sex assault scandal cost Strauss-Kahn his job, his political career and his marriage . | ea730c7f4e8245cd44e5c929d7d659c2fa441a49 |
(CNN)It's December 23, 2022. It's the last Friday before Christmas and it's carnage on the streets of London. This is "Black Friday" and then some. Thanks to the huge numbers of office Christmas parties, paramedics, bouncers and doctors are struggling to scrape binge drinking Britons off the pavement. Tuesday saw a commission set up by FIFA, world soccer's governing body, recommend what was already the worst held secret in sport: that the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar should be moved from the oppressive heat in the summer to the cooler winter months. Some initial reports suggest that December 23 could be the day of the World Cup final. If the right-leaning British tabloid Daily Mail thought Black Friday 2014 was bad, it might find December 23, 2022 really will signal the end of days. At least that's the impression you get from the reaction to a possible winter World Cup. Discounting the fact that "winter" is a relative term (there have already been six World Cup finals hosted during winter months in the southern hemisphere,) the reaction has been almost universally negative; a sign not just of Qatar's perceived ability to change the rules of the game, but also of FIFA's mendacity. Ever since Qatar was announced as host in December 2010, questions have been raised about its ability to host the finals in June and July when the temperature can reach 50 degrees Celsius. Other dates were mooted such as February/March 2022, but that drew a strong reaction from the International Olympic Committee as it clashed with the Winter Olympics. Broadcaster Fox, which had paid an inordinate sum to secure World Cup broadcast rights, must be angry with that possibility too, as it coincided with one of the biggest advertising paydays in world sport: the Super Bowl. And UEFA, Europe's governing body, was also against that date as it clashed with the Champions League, the richest competition in world football. May was suggested, when the temperatures were lower, but not low enough. So, the battle was set for November and December, a date that UEFA appears to have begrudgingly accepted as the best of a bad bunch. Most European leagues have a winter break that could be moved forward a month to accommodate the finals. The main loser appears to be the English Premier League who will have to find a month long hole in its schedule, plus recovery time. Richard Scudamore, the league's CEO who has just signed a record £5.1 billion TV deal, is livid. He's a man that's not accustomed to being dictated to. "FIFA keep their international dates, they keep their World Cup intact, even UEFA, who, I think, let us down a little bit, clearly pushed," he said after the meeting. The 2022 dates means English football's traditional Christmas football period -- where a quick succession of matches would be played starting the day after Christmas Day -- would go out of the window. But would a winter World Cup really be the disaster it is being painted as? Surely, as the European nights draw in and in the run up to Christmas, a schedule of international matches on free to air television would be a huge draw to viewers in Europe? Given the public's affinity with football TV ratings records would be smashed. A World Cup in November and December might arguably also provide the impetus for English football to reform itself. The lack of a winter break has meant that the national team rarely performs well at big international tournaments after a long grueling season. Germany who won last World Cup, took a six week winter break December to January. Over that time, English Premier League teams played seven league matches, plus cup games. It would be an opportune time to introduce one. One other issue is the global aspect of the game. Insisting on June-July for every World Cup finals excludes much of the world from ever hosting the tournament, including the Middle East. A Qatar World Cup in December would be a unique experience for those who travel there, if a little cold. In reality, this isn't an argument about the timing of the finals as much as represents deep anger at FIFA and by extension Qatar. There are still huge, unanswered questions surrounding the corruption allegations that have surrounded the successful bid. And why exactly did the likes of UEFA president Michel Platini vote for a summer World Cup when the issue of temperature were well known, including in FIFA's own technical report which deemed a Qatari World Cup high risk? And then there's an issue of migrant worker rights. Qatar has promised changes to the Kafala system and rightly so. No World Cup should ever be built by workers with such a tenuous grasp over their own destinies. But Qatar winning the bid to host the 2022 World Cup has, by accident and under pressure from the intense media glare that followed it, enhanced visibility of this exploitation, not diminished it. The World Cup has made reform of the system more likely, not less. Until Qatar won the bid in 2010, reporting on the issue was negligible. Previously the Kafala system would be routinely dismissed as a necessary step towards global development, like migrants arriving in the U.S. to build the American dream. That view is now not heard. Take Qatar out of the equation and you are left with one question: what would actually be wrong with a winter World Cup? We talk big about football being a global game, why not make it truly global? Worry less about the cash-rich English Premier League having to make alterations to their schedule, and worry more about the paramedics, bouncers and doctors on 23, December 2022. And brace yourself for the blackest of Black Fridays. | A winter World Cup has some positives, argues football writer James Montague . It will bring huge TV audiences in Europe and open the game to the rest of the world . Questions still remain over conduct of bid vote . | 4674041d535afa28007f2f7b636de7161e3686ef |
How do you celebrate an important home victory over your title rivals? Well, in Denmark, a women's football team have posted a cheeky photo showing their bare backsides! Brondby beat title rivals Fortuna Hjorring 3-2 at home on Sunday, meaning they extended their lead at the top of the Danish EliteDivisionen to five points after 14 matches. And right back Theresa Nielsen posted a photo on Instagram showing the team celebrating in the changing room - with three of them revealing their behinds in the picture. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Brondby Ladies celebrating Champions League victory . Brondby players celebrate 3-2 victory over title rivals Fortuna Hjorring by showing bare backsides . The 62-cap Danish international accompanied the photo with the caption: 'Who the girls? 3-2 win against Fortuna today. 'An incredibly important and beautiful victory. Unity is huge. Thanks again for the spectacular support - it's not many that boasts. 'PS. When the end is good, everything is good #vivandtidag # godrøvgodweekend # brøndby #bifkvinder #sammenhold #danmarksbedstefans.' Nielsen in action for Denmark against Italy during the UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying stages . | Fortuna Hjorring beat Danish title rivals Brondby 3-2 at home on Sunday . They extended lead at the top to five points after 14 games . Right back Theresa Nielsen posted photo of team celebrating . Photo showed Nielsen and two team-mates' backsides during celebration . | 5c60cd1a773fa27ca78a6168ab099248856c8323 |
The National Zoo's panda cub Bao Bao returned to her mom in time for Christmas Day after spending nearly 36 hours in a tree, where she went after being startled by a tool zookeepers use to contain animals. Bao Bao climbed the tree on Tuesday afternoon after touching an electrified 'hot wire' used for animal containment and she didn't come down again until late on Wednesday. Members of the public, who can watch live video of the pandas online, posted worried inquiries on the zoo's Facebook page when they saw that Bao Bao was in a tree overnight and still there on Wednesday. But the zoo said Bao Bao was 'perfectly fine.' Scroll down for video . Stuck: Famed panda cub Bao Bao recently spent nearly 36 hours in the branches at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. after being spooked by an electric safety fence in her enclosure . Bao Bao turned 1 in August. She's only the second panda born at the zoo to survive to her first birthday. Zoo keepers said that her behavior was 'predictable' and despite the scare, she is 'perfectly fine.' 'She is still learning the boundaries of her habitat,' they added. Fortunately she came down from her retreat for Christmas to join her mother, Mei Xiang. Growing fast: Bao Bao - whose name means 'precious' or 'treasure' - was born August 23, 2013 . Learning curve: Zoo keepers said that despite the recent scare, the one-year-old cub is 'perfectly fine' The National Zoo is one of only four zoos nationwide to have pandas, which are on loan from China. The zoo's first pair of pandas, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, were a gift from China following President Richard Nixon's historic 1972 visit to the country. The pair had five cubs while living at the zoo but none survived. The zoo's current adult pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, arrived in 2000. They welcomed a male cub named Tai Shan in 2005 but he was returned to China five years later for breeding. Rare: The National Zoo is one of only four zoos nationwide to have pandas, which are on loan from China . Their second infant Bao Bao - whose name means 'precious' or 'treasure' - was born August 23, 2013. Panda keeper Nicole MacCorkle says Bao Bao has been a different baby from her brother, including a little more stand-offish with keepers. In the past year she has grown from a wriggling pink newborn, a little bigger than a stick of butter, to a 44lb black-and-white bundle. Her favorite activities include sleeping, exploring and munching on treats such as sweet potato and bamboo. | The one-year-old touched the charged barrier on Tuesday afternoon and the shock caused her to shoot above ground to safety . She finally came down late on Wednesday just in time to spent Christmas Day with her mother . Keepers at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. have said her behavior was 'predictable' and despite the scare, she is 'perfectly fine' | b8bd8987e90265187d124a5f8ba86e13bc8eca3b |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 17:46 EST, 16 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:01 EST, 17 December 2013 . For years it was a time-honoured tradition: families would wrap a fiver around a milk bottle to thank the postman at Christmas, or slip a few quid to the binmen for a festive drink. But today as few as half of UK households still tip tradespeople at Christmas, a new study has found. Just over a fifth of people tip their hairdresser, while postmen are the next most like trade to receive a festive tip (22 per cent) followed by binmen (15 per cent) and window cleaners (12 per cent). (File pictures) Declining tips: A postman delivering letters (left) and (right) a 16-year-old girl on her paper round putting papers through a letterbox . Milkmen are at the bottom of the list (11 per cent) although this is most likely to reflect the dwindling number of residents who have milk delivered to their door. The older generations are most likely to tip, the study found, with 54.8 per cent of those aged 55 and above saying they tip, compared to 45.3 per cent of 18-24 year olds. But Londoners are the most generous, with 16.9 per cent of those who tip giving more than a tenner, in comparison to 1.3 per cent in East Anglia. People living in the West Midlands are most likely to dip their hand in their pocket for the postman at Christmas, while London residents are more likely to tip their binmen during the festive period than people elsewhere in the country. Budgeting account provider Thinkmoney, who conducted the study, found 15 per cent of people tip their binmen . Of those who do tip, the majority (65 per cent) give up to £10, 6.4 per cent give more than £10 and 28 per cent prefer to give something other than cash, like food or drink. Budgeting account provider Thinkmoney, who conducted the study, suggested the low level of tipping could be due to increasing pressures on household budgets. Ian Williams, director of communications at budgeting account provider Thinkmoney, said: 'The Christmas box is a lovely tradition and a great way to show your appreciation to hard working tradespeople. 'But with household budgets under increasing pressure it is perhaps no surprise that less than half of those we questioned leave a tip nowadays.' | Study finds half of UK households still tip tradespeople at Christmas . Just over a fifth of people give their hairdresser a seasonal tip . Milkmen are now at the bottom of the list of people being tipped . | c68fbb7b8eadc6033d2eece21e959a7d8c216d28 |
Peering through a wire fence, this group of African American children stare out longingly at a fun fair just out of reach in one of a series of stunning photographs depicting the racial divides which split the United States of America. The image, entitled 'Outside Looking In' was captured by photographer Gordon Parks and was taken as part of a photo essay illustrating the lives of a Southern family living under the tyranny of Jim Crow segregation. Parks' pictures, which first appeared in Life Magazine in 1956 under the title 'The Restraints: Open and Hidden', have been reprinted by Steidl for a book featuring the collective works of the artist, who died in 2006. Outsiders: This vivid photograph entitled 'Outside Looking In' was taken at the height of segregation in the United States of America . Caring: An African American maid grips hold of her young charge in a waiting area as a smartly-dressed white woman looks on . The vivid color images focused on the extended family of Mr and Mrs Albert Thornton who lived in Mobile, Alabama during segregation in the Southern states. In another photograph, taken inside an airline terminal in Atlanta, Georgia, an African American maid can be seen clutching onto a young baby, as a white woman watches on - a single seat with a teddy bear on it dividing them. Many white families hired black maids to care for their children, clean their homes, and cook their food. Controversial rules, dubbed the Jim Crow laws meant that all public facilities in the Southern states of the former Confederacy had to be segregated. The laws, which were enacted between 1876 and 1965 were intended to give African Americans a 'separate but equal' status, although in practice lead to conditions that were inferior to those enjoyed by white people. Armed: Willie Causey Junior holds a gun during a period of violence in Shady Grove, Alabama . Public schools, public places and public transportation were all segregated and there were separate restaurants, bathrooms and drinking fountains for whites and blacks. The US Military was also subject to segregation . Public schools, public places and public . transportation were all segregated and there were separate restaurants, . bathrooms and drinking fountains for whites and blacks. The US Military . was also subject to segregation. Gordon Parks was himself born into poverty and segregation in Fort Scott, Kansas, in 1912. Initially working as an itinerant laborer he also worked as a brothel pianist and a railcar porter, among other jobs before buying a camera at a pawnshop, training himself to take pictures and becoming a photographer. The photographer, Gordon Parks, was himself born into poverty and segregation in Fort Scott, Kansas, in 1912. Initially working as an itinerant laborer he also worked as a brothel pianist and a railcar porter before buying a camera at a pawnshop . He worked for Life Magazine between 1948 and 1972 and later found success as a film director, author and composer. He was the first African American director to helm a major motion picture and popularized the Blaxploitation genre through his 1971 film Shaft. Parks also wrote numerous memoirs, novels, and books of poetry before he died in 2006. The retrospective book of his photographs 'Collective Works by Gordon Parks', is published by Steidl and is now available here. Split community: African Americans were often forced to use different water fountains to white people, as shown in this image taken in Mobile, Alabama . Separated: This image shows a neon sign, also in Mobile, Alabama, marking a separate entrance for African Americans encouraged by the Jim Crow laws . Parks was the first African American director to helm a major motion picture and popularized the Blaxploitation genre through his 1971 film Shaft . Parks also wrote numerous memoirs, novels and books of poetry before he died in 2006 . | Photographs taken by artist Gordon Parks for Life Magazine in 1956 . The images were part of a photo essay illustrating the lives of a Southern family living under the Jim Crow laws . Controversial state and local laws meant public facilities in former Confederate states were segregated . Pictures of the Thornton family have been reprinted for a new book celebrating the collected works of the artist . | 683369f271968568efd677ebd9886c09d769912b |
By . Ted Thornhill . PUBLISHED: . 03:54 EST, 22 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 05:46 EST, 22 January 2014 . A Texas family is moving to Colorado so they can administer marijuana to their three-year-old epileptic girl, who suffers 50 to 100 seizures a day. Marijuana was legalised for recreational use in Colorado on January 1 this year, but Amber and Paul Loew, from Crosby, want to use the drug to help with their daughter Hannah’s condition. She was diagnosed with a severe and progressive form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome when she was just six months old – and her seizures can last up to an hour. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Three-year-old Hannah suffers up to 100 seizures a day . Hannah Loew has been diagnosed with a severe and progressive form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome . Her parents will give medical marijuana to Hannah in liquid form, hoping it can sooth her condition. Mrs Loew told KHou.com: ‘You’re living every day on the edge of your seat not knowing if you’re going to have to rush to the emergency room. There is no option to try it. It’s you jump in with both feet and go.' She added: ‘This is not something where my family lives all over the United States. We live in Texas. This is our home, and we’re pretty much being forced to leave.’ Mr Loew, who's also father to a seven-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son, said: ‘It will work, and we have faith in that.’ Amber and Paul Loew hope that medical marijuana will help with Hannah's condition . The Loew family won't be allowed to move back to Texas if Hannah is given medical marijuana in Colorado . The five members of the Loew family will be barred from re-entering Texas if they do treat Hannah with marijuana, as the drug is outlawed there. Preparation for the marijuana retail market in Colorado started more than a year ago, soon after voters in 2012 approved the legal pot industry. Washington state has its own version, which is scheduled to open in mid-2014. Uruguay passed a law in December to become the first nation to regulate pot. Pot advocates, who had long pushed legalization as an alternative to the lengthy and costly global drug war, had argued it would generate revenue for state coffers and save money in locking up drug offenders. Sam Walsh, a budtender, sets up marijuana products as the 3-D Denver Discrete Dispensary prepared to open for retail sales on January 1, 2014 . Still, setting up regulations, taxation and oversight for a drug that's never been regulated before took some time. Colorado set up an elaborate plant-tracking system to try to keep the drug away from the black market, and regulators set up packaging, labeling and testing requirements, along with potency limits for edible pot. The U.S. Justice Department outlined an eight-point slate of priorities for pot regulation, requiring states to keep the drug away from minors, criminal cartels, federal property and other states in order to avoid a federal crackdown. Pot is still illegal under federal law. Police in the eight Colorado towns allowing recreational pot sales stepped up patrols to dispensaries in case of unruly crowds. Denver International Airport placed signs on doors warning fliers they can't take the drug home in their suitcases. With the additional police patrols, the airport warnings and various other measures, officials hoped they have enough safeguards in place to avoid predictions of public health and safety harm from the opening of the pot shops. Marijuana has been decriminalized since 1975 in California, when the state legislature passed a bill making the possession of the drug a $100 civil fine - not an arrestable offense. In 1996, California voters passed a bill that legalized marijuana possession for medical purposes. Doctors are allowed to prescribe the drug to anyone with certain chronic medical conditions. Californians with a prescription can obtain an ID card that allowed the poses, grown and consume the drug. Fifty-five percent of voters approved the measure at the time. However, voters remain opposed to legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. | Hannah Loew, from Crosby, Texas, suffers up to 100 seizures a day . She has been diagnosed with a severe form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome . Her parents Amber and Paul hope medical marijuana will calm the condition . | c52a40931a03751024690e53bc87c461e70f9f54 |
Maryville, Missouri (CNN) -- A Missouri prosecutor who dropped charges in a controversial rape case will ask a court to appoint a special prosecutor to review the facts and look at possibly refiling charges. Nodaway County Prosecuting Attorney Robert L. Rice said Wednesday that he was making the request after CNN aired interviews this week with the alleged victim, Daisy Coleman, who says she was raped when she was 14, and her mother. At a news conference, Rice also cited a recent article in The Kansas City Star that questioned the integrity of the investigation. "The public trust in our criminal justice system must be upheld at all times," he said. The case dates to January 8, 2012. But after The Kansas City Star featured the story over the weekend, it gained traction on social media and spread to a wider audience. Rice spoke one day after Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder made a public appeal for a grand jury investigation into the case. Why Anonymous wants justice in the Missouri rape case . The prosecuting attorney said that witnesses in the case invoked their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and declined to cooperate. Rice added that he couldn't provide reporters with court documents showing the witnesses' refusal to cooperate because those records are closed. He said he was upset that his decision was called into question in media accounts. "My name was dragged through the mud in that article, and I don't appreciate that," Rice said. Referring specifically to The Kansas City Star story, he added: "The way the article was written inflamed passions." City of Maryville officials held a separate news conference after Rice's event and asserted that they had nothing to do with the county prosecutor's earlier decision to drop charges. The city, however, has been targeted with cyberthreats in the wake of publicity about the case, and public safety patrols have since been increased, City Manager Greg McDanel told reporters. "We've been stunned by the nature of cyberthreats" against the city in general, he said. "In recent weeks, the city has received a great deal of negative attention. "It's detrimental to the lives and livelihood of the residents of Maryville," McDanel added. There's been a public "misconception" that the city was involved in the investigation, he said. "The city of Maryville was not involved ... in any way." 'Insufficient evidence' Rice has said he dropped a sexual assault charge against the boy because the alleged victim and her relatives refused to cooperate. A charge against the boy's friend who was accused of recording part of the incident on an iPhone was also discontinued. The iPhone video was deleted the night of the alleged assault and wasn't retrievable, Rice said Wednesday. The alleged victim told CNN that she believes the charges were dropped against Matthew Barnett, then 17, because his grandfather is a former state legislator. That relative, Rex Barnett, told CNN Wednesday he had "absolutely" no role in the prosecutor's decision. CNN does not typically identify alleged victims of sexual assault but has done so in this case because Daisy and her mother, Melinda Coleman, have chosen to go public. Both mother and daughter have denied refusing to cooperate with prosecutors. Rex Barnett, a former Republican state representative who is a retired 32-year veteran officer of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said he made a deliberate decision to avoid local police and prosecutors during the investigation because of his political standing. "As long as I've been in politics and law enforcement, I knew that if this thing drug on long, I would be pulled into it somewhere, I think, just for political reasons," Barnett told CNN. "So I made it a point not to talk to the prosecuting attorney, to the sheriff, to any of the witnesses directly or indirectly, and I stuck to that. And I'm glad I did." He said the case was dropped "because of a lack of testimony from the complainants. And without that, the prosecuting attorney has no case." The ongoing controversy has been hard on his family, he said. "It's been tough," he said. "I mean, we thought it was over a year and a half ago, and to my knowledge, there has been no change, nothing more evidentiary has come up that I know of. "But (the case has) resurfaced, and I'm not sure why," he added. Barnett, also a deacon in the First Baptist Church, was first elected to the Missouri General Assembly in 1994. He served four terms until 2002, The Kansas City Star said. In a recent statement, Rice said that "there was insufficient evidence to prove a criminal charge beyond a reasonable doubt. "The State's witnesses refused to cooperate and invoked their Fifth Amendment privilege to not testify," he added. Nodaway County Sheriff Darren White told CNN that his office and the prosecuting attorney had been ready to prosecute but did not move forward because the victim and her family refused to cooperate. "The only people's stories that have been inconsistent throughout this whole thing are the Colemans' -- are the victims in this case -- and I don't know why that is," White said. Protest planned . Reacting to the lieutenant governor's call for a grand jury review, the sheriff said that his office handled the case "flawlessly." In an interview with CNN, White described the elder Barnett as someone he had known for more than 30 years. "He's a man that I do consider to be a friend," the sheriff said. But he described as "absolutely shameful" any suggestion that Barnett would have tried to influence the investigation into his grandson. Melinda Coleman said White had initially told her that other girls had come forward to accuse the same group of boys of similar conduct but changed his story. "He said that they were all liars. I digitally recorded him saying they were all liars and that they just wanted to crucify those poor, innocent boys. "So my concern is what is it going to take for them to do something here? Is one of these girls going to have to die?" the mother said. In the weeks that followed her daughter's alleged assault, Coleman said her children received threats. She was also fired from her job as a veterinarian at a clinic. Daughter Daisy is now 16. The Colemans have since moved from the 12,000-resident town in northwest Missouri, about 100 miles north of Kansas City. In April, their house in Maryville -- which had been vacant and for sale -- burned. The state fire marshal said that "due to the unsafe nature of the structure, a detailed examination could not be conducted and this fire loss is being listed as undetermined." A Facebook page campaign called "Justice for Daisy" says a public rally is scheduled for Tuesday at the Nodaway County Courthouse. Protesters will carry daisies in their hands. "We will increase patrols and do everything in our power to protect our citizens," McDanel said of the protest. "We will remain on high alert." CNN's Michael Martinez wrote this story from Los Angeles. CNN's Ana Cabrera and Sara Weisfeldt contributed from Missouri. | Cyberthreats prompt police patrols but city says it had no role in dropped case . City will be on high alert for Tuesday's protest promoted by Facebook page . The grandfather of the boy accused of rape is a former state legislator . The grandfather tells CNN that politics had no role in the case being dropped . | 27c2ab95a956010cbfa7037023b1d9c12e6ca4a4 |
Southampton have completed a double swoop for Belgium international Toby Alderweireld and Red Bull Salzburg winger Sadio Mane. Both flew in for medicals on deadline day as Ronald Koeman moved to beat Newcastle and Sunderland for Alderweireld after the defender agreed a loan move, and Tottenham for Senegal striker Mane, who completed an £11.8million switch. Alderweireld joins from Atletico Madrid with the option for a permanent move, which would cost Soyuthampton £6.3m. Mane arrives on a four-year deal. 'I’m very happy to be here,' said Alderweireld who played for Atletico in last season's Champions League final defeat against rivals Real Madrid. VIDEO Scroll down for Sportsmail's Top 10 Premier League transfers compilation . Marching on: Toby Alderweireld has agreed to join Southampton on a loan deal from Atletico Madrid . Move: Southampton have agreed a loan deal with Atletico Madrid for Belgium international Toby Alderweireld . 'I had a good talk with the coach. First of all, it was very important for me to play this season and the coach gave me a good solution for that. 'The trainer likes how I play and really wanted me to come here, which is what convinced me to come. I really wanted a trainer that believes in me, because that’s important. 'I think this is an upcoming club. Southampton put a lot of effort in to get me, so now I want to give something back to the club by doing my best to help the team. I want to give everything for Southampton.' International: Alderweireld in action for Belgium at last summer's World Cup against Russia . Alderweireld has 37 caps for Holland and can play at centre-half or right-back. 'I am delighted that we have been able to bring Toby to the club,' boss Koemanadded. 'I know him very well because he played for some years for Ajax in Holland and he then made a transfer to Atletico Madrid, where he hasn’t been playing an awful lot, which is why he was looking for somewhere else to play. 'I think our first conversation was four or five days ago and I told him about our plans, about the ambition of the club and about how we play. He is a strong defender, and is also very good at building up the play when we play out from the back.' Southampton also formally terminated Algeria international midfielder Saphir Taider's season-long loan move from Inter Milan after less than a month. He has joined Sassuolo. Koeman said:'He experienced a difficult situation here. I cannot guarantee that all the players here will play. There are so many competitions to deal with, and so many good players and it must be up to the player to prove they deserve space. 'If you do not accept this thing, then everything becomes more difficult.' New man: Sadio Mane has signed from Red Bull Salzburg for a fee in the region of £12million . | Belgium international Alderweireld has joined Southampton on a loan deal . Saints saw off competition from Newcastle and Sunderland to land defender . Sadio Mane also completed his £11.8m move from Red Bull Salzburg . | 31c29153bac17feadcc3200cec776c0f60824a73 |
(CNN) -- While there has been much discussion about the heartburn the new EPA rule on carbon emissions is causing Democrats in this year's midterms -- especially those from energy producing states -- the person who should be most troubled about the President's decision is Hillary Clinton. The administration's new coal rule could singlehandedly give the Republican nominee in 2016 a path to victory in an Electoral College that has been getting more and more difficult for the GOP. States that have trended Democratic can flip back red. Hello Ohio, the GOP has certainly missed your 18 Electoral College votes. Pennsylvania (20 votes) and Michigan (16 votes) had all but turned blue, but with higher utility bills coming to voters before 2016, both are right back in play for the GOP. Win two of those three states and the Republican wins the White House. Virginia's 13 electoral votes just got a lot more winnable, too. There is a reason the President did not act so aggressively on his environmental agenda until after his re-election. It would have doomed his campaign. His political advisers responsible for his re-election would have never allowed it. The political folks are gone now and the President does not have to think about things in a political context anymore; he gets to think about himself and the history books. But what's a legacy issue for Obama may not be a good thing for Hillary Clinton. To achieve the President's goal of a 30% emissions reduction will cost money, a lot of money. Much of the money will come from working families paying higher utility bills in an already difficult economy. Jobs will also be lost as businesses grapple with higher energy costs. The EPA itself estimates electricity costs will increase up to 7% by 2020, critics say it will be far higher. The critics will be right on this one. In 2014, the debate for Senate candidates will be about the prospect of higher utility bills. In 2016, the debate will be about actual higher utility bills. It will be interesting to see the first presidential poll in Ohio after utility bills spike. If I'm a Clinton adviser, it is already giving me nightmares. When voter's utility bills go up, they get mad. Just ask the Labor Party in Australia. They got decimated last year for passing a carbon tax. Just five days before Election Day in 2010, Labor party Prime Minister Julia Gillard vowed at the National Press Club, "There will be no carbon tax under the government I lead." That promise was not kept and a carbon tax went into effect in 2012. As a result of the carbon tax, Australian utility bills went up over $500 per household a year. Public opinion turned on a dime. Gillard was removed from the 2013 ballot by her own party before a sure defeat and was replaced by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. It made no difference. Now, on behalf of his legacy and place in history, President Obama and his EPA are going to make things difficult for the left in America in 2014 and beyond. And all Hillary Clinton can do about the EPA rule that is creating an electoral minefield for her 2016 bid is applaud. Clinton cannot be critical of the EPA rule or she could risk alienating her base and losing a second nomination fight. The environmentalists are a powerful force in Democratic primary politics, especially on the money side. The 2016 presidential campaign just got a lot more interesting. Michigan and Pennsylvania, welcome back to presidential politics, you are now again swing states. The path to 270 electoral votes for the Republican nominee just got a lot easier. And President Obama may have just denied Hillary Clinton the White House, for a second time. Join us on Facebook.com/CNNOpinion. | Dan Ronayne thinks the new carbon emission standards could work against Democrats . The rules could push swing states over to the GOP in the 2016 election, he says . Ronayne: States like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan could switch from blue to red . Win two of those three states and the Republican wins the White House . | d72ddc82557bad9c0fe0dee17822b863be0685bf |
By . Harriet Arkell . PUBLISHED: . 06:26 EST, 27 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:03 EST, 27 March 2013 . A schoolboy is raising eyebrows each morning by cycling through busy streets on a unicycle. Cameron Peacock makes the three-and-a-half mile round trip to his school every day on just one wheel. And despite using this unusual method of transport for the past two years, he still gets passers-by shouting at him: 'Think you've lost a wheel, mate.' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Daredevil: Cameron Peacock, 14, travels more than ten miles a week getting to lessons on his unicycle . The 14-year-old schoolboy, who lives in Roseworth, Stockton-on-Tees, says he likes to be different, and considers the strange looks he gets as he travels to his lessons every morning as part of the fun. He said: 'I still get sarcastic comments from some people, who shout 'You've lost half your bike' or 'Give us a wheelie'. 'Lots of car drivers beep their horns when they see me, and most make a joke, but if it is an old person they tend to shout a bit.' Cameron says he is used to motorists shouting at him as he cycles to school . Cameron, a pupil at Bishopsgarth School in Stockton-on-Tees, learnt his unusual skill at JUST (Juggling Unicycling Stockton-on-Tees), and says he likes to be different. He said: 'I like to be unique and it keeps me fit and healthy. 'Obviously, riding a unicycle is more tricky than riding a conventional bike but it is not as difficult as people think: everyone can do it if they put their mind to it. 'It took me about two-and-a-half hours of practice before I was able to cycle five metres, and a week of practice before I could cycle constantly. 'I love doing trialling on my unicycles, which means I do tricks like jumping on ramps. 'I don't know exactly what I want to do in the future, but at the moment I would like to be the best I possibly can be at unicycling. I want to be number one in the UK.' Cameron has eight unicycles and spends his free time doing stunts on them, as well as taking them on cross-country tracks. His mother, Claire Peacock, 42, is used to her son's preferred mode of transport, but says she worries about the reactions of others. She said: 'I'm surprised he hasn't ever caused a crash, as motorists stare at him open-mouthed. 'I was quite worried when Cameron first started riding his unicycle to school, but I worry less now, and am just very proud of him. 'He had more accidents on his normal bike than he's ever had on his unicycle, and he is in complete control of it.' Off to school: Cameron Peacock has been going to lessons on his unicycle for two years . Mrs Peacock said Cameron was never into football like other boys, and got into unicycling at 11. He now spends all his pocket money on unicycles, and is the sixth best trial rider in the country. Later this year Cameron, who lives with his mother, father Jeffrey, 46, a self-employed haulage contractor, and brother Matthew, 18, will be taking part in various competitions at the British Juggling Convention, and he hopes to be named the best trial unicyclist in the country. Bishopsgarth School headteacher Sue Cain said: 'Cameron has shared his skills and talents with his year group in assemblies, and we have all been wowed by his expertise in using the unicycle. 'We strive to see all of our students develop a wide range of skills and knowledge both in and out of the classroom, and Cameron has shown that we can all be the best we can be in our chosen field.' VIDEO: WATCH CAMERON'S UNICYCLING SKILLS (footage from Voodoounicycles) | Cameron Peacock, 14, from Stockton-on-Tees, learned to cycle on one wheel aged 11 . His mother Claire, 42, says: 'He's in complete control, I'm so proud of him' | 6ba9cfea223ec532cda00a9aeadbdd9cc3bc619a |
(CNN) -- Monday's arrest of five men accused of aiming to bomb an Ohio bridge raises disturbing questions about the attraction to violence of some contemporary anarchists. But it also offers critical lessons to Americans about the nature of the domestic terrorist threat they face—a threat more diverse in its ideological origins than commonly appreciated. Since 9/11 the country has been concerned primarily with terrorist threats from militants inspired by a violent jihadist ideology, like that associated with al Qaeda. In recent years fears have focused on Muslim "homegrown" terrorism, which typically involves plots in the United States initiated by American residents and citizens who are inspired by jihadi ideology, but lack formal connections to al Qaeda or foreign militant organizations. Muslim homegrown terrorists may draw the attention of a nation still traumatized by 9/11, but such plots are no more numerous or serious than those perpetrated by other domestic terrorists in the United States. As the country's history and Monday's arrests underscore, extremism comes in many incarnations. Focusing only on terrorism perpetrated by American Muslims misrepresents the scope and nature of domestic terrorism in the United States. It risks leaving us vulnerable to attacks from other sorts of violent idealogues and promotes a hurtful—and pointless—tension between Muslim-Americans and other Americans. There have been many instances of non-jihadist terror in the U.S. Some may recall that in the late 1960s and 1970s the country faced an onslaught of bombings and attacks by social revolutionary groups and Puerto Rican nationalists. That violent era eventually ebbed, but then in the 1980s and 1990s the country witnessed an upsurge of threats from right-wing militants. While Timothy McVeigh's 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was unusual in its lethality, it was unfortunately far from the only plot hatched by extremists on the right. The Southern Poverty Law Center documents 75 plots, of varying degrees of operational advancement, between July 1995 and June 2009 and an additional 22 from 2009 through November 2011. A study by the Institute for Homeland Security Solutions, a research consortium in North Carolina, found that from 1999-2009, in the United States there were 17 al Qaeda-inspired plots undertaken, 20 plots initiated by white supremacists and 17 by violent anti-government militants. Recent attacks include the 2009 shooting of a guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the murder by "sovereign citizens" in 2010 of two Arkansas police officers at a traffic stop. In January 2011, a bomb laced with rat poison was found in a backpack along the route of a Martin Luther King Jr. parade in Spokane, Washington. Eco-terrorists and animal rights activists too have perpetrated their share of bombings and attacks in the United States, especially in the last decade. While these groups aim to avoid civilian deaths, accidents can happen and produce sobering acts of violence. Add to the mix militants inspired by jihadist ideology. In the decade following 9/11, by my own accounting, there have been 18 plots in which militants have taken at least some preliminary operational steps to realize their deadly mission. Like the alleged anarchist attack, 12 have involved informants and federal agents whose presence can help advance plots that otherwise may have remained aspirational. All but two of these plots have failed or been foiled by law enforcement: Army Major Nadil Malik Hasan's 2009 Fort Hood attack and a lesser known shooting, also in 2009, outside a Little Rock army recruiting center that harmed two soldiers. The perpetrators of all 18 homegrown plots had been known to law enforcement before their attempted attacks, with the exception of the May 2010 Times Square bomber, Faisal Shahzad, whose own failings as a bomb-maker, despite his overseas training, underscore the challenges of successfully executing attacks in the contemporary United States. Some may recoil at grouping right-wing, single-issue, and left-wing terrorists with militant jihadists. Yet, there are several benefits to promoting a more comprehensive assessment of the domestic terrorist threat. First, it ensures that society remains vigilant against threats from different sub-groups and that law enforcement has the support and bureaucratic incentives to do the same. As Norwegians learned with the 2011 attacks by Anders Behring Breivik, neglecting the threat from the right (or other ideological extremes) can leave society dangerously vulnerable. Second, focusing our attention on domestic terrorism of all types and not just that generated by Muslim Americans can help heal the social rifts generated by 9/11. Singling out Muslim militants when we talk about terrorism in the U.S. adds to the mutual alienation of Muslims and Americans of other backgrounds. By unifying in opposition to extremism of all types, we demonstrate to ourselves and to our terrorist adversaries abroad that we remain true to American values and principles. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Risa Brooks. | Risa Brooks says foiled Ohio bombing plot reminder of diversity of U.S. terror . She says nowadays Americans mistakenly associate homegrown terror just with jihad . She says a 1999-2009 study found most plots white supremacist, anti-government . Brooks: It's crucial to focus efforts on extremists of all kinds, not just Islamist . | cbeb6bcb7885af04da261308a6386a62d46d59cb |
(CNN) -- Most conservationists would agree that you should not interfere with mother nature. But there are exceptions to every rule. Staff and tourists at Kapani Safari Lodge in Zambia were caught by surprise when a mother and baby elephant became trapped in mud. Saying they couldn't just "stand by and watch them slowly die," what ensued was a dramatic rescue. Together with the South Luangwa Conservation Society (SLCS) and the local wildlife authority, the team devised a plan to get the elephants out. The rest of the herd initially tried to help the screaming mother and baby escape, but they were stuck too deep. Team managers from the conservation society slipped a rope around the baby and after a few attempts managed to pull her out of the muddy pit. The team says it took a lot of coaxing to get her out and on her feet though, adding that she "was terribly frightened and wouldn't leave her mum's side". Getting the adult elephant out of the mud was a far more challenging task -- by the time the baby had been rescued, its mother was dehydrated and exhausted. But the SLCS team eventually pulled her out too, using a tractor and rope. Staff at Kapani Lodge say it was "heart-warming to see how many local people joined in the efforts to free the two elephants... it was the happiest possible ending." | Mother and baby elephant stuck in mud at game lodge in Zambia . Local conservationists rescued elephants using rope and a tractor . Elephants were at risk of dehydration and exhaustion . | f31105c161b891e4092c275a68164e4a99302fb6 |
Los Angeles (CNN) -- A police officer removed a sheet covering Whitney Houston's naked corpse and remarked, "Damn, she's still looking good, huh?" according to another officer at the scene. The accusation against the Beverly Hills Police detective was revealed in a labor dispute filing made last week by Brian Weir, who was the senior patrol sergeant called to Houston's hotel room after she was found dead in a bathtub on February 11, 2012. Weir claims the Beverly Hills police chief and others retaliated against him when he complained about the alleged actions of Det. Sgt. Terry Nutall at the death scene on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton Hotel. "We will be looking into the allegations made in this claim, but we were not aware of any inappropriate behavior or comments made by any officer at the scene," Beverly Hills Police spokesman Lt. Lincoln Hoshino told CNN Wednesday. No formal complaint was ever filed with the police department by Weir or anyone else, Hoshina said. "How can we retaliate against him for reporting misconduct if we weren't aware of any misconduct?" he said. Houston drowned face down in a hotel tub of "extremely hot water" about 12 inches deep, the final autopsy report on the singer's death said. The Los Angeles County coroner ruled that Houston's death on the eve of the 2012 Grammy Awards was an accidental drowning with the "effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use" as contributing factors. Whitney Houston's storied career: A regal rise, a tragic fall . Weir's complaint, filed on September 11 with California's labor department, said he covered Houston's body with a sheet "to prevent contamination or potential DNA and other potential evidence on the body" and to "preserve the dignity of the remains." It said that Nutall -- who was assigned to investigate fraud, forgery and auto burglaries -- "knelt beside and leaned over the decedent, removed the sheet and/or other covering from the body of the decedent to an area below the pubic region of the decedent's body and came in close proximity to touching the body of the decedent while making inappropriate comments to the effect and substance that the decedent 'looked attractive for a woman of her age and current state' and 'Damn, she's still looking good, huh?'" Nutall "did properly respond to the scene," the police spokesman said. "It is appropriate for a responding detective sergeant to briefly examine the body upon arriving to a scene like that." Weir, who had been in the "coveted positions" of sergeant with the SWAT and K-9 units, claims he told Beverly Hills officials about the incident, which he said he believed violated state and federal laws. After complaining to his superiors and others in the Beverly Hills government, Weir was removed from his "coveted positions" of sergeant with the SWAT and K-9 units, denied promotion to other positions, removed from supervisory duties, denied special pay, denied training, harassed and ostracized, given inappropriate and harassing comments an/or documents, and subjected to conduct undermining his authority as a superior, the filing said. He also lost overtime pay, the filing alleged. Whitney Houston death probe closed; 911 call released . The complaint accuses Police Chief David Snowden, Capt. Tony Lee and Nutall -- who has since been promoted to lieutenant -- of taking "reprisal actions, including acts of intimidation, restraint, coercion, discrimination, punitive, and/or disciplinary actions" against Weir. Weir's lawyer Christopher Brizzolara is demanding economic and non-economic damages for his client, who has suffered damage to his law enforcement career and emotional stress. Houston was last seen alive by her personal assistant in her Beverly Hilton room at about 3 p.m. that Saturday, the autopsy report said. The assistant left to run errands after telling Houston to take a bath in preparation for a pre-Grammy Awards party at the hotel that night, it said. When the assistant returned to the locked room at 3:35 p.m., she found Houston "lying face down in the bathtub filled with water, unresponsive." "The assistant called for her bodyguard, and together they pulled the decedent out of the bathtub," the report said. When paramedics arrived about 10 minutes later, they moved Houston to the living room floor. At 3:55 p.m., 20 minutes after she was found by the assistant, paramedics concluded she was dead, the report said. Houston won six Grammys and sold 170 million albums, singles and videos over her career. In recent years, the singer's accomplishments were overtaken by her struggles with drug addiction. FBI opens Whitney Houston's decades-old 'crazy' fan files . CNN's Rachel Wells and Jennifer Wolfe contributed to this report. | NEW: Beverly Hills spokesman says detective had a reason to examine Houston's body . Beverly Hills Sgt. Brian Weir reveals allegation in labor complaint . Weir was called to Whitney Houston's hotel room after she was found dead . A detective said, "Damn, she's still looking good, huh?" after pulling back sheet, Weir says . | 6a9f6f1f8103386a9978d00430553f2fdc2af7d1 |
As star names from across the globe gear up for the glitzy World Cup in Brazil next month, spare a thought for the top names who have been left behind. There are only 23 men who can make up each country's squad which has left international managers with plenty to ponder and some tough decisions to make. Here, Sportsmail takes a look at the best World Cup Snubbed XI... Maarten Stekelenburg (Holland) The Dutch goalkeeper fell out of favour at Fulham towards the end of their relegation campaign this season and it has cost him a place in Louis Van Gaal's side. Stekelenburg was first choice in between the sticks for Holland when Edwin Van Der Sar retired in 2010 and played in the last World Cup and Euro 2012. Despite winning 54 caps he was not even one of the four goalkeeper's included in the preliminary 30-man squad. Difficult time of it: Maarten Stekelenburg didn't pull up any trees during his first season at relegated Fulham . Alvaro Arbeloa (Spain) The Real Madrid right-back has paid for an inconsistent season with the Spanish giants. He has won 56 caps for Spain and was part of the side to win the last three major international tournaments - Euro 2008 and 2012, plus the last World Cup in South Africa. But the former Liverpool defender made only 22 appearances for Real and has not played for Spain since a friendly versus Belarus in October last year. Domenico Criscito (Italy) The Zenit defender was left shocked by his omission, not even making it into Italy's provisional 30-man squad. He played in Italy's most recent friendly against Spain and was involved in matches against Nigerian and Germany last November. Criscito assumed he was a shoo-in for the team. Left back at home: Domenico Criscito (left) has been snubbed from Italy, while Alvaro Arbeloa isn't with Spain . Joleon Lescott (England) The centre-back is set to leave Manchester City after struggling for a regular starting place, which has meant he was overlooked for Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad. At 31 years old he will know time is ticking for him to regain some form to be considered for the national team again. Ashley Cole (England) Cole was the most high-profile omission from the England team and the toughest decision that Hodgson had to make. Everton defender Leighton Baines is set to start for England at the World Cup and Hodgson opted for Southampton's teenage sensation Luke Shaw to get big tournament experience. You've not played enough! Ashley Cole has struggled for games under new Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho . Samir Nasri (France) France manager Didier Deschamps has divided opinion by leaving out Premier League winner Nasri. Deschamps decided he was a disruptive influence and wouldn't be happy on the bench, but Nasri has notched up 50 appearances for club and country this campaign and won two cups. Unbelievable! Didier Deschamps has caused uproar by not picking Samir Nasri in the France squad . Kaka (Brazil) Once the world's most expensive player when he joined Real Madrid from AC Milan for £55million, albeit only for a few days. Injuries have blighted his career and he has failed to reproduce the kind of form which commanded that fee, since then returning to the Italian club on a free transfer. Philippe Coutinho (Brazil) The tricky Brazilian has been outstanding for Liverpool and was one of the key players in their title charge this season. His stunning winner against Manchester City, curled into the bottom right corner, had many believing this was to be Liverpool's season. But stiff competition, particularly for attacking midfield players, meant he just missed out when Luiz Felipe Scolari named his squad. Ronaldinho (Brazil) Ronaldinho, arguably one of the most gifted players to take to the field, was left out after it was considered he was partying too much and not focusing enough on the game so close to the World Cup. Scolari's assistant Carlos Alberto Parreira said he 'lacked dedication and consistency' to his international career. Aged 34, he has 33 goals in 97 appearances for Brazil, won a World Cup in 2002, and has a glittering trophy cabinet, but this was a step too far. Big surprise! Philippe Coutinho has been overlooked by the host nation Brazil despite impressing at Liverpool . Out: Ronaldinho . Going nowhere: Kaka . Snub: Robinho . Carlos Tevez (Argentina) Never far from controversy, the Juventus striker, who scored 18 goals In his debut season for the title-winning side, told the Argentinian FA last month not to recall him to the national team because he had booked tickets to go to Disney Land with his family. They duly obliged, and ex-Wigan striker Franco Di Santo was picked instead, meaning one of the best forwards in the world, in scintillating form, will not be at the tournament. Dani Osvaldo (Italy) A chequered history of fights and fall-outs with team-mates and managers did not stop Osvaldo earning a big money move to Southampton last summer. And he was a regular as Italy's number 9 since making his debut in 2011. In-different form for the south coast club, then another attack on a team-mate meant he moved to Serie A champions Juventus, but his return of three goals in 18 games has not impressed Italy manager Cesare Prandelli. Too much trouble? Carlos Tevez hasn't been picked by Argentina because of his effect on the dressing room . One major flop: Dani Osvaldo failed to live up to his billing at Southampton before a loan move to Juventus . Substitutes' bench . John Ruddy (England) The Norwich goalkeeper was left devastated after not only being relegated this season, despite being one of his club's best performers, but then being left out of Hodgson's plans.He would only have been back-up to Joe Hart, but it was a harsh omission on a player who has been involved in every squad that he has been available for in the past two years. Gael Clichy (France) The Manchester City left-back was picked for France's previous World Cup and European Championship squads but days after helping his club win the title was told he was not going to Brazil.Paris Saint-Germain's Lucas Digne and Patrice Evra made the cut instead. Looking ahead: Gael Clichy won't be involved for France as they look to win back the biggest prize on Earth . Not too slick: Argentina have preferred Franco Di Santo to PSG's mercurial Javier Pastore . Rio Ferdinand (England) The centre-back pulled out of England's final World Cup qualifiers after a meeting with Roy Hodgson to discuss his long-term injury problems and has not been considered since then. Erik Lamela (Argentina) A disappointing season at Tottenham meant the winger has not been included in Argentina's star-studded squad. He was one of the most highly-rated players in football when he joined Spurs from Roma for £25.7million but, often playing with a muscle problem, he has struggled to live up to that. Javier Pastore (Argentina) The forward has failed to live up to his billing as one of the hottest young players in his teenage years. He was in Argentina's last World Cup squad, aged just 20, but just two goals for Paris Saint-Germain this season has cost him his place in the national team. Standing by! West Ham striker Andy Carroll will only be called upon by England if they suffer injuries up front . | France left Samir Nasri out, while no room for Javier Pastore with Argentina . Philippe Coutinho doesn't make Brazil despite form for Liverpool . No Kaka, Ronaldinho or Robinho for Luiz Scolari's side . Louis van Gaal drops Maarten Stekelenburg after poor year at Fulham . Alvaro Arbeloa could win Champions League but not in Spain team . | f329a868095e7f069ac33ae0313732b3859c9c39 |
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