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By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 4:19 PM on 1st December 2011 . Country singer Mindy McCready is in Nashville and says she will probably not be able to bring her five-year-old son back to Florida to fulfil a judge's order - because she is nearly seven months pregnant with twins. McCready said today that she and her mother have had a long custody battle over Zander. Her mother was awarded guardianship of the boy in 2007. Florida Department of Children and Families said a missing person report was filed with Cape Coral police on Tuesday night after McCready took Zander from her father's home. Missing: Former country music star Mindy McCready, seen here in a 2007 mugshot, has gone missing with her five year old son Zander . A statement released today from the troubled star's publicist revealed the pair are 'safe, healthy and comfortable'. 'The 5-year-old boy has been with his . mother for more than 30 days,' the statement continued. 'Law enforcement . officials spoke with the child and saw Zander via Skype yesterday.' On Tuesday, DCF discovered that . McCready and the boy were not at her father's home and a judge ruled she . must return the boy voluntarily by 5pm. Thursday or risk an arrest . warrant. McCready earlier denied 'stealing' her . child and issued a statement saying: 'I am working with lawyers to try . to get all this straightened out.' Mindy lost custody of Zander, seen here in 2009, left, and in the arms of Rosie . O'Donnell in 2006 at three months old, after several run-ins with the law . She told Access Hollywood: 'I did not . steal my child, as it would be impossible for me to kidnap what already . belongs to me! There never was any missing persons report and never an . Amber Alert.' The 36-year-old, who has been jailed twice and reportedly attempted suicide four times, does not have custody of the toddler. A Florida judge has now given McCready until Thursday to return the boy. The singer, who appeared on Celebrity . Rehab with Dr Drew in season three, went missing after an allowed visit . with her son at her father's home. McCready's mother was granted custody of Zander after McCready's long line of run-ins with the law. Ex-boyfriend Billy McKnight is the father of MCready's son . DCF . spokesman Terry Field said the agency requested an emergency pickup order, and a judge said McCready must . return the boy by 5pm Thursday. A former country music chart topper, . McCready's life spiralled out of control in 2004, and has since suffered . domestic abuse, been arrested on drug and DUI charges and made several . reported attempts at suicide. MCready's . first run-in with the law came in early 2004, when she attempted to buy . powerful pain killer Oxycotin using a fake prescription in Nashville, . Tennessee. McNight was arrested after he tried to choke her in 2005 . After pleading . guilty, she was later fined $4,000, ordered to perform 200 hours of . community service, and slapped with a three year suspended sentence. In May 2005, McCready's ex-boyfriend . and the father of her child Zander, Billy McKnight, was arrested and . charged with attempted murder after hitting and trying to strangle the singer. Shortly after splitting with McKnight, she later attempted suicide the following July. Adding to her woes, a warrant was issued for McCready, after she had violated her probation. It . stemmed from two separate incidents in both May and July 2005, where she was charged . with driving on a suspended license, identity theft, unlawful use of . transportation, unlawful imprisonment, and hindering prosecution. She was later arrested in Florida and . returned to Tennessee, where she went in front of a jury who once again . charged her for violating her probation. The former star, who was pregnant with . McKnight's baby, later allegedly tried to commit suicide again in September 2005. Troubles: Mindy has been arrested five times, here is another one of her mugshots in 2005 . Following Zander's arrival in March 2006, it appeared that McCready was on the road to recovery. However . after a reported physical argument with her mother in July 2007, she was . arrested and charged with assault and resisting arrest. McCready was later sentence to one year in jail, but was released just three months later in December. After nearly half a year trouble free, McCready once again violated her probation. Reality show: In 2009, McCready took part in reality TV . show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, which was aired the following year . in January and February . Sentenced to jail for the second time, she served 30 days of a 60 day sentence, and was released on good behaviour in October 2008. Just under two months later in December, she reportedly attempted suicide for the third time. In 2009, McCready took part in reality TV show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, which was aired the following year in January and February. The 53-year-old addiction specialist treated the singer for substance abuse and she later appeared on The View to discuss her road to recovery and her attempt to salvage her music career. Speaking out: McCready appeared on The Dr. Oz show on U.S television last year, to discuss her troubles . McCready later released her fifth studio album, I'm Still Here, in March 2010. However, shortly after, she allegedly had another overdose. McCready's fall from grace came after her success in the country music industry. In 1996, McCready's LP Ten Thousand Angels sold over two million records, going platinum twice.
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McCready's mother has guardianship of five-year-old Zander .
Mother and son are 'safe, healthy and comfortable', according to singer's publicist .
McCready has had boy for 30 days .
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(CNN) -- The highly anticipated update to the classic 1980s series "Sweet Valley High" is here. As we reported in July, "Sweet Valley Confidential" (St. Martin's Press) takes place 10 years after high school. The series protagonists -- twin sisters Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield -- are 27 now and on their own, no longer safely ensconced in the split-level, Spanish-style home of their parents. Their perfect figures, cascading blond hair and aquamarine eyes remain. And in case you need any reminders that the book takes place in modern times, there are references to Facebook, Google, Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake. Jessica still lives in the idyllic Sweet Valley and has done something unforgivable to Elizabeth, who has since high-tailed it to New York, utterly brokenhearted. She is also bent on getting revenge, not a typical Elizabeth character trait. CNN spoke to Sweet Valley creator Francine Pascal about the new book and the lasting legacy of the "Sweet Valley" franchise, which sold more than 150 million copies worldwide and was the first young adult series to hit The New York Times best-seller list. "This is the first time in history that a kids' book has made the leap into adulthood," the author said. "And it's a very difficult thing because the people who used to read the books are people of importance, they're grown adults, and they have a certain ownership of 'Sweet Valley' because it was their adolescence. With the new book I hoped not to outrage them and I don't think I have. But I think I have surprised them in a lot of ways and I hope I have touched them." Pascal, 73, said the inspiration for the first "Sweet Valley" book was the 1980s nighttime soap "Dallas." She figured that telling the story in series form would suit the soap opera format well because she wouldn't be tied in to providing closure -- she could feel free to leave readers hanging "with a hook ending and that would give it the feel of continuity." Pascal said she selected the high school setting because she "needed a location that was complete in itself." "High school is, after all, a microcosm of the real world," Pascal said. "It's the first time kids have some independence and have a world of their own where they're all together and they make the rules and live their life." "High school is so serious," she continued. "There's friendship, pain, joy, betrayal, all those incredible things and the very essence of idealism." Pascal hinted that is exactly why the town of Sweet Valley and its inhabitants are so unbelievably perfect. It is just that -- an idealization. Pascal said she intentionally made her main characters female because it was important "to do something where the girls drove the action. Up until then it was sort of a 'Sleeping Beauty' kind of thing where you had to wait for the boy to kiss you before you woke up, and this story I wanted to be in the hands of girls." The author said she made the girls twins because she had always been fascinated by twins and she wanted "the opportunity to do a Jekyll and Hyde kind of thing where it's really the good and the bad of one person. So I conceived these impossibly (laughs) perfect people with very distinct personalities." Surprisingly, Pascal concocted the picture-perfect Southern California town of Sweet Valley having never set foot in the state! "I thought about what was the best thing about your teenage years and it seemed to me it was summer," she said. "So I wanted a place where it was always summer and that's how I came to California." "But I didn't actually come to California," Pascal said, "because at the time I had never been to California. Everything I knew about California came from MGM movies. A couple years later I went out there and it turned out it was just the way I thought it was." When the first "Sweet Valley High" book, "Double Love," was published in 1983, Pascal said she had no idea it would be so successful. "I remember two weeks after it came out the shock of seeing it on the Publisher's Weekly best-seller list," said Pascal. "I was stunned. This was in 1983 -- before the internet -- and I couldn't understand how everyone knew about it so fast. And it wasn't just the hundreds of thousands of readers who bought my four previous books. We were going into the millions." Pascal is particularly proud that "Sweet Valley" turned a lot of young women on to reading. "I used to get thousands of letters and about a quarter of them started the same way, 'I used to hate to read. ...'And that's the wonderful thing about this series; it really did bring a lot of young women into the reading world." Ironically, librarians initially thumbed their noses at the notion of "Sweet Valley." "At first they didn't even want to have the books in the library," Pascal said. "Until they saw girls who had never even set foot in the library before ask for them and then they relented." Pascal, who divides her time between homes in New York and France, said if she were starting the series today, she wouldn't change much, "because I do feel the more things change the more they stay the same, particularly in adolescence. That's a unique time when many things are happening." "These books were translated into 25 different languages," Pascal said. "Which makes you think: 'What does a girl in Indonesia have in common with these blond, blue-eyed girls in California?' Well, with the physical changes girls go through at that age comes a lot of feelings that are the same no matter where you are. So, the fact that there are cell phones and other technological advances now, those are all rather superficial. It's not how people are communicating, it is THE communication." She pointed out that "Sweet Valley's" legacy lies in "the hundreds of thousands and perhaps even millions of girls who became readers because of 'Sweet Valley.' Otherwise they may have spent their lives captive of TV." "Sweet Valley's" next incarnation will be a "Sweet Valley High" feature film written by Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody. Pascal said she believes Cody will do right by the series because, "She grew up with 'Sweet Valley' and she loved it." Pascal said she thinks the movie should take place in the 1980s, "Because I think all of the technological stuff is wrong for this. This is, well, a period piece." Pascal said she is not quite sure what her involvement in the film will be. "I'd have to go back to the contract," she said. "It's something like story consultant. When material is adapted the original writers are not that involved. They don't hate them or, like in (Robert Altman's) 'The Player,' wish them dead or kill them. But it's gone from New York (laughs)."
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The "Sweet Valley" series is back and updated .
Pascal's books are credited with inspiring young women to read .
Author admits lead characters, blond twin girls, are "impossibly perfect"
Up next for "Sweet Valley" is a feature film written by Diablo Cody .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 03:06 EST, 11 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 04:16 EST, 11 March 2014 . The capital of the Anglo-Saxon kings buried at Sutton Hoo may have been uncovered in farmland close to the famous burial mounds. Archaeologists believe a royal settlement once spread across more than 100 acres of what is now farmland at Naunton Hall in Rendlesham near Woodbridge, Suffolk. They say it included a wooden palace which would have been used by King Raedwald and other Anglo-Saxon rulers of Norfolk and Suffolk between the 6th and 9th Centuries. Hidden treasure: Archaeologists believe they have found an ancient royal settlement which once spread across more than 100 acres of what is now farmland at Naunton Hall in Rendlesham near Woodbridge, Suffolk . It was only discovered after the owner of the land raised the alarm when illegal treasure hunters started scouring the area under the cover of night. The site is only around four miles from the treasure-filled Sutton Hoo burial ship which is thought to be the grave of Raedwald who died in about 624 AD. Rumours of a royal settlement in Rendelsham have persisted since it was first mentioned by the Venerable Bede, an 8th century monk and historian. But it is only now that archaeologists have unearthed what they describe as 'conclusive evidence' to pinpoint the land where the settlement stood for around 300 years. A series of Anglo-Saxon coins, fragments of gold jewellery, buckles, pieces of brooches and part of a hanging bowl have been found in the fields over the past five years, indicating that a village was once there. A Visigothic gold tremissis coin from the late 6th century was also uncovered along with weights, suggesting that the site was an important base for foreign trade. Another find of an unfinished bronze buckle is being seen as evidence of a metal workshop on the site. Coins found at the Rendlesham site: Last night the National Trust confirmed in a statement that the finds represented 'conclusive evidence of the existence of the long-lost Royal settlement at Rendlesham' Suffolk County Council began investigations along with the Sutton Hoo Society and English Heritage after illicit treasure hunters with metal detectors targeted fields around Rendlesham in night-time raids in 2009. After Sir Michael Bunbury alerted the authorities to evidence of the so-called 'night hawks' targeting his land, trusted volunteers with metal detectors were allowed to scan the fields for anything of archaeological value. Over five years the search uncovered 15 silver Anglo-Saxon coins in one field, including one used as an ornament. Another two Anglo-Saxon sceattas, a type of ancient coin from the 8th century, were found in another field along with silver and copper-alloy brooch fragments. A copy of a 7th century tremissis coin and an 8th century handle-shaped brooch were found in a third area. Rich history: Rumours of a royal settlement in Rendelsham have persisted since it was mentioned by the Venerable Bede in the 8th Century . Other finds included coins from the Roman era, evidence of an Iron Age enclosure and early medieval trinkets, suggesting the site was occupied for hundreds of years before and after Anglo-Saxon times. Last night the National Trust confirmed in a statement that the finds represented 'conclusive evidence of the existence of the long-lost Royal settlement at Rendlesham'. A statement said that archaeologists had surveyed 400 acres of land in the search for the settlement. The investigation identified the 125 acre site by metal-detecting, aerial photography, chemical analysis and geophysics - a process of scanning the ground beneath the surface for evidence of buried features. The Trust said that finds included 'fragments of exquisite gold jewellery, Saxon pennies and weights associated with trade, and metal offcuts from a smith's workshop'. The Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History, which helped identify the finds, described them as 'conclusive evidence of the long-lost Anglo-Saxon royal settlement whose people buried their kings at Sutton Hoo'. A spokesman for the institute described the site as being of 'huge historical and archaeological significance'. The find has been described as possibly the most significant for Anglo-Saxon history since the 1939 discovery of the burial ship at Sutton Hoo. Investigations of the 27m long ship led . to the rewriting of Anglo-Saxon history as it emerged that craftsmen . from the era were much more advanced than previously thought. The treasures found there included included gild and gem-encrusted dress fittings, an ornate ceremonial helmet, shield and sword, as well as pieces of silver plate from Byzantium. At this new site, while the exact location of the suspected royal palace has not been pinpointed, archaeologists are convinced it would have been there. Bede wrote in his 8th-Century book, An Ecclesiastical History of the English People, that it was 'the king's country-seat of Rendlesham'. It is believed that in the 7th century the settlement would have equalled Ipswich in size before going into decline two centuries later when Ipswich became the main regional centre. Similarities: A gilded bronze mount from a harness found at Rendlesham, which is similar to an example from one of the Sutton Hoo burials. The discovery of the 27m long ship led to the rewriting of Anglo-Saxon history . Mike Argent, chairman of the Sutton Hoo Society, said archaeologists working on the project were 'very excited' about what has been unearthed. The site of two 6th- and 7th-Century cemeteries, Sutton Hoo's discovery shed light on a period of England's past on the margin between myth, legend and historical documentation. Use of the site culminated at a time when Rædwald, the ruler of the East Angles, held power among the English people and played a dynamic if ambiguous part in the establishment of Christian rulership in England. It is generally thought most likely that he is the person found in the undisturbed ship burial, that held a wealth of Anglo-Saxon artefacts. Excavated in 1939, the ship is one of the most magnificent archaeological finds in England. The investigations are expected to carry on for at least another year, with much scientific work to be done and the papers detailing the finds still to be written. Mr Argent said the finds suggested the area was a settlement, meeting place or trading station for a variety of Saxon people including those of high-status, probably kings. He said the investigations took place around the diary of the working farm, waiting until fields had been harvested, with a team of four authorised and responsible metal detector enthusiasts combing the fields. 'The finds are extremely interesting. They consist of mainly tiny pieces, not the big sparkly stuff discovered at the ship burial,' he added. 'But the finds show there has been human activity at the site over a long period, high status activity. It doesn't confirm one way or another that there was a big royal palace - it doesn't show there was and it doesn't mean there wasn't one. 'It shows there were high-status people at the site and there was trading with places that were very far away. It is fascinating and very exciting.' Archaeologists work at the Sutton Hoo site: Painstaking excavations of the burial ship led to the rewriting of Anglo-Saxon history as it emerged that craftsmen from the era were much more advanced than thought . A burial mound at Sutton Hoo: The site of two 6th- and 7th-Century cemeteries, Sutton Hoo's discovery shed light on a period of England's past on the margin between myth, legend and historical documentation. Judith Plouviez, lead archaeological officer at Suffolk County Council for the project, said there was an 'exceptional Anglo-Saxon settlement here, and that it was flourishing at the time of Raedwald'. Sir Michael Bunbury, 67, who owns the land where the settlement has been found, said: 'The area is on a number of fields which are now used for growing wheat, barley and oil seed rape. 'My understanding is that there would have been people leaving here and people of high status, like kings, would visit. It is an on-going scientific and archaeological investigation.' A map shows the relative locations of Rendlesham and the burial mounds of Sutton Hoo in Suffolk . Richard Smith, the Suffolk County Council cabinet member for Economic Development, Environment and Planning said: 'We are very grateful to Sir Michael Bunbury who alerted us to on-going illicit looting on his land and has allowed the Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service and the metal detecting team regular access to his fields. 'From the start it was clear that this site produced exceptionally important finds that could relate to the royal settlement cited in Bede. 'The combination of the exemplary work by the detector users with other survey methods is allowing us to build a detailed picture of past activity, including international trade and fine metalworking.' Intricate: A helmet found at Sutton Hoo which is thought to date back to about 625 AD . Royal shoulder-clasps decorated with inlaid gold, enamel and garnet, found in the burial mounds at Sutton Hoo . Professor Christopher Scull, of Cardiff University and University College London said: 'The survey has identified a site of national and indeed international importance for the understanding of the Anglo-Saxon elite and their European connections. 'The quality of some of the metalwork leaves no doubt that it was made for and used by the highest ranks of society. These exceptional discoveries are truly significant in throwing new light on early East Anglia and the origins of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.' The National Trust, in conjunction with Suffolk County Council's archaeological service is staging an exhibition of the finds at Rendlesham at the Sutton Hoo visitor centre between March 31 and October 15 this year. The relics will then move permanently to Ipswich Museum.
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Experts say the site would have been used by Anglo-Saxon King Raedwald .
It is about four miles away from the famous burial mounds at Sutton Hoo .
Find confirms account of a settlement given by the Venerable Bede .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . Anyone searching for a little inspiration to lose weight before their wedding should take a look at these leading ladies. Kat Badley, 29, Vicki Smart, 30 and Lisa Wright, 45, lost a combined 5st between them over just 10 weeks in preparation for their weddings this year. As part of This Morning's Weight Loss Wedding, the women have overhauled their diet and worked with top nutritionists and personal trainers. Weight loss wedding: Rylan Clark congratulates (L-R) Kat Badley, Vicki Smart and Lisa Wright on losing a combined 5st between them . Starting out: Kat Badley, Vicki Smart and Lisa Wright on This Morning before their Weight Loss Wedding 10-week challenge . Before: Kat Badley, 29 (L) and Vicki Smart, 30 (centre) were both size 16 before the 10-week challenge. Lisa Wright, 45 (R) was size 18-20 . Kat, the youngest of the brides, wanted to transform her size 16 figure into a size 12-14 for her big day. She lost 2st and is now a size 14, though hopes to lose even more weight over the next six weeks before her wedding in Greece. Vicki, who weighed 13st 5lbs, lost 1st 2 lbs and went from a size 16 to a 14. Lisa, the oldest of all three, lost the most amount of weight, slimming down from size 18-20 to size 16. She lost 2st 2lbs for her nuptials in three weeks time. This Morning teamed up with nutritionist Kim Pearson who devised a healthy eating plan for the women. Based on the low glycemic method, it's high in protein and low in carbs and sugar. Happy: Kat Badley, pictured here, says the weight loss has given her a 'whole new lease of life' Wedding wow: Lisa Smart lost 2st 2lbs over 10 weeks and says she is 'so happy' Blushing bride: Vicki, pictured here, weighed 13st 5lbs and lost 1st 2 lbs. She described her reaction to the weight loss as ecstatic and has cut out chocolate entirely . The diet was rich in essential fats which are important for weight loss and general health. Plenty of fresh vegetables, salad and fruit ensured an optimum intake of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre. Processed foods and refined sugar were out, as were fizzy drinks, white bread, rice and pasta and condiments such as tomato sauce. The women were told to eat three main meals per day at regular intervals, including one palm-sized portion of protein at each meal. They were given options such as cod, haddock, salmon and mackerel, and advised to vary the type of protein at each meal. Kat was particularly focused on her arms, conscious that her wedding dress was strapless. And, . with her wedding taking place six weeks from now in Greece, she wanted . to look her best not only for the ceremony, but the inevitable bikini . pictures too. As well as keeping to the diet she started running and took up boxing. Hard at work: Lisa training during the 10-week Weight Loss Wedding challenge . Training: Kat Badley working out to drop a dress size for her wedding in three weeks time . She said: 'I've really surprised myself through the whole process. It's given me . a new lease of life. 'I come home and instead of just sitting on the . sofa I'm meal prepping and doing exercise. 'I think it's made me much . happier, a lot more confident and really boosted my self-esteem. 'I'm the sort of person I've always wanted to be. It's . life-changing.' As well as following the strict diet plan the women upped their exercise, taking up running, boxing, dancing and bootcamp training with trainer James Farmer. Vicki, a self-confessed chocoholic and mother of two was size 16 . before taking on the Weight Loss Wedding 10-week challenge. Transformation: Lisa, pictured here before (L) and after (R), lost 2st 2lbs and is getting married in three weeks . Slim: Vicki, pictured here before (L) and after (R) weighed 13st 5lbs and lost 1st 2lbs . Looking good! Kat, pictured here before (L) and after (R) the weight loss, which took her from size 16 to 14 . After having two children in less than two years, she wanted to get back to her pre-pregnancy size 12 for her wedding. She described her reaction to the weight loss as 'ecstatic' and has cut out chocolate entirely. She said: 'I've learnt that I can achieve things. It's been a real eye-opener and I feel really good about myself. Lisa, who lost 2st 2lbs, said: 'I've learnt a lot about myself over the past 10 weeks. 'There were days I felt tired and didn't want to do anything but I motivated myself and have proved that I have willpower. 'I am so happy with my weight loss. It's made a difference to my attitude to my wedding. Now I feel so much more confident.'
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Kat Badley, 29, Vicki Smart, 30 and Lisa Wright, 45 are all getting married .
They took part in This Morning's Weight Loss Wedding 10 week challenge .
They were given a strict diet and took up running, boxing and dancing .
Kat lost 2st, Vicki lost 1st 2lbs and Lisa, the oldest all three, lost 2st 2lbs .
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'Without real principle': Greg Dyke attacked Tony Blair in an interview . Tony Blair has been branded ‘a shady figure’ and a ‘very sad man’ by former BBC director-general Greg Dyke. He also said the former Prime Minister had betrayed the founding principles of the Labour Party. It is the strongest criticism that Mr Dyke has levelled at Mr Blair since the row over the intelligence dossier on Saddam Hussein’s alleged ‘weapons of mass destruction’, which a BBC reporter claimed was ‘sexed up’ by No10 to strengthen the case for the invasion of Iraq. The resultant inquiry led to Mr Dyke’s resignation. In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Dyke also expressed contempt for Mr Blair’s business ventures, which have earned him a multi-million-pound fortune since he left Downing Street in 2007. Recalling an attempt by Mr Blair to ‘patch up’ their quarrel, Mr Dyke – now chairman of the Football Association – said: ‘He invited me for tea. I didn’t go. My relationship with him, which wasn’t worth anything, was completely broken. ‘I think Blair now is a very sad man, rich, but [he] betrayed everything the Labour Party was about. 'He’s a bit of a shady figure. If you go around a bunch of suspect Middle Eastern governments, taking vast sums for advising them – I laugh when everyone talks about senior pay, saying that no one must earn more than the Prime Minister. ‘I keep saying, “Hang on, is this what the Prime Minister earns in office or what the Prime Minister earns over the next 20 years?’ In his 2004 autobiography, Inside Story, Mr Dyke, 66, condemned the former PM as ‘a man without real principle’. His latest remarks reveal the resentment he still feels over his enforced departure from the BBC. Both he and the chairman, Gavyn Davies, stepped down after the Hutton Inquiry into the death of Government scientist Dr David Kelly and a furious attack on the BBC’s senior management by Mr Blair’s official spokesman, Alastair Campbell. Mr Dyke received a £456,000 payoff from the BBC, including a bonus of £81,000. Attack: Mr Dyke, now chairman of the Football Association, stood down as BBC director-general after a government inquiry . He gave everything except the bonus to York University, where he had studied. Commenting on the current row over huge redundancy payments to BBC executives, he told the FT: ‘The problem at the BBC is that senior salaries went too high. Therefore, pay-offs became very high.’ The main reason he had given away nearly all his payoff was that he didn’t want to have to answer questions about whether his BBC salary had been too large, he said. Asked how he coped with losing the BBC job, he said: ‘I remember being p****d off for close on a couple of years. ‘I remember my daughter saying to me one day, “Why don’t you just get over it?” And I thought, “Yeah, that’s right.” ’
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The former director-general attacked Mr Blair's lucrative business ventures .
He also said that he 'betrayed everything the Labour Party was about'
Mr Dyke was forced to resign after BBC claims that a dossier on alleged Iraq weapons of mass destruction was 'sexed up' ahead of 2003 invasion .
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By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 10:57 EST, 29 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:29 EST, 30 July 2013 . Corrupt private detectives involved in widespread illegal hacking obtained gained access to highly sensitive pay and income details held by HM Revenue and Customs, it emerged today. Phone giant BT and utility firm British Gas also fell victim to dodgy private investigators, according to a secret report by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca). Pressure is mounting on Soca and ministers to release the names of hundreds of companies and individuals who may have used rogue private investigators to steal personal information. Target: Records held by HM Revenue and Customs were used to find out the income and tax bills of private individuals, reports suggest . Last week, officers gave MPs a list of 102 firms and individuals – including a global celebrity and FTSE 100 firm – who hired detective agencies accused of hacking, blagging and stealing private information. But the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) has now admitted it is holding a further list of 200 clients that was not turned over to the Home Affairs Select Committee. The news means the use of corrupt investigators by law firms, banks, insurance companies and celebrities in the so-called ‘hidden’ hacking scandal is far more serious than was thought. The list is in the hands of the Metropolitan Police, which is refusing to publish it. However today investigative news agency Exaro said it had seen the list, and revealed HM Revenue & Customs, BT and British Gas were all targeted by private investigators. It included obtaining details of income and tax paid by individuals, as well as bank account details of British Gas customers and whether phone lines were linked to specific addresses from BT. It total more than 300 companies and individuals could be involved in so-called ‘blue chip’ hacking where private data may have been gathered illegally by private snoops. Later this week Home Secretary Theresa May is expected to announce that private investigators will be regulated for the first time. Private eyes: Among the practices revealed by a confidential - and now leaked - Soca report were live telephone interceptions, computer hacking, police corruption and obtaining itemised phone bills (file picture) Customer records: Details of BT customers' phone lines and bank accounts of British Gas customers were obtained by rogue investigators . Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs select committee, has now written to the chief executives of various regulators to ask for clarification on what guidelines, if any, they issue to organisations in their industry on the use of private investigators. He said: ‘The context in which the companies implicated by Soca's information have acted is crucial for us to understand their motives. ‘By understanding whether an organisation has conducted their business within their regulator's guidelines gives a clear indication of their ethical standpoint. ‘Without the names the public are currently left impotent in their judgment. It is important we try to gain as much assurance as possible on their behalf.’ Home Secretary Theresa May is expected to announce a crackdown on rogue investigators later this week . The list of regulators contacted includes the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), The Law Society, ICAEW, Security Industry Association (SIA), Office of Fair Trading, BVRLA, Office of Rail Regulation and Financial Conduct Authority. The Soca report released today in an unredacted form appears to suggest much of the information accessed unlawfully by private detectives was done so for some of Britain's most high-profile businesses. HMRC, BT and British Gas are now revealed as some of the victims. An HMRC spokesman said: ‘We take the protection of customer data extremely seriously so we constantly review our processes and procedures in light of developments in the e-security world, together with the expert technical and strategic advice we receive from our advisors and in-house teams. For reasons you will understand we cannot go into more detail.’ A spokesman for BT said: ‘BT takes its responsibility to protect customer data very seriously and will not tolerate misuse of its systems or inappropriate or unauthorised access. ‘For this reason, BT ensures that user access can be tracked so that any misuse may be detected, and offenders can be dealt with appropriately.’ A Home Office spokeswoman said: ‘We expect law enforcement agencies to take tough action against criminal behaviour wherever it is identified. ‘Ministers will shortly be announcing plans to regulate private investigators.’
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List of 102 companies and individuals who hired private investigators .
Big banks paid corrupt detectives to spy, hack and steal personal data .
List by Serious Organised Crime Agency dates back to 2008 .
Leaked, un-redacted report shows HMRC and utility firms were targeted .
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Title: Unprecedented Heatwave Hits Western United States, Breaking Temperature Records
In an alarming turn of events, a relentless heatwave has swept across the western United States, shattering temperature records and causing widespread concern among meteorologists and residents alike. According to the National Weather Service, several cities in California, Nevada, and Arizona have experienced temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.9 degrees Celsius), with some areas forecasted to reach even higher levels in the coming days.
The extreme heat has led to numerous warnings and advisories for residents to stay indoors, drink plenty of water, and check on vulnerable neighbors. Firefighters are on high alert due to the increased risk of wildfires, as parched landscapes and record-breaking temperatures create a dangerous combination.
Experts warn that this unprecedented heatwave could be a harbinger of things to come, as climate change continues to alter weather patterns across the globe. As the world grapples with rising temperatures and extreme weather events, the urgent need for collective action against global warming becomes increasingly apparent.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story, and remember: it's always important to prioritize your safety and that of those around you during times of extreme weather.
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A severe heatwave is currently affecting the western United States, breaking temperature records and causing worry among meteorologists and residents. Several cities in California, Nevada, and Arizona have experienced temperatures over 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.9 degrees Celsius). The heat has resulted in warnings for people to stay indoors, drink water, and check on vulnerable neighbors due to the increased wildfire risk. Experts fear this unprecedented heatwave could be a sign of future weather patterns alterations due to climate change. The urgency for global warming countermeasures is emphasized as the world faces escalating temperatures and extreme weather events. Continue following updates on this ongoing story, and remember safety precautions during such extreme weather conditions.
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(CNN) -- She's a veteran reality television star, not to mention an author, entrepreneur, wife and mother. Kendra Wilkinson's life in the limelight demands that she travel by plane about five times a month. She can handle fame, but flying terrifies her. "I cannot stand it," she says. When she flies, Wilkinson, whose reality show, "Kendra on Top," debuted this month on WE tv, turns to her fellow passengers to help her cope. "Every time I fly, I grab on to the person next to me," she says. "People pray with me." The airline staff members she encounters are especially empathetic. "The flight attendants give me ice packs." Millions share Wilkinson's anxiety, and the fear can be debilitating. Many turn to professional therapy. Others try to resolve their fears themselves; some have more success than others. Experts caution that it's hard to pin down a precise number of people who suffer from a fear of flying, without a recent comprehensive survey. Also, many are reluctant to share details of their phobia -- or how disruptive it can be. Wilkinson, who rose to fame as one of Hugh Hefner's girlfriends on the reality show "The Girls Next Door," turns to the cocktail cart to calm her nerves. "I do try to have a glass of wine. Wine helps me cool down a little bit," she says. "Or two glasses of wine." Pinot grigio aside, she also tries to picture calming images. "I try my hardest to close my eyes and picture my son," she says. "I think of my happiest moments." Wilkinson, who hasn't received formal treatment, aspires to fly with her 2½-year-old son without scaring him with her unconcealed fear. Reason doesn't always conquer fear . John DiScala was terrified to fly. From his late teens until his early 20s, he rarely left his home in Connecticut. Now, he visits more than 20 countries a year -- by plane -- and runs the travel blog JohnnyJet.com. But his runway toward recovery was a long one. His terror set in when he was 17. Waiting with his parents to board a flight from New York, bound for Australia, he had an anxiety attack at the airport. "I felt this tingling all over my body," he says. "I felt like I was not in control." The year before, his doctor had diagnosed him with asthma. He had also suggested that the cabin pressure on the flight could give him respiratory problems. "It kept running through my head what the doctor said," DiScala remembers: " 'You will have trouble breathing.' " He missed that trip to Perth, where he would have visited his sisters -- and didn't travel again for more than three years. "I was basically afraid to leave the house," he says. "I was full of fear." This unchecked terror arises despite statistics that show how safe flying is. Less than 1% of total transportation fatalities in the U.S. were the result of air accidents in the most recent figures from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. But numbers don't necessarily calm nerves. And a fear of air travel isn't always rational. "It doesn't have to do with how safe flying is," says Tom Bunn, the president and founder of the SOAR program. He counsels fearful fliers with a mix of one-on-one therapy and education about how airplanes work. He says his clients, who hail from a wide range of backgrounds and professions, try to talk themselves out of their fear but fail. "Oftentimes, they struggle tremendously on their own to fix it, and find they can't," he says. Many turn to therapy when their fear starts to disrupt their lives as well as their livelihoods. Phobia interferes with work . Patty McLoughlin, 53, is a sales representative in the gift industry. She needs to travel to meetings at least twice a year. Based in Columbus, Ohio, she would regularly drive 12 hours just to avoid a flight. She hadn't flown in 16 years. "For pleasure, I could work around it," she says. "Not with business." But when a West Coast meeting came up at a new job, she realized she had to conquer her fear. "It was difficult to drive to California," she says. It was impractical as well. She realized that her fear was getting in the way, and flying to meetings would help her make the most of her new job. "If I wanted to grow within the company, I knew I'd have to overcome it," she says. And she did, with the help of a SOAR course. There are people who buy plane tickets but are too scared to use them. "We hear from people who want to go someplace special, and they can't go," says Alies Muskin, executive director of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. "They just don't do it." Karina Slota of Maryland, 39, was supposed to be maid of honor at her sister's wedding in Bermuda 10 years ago. Her entire family traveled to the event, including her 80-year-old grandmother, who had flown over from Germany. Slota boarded the flight from Maryland to Bermuda but didn't make it to takeoff. "If I stay on this plane, I am going to die," she thought. While the plane was still at the gate, flight attendants had to open the plane door to let Slota off. She calls the experience humiliating. "I was crying," she says. "I felt like I was being judged." She missed the wedding, and for 10 years, she didn't fly. Finally, Slota took a course with SOAR. Although she still gets anxious ahead of a trip, she says she manages to stay calm on the flight itself. She uses the mental exercises she learned from the program's videos, such as focusing on her surroundings, to stay calm and now flies about once a year. More treatment available . Some travelers are afraid to travel by plane without letting that fear interfere with their lives. They might grip their armrests tightly during takeoff, say a prayer before they board or take anti-anxiety medication. And when a flight gets bumpy, almost anyone can get scared, even frequent fliers. "I really don't like turbulence," says Liz Borod Wright, editor of the travel blog Travelogged. But she doesn't let that stop her from traveling overseas. Driving isn't a realistic option when holiday plans include Europe. "I'm not going to let my fear of flying prevent me from flying." Fear of flying "doesn't discriminate," says Josh Spitalnick, director of Research and Clinical Services at the Virtually Better clinic in Atlanta. He says some of his clinic's clients became wary after unpleasant flights, sometimes involving severe turbulence. Others just anticipate a rocky ride. "Through treatment, we teach people relaxation skills to better allow them to cope," Spitalnick says. His clinic uses virtual reality technology to simulate a flight. It also uses data and statistics to teach nervous fliers that thousands of flights take off successfully every day. A wide range of treatments are available for people with flying fears. So whether a person hasn't flown in decades or just gets anxious during turbulent flights, he or she should be able to find the right remedy. "Over the last 30 years, there have been a lot of treatments that have been developed, and refined," Muskin says. "Thirty years ago, there were no treatments at all." Every person's anxiety takes a different form, so their solutions do, too. "No two individuals are treated the same way," she says. With the range of remedies, people with flying phobias have a higher chance of curing their fears. "People have a lot of success," she says. "We know that they can get better." Conquering a fear of flying comes at a cost: Sessions can cost hundreds of dollars, and most patients need more than one. But for many, the cost of living with the phobia and missing important personal and professional obligations can be higher than the price of curing it. For DiScala, the thrill of traveling helped him overcome his fear. "I almost think travel is a drug," he says. "I love to explore new places." Are you afraid to fly? Have you overcome a fear a flying? How did you do it? Share your experiences below.
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Kendra Wilkinson travels by plane five times a month and hates to fly .
Wilkinson tries to calm her fear with visualization, a glass of wine .
Various therapies have helped others conquer the fear .
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An engineer, who was sentenced to six months jail and 75 lashes after he was found with homemade alcohol in Saudi Arabia, has spoken of his frustration with the lack of help he received from the Australian embassy. Grandfather Peter Mutty, from Roseberry in Sydney's inner-west, was caught with two cartons of beer, one box of red wine and one box of white wine in his car on August 31 last year while driving home in Riyadh. The possession of alcohol is illegal in Saudi Arabia. Sydney grandfather Peter Mutty (pictured with his wife, Debbie, and grandchildren) has had a travel ban placed on him after he served time for alcohol possession, which is illegal in Saudi Arabia . While other expats who had committed the same crime in the past were deported, Mutty was ordered to serve jail time according to the Islamic calendar and received 28 of the 75 lashes he was sentenced to have. He said it was not unusual for a reduction in penalty as the point of it was to 'humiliate' a person. The 57-year-old was sent to Thoqba prison in the Al Khobar Eastern Province on October 19 and was released on March 19. He shared the same cell with two murderers, a rapist and thieves. But since he walked free, Mutty has been unable to leave Saudi Arabia or work as he has been banned from travelling out of the country without any explanation as to why this is happening . Mutty's situation has turned so desperate that he and his wife, Debbie, have reached out to family to help them by donating money. He was jailed for six months and 75 lashes, but only received 28. Mutty says he received little assistance from the Australian embassy in Saudi Arabia . The Sydney grandfather does not deny he committed the crime, but he has grown increasingly frustrated with the Australian embassy who he claims have not been taking his case seriously. 'The Australian embassy, who made contact late in the piece with the [Saudi Arabia's] Foreign Ministry, said I would not receive lashes but I did. The whole thing is a complete stuff-up,' Mutty told Daily Mail Australia. 'We don't care what the politics are, [we want them to] take this seriously. An Australian citizen is not being treated fairly.' Mutty said the embassy should have helped him try and find out which department had placed the travel ban on him. 'We don't know who put the travel ban in place. [It could have been] the police, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the office of public prosecution,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'And we can't focus on the right person to lift this travel ban. 'That’s what we're expecting the Australian embassy in Riyadh to do for us. They have to be much more proactive.' Mutty has grown so frustrated with the situation that he has gone public to drum up awareness. 'My own embassy didn't stand up for me and finally we went to Australian media and the embassy has now decided to do something,' he said. After speaking out about his situation to the Australia media, Mutty was now receiving assistance from the embassy . When asked why he had run the risk of getting caught, Mutty answered frankly: 'Because you get complacent. I never thought I would get caught. 'The way life works here for expats is all of us live on compounds and those compounds are secure,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'If you know someone on other compounds, you go to their compound in your car. '[After a barbecue], you take some food and some nibbles and some alcohol [back home], and every time you run the risk. 'It's very unusual expats get stopped by the police here... [but] on this particular day, we got stopped.' Despite his brush with the law in Saudi Arabia, Mutty said he would be willing to return and work in the country. 'I would have no problem coming back to Saudi Arabia to work,' he said. 'I knew the laws of the country. I signed a document that I understood the laws and alcohol ban was listed, so in other words I knew what I was doing and getting myself into.' A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told Daily Mail Australia tey had been providing Mr Mutty with consular assistance. 'The Australian Embassy in Riyadh has been providing Mr Mutty with consular assistance in line with the Consular Services Charter from the time he first made contact seeking assistance on 10 September 2014. 'That assistance, which continues, has included visits to him in prison, to ensure his health and welfare were being appropriately safeguarded, and official representations on his case to senior Saudi authorities,' the spokesperson said. 'The Embassy is in contact with Mr Mutty and his legal representative about having the current travel ban lifted so that he can depart Saudi Arabia.'
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Grandfather Peter Mutty was caught with alcohol on August 31 last year .
The Sydney man was sentenced to six months jail and 75 lashes for crime .
He was released on March 19, but a travel ban prevents him from leaving .
Due to this ban, Mutty is unable to work as an engineer in Saudi Arabia .
He has hit out at the Australian embassy who he says has not been helpful .
Since speaking about his situation, Mutty said they were finally listening .
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(CNN) -- At the intersection of science-fiction and science-fact was William Shatner on Monday. As James T. Kirk, the fictional captain of the Starship Enterprise, Shatner voiced the opening credits of the original "Star Trek" TV series and several movies since 1966. The 79-year-old actor reprised his role to wake up the crew of the space shuttle Discovery at 3:23 a.m. ET Monday. "Space, the final frontier. These have been the voyages of the space shuttle Discovery. Her 30-year mission: To seek out new science. To build new outposts. To bring nations together on the final frontier. To boldly go, and do, what no spacecraft has done before," Shatner said over the "Theme from Star Trek." This is the spacecraft's final scheduled mission. It has made 39 flights and 13 journeys to the international space station. Discovery undocked from the space station for the final time at 8:37 a.m., according to NASA, in preparation for its flight home. Discovery is scheduled to land at Florida's Kennedy Space Center shortly before noon Wednesday -- one day later than originally scheduled. The nearly three-decade shuttle program is scheduled to end later this year. CNN's Ric Ward contributed to this report.
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NEW: The shuttle separates from the space station for the last time .
The space shuttle Discovery is on its final mission .
William Shatner played the fictional Capt. James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise .
His voice is featured in opening credits for the original "Star Trek" series .
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The Three Bears are behind Felix Magath’s bid to become Rangers’ new technical director. Sportsmail understands the former Fulham boss has aligned himself with Douglas Park, George Letham and George Taylor in the hope they can become the new powerbrokers at Ibrox. Magath snapped up £200,000 of shares in the club having been alerted to the potential at Rangers during a visit to Murray Park with the Cottagers last summer. He has held preliminary discussions with representatives of the three businessman in Scotland this week and both parties are open to further discussions. Manager Felix Magath pictured in the dugout during his time in charge of Fulham last year . The 61-year-old wants to overhaul Rangers’ entire coaching and scouting structure based on the German model – with responsibility for recruiting and developing players resting with him. A head coach would assume responsibility for the first team with transfers in and out at that level decided jointly – in line with the European model. Whether the former Stuttgart and Bayern Munich manager’s dream is realised, however, depends on the Park-led consortium getting the keys to the door. Currently with around 20 per cent of the club, the Three Bears - together with Dave King and American Robert Sarver - are hopeful of wresting control from the Mike Ashley-Easdale brothers axis presently ruling the roost. With the club fast running out of money and already £3million in debt to Ashley, the current powerbrokers look increasingly vulnerable to market forces. Rangers beat Dumbarton last time out with Dean Shiels (right) wrapping up a 3-1 victory at Ibrox . Sarver, the financier who owns the Phoenix Suns NBA team, is still awaiting a response to his increased £20m offer – plus a £6.5m loan – he tabled earlier this week. Significantly, however, it would require 75 per cent of shareholders to approve the issue of fresh capital to the American in order for his takeover to get off the ground – a threshold the Three Bears, King – with 15 per cent – and myriad other parties could prevent him from reaching. King insists he is not working ‘in concert’ with the Three Bears to exact boardroom change – but both parties do share a common goal. Despite the worsening financial situation, neither the Easdales nor Newcastle owner Ashley have indicated they are willing to sell up yet. King’s campaign last year to deny the club season-ticket money has hardened the board’s attitude to him in particular. Phoenix Suns owner and financier Robert Sarver increased his Rangers takeover bid to £20million . Given the transfer of shares over the past few weeks, however – with Laxey selling their stake to the Three Bears – an EGM calling for the removal of existing directors is an increasingly viable route for either King or the Park consortium. King is believed to be keenest on this road to power but, as of Friday night, had yet to play his hand. Park, Letham and Taylor are favouring a more low-profile strategy but their link with Magath will undoubtedly increase their standing among floating voters. On Friday night the German said: ‘I don’t want to comment on my stock dealings, that’s private. I spent the Christmas holidays in London and actually visited someone in Glasgow but I don’t want to comment on whether there has been talks with the club either.’ Magath has been out of work since leaving relegated Fulham in September but his reputation as a sharp football brain is undiminished. Dave King bought a 14.5 per cent share in the club this month and is keen to protect the club for the fans . Famous for scoring Hamburg’s winner against Juventus in the 1983 European Cup Final, he managed the German club before spells at Nurnberg, Eintracht Frankfurt and Werder Bremen. Over three seasons at Stuttgart, he developed players such as Andreas Hinkel, Kevin Kuranyi, Philipp Lahm, Mario Gomez and Alex Hleb. He left Stuttgart for Bayern Munich where he won two doubles but his subsequent success at Wolfsburg put even that in the shade. They avoided relegation on the last day of the season in 2007, but the following year he took them to fifth and in 2009 won the Bundesliga. Schalke 04 was the next stop but an initial second place finish proved the high water mark and following his dismissal in March 2011 relegation- threatened Wolfsburg again came calling. Although he kept them afloat, Magath left the club for a second time a year later. That opened the door to his first job outwith Germany at Fulham last February but after failing to keep them up he was fired in September. Magath gestures at a press conference held during his spell as manager of Bayern Munich in 2006 .
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Felix Magath wants to become technical director at Rangers .
He is backed by Douglas Park, George Letham and George Taylor .
Magath's last act in football was to manage Fulham to relegation .
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Police have found the bullies suspected of filling a bucket with faeces, urine, spittle and cigarette butts then pouring it over an autistic teenager in a depraved twist on the Ice Bucket Challenge. The 15-year-old boy was filmed standing under a garage in his underwear before the bucket of brown slurry was tipped on his head from off-screen. The clip, filmed in Bay Village, near Cleveland, Ohio, caused an outcry when it emerged, sparking appeals to track down those responsible. Scroll down for video . Unaware: This 15-year-old autistic boy from Ohio agreed to take the ALS ice bucket challenge, not knowing that the teens who asked him to do it were playing a sick prank on him . Humiliating: Standing in his underwear outside a garage, the teen was doused with a mixture of urine, faeces, saliva and cigarette butts . And now police in the area say they have identified almost everyone responsible and are poised to hand over a dossier of evidence to local prosecutors. Mark Spaetzel, a police chief in Bay Village, confirmed that his officers had tracked down the culprits in a statement to Cleveland.com. He added: 'We are being very thorough in gathering all the necessary facts before presenting to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office.' Cyber-bullying: The teen's tormentors used his cell phone to record the prank and upload it onto Instagram . The clip was filmed on the boy's own mobile phone and then posted to the Instagram social network. According to the boy's mother, who gave her name only as Diane so as to protect her son's identity, the victim was so embarrassed by the cruel prank that he wanted to keep it a secret. But when his family discovered the clip, they decided to share it more widely to raise awareness of how he had been bullied. Horrified: The 15-year-old's mother, Diane, later discovered the shocking video on her son's phone . Furious: The boy's parents and his older brother (centre) now want the bullies responsible for the sickening bucket challege held accountable for their actions . Diane told the Fox8 news station that the bullies had perverted the charitable aims of the Ice Bucket Challenge - which is meant to raise cash and awareness for ALS, a muscle-wasting disease. She said: 'The bucket challenge is supposed to be raising awareness for this disease and now they’ve turned it into a sick joke. I just can’t understand why kids would do something this cruel.’ The hunt for the culprits also caught the attention of several American celebrities. Actress and model Jenny McCarthy offered $10,000 as a reward for information leading to the bullies' prosecution, as did gameshow host Drew Carey. However, Bay Village politely declined the offer, pointing out that a reward was not necessary as the culprits have already been found.
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Foul mixture was dumped on unsuspecting boy, 15, in Bay Village, Ohio .
Cruel pranksters filmed incident on boy's phone and posted it online .
Officers now say they have tracked down those responsible .
Police chief said dossier of evidence will be handed over to prosecutors .
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A woman who claims Bill Clinton groped her in the White House is lashing out at his wife Hillary for conducting a 'war' on the women who have accused the former president of sexually assaulting them. 'She enabled his behavior,' Kathleen Willey said Sunday night during a radio interview on WABC in New York, and then 'attacked all the women who just made the mistake of walking in front of him, crossing his path.' Willey claims Mrs. Clinton, the former U.S. secretary of state, has orchestrated a series of investigations designed to discredit the many women who have claimed her husband sexually assaulted them. 'The point is what this woman is capable of doing to other women while she's running a campaign, basically, on women's issues,' she said. 'It just doesn't make any sense.' 'She singlehandedly orchestrated every one of the investigations of all these women.' Willey said the president groped her after she approached him for a paying job in the White House instead of her volunteer position . Willey (L) and Juanita Broddrick (R) both claim Bill Clinton sexually assaulted them. Broddrick's allegations include her insistence that the former president raped her in 1978, but she has changed her story several times . Kathleen Willey describes a 1990s Clinton White House where the president conducted numerous sexual flings and the first lady -- who may run for president herself -- enabled his lifestyle by targeting his female accusers with investigations . She suspects Hillary Clinton of covering up 'nothing short of serious sexual harassment' in her case. And addressing claims by some Democrats that Republican politicians are conducting a so-called 'war on women' through their social policies, Willey turned the notion on its head. 'Hillary Clinton is the war on women, and that's what needs to be exposed here!' she exclaimed. WND.com first reported that Willey told WABC host Aaron Klein that Mrs. Clinton is 'addicted to power, and she saw early on that [Bill] could be a powerful candidate. He had a lot of charisma. And she could just ride on his coattails.' Talking about the her allegations against Bill Clinton, she reiterated Sunday that 'the president sexually assaulted me,' leading her to 'the little room where he and Monica [Lewinsky] used to meet.' 'I started to go for the door and he was right behind me,' she recalled, 'and things went from bad to worse there. He acted just very inappropriately. He just did. I was shocked and bewildered, and I thought to myself, "What in the world is he doing?"' Willey claims Bill Clinton, an old friend whose Virginia campaign organization she and her husband founded, 'was very intense. He's big. He's much bigger than I am.' Kathleen Willey describes a 1990s Clinton White House where the president conducted numerous sexual flings and the first lady -- who may run for president herself -- enabled his lifestyle by targeting his female accusers with investigations . Kathleen Willey describes a 1990s Clinton White House where the president conducted numerous sexual flings and the first lady -- who may run for president herself -- enabled his lifestyle by targeting his female accusers with investigations . Following Willey's news-making allegations in 1998 on the CBS program 60 Minutes, the Clinton White House released a series of letters and phone messages, sent after the alleged 1993 sexual harassment, which seemed to show Willey had a friendly outlook toward the president, and wanted more contact – not less. A federal judge later ruled that President Clinton had 'committed a criminal violation' of the Privacy Act by making her letters public. He was not prosecuted for it. And Linda Tripp, a one-time friend of Clinton paramour Monica Lewinsky, testified in a grand jury proceeding that Willey pursued Clinton, and not the other way around. But Willey maintains that she was a victim, and has even claimed the Clintons had her second husband murdered on November 29, 1993, the same day the president allegedly forced himself on her. The death was ruled a suicide, but she said Sunday that twenty years later government agencies refuse to let her see files detailing the investigation. Willey was a prolific Democratic fundraiser who co-founded Virginians for Clinton to help get him elected, but she would later turn on him after what she says was a sexual assault near the Oval Office . The botched Benghazi terror-attack aftermath isn't the only hurdle between Hillary Clinton and the White House: Foreign powers may believe she can be deceived and fooled because her husband was a serial cheater . Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, an all-but-certain presidential contender, said in January that although Bill Clinton's presidency was marked by 'predatory behavior, it's not fair to blame his wife for letting it continue. 'It’s not Hillary's fault,' he told Vogue magazine, 'but it is a factor in judging Bill Clinton in history ... sometimes it's hard to separate one from the other.' Willey had no problem focusing her venom on Hillary, though. It's her likely presidential candidacy that's bringing the former president's sexual flings back into the news. 'Just pack your bags. You’ve had your 15 minutes,' she slapped at Hillary. 'Stop forcing us to have to look at this stuff again. We're sick of it.' But Willey also had harsh words for feminist groups that seem insistent on making Mrs. Clinton the first female U.S. president. 'All of these women's groups, they're all pro-Hillary,' she said. 'They need to ... talk to someone like me and listen here, what Hillary Clinton has done to me and many, many, many other women.' 'They are so hypocritical, it's unbelievable,' she claimed. 'And this is the woman that wants to be president.'
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Kathleen Willey was a Democratic fundraiser volunteering in the White House when she says Bill Clinton kissed her passionately and groped her .
She claims Hillary Clinton ran an investigation and smear campaign aimed at discrediting her, and claims she did it to countless other women .
Hillary 'enabled his behavior,' Willey charged in an interview, 'and attacked all the women who just made the mistake of walking in front of him'
She also claims the draft of her memoirs were stolen from her house and blames the Clinton's circle of friends .
Willey wants feminist groups to acknowledge 'what Hillary Clinton has done to me and many, many, many other women'
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A man from Oakland, California spent five years recreating all the dishes from one of the best restaurants in the world in his very own home. Alinea in Chicago is more than just a restaurant it's a savory explosion. Chef Grant Achatz's three star Michelin reverie uses molecular gastronomy to create otherworldly dishes such as edible helium balloons and chocolate spheres that erupt open onto the plate. Allen Hemberger dined at the Chicago restaurant once in 2008 and after his final course spent the next five years creating over 400 dishes in a journey he calls, 'The Alinea Project.' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Did it himself: Allen Hemberger dined at the Chicago restaurant once in 2008 and after his final course spent the next five years creating over 400 dishes and researching every aspect of them . Pop art: One of the artfully designed items on the menu is an edible helium balloon that tastes like Apple . Multi-faceted: The dishes have different textures and ingredients, some of which evoke emotional reactions . Hemberger, who worked as a visual effects artist by day, spent years researching how to make each dish, where to buy the ingredients, and even hand crafted certain utensils used in the restaurant when he couldn't find them in the store. In a short documentary about the gastronomic journey directed by Daniel Addelson, Hemberger details how what began as a hobby turned into an obsession as he slaved away trying to create each dish the way in was prepared in the restaurant. At times Hemberger recounted feeling inadequate and he pointed to one recipe involving a gel swirl that kept falling apart try after try. To make the dish work he felt as though he 'cheated' by having to add more gel in order to get it to hold. Hemberger emailed chef Grant Achatz with a question about the dish who then kindly invited him to fly to Chicago for a demo on how to make the challenging swirl. The two bonded in the kitchen and when the gel was finally done it fell apart just like it had for Hemberger at home. Making magic: While Allen Hemberger's kitchen isn't quite like the one at the world class restaurant, he still had an impressive go at recreating each and every dish Alinea has to offer . The inspiration: Allen Hemberger is pictured here with chef Grant Achatz, the visionary creator behind Alinea . Even chefs make mistakes: Allen Hemberger recounts trying to get gel to stick together like the recipe says but then later learning the the recipe was wrong and his intuition was right . Molecular gastronomy: Some of the food preparation looks more like it's being done in a lab than in a kitchen . 'The recipe might be wrong,' said Achatz who recommended adding at little more gel. At that moment Hemberger made the realization that he was capable of taking ownership over each dish without having to worry about making it to its absolute perfection. His process and intuition became the evolution, not just the dish itself. The short documentary also explores the relationship that Allen Hemberger has with his wife Sarah who describes herself as a picky eater. Even though the cooking process took up most of her husband's time and she didn't like the texture of some of the foods she was supportive of him and their relationship blossomed as beautifully as one of Achatz's dishes. Sarah is a part of the creative process and helped her husband with the book entitled, 'The Alinea project.' Allen Hemberger started a Kickstarter for the book so he could tell his life changing story of recreating each plate and learning some invaluable lessons along the way. The kickstarter originally had a $28,500 goal but he's managed to raise $42,000 in dough thus far. Those wishing to book reservations or learn more about Alinea in Chicago can do so here. Surprise after surprise: Diners at Alinea should prepare themselves for the delightful unknown . Unique: Each dish is a combination of flavors and complex ingredients melded together in scientific perfection . Love: Not only does Allen Hemberger love recreating food, he loves serving it to his supportive wife Sarah who has helped him through the process of actualizing his passions .
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Allen Hemberger dined at the Chicago restaurant Alinea in 2008 and after his final course spent the next five years creating every item on the menu .
Chef Grant Achatz's three star Michelin reverie uses molecular gastronomy to create otherworldly dishes such as edible helium balloons .
Allen Hemberger is creating a book that details his journey called 'The Alinea Project'
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Travelling Chelsea fans won't find it too hard to pick out their heroes in action next season. Jose Mourinho's side have released their new away kit, an all-yellow tribute to the west London club's history. Until the recent darker efforts, yellow Chelsea away kits were the norm in a tradition dating back to the 1960s. Yellow peril: Brazilian midfielder Oscar should feel right at home in Chelsea's new away kit . Ready to play: The kit harks back to the club's traditional away colour dating back to the 1960s . Close-up: The kit features the Chelsea crest and adidas logo in the west London club's classic royal blue . Throwback: The kit will be seen by the club's fans as return to their more traditional change colour . Stamford Bridge legends like Peter Osgood and Charlie Cooke frequently donned yellow on the fabled FA Cup winning-side of 1970s travels. The colour also cropped up on the 1980s pinstriped kits of Pat Nevin and Kerry Dixon, while younger fans will remember 1990s stars like Gianfranco Zola and Dennis Wise in yellow kits. The move back to yellow will be popular with the club's fanbase, in the last decade only treated to the colour in the kit worn in the 2009 cup final and a controversial flourescent kit in 2007. The kit should also make Chelsea's host of Brazilian stars feel right at home. Midfielders Oscar, Willian and Ramires, as well as David Luiz - all in Luis Felipe Scolari's World Cup squad - give the Stamford Bridge squad a decidedly 'samba' feel. Through the years: Legendary Chelsea strikers Peter Osgood (left) and Kerry Dixon in action in yellow . Icons: Chelsea greats Gianfranco Zola - left in 1997 - and Frank Lampard - in the 2009 FA Cup Final - in yellow .
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Yellow Chelsea away kits were the norm until recently .
Stamford Bridge side have reverted to tradition with their 2014/2015 jersey .
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She's a giant, and ancient, jigsaw puzzle: 300 bones, 19 bony plates and four vicious-looking spikes. The world's most complete stegosaurus skeleton -- nicknamed Sophie -- has gone on display at the Natural History Museum in London. At 5.6m long and 2.9m tall, the Stegosaurus stenops is roughly the size of a 4x4 vehicle -- though it predated such motors by 150 million years. Paleontologists at the museum have spent 12 months studying the skeleton, measuring, photographing and scanning it, as well as practicing putting it together. Now, a year after she arrived in London from the U.S., Sophie -- named after the daughter of a wealthy financier whose donation allowed the museum to acquire her -- is finally ready to make her public debut. The museum's lead dinosaur researcher, Professor Paul Barrett, said the stegosaurus was incredibly rare. "Finding one as complete as this, where only the left arm and base of the tail are missing, is exceptional," he said in a statement. "It's the only stegosaurus in the world that's anywhere near this complete. So it's an amazing find." As well as drawing visitors in to the museum, Barrett said the specimen offered many interesting opportunities for research. "Because the new skeleton is almost complete, and three-dimensional, we can do a lot of things that have not been possible until now, such as looking at how the leg muscles work or how the skull functions during biting. "Thanks to this fossil, we can begin to uncover the secrets behind the evolution and behavior of this iconic but poorly understood dinosaur species." Key to its importance is the fact that the fossil's skull bones are not fused together, allowing paleontologists the chance to experiment: "It's almost like playing with a Meccano set," Barrett said. While they don't actually know whether it was male or female (despite the name), they can tell the dinosaur was relatively young when it died -- adult stegosaurus are known to have measured up to 9m in length. And although its spine plates and spiked tail mean it looks a little threatening, back when it was alive the stegosaurus would have been a vegetarian and a solitary creature. The first stegosaurus was discovered in Colorado in 1877 by paleontologist Othniel Marsh. The Natural History Museum's specimen was found at Red Canyon Ranch in Wyoming in 2003 -- it took 18 months of painstaking excavation work to free it from the ground it had lain in for so long.
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World's most complete stegosaurus skeleton unveiled at Natural History Museum .
Skeleton is 5.6m long and made up of more than 300 bones, 19 plates and four spikes .
Found at Red Canyon Ranch in Wyoming, USA, in 2003, donated to museum in 2013 .
Stegosaurus roamed the Earth 156 to 144 million years ago, in late Jurassic period .
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Title: "Electric Buses Revolutionize Public Transportation in City X"
In an exciting development for sustainable urban transportation, the city of X has announced the rollout of a fleet of electric buses. This initiative, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly travel, is expected to significantly improve the city's air quality and contribute to its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2035.
The new electric buses will replace an equivalent number of diesel buses in City X's public transportation system. Each bus can travel up to 150 kilometers on a single charge, with charging stations strategically placed along the routes for efficient energy management.
The transition to electric buses is part of City X's comprehensive strategy to combat climate change and prioritize cleaner, greener modes of transportation. The city administration hopes that this move will inspire other cities to follow suit and adopt similar sustainable transportation practices.
Residents and visitors alike are looking forward to a smoother, quieter, and more environmentally-friendly commuting experience in City X. This initiative is not just about improving public transportation; it's about creating a healthier, more livable city for everyone.
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Title: Electric Buses Transform Sustainable Transportation in City X
City X has introduced an electric bus fleet to modernize its public transportation system. The aim is to cut carbon emissions and promote eco-friendly travel, contributing towards the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2035. Each electric bus can travel up to 150 kilometers on a single charge with charging stations strategically placed for efficient energy management.
The switch from diesel to electric buses is part of City X's broader strategy to tackle climate change and prioritize greener transportation options. The city administration hopes this move will encourage other cities to adopt similar sustainable practices. The public eagerly anticipates a quieter, cleaner commuting experience in City X as the initiative aims not just at improving transport but creating a healthier, more livable city for all.
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Cherie has been treating her daughter Abbey with medicinal marijuana for several months and has seen a dramatic improvement in her condition . A NSW mother who was treating her two-year-old daughter with medicinal cannabis says the child has just months to live after police raided her supplier who was dobbed in to authorities by ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher. Doctors told Cherie last year that her daughter Abbey would live only a few months as a result of CDKL5, a rare genetic condition that results in uncontrolled and violent seizures sometimes lasting up to 45 minutes, as well as a range of physical and mental disabilities. After months of failed treatment, and on the verge of admitting Abbey to a palliative care unit, Cherie bought some liquid medical marijuana from a supplier in Canberra and snuck it into the hospital and put it into Abbey's feeding tube. The result on the two-year-old's health was extraordinary. 'The seizures were less intense, they weren't as long and she wasn't having as many of them,' Cherie told Daily Mail Australia. 'I started her on it without the knowledge of the staff at the hospital… They were quite surprised because they didn't know what was going on. The paediatrician commented on how well she was looking.' Cherie describes Abbey, who is the youngest of her six children and the only one with the rare condition, as a 'cheeky' girl. 'She loves cuddles and she loves music, she just loves attention.' But Cherie says it is likely that Abbey will die in the next few months, after her supply of medicinal cannabis dries up. Cherie has enough medicinal cannabis to last Abbey for six weeks and no prospect of getting more since her cannabis supplier was raided in February. 'Once [the cannabis] is gone the seizures will return, there's no if and buts about it, there's a big risk of death,' she said. Scroll down for video . Left: Abbey before she started on medicinal cannabis; Right: Abbey after being treated with medicinal cannabis . Abbey suffers from a rare genetic condition and has spent half of her life in hospital . Cherie found her supplier after talking to friends online who were treating their own children with medicinal cannabis for uncontrolled seizures. 'I did my own research and everything was so positive. One of my friends was giving her child medicinal cannabis, I asked if she could recommend someone.' The supplier Cherie contacted was raided earlier this year after he was dobbed in to authorities by Katy Gallagher, ACT Chief Minister. The man had regularly corresponded with Ms Gallagher about medicinal cannabis, but she reported him to police after he informed her he was administering marijuana to a child. 'I felt that there was no other alternative to me but to forward that to child protection and to police, I still think that was the right thing to do despite people raising concerns about it,' said Ms Gallagher. She added that while she had 'huge empathy' for parents trying to find ways to alleviate the suffering of their sick children, she was required to forward on the man's email to police and child services. Cherie only has a six week supply of cannabis left and no way of getting more since her supplier was raided . ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said she had 'huge empathy' for parents wanting to treat their children, but said she was bound to report the cannabis supplier when he informed her he was supplying an illicit drug to a child . 'At the end of the day I think I have to operate within the laws that are currently in operation, which are very clear regarding marijuana and also child protection.' Ms Gallagher has received abuse and death threats on social media for the decision, with people calling her a 'robotic kid killer' a 'hypocrite' for whom 'evil is not a strong enough word' and comparing her to 'Nazi death camp guards'. '[Katy] would dob a homeless man into police for stealing bread cause stealing is illegal. Antiquated dinosaur,' wrote one person. But critics are not finding support from Cherie, who said: 'I can understand where Katy's coming from, yet she could have had more compassion regarding the situation.' The 60 Minutes TV program is airing a story on Sunday night about the fact that Australian families are being left with no choice but to break the law in order to save their children, while many families in America don’t need to go down that avenue as medicinal cannabis is legalised in some states. The report reveals that politicians, doctors and patients in Australia are shifting their thinking and there's now a green rush to legalise cannabis for medicine nationwide. Last week, governments in NSW, Queensland and Tasmania all signalled they would support law reform which would allow chronically-ill patients to take cannabis to relieve their suffering. After rejecting a medicinal cannabis trial earlier this month, the Tasmanian government has announced it would be prepared to support the findings of an Upper House inquiry into medicinal cannabis. Under a private member's bill to be introduced this month by Nationals MP Kevin Anderson, terminally-ill people and their carers will be legally able to carry up to 15 grams of cannabis. The renewed push to relax the laws comes as a new poll reveals two thirds of Australian’s support the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. However, it’s unlikely there will be any change to the legislation in Victoria with the state government and the opposition admitting they have no immediate plans to legalise the drug. Earlier this month, pregnant mother of one Cassie Batten was questioned by Victorian police over the use of cannabis oil to treat her epileptic three-year-old son. Clinical trials of medicinal cannabis could happen in NSW, but Premier Mike Baird is waiting on details about regulation and supply before making any commitments. Mr Baird indicated his support after meeting Daniel Haslam, a 24-year-old who in 2010 was told he would only live for a few more months. The Tamworth resident began taking cannabis as a pain coping mechanism to help him deal with the disease and has made vast improvements in his health. Daniel Haslam, 24, (pictured) was told in 2010 that he only had months to live but began taking cannabis as a pain coping mechanism to help him deal with the disease and has made vast improvements in his health . Tasmanian mum Nicole Cowles is hopeful the rising groundswell of support for the legalisation of medicinal marijuana could stop her having to obtain illegally from interstate suppliersto help the suffering of her daughter Alice Agnew, who is just eight. ‘I’m seeing Alice for who she really is – I only saw glimpses of her before,’ Ms Cowles said about the improvement of her daughter, who also suffers from CDKL5, since she started taking the liquid form of cannabis four times a day in February to help control her seizures. The family is one of 200 across the country who are forced to import the cannabis from a supplier in Kempsey in NSW which is free of charge but the waiting list is sitting at 1,500 with people desperate to get their hands on the drug to relieve chronic pain and aid with seizures. Alice Agnew when she wasn't on medicinal cannabis (left) and since she has been taking the treatment (right)
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Cherie was going to admit her daughter Abbey to palliative care last year .
Abbey, two, suffers from CDKL5, a rare disorder causing violent seizures .
After researching medicinal cannabis Cherie found a supplier in Canberra and Abbey's condition improved dramatically .
Cherie's supplier was raided earlier this year after he was dobbed in by Katy Gallagher, ACT Chief Minister .
Cherie fears her daughter will die after their supply runs out in six weeks .
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Apple has faced criticism over the past week for copying many Android features on its larger iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, but it appears this imitation goes both ways. Just days after Apple added encryption by default to iOS 8, Google has announced its next-generation Android software will equally prevent law enforcement officers and governments getting their hands on user information. As with Apple’s security tool, only people with passwords or passcodes for devices running Android L will be able to access the files on it. Scroll down for video . Google is set to release its Android L software (pictured left) next month. Once installed, it will encrypt data by default, and only people with the device or smartwatch's (Moto 360 pictured right) password will be able to access the files - preventing the police and governments getting access to it using a search warrant . As with Apple, this means that if search warrants are served on Google for the customer's information, it won't legally be able to get hold of it. Google began adding encryption tools to devices in 2011 and it was a standard feature of Android Jelly Bean. Google began adding encryption tools to devices in 2011 and it was a standard feature on Android Jelly Bean. However, the tool was optional and many users either didn’t know how to enable the feature, or weren’t aware it existed. To enable encryption on devices running Android KitKat or Jelly Bean, plug the phone or tablet into charge. Make sure the device remains connected to the power cable throughout. Go to Setting, Security and select Screen Lock. Choose a PIN or password and follow the steps. Select the Encrypt option when prompted. Encryption can take up to an hour, depending on how many files are stored on the device. However, the tool was optional and many users either didn’t know how to enable the feature, or weren’t aware it existed. Any devices that upgrade to Android L next month will have this tool turned on by default, but it can’t be disabled. ‘As part of our next Android release, encryption will be enabled by default out of the box, so you won't even have to think about turning it on, ’ said Google’s director of global communications and public affairs Niki Christoff. ‘For over three years Android has offered encryption, and keys are not stored off of the device, so they cannot be shared with law enforcement.’ Earlier this week, Apple launched a new Privacy page, and the firm's chief executive Tim Cook wrote an open letter to customers. Mr Cook said: ‘At Apple, your trust means everything to us. 'We’re publishing this website to explain how we handle your personal information, what we do and don’t collect, and why. ‘A few years ago, users of internet services began to realise that when an online service is free, you’re not the customer. You’re the product. ‘But at Apple, we believe a great customer experience shouldn’t come at the expense of your privacy.’ Google began adding encryption tools to devices in 2011 and it was a standard feature of Android Jelly Bean (pictured). However, the tool was optional and many users either didn’t know how to enable the feature, or weren’t aware it existed . According to Apple's new privacy site, on devices running iOS 8, personal data including photos, messages - including attachments - email, contacts, call history, iTunes content, notes, and reminders are placed under the protection of a user’s passcode. ‘Unlike our competitors, Apple cannot bypass your passcode and therefore cannot access this data,’ continued the firm. ‘So it's not technically feasible for us to respond to government warrants for the extraction of this data from devices in their possession running iOS 8. Earlier this week, Apple launched a new Privacy page, and the firm's chief executive Tim Cook wrote an open letter to customers (pictured). Mr Cook wrote: 'Apple cannot bypass your passcode and therefore cannot access this data. So it's not technically feasible for us to respond to warrants from devices running iOS 8' In March, Google published a video that detailed the process it takes when responding to search warrants from law enforcement officers and governments (screengrab pictured). Under the new rules, Google will be able to legally decline requests for any information protected by a passcode, by default . The reference to competitors is believed to have been an attack on Google, which the firm has countered with its Android L encryption announcement today. The rollout of new software to Google devices, however, is significantly slower than Apple. Apple can push updates to every device because it owns the hardware, but Android runs on the devices of multiple manufacturers, which will have to roll out Android L individually. This could take months, if not years. And data stored on Google Drive, as with iCloud, is not encrypted automatically, so could still be retrieved with the appropriate warrant. However, data stored on Google Drive (pictured), as with iCloud, is not encrypted automatically and could still be retrieved with the appropriate warrant .
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Google’s Android L software is expected to be released next month .
Once installed, it will encrypt data by default for the first time .
The tool has been an optional feature since Android Jelly Bean was released .
But many people didn’t know how to enable it or aware the tool existed .
Update means only people with the device’s password can access the data .
Apple announced it has added a similar feature to iOS 8 earlier this week .
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By . Ray Massey . The pilot who was killed when his helicopter hit a crane in central London was urged twice by his client, restaurant-owner Richard Caring, to abandon the planned flight because of bad weather. Even as Pete Barnes, 50, was starting up his engines the client told him on the phone he ‘should not take off’ . But Mr Barnes pressed on regardless while sending a text message to his client saying: ‘I’m coming anyway.’ Scroll down for video . Friends: Restaurant tycoon Richard Caring, left, who owns The Ivy, suggested pilot Peter Barnes postpone the journey to collect him because of poor weather . Up in flames: Half an hour later, Mr Barnes hit a high-rise crane on The Tower at St George Wharf in Vauxhall . The ‘client’ who is not named in the . report is understood to be restaurant tycoon Richard Caring who had . been waiting at Elstree Aerodrome in Hertforsdhire to be picked up and . flown to the north of England and who has spoken already of his . ‘devastation’ at his friend’s death. The pilot was flying from Redhill Aerodrome to Elstree before being diverted to Battersea Heliport in central London. The official AAIB air accident report . shows the client suggested at least twice to the pilot that he should . postpone the journey because of poor visibility. 'At 0718hrs, the client called the . pilot to discuss the weather. The pilot said he thought the weather . might clear earlier than forecast. The client said he would drive to . Elstree and call the pilot to keep him advised. 'At 0731hrs, having noticed how poor . the weather was during his journey, the client called the pilot to . suggest that he did not take off until he (the client) had reached . Elstree and observed the weather. Up in flames: Despite his client advising him not to fly, Mr Barnes took and off and hit a high-rise crane on The Tower at St George Wharf in Vauxhall . The damaged crane on St George's Tower in Vauxhall, shortly after the crash, was shrouded in fog . The pilot replied that he was already starting the engines. 'The client stated that he repeated his suggestion that the pilot should not take off,' the report said. Details of text messages sent and received by the pilot have also been revealed. At 6.30am he told the client: . 'Weather OK up north but freezing fog at Elstree and Luton not clearing . between 8-10am I've got same at Redhill keep you posted.' He sent the client another message at 7.29am which stated: 'I'm coming anyway will land in a field if I have to.' The pilot had been on his way to pick up restaurant and clubs tycoon Richard Caring, 62, when the crash happened. Mr Caring was waiting at Elstree airport in Hertfordshire when the helicopter diverted to Battersea because of fog. The helicopter disintegrated, killing Mr Barnes and a pedestrian, after it collided with the crane . Aftermath: Debris lies on the ground after the helicopter crashed into a construction crane in central London . Mr Caring, who runs a string of . restaurants such as the Ivy and Annabel's, as well as the world-famous . Wentworth golf course, had been waiting to be taken to Yorkshire on . business. He said last week: 'I flew with Pete Barnes for many years. 'He was a very dear friend and a . very accomplished pilot. My thoughts and prayers are with his family . during this awful time. I am devastated for their loss.' A friend of the businessman said at . the time: 'On the morning of the accident he was waiting at the airfield . but was not aware the pilot had diverted. 'He is very upset by what had happened.' Another . pilot, who was aware of the journey planned by Mr Barnes, sent him a . message which read: ‘Give me a call as I have checked weather and . freezing fog around at the moment.' Warning: Pilot Pete Barnes decided to fly his plane despite the bad weather even if it meant ' landing in a field' Mr . Barnes was on his way to collect his client when he was forced to . change his route because of the bad weather. His final conversation was . with air traffic control seven seconds before the crash. Mr Barnes requested to land at London Heliport in Battersea. He asked: ‘Is Battersea open, do you know?’ After being told the heliport was open, he replied: ‘If I could head to Battersea that would be very useful.’ Victim Matt Wood, who was described by his sister Amanda as a 'big guy with a big heart'. His inquest is yet to take place . Just . 15 seconds before hitting the crane, air traffic control told the . pilot: ‘Battersea diversion approved, you're cleared to Battersea.’ His final words were: ‘Thanks a lot.’ The . AAIB report stated: ‘This exchange ended at 0759.18 when G-CRST (the . helicopter) was approximately 150 metres south-west of Vauxhall Bridge. 'Immediately . afterwards the helicopter began to turn right. At 0759.25 it struck a . crane on the south side of the river 275 metres from the south-west end . of Vauxhall Bridge.’ The . initial ‘special bulletin’ report by the AAIB also suggested that the . solar-powered red warning lights on top of the crane were not switched . on during the crash because the official requirement was that ‘the . obstacle be lit at night only.’ It notes: ‘The crane was lit at night with red lights, both on its tower and jib.’ ‘The tower lighting consisted of mains-powered steady red lights at approximately 50m intervals. ‘The jib lighting was provided by solar-powered lights. ‘The . Air Navigation Order requires the lighting to be of medium intensity . (2000 candela) and that the obstacles be lit at night only.’ But an official ‘notice to airmen’ warning had been issued about the structure. Mr . Barnes, a father of two from Berkshire, had 25 years' flying . experience. He had flown as an air ambulance pilot and in several films . during his career, including Oscar-winning Saving Private Ryan and Tomb . Raider II. Pedestrian Mr Wood, from Sutton, Surrey, died from severe burns and a leg injury. The Air . Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report today revealed the last . words of pilot Pete Barnes as he talked to air control moments before . his helicopter crashed into a high-rise crane in Vauxhall at 8am on . January 16. Here is an edited transcript of what was said: . At 07.56am, pilot Pete Barnes requested to land at Battersea Airport, asking air control: 'Is Battersea open do you know?' He then added: 'If I could head to Battersea that would be very useful.' The controller replied: 'I'll just have a chat with them, see what their cloud is looking like.' The helicopter was flying south parallel to the River Thames and, as it passed Westminster Bridge, began to descend. At 07.58am hrs, the controller said: 'Battersea are just trying to find out if they can accept the diversion.' The pilot acknowledged, after which the controller continued: 'And you can make it quite a wide hold, you can go as far as London Bridge.' The helicopter crossed the north bank of the Thames at 1,000 ft heading south-west and began a right turn. It was by now level at approximately 800 ft and altered course to follow the line of the river east towards Vauxhall Bridge. At 07.59.10am the ATC controller said: 'Battersea diversion approved. You're cleared to Battersea.' The pilot replied: 'Lovely thanks' before adding: ' Thanks a lot'. The exchange ended at 07.59:18, when the helicopter was approximately 150m south-west of Vauxhall Bridge, and just seconds before it hit the crane on The Tower at St George Wharf. The report details how the helicopter disintegrated after it collided with the crane, which was shrouded in fog. It . writes: 'The collision with the crane’s jib resulted in separation of . the main rotor blades from the rotor head, and the rotor head and main . gearbox from the fuselage of the helicopter. 'The cockpit airframe structure was also damaged. 'The main rotor head and gearbox landed separately from the fuselage and were further damaged by the impact with the ground. 'The . tail section of the helicopter detached from the tail boom as the . helicopter made contact with a building, before the fuselage struck the . ground. 'The ground . impact caused further extensive damage and the majority of the fuselage . wreckage was consumed by a post-impact fire.' The report comes after a crane driver today claimed he had been worried a helicopter would hit the high-rise structure months before the accident occurred. Fears: The crane driver, who did not want to be named, said he was worried about an aircraft hitting the crane before the crash happened . He said one occasion he could almost see the eyes of some pilots as they . came so close to the crane above the River Thames. He added: 'It was very close. It was difficult to tell . how close they were but you could almost see the whites of the pilot’s . eyes.' 'When the first one came by I had no idea what it was. There was the sudden loud noise and it whipped right passed the cab. 'They . came by pretty frequently and it was a bit worrying. It made you jump . and it was certainly close enough that you worried the crane could be . hit.' Around . 3,500 aircraft fly through London airspace alone every day with the UK . seeing 2.2million flights around the country every year.
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Pilot Pete Barnes died after his helicopter hit a high-rise .
crane in Vauxhall .
AAIB revealed pilot was twice urged not to fly by his client .
Pilot's last words were 'thanks a lot' after being told he could divert flight .
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SAMSON, Alabama (CNN) -- As the crime scene tape starts to come down in this small Southern town, the residents are leaning on one another for comfort and the strength to move on. The shooter, Michael McLedon, killed his mother before killing others. First Baptist Church, a few feet from the neighborhood where Michael McLendon, 28, opened fire Tuesday, welcomed members of this close community Wednesday night for a prayer service. "It's what community is about, isn't it? Crying together. Holding each other," a pastor said. It's hard for many to believe the shooting rampage could happen in this town of about 2,100 people. Authorities said McLendon went to three towns, slaying 10 people. He started in his hometown of Kinston, killing his mother, before moving on to open fire in Samson and finally Geneva. McLendon was once a police officer in Samson, the small town hit hardest by the deadliest crime in Alabama history, authorities said. His nearly hourlong assault ended at the Reliable Metal Products plant in the last town, 24 miles from where it began and where police said McLendon engaged in a shootout before killing himself inside the building. In the aftermath of the rampage, among those seeking comfort at First Baptist Church was Josh Mathews. He was driving down the street around the time of the shootings. "Could've been anyone -- just missed the gunfire, could've been any of us," Mathews said. Watch report from CNN's Brooke Baldwin » . After the shootings, he found out one of the victims was a friend. It will be hard to move on, he said. But "you have to. He was like the happiest dude in the world. He would've wanted us to move on and remember him for who he was." High school baseball coach Chris Reid said he knew almost all the victims. "Everybody knows everybody. Everybody's always been willing to go out of their way to help people in need around here, no matter what the case may be. It's just a small town where you consider your friends as family." Reid was walking out of the Big-Little convenience store when he stopped to talk to CNN. A little more than 24 hours ago, the gas station was the site of one of killings. Watch deputy talk about his loss » . Reid was at baseball practice when he heard the shots. "They were one block from us, " Reid said, adding that while driving, he saw a man killed in the street. iReport.com: On the scene as officials investigate . "It really hasn't set in yet," he said. "It is still kind of a dream where you wait for it to not be real, to be over. But it's a fact, something we have to go through." Inside the church service, Steve Sellers, a visiting pastor, spoke to several hundred in attendance, praying for God to give the community strength. Some sat in the pews and sobbed. "I want to thank you, Lord, that in the coming days that this community walks through that process of healing, that there is a God who carries them through that valley," he said. Sellers also thanked town leaders, medical personnel and local law enforcement while asking the question that's been on so many minds: "I don't know what set a young man off like that, but I, too, want to pray for his family. We also come, knowing Lord, you taught us to forgive those who trespass against us." Watch how state copes with "shock and disbelief" » . While members of this tight-knit town may never fully understand how McLendon could've committed this crime, many find comfort in faith and friends. As one pastor put it, "Thank God for this town."
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The 2,100 people of Samson, Alabama, cope with aftermath of deadly rampage .
First Baptist Church welcomes community for Wednesday night prayer service .
High school baseball coach Chris Reid: "It really hasn't set in yet"
Community members say their tight bonds will pull them through difficult days ahead .
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Former Football Association chairman David Bernstein has urged European nations to boycott the 2018 World Cup unless world governing body FIFA undergoes serious reform. FIFA is firmly under the spotlight again following the release of a report on Thursday by the chairman of the adjudicatory chamber of their ethics committee which cleared Russia and Qatar to host the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, having found no serious breaches of bidding rules by either nation. Michael Garcia, who conducted the investigation on which Thursday's report was based but whose full report has not been made public, has appealed against the version released by FIFA. Ex-FA chairman David Bernstein has called on European nations including England to skip the 2018 World Cup . Bernstein (pictured) believes boycotting the tournament could help force FIFA into much-needed reform . Allegations of corruption - strenuously denied - continue to be levelled against the Qatar 2022 and Russia 2018 bid teams. According to Bernstein, who retired from his post with the FA last year, boycotting football's biggest tournament should be a real possibility but only if other countries support England in doing so. 'England on its own cannot influence this - one country can't do it,' he told BBC Sport. 'If we tried to do something like that we'd be laughed at. I think England within UEFA undoubtedly have the power to influence FIFA, but to do so they would have to consider withdrawing from the World Cup, the next World Cup, unless proper reform - including (FIFA president Sepp) Blatter not standing (for a fifth term) - is carried out at FIFA. Bernstein wants European nations such as World Cup holders Germany to stand up against FIFA . Michael Garcia has appealed against the version of his report into the bidding process released by FIFA . 'If I was at the FA now, I would do everything I could to encourage other nations within UEFA - and there are some who would definitely be on side, others maybe not - to take this line. At some stage you have to walk the talk, stop talking and do something. 'It sounds drastic but frankly this has gone on for years now, it's not improving, it's going from bad to worse to worse. There are 54 countries within UEFA. There's Germany, Spain, Italy, France and Holland - all powerful. You can't hold a serious World Cup without them. They have the power to influence if they have the will.' Bernstein, who gave way to Greg Dyke as the head of the FA, says the events surrounding the report into 2018 and 2022 bidding went 'beyond ridicule' and said he had stepped down from his role on FIFA's anti-discrimination task force as a consequence. FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been criticised after Russia and Qatar were awarded the next two World Cups . England captain Wayne Rooney (right) celebrates scoring a penalty in his country's 3-1 win against Slovenia . He added: 'FIFA is sort of a totalitarian set-up. Bits of it remind me of the old Soviet empire. People don't speak out and if they do they get quashed. 'The choosing of Qatar was clearly one of the most ludicrous decisions in the history of sport. You might as well have chosen Iceland in the winter. It was like an Alice in Wonderland sort of decision. 'I've resigned for two reasons - firstly, the body has been pretty ineffectual. I've been on it for more than a year and we only had one meeting; secondly because frankly I don't wish to be personally associated with FIFA any further.'
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Russia and Qatar have been cleared to hold the 2018 and 2022 World Cups .
Michael Garcia investigated the bidding process and has appealed against the version of his report released by FIFA last week .
Former FA chairman David Bernstein wants European nations to boycott the 2018 tournament in Russia .
Bernstein believes England could not influence FIFA on their own .
'Bits of FIFA remind me of the old Soviet empire,' he added .
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In his first-ever interview as the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani defended his country against allegations of funding terrorism and pledged support for the fight against ISIS for the long haul. "We don't fund extremists," the Emir told CNN's Christiane Amanpour on Thursday. "If you talk about certain movements, especially in Syria and Iraq, we all consider them terrorist movement." "I know that in America and some countries they look at some movements as terrorist movements. ... But there are differences. There are differences that some countries and some people that any group which comes from Islamic background are terrorists. And we don't accept that." It would be a "big mistake," he said, to consider every Islamic movement to be "extremists." The Qatari government itself has long been criticized for hosting and financing Islamic extremists in Syria and elsewhere; an Israeli diplomat has even gone so far as to call the country, "Club Med for terrorists." Nonetheless, the small, but rich Gulf nation has become a key member of the U.S-led effort to route ISIS in Syria. The country hosts one of the largest American military bases in the Middle East. Qatar, like other coalition countries, will "stay in it for a while," the Emir, 34, told Amanpour. "We've been asked by our American friends if we can join, and we did." Who is the enemy? There are some crucial differences in Qatar's approach to the chaos in Syria, and America's. The Obama administration has said explicitly that while Bashar al-Assad, Syria's brutal strongman, has lost all legitimacy, he is no longer a priority. Qatar could not disagree more. "The main cause of all this is the regime in Syria, and this regime should be punished," the Emir said. "We've been saying that from day one, that if we don't stop the bloodshed in Syria and we don't stop Bashar committing genocide on his own people, this is where we're going to reach." "Unfortunately, we are in a situation now that the Syrian people, who demanded for their freedom, are between a regime, brutal regime, and terrorist acts." "If we think that we're going to get rid of the terrorist movements and leave those regimes doing what -- this regime especially, doing what he is doing -- then terrorist movements will come back again." America has now done what President Barack Obama so long wanted to avoid -- intervention in the Syrian war. But it remains very unlikely that he would expand the mission to combat the Assad regime. Would Qatar, Amanpour asked, expand its mission in Syria to do after the regime? "Qatar cannot do that by itself, of course. If there is a coalition that will help and protect the Syrian people, we will be part of it." A troubled region . Qatar's relationship with Syria, of course, is from the only the only source of controversy in its foreign policy. During the Arab Spring, many accused Qatar of backing the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and the Qatari-run cable news network Al Jazeera of instigating unrest around the Middle East. The Emir contended that far from playing sides, Qatar backed every Egyptian government since Hosni Mubarak stepped down. He did acknowledge that many members of the Muslim Brotherhood, who have fled Egypt en masse, have been offered shelter in Qatar. "Many of them left and some of them came to Qatar because they were traveling and they were afraid." "Some of them are still there," he said. "They know the rules of the country -- that as long as you're here, you can't practice politics against any other Arab country." Qatar is also a vocal supporter of Hamas, the Palestinian organization, which controls Gaza and which the United States considers a terrorist organization. Amanpour asked whether Qatar would continue its support of Hamas. "We support all Palestinian people. We believe Hamas is a very important part of the Palestinian people." "What is the difference between Hamas 10 years ago and Hamas now? I believe the difference is that Hamas are more realistic now. They believe in peace and they want peace. But it's for the other party to believe in peace as well and to be more realistic." A troubled World Cup . Nothing shows Qatar's desire to have its moment in the sun better than its successful bid to host the World Cup in 2022. It would be the first Muslim country to do so. The bid has been mired in controversy, amid allegations of bribery and horrific labor conditions for those building the stadiums and infrastructure. Qatar's scorching summer weather has also been a source of considerable tension; some have suggested that the tournament should be moved to the winter, though that would wreak havoc on soccer league schedules around the world. "People should understand that Qatar had the best bid, and Qatar will provide and will do one of the best World Cups in history," the Emir said. "And I'm sure about that." "People don't want to accept, don't want to realize that a small country, Arab, Muslim country, can host a big event like that." The International Trade Union Confederation says that well over 1,000 migrant workers have died in Qatar since construction began, and 4,000 could be dead by the time the World Cup starts. "Yes, it's true -- we had problems," the Emir said. "We're solving the problems. We're enforcing the laws -- it's not acceptable." "We changed the laws. They are enforced and there are many laws that have been changed. And I'm telling you because I am personally hurt about the situation." When asked by Amanpour, the Emir said that the laws would "definitely" be enforced, and workers would "definitely" get paid their fair wage. "All the media is concentrating on Qatar due to the World Cup," he said. "If we have problems I don't mind the talking about problems. But also we need to talk other -- about other things, about those laws that we did." In order protect players from the heat of Qatar's summer, the country is development complex air conditioning systems for its stadiums. "We have this technology for ten years now and it's working in ... one of our stadiums." "One hundred percent it will be working" for the 2002 Cup, he said. And what of the suggestion that the Cup be moved to winter? "Our bid was for it to be in summer," he said. "At the end, it's up to the FIFA to decide when is the best time." "We're ready for both."
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World makes too many generalizations about Islamic movements, he says .
Sheikh says Qatar is prepared for long fight against ISIS .
Emir claims his country will be ready to host 2022 World Cup .
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She's married to a Hollywood heartthrob, graces the most star-studded parties and has a roster of A-list friends, but Blake Lively proves she's a down-to-earth girl at heart in her latest beauty campaign. Smouldering as the face of Gucci Premiere, the pregnant actress shares her festive regime, traditions and memories - and Christmas in the Lively household a far less lavish affair than you may have imagined. Speaking about her favourite time of the year, the 27-year-old said: 'Christmas for me is all about spending time with my family. I cherish any chance we have to spend all day together making gingerbread houses, baking cookies, or sitting around and watching movies.' Scroll down for video . Blake Lively poses in a Christmassy shoot as the face of Gucci Premiere fragrances . Blake, who grew up in Los Angeles in a large brood, opened up about her childhood and the nostalgia that Christmas brings. 'Growing up in California, lighting seasonal candles were the only way we are able to experience winter because we had no snow or change of seasons,' she said. 'The smell of pine needles, spruce and the smell of a Christmas tree - those to me, are the scents of the holidays.' The actress, who shot to fame as Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl, revealed her favourite holiday movie is Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. 'It’s such an amazing film! I also love It’s A Wonderful Life and those Claymation movies too. I haven’t outgrown them,' she said. She may have an enviable figure and will no doubt snap back to her pre-baby body with ease, but Blake has admitted that one of her favourite festive foods is home-baked cookies. 'My dad actually makes the best cookies,' she said of her favoured sweet treat. 'My mum is great baker too but doesn’t share them - it’s tantalising! Luckily for me though, my dad shares his!'. Blake, who is expecting her first child with Ryan Reynolds, says the festive season is all about family . Sharing her top gifts for Christmas, Blake - obviously - suggests Gucci Premiere eau de Toilette . Sharing her top gifts for this December 25, Blake - obviously - suggests Gucci Premiere eau de Toilette. Charitable as ever, Blake explains that when you purchase a fragrance, Gucci will make a donation through Chime Or Change to any organisation of your choosing benefiting women’s health, education and justice. Blake has long supported Chime For Change, along with Beyonce and Eva Longoria. 'It’s the perfect way to give back while also giving a loved one a gift. It’s a gift that keeps on giving,' she added. Blake also published her first holiday gift guide on her new blog last week, and it's every bit as bohemian as the Gossip Girl star herself. Gifted: Blake unveiled her gift guide on Preserve and included mysterious 'dreaming oil' Among the presents she recommends on her Preserve website for a 'foodie' loved one is an organic spiced cocoa mix, which costs more than £20. Also on the list is the ever-so mysterious 'dreaming oil', which promises 'a serenading melody in every drop'. Blake, who is expecting her first baby with husband Ryan Reynolds next year, isn't letting pregnancy get in the way of her work commitments. The actress was positively glowing as she stepped out at the L'Oreal Paris' Ninth Annual Women Of Worth Celebration in New York City on Tuesday, proudly showing off her baby bump in a clinging black evening gown. Blake was named as a new face of L'Oreal last October and joined the likes of Julianne Moore and Eva Longoria at the bash. Glowing: Pregnant Blake looked a million dollars as she stepped out at the L'Oreal Paris' Ninth Annual Women Of Worth Celebration in New York City on Tuesday, proudly showing off her baby bump . Blake may be lauded as one of the world's most beautiful women, which is obvious from this shoot and her red carpet appearance on Tuesday, but even she has pangs of insecurity. 'Glamour is very much a state of mind. There were points early on in my life when I wanted to look like someone else, or I dressed in a way that wasn’t necessarily representative of who I was,' she said. 'But,' she continues, 'I learned very quickly that style and confidence has to come from within. It’s what makes you feel your most graceful, elegant and empowered self. 'You can be glamorous in jeans and a T-shirt or you can have it dressed up in your finest. It’s really about finding that woman that you want to be.' So in love: Actress Blake Lively and actor Ryan Reynolds are expecting their first baby .
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Actress Blake is face of new Gucci Premiere fragrance .
27-year-old opens up about favourite festive activities .
Expecting first child with husband Ryan Reynolds next year .
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Auckland, New Zealand (CNN) -- It was a busy weekend, but Kim Dotcom was feeling relaxed. He was in boyish good spirits as around 150 contractors buzzed around his mansion and its acres of grounds, building a giant "Mega" sign on the front lawn and erecting a mobile stage that production company MadAnt says is New Zealand's largest. He mugged for the camera and joked "it's another raid" as a helicopter flew overhead. The world's most controversial Internet tycoon was preparing to launch his site at 6:48am on Sunday morning -- a year to the minute after his New Zealand mansion was raided and his old service was shut down by the authorities. (Some press, including Ars Technica, received an early look at the site.) Ars Technica freelancer Chris Keall spoke with Dotcom on January 18 at his mansion outside Auckland, discussing topics ranging from Mega's business model to legal threats that may come back to bite his business. "I would have the same fears" In its heyday, Megaupload had around 50 million unique users -- none of whom have regained access to their files since the site was taken offline. We put the most obvious question to Dotcom first: why should users trust him with their data at all? Wouldn't it be legitimate for users to be spooked by Mega, and refuse to go near it? "You are certainly right," Dotcom conceded. "If I [were] a user of Megaupload, I would probably have the same fears. There will be users who chose not to work with us because of that, and that is unfortunate." But Dotcom hopes that enough users will value the service he's offering: all-encrypted storage that can't be opened by anyone—even the host. He knows there will be a lot of people coming to check things out in the weeks to come and first impressions matter. "There will also be a lot of users who just want to try this new service and see how good it is," he said. "Once they realize there is really no alternative to this service right now in terms of safety and privacy, I think there will be a lot of users who will use this. And over time, you know, when the service is live for a few months and people see these guys are still here, I think the trust will grow." The jovial pre-launch atmosphere is only broken when Dotcom and his lawyer Ira Rothken are reminded that this week U.S. prosecutors have raised the possibility of fresh charges if the Mega launch goes ahead—an act that could be interpreted as violating a key bail condition Dotcom signed in by affidavit: not to relaunch Mega, or a similar service. Rothken angrily rejects the notion that Dotcom is violating bail conditions. "Mr. Dotcom is working in consultation with top notch NZ defense counsel on bail compliance," he said. "[He] is innocent, is presumed innocent, and is entitled to innovate and work in technology like any other innocent New Zealander especially when the U.S. takes away all his assets and delays the extradition proceedings." Nothing in Dotcom's bail conditions or US law precludes his engaging in lawful business, including Internet and technology businesses, said Rothken. Embracing even the "smallest, most unreliable" hosts . The Mega business plan will be a distributed model, with hundreds of companies large and small, around the world, hosting files. A hosting company can be huge or it can own just two or three servers Dotcom says—just as long as it's located outside the U.S. "Each file will be kept with at least two different hosters, [in] at least two different locations," said Dotcom. "That's a great added benefit for us because you can work with the smallest, most unreliable [hosting] companies. It doesn't matter because they can't do anything with that data." More than 1,000 hosts answered a request for expressions of interest on the Mega home page. Dotcom says several hundred will be active partners within months. Successful hosts will get paid E500 per month per server; each server needs to supply 24 hard drives with 72 terabytes of storage and one gigabit of bandwidth, among other requirements. That's all down the road, however. For now, Mega is launching with just one, professional, hosting operator—a subsidiary of Cogent, based in Dotcom's home country of Germany. Dotcom says he needed a rock-solid setup for the launch and an operator who could rapidly scale if traffic and hosting requirements suddenly go through the roof after the January 20 launch (he had hoped to have a server rack operating in New Zealand for the launch as well, but says capacity on the Telecom/Singtel/Verizon-owned Southern Cross Cable was prohibitive). The Washington DC-based, Nasdaq-listed Cogent was one of the suppliers of infrastructure and hosting services to Megaupload before its 2012 take-down. According to the indictment, Megaupload was paying Cogent around $1 million a month to lease "approximately thirty-six computer servers in Washington, DC and France." It was a substantial contract, although one that was dwarfed by that of Virginia-based Carpathia Hosting, where the bulk of Megaupload files were hosted, and are still stranded. Cogent's fate was closely enough tied to Megaupload that its shares dropped 23 percent in a day after last year's raid, from $19.20 to $15.43. By mid-March, however, the stock had rebounded strongly; it closed recently at $24.11. Having Cogent back on board is a source of pride for Dotcom; a major public hosting company has made a vote of confidence in his business plan for Mega. He was about to go into further detail on Cogent's hosting operation in Germany when his lawyer Ira Rothken—in Auckland for the launch and sitting in on the interview—stopped him, citing security concerns if the specific location was revealed. Launching the most lawyered-up startup in tech history . The Mega business plan has been vetted by more than 20 lawyers across the US and New Zealand, Dotcom says—including those at Rothken's firm, and New Zealand law firms Simpson Grierson (one of the largest corporate law firms in NZ) and Lowndes Jordan (an intellectual property specialist). Also on Team Mega are two independent lawyers capable of handling the most difficult work: Queen's Counsel Paul Davison (often cited as the most expensive lawyer in New Zealand) and Guyon Foley—a criminal lawyer who made his mark prosecuting cases for the police before "switching sides," so to speak. "This startup is probably the most scrutinized by lawyers in the history of tech startups," Dotcom claims. Dotcom says it's inevitable Hollywood and music labels will "heckle" Mega "going by their past aggression ... they can't help themselves" (and there was certainly a foretaste of possible trouble to come this week as Mediaworks, which owns one of the two big radio networks in NZ, pulled ads for Mega from its stations; an insider said the move followed pressure from music and movie advertisers). Rothken says anybody who comes after Mega has no case. "You have companies like Dropbox and Google with Drive with materially similar technologies, and they are in business and they're thriving—and Mega adds encryption," he says. But doesn't encryption add a sinister edge? After all, encryption means Mega will be like the Swiss bank of online storage services; customers could easily use the technology to hide, say, pirated movies or child porn. Rothken responds that many technologies have dual uses, but on balance provide more public good. That's how the VCR stayed on the market, despite facilitating video piracy. The same argument applies to cloud computing as a whole, he says. For good measure, Rothken also notes that former Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Richard Falkenrath wrote about encryption as a desirable feature for cloud computing services ("You don't really need to know where your data is. As long as you know it is safely wrapped in an at-rest encryption cocoon, you should feel secure," the advisor wrote.) Dotcom adds in that although other services don't have a one-click encryption option built into their interface, the likes of Google Drive allow you to upload encrypted, password-protected files. Dotcom and Rothken's arguments are well rehearsed and, on the face of things, have a solid logic. But Dotcom, by his own admission, says the apparent movie and music industry push against the Mega radio ads was an "emotional reaction" from the content industry. Those feelings remain. Even with the best precautions, attempts to shut down Mega—and shut up Dotcom—are unlikely to stop. COPYRIGHT 2011 ARSTECHNICA.COM .
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Internet tycoon Kim Dotcom launched a new file-storage and sharing site, Mega, on Sunday .
Authorities shut down Dotcom's previous venture, Megaupload.com, amid piracy allegations .
Mega offers all-encrypted storage for files that can't be opened by anyone -- even the host .
Dotcom: "This startup is probably the most scrutinized by lawyers in the history of tech startups"
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(CNN) -- There are less than five months to go until the World Cup begins in Brazil but the clock is ticking for another of the global football fiesta's host cities. Curitiba, the capital of the southern state of Parana, is so behind with its stadium renovations that FIFA could strip it of its host status. On a trip to inspect the venue Tuesday, Jerome Valcke, secretary general of the sport's governing body, told reporters: "You cannot organize games if you do not have a stadium -- that's obvious. "If you don't have a stadium then you cannot have four games taking place here. So that's why again there is this emergency situation." FIFA has now given builders in the city of Curitiba a new deadline of February 18 to show a marked improvement in the stadium. The Arena de Baixada venue, home to Atletico Paranaense, is being expanded for the World Cup with new seats added alongside the pitch and capacity raised to 40,000. It is understood to now be 90% complete but has progressed little since the end of November, when it was 88% done. Work on the stadium was also halted in October when a local judge intervened because of concerns that workers were at serious risk of being injured. "We are not expecting the stadium to be ready on February 18," Valcke continued. "What we are expecting is to see a progress and to understand where we are going and that is what is being put in place today." Luis Fernandes, executive secretary of Brazil's Ministry of Sport, agreed with Valcke's criticism, saying: "If the pace of work at the stadium in Curitiba were to be kept as it is, then it would not be ready to host the World Cup. "With this is mind, we agreed that we would take steps to guarantee that the arena would be ready to host the games scheduled to be held there." Those steps include "scaling up" work on the stadium and an injection of an extra $16.5 million from the Parana government's development fund. World Cup holder Spain is due to play the first match at the stadium against Australia on June 26. A total of 12 venues scattered throughout Brazil are due to host World Cup games this summer but many of them have been beset with problems. Five workers have died on World Cup stadium construction sites, the latest the death of Marcleudo de Melo Ferreira, who fell from the roof of a stadium in the Amazonian city of Manaus in December. Many of the stadiums are behind with their construction deadlines and there have been concerns that Brazil's transport network could create major logistical problems. Preparations for the World Cup have also been controversial in Brazil. Protesters are outraged at what they consider lavish spending on the World Cup as well as the 2016 Olympic Games. Brazil has not hosted the World Cup since 1950 -- when it lost 2-1 in the deciding match to Uruguay. The 2014 tournament is due to open on June 12 with Brazil taking on Croatia in Sao Paulo's Arena Corinthians -- a stadium which has had its own renovation issues.
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FIFA warns of "emergency situation" in World Cup host city Curitiba as construction slows .
Builders are given new deadline of February 18 to show progress at the Arena de Baixada .
Brazil's Ministry of Sport pledges to upscale work and inject an extra $16.5 million .
The 2014 World Cup begins on June 12 when hosts Brazil take on Croatia in Sao Paulo .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 10:53 AM on 20th June 2011 . A Nato air strike hit a civilian house in Tripoli and killed nine residents, the Libyan regime said yesterday. Nato admitted on Sunday that its weapons destroyed a house in Tripoli in an incident likely to sow new doubts inside the alliance about its mission in Libya. The strike on the house was the clearest case yet of a bombing causing multiple civilian casualties, and comes at a time when the alliance is already under strain from a campaign that is taking more time and resources than its backers had expected. Scene of destruction: Members of the media and others examine the remains of the residential building damaged in this morning's airstrike . Nato last night admitted that a ‘weapons system failure’ may have been responsible for a missile going astray. Nato spokesman Wing Commander Mike Bracken said: 'The intended target was a military missile site. 'However from our initial assessment of the facts it appears that one weapons did not strike the intended target due to a weapons system malfunction. ‘Nato regrets the . loss of innocent civilian lives and takes great care in conducting . strikes against a regime determined to use violence against its own . citizens. ‘Although we are still determining . the specifics of this event, indications are that a weapons system . failure may have caused this incident.’ Nato did not disclose which country’s . aircraft were involved, although the Ministry of Defence said RAF . warplanes were not operating in the area at the time. Libyan government officials took . reporters to a residential area in Tripoli’s Souq al-Juma district, . where they saw a body being pulled out of the rubble of a destroyed . building. Later, in a hospital, they were shown . the bodies of a child and two others who, officials said, were among a . total of nine people killed in the strike. Casualty: A damaged car lies crushed beneath rubble from the destroyed residential block . ‘There was intentional and deliberate . targeting of the civilian houses,’ deputy foreign minister Khaled Kaim . said. ‘This is another sign of the brutality of the West.’ Nato has been pounding targets in . Libya for months in what the alliance says is an operation to protect . civilians who rebelled against Colonel Gaddafi’s 41-year rule. Strains . are appearing within Nato member states as the campaign drags on for . longer than most of its backers anticipated and Gaddafi remains in power . – even making a show of defiance last week by playing chess with a . visiting official. Obliterated: Rescue workers shift debris in their search for survivors following last night's airstrike . Rebels from the city of Misrata, . about 130 miles east of Tripoli, have been trying to push west towards . the capital but on Sunday they took heavy casualties when they came . under fire from pro-Gaddafi forces. A doctor at a field hospital near the . front line in Dafniyah, just west of Misrata, said eight fighters had . been killed and 36 wounded. After four months of civil war, . rebels control the eastern third of Libya, the port city of Misrata and . much of the Western Mountains region. But they are a long way from . seizing their prize – Gaddafi’s powerbase of Tripoli and its hinterland – . despite air support from the world’s most powerful military alliance. War zone: Libyan authorities say the civilian building was deliberately targeted by Nato missiles . Innocent victims: Children inspect the rubble of what Libyan authorities claim was a hotel damaged by a Nato airstrike on Thursday . On the attack: Rebels battling government troops have launched a push out of the city of Misrata towards Tripoli, but have come under intense fire themselves .
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Alliance now investigating incident after journalists visit target .
Nato admits to destroying house in Tripoli after 'weapons system failure'
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By . Leon Watson . PUBLISHED: . 03:13 EST, 16 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:28 EST, 17 August 2012 . Elvis Presley's ex-wife Priscilla and their only daughter Lisa Marie shocked fans by turning up to a candlelit vigil at Graceland to mark the 35th anniversary of the singer's death. The vigil began on Wednesday night after Priscilla Presley and her daughter made the unscheduled and impromptu appearance on a stage set up just inside the walls of Graceland, Elvis' Memphis mansion. Together they briefly thanked the crowd for their undying admiration of the rock 'n' roll icon. Scroll down for video . Unexpected: Priscilla Presley (left) Elvis Presley's ex-wife, and Lisa Marie Presley (right) speak to fans gathered at a candlelight vigil at Graceland, The King's Memphis, Tennessee home . Always on their minds: Candle-bearing fans at Graceland uring the all-night vigil. Several thousand attended the annual commemoration . Makeshift memorials: For those who couldn't get close to the action, Elvis pictures and other memorabilia became instant shrines . It was the first time both women had appeared together at the annual gathering, which became an official event in 1980. Priscilla said the sight of thousands of fans holding up candles in tribute to Elvis was amazing. 'This is something that Elvis would never, ever have believed could have taken place here,' said the actress and businesswoman, who was divorced from Elvis Presley in 1973. Lisa Marie Presley, on the stage alongside her mother, told the fans she loved them for their devotion to her father. She also acknowledged she had shied away from making public appearances at past anniversary vigils. 'I've always avoided this because I felt that it would be too emotional, but I really felt it was important to come down here tonight,' the singer's daughter, herself a singer-songwriter, told the crowd. 'I love you very, very, very much.' Elvis admirers from around the U.S. and the globe have flocked each anniversary to Graceland, where the singer, a native of Tupelo, Mississippi, is buried. Vigil: Elvis Presley fans take part in the candlelight vigil to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Presley's death . Thousands of fans from around the world gathered at Graceland for the annual event . Denise Recatto (right) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, joins in a song with other Elvis Presley fans . Inner circle: Fans look at the grave markers of Elvis in the meditation garden of Graceland . Presley died on August 16, 1977, from a heart attack after battling prescription drug abuse. His abrupt death at 42 shocked legions of fans still mesmerised today by his singing, sex appeal and on-stage charisma. The vigil, which runs through to Thursday morning, marked the high point of Elvis Week, the annual celebration of Presley's life and career. Organisers said around 75,000 people were expected by authorities to take part in the vigil. Those who participated in the procession moved up the tree-lined driveway to the right of the mansion, where the gravesite is located near a swimming pool. Heart-shaped wreaths made of red and white flowers lined the entrance to the site. Tony and Ollie Smith, from the UK, hold candles as they wait on the street outside Graceland . Holly Tucker, of Nashville, Tennessee, commemorates the 35th anniversary of Presley's death . Elvis Presley impersonator Dennis Nickells, from Vernon, New York, performs for drivers on Elvis Presley Boulevard in front of Graceland . Paying tribute: Elvis Presley fans wait outside Graceland before the vigil started . Mourners walked slowly through the tomb area, the candlelight casting shadowy figures against a stone wall. Some teary-eyed mourners laid flowers on the gravesite, where Presley's father Vernon, mother Gladys, and grandmother Minnie Mae Hood Presley also are buried. Outside, some fans used chalk to draw pictures of Elvis's face on the street, where groups of fans set up folding chairs to wait for the line to die down. The King of Rock 'n' Roll Elvis Presley, who died on August 16, 1977, pictured on stage in the film Elvis On Tour in 1972 . Elvis and behind the piano with his backing group the Jordanaires in the 1950s . Presley died on August 16, 1977, from a heart attack after battling prescription drug abuse. His abrupt death at 42 shocked legions of fan . Sergio Galleguillo, of Santa Cruz, Argentina, said he became emotional when he walked past the graves. 'I felt the spirit of Elvis there, as if he was alive,' said Galleguillo, who was making his first visit to the U.S.. 'It really was a beautiful experience.' The somber atmosphere of the vigil was in contrast to some lighter moments beforehand. As the line of people waiting to get into Graceland grew longer on Wednesday evening, a group from a Brazilian fan club waved that nation's flag, danced and sang Presley's early-70s hit Burning Love in the street in front of the entrance. Steps away, an Elvis impersonator, complete with a white-sequined jumpsuit and red sash, sat alone in the street in front of the entrance, lip synching 'In the Ghetto.' Earlier in the day, Cheryl Skogen and friend Susan Struss held up black umbrellas with polka dots near the front of the line as they waited to enter Graceland's grounds. As longtime Elvis fans and neighbors in Los Angeles, they said they decided to come to Elvis Week without their husbands. They got up well before dawn Wednesday for a prime spot in the line. Skogen said she first came to Graceland in 1981 - before the home became a museum and a tourist attraction - and has visited several times since. She remembers first seeing Elvis on The Ed Sullivan Show and being enthralled with his hip-swiveling performance at a Lack Tahoe concert. 'The first time I saw him he changed my life,' said Skogen, now 66 and retired. 'I had never seen anybody dance like he did or sing like he did or look like he did. He captured my heart.' A few spots down the line, Allen Black, 47, sat in a blue and white chair alongside the outer wall of Graceland. Black - who is from Aurora, Colorado, scene of the July 20 movie theatre shooting massacre - said Elvis was a great performer but also someone who treated others well. He talked about his memories of where he was when he first heard Elvis had died. He was 12 at the time. 'I was trying to record a song off the radio, and the news came on the radio, and I went to tell my dad,' Black said, tears welling in his eyes. 'He didn't believe me. It just stunned him.' Video: Lisa Marie and Priscilla surprise Elvis fans at Graceland homage .
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It was the first time both women had appeared together at the gathering .
Ex-wife Priscilla said sight of huge crowd holding candles was amazing .
Around 70,000 fans turned out for the annual commemoration event .
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(Mental Floss) -- If you've ever collected baseball cards, comic books, stamps, or maybe those limited edition commemorative plates, you understand the concept of the "Holy Grail" item. It's that last, hard-to-find, incredibly rare, usually expensive piece that you have to have before you can officially say your collection is complete. If you're a collector of vintage home video game cartridges (or "carts"), sometimes that can mean paying a pretty penny for the pièce de résistance. 1. Stadium Events (Nintendo Entertainment System) Price Range: $13,000 -- $41,300; $10,000 for the box alone . Why So Expensive?: Stadium Events was released by Bandai in 1987 as one of the few games available in America that was made for the company's Family Fun Fitness mat, a soft, plastic controller you walked, ran, and jumped on to make the characters move. Nintendo bought the rights to the game and the Fitness mat in 1988 and re-released them as World Class Track Meet and the Power Pad controller. To avoid consumer confusion, Nintendo pulled all copies of Stadium Events from shelves and had them destroyed, but not before approximately 200 carts had already been sold. Of those 200, collectors believe that only 10 to 20 complete copies of the game exist today, making them a real rarity. Stadium Events recently made headlines with two high-profile eBay sales. A North Carolina woman was cleaning out her garage and found an old Nintendo and a handful of games, including Stadium Events. She put them up on eBay without high expectations and was amazed to see the bids steadily climb up to $13,105. While the game itself is valuable, the winning bidder was most interested in the cardboard box it came in. Since most kids threw the box away after tearing open a new game, intact boxes for any game are really hard to come by, but especially so for Stadium Events. Empty Stadium Event boxes have been known to sell for $10,000 alone. After hearing of the success of this eBay seller, a man in Kansas dug up a factory-sealed copy of the game that he thought was worthless. However, his game became only the second known sealed copy in existence. He'd purchased the game in 1987, but could never find the Fitness mat to go with it. It was still sealed because he'd meant to return it. When his eBay auction ended on February 26, 2010, the game sold for an amazing $41,300. The same game repackaged by Nintendo, World Class Track Meet, generally sells for less than $3 on eBay. Mental Floss: 6 people who accidentally found a fortune . 2. 1990 Nintendo World Championships (NES) Price Range: Gray: $4,000 -- $6,100; Gold: $15,000 -- $21,000 . Why So Expensive?: In 1990, Nintendo held a 30-city gaming tournament to find the best player in the world. Players had to get the best score in demo versions of three games -- Super Mario Bros., Rad Racer, and Tetris -- all within a six-minute time limit. At the end of each city's tournament, the winners of each of three age groups were given special gray Championship cartridges exactly like those used in the competition, which means only 90 of these cartridges were distributed. The gold version was sent out to those who won a promotional contest in the pages of Nintendo Power magazine. Only 26 gold games were produced, so they're especially hard to find and command a higher price today. 3. Nintendo Campus Challenge (NES) Price Range: $14,000 -- $20,100 . Why So Expensive?: In the early 1990s, Nintendo held competitions on college campuses and at popular Spring Break destinations. Like the World Championships, players had six minutes to play for high scores on demo versions of Super Mario Bros. 3, PinBot, and Dr. Mario. Most copies of the game were destroyed after the competition ended, but one Nintendo employee kept his cart and sold it to Rob Walters at a garage sale in 2006. This garage sale is legendary among retrogamers, as Rob bought all kinds of NES Holy Grails for only $1,000. By the time he re-sold everything, he'd made 50 times that. Part of that $50,000 was the Campus Challenge cartridge, which went for $14,000. Shortly after, the buyer of the cart turned around and sold it on eBay for $20,100. As far as anyone knows, it's the only copy of the game in the world. 4. Atlantis II (Atari 2600) Price Range: $5,000 -- $6,000 . Why So Expensive?: It's never mentioned in the same breath as Pac-Man or Donkey Kong, but Atlantis was a pretty popular game in 1982. The gameplay was similar to Missile Command, with players defending their base from overhead attack by enemy ships. The developer held a tournament called Destination Atlantis, where players were invited to send in photos of their TV screens displaying their high scores. The best players were then sent Atlantis II, a special edition of the game that featured faster enemy ships worth fewer points, making it harder to get a high score, but easier to determine the true champions. Because this version was not mass produced, its pretty rare today. But if you find a copy of the original Atlantis at a garage sale, it might be a good idea to pick it up anyway. The competition cart had the exact same colorful label of the regular Atlantis, but had a small, white sticker slapped on the front that read "Atlantis II." The label was easily peeled off, so a quick Google search will show you how to determine if you bought a $3 Atari game or a $6,000 one. Mental Floss: 8 video game lawsuits . 5. Air Raid (Atari 2600) Price Range: $1,000 -- $3,000 . Why So Expensive?: Air Raid is a bit of an enigma for Atari fans. Some say it was the one and only game produced by a company called "Menavision" (or perhaps "Menovision"). The game is so shrouded in mystery, it can't even be verified that "Air Raid" is its official title -- there's no name on the label. The name was based on the gameplay, which is similar to Atlantis and Missile Command, and by the picture on the label of a city being attacked by flying saucers, jets, and helicopters. This strange cartridge appeared around 1984 in a bright blue "T-handle" casing that is very different from the standard, square, black Atari carts sold in North America, but is similar in style to those sold in Brazil. Furthermore, while a few second-hand copies have been sold, no one can ever say they were the original owner. The mystery, as well as the fact there are only 12 known copies, make it a must-have for serious Atari collectors. 6. Star Wars Ewok Adventure (Atari 2600) Price: $1,680 . Why So Expensive?: Advertised in Parker Brothers' 1983 retail catalog as Revenge of the Jedi: Game I but affectionately known as Ewok Adventure, the cart became legendary for never being sold. In the game, players took control of an Ewok and flew a hang glider over the forest moon of Endor in an attempt to blow up an Imperial base. You could avoid or kill enemy Stormtroopers, Speeder Bikes, or Imperial AT-ST Walkers, or you could instead commandeer these vehicles to take out the base. The game was shot down by Parker Brothers' marketing department, which felt the controls were too hard to master, so it was never produced. The game's designer, Larry Gelberg, gave the one and only known prototype copy to a friend's son, who later sold it for $1680. Mental Floss: Cheetos, lip balm and other weird brand extensions . 7. Kizuna Encounter (Neo Geo) Price Range: $12,000 -- $13,500 . Why So Expensive?: One of the main games that all Neo Geo fanatics are looking for is a particular version of Kizuna Encounter, a 1996 fighting game similar to Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter. The game itself has received solid reviews, but isn't groundbreaking by any means. However, it was produced in such small quantities for the European market that collectors speculate fewer than 15 copies were made. The Japanese version, which is exactly the same except for different packaging, is fairly common and sells for about $50. 8. Ultimate 11 (Neo Geo) Price Range: $8,000 -- $10,000 . Why So Expensive?: Ultimate 11 was the final game in the Super Sidekicks series, a popular franchise of soccer games that sold very well. For some reason, though, Ultimate 11 was not produced in large quantities, and there are now fewer than 10 known copies in existence. That kind of rarity makes it a must-have for collectors. In late 2009, a private sale was reportedly made between two members of the collectors' forums at neo-geo.com. The buyer paid an astonishing $55,000 to acquire both Kizuna Encounter and Ultimate 11. The original owner purchased the games around 10 years ago, when Kizuna was selling for $500 and Ultimate for $400. The new owner has said he will not sell them, even if he were offered $100,000. For more mental_floss articles, visit mentalfloss.com . Entire contents of this article copyright, Mental Floss LLC. All rights reserved.
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Old video games can be worth tens of thousands of dollars .
Stadium Events can sell for $13,000 -- $41,300; $10,000 for the box alone .
Nintendo Campus Challenge (NES) can get between $14,000 -- 20,100 .
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Actor Sacha Baron Cohen has infuriated local politicians and residents of Grimsby with his portrayal of the town in his upcoming football-based film. The British star, who is famous for his characters Ali G, Borat and Bruno; has caused fury among many within the seaside resort for his portrayal of the opposite sex. Titled Grimsby, the comedy depicts the Conference Premier side's female supporters as 'revolting' 20-stone women. VIDEO Scroll down to see Sacha Baron Cohen . Sacha Baron Cohen (left, on set) has been criticised for casting 'revolting' 20-stone women for his film Grimsby. Among women cast as football fans from the British seaside town is Rebel Wilson (right) According to an extra in Cape Town, where the film was partly shot, the women chosen by Baron Cohen are 'enormous'. 'The gang of supporters from Grimsby are all enormous and revolting,' Maurice Maree, who worked on the film, told the Sunday Times. Local politicians have been outraged by the casting and the film's negative portrayal of the town. 'Why pick on us? There are other places where obesity is a problem where they've got a rough deal. Why is Grimsby picked on all the time,' Austin Mitchell MP told MailOnline. 'I know it's a joke but I haven't seen these fat ladies anywhere - if they were so fat they wouldn't fit through the turnstiles at the stadium. 'You can find fat ladies anywhere, we don't have an accumulation of them. We have the problems of a town which needs more development and jobs and its lost its basic industry. Local politicians have complained the film suggests Grimsby football fans are violent and overweight . The actor (left) who shot to fame as Ali G visited the town in Lincolnshire before filming began abroad . Critics said the portrayal of residents and football fans as violent and obese created a 'very damaging image' A local MP condemned Baron Cohen naming the film after the town, saying: 'You can find fat ladies anywhere' 'That's something to be helped and not made fun of. It creates a very damaging image.' Previously, councillor Matthew Brown told MailOnline he was 'disappointed' with the film. 'It is using the town's name in potentially a poor light. What also worries me is that there is no benefit to the local economy which is carrying the town's name. 'Anything that you associate with football hooliganism is going to be negative, but I hope people will be open-minded when they watch the film. He added that depicting Grimsby as a town which has a history of football violence is wrong. 'My view is quite simple. We don't have a massive issue with hooliganism. There is very good stewarding at the ground. In general we are not in the same category as other clubs like Millwall who have a history of it.' A local councillor has also criticised the film of the film's portrayal of the seaside town . Besides claims Grimsby is picked on due to its name, critics asked why the film was shot in Essex and abroad . Among the women chosen to depict fans of Grimsby Town FC is Rebel Wilson, famed for her roles Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect in which she plays a character called Fat Amy. The Australian actress is seen locking lips with Baron Cohen in one scene, while his real-life wife, Isla Wilson, reportedly fills another on-screen role. Grimsby is scheduled for release in 2015 and see Sacha take on the role of a dimwit supporter of lower league team Grimsby Town. But while the town's representatives have been left disappointed by the way it is portrayed, residents have taken a more lighthearted approach. 'Should be good, there's no such thing as bad publicity,' one said online, while another said Mr Mitchell 'had no sense of humour'. Local MP Austin Mitchell said the town's problems were no worse than in other British areas . While representatives for the town said they were disappointed by the film, residents saw its comedic value .
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Actor Sacha Baron Cohen's football-based film 'Grimsby' is out this year .
Baron Cohen hired six overweight actresses to portray the town's women .
Local politicians have voiced their displeasure at the football-based film .
Grimsby Town currently play in the Conference Premier .
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She spends her time on TV hobnobbing with the great and good as the Dowager Countess of Downton Abbey. Now in real life, Dame Maggie Smith is to be made a Companion of Honour by the Queen, according to reports last night. The Sun reported the veteran actress, 79, is due to receive the gong in the Queen’s Birthday Honours' List, which is published tomorrow. Scroll down to see video . Dame Maggie Smith (centre), pictured with the Queen and Dame Judi Dench, is to be made a Companion of Honour, one of the Britain's highest awards, it emerged last night . The award, one of Britain's top honours, is in recognition of her extraordinary stage, film and TV career over six decades. Most recently, she played a major part in making the ITV drama series a global phenomenon by playing its strongest character, the acid-tongued Dowager Countess of Grantham. Companion of Honour awards were founded by the Queen’s grandfather, King George, in June 1917 in recognition of outstanding achievements in the arts, science and politics and are strictly limited to just 47 Brits at any one time, plus the monarch. New admissions come only with another's death and the Queen is understood to have major say in who is given the gong. Maggie Smith shot to fame for her performance in the film The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1969 (left), more recently she has become loved as the Dowager Countess Grantham in TV series Downton Abbey (right) Microbiologist Anthony Pawson was made a member of the select group in 2006 but died last year at the age of 60. The honour carries no title, but allows holders to use the letters 'CH' after their names. The award has previous been given to fellow veteran actress Dame Judi Dench, Olympics star Lord Coe and actor Sir Ian McKellen. After making her stage debut in 1952, Dame Maggie has started in over 50 films. She has scooped two Oscars, five BAFTAs and two Golden Globes for roles in movies as varied as 1969's The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie to 1986’s A Room with a View. Dame Maggie was given a CBE in 1970 and made a Dame in 1990. Both the Cabinet Office and Dame Maggie Smith's representatives have declined to comment. Dame Maggie also starred alongside Whoopi Goldberg in the 1993 blockbuster Sister Act .
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Downton Abbey actress to get honour given to only 46 other British people .
Award is in recognition of the six decades she's spent on screen and stage .
Honour awarded to select group of politicians, artists and actors .
Dame Maggie, 79, follows in the footsteps of fellow actress, Judi Dench .
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By . Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 23:22 EST, 13 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:46 EST, 14 May 2013 . An eight-year-old girl has been reunited with her stolen puppy, which she spent three years saving up for. Izzy Duffy did not spend her birthday, Christmas and pocket money so she could help pay for Skittles, a 14-week-old black and white Shih Tzu. She was left heart-broken when burglars forced open a ground floor window and took the family’s mobile phones, wallets, games consoles, tablet computers, cameras, and a laptop, before stealing the puppy in its cage. Skittles was stolen, leaving his young owner Izzy Duffy devastated by the cruel theft . But she has now been reunited with Skittles after she was spotted by two members of staff at a Tesco Express who were closing up and spotted the puppy in the car park, according to the Daily Express. Her mother Shona, 44, said: 'It's incredible and Izzy is thrilled to have Skittles back.' The family's BMW X5 was also stolen on the night, but it had very little fuel in it following a family trip to Anglesey and was dumped a mile from their home in Whitworth, Lancashire. Izzy's dad, Dr Chris Duffy, said she and her six-year-old brother, Alistair, were distraught when they realised the dog had gone. He said: 'We can replace the property, but this has really hurt the kids. 'Izzy just cried and cried. She couldn’t go to school on the following day because she was so upset. The family had Skittles micro-chipped and hope a vet will soon identify it and alert the police . 'But the school understood because every free choice of work she gets is dog-related, and we had only taken Skittles in the previous week to show all the other children.' The family had the dog micro-chipped and they had been hoping a vet would be able to identify it and alert the police. Shih Tzu puppies can sell at between £300 and £600. Dr Duffy said: 'We had a lovely weekend away and then woke up the next day and were absolutely gutted.' A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: 'This was a high value burglary and we are determined to reunite the family with their property. 'The family is most devastated about their 14-week-old puppy being stolen and we would appeal to anybody who might know where it is to come forward.' The burglary comes after police realised that gangs have been daubing signs on properties they want to steal from - and the latest sign being 'K' believed to be a play on the word 'Canine' The latest incidents of the 'K' code were highlighted by Cheshire Police officers in April who are investigating thefts in Alsager. Gangs are stealing either pedigree dogs to sell to unwitting buyers online or mutts they can use in illegal dog fights. Pedigree dogs are sold on the black market for up to £2,000 each. Gangs' most popular targets are trained working dogs, such as Labradors, although other popular types such as Chihuahuas and pugs also figure highly in the list of breeds stolen. The biggest rise has been in thefts of cocker spaniels, following an increase in popularity after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge adopted a puppy, Lupo. An RSPCA spokesman said in April: ‘If people are concerned, they should make sure their pets are microchipped, gardens are secure, their dogs are monitored while in the garden and report suspicious activity to police.’ We're sorry but reader comments are currently unavailable.
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Thieves took laptop, wallets and phones from Izzy Duffy's family home .
Took Skittles the 14-week-old Shih Tzu, leaving youngster, 8, heartbroken .
Puppies can be sold for between £300 and £600 .
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By . Hayley Peterson . PUBLISHED: . 10:45 EST, 17 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:22 EST, 17 July 2013 . Whitney Tilson, the outspoken founder of Kase Capital, posted a blog online regarding sex advice to his young daughters . A New York hedge fund manager has undoubtedly mortified his young daughters after recommending in a blog post that they bite the penis of any man who pressures them for oral sex. Whitney Tilson, the outspoken founder of Kase Capital, also added that he would buy his first gun if he ever discovered that someone had coerced one of his girls into a sexual act. Tilson posted the column on his blog in response to a New York Times article about college 'hookup' culture and the prevalence of casual sex on campus. 'How can so many smart young women be so massively stupid?!' Tilson wrote with a link to the Times story. 'Getting drunk and/or hooking up regularly is such a bad idea in so many ways, especially at such a young age and especially for young women.' Tilson is married with three young daughters, two of whom are teenagers. Referring to a part of the article where a young woman recalled being ordered by a man to 'get down on [her] knees,' Tilson writes, 'I certainly hope that my daughters would never spend a second with a guy who would ever dare say “get down on your knees."' 'But if that happened,' he continued, 'they would: a) walk away b) better yet, punch him in the mouth and walk away c) better yet, kick him in the balls and walk away d) better yet, pretend to go along with it, but when he pulls it out, squint, laugh, and walk away e) better yet, bite it!' Whitney Tilson (right) is pictured with his wife, Susan Blackman Tilson. THey have three young daughters . After either injuring the man or embarrassing him (or both), Tilson advises his daughters to 'come home and tell me his name so I can by my first gun and ... well you get the idea!' Tilson's advice, which was first reported by Business Insider, won wide praise on Twitter. 'Amen!' tweeted CNBC anchor Melissa Lee. 'This guy is freaking awesome,' added Sean Aday, a professor at George Washington University. The managing editor of CNBC.com, Allen Wastler, tweeted, 'As the father of twin girls, couldn't agree with Whitney Tilson more. Tilson told the New York Post that the bulk of responses to his post were from 'parents agreeing with my reaction.' But a handful of people also asked to be removed from a listserv that he emails regularly regarding education news. (He had sent the post to the listserv in addition to publishing it to his blog). Below is a copy of Tilman's blog post, entitled: 'Hookups Replace Dating on College Campuses.' MailOnline has shortened Tilman's excerpts from the New York Times article, but otherwise the post is reprinted in full. 'Hookups Replace Dating on College Campuses . A truly horrifying story from the front page of tomorrow’s NYT (especially if you have three daughters, the oldest two of which are teenagers). How can so many smart young women be so massively stupid?! Getting drunk and/or hooking up regularly is such a bad idea in so many ways, especially at such a young age and especially for young women. [From the Times:] It is by now pretty well understood that traditional dating in college has mostly gone the way of the landline, replaced by “hooking up” — an ambiguous term that can signify anything from making out to oral sex to intercourse — without the emotional entanglement of a relationship. Hookups can lead to things like this: . In November of Haley’s freshman year, a couple of months after her first tentative “Difmos,” or dance-floor makeouts, she went to a party with a boy from her floor. She had too much to drink, and she remembered telling him that she wanted to go home. Instead, she said, he took her to his room and had sex with her while she drifted in and out of consciousness. .... A friend of hers, Kristy... had been making out with a guy at his house, not sure how far she wanted to go, when he stood up and told her, “Get down on your knees.” At first she froze. “I was really taken aback, because I was like, no one has ever said that to me before,” she said. Then he said something like, “ ‘I think that’s fair,’ ” she recalled. When she still hesitated, he pushed her down. “It was at that point that I was like, ‘I’ll just do it,’ ” she said. “'I was like, 'It will be over soon enough.'" I certainly hope that my daughters would never spend a second with a guy who would ever dare say “get down on your knees” – but if that happened, they would: . a) walk away . b) better yet, punch him in the mouth and walk away . c) better yet, kick him in the balls and walk away . d) better yet, pretend to go along with it, but when he pulls it out, squint, laugh, and walk away . e) better yet, bite it! Lastly, after doing any of a-e, come home and tell me his name so I can buy my first gun and...well, you get the idea! ;-) It’s good to see that at least some women have some good sense – and very interesting that it’s more likely to be those from “modest” (i.e., low income) backgrounds: . At colleges nationally, by senior year, 4 in 10 students are either virgins or have had intercourse with only one person, according to the Online College Social Life Survey. Nearly 3 in 10 said that they had never had a hookup in college. .... [Researchers have] found that the women from wealthier . backgrounds were much more likely to hook up, more interested in . postponing adult responsibilities and warier of serious romantic . commitment than their less-affluent classmates.
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Whitney Tilson, the founder of Kase Capital, says he'll buy his first gun if he finds out that a man pressured his daughters into oral sex .
Tilson also instructs his daughters to either 'walk away' or 'bite' a man's privates if they are ordered to perform oral sex .
Tilson wrote the remarks on his blog .
He and his wife have three young daughters .
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(CNN) -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren has just been handed a giant political opportunity. After spending several years championing the cause of the consumer and railing against the power of big banks, the Massachusetts Democrat may be perfectly positioned to react to the revelation of secretly taped conversations within the Federal Reserve that have exposed the cozy relationship that exists between the regulators in Washington and the regulated on Wall Street. The tapes, which were made in 2012, involve examiners for the New York Federal Reserve who are heard being protective and deferential to Goldman Sachs when discussing some financial transactions that the firm had undertaken. Their actions were said to be "legal but shady." One of the Federal Reserve officials on the tape explains that they should not be too tough with the banks to make sure the lines of communication remain open in the future: "We don't want to discourage Goldman from disclosing these types of things in the future and therefore maybe you know some comment that says don't mistake our inquisitiveness, and our desire to understand more about the marketplace in general, as a criticism of you as a firm necessarily." The tapes have shocked many listeners because they reveal how weak the rules are and, even worse, how the regulators don't have much interest in being tough with the banks. Years after the horrendous financial collapse of 2008 that led to international economic havoc, Washington is not doing very much to improve the situation. There have been many critics of the Dodd-Frank legislation who have warned that the law fell short, but to actually hear these conversations has a more powerful impact. As Warren said on an interview with NPR's Morning Edition, when people listen to the tapes "for a moment, [they] get to be the fly on the wall that watches all of it, and there it is to be exposed to everyone: the cozy relationship, the fact that the Fed is more concerned about its relationship with a 'too-big-to-fail' bank than it is with protecting the American public." Warren, who was instrumental to the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, reacted to the substance of the tape by arguing that "the point of these tapes is that the regulators are backing off long before anyone's in court making a legal argument about whether or not they came right up to the line or they crossed over the line." She has called for oversight hearings as soon as possible. The weakness of our regulatory system for finance is an issue that deserves attention, and it is a policy problem that attracts the interest of liberals, conservatives and moderates, all of whom have been stung by the economic toll of the financial meltdown. Anger toward the banking system is one of the few issues that provides a common thread between the disparate parts of our political world. Tea party Republicans hate the intimate connections between banking and politicians as much as do left-wing Democrats. If Warren handles oversight hearings on this problem in the right way, they could attract huge interest and really define who she is as a national politician, right as the 2016 presidential race heats up. In this case, politics and policy can work hand in hand. Given the widespread concern about this problem and Warren's skill at handling this issue, these could shape up to be hearings that have the same kind of impact as Sen. William Fulbright's classic interrogation of officials about Lyndon Johnson's Vietnam policies in 1966 or the select committee investigation of Watergate in 1973 when Sen. Sam Ervin revealed all the wrongs that Richard Nixon had committed. Right now the Democratic playing field for 2016 is more fluid than many think. While former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, assuming she runs, would be a formidable candidate and a clear frontrunner, there is also still room for another candidate to challenge her and potentially to rise to the top of the pack. While many names have been mentioned, like Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley or former Virginia Sen. James Webb, nobody other than Clinton generates the kind of excitement as does Elizabeth Warren. Clinton exposed some of her own vulnerabilities during the roll out for her book "Hard Choices," and there still remains big questions as to whether Democrats will want a fresher voice, one who speaks more directly to the populist economic tradition of the party, as their candidate. While today it seems inevitable that she will be the party's nominee in 2016, Hillary Clinton learned in 2008 that "inevitable" doesn't always cut it. Warren has said that she won't run for the presidency. But these kinds of statements rarely are the best way to predict what a candidate will actually do. The Fed tapes might prove to be the development that moves her to the front and center of the public eye. Oversight hearings would be a way to expose her to a large national audience and to demonstrate that she is deeply invested in solving the economic problems that have harmed the security of Americans and been at the heart of the laggard economic conditions that define our era. Warren has been a huge attraction on the campaign trail during the past few months, speaking about these very issues and promising to devote her time to this cause. Ever since Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy died, Democrats have not been able to find a new liberal lion to champion the progressive economic traditions that been so integral to the party since the New Deal. President Obama, who many Democrats thought would be that person, has failed to live up to expectations. He surrounded himself with economic advisors who were comfortable with the status quo and whose pragmatism pushed him away from the bolder policies that the Democratic base hoped for. Now, with the disclosure of these tapes, Warren has a very real chance to prove to Democrats that she is the new voice.
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Sen. Elizabeth Warren has been handed a big political opportunity, says Julian Zelizer .
Tapes point to signs that U.S. regulators failed to aggressively challenge Goldman Sachs .
Warren says tape expose cozy relationship with a "too big to fail" bank .
Zelizer: Warren could use hearings on Goldman as a launching point for a presidential run .
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Parents of students at an Arizona high school are upset that the school's yearbook includes two pages students who either have young children or are expecting them. The Mesa High yearbook includes photos of students with their children under the headline 'I'm working a double shift.' Featured: Teen parents at Mesa High School were shown in a two-page spread in the annual yearbook . Hard work: The spread details students' who must balance parenting with schoolwork . Mixed emotions: Teen parents are seen with their children and describing their struggles . 'These parents are too busy making time, grades, money and plans for their children, whom they love more than anything else in the world,' the yearbook spread reads, for 'high school drama.' Parent Kathee Merkley told The Arizona Republic a picture which showed a pregnant student's belly hugged upset her. 'When you look at the pages at first, you think it is of a child development class,' she said. 'But then if you look closer, you see the photo of the boy hugging the belly. I think that was unnecessary.' Mesa High Schools spokeswoman Helen Hollands told MailOnline there had been 'a few' calls from parents, but did not have an exact number. She said she was at the school yesterday morning for an hour and that there were no calls. Student reactions: A spokesperson for the school district said student reactions to the yearbook, the cover of which is seen here, 'run the gamut' Students' reactions 'run the gamut - some felt the content was inappropriate while others were fine with it,' she said. Phone and email requests for comment to Principal James Souder from MailOnline were not immediately returned. However, the school said in a statement to 12 News that its young parents are 'fully supported in their academic endeavors.' 'The subject matter presented on several pages in the student life section of the Mesa High School yearbook reflect choices made outside the school environment,' it says. 'The students depicted are fully supported in their academic endeavors by the school and district.' School: Mesa High School, pictured, said in a statement that the spread shows 'choices made outside the school environment'
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Yearbook for Mesa High School includes a spread on teen parents called 'I'm working a double shift'
District spokeswoman Helen Hollands said there have been 'a few' calls from parents .
School said in a statement that the spread 'reflects choices made outside the school environment'
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Jane Fallon, novelist, producer of the BBC's brilliant This Life and long-term girlfriend of Ricky Gervais, has written a new book, Skeletons. It's funny and clever, a perfectly paced page-turner that delves into family dynamics and manipulation. We sit in the corner of a London club for tea. She's skinny but not slight, wearing a T-shirt with a faded Batman emblem and a tweedy jacket. She has huge inviting eyes and great skin, and looks nothing like her 53 years. Because of the complicated people she writes about I was expecting someone more cranky, but she says none of the book is drawn from her personal family experience. Being the girlfriend of an international celebrity has kept Jane determined to succeed on her own . Jane was one of five children - did she really not draw on that? 'Everyone has bits of dysfunction in their families, but I actually have a very nice, happy one,' she says. 'I'm slightly obsessed with other people's families. If you delve you always find something. People always say, "My family is so normal", and when you poke into them they never are. I'm interested in the horrible things people do to others.' I want to know if any of these horrible things have happened to her and Ricky. 'We've been very happy for a long time,' she says. 'We're very lucky.' They met at University College London in 1982 and knew straight away they were the ones for each other. Jane with Ricky at the Emmys in 2009 . 'Pretty much, yes,' she says. 'But it's not like we met and said, "Let's settle down and stay together forever." We met when I was in my third year, he was in his second. We're the same age, but he took a year out and I didn't.' They haven't married. 'It's never been important to either of us. If one of us had wanted to do it, the other one would have said, "Yes".' Of course, Ricky's career has taken off since The Office in 2001, so I ask if she found it annoying that before her success as a novelist (she was a script editor and producer at the BBC) people thought of her as Ricky's girlfriend. 'I still am thought of as that by most people, just not by people who read novels.' Is that suffocating? 'Not really. I always had my TV career and I always knew I'd do something else. It can be grim but it made me think I need to do my own thing. It's that being-one-of-five thing. Stand up and be counted. It fuels my desire to keep doing something.' Ricky hasn't read any of her books, she says. In fact, 'he's only read one novel, The Catcher In The Rye. One of his best friends persuaded him if he was only ever going to read one book it should be that one. He read it, he said it was an amazing experience and he could never top it, so he didn't want to read another one.' Jane was born in Harrow in north-west London but when she was small she moved to Buckinghamshire, where her parents had a newsagent's shop. 'They'd get up at 4.30am, seven days a week. I inherited a real work ethic from them but I left college with no idea what to do. My dad used to cut out newspaper ads and post them to me in the hope I'd get a proper job. HBO toyed with the idea of creating an on screen version of Jane's novel Foursome (left) 'One of them was for what they used to call a Girl Friday, a runner for a theatrical agency. It was perfect. A tiny place with posters on the walls. Actors, actresses, scripts everywhere. I fell in love with it. When I left I became a freelance script reader and then a script editor for TV, but you just get bored of the process. There's something lovely about writing a book, doing what you want. I love the solitariness of it. It's my natural state of mind.' Her novels have attracted Hollywood A-listers wanting to option the rights. 'Jennifer Aniston bought an option on the first, Getting Rid Of Matthew. I would have loved her to do it but the option ran out. HBO toyed with the third one, Foursome, for a while. All of them have been through various processes.' She shrugs calmly, and there's a mesmerising stability to her. Who wouldn't be frustrated that Jennifer Aniston nearly filmed your book? 'I'm not good with insecurity. I like things to be open and calm. If not, I'm too much of a worrier.' In Skeletons the main character, Jen, works on a hotel reception desk, a job that's showy but not very demanding. Jane, however, says she was always ambitious. 'From a young age I wanted to do . something important. Jen aspires to an ordinary life in family terms, . and I've never done that. You know how girls play with dolls, saying, "I . want to get married and have babies"? I was never like that. I've . always put my lack of wanting children down to the fact I come from a . big family. I wanted to do something that made me stand out. 'When . people reach their thirties they think, "Quick, get on with it." It's . like they're overcome physically with need. Maybe it's a biological . thing. It just didn't happen to me. I love kids, I have lots of nieces . and nephews, but I never felt the need to have my own. You shouldn't . have a child unless you feel you're going to be a good parent.' Does she have friends whose children . have gone off to college like Jen's in the book? 'No but I do have . friends who worry they'll not be involved in their children's lives any . more. I think if you have no kids you don't have those marked moments . and the relationship evolves slowly, not with a big event that makes you . think, "What are we going to do now?" We're used to it being just the . two of us, so we evolve without realising.' Jane and Ricky have been together for 32 years after meeting at University in 1982 . She and Ricky have a house in London's upmarket Hampstead and an apartment in New York, which they use fitting around his schedules. He's currently working on Night At The Museum 3 so she'll go to accompany him. 'If Ricky's away for months, I go back and forth. We like to be together, otherwise what's the point? You've chosen to be with this person. It's too hard to be apart. We prefer to be together if we can.' She's already halfway through her next book - about a woman who tries to get her assistant to honey-trap someone she suspects is being un-faithful. I wonder if that's borne out of her insecurity that Ricky's cheating on her? 'No,' she laughs. And we agree that he's the least honey-trappable person on the planet. But she admits, 'I'm not good with insecurity. I like things to be open and calm. If not, I'm too much of a worrier.' Skeletons is out now, published by Penguin, priced £7.99.
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Jane Fallon, long-term girlfriend of Ricky Gervais has made a name for herself in publishing .
Her books have become best sellers and have even had interest from Jennifer Aniston .
Jane says having such a famous partner spurs her on to succeed .
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By . Ryan Gorman . Butchered: Jomali Morales was stabbed 19 times by Markeece Dunning and left for dead in a housing project elevator in lower Manhattan . A Manhattan man who admitted stabbing to death a former model in 2011 has been sentenced to life in prison. Markeece Dunning, 22, was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty earlier this year to first-degree murder for the horrific killing of 42-year-old Jomali Morales that left her with 19 stab wounds in her face neck and back, officials said. Morales’ butchered body was infamously found covered in blood February 12, 2011 in the elevator of Baruch Houses, a city housing project on the Lower East Side. Prosecutors contended during today’s sentencing that Dunning planned to rob and rape Morales as soon as he saw her in the hours before she was found dead. The woman was later found to have been intoxicated at the time of her death, and investigators believe that impaired her judgement enough that she allowed Dunning to convince her to go to his apartment that morning instead of returning home, a source told MailOnline. Authorities called her ‘the perfect victim.’ Dunning made a false promise to the woman, which he did not tell authorities, and she agreed to go to his home, the source said. Morales was later found dead, and police arrested the then-19-year-old Dunning one month later. She was tragically laid to rest on what should have been a day of celebration. ‘Because of Markeece Dunning, Jomali Morales’ family planned her funeral on the day they should have been celebrating her 43rd birthday,’ asid Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. ‘After horrifically murdering Ms. Morales, the defendant left her to die in an elevator of the Baruch Houses,’ Vance continued. Her belongings were later found sifted into separate plastic bags scattered through the building, authorities said. Sexually motivated: Dunning admitted to wanting to rape and rob Morales the minute he saw her, but instead wound up stabbing her in the face, neck and back . Where she was found: Morales' bloody, lifeless body was found in 2011 slumped over in this housing project elevator . Morales’ mother Petra Vitale told WABC shortly after the killing that ‘she was like a light that lit up the room.’ The one-time model had grown up on the Lower East Side and left the city only to return with a young daughter, her mother said. That girl is now being raised by her grandmother. Dunning was only a teenager when arrested, but he had already logged 11 prior arrests for crimes ranging from drug possession and trespassing to gang assault, officials said.
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Markeece Dunning admitted pleaded guilty earlier this year to killing Jomali Morales in 2011 .
Her butchered body was left in a lower Manhattan housing project elevator .
Dunning admitted to wanting to rob and rape the drunk woman but ended up killing her .
Morales' family held her funeral on her 43rd birthday .
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By . Damien Gayle . PUBLISHED: . 05:50 EST, 24 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:21 EST, 24 April 2013 . Barack Obama honoured the six teachers who died shielding children during the Sandy Hook massacre as he named the National Teacher of the Year for 2013. The winner is Jeff Charbonneau of Zillah High School in Washington state's Yakima Valley, who is credited with improving science enrolment among students. As well as instructing students in chemistry, physics, engineering and architecture, he runs a state-wide robotics competition, serves as yearbook adviser and started an outdoors club. National Teacher of the Year 2013 Jeff Charbonneau takes centre stage for pictures with the President Barack Obama at the end of the ceremony: As . he stood with the finalists, Obama joked that if any have problems . with their students, 'tell them the President said ...,' prompting . laughter from those present . At a ceremony in the White House Rose . Garden, the President said the best teachers encourage children's . passions and inspire their imaginations. 'These . teachers, they are the ones we entrust with our kids, they are the . people who love our kids,' he said.Teachers didn't go into this line of . work for light hours and easy work, Obama said, but because of their . passion for helping children. He . thank finalists at yesterday's special event for not only instructing a . given subject, but also teaching students character, compassion, . resilience and imagination. 'They're . filling young minds with virtues and values,' he said. 'They're . teaching our kids to cooperate and overcome obstacles.' 'Filling young minds with virtues and values': . President Obama delivers remarks honouring Mr Charbonneau, front left, and finalists, behind, . during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House. Standing to . the right of the President is Secretary of Education Arne Duncan . Honour: Obama hands the National . Teacher of the Year award to Mr Charbonneau, who teaches at Zillah . High School in Zillah, Washington. As well as instructing students in . chemistry, physics, engineering and architecture, he runs a state-wide . robotics competition, serves as yearbook adviser and started an outdoors . club . Obama shakes hands with Mr Charbonneau, and congratulates him with an affectionate hug: The President thank finalists at yesterday's special . event for not only instructing a given subject, but also teaching . students character, compassion, resilience and imagination in a job that required long hours and hard work . Obama also made a poignant special . mention of the six educators who killed last December in Newtown, . Connecticut, during a shooting spree by a lone gunman who also claimed . the lives of 20 pupils of Sandy Hook Elementary School. 'We . saw the true depths of a teacher’s commitment when six educators were . killed trying to protect the children they embraced as their own,' he . said. 'There was the teacher who locked her . first-grade students in a bathroom and whispered, “I love you," because, . in her words, “I wanted that to be the last thing they heard, and not . gunfire.” '[There was] the special-education . teacher who was found cradling a student in her arms, trying to protect . him from the evil that ultimately took them both. 'In . those moments, those brave teachers showed the world what they do is . more than just educate kids. They embrace them and they nurture them . and they love them. 'And we know that the men and women behind me do the same.' Poignant: Obama also made special mention of the . six educators who killed last December in Newtown, Connecticut, during a . shooting spree by lone teenage gunman Adam Lanza which also claimed the lives of 20 pupils . of Sandy Hook Elementary School, as well as killing his own mother . 'True depths of a teacher's commitment': . Remembering the victims of the massacre, the President said that . teachers do more than just educate children . Killed at Sandy Hook: From left, teacher Lauren Rousseau, school psychologist Mary Sherlach, and principal Dawn Hochsprung . 'Killed trying to protect the children they embraced as their own': Teacher's aides Anne Marie Murphy and Rachel D'Avino and teacher Victoria Soto . Mr Charbonneau, who began his teaching . career in 2001 at Zillah, his alma mater, started a program to help . students get college credit for the classes they take at the high . school. The inspirational educator said he greets his students every day with, 'Welcome back to another day in paradise.' The . work brings its own reward, he said, adding: 'You see the wrinkles. Wrinkles are the born witness to the hours of laughter and the moments . of joy that come from sharing the art of discovery with our students.' President Barack Obama talks with the Teacher of . the Year finalists: The president said he has a 'soft spot' for . teachers since his sister is and mother was an educator. While maths and . science teachers are often lauded, he also recognised English, art, . music and history teachers for inspiring children to pursue their . passion . 'Wrinkles are the born witness to the hours of . laughter and the moments of joy': Mr Charbonneau speaks after accepting . his award as the President and Secretary of Education watch. He began . his teaching career in 2001 at Zillah, his alma mater, where he started a . program to help students get college credit for the classes they take . The president said he has a 'soft spot' for teachers since his sister is and mother was an educator. While maths and science teachers are . often lauded, he also recognised English, art, music and history . teachers for inspiring children to pursue their passion. 'Educators . like Jeff and everyone up here today, they represent the very best of . America - committed professionals who give themselves fully to the . growth and development of our kids,' said Obama. 'And . with them at the front of the classroom and leading our schools, I am . absolutely confident that our children are going to be prepared to meet . the tests of our time and the tests of the future.' As Obama took pictures with the finalists, he joked that if any have problems with their students, 'tell them the president said ...,' and the teachers laughed.
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President spoke at a White House Rose Garden ceremony to name this year's National Teacher of the Year .
Jeff Charbonneau won the award after improving science enrolment among his high school students .
Obama also makes a special mention of the six teachers killed in the Newtown, Connecticut massacre in December .
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By . Claire Bates . UPDATED: . 13:24 EST, 14 September 2012 . A mother-of-six who coughed up a tumour a year ago has been told she is now free of cancer. Claire Osborn, 38, had the shock of her life when she started coughing and a 2cm lump flew out of her mouth. She took the lump to her doctor and was told it was a type of cancer called metastatic adenocarcinoma - an aggressive throat and mouth cancer. Cancer free: Claire Osborn, 38, had the shock of her life when she started coughing and a tumour flew out of her mouth . Ms Osborn was initially given a 50 per cent chance of survival and had to undergo an operation to see if there were any remaining cancer cells. An initial scan in February revealed there were no other tumours and now, after a final scan last week, doctors have told her she is entirely free of cancer. Ms Osborn said: 'The consultant turned round to me and said, "It appears you have coughed up your cancer. Congratulations."' Chance of survival: Ms Osborn, pictured with husband Kevin after the operation, was initially given a 50 per cent chance of survival and had to have the operation to see if any cancer cells remained . Ms Osborn, of Holbrooks, Coventry, said the events of the last year have completely changed her outlook on life - at one point she had started saving for her own funeral. She said: 'I feel like it’s been a miracle. I feel I’ve been reborn, everything has changed. I really feel I’ve been given a second chance at life. 'I have various conditions including Asperger’s and fibromyalgia but I don’t sit down and mope now. 'I had become unsociable and wouldn’t go out and I used to get upset about the smallest things, like if I broke something around the house. But now I realise that life is far more important than a broken item. All gone: Ms Osborn has been told she is totally free of cancer . 'I have a social life now, I go out, I . go to church and I have lots of friends. I try to raise awareness of . cancer by telling people what happened to me.' Ms Osborn said the experience and the initial worry she was going to die from cancer has changed the whole family. She said: 'It’s brought the family closer together. I have six children and two grandchildren and this has changed us all. 'I used to think it was only me going through this but now I can see they have suffered too, watching me go through it.' Ms Osborn is now applying to Guinness World Records as she believes she is the only person to have coughed up an entire tumour. Remembering . the day she had her coughing fit last year, Ms Osborn said: 'I’d taken . some tablets and they felt like they were sticking at the back of my . throat. 'I coughed and something came out. I . went to the GP and he sent it off to the lab where it was diagnosed as . metastatic adenocarcinoma. 'The . metastatic part means the cancer spreads from one organ to another so . I’m extremely lucky. If I hadn’t coughed it up it would have spread to . another organ. 'I had a scan in February and it came back saying I had no cancer. 'I’ve just had my second MRI and there’s been no regrowth. It looks like I actually coughed up all of the cancer. 'I’ve got to go back in two months’ time for checks but I probably won’t need any more scans. The likelihood of this coming back is extremely small.' However, the full-time mother added: 'Anyone with a persistent cough should get checked out as a precaution.' Record: Ms Osborn is now applying to Guinness World Records as she may be the only person to cough up an entire tumour .
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Claire Osborn started coughing and a 2cm cancerous lump flew out of her mouth .
She was initially given a 50% chance of survival .
She is now applying to Guinness World Records as she may be the only person to cough up an entire tumour .
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By . Ellie Zolfagharifard . PUBLISHED: . 12:07 EST, 19 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:35 EST, 20 September 2013 . It's been hailed as the safest smartphone on the market with its fingerprint recognition technology. And now the iPhone 5S has proved just how secure its new password service is, by registering a cat's paw print as a key to unlock the gadget. Technology site, TechCrunch, wanted to test the new Touch ID feature which allows the phone's owner and four other Touch ID profiles to unlock the phone using skin-recognition technology. VIDEO: The iPhone 5S cat paw test (Source TechCrunch) Touch ID uses a small touch sensor encased around the home button that scans the layers of skin on a finger. Users can 'train' their iPhone to read and learn their unique fingerprint and when they touch the home button, the phone is unlocked. Touch ID can also be replace an App Store password when buying music, apps or books. It uses a 'laser cut sapphire crystal' to take a high-resolution image scan before the Touch ID software in iOS 7 detemines whether the print belongs to the owner or not. All fingerprint information is encrypted and stored securely inside the device's chip. The prints are not stored on an Apple server, or backed up to iCloud. After a few false starts, the cat's . paw was recognised as one of the owner's five chosen keys and was able . to access the phone's content. The user was also able to use the heel of his palm and his wrist in the experiment which is described as 'a broadening of the definition of what counts as a “fingerprint”'. Though different parts of the body were able to be registered and then recognised as keys, when trying to fool the phone's software by using the opposite hand than registered access was denied. The experiment pointed out however that no other animals could be used to unlock the phone as cats have unique fingerprint like paws. Another technology site, Pocket-Lint, found Touch ID is not just a fingerprint sensor, but a toe and fingerprint sensor. Their tests found that a print from a toe was able to unlock the phone perfectly every time. TechCrunch wanted to test a theory that even . animals could use Apple's new Touch ID feature. Amazingly, after a few . false starts, the cat's paw worked and was able to unlock the phone repeatedly . Apple unveiled the fingerprint . scanner on its iPhone 5S last week with bold claims about its high . levels of encryption and security. The . firm even suggested that its Touch ID system could revolutionise . smartphone security and replace the traditional, everyday password. The Touch ID sensor is built into the . premium phone's 'home' button and can be used to unlock the phone, as . well as pay for shopping and apps automatically - effectively replacing . the need for a password or PIN. Speaking . at the launch event in Cupertino, Apple's senior vice president of . worldwide marketing Phil Schiller said: 'Half of smartphone customers do . not set up passwords. [Touch ID] is an easier and more fun alternative. Technology site pocket-Lint found that Touch ID is not just a fingerprint sensor, but a toe and fingerprint sensor . 'It uses key you have with you everywhere you go. Your finger.' It works by using a small touch sensor encased around the home button that scans the layers of skin on a finger. A . user can 'train' their iPhone to read and learn their unique . fingerprint and when they touch the home button, the phone is unlocked. Touch ID can also replace an App Store password when buying music, apps or books. It . uses a 'laser cut sapphire crystal' to take a high-res image scan and . the Touch ID software in iOS 7 determines whether the print belongs to . the owner or not. Apple . said it is designed to provide 'accurate readings from any angle, so . the motion to unlock your device ought to be as automatic as it is now.' It is also designed to become more accurate the more it is used. Schiller . reassured users that Touch ID is secure by explaining that 'all . fingerprint information is encrypted and stored securely inside the . device's chip' adding the prints are not stored on an Apple server, or . backed up to iCloud.
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Technology site wanted to test if any skin - not just human fingerprints - could unlock an iPhone 5S .
The cat's paw was registered as one of five safe Touch ID profiles .
Heel of palm and wrist were also able to unlock the phone's content .
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By . Mail On Sunday Reporter . Police have launched an investigation after a 15-year-old ‘child bride’ featured on Benefits Street. Neither producers nor Channel 4 contacted police or social services, despite filming the girl’s Romanian husband Stefan Stana admitting that he had flouted British law. He admitted on camera: ‘My wife is 15 and a half and I am 20. This scares people in England because she is a minor.’ 'This scares people': Stefan and Madalina on the second episode of Channel 4's Benefits Street . Only a few months later, the teenager, thought to be called Madalina Balasa, gave birth to a baby girl in a Birmingham hospital. Campaigners accused Channel 4 of turning a blind eye to underage marriage. But a spokesman for the broadcaster said: ‘There was no evidence of coercion or exploitation and the relationship appeared entirely genuine. 'The husband was clearly aware that there are differences in the law between countries and this was made clear in the programme.’ He added that informing the authorities would have compromised the trust the couple placed in documentary-makers Love Productions that allowed them to speak ‘openly, candidly and in confidence’. But Birmingham Council criticised the broadcaster for putting their programme ahead of the welfare of Madalina, who married Stefan in Romania. Investigation: Officers are 'keen to speak to' the couple, who no longer live on James Turner Street . ‘We would urge anyone who is aware of someone in a similar situation to contact the police or social services,’ said a spokesman. ‘Indeed, we would have expected the film company to have done this.’ The NSPCC, Action for Children, Birmingham Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming and the Children’s Commissioner for England also expressed concerns. Police said: ‘We are investigating along with Birmingham Social Services.’ The couple no longer live in the street so officers are ‘keen to speak to her’ or anyone who knows her whereabouts. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
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Stefan Stana boasted to the cameras of his wedding to 15-year-old Madalina .
Neither producers nor Channel 4 contacted police of social services .
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By . Jaymi Mccann . PUBLISHED: . 12:22 EST, 27 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:23 EST, 27 April 2013 . This is the moment a veterinary dentist had to get up close and personal with a fully grown brown bear in an attempt to clean his teeth. Marc Losse treated 20 year old brown bear Siggi at the Four Paws animal welfare project Baerenwald in Muritz, Germany. Siggi had to be placed under general anaesthetic while a team of expert vets and dentists worked to ensure that his teeth were treated. Ferocious: Dentist Marc Losse treated the teeth of 20-year-old brown bear Siggi at the Four Paws saunctuary in Muritz . Restrained: The 20-year-old bear had his teeth cleaned following his rescue by the sanctuary . The bear was rescued with his son Balou, 10, in September of last year, and has been cared for by the sanctuary ever since. The bears were taken from wildlife park Hellenthal, which is reportedly known for poor keeping standards for bears, where they had the limited space of just 150square metres to roam. In contrast, Baerenwald, which means bear forest, is now the biggest bear park in Western Europe with 16 hectares of space for their bears. The woodland features a creek and several ponds, which the bears enjoy bathing and playing in. Rescued: Siggi was rescued with his 10 year old son Balou from a different wildlife centre . Treatment: Four Paws say that bears in Germany need better care than is being provided for them by zoos and the government . The transfer was organised by the . Four Paws team, including Dr Goritz, a vet from the Berlin Institute of . Zoo and Wildlife research. The two fully grown male bears struggled at their previous home, often becoming involved in violent conflicts. Siggi, despite being the elder of the two, is far smaller, and suffered at the hands of his more aggressive son. At the Four Paws sanctuary, which opened in 2006, both bears will have room to retreat and mark their individual territory without encroaching on the other. Dentist: The team worked while the bear was under general anaesthetic to ensure that Siggi's teeth were well cared for . Four Paws say that there are still 20 . bears living in inadequate conditions in Germany and blame what they . believe is the country’s efficient legal regulation of keeping standards . for bears. They are now lobbying for improved conditions and are offering assistance to zoos that attempt to change the way they care for their bears. Four Paws is an international welfare charity campaigning for a ‘world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding’. They care for animals including bears, lions, stray dogs and cats. They are funded through donations and supporters alone.
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Dentist Marc Losse cleaned 20-year-old brown bear Siggi's teeth .
Siggi was rescued with his son Balou, 10, in September of last year .
Four Paws animal sanctuary say that bears need better care than is being provided for them .
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By . Kirk Maltais . A 90-year-old man who fought and survived in the grueling Pacific Theater during World War II was shocked when he learned that, according to an records mix-up, he was listed as having gone AWOL by the U.S. Military during that same time period. Dr. Thomas J. Smith Jr., 90, of Albany, New York, discovered in 2006 while obtaining records for a memoir he was writing that the military had mixed him up with another Thomas J. Smith Jr. According to Smith, the source of the confusion was with the middle names of the two men. 'The bottom of the letter is stamped Thomas Jefferson Smith Jr. I’m . Joseph,' Smith told WTEN. Thomas J. Smith, Jr., 90, a teacher in Albany, New York, first discovered the error in his military records while compiling information for a memoir . Smith in his formal Marines regalia. He served in the Pacific Theater in 1942, fighting in several historic and grueling battles . According to Smith, the man he was mixed up with went AWOL while Smith was recovering from a gunshot wound to his back on the Marshall Islands, as part of the island-hopping his unit did. As a Marine, Smith fought in the historic and bloody battle in Iwo Jima, in which nearly 7,000 American soldiers perished. 'It was either killed or be killed,' Smith recalled. Of the 229 men who were part of his unit, only 29 survived. When he first discovered the error in the records, Smith was unable to take the time to have them corrected, due to caring for his late wife. He also believed that fixing them would be a simple fix. Smith with friends. He has been trying for two years to have the records fixed, going as far as to contact Sen. Chuck Schumer and President Obama . However, Smith has been unable to make any headway himself in fixing the mistake, trying for two years to have someone respond and rectify the problem. Smith first sent a letter to the National Personnel Records Center in . St. Louis, Mo., in 2012, the office that had initially sent him his . military records. He was referred to the Board for Correction of Naval . Records, who then referred him to the Marine Corps. According to Smith, the Marine . Corps asked him to contact the National Archive. He was last sent to the . National Personnel Records Center, the office where his original letter . was sent. Frustrated, Smith began sending letters to others, such as New York Senator Chuck Schumer. In a final act of desperation, Smith sent a letter to President Obama, hoping that his attention could fix the situation. Historic photo from the Battle of Iwo Jima, which killed nearly 7,000 American and injured another 20,000 . 'I didn't want it to be a joke, but I did it for self-satisfaction because this is the highest I could go,' said Smith. According to WTEN, who contacted various agencies on Smith's behalf, the office of Senator Schumer promised to have the error fixed within 8-10 months.
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Thomas J. Smith, Jr., 90, discovered in 2006 that his military records listed him as having gone AWOL during World War II .
Smith has tried to have the records fixed with no success .
Public officials like Senator Chuck Schumer and President Barack Obama were contacted by Smith .
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Flight Lieutenant Richard Trevor-Roper, who took part in the Dambusters raids during the Second World War. His medals for gallantry are now up for auction . The family of an RAF tail gunner who took part in the Second World War's famous Dambusters raid are selling his gallantry medals at auction for £60,000 after finding them in a box. Flight Lieutenant Richard Trevor-Roper flew on Wing Commander Guy Gibson's Lancaster during the mission to destroy a series of dams in Germany using 'bouncing bombs'. The raid was a great success with two dams breached by the bombs invented by Dr Barnes Wallis and much of Germany’s industrial heartland including scores of armament factories were wiped out in May 1943. Flight Lieutenant Trevor-Roper, from the Isle of Wight, was singled out for his brave and skillful use of his guns during the raid, which diverted fire from anti-aircraft defences away from other planes in the squadron. He was then awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions but he was sadly killed just a year later during a bombing raid in Nuremberg. Now 72 years on, his medals have been unearthed by his family after they had been lying in a dusty box file. Alongside them were also a series of pictures, including one of the tail gunner with Mr Wallis at Buckingham Palace, they day he received his gallantry medal. The family, who live in the south of England, have now decided to sell the items, which also includes their own copy of the script from the 1955 film the Dam Busters and a brochure from the premiere to go with it. It is thought that only a handful of gallantry medals awarded for the mission have ever come on the open market since 1943, with the last group being sold in 2000. Richard Bromell, of Charterhouse Auctioneers of Sherborne, Dorset, said: 'These are the most outstanding Second World War RAF medals I have had the pleasure to handle. 'A lot of people did so many brave things in order to shorten the war and the Dambusters raid was definitely one of those. 'All of the crew members for the mission were super-elite and as Trevor-Roper was in the lead plane and was the lead gunner of the squadron. One of the lots, which is being sold at the auction, which includes a picture of Flight Lieutenant Trevor-Roper, his gallantry medals, a commemorative scroll and his flying cap . Richard Bromwell from Charterhouse Auctioneers holding the medals, left, and an original script from the Dambusters film, right, which is also up for sale . 'A lot of medals were awarded for that raid but only a handful of them have come on the open market since they were awarded. 'This is the first time Trevor-Roper’s medals have come up for sale. 'It turns out that for many decades the medals, two his RAF side caps, assorted letters, photographs and even a Dam Busters script were kept hidden away in a box file.' The sale, which takes place on March 19, will also include medals awarded to his father, Major Charles Trevor-Roper, who served with the Hampshire Regiment in the First World War. Lieutenant Trevor-Roper pictured with Barnes Wallis, the inventor of the bouncing bomb, at Buckingham Palace in 1943, where he received his Distinguished Flying Cross . Flight Lieutenant Richard Trevor-Roper was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross following the Dambusters raids. His citation stated: 'This officer flew as rear gunner in the leading Lancaster which attacked the Mohne Dam. 'During the run in, his aircraft was subjected to stiff opposition from flack defences situated along the top of the dam. 'By using his rear guns with great skill, even though bullets were passing through the rear structure of the aircraft just behind him, he succeeded not only in deterring the aim of the defences but later in drawing the fire away from other aircraft which were actually making their bombing runs. 'As gunnery leader, Flight Lieutenant Trevor-Roper has set a magnificent example which is an inspiration to all the other gunners in the squadron.'
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Flight Lieutenant Richard Trevor-Roper took part in the Dambusters raids .
Was the tail gunner on Guy Gibson's lead plane during the mission .
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his skillful use of guns .
Now 72 years on, his family discovered his medals lying in a dusty old box .
Were found with old pictures and an original script for the Dambusters film .
Are now set to go to auction where it is hoped they will sell for £60,000 .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 2:59 PM on 5th October 2011 . U.S. farmers believe they are close to getting permission to sell rice in China which would mean a massive boost for an industry that has seen prices stagnate recently. If China opens its markets to U.S. rice, it could cause a spike in demand that drives up prices and encourages farmers to grow more, industry observers said. China is the world's largest producer of rice, but it consumes nearly everything it grows and already imports some rice from Thailand and Vietnam to feed its 1.3 billion people. Harvest time: American farmers believe they are close to getting permission to sell rice to china . The U.S. is the world's fourth-largest rice exporter, shipping to more than 100 countries. But China has resisted opening its markets, saying its inspection agencies have not certified that U.S. rice is safe from disease, bugs and other pests. To help move things along, the U.S. Rice Producers Association invited Chinese inspectors to tour farms in Arkansas, California and Louisiana. The U.S. is currently the fourth largest exporter of rice in the world . China has long had a policy of self-sufficiency in grains, stockpiling crops such as corn, wheat and rice to cope with shortages and avoid having to rely on other countries for essentials. As more migrants move to cities and incomes rise, China's demand for staples has often outstripped its domestic production. It has had to import 'significant quantities' of corn in some years and has grown into the largest importer of soybeans in the world, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That's contributed to a spike in demand that's driven up prices for both of those items. The great hope is that as China's middle class becomes wealthier, its members will want to buy high-quality rice from the U.S. even if it's more expensive. 'You think of rice as just rice, but I'm . always surprised by how sophisticated rice palettes are,' said Andy . Hewes, partner in a Texas rice marketing firm and publisher of The Rice . Market Letter. 'Sometimes even the slightest variations can put people . off.' Potential boost: Graph shows average U.S. rice production by rice type and state . Greg Yielding, an official with the U.S. Rice Producers Association, has conducted taste tests where he had . shoppers try different varieties of American rice - the short- and . medium-grain grown in California and the medium- and long-grain rice . grown in Arkansas and elsewhere in the South. But Milo Hamilton, publisher of Firstgrain.com, a rice industry news service, said breaking into China could be tricky. 'You . have to be very careful with the protocol,' he said. 'You've got to get . it down right, and you've got to have the demand and you have to have . the people to accept it.' Rice terraces in Longsheng Guangxi, China. The country is the world's leading producer but currently relies on additional imports from Thailand and Vietnam to feed its 1.3 billion people . At a Walmart in Beijing, Yu Xiaoli, a 30-year-old housewife shopping for her monthly supply of rice, chose Chinese rice to the Thai alternative. She said she doesn't choose based on price but prefers Chinese rice for its flavor and texture. Asked if she might be interested in trying American rice, Yu looked surprised. 'I've never tried it,' Yu said. 'I haven't even heard anything about it.'
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Potential boost for hard-pressed American farmers .
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(CNN) -- Bode Miller became the oldest man to win an Olympic alpine skiing medal Sunday but the 36-year-old American could not prevent Norway's Kjetil Jansrud from taking a surprise gold in the super-G at Sochi. Miller led for much of the competition until later starters Jansrud and Andrew Weibrecht left him in a tie for the bronze medal with Canada's Jan Hudec. The 28-year-old Jansrud won bronze in the downhill last week so his triumph was not entirely unexpected while Miller's teammate Weibrecht had claimed the super-G bronze in Vancouver four years before enduring a period of poor results. Jansrud clocked a time if one minute 18.14 seconds in testing conditions made more difficult by warm temperatures -- which meant organizers brought forward the start by one hour. Dream triumph . "It's a little bit of a cliche, but it's something you dream about since you're a kid. I'm one of those kids. Being here is an amazing feeling," he said. Weibrecht was just pleased to have found form at exactly the right time to come home 0.30 seconds adrift of the winner. "It's been a pretty difficult four years. It's one of those things: you can only be beaten down so many times before you look at what you're doing. "Today is a great affirmation of what I've been doing and what I've done. I can still compete at this level." Miller, was winning his sixth Olympic medal after below-par showings in the downhill and super-combined events. "I'm happy to not have made catastrophic mistakes," was his rather downbeat verdict. The same could not be said for his compatriot and super-G world champion Ted Ligety, who struggled to 14th place, while defending Olympic champion in the discipline, Aksel Lund Svindal, also never challenged for the medals. But at least Svindal's fellow Norwegian Jansrud maintained their country's proud tradition, having now won the last four Olympic super-G titles. Orange sweep . Later, Dutch dominance in speed skating continued apace in the women's 1500 meters event but hot favorite Ireen Wust had to give second best to compatriot Jorien Ter Moors in the battle for gold. Lotte Van Beek snatched the bronze medal in the final pairing as it was an all-Orange podium, while Marrit Leenstra was fourth. Dutch skaters have won 16 medals to date in the speed skating competitions with five gold, five silver and six bronze. Ter Moors is the first female to compete in both short track and speed skating at the Olympic Winter Games and admitted she was inexperienced. "I'm not used to these kind of situations. In short track you immediately know if you have won. Now I had to wait and it was very nerve-racking. I never expected to win gold here, but I had a very good race," she said . Sweden has a similar stranglehold on the relay events in nordic skiing and its men's quartet repeated the triumph of the 2010 Games in Vancouver by romping to victory in the 4x10km event. Marcus Hellner anchored them to victory in one hour 28 minutes 42 seconds and in the process claimed his third gold of the Sochi Olympics. "I'm very lucky to be the man that could do it. It's incredible," he said. Swedish relay triumph . The Swedes were chased home by hosts Russia, who were watched by President Vladimir Putin, while France took a surprise bronze. Sweden's women won their 4x10km relay event earlier in the Games. The Czech Republic enjoyed its first gold of the Games Sunday as Eva Samkova claimed the women's snowboard supercross title . She led in each round to win from Dominique Maltais of Canada, with Chloe Trespeuch of France taking the bronze. "I couldn't imagine this -- it was very fortunate for me," said Samkova. The qualification rounds were marred by accidents to Norway's Helene Olafsen and American Jacqueline Hernandez, who were stretchered off the course after crashing heavily. Russia's Maria Komissarova, who sustained serious injuries in practice for the freestyle skiing competition, was flown to Munich to receive specialist treatment, her federation confirmed Sunday. She fractured her spine in the worst accident of the Games and was visited by President Putin in hospital Saturday night before her transfer to Germany. Russia scrape win . The day after their exciting clash in the men's ice hockey tournament Russia and the United States scored contrasting victories in their qualifying pool. Blog: Superpower showdown on ice . Doubtless buoyed by the shootout win over Russia, the U.S. slammed Slovenia 5-1. Russia and Slovakia went goalless until the hosts made no mistake this time in the shootout with goaltender Semyon Varlamov the hero as he saved two of Slovakia's penalty efforts.
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Kjetil Jansrud wins men's super-G gold medal .
Bode Miller oldest man to win Olympic skiing medal as he takes bronze .
Dutch continue dominance of speed skating events .
First gold medal for Czech Republic in supercross .
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Senate passed groundbreaking legislation Thursday that would make it a federal crime to assault an individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. President Obama has said the country must make significant changes to ensure equal rights. The expanded federal hate crimes law now goes to President Obama's desk. Obama has pledged to sign the measure, which was added to a $680 billion defense authorization bill. President George W. Bush had threatened to veto a similar measure. The bill is named for Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teenager who died after being kidnapped and severely beaten in October 1998, and James Byrd Jr., an African-American man dragged to death in Texas the same year. "Knowing that the president will sign it, unlike his predecessor, has made all the hard work this year to pass it worthwhile," said Judy Shepard, board president of the Matthew Shepard Foundation named for her son. "Hate crimes continue to affect far too many Americans who are simply trying to live their lives honestly, and they need to know that their government will protect them from violence, and provide appropriate justice for victims and their families." Several religious groups have expressed concern that a hate-crimes law could be used to criminalize conservative speech relating to subjects such as abortion or homosexuality. Attorney General Eric Holder has asserted that any federal hate-crimes law would be used only to prosecute violent acts based on bias, as opposed to the prosecution of speech based on controversial racial or religious beliefs. Holder called Thursday's 68-29 Senate vote to approve the defense spending bill that included the hate crimes measure "a milestone in helping protect Americans from the most heinous bias-motivated violence." Watch survivor of attack discuss legislation » . "The passage of this legislation will give the Justice Department and our state and local law enforcement partners the tools we need to deter and prosecute these acts of violence," he said in a statement. Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, called the measure "our nation's first major piece of civil rights legislation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people." "Too many in our community have been devastated by hate violence," Solmonese said in a statement. "We now can begin the important steps to erasing hate in our country." This month, Obama told the Human Rights Campaign, the country's largest gay rights group, that the nation still needs to make significant changes to ensure equal rights for gays and lesbians. "Despite the progress we've made, there are still laws to change and hearts to open," he said during his address at the dinner for the Human Rights Campaign. "This fight continues now, and I'm here with the simple message: I'm here with you in that fight." Among other things, Obama has called for the repeal of the ban on gays serving openly in the military, the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. He also has urged Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and pass the Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act. The Defense of Marriage Act defines marriage, for federal purposes, as a legal union between a man and a woman. It allows states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages. The Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act would extend family benefits now available to heterosexual federal employees to gay and lesbian federal workers. More than 77,000 hate-crime incidents were reported by the FBI between 1998 and 2007, or "nearly one hate crime for every hour of every day over the span of a decade," Holder told the Senate Judiciary Committee in June. The FBI, Holder added, reported 7,624 hate-crime incidents in 2007, the most current year with complete data.
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NEW: Senate approves bill expanding hate crimes law .
Measure would make it a crime to assault person because of sexual orientation .
Religious groups fear law could criminalize conservative speech .
Attorney general says it will be used only to prosecute violence .
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A British tourist has died after falling 90 metres from a cliff and hitting the rocks below in Sydney's northern beaches . The man, believed to be a 25-year-old British tourist, fell to his death after he climbed a fence at North Head near Manly at approximately 6.45am on Sunday morning. He walked with friends to the edge of the cliff to watch the sunrise, at which point it's believed he accidentally slipped. Although NSW Police Media are yet to confirm the man's identity, Nine News claim the fall victim was Welsh tourist Gareth Jones. Four 'distressed' witnesses, believed to be the man's friends, are being interviewed by investigators. Two of the friends allegedly climbed down the cliff to reach him with the use of ropes and ladders that are normally used by fisherman, but they found their friend was unresponsive, according to Nine News. Scroll down for video . A 25-year-old international tourist , climbed a fence at North Head near Manly at approximately 7.30am on Sunday morning, and walked to the edge of the cliff before slipping . Police from NSW Police Rescue Unit made efforts to retrieve the man's body, which was brought up from the cliff at 11.30am and placed into the care of authorities. 'It looks like a tragic accident and we feel for all of the people that were there and obviously our thoughts will be with his family when we inform them,' Inspector Belinda Caddy told Nine News. The clifftops at North Head are well known for the panoramic view they show of Sydney Harbour and skyline, and are a popular tourist destination on the northern beaches. The friends were sitting on the cliff's edge to watch the sunrise when tragedy struck, Inspector Nigel Taylor told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'When they returned to the lookout, the young fella has gone to have a closer look and fallen over the edge,' Inspector Taylor said. Police have also issued a serious warning to people who visit such lookouts and coastal areas. For their own safety, citizens have been told that they must never climb over fences and into restricted areas as they will be at risk of serious injury or death. Four witnesses, believed to be the man's friends, are being interviewed by investigators . 'It looks like a tragic accident at this stage,' a police spokesperson said . The incident comes after a spate of similar incidents in the past months, including a woman who fell to her death in the Blue Mountains while meditating with friends near the edge of a cliff. In November, Megan Moody, 38, fell to her death when she slipped off a 25 metre cliff at Tahmoor in south western Sydney. Her partner, Paul Vietch, witnessed her fall, and had taken out an Apprehended Violence Order against Ms Moody in the months leading up to her death. In the same month in South Maroubra, on Sydney's eastern beaches, two fishermen dropping a 20 meter line off a cliff were criticised for risking a similar fate.
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25-year-old British male tourist was with four friends in Sydney's northern beaches .
He walked to the edge of the cliff before slipping and falling 90 metres to the rocks below .
It's believed the gentleman was looking for a better view of the sunrise .
Nine News have identified the victim as Welsh tourist Gareth Jones .
Officers from NSW Police Rescue Unit attended the scene and retrieved the man's body at approximately 11.30am .
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NEW YORK (CNN) -- Three years ago Tuesday, Leslie Marva Adams, an attractive, 40-year-old hair stylist from Atlanta, Georgia, chatted on the phone with her mother in the morning. Leslie Adams, 40, filed a restraining order against an old boyfriend and disappeared three years ago. It was the last conversation she would have with a family member. On the third anniversary of Adams' disappearance, her family is still waiting for answers. Her daughter, Cierra Burk, 19, clings to the belief that Adams is alive. "We will find her," Burk says. The family became concerned when Adams failed to show up for her sister's birthday party the day after she talked on the phone with her mother. Two days after the missed party, Adams was officially reported missing. At her apartment in suburban Lilburn, police found evidence suggesting foul play -- a 12-inch blood stain near her bed and a .45-caliber bullet casing. Adams' car was parked in her driveway and a handwritten note was found on her door. Investigators soon learned the note was from her sister, Roberta. It said, "Leslie, we're worried about you, please call me as soon as possible." Watch how the mystery began with a missed party » . Adams had been having trouble with her ex-boyfriend, Billy Joe Cook, in the days leading up to her disappearance. She had accused him of stalking her and had filed a restraining order. In the court document, she alleged that Cook had verbally and physically abused her. She said she feared for her life. A temporary restraining order was granted by the court, but Adams vanished before a scheduled hearing on the matter. Phyllis Adams said her daughter told her in their final conversation that she had argued with Cook over the phone on the previous day. According to the temporary restraining order, Cook was not to have any contact with Adams. Police brought Cook in for questioning and learned he had spoken to Adams on the phone twice the day before she last spoke to her family. Although he was questioned extensively, police have not named Cook a suspect. Police say he was very cooperative and there is no evidence suggesting his involvement in her disappearance, although they have not ruled him or anyone else out as a potential suspect or person of interest. Just when they thought the trail had gone cold, police found what could be a lead in the case. In May 2007, clothing was recovered that could belong to the missing hair-dresser. Police found a pair of men's size 8 Reebok sneakers, size 10 capri pants, and a black sweater in the woods along I-85 in Franklin County, 90 miles from Adams' home in Atlanta. They also discovered human bones and a breast implant near the clothing. Police have sent the remains to a DNA testing lab and they have yet to be identified. The results are inconclusive, and police continue to collect DNA samples from Adams family members for future tests. Leslie Marva Adams is an African-American female who stands 5 feet 5 inches, weighs 130 pounds, and has breast implants. Family members fear the remains could be Leslie Adams, but they are still hopeful that she will be found alive and well. Burk, Adams' daughter, says she struggles with her emotions at this time of year. "I still believe she is alive and we will find her, but this time of year is very hard," she said, fighting the tears. "It's my aunt's birthday, the day my mom didn't show up and we never saw her again, so it's hard not to break down." Police and family urge anyone with information on the whereabouts of Leslie Adams to call the Gwinett County Police Department at (770) 513-5300. There is a $25,000 reward for information that helps locate Leslie Adams or leads to the arrest of the person responsible for her disappearance.
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Atlanta hair stylist Leslie Marva Adams disappeared three years ago .
She failed to show up at her sister's birthday party .
Adams had taken out a restraining order against an ex-boyfriend .
Police continue with DNA tests to determine if skeletal remains are hers .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 04:27 EST, 5 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:05 EST, 5 March 2013 . The jury in the trial of a New York police officer accused of conspiring to cannibalism were forced to watch a video of a woman made to appear to be cooked over an open flame. The evidence, taken from websites devoted to torturing and eating women visited by Officer Gilberto Valle, also included images of women with apples in their mouths and instructions on ‘how to cook a girl’. The government rested a week after it began trying to prove that Valle tried to conspire with others on the Internet to kidnap, kill and cannibalize six women, including friends and his wife. On trial: Gilberto Valle visited websites containing instructions on how to tie up, 'chloroform' and cook a girl . Earlier, FBI computer forensics . examiner Stephen Flatly testified Valle frequently visited websites . showing women being tortured, including one that offered images of women . who did not survive. ‘Some are dead. A couple of them appeared to have been strangled,’ he said. As Mr Flatly described the images . displayed on video monitors in federal court in Manhattan, shocked . jurors put hands to their mouths and displayed other signs of distress. One cannibalism website allegedly visited by Valle promised customers they would ‘only receive the highest quality human beef.’ The jury also heard how the officer . allegedly looked up ‘how to tie up a girl,’ ''human meat recipes,’ ‘how . to chloroform a girl,’ ‘I want to sell a girl slave,’ ‘how to cook a . girl,’ ‘death fetish’ and ‘huge cooking tray’ among other topics the . defense says were part of a fetish fantasy that never posed a real . threat. View of Federal Courthouse in Manhattan where the trial of New York Police Department officer Gilberto Valle, accused of conspiring to kidnap women that he planned to cook and eat, began . An undated photo submitted as evidence shows Gilberto Valle with his daughter. Valle is accused of conspiracy to kidnap a woman and unauthorized use of a law enforcement database that prosecutors say he used to help build a list of potential targets . The video showed to the jury, which . was found by the FBI on Valle’s computer, is apparently staged and shows . a naked, screaming woman hanging over an open flame. Two images of naked women roasting on a . giant spit were discovered in a computer file of several dozen . photographs that Valle kept on a former college friend whom prosecutors . have identified as a target of the alleged plot. The face of one woman prosecutors say he targeted was cut out and pasted onto a cartoon of a woman being boiled in a pot. Prosecutors also had wanted to present . as many as 34 exhibits of even more ghastly images found on Valle's . computer depicting women being tortured, dead bodies and body parts. They include a picture of a dead body . with the feet cut off which Valle's wife testified she saw when she went . to one of his favorite sites and discovered why he stayed up late . online. However U.S. District Judge Paul . Gardephe ruled they were not admissible because they were automatically . stored in cache files on Valle's computer. ‘What we don't have is proof that he ever saw the images here,’ he said at the start of the second week of the trial. Wife: In this courthouse sketch, Kathleen Mangan, right, testifies about discovering her husband's sick fetish for torturing and eating women . On trial: In this courtroom sketch, Gilberto Valle is seen in federal court in New York as his wife, Kathleen Mangan testifies . Cannibal Cop: The former New York City police officer Gilberto Valle, is alleged to have conspired to kidnap, kill and eat six women, including his wife . However, the judge permitted the . screenshots of Valle's Internet searches about cannibalism as well as . proof that the officer looked up articles written about the rape and . murder of a young woman and others about a 15-year-old girl who was . kidnapped and murdered in California. The browsing history also showed that . an article titled ‘Cannibalism can be addictive, expert says’ and . Facebook pages of alleged targets were viewed. As soon as the government finished, . defense lawyers asked the judge to acquit their client, saying . prosecutors failed to present sufficient evidence to let a jury decide . whether Valle planned to carry out a crime. A judge reserved decision. Defense attorney Julia Gatto said it has not yet been decided whether . the officer will testify. Earlier in the trial, prosecutors . claimed the 28-year-old was involved in online chats with a Pakistani . man to whom he offered his ex wife for meat. At Manhattan Federal Court last week, . testimony by FBI Agent Corey Walsh outlined an an online chat between . Valle and a man named Aly Khan last year, where Khan said he 'would love . to slaughter a girl and make her meat'. Valle, who met Khan on a website for . people who fantasise about eating human flesh, wrote that he was 'trying . to pick out a girl who i can send over'. He added: 'I can talk my girlfriend into going to India,' where Walsh said Aly Khan claimed to live. Testimony: Kathleen Mangan, pictured right as she's driven away from court on Monday . Warped: The websites visited by Valle contained images of women with apples in their mouths . Prosecution case: A passage of a Federal complaint filed in New York against Valle . He was referencing Kathleen Mangan, the . woman who would become Valle’s wife about six months later and informed . police about her husband's sexual fantasies after she found material on . his laptop. The pair have a baby daughter. They go on to talk about 'humiliating' Mangan, taking turns raping her and then slaughtering her together. Valle, 28, has been held without bail . since his October arrest. Throughout the trial, his lawyers have . attacked government evidence as nothing more than a man fantasizing with . like-minded people. The government has conceded that Valle never met . the purported Internet co-conspirators and that no women were harmed. Jurors have heard testimony from . Valle's estranged wife and from former classmates and other women who . said they knew Valle on a casual basis and never considered him . dangerous. Their testimony was followed by evidence that all of them . were the subjects of emails and chats describing how they could be . snatched away and eaten. The . charges of conspiracy to kidnap and improper use of a federal database . system could bring Valle, 28, a life sentence if he's convicted. 'Discovered': Kathleen Mangan, 28, pictured with her husband, was offered up to a Pakistani man to be cooked and eaten . Harrowing: He allegedly discussed how to kill a woman by slowly cooking her over emails with co-conspirators . Officer: Valle worked at the New York Police Department's 29th precinct .
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Gilberto Valle, 28, visited websites with recipes for human meat .
Jury made to watch horrifying video of staged 'cooking' of women .
New York Cannibal Cop accused of conspiring to kidnap and eat six women .
One of the six women was his wife with whom he has a daughter .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . Investigators are piecing together the details of a devastating boating accident in Florida that claimed the lives of four young people, but one victim's family says it doesn't matter what happened; all that matters is that their daughter is gone. The devastated parents of Kelsie Karpiak, 24, who was killed when three boats collided in Dinner Key Marina have spoken about their heartbreak at the loss of their daughter. Rosanna and Craig Karpiak said their daughter wasn't even planning to go out the night of the accident, but received a last minute call from a friend. Unbearable loss: The Karpiak's daughter was sleeping on their couch when a friend called to invite her out on July 4 . Young life: Kelsie Karpiak was due to return to Jacksonville today to work for a dance company, but her family must now plan her funeral . 'The only thing that matters is that my daughter's gone and nothing's going to bring her back,' Craig Karpiak told NBC. 'It doesn't matter, the investigation will be what it is and what happened, happened.' Also killed were 23-year-olds Andrew Garcia and Tori Dempsey who were on the boat with Karpiak. The fourth victim was Jason Soleimani, 23, who was aboard another boat. Another victim, Catherine Payan, 24, is in hospital in a coma with serious brain injuries. Kelsie Karpiak was due to return to Jacksonville to work with a dance company Monday, but instead, her parents must plan for her funeral. 'Our family is devastated and there's three other families in this city that are devastated also, all young kids and that's all that matters,' Craig Karpiak said. Rosanna Karpiak says she has gotten some measure of comfort knowing that her daughter is with God. 'Life is short and as it is and you have to be ready and our daughter was ready,' Rosanna Karpiak told NBC. 'She believed in Jesus and she was saved and I know that she's in heaven and I know it because God has comforted my heart.' Chaotic scene: Bodies were pulled from the water after the boat crashes that caused injuries and four deaths . Tragedy: Kelsie Karpiak (left) and Tori Dempsey (right) both died as a result of the horror crash . Unthinkable: Andrew Garcia (left) was found dead in the water by his father. Catherine Payan (right) miraculously survived but is unresponsive in a hospital bed . Comfort: The Karpiaks say they know their daughter is with God in heaven . The horrific scene unfolded after . 10.30pm after the three boats, including a 36-foot yacht collided in . what authorities called a 'mad dash' for the marina. The other two boats . were smaller fishing-type watercrafts, said police. Multiple . law enforcement agencies responded to the crash Friday night near the . Dinner Key Marina in Miami, with officers plucking several people out of . the water. Garcia, an avid fisherman and boater, is believed to have been behind the wheel of the vessel carrying Karpiak and Payan, as well as another female, when it slammed into another boat, police sources told WSVN. He was instantly ejected into the water as the boat ricocheted into another one - his body was found in the harbor along with Dempsey's, police said. Payan sustained severe head trauma, sources told WSVN, her long-term prognosis is not known. Rescuers . were alerted by one of the boaters at about 10:45pm He said he'd . been hit by another vessel and that his 36-foot pleasure craft was . taking on water, authorities said. 'We kept getting report after report of more people in the water,' Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Ignatius Carroll said during a press briefing. Destroyed: one of the boats in the collision sustained heavy damage . Helping hand: That same boat had to be towed to shore . Mobbed with emergency responders: Firefighters, paramedics and police flooded the scene late last night . The chaotic scene only grew worse as police had trouble determining how many people were actually in the water. 'The numbers kept growing and growing,' said Carroll. Eight people were initially transported to Miami hospitals. Garcia's father aided in the search for his son. 'I’ve paid the ultimate price, I’m out on my boat looking for my son’s body,' his father Jack Garcia texted a WFOR reporter. Jack Garcia is a retired fire boat captain from Miami-Dade Fire-Rescue. Carroll detailed the manic search and rescue effort in the moments after the crash in comments reported by the Miami Herald. EMTs were simultaneously performing CPR on three people as shouts of more bodies in the water kept calling out. Boats were going back and forth from water to land with people scooped to safety. 'We had boats motorcading back and forth bringing in injured people,' said Carroll. 'They were out there in the dark. What was really challenging was you don’t know how many people were on the boats. In a hurry: Emergency workers carry an injured person on a stretcher on Friday night, July 4, 2014 after three boats collided near a Miami marina around the end of a fireworks display . Medivac: Emergency workers bring another injured person to a helicopter for quick transport to a hospital . Lucky to be alive: Emergency workers treat a handful of the dozens injured in ambulances away from the docks . 'There were people who were traumatized, injured, confused,' said Carroll. 'We weren’t getting accurate counts of people. We were trying to determine, did we have everybody? And then we found out there was still a possibility two people were still missing'. The boaters are believed to have been taking in a fireworks display a short time earlier. 'My understanding is they may have been out there enjoying the fireworks display, and typically after the fireworks are over, everyone makes a mad dash for the nearest marina,' said Jorge Pino, a public information officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. However, Pino cautioned that the exact circumstances were still under investigation. Carroll recounted how anxious relatives waited for news of their loved ones at the dock. One man, he recalled, worried about his two grandchildren. Both arrived safely to shore. 'We were relieved to be able to let him know that they were OK,' Carroll said. Karpiak was a cheerleader during high school and even performed in the 2007 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, according to the Miami Herald.
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Andrew Garcia, 23, Tori Dempsey, 23, Kelsie Karpiak, 24, and Jason Soleimani, 23, were killed after being thrown from their boats .
Karpiak's parents have spoken about the devastating loss of their daughter .
'The only thing that matters is that my daughter's gone and nothing's going to bring her back,' Craig Karpiak said .
Garcia's father found his son's body during a Saturday morning search .
It is not known if alcohol or drugs are to blame .
Catherine Payan, 24, remains in a coma in hospital with severe head injuries .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 12:57 EST, 14 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 15:46 EST, 14 September 2012 . Former Premier League footballer Gary Neville has been given the green light to build his controversial 'Teletubby' home - almost three years after plans were first unveiled. The Sky Sports pundit, who ditched earlier plans to power the 'carbon neutral' home with a wind turbine, was yesterday given permission to build the house in the heart of rural Lancashire by Bolton council’s planning committee. Councillor Andy Morgan, one of the committee members, said the application was innovative and that it was one of the only plans he had seen that was 'code 6' - the highest available score on a government energy rating system. Futuristic: An earlier artist's impression of Gary Neville's eco-home . Mr Morgan said: 'The turbine was the main issue for residents and it’s now gone. I believe the exceptional circumstances have been met because of code six and it is still an attractive and modern building. 'It’s not too obtrusive for residents and it’s a build which absolutely protects the environment. 'I think as a committee we should support this application.' Laa Laa Land: The innovative design is intended to have minimal impact on views of the Lancashire hills and has been likened to a Neolithic settlement . Proposals to include a 100-foot wind turbine were dropped by the former Manchester United player when developers came up with even 'greener' ways to power the house - which will be the first carbon-neutral house in Bolton and in the North West. It will include a ground source heat pump, sustainable rainwater harvesting and photovoltaic cells, which convert light into electricity. Mike Ralph, representing Neville, told the meeting: 'The first application generated over 100 objections, so before this new application we were careful to make sure with local residents, the plans take them into consideration. Home sweet home: Gary Neville can now look forward to building his eco-home after altering the design . 'There have been a few obstacles along the way, but the latest application only received two objections. 'There have been numerous people say to us they are grateful he has gone away and given a more thoughtful application. 'It will be smaller than before and will only take four to five months to build rather than the original 18 to 20 months.' The amount of land the five-bedroom home will take up has been also been reduced, because it will be built over two floors instead of just one storey. Much of the construction will take place off-site, reducing the time it will take to build the house and the potential noise and disturbance to neighbours.
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Gary Neville's 'innovative' 5-bed eco-home designs given planning permission since abandoning wind turbine proposal .
Will be first carbon-neutral house in Bolton and the North West .
Includes ground source heat pump and rainwater harvesting .
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(CNN)The idea of sustainable development is that raw capitalism is far too powerful for its own good. Global capitalism is a juggernaut, with the world economy now doubling in size every generation. Yet on a finite Earth, with a billion new people being added every 15 years, that juggernaut is now laying siege to the physical bases of life and the social support systems that make life pleasant and decent. Sustainable development offers a path out of this growing crisis. The reality is that raw capitalism is the economics of greed. Unleash greed, the theory goes, and type-A personalities around the world will spend inordinate energy to organize businesses, invent new products, and thereby raise well-being. And in some sense, there's a lot to say for this theory. After all, the world economy has expanded at least 100-fold since modern industrial capitalism first found its footing in Britain around 1800, and for most of the world, living standards have risen markedly along the way. Yet history has also taught us that the "Invisible Hand" of the free market is a little less miraculous than it looks. Instead, untrammeled greed also leads to massive fraud, mega-tax evasion, pervasive bribery, modern slavery, rising inequalities, and environmental destruction. Perhaps most important, it feeds moral blindness. Too many of the super-rich, whether they are calling for drilling in the Arctic for oil or encouraging the cutting down of the rainforests for tropical hardwoods, simply deny the irreparable damage they are causing to the planet. It¹s no surprise that the Wall Street Journal runs anti-environmental editorials on what feels like a daily basis. The environment is a nuisance and a hindrance to greed. And greed rules the moral order at the top of raw capitalism. Novelists, ethicists, activists, unionists, preachers, teachers, and others have long known these facts, but the juggernaut has proved hard to tame. Unleash greed as the supreme economic good, and it is greed that we get as the ultimate moral arbiter. Sustainable development is a doctrine that says: Let us once again place the economy on a true moral foundation and we'll keep greed within bounds, ensuring the economic growth is combined with social fairness and environmental sustainability. The idea of sustainable development is that an economy must satisfy all three principles: economic growth, social fairness and environmental sustainability. Yes, there can and should be economic growth, especially for today's developing countries. Human ingenuity and markets can indeed lead us to higher living standards and longer lives for all parts of the world, rich and poor alike. But these gains should be widely shared and should never be based on the exploitation of those at the bottom of society. Social inclusion has been widely shown to improve societal progress broadly for all. And equally important, those gains should be based on true value added, not on the destruction of natural capital, whether through deforestation, climate change, or pollution of air, land, and water. Thus, sustainable development calls for a holistic approach that combines economic, social, and environmental objectives. This balanced approach is much harder to achieve than the raw capitalism that places the economy above society and the physical Earth. Yet it recognizes that we are doomed to conflict and even collapse if we fail to promote social equality and environmental sustainability. Just look at the recent news. Last year was the Earth's hottest year on record, and another year of mega-storms, droughts, floods, and heat waves. Major parts of the world, from Pakistan and Iran to California and Brazil, are experiencing mega-droughts, and the prospect of catastrophic water scarcity in the future unless something changes. And even as the world economy grows and millions escape extreme poverty, our societies become more unequal, less trusting, and corrupt. All over the world, there is unrest on the streets even as our generation is the beneficiary of unprecedented technological knowhow and material progress. In my new book, The Age of Sustainable Development, I¹ve not only analyzed the trends of growing inequality and rising environmental destruction, but have also shown how the concepts of sustainable development can be used to chart a way out of our growing crisis. It turns out that with goodwill, cooperation, greed kept in check, and technological savvy, we can build a modern global economy that is productive, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable all at the same time. The ongoing revolution of information and communications technology (ICT) is an incredibly powerful enabler of new sustainable technologies. And doubters about the feasibility of sustainable development should have a look at Scandinavia ¬ Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, as they are the closest on the planet to achieving this Trifecta of prosperity, fairness, and sustainability. Consider the challenge of climate change, for example. Big Oil and Wall Street executives too often simply deny the science. Yet a science-based sustainable development perspective shows that not only is human-induced climate change very real and very dangerous, but that it is also solvable at very low cost by switching over the next 30 years to electric vehicles, heat pumps, well-insulated buildings, smart ICT-enabled grid, wind and solar energy, and other low-carbon and energy efficient technologies. If the world takes the time to do its homework and plan for the future, the world can bring the climate crisis under control and still enjoy a growing supply of quality energy services. And, more generally, although the U.S. political system still feeds untrammeled greed by enabling super-rich campaign donors and lobbyists to buy the political class, the American people and much of the rest of the world are coming to recognize the urgency of sustainable development. That is why governments around the world will adopt Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) this year, on the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. These new SDGs will become markers and guideposts for building a world that combines prosperity, fairness, and environmental sanity -- a world we truly want and need for ourselves and our children.
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Jeffrey Sachs: Raw capitalism is the economics of greed .
Last year was the Earth's hottest year on record, he says .
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(CNN) -- Washington was a sea of smartphones snapping photos on Monday throughout the pomp and circumstance of Inauguration Day. Between the glamorous gowns, the presidential oath, and the parade of marching bands, it was a day meant to be documented. But we made a discovery during it all: Just as interesting as the photos themselves were the people taking them. Back in 2009, the inauguration was a huge deal -- an estimated 1.8 million people packed the National Mall to see America's first African-American president make history. Not surprisingly, CNN iReport saw a record number of contributions that day: nearly 12,000 submissions of "the moment," when President Obama took the oath of office. This time, things were different. There were fewer attendees -- officials estimated between 800,000 to 900,000 people attended Monday's inauguration. But, more importantly, the social media landscape has dramatically changed in the past four years. So this time around, we invited our audience to document the inauguration through Instagram, the mobile photo-sharing site that was launched in October 2010 and now boasts an impressive 90 million monthly active users. The call to action was simple -- we invited attendees to take an Instagram shot of themselves during the inaugural festivities, tag the photo #cnn, and share why they made the trek to Washington -- and the end result was fantastic. Between Sunday and Monday, we received more than 10,300 photos and showcased some of the best submissions in a custom interactive. Others uploaded photos to iReport, CNN's global participatory news community. Together, the photos tell you a story about the people assembled for Obama's second inauguration. The crowd was diverse, made up of people old and young, black and white. There were families and groups of friends. For some, it was their first inauguration. Others were back to see Obama's inaugural speech a second time. It was cold and sunny, as evidenced by the number of winter hats and sunglasses in the crowd. At least one attendee, though, used her shades to block more than just the sunshine. "I was a total crybaby out there," she wrote. American flags were the other accessory du jour. "Don't even think about going without a flag," advised iReporter Lisa Clemans-Cope, mother of two young girls. At least one attendee made a point to stand out among the rest -- in a clever homemade "Obama Care Bear" costume. There were notable attendees in the crowd -- "Glee's" Darren Criss, Rep. Grace Meng, D-New York, and comedian Hal Sparks all joined the Instagram + iReport project -- alongside average citizens. And most everyone was grinning ear to ear, except for one man who documented his frustration with the glitchy Mall television feed. Finally, there were the stories behind the photos. Renee Chrisman shared a photo of her husband, Gunnery Sgt. Bradley Chrisman, who was chosen to escort inaugural VIPs onto the stage. Renee and their children were glued to the television set at home in North Carolina hoping to see Bradley in action. "We caught a glimpse of him standing to the right of the president," she gushed. Political science student John White took notes during the ceremony. "I plan on pursuing a career in national politics," he said. "Now that I am beginning to lay out the work for my future career, this inauguration is my first step." And for Becky Primeaux, attending the inauguration meant she could cross off an item on her "bucket list." "To be part of something that is so patriotic and historic is so exciting," she said. "I think every American should (attend an inauguration) in their life."
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CNN iReport and Instagram teamed up to see who attended the inauguration and why .
More than 10,300 people sent in photos, and the pictures paint a diverse portrait of the crowd .
"To be part of something that is so patriotic and historic is so exciting," said one iReporter .
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New Delhi, India (CNN) -- After harsh criticism and controversy, the 2010 Commonwealth Games began Sunday in New Delhi with a lavish opening ceremony. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium gleamed with multi-colored lights as representatives from Commonwealth countries walked the length of the field by turns, waving their flags and wearing traditional native costumes. It's the first time India has hosted the international sporting event between countries of the former British Empire. The games, held every four years, include many Olympic events as well as other sports played traditionally in those countries. Are you in India for the games? Share you photos and videos . Britain's Prince Charles and Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil officially declared the games open. Prince Charles was representing his mother, Queen Elizabeth. As the spotlight shines on the country, a team official of the nation's bowling team was suspected of having dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease. Ruptu Gogoi is undergoing tests and the doctor will get the results Sunday evening, said Dr. Om Bharti, who was on duty at GB Pant hospital. Despite the setback, the event began as planned. Excitement filled the air in New Delhi after days of fears that India simply would not be ready in time. Athletes had expressed alarm over the poor condition of their village. Others charged shoddy construction and slammed the government for corruption. The games give India an opportunity to promote a shiny image as an emerging power. The government spent billions on a new international airport, additional metro lines and fresh landscaping along dingy Delhi roads. Still, India remains a country with millions of poor people, who feel brushed aside as the new India tried to put its best face forward. People like Shanti, a 65-year-old beggar, who said she was detained by police for sitting on the side of a street, where she always sits, hoping that passers-by will drop a few coins in her hands. Or Mala Mangla, who sells balloons on the streets. She said police have told her to disappear for at least a month. India, they said, was trying to hide them from foreign visitors. They said beggars have been warned to stay off the streets. So have vendors and children who are commonly seen going from car to car begging. And shanties have been torn down. "There has been a very strong movement by the government .. to get rid of the filth and to portray the beautified and shining India," said Maushmi Basu, a migrant worker activist. Police and government officials contacted by CNN did not return calls. The Indian government maintains that it respects the rights of the poor. But there are also laws against begging and putting up structures without proper permits. The games have been a tough act for a nation that has never hosted such a large international event. Parliament has been forced to deal with accusations of corruption in the planning of the games. Two weeks ago, gunmen fired on a tourist bus in New Delhi and injured two Taiwanese tourists. A car blaze turned out to be a crudely manufactured bomb. And a militant group warned that it planned to target the games. Indian law enforcement authorities responded with a heightened security plan, placing thousands of extra forces on the streets of the capital. If all that weren't enough, two days before athletes were scheduled to begin arriving, complaints rang out across the globe about their shoddy living quarters. "You know, construction dust is still there, filth, excrement, it really is disgusting in parts and it really requires a professional deep clean throughout the entire complex," said Michael Hooper, chief executive officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation. As if to amplify Hooper's complaint, a pedestrian bridge leading to Nehru stadium collapsed that same day. India's image was slipping faster than a rocket. Two world-class athletes canceled their trips, citing security and health concerns. Entire teams threatened to do the same, while others delayed their arrival date. Indian officials went to work on a massive clean-up effort. In the end, athletes from 71 countries showed up and have settled in. India still wants to make a lasting impression on its visitors. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit said she hoped the Commonwealth Games would leave a legacy that will ultimately make life more comfortable for the residents of India's sprawling capital -- rich and poor. Organizers certainly hope that with opening ceremonies Sunday, the glow will wipe out the gloom. CNN's Moni Basu contributed to this report.
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Commonwealth Games kick-off with lavish ceremony .
Whole national teams had threatened to pull out of the huge sports event .
New Delhi's poor say police have ordered them out of sight .
The games are a chance for India to shine on the global stage .
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The bereft widower of Lynda Bellingham decorated his hotel tree with OXO cubes in a touching tribute to his wife, after flying to Dubai because he cannot spend Christmas here without her. Michael Pattemore went abroad for the festive period because he could not bear to be at home without the 66-year-old, who died from cancer in October. Tonight, Lynda's famous 1984 OXO Christmas advert was screened on ITV after Coronation Street in another poignant tribute to the 'OXO mum'. Michael Pattemore (left), the widower of Lynda Bellingham (right), decorated a hotel tree with OXO cubes, as he flew to Dubai to spend his first Christmas without the 66-year-old . The 59-year-old tweeted that he was hanging the cubes on the tree in tribute to his 'gorgeous wife' It comes as her book, There's Something I've been Dying To Tell You, topped the best-seller list for Christmas, after nine weeks at number one. In a tweet from Dubai, Mr Pattemore - whom Lynda described as her 'rock' - wrote: 'Hi everyone, hear I am in Dubai I have hung the OXO cubes on the hotel Christmas tree in memory of my gorgeous wife xx'. Mr Pattemore had previously travelled to Dubai with Lynda nine years ago, when she surprised him with a trip there for his 50th birthday. After his wife's death, Mr Pattemore told how he wanted to return to the middle east this Christmas in a bid to bring back happy memories, rather than being at home alone without her. Tonight, Lynda's best-known OXO advert from 1984 was aired on ITV after Coronation Street in a touching tribute to the TV star . Mr Pattemore posted a second photo of the tree, which was adorned with the stock cubes advertised by Lynda. She died in October after a year-long battle with colon cancer . In a tweet from his hotel, the 59-year-old posted a picture of the tree, saying: 'People are walking around and think we are mad !!!!! Merry Christmas to you all and thank for making Lynda No 1 xxx.' He then posted to say: 'Hope you all enjoy the commercial tonight Lynda is with us all love Michael xxxx' Lynda's most famous role in the OXO adverts kept her on British TV screens for almost two decades. She also presented a number of TV shows and took part in the 2009 series of Strictly Come Dancing. Michael, who has been described as Lynda's 'rock', flew to Dubai to recreate memories from his 50th birthday, when Lynda took him there as a surprise . He previously told how he could not bear to be in the UK for his first Christmas with his beloved wife, who was known as the 'OXO mum' Before Lynda's death, the Loose Woman star had revealed plans to end her chemotherapy but said she hoped to spend one last Christmas with her family. She fought her cancer in the open, appearing on television and radio talking about her illness and her decision to stop her treatment. The actress and presenter insisted death should be confronted and discussed and made it her mission to transform it into a 'positive' thing. Lynda (pictured, left, in 1976 when she appeared in 'Yus My Dear') was known for a host of TV roles, including being a contestant in the 2009 series of Strictly Come Dancing (right) Writing in The Mail on Sunday, she said: ‘I would love to make one more Christmas, if possible, but I want to stop taking chemo around November in order to pass away by the end of January.' She also appeared on Loose Women to talk about her decision to end treatment. But she died, in her husband's arms, just 11 days after the television appearance. The cancer had also spread to her lungs and liver. Her death was met with an extraordinary outpouring of grief from the celebrity and acting world. Since Lynda's death from bowel cancer, Mr Pattemore has been raising money for her oncologist Professor Justin Stebbing's charity Action Against Cancer.
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The 66-year-old died in October after a year-long battle with colon cancer .
Michael Pattemore said he could not be in UK over Christmas without her .
He flew to Dubai where he decorated his tree in memory of the 'OXO mum'
Famous 1984 Christmas advert screened tonight after Coronation Street .
Her book topped best-seller list for Christmas, after nine weeks at top spot .
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Title: Innovative Electric Bus Fleet to Hit the Streets of San Francisco Starting Next Month
Subtitle: The city is taking significant steps towards reducing its carbon footprint with the introduction of an all-electric bus fleet.
San Francisco, CA - Residents and commuters in San Francisco are about to witness a shift in transportation as the city prepares to introduce an all-electric bus fleet starting next month. The initiative is part of the city's ongoing commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable transportation solutions.
The new electric buses will be deployed on various routes across the city, replacing some of the existing diesel-powered buses. These state-of-the-art buses are equipped with advanced technology that aims to improve efficiency, passenger comfort, and reduce emissions significantly. The electric buses are also expected to provide a quieter ride for passengers compared to traditional buses.
"Transitioning to an all-electric bus fleet is a critical step in our mission to combat climate change," said Mayor London Breed. "Not only will these buses help improve air quality, but they will also contribute to the city's economic recovery by creating local jobs."
The electric buses have been developed in collaboration with leading manufacturers and are designed specifically for urban environments. The project is expected to create around 200 new jobs within San Francisco, supporting the city's recovery from the pandemic.
City officials emphasize that this transition is just one part of a broader strategy to make San Francisco a leader in sustainable transportation solutions. Other initiatives include expanding bike lanes, promoting car-sharing programs, and investing in pedestrian infrastructure.
As the world grapples with the impact of climate change, cities like San Francisco are setting an example by implementing innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability. The introduction of the all-electric bus fleet is another significant stride towards achieving these goals and creating a healthier, more sustainable city for all residents and visitors.
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Title: All-Electric Bus Fleet to Debut in San Francisco Next Month
San Francisco will introduce an all-electric bus fleet starting next month as part of its commitment to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable transportation. The new electric buses will replace some diesel-powered buses, boasting advanced technology for efficiency, passenger comfort, and reduced emissions. Mayor London Breed emphasized the importance of this transition in combating climate change and contributing to San Francisco's economic recovery by creating local jobs.
The electric buses were developed in collaboration with leading manufacturers and are designed specifically for urban environments. The project is expected to create approximately 200 new jobs within the city, supporting its pandemic recovery. City officials view this transition as just one part of a broader strategy to make San Francisco a leader in sustainable transportation solutions, which also includes expanding bike lanes, promoting car-sharing programs, and investing in pedestrian infrastructure.
By implementing innovative solutions like the all-electric bus fleet, cities such as San Francisco are demonstrating how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability as the world addresses climate change challenges.
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Vibrio bacteria can cause gastroenteritis and cholera in humans . Normally found growing in warm and tropical waters, the bacteria now thrives in the Baltic Sea as a result of rising temperatures caused by climate change, scientists say . A temperature rise of one degree resulted in a 200 per cent increase in the number of Vibrio cases . Chances of getting a Vibrio infection still 'relatively low', say experts . By . Kerry Mcdermott . PUBLISHED: . 04:31 EST, 23 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 04:32 EST, 23 July 2012 . Thriving: Vibrio bacteria strains will continue to appear in new areas as ocean temperatures rise, experts say . The unexpected outbreak of a group of bacteria in northern Europe that can cause infectious diseases such as gastroenteritis is largely down to man-made climate change, new research shows. A study by a group of international experts has provided some of the first firm evidence that the warming patterns of the Baltic Sea have coincided with the emergence of Vibrio infections in northern Europe. Vibrios - a group of bacteria that is normally found growing in warm and tropical marine environments - can cause an array of infections in humans ranging from cholera to gastroenteritis-like symptoms from eating raw or undercooked shellfish, or from exposure to seawater. Symptoms of gastroenteritis include diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and stomach cramps. A team of scientists from Britain, Finland, Spain and the U.S. found the number and distribution of Vibrio cases in the Baltic sea area was strongly linked to peaks in sea surface temperatures. Each year the temperature rose one degree, the number of Vibrio cases rose almost 200 per cent. 'The big apparent increases that we've seen during heat wave years...tend to indicate that climate change is indeed driving infections,' Craig Baker-Austin from the UK-based Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science told Reuters. The team of scientists examined sea surface temperature records and satellite data, as well as statistics on Vibrio cases in the Baltic. Climate studies show that rising greenhouse gas emissions made global average surface temperatures increase by about 0.17 degrees Celsius per decade from 1980 to 2010. The scientists focused on the Baltic Sea in particular because it warmed at an unprecedented rate of 0.063 to 0.078 degrees Celsius a year from 1982 to 2010, or 6.3 to 7.8 degrees a century. '(It) represents, to our knowledge, the fastest warming marine ecosystem examined so far anywhere on earth,' said the paper, which was published in the journal Nature Climate Change on Sunday. Many marine bacteria thrive in warm, low-saline sea water. Climate change has also resulted in more frequent and heavier rainfall, which has reduced the salt content of estuaries and coastal wetlands. As ocean temperatures continue to rise and coastal regions in northern areas become less saline, Vibrio bacteria strains will appear in new areas, the scientists said. Rising temperatures: The Baltic Sea represents the 'fastest warming marine eco-system examined so far anywhere on earth' Vibrio outbreaks have also been recorded in temperate and cold regions in Chile, Peru, Israel, the northwest U.S. Pacific and northwest Spain, and these can be linked to warming patterns, according to the research team. 'Very few studies have looked at the risk of these infections at high latitudes,' Mr Baker-Austin said. 'Certainly the chances of getting a Vibrio infection are considered to be relatively low, and more research is focused on areas where these diseases are endemic or at least more common,' he added. Previous Vibrio outbreaks in colder regions have often been put down to a sporadic event or special conditions rather than a response to long-term climate change. This is because the effects of global warming can be more pronounced at higher latitudes and in areas which lack detailed historical climate data, the study said. The scientist said there was a growing awareness that climate and the emergence of some infectious diseases are closely linked, but added that there are 'huge data gaps in that area which need addressing'.
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Vibrio bacteria can cause gastroenteritis and cholera in humans .
Normally found growing in warm and tropical waters, the bacteria now thrives in the Baltic Sea as a result of rising temperatures caused by climate change, scientists say .
A temperature rise of one degree resulted in a 200 per cent increase in the number of Vibrio cases .
Chances of getting a Vibrio infection still 'relatively low', say experts .
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Senior Tory sources said it is 'possible' the PM may . have ridden Raisa . Mr Cameron, who went to Eton with Mrs Brooks' husband . Charlie, confirmed he had gone riding with him . The PM tells Channel Five he has not ridden the horse since he entered Downing Street in 2010 - but does not deny doing so during 2008 and 2009 . By . Tim Shipman . Last updated at 10:58 PM on 1st March 2012 . David Cameron ‘probably’ rode a retired police horse loaned to Rebekah Brooks, it emerged last night. The revelation sparked fresh questions about the Prime Minister’s closeness to the former News of the World editor and to the Murdoch media empire. Mr Cameron confirmed yesterday that he had gone riding with the journalist’s husband Charlie Brooks, who is a racehorse trainer. Revelations: The controversy surrounding a . decision to lend a Met Police horse to Rebekah Brooks may now involve . the PM after senior Tory sources admitted he could have ridden Raisa . Both are members of the so-called Chipping Norton Set, which includes Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, and which met socially until the phone hacking scandal erupted. Mrs Brooks, who also edited The Sun, is on police bail after being quizzed by detectives last July over hacking and claims that her reporters paid police officers for stories. Mr Cameron insisted he had not ridden Raisa, the animal at the heart of the ‘Horsegate’ affair, in his time in power. But senior Tory sources said it was likely he had done so before he won the keys to Number 10. Mrs Brooks's sprawling Chipping Norton home in the Cotswolds is not far from David Cameron's. Outbuildings or what appear to be stables are pictured in the foreground . Two police horses on patrol in Manchester. The Met has 120 horses in its Mounted Section which are used for public order events including football matches and demonstrations . Raisa, who has since died, has become the symbol of dubious links between the Metropolitan Police and Rupert Murdoch’s News International. The horse was loaned to Mrs Brooks between 2008 and 2010, the year Mr Cameron became PM. In an interview with Five News last night, the Prime Minister said: ‘It’s a matter of record that I have been riding with Rebekah Brooks’s husband, Charlie Brooks. ‘He is a friend of mine of 30 years standing and a neighbour in my constituency so that’s a matter of record, but since I have been Prime Minister I think I have been on a horse once and it wasn’t that one.’ A Tory source said: ‘We don’t know if he has been on Raisa. Charlie has a lot of horses. It’s possible, probable even, that he has been on that one.’ Most of the Met's police horses are retired with The Horse Trust charity in Speen, Buckinghamshire, pictured . Racing fan: Mrs Brooks, right, is pictured with Rupert Murdoch's son-in-law Matthew Freud, left, at the Cheltenham Festival . Another source close to Mr Cameron insisted the Prime Minister had no recollection of riding with Mrs Brooks. That claim was dismissed by former News of the World features writer Paul McMullan. He said: ‘Cameron went horse riding regularly with Rebekah. I know, because as well as door-stepping celebrities, I’ve also door-stepped my ex-boss by hiding in the bushes, waiting for her to come past with Cameron on a horse.’ Vanity Fair magazine claimed earlier this year that Mr Cameron was so close to Mrs Brooks that he signed his letters to her ‘love David’. Mr Cameron attended the couple’s wedding in 2009 and went to Eton with Mr Brooks. And the trainer is chair of the Heythrop hunt in Oxfordshire, which Mr Cameron has ridden with. Defence: Rupert Murdoch stood by former News International boss Brooks following the news she was loaned a horse . Confirmation of Mr Cameron’s use of Mr Brooks’s horses came after three days in which officials refused to discuss the Prime Minister’s relationship with the trainer and his wife. His official spokesman had tried to laugh off the affair on Wednesday, saying: ‘The only horses I am interested in are the type you can put a bet on. He has never been in a race in which I can back a horse.’ It is not clear whether Mr Cameron’s meetings with Mr Brooks were disclosed as part of No 10’s policy of openness about the Prime Minister’s contacts. Private and personal meetings are seldom listed. ‘Most of the Prime Minister’s meetings take place at rooms or at tables, and not on horseback,’ the spokesman joked. The saga has also led to tensions between Mrs Brooks and the Metropolitan Police, who accused her of returning Raisa ‘in a poor but not serious condition’. Mr Murdoch also defended his protégée this week, attacking Mrs Brooks’ critics on the social networking site Twitter. ‘Now they are complaining about R Brooks saving an old horse from the glue factory,’ he said. A No 10 source admitted Downing Street accepted ‘that everyone got far too close’ – an admission that Mr Cameron should have done more to insulate himself from the Murdoch empire. But a source close to the PM pointed out that Gordon Brown’s wife Sarah went as far as attending pyjama parties with Mrs Brooks. Close: Rupert Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks, pictured in July last year, have long had a close personal and professional bond .
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Senior Tory sources said it is 'possible' the PM may .
have ridden Raisa .
Mr Cameron, who went to Eton with Mrs Brooks' husband .
Charlie, confirmed he had gone riding with him .
The PM tells Channel Five he has not ridden the horse since he entered Downing Street in 2010 - but does not deny doing so during 2008 and 2009 .
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Australian novelist Richard Flanagan holds a copy of his book 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North' as he poses as winner of the 2014 Man Booker Prize . An Australian writer has won this year’s Man Booker Prize with a novel inspired by his father’s experiences as a Japanese prisoner of war. Richard Flanagan, 53, won the accolade for The Narrow Road to the Deep North, which is dedicated to ‘prisoner 335’ – his father Archie. His win will be all the more poignant since his father died last year - several hours after Flanagan called to tell him the book was finished. The novel, which is his sixth, centres upon the experiences of surgeon Dorrigo Evans in a Japanese POW camp on the now infamous Thailand-Burma railway. The Tasmanian-born author is the third Australian to win the coveted prize and will be seen by some as a conservative choice. Critics have hit out at a decision to expand the prize this year to include all English writing rather than novels only from the UK, Ireland and the Commonwealth. For the first time in its 46-year history, two American writers were shortlisted – but neither of them could win over the judges. Announcing the prize winner, judging panel chair AC Grayling said Flanagan’s book was an ‘outstanding’, ‘superb’ novel. He said: ‘It’s been a privilege to be on the Booker panel in a year when there have been such extraordinary books. And to end up with a book of this stature. ‘The best and the worst of judging books is when you come across one which kicks you so hard in the stomach that you can’t get up the next morning. You know it’s something extraordinary. And this is what happened with this book.’ He said the panel of six judges took three hours to decide and that the decision-making process was a ‘collegiate’ experience which produced a unanimous result. He added that although the nationality of the authors caused controversy this year, that he tried to block it out of his head while judging. And he said that his choice had shown fiction set in the past still had its place in contemporary culture, adding: ‘historical fiction is not history.’ ‘This is a magnificent novel of love and war,’ he added. ‘Written in a prose of extraordinary elegance and force, it bridges East and West, past and present, with a story of guilt and heroism.' Lauded: The author is congratulated by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall as he is presented with the prize at the Guildhall in London last night . He added: ‘It’s not really a war novel. It’s much more about people and their experience and their relationships. ‘The depiction is timeless. It’s not just about the Second World War, it’s about any war. It’s about the effect on the human being.’ Flanagan was presented with a trophy from The Duchess of Cornwall and a £50,000 cheque at a glittering event at London’s Guildhall last night. The shortlist also included Indian-born London Neel Mukherjee, whose The Lives Of Others, set in India, was the 5/2 favourite to win with bookmakers William Hill. Two other British authors were among the six books to be shortlisted – former winner Howard Jacobson for his novel J, and Ali Smith for her ‘genre-bending’ novel How To Be Both. The two US writers were Joshua Ferris for To Rise Again At A Decent Hour and Karen Joy for We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. Previous winners have included Hilary Mantel, who won two prizes for her novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. Yesterday, Royal Mail announced that it would create a special postmark in Flanagan’s honour.
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The book is dedicated to 'Prisoner 335' - his father Archie .
The writer's father died hours after herang him to tell him it was finished .
Judge called the book a 'magnificent novel of love and war'
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By . Sarah Womack . PUBLISHED: . 12:12 EST, 27 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:58 EST, 27 January 2014 . A female police officer is being hailed as Britain’s shortest female copper - standing at just 5ft 1in tall. PC Ellie Murphy, 21, spent two years volunteering as a special constable before joining the full-time force. She graduated from Hendon Police College on January 17 and is now a Met Police officer - where one of her colleagues is 6ft 7in. The minimum height requirement for police, which stood in place for years in the UK, has been scrapped. Ellie Murphy and Martyn Evans are two of the Metropolitan Police's latest recruits. She is the smallest officer in the UK's largest force, towered over by fellow new officer Martyn Evans who is 18 inches taller. Britain’s shortest copper is PC Robin Port, 29, of Devon and Cornwall Police, who stands at 5ft. A spokesperson for the Met police said: 'PC Ellie Murphy is attached to Twickenham Borough, aged 21 - she is 5ft 1in tall. 'She joined the police after two years as a Special in Kingston.' Martyn Evans is attached to Enfield Borough - he's 30 and 6ft 7 in tall. In the past, male recruits had to be . at least 5ft 10in and women 5ft 4in to join many forces. But from the . early 1990s, height restrictions have gradually been removed. Now, there are no British forces which still operate a minimum height requirement. It has been made illegal to discriminate against - or reject - applicants on the basis of their height. Police . say the stringent assessment procedures used during recruitment of . police officers tests many skills, including a physical ability to do . the job. It is the same . across the Channel, where the country of Napoleon once imposed minimum . height requirements for police centuries ago, raising them over the . decades as the average size of Frenchmen rose.
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The long and short of it: PC Ellie Murphy stands at just 5ft 1in tall .
She's now being hailed as Britain's shortest policewoman .
She's a full 18 inches shorter than her Met colleague Martyn Evans .
There are no height restrictions for the police now because it's deemed as discriminatory .
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By . Adam Duggan . He has a shambolic personal life and a chronic alcohol addiction which would kill a man with less seasoned liver. Yet despite these foibles, the fictional detective is perfectly capable of cracking even the most fiendishly difficult of crimes. Now a top police officer has called for authors to put aside the stereotypes exemplified by characters such as Ian Rankin’s Rebus in favour of clean-living coppers who are closer to real life. Bad example: Self destructive Inspector Rebus, played here by Ken Stott, is not an accurate description of modern policing, according to Chief Constable Nick Gargan . Inspector Morse (John Thaw), right, another television detective depiction Nick Gargan disagrees with . Avon and Somerset Chief Constable Nick Gargan also said that the work done by one man in many stories would actually be carried out by a team of 40. ‘You see a Rebus or Morse at the scene, recovering forensic exhibits, interviewing the suspect, comforting the family, arguing with the chief constable about resources’, he told The Guardian. ‘What can be a team of 20, 30 or 40 people is concentrated in the person of this one senior investigator. There are some pretty damaged individuals in too many of these books. ‘I'd quite like to see some cheery, well-balanced, well-adjusted, equally successful investigators.’ Jane Tennison (Helen Mirren), right in Prime Suspect: another police procedural series in which writers present a flawed detective taking on the job of more than one person . Chief Con Gargan, who was speaking before a talk at Chipping Norton literary festival, said he accepted that an honest depiction of police procedure would generally put audiences to sleep. But the Queen’s Police Medal winner added that officers had to operate within the law and a Rebus-style approach to policing was not acceptable. Some television viewers might disagree with what he’s saying, but Mr Gargan knows the realities of the modern police force better than most crime writers. Entering the force in 1988, he worked considerably on the investigation into the death of Princess Diana and was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in the New Year's Honours List of 2012. Queen's Police Medal recipient Nick Gargan, who has come out against the depiction of fictional police detectives and called on crime writers to portray them in a more admirable manner . Detective Inspector John Rebus, created by Scottish author Ian Rankin, on the other hand lets his personal and professional issues intertwine and often acts outside the law when making decisions, which would no doubt see him face disciplinary action if he was a real life cop. In January a senior detective in Wiltshire Police was found guilty of gross misconduct after failing to read a killer his rights before he was led to two bodies - behaviour that shows striking similarities to Rankin's fictional character. Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher should have repeatedly cautioned taxi driver Christopher Halliwell as he showed him where two victims, Sian O'Callaghan, 22, and Becky Godden-Edwards, 20, were buried. The double confession was inadmissable in court because Wiltshire Police officer Mr Fulcher, 49, had broken Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) rules. It was a scene that could have been pulled straight out of a crime novel, but with much more serious consequences for the real life detective. 'The rules and laws are there for a reason. It's not heroic to step outside the law. We shouldn't do that. We're the police', Gargan said.
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Avon and Somerset Chief Constable Nick Gargan criticises stereotypical depiction of detectives as rule-bending and self-destructive .
Believes crime writers are doing a disservice to police .
Work done by one man in many stories would actually be carried out by a team of 40 .
'An honest depiction of police procedure would generally put audiences to sleep', says a chief constable .
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By . Ashley Collman . Four years ago last Friday, Colorado hiker Zak Anderegg came across a sad scene while exploring an Arizona canyon. After repelling 350 feet down into the heart of the gorge he found an abandoned puppy, rail thin and starving. Thanks to Mr Anderegg's quick work, the dog named Riley survived and found a new, loving, home with his rescuer. 'He has become a cherished member of our family,' Mr Anderegg wrote on Riley's Facebook fan page. 'He is without doubt one of the sweetest dogs I've ever known.' Scroll down for video . Rescued: Zak Anderegg found this malnourished puppy abandoned at the bottom of an Arizona canyon four years ago . Happy dog: Four years later, the puppy named Riley is alive and well and living with his rescuer in Colorado . Mr Anderegg documented Riley's dramatic rescue on camera and the resulting footage has been viewed more than two million times on YouTube. In the 14 minute clip, Riley is first seen eating a bowl of water and dog food that Mr Anderegg fetched after finding the abandoned pup. 'As far as I'm concerned, the only way he got here without having broken legs is someone actually put him here,' Mr Anderegg says in the footage from June 20, 2010. Left to die: Mr Anderegg found Riley while exploring this canyon in Arizona on June 20, 2010 . All alone: After finding Riley at the bottom of the 350-ft canyon, he left the dog overnight with some food and a towel for a bed . To the rescue: Mr Anderegg returned the next day and repelled back into the canyon to rescue Riley armed with a dog crate . Resting: Mr Anderegg then took Riley to an animal hospital to regain his strength . Getting better: A few days later, Riley was cleared to go home with Mr Anderegg, though the puppy was still very weak . Mr Anderegg then leaves Riley with the food and a towel for a bed to return home for rescue supplies. The following morning Mr Anderegg repelled into the canyon again, this time equipped with a cage to pull the dog safely out. Riley was then taken to a local animal hospital where the abused pup he was treated for malnutrition. Mr Anderegg decided to adopt Riley and helped nurse the puppy back to full health. The Ellen DeGeneres Show airs in the UK on Really, Tuesday at 4pm (Sky 248, Virgin 267, Freeview 20) Recovering: At home with Mr Anderegg, Riley slowly gained weight and became healthy again . Good dog: Today, Riley is completely healthy and loves going for adventures with his new owner Mr Anderegg . Television debut: After gaining back his weight, Riley even appeared on the Ellen show . Star in the making: Riley wearing a tie before his big television interview . Since Riley's recovery, Mr Anderegg and his canine pal have appeared on the Today Show and the Ellen Show and regularly go on nature outings together. Mr Anderegg has even published a memoir on their story called 'Rescuing Riley, Saving Myself: A man and his dog's struggle to find salvation'. Mr Anderegg posted a new video of Riley on Friday, his so-called 're-birthday'. 'I don't know what our future holds but I am so glad to have Riley in it. Happy "re-birthday" Riley, you are loved more than you will ever know!!!' Mr Anderegg wrote on Facebook. Bark brothers: Now Riley is never alone, since Mr Anderegg has another dog named Kohi .
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Zak Anderegg of Colorado found the abandoned puppy four years ago, trapped at the bottom of an Arizona canyon .
Mr Anderegg adopted the puppy named Riley, who made a full recovery .
Today, Riley is thriving at home with Mr Anderegg and regularly joins his master for nature outings .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 11:02 PM on 6th October 2011 . Protesters calling themselves 'the 99 per . cent' continued to gather momentum in several cities across the country today, with groups descending on on Washington . D.C., Jersey and Texas. The marchers - campaigning against America's richest 'one per cent' with . perceived tax breaks and other perks - have swelled their ranks since mid September, leading President Barack Obama to call the demonstrators a 'movement'. The protests come after an NYPD officer was caught bragging about using his nightstick on Wall Street protesters just hours before violence broke out between demonstrators and police last night. In the video, which appears to have been shot just hours before last night's clashes, the officer can be heard saying 'my little night stick's going to get a work out tonight' as he saunters past a police barricade. Scroll down for video . Stand: About one thousand people gather and form a large "99%" in the middle of Freedom Plaza. The chant refers to the richest 1 per cent of Americans which the political right are trying to protect . Spread: Participants march with signs past the White House to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce during an "Occupation of Washington" protest in Washington . March: Protesters march in front of the Federal Reserve Building in Dallas today . The protests have slowly grown in size and attention over more than two weeks, with the president's acknowledgement at a news conference a sign they might be jelling into a political movement. Local protests against corporate America are planned in New Jersey on Thursday as a show of solidarity with demonstrations that started last month outside the New York Stock Exchange. Rallies met at the Statehouse in Trenton and in Jersey City. Protesters are expected to call for an end of corporate control of government. The movement has surged in less than three weeks from a ragged group in downtown Manhattan to protesters of all ages demonstrating from Seattle to Tampa. 'I am a mother. I want a better world for my children,' said Lisa Clapier, 46, a producer who lives in Venice, California, who joined protesters in Los Angeles. In Seattle, where protesters had set up an encampment in a city park, about two dozen people were arrested for defying police orders to dismantle their tents. 'The cops are doing their job, and we're going to let them do their job. Then we'll come back and occupy the park again,' said Michael Trimarco, 39, an unemployed carpenter. Spray: A Protester gets pepper sprayed at Occupy Wall Street March . Barricades: Protesters attempt to break through police lines at Wall Street and Broadway . Violence: A video posted on Youtube shows officers swinging their nightsticks at protesters has also sparked furious reaction on blogs and across the internet . Swinging: Police can be seen laying into protesters around Wall Street . Last night unions lent their muscle to the . long-running protest against Wall Street and economic inequality, . fuelling speculation about how long the camp-out in lower Manhattan - . and related demonstrations around the country - will continue. As around 5,000 protesters marched toward the New York Stock Exchange last night, demonstrators tried to storm the barricades but were stopped by police . about two blocks away. There were multiple reports of police using pepper spray to try to ward off the marchers. A video posted on Youtube shows officers swinging their nightsticks at protesters and has sparked a furious reaction among demonstrators. Police said about 28 arrests were made, mostly . for disorderly conduct. One person was arrested for assaulting an . officer; police said the officer was pushed off his scooter. Thousands of protesters, including many in union T-shirts, filled lower Manhattan's Foley Square on yesterday and then marched to Zuccotti Park, where the protesters have been camping since September 17. Line: Police officers try to restore barricades after Occupy Wall Street protesters tried to get past them and march to Wall Street . Famous: Tim Robbins speaks to Occupy Wall Street protesters at the start of a rally held at Foley Square, Manhattan . Cuffed: The protests have gathered momentum and gained participants in recent days as news of mass arrests and a coordinated media campaign seeded protests around the country . Earlier Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain told protesters in a Wall Street Journal interview: 'Don't blame Wall Street, don't blame the big banks, if you don't have a job and you're not rich, blame yourself.' But labor leaders say they will continue to support the protests, both with manpower and donations of goods and services. 'The great thing about Occupy Wall Street is that they have brought the focus of the entire country on the middle class majority,' said George Aldro, 62, a member of Local 2325 of the United Auto Workers, as he carried the union's blue flag over his shoulder through lower Manhattan. 'We're in it together, and we're in it for the long haul.' The protesters have varied causes but have spoken largely about unemployment and economic inequality, reserving most of their criticism for Wall Street. 'We are the 99 percent,' they chanted, contrasting themselves with the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans. Ed Figueroa, a janitor in a public school in the Bronx and a shop steward with Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, said the march was 'the first time in these weeks that unions have shown their face.' 'But it won't be the last time,' he said. 'We'll be back.' Force: People watch from the steps of Federal Court (L) as members of trade unions join "Occupy Wall Street" protesters . Bragging: This NYPD oficer was recorded saying his night stick was 'going to get a workout' just hours before violence broke out last night . The unions were donating food, blankets and office space to the protesters, said Dan Cantor, head of the Working Families Party. But he said the young protesters would continue to head their own efforts. The movement lacks an identified leader and decisions are made during group meetings. 'They're giving more to us than we're giving to them. They're a shot in the arm to everybody,' Cantor said. 'The labor movement is following the youth of America today and that's a good thing.' Victor Rivera, a vice-president for the powerful 1199 Service Employees International Union, which represents health care workers, said the union had donated 'all the food they need for this entire week' to the Zuccotti Park campers. Union leaders had also assigned liaisons from their political action committee to work with demonstrators. 'We are here to support this movement against Wall Street's greed,' he said. 'We support the idea that the rich should pay their fair share.' Fall guy: Protesters affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement rally with a photo of JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon in Foley Square . Point: Occupy Wall Street protesters posing as billionaires stage a protest near Wall Street . Agitation: A police officer grabs the arm of a woman at the Occupy Wall Street protest . The Occupy Wall Street protests started Sept. 17 with a few dozen demonstrators who tried to pitch tents in front of the New York Stock Exchange. Since then, hundreds have set up camp nearby in Zuccotti Park and have become increasingly organized, lining up medical aid and legal help and printing their own newspaper. On Saturday, about 700 people were arrested and given disorderly conduct summonses for spilling into the roadway of the Brooklyn Bridge despite warnings from police. A group of those arrested filed a lawsuit Tuesday, saying officers lured them into a trap before arresting them. Several Democratic lawmakers have expressed support for the protesters, but some Republican presidential candidates have rebuked them. Herman Cain called the activists 'un-American' Wednesday at a book signing in St. Petersburg, Florida. Mass: Yesterday at new York's Zuccotti Park and Foley Square, Occupy Wall Street protesters were joined by local students and unions . 'They're basically saying that somehow the government is supposed to take from those that have succeeded and give to those who want to protest,' the former pizza-company executive said. 'That's not the way America was built.' On Tuesday, CBS reported that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney called the protest "class warfare" at an appearance at a Florida retirement community. Activists have been showing solidarity with the movement in many cities: Occupy Providence. Occupy Los Angeles. Occupy Boise. More protests and sit-ins are planned across the country in the days ahead. Ride: A participant in the "Occupy Wall Street" demonstration displays a "pink unicorn" ride during a march to join teacher's unions near Wall Street yesterday . Camp: The demonstrators are protesting bank bailouts, foreclosures and high unemployment from their encampment in the financial district . Multitude: Thousands of protesters including union members and college students from an organized walkout joined the rally . On Wednesday, more than 100 people withstood an afternoon downpour in Idaho's capital to protest, including Judy Taylor, a retired property manager. 'I want change. I'm tired of things being taken away from those that need help,' she said. In Seattle, demonstrators tussled with police officers and clung to tents as they defied orders to leave a park. Police said they made 25 arrests. The reception was warmer in Los Angeles, where the City Council approved a resolution of support and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's office distributed 100 rain ponchos to activists at another days-long demonstration, according to City News Service. In Boston, hundreds of nurses and Northeastern University students rallied together to condemn what they called corporate control of government and the spiralling costs of education. The students banged on drums made of water jugs and chanted, 'Banks got bailed out, and we got sold out.' 'This is an organic process. This is a process of grassroots people coming together. It's a beautiful thing,' said David Schildmeier, spokesman for the Massachusetts Nurses Association. Many of those protesting are college students. Hundreds walked out of classes in New York, some in a show of solidarity for the Wall Street movement but many more concerned with worries closer to home. Protests were scheduled at State University of New York campuses including Albany, Buffalo, Binghamton, New Paltz and Purchase. Danielle Kingsbury, a 21-year-old senior from New Paltz, said she walked out of an American literature class to show support for some of her professors who she said have had their workloads increased because of budget cuts. 'The state of education in our country is ridiculous,' said Kingsbury, who plans to teach. 'The state doesn't care about it and we need to fight back about that.'
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28 arrested after another night of violence on the streets of New York .
Washington protesters build on momentum of New York .
Video of cop boasting he looks forward to using nightstick sparks furious reaction among protesters .
Protesters 'storm the barricades' at Stock Exchange, prompting police to use pepper spray .
Herman Cain: 'If you are not rich it's your own fault'
Obama addresses protesters in economic speech .
Protests held across the country from Jersey to Washington and Dallas .
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Downton Abbey star Lesley Nicol today called for a new campaign against cruel Chinese bear bile farms after the death of a charismatic and inspiration moon bear who became a symbol of the fight. Oliver survived 30 years of captivity on a bile farm but died yesterday after beating overwhelming odds to live out the final years of his life in freedom - and was hailed yesteday as 'the bravest bear'. He won a host of celebrity admirers including Born Free star Virginia McKenna after being rescued with a group of other bears from appallingly cramped cages in a bear farm in Shandong. Lesley Nicol, who plays chef Mrs Patmore in the drama, told MailOnline: 'I feel devastated that amazing Oliver is no longer with us. His horrendous incarceration in a crush cage for 30 years is quite difficult to comprehend. 'How could any living creature cope under those conditions for that long ? So it makes him all the more special.' Oliver confounded expectations when he survived emergency roadside surgery during his dramatic rescue in 2010 to live his remaining four years in a bear sanctuary in Chengdu, western China, run by the British charity Animals Asia. Scroll down for video . Emotional: Downton Abbey star Lesley Nicol was moved to tears by the sight of him shuffling around his enclosure when she visited the Animals Asia sanctuary in Chengdu in Chengdu sanctuary in June . Tearful: Stream of employees who rescued and then cared for Oliver said their goodbyes by holding his paws on Wednesday when he was euthanised because of his worsening condition . Charming bruiser: Oliver beat the odds to survive his terrible ordeal and then enjoy his freedom at a sanctuary run by British charity Animals Asia . Ms Nichol added: 'Thank goodness he finally experienced love, and care and the respect he deserved. And bless the wonderful Animals Asia for fighting to save his life - and then caring for him so magnificently. In his memory we have to strengthen the fight to end this disgusting, inhumane practice and support the Chinese people in doing so.' A charming bruiser who seemed to shrug off the shocking infirmities wrought by years of abuse, Oliver came to epitomise the growing animal rights movement in Asia and starred in a film called Cages of Shame that helped turn public opinion against bear bile farming. Moon bears rarely live beyond 30, however, and Downton Abbey star Lesley Nicol was moved to tears by the sight of him shuffling around his enclosure when she visited the Animals Asia sanctuary in Chengdu in Chengdu sanctuary in June. But on Wednesday, as his condition worsened, vets took the decision to euthanise him and a stream of employees who helped rescue him and then cared for him at the sanctuary in his peaceful last years held his paw to say a tearful final goodbye. Animals Asia founder and CEO Jill Robinson MBE said she was heartbroken at Oliver's death but said he had won the most important battle of his life when he survived his rescue from the Shandong bear farm in 2010. 'Oliver was a broken bear when we found him,' she recalled. 'His body and legs were misshapen by years of being crushed in a cage and we feared he would not survive the 1,500 mile journey home. 'On that day, when Oliver's condition began to deteriorate – panting heavily and refusing to eat – our vets decided that only an emergency operation would save his life. Fight for life: Oliver had to undergo four hours of surgery by the roadside when he was rescued. Oliver's diseased gall bladder was removed along with a painful metal coil that had been inserted into his abdomen . Suffering: More than 10,000 endangered Asiatic black bears – known as moon bears - are confined in tiny cages from birth in farms across China and southeast Asian countries. Oliver pictured above in his cage . Harvested: Catheters are jabbed into the bears' abdomens to extract bile from their gall bladders. Bear bile sells for around £10-a-millilitre and is used in traditional Chinese medicines to treat a range of illnesses . 'He was an old bear who had suffered more than anyone can imagine but it just didn't seem right that he could be so close to freedom and not make it.' With a local police escort, the trucks carrying Oliver and the other bears rescued from the farm went to a local hospital and borrowed a bottle of oxygen needed for anaesthetic. After four hours of roadside surgery watched by a huge crowd of onlookers, Oliver's diseased gall bladder was removed along with a crude and painful metal coil that had been inserted into his abdomen to fasten the gall bladder to his abdominal wall. Robinson said: 'Oliver brought so many people together that day – from Shandong to Chengdu and across the country – and he's continued to do so ever since. As an old bear who refused to give up, his fight inspired ours. 'His story has continued to be told across the world and has raised increasing awareness of the horrors of bear bile farming. Our broken bear turned teacher and his stoic, gentle nature will continue to inspire the rescue of so many more.' More than 10,000 endangered Asiatic black bears – known as moon bears for the cream-coloured crescents on their chests – are confined in tiny cages from birth in farms across China and southeast Asian countries. Crude catheters are jabbed into the bears' abdomens to extract bile from their gall bladders. Bear bile sells for around £10-a-millilitre and is used in traditional Chinese medicines to treat a range of illnesses from haemorrhoids and sore throats to hangovers. Campaign: Animals Asia founder Jill Robinson MBE with Lesley during the visit. Other celebrity backers include Olivia Newton-John, Ricky Gervais and Dame Judi Dench . Many bears rescued from the farms are left blind or have had their teeth and claws hacked out by farmers. Many are psychologically scarred by their captivity. In a campaign backed by celebrities including Olivia Newton-John, Ricky Gervais and Dame Judi Dench, Animals Asia is working with the Chinese government to phase out bear bile farming and persuade people to use herbal alternatives. Animals Asia Vet Team Director Nic Field said: 'The entire team is devastated at Oliver's passing. Despite everything he went through, his forgiving and spirited nature touched everyone who met him. 'Oliver's story is so powerful and he has become a focal point of the growing support of our work in China. He represents the suffering of the thousands of bears still languishing on China's bear farms. 'More importantly he has been a symbol of hope. Every visitor to the sanctuary and every supporter around the world knows Oliver's story. His legacy will live on.'
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Oliver survived 30 years in captivity on a bile farm in China and beat the odds to live four more years of freedom after being rescued .
Had to undergo four hours of roadside surgery when rescued in 2010 .
Symbolised growing animal rights movement in Asia and starred in a film called Cages of Shame .
Downton Abbey actress Lesley Nicol visited him in hospital and today paid tribute to his bravery .
More details of Oliver's story and Animals Asia's work to stop the bear bile trade is available at their website. To visit click here .
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By . Gerri Peev . PUBLISHED: . 19:12 EST, 21 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:12 EST, 21 November 2013 . Anger: Chief Secretary to the Treasure Danny Alexander said there was no 'sense' behind the figures . Scotland receives more than £1,600 extra per head than the English, exposing the massive benefits they enjoy by being part of the Union. New national statistics published yesterday showed the glaring disparities of public spending ahead of next year’s independence referendum. England is short-changed to the tune of three per cent a year per person, while Scotland gets 16 per cent more spent on it than the UK average. Northern Ireland gets a massive 24 per cent extra spent on it proportionately and Wales 10 per cent compared to the UK average. Every Scots gets £10,152 spent on them, compared to £8,529 for the English, £9,709 for the Welsh and £10,876 for those living in Northern Ireland. The UK average spend per head is £8,788 - £1,364 more than the Scots. Those in living in the South East of England lose out the most. They get just £7,638 per head of public spending. Londoners, in contrast, have a healthy £9,435 splurged on them which the Treasury put down to the higher infrastructure and wage costs. A breakdown of the different policy areas show that Scots enjoy £307 per head spent on housing, while the English get just £138. Scots also get more than twice as much spent on them than the English on economic development: £992 per head compared to £469. Spending on health is £1,912 per person in England compared to £2,115 in Scotland, where prescriptions are free. Education is another area where Scots get more resources - as well as not paying university tuition fees. Some £1,441 is spent per head on education in Scotland compared to £1,360 in England. Scots, who enjoy free personal care, have £1,857 spent on them for social care and pensions, compared to £1,652 for the English. The figures were seized on by UK ministers who argued that they showed the advantage Scotland gets from being part of the Union. Chief . Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, said: ‘These figures . demonstrate that the people of Scotland continue to see a real financial . benefit of over £1,300 per person compared to the UK average. The UK . remains the most successful economic, and political, union in history . and Scotland is one of its greatest success stories. It makes no sense . to put this at risk through separation.’ The generous funding package stems from the controversial Barnett formula, which was based on population, rather than need. However . council bosses in England and Wales this week called for the ‘unfair . competitive advantage’ handed to Scotland to be scrapped. Scaremongering: The SNP said Scots per head paid more tax - if North Sea Oil revenue is counted . The Local Government Association said the UK Government should dump the 34 year-old Barnett Formula. But the SNP accused the UK of scaremongering and not taking into account that Scots per head paid more tax - if North Sea Oil revenue is counted. Annabelle Ewing, the SNP MSP said: ‘The best of both worlds is an independent Scotland in charge of own abundant resources, and a relationship of equality with the rest of the UK. ‘A No vote would be the worst of all worlds because it would be a green light for the Treasury to slash Scotland’s budget and the services we all depend on. ‘ . She added that politicians south of the border were ‘itching to impose even harsher spending cuts in Scotland’. A spokesman for pro-UK campaign Better Together said: ‘These figures underline the fact that we have the best of both worlds here in Scotland. ‘We have a Scottish parliament making decisions about our health, our education and our police, and we have the strength and security of being part of the United Kingdom. Devolution works. Independence would end it and would be a huge leap into the unknown.’ The Scottish Government will next week release its white paper on what an independent Scotland would be like, should Scots vote to break away from the UK in next September’s referendum. Future: The Scottish Government will next week release its white paper on what an independent Scotland would be like . But Scotland’s Advocate General, Lord Wallace of Tankerness will say in a speech today FRI that the ‘real challenge to the Scottish Government [is] to what extend will the white paper own up to the uncertainties which would inevitably flow from a ‘Yes’ vote in a referendum’. Scotland’s membership of NATO and the European Union would have to be renegotiated and Scotland may even be deprived of using the pound as its main currency. Switching to a ‘needs-based’ formula would give England more than £4 billion extra a year to spend, the LGA said. That would amount to around £94 more per head for the English, £103 more for the Welsh, while Scots would be stripped of £846 and Northern Ireland would lose £516 per person. The First Minister of Wales this week also signalled he would veto the so-called sterling zone if Scotland voted for independence. In an article for the Scottish Daily Mail, Carwyn Jones wrote: ‘It is highly unlikely that currency union without strong fiscal controls could work, there would be too much uncertainty, it would slow down decision making and the risk to Wales and Northern Ireland would be far greater - so it would only be right for the views of the rest of the UK to be heard. ‘Given the experience of the Eurozone in recent years, and the uncertainty which surrounded the various bail-outs, then I am not convinced that a shared currency would work from the Welsh perspective.’
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National statistics showed the glaring disparities of public spending .
Scots get £10,152 spent on them, compared to £8,529 for the English .
The Local Government Association said the 34 year-old Barnett Formula should be dropped .
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By . Claire Bates . PUBLISHED: . 11:53 EST, 23 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:53 EST, 23 November 2012 . A toddler who was violently sick almost every hour of the day for the first 18 months of her life has finally been cured. Leah Hamid, now two, suffered from a rare digestive disorder, which stopped her from digesting her food and caused chronic sickness. She slept through the night for the first time since her birth after specialist surgeons opened up an obstruction causing the condition. Leah Hamid, now two, suffered from a rare disorder which stopped her digesting food and caused chronic sickness . Leah's condition, called duodenal stenosis, is a rare birth defect where a portion of the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) is narrowed. This prevents the stomach contents from flowing through at a normal rate. It's not known what causes the condition, although there may be a genetic link. Fortunately, surgeons at The Children’s Hospital, Sheffield, were confident that surgery would resolve the situation. And, in a lucky twist of fate, Leah would be the first child with her condition to have a procedure that left no scar. In the past, duodenal stenosis has been treated by an invasive operation which leaves scarring. But rather than making an incision to access the duodenum, surgeons decided they could access it by putting a flexible telescope down Leah's throat. She slept through the night for the first time ever after specialist surgeons opened up an obstruction causing the condition . During the three-hour procedure, they freed up the obstruction in her small intestine, leaving no scar or sign of surgery. Doctors snipped holes in the membrane covering . the first part of her small intestine connecting her stomach to her . digestive system using a balloon and electrical knife. Leah's mother Amanda, 34, said: 'She was like a different child after the operation, she recovered straight away and wasn’t sick. 'When she slept through the night for the first time ever I almost cried. My body naturally woke me up throughout the night to check on her and when I found her fast asleep it was amazing. I was so happy my baby was finally better.' Now recovered, Leah can play with her sister Alisha and brother Callum again . Mrs Hamid, who also has five other . children, Ashley 17, Adam 15, Alisha 11, Callum six and Cayden 18 . months, continued: 'We are so grateful for the help the surgeons have . given not only to Leah and me but to my husband and all our children. 'Now Leah is living a normal life we have much more time to spend as a family and I can concentrate on all my children equally.' Mr Sean Marven, consultant paediatric surgeon at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, who performed the operation with colleague Dr Mike Thomson, said: 'I believe this procedure has never been performed on a child with this condition in the UK before due to the rare specialist skills and equipment it requires. 'I decided the it was possible as my colleague is a rare paediatric endoscopist who has the skills to perform the procedure, and because we possess the specialist equipment needed, including a double channel operating endoscope which cost £64,000, and was funded by The Children's Hospital Charity.' He added: 'The operation was a complete . success, Leah was in much less pain and had a quicker recovery. If it . had been done the regular way it would have left a big scar. We don’t . expect her to have any problems later in life.'
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Leah Hamid, now two, suffered from a .
rare disorder which stopped her digesting food and .
caused chronic sickness .
Became the first child in the UK with her condition to have a procedure that left no scar .
Slept through the night for the first time ever after operation .
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(CNN) -- The president of soccer's global governing body has urged the Israeli Football Association (IFA) to intervene in the case of a hunger striking Palestinian footballer. FIFA president Sepp Blatter "expressed grave concern" regarding the incarceration of members of the Palestine team in Israel, including Mahmoud Sarsak who is on hunger strike. "The reports FIFA received state that in apparent violation of their integrity and human rights and without the apparent right of a due process (trial), several Palestine football players have allegedly been illegally detained by Israeli authorities," read a statement on the organization's website. "FIFA urgently calls on IFA to draw the attention of the Israeli competent authorities to the present matter, with the aim of ensuring the physical integrity of the concerned players as well as their right for due process." The global organization which represents professional footballers FIFPro has called for the immediate release of Sarsak, who has been imprisoned since being arrested at a checkpoint while attempting to enter the West Bank in June 2009.. "FIFPro, the voice of all professional footballers in the world, demands that Mahmoud Sarsak be released from prison," said the release on FIFPro's website. "The 25-year-old footballer has not eaten for 85 days and has lost approximately thirty kilos in weight. According to human rights organization Addameer the situation of Mahmoud is critical. "FIFPro is deeply concerned about Sarsak's health and about his imprisonment and therefore asks for his release from jail." FIFPro's vice-president Philippe Piat described Sarsak's situation as an "injustice." "The freedom of movement is a fundamental right of every citizen," said Piat. "It is also written down in the FIFA Regulations that players must be allowed to play for the national team of their country. "But actually for some footballers it is impossible to defend the colors of their country. They cannot cross the border. They cannot visit their family. They are locked up." The Israeli Embassy in London was not immediately available for comment.
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FIFA president Sepp Blatter calls for IFA to act on imprisoned Palestine players .
Mahmoud Sarsak has been in jail in Israel since June 2009 .
Sarsak has been on hunger strike in protest against his continued incarceration .
FIFPro calls the situation an "injustice" and call for Sarsak's release .
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North Korea threatened Tuesday to nullify the armistice agreement that ended the Korean War in 1953, citing U.S.-led international moves to impose new sanctions against it over its recent nuclear test, the North's official news agency KCNA reported. Pyongyang's military said it will also cut off direct phone links with South Korea at the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom, KCNA added. Q&A: How worried should we be about North Korea's nuclear test? North and South Korea have technically been at war for decades. The 1950-53 civil war ended in a truce rather than a peace treaty. This is not the first time Pyongyang's rhetoric has written off the armistice. In the aftermath of a previous nuclear test in 2009, it said its military would no longer be bound by the agreement because South Korea was joining a U.S.-led anti-proliferation plan. The North's latest threat comes amid new international efforts to clamp down on its weapons program. A draft U.S. resolution to authorize more sanctions against Pyongyang in response to its controversial nuclear test was formally introduced Tuesday at the U.N. Security Council by U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice. A senior Obama administration official earlier told CNN that the United States and China, a key North Korean ally, had reached a tentative deal on the wording of the proposed resolution. The two nations had been negotiating for weeks on the question. According to a Security Council diplomat familiar with the negotiations, the draft resolution contains sanctions targeting specific technology known to be used for uranium enrichment. These new sanctions go beyond those contained in existing resolutions. The draft sanctions resolution also includes restrictions on a list of luxury goods such as jewelry, yachts, luxury automobiles and racing cars, according to the diplomat. These are specifically singling out the interests of the regime's ruling elite. Some luxury goods had already been banned by a Security Council resolution prompted by North Korea's first nuclear test in 2006. For the first time, the Security Council would be pressuring North Korean diplomatic personnel, calling for vigilance on diplomats engaged in illicit activities such as moving large amounts of cash across borders. The draft sanctions resolution would aim to stop North Korean officials using diplomatic pouches to bring money back to North Korea, according to the person familiar with the negotiations. A vote on the resolution is expected later this week. The diplomat said the United States and China are satisfied with the text and see it as balanced and appropriate. The members of the Security Council may make minor technical changes, but no major changes to the resolution are expected. 'Reckless moves' There has been major concern in recent years among world powers about North Korea's nuclear aspirations. Timeline: North Korea's rocket-fueled obsession . Pyongyang continues to make "belligerent and reckless moves that threaten the region, their neighbors and now, directly, the United States of America," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a CNN interview Tuesday. "It's very easy for Kim Jong Un to prove his good intent here also. Just don't fire the next missile. Don't have the next test. Just say you're ready to talk," said Kerry, speaking on the last full day of his first international trip as the nation's top diplomat. Kim is North Korea's leader. Addressing reporters later in Qatar, Kerry again put the onus on Kim to act, saying, "The American people and the world" would like to see him "take responsible actions" for peace. "Rather than threaten to abrogate and threaten to move in some new direction, the world would be better served" if Kim tried to engage in legitimate dialogue, Kerry said. "Our preference is not to brandish threats to each other. It's to get to the table" to negotiate, he said. As a permanent member of the Security Council with veto power, China can strongly influence the body's decisions and has previously resisted strong sanctions on the Kim regime, which it props up economically. The two communist countries have been close allies since China supported the North with materiel and troops in the Korean War. The United States backed the South in the conflict, fighting side by side with its troops. In pictures: Rare glimpse inside North Korea . Analysts say Beijing wants to maintain the North as a buffer between its border and South Korea, a U.S. ally. Beijing's government on Tuesday said it strives for a "nuclear free peninsula." It repeated its support for the U.N. Security Council's condemnation of North Korea's nuclear tests but also called for a muted response to it. 'Paying the price' Mark Fitzpatrick, director of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Programme at the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, told CNN that while the resolution will probably not be too onerous, the fact that China went along with another U.N. sanctions measure against North Korea reflects the growing anger and disillusionment that Beijing feels toward its supposed ally. "Kim Jong Un is now paying the price for going ahead with a nuclear test despite Chinese warnings not to create trouble during the political transition that has been under way in Beijing the past year," Fitzpatrick said. "The real question, though, is the degree to which China will be willing to implement the U.N. sanctions and to impose punishment of its own. "A sharp drop in Chinese grain sales to North Korea in January may be a sign that China's support for U.N. sanctions is more than just a symbolic punishment." Fitzpatrick characterized North Korea's reported threat to nullify the 1953 armistice as "largely bluster," pointing out that the country has "broken the armistice many times, most recently in 2010 by sinking a South Korean corvette and shelling a South Korean-populated island." But, he added, "the threat does point to more trouble to come from the recalcitrant hermit kingdom. Things are going to get worse before they get better." Military exercises . Pyongyang said the underground nuclear blast it conducted on February 12 was more powerful than its two previous detonations and used a smaller, lighter device, suggesting advances in its weapons program. It was the first nuclear test the isolated state has carried out since its young leader inherited power in December 2011 after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, who made building up North Korea's military strength the focus of his 17-year rule. Like the regime's previous tests in 2006 and 2009, the move prompted widespread international condemnation, as well as a promise of tough action at the United Nations. A Cold War response to North Korea's latest challenge . North Korea's government regularly rails against sanctions imposed on it. The staging this week of joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises, known as Foal Eagle, has added to the simmering tensions, KCNA reported Monday. It described the training exercises as "an open declaration of a war" in the face of repeated warnings from the North that they should not be held. The exercises have "touched off the pent-up resentment of the service personnel and people of (North Korea) and compelled them to harden their pledge to take thousand-fold retaliation against the enemies," the news agency said. But the South Korean military warned Wednesday that it would respond strongly to any attack from its northern neighbor. "If North Korea goes ahead with provocations and threatens the lives and safety of South Koreans, our military will strongly and sternly retaliate against the command and its supporting forces," Maj. Gen. Kim Yong-hyun, a senior official at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a news conference, according to the semiofficial news agency Yonhap. Kim said South Korea notified the North that the drills with the United States "are defensive in nature."
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South Korea says it will respond strongly to any threats to its citizens' safety .
Draft resolution targets the North's nuclear technology and top officials, a diplomat says .
Analyst: North Korea's threats are mostly bluster, but there is more trouble to come .
Pyongyang continues to make "belligerent and reckless moves," John Kerry says .
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Long gone are the days of scratching posts and balls of wooll; the latest must-have cat accessory is a lifelike robotic mouse. Dubbed Mousr, the smart device is the first robotic cat toy that can see and react to a feline’s movements just like real prey. And finished models of the device will use artificial intelligence to learn about a cat’s behaviour. Scroll down for video . The robotic toy uses artificial intelligence to learn and react to a cat’s behaviour, in the same way a mouse of bird would, for example. Sensors built along the sides and top of the Mousr (pictured) recognise ‘external forces’ such as a cat’s paw . ‘Keeping cats as pets indoors is only a recent trend,’ said the Illinois-based developers from Petronics. ‘As such, domestic cats have maintained their natural hunting instincts, but lack a proper outlet to express them.’ That’s where Mousr comes in. The robotic toy uses artificial intelligence to learn and react to a cat’s behaviour, in the same way a mouse of bird would, for example. Sensors built along the sides and top of the Mousr recognise ‘external forces’ such as a cat’s paw. The robotic toy uses artificial intelligence to learn and react to a cat’s behaviour, in the same way a mouse of bird would, for example. Sensors built along the sides and top of the Mousr recognise ‘external forces’ such as a cat’s paw. The gadget also has LEDs for eyes that change colour when it needs charging. While infrared sensors and a 360-degree camera means the toy can react to, dodge and entice cats to play. Plus, a speaker can be used to attract the cat's attention using your voice, or other noises. An app, that will work as a remote control for Mousr, is also in development. Backers can currently buy a Mousr for $100 (£63) from the campaign. While infrared sensors and a 360-degree camera means the toy can react to, dodge and entice cats to play. The gadget also has LEDs for eyes that change colour when it needs charging. ‘With his ability to sense and react to your cat, Mousr is the only toy capable of truly reproducing the hunting experience for indoor cats. ‘We really wanted Mousr to be as small and fast as possible, but we also wanted him to have personality. ‘We have been working with several designers and engineers with a lot of experience in order to ensure Mousr’s industrial design will be able to handle all our physical and technological requirements while remaining sleek and cute.’ The team said that to to give Mousr the kind of intelligence it needs to outsmart a cat requires in-depth knowledge of signal processing and artificial intelligence. ‘The nuances of his intelligence using his unique vision system haven't been implemented yet,' contuned the developers. 'But our team’s 14 years of combined experience in digital signal processing, low-power systems, and 3D audio localisation make us the best team for giving Mousr the intelligence he needs to truly challenge your cat.’ The gadget (pictured) also has LEDs for eyes, that change colour when it needs charging. While infrared sensors and a 360-degree camera means the toy can react to, dodge and entice cats to play. And a built-in speaker can be used to attract the cat's attention using your voice, or other noises . An app, that will work as a remote control for Mousr, is also in development. The team is seeking $100,000 (£63,200) in funding on Kickstarter , and have since raised more than $18,650 (£11,780). The campaign runs until 6 December, and if successful, will begin shipping the gadgets internationally in March 2015 . An app that will work as a remote control for Mousr is also in development. The team is seeking $100,000 (£63,200) in funding on Kickstarter, and have since raised more than $18,650 (£11,780). The campaign runs until 6 December, and if successful, will begin shipping the gadgets internationally in March 2015. Backers can currently buy a Mousr for $100 (£63) from the campaign. ‘Without a doubt, Mousr is the most technologically advanced cat toy ever to exist,' said the developers. ‘We’ve been called crazy, and maybe we are, but personally we think cats are worth it. After all, cats are people, too.’
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Sensors along the side of Mousr recognise forces such as a cat’s paw .
Infrared sensors and 360-degree camera let the toy react to and dodge cats .
Artificial intelligence will also make the Mousr mimic a cat’s prey .
Team is seeking $100,000 (£63,200) and have so-far raised $18,650 (£11,780)
Campaign runs until 6 December, and if successful, devices ship in March .
Backers can currently buy a Mousr for $100 (£63) from the campaign’s page .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 12:02 EST, 20 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:40 EST, 20 November 2013 . Chinese authorities have successfully moved a 12,000 ton, six-storey building just 38 metres. Developers needed the space as part of a 'face-lift' of the area, but they did not want to lose the Zhengguanghe Building in Shanghai which has become a local landmark. So they hatched a plan to move the red-bricked building to the edge of the block. Moving day: Chinese authorities have successfully moved a 12,000 ton, six-storey building just 38 metres . Face lift: As part of a 'face-lift' of the area, developers decided to save the six-storey red brick Zhengguanghe Building in Shanghai . Moving a structure as large as the building had never been attempted before in the city and it was projected to take 20 days. Shifting the 12,000 ton structure required the use of 12 lifting jacks, each capable of lifting 200 tons, on the eastern side of the building. This was supported by a further 16 on the southern side. Operation: Moving the 12,000 ton building required the use of 12 lifting jacks, each capable of lifting 200 tons . Popular landmark: The building was designed by British architect George Wilson and was completed in 1935 . The building was designed by British architect George Wilson and was completed in 1935. It has always been one of the historic landmarks of the city due to its strong British architecture style. It was originally used as the warehouse of the Zhengguanghe soda factory, but was named a valuable historical building in 1999. The foundations will be reinforced to ensure it stands the test of time. In 2012 a 122-year-old, 6,200 ton building in Zurich was moved 60 metres to make way for the expansion of a nearby railway. The Guinness Book of Records states: 'The heaviest building moved intact is the Fu Gang Building at West Bank Road Wuzhou, in the Guangxi Province of China. 'It was successfully relocated by the Guangzhou Luban Corporation on 10 November 2004.The building weighs 15,140.4 metric tonnes (33.3 million lb) and is 34 m (111 ft) tall. 'The building was moved 35.62 metres horizontally and it took eleven days to complete the relocation at a speed of around 30 centimetres an hour.' Checks: A workman checks the structure as the move is underway . Reinforced: The foundations will be reinforced, to ensure it stands the test of time .
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Developers decided to save the six-storey red brick Zhengguanghe Building .
Used 18 lifting jacks, each capable of lifting 200 tons to move building .
Building was constructed in 1935 after being designed by British architect .
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By . Leslie Larson . PUBLISHED: . 13:20 EST, 29 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 13:40 EST, 29 August 2012 . An Army officer returning home after a year long deployment in Qatar gave his two young children the surprise of their lives. Siblings Daniel and Danica Huff were attending a school assembly at the Beaufort Elementary School in Missouri on Monday, when they were told to come forward to receive a 'special prize' in front of their classmates. Little did they know that the prize was being reunited with their dad, U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel Huff, who had been deployed since last August. Scroll down for video. A prize, for me? The school's principal invited Danica and Daniel Huff onstage during a school assembly to receive a special prize . Standing onstage, the siblings looked peaceful and calm ... that is . until their father slipped in through stage left and the brother and sister erupted in excitement. Huff's little girl, Danica, could hardly contain herself when she spotted . her daddy, waving her arms and jumping for joy as the Army officer . walked onstage and gathered up the two youngsters in his arms, in a YouTube video that makes your heart melt. Their mom, Michelle, joined the family onstage, wiping tears from her eyes as . she observed the touching scene - simply overwhelmed with emotion at the . reunion. Huff, a Military Police officer, had been stationed in Qatar since last August. That's my daddy! Danica Huff cannot contain her excitement when she realizes the prize is to see her dad . Yeah! The Huff siblings run to hug their dad, who had been deployed in Qatar for a year . Put her there: Sgt. Huff embraces son Daniel and Danica is ready to make it a group hug . He came home for two weeks leave over Christmas but had otherwise not seen his little ones. The Army soldier had actually returned home to the U.S. from the Middle East on Sunday but decided to wait to surprise his children at school the next day, in a carefully crafted plan organized by his wife and the school's principal, Mark Spann. 'Mr. Spann pulled Danica's name from a basket and told her she won a surprise and said that Daniel needed to help her with it,' the mom explained. Daddy and me: Son, Daniel, embraces his dad after a long time apart . Tender moment: Danica Huff and dad embrace during the emotional homecoming . After the heartwarming homecoming, Mr Spann asked Huff to stay onstage to . explain to the elementary school children about his work in the military. 'I . have been deployed with the United States Army for the last year,' he told . the crowd at the school in Beaufort, Missouri, as his . two children proudly looked on. 'I'm not anybody special. I'm just a Military Police officer. I went to a . small country called Qatar ... it's about the size of Connecticut,' the . humble Huff said. 'I stood at the gate to make sure the people coming onto the post were . supposed to come onto the post. That's all I did, nothing special.' Tears of joy: Mom, Michelle, wipes away tears as her children are reunited with their dad . Awww: After the outburst of joy, Danica Huff looks shy as her dad speaks to her classmates about his deployment . This was his fourth trip overseas during his nearly 15 year career as a member of the Missouri National Guard. Though Huff tried to downplay his service, the school's principal was . not having it and praised the father-of-two for being on the front . lines. 'You said you weren't anyone special but I disagree' Spann said. 'I think everyone should give him a round of applause, he's pretty . special,' as the audience stood and clapped for the returned veteran. 'We're thankful for your service. We appreciate everything you do,' he added. Friends of the Huffs took to Facebook and YouTube to join in the excitement surrounding Huff's return. 'Awesome! This is an answer to many prayers for you and your fellow military personnel to be home safe,' one friend wrote, adding, 'God Bless you and Michelle, she has done an amazing job over the last year making sure the kids know and learn to have a passion and appreciation for what others take for granted everyday.' By Wednesday, the YouTube clip had already garnered nearly 5,000 views on the video sharing website after just three days. Together at last: Danica and Daniel Huff beam with pride as their father speaks to their school assembly, while mom, Michelle, looks on . Mourning into dancing: The Huff children look sad in August 2011, when they said goodbye to their dad as his deployment began but they were beaming with joy a year later .
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Mom and school principal devised plan for surprise .
'I'm not anybody special. I'm just a Military Police officer,' Sgt. Daniel Huff tells students at Missouri elementary school .
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By . Tara Brady . PUBLISHED: . 01:51 EST, 23 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:55 EST, 23 May 2013 . Philip Hide has won £58,000 in damages after winning a legal fight against Cheltenham Racecourse . A former jockey has won £58,000 in compensation after winning a legal fight against racecourse managers following a fall which left him with a head injury and fractured pelvis. The Court of Appeal upheld Philip Hide's claim against managers of Cheltenham Racecourse. Mr Hide - who is now a trainer - had fallen from his horse Hatch a Plan at the first hurdle at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, in November 2006 and hit a post supporting a guard rail running around the perimeter of the steeplechase course, judges heard. He had claimed damages and argued the hurdle was too close to the perimeter fence and insufficiently padded. Mr Hide suggested that regulations governing work equipment had been breached. Course bosses contested his claim and a judge ruled against him following a trial at Oxford County Court in June 2012 concluding that the hurdle and guard rail were 'suitable equipment'. But three appeal judges have allowed an appeal by Mr Hide following a hearing in London. Judges said liability had been disputed but damages had been agreed at £58,000. And they said Mr Hide had made a full recovery. Lord Justice Davis, who heard Mr Hide's appeal with Lord Justice Longmore and Lord Justice McFarlane, said jump racing was 'dangerous' and Cheltenham Racecourse prided itself on its 'attention to safety considerations'. The judge said the accident had occurred in a 'most unusual way', when the horse skidded sharply after falling at the outer end of a hurdle. But he said what mattered was the 'reasonable foreseeability of a collision between horse or rider with the railings' upright at this place'. Lord Justice Davis said the judge at the county court trial had been concerned about the 'implications of a conclusion in favour of Mr Hide'. 'He was concerned about "the relentless logic of the personal injury lawyer", as he put it,' said Lord Justice Davis. Mr Hide fell from his horse Hatch a Plan at the first hurdle at Cheltenham Racecourse . 'Were jump races to be required to be made so undemanding that all horses could be expected to negotiate them without mishap? 'How were the requirements of the regulations to apply, for example, to Beecher's Brook at Aintree? 'These are understandable concerns.' But Lord Justice Davis added: 'Of course the hazards of jump and hurdle racing may lawfully remain: jumps and hurdles may properly and lawfully continue to pose challenges of varying difficulty.' He said adjustments to the layout or construction of hurdles and railings mooted in the Hide case did not affect the "integrity and ethos" of jump racing. 'What was fundamentally at issue here was not the suitability of this hurdle, taken on its own, or the suitability of the railings' upright, taken on its own," added Lord Justice Davis. 'It was a combination of matters: the location of this particular hurdle so close to this railings' upright (with its particular construction) that gave rise to the problem.'
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Philip Hide fell from his horse Hatch a Plan at the first hurdle in 2006 .
He argued the hurdle was too close to the perimeter fence and that work equipment regulations had been breached .
Mr Hide has made a full recovery and is now a trainer .
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By . Associated Press . and Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 01:42 EST, 27 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 13:46 EST, 27 January 2014 . An icy wind made its way through the Meadowlands, cut across the Hudson River and into frigid Manhattan. Looks like Mother Nature is taking seriously the NFL’s slogan for the upcoming Super Bowl: Best Served Cold. One week before kickoff, on the day the Broncos and Seahawks arrived in the frozen Big Apple, Sunday brought a bit of a thaw. Temperatures actually reached the low 20s. Hardly balmy. In the week leading up to the big game, . NFL official, players and sports fans will be hanging on the every word . of those weather-diviners: meteorologists. Scroll down for video . Flying high: Delta flight attendant Christi Turner waves a flag as the charter plane carrying the Seattle Seahawks arrives at Newark Liberty International Airport for the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game on Sunday . Preparing for battle: Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll (right) arrives at the Newark International Airport with his team to finish off their preparations for the 48th Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos . Big game: Seattle Seahawks players arrive at the Newark International Airport to finish off their preparations for the 48th Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos . No one will know for sure until kick-off whether bringing the Super Bowl to an open-air stadium for the first time in the chilly East of the country in February was a big mistake. It's too soon to tell whether Super Bowl Sunday will bring anything dramatic weather-wise, but meteorologists say there will be a weaker cold front arriving Thursday which will bring only light snow. It may be slightly warmer closer to the weekend, with temperatures looking as if they'll hit the 30s, but there could still be sleet, snow or freezing rain. Not that the guys who will take the field at MetLife Stadium have any complaints or concerns. They would play this one on the New Jersey tundra or in Death Valley. 'My team is excited,' Peyton Manning said after the Broncos’ flight landed in New Jersey. 'We worked hard to earn this opportunity. We couldn’t be more excited. 'We were excited getting on that plane and excited getting off that plane.' The average low temperature for the date of the Super Bowl in Jersey is 24 degrees Fahrenheit, according to AccuWeather.com. Fans will get Warm Welcome packs that include ear muffs, hand warmers and lip balm to try and combat the chill. Star player: Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is escorted to the team hotel Sunday in Jersey City, New Jersey before facing off against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, February 2 . Controversial: Seattle Seahawks' Richard Sherman arrives at Newark Liberty International Airport for the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game, Sunday . Frosty reception: A man runs in the snow along the East River in Brooklyn Bridge Park, New York, USA, 21 January 2014. Snow and sub-zero temperatures continue to be forecast in the region, according to weather reports . What the Broncos and Seahawks must understand is that the upcoming week is unlike anything else they experienced during the season. Or during any season. More media, for sure. A glaring spotlight on everything. Spending a week away from home. Practicing in another team’s facility: the Seahawks at the Giants’ complex across the parking lots from MetLife Stadium, the Broncos at the Jets’ place in Florham Park, about 30 minutes from the Meadowlands. Both coaches, Denver’s John Fox and Seattle’s Pete Carroll, expressed concern about the outdoor practice fields being covered with snow or frozen. Neither sounded eager about working indoors the entire week. Just another inconvenience that goes along with the Super Bowl, although the NFL said the outdoor fields will be available for practices. 'Our mentality is strong,' Carroll said. 'I think we know how to play in games like this. Hopefully we will be able to maintain that mentality that allows us to do the things we do.' Forecast unclear: Snow falls as tourists take in the New York skyline from Brooklyn Bridge Park, New York . Times Square prepares: As part of festivities, the NFL is sponsoring activities along 'Super Bowl Boulevard', located on Broadway between 34th and 47th streets in Manhattan . Not one regular Seahawks player has been this far, giving Denver something of an edge in experience. The Broncos have four: receiver Wes Welker, tight end Jacob Tamme, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and some quarterback named Peyton. Manning, of course, is the only current Bronco to have won a ring, with Indianapolis in 2007. He also lost the Super Bowl in 2010 with the Colts. 'The Super Bowl is a big deal,' he said. 'I know how hard it is to get here. I know the sacrifice the team made.' That they will sacrifice the comfort of playing in a dome, or in a warm climate, in this Super Bowl doesn’t seem to be fazing them a bit. Instead, the Broncos want to embrace the cold, the winds, the snow — and everything else that comes along this week in the first Super Bowl ever played outdoors in a cold-weather city. 'We’d love to play in 70-degree weather,' said Denver 15-year veteran cornerback Champ Bailey, who has reached his first title game. 'But if you tell me it’s 20 degrees and I am playing in the Super Bowl, I’m going to take it.' The game that stops the nation: The Fox Sports broadcast headquarters in the middle of Times Square on Super Bowl Boulevard in Midtown Manhattan in New York . Snow capped: The New York area has been experiencing heavy snowfall and bitter cold in the lead-up to the first outdoor Super Bowl . Dedicated: Denver Broncos fans wait for the players to arrive at the team hotel Sunday, January 26, 2014, in Jersey City, New Jersey . Welker, who lost both of his trips to the Super Bowl with the Patriots before joining the Broncos this season as a free agent, fully understands the issues that can arise this week. He and Manning, in particular, have counseled teammates on those pitfalls. 'It’s knowing what to expect, trying to get rid of all the nonsense that goes with the Super Bowl,' Welker said. The Seahawks certainly didn’t find their send-off in Seattle to be nonsensical, even if it got a little 'extraordinary,' as Carroll dubbed it. 'At the airport, what usually takes us about one minute to get through took 20 minutes,' defensive end Cliff Avril said about the 'thousands and thousands' of fans lining the bus route. 'They were pretty close, and we were hitting the windows inside. It was a blast.'That’s a lot of 12th Men saluting their team. 'The 12s were out there in full force,' Carroll said.
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The Bronos and the Seahawks NFL teams both arrive in Newark today .
They are here to prepare for the Super Bowl on Sunday, the first outdoor game .
The weather on the east coast is bitterly cold .
Organizers are waiting with bated breath to discover if there's a major storm predicted for Super Bowl Sunday .
It's too early to tell, but the forecast so far is a weaker cold front Thursday bringing slightly warmer weather .
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Outrage has been sparked in India after men playing the roles of terrorists in security drills were dressed as Muslims and shouted pro-Islamic slogans. A video of a drill, which was broadcast on Indian media websites, shows five policemen capturing and then pinning down three men in white knitted skullcaps before bundling them into jeeps in the Surat district of Gujarat. The drills are being carried out across Gujarat following intelligence reports that two high-profile events - Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and the Vibrant Gujarat Investors Summit - could be a the target of terror attacks. Stereotype: Policemen posing as terrorists were told to wear skullcaps during an anti-terror drill in Surat . Speakers at the summit this month will include U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry as well as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'Mock drills were carried out in 10 to 15 locations,' Deputy Superintendent of Police, Pradeep Sejul told television network NDTV. 'This should not have happened; it was an avoidable mistake. 'We assure you that if someone deliberately made the mistake, we will take action against them.' Kamal Faruqui of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board called the mock drill 'atrocious and highly condemnable'. 'It is profiling the Muslim community which is very bad. They should apologise, otherwise they should be taken to the court,' Faruqui told NDTV. Preparations: The exercise was ahead of a summit due to be attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (pictured) Police initially tried to brush off the criticism, saying the skullcaps were used 'to give them a different look', but later apologised. Videos of two more exercises show mock terrorists shouting pro-Islamic slogans, according to NDTV. In one filmed in the Narmada district, terrorists shout: 'Kill us if you want. Islam Zindabad (long live Islam).' Modi, who is leader of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, was chief minister of Gujarat during an outbreak of communal violence in 2002 which killed more than 1,000 people. Most of the victims were Muslims. Concerns about religious intolerance in secular India have grown since Modi came to power in May, fuelled by reports of Muslims and Christians being forced or induced to become Hindus in mass conversions.
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Drills have been described as 'atrocious and highly condemnable'
Police have been accused of profiling the Muslim community .
Drills were carried out in between 10 and 15 locations .
Exercises were ahead of a summit the Indian Prime Minister will attend .
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By . Chris Greenwood and Rebecca Camber . PUBLISHED: . 20:14 EST, 20 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:14 EST, 20 November 2013 . One of Britain’s most senior police officers broke ranks yesterday to admit that crime figures cannot be trusted. Mick Creedon said officers at every level are ‘inadvertently’ manipulating statistics because of the huge pressure to cut crime. The Derbyshire chief said an ‘obsession’ with measuring police performance over more than a decade has left a legacy of unwitting corruption. Statistics: Police Minister Damian Green said crime figures cannot be relied on . He was backed by other senior colleagues who said different forces are ‘inconsistent’ in how they log the trail of misery left by criminals. They said many crimes from rape to bicycle theft and criminal damage are grossly under-reported, sometimes because victims lack confidence in police. Meanwhile other fast-emerging threats such as child exploitation and abuse, as well as internet fraud and blackmail are left off official figures. Speaking at a meeting of police chiefs, Mr Creedon said levels of domestic violence and rape would soar if the ‘utter reality’ of crime was revealed. ‘Inadvertently, I think, we are still putting pressure on officers to do all they can to manipulate and create crime reductions,’ he said. ‘The truth is if we really wanted to get to get the position in crime we would see a massive increase in domestic violence. ‘It is whether we have the nerve to step away from crime reductions and the obsession with crime figures and move to a real environment where we do properly record. ‘It is sadly what is told to me by . many forces still is that everything people do everything they can to . make sure crime is not going up. ‘The consequence is another threat to integrity. This is inadvertently caused by what we have done over the past decade. ‘I don’t think they do it because they are inherently corrupt, they are doing it because the pressure is on to reduce crime.’ Mr Creedon’s unusually candid comments highlighted a rift between the Government and the highest ranks of police. They came amid reports that some forces are experiencing a rise in overall crime for the first time in many years. The Coalition says it has removed all police targets to remove red tape and enable police to be ‘single-minded crime fighters’. But . forces are still measured by their performance on key offences and . chiefs said this creates a relentless pressure to record as few crimes . as possible. Earlier this . week a serving Met officer sparked a furore when he told a Parliamentary . committee that crimes are disappearing in a ‘puff of smoke’. Accuracy: Senior colleagues of Mr Creedon said forces were inconsistent when it came to logging the trail of misery left by criminals (file picture) MPs were told official statistics are routinely massaged by officers desperate to show they are making the streets safer. At yesterday’s meeting of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), Police Minister Damian Green was told crime figures simply cannot be relied upon. Sir Peter Fahy, who heads Greater Manchester Police, said the drive to give frontline officer more discretion has led to different interpretations of how crimes are logged. He said: ‘We all know, essentially, that recorded crime is unreliable statistically because there are so many variations in it. ‘It is not about ‘fiddling’ figures, when you look at the more minimal type of crime there is a large field of interpretation about whether they are crimes or not.’ But Mr Green reacted angrily, telling chief constables that massaging crime figures crosses a ‘thick red line’ and is ‘straight-forwardly unacceptable’. He said that politicians don’t try and win elections by ‘fiddling the votes’ and that he is ‘surprised and disappointed’ by the claims. Asked if crime figures are accurate, Mr Green replied: ‘In most cases they are. We will be looking very carefully at what we have heard.’ The police watchdog, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, is undertaking a review of how all forces record crime. It is expected to uncover widespread discrepancies in whether specific incidents should be categorised as a crime, and if so, what offence took place. Gwent Chief Constable Jeff Farrar, who is the national lead on crime figures, admitted performance targets have created ‘perverse incentives’. But he said in many cases officers do not record offences in the ‘public interest’, for example over a playground dispute or when a child steals from home. Other reasons for poor or inaccurate recording could ‘lack of awareness’, work pressure and professional discretion, he added. Mr Farrar said: ‘Nobody joins the police service with the intention of recording crime inaccurately.’
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Mick Creedon said statistics are manipulated due to pressure to cut crime .
Derbyshire Chief Constable said there is an 'obsession' with performance .
Claimed crimes are under reported because victims lack confidence in the police .
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By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 08:54 EST, 20 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:29 EST, 20 May 2013 . The offices of Commons Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans have been searched by police investigating claims of rape and sexual assault. Detectives seized ‘parliamentary material’ from Mr Evans’s Westminster offices after being granted a warrant by a judge at Preston Crown Court. The Attorney General and the Solicitor General were informed about the searches and concluded that there were ‘no lawful grounds’ to oppose them. Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans was arrested earlier this month over allegations of rape and sexual assault . Commons Speaker John Bercow said he had been consulted before officers entered Parliament. At the weekend he faced renewed pressure after it emerged that a third man has told police he was also abused by the Deputy Speaker in the House of Commons two years ago. Mr Bercow said in a statement to MPs at the start of today's sitting, he said: 'I wish to report to the House that the rooms of a Member were searched yesterday pursuant to a warrant issued by the Circuit Judge in Preston Crown Court on 16 May. 'The warrant related to the investigation of a serious arrestable offence.' Mr Evans has been relieved of his duties chairing Commons debates since his arrest on May 4. He will not return to the job until the police inquiries have concluded. According to the Sunday Times a third alleged victim gave a statement to Lancashire constabulary after hearing about the MP's arrest over two other claims of sexual assault. A spokesman for Lancashire Police said today: 'We have confirmed that we have searched offices in London in connection with the investigation but it is inappropriate to comment any further other than to say that we have gone through all the appropriate and necessary procedures before taking this step.' Mr Evans returned to Parliament days after his arrest and release on bail, but will not take up duties chairing Commons debates while police inquiries are ongoing . Mr Bercow told today MPs that the 'precincts of Parliament are not a haven from the law'. In 2008 police controversially searched the office of Tory frontbencher Damian Green over leaks obtained from the Home Office. Commons authorities then set new rules on the execution of search warrants within Parliament. Mr Bercow said he considered the warrant to search Mr Evans' office 'personally' and was advised by Officials that 'there were no lawful grounds on which it would be proper to refuse its execution'. He also consulted the Attorney General and the Solicitor General who agreed with the advice. He went on: 'The Serjeant at Arms and Speaker's Counsel were present when the search was conducted. Undertakings have been given by the police officers as to the handling of any Parliamentary material until such time as any issue of privilege is resolved. 'The investigation is continuing and it would not be right to comment further. I will not take questions on my statement.' After being bailed Mr Evans was pictured outside a pub in his Ribble Valley constituency reading cards from wellwishers . After his arrest Mr Evans, the MP for Ribble Valley, read a statement outside his Lancashire home vehemently denying the accusations against him. The senior Tory spoke of his ‘incredulity’ after being arrested over allegations by two men he had until then ‘regarded as friends’. Mr Evans, who came out as gay in 2010 after years of gossip, said he had just endured ‘the worst 24 hours of my life’. He said: ‘The allegations are completely false and I can’t understand why they have been made. ‘I appreciate the way the police have handled this in such a sensitive manner, and I’d like to thank my colleagues, friends and members of the public who have expressed their support and – like me – a sense of incredulity at these events.’ Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons.
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Preston Crown Court orders search of rooms in Westminster .
Commons Speaker John Bercow says there were no lawful grounds to refuse police entry to Parliament .
Tory MP arrested and bailed over claims that he raped one man and sexually assaulted another .
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Viewers tuning in to enjoy daytime TV today accused ITV's This Morning of 'crossing the line', after a live vasectomy was broadcast. To mark tomorrow's World Vasectomy Day and to dispel the myths and worries around the procedure, a brave patient was filmed as he went under the knife. Volunteering for the role, the patient, named only as James, explained he was already a father of five. He told viewers: 'My wife and I have five children and we love them dearly, but we don't want any more surprises.' This Morning viewers were shocked to tune in and see a man having a vasectomy live on air . Presenters Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden express their own discomfort at the procedure, as they aimed to dispel the myths and worries surrounding vasectomies ahead of World Vasectomy Day tomorrow . Dr Jon Unwin, a Gloucestershire GP, performed the procedure, while This Morning's resident GP Dr Dawn Harper observed. In the studio, presenters Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden looked visibly uncomfortable at the graphic procedure taking place before their eyes. The camera left little to the imagination, zooming right in to the patient's genitalia and graphically showing them being operated on, as Dr Unwin described the procedure. The feature comes after the programme's resident GP Dr Dawn Harper had a smear test live on air. And earlier this year, a couple drank their own urine on the show to try and advocate the health benefits. Speaking before the procedure, James, who was given local anaesthetic, added: 'For us this is a fail safe option. 'We haven't considered any other form of contraception. Now our family's complete this is the option for us. 'I have a bit of anxiety about the procedure but we have got to move forward and so unfortunately I have to go through it.' His wife, Carolyn, added: 'We definitely don't want any more children. 'I don't have any nerves about it. It is just something he has to have done.' But having watched the eye-watering segment, some This Morning viewers took to Twitter to express their shock. But viewers tuning in expressed their shock, with @jaschambers1 accusing the show of going too far . @MrHairyBrit accused the show's images of men's genitalia of ruining his breakfast . Another viewer, @pipbrowyn1, said the segment on the show had ruined her appetite . While @perla_illy told her followers the live operation had left her feeling sick . And @stuartaelmore tweeted 'a warning would have been nice' @jaschambers1 accused the show, which has recently aired a live smear test and a breast examination on air, of going too far. She tweeted: 'oh my lord, this morning has crossed the line, no one wants to see a vasectomy live.' Another viewer @pipbrowyn wrote: 'Um #thismorning cheers for showing a live vasectomy. That's my appetite gone for the next 1,000 years.' And @perla_illy added: 'I can't believe I'm actually watching a live vasectomy on itv this morning... literally finished my breakfast an about to see it again (sic).' Earlier in the segment, Dr Harper had explained the 'simple' procedure is carried out under a local anaesthetic, but warned it is considered irreversible. 'Vasectomy is really just dividing and tying the vas, the tubes where sperm get out from the testicles to the ejaculate,' she said. A vasectomy is a minor operation which is relatively painless and carried under local anaesthetic. The tubes that carry sperm from a man's testicles to the penis are cut, blocked or sealed with heat. The procedure can be carried out at your local GP surgery, in hospital as a day patient, at a sexual health clinic or a private clinic. There are two types of vasectomy. The tradtitional procedure, a conventional vasectomy, involves making two small incisions in the scrotum using a scalpel. The 1cm incisions allow the surgeon to access the tubes, known as vas deferens. Each tube is cut and a small section is removed. The ends of the tubes are then closed, either by tying them or sealing them using a high heat. The incisions are stitched using dissolvable stitches that disappear within about a week. The other type, a no-scapel vasectomy, is a newer technique. The doctor will feel for the vas deferens under the skin and hold them in place using a small clamp. A special instrument is then used to make a tiny puncture hole in the skin of the scrotum. A small pair of forceps is used to open the hole, allowing the surgeon access to the vans deferens without the need to cut the skin using a scalpel. The tubes are then closed in the same way as in the conventional method. @probnotbob joked: 'I just watched a live vasectomy on daytime TV and this is why I work' @liamhulmes_ joined the viewers shocked at the segment, adding 'I can't believe they're showing a live vasectomy on this morning' 'The idea is that by cutting and tying it off, sperm can't get into the ejaculate. 'You will still produce ejaculate because sperm is just a tiny part of it.' Amanda raised the question on the minds of most thinking about the technicalities of a vasectomy, asking Dr Dawn 'where the sperm goes'. 'The sperm can't go beyond the tied vas, and so it is reabsorbed by the body,' Dr Dawn said. 'It is a natural process, but is something that can cause concern. But it doesn't cause any problems.' She said the procedure has a high success rate, with just one in 2,000 failing. 'One of the reasons we cut and tie the tubes is to prevent the tubes reattaching,' she said. And she warned the procedure is considered irreversible on the NHS, while it is possible in some cases to perform reversals, though they are generally done privately. A This Morning's spokesperson said: 'Today's live vasectomy, on the eve of World Vasectomy Day, aimed to dispel myths and fears about this operation. 'The item also featured expert advice from leading doctors about this procedure and other methods of contraception. 'Warnings were given at the start of the item, and many positive comments were received.' A spokesman for the TV watchdog Ofcom said they have received one complaint relating to the live segment earlier today. He said: 'We will assess this complaint before deciding whether to investigate.' @allanfoy questioned the decision to air the live op as many will have been tucking into a morning coffee .
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This Morning aired the procedure to dispel myths and worries about op .
Father-of-five opted for procedure to prevent any more little 'surprises'
Viewers took to Twitter airing their shock at the graphic live segment .
Accused the show of 'crossing the line' with close-ups of genitals .
The simple procedure renders men infertile, cutting and tying off the tubes which carry sperm from the testicles to the penis .
TV watchdog Ofcom said they have received one complaint .
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For the brave pilots, it was not some corner of a foreign field that became their final resting place - rather the very heartland of England. And today poppies were laid in their honour in the hills of Derbyshire's Peak District whose mountaintops claimed the lives of 157 airmen during the Second World War. Two small ceremonies at two remote spots where ten of the Brits were killed after their planes smashed into the treacherous gritstone plateau Kinder Scout. One hundred and twenty two military aeroplanes succumbed to the cloud-concealed peaks along the remote mountain range during the war. Alan Clark laying a cross at the site on Kinder Scout where a Handley Page Halifax crashed in 1943 killing five crew and injuring two after failing to find its way home after flak damaged electrics over Frankfurt . A memorial at crash site on Cluther Rocks commemorating Sergeant Royal Heron, 25, Sergeant, Walter Williams, 33, Sergeant William Tromans, 29, and Sergeant Sydney Peters, 26 . Many crash sites are still strewn with debris-melted and twisted metal components lie alongside large lumps of airframes, engines and landing-gear. The RAF removed or buried much of the debris from early crash sites. But as the war lengthened many plane wrecks were left to corrode on the rocks and remote peat bogs where they lay. Over the years many parts have been removed - some by the authorities others by trophy-hunters. Other pieces, often scattered over large areas, have been collected and gathered together into makeshift memorials resembling aluminium cairns that are decorated with crosses, wreaths and poppies. Eleven years ago Alan Clark, 29, began visiting, documenting and researching the crash sites. Mr Clark said: 'My grandfather flew in the war and he was really interested in the research I was doing - he'd never spoken about the war to anyone but began to talk to me about it. Remote: The treacherous landscape of Kinder Scout, which is littered with crash sites, shrouded in fog . The crash site on Cluther Rocks where a Handley Page Hampden crashed killing four crew after getting lost in a snow storm in 1942 . Alan Clark laying a cross at the site on Cluther Rocks where a Handley Page Hampden crashed in 1942 . 'Sadly he died before I could take him up to see any of the crash sites. I try to visit as many crash sites as possible, and I like to take up poppies on crosses to the ones I visit in November.' Mr Clark, along with two friends, scours libraries and records offices across Britain, looking for details on the crashes and the aircrew. A crew of 13 flying an American B29 Superfortress, known as Overexposed, were killed at Bleaklow after getting lost on their way back to base in 1948. In . February 1945 three Hurricanes were practicing formation flying when, . after flying through smog, they all crashed into the same hillside at . Tintwhistle Knarr killing two Belgian and one British pilot. A . German aircraft was also lost within the borders of the Peak District . National Park. Four men also died when a Junkers JU88, returning from a . bombing raid to Liverpool, crashed on The Roaches in May 1941. His website, peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk, lists all the crash sites. It includes an interactive map showing the distribution of all the Peak District crashes. Every dot on his map expands to give, when known, the names of the airmen, numbers of fatalities and injuries, what mission the aircraft was attempting and how it came to crash. 'I think it's important to do this so people don't forget,' he added. Speaking . in thick fog, Mr Clark said: 'He's brave flying a light aircraft above . here in these conditions - especially knowing what we're doing today. 'I'd never fly in a small plane over here in bad visibility. These are very big hills - I like to call them "Cumulus Granitus".' Relatives . of airmen killed in the war frequently contact Mr Clark. In 2004 he . escorted the nephew of Sydney Peters to place a plaque at the place . where he and three others were killed when their Handley Page Hampden . crashed in a snow storm in 1942. In 1943, a Handley Page Halifax, with . electrics damaged by German flack over Frankfurt lost radio contact with . base and, unable to find its way home, crashed on Kinder Scout killing . five crew and injuring two. Mr Clark, Mark Sheldon and Nick Wotherspoon published 'Aircraft Wrecks - a walkers' guide' in 2007. Australian Royal George Heron who was killed at Cluther Rocks . Sergeant Frank Squibbs (left) Sergeant Eric Lane (right) killed on Kinder Scout, when a Handley Page Halifax crashed in 1943 . (File picture) A Handley Page Halifax similar to the one that crashed at Kinder Scout killing five crew and injuring two in 1942 after getting lost returning from a raid on Frankfurt . The interactive map of Peak District crash sites . The book details crash sites in The . Peak District and across the rest of Britain. Mr Clark claims to have . visited 434 crash sites. They are currently working on a second edition . of the book. During wartime many aircrews often trained over the Peak District as they were safe from attack from German aircraft. 'I'd never fly in a small plane over here in bad visibility. These are very big hills - I like to call them "Cumulus Granitus".' Alan Clark . Many of these training flights ended in disaster when crews became lost and disorientated. Damaged aircraft also crashed returning from bombing missions over Germany and France. Nineteen forties aircraft cruised much lower than modern aircraft so it was all-too easy to fly a little too low and into the path of high hill-tops and mountains. Whole engines can still be seen at the largest crash site in The Peak District. The wreckage at Bleaklow, is from an American B29 Superfortress, known as Overexposed, which crashed, killing its crew of 13, after getting lost on its way back to base in 1948. A Remembrance Day service is held here each year. In February 1945 three Hurricanes were practicing formation flying when, after flying through smog, they all crashed into the same hillside at Tintwhistle Knarr killing two Belgian and one British pilot. A German aircraft was also lost within the borders of the Peak District National Park. Four men died when a Junkers JU88, returning from a bombing raid to Liverpool, crashed on The Roaches in May 1941.
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Two small ceremonies at the two sites where ten of the Brits were killed .
122 military aeroplanes succumbed to the concealed peaks during WWII .
Many crash sites are still strewn with debris-melted and twisted metal .
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By . James Nye . PUBLISHED: . 08:49 EST, 3 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:11 EST, 3 October 2013 . Police in Cleveland, Texas are investigating the horrifying possibility that another gang rape has occurred in the small town of 8,000, just three years after an assault by 20 men on an 11-year-old girl shocked the nation. The latest crime involves a 15-year-old girl who has told Cleveland police that she was drugged, attacked and raped by four men in an abandoned home over the weekend before last. The girl's parents made the complaint to law enforcement on Tuesday and the girl was taken to a Houston medical facility to be examined by rape experts before she was interviewed in a secure environment at a child advocacy center. Scroll Down for Video . Horror: This is the abandoned home where the 15-year-old girl alleges that she was raped by as many as four men in late September . 'Right now it’s just an alleged rape. We are running down all the leads,' said Cleveland Police Chief Darrel Broussard to the Cleveland Advocate. 'It's sad,' said a mother who didn't want to be identified to KHOU.Com 'We have too many kids getting hurt in Cleveland.' At this point, there are no charges and no one has been arrested - but the case has reopened the wounds of three years ago - when twenty men and boys were charged with raping an 11-year-old. All of them have either accepted plea deals or were convicted. Investigation: Police in Cleveland, Texas have said that they have made no arrests at this point . Police say the girl was raped repeatedly between September 15, 2010 and December 3 of that year by a gang of 20 boys aged between 14 and 27. The victim has admitted to being a a consenting participant in the encounters and has acknowledged that she never made an outcry until she was questioned by authorities once sex tapes filmed by the boys surfaced at Cleveland High School. Prosecutors argue, however, that an 11-year-old's consent is meaningless because she is not emotionally mature enough to understand what she is doing. Crime scene: Authorities say this is the abandoned trailer where an 11-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in November 2010 in the town of Cleveland, Texas . Dirty: The attacks occurred inside an abandoned mobile home, pictured, where the victim was assaulted by as many as 20 men . When the case surfaced three years ago, the father of the girl said he discovered the abuse in November 2010 after being sent sexually explicit pictures of his daughter on his cell phone. Speaking to the New York Times, the victim's father said he had been worried about his daughter for 'months', as she had been climbing out of her bedroom window at night, coming home as late as 12 p.m. One night, she returned home at 3 a.m. shaking and crying. The girl told her parents she had been visiting 'friends.' He said: 'Her mind is a child’s mind. That’s what makes me so angry. 'She will never recover from this.' He told the paper that although she was tall for her age, the girl remained a child; her bed piled high with stuffed animals. Several of the suspects have serious criminal records while others have children of their own, including one nicknamed 'Mookey', who was ordered to pay child support for five children within the past year. Accused: Kelvin Rashad King, left, and Devo Shaun Green, right, were among those accused of raping the girl . Gang-rape: Xavier King, left, and Marcus Anthony Porchia, right, are among the 20 men and boys in the case . Among those accused are two sets of siblings, Xavier Montreal King and his older brother Kelvin.Xavier, nicknamed 'Youngmoney', has just become a father with his 15-year-old partner Markeya Mallet. Police became aware of the alleged rape after the girl told a school district police chief about the incident on December 3, 2010. Alleged attacker: Jared Glenn McPherson, pictured, is one of the men accused of raping the 11-year-old . One school employee spoke with several students: 'Who had seen the cell phone videos or heard of the incident,' the affidavit said. The victim was then interviewed at a child advocacy center. According to documents, one of the suspects called her, 'and asked if she wanted to ride around,' the warrant said. Three of the suspects then picked her up and took her to one residence where a fourth suspect lived. A fourth suspect told the young girl to disrobe, she said, adding that she would be 'beaten up if she did not comply,' an affidavit recorded. The girl was then said to have engaged in sexual acts in the bedroom and bathroom of the house.While in the bathroom, the girl said she heard one suspect calling and inviting other people to have sex with her. After she left the bathroom, she saw four men she did not know, the affidavit said. The party was disturbed, however, when the aunt of one of the suspects returned home. The alleged victim and the men then 'left the residence in haste through the rear window of the house,' the affidavit said. The group then moved to an abandoned trailer where the sexual acts continued. The alleged victim 'stated that digital still images and digital video images of the sex acts were recorded by one or more individuals using cellular telephones.' The incident raised racial tensions in the 8,000-strong community of Celveland, Texas, as the suspects are all black and the girl is of Mexican descent. Latino community leaders defended the young girl, saying people who have questioned her parental supervision and dress are re-victimizing her.
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Girl, 15, reports she was raped in abandoned home in the small Texas town .
Three years after 11-year-old girl was attacked by 20 men in crime which shocked country .
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Some of Britain's hottest acting talent has come together to support Stand Up to Cancer in a dramatic short film. Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Michelle Dockery, Gillian Anderson, Idris Elba, Eddie Redmayne, Anna Friel, Sheridan Smith and Steve Coogan star in the exclusive film by renowned photographer and film director, Greg Williams. The idea is to demonstrate the need for urgency in the fight against cancer, so the film features each A- list star running defiantly towards the camera. A semi-dressed Tom Hardy runs through the street in his dressing gown; Idris Elba sprints to escape a street explosion; Anna Friel speeds through an office; Steve Coogan hops over a wall and Gillian Anderson careers towards the camera holding her shoes. Between the dramatic shots, there are cut-aways featuring portraits of cancer patients who are also supporting the Stand Up To Cancer campaign. Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery is featured in the short film, frantically running toward . Between the shots, there are cut-aways featuring portraits of cancer patients also supporting the campaign . The Stand up to Cancer website describes the film as 'bold, brave and moving and shows unity and collective defiance in the face of this devastating disease'. There is also a set of photographs accompanying the film also demonstrate the urgent message that we need to act now to accelerate new cancer treatments to UK patients and save more lives. Greg Williams said: 'It's been an honour to be involved in the Stand Up To Cancer campaign. I lost my mum to cancer, something I feel strongly that no one should ever have to experience. 'By making this film and collection of images, I've been able to help to bring Stand Up To Cancer's vital work to the fore and help build momentum in the fight against cancer.' Cream of the crop: Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the actors featured in the all-star cast of this short film . A set of photographs accompanying the film also demonstrate the urgent message that we need to act now . Luther star Idris Elba said: 'Stand Up To Cancer is a brilliant campaign that will turn the tables on cancer, accelerate new treatments and ultimately save more lives. 'I know from personal experiences the devastating effect that cancer can have on people's lives. 'My own father passed away from lung cancer in September 2013. Idris Elba powers through a smoky street, illustrating the urgency needed in the fight against cancer . Famous names: Eddie Redmayne sprints through a backstreet in the 'bold, brave and moving' short film . 'It affected the whole family, turned our lives upside down and is truly something that we absolutely need to stop in the future. 'What we need to do this is funding, and that's why it's so important for people to do what they can to support Stand Up To Cancer and help beat cancer sooner.'
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The country's top acting talent join forces to star in a powerful short film .
Stars such as Idris Elba, Sheridan Smith and Michelle Dockery feature .
Actors run towards the camera to show urgency of fight against cancer .
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A mother addicted to alcohol while pregnant says she feels guilty every single day for the damage she has caused her daughter. Linda McFadden, 49, drank eight cans of lager a day while carrying daughter Claire - and says she was powerless to stop. As a result, Claire, who weighed just 2lb when she was born, has endured a lifetime of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which has caused her both mental and physical difficulties. The condition occurs when an unborn baby is deprived of oxygen and nutrients due to a high blood alcohol concentration. Scroll down for video . Addiction: Linda McFadden, 49, drank eight cans of lager a day while carrying daughter Claire - and says she was powerless to stop . Damaged: As a result of her mother's drinking, Claire, who weighed just 2lb when she was born, has endured a lifetime of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome . That limits the growth of white matter in the baby's brain, potentially causing learning difficulties. Signs that a baby is suffering from the syndrome include small and narrow eyes, a small head, a smooth area between the nose and the lips and a thin upper lip. Claire, now 20, has also been left with facial deformities and learning disabilities due to her mother's behaviour while pregnant. Speaking on ITV'S This Morning, Mrs McFadden, who has now been dry for 14 years, said: 'I knew it was my fault and I will always feel guilty. 'I was an addict - I couldn't control it - I needed a drink to get me through the day.' Despite drinking while pregnant with her first child, Sarah, Mrs McFadden admits her alcohol consumption was heavier when she was carrying Claire. She told the show's hosts, Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes: 'I must have been aware that alcohol wasn't good while you are pregnant, but I didn't know what damage it could cause.' She admits she developed tricks to mask her heavy drinking from friends, family and her husband, David. 'If anyone came to see me, I had a spot in the kitchen where I'd hide the can. There were cans of lager hidden around everywhere. I'm sure people knew.' Foetal alcohol syndrome occurs where an unborn baby is deprived of oxygen and nutrients due to a high blood alcohol concentration. That limits the growth of white matter in the baby's brain, potentially causing learning difficulties. A lack of oxygen between weeks six and nine of pregnancy can also cause facial deformities while the baby's features form, while drinking in the first three months can cause organ damage. Signs that a baby is suffering from the syndrome include small and narrow eyes, a small head, a smooth area between the nose and the lips and a thin upper lip. Babies diagnosed with Foetal Alcohol syndrome (FAS) are also known to suffer birth defects. These include a smaller head circumference, heart problems, limb damage, kidney damage, damage to the brain, eye problems, hearing problems and specific facial characteristics. They are also prone to suffering learning difficulties, memory problems, hyperactivity and poor problem-solving skills. She believes the problem began as early as 17, when she started going to the pub - and really enjoyed the way drinking made her feel. And moving out of home gave her the opportunity to drink whenever she liked. 'I was drinking eight cans of lager a day, which is around 100 units a week, and maintained that for more than 15 years, but never considered myself an alcoholic,' she told The Sun newspaper. 'It was tough juggling a newborn and drinking, but the stress of trying to cut back would've been impossible.' 'I'd wake up and feel so nauseous I'd vomit, then crack open a beer at 8am.' Mrs McFadden's heavy drinking meant Claire was born two months early and weighing less than 2lb. She was given less than a 50 per cent chance of survival after being delivered by emergency Caesearean section because she had stopped moving. Her mother admits she broke down with the shame of what she had done to her baby daughter. 'Of course I blamed myself - I came home crying as deep down, I knew it was my fault. 'But we couldn't do anything about it - we had to live with it. I have carried the guilt for years. ' Suffering: Today, Claire works as a PA, but says her school years were a nightmare - mainly because there was so little awareness about Foetal Alcohol Syndrome . Indeed, her drinking has left Claire with a lifetime legacy of physical and learning issues. It took nine months for her to reach the weight of a newborn, and she didn't walk until she was two or speak until she was three. Today, Claire works as a PA, but says her school years were a nightmare - mainly because there was so little awareness about Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. 'No one really knew anything about it - people just treated me differently and didn't take into account I had this condition,' she told Ruth and Eamonn. 'I was really shy, I wouldn't - and couldn't socialise - and my memory wasn't good.' For her mother, every day was a reminder of the terrible damage she had caused - something which affected the pair's relationship for a long time. 'When Mum first told me about the alcohol, I was very angry - I did blame her a lot, all the time,' Claire told This Morning. 'But as I've got older, I completely understand - I can't blame her.' Commenting on the issue, This Morning's Dr Dawn Harper urged other pregnant women with alcohol problems not to suffer in silence. She said: 'Don't be ashamed - admitting you have a problem is the brave thing to do.' Honest: Speaking on ITV'S This Morning, Mrs McFadden, who has now been dry for 14 years, said: 'I knew it was my fault and I will always guilty. 'I was an addict - I couldn't control it' The number of babies being born with foetal alcohol syndrome caused by mothers drinking while pregnant has increased by almost 40 per cent in the last three years. Between 2012 and 2013 doctors treated 252 cases of the syndrome, which can cause learning difficulties, organ damage and facial deformity, in England alone. Susan Fleisher, chief executive of the National Organisation for Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, said recently: 'There have been studies in Italy and the US that say that between 2 per cent and 5 per cent of the population is affected by this. 'And, remember, Britain is the number one binge-drinking country in Europe. The chances are we are closer to 5 per cent, although we can't say that for sure because it is under-diagnosed and difficult to diagnose.' And earlier month, an MP said women should not drink any alcohol while they are pregnant because of the risks to their unborn child. Bill Esterson wants it to be made compulsory for all alcoholic beverages to carry compulsory warning labels directed at expectant mothers. Presenting his Alcohol Labeling (Pregnancy) Bill, the Labour MP for Sefton Central on Merseyside told MPs that 7,000 children a year were born in the UK damaged by alcohol, equating to one in every 100 births. He said: 'Mild brain damage can be caused to children by even small amounts of alcohol at the wrong time during pregnancy, especially in the early stages when an embryo does not have the protection of a blood stream. 'Much scientific evidence suggests that there is no safe limit when it comes to drinking in pregnancy but sadly not everyone is aware of the dangers.'
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Linda McFadden, 49, drank heavily while carrying daughter Claire, now 20 .
Claire was born suffering with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
Occurs when baby is deprived of oxygen and nutrients due to alcohol .
Said: 'I was an addict - I couldn't control it - but now I feel so guilty'
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(CNN) -- Researchers have raised the alert status at Mount Redoubt, a volcano in southern Alaska, after another increase in seismic activity. Seismic activity at Alaska's Mount Redoubt again has scientists watching for an eruption. "Shallow earthquake activity under the volcano has been as high as 26 events per 10-minute period," officials at the Alaska Volcano Observatory said Sunday in a statement announcing that the alert level was raised to "watch" status. Although no eruption has occurred, the scientists said the increase in seismic activity "likely represents either the upward movement of magma or pressurization of the system." "It is possible for unrest at the volcano to change rapidly, and seismic activity or other signs of unrest could escalate culminating in an eruption within days to weeks," the statement concluded. An increase in seismic activity at the same volcano prompted a "watch" level last Monday. In the U.S. Geological Survey's color-coded alert levels, the orange "watch" level means the volcano "is exhibiting heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption" or that "eruption is underway with no or minor volcanic-ash emissions." The next level is red, meaning an eruption is imminent or underway. Bill Burton, a geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, said since January there have been increases in seismic activity at Mount Redoubt followed by periods of quiet. The 10,197-foot peak is about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, the most populous city in Alaska. Mount Redoubt last erupted nearly 20 years ago, in December 1989. That eruption lasted until April 1990.
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Increase in seismic activity noted at Mount Redoubt in southern Alaska .
Alert level raised; "eruption within days to weeks" is possible, officials say .
Volcano last erupted in December 1989 and last for months .
Mount Redoubt is about 100 southwest of Anchorage, Alaska .
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By . Larisa Brown . PUBLISHED: . 21:44 EST, 6 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:04 EST, 7 October 2013 . Urban foxes can be fed, a TV wildlife expert said last night. The advice from Autumnwatch presenter Chris Packham appears to fly in the face of claims that feeding the predators makes them more of a nuisance. He also claimed that reports about foxes attacking humans, going up the stairs in houses and allowing themselves to be picked up were highly unlikely. Claims: TV wildlife expert Chris Packham has said that urban foxes can be fed . Speaking ahead of the new BBC series of Autumnwatch, he warned against ‘demonising’ the animals, pointing out that urban foxes were responsible for far fewer attacks than domestic dogs. The 52-year-old said stories about foxes were often exaggerated due to a lack of understanding, and he warned against creating a fear of foxes. He added: ‘Reports have previously suggested foxes would do things that would be very alien. ‘For example going upstairs, allowing people to pick them up and throw them into the garden. That seems improbable to me.’ There are an estimated 33,000 urban foxes in the UK, and Mr Packham said it was easy for people to live alongside them and watch them from their homes. But he warned against feeding them too often – saying they should only be fed every now and again. He added: ‘A lot of people like to feed foxes in their back gardens, to see one of the world’s most beautiful animals from their home. Bin bandit: Urban foxes thrive where food is discarded and are quick to rip open bin bags to feed . 'It’s about feeding them sporadically, not regularly, which can create dependence. ‘There are ways we can simply and positively treat these animals. 'We will look at how we can live more harmoniously with them, which can only come from better understanding of their habits.’ Mr Packham will follow the lives of two urban fox families in Autumnwatch, which starts on October 29 on BBC2, working with the University of Brighton to show how they can coexist with humans. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, he said he wanted to discourage people from feeding foxes by hand or every day as they would start to associate humans with food. Last year he said the reason why there were so many foxes was because humans in the West threw away so much food while half the world went hungry. He added: ‘And the reason there are so many? ‘Because while half the world sleeps hungry, we waste enough food to feed them all. ‘Foxes brilliantly betray a national shame, that we’re wasters and I don’t suppose we like that.’
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Chris Packham's advice flies in the face of claims that feeding foxes makes them more of a nuisance .
He claims that reports about foxes attacking humans and going into houses are 'highly unlikely'
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How would you respond to learning you won the reproductive lottery? An Adelaide woman took advantage of the incredible fact she is pregnant with identical triplets-a one in a million chance-by taking a trio of hilarious videos showing the reactions of her family and friends. The shocked subjects utter profanities and gasp in disbelief as they read out Emma-May Palmer's medical certificates. Adelaide health-worker Emma-May Palmer films her husband Jimmy's (pictured) hilarious reaction to the news she is expecting triplets . 'Are you joking? Three!?' exclaims her husband Jimmy as he paces around a carpark and scrutinizes the document. Jim's mother bursts into a fit of laughter, before swearing repeatedly and holding her face in her hands. Mrs Palmer's family can be seen breaking down in tears and hugging one another after she breaks the news. Identical triplets that develop without fertility treatments-as in Palmer's case-are so rare some doctors estimate the odds are one-in-a-million. Jim's mother bursts into laughter, before swearing repeatedly and holding her face in her hands . Mrs Palmer, a health worker from Aldinga Beach in Adelaide, learned the incredible news when a sonographer detected multiple heartbeats. 'I was so excited because I had always wanted twins,' Mrs Palmer told Adelaide Now. 'Then he said he found another heartbeat and it was triplets. I demanded to know whether he knew what he was doing then started looking for hidden cameras thinking it might be a prank,' she said. Ecstatic: Mrs Palmer said she learned she was having triplets in December when a sonographer detected multiple heartbeats . Mrs Palmer said the names of the three identical girls have already been chosen, but they will not be revealed until they're born. The couple are preparing for an exciting change, having put their home on the market in hopes of a larger abode. Mrs Palmer is due on June 22. The Palmer family have have put their home on the market in anticipation for getting a bigger home for the triplets, which are sue on June 22 . Mrs Palmer's family break down in tears after she breaks the incredible news: identical triplets that develop without fertility treatments are a one-in-a-million chance .
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Adelaide health worker Emma-May Palmer is expecting identical triplets .
She filmed the reactions of her family and friends as she broke the news .
The bewildered family utter profanities and gasp in disbelief .
Identical triplets without fertility treatments are a one in a million chance .
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Brad, Texas (CNN) -- Authorities were working on plans Friday for residents who were forced to flee a wildfire in northern Texas to return home, a day after firefighters made progress battling the blaze that destroyed dozens of homes. The blaze in Palo Pinto County scorched 6,200 acres by Thursday, according to the Texas Forest Service. The fire is burning near the resort of Possum Kingdom Lake, near the town of Brad, about 100 miles west of Dallas. "We feel much better about this fire today," as the blaze is now 50% contained, said John Nichols, a spokesman for the Forest Service. He said evacuations were lifted for some residents forced to evacuate the fire, which was driven by high temperatures and dry winds. The wildfire has destroyed 40 homes and nine RVs since it began Tuesday, the Forest Service said Thursday. Firefighters were receiving support from aerial tankers and helicopters. Authorities are mapping out plans to allow residents to return to their homes, said Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer. Authorities also are trying to open the lake for the Labor Day holiday, he said. On Wednesday, evacuations were ordered in several communities on the north side of the lake after the fire charged over a ridge and approached a dam on the lake, CNN affiliate WFAA reported. The wildfire was moving so fast that the Forest Service pulled out of its command observation post, telling journalists and onlookers to get out of the way of the fire. "My house is right through here, though it may be gone," Tom Hardeston told WFAA as he watched the fire. Nearby ranchers battled to save their herds from the encroaching fire. "I'm just moving them from pasture to pasture," Cindi McCoy told WFAA, referring to her livestock. "As one pasture burns, I'm moving them back to that one and bring(ing) them back around." The weather forecast continued to predict mostly dry weather for the area for Friday, with high temperatures from the mid-90s into the 100s, the Forest Service said. Texas is experiencing the worst fire season in state history. Since fire season began last November, a record 3.5 million acres have burned. Hot and dry weather combined with a historic drought have made conditions ripe for rapid fire growth. In the past seven days, the Forest Service has responded to 224 fires burning a combined 31,541 acres. Meanwhile, in neighboring Oklahoma, firefighters were battling hot spots Thursday from a wildfire in northeast Oklahoma City, Fire Chief Keith Bryant said. National Guard helicopters were assisting, Bryant said. The blaze was one of two large brush fires that had covered more than 16 square miles on the city's north and south sides Wednesday, forcing some evacuations and closure of Interstate 40 and the Turner Turnpike. Both roads were later reopened, CNN affiliate KOCO said. CNN's Dave Alsup contributed to this report.
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A wildfire in northern Texas is 50% contained, the authorities say .
The wildfire has destroyed 40 homes, a fire official says .
Some evacuations have been lifted, an official says .
Firefighters are still battling hot spots in Oklahoma City .
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By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 10:11 EST, 18 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:12 EST, 18 September 2013 . Idolised by millions, Harry Styles and Justin Bieber have serious selling power with teenagers attempting to emulate their clothes and lifestyle. But now, the two heartthrobs are having a hair-raising effect on sales of something usually reserved for the women of the world. According to the latest survey, thanks to the tall quiffs and voluminous locks of the singers, more men are opting for hair extensions. Hair-raising stats: Five times more men are seeking hair extensions to emulate the likes of Harry Styles . With men looking after themselves . better than ever before, fake tan and hair removal are now commonplace . in the male grooming regime, and it seems men are now even taking their . locks seriously by embracing the benefits of extensions. Usually used by women looking to lengthen their locks, one hair company, Great Lengths, has seen a huge surge in popularity of extensions amongst men. The brand, who count Aerosmith's Steve Tyler as one of their clients, say more and more men are seeing the benefit of adding extra length, volume and colour with hair enhancement. Belle Toujours, a hair salon in Cardiff, has had five times more male extensions clients through the door this year, which director Simon Daniel puts down to the long hair trend pioneered by One Direction, Justin Bieber and reality shows like Made in Chelsea. Mr Quiffy: Justin Bieber and Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews don long locks, which has caused a spike in sales of male hair extensions . Speaking about the new trend, which costs between £60-£80 and takes 45 minutes, he said: 'Before this year, we never had any requests for male extensions. Now we have a number of regular clients who come to us for Great Lengths to mirror the look of their favourite celebrity. 'As well as customers, male staff in the salon are also starting to get extensions after seeing how good they look and how versatile long hair can be for styling. 'We get a lot of male customers suffering with natural hair recession and extensions can help to cover this up and build confidence.' Groomed: TV shows like Made In Chelsea, which sees men taking their grooming regime very seriously, has caused viewers to do the same . Aleksandra Zdravkova from MichaelJohn in Mayfair has been working with hair extensions for 17 years and has seen a similar increase of late with 20 per cent of her hair extension clients being male. 'Men are a lot more concerned with the way they look nowadays compared to 15 years ago and male hair extensions have definitely become more acceptable,' he said. 'My male clients want to look great with thicker hair that looks and feels completely natural.'
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Men copying hair of 1D, Justin Bieber and Made In Chelsea stars .
Salons had five times more bookings for male hair extensions .
Costs up to £80 and takes 45 minutes .
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Chancellor George Osborne today said the Government would press ahead with money-saving cuts to police numbers and said throwing money at 'deep-seated social issues' was not the answer. He said that reform of the nation's police forces was needed, which would make officers more visible on the streets. However, he rejected the notion that improving the country's safety was a matter of simply boosting police numbers. Chancellor George Osborne said today that the Government would go ahead with cuts, as former U.S police chief claimed making multiple arrests was not the answer to solving society's problems . In a phone call to David Cameron this week President Obama congratulated the way Britain's police and politicians have handled the riots.. A White House, a spokesman said: 'President Obama commended the Prime Minister on the steadiness he, his Government and the British police had demonstrated in handling the recent riots and shared the Prime Minister's hope that the situation would now continue to remain calm.' Mr Osborne's words will infuriate many, . including London Mayor Boris Johnson,who claimed there were simply not . enough police on the streets to cope with this week's rioting and . looting. Praise: President Obama has commended the way police handled the riots . His words came as a former U.S. police . chief drafted in by David Cameron to help restore order to the UK's . streets said that making multiple arrests after a social disorder event . was not a helpful strategy. Former New York police head Bill Bratton claimed young thugs and gang members should be made to ‘fear’ the police and stiff punishments for crimes. Famed for his ‘zero tolerance’ tactics, Mr Bratton said that UK forces should be more assertive with offenders, advocating a doctrine of ‘escalating force’. 'You can't arrest your way out of the problem,' he said. 'Arrest is certainly appropriate for the most violent, the incorrigible, but so much of it can be addressed in other ways and it is not just a police issue, it is in fact a societal issue.' His words came as police forces around the country trumpeted the arrest of more than 2,000 suspects, thanks in part to a number of hugely successful 'shop a looter' campaigns run by individual forces. Last week David Cameron was reported to have approached Mr Bratton to discuss taking charge of the Metropolitan Police, and he has already enlisted him to help tackle the threat of gangs as a government advisor. However fresh doubts emerged today over Mr Bratton's chances of landing the top job at the Met, which could be hindered by the Prime Minister’s own police reforms and clampdown on immigration. According to the Guardian, as a U.S. citizen Mr Bratton may be blocked by the police and social responsibility bill currently going through parliament. It states that the Met commissioner must hold the office of 'constable', which Mr Bratton, who has never served in the British police, does not. He could be sworn in but would then face another obstacle. Those who hold the office of constable and who are not British citizens must have been granted immigration status allowing them to remain in the UK indefinitely. However, the government has vowed to restrict the numbers of people being granted permission to stay in Britain indefinitely to limit immigration. New York: Bratton made his name by tackling gang crime in the city . In further misery for Mr Cameron, a poll for the Independent newspaper showed 54 per cent of Brits thought the Prime Minister - on holiday when trouble started -had not taken command of the riot situation early enough in the week. A former leader of one of London's most feared street gangs added that the riots were indicative of frustrations among young people, rather than an orchestrated outburst of violence. The 63-year-old American said young offenders should be made to realise very early in their lives that crime will result in punishment. He said: ‘You want the criminal element to fear them, fear their ability to interrupt their own ability to carry out criminal behaviour, and arrest and prosecute and incarcerate them. ‘In my experience, the younger criminal element don’t fear the police and have been emboldened to challenge the police and effectively take them on,' he told the Telegraph. ‘What needs to be understood is that police are empowered to do certain things - to stop, to talk, to frisk on certain occasions, to arrest if necessary, to use force.’ The deadline for applications for the Commissioner’s post, which became vacant following the resignation of Sir Paul Stephenson during the phone hacking scandal, was supposed to be Friday. However, it has been put back following this week’s riots. Bill Bratton is not a complete outsider to British policing. He's been a consultant advising different forces. In 1991, he . famously delivered a list of about 400 gang and drug kingpins he wanted . to arrest to the mayor of Boston when he became commissioner. His initial success in New York relied on big increases in resources - recruiting 5,000 new better trained officer. Reports of serious crime dropped 27 per cent. In Los Angeles he worked on smaller budgets, specifically tackling gangs, using Big Society ideas of local areas taking responsibility for fighting crime in their neighbourhoods. Mr Bratton left Los Angeles police in 2009 - after significantly lowering the crime rate and is now chairman of Kroll, a Manhattan-based private security firm. The advert placed by the Home Office states that candidates ‘must be British citizens’. Mr Cameron spoke to Mr Bratton - who has also headed the Los Angeles police - by telephone yesterday. The two men discussed the possibility of Mr Bratton advising the Government on how to deal with gangs. Mr Bratton said: 'This is a Prime Minister who has a clear idea of what he wants to do. 'He sees this crisis as a way to bring change. The police force there can be a catalyst for that. I'm very optimistic.' The pair are expected to meet face-to-face next month to continue their talks. But many UK police officers are said to be furious at the Prime Minister's decision to contact him. Ian Hanson, chairman of Greater Manchester Police Federation, claimed many officers resented the decision to consult a foreigner about a domestic problem. He said: 'There is anger, there is disappointment and a degree of incredulity as well. 'We're local people who live in the communities, who work in the communities and police them. He needs to speak to us, not someone who lives 5,000 miles away.' Mr Hanson believes there were not enough police officers at the start of this week's riots because the Government has cut police numbers. He added: 'One thing that Bill Bratton did when he took over in New York in 1994, was he increased the establishment of New York City police by 5,000 officers. 'How an earth are we going to replicate that with cuts approaching 30,000 police officers?' Getting to grips: A police officer tackles a looter in Manchester on Tuesday night . Chancellor George Osborne today backed Mr Bratton and said there were 'deep-seated social problems' to address but stuck to the party line on police budget cuts. 'We . are committed to the plan we have set out for police reform. And it is . about reform, about improving the presence of the police in our . communities, making the police more visible,' he said. He told Radio 4 Today programme. 'There are very deep-seated social problems which we need to tackle. 'There are communities that have just . been left behind by the rest of the country, there are communities cut . off from the economic lifeblood of the rest of the country. 'I don't think the debate should be . reduced to whether there should be x-thousand numbers of police officers . or x-thousand-plus-one numbers of police officers in our society. 'We . want an effective police service. They have done an amazing job this . week. We want to use the advice of people like Bill Bratton to really . tackle some of the deep-seated social issues like gang culture. 'But . this is not just about police budgets; this is about a far bigger . challenge for our society, which is dealing with people who we have . ignored for too long and helping them feel they have a stake in . society.'
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President Obama praises the way UK police tackled the rioters .
'Supercop' Bill Bratton and PM expected to meet next month .
U.S. police chief says thugs need to fear the police and sentences they may be handed .
Osborne warns of 'deep-seated social problems'
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Ministers were under growing pressure last night to toughen up measures to protect the public from ebola. They have already promised to review airport screening after Scottish nurse Pauline Cafferkey was allowed home despite complaining of a fever – and having her temperature checked seven times at Heathrow. Other colleagues who returned at the same time described the system at the airport as ‘shambolic’ and said they had to queue in cramped rooms where the virus could be passed on to others. Scottish nurse Pauline Cafferkey was allowed home despite complaining of a fever – and having her temperature checked seven times at Heathrow . Ms Cafferkey (seen centre, back) with a group of doctors and nurses in November, as they left Heathrow for Freetown, Sierra Leone . Experts have called for healthcare workers returning from West Africa to be kept away from public places for at least three weeks – the time it can take for the virus to develop and for symptoms to appear. At the moment, they can travel home on crowded buses and trains and continue using them during the 21-day incubation period. In US states such as New York and New Jersey, volunteers returning from West Africa are effectively quarantined in their own homes and must avoid public places including football matches for at least three weeks. Labour MP Keith Vaz, who chairs the Commons Home Affairs Committee, said: ‘It’s time to review and assess the arrangements. ‘The Government was right to bring in screening, but there are various degrees of screening. ‘We need to know how many people have been put in place at our borders and how many are trained – immigration officers are not equipped to deal with this. The Government needs to be clear about who they are, what training they have received and what equipment they have at their disposal. ‘The Home Secretary needs to confirm that no immigration officers are involved in this process.’ Dr Devi Sridhar, of Edinburgh University, said quarantining might be too strict but as a compromise, returning health workers could be told to avoid public places. She added: ‘The Government feels pressure to act. ‘But in the UK ebola has not until now been an issue, while in the US there was a sense of mass hysteria. ‘But there is a middle way we could adopt where people coming back from countries affected by ebola are told to avoid busy public places for the three-week incubation period.’ Special care: After being put on a cocooned bed Ms Cafferkey was loaded on to the jet, which took off this morning and landed at RAF Northolt near Heathrow . Officials are also under pressure to change temperature tests. These are currently the most accurate and quickest way to diagnose the illness, because a sudden fever is one of the earliest symptoms. Blood tests do not work because ebola can only be detected once a patient already has symptoms, such as a fever or vomiting. At the moment, any healthcare worker who is 37.5C (99.5F) or above – compared with the normal body temperature of 37C (98.6F) – is sent to hospital for tests. But one option would be to bring this down to a more precise figure such as 37.2 or 37.3C. Another would be to ensure workers remain in a secure area for at least 24 hours while they undergo repeated checks on their temperature . Miss Cafferkey, 39, had her temperature tested at Heathrow but then complained she had a fever while still at the airport and it was then checked a further six times over an hour but was still deemed normal. Treatment: The nurse has been transferred to the specialist high-level isolation wing of London's Royal Free Hospital . Yet just 12 hours later it had rocketed and she was in an isolation unit. Had she been made to stay at the airport this would have been picked up. Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer, said: ‘Clearly queuing and things like that are unacceptable and we will review. But we will let people who are well travel because they will not infect the public.’ Speaking of Miss Cafferkey, . she added: ‘She was well. She had no symptoms. Her temperature was within the acceptable range. She would not be transmitting the virus, therefore she was cleared as fit to fly.’ A Department of Health spokesman said: ‘This person was tested as part of the screening process at Heathrow and, as with all health workers, she was advised to contact Public Health England if she had any concerns. ‘She did this, while still at Heathrow, and went through a further six temperature checks. Naturally, we will be reviewing what happened and the screening protocols, and if anything needs to be changed it will be.’ Here are some of the options that ministers wanting to bring in tougher measures to protect the public may consider: . BLOOD TEST . This is used to confirm ebola in a patient who has symptoms. But scientists say it would not pick up the virus unless someone has symptoms, so would therefore be pointless. KEEP THEM AT AIRPORT . Currently, the process for returning healthcare workers lasts just ten minutes and involves one temperature reading and a questionnaire asking them whether they feel unwell. Officials could make volunteers stay at the airport for 24 hours where their symptoms and temperature would be regularly monitored before they were allowed to leave . QUARANTINE . Volunteers are allowed to use public transport and carry out daily activities – even though they may develop ebola up to 21 days after treating infected patients. In certain US states such as Maine and New York, they are placed in quarantine throughout this period – either in a unit next to a hospital or in their own homes. Some have said they felt stigmatised and treated inhumanely when they were only trying to help. The concern is that such strict measures would deter healthcare workers from volunteering.
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Pauline Cafferkey was allowed home despite complaining of a fever .
She had her temperature checked seven times at Heathrow .
Calls for ministers to toughen up measures to protect the public .
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New York (CNN) -- The worst of the storm has passed, but the recovery effort is just beginning. A mammoth blizzard that dumped as much as 3 feet of snow in parts of the Northeast headed out to sea Saturday, as workers across New York and New England struggled to get airports, trains and highways back online. The snowstorm, a product of two converging weather systems, is being blamed for at least nine deaths in three states and Canada. It forced the cancellation of more than 5,000 flights, and knocked out power to more than 635,000 customers. That figure had fallen to around 459,000 Saturday night. "We had a bad storm here with heavy, heavy snow -- starting with a wet snow early, which stuck to the trees, which brought them down on the power lines, and then the temperatures dropping and then high, high winds all combining to a lot of power outages. We have our challenges here," Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee told CNN. Track the storm . Forecasters say the storm was still swirling across eastern New England with gusts up to 40 mph in cities that include Providence, Rhode Island, and Boston. But as most of the heavy snow tapered off, a travel ban across Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts was lifted at 4 p.m. Blizzard warnings were lifted, along with coastal flood warnings for New England. Mandatory evacuations were issued earlier Saturday for Massachusetts coastal regions near the town of Hull because of flooding concerns, and high winds whipped throughout the area. Authorities advised residents to leave shoreline areas in Marshfield and Scituate. While the blizzard did not fulfill record-breaking predictions, travel remained slowgoing. Hundreds of cars were stranded on the Long Island Expressway in New York after motorists got stuck driving in the snow. They outnumbered the tow trucks and crews deployed to the area for the storm, according to Suffolk County police. Map, timeline of the storm . The blizzard prompted the U.S. Postal Service to suspend deliveries in seven states. Postal worker Karlene Calliste left her job around 3 p.m. Friday, got caught in the storm and ended up sleeping at a firehouse in Middle Island, New York, where dozens of other stranded residents were holed up. "It's crazy. They weren't prepared," she said, adding that a lack of snow plows contributed to the scores of cars and trucks left stuck in the snow. Three of New York's busiest airports resumed limited service Saturday morning. At least one runway at Logan International Airport in Boston was to reopen late Saturday, with flights expected Sunday. Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, was expected to reopen Sunday morning. Roads turn deadly . At least nine people were killed in accidents related to the storm -- five in Connecticut, according to the governor, two in Canada, one in New York and one in Massachusetts -- a 14-year-old Boston boy who was helping his father shovel snow. The boy hopped in the snowed-in family car to warm up. The engine was running and the exhaust pipe was blocked by snow, causing carbon monoxide to back up in the car. Firefighters were unable to resuscitate the boy. Boston police said they were investigating whether a man in his early 20s found dead a vehicle succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning. The department put out a public safety advisory and cited calls related to individuals being overcome while trying to stay warm in vehicles in which exhaust pipes were blocked by snow. In Poughkeepsie, New York, an 18-year-old woman lost control of her car in the falling snow and struck a 74-year-old man walking near the side of the road, police said. He later died from his injuries. Other accidents occurred in Connecticut and southern Ontario. Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island ahead of the storm ordered all non-emergency vehicles off the streets under threat of imprisonment and fines -- up to a year in jail and $500 in Rhode Island. Rail transportation came to a virtual halt, with commuter trains running on a patchwork schedule. Snow piles up; power goes out . Connecticut saw the most accumulation, with 40 inches in Hamden. At its height, the storm heaped snow on the state at a frenzied rate of 4 to 5 inches an hour. iReporter Scott Green posted a photo of his deck in Cromwell -- covered waist-high with snow. In Massachusetts, Worcester and Boston received 27 and 21 inches, respectively, with winds howling up to a hurricane-strength 75 mph. Snowfall in Manhattan reached just under a foot, with heavier accumulations in Long Island, where 27 inches fell in Stony Brook. "This state had consequences, but nothing like our neighboring states," said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He announced Saturday plans to send utility workers and snow plows to New England to help with recovery. Snowfall blanketed an area from eastern Pennsylvania to Maine, with overnight lows under 20 degrees as governors in six states declared states of emergency. The states hardest hit in terms of power outages were Massachusetts and Rhode Island. By Saturday evening, close to 308,000 customers were without power in Massachusetts, while more than 115,000 customers remained without electricity in Rhode Island. Stay safe with the power out . Electricity dropped out at a nuclear power plant in Plymouth, Massachusetts, said fire spokesman Ed Bradley, but backup generators sprang into action. Stay connected in the storm . Stay charged when the power goes out . Stranded at the Walmart . More than two dozen people were forced to spend the night at a Walmart in Long Island. "The roads were just completely impassable," said Jean Miller, who spent at least seven hours on the road before throwing in the towel. "We were just happy to be indoors and not out there," she said. Miller, whose home is just two miles from the store, says she plans to stay so long as road conditions are dangerous and Walmart allows it. "They equaled the Red Cross," she said of the big-box retailer. Hoops snowed out . The nor'easter has swatted down travel arrangements for pro basketball teams headed to New York City, leaving the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Brooklyn Nets grounded. The Knicks are stuck in Minneapolis, where they played the Timberwolves on Friday, a spokesman said. They have a home game at Madison Square Garden on Sunday against the L.A. Clippers. Canceled flights forced the Nets to attempt to get home by train from Washington after a game there against the Wizards. The San Antonio Spurs, who were originally flying to New York to play the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night, are stuck in Detroit. CNN's Jill Martin, AnneClaire Stapleton, Pauline Kim, Erinn Cawthon, Jake Carpenter, Phil Gast, Ben Brumfield, Chris Boyette and Marina Carver contributed to this report. David Ariosto and Mary Snow reported from New York and Dana Ford reported and wrote from Atlanta.
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NEW: Boston, Connecticut airports to reopen .
NEW: About 459,000 remain without power .
At least nine people are killed, including 14-year-old Boston boy .
Warnings are lifted as the blizzard heads out to sea .
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(CNN) -- After a multi-year odyssey marked by almost nonstop partisan bickering, CIA employees hacking into Senate Intelligence Committee computers, and former Bush administration officials launching a pre-emptive public counterattack against the committee's report, we finally have a summary of the CIA's use of torture. So what have we learned? The committee report confirms that six days after the 9/11 attacks, "President George W. Bush signed a covert action Memorandum of Notification (MON) to authorize the director of central intelligence (DCI) to 'undertake operations designed to capture and detain persons who pose a continuing, serious threat of violence or death to U.S. persons and interest or who are planning terrorist activities.'" That decision put the CIA on the path to revive and even expand coercive interrogation techniques it had employed during the Cold War. Some key facts we already knew were confirmed, most importantly that agency personnel violated U.S. and international law by repeatedly waterboarding several detainees, including 9/11 attack mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. The summary of the report provides lurid details of "24"-like interrogation techniques, outlawed by international treaties to which the U.S. is a signatory: running power drills next to the heads of detainees, days of forced sleep deprivation and, in the words of the committee summary, "threats to harm the children of a detainee, threats to sexually abuse the mother of a detainee, and a threat to 'cut (a detainee's) mother's throat.'" The committee report summary also confirms what many have long believed -- that the torture program produced no actionable intelligence and did not to thwart al Qaeda's global activities. The former chief of the CIA's Counterterrorism Center and torture program participant Jose Rodriguez continues to claim that such intelligence was obtained, and that it did in fact save lives. The available record, as laid out by the committee, amply refutes that assertion. And the committee summary could not be clearer about the actions of agency managers and attorneys in the expansion of the use of techniques that were clear violations of international law. According to the committee summary: . " ... by the end of November 2001, CIA officers had begun researching potential legal defenses for using interrogation techniques that were considered torture by foreign governments and a non-governmental organization." CIA Director George Tenet subsequently sent a letter to Bush urging that the CIA program be exempt from Geneva Convention prohibitions on the use of techniques defined by international law as torture. Whether as federal employees or political appointees, CIA personnel took an oath to uphold the laws of the United States. Instead, they chose to engage in acts that clearly violated those laws, including international treaties banning the use of torture to which the United States is not only a signatory, but a putative leader as well. The response of multiple former intelligence community insiders who authorized or supported these programs is perfectly summed up in this quote from an anonymous former official offered to the Daily Beast earlier this week: . "It goes back to the one basic thing: Whether they did right or they did wrong, they were told to do something, they did it, and they feel like they had the rug pulled out from underneath them." Indeed, those CIA attorneys and managers who signed off on waterboarding and other tactics had an affirmative obligation to refuse to authorize, much less participate in, a torture program. Now, through de facto surrogates appearing on major media outlets and operating a website attempting to rewrite the history of this dark era, participants in the torture program claim they are the victims for simply following orders. The defense of "I was just following orders" is never a winning one. The use of mass surveillance and torture are the hallmarks of totalitarian governments. The United States has employed both since the September 11, 2001, attacks on our nation. While we have yet to renounce the former, the release of this Senate Intelligence Committee torture report summary is a long-overdue first step in renouncing the latter. Let's hope it's not the last step.
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Senate Intelligence Committee releases report on CIA torture .
Patrick Eddington: CIA violated U.S. and international law .
Mass surveillance, torture are hallmarks of totalitarian governments, he says .
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When Sally Stone had a suspected stroke due her to huge weight, she knew that she had to take drastic action. She immediately joined a slimming club and made serious changes to her lifestyle, but as she began to lose weight and get fitter a new motivation for dropping the pounds came along: a sexy date with a 'boudoir' photographer. Sally's friend had encouraged her to take part in a boudoir shoot, and Sally knew that the only way she would dare to bare in her underwear was to carry on losing weight. It spurred her on to lose 7st 9lb, going from 18 stone 7 to a much slimmer 10 stone 10, and drop six dress sizes in the process. Scroll down for video . Sally Stone celebrated an eight stone weight loss by posing in lingerie in a 'boudoir' shoot . Sally, 40, who is single and lives in Crediton, Devon, with her son Luke, eight, said: 'The thought of baring my body in a photoshoot was enough to keep me losing the pounds towards the end of my weight loss. 'A friend had encouraged me to have the photoshoot done. I would never have dreamed of doing anything like that before. 'But losing the weight really boosted my confidence and it definitely helped me carrying on losing the pounds.' Sally started piling on the weight when she was in her 30's, and she'd struggled with her weight on and off during her teenage years. 'When I was very little, I was a podgy child,' she said. 'Then I slimmed down a bit, but put weight back on in my early teens. By my late teens I'd slimmed down to a size 12, and when I was 25 I was actually a size 10. But then I put on some weight in my 30's. The mother-of-one, who was a size 22 at her largest, was shocked into changing her lifestyle after suffering a suspected stroke . 'By the time I married my husband in 2005 I was a size 16, and then a year later, when I gave birth to our son Luke in 2006 my weight had crept up to about 17 stone. 'In the following few years I wasn't happy with my size, but I would comfort eat, and the weight piled on even more.' Sally wouldn't eat any breakfast, then she would tuck into pasties for a mid morning snack. She would have sandwiches and crisps for lunch, and then often she would have a takeaway for dinner. 'I work as a carpenter making children's play equipment, and my colleague would nip out mid morning and get pasties for us to snack on, and that was before I would eat any lunch. 'I would snack on chocolate during the day, especially my favourite Yorkie bars. When I ate chocolate bars at night, I couldn't eat just a few pieces, I would wolf down the whole bar. And I would have takeaways several times during the week and at weekends too. I especially loved Chinese and kebabs too.' Carpenter Sally started losing weight when she swapped takeaways for salads and homemade dinners, but it was booking the sexy shoot that gave her the final motivation she needed to slim down . But Sally's weight proved to be a problem when she was working on a child's play cottage in a garden near Devon. She said: 'I was working with my colleague Alex in the garden. I was inside the children's play cottage hammering in some nails, and he was outside. Suddenly I had tunnel vision and everything went dark. I had a splitting pain in the the side of my face above my eye and I felt really sick. 'It was terrifying, I had no idea what was happening to me and I couldn't get my words out properly either. I wanted to shout out to Alex to come and help me, but I couldn't even remember his name. Luckily he heard me banging about in the cottage and came to see what was wrong. 'He helped me outside and got me to sit down, but I still felt really unwell.' When Sally started to feel better, she went down to the hospital where she was tested in the stroke unit as doctors thought she may have suffered a minor stroke. Today, weighing 10 st 10 lb, Sally says doing the shoot was the best thing to happen to her . She said: 'I was eventually given the all clear and I hadn't actually had a stroke. But it gave me such a fright. The doctors told me that my weight had probably caused it, so it was really worrying. It had been such a terrifying experience that I knew that I had to something about it. 'I felt that it was my fault, that I'd felt so unwell and it was only me who could do something about it.' So in January 2013, Sally, who is now single, joined her local Slimming World class. She swapped takeaways and chocolate bars for healthy breakfasts, salad lunches and homemade spaghetti bolognaise or cottage pie for dinner. 'It was a great diet as I could eat as much as I liked, but it was healthy food and not all the sugar and salt in takeaways.' The weight started to fall off Sally, and when she had lost several stone, she was chatting with a friend, who made a suggestion. 'My friend's daughter had just done a modelling photoshoot,' she said. 'And my friend said I should do one too, to celebrate having lost all the weight. She encourage me to do a shoot in my lingerie to really boost my confidence. 'I'd never even imagined doing such a photoshoot before, and it was something that was completely out of my comfort zone. But I gave it some thought and decided that it would give me something to work towards. 'So I booked the shoot, and carried on losing the weight and managed to hit my target weight of ten stone ten in March. The photoshoot was booked for June. 'I was nervous when I arrived at the Kensa Boudoir Photography studio but the photographer really put me at ease, and so did the make-up artist. 'When I was overweight I didn't even like dressing up to go out, so the thought of stripping down to my underwear and being photographed was something I would have never thought I would ever contemplate. 'But there I was stretched out in all my lingerie, and as the shoot went on, I felt more relaxed and less nervous. I was proud of my body after losing all the weight, but I still had loose skin and stretch marks too. But I was thrilled with the photos afterwards. I just looked at them and didn't even believe it was me at first! I never imagined I could ever look like that. 'When I showed the photos to family and friends they were amazed too. I've lost a total of 7 stone 9, going from 18 stone 7 to 10 stone 10. And I've dropped from a size 22 to a 10/12. I still can't believe it when I catch sight of my reflection in shop windows as I walk past - I have to do a double take as I don't realise its me. 'I feel much healthier too, and I haven't had another funny turn like I had that time in the garden. I've got much more energy for my job and playing with Luke too. If anyone had told me I would lose nearly eight stone and pose for a sexy photoshoot I wouldn't have believed them. But it's been the best thing to have happened to me.'
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Size 22 Sally Stone suffered a suspected stroke because of her weight .
Carpenter joined a slimming club to shape up .
Was encouraged to book a boudoir shoot by her friend as extra motivation .
Thought of being photographed in lingerie spurred her on to lose 8 stone .
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By . Mia De Graaf . A confused Frenchman looking to return home took a wrong turn on his rickshaw - and ended up travelling down a dual-carriageway. The cyclist was trying to find his way to Newhaven to catch a ferry across the channel. But he ended up navigating his way through 70mph cars and lorries on the A27 near Lewes, East Sussex, in the pouring rain. Not that way! Shocked motorists took this picture of a Frenchman attempting to pedal his way to the coast to catch a ferry home - but ended up on the A27 near Lewes in East Sussex . Motorists swerved to overtake the man this afternoon as he pedalled down the motorway. Realising he had made a mistake, he was seen at one point pulling over as cars and lorries sped past. Sussex Police were alerted and officers who found him were told that he was seeking to return to his homeland via nearby Newhaven. Rescue: Sussex Police were alerted to the incident and scaled the motorway to find him and guide him home . A police spokesman said: 'At 1.45pm on . Thursday 10 July a motorist told police that a man had been seen on the . eastbound Lewes bypass, just east of the Kingston roundabout, pedalling . a three-wheel trike. 'Local officers quickly found the man who was a French national seeking to return home via Newhaven. 'They advised him that it was dangerous to be on that stretch of road, especially during heavy rain, and escorted him safely to the other end of the bypass where he was able to take a safe cycle path connecting with the A26 to Newhaven and went on his way.'
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Frenchman took wrong turn, ended up on A27, spotted near Lewes, Sussex .
At one point pulled over on motorway in pouring rain as cars sped past .
Police were alerted and found him near Newhaven, guided him to cycle path .
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The founder of bookshop chain Waterstones has said that traditional printed books will see off the challenge of the e-reader 'revolution'. Tim Waterstone, who started the retail chain in 1982, said that there were indications that the e-book's market share was in decline, and that printed books were 'immovable'. Speaking at an Oxford Literary Festival event on Saturday, entitled The Future Of Publishing, Mr Waterstone said he did not believe that physical books were under threat from their technological counterparts, such as Amazon's Kindle, the Apple iPad and the Kobo eReader. No threat: Tim Waterstone, the founder of the Waterstones bookshop chain, has said that traditional printed books will see off the challenge of the e-reader 'revolution' 'I think you read and hear more garbage about the strength of the . e-book revolution than anything else I’ve known,' Mr Waterstone said, according to the Daily Telegraph. 'The e-books have developed a share of the . market, of course they have, but every indication – certainly from . America – shows the share is already in decline. The indications are . that it will do exactly the same in the UK.' Mr Waterstone left the bookshop which bears his name in 2001 after merging the business with HMV in 1998. In 2012 Waterstones, which is now owned by Russian businessman Alexander Mamut and run by James Daunt, started selling Amazon's Kindle in its 300 British stores, and Kindle . users can read some books for free while connected to the Waterstones . wifi network. Devices: The Kindle Paperwhite (left) and Kobo Touch (right) are just two of the many e-readers on the market . Bookseller: The high street chain was started by Mr Waterstone in 1982, and is now run by James Daunt . Last year British readers spent £300million on 80million e-books, but £2.2billion on 323million traditionally printed books. Figures released by the Association of American publishers showed that hardcover book sales had gone up by 11.5 per cent in the 12 months leading up to last November, while the sales of adult e-books had climbed by just 4.8 per cent, indicating that while sales were growing they had levelled off. A separate study by the Pew Research Centre from January this year revealed that while 28 per cent of American readers surveyed said they had read an e-book in 2013, 69 per cent said they had read a printed book. Success: Experts at Neilsen said a drop off in e-book sales could be explained by a lack of a publishing success story such as E.L. James's Fifty Shades of Grey . Fall: There was also a comparative fall in sales of children's titles such as The Hunger Games, which was made into a hit film series starring Jennifer Lawrence . Just four per cent of those questioned said they were e-book only. A UK study by Neilsen BookData showed e-book sales fell by 26 per cent in four weeks to June 9, 2013, compared with the corresponding period in 2012. Experts at Neilsen said the drop off could be explained by a lack of a publishing success story such as E.L. James's Fifty Shades of Grey in 2012, and a comparative fall in sales of children’s titles, such as the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, and non-fiction. Mr Waterstone told the audience in Oxford that print on paper had lasted for centuries and he was sure the traditional book would last long into the future. He said: 'The product is so strong, the interest . in reading is so deeply rooted in the culture and human soul of this . country that it is immovable.'
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Tim Waterstone said he did not believe printed books were under threat .
Chain's founder tells Oxford Literary Festival printed books are 'immovable'
Says there are indications the e-book's market share in the US is in decline .
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As reports swirl that the future of TLC's surprise hit reality series Here Comes Honey Boo Boo hangs in the balance after it was revealed that 'Mama June' Shannon is dating a child sex offender, her daughter Pumpkin has come out swinging in her defence. Hoping to set the record straight, 14-year-old Lauryn Shannon - otherwise known as Pumpkin - has spoken toRadarOnline about her mom's prior relationship with Mark McDaniel in a bid to douse the flames. 'The story is not true. My mom left Mark 10 years ago,' the teenager insists, adding: 'They haven’t seen nor talked [to each other] in 10 years.' Scroll down for video . 'The story is not true. My mom left Mark 10 years ago': Here Comes Honey Boo Boo star Mama June Shannon is reportedly dating convicted sex offender Mark McDaniel - allegedly pictured here in a hotel room last month, which daughter Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Shannon has slammed as 'Photoshopped' While TMZ has obtained a photo allegedly taken a month ago of the 34-year-old reality star snuggling up to the 53-year-old in a hotel bed, Pumpkin has slammed the evidence as simply 'Photoshopped'. With Mama June having separated from long-time partner Mike 'Sugar Bear' Thompson just last month after she allegedly discovered the 42-year-old actively trolling for women on various dating websites, her daughter says the mom-of-four is enjoying the single life. 'She is all about the kids. She only needs us girls, no-one else,' Pumpkin states. 'We are all sticking together as one happy family with us four girls.' The matriarch is also mom to Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson, nine, Jessica 'Chubs' Shannon, 17, and Anna 'Chickadee' Shannon Cardwell, 20. 'She is all about the kids': Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Shannon, 14 - seen here in March 2013 - insists her mom and her ex 'haven't seen nor talked [to each other] in 10 years' and the recently separated star is enjoying the single life since splitting from long-time partner Mike 'Sugar Bear' Thompson last month . The three youngest girls still live at home in MacIntyre, Georgia, while Anna - who has a two-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn - has since moved to Alabama after marrying baby daddy Michael Cardwell. According to reports confirmed by the MailOnline, Mark McDaniel is a registered sex offender in the reality show's home state of Georgia. The registry details that Mark only got out of prison in March after he was convicted in 2004 of aggravated child molestation, which is 'when such person commits an offense of child molestation which act physically injures the child or involves an act of sodomy'. TMZ reports that Mama June has been dating her ex for the last few months, citing the aforementioned photo as proof of their liaisons. Just released: Mark was released from prison last month after being jailed for 10 years for molesting an unnamed eight-year-old relative of then-girlfriend Mama June's . The pair were also said to be romantically involved at the time of his arrest. Horrifyingly, TMZ claims that McDaniel was convicted of assault one of June's own relatives. The website reports: 'Prosecutors say he molested an eight-year-old child - forcing oral sex. 'We're told Honey Boo Boo's mom has been seeing McDaniel for the last few months ... sneaking away from production of the show and meeting up with him. We're told she's also been setting him up by buying him various gifts.' In light of the revelations, TLC said it is now examining whether the show will continue. Serious charge: The 53-year-old - pictured here in a mug shot believed to be from his original arrest - was convicted of aggravated child molestation reportedly perpetrated against an eight-year-old . Registered: McDaniel's crime is public record on the Georgian sex offender registry, as part of his release requires him to keep authorities constantly updated on his whereabouts . A representative told the MailOnline: 'TLC is not currently in production on Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. We are very concerned about this new information and are reassessing the future of the series.' TMZ contacted Mama June for comment but has yet to receive a response. The reality star does have a history of dating convicted criminals - including estranged partner Sugar Bear, who is the father of her youngest daughter and show star Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson. In 1998, he was sentenced to five years in the nearby Montgomery Prison for robbing a series of campsites and setting fire to at least one camper. In doubt: The future of Mama June's show, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo - which stars her youngest daughter, Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson - is now being reassessed . Recent split: Last month, the reality matriarch and her partner on nine years, David Michael 'Sugar Bear' Thompson, revealed they had separated. The couple shared a televised commitment ceremony last year . The couple - who had a televised commitment ceremony last year after nine years together - only announced their split last month, but it is understood Mama June may have already been dating Mark at the time. Tragically, this is not the only sex offender that Mama June has been linked to. The father of Honey Boo Boo’s 17-year-old sister Jessica 'Chubbs' Shannon, Michael Anthony Ford, 37, who dated her mother just a few months before she became pregnant, is currently behind bars. Criminal past: In 1998, Sugar Bear was sentenced to five years in the nearby Montgomery Prison for robbing a series of campsites and setting fire to at least one camper . In 2008, he served more than two years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a child over the internet due to an offence committed in 2005. According to prison documents, he was charged with two more counts of sexual exploration of a child, also steaming from 2005, and is currently serving 10 years for each charge. He is not expected to be released until 2026. Here Comes Honey Boo Boo first aired in 2012 and was a spin-off from TLC's Toddlers And Tiaras. The show aired its fourth season finale in August and, prior to the controversy, there had been no announcement on whether it would be renewed. Behind bars: The father of Honey Boo Boo’s 17-year-old sister Jessica 'Chubbs' Shannon, Michael Anthony Ford, is in prison for two counts of the sexual exploitation of a child. He is not expected to be released for another 10 years .
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Fourteen-year-old Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Shannon denies reports of mom dating convicted child sex offender ex .
Says the pair 'haven’t seen nor talked [to each other] in 10 years'
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo matriarch was reportedly romantically linked with Mark McDaniel when he was arrested and has rekindled relationship .
McDaniel was jailed for 10 years in 2004 for aggravated child molestation of unnamed eight-year-old relative of Mama June's .
TLC tells MailOnline it is 'reassessing the future' of the series .
Mama June split from long-term partner Sugar Bear just last month .
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(CNN) -- Saudi Arabia named Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz to be crown prince Monday, the state news agency reported, putting him next in line to the throne of the oil-rich kingdom. His appointment comes a day after burial services for Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz, whose death was announced Saturday. Salman, 76, who was already defense minister, retains that post and becomes deputy prime minister as well, the Saudi Press Agency reported Monday, citing a royal order. He is a brother of the late King Fahd and Crown Prince Nayef, and a half-brother of King Abdullah. He became defense minister in November. Salman's official biography on the website of the kingdom's Interior Ministry says he had memorized the Quran by the age of 10. Nayef, a hard-line conservative credited with pushing back al Qaeda, was interior minister as well as crown prince. Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz is replacing him as interior minister, the Saudi Press Agency said. Nayef was named crown prince in October by his brother, the king. Saudi state TV, which reported his death Saturday, broadcast Quran readings as an expression of mourning for the prince, who died in Geneva, Switzerland. He was in his late 70s. "It is a shock. We all knew his health was frail, but his death is a shock," Saudi Foreign Ministry spokesman Osama Nogali said. "We still don't know the reason behind his death." Abdullah attended the funeral, along with Gen. Hussein Tantawi, the head of Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. U.S. President Barack Obama released a statement Saturday offering his condolences. "Under his leadership, the United States and Saudi Arabia developed a strong and effective partnership in the fight against terrorism, one that has saved countless American and Saudi lives," he said. He praised Nayef for supporting a broad partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden similarly offered his condolences and hailed the former leader as an important ally in the fight against terror. Nayef had been Saudi interior minister since 1975, overseeing the kingdom's counterterrorism efforts. He also was deputy premier. A classified U.S. Embassy cable leaked by the website WikiLeaks described Nayef as a hard-line conservative who was lukewarm to King Abdullah's reform initiatives. Nayef led the crackdown against hard-line Islamists who took control of Mecca in 1979 and also oversaw the smashing of Saudi-based al Qaeda cells in the early 2000s. In recent years, his son, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, led the kingdom's fight against al Qaeda as the elder Nayef seemed to have taken more of a back seat. CNN's Nima Elbagir, Rima Maktabi, Hamdi Alkhshali, Mohammed Jamjoom, Caroline Faraj and Kevin Flower contributed to this report.
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NEW: Salman bin Abdulaziz is a half-brother of King Abdullah .
He becomes next in line to the throne of the oil-rich kingdom .
Salman retains his post as defense minister and becomes deputy prime minister .
His predecessor, Prince Nayef, was buried Sunday .
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New York (CNN) -- For the second time in a month, a man has been shoved to his death in front of a train on a New York City subway platform, police said. The New York Police Department on Friday identified the victim as Sunando Sen, 46, of Queens. Police are searching for a woman seen running from an elevated station for the No. 7 train in Queens on Thursday evening, Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne said in a statement. According to witnesses, the woman was pacing the platform and talking to herself shortly before pushing the man onto the tracks as the 11-car train entered the station. The man's body was pinned under the second car after it came to a stop. Police describe her as a heavyset woman in her 20s, wearing a ski jacket and sneakers. Security video shows her running from the scene shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday. Sen's roommate, Ar Suman, 33, told CNN on Friday that after living together for over a year they had become like "family." "I came home and I heard this happened," said Suman, "I am feeling very bad." Sen owned a shop called New Amsterdam Copies and was a graphic designer for posters, according to Suman. In early December, Ki-Suck Han, 58, was shoved onto the tracks in a Times Square station as a train approached. Naeem Davis, 30, a homeless man, has been charged with second-degree murder in that case. CNN's Jesse Solomon and Rande Iaboni contributed to this report.
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NEW: The victim has been identified as Sunando Sen, 46, of Queens .
The assailant paces, then pushes the man onto the tracks, police say .
It's the second time in a month someone has been pushed in front of a train in New York City .
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A former prosecutor who declined to bring charges against Bill Cosby a decade ago said Wednesday that he wishes he could've nailed the comedian on an allegation that he drugged and molested a woman at his Pennsylvania home. Bruce Castor also told CNN that he believed Cosby -- a beloved figure who, with his wit and boyish smile, has charmed audiences as a family-friendly stand-up comic, the voice of Fat Albert, the host of "Picture Pages" and the star of a wildly popular eponymous sitcom -- lied to authorities. In January 2004, Andrea Constand, then a 31-year-old staffer for the women's basketball team at Temple University, Cosby's alma mater, was at the comedian's Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, home when Cosby provided her medication that made her dizzy, she alleged the following year. She later woke up to find her bra undone and her clothes in disarray, she further alleged to police in her home province of Ontario in January 2005. Cosby's attorney in the case, Walter M. Phillips Jr., called the allegations "utterly preposterous" and "plainly bizarre" at the time, yet in a civil filing, Constand's lawyers said they had found 13 "Jane Does" with similar stories. Cosby settled the civil suit in 2006. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but when journalist and publicist Joan Tarshis came forward with another similar story this weekend, Cosby attorney John Schmitt denied her claim and others', labeling them "decade-old, discredited allegations." Schmitt later amended that statement to say he wasn't referring to Constand, who resolved her differences "to the mutual satisfaction of Mr. Cosby and Ms. Constand years ago." 'I couldn't check her blood' Castor, who was the district attorney for Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, when Constand came forward in 2005, now tells CNN he thought Constand was credible, and he thought Cosby was evasive in his interview with prosecutors. Castor, whose assistants interviewed Cosby, said he felt the comedian was setting up a defense that Constand was at his house on her own volition and that anything occurring between them was consensual. "Back then, the desire on our part to move forward was pretty strong," he said. "The problem with the case was she waited a year until she told police about it." This left Castor no way to corroborate Constand's allegations, he said. He couldn't check her blood, urine, hair or fingernails for traces of drugs, he couldn't obtain hair or fiber for analysis, and he couldn't obtain a warrant to search Cosby's home for evidence. "I had a theory that Cosby had drugged the woman using something to make her sleepy and to make her defenseless or unable to recall what happened, but because of the delay, I couldn't check her blood," he said. Of Cosby's interview with prosecutors, Castor said, "I thought he was lying. I thought he was evasive, and I thought that those things would be of value if I had another piece (of evidence) to go forward with." The case would have come down to she said, he said, and while Castor felt strongly that Constand was telling the truth, her statements alone were not going to be enough to convict Cosby, the ex-prosecutor said. "Did I think he probably did something inappropriate? Yes. Did I think that I could prove it beyond a reasonable doubt based on available, credible and admissible evidence? No, I didn't," he said. Castor released a statement on his office's website in 2005, saying that he found that "insufficient credible and admissible evidence exists upon which any charge against Mr. Cosby could be sustained beyond a reasonable doubt." Constand's attorney filed the civil suit two weeks later. Latest in line of accusations . Castor's account comes a day after former supermodel Janice Dickinson became the latest of a handful of women to accuse the 77-year-old comic of sexual assault publicly. She told "Entertainment Tonight" that Cosby raped her in 1982 after giving her a pill and a glass of red wine during a dinner in Lake Tahoe. "The last thing I remember was Bill Cosby in a patchwork robe, dropping his robe and getting on top of me. And I remember a lot of pain," she said. Dickinson did not return a telephone call from CNN seeking comment, but Cosby has repeatedly said previous allegations are untrue. He has never been prosecuted. His attorney, Martin Singer, addressed Dickinson's allegations specifically in a statement, calling them a "fabricated lie" and saying they contradicted what she wrote in her autobiography and what she said during a 2002 New York Observer interview. Since 2005, several women have come forward with remarkably similar stories about being drugged and sexually assaulted by the comedian. This year, the accusations resurfaced, and earlier this month, a seemingly harmless post on Cosby's Twitter account turned them into a social media storm. After the accusations gained steam again, one of his accusers, Barbara Bowman, turned to the public once more with an article in The Washington Post and interviews with CNN. Bowman alleged she was drugged, then raped, though she said she never saw drugs. "I woke up out of a very confused state not in my clothes," she said. On Saturday, NPR broadcast an awkward interview with Cosby in which he didn't utter a word when repeatedly asked about the accusations. NPR host Scott Simon filled the airtime by saying Cosby was just "shaking his head no."
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"I had a theory that Cosby had drugged the woman," ex-prosecutor tells CNN .
Bill Cosby settled a lawsuit with Andrea Constand in 2006; terms not disclosed .
Constand waited a year to report crime, so prosecutor couldn't corroborate story .
Cosby has repeatedly said allegations against him of sexual assault are untrue .
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(WIRED) -- Microsoft Office has been a desktop computer staple for decades, and now it looks like it might finally migrate to modern touchscreen tablets. But does Microsoft's mouse- and keyboard-dependent productivity software even belong on a tablet? And if it does make the transition to touch, how will we actually use it? Yesterday, a report by staff of The Daily claimed that Microsoft Office for iPad apps are definitely in the works, and could be released "in the coming weeks." The story included photos and descriptions of a purported hands-on demo. Microsoft representatives were quick to shoot back both on Twitter and in an official statement stating The Daily had its facts wrong and that its reporters had not, in fact, seen an actual Microsoft product on the tablet. Nonetheless, The Daily's Peter Ha later insisted that a working version of the app was demoed to the digital publication by a Microsoft employee. It's a he-said-she-said situation, but at least one key industry watcher feels Office for iPad makes sense. "I can say that based on the products Microsoft currently has in the market, launching additional Office apps for Apple devices would be a logical extension of their existing strategy," Forrester analyst Sarah Rotman Epps told Wired in an e-mail. Microsoft already has Mac and iOS products like Office for Mac, a note-taking app called OneNote, SkyDrive for cloud storage, and Lync, points out Rotman Epps. Rumors that Microsoft would be bringing Office to the iPad have been circulating for a while, particularly since The Daily reported in late November that the suite would arrive in early 2012 at a $10 price point. If what The Daily reported Tuesday is true, it's possible that Microsoft Office for iPad could land concurrent to -- or even onstage with -- Apple's first public iPad 3 demo, which is expected to be held the first week of March. It would certainly make for an interesting presentation, as Apple doesn't actively evangelize its Microsoft synergy. Microsoft will be demoing its Windows 8 OS consumer preview on Feb. 29 so the timing of an early March Office for iPad unveiling would seem to work: Microsoft's big platform-wide announcement wouldn't be upstaged by its smaller Apple announcement. So let's assume Office is coming to the iPad. How precisely will you use it? "You'll use it for content curation. And it's very unlikely you'll be using the iPad in native tablet touch mode," Sachin Dev Duggal, CEO of Nivio, told Wired. Nivio is a cloud platform that lets you access your desktop and its files -- including Windows and Microsoft Office -- with a touch-controlled mouse pointer as input. "In most cases, you'll have it docked into a screen or a keyboard," Dev Duggal said of the rumored Office app. However, a second use case -- passively browsing through documents -- definitely lends itself to the iPad's simple touch-controlled data input. And don't underestimate the value of full document support. By loading native Office docs directly into Office, you ensure files render with proper formatting, a talent not always manifest in competitors like Documents to Go Premium. In this case, "The pure gesture-based control works great," Dev Duggal said. "It translates to a tablet experience." OK, so Dev Duggal paints an interesting picture of how the app will be used, but, again, is there a desperate need for Office on the iPad? Many of us have been getting by just fine without it. Well, according to Resolve Market Research, 18% of those who decided not to purchase an iPad 2 did so strictly because it didn't come with Microsoft Office programs. That's not a number to balk at. Dev Duggal thinks students and small businesses will be interested in Office for iPad. And there's also another prime user group: people who don't want to spend money on multiple devices. "If they can cross-utilize devices to also do productivity, thats a huge cost savings," Dev Duggal said. Elaine Coleman of Resolve Market Research concurs with Dev Duggal. "Tablets are a critical dual-purpose device," Coleman told Wired, adding that close to 70% of personal tablet users also use their devices for business. Indeed, the iPad has a growing role in the world of enterprise computing, with a large percent of Fortune 500 companies adopting the tablet (this was a touch point in Apple CEO Tim Cook's recent first-quarter earnings call). So, no doubt, the addition of Microsoft Office to the enterprise mix would be welcome. But Microsoft has waited a long time to deliver this product -- perhaps too long. "Every day that Microsoft does not have Office apps for iPad, they lose potential sales to competitors," Rotman Epps said. Such competitors include: Apple's own iWork office suite; Quickoffice, an iPhone alternative for viewing, sharing and editing Microsoft Office documents; and SlideShark, an iPad-based PowerPoint platform. Rotman Epps pointed out that these and a host of other productivity apps are all top performers in Apple's App Store. Indeed, Apple's Pages, Keynote and Numbers (in other words, the iWork suite) make up three of the top five spots in the Top Charts for paid Productivity apps in the App Store. And with OS X Mountain Lion's heavy iCloud integration, using Apple's iWork suite will make even more sense for users who own multiple Apple products. Whether people who already use Office alternatives would switch to Microsoft-brand products is "hard to say for sure," says Coleman. "I think in the enterprise many still believe 'Office is King' and will come back." Regardless, if Microsoft Office for iPad did make its debut onstage for the iPad 3 in a few weeks, it would be the first time the two tech giants teamed up at an Apple event in 15 years. Considering what happened last time, it would be a landmark occasion. For both companies. 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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Microsoft Office for iPad is rumored to be coming as early as March .
Research shows 18% of shoppers didn't buy iPad 2 because it doesn't have Microsoft Office .
CEO of Nivio Dev Duggal says Office for iPad will appeal to students and businesses .
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