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17fcb1f14fd308bee06ce5b49c68897d99792894 | By . Associated Press . and Ryan Gorman . PUBLISHED: . 20:41 EST, 5 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 15:04 EST, 6 March 2014 . A Jewish rabbi and teacher at a girls’ seminary in Brooklyn was arrested Wednesday on child pornography charges after his wife turned him in. Samuel Waldman, 52, was busted by feds after Homeland Security agents found him to be sharing at least three disturbing videos with children aged from four to 11-years-old engaging in sex acts, according to a criminal complaint. A girl believed to be only four-years-old was shown performing oral sex on and having intercourse with adult men in one of the videos, and a nine-year-old boy was shown in another being fondled by an adult male, the complaint said. Embattled: Brooklyn rabbi and girls' seminary teach Samuel Waldman faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on child porn charge . ‘Samuel Waldman’s position of trust in the community, as both a rabbi and a teacher, makes his alleged distribution of child pornography all the more disturbing,’ United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara said in a press release. The files were found November 1 on Waldman’s computer during a sting operation in which the feds downloaded the files from him using a peer-to-peer file sharing program, authorities said. This allowed them to trace the sickening files back to his home using his IP address, they said. An IP address is the unique identifier by which each computer connects to the internet, no two are the same. Investigators visited the man’s home Monday and spoke to his wife, that conversation led to Wednesday’s raid. Officials did not find the videos previously downloaded, but did find enough evidence to place him under arrest. They also confiscated his computer, according to WPIX. Home sweet home: Federal agents raided Waldman's home Wednesday and arrested him after they say he admitted to the accusations . The affidavit also states that Waldman admitted to downloading, viewing and sharing child pornography for years, something he declined in multiple interviews. ‘[It’s] false, specifically the way they are describing the distribution and dissemination,’ he told the New York Post. ‘It’s absolutely being misconstrued completely, 100%, and we will fight that to the end.’ ‘I’ll have my time in court,’ he told News 12 in a bizarre interview that saw him pacing up and down his Brooklyn street trying to avoid the camera. ‘Some people have created a story, [I] did not admit,’ he continued. ‘They can say whatever they want.’ When pressed by the Post as to whether or not he viewed the videos, he replied ‘that I’m not going into right now.’ He works with young girls: Waldman is a teacher at this Brooklyn girls' school, which declined to comment when reached by MailOnline . Waldman is a teacher at the Beth Jacob Teachers Seminary, only blocks from his home. A person who answered the phone at the school refused comment and promptly hung up when reached by MailOnline. It is not known which classes he teachers, or the ages of his students. The rabbi was charged with one count of transporting or distributing child pornography, and faces between five and 20 years in prison if convicted. He was also ordered to have no unsupervised contact with children and no employment with access to children. He was released on $100,000 bail, it is not clear when he is due again in court. | Samuel Waldman faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of child pornography charge .
Feds searched his home Wednesday and arrested him after they say he admitted to the accusations .
Waldman denied he admitted wrongdoings to investigators and said he'll have his day in court . |
17fecc228887fb08f23149eb187a3a63332af27e | By . James Titcomb . PUBLISHED: . 03:00 EST, 7 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:14 EST, 7 May 2012 . A drunk driver caused a gruesome car crash that took the life of his passenger who was celebrating his birthday on Friday night. Hugue Lapomarade, 31, was killed when driver Vladimir JeanPierre smashed his white minivan into a parked flatbed truck in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, in the early hours of Saturday morning. JeanPierre, 34, has been arrested and charged with manslaughter, reckless endangerment, vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving. Emergency crews had to cut the roof and doors off the vehicle to remove the people inside. The car, pictured in Brooklyn on Saturday morning, was driven by drunk driver Vladimir JeanPierre . Tragedy: The victim was removed from the car and taken to hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival . The victim had been out celebrating his birthday before the horrific crash, which occurred at around 4.25 am on Saturday at 1304 Utica Avenue, East Flatbush. Barry Radow, who works at a local garage told the New York Daily News that police had told him the driver 'hit the tow truck so hard he pushed the truck forward five or six feet.' Wreckage: According to a witness, the car was driving so fast it moved the truck several feet . Horror: The car's roof had to be taken off to remove the driver and passenger after it hit a flatbed truck . Radow said: 'The car was a mess, they had to cut the roof off. It was really bad.' Emergency workers arrived at the scene and rushed Lapomarade to hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police said it was not clear if the truck operator was at fault. The flatbed appeared to be double-parked when the white minivan, a white Nissan Quest, hit it. The truck had been double parked, but police said it was not clear if there was any blame to lay on its owner . Horrific: An onlooker surveys the wreckage as traffic piles up at the scene on Saturday morning . | Hugue Lapomarade, 31, killed while celebrating his 31st birthday .
Driver Vladimir JeanPierre charged with drunk-driving and manslaughter .
Emergency crews had to remove roof and doors to reach bodies .
White minivan smashed into parked truck in Brooklyn on Saturday morning . |
17fef86cf55a466d79162d1f286ec4283b0a8a3d | (CNN) -- Marin Cilic sealed his place in the third round of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters after a hard-fought win over Igor Andreev of Russia on Tuesday. The fourth seed eventually dispatched Andreev 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 6-4 but it took the Croatian nearly three hours to do so. Cilic, appearing in his first clay-court match for 10 months, started slowly and allowed the Russian to dominate the early exchanges and clinch the first set on a tie-break. But Cilic regained his momentum in the second set, offering up just one game as he marched to a 6-1 success. And though Cilic twice went a break down in the deciding set, he held on to claim it 6-4 and progress to round three. "The conditions were tough, the balls were heavy," Cilic told the official ATP Tour Web site. "I just wanted to stay in it after losing that first set by making him play a lot of shots. Afterwards I found some solutions so I could win easier points and win the mental battle." Cilic was joined in round three by French fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Spanish sixth seed Fernando Verdasco, who both recorded straight-sets victories. Verdasco breezed past Frenchman Julien Benneteau 6-2 6-1 in just under 75 minutes, while Tsonga defeated Nicolas Almagro of Spain 7-6 (7-5) 7-5. Tomas Berdych set up a third-round match with Verdasco after beating Richard Gasquet of France in straight sets. The Czech 10th seed took less than an hour to record a 6-2 6-0 victory. The top names in the field -- world No. 2 Novak Djokovic, five-time champion Rafael Nadal and third seed Andy Murray -- begin their campaigns on Wednesday after being handed a first-round bye. Nadal beat Britain's Murray in last year's semifinals before going on to defeat Serbian Djokovic to claim the title. The tournament marks the start of the European clay season in the buildup to the second grand slam event of 2010, the French Open starting on May 24. | Marin Cilic beats Igor Andreev in second round of Monte Carlo Rolex Masters .
Cilic defeats the Russian 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 6-4 in just under three hours .
Spanish sixth seed Fernando Verdasco beats Frenchman Julien Benneteau 6-2 6-1 .
French fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beats Nicolas Almagro of Spain 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 . |
180092a5c702495a1d2865e29269b10f0ec236a6 | By . Laura Silver for MailOnline . Sworn enemies tend to fight like cats and dogs. The two popular pets are notorious for their mutual dislike. But Gertrude the pitbull and Earnestine the tabby are far more interested in cuddling like cat and dog in this adorable video. Sadly there's no room for the owner in this relationship and he lurks in the background as the two friends groom each other. Having won the feline's affection, the pitbull sits calmly on the sofa and sets aside his instincts to chase the cat. Cats are known to groom their human companions as a sign of affection, but this owner doesn't look like he's getting a share of the love any time soon. Earnestine the kitten and Gertrude the pitbull display unusually friendly behaviour between a cat and dog . | Animal kingdom adversaries have a cuddle in this cute video .
Infamously fierce pitbull melts as the kitten strokes and then licks his nose .
Owner looks left out as Gerturde and Earnestine become best mates . |
1800ae260b13326cfa188189bc893392e76e19ab | It is a very different vehicle from the starships he captained in Star Trek. William Shatner has revealed plans to drive across America in a unique vehicle. The 83 year-old actor, who usually drives a 2002 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage, will ride from Chicago to Los Angeles this summer on the Rivet, a custom made tricycle he helped design. Scroll down for video . The finished trike will be a two seater powered by a V8 engine, and will transport Shatner across America this summer . Shatner helped design the trike, which will go on sale later this year . Shatner says the design is inspired by an aircraft wing from the B-17 bomber. 'The finest line I can ever remember seeing was on a wing,' he said. 'Bombardier had lend me an aeroplane, and I remember the sweeping stainless steel part of the wing. 'If design can move you emotionally, that did - and I want to see that in the bike' To make the trike a reality, Shatner is working with Illinois company American Wrench, a motorcycle fabrication firm that's provided frames to Orange County Choppers among others. He has worked with the firm on the design, requesting many of the features - and rejecting a few others. 'To me, flame throwers are a little excessive,' he tells them in one meeting. The two seater trike will have a canopy to protect riders, and, crucially for shatner, will also be able to wheelie. 'This will do a wheelie in 4th gear,' he says. 'I've been across this country in sport cars, in trucks, with a dog, with a my family, and I want to do it on a motorcycle - and I'm going to do it on the rivet.' The bike is covered in rivets to keep with the aircraft wing design . Although thse mockups show a one seater, the finished trike will have two . The firm says: 'Rivet is a type of vehicle we call 'Landjet'. Designed from the ground up as a 3 wheeled vehicle, with its exposed cockpit and command centre, seating fit only for a captain and the harmonious roar of its brute V8, piloting it gives you the feeling of flying on the open road. Rivet's intent is not only to draw attention to the pilot or the vehicle itself, but to the art and craft of hand built machines, done in the spirit of keeping America's 'routes' alive. The B-17 was primarily employed by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in the daylight precision strategic bombing campaign of World War II against German industrial and military targets . | Star Trek star plans to ride from Chicago to Los Angeles this summer .
Two seater tricycle inspired by B-17 bomber's metal wing .
Rivet V8 tricycle set to go on sale following Shatner's trip . |
1800b380ee003a610439e6a51a3386b2e0b3186c | By . Daily Mail Reporter . and Associated Press Reporter . A Brooklyn cab driver's daughter testified against him in court this week, more than a year after she fled an arranged marriage and he allegedly ordered a hit on her lover's family. Both Amina Ajmal, 23, and her father Mohammad Ajmal Choudhry cried in court as prosecutors asked the young woman to identify him. It was the first time either had seen each other since December 2012 - at Ajmal's depressing wedding ceremony in their native Pakistan. During her testimony on Wednesday and Thursday, Ajmal described the once-loving relationship she had with her father - detailing her happy childhood growing up in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Flatbush. 'Honor killings': Mohammad Ajmal Choudhry, a Brooklyn cab driver, stands accused of conspiring to murder the family of his daughter's boyfriend after she fled her loveless arranged marriage . But their relationship soured when Ajmal left her loveless marriage and ran away to America with boyfriend Shujat Abbas. She told the court that her father threatened to kill her and members of her boyfriend's family in what has been described as 'honor killings'. Choudhry stands accused of conspiring to kill Abbas' father and sister and could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted. He has plead not guilty. The defense claims that Choudhry, who was in Brooklyn at the time of the deaths in Pakistan, had no hand in them. They say government agents coached the daughter on how to manipulate her father into making empty threats that were recorded for use as evidence against him. Ajmal, 23, was born in Pakistan where she lost her mother at a young age. She moved to Brooklyn with her Muslim father in 1999 when she was nine, where she grew up living a Westernized life. Asked earlier to describe their relationship, Ajmal responded, 'We were very close. ... He loved me.' She spoke highly of how he drove his taxi seven days a week to provide for the family. Ajmal says she was allowed to have a cellphone, use Facebook and watch TV. She also attended school all the way through college. But many parts of her life were still anchored in conservative Pakistan. She says she first heard about the arranged marriage to cousin Abrar Ahmed Babar when she was just 10 years old. Her father organized the union so that Babar could gain U.S. citizenship to move to America as well. Ajmal and her father first came to a head when he found her messaging Abbas on Facebook in 2009, after meeting the young man from her village at her sister's wedding. That year, the father and daughter traveled back to their native village of Chiryawala for another marriage, but Ajmal got a surprise when her father said she wouldn't be returning home to New York. 'He told me I was too Americanized, and I need to learn my culture,' she testified. Stuck in Pakistan, Ajmal continued to communicate with Abbas using a secret cellphone, until caught by her uncle. 'He told me "your father gave me permission to kill you if you don’t marry Babar,"' she said. Inevitably, Ajmal gave in and married Babar in a sad ceremony in December 2012. Footage of the wedding was shown in court this week. Both the bride and groom looked downcast. Footage of Ajmal's sibling's weddings was used as contrast, and showed actual joy, dancing, rifle shooting and money throwing. Clearly depressed in her marriage, Ajmal soon decided to flea the country and return to America early last year with Abbas where she lived in hiding. However she continued to retain some contact with her father, over the phone. When Choudhry began threatening to track down the man and kill him unless she returned home and restored the family's honor, she agreed to let federal agents record their phone calls. On tapes played for the jury, he can be heard repeatedly bemoaning the humiliation he felt over her disobedience. In their culture, sons were free to come and go, he explained. But, he added, 'When a daughter runs away, parents are demeaned forever.' He warned in another recording, 'If you don't come back, there is only death.' Shortly after Ajmal learned that the victims had been gunned down in Pakistan, she called her father and asked, 'Have you done this?' He responded that another person 'killed this time and made me part of it.' But he also repeated the threat that he would 'not leave a single member of their family alive' if she didn't return home. News of the killings had made him 'a man of no honor,' he lamented. 'My daughters are whores. ... You still have time. Think about it in the next 24 hours.' 'What will you do after 24 hours?' 'What else? Another person will be gone.' | Mohammad Ajmal Choudhry stands accused of conspiring to kill the father and sister of his daughter's boyfriend to restore 'honor' to their family .
The killings took place last year, after 23-year-old daughter Amina Ajmal fled her arranged marriage in Pakistan to live with her boyfriend in America .
Ajmal lived in hiding with boyfriend Shujat Abbas, but maintained phone contact with her father .
Federal authorities recorded their phone calls, and Choudhry threatened to kill both his daughter and Abbas' family several times if she did not return to her husband in Pakistan .
If convicted, Choudhry could spend the rest of his life in prison . |
1803b7d7eaf4976ee3824d263df1a093409dd746 | WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Army is recalling more than 16,000 sets of body armor even though the secretary of the Army disagrees with a Department of Defense report that some of the ceramic plates failed testing and might not offer the protection required for troops on the battlefield. At issue are the removable bullet-proof ceramic plates that are part of a soldier's body armor. The report by the Department of Defense inspector general's office, expected to be released officially on Friday, says the Army had flawed testing procedures before awarding contracts to make the armor plates. "DoD does not have assurance that its body armor provides a standard level of protection," according to the report. Army Secretary Peter Geren denied any problems with testing but said the armor is being recalled as a precaution and will be replaced with other plates that are not part of the recall, according to Army officials. The recall represents only about 1.6 percent of the 1.9 million sets of body armor that have been put in the field since 2001, Army officials said. Ceramic plates are the bullet-proof part of a soldier's body armor that slide into the front and back of the vest. In a letter of response to the report from Inspector General Gordon Heddell, Geren said he did not agree with the findings and was supported by the military's preeminent testing expert. "According to the DOT&E (director of operational test and evaluation), the plates at issue passed the tests. Again, that is not only the conclusion of the Army, but of the Department of Defense experts in the highly specialized field of ballistic testing," Geren wrote. Because there is a disagreement between two Department of Defense entities, Geren is forwarding the matter to the deputy secretary of defense to make a final ruling on whether the questioned armor should be discarded or returned to the inventory for possible use, according to Army officials. The report focused on a number of issues, many of which the Army agreed with. However, the Army and the inspector general are at odds over a testing step called "first article testing," initial testing of a product to meet Army standards. The inspector general says the Army did not perform the tests correctly on some of the plates. Army officials said there is no evidence of any imperfections in the plates. The inspector general's report also questioned why the Army had different criteria than the U.S. Special Forces in its testing of the equipment. "The criteria differed significantly, even when testing against the same threats," the report said. "Differences included the number of plates tested (sample size), the shot pattern, the environmental conditions, the type of tests, and the pass/fail guidelines." Army officials close to the issue said not one soldier had been killed because of an armor defect. Officials said the Army has X-ray machines in the field to examine damaged plates to look for problems and build an information database to improve on the armor technology. Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-New York, who requested the audit and has been pressing the issue of looking into body armor since 2006, said that while the recall represents a relatively low percentage of plates, there is still a potential danger. "It is way too high for me. We don't know how many soldiers could not live or escape being egregiously wounded because their body armor did not work," she said. The inspector general audit is the second requested by Slaughter, who did not like the initial findings and thinks the Army is wrong in its thinking about the current findings. She called the report "devastating." "It was their responsibility to make sure that [the body armor] is state of the art and it will do everything it can to protect that soldier," she said. "I am anxiously awaiting the results of this dispute." | Secretary of the Army disagrees with Defense report citing flawed test procedures .
Recall represents only about 1.6 percent of the 1.9 million sets in use since 2001 .
Army and inspector general at odds over a testing step called "first article testing" |
180405d7a3ab9bb9a99db319334856879cca374f | He has admittedly publicly that the White House underestimate the terror threat from ISIS. But Saturday Night Live took Obama's confession a step further - by having him admit that jihadists outperform the U.S. government on Twitter. The comedy show had performer Jay Pharaoh play the President in a sketch going into detail on how jihadists fighting in Syria and Iraq have him on the ropes when it comes to hashtags, emojis - and even dating apps. In his best Obama voice, Pharoah took part in a 60 Minutes-style interview which also made light of recent failures in the Secret Service - and the Ebola crisis. 'They can maximize faves': Jay Pharaoh played Obama - and admitted that ISIS had outfoxed the administration on social media . Mocked: 'Obama' confessed that terrorist Twitter accounts had baffled him - and lamented their skilled use of emojis . At the opening of the NBC show, Beck Bennett, posing as CBS host Steve Kroft, asked how the Obama administration had been outfoxed by ISIS. In reply, the 'President' said: 'We underestimated how effective ISIS would be at social media - they really blew us out of the water. 'These terrorists have nothing to do - they can be tweeting all day. They can maximize faves as well as RTs. Faux serious: Beck Bennett pretended to by 60 Mintues host Steve Kroft for the skit . 'Why was the CIA on Tinder?' The sketch also coined the acronym D.T.J. - Down to Jihad . He then threw out some examples, exposing their 'tactics' of using emojis and trending hashtags to put across their messages by stealth. He offered example tweets like: 'Hearing cool stuff about Sharia law. I'ma check it out. Then there's an emoji of a ghost with an eye patch.' He also suggested: 'Loving this new show "Selfie" on ABC. P.S. can you believe Israel is still a state?' and 'We will destroy the infidels #thankyoujeter' Scary: Saturday Night Live later moved on to parodying the Ebola crisis - with a mock-up movie trailer for a sequel to The Fault In Our Stars . Health scares: The fake trailer made light of the disease ravaging West Africa . The mock-Obama also made jokes about the CIA finding profiles on Tinder marked DTJ - Down to Jihad - a play on a popular dating acronym on the network. When asked why the agents were on the app in the first place he simply said: 'That's not important' The interview was cut short when a Secret Service agent blundered onstage telling Obama he had an urgent meeting with 'a man with a sharpened screwdriver'. Saturday Night Live later moves on to a mock movie trailer - a sequel to The Fault in Our Stars in which the love interest, played by host Sarah Silverman - has the deadly virus. She is shown falling for a leading man - who reciprocates but always stays at least 5ft away from her - or wears hazmat gear. Her suggestion that they 'take a plane somewhere' is not rapturously received. 'Maybe we should take a plane'? The trailer, starring host Sarah Silverman, deployed trademark risqué humor . | Jay Pharaoh - posing as the President - praises jihadists' hashtag skills .
Is also in awe of their abilities with emojis - and notes new trend on Tinder .
Show later moves on to make light of Ebola scares with fake romance trailer . |
1804386a4ea248a66c5eaf1c66458175bbda9bd2 | Foreign drivers have escaped £2.3 million in speeding fines since January last year, figures have revealed. Nearly 23,300 speeding offences have been caught on camera in England and Wales, however police have been unable to pursue the drivers as their vehicles are not registered with the DVLA. It is feared the actual figures could be nearly double the amount as only half of police authorities supplied figures. Foreign criminals: Nearly 23,300 speeding offences have been caught on camera in England and Wales, however police have been unable to pursue the drivers as their vehicles are not registered with the DVLA . Drivers of foreign vehicles do not have to register their cars with the DVLA until it has been in the UK for six months, however this is hard to police. As a result, a large number of drivers with unregistered cars are able to commit speeding offences without having to pay up, risking lives on the road. In Kent, one foreign motorist was caught travelling at 111mph on the M25, while a camera on the A3 Hook Road in Surrey recorded a driver travelling at 109mph in a 50mph zone, a spokesman for road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists said. Thames Valley recorded the highest number of offences with 3,580 drivers caught speeding. This was followed by Merseyside with 2,477, Warwickshire whose cameras registered 2,152 offences, Gwent with 2,090 and Kent recorded 1,954 speeding offences committed by foreign drivers. One way to do it: Police can physically stop a foreign registered vehicle which is breaking UK law and charge an on the spot fine, but budget cuts see authorities rely on cameras on most roads . The Metropolitan Police area, covering 32 London boroughs, came in at sixth place with 1,586 offences taking place across the Greater London area, with the worst offence recorded on the A406 North Circular Road, southbound, when a driver was caught travelling 98mph in a 50mph zone. Neil Greig, IAM’s director of policy and research, said: ‘The high numbers of overseas speeders on our roads show how important it is that the UK joins up with the rest of Europe to harmonise motoring offences and give the police extra powers to pursue dangerous drivers. ‘Progress on this issue has been very slow and in the meantime thousands of drivers are avoiding fines and bans simply because their cars cannot be easily traced.’ The figures were released following a freedom of information (FOI) request to police authorities in England and Wales by IAM. Although the FOI request was made to 40 police authorities across England and Wales, only 23 supplied results. Those which did not reply included Avon and Somerset, Cleveland, Essex, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire and Wiltshire. In May, the European Court changed the basis of the EU directive on cross border enforcement so that the UK could no longer opt out. It covers mutual access to information to trace vehicle owners involved in eight road safety offences - speeding, seat belt use, driving through red traffic lights, drink driving, drug driving, helmet use, use of forbidden lanes and mobile phone use. Detailed negotiations are now under way at European level to implement the changes but a date for the UK has not been set, according to IAM. Tim Shallcross, head of technical policy for IAM, said a change in the law would not only tackle the problem of drivers of foreign vehicles escaping speeding fines but it would also act as a deterrent. Hidden figures: It is thought the number of foreign drivers escaping fines is much higher than 23,295 as only 23 of 40 police authorities released their figures . He said: ‘We want to clamp down on people who are flouting our road safety laws knowing that they are not going to be traced. ‘We believe that most foreign drivers do drive sensibly but we want to clamp down on the tiny minority who are not.’ Edmund King, AA President, said: ‘It is worrying that so many drivers from overseas feel that they can speed through the UK with impunity. ‘Police do have the powers to stop and sanction drivers of vehicles with foreign plates if they are breaking the law. ‘We would like to see some proactive targeting of these dangerous drivers. ‘The figures come as no surprise as we don’t yet have cross border enforcement using the EU nation’s vehicle registers. ‘This may change if a revised directive succeeds in the EU (in 2015) - the UK opted out of the previous one along with Denmark and Ireland but will be forced to take part in the next one.’ Mr King said this would be ideal for the UK as it would allow it to send speeding penalties to the EC vehicle keepers. He said: ‘Of course, the police can physically stop a foreign registered vehicle which is breaking UK law and charge an on the spot fine, but of course we now have fewer traffic police and place greater reliance on cameras. ‘The problem with cross border enforcement is it could become just a money-related system of fines which won’t in itself help road safety as licence endorsements are also needed to change attitudes.’ Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Nearly 23,300 offences committed by overseas drivers since January 2013 .
Number could be far greater as only 23 of 40 authorities released figures .
Thames Valley had highest number of drivers caught speeding with 3,580 . |
18050b369b54f991c9293b4ee10ff344e407ac21 | Two men who had their convictions for the 1995 murder of a taxi driver overturned have finally been released. Eric Glisson and Cathy Watkins spent 17 years in a New York Jail, wrongly convicted for murdering livery cab driver Baith . Diop. Bronx Supreme Court Judge Denis Boyle exonerated the pair in October after hearing that gang members had confessed to the murder, and yesterday the pair finally had their ankle monitors removed. Glisson and Watkins are . among five people convicted in the murder of livery cab driver Baith . Diop, who was gunned down on January 19, 1995, amid a rash of taxi . driver murders around New York City. Imprisoned: Eric Glisson (pictured right, with his lawyer Peter Cross), was convicted in the 1995 killing of a livery cab driver in New York City . Three others who were also convicted . of the crime in 1997 - Devon Ayers, Michael Cosme and Carlos Perez - are . waiting to hear if their convictions will be convicted. However they will remain in jail over Christmas and New Year, pending their hearing on January 2. Press . accounts had described how, according to police, the Senegalese . immigrant begged for his life before being shot in the back and neck. Ballistics showed that he was shot with two .38-caliber handguns that . were never recovered. Fighting for freedom: Glisson wrote to federal prosecutors saying he'd heard the murder was the work of a gang called Sex, Money and Murder . Rather . than treat the crime as a fatal holdup, New York Police Department . detectives and prosecutors linked it to a complex conspiracy by a band . of drug dealers involved in the execution-style killing of FedEx . executive Denise Raymond two days earlier. Investigators . alleged that Diop was killed as part of a related scheme to steal a . pile of drug money that one of his passengers was carrying that night. At the first of two trials, three men were convicted in both the killing of Denise Raymond and Diop. At the second, a jury found Glisson and Watkins guilty in the cabbie homicide. All received lengthy sentences. Glisson's . lawyer said that as the years passed, his client exhausted all his . appeals before writing a letter to federal prosecutors. In it, he said . he had heard that the cabbie killing was the work of a gang called Sex, . Money and Murder, or SMM. The . letter, though addressed to a prosecutor who had left the office, by . coincidence made its way into the hands of John O’Malley - a former . Bronx homicide detective familiar with SMM, the New York Times reported. The names of Gilbert Vega and Jose . Rodriguez, two SMM members, rang a bell for O'Malley. Both men had . confessed to killing a Bronx cab driver in late 1994 or early 1995 – an . admission that couldn't be corroborated at the time. Vega and Rodriguez confessed after becoming cooperators in 2003. The . investigator re-interviewed the two men. They described again how they . were riding in a cab together when they decided to rob the driver. When . he put up a fight, they shot him and jumped out of the car without . knowing whether he was dead. Earlier . this month, Glisson and Watkins filed court papers to have their . convictions thrown out. Their next court hearing is scheduled for . October 19. 'Deep down, I . feel like the justice system failed me,' Glisson said in an interview . earlier this year. 'But you just have to try to move on.' Jailed: Glisson has been behind bars at Sing Sing prison for 17 years; it is now thought he was wrongfully convicted of murder . | Eric Glisson and Cathy Watkins were convicted for the 1995 murder of cab driver Baith Diop .
Judge throws out murder conviction - but keeps prisoners in jail over Christmas for related charges . |
180642a2ddfce93ceaf3ee3ec4779400fe67ae1e | (CNN) -- High-flying acrobats. Death-defying leaps. Bright lights and performance tents filled with adoring fans. It's the stuff of which dreams are made. After all, who doesn't want to run away with the circus? But for Joe Putignano, it wasn't as simple as running away -- it took a lifetime of dedication and a battle against addiction to get where he is today: dangling from the 40-foot-high catwalk above the Cirque du Soleil big top. The house lights are off, and one lone spotlight shines upon Joe's reflective mirror-ball suit. He is tethered at the waist, head tilted back, arms reaching behind him to grab his foot, which is quickly flexing up toward his head. He starts to spin -- literally because that's what his character is supposed to do, and figuratively, because of the searing pain he's feeling in both shoulders as he contorts into this position. Though it may seem that Cirque characters are superhuman, they too can get injured. Joe is a real human being with real muscles, bones, connective tissue and joints. And for Joe, it's not just high-flying acrobatics that cause him pain. "It's sort of mundane things," he says. "Sleeping hurts a lot, because I'm rolling over on my shoulder. Just drinking a coffee. Washing my hair hurts a lot." After nearly 1,000 performances of "Totem" and a lifetime of gymnastics training, Joe has finally hit a wall. "I need to have surgery," he says matter-of-factly. "I really wanted to see if I could continue on, and just kind of manage it, do a lot of physical therapy, and get out of this pain. But we've done that, and we're kind of out of options." Cirque du Soleil star: Why I fear pain . Joe has what's called a superior labral tear from anterior to posterior -- a SLAP tear for short -- in his right shoulder. His biceps tendon is also torn, and he has a third tear in the subscapular area underneath his shoulder blade. His left shoulder has just the one injury -- another SLAP tear. That one needs to be operated on as well, and soon, before he has permanent damage to the joint. And surgery has to be done in a way that preserves Joe's abilities to perform. "I suppose there's always a risk that when they do fix it, that it will destroy my flexibility," Joe says. "I'm useful in this industry because of my flexibility." Now this contortionist is headed to another arena with bright lights, where all eyes are focused on him: the operating room. Surgery is scary for anybody, but for Joe, it is potentially the most terrifying thing he's ever encountered. Joe is a recovering heroin addict. He's been clean for more than five years, but the thought of anything affecting his sobriety -- particularly opioid painkillers after surgery -- is something he isn't willing to risk. "Opiates made me feel like I was the greatest human being possible. Protected, cared for, loved -- all internally," he said. "So I started my path on opiates and abused them, which ultimately lead me to heroin." "I'm terrified that if I have an opiate, will it trigger this kind of sleeping demon inside of me?" Joe's fears aren't unfounded. "I recently met a woman who was 10 years sober, and she had breast cancer," he said. "She was given Percocet for the pain, and she ended up relapsing. Why does that have to be our reality?" He's determined to not let it become his reality, both for his own benefit, and to show other addicts they don't have to fear a day where they need surgery. In 2009, 605,000 Americans who were 13 and older reported abusing heroin in the preceding year, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. That same year, 16 million Americans "misused prescription pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants or sedatives for nonmedical purposes," according to that same report. Most of these nearly 17 million Americans will need surgery someday, and many of them will be prescribed opioid painkillers to combat post-operative pain. "We don't have exact numbers of the percentage of former addicts that are going back for surgery, but this is definitely a growing problem in America," said Dr. Boris Spektor, assistant professor of anesthesiology and pain management at Emory University and the person who will be managing Joe's pain throughout the process. "As more and more people are using opioid substances for nonmedical reasons, and using them for medical reasons out of proportion for the dosages that they should be prescribed, it's something we're going to see a lot more of." Joe's specific plan for post-operative pain management has several facets, the first of which is a pre-operative nerve block. "It's a way of giving some numbing medication directly to the nerves that are going down to the shoulder," said Spektor, "and we'll do that for as long as possible, because with each passing day, the pain is going to get better." There is one problem -- Spektor says nerve blocks are usually inserted while the patient is awake to make sure they're placed properly. Typically they would also give the patient a sedative to help with the pain and anxiety of the procedure, but Joe has abused all three of the medications they use for sedation. So he'll be fully awake as Spektor pokes around in his shoulder to place the nerve block. Step two of Joe's pain-management plan involves a cocktail of medications -- none of them drugs of abuse -- intended to reduce swelling, turn down the nerves' pain signals and reduce Joe's stress-response to pain. Step three involves going to Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings regularly before and after surgery. During step four, Joe will see a psychologist the day after surgery and regularly after that to ensure he stays on the right mental path. And just to add insult to injury, Joe has to go through this intense process twice -- once for each shoulder. "In my head, it's like -- OK, we're going to go and visit hell, not just once, but twice," he said. "I feel like it's somewhat of a cosmic joke on me." But will these efforts pay off? Will the plan work? "I think every patient is unique," Spektor says. "But I think Joe has an incredibly good psychological framework going on. He's got a psychologist that's definitely on board with him, he's got a group of friends that are on board with him. He's got NA and AA meetings that he goes to, and we have a medical framework that's here for him." "With that combination, I think the likelihood of success is pretty good, but none of us known for sure." Today marks the first day of the rest of Joe's life. He's dropping into a new type of circus, possibly as you read this. Today he rolls into the OR for the first of his two surgeries. "I'm fearful; I'm scared; I don't know what's going to happen. I'm jumping into a freezing cold pool, and I don't know how I'm gonna react," he said days before the surgery. "I can tell you what I'm going to do, how I'm going to think -- all of it's untrue, because I won't know until I'm there. When you're met with pain, only then you'll know how you'll react to it." Read more about Joe's fears leading up to surgery . | Joe Putignano's career as an acrobat has left him in need of surgery .
Putignano is a recovering addict and fears pain meds after surgery will lead to a relapse .
A four-step pain management plan has been put in place for the contortionist . |
180717b5723639344375b0784e6e83af3bb4a793 | (CNN) -- The decision to increase U.S. troop deployments to Iraq isn't a sign the U.S. strategy against ISIS is failing, but rather a signal the campaign is entering a new phase, President Barack Obama said in an interview broadcast Sunday on the CBS news program "Face the Nation." The additional 1,500 troops are being sent to help train Iraqi army soldiers and militia fighters to battle ISIS on the ground after weeks of U.S. and allied airstrikes. "The airstrikes have been very effective in degrading ISIL's capabilities and slowing the advance that they were making," Obama told the show. "Now what we need is ground troops, Iraqi ground troops, that can start pushing them back." ISIL is another acronym for ISIS. U.S. forces will not go into combat, Obama said, reiterating previous promises that there won't be a U.S. ground role in the fighting. But, he said, the United States will provide local troops with "close air support" once they are ready to go on the offensive against ISIS. | NEW: Decision to send Iraq more trainers reflects new phase in ISIS fight, Obama says .
NEW: "Now what we need is ground troops, Iraqi ground troops," Obama tells CBS .
NEW: Obama on Iran's role in Iraq: "Don't mess with us. We're not here to mess with you"
More death in Syria as government bombs kill 21 in ISIS-controlled town . |
18073a735c4fc462d2ca941477df84ee3b3cdb36 | By . Lizzie Parry . PUBLISHED: . 08:32 EST, 7 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:19 EST, 7 March 2014 . Students at a Washington college have launched a petition to save a rare $250,000 Dodge Viper, likening the decision to scrap the car to losing a beloved family pet. The automotive students at the South Puget Sound Community College were told the 1992 model must be destroyed, after car manufacturers Chrysler deemed it no longer has any educational value. Professor Norman Chapman told ABC News: 'It's like taking a family pet, putting it in front of kids and destroying it.' Scroll down for video . Consigned to the scrap heap: The rare Dodge Viper was donated to a Washington college for educational purposes but manufacturer Chrysler now wants it scrapped . The car was donated to the college eight years ago by Chrysler, to enable students to use the car as part of their studies. 'We destroy cars all of the time, but that's usually because they have lost their educational value,' Mr Chapman said. 'This here is kind of unique and the students are definitely up in arms about it. It has around 600 horse power and it will go 200 mph really easy. It's definitely a race car. There are no frills in it, but it's definitely a speed machine.' The college were told of the decision by email this week. The message simply told school officials that Chrysler plan to 'eliminate all Dodge Vipers from its educational donations fleet'. The manufacturer has given the school two weeks to scrap the car, and has requested proof that it has been scrapped. The car is also used to attract high school student's to take up the college's courses. 'It's a much beloved car on campus,' Dean of College Relations Kellie Purce Braseth said. But students have launched a petition to try and save the car, and have it installed in a museum. Outrage: Students at the South Puget Sound Community College have launched a petition to try and save the car, which is 'much beloved on campus', according to school officials . Prof Chapman said it is unlikely the campaign will prove successful, unless the students gain presidential pardon, or the state's governor's support. Chrylser said while they do preserve many models for historic purposes, the Viper does not fall into this category. The college said they do not know the reason for the order, but added Chrysler are within their rights to order the car's destruction, under the terms of a contract signed when the car was donated. Prof Chapman said there were rumours circulating that similar cars had 'got loose' at other schools, and had been involved in accidents. A Chrysler spokesman said it is 'standard procedure' as part of the donation process for the company to order cars be destroyed. He said whenever cars are donated to colleges, they are done so on the basis that they are scrapped once they no longer offer any educational value. The statement said: 'With advancements in automotive technology over the past decade, it is unlikely that these vehicles offer any educational value to students. 'Chrysler Group has no record of any . legal proceedings involving Dodge Viper vehicles donated to educational . institutions being involved in accidents and product liability . lawsuits.' The Viper in question was the fourth off the production line and one of the first hardtop models to be made. The car is so rare, Jay Leno once tried to buy it from Chrysler. But the presenter was told they could not sell it to him because it is not street legal. | Car was donated to South Puget Sound Community College eight years ago .
But Chrysler claim the model is 'no longer of educational value'
Manufacturer can order the car is scrapped under contract signed .
Dean of the college says 'It's a much beloved car on campus' |
18078e1b424968f6a937238c2dfa05b65ce16e77 | Paris (CNN) -- French Prime Minister Francois Fillon insisted Saturday that France is a safe bet for investors, a day after the country's credit rating was downgraded by a ratings agency amid concerns over debt and low growth. France was among nine euro area countries to be downgraded by Standard & Poor's Friday, losing its AAA rating in the process. Austria also had its top-tier credit rating lowered by one notch to AA+. Speaking in Paris, Fillon sought to reassure the international markets. "France is a safe country, a country which investors can trust and have confidence in. The rating agencies are useful barometers, but they are not the ones who make France's policies," he said. "France's rating remains one of the highest in the world." He also cautioned against politicians making too much of the downgrade -- which had been widely anticipated after S&P put 15 members of the euro currency bloc, France among them, on review last month. "This decision constitutes a warning that must be neither dramatized nor underestimated," Fillon said. "Those who dramatize the situation should think twice: these are indeed the same people who refused to vote on reforms to strengthen our competitiveness and to reduce deficits, whether that be downsizing the public sector or the pension reform." The downgrade may be seen as bad news for the government ahead of the country's presidential election in April. President Nicolas Sarkozy of the UMP party is bidding for re-election, with Socialist Francois Hollande considered his chief rival. "Everyone needs to remain calm and remember their responsibilities," Fillon said. "The government remembers its responsibility and is pursuing the strategy agreed on with the president." Germany, Finland, the Netherlands and Luxembourg all maintained their AAA ratings. But S&P cut the ratings of France, Austria, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia by one notch. Italy, Spain, Portugal and Cyprus were cut by two notches. S&P warned that most governments in the single currency euro area are at risk of further downgrades given the risk of a "more adverse economic and financial environment." The agency said a deeper-than-expected recession in the eurozone would put further stress on government finances. In addition, governments remain vulnerable to further turmoil in the bond market, which could drive up their borrowing costs. Nonetheless, S&P said it welcomed recent moves by the European Central Bank to help prevent a credit crisis in the banking system. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday that Europe still has a long road ahead to restore investor confidence. But, she said in a statement, the right steps have been taken, and measures to cut debt and remove obstacles to growth will soon lead to greater stability for euro zone nations. U.S. stocks finished in the red Friday as investors braced for the impending downgrades. The news came at the end of a week in which solid demand at debt auctions in Italy and Spain had calmed some nerves, however, and eased borrowing costs for those two governments. CNN's Per Nyberg and Saskya Vandoorne contributed to this report. | PM Francois Fillon: "This warning should not be dramatized"
Ratings agency Standard & Poor's took away France's top-tier AAA credit rating Friday .
Eight other euro area countries -- including Italy -- were also downgraded by the agency .
"France is a safe country, a country which investors can trust," Fillon says . |
1807a40120b976e58b9aa0742efebe42724768df | New York (CNN) -- A new emergency alert system that sends notifications to cell phones in the event of a disaster or terrorist attack will be implemented in New York and Washington by the end of this year, officials said. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Tuesday unveiled PLAN, the Personal Localized Alerting Network, which is expected to provide residents with timely information "alerting them to imminent safety threats in their area." Mobile phone users will receive "geographically targeted, text-like messages," according to a written statement from the Federal Communications Commission. "Every weekday our population of 8.4 million residents swells to more than 12 million as commuters and tourists come to town," Bloomberg told reporters. "Under the PLAN program, we'll be able to broadcast (emergency) messages to any of them who are within our target area." Mobile customers will receive three types of alerts containing 90 characters or less, ranging from presidential alerts to child abduction bulletins. Phone carriers may allow subscribers to block all but presidential alerts, officials said. A special chip is needed to allow phones to receive the notifications, though many "smart" phones already have the new technology, said FCC spokesman Neil Grace. "We're a mobile society," said Craig Fugate, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator. "How many of us are sitting there listening to a radio or television when these (traditional) alerts come out?" "This system will send it to your phone." It will also be able to send messages when cell phone towers experience network congestion, overriding other calls in an effort to deliver the notification. High mobile phone traffic and downed cell phone towers are considered primary reasons for service disruption in New York in the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. "There are many lessons to be learned from 9/11," said Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski. "One of them is that we were under-utilizing communications technologies in emergencies." PLAN is expected to be expanded to the rest of the country by April 2012 and was made possible by a 2006 congressional bill called the Warning Alert and Response Network Act. "It would have been great if we had something like this available as recently as last month for the tornadoes in the south," Genachowski added. A record number of tornadoes swarmed through much of the Midwest and the South in April, killing hundreds of people and devastating many regions. Meanwhile, flooding in the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys -- largely the byproduct of torrential rains -- has left many local residents in search of higher ground. | A special chip is needed to allow a phone to receive the notifications .
PLAN will be able to send messages when cell phone towers experience high traffic .
Mobile customers will receive 3 types of alerts containing 90 characters or less .
New York mayor unveils plans for a new emergency alert system . |
18081d66d460bd68e06e108db167289eb9f8471a | By . Katy Winter . PUBLISHED: . 05:20 EST, 4 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:52 EST, 4 October 2012 . Two females employees of a sex store have been convicted of stealing more than £1,400 worth of erotic products from the shop in just two weeks, after being caught on CCTV. Julie Preston, 42, and Rachael Greensides, 27, both worked in the Pulse and Cocktails store in Hull when they stole a range of sex toys, outfits and cash. The store manager became suspicious after another staff member raised the alarm. For two weeks, he watched CCTV footage of the pair stealing sex toys and erotica from the shop. Guilty: Rachael Greensides (left) and Julie Preston are seen here outside Hull Magistrates Court where they were sentenced to 12 month community orders for their crimes . Greensides was seen charging customers for goods and then voiding the sale and pocketing the money after they had left. Preston was seen to steal over £1,000 of products and cash from the store while Greensides stole over £420. Prosecutor Heather Levitt said both women had worked at the store for years before another employee alerted the manager to the fact that clothing was going missing. She said: 'The manager began to monitor the CCTV recordings and discovered them placing carrier bags behind the till and placing various adult items in them before removing the bag and putting it under the counter.' They were both arrested on July 31 and have since pleaded guilty to three counts of theft. The pair claimed they were under pressure to meet targets to sell high-value products and as a result they were keeping back the money from smaller purchases and later ringing them through the till as a high-value purchase. Their solicitor Mike Farr said: 'The aggravating feature is the breach of trust from their employer. 'They were both invited for a internal meeting with the company and made admissions and the police were called. They made full admissions based on the CCTV evidence put to them. Scene of the crime: The Pulse and Cocktails store in Hull where Preston and Greensides stole over £1,000 worth of sex products . 'The property involved is of a relatively low value. 'Preston pleaded guilty to stealing £1,088.60 and she handed back items that were still at her home. Greenside stole £421.20. 'The thefts were not predominantly for financial gain. Preston claims she took items home intending to sell them to friends. 'Both have lost their employment and their exemplary record.' The company told the Crown Prosecution Service it is seeking a civil action against the women for a further £3,018. Mr Farr told the court Preston has already paid back £1,400. Both women have not received their final wage packets and the thefts they are charged with have already been repaid. Magistrates gave both women 12-month community orders and ordered them to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work in the community as well being ordered to pay £85 court costs each. | Julie Preston, 42, and Rachael Greensides, 27 both pleaded guilty to stealing £1,088.60 and £421.20 respectively in just a two week period .
Both women, who have worked at Pulse and Cocktails for years, were caught on CCTV taking various 'adult' products including toys and outfits .
The store is seeking a civil action against the women for a further £3,018 . |
18083f79fdb1da46a7ecaa504f2adfa2699ccb3d | They say a dog is man's best friend, but these two canines only have eyes for each other. The Alaska Malamutes were married earlier today at a ceremony in Manado, Indonesia. The bride, Yipa, wore a garland of flowers and a white dress and the groom Buls wore a waistcoat, a shirt and a pair of glasses for the nuptials. Scroll down for video . Two Alaskan Malamutes were married today in Manado, Indonesia. The bride, Yipa, wore a garland of flowers and a white dress and the groom Buls wore a waistcoat and a pair of glasses . The ceremony, which was organised by a dog trainer, was held at the Mega Trade Centre in Manado. More than 100 people showed up to witness the dogs get married. The animals were led up the aisle by their owners and stood at the altar as they were proclaimed husband and wife by an officiator. They celebrated with a slice of dog-friendly wedding cake afterwards, which had been accessorised with paw prints and a pair of model dogs made out of marzipan. The animals were walked down the aisle by their owners . The wedding planner organised for a dog cake to be made as part of the celebrations . Yipa and Buls are now husband and wife . Alaskan Malamutes are extremely strong and were traditionally bred for jobs like hauling heavy freight and as sled dogs. But they have become increasingly used as family pets in recent years as they are an extremely affectionate breed. They are also known for being a very quiet dog, they rarely bark but when they do communicate, it is through howling. An officiator conducted the ceremony, which took place at the Mega Trade Centre . The groom waited patiently at the mock altar for his bride to arrive . | Two Alaska Malamutes were married today at a ceremony in Manado .
The wedding of Yipa and Buls was witnessed by 100 guests .
They celebrated with a slice of doggy cake each . |
1808a0817f8195a5e9f318ee30632b39d4c981a3 | (CNN) -- Six months after a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, most governments that promised money to help rebuild the country have not delivered any funds at all, a CNN investigation has found. Donors promised $5.3 billion at an aid conference in March, about two months after the earthquake -- but less than 2 percent of that money has been handed over so far to the United Nations-backed body set up to handle it. Only four countries have paid anything at all: Brazil, Norway, Estonia and Australia. The United States pledged $1.15 billion. It has paid nothing, with the money tied up in the congressional appropriations process. Venezuela promised even more -- $1.32 billion. It has also paid nothing, although it has written off some of Haiti's debt. Former President Bill Clinton, a U.N. special envoy for Haiti, said he plans to put pressure on governments that have been slow to deliver on their promises. "I'm going to call all those governments and say, the ones who said they'll give money to support the Haitian government, I want to try to get them to give the money, and I'm trying to get the others to give me a schedule for when they'll release it," Clinton told CNN's Anderson Cooper earlier this week. He said the worldwide economic crisis was at least partly to blame. "I think that they're all having economic trouble, and they want to hold their money as long as possible," Clinton said. Altogether, about $506 million has been disbursed to Haiti since the donors' conference in March, said Jehane Sedky of the U.N. Development Program. That's about 9 percent of the money that was pledged. But about $200 million was money that had been in the pipeline for aid work before the earthquake, and about another $200 million went directly to the government of Haiti to help it get back on its feet, Sedky explained. That has left the commission with about $90 million in donations since the conference, Sedky said. There is some dispute about the World Bank's contribution . The bank says it has made available $479 million dollars, and of that $56.6 million has "already been used" for different government-led projects. The World Bank says that this money was provided directly to the Haitian government and did not go into the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission. CNN compiled the information for this report by reviewing commission figures and surveying the donors that had made pledges to determine the disposition of those pledges. Spain, France and Canada are also among the countries that have not yet followed through on their pledges, CNN found. No countries told CNN they do not plan to deliver the money eventually. The pledges are for fiscal year 2010-2011, so the donors have until the middle of next year to get the funds to the Haiti recovery commission, Sedky said. U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said Wednesday that aid delivery to Haiti is going relatively well compared to other disaster relief efforts the world body has been involved in. "Compared with other disasters, coordination systems in Haiti have actually functioned reasonably well," he said, adding that there was no requirement for aid efforts to work within systems. "But within that constraint, what we've been trying to do is coordinate the aid responses as best as we can, and we are trying to provide food as quickly as possible," he said. Some charities, meanwhile, are spending money as fast as they get it, while others are planning long-term projects. Doctors Without Borders -- primarily a disaster-relief organization -- has received $112 million and spent $65 million, it says. The group plans to spend more than $109 million by the end of the year, spokesman Michael Goldfarb told CNN. The Red Cross has spent $148 million of the $468 million it has taken in, and is holding some money in reserve for more permanent projects such as shelter and water. Private money has also come in from the Clinton Foundation, from Mexican telecommunications billionaire Carlos Slim Helu and Canadian mining investor Frank Giustra, but that's not part of the $5.3 billion pledged by countries at the conference in March. The January 12 quake left more than 220,000 dead, 300,000-plus injured and more than 1 million homeless. According to recent U.N. reports, the quake destroyed 60 percent of government infrastructure and left more than 180,000 homes uninhabitable. Six months later, more than 1.5 million remain in overcrowded displacement camps. According to the United Nations, 1,300 camping sites and 11,000 latrines have been built, and thousands of kilos of food and humanitarian resources have been delivered to those in need. CNN'S Richard Roth at the United Nations contributed to this report. | International donors promised $5.3 billion to Haiti after the earthquake .
Only four countries have delivered any money at all .
Less than 2 percent of the money that's been promised has been delivered .
U.S. and Venezuela pledged more than $1 billion each and have delivered nothing . |
1808c6820824a5dc07ba94ce8566836b3f5abc72 | Sanaa, Yemen (CNN) -- Hurling rocks and brandishing daggers and sticks, supporters of longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh plunged into a crowd calling for his ouster in Sanaa on Friday as rising momentum in Yemen sprouted similar protests in other towns. Reports of excessive force prompted calls for restraint amid intensifying demonstrations. U.S. President Barack Obama voiced concern about what the U.S. Embassy in Yemen described as "a disturbing rise in the number and violence of attacks against Yemeni citizens gathering peacefully to express their views on the current political situation." "The United States condemns the use of violence by governments against peaceful protestors," Obama said. "Wherever they are, people have certain universal rights, including the right of peaceful assembly." The embassy statement said "the attacks are contrary to the commitments that President Saleh has made to protect the right of Yemeni citizens to gather peacefully to express their views." The violence in Yemen and Libya on Friday stood in sharp contrast to images from Cairo's Tahrir Square, where Egyptians showed up en masse to celebrate the toppling of President Hosni Mubarak a week ago. Saleh's foes in Yemen are trying to score their own victory. After midday prayers concluded, they marched from the gates of Sanaa University to the streets, where security forces and riot police tried to stay between rival demonstrators Friday. Some told Amnesty International that they had been surrounded by security forces, aided by "thugs" who fired shots at them and beat them. "We are very scared, particularly because there are children with us," a protester told the human rights monitoring group. "We've tried to get the children out of the area, but the security forces have not allowed us to do so." "After Mubarak, now it's Ali's turn," chanted the anti-government protesters. "The people want the fall of the regime." "I'm out here today because we want the president to go and we want to make sure that he and his family don't stay in power," said Khalid Amer, a student. Despite concessions from Saleh, a tide of anger is sweeping through Yemen's youths, who say they are simply fed up with the status quo. At least 30 anti-government demonstrators were injured, according to Abdul Naser Al-Dumaini, an anti-government protester at a demonstration in Sanaa. The day before, at least 20 people were injured in Sanaa. Opposition lawmaker Ahmed Hashid said police at the scene did not try to intervene. In Taiz, more than 10,000 anti-government demonstrators, including 4,000 women, gathered Friday in Freedom Square in a seventh straight day of protests, witnesses said. An assailant drove by the square and hurled a grenade, killing one person, a police official said. At least 43 others were wounded. And in the coastal city of Aden, about 3,000 anti-government demonstrators gathered in the Al-Mansoura District, witnesses said. Five people have been killed in Aden since Wednesday, hospital and government officials said. Aref al-Qubati, a participant whose friend was one of the victims, said police fired to disperse protesters. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that "at least four photojournalists were attacked, beaten and had their cameras confiscated" by government supporters at the protests. The government countered the coverage of discontent in Yemen by reporting on sympathetic demonstrations. The state-run Saba news agency said a million demonstrators had marched in Taiz, hoisting Yemeni flags and pictures of Saleh. And Deputy Interior Minister Hussein al-Zawa'ari blamed a southern secessionist movement for the unrest and deaths in Aden, Saba said. Saleh has called for an investigation into the Aden violence, and Vice President Abdu Rabo Mansour Hadi met with the governor Thursday, Saba said. Saleh, in power for 32 years, met earlier in the week with his National Defense Council to discuss discontent in his nation. The council "stressed all should practice their rights according to the constitution, in a peaceful way and without violence, chaos, sabotage and lawbreaking," Saba said. Saleh has been in touch with King Hamad of Bahrain, which is also mired in unrest. "He pointed out that there are schemes aimed at plunging the region into chaos and violence targeting the nation's security and the stability of its countries," Saba said. "Those who commit acts of disorder and vandalism (are) simply implementing suspicious foreign agendas ..." The report didn't suggest who might be behind the agendas. In an attempt to quell growing discontent, Saleh, a U.S. ally in the fight against an offshoot of al Qaeda in Yemen, has announced he won't seek another term in 2013. He also said he would postpone parliamentary elections scheduled for April to allow more time for discussions about reform. Yemen's situation is compounded by the fight against al Qaeda, the southern separatist movement in its once-independent south, a Shiite uprising and a looming shortage of water. | NEW: Obama: U.S. condemns violence "by governments against peaceful protestors"
Rival demonstrators clash at Sanaa University .
Scores of injuries reported .
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has been in power for 32 years . |
180904b4c34ec3078104a23c672ecf2db6979d09 | Health inspectors making checks on GPs’ surgeries are routinely snooping through the private medical records of patients without their consent. Officials from the Care Quality Commission are demanding computer passwords from GPs to allow them to access the medical files of patients during routine inspections. The watchdog claims it needs to see the records to monitor ‘clinical quality’ – such as whether doctors are giving out the correct advice or medication and following up on blood test results. But senior doctors and health experts have described it as a ‘fishing exercise’ which threatens to undermine patient confidentiality. Dr Clare Gerada, former president of the Royal College of GPs, described the CQC’s actions as outrageous. Care Quality Commission officials are looking at peoples' medical records, without consent, during inspections . Only yesterday the Daily Mail revealed that NHS officials are to press ahead with a highly controversial project of harvesting data from millions of patients’ records to store on a giant database. They will shortly begin extracting information from up to 1.7million patients despite concerns from doctors that it will fall into the hands of hackers. It has now emerged that the CQC is routinely trawling through patients’ medical records – stored on computers – as part of their inspections of 8,000 surgeries in England, which began in April. Inspectors are standing over GPs and practice managers and demanding they hand over the passwords enabling them to access the medical files. They clearly state patients’ names, dates of birth and addresses as well as their complete medical history, including past conditions and complaints they may never have divulged to family or friends. Rules on who can see medical records without seeking the patient’s consent are highly ambiguous. The CQC claims it can trawl through them during routine inspections under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. But guidelines from doctors’ regulator the General Medical Council say they should only be handed over in exceptional circumstances to the likes of the police, a court or health officials. From time to time, researchers, private organisations or NHS trusts ask to see records in order to analyse trends. But the guidelines instruct GPs to provide them on an anonymous basis to protect patients’ identities, and only where there is a clear public interest, such as for research into certain diseases or NHS care. Even the GMC can only get hold of records on an anonymous basis when investigating doctors who face being struck off. Dr Gerada, a GP at the Hurley Group which runs practices and walk-in centres across London, said: ‘It’s outrageous. If this was my record I would not want it looked at by anybody without my consent. ‘The patient record is sacrosanct. It’s your secret record and unless you give consent no one should have access to it.’ Speaking to Pulse magazine, which was also made aware of the CQC’s actions, she later added: ‘I am surprised as to the ease that CQC can access patient records for inspection purposes where there has not been any previous identified patient or clinical performance issues. ‘Not even the GMC (General Medical Council) can, I believe, enter a practice and for no reason demand to see patient records.’ Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the British Medical Association’s GP committee, said it was vital private medical information remained confidential . Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the British Medical Association’s GP committee, said: ‘The confidentiality of private medical information is the basis of the trust that patients put in their family doctors and it is vital that this is not compromised. ‘If CQC inspectors want to have access to the private medical records of patients they need to put in place systems that obtain the explicit consent of patients.’ Roy Lilley, a health policy analyst and former chairman of an NHS trust, said: ‘Complete strangers are probing through our medical records. It’s just a fishing exercise in our most personal records.’ Ordinarily, doctors cannot hand over patient records without their consent to anyone except the police or another doctor or nurse treating them. This is enshrined in the GMC’s guidelines for doctors on patient confidentiality. But the CQC claims it was granted legal powers to see the files without seeking consent under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. GPs whose surgeries are being inspected feel they have no choice but to hand over the records to inspectors in case they are given a bad rating. The CQC would not say how many records inspectors look at for each surgery but the Mail understands they ask to see several at random. If the watchdog has concerns about a practice it may demand to see dozens more. The CQC inspections of surgeries involve three or four inspectors, including a former GP or practice nurse as well as inspectors previously employed as NHS managers or council workers who have had training. Nigel Sparrow, senior national GP adviser at the CQC, said: ‘The main purpose of the review of medical records is to assess the quality of care provided by the practice. It is not to assess the individual clinician. In routine inspections, the GP or nurse specialist adviser will look at the medical records. ‘Although the 2008 Health and Social Care Act does not require this, our view is that in most cases it is appropriate for the clinicians on the team to lead this aspect of the inspection. ‘This will usually be the case but where inspection teams have concerns about a practice it may be necessary for any of the inspectors to access medical records or to see a medical record.’ The CQC has a chequered past, missing several scandals, notably the abuse of vulnerable adults at the Winterbourne View care home near Bristol in 2011. Its plan to let relatives spy on care homes using secret cameras if they suspect loved ones are being abused were this week called an ‘admission of failure’. | Health inspectors making surgery checks are accessing medical records .
Watchdog claims it needs to access records to monitor 'clinical quality'
Experts describe it as 'fishing exercise' undermining patient confidentiality .
CQC claims it has snooping powers under Health and Social Care Act 2008 . |
180917380ca87cb9ac25636fe164e69d0cd5b6bd | (TIME.com) -- Researchers report a breakthrough in generating powerful antibodies that can neutralize HIV. An HIV infection is really an intensive molecular arms race launched from the minute the virus infects a new host. AIDS progresses not because the body isn't capable of fighting off HIV -- it is. But the immune defenses eventually succumb to the virus in the final standoff. Now researchers led by Barton Haynes, director of the Duke University Human Vaccine Institute at Duke University School of Medicine, believe they have found a way to tip the odds in the immune system's favor. From the moment of infection, the immune system goes on alert and immediately generates antibodies designed to attach to and destroy HIV. And for the first few weeks, these antibodies are successful, eliminating all but a few viruses that remain hidden away from the body's surveillance systems. These viral stalwarts then mutate to escape detection and start to flourish, expanding until new antibodies are generated to dispatch them. That launches another wave of viral destruction that pushes HIV to mutate yet again, prompting another immune attack, and so on, until eventually the body isn't able to keep up with the virus and pushes out poor, or no more additional antibodies that can neutralize HIV. TIME.com: A newborn may be cured of HIV. Is the end of AIDS near? That's the scenario in about 80% of those who are infected with HIV. But in a fortunate 20%, this arms race is stacked in the host's favor, with antibodies that are able to neutralize not just the latest, specific mutated version of HIV but a broader range of viral marauders. Such broadly neutralizing antibodies are the holy grail of AIDS vaccine researchers, who hope to corral these agents in an immunization that can protect against infection. But most attempts to convince the body to churn out these antibodies haven't been successful, primarily because the antibodies take on an unusual shape that marks them for destruction by the very immune system that generated them. In addition, these antibodies can bind to and destroy healthy cells as well as HIV-infected ones, making them a potentially useful but unpredictable partner in fighting the virus. TIME.com: Study explains how the first effective HIV vaccine worked . But by carefully mapping the different mutations that HIV generates, and the resulting antibodies made against them in an African patient who is able to produce broadly neutralizing antibodies, Haynes and his colleagues believe they have come up with a way to drive the immune system to preferentially churn out these HIV-fighting immune cells. "We followed individuals from the time of HIV infection to the time they generated broadly neutralizing antibodies, and mapped and isolated the virus at every step along the way so we now don't have to guess any more about what induced those antibodies," he says. "We have a map on how to recreate the sequential (versions of HIV) that could drive particular antibody lineages." The work, which was published in the journal Nature, was possible because Haynes had collected and saved blood samples over the course of about three years from roughly 400 patients, starting within weeks of their infection. Researchers found that the first round of broadly neutralizing antibodies generally appeared about 14 weeks after infection, and these were better able to bind to portions of HIV that the virus doesn't change as quickly or as frequently. That makes the antibodies useful weapons in attacking the virus' Achilles heel, and a potentially powerful target for an effective vaccine. TIME.com: Treatment as prevention: How the new way to control HIV came to be . "Now we have a picture of how these antibodies developed, so what we are doing is figuring out how to use them to make a vaccine," says Haynes. The challenge will be to push the body to pump out these antibodies rather than the more specific ones aimed at the ever-changing portions of HIV. It turns out that most infected people do produce these antibodies, but HIV distracts the immune system into crowding them out with all the subsequent iterations they convince the body to make against the mutating virus. "We are trying to take an unusual or rare event and make it more common," says Haynes. TIME.com: HIV drugs may prevent infection in healthy individuals . Ultimately, he adds, a vaccine will probably need to generate several of these broadly neutralizing antibodies; each person tends to make unique versions that have differing efficacy in stopping HIV. But there's precedent for such an approach, since the antiretroviral drugs that now control HIV infections are used in combination to hit the virus at more than one point in its life cycle. "The hope is that by mapping individual pathways to generating broadly neutralizing antibodies, we can find some commonalities among people even though everyone is different, and that gives us hope for using these pathways in a vaccine," says Haynes. "It's a huge effort but it looks like it's going to pay off." This article was initially published on TIME.com. Anti-HIV antibodies may spur AIDS vaccine development . © 2012 TIME, Inc. TIME is a registered trademark of Time Inc. Used with permission. | Researchers believe they've found a way to give our immune systems an advantage .
The immune system could be made to churn out HIV-immune cells .
There is hope that the discovery could be used in developing a vaccine . |
180967464aa081339e3154c3051bc0f1e5efb0ef | (CNN) -- Meet Bailey. She's a registered therapy dog, but you won't find her in hospitals or nursing homes. Instead, Bailey makes weekly visits to libraries and schools. She sits quietly or snuggles up to kids as they read her a book. And no, she's not napping, and the kids don't have treats in their pockets. She's actually helping these children learn to read. It sounds implausible. After all, dogs can't read. How could they possibly help someone learn a skill that they themselves can't grasp? But it's a growing trend, and it seems to be working. The philosophy is simple. Children who are just learning to read often feel judged or intimidated by classmates and adults. But reading to a dog isn't so scary. It won't judge, it won't get impatient, it won't laugh or correct if the child makes a mistake. In a nutshell, dogs are simply excellent listeners. And for shy kids or slow readers, that can make all the difference. Kathy Klotz is executive director of Intermountain Therapy Animals, which runs a nationwide program called R.E.A.D. -- Reading Education Assistance Dogs. She says there's another benefit of reading to the dogs that she didn't anticipate: confidence. "A factor that we never planned for, that turned out to be really important, is that the child feels like they're letting the dog understand the story," she says. "They get to be the teacher, the storyteller, the one who knows more than the dog for a change. ...They just blossom when they get to be the one who knows more than the dog." The children know they're not actually teaching the dog, of course, but the for the kids, the idea that they know more than the dog and can share their knowledge is a powerful one. And now that volunteers are aware of that aspect, Klotz says they actively foster the idea of the child as the teacher. "One of the things you do in the program is you always speak for the dog," says Klotz. "Like if [the child] doesn't know a word, the dog doesn't know the word either. And then they're not alone, and they can look it up in the dictionary together." Bailey and her owner, Jim Wilmoth, participate in weekly reading sessions at local libraries in West Virginia with kids who are generally between 6 and 12 years old. They're part of the "Sit. Stay. Read." program, which is similar to R.E.A.D. Programs like these have popped up in nearly every state to help improve literacy rates in the United States. "The kids come in and read stories to Bailey and other therapy dogs for about 15 or 20 minutes at a time," says Wilmoth, who was interviewed by iReporter Jennifer Sias at the West Virginia Book Festival. "It encourages them to practice their reading skills ... and it's a good way to involve families with the library system." And the dogs really do pay attention, according to Lisa Saroyan. Her pomeranian, Minnie, has been a reading therapy dog for about a year in Fresno, California, as part of Therapy Dogs International's "Tail Waggin' Tutors" program. Minnie, who weighs in at only five pounds, sits calmly but alertly on a table for an hour at a time as children take turns reading to her. "She really does sit there and stare at them," says Saroyan. "And sometimes as they're turning the pages, she follows the page with her nose, and the kids just light up. She just knows what she's supposed to do." See Minnie in action . And then, of course, there are the proven physiological benefits of interacting with dogs. According to the researchers at the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University, blood pressure drops and the heart rate slows when a person is petting a dog. The National Institutes of Health confirms what any dog owner knows: Dogs have been found to reduce stress. Each of these factors helps calm children and makes them feel less nervous or intimidated about reading. For older children and teens, the dog can be a supportive friend and provide an outlet from stress and peer pressure. Klotz says her organization has had particular success with kids in detention programs. "A comment we always get in our detention program is that animals make kids respond so genuinely," she explains. "They get away from peer pressure and towards a genuine enjoyment [of reading]. ... They love it." It's hard to measure scientifically the success of the program and others like it. Because they're volunteer-based, and because each state uses different methods to measure reading level, doing a nationwide study would be difficult. However, Klotz says it's possible to see results in individual schools by comparing the reading improvement of kids who participate in the program with kids who don't. She says it's typical for the kids who read to dogs for just 20 minutes a week to improve their reading skills by a couple of grade levels in one school year. She's even seen as much improvement as four grade levels in a year. And Klotz thinks that reading comprehension is just the beginning of how these dogs help kids. "It's not just reading scores," she says. "They start to speak up in class, and volunteer, and finish homework. They don't want to miss school when they're going to read to the dog, so it improves attendance. It kind of just flows over onto everything." R.E.A.D. staff and volunteers know people are skeptical about the program's results at first, but Klotz says anyone who's spent time with a dog will understand. "It sounds a little kooky when people first hear the idea," she admits. "But if they know dogs at all, and the way people relate to dogs, it quickly starts to make sense. But you don't quite ever grasp how really lovely it is until you see it happen and you see the kids light up and you see how excited they are. You see all these changes in them that they just weren't able to make." And therapy dog owners say the pups love the program as much as the kids. "They kind of benefit each other," says Saroyan. "[Minnie] just craves that human attention, and [the kids] really benefit from her just sitting there and listening." | Therapy dogs in libraries can help kids become more comfortable with reading .
It's less intimidating for a child to read to a dog than a parent or classmate .
Spending time with a dog also helps physiologically reduce effects of stress .
Dogs in libraries and schools are a small but growing trend across the U.S. |
180bd081dc75b9765e6e6e0ad052a8a4396cb916 | Christmas spirit is in short supply in Denham Springs, Louisiana where a woman has been forced to take down her holiday lights after neighbors complained about the not very subtle message she was sending them. Sarah Henderson, a mother of four children aged between 4 and 16, admits she deliberately fashioned her light display to look like a human hand ‘flipping the bird’. Henderson says the middle finger salute was a message to some of her neighbors whom she has been involved in a year-long dispute with. Christmas may be over, but Sarah Henderson wants to continue with her 'rude' lighting display to get her own back a neighbor . Henderson now says the display was a message to a neighbor who she believes stole her dog . 'They put themselves into affairs of mine that they had no business in,’ she told WBRZ. ‘They spread vicious lies throughout the neighborhood.’ Henderson agreed to remove the offending display after she received a visit from Denham Spring Police. Corporal Shawn Perkins informed Henderson that her display was in violation of obscenity laws and that she faced the possibility of a $300 or $400 fine. Henderson says she could have fought the request, but she decided to take the lights down out of respect for her mayor and city council. One local neighbor, Gemma Rachel told WBRZ that while she hasn't have anything personal against Henderson, she didn’t think the lights were an appropriate symbol for young children to be exposed to. ‘Christmas lights should be something for kids to enjoy’ she told WBRZ. Since taking down her lights, Henderson has received support from the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana. Henderson has twice removed the lights from her roof, but with the support of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana she is attempting to sue the city, its mayor and police . Marjorie Essman, executive director at the ACLU, has sent a letter to the Denham Springs chief of police saying the city has no right to 'restrict Henderson's expression purely because it, or Henderson's neighbors, finds it vulgar or offensive.' In the letter, Esman wrote: 'The Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeal, which presides over Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi, has specifically commented on the protected expressive nature of a middle finger extended in defiance or protest: "The thumbed nose, the projected middle finger, the Bronx cheer, the grimace and the smile are all conduct intended to convey a message that is sometimes made even more expressive by its bold freedom from a garb of words." Davis v. Williams.' Henderson has said she is thinking about replacing the extended finger with a swastika. Traditional display: Henderson's neighbor Gemma Rachel said Christmas lights should be something wholesome for children to enjoy . Video: 'Vulgar' light display taken down after complaints . | Mother of four Sarah Henderson designed her Christmas lights to send a 'rude' message to neighbors she has been warring with for a year .
Police told her to remove the display or face a possible $400 fine .
She removed the lights, but the ACLU has got involved and say she was within her First Amendment rights to display the provocative image .
Henderson says she may now create a swastika-shaped display . |
180bd38fe0c74fd417e7869050355b5ac835525a | By . Steve Robson . PUBLISHED: . 05:09 EST, 13 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:12 EST, 13 March 2013 . Venezuela will set up an inquiry into suspicions the late president Hugo Chavez was poisoned by his enemies abroad. Acting president Nicolas Maduro said an investigation will begin into the claims first voiced by Chavez in 2011. The outspoken leader suggested the U.S. might have 'invented technology to spread cancer' after Argentina's president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner became the fifth Latin American to be diagnosed with the disease in a year. The late president Hugo Chavez first accused the U.S. of 'spreading cancer' among Latin American leaders in 2011 . 'We will seek the truth,' Mr Maduro told regional TV network Telesur. 'We have the intuition that our commander Chavez was poisoned by dark forces that wanted him out of the way.' Foreign scientists will be invited to join a state committee to investigate the accusation, he said. The announcement has been slammed by Venezuela's opposition party as a cynical move by Mr Maduro to capitalise on the outpouring of grief for Hugo Chavez in the run-up to fresh elections. 'Let's take the president (Chavez) away from the political debate, out of respect for his memory, his family, his supporters,' said opposition candidate Henrique Capriles' campaign chief, Henri Falcon. Nicolas Maduro, the former foreign minister and vicepresident, is regarded as Chavez's hand-picked successor and is running as the government's candidate in a snap election called for April 14. He was a close friend and ally of Chavez and was often accompanied him to Cuba for his cancer treatment. Mr Maduro is believed to be one of only a handful of insiders who knew Chavez's diagnoses which were treated as a state secret. In . December 2011 Chavez used a speech to the military and broadcast on . television to accuse the U.S. of spreading cancer among Latin American . leaders. 'It’s very . difficult to explain, even with the law of probabilities, what has been . happening to some of us in Latin America,' Mr Chavez said. 'Would it be so strange that they’ve invented technology to spread cancer and we won’t know about it for 50 years?' Acting president Nicolas Maduro, left, said Venezuela will investigate whether Hugo Chavez was poisoned after he claimed the U.S. was 'spreading cancer' among Latin American leaders including Fidel Castro and Cristina de Kirchner, right . Hugo Chavez with former Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva who was also diagnosed with cancer in 2011 . He also warned his allies Evo Morales, of Bolivia, and Ecuador's Rafael Correa that they should watch out for attempts to bring them down. Other South American politicians to have been struck by the disease include Brazil's president Dilma Rousseff, her predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Fernando Lugo, president of Paraguay. Hugo Chavez was first diagnosed with a tumour in his pelvic region in June 2011 which was removed. He underwent four rounds of chemotherapy in Cuba before announcing that he was cured. But the disease evidently returned and Chavez passed away at the age of 58 on March 5. His death has prompted a huge response in Venezuela as thousands turned out to watch his coffin as it made its way to a state funeral. Thousands of supporters surrounded the coffin of Hugo Chavez as it made its way to his state funeral . Latin American leaders paid tribute to Hugo Chavez as his coffin lay draped in a Venezuelan flag . | Acting president Nicolas Maduro says government to investigate claims .
Hugo Chavez first accused U.S. of 'spreading cancer' in 2011 .
He was fifth Latin America to be diagnosed within a year .
Opposition say inquiry is cynical move to distract voters ahead of elections . |
180d177c6976b0824d83495240a3a9badc21af41 | By . Associated Press . and James Rush for MailOnline . A couple have been indicted by a grand jury in the grisly death of a New Orleans stripper who was stabbed and dismembered two years ago. Margaret Sanchez, 30, and Terry Speaks, 41, have been charged with second-degree murder, obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Jaren Lockhart, 22, died from a single stab wound to the chest. Her head and body parts were found discarded along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Margaret Sanchez, 30, (left) and Terry Speaks, 41, (right) have been indicted by a grand jury in the killing and dismemberment of a New Orleans stripper . Sanchez and Speaks, who is in a federal prison in New York, have been accused of inviting Lockhart to a private party on June 6, 2012, Nola.com/The Times-Picayune has reported. Police say Lockhart told co-workers at Temptations Gentlemen's Club that she was leaving to 'make rent.' According to the report, Lockhart's head, legs and arms below the elbows were cut off. Speaks has also been charged with failure to register as a sex offender. Jaren Lockhart, 22, died from a single stab wound to the chest. Her head and body parts were found discarded along the Mississippi Gulf Coast . Authorities found the stabbed torso of Lockhart washed up in Mississippi's Hancock County in June 2012, NOLA reported at the time. Her decapitated head and parts of her legs were found in nearby Harrison County. Authorities were able to identify Lockhart based on her neck tattoos. Her fiance reported her missing after she did not return from a shift at a Bourbon Street club. | Margaret Sanchez and Terry Speaks indicted in killing of Jaren Lockhart .
Pair charged with second-degree murder, obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice .
Lockhart, 22, died from a single stab wound to the chest before her head and body parts were found discarded along Mississippi Gulf Coast . |
180dcc2974bca10f3bbaee24a51419bad1a7161c | Supporters of the Islamic State have taken to Twitter to mock claims the terrorist organisation is luring women into its fold using kittens and Nutella. The original claim was made by CNN's Newsroom anchor Carol Costello on Wednesday during a piece on how ISIS twists and manipulates its image to present living in the vast swathes of Syria and Iraq currently under the group's control as being a pleasant experience. The accusation was that women are falling for ISIS' use of images and videos of cute cats to make the Sunni extremists appear less intimidating, and have been duped into thinking life under the terror is similar to the West thanks to references to eating Nutella in emoji-strewn Twitter posts. The suggestion that women are being lured by the technique has been widely ridiculed - not just in the Western media, but now also by the supporters of the jihadis themselves, who have taken to posing with kittens and posting jokes about the power of the chocolate and hazelnut spread. Joke: The suggestion that women are being lured by the technique has been widely ridiculed - not just in the Western media, but now also by the supporters of the jihadis themselves . Mocking: Supporters of the Islamic State terror group have taken to Twitter to mock claims the terrorist organisation is luring women into its fold using kittens and Nutella . Suggestion: The original claim was made by CNN's Newsroom anchor Carol Costello on Wednesday. The accusation that women are falling for ISIS' use of images of cute cats and chocolate spread to make the Sunni extremists appear less intimidating has been widely ridiculed by social media users . One social media user calling themselves Abu Abdulla Amriki, who claims to be an ISIS fighter in Syria, posted a joke message about struggling to find a wife despite possessing kittens and Nutella. 'Yeh...so this is how I heard we get married...lol Why am I still single?[sic],' he posted alongside a black and white photograph of a kitten playing with a jar of chocolate and hazelnut spread. The post prompted other militants and their supporters to similar messages. One, posted by apparently British militant named Abu Hurirah al-Britani, showed a bearded fighter grinning as he holds a jar of Nutella in a photograph understood to have been taken in Syria. It was captioned with the words 'Wish I had a cat! :-(' The joke quickly spread outside the online jihadi community and soon regular Twitter users started posting memes about widely ridiculed report. One social media user calling themselves Abu Abdulla Amriki, who claims to be an ISIS fighter in Syria, posted a joke message about struggling to find a wife despite possessing kittens and Nutella . The joke quickly spread outside the online jihadi community and soon regular Twitter users started posting memes about widely ridiculed report . This message was posted was an account regularly suspended for uploading pro-Islamic State propaganda . Last summer ISIS militants fighting in Iraq and Syria revealed a bizarre soft spot for Nutella. Members of the jihadist group posed for photographs holding jars of the Italian sweet treat while standing in supermarkets inside the Islamic State - the group's self-declared caliphate. The images were subsequently uploaded to Twitter - sparking an intense debate among the fighters and their supporters over the virtues of Nutella. After the images of the Nutella-loving jihadists emerged on Twitter, a number of users joked that the spread could be the best way to put a halt to the group's expansion in the Middle East. One Twitter user going by the handle @FatCated asked: 'Could an embargo on Nutella or Chupa Chups (a type of lollypop) destroy the morale of #IS mercenaries? #ISIS' Another calling herself Ariane al-Britania joked: 'It is very possible that Nutella is responsible 4 the radicalization of Muslims in the West lol.' A pro-ISIS Twitter account makes light of reports women are lured to the group by chocolate spread . This pro-ISIS Twitter user manipulated a photograph of British militant Reyaad Khan posing with a jar of Nutella in Syria last summer in order to mock CNN's report . It wasn't the first time ISIS militants used social media to reveal their surprising interests. In the wake of Hollywood actor Robin Williams' death last year dozens of ISIS militants and sympathisers took to Twitter to express their love of his film Jumanji. The conversation quickly turned to Hollywood films in general, with one 19-year-old ISIS supporter - who calls himself 'Abdullah' and uses the Twiiter handle @Mujahid4life - declaring his love for all 'Disney Renaissance' films and revealing himself to be a fan of Star Wars. 'Abdullah' also said he had stopped watching hit HBO television Game of Thrones after two episodes because it contained too much nudity. There is also a Twitter account dubbed the Islamic State of Cat, which features masked and gun-toting jihadists holding tiny kittens. | CNN news report claimed women are drawn to militants' pictures of cats .
Suggested the photos are convincing females to join the terror group .
Also claimed using emojis to talk about Nutella made life under the terrorist group seem more appealing to women .
Now jihadis and their supporters are widely mocking CNN's accusations .
They have been posting images of themselves posing with kittens and chocolate spread and asking why they're still single . |
180ea038e7a7f88fb2dd4bad389cf8f8f299f37a | (CNN)The measles outbreak in California is growing. The number of cases has increased to 68, with 48 of those cases linked to an outbreak at Disneyland, state health officials reported Friday. Two days ago, the health department reported 59 cases, 42 with a Disney connection. In addition, nine cases have been reported in Arizona, Utah, Washington, Colorado, Oregon and Mexico. A new case was reported in Nevada, but the Southern Nevada Health District said it's unknown whether that case is Disney-related. The disease outbreak apparently surfaced when visitors reported coming down with measles after visiting the park December 15-20. At least five Disney employees have been diagnosed with measles, Disney said. Measles is a highly communicable respiratory disease caused by a virus and spread through the air, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and sore throat, the CDC said. Dr. Gil Chavez, deputy director of the state's Center for Infectious Diseases, recommended last Wednesday that children under 12 months and people who've never had a measles vaccination stay away from the park while the disease event continues. However, Chavez said Disneyland would be "perfectly safe" if you've been immunized. When asked for a comment, Suzi Brown of Disney media relations said, "We agree with Dr. Chavez's comments that it is safe to visit Disneyland if you have been vaccinated." For the most part, measles spreads among those who have not been vaccinated against the virus. The California Department of Public Health said Orange County had the most measles cases with 21, followed by San Diego County with 13. | Number of measles cases in California has grown to 68, public health officials say .
48 of those cases have been linked to California Disneyland, they said . |
18115bc7331b07e7df919552a37a05a09dcb1f87 | You will have to fork out a few beans if you fancy this chocolate as it is said to be the world's most expensive bar. To'ak chocolate, which translated to 'earth' and 'tree' in ancient Ecuadorian dialects, costs a whopping $260 (£169) per bar. Despite its hefty price tag the handmade treat is surprisingly light, in fact it is so delicate that each bar weighs just 1.5 ounces. The To'ak chocolate bar is said to be the world's most expensive pure chocolate bar costing £169 . It is eaten using wooden tongs, or tasting utensils, so that it is easier to perceive the chocolate's aroma on the nose. The creators of the snack say that one of the reasons for To'ak's price tag is that 95 per cent of chocolate is made using mass-produced beans, whereas their chocolate comes from the remaining five per cent, known as fine grade cacao. Each step towards making the bar - which is 81 per cent cacao mass and the rest sugar - is meticulous, requiring 36 steps to make the bar. The chocolate bar is presented in a wooden gift box complete Arriba Appelation map and wooden tongs that are used to eat the treat to best enhance the chocolate's aroma . Producers of the bar say it's high price is due to its 85 per cent grade cacao as opposed to ordinary chocolate that only contains fiver per cent . Rare cacao seeds are first harvested from the coast of Ecuador, before they are fermented and turned into liquid chocolate. This liquid chocolate is then hand-moulded and a single, hand-selected, hand-measured and shelled cacao bean is placed in the centre - this must fit perfectly and measure between 7mm and 8mm. Though there are other chocolates out there with higher price tags, To'ak claim their chocolate is the most expensive pure chocolate - with no expensive additions. This chocolate is then hand-moulded and a single, hand-selected, hand-measured and shelled cacao bean is placed in the centre of each bar - this must fit perfectly and measure between 7mm and 8mm . Rare cacao seeds are first harvested from the coast of Ecuador in order to create the chocolate bar . Jerry Toth, co-founder of To'ak, says that their approach to chocolate is similar to that of other luxury food products with high price tags. 'We make chocolate with the same care and precision as we know it from fine wine and premium small batch whiskey.' Carl Schweizer, co-founder of To'ak, added: 'It is the most expensive pure dark chocolate in the world without any fancy stuff like gold leaves or diamonds in it to increase its value. 'We produce our chocolate in the country of origin and focus a single origin that sums only 14 small farmers. 'Being so small permits us to be 100% involved in absolutely every step of making chocolate: from earth to tree to bean to bar.' Carl Schweizer (pictured) is the co-founder of the company . | To'ak chocolate retails at $260 (£169) a bar weighing just 1.5 ounces .
Contains a cocoa bean measuring between 7mm and 8mm in the centre .
Is eaten with wooden tongs to make it easier to smell the aroma of the bar . |
18122222790599d3eb901cb1a4a0ed5424f9e9c6 | Activist hackers linked to the collective known as Anonymous have secretly accessed U.S. government computers in multiple agencies and stolen sensitive information in a campaign that began almost a year ago, the FBI warned this week. The hackers exploited a flaw in Adobe Systems Inc's software to launch a rash of electronic break-ins that began last December, then left 'back doors' to return to many of the machines as recently as last month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a memo seen by Reuters. The memo, distributed on Thursday, described the attacks as 'a widespread problem that should be addressed.' It said the breach affected the U.S. Army, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, and perhaps many more agencies. U.S. government officials are 'very concerned' about the amount of personal information the hackers obtained . Investigators are still gathering information on the scope of the cyber campaign, which the authorities believe is continuing. The FBI document tells system administrators what to look for to determine if their systems are compromised. An FBI spokeswoman declined to elaborate. According to an internal email from Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz' chief of staff, Kevin Knobloch, the stolen data included personal information on at least 104,000 employees, contractors, family members and others associated with the Department of Energy, along with information on almost 2,0000 bank accounts. Lauri Love (left) took an advantage of a security flaw in Adobe ColdFusion software which is used to build sites . The email, dated October 11, said officials were 'very concerned' that loss of the banking information could lead to thieving attempts. Officials said the hacking was linked to the case of Lauri Love, a British resident indicted on October 28 for allegedly hacking into computers at the Department of Energy, Army, Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Sentencing Commission and elsewhere. Investigators believe the attacks began when Love and others took advantage of a security flaw in Adobe's ColdFusion software, which is used to build websites. Adobe spokeswoman Heather Edell said she was not familiar with the FBI report. She added that the company has found that the majority of attacks involving its software have exploited programs that were not updated with the latest security patches. Hacker Aron Swartz (left) killed himself shortly before he had to go to trial for illegally downloading academic journals from the website Jstor . The Anonymous group is an amorphous collective that conducts multiple hacking campaigns at any time, some with a few participants and some with hundreds. In the past, its members have disrupted eBay's Inc PayPal after it stopped processing donations to the anti-secrecy site Wikileaks. Anonymous has also launched technically more sophisticated attacks against Sony Corp and security firm HBGary Federal. Some of the breaches and pilfered data in the latest campaign had previously been publicized by people who identify with Anonymous, as part of what the group dubbed 'Operation Last Resort.' Among other things, the campaigners said the operation was in retaliation for overzealous prosecution of hackers, including the lengthy penalties sought for Aaron Swartz, a well-known computer programmer and Internet activist who killed himself before a trial over charges that he illegally downloaded academic journal articles from a digital library known as JSTOR. Despite the earlier disclosures, 'the majority of the intrusions have not yet been made publicly known," the FBI wrote. 'It is unknown exactly how many systems have been compromised, but it is a widespread problem that should be addressed.' After PayPal stopped processing donations to Wikileaks, the 'Anonymous' collective infiltrated the site . | The hacking is a response to the recent persecution of computer hackers Lauri Love and Aron Swartz .
The activist hacker group named, 'Anonymous' stole personal data from at least 104,000 government employees, contractors, family members and others associated with the Department of Energy .
The breach affected the U.S.
Army, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, and .
perhaps many more agencies.
The hackers exploited a flaw in Adobe System Inc's software .
Officials are 'very concerned' that loss of the banking information could lead to thieving attempts . |
181258f82bfa58e3d16e1eb97ecf23f59b308aa1 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 18:48 EST, 21 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:51 EST, 21 December 2013 . Marissa, Marissa, Marissa: Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer's looks may be one explanation as to why her career has been so successful . In Marissa Mayer's first year as the head of Yahoo, the company saw a stock price boost of 74.6 per cent. While some may point to Mayer's leadership skills or many years at rival Google as reasons for the company' s recent boom, there's always another explanation to consider: her looks. Ever since Richard Nixon lost to John Kennedy in their televised presidential debates, scholars have been pondering whether attraction has something to do with success - an academic field of study called Pulchrinomics. The New Yorker references a working paper released by researchers at the University of Wisconsin last month which seems to bolster the idea that pretty people have it easier.The Wisconsin researchers studied the 677 CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, and how stock prices were impacted for the five days after their appointments were announced. The CEO's headshots were run through a program that calculates attraction based on seventeen facial criteria, and for each point of attraction on a ten-point scale, the CEOs' companies noticed a once per cent boost in stock price. Those results seem to confirm an earlier study published in 1994 by Daniel Hamermesh - the father of pulchrinomics - and economist Jeff Biddle. Skyrocketed: In the year after Mayer's appointment to the position of CEO at Yahoo, prices in the company went up 74.6 per cent. Scholars of Pulchrinomics would say her attractiveness helped boost the company's stock value . For the 1994 study, Hamermesh and Biddle evaluated data on thousands of U.S. and Canadian workers from the late 1970s. Each worker was given an attraction rating, and researchers found that workers who were rated above average for attraction earned a five per cent premium over just average-rated workers. That difference translated to the average-rated workers who made 10 per cent more than the below-average attractive workers. Researchers also discovered that the above-average attractive workers tended to have jobs which capitalized off their looks in some way. Pretty people win: Ever since Nixon 'lost' to Kennedy in the 1960 televised presidential debates, scholars have been wondering about the connection between attractiveness and success . The problem with beautiful people making more money is that it goes against the American idea that all you need to do is work hard to achieve success. But that's still true in one important way. While Hamermesh believes attraction does have a positive impact on earnings, there's still one great equalizer that trumps a pretty face: education. Hamermesh says that 'each additional year of education represents a ten per cent increase in earning potential'. It's true - those with a master's degree earn on average 400,000 more in a lifetime than those with just a bachelor's degree. So if you're not a looker, just keep your head in the books. | A new working paper released last month found that Fortune 500 companies with attractive CEOs did better on the stock market .
Attraction stops being a figure in success with post-graduate degrees .
Those with a master's earn on average $400,000 more in a lifetime than those with just a bachelor's degree . |
18135b2ba85e1377814a60b53d6972861d44c932 | It is an issue that arouses high emotions. But the Archbishop of Canterbury’s opposition to gay marriage provoked a response from a fellow man of the cloth that was anything but holy. Not only that, the outburst was recorded on Facebook for all to see. So outraged was the Rev Marcus Ramshaw after Justin Welby spoke in the House of Lords against the proposed same-sex marriage law that he condemned him on the social networking site as a ‘w*****’. Row: Rev Marcus Ramshaw (left) turned on the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and called him a 'w****r' after he spoke against gay marriage in the House of Lords (right) this week . Row: Rev Ramshaw called on the Archbishop to resign and called him a w****r in this post on Facebook . He also went further, describing the choice of Archbishop Welby to lead the Church of England as a ‘massive mistake’. The church has since admonished him – by leaving another Facebook message under his original posting. On Monday Archbishop Welby said the . Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill would effectively abolish the . traditional institution of marriage, which he said was a cornerstone of . society. He said it would create ‘different and unequal’ forms of marriage. In response Mr Ramshaw, who like the . Archbishop trained for the priesthood at Cranmer Hall, Durham, called . for a petition urging him to resign. He wrote: ‘What really upsets me is . nasty people such as Justin Welby robbing me of my faith in the church, . he does not speak in my name and I think he is a w*****, but I’m not . going to stop being a Christian or a priest.’ Rant: Rev Ramshaw then called for a petition to force Welby out of the job at the top of the Church . The posting came to the attention of church officials, one of whom admonished Mr Ramshaw in a follow-up posting. The Rev Arun Arora, director of . communications at the church’s headquarters in Westminster, wrote: . ‘Clearly you are upset with the political stance of the C of E . leadership. Defence: Justin Welby was defended by his PR team who said: 'Whilst I am sure this will be water off a duck's back for Archbishop Justin, I don't think calling someone a w***** is the best way of engaging' 'However that is no justification for your language and . vitriol. Calling another Christian a w***** doesn’t work for me as a . priestly response. ‘I hope you might find time to reconsider the expression of your anger and delete some of these posts.’ Mr Ramshaw replied: ‘I will. I don’t . know you at all but I see you are director of comms, please specify . exactly what you wish me to withdraw and I will oblige.’ Mr Arora responded: ‘How about removing the line about Justin “a w*****”?’ He later added: ‘Any right minded person would find a priest calling his archbishop an onanist to be utterly outrageous.’ Mr Ramshaw, who is not currently . licensed to officiate because he is a full-time carer, said later: ‘Why . is the church, after the whole women bishops debacle, now excluding . people who actually want to get married? ‘I suspect many bishops, clergy and laity support gay marriage but we do not have a vote.’ Last night Mr Arora said: ‘The issue . of same-sex marriage is an emotive one. 'There are a variety of views . within the Church and much of that debate takes place online. ‘While I am sure this will be water . off a duck’s back for Archbishop Justin, I think it was right to . challenge Marcus’s approach.’ The Bill passed the Lords on Tuesday . by a voting ratio of 2-1. A ‘wrecking’ amendment designed to block the . Bill which was tabled by the crossbench Peer Lord Dear was defeated by . 390 votes to 148. | Reverend Marcus Ramshaw took to Facebook to demand Justin Welby quits .
The Archbishop had just spoken against gay marriage in the House of Lords .
'He does not speak in my name and I think he is a w****r', he wrote online .
CofE bosses then message him to take it down because it was not 'priestly'
'Any right minded person would find a priest calling his archbishop an onanist to be utterly outrageous,' head of communications told him . |
1813e8ea3a7bb11372866956cb018ed172146e76 | West Ham's Olympic Stadium conversion could include the seating in both main stands rearranged to include two large crossed hammers. The plan is likely to see most of the black seats currently fixed in the stadium changed to white, with the exception of several hundred black seats that are likely to be rearranged to create the two club crests ahead of the Hammers moving into their new home in 2016. Details of the plan emerged at a stakeholder’s meeting at the club, where the ongoing stadium transformation work was discussed. The West Ham board are looking into options to enable the Hammers to have their colours and badge on seats . The Hammers unveiled this new club badge in the summer to come into use in 2016 for the stadium move . West Ham's home Upton Park displays the club's badge and traditional colours in and outside the ground . For the 2012 Olympic Games the seats were arranged into a black and white Olympic ‘fragment’ pattern, but stadium officials are understood to be open to the change in a bid to make the stadium acceptable for West Ham fans. The West Ham Board are eager to consider every avenue to make the stadium feel like home for fans and it is also understood that the club and stadium chiefs London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) have not ruled out recolouring some or all of the stadium seats to the club’s claret and blue colours. A source close to the stadium confirmed that the option of recolouring the seats remained a possibility, but that talks were ongoing. West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold are eager to make their new stadium feel like home for fans . The Olympic Stadium is costing £154m to convert into West Ham's home but could require a further £15m . LLDC have a full approach to sustainability and if they decide that some or all of the black seats wouldn’t be used, there are a number of options available to them including selling or relocating the seats. West Ham confirmed a new club badge over the summer, which will come into use as of 2016. West Ham have also explored the possibility of erecting a statue of World Cup-winning former captain Bobby Moore at the Olympic Stadium, while all names and messages on the commemorative bricks at the Boleyn Ground will be transferred to the Olympic Stadium. England World Cup-winning captain and West Ham legend Bobby Moore in their classic claret and blue colours . Other key elements of the club's history are likely to travel to the new stadium, including the commemorative plaques for blub legends and the West Ham Pals Battalion from the First World War. Work is currently under way on the new stadium roof and retractable seating to cover the running track so West Ham can use the stadium. The original stadium, which was designed as a largely temporary venue and never intended to host Premier League football, cost £429million to build, with the conversion costing a further £154m. However recent reports have suggested these costs may need to rise another £15m in order to complete the project. | West Ham move into the Olympic Stadium in Stratford in 2016 .
The stadium conversion is estimated at a £154million cost .
Seating could symbolise two large crossed hammers in the stands .
The club's claret and blue colours could also feature on the seats .
The Hammers have unveiled a new badge to come into use for 2016 . |
1813ef99aae0f0682409198e05453518bd329a29 | It didn’t take long for Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett to address his team’s biggest question mark heading into Sunday’s showdown at Wembley against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Will Tony Romo play? Garrett didn’t answer that question specifically, but as a Magic 8-Ball might suggest: the signs point to yes. ‘We anticipate Tony being able to practice today. Hopefully he’ll be able to have a full practice,’ Garrett said on Thursday at Allianz Park. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo winds up a pass during training at Allianz Park in London . Romo (left) has a chat with fellow Cowboys quarterback Brandon Weeden during the session in north London . ‘We’ll see. Hopefully he’s able to do what we want him to do during a Thursday practice and as the week goes on he’ll feel good with the work he’s gotten and be able to play in the ball game.’ The 34-year-old missed last week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals because of a back injury he sustained in Week 8 against the Washington Redskins. Backup Brandon Weeden was abysmal filling in against the Cardinals in Week 9 with two interceptions and only 18 completions for 183 yards. Garrett and the rest of the Cowboys are eager to see how Romo’s back holds up on Thursday. Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett is hoping Romo will fit for Sunday's game at Wembley . ‘You want to have constant communication with all of your players, especially players who are dealing with injuries,’ said the 48-year-old coach. ‘Not to the point where it’s distracting, but you want honest feedback from guys who are coming back from injury so you can handle them the right way.’ ‘We would never put a player in harm’s way. Obviously it’s a very physical sport we play and these guys are always putting themselves on the line, but the medical staff will clear the player regardless of who the player is. 'We’ll make the right decision as a coaching staff on if that player is ready to play. He has to be functional and able to protect himself. We’d never put anybody in a bad situation.’ The Cowboys have spent the week training at the home of Saracens rugby club . The Cowboys have lost two straight games and could badly use Romo back calling plays to help them secure a win heading into their bye week. However before Romo is put to the test at Wembley, Garrett said he must first get passing marks at Allianz Park. ‘Every day is a test, every day we come out here it’s a competition, it’s a test,’ Garrett, a former quarterback himself, said. The Cowboys squad go through their paces ahead of their clash with Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley . ‘We’re finding out who’s ready, who’s getting themselves prepared. And certainly that applies to everybody on our team; that applies to the guys who are coming back from injury. We want to see Tony practice, if he’s not able to practice, we’ll put Brandon in. But hopefully he’ll get himself warmed up, ready to go and have a good day today for our team.’ Whether Romo is able to play on Sunday or not, Dallas’s game plan will remain relatively unchanged, although Garrett acknowledged that things would open up with his No. 1 quarterback back in the lineup. ‘Whoever is playing, they’re gonna have a responsibility to play the way we want to play,’ Garrett said. Romo (centre) has not featured for the Cowboys since injuring his back in week eight against the Redskins . ‘We’ll tailor things to certain guys, but for the most part the game plan will be full regardless of who the quarterback is. There’s a responsibility for everyone to do their job and play well. When you do that, regardless of who’s playing next to you, that gives you the best chance to have success.’ No matter if it’s Romo or Weeden under centre, the Dallas offensive line will have their collective hands full making sure Jacksonville’s pass rush, which has already collected 27 sacks this season, is stymied. ‘Independent of what the quarterback’s health is, the Jacksonville pass rush is really good. They have guys that can rush and there’s a mentality to rush the passer. They’re very good as individual rushers,’ Garrett, who has a 35-30 record with the Cowboys, said. ‘They do a good job getting up the field and affecting the passing game. Regardless of what the health status is of your quarterback, you have to make sure you protect against these guys. It’s the offensive line’s job to make sure the quarterback isn’t affected and to keep the pocket clean.’ If all goes to plan, the line will be keeping the pocket clean for Romo, not Weeden. | Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo hasn’t trained since injuring his back in week eight of the NFL series .
Romo has thrown for 15 touchdowns and almost 2,000 yards this season .
Back-up Brandon Weeden failed to impress during the Cowboys' 28-17 Week 9 loss to Arizona Cardinals .
Head coach Jason Garrett says Romo has to be ‘able to defend himself’ to play on Sunday . |
1814eb4d74ad49d0be9df913c92dc41166f44b04 | By . Martin Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 09:31 EST, 30 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:20 EST, 30 May 2012 . These astonishing pictures show the moment a 71-year-old have-a-go-hero thwarted a gang of sledgehammer-wielding robbers with his bare hands and snatched back £22,000 of stolen watches. Michael Graver confronted the four armed men after they smashed their way into a jewellers in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, on February 28 last year. Mr Graver was innocently shopping with his wife when he ran to wrestle with the thugs as they poured out of the shop’s doorway. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Danger: This is the moment Mr Graver comes face to face with one of the jewel thieves as he tries to exit the shop . Battle: 71-year-old Michael Graver grapples with a helmeted, sledgehammer waving robber as he shops with his wife . Thug: The robber then swings fo0r Mr Graver (bottom right of picture) as he tries to make his escape . New CCTV footage shows how the fight spills onto the street and one of the thugs can be seen punching the pensioner in the face as one cowardly crook desperately tries to get away from the determined pensioner. Two of the raiders also swing at him with their sledgehammers before he courageously grabbed a bag containing £22,000 worth of watches from one of the crooks. Another brave passerby, armed only with a rucksack, eventually charges after the cowards as they sped off on scooters from Abbeygate Street Jewellers. Giving chase: The pensioner is seen here running after the gang, determined to stop them . Never giving up: Mr Graver is seen in the top right of the frame tackling refusing to let go of one one of the thieves . Trying top get away: Two robbers, one clearly still holding his sledgehammer, run from the scene to get onto their mopeds . Another hero: A passer-by chases after the gang as they try to make their escape, trying to hit one with his rucksack . The other two crooks are seen catching up with the scooters and the four thugs make their getaway. Incredible: Michael Graver, pictured, said he wasn't scared for his safety, he just wanted to get the swag back . Mr Graver, who lives in the town, said: 'I ran into the shop to see what was going on. I wasn’t aware there was anybody holding a sledgehammer. 'I did then see the man with a sledgehammer. He looked at me. I looked at him. I didn’t really feel threatened. 'I didn’t feel he was going to smash my head in. He wanted to get out.' The two scooters used by the gang, who had all been wearing black crash helmets in the raid, were stolen in London and later found abandoned nearby. The gang were eventually caught after a joint investigation involving Suffolk, Northamptonshire and London Metropolitan police forces. Dwayne Marsh, 34, was last week found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery following a three-day trial at Ipswich Crown Court. During his trial Andrew Shaw, prosecuting, said Marsh had not been in Bury St Edmunds when the robbery took place but played an important role in the crime by hiring a van in which the two scooters were moved to Suffolk. Marsh accepted he had hired a van but told the jury it had been on behalf of a man known only to him as ‘Martin’ and with no knowledge that it was going to be used in connection with the robbery. He will be sentenced on a date yet to be fixed with four others, who have already pleaded guilty to the robbery. | Michael Graver took on the four men in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, when he confronted them in the doorway of a jewellers .
CCTV shows the pensioner was punched in the face and dodged swinging sledgehammers before grabbing the stolen goods back .
The four robbers and an accomplice are to be sentenced for their crimes . |
18150268d5d5659b925e66f8ff603cc6bb71ec29 | (CNN)The talented, charismatic and handsome Neil Patrick Harris brilliantly ushered this year's Oscars through the potential landmines of political commentary and irreverent humor. Indeed, from hosting many of the entertainment world's most prestigious award shows, to posing on the recent cover of Architectural Digest with his husband David Burtka, it's nearly impossible not to see Harris front and center somewhere. All of which makes it hard to remember this former child star was a closeted actor afraid of being found out, not too long ago. In so many ways, Harris' career—as well as the resurrected career of last year's Oscar host, Ellen DeGeneres-- are reminders of how we're learning to treat each other better. Of how we're learning to allow space for those who are different from us. With a Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage looming, Harris not only served as an Oscar host, but an unspoken reminder of the work that still must be done in the name of equality. Oscar night was full of such reminders. Such as in John Legend's sobering acceptance speech, which touched on the recent, systematic attack on American voter's rights and the disproportionate incarceration rate for black men. "Nina Simone said it's an artist's duty to reflect the times we're in," he said as he clutched the Oscar he shared with Common for best original song, "Glory", from the film "Selma". " 'Selma' is now because the struggle for justice is right now...There are more black men under correctional control today than there were in slavery in 1850." And during her best supporting actress ("Boyhood") acceptance speech, Patricia Arquette brought Meryl Streep and others to their feet as she took time to criticize the gender pay gap. "To every woman who gave birth, to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else's equal rights... it is our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America!" she said. And then there was best-adapted screenplay winner Graham Moore ("The Imitation Game"), and his words of encouragement for those who feel they are on the outside looking in. "I would like for this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she's weird or she's different or she doesn't fit in anywhere—yes you do," he said. "I promise you do, you do. Stay weird. Stay different. And when it's your turn and you are standing on the stage please pass the same message to the next person who comes along." Politically inflected acceptance speeches are hardly new at the Oscars. But these felt different: They were not some self-important actor's hijacking the program for a personal agenda, but rather an acknowledgement of the very real conversations we are all having right now. Even a handful of immigration references found their way on stage as "Birdman" director/screenwriter Alejandro González Iñárritu acknowledged he followed up fellow Latino director Alfonso Cuarón as best director. Later, while accepting the Oscar for Best Picture, Iñárritu was more direct: "The ones that live in this country, who are part of the latest generation of immigrants, I just pray that they can be treated with the same dignity and respect of the ones who came before and built this incredible immigrant nation. Fans of "Selma" may still be upset about the awards snubs that preceded Oscar night for the film, which traced Martin Luther King's campaign for equal voting rights for black people (the movie's sole statue was for the song), but the ceremony in many ways took up the themes beautifully portrayed in the film—both spoken and unspoken. | LZ: Neil Patrick Harris hosting the Oscars was an apt backdrop for theme of fighting inequality that ran through the night .
He says in acceptance speeches actors' advocacy for equality -- for blacks, women, LGBT people -- was timely, moving . |
18152f98dafcb0ff56c0ae24cead9c192846542b | (CNN) -- A couple accused of kidnapping of two Amish girls in upstate New York last month was indicted on federal sex exploitation charges Thursday. Nicole Vaisey, 25, and boyfriend Stephen Howells II, 39, were named in a five-count indictment in Syracuse. The charges included conspiracy to sexually exploit the two Amish girls along with a third female minor, according to a statement released by U.S. Attorney Richard Hartunian. Howells also was charged with possession of child pornography. The pair had previously been charged with the kidnapping of the two Amish girls -- ages 6 and 12 -- about 50 miles from the Canadian border on August 13. "This indictment charges Howells and Vaisey with enticing and coercing children to engage in sexual conduct and making a video recording of it," Hartunian said in a statement. Vaisey and Howells both face a maximum of 30 years in prison on the sexual exploitation charges against children. Howells faces a maximum of 20 years on the child pornography charge. If convicted, both could be fined up to $250,000 on each count. The pair also faces criminal court charges of first-degree kidnapping after luring the young Amish girls into a car with a puppy, authorities in New York's St. Lawrence County said. Details about the abduction in Oswegatchie emerged during a preliminary hearing in St. Lawrence County in August. Detective Sgt. Brooks Bigwarfe detailed the couples' alleged plan and kidnapping of the girls, as related to him by Vaisey. Vaisey told investigators that she and Howells were on a "shopping trip" for "slaves" when they allegedly kidnapped the girls. "They had been planning this for several weeks," Bigwarfe said. The girls were picked up at a vegetable stand outside a family farm. Howells and Vaisey pulled up to the stand in a location where they couldn't be seen, and waited for the girls to approach the car, Bigwarfe said. Howells allegedly scouted 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 child 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, the couple began to worry and decided it was too risky to keep the girls, he said. Howells abandoned the two girls in an isolated area 12 miles from where they were being held, Bigwarfe said. Attorneys for Vaisey and Howell did not immediately return calls seeking comment. After her August arrest, Vaisey's attorney, Bradford Riendeau, told CNN that his client was allegedly in a master-slave relationship with Howells and that she was not the mastermind of the planned kidnapping. | Two Amish girls were kidnapped -- and later found -- in upstate New York last month .
Nicole Vaisey and Stephen Howells II were arrested .
Prosecutors say the couple conspired to "sexually exploit" the girls and a third victim .
The five-count indictment includes one child pornography charge against Howells . |
1815c857b1243e65e9dcbbb864e024ecca012473 | (CNN) -- Hertha Berlin have reacted to their slump to the bottom of the German Bundesliga by announcing that coach Lucien Favre has been relieved of his duties. Lucien Favre has paid the ultimate price for Hertha Berlin's dismal start to the Bundesliga season. Hertha's 5-1 defeat to Hoffenheim, a result which left them rooted to the foot of the table, was their sixth consecutive league reverse. The club were also knocked out of the German Cup by second division 1860 Munich last week and were held to a 1-1 draw by Lithuanian side Ventspils in their opening Europa League group fixture 10 days ago. Favre's assistant Harald Gamperle has also been relieved of his duties with youth-team coach Karsten Heine appointed on an interim basis. "Coach Lucien Favre and Harald Gamperle have been relieved of their duties effective immediately," said a statement on the club's official Web site. "The training of the team will be controlled on an interim basis by Under-23 coach Karsten Heine." Favre took charge just over two years ago and, after consolidating their position in the top flight in his first year, he then led them to an unexpected fourth-placed finish last term. Hertha were even still in the race for the Bundesliga title with two games of the season remaining. However, the loss of key players Andrei Voronin, Marko Pantelic and Josip Simunic this summer and the failure to find adequate replacements has contributed to a terrible start to the season which has cost the Swiss his job. Hertha's only league win this year came on the opening day of the season, when they defeated Hannover 1-0. Since then they have been beaten by Borussia Monchengladbach, Bochum, Werder Bremen, Mainz, Freiburg and Hoffenheim. Crowd figures have also slumped from an average of over 50,000 last season to under 40,000 for their last home game against Freiburg as fans became disillusioned with their side's dramatic slump. Explaining the decision, general manager Michael Preetz told a news conference: "We are caught in this downward spiral, we have tried to get out of it but unfortunately it has not been possible. "After the last two large defeats in the Bundesliga we find ourselves in a situation where it has become necessary for Lucien Favre and Harald Gamperle to leave. The board is fully behind my decision." | Hertha Berlin sack coach Lucien Favre after dismal start to Bundesliga season .
Hertha's 5-1 defeat to Hoffenheim left them rooted to the foot of German table .
The club have lost six league games in a row and slumped out of German Cup . |
1815eaab0735edcd63da39b150548f8ddd042c48 | (CNN) -- A federal magistrate has refused a request from lawyers for the surviving Boston Marathon bombing suspect that would allow them to take "current and periodic" photographs of him, which would have been kept from the government. In an order on Friday, Magistrate Judge Marianne Bowler said Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's request "fails to establish that future photographs are subject to the attorney client privilege." Tsarnaev, 19, is hospitalized at a federal prison facility northwest of Boston after being captured and charged in connection with the April 15 bombing attack near the marathon finish line that killed three and injured more than 260 others. Lawyers for Tsarnaev said they wanted to take photographs of their client and his injuries over time to provide evidence of "his evolving mental and physical state" while in federal custody. But Bowler rejected the request, citing prison security. But the judge did say Bureau of Prison staff could take any photos in the presence of counsel, but that the government should get copies. "This reasonable accommodation adequately addresses the defendant's need to document the defendant's condition," said Bowler. | Lawyers for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev wanted to take photos of him while in custody .
Photos intended to document bombing suspect's mental and physical condition .
Magistrate said any photos would have to be shared with prosecutors .
Tsarnaev charged in marathon bombing that killed three, injured more than 260 . |
18185434889110fcdbac507efaeb0f670bd5f1e3 | (CNN) -- Actress Mackenzie Phillips reveals she had a long-term incestuous relationship with her famous father, musician John Philips, in a tell-all memoir, according to People.com, which obtained an advance copy of her book. Actress Mackenzie Phillips reportedly reveals a family secret to Oprah Winfrey. Phillips, the 49-year-old former child star and daughter of the Mamas and the Papas founder John Phillips, says she had sex with her father the night before she was to marry Jeff Sessler, a member of the Rolling Stones entourage, in 1979, according to People.com. "On the eve of my wedding, my father showed up, determined to stop it," writes Phillips, who was 19 at the time and a heavy drug user, according to People.com. "I had tons of pills, and Dad had tons of everything too. Eventually I passed out on Dad's bed." Phillips, best known as Julie Cooper on the sitcom "One Day at a Time," says the sexual relationship became consensual as her life began to spiral out of control. During her time on the hit CBS comedy, which ran from 1975 to 1984, she battled drug addiction and underwent drug rehabilitation. She later was fired from the show in 1980 because of her drug abuse. Watch Phillips discuss her arrest » . Eventually, she and her father went to rehab together and she later toured with him in a band called the New Mamas and the Papas, according to People.com. "I was a fragment of a person, and my secret isolated me," she writes, according to People.com. "One night Dad said, 'We could just run away to a country where no one would look down on us. There are countries where this is an accepted practice. Maybe Fiji.' " Phillips will reportedly unleash the secret she has kept to herself for 31 years in an interview on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" scheduled to air Wednesday. Phillips' book, "High on Arrival," comes out the same day. Phillips has led a troubled life that has included substance abuse and a 2008 arrest at Los Angeles International Airport on suspicion of cocaine and heroin possession. She later pleaded guilty to one count of cocaine possession and was ordered to a drug rehab program. The interview features Phillips discussing the time she spent hiding in her home, compulsively purchasing items from a television shopping channel as well as the events surrounding her arrest. In a promotional clip for "The Oprah Winfrey Show," Phillips also says her father shot her up with drugs. John Phillips, who died in 2001, had a well-documented drug problem and was convicted of drug trafficking in 1981. He told many stories of his drug abuse in his memoir, "Papa John." Mackenzie Phillips also tells Winfrey about an encounter she purportedly had with rock 'n' roll legend Mick Jagger. "One Day at a Time" co-star Valerie Bertinelli also appears on the Winfrey show in support of Phillips. Phillips' career as an actress took off when, as a teen, she performed the role of Carol Morrison in the 1973 film "American Graffiti." In the late 1990s, her career experienced a revival when she began co-starring on "So Weird," a Disney Channel program. | NEW: Mackenzie Phillips says she slept with John Philips night before her wedding .
NEW: Phillips says relationship grew consensual; father proposed moving to Fiji .
The former child star has led a troubled life .
She was arrested in 2008 on suspicion of drug possession . |
181927e69806a7cff38219700aada58947df30ab | Spending cuts will have to last at least four more years, George Osborne suggested last night. The Chancellor said this was a price worth paying to ensure economic stability and create private sector jobs. With coalition divisions on the economy widening, he suggested the squeeze on the public sector would last until 2019. Spending cuts will have to last at least four more years, George Osborne suggested last night . ‘We are going to have to make savings – we are going to have to cut certain welfare bills like benefits that go to working-age people,’ he told the BBC. ‘But the prize is economic stability, growth, jobs in the future, brighter future, I think that’s a price that works for our country.’ Mr Osborne’s remarks came after days of what appeared to be a carefully choreographed coalition row over future plans on cutting the deficit. His Liberal Democrat deputy, Danny Alexander, suggested yesterday that the Conservatives were in a ‘pre-election panic’. He claimed the Chancellor and his colleagues wanted to inflict unnecessary pain because they were ‘economically committed to shrinking the state ever further’. Mr Osborne also came under fire from Labour. Stefan Stern, a writer for Labour List, an unofficial party supporters’ website, and a visiting professor at Cass Business School, said Mr Osborne’s remarks were ‘truly Lamontable’. This was a reference to Tory Chancellor Lord Lamont’s suggestion in 1991 that rising unemployment and the recession were a ‘price worth paying’ to get inflation down. Prime Minister David Cameron claimed the Lib Dems were 'all over the place' while Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander accused the Tories of wanting to 'inflict unnecessary pain on the people of Britain' ‘The Liberal Democrats are all over the place, unable to decide whether they want to stick to the plan or veer off it.’ David Cameron . ‘We are going to have to make savings... but the prize is economic stability, growth, jobs in the future, brighter future, I think that’s a price that works for our country.’ George Osborne . ‘I just think the Conservatives are kidding themselves and seeking to kid voters if they are claiming that it is possible to balance the books, deliver unfunded tax cuts, shrink the state and support public services.’ Nick Clegg . ‘It is sad to see the Conservatives move away from the sensible, balanced approach of the coalition, to a policy that would inflict unnecessary pain on the people of Britain.’ Danny Alexander . While there are real differences between the coalition parties on the correct balance between tax rises and spending cuts, senior Government figures believe the latest round of sniping is planned. The Lib Dems and the Tories appear to have agreed to air their disagreements in public in the five months before the general election, even while exploring the viability of another pact. As well as energising their core supporters, the strategy crowds Labour out of the main political argument. Mr Osborne said: ‘There is a real choice for people between the competence offered by the Conservatives and the chaos of the other parties. What they are offering is a chaotic alternative of higher taxes, higher borrowing and a return to economic chaos. Britain doesn’t want to come back to square one. ‘We are offering a competent government with a clear plan that involves difficult decisions on spending and on welfare, and making the rich pay more through their tax avoidance schemes being closed down. And that is delivering economic security. ‘The alternative is economic chaos and people who are simply not being straight with the public about what their plan involves.’ The Chancellor gave his strongest hint yet that a pay squeeze in the public sector will have to go on for another four years, to limit the number of job losses. ‘What I would say is we can reduce the number that need to go if we take difficult decisions on public sector pay,’ he said. ‘This country has to live within its means. We have to have a government we can afford.’ Mr Alexander insisted there were big differences between Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. He said: ‘What we are doing is something that should be totally unsurprising, which is two political parties – with very different ideologies – setting out their views about the future of this country in a clear and distinct way.’ A Labour spokesman said Mr Osborne had broken his promises on the economy and failed to deliver rising living standards. A small number of Conservative MPs, including Right-wing backbencher Peter Bone, have suggested Mr Cameron should break up the coalition and govern alone as leader of a minority administration. A larger group would opt for the coalition to end if the Tories were able to call an immediate general election. Conservative MP Nadine Dorries told London Live: ‘It’s almost certain that there will be a coalition government next time. A coalition of who, is the question.’ She said the likeliest result was a Conservative majority not big enough to govern alone. | Osborne said the squeeze on the public sector would last until 2019 .
Chancellor warned the UK has to have a 'Government we can afford'
Danny Alexander suggested the conservatives were in 'pre-election panic' |
1819fb0eb03fa78a51478d85ad97f3d9a1abd9ac | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 18:53 EST, 10 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 21:16 EST, 10 July 2012 . Katie Holmes used a disposable cell phone to arrange her divorce from Tom Cruise, it has been reported. The actress - who split from the Mission: Impossible star last month after five years of marriage – is believed to have been so intent to keep conversations with her attorneys private she contacted them via a throwaway phone given to her by a close friend. According to the Los Angeles Times, Katie, 33, intended to keep her divorce plans from Tom, 50, and his staff until her shock June 29 announcement. Undercover: Katie Holmes, pictured on the Los Angeles set of Jack and Jill in January 2011, is believed to have used a throwaway phone to contact her divorce lawyers . A source 'familiar with the divorce' told the newspaper by the time Katie and Cruise reached their divorce . settlement on Monday she had hired three law firms in three different . states. The settlement marked a rapid . conclusion to negotiations between the former couple's lawyers - just 11 . days after the Dawson's Creek star filed to end their marriage. A bright look: Katie Holmes and daughter Suri Cruise go to Chelsea Piers in New York City on Tuesday, joined by Katie's mother, Kathleen . Back at work: Tom Cruise was meanwhile seen leaving his bus Silver Screen on the set of his new movie Oblivion in Mammoth Lakes, California today . Katie is thought to have won her main objective - primary custody of their six-year-old little girl, Suri. Suri will remain with Katie in New . York, where they currently reside, and will allegedly be accompanied by . her own nanny and team of bodyguards when she visits father Tom on . weekly occasions. Tom is expected to pay a 'substantial' sum to his soon-to-be third ex-wife in property, assets and child support. Low profile: Katie slipped into the New York City office of her divorce lawyer Allen E Mayefsky on June 6, ushered in by a large team . Surrounded: Katie is said to have hired a team of bodyguards, pictured exiting a white Cadillac Escalade near her New York City home on July 1 . Different beliefs: The Church of Scientology has played a large role in the now estranged couple's lives . A pre-nuptial agreement is said to . have limited the amount he was obliged to pay, but it's accepted that . he would almost have included a hefty 'goodwill' payoff to help bring . talks to a speedy conclusion. She is said to have also pushed to . have an 'ironclad' clause included in the agreement limiting Suri's . involvement with Tom's controversial religion, Scientology, according to RadarOnline. 'Under terms of the settlement, Suri . isn’t permitted to be exposed to anything Scientology-related, and this . includes going to any Scientology churches, parties, etc. Moving on: Katie Holmes and . six-year-old daughter Suri were seen on Monday visiting the Children's . Musuem of the Arts in New York City . 'Ironclad': According to reports, Katie Holmes insisted on a clause in the divorce settlement with Tom Cruise banning Suri from attending Scientology church sessions or parties . 'Katie made sure that this was ironclad in the agreement,' a source told the website. Unlike Tom's other children, Isabella, now 19, and Connor, 17, Suri will also not be expected to attend a Scientology school. In the middle: Katie is believed to have won primary custody of their daughter, Suri . Instead, Katie is thought to have . enrolled her in one of New York's top private schools to continue her . education, after spending her early years being home schooled. Katie and Tom - who married in Italy . in 2006 - made no comment on the terms of the settlement yesterday; . instead they released a joint statement affirming their commitment to . their daughter. 'We are committed to working together as parents to accomplish what is in our daughter Suri’s best interests. 'We want to keep matters affecting our . family private and express our respect for each other’s commitment to . each of our respective beliefs and support each other’s roles as . parents.' Katie's lawyer Jonathan Wolfe said: . 'This case has been settled and the agreement has been signed. We are . thrilled for Katie and her family and are excited to watch as she . embarks on the next chapter of her life. 'We thank Tom's counsel for their professionalism and diligence that helped bring about this speedy resolution.' Katie sat down with Elle magazine a . mere six weeks before filing; in an interview set to hit stands on July . 17, the actress opens up about growing into herself. Admitting as a young girl she . struggled with her sexual confidence, she said: 'I always felt like a . little girl before... I didn't even know what sexy was. 'Anytime you feel good about yourself, you embody sexiness. It's almost like a power or a confidence or a secret.' She also spoke about how she deals with confrontation. Focused: Tom Cruise, pictured on the Pittsburgh set of his movie One Shot in January, is said to have been blind-sighted by the divorce . 'If something's not okay, then I make . it known,. I will deal with things... the way my mom taught us girls how . to be. She stressed listen, learn, always be strong and be true to . yourself,' she said. In previously-released quotes from the sit-down, Katie also brushed off any pressure to being 'Mrs Tom Cruise'. 'He has been Tom Cruise for 30 years. I . know who I am and where I am and where I want to go, so I want to focus . on that,' she said. Happier times: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes - who married in 2006 - pictured arriving for the UK premiere of Valkyrie in January 2009 . | Said to have wanted conversations with her attorneys to be kept from actor and his staff .
Phone 'given to Katie by a close friend'
Actress reveals in new interview she doesn't 'feel like a little girl anymore'
Has learned to 'be true to yourself' |
181a854c809120f9bce6be4714d6fbbd80770542 | (CNN) -- Six umpires accused of corruption in an Indian television sting will not be considered for selection, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed. The ICC launched an "urgent" investigation on Monday following an India TV expose which alleged certain officials were willing to fix matches at the recent T20 World Cup in exchange for payment. Two of the accused umpires are Pakistani, two are from Bangladesh and another two are from Sri Lanka -- where the 20-over tournament was held. None of the officials featured in the show were involved in matches at the tournament, which was won by the West Indies on Sunday. "The International Cricket Council (ICC) and its relevant full member boards have agreed not to appoint any of the umpires named in a sting operation recently conducted by India TV to any domestic or international cricket matches pending the outcome of the ongoing investigations into the allegations made.," said an ICC statement. "The officials named are not contracted by the ICC and those Boards who employ and nominate the umpires directly will conduct the investigations as a matter of urgency." One of the two Pakistani officials is the only member of the six on the ICC's elite panel. He last took charge of an international match in November 2010. A 48-year-old Bangladeshi umpire has officiated 40 one-day matches and three T20 contests. In November 2011, three Pakistan players were jailed for accepting money to deliberately bowl "no balls" in a Test match against England. Former captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were also banned from international cricket for five years. | ICC will not select six officials accused of corruption for international duty .
An India TV sting alleged half-a-dozen officials were willing to fix T20 World Cup matches .
Two of the officials from Pakistan, two from Bangladesh while two are Sri Lankan .
None of the officials accused were involved in matches at the 20-over tournament . |
181b4d188157d00ee5772f6701c22d51d10733e8 | By . Ted Thornhill . PUBLISHED: . 11:56 EST, 25 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 13:25 EST, 25 February 2014 . You can now have the world’s most amazing museum - in your pocket. But this is no iPhone app. Instead an enthusiast has collated some of the planet’s most amazing artefacts and presented them in a space small enough to be held in your hand. Hans Fex says he has spent his life collecting things that have caused him wonder. These items range from an ancient palm tree from once-temperate Antarctica to coal from the wreck of the Titanic. Amazing collection: Mr Fex is selling tiny samples of his specimens, presented in a transparent case . The collection includes a human brain sourced from a laboratory in Russia which supplies plastinated humans for exhibits worldwide . Reality bites: Mr Fex's T-Rex tooth, which was collected on private ranch land and thought to have been shed while the animal was feeding . He has also amassed other unique items including a piece of the Apollo 11 command module, a piece of the original London Bridge, an Egyptian Mummy wrap, a dinosaur egg and lunar rock. Other unusual items range from a foundation brick from Abraham Lincoln’s house to hair from a woolly mammoth. The Mini Museum is a portable collection of curiosities where every item is authentic, iconic and labeled. Mr Fex's obtained foil from the Apollo 11 command module directly from astronaut Buzz Aldrin during a 2007 auction . Artefact: Coal fuel recovered from the Titanic, the cruise liner deemed unsinkable that sunk in 1912 after striking an iceberg in the North Atlantic . House about that: Foundation bricks from Abraham Lincoln's house . Mr Fex, from Stirling, Virginia, explains: ‘It’s been carefully designed to take you on a journey of learning and exploration. The idea is simple. For the past 35 years I have collected amazing specimens specifically for this project. I then carefully break those specimens down into smaller pieces, embed them in resin, and you end up with an epic museum in a manageable space. If you consider the age of some of these specimens - it’s been billions of years in the making.’ The majority of these specimens were acquired directly from contacting specialists recommended to Mr Fex by museum curators, research scientists and university historians. Hans has now smashed his fundraising target on Kickstarter and hopes to start shipping the Mini Museum later this year. They will come in three sizes - small, with 11 specimens, medium with 22 and large with 33. They will cost £60, £105 and £120 respectively. Hans is a professional product designer and says he got the idea for the Mini Museum when he was seven and was inspired by his father, a research scientist and a Director at the National Institutes of Health. Wool you believe it: A tuft of hair from a mammoth could be yours . The Mini Museum comes with a sample of London Bridge from the 19th century . The samples that make up the Mini Museum, with the large version containing all the specimens . He explains: ‘In 1977, the historic year of Star Wars and the Atari 2600, my father had returned from Malta with some artifacts that he had embedded into epoxy resin. I had never seen this done before and It was beautiful. ‘Then, all at once, I saw it - my first product idea: The Mini Museum, a grand collection within a manageable space. I was seven years old. ‘Several times throughout the next year I would discuss the project with my father and with his friends. These were researchers who had won Nobel Prizes and been knighted for their scientific accomplishments. They helped me refine the list to about 20 things we all agreed we’d like to have on our desks or in our pockets and they recommended ways of acquiring each of them - we even got on the phone and started calling museum curators for recommended sources.’ Hans had asked for $38,000 on crowdsourced-funding website Kickstarter, but has already seen 2,401 backers pledge $584,169 prior to the end date of 20 March. Mr Fex was recently part of Geeklabs, the custom product design and manufacturing division of online retailer ThinkGeek. Further explaining the Mini Museum, he says: ‘I’ve been imagining and building products most of my life. ‘I’ve spent the last year cataloging my collection, doing research, and experimenting with dozens of production and manufacturing techniques to make the Mini Museum a reality and I’m finally ready to share it with you. I’ve never been more passionate about a project in my entire life. ‘The collection starts with some of the oldest matter ever collected in the known Universe - matter collected from carbonacious chondrites. These meteorites contain matter that is over 4 billion years old. Other meteors include some that have skimmed off the surface of Mars or the moon and then landed on Earth - each of those containing matter from those celestial bodies. ‘What’s next? Specimens from the strelly pool stromatolites that contain the earliest evidence of life on Earth. Also, a piece of a palm tree from Antarctica - yes Antarctica. Everybody loves dinosaurs and the Mini Museum contains plenty of unique specimens from hundreds of millions of years ago including favorites like the T-Rex and Triceratops. Even dinosaur poop. Golden oldie: The most ancient matter ever found, from various meteorites, dating back over four billion years, forms part of the collection . ‘As we migrate from the beginning of the Universe to early life on Earth, we discover Homo Sapiens. Naturally, the Mini Museum also has many amazing and rare specimens documenting human history and culture. Mummy wrap, rocks from Mt. Everest, Trinitite, coal from Titanic,and even a piece of the Apollo 11 command module to name just a few. ‘It’s space and time in the palm of your hand. There is nothing else quite like it. There are many more specimens for you to discover so make sure to check out the full lists below. ‘The Universe is amazing. I really wanted to remind people of that with this collection. How awesome would it be to own a group of rare meteorites, dinosaur fossils and relics of some of the most talked about places and events in human history? All in the palm of your hand? ‘The Mini Museum is a portable learning tool, a smart and rare ice breaker, and a wonderful piece of historical art. Great for folks aged 7 to 122 and completely safe and non toxic.’ | Hans Fex from Virginia has been collecting specimens for the past 35 years .
The artefacts he obtained can be bought in the form of a Mini Museum .
Tiny samples of each one are displayed in a transparent block .
Some of the items date back billions of years and some much more recent . |
181b57ebaa2915217ba12f43761617f262788e4b | Grand Rapids, Michigan (CNN) -- For the past few months, I have been trying to figure out why Mitt Romney is so unlikeable. It can't be because he's rich, because there are a lot of rich people we like. Hell, President Obama's rich and 56% of the country views him favorably. It can't be because he's Republican, because Republicans don't like him either. Last month, when a woman reportedly asked House Speaker John Boehner, "Can you make me love Mitt Romney?" he said, "No... the American people probably aren't going to fall in love with Mitt Romney." The latest CNN/ORC International Poll found that 48% of Americans view him unfavorably, which isn't exactly breaking news because Romney's been unable to get much likeability traction since announcing his first run at the White House five years ago. For a sex scandal-free politician, that's got to be a bit perplexing. But then last week, the reason for the bad vibes about Romney became clear. You see, he's been zipping across the country using President Obama's "You didn't build that" quote out of context for an analogy about a student who worked hard in school and made the honor roll. He used it again when he introduced his running mate, Paul Ryan last weekend. Frum: Romney does Obama a huge favor . What the president said was: . "If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business — you didn't build that." He also said, "The point is, is that when we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative, but also because we do things together." Romney spins it to make it sound as if the president is totally discrediting an individual's hard work, summing it up this way. "I realize that he got to school on a bus and the bus driver got him there, but I don't give the bus driver credit for the honor roll," he said. "I give the kid credit for the honor roll." Nothing's wrong with that statement by itself. The problem is, we don't live by ourselves. This analogy epitomizes what makes Romney so unlikeable to so many people, regardless of party, race, gender or socioeconomic status. In his mind, the world is full of bus drivers and honor roll students and the two are independent of each other, which is why he can characterize President Obama's desire to help those less fortunate as creating a "culture of dependence." What rubs so many people the wrong way is Romney's inability to see that society is interdependent. There are moments in some of Romney's speeches in which he comes across like the guy who doesn't wave when you let him into traffic, because in his mind, he was able to merge on his own. Few people ever like that guy ... and this is why less than 50% of Americans like Romney. Opinion: Is Paul Ryan for or against Ayn Rand? Growing up, I rode the bus to school. We only had one car and both my parents had to work. So if it wasn't for the bus I would have had to attend the neighborhood schools that were within walking distance as opposed to the special schools for high academic achievers that were an hour's ride away. I worked hard to get accepted into the programs. I worked to stay there. But I would not have been able to do any of those things if it weren't for the bus drivers who made sure I got to school safe and on time. When you genuinely live life through a prism of gratitude, you don't use analogies that minimize the impact others have on your life. When you live life through that prism, you don't see voters and delegates, you don't see the budget as just a bunch of numbers you have to make work. You see the lives. Romney doesn't irk us because he was born into privilege. He irks us because he behaves as if being born into privilege had nothing to do with his success. His wife, Ann, was supposed to make her husband more appealing. It didn't work. Now the question is: Can Paul Ryan make Mitt likeable? I doubt it. When men like Ryan or Obama or Vice President Joe Biden roll their sleeves up to talk to blue collar voters, it feels real because it's coming from a real place inside. When Romney rolls his sleeves up, it's clear he's trying to send a message -- because his sense of entitlement and social disconnect prevents him from being the message. That doesn't mean people won't vote for him in November. It's just that they won't be doing so because they like him. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of LZ Granderson. | LZ Granderson: Polls show Americans favorable on Obama, not favorable on Romney .
He says Romney's unpopularity stems from his sense of entitlement, disregard for others .
He says Romney fails to realize that part of our strength is our dependence on each other .
Granderson: Romney's likeability problem doesn't mean people won't vote for his ticket . |
181b8ed1eb0ee21866e5fa86f9293ce763824254 | The Republican-controlled Senate on Thursday approved a bipartisan bill to construct the Keystone XL oil pipeline, defying a presidential veto threat and setting up the first of many battles with the White House over energy and the environment. The 62-36 vote advanced a top priority of the newly empowered GOP, and marked the first time the Senate passed a bill authorizing the pipeline, despite numerous attempts to force President Barack Obama's hand on the issue. Nine Democrats joined with 53 Republicans to back the measure, which would take the decision on whether to build the pipeline out of the Oval Office. Still the vote was short of the threshold needed to override a veto, and the legislation still must be reconciled with the version the House passed. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEOS . SPRING IN HIS STEP: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said passing a bill approving the Keystone XL pipeline is a major accomplishment that will put well-deserved pressure on President Obama . BALL IN HIS COURT: The president has promised to veto the Keystone bill but is under pressure from business leaders to hold his nose and sign it . OIL SANDS: The Canadian province of Alberta is home to 35 million acres of oil-soaked sand that are the world's second largest petroleum reserve – trailing only the deposits beneath Saudi Arabia . Now Republican leaders in the House of Representatives have to determine whether they will vote on the Senate bill or launch a conference committee to hash out differences with a similar bill they passed a few weeks ago. 'I'd like to congratulate Leader McConnell for passing this bill in an open, inclusive and bipartisan way,' House Speaker John Boehner said after the vote. 'After dropping his scheme to tax middle-class college savings, we hope President Obama will now drop his threat to veto this common-sense bill that would strengthen our energy security and create thousands and thousands of new, good-paying American jobs.' Obama's State Department has put at 42,000 the number of jobs the Keystone project would create in the U.S., and declared that the environmental impact would be negligible. Boehner's jab about college savings referred to a White House plan to taxSection 529 college savings plans in order to pay for a universal guarantee of free community college tuition. The Obama administration abandoned the idea this week. Keystone, if it's built according to plan, would carry more than 1 million barrles of oil each day to refineries in the southen United States, mostly from Canada. This bill 'is an important accomplishment for the country,' said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Steam injection pipes, left, separate a heavy oil called bitumen from the earth and pipe it (center) into tanks; if the pipeline is built the oil will head south into the United States for refining . The Obama administration has focused its condemnation of the project on the contention that Canada, whose tar sands oilfields would mark the pipeline's starting point, would be the only beneficiary. But oil from several northern U.S. states would also flow through Keystone. Obama spoke in Cushing, Oklahoma in March 2012, acknowledging that America is producing 'so much oil and gas in places like North Dakota and Colorado that we don’t have enough pipeline capacity to transport all of it.' Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota, who shepherded the Keystone legislation through the Senate, complained that Obama had 'delayed this important infrastructure project for more than six years.' 'The will of the American people and Congress is clear. I encourage the president to sign this legislation and work with us,' he said. His fellow North Dakota senator, Democrat Heidi Heitkamp, was one of the nine who crossed from left to right to pass the bill. 'Supporting projects, like the Keystone pipeline that are in the best interest of our energy, economic, and national security,' she said in a statement. 'It’s imperative that we pass the Keystone pipeline, and move on so we finally talk about what the larger energy strategy for our country.' THis map shows the proposed route of TransCanada's Keystone pipeline . HEY HEY, HO HO, THAT KEYSTONE PIPELINE'S GOT TO GO: Protesters have gathered to shout slogans wherever Obama has spoken in recent months . OPTIMISTIC GOP: Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska (center) was accompanied by Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota (left) and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky (right) after the vote. Hoeven sponsored the Keystone XL pipeline bill . Most Republicans – and some Democrats – see Keystone as a jobs and infrastructure bill of the type Obama often urges them to back. 'The president has called on Congress to pass bipartisan infrastructure projects, and soon he will have the opportunity to sign one into law,' said Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Democrats view the Canada-to-Texas pipeline project as a potential environmental despoiler and a needless sop to fossil fuel producers . Democrats framed the bill as gift to a foreign oil company that would have little benefit for the American people, because much of the oil would be exported. They tried and failed to get amendments on the bill to construct the pipeline with U.S. steel, ban exports of the oil and the products refined from it, and protect water resources. The Senate agreed to add an energy efficiency measure, and went on the record saying climate change was not a hoax and the oil sands should be subject to a tax that helps pay for oil spill cleanups. Oil sands are currently exempt. COMPLAINING ON THE MARGINS: Democrats (L to R) Chuck Schumer of New York, Maria Cantwell of Washington and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan obected to the failure of their amendments which would have put conditions on the pipeline's construction . 'This bill is a disgrace,' said Sen. Barbara Boxer, the top Democrat on the Senate environment committee. 'We tried on our side to make this a better bill and they turned us away.' First proposed in 2008, the $8 billion pipeline project has been beset by delays in Nebraska over its route and at the White House, where the president has resisted prior efforts by Congress to force him to make a decision. In 2012, Obama rejected the project after Congress attached a measure to a payroll tax cut extension that gave him a deadline to make a decision. The pipeline's developer, TransCanada Corp., then reapplied. Obama has said he will not be forced to make a decision on the pipeline, which requires presidential approval because it crosses an international border, until the review process concludes. Federal agencies' comments on whether the project is in the national interest are due Monday. 'The president is out of excuses,' South Dakota Sen. John Thune said Thursday. Environmental groups have called on Obama to reject the project outright, saying it would make it easier to tap a dirty source of energy that would exacerbate global warming. Friends of the Earth, a moneyed green group, called Hoeven's bill 'doomed.' The State Department's analysis, assuming higher oil prices, found that shipping oil by rail or tankers would be worse for the planet. | Vote was 62-36 with nine Democrats joining 53 Republicans .
White House reiterated Thursday that President Obama will veto the bill, setting up a showdown as the GOP searches for 67 votes to overturn him .
Republicans see the measure as a jobs and infrastructure bill of the type Obama often urges them to back .
Democrats view the Canada-to-Texas pipeline project as a potential environmental despoiler and a needless sop to fossil fuel producers .
Obama's State Department, however, found that it poses no meaningful threat to the environment . |
181bca076c524cefb056c125729c6393ccfb1d0f | By . James Rush . PUBLISHED: . 04:06 EST, 15 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 06:39 EST, 15 December 2012 . A Christmas tree planted by a couple in their front garden more than 30 years ago has become a village landmark as it has grown to tower above their house. When Avril Rowlands, 67, and husband Christopher, 68, bought the small pine tree for just £6 from a garden centre in 1978 they hardly expected it to be standing higher than 40ft tall 34 years later. The couple planted the 6ft tree outside their new home in the village of Inkberrow, Worcestershire, and took a photograph to commemorate the occasion. Through the years: Avril and Christopher Rowlands planted the tree when it stood at just 6ft tall after moving to their new home 34 years ago . Standing tall: The tree now towers over the couple's home after growing to more than 40ft tall . Small beginnings: The couple bought the tree for £6 and took a picture to commemorate the occasion . But after more than 30 years of dedicated care it is still standing proud at 42 ft tall, and it is still growing. The tree has become so big it now towers over the couple's home and has become a focal point for the local community. Each year it is decorated with more than 1,000 traditional tungsten bulbs using a cherry picker loaned by a local firm. And for the last three years the couple have held on switch-on event which many villagers now see at the start of the festive period. Television writer Avril said: 'My husband and I moved up to the village from London in 1978 for a more meaningful life. 'We saw that the local post office had a Christmas tree which was covered in fairy lights and it really stood out. Winter wonderland: The tree has become a focal point for the village every year at Christmas . Major operation: Each year the tree is decorated with more than 1,000 traditional tungsten bulbs using a cherry picker loaned by a local firm . 'Because of our position in the village we decided to do the same thing so planted the tree when we moved in. 'It's safe to say we weren't expecting it to still be standing almost 40 years later, nor to have grown to such a height. It's become a bit of a village landmark. 'For the last three years we've had a . switch-on event with a fairground organ and a steam traction engine - . the owner heats up mince pies in the boiler. 'A lot of people in the village say that it's the start of their Christmas. 'We even get cards addressed to the tree which is quite sweet.' Mr and Mrs Rowlands used a single string of Christmas lights to decorate . the tree during the early 1980s but as it grew the couple had to buy . more and more lights. Helping hand: Decorating the Christmas tree in time for the festive season takes a major effort each year . Charity: All the effort is worth it as the couple raise money for the Cancer Research and Worcestershire Royal Hospital Cardiac Care Unit . Last year they raised more than £1,000 for Cancer Research and Worcestershire Royal Hospital Cardiac Care Unit, which saved Chris's life after he suffered a heart attack. This year the couple have chosen to raise money for Midlands Air Ambulance. Retired BBC editor Mr Rowlands said: 'After a few years we realised the tree was growing taller and taller and getting more and more attention, so we decided we'd like to use it to raise money for charity. 'We are very proud of the tree and it does look incredible each year with the lights on it.' Inkberrow is one of a handful of villages in the country which doesn't have any street lights and the tree can be seen from a mile away at night when it is lit up. A spokesman for the Forestry Commission said: 'This is a remarkable tree which has obviously been taken care of. 'Pine trees can grow to huge heights so time will only tell if this one grows any larger.' Visible: The tree can be seen for miles around when lit up as the village doesn't have any street lights . | Avril and Christopher Rowlands bought the tree for £6 in 1978 .
It stood at just 6ft tall when first planted at their new home 34 years ago .
Has now become a focal point for their village each Christmas . |
181bca3997c4d84bbd6f5da705d5cd7da4a83057 | (CNN) -- Dozens of affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union have issued travel alerts for people heading to Arizona this Fourth of July holiday weekend -- the group's latest effort to condemn the state's new immigration law. Arizona's measure stipulates that police can ask the residency status of people being investigated for a crime. "Although the law is not scheduled to go into effect until July 29, the ACLU is concerned that some law enforcement officers are already beginning to act on provisions of the law," the ACLU said on its website. "We hope the alerts provide people with some measure of protection from illegal harassment from law enforcement and inform them of their rights should they encounter it." The travel alerts -- issued by ACLU affiliates from as far away as Alaska and New York -- inform people of their rights when stopped by law enforcement in Arizona, the ACLU said. Critics say the new law will lead to racial profiling and prevent police from doing their jobs by undermining trust in the Latino community. City governments and organizations opposed to the law have targeted Arizona with protests and boycotts . But Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and other state officials say the law is necessary because of the increasing number of people illegally entering the state from Mexico. In addition, Brewer has said the law does not target an individual's specific ethnicity. "It wouldn't matter if you are Latino or Hispanic or Norwegian," she said last month. "If you didn't have proof of citizenship and the police officer had reasonable suspicion, he would ask and verify your citizenship. I mean, that's the way that it is. That's what the federal law says. And that's what the law in Arizona says." In late May, a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll found that 57 percent of those surveyed favored Arizona's new law, while 37 percent opposed it. The same poll also found that six in 10 respondents found that the federal government should focus on stopping the flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S., deporting those already here and supporting more border security. | ACLU: Travel alerts inform people of their rights when stopped by law enforcement .
Law says police can ask the residency status of people being investigated for a crime .
ACLU says it's concerned that officers will enforce law before July 29 effective date .
CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll: 57 percent of those surveyed favor Arizona law . |
181c2fefd6c2c8a265ae15613351d0d4691ecd4a | By . Simon Cable . There comes a time when, however glamorous you are, the only thing that matters is being comfortable. And frankly, if you can’t wear a purple tracksuit and a straw hat when you’re nearly 73, when can you? Faye Dunaway was perfectly happy to opt for comfort over style as she left the Dorchester Hotel in London following a lavish New Year’s Eve party thrown by Prince Azim of Brunei. Leading lady: Faye Dunaway at 26 in 1967's Bonnie and Clyde (left) dressed down leaving the hotel (right) Perhaps she’d had a little too much fun though – she wasn’t wearing a scrap of make-up, and her eyes looked tired beneath the brim of her hat. The actress, most famous for her role opposite Warren Beatty in 1967 film Bonnie And Clyde, was flown over to London from the U.S. as a guest of the 31-year-old billionaire playboy prince. Other celebrities at the party included Stephanie Beacham and John Travolta. Miss Dunaway, who turns 73 later this month, was photographed on New Year’s Day as she prepared to return to Los Angeles, where she lives in a modest three-bedroom bungalow – despite being able to charge £1million a film. Hollywood legend Faye Dunaway seen leaving the Dorchester Hotel in London . | Actress was spotted leaving Dorchester Hotel in London .
She had been at a party thrown by Prince Azim of Brunei .
Other celebrities at the party included Stephanie Beacham and John Travolta . |
181c7f462ec731db38705417e32ca189da642ae9 | By . Sarah Griffiths . PUBLISHED: . 07:23 EST, 27 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 08:35 EST, 27 February 2014 . Plenty of cheeses get better with age, but crumbs discovered on the necks and chests of Chinese mummies are now thought to be the world’s oldest vintage - although their taste may be questionable. The cheese dates back to 1,615BC and was essentially vacuum-packed with the bodies of the mysterious Bronze Age people who were buried in the Taklamakan Desert, making it the oldest ever recovered. While the strange discovery was made in the 1930s, scientists have only just analysed the proteins and fats in the clumps of 3,600-year-old food to reveal its age and ascertain that it is not butter or milk. Some of the mummies (pictured) were found to have unusual crumbs on their necks and chest which are now known to ancient cheese. They were preserved - complete with their felt hats - die to the dry conditions of their desert burial . Two hundred mummies were discovered in the 1930s by Swedish archaeologist in the Taklimakan Desert north of Tibet. Small River Cemetery was rediscovered in 1934 by Swedish . archaeologist Folke Bergman and then lay forgotten until it was . relocated using GPS navigation by a Chinese expedition. Archaeologists . began excavating it from 2003 to 2005. The people died around 3,600 years ago but their bodies were preserved because of the air-tight nature of their unusual graves and salty soil. The people had European features with light brown hair and have no name. They were buried in up-turned boats wrapped in animal skin to be air-tight on the top of sand dunes. The mummies are wearing felt caps with feathers, woollen capes and leather boots and were buried with precious objects including woven baskets, carved masks and a medicinal herb, as well as the cheese - which might have been intended for the afterlife. Chemists at Germany's Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics found that the cheese is a lactose-free variety that was quick to make. It might have been responsible for spreading dairy farming across Asia in the Bronze Age, the said. ‘We not only identified the product as the earliest known cheese, but we also have direct evidence of ancient technology,’ analytical chemist and study author Andrej Shevchenko told USA Today. The method of making the cheese was cheap and would have been used by common people, he said. The cheese survived because of the unusual conditions of River Cemetery Number Five in the Takalamn Desert in north western China – the final resting place of the mummies. They and the cheese were laid to rest on sand dunes near a river under large wooden boats wrapped so tightly in cow-hide that the bodies were essentially vacuum-packed. The mixture of dry desert air and salty soil preserved the mummies complete with their light brown hair, felt hats and woollen capes as well as delicate leather boots. Some of the mummies were found to have unusual crumbs on their necks and chest, which are now known to be cheese and not butter or milk. Two hundred mummies were discovered in the 1930s by a Swedish archaeologist in the Taklimakan Desert north of Tibet. The site is known as Small River Cemetery Number 5 (pictured) It is not known why the people were buried with morsels of cheese on them, but much as other civilisations buried their dead with wine and bread, the mummy’s ancestors might have provided them with cheese for the afterlife. Analysis of the cheese shows that it was made by combining milk with a mixture of bacteria and yeast, similar to that used to make kefir, which is quite similar to cottage cheese, today. This is unusual as it is thought that people first stumbled across making cheese by carrying milk in bags made of animal guts, which contained rennet that curdled the milk. As the rennet method of making cheese requires the killing of an animal, Dr Shevchenko thinks the vegetarian kefir method proved easier and cheaper for people at the time. Analysis of the ancient cheese shows that it was made by combining milk with a mixture of bacteria and yeast, similar to that used to make kefir (pictured) which is quite similar to cottage cheese, today . The fact it was so easy and quick meant that it spread the practice of dairy farming across Asia from its origins in the Middle East, according to the study, which will be published in the Journal of Archaeological Science. Fragments of cheese-making strainers in Poland, dating back more than 7,000 years, and 5,000-year-old cheese making tools have previously been discovered in Denmark, proving that our ancestors were partial to a morsel of cheese or two, bioarchaeologist Oliver Craig of the University of York told the publication. But no crumbs of ancient cheese as old as that found with the mummies have been recovered. Dr Craig is however not convinced as to whether it is possible to confirm that the cheese was made like kefir as the proteins could have decayed too much to be absolutely sure. | Cheese dates back to 1,615BC and was .
essentially vacuum-packed with the bodies of the mysterious Bronze Age .
people .
Mummies were discovered in the Taklamakan Desert, China in the 1930s .
Chemists at Germany's Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics analysed cheese to find it was made in a similar way to kefir . |
181d1b1bb487b64bf3e909f570ad32cae5a27517 | Greek archaeologists have come one step closer to solving the mystery of who is buried in a vast ancient tomb dating to Alexander the Great's era. Skeletal remains have been found in and around a stone-lined cistern in the opulent 4th Century B.C. burial site in Amphipolis, north-east Greece. The site is believed to be the largest ancient . tomb to have been discovered in Greece, and has spurred . speculation as to whether Alexander the Great or a member of . his family was buried there. Solving a mystery: Archaeologists have found skeletal remains inside a grave in the innermost chamber of an ancient tomb in Amphipolis, north Greece. There has been great speculation in recent months whom the opulent burial belongs to . Alexander died in Babylonia, present day Iraq, but his burial site is not known, and Greece's culture ministry said today the opulence of the tomb indicates that a 'distinguished public figure' is buried there. The skeletal remains are being examined for identification, . Greece's culture ministry said in a statement. The body had been placed in a wooden coffin, which . disintegrated over time. The skeletal remains were found both . inside and outside the rectangular stone-lined cist, under the floor of the cavernous, vaulted structure that is 26 feet (eight metres) tall . Iron and bronze nails as well as carved bone and glass decorations . from the coffin were also found scattered in the grave. Findings: Greece's Culture Ministry said skeleton was strewn in and around the stone-lined cistern, pictured, under the floor of the cavernous, vaulted structure that is 26ft tall . Opulent: There has been speculation that the tomb could be that of Alexander the Great . New find: surviving fragments of carved bone and glass coffin ornaments found in the tomb at Amphipolis . Alexander III of Macedon was born in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia in July 356 BC. He died of a fever in Babylon in June 323 BC. Alexander led an army across the Persian territories of Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt claiming the land as he went. His greatest victory was at the Battle of Gaugamela, now northern Iraq, in 331 BC, and during his trek across these Persian territories, he was said to never have suffered a defeat. This led him to be known as Alexander the Great. Following this battle in Gaugamela, Alexander led his army a further 11,000 miles (17,700km), founded over 70 cities and created an empire that stretched across three continents. This covered from Greece in the west, to Egypt in the south, Danube in the north, and Indian Punjab to the East. Alexander was buried in Egypt. His fellow royals were traditionally interred in a cemetery near Vergina, far to the west. The lavishly-furnished tomb of Alexander's father, Philip II, was discovered during the 1970s. Archaeologists in . the past have said the grave likely belonged to a prominent . Macedonian and some have hoped it might have been built for Alexander the Great's mother or wife, while others think it belongs to a military man. A statement from the Culture Ministry said: 'It is probably the monument of a dead person who became a . hero, meaning a mortal who was worshipped by society at that . time. 'The deceased was a prominent person, . since only this could explain the construction of this unique . burial complex.' ‘It is an extremely expensive construction, whose cost, clearly, is unlikely to have been borne by a private citizen.' Michalis Tiverios, a professor of archaeology at the University of Thessaloniki who has not been involved with the dig, said the human remains should provide valuable information on the occupant of the tomb, which at about 49 ft (15 metres) long and 15 ft (4.5 metres) wide is one of the biggest ever found in the country. ‘It's a very important find because it will help us learn the sex of the person buried there, and possibly their approximate age,’ he said. Professor Tiverios believes one possible candidate would be Nearchos, one of Alexander's closest aides who led his fleet back from India to modern Iraq, and who grew up in Amphipolis. The ministry confirmed fears that the tomb had been thoroughly and repeatedly plundered during antiquity. ‘Whatever objects of value the first thieves missed was taken by others later,’ Professor Tiverios said. Excavations at the site in northeastern Greece near the city . of Thessaloniki began in 2012. They captured global attention in . August when archaeologists announced the discovery of vast tomb . guarded by two sphinxes and circled by a 497-metre marble wall. Since then the tomb has also yielded a mosaic made of . coloured pebbles depicting the abduction of Persephone, the . daughter of Zeus, as well as two sculpted female figures also . known as Caryatids. The tomb dates to 300-325 B.C. Alexander the . Great died in 323 B.C. after a military campaign through the . Middle East, Asia and northeast Asia. Experts believe the ancient mound, situated around 65 miles (100km) from Thessaloniki (shown on the map) was built for a prominent Macedonian in around 300 to 325 BC . Clockwise from top right shows two headless, marble sphinxes found above the entrance to the barrel-vaulted tomb, details of the facade and the lower courses of the blocking wall, the antechamber's mosaic floor, a 4.2-metre long stone slab, and the upper uncovered sections of two female figures. The second and third chambers, not pictured, have not yet been explored . Headcase: One of the shows the broken-off head's from one of the large marble sphinxes that decorate the entrance to the tomb . A large, damaged mosaic floor of the ancient Greek god of the underworld, Pluto, abducting the goddess Persephone on a horse-drawn chariot as the god Hermes looks on, found in the tomb . | Bones found in Greek tomb dating from the 4th Century B.C.
Carved bone and glass coffin ornaments were discovered near the bones .
The site at Amphipolis is believed to be the largest ancient tomb to have been discovered in Greece .
Skeletal remains are being examined for identification .
Archaeologists think they may belong to an important ancient general, or even Alexander the Great's mother or wife . |
181da0c2cc01d345772649b0561489868c576ab7 | Islamic State fanatics claim to have constructed a dirty bomb after stealing 40kg of uranium from an Iraqi university. Militants boasted of the device on social media, with one even commenting on the destruction such a bomb would wreak in London, four months after the chemical was reported missing from Mosul University. Among extremists making online threats to the West is British explosives expert Hamayun Tariq, who fled his home in Dudley, West Midlands, for the Middle East in 2012. Scroll down for video . IS fanatics have boasted of a dirty bomb they say has been made using 40kg of uranium stolen from Mosul University, northern Iraq (pictured), in July when extremists took hold of the city . Using the Muslim name, Muslim-al-Britani, he posted on Twitter: 'O by the way Islamic State does have a Dirty bomb. We found some Radio active material from Mosul university,' the Mirror reports. He continued: 'We’ll find out what dirty bombs are and what they do. We’ll also discuss what might happen if one actually went off in a public area. 'This sort of a bomb would be terribly destructive if went off In LONDON becuz (sic) it would be more of a disruptive than a destructive weapon,' before having his Twitter account suspended. Other jihadis echoed the claims a destructive 'dirty bomb' had been made, with one writing: ' 'IS has confirmed that we have acquired a dirty bomb from radioactive material from Mosul Uni! Mashallah #IS'. Jihadis boasted of the device on Twitter. British-born Hamayun Tariq, who uses the Muslim name Muslim Al-Britani is thought to have threatened that the bomb may be detonated in London, though his account on the social media site has since been suspended . In July nearly 40kg of uranium stored for scientific research went missing from Mosul University in northern Iraq. In a letter to the United Nations, Iraq's U.N. Ambassador Mohamed Ali Alhakim told Ban Ki-moon 'Terrorist groups have seized control of nuclear material at the sites that came out of the control of the state,' adding such materials 'can be used in manufacturing weapons of mass destruction.' 'These nuclear materials, despite the limited amounts mentioned, can enable terrorist groups, with the availability of the required expertise, to use it separate or in combination with other materials in its terrorist acts.' Yesterday, as news the uranium had been used to construct a bomb, one jihadi taunted Iraq's reported plans to retake control of Mosul. Tariq claims to have been contacted by the terror group (pictured in northern Syria) from his Pakistani home . Extremists are thought to have paid for him to travel to Syria where they operate in large numbers . 'Plan to retake Mosul from ISIS emerges, haha! Little do they know the resources of #IS! Good luck!' they wrote. Earlier this year, Tariq claimed to have had his passport cancelled by the Home Office after travelling to the Middle East. The former car mechanic fled to Pakistan almost immediately after being released from prison in 2012. After pledging his allegiance to the Taliban, he claimed to have been recruited by IS fighters who paid for him to travel to Syria to join them. The Home Office would not speak to Tariq's claims, saying it did not comment on individual cases. | Chemical was stolen from Mosul University, northern Iraq, in July .
UN ambassador wrote letter at time of theft fearing 'mass destruction'
Hamayun Tariq among jihadis to boast of explosives on Twitter .
Hinted at the potential destruction of such a bomb if detonated in London .
British 37-year-old had social media account suspended afterwards . |
181ee64de89b258398b68f57d80ad952e88a8dff | England captain Eoin Morgan has urged his team-mates to 'stand up' to the next World Cup challenge of New Zealand after overseeing a humbling opening-day defeat to Australia. Morgan's men suffered a crushing 111-run loss in Melbourne after Australia plundered 342 for nine - the highest score England had ever conceded at a World Cup. The visitors could only reply with 231 in 41.5 overs and next up in Pool A are New Zealand, who host Morgan's team in Wellington next week. Eoin Morgan was unable to stop England losing to Australia after they performed poorly in the field . Morgan discusses tactics with James Anderson during their 111 run loss to Australia . Morgan told Sky Sports World Cup Live: 'They'll probably be the toughest two games of the group stage and we know they're a good test of where we're at. 'If we keep testing ourselves against the best sides and learning as the tour progresses, hopefully we'll hit our straps come the quarter-finals. 'But I think the senior players have got to stand up, myself included, and lead the way from the front.' The Irishman admitted England had fielded poorly, with Australian centurion Aaron Finch among the big-hitters dropped on Saturday. Mitchell Marsh celebrates dismissing Morgan for a duck in at the Melbourne Cricket Ground . 'I think we probably let ourselves down in the field - we didn't have a great day there. I think we needed all guns firing to chase down 340,' added Morgan. 'That's probably the most frustrating thing. We started a little bit slowly and a bit cold, which again has been disappointing.' Reflecting on the positives, Morgan praised Steven Finn following his five-wicket haul - which included a hat-trick - and pointed to the unbeaten 98 from James Taylor. Australia made their highest ever one-day score against England in their World Cup opener . He added: 'Finny taking the second five-for on this tour has been great and James Taylor was clearly very unlucky not to get a hundred at the end, as he struck the ball very cleanly.' Australia were largely indebted to Victorian batsman Finch, who hit 135 from 128 balls on his home ground. 'It was nice, a little bit surreal and it will take time for it to sink it but it's a great feeling to get a win first up,' he said. 'It's always a little bit iffy the first game of the tournament and there were a few nerves about but it's nice to get that out of the way. 'Everyone contributed right through the order with either bat or ball, or did something special in the field, so it's a great feeling to get this one out of the way and hopefully we'll take a lot of momentum through the rest of the tournament.' Australia next tackle Bangladesh in Brisbane on February 21. | England lost their opening match to Australia by 111 runs .
Eoin Morgan admits it is up to the senior players to stand up .
Morgan thinks England will find their form by the quarter-final stage . |
181f4387f9f8f63019c84ded104180a6fd441ad4 | UCLA biologists says they can slow the aging process by activating a gene by 'remote control.' Scientists at the university's Molecular Biology Institute published a paper this month that found activating a gene called AMPK in fruit fly cells increased the insects' lifespans by about 30 percent and lived healthier lives. The treatment could one day be used to increase human lifespan and stave off disease by stimulating the gene in targeted organs or organ systems. Triggered: By activating AMPK in the cells of fruit flies, researchers at UCLA found they could significantly increase their lifespan . The study found that when AMPK was increased in cells in the nervous system, not only did the those cells age slower but the cells in the intestines did as well. The reverse was true when AMPK was targeted in intestinal cells. After treatment, the fruit flies in the study increased their lifespan from six weeks to eight weeks. By tweaking levels of AMPK, scientists were allowing cells to dump 'cellular garbage,' components that cells discard due to damage or age. Discarding this material earlier avoids damage to the cell and prevents the aging process. David Walker, associate professor at UCLA and senior author of the research, is hopeful that the treatment could one day be used to prevent the debilitating diseases associated with aging. New life: Biologists at the Molecular Biology Institute at UCLA are hopeful that this research could prevent aging-related diseases like Parkinson's . "Instead of studying the diseases of aging—Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes—one by one, we believe it may be possible to intervene in the aging process and delay the onset of many of these diseases," said Walker. UCLA Newsroom writes fruit flies are used in gene studies because scientists have already cataloged the entirety of the fruit fly's genes and can activate targeted genes. The lead author of the study said that a drug used to treat diabetes Type 2 could be used to activate AMPK in humans. | Biologists conducted a study on fruit flies that found activating a gene called AMPK increased the flies' lives by 30 percent .
They hope the treatment could be used to increase human lifespan . |
181fcdba407ad394fb35b1ddbceb5646c8eaec5a | U.S. and coalition warplanes pounded ISIS positions in eastern Syria on Wednesday, targeting what a Pentagon official described as mobile oil refineries being used by the so-called Islamic State terror group to help finance its operations. The latest round of airstrikes were aimed at cutting off money flowing to ISIS, which makes up to $2 million a day from oil produced by the mobile refineries, Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon spokesman, told CNN. Fighter jets from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates flew alongside U.S. aircraft during the operation, hitting 12 locations, Kirby said. While the U.S. military was still assessing the outcome of the attacks, Kirby said initial indications suggest the strikes were successful. "We are very confident we hit what we were aiming at, and we caused the damage we wanted," he said. The airstrikes came just hours after U.S. President Barack Obama called for united action to confront ISIS, also referred to as ISIL. "It is no exaggeration to say that humanity's future depends on us uniting against those who would divide us along fault lines of tribe or sect; race or religion," Obama said in an address before the U.N. General Assembly. "This is not simply a matter of words. Collectively, we must take concrete steps to address the danger posed by religiously motivated fanatics, and the trends that fuel their recruitment." China, Russia raise questions . Obama's call for action comes as questions were raised over his decision to bomb terror groups in Syria without approval from the U.N. Security Council. Even as the Security Council adopted a resolution drawn up by the United States addressing the growing threat posed by foreign fighters, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the world must act -- but only with U.N. approval. Airstrikes get Bill Clinton's approval . Russia's foreign minister warned "against any attempt to narrow down the problem" to select groups, urging the world not to have "double standards in dividing terrorists into good terrorists and bad terrorists." China and Russia, both permanent members of the Security Council, have blocked a number of attempts to force Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down as a way to bring about an end to the civil war that has since seen the rise of ISIS and other terror groups. Still, while the U.S.-led military action in Syria hasn't been widely embraced, those involved in the international coalition in Iraq is growing. The Dutch foreign ministry announced Wednesday that its military will contribute six F-16 fighter jets and 250 troops to carry out airstrikes and train Iraqi and Kurdish forces. Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said his country's parliament will weigh a request for six of its fighter jets to take part in the bombing campaign. Similarly, British Prime Minister David Cameron said he's recalling Parliament Friday "to secure approval for the United Kingdom to participate in the Iraq air campaign. "The U.N. Security Council has now received a clear request from the Iraqi government to support it in its military action against ISIL," Cameron said from U.N. headquarters in New York. "... So it is right that Britain should move to a new phase of action." More airstrikes . The latest airstrikes against the refineries followed another round carried out overnight Tuesday into Wednesday against five more targets: four in Iraq and one in Syria, according to U.S. Central Command. In Syria, U.S. and coalition fighter jets struck an ISIS staging area near the Iraqi border, northwest of al Qaim, damaging eight ISIS vehicles. In Iraq, two airstrikes west of Baghdad destroyed two ISIS armed vehicles and a weapons cache. Two airstrikes southeast of the Kurdish regional capital of Irbil destroyed ISIS fighting positions. Conceding that airstrikes so far haven't flushed out ISIS in Iraq, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that American air power may nonetheless have prevented the fall of Baghdad and Irbil to the militants. "What we've done is we've stopped the onslaught," he told CNN's Christiane Amanpour. The airstrikes in Syria have also targeted ISIS' proclaimed capital of Raqqa. Share your view on the airstrikes . Activist: ISIS fighters keep low profile . An activist from Raqqa, who uses the pseudonym Maher al-Ahmad, told CNN he'd gone back to the town after the airstrikes. "It's the first time I didn't see ISIS in the streets, that I was able to walk around, because I am wanted by them," said al-Ahmad, who moves between Raqqa and Turkey's Gaziantep province. He said people who were there during the strikes described them as feeling like earthquakes. Some 20 to 25 vehicles filled with ISIS fighters, including people he believes were senior leadership because of the level of security around them, left the city within hours of the attacks, the activist said. After keeping a low profile during the day, the ISIS fighters were out in the streets again by Tuesday evening but in lower numbers than usual, he said. ISIS fighters began moving into the homes of civilians in the past two to three weeks, al-Ahmad said, raising fears that the civilians may be used as human shields or fall victim to future airstrikes. Hassan al-Halabi, an activist from Aleppo, voiced similar fears, saying residents there have two main concerns about upcoming strikes in Syria. "The first is that they are afraid of having civilian casualties because ISIS members and fighters are among civilians," al-Halabi said. "And the second concern is that what will happen after that? Who will replace ISIS, especially that the regime is ready to take control of ISIS' areas?" | British Parliament -- like Belgium's -- will weigh request to participate in Iraq airstrikes .
Airstrikes have resumed in eastern Syria, a U.S. official tells CNN .
President Barack Obama urges ISIS fighters to "leave the battlefield while they can"
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry: U.S. airstrikes have "stopped the onslaught" |
181fde8463503d894644aa4a86125450098a1be2 | Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Embattled Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi seemed increasingly cornered Sunday as security forces defected to the opposition in a town near the capital and the United Nations Security Council voted for tough restrictions on and possible war crimes charges against the Libyan regime. Former security forces said they had switched sides and joined the opposition in Zawiya, a town about 55 kilometers (35 miles) from the capital, Tripoli. Some buildings in Zawiya showed signs of damage, including a freshly burned-out police station. CNN's Nic Robertson, on a government-organized trip to Zawiya, saw armed civilians taking defensive positions on rooftops to prepare for a possible effort by Gadhafi loyalists to retake the town. About 2,000 people took part in an anti-government protest there, some standing atop tanks or holding anti-aircraft guns. They said they wanted the government overthrown, calling Gadhafi a "bloodsucker." Later in the day, CNN witnessed two smaller pro-government rallies that had apparently been organized by government officials for international journalists to see, Robertson reported. The opposition now controls several Libyan cities after weeks of protests inspired by demonstrations that toppled longtime leaders in neighboring Tunisia and Egypt. Gadhafi criticized the U.N. Security Council resolution Sunday, telling private Serbian station Pink TV by phone that council members "took a decision based on media reports that are based abroad." He added, "If the Security Council wants to know about something, they should have sent a fact-finding committee." U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the Security Council measures -- which include an arms embargo, asset freeze, and travel bans for Gadhafi and members of his family and associates -- form "one of the speediest international responses to a government targeting its own people." "We recognize the killings are ongoing," Clinton told reporters en route to a meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Switzerland. "We recognize we need to advance the humanitarian, the military, judicial, and even forensic planning already under way." British Prime Minister David Cameron and British Foreign Secretary William Hague both called on Gadhafi on Sunday to go. "Libya's future has no future with him at the helm," Cameron said. "Absolutely none." Britain also announced it was freezing the assets of Gadhafi, five of his children, and those acting on their behalf. Gadhafi's son, Saif, denied the government used force on its own people. In an interview that ran Sunday with Christiane Amanpour for ABC's "This Week," he was asked about numerous reports of attacks by government forces on civilians. "Show me a single attack," he said. "Show me a single bomb. Show me a single casualty. The Libyan air force destroyed just the ammunition sites." The younger Gadhafi -- who is a prominent member of the government -- also played down anti-government protests. Just because "10,000 or 5,000 people" demonstrate against his father, he said, doesn't mean the entire population is against him. He had harsh words, however, for the Libyan diplomats who have turned their backs on his father, calling them "hypocrites." "If you are strong, they love you. If not, they say goodbye. That is good. We get rid of them," he told Amanpour. Meanwhile, Gadhafi's nurse went home to Ukraine. Galyna Kolotnytska gained notoriety in November after WikiLeaks released a cable from the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli describing Gadhafi's almost obsessive reliance on the woman, described as a "voluptuous blonde." Kolotnytska's daughter told CNN on Sunday her mother had returned but was not commenting. Tunisians on the border with Libya waved pre-Gadhafi-era Libyan flags in support of the opposition as tens of thousands surged towards the country that triggered the series of Arab world revolts. About 100,000 people have fled violence in Libya in the past week, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said. CNN witnessed the Tunisian army, charities and ordinary Tunisians trying to help Libyans on the border. Refugees said Tunisians were offering them food, water, and even the use of phones. The Tunisian government reported Saturday that 40,000 people had crossed its borders since February 20, while Egypt reported 55,000 had crossed over since February 19, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said Sunday. The evacuees include Tunisians, Egyptians, Libyans, and many from Asian countries. About 10,000 fled from Libya to Tunisia on Saturday, the Red Crescent said. "Very large numbers of people amassed in the no man's land between Libya and Tunisia in extremely cold conditions," Red Crescent spokesman Joe Lowry told CNN on Sunday. "People stood in the queue for six hours with no food, water, or access to sanitation." The Red Crescent is affiliated with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. At least four people were carried away in stretchers because of crush injuries and several lost consciousness as a result of the chaos. "It was very worrying to see women passing their babies in cots over the crowd to keep them from harm," Lowry said. There were also chaotic scenes in Tripoli as people rushed to banks to claim a government handout of 500 dinars (just over $400) per family. There were also long lines in Zawiya. Pharmacies in Tripoli were running out of blood pressure and diabetes medicines, a source in the capital told CNN. Gadhafi has showed no sign of relinquishing power. Sunday, the world waited to see whether the threat of sanctions will have any effect on a country where the death toll from the recent unrest has topped 1,000, according to an estimate from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Saturday night, the United Nations Security Council voted 15-0 on the draft resolution, which also refers the situation unfolding in Libya to the International Criminal Court. Gadhafi and others could face an investigation for potential war crimes. "This resolution will be a signal (to) put an end to the fascist regime that is still in existence," said Abdurrahman Mohamed Shalgham, Libyan ambassador to the United Nations. Earlier Saturday, he renounced support for Gadhafi, calling him "a leader who loves nobody but himself." Hours before the Security Council's vote Saturday, Libya's budding opposition picked a former top official as its interim leader. Libya's deputy ambassador to the world body, Ibrahim Dabbashi, indicated that he and fellow diplomats support "in principle" a caretaker administration under the direction of former Justice Minister Mustafa Abdul Jalil. City councils in areas no longer loyal to Gadhafi chose Jalil to head an interim government that would represent all of Libya and ultimately be based in Tripoli, according to Amal Bogagies, a member of the coalition of the February 17 Uprising, and a separate Libyan opposition source. Both are based in Benghazi, the eastern city that is under the control of the opposition. Jalil was in Gadhafi's government until Monday, when he quit to protest the "bloody situation" and "use of excessive force" against unarmed protesters, according to Libyan newspaper Quryna. Protests began February 15 in Benghazi, Libya's second largest city. At least several other cities are now thought to be under opposition control, according to eyewitnesses. There have been numerous reports of widespread violence -- some of it perpetrated by foreign mercenaries and security forces loyal to Gadhafi, and some by protesters. While CNN has staff in some cities, the network could not independently confirm reports for many areas in Libya. CNN has also compiled information through telephone interviews with witnesses. CNN's Ivan Watson, Eve Bower, Ben Wedeman, Salma Abdelaziz, Talia Kayali, Richard Roth, Jack Maddox and Whitney Hurst contributed to this report. | NEW: Gadhafi's son: Libyan diplomats who turn their backs on Gadhafi are "hypocrites"
Armed civilians take defensive positions in a town they control near Tripoli .
Gadhafi's nurse goes home to Ukraine .
People race to banks to claim a $400 government handout . |
1820700632f9f2315da6aa08a90753ca23b7e832 | By . Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 12:25 EST, 21 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:31 EST, 21 January 2014 . With the advent of online shopping and chain stores, for many the high street has changed beyond recognition over the last century. But as these pictures show, some businesses have remained immune to the whims of fashion, surviving - and prospering - in spite of the profusion of high-street stores and out-of-town shopping centres. From a cobbler to a pub, some have proved that by bucking the trends and remaining true to their roots, they have flourished in the cut-throat world of business. Current director William Lobb the great great grandson of John Lobb who started the bootmakers in 1849 in London . The original shop on Regent Street with William Lobb (centre) the second generation of Lobb men to run the shop in 1849 in London . Keeping up the family tradition: The cobbler . business has been passed down from generation to generation and . maintains its position on London's high street . The ornate exterior of James Smith and Sons Umbrellas and Sticks on New Oxford Street in London . The long-running business has survived the changing face of the High Street and is a familiar face on the capital's busy street . One example is a bootmaker that is 165 years old - and has seen prime ministers and singers pass through their doors. Frequented . by British prime ministers, Frank Sinatra and Laurence Olivier, John . Lobb, Bootmaker was founded in 1849 and has been family-run for five . generations. 'We have a way . of working which might be considered old fashioned, but it's necessary . to our work,' said Jonathan Lobb, 44, director and last-maker at John . Lobb Bootmaker. 'As soon as . we change something, something else goes awry. It's the nature of what . we do - and it's something you can't just suddenly change.' The . original John Lobb started out as an apprentice in Cornwall, but . decided to move to Australia and set up on his own after failing to find . a position in London. The long-enduring firms include Truefitt and Hill with employee Gino Ruso helping to maintain the business at the oldest hairdresser and barber shop . Truefitt and Hill is one of Britain's oldest hairdressers and barber shop, open since 1805, in London . Unchanged: Paxton and Whitfield Cheese Shop, open since 1797, on Jermyn Street . The historical interior of Paxton and Whitfield Cheese Shop, which has survived the battle of the high street for more than 200 years . After founding a successful business there, he made the move back to London, initially setting up shop on Regent Street, before moving to its current St James's Street home. 'It's a family business, which gives it a different feel. Working for a company with this history is quite a privilege,' Jonathan added. 'To my mind, and I've been here for the last twenty years, the history contributes to the character of the company.' Another beloved institution is the historic Princess Louise pub in Holborn, London. Still a hit: The famous pie shop has flourished despite the dramatic changes that have hit the British shopping scene in the last few centuries . Cafe owner George Mascall at the Manze's Pie and Mash cafe, open since 1890 and passed down through four generations of family, on Deptford High Street in London . The William Evans Gun and Rifle shop soon after its first opening at St James's Street in London (left) and (right) is sales assistant Henry Westropp in the gun room . Caroline Edwards, 44, has run the Princess Louise pub with partner Dave McLellan for the last 20 months. The site has housed a pub since 1861, but only became known as the Princess Louise since 1872, when it was a gin palace. 'I love being the landlady of a place with such a rich sense of heritage, people come in because it's so ornate. There's a sense of pride there,' Caroline said. The pub's urinals, floor and wall tiles are all original, while the 'privacy booths' - used to divide the classes and to keep women away - were restored in 2004. The Princess Louise pub, which opened in 1872, on High Holborn in London, with landlady Caroline Edwards keeping the traditional ale house open . 'These days people battle to get in them, there was 25 people squashed into one booth over Christmas,' Caroline added. Anthony Bunn, 19, from Farnborough, is a sales executive at Bates Hats, which has had a presence on London's Jermyn Street since 1898. 'The history of the company is certainly something I'm aware of. The history and its reputation is within the DNA of the company,' Andrew said. 'The length of the company's history has shaped who we are today. Our customers are definitely interested in the history of Bates. 'Many of our customers ask about Bates' past and stars who have worn our hats through the years. We are very fortunate to have many loyal customers who have stayed with us for many years and been through all our changes with us as well.' | From a cobbler to a pub, some have proved that by remaining true to their roots, they have flourished .
Businesses that have remained High Street favourites include cobblers, gunmakers and former gin palace . |
18207f304b4605636b87b70de2d97029fcdcc36e | A family of rabbits are believed to be responsible for unearthing an 8,000-year-old archaeological 'gold mine' near Land's End. A haul of Stone Age arrow heads and flint tools found in a freshly dug network of rabbit warrens less than 200 yards from the Cornish landmark has led archaeologists to plan a full excavation of the site. Although a formal dig of the 150-acre area is yet to begin, initial analysis suggests there could be a large Neolithic cemetery, Bronze Age burial mounds and an Iron Age hill fort buried there. Treasure: A family of rabbits are believed to be responsible for unearthing an 8,000-year-old archeological 'gold mine' near Land's End . Artifacts: Among the items brought to the surface by the family of rabbits were these Neolithic flint tools . Land's End has long been considered an area of historical interest as the spectacular views have led to a disproportionately large number of important people being buried there over several thousand years. Although there are a number of important archeological sites in the local area, the latest Land's End dig will almost certainly be the first prompted by a family of rabbits. The excavation of the site will be managed by a team from Wirral-based archaeologists Big Heritage. Team leader Dean Paton, 30, told the . Mirror: 'It seems important people have been buried here for thousands . of years - probably because of the stunning views. [But] it's a . million-to-one chance rabbits should make such an astounding find.' Land's End has long been considered an area of historical interest. Big Heritage now plan to spend the next two years excavating the site . Mr Paton says the rabbits dug two small burrows right next to each, dragging a number of historical artifacts to the surface as they did so. He added: 'No one knows the scale of it, but it's a gold mine. A family of rabbits has just rewritten the history books.' Big Heritage now plan to spend the next two years excavating the site. | Rabbits kicked ancient artifacts into the air while digging their burrows .
Archaeologists now think there may be a Stone Age cemetery on the site .
Team will now spend two years excavating the archeological 'gold mine' |
1820a919c4cd56b5e07b37ece7e8752ffbd02863 | By . Chris Pleasance . and Ap Reporter . There are more than 300 of them in New York - violent crews of dozens of 12- to 20-year-olds with names such as Very Crispy Gangsters, True Money Gang and Cash Bama Bullies. Police say these groups, clustered around a particular block or housing project, are responsible for about 40 percent of the city's shootings, with most of that violence stemming from the smallest of disses on the street, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. 'It's like belonging to an evil fraternity,' said Inspector Kevin Catalina, commander of the New York Police Department's gang division. 'A lot of it is driven by nothing: A dispute over a girl or a wrong look or a perceived slight.' Scroll down for video . There are thought to be more than 300 gangs running the streets of modern-day New York, with the majority of the violence being caused by smaller teenage crews . While large gangs such as the Bloods and Crips still exist, they tend to adhere to the motto that violence is bad for business, while younger gangsters do not (file pic) Volunteers such as the Guardian Angels patrol neighbourhoods in an attempt to keep violence down . The trend of smaller, younger crews has also been seen in Chicago and Northeast cities over the last few years as police have cracked down on bigger, more traditional gangs, experts said. While the Bloods, Crips and Latin Kings still exist, operating such money-making schemes as drug dealing, their members are usually older and understand the timeworn mantra of organized crime: violence is bad for business. Not so for the crews, whose recklessness prompted former Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly in 2012 to launch an initiative to confront the crews dubbed Operation Crew Cut. Investigators now focus on gathering intelligence about specific crews - understanding their activities, allegiances and feuds which they glean through traditional street policing and trolling of social media sites, cell phone photos and even recorded jailhouse calls. Police have also stepped up arrests of the most active crew members. In Manhattan, prosecutors set up an internal email alert system that notifies them when crew member are arrested, even on minor charges, and provides beyond-the-rap-sheet details for bail arguments. The prosecutor might mention that the person was a suspect in another crime or had made threats on Facebook, for instance. In a recent case in Harlem, Manhattan, District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. says a 2009 killing kindled years of vendetta attacks, including three killings and 30 shootings. Kai Smith, a former convict turned businessman, now runs a programme for gang members in schools . Kai believes that mos of the shootings happened because 'disrespect' show by one gang member to another (pictured: pistols on display in New York after police arrest six men for arms smuggling) Sixty-three . people were rounded up, and at least 62 entered guilty pleas, including . crew members so young that one told another to "mob up" after school. 'The . evidence was very powerful,' said Robert Anesi, who represented a . 19-year-old who pleaded guilty to attempted murder and conspiracy . charges in the case last week. 'They had such access to social media and . they knew who the players were.' NYPD statistics show gang arrests are up citywide nearly 14 percent from 2013 - and more than 28 percent from two years ago. Shooting incidents citywide are about the same as they were last year, with 282 recorded so far, and are down by nearly 23 percent from two years ago. Still, crew-related violence persists despite record dips in overall crime in New York City over the last few years. The most notable recent case came in March when investigators say a 14-year-old member of the Stack Money Goons shot a .357 revolver at a rival member of the Twan Family on a crowded bus in Brooklyn. The bullet instead killed an immigrant father who was working two jobs to support his family. 'When you ask young adults, "Why? Why did you shoot that young man?" Probably 80 percent of the time the answer is: He disrespected me,' said Kai Smith, an ex-con-turned-businessman who runs a gang-diversion program in city high schools. Smith works with students who have been arrested at least once, forcing them to define what disrespect means through exercises and role-playing. In the 1800s, before prohibition and the Mafia, gangs were still rife in the city. The likes of the Dead Rabbits and the Plug Uglies ran the streets, lead by the likes of Bill The Butcher and Hell-Cat Maggie . This gangland violence was encapsulated in Martin Scorsese's 2002 film Gangs of New York, starring Daniel Day Lewis as Bill The Butcher, who was an actual gangster in the 1800s . Jamal Williams, 18, a high school junior, says he's been affiliated with crews and gangs since he was 9, though he's trying to turn his life around. 'A crew to me is a family,' he said. 'They are going to be there for me like my parents was never there for me.' As more crew members are locked up, investigators are noticing a trend of crew members shifting affiliations behind bars, emerging as a sort-of hybrid gang-crew combination with diffuse connections and alliances. 'That has really complicated this universe,' Catalina said. 'We went from a traditional gang problem to a crew problem and now we're morphing back into somewhat of a traditional gang problem' Gang culture has existed in New York for hundreds of years, from the modern-day crews, back to the dominance of the Mafia during the 1920s and prohibition, and even back to the 1800s when the likes of the Dead Rabbits and Plug Uglies roamed the streets. These criminals were captured in Martin Scorsese's 2002 film Gangs of New York, a part-historical film that was based on the histories of this criminal underworld. The film's anti-hero, Bill The Butcher, was a genuine gangster in the city in the 19th-century, named William Poole, and contested his territory with the likes of 'Dandy' Johnny Dolan and Hell-Cat Maggie. | There are thought to be more than 300 gangs currently in New York .
While likes of Bloods and Crips still exist, majority are smaller crews .
Around 40 per cent of shootings are carried out by these small groups .
Crews like Very Crispy Gangsters made up of dozens 12 to 20-year-olds .
Violence occurs over 'disrespect' shown on streets on on social media .
New York has long gang culture stretching back to the 1800s .
Gangsters of this era capture in Martin Scorsese film Gangs of New York . |
18213dfa6e9ba3e389ba0a1a2203ad61a4d34e4b | Southampton have opened a new state-of-the-art training centre in honour of their former owner Markus Liebherr. The south coast club officially opened the Markus Liebherr Pavillion on Wednesday, which is the focal point of the Staplewood Football Development Centre. It's hoped the top class training facility will help the club continue its proud record of producing top level talent from their academy. Southampton's new training facility has been named after former owner Markus Liebherr who 'saved' the club from financial ruin . Markus Liebherr, who died in 2010, stepped in and bought the club back in 2009 when the club had suffered several years of decline, following relegation from the Premier League in 2005. The new training facility will house the club's sports science, scouting and recruitment, football administration and medical departments, as well as training, changing and dining facilities. Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger commented: 'We are delighted to officially open our new training facility and, in doing so, we are proud to pay tribute to the memory of Markus Liebherr. Premier League high-flyers Southampton have unveiled a new state-of-the-art training centre on Wednesday . Victor Wanyama celebrates with team-mates Morgan Schneiderlin (left) and Graziano Pelle (right) after his winner at Hull last weekend . The Southampton academy and first-team players will be able to relax in the pools after training or when recovering from injury . Former Southampton owner Markus Liebherr pictured when taking over the club in 2009 with former Saints boss Alan Pardew (left) The extensive gym and training areas will enable Southampton's players to work on their strength and fitness of the pitches . 'The role Markus played in saving Southampton Football Club and enabling it to be transformed into the progressive and sustainable company it is today will never be forgotten. 'In naming this outstanding new facility in his honour, Markus's vision and legacy will live on in every player and member of staff who passes through these doors.' Chief Executive Officer Gareth Rogers added: 'Markus bought the club in 2009 and his vision was to create a sustainable football club and one that plays great football. The gym at the Staplewood Football Development Centre, with machines displaying the club crest, is of the finest quality . Southampton want all the players from the different age groups to be integrated into one at the new training centre . 'Integral to that was the building of the training ground. This has required a huge investment, but it is something that we see as incredibly important in terms of the future of our club. The club is about sustainability. 'Most of the cost has come from [Markus's daughter and current owner] Katharina's wealth, so it is right that there is a lasting memory of Markus at the club.' The Saints, currently sitting second in the Premier League after an astonishing start to the season, have a track record of producing fine academy players. The likes of Real Madrid galactico Gareth Bale, Arsenal trio Theo Walcott, Calum Chambers and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, along with Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw are just a selection of recent academy graduates. Arsenal ace Theo Walcott and Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale both graduated from Southampton's academy before moving on . England internationals Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Luke Shaw also progressed through the Saints academy before moving to Arsenal and Manchester United respectively . Southampton appear to be a club that never rests on their laurels and have already applied for permission to enhance the facilities on offer in the Markus Liebherr Pavilion. Construction of an inflatable dome over Staplewood's 3G pitch is already under way as the club hopes to integrate their academy players with the senior squad on a more permanent basis. 'This is only phase one of a big project. At the moment, we have what we call the Academy Village, which is a portacabin village at the other end of the training ground. It reflects the quality of the people we have that we've been able to produce a world-class academy in what are essentially temporary facilities,' added Executive Director of Football Les Reed. 'We're always looking forward, and the fact that we've done it in phases has meant that we've learned things as we've gone along, and everyone will benefit from that - from the academy through to the first team.' Former Southampton striker Rickie Lambert celebrates after winning the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in March 2010 . Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis (centre) lifted the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with his team-mates . | Former owner Markus Liebherr took over the then League One club when they were in financial turmoil in 2009 .
Liebherr, who died in 2010, has had Southampton's new training facilities named in his honour .
Southampton will hope the facilities will help their successful academy to continue producing top level talent .
Ronald Koeman's side are currently second in the Premier League after a fine start to the season . |
1823e1e750046606e4be0e8710f1d74998783e41 | (CNN) -- World number one Novak Djokovic is into the quarterfinals of the Western and Southern Open after beating the Czech Republic's Radek Stepanek 6-3 6-3 in Cincinnati. Djokovic, 24, had his serve broken on three occasions by Stepanek, ranked 29 in the world, but recovered to seal victory with his first match point at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. "There are periods of the match where I serve okay and then periods where I serve very bad, but that's okay," the Serb, who has now won 55 matches this season, told the ATP Tour's web site. "It all happens. I played so many matches, and they caught up to me a little bit. It's expected that some part of my game is not working 100 per cent." Can anybody stop Novak and Serena? The three-time grand slam winner will face French number one Gael Monfils in the last eight, after the 24-year-old defeated Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-2 6-2. Rafael Nadal, the man Djokovic replaced as world number one, emerged victorious from a marathon encounter with his compatriot Fernando Verdasco. Nadal, a 10-time major winner, eventually sealed his 12th career success against Verdasco 7-6 (7-5) 6-7(7-4) 7-6(11-9) in three hours and 38 minutes. "You enjoy always a good match," reflected Verdasco, who forced Nadal to five match points. "But when you lose in this way, of course it's not easy, because it could have been a big win." American number one Mardy Fish will be Nadal's opponent in the next round; after the seventh seed registered a 7-5 7-5 win over French 12th seed Richard Gasquet. Roger Federer, who beat Fish in last year's final, continued his quest for a record fifth Western and Southern Open crown with a 6-4 6-1 triumph over wildcard James Blake. "Against James it's always a fast paced match from start to finish," 16-time major champion Federer said. "You hope you get on a roll and he doesn't. "I was able to counter his attacking style. I was able to play clean on my service games. In the second set he didn't play so well, and the score line shows that." Federer's last eight opponent will be Czech Tomas Berdych, who eased past Nicolas Almagro 6-2 6-2. British number one Andy Murray is safely through courtesy of a straight-sets 6-2 7-5 victory over American qualifier Alex Bogomolov Junior. Murray, beaten by Djokovic in January's Australian Open final, will play 10th seed Gilles Simon for a place in the semifinals. World number 12 Simon earned his place in the quarterfinals by beating Spain's David Ferrer 6-4 6-7 (7-3) 6-4. | World number one Novak Djokovic is into the Western and Southern Open quarterfinals .
Djokovic defeated Radek Stepanek, and will face Gael Monfils in the last eight .
Rafael Nadal overcame his compatriot Fernando Verdasco in a marathon encounter .
16-time grand slam winner Roger Federer beat American wildcard James Blake .
British number one Andy Murray set up a quarterfinal against Gilles Simon . |
1823f8a797453ea24500336aac81914faaa5f4c4 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 16:00 EST, 15 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:01 EST, 15 May 2013 . The Food and Drug Administration has approved changes to the . label of popular sleep drug zolpidem that, in some cases, even include a . warning not to drive a car the entire day after taking the drug. On Tuesday, the regulator approved the changes for two . brand-name producers of the drug: Sanofi, which makes Ambien and Ambien CR and . Meda AB, which produces Edluar. The agency said patients who take zolpidem extended-release . drugs, such as Ambien CR, should not drive or take part in activities that . require complete mental alertness the entire next day. Lights out: The FDA has OK'd changes made to labels of brands of the sleep drug zolpidem at its own behest . The regulator said that women were more susceptible to the . risk because they eliminate the drug from the blood more slowly than men. Approved changes also include a lowered dose recommendation. The agency said that research had shown that the drugs . remain in the bloodstream at levels high enough to interfere with morning . driving, which increases the risk of car accidents. The FDA in January asked zolpidem manufacturers to reduce . recommended dosages on the drugs’ labels. They also said doctors should aim to . prescribe the lowest dose possible that will successfully treat insomnia. Strong: Zolpidem, the active ingredient in popular sleep aid Ambien, has been found to last far longer than first believed, which will now be reflected on labels . Today, the changes implemented by those manufacturers were . approved. The FDA recommended doses of 5 mg for women and either 5 mg . or 10 mg for men for immediate-release zolpidem products such as Sanofi's . Ambien. The initial dose of extended-release products is 6.25 mg for . women and either 6.25 or 12.5 mg for men, according to the FDA. The popularity of zolpidem has led to some highly visible . incidents caused by its use on recent years. Danger: The FDA says the extended release form of zolpidem can make driving dangerous for a full day after its use . Last July, Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert Kennedy and . ex-wife of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was reportedly under the influence of . the drug when she smashed into a tractor trailer rig then fled the scene in . Westchester County, New York. Kennedy later claimed she inadvertently swallowed one of the . slim, white pills instead of a different, similar looking pill the morning before . the crash. Difference: Women were found to be especially susceptible to Ambien 'hangover' and labels have been changed to reflect that . Kennedy’s cousin, former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy, . crashed his Ford Mustang into a barrier near Washington, DC’s Capitol Hill in . 2006 and would later attribute his disorientation that led to the accident to . Ambien. But the new FDA-approved guidelines prove disorientation . isn’t just a problem for the elite. The regulator also said women are more susceptible to the . risk of disorientation the day after use of zolpidem, as they eliminate the . drug from the blood more slowly than men. | The agency OK'd new labels for the drug zolpidem, a popular sleep aid that has been linked to motor and cognitive impairment the day following its use .
The FDA asked drug makers in January to lower the recommended dosage of the powerful pill, especially for women who have been found to take longer to break down the drug than men . |
1826c63cb84b8bb245661fd1857e63373d970b9f | Hapless: Florin Constantin, 28, was caught red-handed with 10 mobiles phones in Norwich . A Romanian thief who wore specially-adapted leggings under his trousers to hide 10 mobile phones he stole from a gig has been jailed. Florin Constantin, 28, was caught red-handed when the owners desperately called their phones and they started ringing. The crook had only been in the UK for six weeks when he drove to Norwich specifically to steal phones from the Waterfront bar. The Eastern European immigrant had . already received a caution from the Met Police in London for going . equipped to another music venue. Staff alerted by outraged victims . nabbed Constantin in Norwich after hearing loud ringing from his . trousers, a court heard yesterday. District judge Peter Veits jailed the . villain at the city's magistrates' court for 12 weeks. Judge Veits told . Constantin: 'You have come to this country with no means of support, no . job to come to. 'Unfortunately, like many other . people, you have then got pressured into criminal offences in order to . live. I don't see you as the prime mover in this offence, but you still . have taken part quite willingly.' He added: 'If you were going to change . your ways, you would have taken the chance after you were cautioned by . the Met less than a month ago. 'But you came to Norwich specifically . to steal these phones. There was no other reason for you coming here. I . hope when you are released you will think about how to live in an honest . way.' Constantin, using an interpreter, yesterday admitted 10 counts of theft on Tuesday. He gave his address as a road in . Romford, Essex, but the court was told that he was of no fixed abode as . he was not known at that address. Phil Charnley, prosecuting, said: . 'He's a Romanian national and has only been in this country six weeks. He received a caution from the Met Police on February 8 for going . equipped to a music venue. 'He had worn adapted trousers to conceal stolen items. He travelled with others to Norwich. He went to the Waterfront, was noticed by staff as being out of place. During the evening several phones were reported as being stolen by concert goers.' Mr Charnley added: 'The defendant was detained and the phones were concealed in leggings worn beneath his trousers. Ten phones were returned to their owners, with a total value of £2,620. The Waterfront bar in Norwich where Constantin was caught red-handed . 'In interview he said he'd been approached by another Romanian at an internet cafe in London, asking if he wanted to earn some money by helping in the theft of mobile phones. 'This man provided him with leggings to wear under his jeans and they drove to Norwich. The other man stole the phones, but the defendant concealed them in special pockets in his leggings. 'The theft of mobile phones from music venues is a national problem and security staff have been specifically trained to look for attendees who don't fit the profile for the event.' 'He's a Romanian national and has only been in this country six weeks' Phil Charnley, prosecuting . James Burrows, defending, said: 'He confessed at the police station at the first time of asking and also pleaded guilty at first time of hearing here. 'He came to the UK six weeks ago looking for work, but there's no work. He has not yet managed to get a National Insurance number needed to work here lawfully. 'As for the rest, you don't really need to hear. He was used by others. He was a labourer in Romania and came here on the premise that the grass was greener.' Detective Sergeant Vicky Flatt, of Norfolk Police community safety team, said: 'We know that clubbers and people attending music venues are targeted by thieves, as nightspots provide ideal hunting grounds. 'People in large crowds are less likely to notice someone tampering with their bag or taking something from their pocket. 'Full credit must go to the staff at the Waterfront for their vigilance and swift action which ultimately led to Constantin being arrested.' Police have worked closely with venues and staff to highlight phone thefts after a similar incident at last year's Sundown Festival in Norfolk. There a thief was found to have 20 stolen mobiles hidden inside tights underneath his trousers. | Florin Constantin, 28, had only been in the UK for six weeks .
Crook drove to Norwich specifically to steal phones from a bar .
Immigrant had .
already received a caution from Met Police in London .
Constantin, using an interpreter, admitted 10 counts of theft . |
1826f12c36bdd5bc9ff00ac410c143193060f266 | By . Jonathan O'Callaghan . It’s long been thought that in order to succeed in life you need to think only of yourself and ignore the needs of others. New research, however, suggests the exact opposite is true and being nice to others actually stands you in greater stead to be successful. The scientists found that ‘givers’ were more likely to share knowledge, and in turn gain more information themselves. Researchers in Germany found that people who shared knowledge (stock image shown) were more likely to be successful. They asked participants to decide whether to share money or keep it. Those that shared it would double their money - but only if others did . Most people have a favourite list of songs they use to motivate themselves before a sports game or during a workout, but is there any science behind this idea? According to a study it turns out there is - music truly does make us feel powerful, but not all songs have the same effect. Researchers found some music empowers you to do great things, and levels of bass are a key factor in its effectiveness. 'When watching major sports events, my coauthors and I frequently noticed athletes with their earphones on while entering the stadium and in the locker room,' says Dr Dennis Hsu of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Illinois. 'The ways these athletes immerse themselves in the music - some with their eyes steely shut and some gently nodded along the beats - seem as if the music is mentally preparing and toughening them up for the competition about to occur.' Researchers at the University of Tübingen in Germany divided participants into three groups based on a personality test: givers, takers and matchers. In a social dilemma task, participants were allotted a fictitious endowment of the equivalent of £240 ($400). They were then asked to decide how much of their money they would give to a shared group pool. They were told that the money in the pool would be doubled and divided equally among all group members. Thus, it would be more beneficial to the group as a whole if everyone contributed their individual endowments. However, it would be more beneficial at the individual level if everyone else from the group contributed, while the individual kept his or her own endowment. The researchers used this strategic information sharing task to examine how much and which pieces of information participants shared: the less important and already known information or the really important information only known by the individual. The results showed that givers are less self-oriented and narcissistic than takers. They found there was a clear distinction between 'givers' and 'takers'. And the results showed being nice means you share information more. This means that givers are more likely to gain knowledge than takers and thus be more successful (stock image shown) Moreover, compared to the traditional classification of prosocials, individualists and competitors, this new classification of givers, matchers and takers was better at predicting behaviours measured two weeks later. Givers shared not only more money with the group, but they also shared important information. Takers on the other hand kept both the money as well as different types of information. The findings suggest that it may not be enough to simply provide knowledge management tools in order to optimise knowledge exchange in a group of people. It may be necessary for leaders and managers to keep in mind the personality and interaction styles of their employees. Specifically, they should be wary that takers may keep the important information for themselves. | Researchers in Germany found that people who shared knowledge were more likely to be successful .
They asked participants to decide whether to share money or keep it .
Those that shared it would double their money - but only if others did .
They found there was a clear distinction between 'givers' and 'takers'
And the results showed being nice means you share information more .
This means that 'givers' are more likely to gain knowledge than 'takers' |
182816fef64c4c2e58ece915551af64b04adbf53 | (CNN) -- Consider Gwyneth Paltrow's so-called feud with Martha Stewart over and done. In September, it seemed the two women wouldn't be on the best of terms, what with Stewart telling Net-A-Porter's Porter magazine that Paltrow should focus less on building her lifestyle brand, GOOP, and stick to acting. "(Paltrow) just needs to be quiet," Stewart said. "She's a movie star. If she were confident in her acting, she wouldn't be trying to be Martha Stewart." While those could be taken as fighting words, Paltrow considered them a compliment. "I'm so psyched that she sees us as competition," Paltrow said Tuesday at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit in Dana Point, California, according to People magazine. "I think that when anybody criticizes anyone, it really is revealing more about where they are in time and space as opposed to where you are in time and space. ... Sometimes I learn good things from criticism." As for GOOP, Paltrow's moving full-steam ahead. She's recently added former Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia exec Lisa Gersh to GOOP's fold as its new CEO. Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf nearly fought with Scott Eastwood . | Gwyneth Paltrow reacted positively to choice words from Martha Stewart .
Paltrow: "I'm so psyched that she sees us as competition"
Stewart previously said Paltrow should "just be quiet" |
18285bfab0664e8914d31153a9f8c34b98b7c1c7 | Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has been given a timely boost ahead of his side's Premier League clash at Arsenal on Saturday, as Angel di Maria, David de Gea, Michael Carrick and Luke Shaw all took part in Friday's training session. The quartet had all been fitness doubts for the match at the Emirates after picking up injuries playing for their respective countries during the recent international break. United's club-record £60million signing Di Maria injured his right foot during Argentina's 1-0 friendly defeat to Portugal on Tuesday, while fellow summer acquisition Shaw came off 66 minutes into England's win in Scotland as a precaution after feeling his left hamstring tighten. Angel di Maria (left) took part in Manchester United training on Friday after recovering from a foot injury . David de Gea (left) and Luke Shaw both also took part in Friday's session after picking up injuries during the international break . Michael Carrick (left) was pictured all smiles as he looks to regain full fitness after hurting his groin . The news of the quartet's return to fitness will be a boost to boss Louis van Gaal (right) ahead of their clash against Arsenal . Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney (centre) will be hoping to lead the Red Devils to victory on Saturday . Midfielder Carrick had to withdraw from the Three Lions' set-up after hurting his groin, while Spain international De Gea dislocated a finger - but the pair seemed in good spirits at the club's Aon Complex on Friday. The duo's jovial mood was reciprocated among Van Gaal's squad with many of the Dutchman's charges seen enjoying themselves as they were put through their paces. United's position in the table though is no laughing matter with the club seventh in the Premier League and 13 points adrift of table toppers Chelsea after 11 games of the season. Robin van Persie, who is expected to face a hostile reception when he returns to his former club at the weekend, will be hoping to replicate his international form with Holland after scoring during the international break. Old Trafford skipper Wayne Rooney needs one more goal against the Gunners to become the highest Premier League goalscorer against Arsene Wenger's side. Rooney is currently tied with Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler on 10 league goals against the Gunners with two for Everton and eight for United. Rooney (left) needs one more goal against Arsenal to become the highest Premier League goalscorer against Arsene Wenger's side . Van Gaal (left) will be hoping Robin van Persie can haunt his former club on his return to the Emirates . Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash against Arsenal, Rooney believes former team-mate Danny Welbeck did the right thing by swapping Old Trafford for the Emirates in a £16million move this summer. Many United fans were shocked earlier this year when Van Gaal sanctioned Welbeck's £16million transfer to the north London club. Welbeck is a life-long United fan and joined the club as an eight-year-old having grown up in the Longsight area of Manchester, which is just four miles away from Old Trafford. During his 11-year spell at United, Rooney watched the pacy forward progress from teenage prodigy to first-team striker and admits it will be strange to play against the 23-year-old striker when the two sides meet on Saturday. 'Of course, Danny has been here all of his life,' Rooney told MUTV. 'He is a Manchester lad so it is weird seeing him [there]. But that's football nowadays and players move on.' Welbeck started the vast majority of games on United's successful tour of the United States, however he struggled to get in the starting line-up soon after the season began, with Van Gaal claiming his goal-scoring record was not good enough. Van Gaal (right) and assistant manager Ryan Giggs share a joke as they watch the session unfold at the Aon Training Complex . Belgium international duo Adnan Januzaj (centre) and Marouane Fellaini will both be hoping to start against Arsenal on Saturday . Welbeck scored 29 times in 142 United appearances, but since his move he has found the net on 10 occasions for club and country. Rooney, who played alongside Welbeck for England against Slovenia and Scotland in the recent international break, thinks leaving United has been beneficial for his former team-mate. 'I think, for Danny, and for his own personal career, it was probably the best move for him,' Rooney said. 'He's done great and scored a few goals and is playing well. Danny gives you what he always gives you - a good shift. He works hard for the team. 'At times, as I said to him, he works a bit too hard but he's scoring goals and he's doing well.' Arsenal against United has been one of the biggest fixtures on the calendar in recent years, but neither side is considered a serious title contender this season. Midfield duo Juan Mata (bottom left) and Antonio Valencia (bottom right) are put through their paces on Friday . Anders Lindegaard (left) could make his first Premier League appearance of the season if De Gea fails to recover from his injury . For Rooney, the fixture still brings back fond memories, though. 'We've had some great memories,' the England captain added. Beating them in the Champions League semi-final (in 2009) was probably the highlight.' The same fixture last year ended in a dull 0-0 draw, but given the poor defensive record of both teams, it is unlikely the scoreline will be the same this season. Rooney is hoping United can strike early against their opponents and is expecting a tough match. 'It's always a tight game and whoever gets the first goal normally wins or gets a result,' the 29-year-old said. 'We have to go there with a good team shape and a good unit to make sure we do everything right. 'Arsenal have got a good squad, an exciting squad with a lot of young players and a lot of English players which is great for England. We know they play with a lot of energy and we'll have to be at our best to beat them.' Click here to Like our Manchester United Facebook page. VIDEO Blind's injury exaggerated - Van Gaal . | Manchester United travel to Arsenal for their Premier League encounter on Saturday .
Angel di Maria, David de Gea, Michael Carrick and Luke Shaw picked up injuries during the international break .
United currently seventh in the Premier League - 13 points adrift of table toppers Chelsea after 11 games .
Click here for all of the team news, odds and stats for Manchester United's clash against Arsenal at the Emirates . |
182917497989a4f66945e6b6cb33f53b35839595 | (Health.com) -- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects more than the mind. The disorder may damage blood vessels and increase the risk of dying early, according to new research presented today at an annual meeting of the American Heart Association. The study included about 286,000 mostly male veterans between the ages of 45 and 81 who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and conflicts dating back to the Korean War. The vets with PTSD -- who accounted for roughly 10 percent of the study participants -- had more than double the risk of dying during the 10-year study compared to their peers who didn't have disorder, the researchers found. Health.com: Depression, PTSD common among Iraq vets . Twenty-nine percent of the vets with PTSD died during the study, compared to 8 percent of the vets without PTSD. (The overall death rate in the study was 13 percent.) The increased risk of death associated with PTSD held even after the researchers controlled for factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking. A separate analysis involving heart scans from 637 of the veterans found that men and women with PTSD had more calcium buildup in their arteries than vets without post-traumatic stress. Calcium buildup is a hallmark of atherosclerosis (also known as hardening of the arteries), which can lead to heart attacks. Health.com: Surprising heart attack risks . Among veterans with similar degrees of calcium buildup, those who had PTSD were 48 percent more likely to die of any cause during the study and 41 percent more likely to die from heart disease compared to those without PTSD, according to the study, which was led by Naser Ahmadi, MD, a cardiologist at the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Administration Medical Center. "If a vet has PTSD, they need to be under surveillance for cardiovascular disease as they age," says Joseph Boscarino, PhD, a senior investigator at Geisinger Center for Health Research, in Danville, Pennsylvania., and an expert on the link between post-traumatic stress and physical illness. Boscarino did not participate in the new study. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that occurs after exposure to a traumatic event, including sexual abuse and military combat. People with the condition experience recurring, intrusive memories about the event, and may also experience emotional numbness and detachment. Health.com: Traumatized? Playing Tetris may reduce flashbacks . Previous studies have linked PTSD to a greater risk of death and heart disease, but the new study is the first to explore what's behind the relationship. The explanation is likely complicated, says Laura Kubzansky, PhD, an associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston. Inflammation stemming from constant stress may be involved, she says, but other factors or unhealthy behaviors -- such as not getting enough exercise -- may be partly responsible as well. "People with PTSD are trying to make themselves feel better in lots of different ways," says Kubzansky, who didn't take part in Dr. Ahmadi's study. Behaviors such as smoking "clearly contribute, but there's something else going on." It's not clear from the study whether treating PTSD can lower a person's risk of atherosclerosis or heart disease. Still, Dr. Ahmadi says that PTSD should be treated using effective techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, preferably as soon as possible after the traumatic event. "If you don't treat PTSD, it's like a vicious cycle," he says. Health.com: Can Ecstasy help ease post-traumatic stress? Boscarino says that thousands of veterans have contacted him to ask whether they can make disability claims for heart disease and post-traumatic stress to the Veterans Administration. "The veteran community is very frustrated right now because they can't get a ruling on this [from the VA]," he says. "They have to fight each case over and over again, which is not the case for Agent Orange...or other military disability exposures." Dr. Ahmadi presented his findings at the American Heart Association's annual Scientific Sessions meeting, which highlights the latest heart-related research and treatment advances. Unlike studies published in medical journals, the research presented at the meeting has not been vetted by independent experts in the field. Copyright Health Magazine 2011 . | Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects more than the mind .
Disorder may damage blood vessels and increase the risk of dying early .
Veterans who had PTSD were 48 percent more likely to die of any cause during the study . |
182a44324a41e213d7bdc404857c1295f3059497 | Greeted by throngs of Catholic worshipers from across the region, Pope Benedict XVI ended his two-country tour in Havana's Revolution Plaza with a reference to what he described as a need for "authentic freedom." Changes between Cuba and the world can come only if "each one is prepared to ask for the truth and if they decide to take the path of love, sowing reconciliation and brotherhood," the pope said Wednesday. He also met with the Communist country's former leader, Fidel Castro, before heading to the airport for a Rome-bound flight Wednesday evening. Conflicting reports emerged Wednesday over whether the pope had met with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Two Cuban sources told CNN the pontiff met Tuesday with Chavez, who is in Cuba for cancer treatment. But Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said reports of the meeting were false. In a farewell speech just before boarding the plane, he criticized the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba, saying "restrictive economic measures, imposed from outside the country, unfairly burden its people." Benedict, whose office has routinely cast the trip in the context of a spiritual pilgrimage, at times addressed political issues -- often subtly, and on occasion more overtly. At the start of his visit, aboard a flight from Rome, he denounced violence caused by the drug war in Mexico and blasted Cuba's Marxist political system by saying it "no longer corresponds to reality." Later, he prayed for "those deprived of freedom" while in Cuba's southeastern city of Santiago de Cuba. And he made several references to freedom in his final sermon in Havana, addressing a nation that human rights groups have routinely denounced for its abuses. Many in Cuba and around the world listened closely to the pope's homily at the enormous open-air Mass Wednesday to see whether he would expand on -- or be more forceful in -- his apparent criticisms. But his comments often seemed couched in a broader discussion of religious openness. "It is with joy that in Cuba there have been steps so that the church can carry out its mission," but the country must continue to strengthen this path, he said. Tens of thousands of faithful packed Revolution Plaza to hear Wednesday's Mass. The pope arrived in the so-called popemobile, his bulletproof vehicle, which slowly made its way to the altar. At some points, he appeared just a few feet from the crowd, which shifted as onlookers tried to get a closer look. Rescue workers carried away at least three people who fainted in what was a comparably mild Caribbean heat, after waiting for hours for the pope to arrive. "Every time the pontiff comes comes here, there's always some sort of transformative period for us afterward," said Jorge Luis Rodriguez, a Havana resident who joined the thousands that filled the square on Wednesday. But Cuban dissidents complained that police prohibited some activists from leaving their homes to attend the Mass and that others were detained. Amnesty International said in a statement that activists were "facing a surge in harassment in a bid to silence them during the pope's visit." Government opponents were detained, threatened or stopped from traveling freely leading up to pontiff's arrival, according to the human rights group. "The clampdown has seen an increase in arrests, activists' phones have been disconnected, and some have had their houses surrounded to prevent them (from) denouncing abuses during Pope Benedict's tour," the group said. CNN could not independently confirm those reports. The pope's visit comes 14 years after Pope John Paul II addressed massive crowds near the towering sculpture of Che Guevara in the historic first papal visit to the island nation. Elsida Martinez, a Havana resident who said she watched from the square when John Paul spoke in 1998, said there was a noticeable difference between the two pontiffs. Cuba itself was also different, she said. "When we saw John Paul, Cubans didn't really know anything about religion," Martinez said. "Now we're open more. We practice (religion) more. We believe more." When John Paul came "it was a different period in our history," said Camilo Ortiz, a 50-year-old Havana resident, but the former pontiff's visit still "had more power" than Benedict's. "During that time, there were many difficulties here," Ortiz added. "Now, there are some changes, and things are a little better." After the island's so-called "special period," which began in the early 1990s after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Cuba -- which had long enjoyed Soviet subsidies -- was confronted with a prolonged period of economic hardship. When John Paul visited years later, the country was still reeling from its effects. Cuba is Benedict's second stop on a tour that has also taken him to Mexico, where he denounced the violence-plagued drug war before traveling to the island nation. "In Cuba, there will not be political reform," said Marino Murillo, vice president of the island's council of ministers, responding to the pope's remarks about its Marxist political system. But some Havana residents at Wednesday's Mass said they were optimistic. "For me, there's a hope" that comes with Benedict's visit, Ortiz said. "There's a hope that something's going to change." | Pope Benedict XVI meets with former Cuban leader Fidel Castro .
The pope ends his trip to Cuba referencing a need for "authentic freedom"
In a farewell speech before leaving, he criticizes the U.S. trade embargo .
Rights group: Authorities harassed activists, tried to silence them during pope's visit . |
182a90328cea3d382f90a2e5e1b4083d3eab538e | Crowds once again lined the streets of Manila to see Pope Francis one final time as he made his way to the airport at the end of his visit to the Philippines. Filipino President Benigno Aquino, catholic church leaders and hundreds of children saw the Pope off at Manila air base where the Pontiff, carrying his hand luggage, boarded a plane bound for Rome. His departure followed yesterday's Mass in the nation's capital where a record six million gathered for prayers. Scroll down for video . Pope Francis waved goodbye to the faithful as he boarded a plane bound for Rome today after a five-day visit to the Philippines . Cheering crowds lined the streets of Manila once more as the Pontiff travelled through the city in the Popemobile for the last time . Hasta la vista Papa: A boy holds up a sign as the Pope passes by on his way to Manila air base, marking the end of his visit to Asia . The Pope's motorcade passed through Manila earlier this morning as he travelled to the air base to meet Catholic dignitaries . Biggest Mass ever? Six million gathered to see Pope Francis saying Mass in Manila, the Philippine capital, yesterday . Hundreds of thousands of Catholics gathered in the streets of Manila to get a final glimpse of the 78-year-old Pope as he was driven to the airport in his white Popemobile. People shouted his name and wept in joy as he passed through the city's streets for the last time. 'He's my No. 1 world leader,' said Rita Fernandez, a 63-year-old mother-of-four. 'He rides on a bus. He flew to Tacloban to visit the typhoon survivors despite the storm and he stops to talk to the poor. He's a living saint.' Those who were unable to squeeze through the roadside throng stood on top of ladders to unfurl posters proclaiming their love for the Pontiff. Speaking at the airport, President Aquino said the Pope's five-day visit was a success. He said: 'He was very happy with the hospitality. He said he really felt the warmth.' A girl, who was rescued and found shelter in a Church-run community, broke down in tears and could not finish her prepared welcome after meeting the Pope at yesterday's Mass . Goodbye: Pope Francis waves as he leaves Manila. The Pope had been in the Philippines for five days, visiting Manila and Tacloban City . Thousands make their way home after seeing the Pope make his way through central Manila for the final time . A man holds a cloth proclaiming his love for the Pope as he waits to catch a glimpse of the Pontiff on his way to the airport . Hundreds of thousands of Catholics gathered in the streets of Manila to get a final glimpse of the 78-year-old Pope as he was driven to the airport in his white Popemobile . Pope Francis dedicated the trip to the Philippines to the poor, marginalised and victims of injustice. He denounced the corruption that has robbed them of a dignified life, visited street children and traveled to Tacloban to offer prayers for survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, the deadly 2013 storm that ravaged the city. A record six million poured into Manila's rain-soaked streets and its biggest park yesterday as Francis ended his Asian pilgrimage, surpassing the five million who turned out for Pope John Paul II's Mass in the city in 1995. The Pope also dedicated the final chapter of his Asian trip to children as the Mass fell on an important feast day honouring the infant Jesus. His focus was a reflection of the importance the Vatican places on Asia as the future of the church since it is one of the few places where Catholic numbers are growing, with the Philippines the largest Catholic nation in the region. 'We need to care for our young people, not allowing them to be robbed of hope and condemned to a life on the streets,' Pope Francis said. The Pope's last full day in the Philippines began with a youth gathering at a Catholic university in Manila, where attendees were moved by a question posed by a 12-year-old orphan girl. Glyzelle Iris Palomar asked him: 'Many children are abandoned by their parents. Many of them became victims and bad things have happened to them, like drug addiction and prostitution. Why does God allow this to happen, even if the children are not at fault? Why is it that only a few people help us?' One final glimpse: Thousands bid goodbye to the Pope as leaves the Philippines, Asia's most predominatly Catholic country . Pope Francis dedicated the trip to the Philippines to the poor, marginalised and victims of injustice, as well as the children of the Asian nation . Pope Francis boards his Philippine Airlines chartered plane after meeting President Benigno Aquino and Catholic dignitaries at the air base . Watch your step: The 78-year-old carefully boarded the plane earlier today, clutching his black hand luggage as he climbed the steps . Send off: Hundreds of children saw the Pope off at Manila air base with music, singing and dancing earlier this morning . Students rehearse a dance, hours prior to the departure of Pope Francis at Villamor Airbase in Manila . The girl, who was rescued and found shelter in a Church-run community, broke down in tears and could not finish her prepared welcome. The Pope hugged her and later put aside most of his own prepared speech to respond. 'She is the only one who has put forward a question for which there is no answer and she was not even able to express it in words but rather in tears,' he said, visibly moved. 'Why do children suffer?' the Argentine Pope said, speaking in his native Spanish. An aide translated his words into English for the crowd of about 30,000 young people on the grounds of the Church-run university. 'I invite each one of you to ask yourselves, "Have I learned how to weep, how to cry when I see a hungry child, a child on the street who uses drugs, a homeless child, an abandoned child, an abused child, a child that society uses as a slave?"' The crowd in Manila - a sea of humanity in colourful rain ponchos spread out across the 148-acre park - erupted in shrieks of joy when he drove by, a reflection of the incredible resonance Francis' message about caring for society's most marginal has had in a country where about a quarter of its 100 million people live in poverty. In Sri Lanka, during the first leg of his Asian trip, Francis pressed his call for national reconciliation by canonizing the country's first saint, the Reverend Joseph Vaz, and visiting the war-ravaged north to pray at a shrine. Reverend Vaz was a 17th century Indian missionary who revived the faith in Sri Lanka during a time of anti-Catholic persecution by Dutch colonists, who were Protestants. Pope Francis said the Sri Lankan church today wants to continue Vaz's legacy of service to all, asking only for the freedom to preach in return. 'Religious freedom is a fundamental human right,' he said. | Crowds lined the streets of Manila one final time as Pope Francis made his way to the airport at the end of his visit .
Hundreds of thousands cheered and waved as the Pontiff travelled through the city in his white Popemobile .
Dancing children, Catholic dignitaries and the President of the Philippines met the Pope at the airport as he left .
Pope Francis, clutching his hand luggage, turned and waved as he boarded the plane bound for Rome .
His departure comes the day after a record six million people gathered to watch him say Mass in Manila . |
182ca934387c6dabe7127271754194348f0e97c9 | London (CNN) -- Trust the carriers of the Persian Gulf to cause mischief again. Having already destroyed the economics of the cosy international airline world, previously dominated by the European airlines, now the gulf carriers seem set to mess up the airline alliances too. All the major European airlines are now part of one of the three big alliances. There is Star (the biggest) based around Lufthansa and United Airlines; Skyteam based around Air France/KLM and Delta; Oneworld based around BA and American Airlines. Read more: How would you save American Airlines? The gulf airlines have until now eschewed the alliances. Firstly because competitively the alliances didn't want them, and secondly because they were growing very nicely, thank you, without them. The reality is the three gulf carriers, Emirates, Qatar and Etihad are forces with which to be reckoned. Strategic investments by co-operative governments have given them large fleets and huge airports. They have created a flourishing environment while established carriers languish. Where London, Paris and Frankfurt were the traditional change-hubs, today Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi are perfectly placed at the crossroads of east and west. They are able to open up vast new markets in the Indian and Asian continent, as anyone who has been in those airports in the middle of the night can see. Over the past year the gulf airlines have expanded their investments and routes and in doing so are slowly disrupting, some say destroying, the airline alliances. It is oneworld that is feeling the effects most. First, James Hogan's Etihad bought an equity stake in Air Berlin, a oneworld member. That deal raised eyebrows but it is workable within the alliance. Then, rival Tim Clark's Emirates set up a 10-year partnership with Qantas -- another oneworld member -- which will clearly have major implications on relations with other alliance members such as BA and Cathay. But everyone put a brave face on it. Ailing Qantas announces alliance with Emirates . Today Akbar Al Bakar's Qatar Airways joins oneworld and comes within the fold. So, all three gulf carriers are now, in some shape or form, in bed with oneworld airlines. That would be confusing enough, but now another nail has been hammered into the alliance coffin. Oneworld's Air Berlin (and its paymaster Etihad) is entering a relationship with Air France/KLM, a member of Skyteam. And it's not just a codeshare, but a long-standing strategic tie-up. Hang on. How on earth can a oneworld Air Berlin do a strategic tie up with the leading carrier in a rival airline and keep its loyalty to oneworld? Even allowing for the fact oneworld is a looser federation of airlines than Star, this is a nonsense. The oneworld members are now either in bed with rival gulf carriers or hitched to rival alliance members in strategic partnerships. It beggars belief to think that oneworld can be more than a frequent flyer earn-and-burn alliance under those circumstances. The one who has most right to be annoyed is Al Bakar at Qatar. Once he is a full member he can rightly ask after the loyalties of Qantas and Air Berlin. Are they to his airline as a oneworld member? Or to Emirates and Etihad as their respective partners? We know the answer. It is a mess. More Quest: Chile's president on the U.S.' economic problems . Clark at Emirates has always said the alliances' days are numbered. At this year's IATA conference he sparked a lively debate with the view that the alliances were passed their sell by date because they couldn't address the competitive demands of today's market. He may be right. They were a creation of necessity because global airlines cannot legally consolidate. However, as we are now seeing, the gulf carriers are either joining the alliances (Qatar) picking them off one by one (Emirates) or simply creating split loyalties (Etihad). I predict that Air Berlin will eventually leave oneworld and join Skyteam to tidy up its relationship. I predict Qantas will slowly but surely drift away from oneworld but keep one foot in the camp because of its relationship with American Airlines and U.S. routes. And I predict Star loses Brazil's TAM to oneworld next year. And throughout all of this the gulf carriers continue doing ad hoc deals where necessary (Emirates talking to American, for instance) and re-writing the rules. The point here is that the gulf carriers are in the left seat. They have the planes, the hubs, the connections and are opening up the new markets. Now the alliances have to learn how to deal with it. It won't be pretty. More Quest: Barroso on why European federation is 'unavoidable' | CNN's Richard Quest says the carriers of the Persian Gulf are causing mischief again .
They have eschewed airline alliances but are forces with which to be reckoned .
Quest predicts changes including Air Berlin leaving oneworld .
Throughout it all the Gulf carriers will continue doing ad hoc deals where necessary . |
182d1703dfda399bc9232776f2d295bba74f72ab | (CNN) -- A magnitude 6.7 earthquake rattled Papua New Guinea early Friday afternoon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake was centered about 200 miles north-northeast of Port Moresby and had a depth of 28 miles. No tsunami warning was issued, according to the Tsunami Warning Center. Papua New Guinea is on the so-called Ring of Fire, an arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin that is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. | Papua New Guinea is on the so-called Ring of Fire .
It's on an arc of fault lines that is prone to frequent earthquakes .
No tsunami warning was issued . |
182d605e99ecd75301157700e7956447a103177b | By . Mike Dawes . Sir Bradley Wiggins has been treated like a visiting celebrity on his return to the track with Team England. Although three of Wiggins’ four Olympic golds came in the velodrome, he has been a road specialist for the best part of six years, culminating in his historic Tour de France success in 2012. He is now back in England’s team pursuit line-up at the Commonwealth Games and pondering another track run at Rio 2016. Back on track: Wiggins will be part of Team England's team pursuit line-up at the Glasgow Games . Teamwork: Wiggins leads the team pursuit in their training session on July 14 . Team-mate Ed Clancy said: ‘Brad’s return is definitely a good thing. He’s exciting, he brings a lot of energy, everyone knows he is a character and he is a superstar now, a massive superstar in the world of cycling. ‘When he walked in that first day [of training], we thought we haven’t seen this guy for a while and since we last saw him he’s won the Tour; he’s a big deal these days. ‘I just didn’t want to say anything stupid but he’s dead cool, just like he always was.’ | Wiggins is in team pursuit line-up and considering a track run at Rio 2016 .
Team-mate Ed Clancy described Wiggins as 'a massive celebrity' following his return to the Team England fold for the Glasgow Games . |
182f2c9e91246487d8fdcba6978d593764230b35 | The Duchess of Cambridge was tonight consulting with doctors over whether to go ahead with her first solo foreign royal trip to Malta this weekend. Kate, 32, who is around eight weeks pregnant with her second child with husband, Prince William, has been suffering from hypermesis gravidarum, a severe vomiting condition. The illness saw Kate hospitalised in the early weeks of her pregnancy with her first baby, Prince George, now one. Scroll down for video . The Duchess of Cambridge (last pictured with Prince William on August 5) has consulted doctors over her impending trip to Malta after suffering severe bouts of morning sickness in the early stages of her pregnancy . The Duchess is due to represent the Queen this weekend on a two-day visit to the Mediterranean island as Malta celebrates the 50th anniversary of its independence from Britain. The trip was seen as being a sign of Kate's growing royal role, not least because the island holds such a special place in the Queen's heart. The monarch spent many happy months there before she acceded to the throne when her husband, Prince Philip was stationed there with the Royal Navy. Royal sources have told the Mail that the Duchess is hanging on to the last possible minute to decide whether she is medically fit to go. The Duchess of Cambridge suffered the same illness throughout her first pregnancy with Prince George and was admitted to the King Edward VII Hospital . The trip to Malta is to be one of the first in which the Duchess of Cambridge acts alone on behalf of the Queen . 'She has been terribly sick again but is desperately keen to go if she can,' said one. A Kensington Palace spokesman said last night:'The Duke and Duchess will make a final decision this evening, in consultation with the Duchess's doctors.' | Duchess of Cambridge is around eight weeks pregnant with second child .
Suffers from hypermesis gravidarum, a severe vomiting condition .
Illness saw Kate hospitalised in early stages of first pregnancy .
Duchess is due to represent Queen this weekend on solo trip to Malta . |
182fa3a92501689b125239da82a660d0cb26d724 | Fried chicken chain KFC famous for its 'finger lickin' good' slogan has been a mainstay on British high streets since 1965. Now almost 50 years since the opening of its first store, the fast food chain has gone upmarket with a snazzy makeover which aims to give a more homely atmosphere. A branch in Bracknell, in Berkshire, is the first of the country's 870 restaurants to undergo a revamp. Scroll down for videos . The KFC branch in Bracknell, in Berkshire, has undergone a revamp to create a more homely atmosphere . A new feature is a semi-open plan kitchen that will allow diners to see their food being prepared . The red and white plastic has been replaced with brick-effect walls and timber tables, designed to replicate a 'kitchen as the heart of the home' image. Commissioned artists will provide illustrations and photographs to adorn the walls - and the space will be brightly lit by low hanging copper lighting. A new feature added to the restaurants is a semi-open plan kitchen that will allow diners to see their food being prepared. Its design should also allow service to be much faster. At the KFC restaurants, the red and white plastic has been replaced with brick-effect walls and timber tables . Jade Swaby, KFC's creative design manager, said: 'We wanted the design to reflect the fact that, unlike many "fast food" restaurants, at KFC cooks prepare and make fresh food, from scratch, every day – so the sense of the kitchen being the heart of the home really influenced the authentic, inviting design.' Founded by Colonel Harland D Sanders in Kentucky in the 1950s and known for its 'Finger Lickin' Good' slogan until it shortened this to 'So Good' three years ago, KFC has been on British high streets since opening its first UK outlet in Preston in 1965. During the past decade KFC UK and Ireland has nearly doubled the number of chicken products it sells to £690m from £379m in 2004. The new design hopes to create the sense of 'the kitchen being the heart of the home' Almost 50 years since the first store opened in the UK, a new design has been launched . Sales of hot chicken wings have increased from £60m a year to £135m, while overall UK and Ireland revenues have nearly doubled from about £500m to close to £1bn. Earlier this year it was revealed that KFC is planning to create up to 6,500 new jobs with the opening of 150 additional outlets in the UK and Ireland over the next five years. | KFC branch in Bracknell is the first in the country to undergo a revamp .
Red and white plastic replaced with brick-effect walls and timber tables .
New design hopes to replicate a 'kitchen as the heart of the home' image . |
182fe3f052e56773a72084241a1f6c0821c9f4fb | The gunman who opened fire at a Delaware courthouse on Monday killed his son's ex-wife and her friend, who were preparing to appear in court to continue a long-running legal battle over the shooter's three granddaughters. Thomas S Matusiewicz, 68, was reportedly furious with Christine Belford - who had gained full custody of his three granddaughters after his son was sent to prison for kidnapping them in 2007 and taking them to Central America for 18 months. Belford and her friend Laura Elizabeth 'Beth' Mulford were at the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday morning for a child support hearing against Ms Belford's ex-husband, David T Matusiewcz. Murdered: Christine Belford, center, was killed when her ex-husband's father opened fire in a Wilmington, Delaware, courthouse. Her ex-husband abducted the couple's three daughters in 2007 . Tragedy: Matusiewicz opened fire in the lobby of the courthouse, before he had to pass through metal detectors. He shot four people, two of them fatally . Victims: Laura Elizabeth 'Beth' Mulford (right) had accompanied her friend Belford (left) to court for a child support hearing. Both women were shot dead by the father of Belford's ex-husband . David Matusiewicz was in the lobby of the courthouse when his father opened fire with a .45-caliber pistol and shot dead Ms Belford and Ms Mulford. Thomas Matusiewicz also shot two Capitol police guards in the chest before he was killed in an exchange of fire with the officers. The officers were saved by their bulletproof vests and sustained only minor injuries. Police detained David Matusiewcz on Monday and questioned him for several hours. It is unknown whether he played any role in the shooting. On Tuesday, he was scheduled to appear in federal court for an unrelated probation violation hearing. Released: The dead woman's husband was David T. Matusiewicz, who served four years in federal prison and was released in April . Thomas Matusiewicz watched both his son, who was once a promising optometrist, and his wife Lenore go to federal prison for the 2007 kidnapping of his grandchildren from Ms Belford. The Wilmington News-Journal reports that Matusiewicz seemed convinced that his former daughter-in-law was abusing his granddaughters. He told the newspaper in 2009 that he had hired a private detective to investigate their home life. 'Once that stuff seemed to start happening, he wasn’t shy about accusing his daughter(-in-law), talking about drugs and saying all kinds of things, like "She shouldn’t have the kids" and, "They’re no good,"' former neighbor Walter Rieth told the News-Journal. He said Thomas Matusiewicz owned several guns and talked about hunting on property he own in New Jersey. Ms Belford's neighbors say she was terrified of her ex-husband's family. They say she installed cameras and a security system at her house and took other steps to protect her children. 'She had all the windows changed with special locks. She had cameras around the house. She had two huge dogs. She didn’t know whether she should get a gun. Her house is like Fort Knox, so I thought she was safe,' neighbor Lois Dawson told the News-Journal. Witnesses said Thomas Matusiewicz's rampage had deadly efficiency. He stepped off the elevated leading from the parking garage to the lobby of the courthouse and immediately pulled out a pistol and opened fire on Ms Belford and Ms Mulford. He then fired on two officers who were guarding the entrance to the courthouse. The shooting occurred about 8.10am in the lobby, where up to 60 people had lined up to pass through metal detectors to enter the main part of the building. David Matusiewic's 2007 kidnapping of his daughters became national news and was featured on programs like 'America's Most Wanted.' Deployed: Heavily-armed SWAT officers fanned out around the courthouse to ensure there were no other shooters . Secured: The New Castle County Courthouse has rows of metal detectors and up to ten security guards. However, the gunmen opened fire in a lobby while people were waiting to pass through security . In March 2009, authorities found the . girls living with Matusiewicz and his mother in a squalid, cramped . trailer in Nicaragua along with Lenore. The daughters were ages 4, 6 and 7 at the time. One of the girls is autistic. Matusiewicz . was arrested for kidnapping and also convicted of forging his wife's . signature so he could take out a $249,000 home equity loan. He served . four years in federal prison. He was released in April 2012. Ms . Belford contacted the News-Journal in December and told a reporter she . had an upcoming court hearing with Matusiewcz to confront him about back . child support. 'Kids are doing ok. Some lingering issues, as expected, for all of us,' she wrote. | Thomas S Matusiewcz, 68, killed his son's ex-wife Christine Belford and her friend at New Castle County Courthouse .
He was then killed in a shootout with police .
Matusiewcz was convinced Belford was mistreating his granddaughters, who his son David Matusiewcz kidnapped for 18 months in 2007 . |
18311974fee676162ce4dbb77ed5c1d92912c767 | Mike Phillips has promised not to give up his Wales jersey without a fight after the selection panel sent a warning to their under-performing Lions stars ahead of the second Test against South Africa. The coaching staff are ready to wield the axe and Phillips, the 31-year-old scrum-half, is among a group of senior players who could pay the price for Saturday’s humiliating 38-16 defeat in Durban. Wales have some exciting prospects – including No 9s Gareth Davies, 23, Rhodri Williams, 21 and the injured Rhys Webb, 25 – waiting in the wings but Phillips is ready to turn up the heat to keep his place in the starting XV. Defiant: Mike Phillips won't give up his jersey without a fight . ‘It is always tough and we have good competition throughout the squad, and particularly at nine,’ said Phillips. ‘Gareth Davies did really well we he came on last week, which is great for him. I am being pushed all the way but it is great to have competition; you have to relish it. ‘No-one takes the jersey for granted and everyone knows Gatland will have no hesitation putting big names on the bench. The performance last week was not good enough for the jersey and what we represent. We are feeling under pressure for our places, when you lose you are there to be shot at.’ Phillips will discover his fate at Thursday’s team announcement in Nelspruit, where the tourists will arrive after a short stopover in Cape Town. Wales had just one training session to prepare for the opening Test, but preparations are well underway for the series-decider at the Mbombela Stadium. Below par: Phillips admits the performance against South Africa was not up to scratch . There can be no repeat of the display on the Eastern Cape and defence coach Shaun Edwards admitted Wales were ill-prepared for the tour opener. ‘It is an excuse but we only trained together once last week,’ said Edwards. ‘We were intent on preparing the Tuesday team and getting them up to speed after what had happened in the Probables vs Possibles game, so we had only one training session with the first team and the captain’s run on Friday. Ill-prepared: Shaun Edwards admits Wales were not ready for the first Test . ‘I hadn’t seen Jonathan Davies for three months, except for the Probables vs Possibles game. Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies had only played together for 20 minutes. 'We’ve been able to get some drilling in this week and hopefully we can get back to speed.’ Asked how Wales will deal with the threat of South Africa full-back Willie Le Roux, who was the standout performer in the opening Test, Edwards added: ‘I was thinking of locking him in the toilet before the game and getting a padlock for it.’ | Under-performing Lions stars face battle for their places after poor showing .
Phillips and other senior players under pressure to keep spots .
Wales were thrashed 38-16 in Saturday's first Test in Durban . |
183169a79cd21143d7f20d2fc14733e63c21a1a0 | (CNN) -- Australian wonder mare Black Caviar extended her unbeaten streak to 25 races in some style on Saturday, blowing away her rivals in the TJ Smith Stakes at Sydney's Randwick Racecourse. Her 25th victory was also her 15th at the sports highest level, overtaking the mark of 14 Group 1 wins set by the legendary Kingston Town in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was in 2011 that Black Caviar posted what many consider her greatest-ever performance in this very race, beating Hay List by three lengths after trailing him by the same distance coming into the home straight. On this occasion no such heroics were required. Facing one of her toughest-ever fields, including her old foe Hay List, admittedly not the force he once was, and the in-form Bel Sprinter, Black Caviar's regular rider Luke Nolen had to jockey for position in the early stages as he sought to overcome an unfavorable inside draw. The decisive move came around 300 meters out, when Nolen guided her away from the softer ground by the rail and settled her behind the leaders towards the middle of the track. From there, all Nolen had to do was pull the pin and the six-year-old instantly responded, lengthening away from the rest of the field with her to claim her eight consecutive Group 1 win. All day Sydneysiders had celebrated the presence of one of Australia's most popular sporting heroes. Flags in her trademark salmon and black colors fluttered over Sydney's iconic harbor, while the capacity crowd ensured Randwick Racecourse was filled the rafters. Speaking after the race, Black Caviar's trainer Peter Moody praised the crowd, adding that he was "extremely proud" of his mare for breaking Kingston Town's record. As Black Caviar was cheered on her way back to the winners' enclosure her jockey noted, "You can see what she means to racing. To be part of that -- words escape me." With Black Caviar's form seemingly better than ever despite her age, her connections have hinted that a return to Royal Ascot, scene of her narrowest-ever victory, may be on the cards later this summer before a rendezvous with Frankel in the breeding shed in what would surely be considered the racing world's own royal wedding. | Black Caviar wins 25th straight race on Saturday in Sydney -- 15th straight at highest level .
Jockey on Black Caviar: "You can see what she means to racing. To be part of that -- words escape me."
Black Caviar's connections hint that a return to Royal Ascot may be on the cards this summer . |
1831ba7e1177dec5fa30b9fa03e985ca8da1b961 | An Iranian man should be sentenced to having his eyes gouged out after pouring acid over a young girl's face leaving her blind, an Iranian court has ruled. Opposition group, The National Council of Resistance of Iran, said the man could have his right ear and nose cut off as punishment for attacking the girl with acid, causing her to lose her eyesight and right ear. The man was convicted last October of intentionally attacking the girl, haartez.com reported. President Hassan Rohani won a surprise election last year, after pledging more openness with the West. But an increased use of the death penalty has dashed hopes the country's will improve its human rights record, the UN said . The national council said Iran's high court defended cutting off the body parts of those found guilty of a crime, and removing eyes, as part of the country's judicial system. Last month, the state-run Mehr news . agency, reported another Iranian man was sentenced to have one hand and . one foot cut off as punishment for an unspecified crime. As many as 95 people are thought to have been executed in Iran this year. The dramatic rise in the use of the death penalty has dashed hopes for human rights reform under President Hassan Rohani, the United Nations said earlier this year. President Rohani won a surprise election last year, after pledging more openness with the West. In September, the country released dozens of political prisoners, prompting hopes Iran would improve their human rights record. 'There were some encouraging signs last year where political prisoners were released ... But it appears at least in the past seven weeks that in fact executions have been scaled up,' UN human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a news briefing. 'We regret that the new government has not changed its approach to the death penalty and continues to impose capital punishment for a wide range of offences. We urge the government to immediately halt executions and to institute a moratorium.' Last year Iran executed between 500 and 625 people, including at least 28 women and two children, Ms Shamdasani said. | Opposition group claims Iran's high court has sentenced man to gouging and losing his ear and nose .
The man was convicted of intentionally attacking the girl in October .
Last month another man was sentenced to having his hand and foot cut off .
Court claimed cutting off body parts is part of the judicial system . |
1832b8c09ac028419faa3a68076cad52feb4e761 | One of the victims of the Asiana Airlines crash left a poignant final message on her microblogging account before she joined her classmates on Flight 214 to San Francisco. Wang Linjia, 16, was among a group of injured passengers who were not found by rescuers until 14 minutes after the crash nine days ago. Her final online posting read: 'Give yourself some affirmation, you're stronger than you . think. It's only called youth because it's painful. I always feel like . there's not enough time, yet I have no idea where my time goes.' Scroll down for video . Tragic: Ye Mengyuan, left, and Wang Linjia, right, are two of the three Chinese students killed the crash landing . The three schoolgirls who died following the crash have been described as star students by those back home in Zhejiang province in eastern China. They were on their way to a Christian summer camp in California where they planned to practice their English and improve their chances of getting into an American college. Wang, described by neighbours as quiet, courteous and hardwarking, excelled in physics and calligraphy. Her father proudly displayed her calligraphy and artwork on his office walls, AP reports. Confident and popular, she worked as a student reporter and served as a class monitor for three years. Liu Yipeng, 15, died on Friday after six days in intensive care . Wang and her close friend Ye Mengyuan, also 16, died on the day of the crash at San Francisco International Airport. The girls had been 'inseparable' since middle school, with photographs posted online showing them smiling and mugging for the camera while dressed in their school tracksuits. Ye was a champion . athlete who excelled at literature, playing the piano, singing and . public speaking. She had recently won a national aerobics competition, local media said, and routinely received honors at the school's annual speech contests. After her death, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV released footage showing Ye playing the piano at an event earlier this year. Her given name means 'wish come true' in Chinese. Ye had been badly injured in the . crash and was lying on the runway when she was hit by a fire truck on its way to help rescue efforts. She was hidden under flame-retardant foam that had been sprayed over the runway. It is not yet clear if Ye survived the crash and died from her injuries from being hit by the fire truck. The third victim Liu Yipeng, 15, died on Friday after six days in intensive care. She was rescued from her seat on the Boeing 777 jetliner and was hospitalized with severe head and abdominal injuries. She has been described as a standout student in math, physics and essay writing as well as a fan of video games. Friends have posted pictures of her holding a microphone and speaking to camera on the school's television station. The three girls were students at the Jiangshan Middle School in the . relatively wealthy eastern province of Zhejiang and had been traveling . to the U.S. to attend a summer camp, visit college campuses and do some . sightseeing. Charred: Asiana Flight 214 burst into flames after crash landing July 6 at San Francisco International Airport . Such tours are well beyond the means of . most Chinese, but have become popular among the newly emerging middle . class as a way of improving their children's English and preparing them . for possible enrollment in an American college. Their parents were flown to San Francisco after their deaths where the Chinese consulate was caring for them. The crash-landing occurred after the airliner collided with a rocky seawall just short of the runway. Dozens of passengers were hurt. There were 182 survivors taken to hospitals, though most suffered only minor injuries. So . far, an investigation indicates the pilots, a trainee and his . instructor, failed to realize until too late that the aircraft was . dangerously low and flying too slow. Asiana Airlines said today that it would enhance training for pilots seeking to convert to flying new aircraft, part of a series of measures it is undertaking after the fatal crash of an Boeing 777 plane in San Francisco. Miracle: Despite the cabin bursting into flames, only three people have so far been identified as dead . Nothing . disclosed so far by the National Transportation Safety Board . investigators indicates any problems with the Boeing 777's engines, . computers or automated systems. The pilot in charge of landing the plane was in training on the 777, while seated next to him was a co-pilot on his first flight as an instructor. Both were experienced pilots, although they had not flown together before, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said. Currently Asiana pilots have to fly 10 flights and a total of 60 hours on a 777 to complete its training programme. Pilot Lee Kang-kuk, a veteran who had nearly 10,000 hours of total flying experience, had completed eight flights and 43 hours on the Boeing 777, a spokesman said. He had flown Airbus planes before switching to the Boeing 777. The new measures will include enhancing training for visual approach and automated flight and conducting flight inspection on airports which are 'vulnerable to safety.' Panic: As fire trucks rushed to the scene, one may have hit and killed Liu Yipeng, 15, in the chaotic aftermath . The pilots aboard the Boeing 777 made a visual approach to San Francisco airport, and relied on automatic equipment to maintain airspeed. Asiana said it will also seek to improve communications skills among crew members, and introduce a system to manage 'fatigue risk.' Other measures include setting up separate maintenance teams for Boeing and Airbus planes, and enhancing safety management systems. Meanwhile, the carrier said on Monday that it planned to sue U.S. television station KTVU for reporting racially offensive fake names for the pilots of the Asiana flight. 'The KTVU report that not only disparaged Asians in general through the use of racially charged epithets, but also severely damaged the reputation of Asiana Airlines,' it said. | Three Chinese victims attended the same school in Zhejiang province .
Liu Yipeng, 15, died in intensive care on Friday from head injuries .
Ye Mengyuan and Wang Linjia, both 16, died on the day of the crash . |
1832c46024e0a5a213a58f924e9e467242774970 | (CNN) -- A new audio recording released online Monday purportedly captures another profanity-laced argument between actor Mel Gibson and former girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, in which he threatens her life and verbally abuses her. RadarOnline released the audio on its website Monday -- the second such recording since another tirade was posted Friday. The site claims the male voice is that of the 54-year-old Gibson. CNN has not independently confirmed the authenticity of the recording. In the audio released Monday, the man on the recording can be heard repeatedly using sexual slurs and profane insults as he grows increasingly enraged throughout the phone conversation. At one point, the man says, "What, what are you threatening me?" after the woman tells him he is "going to answer" for an alleged physical assault against her in which her teeth were broken. "I'll threaten," the man says. "I'll put you in the f***ing rose garden." The man also says of the alleged assault: "You got what you f***ing deserved." In the recording released Friday, the man launches into a racist, sexist rant against the woman, telling her she looks "like a f***ing b**** on heat and if you get raped by a pack of n***ers it will be your fault." It's unclear when either audio recording was captured. Grigorieva, 40, said the female voice on the recordings is hers and that the other voice is Gibson's. CNN's efforts to obtain comment from Gibson have been unsuccessful. Gibson's longtime publicist, Alan Nierob, said Friday, "We can't comment due to legal nature of the matter." Also Friday, the William Morris Endeavor talent agency confirmed to CNN that Gibson is no longer their client. Gibson has been caught in a custody dispute with Grigorieva over the couple's 8-month-old daughter. Last week, the Malibu Hills Police Department opened an investigation into an alleged domestic violence dispute between Gibson and Grigorieva. Grigorieva filed a restraining order against Gibson alleging that the actor and director struck her in the face, according to her spokesman, Stephen Jaffe. Police said last week that they are still in the process of gathering information surrounding Grigorieva's allegations. Grigorieva has spoken with sheriff's deputies and has provided a statement to them in their domestic violence investigation, Jaffe told CNN Friday. The publicist said Grigorieva did not initiate the investigation. The recordings "will be part of the investigation," Los Angeles County Sheriff spokesman Steve Whitmore said on Monday. It is not known how RadarOnline obtained the recordings. Jaffe said Friday that the site did not receive them from Grigorieva. She "absolutely did not provide any tape to the media," he said. Gibson came under fire for a racially charged tirade in 2006, when he admitted to making anti-Semitic remarks during a drunken driving arrest. He issued an apology at the time, and appealed to the Jewish community to help him recover from his alcohol addiction. | Recording purportedly captures fight between actor and ex-girlfriend .
Site says male voice is that of Mel Gibson .
Monday's audio clip is second to be released in four days .
Police investigating domestic violence allegations against Gibson . |
18335221e91e7909cbe18d5ff07e35ed7e4d00c1 | This boy couldn't resist when he saw his opportunity for his 15 minutes of fame. While a news crew in Las Vegas covers the grand opening of Downtown Summerlin, a 125 store shopping and marketplace complex, the boy can be seen looking displeased the camera isn't focusing on him. But when one of the presenters steps aside, so the revelry behind her can be seen, he saunters into shot and steals the show. Scroll down for video . A star is born: The boy looks displeased the camera crew is focusing on the news presenters and not him . Look at me now: When the female presenter steps aside, the boy saunters into shot and strikes a pose . Boogie nights: Two girls watch on amused as the boy starts breaking into his routine like a seasoned dancer . As if staring in his own audition, he looks straight down the barrel of the camera, turns on his heal and strikes a pose. Then he breaks-into his dance routine. He bobs his head up and down and moves his hands from his thighs into a chest-high claps, before breaking out his big-moves... the lasso. Ensuring he has the full attention of viewers at home, he then points to the camera, before moving through a sequence of other cringe-worthy tricks. All together now: The boy tries to get the crowd going by clapping his hands above his head . Owned it: The boy finishes his routine by striking a pose and looking down the lens with plenty of attitude . And like any star on a stage, he completed his performance by striking a pose. Video of the impromptu performance has already spread across social media and has attracted several hundred thousand views on YouTube. Downtown Summerlin was expected to create 2,000 new jobs and the local community were told to turn up with their job references. It is not known if there were any vacancies for dancers. | A news crew were filming the opening of a Las Vegas shopping complex .
When a flamboyant boy spotted his chance to steal the show .
He saunters into shot and then breaks into an impromptu dance routine . |
1833f066d7f9ab4a69796bf648c8851ea428bc71 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 06:48 EST, 1 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:53 EST, 1 October 2013 . Horrendous: Chinese teenager Zhou Yan shows the horrific burns she suffered after she was doused in petrol and set alight because she spurned the advances of a classmate . A Chinese teenager suffered horrific burns to her face after she was doused in petrol and set alight because she spurned the advances of a classmate. Zhou Yan, 17, had been flattered when Tao Rukun, also 17 and the son of a wealthy and well-connected family, had asked her out for a date. But when she decided he was too arrogant, and told him to leave her alone, she said he had become aggressive and threatening. Her worried parents had moved her to a new school, but instead of being put off Tao pestered her at her home, and after asking to speak to her in private in her room last September, doused her in petrol and set her on fire. He then stood by as she screamed and her terrified grandmother tried to put out the blaze that left her horrifically burned over 30 per cent of her body, particularly around her head, neck and chest. Despite the pain, her ordeal was not over as her parents could not afford the medical bills, and were reliant on her attacker's family to pay the cost. Tao’s parents were local government officials. Tao’s father works for Hefei urban planning bureau and his mother is with Hefei Audit Bureau. But when she refused to sign a statement saying it had been an accident, the payments suddenly stopped, and she ended up back at home. Her parents said: 'We did not even have the money to properly repair her room that had been damaged by the fire.' It seemed as if Tao would get away with the attack - until her dad posted a picture of his girl before and after on the internet. It went viral, and put massive pressure on local officials to reopen the case. Stalked: Her parents had moved her to a new school, but instead of being put off Tao pestered her at her home . Traumatic: Her terrified grandmother tried to put out the blaze that left Yan horrifically burned over 30 per cent of her body, particularly around her head, neck and chest . Painful rehabilitation: Yan's parents could not afford the medical bills for her treatment, so they were reliant on her attacker's family to pay the costs. But they stopped paying when she refused to say it was an accident . Pretty: Yan in a picture before the attack next to her in bed while she is treated for her injuries . As a result the attackers family . started to pay the medical bills again, and Tao was jailed for 12 years . by the Baohe District People's Court in Hefei - escaping the death . penalty because he had been 17 when the attack happened. But . it did not help Yan with her depression, and her mother Li Cong, 42, . said: 'She was hysterical when she first woke up. She refused to eat, . cried every day and kept biting her tongue in agony because she couldn’t . move. 'I can’t forget her face when she heard she had to go back to her own bedroom, her old bed headboard was burned black.' Shattered life: Yan with her attacker Tao Rukun, whom she rejected because she thought he was arrogant . Justice: Tao was jailed for 12 years by the Baohe District People's Court in Hefei. He escaped the death penalty because he was 17 at the time of the attack . The . parents feared for the worse, until a kind well-wisher sent her a . classical Chinese musical instrument, a Guqin, a seven-stringed plucked . instrument. And although even she admits she is unable to play any complete songs, she says the simple act of trying has given her a new lease of life. She is now getting lessons, and has also started to study again. She said: 'I want to do my college entrance exams as well, it is a goal to help me forget all the plastic surgery I still need. But I want to put my life back on track, and music has been such a help to me. 'My path to my dreams is now a different one, but thanks to the music I have remembered those dreams again, and I believe there will be miracles waiting on my road to help me fulfil them.' | WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT .
Zhou Yan was asked out on a date by Tao Rukun, the son of wealthy family .
He became angry and threatening when she told him to leave her alone .
Parents moved her to a different school, but he pursued her at her home .
His family stopped paying her medical bills when she refused to say it was an accident .
He was jailed for 12 years when case was reopened after viral campaign . |
1834ad6f7326c1e7edde3026c9d2fe755c7bb149 | Liverpool are in talks with AC Milan about offloading Suso on a season-long loan deal. Milan's offer for the Spaniard includes the view to a permanent transfer the following summer. The Spanish midfielder officially arrived from Cadiz CF in the summer of 2010 but has only made 20 appearances in total since making his debut in a Europa League victory over Swiss side Young Boys in 2012. VIDEO Scroll down for Great dribble by Liverpool's Suso vs. Southampton at St. Mary's . On the move? AC Milan are in talks with Liverpool to take Suso on a season-long loan . The 20-year-old spent last term on loan at Spanish side Almeria and is likely to find regular first team football hard to come by at Anfield this campaign. Suso scored three goals in 33 league appearances for the La Liga outfit as they finished 17th - one point above safety last season. If the Spaniard were to move to Italy, it would be the second transfer to happen between the clubs following Mario Balotelli's £16million move to Liverpool earlier in August. Slim chance: Suso has only made 20 appearances for Liverpool since making in 2012 . | AC Milan in talks to sign Liverpool midfielder Suso on a season-long loan .
Milan's offer includes a view to a permanent transfer next summer .
20-year-old has made just 20 appearances since his Anfield debut in 2012 . |
183560d66b226978730f464fcb18daabdf5cde96 | By . Ryan Gorman . and Associated Press Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 20:33 EST, 2 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 15:08 EST, 3 March 2014 . US officials have reportedly told Israel to stop killing off Iranian nuclear scientists. Israel Moussad spy agancy has supposedly taken out at least five top Iranian nuclear experts in an attempt to slow the country’s nuclear program and continues to do so despite recent agreements reached to end the country’s nuclear ambitions. The brazen hits were carried out using mostly car bombs, and the assassins were never captured, CBS News revealed Sunday in a shocking report as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew to Washington. Scroll down to video . Let's make a deal: President Barack Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last year in the Oval Office - Obama is pressuring Israel to stop killing Iranian Nuclear experts and focus on ironing out differences with Palestine . Israel has never publicly acknowledged the program, according to the report, but it was designed to slow the rogue nation’s nuclear progress, as well as ‘deter trained and educated Iranians from joining their country's nuclear program.’ The Moussad operatives were able to get away with the killings as a result of an extensive network of safe houses within the Islamic state, ‘although several Iranians who may have helped the Mossad were arrested and executed,’ CBS claimed. An unidentified US official disclosed the program to CBS while claiming the Obama administration is leaning on its Middle Eastern ally to stop the targeted killings and wait for the current deal to disarm to play out. That has forced Netanyahu to redirect Moussad’s efforts towards finding proof Iran is cheating on the historic agreement. Agents are scouring the country looking for evidence, but have yet to find any. Netanyahu’s visit to the US capital is also expected to touch upon Israel – Palestine peace talks, and where the two nations stand on Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Palestine wants borders reset to the pre-1967 Isreali invasion lines, something Netanyahu signaled shortly before taking off is a non-starter. This hard line has forced the US to dial back expectations of a firm deal from next month to later this year. | Israel's feared Moussad spy agency has killed at least five Iranian nuclear experts .
The killings were carried out with car bombs, no spies were ever captured by Iran .
The Obama administration instead want Israel to focus on hammering out a permanent peace deal with Palestine . |
18357405a4a0832e02cef8111f0a4f6305018bdf | By . Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 11:26 EST, 17 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:27 EST, 18 September 2013 . Two men and a woman have died after a car ploughed into a hairdresser's shop late last night. People living close to the accident in Bradford, West Yorkshire, tried to help the trio who were in the black Mitsubishi Evo; but all three died at the scene. West Yorkshire Police said the collision happened on Thornton Road as the car was travelling towards the city. The black Mitsubishi Evo crashed into the stone building near the junction of Thornton Road and Kipping Lane . Flowers are laid at the tragic scene where two men and a woman died last night . A spokesman said it left the road close to the junction with Kipping Lane just after 11pm last night and hit the stone building. He said the driver was a 27-year-old man from Denholme, Keighley, the front seat passenger was a 32-year-old man from Thornton, Bradford and the rear seat passenger was a 19-year-old woman, also from Denholme. He said: 'Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward or anyone seeing the black Mitsubishi driving along Thornton Road or in the nearby area prior to the collision is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police's Major Collision Enquiry Team via: 101.' The scene of the fatal car crash in Bradford west Yorkshire, where three people where killed when a car crashed in to a hairdressers' studio . The car was left a crumpled wreck after it smashed into the stone building in Bradford . Nearby residents rushed to help the fatally injured trio after the deadly crash . People living around the hairdressers's shop, which was closed at the time, said the scene was horrific. Andy Rushworth told the Bradford Telegraph & Argus that he and his girlfriend tried to help those who were injured. Mr Rushworth said: 'I was the first to get to them, I was just in the kitchen and I heard it happen and felt the vibrations come through the floor. 'I went outside and saw the car sideways with the bonnet facing Thornton Road. 'My girlfriend came out in her dressing gown, she knows first aid.' But he said there was nothing they could do to save any of those who died. No other vehicles were involved in the collision. The shop was damaged and was boarded up today. | Two men and a woman have died after car hit building at 11pm last night .
Nearby residents tried to help the trio who were in the black Mitsubishi Evo .
All three died at the scene in Bradford, West Yorkshire . |
18364adba9cc26de52d903cf08cefc2fccfb7abe | By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 09:45 EST, 3 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:00 EST, 4 December 2012 . A pony worth £500 was among £270,000 of Ministry of Defence equipment recorded stolen from April to September (file image) A pony worth £500 was among more than £270,000 worth of military property reported stolen in just six months, it emerged today. It is understood the horse was taken by a serving member of the armed forces, but has since been recovered. But as fresh details emerged about the incredible catalogue of military equipment, clothing, silverware, tools, medals and flags which have been stolen, the Ministry of Defence was accused of being too focused on arrivals on military bases and not on what leaves. Details of thefts reported from April to September reveal even secure defence bases are not immune to metal thieves which have also struck across the country as the process of scrap has soared. But it is the theft of a pony which will have raised eyebrows in the MoD, which Defence Secretary Philip Hammond under pressure to prove he takes seriously the issue of government property walking out of the front gates. The pony, worth £500, was stolen at the very end of 2011 but was not recorded as stolen in MoD records until June this year, according to details revealed by defence minister Mark Francois in a parliamentary answer. In the two years from May 2010 £1.25million worth of kit and equipment was stolen, but Mr Hammond has insisted that a 'significant amount has been recovered'. It is understood the pony was taken from the Royal Artillery Equestrian Centre in Hampshire by a serving member of the forces, who was cautioned and has since left the armed forces. The horse was returned at the start of 2012. The biggest single theft recorded in . the six months to the end of September was £26,000 worth of aluminium . taken in July. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has insisted much of the equipment reported stolen is eventually recovered . In May outboard motors worth £25,233 were stolen along . with diving helmets valued at almost £21,000. Land Rover batteries were also taken. The list also included £1,200 of . racing bikes, a set of £2,000 medical knee braces, padlocks worth £3,280 . and paving slabs valued at £138. A Diamond Jubilee medal worth £150 was among the items stolen . The . Ministry of Defence insisted the high value of stolen property was in . part fuelled by a greater awareness of the need to report thefts. Several brass items were taken, including fire fighting fittings, hoses and nozzles. Some £13,000 worth of copper, including pipes, water tanks and roofing sheets, was taken along with more than £14,200 of lead flashing and pipes. A £20 set of galvanised shackles was taken in September. In September hallmarked Silver catering items, including jugs, teapots and baskets, were reported stolen, worth £6,500. A £245 silver rose bowl was also taken. Labour MP Madeleine Moon, who uncovered the figures through parliamentary questions, said: ‘The high level of metal thefts included in the list provided by the MOD and the loss of valuable military equipment such as night vision goggles and bowman radio equipment is very worrying. ‘The continued high level of theft and losses from MOD establishments shows either inadequate tracking systems or that private security firms guarding military bases are too focussed on stopping people entering. ‘Clearly they also need to stop and check the cars and it would appear lorries leaving bases.’ Gadgets included sat navs, DVD players, camcorders, projectors and two TVs worth £1,360. The list also includes sleeping bags, sleeping tablets, bedding, binoculars, gloves, laptops, torches, fire extinguishers, generators, gas meters, and more than £5,200 in fuel. Equipment reported stolen includes body armour, helmets, boots and jackets . A Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal, worth £150, was reported stolen in June - the same month the Queen celebrated 60 years on the throne. Several sets of body armour, plats and helmets worth more than £8,000. Clothing was repeatedly targeted, including jackets, jumpers and trousers. In July a 'women's jumper, Women's slacks, lanyard and scarf' worth £85 was taken. More unusual items to have disappeared include £12,718 of water, 5KG dumbbells worth £55, a £500 solar panel, ceiling spotlights, a ceremonial tunic, £800 in frozen and dried food, a £270 flag, . Almost £22,000 in cash has been stolen, including £18,000 in a single haul. Tools including chainsaws, welding equipment, a wood router, and a £2,000 winch. Labour MP Madeleine Moon said military chiefs should be as careful at checking what leaves bases as what arrives . A dedicated military police team, working on Operation Embroil, trawls internet auction sites including eBay to catch thieves trying to sell stolen defence equipment online. Last year it uncovered 107 cases where military kit was being sold illegally on websites. The Defence Police Federation, which represents civilian Ministry of Defence Police officers, said too often investigators are called in after the trail has 'gone cold'. Federation chairman Eamon Keating said: 'This list is concerning and shows the potential for vital equipment and resources to either be lost or stolen from MoD sites, which is enormously costly to the Department and can be disruptive to service personnel. 'At present, Ministry of Defence Police officers can only investigate missing assets when called in by the Department, and despite these officers’ expertise and professionalism, they are often faced with the unenviable task of investigating thefts after the trail has gone cold and property disposed of.' He said Ministry of Defence police teams should be used 'proactively as a deterrent and to investigate losses straight away'. A MoD spokesman said: ‘The MOD takes the loss or theft of equipment very seriously and works hard to detect and deter theft. ‘There are robust processes in place to raise awareness of the need for vigilance in all aspects of security and we actively encourage individuals to report loss or theft. This work has resulted in a rise in the number of reports over the last year. ‘Where theft does occur and a suspect is identified, prosecution or internal disciplinary action will follow as appropriate.’ | Catalogue of equipment stolen from April to September includes a pony taken by a soldier - who has now left the forces .
Thieves made off with uniforms, helmets, flags, tools and silverware .
Ministry of Defence hit by metal thefts with copper, lead and brass stolen .
Bikes, boats and Land Rovers also targeted but MoD insists many items are recovered .
Labour MP Madeleine Moon says MoD bosses need to check what leaves as well as what arrives at military bases .
Defence Police Federation warns officers are only called in 'when the trail has gone cold' |
1836f65ca2ffe288ea0f100c221031b32c32ec67 | Hillary Clinton has blasted 'whining' in a tirade which appeared to be directed at a former staffer who complained that balancing a stressful job and motherhood was impossible. In an interview with Marie Claire magazine, the Secretary of State gave a stern assessment of a recent public complaint from Anne-Marie Slaughter in which she said holding down a high pressure job in government was incompatible with being a mother. Directly following this, was a quote saying: 'I can't stand whining. I can’t stand the kind of paralysis that some people fall into because they’re not happy with the choices they've made. Stop your whining: Hillary Clinton has blasted 'whining' in a tirade seeming directed at a former staffer who complained balancing stressful jobs and motherhood was not possible . 'You live in a time when there are endless choices... Money certainly helps, and having that kind of financial privilege goes a long way. But you don't even have to have money for it. 'But you have to work on yourself... Do something!' Ms Clinton came under fire after the piece, from this month's magazine, was published online yesterday, but her aides quickly came out in her defence, denying that Ms Slaughter was the particular 'whiner' the secretary of state and mother-of-one was referring to. Instead, she was talking about the fictional . character, Holden Caulfield, from classic novel 'The Catcher in the Rye,' who wasn't mentioned in the Marie Claire story. Juggle: Ms Clinton's remarks came after an assessment of a recent public complaint from Anne-Marie Slaughter, who said holding down a stressful job was incompatible with motherhood . Marie Claire: The anti-whining comments were made in an interview in this month's Marie Claire, pictured . 'It's outlandish and misleading for Marie Clare to imply anything else.' Ms Slaughter - Ms Clinton's former director of policy planning - wrote a controversial cover story for The Atlantic this summer called 'Why Women Still Can't Have It All.' In the piece, she explained that she quit her job because she found 'juggling high-level governmental work with the needs of two teenage boys was not possible'. She went on: 'Having it all was not possible in many types of jobs, including high government office — at least not for very long.' Ms Slaughter has now returned to an academic position at Princeton, where she worked prior to her career in government. According to the Marie Claire article, Ms Clinton said Ms Slaughter's problem was her own and that not everyone had the same experience. 'Some women are not comfortable working at the pace and intensity you have to work at in these jobs... other women don't break a sweat,' she said. 'They have four or five, six kids. They're highly organized; they have very supportive networks.' But in the interview, Ms Clinton emphasised that she's committed to improving the situation for women at work. She said making workplaces 'more flexible and creative in enabling women to continue to do high-stress jobs while caring for not only children, but (also) aging parents' was a priority of the government. | Secretary of State was being interview by Marie Claire magazine .
She said: 'I can't stand whining...
the kind of paralysis that some people fall into because they’re not .
happy with the choices they've made' |
18373bcc34eee307d216811cc15c544a35a017c1 | A hellish inferno at a downtown Los Angeles apartment building has caused hellish gridlock in for commuters this morning after two major highways had to be closed - adding an hour or more to the drive to work for many Angelinos. More than 250 firefighters are on the scene at 909 West Temple Street near the interchange of the 110 Freeway and the 101 Freeway. Authorities closed both highways, which are major thoroughfares through downtown Los Angeles, after the blaze started about 1.20am Pacific Time. The 101 Freeway was reopened before rush hour, but much of the northbound 110 remained shut off into Monday afternoon. Scroll down for video . Los Angeles Fire Department said more than 250 firefighters are battling a blaze, which can be seen for miles around . Firefighters do not yet know what caused the massive blaze, which towered over downtown Los Angeles on Monday morning . The fire engulfed an apartment tower that was under construction and spread to at least two other buildings before crews could bring it under control . The blaze at the seven-story building filled the surrounding area with smoke, causing the the 110 Freeway and the 101 Freeway to close . The northbound lanes of the 110 Freeway remained shut through Monday morning because firefighters feared that the smoldering remains of the building could collapse on to the highway . 'Just imagine that major artery - which is about eight miles long that takes people downtown and into Hollywood, Glendale, Burbank. To shut that off. We’re adding another hour of commute,' California Highway Patrol spokesman Edgar Figueroa told the Los Angeles Times. Traffic slowed to a crawl more than three miles from the highway shut down and alternate routes and other major highways soon became choked with traffic Monday morning. One angry commuter, naming downtown streets, could be heard ranting: 'First is shut down and Temple is shut down. Downtown is basically shut down.' Most of the inferno was brought under control in 90 minutes, though firefighters remained worried that the smoking wreckage could collapse on to the 110 northbound. Three lanes of the highway were finally reopened about 10.15am - well after rush hour. Smoke and flames could be seen billowing up from the blaze for miles around - dwarfing even the skyscrapers of downtown Los Angeles. Rubble: The wood frame apartment building burned quickly and was reduced to little more than cinders. Much of the debris fell on the 110 Freeway, causing the northbound lanes of the major artery to close . Firefighters say they were shocked by how quickly and uncontrollably the blaze spread. Five stories of wood frame construction were fully engulfed in just minutes . Two other building - both of which house municipal offices - were damaged by the fire. One of the buildings - a 16-story high-rise - had all but two floors damaged by smoke and water . The flames cross the 110 freeway and melted road signs. Only three lanes of the highway were open by Monday afternoon . Witnesses from as far away as West Hollywood reported seeing the fire. 'This is a historic fire, what we as firefighters would call "a career fire." It's huge. I really can't remember a building fire this big and I have been with the department for 13 years,' Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman David Ortiz told NBC News. The inferno grew so intense, that it spread to a 16-story office tower nearby and damaged another adjacent building - both of which house municipal offices for Los Angeles County. Three floors of the 16-story tower caught fire and only the building's emergency sprinkler system saved it from being completely engulfed. Firefighters say 14 of the 16 floors have at least water and smoke damage. The building houses several county departments, including Parks and Recreation Department. Another building, Los Angeles County Health Services, . Scorched asphalt: Flames and smokes poured across the 110 and 101 freeways, causing authorities to shut down both until the fire could be contained on Monday morning . The chief of LA's fire department tweeted this picture of his men bringing the blaze under control . Inferno: The fire is burning at a building site planned to be a tall residential structure . Downtown: The fire turned an apartment complex near a key Los Angeles interchanged to cinders . The fire was sparked in the partially built Da Vinci apartment tower. No one was inside at the time and there have been no injuries reported. Fire fighters do no yet know what caused the blaze. The 1.3million-square-foot building had two floors of concrete construction with five floors of wood-frame construction on top. It encompassed nearly an entire city block. Damage is estimated to be in the millions. The Da Vinci was meant to be a luxury high-rise development with shops and offices on the bottom two floors and apartments on the top. The fire all but leveled the apartment building and burned several floors of another high-rise . The fire broke out just down the block from a LAFD fire station. Firefighters emerged from the station house to see the blaze . Parts of the 110 Freeway were charred and remained close into rush hour on Monday morning . The seven-storey building, at 909 West Temple Street, is slated to be residential with offices on the ground floor . | Fire broke out at 1.20am Pacific Time in downtown Los Angeles .
Seven-story apartment complex that was under construction was cause of the blaze .
101 Freeway and 110 Freeway were both shut down as 250 firefighters - a quarter of the city's department - battled the towering inferno .
110 Freeway northbound did not reopen by rush hour and parts of it remain closed .
At least an hour added on to many commutes . |
18380c33effd8ff18a26c1c93721f216c6c43160 | Her fully frontal nude photoshoot for Paper magazine has got everyone talking, much to her delight. But three years ago, Kim Kardashian was a little less eager to bare all. During a January 2011 episode of Kourtney & Kim Take New York, Kim had a meltdown at the prospect of being seen nude on the cover of W magazine. Scroll down for video . Meltdown: Kim broke down on a 2011 episode of Kourtney & Kim Take New York after seeing revealing nude photographs of herself in W magazine . Changed your mind Kim? The reality star was so upset by her nude W magazine cover, left, that she had a televised meltdown back in 2011, but happily posed for this Paper magazine cover back in September . 'Oh my God, I'm more naked than I was in Playboy!' she wept. 'I'm so mad right now. She promised I would be covered with artwork. You can see nipple. The whole concept was sold to me that nothing would be seen. 'This really pisses me off… this is serious porn!' she added at the cover story, which was entitled Kim Kardashian: The Art of Reality. The cover photo shows Kim nude, but her modesty was protected by bars. Inside shots featured the star nearly completely covered in metallic body paint. I'm never going naked again: The reality show star . Please don't judge me: 'I don’t want people to be like, "All she’s good for is, you know, being naked," she added . Kim told sister Kourtney that the magazine's artist would put 'images of architecture and buildings and stuff on top of me so you will see my body shape and the outline but not actually my boobs or anything.' So when showed the rather revealing snapshots, Kim freaked out, and was nearly hysterical when she called her mother Kris Jenner. 'I feel so taken advantage of,' sobbed Kim, who found fame thanks to a leaked sex tape. 'I've definitely learned my lesson… I'm never taking my clothes off again, even if it’s for Vogue. 'I don’t want people to be like, "All she’s good for is, you know, being naked," she added. 'I feel so taken advantage of': Kim was eager to move away from the sex tape leaked in 2007 . Reassurance: Kris Jenner tried to comfort Kim by telling her the pictures were gorgeous . Attempting to carve out a career as a businesswoman and TV star, Kim was perhaps, at that time, eager to move on from her sex tape which catapulted her to fame in 2007. Now happily married to rapper Kanye West and having lost more than 50 lbs in baby weight, Kim was clearly keen to bare all, even telling her sisters during a 2013 episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians: 'As soon as I pop this [baby] out - as soon as I get in shape - the first thing I want to do is Playboy or some nude shoot. 'I just wanna walk down the street fully naked. I'm gonna be the sexy hot mom.' And it's clear Kim was eager to perform her about-turn in style, appearing full-frontal in the inside pages of Paper magazine, along with the striking front cover which shows her grinning at the camera while baring her ample bare booty covered in baby oil. Another picture, in the shoot by famed photographer Jean-Paul Goude showed Kim wearing a cocktail dress and recreating Goude's well-known Champagne Incident shot, with bubbly shooting into the air and landing into a glass,perfectly placed on her posterior. Holding nothing back: Kim Kardashian went fully nude in a newly released shot from her shoot for Paper magazine with Jean-Paul Goude (censored by MailOnline) And if anyone wondered if Kim had to be talked into posing for the naked shot, they can think again. In an interview published on Yahoo Style, Paper's editorial director Mickey Boardman explained that it was all Kim's idea. 'Kim’s attitude was "if we’re gonna do it, let’s really go there,"' he said. 'And it was her idea to take off her clothes and show more than her butt. But we [Paper] didn’t say "let’s do a cover with your butt hanging out." 'She said she was willing to take her clothes off and one thing lead to another.' Trending: Kim certainly lit up the internet with comical discussion of her new magazine cover, available online at Paper.com . | Paper magazine says it was 'Kim's idea to show more than her butt' |
1839e50b6050d4f893875cdaa0021a8caceaa126 | Washington (CNN) -- In an unprecedented move to protect U.S. troops that might be exposed to Ebola, U.S. military commanders are being given the authority to quarantine troops for 21 days at a Defense Department facility where they will be monitored for signs of the disease and treated if they do contract the virus, a Defense Department memo explained. The memo, which was obtained by CNN, spells out the details of the military's plan for the first time. It does not reveal the location of the facility, but one U.S. official said it may be a site in the Washington, D.C. area. The quarantine will apply to troops evacuated from West Africa, if it is determined they have an elevated risk of exposure to Ebola. There are more than 500 troops in the region currently, and the Pentagon has authorized the deployment of up to 4,000 to assist in fighting the virus. Troops are not expected to treat Ebola patients, but there is an acknowledgment by the Pentagon that some could be at risk of coming into contact with the virus. The October 10 memo spells out precise procedures for monitoring troops' exposure and how any problems will be dealt with. During the entire time troops are in West Africa, they may be monitored for fever or any symptoms of Ebola. If a service member comes into contact with blood or body fluids from an Ebola patient, or a dead body, while not wearing protective gear, or if the gear is compromised, they will be evacuated from the region and quarantined. Are you on the front lines fighting Ebola? Commanders also will be given the authority to isolate their entire unit in the region for the final 10 days of a deployment if necessary. All troops will be monitored for 21 days after returning from the mission, the memo says. | U.S. military commanders will be able to quarantine troops for 21 days for Ebola exposure .
The location of the quarantine facility may be in the Washington, D.C. area .
As many as 4,000 troops may deploy to West Africa to help in the Ebola mission . |
183aa77e372925ee6a60d84bc95d5f6f360958bc | By . Sean Poulter . PUBLISHED: . 02:07 EST, 12 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 20:10 EST, 12 July 2012 . Thousands of mobile users across the country could not send or receive calls or texts tonight after O2's network crashed . Mobile phone operator O2 could face a huge compensation bill after a meltdown in its network cut off millions of customers. Voice calls and text messages, as . well as access to emails and the internet, were blocked as parts of . Britain’s second biggest network collapsed on Wednesday and yesterday. The firm said ‘the problem was due to . a fault with one of our network systems, which meant some mobile phone . numbers were not registering correctly on our network’. It claimed the system had been fixed and was working normally by late yesterday afternoon. But with the Olympics about to put a . strain on mobile phone networks, with a huge influx of visitors using . smartphones to take and send pictures and video and to access the . internet, the failure raised serious questions about how robust the . system is. The O2 collapse triggered enormous frustration for individual customers and businesses. There were reports that one family . had difficulties contacting loved ones to alert them to the imminent . death of an elderly relative. Parts of London’s bicycle hire scheme, sponsored by Barclays, failed because the card payment system is linked to O2’s network. Some Tesco Mobile customers, who also . use the O2 system, lost services. O2, which is owned by Spain’s . Telefonica, has 23million customers in the UK and many took to Twitter . to vent their frustration. Celebrities adding to the avalanche . of criticism included socialite Jemima Khan, newsreader Huw Edwards, . actress Kym Marsh and footballer Joleon Lescott. Coronation Street actress Kym March and socialite Jemima Khan both vented their frustration on Twitter at the network crash. Mrs Khan had only changed to the network on the day it went down . Statement: The network, which has around 23 million customers in the UK said the problems began at around 1.30pm and are continuing into the evening . Edwards complained: ‘19 hours and . counting #O2’, while Lescott said: ‘Bet if I was late paying my bill O2 . would have something to say.’ Miss Khan said she had joined O2 yesterday . only to find she could not use her phone. Miss Marsh wrote: ‘Anyone else having a problem with 02? ‘This is ridiculous now @o2 been without service for over 6 hours! Important business calls being missed.’ Mother-to-be Leanna May wrote: ‘I . can’t bear this any longer! THREE @o2 contracts, NONE WORK. And I’m at . home pregnant in agony! Great, who should I call? No one!’ Sean Foster tweeted: ‘Arrrrrrrghhhhh! My phone was fine yesterday and now after their failed overnight work O2 have screwed it!’ The consumer group Which? urged those who lost service to log any costs they incurred to claim compensation. Anger: BBC reporter Huw Edwards vents his frustration on Twitter . Message: The O2 website posted an update last night saying their engineers were dealing with the problems . The watchdog’s executive director . Richard Lloyd said: ‘We want to see O2 offer compensation to all . customers who have been hugely inconvenienced by this service blackout . and have been paying for a service they cannot use.’ O2 said: ‘Now that our full network service has resumed, we remain focused on identifying the root cause of the incident. ‘For those customers affected by the lack of service, we will be doing everything we can to make it up to them in an O2 way.’ Telecoms analyst Steven Hartley said the outage raised concerns about the Olympics’ impact on Britain’s communications systems. Confusion: A spokesman for the company, which has headquarters (pictured) in Slough, Berkshire, admitted it did not know what was causing the problems or when they would be fixed . | O2 denies crash was down to hackers or explosion inside a server .
Martin Lewis advises customers on how to claim compensation .
Hundreds of London's Boris Bikes taken out of action as they use O2 server .
Many of networks 23 MILLION customers affected .
Jemima Khan, Huw Edwards, Bobby Ball and Jolean Lescott among stars criticising service on Twitter .
Tesco mobile - which uses O2 masts for its network - affected by the crash . |
183acbff6f528e3d6b2f0867f39812a7b662def2 | Marcello Casella, 54, appeared in Griffith Local Court on Wednesday over his alleged involvement in a drug syndicate . One of the brothers behind Australia's biggest family-owned winery has been charged over his alleged involvement in a $15 million drug ring. Marcello Casella, 54, appeared in Griffith Local Court on Wednesday over his alleged involvement in the syndicate which police say produced, distributed and sold commercial quantities of cannabis and methylamphetamine. Mr Casella, who helped build the internationally successful Yellow Tail label, was charged with one count of cultivating a large commercial quantity of a prohibited plant and one count of participating in a criminal group, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. On February 12, police raided a property connected to Mr Casella in Griffith, southwestern New South Wales, and a dozen other properties in an investigation into the alleged major drug supply syndicate, carried out by Strike Force Oceanic. No drugs were found but police charged the 54-year-old, who is a champion clay shooter, over the improper storage of two pallets filled with shotgun cartridges and 60kg of gunpowder on the property. The NSW Drug Squad arrested 12 other people and seized almost $15 million worth of illicit drugs, ammunition, and weapons. The raids were carried out all over NSW and the ACT, including in Sans Souci and Miranda in south Sydney, Palmerston near Canberra, and Malua Bay and Batemans Bay on the NSW south coast. Two weeks after the raids, Mr Casella resigned as director of Casella Wines, the winery that produces Yellow Tail. Yellow Tail makes up more than a quarter of Australian bottled table wine exports, and the label is one of the largest selling in the U.S. On September 22, Mr Casella and another Griffith man were also arrested and charged as part of Strike Force Oceanic's investigation. Mr Casella will appear in court again on January 2015. Casella Wines, which is based out of Yenda near Griffith, is run by Mr Casella's brothers John and Joe. Yellow Tail makes up more than a quarter of Australian bottled table wine exports, and the label is one of the largest selling in the U.S. | Marcello Casella, 54, appeared in Griffith Local Court on Wednesday .
He was charged over his alleged involvement in the syndicate which police say produced commercial quantities of cannabis and methylamphetamine .
Mr Casella helped build internationally successful Yellow Tail wine label . |
183aef6f5c05435cc783e6d168131e99af5fde58 | Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards has added his voice to a chorus of disapproval aimed at the Millennium Stadium boo-boys. Fly-half Rhys Priestland will line up against Fiji on Saturday just a week after he was jeered when he replaced an injured Dan Biggar early in the second period during Wales' 33-28 loss to Australia. The booing came from a small minority of home supporters, and their behaviour has subsequently been condemned by Wales head coach Warren Gatland and Priestland's squad colleagues. Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards hit back strongly at the Welsh supporters who booed Rhys Priestland . And Edwards has now told those fans: 'You boo one of us, you boo all of us.' The protest at Priestland has prompted an angry response from within the Wales camp, and Edwards hit back strongly on Thursday. 'With Rhys Priestland, it is important to remember that most of the crowd is behind us, but you boo one of us, you boo all of us,' Edwards said. Priestland (right) replaced Dan Biggar early in the second half of Wales' 33-28 loss to Australia . 'If you boo Rhys Priestland, you boo myself, you boo Warren Gatland, you boo Leigh Halfpenny, you boo the Welsh jersey. Personally, I don't think that is on. 'Over the last number of years we have performed admirably as a Welsh nation, with only 20,000 players and three million people, we've tried to wear that Welsh shirt with a lot of pride. 'For someone to boo that shirt, to be honest, I am not very happy about it. Wales: Liam Wililams; Alex Cuthbert, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, George North; Rhys Priestland, Mike Philips; Gethin Jenkins (C), Scott Baldwin, Samson Lee; Bradley Davies, Luke Charteris; Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau . Reserves: Emyr Philips, Nicky Smith, Rhodri Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, James King, Rhodri Williams, James Hook, Cory Allen . 'If people are around those people in the crowd, and they are silly enough to do it again, I would like to think that the rest of the crowd would let them know what they think about them.' Asked if he felt if rugby crowd behaviour had changed much in recent years, Edwards added: 'We don't want this booing going on. 'What has always been fantastic about rugby is that it has always been a family game. You can take your wife and kids along, and we don't want it to be dragged down at all. 'You can have a vociferous crowd against you, but at the end of the game, both teams are clapped, which I think is very important. The dignity of rugby must be upheld. Priestland (left), at training with Leigh Halfpenny during the week, will start at fly-half against Fiji on Saturday . 'The thing about rugby is that it is a dignified game. All the aggression comes out on the pitch, not from the crowd. 'The crowd are there to enjoy and have a fantastic day. You go to a game of rugby, you can have a pint, you can take your children and feel that you are absolutely safe, and long may that continue.' Priestland will be part of a much-changed Wales team from the Walllabies clash, but one that should still be good enough to win comfortably ahead of next week's Millennium Stadium appointment with world champions New Zealand. | Fly-half Rhys Priestland was jeered by sections of the crowd at the Millennium Stadium after he replaced Dan Biggar early in the second half of Wales' 33-28 loss to Australia .
Booing came from a small minority of home supporters and has been condemned by Wales head coach Warren Gatland and a number of Priestland's squad colleagues .
Priestland will wear the number 10 jersey against Fiji on Saturday . |
183b17c59dbcbedced555c727168e94a1395b374 | (CNN)A house is just a house, right? Even the increasingly popular tiny houses look like standard houses, reduced in size. But some houses are so far outside of the box, they're worth a trip to see. Here are eight of the most unusual houses around the United States: . Pickle Barrel House Museum in Grand Marais, Michigan . Have you ever found yourself in a pickle? Cartoonist William Donahey came pretty close when he took up residence in a house shaped like a pickle barrel. Built in 1926 as a summer home for Donahey, Grand Marais, Michigan's Pickle Barrel House now holds a seasonal museum open from June to September. Donahey allowed Monarch Food Company to use his popular "Teenie Weenie" cartoon characters on their pickle jar labels, and out of gratitude Monarch's parent company commissioned the house for Donahey's family to use, building him a much larger version of the barrels their pickles were sold in. Purchased in 2003 and restored by the Michigan Historical Society, the museum is on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can also take a stroll through the Historic Iris Preservation Society's Display Garden found on the property, with free admission to the museum and garden. 10 spectacular U.S. waterfalls . Gold Pyramid House in Wadsworth, Illinois . Some people have a guard dog. This house has a pharaoh standing watch. With the enormous statue of Ramses II in front of it, the 6-story, 17,000 square foot Gold Pyramid House in Wadsworth, Illinois, transports visitors back to ancient Egypt. In the 1970s "pyramid power" was a popular trend, with some people believing in the supernatural powers of the pyramids. Jim and Linda Onan were two such people, and at the time, their house was full of pyramids. Linda used to joke to her husband that he should build their next house in a pyramid shape so she could stop looking at all of the little ones inside of it, and in 1977 he did, painting it gold and surrounding it by a moat. Visitors can tour the pyramid and public areas of the home, which are decorated in an ancient Egyptian style to match the exterior of the house, visit a replica of King Tut's tomb and hear a presentation about the history of the gilded pyramid. Admission for adults is $15, children 17 and under are $10. Shoe House in Hellam, Pennsylvania . There was an old lady who lived in a shoe. But in this case, it was a shoe salesman, who built the eye-catching Shoe House in Hellam, Pennsylvania. Standing 25 feet tall and 48 feet long, the giant shoe was created as a structural advertisement almost 70 years ago. Creator and shoe salesman Mahlon N. Haines originally used it as a guest house. With five different levels inside, the house has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room. The house is open for tours from June through October, but private tours are available in the winter and spring. Tour prices are $4.50 for adults and $3 for children ages 4 to 7. Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California . Winchester rifle heir Sarah Winchester believed that spirits haunted her, and it took her 35 years to build an elaborate Victorian mansion that she believed would confuse those ghostly apparitions. Completed in 1919, the seven-story, 160-room Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California, has secret passageways, upside down columns and other oddities that the superstitious Winchester believed would bedevil those tormenting spirits. The mystery house hosts guided tours for brave visitors who are fond of the supernatural. There are three different tours available, with prices starting at $27 for adults and $24 for children. Mary's Gone Wild Glass House in New Brunswick, North Carolina . People find a variety of ways to recycle old bottles, but covering an entire house in them might be a first. Visitors to New Brunswick, North Carolina's coast will stumble upon Mary's Gone Wild glass bottle house and folk garden, located only 5 miles from the ocean. Growing up, Mary Paulsen was known as the neighborhood doll repair woman, collecting discarded dolls and fixing them up. As an adult, she turned her yard into a village for her 6,000 dolls, using whatever items she could find. People started leaving their unwanted good in Mary's yard for her to make into art and she began work on her bottle house gallery in 2008, covering the walls with 8,000 different types of bottles, from nail polish to wine. The glass bottle house is open for tours year round. Visitors can also stop in her gallery to purchase art that benefits the hungry, or make a donation, as admission to the house is free. One Log House in Garberville, California . This isn't what comes to mind when most people think of a log cabin. Living in Humboldt County, California, Art Schmock was used to seeing giant redwoods towering above him, but his relatives living in the Midwest and East Coast refused to believe that trees actually grew to be so large. Realizing that most people had never seen giant redwoods, the logger created the One Log House and put it on wheels so that he could tour the country. Schmock and a friend spent eight months hollowing out the 7-foot-tall, 32-foot-long section of redwood. Holding a living room, kitchen and bedroom, the log house was similar to other mobile homes, except that its tremendous size and weight made mobility challenging, requiring special permits to drive on each state highway. Although the house traveled on occasion, it spent most of its time "resting" in small towns along the Northern California coast. Now, One Log House Espresso and Gifts sits on Highway 101, south of Garberville, where it's been for the last 15 years. The small cafe sells food, beverages and redwood gifts and has some relics of the old-time logging days. Admission is $1 for visitors over 5 years old. Beer Can House in Houston, Texas . It all started with a dislike of yard work. Tired of mowing the lawn and doing landscaping work at his Houston home, John Milkovisch inlaid thousands of marbles, rocks and metal pieces into the concrete and redwood of his yard in 1968. When he finished with both the front and back yards, he began work on crafting aluminum siding for the house out of beer cans, which eventually became known as the Beer Can House. After he finished the practical aspect, he moved on to the decorative, making sculptures and garlands for the house, also out of beer cans. Ripley's Believe It or Not estimated that 50,000 beer cans went into making John Milkovisch's tribute to recycling. In 2001, years after Milkovisch passed away, the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art acquired and restored the house, opening it to the public in 2008. The house is open for visitors between Memorial Day and Labor Day, costing $5 for adults and free for children 12 and younger. House on the Rock in Spring Green, Wisconsin . Are you afraid of heights? Then you may want to avoid the Infinity Room at Spring Green, Wisconsin's House on the Rock. The long, thin room stretches 218 feet long and 156 feet above the valley floor, with over 3,000 windows for walls, providing amazing panoramic views. Considered an architectural wonder, the house was built in 1945 by Alex Jordan as a luxurious retreat. Perched on a rock, as its name implies, the house has an amazing view of the surrounding nature. Open to the public since 1960, the house is divided into three sections that can all be toured. The admission for all three sections is $28.50 for adults and $15.50 for children. But, each section can also be visited separately for $12.50. Staff recommends that visitors spend at least three hours in the house to experience all that it has to offer, such as a carousel it touts as the world's largest, complete with 269 handcrafted animals. | Visitors to Michigan's Pickle Barrel House will find a museum and iris garden .
North Carolina's Mary's Gone Wild Glass House is covered in over 8,000 bottles .
House on the Rock in Wisconsin features a room with 3,000 windows . |
183b533b0ae2bee02e6bea6f81cbde71523311ed | By . Peter Campbell . PUBLISHED: . 06:25 EST, 24 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:56 EST, 24 May 2013 . Britain came within six hours of running out of gas earlier this year, it emerged yesterday. The severe winter weather coupled with a faulty import pipeline led to supplies being rapidly used up at the end of March. The revelation that the country almost ran out of gas came as officials warned there could be a similar crisis next winter. Household fuel bills, already at record levels, are expected to rise further as a result of the shortage. Rob Hastings, director of energy and infrastructure at the Crown Estate, the property portfolio managed by the Queen, said: ‘We really only had six hours’ worth of gas left in storage as a buffer [at the end of March]. If it had run any lower it would have meant interruptions to supply.’ The Crown Estate owns the rights to gas storage sites under the seabed. With continuing cold weather – this spring is expected to be the coldest since 1979 – reserves could be partly empty heading into next winter. This could force energy companies to buy gas on the open market at a higher cost, which would likely be passed on via household bills. With eight of the UK’s coal plants shut down last month to meet EU diktats, the nation will be left relying on wind farms and imported gas for power. Angelos Anastasiou, an independent energy analyst, said: ‘This won’t trigger price rises immediately, but if it causes companies to spend more buying gas over the winter then [energy firms] will definitely recoup their costs later on.’ The National Grid, which pipes gas around the UK, insisted the UK has 'substantial resilience' and diverse supply sources including imports of liquefied natural gas . He added: ‘This is most likely to be felt over the next two or three winters as prices creep higher.’Peter Atherton, utilities analyst at stockbroker Liberum Capital, said it would be likely to have a ‘significant’ impact on wholesale gas prices. It comes only days after energy giant SSE, Britain’s second biggest power firm, warned that a price hike of £80 was ‘highly likely’ for its customers because of rising costs. Leaked documents seen by the Mail, which come from within a government body, assessed the impact of the gas crunch in March. The document revealed energy firms had to start drawing on emergency gas reserves, which are said to be more volatile than standard gas, after supplies dwindled to almost nothing. Companies make money by buying gas cheaply in the summer, putting it into gas stores, and selling it in the winter. But summer prices have been rising, and the difference with winter rates is now so small that it is not economical for investors to build any new gas stores – leaving Britain with a maximum of 20 days of storage. This compares with more than 100 days in France, 92 days in Germany and 70 days in Italy. The US protects itself against gas shortages by storing contingencies for up to six months. It also emerged that the number of ships bringing liquefied natural gas from Qatar – the UK’s other main source of gas – has halved in the last 12 months. These ships, which are the most expensive way to get gas, take more than two weeks to reach Britain. It was only because one arrived at the end of March that Britain avoided gas shortages, experts believe. | Senior energy boss Rob Hastings reveals crisis closer than first thought .
'If it had run any lower it would have meant interruptions to supply,' he said .
Combination of bitterly cold weather and pipeline failures blamed . |
183b7e2d5ed608586eb55852800c798dffad80b1 | By . Janine Yaqoob . PUBLISHED: . 08:53 EST, 18 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:23 EST, 19 February 2013 . A teenager who put a man through two months of torment by falsely accusing him of rape has been spared jail. Sophie Hooper, 19, told police she had been forced to have sex against her will with a man she had only just met in the pub. But two months later her conscience got the better of her and she wrote a letter to the police confessing she had lied about the allegations. Hooper had claimed she went with the unnamed man to his home where he held her down by the neck on his bed and raped her. After she called police, who came out in the middle of the night, the man was arrested and held in custody for more than seven hours. Sophie Hooper, 19, told police she had been raped but two months later confessed that she had lied. She escaped a jail sentence at Southampton Crown Court today . Victims and alleged victims of rape have been granted anonymity since 1976 to spare women from humiliation and encourage more victims to report attacks.The law originally gave the same protection to those charged with rape.But anonymity for defendants was withdrawn in 1988 after judges protested that it prevented police from appealing for witnesses.Judges also said that the acquittal of a man charged with rape was enough to clear his name and reputation.Maura McGowan, a deputy High Court judge and chief of the professional body for barristers, recently called for the identities of men accused of rape and other sex crimes to be kept secret unless they are found guilty in court.The leading lawyer said the names of those charged with sex offences should not be released because the crimes carry 'such a stigma’. But John Cooper, a human rights barrister, disagreed with this and said anonymity for people accused of sex crimes is 'unworkable'. But there was no truth in Hooper's . allegations. She didn't admit this for over two months, before she eventually told police she was lying. Southampton Crown Court heard how police began investigating and found inconsistencies with her version of events. Hooper accused the man of raping her in June 2011 but by August that year officers told him he wouldn't face prosecution. ]A . short time later police received a letter from Hooper, who has just . become a mum, in which she said 'maybe calling it rape was wrong'. The teenager from Eastleigh, Hampshire, was later arrested in September 2011 on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. But it wasn't until January 2012 that 'she fully accepted the lies she had told' said prosecutor Carolyn Branford-Wood.Hooper . revealed how, in fact, the pair had gone to his home from the pub, . began kissing and the sex 'just happened', adding she didn't say yes or . no. When she left his home she returned to the pub run by friends of her family who told her she had been raped and to call 999. In . court Hooper apologised by saying 'I shouldn't have lied, I am sorry' and added that if she could turn the clock back she would. The . court was told how the man described in a victim impact statement . feeling 'sick to the stomach' and anxious following the accusation. He was also unable to go out because, even though he knew he was innocent, he felt he would be tarred. He said he could not sleep properly and resorted to taking anti-depressants. Mitigating . for Hooper, Fern Russell said it was not a sophisticated plot - she was . in a state and made a bad decision out of stupidity rather than malice. Recorder Stuart Jones QC handed the teenager an eight-month prison term suspended for two years. He told her she was lucky not to have gone to jail for what the court deems a very serious offence. Crying wolf: Sophie Hooper, 19, appeared at Southampton Crown Court yesterday . Mr Jones said: 'The consequences for the man accused must have been traumatic in the extreme.' He added that Hooper had just come out of a difficult period of adolescence and her mental health was far from robust. The teenager was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. | Sophie Hooper, 19, accused an unnamed man of raping her after a night out .
But two months later she confessed to police that she had lied .
She was spared jail at Southampton Crown Court today . |
183c121ff6ed4b1089d35bc20f79dc6255ca418c | Ireland coasted to a six-try, 49-7 victory over Georgia in a Dublin clash marred by an unpunished stamp to debutant Dominic Ryan's face. The hosts were left incensed by flanker Viktor Kolelishvili bringing his boot down on back-rower Ryan's face but captain Eoin Reddan's complaints went unheeded by referee JP Doyle. Ryan somehow escaped serious injury in a scrappy first-half, before Felix Jones claimed a brace while Dave Kilcoyne, Richardt Strauss, Simon Zebo and Stuart Olding all crossed, with Giorgi Nemsadze responding for Georgia. Leinster fly half Ian Madigan impressed for Ireland with his attacking play and accurate goal kicking . Ireland hooker Richardt Strauss barges over for his team's second try as the Georgians began to tire . Simon Zebo scorches over for Ireland's third as the rampant Irish begin to overwhelm the visitors . Leinster scrum-half Reddan was waved away despite telling referee Doyle 'I have a very serious question' after Ryan received the boot to the face. Doyle responded by claiming 'I can't listen to that,' effectively rejecting Reddan's request for a Television Match Official (TMO) review. Referee Wayne Barnes called for a review following a request from South Africa captain Jean de Villiers that led to the Springboks' decisive penalty in 27-25 victory over the All Blacks last month. Munster and Ireland full back Felix Jones dives over for the first of his two tries in Dublin . Here though, Doyle was unmoved, but Kolelishvili can expect to be cited for his reckless, if unintentional act. Ireland will learn little from their routine victory in truth, with boss Joe Schmidt having made 13 changes from the side that saw off South Africa 29-15 a week earlier. Schmidt's men host Australia next weekend, with a raft of senior stars all expected to return. The hosts wasted a number of clear-cut chances in a try-less first-half, with Georgia dominating early set-piece exchanges. Madigan is well tackled as Ireland winger Zebo looks to support the Irish fly half . Munster prop Dave Kilcoyne bursts through the Georgian defence early in the first half in Dublin . Jones claims a high ball under pressure from Georgia forward Dimitri Basilaia . Full-back Merab Kvirikashvili dragged an early shot at goal wide for the visitors, before Ian Madigan posted three penalties amid Ireland wasting plenty of territory and possession. Schmidt's men should have scored following Kilcoyne's fine galloping break, and also when Darren Cave linked well with Reddan and Ryan. Craig Gilroy spilled Cave's wide pass to leave another chance begging, and Ireland turned around 9-0 to the good with Georgia scrum-half Giorgi Begadze in the sin-bin for killing the ball. Ireland quickly broke their try duck after the restart, Kilcoyne driving home for his first Test score. Munster speedster Zebo (left) is well tackled by Georgia openside Viktor Kolelishvili . Georgian lock Giorgi Nemsadze dives over for his team's only try at the Aviva Stadium . Schmidt's side racked up three more wasted chances to add to first-half frustrations, before Strauss capped a regulation driving maul to double the try count. The usual raft of replacements brought Rodney Ah You into the fray, with Mike Ross withdrawn as Ireland eyed next week's Australia clash. Connacht's Ah You threw a forward pass then conceded a quick penalty in an inauspicious arrival, allowing Georgia a foothold. Then from a penalty lineout lock Nemsadze ghosted through flimsy defence to claim a try for the visitors. Ireland flanker Robbie Diack makes a strong carry into the Georgian defence . Ulster and Ireland centre Darren Dave tries to fend off Georgia's Merab Sharikadze . Zebo ran in Ireland's third score after a scrum deep in Georgia's 22, following a yellow card for number eight Dimitri Basilaia. Lasha Malaguradze took a heavy bang to the head in the build-up to Zebo's try, receiving lengthy on-field treatment before being removed via stretcher. Jones finished a smart Ireland move next, before capping a field-length break launched by a smart turnover from debutant replacement Robin Copeland. Replacement centre Olding then glossed the scoreline still further late on as Schmidt's men completed their routine and expected victory. While Ireland negotiated this clash simply enough, Schmidt and friends know full well a challenge of an entirely different calibre awaits next weekend. | Tries from Dave Kilcoyne, Richardt Strauss, Simon Zebo, Felix Jones (two) and Stuart Olding secure victory at the Aviva Stadium .
Clash marred by an unpunished stamp by Georgia flanker flanker Viktor Kolelishvili to debutant Dominic Ryan's face .
Leinster fly half Ian Madigan gives assured display in the absence of rested first choice number 10 Jonathan Sexton .
Munster lock Dave Foley named Man of the Match .
Georgia lock Giorgi Nemsadze ran a great line to score a consolation try for the visitors . |
183cb5dde9148566634f4f83b49ff7b171053750 | By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 09:52 EST, 21 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:42 EST, 22 January 2013 . More people would vote to stay in the European Union than exit for the first time since David Cameron became Prime Minister. Downing Street today announced Mr Cameron will deliver his long-awaited and much-trailed speech on Britain’s’ EU membership on Wednesday. He is expected to promise a referendum on severing ties with Brussels. As the debate about Europe rages, a new opinion poll shows that the number of voters who want to remain part of the EU has suddenly overtaken those calling for withdrawal. In-out question: For the first time since David Cameron became PM more people would vote to stay in the EU than leave, according to a series of opinion polls by YouGov . In the latest YouGov survey, people were asked how they would vote if there was a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union. Forty per cent of people said they would vote to remain while 34 per cent would vote to leave, according to the poll carried out on January 17 and 18. It is a dramatic reversal of opinion since November last year when 51 per cent said they would back withdrawal while just 30 per cent wanted to stay in. The shift in public attitudes to Brussels comes after months of speculation about Mr Cameron’s long-awaited speech on how he wants to claw back powers to London. It suggests the widespread public debate has focused the minds of voters on the merits of remaining in the EU. Mr Cameron today met Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip in Downing Street and briefed him on his long-awaited Europe speech . Labour's lead over the Conservatives has been slashed to just five points, according to an ICM poll released today. The survey for The Guardian put Ed Miliband's party on 38 per cent (down two points since a similar poll last month), David Cameron's Tories on 33 per cent (up one), with Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats on 15 per cent (up two) and the UK Independence Party on 6 per cent (down one). Labour's advantage is the narrowest recorded by ICM since August last year, and follows a period in which the party has consistently racked up double-digit leads over the Conservatives. It is likely to spark speculation that Mr Cameron's standing has been boosted by his handling of the crises in Algeria and Mali and by reports he is planning to offer an in/out referendum on future British membership of the European Union. (ICM Research interviewed 1,001 adults between January 18 and 20.) YouGov's Peter Kellner said: 'As . always with sharp movements in public attitudes, we shall not know for . some time whether we are seeing a blip or a trend. 'Britain . and the EU has been the top domestic political news story for the past . fortnight. Maybe, when it recedes from the headlines, views about the EU . will revert to their normal "peacetime" default position in which the . centre of gravity lies somewhere between scepticism and hostility.' Last . week a separate YouGov survey showed half of people would vote to stay . in the European Union if Mr Cameron succeeds in negotiating a new . relationship, repatriating powers to Westminster. He had been due to deliver the speech . in Amsterdam on Friday but it was called off at the last moment as the . PM reacted to the Algeria hostage crisis. He will instead deliver it in central London on Wednesday morning. However, . extracts released in advance showed how he will use the speech to warn . EU leaders that Britain could leave the 27-nation bloc if three key . concerns are not resolved. And . there is growing speculation that he will announce an in/out referendum . to be held after the 2015 general election, but rule out legislation . during this parliament. Mr . Cameron today briefly met Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip in . Downing Street, and was expected to brief him on the contents of the . speech. He has already . spoken to European leaders including Germany’s Angela Merkel, French . President Francois Hollande and Dutch PM Mark Rutte. When . Mr Cameron outlined his plans to Barack Obama on Thursday night the US . President warned Britain must remain part of a 'strong European Union'. The . US President used a call to London to stress the EU's role in spreading . 'peace, prosperity, and security' around the world. Downing Street was . forced to deny a rift, insisting the call was 'friendly'. The survey will be a welcome boost to Mr Cameron on the eve of his speech when he is expected to promise voters a say on continuing to remain part of the EU . Mr Cameron will use his speech to warn that Britain could ‘drift towards the exit’ from the EU unless there is real change in Brussels. He identified the crisis in the eurozone, the challenge of economic competitiveness and the issue of democratic legitimacy as key issues which must be resolved in negotiations on the future shape of the EU. Asked why Mr Cameron would now be delivering his speech in London, his spokesman said: ‘We were planning to give it in Amsterdam. Unfortunately, that didn't prove possible and Wednesday morning in London fits better with the Prime Minister's schedule.’ The spokesman added: ‘There is a debate going on across the EU. There is also an active debate going on here in the UK. The Prime Minister's speech will be reflecting both those aspects.’ Former defence secretary Liam Fox (left) and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles have both seen Mr Cameron's speech and given it their backing . Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said today he had seen Mr Cameron's speech and was ‘very happy’ with its content. Asked whether the Prime Minister could quell unrest over Europe among his backbenchers, Mr Pickles said: ‘I think so. I think there is a willingness and a desire to come together.’ Earlier this month, Mr Pickles said he hoped Britain could remain a member of the EU, but suggested it should not do so ‘at any price’. Former defence secretary Liam Fox, a leading Tory Eurosceptic, said yesterday that he was ‘broadly satisfied’ with what he has been told. ‘If that is the speech that is finally delivered, a great many of us will think that it's a speech that we've been waiting a long time for any prime minister to deliver.’ Labour's Douglas Alexander, the shadow foreign secretary, said: We understand and support the Prime Minister’s decision to cancel his speech on Friday because of unfolding events in Algeria. 'The truth is the reason this speech has now been delayed for over 6 months is because David Cameron simply doesn’t know what to say. 'The gap between what his backbenchers demand and what the country needs has literally left him speechless, stranded between national and party interest.' David Cameron said it was vital . Britain never forgets the events of the Holocaust as he signed a . memorial book to commemorate the lives of those killed in the genocide. The . Prime Minister met Auschwitz survivor Freda Wineman, 89, who said . future generations should continue to honour those who died at the hands . of the Nazis. Mrs Wineman, from Lyon in France, has . previously spoken of how she was separated from her mother for the final . time by Dr Josef Mengele, dubbed the Butcher of Auschwitz. David Cameron signs the Book of Commitment ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day as Holocaust survivor Freda Wineman looks on . Mr Cameron wrote: 'We commemorate the lives lost in the European Holocaust and think also of those killed more recently in Rwanda, Cambodia, Darfur and Bosnia.' Today, Mr Cameron said: 'It must be very harrowing to bring all those memories back.' Mrs Wineman replied: 'It is very necessary. We must remember and we must never forget what happened.' They were joined in Downing Street by representatives of the Holocaust Educational Trust, which works to raise understanding of the atrocity. In a note to the Trust at the front of the memorial book, Mr Cameron wrote: 'Your work is absolutely vital in making sure that we always remember what happened in the Holocaust - and that we never stop learning the lessons. 'We commemorate the lives lost in the European Holocaust and think also of those killed more recently in Rwanda, Cambodia, Darfur and Bosnia. 'The tragedy is that so many did suffer from persecution and prejudice, but your work will make sure we never give up this fight and build a better world.' | Number of people who want to stay in EU overtakes those in favour of exit for first time since David Cameron became PM .
YouGov survey shows 40% want to remain against 34% who want to leave .
Prime Minister will deliver long-awaited Europe speech in London .
Algeria hostage crisis forced him to cancel Amsterdam trip last Friday .
Labour's lead over Tories cut to five points - ICM poll . |
183cfabe60c675250f1c6238f01d6bf3773a805b | By . Paul Collins . and Adam Crafton . Follow @@AdamCrafton_ . Cameroon's football federation is to investigate allegations of match-fixing by its players at the World Cup after it emerged a convicted fraudster correctly predicted they'd lose 4-0 and have a man sent off against Croatia. The governing body (FECAFOOT) released a statement confirming that their ethics committee will probe claims of 'fraud' by 'seven bad apples' in the country's three Group A matches, particularly the Croatia defeat on June 18 in Manaus. Allegations were made in a German news magazine Der Spiegel by convicted match fixer Wilson Raj Perumal from Singapore. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Cameroon's Eto'o open the scoring in World Cup warm-up . Firing line: The Cameroon federation will investigate claims of match-fixing among their squad . Pointless: The African side finished bottom of Group A having lost all three games . VIDEO Cameroon to investigate match-fixing claims . The FECAFOOT statement read: 'Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon 2014 FIFA World Cup three preliminary games, especially Cameroon vs. Croatia, as well of the "existence of seven bad apples [in our national team]" do not reflect the values and principles promoted by our administration, in line with FIFA Code of Conduct and the ethics of our nation. 'We wish to inform the general public that, though not yet contacted by FIFA in regards to this affair, our administration has already instructed its Ethics Committee, to further investigate these accusations. 'We are strongly committed to employ all means necessary to resolve this disruptive matter in the shortest delays. 'In the meantime we legitimately request that any related information, unless brought before our federation and/or its Ethics Committee, be held for or treated as mere assumption. 'We wish to reinstate that in fifty-five (55) years of existence, FECAFOOT has never been sanctioned for, involved in, or even linked to match fixing or any fraud of any kind.' Rout: Cameroon imploded against Croatia in Manaus and fell to a 4-0 defeat . Cameroon and Barcelona midfielder Alex . Song was sent off before half-time for elbowing Croatia's Mario . Mandzukic, while the game was also marred by an incident deep into the . second half as Benoit Assou-Ekotto looked like he tried to head-butt . team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo. FECAFOOT . subsequently launched an investigation into the incident but have not . yet reported the outcome of that investigation. Cameroon headed home . after losing against Brazil and Mexico, as well as Croatia, to finish . bottom of Group A. Ghana and . Nigeria, who have also exited the tournament, were involved in disputes . over money in Brazil in what has been a troubled World Cup for African . nations. Ghana sent two . players home - Sulley Muntari for hitting out at an official and . Kevin-Prince Boateng for allegedly swearing at his coach. Clash: Benjamin Moukandjo and Benoit Assou-Ekotto needed to be separated after confronting each other . Seeing red: Alex Song was given his marching orders as the African side surrendered against Croatia . Meanwhile, . the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) have challenged . allegations of match-fixing made towards the seven Cameroon players. ICSS . director Chris Eaton, also FIFA’s former head of security, has . questioned Perumal’s version of events, revealing his belief that the . 49-year-old has not always proved reliable. He added that legal advice . has indicated that ‘there was no observable suspicious betting on this . match’. Eaton . said: ‘If it is confirmed that the advice from Perumal was made before . the match and is accurate to the overall result and red card, then this . allegation will no doubt be treated extremely seriously by football, . governments and beyond. I understand that he has made other . ‘predictions’ during this competition that have not proved accurate. ‘As . part of the ICSS’s international work in the area of sport integrity . and work alongside betting regulators, operators and monitoring . agencies, the advice we have received from the legal or so-called . ‘regulated’ sport betting industry is that there was “no observable . suspicious betting on this match”. ‘Looking at recent reports, it is my view that Perumal is himself playing a game. His selective and even the dramatic timing in his exposure of information over time suggests that he has never completely revealed what he knows and which criminal organisations he maintains contact with. 'At the same time, Wilson Raj Perumal is portrayed as someone who is assisting police and prosecutors in Europe. With the benefit of hindsight, a concerted international and multi-agency debriefing of Perumal when he was first taken into custody in Finland should have been the focus.’ However, Eaton added that the case would be thoroughly investigated: ‘The Cameroon match-fixing case is a grave allegation with an alleged and strong indication of pre-match knowledge from a well-known match-fixer. Therefore, in my view, this case should command a swift, strong and, most importantly, an international and coordinated investigation to clear the air in the interest of football and all concerned.’ | FECAFOOT released a statement confirming their ethics committee will probe claims of 'fraud' by seven Cameroon players in all three of their Group A games .
A convicted fraudster correctly predicted Cameroon would lose 4-0 and have a man sent off against Croatia .
Allegations were made by convicted match fixer Wilson Raj in Der Spiegel . |
183d5aa118a022d3ad61c26cfc41d5ecc09e3478 | Prince William described her as 'an extremely talented British actress who I should probably call granny' following her film portrayal of Her Majesty. Now, it appears Dame Helen Mirren has had words with the real Queen about the moment the Duke of Cambridge presented her with an honorary fellowship award at the BAFTAs last night. The elegant actress, who could be seen wagging her finger at the head of state, was among around 250 stars to be introduced to members of the royal family personally at a glittering Buckingham Palace this evening. Speaking about being introduced to Her Majesty, she said: 'You're thinking "its the Queen it's the Queen"' - and when asked if she still got starstruck, she replied: 'Of course, even more so I think because I feel self conscious, you know.' Scroll down for video... Having words: Dame Helen Mirren (pictured with Sir David Attenborough, third left) appears to be having words with the Queen about the moment Prince William presented her with a BAFTA fellowship award. She can be seen wagging her finger at the head of state at a glittering reception at Buckingham Palace this evening . Meeting Kate: On Sunday night, Prince William described Dame Helen as 'an extremely talented British actress who I should probably call granny' Laughing: Dame Helen told a giggling Kate 'Your husband called me granny last night' - to which she replied: 'I know'. Above, the pair share a joke as Sir David looks on . Overwhelmed: Speaking about being introduced to Her Majesty, Dame Helen (pictured above with Kate and Sir David) said: 'You're thinking "its the Queen it's the Queen"' She added: 'I am genuinely always astounded by her aura, her twinkle, her presence. It never fails to surprise me and again it's what everyone says when they meet her - it was what overwhelmed me the first time I met her.' Dame Helen then met the Duchess of Cambridge, whom she told: 'Your husband called me granny last night' - to which a giggling Kate replied: 'I know' and revealed he had asked her whether she thought the joke 'appropriate'. As Dame Helen and other members of film royalty met members of the . real royal family, Kate ensured she stood out at the star-studded Dramatic Arts Reception in a vibrant . red Alexander McQueen dress. The Duchess of Cambridge 32, has worn the designer pleated skirt dress on previous occasions, most famously on the royal barge . during the Diamond Jubilee river pageant of 2012. Celebrating the arts: The Duchess of Cambridge joined the Queen and Prince Michael of Kent (left) at Buckingham Palace this evening for the star-studded event . Royal duty: The Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge are pictured before the reception, during which they met 250 members of film royalty . Re-worked look: Kate accessorised her red dress from Alexander McQueen's spring/summer 2011 collection with a black clutch and heels . Glamorous: She also ditched the hat to let her glossy brown locks fall around her shoulders and wore long gold earrings . Applause: The Queen, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Michael of Kent watch the performance at Buckingham Palace . On that day she accessorised with her . trusty LK . Bennett nude heels and a Lock & Co hat. For today's event, hosted by . the Queen to celebrate the dramatic arts, she went for a less formal . look. She ditched the hat to let her glossy . brown locks fall around her shoulders and substituted a patriotic . tartan clutch she carried for the Jubliee event for a plainer black . purse and matching black heels. She added an additional new touch to her look with long, gold earrings. The red dress has . been worn by a number of celebrities since it made its debut on the . spring/summer . 2011 catwalk back in February 2010. The former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos wore a sleeveless version of it for the reality show's auditions in July 2011. She . wore the piece, with its flattering pleated skirt and neat peplum, with . minimal accessories - just black stilettos and a slick of red lipstick . finished off the look for Tulisa. Fashionable: Kate's red dress has been worn by a number of celebrities since it made its debut on the catwalk back in February 2010. Above, she meets performers . Greeting: Actresses Uma Thurman, Joely Richardson, Joan Collins, Gemma Arterton and Helena Bonham Carter (pictured) were all present at the glamorous reception . Unique: Helena Bonham Carter looked her typical quirky self in a black and dark brown ensemble, which she accessorised with a black handbag and dark red lipstick . Pleased to meet you: Queen Elizabeth II meets playwright, actor and author Alan Bennett during the reception . Looking jolly: Her Majesty greets award-winning comedian Harry Hill, who was wearing a grey suit and red tie . Attendees: Sir Roger Moore and Kristina Tholstrup (left) and Harvey Weinstein and Georgina Chapman (right) were among the attendees at the Dramatic Arts Reception . Reality . TV queen Kim Kardashian has also been pictured in the dress when out in . New York, adding some bling with a jeweled necklace and metallic . clutch. But thankfully none of the . Hollywood stars and the giants of British film and theatre who joined . the Duchess of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace this evening made the . fashion faux pas of wearing the same outfit as style queen Kate. Actresses . Uma Thurman, Joely Richardson, Joan Collins, Gemma Arterton and Dame . Angela Lansbury were all present at the glittering Buckingham Palace . reception, as well as Sir Roger Moore, Alan Rickman and Ralph Fiennes. The . Duchess was introduced to many of the 250 stars present on a night . celebrating the Queen's 60 years as patron of the Royal Academy of . Dramatic Art and the wider contribution that the dramatic arts make to . national life. Performance: Dame Helen Mirren came on for the finale, reciting Prospero's Our Revels Now Are Ended speech from Shakespeare's The Tempest . Acting: The performance included the famous line: 'We are such stuff as dreams are made on' Dramatic: Rada students on stage performing songs from Oh! What A Lovely War before an audience, including the Queen and Duchess of Cambridge . Inside . the White Drawing Room, the Queen greeted a line-up of ten hand-picked . celebrities, including Alan Rickman, Sir David Attenborough - . representing his brother Richard, Lord Attenborough who was too ill to . attend - Miss Marple star Dame Angela Lansbury, actress Jane Horrocks, . British film director of 12 Years A Slave Steve McQueen. Also present was comedian Lenny Henry, who made a joke about Helen Mirren's film performance as the Queen. Pointing to the 87-year-old monarch and joking with McQueen, he said: 'This is Helen Mirren. She's brilliant.' Actress Jane Horrocks asked the Queen . about the honorary BAFTA she was given in April last year and the . monarch replied that she saw it all the time. 'I keep it on the TV,' she . said. Afterwards Kate accompanied the Queen, . who was wearing a sapphire and diamond brooch that Prince Albert gave to . Queen Victoria on her wedding day, into the palace Ballroom to meet the . rest of her guests. Famous faces: Actor Luke Treadaway (left) and actress Joely Richardson (right) attended the spectacular event... ... as did actor Michael Sheen (left) and comedian Stephen Fry (right) Guests: Joan Collins and Percy Gibson were also among the attendees at the event - for which, the Queen, Kate and Prince Michael of Kent sat in the front row . Joker: Also present was comedian Lenny Henry (pictured with director Steve McQueen), who made a joke about Helen Mirren's film performance as the Queen . The highlight of the evening was a short performance including a medley of songs from Oh What A Lovely War, Joan Littlewood's satirical anti-war 1963 musical which was turned into a 1969 film by Lord Attenborough, performed by RADA students. The Queen, Kate and Prince Michael of . Kent sat entranced in the front row in the palace ballroom as the . students went through their paces after being introduced by Hugh Laurie. Trevor . Eve, One Foot In The Grave star Richard Willson, and Jessie Buckley, . the Irish singer, then performed a scene from George Bernard Shaw's . Pygmalion before young singer Cynthia Erivo belted out a song from The . Color Purple and Sir Tom Courtenay recited some lines from The Dresser. Dame . Helen Mirren came on for the finale, reciting Prospero's Our Revels Now . Are Ended speech from Shakespeare's The Tempest, including the famous . line: ‘We are such stuff as dreams are made on.’ Some of the biggest Hollywood stars said they felt humbled by going to the palace. De-ja vu: The Duchess of Cambridge's Alexander . McQueen dress has previously been worn in sleeveless form by Kim . Kardashian, centre, and Tulisa Contostavlos, right, though 5ft 10in Kate had her version made longer . Fashion fashback: Kate paired the dress with her favourite LK Bennett nude heels and a tartan clutch when she joined Prince William for the Jubliee celebrations in 2012 . ‘It's . such a privilege, such an honour. I am chuffed and overwhelmed,’ said . Uma Thurman. ‘It's so beautiful. I had to remind myself not to trip . because you can be taken in by the beauty of the place.’ ‘I . had never met the Queen before and now I have. Iyt was a wonderful . performance,’ she added. ‘Us Americans, you know. We are all in awe of . British actors.’ The . invitation to the palace was also the icing on the cake for Bond girl . Gemma Arterton. ‘My Mum and Dad were so proud when I got the letter. They said 'you're going to meet the Queen.’ ‘I've most of the Royal Family but I'd never met the Queen. Now I've got the full set.’ | Dame Helen Mirren among 250 stars to be introduced to members of royal family at Buckingham Palace event .
Seen wagging her finger at the Queen following Prince William's comment that he 'should probably call [her] granny'
Kate joined Her Majesty to meet film royalty during glittering Dramatic Arts Reception . |
183e3d317a2ab58345e3cf878a35d8c2c0fb1bd5 | Washington (CNN) -- Is bipartisanship in Washington really dead? Not for a pair of junior senators from different parties who flew to the other side of the world to see whether they could experience across-the-aisle cooperation by living for a week on a deserted island with almost no provisions. Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, and Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, came back to the Capitol from their survivalist adventure in the Marshall Islands last month -- which was shot for an upcoming Discovery channel special -- poking fun at each other like best friends and finishing each others' sentences like brothers. "All of a sudden he thought he was part of the Screen Actors Guild," Flake joshed. "Five o'clock. No more fishing." "20 hour limit to the day," Heinrich deadpanned. They stood for an impromptu session with a small group of reporters Thursday, after stepping off the Senate floor where they had voted, perhaps not surprisingly, opposite one another on a campaign finance bill. They said the idea for the trip was sparked a year ago during a late-night series of floor votes where they compared past trips each had taken to spear fish. "Jeff had his iPad and showed me some pictures of the last trip he did with his kids. Then I started to show him pictures of fish I had speared on various trips," said Heinrich. "He speared bigger fish than I had," Flake said. "So I thought ..." "Hey, there might be some value here," Heinrich interjected, completing Flake's thought. Flake knew what he needed because he has some previous survivalist experience. A year ago, he and his sons spent a week on a similar deserted island. Discovery allowed them to take only three provisions on the sandy atoll but the senators refused to say what they were -- "tune in," they responded in unison. But they had clothes. "That was a nonstarter," Flake said. "We were afraid but not naked." Asked what skill the other person had for which they were grateful, Flake said, "I'm glad Martin's the engineer type. Because I wouldn't have known how to put together a shelter." "He opens coconuts with a machete faster than anyone I've ever seen," Heinrich responded. "That came in handy because that's all we had to drink for a long time," Flake replied. They were asked whether they think the trip will open doors for them to work together in the future, and they seemed upbeat. "I think what's missing most around here is trust, and that's mostly because people don't know each other very well," Heinrich said. "I think you need to know each other before you can figure out where you can work together." Flake said they considered bringing their own GoPro cameras and documenting the trips themselves but then thought Discovery might do a better job. Discovery "convinced us that if this is to have some value in terms of promoting bipartisanship and trust, it's better for people to see and hear the dialogue between us," he explained. Asked whether there were any tensions between the men, Heinrich acknowledged "it was pretty stressful." "This was not a resort experience," he said. "It was competitive," Flake said. | Sen. Jeff Flake and Sen. Martin Heinrich spent a week on a deserted island .
It was a survivalist adventure in the Marshall Islands .
The Discovery channel filmed them for a special .
Flake is a Republican, and Heinrich is a Democrat . |
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