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197081dd1fb854f9520512be2148d5c255b72c9c | (CNN) -- The Internet is captivated by the news that Amazon is considering a future system that uses unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, to deliver packages. Some people spent hours examining the feasibility of such a plan and earnestly pondering the effects of weather, thieves and other factors. Others, of course, just cracked jokes. Twitter, as usual, had a field day with the idea. Here are some of the funniest comments, memes and parody "drone" accounts. . | Jokesters flock to Twitter to make fun of Amazon's drone-delivery plan .
The online retailer wants to use unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver packages . |
19713b40912d4d8135b3621c1772a3c7f147295e | By . Eddie Wrenn . PUBLISHED: . 05:57 EST, 13 March 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:20 EST, 13 March 2012 . Brain scans of NASA astronauts who have spent more than a month in space have revealed damage to their eyeballs and brain tissue. The research may have long-term implications for long-term space journeys, hypothetically preventing us from spreading through-out the solar system and beyond. Researchers used MRI scans to examine the eyes and brains of 27 astronauts, and found examples of brain damage caused by exposure to the micro-gravity of space. This ranged from a flattening and bulging of the eyeball to damage to the connections between the brain and the pituitary gland - one of the key glands governing bodily functions. MRI scans spotted damage within the brains of astronauts, with the human body unprepared for coping with micro- or low-gravity . With humans adapted over millions of . years for living within the pressure of Earth's atmosphere and gravity, . it is unsurprising that space plays havoc with our systems. In . fact, with astronaut bodies trapped between conflicting gravity fields, . lower gravity, and centrifugal forces, probably the most surprising . fact is that our bodies can endure space at all. The MRI scans took place on astronauts who on average had been exposed to zero or micro . gravity for an average of 108 days, either on space shuttle missions or on-board the International Space Station. The problems are similar to those caused by intracranial hypertension, a rare and dangerous condition where pressure inside the brain rises and presses against the skull and eye sockets. The results, published in the journal Radiology, showed that: . While . these findings are not likely to put a hold on any current planned . space missions, there may be implications to long-term travel in space . as humanity continues to broaden our horizons. If humanity cannot survive years of . living and travelling in space, our ability to spread through-out the . solar system and beyond is at risk. However it is likely that technological solutions will be found as we push the final frontier. Study leader Larry A. Kramer, MD, professor of . diagnostic and interventional imaging at The University of Texas Medical . School at Houston, said: 'Microgravity-induced intracranial . hypertension represents a . hypothetical risk factor and a potential limitation to long-duration . space travel. 'Consider the possible impact on proposed manned missions to Mars or even the concept of space tourism. Can risks be eventually mitigated? Can abnormalities detected be completely reversed? 'The next step is confirming the findings, defining causation and working towards a solution based on solid evidence.' Backdropped against Earth, astronauts work on the exterior of the International Space Station during a 2009 space-walk . The types of abnormalities spotted are observed in cases of intra-cranial hypertension where no cause can be found for increased pressure around the brain. The pressure causes swelling of the juncture between the optic nerve and the eyeball which can result in visual impairment. Bone mineral loss and muscle atrophy are some of the other known effects of zero gravity on astronauts. William J. Tarver, MD, chief of flight medicine clinic at NASA/Johnson Space Center, said the agency has noted changes in vision in some ISS astronauts, but the origins were not yet fully understood. He said: 'NASA has placed this problem high on its list of human risks, has . initiated a comprehensive program to study its mechanisms and . implications, and will continue to closely monitor the situation.' He added the findings are suspicious but not conclusive of intracranial hypertension. No astronauts have been considered ineligible for space flight duties as a result of the findings. | MRI tests on travellers to International Space Station uncover effects on eyeballs and brain connections .
Mission to Mars may not be possible .
Humanity's ability to get to and settle on another planet may also be a non-runner .
Nine of the 27 astronauts suffered an expansion of the cerebral spinal .
fluid space surrounding the optic nerve .
A flattening of the rear of the eyeball in six astronauts .
Bulging of the optic nerve in four astronauts .
Changes in the .
pituitary gland and its connection to the brain in three of .
the astronauts . |
197255c872a908297a6815328db7a9c019fe8f08 | At long last, it may actually happen. Boxing’s first $200million spectacular. The mega-fight we’ve all been waiting for. The most reliable hint thus far that Floyd Mayeather and Manny Pacquiao will finally get it on began rustling around the American rumour mill as the PacMan flew into Los Angeles from Manila in the early hours of Monday morning, London time. Book the date, at least provisionally: September 13 this year. The place: The MGM Grand Garden, Las Vegas. WATCH Scroll down to see Manny Pacquiáo beat Brandon Rios . Show him the money: Floyd Mayweather could be set for a mega-fight with Manny Pacquiao . Kings of the ring: Mayweather versus Pacquiao has been pencilled in for September 13 in Las Vegas . We’ve heard it all before but this time the word comes from close to Mayweather’s Money Team. The . same YouTube source which revealed that Mayweather would fight Robert . Guerrero and Canelo Alvarez months before the official announcements of . those bouts last year is claiming now that the biggest one of all is a . done deal. Mayweather keeps . his cards closer to his chest than a world poker champion. He continues . to play games by asking his Twitter followers to vote on who should be . his next opponent. However, . his date with Britain's Amir Khan is expected to be confirmed any day. It has been in the works since October, as revealed by Sportsmail. Not . that it would be reasonable to expect him to disclose his plans for . September before that fight, which is earmarked for the same Vegas venue . on May 3. Pacquiao also has . a hurdle of his own to overcome at the MGM, on April 5, if the . Mayweather bonanza is to have any chance of becoming reality. He is back . in master-trainer Freddie Roach’s Wild Card gym in LA preparing to . avenge the miscarriage of judging which gifted Tim Bradley a split . decision victory over him 20 months ago. If . Khan or Bradley spring a major upset, it would derail the Money train . which is seemingly en route now to the biggest pay-night in ring . history. But with the casino . odds heavily against either of them losing this spring, Mayweather and . Pacquiao appear to be manoeuvring towards an autumn showdown which has . been the best part of a decade in the making. Pacquiao . began clearing the decks by agreeing to Mayweather’s demands for . Olympic blood-standard drugs testing as well as the lion’s share of the . purse. When his offer to . accept just 40 per cent of the loot was followed by Mayweather’s . insistence that he cut his promoter, Bob Arum, out of the deal, Pacquiao . upped the moral ante. In . keeping with a proposition put in this column a few weeks in the wake of . the typhoon disaster in the Philippines, his home land in which he is . eyeing a run for the presidency, Pacquiao challenged Mayweather to fight . him entirely for charity. The . silence which has greeted that proposal thus far suggests that . Mayweather may indeed be considering a negotiation which could include a . slice of the huge proceeds going to good causes in America as well as . the Philippines. Another . temptation for Mayweather to risk his cherished unbeaten record in a bid . to seal his legacy of greatness – as well as bank an absolute fortune - . has come with a perception in the US that Pacquiao is in decline. Revenge mission: Pacquiao is first set for a rematch in April with Tim Bradley (left), who beat him 20 months ago . 1) Floyd Mayweather . 2) Manny Pacquiao . 3) Andre Ward . 4) Timothy Bradley . 5) Wladimir Klitschko . 6) Guillermo Rigondeaux . 7) Adonis Stevenson . 8) Sergio Martinez . 9) Juan Manuel Marquez . 10) Carl Froch . The . controversial defeat by Bradley was followed by a shocking, one-punch . KO by Pacquiao’s arch-rival Juan Manuel Marquez, whom Mayweather had . beaten with ease. Although . Pacquiao came back to out-class a tough young Brandon Rios, he failed to . finish the job with the knock-out which used to be his trademark. Even . if Pacquiao looks back to his best in the Bradley re-match, the dye . may already be cast by then for September. Albeit in private. As . recently as two years ago Mayweather-Pacquiao would have been . universally recognised as a duel between the two greatest . pound-for-pound fighters in the world. That . may well be the case by the time they do meet. Mayweather still reigns . supreme and in my view Pacquiao is back up there, just one place below . him. But even if Pacquiao is less than awesome against Bradley, a clash with Mayweather would still be huge box office. Better late than never. The people's choice: Mayweather asked his Twitter followers who he should fight next . Winner: Mayweather (left) lands a blow on Canelo Alvarez during his victory last September . Thumbs up: A deal is nearly done for Mayweather to fight Britain's Amir Khan . Top . of the bill in Cardiff but over-shadowed by Anthony Joshua’s second . round starching of Dorian Darch, his fourth professional fall-guy, the . hottest Welsh prospect since Joe Calzaghe polished his credentials as a . coming world title contender. Lee . Selby’s sixth round stoppage of boxing bin-man Rendall Munroe, himself a . former world title challenger, added the European featherweight title . to his British and Commonwealth belt. Also the WBC International champion, Selby is closing in on world champion Jhonny Gonzalez. Olympic . heavyweight champion Joshua is as aware as anyone that he needs to step . up in class now. To that end he is keeping commendably busy and seeking . a tougher opponent in Glasgow on March 1. Prince of Wales: Lee Selby (left) is the hottest Welsh prospect since Joe Calzaghe . The atmospheric mystique of prize-fighting has long held a fascination for artists, be they of the brush, the pen or the lens. A . book published this week comes very much in the tradition of noble . art-work as established by such authors and painters as Damon Runyon, . Budd Schulberg and Norman Rockwell. In . The Aura Of Boxing the hard old game is seen through the oblique . camera of Max Kandhola, principal lecturer at the esteemed photography . degree course at Nottingham Trent University. Most memorable moment: Julius Francis (right) was knocked out in round two by Mike Tyson in 2000 . Kandhola deliberately eschews the glitz and glamour of the big fights in favour of the tough grind of the gym. His . three prime subjects are not famed world champions but Julius Francis, . the British heavyweight most remembered for being knocked out by Mike . Tyson, Rob McCracken, who is enjoying greater success as the head . trainer of Carl Froch and the GB Olympic team than he did in the ring, . and Howard Clarke, who lost all but one of the 70 fights which followed a . failed challenge for the IBF light-middleweight title on his one big . night in the limelight at New York’s Madison Square Garden. These . are 120 fine-art photographs which it took Kandhola more than a decade . to compile, many of them extreme close-ups of hard men and the raw . paraphernalia of their severe work-place. The corner man: Rob McCracken (left), has enjoyed success as a trainer to the likes of Carl Froch . Ironically it is the diffused, soft-focus shots which transmit most hauntingly the grimy reality of the prize-fighter’s life. Publication is accompanied by exhibitions of these pictures in Nottingham and London. The Aura Of Boxing, Max Kandhola, Dewi Lewis Publishing, £30/£45 hardback. Exhibitions: Now to April 21 New Art Exchange Nottingham, March 6-30 Rich Mix London – admissions is free. | Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao pencilled in for September 13 .
The MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas is the proposed venue .
Pacquiao has a rematch against Tim Bradley on April 5 .
Mayweather close to agreeing a fight against Amir Khan .
There's a perception in US Pacquiao is a fading force .
Lee Selby is the hottest Welsh prospect since Joe Calzaghe . |
19727bb1bdc47a8382d7af78dfd8e107c2b41dc1 | By . Ben Spencer for the Daily Mail . Part of Iceland was evacuated yesterday amid growing fears that the country’s Bardarbunga volcano is about to erupt. Airlines were on high alert as the centre of the island was hit by an earthquake every minute, signalling increased seismic activity below the volcano. If Bardarbunga erupts travel companies have been warned to prepare for a repeat of the chaos seen when Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano blew in 2010. A huge dust cloud shut down much of Europe’s airspace for six days, grounding 100,000 flights and affecting more than ten million people. Scroll down for video . This diagram shows how the ash could spread across Britain should the volcano erupt . Flights would be grounded because the extremely fine volcanic ash can jam the planes' engines . Bardarbunga: Iceland's largest volcano is seen from afar on a webcam positioned on Grimsfjoll mountain . At around . 3am yesterday between 300 and 500 people, mostly visitors, were ordered . to leave the highlands north of Bardarbunga, after 300 earthquakes shook . the area in just three hours. Tourists have been banned from visiting . the area, which is popular with hikers, and all roads are closed. Authorities . said an eruption might cause the Vatnajökull glacier – one of the . largest in Europe – which covers the volcano, to melt, causing mass . flooding. Iceland’s . Civil Protection Agency said: ‘It cannot be ruled out that the seismic . activity in Bardarbunga could lead to a volcanic eruption. The area is . now closed and has been evacuated.’ It added: . ‘These security measures have been taken since it would not be possible . to evacuate the area in time should a sub-glacial outburst flood occur . from Vatnajökull as a result of an eruption.’ Iceland issued a ‘code orange’ alert – the second highest risk level – to airlines on Tuesday, warning of possible disruption. Shaking all over: Nearly 300 earthquakes were detected near the Bardarbunga volcano this morning . With . millions of British families currently abroad for the summer holidays, . and many more planning getaways for the Bank Holiday weekend, the chaos . could be substantial. However, . the extent of the disruption depends on the wind direction during . eruption. At the moment, the prevailing winds are blowing south-east, . directly towards Britain. Forecasters in the UK are carefully monitoring . weather systems in the area. Laura Young, spokesman for the Met Office, said last night: ‘At the moment the air flow is coming from the north-west. ‘It looks . like it will stay that way until the early hours of Monday, when we are . expecting a change. If there is an eruption, it is all about timing. If . the air flow changed it might not affect us or European airspace at . all.’ Forecasting the wind direction is complicated because of the . potential height of the dust cloud. If the ash . is blown 20,000ft into the air, as the Eyjafjallajokull plume was in . 2010, it would be affected by unpredictable air flows in the upper . atmosphere. Chaos: The Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted in 2010, creating massive disruptions for air travellers . At the moment the upper atmospheric winds are flowing in the same direction as surface winds, but that is not always the case. Miss Young . added: ‘The air moves around in different ways at various different . levels in the atmosphere. We cannot second-guess exactly which direction . any airflow in the upper atmosphere will change to.’ Einar . Einarsson of the Icelandic Meteorological Office, said seismic activity . was constant, adding: ‘It doesn’t seem to vary a lot – it is . concentrated in one area under the glacier.’ Dr Nicolas . Bellouin, an expert on atmospheric dust clouds at the University of . Reading, said: ‘Volcanic ash is a hazard to aircraft, because of . sandblasting of the outside of the plane and because particles are . sucked into the turbines where they can melt and disable the engines. ‘For that reason, aviation authorities impose a limit on the maximum concentration of ash aircraft can fly through.’ But he . added that a dust plume was ‘unlikely’ to have a dramatic effect on UK . weather and that those with health conditions affected by pollution . should not be ‘overly worried.' | Airlines preparing for repeat of the chaos seen when Eyjafjallajokull blew .
All roads leading to the region near Bardarbunga volcano are blocked .
Police say a quick evacuation would not be possible if the volcano erupts .
Nearly 300 earthquakes were detected in the area on Wednesday . |
1972897f02f41e49c535a9bc27777b1ee8020bd5 | Allegations: Eric Schneiderman, 59, has admitted to using marijuana and cocaine during his youth but denied taking any illegal drug since he entered the Senate in 1999 . New York's Attorney General is facing fresh questions over his alleged partying lifestyle after a political activist claimed he snorted cocaine in the backroom of a bar while serving as a state senator. Eric Schneiderman, 59, has admitted to using marijuana and cocaine during his youth but denied taking any illegal drug since he entered the Senate in 1999. However, Democratic activist and comedian Randy Credico has claimed in his memoir that he witnessed Schneiderman snort 'bumps' of cocaine during a party at Manhattan's Siberia nightclub in 2005. 'I saw him, Schneiderman, put it up his nose, a white powder' insisted Credico in a memoir he hopes to publish, according to the New York Post. The pair worked together during the 2000s in successfully reforming The Rockefeller Drug Laws - state statutes that deal with the sale and possession of 'narcotic' drugs. The alleged incident happened, Credico claimed, during a reception for politicians and their supporters. Siberia has since shut down. 'Schneiderman was there, and everybody was using like a bump or two bumps of cocaine . . . We were all snorting there, everyone was in the back room using white powder,' contended Credico, who received more than 20,000 votes as a long-shot candidate in the Democratic primary for governor last month. He claimed there were about a dozen other people in the room but could not recall who they were, the Post stated. Credico, who was such good friends with Scheiderman at the time that he even MC'd his 50th birthday party. But he says he decided to make his accusations public after seeing a recent re-election campaign advert in which Schneiderman lauds his role in 'breaking up statewide drug-trafficking rings.' He went on: 'The AG is going after Mickey Mouse drug offenders . . . when he was once totally opposed to the drug laws,' Credico allegedly wrote. Claims: However, Democratic activist and comedian Randy Credico has claimed in his memoir that he witnessed Schneiderman snort 'bumps' of cocaine during a party at Manhattan's Siberia nightclub in 2005 . Peter Adjemian, a spokesman for Schneiderman, called the allegation 'categorically false.' 'The attorney general and Mr. Credico crossed paths a number of times during 2005, when they were both supporting [Manhattan] District Attorney [Robert] Morgenthau's re-election campaign, and Mr. Credico performed stand-up comedy at the attorney general's 50th birthday party,' the rep said. 'But what's truly laughable — and absolutely, unequivocally false — is the notion that these two individuals ever did drugs together.' | Eric Schneiderman has admitted drug use in youth but denied any since .
But Randy Credico claims they took cocaine together at party in 2005 .
Credico says it happened in backroom of Siberia nightclub, Manhattan .
'I saw him, Schneiderman, put it up his nose, a white powder,' he claims .
Schneiderman spokesman says allegation is 'laughable, categorically false' |
1974a767f671d14495808f2dfff65b230e10de2e | The judge in the Oscar Pistorius trial has formally ordered the Paralympian to undergo psychiatric evaluation to establish whether he was criminally responsible on the night he killed his girlfriend. Judge Thokozile Masipa told Pistorius he must report to Pretoria's Weskoppies hospital, one of South Africa's top mental institutions, as an outpatient for up to 30 days, starting on May 26. The Judge named three of the experts - one for the defence and two appointed by the court - who will test whether Pistorius was 'capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his action'. The results could offer a way for the double amputee to beat both the murder charge and a lesser one of culpable homicide (similar to manslaughter) if the court is convinced he was not of sound mind when he shot Reeva Steenkamp. Scroll down for video . Could he be acquitted of murder? Oscar Pistorius arrives at the high court in Pretoria accompanied by his uncle, Arnold, to hear a ruling by the judge in his murder trial to send him for up to 30 days of psychiatric tests . Conversely, if they find that his apparent Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) played no part in her death, the . state’s case that he murdered her could be strengthened. Pistorius must attend the hospital at 9am every weekday and will be evaluated by a panel of four mental health experts. He can leave every day at 4pm or when allowed by hospital authorities. Judge Masipa ruled that Pistorius's period of observation will not be more than 30 days. The ruling after an expert told the trial that he suffered from an anxiety disorder that made him 'hyper-vigilant'. Festival atmosphere: Local artists sing a tune called Whose Oscar Pistorius? outside the high court in Pretoria . Psychiatrist . Dr Merryll Vorster, for the defence, said that Pistorius's condition is . linked to his disability and meant that he was prone to fight, rather . than take flight, in the presence of perceived danger. It means that the trial - already on its 33rd day - will now be delayed until June 30. The decision by Judge Masipa followed a request for a psychiatric evaluation by the chief prosecutor, Gerrie Nel. Mr Nel questioned why the defense decided to ask Dr Vorster to testify on behalf of the Olympic runner. He has suggested that the trial is not going well for Pistorius and that his lawyers are floating the idea that a disorder contributed to Steenkamp's shooting and that therefore Pistorius bears less responsibility for her death. Pistorius says he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder when he shot her through the closed door of a toilet cubicle. Prosecutors say he killed her in anger after an argument. In asking for another professional evaluation of Pistorius's mental state, Nel appeared to be trying to ward off any attempt by the defense to say Pistorius should be treated favorably by the court because of a mental condition linked to his disability. Professor . Craig Jackson, Head of Psychology at Birmingham City University, . explained to MailOnline more about the condition that it's claimed Oscar . Pistorius has. 'Hyper-vigilance . is more of a behavioural symptom of wider psychological problems than . an actual psychiatric condition in itself,' he said. 'Hyper-vigilance . is when an individual is in a chronic state of high anxiety and arousal . and is constantly scanning their surroundings - the environment they . are in, as well as friends and the people they encounter - for threats. 'This . is often as the result of suffering a traumatic or frightening . experience. After a while this state becomes second nature to the . fearful individual and begins to shape their routine behaviours - for . example always checking behind closed doors when entering a room, or . assessing new places for the nearest emergency exit. 'Those . who are hyper-vigilant are often easily startled, suffer from poor . sleeping patterns, may have difficulty concentrating, and can be quite . quarrelsome, spontaneous and irritable. 'Hyper-vigilance . is one of the symptoms required in order for psychiatrists to make a . diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) alongside other . symptoms of intense fear such as avoidance, re-experience, flashbacks . and intense arousal. 'Not . everyone who suffers traumatic events will go on to develop PTSD or . hyper-vigilance, and there may be other underlying personality factors . or past experiences that make it more likely to manifest in some rather . than others, such as narcissism or high intelligence.' | Paralympian must report to top mental hospital at 9am every weekday .
Double amputee will be evaluated by four experts until 4pm each day .
Will decide if he was 'capable of appreciating wrongfulness of his action' |
1975b85efecb1c629247f69ef9e1f0ced76e773a | By . Helen Lawson . PUBLISHED: . 22:42 EST, 31 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:17 EST, 1 April 2013 . The United States has sent F-22 stealth fighter jets to join South Korean military exercises in a show of support for Seoul as it urged North Korea to restrain itself from making threats against the South and its allies. Yesterday, the North's top decision-making body said nuclear weapons are 'treasure' and the . 'nation's life' and will not be traded for billions of dollars, the . latest in a series of provocative statements from the rogue state. '[North Korea] will achieve nothing by . threats or provocations, which will only further isolate North Korea and . undermine international efforts to ensure peace and stability in . north-east Asia,' the US said in a statement. Scroll down for video . North Korea, led by Kim Jong-un, has stepped up its fighting talk with a series of warnings and threats in recent weeks . The United States has responded to the threats by sending F-22 Raptors to join South Korean military exercises (file photo) Sabre-rattling on the Korean peninsula also . drew a plea for peace from Pope Francis, who in his first Easter Sunday . address called for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. 'Peace in Asia, above all on the . Korean peninsula: may disagreements be overcome and a renewed spirit of . reconciliation grow,' he said. After the North's young leader Kim Jong-un chaired his first plenary meeting of the ruling Worker's Party central committee yesterday, a statement to the official KCNA news agency said the country's nuclear weapons 'are neither a political . bargaining chip nor a thing for economic dealings to be presented to . the place of dialogue or be put on the table of negotiations aimed at . forcing [Pyongyang] to disarm itself'. On Saturday, North Korea said it was entering a 'state of war' with South Korea but the statement was played down by Seoul and the US as the latest piece of 'tough talk' from Pyongyang. Tensions have been high on the Korean peninsula since Kim ordered its third nuclear weapons test in February, breaching United Nations sanctions and ignoring warnings from China, its closest ally, not to do so. The test drew further UN and bilateral sanctions designed to pressure North Korea to stop its nuclear weapons program. Instead, Pyongyang has responded with a campaign of threats, including a vow to launch nuclear weapons at the United States, and a series of warnings. Pope Francis called for a diplomatic solution to tensions in the Korean peninsula in his Easter Sunday address yesterday . An unknown number of radar-evading F-22 Raptors were deployed to Osan Air Base, the main US Air Force base in South Korea, from Japan to take part in the annual joint Foal Eagle military drills, which prepare the allies to defend the South from a North Korean attack. On Thursday, the United States performed a rare show of force aimed at the North by dropping dummy munitions from two B-2 Spirit stealth bombers on practice runs over South Korea, which led to Kim putting the North's missile units on standby to attack American military bases in the South and the Pacific. The two Koreas have been in a state of war since the truce that ended their 1950-53 conflict. Despite the threats from the North, few believe Pyongyang will risk near-certain defeat by restarting a full-scale war. On Saturday, North Korea declared it was entering a 'state of war' with the South . Analysts say the threats are more likely to be efforts . to provoke softer policies toward Pyongyang from a new government in . Seoul, to win diplomatic talks with Washington that could get more aid for the North . and to strengthen the young North Korean leader's image and . military credentials at home. Japan's top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga condemned North Korea for 'aggressive provocation' after Kim's ruling party newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, identified US military bases in Japan as targets for attack. Pyongyang justifies its own nuclear pursuits largely on a perceived threat from the US. The White House says the United States . is taking North Korea's threats seriously, but has also noted . Pyongyang's history of 'bellicose rhetoric'. | The US urges North Korea to restrain itself from threatening the South .
Stealth jets joined the annual joint defence drills between US and the South .
The rogue state said it was entering a 'state of war' with South Korea . |
19764d4e18a1c06e7516b54e7f7ea5dd6471e780 | By . Francesca Chambers . Pictionary, 20 Questions, Trivial Pursuit, reading books and taking naps. That's how employees at an Obamacare processing plant spend their days, a former employee says. Lavonnne Takatz, 42, says she quit her job at . Obamacare contractor Serco's office in Wentzville, Missouri, just outside . St. Louis in April because she couldn't handle 'doing nothing' all day anymore. 'You could be completely sane and work there for seven months and leave there and almost want to check yourself into a mental hospital. It was that bad,' Takatz told St. Louis' News 4 KMOV. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . With paper applications on the decline after healthcare.gov began working more frequently, a whistle blower says said data entry personnel at Obamacare contractor Serco were only expected to enter two paper applications a month, 'and some people are not even able to do that.' Bring lots of pencils: A former employee at an Affordable Care Act processing center recalls having so little work to do that she played board games like Pictionary and Trivial Pursuit all day . This week KMOV ran a scathing report on alleged waste and abuse of taxpayer funds at Serco Inc.'s office featuring an unidentified whistle blower who said employees do nothing for days or weeks at a . time. The employee alleged that Serco was keeping its workforce unnecessarily high to get more money out of the federal government. 'They want to hire more people, even though we still don't have work to keep the people that we have busy,' the employee said. Serco is a subsidiary of international company Serco Group Pls. The company . has a 12-year $1.25 billion contract with the Department of Health and . Human Services to process paper Obamacare applications made through the . federal exchanges. The company has . three facilities that process Obamacare applications in Missouri, . Kentucky and Oklahoma. Employees who do data entry at those facilities . 'have hardly any work to do,' the whistle blower told KMOV. 'There a weeks that a data entry person would not process an application,' the employee said. 'They're told to sit at their computers and hit the refresh button every 10 minutes - no more than every 10 minutes. They're monitored - to hopefully look for an application.' With paper applications on the decline after healthcare.gov began working more frequently, the employee said data entry personnel were only expected to enter two applications a month, 'and some people are not even able to do that.' After it began looking into the initial whistle blower's claims, KMOV found even more current and former Serco employees who were willing to attest that the company is wasting government resources, including Takatz. 'I think for the entire month of December, I processed six applications, ' Takatz said. 'And that was actually pretty good, correct?' KMOV reporter Chris Nagus asked her. 'That was pretty good,' she confirmed. Another employee who wished to remain anonymous told KMOV that her supervisor told her department that if they processed two applications a month, their job was done. So bored were employees, Serco gave them books to read, Takatz said. 'We played Pictionary on a very large dry erase board,' she said. 'We had to create games, basically for ourselves.' Employees were not allowed to bring in cell phones, she said, adding to the monotony. 'It was prison. We all referred to it as our cell blocks,' she told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Game-master: Outgoing HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (L) has become a much-scorned Obama administration figure, but will son be able to leave Obamacare's woes behind her . Dubious inheritance: Sylvia Burwell has been nominated to take over HHS for Sebelius, taking on the thankless job of steering Obamacare through a rocky channel fraught with political landmines . Thumb-twiddler-in-chief? Serco program director John Lau presided over a workforce with nothing but time on their hands . Takatz says she worked at the facility for six months from October to April before her boredom and her conscience got the best of her. 'I feel guilty for working there as long as I did,' she told the 'It was like I was stealing money from people.' The . employee who originally contacted KMOV alleged that Serco isn't firing employees it doesn't need . because the more people it has working on the project, the more money it . gets from the government. 'So they want us there, even if we're not doing anything.' Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill says an employee of the Cognosante, a . subcontractor for Serco, told her office that when CMS came to visit . their facility, they were instructed to 'sit at their desks and pretend . to work even though they had no work to do. McCaskill sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General asking him to 'evaluate these claims and, if warranted, undertake a thorough investigation.' 'If it's anything like what the whistle-blowers suggest, it's terrible,' Missouri Senator Roy Blunt told Fox News on . Wednesday. 'If it's exactly what the whistleblowers suggest, it's an . absolute . outrage for every taxpayer in America.' Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, whose congressional district encompasses the area where the Obamacare contractor's office is located,'is talking with all relevant committees of jurisdiction to discuss whether or not an investigation is warranted,' a spokesman said. Zzzzzzzzobamacare: Workers tasked with entering nonexistent health insurance enrollments often resorted to napping on the job . Serco program director John Lau (right) has already had to testify before Congress in October about his company's involvement in Obamacare . The first . health care open enrollment period technically ended in March, but it . was extended by the federal government to mid-April for people having . problems with the website. Only certain groups of people such as young . people aging off their parents' health insurance can enroll for . Obamacare at this time. The . next open enrollment period does not being until the middle of . November. The government expects repairs to healthcare.gov to be . finished by that time, which will likely reduce the frequency of paper . applications even further. Serco has been declining to comment for the story. The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services - HHS agency overseeing the federal health exchanges - told KMOV that, 'Serco is committed to making sure federal funds are spent appropriately, and the number of Serco staff is reviewed on a regular basis,' KMOV says. Serco's UK parent company is one of the leading contractors with Great Britain's government. In 2012, the company admitted to the National Health Service that it . lied 252 times over a six month period about the performance of out of . hours doctors. It is currently under investigation in the UK by the Serious Fraud Office for charging the Ministry of Justice to electronically tag criminals that were in jail or dead. The company has already agreed to repay the govenment nearly £70 million for the falsified work related to the tagging scheme, BBC reports, and it could end up paying more. Serco's behavior in Great Britian was so crooked that it was tporarially banned from competing for government contracts in that country. The ban was lifted in February and Serco is now contracting with the governmnet again. When approached about Serco's terrible track record abroad last summer, a spokesman for CMS told Reuters, Serco is a highly skilled company that has a proven track record in . providing cost-effective services to numerous other federal . agencies.' The employee who first came forward told KMOV employees still haven't been given work to do even after numerous news reports publicizing Serco's wrongdoing. | This week an employee at Obamacare contractor Serco's office in Missouri told a local news station employees do nothing all day .
Workers are supposed to process paper Obamacare applications, but there's too many workers and not enough work, the whistle-blower said .
Two more Serco employees have come forward and confirmed those claims, including Lavonne Takatz, who says employees play board games, read books and take naps to pass the time . |
19775352dff20ed4c9c210c0ab27976aba987a0f | One of the world's finest collections of Victorian wrought-iron horse-drawn carriages is set to be sold for a total of £1.5million. The group of 28 coaches, which were built long before the invention of the automobile, have been amassed by a European-based collector over the past 30 years. The pick of the group is an 1835 Traveling Landauer wagon that was commissioned by the Royal Mews worth £300,000. A collection of Victorian wrought-iron horse-drawn carriages is to sell for an expected £1.5million. Pictured, the 1835 Traveling Landauer . The level of luxury that went into making the extravagant Traveling Landauer wagon is said to be beyond that of Rolls Royce standard of today . The extravagant coach was made by Adams & Hooper of London and used to carry King William IV on his Royal duties until his death just two years later. The level of luxury and detail that went into making it is said to be beyond that of Rolls Royce standard of today. There is an 1892 Road Coach made by renowned coachbuilders Holland & Holland that is expected to sell for £150,000 while a similar French-made carriage from a similar period is said to be worth £100,000. And a carriage once owned by luxury champagne producers Veuve Clicquot to take clients to their vineyards is valued at £25,000. As well as the 28 carriages, there are six children-sized coaches and more than 150 items of memorabilia, including period lamps, luggage, picnic sets, tack and photographs. The Traveling Landauer, left, was used to carry King William IV on his Royal duties and right, an 1890 Brea estimated to be worth £25,000 . The 1892 Road Coach made by renowned coachbuilders Holland & Holland that is expected to sell for £150,000 . As well as the carriages, there are six children-sized coaches and 150 memorabilia items for sale. Pictured, the 1910 German Mylord . Rob Hubbard, of London auctioneers Bonhams, said: 'The owner is a Dutch collector but a lot of the carriages he has were made by English coachbuilders. 'He has spent over 30 years collecting but he is now aged in his 80s and he no longer has any horses left and has decided now to pass it on to somebody else. 'These carriages are all exceptional in quality, you rarely see them in such good condition. 'The Royal Mews carriage is luxurious and has 50 yards of individually stitched cord. The attention to detail is beyond the Rolls Royce standard while the Veuve Clicquot carriage's seats are made from pure silk.' The auction takes place on March 7. The interior of the 1880 Holland & Holland Drag, which has an estimated value of £90,000. The auction takes place on March 7 . The group of 28 wrought-iron coaches that were built long before the invention of the automobile. Pictured, 1895 - 1898 Road Coach . Rob Hubbard, of London auctioneers Bonhams said the carriages are 'exceptional in quality'. Pictured, the 1895 - 1898 Road Coach has an estimated value of £100,000 . Mr Hubbard added that 'you rarely see them in such good condition'. Pictured, the 1908 Motor Buggy valued at £40,000 . | Group of 28 coaches have been amassed by a European-based collector over the past 30 years .
An 1835 Traveling Landauer wagon that was commissioned by the Royal Mews is worth £300,000 . |
197854b01841383a0cc89b28c98d003142216084 | (CNN) -- The vast sums of money made by football's middle men continues to soar, with English Premier League clubs this week detailing huge amounts paid to agents for helping to seal multi-million-dollar deals during the last 12 months. Big-spending table-toppers Manchester City predictably had the highest outlay, paying agents to the tune of $15.2 million between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011 for aiding the transfer of players such as Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko. Immediately behind City were Tottenham Hotspur ($12 million) and Liverpool ($11 million). These figures beg the question, what do England's biggest clubs gain from the use of agents and why are the payments made to them so large? The total £71.87 million ($112.8 million) spent in that period is a rise of almost $7.5 million. "It's very hard to know, to be honest -- clubs need to give us some answers," World Soccer Magazine editor Gavin Hamilton told CNN. "There's no reason that they should be that high, because most of those clubs have very good scouting networks." Poland and Ukraine primed for Euro 2012 kick-off . Hamilton believes that with clubs now possessing wide-ranging global scouting networks, the need to pay such large sums to agents should be lessened. "They discover and scout players themselves, and the clubs that aren't scouting players are relying on agents. They don't need to be doing that. They've got their own scouting network," he said. With agents primarily employed to negotiate deals on behalf of players with their respective clubs, Hamilton argues it is the footballers themselves who should foot the bill for their services. "It's the player that hires the agent to secure them a transfer, a new contract, so the players really should be paying the fees," he said. "It's a big surprise to me that clubs continue to cover agents' fees, rather than insist the players, who are so well paid, reward their agents for the work they've done." While the spending on agents could be considered as an unnecessary expense, Hamilton praised England's top division for showing the sort of transparency lacking in other top European leagues. "I think it's a positive that the Premier League actually publishes the information," he explained. "The Premier League has to be applauded for publishing the figures. "It's a good thing that they're published, it's a bad thing that they're so high." Hamilton also outlined the danger of having agents who represent managers and players employed by the same club, such as when manager Mark Hughes and Argentina striker Carlos Tevez were both at Manchester City while being represented by Israeli Kia Joorabchian. "I think certain clubs rely on particular agents who are not just representing players, but also representing managers," he said. "Managers now have agents. The Sunderland appointment, replacing Steve Bruce, there are a number of managers in the frame for the job who are with agents who also have high-profile players. "There's a clear conflict of interest there and clubs tend to rely on managers who share an agent with players, and I think that is a dangerous situation to get into." Hamilton wants stronger regulations placed upon agents, and hopes that financial fair-play regulations set to be introduced by European football's governing body UEFA will help improve the situation. The new rules are aimed at preventing clubs across Europe spending beyond their means in pursuit of on-field success. "It's the nature of the modern game at the moment, it's unregulated and the money is going out of the game into the bank accounts of agents," Hamilton said. "I think over the next few years we are going to see more regulation with UEFA's financial fair play. "What they're trying to do with financial fair play is have a system in place where clubs regulate their own spending, and clubs are aware that they can't just be throwing money at players and wages. "I think UEFA are moving in the right direction, but it's the clubs who have got take up the initiative. There will always be agents around trying to take money out of the game." | The English Premier League has revealed the amount spent by its clubs on agents .
Big-spending Manchester City lead the way, splashing out $15.2 million on agents .
World Soccer's Gavin Hamilton argues players should pay for their representation .
He also argues against players and managers at the same club sharing an agent . |
19798cb9c82c6f51b81842b6e1da89408493413c | By . Louise Boyle . PUBLISHED: . 11:27 EST, 13 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:49 EST, 13 December 2013 . Martha Stewart's company fired 100 employees on Thursday - an unwelcome surprise for workers in the run-up to Christmas. The job losses came after Daniel Dienst - previously a scrap-metal recycling executive - took the helm as CEO at the struggling Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia two months ago. Stewart, the company's 72-year-old chairwoman, was spotted last weekend mingling with an A-list crowd at the luxury international art fair Art Basel in Miami. Scroll down for video . Getting in the festive spirit: Martha Stewart, pictured during a promotional event in Miami on December 7, has axed 100 staff from her company . Martha, who holds to the motto 'It's a good thing' and is worth an estimated $300million, had been in Florida promoting the December issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine - the company's last-standing publication. 'Just completed a cooking demo at Macys Aventura mall in Miami. What a great crowd. Delicious brunch recipes from MS Living dec issue,' the entrepreneur tweeted on December 7. The doyenne of home-making was tweeting about her 'Martha' orchid blooming in time for the holidays and a TV appearance about holiday gift-giving on Thursday - the same day that dozens of staff were being ordered to clear their desks. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia had no comment when contacted by MailOnline on Friday. Staff were seen leaving the company's . Manhattan offices, many in tears with belongings stuffed in Martha . Stewart bags after being escorted out of the building immediately by security guards, the New York Post reported. The staffing cuts - about 20 per cent of the workforce - are expected to save the company $10million in the next year. Keeping it sweet: Stewart was in Miami at the weekend promoting her magazine . Stewart also took a pay cut this year - with the company slashing half a million off her salary to bring it down to $3.5million. According to corporate filings for this . year's third quarter, total revenues were $33.8million - down from . $43.5million in the same quarter in 2012. The company was the subject of lawsuit from Macy's over licensing with J.C. Penney - forcing it to end a deal with the latter this year. The knock-on effect was Penney's cut back on advertising in Martha Stewart's magazine and TV shows. Analysts are predicting further losses for the lifestyle company next year. In 2004, Stewart went to jail after being charged over the ImClone insider trading scandal. She launched a comeback on her release the following year and her company showed profits in 2006. She rejoined the board of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 2011 and became chairman last year. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in Manhattan where staff who got the ax were pictured leaving in tears on Thursday . | Teary-eyed staff were 'escorted from the New York office by security guards' on Thursday .
The staffing cuts expected to save company $10m next year .
Stewart, 72, whose motto is 'It's a good thing' had her salary cut by $500,000 to $3.5m this year . |
1979a53e422840bda10998fa1623afdae3859651 | By . Ryan Gorman . PUBLISHED: . 17:03 EST, 16 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:35 EST, 16 October 2013 . A bill awarding compensation to the victims of Cleveland kidnapper and rapist Ariel Castro is set to be voted on this week by the Ohio legislature. Kidnapped, held prisoner, abused and raped for about a decade by the madman, Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight would receive $25,000 for each year they were held if the bill is voted into law. The money would come from the Ohio Court of Claims’ victims of crime fund, according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Holding out hope: Ariel Castro victims Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight may receive a substantial payout if the law passes . Under those guidelines, Ms Knight would receive $275,000, Ms Berry $250,000 and Ms DeJesus $225,000. Local officials are also looking for a federal waiver to grant the victims Medicaid for life, according to the paper. Should the three women decide to go to school, the state would pay their tuition and living expenses if they enrolled in a state university or college, the paper said. News of the reparations comes only two weeks after Mr Castro was found dead in the Ohio jail cell to which he was sentenced to serve 1,000 years. An evil man: Ariel Castro in the courtroom during the sentencing phase, the last time he was seen alive in public . Initially ruled a suicide, it is now believed the deranged man, found hanging in his cell, died while trying to give himself sexual thrills from auto-erotic asphyxiation. The bill is being brought to the Ohio Assembly by John Barnes (R-Cleveland), who wants the state government to provide assistance to anyone held in captivity for eight years or more, according to the paper. ‘The proposal isn't a giveaway but rather an opportunity for three women to build a better future by giving them access to an education and other life experiences,’ Mr Barnes told the paper. ‘We are merely trying to restore what they lost as a result of their involuntary servitude,’ he added. | The compensation is part of a new law applying to anyone held captive eight years or more .
The funding will come from the Ohio Court of Claims' victims fund .
It also pays for college tuition and expenses . |
1979f64ab756ce64a0800a89c6a97aeaa9e6d599 | The Rio protestors’ attack on the ITV World Cup studio during the opening game was frightening enough for those in the booth to believe they were being shot at. The windows of the studio bridging the road along the Copacabana Beach were said to be broken by ball-bearings fired from a catapult but they made a similar sound to gunfire to the ITV team, which included presenter Adrian Chiles and pundits Lee Dixon, Patrick Vieira and Fabio Cannavaro. To add to their understandable concern there were reports of a body lying on the road underneath. This later turned out to be the victim of a traffic accident who had been hit by a bus. No change: The glass was still shattered behind ITV pundit Fabio Cannovaro in the studio on Friday . Frightening: The presenters 'thought they were getting shot at' during the World Cup opener on Thursday . An ITV insider said: ‘Everyone inside the studio stayed very cool but you can image the concern of their friends and family watching back home.’ ITV have demanded that security is increased and, in the circumstances, their ‘curse’ striking again with their heavily-publicised ITV Player crashing just as Neymar was about to score Brazil’s second goal was regarded as less of a priority. Mike Riley, in charge of the elite referees in the Premier League, was one of the 13-strong FIFA referee assessment panel responsible for choosing Japanese official Yuichi Nishimura to take charge of the opening game, in which he awarded the softest of penalties to Brazil. FIFA insiders say that Nishimura, whose weak performance was heavily criticised by defeated Croatia, was chosen because he represents a different confederation from the teams involved and had a good World Cup in 2010. Controversial: Referee Yuichi Nishimura was heavily criticised after his performance in the Brazil vs Croatia game . Almost the entire 70-plus membership of the England party at the World Cup gathered in the dining room at their Blue Tree Premium Hotel in Manaus to watch the opening game of the tournament. However, it’s safe to assume that the bets weren’t flying around like in the old days — especially in Italia 90 when Peter Shilton (right) was the bookmaker. At last Sepp’s on side . Sepp Blatter’s proposal at the FIFA Congress for managers to appeal against decisions during games might not be as left-field as first thought. Sports technology leaders Hawk-Eye are already testing immediate offside decision-making in the Dutch League. Meanwhile, the unnecessary goalline technology (GLT) replay of Brazilian Marcelo’s own goal, when the ball was obviously way over the line, is understood to have been screened by the host broadcasters because of an agreement to show GLT in action during a game, irrespective of it being needed. The Brazilian-themed Congress opening entertainment included a surprise appearance by a Palestine singer. Surely that wasn’t connected with Blatter’s naked ambition to win a Nobel peace prize, having brokered talks between the Israeli and Pakistan football federations? In the clear? Sepp Blatter is introducing automatic offside detecting technology in Holland . Conspicuous by his absence from the Congress and the opening match was football icon Pele, who is Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s ambassador for the tournament. It seems that Pele has yet to settle his differences with the Brazilian football federation after he fell out with the disgraced former overlord Ricardo Teixeira, who is mired in corruption scandals. It won’t be on the scale of the Brazilian protests that are in danger of overshadowing the World Cup but military personnel will be demonstrating outside talkSport’s London headquarters at noon on next Saturday. This follows the radio station’s failure to respond to the serious upset caused by their pundit Stan Collymore’s offensive tweet about the Falklands. One of the more bizarre sights in Manaus, gateway to the Amazon rainforest, is a fully grown jaguar, one of the big beasts of the nearby jungle, sadly enclosed in a relatively small cage as the showcase exhibit of the zoo in the Tropical Hotel. It’s claimed the Brazilian Institute of Environment has approved all the enclosures. | Protesters catapult stones at ITV studio during the Brazil vs Croatia game .
Sounds of rocks sounded like gunfire to presenters .
Mike Riley was part of 13-strong panel that selected referee Yuichi Nishimura . |
197b0a01c2039a1e494465ee03fe29c9d9b33c88 | The wife of the Paris kosher deli Islamist has revealed the murderer's heart 'burned' to join the militants as she boasted of her easy escape to Syria in an ISIS magazine. Hayat Boumeddiene has spoken to Dar al Islam, an online magazine for French speakers, designed to encourage more people to travel to ISIS-controlled land in the Middle East. In the issue - which focuses on the Paris attacks - she speaks lovingly of her husband, Amedy Coulibaly, the man who killed five people in two separate attacks during the three days on terror which gripped the French capital last month. Boumeddiene - who is never referred to by name: only as the wife of Abou Basir Abdoullah Al-Ifriqi, the name given to her husband, and then 'the sister' - also speaks of her escape from France, and encourages others to join her in 'the Caliphate'. Scroll down for video . Terrorist's moll: Hayat Boumeddiene (left), wife of terrorist Amedy Coulibaly (right), gave a long interview to French ISIS magazine Dar Al Islam . Speaking of Coulibaly, France's most wanted woman revealed: 'His heart burned to join his brothers and fight with them against the enemies of Islam in the Caliphate. 'His eyes shone every time he saw the videos of ISIS and he said, 'don't show me this', because he wanted to leave immediately.' Coulibaly never made it to ISIS-controlled Syria, but Boumeddiene left France for the war-torn country before the shootings. In the interview, she boasts of the ease of her journey - and reveals she is happy in her new life. 'I found it easy to get here - I didn't encounter any difficulties,' she said. 'And it is good to live on land which is under the laws of Islam.' She then calls on others to follow in her footsteps. 'My brothers and sisters, I call on you to come to the State of Ummah [a land of an Islamic community], to cross the the world and to act guided by the Koran,' she says. Boumeddiene, who is believed to be in Syria and is thought to be the woman pictured here, right, has said her husband's heart 'burned' to be with his 'brothers' in ISIS . Boumeddiene (pictured) calls on others to join her in 'the Caliphate' ISIS have created in Iraq and Syria . She also has advice for women on how to be a good ISIS wife. 'Sisters, be there for your husbands, your brothers, your fathers, and sons Be good advisers, then they will find in you tranquility,' she said. 'Don't make it difficult for them, facilitate their choices, be strong and courageous. All you do, do it exclusively for All and hope for recompense. 'Be aware that if the companions have spread Islam across the world, there was a pious women behind them. 'Don't waste your time on futility.' The authenticity of the interview has not been confirmed - but it is the second time Boumeddiene has apparently appeared in ISIS propaganda material in recent days. It is thought she appeared in a video of masked jihadists encouraging people to attack France again. | Hayat Boumeddiene has spoken to Dar al Islam, a French ISIS magazine .
In the Paris attacks issue, she calls on people to join 'the Caliphate'
She also gives advice on how to be a good ISIS wife - by being supportive .
Second time she's has allegedly appeared in ISIS propaganda in a week .
Alleged to have appeared in a video calling for more attacks on France . |
197b7085ec9a041a1237adc32761294cc08f1894 | By . Hayley O'keeffe . PUBLISHED: . 00:55 EST, 18 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 00:57 EST, 18 October 2013 . An Australian tourist and three Tibetans died in an avalanche on Mount Everest on Wednesday. ABC News reported that Australian Dean Higgins, 60 dug himself and his wife Wendy out from under the snow on the Chinese side of the mountain. The couple then embarked on an eight hour trek back down the mountain side, after the avalanche on Tuesday. Australian Dean Higgins died after digging himself and his wife out of an avalanche on Mount Everest . But Mr Higgins, who was part of a Tibetan-led tour group died as a result of altitude sickness and poor health according to reports. Jessica Darnborough, a spokeswoman for colleagues at Mortgage Choice where Mr Higgins worked, told ABC News that anyone who knew him knew that he was a 'beautiful man'. The group of 10, which included three herders who acted as porters, two cooks and a tour guide, encountered an avalanche, and Mr Higgins, together with three local herders died. The couple were taking part in a Tibetan-led tour according to reports . The Australian Embassy confirmed the death of a 60-year-old man from southern Australia in Tibet. It said consular officials in Beijing were attempting to contact the man's family to offer assistance. State broadcaster CCTV said 154 people who had been stranded by the avalanche were rescued Tuesday, 86 at the Everest base camp on the mountain's Chinese side. | Dean Higgins, 60, rescued wife after avalanche on Tuesday .
Pair trekked down the mountain for eight hours .
Mr Higgins later died from altitude sickness according to reports . |
197c10335cb38737231064699a0ef48221685491 | (CNN) -- The pilot and co-pilot aboard a FedEx cargo plane were killed when the plane burst into flames Monday while landing at Tokyo's Narita airport in Japan, airport and hospital officials said. Smoke rises from a FedEx cargo plane that crash landed on the tarmac of the Narita International Airport, Tokyo. Both crew members were American men, an official at Narita Red Cross Hospital told CNN. Video from the landing showed the plane bouncing at least twice on the runway and veering left as it turned on its side before bursting into flames. The fire destroyed the aircraft, which was identified by FedEx as a McDonnell Douglas MD-11. Japan's Ministry of Transport said it was the first fatal crash at Narita, which opened in 1978. Strong winds may have played a role in the crash, said Masaru Fujisaki, an airport official. FedEx Express Flight 80 took off from Guangzhou, China, and crashed at Narita about 7 a.m. Monday (6 p.m. Sunday ET), said FedEx spokesman Matt Ceniceros. Watch more about the cargo plane accident » . According to observations at the airport, wind gusts were reported to be between 30 to 50 mph around the time if the crash. Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that Narita firefighters had worked through the flaming wreckage to try to rescue two people believed to be the crew. The news agency said the cargo plane was landing on Runway A, the longer of the two runways at Narita, a major international airport. The National Transportation Safety Board in Washington said Sunday night it was sending a team to Japan to assist in the investigation of the crash. CNN's Kyung Lah in Tokyo contributed to this report. | FedEx cargo plane crashes and bursts into flames at Tokyo's Narita airport in Japan .
Pilot and co-pilot, both Americans, aboard plane from Guangzhou, China, are killed .
Strong winds may have played a role in the crash, says airport official .
Video shows plane bouncing on the runway and veering left as it turns on its side . |
19806d48d543d0250fd1f2b6477b2acd09d7b4a0 | By . Emma Reynolds . PUBLISHED: . 04:36 EST, 2 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:56 EST, 2 July 2012 . Her devotion to her career and husband has ensured Zara Phillips a reputation as one of the more down-to-earth royals. But the hard-working ethos has not always been her approach to life, her father has admitted. Zara was 'a brat' when she was a child, Captain Mark Phillips has . revealed - although he readily admits he was not a great father to her . and her brother Peter. Crossing the line: Captain Mark Phillips, pictured with his daughter on her wedding day, said the sporty 31-year-old used to be rather disobedient . The Queen's granddaughter, 31, is now preparing to compete in the Olympic eventing team, but there was a time when was far less hard-working and well behaved. The ex-husband of the Princess Royal said he struggled when she was a small child, but tried to instil a sense of responsibility in her as she grew up and had the run of the family's country pile Gatcombe Park, in Gloucestershire. Zara's older brother Peter 'knew where the line was and he didn’t cross it', Captain Phillips told the Sunday Times magazine in an interview. 'Zara, on the other hand, who came along four years later, was much more difficult, much more of a brat. I don’t think she accepted that line at all.' The siblings were sent to boarding school but returned to the home of their father and Princess Anne in the holidays. 'They knew that to have freedom they had to earn it,' said Captain Phillips. 'They also didn’t want their father peering over their shoulder every time they went off and did something by themselves. 'They knew that if they were going to have a party here, they could have fun, but they also had to respect things. So if there was spilled wine on the carpet, or a broken vase on the table, they knew Father, for one, wasn’t going to be pleased.' Naughty little sister: Princess Anne and Mark Phillips with baby daughter Zara and son Peter . Now and then: Zara Phillips and husband Mike Tindall after her show jumping trials, left, and the Queen's granddaughter as a child, right . The captain later married second wife Sandy Pflueger, an American dressage rider, but recently reportedly left her for equestrian Lauren Hough, 35. He said his son was a 'great father' to his two daughters with Canadian wife Autumn Kelly. 'Peter has already proved to be a great father — a much better father than I ever was. I was never good with small children. Once Peter and Zara could walk and talk, and be useful, I could relate to them much more.' His son backed up this view, saying his father was not home as much as he would have liked to have been, largely because of his relentless work ethic. The 34-year-old added: 'Would I leave my children in the care of my father? Probably not, to put it bluntly. I think he’d possibly get distracted by something horse-related and wander off leaving them.' Captain Phillips is coaching the US eventing team for London 2012, so is not able to have much contact with Zara or lend her support during the competition. But he declared himself thrilled for his daughter and delighted she could 'tick the Olympics box' after ticking so many others. | The 31-year-old was more 'difficult' than her brother and 'crossed the line'
She is now preparing to compete in the Olympic eventing team . |
1980c219a2b7429544bcbb93f34cb8a2d9e8595f | By . Daily Mail Reporter . The U.S. Air Force's F-16 fighter jets are a common sight above Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida. But this week one roared into the sky with a major difference: there was no pilot in the cockpit. The unmanned test flight was a retired F-16 retrofitted by maker Boeing as a drone - the first time one of the jets has flown without a pilot, the company said. Renamed the QF-16 Full Scale Aerial Target, the reconditioned aircraft are intended to give U.S. fighter pilots an realistic adversary to train against. Scroll down for video . Top none: A Boeing F-16 warplane modified to fly by remote control takes of from Tyndall Air Force Base . Look ma, no pilot: Two U.S. Air Force test pilots remotely flew the QF-16 from a ground control station . Alley oop: The mission included a series of manoeuvres, supersonic speeds, returning to base and landing . Two U.S. Air Force test pilots remotely flew the QF-16 from a ground control station at Tyndall. While in the air, the QF-16 mission included a series of simulated manoeuvres, reaching supersonic speeds, returning to base and landing, all without a pilot in the cockpit. 'It was a little different to see it without anyone in it, but it was a great flight all the way around,' said U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Inman, Commander, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron. 'It’s a replication of current, real world situations and aircraft platforms they can shoot as a target. Now we have a 9G capable, highly sustainable aerial target.' Under the hood: The reconditioned aircraft are intended to give U.S. fighter pilots an realistic adversary . Recycling: Boeing retrieved the jets from Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona and restored them for flight . Before the QF-16, the military used a QF-4 aircraft, which was a modification of the F-4 Phantom, a now well outdated, Vietnam-era fighter. But the modified QF-16 provides pilots a target that performs closer to many jets flying today. The QF-16s were all retired aircraft. Boeing retrieved them from Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona and restored them for flight. Next live fire testing moves to Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The military will ultimately use QF-16s for weapons testing and other aerial training. So far, Boeing has modified six F-16s into the QF-16 configuration. | Reconditioned jets will be used for target practice when training pilots .
Test flight was piloted by remote control from Tyndall Air Force Base . |
1981ada0021e5184d3c7457dae6ca99c3c959324 | Anyone who rents a car in Iceland is immediately handed a map of the country on which most of the landscape is marked out of bounds. Any attempt to leave the main highway results in splutters of indignation from in-car GPS units. This area, the computer complains, isn't suitable for such a tiny rental vehicle. Turn back now. It's a tough call, because the places they don't want us to go in our little cars are some of the most alluring on Earth. These are the mighty, brooding volcanoes that dominate Iceland's skyline. Some slumbering, some angrily spewing out rivers of lava and cloudy torrents of ash. They're not impossible to reach though. Not if you call in the experts. For me, this means meeting Kiddi, an Icelandic guide who possesses an engaging grasp of deadpan humor, and an understated passion for his country's geological wonders. Crucially, he also owns several enormous 4x4 trucks with tires big enough to crush my whining GPS and the car it came in. Our goal for the day is Eyjafjallajokull, the volcano with the unpronounceable name that in 2010 sent plumes of dangerous silica dust into the atmosphere, disrupting European air travel and stranding millions of passengers. The main show is a couple of hours out of Reykjavik, but there are plenty of warmup acts along the way. We check out Heidmork, a petrified red lava field beyond the city limits where early Icelandic highway builders harvested construction materials in the days when less care was taken over preserving the country's topography. Icy stalagmites . We ascend through clouds of stinking sulfur near a geothermal power plant at Hellisheidarvirkjun, past acres of volcanically heated greenhouses at Hveragerdi and pause briefly for a photo op at Urridafoss, a semi-frozen waterfall surrounded by icy stalagmites. "Can you see how some of the sheep take bigger risks grazing right on the edge?" asks Kiddi, pointing to some woolly creatures munching on the precipice leading to the waterfall. I'm expecting some insight into Icelandic fauna at this point, but that's not really how Kiddi rolls. "Stupid animals," he adds. "The grass tastes the same wherever they eat." In the shadow of Eyjafjallajokull we pause by Seljalandsfoss, a 60-meter spout of meltwater from the volcano's snow-capped summit. A treacherously icy trail leads behind the roaring curtain of water. Kiddi also takes me to the Gljufrabui, another giant water plume hidden nearby in cavernous mossy grotto. Then we're off the main road and ascending the side of the volcano, powering up above the snowline along a cinder track. Suddenly we veer off into a brilliant wasteland of drifting white powder. Here the enormous studded tires that have been thudding the 4x4 along the road from Reykjavik come into their own, sloshing through iced-over streams and clawing their way up steep banks of snow. When the wheels begin to spin, we stop to let air out of the tires for better traction. "In the summer, you wouldn't believe how many tourists we find stuck out here," says Kiddi, shaking his head. "They think they can drive here in their little cars." Geothermal bathing . Prejudices against small vehicles aside, Kiddi's hit on an issue facing Iceland as it encourages more visitors to revive an economy battered by a 2008 banking collapse. The country is gambling on being able to attract millions of visitors in coming years, but there are questions over whether the infrastructure of its wild and sometimes dangerous attractions is capable of handling them. And while roaring up the side of a snow-covered volcano in a bright orange 4x4 might not seem the most ecological of options, in the hands of skilled guide it's a environmentally friendlier option than unsupervised mass roaming. It's crazy fun too, especially when Kiddi lets me have a go at the wheel. There can't be many things more thrilling than driving a monster truck across the side of a snow-covered volcano -- gunning the engine to crest icy ridges and swerving around huge boulders scattered by old eruptions -- and if there are, they've probably been illegal since the late '70s. We reach the limit for the 4x4, with the volcano's conical summit rising in front of us. The rest of the journey, up and over the rim into the now-dormant caldera, requires the use of Kiddi's snowmobiles. Although Eyjafjallajokull is our destination today, itineraries can include other volcanoes reached by thrilling rides across seemingly impassible landscapes. There's Hekla, to the north, overlooking a sea of beautiful black sand and a geothermal bathing pool. "Hekla has a woman's name," says Kiddi. "And she looks beautiful, but she has a temper, erupting every 10 or 15 years." Others include Katla, named after a witch and reputedly haunted, and Grimsvotn, Iceland's most active volcano, where a geothermally heated glacial lake sits in a 35-kilometer wide crater. Then there's Bardarbunga. Since August, Bardarbunga has been throwing up a spectacular display of boiling magma, giving the aviation industry palpitations but at the same time making it Iceland's hottest attraction. Jay Z's birthday treat . Due to the risk from toxic gases (and hostile GPS computers), ground access to Bardarbunga is limited. The eruption at the volcano's Holuhraun lava field can be seen from chartered planes or helicopters -- Jay Z and Beyonce reportedly made a flyby ealier this month to celebrate the rapper's 45th birthday. It's such a dramatic sight that an Icelandair pilot earlier this year diverted a flight to give passengers a better look. Turning back to begin our descent of Eyjafjallajokull, Kiddi and I take in the incredible crystal-clear view of Vestmannaeyjar, an archipelago of islands formed off Iceland's southern coast by a series of volcanic eruptions. The youngest island, Surtsey, is only 50 years old and is classed as one of Iceland's several dozen volcanoes. Even on huge tires, it's a bone-jolting ride down to sea level -- but that's OK since I'll be spending the night at Reykjavik's boutique 101 Hotel (Hverfisgata 10, Reykjavík; +354 580 0101), which has considerably more relaxing geothermal attractions (steam room and whirlpool) in the basement. Before we head back to the capital, we call in at a farm nestled against the base of Eyjafjallajokull. Here I meet Gudny Valberg, a retired teacher whose family has built a roadside visitor center to cope with the influx of tourists eager to see the volcano that in 2010 temporarily engulfed their farm in blizzards of ash and brought a large of the planet to a standstill. She tells me why she thinks Eyjafjallajokull exerts such a pull. "There were 10 million affected when it erupted," she says. "Because of this volcano, many people's lives changed -- they had an extra week of vacation, or they had to rent a car and drive for miles, or they didn't get to a loved one's funeral. "Now they want to see the thing that made that happen." The popularity nearly became a problem, she says, hence the need to convert a disused machine shop into a visitor center to keep tourists from driving through her farm and into the valley beyond. "My husband was always busy, pulling people out when they got stuck in their small cars!" Back in our gigantic 4x4, Kiddi fires up the engine and we hit the road. Iceland Safari (+354 544 5454) organizes super-jeep tours to volcanoes and other geological attractions across the country. Plane and helicopter flights over Bardarbunga can be arranged from Reykjavik domestic airport via Extreme Iceland (Vatnagardar 12, Reykjavik; +354 588 1300). | Volcano safari tours in Iceland involve driving up Eyjafjallajokull in a giant-wheeled 4x4 super jeep .
In 2010 eruptions from Eyjafjallajokull grounded thousands of transatlantic flights and stranded millions .
Other volcanic attractions include Bardarbunga, which has been erupting since August 2014 . |
1981c0ab96088ad9c91c41c78616795911dafde7 | (CNN) -- Just weeks before a Continental Connection commuter plane crashed near Buffalo, another airline had reminded its pilots about safety issues with instrument approaches at the airport. Only a few pieces of the Continental Connection Dash 8 turboprop were recognizable after the crash. However, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday said it was extremely unlikely the February 12 crash and the warning were related. Instrument approaches are those in which pilots use cockpit displays to line up their aircraft with the runway when visibility is low. The alert, initially issued by Southwest Airlines and reissued Wednesday by the airline's pilot association, warned there was a "potentially significant hazard" concerning the instrument landing system's glide slope guidance signal for runway 23. The airline advised, "Pilots who are preparing to configure and land have the potential to experience abrupt pitch up, slow airspeed, and approach to stall if conditions present themselves in a certain manner." Southwest Airlines spokesperson Linda Rutherford said an earthen dam at the end of the runway was interfering with the signal being sent to inbound flights. Rutherford would not confirm if any of Southwest's recent flights into Buffalo experienced problems on approach. "We often put out alerts on obstructions to a navigation aid," Rutherford told CNN. She also pointed out, though landing on the same runway, Southwest Airlines flights approach runway 23 from the north, turning right, while the Colgan Air flight that crashed was approaching from the south turning left. Rutherford called that distinction important. View a Google Earth image of runway 23 » . The National Transportation Safety Board told CNN the agency was "aware" of the Southwest Airlines alert, but would not comment further. The issue is caused by a geographic feature at the airport, a valley, "something we can't do anything about," said FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown. She said the "altitude reading makes it look like you're a lot higher than you are, because there is a valley there." The feature has been noted on FAA charts for years, she said. "As far as we can tell, there is no way this had any role in the accident," Brown told CNN. "It's not a navigation aid that would have applied to the approach." The alert from Southwest Airlines advises pilots that the problem could cause the planes navigational system to interpret data "in such a way as to result in a nose-up pitch and loss of airspeed." Flight data recorders obtained by the NTSB of the crashed Colgan air Flight 3407 show during its approach to runway 23, the twin turbo prop Dash-8 pitched up 31 degrees before going into a stall due to lack of airspeed. Southwest Airlines Pilot Association told its pilots the "issue is being addressed on several levels in an attempt to address procedures, facilities, and communication regarding this matter." The alert advises any pilots experience trouble to contact the association's safety office. | NEW: FAA spokeswoman says it doesn't appear issue was related to crash .
Warning concerned runway 23, the same one the crashed plane was lined up to use .
Airline advised possibility of "abrupt pitch up, slow airspeed, and approach to stall"
Southwest Airlines spokeswoman said earthen dam was interfering with signals . |
198207e81d9d6aeea5e5027735563e68fe75d792 | (CNN) -- The Egyptian cabinet is scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss an agreement between political groups and the ruling military council on election policies, the status of the country's unpopular emergency law and other issues. Some activists said the agreement doesn't go far enough to meet the demands of the popular uprising that led to the end of country's longstanding regime, while other political groups said the agreement represented progress. The agreement, reached Saturday, includes promises to open more Egyptian parliament seats to political parties and consider canceling the country's emergency law. The agreement also includes a promise to consider abolishing military tribunals and to consider adopting a 1952 law that opposition groups hope would prevent former President Hosni Mubarak's National Democratic Party from having a role in national politics for up to 10 years. Also included are plans to draft a document to guide the creation of a new constitution and a call for presidential elections following a national referendum on adopting the new ruling document. The coalition of parties had also sought an agreement to hold presidential elections immediately after parliamentary voting scheduled for November, as well as a promise to hand control to a civilian government next year. The deal failed to go far enough, said Mona Seif, a founding member of the No to Military Tribunals movement, who called the decision by a majority of party representatives little more than "treachery." "These parties were fooled if they think they accomplished something," said Seif, who called for renewed protests against the military council. The agreement comes amid rising dissatisfaction with the council, which took control in February after widespread popular demonstrations forced Mubarak to step aside. Following an attack on the Israeli embassy in Giza this month, the council reinstated the widely unpopular emergency law that many in the opposition felt was used by Mubarak to suppress dissent. Despite the concerns, the agreement is a "positive step toward true democracy," said Esam El Erian, the spokesman for the Freedom and Justice Party and a leading figure in the Muslim Brotherhood. "Yes, abolishing the emergency law was a main demand of the January 25th revolution and the council promised to abolish it, but the reality on the ground is that there are many forces debating including former members of the regime that come in different faces." El Erian said. Military leaders plan more meetings with political parties to iron out more differences, said Major Alaa Iraqi, a spokesman for the Supreme Council. "Pleasing everyone is impossible," Iraqi said. | An agreement between military council and parties doesn't go far enough, one critic says .
Another party official says it is a "positive step toward true democracy"
The agreement opens more Egyptian parliament seats to parties .
It also includes a promise to consider dropping the unpopular emergency law . |
1982350f233c47bad531867a1dcfb11a2dd0e905 | A flat tire may be the least of a driver's problems. Nissan is recalling more than 220,000 Nissan Altimas because a latch defect could cause the hood to fly open while the car is being driven. The recall only applies to 2013 models of the vehicle, but CBS Philly reports that Nissan is investigating whether other models with similar designs may be involved. Nissan told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the recall affects vehicles manufactured from March 6, 2012, to February 28, 2013. Recall:Nissan is recalling more than 220,000 Nissan Altimas because a latch defect could cause the hood to fly open while the car is being driven . Top: Nissan Altimas are Nissan's top selling vehicle in the U.S. Nissan officials said that the issue has to do with an interference between the hood inner panel and the secondary latch. A NHTSA recall stated that the panel and latch, combined with debris and corrosion, could result in the secondary hood latch remaining in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. The statement went on to say that if the primary latch is accidentally released when the secondary latch is already in the unlatched position, the hood of the car could fly open and possibly result in an accident. Nissan spokesman Steve Yaeger told the Associated Press that the defect was first discovered when there were reports of a small number of hoods flying open and damaging the cars. However, no injuries have been reported. Yaeger also said that as long as Nissan Altima owners don't release the main hood latch when they're driving, there shouldn't be a problem. To remedy the situation, Nissan is recalling 220,423 of Nissan's top-U.S. selling vehicle and will have dealers modify the car's hood actuation lever and have the latch joint cleaned and lubricated if necessary, according to the NHTSA. Owners may have the latch system replaced if severely damaged. All repairs are free of charge. The company has not yet provided a notification schedule to owners. The AP reports that the more than 220,000 vehicles include 219,000 Nissan Altimas in the U.S., 10,049 in Canada, 5,267 in Mexico, 2,042 in South Korea, and a small number in Guam, Saipan, and Latin America. Change: Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn is credited with turning the company into one of the world's most profitable automakers . | Nissan is recalling more than 220,000 Nissan Altimas because a latch defect could cause the hood to fly open while the car is being driven .
The defect has to do with an interference between the hood inner panel and the secondary latch .
Nissan spokesman: As long as owners don't release the main hood latch and drive cars, there won't be any problem . |
1983136ca3289f22a9fefde9b333fcfaa912ae54 | Demand: John Lewis is offering the hijab (pictured) in its school uniform department for the first time . John Lewis is offering the hijab in its school uniform department for the first time. The headdress is to be sold in the company’s stores in London and Liverpool after it signed contracts with two schools – one which was set up to educate Muslim girls and a second that welcomes pupils from all religious communities. The hijab covers the head and chest and is worn by Muslim women after the onset of puberty as a sign of modesty in the presence of men who are outside their immediate family. It is different from the niqab, which is a full face veil and has proved divisive in schools and public life, for example if wearers are giving evidence in court. There has been controversy over whether it is right for girls attending state schools to wear religious dress rather than the standard uniform. But the fact that a mainstream retailer is starting to stock the hijab alongside blazers and blouses is likely to be welcomed as a breakthrough by Muslim parents who have so far had to rely on specialist shops. John Lewis has won the contract to supply uniforms to the Islamia Girls’ School in north-west London, which was established in 1983 by Yusuf Islam – known as the singer Cat Stevens until his conversion to Islam in 1977. It is selling a white hijab for £9, alongside a teal blazer carrying the school badge, which costs £65, a long ankle-length grey skirt at £40, and other items. John Lewis will also be supplying the hijab as part of the uniform for Belvedere Academy in Liverpool, which is a non-denominational girls’ school with pupils from a wide range of religious backgrounds. Its two-piece hijabs are sold for £6 each in navy or black and are available alongside a formal uniform with £40 blazers carrying the school badge. Scroll down for video . Retailer: The item, covering the head and chest, is to be sold in stores in London and Liverpool (file picture) Belvedere, founded 130 years ago, was . the first independent school in the country to become an academy in . 2007. The comprehensive has been judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. John Lewis said it is simply responding to demand. A spokesman for the department store said: ‘We provide uniforms for 350 schools across the country. The school informs us of the items they want us to sell as part of their uniform list.’ Last year, former Lib Dem Home Office minister Jeremy Browne, triggered controversy by calling for a debate on whether women should be banned from the wearing the veil in public places such as schools. Agreement: John Lewis has won the contract to supply uniforms to the Islamia Girls' School in north-west London, which was established in 1983 by Yusuf Islam. Above, pupils are seen at the school in Salusbury Road . He suggested Muslim girls were being pressurized into wearing the religious dress, saying: ‘We should be very cautious about imposing religious conformity on a society which has always valued freedom of expression.’ His comments were rejected by Mohammed Shafiq of the Ramadhan Foundation who said he was ‘disgusted’ by them, adding: ‘Whatever one’s religion they should be free to practise it according to their own choices.’ | John Lewis is offering hijab in school uniform department for the first time .
Headdress is to be sold in the company's stores in London and Liverpool .
Retailer signed contracts with two schools, including Islamia Girls' School .
Hijab covers head and chest and is worn by Muslim women after puberty . |
19846320093d43f2856148761a5a4636b2d35a19 | By . Sam Adams . PUBLISHED: . 03:49 EST, 11 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:32 EST, 11 April 2013 . With their tiny paws and delicate whiskers these adorable cubs are three of the rarest breed of leopard in the world. Bred as part of a special conservation programme at Nashville Zoo, Tennessee, the cuddly clouded leopard cubs snuggle together to keep warm as they pose for the camera after being born just two weeks ago. Clouded leopard Jing Jai gave birth to one female cub and fellow leopard Baylie gave birth to one male and one female - with all three now being hand-raised by the Zoo's specialists. Scroll down for video... New arrivals: These adorable clouded leopard cubs born at Nashville Zoo in Tennessee are three of the rarest leopard species in the world . Rare: Born thanks to a special conservation program, the cuddly trio snuggle together to keep warm as they pose for their first shoot since being born just two weeks ago . This breed is considered endangered because of deforestation, poaching and the pet trade. Carnivore supervisor at Nashville Zoo Karen Rice said: 'The zoo is a leader in clouded leopard conservation - with 18 clouded leopards born at our off-exhibit breeding facility since 2009. 'These cubs, born [on] March 26, will remain a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums clouded leopard population as breeding cats, education or exhibit animals. 'Whatever role they play, they will contribute to the ongoing conservation effort.' At just seven-years-old this is Jing Jai's sixth litter. Both she and mate Arun came from the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand in 2008. Beauty: Clouded leopard Jing Jai gave birth to one female cub and Baylie gave birth to one male and one female - with all three happily being hand-raised by the Zoo's animal care staff . Threatened: The species is considered endangered because of deforestation, poaching and the pet trade . This is the second birth for Baylie, aged four, and her mate Chet. Baylie was born at the National Zoo's Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, and Chet was one of three cubs born to Jing Jai and Arun at Nashville Zoo in 2009. The zoo is a member of the Thailand Clouded Leopard Consortium which is an on-going collaboration with the National Zoo, Point Defiance Zoo, Clouded Leopard Species Survival Program and Zoological Park Organization of Thailand. The programme aims to developed a 'self-sustaining captive population' of the endangered leopards. Programme: The zoo is a leader in clouded leopard conservation - with 18 of the animals born in its breeding facility since 2009 . Smiles: This cute cub seems very relaxed and appears to smile to itself. The zoo hopes to play a part in breeding a 'viable' captive population of the species . | Three cubs - one male and two female - born at Nashville Zoo, Tennessee .
World's rarest leopard species endangered in wild by poaching .
Part of special conservation programme run by network of zoos worldwide . |
1986074d1f6d6ba74a94f9b82f22878bbf8b7f74 | By . Tara Brady . The wife of a notorious crime boss has claimed she just 'lives beyond her means' after denying using her husband's hidden wealth to finance their lavish lifestyle. Actress Ruth Adams told the High Court that she and her husband Terry Adams are so short of money they may have to move in with their parents. Mrs Adams, who was once in Eastenders and recently appeared in the musical Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be, said she had failed to earn much from her career as a stage actress and from her clothing and interior design business. North London gangster Terry Adams, 58, (right) of the notorious 'Adams Family', pictured today at the High Court in London with his wife Ruth (left) However, Kennedy Talbot, prosecuting, said she is hiding the profits made by her husband from when he was a 'career criminal'. According to Mr Talbot, Mrs Adams has spent thousands since her husband was released from prison in 2010. They include £12,000 on dental treatment; £2,500 on a weight loss programme; £3,850 on spa membership for her husband; More than £5,300 on parking fees, fines and congestion charge between 2009 and last year; nearly £15,000 on restaurants and holidays including 20 meals at Brown's in Mayfair and a trip for her daughter and husband to China. In court: Terry Adams, 58, (right) with his wife Ruth (left) Mr Talbot said this amount of spending indicated the couple were not poor and so the court should reject their application to have the outstanding debt from the confiscation order written off. Mrs Adams has also claimed she has debts of more than £150,000. She told the court: 'I obviously live above my means. What else can I say?'. According to Mrs Talbot her acting career had only brought home between £8,000 and £9,000 in recent years. She also employed her husband as creative designer for her clothes company N1 Angel because she could see that her husband dresses well. Mr Talbot argued that the company was not a 'legitimate business'. Yesterday Mr Adams said he felt like 'a ponce' living off his wife's income. Mr Adams has been described in the courts as once heading one of the most feared organised criminal gangs in the UK. The 58-year-old owes £628,497 of a confiscation order of £750,000 that was imposed after his conviction at Blackfriars Crown Court in 2007 for conspiring to conceal the proceeds of criminal conduct over a six-year period. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £50,000 and the £4.6 million bill for his publicly funded defence. A judge said he had accumulated a 'considerable fortune' from his life as 'a highly successful career criminal' over a 'significant' period of time. Mr Adams is currently seeking a court-approved 'certificate of inadequacy' to show that he does not have sufficient assets to pay back the money sought by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) under the confiscation order. New career: The crime boss (left) claims he is working for his wife Ruth (right) for free as a 'creative' clothes designer. He also told the court that he was 'frustrated' about his lack of income . But the CPS says there is 'a strong case' that he has 'substantial undisclosed assets'. Mr . Talbot, representing the CPS, suggested to Mr Adams at London's High . Court that loans said to have been taken out by his wife because times . were hard were not genuine. Cross-examining . Mr Adams he said: 'These are not genuine loans at all. This is just . your money being routed to you through fabricated arrangements.' Denying the accusation, Mr Adams replied that he had said all along, from the time when he was in prison, that he had no money. Lavish: Thousands of pounds spent by Mrs Adams include 20 meals at Brown's in Mayfair . Mr . Adams said to Mr Talbot: 'Now we are here and you are saying we have . this money I have not got, but how do I prove this to you?' He . told Mrs Justice Nicola Davies he was relying on money from his wife, . adding: 'I feel like a ponce because there is no money coming in.' Asked . whether he knew about his wife's interior design business, he said he . did but she kept it 'all away from me' and she knew 'I get frustrated I . am not bringing in money. She is the breadwinner, not me, and it is . difficult for me anyway.' Claims: He said he is too poor to pay £750,000 as part of a confiscation order and wants to have the debt cleared on grounds of 'poverty' The . CPS says Mr and Mrs Adams' average 'identifiable' spending in the three . years from September 2010-2013 was £97,000 per annum - 'nearly four . times the national average'. The . type of spending was 'inconsistent' with his claim of having no assets . and of being reliant on friends and family loans for living expenses, Mr . Talbot has told the court. Mr . Talbot argued that the evidence showed a pattern of behaviour that was . 'entirely consistent with the original criminal case against (Mr Adams) of concealing his assets through associates and using sham companies to . provide an apparent form of legitimate income'. The hearing will continue. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | The gangster claims he is working for his wife, Ruth, as a clothes designer .
But he says he is too poor to pay £750,000 as part of a confiscation order .
The order was imposed alongside his 2007 money laundering sentence .
He's trying to have all of his £650,000 debt written off on 'poverty grounds'
He is accused of concealing the proceeds of crime to fund his lifestyle .
Mrs Adams spent 'thousands since husband was released from prison'
Includes £12,000 on dental treatment; £2,500 on a weight loss programme and more than £5,300 on parking fines . |
198622425792f3b7084db1ae257e2497eea34e33 | Washington (CNN) -- Obamacare -- the law that refuses to die -- is suddenly under attack again. Republicans will take full control of Congress in January and repealing Obamacare will almost certainly be one of their first priorities. The GOP is seizing on leaked tapes in which MIT professor Jonathan Gruber, an architect of the law, said the "stupidity of the American voter" and a "lack of transparency" were vital to its passage in 2010. And, perhaps most importantly, the Supreme Court is poised to rule on subsidies that are central to the law. "We have to take it very seriously. It is hard to predict how the Court will ultimately decide," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, an advocacy group that campaigns to sustain Obamacare. It's a surprising turn of events for an issue that had seemed to move to the back burner in recent months. The law has already survived one key Supreme Court challenge and millions are now insured because of the legislation. And the issue, which was expected to dominate this year's elections, took a back seat to fears about Ebola and ISIS. The next round of open enrollment for Obamacare begins Saturday. The Supreme Court poses the gravest threat after agreeing to hear a challenge to the crucial tax credits that subsidize health coverage purchased on federal exchanges. In what amounts to a tussle over language, the suit contends that the law permits subsidies to be dispersed only through state exchanges. But 35 states rely on federal exchanges to market health insurance — in many cases because Republican governors who oppose Obamacare refused to set up marketplaces. To reach consumers in those states, the federal government offers a market place and subsidies. But if the Court rules next year that those federal subsidies are illegal, it could throw the entire health care system into chaos, threaten millions of health plans and send the entire law into a "death spiral." Chief Justice John Roberts, who outraged conservatives by saving Obamacare from a previous Supreme Court challenge in 2012, may again be the crucial swing vote. But there is a chance that even an adverse ruling would not end Obamacare's life. Harvard Law Professor Einer Elhauge says some states, to protect themselves against possible health care chaos, might finally decide to set up their own arrangements or partner with the federal exchange. "The prospect of that disruption is sufficiently problematic that I would not be surprised to see a lot of states adopt exchanges," said Elhauge, who authored a book on the original Obamacare Supreme Court case. Obamacare also faces a political assault from resurgent Republicans devoted to the mantra : "repeal and replace." Because so many party candidates vowed to eliminate the law during their election campaigns, Republican leaders in the House and the Senate are under pressure to schedule votes to do just that. But the votes will be largely symbolic. Though they captured the Senate, Republicans are still short of the 60 votes needed to overcome Democratic filibusters. And even if they did put a repeal bill on the President's desk, there is zero chance he would sign it and destroy his own proudest political achievement. So, as a fallback plan, opponents of Obamacare will likely try to tear it down bit by bit, possibly by attaching bills amending it to must-pass legislation. Plans are piling up. Paul Ryan and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio are teaming up to produce a plan to "deliver quality affordable health care coverage to American families," a spokesman for the Wisconsin lawmaker told CNN. Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch has a market based health care plan he wrote with Sens Richard Burr and Tom Coburn. "Conservatives should ... take advantage of opportunities to repeal any part of the law and replace it with better policies that empower Americans, not Washington," Hatch wrote in USA Today on Wednesday. Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso, an orthopedic surgeon and health policy expert, warns GOP hopes of repealing Obamacare are not realistic until there is a Republican in the White House but told WPBI radio last month conservatives should "systematically strip away the worst parts of Obamacare." But some conservatives want a more radical approach, and recommend repealing Obamacare by using the budget tool reconciliation, which requires only 51 votes — and, ironically, was used to pass the law in 2010. But again, Obama would be ready with this veto pen. Some adjustments to the law could draw some Democratic support. They could include a repeal of the delayed employer mandate requiring large firms to provide health care and changes to rules requiring companies to provide insurance to employees that work more than 30 hours a week. Some Democratic senators from red states are eying a repeal of the tax on medical devices , which raises $29 billion over the next decade to finance the cost of insuring more Americans. But conservatives might be end up frustrated because none of the fixes that have a chance of becoming law will seriously undermine Obamacare as a whole. "The parts you could chip away out probably are not going to destabilize the legislation. It gets through with a few bits knocked off — but it is still there," said Stuart Butler, a health care expert and senior Brookings Institution fellow. Republican lawmakers determined to kill Obamacare may also find themselves under pressure from the corporate health firms which have spent millions of dollars adapting to the new law are are worried about more disruption. But Obamacare's capacity to ignite controversy is undimmed. Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell couldn't keep a smile off his face on Thursday when discussing the leaked Gruber tape. "What this insider is saying confirms that they were spinning tales from the beginning — that they did not tell the truth about ObamaCare," McConnell said. House Speaker John Boehner's office said Gruber's comments proved Obamacare was rammed through Congress with "arrogance, duplicity and contempt for the will of the American people." A test also awaits on Saturday with the debut of the second open enrollment period for Obamcare, with advocates desperate to avoid website and other teething problems of last year. The White House is backing efforts, which include mobile apps and targeted social media advertising, to recruit more "young and invincibles" — people who are least likely to sign up for coverage but who are needed to offset older, sicker patients to make the system work. The number of sign-ups in the three month enrollment period are likely to play an important role in the political debate going forward. Federal officials last week projected that between nine and 9.9 million people would be signed up to Obamacare in 2015, lower than the 13 million number previously projected by the Congressional Budget Office. | New challenges have arrived for President Barack Obama's top domestic achievement .
Supreme Court again holds law's fate in its hands .
Republicans will struggle to 'repeal and replace' |
19867cd005a1c29bc7fdfa28ca0711f41c800b80 | Barcelona have decided to take their appeal against Lionel Messi's yellow card for time wasting against Valencia to the next level after he was apparently hit on the head by a plastic bottle in Sunday's La Liga game. Barca's initial appeal was rejected by the Spanish Football Federation's (RFEF) competition committee on Wednesday and the club responded by saying they would lodge a second challenge with a higher committee. Messi was celebrating Barca's 94th-minute winner with his team mates near the corner flag at the Mestalla Stadium when the bottle was thrown from the stands. VIDEO Scroll down for Messi struck with bottle from crowd then booked for time wasting . Barcelona captain Lionel Messi was struck on the head by a bottle in their 1-0 win at Valencia on Sunday . He was examined by a member of Barcelona's medical staff after the final whistle and did not appear to be injured, giving the thumbs-up as he walked off the pitch. It was not clear if the bottle or another object, such as a coin, had struck the Argentina captain and he has made no public comment on the incident. 'In response to the verdict (on Wednesday), FC Barcelona has decided to go to the Appeals Committee and request the booking be withdrawn,' Barca said on their website. The referee said in his match report he showed the card because Messi 'delayed his return to his half of the pitch after the goal was scored with the intention of wasting time'. Messi (circled) was hit on the head from the throw of a Valencia fan after he celebrated their late winner . Valencia vowed to ban the bottle-throwing fan from the Mestalla for life once the person had been identified. Barca's 1-0 win kept them hard on the heels of leaders Real Madrid who are two points clear of their arch-rivals after 13 matches thanks to Saturday's 2-1 victory at Malaga. Messi and a host of other regulars including Neymar and Luis Suarez have been rested for Barca's King's Cup last-32, first leg at third-tier Huesca on Wednesday. Barcelona captain Lionel Messi (right) picks up the bottle angrily after being struck at the Mestalla . | Barcelona won 1-0 away at Valencia in Sunday's La Liga clash .
Sergio Busquets scored the dramatic late winner at the Mestalla .
Messi was struck on the head by a bottle during the visitors' celebrations . |
1986df0b0b9dcee355d19b42777247c9ab87a0b7 | Potsdam, Germany (CNN) -- She is the star of Germany's female soccer scene. Fatmire "Lira" Bajramaj won the corner kick which clinched Germany's World Cup title in China in 2007, and the 22-year-old is hoping to shine again when Germany hosts the FIFA Women's World Cup in June and July this year. "Honestly I've waited four years for this year," she says. "The girls and I heard the World Cup was coming to Germany and we talked about it constantly, it was like a fairytale for us." Bajramaj already has an Olympic bronze medal under her belt, is an under-19 European Champion and a World Cup champion -- but she says she's not done yet. "'You get addicted to all the titles and successes, so even though I'm just 22 I'm still missing out on the Olympic gold medal and I want to win each title two or three times." Bajramaj was born in Kosovo and is of Muslim Albanian origin. Her parents fled to Germany when she was just 4 years old. She remembers it wasn't easy growing up as an immigrant in Germany. "We did experience quite a lot of racism," she says. "I didn't know who these skinheads were with their bomber jackets and their boots. They'd say things to us like 'go back to where you came from, you don't belong here.'" Now she says she's won respect for her soccer skills. And she feels Germany is her home. "I grew up here, this is where my family are so it's a bit like a dream first that the World Cup is here and second that I can be a part of it." She's an icon to many young female soccer enthusiasts and takes her responsibility as a role model seriously. As for herself, "there's just one hero, and that's Zinedine Zidane," she says. "Really no one can touch him." | Fatmire "Lira" Bajramaj is hoping to shine when Germany hosts the FIFA Women's World Cup .
Bajramaj is an Olympic bronze medal winner and a World Cup champion .
Born in Kosovo, her parents fled to Germany when she was 4 . |
19870b444313b9cc8d1d4722175bc44c156c5267 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 18:41 EST, 2 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 18:42 EST, 2 February 2014 . Fox News host Bill O'Reilly tackled Barack Obama on his affordable healthcare act and the 2012 Benghazi attack in a tense Super Bowl Sunday interview today. In the network's annual live pre-game show, President Obama was forced to defend himself against a barrage of Republican criticism. During a tense 15-minute interview, Obama hit back at O'Reilly, saying the Fox News network was to blame for promoting scandals. Pre-game tactics: Bill O'Reilly interviews Barack Obama on Super Bowl Sunday . Hard ball: Obama was quizzed by O'Reilly over claims that the IRS targeted right-wing groups . As he was questioned about Obamacare, the Benghazi raid and accusations that the IRS targeted right-wing groups like the Tea Party, the President took a shot at Fox. 'These kinds of things keep on surfacing in part because you and your TV station will promote them,' he told O'Reilly. The host seemed prepared for a tense interview, telling viewers beforehand: 'Although the President sometimes criticizes Fox News he knows the power of it.' O'Reilly opened the interview by saying he wanted to get some things 'on the record' before asking Obama why Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, had not fired over the rocky roll out of the healthcare act. The President didn't give a direct answer, telling O'Reilly only that people were being 'held accountable'. Defense: Obama refused to answer when asked why Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius wasn't fired over the roll out of the healthcare act . Attack: O'Reilly questioned Obama over the handling of the Benghazi raid, above, that took place in 2012 . He also declined to say that the biggest . mistake of his presidency was telling Americans if they liked their . healthcare they could keep it, and argued that the website was working the . way it was supposed to. 'We've got 3 million people signed up so far. We're about a month behind where we anticipated we wanted to be,' he said. The President also defended his administration as O'Reilly questioned him about why officials initially described the attack in Benghazi, Libya, as a spontaneous mob protest over an anti-Islamic, American-made video. He rejected O'Reilly's 'notion that we would hide the ball for political purposes when a week later we all said in fact there was a terrorist attack taking place'. 'That wouldn't be a very good cover-up,' Obama said. And, he added there was 'not even a smidgen of corruption' contributing to the IRS targeting of Tea Party and other conservative groups when they applied for tax-exempt status. The President also refused to be drawn on which team would win tonight's Super Bowl. With the interview taking place just two hours before the Super Bowl got underway, Obama said the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks were too evenly matched to pick a winner. He predicted a score of 24-21 but said he didn't know which side would come out on top. Just as fans of the two Super Bowl teams will find no common grouns, reaction to the interview was massively divided. Obama was accused on Twitter of dodging questions and being a liar, while O'Reilly was criticized for being disrespectful to a U.S. President. | Fox host tackled Obama on claims IRS targeted right-wing groups .
Obama refused to be drawn on who he thinks will win Super Bowl .
President hit back at Fox for promoting scandals . |
198817f61cd9cbec0bb8bb7457756b567840834d | (CNN) -- Margot Fonteyn, one of only two British dancers appointed Prima Ballerina Assoluta, is your most iconic dancer of the 20th century. Last month, CNN's arts and culture program, icon, asked you to vote for your top five iconic dancers of the last century. Partnered, at 42, with the considerably younger Rudolf Nureyev, the duo was catapulted to star status and Fonteyn's dancing career spanned two more decades. Breakdancing pioneer Ken Swift came in second place. Swift is credited with establishing hip hop as a legitimate dance movement and creating many of its classic moves. One of The New York City Ballet's greatest stars, Suzanne Farrell, took third place, while modern dancer Judith Jamison and ballet's Mikhail Baryshnikov rounded out the top five. In February, we want to know who you think is the greatest classical composer of all time. We'll name your top five on when the show airs on February 24. | Margot Fonteyn is your most iconic dancer of the 20th century .
Ken Swift and Suzanne Farrell have also been voted in your top five .
In February, we want to know who you think is the greatest classical composer . |
198824b955739163a5cb0afb460beda9d83bb7af | By . Rebecca English . With a private jet and helicopter at their beck and call and al fresco dining at 3,500 metres (11,500 feet), it was the kind of weekend even Prince Harry is likely never to forget. Further details of the royal’s controversial - and, clearly, very lavish - ski holiday to Kazakhstan emerged yesterday and are unlikely to sit comfortably with human rights campaigners who have already condemned the trip. Friends of the fourth in line to throne have openly boasted about their four-day jaunt, even posting pictures from inside their plane on social media. Scroll down for video . The royal couple: Cressida Bonas and Harry in Kazakhstan, with his police protection officer behind them . Polar explorer Inge Solheim, who organised the weekend, shared an image of his pretty wife, Anna, toasting the experience from the comfort of her leather-lined seat on Instagram he bragged: ‘Anna looks very happy for the “upgrade” from Ryanair this weekend : - ) #adventure #backtoreality’. His wife replied: ‘Best weekend ever : - )’ and Tweeted from the flight: ‘Amaaazing weekend. Feeling blessed.’ Another member of the party posted a picture of an opulent private mountain-side lunch, with furs thrown over their chairs and woven rugs placed on the grass. Amnesty International has accused the Queen’s grandson of exercising poor judgement by holidaying in a country with such an appalling human rights record. The country’s despotic president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has been accused of torturing and killing political opponents, stifling press freedom and profiteering from his country’s vast reserves of oil and gas. Kensington Palace have refused to comment on the prince’s ‘private’ trip or discuss who bankrolled it, although sources close to the prince insist he was merely ‘tagging along’ after being invited by friends. The Czech model: Tereza Maxova is the girlfriend of Turkish-born property developer Burak Oymen, who has made millions from luxury developments in the country and is believed to have paid for the trip . However the Mail understands that it was paid for by Turkish-born property developer Burak Oymen, who has made millions from luxury developments in the country. It is understood that Mr Oymen, who lives in Monaco but has homes in several countries, sent his private plane to London to collect Harry, 29, his girlfriend of two years, Cressida Bonas, as well as Norwegian-born Mr Solheim and his wife. His long-term partner, Czech model Tereza Maxova, later published a picture taken during the weekend of a lavish picnic with the caption: ‘Shashlik [a type of Russian kebab] at 3,500m.’ Mr Oymen, 40, is the son of a senior Turkish politician and co-founder of commercial real estate developers Capital Partners. He and his business partner, Serzhan Zhumashoc, who himself has close links with the controversial Kazakh ruler, President Nazarbayev, own the ski resort of Shymbulak where Harry stayed. In a recent interview he boasted how he wished to turn the once down-at-heel Soviet downhill ski training centre into the ‘Courcheval of Kazakhstan’. Sources close to the prince flatly deny any links between Harry and Mr Oymen and say he had never met him before the trip and has no plans to meet him again, despite his lavish hospitality. Anna Solheim, the wife of polar adventurer Inge Solheim, who organised the weekend . Feast your eyes: Fur throws for a lunch at 11,500ft. Another member of the party posted a picture of an opulent private mountain-side lunch . But having the Queen’s grandson grace the developer’s fledging ski resort with his presence will clearly do little harm to its public image. Mr Oymen was also behind the building of Kazakhstan’s first luxury goods mall and hotel development which opened last year in a blaze of publicity. The property mogul flew out supermodel Eva Herzigova for the champagne-laced occasion which brought firms including Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Armani to the oil-rich Kazakhstani elite. Calls to his office in Almaty were not being answered yesterday. The man behind the holiday is respected 41-year-old adventurer Inge Solheim, who recently led Prince Harry on a charity trek to the South Pole for the Walking With The Wounded charity, which supports injured service personnel. The prince’s team included several seriously injured servicemen and women and a documentary on the team’s remarkable achievement recently aired on ITV. His glamorous wife, Anna, who works as a luxury brand social media manager, posted a series of pictures taken during their weekend on the internet. All are on freely accessible sites. One showed the royal party boarding the Government-owned helicopter that chauffeured them to and from the slopes each day saying: . ‘First attempt at #helli-skiing. Eek! 4100 meters up. #altitudesickness.’ Prince Harry was attacked by human rights campaigners for taking a private jet to enjoy a weekend's skiing in Kazakhstan . Pose: Harry was happy to take photographs with members of the public while skiing . She also shared a video she had shot from inside the former Soviet military helicopter showing her husband and what appears to be Prince Harry skiing toward her, with the words: ‘Waiting in the #chopper for hubbie to appear over the horizon #heliski’. As recently as Sunday there was another ‘selfie’ showing her tucking into some delicacies picked up during the trip. The caption read: ‘eating #caviar from #kazakhstan with salmon & cream cheese #2spoiltgirls’. Mr Solheim’s spokesman did not return calls yesterday. Another photograph from the weekend, which emerged yesterday, shows Harry and his girlfriend accompanied by one of the prince’s most trusted personal protection officers. The same officer was pictured with him in a Jacuzzi on the prince’s notorious holiday to Las Vegas where he was photographed playing a game of naked billiards in a hotel suite. Local reports say the couple were met at their private jet by the ski resort manager, and stayed in a ‘cosy cottage’ close to the main slope. The couple also enjoyed hiking and glacier climbing and on their last day flew to the Dmitiev Glacier for a spot of heli-skiing. | Friends of fourth in line to throne openly boasted about four-day jaunt .
They have even posted pictures from inside their plane on social media .
Polar explorer Inge Solheim shared image of wife, Anna, on Ryanair flight .
Another member of party posted picture of opulent mountain-side lunch . |
198a606a099128d76fc33ab644c4366bc87f4c35 | By . Mark Prigg . Samsung is set to take on Facebook and Sony with a vitual reality headset. The Gear VR is set to launch later this year. To use it, owners must slot in their Galaxy smartphone to provide the headset with a display and sensors. Samsung's Gear VR is set to launch later this year. To use it, owners must slot in their Galaxy smartphone. 'Today, we can confirm that Samsung is indeed working on a virtual reality device, and it’s called the 'Gear VR', the blog Sammobile said. 'Samsung will be announcing the device, alongside the Galaxy Note 4, at IFA 2014.' Gear VR makes use of the smartphone’s accelerometer, gyroscope and processing power to track head motion, the site said. The gadget can also use the smartphone’s rear-facing camera sensor to supply the user with a video feed of the real outside world, and has a touchpad to allow users to control it. The Korean firm is said to have sent early prototypes to developers to test, and the final product could launch by the end of the year. Samsung could be about to enter the virtual reality race, if reports about an upcoming headset are true. The Korean firm is said to have sent early prototypes to developers to test, and the final product could launch by the end of the year. It would rival Sony's Project Morpheus headset, pictured . Google's low cost headset is made from corrugated cardboard folded to form a no-frills enclosure. A mobile phone is then slotted in to act as a display. When the headset is put on, lenses in the viewer show images from the screen as a left an right eye image. Using a special app developed by Google, 3d images tand videos can then be viewed. Sources close to Samsung told Engadget the headsets have OLED screens and will connect with the next generation of Galaxy devices. The reports suggest the headset will run on Android, rather than the Tizen operating system most recently seen on Samsung’s latest smartwatches. Engadget added the headset is also likely to connect to a phone or tablet using wires, to prevent a lag when playing games. The release date, price and other features were not revealed, but it does differ from the rumoured Galaxy Glass project, first reported on in October. Variations of virtual reality have been around for years, particularly in flight and driving simulators, but it's popularity has risen recently due to companies such as Oculus VR. Google#'s headset is made from cardboard, and also uses a Mobile Phone as a display . Its Oculus Rift headset began life as a Kickstarter project and was bought by Facebook earlier this year in a deal said to be worth around $2 billion. A consumer version is expected later this year. Samsung was one of the first major companies to launch a smartwatch, after Sony, and is among the pioneers of the curved TV screen industry. Samsung could be hoping to steal a charge against its rivals, including Facebook's Oculus Rift, pictured, and be the first to sell its virtual reality headset to customers . Sony announced its own headset, under Project Morpheus, in March. The adjustable device features a head-mounted display with 1080p HD resolution and a 90-degree field of view, while sensors built into the headset track head movements. In April, Microsoft bought smart glasses specialist Osterhout Design Group and rumours suggest its working on its own augmented and virtual reality gadget for players of the Xbox One. Samsung was one of the first major companies to launch a smartwatch, after Sony, and is among the pioneers of the curved TV screen. It could be hoping to steal a charge against its rivals and be the first to sell its virtual reality headset to customers. | Sources close to Samsung said developers have been sent early headsets .
Software being developed with Facebook's Oculus .
It would rival Facebook’s Oculus Rift and Sony’s Project Morpheus .
Concept similar to Google's cardboard headset .
Release date hasn't been announced but it could launch by the end of 2014 . |
198a85a26a424322a762e91cd769accf675abe54 | (CNN) -- Environmental activists have declared an early success at the start of their annual high seas showdown with Japanese whalers in Antarctic waters. The anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd Australia said its ships had split up the Japanese fleet in the Southern Ocean and chased it out of the main Antarctic zone. "The whale poaching fleet is scattered and currently not hunting whales," Sea Shepherd said in a statement Monday. But Japanese authorities say the hunt is still on. Japan's fleet carries out an annual whale hunt despite a worldwide moratorium, taking advantage of a loophole in the law that permits the killing of the mammals for scientific research. Whale meat is commonly available for consumption in Japan. Each year, environmental groups like Sea Shepherd pursue the Japanese hunters in an attempt to disrupt the whaling. The resulting confrontations have led to collisions of ships and the detention of activists. Sea Shepherd said Monday that the Japanese fleet's harpoon ships are "separated by hundreds of miles." The factory ship, the Nisshin Maru, is "on the run," the environmental group claimed. It said its three ships had ushered the Japanese fleet out of the Antarctic Treaty Zone, the internationally designated area below 60 degrees south latitude. "Within a day and a half, we have the entire whaling fleet in disarray," said Siddarth Chakravarty, the captain of one of the Sea Shepherd ships. Japan's Fisheries Agency, which oversees the annual hunt, said Tuesday that the whaling operation has not been halted. It said the fleet remains in the Southern Ocean, which is generally considered to cover a similar area to the Antarctic Treaty Zone. The agency declined to comment specifically on Sea Shepherd's claims or on the fleet's exact whereabouts. On Monday, Sea Shepherd published photos and videos that it said showed three harpooned Minke whales lying on the deck of the Nisshin Maru and another being butchered. The Australian government has challenged the Japanese whaling program in the International Court of Justice. But the current hunt will continue, and Sea Shepherd activists say they'll continue to fight it. "We have won this battle," said Adam Meyerson, another of the group's ship captains. "But the war for the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary will wage on over the coming months." CNN's Yoko Wakatsuki contributed to this report. | An anti-whaling group says it split up Japan's fleet and chased it out of the Antarctic zone .
"Within a day and a half, we have the entire whaling fleet in disarray," an activist says .
Japan says the whaling ships are still in the Southern Ocean and the hunt continues .
Environmental groups clash each year with Japan's whaling vessels . |
198b1639e083633130ab9be7b159ffbff6769a64 | By . Jonathan O'Callaghan for MailOnline . Ever wanted to bring your drawings to life in three-dimensions? Well now you can, thanks to a unique pen that 'writes' with warm thermoplastic that hardens within seconds. The pen can used to create stunning replicas of some of the world's most famous sculptures and buildings, including the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben. Scroll down for video . 3Doodler from Boston has revealed their 3D-printing pen (shown). It expels melted plastic which then cools to create 3D objects in mid-air. The pen has three 'writing' speeds to allow for different levels of complexity. Artists can also download blueprints to recreate famous landmarks . To create their designs, users download blueprints of world-renowned landmarks, trace them on paper to create plastic lines, and then mend them together with the special 3D pen. Another pen on the market comes from London-based Lix (shown above). Their pen is 6.45in (16.3 cm) long, 0.55in (1.4 cm) in diameter and weighs 1.23 ounces (34.9 grams). It is made of aluminium and comes in black or grey. Inside the pen it heats plastic to 150°C (300°F), which is then pushed out through the nib as a hot liquid at the touch of a button. The plastic used is a plant-based filament, although it can also use stronger forms of plastic. When the liquid is exposed to air it solidifies into shapes. It will retail for £85 ($139.95) when it goes on sale in September. The pen itself is powered by an AC cord and it heats up in less than a minute. Users can then choose from three 'writing' speeds and more than 12 colours - including black, red, yellow, green and blue - to create their designs. At 7.5 inches (19cm) long, 1.5 inches (3.8cm) in diameter, the £99 pen (US RRP $99) is portable and designs take around two hours to complete. The pen is plugged in to a power source via its cable to be recharged. It can melt two types of plastic, ABS and PLA, with the former being heated to 230°C (445°F) and the latter 210°C (410°F). It is distributed by Firebox in the UK and Hammacher Schlemmerin the US. A spokeswoman from Hammacher Schlemmer said: 'Instead of releasing ink, this pen extrudes warm thermoplastic that hardens within seconds, allowing you to create three-dimensional freehand drawings. 'Artists can download blueprints of a 6-inch (15cm) tall Eiffel Tower, a napkin holder, or even Istanbul's Sultan Ahmed Mosque. 'They can then trace the designs and mend them together with the 3D pen, creating hand-drawn three-dimensional objects. 'Since the plastic hardens quickly, users can draw in the air to create a bird's outstretched wing or connect two faces of a cube.' The pen heats plastic to temperatures of up to 230°C (445°F) to create the structures and also has a fan (seen above) to make sure that it doesn't overheat when it is being held. The expelled thermoplastic hardens within seconds to form objects in mid-air . | 3Doodler from Boston has revealed their unique 3D printing pen .
It expels melted plastic which then cools to create 3D objects in mid-air .
The pen has three 'writing' speeds to allow for different levels of complexity .
It heats plastic to temperatures of up to 230°C to create the structures .
Artists can also download blueprints to recreate famous landmarks . |
198bf5694471330d2b32b8d5458cb25fc0cdc475 | Nancy Pelosi got political heads in a spin when she proclaimed Newt Gingrich will never become U.S. President because of 'something I know'. But now her office has backtracked by claiming the former House Speaker, whose position was also once held by Mr Gingrich, has no dirt on him. Democrat Ms Pelosi definitively told CNN last night that the Republican presidential candidate is ‘not going to be President of the United States’. Scroll down for video . Cryptic: Nancy Pelosi (left) said she knew 'something' that ensured Newt Gingrich (right) would never become U.S. President . 'Let me just make my prediction and . stand by it, it isn't going to happen,’ she told CNN’s John King. ‘There . is something I know. 'The Republicans, if they choose to nominate him, that's their prerogative. I don't even think that's going to happen.' But her spokesman Drew Hammill said . today in a bizarre statement that the ‘something’ she knows is simply . that he will not become President. ‘Leader Pelosi previously made a . reference to the extensive amount of information that is in the public . record,’ Mr Hammill said. Dish the dirt, Nancy! Pelosi claims to know 'something' about fellow former House speaker Newt Gingrich, seen here with his wife Callista in St Petersburg, Florida, this week . She said last month that there was . information in her office that could come out and damage Mr Gingrich, . related to a House ethics investigation. 'Let me just make my prediction and stand by it, it isn't going to happen. There is something I know' Nancy Pelosi . However several possibilities of her . latest ‘something’ are being touted by commentators. Some believe it . could relate to his seedy private life. His second ex-wife Marianne has . revealed how he cheated on her with young Washington worker . Callista Bisek, who became his third wife. It happened in the late nineties as he . demanded President Bill Clinton be removed from office for lying on . oath about his affair with Monica Lewinsky. Interview: Nancy Pelosi (left) spoke to CNN's John King (right) about the possibility that Newt Gingrich could become President . Others think the 'something' Ms Pelosi . knows comes from her time probing the GOP candidate as she served . on a Washington committee. 'If she knows something, I have a simple challenge. Spit it out' Newt Gingrich . She suggested she would reveal . 'thousands' of pages of an ethics committee investigation into the GOP . frontrunner 'when the time's right.' 'I served on the investigative . committee that investigated him, four of us locked in a room in an . undisclosed location for a year,’ she said. Mr Gingrich has rebutted, by telling NBC on Wednesday: 'If she knows something, I have a simple challenge. Spit it out'. See video here . | Several theories as to what the 'something' could be .
Gingrich's 'seedy past of adultery and open marriage'
Pelosi could have 'major dirt' on him in ethics probe .
But spokesman denies she has any dirt on him at all . |
198c6dafa1fa0fb11d32e9c9a5759bfcfa3d2e62 | Moscow, Russia (CNN) -- A car bomb in the Russian republic of Dagestan killed a driver and injured a government official and his two bodyguards on Saturday, state-run news agencies said. Bekmurza Bekmurzayev -- Dagestan's minister of national policy, Information and external relations -- received minor, non life-threatening, injuries, Itar-Tass reported. Investigators said the victims were headed to work in two cars from the minister's apartment in Makhachkala, the region's capital, when a device at the bottom of one of the vehicles exploded seconds later and caused a fire. It wasn't clear which car Bekmurzayev was riding in. Bekmurzayev was targeted because of his work, Itar-Tass said. Similar attacks in 2003 and 2005 killed his two predecessors, Russia Today said. Moscow has been targeting terrorism in Dagestan and other regions of the Caucasus, such as Ingushetia and Chechnya. In recent years, Dagestan has faced ethnic friction, spillover from the discord in neighboring Chechnya and attacks on government officials by Islamists, the International Crisis Group said. | Dagestan is in the turbulent Caucasus region .
The minister suffered from minor injuries .
Similar attacks killed his predecessors . |
198d7ff21eb50d8df151b232eb30f3295f2565fb | (AOL Autos) -- With car companies going in into bankruptcy and shedding famous names left and right, it's important to remember that today's automotive titans started out as tiny startups, not unlike Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. General Motors was almost called International Motors Co. Names like Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Toyota and Porsche call to mind the huge corporate successes of the past and the great automotive families that survive today. But behind every brand name, there is a flesh-and-blood inventor, entrepreneur or industrialist. Most of the time, they gave their name to the companies. And that fame was often about all they ended up with. David Buick, who invented the overhead valve engine, founded the Buick Motor Car Co. in 1903. William C. Durant, the industrialist who would eventually found GM, took over the company in 1904, when it ran into financial trouble. Buick stayed on as a director, but left in 1908, never making much money from the enterprise. He reportedly died in 1929, unable to afford one of his cars. Durant kept the name for one of his company divisions and for the car, even though he worried that people might pronounce it "Boo-ick," according to one author. Strangely enough, the man who practically created General Motors single-handedly never really liked the idea of a 'Durant' car. In another example, Robert Hupp invented the Hupmobile,'a two-seat runabout, in 1908. But he sold his stock in his Hupp Motor Car Company in 1911. He turned around and founded the Hupp Corp. that same year. Investors in his first firm took him to court to make him drop the "Hupp" from his new company's name and they won. His own automotive glory quickly faded, although the Hupmobile survived until the 1940s. Swiss-born Louis Chevrolet's experience was similar. Durant brought him into a new car-building venture in 1911, hoping to trade on his fame as an absolutely fearless race car driver. Chevrolet left the company in 1913, apparently unable to make the adjustment from racing to building production vehicles. But its name stuck to the new Chevrolet vehicles; Durant reportedly liked its musical lilt. It could also work the other way around. In 1925, Walter P. Chrysler got the naming rights to the Maxwell Motor Co. after he and another industrialist steadily bought up shares in the firm over a two-year period. Things turned out a little differently for Henry Ford. He suffered the ignominy of being booted from an early auto company that bore his own name. But his revenge was sweet. The Henry Ford Company, which traded freely on Ford's early fame as an inventor, fired him in 1902 "because he was spending all his time developing a race car, not a passenger car," according to the Encyclopedia of American Business and Biography. AOL Autos: Ford's 'Wonder Woman' engineers most important new car . After Ford was gone, the company was renamed Cadillac, after Antoine Laumet de la Mothe Cadillac, the French nobleman who founded Detroit in 1703; his heraldry became the model's badge and the company became a part of General Motors in 1909. After his firing, Ford quickly found investors to help him found his own firm, the Ford Motor Co., in 1903. He introduced the company's first new vehicle, the Model and followed it up with other low-cost vehicles, including his greatest achievement, the Model T, in 1908. Its price tag started at $850 and fell steadily as Ford introduced more production innovations. The young firm became phenomenally successful. AOL Autos: 10 classic American rides . In the 1920s, he got the chance to buy the five-year-old Lincoln Motor Co. out of bankruptcy. It was then owned by one of the very people, Henry Leland, who fired him in 1902. Then he used the former aircraft company to launch his own line of luxury cars bearing the Lincoln name. For its part, General Motors almost didn't get the name it bears today. Durant actually incorporated his company under the name "International Motors Co.", in New Jersey in 1908. But his attorney advised him that it would be easier to raise capital under a new name. "We might use 'United Motors Company' were it not for the fact that there is already a United Motor Car Company in that state," the attorney wrote. "We suggest the name General Motors Company, as we have ascertained it can be used." A newly coined French word, auto-mobile, inspired many vehicle names of the early years. Inventor Ransom E. Olds filed a patent for an "auto-mobile" during the mid-1890s. Names like Bugmobile, Locomobile, Hupmobile, and of course, the Oldsmobile, could not have come along without it. The origins of some names can be tricky to trace. The first use of Jeep, for instance. is shrouded in mist. Jim Allen, the author of a book called "Jeep," concludes that it's based on early World War II slang for "a new, unproven recruit or a new unproven vehicle." It wasn't until 1950 that Toledo-based Willys-Overland, Inc., one of the producers of the early four-wheel-drive vehicle, trademarked the term. Many of the names were not originally associated with the auto industry. The Toyota name came from the Toyoda loom works in Kariya, Japan; When it turned to car production, the Toyoda family changed the 'd' to a 't' to make it simpler and more elegant in Japanese script. AOL Autos: Top 10 best car names . There's little doubt about other brand names. Pontiac was an offshoot of the Pontiac Buggy Co., a horseless carriage manufacturer named after a renowned Indian chief. Mechanic Soichiro Honda started producing motorized bicycles after the devastation of World War II and eventually graduated to cars. AOL Autos: Pontiacs we'll never forget . Volkswagen, a response to Adolf Hitler's call for a car for the common folk, means 'people's car' in German, evidently beating out the prototype's name, 'Strength through Joy,' for the honors. In 1917, the Rapp Engine Works became known as the Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH, or Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) as the four-year-old airplane engine firm diversified into motorcycle engines, with a stylized white propeller against a blue sky as its logo, according to some authorities. The first BMW cars were produced 11 years later. The legendary Jaguar name is considered one of the best sports car names of all time. It beat out a long list of lackluster animal names compiled by a British ad agency in 1935. In 1939, Ford struck gold with Mercury, the fleet-footed messenger of the gods. It tapped into Greek and Roman mythology for the name, just as it did for the similarly styled Lincoln Zephyr, the god of the wind, three years earlier. Some other storied automotive brands are based on acronyms. Fiat stands for Fabbrica Italiani Automobili Torino, or Italian Automotive Works Turin. Similarly, Saab stands for Svenska Aeroplanaktiebolaget, or Swedish Aeroplane Ltd., hearkening back to the automaker's origins as an aircraft company. Ford might have done better with an acronym in 1958. The Edsel was conceived as a new, distinct Ford Motor Co. brand, with its own models, badge and division. The mission was to take on GM's Oldsmobile. After considering thousands of suggestions, Ford named the new brand after Edsel Ford, Henry Ford's only child. He had been a major styling influence within the company and was its president at his fathers death in 1943. The name Edsel was an immediate letdown. Ford stock fell 10 points on the day it was announced. One disenchanted executive predicted that the name alone would cost the new vehicle 200,000 units in sales. AOL Autos: Best and worst automotive designs of all time . Its name wasn't the sole reason for its failure. It didn't help that the country was in recession or that the new car seemed based on Ford and Mercury models. But all that didn't stop Edsel from entering the vocabulary as an idea or project fated to failure. | David Buick invented the overhead valve engine, founded Buick Motor Car Co.
Fearless race car driver Louis Chevrolet's name stuck for its musical lilt .
The Henry Ford Company fired its namesake who later started Ford Motor Co.
Toyota name came from the Toyoda loom works in Kariya, Japan . |
19924239f7dd20315a63cdf3c6f878f869955431 | A fascinating archive documenting how Colman's Mustard impacted on the people living and working in Norwich has been uncovered to mark the 200th anniversary of the product. The gallery of vintage pictures which shows the rise of the condiment to a favourite kitchen staple includes photographs, posters, leaflets and articles dating back to 1814. The popular product was founded by former flour miller Jeremiah Colman and sold as a powder for people to mix into a paste. Scroll down for video . Hand tinted glass plate thousands of workers leaving the Carrow works in 1900: The gallery of vintage pictures dates back to 1814 . Hand tinted glass plate of the Carrow works in 1900: Mustard escaped rationing during the Second World War and was used to make war-time recipes more interesting . Making mustard casks in Victorian times: Popularity for the spicey condiment went from strength to strength and in the 1880s they began to offer different types of containers for customers to buy it in . The first newspaper advert for the family firm from the time makes up part of the archive. It . reads: 'Jeremiah Colman, having taken the Stock and Trade lately . carried on by Mr Edward James, respectfully informs his customers and . the public in general that he will continue the manufacturing of . mustard.' His nephew, James, joined the company in 1823, and the firm was rebranded as J. and J. Colman. Employees worked long hours but had access to a clothing club, school and an abundance of leisure activities. Female workers packing penny oval tins in 1910: The gallery of vintage pictures includes photographs, posters, leaflets and articles dating back to 1814 . Staff packing in the company factory in the 1920s: In 1850 Jeremiah James moved the business to a much larger factory in Carrow in Norwich . Tractor powered harvesting in the 1950s: The world famous brand still produces 3000 tons of the fiery favourite every year exporting to all parts of the globe . Packing mustard in the 1930: The popular product was founded by former flour miller Jeremiah Colman and sold as a powder for people to mix into a paste . In 1830 James' had a son, Jeremiah James, who joined Colman's when he was 17. He eventually went on to take over the manufacturing of the mustard in 1854 aged just 24, after his father and great-uncle died. In . 1850 Jeremiah James moved the business to a much larger factory in . Carrow in Norwich because it had good access to train links and the . river for exports. Popularity . for the spicey condiment went from strength to strength and in the . 1880s they began to offer different types of containers for customers to . buy it in. Horse drawn harvesting in the 1920s: A staple of the British kitchen is celebrating its anniversary this year as Colman's Mustard turns 200 . Making mustard casks in Victorian times: Founded in Norwich in 1814 by Jeremiah Colman, the super hot condiment made from Norfolk mustard seeds soon become a family favourite at dinner tables . 'Gamma' loco at Carrow road in 1890: Employees worked long hours but had access to a clothing club, school and an abundance of leisure activities . A 'Mustard Train' leaving the Carrow works in 1896: Popularity for the spicey condiment went from strength to strength and in the 1880s they began to offer different types of containers for customers to buy it in . These ranged from tins costing just one penny to collectible, pictorial packages with the bright yellow label. In . 1985 a colourful advert was released which showed a fairy pouring a . container of mustard on a globe. The slogan read 'Colmans Mustard All . over the World.' It gained . even more popularity when in 1911 the factory donated a ton-and-a-half . of Colman's Mustard and nine tons of flour to Captain Scott's ill-fated . Terra Nova Expedition to the South Pole. Capt Scott wrote a letter at the time thanking the company for the mustard they had donated. The letter also forms the archive. Advert celebrating Colman's use on the 1901-04 Antartic expedition. It gained even more popularity when in 1911 the factory donated a ton-and-a-half of Colman's Mustard and nine tons of flour to Captain Scott's ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition to the South Pole . Colman's Mustard went on the Terra Nova expedition to the South Pole. Capt Scott wrote a letter at the time thanking the company for the mustard they had donated . The letter from Captain Scott thanking Colman's for supplying mustard for his ill fated Terra Nova expedition to the South Pole . Jeremiah Colman's first advert placed in the local paper in May 7th 1814. Founded in Norwich in 1814 by Jeremiah Colman, the condiment made from Norfolk mustard seeds soon become a family favourite at dinner tables . Harvesting mustard by hand in the 1930s: In 1938 Colmans joined forces with Reckitt and Sons starch makers, but just one year later both companies suffered in the air raids and several departments were damaged . In . the 1920s the factory launched a series of adverts that said 'Has . father joined the Mustard Club?' which was a pretend society that people . could join in return for a badge. The campaign was so popular that half a million badges were given away. Around the same time, posters promoting the health benefits of the condiment were also produced, claiming it 'aids digestion'. In . 1938 Colmans joined forces with Reckitt and Sons starch makers, but . just one year later both companies suffered in the air raids and several . departments were damaged. Mustard . escaped rationing during the Second World War and was used as a way of . making bland war-time recipes seem more interesting. However, as paper was in short supply the size of the labels were greatly reduced. A Norfolk wherry moored outside the Carrow works in 1900 - the sailing barges were used to transport the mustard plants to the factory . Mustard crop in the 1950's: A fascinating archive documenting how Colman's Mustard became hot stuff in larders across Britain has been uncovered to mark the 200th anniversary if the product . In the 1920s the factory launched a series of adverts that said 'Has father joined the Mustard Club?' which was a pretend society that people could join in return for a badge. The campaign was so popular that half a million badges were given away . Colmans continued to partner with other companies and products and in 1968 they acquired a wine firm and a sauce product. In 1995 Colmans Mustard was purchased from Reckitt and Colman PLC and it became part of Unilever. Lesley Owen-Edwards, archivist at Unilever, said: 'Colman's English Mustard has been a larder staple for 200 years in the UK. 'It . is still a quintessentially British brand, it's still made in Norwich . with English mustard seeds from Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and . Lincolnshire. 'It's still all about bringing families together through home-cooked food. 'We . make more than 3,000 tonnes of mustard and export all over the world, . including to Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and China. 'People used to buy the mustard powder in small quantities and in the 1880s Colmans began producing penny oval tins. 'It . was a product that was available to everyone and the tins were quite . collectible as they had the flags of different countries on them. 'Not only was it a popular condiment, but there were perceived health benefits from mustard at the time. 'People believed that if you put the powder in the bath it would improve your circulation and arthritis. 'There is an oil by-product that is produced when mustard seeds are ground up and people began asking for it. 'In the early days they gave it away and people would rub it on their joints, and they also thought it had digestive qualities.' Staple: A 1905 Colman's Mustard advert featuring the massive Carrow Road works. Colman's is celebrating its 200th anniversary . Historic: Two adverts from 1855 which show the London head office of . Colman's Mustard in Cannon Street. The business is 200 years old this . year . International: An 1895 advert showing the worldwide reach of the Colman's Mustard brand which turns 200 this year . An 1884 Victorian label: A staple of the British kitchen is celebrating its anniversary this year. Archivist's research reveals the 200 year history of Colmans Mustard . An up-market Victorian advert from 1895. Founded in Norwich in 1814 by Jeremiah Colman, the hot condiment made from Norfolk mustard seeds soon became a family favourite at dinner tables throughout the Empire . 1930 cover of the Mustard Club book: So vital was the powdered sauce that it escaped wartime rationing to keep home fires burning during the Second World War . The label from 1974: The popular product was founded by former flour miller Jeremiah Colman and celebrates its 200th anniversary this year . A 1920's advert with polar bear to demonstrate mustard's benefits to sufferers of colds and a 1920's advert extolling Mustard's benefits to digestion . | The gallery of vintage pictures includes photographs, posters, leaflets and articles dating back to 1814 .
The product was founded by former flour miller Jeremiah Colman and sold as a powder for people to mix into a paste .
In 1850 the business moved to a much larger factory in Carrow in Norwich because of its good transport links .
Employees worked long hours but had access to a clothing club, school and an abundance of leisure activities .
Mustard escaped rationing during the Second World War because it made recipes more interesting . |
199333ac57745a68654e5fdd421017d204639c87 | By . Derek Lawrenson . Given it’s only 18 months since Rory McIlroy declared unequivocally to this newspaper he felt ‘more British than Irish,’ there are passionate supporters of Team GB’s Olympic team who could be forgiven for feeling a bit like Caroline Wozniacki this morning. If truth be told, this latest U-turn from the 25-year-old is a bit less shocking than that one at Wentworth last month detailing his split with fiancee Wozniacki. Everything changed for McIlroy in the aftermath of our story about his feelings of ‘Britishness’. It caused such a commotion I sought him out the following week to make sure he had no problems with the piece. Sifting through the furore, McIlroy made it clear he was not bothered about the nutters filling the airwaves and newspaper columns with screeds of bigotry. What did cause angst — and make him think — were the thousands of decent Irish people who were genuinely hurt that someone who had grown up playing for Ireland could now contemplate deserting them on the biggest team stage of all. Going green: Rory McIlroy has chosen to play for Ireland instead of Great Britain at the 2016 Olympic Games . Patriot games: Rory McIlroy in action at the Pro-Am event ahead of the Irish Open at Fota Island resort . VIDEO Irish Open - Round 1 Highlights . Since then, McIlroy has tried to make amends. He has committed early to the Irish Open each year. When he missed the halfway cut last year, he stayed around, signing autographs and chatting with the locals. Now comes the most spectacular act of atonement of all. It could certainly be argued that playing for Ireland represents the path of least resistance. If he had represented Team GB in Rio, for instance, his reputation would never have recovered in the Republic. No doubt there are plenty on one side of the divide in Northern Ireland who will be feeling sore. But most people in Britain, including me, will echo the thoughts of Team GB’s golf coach Jamie Spence in recognising the difficult position McIlroy was in, respect his decision and wish him well for Rio. Best wishes: Team GB coach Jamie Spence has respected Rory McIlroy's decision to play for Irealnd . As Spence says, the worst of all worlds would have been if McIlroy had elected to sit on the sidelines.Fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell, who will also play for Ireland, put forward a persuasive explanation as to why they should wear green. ‘If you want to get religious or political about it you’re going to upset people but, to me, golf is an all-Ireland sport,’ he said. ‘I grew up wanting to wear the green blazer with a shamrock on it, so it makes sense that the best players, whether they be from north or south of the border, should want to represent Ireland in the Olympic Games.’ McIlroy certainly picked a great time to announce it, with the Irish Open about to begin and some sporting event going on in Rio you might have heard about. It must be a huge relief as well, for the longer it went on without a decision, the more the speculation would have grown. Shamrock style: Grame McDowell has put forward a persuasive argument for wanting to represent Ireland . For the Irish, of course, it’s a massive coup. Trying to predict the golfing landscape is difficult enough next month, let alone in two years, but it will be surprising if McIlroy is not favourite to claim the gold medal when the sport re-enters the Olympic fold for the first time since 1904. He will be, by a considerable distance, the most feted sportsman in the Irish team and will be invited to carry the flag into the stadium at the opening ceremony. The format will be a 72-hole event featuring 60 players with qualification based on world ranking. Two players will represent each nation but up to four are allowed if they are all in the world’s top 15. Two men who might greet this turn of events with a rueful smile are Dubliners Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry. Unless they overtake the two Macs in the world ranking or climb into the top 15, they will miss the party. Brit of alright: Based on current rankings, Team GB would feature Justin Rose (L) and Luke Donald (R) Conversely, British players such as Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Jamie Donaldson and Stephen Gallacher now have a better chance of qualifying for the Olympics. Based on the present world rankings, Team GB would have been McIlroy and Justin Rose. Now it would be Rose and Donald, with the aforementioned quartet in hot pursuit of a place. Clearly they will not be too upset to learn McIlroy is now more Irish than British. VIDEO Woods BACK hitting shots & McIlroy lost clubs . | Rory McIlroy has chosen to play for Ireland instead of Great Britain at the 2016 Olympic Games .
Golfer did not want to disappoint fans from his homeland of Ireland .
The decision has been backed by Team GB coach Jamie Spence .
Graeme McDowell gave a persuasive argument to play for Ireland .
At present, Team GB's team would feature Justin Rose and Luke Donald . |
1993a11e9ead4871434f34ad1b4d9f957f334dd5 | Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud claims Arsenal forward Yaya Sanogo has asked to join the French club on loan. The 21-year old is behind a plethora of attacking options in the pecking order at Arsenal with Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott all vying for a starting spot. Arsene Wenger is happy for the former Auxerre striker to head out on loan but would much prefer Sanogo, who has only featured six times for the Gunners this season and has struggled with injuries, to play for a Premier League outfit. Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo celebrating his goal in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund . 'Sanogo wants to come to Bordeaux on loan', Triaud told Gold FM. 'And he has informed Arsene Wenger [about his wish]. We've asked for Arsenal to give us a response on Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest.' Bordeaux manager Willy Sagnol, the former France and Bayern Munich right back, wants to bring Sanogo to the Stade Chaban-Delmas with his side sixth in Ligue 1 and ten points off Marseille at the top. Wenger could be more inclined to let Sanogo head to France with plenty attacking cover at his disposal with Joel Campbell and 19-year-old Chuba Akpom recently coming off the bench. The former Auxerre forward has only scored one goal for Arsenal this season, in the Champions League . Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring against Hull on Sunday with Arsenal team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain . Striker Olivier Giroud will return from a three-game suspension against Stoke City this weekend . Danny Welbeck (right), pictured celebrating against West Ham, is also ahead of Sanogo in the pecking order . | 21-year-old striker has only made six appearances for Arsenal this season .
Yaya Sanogo scored his only goal this season in the Champions League .
Former Auxerre forward has struggled with injuries since signing in 2013 . |
1994761be6130274670b997a7efa0b295699bff3 | Former West Ham defender Jordan Spence has joined MK Dons on a one-year-deal following his release this summer. The 24-year-old spent last season on loan with the League 1 club and made 31 appearances for Karl Robinson's side. Spence left Upton Park on a free transfer having joined the Hammers as a youth back in 2004. Done deal: Jordan Spence (right) has joined MK Dons following his release from West Ham this summer . | Jordan Spence joins MK Dons on one-year deal .
Defender was released by West Ham in the summer .
24-year-old joined Hammers as a youth back in 2004 . |
199500abfb982a790568098713cd70d2cd5ae464 | South Sudan's fractious leadership, mass killings and ethnic violence contributed to its No. 1 position on the list of the world's most fragile nations, said Fund For Peace, a Washington-based nonprofit that compiles the annual list. However, the United States -- which ranked 159 on the overall list of 178 countries, followed by France and the United Kingdom in a subcategory of "very stable" countries -- was among the countries that have worsened the most over the past year, a new report says. The index is based on 12 social, economic and political indicators, including demographic pressures, poverty and economic decline, human rights and political impasse. Until this year, the nonprofit referred to it as the list of failed states. Somalia had led the list for six years. Somalia's fall to second place is due to its "trajectory of improvement," despite lawlessness, terrorism and ineffective government, the group said. Other countries in the top 10 are the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Chad, Afghanistan, Yemen, Haiti and Pakistan. Syria was not left out: Its yearslong civil war placed it at No. 15. Iran leads in improvement . The list had some surprises as well. Iran led a pack of most-improved nations, with the report saying it had stabilized somewhat "after recent political and social turmoil." The most-improved group included a cluster of countries with tense relations with the United States -- "quite coincidentally," according to the report's authors -- including Zimbabwe, Cuba, Bolivia and China. U.S. on list of worsening countries . Some developed nations picked up dubious honors, too. France was listed as the seventh-most-worsened country this year, "largely as a result of a political and economic malaise," the group said. It said the United States tied with Singapore and Thailand for eighth-most-worsened country. The top nation on that list was the Central African Republic, which is deep in a conflict involving widespread atrocities. 'Not exclusive to developing countries' The U.S. made the list for various reasons, including the lack of bipartisanship in Congress and the partial government shutdown last year, the group said. "The recent worsening of the United States, France, and Singapore also shows us that instability is not exclusive to developing countries," the group said. The three nonetheless remain near the bottom of the overall fragility rankings, in a group of nations classified as "very stable." South Sudan chaos . South Sudan split from Sudan in 2011, making it the world's youngest nation. But excitement over its independence did not last long. Fighting erupted in December after President Salva Kiir accused Vice President Riek Machar of plotting a coup. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes as forces loyal to both leaders battle it out. The list covers the past year and excludes a handful of countries with inadequate data. It uses indicators such as the economy, declining public services and growing refugee problems. Sudanese Christian woman faces 2 new charges . South Sudan quashes coup attempt, President says . | A U.S. nonprofit group says South Sudan displaces Somalia as most fragile nation .
It cites the young country's fractious leadership, mass killings and ethnic violence .
The United States is among the 10 nations that have deteriorated the most, the group says .
Iran leads the list of countries that improved the most over the past year . |
19963e1fccf5158bca403b749076ea3e9ec40e1a | (CNN) -- The Verizon iPhone train started rolling this week, but Apple's main smartphone competitors aren't about to be left at the station. This week, cellular carriers released details about a trio of upcoming smartphones, all of which run an older version of Google's Android operating system. AT&T announced a March 6 release deadline for the Atrix 4G, a Motorola Mobility "transformer" phone that grabbed the spotlight at the Consumer Electronics Show last month. With a speedy dual-core processor inside, the Arix can be used as a media center or limited-function PC when connected to a television or monitor using a dock accessory. Motorola will also sell a laptop shell that allows the Atrix to essentially convert into a sort of netbook, complete with a keyboard. New details about the much-anticipated Atrix came on the same day Verizon Wireless began letting current customers pre-order the iPhone 4, formerly exclusive to AT&T in the U.S. At $200 with a two-year contract, the Atrix will be among the first to run on AT&T's faster data network and carry the "4G" branding. (For $500 with a contract, you get the phone and the laptop dock; the latter is also sold separately for $500.) The Atrix, an AT&T exclusive, will be available for pre-order starting on February 13. On the same day, AT&T will begin selling another so-called 4G phone. The second-largest U.S. carrier by subscribers announced the launch date and a $100 price tag, two-year agreement required, for HTC's Inspire 4G. That info came on Tuesday, kicking off a big week for smartphone news. The Inspire has a 4.3-inch screen -- the same large size as the Evo 4G. The new device will be the inaugural smartphone to offer AT&T's Mobile Hotspot service. Having long struggled to support the bandwidth needs of its millions of smartphone subscribers, AT&T lags behind competitors in offering this feature. Customers will have to pay an extra $20 per month to use the feature, which adds 2 gigabytes of wireless internet usage, the carrier said on Wednesday. T-Mobile USA, the fourth-largest U.S. network, said on Tuesday that it expects to begin selling the Galaxy S 4G from Samsung Electronics this month. It's similar to Samsung's several other Android handsets, but this one is compatible with T-Mobile's faster data network. All three of these new smartphones, strangely, come with a seven-month-old version of Android, called Froyo. Since releasing that version, Google launched another called Gingerbread, which powers a Samsung-made phone called the Nexus S. Google held a news conference on Wednesday to say developers are close to releasing the first device that will run the next Android, called Honeycomb, this month. | AT&T and T-Mobile announce details about three new Android phones this week .
The most hyped of the trio is called the Atrix 4G, which can transform into a laptop .
None of these upcoming devices run the newest versions of Android . |
1997690ceabc952c3396cb2a30e9050241f6f6c7 | Comedian Rowan Atkinson crashed out of a classic car race at Goodwood today after a head-on collision with a fellow motorist. The 59-year-old careered his blue Ford Falcon Sprint into the front of another car during the Shelby Cup, a one-off race which marks 60 years of the small-block V8 engine. According to the Telegraph, the carnage began when a fellow competitor, who was driving two in front of Atkinson, lost control of their car and spun off the tracks. Scroll down for video . Rowan Atkinson, 59, pictured in his blue Ford Falcon Sprint, before crashing it during the Shelby Cup at Goodwood Revival earlier this afternoon . It caused the next car in line to swerve on the tracks, to avoid crashing into the stricken vehicle. But Atkinson, who was not far behind, could do little to stop his own vintage Ford hitting the crashed car head-on. The actor, best known for his role in Mr Bean, then abandoned his vehicle, but luckily did not sustain any injuries. A Goodwood regular, Atkinson is frequently pictured at the race track during its renowned festivals. He is a classic car fanatic and his impressive collection of vehicles includes a Honda NSX, a Jaguar Mk7, an Aston Martin DB2, a 1939 BMW 328 and a Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe. But it is not the first time that one of Atkinson's prized cars has been involved in a collision. Atkinson, pictured in June this year, has a fleet of impressive supercars, including this Mercedes SLS AMG supercar . The Blackadder star - said to be worth £71million - famously crashed his McClaren F1 into a tree in 2011, after losing control of the 240mph car. It veered off a slippery section of the A605 near Peterborough, hitting a tree and bursting into flames. Atkinson escaped from the wreckage with a broken shoulder but his vehicle – one of only 64 models in the world – was a virtual write-off. Most of the back of the car was destroyed while the 6.1litre engine ended up 20 yards away. Atkinson is a regular at Goodwood, which played host to the Revival festival, pictured, this weekend . Afterwards, he successfully claimed £910,000 from his insurers to fix the supercar – the highest repair bill ever recorded in Britain. His insurers spent almost eight months considering the claim, before agreeing the massive payout following more than a year of specialist repairs at McLaren's base in Woking, Surrey. Earlier this year, Atkinson helped to save a McLaren F1 driver's life following a horror crash in Tuscany. The British actor was one of the first to come to the wealthy American businessman's aid after he smashed his 240mph 6.1-litre engine sports car into a tree in central Italy. The actor's fascination with classic cars is a far cry from the interests of Mr Bean, the character for which he is most famous . The driver lost control of the vehicle, before careering off the road and crashing into the tree in a nearby olive grove. Atkinson, who had been part of a convoy of motoring enthusiasts driving their McLaren F1s through the Tuscan countryside, immediately rushed to the businessman's aid. He was also photographed picking up pieces of debris from the sports car, which was completely destroyed after flipping on to its roof. Goodwood Revival carries on until Sunday evening. Among the racing legends, the other famous faces taking to the track over the weekend include TV chef James Martin. | Comedian, 59, careered his blue Ford Falcon Sprint into back of another car .
He was taking part in the Shelby Cup, a race for cars powered by V8 engines .
Carnage began after fellow competitor spun off tracks in front of Atkinson .
Actor, known for Mr Bean role, forced to abandon race but was not injured . |
19979e4a73981e3bf27e5c512a46bf21c34765af | (CNN) -- Lookin' good, Trivago Guy. In a brief new commercial, Tim "Trivago Guy" Williams comes across as more polished than the disheveled pitchman he was a few months ago. His hair is nicely tousled, his slim-fit shirt hugs his torso, and he has a fashionable touch of facial stubble. OK, it's hard to tell whether he's wearing a belt, but that's because his shirt is untucked. The new look is a response to the complaints -- some wry, some serious -- the company got after an earlier series of ads featuring Williams. As one person on Twitter wrote, "I had no idea #trivagoGuy was a thing, but I do know that my wife and I both wondered why homeless people were doing travel ads." Some people even dressed up as him for Halloween, perhaps as a way to frighten children (or, more likely, Anna Wintour). Does 'Trivago Guy' need a makeover? Trivago wasn't going to let that slide. "Trivago was listening!" the company trumpeted in a news release. The company sponsored a contest to give Williams a style makeover. The winner was Aaron Marino, an Atlanta-based style consultant (PDF) who not only got to reshape Williams' image, he received a five-day trip to Berlin to watch the new spot get shot. (Hey, Trivago is a travel website.) Opinions on Twitter were mostly favorable ... "Someone @ @trivago was listening - the #trivagoguy got a #makeover. Better fitting shirt in a flattering color. The scruff looks intentional," wrote The Quiet Car. ... though there was the matter of the beard. "Hey, the creepy #TrivagoGuy got a new shirt & a haircut! Still, would it kill him to shave? @TravelinAnn #travel," wrote JohnCinnamon. Williams has enjoyed the notoriety the campaign has brought. (Incidentaly, the reason for the disheveled style was because he had to maintain a look he had on a German soap opera.) But don't push him to put on a belt. "I had a belt on at one point, and it just didn't kind of go with the outfit and we scrapped the belt," he told CNN in August. "It's probably one of the best decisions we ever came up with, because look what it's created." CNN's Marnie Hunter contributed to this story. | Tim "Trivago Guy" Williams cleans up for new ad .
Trivago had a contest to give Williams a makeover .
His old look was charitably described as disheveled -- and beltless . |
1997b0c4d018fb2be519a81c4cf7ad5a0bc9376e | Washington (CNN) -- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a joint resolution Tuesday supporting the limited use of U.S. military force in Libya for one year -- a move sought by the Obama administration as it works to win clear congressional backing of the controversial North African mission. The resolution, which explicitly rejects any introduction of U.S. ground troops, was approved 14-5. It now advances to the full Democratic-controlled Senate. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives rejected a similar measure last Friday, but also voted down a bill restricting U.S. involvement in the conflict. Deep congressional divisions over the mission stem from, among other things, a belief among some representatives and senators on both sides of the aisle that the White House has violated the War Powers Resolution. Passed in 1973, the law gives a president 60 days to get congressional approval for sending U.S. forces to war, followed by a 30-day extension to end hostilities. The combined 90-day period ended last week without any congressional expression of support for America's role in the NATO-led operation. Administration officials have repeatedly asserted that the U.S. role in Libya does not meet the law's definition of hostilities. The president reportedly overruled contrary legal opinions put forward by both the Pentagon and the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel in declining to seek congressional authorization. Earlier Tuesday, top State Department legal adviser Harold Koh told members of the committee that the War Powers law does not apply to the U.S. military intervention. Koh argued that the measure is not applicable because the U.S. role in the mission is limited in terms of its scope, means, exposure of U.S. forces, and chances of escalation. "The precedent here has been narrowly drawn," Koh asserted. Republicans on the committee did not agree. Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar, the committee's top Republican, said President Barack Obama's decision to intervene without explicit congressional backing was a "fundamental failure of leadership that placed expedience" before constitutional responsibility. "There was no good reason why President Obama should have failed to seek authorization" by Congress, he added. There has been a "lack of constitutional discipline" in this case. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tennessee, told Koh he was "sticking a stick in the eyes of Congress," "I think you've undermined the integrity of the War Powers Act," Corker said. By refusing to take a tougher stance against the administration's actions, senators are "making ourselves irrelevant" to debates over military action, he added. Koh told committee members that a "major structural flaw" of the law is that, absent explicit congressional approval, it requires an automatic termination of military engagements after 60 days. "You cannot run these things by autopilot," he said. Executive and legislative branch judgment is required in each instance, he asserted. Koh, along with both Democrats and Republicans, acknowledged the act could be updated to reflect technological advances such as unmanned predator drone strikes -- something unheard of when the law was passed during the Vietnam War. The "language needs further clarification," said Kerry, the chairman of the committee. But for Congress to now "pull the rug out from under (America's NATO allies) would have far-reaching consequences," he warned. The allied military effort in Libya, which has formal United Nations support, was launched to protect civilians from violence stemming from a crackdown launched by longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi. Western leaders have made clear that they believe the mission cannot be successfully completed without Gadhafi's ouster. The White House has promised not to use U.S. ground troops, but bipartisan congressional opposition to the military campaign has nevertheless been mounting over several weeks. | NEW: The Foreign Relations Committee backs limited U.S. military action in Libya .
State Department legal adviser says the Libya mission is limited in scope, exposure of forces .
Key Republicans argue Obama has improperly circumvented the 1973 War Powers Resolution .
It requires the president to get congressional approval within 60 days after deploying military . |
1998bca7115d32c9cd5d22c439c23b0a8bb0dc4b | Two great white sharks were caught on video lurking in the waters off the coast of a resort town in Cape Cod. Scott Koerner, who works at the Marine Biological Laboratory, was on the water in Chatham Saturday when the dorsal fins of two sharks appeared. As Koerner films, the sharks thrash their tails in the shallow water before slipping back beneath the surface of the water. Scroll down for video . Lurking: Two great whites were caught on video swimming in the shallow waters off the coast of Cape Cod on Sunday . Though their numbers were once on the decline in New England, great whites are no longer as exotic as they once were. Earlier this year, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published a study in PLOS ONE saying that the great white population had rebounded from low numbers. The recovery could be seen beginning in 2000, spurred by conservation laws like a 1997 ban on the fishing of the shark, which can grow up to 5,000 pounds. The sharks were also helped by a growing abundance of prey, and one of the sharks' favored meals, the grey seal, makes its home off the coast of Cape Cod. Great whites tend to be elusive, but there have been times the shark has come too close for comfort to humans. According to National Geographic, of the 100 or more shark attacks every year, between a third and a half can be blamed on great whites. Predator: The great white shark can grow to weigh 5,000 pounds and recent efforts to protect the species have seen the shark returning to waters of Cape Cod . Boston Magazine reports that a great white upended two kayakers in Cape Cod in September, taking a bite out of one of the boats but leaving the paddlers unharmed. There's no fear in Koerner's video and the boaters are elated to get to see two specimens of the elusive species. 'Double shark!' yells someone in the background of the video. | Scott Koerner from the Marine Biological Laboratory recorded the sighting .
Great whites have grown in number along the coast of Cape Cod in recent years .
In September, a great white attacked two kayakers, who were uninjured . |
1999add2a9c9aa2575957dc3666f8c37d45b39a4 | The Queen was last night heralded as ‘Queen Astute’ for her ‘carefully calculated’ appeal for voters to exercise caution in the Scottish independence referendum. Pro-Union MPs roundly applauded Her Majesty’s call for voters to think ‘carefully’ about how they vote in Thursday’s referendum – with many interpreting her words as clear support for keeping Scotland in the UK. Scottish Nationalists denied furiously that her remarks represented a challenge to the No campaign, however – with First Minister Alex Salmond insisting the Queen was ‘absolutely impartial’. Warning: Her Majesty is said to have told a well-wisher that voters should 'think very carefully about the future' The 88-year-old monarch made her much-debated remark on Sunday after attending a service at Crathie Kirk near her Scottish home of Balmoral. Her Majesty took the unusual step of not only stopping to talk to 40 well-wishers but also inviting the Press over, commenting: ‘I hope everybody thinks very carefully about the referendum this week.’ Asked about her remark yesterday, Tory MP Mark Pritchard said: ‘This was not an intervention but nevertheless it was an important Royal aside. She is not Queen mute but she is Queen astute.’ Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, pictured, insisted the Queen was ‘absolutely impartial’. Former Foreign Office minister Henry Bellingham said: ‘Anyone who has been a follower of what the Queen has said over the years should be in no doubt about her views, her incredible support for the Union,’ while left wing Labour MP Paul Flynn said the Queen’s comments were ‘carefully calculated’ to remain neutral. But Alex Salmond insisted: ‘I think Her Majesty the Queen is absolutely impartial in this referendum.’ Last week, Buckingham Palace said in a statement that any suggestion the Queen would want to influence the referendum result is ‘categorically wrong’. Downing Street declined to comment. | Her Majesty heralded as 'Queen Astute' for 'carefully calculated' words .
Queen had appealed for voters to exercise caution in Scottish independence referendum .
Many have interpreted words as clear support for keeping Scotland in UK .
First Minister Alex Salmond has insisted Queen was 'absolutely impartial' |
199b130adda2aaa615e8fc2dc1c197caf980e63b | By . Suzannah Hills . PUBLISHED: . 14:07 EST, 25 June 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 16:18 EST, 25 June 2012 . Love triangle: Katie Gilmore, pictured, has admitted she played her two lovers off against each other . The women at the centre of a love triangle with a Doctor Who actor today claimed he had ordered hitmen to murder his rival before he was killed. Former prostitute Katie Gilmore, 27, was having a relationship with actor Gary Suller, 45, when he was allegedly murdered in his home in Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, south wales, by her lover Barry Bowyer. Bowyer, 38, from Croesyceiliog, has admitted burglary and manslaughter but denies his murder. Today Miss Gilmore, who admits playing both men off against each other, claimed it was Mr Suller who was so jealous he hired men to kill his love rival Bowyer. She told Cardiff Crown Court: 'I blame myself for Gary’s death. I played them off against one another. 'He knew for a long time that I had been unfaithful to him. Gary was jealous and would do anything to stop me seeing Barry. 'I was told he was going to pay three men to murder Barry. Barry was in the bath when they kicked the flat door down and attacked him. 'He lost so much blood and should’ve died.' Mr Suller, whose roles included small parts in Doctor Who and Casualty, met Ms Gilmore in a brothel in 2010. Ms Gilmore said: 'He was infatuated with me and bombarded me with flowers, wrote lover letters and promised to look after me financially.' The court heard family members hoped MS Gilmore, who took Valium at the age of seven, smoked cannabis at nine and began using heroin aged 11, would clean up after she started dating Mr Suller. Tragic: Father-of-two Gary Suller, left, had hired hitmen to kill his love rival, right, before he was himself killed in . a bitter love triangle over Katie Gilmore, Cardiff Crown Court was told . But Ms Gilmore claimed Mr Suller had . encouraged her to take drugs and one occasion following her release from . prison had driven her to a dealer’s house. She also claimed Mr Suller was a pimp, . saying a piece of paper that police found in his home with girls’ names . on it was a list of prostitutes he 'picked up' for jobs. In love: Miss Gilmore said Barry Bowyer, who has admitted manslaughter, is the love of her life . The jury also heard details about how Ms Gilmore and Bowyer had met during a drug rehabilitation programme in September 2010. She told the jury: 'He got me off heroin and prescription drugs. He’s the love of my life and will love him until the day I die. 'With Gary, my drug addiction escalated and increased. He had an unlimited supply of money.' But the court was told how Bowyer's head 'became screwed up' after Ms Gilmore continued to flit between Bowyer and Mr Suller. Four days before Mr Suller died, Bowyer wrote a letter to Ms Gilmore speaking about how he had felt manipulated. He wrote: 'If you loved me you would . have the decency to tell me the truth. I’m your bitch and I have got to . take it or simply lose you. 'You know this very well and play it . to your advantage. When I first met you... [I realised] you were a . dangerous lady who would bring me life or death.' The court heard Bowyer broke into Mr . Suller's terraced home in Cwmbran, South Wales, and lay in wait before . punching and kicking him to death in a 'savage and bloody' attack. Divorced father-of-two Mr Suller, who . appeared in Doctor Who, Casualty and other TV dramas often as a policeman or . prison officer, discovered he had landed a part in the TV series The . Indian Doctor on the day of his murder. Bowyer, of Cwmbran, denies murder claiming he killed Mr Suller in a 'momentarily lapse'. He admits manslaughter. The trial continues. Talented: Gary Suller is pictured during his many acting roles. He appeared in Doctor Who, Casualty and other television dramas, often as a policeman or prison officer . Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Barry Bowyer, 38, accused of murdering Gary Suller, 45 .
Blonde Katie Gilmore, 27, was having a relationship with actor Mr Suller when she met lover Bowyer .
Bowyer allegedly broke into Mr Suller's .
terraced house and lay in wait for him before punching and kicking him .
to death .
Mr Suller 'suffered internal injuries usually found in car crash victims'
Miss Gilmore tells court today Mr Suller hired hitmen to kill Bowyer . |
199d456e3f5c281422c04ad50edd44614bcf1acc | The House recently approved the budget designed by Rep. Paul Ryan, a leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. Ryan claimed that his budget is balanced and "harnesses the power of economic freedom and respects the dignity of every person." But the problem is that it fails on basic math and will likely put Washington back in the budget wars. Moreover, it signals that Ryan has big ambitions, including running for president. Will Ryan's budget plan help him succeed? It's hard to say. Americans want members of Congress to work together. In a CNN poll after Obama's State of the Union address, 67% said they want "bipartisan compromise with Congress on major issues." Ryan's budget rejects compromise in favor of appealing to hard core Republican values. The House's passage of Ryan's budget indicates that we are being dragged back into ideological battles that most Americans reject. This budget won't go anywhere in the Senate, as it breaks last year's fragile compromises that avoided a government shutdown and threatened a dangerous default of America's debt. Passing this budget also means Congress will pass very few or no appropriations bills, with lawmakers posturing and casting symbolic votes as the 2014 midterm elections approach. Unlike the current budget deal that was reached last fall, which cuts defense and domestic spending equally, Ryan would increase military spending and provide large tax cuts for millionaires, with deep cuts in non-defense spending footing the bill. But the House cannot cut enough discretionary spending to fund Ryan's budget. So it attacks Obamacare, Medicare and Social Security, with a plan to increase the Medicare eligibility age and turn it into a voucher program. Breaking America's health and income security programs is the long-term political game for Republicans. The smarter ones know they cannot achieve budget balance and more tax cuts for the wealthy by cutting only domestic discretionary spending, which is just under 17% of the total federal budget . So they attack entitlements. How can Ryan claim that his budget is balanced? By invoking what used to be called "voodoo economics" -- assuming budget cuts and unfair tax cuts will unleash economic growth and generate adequate tax revenue. Former Reagan administration economist Bruce Bartlett has criticized this approach as "just another way for Republicans to enact tax cuts and block tax increases. It is not about honest revenue-estimating; it's about using smoke and mirrors to institutionalize Republican ideology into the budget process." Of course, Paul Ryan isn't stupid, so why the phony budget math and the return of voodoo economics? Because it serves his presidential ambitions. Ryan's budget satisfies two wings of Republican true believers -- budget balancers, and anti-tax zealots who want not only no new taxes, but further tax cuts for the wealthy. These groups used to fight with each other about deficits, but modern Republican politics have united the two positions. Since Ryan's budget will not likely pass the Senate, it is really an attempt to strengthen him in the 2016 Republican primaries, where candidates will ignore basic math and pretend they can balance the budget solely through spending cuts and still have money left over for regressive tax cuts. This is a key Republican battle, and the shocking response is that other Republican conservatives say Ryan didn't go far enough. Sarah Palin called Ryan's plan a "joke," because it does not deal adequately with "wasteful government overspending." When it comes to basic math, the Republican budget debate reminds one of the movie, "Dumb and Dumber," or "Phony and Phonier." And compared to Sarah Palin, Paul Ryan might in fact look like a reasonable budget analyst. But his ideas are deeply dangerous. Even if you think balancing the budget is the most important economic challenge we face (it isn't) the numbers simply don't add up. True budget balancers and fiscal conservatives, who would be looking for both spending cuts and increased revenue, have virtually been driven out of today's Republican Party. This happened in Kansas where moderate Republicans worried that deep tax cuts would harm the state's finances and gut basic services like education. But they were defeated in primary elections by more strident Tea Partiers, backed by the deep pockets of the Koch brothers and other big money interests. So Ryan's budget is best viewed as his opening shot in the 2016 presidential contest. To win the nomination, he must appeal to the most uncompromising elements in his party. Sanity once again is playing second fiddle to intra-party Republican battles, and those battles could drag all of us back into the divisive and unproductive budget wars of the past several years. | The House recently approved the budget designed by Rep. Paul Ryan .
Rick McGahey: Ryan's proposal fails on basic math and will restart budget wars .
He says Ryan is signaling his presidential ambitions by appealing to GOP radicals .
McGahey: Republican intra-party battles continue while moderates lose out . |
199fb13df6b83da33406c1596a769b66ccc2783f | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 15:22 EST, 25 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:39 EST, 25 October 2013 . A man who lives next door to the owner of the Washington Redskins football team, Daniel Snyder, has registered the name Washington Bravehearts, it was reported today. The trademark states the name is for use for 'entertainment in the nature of football games.' Aris Mardirossian first registered the trademark and launched 'Washington Brave Hearts LLC' on Oct. 17 according to TMZ. Scroll down for video . Name change? Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, right, and his wife Tanya Snyder, left. The owner of the Redskins said that he was not planning to change the team name but his next door neighbor appears to have other ideas . Denial: . A spokesman for the Redkins denied the team were contemplating a name change. Change it: In an interview with the Associated Press yesterday, President Obama said if he were the owner of the Washington Redskins football team, he would change the name so as not to offend Native Americans . The filing has started rumors spreading that the Washington Redskins may be about to change its name. The wording used on the filing documents is similar to that used for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A spokesman for the Redkins denied the team were contemplating a name change. “There is no connection between the Washington Redskins and the trademark application,” said a team spokesman. “Dan Snyder does not know the man named in the story.” However, this appeared to be untrue. Rumors: Owner Daniel Snyder created a company called Washington Brave Hearts, LLC . Cheering them on: A view of the Washington Redskins cheerleaders during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at the Redskins Stadium in Landover, Maryland . Mr Snyder and Mr Mardirossian worked together in a lawsuit back in 2005 . against the National Park Service in a fight to chop down trees in front . of their homes, in a request that was denied. Simply because a . trademark has been established doesn't necessarily mean the Redskins are . about to change their name, however the timing is interesting given the . recent controversy surrounding the racial aspect of the “Redskins” name. Earlier this month President Barack Obama weighed in on the . debate saying that if he owned the Washington Redskins, he would 'think . about changing' the team name. Chinese whispers: Maybe this is all smoke and no fire however SNyder's neighbor Mardirossian registered the domain WashingtonBravehearts.com on October 18. Obama, in an interview with The Associated Press, he said team names like the Redskins offend 'a sizable group of people.' He said that while fans get attached to the nicknames, nostalgia may not be a good enough reason to keep them in place. 'I don't want to detract from the wonderful Redskins fans that are here. They love their team and rightly so,' he said. But . the president appeared to come down on the side of those who have . sharply criticized the football team's name, noting that Indians 'feel . pretty strongly' about mascots and team names that depict negative . stereotypes about their heritage. Depictions: The Redskins players above are shown wearing helmets depicting the team's mascot - a Native American Indian . Sticking with it: Ten members of Congress sent a letter to the NFL commissioner last May, asking for the name to be changed. Owner Daniel Snyder said he would never change the name (pictured right) Other professional sports teams have . Indian nicknames, including football's Kansas City Chiefs and baseball's . Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians. Numerous colleges and universities have changed names that reference Native Americans. St. John's changed its mascot . from the Redmen to the Red Storm, Marquette is now the Golden Eagles . instead of the Warriors and Stanford switched from the Indians to the . Cardinal. The . Redskins' nickname has attracted a fresh round of controversy in recent . months, with local leaders in Washington calling for a name change and . some media outlets refraining from using the name. Protest: Those against the mascot and team . name plan protested in . Washington, D.C. earlier this month. Above, the team's mascot in 1995 . The name is the subject of a . long-running legal challenge from a group of American Indians seeking to . block the team from having federal trademark protection. Congressional lawmakers have introduced a bill seeking the same goal, though it appears unlikely to pass. Team . owner Dan Snyder has vowed to never abandon the name. But NFL . Commissioner Roger Goodell said last month that the league should pay . attention to those offended by the nickname. Time for change? Snyder watches from the sidelines before a game against Detroit on September 22. Several other sports teams have changed their names in the past so as not to offend Native Americans . Despite the controversy, an AP-GfK poll conducted in April showed that nationally, 'Redskins' still enjoys wide support. Nearly . 4 in 5 Americans don't think the team should change its name, the . survey found. Only 11 percent think it should be changed, while 8 . percent weren't sure and 2 percent didn't answer . Keep it: According to a poll conducted by the AP and GfK, four out of five Americans think the team should keep their name. Chief Zee, a longtime Redskins mascot is pictured above before a Minnesota Vikings game last year . | The name 'Redskins' is considered offensive to many Native Americans who feel it's a derogatory term for their people .
Trademark and website have been set up under the name of Washington Bravehearts .
Last May, ten members of Congress sent a letter to the commissioner of the NFL, asking for the name to be changed .
Owner Daniel Snyder has promised to never change the name .
According to a poll conducted by the AP and GfK, four our of five Americans support the Redskins keeping their name .
President Obama said if he owned the Washington Redskins football team, he would change the name . |
19a030c4818d9f3cf76e99b01a40ed1cc9c1386f | Given what Tony Pulis has coped with before, the fact he calls the West Bromwich Albion job his toughest to date speaks volumes. Harder than lifting Crystal Palace from bottom of the Premier League, six points adrift, to an 11th-placed finish in a limited time. Harder than reshaping Stoke from Championship also-rans to top-flight heavy hitters, because of expectations. VIDEO Scroll down to see Tony Pulis on 'the right club at the right time' Tony Pulis was unveiled as West Brom's new manager on Friday, as the club look to avoid relegation . Pulis (left) has never suffered relegation during his 22 years of management so far . Pulis has a remarkable record of never suffering relegation in 22 years of management, but he slapped down any notion West Brom, one point and one place above the drop zone, had suddenly found salvation. ‘Just because I’ve walked in the door doesn’t mean this club will stay up,’ was his stark assessment. ‘I think complacency is one of the worst words in the dictionary. ‘A lot of those people who are saying it haven’t been involved in trying to do it. It’s not easy. It’s a compliment, brilliant, but I’d rather have it at the end of the season. ‘There will be more pressure on the players to perform here than at Palace. And it’s such a short period. You have to give the chairman a lot of credit because he understands how serious the situation is.’ Pulis takes charge of the Baggies who sit 17th in the Premier League with 18 points from 20 games currently . Prime among his tasks is energising the Hawthorns, which has been febrile for some time off the back of just four league wins at home in 2014. He wants to act decisively in the transfer market and has identified targets to aid a team he watched earn a point at West Ham on New Year’s Day. ‘The one thing I said to them was at times I didn’t think they were positive enough,’ Pulis revealed. ‘There were times when we broke and had really good opportunities but instead of taking people on they were looking for that pass.’ Rob Kelly and Keith Downing will be in the dug-out today for the visit of Gateshead in the FA Cup alongside David Kemp, brought in by Pulis, who will watch from the stands. Pulis (left) watched in the stands as West Brom drew 1-1 away to West Ham United on New Year's Day . Star striker Saido Berahino (left) could be sold this January transfer window depending on the offer . Berahino (centre right) scored West Brom's equaliser against the Hammers on New Year's Day . He is ready to work with technical director Terry Burton to bring in players and will be supplied with funds by chairman Jeremy Peace. ‘I’ve got one or two in mind who I think can help us but we’re not down the line with any of them at this moment. It’s a very busy month for coming and going.’ Peace has previously said Saido Berahino, scorer of the equaliser at Upton Park, would not be going anywhere this month. However, Burton opened the door a little with Pulis now on the scene. ‘Tony is a totally realistic manager,’ said Burton. ‘He will work whatever way is best for the club. He tries to win matches and if he needs to sell somebody to do something else he will sell. Saido is worth what some club would pay for him.’ Even as things stand, West Brom require a striker of substance, as well as pace and genuine width. Pulis, 56, insisted he was happy with the structure of West Brom and his ‘head coach’ role - even if his style is very much as manager. Pulis says he has spoken to his sacked predecessor Alan Irvine about life at West Brom . ‘You can call me head bottle washer if you want, the title doesn’t make a difference,’ he said. ‘As long as I know there are specific areas I’m in charge of. Everyone understands our position. We have to be together to make sure the club stays up. ‘I worked with John Rudge at Stoke for 10 years. He was director of football and was never a problem. I’ve known Terry 20-odd years - I’ve no problem.’ Interestingly, Pulis spoke to Alan Irvine after he was sacked to do his homework on the club. He also spoke to former head coach Roy Hodgson and admitted comparisons were fair. ‘I think Roy likes being out working with players. We are Fifties children brought up the right way!’ he said. ‘You have different principles and ideas on life. People talk about three games in six days, but you compare what people go through in life to the players and it is laughable.’ The hard work for West Brom starts now. | Tony Pulis was appointed West Brom manager on New Year's Eve .
Pulis replaces Alan Irvine who was sacked in late December .
West Brom sit 17th in the Premier League with 18 points from 20 games .
Pulis sat in stands as Baggies drew 1-1 at West Ham on New Year's Day . |
19a0af71a3fda885e39083c5414afd2ef43e66f5 | And now it gets interesting. As predicted, Jurgen Klopp appears to have tired of working to provide players for Bayern Munich and is looking for a way out of Borussia Dortmund. An agent claiming to be his representative has been in contact with leading clubs and asked about a future in the Premier League. Klopp said: ‘I think it’s the only country where I should work, because it’s the only country I know the language a little bit and I need the language for my work. If somebody will call me, then we will talk about it.’ Arsene Wenger wore a horrified expression during Arsenal's surprise home defeat by Manchester United . Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has been linked with a move to Arsenal . Fairly unequivocal, then. So where do Arsenal go from here? Delay and they may lose Klopp forever. He would certainly be on Manchester City’s radar if Manuel Pellegrini does not turn this season around and has a habit of committing to a project for a long time. Klopp has worked since 2008 at Dortmund and before that at Mainz from 2001. Providing he is successful, he is exactly the sort of person capable of driving City’s development long-term, with the Etihad Campus complex scheduled to open early next month. Klopp has a strong personality, capable of putting the club on the map in a way mild-mannered Pellegrini cannot. Kieran Gibbs is left grounded after an unfortunate own goal gave United the lead after 56 minutes . This is now a huge call for Arsenal, the club seen as Klopp’s spiritual home in England. Do they let the opportunity pass as an unfortunate case of bad timing, or pick up the telephone? Do that and they must be prepared to think the unthinkable on Arsene Wenger — although the longer they remain mid-table the more thinkable the unthinkable becomes. ‘It’s what’s called a dilemma, boy,’ wrote Joe Orton in Entertaining Mr Sloane. ‘You are on the horns of it.’ Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla react as they prepare to restart after United score . Wenger cut an aloof figure even on the crowded bench as Arsenal missed chance after chance . VIDEO We dominated 80% of the time - Wenger . | Jurgen Klopp appears to have tired of working to provide players for Bayern Munich as Borussia Dortmund manager .
Klopp seems interested in moving to the Premier League .
Where do Arsenal go from here? Delay and they may lose Klopp forever .
The longer they remain in mid-table the less 'unthinkable' replacing Arsene Wenger becomes to Arsenal .
Arsenal face Klopp's Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday . |
19a12406d799f5ccfcd34da35bd4ce2ba6eaa1f3 | (CNN) -- For David Richards, the holiday season is about joy, good cheer and smashing a Guinness World Record. The lawyer and his family strung more than a half a million bulbs around their house in the Australian capital city of Canberra to reclaim the title for lights on a residential property. In case you're wondering, that's 31 miles of lights. Richards has been the champ before. He set the world record in 2011 with 331,038 lights, but decided not to do it again because the display took months of effort. In 2012, the Gay family in Lagrangeville, New York, snatched away the title with a display of 346,283 lights. Richard rose to the challenge. He not only wanted to take back the record, he wanted to "smash it" so it would stand for a long time. This time, the number was 502,165 bulbs. Guinness didn't count each and every bulb. The record was authenticated with sales receipts and by counting LED bulbs spaced among the half million lights, Richards said. The family takes donations from thousands of people who jam the neighborhood to view the lights. Two years ago, they raised $78,000 for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and Kids ACT. Lightbulb babies and fairytale castles: Your Christmas traditions . That money helped hire two new counselors for families who have lost a child to SIDS. Richards hopes to earn $100,000 this year. "That's our motivation," he said. Richards and his wife, Janean, lost a child to SIDS a decade ago, he said. They have three children, ages 13 to 6. Richards started the project in October and puts in hours before and after work and on weekends. "I got the last bulb up last night just before Guinness arrived," he said Monday. The most Christmassy places on the planet . "MOST CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON A HOUSE - OVER HALF A MILLION!" blared the headline on the Guinness website after it verified the feat. The Richards' house is the former Japanese embassy and has a wide driveway circling in front, he said. Richards built a canopy over the driveway and overlaid it with the lights. "It's like walking through a tunnel of lights with synchronized music," he said. The family's monthly electric bill is expected to swell by $2,500, with the local electric company handling the cost by using renewable energy. Richards wouldn't say how much he's spent on lights, just that it's less than the event brings in for charity. "Even my wife doesn't know," he said, "and if you ask her she'll say she doesn't want to know." 8 of the world's wintriest scenes and how to find them . | David Richards strung more than 500,000 lights over his house.
He hopes to raise $100,000 for local charities.
Richards set the record in 2011, lost it to a New York family in 2012, and reclaimed it Sunday.
"It's like walking through a tunnel of lights with synchronized music." |
19a2295e2b68558d3461664c6b48f1351c8fb264 | (CNN) -- It's a good thing he didn't go with "@andrew." Drew Olanoff wants to benefit the LiveStrong charity because of the support the foundation has given him. Drew Olanoff, cancer-fighter and blogger, is auctioning off his enviable Twitter username "@drew" to benefit the LiveStrong foundation. Since Tuesday, its value has already been raised to $1 million, thanks to that other Drew -- last name Carey. "I thought we would find a Drew who would bid $10,000 on the last day and that was it," Olanoff said. "I certainly didn't think Drew Carey would get wind of it." Get wind he did. The Cleveland comedian raised the stakes on Saturday, first tweeting an initial bid of $25,000 only to quadruple it, offering up $100,000 if his Twitter followers totaled 100,000 by the auction's closing at midnight on November 9. Olanoff was taken back by Carey's generosity, whom he's never met nor spoken to, but it seems Carey wasn't done yet. In the middle of an interview yesterday with CBS (the corporation writing Carey's checks, as he's the host of the network's "The Price is Right"), he upped the ante from $100,000 to a cool $1 million if he gets the same amount of followers by midnight on December 31. Judging by how quickly the follower count increases every time his @DrewFromTV Twitter page is refreshed -- on Thursday evening, he was rapidly approaching 66,000 followers -- Carey is well on his way to doing so. Of course, if he doesn't reach a million followers, the donation will be prorated: If there are 500,000 followers when the clock strikes midnight, then $500,000 will be given to LiveStrong. It may seem like Carey's gotten himself into some sort of popularity game, but it's not about amassing millions of followers or the Twitter name, Olanoff said. "There are obviously going to be skeptics, but Drew Carey is new to Twitter. Celebrities can get followers; Ashton Kutcher has 3 million," Olanoff told CNN. "What he's saying is, 'Follow me; you're worth a dollar, and it's going to LiveStrong.' " This isn't the first time Olanoff's stirred up the "Twitter-verse." From the minute he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease in late May, he decided his cancer was of the social variety, and turned to Twitter to air his frustrations. "I'm a very public person, I'm a geek, and I've been on Twitter for years," Olanoff said. "I realized this is serious, and I started to blame things on my cancer. I'm not a whiny person and I didn't want to get negative [so the site] it was a nice way for me to focus all of my anger and being upset and worrying. " With the help of a friend who's also suffered from Hodgkin's disease, Olanoff set up BlameDrewsCancer.com, where tweeters can blame his cancer for any and everything that's gone wrong, in 140 characters or less. Lance Armstrong, LiveStrong's founder, blamed a broken collarbone on it, while Alyssa Milano found Drew's cancer to be at fault for her inability to resist chocolate drizzled popcorn; she then tweeted an offer to help out Drew's cancer awareness campaign in whatever way she could. Famous or not, Olanoff found comfort in those tweets. "When I would go through my chemo treatments every two weeks, for me it felt like I had a huge support group, because when you're diagnosed with [cancer] you can feel alone," he said. As a result, Olanoff has decided to keep blaming cancer even though signs are pointing towards improved health; his last chemo treatment is November 2. Until midnight on November 9, his 30th birthday, Olanoff's resolved to round up as many @DrewFromTV followers as he can, and maybe accept Carey's invitation to meet up when Olanoff's back in Los Angeles. For now, Olanoff is resting up and tossing around new Twitter names. One in the running is @TheOtherDrew, but no word on how much that one could go for. | Drew Olanoff has placed his Twitter username up for auction to benefit charity .
Drew Carey said he'd donate $1 million if he gets 1 million followers by Dec. 31 .
Olanoff never expected his auction to get attention from other Drews like Carey .
The L.A.-based blogger is also behind the @BlameDrew'sCancer username . |
19a2be0f99a8c2d29a7733c0ee5ba0ffd41ad4dd | (CNN) -- Helen, 50, was college educated, married, worked in middle management at a financial services company and had good health insurance. She was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 1990. She saw doctors with some of the best reputations. After an appropriate surgery, she was given high dose chemotherapy with a bone marrow transplant. The treatment almost killed her several times and she was hospitalized for nearly a year. My book, "How We Do Harm," co-authored with Paul Goldberg describes the challenges that some ordinary Americans experience while trying to get quality health care. In the book we show real examples, like Helen, of the irrationality of how medicine is practiced and consumed in the United States. We discuss those who do not get good care and those who suffer because of excessive and illogical health care. Both occur among the insured and the uninsured. The book also assesses the threat our health care system poses to the economy and offers suggestions on what needs to change. It was motivated by the ongoing debate about health care reform. For more than two decades, I have studied disparities in health outcomes and the inconsistencies in how medicine is practiced. I have come to believe that much of the rhetoric for and against health care reform lacks the understanding that the issue involves human beings. Lost in that debate is the fact that a large number of our fellow Americans are suffering and dying avoidable deaths, because of lack of quality health care. I believe we should be both ashamed and furious about our health care system. America spends more per person on health care than any other country. Per-person costs are nearly 1.5 times higher than the second most expensive country. We simply do not get the outcomes we pay for. Among the nations of the world, we rank 50th in life expectancy and American life expectancy is decreasing. America is 47th in infant mortality, just better than Croatia. The therapy Helen received was expensive and commonly given to women with breast cancer in the early 1990s. During this time, numerous women sued insurance companies who did not want to pay for the therapy and nearly a dozen states passed laws saying insurance companies had to pay for it. There was one really good reason why the health insurers did not want to pay for high dose chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant for breast cancer: No study had ever been done to prove it beneficial. Even without evidence, some patients and their doctors had faith that it worked. The procedure was common because some doctors taught that the transplant was beneficial to patients. Truth be told, it was very beneficial to the doctors and hospitals offering it. By 1999, well after Helen had recovered, three well-designed clinical trials were completed. They showed that bone marrow transplant and high dose chemotherapy, a treatment now common for nearly a decade and a half, was not better than the standard therapy and there were indications it was more harmful. This shows that even the well-insured often get substandard care. Medical gluttony, the inappropriate use and overuse of medical treatment, is not just adding unnecessary cost to health care. It can actually be harmful to the individual. Doctors deserve some blame for this mess. Appreciation of the science of medicine and the scientific method is often lacking. It is amazing the number of health care professionals who seemingly reject the scientific method. They prescribe treatments they believe to be appropriate as opposed to therapies that are known to be appropriate based on objective scientific evidence. This form of ignorance is a root cause of much of the overuse of medical therapy. Too often, doctors fail to distinguish what is scientifically known from what is unknown, from what is believed. This is beyond mere disagreement about interpretation of the science. There is often selective reading of the science, especially by those trained in a specialty wanting to advocate for it. Health care providers and the public often overlook the emotional and financial conflicts of interest of health care professionals. While I blame the medical profession, blame also rests on hospitals, drug and device manufacturers, insurance companies, lawyers, politicians, government and even with patients. I see hospitals advocating unproven screening and treatment while advertising for business. There are patient advocacy groups often funded by hospitals and medical manufacturers, who also advocate the unproven and instill in patients that they need what may be unnecessary and can be harmful. American medicine is big business. It is about 18% of the U.S. economy and growing. The average cost of a health insurance policy for a family of four is $19,400 per year. The expense of our inefficient health care system is a major drain on the economy. It is a major reason why employers are hesitant to hire and a reason why many employers cannot provide health insurance to employees. We have what could be an extraordinary health care system and some patients do get extraordinary care. But patient stories show how our system is inefficient. Our system is focused on treating people after they get sick with relative inattention to promoting health and preventing disease. Such public health efforts have not received adequate support. The triad of obesity, lack of physical activity and high caloric intake (bad diet) is creating a tsunami of chronic disease. If the system persists as is, medical costs will grow dramatically over the next several decades as the number of patients with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and orthopedic injury dramatically grows. The current course is not sustainable. Medical costs will rise until the economy collapses. I know that the book will upset and anger some people, especially those who profit from medicine. I hope the book allows some reasonable people (both lay and medical professionals) to better understand what we are doing to our country. We all need to realize that some Americans are harmed by lack of treatment and others by overtreatment. The cold hard reality is America does not need to reform health care, we need to transform health care. The American health care system is fundamentally flawed and encourages inappropriate behavior and a subtle form of corruption. There truly is a combination of greed, ignorance and apathy within health care that is a cancer on this country. There is nothing wrong with medicine as a business, and nothing wrong with making an honest profit. However, in some cases, greed needs to be replaced with public interest, a concern for the national good. We need a greater commitment to the practice of evidence-based medicine. Some politicians choose to scare people with words like "rationing medicine" and "death panels." Truth be told, we all need to talk about defining the "rational use of medicine." A widespread demand for rational use of health care can lower costs and increase the number of people getting high quality care and save lives. Americans need to better understand the science of medicine and the scientific method, be true to science and support evidence-based medicine. We need to embrace an interest in public health and adopt preventive strategies. The most important question we can ask is, "How can we provide all Americans with good high quality care to include preventive care?" Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of CNN, The American Cancer Society, or Emory University. | America ranks 50th in life expectancy and American life expectancy is decreasing .
We should be both ashamed and furious about our health care system, Brawley says .
We focus on treating people after they get sick instead of preventing disease, he says . |
19a3626683b684b140060eff5117aec704c4721c | A Slovakian woman who wants her two grandsons to leave the UK and live with her in Eastern Europe has won the latest round of a legal fight. The Court of Appeal gave the woman - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - the go-ahead to challenge a ruling saying the boys should be adopted and stay in the UK. Appeal judge Lord Justice McFarlane said Slovakian government officials had 'expressed concern' about the approach a lower UK court had taken to the case. The Court of Appeal has given the go-ahead for a Slovakian woman who wants her two grandsons to leave the UK to challenge a ruling saying the boys should stay in the UK . Lord Justice McFarlane was told that the boys - aged four and three - were born in England to Slovakian parents. Social workers had intervened after one suffered a 'non-accidental' injury thought to have been caused by his father. Both parents had accepted that the children could not live with them, said Lord Justice McFarlane. Earlier this year a family court judge decided that the boys should be placed for adoption in England, not returned to Slovakia to live with their mother’s mother. Lord Justice McFarlane gave the grandmother permission to challenge the family court judge’s ruling, during an appeal court hearing in London. He said there was an 'arguable case' that the family court judge had 'fallen into error'. The grandmother is expected to outline her arguments in detail at a full appeal hearing in London later this year. Lord Justice McFarlane said the Slovakian government had raised concerns. 'They (the Slovakian government) expressed concern about the approach of the UK court in this case,' he said. 'They questioned whether the decision affords proper respect to the grandmother.' A few weeks ago an MP who campaigns for family law reform raised concerns about the 'forcible adoption' of Slovakian children living in England and Wales. Liberal Democrat John Hemming, who represents Birmingham Yardley, said Slovakian government officials were troubled by decisions made by judges hearing family court cases involving Slovak parents. Mr Hemming raised the issue in a parliamentary motion and said Slovakian officials had worries that there were cases where children had been adopted 'without sound reasons'. Mr Hemming said the Slovakian representative at the European Court of Human Rights had 'expressed a willingness to intervene in support of complaints made by Slovakian citizens about wrongful adoptions'. He thought that officials had concerns about 'possibly 30 children' and said he would raise the issue with UK Government ministers. | She wants the boys, who were born in England to Slovakian parents, to leave the UK .
Social workers intervened after one suffered an injury thought to have been caused by his father . |
19a3dac54ac20dd9a6da527861d009397e59b1eb | LONDON, England (CNN) -- Spain's Fernando Alonso has torn up his contract at McLaren and quit the Formula One team after a stormy year which has seen him deposed as world champion. Alonso clashed with teammate Hamilton and team boss Dennis in a difficult 2007. Alonso, who finished third in the 2007 standings behind teammate Lewis Hamilton and new champion Kimi Raikkonen, is now free to join another team . A source with knowledge of the Alonso-McLaren talks told CNN that it is not yet known where Alonso will go next. The 26-year-old has been linked with a return to his former team Renault or may sit out 2008 awaiting a possible spot at Italian giants Ferrari. Alonso, who had two years left on his contract with British-based McLaren, courted controversy for his strained relationship with Hamilton and team boss Ron Dennis and his departure appeared almost inevitable. "Since I was a boy I had always wanted to drive for McLaren, but sometimes in life things do not work out," said Alonso in a statement released by the team. "I continue to believe that McLaren is a great team. Yes, we have had our ups and downs during the season, which has made it extra-challenging for all of us, and it is not a secret that I never really felt at home. "I know there have been suggestions of favoritism within the team and people say a lot of things in the heat of battle, but in the end I was always provided with an equal opportunity to win." Dennis added: "Everybody at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, especially McLaren's Spanish partners Banco Santander and Mutua Madrilena and the team's title partner Vodafone, want to wish Fernando all the best for the future." Alonso has been in intense negotiations over his early exit with McLaren, who said on their Web site that he had left "in the best interests of both parties." The 2007 season had started promisingly for McLaren, but rookie Hamilton's early successes appeared to unsettle Alonso as the title race boiled down to a four-way race between the McLaren drivers and Ferrari's Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. The first clear sign of friction occurred at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August when Alonso was accused of preventing Hamilton from completing a final qualifying lap. He was demoted from pole position to sixth on the grid by race stewards. More serious was the Formula One 'spy scandal' which saw McLaren fined over $100 million by the sports governing body, the FIA. During the FIA investigation it was alleged Alonso had threatened to go the FIA with sensitive information and Dennis revealed that he had not spoken to Alonso in several weeks. A fragile peace was established for the championship decider at the Brazil GP, but it proved a disastrous finale for McLaren as neither Hamilton or Alonso could secure the points they needed to win the title and Raikkonen prevailed. E-mail to a friend . CNN's Madrid Bureau Chief Al Goodman and CNN Sports Producer Chris Eldergill contributed to this report . | Spain's Fernando Alonso quits McLaren with two years left on his contract .
Alonso was deposed as world champion after a controversial 2007 season .
The two-time world champion may return to former team Renault . |
19a4eef820212ff0aa16fbe9d6c7b0918b660539 | Having been flushed with the success of seeing Hull City reach the FA Cup final, a local bathroom maker has decided to commemorate the occasion with none other than... a limited edition 'Steve Bruce Tigers Toilet Seat'. Rather than being a poor excuse for toilet humour, Ideal Standard has created a toilet seat featuring the club's tiger stripes on one side - which could still cause some fans an upset stomach after owner Assem Allam's derided attempts to rebrand the club. But, perhaps even more concerning, is the image of Steve Bruce that greets the user once the lid has been lifted, supposedly a tribute to the first manager to lead Hull to a FA Cup final. VIDEO: Scroll down to watch Steve Bruce on Hull's Wembley date . Toilet humour! Ideal Standard's toilet seat features the Tigers' stripes and Steve Bruce under the lid! However, should the Tigers' attempts to upset overwhelming favourites Arsenal fail when the two sides meet at Wembley on Saturday, the aim of any disgruntled supporters after the game cannot be guaranteed. Bruce's team talk will have been made easier after an image that appeared to show Arsenal's victory bus, emblazoned with the words 'Arsenal, The FA Cup Winners 2014' was leaked - while traffic notices around north London suggest making way for a victory parade on Sunday. Not to be outdone, Hull have confirmed they would be staging their own celebrations, although at least the statement was less self assured: 'Should our historic appearance in the FA Cup final next weekend result in theTigers lifting the iconic trophy, a victory parade through the streets of Hull will take place on Sunday 18 May. 'The parade will start at the KC Stadium and take in many areas of Hull including Anlaby Road, the city centre, Holderness Road, Sutton Road, Greenwood Avenue, Hall Road, County Road, Pickering Road and Hessie.' Causing a stink! Steve Bruce's reward for taking Hull to their first FA Cup final is his image in a toilet seat . Parade: A picture of a bus embossed with the Arsenal badge and strap-line 'FA Cup Winners' has emerged . Ideal Standard, the UK's leading bathroom . manufacturer, employs around 300 people in Hull and has been making . their products there since 1936. Keith Boad, managing director, Ideal Standard UK, said: 'We are very proud of our hometown football team, Hull City AFC and wanted to do something to mark their achievement and let them know everyone at Ideal Standard will be supporting them in the final. 'This is certainly something a little bit fun and a little bit different, but because of our heritage and our innovative designers, we understand bathrooms better than anyone else and know that people want personalised solutions for their bathrooms at home. 'Let’s just hope this WC seat lid isn’t the only thing Steve Bruce will be lifting up this weekend – and we are certainly hoping that Hull win, rather than loos!' Underdogs: Hull City will have to overcome favourites Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley . | Hull will play Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday .
To celebrate, Ideal Standard have produced a commemorative toilet seat .
The seat features the Tigers' stripes on one side and manager Steve Bruce's image on the other . |
19a54378f56e7cb6458b1ebf156bea688095a595 | (Rolling Stone) -- In its first season, "Glee" featured some weirdly eclectic song choices: Remember "Thong Song" and "Sweet Caroline" in the "Mash-Up" episode? But in the season-two premiere on September 21, the show will outdo itself. Rolling Stone has learned that the first episode will feature renditions of Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind," Lady Gaga's "Telephone," Travie McCoy's "Billionaire," and Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn." In true Gleek fashion, the cast will also perform two vintage Broadway musical standards -- "What I Did for Love" from A Chorus Line and "Getting to Know You" from The King and I -- as well as "Listen" from the film version of "Dreamgirls." According to the series' music supervisor, P.J. Bloom, the episode's plot paved the way for the Jay-Z track: Having placed at the Regional competition in last season's finale, New Directions will travel to New York for the Nationals. "So we needed a New York song," explains Bloom. He also says that the use of a second Gaga song -- after "Bad Romance" in the previous season -- is all due to co-creator Ryan Murphy. "Ryan's a huge Lady Gaga fan," Bloom says. "I suspect we're going to continue to look to her to be part of the show." The following week will see the premiere of the show's all-Britney Spears episode, which will include performances of five Spears songs -- although for now, no one's saying which ones. Bloom is also promising an "additional recording" for the episode, but is mum on details. (We're already picturing Spears and Matthew Morrison doing a Britney-and-Justin-style duet, but maybe that's just us.) In other "Glee" music news: Another soundtrack album could arrive as early as October, and Morrison is wrapping up his solo debut, due on Mercury Records early in 2011. Copyright © 2010 Rolling Stone. | The first "Glee" episode will feature renditions of "Empire State of Mind" and "Telephone"
The following week will see the premiere of the show's all-Britney Spears episode .
Travie McCoy's "Billionaire" will also be featured . |
19a705f52bbdabd436694b901789c8a76f8fec60 | Beijing, China (CNN) -- Lazy, promiscuous, confused, selfish, brain damaged and overall hopeless are all labels that have been given to China's so-called post-90s generation, or those who were born after 1990 who are now mostly in their teens today. Whatever the post-90s are, one thing for certain is they are different from those born before them: they have no memory of China's tumultuous past, instead only experiencing it as a country with rapid economic growth underscored by rampant consumerism and globalization. "They have only known a life in China that is rising and affluent," Frank Yu, a Beijing-based internet analyst, said. "They are considered a wild card generation. They are very aggressive and outward looking and are pretty confident because they never felt hardship." And they are also the first generation that has grown up with the internet. And it is there, online, where they live lives that are a marked departure from age-old cultural norms that remain ingrained in Chinese society today. "When they turn away from the internet and look at the real world and they see that nothing has changed, there is this huge disconnect in their minds," said Kevin Lee, chief operating officer for China Youthology, a Beijing-based research firm. "Their minds are in this internet way of thinking, and when their real world is not even moving, not even budging, they feel powerless. And so where do they escape? They go back to the internet." The Web is one of the few, if only places, where those who are not post-90s can see their sometimes radical behavior, try to communicate with them and attempt to figure out who, exactly, they are and what, exactly, they are thinking. "On the internet, they have the chance to be individuals," said Zakfa Zhang, also with China Youthology. "It is a totally new space for the youth to feel independent. They can criticize anyone, and no one will tell them they are wrong, and they can express themselves online without many restrictions." The ways in which China's teens express themselves online vary. They hang out on Chinese social networks, like Kaixin001 and Renren, post comments on microblogs as well as use Tencent's highly popular instant messaging service QQ and Qzone, its social networking site and other online bulletin boards. On these platforms, they form what some have described as "tribes" or "clans" that can consist of thousands of members communicating via "Martian" language. "The 'Martian' dialect most closely identified with the post-90s alternative subculture is 'brain-damaged writing', which is essentially standard Mandarin written using the most obscure characters possible," writes Adam Schokora, a Shanghai-based internet analyst on the blog Fifty 5. The post-90s virtual world is also characterized by the photos and videos they share online. Young women often post cartoon-like pictures of themselves with pursed lips, Photoshop-enlarged eyes (to appear more like an animated characters) while wearing chunky glasses, sexy, doll-like clothing or goth and punk styles borrowed from Japan and Korea. "They want to show off: 'I am beautiful. I am special. I am a star,'" Zhang said. A post on the blog China Hush titled "A Series of Post-90s Generation's Bad Behaviors" shows some of the more shocking sexual content the teen post online: "The general impression is Post-90s kids are 'out of control,' behaving badly'...'have mental problems' and are 'engaging in sexual activities way too early,'" the post says. Not everyone views their behavior so negatively. "In the virtual world, they learn how to be leaders, to solve interpersonal conflicts," said Han Yinbo, co-author of "An Exploding Internet Revolution." "These online activities make them more mature, give them more options and enlarge their visions. Former generations didn't enjoy such colorful worlds. Their understanding of the outside is limited and monotonous." "Society views us as wanting to be different, wanting to be full of personality and full of individuality and wanting to be creative in not a good way," said Lin Li, an 18-year-old student at Fudan University in Shanghai. "We see the society as our enemy a little bit. We do not want to be so conventional because we think all of these things are old and especially in China we need some big changes. Maybe we want to take this responsibility even though we might not have a really clear goal or aim for the future," she said. The impact the post-90s will have in China in the future as they mature into adults and become employees is the question many are now asking. Some have already begun to trickle into the workforce, specifically in factories, a number of which have experienced strikes in recent months by young, rural workers unwilling to accept the low wages and poor working conditions of the past. According to Yu, the strikes can at least partially be attributed to the "jelly generation" (another term used to describe the post-90s) and their laissez faire, independent and entrepreneurial attitude towards life. "They are more picky about where they work," Yu said. Don Tapscott, author of "Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World" believes the post-90s generation are much more entrepreneurial than their elders. "Yes, they will effect change, and yes, they have a completely different culture than their parents," said Tapscott. "What happens online does materialize. It does drive behavior change in the real world." | Tech-savvy youth of China have become an increasingly studied demographic .
Called post-90s generation with no memory of China's tumultuous recent past .
They are avid social media and internet users .
Some social commentators have criticized post-90s generation as lazy and immoral . |
19a7629dfcb5347dd3f8bc51f6033d0b9e3d804c | By . Inderdeep Bains . PUBLISHED: . 13:54 EST, 20 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 20:20 EST, 20 December 2012 . Tragic: Caitriona O'Leary, pictured, has died after being thrown from retired racehorse Mister, also pictured, which she was 'sharing' with another rider . A woman who had written articles warning about the dangers of riding other people’s horses died after falling from a thoroughbred she shared with its owner. Caitriona O’Leary suffered fatal head injuries after she lost control of the 15-hand former racehorse named Mister, an inquest was told. Witnesses said she may have tightened up and leaned forward, making the 12-year-old mount speed up, thinking it was in a race. Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Alan Craze said he would write to the British Horse Society about the dangers of sharing former racehorses. In a bitter twist, Miss O’Leary, 28, herself had warned about the potential dangers of ‘horse sharing’ – where an owner offers to share their animal in return for help with its care. In a newspaper interview in February she said: ‘There is a lot of trust involved. Owners will look you in the eye and tell you a horse is safe when they know it is a psycho.’ The article, which showed her pictured with Mister and owner Rebecca Fuller, 19, quoted Miss O’Leary as saying: ‘The owner is entrusting you with their horse, and you are entrusting them with your heart.’ On May 28, two shocked bystanders leapt into their cars and gave chase after Mister charged past them on a country lane with the Irish rider shouting ‘no, no, no’, the coroner heard yesterday. They found Miss O’Leary lying in the road. She had suffered multiple skull fractures despite wearing a riding hat. It is not clear if the horse threw her off or she jumped off voluntarily, the inquest in Eastbourne, East Sussex, was told. She was rushed by air ambulance from Magham Down in Hailsham, East Sussex, to the Royal London Hospital but died on June 1. The hearing heard that local resident June Axon found the rider on her back in the middle of the road. Shared: Caitriona O'Leary (right) and Becky Fuller (left) with Mister the horse, at Brent Farm, near Hailsham, East Sussex . Sad: Miss O'Leary was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital, pictured, and put on a life support machine, but she later died . The pensioner said she had not seen . what caused the horse to bolt but believed that the tragic death may . have been caused by rider error. Ms Axon said: ‘It is possible . something made him trot on and that Caitriona tightened up and if she . tightened up, a racehorse is going to think “right I’ve got to go”. ‘She should have known that. If you . pull a racehorse’s head backwards and learn forwards, it’s going to go. I . guess that is initially what she did.’ Tragic: Caitriona was an experienced rider, but she may have been inexperienced in dealing with emergency situations . Coroners today recorded a verdict of accidental death for Caitriona O'Leary (pictured, far left) Equestrian: Her father said horses were Caitriona's 'passion' and she died 'doing what she loved' Susan Wilson, who had followed Miss . O’Leary in her car, said: ‘We put her in the recovery position and she . was breathing noisily when the ambulance arrived.’ Ms Wilson, an experienced equestrian, was asked about Miss O’Leary’s riding ability. ‘She didn’t seem to have the confidence to ride him,’ she said. ‘She always looked nervous and tentative and could not ride correctly. The horse would pick up on that. ‘This tragedy could have been avoided . had Caitriona not exaggerated her ability and her skills had been . assessed. Caitriona’s instinct was to grab hold of his head really . tightly and lean up its neck, which to racehorses means “go, go, go, . you’ve got to go faster”. I think that was why he was at full gallop.’ Miss Fuller, who was given Mister by her riding instructor, said the horse had a ‘lovely temperament’. Because she was studying at the University of Sussex, Miss Fuller . decided to seek a ‘sharing’ partner for Mister to help out with his . care. She said: ‘All was well. I rode out . with Caitriona on several occasions and she knew how to ride. I was . confident in her ability with horses.’ After the inquest, Miss O’Leary’s father, Patrick, said: ‘These things happen. It was an accident. ‘Riding horses was her passion. She died doing what she loved.’ | Caitriona O'Leary, 28, died after her horse bolted in a country lane .
Two motorists chased after the stricken woman, only to find her fatally injured in the road .
Today a coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death .
Father says she 'died doing what she loved' |
19a85c8c576841f2afafe3e8d544a27482e281f6 | By . Daniel Mills . Julia Gillard's ex-partner and former head of the AWU, Bruce Wilson, has been photographed punching a photographer outside a union corruption hearing today. AAP photographer Dan Himbrechts captured footage of the former AWU boss grabbing News Limited photographer Sam Mooy's jacket and punching him in the face. It also shows pedestrians looking visibly surprised by the altercation which occurred in the middle of Sydney's CBD about 1.30pm . Look out! Photographer Dan Himbrechts captured the moment that former AWU boss Bruce Wilson accosted a photographer outside a hearing in Sydney . Mr Himbrechts told MailOnline: 'We noticed him across the road having a meeting with a woman and kept an eye on him,' the AAP photographer said. After waiting a while, the pair crossed to get a photograph of the man who is accused of embezzling funds from the AWU for personal purposes - including to buy a house in Melbourne. 'I was a few metres back when Sam was firing off a few shots of him (Wilson)' Himbrechts said. Come here, boy! Bruce Wilson attacks photographer Sam Mooy outside a Sydney hearing today. an inquiry is being held into allegations of corruption at the union he was once the boss of . 'I waited for him to turn around, but he just lunged and attacked Sam making contact with his lens and face.' 'It was over very quickly.' Mr Himbrechts said he thought heard an expletive come from Wilson's mouth, but couldn't be sure. Mr Wilson wasn't even due to appear at day one of the hearing into allegations of AWU corruption, which is investigating allegations that a slush-fund was set up to pay kick-backs to union members. It was a scandal which dogged much of Ms Gillard's reign as Prime Minister, because she was Mr Wilson's partner when the allegations took place more than 20 years ago. Ms Gillard was also working for law firm Slater and Gordon at the time of the alleged rort of funds, and she provided her partner with pro-bono legal services for the establishment of the fund which paid for a Fitzroy property. Police are aware of the incident but a spokesman said no one has come forward with a formal complaint. The spokesman said: 'Sydney city (command) are aware of the incident, but no complaint has been forwarded.' The former Prime Minister of Australia: Julia Gillard was also working for law firm Slater and Gordon at the time of the alleged rort of funds . | Photographer Dan Himbrechts captured Bruce Wilson hitting a colleague outside a Sydney court .
He said Wilson was eating lunch with another woman, when the pair crossed the road to photograph him .
Wilson dated Julia Gillard in 1990s during the time he was allegedly involved in union corruption .
An inquiry is underway into the allegations . |
19a9835f64e0b465147771597397466c1901a280 | He reportedly lives in a £1.5million home . in Norwich - the scene of tragedy last year when a young man was knifed to death . By . Amanda Williams . PUBLISHED: . 05:33 EST, 24 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:38 EST, 24 February 2013 . Former heavyweight world champion Herbie Hide has allegedly offered to help throw a world title fight for £1million . Former heavyweight world champion Herbie Hide has allegedly offered to help throw a world title fight for £1million, it was revealed today. Video footage of Hide - nicknamed the destroyer - apparently boasting about being able to fix boxing bouts has been published by the Sun on Sunday. They also allege that Hide offered to arrange for cocaine to be bought. Hide reportedly said: 'Whoever, which round you want, whatever you want as long as you put the money. 'I can guarantee one thing, you can get whoever is the favourite, you can get them to step down for a million pounds. 'You need a big name on good record — yeah, like myself!' The twice-crowned champion talked about pulling another unwitting top boxer into the scam. He described boxing as not about 'who is best' but instead called it a 'business'. The 41-year-old British heavyweight also arranged for cocaine to be delivered to undercover reporters for £100 a gram, the paper claims. The cocaine dealer claimed that Hide gave out the number of the reporters - posing as businessmen who were interested in organising exhibition bouts in the Middle East - to arrange a deal. Police have confirmed they are investigating drug allegations. Hide, nicknamed the Dancing Destroyer, reportedly lives in a £1.5million home in Norwich — the scene of tragedy last year when a 25-year-old was stabbed to death at a party. Tafadzwa Khan - known as Taffy - was knifed up to three times in the chest when fighting broke out at the sportsman’s £1.5million mansion. Mr Hide was not at the house at the time. Hide tried to persuade reporters to bankroll his comeback. Professional competitive bouts are officially recorded on a boxer’s record - allowing millions be punted on the outcome. Hide is currently not licensed to fight, but he claimed he could easily obtain permission. He said he would 'fight a bum' just to get warmed up. Video footage of Hide - nicknamed the destroyer - apparently boasting about being able to fix boxing bouts while they also allege that Hide offered to arrange cocaine has been published by the Sun on Sunday . Hide suggested the name of another big name fighter with an impressive winning record to take part in the championship bout - claiming 'money speaks'. However, there is no suggestion that the other boxer has ever been involved in match-fixing . Hide explained how his inside knowledge could help fix betting on fights by staging press conferences and sparring sessions held before them. These sessions are seen as key indicators of how fighters are likely to perform. They have a large impact on betting odds. Hide attempted to justify the £1million bout fixing fee he was demanding by saying: 'Money speaks and that’s where you can get people that will do it.' He said one boxer accepted a bung mid-fight to feign injury so his opponent would stay undefeated but warned reporters that he was 'telling them secrets'. After his heavyweight success Hide stepped down to cruiserweight and has won 14 successive fights and remains unbeaten at that weight. There is no suggestion that any of his previous fights have been rigged. A Norfolk Constabulary spokesman said: 'We have on Saturday 23 February, been handed information in the form of two short sections of video concerning alleged drug activity. 'The material appears to relate to an incident on 31 January 2013. 'The Police are examining this and working with the provider of the information to investigate the full circumstances. Norfolk Constabulary takes allegations of illegal drug activity seriously and information passed to police is thoroughly investigated.' | Hide - nicknamed the destroyer - 'boasted about being able to fix boxing bouts' and 'offered to arrange cocaine'
He reportedly lives in a £1.5million home .
in Norwich - the scene of tragedy last year when a young man was knifed to death . |
19ab079274cb83971f248887d488c9d8eaf35a5c | By . Amy Oliver . PUBLISHED: . 11:18 EST, 9 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 01:45 EST, 10 August 2012 . A judge today backed a businessman who stabbed a burglar to death in self defence as he jailed the raider's accomplice for ten years. Judge Mushtaq Khokhar said it had been 'natural' for Vincent Cooke 'to put up a fight' after he stabbed career criminal Raymond Jacob, 37, up to eight times following the raid in September last year. During the terrifying burglary at Mr Cooke's £350,000 four-bedroom house in Bramhall, near Stockport, Greater Manchester, Jacob held a knife to the businessman's throat before frogmarching him upstairs in search of jewellery and cash. Vincent Cooke, left, who was told by . the Crown Prosecution Service that he will face no further action after . stabbing Raymond Jacob, right, to death in self defence after the career criminal broke into his home . But when the victim’s wife Karen, 34, and 12-year old son Anthony returned home from a football tournament, Mr Cooke grabbed a carving knife and repeatedly stabbed Jacob during a violent struggle. Mr Cooke, 39, who said he acted in lawful self defence, was questioned for 12 hours and later released without charge but was kept on bail for almost a month until he was told he would not be charged. He and his family have since left their luxury home after suffering nightmares about the tragedy. Yesterday full details of the raid emerged as Jacob’s accomplice Michael Thorpe, 33, of Heald Green, Manchester, was jailed for ten years after admitting aggravated burglary. Passing sentence, Judge Mushtaq Khokhar told Thorpe: 'For anyone who lends themselves to an enterprise of this nature, it would be perfectly obvious that you would scare the victim with a knife by brandishing it and it was foreseeable that it might be used. 'It is natural to put up a fight, that . is what happened in the kitchen, the complainant came upon a knife, not . surprisingly in the kitchen, and sought to defend himself and his . property and it was after that struggle between the two men that your . accomplice was stabbed.'Judge Mushtaq Khokhar . 'It is natural to put up a fight, that is what happened in the kitchen, the complainant came upon a knife, not surprisingly in the kitchen, and sought to defend himself and his property and it was after that struggle between the two men that your accomplice was stabbed.' He added: 'It . was a sad loss of life but at the same time if you embark upon unlawful . enterprise with all the risks that are attached, serious injuries can . occur.' It also emerged the raiders had been given . information about Mr Cooke’s safe from the victim’s uncle who helped him . run a transport storage firm. Mr . Cooke had been at home watching TV when he answered a knock at the door . from a man in a high visibility jacket claiming to be from the gas . board only for Jacob and Thorpe to burst in. Mark Kellet, prosecuting said: 'One was holding a clipboard and paperwork which was part of the deception to gain entry. 'One shouted "you are being robbed" and were brandishing knives. One of the men shouts "upstairs, upstairs" and holds a knife to the face of Mr Cooke and frogmarched him upstairs to the study where the safe is. 'The relative and former business partner of Cooke was said to be the source of information that led to the house being targeted.' Mr Kellet explained how the men then went downstairs to the kitchen when Mr Cooke's wife and son returned. Grand: During the terrifying burglary at Mr Cooke's £350,000 four-bedroom house in Bramhall, near Stockport, Greater Manchester, Jacob held a knife to the businessman's throat . 'The panic and confusion that followed caused Mr Cooke to grab the first thing that came to his hands and that was a knife from the knife block,' Mr Kellet said. 'Raymond Jacob lunged at him and the two collided and fell to the ground and it became a knife fight. Mr Cooke said "I felt like I was now fighting for my life, if I did not stab him first he would stab and kill me".' Mr Cooke managed to break free but then heard screaming and saw Jacob fighting for his life and dialled 999. Paramedics were unable to revive Jacob and he was declared dead at the scene. Thorpe was arrested later after a neighbour spotted him fleeing the scene in a Citroen Berlingo and made a note of the registration plate. He later claimed he and Jacob had been invited into the house by Mr Cooke to discuss a business deal importing trainers, but a violent row broke out and Jacob was killed. Mr Kellet said: 'In a victim impact statement from Karen it said stress and anxiety had been caused to the whole family caused by having men in the house. 'It had an effect in terms of mental health and a financial impact and impacted Anthony in particular and they had to move out of the area at a time when Anthony was involved in GCSE’s. Moving away from family and friends has a significant impact on him and what happened to his house.' 'I felt like I was now fighting for my life, if I did not stab him first he would stab and kill me'Vincent Cook, homeowner . Jacob had dozens of convictions for burglary, robbery and theft. He once served an 18-month prison sentence for beating a man unconscious and leaving him looking 'like a piece of meat'. In a statement issued at the time he was vindicated Mr Cooke said: 'I hope to now be able to get on with my life but will never forget the day that I had to fight for my life. 'I just want to get my life back on track. I’m still very traumatised by what happened. I’m still having nightmares every night about this incident.' After the case, Senior Investigating Officer, Andy Tattersall, of Greater Manchester Police said: 'The fact that Thorpe was not armed that night and did not take part in the planning of the burglary is of little significance when you examine the tragic and unnecessary events that unfolded. 'One man lost his life, another, an innocent homeowner, lives with the knowledge that he took it, and a third will now spend several years behind bars. This incident has ended one life and destroyed two others.' Mr Cooke was the third man in Greater Manchester in as many months to be vindicated after stabbing an intruder to death in self defence. Peter Flanagan, 59, who stabbed an intruder armed with a machete to death at his Salford home, was told the following month that he would not be charged with any offence. Then Cecil Coley, 72, was told he would not face any charges after he stabbed an armed robber to death during a raid at his florists shop in Old Trafford, Manchester. | Raymond Jacob and Michael Thorpe broke into Vincent Cooke's Manchester home last September .
Mr Cooke stabbed Jacob to death in self defence and was later cleared .
Thorpe was jailed for ten years for his part in burglary .
Two men had pretended to be from gas board when they broke in . |
19ab4a3b5dec180b101f9593df41c279ab381243 | By . Chris Pleasance for MailOnline . North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has been pictured visiting a seafood factory shortly after conducting a controversial missile test which has worsened relations with South Korea. In echoes of David Cameron's photo opportunity in a fish market in Portugal last week, Kim inspected the newly commissioned Kalma foodstuff factory in Kangwon province today. Kim was all smiles during the official visit, despite earlier conducting a high-precision missile test that was widely condemned by neighboring South Korea. Kim Jong Un visits a seafood factory in North Korea today a day after controversial missile tests . Kim laughed and joked with staff from the Kalma factory in the country's southern Kangwon province . Kim is often pictured giving 'field guidance' to the country's workers as part of government propaganda . South Korea protested that one of the missiles was fired just half an hour before the Pope was due to land in the southern nation while conducting his first visit to Asia. The rockets were fired from multiple launchers in the North Korean port city of Wonsan and travelled 135 miles before landing in waters east of the Korean peninsula, a South Korean defence ministry official said yesterday. However, an official from North Korea dismissed the idea that the launches had anything to do with the Pope's visit as 'nonsense'. Kim In Yong, research director at the Second Academy of Natural Sciences, said:'The test firing of ultra-precision high-performance tactical rockets was conducted on the scheduled day and time along with our plan to strengthen our self defensive power. 'Our scientists do not know what the pope has done for the people of the world, and especially for our nation, and we don't feel any necessity to know about it. Some of the pictures bear an eerie resemblance to pictures taken of David and Samantha Cameron last week . The day before visiting the fish factory Kim was pictured joking with military chiefs as he tested missiles . The missile test was widely condemned by neighbour South Korea as it prepares for military exercises . 'And we don't know and are not interested in the purpose of his visit to Korea.' The launches preceded the start of U.S.-South Korean military exercises set for Monday. Seoul and Washington say the exercises are purely defensive but North Korea regularly protests against what it sees as a rehearsal for war. In Friday's statement, Kim said the South should call off the drills in order to promote a peaceful atmosphere ahead of the Asian Games, set for next month in Incheon, South Korea. North Korea last fired short-range rockets in late July but has since said repeatedly that the launches are specifically designed as counter measures against those drills. 'Given that the U.S. and the puppet forces of South Korea continue staging nuclear war exercises against us in particular, we will take countermeasures for self-defence which will include missile launches, nuclear tests and all other programmes,' a statement carried by North Korean state media last Friday said. | Kim Jong Un visited fish factory in southern province of Kangwon today .
Photo opportunity came a day after he oversaw controversial missile launch .
South Korea condemned test taking place just before Pope's plane landed . |
19abfc36e66ae9e605e41d2f649b2a7536fa25ed | By . Jaymi Mccann . PUBLISHED: . 13:51 EST, 24 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:13 EST, 24 March 2013 . Olympic swimming star Rebecca Adlington has taken the plunge and gotten engaged to her boyfriend of two years. The double Olympic champion declared herself to be the 'happiest person ever' after boyfriend and fellow swimmer, Harry Needs, popped the question. Adlington, 24, who announced her retirement from competitive swimming last month, told her Twitter followers: 'Had the best weekend ever!!! Thank you @Harryneeds for making me the happiest person ever right now #engaged #isaidyes.' Rebecca and fellow swimmer Harry Needs got engaged this weekend and announced it on Twitter . Rebecca Adlington and Harry needs in Disneyland Paris last year. Adlington wrote that she is the 'happiest person ever' after getting engaged . She added that she had been celebrating with friends after the proposal. 'Had an amazing day with some amazing people! #happy #lucky', she wrote. Needs also took to Twitter to write: 'Popped the big question to the wifey @BeckAdlington & we're now #engaged #shesaidyes happiest man on earth.' Referring to the Beyonce song, he added: 'If you like then you should put a ring on it'. In an interview last August, Adlington insisted marriage was a long way off - citing the fact that Needs is younger than her. She said at the time: 'He's only 20, bless him. If I ever mentioned marriage to him he'd be like, 'I'm only a baby'.' Nation's sweetheart Rebecca Adlington won double bronze at last summer's Olympics and double gold in 2008 at the Beijing Games . Adlington swims to Bronze in the 400m freestyle at the Aquatics Centre, London. She said that Needs understands her heavy schedule . She has previously said that their shared profession meant they have an increased level of understanding. After announcing their relationship in 2011 she said: She said: 'He appreciates the focus I need and the sacrifices I have to make. 'Harry is just like me, really driven. We got to bed pretty early and rest at the weekends.' Adlington, from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, claimed two bronze medals at last summer's London Olympics, having won gold in the 400m and 800m in Beijing four years previously. She has vowed to keep swimming until the age of 90. | Adlington announced on Twitter that she is the 'happiest person ever'
Her new fiancé Harry Needs is also a professional swimmer .
The couple announced they were dating in the summer of 2011 . |
19ae56f3ace2ddf09fd46bceb9d2e807e7677723 | The boom in beekeeping may be doing our countryside more harm than good. For a surge in the number of bumblebee hives means thousands of colonies are being imported. And many of these are riddled with parasites that pose a threat to native species, a study has found. Essential pollinator: But many of the bee colonies currently being imported from the continent are riddled with parasites . With British bees already in peril, scientists say the trade must be tightened up. Commercial gardeners have long kept bumblebees to boost the pollination of their crops. But recently home owners have joined the trend, to do their bit for the environment. As a result, the number of bumblebee colonies imported from the continent each year has soared to between 40,000 and 50,000. However, research from Leeds, Stirling and Sussex Universities found that many of the foreign colonies harbour dangerous bugs. The study of 48 bumblebee colonies . bought from three European suppliers found 77 per cent to be infected. Eight different parasites were found and some colonies contained several . different diseases. Passed . to our native bees, these parasites could deform their wings, leaving . them unable to fly, shorten their life or even kill. Risk: A study of 48 bumblebee colonies bought from three European suppliers found 77 per cent to be infected with parasites . Sussex University researcher William Hughes said: ‘Some of the parasites damage fat stores, many reduce lifespan. They can also affect the ability of the insect to learn and can be lethal.’ One of the bugs found on the bumblebees can be passed to honeybees, where it deforms wings to such an extent the insects cannot fly. Some strains may be new to Britain and there are fears that having high numbers of these bees near plants visited by native insects will speed up the spread of disease. Britain’s bumblebees are already in peril, with intensive farming, changing climate, pollution and disease blamed for two of the 25 native species going extinct and many others struggling to survive. Commercial gardeners use the foreign colonies to boost production of crops such as tomatoes and strawberries in greenhouses and polytunnels. In recent years, home gardeners have also started to buy them and pay up to £100 for a cardboard box of bumblebees to be delivered to their home. The colony, with a queen and up to 100 worker bees, can be used to pollinate lavender and other plants. The researchers, whose study was published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, want tighter import controls, with bees checked for disease on arrival in the UK. Professor Hughes said: ‘If we don’t act, then the risk is that tens of thousands of parasite-carrying colonies may be imported in the UK each year.’ | Number of colonies imported from the continent each year has soared to between 40,000 and 50,000 .
But a study of 48 bought from three European suppliers found 77 per cent to be infected with parasites . |
19b11d2b93eb84325258e3751b9a444848b0fae8 | (CNN) -- Wolfsburg sparked wild celebrations when they clinched their first German Bundesliga crown after thrashing beaten UEFA Cup finalists Werder Bremen 5-1 on Saturday. Wolfsburg spark the club's first championship celebrations with a final-day thrashing of Werder Bremen. The game was effectively settled after 26 minutes when Sebastian Proedl's own goal put the hosts 3-0 up after strikes from Zvejezdan Misimovic after six minutes and Grafite on 15. Diego pulled one back after 31 minutes for Bremen who looked weary from their extra-time defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night. Grafite's second of the game 11 minutes into the second half and a fifth from highly-rated Edin Dzeko after 74 capped a memorable occasion for Wolfsburg. Winning the 'salad bowl' is a fitting send-off for coach Felix Magath, who was overseeing his final game in charge before joining Schalke next season. "I think that VfL will be in the running for the title in the future too," said an emotional Magath. "We have put together a young and hungry team with fantastic prospects. "It's a dream, I never believed we had the chance to win the title, but the boys deserve it. And leaving now will be very difficult." Bosnia's Dzeko and Brazil's Grafite have scored 54 goals between them this season to break the previous record set by Bayern Munich's Gerd Muller and Uli Hoeness in the 1970s. "It's completely mad to have won the championship and got the record," said Dzeko."It's a great feeling - we will celebrate all night long." Bayern Munich made certain of the runners-up spot -- and a place in the Champions League group stage next season -- with a 2-1 home win over Stuttgart who could have overtaken the deposed champions. An own goal from Khalid Boulahrouz on 16 gave Bayern the lead and Mark van Bommel made it 2-0 on the hour. Mario Gomez pulled one back three minutes later, but Bayern held on. Arminia Bielefeld and Karlsruhe were relegated while Energie Cottbus' 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen means they face a two-legged play-off against the team which finishes third in the second tier for a top flight slot next season. | Wolfsburg spark celebrations when they clinch first German Bundesliga crown .
Triumph comes after thrashing beaten UEFA Cup finalists Werder Bremen 5-1 .
Bayern Munich made certain of the runners-up spot by beating Stuttgart 2-1 . |
19b141891dd81322d53635671caea6462d4890a4 | She may be a Hollywood star who brings immense drama to her roles, but Keira Knightley reveals that in her personal life she's as down to earth as they come. The actress, 29, recently left a premiere early to rush home and catch the finale of the Great British Bake Off. And she says a perfect birthday celebration consists of bowling, karaoke, and 'lots of cupcakes', in a new interview with Net-A-Porter's weekly online fashion glossy The EDIT. Scroll down for video . Keira Knightley has posed for online magazine THE EDIT this week . Photographed by David Bellemere, the actress is pictured wearing designs by Erdem and Dolce & Gabbana . She is known to attend glamorous photo shoots on her own, without an agent or assistant. 'Why not?,' she says. 'It's nicer than coming in and being completely shut off it. And it's much easier just to have a conversation yourself where it's either, "Yes, I'll do that," or "No, I won't".' In the interview Keira discusses Hollywood's double standards and embracing the ageing process. With an impressive history of strong, female roles, it is unsurprising that the actress is an advocate for gender equality in Hollywood. Keira is known to attend photo shoots without an agent or assistant: 'Why not?' she says . 'The people who make movies, whether it's directors or producers, or money people, look for things that they can identify with and if they're all predominantly middle-aged white men, then what you see are things that middle-aged white men can identify with. 'And you don't get anything for anybody else.' Though happily married, Keira says that she has given up on fairy tales because women do not need men to come to their rescue. 'A friend of mine just had a daughter. It's a political thing, having a baby girl, in a way that it isn't for a boy. You think, 'Oh isn't this fairy tale lovely?' Then suddenly you worry, 'What am I planting with that? I don't want her to be waiting around for a man to fix her problems. 'Maybe it's a bit silly, but because equality is going so hugely the other way, I think it probably does take being silly to try and swing it back around.' Keira wears a dress by Valentino and necklace by Diane Kordas . Wearing a gown by Dolce & Gabbana . With regards to the future, Keira is ready to take anything that comes with her trademark poise. Unlike the childlike character she plays in new fil Laggies, Keira is embracing ageing, even if she is not quite sure what 'grown-up' is meant to feel like. While Keira admits to not having all of the answers, she is looking forward to trying to find them. Keira's says that she is embracing ageing . The married actress says that she has given up on fairyn tales because women don't need men to come to their rescue . With regards to the future, Keira says that she is ready to take anything that comes her . | Keira Knightley, 29, talks sexism, being a wife and life's little pleasures .
Perfect birthday party consists of bowling, karaoke, and 'lots of cupcakes'
This week's issue of Net-A-Poter's online magazine The EDIT is out now .
This week's issue of THE EDIT, featuring Keira Knightly and Cynthia Nixon, is online now . |
19b150d6677e1d385fa86c85c51f8fa4968cd0c9 | (The Frisky) -- It seems that all anyone is talking about lately is the economy, so why is money still such a tough topic to discuss with your nearest and dearest? They say married couples fight over money more than anything else, but what about when you just started dating? That's possibly even more awkward. Columnist says no woman should leave her house on first date without enough money to pay for her meal. The first date . Though Dr. Phil feels otherwise, my take on this has always been he (or she) who asks, pays. (The bloviating shrink says men should always be the ones to pony up.) And if you don't pay for the whole thing, you should at least offer to split the tab. Incredibly (to me), most women I spoke to thought I was an idiot and firmly believed the dude should always pay on a first date -- though for some this was a recent change of heart. Kate, a 33-year-old writer told me, "I tend to try to pay for myself, but as I get older and more comfortable with my awesomeness, I kind of wish and hope that the other person will be a little more old-fashioned about it." Good point. If someone's eating opposite Amazing Me, shouldn't she or he pay for the privilege? After all, I'm entertaining and cute and if you let me order dessert there may be some smooching in your future. Regardless of your feelings on the matter, whatever you do, don't leave the house without enough money to pay for at least your share. It's a first date so while he may seem great (and generous) on paper, you never really know what you're getting into until he's sitting across from you. Sure, he might be staring adoringly deep into your eyes, but then again, his pants might be held up with duct tape. Do you really want to count on that dude to know the meaning of "gratuity?" What to say: "That's so generous of you -- can I at least leave the tip?" What not to say: "This princess doesn't pay for food!" Dates two-thru-six . Jennifer Kelton, CEO and founder of BadOnlineDates.com, has built a business on bad dating behavior. She explains her thoughts on the money issue: "While it's not expected, Let's face it -- we are hardwired to want the man to 'bring back dinner to the cave.'" Up until my current relationship, I've almost always been in the driver's seat finance-wise (and believe me, that's a pretty meager seat) so I've always furnished my own cave. I ask her if it's okay to date a guy just for a free ride or free grub? Kelton says no. "Being cheap is never attractive and I would say that after more than four dates the woman should pay the tip." Whoa! Just the tip? Apparently the women who called me a moron were onto something! However, if you're going to keep riding the free-food express, the least you can do is surreptitiously feel out his money situation -- if he's hurting, suggest cheaper restaurants or maybe cook for the guy. What to say: "That's so generous of you -- can I at least leave the tip?" What not to say: "Let's have the 2000 Perrier-Jouet, since this one's on you!" Dates six-thru-infinity . Up until the two of you really get to know each other, there's probably not going to be any urgent need to discuss finances in depth, but he can't keep buying you steak and foie gras dinners if he's on a cheeseburger and fries budget. For all you know, you're out-earning him or he's supporting 12 Guatemalan orphans and is stretched to the breaking point. Then again, maybe he's a gazillionaire. At about date six (possibly sooner if they're really eventful dates!), you should be getting to know a lot about every part of him -- including his wallet. There's no right or wrong way to approach this discussion, but just remember, financial compatibility is almost as important as sexual chemistry, though rarely as much fun. TM & © 2009 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved . | Columnist: Whoever issues invite on first date should pay for dinner .
Says many women, Dr. Phil disagree with her .
Writer says if guy is paying for dinner, women should offer to split the tab .
By date six, woman should know his financial situation-- and who should pay . |
19b46fdb52a1e74c76526cdca978a8e49b39d446 | By . Michael Blackley . PUBLISHED: . 11:29 EST, 6 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:31 EST, 6 October 2013 . Scotland would be more vulnerable to a catastrophic terrorist attack if Alex Salmond succeeds with his bid to break up Britain, a new report from the Ministry of Defence will claim this week. Britain’s top defence officials have produced a damning 86-page assessment of the impact that separation would have on Scotland’s security, which warns of the terrifying threat to the everyday lives of Scots. The devastating dossier will show that the tiny defence budget proposed by the SNP could heighten the risk of a terror attack which could close down the water, gas or electricity supplies to every home and business in the country. Terror risk: Scotland would be more vulnerable to a catastrophic terrorist attack if Alex Salmond succeeds with his bid to break up Britain, the report will claim. Above, Mr Salmond addresses a rally of pro-independence campaigners in Edinburgh last month . It is expected to say that a separate Scotland may also be unable to protect itself from a ‘cyber attack’ which could see criminals or rogue states raid the bank accounts of hard-working people across the country. And it will also warn that the country would face a defence jobs Armageddon, including the shutdown of Scotland’s shipyards and the mass withdrawal of private firms in the defence sector, leading to the loss of tens of thousands of vital jobs. The report will attempt to highlight the risks to a separate Scotland by showing the huge efforts already carried out to protect Scotland as part of the UK, including defence against the threat from foreign nations and terrorists and from attacks on the country’s everyday infrastructure, such as water and electricity supplies and phone and computer connections. Debate: Speaking exclusively to the Scottish Mail on Sunday, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond claimed the SNP's plans are a 'dagger poised at the heart of Scotland's industrial infrastructure' Speaking exclusively to the Scottish Mail on Sunday ahead of publication of the report on Tuesday, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond evoked the language of the battlefield by claiming that the SNP’s plans are a ‘dagger poised at the heart of Scotland’s industrial infrastructure’. He revealed that UK networks are under constant attack, with 400,000 attacks on the government’s internal systems in the last year alone. He said: ‘Everything that I’ve seen says to me that the Scottish Government isn’t really interested in defence. What it has said on defence looks like it has been made up on the back of a fag packet. ‘Those who are promoting the case for Scottish independence owe the Scottish people a proper explanation of how they would be kept safe as they go about their daily business, how their families would be kept safe and how their jobs would be protected, because the defence industry is going to be decimated by what the Scottish Government is proposing. ‘The report will show the challenge of providing security for Scottish people; security in the sense of defence but also about securing the everyday infrastructure they use in their daily lives, making sure the water supply and utilities are safe from attack, that computer networks used in the workplace are not compromised and their details vulnerable. ‘It is about the impact on Scottish industry and the Scottish industrial base and the impact on jobs and employment- and the impact on prosperity and ordinary domestic security for people across Scotland.’ The report will warn that 9000 direct jobs would be at risk at the Coulport and Faslane naval bases by the end of the decade as a result of the SNP’s intention to remove Trident from Scotland if it secures a yes vote in next year’s referendum. Rally: Thousands of pro-independence campaigners marched through Edinburgh on September 21 . Pro-independence: The rally was the second of three large marches held in the run up to next year's referendum . It will also suggest that Scotland’s shipyards could lose all of their vital orders from the MOD, because it does not hand contracts to foreign countries, which could lead to the decimation of the vital shipbuilding industry. And it will say that independence could result in the mass withdrawal of private defence firms from Scotland, as they will not want to be at risk of losing MOD work. That could prove to be disastrous for the 16,000 defence jobs based in Scotland. No major defence firms have publicly stated their concerns about separation, but they have raised their concerns privately. Mr Hammond said he has urged company bosses to speak up on the risks and expects some to do so in the next year. It is a real dagger poised at the heart of Scotland's industrial infrastructure . Philip Hammond . ‘We have been making the case to the defence industry that they need to speak up,’ he said. ‘I hope that as we move through next year towards the referendum they will at least be frank with their own workforces about these issues. ‘It is thousands and thousands of jobs across Scotland at risk. It is the shipbuilding industry, it is the hi-tech industrial base – people like Selex – it is the 9000 direct jobs in Coulport and Faslane by the end of the decade that are at risk because of the Scottish Government’s threat to Faslane. 'Then of course there are the thousands and thousands of jobs in the supply chain. ‘It is a real dagger poised at the heart of Scotland’s industrial infrastructure.’ Last week, the Mail on Sunday revealed that Mr Hammond is building a new offensive ‘cyber strike force’ costing up to £500 million to stave off the threat of attacks on Britain’s systems. The spending is in addition to hundreds of millions of pounds spent every year on defensive systems. Mr Hammond said building the whole cyber defensive system from scratch in an independent Scotland would need ‘huge fixed cost investment’. He said: ‘There are significant economies of scale and it is clear that the UK is able to deliver a level of cyber protection for all the people of the United Kingdom as they go about their business and daily lives in a way that an independent Scotland would find very difficult to do, especially within the budgets that have been set out already. Cyber force: Mr Hammond poses in the top-secret bunker beneath the Ministry of Defence, from where the cyber wars of the future will be fought to starve off the threat of attacks on Britain's systems . ‘We have to be able to defend that IT infrastructure against attacks, whether from state actors, terrorists, criminal hackers, and that will become increasingly important in the future. The financial system is a regular target of cyber attackers.’ The new MOD report will be the fifth in a series of ‘Scotland Analysis’ papers produced by the UK Government to assess the implications of independence. It is will cover all areas of defence in the UK and highlight the economic and employment benefits of the industry to Scotland, as well as the damage that independence could do. It will also show how Scottish members of the armed forces can enjoy ‘varied and interesting’ careers in one of the world’s most highly-regarded forces – and warn that they might not want to leave the UK’s forces for a smaller standalone Scottish Army. Significantly, it will also highlight that existing units based in Scotland are part of the UK Armed Forces – meaning a separate Scotland could not simply ‘co-opt’ them. The report will say: ‘Personnel might very well not wish to leave the UK Armed Forces to join much smaller forces, not least because of strong bonds of loyalty. ‘From a defence perspective, the transition to independence would therefore be extremely complex, raising serious questions over how an operational capability for an independent Scottish state could be managed.’ | Independent Scotland would be more vulnerable to terrorist attacks, a new report will claim this week .
Attacks could shut down water, gas and electricity supplies across country .
Next year, four million Scots will vote in independence referendum .
SNP's plans are a 'dagger poised at the heart of Scotland's industrial infrastructure', says Defence Secretary Philip Hammond . |
19b51a4b155b86fae01204ecd0dbbc5e28a55e25 | A woman has revealed her distress at discovering her husband had accidentally sold her $23,000 diamond wedding ring for $10. Racquel Cloutier, 31, from Laguna Niguel, California, had been in hospital after welcoming her fifth child when her husband, Eric, decided to clear out their home and sell unused items at a community garage sale on June 1st. Unbeknown to him, though, she had hidden her precious ring in an old watch box, which ended up being among the items for sale. Scroll down for video . Relieved: Racquel Cloutier has had her $23,000 diamond wedding ring returned after her husband Eric accidentally sold it in a garage sale for $10 . Staying firmly in place: Mrs Cloutier says she won't be removing her ring again for a long time . Mrs Cloutier told ABC News: 'Every year our community holds a garage sale. I was in the hospital, I . just had a baby, so my husband thought it would be fun for my other kids . if they could sell some things at the garage sale. Accident: Mr Cloutier, who 'felt terrible', had thought the watch box was empty and no longer useful, so decided to sell it . 'He didn’t know that before I went to the hospital, I put my ring in . that box. I wanted the ring to be in a safe place and out of reach from . my two-year-old twins.' Mrs Cloutier realized her ring was missing when she came home from hospital on June 5th. 'I go into my husband’s closet, can’t find the box, and then he tells me . he sold it,' she recalled. 'I said, "You sold it? What do you mean you sold it?" I . immediately started crying.' Mr Cloutier, who 'feels really terrible,' says the box was purchased by a blonde woman who had been mulling over whether to buy it or not. The couple are hoping that the buyer is honest enough to come forth and return the ring. Honest mistake: Alyssa Lossau who had been given the box by her mother, the buyer, happened to see a news story about the lost ring, and promptly emailed the Cloutiers to let them know it had been found . 'I'm very, very, very upset,' Mrs Cloutier said. 'I'm trying to remain . optimistic but I don’t know anymore. There’s a small chance whoever . bought the box doesn’t know the ring is in there. 'I would never, ever keep the ring if I had found it,' she added. 'If you're honest, you’re honest. Clearly, the ring was in the box by . accident.' Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames. | Racquel Cloutier, 31, from Laguna Niguel, California, .
had hidden the ring in an old watch box, out of reach of her young children . |
19b540a42af02c9d770f9b9169dd59b903725a95 | By . Lee Moran . PUBLISHED: . 09:06 EST, 28 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:25 EST, 28 March 2013 . Brothers Ramon (left) and Faustino Asensio Lopez with their 100 kilogram meteorite . A rock used by a Spanish farmer for more than 30 years to press ham has turned out to be an iron meteorite worth at least £3.5million. Faustino Asensio Lopez found the 100kg rock, which measures just 45x31x20cm, as he was tending to livestock with his father in a field near Ciudad Real in 1980. Believing it to be military scrap from the country's civil war, it sat on his patio for more than three decades - its weight used by family members to cure meat. It was only in 2011 when Lopez saw a . TV report on meteorite sightings over Spain that he got in touch with . geologist Juan Carlos Gutierrez Marco. After . extensive anaylsis, the rock was confirmed to be a pre-historic . metallic meteorite - a solid piece of debris from an asteroid or comet . that survived an impact with the Earth's surface. It is the fourth such meteorite to be found in Spain. Previous ones were found near Quesa, in 1898, near Granada in 1912 and near Zaragoza in 1950. Marco said: 'The object remained buried and because of that survived the times of the most demand for metals.' Madrid's Mining Museum opened a display, featuring the fragment broken off for testing, on Wednesday. It is alongside a replica of the original. Lopez, who officially owns the meteorite with his brother Ramon, told Spanish news agency EFE on Thursday they are weighing up whether to put it up for sale. The siblings said they would like it to be 'sold quietly' provided they receive 'a tempting offer' that meets their expectations. The family are considering selling the meteorite - but while they decide, they are moving it to a safe location . They told journalists they realised there was a worldwide market for meteorites and that an offer could be made online. But they stressed they 'would not be making a final decision in the next few days' and have not ruled out keeping it for the family. The pair have already been contacted by possible purchasers in Spain and abroad. As they wait for the offers to flood in, the brothers have said they will keep it hidden in a safe place, where it will remain until they decide what to do. | The 100kg rock landed in a field near Ciudad Real in 1980 .
It was used by Faustino Asensio Lopez's family to cure ham for decades . |
19b6abe0bb01090c29b2b34fab7c1b0cbfa186a0 | Washington (CNN) -- The White House defended President Barack Obama from criticism that he was tone deaf in his reaction to the mass shootings at Washington Navy Yard. Obama: Shooting a 'cowardly' act . For a second straight day, White House press secretary Jay Carney faced questions about a Monday afternoon event that occurred as the situation at the Navy Yard was still unfolding. Obama touched on the tragedy before forcefully criticizing conservative Republicans who are threatening to shut down the government. Obama pressures conservative Republicans . McCain to House Republicans: Don't shut down government . "I understand that some Republicans are trying to make something of this," Carney said on Tuesday in response to a question from CNN Senior White House Correspondent Jim Acosta. "The president spoke about the Navy Yard at the very top of his briefing. He talked about the cowardly act that had taken place, the tragedy that was unfolding and the loss of life and he called for and demanded a seamless investigation with federal and local law enforcement officials and that is what we're seeing now," Carney said. Obama himself stepped in on Tuesday to address the controversy, telling Telemundo in an interview to "keep in mind" that he addressed the shooting while it was still going on, "while we were still gathering information." He continued, "I think that everybody understands that the minute something like this happens, I'm in touch with the FBI, I'm in touch with my national security team, we're making sure that all the assets are out there for us to deal with this as well as we can." On the other hand, Obama said, "what is also important to remember is that Congress has a lot of work to do right now" in a short period of time, noting looming fiscal deadlines that he says are crucial for the economy. Obama had planned on Tuesday to tout his economic accomplishments on the fifth anniversary of the Wall Street meltdown and criticize a group of conservative Republicans for their push to shut down the federal government if the national health care law isn't defunded. His comments were designed as a prelude to the White House battle plan in the fights over the upcoming deadlines over government funding, the debt ceiling, and as a Americans begin to start enrolling in the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. 5 things Obama planned before shooting . A distracted president struggles with the economy . White House officials did delay the event from late morning to early afternoon, to ensure that the president wouldn't be speaking at the same time at a news conference updating the evolving situation at the Navy Yard. But they said they never considered canceling the event. "We are confronting another mass shooting and it happened on a military installation in our nation's capital. It's a shooting that targeted our military and civilian personnel," the president said at the top of his remarks. "These are men and women who were going to work, doing their jobs protecting all of us. They're patriots and they know the dangers of serving abroad but today they face the unimaginable violence that they wouldn't have expected here at home." But minutes later Obama took the fight to some in the GOP, saying, "I cannot remember a time when one faction of one party promises economic chaos if it can't get 100% of what it wants. That's never happened before but that's what's happening right now," and adding that forcing a shutdown would be the "height of irresponsibility." Your guide to a government shutdown . Debt ceiling 'X date' could hit Oct. 18 . The president's quick pivot first to the latest developments in the Syrian crisis and then into his criticism of the GOP stands in contrast to his initial reaction to last December's shooting of 20 children and six adults in Newtown, Connecticut, when he urged national unity. And it brought criticism from House Speaker John Boehner. "It's a shame that the president could not manage to rise above partisanship today," the top Republican in Congress said in a statement a few hours after Obama's event. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus continued the attack on Tuesday, tweeting "Disappointing that POTUS couldn't rise above partisanship yesterday...hours after #NavyYardShooting" Former House Speaker and 2012 Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich expanded on the criticism. "President Reagan, in the tragedy of the (space shuttle) Challenger, postponed the State of the Union address because he realized the country needed to be in mourning. President Obama should have recognized that an event this painful and tragic, in the nation's capital, required being president rather than partisan, and being concerned about people rather than concerned about attacking," said Gingrich, a co-host of CNN's "Crossfire." A top Republican strategist went a step farther. "When there is a tragic event like this in the nation's capital and the local baseball team expresses that it would be insensitive to participate in the national pastime, but the president proceeds with a self-congratulatory press conference to celebrate his miniscule economic accomplishments, it tells you the Obama administration has become tone-deaf," said Alex Castellanos, a CNN contributor who co-founded Purple Strategies, a bipartisan public affairs firm. "Bill Clinton, who 'felt our pain,' would never have made this mistake." Opinion: Gun control is not the answer . It's not just Republicans who are critical of the president -- a senior Democratic consultant was critical of Obama's timing, too. "Suprisingly tone-deaf. National unity has been at the heart of the Obama brand since his 2004 'there are no red states and no blue states' speech. To pass up a chance to unite the country after a tragedy was a missed opportunity. Unhelpful in terms of politics. Even more unhelpful in terms of governance," said the consultant, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely. While Carney says the president "was horrified by this news" (of the shootings), he defended Monday's White House event and wouldn't entertain any second day quarterbacking, saying "we knew what the public knew," adding "we had the same information you did." Will rampage move the dial on gun control? And he pushed back against criticism that Obama's speech was partisan. "Far from being a partisan speech, the president made clear in his speech that many Republicans on Capitol Hill agree with him that we should not go down the road of threatening to shut down the government or defaulting on our obligations in the name of some partisan agenda item," Carney said. And White House officials questioned the appropriateness of some House Republicans who they say were launching partisan attacks at the administration on Monday over last September's deadly attack at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi that left the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans dead. Later Monday, the tone did appear to shift at the White House. A Latin music event in the East Room that was planned for the evening was postponed, according to White House officials, "in light of today's tragic events at the Washington Navy Yard and out of respect for the victims and their families." Around the same time, the U.S. flag on top of the White House was lowered to half staff. Remembering the Navy Yard victims . | Obama criticized for launching attack on congressional Republicans in hours after Navy Yard shootings .
White House spokesman defends Obama, saying time is running out on Congress to act on economy .
Obama touched on the shootings and Syria situation before criticizing GOP in previously scheduled event .
NEW: Obama says in interview that he discussed the shooting while it was unfolding . |
19b6c53a613c2c9c8037c38e94f0e2a227291825 | Ottawa (CNN) -- Speaking from Ottawa on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said last week's deadly shooting there was an act of terrorism, and the United States is taking steps to counter extremist groups including ISIS online, which has sought to recruit and radicalize Westerners to its cause. "There are a great many avenues here, all of which are being structured within the confines of an overall strategy," Kerry said of U.S. efforts, "But we will leave no effort untested with respect to our efforts to shut down the ability of these people to propagandize, to lie, to deceive, and to have whatever influence they may be able to have on young minds." Both Canada and the United States have seen dozens of their citizens leave North America in recent months to join militant groups on the battlefield in Syria. Just last week, three teenagers from Colorado were stopped from leaving the United States with the intent of joining ISIS, law enforcement officials said. And the terror group has featured fighters with North American accents in recent propaganda videos. The U.S. and Canada also share concerns about the prospect of more so-called "lone wolf" attacks like the one in Ottawa last week. The shooter, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, was only the latest in a string of young Western men, often converts to Islam with criminal backgrounds, who have become radicalized by extremist messaging and who sought to commit attacks. Just a few days before Zehaf-Bibeau opened fire at a war memorial and Parliament Hill, another Canadian man rammed his car into two Canadian soldiers, killing one of them. And following the Ottawa attack, an American man, Zale Thompson, attacked four New York police officers with a hatchet before he was shot dead. New York police said Thompson was a self-radicalized convert to Islam, and they categorized the assault as a terrorist attack. The ability of groups like ISIS to influence and recruit Westerners online is one of the capabilities the U.S. and Canadian governments hope to disrupt. During his visit, Kerry also laid a wreath at the National War Memorial where Zehaf-Bibeau gunned down army reservist Cpl. Nathan Cirillo on Wednesday, before continuing on to a nearby Parliament building where he ultimately was shot and killed. Kerry's trip, happening the same day Cirillo was laid to rest, gave the Obama administration another opportunity to express solidarity with the Canadian people in the aftermath of the attack. "President Obama, the State Department and our entire administration pledge to work even more closely with your leaders at every level in order to deter and prevent terrorist attacks," Kerry said. Kerry also had a message for ISIS and other terrorist groups. "The question that our adversaries want us to ask is 'Is there nowhere safe?'" Kerry said. "And that is a question to which we firmly reply: No. "There is nowhere safe for those who would pervert the teachings of a great religion, murder the innocent, betray their neighbors, and line up on the side of such pernicious groups as (ISIS) and al Qaeda." This is Kerry's first trip to Canada as secretary of state. | Secretary of State Kerry is on his first official trip to Canada .
He has a message for terrorist groups, and efforts to thwart their recruiting .
No place is safe for those who "pervert the teachings of a great religion, murder the innocent"
Kerry pledges the U.S. will work "even more closely" with Canada to prevent terrorism . |
19b76d297143d8a08a70c54e4204c49e75325f3c | New York Giants' cornerback Prince Amukamara is enjoying his best season yet - and defensive back Antrel Rolle thinks he knows why. Rolle told NJ.com that it's no coincidence that Amukamara, a devout Catholic who previously said he would abstain from sex until marriage, is playing so well just months after getting hitched. 'He's married, so he's (enjoying some things that he wasn't experiencing before he's married),' he said. 'For a man, that could definitely help him out... He walks around with a little more swagger, which is something that we need, which is something that we love.' Scroll down for video . Wedded bliss: Prince Amukamara, a devout Christian who said he wanted to abstain from sex until marriage, wed wife Pilar earlier this year and since, he has been playing better than ever . Whatever the cause, it's paying off. In four games, Amukamara, who was picked in the first round of the 2011 draft, has already set a career high with two interceptions, as well as 25 tackles. 'When he goes out there playing, you definitely see him being more aggressive, capitalizing on his opportunities and he's accepting challenges. He's winning those challenges,' Rolle said. His coaches said that the 25-year-old has shown steady improvement in his four-year career. 'Prince is a young man who's improved year in and year out,' coach Tom Coughlin said last week. 'And he's improved this past year to this point.' He would not say outright that having sex was responsible for his latest boost. Success: Amukamara breaks up a pass against Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans on September 21 . New man: The couple, who met three years ago, married in Phoenix, Arizona a week after the Super Bowl . Together: They met at a Manhattan nightclub and he initially did not tell Pilar that he was a footballer player . 'He's just developing more as a man and accepting challenges and being the dominant player that we need him to be that we know he's capable of,' Coughlin said. Amukamara, who hails from Nigeria, has always been open about waiting for marriage before having sex. He also does not drink alcohol. In an interview with Muscle & Fitness last year, he revealed that his clean lifestyle led some of his teammates to call him 'the black Tim Tebow' after his fellow Christian NFL player. He met his now-wife Pilar in a Manhattan nightclub three years ago. In the interview, he said that even though his friends were encouraging him to talk to her, he wasn't sure what to say. Later on, she walked past and he stated talking with her. 'I asked her for her e-mail address because when someone asks for your number, it might be too personal and you might not want to give it,' he said. 'But if you ask for their e-mail address, they'll give it. I was right.' Beautiful: Amukamara, who hails from Nigeria, said he was immediately drawn to Pilar when he saw her . Happy: The couple, seen at the Spider Man premiere, married in Phoenix, Arizona a week after the Super Bowl . But he admitted that he initially hid his job from her. He told the magazine that he has pretended to be a construction worker or a manager at Gap when meeting people in the past - and one teammate has even claimed to be an astronaut. He added that he realized he had to tell Davis the truth when the Giants went to San Francisco for the conference championship. He knew he would have to come clean if he wanted her to visit him. 'So two days later, I said "Hey, I play for the Giants",' he recalled. 'She thought I meant San Francisco Giants. That's when I thought she might be a keeper.' He proposed to her on stage at a Jabbawockeez show at Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on July 19 last year and they married in Phoenix, Arizona in February. See below for video . Pilar + Prince from Serendipity Cinematography on Vimeo. | Prince Amukamara, who had previously been open about abstaining from sex until he was married, wed girlfriend Pilar earlier this year .
Teammate Antrel Rolle said it's not a coincidence that the cornerback has had a standout season after tying the knot .
Coach Tom Coughlin said getting married and having a stronger season were just part of him 'developing more as a man' |
19b86f52235fdff86f634daa3d0f2bc24612934f | One day, he'll be king. Yesterday, however, Prince William was just an avid racegoer so absorbed in the action that there was only one way to get his attention. Though whether the chap attached to this tweed-clad arm would dare to tweak his ear quite so firmly then is another matter… . It certainly tickled the Duchess of Cambridge, who giggled as her husband eventually realised what was going on and turned to smile at his friend. Scroll down for video . Ear, ear! The Duke of Cambridge has his ear pulled by a pal at the races . In the Royal box: William studies the form while Kate enjoys a race . Got a bet on? The two appear to be enthralled by a moment on the track . ... Kate keeps an eye on the race and a tight grip on her betting slip - and lets her famous composure slip for moment . William appeared to be in a playful mood yesterday as the couple enjoyed a day out at the Cheltenham Festival. They watched the races from a friend's private box, where they were joined by wildlife presenter Ben Fogle and his wife Marina. As he arrived, punters asked William who they should bet on and he replied chirpily, 'a horse'. But when he was asked whether he and Kate, who is five months pregnant, were having a boy or a girl, he simply smiled knowingly and tapped his finger on his nose. The ear-tweaking incident happened during the first race, which William watched intently. Both he and Kate seemed delighted when Our Conor crossed the line as the runaway winner. The duchess, who appeared to clutch a betting slip in her left hand, cheered and clapped, while the duke shouted 'come on' and beamed as Our Conor came in first. Picked a winner? From Kate's expression it looks like today could have been her lucky day . Kate, 31, concealed her bump beneath a . double-breasted Joseph coat, in a blush colour which matched her . radiant complexion. She teamed the coat with a brown hat and brown suede . boots. She joined William on the balcony to . watch the first two races, chatting excitedly with friends and placing . her hand on the shoulder of a female companion. But by the third race, she had retreated into the warmth of the suite where she stayed for the rest of the afternoon. The Royal couple watch the action on the last day of the Cheltenham Festival in Gloucestershire . Royal approval: Prince William taps his nose to show he's got his finger on the pulse of horse racing . Prince William and friends with TV presenter Ben Fogle roar on the horses . It meant she missed the . much-anticipated Gold Cup – even though Mike Tindall's horse, Monbeg . Dude was running. He bought the horse on a drunken whim at a charity . auction for £12,000. His wife Zara Phillips, his mother-in-law Princess . Anne and his brother-in-law and his wife, Peter and Autumn Phillips, . also turned up to support the ex-England rugby captain. But the royal seal of approval did not bring him luck and Monbeg pulled up at the second-to-last fence. The Duke of Cambridge leafs through the form book on a balcony with his wife and friends . A big win? Prince William watches the Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham Racecourse . Kate joined William on the balcony to watch the first two races, chatting excitedly with friends and placing her hand on the shoulder of a female companion . Kate and William, attending for the first time this week, arrived in time to settle in before the 3.20pm Gold Cup Steeple Chase . Hot tip: The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, got for a bet . Miss Phillips – who apparently called . him 'an idiot' when he bought the horse four years ago – was seen . resting her head on her husband's shoulder and looking glum as they . watched the race from the parade ring. During the Gold Cup, William found his . loyalties divided as he cheered on both Tindall's horse and Long Run, . which was ridden by his friend Sam Waley-Cohen. But as 33-1 outsider . Monbeg Dude lagged hopelessly behind, the duke focused on Long Run, . shouting 'come on Sam' at the top of his voice as it secured third . place. It was revealed this week that Kate had . been feeling much better after suffering badly at the beginning of her . pregnancy, and had even been spotted indulging in a pastry when picking . up her morning coffee at Starbucks. The form book: Prince William, with Kate a step behind him does his research . Holly Branson and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, with friends watch the races with a keen interest . Punters asked William who they should bet on and he replied chirpily, 'a horse' Social circle: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were joined by dozens of friends in their box at Cheltenham . Neat: The Duchess was still looking slender, her small bump barely visible . The young Royal paired her peachy . coat . - one that she had worn previously before her marriage to William - with . all-brown accessories - the £240 Betty Boop hat from Lock & Co, . brown Rumba boots from Aquatalia by Marvin K, £488, and a matching . brown clutch bag. Kate and William, attending for the . first time this week, arrived in time to settle in before the 3.20pm . Gold Cup Steeple Chase, when the will cheer on Mike Tindall's horse, . Monbeg Dude. Princess Anne was also present at the race course after arriving earlier in the day. Brown tights brigade! Kate is third royal to wear chocolate-toned tights at Cheltenham . Blossoming: Kate's bump was just about visible as she stepped out of the range Rover at the track . Enthusiastic parents-to-be: Kate and William are said to refer to their unborn baby as Little Grape . Day at the races! Kate and Wills arrive at Cheltenham . ELSEWHERE AT CHELTENHAM... Thoughts of many at the Festival were . with leading amateur jockey JT McNamara, who remains in hospital in a . coma after suffering a serious neck injury when his horse fell. The Irishman, 37, fell at the first . fence while riding Galaxy Rock for trainer Jonjo O'Neill in the Fulke . Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup. JT McNamara could undergo surgery. Medical staff were quickly on hand to treat him after the fall, . and he was airlifted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol by air ambulance . from the Gloucestershire course. McNamara's uncle, the trainer Andrew McNamara, said: 'I've been told that JT is in an induced coma at the moment.' Dr Adrian McGoldrick, chief medical officer for the Irish Turf Club, reports there to be no change in McNamara's condition but confirmed the rider has damaged two vertebrae. 'There has been no change overnight. He's still in the induced coma,' said Dr McGoldrick. 'It is a fracture of the C3 and C4 vertebrae. He will probably be going for surgery this morning but we will know more later in the day.' More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the four-day race meeting, which is one of the highlights of the national hunt season. Gate receipts are estimated to reach £7 million and bookmakers are anticipating a record-breaking year with industry turnover tipped to surpass the £600 million barrier. Bright: Autumn Phillips stood out on the grey day in cerise coat and . sculptural hat, while Princess Anne accessorised her green coat with a . gold horse brooch . Racing fan: Princess Anne attends for the second time this week - and this time will be cheering on her son-in-law's horse . First race of the day: Runners in The JCB Triumph Hurdle Race approach the second flight during Cheltenham Gold Cup Day . Romping home: Ted Vale, ridden by Bryan Cooper (left) jumps the last to win The Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle race, ahead of Tennis Cap and jockey Paul Townend . | Duchess matched Joseph coat with brown tights like Zara and Pippa's .
Said to be feeling much better - reported to be having sugar cravings .
Kate and William joined by group of friends in a box . |
19bacd02106cac6f996e9b4ffa53a230b0421ba7 | PUBLISHED: . 21:24 EST, 19 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:31 EST, 20 November 2013 . Shot dead: 18-year-old Dane Scott Jr. was shot a few weeks after the death of Trayvon Martin, the black teen who was unarmed when he was shot in Florida by a neighborhood watch volunteer . The friend of a teenager who was fatally shot in the back by an Oklahoma police captain testified on Tuesday that the unarmed 18-year-old was running away when the officer fired four shots at him. 'It surprised me very much,' John Lockett, 17, testified on the first day of testimony in the trial of Del City police Capt. Randy Harrison, who is charged with first-degree manslaughter in the March 14, 2012, death of Dane Scott Jr. Lockett said he was a passenger in a car driven by Scott when Harrison pulled up behind them in a police car with lights flashing. Lockett said Scott led Harrison on a high-speed chase and tried to hide the marijuana and gun he had in the car. Scott, who had recently been released from a juvenile detention center for selling drugs, 'just started to panic,' Lockett said. Lockett said he and a second passenger pleaded with Scott to let them out during the chase that he said reached speeds of up to 100 mph. The car eventually crashed into a tractor-trailer. Lockett said Scott and Harrison scuffled on the ground after the collision before Scott wriggled free. As soon as Scott started running away, Harrison started shooting at him, Lockett said. Authorities say Scott fired four shots, with the fourth one fatally striking Lockett in the back. Scroll Down for Video . Del City police Capt. Randy Harrison looks at the jurors box in the courtroom during his trial at the Oklahoma County Courthouse in Oklahoma City, Monday, Nov. 18, 2013. Harrison faces a first-degree manslaughter charge . Lockett said a second officer had hit Scott with an electrical stun gun about the same time the final shots were fired. Scott fell to the ground and Lockett said he didn't' realize Scott had been shot until later. 'I had no idea he was gone until after the fact,' he said. According to a police affidavit, Scott was unarmed and posed no threat of death or great bodily harm at the time of the shooting. But defense attorney Doug Friesen said Harrison's use of deadly force was justified by Scott's actions before he was shot. The police affidavit says Harrison managed to get a handgun from Scott as the two wrestled before Scott ran off. Scene of the scuffle: A police affidavit says Harrison was trying to arrest Scott after a car chase and took a handgun from the teen. As Scott ran away, Harrison fired four times, with the fourth shot striking Scott in the back . John Lockett, 17 (left) the friend of Dane Scott Jr. (right) who was fatally shot by an Oklahoma police captain testified Tuesday that the unarmed 18-year-old was running away when the officer began firing at him . 'Dane Scott is dead as the result of the choices that Dane Scott made,' Friesen said during opening statements. '(Harrison) could not have done anything other than what he did do and not violate his oath.' Harrison, a 23-year veteran of the Del City Police Department, has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charge. He faces a minimum of four years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted. Harrison had previously arrested Scott on drug violations, and District Attorney David Prater told jurors that Harrison remained focused on Scott after he was released from juvenile detention and turned 18, meaning Scott could be charged as an adult. 'It was something other than professional. It became personal,' Prater said. 'Randy Harrison seemed obsessed with Dane Scott Jr. A police officer crossed the line.' After Harrison was charged last year, his attorney said prosecutors' decision was made in part to prevent the kind of racial discord that erupted after high-profile shootings in Florida and Tulsa. Scott was black; Harrison is white. A police affidavit says Scott was unarmed and posed no threat of death or great bodily harm. Harrison faces a minimum of four years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted of manslaughter . Scott was shot a few weeks after the death of Trayvon Martin, the black teen who was unarmed when he was shot in Florida by a neighborhood watch volunteer. And Harrison was charged within weeks of the arrests of two white men accused of fatally shooting three black people in Tulsa during a shooting spree that investigators described as racially motivated. According to police, Scott had previous convictions in juvenile court on misdemeanor drug charges and a pending felony case of drug possession with intent to distribute. Harrison had arrested Scott as he allegedly sold drugs near Del City High School in 2011. Court papers indicate Harrison also saw Scott allegedly selling marijuana from his home. Scott allegedly was selling drugs to a passenger in his car before the pursuit that led to the shooting, according to court records. | Testimony began today in the trial of a Oklahoma police Captain Randy Harrison who is accused of shooting unarmed Dane Scott, 18, in the back in March last year as he ran away .
Harrison is facing manslaughter charges after shooting and killing Scott after the two had engaged in a brief car chase and struggle before Harrison shot Scott in the back .
Prosecutors said Harrison crossed the line and let a personal grudge interfere with his professional training . |
19bb959ce6e9b4d619076b29de114f77a8550702 | Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp is hoping to bring in some new additions when the January transfer window opens who 'could make the difference' in terms of Barclays Premier League survival. The west London club, promoted back to the top flight after winning the Sky Bet Championship play-off at Wembley, are second from bottom of the table, but only a point behind 17th-placed Crystal Palace. QPR have been linked with a move for former England striker Jermain Defoe, who is with Toronto in the MLS. QPR manager Harry Redknapp has revealed the club are looking to sign one or two players in January . Redknapp believes chairman Tony Fernandes will back him in the transfer market provided the Hoops are not way off the pace in the relegation scrap. 'We are trying, we felt we have to make sure we are still in there,' Redknapp said on talkSPORT. 'If you are cut adrift at Christmas, you don't want to be going and getting yourself into trouble, but if we are still in there with a chance, which I think we will be, then the chairman will go out and let us get one or two players who could make the difference for us. 'We have got one or two targets, and are just waiting to see if we can get them over the line.' QPR, who drew 2-2 at home with champions Manchester City before the international break, host Newcastle on Saturday, with the Magpies now very much on the up having at one time looked set for a survival battle themselves. Jermain Defoe has been consistently linked with a move to QPR where he could reunite with his former boss . Redknapp added 'I look at the table and think there are going to be seven or eight teams involved in that scrap. 'Burnley had a win last week, there is no-one cut adrift yet, it is too early, and if anyone could get back-to-back wins like Newcastle have done, it could all turn quickly. 'We brought a few new players in and it took them time to settle, but they are finding their feet at the club now. 'I think we we have deserved more points with the form we are in, but I would rather play poorly and pick up a few wins.' Redknapp said that Tony Fernandes will let him sign players if QPR are not too far behind in the league . | QPR are currently 19th in the Premier League table .
Manager Harry Redknapp has said the club are looking to buy in January .
The former Spurs boss said the club have 'one or two' targets .
Jermain Defoe has been consistently linked with a move to the club . |
19bbd11313fe1ddbeb0b955957c13e09ae35f4b4 | LONDON, England (CNN) -- The decision of English Premier League giants Manchester United to ban their players from signing autographs at the team's training ground won't affect the sports memorabilia market significantly, an industry expert says. Sorry kids: Manchester United will no longer be giving autographs at their Carrington training ground. The move to ban autographs was announced by Sir Alex Ferguson in the team's match day program for Saturday's 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford. Ferguson said in the program he wanted to put a stop to memorabilia dealers using the autographs for financial gain. "I offer apologies to fans who come to the Carrington training ground looking for autographs, he wrote. "The problem is that we have had too many opportunists selling on signed merchandise. They are not fans at all," Ferguson said. While the Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association declined to comment on the issue, a spokesman from a Kent-based supporters' club "Invicta Reds" said he was happy to agree with the manager's decision. "If Fergie (Sir Alex Ferguson) likes it then it's good for us all," the spokesman told CNN. Do you feel autograph-hunters need to be targeted or is this unfair on other fans? Tell us in the Sound Off box below. The decision comes at a time when the market for replica jerseys and other autographed football memorabilia continues to grow significantly. A quick trawl of the UK's version of auction site eBay shows almost 16,000 autographed football items for sale. These items include signed jerseys, cards, photos, books and prints. Prices vary greatly, however, a David Beckham Manchester United shirt was selling for £300 ($436) on Monday. Vice-president of operations at sportsmemorabilia.com, Mike Gallucci, speaking to CNN, estimated the autographed memorabilia industry was worth about $4 billion a year. "It has definitely been growing, it's big business. In the past, people hadn't realized the price they could get for some of these items. "The power of the Internet has changed this. However, with more players signing more autographs, the market is a little flooded with the items," he said. Gallucci said less accessibility to players for some fans shouldn't alter the market too much as the items sourced from official routes were usually the most popular. "People who want a 100 percent genuine item will buy through a company where they can verify the authenticity," he said. A spokeswoman for eBay said the trading of football memorabilia was very popular on the site and had grown in recent years. More than 90,000 items had been listed in the last three months, and eBay had noticed "a shift in people starting to sell their memorabilia on the site to make money," the spokeswoman told CNN. In the U.S. market, players in sports such as baseball sometimes only signed autographed items on pre-arranged and contracted deals with memorabilia companies, Galluci said. A 2007 Forbes magazine list rating the top ten sports collectibles ranked baseball star Mark McGwire's record 70th home-run ball as the most expensive -- with an estimated value of $3,005,000. All of the top ten items on the list are baseball memorabilia. See the list here. | Manchester United have banned players from giving autographs at training .
An industry expert says the market should not be too affected by such moves .
The sports memorabilia market is estimated to be worth $4 billion annually . |
19bcc560d9f065712110c7c4833fb763c9c36bae | By . Jason Groves . PUBLISHED: . 19:56 EST, 25 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:26 EST, 26 August 2013 . He's on our team: Pensions Minister Steve Webb says God is a Liberal Democray . He is said to move in mysterious ways and, at last, there may be an explanation why. For, according to pensions minister Steve Webb, God is a Liberal Democrat. Although the party has been languishing in single figures in the polls, he argues that, in the long term, it has the support of the Almighty. Writing in a new book about the party’s relationship with Christianity, Mr Webb says it is clear from the Bible that God shares the Lib Dems’ core beliefs. ‘The most fundamental reason why Christians should feel at home in the Liberal Democrats is that the character of God, as revealed in the Christian Gospel, would suggest that God must be a liberal,’ he writes. ‘This assertion will shock or offend some but I believe there is no other conclusion that can be drawn from the New Testament.’ He goes on: ‘Those who recognise in the Gospel a deep reverence for human freedom and self-determination will find a natural home in the Liberal Democrats.’ His comments come in a new book of essays, Liberal Democrats Do God. The title is a riposte to former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell who famously banned questions about Tony Blair’s religious faith by telling reporters: ‘We don’t do God’. Despite Mr Webb’s eye-catching claims the book is unlikely to feature on Nick Clegg’s reading list, since the Lib Dem leader has declared himself an atheist. But party president Tim Farron appears to back Mr Webb, citing a call to Christian’s by Peter to ‘engage with politics’. Writing in the new book, Mr Farron says: Liberal Democrats stand alone as the defender of the rights of all human beings’. But writing in the same book the Catholic MP Greg Mulholland warns that the Lib Dems have become ‘anti-religious’ and ‘illiberal’ in their rejection of Christianity. Halo default: Despite the God Almighty supposedly being on his side, Nick Clegg's party keeps sliding in the polls . ‘I fear that what we are heading towards now in the party is away from freedom of conscience and towards a new moral conformity,’ he writes. Mr Webb is also taken to task by a prominent Lib Dem councillor who pointed out that ‘virtually every political tradition under the sun has at some time claimed the Almighty as their own.’ Lester Holloway, a councillor in Sutton and former editor of the Black newspaper New Nation, said: ‘History is littered with assorted dodgy Christian tribes hanging their noxious beliefs on particular Bible passages. Indeed slavery and forced conversion was justified on such grounds. ‘Webb’s interpretation is, of course, grounded on a wider reading of the Bible yet so too is a Conservative take on the Bible.’ Mr Holloway went on: ‘The party is led by a man who has declared he doesn’t believe in God yet his belief in the Tories seems to be stronger. I don’t suppose God believes in suicide yet several disabled people have done just that after (eligibility) tests imposed by the department of which Webb is a minister of state.’ | Pensions Minister Steve Webb claims God is Liberal Democrat .
Says it is 'clear from the Bible' that the Lord agrees with his party .
'Divine intervention' doesn't appear to have helped Lib Dem in polls . |
19bd07aceab873b1acc66cc84cfc949bb5b4f422 | By . Gerri Peev . PUBLISHED: . 09:24 EST, 12 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:42 EST, 12 March 2013 . Backbench Tory MPs have been ordered by their party’s hierarchy to stop attacking the Prime Minister on Twitter. They were urged to exercise more caution when tweeting to avoid damaging the Conservatives’ general election prospects. Tory strategist Lynton Crosby met MPs last night with David Cameron to discuss their tactics for the 2015 poll. Ticking off: Tory MPs are to be told to stop speculating on Twitter about David Cameron's chances of wining the next election . Backbenchers were told to refrain from criticising the party’s policies and leadership in the wake of the disastrous Eastleigh by-election which saw the Tories relegated to third behind UKIP. No 10 has reminded MPs that they are ‘participants, not commentators’ after a string of tweets were seen as ‘distracting’. MPs were told instead ‘to get out the message that we have created one million extra private sector jobs, that net migration has reduced by a third and that crime is down. These messages are being drowned out.’ One of the MPs who regularly criticises Downing Street on Twitter is Dr Sarah Wollaston. Help or hindrance? Totnes MP Sarah Wollaston and Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant are among the Tory backbenchers to use Twitter to criticise the party leadership . Within two hours of MailOnline reporting on the warning from No 10 to Tory MPs that they are 'participants not commentators', Dr Wollaston took to Twitter to insist she would not be silenced, including the message: **** *** . Dr Wollaston then deleted the message, and reposted it without the asterisks . When Home Secretary Theresa May made a . speech over the weekend that was widely seen as a leadership pitch, Dr . Wollaston reinforced the idea that Mr Cameron was in trouble. She tweeted that the No 10 ‘inner circle . still look far too posh, male and white’ adding that ‘Cameron is . running out of time to fix it’. On Monday night, she tweeted: ‘We don’t . need a leadership challenge but I would challenge the leader to change . his advisers.’ Tory election guru Lynton Crosby will tell MPs that they must focus on key messages like job creation and reforming welfare . Then after word got out that Tory MPs . were encouraged to stop tweeting criticism of the PM, Dr Wollaston . tweeted the message ‘**** ***’. Former whip Michael Fabricant is another prolific tweeter. The MP was openly discussing his party’s . problems during the Eastleigh by-election, tweeting that many of the . policies trumpeted by UKIP were Tory ideas but voters did not realise . this ‘because of mixed messaging’. The PM has become a late convert to Twitter, following his pronouncement . in 2009 that ‘too many tweets might make a t**t’. Now officials at Tory . HQ are encouraging MPs to follow his Twitter messages. When Mr Cameron . tweets, they are urged to retweet the message to their own followers. Last night Labour vice-chairman Michael Dugher said: ‘Things are so bad . for Cameron that he is reduced to gagging his own backbench MPs on . Twitter because he’s fearful that they might tell it how it is. ‘This is a weak and increasingly out of touch prime minister desperately trying to stop his divided party imploding.’ But Tory MP Eleanor Laing said: ‘There are some people who are openly . talking about challenges to the leadership. They should all be quiet.’ Mark Pritchard questioned why Mr Cameron had taken so long to 'catch up' with backbench opinion on Europe . Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson, a frequent critic of Mr Cameron, urged the PM to realise more right-wing policies would be popular . While his colleagues post a stream of comments online, the PM uses his account for more mundane messages, like this one from a visit to Mercedes-Benz in Buckinghamshire yesterday . | No 10 has grown increasingly annoyed at Conservatives using Twitter to air their grievances .
Backbenchers will be told they are 'participants not commentators'
Labour says it is a desperate attempt stop Tory party 'imploding'
Totnes MP Sarah Wollaston becomes first Tory to defy Twitter ban, insisting she will speak out even if 'inconvenient' for the leadership . |
19bd6999796a145b13a7ddfdde1dc39b024e5b57 | An abandoned subway terminal in New York City is being pitched for redevelopment into a sunlit, subterranean park -- replete with 60,000 square feet of flowers, ponds and trees. Located in Manhattan's trendy Lower East Side, the vast underground space -- which is about the size of a football field -- has remained untouched since the terminal was discontinued back in 1948. Now, a group of entrepreneurs are proposing an elaborate green makeover, in which sunlight would be "harvested" above ground and channeled into the vaults below via a network of fiber-optic cables -- creating an environment apparently filled with natural light and, in theory, ripe for growing all the foliage of a typical city park. "Effectively, we'd gather an image of the sky and sun at street level and distribute it underground," said James Ramsey, former NASA satellite engineer-turned-architect and the brains behind the idea. Ramsey began developing the Delancey Underground project (named after the old New York street under which the park is planned) after persuading the local transport authorities to give him, and co-founder Dan Barasch, a guided tour of its derelict carriage terminal. "Sixty years of accumulated filth aside, I was struck by the beautiful historic qualities of the space -- with its cobblestone floors, original footway tiles and high-vaulted arched ceiling," recalled Ramsey. "These are all features we'd love to see carried through, but with the futuristic addition of a fully functioning community park." Read related: Could 'Earthscraper' really turn architecture on its head? Ramsey and Barasch's romantic vision includes a polished, undulating ceiling plane from which the "remote skylights" -- developed by Ramsay to filter out harmful ultraviolet and infrared light frequencies -- will flood the park with sunrays all year-round, night and day. According to Ramsey, the technology is "like a cross between a telescope and an endoscope" -- capturing light from the sun and then transporting it through fiber-optic cables onto a relatively small focal point. "Of course the lighting will be supplemented with an electric supply at night and during cloudy periods ... and we'll also need additional energy for a ventilation system," said Ramsey. "But for both cost and environmental purposes, any additional energy use will be as green and efficient as possible," he added. Comment: Would you give them your support? Is the "Delancey Underground" project a feasible and much needed innovation or a pretty but impractical pipe dream? Tell us you thoughts in the comments section below. Despite the possibility of this additional energy consumption, Barasch -- who also works for an NGO promoting socially innovative applications of technology -- is resolute about the park's eco-credentials. "This will be a distinctive testament to the varied applications and incredible promise of solar power," he said. "It would also bring a slice of nature into one of New York's least green areas, and encourage people to think about their relationship with the environment." The plans have drawn comparisons with the popular High Line -- another park built along an old railway way line -- in this case high above the city streets in New York's Lower West Side. "Rather than demolish what was there and replace it with shiny new office blocks or expensive apartments, the existing structure has been re-imagined to become a sustainable space for everyone to enjoy ... and we have very similar aims in that respect," said Ramsey. The terminal is currently under the control of the transport authority, and they have agreed to listen to the duo's pitch -- but made it clear they will not submit any funding for the construction of the park. "In the end, we will have to compete with other proposals, which will no doubt offer compelling commercial arguments for things like a car-parking lot or shopping mall," said Ramsey, who plans to finance the entire initiative through private funding and donations. The duo say it's too early to put a price on how much the park will cost to build and run, but they are currently in the process of raising $400,000 for a full-scale demonstration of the "skylight" technology and a thorough feasibility study regarding the structural and ventilation conditions of the terminal. Barasch says that after a recent spate of community meetings, they also have the enthusiastic support of the locals. | A group of entrepreneurs are proposing an an underground garden for New York .
Disused subway terminal could be filled with captured sunlight, allowing for growth of plants .
Creators say plans represent opportunity to introduce nature into one of New York's least green areas .
Pipe-dream or genuine innovation? You tell us. |
19be0bea82dab0c0b1a58e71b0cbeba7630baf59 | By . Helen Pow . PUBLISHED: . 14:28 EST, 18 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:28 EST, 18 December 2013 . Only half of Americans see Christmas as a religious holiday these days, and plan to go to church, however a surprising three quarters say they believe in the virgin birth. New findings by the Pew Research Center show nine in 10 Americans celebrate the holiday but many people view it as more of a cultural celebration steeped in traditions like gift giving and getting together with family rather than a time for religious reflection. While about seven out of 10 Americans said they typically attended religious services to mark the holiday when they were children, only 54 per cent say they plan to attend Christmas services this year. Scroll down for video . Only half of Americans see Christmas as more of a religious holiday these days . 'There are significant generational differences in the way Americans plan to celebrate Christmas this year, with younger adults less likely than older adults to incorporate religious elements into their holiday celebrations,' the report states. People aged 29 with be the least represented age group at mass, with only 46 per cent planning to go along, compared to 60 per cent of over 65s. Women are also more inclined to go to church than men, 58 per cent compared to 50 per cent, and parents with children at home are more likely to attend a service than those whose kids have flown the nest. New findings by the Pew Research Center show nine in 10 Americans celebrate the holiday but many people view it as more of a cultural celebration . Younger adults are less likely than older adults to incorporate religious elements into their holiday celebrations, Pew found . Irrespective of their religious affiliations, Pew found nearly everyone gathers with family and friends on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and did so in childhood . While lower than in the past, the proportion of people who plan to go to church, 54 per cent, is significantly higher to the 36 per cent of people who attend services every Sunday. About nine out of 10 adults who see Christmas as a religious holiday said they believe Jesus was born of a virgin. Interestingly, however, even among those who celebrate Christmas as a cultural holiday and those who do not celebrate Christmas, roughly half said they believe in the virgin birth. Irrespective of their religious affiliations, Pew found nearly everyone gathers with family and friends on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and did so in childhood. 'This type of gathering is common among all demographic and religious groups in the population,' the research states. They also plan to buy gifts for their loved ones. Around 80 per cent said they have put up a Christmas tree, slightly less than the number who said they had a fir when they were children, and the practice of sending Christmas or holiday cards and caroling has fallen out of fashion throughout the years. Only 31 per cent of people said they would pretend Santa Claus will visit their home, compared to 72 per cent who said this was a tradition when they were younger. The survey, conducted December 3-8, 2013, among 2,001 adults nationwide, found commercialization of Christmas was the most frustrating thing for American families. One-third say they dislike the materialism of the holidays, one-fifth dislike the expenses associated with the season, and one-tenth dislike holiday shopping and the crowded malls and stores. | New findings by the Pew Research Center show nine in 10 Americans celebrate Christmas .
However, many people view the holiday as more of a cultural celebration steeped in traditions rather than a time for religious reflection .
While about seven out of 10 Americans said they typically attended religious services to mark the holiday when they were children, only 54 per cent say they plan to attend Christmas services this year .
Interesting, 73 per cent of Americans, including many who don't see Christmas as a religious holiday, believe in the virgin birth . |
19beb3290004d7cbf03c7af7d0617c46e4d986d0 | By . Helen Pow . PUBLISHED: . 11:58 EST, 21 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:26 EST, 24 November 2013 . Offensive: Miami's boss of urban design Enrique D. Nuñez, pictured, has sparked outrage after an offensive email he sent to the rest of the city's planning committee openly mocking Walmart customers was leaked . Miami's boss of urban design has sparked outrage after an offensive email he sent to the rest of the city's planning committee openly mocking Walmart customers was leaked. Enrique D. Nuñez's email, which appears to be a forwarded newsletter from the classist, at times racist, blog 'People Of Walmart,' features more than a dozen candid photos of obese, tattooed, and questionably-dressed customers of the mega-retailer, which is pushing to build a store in Midtown Miami. Adding his mark, Nuñez wrote ominously, 'Coming to Midtown' before forwarding the message to planning director Francisco Garcia, chief of community planning Harold Ruck, and four more committee members. News of the outrageous email, obtained by the Miami New Times, comes the same day council members will decide on Walmart's contentious building application. The plan to build a Walmart in the center of the city has angered residents, inspired passionate protests and cost a fortune in lobbying and public relations fees. The email was sent during office hours on March 6, 2013 and the recipients are from the department charged with reviewing and approving Walmart's application. Under the heading 'The Latest Walmartians!' each image comes with a comment poking fun at customers, many of whom live on low wages and shop at the store because of its cheap prices. Shocking: The email, pictured with just one of the many offensive photographs, appears to be a forwarded newsletter from the classist, at times racist, blog 'People Of Walmart' Walmart: The email was sent during office hours on March 6, 2013 and the recipients are from the department charged with reviewing and approving Walmart's application to set up shop in Midtown, shown in artist's impressive above . The first image in the chain shows a . large black woman whose son is perched on her generous behind. The . comment states 'This is why they are called "handles."' The . next image from the blog shows an elderly white woman in a leotard shopping on a . mobility cart with the comment, 'She lost her pants playing Strip Poker . on Aisle 3!' Other pictures mock regrettable tattoos, hairstyles and clothing. Another candid shot shows two black women wearing . bathing suits in store with the comment, 'She sat on her probation . papers before the ink was dry!' referring to a tattoo on one of the . women's buttocks. Blog: The 'People of Walmart' blog posts candid pictures, like those left and right, of Walmart shoppers. These images were not in Nuñez's email, though equally offensive ones were . Nationwide: The blog features mainly obese, lower socioeconomic customers who shop at Walmart for the cheap prices. This image was not in Nuñez's email, though equally offensive ones were . Controversial. The plan to build a Walmart in the center of the city has angered residents, inspired passionate protests and cost a fortune in lobbying and public relations fees. This picture wasn't included in the email . Sent on: The email was sent to planning director Francisco Garcia, chief of community planning Harold Ruck, and four more committee members . Vote: News of the outrageous email, obtained by the Miami New Times, comes the same day council members will decide on Walmart's contentious building application . According to the New Times, the message came several weeks after the Urban Design Review Board rejected Walmart's request for a building permit and seven months before the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board ultimately approved the plan. The anti-Walmart email will likely upset those fighting against the mega-store's proposal. They have long claimed the planning department has been too lenient on Walmart, caving to pressure from the retail giant's lobbyists and their fat wallets. Nuñez has not yet responded to MailOnline's request for comment. Walmart's permit application is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Miami's city hall. The March email came several weeks after the Urban Design Review Board rejected Walmart's request for a building permit . It also came seven months before the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board ultimately approved the plan . Angry: The anti-Walmart email will likely upset those fighting against the mega-store's proposal . Critics: Critics have long claimed the planning department has been too lenient on Walmart, caving to pressure from the retail giant's lobbyists and their fat wallets . Mean: The blog, which featured the above pictures, shows scores of pictures from nationwide . Obese: Many of the people who feature on the blog are overweight or obese . | Miami's boss of urban design, Enrique D. Nuñez, forwarded what appears to be a newsletter from the classist, at times racist, blog 'People Of Walmart'
With the comment 'Coming to Midtown,' the official openly mocks more than a dozen obese, tattooed, and questionably-dressed Walmart customers in the March 6, 2013 email .
The offensive message was leaked the same day council members will decide on the contentious building application .
The plan to build a Walmart in Midtown Miami has angered opponents, inspired passionate protests, and cost a fortune in lobbying and public relations fees . |
19bec57d73849356d7b9f3942b2caf6cb0919c2e | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 12:38 EST, 3 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:09 EST, 8 February 2013 . A Northern Ireland-based company was the supplier of halal food found to contain traces of pork DNA, it was revealed today. Food distributor 3663 said McColgan Quality Foods Limited supplied a 'very small number of halal savoury beef pastry products' that contained pork traces to prisons. The company said all halal products from the manufacturer had been withdrawn from supply. Northern-Ireland based company McColgan Quality Food Ltd has been revealed as the distributor of the halal pastry products that contained pork . The consumption of pork is forbidden under Islamic law. In a statement the company said: '3663 . would like to clarify that the very small number of halal savoury beef . pastry products that have been withdrawn from supply were only ever . distributed to custodial establishments. 'The products in question are from one particular food manufacturer, McColgan Quality Foods Limited, and have not been distributed to any other customer.' The Ministry of Justice said 3663 has not been suspended, but a 'sub-contractor' has been. 3663 has said it was 'shocked', and described as 'wholly unacceptable' the discovery that some of the halal products it supplied were found to contain pork DNA due to McColgan Quality Foods being accredited by the Halal Food Authority. According to buynifood.com, a website devoted to the produce of Northern Ireland, McColgan Quality Foods - based in Strabane, County Tyrone - is said to be 'approved for the preparation of halal product'. The 'halal' beef pastries were supplied to prisons but have since been withdrawn . The website lists among McColgan customers popular supermarket brands including Lidl, Spar and Costcutter. A spokesman for McColgan's said the company is proactively cooperating' with the Food Standards Agency. In . a statement he added: 'McColgan's has already taken swift measures to . identify, isolate and withdraw all of the products which are supplied to . The Prison Service while an investigation to determine the . circumstances surrounding this deeply regrettable and unforeseen . incident takes place. 'McColgan's is keen to stress that at . no point has pork of any kind been included in the recipes of any of the . halal-certified products it supplies.' 3663 . is currently contracted to distribute a wide range of products . including ambient, frozen, fresh and chilled foods to the MoJ, all . sourced from fully accredited and approved manufacturers and producers. Following the horse meat scandal, 3663 . recognised a potential connection between a halal beef producer . mentioned within the FSAI (Food Safety Authority of Ireland) report and a . supplier of halal savoury beef pastry products stocked for the MoJ. 3663 informed the MoJ of the potential connection as a precautionary measure, then took the decision that these halal savoury beef pastry products should be quarantined to prevent their use pending DNA testing. | McColgan Quality Foods Limited said it is cooperating with investigations .
Pork DNA was found in 'small number' of halal pastries supplied to prisons .
Company withdrew products from supply and said it is 'deeply regrettable'
McColgan's said 'at no point' was pork included in the halal recipes . |
19bf53bcb7e7488d3391d65df6910be453112f66 | Row after row, this astonishing array of solar panels has completely engulfed an enormous 30-acre field in the heart of the countryside. As this aerial photograph reveals, acres of beautiful Hampshire countryside have been blighted as a result, by 18,000 solar panels. The solar farm covers a staggering 30 acres of land creating a massive eyesore in the centre of an otherwise picturesque view. The solar farm, Cadland Estate at Fawley in Hampshire, covers a staggering 30 acres of land creating a massive eyesore in the centre of an otherwise picturesque view . Photographer Tim Woodcock, 54, captured the image from a helicopter while flying more than 1,000ft above the solar array near Fawley. The energy saving farm on the Cadland Estate uses photo-voltaic panels to produce five megawatts of power. It creates enough natural energy to supply 1,000 homes each day. Mr Woodcock boarded his friend’s Jetranger helicopter to capture the farm which was installed last June with his Nikon camera fitted with a 24-120 Nikon zoom lens. Photographer Tim Woodcock captured these images from a helicopter, flying more than 1,000ft above the solar array . He said: ‘We were in the air for just over an hour and being at 1,000 feet is not really a problem. ‘By the time you have reached that altitude you have settled down. ‘The strangest sensation is just as you take off and you have an idea of how far off the ground you are. ‘I was able to open a window on the aircraft and take pictures through that.’ Mr Woodcock, a professional photographer from Fawley, feels that there is a lot of interest in alternative forms of energy. Solar farms like this one have sprung up in recent years as farmers collect up to £50,000 a year in green subsidies - this site is made up of 18,000 solar PV panels, mounted on nine kilometres of frames using 5,000 ground screws . ‘Many of these alternative energy sources are manufactured abroad, in China, for example. ‘It is very easy to say that a system is ‘green’ when all the energy and environmental damage and cost is made elsewhere.’ He added: ‘Obviously there is a lot of interest in alternative forms of energy. But the question remains how many of these will actually provide a real alternative to fossil fuels - so far, very few. ‘No one seems to have the courage to tell the truth about energy alternatives.’ The solar panel farm, which is the size of 18 football pitches, is one of the largest of its kind in Britain and took just four weeks to construct. It is made of 18,000 solar PV panels, mounted on nine kilometres of frames using 5,000 ground screws. Locals claim it is less of a blot on the landscape than wind farms, because the panels are completely surrounded by trees and greenery. Energy efficiency solutions company Anesco designed and manages the farm on the land rented from the Cadland Estate. The Estate is also used for farming wheat, maize and livestock. It is best known for supplying potato to leading food manufacturers such as Walkers crisps. Some locals claim the solar panels are less of a blot on the landscape than wind farms, because the panels are completely surrounded by trees and greenery . Energy generated by the solar PV system is fed back into the national grid under the Government’s Feed in Tariff (FiT) scheme which makes payments for energy produced through renewable sources. Dozens of large-scale solar farms like this have sprung up in recent years as farmers put up acres of them to rake in up to £50,000 a year in the green subsidies. More than 100 new planning applications are currently in the system and work on a large-scale installation in Wiltshire began last month. Another energy firm Kronos Solar has set out plans to build Britain’s largest solar farm, on agricultural land in Houghton, Hampshire. Under the proposals, 225,456 panels would be laid out across an area the size of 100 football pitches. The scheme is intended to produce enough electricity for 31,500 people. However, it will soon be far more difficult to set up a solar farm on greenfield land or areas of outstanding natural beauty it was revealed last month. New planning guidance to be issued to local councils will state that ‘care should be taken to preserve heritage assets, including the impact of planning proposals on views important to their setting’. More than 100 new planning applications are currently in the system and work on a large-scale installation in Wiltshire began last month . This will not affect small scale solar installations which families can install on their roofs or farmhouses, or can be put up on industrial land. Energy minister Greg Barker has insisted that although solar has a bright future in the UK it should not be in any place or at any price. He said last month: ‘I want UK solar targeted on industrial roofs, homes and on brownfield sites not on our beautiful countryside.’ Campaigners near solar farms in rural beauty spots say they have become a sea of silicon slabs, which are allowed by councils to meet their renewable energy targets. People who set up their own solar panels benefit from the feed-in tariff. This has been slashed by around two-thirds over the past year after the Government set the level far too high. However people who signed up in the early days in 2010-11 have their fee fixed for 25 years and continue to benefit. | The area in Hampshire would cover 18 football pitches and was set up in just four weeks .
Photographer captured .
the image from a helicopter more than 1,000ft above the .
solar array near Fawley .
It is made of 18,000 solar PV panels, mounted on nine kilometres of frames using 5,000 ground screws .
Locals claim it is less of a blot on the .
landscape than wind farms, because panels are surrounded .
by trees . |
19bf7cc73fdb69fcc8079e4c9704fc6230aa8039 | Jerusalem (CNN) -- Israeli security forces and intelligence officers raided a Palestinian television station overnight and took computers, tapes, transmitters and paperwork, the director of the station said Wednesday. Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad called it "piracy." The raid began at 2 a.m., Wattan TV director Muamar Orabi said. "Four night-shift employees were detained for more than three hours inside the offices after their mobile phones were taken," he added. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the raid had taken place. Israeli Ministry of Communications spokesman Yehiel Shavi said Wattan broadcasts "were interfering with the signals of Israeli broadcasters" and said the interference had been stopped "with the assistance of the IDF." The IDF said repeated requests had been made to Wattan to stop its broadcasts because they interfered with Israeli broadcasters and flight communications at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv. But Orabi said his station had never received a complaint about transmission frequencies, and said the response was disproportionate even if that was the reason for the raid. "Why destroy the TV station when they could have just confiscated the two transmitters?" he asked. "This is not the first time this has happened. Wattan TV was destroyed 10 years ago, in March 2002," he said. The station called the raid an act of piracy and vowed to continue its work. "Wattan TV deplores this aggressive behavior against an efficient and effective media organization and will work through its contacts with local and international media and human rights organizations to expose this criminal act," the station said in a statement. "Wattan will work on restoring all the stolen equipment and transmitters and continue interrupted broadcasting." Fayyad issued a statement saying: "This piracy and raids of Palestinian media institutions brings back to mind the practices during the beginning of the second Intifadah when Israeli occupation forces raided and sabotaged many Palestinian media institutions including Palestine TV, Voice of Palestine, and Wattan TV." He said officials will work to put the station back on air immediately. Fayyad also said the Middle East Quartet -- the United States, the United Nations, the European Union, and Russia -- bears responsibility for not preventing Israel from carrying out such actions, according to the statement. "These dangerous violations of the Israeli occupation forces reveal the extent of failure and shortcomings of the Quartet" and the "clear incapability of the Quartet to perform its duties," Fayyad said. CNN's Enas Muthaffar contributed to this report . | NEW: Palestinian PM calls it "piracy" and slams the Middle East Quartet .
Israeli security forces take transmitters, tapes, computers and paperwork, Wattan TV says .
Israel says the station's broadcasts interfered with Israeli TV and flight communications .
Wattan TV vows to continue broadcasting . |
19bf992e7b5e3eac256d4d30eab51242107ddd4c | By . Sam Webb . PUBLISHED: . 09:09 EST, 12 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:36 EST, 12 December 2012 . Photographer and artist Jason Levesque was walking around an art show in Miami Beach when he found a series of paintings that looked more than a little bit familiar. Two of the paintings, on sale for around $4,000, had more than a passing resemblance to a pair of stills he had taken, while a third looked an awful lot like an image captured by his close friend Marie Killen. An outraged Levesque took to Facebook and exposed Josafat Miranda, the artist behind the three paintings on display. Uncanny: This painting of a woman with smeared lipstick and bunny ears is clearly inspired by Levesque's photo (below) Exposed: The online art world reacted angrily to Miranda copying the photographer's work and that of his friend . Mirror image: Levesque posted the original images alongside Miranda's on Facebook to expose the similarities . He posted his original pictures alongside Miranda's work, and wrote: 'What Josafat Miranda has done here reveals a total disrespect for photography as an art form. 'He’s quickly and with very little creative altercation, harvesting the yield of someone else’s hard work. 'What makes a painting strong, isn’t just the brush strokes and the rendering method, more, much more, than that is the composition, the subject matter and the hundreds of creative decisions that go into making an original piece of art.' Miranda’s Facebook page has since been taken offline and he told the Miami New Times the accusations have ruined his reputation and exposed him to a barrage of online threats and insults. Consequence: Miranda says he has been ruined financially and professionally by the whole incident . He said: 'I didn’t steal these images. My only mistake was not giving the original artists credit.I’ve now spoken to them and apologised to them. 'We came to the agreement that I have to take everything down and destroy it, which is exactly what I’m going to do. 'Now everything is all f****d up. I don’t have a gallery. I don’t have a job. I don’t have any way to make money.' A Wynwood-based gallery has since pulled all of his work, cancelled his pending sales, pulled his work from the gallery's website and apologised to Levesque. Victim: Jason Levesque (left) was angry about his work being used, but has still urged the painter to continue creating art. (Right) Fellow artist Marie Killen . Miranda's paintings were on sale for roughly $4,000 before they were pulled by a gallery concerned by their similarity to Levesque and Kellin's work . 'It's a crushing blow to an artist. I'm in no way mean or vindictive or wanting to see that happen,' he said. Levesque said Miranda did send him an apology and called his work a 'tribute' but Levesque says he should not have kept the source a secret. The one positive from the affair, Levesque said, is it shows how the art world has a way of policing itself. However, he does feel Miranda has talent and should keep painting. He urged him to pick up a camera and capture his own inspiration for his art. Marie Killen, who also appears in many of the images, also found one of her photos had been recreated . Miranda has now agreed to destroy any artwork he created using Levesque and Killen's work for inspiration . | Jason Levesque finds painted copies of his photographs at Miami gallery .
He posted original and copies online to expose painter Josafat Miranda .
Miranda says his reputation is now ruined after gallery drops his work . |
19c023cf22f846587fe17f79463656beafa80d26 | LONDON, England (CNN) -- Getting "out of this world" with civilian space travel is not quite as simple as you may think. Ready for launch: video game programmer Richard Garriott shown in training for his space flight in October. Aside from the obvious financial limitations which restrict space tourism to the rich and the ridiculously rich, there are also significant training programs and testing to be completed before proceeding to lift-off. To gain a better insight into this training, well-known video game programmer and designer Richard Garriott, who is preparing for his own space adventure in October, is detailing in a blog what he and others have to go through in order to make it into orbit as a space traveler. Garriott has been in training since the beginning of the year and told CNN the first major thing to surprise him was the intensity of preparations. "When I first came here in January, I thought nine months to get trained for this is going to be plenty of time. Of course, very quickly, I realized that I had signed up for a very complex task, something much more difficult that I had anticipated. I immediately knew that nine months was going to be a lot of work to get everything prepared for the flight. "And now that I am so close to the flight, I am still feeling the pressure, I definitively have been working very long days and most nights," Garriott said. The training regime has three major strands: physical training, which includes preparation to acclimatize to the space environment; practical training for day-to-day living in space; and like any flight, be it 10 minutes or 10 days, training in safety procedures for emergency situations. Trainees generally spend nine months or more on and off-site to complete the requirements, which include everything from flight simulations to learning how to use the toilet. Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures, the company sending Garriott into space, told CNN the training program is extensive, but does not exclude people from making the flight. "Their total training program is a few months, but we tend to spread it out so they can fit it around their normal lives. They are not training to the same degree as the professionals." As long as space hopefuls are in reasonable health, they can usually go ahead with their adventure, he said. "There's some fitness involved. There are certainly [medical] things that are not allowable in space, but they are generally more serious conditions." He said the major fitness issue with space travel was preparing for the change in "Gs." "The body is designed to live on one 'G,' so when you expose it to higher 'Gs' it has an effect. With the training and given the [short] length of the visits there's a minimal effect on the body." In his blog on the training process, Garriott said one part of the training was indisputably the worst. "Hardest of all was the 'Spinning Chair of Ultimate Sickness.' I can't imagine that I will ever again voluntarily sit in a device designed to make you sick, or ride it as long as I can. Ugh, this is definitely my least favorite part of training!" Despite such disturbing preparations, Anderson said much of the training, which takes place at Space Adventures' base in Star City, Russia, is centered upon general living in space. "There's a few requirements about what you need to know to live in the space station ... how to eat, how to drink, and how to use the restroom, for example," he said. "There's also a lot of simulation you go through ... there's preparation to acclimatize you to the space environment." Garriott said many of the procedures for living in space, or for emergencies, are very complex. "There are a lot of technical details behind all the different systems we need to understand ... fire detection and alarms, plus procedures and equipment for dealing with fire emergencies; protective breathing apparatus in case of chamber decompression or malfunction; the toilet (everybody's favorite piece of space trivia!), including powering up the can for suction and waste removal; and lastly, onboard water sources." He admits the learning requirements had him preparing for exams by "cramming like any good college kid." And the most fascinating part of the training? In Garriott's opinion, it was running in a hypobaric chamber, where the altitude was set at 10,000 meters (about 2,000 meters higher than Mount Everest). "I felt no physical or mental problems, but I did notice an odd physiological issue that is quite hard to describe. Basically, it was possible to make a tennis ball-sized pocket in my mouth, but one which had no air in it as it was just a vacuum! "By that I mean try to imagine creating a cavity inside your mouth without any air bubbles and by letting in no air through your lips or throat -- it's basically impossible at sea level because the air pressure outside your mouth pushes the air pocket closed," he said. "However, at 10,000 meters the air is so much thinner that you can pull off this oral stunt without a hitch! Weird." It truly is. | Richard Garriott will fly with Space Adventures into space in October .
Training involves physical, practical and safety preparation .
Garriott says the toughest part is a spinning chair designed to make you vomit .
Learning to go to the toilet in space is part of the training . |
19c02b4e1fc3d47f7508c200563e3ed08324abcc | West Palm Beach, Florida (CNN) -- Working as a guidance counselor five years ago in Palm Beach County, Estella Pyfrom noticed that fewer students had access to a computer after school. The sluggish economy forced many families to prioritize their money and use it for more pressing needs. "They needed food. They needed to pay their mortgage or their rent," said Pyfrom, a former teacher. "Some of them lost their cars. So I knew it was a serious problem." Without a computer at home, or reliable transportation to get to a computer, Pyfrom feared that many of these students would get left behind. So she bought a bus, filled it with computers and brought technology to the kids. Her mobile computer lab, Estella's Brilliant Bus, has provided free, computer-based tutoring for thousands of students since 2011. "If people don't have some knowledge of technology, they're going to be limited," said Pyfrom, who retired in 2009 and used money from her savings to buy the bus. "It's absolutely essential that they get involved technologically." Pyfrom is determined to help poor children get the same educational opportunities as other children. According to the Institute of the Study of Labor, students who lack access to a home computer are less likely to graduate high school. "The digital divide is absolutely real," said Pyfrom, 76. "And it didn't just become a reality. It's been there for years, and it's getting bigger and more important." Pyfrom's custom-designed bus is outfitted with 17 computer stations that are connected to high-speed Internet via satellite. Emblazoned on its side are the words "Have Knowledge, Will Travel" and "We bring learning to you." The bus travels to schools, shelters and community centers throughout the county. "We serve children starting with age 3 all the way through senior citizens, based on what the needs are," Pyfrom said. "We are bringing the learning and the technology to the neighborhoods. They all can benefit from that." Pyfrom and her army of volunteers hold regular classes and tutoring sessions about four days a week. They offer lessons in computer and Internet basics as well as reading, math or science classes that supplement what children are learning in school. Sometimes, the bus simply serves as an open computer lab. The rules on the bus are few and simple. Among them, gum and Facebook are not allowed. Pyfrom takes a no-nonsense approach to her mobile classroom. "Excuses don't get the job done," she said. "You do whatever it takes to make things happen. That's the only thing that works." The computers are loaded with educational software, providing interactive exercises that reinforce state-mandated curricula. Children receive their own account login and password, allowing them to continue their work from anywhere they can access the Internet. Users can only advance to the next level in a subject once they reach 90% proficiency in the current one, and the software allows Pyfrom to track their progress. For older students, the bus brings GED and college preparatory assistance, anti-bullying and peer mediation classes, and student leadership training. Pyfrom and her team provide about 8,000 hours of instruction to at least 500 children a year. She hopes the extra time will help bring students up to their grade level in reading, vocabulary, math, science and life skills. Freddy and Brianna Rodriguez are two students benefiting from Pyfrom's bus. Adopted from foster care, the siblings struggled with their grades when they entered junior high school. "If I didn't have the bus to come to, it'd be hard to get to a computer," said Brianna, 13. "My grades have gotten better. The one-on-one time, it helped me." In working with the students, Pyfrom found that many parents didn't know how to use a computer. Now her bus helps them, too. "They're learning right along with the kids," Pyfrom said. "They don't feel threatened, because what I say to them is, 'If your 4-year-old can use a computer and click a mouse, so can you.' " On the bus, adults can receive online banking tutorials, resume assistance and help searching for jobs and affordable housing. Pyfrom's efforts to help low-income families haven't stopped with her bus. She also partnered with a community nonprofit to help provide meals to 3,000 residents each month. Through that work, she's identified other ways her bus can help struggling neighbors build up technological proficiency necessary in the marketplace. "We want to do what we can do in (each) neighborhood to make things better for all," Pyfrom said. "We run into people who really want to better their lifestyles and are without help. We can help them make a big difference in their neighborhoods." To keep up the momentum of her efforts, Pyfrom has continued to pour her savings into maintaining and modifying her bus, so far spending about $1 million, she says. An easy retirement is not something she aspires to. "I'm not tired yet. And I don't think I'm going to get tired," she said. "I'm constantly charged up. I look at the faces of the children and I get energized." Pyfrom is determined to see her services expand throughout the state, even the country. She estimates she has enough savings to keep her bus running for another two years, but she hopes to find financial support before she runs out of money. "I don't think about what I'm not able to do or not going to be able to do," she said. "I plan for the things that I think I'm going to do, need to do and want to do. And I think most of them are going to happen. "We've got to keep rolling. We're going to keep taking the service to the neighborhoods, and we are going to keep making a difference." Want to get involved? Check out the Estella's Brilliant Bus website at www.estellasbrilliantbus.org and see how to help. | Estella Pyfrom's mobile computer lab is for those who lack computer, Internet access .
The "Brilliant Bus" helps poor students improve their grades, prepare for college .
It's also giving adults a chance to better themselves, improve their quality of life . |
19c0571f45b295b89787f704f75f4a0d4430a935 | By . Michael Zennie . Cops investigating the murder of texting 14-year-old April Millsap have set up roadblocks in her Michigan hometown and questioned hundreds of drivers - hoping to generate new leads in the case. Police say tips all but dried up after they raided the home of a sex offender and made two arrests earlier this week. However, both men face charges only related to marijuana found in the home and cops have not said that they are suspects in April's murder. 'Everyone thinks this case is solved. It is not. Nobody is in custody for April’s death,' Michigan State Police Lieutenant Michael Shaw told the Macomb Daily newspaper. Scroll down for video . Cops reportedly stopped and questioned every driver coming into or leaving Armada, Michigan on Thursday night - one week after April Millsap was found murdered in a ditch . Rain or shine: Even a rainstorm didn't stop officers from questioning drivers. Authorities say the operation yielded helpful tips in the investigation . Horrific: Family members say April Millsap, 14, was beaten to death as she was walking her dog Penny on a popular hiking path near her house last Thursday . Local cops, state police troopers and FBI agents were out in force in Armada, Michigan, on Thursday night, stopping every car going into or leaving town, WXYZ-TV reports. The three-hour 'rolling canvas' backed up traffic and angered some civil libertarians, who say the tactics are unconstitutional. However, authorities say the maneuver generated helpful leads. Officers were looking for anyone who was in the area of Macomb Orchard Trail between 6pm and 6.30pm last Thursday night - or saw April walking her dog Penny, which she did every evening. Investigators also asked if anyone had seen a blue-and-white motorcycle in the area at the time - which remains one of their best clues to discovering who killed April. April was found dead in a ditch near . Macomb Orchard Trail by joggers last Thursday. Her faithful dog Penny, whom she walked . on the trail every night, was guarding her body. Traffic into Armada backed up all along the major roadways on Thursday as cops stopped nearly every car from 5pm until 8pm . Horrific: Joggers found April's body in a ditch . after her faithful dog Penny started barking frantically. Police say the . pooch refused to leave her master's side - even after April had been . murdered . Cops have released this sketch of a man seen in the area before April's body was discovered last week . var p = new anv_pl_def(); p.config = {}; p.config.width = 640; p.config.height = 360; p.loadVideoExpressV3('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|1000011|SPS'); . Detectives . say that before her murder, she sent a frantic text message to her . boyfriend saying, 'OMG... I think I'm being kidnapped.' Authorities won't reveal how April died, but her family told the Macomb Daily that she was beaten to death. The two men arrested on Wednesday are set to be arraigned today. Thus far, they only face charged related to the 15 marijuana plants found at their home during a police search. The Macomb Daily reports that 66-year-old James VanCallis is one of the men who was arrested. FBI Special Agent David Porter refused to comment on whether they would face any charges related to April's murder. Stake out: Police searched the home of sex offender James VanCallis, 66, and arrested him on marijuana charges on Wednesday. He does not face charged related to April's death . | Cops say tips have dried up since they raided the home of a sex offender - but the case still hasn't been solved .
Two suspects arrested at the house only face marijuana-related charged .
Some civil libertarians say the mass traffic stops in Armada on Thursday were unconstitutional .
April Millsap was found dead on a popular walking trail with her faithful dog Penny guarding her last Thursday .
Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Michigan State Police at 877-616-4677 .
Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Michigan State Police at 877-616-4677. |
19c09c452e8cbf233a81ab2cb82f6743f71f436f | Kieran Chung practises his dribble in the back-garden ice rink his godfather had built for him . Kieran Chung longed to be an ace at ice hockey, but struggled to get to his local rink to practise. So his godfather decided to give the ten-year-old an early Christmas present – by building a private rink of his own. Robert Vickers spent £15,000 putting the 5m (16ft) by 11m (36ft) practice area in the garden of Kieran’s home. Mr Vickers, 61, a sales director of a plastics company, used a large gazebo to hide the construction work and told his godson they were building a garage. When it was ready they blindfolded Kieran before revealing the surprise. Mr Vickers said: ‘When we took it off, his face was a picture. He couldn’t grasp what he was seeing at first. He kept repeating, “I’ve got my own private ice rink, haven’t I”? 'There were tears in his eyes as he tried to take it all in. Until then, didn’t have a clue it was even possible. 'Now when he has friends over, they don’t spend time on the Xbox. They get out on the ice and have a skate on the rink, because you can walk straight out onto it from the house. 'Now the Christmas holidays have arrived, we will really be making the most of it.' Mr Vickers said he was inspired to build the rink by his own son who is bound to a wheelchair because of muscle dystrophy. 'Having a son in a wheelchair has made me realise that you have to do what you can for kids while you are here. 'Once today is gone, it will never come back. I simply get a buzz out of seeing kids and smiling while they are being so active. I’m happy if Kieran and his friends are happy,' he added. The all-weather rink is made of specially treated white plastic tiles and is '85 per cent' like skating on ice, the family said. And having a practice area at his home in Nuthall, Nottingham, has already paid off for Kieran, who plays for the Nottingham Tiger Cubs. His skating skills have improved so much he has been picked for several team trials. Ten-year-old Kieran and his friends have been making good use of the rink now that the school holidays have started, his godfather said . Kieran with his godfather Robert Vickers who said he was happy to gift him the ice rink for Christmas . Mr Vickers, who fears skating is becoming a lost skill as town centre rinks dwindle, said: ‘Now he can practise for hours after school, instead of travelling seven miles to the nearest municipal rink.’ Another mother keen for her children to master the art of skating built her children a rink in Southport. Emma Brain, a special needs teacher, unveiled the back-garden rink to her three children last week. The 43-year-old said: 'I drew the curtains back, and unveiled the rink. 'As you can imagine there was a lot of screaming. They couldn’t wait to get their skates on and get straight out onto the ice.’ Managing Director of Dundee-based company Home Ice Rink, which installs the small rinks in back gardens said the trend for home entertainment is growing. 'Household mini rinks are getting more popular each year, especially at Christmas time when parents want to give their kids something special. ‘Some of our customers have converted their basements, set up a mini hockey rink in their front gardens, or put just a few tiles on the decking in the yard. ‘They have all sorts of reasons for installing them – as unique gifts for children, somewhere to practice ice dancing, or just something fun for their kids to play on when friends pop over. When you have an ice rink at home, the door bell never stops ringing.’ | Kieran Chung was struggling to find somewhere to practise ice hockey .
The 10-year-old's godfather built him an ice rink in his back garden to help .
Home ice rink is 5m by 11m and cost £15,000 to build in Nottingham . |
19c134c84f928590e062a435f08d5b486986f938 | By . Wills Robinson . A terminally-ill schoolboy who was awarded a 'dream ride' in a Porsche suffered two broken legs and bit off his tongue when the car collided with oncoming traffic. Raphael Wittmann, 14, was placed in intensive care after the high-powered sports car crashed in the outskirts of his home city of, Vienna, Austria, in May. He died two months later. His family claim the charity who organised the experience, Kinder Krebshlife, did not offer to help the youngster after the horrific crash, and as a result they are now demanding compensation. Tragic: Terminal cancer sufferer Raphael Wittmann, 14, ended up in intensive care and died two months after the crash in the outskirts of his hometown, Vienna, Austria . Scene: The emergency services tend to the youngster next to the crushed Porsche at the crash site in Vienna . The teenager was given intensive therapy at his home following his diagnoses 12 months ago, but it was not successful, and his parents were told he wasn't going to live. His father, Franz, 47, became determined to make his final months memorable, so managed to arrange a holiday to the Spanish island of Tenerife. But shortly before that, he was contacted by the children's cancer charity who invited Raphael for a drive in the high-performance car outside of Vienna. But the event ended tragically within minutes of starting when the Porsche 986 crashed into oncoming traffic, leaving the teen in intensive care with horrific injuries for two months before he passed away. The only acknowledgement his family say he received from those involved in organising the event was an iPhone from the driver who was at the wheel when Raphael died. Tragic: Raphael, pictured left with his mother and right draped in a football scarf, spent the last two months of his life recovering in intensive care . Treatment: Raphael was diagnosed with cancer last year. He underwent intensive radiotherapy at home but doctors said he was unlikely to live, meaning his parents wanted to make his last months memorable . His father Franz believes the accident on May 17 this year robbed his son of the will to live. 'After the hand that fate had dealt him, he just didn't have the strength to go on any longer' he said. And although the matter might have ended with the youngster's death on July 5, his father is still angry at the way they were treated by the children's charity. The family have now contacted lawyer Dr Astrid Wagner to take the charity to task. He said: 'I want justice for my dead boy. Not me.' Dr Wagner said: 'It was a charity event but these things should be properly organised and that means that the should be insurance as well as anything else. But the children's charity claim they didn't organise it, but won't tell us who did.' She said that as a result they had no option other than to take legal action against the charity. The head of the charity Karin Benedik, has denied any wrongdoing. She said: 'We tried to help this family, and our name is dragged through the mud as a result. We were not the organisers of this event, it was the Porsche forum.' Angry: Raphael's father Franz (left)contacted lawyer Astrid Wagner (right) to take legal action. They are now suing the charity . | Raphael Wittman was injured during ride offered by charity Kinder Krebshilfe .
Was driving around outskirts of Vienna when the car hit oncoming traffic .
The youngster died in intensive car two months after the horrific incident .
Family are now suing the charity who arranged the activity, saying the organisation did nothing to help their boy in the aftermath of the accident . |
19c1f651363947913cf46b4ea887755478fb613c | By . Jenny Hope . PUBLISHED: . 20:49 EST, 31 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 20:49 EST, 31 January 2014 . Scores of NHS hospitals say they are struggling with high levels of debt and expect to end the financial year in the red. Latest figures show 64 of England’s 145 hospital trusts – 44 per cent – predict they will be in debt by the end of next month. The combined deficit could reach £330million, according to figures from Monitor, the regulator for foundation trusts, and the NHS Trust Development Authority, which supervises non-foundation trusts. £50million deficit: St Barts Hospital is facing such a cash flow crisis it has drawn up plans to shed nursing staff . Patient campaigners and staff bodies fear it could mean cuts to staff and services, despite the NHS having coped well so far with winter pressures. Many of the worst problems are in London, where Bart’s Health NHS Trust is predicting a deficit of £50million by the end of the financial year, and has drawn up plans to shed nursing staff. Trusts in the Midlands and the East of England are also having problems, with The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in the West Midlands and United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust both forecasting deficits of £17million. The figures suggest the NHS will struggle to meet its target of delivering £20 billion in efficiency savings by 2015. A survey by the King’s Fund last month found 22 per cent of NHS finance directors expected to be in deficit at the end of next month, along with 13 per cent of clinical commissioning groups, which buy services on behalf of GPs. Professor John Appleby, chief economist at The King’s Fund, said ‘The growing number of hospitals set to overspend their budgets shows that for some, it is no longer possible both to maintain the quality of services and balance their books. 'The emerging concerns about staff morale in hospitals are very worrying as there is a proven relationship between staff satisfaction and the quality of care provided to patients.’ Under pressure: Patient campaigners and staff . bodies fear the mounting debt borne by NHS trusts could mean cuts to . staff and services, despite the NHS having coped well so far with winter . pressures. (Stock image) Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, blamed ‘endless reorganisations and failed IT projects’ for wasting billions. Dr Peter Carter, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: ‘The NHS must not under any circumstance be allowed to return to a boom and bust cyle of financial planning.’ A spokesman for Monitor said: ‘Unlike NHS Trusts – which are expected to break even every year – NHS Foundation Trusts have more freedom to run their own affairs. ‘Monitor assesses the financial health of foundation trusts on their performance in the medium term and does not require them to break even each year. ‘They are therefore allowed to run a short-term deficit, and from a business perspective this can be an acceptable method of managing their finances.’ | Campaigners fear mounting debts could lead to cuts in staff and services .
Figures suggest NHS will be unable to meet £20bn efficiency target by 2015 . |
19c26e7561ab185b928d879d3dbc0e3fc46e10ea | By . Ian Drury . IN CAMP BASTION, AFGHANISTAN . Toiling to defuse deadly improvised explosive devices on the Afghan frontline, siblings Kim and Lee Hughes really are brothers in arms. Kim, 34, is Britain’s bravest bomb hunter. The warrant officer was awarded the George Cross - the highest accolade for gallantry not in the face of the enemy - for heroism on the battlefield in 2009. He has returned to the warzone to oversee the Army units clearing the homemade bombs strewn across Helmand. Brothers in arms: Staff Sergeant Lee Hughes, left, and his younger brother, Warrant Officer Kim Hughes, serve together with 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, defusing improvised bombs in Afghanistan . No sibling rivalry: But Kim Hughes, who won the George Cross, admitted: 'I loved bossing him around' It is a family affair because the team which thwarts the Taliban’s terror tactics includes his big brother Lee, 35, a staff sergeant. Both soldiers insist there is no sibling rivalry – even though Kim, a married father-of-one, is the commander. Warrant Officer Class One Hughes said: ‘It’s sound that we’re able to be out here together. We have a good time. Family affair: The men's step-brother Matthew Heppenstall, 27, is about to join the regiment too . 'Lee is my brother, but he’s also a mega operator. I’ve got no issues whatsoever with his capability. ‘The professional answer is every one of my solders is exactly the same and they are treated exactly the same. My answer is he’s my big brother, and I love bossing him around.’ S/Sgt Hughes, a married father-of-three, said: ‘I’m the less brave big brother. You look round the dinner table – there’s only one with a George Cross. ‘But it’s not too bad working for him. There is a mutual understanding but there’s still the rank structure.’ Both men serve with 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Regiment, part of the Royal Logistics Corps, but on this tour of duty they are attached to the Royal Engineers. WO1 Hughes won his George Cross for what was hailed by top brass as ‘the single most outstanding act of explosive ordnance disposal ever recorded in Afghanistan’. On the morning of August 16 2009, British troops were taking part in a mission to reclaim a chunk of Sangin, a Taliban stronghold in Helmand. Disaster struck when Lance Corporal James Fullarton, 24, triggered a bomb. As he was evacuated on a stretcher by Fusilier Simon Annis, 22, and Fusilier Lewis Carter, 18, they tripped a second blast - killing them both and wounding three more. WO1 Hughes was called on to rescue the four maimed soldiers who were stranded in the middle of a minefield. Without a thought for his own safety, the bomb disposal expert cleared a path across the dusty open ground so the wounded could be evacuated and the dead men retrieved. Shunning protective clothing to save time, he picked his way across the field dotted with more of the booby-trap bombs. Keeping his cool beneath the Afghan sun and with the sound of bullets ringing in his ears, WO1 Hughes managed to dismantle seven IEDs - three by simply using his hands. Lee Hughes, left, admitted it was nerve-wracking to be in a room where only one man had a George Cross . Honour: Kim Hughes, now a Warrant Officer Class One, was awarded the George Cross at Buckingham Palace for a mission in which he disarmed seven improvised bombs to save colleagues without safety clothes . His 'utterly selfless action' allowed the casualties to be recovered. Tragically, L/Cpl Fullarton later died from his injuries. In total, WO1 Hughes cleared more than 80 buried bombs on that tour of duty. Five years later, he is in the operations room co-ordinating missions while his brother goes out on the ground. They have trained the Afghan National Security Forces to disarm IEDs. WO1 Hughes said: ‘It’s different because I’m not out on the ground and Lee is one of the operators – he’s doing the job when I was back out here. ‘It’s a lot quieter now. Because of the amount of training we have given the Afghan forces they run their own EOD teams now. ‘They have taken the majority of the work but we still provide capability when it’s requested and needed. ‘It does give you a sense of satisfaction to know we are leaving this country absolutely prepared to deal with the task in front of them.' Star soldier: Kim Hughes in 2009, before he received his George Cross, speaking to the then Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth and Home Secretary Alan Johnson (centre) in Camp Bastion. Right, part of the men's uniform . Mum's the word: The men admitted their mother Francis, 54, has had a 'few years' of worrying about them . S/Sgt Hughes, who is on his third deployment to Afghanistan, has seen action during his stint in the warzone. On one occasion, he was 1ft from a booby-trap bomb which was protecting an insurgent ammunition dump. He was inspired to become a bomb disposal expert after his brother signed up. He said: ‘I spent eight years in the artillery and knew nothing about the job until Kim joined the Army and showed an interest in it.’ Both men admit their trade worries their mother Francis, 54. And their step-brother Matthew Heppenstall, 27, is about to join 11 EOD Regiment too. S/Sgt Hughes said: ‘When Kim was in Afghanistan and I was in Iraq she was worried and then I came back and I went to Afghanistan and came back and now we’re both here. 'She’s had a few years of it.’ | Kim Hughes, 34, awarded George Cross for heroism by the Queen in 2009 .
He dismantled seven IEDs in one mission without wearing protective clothing .
He and brother Lee, 35, now serve in the same Regiment in Camp Bastion .
Kim Hughes said: 'He's my big brother, and I love bossing him around' |
19c3c1872446d03668479d3a1ffabdb51023050f | Dominique Strauss-Kahn slept with the mother of a woman who claims the former IMF boss tried to rape her, it emerged yesterday. Anne Mansouret admitted that she had sex with Mr Strauss-Kahn in 2000, saying her fellow socialist ‘took me with the vulgarity of a soldier’ while they were both supposed to be working. Miss Mansouret, 65, is the mother of 32-year-old writer Tristane Banon, who has alleged that Strauss-Kahn assaulted her in 2003 as she tried to interview him. 'Tryst': Dominique Strauss-Kahn 'had brutal sex' with former colleague Anne Mansouret, the mother of attempted-rape claimant Tristane Banon . The latest revelation in one of the most squalid cases in French political history emerged in the country’s press. The alleged sexual encounter happened . in the offices of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and . Development, where Strauss-Kahn, now 64, was working as a special . adviser. Miss Mansouret’s claims were made to . police last week when she was interviewed as a witness in her daughter’s . allegations of attempted rape against Strauss-Kahn. 'Rutting chimpanzee': Tristane Banon claims Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her . She is said to have told officers that she and Strauss-Kahn had ‘consensual but brutal’ sex. Miss Mansouret, a radical feminist . with three marriages and scores of lovers in her past, has admitted that . she was happy to have sex with a man known in France as the ‘Great . Seducer’. However, she admitted, she ‘never wanted to repeat the experience’. She told police: ‘He doesn’t try to please women, but simply to possess them.’ Miss Mansouret, a socialist party . regional official, is said to have kept the encounter secret until her . daughter told her in February 2003 that Strauss-Kahn had tried to rape . her when she went to interview him for a book she was writing. Miss Mansouret said she was so . ‘incensed’ that she went to see Strauss-Kahn’s former wife Brigitte . Guillemette, who later challenged him over the attack. Strauss-Kahn is then said to have . admitted: ‘I don’t know what came over me. I slept with the mother, I . lost it when I saw the daughter.’ According to Miss Mansouret, . Strauss-Kahn then met her for a glass of wine in a bistro, and he . apologised for trying to attack her daughter. Attempted rape carries a sentence of . up to 15 years in France – more if there are aggravating circumstances . such as the use of violence. In a 2007 TV programme which is still . accessible on the internet, Miss Banon gives a graphic account of the . alleged attack in which she compared Strauss-Kahn to a ‘rutting . chimpanzee’ and claimed he tried to unfasten her clothes. She said that she was dissuaded from . filing charges at the time by her mother, who is still a regional . councillor in Strauss-Kahn’s Socialist party. The violent but consensual sex . between her mother and Strauss-Kahn is now being put forward as the . reason why Miss Banon took eight years to go to the police about the . alleged attack on her, claimed L’Express magazine. It also emerged . yesterday that Strauss-Kahn’s daughter Camille has been questioned by . police over the alleged attempted rape of Miss Banon. The 26-year-old student, who is a friend of Miss Banon’s, was questioned on Monday. Arrested: Strauss-Kahn appeared in court earlier this year after a maid at a hotel in New York claimed that she had been sexually-assaulted by him . In response to Miss Banon’s claims, Strauss-Kahn has denied the attack and begun legal action against her for libel. His Paris lawyer Henri Leclerc said: ‘Her claims are imaginary. It never happened.’ Strauss-Kahn, the disgraced former . head of the International Monetary Fund and once a possible presidential . candidate in France, is currently awaiting trial in New York, accused . of raping a hotel maid. That case has been adjourned until . next month and looks likely to be dropped because of his victim’s . alleged links with criminals. But Strauss-Kahn faces an investigation . for the attempted rape of Miss Banon as soon as he returns home to . France. All of the women involved in the . French allegations are well known to Anne Sinclair, Strauss-Kahn’s . current wife who, despite his non-stop philandering, is standing by . him. The French Socialist Party has been . torn apart by the latest revelations, but some senior figures are still . arguing that Strauss-Kahn should be allowed to run for president next . year against Nicolas Sarkozy. In another dramatic development . yesterday it emerged that Francois Hollande, the current frontrunner to . stand as Socialist presidential candidate next year, is set to be . questioned by police about allegations that he knew about the alleged . attempted rape of Miss Banon as far back as 2003, but did nothing about . it. Mr Hollande denied that he had acted . improperly, saying: ‘I’ve nothing to hide and nothing to feel uneasy . about but I will not allow this case to be exploited politically.’ | 'He took me with the vulgarity of a soldier', says former colleague Anne Mansouret .
Three years later her daughter Tristane Banon claims he tried to rape her like 'rutting chimpanzee'
Was delay in coming forward down to her mother's relationship with the 'Great Seducer'? |
19c3c7b4c39cb205f6ffdd983ebdcbc4b2a6e7c1 | FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke has said a men’s World Cup could be played on artificial turf 'sooner rather than later'. Valcke was responding to the criticism of FIFA’s decision that means next year’s women’s World Cup in Canada will not be played on grass. A number of leading women players have filed a legal challenge to the decision to play on third-generation synthetic pitches, and a major part of their argument is that men would not be expected to contest a World Cup on anything other than grass. Gareth Bale playing for Wales against Andorra last month... on artificial turf in a 2-1 win . Valcke said FIFA understands that players want 'the best conditions to perform well' but stressed any organiser of any of its tournaments is entitled to propose artificial turf. Valcke insists FIFA would only accept pitches 'of the highest quality', and added: 'It could well be that sooner rather than later the men’s World Cup will also be played on artificial pitches.' He told FIFA’s website that Canada’s decision to offer artificial pitches was 'due to the extreme climate in the host country', a problem that looks set to also arise when the men’s 2022 World Cup is played in Qatar. Valcke added: 'As has already been explained, this is not a question of money, or of differences between men’s and women’s events, but it is a matter of the natural conditions in Canada: we want to guarantee consistent top-level playing conditions for all 24 teams during the event, both in the official stadiums and at the training sites. FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke says a men’s World Cup could be played on artificial turf soon . 'This has been the sole reason behind the decision to play on artificial turf from day one.' Artificial pitches are not allowed in England’s Premier League and Football League, but the latter may soon give the go-ahead to their reintroduction in League One and League Two, with club chairmen due to vote on November 6. Such surfaces will be permitted at Conference level from next season, and this season a rule change means artificial pitches are allowed at any stage of the FA Cup. FIFA president Sepp Blatter told German magazine Sport Bild the world governing body will listen to all pitch suggestions, saying men could play a World Cup on a synthetic surface 'maybe even tomorrow'. Blatter said: 'We are open to proposal from the local organisers, and this has been possible for years in accordance with the FIFA regulations. Artificial turf is the future of football.' England famously lost to Russia in qualification for Euro 2008 on artificial turf in Moscow . | FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke has said a men’s World Cup could be played on artificial turf 'sooner rather than later'
Valcke was responding to the criticism of FIFA’s decision that means next year’s women’s World Cup in Canada will not be played on grass .
Artificial pitches are not allowed in the Premier League and Football League . |
19c401873ac3131bc362f284e7cefb3cbb057506 | By . Daniel Martin . Fears: Attorney General Dominic Grieve said that the rise of religious fundamentalism has made Christian reluctant to express belief . Moderate Christians are afraid to declare their religion publicly because of the rise of fundamentalism, a minister said last night. Dominic Grieve, the Attorney General, said the rise of religious fundamentalists had made Christians reluctant to express their beliefs. He said they were being ‘turned off’ by the ‘disturbing’ and ‘very damaging’ rise of those with a ‘deep intolerance’ to other people’s views. Mr Grieve said atheists who said Britain was no longer a Christian nation were ‘deluding themselves’ and must accept that faith had shaped this country’s laws and ethics. He said that 1,500 years of Christian values were ‘not going to disappear overnight’ and that many people remained believers even if they chose not to go to church. But he said that people were being discouraged from openly declaring their beliefs because of the ‘deep intolerance’ of religious extremists of all faiths, including Islam and Christianity. ‘I do think that there has been a rise of an assertiveness of religious groups across the spectrum,’ he said last night. ‘That is why those with softer religious views find it disturbing and say they don’t want anything to do with it.’ Mr Grieve’s comments follow criticism of David Cameron for declaring Britain to be a ‘Christian country’. A group of 55 liberal celebrities, scientists and academics accused the Prime Minister of sowing ‘alienation and division’ and fuelling ‘sectarian divides’. Criticism: Mr Grieve's comments follow attacks on David Cameron by a group of liberals after he described Britain as a Christian country . Mr Grieve told the Telegraph that ‘atheism hasn’t made much progress’ in Britain and that ‘our state, its ethics and our society are underpinned by Christian values’. He added: ‘Many of the underlying ethics of society are Christian-based and the result of 1,500 years of Christian input into our national life. It is not going to disappear overnight. ‘They [the atheists] are deluding themselves. I do think that the rise of religious fundamentalism is a major deterrent to people. It is a big turn-off away from religion generally, and it’s very damaging. It encourages people to say “I’m not interested” [and] an unwillingness to express commitment. ‘The evidence in this country is overwhelming that most people by a very substantial margin have religious belief in the supernatural or a deity.’ Mr Grieve’s comments are at variance with census statistics which show that in 2011, the percentage reporting ‘no religion’ had almost doubled to more than 25 per cent. | Dominic Grieve, the Attorney General, said some are afraid to admit faith .
Mr Grieve said the 'damaging' rise of extremism has silenced moderates .
But added atheists are 'deluded' if they think Britain is no longer Christian . |
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