id
int64 0
317k
| origin_text
large_stringlengths 48
297k
| summary_text
large_stringlengths 14
9.49k
| lenght_origin_text
int64 48
297k
| lenght_summary_text
int64 14
9.49k
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
161,490 |
By . Ryan Gorman . Three Texas teenagers are dead and five were injured after the speeding truck they were in went out of control early Saturday morning with only one person wearing a seat belt. Driver Robert 'Andrew' Russell, 18, Colbie Miller and Bailee Sims, both 19, died after his truck hit a tree and rolled several times into a ditch before 1.00 a.m., police said. Two of the five injured are hospitalized in serious condition, the other three were treated and released. All eight injured were passengers inside Russell’s 2006 Chevrolet ‘Super-Duty’ pickup truck, according to KTVT. The only passenger wearing a seat belt suffered minor injuries and was released from the hospital. Killed: Bailee Sims (left) and Colbie Miller (right) died in the horrific accident - neither was wearing a seat belt . Speeding: Police say driver Robert 'Andrew' Russell (left) was speeding when the truck left the road. Russell died, and Josh Chitsey (right) is in stable condition at a hospital in Plano . Tragedy: Three teens died and five were injured when this pickup truck rolled several times into the ditch it is shown in here . The speeding truck went off the road near the Pat Mayse Lake Dam just south of the Oklahoma border, according to KDFW. Russell, Miller and Sims, all of Paris, were pronounced dead at the scene of the smash-up, authorities said. All three graduated from high school last year, sources said. They died from blunt force trauma, Texas Department of . Public Safety spokesperson Mark Tackett told MailOnline. It is not clear where teens were headed or coming from, he added. Too young: Colbie Miller had just graduated high school last year, according to reports . Careless: Bailee Sims was not wearing a seatbelt when the accident occurred . On the scene: Investigators with the Texas Department of Public Safety survey the damage to the vehicle . Joshua Chitsey, 18, of Mt Vernon, was . airlifted to a hospital in nearby Plano, according to KENS. He is in . stable condition. John Oud, also 18 and from Mt Vernon, remains . hospitalized in stable condition as well. Both suffered 'incapacitating' injuries that left them unresponsive, said Tackett. Colby White, 18, from Mt Vernon, was . the only passenger of the eight wearing a seat belt, Texas Department of . Public Safety spokesperson mark Tackett told MailOnline. 'He was treated and released [from the hospital,' said Tackett. Dylan Stephens and Brittney Ann Beshirs, all 18, were also treated at local hospitals for minor injuries and released, sources told KENS.
|
Driver Robert 'Andrew' Russell, 18, Colbie Miller and Bailee Sims, both 19, were killed .
Two teens were hospitalized with serious injuries, three others were treated and released .
Only one of the eight passengers was wearing a seat belt .
| 2,544 | 240 |
315,216 |
(CNN) -- Paris is perpetually one of the world's most popular cities. And the 16 million tourists who travel to the home of La Tour Eiffel and the Louvre leave a whopping $17.8 billion behind during their trips, according to MasterCard's 2012 Global Destination Cities Index. While Paris isn't generally a place you go to save money, it can be done. Even in this pricey place, the clever traveler can track down activities, services and just plain pleasures that don't cost a single centime. Here's a list of 10 fabulous and free finds in the City of Light. Tour the city for free. Spend an hour or 90 minutes strolling city streets on free tours -- except for the voluntary tips you give -- with Parisian natives through Discover Walks. Held 363 days a year -- each day except December 24 and 25 -- these rain-or-shine, small-group tours show you the Right and Left Bank, Notre Dame, the hip-and-trendy Marais and the picturesque city village of Montmartre. Just show up ready to walk. You don't even have to book in advance unless you're bringing a group of eight or more. Soak up the organ sounds at Saint-Sulpice. Here's a favorite of "Europe Through the Back Door" travel guru and public television series host Rick Steves. The Left Bank church of Saint-Sulpice -- which gained fame thanks to its prominent role as a location in "The Da Vinci Code" -- has a pipe organ tradition dating back to the mid-16th century. Visitors can climb up a spiral staircase to the organ loft to meet multilingual virtuoso Daniel Roth after the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass and subsequent organ recital. Guests can watch this living legend play one of Europe's most majestic pipe organs during the 12:05 p.m. Mass. Amazing grace, indeed. Drink up -- at a sparkling water fountain. Leave it to Paris to create a public water tap -- inside a lovely park, no less -- with the bubbly stuff. For the past couple years, the Jardin de Reuilly in the city's southeast 12th arrondissement has been serving up cooled sparkling water to quench Parisian thirsts (available any time the park is open). The park's La Pétillante public fountain was the first in France to add carbon dioxide to the city's tap water, and locals lapped it up by bringing their own bottles to fill. You'd expect no less in the country that gave the world Perrier. On a clear day you can see ... Sure, you can climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe or Eiffel Tower, but some of the City of Light's most stunning -- and free! -- views can be found from the roof terrace of the Left Bank's Institut du Monde Arabe. An über-modern, curved-façade facility designed by famed French architect Jean Nouvel, the Institut was founded by 18 Arab nations and France to take a multidisciplinary look at the Islamic Arab world. It allows visitors, whether or not they're visiting the Institut's recently revamped museum, library or bookshops, to take its glass elevator up to the ninth floor terrace. From here, gaze out at Notre Dame, the Centre Pompidou or the landmark column standing in Place de la Bastille. Under 26? Catch up on contemporary French art at MAC/VAL -- the Musée d'Art Contemporain du Val de Marne. Who says youth is wasted on the young? Not if they're lovers of contemporary art and artists like Christian Boltanski, Bruno Perramant and Gina Pane. Here, out in the 'burb of Vitry-sur-Seine, MAC/VAL offers visitors a range of French modern art from the 1950s through today. And if these visitors are under 26, they get to experience it all gratis (flash an ID to borrow a free audio guide). From established talent to emerging artists, you'll find them at MAC/VAL, which hosts three to four temporary exhibits each year. Look for the loos. Most folks don't get particularly psyched about toilets. But when they're the space-age, self-cleaning, pod-like gray structures dotting the Parisian streetscape, you just might. You'll find 400 of these disabled-accessible bathrooms scattered all around Paris (they're open between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.) near major tourist spots, food markets and taxi stands. Each time a visitor uses these "sanisettes," the toilet bowl and floor are automatically cleaned, dried and disinfected -- and they contain coat hooks, a mirror and sink. And with natural roof lighting, reduced water use and renewable-source electricity, they're eco-friendly to boot. Mother Nature must be thrilled. Life's a beach (during the summer, at least). So what if the Seine River that snakes through Paris has no beach? This city is nothing if not inventive -- so Mayor Bertrand Delanoë spearheaded the creation of Paris Plages, man-made "beaches" that offer locals and tourists alike a "Seine-side holiday" each summer. Starting around July 20 and for four weeks after, the city closes the streets along the river, brings in tons of sand and palm trees and offers a slew of entertaining options from beach volleyball to kayaking to open-air concerts on three different "beaches." Of course, this being France, riverside cafés, restaurants and ice cream vendors are de rigueur. You'll have to wait 'til next year to take advantage of the next installment, but what a Parisian way to spend those dog days of summer, from 8 a.m. to midnight. Make it a museum. Just like museums in most world-class cities, many of those within Paris open themselves to visitors free of charge one day a week. In the City of Light, that's the first Sunday of each month. Save those euros for a few café au laits or souvenirs and check out the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay and the Musée National Rodin (hello, The Thinker!), among others. Some, like the Musée Carnavalet, offer free admission to their permanent and themed collections each day. For those seeking a free dose of nighttime culture -- and who visit Paris in mid-May -- Nuit des Musées is just the ticket. Nearly 200 city museums keep their doors open during this one night from 6 p.m. until at least midnight. See Paris through local eyes. There's nothing like traipsing through a city with a local resident by your side. The Parisien d'Un Jour, Paris Greeter program, pairs city visitors with regular residents -- students, working people, retirees and others. These folks aren't formal guides or interpreters, just passionate Parisians willing to spend two or three hours walking with groups of six or fewer tourists, showing off their favorite areas and spots based on your interests and language. Just go online to register. (Paris Greeters welcome visitors with disabilities, too.) Got questions about navigating the Métro or Parisian quirks? Ask away. And while the service is free, the program happily accepts donations. Savor free sounds on Sunday. As it has since the early 1930s, the American Church in Paris has hosted the Atelier Concert Series, which offers a performance venue to musicians of diverse backgrounds and musical styles. Staged at the legendary Left Bank church every Sunday at 5 p.m. from September to November and January through June, music lovers will hear everything from classical pianists to opera singers to flute-and-guitar ensembles. Feel like giving thanks? Drop something in the voluntary offering at the door. Maureen Jenkins is a freelance travel and food writer who lives outside Paris and blogs at UrbanTravelGirl.com.
|
Free programs pair tourists with locals to explore the city .
Take in views from the top of the Left Bank's Institut du Monde Arabe at no cost .
Free concerts and museum admission give visitors a complimentary taste of culture .
| 7,263 | 228 |
61,974 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 18:05 EST, 3 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:05 EST, 3 October 2013 . Many people are instead opting for showers lasting less than 30 seconds . More than a quarter of Britons never have a bath, surprising new figures have revealed. Millions opt for quick, effective showers, which can often last for no more than 30 seconds each morning. The change is being led by youngsters and affects areas as far apart as Northern Ireland and south-east England. A survey by Homebase shows that, today, on average, over 26 per cent of the population never has a bath which rises to one third in London and the South East. The figure rises as high as 35 per cent in Northern Ireland. The trend away from having a soak is spread equally between men and women but affects mostly a younger generation, aged between 18 and 24. More worryingly for the health conscious among us 17 per cent of the population will spend less than 30 seconds enjoying a shower every morning. Homebase Marketing Director Jo Kenrick said: 'An entire generation is missing out on a spectacular sensation which our grand parents took for granted. 'However, such is the pace of modern life, that a ritual which has lasted for centuries is in risk of falling out of favour in just two decades.' People in Northern Ireland are the least likely to bathe, with 35 per cent saying they can't find the time .
|
Homebase survey shows that 26 per cent of people no longer bathe .
Trend towards showers is being lead by young people aged 18-24 .
Those in Northern Ireland least likely to run a bath followed by Londoners .
| 1,402 | 208 |
249,344 |
Conservative plans to tackle the deficit without increasing taxes are 'complete and utter nonsense', Nick Clegg claimed today. The Deputy Prime Minister hit out at his coalition partners for insisting the nation's finances can be fixed through spending cuts alone. He accused the Tories of trying to balance the books 'on the backs of the working-age poor' ahead of George Osborne's Autumn Statement on Wednesday. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, at Stonehenge today, hit out at his coalition partners for insisting the nation's finances can be fixed by taking the axe to public spending and not by increasing some taxes . Ministers are braced for official figures showing a further deterioration in the public finances after sluggish earnings growth meant tax revenues came in lower than expected. Mr Clegg today insisted the deficit would be 'more or less' halved by the end of this parliament, despite having promised to eliminate it altogether when the coalition was formed in 2010. The Tories have committed to £7 billion in tax cuts - raising personal allowances for basic and higher-rate taxpayers - after the election. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned of a new round of austerity after the election, with some Whitehall departments set to lose around a third of their budgets. But Mr Clegg rejected the Tory approach to cutting the deficit without further tax rises: 'My view is what the Conservatives have said is a complete and utter nonsense. 'There is not a single developed economy anywhere in the world that has balanced the books and only done so on the backs of the working-age poor,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Labour has accused the Government of costing the taxpayer tens of billions of pounds in lost revenues through the 'abject failure' of its economic policies. Mr Clegg insisted the deficit was coming down, but accepted progress could be knocked off course by lower-than-expected tax receipts. 'We should be able to see the deficit more or less halved by the end of this parliament,' Mr Clegg said. 'What I accept, of course, is if tax receipts are not as buoyant as predicted, then of course that has an effect. Time will tell whether that is a semi-permanent effect or a temporary blip, but it means that it comes down a little less than originally projected.' Labour's Ed Balls and Chancellor George Osborne clashed yesterday over plans to tackle borrowing . He said the coalition had been flexible in its approach to eliminating the deficit, having originally hoped to balance the books by the election. Mr Clegg said: 'I think it is right that this Government hasn't been dogmatic about our deficit reduction plan. 'We have been firm, we have been consistent but when it became obvious ... that the structural deficit was not going to be eliminated by the end of this parliament, far from doing what some people urged me to do - which was to chase our tail, cut even more, implement even more stringent cuts - we said no, we are going to stick to the plan but we will accept that it will take a little longer and it will be three years into the next parliament before you wipe the slate clean and balance the books for future generations. 'I think that combination of pragmatism and consistency is the right approach to something as grave as the black hole in our public finances.' He said the Government was right to continue spending on policies to 'renew the economy', with further announcements on housing investment due to be set out by Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander tomorrow. Labour leader Ed Miliband said millions of families had been left trapped in 'the most prolonged cost-of-living crisis for a century . Mr Clegg acknowledged that further austerity measures would be needed after the election, but rejected suggestions that cuts would have to be even deeper than in this parliament. 'Whoever is in power next year - whether it is Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Labour or any combination of those three - will have to make further substantial savings. 'There is a major difference of opinion between myself and the Conservatives about the role of taxation. The Conservatives, and George Osborne said this yesterday, they will only balance the books on the backs of the working-age poor. 'That is the only part of the population they will ask to make additional sacrifices. 'My party believes you have got to finish the job, but finish the job fairly.' He continued: 'We have made about £100 billion of savings during this parliament. We need to make additional savings, whether it's spending reductions or tax increases, in the next three years of the next parliament. 'But the total amount that will need to be done is substantially lower than what we have done during this parliament.' Mr Osborne acknowledged that he faces 'tough decisions' if he is to balance the books by 2018 as promised and he signalled a fresh squeeze on benefits if the Conservatives regain power in May. Labour said that ordinary families were paying the price for the Chancellor's failure to fulfil his promise at the last general election in 2010 to clear the deficit and start paying down Britain's debt by the end of the current parliament. The party said that figures calculated by the independent House of Commons Library showed that over the course of the current parliament, income tax receipts were £66 billion lower than originally forecast and national insurance contributions were down £25.5 billion, while social security spending is £25 billion higher than planned. It said the loss was the equivalent of almost £4,000 for every taxpayer - resulting in persistently higher borrowing than the Chancellor had forecast. Labour leader Ed Miliband said millions of families had been left trapped in 'the most prolonged cost-of-living crisis for a century'. 'For them, this is a joyless and payless recovery,' he said. 'The Government's failure to build a recovery that works for everyday people and tackle the cost-of-living crisis isn't just bad for every person affected, it also hampers our ability to pay down the deficit. 'Britain's public finances have been weakened by a Tory-led Government overseeing stagnant wages which keep tax revenues low. 'The result has been David Cameron and George Osborne missing every single target they set themselves on clearing the deficit and balancing the books by the end of this parliament.'
|
Lib Dem leader hits out at coalition partner's plans for dealing with deficit .
Insists tax rises are needed to eliminate borrowing in next Parliament .
Labour claim workers are thousands of pounds worse off under coalition .
| 6,398 | 225 |
106,740 |
Rory McIlroy went from flirting with a third consecutive missed cut to a place inside the top 10 in the BMW PGA Championship on Friday. With a swirling wind and intermittent rain making conditions difficult for the early starters, McIlroy covered the front nine of his second round at Wentworth in three over par. That left McIlroy one under for the tournament with the halfway cut projected at that point to fall at level par, but just as he did in the recent Players Championship at Sawgrass, McIlroy rallied strongly on the back nine. Bad start: Rory McIlroy began his round with back-to-back bogeys at Wentworth on Friday . Cheer up, Rory: The Northern Irishman made three birdies in the last four holes to end on one-under par . An eagle on the 12th for the second . day running was followed by a bogey on the 13th, but birdies on the . 15th, 16th and 18th gave McIlroy a 71 and halfway total of five under . par. And with overnight leader Thomas Bjorn starting his round with a bogey on the first, that was within four shots of the lead. 'I . did not start off particularly well and made a mess of the seventh, but . came back well and hit some quality shots on the back nine,' said . McIlroy, who thinned a bunker shot on the seventh to run up a . double-bogey six on a hole he eagled on Thursday. 'Anything under par this morning was a decent score and to birdie three of the last four holes is pretty pleasing.' Yellow peril: Caroline Wozniacki takes to the practice court on Friday ahead of next week's French Open . McIlroy . announced on Wednesday that he had called off his planned November . wedding to former world No 1 tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, even . though the invitations had just been sent out. The . 25-year-old admitted he would therefore find it very difficult to . concentrate on his golf in the European Tour's flagship event, but . managed an opening 68 and felt slightly better on Friday. 'I . was apprehensive going out yesterday, I honestly didn't know what to . expect and it was good I had the quick turnaround to get back on the . golf course. 'I have . exceeded my expectations so far. Once you get inside the ropes you are . concentrating on your golf and it's almost a nice four or five-hour . release to concentrate on the job at hand.' Spain's Rafael Cabrera-Bello had set the clubhouse target on six under . after a round of 73, with Sweden's Jonas Blixt - joint second in the . Masters last month - alongside McIlroy on five under following a 71. On the move: McIlroy has moved into contention for the Wentworth title with an impressive back nine .
|
McIlroy, who split from Caroline Wozniacki earlier this week, is five-under par heading into the weekend at Wentworth .
The Northern Irishman recovered from a poor start to his second round .
He made three birdies in the last four holes to finish with a score of 71 .
| 2,595 | 267 |
167,066 |
By . Associated Press . and Daily Mail Reporters . Police have charged 14 people with participating in a fraternity hazing incident that ended with a 19-year-old southwest Ohio college student having a . testicle surgically removed. Tyler Lawrence underwent emergency surgery after students hit him in the groin with a knotted towel, severely damaging one testicle . Police made the arrests Thursday after an investigation into the Halloween incident at Wilmington College's Gamma Phi Gamma house. Court records said a fraternity pledge was injured when he was struck with a towel 'fashioned as a weapon.' Tyler Lawrence . underwent emergency surgery after students hit him in the groin with a . knotted towel on October 30, severely damaging one testicle. Jim Reynolds, president of the Quaker college of about 1,000 students southeast of Dayton, says the conduct is unacceptable. The fraternity has been kicked off campus until at least 2019 . The fraternity, which claims to have existed since 1907, appealed the ruling but the punishment was upheld. The Smoking Gun reported Lawrence was pledging to the Greek organization along with two other young men inside the Gamma Phi Gamma house, dubbed 'Gobbler House,' located off the Wilmington College campus, when he was injured. The trouble began when the students were . blindfolded and led down into the basement of 'Gobbler House,' which had . been filled with about three inches of water. They were then ordered to lie on the wet floor and pretend they were swimming. Afterwards, the men were instructed to remove all of their clothes except for the blindfold. As part of the initiation, the pledges had Limburger cheese stuffed into their mouths and were ordered to simulate a sexual act with a 'ball of stuffing' As . the students stood naked in the basement, one of the fraternity members . allegedly rubbed a substance similar to the muscle balm Icy Hot on . their nipples, backs, buttocks and scrotums. According to a police affidavit, about 20 . Gamma Phi Gamma members either actively participated in the ritual or . watched from the sidelines. As . part of the initiation, the pledges had Limburger cheese stuffed into . their mouths and were ordered to simulate a sexual act with a 'ball of . stuffing'. Things took a . dangerous turn when, according to the police affidavit, the fraternity . members hit the pledges with towels and shirts that had their ends tied . in knots. Lawrence was struck in the testicles and crumpled to the ground, clutching his injured groin in pain, the affidavit stated. Wilmington College, the Quaker-affiliated liberal arts institution, has barred the fraternity following the hazing ritual . The criminal justice major was then . helped to his feet, and the rite continued with the brothers stuffing . bananas soaked in vinegar into the mouths of the three pledges, who were . told that they were eating excrement. Following . the 'Gobbler House' initiation, Lawrence complained of severe pain in . his groin and was rushed to Clinton Memorial Hospital, where doctors had . to cut off a testicle that was damaged in the alleged hazing. The Clinton County prosecutor's office says each suspect is charged with either misdemeanor assault or hazing.
|
Tyler Lawrence was struck in the testicles and crumpled to the ground, clutching his injured groin in pain .
Gamma Phi Gamma house has been suspended from campus until at least 2019 .
Police made arrests Thursday night .
| 3,243 | 220 |
32,364 |
Beijing, China (CNN) -- In some of the photos, the young children are wearing bibs and slight smiles can be seen on their chubby faces. But these are not your normal baby pictures. The Chinese government is trying to find the parents of these 60 homeless children, some of them so young that they had not yet developed the strength to hold their own heads up. This week the Chinese Ministry of Public Security posted pictures of these rescued children on its Web site. Many of them had similar stories. They were kidnapped, stolen or sold and somehow had been rescued by authorities. Police tried to find their parents but could not find them through the national DNA database, state-run China Daily reported. And for the first time, the Ministry of Public Security posted their pictures. "Even if I can't find my boy's photo on the Web site today, it's a blessing for desperate parents like us who have nearly lost hope," Tang Weihua, a mother who lost her 5-year-old son in 1999, told China Daily this week. About 30,000 to 60,000 children are reported missing every year, but it is hard to estimate how many are involved in child trafficking cases, the Ministry of Public Security told China Daily. Police have rescued 2,000 children this year since China launch a nationwide anti-trafficking campaign, China Daily reported. But after rescuing the children finding the parents can prove difficult. One issue is that in some cases the parents sold the children. Earlier this week China's state media reported that police arrested dozens in an alleged child trafficking ring that sold at least 52 babies. The traffickers bought 19 boys and 33 girls from impoverished rural families in Shanxi and Hebei provinces in the past two years, the state-run Xinhua news agency said. The ring started crumbling after three men were arrested with a baby boy in their van, Xinhua said. The three suspects said they had bought the baby from a woman and her daughter in Hebei, according to Xinhua. The women had sold 12 other babies to the men, and were arrested, Xinhua said.
|
China posts photos of kidnapped, stolen or sold 60 children who were rescued by authorities .
Police could not find their parents through the national DNA database .
2,000 children have been rescued so far this year since China launch a nationwide anti-trafficking campaign .
Earlier this week, police arrested dozens in an alleged child trafficking ring .
| 2,064 | 356 |
203,676 |
(CNN) -- CNN explores Beijing's underground music scene and the bands making the rest of the world sit up and listen.
|
Buyi is one of the bands breaking through the Beijing music scene .
In the last ten years the number of garage bands in China has exploded .
The internet and social software has helped create a vibrant underground scene .
| 117 | 221 |
196,464 |
Coober Pedy, Australia (CNN) -- Coober Pedy is one of the least accessible towns in Australia -- the place where the old American West meets Mars -- which is probably why it gained a reputation as the place where outlaws went to hide. Situated in the Outback, it is close to nothing: The cities of Adelaide and Alice Springs are respectively nine hours south and eight hours north, and the nearest town -- William Creek, official population three -- takes 3½ hours to reach, provided the dirt roads aren't closed due to rain. Here, the earth is red, vegetation bare and temperatures extreme, but none of that stopped Westerners from setting up camp a century ago when they found opal shimmering in the dirt. Lots of opal. So they began digging, in more ways than one. As they mined the earth to discover one of the world's richest gem deposits, they also discovered why Westerners didn't settle in this barren, desolate region of Australia before: The heat. To battle temperatures that regularly reached above 110, settlers dug underground dwellings, a practice that continues to this day. In the heat of day, people are nowhere to be found, each hidden in a mine or dugout. One sees why outlaws chose to come here: It's far from anything, it's desolate, it's pockmarked with underground homes, and it offers the possibility of a fresh start and the hope of a fortune. Walking down the town's main drag today makes one feel like a real-life space cowboy and evokes an episode of "Firefly." There's a reconstructed "Star Wars" spaceship, underground hotels, a Volkswagon beetle painted like an opal dangling from a store, signs for underground churches, a kangaroo orphanage, a couple of mining museums, underground home tours, and a pizza place that sells pies with toppings like kangaroo, emu sausage, sweet cranberry, asparagus, onions and Camembert. Its residents are known for being eccentric and hearty -- and if some are outlaws, they don't publicize it much on the street. What they do publicize is the town's international community, which represents more than 50 countries. There are olive groves for the Italians and Greeks, a Chinese restaurant so Asians can taste home and grocery stores with fare ranging from sweet chili sauce to imported Greek fondant and a whole kangaroo tail, complete with fur. All in a town of 1,900. Coober Pedy remains a popular tourist destination for those seeking an authentic Outback experience (or who want to see where films like "Red Planet," "Mad Max" and "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" were filmed). Visitors often walk through the graveyard, where several tombstones are decorated with colored lights, and one even has, "Have a drink on me," etched into it, with beer and wine bottles resting nearby, free of charge. They board a four-wheel drive mail truck for a 13-hour tour of Outback cattle stations and towns. And, of course, they sit on the hot, dusty earth, shooing away oddly persistent flies as they lose all sense of time searching for opal in the dirt, hoping that the next stone they turn might let them retire early. Outlaws came to Coober Pedy a century ago to find their fortune. Today, the town is an international community of residents united by their commitment to mining one of the world's most precious gems. Just as the town is home to the kind of diversity found in many cities, the opal that miners find so alluring, seductive, even, is a gem of many colors, with specks of pink, green, blue and red. It's a singular, unique, precious stone, and like Coober Pedy itself, what makes it so valuable is the rainbow inside. IF YOU GO . What to do . Outback Mail Run Tour: Guests travel 13 hours with an Australian mail carrier to deliver mail and supplies to five cattle stations (including the largest in Australia) and two towns (including one of the smallest in Australia). The tour provides a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the vastness of the Australian Outback and to learn about what it's really like to live there. Sunset, Ghosts and Stars Tour: Run by the Desert Cave Hotel, guests begin this tour by traveling 20 minutes outside town to the Breakaways, a geological formation of jagged hills marking what used to be the shorelines of an ancient ocean, to see the sunset. Once the stars have risen, guests travel back to the Old Cemetery in Coober Pedy, where a guide delights them with ghost stories of the town's most notable residents. Be sure to ask about Crocodile Harry! Old Timers Mine Museum: One of Coober Pedy's most popular destinations, the mine provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about the search for opal and the struggles of Coober Pedy's earliest miners. As part of the museum, guests have the chance to walk through an old-time dugout as well as a mineshaft. Fossicking: Tourists in Coober Pedy are welcome to dig for their own opal fortune at public fossicking sites in town. Simply sit on the red earth and look for shimmery rocks. Fossicking is free and guests usually find numerous low-quality opals. Ask any resident for directions to the nearest public fossicking site. Getting there . By plane: Regional Express operates a two-hour flight from Adelaide to Coober Pedy most days of the week. By train: The Ghan train operates a weekly service from Adelaide or Alice Springs to Manguri Station, 45 minutes outside Coober Pedy; transportation from the station must be arranged with hotels in advance, as there is no transportation at the station and trains from both cities arrive late at night. By bus: Greyhound offers daily service to Coober Pedy from both Adelaide and Alice Springs. Expect the trip from Adelaide to take 11 hours and the trip from Alice Springs to take eight. By car: Coober Pedy can be reached by car via a nine-hour drive from Adelaide or an eight-hour drive from Alice Springs. Drivers are warned not to drive through the Outback at night, because of the lack of gas stations and the threat of accidents caused by kangaroos; rain in the Outback may also render roads impassable, and drivers should not expect to have cell phone reception in the desert. Where to stay . Desert Cave Hotel: Located in the middle of Coober Pedy's main street, this is the town's only four-star hotel. Guests have the option to stay underground or aboveground. Underground rooms have ventilation but no windows. The Underground Motel: Offers underground accommodations to travelers with friendly hospitality. All rooms are underground with natural light and ventilation. Underground Bed and Breakfast: Owners Ana and Ken Male treat their guests to truly authentic Coober Pedy accommodation. Guests stay in underground rooms with a choice of en suite or shared bathrooms. Where to eat . John's Pizza Bar and Restaurant: Awards hang from the walls of John's, testifying to its reputation for having not only the finest pizza in Coober Pedy but some of the best in Australia. John's serves up not only traditional pies but also regional specialties like the Malu (smoked kangaroo, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, eggplant, marinated tomatoes, roasted peppers, eggplant and olives) and the Coat of Arms (sweet cranberry, mozzarella cheese, Camembert, emu metworst, spinach and smoked kangaroo). Pasta and sandwiches are also available. Tom and Mary's Greek Taverna: The place to go for Mediterranean food in the Outback. A favorite of locals and visitors alike, Tom and Mary impress visitors with authentic Greek fare. The restaurant is renowned for its seafood, especially the Saganaki prawns, so don't be afraid to try some fish in the desert. Also be sure to try some tzatziki -- the yogurt is made from scratch and the herbs are grown in the backyard. Then, with a full stomach, ask for directions to Coober Pedy's olive grove to continue that Greece-in-Australia experience. Hutchinson Street, Coober Pedy . Umberto's: Located in the Desert Cave Hotel, Umberto's is Coober Pedy's finest dining establishment, and is known for its Mod-Oz cuisine, including regional specialties like kangaroo, camel, emu and Australian beef. Italian food is also on the menu. The Pink Roadhouse (Oodnadatta): Situated in a largely aboriginal town of fewer than 300 people, this combo restaurant, grocery store and post office looms over the town in all its pink, hand-painted-sign splendor. The restaurant is known throughout Australia for its iconic Oodnaburger, which is composed of meat seasoned with secret spices, onion, cheese, egg, bacon, pineapple, lettuce, beetroot and tomato. The Outback Mail Run Tour stops here for lunch. William Creek Hotel (William Creek): Owned by two of the three permanent residents in South Australia's tiniest settlement, the William Creek Hotel serves a changing menu of fresh schnitzel, burgers and curries. The walls are covered with photos and business cards from folks who have passed through, and the owners always welcome friendly conversation and questions about what it's like to live in such rural territory. If visitors are too tired to move after eating, they can stay in one of the pub's hotel rooms. The Outback Mail Run Tour stops here for dinner.
|
Coober Pedy is a remote Australian opal-mining town .
Underground homes and hotels hide residents and visitors from the blistering sun .
50 countries are represented in the town of fewer than 2,000 residents .
| 9,115 | 209 |
215,400 |
By . Alex Greig . A San Diego man accused of shooting his ex-wife dead and then trying to commit suicide by inhaling the fumes of a gas generator claims the smoking cessation drug Chantix played a role in the killing. Defense attorneys for Tim Danielson, 65, say he was suffering depression when he shot his former wife Ming Qi, 48, in the Lakeside home they shared. They say the depression was caused by Chantix, which Danielson began taking weeks before Qi's death. Chantix defense: Timothy Danielson is expected to give evidence about how Chantix affected his mental state during his trial . The Chantix website warns that the drug's possible side effects include 'hostility, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts or actions.' According to ABC 10, the judge hearing Danielson's case allowed expert testimony about what role the drug may have played in Danielson's state of mind at the time of the shooting. UT San Diego reported that Danielson, a former high school champion distance runner who worked as an engineer, and Qi, a Chinese national and university professor whom he met online, married in 2006 and divorced in 2008. Shot by former husband: Ming Qi was shot six times by Danielson, who then attempted to gas himself to death . At the time of her death, Ming Qi had moved into her former husband's home due to financial difficulties. The pair shared the home but had separate bedrooms. Sometime between 9pm and midnight on Sunday June 13, 2011, the pair fought. The prosecutor in the case said the pair argued after Danielson discovered Qi was dating another man. Danielson was 'trying to kick her out of the home; she was dating someone else,' the prosecutor said, reported UT San Diego. Danielson . retrieved a .22 caliber rifle and shot Qi 'as she was attempting to run . away. When she was down on the ground, he put the rifle to her head and . pulled the trigger,' according to District Attorney Mike McCann. Ming . Qi was shot six times. Danielson then carried her body upstairs to his bedroom and turned on a generator to kill himself by carbon monoxide poisoning. He . sent an email to his sister-in-law telling her what he had done . sometime after midnight. She notified police and they discovered . Danielson and the body of Ming Qi in the early hours of Monday morning. Danielson was reportedly near death. He is expected to take the stand and tell jurors about how Chantix affected his mind. Criminal defense attorney Jan Ronis told ABC 10 that mental defenses are 'not very popular, but it sounds to me like it's the only defense there is.' 'Previously, it was called diminished capacity, now it's called diminished actuality,' explained Ronis. 'It's a murky area of law that still provides somewhat of a defense, and as I mentioned this may be an only defense if this is not a whodunit.' Warning: Chantix now carries the FDA's strongest safety warning because of its possible side effects, including suicidal thoughts and aggression . The New York Times reports that at a court hearing five months after the shooting, Danielson's lawyer Paul Pfingst suggested that Danielson was confused that June day in 2011, he 'didn’t know what was going on' and thought 'something was seriously wrong with his brain' and wondered if he actually killed Qi or whether it was 'all a dream.' Tim Danielson pleaded not guilty and has been awaiting trial without bail since 2011. More than 2,700 lawsuits, now consolidated, have been filed against Pfizer, the manufacturer of Chantix, alleging that the drug caused suicidal thoughts, aggressive and erratic behavior, depression and loss of memory in patients. In recent months, Pfizer has settled two high-profile test cases, but has maintained that the drug is safe to use. As of July 1, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires Chantix to carry a black box warning, the agency's strongest safety warning, due to public reports of side-effects including depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicidal actions. Jury selection in Danielson's trial begins Wednesday.
|
Tim Danielson, 65, shot his ex-wife Ming Qi dead in 2011 then tried to gas himself to death .
Attorneys for Danielson say he was suffering depression at the time of the killing .
Danielson began taking anti-smoking drug Chantix weeks before Ming Qi's death .
The drug has possible side effects including hostility, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts or actions .
Danielson is expected to take the stand at his trial to give evidence about his state of mind at the time of the killing .
| 4,043 | 495 |
292,034 |
Earth appears as an insignificant-looking pale blue dot below Saturn's majestic rings in a breathtaking new image from the Cassini spacecraft. The picture was captured on July 19 by the probe's wide-angle camera from a distance of 900 million miles. Magnifying the image five times reveals not only the Earth but also the moon, a fainter smudge to the right of the planet. The images were taken by the Cassini spacecraft, which has been orbiting the ringed giant since its arrival in the Saturn system in 2004, and astronomer Carolyn Porco, . who oversees the Cassini imaging team at the Space Science Institute in . Boulder, Colorado said: 'The whole event underscores for me our . 'coming of age' as planetary explorers.' A tiny spot: Planet Earth can been seen as just a miniscule star from this enhanced shot of Saturn taken by the NASA spacecraft Cassini nearly 900million miles away . Magnified: An Argentine physicist blew up the images of the Earth to show our planet and the moon as they might look from a telescope from Saturn . This shows the first image of Earth captured from the outer solar system taken by NASA's Voyager 1 in 1990, titled 'Pale Blue Dot' After the event, she tweeted: 'WASN'T IT FABULOUS?! I thought of all of you and all the people around the globe thinking the same thoughts I was. Felt SO connected to everyone. The Earth has only been pictured in images from outer space on two other occasions. The first was in 1990, when Voyager 1 captured an image . from 3.7 billion miles away. The second occasion was when Cassini took a photo in 2006 from 926 million . miles away. NASA took the image on July 19 because Saturn was backlit by the Sun and Earth was included in the picture. Linda Spilker, Cassini spacecraft lead scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California said: 'We can't see individual continents or people in this portrait of Earth, but this pale blue dot is a succinct summary of who we were on July 19.' Cassini snapped the picture on Friday, the same day NASA's Mercury-orbiting MESSENGER probe imaged Earth as well. In that picture, Earth and the moon take up less than a pixel, but appear large because they are overexposed. 'That images of our planet have been acquired on a single day from two distant solar system outposts reminds us of this nation's stunning technical accomplishments in planetary exploration,' said MESSENGER lead scientist Sean Solomon, with Columbia University in New York. The raw images of Earth that arrived . back home from Saturn on Saturday were raw and not easy for the average . layman to decipher. The images showed both wide and narrow-angle views . and different shots were taken with different color filters, . additionally, Cassini moved slightly in between shots. Usually, spacecraft in the far reaches of the solar system don't look back toward Earth to avoid damaging their instruments by direct sunlight. Last week, the sun was temporarily blocked relative to Cassini's line of sight, allowing the U.S. space agency to take the picture. Say cheese! Thousands of people posed for Cassini's pictures - though the gesture was obviously just symbolic . The blue dot of Earth as seen from Saturn appearing as a bright smudge with the fainter moon to its right. The picture was captured from a distance of 898 million miles by Nasa's Cassini spacecraft . Val Klavans, an image processor and social-media leader for the 'In Saturn's Rings' film project, produced an unofficial color image composite of the raw data that was sent back. Guillermo Abramson, a physicist at Argentina's Bariloche Atomic Center, tweeted a zoomed-in shot of Earth - as seen from nearly 900million miles away. Thousands of Earthlings looked up at Saturn and waved at 2.30pm Pacific time on Friday to participate in the symbolic #DayEarthSmiled and #WaveatSaturn campaigns at the time Cassini was shooting the pictures. Photo bomb: Earth will appear in the image NASA is trying to capture of Saturn . Star gazing: Saturn could be seen from London's night sky at the time the images were taken from Cassini . Photos show staffers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, participating. Costumed sci-fi fans at Comic Con in San Diego - including a few Storm Troopers from Star Wars - also posed for the pictures. The main purpose of the photograph is to study any changes in Saturn's rings, after an 2006 image showed possible changes. 'A . previous mosaic of the Saturn system Cassini made in 2006 revealed that . the dusty E ring, which is fed by the water-ice plume of the moon . Enceladus, had unexpectedly large variations in brightness and color . around its orbit,' Cassini scientist Linda Spilker said. 'We'll . want to see how that looks seven Earth years and a Saturnian season . later, giving us clues to the forces at work in the Saturn system,' she . said.
|
Photos taken from Saturn by Nasa's Cassini spacecraft show Earth as a tiny pale blue dot .
The images have been transmitted from 898 million miles away on the outer edge of our solar system .
| 4,869 | 191 |
221,921 |
(CNN) -- Smartphone competition isn't just about choosing the biggest screen, fastest processor or sleekest operating system. As phones continue to replace point-and-shoot cameras, a new battleground for smartphone manufacturers is camera quality. And the bar keeps getting raised. Nokia's new Lumia 1020 smartphone, which goes on sale July 26 through AT&T, features a whopping 41-megapixel camera. The Finnish company is fighting to stay competitive in the phone market, where it has been overtaken by Samsung as a top mobile phone vendor, and where Windows 8, its smartphone operating system of choice, is a distant third behind Android and iOS. Nokia has decided to focus on adding the best possible camera technology into its phones, a mission that started with its PureView 808 camera. Unveiled in early 2012, the 808 also featured a 41 megapixel camera but was bulkier and ran the now obsolete Symbian operating system. If 41 megapixels in a smartphone sounds too good to be true it's because in some ways it is. The beefed-up pixel count makes for an excellent marketing soundbite when you compare it to the competition. The iPhone 5's back-facing camera is just 8 megapixels, the Samsung Galaxy 4's is 13 megapixels and the Canon 5D Mark III DSLR camera, favored by many professional photographers, is 22.3 megapixels. A megapixel -- that's one million pixels, if you're counting -- is a broad measurement of image quality: The more megapixels, the sharper the image and the more you can enlarge a photo without it looking blurred or grainy. But there is more to a good image than megapixel count. Most amateur photographers don't need more than 8 or 10 megapixels. Some experts believe a better measure of a camera's quality is the size of its light sensor: The larger a sensor, the more light it lets in and can use to create an image. Large sensors can capture crisper photos in low-light settings. The sensor on the Lumia 1020 is larger than what's found in other smartphones, but smaller than compact cameras. Beneath the 41-megapixel number is some impressive proprietary technology, called oversampling, that combines data from a cluster of pixels for a single, more accurate final picture. The end result, typically a 5-megapixel image, benefits from improved zooming capabilities and better low-light performance, but the images are far from DSLR-quality. So is all this technology the start of a new battle over megapixels, this time between smartphone companies? Maybe not, says Seattle photographer and camera-phone evangelist Chase Jarvis. "The idea of continuing to pack more and more megapixels into (phone cameras) will have diminishing returns," said Jarvis, who recognized the potential of smartphone photgraphy early on, writing a book and app around the idea that the best camera is the one that's with you. "The megapixel wars are by and large moot." The benefit of high-resolution photos from phones is limited. People who primarily upload their images to social media sites are already compressing their images, and their friends and family are increasingly viewing them on small smartphone screens. It's even possible make a decent 8-by-10 inch print from an iPhone photo. To upload pictures over Wi-Fi and cellular networks, the image file needs to be a workable size. There are also memory limitations on smartphones, where apps, songs and videos are already competing for limited space. Jarvis believes there are still plenty of other areas where smartphone cameras can improve. He cites better low-light performance, increased dynamic range (producing sharper contrast between an image's shades and colors), and external features like better flashes and lenses. Phone makers are moving fast to put the best features of compact cameras into smartphones. But the same is not yet true for camera companies. Traditional camera manufacturers have been slow to integrate connectivity features and app ecosystems into their devices, which would require entering a strange new world of relationships with wireless carriers. Samsung has started releasing cameras that run Google's Android operating system, but for most manufacturers, true integration is still a long ways off. Smartphones have another advantage in the battle to be your primary camera: a surplus of sensors tracking things like location and movement. "What we're going to see accelerating dramatically is the contextualization of photography," said Jarvis. The additional metadata collected by the various sensors inside smartphones -- not just size and sharpness -- are what will add value to photos in the future, he said. Jarvis predicts being able to sort your past images based on such factors as your heart rate or how fast you were moving when they were taken. With big data, people will be able to make more sense and add context to all photos uploaded publicly. Imagine seeing what colors are trending in photos around the world in real time. If this is the future of amateur photography, smartphones already have the platform, the connections and the sensors in place. "Images are not about dynamic range and megapixels, they're about stories and about moments," said Jarvis. Sensors, not megapixels, will help tell those stories.
|
Nokia's new Lumia 1020 smartphone will feature a 41-megapixel camera .
Smartphones have advantage over cameras because they allow instant sharing .
The next wave of phone cameras may display information collected by sensors .
41 megapixels is more than some professional cameras .
| 5,235 | 280 |
257,824 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 13:15 EST, 28 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:12 EST, 25 March 2013 . Prosecutors today showed jurors a video of accused Zumba prostitute Alexis Wright having sex with a 61-year-old man on a massage table in exchange for $250, while Wright's business partner allegedly watched from his home computer via Skype. The damning evidence, recorded by Wright herself on a camera hidden in a nest of lingerie, shows her negotiating a fee and then collecting a pile of cash after she finishes. Prosecutors argue the Mark Strong, who is on trial for promoting prostitution, was listening in and watching live via Skype during the entire encounter and later discussed booking other johns for Wright - pushing her to sleep with three clients in one day instead of two. Explicit: Prosecutors played a video of Alexis Wright, 30, stripping off and teasing construction workers across the street from her exercise studio . For all to see: The video played for jurors shows Wright stripping out of her towel while standing in the window of her Pure Vida Zumba exercise studio in downtown Kennebunk, Maine . Not guilty: Mark Strong (right) admits he had an affair with Wright and his lawyers concede he may have watched video of her having sex with other men - but they argue he didn't know she was running an alleged prostitution business . In between clients, she discusses her . schedule of clients with a man who is watching through the video . camera. Prosecutors say that man is Strong, according to Seacoast Online. 'I'd like to schedule only two one-hour appointments tomorrow instead of 45,' Wright says, talking to the camera. 'Nice to get three in somehow,” the man's voice says. When Wright says that she has 'school' the next day, the man suggests she 'fit three in today.' Wright says that would be 'pushing it.' The man's voice later asks which clients he should try to book for her. The time stamp on the 36-minute video . shown the jurors, which was seized from Wright's home, corresponds with . the time on 45 Skype video screen shots that were downloaded from Strong's computer, an investigator testified. Seductive: Mark Strong, a married father of two, . allegedly sat at his home computer and watched Alexis Wright have sex . with several men via live-streaming video over Skype . Seacoast Online reports that in other videos, the pair discuss rates and sexual services that Wright offers. Strong, a married father of two, says he funded Wright's exercise . studio with a loan and acted as her business partner. He . also admits that he had an affair with her and his lawyers concede that . he may have watched her online as she had sex with other men. However, his . lawyers argue Strong, a local real estate broker and private . investigator, had no idea Wright was allegedly receiving money for the . sex or that she was running a prostitution business. Prosecutors say the video shows that . Strong not only knew Wright was having sex for money, he was helping her . book and schedule johns. On trial: Strong has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges of promoting prostitution and one count of invasion of privacy . On Wednesday were shown video of the . alleged Zumba prostitute dropping her towel and posing naked in front of . the windows of her Maine exercise studio - the raciest evidence so far . in the trial of Alexis Wright's business partner. Mark Strong's lawyers admit that the . footage, which appears to be amateur porn Wright shot, is shocking, but . they say it has no bearing on the case and that it will only bias the . jury. Jurors also saw about two dozen pictures Strong . captured on his home computer while he watched live Skype broadcasts of . Wright allegedly having sex with johns in her Zumba exercise studio. The grainy video footage played in . court depicts a woman identified at Wright, a 30-year-old single mother, . parading around her Pure Vida Studio wearing nothing but a towel. She . describes how she is trying to get the attention of construction workers . across the street a she stands in front of the windows of her business. 'I’m going to try and get them to . come over and have some fun,' she says as she stands on a chair in full . view of downtown Kennebunk. She drops her towel as she slowly tears a sign off the window. 'He’s taken notice. They’ve both taken notice. And now they’re watching.' Later, she appears to unlock the door a let a man inside, according to Seacoast Online. The 57-year-old faces 12 counts of promotion of prostitution and a single count of invasion of privacy. He has pleaded not guilty. Wright, a 30-year-old single mother, is slated to stand trial in May. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges . Detectives say they recovered 13,000 still images from Strong's computer, many of them sexually explicit pictures that he captured from videos of Wright having sex with alleged johns. Prosecutors initially wanted to show 577 to the jury. 'This is visual surveillance of the prostitution itself,' Deputy District Attorney Justina McGettigan argued, according to the Portland Press-Herald. Defense lawyers strenuously objected before the material was introduced and continued to object after jurors saw the video and the pictures. They say Strong is just a 'voyeur.' 'It . may be Mr. Strong observed the sexual acts of Ms. Wright with other . people, but I don't think it shows promotion of prostitution,' Daniel . Lilley told the judge. 'These are all very sexual acts and very sexual positions.' Jurors also were given sheets with 21,000 text messages that Strong and Wright exchanged between February 2010 and February 2012. Defense lawyers strenuously objected to the video shown on Wednesday, saying that it did not pertain to allegations to that Strong was involved in the case. On Wednesday, Justice Nancy Mills ruled that the prosecution should show only 100 of the photos to the jury - to illustrate the Wright invited multiple men into her studio for sex on multiple occasions. Wright's alleged clients include wealthy and well-known figures in southern Maine. So far, 18 men have pleaded guilty to paying Wright for sex . The video isn't the only time the jury heard about Wright's escapades involving a towel. Last week, a pizza delivery driver testified that she answered the door in a towel when he delivered spaghetti and meatballs to her. She then dropped the towel and handed him a $40 tip. Witness Dan Racaniello said he felt that Wright was 'coming on to him' and that he resisted her urgings. Wright . kept meticulous records, prosecutors say, and her list of clients - . many of whom have admitted to charges of patronizing a prostitute - . include well-known lawyers, businessmen and politicians from across . southern Maine. Wright has pleaded not guilty to charges of prostitution and invasion of privacy. Her trial is scheduled for May.
|
Mark Strong, the business partner for Alexis Wright, is on trial facing charges of promoting prostitution .
Prosecutors also showed jurors two dozens pictures of Wright allegedly having sex with johns in her studio in downtown Kennebunk, Maine .
The photos were taken from Strong's computer, which he allegedly captured from a live broadcast of her sex acts .
| 6,882 | 359 |
35,601 |
Ann Pewter, 74, was killed alongside her two dogs . A wife and her two dogs drowned in their car after her husband got out to take a photo but hadn't put the handbrake on properly. The car, containing Ann Pewter, 74, and her pets rolled down a slipway into the river Fal in Cornwall. It floated for several minutes, but Mrs Pewter tried to save the dogs rather than leave immediately. David Pewter, 76, who had used the handbrake but only moved it up to the second of six notches, was left watching in horror as the car sank into the river with his wife and the animals inside. The accident took place at the King Harry Ferry crossing, near Trelissick, on March 20 last year. Mr Pewter, a retired electrical engineer, and other bystanders tried to help, but were unable to reach Mrs Pewter. The couple, of Tavistock, Devon had visited St Just in Roseland Church near Truro before the tragic accident, the inquest in Truro, Cornwall, was told. Deputy coroner for Cornwall Mr Barrie van den Berg, recorded a verdict of accidental death, and said that Mrs Pewter died from drowning. Mr Pewter told the hearing: 'We left the church before 4pm and made and began making our way back and drove along the hill and down to the ferry and for some stupid reason I got out of the car. 'I was about to take a picture and to my amazement the car started moving slowly forward and I couldn't catch it. 'The handbrake was on. I put it into gear and I can't think what happened. The next thing I know it rolled slowly down into the water. It kept on rolling. It just floated and then it disappeared.' The inquest heard rescuers dived in to help but could not save Mrs Pewter or the couple's dogs, described by Mr Pewter as 'members of the family'. Garrick Royle, operations manager of the King Harry Ferry, heard the car hit the water from the opposite bank. Rescue attempt: The Mazda Estate can be seen here covered in tarpaulin after it was hoisted up from the bottom of the river . Slipway: The car had slid down as the handbrake had not been applied strongly . He rushed over in a small boat to help, along with mussel diver Matt Vernon. Mr Vernon dived 12 times into the murky water, but was unable to help. Mr Royle said: 'I heard a crash and looked behind me and saw the car I saw it splash, it was quite a big splash. 'I could see the passenger window open and it was floating still quite high. There was a lady in an orange jumper who had climbed back onto the seats. 'I shouted and there was no response. It floated for four minutes before it went down. Operation: Rescue boats and the fire service were dispatched to try and save Mrs Pewter, but they unable to reach her in time . 'The window was open and I was really . confused why she wasn't getting out but it turns out the dogs were in . the back and she was probably trying to get to them.' Selfless: The inquest heard that Mrs Pewter climbed onto the back seat of the car to save her dogs rather than attempting to leave . Craig Jenkins, who was also waiting for the ferry, had parked in front of the couple's car and watched it roll past. He said: 'I saw something in my rear view mirror and I moved forward a few feet. I saw the car go past me and Mr Pewter chasing the car. It then landed in the water. 'I could see the silhouette of a person through the back window leaning towards the back.' Rescue teams from the Navy, coastguard, RNLI, police, fire and ambulance personnel arrived soon after but Mrs Pewter died along with her two dogs. The car was winched back on to the . slipway and rescue workers immediately draped a green tarpaulin over the . vehicle while Mrs Pewter and her pets were recovered. She was later declared dead at Royal Cornwall Hospital at Truro. Mark Richards, a forensic vehicle examiner for Devon and Cornwall Police, inspected the vehicle after it was recovered. He said the car was found turned off with the handbrake applied two out of six notches - not hard enough to hold the vehicle on the sloping slipway. He said: 'The ignition was on the off position and the parking brake was applied two out of six notches. The transmission was in neutral.' Attempts to help: Garrick Royle, left, piloted a boat over to the scene from the opposite bank, while Matt Vernon, right, dived repeatedly into the murky waters in an attempt to save Mrs Pewter . Recording an accidental death deputy coroner for Cornwall Mr Barrie van den Berg, said Mrs Pewter had died from drowning. He said: 'It's clear that what's happened is tragic accident. It rolled into the river and it's understandably affected everyone that was there.' The King Harry Ferry connects St Mawes and the Roseland Peninsula with Feock, Truro and Falmouth and is one of only five chain ferries in England.
|
Car carrying Ann Pewter, 74, and pets rolled into the river Fal in Cornwall .
Husband David Pewter, 76, had pulled the handbrake up, but not properly .
The car floated for several minutes in the river, an inquest heard .
But Mrs Pewter tried to rescue her dogs rather than leave straight away .
The car slipped underwater and rescuers were unable to reach her .
| 4,745 | 361 |
300,574 |
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says he is ready to unleash Raheem Sterling on Real Madrid – even though the teenager played 95 minutes against QPR on Sunday. Rodgers has rejected claims that Sterling said he was 'tired' while on England duty although he has talked himself about the dangers of burn-out facing the 19-year-old. Sterling certainly looked fresh when he embarked on the injury-time run that set up Liverpool's goal in a 3-2 win at Loftus Road and Rodgers is confident he can show the same verve and energy on Wednesday night despite having only 72 hours to recover. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Liverpool host Real in European epic . Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers (left) shakes hands with Raheem Sterling . Sterling (second left) helped Liverpool to a last-gasp victory at QPR on Sunday when he set up the winner . 'Raheem has shown over the last couple of years he has the ability and quality to reproduce performances like that,' said Rodgers. 'He was a real catalyst but it was no surprise to see him at that level. 'He showed wonderful speed, technique and, of course, hard work. So there is no doubt he can arrive into this game (v Real) like he's done since I've been here.' Rodgers has had to regularly field questions about why Liverpool have fallen short of last season's standards when they ran Manchester City close to winning the Premier League. A big turnaround in personnel over the summer has created inconsistent results and in the Champions League a home win against Ludogorets was followed by a disappointing 1-0 loss in Basle. Rodgers (second right) addresses the media ahead of his side's crucial Champions League game this week . The Liverpool manager believes that Sterling (pictured) will be fine to play, rubbishing claims he is tired . Rogers feels the arrvial of The Galacticos could inspire his players. 'We understand it is a very important game for us and obviously a great challenge,' he said. 'This group really lift ourselves for the big games. 'We haven't got to the levels of last season but this is a special game in a special competition. But knowing the competitors we have in our team, I am confident we will rise to the challenge of Real Madrid. 'It is still going to be a difficult game. They are a squad of top-class players. Of course Ronaldo is arguably the best in the world, his evolution from a soloist who scored goals to a goalscorer has been impressive. 'But we need to have a plan for our team first to cause them problems, and then work out a way of stoppoing them, as a team.' Real Madrid are the visitors to Anfield on Wednesday, in a Champions League Group B match . There were claims that Sterling told England manager Roy Hodgson he was tired while on international duty . VIDEO Liverpool host Real in European epic . On Gareth Bale's injury, Rodgers added: 'He is a world-class player, he's got fantastic speed so of course if he is not playing it can be an advantage. But their squad is fantastic, they can bring players like Isco so the advantage isn't significant and certainly they will test us in the game. 'For us, although it is a difficult tie for us and we aren't playing as well as we have done, people haven't focussed on our character and spirit and it's that which is allowing us to win games. 'We need that on Wednesday to go with quality of our football to take another step to qulaifying from the group.' Captain Steven Gerrard called on the team to improve from their win at QPR if they want to trouble Madrid. And on Tuesday night at the official pre-match Champions League press conference, he explained: 'We have been a bit up and down, in a bit of a stuttering season. Everyone is well aware we have lost a phenomenal player in Suarez and struggled getting Sturridge on the field, so it is only natural we would have teething problems. 'But I have huge confidence in these players we can get back to the level we had last season. It won't be very long.'
|
Brendan Rodgers has rejected claims Raheem Sterling has been tired .
Sterling set up Liverpool's injury-time winner against QPR on Sunday .
Rodgers says Sterling will be ready to go against Real Madrid on Tuesday .
The Liverpool manager also believes the arrival of Real Madrid could inspire his players and give them the lift they desperately need .
| 3,949 | 350 |
73,232 |
(CNN) -- Images of the mangled remains of crashed passenger planes are enough to strike fear into the hardiest of business travelers. People posing as passengers take part in an anti-terrorist drill at Sukarno-Hatta airport in Jakarta. After a spate of airline emergencies, CNN's Business Traveller examines the risks of plane travel and investigates ways to make your journey safer, in the air and on the ground. Crash Course . British Airways now offers a safety course that was once only available to their pilots and cabin crew. It takes place in a hangar at London's Heathrow airport and gives participants a realistic taste of emergency procedures from crawling through a smoke filled cabin and inflating a life jacket to opening emergency doors and exiting down evacuation slides. Barry Leonard, a passenger aboard US Airways Flight 1549 which touched down in New York's Hudson River, tells us how such time-honored procedures saved his life. Watch the show. » . Safe As Houses . It's tempting think that five stars equals impenetrable citadel. The terrorist raids in Mumbai shattered that illusion. They raised the question of whether as much attention had been paid to security as had been paid to luxury. Mallika Kapur reports from Mumbai on the additional security measures that have been taken by the Oberoi in light of last year's tragic events and asks whether the baggage the security checks now commonplace in airports will become a feature of upmarket hotels. In Berlin, we check out the Presidential Suite of the Adlon Kempinski, supposedly the most secure hotel room in the world. We ask what type of business traveler requires bullet proof windows, surveillance cameras, private elevators and access to a panic room in order to get a good night's sleep. Armored Suits . For most of us a secure hotel room and a good insurance policy are all we need to feel safe, but the more adventurous traveler may need more elaborate protection. We look at a range of high-security fashion by the "Armani of Bullet-proof Apparel," Columbian designer Miguel Caballero. For those of us more prone to bugs than bullets, business traveler Vanessa Emilien gives us her top tips for travel safety, and the Association of Corporate Travel Executives tell us what four items a business traveler shouldn't leave home without.
|
Survivor of the Hudson River crash tells CNN's Business Traveller of his ordeal .
What do you do when things go wrong? We join British Airways' safety course .
CNN's Mallika Kapur reports from Mumbai on lessons learned at the Oberoi .
Inside the world's most secure hotel room and one designer's bullet proof suit .
| 2,324 | 315 |
150,591 |
By . Julian Robinson for MailOnline . A woman tried to kill her mother by poisoning her Diet Coke in a plot inspired by Breaking Bad, a court heard. Kuntal Patel, 37, allegedly bought a Ricin-style poison online to murder her ‘violent’ mother, who would not allow her to marry her boyfriend. But 60-year-old Meena Patel, a magistrate, survived. Patel, a graphic designer, was arrested in January after the FBI traced the shipment to the family’s home in Plaistow, East London. She admitted buying Abrin, which has no antidote, from the illicit ‘dark web’. Kuntal Patel (right) allegedly slipped her mother Meena (left) the deadly poison after she 'forbade' her to marry her boyfriend, a court heard . Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay told Southwark Crown Court that ‘the Patels must have seemed a highly respectable and happy family’. But Meena really controlled ‘every aspect’ of her daughters’ lives. When Kuntal met Niraj Kakad on Shaadi.com, a dating service for the Asian community, she was furious. Mr Polnay said: ‘When Meena forbade Kuntal from marrying Niraj . . . Kuntal set out in a calculated and premeditated fashion to murder her own mother. Inspired, in part, by US television series Breaking Bad, she acquired a deadly toxin called Abrin, a close relation to Ricin. She acquired it over the “dark web”. ‘[It] arrived from the United States concealed in a wax candle. Kuntal secretly poured the Abrin into her mother’s Diet Coke and watched her drink it – expecting her to die. But nothing happened.’ The poison is 1,000 times less toxic if swallowed, not inhaled or injected. Undeterred, Patel allegedly set about getting hold of a stronger sample. The court heard Meena Patel locked Kuntal up and beat her. In messages, she called her a ‘witch’ and ‘f*****-up brain girl who cannot be my blood’ for loving Mr Kakad, who lived in America and proposed to Kuntal in November 2012. In an email, Kuntal branded Meena ‘evil’, adding: ‘I told her how much I liked him and she started slapping me.’ Meena allegedly called Mr Kakad a ‘black ugly b******’. Kuntal Patel (shown in a court drawing) denies trying to murder her mother and acquiring a biological agent or toxin . Kuntal wrote: ‘I’ll never forgive her . . . I would prefer to be dead. I’m stuck with that miserable f***** until she dies.’ Meena hacked her daughter’s phone and seized her credit cards, Mr Polnay said. He added: ‘Meena’s attitude was “over my dead body”. ‘It was at this time, we say, that Kuntal Patel made the decision that the best way to ensure that she got what she wanted – happiness for herself – was by killing her mother.’ He told jurors: ‘In private, Meena Patel – the magistrate who worked in domestic violence and race relations – was not a nice woman at all.’ Bad guys: Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston in the TV show . She used ‘highly racist’ terms and could be violent, he said, adding: ‘Meena Patel was all of those things – manipulative, controlling and selfish. But she did not deserve to die.’ After she was charged, Kuntal allegedly confessed to Meena in a phone call from prison, saying: ‘I was going to kill you and Amba Ma [a Hindu Goddess] saw it, that’s why she has punished me . . . I did put that in your Coke.’ US series Breaking Bad stars Bryan Cranston as chemistry teacher Walter White, who cooks crystal meth to fund his cancer treatment. He kills a character using Ricin. Patel called the man who sold her the poison ‘Heisenberg’ – White’s alias. Patel denies attempted murder and acquiring a biological agent or toxin. She admits two counts of attempting to acquire a biological agent or toxin. Meena Patel sits on the bench at Thames Magistrates' Court (pictured) and has worked in domestic violence and race relations, the court was told . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
|
Kuntal Patel allegedly slipped her mother Meena the deadly poison in her Diet Coke .
Court told how 37-year-old's mother 'forbade' her from marrying boyfriend .
Bought poison from a site on dark web using virtual currency Bitcoins, it was said .
FBI launched investigation and Kuntal was arrested this January, jurors told .
Court hears how she said: 'I've been watching too much Breaking Bad .
Patel denies trying to murder her mother and acquiring a biological agent or toxin .
| 3,822 | 479 |
288,989 |
By . Joel Christie . He was a contentious euthanasia activist who claimed to have assisted in the suicides of more than 130 patients, spending eight years in prison on murder charges as a result of one case.Now the secret artworks of the late Dr. Jack Kevorkian - a Michigan-based physician who bore the notorious nickname 'Dr. Death' - have gone on display at a Los Angeles gallery and are available for purchase, with some costing up to $45,000 each.It was little-known that the pathologist was an amateur painter, with his career solely focused on inflaming a nationwide debate in the 1990's about a terminally ill person's right to die.Among the 11 unsettling pieces that make up the exhibition at the Gallerie Sparta in West Hollywood is one depicting an elderly patient slowly being pulled into the mouth of a desk mask, which has been painted to resemble a CAT scan machine. Euthanasia advocate Dr. Jack Kevorkian -- who died in 2011 -- was also an avid painter. Eleven of his works, as well as his 'Thanatron' suicide machine, are on display and for sale this month at Gallerie Sparta in Hollywood, California. This piece is called 'Coma' Kevorkian served eight years in prison for second-degree murder after administering a lethal injection rather than helping the patient do it himself . 'Fever' is meant to depict 'the great discomfort of intense bodily heat,' Kevorkian said. 'The inferno is internal, and in some tragic cases even the will to live is charred.' The work of Jack Kevorkian signified much of what he thought was wrong with modern medicine . His artwork represents his fascination with the intersection between physical and spiritual suffering, like this piece titled 'Paralysis' The painting is called 'Coma', according to CNN.The exhibition also includes the assisted suicide machine that Kevorkian designed and built, the 'Thanatron.'.The contraption helped inject a series of drugs into terminal and incapacitated patients who wished to end their lives.It too is for sale to the highest bidder, at a starting price of $25,000. Dr. Jack Kevorkian at a press preview of his art exhibit entitled 'The Double Cross of Justice' in March 1997 . This 1999 painting called 'Chromatic Fantasy' is displayed with the Bach portrait and 'Fugue', which displays a bass clef . 'Fugue' is part of the trio of 1999 paintings displayed with the Bach portrait and 'Chromatic Fantasy' Kevorkian created this portrait of Johann Sebastian Bach as an expression of his love for the German composer's music . Kevorkian's medical career ended in 1999 when he was convicted on charges of second degree murder for administering a lethal injection to a patient who was suffering Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS, which attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal chord.He spent eight years in prison.In 2011, he died peacefully and pain-free from ongoing kidney disease.He was 83.Efforts to sell the paintings following Kevorkian's death were hampered by a legal dispute over their ownership. For many years, they were housed in the Armenian Library and Museum of America in Watertown, Massachusetts, near Boston. Eleven of artworks from Dr. Jack Kevrokian as well as his 'Thanatron' suicide machine, are on display and for sale this month at Gallerie Sparta in Hollywood, California . After his death, the Kevorkian estate claimed the art work was only on loan to the museum.The dispute was resolved with the museum retaining four of his works. Kevorkian's niece is now offering the paintings in her possession for sale at Gallerie SpProceeds go to the estate and the gallery, and the paintings that don't sell are headed to the Smithsonian.Kevorkian told CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta in 2010 that serving eight years in prison had not changed his view of assisted suicide.'It's a medical service,' he said.'It's not political. It's not religious.'
|
Dr. Jack Kevorkian's art is on display and for sale this month at a gallery in West Hollywood .
Kevorkian died in 2011 at age 82 .
He was known as 'Dr. Death" for his assisted suicides and euthanasia activism .
The exhibit includes 11 paintings and his assisted suicide machine, also for sale .
Some pieces are priced at $45,000 .
| 3,846 | 330 |
288,805 |
By . Ryan Gorman . PUBLISHED: . 09:31 EST, 9 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 09:32 EST, 9 March 2014 . A bungling drug dealer was arrested after a noise complaint led cops five pounds of heroin sitting on his kitchen table. Neighbors of Frank Giardina, 49, called police complaining his music was too loud, he answered the door with a marijuana pipe in his hands, invited police in and they immediately found the stash, authorities said. The haul totalled five pounds in heroin on the kitchen table and another 1,948 glassine baggies of the deadly drug, as well as packing materials and equipment, police said. Busted: A bungling drug dealer was busted by New York cops after he invited them inside and they found this heroin stashed on his kitchen table . Major haul: Frank Giardina was arrested after inviting police inside to help him find his ID as they were about to give him a summons for a marijuana pipe . Fellow tenants in the Flushing apartment building made the call just after 11pm Friday, cops said. The two officers standing in Giardina’s doorway were content to write him a summons for the pipe, but the dope invited them inside while searching for identification, said police. The heroin was found almost immediately. Police arrested Giardina and were able to seize the drugs after obtaining a search warrant. A department spokesperson said it was too early to tell if the stash house was linked to the recent spate of heroin deaths from drugs labelled ‘bud ice,’ ‘income tax’ and ‘theraflu.’ Giardina was hit with three counts including possession greater than eight ounces and intent to sell.
|
Frank Giardina, 49, answered the front door to his apartment while holding a marijuana pipe .
Police were going to issue him a summons, but they discovered the heroin when he invited them inside .
| 1,606 | 196 |
2,843 |
By . Simon Jones for the Daily Mail . Liverpool are showing an interest in Sampdoria's Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero who could leave on loan. Romero was Argentina's hero in the penalty shoot-out with Holland at the World Cup. The 27-year-old was named on the three-man shortlist for FIFA's Golden Glove award for the tournament's best goalkeeper as a result, losing out to Germany's Manuel Neuer. VIDEO Scroll down to watch 'Liverpool season preview' Hero: Romero was in inspired form for Argentina during their penalty-shoot out success over Holland . Experience: Romero has played in the UEFA Champions League among other competitions during his career . Euphoria: Romero was Argentina's hero in a penalty shoot-out with Holland as they reached the World Cup final . He had a spell on loan at Monaco last season but they have not taken up an option to make the deal permanent. Liverpool are in need of a goalkeeper to challenge Simon Mignolet for the No 1 spot after Pepe Reina left the club to join Bayern Munich for £2million last week. And they believe Romero, who has 54 caps for his country, is the right man to fill the void this summer, as Brendan Rodgers' side look to build on the steady progression they made last season. VIDEO Liverpool season preview .
|
The Reds are looking to take Sergio Romero to the club on loan .
Romero was impressive for Argentina during the World Cup in Brazil .
If a deal can be struck Romero would provide competition to the club's No 1 keeper Simon Mignolet .
| 1,271 | 233 |
23,486 |
A single mother of eight who receives benefits of £2,000 a month claims she is being forced to find her first job because of the new cap on welfare handouts. Marie Buchan, of Selly Oak in Birmingham, receives benefits of £26,000 a year but claims the decision to cap handouts at £23,000 will leave her and her young family struggling to survive. The 33-year-old fears the cap will leave many families in financial difficulty and could cause similar problems to the bedroom tax. Scroll down for video . Marie Buchan (centre), of Selly Oak, Birmingham, pictured with her children (from left) Joshua, eight; Mikayla, four; Tia, 12; ten-month-old Olivia; Leah, 11; Latoya nine; Amelia, two and Alisha, six, claims proposals to cap benefits at £23,000 will leave her young family on the breadline and force her into work . Her concerns come in spite of her being told that if she works for 16 hours a week she will still be eligible to get the full £23,000 maximum pay out. 'This benefits cap is getting out of control,' she said. 'I am being forced into work. You're going to get similar cases as to what happened with the bedroom tax - people taking their own lives due to the financial pressures they are feeling. It will hit people that hard.' Miss Buchan had her first appointment at the Jobcentre this week. She added: 'I was very shocked when I heard David Cameron's plans for capping. It was bad enough when the benefits were capped last time. 'I have eight children who need to be fed and clothed and properly looked after, but it's so difficult to do that when money is so tight. I think most are struggling to pay rent under the current cap - I know I am. 'It is a constant struggle.' Miss Buchan is pictured with White Dee (left), star of reality TV show Benefits Street, and outside her home . Marie Buchan says she will be around £58 a week worse off if the new cap comes in and is concerned . She has been told if she works 16 hours a week she will still receive child tax credit and child benefit and up to £350 in childcare. Miss Buchan added: 'I went to a work focus interview and was told if I work for 16 hours a week I would get my full rent paid. 'I would be so much better off as I would still be entitled to child tax credit and child benefit, and then also up to £350 childcare. It appears going back to work may be the only option for me. Ms Buchan said the benefits cap could force many families like her own to struggle to cope financially . Ms Buchan (left) and pictured with five of her offspring (right) said the first benefits cap left her struggling . 'I know I will be the better person for working but it will be tough with eight children to look after. I did attempt to start work and had it all in place to do a 16-hour cleaning job but the kids didn't want to get ready in the morning, so I could leave in time. It's going to be so tough.' David Cameron has announced plans to reduce the benefits cap from £26,000 to £23,000 a year. The maximum loss - on top of the effects of the existing cap - would be £60 a week, with an average weekly loss of around £40 or £25 for those newly capped. It would apply to combined income from; Jobseeker’s allowance, income support, employment support allowance, housing benefit, child benefit, child tax credit, industrial injuries and disablement benefit. In 2013 the initial £26,000 cap was introduced. Mr Cameron said the new measures would be introduced within the first few days of a new Government being formed. He said the savings generated would provide another £135 million towards funding three million apprenticeships by 2020. The Prime Minister rejected claims the new cap would plunge more families into poverty and said some complained it was higher than what some working people are earning. Miss Buchan claims her children, all of whom are under 13, leave her working up to 21 hours a day. The single mother receives £2,227 a month in benefits. Her relationship with her partner and father of all of her offspring ended in 2013 because he could not handle having so many children. She cares for Tia, 12, Leah, 11, Latoya, nine, Joshua, eight, Alisha, six, Mikayla, four, Amelia, two, and Olivia, one, on her own with their father seeing them at weekends. The mother-of-eight, who lives in a four bedroom council house, has been receiving benefits since she had her first child at 19. She previously complained after David Cameron capped current benefits at £26,000 - the average household weekly wage - saying the cap would leave her on the breadline. Mr Cameron announced the new cap and said he was responding to claims that the current limit is too high. He said money saved from the proposed post-general election cuts would be used to fund new apprentice schemes. However critics have warned the consequences of the cap would bear most heavily on children. Alison Garnham, chief executive of Child Poverty Action Group, said: 'Lets be absolutely clear - the benefit cap is at least nine times more likely to affect children than adults, and the majority of adults it hits are lone parents, many of whom have children so young even the Government recognises they should not be required to work. 'Britain is facing a looming child poverty crisis. Lowering the benefit cap would bring it several steps closer. It would pile on the misery for working and non-working families already struggling to pay for absolute basics.' Miss Buchan lives in a four bedroom council house in Selly Oak in Birmingham with her eight children .
|
Marie Buchan is a single mother of eight living in Selly Oak in Birmingham .
She currently receives benefits of £26,000 a year to care for her family .
But under proposals handouts for Miss Buchan will be capped at £23,000 .
She claims the new cap will leave her young family struggling to survive .
Miss Buchan said the benefits cap is forcing her to get a job for first time .
| 5,515 | 378 |
135,488 |
The co-founder of a Mormon women's group, who was excommunicated last year, has lost her final appeal to regain membership to a Utah-based church. Kate Kelly of Ordain Women said she learned on Saturday that the highest authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had rejected her appeal. Kelly was found guilty of apostasy, defined as repeated and public advocacy of positions that oppose church teachings. Kate Kelly, co-founder of a Mormon women's group, who was excommunicated last year, has lost her final appeal to regain membership in the Utah-based church (Kelly pictured with her husband Neil Ransom during a vigil in June 2014) Kelly of Ordain Women said she learned on Saturday that the highest authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had rejected her appeal (above her Twitter post after receiving the news) The faith's governing First Presidency, comprised of church President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, Henry Eyring and Dieter Uchtdorf, is the final avenue for excommunicated Mormons. Her appeal was earlier denied by regional church leaders in Virginia, where she used to live, as she now resides in Kenya. Kelly's husband, Neil Ransom, now plans to resign from his Mormon membership, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. The couple was married in 2006 or 'sealed for eternity' in the Utah church. However, under Mormon teachings, her excommunication and his resignation would nullify that law. Kelly was excommunicated last summer and said she was punished by the church, but her husband, who did many of the same things she was accused of committing never received punishment. Ordain Women's Executive Board Chair Debra Jenson said she was deeply saddened by the choice of the First Presidency to uphold the excommunication (above the group posted a Twitter post on Friday that said they were concerned about the State of Women in Utah) Her group Ordain Women was founded in 2013 to push for women to be allowed in the all-male lay clergy. The group staged demonstrations outside two church conferences in Salt Lake City, drawing criticism from church leaders. 'I am disappointed in the outcome, but not surprised since the disciplinary process has been entirely opaque and inequitable from the get-go,' Kelly said in a statement. 'Fortunately, men do not control my happiness, nor do they control my connection to God. 'I am proud of what I have done. I am proud of the women and men who have taken a stand with me in this struggle for gender justice. We will continue to act with integrity and courage. Mormon women and their legitimate concerns cannot be swept under the rug or summarily dismissed by one 'Court of Love',' she added. Church officials said church discipline is a private matter between members and their local leaders. The faith's governing First Presidency, comprised of church President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, Henry Eyring and Dieter Uchtdorf, is the final avenue for excommunicated Mormons (above Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Utah) Ordain Women's Executive Board Chair Debra Jenson, said: 'We are deeply saddened by the choice of the First Presidency to uphold the excommunication of our sister, Kate Kelly. 'We are profoundly troubled by a definition of apostasy that seems to include members asking sincere questions of our leaders. We reaffirm our commitment to faithful action and our hope for gender equality in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.' In early February, a Mormon man who gained notoriety for running a website that offers doubting Latter-day Saints a forum to chat was kicked out of the religion. John Dehlin of Utah became the second high-profile church member to be excommunicated in the past year in what Mormon scholars consider to be the faith's way of keeping dissenters in line.
|
Kate Kelly, co-founder of women's group Ordain Women, was told highest authority of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints rejected appeal .
She was found guilty of apostasy, after pushing to open church's priesthood to women .
Her husband, Neil Ransom, plans to resign from his Mormon membership .
| 3,844 | 303 |
274,769 |
(CNN) -- Heavy storms and tornadoes once again ripped through the Midwest on Friday night. Already devastated areas of Oklahoma were hit again, and this time the damage spread to neighboring states. Over a dozen people are reported dead and many more are reported injured after at least 17 tornadoes touched down across the region. By Saturday, more than 210,000 customers were without power in the Midwest -- 89,000 in Missouri, 86,000 in Oklahoma, 31,000 in Illinois, 3,000 in Arkansas, 1,000 in Kansas and 500 in Indiana. The threat is not over as heavy rain continues to fall and raise the threat for flooding, particularly in Missouri just north of St. Louis. It hasn't even been two weeks since a devastating tornado destroyed much of the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, but because this storm is so soon after the first one, many of the organizations able to help people are already on the ground. The Red Cross . The Red Cross of Oklahoma and The Red Cross of St. Louis are already assessing damage and providing emergency care, food and shelters for those affected by this new round of storms. You can help their efforts by donating to the Red Cross online or by texting REDCROSS to 90999. This will automatically charge $10 to your cell phone bill. If you are outside of the United States and wish to contribute to the efforts of the Red Cross, please visit its international partner, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent. Samaritan's Purse . Samaritan's Purse deployed a group of staff members to travel from its North Carolina headquarters to Oklahoma with a Disaster Relief Unit right after the first storm hit. They came with a tractor trailer stocked with emergency supplies and equipment. Two groups of volunteers have remained in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and Moore, Oklahoma. They sought shelter through the storm last night and are ready to mobilize and help the newest survivors in need of assistance. AmeriCares . Global health and disaster relief nonprofit AmeriCares has an emergency response team helping in Oklahoma. It will coordinate aid deliveries and assess the needs of survivors and medical organizations in the area. Team Rubicon . Team Rubicon, a group of military veterans who respond to disasters, is another group that is already in Oklahoma helping survivors. Members also rode out the storm last night, but they have already emerged to assist in search and rescue efforts. The Salvation Army . The Salvation Army has also jumped into action. Members have mobilized their canteens throughout the region, providing food, hydration and emotional support to first responders and storm survivors. You can contribute to the Salvation Army by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769), on their website or by texting "STORM" to 80888 to make an automatic $10 donation. Save the Children . Save the Children is another organization already hard at work in the Moore, Oklahoma, area and is ready to respond to the now widened scope of damage and people in need. Save the Children's efforts focus on the needs of children affected by these tragic storms. They create child-friendly spaces in the affected areas to help maintain a bit of normalcy in times when a child's world has been turned upside down. Text TWISTER to 20222 to donate $10 to Save the Children.
|
A new rash of severe weather and tornadoes hit the Midwest Friday night .
Areas of Oklahoma were affected again, as well as several other states .
Damage stretches through parts of Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois and Arkansas .
| 3,298 | 224 |
260,416 |
Bamako, Mali (CNN) -- French and Malian forces squaring off with Islamist militants seized a key city from them Friday, a high-ranking French source told CNN. The city is Konna, in the central region of Mali, a sprawling, landlocked Saharan nation. That region is the latest front in the grinding fight between the West and al Qaeda-linked militants. Read more: Opinion: Why Africa backs French in Mali . The development is an important advance a week after France launched an air and ground military offensive against a strong militant presence across northern Mali and other locations in the sprawling country. Insurgents advancing south toward the capital, Bamako, took Konna on January 10. They started retreating a week ago after the French and Malian forces pushed back, with attacks from the air and other firepower. Read more: France continues Mali airstrikes; residents frantic . The fighting in Mali has captured the world's attention. It was one of the most successful democracies in Africa until last year, when a coup toppled the president and Islamists capitalized on the chaos by establishing themselves in the north. Read more: Six reasons events in Mali matter . There, they imposed a strict interpretation of Sharia law, banning music, smoking, drinking and watching sports on television. They also damaged historic tombs and shrines. France, once the colonial power in Mali, unleashed an offensive against the militants last week, a mission that President Francois Hollande says is designed to "destroy" the terrorist groups that have taken root. French envoy stresses urgency . France is sending troops to Mali from military facilities in Africa and from France. Paris is seeking help from its regional allies and the international community. Such assistance has its perils. After Algeria permitted France to use its airspace to take on insurgents, militants angry about the move stormed a gas field in eastern Algeria and took hostages in what is now an ongoing hostage crisis. French Ambassador to Mali Christian Rouyer reiterated the need for the French offensive. "We had a friendly country that was on the verge of dying," he told CNN in an interview Friday. "It was absolutely necessary to act with urgency. We did it, I believe, with full knowledge of the reasons. Faced with the seriousness of the situation, to my knowledge, there was no other solution." French military power has been boosted, he said, "because we know we have an adversary who's determined, who's not afraid, knows the terrain well and who's well-equipped." The offensive has made an impact, stopping the "terrorist advance" and saving other towns: Mopti and Sevare, for example, Rouyer said. "The advance of terrorist forces -- either in the western or eastern sectors -- has stopped," he said, adding that this is helping to establish calm in Bamako. "If Mopti and Sevare had fallen into terrorist hands," he said, "I believe that today, we would have chaos in Bamako and all Mali." Prepare for a refugee crisis in Mali . France seeks help . Leaders from several countries have offered troops or logistical support for the offensive. The European Union has approved a training mission. The Canadians and British are deploying military transport aircraft. Nigeria is set to deploy soldiers as part of a U.N.-mandated African force to fight the insurgents. U.S. policy prohibits direct military aid to Mali because the fledgling government is a result of a coup. No support can go to the Malian military directly until leaders are chosen through an election, said Victoria Nuland, a State Department spokeswoman. "We are not in a position to train the Malian military until we have democracy restored," she said this week. "But we're not precluded from assisting allies and partners in trying to restore security to that country." So far, the United States has only shared intelligence from satellites and intercepted signals with the French, defense officials said. The Pentagon is also considering sending refueling tankers so that French jets can fly longer, more sustained combat missions, according to the officials. U.S. trainers will be in African nations to train forces that are set to be deployed in Mali. "We have deployed 100-ish, about 100 trainers to Africa. They're traveling to Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Togo and Ghana to discuss training and equipping and deployment needs of those countries in the interest of getting them ready to go into Mali," she said. U.N. says warring threatens cultural heritage . The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has issued calls for the protection of cultural heritage sites in Mali. The ancient city of Timbuktu is a UNESCO World Heritage site of huge cultural significance, but its carefully preserved heritage has come under severe threat amid the ongoing conflict. The fabled city, whose name is sometimes used in the West as a synonym for a faraway place, was at the center of trans-Sahara trade in earlier times. Last year, al Qaeda-linked rebels in northern Mali destroyed historic and religious landmarks there, claiming such relics are idolatrous. Now it is threatened by warfare. "I ask all armed forces to make every effort to protect the cultural heritage of the country, which has already been severely damaged," UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said in an appeal to all combatants. "Mali's cultural heritage is a jewel whose protection is important for the whole of humanity. This is our common heritage, nothing can justify damaging it." Refugees flee . The U.N. refugee agency said that in treks that began last year, when the crisis started, Malians are fleeing to other nations, including Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger, Guinea, Algeria and Togo, and many are internally displaced. Refugees in Burkina Faso said "they fled the recent military intervention, the lack of any means of subsistence, and fear of the strict application of Sharia law," the agency said. People talked about family members disappearing. "They reported having witnessed executions and amputations, and mentioned that large amounts of money are being offered to civilians to fight against the Malian Army and its supporters. According to the accounts from refugees there are children among the rebel fighters," the United Nations said. Ethnic Tuareg women and children are among the latest refugees. "They said that more people, including their husbands and fathers, are on their way to Burkina Faso by foot, many using donkeys or local transport, and many bringing livestock with them. Despite ongoing insecurity in northern Mali in recent months, they say that people have delayed fleeing Mali to allow the men to take care of businesses and animals," the United Nations said. Human rights abuses . The United Nations has noted accounts of amputations, floggings and public executions, such as the July stoning of a couple that reportedly had an affair. The International Criminal Court has launched a war crimes investigation amid reports that residents have been mutilated and killed for disobeying the Islamists. "The current human rights situation is linked to long-standing and unresolved issues," and "human rights violations have been committed both in the North and in the area under government control," the Human Rights Council said, citing abuses since January 2012. "In northern Mali, serious human rights violations have been taking place since January 2012, including summary executions and extrajudicial killings," the council said. It also said: . -- Fighters "allegedly used students as human shields to force military forces to surrender and later on allegedly executed 94 of the 153 captured and disarmed soldiers." -- Several Tuareg soldiers, including nine in Timbuktu, were also reportedly victims of reprisals by members of the Malian army in the North. -- Among civilian deaths were people who tried to resist the looting of humanitarian warehouses by armed groups. -- Ten amputation cases by extremists were reported in the north, including the case of a 30-year-old man whose right hand was cut off with a kitchen knife for allegedly stealing cattle following a summary trial set up by a militia. -- Women have been assaulted, harassed and abused after being accused of being improperly veiled or dressed, or for riding on a motorbike. In April, six armed men allegedly belonging to the Ansar Dine extremist group raped a woman "for not wearing her veil in her own home." -- Rapes of women and girls have been done "at times in front of family members and often apparently carried out on an ethnic basis." -- Girls as young as 12 or 13 are reported to have been forcibly married to members of militias. -- Child soldiers who were recruited were sometimes as young as 10. CNN's Joe Sterling reported and wrote from Atlanta. CNN's Ingrid Formanek and Nima Elbagir reported from Bamako, Mali.
|
Insurgents are pushed out of Konna, which they captured last week .
France is seeking help from its regional allies and the international community .
The European Union, Canada, Britain and Nigeria are among those assisting .
UNESCO wants protection of Mali's historic sites .
| 8,904 | 276 |
132,201 |
All 38 Australians who died when Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down in Eastern Ukraine have been formally identified, the federal government says. Operation Bring Them Home will conclude in the coming weeks when the final remains of the victims, who have now been identified by Dutch authorities, are reunited with their families. Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in a joint statement on Saturday the victims of the tragedy have finally been accorded the dignity and respect they deserve. Scroll down for video . The crash site of the downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, in a field near the village of Grabove, in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine . 'The successful recovery, identification and repatriation of the victims has been a painstaking and meticulous process,' the statement said. 'It has been a tremendously difficult period for the families and for all Australians. 'After such a long wait, we can now be assured that the Australian victims have been accorded the dignity and respect they deserve.' Mo, 12 (left), Evie, 10 (right) and Otis, 8 (centre) are believed to have been among the MH17 victims whose bodies were returned to Australia in back in October . The Australian and Dutch governments continue to press for full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2166, adopted in July to support an independent investigation into the disaster. The Dutch Safety Board and the Dutch Public Prosecution Service are also investigating. MH17 went down in July in rebellion-torn eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 aboard, including the 38 Australians. It was believed to have been hit by a surface-to-air missile. In November the international investigation into the downing of MH17 was extended by nine months, after Dutch-led efforts to find out who shot down the passenger plane were hampered by the ongoing civil war and Russian intransigence. Investigators now have until August 2015 to determine what happened, under a deal struck between Australia, the Netherlands, Ukraine and other nations. The wreckage of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which was shot down over eastern Ukraine in July .
|
Dutch authorities have identified the remains of all 38 Australians on board the fatal flight .
Operation Bring Them Home will conclude in coming weeks, but investigations into the cause of the crash continue .
The victims have finally been accorded the respect they deserve, says PM .
| 2,176 | 286 |
35,448 |
By . Sean O'hare . PUBLISHED: . 11:43 EST, 13 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 14:21 EST, 13 December 2012 . A flock of birds had a close call after a huge chunk of ice splintered from a glacier and crashed into the sea where they were paddling. The huge slab of ice slipped from the Chenega Glacier into the sea at Prince William Sound, Alaska, U.S. Despite being quarter of a mile away the spectacle was caught on camera by photographer Jon Cornforth who had just a small dingy for protection. Scroll down for video . Iceslide: Jon Cornforth, 40, was in the area with his father in a 12-foot inflatable and when he first spotted the tonnes of ice falling and bizarrely there wasn't a sound . Heads up: The huge slab of ice of titanic proportions slipped from the Chenega Glacier into the ocean at Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA . Mr Cornforth, 40, was in the sound with his . father in a 12-foot inflatable when he first spotted the tonnes of . ice falling. Mr Cornforth, from Seattle, said: 'The sound was thunderous as the ice fell into the water. 'Since . sound travels slowly in this area, I saw the birds erupt in flight . before I even saw the ice falling. The last thing that I heard was the . actual sound a moment later. 'The birds seemed to know it was happened before it happened and were quick to get out of the way. Mr Cornforth said he used a Canon 5DmkII and 7D along with his professional Canon L series lenses. Chenega Glacier is one of 20 tidewater glaciers located in Prince William Sound and on the Kenai Peninsula in the U.S. state of Alaska. Making waves: Despite being quarter of a mile away the gigantic spectacle was caught on camera by photographer Jon Cornforth who had just a small dingy for protection . Intuition: 'The birds seemed to know it was happening before it happened and were quick to get out of the way,' said Mr Cornforth .
|
Photographer was less than a quarter of a mile away in tiny inflatable dingy .
The ice fell from the Chenega Glacier in Prince William Sound, Alaska .
| 1,867 | 150 |
302,636 |
By . Sarah Griffiths . PUBLISHED: . 06:04 EST, 7 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:06 EST, 7 August 2013 . The Māoris explained the presence of almost perfectly spherical boulders on Koekohe Beach, on the South island of New Zealand, as eel baskets washed up from an enormous, sunken canoe. But the science behind the unusual rocks is much stranger. The Moeraki Boulders, measuring up to three metres in diameter, were in fact formed from ancient sea sediments around 60 million years ago. It is thought the stones were created by the cementation of Paleocene mudstone and were then buried in the mudstone cliffs . Found on new Zealand's Otago coast in isolation as well as clusters, the formations have been exposed through shoreline erosion from the coastal cliffs that frame the beach. Experts say the unusual rocks are the result of erosion, time and concretion - when a compact mass of sedimentary rock is formed by the precipitation of natural mineral cement within the spaces between sediment grains. It is thought the boulders date from the . Paleocene epoch making them at least 56 million years old. The Maoris explained the presence of giant spherical boulders (pictured) on Koekohe Beach on the South Island of New Zealand as eel baskets that littered the shore after the sinking of a legendary canoe . Found on new Zealand's Otago coast in isolation as well as clusters, the stones are concretions that have been exposed through shoreline erosion from the coastal cliffs (pictured) that frame the beach . The Moeraki boulders (some of which are pictured) date from the Paleocene epoch making them at least 56 million years old . It is thought the stones were created by the hardening of Paleocene mudstone which was then buried in the mudstone cliffs, according to Kuriositas. The relentless pounding of waves over millennia has gradually eroded the softer stone and uncovered the compacted spherical stones. As the boulders were formed by concretion, they are more resistant to the weathering effects of the elements and so their shape is preserved while the softer mudstone is eroded. The relentless pounding of waves over the millennia has gradually eroded the softer mudstone and uncovered the compacted spherical boulders, (pictured) which are now a tourist attraction . The spherical boulders began forming in marine mud (that later became mudstone) of the Paleocene sea floor, while the cracks, known as septaria formed slightly later . The spherical boulders began forming in marine mud (that later became mudstone) of the Paleocene sea floor. This theory was proven when studies of the boulders' composition showed their magnesium and iron content as well as stable isotopes of oxygen and carbon. Scientists believe they are spherical as their source of carbon was mass diffusion and rocks two metre in diametre 'grew' over a five million year period, when up to 50 metres of marine mud settled on top of them. Some of the boulders measure three metres in diameter. Rocks measuring two metres in diametre 'grew' over a five million year period, when up to 50 metres of marine mud settled on top of them . Some of the rocks have strange cracks (pictured), which are known as septaria. The cracks were filled with small amounts of dolomite and quartz as well as brown and yellow calcite, which gives the boulders their distinctive appearance . Some of the rocks have strange cracks, which are known as septaria. The cracks were filled with small amounts of dolomite and quartz as well as brown and yellow calcite, which gives the boulders their distinctive appearance. This happened when the sea level fell and allowed groundwater to flow through the mudstone surrounding the boulders. Unusually for rocks, the centre of the concretion can be relatively weak, whereas the outer layers are the hardest part as they are composed of up to 20 per cent calcite. Unusually for rocks, the centre of the concretion can be relatively weak, (as can be seen by the remnants of this boulder) whereas the outer layers are the hardest part as they are composed of up to 20 per cent calcite . Koekohe Beach on the South Island of New Zealand is strewn with the remnants of many giant boulders (pictured) uncovered from the mudstone cliffs .
|
Māoris explained giant boulders on New Zealand's Koekohe Beach as eel baskets scattered after the sinking of a legendary canoe .
But in fact the Moeraki Boulders are concretions - formations created by hardening sea sediment - that have been exposed through sea erosion .
Date from the .
Paleocene epoch, making them at least 56 million years old .
| 4,243 | 349 |
103,516 |
(CNN) -- The United Nations is urging Pakistan to look deeper into reports that thousands of people inside the country have been illegally detained or disappeared. A U.N. delegation spent 10 days inside Pakistan at the invitation of the government, and interviewed families of the missing. The group issued a detailed report on their findings Thursday. In many cases, the group found, families were often intimidated or threatened against reporting cases to authorities and were given empty promises that if they didn't, their loves ones would be returned to them. The U.N. commission that receives reports of missing has more than 500 cases in its docket for all of Pakistan. But that number, the working group notes, "may not be reflective of the reality of the situation." "According to various official and unofficial sources met during the visit, it is in the post 9/11 period that the question of 'missing persons' began to raise real attention at the national level," the report says. "There is acknowledgment that enforced disappearances have occurred and still occur in the country." "Cases continue to be reported to the national authorities. But there are controversies both on the figures and on the nature of the practice of enforced disappearances." CNN was unable to obtain comment Thursday and Friday from Pakistani government officials about the report. At least two high ranking Pakistani officials told CNN they were devoting attention to protests that have erupted in the country over an online anti-Islam film. Disappearances related to 9/11 . The U.N. group visited Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar and with families of those who are missing. "We call on the State to guarantee the safety of those who have met with us and protect them against any form of reprisals, threat or intimidation," the group wrote. Throughout their time in Pakistan, the group held numerous meetings with NGOs, activists and lawyers as well as government representatives. It talked with people involved in diplomatic circles in Islamabad and heads of various U.N. agencies. A number of cases of disappearances filed with the group allegedly occurred in 1985 and the beginning of the 1990s, in the country's northwest region, the report says. The alleged disappearances appear to be related to conflicts in Afghanistan. And in the 1990s, the cases seem connected to the military operations carried out in Karachi, specifically in the Sindh province. In the 2000s, the working group started receiving information about people allegedly abducted "in the context of the so-called 'war on terror' and sometimes said to have been transferred to other (Pakistani) territories or detention" centers, the report says. The working group heard a range of figures for how many may be missing -- between a hundred to thousands. Found dead, tortured . In the western province of Baluchistan, sources told the group that more than 14,000 people are still missing. In Baluchistan, since 2010, people who were missing were discovered dead. Their bodies had signs of torture, and due to decomposition their families didn't recognize them. The local government says only 100 are missing, the U.N. group notes. The federal and local officials the group met with claimed the missing persons were not victims of forced disappearances, the report says. Rather, the officials said those people had actually been under criminal charges and chosen to go into hiding. Others, the Pakistani officials told the U.N. group, fled to another country to join illegal armed organizations. Another scenario presented to the U.N. investigators was that the missing were abducted by groups not affiliated with Pakistan. Some people who have gone missing and turned up again have testified to being held in unofficial places of detention, the report says. Many said they had been threatened not to speak about their detention. Fitting a pattern . The stories of families of the missing appear to fit a patten, according to the report: Abductors appearing to be law enforcement and accompanied by what appear to be plain clothes intelligence agents, remove a person in front of witnesses. Some families told U.N. representatives they had tried to file a report with the police but were turned down or discouraged from doing so. Many filed their cases with the Supreme Court of Pakistan so that the Court would issue an order to the police to initiate an investigation. In a "large number of cases," the families would be threatened or intimidated against reporting. In a few cases, the U.N. group reports, lawyers defending the families were reportedly victims of enforced disappearances. The U.N. group praised efforts by some Pakistani courts in which people were found and returned to their families but "in the greatest number of cases," investigations went nowhere. Even when there's evidence, the report says, perpetrators are often not prosecuted.
|
A U.N. delegation went to Pakistan to investigate reports of missing people .
Cases alleged law enforcement or Pakistani intelligence involved in cases .
The delegation released a report detailing its findings .
| 4,929 | 211 |
169,901 |
(CNN) -- Venezuela expelled Israel's ambassador to the country Tuesday and accused Israel of attempting to carry out "genocide" against the Palestinian people. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called the Israeli army "cowards." "In this tragic and indignant hour, the people of Venezuela manifest their unconditional solidarity with the heroic Palestinian people, share in the sadness that overcomes thousands of families through the loss of their loved ones, and extends to them a hand by affirming that the government of Venezuela will not rest until it sees those responsible for these criminal atrocities severely punished," the Venezuelan foreign minister said in a statement read by an anchor on state television. The statement added that the government "condemns strongly the flagrant violations of international law" by Israel and "denounces their planned utilization of state terrorism." "For the above-mentioned reasons, the government of Venezuela has decided to expel the ambassador of Israel and some of the personnel of the Israeli Embassy in Venezuela," it added. In a news conference broadcast by state-run Venezuelan television, President Hugo Chavez blasted the Israeli military. "They are cowards," he said. "It's as though a boxing professional were to come here and challenge you to box. Well, how courageous! How courageous is the Israeli army!" It said that Chavez "makes a fraternal call to the Jewish people throughout the world to oppose these criminal policies of the state of Israel that recall the worst pages of the history of the 20th century. "With the genocide of the Palestinian people, the state of Israel will never be able to offer its people the perspective of a peace that is both necessary and long-lasting." Mark Regev, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, was unswayed. "I haven't heard the details yet, but you know the regime in Venezuela has been one of the few countries in the world that gives automatic support to the Iranian extremists, and it doesn't surprise me that they have affinity with groups like Hamas and Hezbollah," he told CNN. He predicted that other countries would not follow suit, even in the Middle East. "I think, even in the Muslim and Arab countries, there is a fair amount of understanding for what Israel has had to do here," he said.
|
Expulsion is in protest of Israeli strike against Palestinians, minister says .
Venezuelan government statement condemned "flagrant violations" by Israel .
President Hugo Chavez calls Israeli army "cowards"
Israeli spokesman says Venezuela has given "automatic support" to extremists .
| 2,320 | 285 |
74,006 |
Abu Dhabi, UAE (CNN) -- CNN Abu Dhabi, the latest newsgathering expansion from the global news brand, opens its doors today, it was announced by Tony Maddox, MD and EVP CNN International. Maddox was joined for the opening in Abu Dhabi by Phil Kent, chairman and CEO of CNN parent company Turner Broadcasting System, Inc, and by Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour and presenter Richard Quest, both in Abu Dhabi filming for the network. Other senior executives attending from CNN included Katherine Green, head of programming for the network, Rani Raad, head of CNN's commercial arm in the region, and Abu Dhabi-based Tom Fenton, Managing Editor, Middle East. CNN's new state-of-the-art production center and newsgathering hub for the Middle East will also be home to CNN's first ever daily live news show from the region. "PRISM," hosted by news veteran Stan Grant, debuts this evening and joins existing feature shows "Inside the Middle East" and "Marketplace Middle East" as a major addition to its regionally based programming portfolio. "The Middle East has played a significant role in CNN's heritage and is part of our DNA. Two of our earliest international bureaus were in Cairo and Jerusalem," said Maddox. "This region unquestionably plays an integral part in world affairs, and the new hub in the UAE gives us the opportunity to get even closer to the heart of the rich and diverse stories across the political, business, social and cultural spectrums." "The establishment of a permanent broadcast and production center in the Middle East by CNN is a significant and unique move by a Western news broadcaster," added Maddox. "It gives CNN a powerful base from which to coordinate seven regional bureaus and also launch a new daily news show from the Middle East." The new facility sits alongside CNN's existing 32 international newsgathering operations which also includes three other digital production centers in Hong Kong, London and Mexico City. CNN Abu Dhabi will coordinate newsgathering for the seven CNN operations in the region: Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Dubai, Jerusalem, Kabul and Islamabad. With more than two dozen staff, CNN Abu Dhabi not only consolidates CNN Worldwide's investment in global newsgathering; it also underlines CNN's growth strategy which includes the commercial launch of the CNN Wire, the unveiling of the new CNN.com and the addition of new prime time shows across CNN International and, in the United States, HLN. Built as a fully HD and on-line production facility, CNN Abu Dhabi houses a four-camera digital studio, with 24/7 live capability, edit suites and fully integrated newsroom. First daily scheduled show from the region . For the first time in CNN's history, daily live news show "PRISM," presented by Stan Grant, will be broadcast from the Middle East. CNN Abu Dhabi will also be home to CNN's perennially popular feature shows, "Inside the Middle East," now in its sixth year, and "Marketplace Middle East," which launched two years ago. Launching November 3, PRISM -- the tenth new show to be launched on CNN International in the past 12 months -- joins the network's new primetime line-up, uniting Stan Grant, Christiane Amanpour, Richard Quest, Becky Anderson and Fionnuala Sweeney, Michael Holmes and Hala Gorani in a schedule that between them covers off business and current affairs programming, breaking news and behind-the-scenes reportage in distinctive formats. Content Ownership . CNN's content ownership strategy has provided a wealth of new material for all of CNN's platforms, across TV, on-line and mobile and CNN's commercial wire service, while also allowing that content to be aggregated to affiliates. Since early 2008 CNN has opened seven new editorial operations across Africa, Asia, Latin America and now the Middle East, as well as placing additional correspondents in many existing operations.
|
CNN opens Abu Dhabi production center and newsgathering hub today .
Abu Dhabi is the latest newsgathering expansion for the network .
The state-of-the-art production center will co-ordinate CNN's Middle East newsgathering .
Center will be home to "PRISM," CNN's first ever daily live news show from the region.
| 3,891 | 310 |
112,955 |
Title: Innovative Solar-Powered Electric Buses Roll Out Across Major Cities
Subtitle: The Future of Public Transportation Arrives with Solar-Powered Electric Buses
In a groundbreaking development for the transportation industry, solar-powered electric buses are now making their debut in major cities worldwide. This revolutionary technology promises to significantly reduce carbon emissions and provide a sustainable solution for urban transport.
The first city to adopt this innovative technology is Los Angeles, where the buses have been seamlessly integrated into the existing public transportation system. The solar-powered electric buses are equipped with photovoltaic panels on their rooftops, harnessing sunlight throughout the day to charge the bus's batteries. This renewable energy source allows the buses to operate for extended periods without recharging, significantly reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
In addition to being environmentally friendly, these solar-powered electric buses also boast a sleek and modern design. The interiors are equipped with comfortable seating, Wi-Fi connectivity, and real-time GPS tracking systems for passenger convenience.
City officials have praised the initiative, with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti stating, "Los Angeles is committed to becoming a global leader in sustainable transportation, and these solar-powered electric buses exemplify that commitment." The success of the program in Los Angeles has inspired other cities such as New York, London, and Berlin to follow suit.
The transition to solar-powered electric buses represents a significant step forward in addressing climate change and reducing air pollution in urban areas. As more cities adopt this innovative technology, it is expected that solar-powered electric buses will soon become the standard for public transportation worldwide.
|
Title: Solar-Powered Electric Buses Introduced in Major Cities
Subtitle: Sustainable Transportation of the Future
In a notable advancement for the transport industry, solar-powered electric buses are being introduced in significant cities globally. This novel technology is expected to decrease carbon emissions substantially and offer an eco-friendly solution for urban commuting.
Los Angeles serves as the pioneer city adopting this groundbreaking technology, seamlessly incorporating the solar-powered electric buses into their existing public transport system. Equipped with photovoltaic panels on their rooftops, these buses capture sunlight to recharge their batteries throughout the day, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and extending operational periods without recharging.
The sleek, modern design of these solar-powered electric buses includes comfortable seating, Wi-Fi connectivity, and real-time GPS tracking for passenger convenience. City officials have applauded this initiative, with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti stating that the city aims to lead in sustainable transportation with such solutions. This successful implementation in Los Angeles has motivated other cities like New York, London, and Berlin to adopt similar measures.
The shift towards solar-powered electric buses is a crucial step towards combating climate change and reducing air pollution in urban environments. As more cities embrace this innovative technology, it is anticipated that solar-powered electric buses will soon become the norm for public transportation globally.
| 1,866 | 1,574 |
178,825 |
By . Rob Cooper . PUBLISHED: . 11:10 EST, 9 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:07 EST, 10 May 2013 . Scam: Anne Manger, 55, carried out the fraud so she did not have to lay off her staff in Oakham, Leicestershire . An 'exemplary' postmistress who stole £114,000 to keep her struggling branch afloat after a lifetime working for the Royal Mail has been jailed. Anne Manger, 55, whose father was a postmaster, was a well-respected member of the community but turned to fraud when money worries hit in January 2010. She struggled to pay her daily bills and rather than lay staff off or admit the business was struggling she began to generate false cash credits and pocketed more than £100,000. She covered her tracks by sharing the debt she created out between a number of the branch's outreach services. A court heard that she even kept her crime secret from her husband because she wanted to protect his reputation. But her scam was foiled when a routine audit found £113,872 missing from the accounts. Manger, who ran the post office in Oakham, Leicestershire, admitted fraud and was jailed for 16 months at Leicester Crown Court. Judge Robert Brown told her she had committed a 'significant breach of trust'. He said: 'Many in the community speak well of you and your family, who support you through this. 'It's such a large sum, over a long period of time, it's too serious not to mark it with a custodial sentence.' Michael Garvey, mitigating, said: 'She's been employed by the Post Office all her working life, and her father before her. 'She's previously run post offices in various locations in an exemplary fashion. 'Oakham Post Office needed building up when she and her husband first moved there and she started an outreach branch, going to villages so those who had lost their post offices would have some service. 'They were hit, as every business in the country was, by the recession. Fraud: The post office in Oakham got into financial difficulties in 2010 and the respected boss Anne Manger turned to crime to cover their losses . Guilty plea: Manger and her husband have sold their home to pay back the money which was taken . 'Extremely difficult circumstances arose and over a three-year period, the money went purely on living expenses and making sure the premises could stay open. 'She didn't want to lay off any staff and she was working more than 60 hours a week. 'They didn't have a lavish lifestyle and hadn't been taking holidays or buying cars beyond their means. 'She knew from the outset she would be found out and it was a weight off her shoulders.' The Mangers, who ran the post office together for six years, have now been forced to sell their £150,000 home to pay back the stolen money. A Post Office spokesman said: 'We believe that all sub-postmasters hold a unique position of trust. 'The overwhelming majority of people who work in our branch network are professional, honest and provide the highest standards of service possible and so it is always disappointing when that trust is breached.'
|
Anne Manger, 55, generated false cash credits to cover businesses' costs .
She even kept the scam secret from her husband to preserve his reputation .
But the crime in Oakham, Leicestershire, was uncovered in a routine audit .
| 3,022 | 226 |
237,152 |
(CNN) -- Hertha Berlin have reacted to their slump to the bottom of the German Bundesliga by announcing that coach Lucien Favre has been relieved of his duties. Lucien Favre has paid the ultimate price for Hertha Berlin's dismal start to the Bundesliga season. Hertha's 5-1 defeat to Hoffenheim, a result which left them rooted to the foot of the table, was their sixth consecutive league reverse. The club were also knocked out of the German Cup by second division 1860 Munich last week and were held to a 1-1 draw by Lithuanian side Ventspils in their opening Europa League group fixture 10 days ago. Favre's assistant Harald Gamperle has also been relieved of his duties with youth-team coach Karsten Heine appointed on an interim basis. "Coach Lucien Favre and Harald Gamperle have been relieved of their duties effective immediately," said a statement on the club's official Web site. "The training of the team will be controlled on an interim basis by Under-23 coach Karsten Heine." Favre took charge just over two years ago and, after consolidating their position in the top flight in his first year, he then led them to an unexpected fourth-placed finish last term. Hertha were even still in the race for the Bundesliga title with two games of the season remaining. However, the loss of key players Andrei Voronin, Marko Pantelic and Josip Simunic this summer and the failure to find adequate replacements has contributed to a terrible start to the season which has cost the Swiss his job. Hertha's only league win this year came on the opening day of the season, when they defeated Hannover 1-0. Since then they have been beaten by Borussia Monchengladbach, Bochum, Werder Bremen, Mainz, Freiburg and Hoffenheim. Crowd figures have also slumped from an average of over 50,000 last season to under 40,000 for their last home game against Freiburg as fans became disillusioned with their side's dramatic slump. Explaining the decision, general manager Michael Preetz told a news conference: "We are caught in this downward spiral, we have tried to get out of it but unfortunately it has not been possible. "After the last two large defeats in the Bundesliga we find ourselves in a situation where it has become necessary for Lucien Favre and Harald Gamperle to leave. The board is fully behind my decision."
|
Hertha Berlin sack coach Lucien Favre after dismal start to Bundesliga season .
Hertha's 5-1 defeat to Hoffenheim left them rooted to the foot of German table .
The club have lost six league games in a row and slumped out of German Cup .
| 2,314 | 237 |
23,361 |
Title: Stunning Upset: Underdog Soccer Team Claims Victory over Titans
In an exhilarating turn of events, the seemingly unbeatable soccer titans, FC Elite, suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of underdog team, United Phoenix FC, during their highly anticipated match-up in the international soccer league. This unexpected triumph was the first major victory for United Phoenix FC in recent years and has left fans buzzing with excitement.
The game began with FC Elite exhibiting their usual dominance on the field, with a series of impressive passes and near-perfect execution. However, as the first half came to a close, it seemed as though the tide had turned in favor of the underdog team. In a daring move, United Phoenix FC's captain, Mariano Rodriguez, skillfully set up a goal by striker, Sofia Gonzales, putting them ahead just before halftime.
The second half saw an intense back-and-forth battle between the two teams, with neither side willing to give up control of the game. With time running out, it seemed as though FC Elite would pull off a dramatic comeback; however, United Phoenix FC's goalkeeper, Isabella Martinez, made a series of stunning saves that left the crowd on the edge of their seats.
In the final moments of the game, United Phoenix FC managed to secure a crucial corner kick. Amidst the chaos in the penalty area, Rodriguez rose above the fray and headed the ball into the back of the net, securing a historic 2-1 victory for his team. The crowd erupted with cheers as United Phoenix FC claimed their first major victory in years, leaving fans of both teams celebrating an unforgettable evening of sportsmanship and excitement.
This stunning upset has sparked conversations across the globe, with many praising the tenacity and skill of United Phoenix FC. As for FC Elite, they will be looking to bounce back from this unexpected defeat and continue their quest for soccer domination in the upcoming matches. The international soccer league is sure to remain unpredictable as these two powerhouses face off again in the future. Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling story of sports drama!
|
Title: Stunning Upset: Underdog Soccer Team United Phoenix FC Defeats FC Elite
In a shocking turn of events, underdog soccer team United Phoenix FC defeated the seemingly invincible FC Elite in the international soccer league. This was the first major victory for United Phoenix FC in recent years and has left fans thrilled.
The game started with FC Elite dominating the field, showcasing their impressive passes and near-flawless execution. However, as the first half ended, it seemed like the underdog team had taken control. In a bold move, United Phoenix FC's captain, Mariano Rodriguez, set up a goal by striker, Sofia Gonzales, putting them ahead just before halftime.
The second half was intense with both teams battling for control. With time running out, it appeared that FC Elite would stage a comeback; however, United Phoenix FC's goalkeeper, Isabella Martinez, made a series of spectacular saves, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats.
In the game's final moments, United Phoenix FC secured a crucial corner kick. Amidst the chaos in the penalty area, Rodriguez rose above the fray and headed the ball into the back of the net, securing a historic 2-1 victory for his team. The crowd erupted in cheers as United Phoenix FC claimed their first major victory in years, with both teams' fans celebrating an exciting night of sportsmanship.
This upset has sparked global conversations, praising United Phoenix FC's tenacity and skill. FC Elite will aim to recover from this unexpected defeat and continue their quest for soccer dominance in future matches. The international soccer league is expected to remain unpredictable as these two powerhouses face off again in the future. Stay tuned for more updates on this captivating tale of sports drama!
| 2,138 | 1,772 |
141,464 |
(CNN) -- Arsene Wenger could scarcely have asked for a more enjoyable anniversary gift from his players after Arsenal produced a scintillating showing to see off Napoli in the Champions League. Celebrating his 17th year in charge, Wenger watched on as the Gunners turned in one of the English club's finest European performances for some time to defeat the Serie A side 2-0. Mesut Ozil, the German playmaker who arrived on deadline day from Real Madrid, was the man who ran the show. Ozil's sublime opener and an Olivier Giroud strike secured a second straight Champions League win for Arsenal, which now sits three points clear at the top of Group F. "Considering we were playing against a top side, we played very efficiently winning the ball back and it was a very impressive first 45 minutes," captain Mikael Arteta told Sky Sports. "We have the talent up front to score the goals. But there is also a hunger. Now we know that we need to win the ball back quickly, because when we win it back in the final third we are very dangerous. "We still have players to come back from injury and they will add their own qualities." After its opening day defeat by Aston Villa which led to huge criticism of Wenger, Arsenal has been in imperious form. And the Frenchman was delighted with his side's latest showing as it continued its winning streak. "I felt that we played at a good pace, technically very direct and finished with great goals," he told Sky Sports. "The first half was outstanding. The second half we played more with maturity, less with drive going forward, a bit more cautious, but overall and outstanding game. "The first half was amazing, absolutely fantastic. Everything was in there. All that you dream to see when you come to watch football. "We were solid. Flamini and Arteta contributed to that, and overall it was positive because I wanted Flamini to be very good on the counter attack, especially with Ramsey, and that worked very well." Napoli coach Rafael Benitez had never managed to win at Arsenal during his time at Liverpool or Chelsea and that statistic rarely looked like changing. One sided . Arsenal, which sits top of the Premier League, ran riot during a one sided first half with Ozil dictating proceedings in the middle of the field. Napoli had arrived with plenty of optimism, unbeaten this season after winning five of its opening six Serie A games and having seen off Borussia Dortmund in its last European fixture. But it had little to offer in way of a response against the tidal wave of pressure exerted by a buoyant Arsenal. In the group's other game, Dortmund eased to a 3-0 win over Marseille courtesy of Robert Lewandowski's double and a Marco Reus strike. Arsenal hosts Dortmund in its next game on October 22 -- a tie which Wenger is relishing following his side's perfect start to the group stage. "You cannot start better, and the next two will be deciders," he added. "That's when we want the game to come back after the international break and have a great game against Dortmund." Chelsea . In Group E, Schalke moved top with a 1-0 win at Basel thanks to a Julian Draxler strike, while Chelsea cruised to a 4-0 victory at Steaua Bucharest. Two goals from Ramires, an own-goal and a late Frank Lampard effort clinched Chelsea's first win in this year's competition and eased the pressure on manager Jose Mourinho. "This is what Chelsea needed," Juan Mata told Sky Sports. "The first game against Basel was a painful defeat. " We showed we wanted to win. We played really well. It was enough to win. It will now give us confidence." Atletico Madrid has taken charge of Group G following a 2-1 win over Porto in Portugal. Diego Godin and Arda Turan were both on target as the Spanish side, which won Sunday's Madrid derby, came from behind to claim the points following Jackson Martinez's opener. In the group's other game, Russia's Zenit St. Petersburg was held to a goalless draw by Austria Vienna -- a result which leaves both teams with one point from their opening two fixtures. Barcelona . Barcelona equaled Manchester United's record of 39 away wins in the Champions League after overcoming Celtic 1-0. The Scottish champion had chances of its own but was forced to play the final 31 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of captain Scott Brown. Brown was adjudged to have kicked out at Barca star Neymar and was given his marching orders. Cesc Fabregas ensured Barcelona made the most of its numerical supremacy with 15 minutes of normal time remaining. "I'm not convinced it's a red card. If there's any contact it's very minimal," Celtic boss Neil Lennon told ITV. "It changed the game. It's hard enough playing against Barcelona with 11 men, never mind 10 men. "Neymar has a reputation in the game. Sometimes he exaggerates things a little bit." In the group's other game, Mario Balotelli scored a 94th-minute penalty to rescue a point for AC Milan at Ajax. The Dutch side appeared to have won the contest when Stefano Denswil netted in the 90th minute but Balotelli struck at the death to silence the home crowd after the Italy striker went down in the area following a tussle with substitute Mike Van der Hoorn.
|
Arsenal cruises to a 2-0 home win over Napoli in Champions League .
Mesut Ozil scores first goal for club since move from Real Madrid .
Barcelona edges to victory over 10-man Celtic .
Ajax held by Milan, wins for Atletico, Dortmund and Chelsea .
| 5,179 | 245 |
252,179 |
An auction house is providing a rare opportunity to buy a 500-year-old piece of natural history by selling bones from a dodo bird for the first time in 80 years. The leg and pelvis from the flightless bird, which died out in the mid-17th century, represent the first opportunity to purchase a complete part of the animal's skeleton since 1934. The anonymous vendor is believed to be one of only three people left in the world who privately own dodo bones, with most now on display in museums. Rare opportunity: The leg (left) and pelvis bone (right) from the extinct dodo are the first on sale since 1934 . The pair were part of a large collection of remains discovered by a British schoolmaster 220 years after the bird became extinct. In 1886 George Clarke went to Mauritius, the only place the dodo is said to have lived, and hired slaves to wade through a swamp and feel for the bones with their feet. The leg and pelvis, which are being sold by Summers Place Auctions of Billingshurst in West Sussex, are said to be worth more than £30,000 together and are both in excellent states of preservation. Earlier this year, a fragment of a femur was sold for £8,000 by auction house Christie's in London. Dodos were first spotted by Dutch sailors who arrived on the Indian Ocean isle in 1598, but the final sighting was only 64 years later in 1662. Sparse: A replica skeleton of a dodo. Only 10 museums around the world are set to have sets of dodo bones, but most are composites . While it is thought they were hunted to extinction by humans, another belief is that macaque monkeys plundered dodo nests after being introduced on Mauritius. Errol Fuller, a natural history expert and curator for the auction, said: 'Most dodo bones that exist today were found in a swamp in Mauritius by George Clarke. 'The remains went to museums and private collectors but over the years they have gradually gravitated to museums. 'Only about 10 museums in the world have a complete dodo skeleton and most of them are composites. 'Physical remains of the bird in private hands today hardly exist. There are only two or three people in the world privately who have dodo bones. Drawing: The dodo (or Raphus cucullatus) was first spotted by Dutch sailors who arrived on Mauritius in 1598 . 'The last complete dodo bone was sold in 1934 in London. There will be a lot of interest in these two items. There are dodo fans all over the world and there are lots of them. Around 200 years after they had died out, dodo birds started to gain a mythical status due to Victorian author Lewis Carroll. He was inspired to write the creature into Alice's Adventures in Wonderland after seeing the head of one at a museum in Oxford. Mr Fuller added: 'The dodo was so extreme looking yet nobody really took much notice of them until the 1860s when Lewis Carroll wrote about one in Alice in Wonderland. 'That generated an interest in the bird that has never ceased. If you go to Mauritius today you can by souvenir dodo T-shirts and ashtrays. 'And of course the dodo is regarded as a symbol of extinction, mainly due to the saying 'dead as a dodo.'
|
Leg and pelvis of bird which died out in the mid-17th century up for sale .
Remains found in a swamp in Mauritius by a British schoolmaster in 1886 .
Sale is the first opportunity to buy part of the animal's skeleton since 1934 .
Flightless creatures were first spotted by Dutch sailors in the Indian Ocean in 1598, but the last sighting was in 1662 .
| 3,114 | 351 |
231,197 |
Lewsey puzzle over disallowed try
England's Josh Lewsey has claimed he was denied a late try in his side's Six Nations loss to Ireland.
The Wasps wing insisted he grounded the ball when he was bundled over the line and said referee Jonathan Kaplan had made a wrong decision. "I'm positive I touched the ball down over the line," Lewsey told BBC Sport. "It certainly wasn't a turnover. "I was driven over and I put the ball on the ground. The whistle went and I let go of the ball." Lewsey added: "One of the Irish players scooped it back after the whistle and to our surprise the referee then gave a turnover. "As far as I'm concerned, that incident and Mark Cueto's effort from Charlie Hodgson's cross-field kick that led to what looked like a good try were the two key elements in the game."
Cueto was also puzzled as to why his try had been disallowed by Kaplan. "I don't think I could have been offside for, without a doubt, I was behind the ball," said the Sale player. "The move was a planned technique, it was not off the cuff. We rehearse it time and time again. "I wouldn't say we were robbed, some decisions go with you and some go against you. Today they went against us and that's tough at international level."
|
"I was driven over and I put the ball on the ground.The whistle went and I let go of the ball."The Wasps wing insisted he grounded the ball when he was bundled over the line and said referee Jonathan Kaplan had made a wrong decision."I don't think I could have been offside for, without a doubt, I was behind the ball," said the Sale player."The move was a planned technique, it was not off the cuff.Cueto was also puzzled as to why his try had been disallowed by Kaplan.
| 1,227 | 471 |
22,754 |
(CNN) -- PGA star Hunter Mahan chose family over work this weekend, and though it may have cost him more than $1 million, he sounds ecstatic. "What a whirlwind of a day," Mahan tweeted Sunday morning, "but I'm happy to announce the birth of my daughter Zoe Olivia Mahan born at 3:26 am. Thanks for all the support! "Both Baby and Mom are doing great. Thanks to all to my sponsors who appreciate what's important in life and all my fans for being Awesome!" he added in a second tweet. Mahan was halfway to his sixth career PGA Tour tournament victory, with a two-shot lead after Friday's second round of the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario. But after receiving a call early Saturday that his wife, Kandi, had gone into labor, he withdrew from the tournament and flew home to Dallas to be present for the birth of the couple's first child rather than continuing to pursue the $1.008 million first prize. "Kandi and I are thrilled about this addition to the Mahan family, and we look forward to returning to the RBC Canadian Open in the coming years," Mahan said Saturday, according to PGATOUR.Com. Mahan has made more than $2.3 million already in 2013, with four Top 10 finishes this year, including a tie for fourth place at the U.S. Open and a tie for ninth place at the British Open over the past two months, PGATOUR.com says. CNN Sports' Jason Durand contributed to this report.
|
Pro golfer Hunter Mahan and his wife, Kandi, have their first child .
Mahan withdraws from RBC Canadian Open tournament in which he was leading .
He walks away from a potential $1 million payday .
He thanks sponsors "who appreciate what's important in life" and "awesome" fans .
| 1,411 | 278 |
142,786 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 04:42 EST, 27 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:40 EST, 28 February 2013 . Councillor Collin Brewer's remarks were described as 'depraved' but he is refusing to quit . A councillor told a charity worker who helps youngsters with special needs that 'disabled children cost the council too much money and should be put down'. Collin Brewer, 68, an independent councillor at Cornwall Council, has refused to stand down after making the 'depraved' remark to the member of a charity during an information event. What he said has received wide-spread condemnation including that of Katie Price whose son, Harvey, is severely disabled. Mr Brewer admitted that he made the comment to 'provoke a reaction' and has now been forced to apologise in writing for the offensive remark. However, he remains defiant and refuses to stand down saying: 'It is not something I would consider resigning over. I believe I am doing a good job.' He said at his home yesterday: ‘We had had a difficult morning deciding on budget and job cuts. I listened to one of the ladies on the Disability Cornwall stall and came out with the comment. If only I had not said that. The comment was made to Theresa Court, advice services manager of Disability Cornwall which complained to the council's standards committee. Ms Court said: 'I was absolutely horrified anyone would make such a depraved comment, let alone a Cornwall councillor at a public event. 'As far as I was concerned, I had a duty to make a formal complaint against Councillor Brewer to seek appropriate justice.' Her charity had a stand at an information event in Truro in October 2011. She was on hand to tell councillors about the issues they face and the work they do with parents of children with special needs. Mr Brewer approached the stand, where there were parents of disabled children, and asked what the charity did. According to Ms Court he said that children with special needs cost too much money. Fortunately, she added, none of the parents heard his comments. She said: 'I couldn't believe it. It's taken a year and a half for him to be told that he has to write an apology. The apology was an insult. 'It came with a second class stamp and it was folded up into eight small bits. He might as well have screwed it up. I can't believe that the only thing he has had to to is write an apology.He needs to re-think his job.' Katie Price tweeted her disgust at Mr Brewer's comments . Mr Brewer's apology letter in which he acknowledges his comments were 'ill-judged and insensitive' Theresa Court, who Mr Brewer made the comment to, said she was unhappy with the apology which 'might as well have been screwed up' and came in an envelope with a second class stamp . Her comments have been echoed by the readers of the Plymouth Herald, 97 per cent of whom say he should quit. Trevor . Doughty said: 'As director of children's services for Cornwall Council I . am shocked and disappointed by the remarks made by Councillor Brewer. 'The comments were cruel and ignorant and are contrary to the Council’s policy of supporting all people with disabilities. 'We . are very proud of the disability services provided in Cornwall and wish . to totally disassociate ourselves with these completely unacceptable . views.' And this afternoon Katie Price waded in on the row with a tweet referring to her disabled son, Harvey. Mr Brewer told the newspaper: . 'I had come to their stall after a long council meeting and I was . probably a little bit het up as we had had some difficult debates.' Katie Price (pictured left with her disabled son Harvey, right) today condemned Mr Brewer's comments saying 'many disabled [people] contribute more to society than Mr Brewer' Steve Paget, chairman of Disability Cornwall, said: 'It is of great concern to us that anyone with such believes, let alone to vocalise them, could be a representative and elected member of our local authority. 'For such a serious issue and . multiple breaches of conduct, bringing the council into disrepute, we . did expect no less than this councillor's resignation.' Mr . Brewer, who has been a councillor for 25 years, tried to excuse his . comments by saying he was 'hot under the collar' after a morning meeting . about council cuts. In . that meeting he heard that some disabled children were being moved out . of the county for care which was 'incurring additional expense'. In . a letter to the charity Mr Brewer said: 'I am writing to offer my . wholehearted apologies for the offences these remarks have clearly . caused. 'While I meant no . offence by my remarks to you, I can see, in retrospect, that they were . ill-judged and insensitive and should not have been made at all.' Councillor Jan Powell, a Liberal . Democrat on Cornwall Council, said: 'I'm shocked. I can't believe that a . councillor could even contemplate saying something like that even to . stimulate debate. For me it is a resignation issue.' Disability Cornwall described his apology as an insult after it was delivered by second class post . Mr . Brewer said: 'We had had a difficult morning deciding on budget and job . cuts. I listened to one of the ladies on the Disability Cornwall stall . and came out with the comment. If only I had not said that. 'I didn't mean it. I did it to provoke a response and debate the issue of service costs provision. 'It backfired. I was treating her with a lack of respect and I shouldn't have done it. I meant no offence. I would defend disabled children to the last. 'I said it to stimulate conversation but it was the wrong type of thing to say. It is not something I believe. I didn't get the reaction I wanted. He added: 'We all make mistakes. I would have apologised there and then but I didn't get the chance.'
|
Cllr Collin Brewer refuses to quit and has apologised to Disability Cornwall .
Told BBC radio that the timing wasn't good because of upcoming elections .
Charity says his apology was an insult and he should quit his post .
Defended himself by saying he was 'hot under the collar' after a meeting .
Mr Brewer forced to write apology a year and a half after offensive remark .
97 per cent of people in local paper poll say Mr Brewer should resign .
Katie Price tweeted 'How would you like to dispose of my son Harvey???'
Cornwall Council distanced itself from Mr Brewer's 'ignorant' comment .
| 5,779 | 590 |
226,246 |
(CNN) -- Nicole and Chad Oulson, the parents of 22-month-old Alexis, didn't get many date nights, let alone an entire day together. So Nicole was delighted the two were headed to a Wesley Chapel, Florida, movie theater for some adult time. "I was just looking forward to spending the day with the love of my life," a tearful Nicole Oulson said Wednesday. "And just to think that, in the blink of an eye, my whole world just got shattered into a million pieces, and now I'm left trying to pick them up and put them all back together. And It's so hard, and it's so unbearable." Nicole Oulson, speaking for the first time since her husband was gunned down January 13, wore a pink cast over her arm, covering a gunshot wound that police say she suffered while trying to protect her husband from Curtis Reeves that harrowing afternoon. Flanked by her attorneys, she spoke for only a minute, thanking those who have offered support and prayers in "this horrible time of grief and sadness." Her main focus right now is taking care of Alexis, she said. "Right now, I'm just still trying to recover from the shock," she said. Asked how Alexis was handling the loss of her father, attorney TJ Grimaldi said the toddler was fortunate to be so young. "I think we're all lucky that she's as young as she really is," he said. "She doesn't understand everything right now, so all she knows, I think, is that Daddy's not there. And in my opinion, being a father, that's enough." Reeves, a 71-year-old retired Tampa police officer, got into an altercation with Chad Oulson because Oulson was texting Alexis' babysitter during the previews for "Lone Survivor," police said. The 6-foot-1, 270-pound Reeves, who was also with his wife for the matinee at the Grove 16 Theatre in suburban Tampa, left the auditorium, apparently to complain to management, police said. Reeves returned "irritated," a witness said. The argument continued and popcorn was thrown. "The defendant advised that the victim turned and stood up, striking him in the face with an unknown object," a police report said. "The defendant advised that he removed the .380-semi-auto handgun from his pants pocket, firing one round, striking the victim, and that he was in fear of being attacked." The witness said after Reeves shot Oulson, he sat down and put the gun in his lap. Attorneys Grimaldi and Stephen Leal would not discuss many details of the case, but they did address Reeves' claim of self-defense and his defense team's efforts to persuade a judge to grant him bail. "You can claim self-defense or you can claim your client had a mental health issue," Leal said, explaining his opinion that Reeves' attorneys had limited options. "It's one or the other." Grimaldi added that Nicole Oulson "doesn't understand what he was defending himself over." For Reeves to be eligible for bail on his second-degree murder charge, he would have to demonstrate that he isn't a flight risk and that he poses no danger to the community. Defense attorney Richard Escobar told a judge earlier this month, to no avail, that Reeves had close ties to the community, was a former Hernando County Crime Stoppers president, lived with his wife of more than four decades in a neighboring county, and had two children, one of whom is a Tampa patrol officer with more than a decade of service. The attorney also said that Reeves was the victim in the altercation and that Chad Oulson was the "aggressor." Neighbors and family friends told CNN affiliates that Reeves was a friendly fellow, completely unlike the man described in news reports about the shooting. Nicole Oulson's attorneys did not discuss whether Reeves was a flight risk Wednesday, but they both expressed doubt that the community would be safe if he was released before trial. Leal said he doubts anyone could "reasonably" convince a judge that Reeves posed no risk to the public. "Everyone with a cell phone is at risk. You never know when this guy's going to go off again," Grimaldi added. The attorneys thanked Westshore Pizza and Sky Powersports, where Chad Oulson worked, for arranging fund-raisers and setting up a memorial fund that has garnered about $20,000 for the Oulsons. The attorneys said they will manage the fund and dole out the money as needed to Nicole Oulson, whose hand is "getting better." Couple describes encounter with Curtis Reeves . Heroes responded in aftermath of shooting . One piece still missing: Why?
|
Nicole Oulson wore a pink arm cast over the gunshot wound she got protecting husband .
"I'm just still trying to recover from the shock," she said in first statement since shooting .
Attorney: Daughter Alexis, 1, doesn't understand and knows only "that Daddy's not there"
Ex-cop Curtis Reeves faces murder charge after shooting Chad Oulson in Florida theater .
| 4,430 | 360 |
56,655 |
(CNN)Looting, fires and violence descended on Baltimore. Like most who know and love that city, I was heartbroken. I was once a cop in Baltimore. Police, trying to save their city last weekend, were blamed both for doing too little and for doing too much. The ghetto, and I'm talking class and not race, was on full display by Monday. The whole nation saw beautiful Baltimore at its worst. The protests started in response to the death of Freddie Gray in police hands. We still don't know what happened to Freddie Gray. Something bad happened. There's an investigation. Maybe the investigation should be going faster. But maybe rushing the investigation would compromise prosecution. (And forced testimony can't be used in prosecution; police officers too have constitutional rights as criminal defendants.) I don't know. Here's the thing: Police officers who weren't there don't know what happened to Freddie Gray. If there are criminally guilty cops, police have no problem with justice. But those who caused destruction on Monday had little, if anything, to do with Freddie Gray protests. They were, as the mayor put it, thugs. Call them what you will, normally what happens in the hood stays in the hood. Those who cut fire hoses and burned down homes and businesses? Police deal with them every day, literally. Those criminals didn't just appear on Monday, and they won't be gone tomorrow. They live there, without jobs, education, mainstream social skills, or hope. They don't come from stable families. They don't go to church. Most violent criminals are actively or passively involved in the drug trade. In Baltimore this year -- just like last year and just like next year -- police will arrest tens of thousands of poor black men, mostly on drug charges. From the same pool, 200 will be shot and killed. Another 200 will do the killing. These are communities, like the Baltimore's Eastern District, in which more than 10% of men are murdered. If all of America had homicide levels found in parts of Baltimore, there would be over 300,000 murders per year (as opposed to the still shamefully high 12,000 homicides in America). And yet some continue to think of police as the main problem rather than part of the solution. But Baltimore is not Ferguson. The police department is 50% non-white. The mayor is black. So is the police commissioner. The city is 65% African-American. So imagine you're a young white cop, as I was, in a rough neighborhood. A nice retired African-American gentleman calls 911 because the kids in front of his house, also black, are rowdy, breaking bottles, selling drugs, and otherwise being disrespectful. Just out of the police academy, I pulled up to countless of these situations. What to do? Usually I stopped, stared, and they moved on. Sometimes I would get out of my car. But I shouldn't have to. We all played by the same rules. It's about respect. Sometimes I would ask politely. Sometimes I had to order rudely. Sometimes I would ask for ID. Sometimes I would frisk, search, or arrest. That's what cops do. Every day. That's what I did. I had to. That was my job. Ultimately police are in a no-win situation. And when things go wrong, they go wrong fast. People run. There are fights. Guns. People get hurt. Sometimes people die. Sometimes -- not very often -- it's the police officer's fault. But even if there were no racist or brutal cops -- if every cop were a polite, fit, college-educated, bilingual, African-American gentleman or woman -- this wouldn't solve the greater problems of the ghetto or even police abuse. Police abuse has less to do with race than poverty and class. And police will never solve the problems of absent parents, mass incarceration, or a violence culture centered around the economics of drug prohibition. Even so, rather than face up to our problems, we calls for the cops to do something, anything. Yes, bad cops need to be punished. But it's too easy to blame police for all our problems. Problems police did not cause and cannot solve. And then when a cop makes a mistake, as one inevitably will, we jump on all police with a confident smugness and unbecoming glee. The problems in policing mirror the problems of society. We can and should improve police. The best way to do that is to improve society. True justice requires us to look both inward for blame and outward to the suffering around us. The worst thing we could do is nothing at all.
|
Peter Moskos: When man died in police custody, many unfairly blamed all Baltimore cops. But cops are in a no-win situation .
He says those who trashed city are part of larger societal woes of poverty and class. In just blaming cops, we ignore source of strife .
| 4,428 | 261 |
57,660 |
"The Berenstain Bears'" co-creator Jan Berenstain has died at the age of 88, according to a Facebook page dedicated to the furry characters Berenstain and her husband created. "It is with very sad hearts we inform you that our dear Jan died on Friday, February 24. We are grateful for all of your very kind thoughts. Please remember her family at this very difficult time," said a statement on the Berenstain Bears Facebook page. Berenstain and her husband, Stan, were already successful cartoonists when they decided to transition to writing children's books. According to publisher Harper Collins, "The Big Honey Hunt," published in 1962, was the first book starring the bear family. Since that time, more than 330 "Berenstain Bears" books have been published over the past 50 years, the publisher said. More than 260 million copies have been sold, making it one of the best-selling children's book series in history, Harper Collins said. The Berenstain Bears stories were so popular that the storyline was made into an animated TV show special on NBC in 1979 and then a hit daily TV series that began on PBS in 2002. After Stan Berenstain died at age 82 in 2005, Jan Berenstain and her son Mike continued to write and illustrate new adventures for the Berenstain Bears, according to the Berenstain Bear Facebook page. Berenstain lived in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, according to her publisher.
|
Jan Berenstain authored and illustrated "The Berenstain Bears" books with her husband .
"The Berenstain Bears" books have been in publication for 50 years .
The children's books were made into a popular TV series on PBS .
| 1,396 | 221 |
147,717 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 12:28 PM on 1st November 2011 . A 23-year-old Virginia woman was struck and killed by a valet-driven vehicle - two days before she celebrated her second wedding anniversary. Josephine Stone, an aspiring journalist, was struck on Friday night by a vehicle being driven to the Hilton Garden Inn garage in downtown Richmond by a parking attendant, police say. Charges are pending against the driver. Tragic: Josephine Stone, 23, was struck and killed by a valet car on Friday - two days before celebrating her second wedding anniversary . The Richmond-Times Dispatch reports . Mrs Stone was walking along North Fifth Street from . Penny Lane Pub at approximately 10pm, when she stopped to greet friends and former . co-workers. Reports suggest she was heading to a show at The National on East Broad . Street. She had reportedly planned to return to the local pub after the concert, and had left some of her possessions behind. Police said the matter had been referred to the Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney's Office for review. Further details regarding the incident had not been released at press time. Scene: The incident occurred at approximately 10pm outside of the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Richmond . The woman's husband, John Stone, told WTVR.com he spent the weekend planning a . memorial in her honour, instead of the couple's anniversary . celebration. 'We had a little ceremony at the end of the Halloween parade and got married,' he said, recalling their wedding. 'She's the love of my life. I don't know what I am going to do without her.' He told the website they met working . at the Penny Lane Pub. After graduating cum laude from Virginia . Commonwealth University last spring with degrees in journalism and . English, she left to start work as a technical writer for health . benefits company Wellpoint. Mourning: The woman's husband, John Stone, spent the weekend planning a memorial in her honour . Mr Stone said most recently the couple had started an online magazine together. A memorial service was held in her . honour on Monday afternoon at Bon Air Baptist Church in Chesterfield, . led by Chaplain Rich Underhill, a family friend. There, some of the two hundred people who gathered to pay tribute, spoke . of her memory, reports the Richmond-Times Dispatch. Some cited her 'incredible sense of humour', her 'infectious laugh', and spoke of the 'great future' that lied ahead for her. David Taborelli, Mrs Stone's uncle and . godfather, recalled her childhood. 'She was smiling and happy from day one,' he said. 'She became a successful woman. To have so much . success at such an early age is mind-blowing to me. She lived up to her . potential.'
|
Josephine Stone killed outside of Hilton Garden Inn by hotel valet parking attendant .
Charges pending against driver .
| 2,719 | 119 |
29,926 |
By . Mark Duell . Last updated at 9:37 PM on 21st February 2012 . Smiles turned to frowns on Wall Street today as the Dow retreated after crossing 13,000 for the first time since before the financial crisis began. Its last time above 13,000 during a trading day was May 20 in 2008, four months before the Lehman Brothers investment bank went under. The Dow Jones first passed 13,000 two hours into the trading day after a long-awaited bailout deal for Greece, before it fell back to close at 12,966. Happy: The Dow first passed 13,000 about two hours into the trading day, then quickly dropped back. Traders at the New York Stock Exchange are seen today . On the floor: In a market built on perception, the milestone could influence more cautious investors to pump more money back into the stock market . The deal on Tuesday was aimed at . preventing a potentially catastrophic default. It came amid strong . corporate earnings reports in the U.S. The Dow hit 13,000 at 11:30am and stayed there for 30 seconds, then dropped back. It reclaimed the level again at noon and just after 1:30pm. TUESDAY . 2012 . But it gave up most of its gains for the . day and finished up 16 at 12,966. The S&P 500 rose a point to 1,362 . but the Nasdaq fell three to 2,949. The last time the Dow Jones was above 13,000, the unemployment rate in the U.S. was 5.4 per cent, far below today's 8.3 per cent. The Great Recession was six months . old, with the worst still to come. The 13,000 level is generally seen a . psychological milepost. However in a market built on perception, . it could influence more cautious investors to pump more money back into . the stock market, analysts said. ‘You need notches along the way to . measure things, and that's as good as any,’ said analyst John Manley of Wells Fargo's funds group. ‘Is 50 older than 49 and a half? Yes, . by six months. Do those six months really make a difference? Probably . not. But it does give us a fixed point.’ Five years: The Dow's last time above 13,000 during a trading day was May 20 in 2008, four months before the Lehman Brothers investment bank went under . Fluctuations: The last time the Dow Jones industrial average was above 13,000, the unemployment rate was 5.4 per cent, far below today's 8.3 per cent . Last summer the Dow Jones unburdened itself of 2,000 points in three terrifying weeks. It fell as low as 10,655 in the autumn. 'You need notches along the way to measure things, and that's as good as any. Is 50 older than 49 and a half? Yes, by six months. Do those six months really make a difference? Probably not. But it does give us a fixed point' John Manley, Wells Fargo . That came as investors panicked after a . downgrade of the U.S. credit rating and a fight over the federal . government's borrowing limit. The 13,000 marker is a 22 per cent . rally from that low and it’s within 1,200 points of the record closing . high - 14,164 on October 9 in 2007. Under the bailout deal, Greece will . get €130billion, or $172billion, from other European nations and . the International Monetary Fund. It will also owe €107billion less to . investors who own its government bonds. European markets fell after the . Greece deal was announced. At the start: Former first lady Laura Bush, centre, rings the Opening Bell during a visit to the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday, ahead of the 13,000 milestone . After months of the talks crawling . along, the conclusion was almost anticlimactic, with an agreement . already expected by the markets. Stocks were down almost 4 per cent in . Greece, a little more than 1 per cent in Spain and less than 1 per cent . in France and Britain. But the euro rose slightly at $1.32, . which may be a sign of confidence in Europe's markets. Investors noted . that Greece remains in deep recession. Its private-sector investors were also . forced to take a 53.5 per cent loss on the face value of their bonds, . which could discourage future investment. The U.S. stock market has climbed . steadily this year thanks to optimism about the economy, but high petrol . prices are becoming a concern. Present: Mrs Bush was there on behalf of the The Bush Institute Women's Initiative Fellowship Program and was joined by 14 female Egyptian Fellows . A gallon of regular costs $3.57 on average, 40 cents more than a year ago and the highest on record for this time of year. With tension building over Iran's . nuclear ambitions, it has halted oil exports to Britain and France and . threatened to stop shipping to others in Europe. U.S. markets enjoyed strong earnings . reports from Home Depot and Dollar Thrifty. But Wal-Mart reported a 15 . per cent drop in quarterly profits. Former first lady Laura Bush rang the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday with by 14 female Egyptian Fellows of her institute. The Bush Institute Women's Initiative Fellowship is a leadership exchange programme to engage women, with an initial focus on the Middle East.
|
First time stock index hits milestone since May 2008 .
Rally follows long-awaited bailout deal for Greece .
Dow is 1,200 off record high of 14,164 set in 2007 .
Former first lady Laura Bush rings Opening Bell .
| 4,963 | 210 |
282,836 |
By . Sam Webb . PUBLISHED: . 23:11 EST, 2 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 23:12 EST, 2 January 2013 . The father of a 15-year-old Pakistani girl shot in the head by the Taliban has been given a diplomatic job in the UK, according to reports. Malala Yousafzai's father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, has been appointed as Pakistan's education attache at the Consulate in Birmingham, according to sources. The job is believed to be for up to three years and virtually guarantees Malala will remain in the UK. Ziauddin Yousufzai, pictured here with Malala and her two younger brothers Atal Khan (far right) and Khushal Khan (centre). Reports say the Pakistani government have given him a job in Birmingham, where Malala is undergoing treatment . Malala was targeted by the Taliban in Pakistan for her work campaigning for women's rights and freedom of access to education in the country. In October last year she was shot in the head in an assassination attempt as she sat on the school bus. She was taken to hospital in Pakistan and later flown to Britain for specialist treatment at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.The Taliban have vowed to target her again. Malala, from the town of Mingora in the Swat district of Pakistan, was hit just above her left eye by a bullet which travelled along her jaw and grazed the edge of her brain. While recovering in hospital in the UK in October, she was visited by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari. Horror: Injured Malala Yousafzai, then aged 14, on a stretcher at a hospital following the attack by gunmen in Mingora on October 9, 2012 . Brave: Malala recovering in Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. The Taliban have vowed to target her again . In November, her father issued a statement thanking well-wishers for their support and the gifts they had sent his daughter. Speaking at the time, he said: 'She wants me to tell everyone how grateful she is and is amazed that men, women and children from across the world are interested in her well-being. 'We deeply feel the heart-touching good wishes of the people across the world of all castes, colour and creed. 'I am awfully thankful to all the peace-loving well-wishers who strongly condemn the assassination attempt on Malala, who pray for her health and support the grand cause of peace, education, freedom of thought and freedom of expression.' The attack on Malala sparked vigils and protests supporting her throughout the world . He described the decision to fly his daughter to hospital in Britain as a 'miracle' and vowed that she would 'rise again'. The cost of Malala's ongoing medical care is being met by the Pakistan government, while the United Arab Emirates provided the air ambulance which transported her to the UK. Malala's case won worldwide recognition for the struggle for women's rights in Pakistan. She made the shortlist for Time magazine's 'Person of the Year' for 2012.
|
Ziauddin Yousafzai has been appointed as Pakistan's education attache .
He is the father of Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by Taliban .
The teenager was targeted for encouraging girls to learn .
She underwent surgery in Birmingham and remains in the UK .
| 2,888 | 266 |
47,005 |
(CNN) -- A federal judge has denied a request to move the trial of Brian David Mitchell, who is accused of kidnapping Elizabeth Smart in 2002, but may revisit the issue depending on the results of potential juror questionnaires. Mitchell's defense attorneys had argued that he should receive a trial outside the state of Utah because publicity in the case has prejudiced the pool of potential jurors against him and jeopardized his right to a fair trial. They cited Mitchell's constitutional rights as well as a federal rule of criminal procedure. But U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball ruled Monday that "this is not one of the extreme cases where a change of venue based on presumed prejudice is constitutionally required." And while he "is not satisfied that so great a prejudice exists in this district that defendant cannot receive a fair and impartial trial," the judge said concerns over seating an impartial jury could be valid. "Due to the high-profile nature of this case ... the court undoubtedly has concerns regarding the appropriateness of holding (the) defendant's trial in this district," Kimball wrote. "But the court believes that its concerns may be effectively addressed and answered through the use of the juror questionnaire that the court and parties plan to employ prior to the actual voir dire (jury selection)." Kimball said he would reserve the ruling on that issue until after the questionnaire responses have been reviewed. Mitchell, 56, is scheduled to stand trial November 1 on charges of kidnapping then-14-year-old Smart in June 2002 and transporting her across state lines for improper purposes. He is accused of snatching Smart at knifepoint from her bedroom in her family's Salt Lake City, Utah, home. She was found nine months later, walking down a street in the Salt Lake City suburb of Sandy with Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. Mitchell, a drifter and self-described prophet who called himself "Emmanuel," had done some handyman work at the Smarts' home. Barzee, 64, pleaded guilty in November to kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor, and in May was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. As part of a plea deal with prosecutors, she has agreed to cooperate in the state and federal cases against her husband. She also pleaded guilty but mentally ill in state court to conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping in an attempt to kidnap Smart's cousin a month after Smart's disappearance. Barzee was given a sentence of one to 15 years to be served concurrently with her federal sentence, and given credit for the seven years she has already spent in custody. Smart, now 22, testified in October as part of Mitchell's competency hearing that after kidnapping her, Mitchell took her to a wooded area behind her home and performed a mock marriage ceremony with her before sexually assaulting her. She testified she was repeatedly assaulted during her months in captivity. While the case garnered international attention, Kimball noted in his ruling that more than eight years have passed since the kidnapping and seven years since Mitchell's arrest. While there was extensive media coverage at the time, the judge said the coverage has fallen off in recent years to stories about the criminal cases against Barzee and Mitchell, and that the coverage has been even-handed. "The media has undoubtedly been interested in covering the proceedings in this case, but the court has not sensed any kind of 'carnival atmosphere,'" Kimball wrote. And he pointed out that the jury pool will not come only from Salt Lake City or Salt Lake County, but the entire state of Utah, which has a population of 2.8 million people. "This is not a case where there is a heightened risk of prejudice in a small community," Kimball said. He dismissed defense concerns about the large number of volunteers who searched for Smart after her disappearance, saying such volunteers could be easily weeded out and a potential juror would not necessarily be influenced even if they knew someone who had participated. "Even though defendant's main defense at trial will be an insanity defense, defendant has not demonstrated any media prejudice in this regard," the judge wrote. "In fact, reports referring to defendant's homeless lifestyle, his grandiose religious beliefs and his disruptive singing in court are likely more favorable than unfavorable to his insanity defense." Defense attorneys presented an expert survey that showed 92 percent of Utah residents believed Mitchell to be probably or definitely guilty and that 77 percent said they had read, seen, or heard that Mitchell had been found competent to stand trial. But Kimball questioned those results, saying the queries to respondents were in some cases leading and failed to include "meaningful details."
|
Brian David Mitchell's attorneys say the trial should be moved .
Mitchell is set to stand trial November 1 .
A judge ruled earlier this year that Mitchell is competent to stand trial .
His wife is cooperating with authorities .
| 4,793 | 227 |
281,935 |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 8:13 AM on 19th October 2011 . A photo with the First Lady doesn't come cheap during campaign season. President Barack Obama's fundraising tour will land in Chicago on Tuesday, where Michelle Obama will reportedly pose for group photos for the cost of $10,000 each. The sum is said to benefit her husband's bid for re-election and the Democratic National Committee. Campaign push: Michelle spoke to volunteers about her home project on Monday while her husband tried to sell his jobs plan in North Carolina, where he hugged this diner during a stop at a restaurant in Marion . Too young to vote? Michelle Obama was busy working for veterans as her husband courted babies - and their parents - during his bus tour . According to the Chicago Tribune, . invitations to the event say tickets to a 'family photo reception' are . available for the five-figure sum - with a maximum of six guests in the . photo. The asking price solicited by . Generation44, the 'official under-40 fundraising program of Obama for . America comprised of the next generation of leaders, young . entrepreneurs, social innovators and activists', according to the . report. For those with a smaller budget, . limited availability seats start at $100 at the event, which will begin . at 5pm at the Journeymen Plumbers union hall in Near West Side. Mrs Obama will be in Chicago to team . up with Mayor Rahm Emanuel at a 'food desert' summit about making . nutritious foods more accessible to Chicago communities. $100 = Limited Availability Gen44* Tickets . $500 = General Admission . $1,000 = Preferred Selection . $7,500 = Host (write or raise) $10,000 = Family Photo Reception (maximum six in photo) *Generation44 calls itself the 'official under-40 fundraising program of Obama for America comprised of the next generation of leaders, young entrepreneurs, social innovators and activists'. Source: The Chicago Tribune . The fundraiser will follow another on . Tuesday evening at a Detroit hotel, where asking prices on the . invitation are $250, $2,500 and $10,000, according to the Tribune. Another fundraising event in her . native Chicago on Thursday, where billionaire Warren Buffet is expected . to attend a dinner party on behalf of the campaign at the home of Byron . and Tina Trott in Winnetka - where dinner is $35,000 per couple, . according to a campaign email to top fundraisers. The President and First Lady are not expected to attend that event. Meanwhile, President Obama worked . crowds in North Carolina as the First Lady put the finishing touches on a . renovated home for a medic wounded in Afghanistan in another campaign . push of her own on Monday. Washington D.C. resident Army Sgt . Johnny Agbi suffered brain and spinal cord injuries and uses a . wheelchair, but can walk short distances with the aid of a cane. Michelle . Obama and Jill Biden visited his three-story rowhouse just blocks from . the U.S. Capitol to paint the living room, a task helped by Mrs Obama's . 5'11 reach that meant she didn't even need a ladder. Campaign trail: U.S. President Barack Obama greets local residents who where waiting beside the tour road in Brodnax, Virginia on Tuesday . The home underwent a $100,000 renovation under a program called Heroes at Home. He's the 1,000th veteran whose home . was renovated since the program began in 2007. Agbi says the changes . have made a big difference in his life. The First and Second Lady are . also scheduled to attend the World Series opener in St Louis on . Wednesday night to honour military veterans. Major . League Baseball announced on Monday that it has dedicated Game 1 . between the Texas Rangers and St Louis Cardinals to veterans and their . families. The First Lady and Dr Biden, the wife . of Vice President Joe Biden, will participate in a pregame ceremony at . Busch Stadium as part of the Welcome Back Veterans program and Obama's . Joining Forces initiative. Hard at work: The First Lady is one of the president's secret weapons this campaign season, as her approval ratings are higher than his . No ladder required: Jill Biden and Michelle . Obama painted a wounded medic's living room on Monday in Washington D.C. as part of the Heroes at Home program . Before . the game, the two will join representatives from MLB and the St Louis . Cardinals, including Hall of Famer and Army veteran Red Schoendienst, at . the St Louis VA Medical Center for a military family appreciation . event. Mr Obama and Mr . Biden also will participate in an interview on their Joining Forces . initiative and answer questions submitted by fans through Facebook and . Twitter. 'We are honored to have First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr Jill Biden join us for the 2011 Fall Classic to recognize the courageous men and women who serve the country as well as their families,' Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. 'Major League Baseball has raised more than $11million over the past several years through our Welcome Back Veterans program to help support veterans and their families. 'The World Series gives us the perfect opportunity to build on this ongoing commitment.'
|
DNC fundraiser in First Lady's native Chicago scheduled for Tuesday .
Mrs Obama and Jill Biden also going to the World Series on behalf of vets .
Barack Obama has campaigned this week in North Carolina and Virginia .
| 5,143 | 216 |
139,192 |
Tough: Top state schools are having to choose between up to 18 pupils for each place (picture posed by model) Recession-hit parents are scrambling for a 'Rolls-Royce' state education for their children - meaning up to 18 pupils are now fighting for one place at the most popular schools, it has been revealed today. Top grammar schools, faith schools and academies are being flooded with applications as many mothers and fathers are struggling to afford private school fees. The most-sought after institutions must choose up to 200 pupils out of more than 1,000 applications a year and are developing more complex admission rules to prevent parents 'playing the system'. England's most over-subscribed state school is the Muslim secondary Al-Hijrah in Birmingham, where 18 students compete for every of its 60 places. It is followed by Herschel Grammar in Slough, which has 14 applicants per place, while across the Berkshire town sits Langley Grammar, which must deal with 13 per place. Experts say these high numbers are driven by people being priced out of private school so targeting stop state institutions instead. 'There are some brilliant supercomps out there, often led by superheads and getting super results,' Janette Wallis, senior editor of the Good Schools Guide told the Daily Telegraph. 'In most cases, however, these highest achieving comprehensives have some element of selection, whether it be geography, church attendance or a percentage admitted on the basis of aptitude.' Currently parents applying for schools for their children can approach between three and six, which all headteachers must treat equally regardless of whether their school is the first choice. Expensive: Experts say years of recession means that fewer parents can afford private fees so target top state schools instead . Al-Hijrah School, Birmingham: 18.35 applications per pupil placeHerschel Grammar, Slough: 14Langley Grammar, Slough: 13Sutton Grammar for Boys, Sutton 13Harris Academy Crystal Palace, Croydon, 12.3 Tiffin Girls’ School, Kingston upon Thames, 12.3Tiffin Boys' School, Kingston upon Thames, 12The Latymer School, Enfield, 11King Edward VI Five Ways, Birmingham, 10.6Slough Grammar, Slough, 10.5 . However, there are rules preventing parents 'buying' their way into schools by purchasing homes in the catchment areas. Instead many schools hold a lottery, where pupils are chosen by ballot or tests are held and a mix of lower, average and higher ability children are chosen proportionately. A quarter of schools use at least one of these systems. The Government says they are creating more school places. 'We are creating thousands more school places and raising standards throughout the country so that every child has the chance to go to a good local school,' a Department for Education spokesperson said. 'We have made £2.7 billion available since 2011 for those local authorities that face the greatest pressure on places and this month we announced an extra £1 billion to build new free schools and academies and expand existing good schools.'
|
Top faith and grammar schools dealing with more than 1,000 applications a year, new figures show .
Muslim secondary school Al-Hijrah in Birmingham, has 18 students competing for every one of its 60 places .
| 3,061 | 206 |
173,174 |
Raheem Sterling has hinted that his long-term future remains at Liverpool after revealing that he dreams of hearing Anfield sing his name. Sterling is stalling on a new £100,000-a-week contract offer, although he insists it has nothing to do with money and he will reassess at the end of the season. The 20-year-old, who has been linked with a number of Europe's top clubs, has now revealed that he'd love his very own chant from the Liverpool faithful. Raheem Sterling (left) has revealed that he hopes Liverpool fans create a chant for him . Sterling is stalling on a new £100,000-a-week offer although he insists it has nothing to do with money . Sterling told Sunday Times Magazine: 'My ambition is to have my own song from the Kop. Last season I loved the song for Luis Suarez — [Steven] Gerrard and [Philippe] Coutinho have good ones too. 'Of course, when the crowd’s with you, there’s nothing better.' Sterling will be hoping to help Liverpool to a crucial Premier League victory against Newcastle United on Monday evening as Brendan Rodgers' side look to close the gap to fourth-place Manchester City. Sterling made his Liverpool debut in a Premier League defeat against Wigan in 2012 . Sterling (second right) models Liverpool's new kit alongside (l-r) Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho last week as the new strip was revealed . The former Queens Park Rangers youngster also revealed how a visit to Anfield as a starstruck 15-year-old convinced him that a career on Merseyside was the right move. He added: 'I was 15 when I signed to Liverpool’s youth team, and I have to admit I was starstruck. The first time I saw Stevie [Gerrard] I thought he was a fake! I couldn’t believe he was real and not a waxwork. 'By the time I was 14, I had trials lined up at Arsenal, Chelsea and Fulham, but my Liverpool trial at Anfield came first, and when I saw the stadium and the training ground, I thought: “Right, I’m not leaving here until I’ve signed.' Reds boss Brendan Rodgers will be hoping Sterling decides to stay at Anfield next season .
|
Raheem Sterling hopes the Liverpool fans will soon be chanting his name .
Sterling has been stalling on a new £100,000-a-week contract offer .
The 20-year-old admits he 'loved' the song fans had for Luis Suarez .
READ: Sterling pictured smoking shisha pipe as star courts controversy .
READ: Jordon Ibe on the verge of signing new Liverpool contract .
| 2,081 | 351 |
138,484 |
A married couple have been jailed for a total of 19 years for laundering £145million of dirty money through their family-run bureau de change. Moothathamby Sriskantharajah, 59, and his wife Thilageswary, 48, ran what seemed to be a legitimate currency exchange but were in fact cleaning money for dangerous criminal gangs. The couple stashed hundreds of thousands of pounds in safe deposit boxes at luxury store Harrods and used two sisters, unrelated to them, to transport the illicit cash. Married couple Moothathamby (left) and Thilageswary (right) Sriskantharajah have been jailed for a total of 19 years for laundering £145MILLION of dirty money through their family-run bureau de change . The fraudulent four were jailed on Thursday last week at Southwark Crown Court for money laundering after an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The Sriskantharajahs ran London stores Universal Money Exchange and Buckingham Money Exchange, with three sites across the capital including one on Oxford Street. They took cash from organised gangs and transferred it into euros believing the authorities couldn't then trace the dirty money. Sisters Marlene and Lucia Cumbo, 53 and 54, both of Islington, north London, acted as their couriers. HMRC officers caught Marlene leaving Harrods with a store bag containing nearly £91,000 in 200-euro notes in August 2011. The couple stashed hundreds of thousands of pounds in safe deposit boxes at luxury store Harrods (pictured) Sisters Marlene (right) and Lucia Cumbo (left) were used by the pair to transport the illicit cash . Officers were searching her home when Lucia arrived carrying an envelope in her handbag with a further £35,000. Peter Millroy, criminal investigation assistant director at HMRC, said: 'This gang of criminals were under the delusion they could escape detection - they were wrong and are now paying the price behind bars. 'Their activities bore no relation to what is expected from high street bureaux de change. Instead they used their business as a front to launder the profits made by many of the UK's most serious and dangerous crime gangs.' The married couple, of Hounslow, west London, denied the offences but were convicted by a jury. Moothathamby was sentenced to 12 years in jail and banned from being a director for 12 years. While Thilageswary was jailed for seven years and banned from being a director for eight years. Marlene admitted the offence and was jailed for three-and-a-half years. Lucia denied her role in the outfit but a jury found her guilty and she was sentenced to two years in jail. Some of the cash seized by HMRC officers from the Sriskantharajahs' money-laundering operation .
|
Moothathamby Sriskantharajah and his wife Thilageswary used their business to money launder for dangerous criminal gangs .
The couple stashed thousands in safe deposit boxes at Harrods .
They then used sisters Marlene and Lucia Cumbo as their couriers .
Both denied the offence but were found guilty and jailed for a total 19 years .
| 2,683 | 333 |
113,703 |
By . Martin Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 06:45 EST, 16 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:31 EST, 16 January 2013 . This baby red deer appears to be in the middle of an identity crisis, as he has convinced himself he is a lamb and has joined a flock of sheep. Shepherd Andrew Capell was shocked when he was counting his animals and noticed the male fawn had joined his 100 livestock on Dunwich Heath in Suffolk. Mr Capell, who looks after the sheep which help maintain the National Trust land by grazing on it, said the lost deer became separated from its herd and attached itself to the flock. Scroll down for video . Good friends: This baby red deer has lost his own herd so has joined a flock of sheep instead, and appears to be settling in well . One of the gang: The fawn (centre) has been widely welcomed by the rest of the flock, although his shepherd says he is towards the bottom of the pecking order . He has been living, eating and sleeping with his 100 new friends for about two weeks now and shows no sign of leaving. The sheep do not seem to mind their new guest and have adopted him into the flock, giving him a warm welcome. 'I was counting the sheep when I spotted this little deer amongst the flock,' said Mr Capell. 'I think what's happened is that the main herd of deer have come through the field, jumped over the fence and then jumped out again and he's not gone with them. 'He seems to have adopted the flock and stayed with them and the flock have taken to him really well. 'There's a bit of a pecking order in the flock so he's finding his place within it. He sees to be the bottom of the ladder. 'He does seem to miss the sheep if he's too far away from them and does go looking for them.' Cunfused: Shepherd Andrew Capell says that the deer seems convinced he is a lamb after a fortnight with them . Bonding: The deer has spent two weeks eating, drinking and sleeping with the 100 sheep is fully integrated . Sad: When the sheep move on to new pastures later this year, sadly the deer will be left behind . The National Trust had only recently moved the 100 sheep north from Orford Ness National Nature Reserve, where the fields become flooded with shallow water in the winter and so are too wet for the sheep to graze. The deer now spends his day grazing with the sheep and does not seem to have noticed his lack of woolly coat or inability to bleat. He even sleeps in the field with the flock at night. 'I've never known of this happening before,' added Mr Capell. 'The big deer spend a lot of time in the field when the sheep are away in the summer and two winters ago we had a yearling in the field for two days but that did not hang around with the sheep.' Surprise! 'I was counting the sheep when I spotted this little deer amongst the flock,' said shepherd Mr Capell . But sadly the young animal will not be able to stay a 'sheep deer' forever. At the end of the winter the sheep will be taken back to their summer home, but the deer will have to stay behind on Dunwich Heath. A spokesman for the National Trust added: 'It is hoped the young deer will rejoin his herd if they roam past the flock over the coming weeks.'
|
The confused deer has joined a flock on National Trust land in Suffolk .
A shepherd came to tend his livestock and found the male fawn among them .
It has been with them for two weeks and has been accepted by the group .
| 3,146 | 220 |
305,530 |
By . Sean Poulter, Consumer Affairs Editor . PUBLISHED: . 18:45 EST, 23 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:44 EST, 24 November 2012 . You don't have to shop at Harrods any more to dine like a millionaire. Lidl is selling 100g pots of caviar for just £1.49 – making the delicacy cheaper than a Big Mac. The budget chain's product is capelin caviar, which is highly prized in Japan, although gourmets do not put it in the same class as the finest Golden Almas caviar. Sales for the supermarket's Deluxe range have risen by 200 per cent in the last two years . But then it doesn't come with the same price tag of £840 for a measly 30g. Even the cheapest caviar at Fortnum and Mason comes in at £80 for 30g, with prices ranging all the way up to £350 for 200g. Meanwhile at the likes of Lidl and Aldi, quail, goose and Grand Cru champagne are joining caviar on the shelves as affordable treats for 'Middle Britain' families putting aside their prejudices and looking to stretch their food budgets. Traditionally, caviar refers to the salted eggs of sturgeon. But now it is an endangered species, the eggs of other fish such as salmon, paddlefish, whitefish and lumpfish can be used if the name is on the packaging. Lidl's version uses capelin – a small forage fish found in the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. A Lidl spokesman said they achieve their low price because they produce it on such a large scale. It was introduced in stores in November 2010 and in the past three weeks the chain has seen a 171 per cent increase in sales compared to last year. Many stores have had to re-order it to meet customer demand. Budget banquet offerings from Aldi include a whole fresh British goose, typically weighing 4.5kg, for £34.99, while there are quails at £4.99 for four, and venison steaks at £6.99 for 400g. There is also a Luxury Champagne and Gold Leaf Christmas Pudding at £9.99, while its £7.99 Orange Topped Christmas Pudding won plaudits from the Good Housekeeping Institute. Sales of Aberdeen Angus steak, prize-winning champagne, parmesan cheese, olive oil and freshly ground coffee are driving a sales boom at the chain. The Deluxe range at Lidl includes a 1.5kg three bird roast at £9.99. Four quails are £5.99, a pack of venison loin steaks is £9.99 and a frozen goose is a modest £19.99. It is selling lobster at £5.99 for a 350g pack and 12 large scallops for £3.99. The growth of the German-owned chains is posing a real threat to Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons. BMWs and Audis fill their car parks while their products have won a host of taste and quality prizes. Aldi has seen an 18 per cent increase in shoppers from the wealthiest A and B social classes. They will be snapping up the chain's Grand Cru Champagne for £22.99, which is a saving of 54 per cent on the usual £49.99 market price. There is also a Grand Cru Classé 2004 Margaux for £22.99, which is down from a usual £43.82, and a 30 Year Old Tawny Port for £37.99, which is less than half the usual market price of £79.95. Lidl has seen a 200 per cent increase in sales of its Deluxe range products in the past two years. Spokesman Georgina Hall said: 'The range allows you to enjoy an aspirational lifestyle without forking out when it comes to cost.' Feed your family on £50 a week .
|
Chain's product is capelin caviar, which is highly prized in Japan, though not ranked with Golden Almas caviar .
Lidl also selling lobster at £5.99 for a 350g pack and 12 large scallops for £3.99 .
Store has seen a 200 per cent increase in sales of its Deluxe products .
| 3,261 | 270 |
213,298 |
By . Sean Poulter . The next time you buy chicken or eggs from Tesco, they may come from birds fed genetically modified soya. The supermarket chain yesterday abandoned its 11-year commitment not to sell poultry reared on the controversial GM feed. The original controls were put in place to reflect the concerns of shoppers, who question the impact of GM crops on human health and the countryside. Tesco, Britain's biggest seller of fresh chicken and eggs, is dropping a ban on GM feed for its birds which dates back 11 years . Tesco, Britain’s biggest seller of fresh chicken and eggs, claims the U-turn has been prompted by its farmers and their suppliers, who say they are finding it increasingly difficult to source non-GM soya. This suggests the diet of families in the UK is effectively being controlled by US biotech companies responsible for creating GM crops. None of the chicken or eggs produced from birds given this ‘Frankenstein food’ diet will be labelled as such, leaving customers in the dark. Yet a survey conducted by the Government’s Food Standards Agency last year found two in three people believe meat, eggs and milk produced from animals given a GM diet should be labelled. Peter Melchett is policy director at the Soil Association, which supports organic farming. He accused Tesco of ignoring the wishes of customers and said it was simply wrong to claim it was difficult to get non-GM feed. ‘Tesco are ignoring the overwhelming majority of the British people,’ he said. ‘Shamefully, Tesco are planning to keep their use of GM feed secret from their customers.’ He added: ‘Tesco are also wrong about the availability of non-GM animal feed. They have swallowed the line being pedalled by multi-national, industrial farming companies that non-GM feed is getting scarcer. In fact, in Brazil alone, there is enough non-GM animal feed to supply the whole of Europe.’ There is some dispute as to whether animals fed a GM diet are changed as a result. The Food Standards Agency says that the DNA from GM soya is not present in the meat of animals fed on it, nor in products such as eggs or milk. The supermarket said the change does not mean that it will be introducing GM ingredients across its food range . But critics claim scientists have shown that fragments of genetically modified DNA, at least, are present in the resulting food. Tesco’s announcement came from group technical director, Tim Smith, who was chief executive at the FSA during a period when it was perceived as being pro-GM. The store said customers who want to guarantee meat and eggs from animals given a non-GM diet can choose to buy organic. Mr Smith wrote on the Tesco website yesterday: ‘Over recent weeks UK poultry and egg suppliers have been telling retailers that it is increasingly difficult for them to guarantee that the feed they use is entirely GM-free, for two reasons. First, soya is the best source of protein to feed livestock. ‘And as soya producers are increasingly turning to GM soya, it means they are producing less non-GM soya, so there simply isn’t enough non-GM feed available. We could not continue with a promise we cannot be sure it is possible to keep and we want to be up-front about the changes we are making.’ Morrisons and Asda have already dropped their own bans on GM feed. Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s are still refusing to use GM for their chickens. Last night Tesco insisted that it takes full responsibility for lifting the ban. A spokesman said: ‘This is our decision, made after consulting suppliers. We are not blaming suppliers or farmers.’
|
Controls were put in place in order to reflect concerns of shoppers .
Tesco claims U-turn was dictated by its farmers and their suppliers .
No products .
from birds given GM diet will be labelled as being so .
| 3,581 | 209 |
303,719 |
Blackburn will try to tie their FA Cup hat-trick hero Josh King to a new contract after he did more to restore the club’s battered reputation than anyone has in recent years. The feelgood factor returned to Ewood Park with King leading a remarkable victory against one of the Barclays Premier League’s most rugged outfits in Stoke City. Yet the 23-year-old Norwegian is due to become a free agent in the summer and after this performance can expect a host of offers. Blackburn Rovers will try to tie their FA Cup hat-trick hero Josh King (right) to a new contract . King scored a hat-trick as Championship side Rovers upset the Premier League's Stoke City in the FA Cup . Rovers' FA Cup hat-trick hero forward King, 23, is out of contract at the end of the season . ‘The club are in talks with Josh,’ confirmed manager Gary Bowyer after the best win of his managerial career. ‘When I took over the main aim was to keep out of the papers because the headlines were for the wrong reasons but hopefully now we are going to get some positive reports for our football.’ The irony is that King isn’t guaranteed to start in Tuesday night’s league game against Cardiff City due to the form of regular strike partners Rudy Gestede and Jordan Rhodes. King started his career at Old Trafford and made two first-team substitute appearances before moving on to Preston, Borussia Monchengladbach, Hull and Blackburn. Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer confirmed the club are in talks to tie King down to a new contract . Blackburn striker King (left) shakes hands with manager Bowyer (right) after scoring a hat-trick . After his first professional hat-trick, he said: ‘I don’t mind playing anywhere up front, right, left, middle. I just love attacking defenders. 'I actually forgot I was meant to take the match ball home until Tony Grant, the assistant manager, reminded me on my way out.’ It was Stoke’s second consecutive 4-1 loss and midfielder Glenn Whelan labelled the performance the ‘worst I have ever seen’. ‘We didn’t want to fight or do the basics. We weren’t prepared to work hard enough,’ he said. King started his career at Old Trafford and made two first-team substitute appearances for Manchester United .
|
Josh King scored a hat-trick as Blackburn beat Stoke 4-1 in the FA Cup .
Blackburn are trying to tie King down to a new contract at Ewood Park .
'The club are in talks with Josh,' confirmed manager Gary Bowyer .
King helped cause a major upset against Premier League opposition .
| 2,203 | 279 |
289,811 |
By . Corey Charlton . An Australian lawn bowls player attempted to escape Glasgow's infamous weather in the confines of a box meant for players' bags. Kelvin Kerkow was spotted by TV Cameras spilling out of the container with the lid resting on his head. The 45-year-old took most of the attention away from England's Commonwealth Games lawn bowls match against Scotland, which was taking place at the time. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Commonwealth Games: Day 7 review . Twitter: The image of Kerkow peering out from inside the small bin was quickly shared across social media . Australian: Kelvin Kerkow pictured in the background of a broadcast hiding in a box to avoid the Glasgow rain . Full-proof: Kelvin Kerkow spotted trying to cover himself with a box lid to escape the rain . Having enjoyed sunny skies with temperatures in the high twenties last week, yesterday Glasgow was once again raining and with the temperature failing to rise out of the teens. This was a stark contrast to Mr Kerkow’s home in Australia where Darwin is set for 'winter' temperatures to reach up to 35 degrees, and even Sydney expected to be in the high twenties. The Australian lawn bowls team’s coach, Steve Glasson, posted a picture to his Twitter page and said: 'Look at this clown will you. Kelvin Kerkow in the bag box as the rain comes down.' Viewers watching the match on television were also quick to grab a picture of Mr Kerkow and post them on social media. Mascot: Kerkow enjoying the Commonwealth Games atmosphere, he represents Australia at lawn bowls . Poser: Kerkow is an experienced bowls player - he won gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games . VIDEO Commonwealth Games: Day 7 review .
|
Australian lawn bowls player hopped in to a box to avoid a soaking .
TV cameras spotted Kelvin Kerkow peeping out .
Incident took place during match between England and Scotland .
| 1,682 | 179 |
163,254 |
Follow your heart. That's the advice of Carl Jenkinson to Jack Grealish as the young Aston Villa star weighs up his international future. The West Ham defender, on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season, knows the predicament that faces the teenager torn between representing the Republic of Ireland or England. Jenkinson has experienced an identical international limbo before. Carl Jenkinson (left) says Jack Grealish should follow his heart when choosing Ireland or England . In 2012, a year after his big move from Charlton to the club he supported as a boy - Arsenal - the Essex-born full-back chose the Three Lions despite having played for Finland, the nation of his mother, at Under 18 and Under 21 level. It wasn't a decision Jenkinson took lightly, but it is one he firmly believes was the right decision. And now the Hammers star, 23, is advising boy-of-the-moment Grealish to also do what feels right for him. 'You’ve got to follow your heart,' he said, speaking exclusively to Sportsmail. 'Follow where you feel like you belong and play for them. That would be my advice. 'That’s what I did with the whole England-Finland situation. Finland were great to me when I was younger and I really enjoyed playing for them. The Aston Villa midfielder (centre right) has been an instant hit since breaking into the first team . 'It was a great experience at the time because I was playing against some of the best teams in the world. I was only in the Charlton reserves yet I was going off to be against all these different countries. It was fantastic for me and I really enjoyed it. 'But then it came to a crunch time where I had to pick and I had to ask myself: "What do I feel – English or Finnish?" The answer was English. I was born in England and I feel English, so that was the decision I made. 'I don’t know Jack but my advice to him would be to follow what feels right. I’m sure he will.' The clock is ticking for Grealish to make up his mind with Ireland boss Martin O'Neill understood to be keen to include him in his plans for the friendly against Roy Hodgson's England in Dublin this summer. The young winger played for Ireland at youth level but can still play for the England senior side . Jenkinson's superb form at West Ham this season has propelled him back into the international reckoning, meanwhile. An established fixture in the Under 21s set-up, the towering defender has earned calls to reclaim a place in the senior side. He is patient, however, despite his burning desire to add to the one cap he collected against Sweden almost three years ago when he came on as a substitute. Jenkinson harbours an ambition to lead his country to glory at this summer's Under 21s European Championships in Czech Republic, hoping to catch Hodgson's eye with next year's senior Euros not far away. Jenkinson was in the same predicament as Grealish when he had to choose between Finland and England . 'It is a massive opportunity for us,' he said. 'I think Roy Hodgson will be watching all the games and having a keen look at all the players. The senior Euros are a year after, so this will be a great chance for us to go and impress. 'When I speak to the lads, because I stay in touch with quite a few of them, everyone can’t wait for it. 'It’s a massive stage and something that we’ve worked hard for. We’re confident in ourselves. We feel that we can go there and really give it a good go. Roy Hodgson and his staff are believed to be fans of the young winger and want him to commit to England . 'We’ve shown in the friendlies we’ve played recently, like against Germany and Czech Republic, and we’ve beaten them. We know we can do it. It’s just about going there this summer and reproducing it. 'Obviously that’s something in the past that we’ve struggled with as a nation. But what a better time to change it and what a great thing it would be to go and win it.' For now, Jenkinson is focused on revitalising West Ham's season. Having started so impressively, reaching the top four at Christmas, the wheels have fallen off since the turn of the New Year. Jenkinson took part in a short film for Betway promoting #HammersAtTheArrers competition . In their past 11 Premier League games, the Hammers have won only once - and that was courtesy of a last minute winner at home to struggling Sunderland a month ago. The Hammers play QPR at Loftus Road on Saturday, their London rivals who are fighting for their lives at the foot of the table. Jenkinson expects it won't be a pretty affair but is confident Sam Allardyce's side can produce the goods to kickstart their charge for an eighth place finish. Manager Sam Allardyce also took part and he can be seen preparing to throw a dart . Joey O'Brien (from left), Winston Reid and Kevin Nolan laugh at their team-mates attempts . 'Team like QPR are probably even harder than playing teams who are in the top half at this stage. It’s always the same towards the end of the season,' he said. 'They all pick up points because they’re fighting for their lives at the end of the day – now we’ve got to be aware of that and we need to be ready for that. 'It’s going to be a proper scrap at the weekend. But we’ll have to dig in if we want to get a result. Diego Poyet looks on as he attempts to score high in the Betway darts competition at the training ground . Jenkinson showed he's not just a bad footballer with some impressive dart scoring . 'I think Swansea are only four points ahead of us. They’re in eighth. That would be a fantastic season if we could finish in eighth. 'Of course, you just want to finish in the top half. Anything below that would be a disappointment, especially considering how we started and I think everyone would agree with that. 'That eighth place is within reach.’ Jenkinson's club future remains uncertain beyond this season but he appears to be happy at the Hammers. He took part in the club's darts competition, organised by the club's sponsors Betway, who also front the Premier League Darts, earlier this week - and you can watch the footage exclusively at Sportsmail, here. Carl Jenkinson was speaking exclusively to MailOnline at the launch of Betway’s #HammersAtTheArrers competition. West Ham fans are invited to come up with darts nicknames for their favourite players to be in with a chance of meeting the team at the PDC Betway Premier League Darts final at the O2 on May 21. For more details, visit twitter.com/betway .
|
Carl Jenkinson says hot prospect Jack Grealish must follow his heart .
The Aston Villa star is wanted by Ireland and England for internationals .
The West Ham full back had the option of playing for Finland and England .
Grealish has hit the headlines after impressing for the Midlands side .
CLICK HERE for all the latest West Ham news .
| 6,428 | 338 |
299,746 |
By . Sara Malm . PUBLISHED: . 12:27 EST, 15 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:06 EST, 15 October 2013 . A giant panda found itself having aimed a little too high when it got stuck up a spruce tree in northwest China. The panda bear had been caught helping itself to sweetcorn by a farmer's dogs and was chased up the tree by the pack. Despite pandas being excellent climbers, this particular one became stuck amidst the branches after the crowd gathered below gave it stage fright. Stage fright: The panda became stuck after being chased up the tree by a pack of dogs in Zhouzhi county, northwest China's Shaanxi province . Long fall: The panda is barely visible among the top branches of the tree as a net is put up below it . Helping hands: Firemen and local residents got together to catch the panda should it fall out of the treetop . The farmer whose crops the panda had been helping itself to called the fire services when the locals begun to fear it might fall out of the tree. Firemen and locals in Zhouzhi county, in China's Shaanxi province, put up a net to catch the panda if it fell, and then left it alone to climb down under its own steam. A staff member from the local nature reserve in said: 'We identified this giant panda as a 10 years old male, and the nets were not really needed. ‘The panda is good at climbing, I have never heard of one falling off a tree. All that was needed was that people do not stand around and let the panda free to leave without a crowd.’ Suit yourself: The panda had been stealing sweetcorn from a local farmers field when it was chased up the tree . Staying put: The scared panda remained safely in the treetop, refusing to climb down, let alone jump . Up he goes: One of the local farmers inspects the tree trunk bearing the markings of the panda . Sticky situation: The panda did not come down until the crowd has dispersed, but reportedly returned safely to the nearby woods . The panda later made it down on its own after the crowd had dispersed for the night, and safely made it back to the woods. Giant pandas are solitary bears when in the wild, usually preferring their own company when foraging in Chinese bamboo forests. They are an endangered species, with less than 2,000 thought to be left roaming free in the cool forests that are their natural habitat. They mostly eat bamboo, but in captivity are also enjoy being fed honey, eggs, fish, yams, leaves, oranges, bananas and other special treats.
|
Chinese giant panda stuck in spruce tree in northwest province .
Panda had been chased by dogs which caught it stealing sweetcorn .
Eventually climbed down once the recuse operation had dispersed .
| 2,457 | 197 |
3,887 |
(CNN) -- Newly promoted Hercules pulled off the biggest win in their history by beating reigning champions Barcelona 2-0 at Camp Nou on Saturday. Paraguayan forward Nelson Haedo Valdez scored twice to give Hercules - back in the top-flight after a 13-year absence - a huge win. Despite Barcelona dominating proceedings debutant Valdez, signed from Borussia Dortmund, scored the first goal on 26 minutes and then another on 58 minutes. Barcelona were unbeaten at home last season as they retained the league title. Real Madrid beat Osasuna 1-0 at Santiago Bernabeu, after being held to a 0-0 draw in the first half. After the re-start Ricardo Carvalho neatly slotted a goal home when Cristiano Ronaldo missed from ten yards out, although he maintained his composure to find Carvalho. The win maintains Real Madrid's unbeaten start to the season. In the German Bundesliga Bayer Leverkusen were held to a 2-2 draw by a 10-man Hanover on Saturday, leaving Leverkusen in mid-table and Hanover third behind leaders Hoffenheim. Leverkusen's Michael Ballack was forced to limp off the field following a heavy tackle on his left knee. The 33-year-old came off after just 30 minutes, suffering a further set-back on his return from injury. Hanover were reduced to 10 men after just 36 minutes when Austrian defender Emanuel Pogatetz was shown a second yellow card and the subsequent red when he sent Leverkusen's Arturo Vidal flying with a dangerous tackle. Hamburg drew 1-1 at home to Nuremberg which leaves them second in the table. Stuttgart lost 2-1 at Freiburg to suffer their third defeat of the season. Ex-England manager Steve McClaren is still looking for his first win of the season as his Wolfsburg side lost 2-0 at Dortmund whose Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa scored his first Bundesliga goal. Hoffenheim continued their dream start to the season beating Schalke 2-0 on Friday to remain top of the table with three wins out of three. In Serie A champions Inter Milan secured their first victory of the season with a 2-1 success at home to Udinese on Saturday. Samuel Eto'o scored the winner after Antonio Floro Flores had cancelled out Lucio's early opener.
|
Newly promoted Hercules beat Barcelona 2-0 .
Bayer Leverkusen held to a 2-2 draw by a 10-man Hanover .
Hamburg drew 1-1 at home to Nuremberg .
| 2,163 | 142 |
103,529 |
Less than a week after the arson of a mosque in northern Israel, dozens of Christian and Muslim graves were vandalized in an Arab section of the Israeli city of Jaffa. More thahan 100 graves were vandalized in the Muslim cemetery of al-Kazakhana and at a nearby Christian cemetery in the Ajami neighborhood of Jaffa, according to residents and a CNN producer who visited the locations. Some of the graves were spray painted with graffiti while others were smashed. Residents say the vandalism took place Friday evening as the Yom Kippur holiday was beginning in Israel, but police suggested it might have taken place a day or two prior. Among the words spray-painted in Hebrew on the gravestones were "price tag" and "death to all Arabs." "Price tag" is a term frequently used by radical Israeli settlers to denote reprisal attacks against Palestinians in response to moves by the Israeli government to evacuate illegal West Bank outposts, or as retribution for attacks by Palestinians. Local residents told CNN that police who arrived at the scene on Saturday morning tried to cover up the graffiti using white paint. The police also asked locals to clean up the graffiti. "This is bad, this very, very bad. This is all because of the settlers that moved into the neighborhood. When they did this, the writing was on the wall," Jaffa resident Kamel Satal told CNN. He was referring to the opening in 2009, just blocks away in the predominantly Arab neighborhood, of a Hesder Yeshiva, a religious school for young men which traditionally combines Torah studies with military service. "If they did what they did in Zangaria in Jaffa, there would be big, big problems," he added, referring to the mosque that was severely damaged in an suspected arson attack in the Israeli Bedouin village of Tuba Zangaria in northern Israel on Monday. An 18-year-old Jewish Israeli was arrested in connection with the arson. Israeli police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said police were investigating the vandalism at the cemeteries. Speaking to the Palestinian Authority run WAFA news agency, Ibrahim Sarsour, an Arab Israeli lawmaker, condemned the vandalism. "The Israeli government was not making any effort to stop these racist attacks against Palestinians," Sarsour said. "Rather, it provides extremists protection." According to Israeli police, reprisals have increased in the past year, prompting them to create a special investigative unit. In the past year, four West Bank mosques have been set ablaze. The United Nations has reported a measurable spike in violence against Palestinian property in 2011. On Wednesday, a shrine holy to Jews was desecrated in the West Bank. Jewish worshippers arrived at Joseph's Tomb in the city of Nablus to find swastikas and graffiti sprayed on the walls. It is unclear when the graffiti was left there. The site is under Palestinian Authority rule, and Jews visit every couple of months to pray.
|
More than 100 graves were vandalized in two cemeteries -- one Christian, one Muslim .
"Death to all Arabs" among the epithets spray-painted on gravestones .
Incident comes less than a week after a fire badly damaged a mosque in northern Israel .
On Wednesday, Joseph's Tomb, a site sacred to Jews, was vandalized in the West Bank .
| 2,922 | 331 |
132,652 |
By . Emma Innes . PUBLISHED: . 05:36 EST, 6 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:39 EST, 6 September 2013 . A first-time mother has given birth to an 11lb 6oz baby without a Caesarean section. Joleen Adamson, 29, gave birth to Theo after more than 36 hours in labour. Theo, who was born ten days after his due date, was so big that more than 20 members of staff at Maelor Hospital in Wrexham, North Wales, gathered to see him weighed. Joleen Adamson, 29, gave birth to Theo without a Caesarean even though he weighed 11lb 6oz. He was born ten days late but none of Mrs Adamson's scans or assessments revealed that he was so big . Theo is only one-week-old but his newborn clothes are already proving to be too small – he requires clothes designed for babies aged three to six-months. Mrs Adamson, who works in a fish and chip shop, said: ‘It was quite difficult and I was really struggling towards the end. ‘I pushed for hours and he didn’t budge. At one stage I was close to passing out. ‘There were about 20 people in the room when Theo was weighed and some of them said it was the biggest baby they had seen. ‘I wasn’t told he was going to be a big baby!’ During pregnancy Mrs Adamson, who is married to 42-year-old Lee, had two scans and routine checks by midwives, and no sign of Theo’s size was detected. Mrs Adamson (pictured with Theo and her husband, Lee, 42) was in labour for more than 36 hours and lost so much blood that she had to have three blood transfusions . Theo is only one-week-old but he is already too big for newborn clothes. He needs clothes designed for three to six-month-old babies . Because of Theo’s size, she lost a lot of blood and needed three blood transfusions. However, both mother and baby are now doing well at their home in Chirk, which sits right on the border between Wales and Shropshire. ‘He’s at home now and settling in very well,’ Mrs Adamson said. ‘Theo is a very contented baby. ‘Theo is my first baby. I didn’t have any food cravings while I was pregnant or eat anything unusual. ‘He loves to relax in his crib, although when he starts to feel hungry he has a good set of lungs on him to let us know.’
|
Joleen Adamson had Theo at Maelor Hospital in Wrexham, North Wales .
He was born on August 28 - ten days after his due date .
He is already too big for his newborn clothes .
None of Mrs Adamson's scans revealed that Theo was so big .
| 2,148 | 233 |
113,111 |
By . Tamara Cohen For Daily Mail . Eric Pickles, Local Government Secretary, proposes residents could get right to change yellow lines . Residents could get the right to challenge yellow lines on their roads, under proposals to be announced by Eric Pickles today. He is suggesting that if at least 50 members of the public or local businesses, or up to 10 per cent of people in an area, are against yellow lines in their neighbourhood, then they should be able to petition for a formal review. The Local Government Secretary, who is known to be against ‘over-zealous’ parking policies, said he hoped local authorities would comply or he would force them to do so by law. Mr Pickles said the right to review would also apply to ‘unfair parking charges’ or any other aspect of parking policy, which is having a negative impact on an area. He has blamed expensive and restrictive parking policies for the decline of small shops in town centres. ‘Too often, yellow lines are imposed on neighbourhoods or the high street, without fair consideration of the livelihood of residents, local shops or the availability of parking spaces,’ Mr Pickles said. He added: ‘Now local people will have a direct and democratic right to trigger a formal council-led review of road restrictions. ‘Incessant yellow lines, CCTV spy cars and trigger-happy parking wardens make everyday life unbearable for drivers looking for somewhere to park when shopping locally.’ The right to a petition will apply from January next year if a review of parking guidelines, which will be taking evidence until October, backs the idea. Last year Mr Pickles tried to legislate to allow people to park on double yellow lines for up to 15 minutes, saying they might want to pop in to the shops for a loaf of bread and should not be penalised. But he was forced to drop the idea in June after a consultation concluded it would be confusing. Road safety groups said it could be dangerous. He has managed to ban CCTV ‘spy cars’ from enforcing on-street parking rules. The Local Government Association is against Mr Pickles’ latest proposals. A spokesman said: ‘Councils already listen carefully to their residents, road users and businesses, consulting widely on parking schemes. ‘Central government meddling will simply make achieving balanced and sensible outcomes much harder. ‘The Government recently did a U-turn and dropped its plans to allow “grace periods” on double yellow lines. We sincerely hope this announcement follows the same route.’ He suggests that if at least 50 members of the public or local businesses, or up to 10 per cent of people in an area, are against yellow lines in their neighbourhood, then they should be able to petition for a formal review .
|
Eric Pickles said right to review would apply to 'unfair parking charges'
Said he hopes local authorities would comply or he would force them to .
Blamed expensive parking policies for decline of small shops in town centres .
| 2,730 | 225 |
218,109 |
Nick Griffin, the former chairman of the British National Party, has been expelled from the far right group. The BNP last night confirmed that Mr Griffin, 55, had been 'expelled from membership' amid claims that he had attempted to cause 'disunity' within the party. In a damning letter, Adam Walker, the current BNP chairman, alleged that Mr Griffin had attempted to spread 'lies' about the party and had 'harrass[ed]' current members. Scroll down for video . Expelled: Nick Griffin has been thrown out of the British National Party, which he led for several years . Chairman Adam Walker (right with Nick Griffin in 2008) said his predecessor had spread 'lies' about the party . An hour and a half after the statement was released on the party’s website, the former politician, who had led the BNP for 15 years, took to Twitter to speak out against the decision. He wrote: 'Breaking news! I’ve just been "expelled" without trial from the #BNP! That’ll teach me to tell a member of staff he’s a “useless, lazy t***”.' Moments later, he compared the BNP to the former Sovet Union tweeting: 'Only thing is that the ruling Wigton Soviet are operating outside the constitution so I shall ignore their plastic gangster games.' Mr Griffin stepped down from his leadership of the BNP in July this year, after losing his seat as an MEP, but was given an honorary title of President. He had declared bankruptcy months before leaving the group. Rant: The former party leader, who was declared bankrupt and lost his seat this year, broke the news online . The politician has often hit headlines following controversial comments. In May, he described the Holocaust as a 'moral club' which had been 'exploited' to block criticism of immigration. In 1997 he was handed a suspended prison sentence after being convicted of inciting racial hatred. Mr Griffin was ousted from the party following a review by its conduct committee. Mr Jefferson, a member of the committee who did not provide his first name, said: 'This has been a difficult decision to make and not one taken lightly. 'Although we all appreciate that Nick has achieved a lot for our Party in the past, we must also remember that the Party is bigger than any individual. 'Nick did not adjust well to being given the honourary title of President and it soon became obvious that he was unable to work as an equal member of the team and alarmingly his behaviour became more erratic and disruptive.'
|
Party claimed its honorary president, 55, became 'erratic and disruptive'
He ranted on Twitter comparing chiefs to Soviet Union and gangsters .
Convicted of inciting racial hatred in 1997, he became bankrupt this year .
| 2,443 | 219 |
193,648 |
By . Amanda Williams . PUBLISHED: . 05:04 EST, 23 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:24 EST, 23 July 2013 . A father-of-two faces losing his leg after breaking it in six places during an horrendous holiday accident on a Turkish waterslide. Des Jarvis has a bone infection in his right leg and could have to have sections of his lower limb removed after he plummeted through a slide with such force that with sent him crashing into a pool wall opposite. The impact broke his leg in six places during the accident last August and he is still on crutches. Father-of-two Des Jarvis faces (left) losing his leg after breaking it in six places during an horrendous holiday accident on a Turkish waterslide . The water slide in Turkey where the father of two slid down and hit the opposite wall . He is now threatening to sue tour operators First Choice after he was told that had he sustained such horrific injuries in Britain, it was likely his leg would have been amputated. The accident left him with horrific open wounds held together by metal plates and screws . The window fitter, 45, was on a £5,500 holiday with his girlfriend Nikki and their children, the Sun reports. They were staying at the Didim Beach Resort in Altinkum. He told the paper that he felt like the travel company did not care about the incident, and did not visit him until his third day in hospital. He said: 'It’s ruined my life. 'I used to be in the gym every day and play golf twice a week. Now I struggle to get upstairs.' The accident - which left Mr Jarvis with an open wound, held together by a metal plate- was caught on film. He has since had two more operations and is seeking compensation from the holiday firm. A First Choice spokeswoman said it operates the strictest quality standards across all of its hotels. A spokesman added: 'First Choice is sorry to hear about the injuries sustained by Mr Jarvis, whilst he was holidaying at the Wasd Didim Beach Hotel in Turkey in 2012. 'As the matter in question is currently subject to a legal process, it would be inappropriate of us to comment any further at this time. Our legal team is in direct contact with Mr Jarvis solicitors. 'We would like to reassure customers that incidents of this type are very rare, the health and safety of our customers is of paramount importance to First Choice and we operate the strictest quality standards across all of our hotels.'
|
Des Jarvis has bone infection and may have sections of his limb removed .
Plummeted through slide and hit wall with such force leg broke in 6 places .
Left him with horrific open wounds held together by metal plates and screws .
He is now planning to sue travel operators after the accident last August .
| 2,394 | 304 |
313,886 |
By . Anna Hodgekiss . PUBLISHED: . 05:20 EST, 1 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:29 EST, 2 January 2013 . More than one in four Britons have the early signs of liver disease, according to the British Liver Trust . A booze-free January is not enough to repair the liver and keep it healthy, leading experts have warned. Aside from the fact that many of us simply resume old habits once the month is over, a fatty diet and sedentary lifestyle can be just as damaging, they say. A roadshow carried out by The British Liver Trust charity last year found that 28 per cent of people tested were showing the early signs of liver disease. If left undetected however, these . early signs could lead to permanent liver damage. Liver disease, now the fifth biggest killer in the UK, has increased in the past year as British culture continues to embrace the daily consumption of alcohol and unhealthy food choices, combined with a sedentary lifestyle, the trust said. With no early warning signs, and tolerance levels varying genetically, liver testing is critical to identify early signs of damage so people can make lifestyle changes to save their lives. The charity is calling on the Government to make . early liver screening available to everyone at risk in a bid to save one . million lives a year. It believes GPs should ask their patients more lifestyle questions and offer a simple liver function test, as they do for patients with suspected high blood pressure. The charity made its plea as it launched its second Love Your Liver awareness campaign, to be led by a nationwide roadshow of 'pop-up' liver health clinics. The trust's chief executive, Andrew Langford, said: 'Last year the Love Your Liver Roadshow found that one in four people tested were showing the early signs of liver disease. Caught at this early stage, lifestyle changes allow the liver to repair itself. 'Having an alcoholic drink every night, over-indulging in rich food too frequently and not making time for regular exercise are major contributing factors for liver disease.' A key issue is that many people don't realise that regardless of alcohol intake, a lack of exercise and a fatty diet can also cause cirrhosis and liver cancer . He told The Guardian: 'In the last five years, we have seen a real decrease in the age of death from liver disease. It used to be in the 60s, now it is 58, and by 2020 we would expect it to be about 50 if it follows this trajectory. Ten years ago, it was very unusual to see a 30-year-old in a liver unit awaiting a transplant. Now it is not uncommon.' One key problem is that many of us don't realise that regardless of alcohol intake, a lack of exercise and a fatty diet can also cause cirrhosis and liver cancer. These two factors also cause fat to build up in the liver. Mr Langford added: 'It is a myth that cirrhosis is always caused by alcohol. 'As everyone is affected differently, and symptoms are almost unrecognisable until the damage is beyond repair, the Government needs to take action to help people understand the damage they are doing. 'It's not about a quick fix in January, to repair the liver and keep it healthy, people need to follow our three-step plan all-year round: 1) Take two to three days off alcohol every week; 2) get regular exercise; 3) cut down on sugar and fat. 'Our Love Your Liver campaign offers free screenings to the public at a series of pop-up liver health clinics, offering free FibroScan tests which help identify the early warning signs and practical advice about how to love your liver. 'However, we can only reach a very small group of people and we're appealing for the Government to do more.' The campaign can be followed via www.loveyourliver.org.uk www.facebook.com/britishlivertrust and Twitter @livertrust .
|
28 per cent of people tested by the British Liver Trust were showing the early signs of liver damage .
Liver disease is now the fifth biggest killer in the UK, due to alcohol, fatty diets and sedentary lifestyles .
Charity is calling for early liver screening to be made available to all those at risk, in a bid to save one million lives a year .
| 3,770 | 346 |
275,385 |
(CNN) -- No issue has been hotter throughout the run-up to the election than jobs -- and both candidates took pains to tackle the issue during their first debate Wednesday at the University of Denver. "Over the last 30 months, we've seen 5 million jobs in the private sector created," Democratic incumbent Barack Obama said. The facts: . In 2009, Obama's first full year in office, people in states across the country were losing their jobs at a startling clip. In Ohio, the unemployment rate was 10.6%. But over the next few years, the nation saw slow increases in employment in the retail, education and health care sectors. Today, most states are gaining jobs. The key swing state of Ohio now has a 7.2% unemployment rate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics confirms that a lot of jobs have been created under Obama's leadership -- 4.4 million by the bureau's latest count. What Obama did not say, however, was that the nation shed 4.3 million jobs during the early days of his term, and that the net gain since he took the oath of office in January 2009 is just 125,000 jobs. Complete coverage of CNN's Fact Checks . Conclusion: . Many voters blame that initial weakness on the fractured economy Obama inherited from his Republican predecessor, former President George W. Bush. But in terms of sheer numbers, Obama's assertion that he created 5 million jobs does not tell the whole story and is therefore false. Also during the debate, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney said that 23 million people are out of work in the nation. "There is suffering in this country," said Romney. "And we talk about evidence. Look at the evidence of the last four years. It's absolutely extraordinary. We've got 23 million people out of work." The facts: . When the recession began, workers in every category lost jobs, but those in the middle and higher wage groups lost more of them. And when the jobs started coming back, the lower-wage jobs came back stronger. That means that, while the nation has replaced lost jobs, many of those new jobs pay less than the old ones did. To reach his 23 million figure, Romney counts everyone who is unemployed, has stopped looking for work or is underemployed -- working for less money than before or able to find only a part-time job. Conclusion: . Romney is stretching his figures to the breaking point -- which makes his claim false. What it all means: . If history is any guide, the employment figures could prove key in this race. In August, the U.S. unemployment rate was 8.1%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. No president has been re-elected with an unemployment rate above 8% since Franklin Roosevelt in the 1930s, during the Great Depression. Fact Check: Oil and gas production . Fact Check: Is Donald Trump a small businessman? Fact Check: Seniors drug prices . Fact Check: Green energy .
|
President Barack Obama says he created 5 million jobs .
Mitt Romney says 23 million people are out of work in the nation .
Employment figures could prove key to this race .
| 2,840 | 172 |
222,131 |
(CNN) -- It speaks volumes that America's government could be shut down with its leaders blaming one another for bringing the country to the edge of the economic abyss, and the response of much of the world, including the leading financial markets, would essentially be a yawn. The most stunning thing about this first shutdown of the U.S. government in almost two decades is the degree to which it is a nonevent, considered par for the course given the sad state of affairs in the nation's capital. Voters may be angry. They may be depressed. But there are no mass demonstrations. Congress' approval rating may have hit new lows, but beyond that, the response has been a shrug. Here in Washington, traffic is still lousy. Lobbyists still schmooze over restaurant breakfast tables. People shake their heads in disgust. But no one even bothers to feign surprise. Speaking with institutional investors, I was struck to hear that they, too, consider this episode to be not much different from the histrionics of an unhappy child. Even financial professionals, whose world and well-being would be rocked by the cataclysm that would be triggered by America's failure to pay its debts, have not reacted with panic. (Today, during and after House Speaker John Boehner'sdefiant press conference, which seemed to presage a drawn-out crisis, the Dow Jones Industrial Average barely budged, remaining slightly positive throughout.) When financial professionals are asked why they remain calm, they say that someone will blink because someone always blinks. And they say if nobody blinks, perhaps a brief market spike downward would serve as a wake-up call to reason. But more important, nearly all those with whom I spoke believe the United States won't default even if the debt ceiling isn't lifted because there are ways the president can keep the checks going out -- such as simply paying the debt out of available cash and holding back on other payments not tied to the "full faith and credit of the U.S. government." The result is that rather than action, this pathetic standoff has produced a lot of media sound and fury signifying, just as Shakespeare once observed, nothing. Interested observers are understandably depressed, legitimately concerned that we have lost our mojo as a country, that this is a sign of decline, based on the fact that at this moment in U.S. history, our government just doesn't work. Although this is primarily the fault of the GOP and notably and undeniably a tiny fraction of crackpots within the party who are throwing a public tantrum because they didn't get their way on health care reform, it is equally undeniable that both parties have contributed to the pitiful state of a democratic system that was once a shining example to the world. Both parties are responsible for the gerrymandering that has produced a modern political reality in which the vast majority of members of Congress are in safe districts and never feel pressure from opposing views. They have no reason ever to compromise and, indeed, are penalized for doing so because their future depends on primary wins, and they see those who vote in primaries -- the most extreme members of the party faithful -- as the group to whom they must answer. Both parties have engineered and failed to challenge the corrupt campaign finance system that gives check writers power over law writers and undercuts the most basic principles of equity in democracy. Both parties have contributed to the shrillness of the debate. Both parties have used antiquated Senate rules to block progress by their opponents and the confirmation of nominees of presidents they oppose. And both have done these things for so long now that these flaws in our system are seen as enduring and impermeable to change. In the end, this is not a problem of a government shutdown or even of the impending breach of the debt ceiling, certainly not about the nonsense spewing from obstructionist tea party clowns who claim it is about defending "individual liberties." It is also not as simple as refusing to negotiate with political hostage takers as the president suggests, although he is absolutely right to resist their crude techniques. Rather, it is a governance crisis of the first order, one in which the solution can only be massive system-wide reform. It's a crisis that shows itself not just in the petty squabbles of elites, nor in the lack of a serious discussion about addressing the real problems confronting the country, but is best illustrated by the cynicism and relative indifference of the electorate. They are not protesting, not voting out the bastards. Rather, most disturbingly, they are saying, "We don't believe you any more and we are starting not to care." The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of David Rothkopf.
|
David Rothkopf: It's alarming the shutdown is seen as a nonevent and par for the course .
No mass demonstrations, he says, and even financial professionals aren't panicked .
Rothkopf: This is a depressing sign of decline: Our government is dysfunctional .
He's says it's really a severe governance crisis showing we need system-wide reform .
| 4,816 | 341 |
267,855 |
A biological father and daughter in an incestuous relationship have lost custody of their second baby after the first son, plagued with genetic problems, was also taken away. The baby boy was removed from their care four days after he was born in Oregon last year, . Eric Lee Gates and his adult daughter, Chalena Mae Moody, had asked the appeals court to overturn a decision for the baby to be put in foster care, but their case was rejected, reports the Register Guard. The baby boy was taken away just four days after he was born in Oregon and Eric Lee Gates (right) and his adult daughter, Chalena Mae Moody, (left) had asked the appeals court to overturn a decision for the baby to be put in foster care . In March, Moody, 25, was sentenced to 10 days in jail on the incest charge, but got credit for time already served and did not have to serve any additional days behind bars . Authorities say Moody and her father were living as a couple in Springfield, before moving to Klamath Falls and have had two children under two years of age. In March, Moody, 25, was sentenced to 10 days in jail on the incest charge, but got credit for time already served and did not have to serve any additional days behind bars. She also received 18 months probation. Gates, 49, is currently serving a six-month jail sentence for violating his probation by moving back in with Moody after he was originally convicted of incest in January. Gates was also ordered to pay restitution to the State of Oregon for the medical expenses of the two children. Gates and Moody are prohibited from contacting each other while on probation. Incest, even when both participants are adults, is a felony crime in Oregon. The pair have two children together - born in 2013 and 2014 - a third died in utero. Moody was married to another man at the time of the second child's birth. The pair have two children together - born in 2013 and 2014 - a third died in utero. Moody (pictured) was married to another man at the time of the second child's birth with her father . Genetic sexual attraction is a seldom-talked about phenomenon that frequently occurs between children and their long-lost parents. It describes feelings of intense intimacy between two relatives who have been separated during the critical years of development and bonding, and then meet for the first time as adults. Essentially strangers, when an adult-child and their biological parent finally meet, the brain struggles to associate each other as family. Instead, they become captivated with one another, sharing similar physical features, likes and dislikes, which is coupled with complex feelings of intimacy. This can lead both parties to express their emotions sexually. The phenomenon was first identified by Barbara Gonyo in the Eighties, after she a wrote book called I'm His Mother, But He's Not My Son, which recounted her personal story of reuniting with the son she placed for adoption at 16. A sexual relationship with her son ensued, and Ms Gonyo says she fell in love - a byproduct of delayed bonding that normally takes place in infancy between new parents and their child, according to psychologists. Researchers believe that when family members grow up in close proximity, a inherent taboo is created through reverse sexual imprinting, which desensitises them to later sexual attraction. Called the Westermarck effect, researchers hypothesize it evolved so biological relatives would not inbreed. But according to DHS, both she and her father admitted that the two boys were their offspring. The appeals court opinion states the child born in 2013 has 'significant medical issues, including medical issues that are likely due to the close genetic relationship of his biological parents' and there is a chance these are present in the newborn. According to the appeals court’s opinion, Moody previously gave birth to three other children, all of whom have been adopted. The pair had argued that the appeals court failed to establish that their relationship posed a risk to their child who is now four months. But the appeals court opinion states the reasons that the child was taken include the mother's substance abuse and 'chaotic lifestyle' the pair both led as well as Gates' criminal past. Authorities say Gates was not Moody's custodial parent during her childhood, as he served several stints in prison while she was growing up. According to authorities, neither Gates nor Moody knew they were related when a mutual friend introduced them and the pair began a relationship. Springfield police Detective Dave Lewis said Gates and Moody openly admitted to their consensual relationship, to being father-daughter and also conceiving children together. DNA tests were performed on the family, and it was determined that Gates and Moody were related and had children from an incestuous relationship, Lewis said. Oregon State law defines incest as when a person marries or engages in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse with another whom the person knows to be related to them, either legitimately or illegitimately, as an ancestor, descendant, brother or sister of either whole or half-blood. Incest is a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and $125,000 in fines.
|
The baby boy was taken away four days after he was born in Oregon to Chalena Mae Moody, 25, and her father, Eric Lee Gates, 49 .
Authorities say Moody and Gates, were living as a couple in Springfield, before moving to Klamath Falls - they now have had two children .
Pair did not know each other during Moody's childhood .
Moody was married when she gave birth to child and already had three other children .
| 5,258 | 409 |
203,048 |
They made her Britain's most-hated scrounger - and Josie Cunningham's latest publicity-hungry stunt involved celebrating the anniversary of her NHS boob job. The mother-of-three sported a blonde wig and a tiny orange crop top on a wild night out in London's Soho to celebrate the second birthday of her taxpayer-funded breasts. Ahead of her night out, she took to Twitter to say: '2 years today I got my pair of double D's David and dwight. Cameron's a right t** - just like mine xxx'. Scroll down for video . Dubbed the most hated woman in Britain, Josie Cunningham hit London's Soho on Friday night to celebrate the two-year anniversary of her NHS boob op . After playing up to the cameras on her night out, she was pictured falling over and looking worse for wear . Playing up to the cameras, she blew on party horns and pinned a large badge reading 'It's my birthday' on the back of the skintight grey leggings. And true to form, pictures showed her stumbling around the streets, flashing the birthday boobs and eventually end up on the floor. Earlier this month, the wannabe glamour model shamelessly invited Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to her celebrations, adding she wanted to show him she was 'grateful' for the operation. She tweeted the MP: 'Having a birthday party for my boobies at the end of the month. 'To show how grateful I am… Wanna come?' Sporting a blonde wig, Miss Cunningham stepped out in a tiny orange crop top and pinned a birthday badge to her tight grey leggings . Ahead of her night out, the mother-of-three tweeted her excitement at celebrating the anniversary of her op . Miss Cunningham first hit the headlines two years ago when she sparked fury after receiving a £4,800 boob job on the NHS, taking her from a 32A to a 36DD. The tale, about how the single mother on benefits, was given a free breast enlargement, sparked instant outrage in a Britain just emerging from recession. She followed that appearance with another, this time on Page 3, which showed off the results of the operation and left little to the imagination. Revelling in the furore, she then made appearances in which she played on her new-found infamy, most notoriously when she stepped out topless with her nipples covered with NHS-branded tape. Miss Cunningham's most controversial outburst came when she publicly considered aborting her unborn child because the pregnancy prevented her from appearing on Channel 5's Big Brother. The mother of three later said she was receiving negative attention on public transport and asked the council to provide her with a £6,000-a-year taxi to take her children to school. Miss Cunningham first hit headlines when she sparked fury after receiving a £4,800 boob job on the NHS . After a wild night in London's Soho, the mother-of-three stumbled to the ground and needed a hand to get up . Miss Cunningham first came to prominence in 2013, when she sold her story on her NHS-funded boob op .
|
Mother-of-three wore a tiny orange crop top on a wild night out in London .
Was celebrating two-year anniversary of boob op that made her infamous .
Ahead of her night out, she said: '2 years today I got my pair of double Ds'
| 2,932 | 225 |
28,610 |
Sanaa, Yemen (CNN)After days of turmoil and talks of a coup in Yemen, the government and Houthi rebels reached a tentative deal Wednesday. The rebels have agreed to release the President's chief of staff and withdraw their militias from key government institutions if officials take a significant step: rewriting parts of the country's constitution, according to a Yemeni official with access to a draft text of the peace deal. Under the terms of the agreement, the government will accept changes in the draft of the new constitution that would grant the Houthis more political power. Word of the deal still leaves many questions unanswered: What could the reshaped constitution look like? How much power will the rebels get? And how much control will President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi have? Houthi rebels -- Shiite Muslims who have long felt marginalized in the majority Sunni country -- abducted the President's chief of staff over the weekend, then took over the presidential palace in Sanaa on Tuesday. One government minister called it "the completion of a coup," but rebels said they had not asked the president to step down. The chaos in Yemen is cause for concern far beyond the country's borders. For the United States and its allies, Yemen's government has been a key ally in the fight against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemen-based group linked to attacks such as the recent slaughter at French magazine Charlie Hebdo. AQAP also tried to blow up a plane landing in Detroit in 2009. ISIS is also recruiting in Yemen to expand its ranks . And questions over who's in charge over the past few days have sparked concerns that a power vacuum could help terrorist groups get a stronger foothold. But the deal inked Wednesday could signal a return to stability, said Mohammed Albasha, a spokesman for the Yemeni Embassy in Washington. "The situation is fluid. It's critical. The government was paralyzed. Parts of the government (were) dysfunctional, but we did not reach the point of no return," he told CNN's "The Situation Room." "Things are difficult, but there are things that are moving forward." Several of the constitutional changes sought by the Houthis would emphasize the characteristics of Yemen as a federal state and push for more inclusion of diverse groups. The Houthis call for marginalized political groups to have the right to partnerships in state institutions and fair representation, according to the text of the tentative agreement. In return for these government concessions, the rebels basically agree to withdraw their fighters from the capital. The rebels control or have blockaded several government installations: the presidential palace, the presidential residence, the Prime Minister's residence and a military installation where missiles are housed. Under the agreement, the Houthis would withdraw from all of these sites. The rebels would cooperate with the government so that the President and state institutions can return to their duties and would urge all state employees to return to their jobs. A Houthi official said the rebels will abide by the deal if the President follows a timeline specified in the negotiations. "This deal draws the road map for the political process going forward with the participation of all factions in Yemen. In the past, timelines were not respected, who hope this time will be different," a member of the Houthi Political council said. This isn't the first time the rebels and the government have hammered out an agreement. Houthis swept into the capital last year, sparking battles that left more than 300 dead in a month. In September, they signed a ceasefire deal with the government, and Houthis have since installed themselves in key positions in the government and financial institutions. Like them or not, Albasha said, the Houthis aren't going anywhere and are part "of the Yemeni political structure." "They are now a fact of life. They are now a dominant force in many of the northern provinces," he said. "We're going to have to coexist and live with them." For days, the answers to questions about who's in charge of the country have varied, depending on who you ask. Even as rebel militiamen stepped up their presence outside the presidential palace, a Yemeni official told CNN the President does not consider himself a captive. The official said the Houthis were assisting Hadi's security detail in their protection mission because part of the detail had "run away yesterday because of the fighting." A senior leader of the Houthi resistance movement, Abdullah Shabaan, gave a similar account. He told CNN that the "President's personal security left him, which forced us to gather hundreds of fighters from our security to ensure he is safe." Summarizing the actual balance of power, the official said the Houthis' demands were clear and "nobody can hide that they are the dominant force, but they still recognize government power." Besides the confusion about who is at the helm in Yemen, the rebels seized military installations it says it will return under the agreement. Two Houthi field commanders told CNN that rebels had seized control of a massive weapons depot belonging to the government brigade that provides presidential personal security. The Houthis had control of 280 T-80 Russian-made tanks and other heavy artillery, the field commanders said. While most of the security forces reportedly fled after a light clash with militants, the Houthis said they captured at least 12 special forces soldiers. On Wednesday, Houthi rebels surrounded a Yemeni missile brigade in Attan, a suburb east of Sanaa. The installation is not under control of the rebels, but they have it surrounded, the field commanders and two government officials said. The Houthis said their objective is not to take over the missile brigade but to keep missiles from being moved elsewhere. Seven things to know about Yemen . CNN's Nick Paton Walsh reported from Sanaa and Laura Smith-Spark wrote from London. CNN's Mariano Castillo, Josh Levs, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Salim Essaid and Wolf Blitzer contributed to this report.
|
Houthis to withdraw from government institutions in return for constitutional changes, source says .
"We did not reach the point of no return. ... Things are moving forward," Yemeni official says .
Official says President still considers himself to be in power, is still in his residence .
| 6,103 | 289 |
153,435 |
By . Emma Thomas . PUBLISHED: . 08:26 EST, 6 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:05 EST, 6 November 2013 . Raffaele Sollecito, the former boyfriend of Amanda Knox, has told a court spending time in prison was a 'nightmare' and begged jurors to give him his life back. Sollecito broke down at the end of the court appearance in Florence, Italy, today as he denied that he and Knox murdered Meredith Kercher in an emotional 15-minute speech. Today expert testimony during the trial says tests on the presumed murder weapon show a new DNA trace belongs to Knox, not victim Miss Kercher. Scroll down for video . Retrial: Raffaele Sollecito (right) sit in the courtroomin Florence, Italy, for the hearing of the retrial for the murder of Meredith Kercher . The result bolsters the defense, which claims the knife was not the weapon used to kill British student Meredith Kercher. Another piece of DNA on the knife blade initially attributed to Miss Kercher was disputed on appeal. Knox defense lawyer Carlo dalla Vedova said the evidence shows the knife was a simple kitchen knife used by Knox. Earlier evidence showed her DNA on the handle. The expert testified today that the minute new trace showed 'considerable affinity' with Knox's DNA, while not matching those of Miss Kercher, Knox's co-defendant or an Ivorian man convicted in the 2007 murder. Sollecito said he had been portrayed as a . 'ruthless assassin' and said he had suffered since he and American . student Knox were arrested after Miss Kercher’s body was found in the . cottage she shared with Knox in Perugia. 'I have been described as a ruthless killer but I am nothing of the sort," said Mr Sollecito, wearing khaki trousers and a brown pullover, the Telegraph reports. The accusations against them were 'absurd', he said during his first appearance at the appeals trial. Sollecito, 29, said the four years he spent in prison after being convicted of murder and sexual assault was something he would not wish 'on anyone in the world'. The IT graduate and Knox drew attention for their behaviour after the Leed's University student's death in November 2007. Sollecito said Knox was his first love and he had met her at a classical music contest ten days before Miss Kercher, from Coulsdon, Surrey, was murdered. 'In Perugia I dedicated myself to my studies, which were very tough, but in the meantime I met Amanda. She was my first true love – I started rather late,' Mr Sollecito told the judge and jury. He admitted smoking marijuana occasionally but said he had grown up in a respectable family in Bari, Southern Italy and had never been in trouble with the law before he was arrested in connection with the murder of the 21-year-old student. Murdered: Meredith Kercher, left, was killed at the home she shared with Amanda Knox, right, in Perugia, Italy, in 2007. Knox was convicted of the murder but later acquitted on appeal . 'Nightmare': Raffaele Sollecito (left) and his lawyer Giulia Bongiorno in the courtroom in Florence, Italy. He said his time in prison has changed his life . Hearing: Raffaele Sollecito, right, stands up with his lawyer Giulia Bongiorno, left. Knox and Sollecito's 2009 conviction of murdering Kercher was overturned on appeal in 2011, freeing her to return to the United States. Knox has not returned to Italy for the latest trial . Prison: Sollecito, right, kisses his lawyer Giulia Bongiorno during the hearing. Sollecito spent four years in prison before he was acquitted . Sollecito said his life was 'quiet and normal life' and neither he or Knox realised how serious the situation they were in was after Miss Kercher's death. They had been living in a 'little fairy tale', he told the court. 'I didn’t take things seriously enough at the start,' said Sollecito, who flew back to Italy for the hearing from the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean, where he was on holiday. Prosecutors allege that Mr Sollecito and Miss Knox, together with Rudy Guede, a small-time drug dealer in Perugia, attacked Miss Kercher to a frenzied assault in her bedroom on the night of Nov 1 during a group sex game. Sollecito said he did not know Guede, who is serving 16 years in jail after being convicted, and that he barely knew Miss Kercher. 'I never knew Guede. We had two very different lives,' he added. He and Knox spent four years in prison until they were aquitted by an appeals court in 2011. 'I was thrown into a maximum security prison. I wouldn’t wish on anyone in the world the experience that I had to go through,' he said. 'It was a nightmare that went beyond any imagination.' Raffaele Sollecito's lawyer Giulia Bongiorno speaks to the media at the end of a hearing in an appeals court in Florence, Italy . Raffaele Sollecito's lawyer Luca Maori arrives at the appeals court . (left) and Kercher family lawyer Francesco Maresca (right) was also at . the hearing . Not guilty: Sollecito told the court there was not 'the slightest foundation' of guilt when he appeared at Florence's Justice Palace, Italy . He told the court there was not 'the slightest foundation' of guilt. As he fought back tears in the dock, Sollecito said: 'My life has changed completely because of this' He said he had tried to start a career in IT but no businesses would hire him. He also said the intense media glare over the last six years had changed his life. Sollecito added: 'My life has been judged by everyone, even the most banal, ordinary things.' He asked the judge and jury to find him innocent and to restore normality to his life 'because at the moment I don’t have a life.' The trial was adjourned until Monday, November 25. A verdict is expected in January. House: The house in Perugia, Italy, where Meredith Kercher was killed . Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons.
|
Sollecito and Knox spent four years in prison before aquittal .
29-year-old says accusations against him are 'absurd'
The IT graduate says his life has been 'changed completely'
| 5,775 | 177 |
148,493 |
(CNN) -- Rescuers hoping to find two hikers missing on the frigid slopes of Oregon's Mount Hood faced worsening weather conditions Monday night as forecasters predicted white-out conditions that could severely hinder search efforts. "Starting tonight and through tomorrow, it's going to be windy, and white-out conditions are going to be highly likely," said Scott Weishaar of the National Weather Service. Up to 2 feet of snow is expected to fall Monday night into Tuesday at the elevation where rescuers are searching for any signs of Anthony Vietti, 24, and Katie Nolan, 29, who have been missing since early Friday. A third hiker who was with them, 26-year-old Luke Gullberg, was found dead Saturday. A state deputy medical examiner said Monday that the cause was hypothermia, CNN affiliate KGW reported. Rescue crews took advantage of a brief break in the weather Monday afternoon to search previously unreachable higher elevations of the mountain. "Unfortunately, we did not detect anything out of the ordinary as far as gear or people," searcher Monte Smith told reporters. "With increasing snowfall coming down, it's going to make everything that much harder." Weishaar said another series of storms Wednesday will dump another 10 inches to 18 inches of snow in the area, with temperatures in the low- to mid-20s. Snow was expected to start falling at 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET). "We only have today. We know we only have today," said Vietti's aunt, Teri Preiss. Rescuers said they were putting no time limit on their efforts, and would do all they could despite the grim forecast. "This remains a search and rescue mission," Clackamas County Detective Jim Strovink told an afternoon news conference. "We have two experienced climbers who were well-equipped. We have an obligation to continue on and that's what we're going to do. We owe that to the family and we owe that to the climbers." Search crews will meet Tuesday morning to assess weather conditions and determine how to proceed, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said after ending search efforts for the day Monday. Ground efforts have been severely hampered by avalanche conditions, which kept rescuers from accessing the parts of the mountain they wanted to reach early Monday morning. The avalanche threat also thwarted ground searches Sunday, authorities said. Searchers were also examining high-resolution photographs taken by aerial surveillance teams, hoping to find any sign of life. Capt. Chris Bernard of the U.S. Air Force 304th Rescue Squadron said infrared devices are being used as well. If the hikers have gone into a snow cave and have an air vent, the devices could pick up a heat signature, he said. When the three hikers set out at about 1 a.m. Friday (4 a.m. ET), they were planning a fairly easy, "semi-technical" hike in which they would come down the south side of the mountain, said Deputy Scott Meyers of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. Preiss said pictures show "it was a perfect climbing day, absolutely clear." The three hikers sent out a message in advance saying that conditions were "absolutely perfect" and that they would be back by late afternoon, she said. "These kids loved, loved climbing. All three of them. They climbed together often. They climbed hard mountains together before. And they did it successfully and well. And they were careful climbers," Preiss said. Dr. Christopher Young with the state medical examiner's office said Gullberg had suffered minor injuries -- cuts, scrapes and bruises -- apparently caused by a fall, KGW reported. Investigators believe the 26-year-old was able to move himself after falling an unknown distance. "Accidents can happen -- and it happened here," Preiss said, describing Gullberg as a "passionate young man" who was very well-prepared for all his hikes. David Vahey, a family friend of the Viettis, said, "We know that they, all three, loved hiking and they all three loved Jesus. And we just want to ask for prayer." The three hikers are from the Pacific Northwest. Vietti's home is Longview, Washington; Nolan's is Portland, Oregon. Gullberg was from Des Moines, Washington. Gullberg's MySpace page is filled with photos of him hiking in various places. A friend wrote Saturday on the page, "I love you dude and miss you." His grandmother, Marjorie Gullberg, said she will miss his smile. "He was just like my son. He did everything for me," CNN affiliate KPTV quoted her saying. Dennis Simons, a chaplain for the fire and police departments in the city of Sandy, Oregon, spent time with the families of all three on Sunday. "They're grieving and hoping. There are thousands of people around the world praying that Katie and Anthony will be found alive," he told reporters, holding back tears. The mountain rises 11,239 feet above sea level, with a vast base that stretches over 92 miles (148 km). It is the highest mountain in Oregon. Mount Hood is a dormant volcano with steam constantly spewing from holes, according to the Web site mthood.info. Gullberg's death is the latest of many accidents on Mount Hood, KPTV reported. The worst occurred in May 1986 when nine people, including seven students from Oregon Episcopal School, died after they dug a snow cave during a sudden storm.
|
"This remains a search and rescue mission," Clackamas County detective says .
White-out conditions are expected, Weather Service says .
Avalanche conditions hamper search on Oregon's Mount Hood for two hikers .
Third climber found dead over weekend .
| 5,248 | 250 |
50,572 |
Whether in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean or off the coast of Australia and Tasmania, some of the world's most beautiful oceans also contain the world's most nightmare-inducing creatures. Often dwelling at the bottom of the sea and rarely seen by humans, Distractify compiled a list of the creepiest underwater animals around. Behold the best of the bunch and good luck getting into the water after this. Scroll down for video . The world's most gorgeous oceans also contain the world's most creepy underwater creatures . The goblin shark is a deep-sea dwelling animal with a whole lot of very sharp teeth. Thankfully, it poses no threat to humans as it mostly eats bottom-feeding fish. While very little is known about the elusive creature, it is believed to have a wide global distribution having been spotted everywhere from the Gulf of Mexico to Japan. Distractify has compiled the most nightmare-inducing deep-sea dwellers. Here: the sarcastic fringehead . The sarcastic fringehead may have a chuckle-inducing name, but this tiny, ferocious fish is no joke. Known for its large mouth and territorial behaviour, they are ambush feeders and aggressively attack their prey - usually crustaceans. They are native to Southern California and Baja, Mexico. The water bear is one of the toughest creatures on Earth and is able to survive extreme environments . Good luck ever being able to close your eyes again after getting a glimpse of the world's toughest creature: the water bear (or tardigrade). The water-dwelling micro-animals are classified as extremophiles, which means that they can thrive in an environment that would be detrimental to most life on Earth. No wonder they can live for up to 200 years and survive trips to space. Spider crabs, which are native to the UK, are covered in spikes and have 10 legs . The spider crab is one unusual looking creature. It's body is covered in spikes and along with its eight walking legs, it also has two longer clawed arms. Most often, they are found in course sand and bedrock along the UK's southern and western coasts. The Bobbit worm can grow up to sizes of nearly 3m long, though the average remains 1m . Found in warmer oceans, the Bobbit worm can grow to sizes of nearly 3m (9.8 ft) long - although the average remains around 1m (3 ft). The creature catches its food by burying its long body into an ocean bed composed of gravel and mud, waiting for one of its five antennae to sense prey. Due to its sharp teeth and speed of attack, sometimes its prey is sliced in half in the process. The Mola mola is the world's heaviest bony fish and weighs up to 1,000 kg . The Mola mola is the heaviest known bony fish in the world with an average adult weight of 1,000 kg. An ocean sunfish, the species is native to temperate and tropical waters. Though they may be absolutely massive, these docile creatures eat a diet almost solely comprised of jellyfish and pose no threat to humans whatsoever. While the rainbow eel may look pretty, the creature can be quite aggressive when called for . The red-lipped batfish is one of the strangest underwater creatures - it can walk on the ocean floor . While both the colourful ribbon eel and red-lipped batfish may look beautiful, you definitely don't want to get too close. These eels can change colour and sex during their life and grow to be 1.3m long. As far as the batfish, their pectoral fins actually allow them to walk on the ocean floor. It's found in deep waters off the Galapagos Islands. Blobfish live off the coast of Australia and Tasmania and are very rarely seen by humans - thankfully! You can't un-see this haunting creature! The blobfish lives off the coasts of mainland Australia and Tasmania. Rarely seen by humans, they usually live at depths between 600 and 1200m. Get a glimpse into the mind of the barreleye - literally! It's head is transparent and brains visible to all . Last but certainly not least: the barreleye, which is also known as the spook fish. Named for their large, protruding, barrel-shaped eyes, the four-eyed fish has a transparent head - meaning you can see it's brain, as well.
|
Distractify compiled list of most nightmare-inducing underwater creatures .
Rare deep-sea dwellers include goblin sharks, blobfish and water bears .
While most pose no threat to humans, several are aggressive predators .
| 4,125 | 220 |
59,446 |
MEXICO CITY, Mexico (CNN) -- Nearly a week after dozens of inmates walked out of a prison in Zacatecas, the central Mexican state's top security official has resigned, state-run media reported Friday. Alejandro Rojas Chalico was the Zacatecas secretary of public security. State-run Notimex reported his resignation, citing the state administration. It was not clear if Gov. Amalia Garcia Medina had accepted Chalico's resignation, Notimex reported. No further details were available. Mexican authorities have been trying to track down the 53 prisoners who left Cieneguillas prison in the city of Zacatecas on Saturday with the help of 20 men. Though the men who raided the prison that morning were armed, they freed the prisoners without firing a shot, according to Medina. The prison break took fewer than five minutes, he said. He believes the inmates are likely connected to the Gulf Cartel, a powerful drug cartel operating in northern Mexico. The news of Chalico's resignation came as the international criminal police organization Interpol issued a security alert for 11 of the men, whom it said Mexican authorities have identified as the "most dangerous." The alert, or "orange notice," includes identifying details of each fugitive to help law enforcement officers in their search, Interpol said. It identified the prisoners as: Juan Enrique Almader Becerra, 21; Pablo Banuelos Esponoza, 30; Heriberto Centeno Madrid, 39; Ruben Delgado Gamillo, 28; Santiago Hernandez Naranjo, 36; Daniel Martinez Solis, 22; Joe Reyes Martinez, 33; Juan Antonio Saucedo Diaz, 33; Jesus Maria Soto Calderon, 52; Jose Florentino Soto Estrada, 30; and Erick Jesus Soto Estrada, 25.
|
Report: Top security officical in Zacatecas state, Mexico, resigns after prison escape .
53 inmates escaped in city of Zacatecas, helped by 20 men; no shot fired .
Governor thinks inmates part of Gulf drug cartel, operating in northern Mexico .
Interpol issued security alert for 11 of the "most dangerous" men .
| 1,670 | 312 |
88 |
By . Associated Press . John Kerry, the U.S. secretary of state, has said he chose the wrong word in describing Israel's potential future after being criticized for saying the Jewish state could become an 'apartheid state' if it does not reach a peace deal with the Palestinians. In a statement released yesterday by the State Department, Kerry lashed out against 'partisan political' attacks against him, but acknowledged his comments last week to a closed international forum could have been misinterpreted. He pointedly did not apologize for the remarks, but stressed he was, and is, a strong supporter of Israel, which he called a 'vibrant democracy.' Scroll down for video . Secretary of State John Kerry has said he chose the wrong word to describe Israel's potential future after saying it risked becoming an 'apartheid state' He said his remarks were only an expression of his firm belief that a two-state resolution is the only viable way to end the long-running conflict. And, he stressed, he does not believe Israel is, or is definitely on track to become, an 'apartheid state.' 'I will not allow my commitment to Israel to be questioned by anyone, particularly for partisan, political purposes, so I want to be crystal clear about what I believe and what I don't believe,' Kerry said after U.S. lawmakers and pro-Israel groups criticized him, with some demanding his resignation or at least an apology. 'First, Israel is a vibrant democracy and I do not believe, nor have I ever stated, publicly or privately, that Israel is an apartheid state or that it intends to become one,' he said. 'Second, I have been around long enough to also know the power of words to create a misimpression, even when unintentional, and if I could rewind the tape, I would have chosen a different word to describe my firm belief that the only way in the long term to have a Jewish state and two nations and two peoples living side by side in peace and security is through a two state solution,' Kerry said. On Sunday, The Daily Beast reported that Kerry had told a closed-door meeting of the Trilateral Commission in Washington on Friday that Israel risked becoming an 'apartheid state' with two classes of citizens if negotiations to forge a peace deal fail and a two-state solution is not reached. In his statement, Kerry defended his general point, noting that numerous Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and predecessors, Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert, have offered similar assessments in the past. Palestinians waving Palestinian flags as they gathered last week to celebrate the newly made reconciliation deal between Fatah and Hamas, ending a seven-year split . But, he said while Barak and Olmert, and Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, 'have all invoked the specter of apartheid to underscore the dangers of a unitary state for the future, it is a word best left out of the debate here at home.' The report of Kerry's 'apartheid' comment to the Trilateral Commission was immediately assailed by many the pro-Israel community in the U.S. House GOP leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said Kerry should apologize, while the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee described his use of the term as 'offensive.' Another pro-Israel lobby group demanded that Kerry resign, a call echoed by Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas in a speech on the Senate floor . Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer of California was also critical of Kerry's comment, saying in a tweet that: 'Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and any linkage between Israel and apartheid is nonsensical and ridiculous.' In his statement, Kerry defended his general point, noting that numerous Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) and predecessors, Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert, have offered similar assessments in the past . Kerry has invested significant time and energy since he became America's top diplomat last year into bringing the two sides to the negotiating table with the goal of reaching a deal in nine months. That deadline expires on Tuesday with the parties having failed to reach that settlement, a less ambitious framework deal or even an agreement to extend the negotiations. The State Department said on Monday that U.S. envoy for Mideast peace, Martin Indyk, had returned home from the region and had no immediate plans to return. President Barack Obama, along with Kerry and other U.S. officials, has blamed the impasse on negative steps taken by both sides over the course of the last several months. On the Israeli side, those include a decision not to release a group of Palestinian prisoners it had earlier agreed to free and announcements of new Jewish settlement construction on land claimed by the Palestinians. On the Palestinian side, they include a move to join numerous U.N. conventions they had agreed not to join while the negotiations were underway and, most recently, the announcement of a unity government with the radical Hamas movement, which Israel, the U.S. and Europe regard as a terrorist organization.
|
John Kerry says he chose wrong word to describe Israel's potential future .
Secretary of State lashed out against 'partisan political' attacks against him .
But he acknowledged comments last week could have been misinterpreted .
Said he is strong supporter of Israel, which he called a 'vibrant democracy'
| 5,073 | 305 |
61,717 |
Amazon is launching a new same day pick up service allowing customers who order before 11.45am to pick up their parcels from local newsagents from 4pm . Amazon is launching a new attack on traditional high street stores from today with its first ever same day pick-up service. Shoppers who order an item before 11.45am will be able to collect it from 4pm onwards at any one of 500 named newsagents and convenience stores. The new ‘Pass My Parcel’ service will initially be free to subscribers to the Amazon Prime service, while others will have to pay £4.99. Traditional bricks and mortar stores have been under unprecedented attack from web retailers, who have been able to undercut them on price because they have much lower costs. Until now, the high street has had one key advantage in that shoppers could make an instant purchase, while people using the web had the expense and delay involved in waiting for a delivery. However, Amazon believes it has been able to overcome this hurdle with the same day service. Workers who need something urgently, perhaps a birthday present for a loved one, will be sure they arrive home with the item without having to leave their desks to browse the shops. There is also an ‘Express Morning’ service which will allow shoppers to order an item at any time up to 7.45pm in the evening with the option of picking it up at some time between 6am and 9am the following morning. It might be a new dress or tie for an important business meeting or essentials needed for a sunshine holiday. Customers are notified by email when the item is ready for collection and they are given a unique code which authorises the store to hand it over. The service is being offered in a collaboration with Smiths News and will utilise its fleet of vans which normally deliver newspaper and magazines to tens of thousands of retailers across the UK. Initially, the Amazon same day service will be available from 500 stores which will carry the ‘Pass My Parcel’ banner in their shop windows, but it is likely to be rolled out to many more. Amazon already offers shoppers the option to collect purchases from any one of 6,000 points, including stores carrying the Collect + logo and secure Amazon Lockers, but orders generally take a day or so to fulfil. It is thought the move could draw more customers away from the high street and into online shopping . Christopher North, Amazon’s UK managing director, said: ‘This is our fastest pick-up service yet. ‘We know that Prime customers love fast delivery and the convenience to pick up their order at a time and place that suits them best. This new service brings together both of those great benefits.’ He added: ‘We have recently added Birmingham International Airport and a number of London tube stations to our ever-expanding list of pick-up locations. ‘Our intention is to keep rapidly adding to the many thousands of existing pick-up locations to ensure that customers all over the UK are provided with as much choice as possible when it comes to the delivery of their Amazon order.’ Mark Cashmore, Group Chief Executive, of Connect Group, said: ‘We are delighted to be working with Amazon at the launch of Pass my Parcel. ‘Because we visit thousands of local retailers every day, we are uniquely placed to deliver a twice daily pick up service that is second to none in speed and convenience.’ The online firm will despatch parcels from one of its warehouse centres to any of 500 newsagents around the country from today . The same day collection service will be free to subscribers to Amazon Prime, which costs £79 a year, until the end of this year. Prime members also get free one-day delivery on over seven million items, access to 500,000 Kindle books to borrow and unlimited streaming of more than 15,000 movies and TV episodes through Prime Instant Video. The ability to offer same day delivery is the Holy Grail for web stores. In the USA, the company has launched the AmazonFresh in some cities, which offers the same day delivery of fresh and frozen groceries. There are long-standing rumours that the company wants to bring the service to this country. The vice president of Amazon UK is Doug Gurr, who previously ran Asda’s food home shopping service. He has hinted at the expansion of AmazonFresh, saying: ‘We have just started rolling that out across America. ‘Our model tends to be to take something and to try really hard to make it work and then, when we think we have got it right, start rolling it out.’ This week Google announced it is expanding a delivery service for online purchases in the USA which is called ‘Google Express’. Google will charge $10 a month, or $95 a year, for unlimited same-day or overnight delivery on orders over $15. Non-members will pay $4.99 an order, or $7.99 if the order costs less than $15. Google Express, lets customers place orders online for products from physical stores run by retailers including Costco , Staples and Walgreen. The service, which initially covered parts of San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York is being extend to Washington, D.C., Boston and Chicago.
|
Website will send parcels ordered in the morning to convenience stores .
'Pass my parcel' service will cost £4.99 but is free to 'Prime' subscribers .
Online firm is also launching an express overnight pick-up service .
Move will add to pressure on shops, which are under attack from online .
| 5,102 | 292 |
305,959 |
Washington (CNN) -- Last-minute jostling in Louisiana's Senate race has given sudden life to long-stalled legislation to authorize the Keystone XL pipeline. Both houses of Congress are on track to vote in the coming days on proposals sponsored by the candidates who will face off in a December Senate runoff in Louisiana. The House has scheduled a vote for Friday on a bill to green-light the $8 billion project to transport oil from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The Senate, meanwhile, is likely to vote early next week on similar legislation. The moves could force the hand of President Barack Obama, who has said he won't make a decision on whether to allow the pipeline to go forward until the State Department can finish a years-long independent review. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters traveling with the president during an Asia trip on Thursday that the administration takes "a dim view of these kinds of proposals," suggesting a veto is possible. The pipeline has become a political football in Louisiana, which is holding a Dec. 6 run-off election for its Senate seat. Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu is trying to demonstrate her clout as Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chairwoman one last time by prodding the chamber to vote on legislation authorizing the pipeline. She said repeatedly that at least 60 senators would vote for her bill. "I am so pleased to have been one of the spark plugs to help to get us moving -- not in the next Congress, but in the lame duck session of this Congress," Landrieu said on the Senate floor Thursday. House Republicans countered by scheduling a vote on their own on the same bill -- this one sponsored by Rep. Bill Cassidy, Landrieu's GOP challenger. Combined with Senate Republicans' pledge to place Cassidy on the energy panel, it's an effort to mute Landrieu's claims of influence on energy issues that are important in oil-rich Louisiana. "Regardless of the reason, what we're doing here today is working together on ideas that we've been trying to push for a long, long time," GOP Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas said on the House floor Thursday. "Now that the Senate is here to join us, we are here to work together," Sessions said while repeatedly pointing out that Cassidy is sponsoring the measure. Landrieu was aided in the Senate by West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin, who acknowledged that Landrieu "is in a fight for her life here" but said she'd be willing to take her name off the bill if doing so would ease its passage. "The best politics is good government," he said. "If you do something good, as a Republican, as a Democrat, we all get credit for it." It's not clear whether Congress actually has the authority to approve the project -- or whether that power lies solely with the State Department, which has jurisdiction because the pipeline would cross international borders. The legislation would use a January 2014 State Department environmental analysis of the project to satisfy requirements that it be studied for adverse effects. Notre Dame law professor Bruce Huber said the legislation the House and Senate are set to vote on "would override the presidential permit process and simply declare the proposal to be approved as a matter of federal law." He said there likely aren't enough votes to overturn an Obama veto -- especially with Democrats still holding a Senate majority before new lawmakers are sworn in early next year. "Nonetheless, this is the most substantial shift in momentum with respect to the Keystone project that has occurred in the last several years," he said.
|
The House could vote to approve the Keystone XL pipeline on Friday, followed by the Senate next week .
Efforts to boost the two candidates in the Louisiana Senate run-off election have propelled the legislation .
It's not clear whether President Obama would veto a bill that takes the decision out of the State Department's hands .
| 3,594 | 331 |
209,628 |
On December 8, 2006, Jose Mourinho was midway through a season that would see him deliver the FA Cup and League Cup double when he famously quipped about his ‘untouchable’ players. ‘Claude Makelele is untouchable because of the way he plays. Michael Essien is untouchable because of the way he plays. It is not because I love them,’ he said, pointing out that £30.8million Andriy Shevchenko was not part of the gang. So, Makelele was one, Essien was another, as was Michael Ballack, Ashley Cole, Ricardo Carvalho, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba and Petr Cech. Chelsea's Claude Makelele (left), Ricardo Carvalho (centre) and Frank Lampard were 'untouchables' Makelele and Lampard celebrate with Michael Essien, another Chelsea star that was 'untouchable' Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba were among those named as Jose Mourinho's 'untouchable' players . Chelsea's six 'untouchables' were named in the starting XI to face Burnley. They are Terry, Ivanovic, Matic, Fabregas, Hazard and Costa. Azpilicueta, Cahill and Willian – all not 'untouchable' – were bumped as Luis, Zouma and Cuadrado were selected. Nine in total that never needed to worry about whether their name was or wasn’t on the team sheet when it was pinned on the board. They were the permanent fixtures and, nine years on, the idea hasn’t changed. Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa are the automatic picks these days. Choose any at random and there’s method in Mourinho’s madness. Hazard, for example, is a given. Dribbles and chances created aside, he has turned buying fouls into an art form. Nine against Paris-Saint Germain – a record in the Champions League this season. As well as 28 fouls in Europe this year – more than any other player – and 74 in the Barclays Premier League – again, more than anyone else. Terry, the club captain, is the leader. Ivanovic, blood-stained boots et al, is the warrior. And so on. Eden Hazard is fouled during Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League . Hazard has turned buying fouls into an art form as he was fouled nine times against French club PSG . Hazard of Chelsea sits on the pitch after being fouled during their Champions League match on Tuesday . Yet what about those not free from rotation? The healthy competition among the rest starts at the back between goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Petr Cech. So much so that Mourinho likes to imagine football as being about nine outfield players and two goalkeepers. ‘We would give no chance to anyone,’ he says, imaging that scenario. ‘We would be absolutely phenomenal because they’re both phenomenal.’ He’s not wrong. Courtois is close to ‘untouchable’ but not quite. His error against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on January 31 – failing to collect a Jesus Navas cross under pressure from James Milner – allowed David Silva to equalise. It led to speculation Cech would reappear in Paris on Tuesday night, particularly given he has yet to concede in 426 minutes of Premier League football this year. He didn’t, Courtois remained, and it proved the right call. Courtois made five saves against PSG – some point blank, some pure reaction – helping Chelsea escape the French capital with an away goal and the advantage at 1-1. As Mourinho repeats, if a player is to become ‘untouchable because of the way he plays’, then the ex-Atletico Madrid loanee did himself no harm. Petr Cech (left) was once 'untouchable' but has since been given competition by Thibaut Courtois (right) Chelsea goalkeeper Courtois makes a save during the Champions League round of 16 first leg in Paris . Courtois pulled off five saves against PSG on Tuesday night to help Chelsea escape with a 1-1 advantage . And so to another contest at Chelsea, between Kurt Zouma and Gary Cahill. The latter may previously have been considered ‘untouchable’, but that’s changed. Zouma, particularly against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, looks far from a 20-year-old newbie. That perfectly-timed tackle on Aguero, for example, showed experience beyond the France youth’s years. Yet against PSG, Cahill and his 33 England caps were preferred by Mourinho. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, all 6ft 3in of the Sweden international, tormented the defender. Cahill was arguably at fault for Edinson Cavani’s goal, too, misjudging the cross and allowing the forward to nod the ball beyond a helpless Courtois. Not the most convincing performance if he is to persuade Mourinho to prefer him over Zouma. This is a position very much available, and Chelsea captain Terry sympathises with the one that loses out: ‘Obviously we all want to play every game. 'Those two are fighting it out at the moment but it could be me at any time. What’s important is that we remain top of the league and everybody gets game time.’ Kurt Zouma (left) and Gary Cahill (right) are fighting for a place in Mourinho's Chelsea side . Zouma is looking to steal Cahill's place in the Chelsea starting XI as the youngster impresses Mourinho . Another battle at the back is between Filipe Luis and Cesar Azpilicueta. Yet the latter has made twice as many appearances (20) as the former (10) in the Premier League this year. Luis last played in the Premier League more than a month ago against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on January 17, when Azpilicueta was absent due to a groin injury. The former Atletico Madrid left-back was used in the two Capital One Cup legs against Liverpool but the £16m buy has not made an appearance in February yet. Azpilicueta AKA ‘Dave’ relishes the healthy battle, most likely because he is winning. ‘In the big teams, there is always competition and the competition helps us to improve,' he said before Christmas. 'I like the competition and fight for my place every day. 'I like the competition because it brings you to another level, and it’s down to each player to impress the manager and make it difficult for him.’ Luis, playing second fiddle, is losing this contest and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot he can do about it. Filipe Luis (left) and Cesar Azpilicueta (right) are competing for the left-back position at Chelsea . Azpilicueta high fives goalkeeper Courtois during their Champions League match in the French capital . The newest addition to Chelsea’s squad, Juan Cuadrado, has arrived to interrupt Willian’s otherwise must-pick status. In seven fewer appearances in Serie A, Cuadrado has twice as many goals (4) and assists (4) as Willian in the Premier League. He has also created more chances (36) and shots on target (20) than Willian (26 and 15). It was Cuadrado that registered more assists (4) than any other player at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, too. Willian has been Mourinho’s first-choice right winger this year. Yet perhaps his shortcomings in the final third can see his Colombian counterpart – a £23.3m buy rising to £26.8m from Fiorentina – capitalise. Comparing one player’s form in Serie A to another’s in the Premier League can only be used to an extent, but the numbers speak for themselves. Cuadrado seems to know a thing or two about winning fouls as, like Hazard, he has won 87 in just 1,450 minutes of football. Yet he must replicate his performances from Italy, if he is to keep Willian out. Time will tell. Willian (left) and new addition Juan Cuadrado (right) are competing to play under Mourinho . Cuadrado comes on for Willian during the Champions League match between Chelsea and PSG . Click here to read Martin Samuel's match report from the Parc des Princes . Those that live on the fringe of Mourinho’s team often can’t hack it. The ‘reject XI’ that have left the club since Mourinho’s return to Chelsea in 2013 is telling. Mark Schwarzer in goal, with Ryan Bertrand, David Luiz, Jeffrey Bruma and Ashley Cole filling a back four. Then, there’s Essien and Lampard in midfield – both former ‘untouchable’ players – behind Andre Schurrle, Juan Mata and Kevin De Bruyne. And, as a lone striker, Romelu Lukaku. Mourinho is not afraid to rotate the big names, and get rid. Lampard, now at Manchester City, knows that better than most. ‘I’m not the kind of coach that gives places to people just because they are faces or names,’ the Chelsea manager announced in 2007. ‘Everybody with me has to fight for his place.’ The roles of Terry, Ivanovic, Matic, Fabregas, Hazard and Costa have made them immune to being dropped. It’s now up to the others to join them on the pedestal. Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic pictured during the Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night . Ivanovic scored for Chelsea and is among Mourinho's current crop of 'untouchable' players . Mourinho has his current 'untouchables' at Chelsea and the other places are up for grabs at Stamford Bridge .
|
Jose Mourinho spoke about his 'untouchable' players in December 2006 .
The Chelsea manager had nine players that he deemed 'untouchable'
They were Claude Makelele, Michael Essien, Michael Ballack, Ashley Cole, Ricardo Carvalho, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba and Petr Cech .
The idea remains the same at Chelsea as Mourinho now has six must-picks .
| 8,740 | 358 |
103,646 |
Tehran, Iran (CNN) -- Iran has arrested suspects in connection with the July 2011 killing of a nuclear scientist, semiofficial media reported, citing Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi. Moslehi made the announcement Sunday at an event marking the first anniversary of the death of 35-year-old physicist Daryoush Rezaie. In addition to the suspected "terrorists" who shot and killed Rezaie outside his Tehran home on July 23, 2011, "two groups in charge of training terrorists were arrested inside and outside Iran," Moslehi said, according to the semiofficial Fars news agency. Moslehi did not provide details. Rezaie taught at Mohaqeq Ardebili Technical College, in the northwestern city of Ardebil, according to the semiofficial Mehr news agency. Read more: Iran nuclear scientist killed in car bomb blast . His death followed bombing attacks on two other Iranian physicists in November 2010, Iranian media said. Professor Majid Shahriari was killed, but professor Fereydoun Abbasi and his wife escaped with only minor wounds. Shahriari's wife and driver were injured. Both professors were on the faculty of Tehran's Shahid Beheshti University. Assailants on motorcycles attached bombs to cars carrying the professors at separate locations. In January 2010, Iranian elementary-particle physicist Massoud Ali-Mohammadi was also killed in a bomb attack, according to Mehr. Ali-Mohammadi, 50, was riding his motorcycle near his Tehran home when a remote-controlled bomb planted on the bike detonated, according to Iranian media. Majid Jamali Fashi was convicted in that killing and also found guilty of spying. Prosecutors accused him of working for the Mossad, Israel's national intelligence agency, and said Israel paid him $120,000 to carry out the hit. He was hanged in May. Iran has blamed spy agencies in Israel, the United States and the United Kingdom for the attacks. Israeli President Shimon Peres told CNN on Monday that Israel has never claimed responsibility for the attacks, but he said his country has a right to prevent the killing of its citizens. CNN's Elise Labott contributed to this report.
|
Daryoush Rezaie was shot and killed on July 23, 2011 .
Suspected "terrorists" have been arrested, Iran's intelligence minister says .
His death occurred after a string of attacks against nuclear scientists in the country .
Iran has blamed Israel, the U.S. and UK for the attacks .
| 2,112 | 280 |
158,993 |
(CNN) -- Witnesses said a FedEx tractor-trailer truck was already in flames when it crossed a median and slammed into a bus carrying students in Northern California, the National Transportation Safety Board said Saturday night. The driver of a white Nissan Altima that passed the bus just before the crash reported seeing flames coming from underneath the FedEx truck, said Mark Rosekind, an NTSB board member. The truck clipped the car occupied by Joe and Bonnie Duran before it slammed into the bus Thursday evening, killing 10 people -- five high school students, three chaperones and the drivers of both vehicles. More than 30 people, mostly teenagers, were taken to local hospitals. Rosekind, speaking at a press conference, said some bus passengers were ejected from the vehicle, including the ones who died. He said the investigation shows the southbound truck did not brake as it crossed the median at a 10-degree angle and entered the southbound lanes. Investigators found 175 feet of tire marks left by the bus, indicating the driver tried to avoid crashing into the truck. Investigators will look for devices on those vehicles that might provide information about speeds, Rosekind said. One such device -- the electrical control module -- was destroyed by fire on the truck, he said. The electrical control module on the bus survived but "we don't know what's actually on there," he said. The truck transmission might also be examined to help determine that vehicle's speed, he said. Blood samples should be obtained from the bodies of both drivers, which will provide information about whether drugs or alcohol might have been in their systems, he said. Blood samples also might tell investigators if the drivers had inhaled smoke from the fire, he said. He stressed that investigators are only collecting information now and aren't coming to conclusions about the cause of the accident. Bonnie Duran told the CNN affiliate KOVR the truck was on fire before it hit the bus. She said she made a quick decision to swerve to avoid a direct hit from the truck, sending their rental car into a ditch. "Somehow we survived," she said. Her husband said it was like a scene from a movie. "I looked over and saw the FedEx truck coming straight for me," Joe Duran told the affiliate. "It was like a 3-D movie. Imagine a Mack truck coming out of a movie." The Durans were hospitalized and released. Students traveling from the L.A. area . The students were traveling from the Los Angeles area to take part in a program at Humboldt State University, which allows prospective attendees to visit the campus. Their journey ended in the fiery wreck 90 miles north of Sacramento when the truck hit one of three buses taking the teens to the campus in Arcarta. The students on the buses represented 31 Southern California high schools. They were heading to "Spring Preview Plus," which invites low-income and first-generation prospective students to the university. As part of the program, students stay in residence halls, attend events and visit with staff and students from a program that helps historically underrepresented students, the university said. The two other buses in the caravan made it to the university. Those students were placed in dorms, and the university is offering them counseling. Engaged couple among victims of California bus crash .
|
NEW: Witnesseses tell NTSB the FedEx truck was on fire before hitting bus .
"It was like a 3-D movie," said a man in a car that was clipped by the truck .
A FedEx truck crossed the median, collided with the bus about 100 miles north of Sacramento .
The collision killed both drivers, five students and three chaperones .
| 3,354 | 320 |
258,829 |
Richard McKee, 65, previously a judge at the highest asylum and immigration court has stepped down . A judge accused of going soft on foreign criminals has stepped down after admitting handing cash to an illegal immigrant who had lived in his home. Richard McKee, 65, was a senior judge at the country’s highest immigration and asylum court when he gave money to the woman, who is 26 years his junior, while she was living here illegally. The Nigerian woman, Fatima Umar, 39, was found to have overstayed her visa after she was arrested at Mr McKee’s house after a disagreement. She now faces being deported. Mr McKee, who has previously been accused of ruling far more often than other judges in favour of those seeking to avoid deportation, has been allowed to retire on a pension of around £50,000 a year without disciplinary action. Police had been called to Mr McKee’s £460,000 flat in Kilburn, North West London, in the afternoon of January 28 after a report of a break-in. Umar was arrested and charged with causing around £5,000 of criminal damage at the property and assaulting two police officers. She is now serving two eight-week prison sentences. When the judiciary was informed that Mr McKee had been providing financial support to an illegal immigrant he was allowed to retire without any penalty. It is thought that Mr McKee had allowed the ‘pretty’ younger woman to live at his property on and off for the last few years. He has refused to comment on the nature of their relationship. In 2011, Umar was sentenced to 14 weeks in jail after she assaulted the judge. Last year, Mr McKee was given a reprimand for falling ‘short of the standards expected’ of judges after he failed to inform the judiciary that police were investigating the use of his ‘premises’ for unlawful activities. One of Mr McKee’s neighbours last night said that Umar was attractive, but seemed like she had problems. The woman said: ‘She was a really nice lady, very friendly and polite and she would always ask how my children were. She was very skinny and pretty. ‘But she looked like she was off it most of the time. Whether it was drugs or alcohol, I don’t know, but she always looked pretty much out of it.’ Flat: Immigration judge Richard McKee has had to resign after it emerged that he shared his home, pictured, to an illegal immigrant from Nigeria . On the day she was arrested, neighbours said she was taken from the property kicking and screaming. Mr . McKee, a Cambridge graduate, worked for the Immigration Advisory . Service as a barrister in the 1990s, bringing appeals for immigrants and . asylum seekers, before he started adjudicating on cases in 2000. An . analysis of his judgments in 2012 found that in the 13 cases he heard in . the previous year, he ruled in favour of foreign criminals wanting to . avoid deportation on 11 occasions. At the same time another judge ruled against all nine criminals whose cases he heard. A . spokesman for the Judiciary said: ‘On 31 January 2014 it was brought to . the Chamber President’s attention that Upper Tribunal Judge McKee was . providing financial support to a person who was alleged to be an . immigration offender. ‘This was put to Mr McKee who then retired with . effect from 4 February.’ He said there would not be a review of Mr . McKee’s rulings as ‘this is a personal conduct matter’. Border control: Tory MP Dominic Raab said it 'beggared belief' that a judge paid to defend our borders had helped someone who had flouted them (file image) A . Metropolitan Police spokesman said: ‘Fatima Umar is currently serving an . eight-week sentence after admitting one count of criminal damage and . three counts of assault at Hendon Magistrates’ Court on January 30 this . year.’ Last night Tory MP Dominic Raab criticised the decision to . allow Mr McKee to retire with a full pension. He said: ‘It beggars . belief that a judge tasked with defending our borders has been helping . someone who has flouted them, only to walk away with a full pension. Those who uphold the law should not be above the law.’ Yesterday, Mr McKee said: ‘I’m sorry, I can’t really say anything.’ Between June 2011 and May 2012, Mr McKee, 64, heard 13 cases involving criminals appealing against deportation, and in 11 of them he ruled in favour of the criminal bringing the appeal. Criminals he allowed to stay included Congolese national Wabi Longange, a failed asylum seeker found guilty of causing the death of a woman passenger by careless driving, and an Australian man, known only by the initials CB, who sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl he had fostered eight years previously. He also let Algerian illegal immigrant Amar Chennaoui, 43, stay after he was jailed for two-and-a-half years for unlawful wounding.
|
Senior Tribunal Judge Richard McKee, 65, shared his home with Nigerian .
Fatima Umar, 39, was arrested at his flat in north London earlier this year .
Police called to a report of a break-in and criminal damage at basement flat .
Umar, who assaulted two constables during the arrest, had overstayed visa .
When it emerged Mr McKee had helped her, he had to talk to his bosses .
As a result, he agreed to stand down last month, but will get full pension .
MP Dominic Raab said: 'Those who uphold the law should not be above it'
| 4,754 | 526 |
275,383 |
(CNN) -- "I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict of crack cocaine." Those words aren't what might normally be expected from the mayor of Canada's largest city. But little is normal nowadays for Rob Ford. Eight days ago, Gawker and the Toronto Star published stories stating their reporters had seen a cell-phone video showing Ford, as the Star described it, "inhaling from what appears to be a glass crack pipe." Later in the video as described by the Star, an "incoherent" man both the Star and Gawker claimed to be Ford ranted on a number of subjects, from Liberal leader Justin Trudeau to the high school football team he coached. Except for a brief comment the next day deriding the stories as "ridiculous," the characteristically voluble Toronto mayor has been quiet -- at the advice of his lawyer, he said then, who advised him "not to say a word." Until Friday, when he made a statement. In his statement, Ford alluded to the end of his time as a coach for the Don Bosco Eagles high school team, as well as the departure of his mayoral chief of staff Mark Towhey. He didn't elaborate on either relationship. Nor did he admit to any wrongdoing -- saying there was no real proof that he did anything wrong. "I cannot comment on a video that I have never seen or does not exist," Ford said, referring to the 90 seconds of footage that two Star reporters and one Gawker journalist claimed to have seen but that hasn't been aired on TV or posted online. "It is most unfortunate, very unfortunate, that my colleagues and the great people of this city have been exposed to the fact that I have been judged by the media without any evidence," the mayor said. Amid the media firestorm, Ford insisted that he's still hard at work for the people of Toronto, as a conservative leader focused on making the city government more efficient and effective. "We're continuing to fight for the taxpayers every day and it's business as usual at City Hall," he said. His demeanor Friday was markedly different from the man Star reporters described in the video, which the newspaper claimed was shot last winter. In it, the Star journalists wrote that "an off-camera speaker ... goads the clearly impaired mayor," who at one point seems to mutter, "Everyone expects me to be right-wing." The newspaper said that the mayor appears to refer to the players on his Don Bosco football team as "just f---ing minorities." The video ends, according to the Star, when the cell phone starts to ring. "That phone better not be on," the mayor says, according to the newspaper. Doug Ford, a city councilor, stood behind his brother on Friday -- and lashed out at the news reports. Echoing the mayor, Doug Ford questioned the Star for its "accusation of a video that does not exist or we haven't seen." The city councilor had especially harsh words for Gawker, accusing it of dealing "with a bunch of extortionists" and unfairly tarnishing Somalis who live in Toronto by claiming Somali drug dealers were behind the video. "I think it's disgusting," Doug Ford said.
|
NEW: Toronto's deputy mayor blasts the news reports, calling one of them "disgusting"
Toronto's mayor speaks at length for first time since being accused of smoking crack .
Gawker, the Toronto Star reporters say they saw video showing Rob Ford doing drugs .
Ford denies using crack cocaine; says he hasn't seen the video, doesn't know it exists .
| 3,044 | 346 |
225,633 |
By . Ted Thornhill . PUBLISHED: . 04:48 EST, 28 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 04:51 EST, 28 February 2014 . Beijing’s toxic smog finally lifted this week with dramatic before and after pictures taken on Wednesday and Thursday showing just how dense it had been. A strong cold front brought blue sky and sunshine to a city that had been masked by dense pollution for over a week. Earlier this week Chinese scientists said that pollution in Beijing was so dense that its effects were comparable to that of a nuclear winter. Remarkable: The above photograph was taken near the Forbidden City in Beijing on Wednesday and the lower one at the same place on Thursday . Relief: Blue sky and sunshine reappeared in Beijing on Thursday thanks to a strong cold front which dispersed the week-long smoggy weather . It has been predicted that if enough nuclear bombs were detonated, so many particles would be thrown into the air that the sun could be blocked out enough to alter the weather and damage the food supply. This process was under way in China’s capital city and six northern provinces, according to He Dongxian from China Agricultural University’s College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering. She warned that the toxic smog was hindering photosynthesis of plants and that if it lingers much longer, it could affect food production, according to The Guardian. Clear skies: The photo on the left shows the sharp contrast of air quality at the Temple of Heaven while on the right, software on a mobile phone indicates the sharp contrast in pollution levels . The sun is finally revealed: The corner tower of the Forbidden City on Wednesday and Thursday (left) and before and after shots of the Central Business District that show the beneficial effect of the cold weather front . Dongxian demonstrated recently that seedlings in Beijing were taking over twice as long to grow as those in a lab. ‘Every farm is caught in a smog panic,’ she told The South China Morning Post. Pollution had been so severe that aircraft were grounded, roads closed and tourists numbers hit, while the direct danger posed to human health was underlined by the World Health Organisation, whose readings in Beijing on Tuesday had alarming results. It was reported that the level of PM 2.5 particles, a key measure of pollution because they are small enough to be assimilated into the blood stream, reached 505 micrograms per cubic metre, far higher than the maximum level it considers to be safe, which is 25. Authorities have introduced anti-pollution policies and often pledged to clean up the environment but the problem has not eased. Beijing had been draped in stinking smog for more than a week and in an effort to cut pollution, 147 industrial companies in the capital had cut or suspended production as of Tuesday, according to Xinhua. City residents are growing angry and alarmed. ‘Of course, on days where pollution levels reach or even exceed the scale, we are very concerned and we have to see this as a crisis,’ Bernhard Schwartlander, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in China, told Reuters. Road to nowhere: Vehicles clog a highway in Beijing on Wednesday as a hazardous smog enveloped the city . ‘There's now clear evidence that, in the long term, high levels of air pollution can actually also cause lung cancer,’ he said. Hebei, a major industrial region surrounding Beijing, has some of the most polluted cities in the world's most populous country. Shijiazhuang routinely recorded ‘beyond index’ measurements of polluting ‘particulate matter’ in early 2013. The China Academy of Sciences identified the province as a major source of noxious smog that hung over Beijing a year ago. The government said in an action plan for Hebei in September that it would ban new projects in certain industries, close outdated steel and cement facilities and slash coal use. The province has promised to cut total steel capacity by 86 million tonnes, about 40 percent of last year's production, by 2020. Official data suggests that is starting to happen. Meanwhile, a man in a smog-ridden northern city has become the first person in China to sue the government for failing to curb air pollution. Li Guixin, a resident of Shijiazhuang, capital of the northern province of Hebei, submitted his complaint to a district court asking the city's Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau to ‘perform its duty to control air pollution according to the law’, the Yanzhao Metropolis Daily said. The Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences recently ranked Beijing second worst in terms of living environment among 40 major cities around the world and said it was 'barely suitable' for living. However, China's naval chief has found a rather more positive side to the country's awful pollution.The smog, he says, provides an effective barrier against the emerging threat of laser weaponry. Rear Admiral Zhang Zhaozhong, a military expert at the National Defence University, spoke days after it was reported that the US Navy planned to deploy its first laser weapon aboard one of its ships in the Middle East. He said lasers were 'most afraid of smog' because it severely hampers the distance it can be fired. 'Under conditions where there is no smog, a laser weapon can fire (at a range of) 10 kilometres,' he told CCTV’s Haixia Liangan (Cross-Straits) current affairs program, according to www.news.com.au.'When there’s smog, it’s only one kilometre. What's the point of making this kind of weapon?'
|
Scientists said that pollution in Beijing was so dense that its effects were .
comparable to that of a nuclear winter .
The smog that had been draped over the city was lifted dramatically on Thursday by a strong cold front .
| 5,489 | 224 |
205,353 |
(CNN) -- With a crushing right hand, Juan Manuel Marquez knocked out Manny Pacquiao in the sixth round of a non-title bout in Las Vegas late Saturday, scoring a definitive victory after three previous bouts that ended in close judgments. The fight came to an end 2:59 into the sixth round, after Juan Manuel Marquez landed a right hand to Manny Pacquiao's face, knocking him cold late Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Pacquiao went down face-first and lay motionless for a while, possibly unconscious, before eventually sitting up. It was called a technical knockout and Marquez declared the winner. Pacquiao shook Marquez' hand after getting back on his feet. The loss to his arch rival comes as a second severe blow to Pacquiao's career this year. He lost his title to American Timothy Bradley in June. Saturday's fight was originally scheduled for 12 rounds. Both fighters scored a knock-down earlier in the fight with Marquez sending Pacquiao flying onto his back and Pacquiao tipping Marquez enough off of his feet to cause one of his gloves to touch the mat. Former presidential hopeful Mitt Romney was at ringside with his wife Ann and shook Pacquiao's hand before the match to wish him success. Pacquiao is an elected congressman in his native Philippines. Actor Steven Seagal and Basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson could be seen at the match, and former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson tweeted that he was also in attendance. It's a rare case when it takes a fourth fight to satisfy the fighters, the fans and the press. Boxers often have other rivals to battle, and younger fighters come along deserving their shots. But for Pacquiao (now 54-5-2, 38 KOs) and Marquez (now 55-6-1, 40 KOs), their legacies required at least one more battle in the ring. Pacquiao has, in the eyes of the judges, won two of the previous matches. The first was ruled a tie. He believes he won all three. Marquez fervently believes he won all three. At a press conference announcing the fight, Pacquiao used his thumb to scratch into the tablecloth, "We need to win by knockout" for his trainer Freddie Roach to see. "I said, 'Yes, we do,'" Roach said. He didn't think it likely that judges would hand a third decision victory to his fighter. Marquez has also said that he believed he needed to score a knockout to put all doubts to rest. Pacquiao's prior opponent gave him a taste of what Marquez has felt during the reading of the scorecards for their battles. It appeared Pacquiao dominated Bradley in a 12-round welterweight title fight in June, but he lost the decision on two of the three judges' scorecards. Bradley walked off with the WBO belt. Public sentiment and the opinion of sports media on Marquez' and Pacquiao's previous bouts have fallen mostly in the middle. What everyone agrees on is that the fights have been great. Pacquiao has come hard after Marquez, who has counter-punched superbly. Pacquiao has knocked Marquez down four times, three of which came in the first round of the first fight. Had the referee stopped the fight, as they often do after a boxer falls three times, the trilogy would have been a quick one-night stand, or one-night fall, as it were. Now the two fighters are forever linked, and there is a clear victor. CNN's Jill Martin contributed to this report.
|
It is the first time either fighter knocked out the other .
The first three fights resulted in a draw and two close wins for Manny Pacquiao .
Mitt Romney wished Pacquiao luck before the fight .
| 3,306 | 193 |
34,030 |
By . Joshua Gardner . Naked dog door girl revealed: The girl who gained widespread internet notoriety when she crawled naked through a stranger's dog door has spoken out to tell her side of the story . A Texas woman who won internet infamy last year for crawling through a stranger's dog door naked has spoken out to reveal the motives behind her seemingly bizarre action. Sara Soto, who was 25 when she became 'naked doggy door girl,' told her side of the story to MTV in a bid to legitimize the strange decision she made in spring 2012. Instead of a wild night of boozing and partying, her telling begins with her parents admitting to her for the first time that she is adopted. 'I’d just found out I don’t know who my father or mother is,' Soto told MTV while explaining that the situation was too much to handle, so she got in the car and just drove west. 'I had spun out of control because of an 18-wheeler, and I wind up in a ditch. I manage to make it out of there, walk down the freeway,' she said. There were offers for help, but Soto said they were from creeps. She managed to make her way to a police station, where an officer took her report. 'I explained to the cop where it happened. He gets my car towed,' she said. However, Soto claims the police did not offer to allow her to use the phone to call for help. With no one to drive her home, Soto set off down an unfamiliar road in the town of Weatherford, some 60 miles from home at around midnight. 'I walk toward some houses,' she told MTV. 'Maybe somebody will let me use their phone. I knocked on six houses and nobody opened the door.' Scared, alone and in a strange place, Soto, who is an amateur rapper and goes by the name Sara Toke-a-lot, hatched her plan B. Good plan? Soto says her march toward infamy started when her parents told her for the first time hours before that she's adopted. She took off and go into an accident. One thing led to another and she was naked in a stranger's home looking for a phone to call home for help . 'If I take off my dress at this doggy door,' she remembered thinking. 'I cannot get blamed for stealing anything.' This is where Soto's story and the one told to millions on the internet differ: most people believe she squeezed her tiny, 110 pound frame through the pet door. Soto claims she merely reached in and unlocked the door. Soto, an amateur rapper who goes by the name Sara Toke-a-lot, was issued an arrest warrant the very day she told MTV her side of the story--it would be her third stemming from the incident . Either way, she made it into the home, but says an alarm soon went off. Panicked and unable to see a phone, she hid in a bathtub. It was there that at least her plan to disarm the homeowners with her nudity worked. The husband of the couple who lived there had a decidedly collected reaction when he found her. ‘Honey, there’s a girl in the bathroom,’ he said to his wife, who understandably told him to call the cops. Upon her arrest, Soto claimed she was not intoxicated, though the authorities would tell MTV that she was likely high. However, at one point she was transferred to a psychiatric facility before she finally made it home. Soto continues to maintain she was not stoned, but unfortunately for her the legal woes from that April night continue to haunt her. Thanks to some continued infractions, Soto had an arrest warrant issued on the very day she spoke to MTV, her third stemming from the incident. To this day, she claims she's recognized by people and for that reason has not applied to a job. Instead, she's getting her rap career on track. 'I’m happy about it, I’m already working on my music. I didn’t mean to do all this,' she told MTV. 'it was like a publicity stunt, but I didn’t do it for that. I’m just wild and free, and that’s what America’s supposed to be about, right?' Video courtesy of Jonathon Brown .
|
Sara 'Toke-A-Lot' Soto won internet infamy in spring of 2013 when she was found naked in a bathtub of a stranger's Texas home .
The 4'11'' amateur rapper had been in a car accident and wanted to use a phone but no one answered their doors .
Her solution was to get naked to prove she wasn't there to steal and break into a home .
She set off an alarm in the home and hid in a bathtub before she was discovered and arrested .
| 3,869 | 424 |
274,625 |
The Queen plans to scale back her public duties and give Prince Charles a bigger role as ‘co-head’ of the royal family, well-placed sources have revealed. Buckingham Palace and senior figures in Whitehall began discussing how to deal with the monarch’s advancing years several months ago, the Mail understands. They concluded that her 64-year-old son – the longest-serving heir apparent in British history – should take a more prominent position representing the sovereign at key events, particularly those abroad. Scroll down for video . Handing over the reigns: The Queen is reportedly planning to scale back her public . duties and give Prince Charles a bigger role as ‘co-head’ of the royal . family . Royal aides denied that Her Majesty¿s recent ill-health is behind the decision to increase the Prince's role . In a sign of things to come, for the first time in 17 years the Queen will be accompanied by her eldest son at the State Opening of Parliament, which takes place today. The Duchess of Cornwall will also join them. It follows the surprise announcement by Buckingham Palace yesterday that, in a 40-year first, the Queen will not attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference. Instead, Charles will take her place at the two-day event in Sri Lanka in November. Aides reluctantly admitted what has been suspected for some time: that the monarch, who reached the age of 87 last month, was not up to making frequent long-haul trips. But Charles’ presence at Parliament today suggests it is also part of the carefully-choreographed plan to share the burden of responsibility. One senior royal source told the Mail the decision for the Queen not to go to Sri Lanka was part of a ‘wide-scale review’ of her travel plans, although they insisted that it was largely ‘business as usual’. Aides were also swift to deny that Her Majesty’s recent ill-health – she was hospitalised in March for the first time in ten years after being hit by gastroenteritis – had anything to do with the development. But the fact is that the elderly . monarch, who still conducts more than 300 engagements each year, has . been gradually scaling back her diary at home too and her illness was a . clear sign that her legendary stamina can no longer be taken for . granted. The Queen now spends only about three . days a week in London or away on official visits, and prefers to read . her official papers over a long weekend at Windsor Castle. In addition, she is understood to be . concerned not to put too much strain on her husband, Prince Philip, who . will be 92 next month and still accompanies her on most trips. It is not long since he received hospital treatment for a heart condition and a recurring bladder infection. The Mail has also learnt that there . has even been tentative discussion of a change in the law which would be . required to allow Prince Charles to become regent. Historically, regents have only been . created when the monarch is seriously incapacitated – for instance, when . George III was mentally unwell. Prince Charles, seen here with comedian Lenny Henry at a reception for British Caribbean Communities at St. James's Palace yesterday, will attend the State Opening of Parliament . The Queen receives flowers from nine-year-old Ursula Hall, nine, as she arrives for the rededication of the newly refurbished Temple Church Organ at Temple Church . The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, arrives for the rededication of the newly refurbished Temple Church Organ . Buckingham Palace sources have said the Queen is to allow Prince Charles to take over the long-haul trips because of her age . Constitutional experts regard the idea . of making Charles regent – an effective co-monarch – as a controversial . and indeed unprecedented step while the Queen remains healthy. Should . it ever be contemplated, it would almost certainly require an amendment . to the Regency Acts. One well-placed source said the Queen . would ‘never, ever abdicate’ given the unhappy family history which saw . Edward VIII ‘abandon’ the throne in favour of the Queen’s father, . George VI. On the eve of her 21st birthday she . memorably vowed to serve her country for the rest of her life, ‘whether . it be long or short’. ‘But there is an increasing sense . that she cannot go on as she has been,’ the source said. ‘She is . approaching her 90s. She has extraordinary stamina for a woman of her . age. Significant: The Prince of Wales will represent the Queen, who is head of the Commonwealth, at the meeting in Sri Lanka in November. He is pictured recently with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall . Important: The Queen is pictured in Perth, Australia at the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting . But some of the more challenging foreign trips are increasingly not possible for her and more particularly Prince Philip. Prince Charles and Camilla are to attend the State Opening of Parliament today for the first time. The royal couple will watch as the Queen sets out the government's plans for new laws for the year. It is the first time the Prince of Wales has attended since 1996 and will fuel speculation that he is taking a more active interest in the role of monarch. Charles and Camilla will travel in their own procession ahead of the Queen, Clarence House said. A Clarence House spokeswoman said: 'The Prince of Wales often supports the Queen on state occasions, and his and the Duchess's diaries were clear on this occasion.' ‘Her appointments across the board . are going to be reviewed and Prince Charles, who is already doing more, . will become more prominent. ‘What is being discussed is whether . that happens informally, as it has been for some time, or whether . something more formal is pursued.’ Yesterday’s short statement by . Buckingham Palace that ‘The Queen will be represented at this year’s . Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting by The Prince of Wales’ belied . the extent of thought that had gone into it. The Queen, who has attended every . meeting since 1973, views her stewardship of the Commonwealth as one of . the most important legacies of her reign and would not have taken the . decision lightly. The next meeting is due to be held in . 2015, when she will be 89. Unless it is held in London, her visit to the . Perth meeting in 2011 may turn out to have been her last. The decision to send Charles may also . have been motivated by the fact that in recent years some Commonwealth . countries have questioned whether the Prince of Wales should . automatically become head of the Commonwealth when he becomes king. Despite suggestions that the role move . to an elected individual, the Prince feels strongly that it should be . his, and his presence as the Queen’s representative can only strengthen . his case. Commonwealth Secretary-General . Kamalesh Sharma welcomed the decision, saying: ‘This decision reflects . the wish of Her Majesty at this time in her reign to limit her long . distance travel.’ Significantly, a decision about the future of Charles’s own son, Prince William, is due to be announced in two weeks. Joint visit: In 2007, both the Prince and the Queen attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda. The Queen is pictured at the time . Duty: The Uganda trip was the first time Charles had been to an overseas Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and was seen as an important event for the heir to the throne . Busy: The decision to send the Prince to Sri Lanka instead of the Queen also signifies a son's commitment to easing the burden on his parents in their advancing years . It is believed that the second in line . to the throne will quit his role as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot for . an army ‘desk job’ which will allow him to take on more royal duties. This will continue the move to get . younger members of the royal family to take on more official business, . which started in earnest last year when the Queen delegated all her . foreign Diamond Jubilee travel to them. That is not to say that she or Prince . Philip, who recently returned from Toronto, won’t make any visits abroad . at all. But they will, almost certainly, be extremely few and far . between. A palace source said: ‘From now on any long-haul trips will be looked at on a case by case basis. There is no suggestion that the . Queen’s diary will become less busy but it is part of an ongoing process . looking at the Queen’s long-haul travel arrangements.’ According to the Queen’s official . list of engagements, she has seven visits planned for the rest of this . month, both with the Duke of Edinburgh. Last night the couple attended the rededication of the refurbished Temple Church Organ in the City of London.
|
Buckingham Palace reviewing the Queen's long-haul travel commitments .
Prince of Wales is to perform one of his most significant duties to date .
He has never attended in place of the monarch at the bi-annual gathering .
Charles and Camilla will also attend State Opening of Parliament together .
| 8,710 | 296 |
163,590 |
(CNN) An Asiana Airlines plane overran a runway while landing at Japan's Hiroshima Airport on Tuesday evening, prompting the airport to temporarily close, the Japanese transportation ministry said. Twenty-three people had minor injuries after Flight 162 landed at 8:05 p.m., according to fire department and ministry sources. There were 73 passengers and eight crew members -- including five cabin attendants, two pilots and a maintenance official -- aboard when the flight took off from South Korea's Incheon International Airport at 6:34 p.m. local time, Asiana said in a statement late Tuesday. Authorities are investigating initial reports that the Airbus A320 may have hit an object on the runway during landing, causing damage to the rear of its body and the cover of the engine on the left wing, the ministry said. Video of the scene showed the aircraft's body turned around, with its nose pointing in the direction that the plane had come from. Hiroshima Airport closed because of the incident Tuesday night while fire department officials worked at the scene. Airbus, the plane's manufacturer, is aware of the incident and is working to gather more information, Airbus regional media relations manager Marie Caujolle said.
|
The plane might have hit an object on the runway, the Japanese transportation ministry says .
23 people have minor injuries, officials say .
The Airbus A320 overshot the Hiroshima Airport runway at 8:05 p.m. Tuesday, officials say .
| 1,231 | 232 |
209,569 |
The company was founded in 1968 by Bob Noyce and Gordon Moore, two of the original brains behind one of the major players in early computer chip development, Fairchild Semiconductors. Intel launched its first microprocessor, the 4004, in November 1971, and it was followed by the 8008 and the 8080, which was used in one of the world's first personal computers. The 4004, Intel's breakthrough invention, powered the Busicom calculator and paved the way for embedding intelligence in inanimate objects as well as the personal computer . Today the company is still at the forefront in the development of computer chips and microprocessors offering cutting edge chipsets, processors and motherboards. In 2007 Intel's total revenue was more than $38 billion, with an operating revenue of $8.2 billion and a net income of $7 billion. The company employs 86,300 people at more than 50 locations across the world, including the Intel Headquarters in Santa Clara, California. Intel particularly supports Achieve's Mathematics Achievement Partnership (MAP), a unique collaboration among states that will create a new assessment and teaching and learning strategies to assist U.S. 8th-graders in mastering the challenging foundations of algebra and geometry to the level routinely taught in the highest performing countries. E-mail to a friend .
|
Intel was formed in 1968 by founders of Fairchild Semiconductors .
It's first microprocessor, the 4004 was launched in 1971 .
In 2007 Intel's total revenue was more than $38 billion .
| 1,335 | 183 |
170,811 |
By . Sam Webb . PUBLISHED: . 06:57 EST, 26 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:05 EST, 26 May 2013 . This is the dramatic moment a yachtsman who went overboard off the French coast was winched to safety after a fellow sailor called a builders' merchant in land-locked mid-Devon for help. The Ilfracombe man was swept into the sea off Ushant, north west France, on Thursday afternoon. Images released by the coastguard today show him being lowered to safety and carried in a stretcher. His colleague on the 32ft yacht Caprice could not understand the French coastguard, so called his Crediton builders merchant - who raised the alarm with Brixham Coastguard. The yachtsman is now being treated for hypothermia in hospital. Winched to safety: The yachtsman is now being treated for hypothermia in hospital . Unlikely saviour: A worker at a builders merchant in Devon was shocked when a customer rang him to ask for his help reporting a man overboard from a yacht near the French coast The customer struggled to understand the French coast guard . Footage from the rescue helicopter showed the Ilfracombe man being taken on a stretcher. He was swept into the sea off Ushant, north west France . Chris Tucker, who works for Jewson in Crediton, said he was 'a bit surprised' when his customer phoned him at about 3pm. 'I'm not quite sure why he called me, but maybe he knew I'd be there and would have access to a computer and phone,' Mr Tucker said. 'It was quite difficult to hear him because it was so windy, but he just kept repeating coordinates and times. 'He said he couldn't understand the French coastguards and they didn't understand him.' Mr Tucker said he had seen his customer on Tuesday so knew he was planning a sailing trip. 'He'd told me he was going on his friend's yacht and they were going to take it down to the south of France to leave it there for the summer, then get the ferry back,' he said. Mr Tucker stayed on the phone to his customer while Brixham Coastguards liaised with the French authorities. The Ilfracombe man was swept into the sea off Ushant, north west France, on Thursday afternoon . The man who fell overboard is from Ilfracombe in Devon. He is now recovering in hospital . The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the search for the missing yachtsman involved a French lifeboat, two search and rescue helicopters, a fixed-wing aircraft, along with two naval vessels - from France and Germany - that happened to be in the area at the time. He was rescued by the German warship and then airlifted to hospital in France. 'The man who fell overboard was wearing a lifejacket and also a type of wet suit, which undoubtedly saved his life,' the MCA said. Mr Tucker, whose actions were praised by Brixham Coastguard and Jewsons, said he was glad both men were safe. 'It wasn't sounding too good for a while,' he said. 'Conditions were pretty damn rough, the yacht's engines had failed and the guy must have been in the water for about two hours. 'I don't think I did anything special - anyone would've done the same - I'm just happy they're okay.' The stricken yacht was towed back to harbour by the French lifeboat. The names of the sailors have not been revealed.
|
The unnamed sailor fell from yacht off the coast of France .
A man on the yacht didn't understand French rescuers, so called Mr Tucker .
The Jewson worker alerted the UK coastguard and the man was saved .
| 3,187 | 204 |
295,817 |
By . Lucy Waterlow . PUBLISHED: . 09:20 EST, 5 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:56 EST, 5 June 2013 . The Duke of Edinburgh proved he's back on his feet after his recent health scare by looking happy and relaxed as he undertook a solo engagement in East London today. Prince Philip visited the Royal Victoria Dock in Newham to inaugurate the world's oldest complete steamship, the SS Robin. The ship has been restored with the help of lottery funding and will now have a permanent home in the capital. The cause is close to the Prince's heart as he has been campaigning for decades to save the ship for the nation. Back to his old self: The Duke of Edinburgh smiled and waved as he arrived in East London today and chatted to staff who have worked on the SS Robin . Preserved: The Prince is given a tour of the world's oldest complete steamship that he campaigned to save for the nation . In the Seventies the ship, that was built in Britain 1890, was due to be scraped after working as a trade ship in the Atlantic ocean for the British and then Spanish for nearly a century. It survived the First and Second World Wars not to mention numerous treacherous sea voyages. The ship was bought back from the Spanish by the Maritime Trust in 1974 and then returned to British shores, where campaigners, supported by Prince Philip, made it's preservation possible. The Prince was given a tour of the newly restored ship today, before it will be opened to the public next year, and met staff who had made the £3m restoration possible. All board: The prince had to cancel an engagement earlier this week but was feeling shipshape again today . Inauguration: The SS Robin now has a permanent home in Royal Victoria Dock, East London . David Kampfner, chief executive and co-founder of the SS Robin Trust, said: 'She's a true London icon, symbolising the spirit of engineering, innovation, technology and true grit which made - and continues to make - the East End great. 'In his speech the Duke was saying the vessel was very high tech when it was built. He described it as the 'jet plane of its day'. 'That resonates with him. People think of its history but it was very modern when it was built. He related it to the origin of modern shipping.' Taking an interest: The Duke of Edinburgh talks to designer Nicky Haslam, right, whose grandfather Arthur Ponsonby designed the SS Robin . Historic: A plaque was unveiled during the visit to mark the occasion . The Duke attended today's engagement . without his wife the Queen, who yesterday took part in a ceremony to . mark the 60th anniversary of her coronation. His visit proved the 92-year-old is back to his old self after being taken ill earlier this week. On . Monday, he cancelled an official engagement he was due to undertake . with the Queen attending a gala reception for the Royal National . Institute of Blind People at St James’s Palace. He . was not taken to hospital but rested at Buckingham Palace before then . being well enough to join the Queen at the coronation service at . Westminster Abbey yesterday. However, he then excused himself from the evening celebrations at Buckingham Palace. His latest health scare comes after . he was hospitalised last year with a bladder infection during the . celebrations to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubliee. Speaking . on Daybreak this morning, his grandson, Peter Phillips, said the public . should not be surprised if Prince Philip and the Queen give the 'odd . engagement' a miss from now on due to their increasing age. He confirmed his grandfather had recovered after feeling 'under the weather' earlier this week adding about him and his grandmother: 'You have got to remember his age, both of their ages, you know... what they do at their age - they do a lot more than most other pensioners of their equivalent age. 'So if occasionally there is the odd engagement cancelled, it shouldn't come as such a surprise, given the workload that they do have.'
|
Duke of Edinburgh undertook solo engagement in East London .
He was given a tour of the SS Robin that will now be homed in the capital .
He has campaigned to save the ship for 40 years .
| 3,954 | 186 |
135,743 |
MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- Suspected Islamic extremists arrested last week in Barcelona were planning al Qaeda-style attacks in Spain, Germany, France, Britain and Portugal, according to an informant who "infiltrated" the group, Spain's El Pais newspaper reports. "If we attack the metro [subway system in Barcelona], the emergency services can't get there," one of the suspected suicide bombers told the informant, El Pais reported on Saturday. "Our preference is public transport, especially the metro." El Pais reported that it had access to the informant's testimony to Spanish officials. CNN has confirmed that authorities have given high importance to an informant's testimony. The judge who ordered 10 suspects held for allegedly plotting a suicide attack in Barcelona, cited in his rulings the testimony of an informant. CNN has viewed the rulings. Spain's Interior Minister last Friday said an informant warned of a planned suicide attack against Barcelona's metro on the weekend of January 18 to 20. But he added that, for now, "there is only the testimony of an informant" regarding the timing. The informant told authorities the cell comprised six suicide bombers, including himself, El Pais reported on Saturday. Spain's attorney general, Candido Conde-Pumpido, said last week that the cell could have contained six suicide bombers, two explosives experts and two ideologues. Judge Ismael Moreno, in rulings last Wednesday, wrote that the informant had named three suspected suicide bombers and an explosives expert, all of whom had traveled from Pakistan to Barcelona since last summer. The judge ordered these four men held, out the total of 10 jailed suspects who are from South Asia. They include nine Pakistani nationals and a man from India, who is Muslim. A court-appointed translator told CNN that all 10 suspects testified during their arraignments that they were innocent. The cell planned three attacks in Spain, one in Germany and others in France, Britain and Portugal, according to the informant, El Pais reported. On Sunday, another El Pais story added that the "wave of attacks" was to have been carried out by the Barcelona group and other extremist Pakistani cells were to attack elsewhere in Europe. The informant told authorities about potential links between the Barcelona group and suspected extremists in other countries, the interior minister said Friday. The informant had traveled by train from France to Barcelona on January 16, a few days before police made arrests in Barcelona, El Pais reported Saturday. A day earlier, the newspaper reported that the informant worked for French intelligence. Al Qaeda was planning to take responsibility for the first attack in Barcelona through Baitullah Mehsud, a Taliban commander whom the Pakistani government blames for last month's assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, El Pais reported. "Only the leadership of the organization knows what requests the emir (Baitullah) will make after the first attack, but if they are not carried out, there will be a second attack in Spain, and a third," a cell leader told the informant, El Pais reported. "And then in Germany, France, Portugal and the United Kingdom. There are many people prepared there." In Barcelona, two pairs of suicide bombers were to attack in separate metro stations, the paper said, citing the informant's testimony. One of the cell leaders said the bombs were supposed to be hidden in backpacks or bags and that other cell members were to detonate them by remote control, the paper added. Two other pairs of suicide bombers were to strike elsewhere in Spain, while another suicide bomber was to attack in Germany, although the informant said he did not know where or when those attacks were to occur, El Pais reported. Three other terrorists were assigned to attack in France and two in Portugal, El Pais reported, although it did not mention locations or times for those attacks either. Civil Guards initially detained 14 people in Barcelona, but released two before arraignments last Wednesday. The judge then released two more, leaving 10 in jail for further investigation. It was not immediately known if the alleged informant may have been among those arrested and released. "This cell was preparing to attack," Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said Friday in an interview with Spanish radio network SER. "It's clear they were going to try, whether last weekend (January 18 to 20) or within 15 days." But he said police have not found explosives "in sufficient quantity" to have carried out the assault. "We have found a modest quantity of explosives," Rubalcaba said, adding that they may have been intended for use in training the suspects. The judge in his rulings wrote that the group "had achieved human operational capacity and were very close to achieving full technical capacity with explosives, with the aim of using those explosives for a jihadi terrorist attack." Rubalcaba said that, for any such suspected terrorist cell, "the time from getting explosives to carrying out the attack can be very short." The judge wrote that police had found nitrocellulose and mechanical and electrical elements that could have been used to make one or more bombs. More than 300 suspected Islamic extremists have been arrested in Spain since the Madrid train bombings killed 191 people and wounded more than 1,800 on March 11, 2004, Rubalcaba said. Last October, more than a dozen Islamic extremists were convicted in Madrid for their roles in the train bombings. The 2004 bombings came just three days before general elections, in which Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero won an upset victory. The latest arrests in Barcelona come less than two months before the next general elections, to be held March 9, when Zapatero seeks re-election. Spain remains on "permanent alert" against Islamic terrorism. Al Qaeda communiques regularly make specific references to Spain. E-mail to a friend .
|
Informant: Terrorists planned to attack public transport systems in Europe .
El Pais said it had access to informant's testimony to Spanish officials .
10 suspects were arrested for allegedly plotting attacks .
Informant: Cell consisted of six suicide bombers .
| 5,976 | 261 |
239,477 |
By . Ryan Gorman . and Associated Press Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 12:54 EST, 12 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 13:26 EST, 12 January 2014 . A packed passenger jet slid off an icy Maine runway during a treacherous Sunday storm. A flight from New York City to Bangor International Airport slid off an icy taxiway in as it made its way to the terminal, but no passengers were injured. Officials said the Delta flight from LaGuardia Airport went into the grass off the taxiway shortly before 1 p.m. Treacherous: The loaded jet slid into the grass while trying to turn onto a taxiway towards the terminal . The 50-passenger jet had the brief scare while taxiing towards the gate after landing when it’s front wheel lost control while trying to make a turn, the relative of a passenger told the Bangor Daily News. The entire aircraft slid into the grass, the relative noted, adding that rescue vehicles also had a hard time reaching the marooned plane. ‘Even the trucks coming out to try to get the plane had their wheels spinning on the asphalt,’ said Mike O’Neill. ‘They didn’t notice anything that was wrong but that someone else on the flight said ‘Oh, we’re going off.’ And then that was when they went off the asphalt.’ The airport says the aircraft was returned to the taxiway and towed to the gate where passengers deplaned starting just before 2 p.m. Airport Director Anthony Caruso says the plane skidded in the icy conditions experienced by much of the state through the day. Among the many motorist mishaps reported by the Daily News was a bus carrying junior and varsity high school athletes that slid into a ditch during the ice storm paralyzing much of the state this weekend.
|
The incident happened around 1 p.m. after the plane landed at Bangor International Airport .
The entire 50-person jet slid into the grass near a taxiway .
| 1,683 | 154 |
40,938 |
(CNN) -- "I was surrounded by cameramen, all on their knees like proposing Victorian swains, shooting upwards to make my skirt look even shorter. I had no idea this was going to happen -- this was publicity that I certainly had not planned." Model Jean Shrimpton. On a sultry spring day in 1965, silence descended on the packed crowd gathered at Australia's biggest sporting event. All eyes were on British supermodel Jean Shrimpton as she arrived at the prestigious Melbourne Cup Carnival -- or more accurately, all attention was focused on the 22-year-old's legs. "The most beautiful girl in the world" had stepped out at Flemington Racecourse wearing a minidress five inches above her knees, with no hat, stockings or gloves. In an era when women didn't leave the house without wearing a hat, it was an outfit which both scandalized the nation and sparked a fashion revolution which would define the Swinging Sixties. As the Melbourne Cup prepares for its 52nd "Fashions on the Field" competition, the iconic image of Shrimpton in "that dress" has gained almost mythical status in the history of a horse race now worth $6.2 million in prize money. Known as "The race that stops a nation," it is one of the richest thoroughbred competitions in the world, and is so revered in its home state of Victoria that its annual date -- the first Tuesday in November -- has been made a public holiday. But in 1965 it was Shrimpton's legs which famously stopped the country in its tracks. "She was one of the world's first supermodels and her visit was highly anticipated -- everyone was expecting this beautiful hat and accessories," Victoria Racing Club Art and Heritage curator Penny Tripp told CNN. "When Jean came marching through the members' lounge two hours late with her boyfriend of the time -- Hollywood actor Terence Stamp -- in this casual dress, there was absolute silence." The conservative country was rocked by the seemingly skimpy outfit and, for the first time since the inaugural race in 1861, the winning horse was knocked off newspaper front pages -- in favor of Shrimpton's legs. "There she was, the world's highest-paid model, snubbing the iron-clad conventions at fashionable Flemington in a dress five inches above the knee, NO hat, NO gloves, and NO stockings!" screamed Melbourne newspaper The Sun. "The Shrimp," as she was known, had been employed by textile manufacturer DuPont de Nemours International to be a judge in the annual "Fashions on the Field" dress competition. The face of "Swinging Sixties London" was flown to other side of the world to promote DuPont's new fabric, Orlon, during the four days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival -- Derby Day, Melbourne Cup, Oakes Day and Stakes Day. Shrimpton was sent rolls of the material, designing her secret wardrobe with London dressmaker Colin Rolfe. With limited fabric, Rolfe was forced to create the now-famously short dress. Though Shrimpton appeared undeterred by the length, telling Australian Women's Weekly magazine: "I always wear my day dresses above the knee." DuPont quickly employed Melbourne milliner Adele Chapeaux to create a hat for Shrimpton's next appearances. The model complied -- for one day. By the end of the carnival she had converted back to her trademark stripped-back mod look. "It had an enormous impact on the fashion world," Tripp said. "Shrimpton credits the arrival of the miniskirt to her wearing it at Derby Day, though it was probably London designer Mary Quant who invented it the year before. "Regardless, it was very much the pivotal moment of the introduction of the miniskirt to an international stage." Despite the scandal, Melbourne designers copied the fashion icon in droves. The following year, newspaper The Age reported: "Last year's controversial Miss Shrimpton would have passed unnoticed in the crowd this year. Anyone with hemlines below the knee looked very 'old hat.' " Today, more than 350,000 people attend the Melbourne Cup Carnival, with 1,100 men and women taking part in last year's "Fashions on the Field" event. Competitors are judged on their originality, accessories, understanding of current fashion trends and deportment, with prizes including a Lexus IS 250C F Sport convertible. "I think to the rest of the world, the Melbourne Cup probably looks like one big party -- and that's exactly what it is," said Angela Menz, the 2011 fashion competition winner. "Everyone makes an effort to dress up. But it's done in a very different way to say, Ascot in England, for example. The lifestyle in Australia is quite relaxed -- we don't have to wear gloves and jackets because it doesn't get that cold. "By today's standards, Shrimpton's dress was actually quite long." This year, Menz is predicting lots of tall hats, rather than traditional large brims. "Head wear has been getting quite sculptural, almost like a piece of art on the head," she said. Since Shrimpton first graced Flemington, international celebrities have become a regular feature of the Melbourne Cup, with high-profile appearances from Britain's Princess Diana in 1985, Kate Bosworth in 2006 and fellow American actress Sarah Jessica Parker last year. The Melbourne Cup is as much about its fashion stakes as its horses. But when it comes to groundbreaking outfits, no one has ever come close to "The Shrimp."
|
Model Jean Shrimpton caused outrage by wearing mindress to 1965 Melbourne Cup .
Hemline five inches above the knee sparked Swinging Sixties fashion revolution .
2012 marked the 50th anniversary of the horse race's "Fashions on the Field" competition .
Today style is more relaxed at the internationally-renowned Australian event .
| 5,311 | 330 |
279,333 |
On Sunday's CNN "State of the Union" show, anchor Candy Crowley asked Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D- California), the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and her counterpart in the House, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Michigan), a simple question: "Are we safer now than we were a year ago, two years ago, in general?" Feinstein's' answer was unambiguous, "I don't think so. I think terror is up worldwide. Statistics indicate that. The fatalities are way up. ... There are more groups than ever, and there is huge malevolence out there." Crowley seemed surprised by this response: "I have to say, that is not the answer I expected. I expected to hear, oh, we're safer." Rogers backed up Feinstein's gloomy assessment, saying, "Oh, I absolutely agree that we're not safer today." Both Feinstein and Rogers are able public servants who, as the heads of the two U.S. intelligence oversight committees, are paid to worry about the collective safety of Americans, and they are two of the most prominent defenders of the NSA's controversial surveillance programs, which they defend as necessary for American security. But is there any real reason to think that Americans are no safer than was the case a couple of years back? Not according to a study by the New America Foundation of every militant indicted in the United States who is affiliated with al Qaeda or with a like-minded group or is motivated by al Qaeda's ideology. In fact, the total number of such indicted extremists has declined substantially from 33 in 2010 to nine in 2013. And the number of individuals indicted for plotting attacks within the United States, as opposed to being indicted for traveling to join a terrorist group overseas or for sending money to a foreign terrorist group, also declined from 12 in 2011 to only three in 2013. Of course, a declining number of indictments doesn't mean that the militant threat has disappeared. One of the militants indicted in 2013 was Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who is one of the brothers alleged to be responsible for the Boston Marathon bombings in April. But a sharply declining number of indictments does suggest that fewer and fewer militants are targeting the United States. Recent attack plots in the United States also do not show signs of direction from foreign terrorist organizations such as al Qaeda, but instead are conducted by individuals who are influenced by the ideology of violent jihad, usually because of what they read or watch on the Internet. None of the 21 homegrown extremists known to have been involved in plots against the United States between 2011 and 2013 received training abroad from a terrorist organization -- the kind of training that can turn an angry, young man into a deadly, well-trained, angry, young man. Of these extremists, only Tamerlan Tsarnaev, one of the alleged Boston bombers, is known to have had any contact with militants overseas, but it is unclear to what extent, if any, these contacts played in the Boston Marathon bombings. In short, the data on al-Qaeda-linked or -influenced militants indicted in the United States suggests that the threat of terrorism has actually markedly declined over the past couple of years. Where Feinstein and Rogers were on much firmer ground in their interview with Crowley was when they pointed to the resurgence of a number of al Qaeda groups in the Middle East. Al Qaeda's affiliates in Syria control much of the north of the country and are the most effective forces fighting the regime of Bashar al-Assad. In neighboring Iraq, al Qaeda has enjoyed a renaissance of late, which partly accounts for the fact that the violence in Iraq today is as bad as it was in 2008. The Syrian war is certainly a magnet for militants from across the Muslim world, including hundreds from Europe, and European governments are rightly concerned that returning veterans of the Syrian conflict could foment terrorism in Europe. But, at least for the moment, these al Qaeda groups in Syria and Iraq are completely focused on overthrowing the Assad regime or attacking what they regard as the Shia-dominated government of Iraq. And, at least so far, these groups have shown no ability to attack in Europe, let alone in the United States.
|
Heads of intelligence committees tell CNN U.S. is no safer than in 2011 .
Peter Bergen: Evidence suggests that fewer plots are being directed against the U.S.
There's little sign of Americans being trained by jihadists overseas, he says .
Bergen: The committee chiefs are correct about stepped up jihadist activity in Mideast .
| 4,206 | 327 |
262,069 |
(CNN)The bureau chief for Reuters in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Maria Golovnina, died Monday after falling unconscious, her employer said. Golovnina, 34, passed out at her office in the Pakistani capital, according to a statement from Reuters. Medical responders were unable to save her. The cause of death is being investigated, police official Mohammad Yaqoob said. "Maria was a superb journalist with a long and varied career at Reuters," the news agency said. She joined the company in 2001 as a foreign correspondent in a number of places, including London, Singapore, Moscow, Afghanistan and Iraq. She had been bureau chief for Afghanistan and Pakistan since 2013. CNN's Sophia Saifi in Islamabad, Pakistan, and Chieu Luu in Hong Kong contributed to this report.
|
Maria Golovnina died Monday after falling unconscious, Reuters says .
Medical teams were unable to save the bureau chief .
| 767 | 122 |
84,642 |
This Christmas was always going to be difficult for the family for Lily-Mae McKinstry, a 10-year-old from Essex who tragically died of brain cancer last month. But the shadow hanging over the family's festive season has been partially lifted after mystery Christmas presents starting arriving in the post. The schoolgirl's parents have now discovered that their daughter spent her final days buying her relatives gifts online. Lily, from Chelmsford, lost her battle with a rare and terminal brain tumour earlier this winter, leaving her parents Andrew and Vicki heartbroken. But they have been left amazed at their daughter's ingenuity after they started receiving the gifts she bought with her father's credit card in the post. Scroll down for video . The family of Lily-Mae McKinstry (right) were left devastated by her death from a brain tumour last month. They have now discovered the youngster ordered them all presents online in the weeks before she died . Lily was diagnosed with a rare and terminal brain tumour earlier this year and underwent radiotherapy . Mrs McKinstry, 42, a hairdresser, said: 'When Lily passed away last month both me, Andrew and her big brother Ethan, were all left completely devastated. 'Our whole world came crashing down, we were making plans and expected Lily to be around for Christmas. 'After she died we were sorting out her things and were so shocked when we saw Andrew's credit card details in her notebook - but when we chased it up the penny dropped. Our beautiful, special girl had brought us all surprise Christmas presents. 'Now every few days we are receiving packages in the post, it's really emotional when we open them but it's also so comforting. Lily was so thoughtful and organised, I know how happy this would've made her.' Mr McKinstry, 48, a brewery engineer, said: 'So far we have received bandanas in all of our favourite colours - Ethan loves wearing them, so she knew he'd appreciate the gift. 'She's also sent a chicken costume for Ethan which was a funny surprise and completely shows her sense of humour, and also some books. 'A really special gift was a Build-A-Bear teddy bear which we were going to bury with Lily, but after her big brother saw it he wanted to keep it to remind him of her.' The youngster made a 'bucket list' after being diagnosed with the tumour and the list included a wish meeting famous people. It came true when she met One Direction earlier this year . Mr McKinstry added: 'We could never be mad at Lily for paying for our presents on my credit card, she was so clever and it's amazing seeing what gifts she wanted to get us. 'We even found thank you cards addressed to everyone she cared for. 'We don't know what gifts we'll receive or when, but every single one is a really special present from Lily.' The surprise gifts are helping the family cope during their first Christmas without their daughter. DIPG is a type of brain tumour found in the lower back of the brain, near the top of the spinal cord. The tumours tend to be discovered during childhood, with most of those diagnosed being found in youngsters between the ages of five and seven. The condition makes up around 10 per cent of all brain tumours found in children. Unfortunately, there has been little progress in improving treatments and cure rates for DIPG in recent years and only 10% of children found to have the tumours live for more than two years after diagnosis. There is no known cure for the tumours, which are often treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery. Mrs McKinstry said: 'It's helping us get through Christmas without her, it makes it feel like she's still with us in some way. 'Lily just loved this time of year - she still believed in Santa Claus, and we couldn't wait to spend this Christmas with her as we though it would be her last one. 'The presents are made even more special because we know how excited Lily would have been to give them to us. 'We get so excited whenever we see the postman, as we just can't wait to see what he'll deliver next.' Lily led an active life before her diagnosis, but she started suffering from weak muscles in her arms, legs, eyes and face and, in May this year, she was diagnosed with Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) - an extremely rare and terminal brain tumour. Mrs McKinstry said: 'Our lives were turned upside down, Lily was quite the adrenaline junkie and loved indoor skydiving and wake boarding. She was perfectly healthy before her diagnosis and had a real lust for life. 'Her tumour in the brain stem was inoperable, so Lily had to undergo six weeks of radiotherapy at UCL Hospital. 'Lily never moaned, she was so brave and she returned home to us in mid-July. It was great seeing her be able to chew, talk and walk normally again. 'But tragically a week after her eight week check-up scan, she started having the same symptoms again and a CT scan confirmed the tumour was growing.' Lily (pictured with her mother Vicki) is said to have loved Christmas and buying her family presents . She used her father's credit card online to order gifts for her relatives in the weeks before she tragically died . Mrs McKinstry added: 'We were told this time that there was nothing more doctors could do, Lily fought so hard but in the end she couldn't stop it from claiming her life. She achieved so much though in such a short time and we are all so proud of her. 'We found a note in her bedroom after she had passed away which we know she had written after her radiotherapy because of her handwriting. 'The note said that if she was to pass away young she wanted her IPad to go to her dad, her laptop to go to her brother, her favourite mannequin to me, her clothes to go to poor children and any money to go towards her funeral. 'That was just the kind of girl she was, so kind and caring.' Mr and Mrs McKinstry are now in the process of completing a bucket list Lily drew up to honour their late daughter. Mrs McKinstry said: 'It's really important that we carry out Lily's wishes after everything she's been through. 'Some of her wishes were really mature for her age - number one was to have world peace and number two to have better access for disabled people in the underground system. 'She received a letter back from Boris Johnson about it which was amazing and he did a video message to her.' Her parents say the secret scheme by their daughter has made a difficult Christmas easier to get through . Lily was carried by horse-drawn hearse to her funeral as one of her 'bucket list' wishes was to enjoy a horse and carriage ride . She added: 'Lily was a huge fan of the X Factor as well and was supposed to meet Simon Cowell the day she died. 'She met One Direction and had video messages from stars including Pixie Lott, Ollie Murs and Louis Walsh. One of her favourite things was taking a helicopter ride, she loved it. 'Every message made Lily smile and they meant so much, I want to thank everyone who took part in making my girl's last days so special. 'I know we might not be able to complete everything on the bucket list but we are going to try. 'Last week we all stayed in a posh hotel with two bath tubs in the room.' Mr McKinstry said: 'We know some of her things on her bucket list will be hard but we will keep going - we would do anything for her. 'We want to raise as much awareness about DIPG as possible, we need more research so more lives can be saved and finally a cure can be found.' They family are raising money for the Havens Hospices. 1. World Peace. 2. Wheelchair access at every underground station in London - Boris Johnson her a sent letter and video message. 3. Meet famous people including, Simon Cowell, cast of Modern Family, Dani Harmer from Tracy Beaker, Jamie Oliver, the bands The Vamps and 5 Seconds of Summer and Olly Murs and Dermot O’Lear from the X Factor. As part of her 'bucket list' - which is now being carried on by her family - Lily wanted a helicopter ride . 4. Meet Jacqueline Wilson and have her write a book about Lily - Received personalised letter. 5. Hot air balloon ride - Uncompleted but will hopefully be done in Lily's honour . 6. Her ‘cat’ video to be shown on the Talk Talk sponsor trailer for X Factor - It was made but not aired. 7. A holiday - The family went to Butlins. 8. Adopt an animal - The family hope to do as soon as possible. 9. Visit Florida - Unfortunately, Lily was too ill to go on a planned trip. 10. Helicopter ride - Completed. 11. Horse and carriage ride - Lily’s coffin was carried by horse and carriage. 12. Trip to a chocolate factory - A family member is going to complete in the New Year. 13. Stay at a Premier Inn - To be completed. 14. Stay at a posh hotel with two baths side by side and room service - Fulfilled. 15. See the stage show Matilda - The family hope to go in Lily's honour in the New Year. 16. A hot tub in the garden with a zebra for company - The family arranged the hot tub for Lily but said they struggled to find a zebra. She also wanted better provision for the disabled on London Underground. After she wrote to authorities, Mayor of London Boris Johnson replied and sent a video message to her .
|
Schoolgirl was diagnosed with rare DIPG tumour earlier this year .
She underwent radiotherapy but the cancer tragically killed her last month .
Parents had hoped the family would be together this Christmas .
Their sadness has been eased by gifts they have been getting in post .
Daughter secretly organised the presents in her final days .
| 9,158 | 339 |
250,990 |
By . Snejana Farberov . PUBLISHED: . 18:55 EST, 18 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:07 EST, 19 December 2013 . A married mother from Missouri is facing a child endangerment charge after police said she was photographed topless in a hot tub along with her half-naked 14-year-old daughter. The 50-year-old woman, of Wentzville, is not being named to protect her daughter's identity. The photo that landed the mother in trouble with the law was taken November 14 with the 14-year-old's phone by her sister, according to charging documents. Scroll down for video . Parent trap: A married Missouri mother, 50 (pictured), has been charged with child endangerment for allegedly posing topless along with her 14-year-old daughter in their hot tub . Crime scene: The woman claimed that she was getting out of this hot tub when she spotted her other daughter snapping a picture, which she then told her to delete . The topless snapshot was posted on the social media app SnapChat and was circulated around two high schools in the Rockwood School District. St Charles County Prosecutor Tim Lohmar told St Louis Post-Dispatch that 50-year-old woman told police she had no idea her topless shot will be distributed online. The woman's son goes to one of the schools where students saw the image on SnapChat, and he was subjected to ridicule by his classmates over the picture, authorities said. According to Lohmar, it is clear that the mother and her teenage daughter were posing for the photo: both were covering their nipples, but their breasts were exposed. According to the Wentzville Police Department, the 14-year-old girl last year had 'court mandated counseling' for taking nude photos of herself and circulating them around her school. The 50-year-old mother could face up to a year in prison if convicted of misdemeanor child endangerment. Disseminated: The topless snapshot was posted on the social media app SnapChat and circulated around two high schools . When a reporter from the station KMOV caught up with the mother at her home on Winding Creek Drive, the woman insisted she had no intention of posing topless with her underage daughter. 'I wasn't posing, I was getting out of the tub,' she said. According to the mom, she saw her other daughter snap the picture and ordered her to delete it, but instead the X-rated print ended up on the popular social media app that allows users to share content that disappears after a few seconds. ‘This is an example of some extremely poor judgment by a parent,’ Lohmar said.
|
The Wentzville, Missouri, woman told police she was emerging from hot tub when her other daughter took the picture .
Topless shot depicted mother and 14-year-old daughter covering their nipples with the rest of their breasts exposed .
X-rated snapshot ended up being circulated around two high school through social media app SnapChat .
Teen girl received court-mandated counseling last year for taking nude selfies and distributing them in her school .
| 2,526 | 453 |
182,811 |
They came in their droves and queued outside Apple stores all over the world. From Tokyo to Sydney, London to New York, thousands waited for hours – sometimes days – to get their hands on the third incarnation of the iPad. Some who didn’t like the idea of sleeping on a cold pavement paid as much as £300 to jump the queue. Scroll down to see video of Apple fans . Among the ordinary shoppers wanting to get their hands on the latest must-have product were profiteering gangs. They infiltrated queues to buy iPads and re-sell them at inflated prices abroad . Customers in Apple's Regent Street store, all bagged up with their purchases. Dozens of people were paid by 'agents' to join queues around London and grab iPads to sell on. However, there is no suggestion that those pictured had any part in this . Black market gangs in London paid people to join the queue and buy the new tablets so they could then be sold on at a profit. The frenzy – reminiscent of the scenes which greeted the launch of its predecessor this time last year – is all the more surprising given that the latest iPad represents only an evolution of previous designs rather than a revolution. Its key selling point is a so-called ‘retina display’, with a high-definition touchscreen boasting 3.1million pixels – more than an HD television. The new model, which costs from £399 to £659 in the UK, also comes with an improved camera and a faster processor, making it attractive to those who use it to play games. The wait for the pay-day paid off: 16-year-old Noah Green was fourth in the queue - but sold his spot for £300 . Eager for a bite of the Apple: People sit in the queue for the new iPad 3 outside the company's flagship store on Regent Street in London . Noah Green, a 16-year-old student from Stanmore, North-West London, had been fourth in the queue at Apple’s flagship store in Regent Street, London, but said someone had paid him £300 to move back. Before going through the door, he said: ‘It is worth it. I am still 18th in the queue so I will be one of the first to buy an iPad. I am going to sell it though and earn some money.’ Many appeared to have been paid £10 or £20 to wait in line for hours on behalf of a third party. Some buyers had their hands full of shopping bags filled with products. One was even pictured wheeling items out on a trolley. First! 21-year-old Zohaib Ali from London celebrates getting his hands on the first iPad 3 . Ali's 141-hour wait: The 21-year-old ate, drank and slept at the front of the queue . At Westfield shopping centre, in Shepherd’s Bush, West London, a number of buyers were seen handing purchases – still in their shrink-wrapped boxes – to a waiting group of Eastern European men. Every reviewer has raved about the iPad's screen, packing a huge 3.1 million pixels. Tech site The Verge said: . 'Yes, this display is outrageous. It's stunning. It's incredible. I'm . not being hyperbolic or exaggerative when I say it is easily the most . beautiful computer display I have ever looked at. Walt Mossberg, of AllThingsDigital, said: 'It has the most spectacular display I have ever seen in a mobile device.' Macworld said: 'You’re left with the same sort of typographic excellence you’d expect in a printed book. 'It has the most spectacular display I have ever seen in a mobile device.' Slashgear said: 'Steve Jobs would have approved of the new iPad. 'With . its focus on the holistic experience rather than individual boasts . around its constituent parts, it’s the epitome of the Post-PC world the . Apple founder envisaged.' Tech Crunch said: 'Once you see and use the new iPad, there will be no going back.' One said: ‘We’re just buying and selling, we’re not doing anything illegal. We bought them and we sold them.’ At Covent Garden, men were seen handing over money, collecting receipts and organising scores of people queuing. One agent, who gave his name as Martin, said: ‘I hope to get around 70 iPads today. I will be sending them on to India.’ The new iPad will not be on sale officially in India for at least another week. Stores were given only a limited supply of the new device and many had sold out by mid-afternoon. This allowed buyers who did manage to get one the opportunity to make a quick profit by selling them via eBay. Sellers on the auction website were offering the 16GB version, which connects to the web via wifi, for as much as £562.79 – a mark-up of £163.79, or 41 per cent, on the official price of £399. The scenes were repeated around the world. In Paris, one customer, Athena May, said: ‘I don’t think it’s worth the price but I guess I’m a victim of society.’ Shares in Apple punched through the $600 barrier – a new record – briefly on Thursday pushing the value of the technology giant to $560billion (£354billion) and confirming it as the world’s most valuable company. Blanket coverage of the iPad launch: Fenella Barnes and Harry Barrington-Mountford, from Upminster, sit in the queue . Apple employees welcome customers to the company's Covent Garden store in London . He'll remember this: Staff clap for the first customer at an Apple store in Hong Kong this morning . Joy: Zhuo Hanling with his wife Seah Swee Kheng and their daughter look at one of their third generation iPads after being first in line to purchase the tablet computer in Singapore . Queues in Europe: Christof Wallner, 23, from Austria, was the first new iPad buyer in Germany . Waiting: Avid Apple fans were lined up around the block eight hours ahead of the iPad's 8am launch . Cashing in: Amanda Foote, left, waited with her friend in the line outside New York's main Apple store . Eager: People line up to enter a branch of M1 Limited in Singapore . I can see clearly now: A close-up of the display, courtesy of The Verge, shows what a difference the pixels make to the iPad 2's already sharp screen . First! Construction manager David Tarasenko gets the first-ever retail iPad in Sydney - but admits it was the hype that made him open his wallet . VIDEO: Apple fans waited for hours outside the London Covent Garden store .
|
'Agents' earned £20 a day to join the queues at Apple stores .
iPads exchange hands at inflated prices just outside Regent Street store .
One agent aims to pick up 70 iPads today and ship them to India .
Noah Green, 16, sells his spot in the queue for £300 .
Woman in New York offers her place in queue for $1000 .
Tech reviewers are unanimous: The screen is a revolution .
| 6,076 | 373 |
278,340 |
A 19-year-old Texas man has been arrested in Louisiana for allegedly attempting to smuggle methamphetamine across state lines in a stash of Jesus candles. The Smoking Gun are reporting the incident started when a passenger bus was pulled over in Baton Rouge for a traffic violation. However during the stop, a drug detection dog alerted police to something suspicious in the cargo hold. The El Expresso bus was en route to Mobile, Alabama. Arrested: Jose Antonio Rodriguez-Lara, 19, of Texas, was on a bus trip to Mobile, Alabama, that was pulled over by police, who allegedly found a stash of methamphetamine hidden in religious candles in his luggage . Stash: Investigators allege an unknown quantity of methamphetamine was found hidden among these 48 'Most Sacred Heart of Jesus' candles . During a search of the cargo, members of the Louisiana Highway Interdiction Unit found a suitcase carrying 48 'Most Sacred Heart of Jesus' candles. Investigators allege the stash, which weighed in excess of 110 pounds, contained 'methamphetamine mixed in wax'. However it is not known how much of the weight the drugs accounted for. None of the passengers on the bus claimed ownership of the bag. However a subseqent search of the suitcase produced a photo of a man on the bus. Jose Antonio Rodriguez-Lara, 19, of Texas, was arrested. He has been charged with possession of felony narcotics. Bail was set at $30,000.
|
Passenger bus was pulled over Thursday in Baton Rouge .
Was en route to Mobile, Alabama .
Drug detection dog suspected something in the cargo hold .
Found 48 candles that contained an unknown quantity of methamphetamine .
No one claimed the bag, but cops found a photo in the suitcase that matched a male passenger .
Jose Antonio Rodriguez-Lara, 19, was arrested on a felony narcotics charge .
| 1,409 | 393 |
114,095 |
Producer's note: Everyone's had their smartphone run out of juice right at the most inopportune moment. But now, through Kickstarter, a company called Siva Cycle has created a new device to make sure this never happens to you again. It's cheap. It's practical. And it's remarkably low-tech. We spoke to them via Skype, and they showed us how it all works.
|
Siva Cycle is based in San Francisco .
Through a Kickstarter campaign, Siva Cycle raised $126,000 -- much more than their goal .
| 355 | 128 |
237,501 |
By . Emily Allen . PUBLISHED: . 08:16 EST, 8 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:30 EST, 8 October 2012 . A millionaire charged with murder has been bailed so that he can complete a £12 million business contract. Clint Spearpoint, 34, was charged with the murder of 39-year-old Anton Jardin, at a house party near to the V Festival, in Chelmsford, on August 18. The businessman from Rayleigh was at a house party, in London Road, to celebrate the end of the V Festival on the other side of the road, where he got into a fight with Mr Jardin, a graphic designer from Rayleigh, who collapsed and died in the garden of the house, near to Rose's Cafe, a court heard. Bail: Clint Spearpoint, 34, left, was charged with . the murder of 39-year-old Anton Jardin, right, at a house party near to the V . Festival, in Chelmsford, on August 18. He has been bailed until later this month . He is charged with Mr Jardin's murder alongside Sam Martin, 25, of Westcliff, who is also the boyfriend of his sister, Georgia Spearpoint. On Thursday, Spearpoint, who is the managing director of Magnolia Air UK Ltd, an air conditioning company that supplies the London Underground, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court to apply for bail. His defence barrister, Craig Rush, said: 'There are 60 people dependent on this company, employed directly by them. 'The business has grown substantially in the past four or five years and he's grown it into a multi-million pound business. 'It's in the process of a £12 million contract that would secure the future of the company for the next seven years. It's growing fast, but it could just as quickly collapse.' On granting Spearpoint bail, Judge Christopher Ball QC said: 'The court has to assess each case on merits. 'This is one of the rare cases where I will grant the defendant bail, but in its strictest form.' Spearpoint closed his eyes and wiped away tears when he heard that he would be allowed to live at home with his wife, Louise, while on bail. Police are pictured at the scene of the house party on August 19th this year. Eight men were arrested on the night of Mr Jardin's death and they have all been bailed until September . He was ordered to report to Rayleigh police station on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and must adhere to a curfew between 8pm and 6am. Eight other men were arrested on the night of Mr Jardin's death, and Georgia Spearpoint was arrested for perverting the course of justice. They have all been bailed until September. Sam Martin and Clint Spearpoint are both due to appear in court on October 17. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons.
|
Clint Spearpoint was charged with the murder of Anton Jardin at a house party near the V Festival in August .
Court hears the company is in the process of a £12 million .
contract that would secure the future of the company for the next seven .
years .
Judge says it is one of the 'rarest occasions to grant bail' and granted it in its strictest form .
| 2,619 | 352 |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.