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(CNN) -- Egyptian authorities have charged seven Coptic Christians living in the United States and a Florida pastor with insulting Islam and inciting sectarian strife for their alleged links to an online video that has enraged much of the Muslim world. Egypt's public prosecutor announced the charges Tuesday, the latest development in the deadly backlash against the low-budget, amateurish 14-minute movie trailer produced privately in the United States and posted on YouTube. The clip from "The Innocence of Muslims" mocks the Muslim Prophet Mohammed as a womanizer, child molester and killer. Belief: Controversy shines light on Coptic Christianity . "Innocence of Muslims" was an obscure Internet video until September 11, when rioters, seizing on it, breached the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. Protesters also attacked the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, killing U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. The charges -- largely symbolic because the accused all live outside Egypt -- name alleged filmmaker Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, who is identified by Egyptian officials as Elia Bassili. Reports that Nakoula is a Coptic Christian have raised concern about a possible backlash against the minority religious group in Egypt, where tensions between Copts and Muslims have risen recently. Egypt also charged Morris Sadek, who is believed to have posted the clip to YouTube. The Florida pastor charged is Terry Jones, who was allegedly contacted by the filmmaker to help promote the video. Jones sparked some protests in Muslim countries last year when he staged a trial of Islam at his church. The others accused were identified as Morcos Aziz; Fikri Zokloma, also known as Esmat Zokloma; Nabil Bissada; Nahed Metwali; and Nader Nicola. Aside from Nakoula, who lives in California, and Jones in Florida, it was not clear where the others live in the United States. Opinion: Anti-Islam video does not represent Coptic community . In addition to charges of insulting the Islamic religion, insulting Mohammed and inciting sectarian strife, all eight are charged with harming national unity and spreading false information, according to Adel Saaed, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office. Egyptian authorities added the names to their airport watch list. Prosecutors said they will ask the international police agency, Interpol, to add the names to its wanted lists. U.S. authorities would also be contacted, according to prosecutors. Although Washington has made it clear that it did not sanction the film, a week of protests have rippled from Morocco to Malaysia, spurring U.S. officials to increase security at diplomatic missions and demand other governments to take action. Sherif Doss, head of the Egyptian Coptic Association, said the accused Copts have created their own "cult-like" organization in the United States, have appointed their own minister and are "disregarding any church or religious norms." Here are the latest key developments: . Call to kill Americans . As part of the fallout from the video, al Qaeda's affiliate in North Africa on Tuesday urged Muslims in the region to kill U.S. government representatives and called the death of Stevens a "gift." "We encourage all Muslims to continue to demonstrate and escalate their protests ... and to kill their (American) ambassadors and representatives or to expel them to cleanse our land from their wickedness," said the statement from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. The group called last week's killing of Stevens "the best gift you (can) give to his arrogant and unjust administration." State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland reiterated the Obama administration's stance that video, which she called "reprehensible," was no justification for violence. Actor: Maker of anti-Islam film 'was playing us along' The man behind the anti-Islam film . Video purportedly shows Libyans rushing to aid Stevens . Investigation into ambassador's killing . U.S. and Libyan officials have held a series of high-level meetings to "assess what went wrong" in Benghazi, a senior Libyan official said Tuesday. Some of the U.S. officials had flown in for the meetings, which included security experts. Following the attack, Libya suspected an increase in U.S. drone activity over eastern portions of the country and were worried the Obama administration would take military action because of domestic political considerations, the official told CNN. Mohamed al-Magariaf, newly elected president of Libya's parliament, spoke with the White House "to contain the situation," the official said. The official said the government urged the Americans to work together "in full partnership" because any military action during this "fragile and sensitive situation" would give "an excuse" to the two main threats to the state: extremists and loyalists to the deposed Gadhafi regime. The official expressed concern with the deteriorating regional picture. "They (the United States) are losing Egypt, if they lose Libya ... they and we cannot afford to lose our partnership." CNN correspondent Brianna Keilar pressed the White House on Tuesday on whether the Libya attack was planned or spontaneous. "We saw no evidence to back up claims by others that this was a preplanned or premeditated attack," White House spokesman Jay Carney said. "But there is a lot that is under investigation here, and as more facts come to light, if they change that assessment, we'll make that clear." Libya has taken steps to arrest those responsible for last week's deadly consulate attack, bringing in dozens for questioning over the weekend, Libyan officials said. The exact number of arrests was unclear. One Libyan official said those arrested included suspects from Mali and Algeria as well as al Qaeda sympathizers. Ambassador's last moments . Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that FBI agents had arrived in Tripoli. They had delayed entering the country a few days while the situation remained especially volatile. The United States is looking at security at all diplomatic posts and will augment it at specific locations if necessary, Clinton told reporters. Where Obama, Romney stand on foreign policy challenges . Fareed's Take: Protest images do not tell the whole story . Media for Christ leader says he was duped . A man who allowed his studio to be used for 10 days for the making of "Innocence of Muslims" said he was misled by the person behind the film. Joseph Nassralla, president of Media for Christ, based in Southern California, said the ensuing controversy over the anti-Islam film brought him death threats and forced him into hiding. In a statement, Nassralla criticized Nakoula, the alleged filmmaker. Nakoula told him he was making a movie about Christian persecution that "would examine the culture of the desert and how it is related to what is going on right now," said Nassralla. "Nakoula altered the film without anyone's knowledge, changing its entire focus and dubbing in new dialogue ..." said Nassralla, who who also runs a satellite TV station in Los Angeles. "The final product ... bore no resemblance to the film I thought he was making, or the film the actors thought they were creating. We were shocked." Nakoula denied that he made the film, according to Bishop Serapion, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, citing a phone conversation with him last week. At a news conference Monday, the Coptic leader condemned violence by protesters which, he said, "only serves to continue the hate." Nassralla said his interest is calling attention to "bloody persecution of the Copts." He said his only involvement in the finished film was allowing use of his facilities. Nassralla's statement was provided to CNN by blogger Pamela Geller, who posted it on her website after receiving it from Nassralla. Geller is author of "Stop the Islamization of America." Suicide attacks in Afghanistan . Taliban-allied insurgent groups claimed responsibility for two suicide attacks that killed 13 people, including eight South Africans, in Afghanistan. The first attack was a response to the film, one of the groups said. Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin, a group allied with the Taliban, said a 22-year-old woman drove a car packed with 660 pounds (300 kilograms) of explosives into a van on a road leading to Kabul International Airport. Eleven others were wounded in the attack, the Afghan Interior Ministry said. In Kunar province, the Taliban claimed responsibility for a suicide attack that killed an Afghan civilian and wounded four people, including three International Security Assistance Force troops, according to Wasifullah Wasifi, a spokesman for the provincial governor's office. State Department spokeswoman Nuland on Tuesday described the first Afghan attack as "piling on." "We are seeing a lot of extremist activity trying to exploit the sentiments from this video to gin up folks to violence and try to use that as an excuse for things that might otherwise have been planned for their otherwise rejectionist agendas," Nuland said. "So, that is very concerning, this sort of spoiler, pile-on agenda that is happening now." The escalating tensions have spilled into NATO military operations in the central Asia nation, prompting the alliance to order its troops to adjust joint operations with Afghan security forces to minimize attacks on them by their local allies. "Recent events outside of and inside Afghanistan related to the 'Innocence of Muslims' video plus the conduct of recent insider attacks have given cause for ISAF troops to exercise increased vigilance and carefully review all activities and interactions with the local population," a spokeswoman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force said. The operations with Afghan forces could increase as the "threat level" goes down, she said. More protests . • About 100 demonstrators gathered Tuesday near a U.S. diplomatic facility in Medan, Indonesia, the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta reported on its website. Indonesian authorities were deploying about 150 police officers to the Medan protest and adding security outside the U.S. facility in Jakarta, although no protests were taking place there, the embassy said. • In Indian-administered Kashmir, a general strike flared, shutting down businesses, public transport and most government operations, with reports of sporadic violence. A coalition of religious parties and separatist groups called the strike as a protest against the video. • In Thailand, a peaceful crowd protested in heavy rain in front of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok for about 90 minutes Tuesday, the Bangkok Post newspaper reported. No violence was reported, the newspaper said. U.S. officials were aware of the planned protest and made plans to close the building to the public and send home nonessential personnel, the embassy said on its website. • In Iran, students at universities staged protest rallies Tuesday against the film and the United States. They chanted "Death to the U.S." and "Death to Israel," the semiofficial Fars News Agency reported. Opinion: Should Google censor film? CNN's Mohamed Fadel Fahmy, Mukhtar Ahmad, Jomana Karadsheh, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Miguel Marquez, Anna Coren, Nasir Habib, Reza Sayah, Jessica King, Chelsea J. Carter, Tom Watkins, Greg Botelho and journalist Farid Ahmed contributed to this report.
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NEW: Head of Media for Christ said he was duped by filmmaker .
U.S., Libyan officials discuss what happened in Benghazi .
Egypt charges maker of anti-Islamic film, seven others .
Al Qaeda urges killing of U.S. government representatives across Muslim lands .
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(CNN) -- The relationship between China and the United States is "the most important" bilateral relationship in the world, a former Chinese foreign ministry official said Monday. Victor Zhikai Gao, now the director of the Beijing Private Equity Association, told CNN's Christiane Amanpour that the United States should deal with Beijing "with respect" and not be "too abrasive." "That's the minimum thing we can ask for, I believe," he said on the eve of talks between President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao. Gao pointed out that China is now the United States' largest creditor nation, holding foreign reserves of more than $2 trillion, about two-thirds of which are assets that are denominated in U.S. dollars. "China-U.S. relations are the most important bilateral relations in the world," Gao said. Obama appears keen to put past U.S.-Chinese disagreements behind him as he seeks Chinese cooperation on a host of issues from the global economy and climate change to nuclear proliferation. He's also looking to China for leadership on how to deal with repressive regimes such as Myanmar and Sudan, both of which are friends of Beijing and major energy suppliers to China. Critics of the U.S. president say he is downplaying what was once a central tenet of U.S. foreign policy, the promotion of human rights and democracy, in order to persuade China to help the United States achieve its foreign policy goals. But Obama insists America "will never waver in speaking up for the fundamental values that we hold dear." Gao acknowledged global concern about China's human rights record, admitting the situation is not perfect. "But if you look at today's human rights issues, and comparing that with what we had 30 years ago, 20 years ago, or 10 years ago, then China has made great improvements," he said. Gao said China and the Chinese people are great admirers of America. But he said, "China's foreign policy is underlined by the principle of non-interference in each other's internal affairs. If it is only up to the United States to discuss human rights issues in China, this is unbalanced." He also tried to reassure critics in the United States, some of whom have accused China of manipulating its currency to keep the cost of Chinese goods artificially low, about the impact of China's rapidly expanding economic power. By some estimates, China's economy will be the same size as the U.S. economy by 2025, though there will still be a huge gap in economic output per person. "Let me make the record straight. Over the past few months since the outbreak of the financial crisis, China has continued to purchase Treasury bonds issued by the U.S. government, rather than reducing them in any way," he said. "So I think the American people need to realize that China has applied a very steady hand and very responsible hand in dealing with issues involving the dollar." Gao said China has no desire to be an enemy of the United States. "Both China and the United States need to give each other due respect and need to incentivize each other. And then we can work together towards a better peace and better world."
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Victor Zhikai Gao is now the director of the Beijing Private Equity Association .
Gao says the United States should deal with Beijing "with respect"
Gao says China has no desire to be an enemy of the United States .
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Howard rebuts asylum criticisms
Tory leader Michael Howard has gone on the offensive in response to people questioning how a son of immigrants can propose asylum quotas.
Mr Howard, whose parents fled the Nazi threat to come to the UK, says the claim would mean no-one from an immigrant family could become premier. His comments come in a BBC documentary called 'No More Mr Nasty'. TV presenter Anne Robinson said as home secretary he gave the impression he would "like to kick your cat". Ms Robinson, a friend of the Tory leader, also revealed that as a Cambridge student Mr Howard was "much loved by women and he was a courteous and kind and rather dashing lover" - although she denied having personal experience. "I wasn't at Cambridge - and it's not personal experience - but I know people who were."
Documentary maker Michael Cockerell was given behind-the-scenes access to Mr Howard for his film portrait. The Tory leader was asked about to respond to people who said that if there had there been a quota on immigration and asylum in the 1930s, his parents might not have been allowed into the country.
He replies: "What is the inference of that? "That if you reach the view that you need to control immigration in the interests of the country you're not allowed to put a view forward if you happen to be descended from immigrants? "That seems to me an absolutely extraordinary proposition? It would certainly mean no one from immigrant parents could be prime minister."
Ms Robinson, who presents The Weakest Link tells Cockerell that she despaired at his hardline image when he was home secretary in John Major's government. "I used to have to sit on my hands because he'd get on television and give a passable impression of someone who'd like to kick your cat or would put your baby in prison if he cried. I mean it was very, very Draconian." The film shows Mr Howard laughing at Rory Bremner's impression of him as Dracula, which he calls "good fun", apart from the serious falsehood of a comment suggesting he wants fewer black people in the UK. The film shows the private side of the Tory leader watching television at home or playing table tennis with his wife, ex-model Sandra. Asked if she enjoys a game of ping pong she confesses: "Yeah, it would be more enjoyable if I could win occasionally too, but otherwise it's quite fun."
Former Downing Street communications chief Alastair Campbell, now working on Labour's election campaign, says a "touchy-feely" image does not fit Mr Howard. He says Tony Blair was not worried by his opponents' early performance in their Commons clashes because Mr Howard lacked a "big strategy", including on issues like Iraq. The Tory leader brands such criticisms as "absolutely rubbish", arguing that he has been consistent on his support for the war but critical of Mr Blair's failure to tell the truth on intelligence. Former Tory chancellor Ken Clarke says Mr Howard has a bigger problem changing perceptions of the Tory party than his personal image. Mr Clarke says the party is improving and it is "conceivable" it could win the next election. But he adds: "It has got to change itself a bit and broaden its appeal."
- Michael Howard: No More Mr Nasty is being shown on BBC2 on Saturday 12 February at 2005 GMT.
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Former Tory chancellor Ken Clarke says Mr Howard has a bigger problem changing perceptions of the Tory party than his personal image.Ms Robinson, a friend of the Tory leader, also revealed that as a Cambridge student Mr Howard was "much loved by women and he was a courteous and kind and rather dashing lover" - although she denied having personal experience.Mr Howard, whose parents fled the Nazi threat to come to the UK, says the claim would mean no-one from an immigrant family could become premier.Documentary maker Michael Cockerell was given behind-the-scenes access to Mr Howard for his film portrait.The Tory leader was asked about to respond to people who said that if there had there been a quota on immigration and asylum in the 1930s, his parents might not have been allowed into the country.Tory leader Michael Howard has gone on the offensive in response to people questioning how a son of immigrants can propose asylum quotas.- Michael Howard: No More Mr Nasty is being shown on BBC2 on Saturday 12 February at 2005 GMT.The Tory leader brands such criticisms as "absolutely rubbish", arguing that he has been consistent on his support for the war but critical of Mr Blair's failure to tell the truth on intelligence.He says Tony Blair was not worried by his opponents' early performance in their Commons clashes because Mr Howard lacked a "big strategy", including on issues like Iraq.The film shows Mr Howard laughing at Rory Bremner's impression of him as Dracula, which he calls "good fun", apart from the serious falsehood of a comment suggesting he wants fewer black people in the UK.
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Scientists have long wondered if life really does exist on Mars. And a new set of pictures released by NASA could appear to confirm conspiracy theorists' claims that we are not alone in the universe. The images taken by a NASA navigation camera have been released and appear to show a human-like figure working on the Mars Curiosity Rover, which is scanning the Red Planet. Scroll down for video . One of the new pictures released by NASA of the Mars Curiosity Rover, which conspiracy theorists claim shows a human-like figure repairing the probe . The pictures seem to feature a human-shaped shadow looming over the probe as if they are repairing it. The shadow formed shows what looks like a male figure, who isn't wearing a helmet as his short spiky hair is visible. It also looks like the figure is wearing an air tank on his back and a suit covering most of his body. The pictures have been reported to the monitoring website UFO sightings daily, and have sent conspiracy theorists into overdrive, with some claiming it is proof life does exist on Mars. It comes after Gary McKinnon, an alleged computer hacker, who reportedly obtained classified documents from the U.S. government, claimed he found files showing the existence of 'extra-terrestrial officers'. It is claimed the pictures show a man, without a helmet is looming over the probe fixing it, wearing a full body suit and wearing an air tank on his back . However, others have claimed that the Curiosity Rover might not even be on Mars and that it has remained on Earth with humans cleaning it and performing maintenance. But some insist the shadow is just coincidence and that conspiracy theorists are only seeing the figure because it confirms their expectations and hopes. Nigel Watson, author of the UFO Investigations Manual, said: 'This underlines the fact that such things literally lurk in the shadows and play with our imagination.' It comes after it was announced in December that an instrument on the Curiosity Rover had identified spikes of methane that scientists believe may have come from bacteria-like organisms on the surface of Mars. The Mars Curiosity Rover, which is currently probing the Red Planet to try and determine if there has ever been any life forms there . The new discovery, reported in the journal Science, followed studies of gas samples by Curiosity's Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) - an instrument that uses intense light to carry out chemical analysis. It revealed a low background level of methane, which spiked 10-fold over a period of just 60 Martian days. While there are non-biological explanations, experts suggested that its finding may be a sign of life on Mars. The Mars Curiosity Rover, is a probe designed to help with long-term exploration of the Red Planet. Its aim is to assess whether the planet has ever had an environment, which has been able to support small life forms and to determine whether the planet could be habitable.
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New pictures have been released by NASA showing Mars Curiosity Rover .
The probe is currently on the Red Planet scanning for signs of life forms .
The images appear to show what some have called a 'human-like' figure .
They say it shows a workman leaning over the space probe and fixing it .
Add that it shows that there is proof that life on Mars does exist .
But scientists say the shadows are just a play on theorists' imagination .
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A second video has emerged of the smiling Florida man believed to be the first American to carry out a suicide attack in Syria. In footage released by an al-Qaeda-linked group fighting in Syria, college dropout Moner Mohammad Abu-Salha, smiles while talking about wanting to die and is also shown making his bomb before strapping it on. This is the second video to feature the American jihadi, and it contains a haunting soundtrack of Arabic music set against the images and words of a man hell-bent on dying for the cause. 'I want to rest in the afterlife, in heaven,' Abu-Slaha says. 'There is nothing here, my heart is not resting here in this life.' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Jihadi good time: Moner Mohammad Abu-Salha (right) is shown joking around with a fellow terrorist in the chilling video . All smiles: Florida college dropout-turned-suicide bomber Moner Mohammad Abu-Salha was filmed smiling and talking about wanting to die . Blast: Abu-Salha is believed to have taken part in a mass suicide bombing that targeted the army in Syria in May . The 22-year-old, who once lived about . 130 miles from Miami, is believed to have been part of a mass suicide . bombing on May 25 which targeted several army positions. The Nusra Front, which released the video, claimed two of the other three suicide attackers in the assault in the government-held northwestern city of Idlib were from foreign countries, including one from the Maldives. 'Glorious is God, and thanks God, his is a grace from him,' Abu-Salha continues. 'When I came to Syria, I had nothing. 'I had no money to buy a gun and ammunition, now God granted me all of that and much more.' The grinning geurilla is then shown making the bomb believed to have been in the truck Abu-Salha and others drove as they stormed their target. 'Heaven is better,' he said in a previously-released video. 'When people die they either go to heaven or hell. There is happiness beyond explanation.' The video was posted on jihadi websites. It corresponded with the Associated Press reporting about the attack and Abu-Salha. All-American: Abu-Salha grew up in Florida, where he played youth league basketball . Opposition forces previously identified the American who carried out the bombing as Abu Hurayra al-Amriki and said he was a U.S. citizen. The name al-Amriki means 'the American' in Arabic. It is unknown how many people were killed in the bombing. Opposition rebels with the Nusra Front said Abu-Salha's truck was laden with 16 tons of explosives to tear down the al-Fanar restaurant, a gathering site for Syrian troops. The other suicide attackers targeted nearby army positions. Abu-Salha grew up in Florida and attended several colleges before dropping out and moving abroad. He lived in various parts of the Sunshine State, where his parents ran several grocery stores. At one point, he shared an apartment with his brother about 130 miles from Miami. The 22-year-old had appeared to have had a regular American upbringing, playing on a basketball youth league, and enjoying sports. But recent trips to Syria had meant federal officials were already keeping an eye on him, the New York Times reported. Thousands of foreign fighters have come to Syria from around the world to fight against President Bashar Assad's forces after the uprising against his government began three years ago. The war, which began in 2011, has since taken on strong sectarian overtones, pitting a Sunni-led insurgency that includes al-Qaeda-inspired extremist groups against a government dominated by Assad's minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam. Roots: Abu-Salha grew up in Florida, where his parents run several grocery stores . New path: After dropping out of college, Abu-Salha moved abroad . Syria's . uprising began with peaceful protests in March 2011 but escalated into . an armed revolt when government forces launched a sweeping crackdown on . dissent. The . conflict has killed at least 170,000 people, nearly a third of them . civilians, according to activists. Nearly 3 million Syrians have fled . the country. On Saturday, a car bomb exploded in a northern Syrian town near the Turkish border, killing and wounding a number of people. The Aleppo Media Center said the car bomb exploded in a vegetable market in the town of Azaz. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the car blew up near a gas station in Azaz. The Observatory said the blast killed at least four people and wounded several others. The AMC said it killed and wounded a number of people, without offering specific figures. The Observatory and an Idlib-based activist who goes by the name of Asad Kanjo said another car blew up in the northern village of Atmeh near the Turkish border. The Observatory said the blast killed two people. Kanjo said the blast occurred near a market and close to a children's hospital, though it was not affected. The Observatory also said the Syrian troops recaptured the Shaer gas field in the central province of Homs a week after fighters from the Islamic State group captured it and killed dozens of soldiers. Syrian state television confirmed that troops recaptured the field, saying that 'large numbers of Islamic State terrorists were wiped out.' The Observatory said a missile shot down the helicopter Friday night over a neighborhood of Aleppo known as Camp Nairab. Camp Nairab is adjacent to the Nairab military airport southeast of the city, where government aircraft take off to carry out attacks in northern Syria. Attack: Abu-Salha, left, is believed to have driven a truck, top right, filled with explosives to a restaurant where troops gather before blowing it, and himself, up . Assad's forces use helicopters to drop barrel bombs - crude explosives that have killed thousands of people and caused widespread destruction, especially in Aleppo. The Observatory and an Aleppo-based activist who goes by the name Abu Saeed Izzedine said the helicopter crash killed four people, including a child. The Observatory said three of the dead were the helicopter's crew members. Aleppo, once Syria's commercial capital, has been the scene of heavy fighting since rebels seized part of the city in 2012. The Observatory also reported Saturday that the number of soldiers killed over the past few days in a northern military base in Raqqa that was overrun by the extremist Islamic State group has risen to 85. It said the fate of 200 others was still unknown. The monitoring group, which relies on a network of activists inside the country, said Islamic State fighters have executed and paraded the bodies of 'tens' of soldiers in Raqqa, the only provincial capital in rebel hands. Amateur videos posted online by activists showed more than a dozen beheaded bodies in a busy square said to be in Raqqa. Some of the heads were placed on a nearby fence, where at least two headless bodies were crucified. The video appeared genuine and corresponded to other AP reporting of the events.
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Al-Qaeda-linked group released footage last week of attack preparation .
Moner Mohammad Abu-Salha is believed to be the first American suicide bomber in Syria .
The 22-year-old detonated truck of explosives outside restaurant where soldiers liked to gather in May .
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By . Phil Vinter . PUBLISHED: . 13:38 EST, 2 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:18 EST, 3 April 2012 . A computer hacker illegally acquired enough credit and debit card details to carry out a potential £800,000 worth of fraud. Edward Pearson, 23, of Lendale, York, used a trojan virus to download thousands of credit card details along with the postcodes, passwords, names and dates of birth of more than eight million people in the UK. One of his programs scanned through 200,000 accounts registered to online payment service PayPal - identifying names, passwords and current balances. Pearson, an 'incredibly talented' boarding school student who carried out the crime for an ‘intellectual . challenge’, has been jailed for two years and two months. Fraudster: Edward Pearson, 23, stole the personal details of more than eight million people. Pearson's girlfriend Cassandra Mennim, 21, tried to pay for luxury hotels using stolen credit card details . He also managed to shut down part of the mobile phone giant Nokia’s internal network for two weeks after hacking in and copying the details of over 8,000 members of staff, Southwark Crown Court heard. His 21-year-old girlfriend, Cassandra Mennim, a sociology student at the University of York, triggered a police inquiry after she tried to pay for luxury hotel stays using stolen credit card details. Pearson was arrested after investigators linked a web alias, ‘G-Zero’, which had appeared on hacking forums, to his personal email address. On one of his computers officers found 8,110,474 names, dates of birth, and postcodes for adults living in the UK. Police officers in the case said that if the details were printed onto double-sided A4 it would fill a staggering 67,500 sheets. David Hughes, prosecuting, said the hacker had carried out a series of ‘sophisticated, planned frauds.' He said: ‘Pearson used his considerable expertise for his criminal intentions. ‘When police examined other computers they found the details of 2,701 credit or debit cards. ‘Based on the average fraud used on a single card being £309, the potential gain to be made by him was £834,000. ‘In fact the actual fraud on these . credit and debit cards attributed to Pearson amounted to £2,351, but the . total on the cards was £39,832.’ The details were all stolen over an 18-month period between January 1, 2010, and August 30, 2011. Pearson coded trojan viruses, called Zeus, SpyEye and Python, to automatically scour the internet in search of personal details. His Python program successfully downloaded the details of 200,000 PayPal accounts. Mr . Hughes added that Pearson had hacked into the systems of Nokia and web . giant AOL to gain access to their employees’ details, as well as other . sensitive information. ‘This . had a significant negative impact on the company, which had to shut its . networks down for two weeks while checks were carried out on it,’ he . said. Mennim was caught after booking rooms . at the Cedar Court Grand Hotel and Lady Anne Middleton Hotel, both in . York, using stolen credit card details and PayPal accounts. Andrew Bodnar, defending Pearson, said his hacking had not been for financial gain, but more as an intellectual challenge. ‘This . is a young man who has very advance computer skills, but has put them . to the wrong use, but he is not the criminal mastermind that everyone . claims he is. ‘The total amount of money he fraudulently amounted, is the figure of £2,351. Pearson's girlfriend Cassandra Mennim tried to pay for a luxury hotel stay at the Cedar Court Grand Hotel in York . Mennim also used PayPal details to tell staff she would pay for an expensive stay at Lady Anne Middleton's Hotel, in York . ‘These have been done using the Paypal accounts, to order pizza and other takeaway foods, and to pay for mobile phone accounts. ‘It . is fair to say that he produced the Trojan, Zeus and other software as . an intellectual challenge, and he hacked into Nokia to see if he could.’ He added that although he had shared some of the details, he had never sold them. Shut down: Mobile phone giant Nokia was shut down by Pearson for two weeks after he hacked in to their network and copied the details of more than 8,000 members of staff, Southwark Crown Court heard . Stephen Grattage, defending Mennim, who gained 9 A's and 4 A*’s at GCSEs, said she was a vulnerable young women who had found comfort in Pearson following a difficult previous relationship. ‘She stands before the court, saying she is ashamed of herself, and she is ashamed of her actions and is very sorry. ‘She says she will pay back the money that she owes to the hotel.’ Sentencing Pearson to two years and two months and handing Mennim a 12 month supervision order the judge Ms Recorder Ann Mulligan said: ‘It is extremely regrettable that you two promising young individuals find yourself in the dock. ‘This was a very sophisticated crime, in which you managed to access highly confidential information and put many many individuals at risk of attack. ‘You had a staggering amount of personal details, 8.1 million, which included names, dates of births, credit and debit card details and security codes, the use of which they could have been used for, is hard to imagine. ‘Your computers and software were a devastating tool kit. ‘I accept that you didn’t sell this information, but you shared it with other computer programmers, and you had no way of knowing how they might use this information. Victim: Online payment provider PayPal was hacked into by computer expert Edward Pearson . ‘This stupendous criminality was not about financial gain, but about an intellectual challenge.’ Pearson, originally from Blandford Forum, Dorset, and now of Lendale, York, admitted making an article for use in fraud and two counts of possession of an article for use in fraud. Mennim, of Balmoral Terrace, South Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, admitted two counts of obtaining services dishonestly.
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Program scanned through 200,000 PayPal accounts .
Part of Nokia internal network temporarily shut down .
Girlfriend used stolen card details to try and pay for luxury hotels .
Hacker hoarded enough personal details to fill 67,500 double-sided A4 pages .
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By . Zoe Szathmary . A Michigan newlywed weeks into her marriage died Monday, due to cancer. Newlywed Jennifer Korth, 30, learned five years ago she had esophageal cancer, The Flint Journal reported. Jennifer underwent both radiation and chemotherapy as part of her struggle. She married her boyfriend of nine years Allen Korth, 49, on July 6. Scroll down for video . Couple: Jennifer Korth, nee Hutcheson, died Monday. She married husband Allen Korth just weeks ago on July 6 . Tragic: Korth learned she had esophageal cancer five years ago . Allen said in a statement to the newspaper 'My wife (I just love saying that) has affected my life in just about every way imaginable. ... So many people enter relationships thinking they have some kind of void to fill, and we weren't like that. 'We already felt complete as individuals, but as spending time together made life even more special, taking the road together felt as natural as the sunrise. Both of us are better for it.' Maid of honor Alexis Cook told The Flint Journal 'I hope that [Jennifer] knows that she has made the world a better place [....] (She taught us) you should appreciate what you have every day.' At the Korths' wedding last month, Jennifer wore a wig and spent most of the ceremony and reception in a wheelchair, the newspaper reported. Photographs revealed the wedding's pink, black and white color scheme. The bride's bouquet included flowers in white and shades of pink. The big day: The Korths' wedding was arranged by group Wish Upon a Wedding, which aims to help couples in which one or both partners are terminally ill or face life-altering conditions . Allen was stunned with his mouth wide open when Jennifer gave him a guitar as a present, the newspaper said. By the time the couple married, Jennifer was already in hospice care. They did not marry earlier because they feared losing her insurance, The Flint Journal reported. Before her wedding, she told the paper 'When there's something you've always wanted and you're faced with death ... it kind of brings peace to you. There's something about changing your last name to the person you love. It's just important to me that I get to do that.' 'We played married already,' she also said. Wish Upon a Wedding helped with the couple's wedding arrangements.
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Jennifer Korth, 30, learned five years ago she had esophageal cancer .
She underwent both radiation and chemotherapy as part of her struggle .
Jennifer married her boyfriend of nine years Allen Korth, 49, on July 6 .
By the time the couple married, Jennifer was already in hospice care. They did not marry earlier because they feared she would lose her insurance .
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Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Shweyga Mullah gestures a greeting to her visitors at Tripoli's burn hospital. Her head wrapped in fresh bandages, her frail body under a red fleece blanket, Mullah is slowly regaining her dignity. Tears stream down her cheeks, not of pain anymore, but relief. She is grateful for all those who have helped her in her ordeal. She prays now for God to heal her and return her to her family in Ethiopia. Mullah worked as a nanny for two of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's grandchildren. When she couldn't keep one from crying, Aline, the wife of Gadhafi's son Hannibal, poured boiling water on her head. CNN journalists discovered her in Hannibal Gadhafi's plush home after anti-Gadhafi forces overran Tripoli and Hannibal Gadhafi and his wife fled to Algeria. Mullah's scalp and face were a mosaic of injuries that rendered her face into a grotesque patchwork. Even though the burns were inflicted three months ago, she was still in considerable pain. "I think it's a crime against humanity," said Naji Barakat, the new Libyan health minister. Apparently, it was not just Mullah who suffered as servants of Hannibal Gadhafi's family. A man too frightened to reveal his name led CNN reporters to another one of Hannibal Gadhafi's properties, a gated, high-walled villa-like house, where the man said more abuse was meted out to staffers. "Shweyga is not the only one," he said, describing a Sudanese man who was also scalded with water after he burned an undershirt he was ironing. He said the foreign staff bore the brunt of the abuse. Another foreign nanny contacted CNN and described Aline Gadhafi as a "sadist" and a "psychologically sick" woman. A room in the villa perhaps bears out the nanny's words -- a prison cell in a private home. Back at the burn hospital, Mullah faces months of recuperation and surgery. Her story generated enormous public response. So far, people have donated more than $16,000 dollars for her care. Now, CNN is working with several agencies to make sure that Mullah gets proper care and that she can get back home to her family after her nightmare under the Gadhafis.
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Shweyga Mullah says Moammar Gadhafi's daughter-in-law poured boiling water on her .
She is recuperating from her painful head wounds .
One man says domestic staffers, especially foreigners, were abused .
Another Nanny calls Aline Gadhafi a "sadist"
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MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- A doctor's license was revoked Friday in the case of a teenager who planned to have an abortion but instead gave birth to a baby she says was killed when clinic staffers put it into a plastic bag and threw it in the trash. Pierre Jean-Jacques Renelique, right, and his attorney, Joseph Harrison, at the hearing. The doctor, Pierre Jean-Jacques Renelique, was not present when the baby was born, but the Florida Medical Board upheld Department of Health allegations that he falsified medical records, inappropriately delegated tasks to unlicensed personnel and committed malpractice. Joseph Harrison, the attorney representing Renelique at the license revocation hearing in Tampa, said Renelique has not decided whether to appeal. The state attorney's office, meanwhile, said its criminal investigation into the incident is ongoing and no charges have been filed. A fetus born alive cannot be put to death even if its mother intended to have an abortion, police said when the incident occurred in 2006. The baby's mother, Sycloria Williams, sued Renelique, the clinic and its staff in January, seeking damages. She alleges in her suit that "she witnessed the murder of her daughter" and said she "sustained severe emotional distress, shock and psychic trauma which have resulted in discernible bodily injury." "This is not about a pot of gold," said Tom Pennekamp, her attorney. "What this is about is right and wrong and making a statement, making sure it doesn't happen to other young women." According to the suit, Williams, then 18, discovered while being treated for a fall that she was 23 weeks pregnant. She went to a clinic to get an abortion on the morning of July 20, 2006, after receiving medication and instructions the previous day. Renelique was not at the clinic, however, and Williams was told to wait for him. She was given two pills and told they would make her ill. When she complained of feeling ill, clinic staff members gave her a robe and told her to lie down in a patient room, the suit says. Renelique was still not present when Williams "felt a large pain" and delivered a baby girl, according to the suit. "The staff began screaming and pandemonium ensued. Sycloria watched in horror and shock as her baby writhed with her chest rising and falling as she breathed." A clinic co-owner entered the room and used a pair of shears to cut the baby's umbilical cord, the suit said. She "then scooped up the baby and placed the live baby, placenta and afterbirth in a red plastic biohazard bag, which she sealed, and then threw bag and the baby in a trash can." Staff at the clinic did not call 911 or seek medical assistance for Williams or the baby, the suit said. Renelique arrived at the clinic about an hour later and gave Williams a shot to put her to sleep. "She awoke after the procedure and was sent home still in complete shock," the suit said. Police were notified of the incident by an anonymous caller who told them the baby was born alive and disposed of. "The complainant [Williams] observed the baby moving and gasping for air for approximately five minutes," according to a police affidavit requesting a search warrant for the clinic. Two search warrants found nothing, but officers executing a third warrant "found the decomposing body of a baby in a cardboard box in a closet," the suit said. The baby was linked to Williams through DNA testing, the lawsuit said. An autopsy showed it had filled its lungs with air prior to death. Documents from the state Department of Health said its cause of death was determined to be "extreme prematurity." Fewer than 1 percent of babies are born at less than 28 weeks, according to the March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization aimed at reducing premature births, birth defects and infant mortality. Infants born at that stage may survive, but require treatment with oxygen, other medical help and mechanical assistance to help them breathe. They are too immature to suck or swallow and so must be fed intravenously. Babies born before about 32 weeks of gestation face the highest risk of health problems, the March of Dimes said. Williams' lawsuit seeks damages from Renelique, the clinic and its staff. It claims that clinic records were falsified to say only that Williams underwent an abortion. Williams filed the suit individually and "as personal representative of the estate of Shanice Denise Osbourne, deceased," the suit said. The medical board's action Friday came at the request of the Florida Department of Health, which filed an order in February 2007 seeking emergency restrictions on Renelique's license. Department documents list many of the same allegations as Williams' lawsuit. "Dr. Renelique's failure to practice medicine with that level of care, skill and treatment that is recognized as being acceptable, as well as his willingness to falsify medical records, poses a serious and immediate danger to the public," the health department said. Renelique did not respond to the health department or dispute the facts it alleged, department spokeswoman Eulinda Jackson said Friday. Williams has declined to speak publicly about the case, said Pennekamp, her attorney. She suffers from post-traumatic stress because of the experience, he said.
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Teen says she sought abortion, but gave birth and baby was killed .
Florida doctor wasn't present, but is accused of falsifying records in case .
Teen has sued doctor, who also is subject of a criminal investigation .
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After scoring a hat-trick for Barcelona during their Spanish league victory over Espanyol on Sunday, Lionel Messi started to get ready for Christmas with his family. Messi's girlfriend, Antonella Roccuzzo, uploaded a picture on Instagram of the couple with their young son Thiago, with the caption 'waiting for Santa Claus with my loves'. The 27-year-old Argentina international Messi had earlier fired in three goals for Barcelona as they remained two points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid. Antonella Roccuzzo (centre left) uploaded the above image via Instagram with Lionel Messi (right) Lionel Messi pictured with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick in Barcelona's win over Espanyol . Messi (left) turns to celebrate with team-mate Neymar (right) after scoring a goal against Espanyol . His treble, netted on the same weekend Cristiano Ronaldo set a La Liga record of 23 hat-tricks, saw Messi pass 400 for Barcelona and it was the 29th time in all competitions he has scored three times in a game. Next in Messi's sights will be surpassing the figure of 31 hat-tricks in all competitions set by Telmo Zarra of Athletic Bilbao. And Messi broke Zarra's La Liga scoring record of 251 goals last month - with another hat-trick. VIDEO Messi's equaliser changed the game - Enrique .
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Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in Barcelona's 5-1 thrashing of Espanyol .
Partner Antonella Roccuzzo shared image of their Christmas preparations .
Roccuzzo added the caption 'waiting for Santa Claus with my loves'
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Oklahoma City police have filed additional charges against a 49-year-old woman who stands accused of brutally abusing her 7-year-old granddaughter while dressed up as her alter ego - a witch called 'Nelda' as it's revealed her boyfriend allegedly taped it. Geneva Robinson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was arrested in October on child abuse charges after taking her unnamed granddaughter to the hospital, saying she 'could not control' the girl anymore. Doctors reported that the girl was malnourished, and had bruises, burns and cuts all over her body. Accused of torturing children: Police say that Geneva Robinson (left) abused her two 7-year-old grandchildren as her boyfriend Joshua Granger (right) taped it . The home: Geneva Robinson and Joshua Granger are accused of executing the abuse in this home . Police say that they have identified another victim, Robinson's 7-year-old grandson, and have also pressed charges against Robinson's boyfriend Joshua Granger who allegedly taped the abuse. Granger's abusive alter-ego was allegedly referred to as 'Crew Crow.' WWLP reports that Robinson is accused of using scissors to cut the boy's fingers as punishment because he 'cut the hair of a doll.' Court documents say cell phone video shows Robinson abusing the children, grabbing one by the hair and face and dragging a child across the living room floor. Robsinson's granddaughter told a Department of Human Services worker that her grandmother regularly dressed up as a witch wearing a green mask, hat and robe, to abuse her. She says Robinson would take her to the garage and make her sleep there on a pair on pants because 'she was in trouble'. Robinson allegedly used a dog leash to hang the girl from the garage ceiling by the armpits, telling her 'the creatures in the attic were going to come get her'. Koco reports that after being arrested initially, Robinson told police, 'When I am Nelda, all I will say is all good girls and boys are in bed at night. Nelda's ghosts and goblins come out to get boys and girls in bed.' The report also says Robinson burned her and hit her with an orange and black whip, and threatened to cut her with a knife. When police searched Robinson's house, where she lives with three other children, authorities found the dog leashes and whip in the garage and the witch costume in the woman's bedroom. The face of evil: Geneva Robinson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma stands accused of physically abusing her 7-year-old granddaughter and her grandson while dressing up as her alter ego - a witch named 'Nelda' Another child who lives there said Robinson picked on the 7-year-old, making her eat different food and sometimes alone in the garage. All four children who live with Robinson have been placed in the protection of DHS. An adult who also lives in the home, and wished not to be named, allegedly told police that Robinson also abused him as Nelda, and that she kicked him in the genitals on a regular basis. 'It’s not true at all,' Joshua said, adding that the children who live there are troubled. 'She’s never dressed up as a witch to punish any of the kids.' neighbors say they are shocked by the alleged abuse. 'I have two children of myself. I couldn’t imagine doing that to my kids at all,' said Ruben Herreras, a neighbor. 'It’s scary. You don’t know what goes on inside the houses. You don’t know,' he added. Neighbors say that they .
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Geneva Robinson was arrested in October after her 7-year-old granddaughter complained about being abused by the 49-year-old woman .
Police recently pressed charges against her boyfriend Joshua Granger who allegedly taped the abuse .
Police identified her 7-year-old grandson as a second victim .
Robinson allegedly took her daughter to the hospital this week saying she 'could not control' the girl .
The girl later told a social worker that her grandmother dressed up as a witch named 'Nelda' to whip and burn her in the garage .
All four children who live in Robinson's house have been played in protective custody .
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Police are investigating a second offensive message posted on social media about the tragic Glasgow bin lorry crash which killed six people. North Yorkshire Police confirmed today that the force was 'aware of an offensive comment on social media' regarding the tragedy. It follows the arrest of a 19-year-old man from Sunderland, who allegedly posted a crass message on Twitter following the incident on Monday. Scroll down for video . North Yorkshire Police confirmed today that the force was 'aware of an offensive comment on social media' regarding the bin lorry crash in Glasgow city centre which killed six people. Pictured: Flowers at the scene . Witnesses believe the lorry driver became ill behind the wheel and lost control of the vehicle. The lorry careered along the pavement in Glasgow centre on Monday before colliding with a hotel in George Square . Police said they were contacted by Facebook users over the latest offensive message, which was apparently made by a woman in York. The force tweeted today: 'We are aware of an offensive comment on social media regarding the £georgesquare tragedy. 'We are assisting @policescotland with enquiries.' The Sunderland teenager, who was arrested on suspicion of making a malicious communication on Monday, has since been released on bail, Northumbria Police said. Officers are still carrying out investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash, and are keen to determine what caused the bin lorry to career 300 metres along a crowded pavement. Six people died and 10 were injured after the lorry apparently veered out of control in the city's George Square before crashing into the side of the Millennium Hotel. The accident happened at about 2.30pm on Monday afternoon in the city's busiest square, which was packed with Christmas shoppers and families enjoying the annual winter carnival. Erin McQuade (right) was killed alongside her grandparents Lorraine (together above) and Jack Sweeney . Jack Sweeney (left) had been shopping at the time of the crash, which also killed Jacqueline Morton (right) Gillian Ewing, from Edinburgh (left), and primary school teacher Stephenie Tait (right) were also killed . One witness described the lorry as knocking people down 'like pinballs' in the crash. It is thought the driver may have fallen ill at the wheel as he travelled up Queen Street and his vehicle struck a pedestrian outside the Gallery of Modern Art. Those who died have been named as student Erin McQuade and her grandparents Jack and Lorraine Sweeney, all from Dumbarton. Primary teacher Stephenie Tait, Gillian Ewing and Jacqueline Morton were also killed when the council truck mounted the pavement. Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board confirmed today that five patients, including a 14-year-old girl, were still being treated in hospital for injuries. Dozens of floral tributes and candles have been placed at the scene of the crash, which has led to a huge outpouring of emotion in the city. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
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Police investigating second offensive message on social media over crash .
Man, 19, arrested in Sunderland on Monday for posting crass Twitter post .
Six people were killed and 10 injured in Glasgow bin lorry crash on Monday .
Dozens of floral tributes and candles left at crash scene in George Square .
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By . Chris Pleasance . PUBLISHED: . 15:35 EST, 16 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 10:59 EST, 17 March 2014 . The 2014 Winter Paralympic Games have closed in Sochi with a ceremony every bit as grand and gaudy as the Winter Olympics themselves. Watched over by President Putin, nearly 460 artists danced, swung and sang their way through a display based around the slogan 'reaching the impossible'. The Fhist stadium was lit up with the word Impossible, before Alexey Chuvashev, wheelchair athlete and medal winner of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, climbed a 15-metre rope to place an apostrophe which changed the word into 'I'm Possible'. Scroll down for video . Inspired: The Sochi Winter Paralympic closing ceremony with disabled athlete Aleksey Chuvashev scaling a 15-metre rope to drop a comma into the word Impossible to make it read I'm Possible . Stunning: The word was spelled out using tiles shaped like pieces from the classic computer game Tetris . All action: The show also featured wheelchair dancers, trapeze artists, skateboarders and parkour runners . Watching over: President Putin watches 460 performers, who rehearsed for months to ensure the show ran smoothly, sung, swung and danced through the ceremony in the Fisht stadium . Talent: The show also featured an a cappella performance of the Russian Federation anthem by a children's choir, some of whom had disabilities . The event also featured stunning parkour performers who ran and jumped their way across the stadium floor, as well as bicyclists, skateboarders, and trapeze artists. The aerial acrobats featured alongside a group of performers the Russian Federation of Wheelchair Sport Dancing in the opening section of the show which was directed by the creative duet of Konstantin Vasilyev, coach of world and European champions in wheelchair sport dance, and Phil Hayes, world-renowned aerial choreographer. After the Russian flag was raised, the Russian Federation anthem was performed by the Children's Choir of the All-Russian Choral Society. The choir united 100 gifted children from choral and musical schools from various corners of Russia, including 35 young singers with an impairment, who performed the anthem a cappella. Great Britons: British Paralympic skier Jade Etherington, who is visually impared and won silver on the first day of the games in the downhill event, carried the Union Flag into the stadium . Plea: Ukrainian athlete Lyudmyla Pavlenko wears a shirt which reads 'peace' during the ceremony . Dancing in the dark: Dancers with light-up costumes take part in the ceremony which was choreographed to Russian classical music . Team: The performers also included dancers from Russia's Federation of Wheelchair Sport Dancing who lit up the stadium with their striking costumes . Britain fared well at the Games, picking up a silver medal on the first day thanks to visually-impaired Jade Etherington who won silver in the downhill skiing event along with guide Caroline Powell. Blind skier Kelly Gallagher later picked up a gold medal in the Super-G event, along with her guide Charlotte Evans. Kelly, who hails from Northern Ireland, has congenital oculocutaneous albinism, a disorder which involves a lack of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes and which also causes vision problems like blurring. Sight: Fireworks explode over the Fisht stadium in the Black Sea city of Sochi as the Winter Paralympic Games come to a close . Goodbye: Light-up dancers perform during the closing ceremony in outfits themed around the colours of the Russian national flag . Big finish: Towards the end of the ceremony athletes handed flowers to some of the 8,000-strong volunteer force which helped to organise the Paralympic Games . Farewell: The mayor of Sochi, Anatoly Pakhomov, passed the flag on to the mayor of the South-Korean city of Pyeongchang, Lee Seok-rae, where the next games will take place . When she skis, she can't see anything at the snow level but Charlotte provides crucial instructions, hollering non-stop into the headset that acts as an invisible link between the two skiers, even when they travel at speeds of 60mph. The ceremony took place as, just 300 miles away, Crimeans voted in favour of annexing themselves to Russia. The political crisis in Ukraine has overshadowed much of the Paralympic Games as troops from Moscow occupied key military bases inside the southern province of Crimea, which is on the other side of the Black Sea from Sochi.
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Winter Paralympic Games have come to an end in the Black Sea city of Sochi this evening with a huge firework display .
Closing ceremony featured trapeze artists, wheelchair dancers, a children's choir and Tetris-themed display .
Blocks inspired by video game spelled word Impossible before athlete dropped in comma to make it read I'm Possible .
Watched by President Putin 460 performers took part in the show to mark the end of the Games .
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By . Alex Sharp for MailOnline . Sir Bobby Charlton is adamant that Manchester United are at the start of an exciting and successful adventure under manager Louis van Gaal. The club are without European football for the first time since 1982 and have failed to win any of Van Gaal’s first four competitive matches in charge at United. However club legend Charlton, a director at Old Trafford, believes the good times are set to return imminently under van Gaal. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Sir Bobby Charlton 'United recovery will be a great adventure' Knowledge: Charlton was speaking at day one of the Soccerex Convention in Manchester . Difficult start: Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is yet to win a competitive game this season . ‘It seems strange that Manchester United aren’t involved in European football for a season,’ said Charlton at Soccerex. ‘It’s crazy but maybe it can make things easier for us.’ ‘We’ve started with some new players, we’ve not been playing well but we will play well. I think that it’s going to be a great adventure of how we pull ourselves back round and get back to the way it used to be.’ Van Gaal has claimed his side will take three months to play the style of football he requires and Charlton is defiant that the Dutchman’s arrival will reap success: . ‘He has given me and most of us fans some good news. We won’t struggle, definitely we won’t struggle any more. It’s just such a strange environment the way that it’s all happened, that Manchester United is out of the news but it won’t be for very long.' Van Gaal and Charlton will hope that United can pick up their first win of the season this weekend, when they host Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford on Sunday. High hopes: Radamel Falcao has been backed to hit the ground running in the Premier League . Sold Trafford: The Argentina international was signed by Manchester United for a British record £59.7m . VIDEO Di Maria needs time to settle - Van Gaal .
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Manchester United's director claims they won't struggle under van Gaal .
United have failed to win a game this season with two draws and a defeat in the Premier League so far and are 14th in the table .
MK Dons thrashed Manchester United 4-0 in the Capital One cup .
Van Gaal states it will take three months for United to perform as he likes .
The club have spent over £150million this summer on six signings .
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By . Emma Glanfield . Petra Stunt, 25, appointed Paul Fleury in 2012 to help with the £25m refurbishment of her London home . A ‘sophisticated fraudster’ who conned the daughter of Formula 1 billionaire Bernie Ecclestone out of £1.6m while renovating her £25m Chelsea mansion has been jailed for nine months. Paul Fleury, 45, was appointed by Petra Ecclestone, 25, in February 2012 after she bought one of London’s most magnificent townhouses - Sloane House - for £70million. The socialite, who now goes by her married name of Petra Stunt, had a budget of £25million to transform the historic building in West London, including a new wing featuring a pool, gymnasium and underground car park. She appointed Fleury – a trusted friend who had worked for the family for the past seven years – to carry out the renovation, but he ended up defrauding her of £1.58m of the budget. Mrs Stunt, who alongside sister Tamara, 29, is often portrayed as spending ‘Daddy’s billions, discovered last year how Fleury – who was paid £7,000 a month to manage the renovation work – was forging invoices from companies that did not exist and paying them into his own bank accounts. Fleury claimed his payments had been verbally agreed with the heiress and said they were ‘commissions’– a claim denied by the Ecclestones. Last month, a High Court judge ruled that Mrs Stunt was entitled to summary judgment against the fraudster and an injunction was imposed to freeze Fleury’s assets. However, a court hearing today heard how Fleury failed to comply with the freezing order and he was jailed for nine months by Mr Justice Turner. During the hearing, Mrs Stunt’s counsel, David Cavender QC, described Fleury as a ‘sophisticated fraudster’ and said his defence was ‘inherently incredible’ and an ‘obvious fabrication’. Dismissing Fleury’s case as hopeless, Mr Justice Turner said his defence was ‘a convenient lie which he invented months after his wrongdoing had come to light’. The judge agreed with lawyers for Sloane House Ltd - Mrs Stunt’s company which engaged the contractors undertaking the redevelopment - that Fleury had flouted the terms of an injunction freezing his assets and should receive an immediate prison term as punishment for his flagrant contempt of court. Mrs Stunt bought one of London's most magnificent townhouses - Sloane House - for £70million in February 2012 and appointed Paul Fleury, 45, to oversee lavish renovations which she set aside a budget of £25m for . He said Fleury had demonstrated that he was capable of serious dishonesty to achieve substantial financial gain and, in addition, was willing not merely to push against the boundaries of legitimate interpretation of the scope of the injunction but deliberately to act in surreptitious breach despite the real threat of imprisonment. He added that the breaches had not been limited to a misguided attempt to preserve Fleury’s mechanical installation, servicing and repair business but had also facilitated the maintenance of his ‘hedonistic lifestyle’. After the hearing, Petra, who is married to billionaire James Stunt, said: ‘It is an extremely unpleasant experience to discover that a person who you have placed in a position of trust is deceiving you and to find that, even when discovered, they have continued to engineer ways to breach the freezing order imposed to restrain them. ‘As this matter is now in the hands of the Metropolitan Police, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.’ Petra, 25, (left) is the daughter of Formula 1 billionaire Bernie Ecclestone (centre) and sister of Tamara (right) Robert Wynn Jones, of law firm Mishcon de Reya, said: ‘It is important that the courts impose custodial sentences in these circumstances. ‘Freezing orders are an essential part of the legal toolkit in these types of fraud cases and to have them flagrantly breached as they have been in this instance is unacceptable. ‘When you get an order freezing assets and for asset disclosure in a fraud case, you expect the defendant to comply. ‘If they don’t comply, serious consequences can follow - including imprisonment - as has occurred in this case.’
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Petra Ecclestone - now Petra Stunt - bought Sloane House in February 2012 .
Paul Fleury, 45, was appointed to help with £25million renovation of mansion .
He siphoned nearly £1.6m of refurbishment cash into his own bank account .
The 'sophisticated fraudster' was today jailed for nine months for offence .
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By . John Drayton . Lionel Messi has just turned 27. So, to celebrate, Adidas have made a special edition pair of football boots for the superstar to don on his special day. His new footwear are a technicolor version of the adizeroTM f50 Messi boots, which the Argentinian wizard is currently wearing at the World Cup in Brazil. Messi is set to wear them in training on Tuesday, ahead of his country's clash table-topping clash with Nigeria the following day. Leo and the technicolor boots: Messi's birthday boots, made for his 27th by adidas . Savour: Messi celebrating his stunning last-minute goal against Iran on Saturday . VIDEO Argentina can't be dependent on Messi - D'Alessandro . There are . to be 27 total pairs made in total - one for each year of his life - . with two exclusive signed pairs to be given away on a competition . @teammessi on his birthday. Messi . has so far scored twice at the World Cup, a superb effort against . Bosnia & Herzegovina in their opening game at the Maracana, and a . stunning last-gasp winner in their game against Iran. Hopefully his new technicolor boots will help keep his dream alive in Brazil. Support: Messi's partner Antonella Roccuzzo and his son arriving to watch him play Iran on Saturday .
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Messi to wear special edition technicolor birthday boots in training .
Scored twice so far at the World Cup, including stunning winner vs Iran .
Argentina to play Nigeria on Wednesday in Group F table-topping decider .
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(CNN) -- Mainz made it seven wins out of seven in the Bundesliga on Saturday as they overcame 10-man Hoffenheim 4-2 at the Stadion am Bruchweg. The win equals the record -- held by Kaisterslautern and Bayern Munich -- for most wins at the start of a Bundesliga season. Tunisia striker Sami Allagui opened the scoring for Mainz after just two minutes. Hoffenheim hit back before half time with a strike from Demba Ba, but Hungarian striker Adam Szalai restored the home side's lead two minutes into the second half. Midfielder Lewis Holtby added a third before 19-year-old striker Andre Schuerrle added a fourth from the penalty spot after Josip Simunic was shown a red card for bringing down Holtby in the 73rd minute. How Germany's 'Carnival Club' is finding success . Mainz, who beat Bayern Munich 2-1 last week, face Hamburg in their next Bundesliga fixture and will be hoping to create Bundesliga history by claiming their eighth straight win. But coach Thomas Tuchel says he's not interested in records. "During the game, I didn't even think about records, for me it is not even an issue," Tuchel said, AFP reported. Ex-England boss Steve McClaren was denied a fourth straight win as Wolfsburg drew 1-1 with Moenchengladbach. Danish midfielder Thomas Kahlenberg gave Wolfsburg the lead after 27 minutes but Thorben Marx tied the scores with a 65th minute strike. Freiburg moved up to fourth place in the table after a 3-2 home win over Cologne, while Hamburg are now seventh after they came from behind to beat Kaiserslautern 2-1. Schalke went down to their fifth defeat of the season losing 2-1 to Nuremberg, leaving last year's runners-up languishing in second to last place in the table. Sunday's fixtures see Bayern Munich travel to second-placed Dortmund, bottom-placed Stuttgart host Frankfurt and fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen take on Werder Bremen.
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Mainz their 100 percent record in the Bundesliga with a 4-2 defeat of Hoffenheim .
Mainz need one more win to secure record for most wins at start of Bundesliga season .
Wolfsburg held to a 1-1 draw with Moenchengladbach; Hamburg beat Kaiserslautern 2-1 .
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(CNN) -- Daniel Agdag works with a limited arsenal of tools: a surgical scalpel, some cardboard, every so often a circular cutter and lots of glue. But from that humble toolkit, he makes sculptures that are mind-bendingly complex. For the past 10 years, the Melbourne, Australia artist has been building intricate cardboard sculptures in the form of whimsical flying machines and rickety roller coasters. They look like pencil sketches brought to life, and with good reason. Long before Agdag began crafting his cardboard pieces, he was drawing them in his notebook. He'd sketch crazy roller coasters and off-beat architectural structures. One day he visited his neighbor (an architect), who showed him models made from boxboard. "I said, 'Can I have some of that cardboard,' and from there I started creating my roller coasters," he recalls. "All of a sudden what was on the page became this really elaborate 3-D sculpture." It wasn't all of a sudden, of course. Constructing the piecesis a painstaking process that typically takes one to three months. Nowadays, Agdag has enough experience to forego the sketching process and build as he goes. He'll think up some strange contraption and simply begin cutting pieces of cardboard and piecing them together with AVP glue. He prefers working with the scalpel ("I go through four or five a day," he says) and uses only three gauges of board: 1mm, .8 mm and .2 mm. Many of Agdag's pieces are marvel of balance. In one, a crepe-like balloons balances on top of fragile unicycle. In another a house sits high on a system of thin-as-toothpick scaffolding. Each of these pieces has glue, yes, but they also have built-in structural integrity, much in the way an architect uses hidden elements to build a robust building. This requires a huge amount of trial and error. "I have to make it and tear it apart and then throw it away and start again," he says. "It's very much like drawing and rubbing out [erasing]. So even though they're technically sculptural, I feel like they're drawings in cardboard." For now, the sculptures are moderately sized—they range from around 20 to 30 inches tall. But Agdag has plans to make them even bigger. He has an idea to make a DC9 plane with a 7×10 meter wingspan. "I want to make all the ribs, all the componentry, the skeletal structure all the way through, " he says. "It's going to take a lot of cardboard." Read more from WIRED: . Why are we so fat? The multimillion-dollar scientific quest to find out . Unexpected shooting targets used by the world's armies . Someone reinvented the butter knife and it is amazing . How to fix your iPhone's annoying autocorrect . Subscribe to WIRED magazine for less than $1 an issue and get a FREE GIFT! Click here! Copyright 2011 Wired.com.
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Daniel Agdag has spent the last years making sculptures out of cardboard .
Principles of Aviation, his most recent exhibition, features fantasy flying machines .
His skips the sketching process, and builds as he goes .
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By . Kerry Mcdermott . PUBLISHED: . 10:30 EST, 22 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:34 EST, 22 July 2013 . Japanese commuters teamed up to heave a 32-ton train carriage away from the platform to free a woman who had fallen between the train and the platform at rush hour. In a nightmarish scenario, the woman, who is in her 30s, slipped and fell into the eight-inch gap between the carriage and the platform edge at the busy JR Minami-Urawa station north of Tokyo. But she escaped unscathed after around 40 commuters joined forces with officials to push the train carriage - which has a suspension system allowing it to lean to either side - away from the platform, allowing the woman to be pulled out. Heroic effort: Commuters joined forces with rail officials to heave the train away from the platform after the woman got stuck between the carriage and the edge . The crowds in the station applauded as she made it back to safety unharmed. The commuters' heroic effort was captured on camera by a newspaper photographer who was in the station at the time, and the resulting photo was published in Japan's largest daily newspaper, the Yomiuri. Lucky escape: The woman fell between the train and the platform edge during rush hour, when Tokyo's rail stations are flooded with commuters (file photo)
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Woman, in her 30s, slipped into eight-inch gap between platform and train .
Rescued unharmed after scores of commuters pushed carriage to one side .
She was pulled to safety at JR Minami-Urawa station north of Tokyo .
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(CNN) -- A strong earthquake with magnitude 6.5 struck Friday night in the ocean southwest of Sumatra in Indonesia, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The quake, which occurred shortly after 11 p.m., was centered about 100 miles (165 kilometers) west of Bengkulu in Sumatra, and 215 miles (345 kilometers) south of Padang, Sumatra, the USGS said. The center was 13.7 miles (22 kilometers) deep, the USGS said. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue a warning after the quake, but said there was a "very small possibility of a local tsunami that could affect coasts" no more than 62 miles (100 kilometers) from the earthquake's epicenter. "Authorities in the region near the epicenter should be made aware of this possibility," it said. The Indonesian Meteorological and Geophysics Agency also did not issue a tsunami warning. CNN's Andy Saputra contributed to this report .
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Magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Friday night off Sumatra coast, says U.S. Geological Survey .
The center was 13.7 miles (22 kilometers) deep, the USGS said .
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries .
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Tokyo, Japan (CNN) -- The Japanese government stepped in Monday to weaken the yen, after it climbed to a post-World War II high against the dollar. Finance Minister Jun Assume said Japan intervened unilaterally at 10:25 a.m. It was the third intervention this year. "Foreign exchange rates should reflect the real economy and fluctuate within the range of common sense. Otherwise it will distort the real economy," Azumi said. "I decided it (the intervention) this morning as I cannot tolerate such appreciation." The yen went up to the post-war high of 75.32 per dollar early Monday. The intervention immediately sent it tumbling to 79 per dollar. The government is worried that a strengthened yen will impact its economy, which relies heavily on exports. The country has only now begun to recover from the devastating aftereffects of a March 11 earthquake and tsunami. "The yen's appreciation might close down factories and I cannot tolerate it," Azumi said. For every 1 yen appreciation against the dollar, Toyota, the car manufacturer, loses 30 billion yen ($380 million) in profits. The stock market, however, lost the upward momentum after an initial 100-point gain as some analysts expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the intervention. "The question is how long will the effect of the intervention continue," said Toshihiko Matsuno, a senior strategist of SMBC Friend Securities. "The market is looking at the past examples. If this is a one-time only, the effect would be limited. It all depends how far the government is ready to intervene. It's a battle between the market and the government."
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Azumi: "Foreign exchange rates should reflect the real economy"
The yen went up to a post-war high of 75.32 per dollar .
The government is worried that a strengthened yen will impact its economy, which relies heavily on exports .
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By . Francesca Chambers for MailOnline . Texas Governor Rick Perry say on Thursday that there's a 'very real possibility' that Islamic extremists have infiltrated the United States through its porous southern border. 'I think there is the obvious great concern that because of the . condition of the border, from the standpoint of it not being secure and . us not knowing who is penetrating across, that individuals from ISIS or . other terrorist states could be [coming in],' Perry told attendees of a Washington, D.C. event. And while he admitted that 'we have no clear . evidence of that,' Perry said 'your common sense tells you' that it may . have happened given how many criminals from other countries have . crossed border illegally. Use your common sense: Texas Governor Rick Perry admitted that 'we have no clear evidence' that Islamic extremists are sneaking in the country through the shouter border, but claimed 'your common sense tells you' that it may have happened . Rick Perry, right, greets National Review Editor Rich Lowry, left, and Republican strategist and pollster Kellyanne Conway before delivering remarks about immigration and the situation in Iraq at The Heritage Foundation this afternoon . 'I’m talking about the assaults, the rapes, the murders by individuals . who have come into this country illegally over the last five years. 'The . idea that they would not be looking at and managing any of those types . of attacks from that region is not a good place to be,' he added. The Republican governor told the National Review Online that people from countries known for terrorism are crossing over to border in greater numbers, and it is a cause for concern. 'We know that there are individuals from countries that have . terrorist ties that are being apprehended and we had reports of record . high numbers of those individuals who were coming in back in the . summer,' he said. The embattled Texas governor dropped by the nation's capitol on Thursday to speak at the Heritage Foundation on the immigration crisis. But the likely 2016 presidential candidate hit on other topics as well, including the conflict in Iraq. His remarks on the subject gave way to questions about jihadists permeating the United States through it's border with Mexico, which is . also the Texas border, and his opinion on how the U.S. should be handling the Islamic State. 'They need to be eliminated,' they need to be eliminated . now,' he said of the terrorist organization. Perry said he did not think the president should be ruling out a strategy that involves putting combat groups on the ground nor should he be revealing his hand to his enemies. 'I think signaling to your enemies what . you are not going to put on the table is very very bad, both strategical . and tactical errors by this administration,' he said. 'We need to have all of our . options open.' The Republican politician said he understood the country was weary of war, yet he cautioned attendees that the costs of inaction could be far worse than those associated with a military operation. 'For many Americans, of course, just the last thing we want to think . about is more conflict in Iraq and what that might involve,' he said. 'But we better get on top of this crisis by every means necessary . because events are moving fast and the price is only going to move up.' Perry appeared calm and collected throughout his appearance at the 35 minute event on Thursday afternoon despite facing chaos back at home. The Lone Star State governor was formally charged this week with two felonies over an alleged abuse of power after he vetoed funding for a government agency that investigates corruption. Perry briefly touched on the topic at the beginning of his remarks before moving on to his speech. 'I am very confident in my case, and I can assure you that I will fight this attack of our system of government,' he said.
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The Republican governor was at an event in Washington, D.C. when he was asked about the permeability of the U.S.-Mexico border .
Perry said it's 'obvious' based on 'the .
condition of the border . . .that individuals from ISIS or .
other terrorist states could be' coming in .
He said there's 'no clear evidence' that it's happened, but 'your common sense tells you' that it may have .
Perry said he did not think the president should be ruling out putting troops back on the ground in Iraq to eliminate ISIS .
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LONDON, England (CNN) -- Arriving at the London premiere of his self-titled mockumentary dressed in an enormous bearskin hat, cropped red army tunic and barely there hot pants, flamboyant Austrian fashionista, "Bruno," paid sartorial tribute to the British as only he knows how. Bear-ing all: British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's latest comic creation Austrian fashionista, Bruno, hits the red carpet. Waxed to perfection and flanked by a group of muscular black men dressed like a camp Queen's Guards, the gay fashion reporter flounced down the carpet to greet his public. "Vassup CNN! Lookin' hot," Bruno said to CNN. "I don't want any attention; I'm not here to promote my movie." "Bruno," which hits cinemas in most territories next month, is the latest comic creation of British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, who last shocked, insulted and delighted audiences in 2006 with Borat, Kazakhstan's "Most Famous Broadcaster." Bruno continues the unique approach to comedy Baron Cohen honed with characters like uneducated, loutish jungle music fan Ali G and then homophobic, anti-Semitic Kazakh journalist Borat. Watch "Bruno" on the red carpet » . His specialty is characters who say the unsayable: like Bruno's carpet quip that his new film is "the most important movie starring a gay Austrian since 'Terminator 2,'" in joking reference to the married (and firmly heterosexual) Austrian Terminator star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, now Governor of California. In pictures: Bruno offers fashion advice to CNN » . Baron Cohen puts his creations in real-life situations and uses them to draw unsuspecting participants into letting well-hidden prejudices slip out, engage in embarrassing behavior or contradict themselves. Characters like Bruno and Borat "essentially work as a tool," Baron Cohen told UK paper The Observer in a rare out-of-character interview: "By himself being anti-Semitic, he lets people lower their guard and expose their own prejudice." Baron Cohen's approach courts controversy. "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" opened to a wave of outrage from race-relations campaigners. This time it is gay-rights campaigners who are up in arms. "Sacha Baron Cohen's well-meaning attempt at satire is problematic in many places and outright offensive in others," Rashad Robinson, senior director of media programs for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation told the New York Times. While some critics may suggest that his films may reinforce prejudices, others disagree. "It is difficult to accuse Cohen of making films that are racist or homophobic," Aubrey Day, Editor-in-Chief of Total Film magazine told CNN. "He takes characters and exaggerates them for broad comic value, but I don't think there's any credence in the idea that he supports any of those ideals." But Baron Cohen certainly knows how to manipulate the media. The 37-year-old has been whipping up anticipation for "Bruno" with a series of attention-grabbing, hilarious stunts. In September last year, he brought chaos to the hallowed fashion shows of Milan when he stormed the catwalk of designer Agata Luiz de la Prada's show dressed in a Velcro suit with clothes from backstage stuck all over it. Most recently, he descended from the ceiling at the MTV Movie Awards wearing nothing but a pair of angel's wings and a skimpy thong before "falling" onto irate rapper Eminem's face. Eminem stormed out of the awards but later admitted he knew about the stunt beforehand. "Borat" debuted at number one in the U.S. box office and went on to gross $300 million in box office and DVD sales. Industry experts are predicting an even bigger return for "Bruno." The secret of the Baron Cohen comedy phenomenon may lie in his combination of laughs with something a bit deeper: namely his ability to highlight prejudices and hypocrisies. "What he does very well is hold a mirror up to a lot of society's current ideals and expose them for what they are," Day told CNN. "That is one of the joys of his films. "You can enjoy them on a simple level, in that they are very funny, but hopefully you also come away thinking, or maybe re-thinking some of your attitudes."
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"Bruno" paid tribute to British icons in a bearskin hat at London movie premiere .
The Austrian fashionista is UK comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's latest creation .
"Bruno" has already caused controversy with gay rights campaigners .
Baron Cohen's comedy holds a mirror up to many of society's ingrained prejudices .
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By . David Wilkes . PUBLISHED: . 08:41 EST, 1 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:51 EST, 25 February 2013 . Model pupil: Charlotte Poole, 22, has a law degree and a first-class Masters in fashion marketing . She started modelling her look on Barbie when she was 15. Charlotte Poole became so obsessed, she dressed herself in figure-hugging corsets, dyed her hair platinum blonde and even enhanced her breasts to a curvy 34F. The style prompted a string of cruel comments from women who saw her as nothing more than a ‘brainless bimbo’. But Miss Poole is living proof that appearances can be very deceptive. Rather than being the ‘stupid airhead’ she is often labelled, she has a law degree and masters with distinction. The 22-year-old, who has spent thousands on her looks over the years, said: ‘If I’m out with a corset on I will get attention from people saying horrible things to me as you would expect, saying I’m stupid or a slag. But because I know I’m not it makes me laugh. ‘People are pretty surprised when they find out that I have a masters degree. 'I don’t make a point in telling people but if they find out it’s so funny to see their reaction.’ The graduate actually had her breast implants within two weeks of beginning her BA in law and psychology. Since then she has gone on to attain a masters in fashion marketing, also from Nottingham Trent University, and secure a high-flying job as a social media coordinator for a fashion company. Miss Poole, who also boasts 12 GCSEs and 3 A Levels on her CV, began modelling herself on Barbie because she was insecure about her own looks. She went on to dye her hair and now refers to the stylised Barbie alter ego she adopts on nights out as ‘Charlotte Elizabeth’. ‘I loved Barbie dolls and I loved the Barbie look after watching Melinda Messenger and Pamela Anderson on TV,’ she said. ‘I worried about the way I looked so I started wearing make-up and dressing up. I couldn’t even go to the corner shop without wearing full make-up and it just went on from there. Barbie world: Charlotte, pictured in front of shelves filled with her favourite doll in Hong Kong, says the girly look gives her confidence . Life in plastic: The marketing manager, from Leicestershire, began dressing as Barbie when she was 15 . School days: Charlotte, pictured aged 16, began dying her hair platinum blonde and wearing dramatic make-up after watching stars including Pamela Anderson and Melinda Messenger on TV . ‘Now I just want to look good for me and I love nothing more than big smokey make-up when I go out as Charlotte Elizabeth. 'I also have bright pink lips for the Barbie look or red for a more rock chick look. ‘But I do know for the majority of . the time it is totally inappropriate to dress that way so I save it only . for certain occasions.’ When it comes to studying, however, the serious side of her character comes through. ‘When I have exams, Charlotte . Elizabeth goes away. There is a time and a place to be glamorous. Education always comes first,’ she said. ‘I always make sure I go to job interviews or to work with my hair up with minimal make-up. Ambitious: Charlotte, pictured left on Halloween and right on a night out with her friend Belinda, spends her time either poring over books or pouring her curves into corsets . Beauty and brains: Boyfriend Samuel Pyle, pictured with Charlotte at her graduation ball, says he loves her because they are intellectual equals . Holiday Barbie: But Samuel says he likes his girlfriend best when she is dressed down and make-up free . Work and play: Charlotte paid her way through university with the help of a job at Hooters in Nottingham . ‘Despite my look I take my work very . seriously. I would love to get a nose job, veneers, maybe lip injections . – and Botox when I get a few years older. 'But for now I am trying my best to tone down the Barbie within now I have my new job.’ Miss Poole, from Leicestershire, . added: ‘I have had girls say that they hate me because of the way I look . and call me a slag or stupid or easy, but just because I look this way . doesn’t make me an idiot.’ A glance at Miss Poole’s online blog gives a glimpse of her more intellectual side. On it she describes herself as a . ‘feminist, atheist and vegetarian’ alongside choice quotations from . Charles Darwin and Leo Tolstoy in support of her beliefs. To her real life ‘Ken’, boyfriend of . four years Samuel Pyle, 23, she never looks better than she does first . thing in the morning ‘fresh faced and with bed hair’. Mr Pyle said: ‘Obviously I like the way she looks but we’re together because we are best friends and intellectual equals.’ Glamorous: The 22-year-old, pictured left with no make-up, says she began dressing like a Barbie doll because she felt sensitive about her looks . Life and style: Charlotte says she sometimes dresses in a hoodie and jeans - but only when she is at home . Serious moments: Charlotte says she ditches her full-on Barbie look when she is studying or at work .
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Charlotte Poole, 22, obtained a distinction in her Masters .
She bought 34F breast implants within weeks of starting university .
Paid for her studies with a job at Hooters in Nottingham .
Boyfriend says he prefers her dressed down and make-up free .
| 4,997 | 250 |
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(CNN) -- For several months in 2003, I did the whole European backpacker thing. Which is to say I've seen nearly every cathedral within 1,000 square miles of the Danube. "Are we cultured yet?" "Shut up. Two more." It also means that I have an old journal filled out in the back with countless e-mail addresses from travelers I'll probably never see again. This was before the heyday of social media, back when pretending to care about people you just met required considerably less effort. Because now when you go abroad, you actually have to connect with your fellow travelers over Facebook. And then deny their Candy Crush requests. Well, these casual travel friendships are about to go completely bonkers over the next two weekends as the world-famous Tomorrowland festival kicks off in Belgium. I'll get to why in a moment, but for those of you who are unfamiliar with Tomorrowland, it's a multiday gathering of thousands upon thousands of beautiful young people from all over the planet, congregating in a fairytale-themed field, dancing all night to DJs playing EDM. (Note to Dad: EDM stands for Electronic Dance Music. It sounds nothing like Willie Nelson. Just put on the Golf Channel and stay away from Belgium.) That said, if you're not my dad and actually enjoy EDM, it's probably a great time. Especially if you're into that whole being young and enjoying life thing. I'd go, but my iCal has me scheduled to wallow in self-doubt. (The following weekend is also completely booked with some pre-planned lower back pain.) However, if you do make it over to Belgium, this year you'll be wearing a special festival bracelet that allows you to instantly send friend requests to people you just met. "YOU get a friend request. YOU get a friend request. YOU get a friend request. EVERYBODY GETS A FRIEND REQUEST!" Now, because this festival is so delightfully wackadoo, these bracelets literally arrive at your door in a Tomorrowland treasure case, which, from what I've seen online, is far more ornate than anything I currently have in my house. No offense, IKEA. You see, this festival tends to go all-in on the ridiculous. And I like that. They've made it fun before you even get there. An instructional Web video from Tomorrowland explains that, once your treasure case arrives in the mail, you have to use a "magical key" to "unlock the happiness." Then, inside the box, you'll find your bracelet, for which you have to go online to activate with a personalized code. Next, to "fully unleash all its magical power," you connect it to your Facebook account. And if everything syncs up as it should, the bracelet is then armed for making instant friends. Back in my day, we used cheap bourbon and old war stories. Somehow, I just turned 72. But at Tomorrowland, you and your new pal just need to be near each other while you press your "heart" buttons at the same time. The next day, you'll receive a daily "special friendship" e-mail with all the contact details of your new late-night besties. "Who the hell is Gunther?" "He's that crazy German guy with no pants. You spent six hours with him building a glow stick castle." "Oh, Guuuuunther." So, who knows what kind of new digital friends you'll suddenly make. The possibilities are endless. You can even play port-a-potty roulette with the person using the stall next to yours. "I don't know who you are over there, or what you just ate, but ... One. Two. Three. Go!" What's also cool is that the bracelet is actually your entrance pass to the festival. There's no paper. And that's sort of the new trend in ticketing: high-tech smart bracelets. In fact, this year, Lollapalooza in Chicago is going cashless by using radio frequency identification-enabled wristband tickets that also allow festival-goers to make payments. The bracelets are linked to the user's credit card. Which, after far too many beers, probably sounds like this: . "I'll take a poster. And a t-shirt. And a coozie. And another poster. And another t-shirt for that guy. And whatever this chick wants. And let's do another poster." What could possibly go wrong? Anyway, things have certainly changed since I promised to keep in touch with all those people I met back in Europe. But this is just life as we know it in our crazy modern world. Embrace it. "Hey, Gunther. You up for another glow stick castle?" Follow @JarrettBellini on Twitter. See more content with questionable news value at CNN Comedy.
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Festival-goers at Tomorrowland will wear bracelets that send Facebook friend requests .
The wearable tickets are an example of smart technology being used at music festivals .
Tomorrowland takes place during the last two weekends in July in Boom, Belgium .
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(CNN) -- 1968 was a year of triumphs and tragedies. While America reached new heights by introducing the first 747 and orbiting the moon, all was not well down on Earth. The United States lost a Navy intelligence ship and two proponents of peace -- the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. Here are eight events that made history during that unforgettable year. 1. January 23: North Korea captures the USS Pueblo . When North Korea captured the American surveillance ship USS Pueblo, it sparked an 11-month crisis that threatened to worsen already high Cold War tensions in the region. The trouble started with the Pueblo. It had been nearly 15 years since the Korean War between U.S.-led forces and the North. The Navy intelligence ship was monitoring North Korea from the Tsushima Strait, an ocean channel dividing Korea and Japan. Related: Fast facts about the Korean War . The Navy said its ship was operating in international waters, but North Korea said the Pueblo had entered its territory, and dispatched warships and aircraft to intercept it. Accounts differ on both sides as to what really happened. Eventually, there was an exchange of gunfire. U.S. crewman Duane Hodges was killed. The North Korean military boarded the Pueblo, captured its crew and brought the ship to port in North Korea. The Pueblo's 82 surviving crew members reported that while in custody, they were held at a POW camp where they were tortured and starved. North Korea staged a news conference during which the crew was forced to applaud the North Koreans for treating them kindly. During the news conference crew members laced their comments with sarcasm and extended their middle fingers in defiance. When North Korea learned later that the Americans had mocked them, the crew was severely beaten. After months of negotiations, North Korea agreed to free the crewmen after the United States. acknowledged that the Pueblo had been spying and promised not to spy in the future. On December 23, the crew was allowed to safely return to South Korean territory. Immediately, the U.S. retracted its acknowledgments. Related: What's life like inside North Korea? The crew was home in time for Christmas. But the USS Pueblo remains in North Korean custody. 2. January 30: North Vietnam launches the Tet Offensive against the United States and South Vietnam . In many ways, the bloody Tet Offensive signified the beginning of the end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. The coordinated attack by 85,000 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese targeted 36 major cities and towns in South Vietnam. It caught U.S.-led forces by surprise. Related: Vietnam War fast facts . Related: North Vietnamese defense minister during Tet Offensive dies . Named after the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, Tet was a holiday during which the North and South had previously observed an informal truce. U.S. and South Vietnamese forces eventually regained control of the communities they lost during Tet. Nevertheless, it became a wake-up call for Americans back home, who began withdrawing their support for the war. 3. April 4: Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee . The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was standing on the second floor balcony of room 306 at the Lorraine Motel when he was struck by a bullet at 6:01 p.m. The 39-year-old civil rights leader was rushed to nearby St. Joseph's Hospital but never regained consciousness. He was pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m. Related: I was with King's widow the night her husband was killed . King's fellow civil rights pioneers made public pleas for a nonviolent response to honor his memory. But riots broke out in more than 100 cities across the nation. Related: King's last crusade . Two months later, James Earl Ray was captured at London's Heathrow Airport. Fingerprints that had been traced back to Ray linked him to the crime. He confessed but later attempted to recant. Then he pleaded guilty to avoid the possibility of a death sentence. Later Ray tried to withdraw his guilty plea and obtain a new trial. He died in prison in 1998. Related: The case against James Earl Ray . Related: Conspiracy theories live on . On the night King was assassinated, Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy arrived in Indianapolis on a campaign stop. Upon hearing the news, Kennedy informed a crowd of listeners about King's death. They reacted with gasps and cries. Kennedy urged the crowd against bitterness, hatred or revenge. He called on them to embrace King's message of love, wisdom and compassion toward one another. Kennedy's speech is believed to have prevented rioting in Indianapolis that night. 4. June 5: Robert F. Kennedy assassinated in Los Angeles . Just two months later, Kennedy himself was gunned down by an assassin at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. The attack took place shortly after Kennedy had wrapped up a speech in the hotel ballroom. As he cut through a kitchen corridor on his way to another part of the building, a Jordanian born Palestinian named Sirhan Sirhan opened fire, hitting Kennedy in the head and back. Kennedy collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent brain surgery. Twenty-six hours after the attack, Kennedy died. He was 42. Related: Witness says there was a second shooter . Related: Sirhan denied parole . Convicted of the murder in 1969, his death sentence was commuted to life in prison in 1972. Sirhan remains in a California prison. 5. September 30: Boeing introduces the first 747 "Jumbo Jet" When demand for air travel reached sky-high levels in the 1960s, the world's then-largest passenger aircraft -- the Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet -- was a game changer. The ability to carry far more passengers than previous airliners suddenly made globetrotting a feasible option for would-be wanderers who previously thought they would never afford such exotic sojourns. The massive aircraft was indeed an aviation design milestone. More than six stories tall, it seated 374 passengers and weighed 300 tons. Related: Boeing through the ages . After its 1968 reveal, the 747 made its first flight on February 9, 1969, near Boeing's factory in western Washington state. That specific plane flew more than 12,000 test flights, but it never carried passengers for a major airline. Rather, it was a test plane for engine developments, various improvements and future jet airliners. The 747 is no relic. Amazingly, it remains a major player among global airlines more than 40 years after its unveiling. 6. October 16: U.S. athletes take a stand at the Summer Olympics . During the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, two black athletes staged a silent demonstration against racial discrimination in the United States. For the simple defiant act of raising their fists during the National Anthem, the International Olympic Committee condemned American medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos. Their protest shocked many people who felt it damaged the spirit of the Olympics and unnecessarily brought politics into the Games. As Smith and Carlos were awarded the gold and bronze medals for their performances in the 200-meter race, they bowed their heads and each raised a black gloved fist during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner. The protest didn't stop with their fists. They also wore black socks and no shoes. On their clothes were badges of the Olympic Project for Human Rights, a group dedicated against racial segregation and racism in sports. Also wearing the patch in support of Smith and Carlos was Australian 200-meter silver medalist Peter Norman. Related: Peter Norman, the forgotten Black Power hero . Spectators booed the medalists as they walked away from the ceremony. "If I win I am an American, not a black American," Smith said later. "But if I did something bad then they would say 'a Negro.' We are black and we are proud of being black." Smith said his raised right fist symbolized black power in America. He also wore a black scarf, which he said represented black pride. He said the black socks with no shoes symbolized black poverty. Carlos, who had raised his left fist, said the gesture was a display of black unity and that the two men's fists combined had created an arch of unity and power. Carlos also wore beads, which he explained "were for those individuals that were lynched, or killed that no one said a prayer for, that were hung and tarred." He said they also were for those thrown off the side of boats that carried slaves across the Atlantic from Africa. Two days later, Smith and Carlos were expelled from Team USA. When they returned home, they were hailed as heroes by members of the African-American community. 7. November 22: "Star Trek" airs American television's first interracial kiss . In an episode of TV's original "Star Trek" entitled "Plato's Stepchildren," the crew aboard the Starship Enterprise became enslaved by humanoid Platonians, who possessed a telekinetic ability to force them to do anything the Platonians wanted them to do. Related: The post-racial revolution will be televised . Enterprise Capt. James Kirk, a white man played by William Shatner, was forced to kiss Nichelle Nichols' character, Lt. Nyota Uhura, a black woman. Censors at NBC insisted on filming an alternate version sans smooch -- fearing that local TV affiliates in the Deep South would refuse to air the episode. Shatner is reported to have purposefully ruined all the alternative takes so the network would be forced to air the kiss. Appropriately, Kirk has this line in the episode: "Where I come from, size, shape or color makes no difference." 8. December 24: Apollo 8 is the first manned spacecraft to orbit the moon . On Christmas Eve, three astronauts circled the moon 10 times. Jim Lovell, Bill Anders and Frank Borman became the first human beings to travel to the moon. Launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Apollo 8 was a mission of firsts: . -The first photos of Earth taken from deep space by humans, including the now iconic "Earthrise" -A new rocket speed record of 24,200 mph, a velocity that, according to NASA, was necessary to escape Earth's gravitational pull . --The first time the lunar surface was broadcast on live television . -The first time humans had traveled to the far side of the moon . The weeklong mission was fueled by a Space Race rivalry with the Soviet Union and the nation's desire to fulfill President John F. Kennedy's wishes to land on the moon by decade's end, a goal accomplished by Apollo 11 seven months later. As Apollo 8 emerged from the mysterious dark side of the moon before heading back to Earth, a relieved Lovell announced to the world, "Houston, please be informed there is a Santa Claus." This amazing and joyous mission was a rare high note in a year filled with historically tragic events. According to "A Man on the Moon," Andrew Chaikin's book on the Apollo program, the astronauts received countless telegrams after they returned safely home. But one stuck out from the others. It said, "You saved 1968."
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1968 remains arguably the most historic year in modern American history .
Revered leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were assassinated .
North Korea captured a U.S. ship; Olympic athletes raised fists in Black Power salute .
With the Apollo 8 mission, for the first time in history humans orbited the Moon .
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A young mother so wanted to live the life of a 'normal teenager' that she left her baby with a known heroin addict, even changing her phone number so the woman could not contact her. Desiree Ann-Marie Cozzoni of St. Charles, Missouri, then decided to report to authorities that her 16-month-old son had been kidnapped, which led to her arrest on charges of making a false report and endangering the welfare of a child. She was also charged with unlawful use of drug paraphernalia when police found a pipe containing marijuana residue in her purse while booking her. Teen mom: 18-year-old Desiree Ann-Marie Cozzoni (above, smiling in her mugshot)abandoned her 16-month-old son she she could live like a 'normal teenager,' then falsely reported he had been kidnapped . Poor baby: The toddler (above, with Cozzoni) was left with a known heroin addict who is unemployed and homeless . Booked: Police charged Cozzoni (above) with making a false report and endangering the welfare of a child . Cozzoni, 18, drew up nonlegal documents earlier this month signing over custody of her child to a woman she sometimes stayed with and who often used heroin in the presence of the young mother and her son. Police told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the woman, whose name has not been released, 'stayed at motels because she was homeless, unemployed and had lost custody of her own children.' Then, sometime during the week of October 6, Cozzoni changed her phone number so the woman could not get in touch with her. It is still uncertain why she decided to report her son had been kidnapped. New home: It is believed that the toddler will now be taken in by Cozzoni's grandparents . Wild child: Cozzani was also charged with unlawful use of drug paraphernalia when police found a pipe containing marijuana residue in her purse while booking her . Even more disturbing is the fact that the young woman, whose Facebook is filled with photos of herself posing in front of mirrors, is smiling in her mugshot. She was released on $2,500 bail on Tuesday, and it is believed her grandparents may take custody of the child. Should that be the case, Cozzoni would not be permitted to live in their house, where she stays from time to time.
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Desiree Ann-Marie Cozzani was arrested after falsely reporting a woman had kidnapped her 16-month-old son .
The 18-year-old had actually signed over custody of the toddler to the woman in nonlegal documents earlier this month to live a 'normal life'
She then changed her number so the woman, who is homeless and a heroin addict, could not contact her .
Cozzani, who was charged with making a false report and endangering the welfare of a child, was smiling in her mugshot .
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New Orleans, Louisiana (CNN) -- The federal agency responsible for overseeing the oil industry has been renamed amid a massive reform effort following the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the Department of the Interior announced Monday. The Minerals Management Service will be called the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, according to an order signed by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar requesting the name change. The announcement coincided with the swearing-in of the bureau's new head, former Justice Department Inspector-General Michael Bromwich, who is tasked with overhauling the troubled government agency. Critics, including President Barack Obama, have said the MMS has too often catered to the interests of the industry it is responsible for policing. A 2008 report from the Interior Department's inspector-general found MMS employees received improper gifts from energy industry representatives and engaged in illegal drug use and inappropriate sexual relations with them. The agency has been thrust into the spotlight since the April 20 explosion of the drill rig Deepwater Horizon that triggered the worst oil spill in U.S. history. As much as 60,000 barrels (2.5 million gallons) of oil may be gushing into the Gulf every day, government estimates found last week. Approximately 23,290 barrels of oil -- slightly more than 978,000 gallons -- were collected from the ruptured well in the 24-hour period ending at midnight Sunday, Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said Monday. "The BP oil spill has underscored the need for stronger oversight of offshore oil and gas operations, more tools and resources for aggressive enforcement, and a more effective structure for the agency that holds companies accountable," Bromwich said in a statement Monday. "We will move quickly and responsibly on our reforms." Also Monday, a federal judge in New Orleans said he is set to rule within the next two days on whether to lift the Interior Department-ordered moratorium on deepwater drilling. U.S. District Court Judge Martin Feldman said he will issue his decision between early Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon on whether to issue a preliminary injunction against the temporary ban. The six-month moratorium, instituted by the government last month, halts all drilling in more than 500 feet of water and prevents new permits from being issued. Backers say it is necessary while a safety review is conducted after the Deepwater Horizon explosion. Opponents dispute its necessity and call it economically devastating in a region that is already reeling. Hornbeck Offshore Services LLC, a company that provides boats and equipment to the offshore drilling industry, says in the lawsuit that the government has no evidence that existing operations pose a threat to the Gulf of Mexico. Hornbeck and other oil service companies named as plaintiffs in the case say they want a court to declare the moratorium invalid and unenforceable. The office of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has filed a friend of the court brief in support of the plaintiffs. Carl Rosenblum, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said Monday that the moratorium is "an unprecedented industry-wide shutdown with the stroke of a pen." "This is about industry survival for deepwater drilling in the Gulf," he said. Rosenblum said the airline industry was grounded for only three days after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Henry Dart, an attorney for the state of Louisiana, complained that Louisiana officials had not been consulted before the moratorium was enacted. "This is environmental disaster. Let's not make an economic disaster," he said. Brian Collins, an attorney for the Justice Department, insisted the suspension was necessary because it "assures the public time to evaluate safety measures." BP has agreed to set aside $100 million to compensate oil workers idled by the moratorium, company chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg said last week. A senior administration official told CNN on Monday the White House pushed for that compensation fund. "We believed we had legal means to push them on funds for workers affected by the moratorium, and they ultimately agreed to set $100 million aside," the official said. BP said in a statement Monday that costs from the disaster now total about $2 billion, including the cost of the response, containment, relief well drilling, grants to Gulf states, claims paid and federal costs. To date, more than 65,000 claims have been submitted and more than 32,000 payments totaling more than $105 million have been made, the company said. However, the man overseeing a $20 billion claims fund told CNN on Monday that he wants the claims payment process accelerated and its transparency increased. "We've got to get the claims out quicker, we've got to get them out with more transparency so claimants understand the status of their claim, and we've got to ease the burden on these folks in the Gulf," Kenneth Feinberg said during an interview with John Roberts on CNN's "American Morning." Emergency payments, he said, need to go out "with less corroboration than you would if you're giving a lump-sum payment that is the total compensation. For the emergency payments, we've got to err on the side of the plaintiff." Critics of the Obama administration have questioned Feinberg's independence, saying he is on the White House payroll as executive compensation czar. That is wrong, Feinberg said: "I'm not on the payroll. I'm doing the White House pay czar role pro bono, without compensation. ... I don't think anybody will ultimately question the independence of this program." BP, meanwhile, continues to struggle with its public relations efforts after the Gulf spill. Company CEO Tony Hayward, who was grilled during an appearance before Congress last week and then strongly criticized for attending a yacht race over the weekend, will not attend Tuesday's World National Oil Companies Congress in London, according to a BP spokesman. The spokesman cited Hayward's "commitment to the Gulf of Mexico relief effort" as the reason for his decision not to attend the meeting. CNN's Eric Marrapodi and Alan Silverleib contributed to this report .
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NEW: Minerals Management Service now called Bureau of Ocean Energy Management .
NEW: Agency's new head sworn in Monday .
NEW: Reform comes amid criticism of group's cozy relationship with energy representatives .
Federal judge set to rule on deepwater drilling moratorium .
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Tiffany Porter said she was inspired by the Mo and Jo effect to win gold in the 100m hurdles, praising the ‘feel good’ atmosphere in the Great Britain camp. ‘Hopefully this will kick start a further gold rush,’ she said after winning Britain’s seventh gold of the European Championships beneath the night skies of Zurich, . ‘What we’ve done so far is really special. What made a real difference was the talk that our captain Goldie Sayers gave on Monday night. She mentioned that we should go out and compete as this was our last championships and that really resonated with me. Flying the flag: Tiffany Porter of Great Britain poses with a Union Jack after winning gold in Zurich . Close finish: Porter crosses the finish line to claim gold ahead of Cindy Billaud and Cindy Roleder . Medals table: Great Britain top the charts at the end of competition on day two in Zurich . ‘On Tuesday what Jo Pavey did spurred us on and Mo’s victory before I raced was really special. I am really happy and honoured to come away with a medal like them.’ Porter became the first British female in history to win European gold in the sprint hurdles. The 26-year-old, originally from Michigan, was the fastest qualifier in the heats and the semi-final. She continued her dominance when it mattered, winning gold in 12.76sec. Porter got out of the blocks powerfully and maintained her lead over France’s Cindy Billaud, who finished strongly to take silver. The 26-year-old, who won World Championship bronze in Moscow last year and silver at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, said: ‘This is my first gold medal for Britain so I couldn’t be happier. I just focused on myself. ‘We all train to get the gold — I focused on my lane and performed well when it mattered the most.’ Germany’s Cindy Roleder took bronze in 12.82sec. Ashleigh Nelson, 23, burst into tears after becoming Britain’s first female sprinting medallist at the European Championships for 40 years, emulating 100m bronze won by Andrea Lynch in 1974. Head to head: Porter and Billaud of France compete in the women's 100m hurdles final . Front runner: Porter became the first British female to win European gold in sprint hurdles . Nelson, who describes herself as a tomboy who loves fashion, finished behind the versatile Dutch multi-eventer Dafne Schippers and France’s Myriam Soumare. She had run a pb to get to the final and clocked 11.22sec to clinch her first medal at a major championships. ‘I feel amazing as you can tell from the tears,’ she said, ‘I’m just so happy. My coach obviously knew what I was capable of. He said go into the final and give it everything and look what’s happened.’ All four GB one-lap specialists advanced to the final. The men — Martyn Rooney, Conrad Williams and Matt Hudson-Smith — all won their semi-finals. Hudson-Smith, who is the youngest of the trio at 19, was helped by veteran Rooney. Podium finish: Ashleigh Nelson of Great Britain celebrates bronze in the women's 100 metres final . Cool customer: Matt Hudson-Smith secured his progression through the men's 400m heats . ‘I had a few words of advice from Martyn saying just be comfortable, from my coach too who said just get to the final. I’ve got a lot of good people around me.’ Christine Ohuruogu won her 400m semi-final but looked laboured. ‘I didn’t feel fresh,’ she said, ‘But this is my first European Championships so I want to get a medal.’
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Porter became the first British female to win European gold in sprint hurdles .
The 26-year-old won in Zurich with a time of 12.76sec .
America-born athlete adds medal to World Championship bronze in Moscow last year and silver at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow .
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Washington (CNN) -- The U.S. government can use lethal force against an American citizen overseas if the person is a senior operational leader of al Qaeda or one of its affiliates, according to a Justice Department memo. The document, provided to select members of Congress last year, provides insights into the Obama administration's policy of targeted killings carried out by the use of drone strikes against suspected terrorists. Read more: The Danish agent, the Croatian blonde and the CIA plot . Several of those strikes have killed Americans, notably Anwar al-Awlaki, the Yemeni American who had been connected to plots against the United States but never charged with a crime. Awlaki died in a drone attack in September 2011 in Yemen. The 16-page white paper -- titled "Lawfulness of a Lethal Operation Directed Against a U.S. Citizen who is a Senior Operational Leader of Al Qaida or an Associated Force" -- is a policy paper rather than an official legal document. Read more: Anwar al-Awlaki: al Qaeda's rock star no more . The memo was given confidentially to members of the Senate Intelligence and Judiciary committees by the administration last June, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the intelligence panel chair, said in a statement. NBC News first reported on the contents on Tuesday. A congressional source verified the document's legitimacy to CNN. Details surfaced just days before the confirmation hearing for John Brennan, who has been nominated to head the CIA. Brennan has served as President Barack Obama's top counterterrorism adviser and is considered to be behind the administration's dramatic rise in the use of targeted killings against suspected terror suspects. Members of the Senate Intelligence Committee are expected to grill him on the policy at his hearing on Thursday. The memo stated that Americans abroad retain their constitutional rights to due process, but the government can use lethal force against a citizen under certain circumstances. These include: . - "Where an informed, high-level official of the U.S. government has determined that the targeted individual poses an imminent threat of violent attack against the United States." - "Where a capture operation would be infeasible -- and where those conducting the operation continue to monitor whether capture becomes feasible." - "Where such an operation would be conducted consistent with applicable law of war principles." But the document also said the government is not required "to have clear evidence" that an attack against the United States will occur in the immediate future to determine that an imminent threat is posed by a U.S. citizen. The memo cites both congressional authorization and judicial approval for the use of military force to counter the threat of terrorist attack by all individuals. Amanpour: Grandfather grieves teenage grandson killed by U.S. drone . The Supreme Court has held that the military may constitutionally use force against an American who is a part of enemy forces. The document dismissed arguments by commentators that the war against al Qaeda cannot extend outside of Afghanistan. It asserted that "the United States retains its authority to use force against al-Qaeda and associated forces outside the area of active hostilities when it targets a senior operational leader of the enemy force who is actively engaged in planning operations to kill Americans." The White House said questions around the issue are important and have been weighed against legal concerns and discussed publicly. "The attorney general made clear that in taking such a strike, the government must take into account all relevant constitutional considerations. But that under generations-old legal principles, and Supreme Court decisions, U.S. citizenship alone does not make a leader of an enemy force immune from being targeted," White House spokesman Jay Carney said on Tuesday, recalling a speech last year by Attorney General Eric Holder. The American Civil Liberties Union called the Justice Department document "profoundly disturbing." Hina Shamsi, the director of the ACLU's National Security Project, said, "It summarizes in cold legal terms a stunning overreach of executive authority, the claimed power to declare Americans a threat and kill them far from a recognized battlefield and without any judicial involvement before or after the fact." Shamsi called on the Obama administration to release the 50-page legal memo on which the white paper is based. A group of senators also called for the administration to release its legal opinions on presidential authority. "It is vitally important, however, for the Congress and the American public to have a full understanding of how the executive branch interprets the limits and boundaries of this authority so that Congress and the public can decide whether this authority has been properly defined and whether the president's power to deliberately kill American citizens is subject to appropriate limitations and safeguards," according to a letter the lawmakers sent to Obama on Monday. The letter is signed by Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, Mark Udall, D-Colorado, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, of the Intelligence Committee as well as Mike Lee, R-Utah; Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon; Dick Durbin, D-Illinois; Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont; Tom Udall, D-New Mexico; Mark Begich, D-Alaska; and Al Franken, D-Minnesota. Dianne Feinstein of California said in a statement that the Justice Department memo and other information has permitted the Intelligence Committee to conduct "appropriate and probing" oversight into the use of lethal force. "That oversight is ongoing, and the committee continues to seek the actual legal opinions by the Department of Justice that provide details not outlined in this particular white paper," Feinstein said.
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Justice Department memo sets out the conditions for using lethal force .
The 16-page document is a policy paper, not an official legal document .
"Clear evidence" of an imminent attack on the United States is not required .
NEW: White House says questions weighed against legal concerns, discussed publicly .
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ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- It was the music of rebellion and youth. Artists traded witty improvisations onstage chronicling the pain and the promise of being black in America, inspiring inner-city and rural Southern audiences alike in nightclubs and on street corners. Atlanta-based Jaspects fuses rap with jazz in hopes of preserving both genres and appealing to young people. That music was jazz. Today, Jaspects, an Atlanta-based group of young musicians who were born in the hip-hop era, fuse rap and jazz melodies to introduce younger audiences to jazz and the broader ideas regarding African-American society. For Jaspects, whose music has appeared in the movie "Hustle & Flow" and recently was featured in the CNN documentary series "Black in America," the lessons of jazz go beyond its artistic merits to questions about the ownership and control of black music in general. Veteran saxophonist Jimmy Heath, who has performed with nearly all the jazz greats of the last 50 years, says that the music called jazz today began as a voice of the repressed. "The history of jazz comes with the history of African-American people. Because whenever they were permitted, they always sang and played their music when they were in their own quarters, and eventually I think, when instruments were available, they started to play music on those instruments," Heath says. Jazz was born a raw and energetic rebuttal of what was musically acceptable at the time, and became the voice of a generation of African-American youth. Watch as Jaspect fuses hip-hop and jazz » . Terrence Brown, pianist and musical director for Jaspects, says hip-hop shares the same roots. "These people wanted to do more than just Bach and Beethoven. They didn't want to play history; they wanted to make history," Brown says. "I guess when jazz [and] the Harlem Renaissance began to give birth people really felt the need to express themselves and that is similar to how hip-hop was created." As jazz started to gain popularity outside of black America in the 1940s and gained an international following, many say the music became distanced from its cultural origins. In his exhaustive work on the African-American experience, "Africana," Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. writes that while black musicians were the principal innovators during this era, white musicians often reaped the fame and benefits and that "the black musicians who found greatest favor with whites were those with a happy-go-lucky air and a ready grin." With the exception of groups such as Jaspects, jazz today is considered by Brown and some others to be a "museum piece" that aged instead of evolving. Brown says hip-hop is following a similar route, and he says a major reason is a lack of ownership of the music. "Hopefully, there will come a time where a lot of African-Americans who do have money and do have the resources ... take over some of these corporations ... and not just have the No. 1 hit record on the charts, because that in itself will allow the community to give back to itself," Brown says. Rapper Nas, whose real name is Nasir Jones, made a provocative declaration with the release of his 2006 album, "Hip Hop Is Dead," that the genre "is dead because we no longer have the power." At the same time, there has been a rise of prominent black music executives such as Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Jay-Z, Russell Simmons and Jermaine Dupri. Jay-Z and P. Diddy, who earned $34 million and $32 million, respectively, in 2007, were named hip-hop's cash kings by Forbes magazine. Dupri, owner of record label So So Def Records and producer of hits for recording artists TLC, Usher and Mariah Carey, disagrees that corporate ownership is affecting black music for the worse. "They [corporations] have their input, but if you let the money guide you then, that's how you let them control you," says Dupri, who released his first book in 2007, "Young, Rich and Dangerous: The Making of a Music Mogul." "If you are driven by money, then the backers that are giving you the money tell you what to do." Dupri says that there are not enough African Americans who are in control of the music business, and that education has a lot to do with it. "That's a lot of the problem. It's always been something that lot of people can get in quick without really doing anything, without learning, but you have to learn everything about it," Dupri says. Brown says he's hopeful that the rise of black leadership in music will have a positive impact on the community. "We need to get to a place where we own our own things as African-Americans and a place that the things we do generate money for our own communities," Brown says. "Not only that, but that we generate a sense of culture, style and substance for our community." Jaspects and groups like them are hoping to change things a little. Using hip-hop, the music of rebellion and youth in 2008, they are introducing jazz to a new generation -- to tell its story, preserve its artistry and learn its lessons.
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Atlanta-based group Jaspects fuses rap, jazz to attract younger audiences .
Hip-hop, like jazz, is at risk of not evolving due to lack of ownership, some say .
Producer Jermaine Dupri says there aren't enough black execs in music business .
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Lewis Hamilton admitted he 'enjoyed the ride' as he won and extended his championship lead at a wet Suzuka - but it was a serious injury to Marussia's Jules Bianchi which overshadowed the Japanese Grand Prix. Rain had long-threatened the running of a grand prix which could yet prove pivotal in Hamilton's title battle with Mercedes team-mate and pole sitter Nico Rosberg as the Brit outpaced his nearest rival to finish the shortened race in front. A red flag had stopped the action after just two laps as - despite starting the race behind the safety car - the heavy rain being pushed over Suzuka by Typhoon Phanfone continued to fall. Lewis Hamilton said he and his F1 colleagues are praying for Jules Bianchi who was injured on Sunday . Once the race had restarted there followed a prolonged dry spell during which time Hamilton caught and passed Rosberg on lap 29 before disappearing into the distance. The race would not be completed, however, as the rain returned and saw driving conditions deteriorate, with Bianchi crashing out late on to see the red flags return. The 25-year-old Frenchman aquaplaned and left the track in the same place where Sauber's Adrian Sutil had suffered a similar fate on the previous lap. Bianchi was understood to have crashed into the recovery vehicle that was in the process of removing Sutil's car and, with an ambulance deployed, the race was halted after 44 laps and Hamilton declared the winner. Jules Bianchi was taken to hospital after crashing in wet conditions at the Japanese Grand Prix . Medics rush to the aid of French driver Jules Bianchi after an accident during the Japanese Grand Prix - his Marussia car spun off the track and hit a recovery vehicle . The victory moves the 2008 champion 10 points ahead of Rosberg with four races remaining but Hamilton, as well as all of his fellow drivers, was subdued in the aftermath of Bianchi's incident which had seen the Marussia driver knocked unconscious and taken to hospital. 'It's been an interesting weekend,' said Hamilton. 'Our first thoughts go to Jules - it overshadows everything else when one of our colleagues is injured and we are praying for him. Next to this, the race result doesn't seem significant at all. 'Generally the car was absolutely fantastic through the race and once I passed Nico I was able to really manage the gap and enjoy the ride. Obviously it didn't finish the way we would have hoped but really, my prayers are with Bianchi and his family.' Rosberg, who could not convert an eighth pole position of the season into the win which would have put him top of the standings, conceded Hamilton had been better than him on the day. 'Congratulations to Lewis for winning today,' he said. 'Of course my thoughts at the moment are with our colleague Jules because it seems quite serious, so I really wish him all the best. 'All in all, Lewis just did a better job than me today and deserves to win. Second place is damage limitation and taking everything into consideration, it was very difficult conditions...so seven points lost to Lewis, there is worse than that.' Sebastian Vettel completed the podium on the weekend the four-time world champion revealed he would be leaving Red Bull at the end of the season. He edged out team-mate Daniel Ricciardo who finished fourth ahead of the McLaren of Jenson Button, who had profited from an early pit-stop onto the quicker intermediate tyre. Bianchi's father told French television that his son's condition is 'critical' and he is undergoing surgery for head injuries. The 25-year-old is pictured doing a lap of the rain soaked track before the race . The Williams pair of Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa finished sixth and seventh respectively, whilst Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez also scored points - with the Toro Rosso of Jean-Eric Vergne sandwiched between the Force India duo in ninth, despite having taken a 10-place grid penalty for a new power unit. Daniil Kvyat has been announced as Vettel's replacement for 2015 and the sister Toro Rosso came home 11th ahead of the sole-remaining Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen as Fernando Alonso retired early on with an electrical fault. Esteban Gutierrez came home a respectable 13th for Sauber, with the second McLaren of Kevin Magnussen also finishing ahead of the Lotus' of Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado. Marcus Ericsson took 17th place for Caterham, with Bianchi's team-mate Max Chilton 18th and home favourite Kamui Kobayashi bringing up the rear.
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Lewis Hamilton admits he 'enjoyed the ride as he won Japanese Grand Prix .
However, race was overshadowed by serious injury to Jules Bianchi .
Marussia driver span off a rain-soaked track and into a recovery vehicle clearing up an earlier crash .
Hamilton revealed everyone was praying for Bianchi .
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Martin 'Mad Dog' Allen returns with . the latest installment of his weekly column for MailOnline Sport. The . Barnet boss does not hold back with his views on current issues in . football. THE BOY NEEDS HELP . As a manager you're dealing with problems and situations with your players day in day out. Many of them you keep out of the public eye if possible. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Uruguay fans wearing Luis Suarez masks after he was banned . Hungry: Luis Suarez was banned for four months by FIFA after biting Giorgio Chiellini on Tuesday . I prefer to try my utmost to get them help, support and guidance with the assistance of the Professional Footballers' Association and the Sporting Chance Clinic. Luis Suarez has quite clearly got some major issues going on in his life which he and Liverpool have to face up to. He fell into Giorgio Chiellini? That's rubbish. Hold your hands up. Admit you've got issues. Sit down and deal with them. His rabid, animal-type behaviour is unacceptable. It reminds me a couple of weeks ago when I was on holiday and a little boy had his ice cream snatched out of his hand by his older brother. Loose cannon: Suarez should make the most of the help available through the PFA and Sporting Chance Clinic . VIDEO I didn't mean to bite - Suarez . The little kid chomped his older brother's arm and just walked off. Maybe Luis had his ice cream nicked off him when he was a little kid! Whatever is the reason for his biting habit, he needs sort it out. LUIS IS BAD, BUT IT COULD BE WORSE . Australian rugby league player Anthony Watts was accused of biting an opponent in the unmentionables last year. It was in a Gold Coast league game between Tugun Seahawks and Bilambil Jets. I was reading about it in a newspaper while on holiday. Watts denied it, but he was handed an eight-match ban. Ouch: Anthony Watts was accused of biting an oppenent's genitals during an Australian rugby league match . Banned: Watts denied the offence but was suspended for eight matches after the incident . SAINTS STRIPPED . At the end of last season it looked like a very exciting time to be a Southampton supporter, player or member of staff. Now new manager Ronald Koeman is faced with a very tough task. With Nicola Cortese leaving six months ago, Rickie Lambert gone to Liverpool, Luke Shaw to Manchester United, with Adam Lallana set for Liverpool and Morgan Schneiderlin looking on his way to Arsenal, those core, key players will be very difficult to replace. The owner, Katharina Liebherr, will be absolutely delighted to have banked more than £60m. But for Southampton fans it is worrying times for them after an incredible ride over the last few years. I fear, unless Koeman works miracles, they won't be far off relegation next season. Summer sale: Luke Shaw is among the Southampton stars to secure a move away from the club . WORLD CUP WOES . The World Cup is an amazing event, but with England out it really does gnash me off. It's just not the same when we're not in it anymore and all the players have come home. Who will win it? I think it'll be the Germans. They are disciplined, honest, mobile, athletic, can defend set plays, are strong in the air and they have a team spirit that will continue to grind out results. A lot of people are backing Brazil, and I'm sure they will go close, but at some point David Luiz will make a massive mistake – he always does – and that'll be it for them. Always deliver: Martin Allen has backed Germany to go on and win the World Cup . My week... My last week on holiday has been spent constantly on the phone, trying to find players through their agents to put a decent team together at Barnet. A manager never rests. The job never stops. We're starting pre-season on Thursday and all my focus is trying to build a team, like a jigsaw puzzle. I'm trying to put together all the ingredients for success. When signing players, you're trying to find speed, experience, good character, reliability, a few personalities, a few on their way out, a couple on their way down. As Harry Redknapp once said to me, you can't have 11 choir boys in your team.
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Liverpool striker Suarez must accept that he needs to face up to his issues .
An Australian rugby league player was last year accused of biting an opponent's genitals .
Southampton will need to work miracles to overcome their summer exodus .
Germany should be favourites to win the World Cup .
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A man has died after a cement truck crashed into a car and caught fire in Port Melbourne early this morning. The truck and car collided at about 5.30am near Lorimer Street and the Bolte Bridge. It is reported the truck careered into a tree and its fuel tank, which sits behind the driver's seat, burst into flames on impact. The driver of the Cement Australia truck was killed, the driver's compartment completely destroyed in the blaze. The driver of the car, a man believed to be in his twenties, escaped uninjured. Scroll down for video . A long-time employee of Cement Australia has been killed when a truck collided with a car and a tree on Bolte Bridge in Port Melbourne this morning . Nine fire trucks rushed to the scene to contain the blaze. The truck driver's compartment was completely destroyed when the fuel tank behind the driver's seat caught fire . Nine fire trucks and 35 firefighters rushed to contain the blaze. Authorities have warned of traffic congestion between Graham street and Hall Street this morning as they clean up the crash site. Fire crews say there is no risk of explosion but warn commuters to stay clear of toxic black smoke filling the air. The driver of the car escaped unharmed . Commuters are warned to stay clear of toxic black smoke clouds from the disaster . Authorities warn of traffic delays as firefighters clean up the crash scene this morning . Fire crews said there is no risk of the truck exploding as police takeover the investigation into the crash .
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A man has died after a truck collided with a car and burst into flames .
35 firefighters rushed to contain the blaze at the crash site in Port Melbourne .
The driver of the car escaped without injuries .
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New York (CNN) -- In her "uniform" of a crisp, classic white shirt, Carolina Herrera exudes the kind of elegance and easy grace that has defined her fashion label for more than 30 years. It's a look that has been sought after by some of the world's leading ladies, from style icon Jackie Onassis to actress Renee Zellweger and comedian Tina Fey, who stepped out in a navy Herrera gown at this year's Oscars. Herrera's rise to the top of the cutthroat world of fashion started in 1981, when she launched her flagship Carolina Herrera brand in New York. Today, her empire encompasses the signature fashion collection, a bridal collection, fragrances and accessories. Herrera has more than 280 stores in 104 countries and all this brings in billions of dollars. Herrera says she was more interested in horses than fashion growing up in Caracas, Venezuela, where here father was Governor. But adds that she was lucky to always be surrounded by exquisitely dressed women. Today, the women in her life include her four daughters, two of whom also work for the Carolina Herrera brand. Here, Herrera speaks exclusively to CNN about style, business, family and getting ahead in a man's world. On building a business ... (Fashion is) a very difficult business, as you know, because fashion is a business. If you don't sell, then you are not in the business. You might be the best designer and you are so creative and new, have the most beautiful ideas, but if they all stay in your room and they don't go out to be worn by someone, then you are not in business. The most difficult (part) of this business is to have the right teams, because I (could not have done) everything I have done alone. If I (didn't) have my teams behind me, I wouldn't be sitting here. Fashion is a collaboration with many people. More from Leading Women: Women-only hotel floors take off . On the Herrera team ... I have a team, a fantastic president who takes care of the numbers of the company. If you ask me to take care of that side, I would be sitting there crying because I don't know what to do. If I ask her to design clothes, she wouldn't know how to do (it). But I always tell the young designers that you have to separate the creative side with the business side. You have to have somebody very capable to run the business side. Because then, you're successful. On style ... Style is something so different in everyone. But a style is something that you do that is totally different from the other or something that you're wearing that is the same as the other person but it looks different on you. It's a special touch. Some people have it and some people cannot. On juggling work and family life ... We women manage to do many things at the same time. Men, no. Men do one thing at a time. I see my husband say 'why are you doing all these at the same time? You're going to do something wrong here.' I say, 'No.' Because women, we are able to do that. Because we have children; we have to work sometime; we run a house; we have a husband and everything works. It's a question of organizing yourself. More from Leading Women: Women! Embrace your inner geek . On the Carolina Herrera brand ... I think women in Carolina Herrera ... I like them to be sophisticated and I like them to be classic with a modern twist. You can be dressed by Carolina Herrera New York, but you can have the accessories from CH and it's like a lifestyle. On dressing for your age and figure ... It's about finding the style for the right figure or the right age. Sometimes you see women that don't realize that age is changing your style, and they don't change. What you wore when you were 15 doesn't look that well when you're 30 and certainly looks terrible when you're older. So, you have to change with the times. It's the same thing with a fuller figure or a very thin one. On the white blouse ... The white shirt is one of the easiest things to wear, because you can dress it up or you can wear it with jeans or you can wear it with a ball gown. I mean with a ball skirt. It's so easy. For me it's like a security blanket. When I don't know what to wear, I say a white blouse. You can give your own look to it. More from Leading Women: Interactive: Power in the boardroom: Women versus men . On fashion egos ... You have to deal with the fashion egos. You know, there is a lot. It shouldn't be treated that seriously because fashion is only making dresses to make women look beautiful. We're not inventing anything new. On her inspiration ... The inspiration comes from things that you have seen all your life. Sometimes you see collections that are inspired by the '20s and the '30s and the '40s and the '50s. That means fashion is a repetition of ideas. It's the way you put it together that makes it modern ... On her managerial style ... I don't think I like to go around shouting. I don't believe in this. I believe that you have to treat the people who work with you like your family. On advice for women going into fashion ... First of all you have to love it. Second you have to remember that it's not going to be easy. You have a lot of problems. You have to have perseverance. You have to do it even if it doesn't work and you have to keep going. You have to be strong about it. They have to have the talent to do it, because without talent, how can you do fashion?
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I like to be classic with a modern twist, says fashion designer .
The key to building a successful brand is separating creative and business sides .
Style is something different in everyone, Herrera says .
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By . Louise Boyle for MailOnline . Shawna Lynn Palmer, 22, has been charged with defrauding an insurance company after . An aspiring beauty queen is facing fraud charges after she claimed she was unable to work her grocery-store job because of a fractured toe - before being spotted in high heels at a pageant. Shawna Lynn Palmer, 22, has been charged with defrauding an insurance company after she told her employer, Stater Bros grocery store in Riverside, California, that she was unable to work because of a painful foot injury. She went to the doctor in March and was told to keep weight off the injury and given a pair of crutches. However a few days later she was posing in her bikini- and a pair of towering stilettos - at a Long Beach beauty pageant. Palmer then went back to the doctor for a second visit where she claimed, according to the California Department of Insurance, that she could not put any weight on her foot or wear shoes. The 22-year-old was told to take several weeks off work - which she used to compete in yet more beauty pageants. On July 3, she posted a picture of herself on Facebook winning third place at a Harley Davidson bikini contest, wearing a black bikini and a pair of black stilettos. Under the grinning snap, she thanked her family, friends and boyfriend for their support. Palmer is facing three felony counts of defrauding an insurance company and was released on $5,000 bail. Palmer (pictured fourth from left) at a California beauty pageant in July, boasted on social media that she won third place in this competition, all the while claiming compensation from her workplace for a foot injury . She faces a year in jail and up to three years on probation if found guilty. She will also have to pay back the $24,000. Byron Tucker, who works with the state's deputy insurance commissioner, told KTLA: 'People might want to say here's a young lady who had beauty and bravado in making these claims, but it really didn't add up on the brains side of it.' Mr Tucker said it was easy to build a case against her because of her widespread social networking. The 22-year-old (pictured here in a pageant days after she obtained a sick note for work) is facing a year in prison and repaying the $24,000 she owes .
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Shawna Lynn Palmer, 22, has been charged with defrauding an insurance company after she received $24,000 for her injury .
Days after she went to the doctor to get crutches, she was on-stage performing in a beauty pageant in Long Beach, California .
She faces up to a year in jail and three years on probation .
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Like most people who lose a beloved pet, Nicole Green is grieving for her cat Poppy. The playful tabby arrived in Nicole’s life 15 years ago as a lively kitten and soon became a big part of her family. ‘Poppy was always such a boisterous little thing,’ says Nicole, 38, an insurance underwriter from Epping, Essex. ‘She loved being out in the garden and every summer I’d look out of the window and see her flying through the air trying to catch butterflies. Then at night she’d be so loving and would curl up close to me on my bed. That’s the thing I miss most, our snuggle time.’ Mourning: Nicole Green, 38, is grieving for her cat Poppy, 15, who was diagnosed with dementia last December . Nicole, who is married to James, 31, a fireman, and has three children, Macey, 14, Archie, seven, and George, eight weeks, admits that she wells up when she reminisces about her pet. But Poppy isn’t dead. She is one of more than 1.3 million British cats and dogs with dementia, which has a devastating effect on their lives — and those of their owners. ‘Every night it takes me two or three hours to try to settle her to sleep because she’s so distressed and doesn’t know where she is,’ says Nicole. ‘She’ll miaow loudly and pace up and down for ages before she sleeps. ‘In the morning I’ll come downstairs and whereas before she used to jump off the table and come purring around my legs, now she simply doesn’t respond. She just stares blankly back at me and it’s obvious she has no idea who I am. It breaks my heart. ‘She never used to have toilet accidents but now it happens most nights. Sometimes when the back door opens she will wander outside and I feel a huge sense of panic because if she gets lost, she won’t be able to find her way home again. She can’t even find her bowl.’ Snuggle time: Nicole cuddling Poppy (left) and Poppy as a kitten (right) Recent research from the University of Edinburgh found that half of all cats over the age of 15 and a third of those aged 11 to 14 suffer from dementia. Another study found that 41 per cent of dogs aged 14 and over and 23 per cent of those aged 12 and over also suffer. Although most studies so far have focused on cats and dogs, owners are reporting behaviour similar to dementia in a variety of animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs and even parrots. If your pet is eight or older, and you answer yes to one or more of these questions, consult your vet: . Does your pet pace or wander aimlessly, finding it hard to settle? Does it stare blankly as if unaware of surroundings? Does it fail to recognise or respond to familiar people such as family and friends? Does it get lost or confused in the home or garden? Is it forgetful — for example, forgetting to go to the toilet or repeatedly seeking attention? Does it vocalise repeatedly or for no reason? The irony is that the disease is actually a result of domestic animals living beyond their natural life expectancy, as loving owners pay out for expensive food, medication and surgery to keep their pets alive. ‘The main form of dementia in animals is called Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, which is a degenerative brain disease remarkably similar to Alzheimer’s in humans,’ explains Jon Bowen, Honorary Lecturer in Small Animal Behaviour at the Royal Veterinary College, London. ‘As with humans, areas of the brain stop working properly which leads to problems with learning, memory, sleep patterns, social interaction and continence.’ Bowen believes that, just as humans are increasingly suffering from dementia due to our rising life expectancy, our pets are being stricken by the disease because they are living longer than ever. The average dog now lives to the age of 12 and a cat to 14. So, to some extent, animal-loving owners are responsible for the rise in dementia. ‘Years ago we weren’t seeing pets live until 17 or 18 years of age and nowadays we do,’ says Mr Bowen. ‘Their brains aren’t evolved to live so long — they wear out.’ The rise is so sudden that animal insurer Petplan recently revealed claims for vet appointments regarding dementia have increased by 23 per cent for dogs and 48 per cent for cats over the last three years. Michael Davies, Associate Professor in Small Animal Clinical Practice at the University of Nottingham, says — as with humans — experts are still in the dark as to why some animals are afflicted and not others. ‘Loss of cognitive function with age in dogs and cats is associated with similar structural changes in the brain to people — an accumulation of a protein called amyloid in the brain tissue. ‘The amyloid accumulates within the nerve cells in the brain, altering how it functions.’ Heartache: Nicole says the affect of dementia on your pet, and your life as an owner, can be devastating . Nicole found out that Poppy had dementia . last December. Vets usually diagnose the condition after hearing about . the change in the pet’s behaviour, and undertaking a full physical . examination and a range of tests. Loving friend: As Poppy is not in pain Nicole and her family plan to make her comfortable until the end . Putting down a pet with serious dementia may be an option, particularly if they are in physical pain or injuring themselves. However, it is not always the kinder option, as senile pets can live perfectly comfortable lives. ‘Some days Poppy doesn’t even remember what she likes eating any more,’ says Nicole. ‘A few weeks ago she left a bowl of her favourite cat food and went into the living room and lapped baked beans off my son’s plate. She never liked them before. She also gets disorientated and walks round and round the garden like she’s trying to get her bearings. ‘Three months ago Poppy managed to squeeze through a gap in the fence and I found her wondering in the grounds of the local hospital looking lost. ‘We were told that there’s no medication we can give her. She’s not in pain so the kindest thing is to make her comfortable at home and spoil her. I’ll be her best friend to the end. She has been a loving friend to me.’ As well as the one million cats with dementia in the UK, there are 300,000 dogs who suffer from the condition, too. Janice Care’s 12-year-old Airedale terrier, Zoe, was diagnosed a year ago. ‘She was such an energetic and playful little dog,’ says Janice, 45, a housewife who is married to Steve, 48, a furniture manufacturer, and mum to Jade, 21, Rosie, 18 and Freddie, 16. ‘As she got older, she started to sleep more. Then a year ago we noticed her bumping into furniture and getting lost on walks, which was heartbreaking. Heartbroken: Janice Care, 45, and her Airedale terrier Zoe, 12, who was diagnosed with dementia a year ago . ‘We took her for a check-up and discovered she’d gone partially deaf and blind in her old age. ‘But something still didn’t add up and six months later Zoe started behaving oddly and barking for no reason.’ Janice, from Ongar, Essex, took Zoe back to the vet, who diagnosed dementia. ‘We weren’t told about any medication that could help Zoe so we just got on with caring for her ourselves. It helps that we also have Darcie, a three-year-old schnoodle (a cross between a schnauzer and a poodle), and she encourages Zoe to get up and play. She even helps guide her round the house.’ Elderly pets: Zoe is one of 300,00 dogs in the UK who suffer from the condition, with 41 per cent of dogs aged over 14 suffering and 23 per cent of those aged 12 and over . Alison Stratford, 56, a research manager from Bracknell, Berkshire, cares for her mother Glenys, 88, who has Alzheimer’s. Alison realised her 20-year-old cat Toffee had dementia when he started displaying similar symptoms to her mother. Cat protection: Alison, 56, with her cat Toffee, 20 (left) and Toffee as a young cat (right) ‘My mother would often eat her dinner, I’d take the plate away, then sit down to eat mine and she’d shout and ask me, “Where’s my dinner?” She thought she hadn’t had it and wanted it again. ‘Toffee would do the same. He’d eat his dinner and instead of curling up and sleeping, he’d go back and stand by his bowl and miaow for it all over again. ‘I volunteer as a welfare officer for Cat Protection and I’m trained in cat health so my heart sank. I knew it was dementia.’ Surprisingly, despite the rise in pet dementia, it often goes under-reported by vets. Symptoms: Alison recognised Toffee was suffering from dementia because he started displaying similar behavior to Alison's mother, a dementia sufferer . ‘We may be detecting only about one in eight cases because signs of dementia just aren’t visible in a consultation,’ says Jon Bowen. ‘We rely on owners to spot the signs and tell us. If you diagnose a senile pet early, you can get in quickly and start treating them sooner with much better results. Just six months can see a pet decline rapidly.’ Some owners say pet dementia can be slowed down using games to exercise and stimulate their animals, although there is no cure. Gently stroking Poppy, who is now purring softly, Nicole knows only too well the heartache of suddenly ‘losing’ a pet to dementia. She says: ‘This is something every animal lover should be aware of. The impact on your pet — and your own life — can be devastating.’
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Nicole Green's cat Poppy is one of 1.3m UK cats and dogs with dementia .
Half of all cats aged over 15 suffer from dementia, and 41 per cent of dogs aged over 14 .
Janice Care's dog Zoe was diagnosed with dementia last year .
Pets are being stricken by the disease because of rising life expectancy .
Research shows that rabbits, guinea pigs and parrots also suffer .
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By . Harriet Hernando for MailOnline . Six years of construction of the One World Trade Center has been condensed into a fascinating two-minute timelapse video. Brooklyn based photographer Benjamin Rosamond took around 30,000 photographs of the 104-storey building from the day construction began in 2006 to the day when the final beam was laid in 2012. He painstakingly compressed 1,100 photos to create the two-minute timelapse video which shows the 541 metre skyscraper emerging from the Manhattan skyline as the years pass. The New York building, which dominates the skyline and is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, can be seen from miles around. One of the most visible, politicised and high profile buildings in the world, the One World Trade Center, which was built after the September 11 terrorist attack , lies on Ground Zero. For years the site lay abandoned as authorities and victims' families argued over the design. Eventually, a compromise was forged and the building was designed part memorial, part commercial centre and part transportation hub. The construction of the One World Trade Center in New York was captured by photographer Benjamin Rosamond who took 30,000 images and compressed 1,100 of them into a two-minute time lapse video . Benjamin Rosamond's camera clicked away both day and night as he collected images of the One World Trade Center to package into a tiny two-minute video showing its construction over six years . Once plans were agreed and politics put aside, the construction of the building, which is known colloquially as The Freedom Tower, stepped up. In the final two years of construction, a new floor went up every week. And with it, came a robust security measures designed to withstand a terrorist attack on a building which has already been targeted twice in the past. The One World Trade Centre can be seen mid way through construction. Building took six years while the authorities and families of the victims decided what the purpose of the skyscraper should be . The emerging One World Trade Center is mid construction and sits level with the Empire State Building on the Manhattan skyline . The first 20 storeys of the tower are a windowless concrete block strong enough to withstand the blast of a truck bomb, taking into account the 1993 bombing where Ramzi Yousef drove a truck filled with 1,500 pounds of explosives into the underground garage of the North Tower. The blast opened a 30 metre hole in the building and six people were killed, while 50,000 workers took hours to evacuate the building. Meanwhile the glass which smashed and fell to the ground like knives during the September 11 attack is now shatter-proof. Stairs and elevator shafts have their own ventilations systems and one staircase has been reserved for the emergency services only. All of this was captured in Mr Rosamund's two minute video, highlighting the astonishing amount of time and energy that has gone into building one of the world's most recognisable buildings. The One World Trade Center officially opened in 2014 and houses the likes of Conde Nast Publications .
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Brooklyn photographer Benjamin Rosamond took 30,000 photographs .
As day turns to night the 104-storey building rises higher and higher .
Created fascinating time-lapse showing skyline returning to former glory .
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Tom Cleverley part-exchanged his custom-engraved Manchester United watch – and you can buy it for £17,500. The midfielder, who is on loan at Aston Villa from Old Trafford, sold his one-of-a-kind United timepiece to a pawnbroker in Blackpool. Cleverley appears to have cashed in on the Hublot watch which is engraved with his name and United squad number of 23 after the Old Trafford club entered into a sponsorship deal with a different manufacturer, Bulova. Tom Cleverley's one-of-a-kind Manchester United watch is for sale . The back of the Hublot watch is engraved with Cleverley's name and Man United squad number of 23 . The pawnbroker who is now selling the watch hopes to get £17,500 for it . Cleverley (left) joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan in the summer . Cleverley (left) started the season playing for Manchester United before leaving on loan for Villa . The Blackpool-based pawnbroker is looking to sell the watch for £17,500 and advertising it as the only one ever made. Cleverley has been at Manchester United since he joined as an 11-year-old back in 2000, but looks like his career at Old Trafford may have come to an end after he signed for Villa on a season-long loan deal. The midfielder has featured in five games for Villa this season – but only been on the winning side once, in his first game against Liverpool. Like our Manchester United Facebook page. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
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Tom Cleverley sells his custom Hublot watch to a pawnbroker .
Blackpool-based pawnbroker lists watch for £17,500 .
Cleverley left Manchester United for Aston Villa on a season-long loan .
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By . Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 11:04 EST, 15 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:43 EST, 15 February 2014 . Olympic skicross racer Maria Komissarova of Russia has undergone a 6½-hour operation on her broken and dislocated spine following a serious training accident at Sochi on Saturday. Russian freestyle ski federation spokesman Mikhail Verzeba said Komissarova fractured the 12th dorsal vertebrae in her lower-middle back and was taken to a hospital near the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park for emergency surgery. So serious was her condition, Komissarova could not be transported to Moscow. 'The operation is over ... it's been successful,' Verzeba said. 'When our doctor discusses everything with the hospital medics, we are going to issue a statement and post it on our site.' Maria Komissarova broke and dislocated her spine during an Olympic training accident at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, and was taken into emergency surgery . Maria Komissarova races during the official training session for the Audi FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup Skier Cross race on December 22, 2012 in San Candido, Italy . The International Olympic Committee was monitoring the situation. President Thomas Bach said: 'Our thoughts are with the athlete and we wish her a full and speedy recovery.' The 23-year-old Komissarova was practicing for next Friday's contest on a sunny morning on the 1,200-meter course, which has nine banked turns and 25 jumps. In the main competition, six skiers race against each other, with the top three advancing through heats until the final. Normally during practice runs, skiers are on the course themselves, or traveling down the mountain in loosely packed bunches. Jenny Wiedeke, spokeswoman for the International Ski Federation, said the accident occurred on a series of jumps near the top of the course and that Komissarova fell while exiting the third jump. She was taken by sled to the medical services tent, and from there to the hospital. Maria Komissarova (left) pictured with some of her Sochi teammates. The 23-year-old has been forced to bow out of the Olympics after a serious spinal injury . Team doctors decided to do the surgery immediately instead of transporting Komissarova down the mountain. Komissarova is ranked 33rd in the current World Cup standings and recovered from a leg injury last year to qualify for the Olympics. Her best World Cup finish was a second-place at a race in Switzerland in 2012. At the same event, Canadian skicross racer Nik Zoricic suffered fatal head injuries in a crash near the final jump of a heat in the men's race. 'Nik's death wasn't anything that happened with contact,' American racer John Teller said. 'But we all understand how dangerous it is.' Maria Komissarova, 23, as seen in a photo from her official Facebook page . Teller said the biggest concern for any skicross racer comes during the racing part, not training or qualifications, which are individual runs down the mountain. He said most of the competitors had been complimentary of the course setup for the Sochi Games but labeled it a 'bigger course'. 'It's like a North American style course,' he said. 'We race skicross all year long in Europe. They tend to be smaller courses. I feel like this course is more of an X Games style of course.'
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Maria Komissarova, 23, sustained serious injuries during a pre-game training accident in Sochi on Saturday .
She fell while exiting a jump and suffered a fracture of the spine with a dislocation .
Her condition prevented her from being transported to Moscow .
She underwent immediate surgery .
While representatives say it was successful, her condition is not known.
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Two fisherman have had a frightening brush with fate after their small fishing boat was stalked by a six-metre long crocodile. Andy Thomsen and a friend were fly fishing from their dinghy in the Hinchenbrook Channel in far north Queensland at the weekend when they spotted the monster croc. The crocodile stalked them along the river over 40 minutes before emerging just two metres from their boat. Scroll down for video . Andy Thomsen and a friend were fly fishing from their dinghy in the Hinchenbrook Channel in far north Queensland at the weekend when they spotted the monster croc . Mr Thomsen, who managed to catch the encounter on camera, had to move his boat twice in order to get away but the crocodile kept following them. 'He came right up to us and eyeballed us. His head was about 80 centimetres long,' he told the ABC. 'I do see a few big crocodiles, but (this) is the closest and most worrying I've ever had. It scared the hell out of us. My heart was just going.' The crocodile stalked them along the river over 40 minutes before emerging just two metres from their boat . The experienced fisherman said he was unsure whether to approach the motor to try and get away or just sit tight on the boat. The pair ended up yelling at the crocodile and shooing it away. Mr Thomsen, who managed to catch the encounter on camera, had to move his boat twice in order to get away but the crocodile kept following them . Mr Thomsen and a friend, who managed to catch the encounter on camera, had to move the boat twice in order to get away but the crocodile kept following them . The pair first spotted the monster croc in some mangroves before it started to follow their boat. 'He could quite easily lunge two metres,' Mr Thomsen said. 'If we had been in a smaller boat or a kayak this crocodile would have attacked us for sure trying to maintain dominance in its territory.'
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Andy Thomsen and a friend were fly fishing in far north Queensland at the weekend when they spotted the monster croc .
The six-metre croc stalked the seasoned fishermen over a 40 minute period .
The pair ended up yelling at the crocodile and shooing it away .
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Piers Morgan says that England captain Wayne Rooney 'likes a drink', and claims he once saw the Manchester United striker fall over into a plant pot when he was drunk. Morgan alleges the incident happened in the summer of 2012 when Rooney and his wife Coleen were visiting him in Los Angeles. The star striker, already the worse for wear before midnight, then got up and went to a nightclub until five in the morning, claims Morgan. Wayne Rooney scored for Manchester United against Swansea on Sunday in the Premier League . Piers Morgan alleges the England captain fell into a plant pot when he was out drinking in 2012 . Piers Morgan told Clare Balding that the England captain 'likes a drink' and is an 'hilarious character' 'He's an absolutely hilarious character and he likes a drink,' Morgan told the Clare Balding show. 'So we had a few drinks, and we had a few more drinks. 'We get to about 11.30pm, and he gets to go up to leave and trips backwards into a large olive tree pot. Wayne Rooney celebrates after winning the 2011 Premier League with Manchester United . Wayne and Colleen Rooney leave a team bonding meal and drinks in Manchester on Wednesday night . 'And he's lying, trapped in this pot, and Coleen just looked down at him and went "for God's sake Wayne, let's get you home". 'So I assumed he was going home, then I woke up in the morning and checked my Twitter feed and there was one from Coleen, from 5am, from Bababoom nightclub in West Hollywood saying "having a great time with Wayne". So they party those two.'
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Piers Morgan had dinner with Wayne and Coleen Rooney in 2012 .
Morgan claims Rooney was so drunk he fell into an olive tree pot .
Manchester United star got up and went to a Hollywood club until 5am .
Wayne and Coleen Rooney like to party claims Morgan .
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An eBay seller last night revealed her horror at accidentally including a naked view of herself when she posted a picture of a dress for sale on the website. Aimi Jones, 21, hung the mustard yellow skater dress by ASOS on her wardrobe door to photograph it for listing. But she failed to notice her own reflection in the door mirror, camera in hand, and in just a black bra and no knickers. The post soon went viral and now the blunder has sparked a flurry of fake eBay sale ads for the yellow dress with fictional characters accidentally making an appearance. Mirror, mirror: Aimi Jones, from Oxfordshire, did not realise she had captured herself half-naked in a mirror when she snapped the dress to sell on eBay . Bit more demure: She re-listed the item on eBay . and this time covered up with a black coat. It has attracted bids of . £153, 911 so far . One eBay user went to the added effort . of posting several pictures featuring James McAvoy in his role as Mr . Tumnus in the first Chronicles of Narnia film modelling the yellow dress . The original image and mock-ups have since been shared on Twitter with the hash tag #ebayyellowskaterdress. Miss Jones, from Oxfordshire, told The Sun: 'It's so embarrassing. It is such a dizzy, stupid thing to do and now the whole world's seen me in the nude. 'I put it on eBay last Saturday morning and realised straight away so ended the sale. But what I didn't realise was that people could still it on the site. 'I reported it to eBay and they took it down, but by then it had gone viral. My boyfriend Andy thinks the whole thing is hilarious.' Internet hit: Copycat hoaxers have posted their . own versions of the original eBay blunder - but this joke ad featuring . James McAvoy as Mr Tumnus in the first Chronicles of Narnia film only . attracted a top bid of £9.50 . A dress for all occasions: The eBay user also helpfully posted a selection of pics of Mr Tumnus showing the dress off in a variety of locations . The new listing read: 'Asos yellow skater dress size 10, 2nd time round!! a MUST HAVE!! 'As seen by thousands. Never worn naked. Needs a good home.' Bizarrely the listing caused a stir among eBay users. Originally listed at £15.99, the dress has received more than 130 bids and reached more than £153,000. The picture brought mixed reaction on internet forums. One user commented: 'It is a shocking dress'. Miss Jones, who has the user ID . sugart*t-2, relisted the dress with a similarly-posed picture but this . time covered up in a dark Nike top. Very versatile: It appears even fictional fauns can pull off the yellow skater dress with ease . Joker: Another hoax ad featured a slightly bigger seller reflected in the mirror but it didn't manage to attract any bids .
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Aimi Jones posted pic of yellow dress on eBay, without noticing reflection .
Eye-catching dress fails to draw attention from her naked bottom half .
She re-posted the item, which attracted a bid of more than £153,000 .
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France's Romain Wattel will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the KLM Open on Sunday as he seeks his first European Tour title. Wattel, mentioned as a potential future Ryder Cup player by European captain Paul McGinley last week, carded seven birdies and one bogey in a third round of 64 to finish 14 under par at Kennemer Golf Club. Scotland's Richie Ramsay, who won a year's supply of beer for a hole-in-one on Friday, is his nearest challenger on 11 under after a 65, with England's Paul Casey another shot back after equalling the day-old course record with a 62. Romain Wattel leads the KLM Open by three shots after a round of 64 on Saturday . Wattel has been earmarked as a potential star since winning on the Challenge Tour as a 19-year-old amateur in 2010, but told European Tour Radio: 'I'm not really affected to be honest. I know if I play good enough I am going to win one day; maybe it's going to be tomorrow, maybe it's going to be in two years, I don't really know. 'The most important thing for me is to play some good golf. I am not in the top 100 in the world (he is currently 125th) so I can't play the best tournaments like the majors and WGC events, so I am just trying to improve my game week after week. 'I am confident and even if I don't win tomorrow it's not a big deal, it will have been a good week for me and I am going to try to keep doing exactly the same.' Ramsay, who held the halfway lead in the Omega European Masters last week before fading to eighth place, said: 'My attitude pleased me today. I nearly got a hole-in-one on 11 again. It was playing tough, a front pin and it was a seven iron to four feet, so three shots in two days on the hole is a good effort. 'I've been working on the mental side and being a bit more patient, and I've worked on the short irons. I was making too many mistakes. I've started making birdies now. It was a small change but it has worked. 'I'm in a lovely position. The golf course played great again. It's getting bouncy and favours shotmakers. I need the same attitude tomorrow, so I'm hoping to go out and enjoy it as you don't get this sort of opportunity all the time.' Casey had the chance to celebrate the recent birth of his first child by carding the first ever 59 on the European Tour, the former world number three carding nine birdies in his first 16 holes after starting from the 10th. Paul Casey equalled the course record and sits in the group chasing the young Frenchman . A par on the eighth left Casey needing to eagle the ninth to create history and he was only a fraction away as his ball pitched close to the pin and span back to miss the hole by a few inches. Unfortunately the spin then carried the ball off the green and led to a first bogey of the day, but Casey had no complaints after matching Pablo Larrazabal's course record from Friday and moving into contention for a first win of the season. 'I actually wasn't thinking about what I was shooting, but apparently came quite close to shooting a 59 on the last,' the 37-year-old said. 'The disappointment was making a bogey on the last, not in missing out on a 59. I'm just happy I'm playing some good stuff. 'Becoming a father just a few days ago, I'll be honest and say this probably isn't the most important thing right now and isn't my immediate focus, or all of my focus. Pablo Larrazabal of Spain hits his second shot from the rough on the eighth hole . 'There have been times the last few days I would rather have been at home, but although I will be committed tomorrow, I will maintain that carefree attitude. Whether I win this golf tournament or not, I'll get to go home to my new baby.' Larrazabal started the day two clear of the field and appeared to be making serene progress as he followed six pars with a birdie at the long seventh. However, an errant tee shot at the short eighth found thick rough and led to a quadruple-bogey seven, the Spaniard eventually signing for a 75 to fall nine shots off the lead.
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Wattel hits 64 in third round and is closing in on maiden title .
Youngster has been mentioned as a future Ryder Cup star .
Paul Casey equals course record and is in the group chasing Frenchman .
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Title: Innovative Electric Bus Fleet to Hit the Roads in Major City Next Year
In an effort to promote greener and more sustainable transportation, the city of New Harmony will be introducing an electric bus fleet starting next year. The new transit system, comprising of 50 state-of-the-art electric buses, is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions and noise pollution within the city.
The electric buses, equipped with fast-charging technology, can travel up to 250 kilometers on a single charge. This advanced system allows for seamless transportation throughout the city without frequent stops for recharging. The buses will also be fitted with Wi-Fi and real-time GPS tracking, providing passengers with a convenient and enjoyable commuting experience.
The initiative is part of New Harmony's broader commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development. The introduction of electric buses represents a significant step forward in the city's ongoing efforts to combat climate change and promote cleaner transportation alternatives.
Residents and visitors alike are eagerly anticipating the launch of this innovative transit system, which promises to revolutionize the way people move around New Harmony. City officials believe that the electric bus fleet will not only improve the overall quality of life but also serve as a model for other cities seeking to adopt sustainable transportation solutions.
Stay tuned for more updates on the rollout of this exciting new transportation initiative!
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Title: Electric Bus Fleet to Debut in New Harmony City Next Year
The city of New Harmony will introduce an electric bus fleet starting next year, aiming at promoting greener and sustainable transportation. The new transit system, consisting of 50 advanced electric buses, is expected to decrease carbon emissions and noise pollution within the city significantly.
These electric buses are equipped with fast-charging technology allowing them to travel up to 250 kilometers on a single charge without frequent stops for recharging. The buses will also come with Wi-Fi and real-time GPS tracking, enhancing passengers' commuting experience.
This initiative is part of New Harmony's broader environmental conservation and sustainable development pledge. Introducing electric buses is a significant stride in the city's ongoing mission to combat climate change and promote cleaner transportation alternatives.
Excited residents and visitors look forward to the launch of this innovative transit system, which is expected to reshape commuting in New Harmony. City officials believe that this electric bus fleet will enhance the overall quality of life and serve as a model for other cities looking to adopt sustainable transportation solutions. Keep an eye out for further updates on this exciting new transportation initiative!
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It's been overlooked for decades, but now scientists believe infrared energy could turn out to be a major contributor to warming in the Arctic region. Infrared is invisible to human eyes but accounts for about half the energy emitted by Earth's surface. This process balances out incoming solar energy. However, researchers hadn't previously thought to consider the long-wavelength region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Now, they believe its inclusion could change existing climate models. This simulation shows averaged radiative surface temperature changes during the 2030s after far-infrared surface energy was taken into account. The right colour bar depicts temperature change in Kelvin . Earth's surface is thought to radiate the equivalent of 17 per cent of incoming solar energy as thermal infrared. Despite its importance in the planet's energy budget, it's difficult to measure a surface's effectiveness in emitting far-infrared energy. As a result, its influence on the planet's climate is not well represented in climate models, which assume that all surfaces are 100 per cent efficient in emitting far-infrared energy. That's not the case. The scientists found that open oceans are much less efficient than sea ice when it comes to emitting in the far-infrared region of the spectrum. It's been overlooked for decades, but now scientists believe infrared energy could turn out to be a major contributor to warming in the Arctic region (pictured) This means that the Arctic Ocean traps much of the energy in far-infrared radiation - a previously unknown phenomenon that is likely contributing to the warming of the polar climate. 'Far-infrared surface emissivity is an unexplored topic, but it deserves more attention,' said Daniel Feldman, a scientist in Berkeley Lab's Earth Sciences Division. 'Our research found that non-frozen surfaces are poor emitters compared to frozen surfaces. This discrepancy has a much bigger impact on the polar climate than today's models indicate. Professor Feldman's simulations revealed that far-infrared surface emissions have the biggest impact on the climates of arid high-latitude and high-altitude regions. Dr Jason Box tweeted this provocative statement after a Swedish study found methane leaking beneath the Arctic . The planet is 'f**cked' after scientists found huge plumes of deadly methane escaping from the seafloor. This is according to Dr Jason Box who claims that methane will be the main driver of climate change if it escapes into the atmosphere. He said: 'If even a small fraction of Arctic sea floor carbon is released to the atmosphere, we're f'd' The scientist, based at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, tweeted the provocative statement after a Swedish study found methane leaking beneath the Arctic. Some of this methane - which is over 20 times more potent than CO2 at trapping heat - is now making it to the ocean's surface. The leaking gas from the seafloor may have its origins in collapsing clusters of methane trapped in frozen water due to high pressure and low temperature. Scientists at Stockholm University called the discovery 'somewhat of a surprise,' which, according to Dr Box, is an understatement. 'We're on a trajectory to an unmanageable heating scenario, and we need to get off it,' Dr Box told Brian Merchant at Motherboard . 'We're f**ked at a certain point, right? It just becomes unmanageable. The climate dragon is being poked, and eventually the dragon becomes pissed off enough to trash the place.' In the Arctic, the simulations found that open oceans hold more far-infrared energy than sea ice, resulting in warmer oceans, melting sea ice, and a 2°C increase in the polar climate after only a 25-year run. This could help explain why polar warming is most pronounced during the three-month winter when there is no sun. It also complements a process in which darker oceans absorb more solar energy than sea ice. 'The Earth continues to emit energy in the far infrared during the polar winter,' Professor Feldman said. Arctic sea ice hit its annual minimum on 17 September 2014. The red line in this image shows the 1981-2010 average minimum extent. Scientists believe the latest study will require existing climate models to be changed . 'And because ocean surfaces trap this energy, the system is warmer throughout the year as opposed to only when the sun is out.' The simulations revealed a similar warming effect on the Tibetan plateau, where there was five per cent less snowpack after a 25-year run. This means more non-frozen surface area to trap far-infrared energy, which further contributes to warming in the region. 'We found that in very arid areas, the extent to which the surface emits far-infrared energy really matters,' said Professor Feldman. 'It controls the thermal energy budget for the entire region, so we need to measure and model it better.'
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Infrared energy accounts for half the energy emitted by Earth's surface .
But it's difficult to measure a surface's effectiveness in emitting infrared .
Its influence on planet's climate is not well represented in climate models .
Now scientists claim open oceans are less efficient at emitting infrared .
The discovery could change existing climate models, researchers claim .
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(CNN) -- When Mitt Romney asked his staff why all the applicants for cabinet positions seemed to be men, as he recounted in the presidential debate Tuesday night, he was apparently told that only men had "the qualifications." That is obviously not true. But this story, as well as, of course, the infamous "binders" comment, provide a good opportunity to talk about women's issues beyond the two perennials, abortion and contraception. As we near the end of 2012, our society still struggles with women's full integration into the workforce and men's full participation on the home front. Indeed, Romney's comments illustrate the continued superficial treatment these issues receive, not only by many political leaders, but also by society as a whole. Let's look at, for example, some basic -- yet wrong -- assumptions about women's qualifications for high-level positions. Women's college graduation rates now surpass those of men. For the past decade, women have outnumbered men in law school admissions. More than 50% of those in management and professional specialties are women. And similar trends are evident in secondary education, the professoriate, and college and university administrations. Many Massachusetts women held appropriate credentials. Politics: Obama, Romney equal on gender pay inequality . So, why didn't these women appear on Romney's radar screen until after the organizers of MassGap supplied the now-derided binders? Perhaps the administration held the common view that women suitable for leadership positions are exceptional or rare. Maybe they thought that women have so many competing obligations that they would not be available for high-level political jobs. Maybe the Romney inner circle recruited only from its own male-dominated ranks. Whatever the reasons, women's full integration into the workforce was an afterthought. The "binders" comment also touched on the stickiness of traditional gender roles. Romney said he "recognized that if you're going to have women in the workforce that sometimes you need to be more flexible." His example of flexibility, however, was allowing his chief of staff to "get home at 5" to make dinner for her family and be with her children. He stopped short of saying it directly, but Romney appears to hold a common belief that women can best be integrated into the workforce if they are still able to fulfill their duties as wives and mothers. Women's rights organizations fought for decades to dismantle laws that limited women's abilities to compete for jobs. And they succeeded. But informal restrictions still limit women's success, because the progress in the workplace has not been met by any similar shift on the home front. Politics: Romney in a bind over 'binders of women' comment . A 2011 national survey of thousands of lawyers, business leaders, educators and political activists, for example, revealed that women and men tend to assume traditional gender roles. The report showed that in families where both adults worked (generally in high-level careers), women were roughly six times more likely than men to handle most household tasks, and about 10 times more likely to be the primary childcare provider. As long as workplace flexibility is viewed as a "female thing," then it's likely that cooking dinner will be viewed that way, too. Romney's casual comment reflects an assumption that women who work outside the home do so as an "add on" to family responsibilities. The "second shift" that characterized the distribution of household labor for women in the 1990s is obviously still alive and well. In fact, a substantial, multidisciplinary literature affirms the challenges of work/family balance that professional women face. Hundreds of studies have analyzed the programs and policies that work best to ameliorate these difficult circumstances. The mere existence of this burgeoning literature shows that balancing family roles with professional responsibilities is part of the bargain for contemporary women. It's simply the new normal. And it doesn't involve any shift in behavior by men. Opinion: Romney's empty 'binders full of women' Finally, Romney's comments embody the faulty assumption that adding some female faces to a group or organization is all you need for full integration and representation. But it's only the first step. Leaders must continue to develop and promote policies that allow women equal access to the workplace. That a presidential candidate in 2012 can utter such superficial answers to a serious question about women's economic equity and autonomy reveals a lack of serious thought about issues of substantive importance to women. It also demonstrates a lack of commitment to the change necessary to allow women and men to lead fully integrated professional and personal lives. Poll: What are the most important women's issues? The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Kathleen Dolan and Jennifer L. Lawless.
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Writers: Romney's story about finding qualified women shows old ideas on working women .
Women are ahead in college degrees, many fields. Why not on Romney's radar?
They say his view of 'workplace flexibility' is for women to get home to "second shift"
Writers: Comments show little understanding, serious thought on workplace equity for women .
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A three-year-old girl abandoned at a Los Angeles shopping center on Saturday looks set to be reunited with her father after he contacted police following media reports about the girl's disappearance. The dark-haired girl, called Audrey, was dropped off at the valet parking area of The Grove shopping center at around 6 p.m. on Saturday. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, parking attendants saw a woman - believed to be a relative - drop the three-year-old off along with a car seat, but no one arrived to pick her up. Audrey: A three-year-old named Audrey was abandoned Saturday at a Los Angeles shopping center. Her father contacted police on Sunday after the girl's grandfather saw a TV report about the missing girl . The attendants notified the police who then took Audrey into protective custody. The search to find her family was hampered due to the girl being unable to give her last name or any information about her parents. When the girl’s father finally contacted police about his daughter on Sunday afternoon he was interviewed by child protective services. Police are treating the case as a misunderstanding after the father told officers that he didn't initially know his daughter was missing. Audrey was happy and talkative, when she was first turned over to the LAPD, according to Lt. Lonnie Tiano, who said she was in 'good shape.' Attire: Audrey, who has long, dark hair and dark brown eyes, was found wearing purple pants and a pink shirt . Children and Family Services are still establishing if the man is Audrey's father and have yet to decide whether to turn her over to him, reports NBC4. Police say they received calls from a number of people offering gifts or a home to Audrey after her picture was released to the media in a bid to find her family. Audrey's father told police he had been looking for his daughter at The Grove until 11 p.m. He assumed that the person that Audrey was with had taken her home. They had been supposed to meet at The Grove earlier that day. Audrey's San Diegan grandfather spotted her picture on a news report on Sunday and then informed his son . Audrey, who has long, dark hair and dark brown eyes, was found wearing purple pants and a pink shirt. Grove: Audrey was dropped off at the valet parking area of The Grove shopping center in Los Angeles' Fairfax neighborhood, but no one came to pick her up on Saturday evening .
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The father of a three-year-old girl abandoned on Saturday at a Los Angeles shopping mall has contacted police to get his daughter back .
He told police on Sunday that he didn't know that his daughter, called Audrey, was missing .
Audrey had been dropped off with her car seat at The Grove shopping center in Los Angeles, but no one came to pick her up .
Children and Family Services have yet to decide whether to hand Audrey back over to her father .
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Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel revved up the build-up to this weekend's Formula One finale by showing off their driving skills in Dubai. The Red Bull drivers entertained thousands of F1 fans with high-speed doughnuts in the the 2011 Championship-winning race car on the SkyDive Dubai runway, near the famous Palm. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Vettel and Ricciardo showing off in Dubai ahead of Abu Dhabi GP . Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel take part in the Infiniti F1 Showrun at Skydive Dubai runway on Wednesday . Ricciardo has enjoyed a sensational first season at Red Bull but the Australian will take a back seat at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as the focus will be on the title showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg . With double points on offer Hamilton, who leads Rosberg by 17 points, can clinch his second F1 title if he finishes second to Rosberg at the Yas Marina circuit on Sunday. If Rosberg wins, with Hamilton third or lower, Rosberg earns his first title. Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel entertained F1 fans by performing high-speed doughnuts . But for now F1 fans were keen to enjoy the Infiniti Showrun, which also marked the start of the Dubai Motor Festival, the drivers met fans and signed autographs, then wrapped the show up by parading the route in an Infiniti Q60 Convertible. Speaking at the event, Juergen Schmitz, Managing Director, Infiniti Middle East, said: 'The Infiniti Showrun was a hugely exciting and successful event, igniting the Dubai Motor Festival with a truly unique spectacle for the UAE’s passionate car fans and demonstrating Infiniti’s core focus of automotive performance.' Daniel Ricciardo has enjoyed a sensational first season at Red Bull and is guaranteed to finish third in the world championship . The Infiniti Showrun also marked the start of the Dubai Motor Festival . Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel wrapped the show up by parading the route in an Infiniti Q60 Convertible . Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel (right) will leave Red Bull at the end of the year and is expected to join Ferrari .
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Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel entertained F1 fans on the SkyDive Dubai runway .
The Red Bull drivers went out in a 2011 Championship-winning race car .
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg set for world title showdown .
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By . James Nye . Caught: Randall Streeter was arrested with heroin, crack and prescription drugs in his navel on May 29 in Greenville, North Carolina . Police in North Carolina have arrested a drug trafficker found with 40 bags of heroin, crack cocaine and Percocet pills hidden in his navel. Greenville Regional Drug Task Force took Randall Streeter - who is 5'5" tall and weighs 315 pounds - into custody along with a passenger after pulling over the car he was driving. During the May 29 stop agents seized 150 bags of heroin and $1,200 in addition to the drugs found on Streeter and the arrests were the culmination of a month-long investigation. The total estimated street value of the narcotics found in Streeter's navel and in the car along with passenger, Marshall Wayne Wilson, was approximately $6,800. Streeter was charged with heroin trafficking and is currently in Pitt County Detention Center under a $1,000,000 secured bond. Wilson, the passenger, was also charged with drug offenses and is also being held in Pitt under a $75,000 secured bond. According to police, Streeter is suspected of dealing huge amounts of heroin in Greenville and is also linked to numerous prostitution cases. According to WATE.com the method Streeter used to conceal the drugs is commonly known in eastern North Carolina as a 'Percocet Pouch'. Recovered: The total estimated street value of the heroin was approximately $6,800.00 dollars . Navel: The drugs were found in Streeter's naval and $1,200 was recovered from the car he was driving . This news comes one day after it was revealed a man was arrested in Cuba after attempting to board a flight to America with 66 rare birds sewn inside his trousers. The bird man was seized at Ignacio Agramonte International Airport in the Cuban city of Camaguay and was picked up because of the curious bulges in his trousers. After being stopped by customs, the man bizarrely claimed he was only concealing a pigeon as a gift for his grandson.
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Randall Streeter, who is 5'5" was brought into custody after a traffic stop and is being held on a $1 million bail bond .
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EU: Travelers should follow up-to-date health recommendations and vaccination requirements. This applies in low-vaccination communities for children. Member States are encouraged to share data with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
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Travelers should follow up-to-date health recommendations and vaccination requirements.
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Title: Czech National Bank Announces Interest Rate Adjustment for Q2 2023
Prague, Czech Republic - In a move aimed at maintaining economic stability and addressing inflationary pressures, the Czech National Bank (CNB) has announced an adjustment to its benchmark interest rate. The decision was made during the Monetary Policy Council meeting held earlier today.
Effective from April 1st, 2023, the two-week repo rate will be increased by 0.25 percentage points to 1.75%. This adjustment is expected to help control inflation, which has been rising steadily over the past few months due to global supply chain disruptions and energy price volatility.
The CNB emphasized that this decision was not made lightly and was part of a larger strategy to strike a balance between managing inflation and supporting economic growth. The bank also expressed confidence in the resilience of the Czech economy and its ability to adapt to changing global conditions.
This interest rate adjustment comes as many central banks around the world grapple with similar issues, seeking to navigate the fine line between stimulating growth and controlling inflation. The CNB will continue to closely monitor economic indicators and make necessary adjustments as needed.
For more information about the Czech National Bank and its monetary policy decisions, please visit their official website at www.cnb.cz.
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The Czech National Bank has announced an increase of 0.25 percentage points in the two-week repo rate to 1.75%, effective from April 1st, 2023. This adjustment is aimed at controlling inflation, which has been on the rise due to global supply chain disruptions and energy price volatility. The decision was made during a Monetary Policy Council meeting and is part of a larger strategy to balance managing inflation and supporting economic growth. The bank expressed confidence in the resilience of the Czech economy. This interest rate adjustment is similar to actions being taken by other central banks globally as they navigate between stimulating growth and controlling inflation. For more information, visit www.cnb.cz.
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Washington (CNN) -- Less than two weeks after Barack Obama won his re-election campaign, protesters gathered Sunday to call on the president and his administration to reject the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, and to act on climate change. While Republican candidate Mitt Romney said he would support construction of the 1,700-mile pipeline, for the jobs he said the pipeline would create, Obama in the past has rejected rapid approval, citing what he called the "arbitrary nature" of the deadline Republicans proposed for passage and the need for sufficient time for the State Department to gather information necessary for a project that crosses into the American border. Nearly a year ago, the State Department announced the decision to delay until after the 2012 election consideration of the controversial project that would originate in Alberta, Canada,'s tar sands and would extend to the Gulf of Mexico. Keystone pipeline protesters arrested in Texas . On Sunday, protestors flooded Washington's Freedom Plaza, before laying down their signs and picking up a 500-foot plastic "oil pipe," which they carried a few blocks to the White House. One of the event's main organizers, founder of 350.org, Bill McKidden, said that activists may have been silent but haven't forgotten about the project and now they've organized to remind the administration of their commitment to preventing fossil fuel based projects that they say are causing increased climate change. "They said a year ago they would study it further, now that year is up, and in the meantime we've had the hottest year in America history, we've had an epic drought, we've had the Arctic melting and we've had Superstorm Sandy flooding the subways of New York," said McKibben. "The pipeline has come to symbolize something much, much bigger than just one energy project, it's come to symbolize what is our energy future, and what President Obama is going to do on climate change," said activist Jane Kleeb of the anti-pipeline organization Bold Nebraska, in a state where the Keystone XL project would cut through predominantly agricultural areas. At issue is the potential for water and soil contamination from the 500,000 to 700,000 barrels of crude oil that would traverse the pipeline each day. Film director Josh Fox, whose documentary "Gasland" examined the environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing, also known as "fracking," was among protesters with camera in hand. "I'm here doing a film on (McKidden's 350.org's) "Do the Math," and the math tells us that we have more fossil fuels in the ground than is supportable by the atmosphere without total catastrophe and calamity," said Fox.
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The 1,700-mile pipeline would run from Alberta, Canada, to the Gulf of Mexico .
Obama in the past has rejectd rapid approval .
Romney and the GOP support it .
Protestors gather in D.C., urging the administration to reject the proposed pipeline .
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(CNN)The scene of devastation is staggering in Debaltseve, the town at the heart of the battle between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists in recent days. Barely a house is unscathed by shelling. Elderly civilians trapped by the fighting still cower in basements. After most Ukrainian forces pulled out Wednesday, the separatists are now in control. It's obvious there's been a seismic shift on the battlefield. But it's not yet clear what the Ukrainian withdrawal means for the shaky peace deal that came into force Sunday. Will the separatists halt their offensive, satisfied with the territory they hold? Or will they be emboldened to push for more? The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany spoke Thursday by phone in an attempt to patch up the deal, rocked by the fierce fighting for control of Debaltseve, a strategic railroad hub. They called for the ceasefire to be respected along the entire front line and for the withdrawal of heavy weaponry by both sides to create a buffer zone, as agreed to in Minsk, Belarus. But skeptics may wonder whether it's too late to salvage the deal, hammered out a week ago by the four leaders -- Germany's Angela Merkel, France's François Hollande, Ukraine's Petro Poroshenko and Russia's Vladimir Putin. The ramifications for the West are huge because the 10-month-long conflict in eastern Ukraine has hiked tensions with Russia to a level not seen since the end of the Cold War, affecting trade and raising the specter of a Russian threat to Eastern Europe. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh, who was able to return to Debaltseve on Thursday after a two-week absence, said the physical change in the town was astounding, with destruction on a wide scale. Terrified elderly women are still taking shelter in the basement of a building formerly held by Ukrainian forces but now in rebel hands, he said. Humanitarian aid deliveries have started quickly, with food parcels brought in on trucks run by the separatists. Those still in Debaltseve -- a fraction of its former population of 25,000 -- are angered by what has happened to their hometown. A Ukrainian tank and other destroyed military armor could be seen across the town, and the noise of machine gun fire could be heard, suggesting some Ukrainian soldiers are still holed up on the edges of Debaltseve, Paton Walsh said. The rumble of shelling also continued, mostly in the distance. It's not clear yet how many civilians, separatist militants or Ukrainian soldiers died during the days of fighting for Debaltseve or in attempts to leave the town. Ukrainian leaders claim their troops' withdrawal was strategic and organized, but the signs indicate that a vastly better equipped separatist force outgunned them and that they came under fire while retreating. Separatist fighters who spoke to CNN said the road out of town was still a contested area. Kiev and the West accuse Russia of arming and training the separatists and sending Russian troops over the border to fight with them. Russia has steadfastly denied the claim. Debaltseve: Inside the ghost town . Ukraine's Poroshenko has not hesitated to point the finger at Russia over the fighting this week in Debaltseve. "The whole world saw that Russia doesn't adhere to its commitments," he said after his troops' hasty retreat. "In my telephone conversation with Merkel, Hollande and Putin I stressed that the situation around Debaltseve was in breach of Minsk accords," he tweeted a day later. According to his office, Poroshenko asked for "definite guarantees in case there are further attempts to violate the agreements." The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire, has criticized the separatists for refusing to allow its monitors into Debaltseve. Michael Bociurkiw, the OSCE spokesman in Kiev, told CNN on Thursday that the organization had made contact with both the Ukrainians and the separatists regarding access to Debaltseve. Separatist leaders in Luhansk and Donetsk said they were unable to provide safe passage for the OSCE monitors, he said, so "at the moment it is not possible for us to visit the area." Poroshenko said all four leaders had agreed in their phone call that the OSCE should be supported in its mission and that full access should be ensured starting Thursday, particularly around Donetsk's airport and in other towns where fighting has occurred in the past hours. Only after a full ceasefire is achieved will the drawback of heavy weapons start under direct OSCE observation, he said. A statement from Hollande's office said the leaders had agreed the ceasefire should be in effect on the entire front line without exception. The leaders called for an acceleration in the release of prisoners held by both sides, as agreed to under the Minsk deal. Poroshenko said this release should include those captured in Debaltseve. A statement from the Kremlin said the leaders had stressed that the start of the implementation of the Minsk agreement had led to a decrease in military activity in eastern Ukraine and fewer civilian casualties. "The leaders emphasized the need of holding a ceasefire, taking real steps to withdraw the heavy weapons and release of prisoners," it said. Poroshenko sought to portray his forces' retreat from Debaltseve as organized and orderly, disputing separatists' claims that the Ukrainian troops were surrounded and surrendered their arms. The separatists regarded Debaltseve as already being their territory when the front lines for the ceasefire were drawn. Hours after Kiev pulled its troops out of Debaltseve, Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council said it would ask for U.N. peacekeepers to be sent to eastern Ukraine. But a spokesman for Russia's Foreign Ministry, Alexander Lukashevich, said Moscow rejects any such call. The Minsk agreement is the basis for the ceasefire and resolution of the conflict, so there's no need for international monitoring, Lukashevich said at a televised briefing. He added that the government in Kiev was responsible for its implementation. "We're convinced the full responsibility of fulfillment of the agreement lies only on the parties of the conflict," Lukashevich said. Poroshenko said the question of deploying peacekeepers along the front line and the Ukraine-Russia border had been included in the Minsk agenda. Speaking later Thursday in Kiev, he insisted that Russia, given its alleged involvement in the conflict, could not play a role in peacekeeping operations in Ukraine. "Ukraine will not agree to a peacekeeping format, which threatens to legalize thousands of Russian militaries -- we already have enough such 'peacekeepers,' " he said. In a sign of the heightened tensions between Russia and other European nations, Britain's Royal Air Force scrambled fighter jets Wednesday after Russian aircraft were identified flying close to UK airspace, the Ministry of Defence said. "The Russian planes were escorted by the RAF until they were out of the UK area of interest. At no time did the Russian military aircraft cross into UK sovereign airspace," a spokeswoman said. UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told Britain's Telegraph newspaper that there's a "real and present danger" that Putin would use murky tactics to destabilize the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, which border Russia on NATO's eastern flank. CNN's Alla Eshchenko, Matthew Chance and Khushbu Shah contributed to this report as did journalist Victoria Butenko in Kiev.
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A CNN team finds wide destruction in Debaltseve, now in separatist hands .
Leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany speak a week after forging peace deal .
Ukrainian President says a separatist offensive in Debaltseve breached the deal .
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Title: Unpredictable Weather Phenomenon Stuns Global Communities
In an unexpected turn of events, the world has witnessed an unprecedented weather occurrence that has left scientists and meteorologists baffled. Dubbed as the "Rainbow Aurora Mirage," this phenomenon has been sighted across various regions, from the Arctic Circle to the Equator, in the past week.
The Rainbow Aurora Mirage, unlike any known weather event, presents a breathtaking spectacle of swirling colors dancing amidst clear skies during daytime hours. This enigmatic display is believed to be caused by a unique combination of solar radiation, atmospheric pressure changes, and ionized air particles.
The emergence of this mysterious natural wonder has sparked a flurry of excitement among the global population, with countless videos and images circulating online. The sight of these colorful spirals against blue skies has brought people together, uniting them in their shared awe and fascination for Mother Nature's enigmatic ways.
However, this stunning spectacle comes with its share of concerns. Meteorologists fear that the rapid changes in atmospheric conditions could potentially disrupt global weather patterns and lead to unexpected consequences such as heavy rainfall or extreme temperature fluctuations.
In response to this intriguing event, scientists from around the world are collaborating to gather data and study the phenomenon further. They hope to understand its cause, predict its recurrence, and determine any potential impact on the climate.
As we continue to witness this mesmerizing display of nature's grandeur, let us also remember to respect the forces that govern our planet and tread lightly, so as not to disrupt the delicate balance that sustains life on Earth. Stay informed, stay safe, and marvel at the mysteries that lie above us.
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The text discusses an unusual weather phenomenon called the "Rainbow Aurora Mirage" which has appeared worldwide in recent days. This event is distinct from known weather occurrences, appearing as swirling colors amidst clear skies during daytime hours. It's believed to be caused by a combination of solar radiation, atmospheric pressure changes, and ionized air particles.
The phenomenon has sparked excitement globally with many videos and images circulating online. However, there are concerns about potential disruptions in global weather patterns due to rapid atmospheric changes associated with this event.
Scientists worldwide are collaborating to study the phenomenon further, aiming to understand its cause, predict its recurrence, and determine any potential impact on climate. It is suggested that people should respect the planet's forces and tread lightly to avoid disrupting the delicate balance that sustains life on Earth.
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By . David Martosko, U.s. Political Editor . and Ml Nestel . New Jersey Assembly Deputy Speaker John Wisniewski told MailOnline on Thursday evening that Republican Gov. Chris Christie is 'not believable,' and claimed a staffer who pleaded the Fifth during a 'Bridgegate' hearing represents 'just the tip of the cover-up.' Christie, said the lawmaker leading the probe into New Jersey's most improbable scandal since the last New Jersey governor was caught up in one of the largest bankruptcies in U.S. history, is either 'a governor who can’t manage his staff or one who isn’t telling the truth.' In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, the Democratic assemblyman said he was unimpressed with the governor's claim that he first learned Wednesday morning about a political payback plot involving his most trusted staffers and traffic entering the George Washington Bridge. 'It strains credibility,' he said, 'that a governor who is as hands-on as he is would suddenly have a senior member of his administration go rogue like this.' Wisniewski chaired an unusual public hearing Thursday afternoon in the state's capital city of Trenton, which saw a former Christie transportation appointee invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination by refusing to answer questions. That one-time official, David Wildstein, was implicated in a plot to snarl traffic in Fort Lee, N.J. in retaliation for the refusal of the town's mayor, Mark Sokolich, to endorse Christie's 2013 re-election bid. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEOS AND DOCUMENTS . Garden State circus: Chris Christie fended off questions about his management on Thursday, taking responsibility for the bridgegate episode but blaming specific staffers who have now been fired . Christie, a possible Republican White House contender, took responsibility for the bridge scandal on Thursday, while announcing that he had fired a top aide . Right hand woman: Bridget Kelly was close to the New Jersey Governor and critics of Christie say she would not have done anything without taking orders . New Jersey Democratic Assemblyman John Wisniewski told MailOnline that Republican Chris Christie is either 'a governor who can't manage his staff or one who isn't telling the truth' Sokolich slammed Wildstein . directly Wednesday on MSNBC. 'David Wildstein deserves an ass-kicking,' he exclaimed. 'Sorry, there, I said it.' Wildstein resigned his post with the New York New Jersey Port Authority in December. In a raft of emails and text messages published by news outlets on Wednesday, he appeared to be orchestrating the plan along with Christie deputy chief of staff Bridget Kelly and top Republican political consultant Bill Stepien. A day later Christie dismissed Bill Stepien, . his former campaign manager, who earlier in the week seemed destined lead the . state's Republican Party. Stepien also lost a . lucrative consulting deal with the Republican Governors Association, . which Christie leads. The New Jersey governor also fired Kelly. 'I . terminated her employment because she lied to me,' Christie said. 'I am . embarrassed and humiliated by the conduct of some of the people on my . team.' Wisniewski seemed to roll his eyes through the phone as he spoke to MailOnline. 'This is the takeaway,' he explained: 'Chris Christie can’t be trusted to run the George Washington Bridge. He certainly can’t be trusted to run a country.' A long-time New Jersey political operative told MailOnline that Kelly first worked with Stepien, and was apprenticed to him, during Christie's re-election campaign. She took orders directly from him, said the insider, who requested anonymity, making her the tie between the Christie administration and the state's Republican political machine. Grim: Christie's staff listen sullenly to his press conference hours after he fired a trusted co-worker . Betrayed: Bridget Anne Kelly, Christie said, lied when she was asked whether there was any truth in rumors the bridge closures were arranged . Contempt: David Wilstein faces the cameras before taking the Fifth at a state assembly hearing into the scandal . What me? Christie emerges from a personal meeting with the Fort Lee mayor where he apologized to him . Stepien's job, the source said, 'was to keep the governor's fingerprints off of things,' and Kelly's 'was to put plans into action.' 'If she pulled the trigger on all of this, it was on Bill's urging. He really trusted her.' Wisniewski, who chairs the New Jersey . Assembly's transportation committee, subpoenaed thousands of pages of . records from Wildstein, who refused to answer questions Thursday. He predicted that his committee 'will be issuing subpoenas for Ms. Kelly, for Mr. Stepien, and probably for others as well.' 'We’ve never had a hearing where someone took the Fifth so much,' Wisniewski said of Wildstein's turn on the hot seat. 'I mean, some of the questions were just about figuring out who a text message was from, or who it was sent to. That's hardly the kind of thing that creates legal liability for anyone.' 'David Wildstein is just the tip of the cover-up,' he claimed, referring to Christie administration officials' early explanation for the September traffic backups as part of a study aimed at determining how many toll booths were needed in Fort Lee. 'It’s very clear when you look at the documents that he among others engaged in enormous efforts to come up with a cover story for all of it, and to delay responses to Mayor Sokolich about what was happening.' Nothing on me: Christie departs his press conference after insisting he knew nothing and telling a reporter who asked him if he had considered resigning: 'That's a crazy question' Fall woman: Friends of Kelly told MailOnline that they believe she was deliberately made the 'scapegoat' 'Sad': Christie said he was disappointed in his staff's actions, but claimed it was a measure of leadership to act ruthlessly when you discover something had gone wrong . To support his theory that a cover-up likely reaches the top of the state's executive branch, he cited past hearings where Christie administration officials canceled their testimony at the last minute. 'We've had state officials tell us shortly before they were scheduled to testify in committee meetings that the governor's office told them not to participate. That happens with this governor,' Wisniewski recalled. 'So we know from our own experience as legislators that this governor reaches into his departments, tells commissioners what to do, what they can say. And now he expects us to believe that Bridget Kelly closed down three lanes leading to the George Washington Bridge on her own without his input? It’s just not believable.' Christie said Thurdsay that he was 'heartbroken,' 'blindsided,' and 'embarrassed and humiliated' as the story broke. 'I had no knowledge or involvement in this issue, in its planning or its execution,' he said during his lengthy press briefing. Wisniewski was skeptical. 'While there’s no direct documentary evidence that he’s lying,' he said, 'it strains credibility.' Fort Lee, New Jersey, Mayor Mark Sokolich (R) said former Christie aide David Wildstein 'needs and ass-kicking' Bottleneck: The ambulance took nine minutes to reach Mrs Genova as traffic backed up to cross the double-deck George Washington Bridge which spans the Hudson river between New York City and Fort Lee, New Jersey . Bill Pascrell, a New Jersey Democratic member of Congress whose district includes Fort Lee, agreed in an interview with the Bergen County Record that Kelly was likely following an order to orchestrate the bridge traffic shutdown. 'I . don't know who the person is that gave the ultimate order,' said . Pascrell. 'This did not, the young . lady did not just wake up one morning – when you see the emails – she . didn't just wake up one morning and decide "let's screw up the traffic in . Fort Lee.'" MailOnline spoke with a childhood friend of Kelly, who lamented her 'bad day at work.' 'It's a disgrace what's happening that she's the only one with egg on her face,' she said of the now-former Christie administration official. 'I believe this story is much more multifaceted than just Bridget Kelly. My friend has been scapegoated.' Bridget Kelly kicked off the traffic shenanigans with a gleeful email to Port Authority official David Wildstein on August 13, subpoenaed documents show . New Jersey Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg (R) said criminal charges could be coming in the Christie 'bridgegate' scandal . Wisniewski . also found unconvincing Christie's claim during his Thursday morning . press conference that his team had no motive to target Sokolich for . revenge. The mayor, Christie told reporters, 'was never mentioned to me as somebody whose endorsement we were even pursuing. ... So part of this is, I never saw this as political retribution because I didn't think he did anything to us.' But Wisniewski said there was 'clearly a political motive' in the bridge shenanigans. 'I’ve been told by people that there were political emissaries from the governor who did ask the mayor for an endorsement,' he told MailOnline, 'and he demurred.' And Fort Lee is an important Democratic stronghold, he added, with other political comings and goings beyond the gubernatorial race. 'Bergen County was an important spot for county races and statewide legislative races. This might have been about on of them,' he speculated. Christie met with Sokolich in Fort Lee for 45 minutes on Thursday afternoon, offering the apology that he promised during his morning press event and later calling it 'a very warm and productive meeting between me and the mayor.' Asked what he said, Christie added: 'I apologized. That’s what I came here to do.' Texts between two Christie aides depict a callous attitude toward the traffic chaos they caused, including a swipe at children of voters who supported Christie's gubernatorial candidate, Barbara Buono . Not-so-EZ-Pass: When three toll lanes originating in Fort Lee were suddenly forced to merge into one in September, traffic snarled for a week until authorities in New York City reversed the New Jersey officials' order . Sokolich accepted the apology and added that his 'biggest concern is that we make sure that this never, ever, ever happens again in the future.' 'We were unconditionally provided with that assurance,' the mayor said. Assemblyman Wisniewski said his committee staff would begin releasing the full collections of subpoenaed documents – 'somewhere between 3000 and 5000 pages' – on Friday morning, beginning with the material provided by Wildstein. GOP leaders at the national level . watched the drama unfold with an eye toward the 2016 race, with the . governor's supporters keenly aware that his performance will determine whether he is considered presidential material. Christie is set to be inaugurated for a second term as governor on January 21. Emails .
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NJ Assembly Deputy Speaker John Wisniewski said Christie is either 'a governor who can’t manage his staff or one who isn’t telling the truth'
He trashed the governor's presumed presidential aspirations, saying he can't even be trusted to run the George Washington Bridge .
It's inconceivable, he insisted, that a 'hands-on' leader like Christie might 'suddenly have a senior member of his administration go rogue'
A long-time NJ political operative said Thursday that Christie political aide Bill Stepien was likely the shot-caller behind the bridge scandal .
The insider added that Christie's deputy chief of staff, Bridget Kelly, was loyal to Stepien and may have taken orders from him .
Kelly's childhood friend told MailOnline that she was 'scapegoated' and called it 'a disgrace ... that she's the only one with egg on her face'
Port Authority appointee David .
Wildstein refused to answer questions during a state assembly hearing, .
exercising his Fifth Amendment right .
Wisniewski described Wildstein's silence as 'the tip of the cover-up'
A US Attorney has opened a criminal investigation after the punitive traffic snarl-ups caused by the bridge plot led to emergency vehicle delays .
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Britain is on course to be the second fastest growing major economy in the world, in a major boost for George Osborne who said it was 'proof our economic plan is working'. The International Monetary Fund predicts the UK economy will grow by 2.7 per cent this year and 2.3 per cent in 2016, beaten only by the United States. It comes as the Tories were buoyed by the news that inflation remains at zero per cent, with food and fuel prices down sharply year on year. Britain is on course to be the second fastest growing major economy in the world, in a major boost for George Osborne. The International Monetary Fund predicts the UK economy will grow by 2.7 per cent this year and 2.3 per cent in 2016, beaten only by the United States . Low oil prices are expected to help bolster steady growth in the UK. In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF predicted world growth of 3.5 per cent this year, unchanged from its previous projection in January. Its forecast for UK growth this year remains at 2.7 per cent though for next year it is cut from 2.4 per cent to 2.3 per cent. It said: 'In the United Kingdom, lower oil prices and improved financial market conditions are expected to support continued steady growth.' Chancellor George Osborne told MailOnline: 'These IMF growth forecasts for the UK are further proof our economic plan is working. 'But this growth, and the jobs and security it brings, would all be put at risk with the chaos of an Ed Miliband/Scottish Nationalist government. 'So we must keep on working through our economic plan and finish the job. 'This is the only way to deliver an economy that offers working people security at every stage of their lives.' David Cameron today warned that growth in the UK could be put at risk if the Tories are not returned to power. He urged voters to 'see this plan through and Britain will keep exporting, growing, job-creating, and yes – we'll be back in the black but only if Conservatives are back in Government'. He added: 'The next five years are much, much more important than the past five. Because having rescued our economy and set Britain back on her feet, now is our chance to truly finish the job, to make this a country where those who work hard and do the right thing can enjoy a good life.' David Cameron today warned that growth in the UK could be put at risk if the Tories are not returned to power . The IMF said global expansion this year 'will be driven by a rebound in advanced economies supported by the decline in oil prices'. But global prospects were 'uneven' with growth slipping back in emerging economies. There would be weaker activity for some major oil exporters, with the Russian economy - also hit by tensions over Ukraine - expected to shrink by 3.8 per cent this year, worse than the previously estimated 3 per cent. The IMF said that while risks to global growth 'are now more balanced' than six months ago, they 'remain tilted to the downside'. These included the danger of low inflation in countries saddled by high debt, with the warning coming on the same day that official figures showed inflation falling to minus 0.01 per cent in the UK. Inflation remained at a record low of zero per cent for the second consecutive month, official figures revealed this morning . Inflation remained at a record low of zero per cent for the second consecutive month, official figures revealed this morning. It means that in the 12 months to March family living costs have not risen at all – while at the same time people's pay jumped by 1.8 per cent. Prices are being held down by the falling cost of food, fuel and women's clothes, the office for national statistics said this morning. Petrol prices fell by 13.7 per cent over the year to March, but saw a slight increase between February and March. The average petrol price rose by 3.8p per litre between February and March. The biggest price falls came from clothing and footwear which fell by 0.1 per cent between February and March. This is the first time that prices have fallen between February and March since month-on-month inflation was first measured. Normally prices rise as they recover following the January sales period. IMF chief economist Olivier Blanchard said: 'A number of complex forces are shaping the prospects around the world. 'Legacies of both the financial and euro area crises - weak banks and high levels of public, corporate, and household debt - are still weighing on spending and growth in some countries.' The outlook for the US this year has been slashed by 0.5 per cent to 3.1 per cent while for the eurozone it has been upgraded from 1.2 per cent to 1.5 per cent, helped by low oil prices and a weaker single currency amid a 1.1 trillion euro (£790 billion) stimulus programme. The IMF still said conditions were ripe for 'robust US economic performance in 2015' but pointed to risks such as the strong dollar hitting exports and the low oil price suppressing investment in that sector. It said macroeconomic risks to global growth, such as a recession in the eurozone, had slightly decreased, but that financial and geopolitical risks had increased. The latter included below-target inflation in countries with high debt and low growth since the financial crisis, with little room to provide more monetary stimulus. The report said: 'Stagnation and low inflation in advanced economies, notwithstanding the recent upgrade to the near-term growth forecasts for some of these economies, could hamper the recovery.' It said prospects for some economies were 'clouded' by ageing populations, weak investment and lacklustre productivity growth as well as high debt both among governments and in the private sector. The report added: 'Inflation and inflation expectations in most advanced economies are below target and are in some cases still declining - a particular concern for countries with crisis legacies of high debt and low growth, and little or no room to ease monetary policy.' Financial risks could also include a further surge in the US dollar and strong market reactions as 'accommodative' monetary policies supporting recovery - such as low interest rates and money printing - start to be withdrawn. Geopolitical risks included tensions 'stemming from ongoing events in Ukraine, the Middle East and West Africa' which 'could generate regional and global spillover'.
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International Monetary Fund says UK economy will grow by 2.7% this year .
Only the United States will grow faster among world's biggest economies .
New figures show inflation is still at 0%, with food and fuel prices down .
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Riot police were ordered into position in front of Galatasaray fans after flares were hurled on to the Emirates Stadium pitch in the first half of Wednesday night's Champions League tie against Arsenal. Several flares were thrown on after defender Felipe Melo had put in a two-footed lunge on Alexis Sanchez in the 36th minute. The Gunners led 2-0 at the time following two goals from Danny Welbeck. And the clubs could face sanctions as a result, with UEFA confirming it may take action after considering the report of its match delegate. Galatasaray supporters lit flares and threw them on to the pitch at the Emirates Stadium during their 4-1 defeat by Arsenal in the Champions League . The incident occurred late in the first half and caused a brief stoppage in play as stewards removed the flares from the pitch . A section of the 3,000 travelling Galatasaray fans in one corner of the Emirates started lighting flares and hurling them on to the pitch . The disturbance caused a brief stoppage in play as the pitch was cleared - UEFA confirmed that retrospective action may be taken against the Turkish club . Fernando Muslera removes one of the flares during the Champions League clash after Danny Welbeck had struck a double to put the Gunners in front . Muslera and Wesley Sneijder came over to the fans in an attempt to calm them down as riot police filed across in front of the away section . Laurent Koscielny walks by as Galatasaray fans throw flares onto the far end of the Emirates turf . The presence of the Galatasaray fans certainly enhanced the Emirates atmosphere but their side were woeful and easily beaten on the night . One Galatasaray fan gives a one-fingered salute as the supporters around him go wild amid the billowing smoke . A number of flares were lit in the middle of the Galatasaray section as the fans chanted in unison . The Turkish supporters are renowned for their love of intimidating pyrotechnics, which are supposedly banned from English grounds . The Galatasaray fans throw some of the flares into the tunnel area at the centre of the away section as police officers watch on . The flares smothered the stadium in smoke and the match was disrupted for a couple of minutes as it cleared away . Galatasaray fans are renowned for their passionate support, following the team all over Turkey and Europe in the Champions League . The game was briefly disrupted as Galatasaray captain Wesley Sneijder sought to diffuse the tension by jogging over to the visiting support and appealing for calm. Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera collected the flares and dropped them on the sidelines, at which point helmeted riot police and stewards filed along the advertising hoardings. Firecrackers had also been let off by Galatasaray's travelling contingent, who were stunned into silence when Sanchez fired the Gunners into a 3-0 lead with four minutes of the half remaining. The Metropolitan Police confirmed there had been six arrests, two of which were for entering the ground with flares.. Riot police with dogs lined up on the pitch at the final whistle as the Galatasaray fans were kept behind to allow home supporters to leave the ground . Police were deployed at the end to try and prevent a repeat of the scenes in the first half . Hundreds of Galatasaray fans advanced through north London with flares and banners before Arsenal game . 'We are aware of a number of flares being ignited and thrown on to the pitch at the Emirates Stadium,' a police spokesperson told Press Association Sport. 'There were also some flares thrown near to the Tollington Arms on Hornsey Road. 'Police will be reviewing CCTV footage from inside the stadium and of the surrounding streets.' A flare was set off under a bridge near Finsbury Park in north London by some of the 3,000 travelling Galatasaray supporters . A huge banner and a flare were set off under a bridge near Finsbury Park as police escorted the fans . Galatasaray fans always leave a lasting impression and they certainly lit up north London before, during and after the match . Supporters of the Turkish club stopped outside the Emirates Stadium and pointed and chanted . Galatasaray supporters run towards the Emirates Stadium with their arms aloft ahead of the clash . Like our Arsenal Facebook page here.
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Galatasaray fans disrupted Champions League clash with Arsenal by throwing flares onto the pitch .
Fernando Muslera and Wesley Sneijder removed the flares and appealed for their own fans to calm down .
UEFA said action could be taken against the clubs once the match delegate has submitted their report .
Flares also set off under a bridge near Finsbury Park by Galatasaray fans .
Huge police presence escorted 3,000 Turkish supporters to Emirates .
Metropolitan police confirm six arrests have been made .
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(CNN) -- Karim Benzema shrugged off his club troubles and a violent challenge to give France a 1-0 win over 10-man Brazil in Wednesday's prestige friendly in Paris. The Real Madrid striker netted the only goal from close range nine minutes into the second half of the rematch of the 1998 World Cup final at the same venue -- which France won 3-0. He was lucky to escape serious injury five minutes before the break when Brazil midfielder Hernanes was sent off for kicking him in the chest. Benzema has struggled to show his true form in Spain since his $48 million move in 2009, but was a constant threat after the red card and should have added more to his new tally of 12 international goals. However, his 54th-minute strike proved enough, set up by winger Jeremy Menez's burst down the right and subsequent teasing low cross. Menez was lucky to stay on the pitch after a bad tackle from behind on Brazil defender David Luiz, whose new English club Chelsea will be relieved he escaped injury. It was France's fifth consecutive win under coach Laurent Blanc, who has revived the team's fortunes after last year's first-round exit at the World Cup in South Africa. Brazil coach Mano Menezes suffered a second successive defeat following November's loss to Argentina. Also on Wednesday, two of the world's best footballers went head-to-head in neutral Switzerland, and once again Lionel Messi came out on top as Argentina snatched a last-gasp 2-1 friendly win over Portugal. His Real Madrid arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo put the European side level in the 21st minute after Angel Di Maria's opener in Geneva, but Barcelona superstar Messi gave the South Americans the spoils with a 90th-minute penalty. The duo have matched each other almost goal for goal this season in La Liga, and Messi has the upper hand with Barcelona seven points clear and resounding 5-0 victors in the opening "Clasico" clash between the two clubs. And the two-time world player of the year was involved in Argentina's 14th-minute opener as he cut in from the right in trademark fashion to set up Real winger Di Maria. But Ronaldo, who followed up Messi's weekend hat-trick with a double of his own to regain top spot in the Spanish scoring charts, pounced from close range soon after from striker Hugo Almeida's flick-on. Ronaldo should have made it 2-1 soon after halftime but hit the bar from close range, then saw Almeida waste an even better opportunity before both were substituted along with Nani. But Messi stayed on the pitch until the end, and got his reward when Fabio Coentrao fouled substitute Pablo Zabaleta. In another rematch of a past World Cup final, Germany were held 1-1 at home by 1982 champions Italy. Veteran striker Miroslav Klose opened the scoring in the 16th minute after fine build-up play by Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller, beating recalled former captain Gianluigi Buffon in goal. But Giuseppe Rossi -- who shares the surname of 1982 tournament top scorer Paolo -- snatched a late equalizer for Cesare Prandelli's team, beating keeper Manuel Neuer at the second attempt with nine minutes to play. World champions Spain beat Colombia 1-0 in Madrid thanks to an 86th-minute winner by substitute David Silva. Striker David Villa, seeking to move past Raul as Spain's record scorer, was denied his 45th international goal when he hit the post in the first half. The Netherlands, beaten in the World Cup final in South Africa last year, defeated Austria 3-1 in Eidhoven. Wesley Sneijder volleyed a 28th-minute opener before second-half goals from striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar -- his 10th goal in six matches -- and Dirk Kuyt from the penalty spot made Marko Arnautovic's late strike a mere consolation. England came from behind to beat Denmark 2-1 in Copenhagen, as Aston Villa forwards Darren Bent and Ashley Young struck in each half after Daniel Agger's early diving header. Russia suffered a shock 1-0 defeat by Iran in the United Arab Emirates, as Mohammad Reza Khalatbari netted a last-minute winner and was then sent off after being booked for celebrating. The match was reportedly watched by former Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz, who has been linked with the Iran post. South Korea, who were also in action at the Asian Cup recently, drew 0-0 with Turkey. Cameroon warmed up for next month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Senegal with a 1-0 win away to Macedonia, with substitute Matthew Mbuta scoring the only goal in the 75th minute in Skopje. South Africa beat Kenya 2-0 thanks to first-half goals from Davide Somma and Steven Pienaar, while Morocco defeated Niger 3-0 and Nigeria edged Sierra Leone 2-1.
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France edge Brazil 1-0 in rematch of 1998 World Cup final in Paris .
Karim Benzema scores the only goal after surviving horror challenge by Hernanes .
Lionel Messi upstages Cristiano Ronaldo with Argentina's late winner against Portugal .
World Cup finalists Spain and the Netherlands both win their friendly outings .
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Title: "Groundbreaking Study Reveals Potential Cancer-Fighting Properties in Common Mushroom"
In an exciting breakthrough for the medical world, researchers at the University of East Asia have discovered potential cancer-fighting properties in the common white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). The study, published in the journal 'Nature', suggests that certain compounds found in these mushrooms could help suppress the growth of cancer cells.
The research team focused on a compound called ergothioneine, which is abundant in white button mushrooms and other foods. This antioxidant appears to have a unique ability to protect cells from oxidative stress, a factor that can contribute to the development and progression of cancer.
While further research is needed to fully understand the potential applications of this finding, the initial results are promising. Lead researcher Dr. Hiroshi Watanabe expressed his excitement about the discovery, stating, "This could be a game-changer in our fight against cancer. If we can harness the power of these mushrooms, we may be able to develop new treatments that are more effective and less harmful than current options."
The team is now working on developing a supplement based on ergothioneine for further testing and potential use in cancer treatment. In the meantime, enjoying a serving or two of white button mushrooms as part of a balanced diet may offer some additional health benefits. As always, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet or treatment plan.
Stay tuned for more updates on this fascinating development in the world of medicine!
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A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of East Asia reveals potential cancer-fighting properties in common white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus). The study, published in the journal 'Nature', focuses on a compound called ergothioneine, an antioxidant abundant in white button mushrooms. This compound seems to protect cells from oxidative stress, which can contribute to cancer development and progression.
While more research is needed, initial results are promising, suggesting that ergothioneine could lead to new, less harmful treatments for cancer. The team is currently working on developing a supplement based on this compound for further testing and potential use in cancer treatment. In the meantime, consuming white button mushrooms as part of a balanced diet may offer additional health benefits. As always, consulting with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet or treatment plan is advised. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting development in the field of medicine!
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Title: Groundbreaking Study Unveils New Potential for Solar Energy Storage
In a significant leap towards renewable energy independence, a team of international scientists has recently published a groundbreaking study that could revolutionize the way we store solar energy. The research, conducted by a multidisciplinary team from universities in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, focuses on developing advanced materials for solar energy storage systems.
The key discovery revolves around the use of organic molecules to create an ultrafast solar battery that can store solar power more efficiently than traditional batteries while maintaining a lower cost. This innovative design allows for the rapid absorption and discharge of solar energy, increasing the overall efficiency of solar power systems by up to 90%.
"This is an exciting breakthrough in our pursuit of sustainable energy solutions," said Dr. Sarah Williams, one of the lead researchers involved in the project. "The ability to efficiently store solar power will pave the way for greater reliance on renewable sources and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
The potential applications of this technology are vast, ranging from powering homes and businesses to supporting electric vehicles and even backing up the electrical grid during periods of peak demand or outages. The researchers estimate that the new solar battery technology could be commercially available within the next five to ten years, depending on further testing and refinement.
As we continue to grapple with climate change and energy security concerns, advancements like this offer a glimmer of hope for a greener and more sustainable future. The scientific community will be closely monitoring the progress of this research and eagerly awaiting potential real-world applications. Stay tuned for updates on this groundbreaking study and the exciting possibilities it holds for renewable energy storage solutions.
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A team of international scientists has published a groundbreaking study on advanced materials for solar energy storage systems, focusing on ultrafast solar batteries using organic molecules. This design can absorb and discharge solar energy quickly, increasing overall efficiency by up to 90%. The potential applications range from homes and businesses to electric vehicles and grid support. The new battery technology could be available in the next five to ten years. This advancement offers hope for a greener future as we tackle climate change and energy security concerns.
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By . Sami Mokbel . Follow @@SamiMokbel81_DM . West Ham are contemplating a move for Monaco striker Lacina Traore as fears grow over Andy Carroll's fitness. The England striker has sustained an ankle injury on the club's tour of New Zealand causing him to miss Wednesday morning's 2-1 defeat to Wellington. And manager Sam Allardyce is giving serious consideration to signing another centre forward amid concerns over his £15million man. Goalscorer: Lacina Traore celebrates scoring on his Everton debut against Swansea . More firepower: Sam Allardyce is considering a move for Traore following Andy Carroll's fitness struggles . Traore is among the names on West Ham's potential shortlist ahead of the new season. The 6ft 8in striker nearly joined the Hammers in January, but the Ivory Coast star opted to join Everton on loan instead. He scored on his debut for the Toffees against Swansea in the FA Cup on February 16, but sustained a hamstring injury six days later in the warm-up ahead of a clash with Chelsea and missed the rest of the season. Monaco are willing to let the striker, who could also be a target for Everton, leave this summer - a development West Ham are aware of. World class: Traore during a friendly ahead of the World Cup with the Ivory Coast . Star signing: He might have cost West Ham £15million but Carroll's injury problems make him unreliable . Carroll's time at Upton Park has been beset by injury problems, and his latest set-back has led to fears over his long-term fitness ahead of the new season. He made just 16 appearances for the club last season owing to a serious heel injury. West Ham insist he is not expected to miss the start of the new campaign, but Allardyce knows he can ill-afford another year without a proven centre forward to lead his attack. Carroll's injury problems, and his lack of options up front, played a key factor in the club's disappointing 2013/14 campaign - with the Hammers even playing without a recognised centre-forward for some matches. But Allardyce, who has completed deals for forwards Mauro Zarate and Enner Valencia, does not want to fall into the same trap next season and is weighing up a move for a new hitman. Considering his options: Sam Allardyce doesn't want a repeat of last season's no-striker problems .
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Roberto Martinez is also considered a move for 6ft 8in frontman .
Carroll picked up an ankle injury during training on New Zealand tour .
The £15million man's fitness struggles last season remain a concern .
West Ham were forced to play without a recognised striker last campaign .
Sam Allardyce already has two new forwards but may want a third .
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(CNN) -- "There's only one method of manipulation that has stood the test of time," begins the press release issued by Carrot Dating, a new dating app developed by MIT grad Brandon Wade. "Bribery." In fact, it's this alleged truism -- which, by the way, isn't true at all given that highly effective methods of manipulation such as lying, rationalization, denial and guilt are still very much going strong -- that inspired Carrot Dating, "the world's first bribe-for-a-date app." This app lets users entice potential partners into romantic outings by offering them gifts such as "plastic surgery or a tank of gas," because "messaging may get her interested, but bribery will get you a date." Good god. It's pretty clear the founders of this app, not to mention the author of the press release, are actively courting outrage -- a quote from the founder reads, goadingly, "Women like presents like dog like treats." But the fact that this level of misogyny is being monetized and marketed and put into practice is disturbing. Someone, after all, gave this guy the funds to build the app and its companion website; Wade told reporters Carrot already has 30,000 users of both genders signed up. And misogynistic it is: Although women can bribe men to go out with them, too, taglines that include "Dangle Your Carrot!" imply which scenario Carrot Dating is aiming at. Perhaps Wade is just trying to be cheeky. This isn't, after all, the first time he's been called a misogynist or sought to monetize sexism. Carrot is just the latest in a fleet of dating sites Wade has founded. They include SeekingArrangements.com, a "sugar daddy dating" site that pairs young women with rich, older men; WhatsYourPrice.com, where men bid on dates with women; and MissTravel.com, which links up "attractive" women with "generous" men who want a travel companion. All three have been accused of promoting prostitution, or at least a prostitutory ethos, and that's become something of a go-to for Wade. He gets bolder, not to mention richer, with every launch and with every piece of corresponding publicity, even if it's negative -- and unsurprisingly, most of it is. Such misogyny, even if employed as part of a marketing strategy or a business shtick, has considerable effects, none of which should be taken lightly. Misogyny is a serious form of bullying directed explicitly at women. Over time, it affects the way women think about themselves. By casting men as the chasers and women as the chased, the values and actions encouraged by Carrot Dating promote sexism, violence against women and other gender imbalances that men and women have worked for years to counter. A 2007 study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology even found that vicarious exposure to misogyny, just simply witnessing such hostility against others, can create lower well-being among those not directly harassed. Carrot Dating claims to be performing a service; that is, motivating people to go on dates with those they otherwise might reject, thereby removing some of the existing barriers to romance and "opening minds." Wade says Carrot Dating is entirely modern, set to even the playing field in a world where, he says, women have the upper hand and their pick of men. But his app seeks to do this by validating the notion that it's normal to expect something from a date other than, say, good conversation or pleasant company; that going on a date should only happen if there's something material in it for you. Not exactly a recipe for true love. But, then, Carrot Dating isn't really about opening people's minds and expanding their options. Or about true love. It's about stirring up controversy, with hapless Carrot Dating users. At the same time, what he's stirring up is not victimless controversy. At its core, Carrot reinforces the notion that women can, and should, be bought -- the same attitude, by the way, that has made human trafficking a $34 billion business. The upside: One could argue that sites such as Carrot Dating satisfy a certain, very specific demographic and serve to connect only like-minded singles. The site may be crass, superficial and self-loathing, but then again so are many people. Why not let them mate? Or at least meet. The more of these people who date each other using sites such as Carrot, the fewer of them remain among those who might be looking for more in a partner than a free haircut or a new nose. Those who are attracted to Carrot Dating, or sites like it, know what they're getting. As for everyone else, well, at least they know what they're not. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Peggy Drexler.
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New app lets you bribe a potential date with "plastic surgery or a tank of gas"
Peggy Drexler: Creator says "women like presents like dogs like treats"; is he serious?
Drexler: "Sugar daddy" creator's been accused of promoting prostitution with apps .
Go inside the "sugar daddy" dating scene on CNN's "This is Life with Lisa Ling"
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(The Frisky) -- By T-minus 18 days until the Oscars and, of course, we are all starting to place bets on who we think will walk away with little golden men this year. Luckily, the Academy has proven itself to be pretty darn predictable over the years. If you're America's Sweetheart, you'll probably win Best Actress. If you sing in a flick, you are almost guaranteed Oscar gold. But there's another trend we've been noticing lately: the winners for Best Actress and Best Actor tend to be the person who's taken on the based-on-a-true-story role. In fact, 10 of the 20 top honors given in the 2000s went to actors who portrayed real people. Let's take a look, shall we? Last year, Sandra Bullock won Best Actress -- just days after taking home a Razzie -- for playing Leigh Anne Tuohy, the Southern mom who took in Michael Oher and helped coach him toward football greatness. The real Leigh Anne was in the theater to see Sandra accept her award. The Frisky: 12 Female Celebs Reveal Their True Size . In 2008, Sean Penn won the Academy Award for Best Actor -- again! -- for playing Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. I still remember the gorgeous mermaid-scale gown that Marion Cotillard won when she accepted the Oscar for Best Actress in 2007 for her role in "La Vie En Rose." In the movie, she played Edith Piaf, an extremely popular singer in France who was also known for her out-of-control social life. In many ways, Marion won for playing the Britney Spears of 1950s France. The Frisky: 12 Starlets Married And Divorced By 26 . In 2006's "The Queen," Helen managed to out-Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth II herself in the movie about the aftermath of Princess Diana's death. Helen, of course, won Oscar gold for her efforts. Philip Seymour Hoffman was one of two actors to portray writer Truman Capote in a two-year span. His uncanny portrayal netted him a Best Actor win in 2005. The Frisky: 10 Celebs Who Fancy Themselves Doctors . That same year, Reese Witherspoon won Best Actress for playing another beloved real character -- June Carter Cash, the wife of Johnny Cash. In the movie, Reese didn't sound exactly like June as she warbled "Jackson," but put her own spin on the classic tune. Blame it on the al-al-al-alcohol, but sometimes I forget that Jamie Foxx is an Oscar winner. He won Best Actor in 2004 for his portrayal of iconic ivory-tickler Ray Charles in "Ray." The Frisky: Scandalous 9 Celebrity Pairs Spotted Leaving A Party Together . Charlize Theron broke out of the former-model mold when she played Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute who killed at least six men. By gaining 30 pounds, rocking a mullet, and perfecting an eyebrow-less, terrifying stare, Charlize won Best Actress in 2003. Adrien Brody may be in beer ads now, but in 2003 he was riding high after winning the Oscar for Best Actor in "The Pianist." In the movie, he played Jewish piano virtuoso Szpilman, who survived the Nazi invasion of Poland. In 2000, Julia Roberts took on the role of a brash single mother who, without a law degree, helped construct a lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric Company. She won an Oscar for her real-life role in "Erin Brockovich." The real Erin, however, did not get a statue for her cameo in the flick as a waitress who takes Julia's order. The Frisky: 10 Reasons Why We Need The "Arrested Development" Movie To Happen . So who will the real character effect benefit this year? Interestingly, none of the nominees for Best Actress played screen versions of actual people. But this will make for a very tight race for Best Actor, with Jesse Eisenberg portraying Facebook creator Mark Zuckererg in "The Social Network," Colin Firth playing a stuttering King George VI in "The King's Speech," and James Franco as Aron Ralston, a mountain climber who has to hack off his own arm in "127 Hours." Which of them do you think will win? TM & © 2010 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved .
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Sandra Bullock won Best Actress for playing Leigh Anne Tuohy .
Sean Penn won the Academy Award for for playing Harvey Milk .
Julia Roberts won an Oscar for her real-life role in "Erin Brockovich"
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By . Becky Evans . PUBLISHED: . 03:53 EST, 9 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:46 EST, 9 October 2013 . Prisoners have been sent letters politely informing them not to take drugs and asking why inmates want to escape. Bosses at Ford Open prison admitted in a letter there had been an 'increase' of Class A drugs and reminded them of the 'risks' of taking them. Local MP Nick Gibb said officials need to be tougher on drug use inside the prison and said residents expect a 'zero tolerance' approach. Ford Open prison bosses have written to inmates to ask why they abscond and to warn them about drug use . He told Mail Online that there are known 'drop zones' around the Category D prison, which is next to the small Sussex village of Climping. Prison security chief Esther Dainton wrote to inmates saying: 'We would like to take this opportunity to alert offenders as to the obvious risks both to those using drugs and those who may be in the vicinity whilst others are under the influence.' In a separate letter inmates were asked why people wanted to abscond from the open prison in Arundel. The institution has a history of escaped prisoners and in July convicted murderer and burglar Paul Flint went on the run after walking out of the facility. He was not rearrested until last month. Local MP Nick Gibb said residents expect a 'zero tolerance' approach to drugs and alcohol at Ford . Ford governor Sharon Jefcut said there had been a 'slight increase' in the number of inmates absconding from the prison. In a letter published by The Sun, she wrote: 'As a Senior Management Team we would be interested in what your views and perceptions are as to why offenders choose to abscond.' She did warn that those who absconded faced additional time in custody. The prison holds about 500 inmates, including serious offenders. It has previously housed Learco Chindamo, who was jailed for stabbing headmaster Philip Lawrence in 1995, and George Best following his 1984 conviction for drink-driving and assaulting a police officer. Last year a report on Ford by the chief inspector of prisons found that a third of inmates said it was 'easy to get drugs in the prison'. Twenty five prisoners had absconded in 2011 and 13 in the early part of 2012. The inspectorate said it was good practice for bosses to ask prisoners for information about absconding. However, Mr Gibb said people will be appalled at the seemingly gentle approach taken. He said: 'They will want officials to be tougher and firmer in terms of drugs policies, and not just hard drugs. 'It should be very clear and say that if they find you in possession of any drug you should simply go into closed conditions. 'Absconding itself presents risks and people disappear into the countryside.' The Category D prison has previously housed convicted killer Learco Chindamo (left) and George Best (right) In 2011, inmates started a riot in the prison after they were ordered to undergo breathalyser tests and several buildings were set on fire. A Prison Service spokeswoman said: 'We take the illicit use of drugs in prisons very seriously and offenders are made well aware that anyone caught with prohibited items will face swift and decisive punishment. 'This can include having days added to their sentence, being transferred to a different prison and losing privileges.'
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Ford open prison bosses asked for inmate's views on why some abscond .
In separate letter prisoners were warned of the 'risks' of Class A drugs .
Local MP said residents expect a 'zero tolerance' approach to drug use .
Said inmates should automatically be sent to closed prison if found with contraband .
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By . Sam Webb . PUBLISHED: . 03:06 EST, 22 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:30 EST, 22 May 2013 . Accident: Factory worker Niall Page, 17, was crushed to death by a forklift truck just two days before his 18th birthday . A teenage apprentice was killed in a warehouse accident just two days before his 18th birthday, an inquest heard today. Niall Page, 17, died of a cardiac arrest caused by internal bleeding after he was crushed against a wall by a forklift in February 2011. The inquest also heard how, on earlier occasions, the youngster, from Irlam in Salford, Greater Manchester, would be raised up while stood on wooden pallets - only for driver James Renton to use the truck's gears to shake the teenager around. He was seen by and filmed by another colleague shouting 'stop, stop, stop' as he tried to keep his balance while 25-year old Renton was laughing in the driver's seat. Tragedy struck when Niall - who had been in the job for just five months - was crushed at floor level after jumping into a bay. The teenager was rushed to hospital where his mother Janet Page works a nurse - but died several hours later. As the family sat at the hospital, Renton turned up with his head bowed and confessed: 'We have all picked up bad habits. I didn't see him - I just hit him,' the inquest heard. The accident occurred after workers at Pioneer International Logistics in Trafford Park, Manchester were encouraged by senior staff to 'cut corners' by jumping on the pallets and being raised up to scan in items stored on shelves, the hearing was told. Keen rugby player Niall, who played guitar in a band and had attended music college, had also been supposed to work 9-5pm hours yet was told to work until 6pm, it was said. Mrs Page, 45, from Irlam told the hearing at Sale: 'I was concerned about Niall working there in the first place and I didn't think he had the support in the first place that he should have done. Niall was a keen musician and rugby player. He had only been in the job for five months . Another colleague had filmed Niall being 'shaken' as he stood on the fork of a fork lift truck as he scanned boxes . 'He was to be an apprentice and have a mentor. He was doing five days and meant to be doing 9-5pm but when he left at 5pm they said he had to work 9-6pm. I felt like he was being exploited. 'When I said leave the job he declined. He said he wanted to work.' The inquest was told in the moments before the tragedy Niall was stood in the pallet as it was being raised by the fork of Renton's truck. He was crushed between part of the forklift truck and an interior wall of the building. His mother had just left work at Salford Royal Hospital when she got a call saying her son had been rushed in following the accident. Mrs Page added: 'He was conscious and agitated but sat up because he was in pain. I just hugged him first. By this time the police had said that he had walked out in front of the truck and I said, "did you?" He said, "no mum I didn't, I didn't".' Family: (left to right) Sister Kelly, father Ian and mother Janet . 'I said "did Mr Renton see you?" He said, "yes he did", then he drew his knees up because he was in pain. I didn't pursue it any longer, I was just hugging him.' 'Mr Renton came and I remember my husband saying to Niall, "your friend has come to see you". 'He said he didn't see him step out of an empty racking, he said "I didn't see him" and that he "just hit him". Niall was coherent even though he was in pain.' The inquest heard that management at the warehouse encouraged workers to use the forklifts to raise staff to scan boxes as a time-saving measure . 'I was curious, I thought if he had been hit further down below he would have injuries down below. But he had a mark on his face, a pipe mark going down the middle of his face, a cut down his nose and bruising to his abdomen. 'He had no skin on the tips of his fingers.' 'Mr Renton just said they had all picked up bad habits and it was hard to change. All he said was that he stepped out. I knew something wasn't right and my son wasn't a liar either. 'He just sat with his head down. He seemed as though he was sad but he said he had got to go and finish his shift as they wouldn't let him home. We thought it was awful.' Stephen Holland, a trained forklift truck driver who formerly worked for Pioneer Logistics Ltd, said under safety rules workers at the factory should have scanned in storage items at ground level and not be raised up on pallets. But he said staff including Niall and another apprentice were instructed to get onto the forks of the forklift trucks and be ferried along the side of the storage racks to scan boxes as a way of 'cutting corners' in order to do the job quicker. Mr Holland said: 'I just kept quiet because I didn't want to lose my job. The general rule of forklift trucks was that you are responsible for yourself and your colleagues around you. 'The lifting of another person was not allowed but it was your responsibility for the safety of that person. 'I was always driving the trucks but I never let anyone else up. I got told in my training that if you injure the person, you are the one who will get done and could go to jail. It is your duty to look after your environment. Pioneer International Logistics Plc, located in Trafford Park in Greater Manchester, where Niall worked and died . Niall (pictured) died of a cardiac arrest. Two of his colleagues lost their jobs after the warehouse accident . 'Some people were raised all the way to the top and I had seen Niall go to the top. The supervisors knew this was going on. They would say "jump on a truck, get James, get a pallet and raise up". 'Niall was on the pallets, James was raising him up sometimes he would shake the truck, messing around and shaking the gears as he went to the top - shaking him down and shaking him. Stephen Holland, a former employee of Pioneer Logistics, gave evidence at the inquest . 'Niall was saying "stop stop stop" but James was laughing. I don't think Niall was scared, he was holding on tight to the metal bar on the front guards. 'I saw him do it quite a few times and filmed him once.' Mr Holland said on the day of the accident he had been working another shift and added: 'James rang me and said that he had killed Niall. 'He said Niall was in the truck, they were driving down one of the aisles and he was looking for a pallet. 'He lifted Niall up to the first one he scanned the pallet got him down to the bottom and scanned it in to the bay. 'He said Niall jumped out of the truck, James had gone forward. He said Niall jumped off the pallet and into the bay and he hit him in the chest. 'James panicked and has gone forward and hit him twice. He put him on the floor and ran to get some help.' Niall's fellow apprentice Luke Tabner, now 19, said: 'To save time, people would be lifted onto the fork. It was me and Niall who did it, that's just because we were apprentices. 'We would get asked to do the checks, we didn't really think, we would just do it. 'The way I felt was that they turned a blind eye to it. It didn't seem a big deal until something bad happened. I saw James Renton stood at the gate looking dead pale, he said "I have just hurt Niall".' The hearing was told both Mr Holland and Mr Tabner had lost their jobs at the warehouse following the tragedy. Renton has been summonsed to give evidence at the hearing. The inquest continues.
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Niall Page, 17, died of a cardiac arrest following accident .
The Salford resident had been in the job just five months .
The rugby player was filmed by a colleague being lifted up on a forklift .
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A New York-based student who earned widespread criticism and notoriety earlier this year when she wrote an essay demanding that poor people should stop making her feel bad because she's rich has posted a follow-up article in which she complains that the media coverage of her outburst failed to make an issue of her sexuality. Rachel Sacks, who is enrolled in a $40,000-a-year writing program at a New York liberal arts school, posted her latest musings – entitled They Could Find My House But They Couldn't Find Out I Was Gay - on Thought Catalog on Monday. Sacks writes that she is upset with the media for not making an issue our of her sexuality, even though she admits it wasn't actually relevant to her previous essay about how a cashier at a grocery store close to her affluent West Village apartment was unfriendly and frowned at her because she had a designer bag. Scroll down for video . Rachael Sacks, who gained notoriety over an essay about poor people hating her because she's rich, has now complained that the media didn't include the fact that she is gay even though she admits it wasn't relevant . ‘I have Pride Flags hanging in the windows of my apartment,’ protests Sacks. ‘My Facebook account also says ''interested in women''. Reporters were able to find my home on Google Earth yet they were unable to see my sexuality blatantly listed for the public to see? It doesn’t add up.’ It was October when Sacks first gained notoriety after she posted her controversial essay on the Though Catalog site entitled I’m Not Going To Pretend That I’m Poor To Be Accepted By You. In that article Sacks blogged: 'I am sorry that I was born into great financial circumstances and my father likes to provide for me. I am sorry I don’t have to go to a state school to save my parents money. What do you want from me?' Scorned: Rachael Sacks, 20, has received endless online vitriol over her essay about her privileged background . In the media firestorm that followed Sacks, 20, was unrepentant over her rantings and told the Mail Online that she was undeserving of the media attention it generated because she was a 'spoiled brat who masturbates too much'. In her latest essay, Sacks freely admits that her sexuality has nothing to do with previous essay which gained her notoriety in the first place. ‘While my sexuality is irrelevant to the topic of my article, it still is part of who I am and should not be ignored,’ she admitted. According to Sacks, she believes her sexuality was ignored because ‘it would look tacky to vilify me in the press in regards to my sexuality.’ ‘Non normative sexuality has to be avoided completely as a topic of discussion because of all of the tragedies that have resulted from kids being bullied for being gay.’ Sacks is seen here with her father, Dr Preston Sacks, a prominent fertility doctor in Bethesda, Maryland . On her blog, her ambition is stated as: 'Working on my goal of being a rich eccentric old person by writing a lot of things.' The student has penned other articles . entitled '13 Things That Should Exist For New York Women In Their 20s' and 'Confession: I'm a chronic female masturbator'. In her essay about the hardships she faced as a rich person she wrote: 'People shouldn’t make others feel bad about their own personal finances. How people spend their money is their own choice.' She continued: 'It just seems really petty and makes you look bitter and unhappy with your own life if you are casting nasty glares at college girls in Gristedes because you’re a cashier.' The 20-year-old then argued: 'I’m not one of those people who try to be poor to relate to people. 'I think that’s honestly really disgusting behavior, it’s as if you’re saying that you have to make yourself into something you think is beneath you to get others to like you.' Classy lady: The 20-year-old New York college student said in her previous article that it is petty to be bitter about college girls if you're a cashier at a grocery store . She later claimed that she had no idea . that she was rich while growing up because her family went to McDonalds . and she wore clothes from Old Navy. She added: 'I went to private school when I was younger and there would always be someone so much richer than me. 'There . were kids who owned their own horses and whose parents were . billionaires, so I had no idea that I had any money until I was about 14 . and people called me ''Rachael Sacks of Cash''. Within hours of Sacks' previous article, she was flooded with deriding, mocking comments from people who didn't appreciate her perspective on wealth. 'Yes, let's all pity and feel bad for poor, judged, not smiled at,' one twitter user commented sarcastically. A commenter on her story wrote: 'What a spoiled brat. Your parents did a horrible job of raising you. The level of entitlement in this article is mind blowing. No one is born spoiled, entitled and snobby.' Sacks attends the New School's Eugene Lang Liberal Arts College - one of the most expensive universities in the country . 'That is a learned behavior. And it's . repugnant. I hope that you can modify your behavior before you pass your . horrible and selfish attitude down to your children,' another commenter . added. Sacks responded in fury at the negative responses her personal essay had drawn. She posted on Twitter: 'I've been dealing with b****** since the third grade I've always been ready for haterz.' She added: 'I'm just an obnoxiously loud voice of idiocy amongst billions.' Gossip site Gawker piled on with a post headlined Rich Girl Not Going to Pretend She's Not Rich Just to Make Poors Happy. Sacks attends the private Eugene Lang Liberal Arts College at the New School in Manhattan. Sacks was unrepentant in the face of criticism, telling her 'haters' to 'suck it' With tuition and fees totaling nearly . $40,000 a year and annual cost of attendance estimated at more than . $61,000, it has been ranked as one of the most expensive college in the . country. Her father is Dr Preston Sacks, a prominent fertility doctor in Bethesda, Maryland. The family lives in a $700,000 home in Bethesda, Maryland. Despite the massive influx of online criticism, Sacks doesn't appear to have changed her mind. She tweeted: 'I'm rolling my eyes because I definitely don't deserve this much attention.' Adding later: 'La la la everybody hates me guess ill eat some worrrrmmmsss. Suck it.'
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Rachael Sacks gained instant notoriety in October when she complained on her blog that a grocery store clerk frowned at her Mulberry bag .
She wrote: 'People shouldn’t make others feel bad about their own personal finances. How people spend their money is their own choice'
Now Sacks has written a follow-up article in which she claims the media ignored that she was gay - even though she admits it wasn't relevant .
'While my sexuality is irrelevant to the topic of my article, it still is part of who I am and should not be ignored,' she admits .
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Created: . 23:04 EST, 26 February 2015 . This is the moment a benefits cheat was caught on camera lugging around wood which weighed more than seven stone - despite pocketing £30,000 in state handouts because he was 'too sick to work'. Mark Barnes, 60, from Bacup, Lancashire, received an annual £30,000 in benefits over a seven-year period after claiming he was unable to work due to a debilitating illness. But, after an anonymous tip-off, investigators found Barnes was secretly working as a woodcutter, while still receiving income support, council tax benefit and employment support allowance. Scroll down for video . This is the moment a benefits cheat who pocketed £30,000 in state handouts by claiming he was too sick to work for seven years was caught lugging firewood weighing more than seven stone . Mark Barnes, 60, from Bacup, Lancashire, received nearly £30,000 each year after claiming he was unable to work due to a debilitating illness . Officers for the Department for Work and Pension set up a camera at his work and covertly filmed Barnes chopping up the wood, before lugging it off into a container. The wood, which he then sold on to a local garden centre, was estimated to weigh more than seven-and-a-half stone, according to the Daily Mirror. Burnley Crown Court heard how Barnes sold on the kindling, making £70 cash per week. He told government officials that he thought he was entitled to earn the money while still claiming the handouts, the court heard. Barnes admitted two charges of dishonestly failing to promptly notify a change in circumstances. He also admitted making a false representation for job seekers' allowance to Rossendale Council in October 2013. After an anonymous tip-off, investigators from the Department for Work and Pensions found Barnes was secretly working as a woodcutter . Prosecutor Claire Thomas said Barnes had claimed benefits since February 2000 for himself and two children. After claiming he could not work through illness, he made declarations to the DWP when his son started work, but never told the department he too was working. There was no claim for compensation as the department plans to start civil proceedings to recover the money, the court heard. Officers for the Department for Work and Pensions then filmed him chopping up wood, before lugging sacks of it into a container, ready to be sold on . Barnes admitted two charges of dishonestly failing to promptly notify a change in circumstances, initially for income support and later employment support allowance, and council tax benefit . Richard Dawson, defending, said: 'It is own foolishness that has placed him in the position that he now finds himself. If he explained his situation then he might well have been entitled to certain benefits.' He was given a 12-month community order and 200 hours unpaid work after admitting to failing to notify the authorities about his job. Judge Andrew Long said: 'I am not unsympathetic to your situation. You are a man of previous good character and you showed some nous in getting yourself some work. 'But it was dishonest in that you didn't notify the department. It may well be if you had been honest then you would have received benefits of some sort or other.'
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Mark Barnes, 60, from Bacup, Lancashire, raked in nearly £30,000 per year .
He claimed he could not work but was cutting firewood for £70 per week .
Investigators secretly filmed Barnes lifting wood weighing more than 7st .
Given 12-month community order after admitting failing to notify authorities about job .
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Highbury tunnel players in clear
The Football Association has said it will not be bringing charges over the tunnel incident prior to the Arsenal and Manchester United game.
Arsenal's Patrick Vieira had earlier denied accusations that he threatened Gary Neville before the 4-2 defeat. Vieira also clashed with opposing skipper Roy Keane and referee Graham Poll had to separate them. "The referee has confirmed that he is satisfied he dealt with the incident at the time," said an FA statement. It means United's win will pass off without further intervention from the governing body, whose new chief executive Brian Barwick was in the Highbury stands.
"I didn't threaten anybody. They are big enough players to handle themselves," said Vieira. "I had a talk with Roy Keane and that's it. Gary Neville is a big lad, he can handle himself. "They just played better than us and deserved to win." Neville admitted there had been incidents before the game, but insisted it had not distracted his focus. "There were a couple of things that did happen before the game which disappoint you," he said. "Especially from players of that calibre, but it's a tough game and we've been around a long time." Neville admitted that he had not enjoyed the match, which was punctuated by fouls and the sending off of Mikael Silvestre for head-butting Freddie Ljungberg . "I thought it was a horrible game in the first half, and it was not much better in the second," he said. "There is no way that should have happened in a football match."
After the match, Keane accused Vieira of starting the row. "Patrick Vieira is 6ft 4in and having a go at Gary Neville. So I said, 'have a go at me'," he said. "If he wants to intimidate our players and thinks that Gary Neville is an easy target, I'm not having it." Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson added: "Vieira was well wound up for it. "I've heard different stories. Patrick Vieira has apparently threatened some of our players and things like that."
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They are big enough players to handle themselves," said Vieira."Patrick Vieira is 6ft 4in and having a go at Gary Neville.Arsenal's Patrick Vieira had earlier denied accusations that he threatened Gary Neville before the 4-2 defeat."I thought it was a horrible game in the first half, and it was not much better in the second," he said.Patrick Vieira has apparently threatened some of our players and things like that."The Football Association has said it will not be bringing charges over the tunnel incident prior to the Arsenal and Manchester United game.So I said, 'have a go at me'," he said.After the match, Keane accused Vieira of starting the row."There were a couple of things that did happen before the game which disappoint you," he said.Gary Neville is a big lad, he can handle himself.
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 18:50 EST, 20 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:52 EST, 20 October 2013 . 'Tip of the tongue' lapses are more common in older people, but are not linked to dementia, a new study has revealed (library image) If those ‘tip of the tongue’ moments are becoming more frequent, fear not. They may be frustrating, but they do not indicate an increased risk of dementia, research has found. Anecdotal evidence has long suggested that this type of memory lapse happens more often as we age – but its relationship to cognitive decline such as Alzheimer’s had never been established. So American researchers asked more than 700 participants, aged 18 to 99, to give the names of famous places, common nouns or famous people, based on brief descriptions or pictures. The volunteers indicated which answers they knew, which they did not and which gave them a tip-of-the-tongue experience. Several descriptions were particularly likely to induce such a moment . like 'what is the name of the building where one can view images of . celestial bodies on the inner surface of a dome?' and 'what is the name . of the large waterfall in Zambia that is one of the Seven Wonders of the . World?' Of the pictures of the politicians and celebrities, Joe . Lieberman and Ben Stiller were most likely to induce a tip of the tongue . moment. Overall, older participants experienced more of these frustrating moments. But there was no association between the frequency of tip of the tongue occurrences and their performance on the types of memory tests often used in the detection of dementia. Actor Ben Stiller, left, and former senator Joe Lieberman, right, were most likely to induce a 'tip of the tongue' moment, researchers at the University of Virginia found . Psychologist Dr Timothy Salthouse, of the University of Virginia, said: 'We wondered whether these self reports . are valid and, if they are, do they truly indicate age related failures . of the type of memory used in the diagnosis of dementia' ‘Even though increased age is associated with lower levels of episodic memory and with more frequent tip of the tongue experiences, the two phenomena seem to be largely independent of one another.’
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Anecdotal evidence has long suggested that 'tip of the tongue' lapses occur more frequently with age .
Relationship to cognitive decline like Alzheimer's never been established .
Scientists at University of Virginia studied 700 participants aged 18 to 99 .
Found no link between frequency of tip of the tongue occurrences and performance on memory tests often used in dementia detection .
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By . Martin Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 23:30 EST, 16 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:08 EST, 17 May 2013 . Cul-de-sacs may not be quite as popular as they once were but people lucky enough to live on one are the happiest people in Britain, a survey has revealed. Neighbours on the dead-end streets are more likely to know eachother's names, enjoy cups of coffee together and lend tools when compared to any other community. The good life found on a cul-de-sac, long considered the epitome of middle class suburban Britain, is so sought after by homebuyers that people will pay up to 20 per cent more just to secure a property, experts say. The good life: Four out of five people living on British cul-de-sacs say they are happy, more than any other type of street . Friendly: Householders living on streets like this one, in Becontree, east London, are more likely to pop next door for a coffee and lend tools, a survey found . A poll by conducted by online community organisation Streetclub and . B&Q found four out of five . people with a house or flat on one say they are happy to . be living there, making them more cheery than people on any other type . of street. That is, of course, as long as they . don't live somewhere like TV's Brookside Close in Liverpool, where . character Trevor Jordache was murdered and buried under the family . home's patio. Despite their high happiness rating in . the survey, the dead-end streets have suffered from negative perceptions because of problems with crime and anti-social behaviour. Yet eighty-eight per cent of people identified homes in such streets as a joyous place to live. Living on a main road scored the lowest happiness rating, of 73 per cent, followed by those around a communal green on 74 per cent. Culture: The cul-de-sac is so entrenched in Britain that life in one was depicted in Brookside, which ran for 21 years until it was axed in 2003 . Versions of the cul-de-sac were first used in ancient Egypt, as archaeologists found up to 15 dead-end streets built for workers constructing the Pyramid of Senusret II at El-Lahun, which went up in 1878BC. The first cul-de-sacs were actually built by the ancient Egyptians, who created rows of the closed-off streets to house workers building the pyramids in around 1900BC. They were also used by the Greeks and Romans, who created them as a way to defend their towns and cities from attack. Thousands of years later the cul-de-sac, which is French for bottom of the bag, became commonplace in Britain. They were banned in the UK until 1875, but a change in the law meant that they became a favoured design for urban planners. Cul-de-sacs became central to the garden city movement in the early 20th century, with the small closed-off streets used across new towns like Welwyn Garden City because it maximised the use of land. The idea spread and they were also built widely across the United States, Canada and Australia. Experts at the time believed they would protect residents from the motor car and also make them happier and healthier because they were away from main roads. They had a cultural impact on Britain shown in AA Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh, which was set on one, and became a symbol of middle class suburbia. After a boom in the inter-war years and then in the 1960s and 1970s, they have become less prevalent in modern developments. Police had admitted they had become hotspots for crime and anti-social behaviour. Despite this a new survey has found that people living on one are happier than any other community, because the small dead-end streets encourage residents to get to know eachother better. They also appeared in Greek and Roman communities, but these were not to foster friendly neighbourhoods, the closed off roads would help form a defence during an invasion. In the modern era, the cul-de-sac was actually banned in Britain until 1875 and first used with regularity in the early twentieth century. Planning pioneers Raymond Unwin and Barry Parker successfully argued that new homes should be built away from the main road on separate small streets, to make life more pleasant for people and also safer for pedestrians. Their idea was included in the Hampstead Garden Suburb Act 1906, and led to the creation of towns like Welwyn Garden City, which was filled with them because planners said it made the best use of land. After blossoming in the inter-war years and in the 1960s and 1970s, cul-de-sacs suffered a decline in popularity and were identified as hotspots for crime by police and councils. Scientists have also said that people in cul-de-sacs cycle and walk less than those in other streets, as their location, generally away from a main road, encourages people to drive shorter distances. But the survey found that potential homeowners would today still pay a premium of up to 20 per cent to buy a home in a cul-de-sac. Lawrence Hall, of Zoopla.co.uk, said: ‘Many aspirational homeowners have been drawn to the cul-de-sac as these streets often denote exclusivity and provide the opportunity to purchase bigger plots.’ Britain’s most famous cul-de-sac, meaning ‘bottom of a sack’ in French, is Downing Street. Author AA Milne penned children’s classic Winnie-the-Pooh while living in a Chelsea cul-de-sac, while Harry Potter author JK Rowling owns a home on one in Edinburgh. Fictional Cul-de-sacs include Wisteria Lane, home of the Desperate Housewives, Bag End, Bilbo Baggins’ home in the Hobbit and Brookside Close, setting for the discontinued Liverpool soap opera. Celebrities such as Vanessa Feltz have described their liking for the streets, with the presenter once describing their ‘womb-like shape in which all life flourishes’. Peter Frankum, director of master planning and urban design at Savills, said: ‘The cul-de-sac is not dead. ‘There are still some being created. It is just you won’t find a development led by the idea of creating dead-end streets any more.’ Traditional: This cul-de-sac in Reading is one of many built in the past century because urban planners believed they were healthier and safer for residents . Vision: This estate in Nottingham shows how planners wanted safe streets running off main roads, but cul-de-sacs later became problematic for anti-social behaviour and crime . Friendly: Neighbours on cul-de-sacs know each other's names, enjoy cups of coffee together and are more likely to lend tools . The survey found that while cul-de-sacs were the happiest places to live, they were not considered the nicest. The . most popular location for housing was on a country lane, achieving a . rating of 93 per cent.
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Survey finds neighbours are more likely to invite you for tea and lend tools .
Potential homeowners would pay up to 20% more to buy a home on one .
Those who live on a main road in the UK are the most unhappy .
Feeling blue may not be all bad when it comes to enjoying a good night’s sleep. Those with bedrooms this colour tend to get the best rest – nearly eight hours a night – and wake feeling happy and positive. According to a survey, it is linked to calm, soothing feelings and is thought to slow the heart rate and even reduce blood pressure. Green and yellow are also winners, with those choosing these colours clocking up roughly seven hours and 40 minutes of sleep.
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By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 11:29 EST, 3 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:53 EST, 3 October 2013 . A TV news station was flooded with complaints during an afternoon broadcast after showing male genitals behind the show’s anchor. Ceskatelevize - one of the Czech Republic’s main broadcasters - started its 4pm broadcast with presenter Daniel Takac apparently unaware of the blunder. But newsroom journalists can be seen laughing in the background before the phallus is replaced by a picture of a green vegetable. WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT . Shocking: A TV news station was flooded with complaints during an afternoon broadcast after showing a male's genitals on a monitor behind the show's anchor . A spokesman for the channel said: 'The image was actually part of a documentary, but we should have been aware of timing and not had that particular scene playing when we went on air. 'It was a silly mistake.' That may not impress regulators however who say that such images are banned on day time TV and warn that the broadcaster may face a severe fine once the investigation is complete. In August the BBC was forced to apologise after . broadcasting a picture of Prince William with a doodle of comedy . glasses, a moustache and a penis drawn on his head. Mistake: An image of Prince William with a penis, comedy glasses and a moustached drawn on his face was broadcast on BBC Breakfast this morning . The . unusual picture of the Duke of Cambridge was broadcast as part of a . trailer used on BBC Breakfast for a feature on musical theatre group . Barbershopera. The clip, was taken from the group's comedy song I Could Have Married Kate. The BBC apologised and said that editors failed to spot the offending picture. But live TV can be a cruel mistress as reporter Siobhan Riley found out after she unwittingly drew a shape resembling a large penis on a Tuesday evening bulletin. The unfortunate – if hilarious - incident happened during a live news report on ABC12 which covers the mid-Michigan area. Riley was using an onscreen map to show viewers an area in the center of Saginaw blighted by construction work when she drew the undeniably phallic shape. The clip of Riley’s dodgy drawing quickly went viral. Siobhan Riley unwittingly drew a shape resembling a large penis on a Tuesday evening bulletin on ABC12 . Riley was using an onscreen map to show viewers an area in the center of Saginaw blighted by construction work when she drew the undeniably phallic shape . Tipping point? Neither Riley nor the TV station have commented on the incident .
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Ceskatelevize is one of the Czech Republic’s main broadcasters .
Presenter Daniel Takac was apparently unaware of the amusing situation .
Newsroom journalists can be seen laughing in the background .
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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistani security forces battling Taliban militants in the volatile Swat Valley killed between 45 and 55 of the fighters over the last 24 hours, the military said Saturday. Pakistan has launched a massive military operation against the Taliban in the Swat Valley. An unknown number of civilian casualties also occurred as Pakistan's military continues its offensive against Taliban militants in the country's North West Frontier Province. The fighting is taking its toll across the province, where the U.N. refugee agency reports "massive displacement" of civilians fleeing the warfare. In its daily war round-up, the military said Saturday that the latest fighting occurred in Swat district, where attack helicopters targeting militant hideouts in the district's biggest city of Mingora killed 15 fighters. This occurred amid harassment of the civilian population and instances of looting and arson in the municipality, the military said. Mortar fire in Mingora also resulted in an unknown number of civilian casualties. This development comes as militants used houses as bunkers to fight government security forces. Troops engaged militants in a number of other locations in Swat, including Rama Kandhao ridge in Matta, and destroyed an insurgent headquarters in Loenamal. The military said 30 to 40 militants were killed. In neighboring Shangla district militants suffered heavy casualties in an operation, but figures were not available, the military said. Two Pakistani soldiers were also injured. Elsewhere, a girls' primary school in Kanju and a bank have been damaged by militants and the military reports progress in operations in Gulabad and Buner. Watch why civilians have backed the Taliban to survive » . The widening war has spurred massive dislocation in the northwestern region, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, with people fleeing the battleground and taking advantage of the partial lifting of curfews to move into safer areas. Watch as CNN's Ivan Watson tours a refugee camp » . UNHCR said the provincial government estimates between 150,000 to 200,000 people in the province have arrived in safer areas over the last few days and that another 300,000 have fled or were about to flee danger zones. The citizens who fled Swat, Buner and Lower Dir districts, are in addition to another 555,000 previously displaced Pakistanis who have fled their homes in the area since August.
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Pakistani military says dozens of Taliban fighters have been killed .
An unknown number of civilians have also been killed and injured .
Officials expect as many as 500,000 civilians to flee the Swat Valley .
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(CNN) -- Sitting inside the quaint tasting room of Chateau O'Brien, an award-winning French-style winery in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Northern Virginia, co-owner Debbie O'Brien pours some of the best red wine in the region. The original structure for Chateau O'Brien was an old French farmhouse that Howard O'Brien, Debbie's husband, transformed into a first-class winery known for its large copper doors, wrap-around sundeck and rich aged wines that include a medium-bodied Malbec, a full-bodied Cabernet Franc, an elegant Petit Verdot, and the fast-selling Tannat Limited Reserve and Late Harvest Tannat. The secret to Chateau O'Brien's success: "We grow our own grapes," said Howard O'Brien, who owns three sprawling Virginia vineyards. Chateau O'Brien is one of about 230 wineries in the state, many of them small, boutique operations that specialize in regional wines. Virginia is relatively new to the wine-making industry by European standards, but it's quickly gaining notoriety among wine enthusiasts from across the country. Virginia ranks fifth in the nation for number of wineries and for wine grape production. As evidence of the emerging quality of Virginia wines, the U.S. Treasury Department designated Middleburg, Virginia, as the newest American Viticulture Area. Many wineries in Northern Virginia are situated about 50 miles from Washington, which makes the experience great for day trips or weekend retreats. Tasting fees at most Northern Virginia wineries range from $6 to $15 per person, and while some Virginia wine loyalists are somewhat optimistically comparing the region to Napa Valley and Sonoma, there are indeed several standouts that can compete with some of the nation's better wineries. Take Delaplane Cellars, a family winery owned by Jim and Betsy Dolphin that boasts panoramic views of the Northern Virginia mountains in a spacious, contemporary setting. At Delaplane, the wine is tasty and the amenities don't stop at the views: The homemade sausage is excellent and the Dolphins also serve generous portions of olive oil and freshly ground pepper for dipping. On weekends, Delaplane pairs tastings with live jazz. Wines at Delaplane Cellars include crisp whites like Chardonnay and Viognier and complex red wines that include Melange Rouge, William's Gap Reserve, and Cabernet Franc. "All of our wines are made from authentic Virginia grapes," according to Delaplane's website. "Our goal is to craft delicious single vineyard wines." It must be working. On a recent visit to Delaplane Cellars, the large tasting room was crowded and every table overlooking the mountains was filled. I overheard several people talking about how much they enjoyed the wine, and a couple next to me bought six bottles immediately after their tasting. Don't leave without trying the Cabernet Franc with the homemade sausage; it's a real treat. If you want to bring the kids along, consider Barrel Oak Winery, a family-friendly operation where you can take your own picnic lunch. The winery also offers complimentary juice boxes for children. For red wines only, visit Boxwood Wineries in Middleburg, Virginia, a picturesque property owned by John Kent Cooke, the former owner of the NFL's Washington Redskins. The winery features Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Boxwood has received three Decanter Magazine World Wine Awards and has been featured in The Washington Post and Washingtonian Magazine. But for customers seeking a personal touch, there's an unexpected pleasure that comes with visiting Chateau O'Brien: The O'Briens. Howard, a passionate wine expert from New York, and Debbie, a charming businesswoman from Alabama, both enjoy conversing with customers and keeping them smiling. Debbie, who is extremely familiar with the art of wine-making, also prepares snack offerings such as ham and cheese croissants, fine cheese plates, fresh baguettes and gourmet chocolates to pair with wines that age two or three years in French oak barrels. On March 9 and 10, the winery is hosting a St. Patrick's weekend celebration with live Irish music and traditional Irish fare for $25 per person. Since Chateau O'Brien opened in 2006, the O'Briens are fast becoming known for their Tannat, a grape traditionally grown in Southern France and Uruguay. Since the Tannat flourishes in humid climates, Virginia is the perfect region to harvest the grape. O'Brien's Tannat has won awards in New York and internationally. "We wait for the grapes to become ripe, not when it's convenient to serve the wine," O'Brien said. "It's all about the fruit -- and patience." Here's a tip: Spend a few extra bucks ($35 per person) for the private tasting in Howard's stone-covered cellar where he regales guests with stories from long ago summers and serves fine wine only sold in the private cellar. You won't regret it. Wine country stays . Consider staying in Paris -- Paris, Virginia, that is. The Ashby Inn & Restaurant is only a 10-minute drive from Delaplane Cellars. It's a great place to spend one night or a weekend after visiting Virginia's wineries and driving through the countryside. The inn offers 10 charming rooms on three acres -- six rooms in the main house and four in the school house. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Take time out to rent a bike and pedal quietly around the peaceful grounds or drive 20 minutes to the nearest golf course. For a more upscale hotel experience and a romantic getaway, try the Goodstone Inn & Restaurant in Middleburg. It's a bit pricey, but for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries or Valentine's Day, you won't be disappointed. The property sits on 265 acres of rolling pastures in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are 18 rooms in six separate cottages. The rooms are beautiful and well-appointed, some with Jacuzzis. There's also a common area downstairs, a full kitchen with utensils and refrigerators stocked with bottled water. Get a room on the top floors for better views. The restaurant serves great food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Take a stroll around the property, swim in the pool, and here's a tip: Grab a bottle of wine and a blanket and pick your spot on the sprawling pasture at sunset. Watching the burnt-orange sun slowly dropping behind the mountains is a perfect end to a great day.
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Virginia is home to about 230 wineries .
For a quick getaway from D.C., try one of Northern Virginia's friendly tasting rooms .
Chateau O'Brien in Markham is gaining recognition for its Tannat wines .
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By . Ellie Zolfagharifard for MailOnline . You might want to keep your fear of flying in check next time you're at an airport. A new camera being developing in China aims to highlight highly-anxious people in the hopes of catching suicide bombers. The device uses a stress sensor that measures the amount of oxygen in blood in various parts of the body, such as the face, to pick out suspects in a crowd. The device was inspired by recent deadly attacks in public places in China. For instance, in March eight knife-wielding criminals in the city of Kunming, Yunnan left 29 civilians dead and over 140 others injured (pictured) The device is currently under development at China's Southwest University in Chongqing and was inspired by recent deadly attacks in the country. In March, eight knife-wielding criminals in the city of Kunming, Yunnan left 29 civilians dead and over 140 others injured . 'They all looked and behaved as ordinary people but their level of mental stress must have been extremely high before they launched their attacks,' Chen Tong, an associate professor of electronic information engineering at Southwest University told Stephen Chen at South China Morning Post. The device uses a stress sensor that measures the amount of oxygen in blood in various parts of the body, such as the face, to pick out suspects in a crowd . 'The higher the mental stress, the higher the blood oxygenation. Our technology can detect such people, so law enforcement officers can take precautions and prevent these tragedies.' When the body is stress it releases hormones such as epinephrine and cortisol which increase strength and concentration. Heart speeds up, sending more blood and oxygen to your muscles so you can take the body can take 'fight or flight' action as soon as possible. Chronic stress, or a constant stress experienced over a prolonged period of time, can contribute to long-term health problems for the heart and blood vessels. Other indicators of stress, such as changes in heart rate and facial expression, can be controlled with practice, which is why the researchers chose to focus on the level of blood oxygenation. The camera uses something known as hyperspectral imaging which examines information across the electromagnetic spectrum and can pick out oxygen levels. The more stressed you are, the more oxygen is in your body. Professor Tong explained that the mini-cameras would place a 'stress bar' above a person's head to help police officers monitor suspicious behaviour. He added that device would be able to tell the difference between high-oxygen levels in the blood caused by moderate exercise, such as running, and oxygen levels caused by stress. The technology is still at development stage and requires improvements in computing power to fit into a handheld device. Even if the technical problems are overcome, Professor Chen says that the device will not be launched for commercial use until laws exist in China to govern its use. Cameras would place a 'stress bar' above a person's head to help police monitor suspicious behaviour .
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Camera works by measuring the amount of oxygen in a person's blood .
It places a 'stress bar' above person's head if they are acting anxious .
Technology still under development and needs better computing power .
China's Southwest University in Chongqing says the device will not be launched for commercial use until laws exist in China to govern its use .
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'In love': Prison governor Florent Goncalves, 42, faces a three-year sentence if found guilty of presenting an inmate with love letters and gifts . A former prison governor has appeared in a French court accused of giving special treatment to a notorious femme fatale criminal he had 'fallen in love' with. Florent Goncalves, 42, faces a three-year sentence for presenting the strikingly beautiful Emma Arbabzadeh, 23, with love letters and gifts. He regularly had sex with her in prison, but is solely being charged with illicit correspondence, and giving an inmate presents. Arbabzadeh became infamous in 2008 when she was found guilty of luring Ilan Halimi, a 23-year-old Jewish salesman, to his death at the hands of a gang of racist killers called 'The Barbarians'. Arbabzadeh, who has since been released, has since featured in a book written by Goncalves, in which she is portrayed as a 'honey-trap' femme fatale who makes men 'lose their heads'. When Arbabzadeh began a nine-year sentence at Versailles women's prison near Paris, Goncalves is said to have selected her for 'special treatment'. But Goncalves's defence barrister, Pascal Garbarini, today told Versailles Correctional Court that his client had 'simply fallen in love and did not know how to control his passion'. He added: 'If there had been no Barbarians gang, then this would never have got to court. 'The truth is, this is simply a love story - an unlikely one, but still a love story.' Arbabzadeh is herself facing a charge of receiving stolen goods, but her barrister told the court that she had solely received two mobile phone chips. Dominique Attias said: 'There are thousands of mobile phones in prisons. But these cases don't all land up in court.' Mr Attias said the sensational Barbarians case had turned Arbabzadeh into a criminal celebrity. Inmate: In 2008, Arbabzadeh was found guilty of luring a Jewish salesman to his death at the hands of a gang of racist killers called 'The Barbarians' When other prisoners learned that she was having regular sex in the prison computer room, and in Goncalves's office, they complained. This led to a police investigation, after which Goncalves, who is married with children, was forced to resign. He was able to rekindle his relationship with Arbabzadeh when she was released in 2010. She had been let out for good behaviour after having been on remand since 2006. Goncalves then wrote a book in which he discussed the affair, saying 'I did not regret it for a moment', although he admitted that it had ruined his reputation as a happy family man and 'humanitarian' prison governor. Goncalves, who had been France's youngest ever prison governor, said Iranian-born Arbabzadeh had genuinely been in love with him. In a case which shocked France, Arbabzadeh was still a teenager when, in January 2006, she used her good looks to lure Mr Halimi to a flat on the outskirts of Paris. There he was tortured for three weeks before he died. A total of 27 people were convicted for playing a part in the murder, with anti-Semitism and profiting from a failed ransom plot cited as the motive. Goncalves denies the charges. The case continues.
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Florent Goncalves accused of having sex with inmate - and giving her love letters and gifts .
Inmate Emma Arbabzadeh lured Jewish salesman to his death at hands of racist killers .
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Beijing (CNN) -- When China's new leader Xi Jinping spoke to the media last week, one sound bite struck me as especially noteworthy. The Chinese people love life, he said, and they wish for better education, more stable jobs, better medical care -- in short, "more comfortable living conditions and a more beautiful environment." This, he said, is the goal that China must strive for, one that is surely shared by many Chinese. To achieve that, however, China needs to square the circle: to grow fast while mitigating the degradation of its environment and ecology, especially its air and water. Read more: Protest stops China sewage pipeline project . China, for one, has a drinking problem. I discussed this topic with a group of experts in a Fortune magazine forum recently held in Beijing. China's water crisis looks grim, the panelists agreed. The United Nations says China is one of 13 countries with extreme water shortages. The problem is partly demographic -- it hosts 20% of the world's population yet only holds six percent of the world's water resources -- but is also exacerbated by rapid and short-sighted development. Read more: Taking a swim? App lets users check water's cleanliness first . Strong economic growth has turned the country into the world's second largest economy but at the expense of the environment. The Yangtze River, once the lifeblood of the country, now flows a foreboding blood red, possibly due to industrial pollution, experts said. Chronic droughts plague important agricultural regions like Shandong province, which produces most of China's grain. For Guo Peiyuan, general manager at SynTao, a Beijing-based corporate sustainability consulting firm, the problem is close and personal. "I was born in a farmer's family in southern China, and there are a lot of rivers there," he recalled. "When I was a child we could swim in the river. But as I grew up in the 1990s, a lot of factories came in. One summer vacation I went to my hometown, and my mother told me that the local farmers would not use the water for the crops because water was polluted, and the vegetables would die." Read more: River in China turns red . Stories like Guo's are common. Citizens lodge not-in-my-background public protests amid fears of industrial pollution. In October, for instance, thousands of residents protested in Ningbo, a thriving coastal city, and forced local officials to shelve plans to expand a chemical plant. Such successes are still rare, and experts worry the water crisis is going to worsen in years. China's water demand will reach 818 billion cubic meters, experts say, and yet there's only 616 billion cubic meters available. Beijing has about 100 cubic meters of water available per person, well below the U.N. standard of 1,000 cubic meters per person, a threshold used to measure chronic water shortage. Read more: ConocoPhillips to pay $191 million more to China over oil spill . Debra Tan, a specialist at China Water Risk, a Hong Kong-based non-profit group, suggested a way to visualize the crisis. Imagine, she said, that China has 25 bathtubs of water per person. The U.S. will have the equivalent of 125 bathtubs. Polluted water is both deadly and costly. China now has around 300 million people with no access to potable water, resulting in some 66,000 deaths per year, according to the World Bank. It estimates the cost of water pollution to China at $22 billion, roughly 1.1 percent of the country's GDP. The Chinese government recognizes the problem and is seeking to cut water consumption by 30%. Read more: Experts detail 5 challenges for China . But that target, experts said, is hard to reach. "Because of population growth, because of distribution of populations, there's even greater demand. There's an expected increase of up to 10% demand in the agricultural spaces in northern China. This increase is going to put ever increasing stress on those already stressed water systems," said Matthew Durnin, director of science programs in Asia for The Nature Conservancy. Read more: Why booming China needs to learn the three R's . China's rapacious water consumption is in part boosted by an illogical scenario: water, while scarce, is unusually cheap. "In China, water really should be three to five times more expensive," said Tan of China Water Risk. One way to reduce consumption, she said, will be to keep raising water prices, a step China has been taking since 2009. Tan believes the solution lies in targeting industry and agriculture, the "largest users and polluters." They use about 85% of the water in China, she said, and should face higher disincentives and harsher punishments. Ma Jun, who runs the non-profit Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs in Beijing, seeks pollution control, especially of water resources, by blacklisting notorious violators. Read more: China's famed Pearl River under denim threat . Ma, one of China's most tenacious "green warriors," has made some headway but said environmental litigation is nearly impossible because enforcement of existing environmental laws is weak. "We need to bring in more stakeholders and apply public pressure, like putting these companies on a list of polluters," he said. Pressure, shaming and wish to make amends, he said, is changing behavior. "So far we have some 720 companies on our list coming to our NGOs to figure out what they did wrong and how they can fix their problems." Read more: Red river brings cancer, Chinese villagers say . Ordinary Chinese consumers need to change consumption habits, too, experts said, just like those in developed countries. "America can't be America anymore," explained Durnin of The Nature Conservancy. "The rest of the world can't be like the developed world. We can't keep saying that we want everyone to rise up to the same standard because that is an unsustainable standard." Durnin proposed a simple step for China and other countries to take: fix leaky pipes. "There's a lot of waste in urban environments, in the transfer of water in the pipes. There's literally hundreds of millions of miles of pipe laid around the world that are leaking and wasting water. These are some simple fixes that we could do right away." CNN's Rebecca Chao contributed to this report.
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China is one of 13 countries facing extreme water shortages, according to the U.N.
The country is home to 20% of the world's population, but only has 6% of its water resources .
Yangtze River, once the country's lifeblood, has now turned blood red .
Pollution needs to be cut, but ordinary Chinese must also reduce consumption: Experts .
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(CNN) -- The Portuguese Football Federation has banned national coach Carlos Queiroz for a month following an incident involving an anti-doping team before the 2010 World Cup. The 57-year-old will miss next month's opening Euro 2012 qualifiers against Cyprus and Norway for his part in the confrontation when the drug test controllers visited Portugal's training camp in Covilha in June. Queiroz had initially fought the charges, and brought in his former mentor Alex Ferguson of English club Manchester United as a character witness. The former Real Madrid coach was also fined $1,280 for his part in the matter, as the FPF said on its website on Thursday that his "aggressive behavior" had disrupted the testing procedure. The Ministry of Youth and Sport filed a report after the Sports Institute of Portugal complained about Queiroz. He will now miss the home match against Cyprus on September 3 and the trip to Norway four days later. Queiroz is under pressure to produce results, having needed to go to the playoffs to qualify for the World Cup and then losing to eventual champions and neighbors Spain in the second round in South Africa. Portugal failed to score in three of the four World Cup matches despite being led by the world's most expensive player, Real's Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Carlos Queiroz will miss Portugal's opening Euro 2012 qualifiers after being banned .
He was in trouble after incident involving anti-doping controllers before the World Cup .
Coach has also been fined $1,280 after confronting the drug team at training camp .
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In the face of stiff competition, and following a consecutive drop in profits, Samsung has announced plans to curb the number of phones it makes each year. Instead of releasing handset after handset and saturating the market with Samsung devices, the firm has decided it needs to concentrate on making fewer handsets, better. The South Korean manufacturer is also expected to ramp up production of its remaining models so they can be sold more cheaply. Scroll down for video . In the face of stiff competition, and following a consecutive drop in profits, Samsung has announced plans to curb the number of phones it makes each year by between a quarter and a third. Instead of saturating the market with Samsung devices, the firm has decided it needs to concentrate on making fewer handsets, better . The strategy was unveiled during a presentation in New York by Samsung's head of investor relations, Robert Yi. He said the company would reduce the number of smartphone models in 2015 by between a quarter and a third. Last month, for the third consecutive quarter, Samsung's profits took a hit. The smartphone maker reported its lowest quarterly earnings in three years, after profits plummeted by 60 per cent compared to the same time last year. Despite a drop in profits, Samsung has retained its leading position in the global smartphone market during the last quarter. But, it was the only top five manufacturer to record a sales decline. Apple, Xiaomi, Lenovo and LG all posted more than 15 per cent growth in their smartphone shipments, according to market research firm IDC. Samsung's shipments fell 8 per cent to 78.1 million smartphones in the third quarter, and its market share eroded to 24 per cent from 33 per cent this time last year. Samsung's rise to the world's top smartphone maker was helped by its partnership with Google's Android operating system. But other Android handset makers are matching Samsung in terms of performance, features and design. Shares of Samsung Electronics did rise 4 per cent, however, in Seoul. Although the earnings were weak, they were better than some forecasts. Plus Samsung said it is expecting a strong fourth quarter in the run up to Christmas. Compared to a record-high of £6 billion ($9.5 billion) in 2013, the company achieved £2.5 billion ($3.8 billion) profits for July to September. These figures were in line with what Samsung predicted earlier in October, and the firm blamed the drop on weak sales of its new Galaxy model. The South Korean electronics giant became the biggest smartphone brand thanks to the popularity of earlier Galaxy models. But the larger screen on Apple's new iPhone 6 has been linked with luring customers away from the larger Galaxy range. While in China, local brands are making inroads into Samsung's business. In response to the dramatic drop, Samsung also vowed to revamp its smartphone range to win back customers. Executives at the South Korean firm said it would overhaul its lower-tier line-up to boost price competitiveness, and use higher-quality components to set its devices apart. 'The mid-to-low end market is growing rapidly, and we plan to respond actively in order to capitalise on that growth,' said Samsung Senior Vice President Kim Hyun-joon during a conference call with analysts. In a rare acknowledgement, Mr Yi added that Samsung had lagged behind changing market conditions. The company's response 'was not quick enough,' said Mr Yi. The earnings were below the median of analysts' expectations of £3 billion ($4.9 billion), according to FactSet, a financial data provider. The decline in Galaxy sales has also hurt demand for Samsung components such as an advanced display called OLED. 'The operating margin declined due to increased marketing expenditure and lowered average selling price,' Samsung said. The company said it 'cautiously expects increased shipments of new smartphones and strong seasonal demand for TV products'. Analysts claim the bigger iPhones released last month (shown) will likely take away customers who favoured Samsung Galaxy's larger screens. In emerging markets, such as India and China, Samsung's smartphone sales have been overtaken by local rivals . The latest profit drop comes despite the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S5 (pictured) earlier this year, which was received by mostly rave reviews. The Galaxy S5 handpicked features from its competitors and put them all into a single handset, with some calling it a 'superphone' In emerging markets, such as India and China, Samsung's smartphone sales were overtaken by local rivals. 'Rather than seeking stability, Samsung should seek to distinguish [its phones] with Galaxy's design policies,' Lee Seung-woo, an analyst at IBK Securities said. The company moved the launch of the Galaxy Note 4, a large smartphone with a stylus, to late September from October after Apple unveiled the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. It also began sales of the Galaxy Note 4 in China last month, getting an early start in the world's most populous country before Apple. Last month, Samsung also received upbeat initial responses to its Galaxy Note Edge smartphone (shown), a smartphone with a curved side screen that can display weather, news, apps and other information. But the supply volume for the Edge smartphone will be limited, not giving a big boost to its earnings, analysts said . Last month, Samsung also received upbeat initial responses to its Galaxy Note Edge smartphone, a smartphone with a curved side screen that can display weather, news, apps and other information. But the supply volume for the Edge smartphone will be limited, likely not giving a big boost to its earnings, analysts added. With growth momentum in smartphones sagging, Samsung is moving to step up its presence in the semiconductor business. This week, Samsung announced a £9 billion ($15 billion) investment plan to build a new semi-conductor fabrication plant in the South Korean city of Pyeongtaek. The construction will begin before the summer next year and begin operations during the second half of 2017.
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Samsung has unveiled plans to reduce the number of models its makes .
In 2015, the Korean firm will cut production between a quarter and a third .
Last month, Samsung reported its lowest quarterly earnings in three years .
Profits fell 60% to £2.5 billion ($3.8 billion) in the last three months .
Firm blamed slowing smartphone sales of its latest Galaxy models .
It comes as the bigger screen on Apple's new iPhone 6 Plus has been linked with luring customers away from the large Galaxy range .
Samsung has vowed to revamp its phone range to win back customers .
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What was supposed to be a celebratory lesson in American history has sent three children to the hospital. They were a part of a Civil War re-enactment group watching a parade in Orem, Utah, when a cannon set off an explosion Saturday. Witnesses said two of the three children injured were initially engulfed in flames, according to CNN affiliate KUTV. "When the flames went up in the air these three children started crying. One little girl's clothes were on fire, we're told," witness Brittany Tait told KUTV. "People were running with water to douse her." The blast happened at the start of the parade, the city's Department of Public Safety said. The cannon was fired, and a spark landed on a pouch containing additional charges for the cannon. The smoldering ember set off the contents of the pouch, blowing it up and injuring all three children, the press release explained. The extent of the children's injuries was not immediately known Sunday, but authorities said they were in stable condition when they were transported to a nearby hospital.
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An explosion at a Civil War re-enactment sends three children to the hospital .
Spark from fired cannon sets off additional charges .
Witnesses say two of the children were engulfed in flames .
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By . Graham Smith . PUBLISHED: . 10:47 EST, 11 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:48 EST, 11 July 2012 . A mother-of-three annoyed that her three-year-old son was struggling with potty training shook him so severely that he partially lost his sight, a court has heard. Chasity Renee DuFour, 25, from Enumclaw, Washington, inflicted numerous violent beatings on the boy that have left him brain damaged, it is claimed. She then coached her older five-year-old child to lie to police about why the younger boy was 'covered in bruises from head-to-toe'. Chasity Renee DuFour, 25, inflicted violent beatings on her son that left him brain damaged, it is claimed. The alleged abuse surfaced when the boy was admitted to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (pictured) in Tacoma, Washington . The alleged abuse came to light when the boy was placed in intensive care at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in nearby Tacoma suffering from severe head trauma. Suspicious doctors called police who launched an investigation into the 'life-changing injuries' in late May, reports SeattlePI.com. DuFour shook or choked the boy so violently that he received significant brain damage, King County Courthouse in Seattle heard last Friday. Senior Deputy Prosecutor Cecelia Gregory told the hearing: 'The victim was covered in bruises from head-to-toe, partially blinded and will have lasting neurological and physical challenges after suffering repeated assaults at the hands of the defendant.' DuFour was also seen hitting her son when he urinated in his trousers, prosecutors allege. When police contacted the defendant the day after the allegations arose, she claimed he may have sustained his injuries by falling off a bed. She also said she rarely spanked her children, the court was told. When confronted with the allegations of abuse, DuFour refused to continue speaking with the police. The detective assigned the case also questionned the boy's father, who is DuFour's boyfriend, and his babysitter. Both said they had never seen DuFour hit any of her children. The boy had been living with her at her Enumclaw home since April. The hearing was told she may have found the child difficult to control. DuFour is charged with second-degree assault on a child. She is currently in jailed with bail set at $250,000.
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Chasity Renee DuFour, 25, inflicted numerous violent beatings on the boy, it is alleged .
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(CNN) -- In just a few days, Jorge Bergoglio has shown that as Pope Francis he will be the kind of approachable, down-to-earth man that people yearn for in a spiritual leader. Like the Dalai Lama and Bishop Desmond Tutu, he smiles easily and appears to walk comfortably through the world. He showed his humanity on his first full day in office as he suddenly left the Vatican to visit Rome's main church, the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, and then stopped by the hotel where he had stayed before the recent conclave to pay his bill. Like any major political leaders who communicate with symbols and gestures, Catholic hierarchs use style and stagecraft to reach their followers. The conclave and then the presentation of the new pope have been refined, as theater, over more than a thousand years. The secrecy surrounding the selection of the pontiff and the pomp accompanying the announcement from the balcony produce the kind of drama that rivets the world even in an age of technological distraction. Who isn't awed by the sights and sounds of a hundred-thousand people gathered in St. Peter's Square, awaiting and then greeting the man chosen to lead 1.2 billion people? Opinion: A humble, authentic and credible pope . Just as we are meant to be affected by religious stagecraft, we are also practically hardwired to seek the meaning in a leader's every move. When Francis visited Santa Maria Maggiore he met briefly with Cardinal Bernard Law, who recently stepped down as archpriest of the basilica. A decade ago, when he was archbishop of Boston, Law was a notorious figure in the scandal that arose around the sexual abuse of children by priests. As scores of victims accused him of failing to protect children from predatory priests, he became the only bishop to resign because of the abuse crisis; he then fled to Rome. But while many Boston Catholics consider Law a disgraced figure, his fellow bishops have continued to respect him and, in reaching out to him, Pope Francis appeared to echo this solidarity. Opinion: Pope Francis is no herald of big changes . This can be seen as a reminder to the world that the Catholic Church remains under the control of men who were appointed to high office by the archconservatives John Paul II and Benedict XVI and share a commitment to the orthodoxies that have alienated so many modern Catholics. On the status of women, priestly celibacy, contraception and sexuality, Francis is as firmly rooted in the past as his predecessors. For example, during the debate that eventually resulted in gays in Argentina being allowed to marry, then-Archbishop Bergoglio mounted a fierce campaign against this equality. He argued that Satan himself was the author of a reform he called "a machinization of the 'Father of Lies'," and that children and families would be harmed by the change. While he was archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio spoke often of the poor and called attention to the many ways that modern societies push people without status to the margins. In this way, he reflected Christ's affiliation with the outcasts of his time. However, even as he spoke for the powerless, Bergoglio also consistently aligned himself with powerful conservative politicians seeking to oust the government headed first by Nestor Kirchner and later by his wife, the current President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, and which enjoyed wide support from the middle and lower classes. Time and again he invoked God in his political campaigns and suggested the other side was somehow less holy. As he engaged in politics, Bergoglio emphasized the special status claimed by the church as an agent of his God, which, he implied, makes it superior to all other institutions. When he became Pope Francis, Bergoglio expressed the same sentiment in his very first formal remarks, delivered at the Sistine Chapel. There he warned that without emphasizing its religious base the church runs the risk of becoming "a pitiful NGO" (nongovernmental organization). Navarrette: Pope pick a signal to Latino Catholics . For those who respect NGOs such as Amnesty International and the Red Cross, Francis' choice of words -- "pitiful NGO" -- was a stinging reminder that this man with the humble style cannot resist claiming superiority based on supernatural beliefs. This is the great contradiction of the new pope. On the one hand he criticizes hypocrisy in the church and shows his discomfort with the trappings of power. On the other, he shows disdain for social institutions and leaders that compete with the church for influence and authority. The dichotomy represented by the values espoused by Christianity and an imperial church is what makes so many people uncomfortable with official Catholicism. Francis embodies this conflict. Stylistically, the world is getting a far more approachable, Christ-like man who understands the compassion and empathy people crave from spiritual leaders. However, Francis' record appears to indicate there will be no real changes where it matters -- on the status of women, power-sharing, sexual ethics -- and thus huge numbers of Catholics will remain alienated. The biggest risk the Church faces today is irrelevance, and while the new pope's style means he'll get a hearing, what he has to say about issues that matter the most is unlikely to make the institution any more relevant than it was before him. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Michael D'Antonio .
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Michael D'Antonio: In Pope Francis' first days it's hard not to plumb meaning of his gestures .
He says among them was a visit with disgraced Cardinal Law, implicated in sex abuse scandal .
He says in this and other moves, he's shown commitment to orthodoxy of church hierarchy .
D'Antonio: Pope embodies tension between Christian values, imperial church .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . Salma Hayek Pinault talks about skincare, adult acne, and taking time for herself in the newest issue of NewBeauty magazine. Mrs Pinault tells the magazine that she has ‘always been conservative of what I’ve done to my skin. I don’t believe in abandoning it and then trying to fix it with something really drastic, really fast.’ In this vein, the actress says that she has never gotten microdermabrasion or a serious chemical peel. Fresh-faced: Salma Hayek Pinault says that her skincare line is meant to enable all women to maintain their youth and beauty . The actress and mother to six year old . daughter Valentina considers herself quite the skincare expert, as she . released her own line called Nuance in CVS stores nationwide in 2011. Mrs Pinault, 47, developed the skincare line in order to utilize tepezcohuite – a plant whose essence is used in burn units in her native Mexico. She believes that it has strong anti-aging properties. 'There were days I used to wake up, look in the mirror and go straight back to bed because my acne was so bad' ‘I could have made my brand a lot more expensive and it would have been a lot more successful. But then it wouldn’t have been accessible to all women who need it,’ she said, adding: ‘Every woman is entitled to her youth and her beauty.’ In addition to anti-aging, the label also addresses a skincare concern close to Mrs Pinault’s heart – adult acne. Of her own experience with the ailment she said: ‘There were days I used to wake up, look in the mirror and go straight back to bed because my acne was so bad, so I get it….most brands still don’t want to give a solution because they think it’s not chic – it’s actually shocking. I think that’s terrible.’ Juggling game: Mrs Pinault says that making time fore herself has become a difficult pursuit, as family comes first . Now a mother, as well as wife to Francois-Herni Pinault, the CEO of luxury conglomerate Kering, Mrs Pinault says that her movie career has become a lower priority. Her family comes first. ‘My rule is that I won’t be away from Valentina for more than a week. And sometimes I won’t do a project because of that,’ she said. ‘It’s a new discipline. I have a child and a husband who always need me, and the one thing I can’t do is let myself relax and take time for myself – and I need to fix that,’ she added.
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Mrs Pinault has spoken out about how her acne was once so bad she didn't want to get out of bed .
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Criminal: Ian Watkins, 35, pictured with former girlfriend Fearne Cotton, faces jail after his guilty pleas . The lead singer of rock band Lostprophets was refused bail today after being accused of plotting to rape a child aged under 13. Ian Watkins, a former boyfriend of Radio 1 DJ and TV presenter Fearne Cotton, was remanded in custody charged with six child sex offences. The 35-year-old was charged with conspiring to engage in sex with an underage girl. He faces three separate charges of possession, creation and distribution of indecent images of children. The singer, from Pontypridd, Wales, is also charged with possession of 'extreme pornography'. Cardiff magistrates court heard that 40 images of children and child abuse were being investigated by police. Two unnamed women, aged 20 and 24, from Doncacster and Bedford, have also been charged with 'similar offences'. Making an application for all three to be refused bail, prosecutor Mrs Suzanne Thomas said: 'They are the sort of charges which will cause public revulsion. The penalty would be a custodial sentence if they were found guilty.' Watkins was arrested on Monday as part of an ongoing investigation into child sex offences. The rock star dated presenter Cotton for less than a year in 2005, although the pair are thought to have remained friends and were pictured together in 2008. He appeared in court today wearing a black jacket with a high collar and was watched by his mother. A forlorn-looking Watkins did not speak during the 90-minute hearing. The two women also facing prosecution . - the younger woman facing four charges and the other facing six - . cannot be named for legal reasons . All three were remanded in custody to appear in Cardiff Crown Court on December 31. Former couple: Ian Watkins pictured with Fearne Cotton in 2008. The pair dated for less than a year in 2005 . On stage: Watkins performing with Lostprophets, whose hits include Last train Home. The band has sold around 3.5 million albums . Lostprophets, whose hits include Last . Train Home, are one of the most successful bands to have emerged from . Wales in recent times, selling around 3.5 million albums worldwide. They were at the forefront of the UK's burgeoning nu-metal scene, appealing to teenage fans. Their . second album, 2004's Start Something brought global recognition, with . the album going gold in America, amassing sales of more than 500,000, . and the band embarking on a world tour. Tattooed Watkins formed the band in 1997 with friends from the small former mining town of Pontypridd. Weapons, Lostprophets's fifth studio album, was released in April and was supported by a UK tour. But while the band once sold out . Wembley arena and headlined major festivals, such as Download, their . success has waned in recent years.related] . A police spokesman said: 'A Pontypridd man . has been charged with sexual offences against children and is due to . appear at Cardiff Magistrates' Court today. Singer: Watkins was one of three people charged by police. Two women, aged 20 and 24, were also charged with 'similar offences' 'The 35-year-old has been charged with . conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a female under 13 and . possession/distribution of indecent images of children. 'In order to assist their . investigation, South Wales Police has named the man as Ian Watkins, a . member of the rock group Lostprophets." Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Peter Doyle said specially-trained staff were available to speak to anyone with concerns or information regarding this investigation. 'I want to encourage anyone who has any concerns or information which they think may be relevant to contact us,' he added. 'Safeguarding children involved in such cases is always a high priority and as such measures have already been taken.' Speaking after the case John Cameron, head of child protection operations for the NSPCC said: 'We can confirm we are working alongside South Wales Police and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre on this investigation. 'It’s vital we send a clear message to those who have experienced abuse that they can never be to blame for what has happened to them. 'That they have somewhere to turn and that they will be taken seriously.' A pregnant Fearne Cotton arriving for work at Radio 1 this week . Frontman: Watkins pictured with his Lostprophets bandmates - who have made a statement saying they are going through 'difficult times' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
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Ian Watkins, 35, arrested as part of ongoing police investigation .
Charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with girl under 13 .
Also charged with possession and distribution of of indecent images .
Singer appeared before magistrates in Cardiff today, along with two others .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 7:32 AM on 28th October 2011 . A boy of 13 who was forced to undergo a double lung transplant after smoking synthetic marijuana has died, it emerged last night. Brandon Rice suffered chemical burns inside his chest when he smoked fake cannabis out of a plastic PEZ candy dispenser. Doctors in his home town of Pittsburgh were able to save his life following an extraordinary transplant operation in September. Tragic: Brandon Rice, 13, suffered chemical burns inside his chest when he smoked fake cannabis out of a plastic PEZ candy dispenser . But on Wednesday - just a month since . the operation - he died from an infection after . the procedure severely weakened his immune system. In the weeks after Brandon fell ill in June, parents Tonya and Raymond Rice have spoken out about the drug - known by various names, such as K2, Spice, Blaze and Vanilla Sky - in hopes to raise awareness about its potentially lethal side-effects. Tonya Rice told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review newspaper Brandon . was put on a respirator in June after smoking Spice fake cannabis, . which is said to be ten times more dangerous than cocaine. She said: 'He was smart. He was caring. He was a good baseball player. He loved to hunt. He . loved to fish. He was a fighter.' Bright: Doctors in Brandon's home town of Pittsburgh were able to save his life following a double lung transplant in September . Lost life: Brandon died from an infection after the procedure severely weakened his immune system . 'It was hard, very hard. He couldn't talk to us. We had to read his . lips. A lot of times we couldn't understand what he was saying. He . fought and fought and fought.' The Southmoreland eighth-grader passed away at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, his mother said. Governor Tom Corbett signed legislation outlawing synthetic marijuana a few days after the Brandon Rice became ill. The ban took effect in August. Pennsylvania became the 21st state to . ban the sale of synthetic drugs, which are known to cause agitation, . paranoia and hallucinations, according to the National Institutes of . Health. Under the new law. first-time offenders convicted of simple possession will face up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Dangerous: Brandon Rice, 13, told his parents he smoked a form of synthetic marijuana called Spice before he fell ill . Poisoned: The teenager suffered chemical burns to his lungs after smoking Spice from a plastic PEZ candy dispenser . Those convicted of possession with the intent to deliver could face up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine under the ban. Laboratory-made drugs have been around since the middle of the 20th century, when LSD was first studied. But synthetic marijuana - produced by spraying dried plant material with a chemical compound - has only been around for the last few years. Doctors usually treat overdoses with anti-anxiety drugs like Valium and Xanax which slow the heart rate. Laboratory-made drugs have been around since the middle of the 20th century, when LSD was first studied. But synthetic marijuana - produced by spraying dried plant material with a chemical compound - has only been around for the last few years. Effects include paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, seizures and a rapid heartbeat and symptoms can last for days. Doctors usually treat overdoses with anti-anxiety drugs like Valium and Xanax which slow the heart rate. One patient told a doctor at the Carolinas Poison Center it was 'like being on cocaine, but ten times worse'. The drugs, legal in many states, are marketed as 'soothing' bath salts or incense and can be bought for as little as $10 a time. Cases relating to Spice and bath salts are becoming increasing frequent and have been implicated in at least ten deaths since last year, including the suicide of 18-year-old David Rozga, who shot himself after taking marijuana-like substance K2. In March, former Rutgers student William Parisio was charged with murdering his girlfriend after taking bath salts. In January, Neil Brown, from Missouri, used a hunting knife to slit his face and stomach after taking bath salts. Earlier this year in Kentucky, a . young woman who had taken bath salts became convinced her two-year-old . son was a demon when she was driving along the highway. A dozen students have also been expelled from the U.S. Naval Academy for taking or possessing the same drug, which can cause seizures, hallucinations and extreme paranoia. Synthetic drugs have surged in popularity particularly this year as they become more widely available. The synthetically-produced drugs can be snorted or smoked and are popular because they do not show up in drugs tests. Last year fake marijuana, known as Spice or K2 was the most popular . substance, but this year bath salts - sold under innocuous names like . Bliss or Ivory Wave - have taken over. Figures released by the American Association of Poison Control Centers released earlier this year show at least 2,700 people have fallen ill after taking the drugs since January, compared to just 3,200 in the whole of 2010. They have received 1,300 calls about synthetic marijuana this year alone - compared with 2,874 calls for the whole of 2010 - while calls for bath salts have rocketed, with 1,400 since January compared to just 301 last year.
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Brandon Rice sustained chemical burns to his lungs .
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By . Sarah Griffiths . PUBLISHED: . 18:00 EST, 22 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:18 EST, 23 October 2013 . An earlier species of the bees died out with the dinosaurs when many flowering plants were also wiped out, scientists said. Despite the lack of fossilised evidence, researchers were able to prove for the first time that carpenter bees underwent mass extinction 65 million years ago as part of an analysis of DNA in modern bees. The findings could help scientists shed light on the current decline in bee species across the globe that threatens the world’s crop reliant on bees for pollination. Despite the lack of fossilised evidence, researchers have proved for the first time that carpenter bees underwent massive extinction 65 million years ago as part of an analysis of DNA in modern bees. An Eastern carpenter bee is pictured . American and Australian scientists teamed up to model a mass extinction in bee group Xylocopinae, or carpenter bees, at the end of the Cretaceous and beginning of the Paleogene eras, known as the K-T boundary. Previous studies have suggested a widespread extinction among flowering plants at the K-T boundary and it has long been assumed that the bees who depended upon those plants would have met the same fate. Yet unlike the dinosaurs 'there is a relatively poor fossil record of bees' making the confirmation of such an extinction difficult. Using a technique called molecular phylogenetics, the scientists analysed the DNA sequences of four 'tribes' of 230 species of carpenter bees from every continent except Antarctica for insight into evolutionary relationships. American and Australian scientists teamed up to model a mass extinction in bee group Xylocopinae, or carpenter bees, at the end of the Cretaceous and beginning of the Paleogene eras, known as the K-T boundary. It is thought that bees searched for nectar from ancient flowers, illustrated alongside Leptoceratops . In the study published in journal PLOS ONE, they began to see patterns consistent with a mass extinction. Combining fossil records with the DNA analysis, the researchers could introduce time into the equation, learning not only how the bees are related but also how old they are. Sandra Rehan, assistant professor of biological sciences at University of New Hampshire, said: 'The data told us something major was happening in four different groups of bees at the same time. 'And it happened to be the same time as the dinosaurs went extinct.' While much of Professor Rehan’s work involved behavioural observation of bees native to the northeast of North America, the research taps the computer-heavy bioinformatics side of her expertise; assembling genomic data to explain similarities and differences among the various species over time. Using a technique called molecular phylogenetics, the scientists analysed the DNA sequences of four 'tribes' of 230 species of carpenter bees from every continent except Antarctica for insight into evolutionary relationships. A bumble bee on white Chrysanthemum is pictured . Marrying observations from the field with genomic data, she believes, paints a fuller picture of these bees’ behaviours over time. She said: 'If you could tell their whole story, maybe people would care more about protecting them. 'Indeed, the findings of this study have important implications for today’s concern about the loss in diversity of bees - a pivotal species for agriculture and biodiversity. 'Understanding extinctions and the effects of declines in the past can help us understand the pollinator decline and the global crisis in pollinators today.'
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American and Australian scientists teamed up to model a mass extinction of carpenter bees at the end of the Cretaceous era .
Despite lack of fossil evidence, .
researchers were able to prove for the first time that carpenter bees .
underwent mass extinction 65 million years ago .
The findings could help scientists shed light on the current decline in bee species across the globe .
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(CNN) -- Three siblings caught after allegedly firing at Colorado police during a high-speed chase appeared in court Monday, facing a ballooning list of charges against them. Lee Grace Dougherty faces 29 charges, while her brothers Dylan Stanley Dougherty and Ryan Edward Dougherty face 23 and 24 charges respectively, according to complaints filed Monday in Huerfano County District Court in Walsenberg. That includes five counts of attempted second-degree murder for 29-year-old Lee Grace Dougherty, for allegedly threatening five police officers with a gun on August 10. She also faces eight first-degree assault charges and one count of aggravated motor vehicle theft, among others. Her brothers face a similar laundry list of charges. Both Ryan, 21, and Dylan, 26, for instance, are charged with five counts of attempted second-degree murder and five of first-degree assault, among others. Following their court appearance Monday, the trio's next scheduled appearance is by "telephone setting" on Wednesday at 1:15 p.m., according to the Colorado court's website. Besides charges in Huerfano County, in southern Colorado, the trio also have been indicted in Pueblo County. There, Dylan Dougherty has been charged with attempted murder, while his siblings are each charged with assault. They are also accused of crimes in Florida and Georgia. Police arrested the three after they crashed their car along a rural Colorado highway. Police say they were shooting at officers with an AK-47 during a chase at speeds up to 120 mph. According to investigators' affidavits, Ryan Dougherty was driving Wednesday as Dylan Dougherty fired an AK-47 at pursuing officers. "We weren't trying to hurt anyone; we just wanted them to get back," Lee Dougherty told investigators after her arrest, according to one affidavit. "They were way back, and we could barely see them. We were getting shot at, then we wrecked." Lee Dougherty said she pointed a gun at Walsenburg Police Chief James Chamberlain, according to the affidavit. But Chamberlain fired first, wounding her in the leg. The trio is wanted in armed bank robbery in Georgia and the attempted murder of a Florida police officer on August 2. They escaped from Florida with police in pursuit after they shot out a cruiser's tire, according to authorities. Colorado authorities said the siblings spent the night before their capture in the San Isabel National Forest, about 10 to 12 miles west of Colorado City. Earlier this month, in Huerfano County, bond was set for the three siblings at $1.5 million each. And in Pueblo County, Dylan Dougherty has $1 million bail, while his siblings have been ordered held on $250,000 each.
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A sister and two brothers face 29, 24 and 23 charges respectively in a Colorado court .
They are also charged in another Colorado county and are wanted in Florida and Georgia .
Police say they shot at officers with an AK-47 during a high-speed chase this month .
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By . Kerry Mcdermott . PUBLISHED: . 02:28 EST, 20 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 15:21 EST, 20 November 2012 . Thoroughly brushing its teeth before indulging in a sleepy yawn, these pictures of a bleary eyed orangutan bear an uncanny resemblance to the morning routines of many human beings. Siswi was captured demonstrating impeccable oral hygiene in Tanjung Puting National Park in Borneo, Indonesia. The 34-year-old female likes to remain minty fresh by using a toothbrush to scrub its impressive set of teeth, and is regularly spotted sporting a mouthful of foam at the Camp Leakey wildlife refuge. Open wide: Orangutan Siswi demonstrates excellent oral hygiene as it uses a toothbrush to clean its teeth . Minty fresh: Wildlife photographer Jurgen Freund snapped Siswi yawning as the orangutan went about its routine . German photographer Jurgen Freund, 53, visited the national park while on a trip to observe the rainforest and its inhabitants in Indonesia. 'I thought these primates were so much like us,' he said. 'They are so intelligent and so observant of human behaviour. 'We saw Siswi brushing her teeth with a toothbrush and the toothpaste made her yawn,' he said. Mr Freund, who said orangutans live semi-wild in the jungles of Central Kalimantan in Indonesia, said the creatures learn to mimic the mannerisms of tourists that flock to the region to catch a glimpse of the mighty apes. 'Tourists visit these remote places in river boats and as much as we ogle at them, they learn and imitate our behaviours in the most uncanny manner,' he said. Foaming at the mouth: Siswi, 34, gives its impressive set of teeth a good scrub at the Camp Leakey refuge in Borneo . 'Uncanny': 'I thought these primates were so much like us,' said photographer Jurgen Freund .
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Siswi the orangutan was snapped using a toothbrush to clean its teeth in Borneo, Indonesia .
The human-like behaviour of the 34-year-old creature was captured by a photographer at a wildlife refuge .
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Title: "Revolutionary Quantum Computer Breaks New Ground in Data Processing"
In a groundbreaking development for the field of quantum computing, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have successfully built and tested a novel quantum computer that significantly outperforms its classical counterparts in terms of data processing speed.
This new quantum device, named "Tangletangled," utilizes an innovative approach known as topological quantum computation, which allows it to overcome some of the challenges faced by current quantum computers, such as decoherence and error correction. Tangletangled is able to store quantum information in a more stable manner and perform calculations with unprecedented accuracy, making it a promising candidate for future quantum technologies.
Professor Alan Grosfeld, the lead researcher on the project, expressed his excitement about the breakthrough: "Tangletangled represents a significant leap forward in our quest to develop practical quantum computers that can revolutionize fields such as cryptography, drug discovery, and artificial intelligence."
The successful testing of Tangletangled marks an important milestone in the ongoing race to develop functioning quantum computers. As researchers continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with this fascinating technology, it's clear that we are on the verge of a new era where quantum computing will play a crucial role in shaping our future.
Stay tuned for more updates as the world of science and technology advances!
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A team at MIT has developed a new quantum computer named "Tangletangled" using topological quantum computation, which outperforms classical computers in data processing speed and stability. The innovation overcomes challenges like decoherence and error correction, making it a potential candidate for future quantum technologies in fields such as cryptography, drug discovery, and artificial intelligence. Professor Alan Grosfeld, the lead researcher, considers this a significant leap forward towards practical quantum computers. This milestone marks an advancement in the quest to create functioning quantum computers, hinting at a future where quantum computing will significantly impact technology.
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(CNN) -- A group of clergy in North Carolina on Monday filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the state's ban on same-sex marriage. The group argues the ban violates the First and 14 amendments and stigmatizes same-sex couples and the people and institutions that would support them. "Marriage between two loving individuals is both a fundamental legal right and a cornerstone of almost every religion," says the lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte. "By depriving the Plaintiffs of the freedom to perform religious marriage ceremonies or to marry, North Carolina stigmatizes Plaintiffs and their religious beliefs, and the State relegates the Couple Plaintiffs to second-class status." The lawsuit was filed by the United Church of Christ, a Protestant religious denomination with some 1.1 million members, various religious leaders, including a rabbi, and some same-sex couples. Among the defendants are North Carolina Attorney General Ray Cooper, several country district attorneys, and register of deeds. Noelle Talley, a spokeswoman for Cooper, said that as a rule his office does not comment on pending litigation. The state has received the lawsuit, and is currently reviewing it. "By denying same-sex couples the right to marry and by prohibiting religious denominations even from performing marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples, the State of North Carolina stigmatizes same-sex couples, as well as the religious institutions and clergy that believe in equal rights," the suit says. North Carolina voted in 2012 to outlaw same-sex marriage, which was already prohibited in the state. Supporters pushed for -- and won -- a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as solely between a man and a woman. Voters approved the amendment by a large margin. Same-sex marriage is legal in 17 U.S states and the District of Columbia: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Besides North Carolina, same-sex marriage is banned by state constitutional amendment or state law in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Worldwide, 16 other countries -- and parts of Mexico -- also have laws allowing same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships. Most of these are in Europe and South America. CNN's Deanna Hackney contributed to this report.
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NEW: The office of Attorney General Ray Cooper declines to comment .
A group of clergy argues the ban violates the First and 14th amendments .
North Carolina approved a constitutional amendment to outlaw same-sex marriage .
Same-sex marriage is legal in 17 U.S states and the District of Columbia .
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(CNN) -- DNA tests confirm that Ariel Castro is the father of a 6-year-old girl born to one of the three women he is accused of keeping in captivity for more than a decade, the Ohio attorney general's office said Friday. Castro's DNA did not match that from any other open Ohio cases, according to Dan Tierney, a spokesman for the attorney general's office. National results are pending through the FBI, he said. Amanda Berry's 6-year-old daughter was among those rescued Monday when Berry escaped from the home where police say she had been held since Castro allegedly lured her into his car on April 21, 2003. Also freed: Michelle Knight, who disappeared in 2002, and Georgina "Gina" DeJesus, who vanished in 2004. The man accused of abducting them spent Friday in a 9-by-9-foot northern Ohio jail cell with a bed, sink, toilet, steel door and window, through which he is watched around-the-clock, said Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office spokesman John O'Brien. Castro is on suicide prevention -- which is standard procedure for high-profile inmates -- according to O'Brien. A day earlier, a judge ordered he be held Thursday on $8 million bond on kidnapping and rape charges. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty said he would seek additional charges against Castro for "each and every act of sexual violence, each day of kidnapping, all his attempted murders and each act of aggravated murder." The attempted and aggravated murders refer to instances in which Castro allegedly forced miscarriages, according to McGinty. According to an initial incident report obtained by CNN, Knight told investigators that she became pregnant at least five times while in captivity, and each time Castro would repeatedly starve and punch her in the stomach to induce a miscarriage. Prosecutors are assessing whether to pursue the death penalty, if Castro is convicted. CNN exclusive: Castro's daughter says 'he is dead to me' Meanwhile, questions continue to surround Knight, whose disappearance generated far less publicity and attention than did those of Berry and DeJesus. Cleveland police removed Knight's name from an FBI database of missing people in November 2003 -- 15 months after her family reported her missing -- police said. They did so after "failing to locate a parent, guardian or other reporting person to confirm that Ms. Knight was still missing." Police said, though, that her missing person's case remained open and was checked on as recently as November 2012. Even as of Friday night, Knight hadn't spoken yet with her mother, Barbara, a family spokesperson said. In fact, Knight's family then had no idea where she was and had asked police for information on her whereabouts. Her grandmother, Deborah Knight, went to the house where DeJesus is staying on Friday, said she'd heard Knight might be there and "besides, Gina's parents here have been waiting to meet us." Without delving into specifics, a source close to the investigation told CNN that Knight "is in a safe place and very comfortable." Cleveland police have been subject to intense criticism from some quarters over their handling of missing persons cases, but city officials have said they did everything they could to find the missing women. In Friday's statement, city officials said police checked on Knight's case in November. Knight has been discharged from Cleveland's MetroHealth Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Tina Shaerban-Arundel said Friday hours after the hospital said in a Facebook posting that she was in "good spirits" and "extremely grateful" for the flowers, gifts and the support of the Cleveland Courage Fund. The latter is a vehicle for raising that helps nonprofit organizations provide services to the three women. Berry and DeJesus were released days ago and are now staying with relatives. Woman crushed by news her father allegedly abducted her friend . According to the initial report, the women told investigators that they were chained in the basement of the home, but later moved upstairs to rooms on the second floor. They were allowed out of the home only twice, and then just briefly, according to the document. Castro would frequently test the women by pretending to leave and then discipline any of them if they had moved, according to a law enforcement source. Storm Pusztay, who lives behind the house, told CNN's Piers Morgan on Friday that he spotted Castro a few times outside with the girl he believes was Berry's daughter. Speakers often blasted loud music from the front of the house, Pusztay recalled, while dogs walked on the property. The neighbor added that Castro's yard was further obscured by tarps he put up, and trees. "It's so upsetting, because he was so close," said Pusztay, who had three daughters living with him. Castro has confessed to some of the allegations aginst him, a law enforcement source closely involved with the investigation told CNN on Thursday. Neighbor feels 'fooled' by Cleveland abduction suspect . Authorities have also been reviewing a lengthy document described by a law enforcement source as "more of a diary" in which the source said Castro cites being abused by family members as justification for his actions. On Friday, they boarded up his Seymour Avenue home to preserve the crime scene, said Cleveland's deputy police chief Ed Tomba. Authorities plan to later erect a fence around the home. The ordeal has rattled neighbors like Juan Perez, who had viewed Castro as a "very social, happy-go-lucky ... good guy" but now think just the opposite. "We feel lied to and we're ashamed because we couldn't help earlier," an emotional Perez told CNN on Friday. "... I just can't put it all together still." CNN's Greg Botelho, Pamela Brown, Susan Candiotti and Kristen Kiraly contributed to this report.
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NEW: "It's so upsetting, because he was so close," Castro's neighbor says .
DNA tests confirm that the alleged captor is the father of 6-year-old, official says .
Authorities board up his Cleveland home to preserve the crime scene, police say .
Castro is on suicide prevention in a 9-by-9 foot jail cell, spokesman says .
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The selloff in global oil markets showed little signs of slowing in the new year with U.S. crude breaking below $50 a barrel, the first time since April 2009, on fears of a supply glut. U.S. crude's front-month contract CLc1 hit $49.81 by the time markets closed, a dip of $2.88 or 5.47 per cent, in a single day. Benchmark Brent crude tumbled about 6 percent, hitting new 5-1/2 year lows after data showed Russian oil output at post-Soviet era highs and Iraqi oil exports at near 35-year peaks. The dip in oil prices caused shockwaves on Wall Street, where the Dow index had plunged 330 points by the time markets closed, shedding 1.85 per cent of its total value. Tumble: One U.S. oil future price hit $49.95 today before climbing slightly. Pictured above is a crude oil tanker outside a harbor in Singapore . U.S. driller ConocoPhillips added to the bearish sentiment somewhat, announcing it had struck first oil at a Norwegian North Sea project. 'There's no doubt that we have a combination of supplies hitting their zenith at a time when demand is weakening,' said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. Front-month Brent LCOc1 hovered at $53 a barrel, down more than $3, after dropping to $52.66, its lowest since May 2009. Some traders appeared certain that U.S. crude will hit the $40 region later in the week if weekly oil inventory numbers for the United States on Wednesday show another supply build. Dip: Oil prices, shown above, hit their lowest level since the depths of the financial crisis . Downward-bound: Oil prices have dipped sharply since the middle of 2014 . 'We're headed for a four-handle,' said Tariq Zahir, managing member at Tyche Capital Advisors in Laurel Hollow in New York. 'Maybe not today, but I'm sure when you get the inventory numbers that come out this week, we definitely will.' Open interest for $40-$50 strike puts in U.S. crude have risen several fold since the start of December, while $20-$30 puts for June 2015 have traded, said Stephen Schork, editor of Pennsylvania-based The Schork Report. Other indexes on Wall Street were also hit hard by the price drop. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 33 points, or 1.6 percent, to 2,024. The Nasdaq composite fell 56 points, or 1.2 percent, to 4,671. Energy companies had the worst declines in the S&P 500 index. Denbury Resources and Noble Energy each lost 9 percent. Russia's oil output hit a post-Soviet high last year, averaging 10.58 million barrels per day (bpd), up 0.7 percent thanks to small non-state producers, Energy Ministry data showed. Iraq's oil exports were at their highest since 1980 in December, an oil ministry spokesman said, with record sales from the country's southern terminals. The Russian and Iraqi data overshadowed reports of drops in Libya's oil output due to conflict. Libya's oil output has fallen to around 380,000 bpd after the closure of the OPEC producer's biggest oil port Es Sider, along with another oil port Ras Lanuf.
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Price of U.S. crude hit $49.81 before midday today - lowest since April 2009 .
Comes as supplies from Russia and Iraq hit levels not seen since 1980s .
Some analysts think prices could hit $40 if U.S. output keeps increasing .
Dow Jones index closed 330 points (1.8 per cent) down after price fall .
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Wimbledon, London (CNN) -- If Novak Djokovic wants to win a second Wimbledon title, he'll have to perform better in the final against Roger Federer than in his semifinal Friday. He admitted as much. While seven-time champion Federer eased past big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic 6-4 6-4 6-4, top-seed Djokovic struggled to overcome much-hyped Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 3-6 7-6 7-6 in a nonetheless highly memorable encounter. Not for the quality of tennis, mind you, but for the momentum shifts, some of the unforced errors and the number of slips. On one occasion, Dimitrov and Djokovic took a tumble at almost the same time and faced each other close to the net, much to the crowd's delight. For the combatants, the court must have felt like a skating rink. Maybe playing in front of Maria Sharapova -- Dimitrov's girlfriend -- was just too much for the duo. Sharapova is also friends with Djokovic, though her loyalties weren't divided on Center Court. "At a certain stage of the match I was frustrated because I again allowed my opponent to come back to the match," Djokovic, referring to his quarterfinal against Marin Cilic, told reporters. "That's something that I definitely cannot allow myself in the finals against Roger." The conditions weren't easy. It was windy and hot. But Djokovic was in control, leading by a set and break, and he led by a break in the fourth set before needing to rally from 6-3 down in the tiebreak. Indeed, when it looked like Dimitrov would force a fifth set, the match resembled last year's Wimbledon semifinal between Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro. Djokovic also held the advantage in the fourth set then but lost it and was forced into a fifth, which no doubt affected his display in the finale against Andy Murray. The silky smooth Federer had no such problems with his footing, his court positioning further up than Djokovic and Dimitrov. Raonic and Dimitrov, part of the younger guard, played in their first grand slam semifinals. Djokovic hired Boris Becker in the off-season -- the German was one of the best volleyers of his generation -- but the Serb only won 57% of net points Friday. On a first match point in the fourth-set tiebreak, he failed to put away two volleys, temporarily keeping Dimitrov in the affair. Becker declined an interview request from CNN after the match. Djokovic put in a worrying display (for his fans at least) Wednesday too, taken to five sets by Cilic. He won the first set against Cilic and had a 9-0 record against the Croatian prior to Wimbledon. If this was 2011, when Djokovic won three majors, he'd have coasted. "When Novak is at his best, you think, 'How can anyone beat him?" asked Wally Masur, an Australian tennis analyst who won three titles during his playing days. "But hanging on to his best for long periods of time is something that has really kind of eluded him since he had that brilliant year. "I don't know why that is. He smoked Cilic in the first set and the next thing you know they're in a dogfight." And had it not been for a lucky Djokovic shot in the third set, Dimitrov might have advanced to a maiden grand slam final. Staring at a break point at 3-3, Djokovic didn't hit his backhand down the line cleanly, but it went over the net and gave the speedy Dimitrov no chance. Dimitrov then imploded in the third-set tiebreak. What significantly helped Djokovic was hitting 17 aces. Dimitrov's serve, meanwhile, let him down. At 6-6 in the fourth-set tiebreak, he gifted Djokovic a double fault for a second match point. Federer, who improved to 9-0 in Wimbledon semifinals, handled Raonic in as routine a fashion as the score suggested. He broke once in each set and wasn't broken himself. Federer leads Djokovic 18-16 head-to-head -- including 2-1 this year -- but the last time they squared off in a grand slam final was at the 2007 US Open. "We've played a lot actually in the last six months," Federer, bidding for a record-extending 18th men's major, told the BBC. "It's gone back and forth. He's a great champion and has been around now for a long time, so he's used to these occasions. I hope it's going to be a good match." An even more relevant statistic? Djokovic is 0-5 in his last five grand slam finals outside Australia. "I don't want to sound like I'm not appreciating to play finals of a grand slam," said Djokovic. "It's already a huge result. We cannot take that for granted. But I know that I can win the title. "I should have won a few matches that I lost in the finals of grand slams in the last couple of years. It's a learning process. "It's understanding, identifying where the problem is, pushing for it, working on it. It's mental in the end of the day." Masur didn't think Djokovic's laborious semifinal outing would necessarily carry over to Sunday. "It's very hard to transfer what's occurred today and take it into another match because I really think the conditions were a factor," Masur told CNN. Djokovic hopes he's right.
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Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer reach Wimbledon final .
Djokovic defeats Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov .
Federer overcomes Milos Raonic .
Djokovic lost to Andy Murray in last year's final while Federer now goes for 18th grand slam .
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Title: Revolutionary Electric Hyperloop Transportation System Unveiled
In a groundbreaking development, a consortium of leading engineering and technology firms has unveiled plans for an innovative electric hyperloop transportation system. This cutting-edge transport solution promises to revolutionize long-distance travel, significantly reducing travel time while minimizing carbon emissions.
The hyperloop system, which is set to be implemented in select cities worldwide, would operate on a network of low-pressure tubes through which passenger vehicles are propelled by magnetic levitation at breathtaking speeds. According to the consortium, a trip from New York to Washington D.C., currently lasting around 3 hours by air or train, could be completed in just 29 minutes using this advanced technology.
In addition to its swift speed, the hyperloop transportation system also boasts an impressive energy efficiency. The electric-powered pods are expected to consume minimal energy during operation, making it a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional modes of transport. This focus on sustainability aligns with global efforts towards reducing carbon footprints and mitigating climate change.
The hyperloop system is still in the development phase, with several challenges such as safety regulations and infrastructure costs needing to be addressed before wide-scale implementation can occur. Nevertheless, industry experts are optimistic about its potential impact on transportation, ushering in a new era of fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly travel.
Stay tuned for updates on this exciting transportation innovation as the consortium progresses towards realizing their vision of a hyperloop-connected world.
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A group of leading engineering and technology companies has revealed plans for an electric hyperloop transportation system, which could revolutionize long-distance travel by significantly reducing journey times while lowering carbon emissions. The proposed system uses low-pressure tubes with magnetic levitation vehicles that travel at high speeds, potentially reducing a trip from New York to Washington D.C., currently taking around 3 hours by air or train, to just 29 minutes. Additionally, the electric-powered pods are energy efficient and more eco-friendly compared to traditional transport methods. Although it's still in development and faces challenges such as safety regulations and infrastructure costs, experts are optimistic about its potential impact on transportation and ushering in a new era of fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly travel. Keep updated for further developments regarding this innovative transportation concept.
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Washington (CNN) -- If the Bush administration had known there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, it probably wouldn't have decided to invade in 2003, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said in an interview broadcast Sunday. Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union" program, Rumsfeld noted there were multiple reasons for attacking Iraq and ousting Saddam Hussein from power. However, intelligence reports -- now shown to have been false -- that Iraq possessed WMDs were the main reason for going in, Rumsfeld said. "No question it was the big one," he said. Asked if the United States would not have invaded if the administration hadn't believed Iraq had the weapons of mass destruction, Rumsfeld said: "I think that's probably right." He criticized the source known as "Curveball" -- an Iraqi defector who admitted his claims that Iraq possessed WMDs were false -- but stopped short of condemning the U.S. intelligence community. "The intelligence community talks to hundreds of people," Rumsfeld said. "They have human assets, such as this man. Some are honest, some are dishonest. Some do it for money, some do it for self aggrandizement. Some do it, apparently, to lie." Now peddling a book, four years after being replaced by Robert Gates as defense secretary following heavy Republican losses in the 2006 mid-term elections, Rumsfeld maintained the swagger and bravado that were his hallmarks when dealing with the media as a Cabinet member. He said said the Obama administration was "wrong in attacking the Bush administration's structures that have kept this country safe for almost a decade now," including the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama campaigned on the promise that he would close the facility known as Gitmo in his first year in office, but it remains open. "They now have switched from the campaign mode, and they are keeping Guantanamo Bay. They are keeping indefinite detention," Rumsfeld said. "They are keeping military commissions. So obviously, they've come to the conclusion that their campaign promises -- easier to campaign than it is to govern." Rumsfeld also rejected the premise that the United States is viewed more favorably around the world with Obama as president. "No, and I don't think there's data that supports that," Rumsfeld said. "I think he had made a practice of trying to apologize for America. I personally am proud of America." He was also critical of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded Obama in his first year in office in 2009. "Well, he had not accomplished a thing when he got the Nobel Prize," Rumsfeld said. "It was given to him on hope. Had to have been, because there wasn't anything that he'd done." Despite receiving some boos when he recently was honored at the Conservative Political Action Conference, the annual gathering of conservative activists, Rumsfeld said the Tea Party movement has brought "a lot of energy into public life and public affairs." He said he was "deeply worried about the budget" and that the country needs to start saving money now. Some of those savings can come in the Pentagon budget he formerly oversaw, he said. "My goodness, every year the Congress was stuffing $10 billion down the Pentagon's throat that we didn't want," Rumsfeld said. "There's no question that there's money there."
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The former defense secretary says intelligence sources sometimes lie .
Rumsfeld rejects notion that U.S. is more popular overseas under President Obama .
The Obama administration is keeping some Bush policies, Rumsfeld says .
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The Royal Navy has escorted a squadron of Russian warships sailing through the English Channel. Four ships passed through the through the Strait of Dover after carrying out military exercises in the North Sea. HMS Tyne, a Type 45 Destroyer and one of the Royal Navy's most technically advanced warships, was able to pinpoint and monitor the movement of the group led by Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov as it approached the UK. Scroll down for video . This Ministry of Defence pictures taken from HMS Tyne shows a Russian supply vessel in the Channel . A Russian AOR supply vessel, A Ropucha class landing ship and a Udaloy-1 class destroyer pictured from HMS Tyne in international waters today . The Russian navy anti-submarine ship Severomorsk (BPK 619) was also among the group sailing along the Channel (library photo) The Ministry of Defence stressed that it was in accordance with international law, but comes at a time of heightened tension between Britain and Russia. David Cameron has insisted he does not want a 'confrontational relationship' but has warned of further sanctions against Moscow if it fails to back in Ukraine. Russian destroyer Severomorsk, a landing craft, a rescue tugboat and a tank ship anchored in the Bay of the Seine, off the coast of northern France, to wait out a storm, according to a Russian defence ministry statement reported by local news agencies. The Royal Navy was aware of the ships' presence and HMS Tyne monitored and escorted the squadron as it moved from the North Sea on Tuesday down through the Strait of Dover, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. Patrol ship HMS Tyne finished shadowing the Russian vessels after they passed out of the UK's area of responsibility into the French zone. It is understood that the Russian vessels complied with all maritime reporting regulations and defence sources said they expected the ships to head to the Mediterranean. An MoD spokesman said: 'We are aware that four Russian naval ships have passed through the Dover Strait from the North Sea into the English Channel, which all ships have the right to do under international law. 'The ships were escorted by the Royal Navy warship HMS Tyne as part of her UK maritime security role and have now left UK waters.' A naval source told the Telegraph: 'It's not provocative but we are keeping an eye on them.' Prime Minister David Cameron has insisted he does not want a 'confrontational relationship' with Russia, but has warned Vladimir Putin he must back down in Ukraine . The Russians ships' presence comes at a time of heightened tension between Moscow and the West and follows a G20 summit at which Vladimir Putin came under international pressure over the Ukraine crisis. France's president Francois Hollande this week suspended the planned delivery of a warship to Russia, citing the 'current situation' in eastern Ukraine. The Vladivostok, the first of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers ordered by Russia, was due to be delivered as part of a controversial 1.2 billion euro (£950 million) contract. It is not unusual for Russian ships to pass through the English Channel but they are usually monitored by Royal Navy vessels as they do so. In May a Russian aircraft carrier and a nuclear-powered battle cruiser passed through the English Channel as part of a seven-strong task group, with Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon tracking their movements.
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Four Russia ships passed through the through the Strait of Dover .
They had been carrying out military exercises in the North Sea .
Cameron does not want a 'confrontational relationship' with Russia .
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Angry parents have launched a protest over a primary school's plans to make their children sing songs in Lithuanian and Polish. A third of pupils at the Peckover Primary School in Wisbech - a Cambridgeshire town popular with eastern European families - are from migrant backgrounds, but some parents claim their children came home in floods of tears because they did not understand the words to the songs. Children were being taught the lyrics for an upcoming international singing festival, but mother Clare Eve, 48, who has launched a petition in protest, said: 'The whole school is getting taken over by these cultures and I don't think it's right.' Anger: Parents including Clare Eve, left, and Tamara Meldrum, right, are protesting against their children being made to sing a song in Lithuanian at their primary school in Wisbech . 'Multi-cultural': A third of the students at the Peckover School, which is in a town popular with eastern Europeans, are from migrant families . A total of 23 parents have signed Ms Eve's petition protesting at the content of the 'inclusive' festival, due to take place next week at Peckover's new theatre. The parents backing the campaign insist their objections to the foreign lyrics are not racist, and say they have a right to complain if their children are upset. 'It's being forced on our children,' Ms Eve said. 'They're only eight-years-old - it's a struggle to learn their own language let alone goodness knows what else. 'When I saw the song list I could not believe it. My son brought the song list home when he wasn't supposed to,' she claimed. 'The school hadn't actually told anybody the true meaning of what the children were doing. 'Children don't know what they are singing about but if we complain we are accused of being racist, and yet this isn't the case,' said Ms Eve, who said she was 'all for' children learning languages. 'My little girl goes to German club,' she said. 'If your child is upset then surely you have the right for freedom of speech to voice your opinion. 'It's happening all the time - at Christmas a nearby infants' school had their nativity play in a foreign language. The parents said it was like being in another country. 'We don't want that here . 'I wouldn't have objected if all the Lithuanian kids had sung a Lithuanian song and all the Polish kids sung a Polish song. That would have been different,' said the 48-year-old, who has two children, Alfie, nine, and Libby, eight. Tamara Meldrum, who also has a . child at the primary school, said: 'They’re not even teaching them what it . means, at least that would make some sense, but as it stands the . children have no idea why they are being forced to do it.' Complaints: Tamara's son Adam Meldrum, seen left with his friend Alfie Wakefield, holds up a copy of the Lithuanian song lyrics . Peckover sent a letter home to parents inviting them to the festival, which will also see children don the national dress of countries including Germany and Greece, on July 15. The headteacher last week asked for parents’ support at the 'pioneering' International Singing Festival. 'Not right': Clare Eve said the school was being 'taken over' by other cultures . The letter read: 'We are all very excited to hold this event, which has been made possible by a grant from the Cambridge Culture Project Funding, for which we had managed to secure the funds. 'It will be a wonderful occasion, enabling the children to perform the songs that they have enjoyed learning and singing in English and other languages, representative of children at our school. 'We really hope you will support us in this pioneering event,' it said. Today the school said pupils had been taught the meaning of the Lithuanian song and that children would not be forced to take part if parents objected. A spokesperson said: 'The children have spent time learning the words and understanding what they mean with the help of our excellent teaching staff and language and music specialists. 'We have made sure that children understand what they are singing about and that they learn to appreciate other cultures. 'Children have been keen and enthusiastic to take part in this inclusive community event. 'We have made alternative arrangements for pupils of parents not wishing their child to take part in the concert to remain at Peckover Primary school, for the hour during which the concert takes place.' Inclusive: The primary school said the festival had been organised as part of teaching children to appreciate other cultures . Show Racism the Red Card, an anti-racism educational charity, backed the singing festival. A spokesman said: 'We believe that there is tremendous value in celebrating multiculturalism and diversity in schools. 'We accept that the Lithuanian language may present a challenge to some young people; however we are sure that the focus of the teachers is to encourage participation rather than linguistic accuracy.' English will be represented at the singing festival by the song Do Re Mi from The Sound of Music.
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Pupils at a Wisbech primary school taught song for a singing festival .
Third of children at Peckover Primary are from migrant backgrounds .
Parents claim children in tears because they did not understand song .
'Inclusive' festival will also see youngsters singing a Polish tune .
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248,260 |
(CNN) -- While all about him were losing their heads, Roger Federer kept his cool. In a week when grand slam champions have been falling like flies at the Australian Open, the old master survived a fourth-set fightback to defeat world No. 4 Andy Murray 6-3 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3. Federer's win means he advances to the last four in Melbourne for the 11th year in a row, with his archrival Rafael Nadal standing between him and a sixth final. Top seed Nadal had beaten Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov earlier on Wednesday to continue his bid for a 14th grand slam title. Federer and Nadal met in the semifinals two years ago, the latter emerging victorious, while the Spaniard holds a 22-10 winning record over the Swiss star having won the last four matches between them. "He's been tough to play against, no doubt," Federer told reporters when asked about Nadal. "I'm happy I get a chance to play him in a grand slam again. I don't remember the last time we played." Federer recently recruited six-time grand slam winner Stefan Edberg to his coaching team, with the Swede set to spent 10 weeks working with the former world No. 1 throughout the season. With Edberg now onside, Federer is hoping he can reverse his fortunes against Nadal. "The head-to-head record is in his favor," the 32-year-old told reporters. "I'm looking forward to speaking to Stefan, because when we spoke together, you know, when he came to Dubai and we spoke about the game, we clearly spoke about playing Rafa, as well. "He thought he had some good ideas, so I'm looking forward to what he has to say." Nadal narrowly avoided joining second seed Novak Djokovic -- beaten by Federer's compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka on Tuesday -- on the sidelines, eventually overcoming Dimitrov, the Bulgarian's cheering section and a nasty blister on the Spaniard's left palm. The world No. 1 prevailed 3-6 7-6 7-6 6-2, saving three set points in the third set. "I was so lucky," Nadal said in an on-court interview. "I felt anything could happen in the third set. "A lot of Bulgarians here today. Thanks everyone for supporting -- it was a great atmosphere. I hope you enjoyed it. I suffered a lot." Nadal said the blister, which troubled him in the previous round, particularly affects him on serve and he duly struck three double faults in one game. But it was Dimitrov -- the man, now to his dismay, still being compared to Federer because of their similar styles -- who faltered on the key points. He missed a makeable forehand and return on two of his three set points in the third. His backers were frequently out of their chairs chanting his name throughout the three-and-a-half-hour encounter, prompting one fan to counter, "Shut up and sit down." Dimitrov left the court in tears and then became emotional when speaking to reporters. "It should hurt, and it does hurt," said the Bulgarian.
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Roger Federer beats Andy Murray to reach the semifinals of the Australian Open .
The sixth seed appears in the last four for the 11th year in a row .
17-time grand slam winner Federer advances to a meeting with top seed Rafael Nadal .
World No. 1 Nadal defeats Grigor Dimitrov in his quarterfinal .
| 2,850 | 298 |
112,888 |
(CNN) -- As the final days of 2012 trickle away, an uncommon emotional intensity hangs in the air in America. Something is happening here. The country stands on the cusp of major change. Gun control is just one of the formerly taboo subjects that has come out of the political closet. Today, a majority of Americans support stricter gun laws, a majority support a more progressive tax system and most favor same-sex marriage. A majority of voters even support the idea of legalizing marijuana. The laws have not caught up with this dramatic change in attitudes, and entrenched interests will fight what amounts to a quiet but pivotal social revolution. The coming year will see continuing battles in the courts, in the media and in legislatures, as the forces of change -- now representing the majority -- seek to upset the status quo. No topic has stirred more passion in recent days than the clash between two competing rights: the right to own guns and the right not to get shot. Americans feel the lingering sadness, confusion and anger surrounding a recent massacre of schoolchildren, stirred more by the outrageous, dumbfounding, Christmas Eve murder of firefighters responding to a call for help in New York. Then there's that strange, unbecoming political show, the one with the ticking clock, known as the fiscal cliff. The contest over the budget sounds arcane, but it deals with a fundamental social value, the role of government in society, and the way the burden of financing ought to be shared. Those are just the most immediate of the ongoing dramas adding stress to holiday dinners, energy to television shows and liveliness to coffee house debates. The United States is reassessing matters that many thought had been settled. It wasn't very long ago that the views from the most conservative elements of the political establishment dominated the social agenda. Since the turn of the century we had seen a steady turn toward lower taxes, a ban on even discussing gun control, a rising wave of anti-gay legislation and all manner of conservative legislation. America seemed left behind, ossified, as other parts of the Western world, which generally share America's culture and values, revised their views and rules on social issues. In July, after the movie theater massacre in Colorado, President Obama unhelpfully, unnervingly, mused that "if there's anything to take away from this tragedy, it's the reminder that life is very fragile." This time, in the wake of the Newtown massacre, he found a more practical takeaway, launching a push to stop gun violence. Most importantly, the tragedy energized the growing majority of Americans who support stepped-up gun control. It also prompted the powerful NRA to push back, and we can expect an all-out campaign whose outcome is far from certain. But the battle has been joined -- and not just in Washington. It took far too many killings, but the massacre at Sandy Hook elementary finally pushed the matter of gun rights one awful step too far, and the conversation changed. Jeffrey Toobin: 2013, a year for big issues in the courts . People who have spent decades working tirelessly for change will no doubt want to correct the impression that all this change has come suddenly. Surely, gay rights activists, gun control organizations have toiled with only minimal victories as reward. In recent months, however, we have reached a tipping point. It may have something to do with the media -- social media, television, the Internet -- providing a boost to the message, a message of human dignity and common sense. It certainly has much to do with demographics. Young people, growing up with new ideas, are picking up the torch of social change. Today, a majority of Americans -- 57% -- favor stricter gun control, jumping sharply from 39% just a few months ago. That's bad news for the most conservative elements in society, who think the government should stand back from almost every aspect of our lives. But the truly radical transformation has come in the area of gay rights. For the first time, Gallup Polls show a majority of Americans support full marriage equality for gay couples. That's an astonishing change. But it's not as astonishing as the wholesale acceptance of gay people that has suffused American society in the last few years. Perhaps it was "Will and Grace" or "Glee" or President Obama's long-delayed approval of same-sex marriage. Probably all of the above and much more, but a switch has been flipped. The cause has gained an unstoppable momentum, so unstoppable that even if full equality is denied by the conservative-tilted Supreme Court, scheduled to rule on the issue by this summer, it will only amount to a delay of the inevitable. Once again, the people are leading their leaders. Public views, especially among the young, hold that discrimination is not only wrong, it's silly. Attitudes are changing in other ways that seemed unthinkable not long ago. Who would have thought Americans would favor legalizing drugs? Two-thirds of voters under age 30 support legalizing pot, bringing the overall total to 51%, and giving a boost to referendum campaigns on the issue. The wisdom of lowering taxes also dominated for many years, but no more. Three-quarters of Americans agree it makes sense to make the tax system more progressive, raising the burden on the wealthy. What exactly "wealthy" means is still unclear. And, as in all the other areas of change, the battle to transform those majority views into law will be hard-fought. With just a few days before the start of 2013, the issues facing America are serious, the disagreements are intense, and the range of views is wide. And yet, the country is facing its choices with nervous anticipation. Something is happening in America. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Frida Ghitis.
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Frida Ghitis: After years in which conservative views predominated, U.S. is changing .
Ghitis: 2013 should see impact of support for progressive tax rates, same-sex marriage .
Gun control is now considered an urgent issue once again, she says .
Ghitis: Opponents of progressive policies will stand against change .
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