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(CNN) -- World soccer's governing body FIFA is to examine a retired footballer's claims spot-fixing was rife in the English Premier League. Former Southampton defender Claus Lundekvam told a Norwegian television channel he and other players in the English top flight had made money out of betting on minor events in a game such as the first throw-in. "FIFA is monitoring this issue and involved its chief investigator in England," read a statement from the organization. "Once all information is known it will be decided who is leading the investigations." Lundekvam, who played in the EPL between 1996 and 2005, said deals were done with the opposing team's captain. Will FIFA regret opening technology can of worms? "For a while we did this almost every week," said the former Norway international. "We made a fair bit of money. We could make deals with the opposing captain about. "For example, betting on the first throw, the first corner, who started with the ball, a yellow card or a penalty. Those were the sorts of thing we had influence over. "The results were never on the agenda. That is something I would never have done. We were professional competitors. Even though what we did, of course, was illegal, it was just a fun thing." The Premier League insisted the case was a matter for the English Football Association. "The FA has strict policies on this and our sanctions are wide-ranging," said a FA spokesman. "All participants also have a duty to report any such activity. "Football works closely with the gambling industry to monitor all markets and activity and we have a unit focused on maintaining the integrity of the sport." Spot-fixing shook the world of cricket last year when three Pakistan internationals were jailed for conspiracy to corrupt during a Test match against England in 2010. Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and the bowling pair of Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were all handed prison terms and handed bans of varying lengths by the International Cricket Council.
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FIFA will look into claims of spot-fixing in the English Premier League .
Claus Lundekvam claims players made money out of betting on match events .
The former Southampton defender played in the EPL between 1996 and 2005 .
The EPL say the matter is under the remit of the English Football Association .
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Blackwater USA guards have used deadly force weekly in Iraq and have inflicted "significant casualties and property damage," according to a congressional staff report released Monday that cites internal company and State Department documents. Blackwater's contractors fired their weapons 195 times -- or an average of 1.4 times a week -- from the beginning of 2005 through the second week of September, the Democratic staff of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee found. In over 80 percent of the cases, Blackwater reports that its forces fired first, according to the staff report. The committee will hear from Blackwater's CEO Erik Prince on Tuesday. Read Prince's prepared statement (PDF) Records of the company and State Department show Blackwater's use of force in Iraq has been "frequent and extensive," the report says. Though Blackwater is authorized to use force only defensively, "the vast majority of Blackwater weapons discharges are pre-emptive, with Blackwater forces firing first at a vehicle or suspicious individual prior to receiving any fire," the report states. A Blackwater contractor wrote an initial U.S. government report describing contractors' involvement in a September 16 incident in which Iraqi civilians were shot, government and industry sources told CNN. The Iraqi government claims Blackwater contractors, who were guarding a U.S. diplomatic convoy, killed as many as 20 civilians in western Baghdad's Nisoor Square. The incident elicited outrage in Iraq and raised questions about the accountability of foreign security personnel in the country who, under an order by the U.S.-led occupation government, are not subject to Iraqi law. Blackwater said its employees responded properly to an insurgent attack on a convoy, and the State Department "spot report" written by the Blackwater contractor underscores that and doesn't mention civilian casualties. However, the contractor's account is at odds with Iraqis' version of the incident. A senior Iraqi National Police official participating in the Iraqi governmental probe of the shooting said the Blackwater gunfire was unprovoked and random, killing and wounding several civilians. Blackwater contractor Darren Hanner drafted the two-page spot report on the letterhead of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security for the embassy's Tactical Operations Center, said a source involved in diplomatic security at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Hanner, listed on the report as the center's watch officer, was working for Blackwater at the time the report was written -- just after the shooting occurred, said a highly placed industry source. He was to rotate out of Iraq last week, the source said. The center tracks and monitors all incidents and movements involving diplomatic security missions and has outsourced positions to Blackwater and another private firm, the embassy source said. Watch aftermath video of the shooting obtained by Newsweek » . The State Department is conducting an investigation, and deputy spokesman Tom Casey called the spot report "a first-blush account of those on the scene." He said the "report has no standing whatsoever." "It was not intended to be used as an analysis, investigation, review or any detailed assessment of the situation. To assert that is untrue," Casey said. A State Department agent took sworn statements from the participants in the shooting after receiving the spot report, the embassy source said. A joint U.S.-Iraqi commission is expected to examine security and safety issues and will receive results of the State Department investigation and a separate Iraqi investigation, the U.S. military said. The senior Iraqi police officer said Blackwater team members were questioned by Iraqi police immediately after the incident. The contractors first said they opened fire in response to a mortar attack, the officer said. However, the contractors then changed their story at least twice during the 90 minutes they were held, the officer said. Iraqi police released a video of the aftermath of the shooting which shows a car that had damage consistent with a rocket-propelled grenade. The video shows what appears to be the spent casing of a rifle-fired grenade, and the embassy source said the Blackwater guards were armed with a rifle-fired M-203 grenade. The embassy source said a New York Times story reporting investigators were told that at least one guard drew a weapon on a fellow guard who did not stop shooting after colleagues called for a cease-fire was "pretty much true." Blackwater previously denied reports that one Blackwater employee drew a gun on another. Learn more about private contractors working in Iraq » . The embassy source, meanwhile, said Blackwater is suffering a staffing shortage as it tries to meet its mission of guarding U.S. diplomats moving around Baghdad and other sections of Iraq. Anne Tyrrell, a spokeswoman for Blackwater, denied that assertion. "To my knowledge that's inaccurate," Tyrrell said. "I would urge caution in trusting the source." As State Department investigators arrived in Baghdad from Washington to investigate the shooting, many of the guards involved had ended their contracts with Blackwater and were leaving Iraq, the embassy source said, speaking anonymously because he is not authorized to speak to the media. The State Department official said as of Friday all guards that were involved in the incident were still in Iraq, except for one who had to be evacuated for medical reasons. "It would be hard to do an investigation without the principal players there," the official said, referring to the State Department inquiries into the issue. "We cannot take anybody out of the country during an investigation without U.S. government approval," Tyrrell said. "It is inaccurate that the 19 men being investigated have left Iraq." Several of the guards involved in the shooting have requested disability severance and others have not renewed their expiring contracts, the State Department source said. None of those involved are being sent on security missions, he said. The Iraqi government said it will file criminal charges against the Blackwater employees, according to Iraq's Interior Ministry. It's not clear how Iraqi courts would attempt to bring the contractors to trial. E-mail to a friend . CNN's Jomana Karadsheh in Baghdad, Zain Verjee in Washington and Suzanne Simons in Atlanta contributed to this report.
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Report: "Vast majority of Blackwater weapons discharges are pre-emptive"
Report is based on Blackwater and State Department internal documents .
Sources: Contractor wrote U.S. "spot report" on September shooting .
State Department: Report is "first-blush account" with "no standing"
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In October 2004 skeletal remains found on the island of Flores in Indonesia hinted at a previously unknown species of human that existed 15,000 years ago. Called Homo floresiensis, the species was dubbed a ‘hobbit’ as it was smaller than any other known species of human. But reanalysis has revealed that it may not be a new species at all, but rather a human that has features consistent with someone with Down's syndrome. Reanalysis of bones found in Indonesia suggests they are not from a 'hobbit'. Scientists say the finding on Flores Island can be attributed to Down's syndrome. This image compares the skull of the 'hobbit' LB1 (left) to that of Liang Momer E, another skull from Flores, dated in the range of 3,000 to 5,000 years ago . The latest findings, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was conducted by an international team of researchers. They suggest that the single specimen on which the new designation depends, known as LB1 after the cave it was discovered in - Liang Bua - does not represent a new species. Indeed, aside from LB1, no substantial new bone discoveries have been made in the cave since this finding. ‘The skeletal sample from Liang Bua cave contains fragmentary remains of several individuals,’ said Dr Robert Eckhardt, professor of developmental genetics and evolution at Penn State University. ‘LB1 has the only skull and thigh bones in the entire sample.’ The first indicator that the finding could be explained by Down's syndrome was craniofacial asymmetry, a left-right mismatch of the skull that is characteristic of the disorder. The 15,000-year-old skeleton, officially known as Homo floresiensis, got its nickname from its squat stature. The 3-foot (1-metre) tall, 30-year-old female was based on remains that were uncovered in the Liang Bua cave on the remote Indonesian island of Flores in 2003. Since the discovery, scientists debated whether the specimen actually represents an extinct species in the human family tree, perhaps a diminutive offshoot of Homo erectus, a 1.8-million-year-old hominid and the first to have body proportions comparable to those of modern Homo sapiens. The researchers noted this asymmetry in LB1 as early as 2006, but it had not been reported by the excavating team and was later dismissed as a result of the skull's being long buried, he said. Initial descriptions of Homo floresiensis focused on LB1's unusual anatomical characteristics: a cranial volume reported as only 380 milliliters (23.2 cubic inches), suggesting a brain less than one third the size of an average modern human. The skeleton also had short thigh bones, which were used to reconstruct a creature standing only 3.5 feet (1.06 metres) tall. Although LB1 lived only 15,000 years ago, comparisons were made to earlier hominins, including Homo erectus and Australopithecus. Other traits were characterised as unique and therefore indicative of a new species. But a thorough re-examination of the available evidence in the context of clinical studies, the researchers said, suggests a different explanation. In the first place, they write, the original figures for cranial volume and stature are underestimates, ‘markedly lower than any later attempts to confirm them.’ The researchers have consistently found a cranial volume of about 430 milliliters (26.2 cubic inches). 'The difference is significant, and the revised figure falls in the range predicted for a modern human with Down's syndrome from the same geographic region,' Dr Eckhardt said. The latest findings, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was conducted by an international team of researchers. They suggest that the single specimen on which the new designation depends, known as LB1 after the cave it was discovered in - Liang Buaon Flores Island - is not a new species . LB1 is shown in three different views to illustrate facial asymmetry. A is the actual specimen, B is the right side doubled at the midline and mirrored, and C is the left side doubled and mirrored. Differences in left and right side facial architectures are apparent, and illustrate growth abnormalities of LB1 . The original estimate of 3.5 feet (1.06 metres) for the creature's height was based on extrapolation combining the short thigh bone with a formula derived from an African pygmy population. But humans with Down's syndrome also have diagnostically short thigh bones, Dr Eckhardt said. Though these and other features are unusual, he acknowledged, 'unusual does not equal unique. 'The originally reported traits are not so rare as to have required the invention of a new hominin species.' Instead, the researchers build the case for an alternative diagnosis: that of Down's syndrome, one of the most commonly occurring developmental disorders in modern humans. 'When we first saw these bones, several of us immediately spotted a developmental disturbance,' said Eckhardt, 'but we did not assign a specific diagnosis because the bones were so fragmentary. 'Over the years, several lines of evidence have converged on Down's syndrome.' This reconstruction of what LB1 was once thought to look like was created by researchers in Australia at the University of Woollongong in 2012. Using the skill fragments found in Flores, they added muscle and skin to reveal her face, but the assumption she was a new species of human may now not be true . Here Dr Susan Hayes (right) looks at a replica of Homo floresienses with Penny Williamson from the University of Woollongong's Earth and Environmental Sciences back in 2012. The new research, however, claims the bones have all the markings of an ancient human that suffered from Down's syndrome . A previously unpublished measurement of LB1's occipital-frontal circumference - the circumference of the skull taken roughly above the tops of the ears - allowed the researchers to compare LB1 to clinical data routinely collected on patients with developmental disorders. Here too, the brain size they estimate is within the range expected for an Australomelanesian human with Down's syndrome. LB1's short thigh bones not only match the height reduction seen in Down's syndrome, Dr Eckhardt said, but when corrected statistically for normal growth, they would yield a stature of about 1.26 meters, or just over four feet, a figure matched by some humans now living on Flores and in surrounding regions. These and other Down-like characteristics, the researchers state, are present only in LB1, and not in the other Liang Bua skeletal remains, further evidence of LB1's abnormality. 'This work is not presented in the form of a fanciful story, but to test a hypothesis: Are the skeletons from Liang Bua cave sufficiently unusual to require invention of a new human species?' Dr Eckhardt said. 'Our reanalysis shows that they are not. The less strained explanation is a developmental disorder. 'Here the signs point rather clearly to Down's syndrome, which occurs in more than one per thousand human births around the world.'
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Reanalysis of bones found in Indonesia suggests they are not from a 'hobbit'
Scientists say finding on Flores Island can be attributed to Down's syndrome .
This counteracts previous claims that the bones belonged to a previously unknown species of human 15,000 years ago .
Researchers say the initial findings were flawed in their analysis of 'LB1'
Instead they claim the bones have all the markings of an ancient human that suffered from the disorder and is not a new species .
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f73b971990a9bc41ec8c37b1c2a3dcfd2003fe9c
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Rats scurrying to escape rising floodwaters in New York could spread diseases as they infest new areas, according to a nature expert. A 13ft wall of water caused by the storm surge and high tides have caused severe flooding to subways and road tunnels in the city and torrents of water poured into city streets. The rising water will force rats out of their underground lairs and into contact with humans, according to Rick Ostfeld of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Milbrook, New York, speaking to The Huffington Post. Scroll down for video . Vermin: Stock picture of rats in New York. Rats could come into contact with humans as they seek safety from the flood . He says rats are expert survivors and will escape the floods and head for safer ground, such as apartments and other buildings inhabited by humans. He said: 'Rats are incredibly good swimmers and they can climb.' According to Ostfeld, this could result a rise in infectious diseases carried by urban rats, including leptospirosis, hantavirus, typhus, salmonella, and even the plague. 'One of things we know can exacerbate disease is massive dispersal,' he added. 'Rats are highly social individuals and live in a fairly stable social structure. If this storm disturbs that, rats could start infesting areas they never did before.' Rats don't need to bite a human to transmit the diseases as rodent faeces and urine can spread conditions like hantavirus. Flood: A flooded Midtown Tunnel in New York City after Sandy hit the US East Coast on Monday night . Rats could be forced into contact with people by the rising waters . However, Ostfeld suggested that the huge volume of water Sandy has brought should dilute the pathogens, reducing the risk to the public. There are precedents for rats being displaced by floods and forced into buildings. In the UK this summer washed out rats began infesting homes. 'It's not just about the high winds and rain,' said Ostfeld. 'A rat disturbance is something we should be concerned about.'
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Rats escaping New York floods could infest homes .
Urban rats carry wide range of diseases, including plague .
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f73ba7e708ceb000514083523f4c4f6da117fefe
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By . Katy Winter . There have been many, much applauded steps within the fashion industry to move away from the ultra-thin ideal for women. However, most models and store mannequins are still extremely thin, and now an example has come to light of a store popular with young girls using a dummy resembling a seriously underweight woman. Budget fashion house Primark has promised to change a window display after a customer tweeted a picture of an anorexic looking mannequin. The mannequin in question was clearly the image of an underweight women, with obviously protruding ribs . Concerned shopper Mel Fraser tweeted a picture of the skeletal dummy after spotting it in the shop window of the Glasgow branch. Wearing a bikini and printed trousers, the shockingly thin mannequin’s ribs were clearly protruding. Ms Fraser tweeted a picture of the dummy to bosses at Primark who tweeted back, promising to look into the matter straight away. She wrote: ‘ Dear Primark, is it really necessary that these new mannequins have protruding ribs? ‘And before I get anyone saying I’m skinny bashing, I’m not, I’d just like to see mannequins in all different shapes and sizes in all stores rather than young girls thinking this is the only way to be.’ Concerned shopper Mel Fraser tweeted a picture of the skeletal dummy after spotting it in the shop window of the Glasgow branch . Her picture and caption was quickly re-tweeted more than 1400 times and Primark bosses thanked Ms Fraser for bringing the matter to their attention and promised an investigation. They tweeted back: ‘Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We’ll speak to our team tomorrow. Can you please let us know what store this was pls?’ Fitness instructor and mother of one Ms Fraser said she felt using only overly thin mannequins sent a worrying message to impressionable young shoppers. Primark responded to the complaint and now says it will change it's window display . She said: . ‘Primark shoppers tend to be young fashion conscious girls and I’m . concerned that it sends a dangerous message to impressionable teenagers. ‘If . you are going to have mannequins that are thin then they should at least be . presented alongside other body shapes so not to enforce the message . that very thin is the only desirable or acceptable body shape for . women.’ Other twitter users also slammed the store. With users branding the use of the mannequin as ‘shocking, ‘disgusting,’ and ‘utterly terrifying.’ But others were quick to defend Primark with one user asking: ‘ What if you are naturally skinny, does that mean you can’t be represented?’ Earlier this year luxury Italian linger label La perla came under fire after a customer tweeted a picture of a mannequin on display in New York . Ms Fraser insisted she was merely calling for more of a ‘variety’ of shapes to be represented to send a safer message. Yesterday the store announced: ‘We are currently changing our window displays.’ In a tweet to Ms Fraser bosses said: ‘ The mannequin you describe will not be used in this way again.’ Primark is not the first store to be lambasted for the use of thin mannequins. Earlier this year luxury Italian lingerie label La perla came under fire after a customer tweeted a picture of a mannequin on display in New York. Gap and Zara have also come under fire in the past. In 2007 Spanish label Mango agreed not to display mannequins smaller than a size 6 because: ‘Problems with eating disorders among Spanish Women.’
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Dummy in Glasgow shop has protruding ribs .
Spotted by concerned shopper Mel Fraser .
Primark have now agreed to change their window display .
Other brands have come under fire in the past for promoting a too thin ideal .
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f73bebbd99fedb912d8fcc21a4e11be47d659888
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Plans to colonise Mars could be dashed by simple biology. A series of experiments suggest that sex and reproduction are affected by changes in gravity and radiation. In 1979, male and female rats were sent up into space by the Russians and refused to mate at all. However, other experiments have shown that animal sperm grow longer tails - and swim faster in zero gravity. Plans to colonise Mars could be dashed by simple biology. A series of experiments suggest that sex and reproduction are affected by changes in gravity and radiation . There are also concerns that high levels of radiation in space damage the ovaries and testicles, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s annual conference in Honolulu heard. Dr Joseph Tash, of the University of Kansas, said these parts of the body are the most sensitive to radiation. The eyes are next most vulnerable – and most astronauts need glasses after returning from space. The Red Planet is considered to be the solar system’s most hospitable alternative to Earth. Professor Stephen Hawking has predicted people will colonise it – but not for at least a century. Dutch firm Mars One plans to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars, with crews of four departing on a one-way ticket every two years from 2024. It says that children are essential if a proper colony is to be set up – but not straight away. It states: ‘In the first years, the Mars settlement is not a suitable place for children to live. The medical facilities will be limited and the group is too small. A pictured of the surface of Mars, taken by NASA, with the colour enhanced to show it under lighting conditions similar to those of Earth . Mars One's mission to the red planet (artist's illustration shown) has been widely panned by experts, with many saying the Dutch company lacks the technology or skills to have any hope of landing people on Mars . ‘The human ability to conceive in reduced gravity is not known, neither is there enough research on whether a foetus can grow normally under these circumstances. ‘In order to establish a true settlement on Mars, Mars One recognises having children is vital. 'Therefore this will be an important point of research.’
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In 1979, male and female rats were sent into space by Russians and refused to mate at all .
Other experiments have shown animal sperm grow longer tails - and swim faster in zero gravity .
High levels of radiation in space could also damage ovaries and testicles .
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f73c62b5eebc55043f0f1a2b9beb8036d0ae0661
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Racing through the mountain range on horseback, the Kazakh people practice their ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles. The eagles soar through the air at speeds of up to 200mph as they race to reach their keeper first, during an annual festival celebrating the heritage of the Turkic group. The Golden Eagle festival is held every October in Bayan-Olgii, a province in western Mongolia. Photographer captures the Kazakh people practising their ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles . Belgian photographer and software developer Stefan Cruysberghs captured these stunning photographs when he travelled to the region to witness the occasion first-hand. The 38-year-old, of Lommel, Belgium, said: 'The world is evolving fast, but these Kazakh people still practice the ancient art of training and hunting with golden eagles, and they do it with a lot of passion. 'The competitions during the Golden Eagle Festival show the long-term and trusting relationship between the eagle and the hunter. 'During the first competition each golden eagle is released from the top of a mountain and the birds race to catch some meat which is held by an eagle hunter on his galloping horse. 'The eagle and hunter are communicating with each other via cries, and whichever hunters' eagle reaches the meat the fastest, wins the game.' On horseback, the Kazakh people compete in the Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan-Olgii . The eagles reach speeds of up to 200mph as they race to reach their keeper first during the annual festival . Starting young: 13-year-old Ashol-Pan is just one of the many competitors at the Golden Eagle Festival . The Kazakhs of the Altai mountain range in western Mongolia are the only people that hunt with golden eagles, and today there are around 400 practising falconers. The tradition of hunting with golden eagles is said to have been started by the nomadic Khitans from Manchuria in northern China around 940AD. Other activities held during the Golden Eagle festival include horse racing, archery and Bushkashi, which is a goatskin tug of war on horseback . The festival also sees awards handed out for Best Turned Out Eagle And Owner, Best Eagle At Hunting Prey and Best Eagle At Locating Its Owner From A Distance. Discussing the bond between eagles and their human counterparts, photographer Stefan says: 'Young female golden eagles are caught in the wild and aren't given any food for several days. 'They will then start to accept food from humans and when trust between hunter and bird is gained, the hunter will start training the eagle. 'They become a part of the family and a long-term relationship is created. 'The relationship between the eagle and hunter only lasts for six to eight years and they take part in the competitions together year after year. 'After that, the female eagle is released back into the wild so she can breed.' Eagle hunter Berik sits with his eagle at the festival in Bayan Olgii, a province in western Mongolia . Belgian photographer and software designer, Stefan Cruysberghs, headed to Mongolia to see the festivities for himself . The Kazakhs of the Altai mountain range are the only people that hunt with golden eagles, and today there are around 400 practising falconers . Every October up to 70 eagle hunters and a host of tourists gather to celebrate Kazakh customs in the shadow of the Altai Mountains during the annual two day Golden Eagle Festival. The hunters wear traditional costumes, complete with fur coats made of marmot, fox or wolf skins which have been caught by their eagles. The more extravagant the coat the more respected the hunter is. Stefan says: 'The Kazakh eagle hunting tradition was always male-dominated, but nowadays some fathers teach their young daughters the art and skills of the ancient eagle hunter tradition. 'This year there were two young girls at the Golden Eagle Festival, it is great to see that young people still embrace their cultural heritage.' Other activities held during the festival include horse racing, archery and Bushkashi, which is a goatskin tug of war on horseback . The tradition of hunting with golden eagles is said to have been started by the nomadic Khitans from Manchuria in northern China in 940A . Here, the Kazakh people ride on horseback, accompanied by their trusty eagles . Speaking about the strong bond between bird and human, Cruysberghs said: 'A long-term relationship is created' 'The relationship between the eagle and hunter only lasts for six to eight years,' says Cruysberghs . After competing with their eagle for six to eight years, the female bird is then released back into the wild so that she can breed . The Kazakh people take a break and cool off during the Golden Eagle Festival . A hunter races with an eagle on his arm during the annual two-day festival that takes place each October . The hunters wear traditional costumes, complete with fur coats made of marmot, fox or wolf skins that have been caught by their eagles . The more extravagant the coat, the more respected the hunter is when it comes to the festival's traditional garb . Cruysberghs says: 'The Kazakh eagle hunting tradition was always male-dominated, but nowadays some fathers teach their young daughters' Talent knows no age: Here, 13-year-old Ashol-Pan celebrates a win at the festival . All of the competitors pose together to commemorate the occasion - along with their beloved birds, of course .
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The Golden Eagle Festival is held by the Kazakh people each October to celebrate the heritage of the ancient group .
Held in Bayan-Olgii, in western Mongolia, the festival includes a competitive hunt, with the men on horseback .
Pratice of hunting with golden eagles is said to have been started by the nomadic Khitans from Manchuria in 940AD .
Belgian photographer Stefan Cruysberghs travelled to Mongolia to witness the ancient occasion first-hand .
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f73c9dfb43ff62bc26295f2416e5c9bfb65303af
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Kiev, Ukraine (CNN) -- Ukraine opened an investigation into a terrorist threat after Friday's hijack attempt by a Ukrainian man on a Turkish airliner, the country's chief of investigations, Maksym Lenko, told reporters Saturday. The suspect said there was "a bomb on board," Turkish officials said, and he tried to divert the plane to Sochi, Russia -- the site of the Winter Olympics. The Ukrainian foreign ministry said no explosives or guns were found on board. The man, who was not named by Ukrainian authorities, is from the Ukrainian city of Kharkov, where he bought a plane ticket and boarded the Pegasus Airlines flight that left for Istanbul on Friday afternoon with 110 passengers on board, Lenko said. According to Lenko, witnesses said the man tried to enter the cockpit and demanded the plane change route to Sochi, where "there are (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and (Ukrainian President Viktor) Yanukovych, whose hands got blood on them." Witnesses said the other demand was to "free hostages in Ukraine," Lenko said. The pilots tricked him by turning the plane twice, and the suspect calmed down once he thought his demand was being met, Lenko said. The plane then landed safely. The Ukrainian foreign ministry said no one was injured and the suspect voluntarily turned himself in to police, but the Istanbul governor had a different story. Gov. Huseyin Avni Mutlu said special forces boarded the plane during the evacuation of passengers and used force to take the suspect into custody. "We had to use force because we were trying to persuade him and he wasn't persuaded," Mutlu said. "Without using guns, force was used. He has a light injury." The suspect had a carry-on bag with some electronics, the governor said, and may have been under the influence of "substances." "He thought for a while he was going to Sochi, but after a while he realized he was in Istanbul," he said. The suspect was not able to enter the cockpit, and no bomb was found on him, he said. Airlines warned of possible toothpaste tube bombs . Ukrainian Embassy officials in Istanbul were expected to meet the suspect who was taken into custody by Turkish authorities after the plane safely landed in Istanbul, Lenko said. Ukrainian investigators are also trying to determine the suspect's motive for the hijacking attempt, whether he was drunk and why he chose that particular flight.
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Ukraine has opened an investigation into a hijack attempt .
A man wanted to divert the plane to Sochi .
Officials say that pilots tricked him and he calmed down .
The suspect is in custody in Turkey .
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f73cf46e685f5d90065193e595c9a84dad579532
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By . Alex Ward . PUBLISHED: . 16:07 EST, 26 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:13 EST, 26 February 2013 . Russia will ban smoking in many public places under President Vladimir Putin’s plans to make citizens healthier, live longer and help the economy. In the nation with one of the world's highest smoking rates, the law, signed by Putin on Saturday and passed by parliament last week, will mean smoking will gradually be banned at work, in the subway, restaurants, cafes, ships and long-distance trains from June. The legislation will also restrict cigarette sales and ban advertising and sponsorship of events by tobacco companies. Public health plans: Russia will ban smoking in many public places under President Vladimir Putin's plans to make citizens healthier, live longer and help the economy . It was opposed by foreign firms such . as British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco, Japan Tobacco, and Philip . Morris, which control more than 90 per cent of a Russian cigarette . market which is worth about £13.2 billion annually. Putin's . aim is to force millions of Russians to make a lifestyle change in a . country where bars and restaurants are often filled with a thick haze of . smoke. Some 40 per cent of Russians smoke regularly, according to the . World Bank. In a sign that many will resist, smokers . rights' groups oppose the law and a website has sprung up which, in a . nod to Russia's Communist past, declares: ‘Smokers of the world unite.’ Force a lifestyle change: It is hoped that the new legislation will force millions of Russians to make a lifestyle change in a country where bars and restaurants are often filled with a thick haze of smoke . Grigory, a 60-year-old businessman in Moscow who declined to give his second name, said: ‘I'm categorically against this stupid ban. Smoking is heavily restricted now anyway. No smoking in offices, no smoking in staircases, nowhere. ‘I'll go out even less now as there's nowhere to go for us chain-smokers.’ The law will be phased in, with smoking banned in some public places, such as subways and schools from June 1. It will then be broadened to include restaurants and cafes a year later. Sales of tobacco products will be forbidden at street kiosks from June 1, 2014, advertising and displaying cigarettes will be restricted, and minimum prices will be set for cigarettes which mostly cost 50 to 60 rubles for a pack of 20 (less than £1.30). Owners of the ubiquitous kiosks, which . many convenience shoppers rely on, say many could go out of business, . especially as they have already been hit by restriction on alcohol . sales. The law is part of Putin's drive to . reverse a population decline that began after the Soviet Union collapsed . in 1991. He hopes it will increase productivity and promote economic . growth. Putin stepped up . these efforts since his return to the presidency in May, mounting a . campaign reminiscent of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's attempt to . crack down on drinking under his failed ‘perestroika’ reforms of the . late 1980s. Big business: A man smokes in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia as foreign firms oppose the ban including British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco which control more than 90 per cent of a Russian cigarette market worth about £13.2 billion annually . Gradual ban: The law will be phased in, with smoking banned in some public places, such as subways and schools from June 1. It will then be broadened to include restaurants and cafes a year later . Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said last year almost 400,000 Russians die each year from smoking-related causes. World Bank figures show Russia's population slumped to 141.9 million in 2011 from 148.6 million in 1991, with average life expectancy at 69 years, against 78 in the United States. Failure to expand the workforce would limit economic growth. Announcing Putin had signed the law, . the Kremlin said on Monday it would bring Russia into line with a World . Health Organization tobacco control treaty which it ratified in 2008. The . All-Russian Smokers' Rights Movement said the law would not work and . called instead for moves to discourage youngsters from starting smoking. Smoking population: Some 40 per cent of Russians smoke regularly (pictured left is a student in St Petersburg, and right a coal mine worker in Shestaki, Siberia). Almost 400,000 people die each year from smoking-related causes, according to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev . Erik Bloomquist, an analyst at . Berenberg Bank, said: ‘In aggregate... we do not expect the restrictions . to make much difference in overall consumption or prevalence, and think . the smoking bans will be honoured more in the breach than in . actuality.’ He said increases planned in excise taxes were likely to have a bigger impact on consumption. The move is a blow to Japan Tobacco, in which the Japanese government plans to sell about a third of its stake. Like other tobacco companies, it said it would abide by the law but several firms said the law could increase illicit trade. Alexander Lioutyi, Corporate Affairs Director, BAT Russia said: ‘Implementation of sales restrictions accompanied by the extensive year-on-year growth of excise in Russia may lead to a massive inflow of cheaper products from neighbouring states.’ Should ban more: Russia's Liberal Democratic Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky said tough laws similar to the smoking ban should be used to crack down on over-eating and 'excessive' sex . Last week Russia's Liberal Democratic Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky said tough laws similar to the smoking ban should be used to crack down on over-eating and 'excessive' sex. The senior Russian political leader said the smoking laws do not go far enough - and should tackle obesity and sex too. Mr Zhirinovsky told local radio: 'We need eating restrictions. Our people are overfed and too fat.' He said Russian people die earlier than the rest of the world because they eat and smoke excessively and have too much sex. Under his plans, people would be issued with a voucher giving them permission to make love just once every three months. 'Sex should be restricted to one time per quarter through issuing licenses, quotas or coupons,' he explained.
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The legislation will also restrict cigarette sales and ban advertising of events by tobacco companies .
Some 40 per cent of all Russians smoke regularly and 400,000 die every year .
Foreign tobacco firms, who control 90% of the Russian cigarette market, oppose the ban .
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(CNN) -- At this year's International Consumer Electronics Show, the televisions will be bigger, the watches smarter and more attractive, and the homes and cars more connected. CES, which kicks off next week in Las Vegas, is a giant technology trade show that mixes dozens of major tech companies with hundreds of scrappy startups. The big names show off their most recent lines of gadgets alongside eye-catching prototypes of future devices that may or may not ever make it into stores. Smaller companies fill booths with oddball gadgets and robots, plus more mundane fillers like phone accessories. Here's a peek at what to expect from 2014's first big technology conference. A gadget for every limb . There are devices to go on wrists, faces, waistbands and necks. Wearable-technology makers will push even harder to make these small gadgets go mainstream after a year of mostly awkward and misguided offerings. The main focus has been on smartwatches, but so far products like Samsung's Galaxy Gear have combined only half-baked hardware and clunky designs. Google Glass is not yet available outside a select group of beta testers, but it already has something of a reputation problem. One area that has managed to find a profitable niche is fitness tech. Wearable devices like the FitBit keep it simple by tracking steps, calories and other workout stats, and by synching collected data to smartphones. Fitness wearables overlap with health tech, with devices that track vital signs and help doctors monitor patients from far away. But it's still unclear if companies will be able to transition sporty and geeky wearables into legitimately fashionable designs that will appeal to mainstream consumers. Major tech companies at CES can be particularly tone-deaf when it comes to appealing to women. (An area of the show floor dubbed "Mommy Tech" is an ominous sign.) The intelligent house . It's not enough for phones and wristwatches to be smart. Some of the same technology that goes into wearable devices (tiny sensors and low-power wireless connections) is being used to make homes more connected as well. The promise of a smart home that saves energy and can be controlled from a phone has been around for several years, but the industry was still figuring out how to best make the various devices speak to each other. This year there will be even more vendors shilling home gadgets, but outside of home security systems -- a smart thermometer like Nest or a code lock -- it's not clear whether regular consumers are itching to wire up their entire homes so that they can dim the lights from halfway around the world. The home-automation industry still has some issues to untangle before it connects with mainstream homeowners. Conflicting communications standards, like ZigBee and Z-Wave, are fighting for supremacy. A handful of major companies want to own the entire connected-home ecosystem, such as Lowe's with its Iris system. Other smaller companies such as SmartThings see a future where various bits and pieces of a home from different vendors can work together. TVs are still a thing . Televisions continue to be a dominant product at CES, with major companies like Sony, Samsung, LG and Sharp trying to make screens bigger, higher-resolution and splashier than ever before. There will be gimmicky and extremely costly features, like curved screens, and other new form factors that will appeal only to the most well-funded audio/visual fanatic. Last year, 4K was the new ultra high-resolution buzzword, but the volume of 4K content continues to be minimal. (Expect to see some new 4K compatible cameras and camcorders.) Google gave the format a boost this year when it announced it is working on a way for the new devices to stream 4K content from services like YouTube without gobbling up all the bandwidth. The new streaming format, called VP9, will be demonstrated by major TV manufacturers at CES. Other TV trends will include OLED screens, Internet compatibility in the form of improved TV operating systems, and gesture controls. Many TV companies have eased off of 3-D televisions, which still haven't caught on despite years of hype. Cars connect with smartphones . Driving and smartphones may not mix now, but car companies are still looking into ways to safely combine the two. Detroit's annual auto show doesn't take place until later in January, but the tech developments inside the cars will make an early appearance at CES. It takes much longer to design and produce a new car than it does a smartphone, tablet or computer. That means such in-car technology as dashboard computers often feel out of date as soon as they're released. Some car manufacturers are working around this issue by adding compatibility for iOS and Android devices and including safe new ways to interact with the systems while keeping eyes on the road. Cars are new territory for the smartphone operating-system battle, with Apple and Google each angling for prime placement inside of popular car brands. For example, Audi is expected to announce next week a partnership with Google to bring Android systems to its cars. In-car information and entertainment systems are a minor feature when compared to what's going on inside some vehicles. Major car companies, universities and tech companies like Google are all working on automated-driving features. Fully self-driving cars are still a ways off, but early features that will let vehicles communicate with other cars, gather data about your driving patterns and take over in stop-and-go traffic are beginning to appear. The games people play . CES is not the biggest show for video-gaming news. The major console releases came out just ahead of the holiday rush, and game shows E3 and GDC don't take place until later in the year. But some smaller gaming products will bring a bit of fun to CES this year. Mobile gaming is a huge market, so look for smartphone- and tablet-compatible accessories and controls, motion sensors and fun add-ons that communicate with your devices over Bluetooth. Valve's SteamOS gaming platform is expected to have a big presence at CES, while cult darling Oculus Rift -- a virtual reality headset -- also will be on the floor. Some tech that started with game systems, such as motion-controlled interfaces, will branch out into other devices.
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The International Consumer Electronics show starts Monday in Las Vegas .
TVs will get bigger (and curved), and will add more "smart" features .
Tiny sensors will lead to a boom in home and wearable gadgets .
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By . Anthony Bond . PUBLISHED: . 07:55 EST, 1 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:56 EST, 2 February 2013 . With his adorable little face and cute floppy ears, its hard to believe that anybody could be cruel to this young pup. But 10-week-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier Apollo is lucky to be alive after being found abandoned in a zipped-up laptop bag. The playful pooch was found by a member of the public under a bush in Cambridge city centre. Cruel: Ten-week-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier Apollo was found abandoned in a laptop computer bag in Cambridge . She noticed the bulging bag moving as she walked through the city and was shocked when the whimpering pup emerged. The abandoned dog was then taken to Wood Green Animal Shelter in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, where he is now being cared for by staff. Linda Cantle, deputy head of animal welfare, said: 'This little dog is lucky to be alive. Apollo would have been hot and barely able to move or even breathe. 'We would urge anyone no longer able to care for their pet to act responsibly and call a rescue centre like Wood Green.' Cute: A member of the public noticed the bulging bag moving as she walked through the city and was stunned when the whimpering pup emerged . Support: The abandoned dog was then taken to Wood Green Animal Shelter in Cambridgeshire where he is now being cared for by staff . The pup has be named after the Greek god . of healing and will now live with a member of the care centre's staff . until he is ready to be rehomed. Apollo is one of thousands of animals that have been helped by the shelter in the past year. Since January 2012 the total number of dogs rescued by the centre Is a staggering 3,881.
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Staffordshire Bull Terrier Apollo was found under a bush in Cambridge .
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A pageant queen and self-ascribed 'beauty guru' has sent shock waves through the internet by posting a startling video in which she addresses her rapist father and threatens him with three guns. Brie Lybrand put up a twelve minute piece in which she explains that her abusive father has recently subscribed to her channel and tells him 'now is the time' for her to speak out about his crimes. Calling the post, a 'different kind of video' than normal, the Lousiana native launches into a harrowing attack on a Steven Bressler, the father she says sexually abused her from the age of four to 13. Scroll down for video . Watch out: New Orleans 'beauty guru' Brie Lybrand normally posts videos about her makeup and shopping but her latest is a shocking attack directed at an abusive father she says raped and tortured her for nine years . Ms Lybrand, whose normally upbeat videos are watched by over 2,000 viewers and contain tips on beauty brands and shopping advice, appears in the video without even a hint of the makeup so immaculately applied in previous posts, looking tired and vulnerable. 'My zombie eyes are in full affect,' she half-quips mustering the effort to laugh at herself through tears before explaining the motive behind her post. 'I just got an email from You Tube . saying the man that raped me for most of my life subscribed to me. The . man that took my virginity, robbed me of innocence, has subscribed to me . on You Tube and is watching my videos.' 'I . never got to testify in court and tell him what it feels like being . tied up and chained and tortured for hours when you're four years old by . your father,' she continues. Trauma: The usually perfectly made-up former pageant queen and actress appears bare faced and teary as she explains that the man who repeatedly raped her recently subscribed to her popular You Tube channel . Unforgiving: Ms Lybrand tells him that 'now is the time' for her to speak out about the unspeakable things he did to her as a child which she claims she never got to tell to a court . According to the statement, her father not only forced himself on her but tried to kill her mother, Ron Lybrand, 'many times'. One account recalls a night on which he beat 'the teeth out of' her for trying to protect her daughter. 'I watched my mother in a pool of her own blood and then he came after me,' she says. 'Even at my age I still have nightmares that he's coming back to kill me.' Though Ms Lybrand tells her viewers that she got away from him at 13, how she managed to do this is unclear as she still lives in the city in which she grew up. A lifelong resident of New Orleans, Ms Lybrand's own website exclaims proudly: 'I was born and raised in the "Crescent City" also known as "The Big Easy," New Orleans and am proud to call it home!' Remaining in New Orleans for college, the bit-part actress attended Tulane University in the city where she graduated with a degree in Theatre and History and though now she spends a significant amount of time sharing her secrets on You Tube, according to her latest post she also teaches children. Happier: A self-ascribed 'beauty guru', Ms Lybrand's website hosts her advice videos and tells fans of her latest bit-parts in movies and commercials . 'You wanna see what kind of person I . turned out to be?' She challenges her father before the video cuts to a . new shot and she lists her achievements as cheer-leading captain at high . school and college graduate. Her choice to become an actor is one, she explains, chillingly, that she credits to him. 'I think I became an actor because I had to escape my reality. The reality of the tortures of what you did. I got really good at it. I got really good at pretending I was somewhere else. Steven Bressler, when you were raping me my mind was somewhere else. 'I was in Disney World, or I was on a beach. Or on a swing listening to Broadway musicals. But I was anywhere except you on top of me. And I have turned that into my career.' Switching the subject, Ms Lybrand . then goes on to ask how he managed to get someone to marry him and calls . his new wife by her name. How she knows this information is unclear but she . refers to a lady named Suz and then claims her real name is Glenda. See an extract from the video here. NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT . Pretty: Normally her videos attract about 2,000 views but her latest offering has drawn over 200,000 . Perhaps . the most shocking act in the beauty queen's story is at five minutes . when she introduces her father to a substantial arsenal of weapons. Ms Lybrand shows viewers three handguns, one by one and tells her father she is always prepared for him. 'Let me show you my friends,' she says before drawing an automatic pistol from a baby pink carry case. She then shows a smaller version that she carries in her purse. And finally a third, pink gun that proves is loaded by opening the barrel. 'Even though I will be forever . damaged because of you, you haven't gotten the best of me... I met a . wonderful man who understands, who is there when I have to cry and when I . have to be upset on father's day when I didn't have a father. I had a . monster. I had a murderer.' The . man she talks about is Nick Rohde who appears in a couple of wedding . photographs on her Facebook page and yet who she refers to later in the . video as her fiance. Snap! Mr Lybrand's fans love the way she shoots her video from the comfort of her own home making the posts personal and cute . Brie Lybrand acts in the short film that she wrote and acted in called 'Waiting ... on Godot' 'I wish for your death every day,' she begins to conclude. 'You don't deserve to breathe the same air that I breathe. When you die, I will find your grave and I'm going to take a big, heaping dump on it because that's what you deserve.' The actress then suppresses a smile and wipes her face before continuing. 'I hope you see my face every day for the rest of your miserable life,' she says before urging him to unsubscribe from her channel. 'In the end you're going to be punished and I can't wait. Until then, stay out of my way.' Gawker has pointed to opinions that the story may have been made given Ms Lybrand's penchant for acting but others have argued that she has too much of web presence to fabricate something so serious. See Brie's message in full here .
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Former pageant star Brie Lybrand appears bare-faced and wan unlike in past videos .
Addressing her father as Steven Bressler she explains that he recently subscribed to her YouTube channel .
'Now is the time' she says to speak publicly about the violent sexual abuse she endured for nine years .
In the 12-minute video, Ms Lybrand shows her father three handguns .
Some viewers have questioned the authenticity of her story .
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Rason, North Korea (CNN) -- When Bernt Johansson crossed the mountainous countryside of North Korea into the city of Rason, the crowds there reminded the Swedish biker of the adulation that greeted his 1976 Olympic gold finish in Montreal. "Street after street was packed with people. When I waved, they cheered. And when I waved with both hands they cheered even more," he said. "It was fantastic." North Korea is famous for many things -- allegations of human rights violations and nuclear missile threats for a start -- but not for co-hosting international sporting events. But when some 40 Western cyclists from seven countries crossed the Tumen River between China and North Korea early Monday morning, it was the first time that a bicycle race -- or any sports event -- had started in China and finished in North Korea, according to event organizers and local officials. Only a few months ago North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un threatened to attack both the United States and South Korea and told foreign embassies in Pyongyang to consider evacuating staff. Now, Seoul and Pyongyang have moved to ease tensions. At a wrestling competition earlier this month in North Korea, the South Korean national anthem was played and its flag raised for the first time since the division of the two countries. Last week, the joint industrial park in Kaesong -- one of the key symbols of cooperation between North and South Korea -- reopened after a five-month hiatus. The North Korean government also revealed plans last month to develop its tourism sector, starting direct flights to Pyongyang from China, Southeast Asia and Europe, according to North Korean state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "The North Korean government is clearly on a charm and smile offensive. They are being nicer to the outside world," said Professor Brian Bridges of the Lingnan University in Hong Kong "We see a change of leadership style from the young leader, although we still haven't seen any change in economic policies or political reforms." Monday's event, officially named "Nordic Ways Vasa China - DPRKorea International Cycling Tourism Festival," was a non-timed 50-kilometer race that was part of a larger bicycle competition in the Jilin province, northeast China. Nordic Ways, a Swedish company that promotes Nordic-style sports in China, organized the race. "We've been negotiating with the Chinese and North Koreans for more than a year," said Gåvert Wååg, chairman of Nordic Ways. "With sport we build bridges and break boundaries. This gives North Korea a window to the West." After leaving Chinese territory on Monday, the cyclists were bussed to the North Korean side of the river and then instructed to lead the bikes back to the middle of the bridge to re-start. While the cyclists were good humored, edgy border guards, guides and government officials carefully monitored their every move ahead of the mass start. The North Korean path was a demanding track, many bikers said, yet stunningly beautiful. Steep serpentine roads took the riders up to high peaks, offering breathtaking views of the scenic countryside with its widespread cornfields, pine trees and small villages. Peasants and villagers stood by the road. Some clapped, while curious children stood watching wide-eyed in amazement at the spectacle. Police officers posted alongside the roads occasionally gave a discreet nod as bikers passed. However, it was when the riders rolled into the city of Rason that the real magnitude of the event came into view. The streets were lined with thousands of cheering spectators, waving flags and taking photos with mobile phones. In buildings people were leaning out of windows or standing at balconies to get a glimpse of the Western cyclists, with state media following their every move. "I've never experienced anything like this before," said 47-year-old Mike Evans from London after passing the finishing line. "And I will probably never experience anything like it again." Thirty-seven-year-old Brit Helen Simmenes from Norway said it was "just wild" and the greatest day in her life as a cyclist. It was also a big day for North Koreans. During the welcoming and prize ceremonies, high-ranking politicians praised international friendship and the development of economic cooperation with North Korea and the Rason Special Economic Zone. "You who have participated in this international cycling tourism festival held in Rason city for friendship and development of relationship of economy and cooperation, (and you) will be able to see the beautiful view of Rason City which is developing to a world-class economic and trade city," Chon Dong Chol, head of the Rason tourism bureau, told the racers after the finish. "You should be proud of yourself that you are the first foreign tourists who have visited northern seaside of the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea, the land of morning calm, by bicycle." The entire event was steeped in propaganda. After the race, the bikers were entertained by a dance performance of little children with songs hailing the "Great" and "Dear Leaders" Kim Il Sung and his son, Kim Jong-Il. That was followed to a visit to a greenhouse full of flowers named after Kim Jong-Il and a foreign-language bookstore filled with tomes dedicated to the Kim dynasty. The day ended with a lavish dinner party at Rason's top hotel with plenty of boozing and singing. Although the participants were told to keep their opinions about the North Korean regime to themselves, many of the bikers quietly expressed reservations about the bizarre fact that starvation and labor camps were not far away from their oversized dinner tables. But unease about joining the event was tempered by the idea that "something good may come from it," one biker said. But the signals being sent by North Korea on the international stage remained mixed. Pyongyang rescinded an invitation last month to a U.S. envoy to discuss American prisoner Kenneth Bae. Planned reunions of North and South Korean families were recently canceled. And satellite images of North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear facility last month have again raised questions about whether the country has restarted its plutonium production reactor, which Western experts see as a key component in the development of a nuclear weapon. "Unfortunately, what good comes out of these quiet and informal contacts could easily be erased as soon as North Korea starts threatening to shoot missiles again," Professor Bridges said.
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Earlier this week, Western cyclists raced from China across the North Korean border .
Thousands of spectators at the North Korean finish line greeted the 40 cyclists .
Comes as Pyongyang gives mixed signals of rapprochement and renewed rancor .
Analyst: "The North Korean government is clearly on a charm and smile offensive"
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(Ars Technica) -- Information about a keyboard being included in the "Rock Band 3" package was teased in the "Green Day: Rock Band" demo. We have now been given some exclusive information by our now-famous Mole about what we can expect from "Rock Band 3." Read on to find out what to expect from the instruments in the latest version of the game. It's the '80s! There won't actually be a keyboard peripheral sold with the game; instead there will be a keytar-like instrument supported. For those who didn't listen to much '80s music, a keytar is a sort of keyboard with a strap, held like a guitar. The keytar will be the only new instrument for the game. We were surprised that new instruments were being released at all, since Activision had noted that they were focusing on software and not hardware in order to cut costs. We figured Harmonix would follow what seemed to be a savvy strategy in a world already choked with peripherals. Harmonix will actually be doing something similar, and the peripherals will be created by an outside company. Mad Catz is bringing the instruments . Mad Catz will be creating all the "Rock Band 3" instruments and bundles; EA will only be distributing the software. Mad Catz will be offering many different bundles with different combinations of instruments available, and there will be bundles that are exclusive to certain retailers. If you have guitars, you'll be able to find a bundle for drums. If you need everything, that will be available as well. If a store doesn't want to be saddled with huge boxes, they can simply stock the game. This will allow the focus of the launch to be kept on the software, and we're told that there will be a "pro" mode included in the game that will require proper technique, and may lead to actual skills on guitars and bass. How this will work isn't known, but it's possible Mad Catz may create a product that more closely mimics an actual guitar. All this information is firmly in the rumor pile, excluding the Mad Catz connection, but our Mole has successfully broken more stories in gaming news and peripherals than anyone else in this business, so we're confident in this data. It also makes sense: Mad Catz has long had the license to release Rock Band peripherals, and large bundles suffer from thin margins and can be expensive to stock. Giving control of the hardware to a company who knows how to release and ship peripherals makes sense for everyone, and more bundles give retailers a new layer of granularity to stock items based on their needs. As for the keytar? We have no clue. Expect this information to be confirmed at E3. COPYRIGHT 2010 ARSTECHNICA.COM .
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Ars Technica's "Mole" reports that a keytar-like instrument will be supported .
The keyboard/guitar combination will be the only new instrument .
Instruments and game will be available in several bundles .
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For the first time, water ice has been spotted in images of craters on the planet Mercury by Nasa’s Messenger spacecraft. The groundbreaking discovery reveals the shape and size of the ice in the planet’s polar regions. It might also help us discover how water was transported to other planets in the solar system such as Mars and Earth. Scientists at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory have spotted ice in visible image of Mercury for the first time. One area was Kandinsky crater, near Mercury's north pole. On the right is a higher contrast image of the crater, revealing an expanse of ice on its floor . Water ice was speculated to exist on Mercury by Messenger back in 2012. However, this is the first time ice has been seen in visible images of the surface. Found in permanently shadowed craters, it is thought to be tens of metres thick but may extend over vast regions of the crater floors. In addition the ice may be relatively young, on the order of just ten or 100 million years. For all its bland 'dead' appearance, Mercury is a very interesting place . It is the smallest planet in our solar system - only slightly larger than the Earth's moon. On its sunward half, the planet sizzles at a temperature of 427°C (800°F) while its night side maintains –173°C (–280°F). This means that while one side is cold enough to freeze water, the other quickly boils anything on the surface. It is the closest planet to the sun at a distance of about 36 million miles (58 million km) or 0.39 AU (one AU is the Earth-sun distance). Mercury has a solid iron core that measures more than half the planet's diameter. Earth, by contrast, has a solid core that's just 9.5 per cent of its overall girth. One day on Mercury takes 58 Earth days and 15 hours. Mercury makes a complete orbit around the sun (a year in Mercury time) in just 88 Earth days. Why the ice can only exist in these craters, and not elsewhere on the surface, is due to Mercury's position in the solar system. Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, at an average distance of just 36 million miles (58 million kilometres). It completes a rotation about once every 58 Earth days, meaning that its entire surface is subjected to the full brunt of the sun. Without an atmosphere to protect the surface the temperatures reach a scorching 427°C (800°F) in the day this drops to -173°C (-280°F) at night. These huge fluctuations make it impossible for ice or water to form on most of the surface. However, in the polar regions of Mercury, some of the crater floors stay in endless shadow. As the planet rotates it tilts in such a way that sunlight can never enter some of the craters at these extreme regions, so they stay eternally dark. This means that ice can survive, as it is never heated to a high temperature by the sun and instead stays far below zero. Back in 2012, Nasa spotted water ice in its permanently shadowed craters through a number of indirect methods. But with these new images the ice has now been directly imaged, something Dr Nancy Chabot, the Instrument Scientist for Messenger, tells MailOnline is ‘very exciting’. This close-up of the Kandinsky crater image shows the ice in more detail. Dr Chabot tells MailOnline it is likely tens of metres thick but may extend across almost the entirety of the crater floor. How the ice came to be there though is somewhat of a mystery. It may have been carried by a comet . This image reveals the permanently shadowed surface within Prokofiev crater, the largest crater in Mercury's north polar region. The area in yellow, a zoomed in segment of the pink rectangle, is thought to be water ice residing inside the crater . ‘The main implications, aside from it being cool to see ice on Mercury, is that these cold traps are cold enough to have had ice for billions of years,’ says Dr Chabot. However it’s thought that some of the ice was deposited fairly recently in cosmic terms, perhaps just ten or 100 million years ago. ‘Even though you have water ice, we don’t think there’s the other things you need to have life,’ she explains. ‘We might not have life there, but understanding the delivery of water from the early solar system to Earth, Mars and other places that might have life. Understanding how water was distributed has implications for the solar system.’ To find the ice the researchers zeroed in on craters that had previously been identified to have bright material that could be ice. This included Prokofiev, the largest crater in Mercury’s north polar region. By increasing the contrast in images, the ice in the crater floor was revealed. Dr Chabot adds that the discovery may indicate ice formation on Mercury is something that is still continuing today. But, most importantly, ice was likely taken to the planet by comets. It is thought that other planets in the solar system, including Earth, had water and possibly life delivered in this way. Discovering how this ice came to be on Mercury could, in turn, reveal the origins of our own water and ice on Earth, and even ourselves. Messenger (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) is a Nasa-sponsored scientific investigation of the planet Mercury and the first space mission designed to orbit the planet closest to the Sun. It entered orbit around Mercury on 17 March 2011 .
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Scientists have spotted ice in visible image of Mercury for the first time .
The discovery was made in the planet's permanently shadowed craters .
Mercury is the closest planet to the sun and has no atmosphere .
This means its surface can get very hot, melting and evaporating ice .
However at its polar regions some craters are in constant shadow .
This means ice can survive on their floors for millions of years .
Until now only indirect evidence for this ice had been found .
But by raising the contrast on images the scientists revealed ice .
Dr Nancy Chabot tells MailOnline this could help explain how water and life were brought to planets like Earth and maybe Mars .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 7:34 PM on 2nd November 2011 . 'Like a sprung coil': Mr Allen, shown leaving court in June, was said to have snapped after his wife Melanie deprived him of his dinner . A deputy high court judge who hit his wife during an argument has been sacked for bringing the judiciary into disrepute, officials said today. James Allen QC was removed from his judicial positions after being given a 12-month supervision order by District Judge Daphne Wickham at Bradford Magistrates’ Court in June. A spokeswoman for the Office for Judicial Complaints said: 'The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice are of the view that his actions had brought the judiciary into disrepute and have removed Judge Allen from his judicial positions.' During a trial which ended earlier in . June, Allen, 61, claimed that his wife, Melanie, inflicted injuries on . her own face during the incident at their house in Woolley, Wakefield, . West Yorkshire, on February 20 last year. Mrs Allen, 44, backed up her husband’s story when she gave evidence in court. She also said she had self-harmed in the past. But Mrs Wickham said she did not believe the couple’s account and found Allen guilty of common assault. His wife was not in court, although the district judge was told they are still together. Mrs Wickham also ordered Allen to pay £5,000 towards the £5,421 cost of the prosecution. The court heard that most of this was spent on expert medical opinion. The trial, which was spread over a . number of days starting last year, heard that the argument between the . Allens started after the husband had been away for a week and then spent the . Saturday running his family around. Lavish: The home of the Allens in West Yorkshire is where the attack took place . He returned to the family home having . not eaten, to find his wife was preoccupied by the couple’s cleaner, . who had come round to talk to Mrs Allen about various problems she was . having. They both told the court the argument . was more heated than usual and Mrs Allen described her increasing . exasperation at her husband’s insistence he was leaving. She said she punched herself on the sides of her head out of sheer frustration and despair. Mrs Allen also gave evidence saying she had done something similar on Boxing Day 2009, following another argument. And, she said, she cut her wrist 18 years ago, resulting in a minor injury which was treated in hospital. But one doctor told the hearing that . Mrs Allen’s injuries on February 20 - which included bruises and . swelling - were not consistent with self-punching. Police officers told the trial Mrs . Allen made no mention of harming herself when they called at the house . within 15 minutes of receiving a 999 call. In that emergency call, the caller was recorded saying Allen was 'trying to kill' Mrs Allen. Sentencing Allen, Mrs Wickham said he . had reacted to his irritation at his wife having a 'female chat' with . the cleaner 'rather like a sprung coil'. The district judge added: 'I found that you snapped when you felt you were being stopped from leaving.' She reminded the court that Allen hit . his wife at least three times and, although the bruises and swelling . were not 'long- lasting', she said the attack was 'dangerous and . unpleasant'. She told Allen: 'The effect of the conviction on you personally and professionally is profound. 'That is punishment, I’m sure you will think, in itself.' Allen made no comment as he left the court. He was called to the bar in 1973 and was made a QC in 1995. He was made a deputy high court judge in 2000. One high-profile case he presided . over was Christine Gill v RSPCA, in which he ruled against the animal . charity in a dispute over a large will bequest. Mrs Allen is also a trained . barrister. She sits using her professional name, Melanie Williamson, as a . deputy coroner in the eastern district of West Yorkshire, covering the . Leeds area.
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Allen also had to pay £5,000 towards prosecution costs .
Wife originally said she had caused injuries to herself .
Doctors said they weren't consistent with self-punching .
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By . Harriet Hernando for MailOnline . Every now and again policemen are prepared to drop their helmets and get into the swing of things, as this gyrating bobby in Sweden shows as he dances at a gay pride event. The policeman, dressed in his uniform, can be seen moving energetically with a man in hot-pants while party goers clad in sailor suits egg him on. During the dance off the man in tiny shorts does a high kick while the policeman gamely ducks underneath him. The Swedish officer is but one of many policemen who have been caught getting into the spirit of the events they are policing. Last year British bobbies were filmed enjoying Notting Hill Carnival in London, which will take place next weekend. Three officers in high vis uniforms performed a synchronised 'rowing boat' dance in front of hundreds of revellers. Getting down with the people: Policeman in Sweden dances with revellers at gay pride event . A video of the routine called Notting Hill Carnival 2013 Police Dance Off was posted on YouTube and received thousands of hits. An officer called PC Armstrong posted a link to the video on Twitter with the caption: 'good community relations in my opinion'. Busting a groove: The British policemen performed the 'rowing boat' at Notting Hill Carnival last year .
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Swedish policeman dances with a man in hot pants at gay pride event .
Last year British bobbies were caught performing 'rowing boat' routine .
They were filmed at Notting Hill Carnival - taking place next weekend .
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(CNN) -- The death toll from several storms that hit Mexico this week rose to 101, authorities said late Friday. An additional 68 people are still missing after storms ravaged the area, the nation's Interior Ministry said. At one point this week, Mexico seemed to be pummeled from all sides by then-Hurricane Manuel and the remnants of Hurricane Ingrid. Some 24 states in the country had been impacted by storm damage, the Interior Ministry said. And the bad news, forecasters say, is that heavy rains could continue through the end of the month. Trapped in Paradise . One area battered by rain was the tourist destination of Acapulco on the Pacific coast. Manuel had left about 40,000 tourists stranded in Acapulco. As of Thursday, more than 10,000 were able to board military or commercial flights out of the storm-ravaged area. On Friday, some good news was delivered to trapped tourists. Four ships arrived with 125 tons of groceries and nine tons of medical oxygen, the Interior Ministry said. But it may be some time, officials said, before Acapulco International Airport is fully functional.
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68 people are still missing .
Damage is widespread .
Thousands were trapped in Acapulco .
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(CNN) -- A surfer was killed Saturday in a shark attack off the coast of Australia, at least the fifth such attack in less than a year. The man had been surfing just south of Wedge Island in Western Australia when he was taken by what is believed to be a great white, the Department of Fisheries said in a statement. The identity and age of the victim were not immediately released. Authorities were still searching for his remains. "When last seen the shark was heading offshore, but we have placed baited lines in the water near the attack site, in an attempt to catch the shark should it return to the location or pose a threat in the area," said Tony Cappelluti, spokesman for the department's Shark Response Unit. Some area beaches were closed after the incident, but no further shark sightings have been reported. The stretch of water along Western Australia's southern coast is one of the deadliest for shark attacks. Three people were mauled in the water in September and October, while a fourth was taken in March while diving with his brother about one nautical mile off Stratham Beach. More people were killed by sharks along that southern coast than anywhere else in the world in 2011, according to the International Shark Attack File. "Certainly for Australia, and Western Australia in particular, I would say that five deaths from shark attacks in less than 12 months is very unusual," said Cappelluti. He declined to say what might be behind the attacks, but said a lot of research is being done on the subject and that authorities hope to have more information soon. Still, others manage to come face-to-face with the aquatic creatures and live to tell the tale. Nathan Podmore and his friend were spear fishing off the coast of Western Australia, south of Perth, recently when they came across a 12-foot-long shark. "It wasn't in attack mode. It was more curious," he told CNN's Fredricka Whitfield. He said he and his friend fended it off before getting back to their boat. "I always said that I would like to see one. ... No, but, I never want to see another one in the water. It's nuts," Podmore said.
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NEW: Authorities are still searching for the victim's remains .
His age and identity are not immediately released .
The surfer is believed to have been taken by a great white .
The stretch off Western Australia's southern coast is one of the deadliest for shark attacks .
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The new Mike Tyson does not look like the old Mike Tyson. Gennady Golovkin has a baby face unadorned by menacing warrior tattoos but he is a prize-ring assassin just the same. As the real world middleweight champion he is, naturally, smaller than the youngest man ever to win the world heavyweight title. Gennady Golovkin is the new Mike Tyson in the ring, but not outside of it . Golovkin (left) knocks down Daniel Geale during their WBA/IBO Middleweight bout last July . He is also respectful of his opponents, unfailingly polite to all he meets, rarely if ever swears in any of the four languages he speaks fluently, often dresses like an English country gentleman, regularly takes his son on the school run in his adopted Germany and has a smile like sunshine. But this is where the dissimilarities end: Outside the ring. The Kazakh known as GGG – his middle name is a longer version of his first name – is the most powerful pound-for-pound puncher in the world. Deontay Wilder may be the biggest-hitting heavyweight but in terms of comparative size, Golovkin is the most devastating. It appears that not even the most thunderous of the light-heavyweights can live with him. Sergey Kovalev, the Russian Krusher who flattened Nathan Cleverly and recently ended the long championship reign of Bernard Hopkins, is reported to have withdrawn from sparring with Golovkin because he was getting badly hurt. Kovalev’s trainer is in denial about that but the anecdotal evidence is plentiful. Golovkin has knocked out 28 of his 31 victims in an all-win professional career thus far and St Helens’ own Martin Murray is next to climb the scaffold, in Monte Carlo on Saturday night. Golovkin, dressed like an English country gentleman, during a visit to London to promote his fight . Tyson (right) in action against Buster Mathis Jnr in Philadelphia in August 1995 . Tyson is pictured in modern day guise, complete with facial tattoos . He has not been taken the distance since an eight-rounder all of six years and 18 fights ago. Nor, since he seems to have a chin as granite as his fists, has he ever been knocked off his own feet. Not for a second. That charming demeanour evaporates when the first bell rings. Golovkin becomes a destructive monster and if you keep your hands up to protect your head he simply sets about disembowelling you. Matthew Macklin, the much-respected and usually durable Anglo-Irish middleweight contender, was crumpled by a single body shot and reports: ‘I’ve never been hit that hard in my life. It’s scary.’ This man certainly appears to put the wind up even the most accomplished boxers around his weight. Golovkin has been trying, so far in vain, to secure big-name fights against the likes of Sergio Martinez, Miguel Cotto and Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr. He says: ‘I want these major fights but what can I do if they won’t get in the ring with me.’ Golovkin in action against Curtis Stevens during their WBA Middleweight Title fight in New York in 2013 . It is to Murray’s enormous credit that he has agreed to venture where others fear to tread despite the lure of Golovkin’s WBA and IBO world titles being at stake. All the more so since this one-man wrecking ball is in his prime at 32. Murray freely admits that Felix Sturm and Martinez were somewhat in decline when they inflicted the only minor blemishes on his record, a controversial draw and a disputed defeat in those respective world title challenges. Not Golovkin, who patiently built the foundation of his career through 350 amateur fights of which he won all but five. The professional steel which is his backbone now was embedded in boyhood. Golovkin throws a left jab at Marco Antonio Rubio during the WBC middleweight title bout last October . Golavkin celebrates after knocking out Geale to defend his WBA/IBO middleweight titles last July . Two of Golovkin’s four brothers were killed in mysterious action when serving with the Soviet army in the 1990s. But they knew GGG was the most ferocious of them and when they were growing up together in Kazakhstan they used to challenge grown men to fight the seven-year-old Gennady in the streets, where he gave them a beating. The Russian government declined to disclose details of their deaths or permit funerals. ‘It was a very hard time for us,’ says Golovkin. ‘Our family was torn apart.’ Now he honours the memory of his late siblings in the ring. Monte Carlo’s sumptuous Salle des Etoiles is a world far removed from the grimy town of Karaganda, where his coal-miner father and Korean mother struggled to bring them all up. But the chandeliers of this casino ballroom will glitter down on either Gennady Golovkin hammering out his latest concussive triumph…or Martin Murray springing one of boxing’s bigger surprises. Golovkin-Murray will be live on Channel 5 from 10 pm this Saturday night.
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Gennady Golovkin has a baby face unadorned by menacing warrior tattoos but he is a prize ring assassin just the same as Mike Tyson .
He is also respectful of his opponents and unfailingly polite to all he meets .
Golovkin has 28 knockouts in 31 wins during his professional career .
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(CNN) -- It did not happen when the top job opened up at the International Monetary Fund: Christine Lagarde of France won out over candidates such as Mexico's Central Bank Governor Agustin Carstens, who put up a good fight. It did not happen at the World Bank either: Washington leaned on the members of the developed world to back their man Jim Yong Kim, the former president of Dartmouth College. But the third time was the charm for those in emerging markets to finally run a post-World War II institution in modern times. Brazil's Roberto Azevedo took the flag after voting from the 159 members of the World Trade Organisation, becoming its first ever Director General from South America. He outpolled Herminio Blanco of Mexico -- another highly experienced trade veteran -- who had the backing of other NAFTA members the United States and Canada. Read more: Building on 'BRICS': The next emerging economies . As the new DG, Azevedo did not overplay the significance of what his backing meant. But in his first television interview since securing the job he acknowledged the shift to the emerging markets. "It is important to have the developing world and the emerging economies being participants, active participants even in a leadership role as well," he said. Not surprisingly he came out of the starting gate in the role saying that resuscitating the Doha Round of free trade talks is priority number one. Read more: O'Neill: Euro may not exist by 2020 . "We have a very large trade agenda to push forward, but we can't because we are paralyzed," said the veteran trade negotiator, who noted that the rules governing the WTO are outdated. The job will not be easy. For his predecessor, Pascal Lamy, the term was a frustrating one. In the midst of the worst financial crisis in a generation, free trade slipped right off the global agenda. Some would contend the crisis reignited protectionist tendencies, especially in emerging markets. Watch more: O'Neill: BRIC more important than EU . According to the World Bank, Argentina topped the list of countries that filed the most measures to guard certain sectors and products from competition. It was joined by the BRIC countries and the U.S., rounding out the top six places. Azevedo will have to take a nuanced approach to navigate demands at home in Brazil and at the same time chart a new course to build a consensus. Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff raised the tenor of the protectionist debate when she accused Washington of driving down the value of the U.S. dollar to the detriment of developing countries. Read more: Defterios: Are the emerging 'BRICS' markets dead? The new Director General suggested in our interview that the topic of currency fluctuations could also be included in the WTO's agenda, even if other institutions such as the IMF keep it on theirs as well. "I am optimistic that the organisation can look at these very important issues that are a big part of today's business world," he said, adding that the WTO needs to avoid a "disconnect" between business and the multi-lateral trading system. To get the Doha Round moving forward as opposed to sitting in neutral where it has been for years, top trade officials told me emerging economies need to embrace market opening measures. Their resistance to change is what allowed them to stumble badly in the past two years. Azevedo said it is important to move forward: "We cannot look backwards. What we have to do is raise our heads, look forward, roll up our sleeves and work." Brazil is a prime example of how a lack of reforms has undermined the economy. After growing seven and a half percent in 2010, the vast emerging market just managed to grow less than one percent last year. That may be Roberto Azevedo's prime argument to revive free trade. Now he has to get at home and in other emerging markets to embrace that concept as well.
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Brazil's Roberto Azevedo took the flag after voting becoming its first ever Director General from South America .
Defterios: Brazil is a prime example of how a lack of reforms has undermined the economy.
As the new DG, Azevedo did not overplay the significance of what his backing meant, writes Defterios .
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(CNN) -- A new chapter in the fast-food wars was created with Heinz hiring Bernardo Hees, former Burger King CEO, to lead its company. Despite a decades-long relationship, McDonald's terminated its contract with Heinz due to this hiring decision. While Heinz has not publicly addressed its reasons for naming Hees CEO, questions have been raised about the strategy behind recruiting him. Perhaps, given his fast-food experience, the plan was to have him turnaround a relationship that had been falling apart for several years. While many perceive the hiring of Hees as an abrupt end to the Heinz McDonald's relationship, it actually began souring during the 1973 tomato shortage. Heinz, in a 2011 interview with the Wall Street Journal, revealed that it only was serving two U.S. markets -- Minneapolis and Pittsburgh -- for McDonald's. Within that same article, Heinz announced new ketchup packaging that, while not specifically developed to lure McDonald's back, created hope that the door could be reopened. To date, that has not happened, and with Hees at the helm, the door is now completely closed. Possibly, Heinz expected Hees fast-food industry background to rejuvenate its McDonald's relationship and drive revenue from it. If that was the rationale, the strategy clearly backfired. However, the expectation of success primarily based on prior industry experience parallels a common salesperson hiring strategy. Executives in search of fast, high performance often focus their recruiting campaigns on candidates within their industry -- with a watchful eye on the competitor's top salespeople. Is this a brilliant growth strategy or a myth that, more often than not, leads to failure? To share a story ... During the Dot-Com boom, I was the Director of Sales for a large technology training company. At that time, Microsoft, Cisco, Novell, and IBM were experiencing explosive growth -- which created tremendous demand for information technology training to support its products. While our company was doing well, a competitor had fallen on hard times which led to my receiving a phone call from one of its top salespeople. He, and a group of five others, were interested in joining our firm. It would be inaccurate to say that the six salespeople were interviewed by our company. The truth is job offers were fast-tracked because of their industry background. "This group requires no training and is bringing clients with them ... fast, high performance." -- at least that is what we believed. All six accepted the job offers and all six were no longer with the company within ninety days of their hiring. We thought they would succeed (and fast) because of their industry experience -- but the plan was flawed. While they had been successful with a competitor, they were mismatched with our company. Our executive team, like so many others, was blinded by the myth of assured success when hiring those with industry background. While prior industry experience is certainly helpful to a salesperson, it is not a guarantee of success -- far from it. Many executives cite "complexity of the industry" as a reason to exclusively hire salespeople from competitors -- inferring that industry knowledge is too hard to teach. If that's true, how did these executives learn their industry? They certainly didn't come out of the womb with that insight. Those executives are really communicating that they don't want to train salespeople on the industry fundamentals. It also dangerously assumes that the competition is doing a better job of training salespeople than they are. Of course, another reason executives pursue the competition's salespeople is the expectation they will bring a book of business with them -- also a myth. Moving clients from one supplier to another is very difficult to do - unless there are reasons other than the salesperson changing business cards. Not to mention, there are potential legal issues when salespeople try to move "their" clients when changing jobs. Limiting salesperson hiring to just those with industry experience creates a scalability problem for the company. There are only so many people with industry experience and only a small subset who the company would want on the team. What happens when the candidate pool runs dry and there are job openings on the sales team? Rather than blindly pursue those salespeople with industry mastery, first study each sales role and identify the factors that affect performance. What causes salespeople to succeed or fail in the role? Understanding the performance factors provides the means to carefully assess sales talent for matches to those factors. Not only does this help identify which candidates with industry background will succeed in the company, but it also opens the door to strong candidates without prior industry experience. Cast the "industry experience" requirement aside and hire those salespeople who have what it takes to succeed in the company. Hiring right is the first step of positioning the business for success. The second is to create a sales on boarding program teaching salespeople the requisite knowledge to deliver fast, high performance for the company. Reviewing performance factors before hiring and developing on boarding programs are not just sales hiring strategies. These steps are also applicable for leadership positions. Had Heinz taken this approach, they may have selected a different CEO to lead the company. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Lee B. Salz.
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McDonald's terminated contract with Heinz after hiring former Burger King CEO .
Management expert Lee Salz says hiring former competitors is flawed strategy .
Ignore "industry experience" hiring practice, says Salz .
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By . Suzannah Hills . PUBLISHED: . 06:50 EST, 4 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:51 EST, 4 March 2013 . Protesters today held a demonstration against the controversial natural gas extraction process called fracking - on a village green opposite the Chancellor's constituency office. The process of fracking, which extracts shale gas deposits from beneath the earth, has been proposed at numerous sites across the British countryside. Chancellor George Osborne is one of the main supporters of shale gas energy - which has been proposed in his own Tatton constituency in Cheshire. Greenpeace campaigners today spent several hours operating a 'fake fracking' work site in Tatton's main town of Knutsford in protest against the plans before closing it down this afternoon. On the Chancellor's doorstep: Greenpeace set up a fake 'fracking' operation on a green opposite George Osborne's constituency office in Knutsford, Tatton . The controversial technique of fracking uses a high-pressured mix of water and chemicals to force out reserves from deep layers of rock . Campaign: George Osborne's Tatton constituency is one of many sites around the UK that has been earmarked for Shale gas extraction . The campaigners also took over a local Conservative club and unveiled a huge banner down the side of the building. The front page of Greenpeace’s website was dedicated to the anti-fracking protest for the day, with a live webcam and statements supporting their cause. A statement on the site said: 'Fracking . is a dangerous gamble that will threaten local environments, derail . efforts to tackle climate change and cost green jobs and investment. Controversial: Chancellor George Osborne is a enthusiastic supporter of developing shale gas energy in Britain . 'Across the street from his office is a beautiful village green where teams of activists have constructed a huge fake fracking operation - to show the Chancellor what his gas nightmare will look like.' Chief Inspector Paul Carroll of Cheshire Police said: 'Police attended a peaceful protest at George Osborne's constituency office in Manchester Road in Knutsford. 'In total approximately 25 people from Greenpeace were at the location. 'Most of the protesters left by 2.30pm. There were no issues, no one was arrested, and there was no impact on the traffic in the area. 'There was a police presence as the role of the constabulary is to impartially allow for peaceful protesting, whilst ensuring that others can continue unhindered in their legitimate business activities, or commuting.' The controversial technique to extract shale gas - known as fracking - uses a high-pressured mix of water and chemicals to force out reserves from deep layers of rock. Campaigners claim drilling could scar the British countryside, pollute water supplies, and clog roads with hundreds of lorries transporting gas and dirty water. In the U.S., fracking has led to local contamination of water with methane and the extraordinary spectacle of people being able to set fire to the water coming out of their taps because of the gas content. Organised: Greenpeace created a fictional company called Frack&Co for the demonstration against fracking . The Greenpeace campaigners took over the local Conservative club as Frack&Co's base for the protest . Climate concerns: Campaigners claim drilling for shale gas will scar the British countryside and cause pollution . Greenpeace environmental campaigner Lawrence Carter said: 'Fracking is an unnecessary practice. We don't need fracking, we don't need shale gas when we have got low-carbon forms of energy which not only deliver but also help the economy by delivering growth.' The process of fracking involves pumping millions of gallons of water and chemicals deep underground to force out natural gas from the surrounding layers of shale rock. Engineers have known about shale gas for more than a century. In 1875, Victorian geologists sank a borehole in Sussex to investigate shale, a finely grained rock - created from compressed mud - which sits in layers. When a flame was lowered into the hole, it exploded, confirming the presence of natural gas. But getting this gas out of the ground is extremely complicated. Below the North Sea, natural gas forms in sandstone and when a drill reaches the gas, it flows out. But shale gas is locked in dense rock. Energy companies must drill a well hundreds or thousands of feet deep to reach the layer of shale – which can be just 50 feet thick - and then turn the drill sideways to bore horizontally. Water, chemicals and sand are pumped into the hole under enormous pressure until the rock cracks, allowing gas locked up in the shale to escape and flow upwards into the well. This process is called hydraulic fracturing - fracking for short. Blackpool is believed to be sitting on one of the biggest shale gas fields in the world – with a reserve of 200 trillion cubic feet lying under the Lancastrian countryside. It’s enough gas to keep the UK going for 50 years, end reliance on imported gas from Russia and create more than 5,000 jobs. It is ten times more than all the natural gas known to be left under the North Sea, and a fifth of the size of the world’s biggest field. In the U.S., where fracking has been carried out for more than a decade, the process has halved the price of natural gas. But opinion is still widely divided on shale gas. Supporters believe it could solve the growing global energy crisis while opponents of fracking continue to argue that it is a dangerous process which should be abandoned. Environmentalists insist the technique releases toxins and methane gas into nearby water supplies - which has already occurred in America - and scupper any chances of cutting greenhouse gases. And after fracking caused an earthquake with a magnitude of 2.3 in Blackpool last April, there are concerns about the scale of the earthquakes it can trigger. Fracking has already been banned in France, New York and New Jersey as well as in Quebec and parts of Switzerland. Today's protest came with the release of a ComRes poll, conducted on behalf of Greenpeace, which found that 12 per cent of residents in Tatton who voted Conservative in the last election would be less likely to vote Tory again if fracking went ahead in the area. 'It seems George Osborne is so wedded to his dash for gas that he's willing to ignore the views of his own constituents,' Mr Carter said. 'It's time the Chancellor stopped trying to play the JR Ewing of Cheshire and concentrated on investment in clean, safe, renewable technology that will create longer term jobs and a more stable economy.' A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police said: 'Cheshire Police have been made aware of an incident at the Knutsford Conservative Club in Manchester Road in Knutsford. 'Officers are in attendance.' Nearly two-thirds of the country could be sitting on shale gas reserves - although estimates of how much is actually below Britain vary wildly. Industry experts believe there may be up to four times more than the previously estimates of 300 trillion cubic feet - enough to supply Britain for many decades. In the next few weeks, an official report by the British Geological Survey is set to be released and expected to announce deposits are far larger than previously predicted. The Chancellor hopes the UK's energy landscape can be transformed by shale gas and help prevent the oncoming crisis - like in the U.S., where drilling has helped drive down prices. In a bid to promote investment in shale gas, the Chancellor is set to offer lucrative tax breaks and a simplified regulatory regime to the industry. And he has the support of David Cameron, who has also backed the technology and said Britain should be at the heart of the shale 'gas revolution', claiming it could bring down the price of household energy bills. Lib Dem Energy Secretary Ed Davey has sounded a much more cautious note than his Conservative coalition counterparts, warning shale gas is 'unlikely' to reduce bills and is 'no silver bullet'. However, other energy experts say flooding the market with cheap gas will set back the UK’s move to green energy. Jenny Banks of the World Wildlife Fund said: ‘The world is heading for a rise in temperature if energy use continues as it does now. 'But if we switch to shale gas, then there’ll still be a rise. We already burn too many fossil fuels, it won’t make enough of a difference.’ And analysis by the Department of Energy and Climate Change data undertaken by Greenpeace shows the majority of licences are held by companies with a foreign firm as their only or largest investor. Greenpeace energy campaigner Lawrence Carter said: 'The Government has earmarked nearly two thirds of England for potential fracking, despite everyone from BP to the Energy Secretary to energy regulator Ofgem saying that UK shale gas won't bring down bills. 'Now we find that over half of the drilling rights in the UK are held by companies that are significantly made up of foreign interests, including the Chinese government. 'We already know the Chancellor is offering them generous tax breaks, so you have to ask yourself how consumers and the wider economy will benefit, let alone the climate.'
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Fracking involves extracting shale gas deposits from beneath the earth .
Chancellor is one of the main supporters for using shale gas energy .
Many sites have been earmarked for fracking across the British countryside .
Greenpeace set up a fake fracking operation in Knutsford, Tatton, Cheshire .
The 'work site' was visible from the Chancellor's constituency office .
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By . Leon Watson . PUBLISHED: . 10:13 EST, 2 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:32 EST, 2 December 2013 . A town centre Christmas tree has been branded the worst in Britain after it became a laughing stock among residents. The 15ft-tall white 'tree', which looks like a piece of material stretched over a cone, was erected in Stockton last week. Locals have since called it a 'disgrace', an 'embarrassment' and one said on Facebook that it looks like a 'dunce's hat'. A 15ft tall Christmas tree structure on Stockton High Street has been met with derision from locals who have branded it 'pathetic' and 'an eyesore' Anne Chivers, 64, a retired grandmother, of Stockton, said: 'It is a complete disgrace. 'It is absolutely awful. How can anyone put a thing like that up and think it is OK to pass it off as a Christmas tree? 'The lights are God awful, and it is simply an embarrassment to the town. It's like an upside down cornet. 'I will be taking my grandchildren to see the switching on of the lights somewhere else this year. 'It's the kind of thing you might put up in your garden if you wanted to annoy the neighbours. It's a joke.' A picture of the tree has been posted on Facebook, with residents taking to the social networking website to criticise it. Locals have branded the structure a 'disgrace' and an 'embarrassment'. One said it looks like a 'wigwam' while another called it a 'dunce's hat' Dunce's hat: The 15ft-tall white 'tree' looks like a piece of material stretched over a cone . Kevin Parsons wrote: 'It's a wigwam hahaha.' Mark Wilson added: 'I don't understand why they spent 1000s on fireworks and use an old dunce's hat for the Xmas tree.' Toni Fitzpatrick posted simply: 'That's rubbish.' Joanne Outhwaite said: 'They shouldn't have even bothered.' A Stockton Council spokesman said: 'We're in the middle of a multi-million pound redevelopment of the High Street. 'The central and northern sections are quite literally a building site, so there's no room for our normal 40-ft high Spruce, which will be back next year. 'In the interim we've used the 20ft cone with illuminated snowflake designs, rather than leave this part of the High Street bare. 'We're pleased to report that the extensive works have not put visitors off as thousands of spectators attended last week’s launch of the Stockton Sparkles festival, which was led by 1,500 carol-singing children. 'We know that a traditional Christmas tree always makes a great centrepiece but there's so much more going on in Stockton throughout the Christmas period including our 12-day Christmas market, ice sculpture, late night shopping and street theatre with dance and musical performances. 'We would ask that our public bear with us this year and look forward to a traditional Christmas tree returning to a new-look Stockton High Street next year – we're sure it will be worth the wait! 'This year we have a cone shaped feature rather than a tree. Some people are not happy about it.'
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The 15ft-tall white 'tree' was erected in Stockton town centre .
Locals have branded it a 'disgrace' and 'ruddy horrible'
One says it looks like a 'wigwam' while another calls it a 'dunce's hat'
They have opted to go to other towns to watch the lights being turned on .
The council admits some people are unhappy about it .
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(CNN) -- Donald Trump's decision to let Miss California USA Carrie Prejean keep her title convinced Shanna Moakler to quit as head of the pageant's California organization. Shanna Moakler talks with HLN's Mike Galanos about why she resigned as director of Miss California USA. Moakler, a former Miss USA, said she could not stay with Trump's Miss Universe organization "when I no longer believe in it." As the Miss California USA co-executive director, Moakler did not hide her displeasure with Prejean during the controversy over her same-sex marriage comments and the emergence of semi-nude photos. Moakler spoke exclusively with Mike Galanos, host of HLN's Prime News, about why she resigned. The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity: . Galanos: Why the change of heart after the press conference? Moakler: I wasn't really privy to what was going to be happening at the press conference. We were in Donald Trump's office, and we spoke with him briefly. Carrieand her family spoke with him briefly. We all got in and spoke together, and we were hashing things out. But I never really felt 100 percent, and I never really felt truly heard. I was hoping for the best. After the press conference when I went back to my hotel room, I just really sat down with myself. I don't believe she is going to comply with the contract, and I wasn't really happy with what happened at the press conference. I slept on it, and I woke up the next morning and was watching "The Today Show." I was sitting there watching her basically still make excuses. My biggest problem is that she's never really taken responsibility for herself. She's constantly pointing the finger at everybody else. Galanos: You're talking about the pictures? Moakler: Yes, the pictures. I couldn't stand by it anymore, and on top of it, the lying continues. Our contracts as state licensees were basically made invalid. For me, it was just too much. Galanos: When you say the lies, are you talking about the pictures where she says it was a windy day and the wind blew her top open? Moakler: Yes, in that particular point. It's such a complicated story with so many factors weighing in. For me, it was always about the contract. I didn't go to New York to get her decrowned. But I was hoping at some point in time at that press conference that there would be some accountability and there wasn't. Galanos: What happened in that meeting? Did you and Carrie talk it out? Did it get heated? Moakler: There was tension [and] it was a little heated. It was the first time since Miss USA that we were all together in the room. She had read articles, I had read articles, she had seen interviews, I had seen interviews, there were feelings. At the end of the day, I've known Carrie for a long time. She stayed in my home, she was my friend. We cared about each other so there was a lot of hurt, but we were talking, we were working things out. It went very quickly. Galanos: You say "you cared" [and that] she was your "friend." Is the relationship over? Moakler: I'm a mother. I have three children, and I still care about Carrie. I think she's been exploited and used as a tool for some of these other people's agendas and these different organizations. My biggest complaint is that it was never addressed and it was never reprimanded. It makes my contract as a state director void for my contestants. She was rewarded for that, and I don't think that's fair. Galanos: Let's back track to the beginning. When you heard that answer -- and you're a same-sex marriage proponent -- were you angry with Carrie? Did you want her to lose at that point? What was your reaction? Moakler: I wasn't angry; I was a little hurt. A great deal of our sponsors are gay and have supported her. I did not physically go and see her after the pageant, but I did write her. I congratulated her. I told her I was happy that she stayed true to herself, but I also conveyed that I think she hurt some people that really loved and cared about her. Galanos: Why can't someone give that answer to that question and still be Miss USA? Moakler: She can, she absolutely can. But there were gay judges on her panel of judges, and there were some people that didn't like that answer. One of the things you have to take into consideration is your judges. Galanos: Do you think she lost it because of that answer? Moakler: No, and it's been shown through the scores that she wasn't winning in points at that particular point. This has never been about her opinion. We all want her to have her opinion. She is able, and this is where the First Amendment argument has come into this. The thing is, this is a young girl who was on a public stage, and I don't think she was prepared or ready to handle the backlash of the other side, and there was another side that has the same right to voice their opinion of not liking what she said. There was no persecution. It's just that there are other people that are allowed to disagree. Galanos: When you were in the office with Donald Trump and you're about ready to go to the press conference, he says "Carrie's keeping the crown." Did you object at that point? Moakler: I knew she was keeping the title before going in there. I had said to him, "What happens if she continues to breech her contract?" And he said, "I'll fire her." I said, "What happens if more pictures come out?" He said, "I'll fire her." I thought he would convey that in the press conference, but I didn't see that. It was more finger-pointing and basically being honored again. It was a hard pill to swallow. You have to understand that taking big business in New York back to California makes it hard for me to run my pageant. Galanos: Is there something you could have done to calm things? Moakler: [If she had spoken to me after the pageant,] I would have stayed by her and supported her and found out what the next steps were that she might have wanted to take. I would have helped her with some of the media training. I would have made sure she was more educated on the topic she was speaking about so when she did do these interviews and she was handling all of this pressure and heated debates [that] she would be able to speak intelligently and clearly. She would be able to express her opinions. I would be able to convey to her how to understand why she's getting attacked and where these things are coming from. There were so many organizations that latched on to her, I didn't even stand a chance.
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Shanna Moakler says Carrie Prejean has not taken responsibility for herself .
She says there was "tension" when she met with Prejean and Donald Trump .
Moakler: Prejean has "been exploited and used as a tool"
Prime News airs weeknights at 5-7 p.m. ET on HLN .
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The key with breastfeeding seems to be to stick with it six months or so to see any benefit in terms of weight loss . Looking at pictures of Kate Middleton playing volleyball at Olympic Park, just 89 days after Prince George’s birth was truly mind blowing. Her flat stomach was proudly on display in her J Brand skinny jeans and 4-inch heeled wedges – this was a woman who knew she looked incredible. So just how did she do it? Well, according to US weekly, sources insist her weight loss has not been intentional. 'Kate's hardly done anything to lose the weight….(she’s) still breastfeeding and the small weight she gained while pregnant has just melted off. A few weeks after George was born, you could hardly tell she had just given birth.' Breastfeeding – the magic bullet of weight loss. Just breast feed and the weight will melt away. But is it really true? Or merely part of a world-wide, government supported conspiracy to get women to adhere to the adage that breast is best? As I limped out of Chelsea Westminister Hospital after giving birth, I can vividly recall the encouraging words of my midwife, ‘yes, you’ve got a bit of a tum, but with breast feeding you will lose that right away.’ Waddling home, two sizes bigger than I had ever been before, that statement was a great comfort in the weeks ahead. Indeed, it became my mantra – repeated on a loop in my mind every time I caught unintentional glimpses of my new form in the mirror. Indeed, I had high hopes for the power of breast feeding, having heard legendary tales of weight dropping off due to the power of the calorie-burning bosom. I kept hearing again and again; ‘Breastfeeding is a super work out. It burns between 500-700 calories per day.’ I thought for once in my life, there would be a simple and easy solution to dropping pounds: God’s reward for feeding my baby the natural way. Supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio openly attributed her postpartum slim-down to Pilates, spinning, surfing, and breastfeeding. And celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson, whose clients include Gwyneth Paltrow and Kim Kardashian says, that when it comes to dropping baby weight, 'My number one thing is that I’m a big breastfeeding advocate.' Heidi Klum, who lost 30lbs in six months after her pregnancy, credited breastfeeding for her rapid post-natal weight loss (that and taking nude pictures of herself every week to track her body changing). Um, not happening, like ever. The Duchess of Cambridge showed off an incredibly flat stomach just weeks after giving birth to her first child, leading many to question how she had managed to shed the weight . In any case, I certainly had a lot of reasons to be optimistic. However, despite going on a healthy diet, the weight was really sticking. I felt like a walrus laying down fat for winter. I started to ask other mums and baby experts about whether or not breastfeeding is indeed the golden ticket to weight loss that they’d hoped for – and the results were somewhat surprising. Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD (www.marilynglenville.com) is one of the UK’s leading nutritionists specialising in women’s health. She tells me, ‘In theory, breastfeeding does burn calories (about 750 extra calories a day) but not everyone reacts the same way. The extra weight you put on in pregnancy can be used to produce breast milk and the weight loss can be more noticeable if you breastfeed for longer than three months.' And as for my personal experience she says, 'Your story is not unusual in that some women do not experience weight loss and their appetite can increase during breastfeeding making them gain more weight. The evidence seems to show that the longer you breastfeed the better the weight loss. Alessandra Ambrosio openly attributed her postpartum slim-down to Pilates, spinning, surfing, and breast-feeding . 'The weight loss seems to take effect between three to six months after the birth as your body uses more of your fat stores and your appetite can decrease at this point as the baby is having less feeds.’ I reached out to the lactation experts Medela – the makers of the world’s most popular breast pump, figuring they had a vested interest in this. They said, ‘Plenty of research shows that breastfeeding certainly does support weight loss, however the key is that it is not always within the first few weeks as people hope for. In the first few months very little will happen as the body is trying to figure out how to cope with supply and demand, and how much energy expenditure they will invest in their milk supply. They backed these claims up with several academic studies, including one that measured the weight loss of breastfeeders vs. formula feeders. They found greater weight loss in breastfeeding women (a loss of 4.4 kg vs 2.4 kg), but this was mainly lost between three and six months.’ Their conclusion was that 'lactation enhances weight loss postpartum if breastfeeding continues for at least 6 months.’ So the key seems to be, you have to stick with it six months or so to see any benefit in terms of weight loss. However, that statistic must also be balanced with the fact that for some women, you can’t lose all your baby weight until you actually stop. In fact, several experts agreed that breast feeding can slow you weight loss down at the end. Tanya Zuckerbrot, author of The F-Factor Diet says, 'A lot of women say it helps with a lot of the weight up front, but the last 10 pounds, if you’re breast-feeding, are very hard to lose.' Jane Munro a midwife and professional advisor to the Royal College of Midwives says she’s not sure where all these breast feeding/weight loss promises originated. ‘There are definitive reasons as to why breast feeding is the best option for babies. However, as for breast feeding leading to weight loss, there isn’t real evidence behind it. No one has proven a strong association between breast feeding and weight loss. I think some women have found that to be their experience and have told other women about it – but there isn’t really the academic evidence to prove it one way or the other.’ As for the assurance I’d had from my own mid-wife Jane added, ‘Some midwives might suggest that it helps you lose weight, but we certainly don’t put any recommendations out about that. It’s entirely possible that midwives hear this from some of the women they look after and therefore this can end up being part of the midwife’s conversation from that point on.’ Supermodel Heidi Klum poses on the runway during the Victoria's Secret Fashion show in New York, just 2 months after giving birth to her second child . Nutritionist Zoe Harcombe, author of the bestselling Harcombe Diet (which is suitable for breast feeding women), scoffs at the claims that breast feeding is the key to weight loss. She says, ‘There was an academic study of 315 women in Brazil over two years. The average weight loss at six months was 2.5kg, 3kg at 12 months (i.e. only a further 1/2 kg in six months) and only 1.9kg at 18 months (i.e. a slight regain). That’s a 0.077kg difference at 24 months. That's 77 grams! That's like taking your rings off and cutting your toe nails before weighing!’ She adds, ‘The majority of studies reported little or no association between breastfeeding and weight change, Breastfeeding is without a doubt the single best nutritional start you can give your baby – and that's the best reason to do it!' Ultimately it would be ridiculous to base your decision of whether or not to breastfeed based on whether or not it helps with weight loss. After all, there are far more important factors to consider and at this stage in the game, it’s not really all about you. Having said that, I wish I had known this beforehand; I might have said no to a pizza or two. Indeed, whilst breastfeeding may not be the golden ticket I was hoping for, I’m not giving up. Chubster or no, I know it’s good for my baby girl, who clearly loves it. In fact, I’ve just ordered a brand new, hands free, double action breast pump, known as the ‘the Rolls-Royce’ of breast pumps. Why? Because she’s worth it. First-time mother and career girl in her 30s, Ashley Pearson writes a weekly FEMAIL column about fertility issues, pregnancy and motherhood.Catch up with the latest installment next week.
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Ashley Pearson has recently given birth to her first child .
Questions the miracle weight-loss properties attributed to breastfeeding .
Many celebrities attribute their fast post-partum slim down to it .
Experts say while it does burn extra calories, may need to continue up to six months to see effects .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 18:06 EST, 5 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 18:06 EST, 5 September 2012 . The United States came second in the 2012 Web Index, new research measuring technological access to the web, availability of online content and the social impact of the Internet. Sweden topped the list, with the UK coming in third. Six of the countries listed in the top 10 ranking were European. The study, spearheaded by Sir Tim Berners-Lee -- the English computer scientist credited with inventing the world wide web in 1989, is considered a ground-breaking look not only at the technology of the web but also measuring how well a country is allowing its citizens to share information online and ultimately impact society. World wide web: Sweden was number on the list, with the U.S. at #2 and the UK third . Commissioned by the World Wide Web Foundation, the index looked at 61 developed and developing nations, offering the 'first multidimensional measure of the Web's growth, utility and impact.' With its number one spot, Sweden was found to have the greatest infrastructure to allow citizens to connect to the Internet (with a score of 96.76). The United States on the other hand was at the top in allowing full access to web content but the availability of the web remained out of reach to some citizens, below its Scandinavian counterpart. 'The U.S. has a lower percentage of households with personal computers than a raft of countries, including Canada, Ireland, Japan and Norway,' according to the study. Ground-breaking: The study has been praised as the 'first multidimensional measure of the Web's growth, utility and impact' The U.S. was also found to be sluggish in terms of internet speed and 'offers slower bandwidth per Internet user than a range of countries, most notably Iceland, Sweden and Singapore.' While significant usage was reported in the West, the Internet remains out of reach to many living in the developing world. Less than one in three people use the Internet across the globe, with only one in six people in Africa using the Web. Web Inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee at the launch of the World Wide Web Foundation Web Index. He claims there is no 'kill switch' for the internet . Nepal, Cameroon and Mali were the . bottom three of 61 countries measured using indicators such as the . political, economic and social impact of the web, connectivity and use. 'The high price of connectivity is stopping billions of people from achieving their rights to knowledge and participation. Costs have got to come down dramatically,' Berners-Lee said about the disparity in the availability of internet access. Sweden is the best country at using the internet, the new report spearheaded by Tim Berners-Lee found. It was followed by the US and the UK. Called the Web Index, the first-of-its-kind report ranked 61 countries across seven categories, including communications infrastructure, Web use, Web content and the political, social and economic impact of the Internet in those countries. Additionally, political repression continues to pose challenges to allowing full access to online content. 'The Web is a global conversation. Growing suppression of free speech, both online and offline, is possibly the single biggest challenge to the future of the Web,' he added. Berners-Lee has publicly denied the . web comes with a kill switch, in response to fears governments all over . the world could coordinate to make it a centralized . system - particularly after the reliance of activists on the Internet during the Arab Spring uprising. 'The way the internet is . designed is very much as a decentralized system,' the 57-year-old computer scientist said, in speaking about his ground breaking research at the study's release in London on Wednesday at the National Theatre in central London. It was this big: Web Inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee talks at the launch of the World Wide Web Foundation Web Index at the National Theatre in Central London. 'At the moment, because countries . connect to each other in lots of different ways, there is no one off . switch, there is no central place where you can turn it off.' 'In . order to be able to turn the whole thing off or really block, suppress . one particular idea then the countries and governments would have to get . together and agree and co-ordinate and turn it from a decentralised . system to being a centralized system.'
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Web Index measured technology and social impact of the Internet .
Sweden was #1, U.S. came second and the UK was third .
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f7449c3237ea0cc8edb4ad5c56ca0968a4ec4062
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By . Mark Prigg for MailOnline . The powerful magnitude 6.0 earthquake that rocked California wine country early on Sunday morning woke up almost half of Nearby San Francisco and Oakland residents. Experts studied data from thousands of fitness bands that also track sleep. They found that even in San Francisco and Oakland, slightly more than half (55%) woke up. Use your mouse to see who woke up . The Northern California Seismic System reported Sunday that there is a 54 percent chance of another earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or higher within the next seven days. Along with the warning comes the likelihood of as many 70 aftershocks, reports the Sacramento Bee, that could remind Northern California over the next week that they live in an active fault zone. The USGS estimated that based on their locations, 15,000 people experienced severe shaking, 106,000 people felt very strong shaking, 176,000 felt strong shaking and 738,000 felt moderate shaking. Researchers at Jawbone released the data from users of its popular fitness tracker. 'Our data science team wanted to quantify its effect on sleep by looking at the data recorded by UP wearers in the Bay Area who track their sleep pattern,' Eugene Mandel of the firm said. 'Napa, Sonoma, Vallejo, and Fairfield were less than 15 miles from the epicenter. 'Almost all (93%) of the UP wearers in these cities suddenly woke up at 3:20AM when the quake struck. Farther from the epicenter, the impact was weaker and more people slept through the shaking. 'In San Francisco and Oakland, slightly more than half (55%) woke up. As we look even farther, the effect becomes progressively weaker — almost no UP wearers in Modesto and Santa Cruz (and others between 75 and 100 miles from the epicenter) were woken up by the earthquake, according to UP data.' The data also revealed that, possibly unsurprisingly, many struggled to get back to sleep. 'Once awaken, it took the residents a long time to go back to sleep, especially in the areas that felt the shaking the strongest. Barrels filled with Cabernet Sauvignon are toppled on one another following an earthquake at the B.R. Cohn Winery barrel storage facility. 'In fact, 45% of UP wearers less than 15 miles from the epicenter stayed up the rest of the night.' With the immediate dangers like gas-fueled fueled fires and toppling roofs now behind them, residents of Napa and surrounding Bay Area communities have begun to assess the damages, which the New York Times reports could reach $1 billion. Meanwhile, there could be more damages to come as experts warn that the next week could bring dozens of aftershocks, some of them nearly as powerful or even just as strong as Sunday's tremor. The Northern California Seismic System reported Sunday that there is a 54 percent chance of another earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or higher within the next seven days. Along with the warning comes the likelihood of as many 70 aftershocks, reports the Sacramento Bee, that could remind Northern California over the next week that they live in an active fault zone. Nina Quidit cleans up the Dollar Plus and Party Supplies Store in American Canyon Calif. after an earthquake on Sunday Aug. 24, 2014. Reports had already come in Sunday afternoon of small aftershocks, which while not damaging served as uneasy reminders of the danger that had passed only hours before. The 30-second earthquake struck just before 3:30am between the towns of American Canyon and Napa in the heart of the state's famous wine country, Leslie Gordon of the U.S. Geological Survey said. It's the largest earthquake to shake the Bay Area since the deadly 6.9 magnitude Loma Prieta quake in 1989, the USGS said. The USGS estimated that based on their locations, 15,000 people experienced severe shaking, 106,000 people felt very strong shaking, 176,000 felt strong shaking and 738,000 felt moderate shaking.
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Napa, Sonoma, Vallejo, and Fairfield were less than 15 miles from the epicenter - and 93% of people were woken .
In San Francisco and Oakland, slightly more than half (55%) woke up .
Almost no UP wearers in Modesto and Santa Cruz, 100 miles from the epicenter, woke .
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As I run through the official checklist of the things my ten-year-old daughter Sophie needs for Brownie camp, I notice a handwritten postscript added in a flourish at the bottom of the form. ‘Mummy, whatever you buy, just make sure it’s pink!!!!’ I do my best to fulfil the remit. Pink swimming cap? Tick. Pink torch? Tick. Pink hiking boots? Well, that’s a struggle but I find some with pink laces. So, almost tick. Where Sophie is concerned — to misquote U.S. motor manufacturer Henry Ford — she will have any colour… so long as it’s pink. 'Mummy, whatever you buy, just make sure it's pink!!!!' says Sophie, 10, to her mother Angela . Ever since she was old enough to point an autocratic finger at her colour of choice, that little digit has always swung to the most feminine end of the palette. On planet Sophie, the world is one unapologetic riot of pink, from the rose-coloured bows she clamps in her hair to her favourite strawberry ice cream. Yet, if right-on ‘experts’ are to be believed, by allowing my daughter to succumb to her love of pink, I could be boxing in her ambition, damaging her prospects and condemning her to a life chained to the kitchen sink. Only the other week, Hannah Webster from the Independent Association of Prep Schools warned that having blue for a boy and pink for a girl is ‘pernicious’ because it leads them towards certain roles. In the biggest pile of Lefty hokum, she wrote: ‘If we designate a particular colour to a gender, it leads us to designate all manner of other things by gender, too. The result is girls and boys read different kinds of books, play with different kinds of toys, study different subjects, consider different occupations, have different roles within the workplace and family, and are ultimately valued differently by society.’ On planet Sophie, the world is one unapologetic riot of pink, from rose-coloured bows to strawberry ice cream . Clearly, she has never met my daughter — a steel-willed, focused and determined young lady, whose choice of pink is a robust and frank expression of her own ideas and identity. Ironically, there was every likelihood Sophie would become a tomboy — arriving as she did after three brothers. Yet despite the prevailing toilet humour and boys-will-be-boys influences in our house, her love of pink has remained steadfast. This then is nature, not nurture, leaking from within to literally colour every choice she makes. And why shouldn’t it? She’s a girl, for goodness’ sake. Does giving in to her feminine instincts somehow mean she won’t be encouraged — as I have done with her older siblings — to aim high, work hard and set her cap at a professional career? Of course not. She only has to look to her mother, working as a writer and broadcaster, to see how much I believe in women having strong careers. Nature not nurture: Sophie's love of pink doesn't stop her aiming high like her mother . More girls than boys go to university. Yet people keep insisting that pink stymies girls' development. Webster isn’t the only one to peddle the lazy, oven-ready view that girls playing with pink dollies and boys ramming footballs into a net is somehow offensive to the evolution of the modern child. Marks & Spencer has now pledged to make toys ‘gender neutral’ (despite happily taking thousands of pounds from me over the years for Sophie’s frilly pinafores). The word pink was first used to describe the colour in the late 17th century - its name comes from a pale-red flower. In a recent parliamentary debate, MPs Jenny Willott, Elizabeth Truss and Chi Onwurah fretted over the ‘pinkification’ of toys for girls, maintaining it was adding to gender inequality in science, technology, engineering and maths careers. Yet Melbourne academic Cordelia Fine, writing recently in the New Scientist, admits ‘there is no research linking gendered marketing of toys and books and later occupational discrimination or sharing of household chores.’ So why do so many people persist in peddling such inane views? Why can’t little girls be left to be little girls? We live in an age when more girls than boys go to university, when our medical schools churn out more female than male doctors. Yet we still have these deeply misguided voices who — like forcing left-handed children to pick up pencils in their right — keep insisting that pink stymies girls’ development. If Sophie wants pink, she can have pink — in fact, I’m proud to say, I wouldn’t be able to stop her, since her will and determination are unapologetic and immovable. If Sophie wants pink, she can have pink, and Angela's proud to say she wouldn't be able to stop her . Once again modern feminism has shot itself in the foot. By spoiling for fights where they don’t exist and failing to acknowledge that biology doesn’t make us unequal, just different, today’s ‘pro-wimmin’ lobby squashes my daughter’s voice. If the blinkered anti-pink campaigners think neutralising a love of this colour is the way to greater equality and career satisfaction, they need to drop those rose-tinted glasses. Or whatever colour they choose to wear.
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Daughter Sophie, 10, only wants pink things .
'Experts’ say allowing girls to love pink can damage their prospects .
Sophie's choice of pink is a robust expression of her identity .
Love of pink doesn't stop women having strong careers .
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After years of inner struggle, Bruce Jenner has made the life-changing decision to become a woman. And while many in the Kardashian-Jenner clan are slowly getting used to the idea, the former Olympian's his ex-wife Kris still can't believe this is happening. 'Kris is in complete denial about what's going on with Bruce,' a friend told Us Weekly. 'She doesn't talk about it at all and refuses to acknowledge it.' Scroll down for video . Support from family: Bruce Jenner (pictured on December 23, 2014) recently came clean with his family about his wish to live life as a woman and after the initial shock they are slowly accepting it . According to the pal, the family matriarch was well aware of Bruce's gender conflict and the two had even discussed it before they announced their separation in late 2013. 'Kris and Bruce talked about this for years. He needed to live his life the way he wanted to, so they split.' 'Bruce is transitioning to a woman,' a source told People. 'He is finally happy, and his family is accepting of what he is doing. He's in such a great space.' 'In denial': Kris Jenner apparently is putting up resistance and is having 'the most difficult time' dealing with Bruce's transition from male to female; she was pictured on January 27 . Bruce, 65, recently came clean with his family, telling them what he was going through. 'Bruce told them everything – where things stood, what his plans were for the future, and what everyone could expect,' the source told People. 'Everyone basically knew what was up, but it was still a shock to hear it outlined so explicitly.' Kris, 59, is still 'shocked' by Bruce's yearning to become a woman and put up the most resistance. 'It's really a hard adjustment for her,' the source revealed. 'Kris had the most difficult time in the family. She's looking back at their entire marriage, and a lot of things are suddenly making sense. She has a lot to process.' Rallying around: Bruce's stepchildren, including Kim and Khloe, pictured on January 30, have each processed the news in their own way . Giuseppe Zanotti Guinea peep toe ankle boots . Click to buy a pair at Saks . Visit site . Khloe Kardashian's new blond locks are giving her that extra glow. You could say that she's head and shoulders above her sisters. Then again, wearing the Giuseppe Zanotti Guinea peep to boots does help her not get lost in a crows. Zanotti's one of Khloe Kardashian's favorite shoe designers. And why not! These booties are incredibly sexy. Zanotti's known her seductive heels that can take one's breath away. Shiny stones, studs, intricate designs and skyscraper heels are hallmarks of his work. His shoes are always on the red carpet. His A-list fans include Felicty Jones, Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Minogue and more. Take a walk on the oh-so-glamorous wild side in these booties. Or, grab a more wallet friendly version below. Nine West Mohawkit buckle booties . Visit site . Sacred Heart Monroe peep toe heels . Visit site . Sam Edelman Kenny high heels . Visit site . Jeffrey Campbell Destroyer buckle boots . Visit site . Not a huge surprise: The family, including Kourtney, pictured on January 14, 'basically knew what was up' 'They all came all around pretty quickly, but each of them had to process it in their own way. Kim went to Kris and asked her how she felt. They had a very long conversation about it. Once Kim was satisfied that Kris was emotionally okay, she was able to give Bruce her unconditional support.” Kanye West took the news very well. 'He is totally fine with it,' the source told People. 'He believes in live and let live, and he took it all in stride. He and Kim are just trying to show Bruce love and acceptance – complete acceptance.” Kourtney's fiancé - and the father of her three children - Scott Disick 'didn’t react very well' when he learned the news, but 'is now on board,' the magazine reported. Scott's reaction: Kourtney's fiance Scott Disick 'didn’t react very well' to Bruce's desire to become a woman but 'is now on board' 'No one feels deceived by Bruce. He was going through this change slowly. It's not like he woke up one day and was like, "Surprise!" He moved through his own feelings and his own changes at his own pace.' After years of wrestling with those feelings, the source said Bruce is happy and will tell his story when he's ready. 'He's more and more confident. He's doing what makes him happy,' the source said. Another friend told People: 'He's 65. That's a long time to keep something secret.' Time has come: Now that his family knows, Bruce is said to be preparing to talk about his life change in a one-to-one interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer . Now comes word that Bruce even has plans to change his name to something more feminine sounding. 'Inside, he has always been Belinda,' a source told Star Magazine. 'He has been planning this transformation for such a long time.' The father of six is reportedly preparing a one-to-one interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer, which could take place as early as this weekend. Call him Belinda: The former Olympian is apparently planning on changing his name from Bruce to Belinda . 'Bruce will shoot an interview with Diane this weekend to discuss transitioning from male to female,' a source told RadarOnline. 'Bruce realised that there’s no longer any need to wait since the family knows and the public is pretty much aware of what’s going on.' After months of speculation, Bruce's mother Esther Jenner confirmed his wish to live life as a woman. 'I just learned about [his transition]. Bruce filled me in, and we had a very long, long, long talk about it. 'I have never been more proud of Bruce for who he is, himself as a father, as an Olympian, a wonderful public speaker. He instills enthusiasm in people. He's gifted.'
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After the initial shock, his family is getting used to Bruce's decision to become a woman and are supporting him .
Kris Jenner still 'in complete denial' over her ex-husband's plan .
Bruce intends to change his name to 'Belinda'
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Trevor Hicks today relived the 1989 tragedy which killed his two daughters alongside 94 other football fans . The father of two teenagers who were killed in the Hillsborough disaster has revealed the heart-breaking moment he had to identify his daughter's bodies on the pitch. Trevor Hicks was on the Leppings Lane terrace when he saw fans crushed in pens behind the goals where his daughters Sarah and Victoria were standing on April 15 1989. The teenagers were among 96 fans who were crushed to death at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. Their parents are among viictims' families giving evidence at a new inquest into the tragedy in Warrington. Today, he told of how he and his wife, Jenni, had travelled to the stadium with their daughters who 'gave them the slip' to watch the match from the stands with their friends. But around ten minutes before kick-off, the father said he noticed people being crushed up against the fence behind the goal posts where they were. 'Some things burn in your memory but I saw an old chap, because I was much younger then, grey haired like me in a grey suit. 'He really looked like he was dying stood up and looked unconscious and other people around him looked in distress.' Mr Hicks was standing on the terrace below the police control box and had tried to alert an officer to what was happening. He said: 'We were calling up at him and then as I reported several times, he eventually turned to me and told me to, "shut my f*****g prattle". He added: 'It was just getting worse. I’ve said this before, it smelt worse. You could sense that things were really, really bad.' Then to his horror, he saw the body of his daughter Victoria being passed over the fence, . Laid out next to her sister on the pitch, he tried reviving the teenager as two other men gave CPR to Sarah. Mr Hicks said it was 'absolute mayhem' on the pitch with just one St John's Ambulance cadet in sight. Victoria (left) and Sarah Hicks (right) left their parents to stand in the pen behind the goal post at the football stadium on April 15 1989 . Victoria was taken to a medical cubicle and pronounced dead around 10-15 minutes later, her father recalled. 'As soon as I knew there was nothing I could do for Vicky my attention turned to find Sarah and what I could do for her. 'Again it was utter chaos in the hospital, people milling everywhere, there was casualties, bodies, people, police officers. 'The hospital staff were all over the place.' After seeing their daughter's photograph on a wall of Polaroids 'of the dead', the couple identified their girls' lifeless bodies formerly. Jenni Hicks (left) and her husband (right) are among victims' families who fought for the original inquiry's ruling that the girls' deaths were accidental to be quashed . Mr Hicks said: 'Basically they brought the girls out on to trolleys. 'They unzipped the body bags so we could identify them formally. 'Bear in mind Jenni had not seen either of them, she wanted to give them a hug, which she did and we noticed Sarah’s body was quite warm.' The couple then gave a statement to police and asked 'repeatedly how much they had had to drink before going home.' The following day, they were 'beseiged by the press,' he told the inquest. His account was heard at an inquest into the disaster following a High Court decision to quash the result of a 1991 inquiry which ruled the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans were accidental. Ninety-six Liverpool fans were killed at the football stadium due to severe overcrowding. A man receives medical treatment on the pitch which Mr Hicks described as 'mayhem' Fans on the terraces climb over each other to safety. Mr Hicks said he pleaded with police to take notice of the developing tragedy but was ignored . When asked about earlier witness accounts which claimed Liverpool fans were 'blind drunk', Mr Hicks said he had no recollection of that. 'I'll probably get told off for saying this but it really does brass me off to have to listen to that,' he said. To suggestions that fans were 'pushing and shoving' to get into the grounds before the tragedy, he said: 'I must have been at a different game.' Mr Hicks added the way he was treated by police following his children's deaths was 'appalling'. The inquest continues. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
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Trevor Hicks's two daughters were crushed to death in 1989 tragedy .
Victoria and Sarah Hicks were standing in crowded pen behind goalposts .
Teenagers among 96 fans who died after being crushed against fence .
Parents could see the tragedy unfold from stands on the other side of pitch .
Mr Hicks watched in horror as Victoria's body was lifted over the fence .
Identified girls from Polaroids on wall used by police to list the dead .
Spoke at inquest following a 2012 High Court quashing of original inquiry .
Victims' families fought to have ruling of 'accidental death' overturned .
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By . Sara Malm . PUBLISHED: . 04:05 EST, 9 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 06:39 EST, 9 January 2014 . Financial downturns and stock market decline could make us ill, several studies have found. The recession appears to have had an impact on our health with both hospital admissions and minor issues increasing during the period. Google searches for stomach ulcers and headache symptoms increased during the recession, as well as hernia and chest pain. Bad times: Google searches for stomach ulcer symptoms increased by 228 per cent and headache symptoms nearly tripled during the recession . By analysing online queries between December 2008 and December 2011, researchers found a significant rise in searches for stress-related illnesses. The US study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, saw an increase in Google searches for stomach ulcer symptoms by 228 per cent and headache symptoms by 193 per cent. It also found that U.S. Google queries for psychological distress increased by 16 per cent for each one per cent increase in home foreclosures month-on-month. ‘By the end of the great recession in 2011, queries were still substantially higher than before the recession,’ Author Dr John W. Ayers, a research professor at San Diego State University, said. ‘People were not getting better with the economy. People were potentially much sicker.’ Sickening figures: It also found that U.S. Google queries for psychological distress increased by 16 per cent for each one per cent increase in home foreclosures month-on-month . Another US study has found that hospital admissions increase when stock market drops. Finance professors Joseph Engelberg and Christopher Parsons at U.C. San Diego compared the state of the market with California hospital data between 1983 and 2011. People admitted during economic downturns particularly complained about anxiety, depression or other conditions of mental or emotional stress, KMBZ reported. The study found that ‘one standard deviation drop in U.S. stock prices (roughly -1.5 per cent) increases admissions to California hospitals by about 0.26 percent over the next two days.' A third study in North Carolina from 2010 showed that the market crash in 2008 was associated with a large increase in heart attacks, concluding that the state of recession also had an impact on our physical health.
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Google searches for stress-related illnesses rose during the recession .
Queries for stomach ulcer symptoms increased by 228 per cent .
Hospital admissions increase as stock market drops, study finds .
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Last week, I stood outside the school gates and had a frantic whispered conversation with my bank manager on my mobile phone. I needed to cancel the £97 due to go out the next day to pay the gas bill or I wouldn’t have enough money to buy food. The reason I was whispering? My seven-year-old son Ed attends an exclusive prep school in Chelsea, West London, and one of the other mums was walking towards me. Where DOES all the money go? Despite her husband's £100,000 salary Mel Fallowfield says her designer purse is empty . Not for the first time I was painfully aware of the contrast between us. She looked elegant in designer clothes and salon blow-dried hair. I was hot and scruffy, having walked for over an hour from my house to the school — to save on the bus fare. It sounds ridiculous to admit that with a child in private education I can’t pay an essential bill without risking going hungry or scrape together the price of a bus ticket. After all, my husband, who’s head of client strategy for an IT company, and I earn £100,000 between us. Home is a lovely apartment in Kensington, just a few streets away from where David Cameron lived before moving to No 10. Victim of circumstances: Mel says she is one of the squeezed middle class . We have an Audi A4 estate parked outside, I went to the Dominican Republic for half-term in February and we enjoy skiing holidays. A few weeks ago we were at the opera and I wore a Moschino cocktail dress. I’ve got a Mulberry handbag and Cartier watch. Not forgetting the fact that Ed attends a school where the parents include at least one supermodel and a world-famous footballer. But scratch the surface of these trappings of wealth and a very different picture emerges. The Mulberry handbag was a present for my 40th from a generous friend, who also took us to the opera, and the designer dress is 20 years old. The trip to the Caribbean was a work junket and we can only go skiing because we stay for free at my brother’s home in Austria. And my Cartier watch? Well, I took it to be repaired four years ago, but I’ve never been able to collect it as I can’t afford the £250 bill. Sometimes I don’t have a penny in the world — scrabbling down the back of the sofa yields nothing. It’s always touch and go whether the school fees, which are £11,000 a year plus extras such as uniform and trips, get paid. I have nightmares about the teachers saying: ‘I’m sorry. Until you’ve paid the fees, Ed can’t come back.’ They don’t, of course. Instead I get a discreet letter a few weeks into term reminding me to pay. Then my husband’s salary drops into our account and we’re able to scrape together the cash. Crammed in: Mel says her family's 'modest' £600,000 Kensington flat is too small for her family . I have no savings while a pension is a distant dream. And though our flat is in a desirable part of London, we’re crammed in as it only has two bedrooms. It might be worth £600,000, but that’s a modest amount in London. The kitchen sink is leaking and the bathroom is falling apart. Needless to say, we can’t afford to get either of them mended. We haven’t been on a two-week summer holiday since Ed was born; instead we descend on my long-suffering parents in Dorset. One in five over 65-year-olds has more than £500 disposable income each month . So, where does our generous income go? The school fees swallow up a huge chunk and I know people will be baffled as to why we send our children to a private school when we’re so stretched. Partly it’s because I want the boys to enjoy the privileges I had as a child. My father had his own financial services business and I grew up in Dorset with ponies, dogs and cats. I was educated at St Mary’s, Ascot, one of the country’s leading girls’ boarding schools. I assumed that my children would go to public school, too, and benefit from small classes and superior teaching.In the state schools near me there would be 30 children in a class; in Ed’s school, there are 15. Then there’s four-year-old Bertie. His lovely pre-school costs more than £400 a month. My freelance writing job means the fees can be more than I take home some months, but he’s made wonderful friends, so I don’t want to move him. And come September, his education will cost a lot more. Somehow we’ll have to find the money for him to go to Ed’s school — otherwise it’s not fair that only one gets the advantages. But I’ve had a few sleepless nights wondering how we will do it. Crumbling finances: Mel has nightmares about not being able to pay her son's school fees . Then there’s my mobile phone: it’s always more than £100 a month. Gas and electricity are £140 a month and I can’t swap the providers because I owe them too much money after discovering our bills had been under-estimated. Broadband, landline and cable TV comes to £100 a month. When it comes to our mortgage, we’re tied into a fixed rate costing well over £1,000. Unlike other more financially savvy people, we didn’t get a tracker that would have saved us hundreds because of low interest rates. People will wonder why we don’t move out of London where houses are cheaper. But I love where we live and my husband hates the idea of commuting. We feel we had to have an estate car because of the children, and the Audi dealership near us was offering a good deal, so it seemed logical to go there. In any case, it’s been bought on a finance plan, so we can’t sell it. I don’t like to compromise on cosmetics either. I’ll happily spend £50 on a pot of Clarins moisturiser. But when I can’t afford it, I go round the Clarins concessions in different department stores, pretending that I’m going away and can’t fit my big pot into my luggage, and ask for samples. Recently, that ruse kept me going for over a month. I have to confess I smoke — though I have switched to Chesterfield at £6.25 a packet from Marlboro, which cost more. I’m also rubbish at budgeting with the food shopping: I really couldn’t tell you how much a pint of milk costs. I always fall for the three-for-two offers, not taking into account that we probably don’t want to end up eating roast chicken three nights in a row. No sympathy: 'I fully admit it's my fault. If I have money, I can't help spending it' I’m under no illusion that I’m going to get any sympathy for my predicament. And I fully admit it’s my fault. If I have money, I can’t help spending it — chucking steaks in my shopping trolley and then wondering why the bill is more than £100. I find it impossible to stick to a tight budget. But I believe I’m the victim of economic changes that have squeezed the middle classes. While in the past those with a household income equivalent to £100,000-plus would expect to own a decent-sized home, enjoy good holidays and be able to put their children through private school, static salaries combined with rising house prices and school fees have made it almost impossible. Disaster: Rising house prices and school fees have made Mel's life almost impossible . At least I’m not alone in being incapable of matching my lifestyle to reality. One of my neighbours is planning to swap nurseries as she’s so embarrassed to be known as the ‘woman who’s always late paying the fees’. Another friend’s husband has become a so-called ‘freegan’, rifling the bins at the local delis in Notting Hill Gate in the early hours to find thrown-out food for his family. I’m thrilled he shares his spoils with me. Some days it’s armfuls of perfectly good lettuces, other days punnets of strawberries. It’s always welcomed, because the fridge is often bare. While the boys are fed nutritious meals, such as home-made (cheap) vegetable soup, my husband will often ask what’s for supper, only to be told ‘scraps’ or ‘leftovers’. Scrambled egg on toast is a regular meal for us, though I’ve also served him cold fish finger sandwiches left over from the boys’ tea. If he’s away for work, I’ll skip supper and just have a handful of nuts. Meanwhile, the boys’ after-school snack is often free pretzels we get from a stall in upmarket Westfield shopping centre. I know I need to pull myself together and learn to be thriftier and not imagine that it will somehow all magically get better. It’s not as if either my husband or I stand to inherit a fortune. Neither of us have parents with oodles stashed away. I worry that our precarious finances will finally crumble. While many women might dream about George Clooney, I fantasise about an accountant arriving at my flat to sort me out. Until he does I will doubtless continue lurching from one financial disaster to another. So, the next time you spot a woman with a designer purse, just remember that it might have been a present (mine was) and it might well be empty — mine definitely is!
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Vast expenses, including two sets of school fees and a flat in Kensington, leave Mel Fallowfield with little of her husband's £100,000 salary .
Family resorts to eating leftovers and food from bins .
Says she is the victim of economic changes hitting the middle classes .
Constantly in fear her precarious finances will crumble .
Admits problems are her own fault for over spending .
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(CNN) -- Men in a civil union will now be allowed to become bishops in the Church of England, but they are not allowed to have sex. Intercourse between two men -- or two women -- remains a sin. "Homosexual genital acts fall short of the Christian ideal and are to be met with a call to repentance and the exercise of compassion," according to Anglican doctrine. Men and women in same-sex unions were already allowed to serve as priests in the Church of England, but there was a moratorium on advancement to the episcopate -- becoming a bishop -- while the church considered the issue. The church announced Friday that if men in celibate civil unions may be priests, then there is no reason for them not to be bishops, as long as they are "living in accordance with the teaching of the Church on human sexuality." Any priest looking to become a bishop must undergo a thorough examination of "personal and family circumstances," according to a statement released by the House of Bishops of the Church of England. Female priests are barred from advancing to the position of bishop, as a vote on the measure in the church failed to pass lay approval last November despite an overwhelming majority of support within the church hierarchy. Women have been permitted to enter the priesthood since the early 1990s. The church defines marriage "as a faithful, committed, permanent and legally sanctioned relationship between a man and a woman, is central to the stability and health of human society." It believes sex should be practiced exclusively within a marriage. The British parliament is expected to consider legislation allowing same-sex marriage, but the Church of England and the Church in Wales would be prohibited from performing wedding ceremonies as long as it remains against canon law. In 2005, Britain allowed same-sex couples to register civil partnerships, prompting the church to consider the issue. It does not bless civil unions of any kind, for fear some of them may be sexual. But it also does not exclude gays and lesbians from the flock, according to it 2005 deliberations. The Anglican Church is a protestant denomination intimately associated with the American Episcopal Church. The church and state in Britain are formally connected. The two archbishops of the church, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York, along with 24 other bishops, have seats in Parliament in the House of Lords. Though women may not yet rise to high positions in its clergy, Queen Elizabeth is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Read more: Proposal would allow same-sex marriage in England, Wales . Read more: Can 'true Catholics' support same-sex marriage? CNN's Joseph Netto contributed to this report .
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The priests in same-sex unions must remain celibate .
The Anglican Church recognizes marriage as being only between a man and a woman .
Sex should be practiced only within a marriage, the church says .
Women may be priests but are not allowed to become bishops .
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Everton are to unveil a plaque commemorating the 96 people who died in the Hillsborough disaster ahead of Saturday's derby meeting with Liverpool at Goodison Park. The unveiling will be held at the Park End Stand and conducted by Everton chairman Bill Kenwright and Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group. Everton and Liverpool unite ahead of the Merseyside derby in April 2014 at Goodison Park . The Band of Life, with each light inscribed with the name of a victim, was presented at Anfield in 2014 . Aspinall, whose son James was killed in the Sheffield tragedy on April 15, 1989, said: 'This is a really lovely gesture from Everton, paying tribute to the 96 who lost their lives at Hillsborough. 'I would like to thank Bill and everyone involved, not least the Everton fans who have provided great support to the families over the years.' Everton fan Stephen Kelly's brother Michael was among those killed 26 years ago and, together with other Blues supporters, suggested the installation of the permanent tribute. Everton and Liverpool fans lay flowers and football scarves at Liverpool's Hillsborough memorial . He added on the club's official website: 'As an Evertonian who lost my brother at Hillsborough, I have always been grateful of the support from the blue side of the city. 'I hope that when Evertonians look at this they will feel proud of the way we've supported our neighbours.' Fans hold up scarves to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield in 2014 .
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Everton and Liverpool meet in the Merseyside derby on Saturday .
The plaque will remember the 96 people who died at Hillsborough in 1989 .
Bill Kenwright and Margaret Aspinall will conduct the unveiling .
The memorial will be at the Park End Stand of Goodison Park .
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By . Associated Press . and Lydia Warren . A woman watched her boyfriend rape and shout names at the lifeless body of a student she had brought over to be a sex offering, she has revealed in her court testimony. Kathryn McDonough resumed testimony on Wednesday in the murder trial of ex-boyfriend Seth . Mazzaglia, who is charged with killing Elizabeth 'Lizzi' Marriott at his . Dover, New Hampshire apartment in October 2012. After being rebuffed twice by the 19-year-old University of New Hampshire student, Mazzaglia crept up behind her as she watched a movie with McDonough and quickly incapacitated her with a rope before raping her, McDonough told the court. Afterwards he ordered her to hold the white rope - which he and McDonough had used in their sex games - around the already-motionless girl's neck, she said, and she did as she was told. Emotional: Kathryn McDonough, 20, broke down . crying during testimony in the murder trial of her ex-boyfriend, who she . says strangled and raped her co-worker in 2012. She said she watched as . he did it . Breakdown: The judge called a break when McDonough's sobs became uncontrollable during the trial . McDonough is serving a . prison sentence for lying to investigators about the teen's . disappearance. On Tuesday, she testified how she had lured Marriott, her co-worker, to the apartment with the promise of watching a movie or playing a video game. In reality, McDonough testified, she was offering Marriott as a sex partner for Mazzaglia, who was angry that McDonough had left him alone for 12 days. Mazzaglia sent her a text message at 10:26 p.m. asking, 'We painting tonight?' - a coded reference to having sex with Marriott. She replied: 'Your decision, I guess. If you have a plan. Nervous.' 'I didn't really know what he wanted to do,' McDonough testified. After a game of strip poker, Mazzaglia suggested to Marriott that she kiss McDonough. On trial: Seth Mazzaglia is escorted out of the court room for a break on Wednesday after the testimony . When Marriott said no, saying she was in a committed relationship, he said he wanted the college student to watch McDonough and Mazzaglia have sex. Marriott again refused. McDonough, who previously told the jury about the couple's sadomasochistic relationship, testified that Mazzaglia was unaccustomed to hearing 'no'. 'That's when he moved up behind her and he pulled the rope up over her head and he strangled her,' she said. 'She let out a quick noise and she sort of stopped. Her arms curled up against her chest and her eyes were closed.' Mazzaglia was wearing gloves and had a soft, white cotton rope the couple used in bondage sex. After Mazzaglia strangled Marriott, McDonough went into the bathroom. When she returned to the main part of the studio apartment, she saw Mazzaglia raping Marriott and calling her names - her motionless body prone on the floor. Then Mazzaglia went into the bathroom and told McDonough to hold the rope around Marriott's neck. McDonough said she laid the rope loosely over Marriott's neck. 'Her mouth opened a tiny bit,' McDonough testified. 'I only noticed because I was so close to her.' Accused: Seth Mazzaglia, left, allegedly raped and killed Lizzi Marriott, right, when she rebuffed his advances . She testified, voice quavering, that she checked for a pulse and found none. Neither she nor Mazzaglia called police or an ambulance. Marriott's father, Bob Marriott, sat in the front row, his shoulders heaving with silent sobs as McDonough testified in a monotone about his daughter's last minutes. As prosecutors projected a timeline of events on a screen, McDonough started sobbing. The judge called a break and she was escorted from the courtroom, still sobbing and trembling. On Tuesday, she had explained she had taken Marriott to their apartment because Mazzaglia had demanded she find him a sex partner as punishment for leaving him alone for 12 days while she went to camp. McDonough . said he had brutally sodomized her a month earlier as 'punishment' for . failing to find him a sex 'slave' so she was willing to 'try and please . him' however she could. 'I . think it would be fitting if the first thing you saw me do when you got . back is pleasure one of your friends until they died of orgasms and only . then turned my brutal attention to you,' Mazzaglia allegedly wrote in a . text message he sent to McDonough. Missed: Marriott, pictured left and right with her parents, had gone to McDonough's house to watch a movie . She added that Mazzaglia wanted her to recruit Marriott as the slave because of her physique and personality, SeaCoastOnline reported. McDonough, 20, is the key witness against her ex and lawyers on both sides cast her differently. Prosecutors . portray her as the sexual submissive, dominated in all aspects of their . relationship by a man 10 years older than her, but Mazzaglia's lawyers . say she was the dominatrix, a woman obsessed with finding another woman . to dominate, and it was Mazzaglia who was her sexual slave. Marriott had transferred to the . University of New Hampshire only weeks earlier to major in marine . biology. She was a commuter student, living with her aunt and uncle in . Chester during the week and returning home to Westborough most weekends. Marriott had been in a committed relationship with Brittany Atwood, who lived in Massachusetts. On . the night she died, Marriot text messaged Atwood minutes before 9pm to . let her know she was going over to 'Kat's' to watch a movie. Atwood . testified she was happy for her because she was finally making new . friends. The text message was Marriott's last communication. Sick: McDonough, pictured as she is escorted out of the courtroom during the morning break in her former boyfriend's trial, told the court that she watched as the 19-year-old was strangled with a rope . Atwood said became worried the next morning when she had not heard from Marriott and contacted her parents. Mazzaglia . told investigators he and McDonough had used Marriott's 2001 Mazda to . take her body to Peirce Island in Portsmouth, where they threw it and . her cellphone into the Piscataqua River. The . pair then drove Marriott's car to UNH, left it in a student lot and . discarded her belongings in trash bins, authorities allege. McDonough is serving a 1-1/2 to three-year sentence for conspiracy and hindering prosecution. Defense . attorney Joachim Barth told jurors during his opening statement that . McDonough bargained her concocted story of what happened that night in . exchange for time off her sentence, and that testifying against . Mazzaglia is part of her plea deal.
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Kathryn McDonough, 20, testified how she watched Seth Mazzaglia, 31, strangle Lizzi Marriott with a rope in 2012 and then rape her body .
Marriott was killed after she allegedly rebuffed McDonough's advances .
McDonough had brought her over as punishment for failing to find her boyfriend a sex 'slave' before she left him alone for 12 days .
But Mazzaglia's attorneys say that McDonough carried out the killing and he covered for her because he was obsessed with her .
McDonough is serving a prison sentence for lying to investigators about Marriott's disappearance and death .
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An Ohio schoolgirl was ordered to cover up her arms at a Valentine's Day dance - because teachers deemed them to be 'sexual objects'. Seventh grader Ari Waters had picked out a pretty yellow dress for a Valentine's Day dance at Mt. Orab Middle School, believing it to be elegant. But she was left mortified when a male teacher approached her at the dance to ask her to cover up her arms. When her horrified mother Gina demanded to know why exactly her young daughter had been asked to put a coat on, she was told by the vice principal it was because her arms were 'sexual objects'. Anger: Ari Waters was told to cover up after arriving at a dance in this dress - because it showed her arms . Shock: Ari's mother Gina was horrified to discover her daughter had been asked to cover up because her arms were considered to be 'sexual objects' - although the school denies this was ever said . Not alone: Three to six other children were asked to cover up by teachers from the middle school, pictured . Ms Waters has since spoken out against the school - deeming teachers' behaviour towards her young daughter entirely inappropriate. 'These middle schoolers are 10 years of age up to 13,' she told Local12. 'They're kids. They're not sexual beings. That word should never have been used and it should never have been associated with an arm, with a limb.' It was later revealed Ari was one of three to six students at the school asked to cover their 'sleeveless attire'. The youngster witnessed at least one other girl being asked to cover up her arms because she was in a spaghetti-strap dress. Ari, meanwhile, has said she has been left feeling 'dirty' - and was so embarrassed on the night she called her mother to pick her up. Upset: Ms Waters was so cross about the incident, she has spoken out publicly on her daughter's behalf . Embarrassed: Ari says she was left feeling 'dirty' - and asked her mother to pick her up early . Dress code: A statement from the school also said the dress code (pictured) was made clear before the dance . But Mt. Orab Middle School has stood by its decision, saying in a statement it has a dress code which students have to abide by at school functions. Headteacher Sabrina Armstrong said the students had been 'explicitly told' they were expected to dress a certain way several weeks before the dance. However, she denies the vice principal called Ari's arms sexual objects. 'The district has looked into the situation and deemed them to be unfounded,' Ms Armstrong said in a statement.
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Ari Waters ordered to cover up by male teacher at Mt. Orab Middle School .
Had chosen a pretty knee-length dress which she thought was 'elegant'
Mother Gina claims vice principal told her Ari's arms were 'sexual objects'
Schoolgirl says the incident has left her feeling dirty and embarrassed .
School stands by decision - saying it has a strict dress code for functions .
Principal Sabrina Armstrong also denies teacher called arms 'sex objects'
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By . Laura Cox . PUBLISHED: . 08:41 EST, 7 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:41 EST, 7 April 2012 . A single-engine plane crashed in Naples on Friday afternoon killing its pilot, the host of a popular fishing TV show. Spanish Fly presenter Jose Wejebe, of Florida Keys, died when his kit plane plunged into a field near the runway shortly after take-off from Everglades Airpak. The plane departed to the north but authorities said they do not know exactly where it was headed. Tragic: Spanish Fly presenter Jose Wejebe, of Florida Keys, died when his kit plane plunged into a field near the runway shortly after take-off from Everglades Airpak . It fell from the sky at around 4.45pm, landing in privately owned land next to the public airport’s runway. Officials have not yet determined a cause. The carnage could not be seen from the airport terminal, but smoke from the crash was visible up to two miles away. A witness described it as looking like a house on fire. Wejebe, 54, was alone on the Comp Air 8, a kit plane that can seat six adults and two children. No other casualties were reported at the airstrip, which was unstaffed at the time. The host was known for his extensive travels chasing big fish, which took him from the Gulf of Mexico to the Galapagos, and had a strong following in the fishing community - one of his social networking pages has 66,000 followers. Solo: Wejebe, 54, was alone on the Comp Air 8, a kit plane that can seat six adults and two children . His ex-wife, Lynne Calero, told the Naples News: ‘It’s awful. He was very close to his family. It’s a real waste.’ His only child, Kristin Wejebe, 28, recently filmed a father-daughter fishing show with him. ‘It was very important to her to be able to share that,’ said Calero, Kristin’s mother. ‘She was so proud.’ Wejebe was born in Cuba, where he lived for a short time before his family fled to Miami after Fidel Castro’s revolution. At the age of eight he learned to fish alongside his father. A teenager Wejebe bought his first boat with the money he made working at a gas station and became a fishing guide in South Florida. He made it into the mainstream when the first episode of Spanish Fly aired on ESPN-2 in 1995, following him on fishing expeditions. A second show, Vida del Mar, followed on ESPN in 2001. Popular: The host was known for his extensive travels chasing big fish, which took him from the Gulf of Mexico to the Galapagos, and had a strong following in the fishing community . The airpark where the crash happened is on 29 acres on the southwest end of Everglades City. It sees about 5,000 flights a year. While Southwest Florida has seen several plane crashes in recent years, few have been fatal. Of four crashes in 2008, a total of 12 pilots and passengers survived in three separate crashes. In the fourth plane crash in December of 2008, 74-year-old Benjamin Arthur Simpson of Naples was killed when his Cessna 172 crashed off the coast of Goodland near Cape Romano.
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He was alone in the Comp Air 8 plane when it fell from the sky .
Smoke could be seen up to two miles away .
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(CNN) -- Children play with a worn-out badminton set. Families sip traditional Indian tea known as chai from silver-colored cups and chat as the sun sets in a rose-colored sky. Goats bleat in the distance, water buffaloes chew on hay and the cackles of crows ring through the air. Welcome to the village of Chevuru, in southeast India, not far from the Bay of Bengal. Here, lush green rice paddies ring concrete homes in various stages of construction. I came here with 15 colleagues to help these villagers, who are among some of India's poorest and most disadvantaged people. We came to help build safe and solid concrete and brick homes for them. The villagers are Dalits -- once known as untouchables -- and they still suffer from discrimination. This group of 90 families live in thatched-roof huts that are prone to leaks and have mud floors that wash away. Some of their children attend a "school" that is a small outdoor space in front of a church. Many only have the clothes on their backs for daily wear. Ravi Kumar, head of the Association of Relief Volunteers (which partners with American nongovernmental organization Longitude, the group we used to volunteer in India) and our leader on this project, told us that giving the villagers these homes would not only physically improve their lives but it would also boost their morale -- endowing them with a new sense of pride and helping them to dream of a brighter future. Despite their tough lives -- many of the village men can only get work a few months a year on the rice paddies -- the villagers were enthusiastic, generous and hard-working. We worked under humid skies and sunny days, sometimes in more than 40-degree Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) temperatures. We carted cement, sifted materials, mixed cement, plastered walls -- and one day we worked together as a group to plaster a roof. It was back-breaking work, and watching the villagers tirelessly do it inspired me to do as much as I physically could, though we had to drink copious amounts of water and eat a lot of food. I became known as the "after lunch napper," frazzled by the morning's duties. As we worked side by side with the villagers, we got to know them and their friends. One family I spent a lot of time with was building their home to accommodate four generations: their parents, their children and their grandchild. Their names were Ramadu (the grandfather), his son-in-law Krishna and his daughter, Buji. Krishna and Buji's eldest daughter had polio, which led to her legs being amputated. The couple help raise their daughter's grandchild, a 5-year-old boy named Siy, who has a clever smile and always seemed ready to test the commands of his grandparents. I visited them in their hut, where they lived in a space that seemed to measure about 10 feet by 10 feet. I knew the new home -- at a cost of just $1,500 -- would dramatically change their lives. Despite the difficulty of their situation, they kept telling our project leader Kumar that I was working too hard and needed to rest. They always brought us superb chai tea to drink with them. But all I wanted was to help them and all the others as much as possible while we were there to get the house done. I think we did a good job: Though the homes were unfinished when we left after two weeks of work, noticeable progress had been made. Most importantly, we felt the townspeople's spirits were lifted. During our time, we met many families and played games with the children. We asked them what they wanted to be when they grew up. One of my colleagues brought bubbles (which were very popular), while others brought clothes, pens and pencils, and sports equipment. Kumar said the villagers benefited by meeting people from outside their world, getting to speak English and exchange ideas. But the benefits were definitely mutual: We got to learn about them, too, their lives, goals and interests. These villagers have so many needs: proper schooling, health care, hygiene, clothing, mosquito nets (which only cost $5) and, of course, housing. But I saw that given the right tools and opportunity, the people of Chevuru were quite capable of accomplishing what they set out to do. On our last night, the villagers threw us a party and we danced together in the new saris and kurtas they had given us. We all left wondering what we could do next to help them and discussed plans for future work in Chevuru.
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A group of 16 volunteers from Turner Broadcasting goes to India to help build houses .
The people of Chevuru, India, are some of the poorest people in the country .
Helping the families was so rewarding for Miranda Leitsinger that she is planning a return trip .
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(CNN) -- The last time Ben Affleck played a superhero, the world cried. The year was 2003, and the movie was "Daredevil" -- a Hollywood fail that even Affleck has insinuated he'd rather forget. So is it any wonder that within hours of Warner Bros. announcing the actor was going to play Batman in the upcoming "Man of Steel" sequel, Twitter immediately tried to recast the part using the hashtag #BetterBatmanThanBenAffleck. (Suggestions have included "the drunken hobo who lives under the overpass," the dog from "Air Bud" and "Manti Te'o's girlfriend.") But in the eyes of some critics, the 41-year-old Oscar winner may not be such a bad choice. Let's not forget that Affleck has turned a career corner since his "annus horribilis" -- the year that sparked "Daredevil" and that other movie that had film fans writing him off, "Gigli." He recovered from that valley slowly but surely, and went on to direct and star in standouts like 2010's "The Town" and 2012's "Argo," the latter of which won an Oscar for best picture. From actor to auteur: Ben Affleck's career trajectory . Knowing that, Yahoo! Movies thinks "we owe Ben the benefit of the doubt" given that "the guy has made quite the comeback lately." And there's also the possibility that he's learned from his mistakes with "Daredevil" -- the faults of which, notes CraveOnline, don't rest completely on Affleck's shoulders. Now that he's an older, more seasoned actor who's shown himself to be a wizard in the director's chair, maybe "Man of Steel 2" director Zack Snyder's assessment isn't so far off: . "Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry (Cavill)'s Superman," Snyder said in a statement. "He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne." If anything, says The Wall Street Journal, Affleck is "too perfect for the role." "He has it all," says WSJ's Michael Calia."The shoulder-heavy jock's physique, the chiseled facial features set to brood, the experience playing a tough but haunted leading character. It's yet another example of competent and professional, if uninspired, Batman casting. ... (It's) better than Hollywood forcing another nondescript young hunk on us." Film School Rejects disagrees with those who call the decision ho-hum, arguing that "Affleck as Batman in 'Man of Steel 2' is actually some pretty exciting casting news. ... (A)fter more than a year of rumors and speculation that he would be directing their Justice League ensemble (movie) and/or possibly playing the Caped Crusader in it, this seems to be an equally interesting announcement." Affleck as Batman? 'No, nyet, never!' From the perspective of the studio, Warner Bros. (which shares a parent company with CNN), Affleck's casting is "a major win," The Wrap says. The move not only shows that the now-back-on-top star "still has faith in the studio," but it also paves the way "for several potential superhero collaborations." That idea is probably making several Bruce Wayne fans cringe as they hurry to sign a petition begging Warner Bros. to drop Affleck from the role. But maybe, just maybe, Affleck won't be as horrible as everyone is anticipating. After all, he's proven us wrong before.
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Casting of Ben Affleck as Batman has sparked immense backlash .
Some industry observers think it's not such a bad move .
He's made a career turnaround since he starred in 2003's "Daredevil"
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By . Rob Waugh . PUBLISHED: . 05:22 EST, 5 June 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 05:22 EST, 5 June 2012 . Google's rearguard battle to keep people interested in its Facebook rival Google Plus continues with a $100m purchase of social sharing site Meebo. Meebo's chat toolbar allows for easy sharing of social links - and crucially, advertising, which is where Google makes its money from its AdWords search engine. ‘We are always looking for better ways . to help users share content and connect with others across the web, just . as they do in real life,’ a Google spokesperson said. Meebo's chat toolbar allows for easy sharing of social links - and crucially, advertising, which is where Google makes its money from its AdWords search engine . Google Plus has so far failed to reach the huge numbers of rival Facebook, and has been dogged by reports that even its signed up users rarely use the service . Meebo works as a chat and sharing toolbar which lets users chat as they browse the web. The Meebo service is also available as an app. California-based Meebo provides software . that lets users share pages on social networking sites, including . Facebook , allowing publishers and advertisers to promote products in . interactive ways. he world's biggest search engine, Google Inc, will buy Meebo Inc, a startup that helps online publishers connect their websites with social network sites, Meebo said on its blog. Last month, technology blog All Things Digital reported that Google was in talks to buy Meebo in a deal worth about $100 million. ‘We look forward to closing the transaction and working with the Meebo team to create more ways for users to engage online.’ Meebo, founded in 2005, says it . reaches half of the U.S. Internet population, allowing users to build . their own web experiences around the things that interest them the . most.
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$100m purchase of chat toolbar site .
Meebo allows for easy chat and social sharing - with built-in adverts .
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By . Victoria Woollaston . PUBLISHED: . 12:11 EST, 9 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:17 EST, 9 July 2013 . Designers in Seattle have invented an iPhone docking station that doubles up as a smoke and gas alarm - and they claim it can be more effective than the traditional ceiling-mounted alarms. The Sense+ dock has built-in sensors that detect smoke from fires as well as carbon monoxide. When these sensors detect the life-threatening gases an app is launched on the docked iPhone and a loud alarm will ring. Scroll down for video . Designers in Seattle have invented the Sense+ docking station, pictured, that doubles up as a smoke and gas alarm. When the built-in sensors detect smoke or carbon monoxide, an app on the docked phone will open and an alarm will ring. The Sense+ can then automatically call a list of customisable emergency numbers . The Sense+ docking station has a built-in photoelectric sensor. This sensor, also known as a photo eye is used to detect the distance, absence, or presence of an object by using a light transmitter, often infrared, and a photoelectric receiver. The Sense+'s photoelectric alarm aims a light source into a sensing chamber at an angle away from the sensor. Smoke enters the chamber, reflecting light onto the light sensor and this triggers the alarm. If this alarm is not manually turned off within 30 seconds, a list of emergency phone numbers is displayed on the iPhone's screen before the system begins automatically calling these numbers for help. The user can also shut down the app or decline from making emergency calls. These emergency numbers can be customised and the app will only call the . numbers added to the Home Group - it can't access the user's phone . book. The Sense+ uses a 'photoelectric' sensor that can detect cold smoke which some traditional smoke alarms have difficulty sensing. This is combined with a carbon monoxide sensor. The designers claim that in certain situations the Sense+ could be more effective at alerting the user to a fire or dangerous gases than wall and ceiling-mounted sensors. However, instead of replacing them, the inventors designed the Sense+ to work with the existing alarms to increase protection. The majority of ceiling-mounted smoke detectors rely on ionisation smoke detection and respond more effectively to smoke caused by flaming fires. The Sense+, pictured, uses a photoelectric sensor that detects cold smoke which some traditional alarms have difficulty sensing. This is combined with a carbon monoxide sensor. The designers claim that in certain situations the Sense+ is more effective at detecting dangerous chemicals than ceiling-mounted sensors . The Sense+'s photoelectric smoke sensor is more effective at detecting smouldering fires. This photoelectric alarm aims a light source into a sensing chamber at an angle away from the sensor. When smoke enters the chamber it reflects light onto the light sensor and this triggers the alarm. The Sense+ device is designed by company Studio Tonic based in Seattle and costs £65. The design team developed the Sense+ after looking at deaths caused by smoke inhalation in houses in developing countries. They discovered that many of these households did not have smoke alarms yet they did have the latest smartphones. This led them to create the Sense+ as a flexible personal alarm . that works as a backup detector and a device that helps quickly when . needed. The current version has been designed specifically for the iPhone 5 yet it also supports the connection of other smart devices through a USB port. The makers also have future versions planned for Android and Windows smartphones. Will Grant, spokesman for Sense+, said: 'Sense+ is an emergency aid solution consisting of an app and a charging dock. 'It uses the latest smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to detect cold smoke and automatically take action for you in case of an alarm. The current version of Sense+ has been designed specifically for the iPhone 5 yet it also supports the connection of other smart devices through a USB port. It was designed by Studio Tonic in Seattle and the makers have future versions planned for Android and Windows smartphones . 'The thinking behind it was to potentially save lives. 'It uses photoelectric technology smoke sensors because it is best for detecting smoke which is the major killer in house fires. 'It also uses carbon monoxide detectors. As invisible, odorless and tasteless, carbon monoxide is a very poisonous gas that can kill quickly and without warning. 'The combination of the two detectors is very powerful especially in situations like caravanning, boating, camping, and travelling. 'We tested the Sense+ against a group of off-the-shelf ceiling type sensors and with the smoke testing the Sense+ always outperformed the photo voltaic models. 'But when the Sense+ was at bedside height, the off-the-shelf models at ceiling height went off quicker.'
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Sense+ detector is an iPhone docking station with a built-in smoke sensor .
When the sensor detects smoke or carbon monoxide an alarm is triggered .
If the alarm isn't turned off manually the Sense+ makes an emergency call .
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By . Aap . The adorable story of how Tiny the dog was rescued by the New Zealand Navy after being stuck on a floating log has been set straight by his owner. Ben Ngawaka, 20, said his pal had, in fact, only been stranded for a few hours on Smokehouse Bay, and not for two days since a storm had hit the area, as previously reported. Mr Ngawaka said he took his boat out from his home on Rangiahua Island home to do some shopping at the nearest store at Port Fitzroy on Great Barrier Island with his dog on Thursday. The crew of the New Zealand Navy ship Hawea spotted the dog standing helplessly on a drifting log . He stopped to collect a floating log he thought might be useful for building repairs, Mr Ngawaka told The New Zealand Herald on Sunday. ‘I had a little look for (Tiny) when I got to Fitzroy and couldn't find him. I realised, “oh, my dog must have got off on that log",' he said. ‘He must have thought that when we stopped, we were parking on the shore and jumped off.’ Mr Ngawaka said he wasn't concerned because he knew Tiny would stay put. More... Do you love dogs? Then you're probably prejudiced: People who prefer canines tend to be more 'dominant and discriminatory' Let's hope Wimbledon's a stroll too, Andy! Reigning champion and girlfriend Kim Sears take dogs for a walk in the countryside . In the meantime, the black and white dog was spotted by Able Seaman Combat Specialist Filipe Latu aboard the HMNZS Hawea, while navigating through debris caused by the storm on Tuesday. He immediately consulted his commanding officer . 'Permission to rescue dog floating on a log, Sir,' he said - or a plea similar to that. The black and white dog was spotted by Able Seaman Combat Specialist Filipe Latu who immediately asked his commanding officer if he could rescue the canine . Able Seaman Combat Specialist Damien Willis held the dog tight after the crew welcomed it aboard . Operation dog rescue was activated with speed and naval efficiency. Bringing the animal to shore, the sailors were quickly notified that there was someone at hand who knew its owner. The crew handed the dog over to locals who knew the owner before getting back to work by removing debris from the water . When Mr Ngawaka returned a few hours later, he was surprised to find Tiny with the crew who gave him his dog. Tiny had recovered from the trauma with a feed and a long sleep. ‘He's fine, he's most probably forgotten the whole thing by now,’ he said. HMNZS Hawea's commanding officer, Lieutenant Anthony Norris, said an animal stuck on a log in the water was an unusual and unexpected sight. ‘There was significant debris in the water and on one large log floating in the water was this poor helpless dog,’ he said.
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Tiny the dog was not swept out to sea by a storm two days earlier as previously reported .
Tiny had actually jumped onto a floating log while his owner Ben Ngawaka took him on his boat to do some shopping at a nearby town .
Mr Ngawaka did not realise his pal was missing until he reached his destination and returned two hours later to retrieve him .
In the meantime, sailors had rescued the stranded furry fellow .
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Former Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has backed Lionel Messi to remain at the club for the rest of his career and rejected speculation the Argentina international could soon leave. Rumours surrounding Messi's future at the Catalan side have intensified in recent weeks but with Barcelona set to undergo a transfer ban for the next two windows, Abidal believes Messi will remain and make sure the team remains one of Europe's superpowers. 'I know Leo well,' Abidal said. 'He is a well educated guy, he's not here to screw the club and others. He has character, he respects people. Lionel Messi (right) celebrates a goal with team-mates Neymar (centre) and Luis Suarez (left) Transfer gossip has linked Messi with a move away from Barcelona with Chelsea reportedly eyeing a move . But Eric Abidal (right), who used to play with Messi at Barcelona, has no doubt that he will stay with the club . 'As he put it, he's at Barca, but doesn't know what tomorrow brings. That's sport. But yes, I believe he will finish his career at Barcelona and I hope he stays. 'Barca's his home and he has already shown what he can do on the field.' Despite talk of a crisis at Barcelona, Messi assisted two and scored one as Luis Enrique's side surged to a 3-1 victory over defending champions Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp on Sunday.
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Lionel Messi has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Barcelona .
But former team-mate Eric Abidal certain Messi is not thinking of leaving .
Barcelona have been banned from buying players in the next two windows .
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Homeless thief Nathan Dorsett, 30, stole from Oxford University colleges because it was 'better than burgling people's homes' A serial thief who carried out a string of burglaries at Oxford University colleges because it was 'better than burgling people's homes' has been jailed. Nathan Dorsett broke into the historic colleges to steal students' wallets, electrical items and even food from canteens and a buffet. The 30-year-old homeless man was caught when he was found on campus with a crowbar and bolt croppers in his bag. He was recognised from a wanted poster police had put up around the university and detained by staff at Mansfield College until police arrived to arrest him. A judge heard that Dorsett had stolen a range of personal items from Oxford colleges during a series of break-ins in July and August this year. He climbed over a fence into St John's College - previously attended by alumni including Tony Blair - stealing a handbag, wallet and a mobile phone from a room. The next day he entered St Catherine's College, where he went into the canteen and ate food, before climbing through a window in Balliol College to steal a ring and cameras. When inside St Catherine's, Dorsett headed for a buffet, eating and drinking refreshments which were laid out for a conference. He also stole electrical items from St Anthony's College, in Woodstock Road, on August 25. Dorsett admitted four counts of burglary, one count of theft and one count of being equipped to steal. He was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday afternoon to two years and four months in jail. Dorsett stole a handbag, wallet and a mobile phone from a room at St John's College, once attended by Tony Blair . Dorsett, at Oxford Crown Court (pictured), admitted four counts of burglary, one count of theft and one count of being equipped to steal and was jailed for two years and four months . Dorsett had previously been given a 23-week suspended sentence for handling stolen goods at Birmingham and Solihull Magistrates' Court on August 20, which will run consecutively with his new sentence. Five other burglary offences at colleges - two committed in Oxford, two in York and one in Norfolk - were taken into consideration. PC Jennifer Hanks, from Thames Valley Police, said: 'Dorsett had not only been targeting Oxford but had travelled around the country by train and had committed burglaries in other university towns and cities as he did not feel this was as bad as breaking into peoples' homes. However, during these incidents he stole personal belongings and stole from educational organisations. 'This custodial sentence means he will no longer be able to commit similar offences.'
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Nathan Dorsett launched string of burglaries at Oxford University colleges .
Serial thief broke into historic colleges, stealing wallets and electrical items .
Dorsett, 30, even stole food from a buffet and university canteens .
He admitted burglary, theft and one count of being equipped to steal .
Homeless man was sentenced to two years and four months in jail .
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Click here to read Sami Mokbel's match report from the Emirates . When 5ft 7in Alexis Sanchez hoisted himself above a hulking pair of Burnley defenders to head in the opener and put Arsenal on the path to victory even his own manager was surprised. Arsene Wenger has seen the Chilean’s skill and hunger for goals, confounding defenders with quick feet and a fizzing shot. But here he acted as an English No 9, adding another feather to his cap. ‘It was a typical English goal and I didn’t expect that from him,’ said Wenger. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Wenger: Alexis Sanchez dangerous playing in the middle . Alexis Sanchez celebrates his second, and Arsenal's third, goal at the Emirates against Burnley . Sanchez's stats at the weekend were impressive, with the Chilean proving a real handful for Sean Dyche's side . Arsenal had more shots on goal - 32 -than in any league game since the 1-0 defeat by West Ham in 2007 . ‘I didn’t count on him in the air at all. But I know that in the air it is more about desire and he has that. He is a winner and finds the resources to get you a goal when it is 0-0. That’s what is important.’ Wenger had praised Sanchez’s street-fighting qualities in the lead-up to the game and it was his willingness to scrap for a goal that provided the breakthrough on 70 minutes. After Calum Chambers had doubled Arsenal’s lead Sanchez added a third in stoppage-time, his seventh goal in eight Premier League starts. The £30million signing is starting to look priceless for Arsenal and Wenger believes he is only going to get better. ‘We are in a job where you can always improve,’ said Wenger. ‘He is unbelievably keen and every day wants to practise.’ Sean Dyche, whose Burnley side are without a win in 10 league games, admitted it was a mismatch after they came undone in the final 20 minutes. ‘Teams like Arsenal are beyond us,’ he said. ‘But there’s no point being down in the dumps because they have hurt bigger sides than us.’ The Burnley defence can only look on as Sanchez opens the scoring for Arsenal . Sanchez was the star man in the Premier League match at the Emirates at the weekend .
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Alexis Sanchez scored twice in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Burnley on Saturday .
Arsene Wenger heaped praise on his forward in the aftermath of the game .
The Arsenal manager described his strike as a 'typical English goal'
Wenger says that previously, he didn't count on Sanchez in the air .
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By . Lucy Laing . PUBLISHED: . 10:32 EST, 17 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 16:48 EST, 17 November 2012 . When Oscar Cotton was diagnosed with eye cancer, he faced a desperate race against time. His parents had planned their wedding day - and they desperately wanted Oscar to see them get married. He underwent gruelling chemotherapy treatment and although he lost the sight on one eye, surgeons managed to save the other. This picture of Oscar Cotton was taken just before he was diagnosed, and you can see the unusual white shadow in his left eye, which is a symptom of an eye cancer called Retinoblastoma . Oscar's chemotherapy lasted several months and ended in January this year. Afterwards doctors confirmed he is blind in his left eye. But his right eye was fine . It meant that he was finally able to see his relieved parents tie the knot in an emotional ceremony. His mother Emma, 31, said: ‘We were desperate to save Oscar’s sight and more than anything we wanted our son to see us getting married. ‘He was so brave throughout his treatment and we can’t thank the surgeons enough for saving his sight.’ Oscar was born healthy in July 2010, but when he was nine months old, Mrs Cotton noticed that his left eye was looking the wrong way. It corrected itself, but then it kept happening when Oscar was stressed or concentrating. Mrs Cotton said: ‘I thought it was unusual, but it always corrected itself so we didn’t worry initially.’ At his 12 month check, the health visitor suggested Oscar might have a squint. She arranged an appointment with an optometrist. It was discovered that Oscar had a patch on his retina and he was referred to a specialist. Oscar is still having regular check ups but is going from strength to strength, according to his proud mother Emma Cotton . Despite battling through chemotherapy, brave Oscar managed to attend the wedding of his parents, Emma and Nick Cotton in December, eight weeks after he had started treatment . Mrs Cotton said: ‘At home I researched ‘patch on retina’ on the internet. One result mentioned retinoblastoma, cancer of the eyes. I told myself that it couldn’t possibly be that as it was incredibly rare. But three weeks later doctors at Birmingham Children’s Hospital discovered that he did have retinoblastoma - and he had tumours in both of his eyes. Mrs Cotton, who lives with husband Nick, 31, a customer services representative for a mobile phone company, and their two other sons . Tyler, ten, and Zakk, four, in Stoke on Trent, said: ‘It was our worst nightmare. If it was just in one eye they would try and remove the eye, but as it was in both, they told us they would try and save the sight in both with chemotherapy. ‘He started treatment in September 2011. All his hair fell out and he’d wake up screaming in pain. It was terrible to watch him and I felt helpless that I couldn’t help him. But despite the side effects, he responded well, and he was so brave throughout it all. Oscar looking smart, pictured with his mother and grandfather, all dressed up at his parents wedding ceremony . ‘A few weeks later we set a date for our wedding. We were desperate for Oscar to see us get married, but would the doctors be able to save his sight. We had to hope and pray that he could. I couldn’t bear the thought of my little boy not being able to see us get married.’ Despite battling through the chemotherapy treatment, brave Oscar managed to attend the wedding in December, eight weeks after he had started treatment. Mrs Cotton said: ‘We had 30 guests at our wedding. But the most important person of all was Oscar. He matched his brothers in his tiny pinstripe suit, and he watched us both say ‘I do.’ It was the most emotional day of our lives. ‘All the guests knew about Oscar’s battle. We were so proud of him. He was the bravest little pageboy we could have asked for.’ In January this year Oscar finished his chemotherapy. Afterwards doctors confirmed he is blind in his left eye. But his right eye was fine. The tumours were inactive. Mrs Cotton said: ‘We are thrilled he is doing so well. He still has regular check ups but he’s going from strength to strength, and we just can’t thank the doctors enough for saving his sight. Now we’re looking forward to Oscar seeing in our one year wedding anniversary with us.’ For more information about retinoblastoma, visit the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust website at www.chect.org.uk .
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Oscar Cotton was referred to hospital with a squint, only to find he had retinoblastoma, cancer of the eyes, and had tumours in both eyes .
He attended his parents wedding just eight weeks after starting chemotherapy .
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A Scottish student has launched a worldwide holidaymaker hunt after he found a camera memory card packed with pictures of a trip across Scotland. Barry Carruthers, 22, a drama student, found a grimy memory card in front of a multi-storey car park in Glasgow. The card still worked and was filled with pictures of a family taken at Scotland's most iconic sights. Mr Carruthers has launched a campaign on several social media sites and hopes to reunite the family with their memory card. The family snaps include the travellers at iconic locations across Scotland, including the capital . The message has gone global with big-hearted social media users from Shetland to Hong Kong banding together to help find the family. US TV host Ellen DeGeneres has even been contacted on Twitter by eager fans hoping she will spread the word. Mr Carruthers uploaded the images onto his laptop and kick-started a global search for the mystery holidaymakers to Scotland. Mr Carruthers is appealing to anyone who recognises the family to help him reunite them with their snaps . He said: 'This family had been everywhere, and done it all. 'They went to the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle, the Fringe, the Royal Mile, Knockhill Circuit, Ayr - you name it. 'I've lived in Scotland all my life, and there were a few places I couldn't even identify.' After trawling through the family-of-four's all-encompassing epic Scottish trip, Mr Carruthers said he felt compelled to reunite the tourists with their photos. The pictures seem to feature a family of four, two parents and their son and daughter . He said: 'I'm quite a sentimental person myself, and I just hated the idea of this family losing their entire trip on the street. 'When people pick up cameras or phones, all they are thinking of is the monetary value - but I don't think people ever stop to realise how powerful and important photographs are to people. 'I just really wanted to help.' A keen photographer, Mr Carruthers was able to identify that the family had used a Nikon camera for their shots and had travelled to Scotland in August. Mr Carruthers has been tireless in his efforts - contacting Nikon to see if the camera was registered in order to trace the family, as well as emailing the hotels seen in the photos. He added: 'Thank you to every single one of you for sharing.' The campaign has spread around the world to America and even Hong Kong . Posting on Facebook several photos of the family in front of Edinburgh locations such as North Bridge, his plea for help to find the family has now racked up more 23,000 shares in a matter of days. His cause was also taken up on BBC radio and national tourist board VisitScotland. A spokesman for VisitScotland said: 'When we saw that this family had lost all of their photographs, we had to help. 'World-famous for our incredible scenery, vibrant culture and spectacular heritage, Scotland is one of the finest tourism destinations in the world, and a holiday here provides memories that will last a lifetime. 'However, to lose your photographs of this beautiful country would be devastating and we hope that the family in this case will be reunited with their memory card very soon.' Mr Carruthers added: 'This family clearly had an amazing time in Scotland. They saw it all. 'I just don't want them to lose those memories.'
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Barry Carruthers, 22, found the memory card in a city centre car park .
The pictures show a family enjoying the sights of Scotland .
Some people have even contacted Ellen DeGeneres for her help in search .
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From Big Ben to the London Eye, you may think that you’ve seen the capital’s landmarks in every light possible. But a team of intrepid free runners wearing specially-made neon suits have been photographed sprinting across bridges and jumping off the capital's monuments to create light displays that show their path. It is the first time that a neon-effect free running performance has been completed in the UK. Cool runnings: A team of intrepid free runners wearing specially-made neon suits have been photographed sprinting across bridges and jumping off monuments to create images that show their path . The pictures were created by long . exposure shots which traced the movement of light through the image. A . video was also made using a helicam to capture wide aerial shots of . London. The whole stunt was created to mark the launch of PlayStation 4’s latest game, called Infamous: Second son. Free running team 3RUN set out to recreate scenes from the game, which is only available on the PlayStation console. The game is set in Seattle and features a character called Delsin Rowe, who discovers an ability to absorb different powers from other super humans. Speedy: It is the first time that a neon-effect free running performance has been completed in the UK and here runners can be seen crossing the Thames on the Millennium Bridge, with St Paul's Cathedral in the background . On the run, he uses neon to turn him into a human sniper and to run at speed across floors and up walls. While the team of free runners might not have real super powers, they managed to complete a daredevil routine in complete darkness wearing the custom-made neon suits. The neon suits took six weeks to make and featured hundreds of tiny lights that were hand-stitched on to them in order to capture the neon visual effects of the game as closely as possible. The team of free runners managed to complete a daredevil routine in complete darkness wearing custom made neon suits. Here, they scale a plinth in front of the London Eye, which is also let up in neon . They needed to allow the athletes to run with ease as well as creating a strobing lighting effect. The stunt marked the first time the team had ever performed in the dark, and during some shots the runners were making their way across rooftops at dizzying heights of over 100ft. Passers-by were treated to an electric display of colour as the team traversed iconic London landmarks including Millennium Bridge, Westminster Bridge and the London Eye at breakneck speeds. Chase Armitage, chief free runner and founder of 3RUN said: ‘Through the use of specially created neon suits, we were able to bring a whole new element of free running to life, which certainly stopped passers-by, who were amazed by the strobing light effects’ The whole stunt was created to mark the launch of PlayStation 4's latest game, called Infamous: Second son.The game features a character called Delsin Rowe, who discovers an ability to absorb powers from other super humans. On the run, he uses neon to turn him into a human sniper. The runners' neon suits took six weeks to make and featured hundreds of tiny lights stitched onto them by hand. This created the neon visual effects, pictured, of the game as closely as possible . ‘We have travelled the world with our free running projects but have never put our skills to the test in the dark before, so when PlayStation set us the challenge we jumped at the chance, Chase Armitage, chief free runner and founder of 3RUN said. ‘Through the use of specially created neon suits, we were able to bring a whole new element of free running to life, which certainly stopped passers-by, who were amazed by the strobing light effects.’ The stunt marked the first time the team had ever performed in the dark, and during some shots the runners were making their way across rooftops at dizzying heights of over 100ft. Here, one free runner swings from a metal bar on a rooftop in front of views of Canary Wharf . People in London were treated to an electric display of colour as the team traversed iconic London landmarks including Millennium Bridge, Westminster Bridge and the London Eye at breakneck speeds. Here a runner balances on a wall opposite the Houses of Parliament .
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Free running team 3RUN raced across the Millennium Bridge, Westminster Bridge and the London Eye in London .
The runners travelled at breakneck speeds wearing specially-designed neon suits fitted with strobing lights .
It is the first time that a neon-effect free running performance has been completed in the UK .
The suits took six weeks to make and .
featured hundreds of tiny lights that were hand-stitched on to them .
The stunt was created to mark the launch of PlayStation 4’s latest game, called Infamous: Second Son .
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All eyes are on Merseyside right now - as two English youngsters are being asked to be the talisman for their team. Ross Barkley is seen as the man to rescue a sub-standard season at Everton and Raheem Sterling is expected to take over from Steven Gerrard as Liverpool's big hope. Hang on, isn't it a bit unfair to be asking so much of these players? Raheem Sterling should look to move to Europe and become England's first real superstar . Ross Barkley should head to Manchester United and be nurtured into a top talent . In my view it might be best for both if they leave for pastures new. They've both shown flashes of brilliance - you have to be in football denial to not recognise how talented these two are. Saying they have the ability to shine at the top level in the future is one thing, making unreasonable demands on them on the pitch prematurely is something very different. Everton and Liverpool are both giants, and to place so much expectation on their shoulders at this stage of their careers is plain wrong. Both had their breakthrough seasons in 2013-14, and both have been patchy with their form this campaign - that's to be expected given their inexperience. Everton have failed this season due to defensive weaknesses and because Romelu Lukaku hasn't delivered value for money so far. But this highlights some major issues with the Everton squad: the defence is ageing, while the players they seem to be relying on to spark up their season are too young for that responsibility - both Lukaku and Barkley are still only 21. In Barkley's case I suspect that Roberto Martinez will seriously consider trading him in for a fee of £30-£40million in the summer so he can rebuild his squad. Having splurged £28m on Lukaku with limited return so far, I can't see the board making much cash available unless the manager sells first. That price tag will bring its own pressures but as Wayne Rooney showed 10 years ago, if you're good enough you'll be able to handle it. And let's keep the theme going: Manchester United is exactly the right club for Barkley. The fans tend to back the youngsters there, and under Louis van Gaal his education would be ideal. Sure there are expectations at United, but he'll be surrounded by better players who can take that pressure off him. That isn't happening at Goodison. Wayne Rooney moved to Man United from Everton and has developed well - Barkley should follow that path . Raheem Sterling seems set to sign a new deal at Liverpool but I can't help thinking he's missing a great opportunity to do something very special. He could be the first young English football superstar to move to a European giant and make his mark. Liverpool might not make the Champions League next year, and they're already out of it this season. Get that move to Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, do your thing abroad and become one of the greats. See what Gareth Bale has done in a short space of time over there - why wouldn't Sterling want some of that? Do what Steve McManaman did – it is not a crime to leave Liverpool and go elsewhere to win the Champions League. At Anfield, Sterling saw Luis Suarez leave last year, and he'll lose Steven Gerrard this summer. Suarez wasn't replaced, and it seems Brendan Rodgers is talking up Jordan Henderson as Gerrard's successor. I like Henderson, but Liverpool need big players, stellar names, if they are to get back to where they were. Gareth Bale (left) has matured brilliantly at Real and there is no reason why Sterling could not do the same . All the pressure to provide the magic will be on Sterling. Does he need that pressure? He's destined for bigger things than being the great hope at Liverpool, a club that might make it back to the big time every season, or might not. Sterling should be one of several top players at a club firmly established as one of the most competitive in Europe. He's that good. I know Liverpool and Everton are giants, but right now those clubs are putting too much pressure on the shoulders of young superstars. They've done great work developing these players, but that is being put at risk with the demands placed on them. Sterling dribbles with the ball for Liverpool during their Premier League draw with Leicester City . Neither club will make the top four this season, and unless one of them wins the Europa League they won't be playing Champions League football next term. Sterling and Barkley aren't bigger than the clubs they currently play for - they never will be. But right now they are too good for them. And that's why they need to move away. Barkley advances with the ball for Everton as Newcastle United's Cheick Tiote looks on . Sterling celebrates scoring for Liverpool during their Premier League victory over Burnley on Boxing Day .
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Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley are hindered by unrealistic expectations .
Barkley should move to Manchester United to develop like Wayne Rooney .
Sterling is expected to replace Steven Gerrard as Liverpool's heartbeat .
But he could become England's first real European superstar at Madrid .
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By . Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 07:47 EST, 3 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:12 EST, 3 January 2013 . A man is accused of raping his 'sex buddy' after she told him she had started a new relationship and didn't want to cheat on her new boyfriend, a court heard. It's alleged Shahzaman Meah, 28, raped the woman in her flat. Meah went on trial today at Luton Crown Court, pleading not guilty to raping the 25-year-old woman at her home in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, on May 1, 2011. Luton Crown Court heard how Meah is accused of having sex with the woman against her will in her Bedfordshire home . Prosecutor Isabel Delamere said that Meah, of Bedford, and the woman had met four months earlier and had become good friends. They were both single and they would phone and text each other and see each other occasionally at her flat. Miss Delamere said that by February 2011 the victim, in a series of text messages to the defendant, told him she wanted a relationship but didn't feel she could get into anything too deep. She texted him saying that she 'would like to find is a friend with benefits.' The prosecutor said that Mr Meah replied with a text saying 'You want a s*** buddy.' A series of text messages between the pair led to them then arranging to have sex with each other. The court heard that the pair had sex on a number of occasions following that but, by April of 2011, she had started a relationship with a new boyfriend. The prosecutor said that on April 14 that year, the woman sent Mr Meah a text saying 'When you do see me next time, it will be strictly a friendship.' Miss Delamere said 'He texted back: "We can s***, right?" to which she replied "No sorry babes".' The prosecutor said that when the defendant then sent a text asking why she would no longer sleep with him, and she said she did not want to cheat on her partner. Miss Delamere told the jury 'She is telling him - no more sex. 'By April, she has made it perfectly plain she is in a relationship and is happy to chat.' The court heard on in May 2011 at around 9.30pm, the defendant is alleged to have arrived at the woman's flat, having been drinking. Miss Delamere said that when the defendant tried to touch her breasts, the woman told him 'No, stop it, it's not going to happen.' It's alleged that, moments later, he attacked her and had sex with her against her will. Arrested later that night, the defendant is alleged to have told police in an interview 'It's ridiculous, she invited me in' and said he had had sex with her on three previous occasions. Miss Delamere told the jury that the issue for them to consider was whether the woman had consented to sex that night. The case continues. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons.
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Woman allegedly told Shahzaman Meah that she wanted to stop casual sex .
Defendant accused of having sex with her against her will in her home .
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By . Associated Press . School opened in Chicago on Tuesday, with the number of security guards on the city's streets increased from 1,200 to 1,300 to protect students from violence. Another $10 million from the state will mean 600 more workers will be lining the streets within the next several weeks . Children and parents made their way past security guards whose bright neon vests served as a reminder of the city's efforts to combat crime. Keonya Wells walks her son Joseph Toney to school along a safe passage route as Chicago Public School community watch person Keisha Powe stands guard today . It comes a year after hundreds more 'Safe Passage' workers were hired to keep children from harm, an infusion of city money has allowed Chicago to increase the number of workers. The city is also raising from 93 to 120 the number of schools with Safe Passage routes, said Jadine Chou, the chief safety and security officer for the Chicago Public Schools. Parents welcomed the sight of the Safe Passage workers. 'I like them on every corner, the police, too,' said Shamika Bennett, who was walking her five-year-old daughter, Dasia, to school, the girl sporting a new Dora the Explorer backpack and Nike shoes. 'You feel a little safer.' The first day of school did not receive nearly as much media attention as last fall, when Mayor Rahm Emanuel's shuttering of some 50 schools before the school year began sparked concerns that some students would be at increased risk of violence because they were required to cross into rival gang territories. The last school year ended, according to the school district, without a single student being seriously injured along any of the Safe Passage routes while guards were on duty in the nation's third-largest city. Tiffany Davis and her son Rashad Mitchell walk a safe passage route along 63rd Street on Rashad's first day of kindergarten on Tuesday in Chicago . Shamika Bennett,left, and her daughter Dasia Bennett walk a safe passage route along 63rd Street on Dasia's first day of kindergarten in Chicago . At the same time, a number of factors this year — from troubling crime statistics to the upcoming mayor's race — will ensure that the program remains under a microscope. On Tuesday, a day after the police department reported that the number of shooting incidents had climbed in the first eight months of the year compared to the same period last year, one mother said she worries that violence might erupt from the crowded street corners and bus stops she must negotiate to take her two young sons to school every day. 'There's no telling who's out there,' said Keonya Wells on her way to a train that she will ride with them for more than 20 blocks to their school. Similar concerns were voiced by Jeffery Currie, who was walking his nine-year-old son to nearby Dulles School of Excellence, almost exactly a year after officials at the school took the unusual step of responding to shootings in the area and a gang member's funeral by rushing students and staff off the property as soon as classes ended for five days. School Children walk a safe passage route along 63rd Street on Tuesday in Chicago . School children walk a safe passage route along 63rd Street as crossing guard Patricia Howard stops traffic Tuesday in Chicago . 'I make sure I walk him (because) I know about the streets, what happens,' Currie said. Some worry that the city is not doing enough to keep students from harm, particularly students who must leave for school early in the morning, well before the Safe Passage workers take their posts less than an hour before classes begin. Last December, a 15-year-old girl who left her home before dawn to get to a school on the city's North Side was beaten and raped less than a half block from a Safe Passage route. 'She had to get to school earlier than the Safe Passage (workers) were on duty,' said state Rep. LaShawn Ford, who said he will push to use some of the $10 million from the state to extend the guards' hours. All this could pose a political risk for Emanuel, who is up for re-election next year. His most-talked-about potential rival, Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis, has criticized Emanuel for closing neighborhood schools and dubbed him the 'murder mayor' because of the city's violence. Any violence that occurs on a student's walk to and from school could become fodder for Lewis — or any other opponent — to use against Emanuel, whose popularity has fallen over the last year. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
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The state has spent another $10 million to increase the number of guards .
'Safe Passage' workers were hired to keep children from harm on their way to and from school .
The number of safe passage routes will also increase from 93 to 120 .
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Shocking new pictures reveal the horrifying injuries that the son of legendary former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway allegedly inflicted on his ex-girlfriend. Prosecutors dropped assault charges against Jack Elway and allowed the 25-year-old to plead guilty to disturbing the peace as part of a plea deal after he was arrested in Denver in May. He was sentenced to probation and avoided jail time. Jack's ex-girlfriend, 23, says he yanked her out of his car by her hair as the two were driving in downtown Denver on May 31. In the process, he ripped out her hair extensions and some of her real hair, she claims. Bruised and bleeding: The ex-girlfriend of Jack Elway shared these images of her injuries after she says Jack pulled her out of his car by her hair and threw her to the ground in May . the pictures show a bruise on her chest, wounds on her knees, a wound about her eye and spots where her hair was pulled out of her head . Jack Elway, 25, (left) is the only son of legendary former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (right). The elder Elway is currently general manager of the Broncos . When she tried to get back into the car, he threw her to the ground and caused her to scrape her knees, she said. The photos, which the victim provided to TMZ.com, show bruises and scrapes on the woman's knees, a wound above her left eye, a bruise on her chest and hair pulled out of her head. Elway fled the scene after the attack, leaving behind both his car and his California driver's license, according to police. After his girlfriend called 911, officers tracked him to his father John Elway's house outside Denver and arrested him. The victim told TMZ that she is still going to counseling to cope with the violent assault. The two had been dating about six months when Elway allegedly attacked her. John Albert 'Jack' Elway III is the only son of Hall of Fame former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. Elway, 54, led the Broncos to five Super Bowls. won two and has held numerous NFL records. The 24-year-old showed a wound above her eye that she says she sustained in the May attack by Jack Elway . Here, hair can be seen missing from the victim's head where Jack Elway allegedly yanked out her hair extensions and hair . The victim says she sustained these wounds by being pushed to the ground when she tried to get back inside Jack Elway's car . Elway was allowed to plead guilty to a lesser charge and was given probation and no jail time . He is currently the general manager and vice president for football operations of the Broncos and lives in Cherry Hills Villiage, Denver's wealthiest suburb, with his second wife, former Oakland Raiders cheerleader Paige Green. According to the Denver Post, Jack Elway was allowed to make court appearances outside his scheduled time twice as his case was shuffled through the Arapahoe County court system. This ensured that news cameras and reporters were not on hand for his court dates. As part of a plea deal in September, prosecutors dropped assault charges and allowed Jack Elway to cop to disturbing the peace. He received no jail time and was sentenced to a year of probation. Jack Elway was an all-state high school quarterback who briefly played at Arizona State University, but left the school without graduating in 2009. Elway was a high school football star who played briefly in college. He now lives with his father in a wealthy Denver suburb . John Elway is a Hall of Fame former quarterback who held numerous records and led his team to five Super Bowls, winning two .
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Jack Elway, 25, allegedly pulled his then-girlfriend out of his car by her hair and then threw her to the ground after an argument in May .
He was allowed to plead guilty to disturbing the peace and was sentenced to a year of probation .
Elway is the son of John Elway, a Hall of Fame former quarterback and general manager of the Denver Broncos .
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(CNN) -- Andrea Pirlo has ended speculation that he will join Chelsea by announcing that he has been taken off the transfer market by AC Milan and hopes to stay with the Serie A side for the rest of his career. Andrea Pirlo hopes to help AC Milan overcome the loss of Paolo Maldini and Kaka this season. The Italy midfielder has been linked with a move to the big-spending English Premier League club since coach Carlo Ancelotti quit Milan at the end of May and agreed to take over from Guus Hiddink at Stamford Bridge. The 30-year-old revealed on the Milan Web site that new team boss Leonardo was happy to keep him at the San Siro. "Today is a great day, I'm very happy to be able to end my career here," Pirlo said on Thursday. "This is thanks to president Silvio Berlusconi, Adriano Galliani and Leonardo who have given me the possibility to end my career here by taking me off the market. "When they communicated this news to me, we were all happy. Finally this story ends and I can continue my adventure with the Rossoneri. "There was a possibility of changing teams, but in the end the club and I agreed to continue together and we're all happier. It was an eventful summer with many doubts, but in the end my family are happy to stay in Milan." Pirlo, who joined Milan from city rivals Inter in 2001, said that as a senior player he felt responsibility for maintaining the club's momentum following the retirement of legendary defender Paolo Maldini and the sale of star player Kaka to Real Madrid. "Milan's history must continue to be winning. Us older players must take more responsibility and give everyone great satisfactions. The President has talked to us and he wants the story to continue, so we restart with great enthusiasm," he said. "Leonardo is a very good person and he will show in time he is a great coach thanks to everyone's help because he deserves it and we will certainly reap the benefits."
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Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo ends speculation that he will join Chelsea .
The 30-year-old says that AC Milan have taken him off the transfer market .
Pirlo has been linked with Chelsea since coach Carlo Ancelotti left Milan .
He says he now wants to end his career at the San Siro .
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If you have cash to spare, and are bored with free sites such as Facebook and Twitter, there's a new social network designed specifically for the rich. Called Netropolitan, the network costs $9,000 (£5,500) to join, which includes a $6,000 (£3,600) initiation fee, plus a $3,000 (£1,800) annual fee. Perks include unlimited cloud storage and no advertising – but the rest of the features are similar to those seen on free sites such as Facebook. Netropolitan (pictured) was set up by Manhattan-based composer James Touchi-Peters. For $9,000, (£5,500) users get unlimited cloud storage, and can share files with other users, as well as no advertising. However, the rest of the site resembles Facebook, meaning users can update statuses, add photos and find friends . It is available on desktop and mobile browsers, and there are also smartphone and tablet apps for iOS and Android. Netropolitan was set up by Manhattan-based composer James Touchi-Peters. Netropolitan costs $9,000 (£5,500) to join, which includes a $6,000 (£3,600) initiation fee, plus a $3,000 (£1,800) annual fee. Perks include unlimited cloud storage and no advertising - but the rest of the features are similar to those seen on free sites such as Facebook. It is available on desktop and mobile browsers, and there are also smartphone and tablet apps for iOS and Android. To use the site, members must be over 21 and must register using their real names. Moderators monitor the site and check for abuse, trolling and misuse. ‘Netropolitan includes many features you have come to expect from a modern online social network - and a few that you may not,’ explained Mr Touchi-Peters. ‘Once you are a Netropolitan member, you have access to status updates and discussion rooms with all other members. ‘You can create groups, have conversations about everything from fine wines to classic cars to vacation destination recommendations.’ To use the site, members must be over 21 and must register using their real names. Moderators monitor the site and check for abuse, trolling and misuse. Although the site doesn’t feature any advertising, users can post classified ads and sell items to other members directly. For security and privacy reasons, Mr Touchi-Peters added that the site isn’t indexed on Google, doesn’t have any features for non-members, and will never release member names, numbers or other details. And Mr Touchi-Peters added: ‘Netropolitan is not a concierge service. Netropolitan is an alternative to free sites, but also for rich people who aren’t considered celebrities, meaning they can’t use Facebook Mentions (pictured). Facebook Mentions launched in July and is exclusive to ‘public figures’. The firm hopes the app will mean celebrities are more likely to interact with their fans . ‘Our Member Service Associates will not book you a charter jet, or find you tickets to a sold-out Broadway show. ‘They exist solely to help members technically navigate and find their way around the social club.’ Netropolitan is an alternative to free sites, but also for rich people who aren’t considered celebrities, meaning they can’t use Facebook Mentions. Facebook Mentions launched in July and is exclusive to ‘public figures’. The firm hopes the app will mean celebrities are more likely to interact with their fans, and don’t have to use the traditional site. It also makes it simple to hold online chats - and Facebook shows Mariah Carey chatting with fans as one example.
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Netropolitan was set up by composer James Touchi-Peters .
It costs $9,000 (£5,500) to join, which includes a $3,000 (£1,800) annual fee .
Perks include unlimited cloud storage and no advertising .
However, the rest of the site resembles free sites such as Facebook .
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By . William Cook . PUBLISHED: . 06:47 EST, 3 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:02 EST, 4 October 2012 . Call the Doctor! A new smartphone app checks moles for signs of melanoma . Most people with moles know they should check them regularly for signs of skin cancer, but how many of us actually know what we're looking for? At the tap of a screen, a new smartphone app can help identify if a little blemish might turn into a big problem. 'Doctor Mole' uses augmented reality technology to check moles for irregularities in size, shape, colour and border. After taking a picture of a mole, the user is presented with a colour-coded 'risk' level for each of these characteristics. The app can archive and compare data to check for any changes in a mole. It will also remind the user when it's time to check a mole again. Changes in moles are a common sign of malignant melanoma, one of the three main types of skin cancer. Melanoma can also develop in normal-looking skin. Although less common than basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma causes the majority of deaths from skin cancer. It is mainly caused by exposure to UV rays. Mark Shippen, the developer of Doctor Mole, lives in Australia, which has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world. Having lived in South Africa for 26 years before moving to Australia, he's experienced the danger of having fair skin in a hot climate. Mark told MailOnline: 'I have already had 3 basal cell carcinomas removed from my neck, face and back, and at my age this is very rare. So I have pretty much seen first hand the dangers of the sun. That's where the idea for Doctor Mole came from. 'I don't have a background in medicine, but when I found my first cancer a few years back I pretty much read everything about it and had a solid understanding of what to look for. Then it was just a simple case of combining the knowledge I had gained with my software development skills, and DoctorMole was created.' Scroll down for video . The app uses 'augmented reality' technology to scan pictures of users' moles . 'Risk ratings' are assigned to irregularities in various characteristics . The app reminds the user to check a mole, and can compare data to track changes over time . It's not just their beach culture that makes melanoma the most common cancer among Australians aged 15-44; the hole in the UV-blocking ozone layer above the Tasman Sea makes sun exposure down under especially dangerous. In the UK, more than 10,600 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year. It is more common in women, who are most likely to develop it on the legs. In men, the danger areas are the chest and back. More than 2 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, and some 50,000 will be diagnosed with melanoma. Melanoma is especially dangerous if it is not found early. Regular skin checks can help people discover melanoma in its earliest stages, doctors agree. Mark hopes his app will help teach users how to check themselves, rather than just doing it for them. 'I could have just written an app that snaps a photo and spits out an answer, but I chose to make it as transparent as possible and try educate the user. So by doing it using the real time computer vision, the user can see immediately what sorts of things the app is monitoring... It makes it fun for the user and I think a lot easier to teach the user what sorts of things to look for.' Having fair skin means you might be more susceptible to melanoma, as does a family history of cancerous moles . You should seek medical advice if your mole... Visit the NHS website for more information . Doctor Mole isn't the first tool to help smartphone users check for signs of skin cancer. Other apps guide users through self exams, and the German-made 'Handyscope' converts an iPhone into a dermatoscope, which doctors use to look for melanoma. But at £995, the Handyscope is in a different league to Doctor Mole, available from Apple's appstore for £2.49. Mark stresses that his app is not, and will never be a substitute for a real doctor, even though he says quite a few doctors have told him they are using it with their patients. 'There are a lot of factors that can influence the image processing, such as shadows, poor lighting and poor camera quality, so I don't think any app could claim that they can spot a cancer 100%.
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Smartphone app uses 'augmented reality' to check moles for irregularities .
Can archive and compare data to check for changes over time .
Developed in Australia, which has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world .
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By . Zoe Szathmary . A Florida musician captured a dramatic photograph on Tuesday afternoon that showed a storm parting. Tampa-based Joe Zuniga took the photograph while on I-75, Fox13 reported. 'I was actually on the phone with my sister,' he told the affiliate station. 'It was her birthday. I told her I had to call her back. I had to take a picture.' Parting: Joe Zuniga's photo, taken on Tuesday, shows a sunny center section of I-75 in Florida as it rains on either side . The photo shows a sunny center section of the highway, as it rains on either side. Describing the circumstances surrounding the photo to weather.com, Zuniga said 'It had been storming really badly in Florida, and it looks as if [God] parted the clouds.' 'They looked almost like something spiritual coming through the storm, and the Lord has got your back. It was very peaceful,' Zuniga added. Zuniga also told weather.com he was 'ery surprised at the reaction from people, how inspired they were to see this photo.' Zuniga's photo, which has been shared on both Instagram and Facebook, weather.com points out, has liked 121 times and 401 times on the respective social media sites. For more information on Zuniga's music, check out his website here. Photographer: Musician Joe Zuniga, pictured, took the photograph of the highway on Tuesday afternoon .
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Tampa-based Joe Zuniga took the photograph while on I-75 on Tuesday afternoon .
Zuniga has said he was 'very surprised at the reaction from people, how inspired they were to see this photo .
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Los Angeles (CNN) -- "Teflon Don" rapper Rick Ross crashed his silver Rolls Royce into an apartment building after he heard gunfire along a Fort Lauderdale, Florida, street Monday morning, police said. "The driver of the Rolls Royce attempted to drive away from the direction of the shots being fired and lost control of the vehicle, striking a nearby apartment building," Fort Lauderdale Police Detective DeAnna Garcia said. Ross and a female passenger were not hurt by the wreck or the gunshots, Garcia said. "The suspects fled from the area prior to police arrival," she said. The incident, however, called attention to threats against the artist's life made in a street gang's videos and posted online in recent months. "We're pulling up on you," a man who identified himself as a member of the Gangster Disciples warned in one of the videos. "Whatever city, whatever state, the pressure on." Several videos purporting to be from Gangster Disciple members in several states -- including Georgia, North Carolina and Florida -- appeared on YouTube late last year demanding that Ross pay a fee to them for his use of the Star of David, which they claim as a gang symbol, and a reference to one of their founders in his music and marketing. "You got to cut the check," one video said. "Tell your boss man he got to get that check, or all you in trouble." "We need that cash right now," another said. Ross, 37, whose albums include "Teflon Don" in 2010 and "Deeper Than Rap" a year earlier, told south Florida radio station 99 Jamz last month that he was not intimidated by the threats. "Ain't never no checks getting cut," he said. "I don't play those games. I consider that extortion." Is Nas hip-hop's finest MC? Ross did cancel his North Carolina shows last month just days after a video appeared online threatening his life if he performed there. "Never was it due to any threats," he told the radio station. Instead, he canceled because "the promoter wasn't really handling his business." Ross wanted to make certain that listeners understood he was not frightened. "Don't ever get it twisted, Ricky Ross is the boss," he said. The death threats are not the only challenge to Ross. A former drug lord and gang leader is suing in a Los Angeles court, accusing him of stealing his name and reputation. "The reality is I want justice done," the original Ross wrote in an e-mail to CNN. "I know that he took his name and image from my life and believe he is unfairly profiting off my story." Ricky "Freeway" Ross was serving a prison sentence a decade ago when rapper William Roberts, who previously worked as a Florida correctional officer, adopted "Rick Ross" as his stage name, according to the lawsuit. "This rapper and his labels clearly knew of my name and story, and have tried to suck out the lifeblood without license," the former drug lord said. "I have my own use for my intellectual property and did not need this confusion created." More recently, the rapper has been using the name "Ricky Rozay." The rapper and his record label have not responded to CNN's request for comment. Despite the death threats and legal issues, his music is doing well. Ross is nominated for a best rap album Grammy for his latest release, "God Forgives, I Don't." CNN's Marlena Baldacci contributed to this report.
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Rapper Rick Ross and a female passenger were not hurt by the wreck or gunshots .
A street gang posted online death threats against Ross in recent months .
Ross, 37, says he's not intimidated by the threats .
A former drug lord accuses Ross of stealing his name and reputation .
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Mail ordering a bride is an ever growing business where desperate divorcees shell out thousands to fulfill their dreams of having an 'ideal' wife. For the women in countries like Ukraine who sign up to meet a western man, it's an opportunity to escape from poverty in their homeland. But the trade off is a marrying a man likely to be much older than they are - and in some cases, who wants a live-in maid more than a wife. Scroll down for video . Big business: Jodie Marsh investigates mail order brides in her latest documentary for TLC . Regrets: The former glamour model admits her own marriage for a TV show was a big mistake . It's this 'quite sad and desperate' situation that Jodie Marsh investigates for her latest documentary for TLC. The former glamour model is no stranger to unconventional marriage. She once tied the knot with a stranger for a TV show, something she now bitterly regrets. She said: 'My big day was a big disaster. My experience of marriage is horrendous and a joke. I got married as part of a TV show, it is my most embarrassing moment of my whole life.' So for the 35-year-old to be left feeling sad and baffled by the mail order bride business shows just how seedy it can be. Via the documentary, Jodie meets men from America and the UK so desperate to find love, they are willing to pay to travel to the other side of the world and take a chance on a woman they barely know. She joins a coach trip organised by one international dating agency who charge men almost £3,000 a time to travel to Ukraine. Once there, they spend a week on organised speed dating events where they hope to meet the woman of their dreams. Disillusioned with American women: Divorcees Randy, 60, left, and Jerry, 53, are both seeking wives abroad . Not seeking a bread winner: Andrew, 44, from Wales said he wants a wife who 'doesn't want to be a man' and believes he has more chance of this in Ukraine where the women have more traditional values . Many of the men are divorcees desperate for another chance at love and disillusioned with western women. They are seeking women like those in Ukraine who have more traditional values about a women's place in the home. They include financial adviser divorcee Randy, 60, from Florida, who tells Jodie: 'I think America is evolving for the worst. It's almost like a woman doesn't need a man anymore.' Jerry, 53, from Virginia, another divorcee, agrees. He explains: 'I've not had any issues meeting women but I've had a tough time meeting the right woman. The women in Ukraine are totally different to American women. They are more attentive and appreciative, they are not competitive with men.' Andrew, 44, a civil servant from Wales, tells Jodie he feels the same about women in the UK. He said: 'You don't want a woman who wants to be a man - who wants to be the big bread winner and drive a fast car.' Not a sightseeing coach trip: The men aboard have paid nearly £3,000 each to take the journey to Odessa organised by an international dating agency who introduces them to Ukrainian women . Not all the men Jodie meets on the coach trip are ageing Lotharios. One of the hopefuls is 26-year-old Eldon, a pharmacist from Kansas. He's a virgin who thinks American women aren't attractive. He said: 'The women in America don't dress up or do their hair, they just wear sweatpants. It's disappointing they are not tying to attract any male attention at all.' Those on the trip Jodie joins are wooed by the story of the dating agency's founders. They are American Mark Davis and his Ukrainian wife Anna who have been married for years after meeting through an international dating agency. They have a happy relationship despite a 25 year age gap and now help other people follow in their footsteps. Mark said: 'Everyone wants what we have. I tell men they have to have face to face introductions because you can't download a wife.' Anna said they organise their week-long trips with dating events so the men are not 'buying a wife' but 'trying to win a woman's heart'. Found love: Mark and Anna Davis met through an international dating agency and now help other couples do the same thing (for a price) Anna reveals to Jodie what life was like before she married Mark and moved to America - she used to have to shower outside in the snow and earned £62 a month . Another success story: Wayne Denton, 57, from the West Midlands, met his wife, Luliia, 32, in Ukraine . It's not difficult for them to find attractive, young women to sign up for their speed dating nights - which are conducted with the help of translators. Anna tells Jodie that for many young women in the Ukraine, the future is bleak and they are lucky if they can earn $100 (£62) a month. Her mother tells Jodie that she was delighted her daughter was given a new life in American thanks to meeting Mark through an international dating agency. She said: 'I was very happy when she left. There is nothing good for young people in Ukraine. There are no good guys, just drug addicts and alcoholics. I'm glad she met Mark. It's better than if she stayed here.' It's this dream of a new life that inspires many of the girls to marry a man decades their senior. It's estimated that 15,000 women a year are entering the U.S. thanks to international dating agencies. As with Mark and Anna, it worked out for Brit Wayne Denton, 57, from the West Midlands, who met his wife, Luliia, 32, in Ukraine. Despite spending £10-12,000 on dating agencies and travel in order to have a relationship with her, he says he doesn't feel like he bought her because they fell in love and have been happily married for four years. Hoped for a fairytale ending: Katarina from Russia thought she would live happily ever after in America after she became Frank's mail order bride . Nightmare: But Katarina, pictured today, told Jodie she became Frank's slave and punch bug . Jodie concludes that their relationship 'may have started as an online transaction but it has turned into something real and wonderful.' But not everyone she meets has lived happily ever after as a result of a being a mail order bride. Katarina moved to Atlanta from Russia after meeting her ex-husband Frank through an international dating agency. Once they were married, she said he became 'cold and distant' and treated her like a slave. She said: 'I stayed in the house and cooked and cleaned for him and that was it.' Things then got even worse when he became abusive. 'He hit me and I felt from that point it wasn't going to get better. I wanted to go back to Russia,' Katarina told Jodie. But when she told Frank she was leaving, he cut his own arm with a knife and then rang the police to accuse his wife of attacking him. The charges against her were eventually dropped and she got a restraining order preventing Frank from going near her. When he broke this and approached her armed with a gun, he was shot dead by the police. While traumatised by his violent killing, Katarina is also relieved, believing if he had lived, he would only have gone on to buy another wife and make her life hell. Jodie Marsh On Mail Order Brides is on TLC tonight at 10pm .
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Mail ordering a bride is an ever growing business .
Jodie Marsh meets men hoping to find love this way .
They spend thousands on international dating agencies .
Looking for a traditional wife who is 'attentive and appreciative'
Young women sign up looking for chance to escape life of poverty .
Some do find real happiness but others are treated like slaves .
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(CNN) -- Mark Webber and Red Bull judged their race strategy perfectly to pip Fernando Alonso to the checkered flag during an action packed British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The Australian maneuvered expertly through 52 immensely tactical laps to record his second victory of the season, though Ferrari's Alonso did maintain his lead in the drivers' championship. With the torrential rain that had affected the build up absent for the entire race, Webber hunted down Alonso in the closing stages as the Spaniard's tires began to wear, eventually overtaking on lap 49. Defending double world champion Sebastian Vettel, also of Red Bull, came third while Alonso's Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa finished fourth. Silverstone support: Does home advantage help in F1? "It was a very interesting race. Fernando Alonso had very good pace," Webber told a press conference after his victory. "We had the better strategy in the end. We never gave up, kept pushing and it did not work out in the end for Fernando. "I've had a few wins, but this one is taking a little bit to sink in. It didn't look like a spectacular race between us initially, but it was one -- pacing the stints on the tires, Fernando starting on the harder tire. "After the first stint Fernando had I thought he was in good shape to close the win out. But it came our way and I am absolutely over the moon. "I had a single opportunity to pounce and I wasn't going to let that slip. Fernando, with the front-left tire, if you lose balance around this place, the speed is very high in that second sector and it's very hard for the driver to do something. "It was obvious he was pushing as hard as possible but the balance wasn't with him." It was Webber's second win at Silverstone in three years and helped him cut Alonso's lead at the top of the drivers' standings to 13 points. Alonso has 129 to Webber's 116, with Vettel third on 100 points. Alonso said: "It was very close today but at the end Mark was much quicker than us and deserved the victory. Now we are fighting for victories in the last three or four grands prix. "I hope the fans enjoyed the show today. I'm still leading the championship and that's the main target for us, we lost seven points with Mark winning but we gained some more points on the rest of the field." World champion Vettel added: "Mark deserved to win. Thanks for all fans out there -- it's been horrible weather for them, not just for us. But today the sun came out and British summer showed its best." Starting on pole, Alonso protected his lead even after a pit stop on lap 16 but the hard tires on Lewis Hamilton's McLaren car set up a tussle for first place on lap 19. The lead changed hands several times as the former McLaren teammates battled round the circuit. Eventually, Alonso came out on top and Webber moved up to third when Hamilton pitted. The Spaniard was forced into his own stop for a set of compulsory soft tires as a furious round of strategic stops took place around lap 38. And try as he might, Alonso couldn't hold off Webber as his tires faded fast, allowing the Australian to make his decisive move three laps from home. There was also controversy further down the field as Sauber's Sergio Perez blasted his Williams counterpart Pastor Maldonado for a crash that put the Mexican out of the race. Perez said of the Venezuelan: "He doesn't respect other drivers. I was already in front and he should have given space not to crash, but he tried to push me all the way. "I don't understand why he drives like that and I hope the stewards do something. It is not first time he has damaged my weekend. This guy will never learn if they don't do something. He could hurt someone. Everybody has concerns about him." Maldonado was later reprimanded and fined $12,000 by the sport's governing body, the FIA, for the collision while Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi from Japan was fined $30,000 for injuring three three mechanics during a pit-stop. The next race in the Formula One calendar is the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim on July 22.
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Australian Mark Webber wins the Formula One British Grand Prix for Red Bull .
Webber pips Ferrari's Fernando Alonso to the checkered flag at Silverstone .
Defending double world champion Sebastian Vettel finishes race in third .
Alonso retains his lead at the top of the F1 drivers' championship .
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A top climate change expert at the Environmental Protection Agency has admitted to defrauding the government out of more than $900,000 by claiming he was an undercover CIA agent so he didn't have to show up for work for months at a time. John C. Beale, 65, was the agency's highest paid employee and reported directly to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy during most of the 13 years he ran the scam. NBC News reports that no one at the agency questioned or looked into his claims that he was working undercover for the CIA. He left the office for weeks or months - claiming he was at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, or in Pakistan working on covert missions. Really, he was home reading, riding his bicycle or doing housework. Sometimes he escaped to his vacation home on Cape Cod, prosecutors say. Fraud: John C. Beale (pictured on December 16 in court) admitted to defrauding the government out of $900,000 by not showing up to work . He billed taxpayers for 33 plane flights between 2003 and 2011, including personal trips to London and California, which he flew first class. He stayed in five-star hotels and billed the government for expensive meals and limo rides. The total cost: more than $266,000. He also publicly 'retired,' but managed to continue drawing his $206,000 salary for 18 months - despite brazenly throwing a retirement party for himself that was attended by McCarthy. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy was Beale's boss during most of the 13 years he allegedly committed fraud . He even lied and said he had contracted malaria while serving in the Vietnam War in order to get a handicapped parking spot. He neither had malaria nor served in Vietnam, according to prosecutors. EPA Assistant Inspector General Patrick Sullivan told NBC that Beale perpetrated a 'crime of massive proportions.' In October, Beale admitted to the shocking fraud. Prosecutors are asking for a 30-month prison sentence, but defense lawyers say the judge should give him leniency because he suffered from a 'highly self-destructive and dysfunctional need to engage in excessively reckless, risky behavior.' Sullivan, who investigated Beale, said he believes the culture of the EPA made it ripe for this sort of fraud. 'There’s a certain culture here at the EPA where the mission is the most important thing,' he told NBC. 'They don’t think like criminal investigators. They tend to be very trusting and accepting.' Beale is a Princeton-educated 'senior policy adviser' who worked as one of the EPA's top climate change experts. He . helped rewrite the Clean Air Act in 1990, led EPA delegations at . climate change conferences in 2000 and 2001, and helped negotiate carbon . emissions agreements with India and China. Sometime along his career, his work stopped being enough. He was caught only after McCarthy, who was appointed EPA administrator in July, discovered that he was still on the payroll in March 2012 - nearly six months after his retirement party. She called for an investigation, which led to the criminal charges. Beale didn't actually retire until this April. Beale is married to Nancy Kete, who President Barack Obama appointed the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. She is currently managing director of the Rockafeller Foundation. The couple own a $872,000 townhouse in Arlington, Virginia, and a $626,000 vacation home on Cape Cod.
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John C. Beale was a high-profile policy advisory at the Environmental Protection Agency .
Reported directly to Administrator Gina McCarthy during most of the 13 years of fraud .
Claimed he was on covert assignments for CIA but really set home reading books or doing chores while earning $206,000 a year .
Assertions that he had undercover CIA job was never checked out by EPA .
Publicly retired and threw party for himself, but collected paychecks for another 18 months .
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By . Thea Jourdan . When three-year-old Sophia Lister started complaining that the back of her jaw was hurting, her mother assumed the little girl's adult molars must have started to come through. 'I gave her some Calpol to help her sleep and waited for the pain to go,' says Solveig, 40, who works part-time as a financial director and is married to Chris, 43, an insurance underwriter. But the pain didn't ease, so two days later she took Sophia to the dentist. 'I nearly fainted when he told me that Sophia had serious decay in her baby teeth,' she recalls. 'I hadn't even noticed. I was mortified. She needed root canal work on one of her back teeth and fillings in three more. I kept thinking I must be a terrible mother to have let this happen.' Scroll down for video . Shocked: Solveig didn't realise the healthy snacks she had been giving to Sophia were ruining her teeth . But Solveig isn't the only middle-class mum horrified to discover her young child has severe tooth decay - a condition more commonly associated with children living in poverty. According to new figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre, almost 26,000 children in England aged between five and nine have been hospitalised for multiple tooth extractions in 2013-14 - that's the equivalent of almost 500 a week. Removal of rotten teeth is now the primary reason children in this age group are admitted to hospital. In some cases, dentists have no choice but to remove all 20 baby teeth from their young patients. And those from comfortable lifestyles are at just as much risk as youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds - with middle-class parents feeding their children so-called 'healthy' snacks that cause more damage than junk foods, and working mums often too busy to take their children for check-ups. The legacy can be far more serious than just a phobia of going to the dentist. 'The best predictor of adult tooth decay is dental health at the age of five,' says Dr Mervyn Druian, a dentist who specialises in cosmetic dentistry and reconstruction. 'It's not something that disappears when your baby teeth fall out.' Dr Nicole Sturzenbaum, of Toothbeary Richmond, a private surgery in one of London's wealthiest boroughs that caters exclusively for the under-18s, has seen a steady increase in the number of children needing extensive dental work to save baby teeth since it opened in 2008. According to Dr Sturzenbaum, part of the problem is that parents think they are giving children 'healthy' foods and drinks, but it is these that can cause the most damage. 'Parents don't realise that fruit juices contain more sugar than cola,' she says. 'And many so-called healthy snacks are packed with sugar, too.' It's a trap that Solveig, from Haslemere in Surrey, admits she fell into with Sophia, who is now five. While she never let her little girl have sweets, she was happy to let her have apple juice in a 'sippy cup' beaker. Cavities are caused by two factors: decay, which occurs when bacteria in the mouth react with sugar, causing acids to form that soften and dissolve enamel; and acid erosion, which happens when acid in food or drink comes into direct contact with enamel. Although enamel on baby teeth is as hard as enamel on adult teeth, the layer is thinner, making children's teeth more vulnerable. Dr Sturzenbaum says that 'sippy cups' containing juice are a short cut to dental decay. 'Sipping on apple juice all day bathes your teeth in acid soup,' she says. 'It's doubly damaging because it's both sugary and acidic.' Smiling again: Now Solveig will stick to giving her daughter water instead of apple juice . It immediately made sense to Solveig: her son, who is 11, has no cavities - but he has always preferred to drink water. She also admits she wasn't as strict about dental check-ups as she might have been. Current advice is that a child should see a dentist at least once a year. 'I assumed Sophia's baby teeth would not cause too much trouble and that she could wait until she was older to go regularly to the dentist,' Solveig says. 'We did take her to the dentist after her teeth came through, but not often enough. Time flies by, and there's always work or school commitments getting in the way.' Then there are the dried fruit snacks - raisins, mango, apricots and the like - beloved by middle-class mums as a 'healthy' alternative to biscuits and crisps. Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, says they are a significant problem. 'Raisins are supposed to be healthy - one of your five-a-day - but they are concentrated forms of fructose, or fruit sugar, which reacts with bacteria in the mouth to create acid. 'They are sticky and cling to the space between the teeth, sometimes for an hour or more, all the time causing potential damage.' This is something that stay-at-home mum Clare O'Reilly, 35, from Plymouth, is all too aware of. While her eldest child Eddie, ten, and youngest, Annie, three, have had no problems, five-year-old Sammy first needed fillings at the age of three. Then, when he was four, he developed severe toothache as a result of an abscess beneath a decaying molar. His dentist carried out an emergency extraction under local anaesthetic. Since then, Sammy has had another molar removed . Clare says she always assumed she was doing the right thing with Sammy by encouraging him to eat lots of fruit and vegetables as a baby - and using sweet fruit to mask the taste of vegetables. 'I'd make him sweet potato and apricot, or stewed apple and spinach - and pat myself on the back believing he was getting the most nutritious food I could offer.' Growing problem: Almost 26,000 children in England aged between five and nine have been hospitalised for multiple tooth extractions in 2013-14 (picture posed by model) As a toddler, he liked fresh strawberries and mango, and he loved munching raisins while out and about in his pushchair. At the age of two, Clare took him to the dentist for the first time. 'The dentist told me he'd got "pretty bad teeth" and asked what I was feeding him,' she recalls. 'When I mentioned raisins, he told me I might as well be feeding him sugar cubes. 'Although I stopped him eating dried fruits straight away, Sammy continued to snack on fresh fruit - though I've recently stopped this, too. And I won't give him flavoured fromage frais now, because that’s packed with sugar.' She points out that many 'healthy' savoury snacks, such as breadsticks, wholemeal bread and bagels, also contain hidden sugar. Dr Carter says that it's not just the snacks themselves but the snacking habit that is dangerous. 'We've gone from three square meals a day to six or seven snacks,' he says. 'This means that teeth are constantly bathed in acid - giving no time for saliva to neutralise it and let the enamel recover.' Milk is another culprit. While many parents assume cow's milk is a wholesome drink, it too contains a type of sugar: lactose. Formula milks for children aged from one year upwards also contain added sugar. Decay is a particular problem if the milk is in contact with the teeth for extended periods. There is even a condition called 'bottle cavities' which develops because a child is left to constantly suck on a bottle of milk (usually to stop them crying). While people tend to assume that because they're 'just baby teeth' they don't matter, experts say the outcome can be a lifetime of poor dental health. Prevention: Dentists recommend children brush their teeth twice daily with a toothpaste containing fluoride . Dr Druian, who is based in North London, says it's not just that bad habits are set for life, but if a type of bacteria that leads to cavities gets a foothold in childhood, it can ruin a child's smile for life. 'There is an overlap period between the ages of five and nine when baby teeth and adult teeth exist in the mouth together,' he explains. 'So bacteria from decaying baby teeth will get to work on the adult teeth, too.' So what can parents do to stop their children developing cavities at such a young age? 'Proper tooth brushing, twice daily with a toothpaste containing fluoride, is vital,' says Professor Raman Bedi, dental public health consultant at King’s College London and chairman of the Global Child Dental Fund. Dr Sturzenbaum advises parents to give children water rather than fruit juice, and to cut down on snacking. She also says that parents have to take responsibility for brushing their children's teeth until at least age eight. Brushing should last at least two minutes twice a day, and she recommends that children floss from around the age of four.
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Sophia Lister, five, had serious decay in her baby teeth and needed root canal work .
Her mother Solveig, 40, from Surrey, was mortified .
She never let her daughter have sweets .
But she regularly drank apple juice .
Seemingly healthy fruit juice is a big culprit in tooth decay .
Dried fruit like raisins can also cause damage .
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Superstar Katy Perry's preacher dad - who once called her a 'devil child' - has revealed he will be in the Super Bowl crowd on Sunday to cheer her on. Firebrand evangelical minister Keith Hudson declared the I Kissed A Girl singer, best known for her racy costumes and outlandish performances, was in dire need of ‘healing’. However when Daily Mail Online caught up with him at his church headquarters in Orange County, California, Mr Hudson revealed his views have mellowed - and said he can't wait to watch her in the Super Bowl halftime show. He said: 'Oh no, I don't have a problem. She's gonna do some good ones - she's excited.' Scroll down for video . Heading to the SuperBowl: Fiery preacher Keith Hudson, the father of superstar Katy Perry, outside his Orange County church HQ on Monday . 'I don't watch football!' Keith Hudson says he doesn't follow football - but will be in the crowd to cheer on his daughter as she stars in the halftime show on Sunday . Katy, 30, will perform in the Pepsi Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show, which is the most-watched musical event of the year. More than 115 million viewers in the U.S. watched last year's show, which is also will be broadcast worldwide. And the star's dad said he is looking forward to attending the clash between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots in Phoenix, Arizona. But he made it clear he's only going to Arizona for Katy - admitting: 'I don't watch football, I just hope somebody wins at the Super Bowl!' However, the preacher said that Katy may be toning things down for the NFL, as when asked if she would be her usual provocative self, he exclaimed 'No!' Katy, who will be joined by singer Lenny Kravitz on stage, has made it no secret that she can't wait for Sunday. She even posted a picture of her toes painted with footballs, with the message: 'Even my tippy toes are ready.' Mr Hudson, 67, a reformed 1960s hippy who has dedicated the last forty or so years to spreading the Gospel - was dressed in a black t-shirt and pants with a huge pendant around his neck, a Christian cross ring on his finger, two silver chains on his wrist and blue sneakers . And confirming he’s proud his daughter landed the coveted half-time show gig at America’s biggest sporting showdown taking place in Phoenix this year, he said: ‘I’m always proud. I’m a proud father.’ Football fan: Katy Perry is known for her racy and outlandish performances. She performed in a football uniform at the MTV Europe Awards in 2008 . Racy: Two semi-naked girls accompany Katy on stage - but it's believed she will tone things down for the NFL . 'Even my tippy toes are ready': Katy Perry posted a picture of her feet ahead of Sunday's Superbowl . However, he refused to be drawn on his daughter’s rumored reconciliation with her ex-boyfriend John Mayer, saying: ‘No questions on John Mayer.’ But when asked if he knew if they were back together, he said: ‘I don't know, you know more than I know.’ It is all a far cry from Mr Hudson's previous sentiments towards his famous daughter. Two years ago, he reportedly told a congregation in Santa Fe Springs, California, of his disapproval of his daughter, saying: ‘They ask how can I preach if I produce a girl who sang about kissing another girl? ‘I was at a concert of Katy’s where there were 20,000. I’m watching this generation and they were going at it. It almost looked like church. I stood there and wept and kept on weeping and weeping. They’re loving and worshiping the wrong thing.’ Back together? Katy Pery and her on-off lover, singer John Mayer, were spotted together in Beverly Hills, California, earlier this month . NFL antics: Katy Perry joined Chris Fowler and Lee Corso at the Mississippi Rebels v Alabama Crimson Tide game in Mississippi in October . Mr Hudson is married to Katy’s mom Mary and the pair travel to different churches preaching the gospel and claiming to perform spiritual healings on churchgoers. The pair both led a bohemian counterculture life in the 1960s before turning to religion – with Mary even dating rock legend Jimi Hendrix. Katy told Katie Couric: ‘My mum went on a date with Jimi Hendrix. My dad was a part of Strawberry Fields Forever and hung out with Timothy Leary. Pride: Keith Hudson, seen walking his dog on Monday, said he was always proud of his daughter - despite once calling her a 'devil child' Cool: Keith Hudson wore black jeans and a black t-shirt as he strolled outside his church . The gospel according to Hudson: Keith Hudson and his wife Mary are both preachers at their Orange County HQ . 'And they found God. They needed to find God. Not that they needed to find God, but God found them, really. 'My parents have stories. They probably have better stories than I do.’ However Mary has previously said she 'hates' I Kissed A Girl as it 'promotes homosexuality and its message is shameful and disgusting'.
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Keith Hudson once said his daughter was in need of 'healing'
But he reveals he'll watch her star in Super Bowl halftime show in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday .
However, he hints she may tone things down for the NFL .
The preacher WON'T comment on his daughter's on-off lover John Mayer .
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(CNN) -- More than seven months after the death of a luger practicing for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, the Coroners Service of British Columbia has ruled Nodar Kumaritashvili's death an accident caused by multiple blunt force injuries. Kumaritashvili, a 21-year-old from the republic of Georgia, died when his body went airborne and slammed into a metal post at about 90 mph (144 kph )during a training run shortly before the Olympics officially opened. The coroner's report, written by Tom Pawlowski, said Kumaritashvili's injuries "proved immediately fatal." There had been concerns from athletes about the speed of the record-setting track at the Whistler Sliding Center, according to a Georgian official. "There were some questions asked by other athletes even before this tragic accident," Nikolas Rurua, Georgia's deputy minister for culture and sports, said in February. Rurua added that there had been several crashes in the same area. When the official luge competition started, male and female racers started from lower points on the luge track, which led to slower speeds. Pawlowski's report acknowledges concerns about the design of the track. "Following Mr. Kumaritashvili's fatal incident, questions arose regarding athlete safety at the Whistler track and more specifically, the design of the track and the unprecedented high speeds attained at this venue, such as the record speed of 153.98 km/h [about 95.68 mph]." Given the high speeds at the track, the International Luge Federation (FIL) asked the sliding center for more training days prior to the Olympics and required athletes to make numerous practice runs from various, lower parts of the course before graduating to the top of the course. "A number of crashes were observed (68 crashes in 2,482 runs), but the FIL Technical Delegate also noted in his report that nobody was badly hurt," during a training week in Whistler, the coroner's report states. Pawlowski's report states that an FIL official sent a letter to the track designer expressing surprise over the speeds and said the designer's calculations of top speeds were incorrect. Kumaritashvili completed required training runs, the report states. But Pawlowski added, "the relative lack of experience Mr. Kumaritashvili had on this challenging track set a backdrop for the incident and it was a significant disadvantage, as far as safety was concerned, for the athlete entering the high pressure environment of the Olympic Games." The coroner's report recommends the two international federations over sliding sports -- which include bobsledding and luging -- conduct reviews about their involvement into track design and construction. Pawlowski said "further and greater scrutiny of safety issues at the track is advisable." "It may be that risk can never be fully eliminated from the realm of sliding sports," the report added. Journalist Eka Kadagishvili contributed to this report.
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Kumaritashvili died during a practice run for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics .
Report: A luging official said the track ran faster than the designer's calculations .
A coroner recommends officials for sliding sports conduct reviews .
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Former Beatle Paul McCartney has left Japan after recovering from a viral infection that forced him to pull out of his Asian concert tour. The 71-year-old left on a charter flight on Monday with Japanese media reporting he had headed for London. McCartney was hit by the mystery bug on May 16 - just one day after he landed in Japan ahead of his Out There tour. Former Beatle Paul McCartney has left Japan after recovering from a viral infection that forced him to pull out of his Asian concert tour. Sir Paul McCartney arriving at Haneda airport on May 15 . He called off the sold-out Japan tour, much to the disappointment of fans - some of whom had . paid 100,000 yen ($980) to see him. McCartney was also scheduled to perform at a Seoul stadium on May 28. It would have been his first concert in South Korea. Today the concert organisers said in a statement: 'Paul McCartney himself hopes to return to Japan for more concerts as soon as possible.' When he fell ill last week, the Beatle said: . 'Unfortunately my condition has not improved overnight. I was really . hoping that I'd be feeling better today. I'm so disappointed and sorry . to be letting my fans down.' On stage: Paul recently played several gigs in South America, which saw him perform in Santiago, Chile, (pictured) on April 22 . A . message on the iconic star's website said: 'Doctors have ordered Paul . complete rest and he has been doing all he can to get better. 'Paul . has only ever had to reschedule a handful of shows in his entire career . and is so upset about this situation, he hates to let people down.' A statement released on behalf of Sir . Paul said: 'Since contracting a virus last week that led to the . postponement of tour dates, Paul received successful medical treatment . at a hospital in Tokyo. 'He . will make a complete recovery and has been ordered to take a few days’ rest. Paul has been extremely moved by all the messages and well wishes . he has received from fans all over the world.' His wife Nancy Shevell, 53, was by his bedside. Paul . is due to begin a U.S. tour on 14 June, which will consist of 18 . concerts, leading to a gig at Candlestick Park stadium, the site of the . Beatles' last public show in 1966. World famous: Paul found fame with iconic band The Beatles .
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The 71-year-old left on a charter flight on Monday following hospitalisation .
McCartney was hit by the mystery bug on May 16 - one day after he landed .
Called off his sold-out Japan tour, much to the disappointment of fans .
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By . Ian Drury, Home Affairs Correspondent . Prisoners should be allowed access to computers and the internet despite the security risks because they are living in a technological ‘dark age’, it was claimed today. Chief inspector of prisons Nick Hardwick sparked controversy by calling for murderers, paedophiles and terrorists to be allowed to log on to websites. He argued giving offenders the chance to surf the web would help with reintegration into society and reduce reoffending. But critics said it was ‘barmy’ to give prisoners access to the internet where they could plan crimes, do drug deals, torment victims and log onto extremist websites. Mr Hardwick said secure, controlled use of the internet could also transform education, family contact and resettlement in jails - making it less likely inmates would return to a life of crime after leaving jail . Mr Hardwick, who was embroiled in a war of words with ministers this month after claiming prison were overcrowded, spoke out at a conference on modernising justice in London. He said secure, controlled use of the internet could also transform education, family contact and resettlement in jails – making it less likely inmates would return to a life of crime after leaving jail. Greater internet access could assist prisoners in looking for jobs and studying for qualifications as well as for making practical arrangements prior to their release, he said. Mr Hardwick said: ‘Like other risk management processes in a prison, prisoners’ access to new technologies and the internet needs to be based on risk assessment of the individual concerned and properly supervised. ‘I don’t think we can go on with prisons in a pre-internet dark age: inefficient and wasteful and leaving prisoners woefully unprepared for the world they will face on release. ‘Yes, there are security issues to be addressed, but the technology allows every key stroke to be monitored and access can be risk assessed. Chief inspector of prisons Nick Hardwick controversially called for prisoners to be allowed access to the internet . ‘There is a fear that a move in this direction will be seen as being soft on prisoners. But we can’t leave prisons in a time warp.’ Mr Hardwick said it was ‘relatively easy’ for prisoners to get hold of an illegal mobile phone in prison through which they could access the internet. Only last month film footage taken on a mobile phone emerged showing a group of boys in a Young Offenders Institute kicking and punching fellow inmates in a sickening ritual. Prison reform campaigners have pointed out that in Norway, all prisoners have access to the internet, even in their cells, with firewalls set up to ensure security. A report last year found three-quarters of all governors of prisons in England and Wales who responded to a survey believed inmates should have controlled access to the internet. But Peter Cuthbertson, director of the Centre for Crime Prevention think-tank, said large numbers of prisoners had been convicted of crimes involving misuse of computers and the internet, such as paedophiles who downloaded sex abuse images and Islamist extremists. He said: ‘Internet access would be another serious blow to the notion that prison is a place where criminals are finally punished. ‘This could do real damage to the fight against organised crime and it risks victims being intimidated and terrorised. ‘Surely prison guards have better things to do than stand over criminals watching them surf the internet.’ A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: ‘Advances in technology can provide useful tools to aid rehabilitation in prison, however there are clear security risks in allowing prisoner’s access to the internet and public protection will always be our priority.’
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Nick Hardwick said prisoners are living in a 'technological dark age'
Argued it would help with reintegration into society and reduce reoffending .
Critics said it was 'barmy' to give inmates access to the internet .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 23:50 EST, 30 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 05:38 EST, 31 August 2012 . A large portion of New York City is going to be sprayed with a pesticide in an effort to fight West Nile virus. The announcement that parts of the city's Upper West Side and Central Park will be sprayed comes as the summer heat has caused some of the highest instances of the disease in the past decade. It is the third time in the past ten years that portions of New York will be sprayed, with the process being contained between 1am and 6am Friday morning. Moving up north: While areas of Fort Worth, Texas (pictured) were sprayed with pesticides earlier in the summer, portions of Manhattan are scheduled to do the same as the mosquitoes continue to spread . West Nile virus cases are up 40 per cent . since last week and may rival the record years of 2002 and 2003, . federal health officials said Wednesday. So far this year, 1,590 cases of the mosquito-borne disease have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 66 deaths. Spreading: So far this year, 1,590 cases of the mosquito-borne disease have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 66 deaths . About half of the cases are serious illnesses, and the CDC considers those the best indicator of West Nile activity because many mild cases do not get reported and their symptoms may not even be recognized. Typical symptoms are fever, headache and body aches, and most people get better on their own in a few days. Less than 1 per cent develops neurological symptoms such as stiff necks and even coma and paralysis. Based on reports of West Nile so far this year, 'we think the numbers may come close' to those of 2002 and 2003, when nearly 3,000 severe illnesses and more than 260 deaths occurred each year, said the CDC's top expert on the disease, Dr. Lyle Petersen. Health officials think that West Nile activity will peak in mid-to-late August, but likely will continue through October. Because symptoms can take two weeks to appear, reporting cases lags behind when people became infected. The disease first appeared in the United States in 1999. Officials say this year's early spring and hot summer may have contributed to the current boom in cases. Mosquitoes get the virus from feeding on infected birds and then spread the virus to people they bite. All states except Alaska and Hawaii have found West Nile virus in people, birds or mosquitoes this year. Texas has been the hardest hit, accounting for half of the cases reported to the CDC so far. 'I'm not convinced that we have peaked. We may have plateaued,' said Dr. David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services. The CDC also says it does not expect Hurricane Isaac to have much of an impact on cases in Southern states. Heavy storms can wash out mosquito breeding grounds, although standing water can aid breeding, Petersen said. Many other factors, such as the population of infected birds, influence the severity of West Nile outbreaks, he said.
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Parts of the city's Upper West Side and Central Park will be sprayed .
Some of the highest West Nile Virus numbers in past decade .
Spraying will run from 1am to 6am Friday morning .
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(CNN) -- On Sunday, a mystery photograph fluttered from the sky and landed near Leslie Hagelberg's mailbox in West Tulsa, Oklahoma. She soon discovered it had been blown from Shawnee, Oklahoma, some 90 miles away. More random items would rain from the heavens across eastern Oklahoma a day later, when the tornado that ripped through Shawnee was followed by a bigger one in nearby Moore. School pictures, personal letters, valentines and baseball cards -- all have been found in recent days many miles from their owners' homes. The items were sucked into the sky by the 200-mph winds that killed at least 24 people and left a path of destruction in their wake, then blown east across the Oklahoma plains by middle- and upper-atmospheric winds. Help tornado victims claim lost photos . Hagelberg said some items have been reported found as far as 250 miles away from where the tornadoes struck. Now, she and others are using Facebook to try to help victims of the deadly storms get at least some small pieces of their lives back. On Sunday, she created a Facebook group called "May 19th 2013 OK Tornado Doc & Picture Recovery." But when Moore was hit the next day, the group was soon overwhelmed, picking up more than 11,000 members. She and others have now made a public page, MAY 2013 Oklahoma Tornado Doc & Photo Recovery Page, where anyone can post or tag images and share them on their own pages. Theirs is one of several pages on Facebook where people are being asked to share photos of items they have found, along with contact information, for anyone who may be able to identify them. See some of the images of items found after the tornadoes . "First, thank you all for the overwhelmingly generous response to our group," Hagelberg wrote Wednesday. "The photos and documents are being posted, people are finding cherished treasures they have lost and we couldn't be more elated." Hagelberg did not immediately respond to a message sent by CNN to her Facebook page Wednesday. But she told The Huffington Post the page is her small way of trying to boost recovery efforts in Shawnee and Moore. "I'm just trying to help," she said. "I couldn't imagine losing my kids' pictures." Most of the items posted to the page are photographs: a Pee Wee league football game, prom pictures, kids playing and families posing at places like Sea World. But there are other personal belongings, too, from a teddy bear to a letterman's jacket to a pink birth-notice card from a hospital with the words "I'm a Girl" printed on top. Dozens of items had already been claimed by early this week, as residents began taking their first faltering steps toward recovery. "This is a photo of my sister's husband's dad," a woman wrote beneath a photo dated 1967. "Both (men) are now deceased. She lost her home in the Shawnee tornado. I will try to contact (her) via Facebook. God bless you for posting!" The effort is similar to another on Facebook after 2011 storms that ripped through Alabama and other Southeastern states. "I just started saying, 'There are parts of people's lives falling out of the sky,'" Patty Bullion, that group's creator, told CNN at the time. "You just know these are prized possessions to people. If they've lost everything and could just get one picture back, I know that would mean a lot to me." Hagelberg is reminding anyone who posts to the page to remember not to show Social Security numbers, phone numbers or other personally identifying information.
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Winds from the tornadoes that hit Oklahoma have scattered items hundreds of miles .
Photos, cards and letters have been found after storms hit Shawnee and Moore, Oklahoma .
Facebook pages have been created for people to post items they've found .
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(CNN)Lighting up a freshly packed pipe is just the kind of afternoon delight iReporter robcat20 likes after dealing with a stressful day at work as an insurance agent. Usually he'll put on a movie from Netflix while enjoying a good smoke from Stella, his pipe. There's just one problem: Smoking marijuana is illegal in his state of Ohio. Robcat20, who asked not to be identified by name because he fears being "labeled as a bad person" in his small town, says it's time that changed. "I like weed, and I'm a good person," he wrote on CNN iReport. "I am a successful businessman, a loving father, devoted husband, registered Republican, active in my community with charities, church and I give piano lessons in the evenings to children with disabilities." The 33-year-old is not the only one who wants pot prohibition laws amended. A recent CNN/ORC International survey indicated a growing appetite for cannabis, with more than 55% of people across the United States saying marijuana should be legalized. More than half the respondents said they have tried it themselves. Ever since Colorado started selling pot legally at the start of this year, the lines to marijuana dispensaries haven't slowed down. Pot sales are blooming in Colorado now. Soon the state of Washington will be following suit, selling retail marijuana for recreational use. And on Wednesday, the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed a preliminary vote to legalize up to one ounce of marijuana for recreational use by anyone 21 or older. 10 things to know about Colorado's marijuana shops . CNN iReport asked readers if they would consider buying retail pot if it were available in their area. Setting aside arguments around the medical efficacy of marijuana, these iReporters shared their opinions on the recreational benefits of the herb -- some citing increased relaxation, creativity and a viable alternative to alcohol. No current marijuana users wanted their names used; recreational weed is still illegal in most of the country at the state and federal levels. From college students to seasoned computer engineers, meet some of the people who want their cannabis hobby legalized: . People are 'missing out' Twenty-year-old iReporter carcar1 started smoking pot to help her fall asleep at night. But marijuana is more than just a sleep remedy for her nowadays. The university student from Allentown, Pennsylvania, works as a security dispatcher at her school and uses marijuana recreationally. To say she enjoys smoking marijuana is an understatement. "I LOVE POT!" she enthusiastically wrote in an e-mail to CNN. "I like to smoke with a couple people after all my work is done and the day is over to unwind and relax. I recommend everyone does that." Since she started smoking regularly in college, she said she feels well rested. "It definitely does not affect my grades," she said. "This semester I got straight As and I am also on the Dean's List." Even her parents and grandmother know she smokes pot, and they don't mind it. But she says they do worry about her getting caught. She can't understand why other states are not going toward legalization. "I am very pro pot," she said. "Many people have no idea what they are missing out on." Marijuana 'makes me a better person' Computer engineer farmer808 has been smoking since middle school, when he says he saw his parents doing it. Now he's in his forties and still turns to marijuana after work to relax. Toking up is a family activity -- his wife and college-age children partake in it, too. "My day gets better and my emotional health improves the moment I spark up. For me, it is a beautiful thing that allows me to be more of a positive person," he said. "I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, marijuana is a boon to my life and helps me treat my fellow humans with the patience and kindness they deserve." Regular marijuana use on the rise . He'd like to see his state of Hawaii take the next steps toward legalizing retail sales of marijuana. He asked not to be identified because "there are many people who still despise marijuana users" and he worried about it affecting his career at a multinational company. "I am a high performing, innovative, overachiever who uses marijuana to relax after a hard day's work," he said. "I have two college degrees and over a dozen patents in computer science. Like any habit, abuse leads to problems, but properly used in moderation I feel that marijuana is a boon to society." Just want to enjoy the 'blessed herb' CELESTIAL96 says he grew up in the "Flower Child Revolution." The magazine writer, author and journalist first started smoking marijuana recreationally in the 1970s while living in Los Angeles. "It made a person feel mellow and creative, it gave you a high without a hangover, and it even had a spiritual touch to it," he wrote in his iReport. But it wasn't until he relocated to the Caribbean to become an editor at a weekly paper that he started smoking marijuana regularly, about once a month. "I cut down on my drinking and my quality of life as well as my creativity as a writer took off," he said. "It just gives a very warm, mellow creative high that can't be explained. It has to be experienced. "My relationship to the 'blessed herb,' as the islanders call it, is one of respect and awe," he said. He says ganja, another Caribbean colloquialism for marijuana, awakens his mind and spirit when it is smoked properly. "I have never had a bad experience with cannabis," he said. Now in his seventies and back in the states, he wants to be able to enjoy smoking recreationally again. "I think marijuana should be decriminalized and made legal in every state," he said. "I divide my time between Pennsylvania and Missouri, and wish both states would change the law on recreational use of marijuana." Pot lets me 'be a productive citizen' If recreational marijuana were legal, security guard and father Tokahontas (yes, we chuckled at the username too) says he would never drink alcohol again. It's a bold statement, but he's been a firm Mary Jane fan for the past 30 years, smoking occasionally whenever he can get his hands on marijuana. He says it allows him "to get up the next day, hangover free, and be a productive citizen." It sounds like his wife prefers him that way, too. "She says that when my friends and I get together and drink alcohol ... we act childish and stupid and sometimes even furniture gets broken. Plus she usually has to fight with one of us not to get behind the wheel," he wrote in his iReport. "But when we gather to smoke a little bit, she says we are all easygoing and hassle free. Our biggest concern on pot night is whether or not we gave the Domino's guy the right address." Even Lady Gaga knows pot isn't harmless . If pot were legalized in North Carolina, the "sweet leaf" would be "my wine at the end of the day," he said. "If pot is the gateway drug, the only drug it has led me to is more pot." Benefits 'far outweigh' the downsides . David Harper, 65, says if pot sales were legalized where he lives he would absolutely buy -- although he's skeptical it will ever happen in his home state of Texas. The veteran and retired electrical engineer took his first hit when he was 24. "Back in the early '70s you took what you could get," he said. Whether the marijuana was called "Mexican" or "Jamaican" or "Maui Wowi" he tried it. His college was lax about marijuana use, so he and his roommates smoked whenever they wanted in school. "For me, the best part was the relaxation of both mind and body," he said. The former engineering major used to use it as a study aid because his mind would wander while reading his textbooks at night. "After taking a couple of tokes -- enough to get a nice buzz -- I found that it was much easier to concentrate." He smoked pot throughout college, but stopped after graduating out of fear he'd get arrested. "This was unfortunate as, looking back, I would definitely say that some of my best [electrical] work was done during the early years of my career when I was using pot," he said. Although he no longer uses marijuana, he is thrilled to see that states like Colorado and Washington are taking progressive steps toward legalizing the retail sale of marijuana. "The benefits far outweigh any potential downsides," he said.
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Colorado recently became the first state to open recreational pot stores.
More than 55% of Americans say pot should be legalized nationwide, according to poll .
Meet six people who have smoked marijuana recreationally and want it legalized .
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One of the more prestigious Sydney properties to go under the hammer this weekend will be the North Shore home of Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife, Lady Lynne Cosgrove. The couple, who recently moved to their official residences at Kirribilli's Admiralty House and Government House in Canberra, are expecting a cool $2.1 million for the three-bedroom Neutral Bay semi when it goes to auction on Saturday morning. They bought the Spruson Street property back in 2007 for $1.95 million. McGrath Estate Agents say the 'Tuscan inspired home' enjoys views over North Sydney's CBD skyline, a 'sun washed' courtyard and private garden sanctuary. The 320 square metre block is within walking distance to popular cafes and Hayes Street Wharf. The Governor General's Neutral Bay semi in Sydney's North will go under the hammer this weekend, as Sir Peter Cosgrove and wife Lady Cosgrove up-size to their official residences at Kirribilli's and Canberra's Government House . The three-storey semi features a separate lounge area that opens onto a garden 'sanctuary', and and open plan kitchen and dining space . The double-sized master retreat includes a mosaic tiled ensuite and built-in wardrobes . The home is one of 5,000 properties this month that, according to Australian Property Monitors, will 'smash the all-time monthly record for auctions' in Sydney, reports Property Observer. Sir Peter Cosgrove was appointed Australia's 26th Governor-General in March this year, replacing Quentin Bryce. A graduate of the Royal Military College, Cosgrove served in the Vietnam war and in 1999, became commander of the international peacekeeping mission in East Timor. He was appointed chief of the Australian Army in 2000 and the chief of the Defence Force in 2002, overseeing Australia's involvement in the Iraq war. Earlier this year, Sir Cosgrove was the first man in Australia to be knighted under Prime Minister Tony Abbott's revived honours system. 'Every human being wants to be uplifted and inspired and I can think of no better man than Peter Cosgrove to maintain our national morale and to find faith in ourselves,' PM Abbott said at the Parliament House ceremony in March. Sir Cosgrove told Australians at the time that he saw his role as the Queen's representative being 'to reflect the community to itself.' A role he and his wife Lynne embraced as 'the greatest honour.' Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove with wife Lady Lynne Cosgrove and Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the state memorial service for former Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam in Sydney . A Caesar Stone island kitchen is the centrepiece of the semi's open-plan kitchen and dining space . A covered entertainment terrace looks out over the private garden . The semi enjoys views over the North Sydney city skyline and is a short walk to popular cafes and the Hayes Street Wharf . A lifestyle haven: The SprusonStreet home include a 'sun washed' back courtyard and quiet garden sanctuary .
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Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove's Neutral Bay semi will go under the hammer this weekend .
The 'Tuscan inspired' home enjoys sweeping views over North Sydney city and a sun-washed private garden .
Sir Cosgrove was recently appointed Australia's 26th Governor-General and was the first man to be knighted by PM Tony Abbott .
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By . Lydia Warren and Beth Stebner . Last updated at 10:01 PM on 10th January 2012 . Following her husband's win in the 2008 presidential race, Michelle Obama wanted to stay with her daughters in Chicago rather than move to the White House, according to a new book. The Obamas, written by a New York Times journalist and released on Tuesday, also claims the First Lady was ‘alone, frightened and unsure of what to do next’ after moving to Washington, D.C. The book claims to lift the lid on the struggles the family faced following Obama's successful presidential bid, after which they were watched by everyone – not least the Secret Service. New start: The Obamas celebrate a successful presidential bid . in November 2008. After the win, Michelle Obama allegedly considered . staying in Chicago with daughters Sasha (centre right) and Malia (centre . left) Following the campaign, Michelle Obama was thinking about putting off the move to the White House, author Jodi Kantor claims. Kantor, who began reporting on the Obamas in 2007, writes: ‘Only a handful of friends and aides knew what Michelle was considering: staying behind in Chicago with her daughters for the rest of the school year while the new president moved to Washington alone.’ The First Lady planned to commute between the two cities for a year, using the time to consider schools for the couple’s daughters, Malia and Sasha. ‘She was anxious about relocating her children to a new city in the middle of the school year,’ Kantor writes. But her husband hated the idea, insisting he finally spend time with his family after years campaigning on the road. Challenges: Mrs Obama felt subdued and alone during her first few months in the White House, the book claims . Protective: She also worried about how her girls, pictured in 2008, would fare growing up in the White House . Only when Mrs Obama visited the White House . and was given a tour by her predecessor Laura Bush did she warm to the . idea, according to the book. But even then, she worried how her . daughters would cope, believing ‘a presidential race was potentially a . curse upon her children’, Kantor writes. She feared White House tourists . interrupting their play dates – and worried if she could trust other . parents to look after the girls. A few months into life at the White House, Mrs Obama ‘seemed spirited, enthusiastic, and active’, the book writes. ‘The truth, however was that the first lady was having an unhappy, difficult time in her new role.’ Fighter: The first lady persevered and now loves her role, realizing the impact it can have, the book says . She was deeply frustrated with . elements of her new life, including the fact that she could no longer . take her daughters to school functions without fear of causing a . commotion. She also struggled living away from Chicago and lost touch with friends. Former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has apologised for insulting Michelle Obama during an explosive staff meeting recounted in Kantor's book, The Obamas. The argument erupted during a staff meeting in 2010, after Gibbs had dealt with a report that Mrs Obama had told French First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy that she 'can't stand' life in the White House, that it was 'hell'. In a private meeting, Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett said Mrs. Obama was 'dissatisfied' with how he handled the situation and Gibbs shouted at Jarrett for getting involved. He reportedly swore, including once directed at Mrs. Obama. On Monday, Gibbs said: 'In any high-pressure work environment . there are occasional arguments and disagreements and that is certainly . true of the White House. I regret speaking in anger and . regret that this disagreement became so public.' The Harvard-educated lawyer also felt . the role she perceived herself filling in the White House never . materialised, and felt ignored by her husband’s advisers. 'She was stuck in a position with little definition and no clear goals,’ the book writes. She went on to acknowledge how tough life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue can be. ‘Sometimes it becomes difficult to live in what we call a bubble,’ she said, according to the book. But her outlook changed when, in April 2009, she visited London and spoke at a girls’ school – telling them that the world needed strong, female leaders. ‘We are counting on every single one of you to be the very best that you can be,’ she had said. Watched by a sea of admiring girls, she understood for the first time what it meant to be First Lady. ‘She saw the responsibility, the impact, the potential of her role,’ Kantor writes. In the early days, the pressure to both be perfect and look perfect was always on – and her choice of eye-catching clothes raised eyebrows among advisers. She examined all of her outfits, realising that ‘everything she wore carried a meaning,’ Kantor writes. She is now known for her flawless ensembles at night and outfits bought at chain stores during for the day. New responsibilities: The first lady was at first unsure of her role, despite her glamorous reception . Next to normal: Mrs Obama had learned to dress strategically, the book says, buying clothes from high street stores to wear for everyday tasks and becoming more glamorous for evening events . ‘Everyone was waiting for a black woman to make a mistake,’ an advisor told the author. But she battled the pressure and fought against childhood obesity and defended her husband's drive to reform health care. When Michelle Obama worked in the Chicago City Hall in the early 1990s, she was 'distressed' that a small group of 'white Irish Catholic' families had such a strong grip on Illinois, Kantor writes. Mrs Obama worked for Mayor Daley between September 1991 and April 1993, according to City of Chicago personnel records. She was supposedly concerned about the power of three families: the Daleys, the Hynes and the Madigans. According to Kantor, Mrs. Obama ‘disapproved of how closely Daley held power, surrounding himself with three or four people who seemed to let few outsiders in - a concern she would echo years later with her own husband. ‘She particularly resented the way power in Illinois was locked up generation after generation by a small group of families, all white Irish Catholic - the Daleys in Chicago, the Hynes and Madigans statewide.’ Eventually, former aides say, Mrs Obama came to love her role as first lady. ‘It was natural that there would be a . period of transition when she and the family went from being a private . family in Chicago to the first family of the United States,’ former . White House deputy communications director Jen Psaki told ABC News. The book also details the battles Mrs Obama endured against her husband’s aides. It tells of a divided White House where tensions developed between Mrs Obama and then chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. Arguably . the most prominent point of contention Kantor reveals between the first . lady and Mr Emanuel was the friction over healthcare reform and Mrs . Obama’s scepticism of so-called backroom deals being cut. Mrs Obama ‘made it clear that she thought her husband needed a new team, according to her aides,’ Kantor writes. From . past sour experiences with another White House wife – former first lady . and current Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton - Mr Emanuel . tried to avoid Mrs Obama. Ms . Kantor writes that the East and West wings became so separate from each . other that some referred to the East Wing as ‘Guam – pleasant but . powerless.’ ‘Michelle and Rahm Emanuel had almost no bond,’ Ms Kantor writes, saying that from the get-go, the two were awkward. Clash of the titans: Michelle Obama and former chief of staff Rahm Emanuel allegedly butted heads . Upheaval: Rahm Emanuel, left, offered to resign as Chief of Staff over health reform . ‘They were the president’s two spouses, in a sense, one public and official and one private and informal.’ The White House had a cold reaction to the book, calling it an 'over-dramatisation of old news' and emphasising that the first couple did not speak to the author, who last interviewed them for magazine piece in 2009. 'The emotions, thoughts and private moments described in the book, though often seemingly ascribed to the president and first lady, reflect little more than the author's own thoughts,' White House spokesman Eric Schultz said. 'These secondhand accounts are staples of every administration in modern political history and often exaggerated.' The accounts are based on interviews with 30 current and former aides, though President Barack Obama and the first lady declined to be interviewed for the book.
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New book claims first lady wanted to wait a year to join her husband .
She feared the 'presidential race was potentially a curse upon her children'
Despite appearances, she had an 'unhappy, difficult time in her new role'
Butted heads with Obama's aides, particularly chief of staff Rahm Emanuel .
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(CNN) -- The Transportation Security Administration stood by its security officers Sunday after a Florida woman complained that her cancer-stricken, 95-year-old mother was patted down and forced to remove her adult diaper while going through security. Reports of the incident took hold in social media, with scores of comments on the topic and reposts appearing hourly on Twitter Sunday afternoon. The TSA released a statement Sunday defending its agents' actions at the Northwest Florida Regional Airport. "While every person and item must be screened before entering the secure boarding area, TSA works with passengers to resolve security alarms in a respectful and sensitive manner," the federal agency said. "We have reviewed the circumstances involving this screening and determined that our officers acted professionally and according to proper procedure." Jean Weber told CNN's Fredricka Whitfield on Sunday that the security officers may have been procedurally correct, but she still does not believe they were justified, especially given her mother's frail condition. "If this is your procedure -- which I do understand -- I also feel that your procedure needs to be changed," she said. Weber said the two were traveling June 18 from northwest Florida to Michigan, so her mother could move in with relatives before eventually going to an assisted living facility. "My mother is very ill, she has a form of leukemia," Weber said. "She had a blood transfusion the week before, just to bolster up her strength for this travel." While going through security, the 95-year-old was taken by a TSA officer into a glassed-in area, where a pat-down was performed, Weber said. An agent told Weber "they felt something suspicious on (her mother's) leg and they couldn't determine what it was" -- leading them to take her into a private, closed room. Soon after, Weber said, a TSA agent came out and told her that her mother's Depend undergarment was "wet and it was firm, and they couldn't check it thoroughly." The mother and daughter left to find a bathroom, at the TSA officer's request, to take off the adult diaper. Weber said she burst into tears during the ordeal, forcing her own pat-down and other measures in accordance with TSA protocol. But she said her mother, a nurse for 65 years, "was very calm" despite being bothered by the fact that she had to go through the airport without underwear. Eventually, Weber said she asked for her mother to be whisked away to the boarding gate without her, because their plane was scheduled to leave in two minutes and Weber was still going through security. By this weekend, the 95-year-old woman -- who was not identified by name -- was doing "fine" in Michigan, where her niece and her family "was treating her like royalty because they love her so much." "My mother is a trouper," Weber said. This is not the first time that the TSA's pat-downs of passengers have come under fire, nor the first time that the agency has rallied behind its officers and policy. Last year, the administration announced it was ramping up the use of full-body scanning and pat-downs to stop nonmetallic threats, including explosives, from getting on planes. The goal is to head off attacks such as the one allegedly attempted in Christmas 2009 by Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab, who allegedly had a bomb sewn into his underwear on a flight from the Netherlands to Michigan. The TSA estimates that only 3% of passengers are subjected to pat-downs -- and then only after they have set off a metal detector or declined to step into a full-body scanner. Yet the new policy has triggered an uproar online and in airports, from a relatively small but vocal number of travelers who feel their rights and privacy were being violated. But the federal safety agency hasn't backed down, making some adjustments but no major changes to its policy. "Every traveler is a critical partner in TSA's efforts to keep our skies safe," Administrator John Pistole, who ordered the new approach, said last fall. "And I know and appreciate that the vast majority of Americans recognize and respect the important work we do." More recently, outrage erupted over a video-recorded pat-down of a 6-year-old passenger last April at New Orleans' airport. The video, which was posted on YouTube, shows the girl protesting the search by a female security officer at first, though she complies quietly while it is underway. Pistole addressed this controversy at a Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee meeting last week, explaining the pat-down was ordered because the child had moved while passing through a body imaging machine. He told committee members that "we have changed the policy (so) that there'll be repeated efforts made to resolve that without a pat-down." The next day, TSA spokesman Greg Soule said that the new policy -- which will apply to children age 12 and younger -- is in the process of being rolled out. It will give security officers "more options," but does not eliminate pat-downs as one of them. "This decision will ultimately reduce -- though not eliminate -- pat-downs," Soule said.
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A 95-year-old woman was held up by TSA officers at a Florida airport, her daughter says .
The agents forced the cancer-stricken woman to take off her adult diaper, she adds .
The TSA insists its officers "acted professionally and according to proper procedure"
The woman's daughter says those procedures should be changed .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 07:15 EST, 18 March 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:04 EST, 18 March 2012 . The FBI has vowed to step in if the Met Police 'drop the ball' in its investigation into illegal activity within the Murdoch empire, it has been revealed. The U.S. Bureau already has access to all the evidence handed over by News Corporation to Scotland Yard and the company apparently has a legal team of 'big guns' ready to handle inquiries from detectives. The original Met phone hacking . investigation, launched in December 2005, resulted in the News of the . World’s royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn . Mulcaire being jailed for intercepting voicemail messages. The original Met phone hacking investigation, launched in December 2005, failed to identify hundreds of victims. But no action was taken against any other reporters and the inquiry failed to identify hundreds of victims. One source close to the U.S. investigation told the Independent on . Sunday: 'The FBI made it perfectly clear that if the British police drop . the ball on this they will pick it up and run with it.' As well as evidence from News Corp, the FBI is also gathering evidence from the Leveson Inquiry and other parliamentary select committees. It is thought that the Murdoch empire . fears a U.S. investigation due to the potential for longer jail terms and more severe . financial penalties, the newspaper said. It is thought that the Murdoch empire, headed by Rupert Murdoch, pictured, fears a U.S. investigation . This is believed to be why it has increased its . efforts to help police over the past few months - including handing . over thousands of potentially incriminating emails. The FBI has reportedly found no evidence of phone hacking within News Corp in the U.S., Murdoch's holding company based in New York. Earlier this week Rebekah Brooks and her racehorse trainer husband Charlie were arrested in dawn raids by police investigating allegations of a cover-up in the phone hacking inquiry. The former News International chief executive and her husband were held on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. They were among six people detained by detectives from Operation Weeting, the inquiry into illegal hacking of voicemail messages. Mrs Brooks, the former editor of The Sun and the News of the World, has been on bail since last summer when she was arrested on suspicion of phone-hacking and corruption. The number of people arrested in Operation Weeting, which has been running since last January when police reopened investigations, stands at 21 . That arrest in July was ‘by . appointment’ but yesterday the couple were woken by a sharp, unexpected, . knock on the front door of their Cotswolds mansion. The number of people arrested in Operation Weeting, which has been . running since last January when police reopened investigations, stands . at 21. Two other linked investigations – Operation Elveden into corrupt . payments to police and Operation Tuleta into computer hacking – have . resulted in 26 arrests.
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U.S. Bureau already has access to all the evidence handed over by News Corp to Scotland Yard .
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Graduate Liza Fitzpatrick, 36, says she was told to take her degree off her CV as it might help her get a job . After years of hard work, Liza Fitzpatrick was proud to put her degree on her CV. So she was understandably devastated when, she claims, a job centre adviser told her to take it off – because it made her ‘overqualified’ for some roles. Miss Fitzpatrick, 36, graduated from the University of Hull in July last year, and has since been unable to find a job despite applying for more than 200 positions. She says she was reduced to tears after one of the Government’s welfare-to-work advisers ‘bullied’ her into changing her CV, claiming she needed to make it more basic. The adviser, who she sees as a condition of claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, ‘threatened to sanction’ her if she did not remove her 2:2 BA Honours degree in social and community care work within three days. Miss Fitzpatrick claims the employment adviser, who she describes as in his mid-50s, told her that he used to be an employer and he would not have taken her on because she was too qualified. ‘They’ve told me I have to dumb down my CV but I’ve studied hard for this,’ she said. ‘I’d take any job to be able to stop signing on. He bullied me into changing something I was really proud of and threatened that my benefits could be taken away if I did not do as he told me.’ She added: ‘By removing my degree, I would leave a five-year gap on my CV [she studied part of her degree part-time], which I thought would cause me more problems.’ The former care assistant, from Hull, would like to find a job in support work, for example as a probation officer or social worker. But she has also been applying for jobs at supermarkets and high street shops. Miss Fitzpatrick, pictured job-hunting at home in Hull, has applied for more than 200 posts since she graduated . The graduate was advised about her CV in her local job centre, thought to be this one in Hull's Market Place . She also volunteers at a Fair Trade shop to gain retail experience and helps out at North Hull Women’s Centre, a charity that gives women counselling and support. But she claims her employment adviser said her volunteering was ‘irrelevant’ in terms of finding work. Her long-term partner, 39-year-old Sean Hardy, later telephoned the Work Solutions job centre. Mr Hardy, who works in the building trade, said the manager insisted it was not the centre’s policy to advise job-seekers to remove qualifications. But Work Solutions said that the career aspirations of its customers are not always ‘realistic’ in the current labour market. In a statement, it said: ‘If customers are struggling to gain employment in their chosen field, we would help them look at other realistic opportunities. 'This can mean re-looking at the make-up of a CV and the labour market it’s aimed at.’ It insisted, however, that this would only be a suggestion, adding: ‘Qualifications and degrees are achievements to be very proud of and we would never request their removal from a CV but would recommend that a CV is focused clearly towards the vacancy or industry sector that a candidate is applying for.’ Labour’s Karl Turner, MP for Hull East, said: ‘It is very worrying that unemployed graduates in Hull are being advised to remove qualifications in an attempt to secure any type of employment. ‘It is clear that the bigger issue here is the lack of suitable graduate jobs in the city.’
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Liza Fitzpatrick has University of Hull degree in social & community care .
The 36-year-old former carer and shop assistant wanted to 'better herself'
She has applied for more than 200 roles since graduating last summer .
Claims local job adviser told her her degree made her look overqualified .
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By . Alex Ward . PUBLISHED: . 22:12 EST, 31 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:52 EST, 1 November 2012 . The number of serious water pollution incidents has doubled in a year, the Environment Agency showed today. Pollution incidents in the water industry rose from 65 in 2010 to 120 in 2011 and most occurred within the sewer and water network. It comes as the agency awarded more companies than ever the highest ‘A’ rating for their environmental performance. Pollution peril: An Environment Agency worker treats water in Staffordshire, contaminated with untreated sewage and cyanide as an agency report found serious incidents in the water industry increased, mostly in the sewer and water network . Overall serious industrial pollution incidents across all sectors including industry, water, waste and farming fell slightly to 620 last year. Last year's figure was a 4 per cent drop on 2010 and down more than half on the figures for 2000, the latest sustainable business report revealed. The Environment Agency suggested that some of the increase in serious water pollution incidents was due to a rise in the amount reported by the water companies themselves, but self-reporting increased only slightly last year. An agency spokesman said: ‘Substantial investment by water companies has helped improve water quality in recent decades. ‘We are working with the water industry and Ofwat to ensure that this overall trend continues, particularly given the pressures of population growth and climate change.’ Illegal waste sites: The Environment Agency shut down 759 sites last year and improved detection had identified 1,175 illegal sites in England and Wales . In general, pollution such as waste . fires and uncontrolled releases from industry or of sewage can pose a . risk to life, destroy habitats, affect drinking water supplies and . prevent people from using and enjoying their local environment, the . agency said. They found that overall, the environmental performance by businesses is improving. With more companies than ever being awarded the highest rating, the agency cut regulatory costs for well-run businesses by £15 million last year. Operators who comply fully with permits governing how their site is run paid nearly 70 per cent less last year in regulatory fees than those who performed badly. Just 184 of almost 14,000 sites which require a permit to operate have been given the lowest ratings for two years or more, causing problems for neighbours and the community. The most common public complaint about such sites is bad smells. The Environment Agency also said it had shut down 759 illegal waste sites last year. Improved detection by its recently formed specialist illegal waste sites taskforce had identified 1,175 illegal sites in England and Wales and shutting them down is the taskforce's top priority, the agency said. Not easy: Environment Agency chairman Lord Chris Smith said achieving economic growth and protecting the natural environment at the same time is not always easy but can be achieved . Environment Agency chairman Lord Chris Smith said: ‘Achieving both economic growth and the protection of the natural environment is not always easy but can be achieved. ‘It will not happen without effective regulation of the impact business has on the environment and a commitment from businesses themselves to act as responsible neighbours and good corporate citizens. ‘Reassuringly, the latest performance record shows businesses are increasingly recognising there is a value and opportunity in this broader sense of responsibility. ‘However, there's no room for complacency as a minority of businesses are still bad neighbours and the environmental impacts from their activities result in complaints from local communities.’
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An Environment Agency report found pollution incidents in the water industry rose from 65 in 2010 to 120 in 2011 .
Most occurred within the sewer and water network .
Overall environmental performance by businesses is improving .
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f755d02c01fe997dd9c0127a3554b8733f7bbc82
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Rail minister Claire Perry has attacked the 'goodies' being offered to Scotland to keep it in the Union . Two-thirds of English MPs want generous subsidies to Scotland to be axed if the country voted to stay in the UK. David Cameron sparked fury among Tory MPs this week by pledging to keep the controversial Barnett formula, as part of a desperate bid to persuade Scots to vote No to independence. Even his ministers were last night in open revolt over the issue, with Transport Minister Claire Perry warning the Prime Minister to stop handing out ‘financial party bags’ to Alex Salmond. The formula, which has been the source of resentment for years, means that public spending per head is £1,623 a year higher in Scotland than in England. A poll last night revealed that 63 per cent of English MPs now want to axe the formula. The survey, by Dods Polling, found this included 83 per cent of Conservatives, 41 per cent of Labour MPs and 78 per cent of Liberal Democrats. Mrs Perry broke cover before the polls in Scotland had even closed to warn against handing ‘goodies’ to Edinburgh without also introducing a fairer deal for England. Scroll down for video . Writing in her local paper, the Wiltshire Gazette, she said it is likely that Parliament will be recalled in the coming days to debate the fallout from the vote. She added: ‘If the result is a narrow No, this will be a running sore in politics for years to come with demands from Holyrood every few years for another go at the question. 'If there is a proposal to allow devolution of local taxation, as well maintaining the current level of funding as a dollop from the UK Parliament, then that can hardly be equitable for those of us in all other areas in the non-Scottish Union.’ The Saltire and the Union flag were held aloft on Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh this morning ahead of the referendum today . Defence minister Anna Soubry also acknowledged yesterday that greater devolution to Scotland ‘will cause controversy in Wales and England’. Many MPs believe Mr Cameron made a mistake by agreeing to keep the Barnett formula under pressure from Gordon Brown. They are also pressing for Scottish MPs to be barred from voting on English matters, particularly if Scotland is handed new powers over tax and benefits. Tory MP Anne-Marie Morris said Mr Cameron’s policy to offer Scotland devo max was ‘not thought through, and is concerning many of my constituents who feel it is unfair’. David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg signed a joint declaration promising to devolve more powers to Scotland in the event of a 'No' vote . Graham Brady, chairman of the powerful 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs, said neither the party nor the public would accept a devolution deal that fails to address English concerns. He said: ‘The devolution settlement introduced by Labour was unbalanced and created two different classes of MP. ‘That should have been corrected already in the interest of democracy and fairness.’ Government sources insist Mr Cameron is ‘very aware’ of the anger over the so-called ‘English question’. He is expected to come forward with proposals to curb the voting rights of Scottish MPs as part of any new devolution settlement. But several Tory MPs warned that they could throw out the entire plan to hand greater powers to Scotland unless the Barnett formula is also scrapped. Tory MP Christopher Chope said: ‘The party leaders don’t have the authority to make a bribe on behalf of the people of the UK. ‘Taxation is an issue for Parliament. We don’t legislate by presidential-style decree.’ Ed Miliband was last night facing criticism over his shambolic No campaign, amid reports that 30 per cent of Labour supporters are poised to vote Yes – up from 18 per cent last month. The Labour leader spent the final week of the campaign touring Scotland. But he was escorted to safety this week after being jostled by Yes supporters during a trip to an Edinburgh shopping centre. He then pulled out of two events on the closing day of campaigning. And Mr Miliband’s poor personal ratings in Scotland mirror his ratings in England, despite low levels of Scottish support for the Conservatives. Henry McLeish, the former first minister of Scotland, said the No campaign led by the Labour leader had been negative and disorganised, adding: ‘If it is a no vote, Gordon Brown will have been largely responsible for that. If it’s a Yes then there will be a lot of questions.’
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Claire Perry attacks the 'financial goody bags' on offer to Edinburgh .
Transport Minister said last ditch offers of more powers was 'appeasement'
Says it is not fair to offer 'raft of goodies paid for by us south of the border'
She expects Parliament to be recalled next week to discuss referendum .
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By . Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 09:39 EST, 5 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 09:42 EST, 5 September 2012 . A £100,000 car ploughed into a family's back garden this morning - but when the startled homeowner ran out to tend to the driver, they discovered they had disappeared. The Audi R8 left the road and careered through a family’s garden at 1am this morning. It left a trail of destruction as it careered through a hedge and demolished a shed, bench and a fence before finally coming to rest on a rear lawn. A crashing start to the morning: The super car careered through the garden but miraculously no one was reported to be injured . Children’s toys were flung in the air as the car - with a top speed of 196mph - skidded in Awbridge, near Romsey, Hampshire. Homeowners Andrew and Paula Rigby, and their children Wilson, three, and Fay, one, were suddenly woken by the din caused by the car crash. Paula, 34, dashed out of the house to see what had happened and tend to the driver but found the black car empty. Path of destruction: The car tore through the garden and fence at 1am this morning . The homeowner and neighbours rushed out to see what had happened, but he driver was gone . The driver had disappeared and it is unknown what their condition is after the almighty crash. She said: 'I heard a bang and thought it was the kids but then I heard voices outside, looked out and there was a car in the garden. 'It took a while for what had happened to sink in. I was shocked. 'I was very upset because my children’s toys were in the garden and they have been trashed. 'If it had happened during the day my kids may have been out there and could have been killed. It is horrible to think about it.' Neighbours ran out of their homes to survey the scene. The hedge was moved around 50 feet by the car, which left tyre marks in the grass. Toys including trikes and plastic skittles were scattered. Paula said a similar thing had happened on two occasions at the property before they lived there. It was lucky the house and her cars were not hit, she added. Paula said: 'In the grand scheme of things I was quite relieved that no one was hurt.' Police are investigating but have not arrested anyone in connection with the incident.
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Expensive Audi ploughed into Hampshire back garden .
Homeowner ran to check on driver but they had disappeared .
Trail of destruction left after crash .
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By . Jason Groves, Political Correspondent . A grieving mother yesterday condemned Nick Clegg for opposing tough new measures to tackle knife crime. Caroline Shearer said the Liberal Democrats appeared to have no understanding of the dangers posed to young people by knives as the furious public backlash against their opposition to mandatory jail terms grew. And she questioned whether Mr Clegg would take the same view if his own children were threatened. Caroline Shearer, whose son Jay (right) was stabbed to death aged 17 at a house party, has blasted Nick Clegg after the Deputy PM said he would block any crackdown on knife crime . Miss Shearer, whose son Jay Whiston was stabbed to death aged 17 at a house party in Essex in 2012, said people want ‘protection, not politics’. Referring to Tory plans to introduce automatic six-month jail sentences for anyone caught with a knife a second time, she said: ‘My son drowned in his own blood – in his lungs – and they want to give these people a second chance? ‘Once is enough to kill, you do not need to give them a second chance. ‘Everybody out there has children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces – it’s about protecting them. If someone went up to Nick Clegg’s child and waved a knife at them would Nick Clegg really be happy?’ Miss Shearer, who has set up a group to campaign against knife crime, said MPs were too cocooned from reality by their security to understand the real damage caused by the weapons. The Deputy Prime Minister has confirmed that he would veto the introduction of what he called ‘headline-grabbing solutions’ in the wake of the murder of Leeds teacher Ann Maguire last week. He claimed he was ‘not soft on knife crime at all’ but said he would block mandatory jail terms for repeat offenders. Mr Clegg’s comments prompted a furious backlash. One caller to his regular phone-in show on LBC Radio demanded to know how many times people needed to be caught carrying a blade before they were punished. Referring to the Lib Dem leader, he added: ‘How are elderly people meant to sleep in their beds when you’ve got lunatics in suits like him who are looking after this country?’ A caller to Clegg's regular LBC radio show . The Coalition row erupted last week after the Mail revealed that Mr Clegg was blocking plans to crack down on knife crime. He confirmed yesterday that he would not allow the plans to go ahead, claiming the measure could ‘turn the young offenders of today into the hardened criminals of tomorrow’. But he was facing the prospect of a humiliating Commons defeat over the issue after Ed Miliband said he would side with the Conservatives if they brought forward the proposals. ‘I don’t agree with Nick Clegg,’ said the Labour leader. ‘I think we do need tougher penalties for knife crime. We are definitely sympathetic to the issue of mandatory sentences after conviction for a second offence. London Mayor Boris Johnson has said measures to tackle knife crime need 'unequivocal' party support . 'The public want to know that we are going to send a strong message to people who carry knives repeatedly that it is not acceptable.’ Mr Clegg has dismissed police concerns over the issue but Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said mandatory jail sentences would have a clear deterrent effect. ‘There are too many people carrying knives so I support the idea of a minimum sentence,’ he said. ‘It sends a very clear message to people who carry knives. It’s the casual carrying of knives that eventually may lead to a murder.’ Tory MP Nick de Bois, who tabled the amendment that would introduce the necessary legislation, said Mr Clegg had ‘misjudged the public mood on this issue’. Mayor of London Boris Johnson echoed those comments, saying the measure needed ‘unequivocal’ cross-party support. ‘This amendment is a clear signal to those who act with such impunity that carrying a knife will not be tolerated,’ he said. Tory sources said Mr Cameron was sympathetic to the amendment, which has been signed by 40 Tory backbenchers. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘How we do more in this area around knife crime and how we make our streets safer is something he is giving very active consideration to.’ Earlier this week Britain’s top judge also backed heavier sentences for knife criminals, saying they would act as a deterrent. Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas called for an urgent review of sentencing for youths carrying knives, saying it was a ‘major problem’ among 12 to 14-year-olds. Nick Clegg will lose the next election if he acts as a ‘destructive brake’ on the Coalition, a senior Liberal Democrat warned yesterday. Jeremy Browne, who served as a Foreign Office and Home Office Minister, said the Lib Dems would pay a high electoral price if they continued to ‘adopt the mindset of an opposition party in government’.
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Nick Clegg has vowed to block 'headline grabbing' crackdown on knife crime .
Tories plan automatic six-month jail term for anyone caught twice with blade .
Mother whose son was stabbed to death aged 17 has blasted Deputy PM .
Caroline Shearer said Lib Dems have no idea of danger from knives .
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A mother sobbed in the dock yesterday after she admitted killing her three disabled children at the £2million family home. But Tania Clarence, 42, denied murder, instead accepting the lesser charge of manslaughter by diminished responsibility over the deaths of four-year-old Olivia and three-year-old twins Ben and Max. Her husband Gary refused to look at her as she entered her Old Bailey plea in hardly more than a whisper. The 43-year-old investment banker was in South Africa with their eldest child at the time of the tragedy. Scroll down for video . Tania Clarence, 42, sobbed in the dock at the Old Bailey as she pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Olivia, four, and three-year-old twins Ben and Max (pictured above with father Gary) by diminished responsibility . Clarence, 42, (who attended an earlier court hearing under the cover of a coat, above) denied murder but admitted killing her three disabled children on the grounds of diminished responsibility . Overcome with emotion, his wife was barely audible as she uttered the words: ‘Not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter.’ The . three children were found dead at their five-bedroom home by the . family’s devoted nanny on April 22. They were in their pyjamas in bed . and are believed to have been smothered. All three suffered from spinal . muscular atrophy, a genetic condition sometimes described as ‘floppy . baby syndrome’. It leaves children with little control of their movements and can drastically shorten life expectancy. Mrs Clarence is thought to have found that Olivia had the degenerative condition when she became pregnant with the twins. The . couple moved to New Malden, Surrey last year and spent around £1million . adapting their home to cater for their disabled children, fitting a . lift and ramps. The bodies of the children were found at the couple's £2million family home (above) in New Malden, south-west London, on April 22. All three were in their pyjamas in bed and are believed to have been smothered to death . Gary Clarence (pictured attending an earlier court hearing in Wimbledon in April) was in South Africa with the couple's eldest child when the deaths occurred. He attended court but refused to look at his wife . Mrs Clarence . gave up her job as a graphic designer to care for the trio. Friends . said the children, who suffered severe breathing problems, had to be fed . through tubes and were given medicine hourly. Following . the discovery of their bodies, Mrs Clarence was taken to hospital in . Tooting for treatment to cuts before being charged by police on April . 24. Her husband, who works . for the City bank Investec, was in his native South Africa to visit . relatives with eldest child Taya Grace, eight, who is not affected by . the illness. Yesterday the . prosecution asked for more time for an expert psychiatrist to consider . the case and Judge Mr Justice Nicol granted an adjournment until October . 3. The defendant was remanded to a secure hospital for assessment. Prosecutors . are expected to indicate at the next hearing in October whether they . will accept the manslaughter plea entered by Mrs Clarence or whether she . should face trial for murder. She waved at relatives and friends in the public gallery during the 15-minute hearing before being led away by the guards. A provisional trial date has been set for next February. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
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Tania Clarence pleaded guilty to manslaughter of her three disabled children .
Denied murder but admitted killing on grounds of diminished responsibility .
The 42-year-old sobbed in the dock as she entered her plea at Old Bailey .
Bodies of Olivia, four, and three-year-old twins Ben and Max found in April .
All three youngsters suffered from type 2 spinal muscular atrophy .
Deaths occurred while Clarence's banker husband Gary was in South Africa .
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(CNN) -- President Barack Obama has turned off large parts of America through radicalism, incompetence and political ineptness. As my friend Barry Casselman argues, "Obama has the worst political tin ear I've seen at that level. (I realize he thinks he is bringing out his base vote). But he's almost daring most Americans to turn against him." My prediction for midterm election night this coming Tuesday is that many Americans are going to take the President up on his dare. Of course, nothing is over until it's over. Hard campaigning and a few changes in the news can shift races, and there are a lot of races within the margin of error in polling. However, as my colleague Joe Gaylord, with whom I worked on campaigns for 30 years, points out: "In tidal years everything collapses against the losers the last weekend." He remembers races in 1982 where our incumbent was up by 10 points on Friday and lost on Tuesday. My take is that this is going to be a tide if not a tidal wave. Why? Because in most races, Democrats will stay home, Republicans will vote and independents will break heavily against the Democrats. Recent polls indicate the younger voters (millennials) are likely to break Republican after two massive victories for Obama in that age group. Latinos seem much more favorable to Republicans than many expected and much less likely to turn out for Democrats. Meanwhile, the margin for Democrats among women has shrunk dramatically, and in some races Republicans are now carrying both men and women (and that really would create a tidal wave). And while the African-American community remains the most loyal to President Obama, even there a fight has been developing. Some new ads appealing to African-Americans to leave the Democratic Party are stirring up a lot of attention, so it will be fascinating election night to watch for African-American turnout and for a small but real increase in the Republican vote among African-Americans (note, for example, Gov. John Kasich's endorsement by a leading African-American newspaper in Ohio). Overall, I think Republicans will gain six to 10 Senate seats, with 10 being more likely than six. Actually, winning more than 10 (think New Mexico, Virginia, Minnesota in that order) may be more likely than winning five or less. If Scott Brown, who has run a brilliant race, beats Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in New Hampshire (and she has run a terrible race) it will signal a big night for Republicans. A key question is whether Republicans win Georgia outright, or have to win a special election on January 6, three days after the new Congress assembles. That turnout is made more complicated if the governor's race also goes into a runoff, which would be December 10, and it will be very hard for Democrats to win a turnout fight immediately after New Year's. Louisiana will almost certainly go to a runoff, and the Republican will almost certainly win on December 6. In the House, Republicans will likely gain seven to 14 seats. Since they start at 234 seats, a 12-seat gain would match the 1946 post World War II high point. If they grab 14 seats, they would have more seats than at any time since 1928. Governorships are a mixed bag, and so intensely local that I really don't have a good read on what is likely to happen. Republicans start the evening ahead 29 to 21, and they could add Massachusetts, Connecticut, Colorado, Arkansas and Illinois. However, there are four or five states where the Republican incumbent is embattled and in a very close race. If Republicans break even or add one or two governors, I think we could describe it as a very good night for the party. At the state legislative level, which has huge implications for the growth of young, future lawmakers, the ability to experiment with new solutions at the state level, and control of congressional reapportionment, look for the Republicans to gain 300 state legislative seats and control of six more legislative bodies, giving them the all-time high mark in Republican history. But more than the raw numbers, it will be interesting to keep an eye on some specific trends. New England, for example, might see a big resurgence of the GOP. If Republicans win governorships in Massachusetts and Connecticut and the Senate race in New Hampshire, something big will clearly be happening. Another trend could be the election of new solution-oriented, bright and articulate Republican senators. Ben Sasse in Nebraska has been ignored because he is so clearly going to win, but he will be one of the most intellectually prepared conservatives since Bob Taft. Cory Gardner will be a superstar if he wins Colorado, while Iowa's Joni Ernst has already become a national figure. Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, now running in New Hampshire, will have earned star status by winning in two states. All that said, Florida may be the hardest fought campaign in the country. Gov. Rick Scott has been a very successful manager of the state, but is not a natural politician. Former Gov. Charlie Crist is a great politician, but his swings from Goldwater Republican to Obama Democrat have made it impossible to predict what kind of governor he would be now. This race has so much money going into it, and is so intense, that it is extremely difficult to predict what will happen on Tuesday. A Scott win would be a signal that Democrats simply are refusing to turn out. A Crist win would be a signal that the Democratic machine has been able to mobilize apathetic and disappointed voters. One last thing to keep an eye on next week: exit polling on women, Latinos, Asian-Americans, African-Americans and millennials. If Democrats are losing ground in most or all of those groups, the coronation of Hillary Clinton may have to be postponed for a while. And if all the harsh Democratic advertising fails, it may be a sign, as Molly Ball suggests in The Atlantic, that "cranky social issues warriors" whose campaigns are "obsessed with social issues" may now be defining Democrats and not Republicans. Looking beyond the election, there are two big questions, namely, how will President Obama react to the results, and what will Republicans do? Certainly, the President and his team will face a clear choice: Do they follow Woodrow Wilson's response to the 1918 election and hide in a bunker, using executive orders and defying the new Congress? Or do they follow President Eisenhower's example after the 1958 election and find a way to work with the opposition party's congressional leadership? We may not know the answer to this until the State of the Union and the budget proposals early next year. But Republican leaders have a unique opportunity to fill a vacuum of ideas and hope, and already people like Speaker John Boehner, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Sen. Marco Rubio have been outlining positive agendas. But Barry Casselman perhaps caught as well as anyone the challenge facing Republicans, when he wrote: . "Let us not forget that the energy of this wave has been provided by the incompetence of Barack Obama and his overreaching allies across the nation. The Republicans, if they win, will now need to put forward new ideas. Otherwise, victory next Tuesday will be an empty one." Republicans need new ideas. But they also need to be able to put those ideas into action. Join us on Facebook.com/CNNOpinion.
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Obama administration marked by radicalism, incompetence: Newt Gingrich .
Polls suggest younger voters are likely to break Republican, he says .
Republicans will gain six to 10 Senate seats in Tuesday's midterms, he says .
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By . Charlotte Griffiths . PUBLISHED: . 19:27 EST, 18 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:28 EST, 18 May 2013 . After a legendary fall-out over food and fitness a year ago, Kate Moss and Gwyneth Paltrow have buried the hatchet – over a slice of pizza. Their argument began at Sir Philip Green's 60th birthday party in Mexico last May. According to witnesses, Kate, asked Iron Man actress Gwyneth why she was jogging on the beach. Made-up: Kate Moss, left, and Gwyneth Paltrow, right, have buried the hatchet over a slice of pizza . Mother-of-two Gwyneth was reported to have fired back: 'So I don't look like you when I get old.' An apoplectic Kate threw a handful of crisps at her, yelling: 'Eat some f*****g carbs!' Fall-out: Gwyneth and Kate had their bust-up at Sir Philip Green's 60th birthday party in Mexico last May . Ironically, it was carbohydrates that reunited Kate, 39, and Gwyneth, 40, last week when they crossed paths at a smart North London pizza restaurant owned by the Soho House group and famed for its hog roast pizzas and macaroni cheese. 'Gwyneth was at the Pizza East Kentish Town with husband Chris Martin, and their kids Apple and Moses, celebrating Apple's ninth birthday with some of her friends,' a fellow diner reveals. 'As Gwyneth was about to leave, Kate waltzed across from the other side of the restaurant to say hello. They exchanged kisses and chatted for about ten minutes. Kate's husband Jamie Hince also came over and everything seemed really friendly.' Kate Moss was also seen tucking into a snack alongside husband Jamie Hince as the couple went for a stroll in Hampstead. They stopped by a stall which was recently visited by Hollywood A-listers Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher.Model Kate looked like she couldn't get enough of her filled treat as she scoffed the French pancake walking through the streets.
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Argument began at Sir Phillip Green's 60th birthday part in Mexico last year .
Gwyneth reportedly said she was jogging so she wouldn't look like Kate .
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Tony Blair has said he will ‘never’ reveal the full truth about his relationship with Rupert Murdoch’s ex-wife. The former prime minister made headlines around the world last year following sensational allegations he had an affair with Wendi Deng, which prompted the billionaire media mogul to divorce her. Asked about the claims directly for the first time, Mr Blair refused to comment. Scroll down for video . Tony Blair (pictured right in 1998) says he will 'never' reveal the full truth about his relationship with Rupert Murdoch’s ex-wife, Wendi Deng (left) He told the Economist magazine the issue was ‘not something I will ever talk about – I haven’t and I won’t’. Leaked passages from Miss Deng’s diary revealed she described having ‘warm feelings’ comparable to a ‘crush’ on Mr Blair, who allegedly stayed at the Murdochs’ California ranch with her in October 2012 and April 2013 while the media mogul was abroad. In 2013, a spokesman for Mr Blair issued a statement saying: ‘If you are asking if they are having an affair, the answer is no.’ Mr Murdoch said this year he was 'shocked' by the claims about Miss Deng and Mr Blair, who is godfather to the couple’s daughter Grace . But the Economist said Mr Blair himself was much less forthcoming. In a lengthy profile of the former prime minister, the respected magazine says: ‘Mr Blair roundly denies any impropriety. Asked whether he was [at least] careless about his reputation, he says calmly that it is “not something I will ever talk about—I haven’t and I won’t”, and then bangs his coffee cup so loudly into its saucer that it spills and everyone in the room jumps. ‘But did he find himself in a tangle over his friendship with Ms Deng? A large, dark pool of sweat has suddenly appeared under his armpit, spreading across an expensive blue shirt. ‘Even Mr Blair’s close friends acknowledge that the saga damaged him — not least financially, since Mr Murdoch stopped contributing to Mr Blair’s faith foundation and cut him off from other friendly donors in America.’ Mr Blair and his wife Cherie also preside over a property empire comprising 10 flats and houses . Mr Murdoch said this year he was ‘shocked’ by the claims about Miss Deng and Mr Blair, who is godfather to the couple’s daughter Grace. He said he filed for divorce a week after staff at the ranch told him of their suspicions. 'Well, you know, everybody was talking about these things and never telling me anything... But then I was told two pretty circumstantial things about the ranch [where Deng had been staying],' Murdoch said in an interview with Forbes magazine . 'I was in Australia. When I got back, I naturally asked the staff, and it opened up. That's the story. And then, you know, a week later I filed. As soon as I could find a lawyer.' The couple divorced last November after 14 years of marriage. Details of lovestruck Deng's note, in which she praised Blair's 'good body,' his 'really, really good legs' and even his 'butt' were revealed by Vanity Fair in February. The Economist said: ‘According to sources at NewsCorp, Mr Murdoch pressed the “mute” button during a confrontational phone call, informed colleagues that he was getting “politicians’ answers” to his questions, and has never spoken to Mr Blair since.’ The new profile, headlined ‘The loneliness of Tony Blair’, paints a picture of a man who is able to command warmth and huge sums of money abroad while being ‘reviled’ in the country where he served as prime minister for 10 years. Mr Blair tells the magazine reports of his wealth have been greatly exaggerated – and suggests he has made no more than about £20 million since leaving office in 2007. The business arm of his operations, Tony Blair Associates, made £13 million last year. Mr Blair and his wife Cherie also preside over a family property empire comprising 10 flats and houses. But Mr Blair told the magazine that he ‘gives away as much as he has earned’, and that he has given away about £10 million. Mr Blair also defended his record in the Middle East. He said he would not ‘until my dying day’ admit that he was wrong to invade Iraq. ‘What annoys people is my refusal to change my mind,’ he says.
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Affair allegations prompted Rupert Murdoch to divorce Wendi Deng .
Blair refused to comment when asked about the claims directly .
Tells Economist magazine the issue is 'not something I will ever talk about'
Profile piece says Blair then banged cup so loudly into saucer that it spilled .
'A large, dark pool of sweat has suddenly appeared under his armpit, spreading across an expensive blue shirt,' says journalist .
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(CNN) -- She was trying to get help for her sister. Help for a woman who was distraught and uneven, having driven to Florida to get away from her husband. Who had gone, at her sister's urging, to a hospital only to sign herself out earlier in the day. A woman who was "talking about Jesus and that there's demons in my house," her sister said on a 911 call. "I'm trying to control her," the sister said, expressing worry about her sister's three children. "... I'm trying to keep them safe." At first, the plea appeared to pay off: Police caught up to the woman -- later identified as Ebony Wilkerson -- after she sped away from her sister's Daytona Beach apartment. An officer questioned her as her three children sat in the Honda Odyssey's backseat, smiling and seemingly calm. Wilkerson explained that she feared for her safety, worried that her estranged husband would harm them. According to a Daytona Beach Police report, the officer believed she might have a mental illness. Despite these concerns, the officer talked to a detective also at the scene and let her go on her way, concluding she couldn't be held under a Florida law that allows for detention of people believed to be impaired by mental illness and who possibly pose a risk of harm. Almost two hours later Tuesday, Wilkerson drove her black minivan -- with the three kids still inside -- into the surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Tim Tesseneer was driving along Daytona Beach on Tuesday with his wife when they noticed the minivan driving through shallow water. They heard the screams, he said, of two children, who were crying and waving for help out of one of the rear windows. Tesseneer threw the car in park and raced over to help. One child was screaming, Tesseneer recalled Wednesday to CNN's Piers Morgan. "'Please help us, our mom is trying to kill us.'" The other child he could see was wrestling a woman for the steering wheel. But the woman just kept saying, "'We're OK. We're OK. We're OK,'" as another man joined Tesseneer trying to get the driver to stop. With the minivan in the cold, heavy surf of the Atlantic, the second man, Stacy Robinson, opened a door and pulled out the two panicked children. There was a good chance if he and Tesseneer hadn't been there, the children, ages 10 and 9, would have drowned inside the van as it pitched in the water, officials said. Another child, a 3-year-old girl, was strapped in a car seat. A lifeguard dived in through a front window and unbuckled the child and handed her to another lifeguard as the vehicle bobbed in water about 3 feet deep. Meanwhile, Wilkerson walked away quietly with a strange, almost "possessed" look on her face, witnesses said. Not for long. Authorities quickly caught up to her. And on Friday she was officially arrested on three counts of attempted first-degree murder, according to Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson. Given what authorities have said since Tuesday's incident, the charges hardly come as a surprise. Still, as more details come out -- like the sister's 911 call and the charging affidavit -- they paint an ever more disturbing picture, especially for Wilkerson's children. For evidence of their ordeal, one need only listen to what all three continuously uttered when officers caught up with them at Halifax Health Medical Center. "Mom tried to kill us." Mom said: 'I am keeping all of us safe' The story begins in South Carolina, where Wilkerson and her children had been until she made the decision to leave the state, to leave her husband behind. Her children later detailed the fractured relationship between their parents, as well as the time her son got into trouble after speaking to authorities probing a domestic situation there. "She came down to me for protection," Wilkerson's sister explained in her 911 call, of the quartet coming to the eastern Florida coast. Wilkerson's sister was especially concerned about protecting the three children. Wilkerson's fragile mental state led her to call police to ask for a well-being check "because she's ... having psychosis or something or postpartum." The sister explained they'd gone to the hospital Monday, only to have a pregnant Wilkerson check herself out the next day even though "she's still not all there." And she'd taken away the minivan's keys so her sister couldn't drive away with her children. Or so she thought. However she did it, Wilkerson drove off as her sister talked with police. That was followed by the initial encounter with the officer and detective, then later the incident on Daytona Beach. The children later told investigators that their mother told them "to close their eyes and go to sleep." As they screamed as the minivan went into the water, she insisted she was taking them to a better place, saying repeatedly: "I am keeping all of us safe." After their rescue, Wilkerson herself talked to authorities. "She seemed confused and jumped from one religious topic to another," states the charging affidavit. Wilkerson explained at one point that she'd been driving "too close to the water (when) the waves pulled her in." Then, near the end of their talk, she said she did not want her husband around her children. On Thursday night, an arrest warrant was signed for Wilkerson. And shortly after 11 a.m. -- after being released from Halifax Health -- she was arrested. Wilkerson was being held on three counts of aggravated child abuse in addition to the first-degree murder charge, Johnson said Friday. Her bond has been set at $1.2 million, said James Purdy, the elected public defender for the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Purdy said he would seek a court hearing on that bond, which could occur in the next week or so. He said he was going to speak with Wilkerson on Saturday. Investigators have claimed in the charging affidavit: "Ebony Wilkerson acted with premeditated design to kill her three children. CNN's Jason Hanna, Steve Almasy, Nick Valencia and Michael Martinez contributed to this report.
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NEW: Wilkerson's bond is set at $1.2 million, public defender says .
Ebony Wilkerson's sister called 911 asking for a well-being check .
Wilkerson signed herself out of a hospital; her sister worried she wasn't well .
After being stopped by police, Wilkerson drove into the Atlantic with kids in car .
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By . John Hall . PUBLISHED: . 12:42 EST, 10 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:51 EST, 10 February 2014 . Scroll down for video . This is the shocking moment an elderly woman sparked mayhem on the roads after driving along a busy dual carriageway at 50mph in the wrong direction. Terrified drivers were forced to take . evasive action to avoid ploughing into the unidentified woman's red Citroen as it sped towards oncoming traffic along the A11 and A14 roads in Cambridgeshire. Thankfully Cambridgeshire Police were able to set up a road block to stop the woman, who they said was suffering from mental health issues, before anybody was hurt. Terrifiying: Drivers were forced to take evasive action to avoid ploughing into the unidentified woman's red Citroen as it sped towards oncoming traffic along the A11 and A14 roads in Cambridgeshire . The shocking incident was captured on video by Tom Hind, 40, who watched in horror from the back seat of a vehicle driving along the same road, only in the right direction. Mr Hind, a piano technician from Hornchurch, East London, dialled 999 as soon as he saw the woman travelling at high speed along the busy dual carriageway. He says police told him they had already been swamped with calls over the incident. Mr Hind said: 'I saw someone driving the wrong way and it took me a minute to process what was actually happening.' 'It was quite startling and I immediately called the police and they said they'd been inundated with calls from people telling them someone was driving the wrong way at speed,' he added. Thankfully Cambridgeshire Police were able to set up a road block to stop the woman, who they said was suffering from mental health issues, before anybody was hurt . A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police confirmed the woman was spoken to by officers, but said it was later decided not to be in the public interest to press charges . Mr Hind says it was at this point that he took out his camera and began filming. Throughout the clip, a number of cars travelling in the opposite direction can be seen swerving out of the woman's way, while others flash their headlights to try to get her to stop. Mr Hind said: 'They must have been going for about 10 or 15 miles. It's an absolute miracle that no-one was hurt.' 'I could see cars pulling out of the way as the driver was on the outside lane...The driver was eventually stopped by police in the same lane.' Mr Hind says the woman eventually came to a 'huge' road block and thankfully slowed down in time to avoid ploughing into it. He described the fact nobody was hurt as 'miraculous'. A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police told MailOnline that the woman was spoken to by officers, but said it was later decided not to be in the public interest to press charges. They said that they had reported the woman to the DVLA however, and confirmed that her vehicle has been impounded.
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Elderly woman drove her red Citroen in the wrong direction for 10 miles .
She tore along the busy A11 and A14 roads in Cambridgeshire at 50mph .
She was eventually brought to a halt after police set up a 'huge' road block .
The elderly woman is believed to be suffering from mental health issues .
Officers decided to let her off as arresting her 'wasn't in the public interest'
She was reported to the DVLA, however, and her vehicle has been seized .
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An elite Tory dining club that enjoys direct access to David Cameron in return for cash has given more than £43million to the party, it can be revealed. The secretive Leader’s Group of major donors is open only to those prepared to give the Conservatives at least £50,000 a year. In return, they are promised regular dinners, lunches and drinks reception with the Prime Minister and other senior Tory figures. Social: David Cameron MP and wife Samantha entertain guests at The Conservative Summer Party, held in The Grounds of The Royal Hospital Chelsea, London . No list of members has ever been published and details of the topics discussed are never revealed. But data released to the Daily Mail in the wake of the 2012 ‘Dinners for donors’ row reveals that 72 members of the group have taken the opportunity to dine privately with Mr Cameron and other senior ministers in the past 18 months. Between them, they have given the party £43.4million since 2001. Some have attended at least six Leader’s Group events since 2012. The decision to publish limited data follows controversy in 2012 when it emerged that Mr Cameron had hosted secret dinners for major donors at his Downing Street flat and at Chequers. Ministers always denied that donors had used their access to influence policy but quarterly lists of donors who have attended events with the Prime Minister are now published. Under fire: A critics said these events where David Cameron, pictured was present were 'straight up cash for access of the type that we¿ve got very used to in this country' The disclosures will, however, raise concerns about the influence of behind-the-scenes lobbying and the ability of the rich to buy access to Mr Cameron. Other ministers who have attended the events include Chancellor George Osborne, Foreign Secretary William Hague, Home Secretary Theresa May, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Defence Secretary Philip Hammond. There is no evidence that the hedge fund bosses, property magnates, oil executives and others involved have ever asked for or received policy changes. But critics warn that the secrecy surrounding the events will inevitably raise suspicions. Tory sources insist that, in publishing the names of those attending functions with the Prime Minister, they are being more open than Labour. Ed Miliband has failed to keep his pledge to publish regular lists of meetings with union barons and other major donors. A Tory source said it was ‘malicious’ to suggest that members of the Leader’s Group enjoy undue influence. But Alexandra Runswick, director of campaign group Unlock Democracy, said the revelations would fuel public concern. ‘Whenever there is secrecy there is suspicion,’ she said. ‘It is very difficult for a member of the public to see a businessman spending £50,000 to meet David Cameron at a private dinner and not feel there is something going on that is not in their interests.’ The Leader’s Group was set up in 2003 and has grown to become a key part of Tory fundraising. Membership is dominated by financiers. Those attending dinners in the past 18 months include a dozen hedge fund bosses and five bankers, including three former executives from failed banks Lehman Brothers and Barings. The group also includes the wives of two controversial Middle Eastern businessmen not eligible to donate in their own right. Tamasin Cave, of the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency, said the Leader’s Group was the ‘tip of the iceberg’ in the hidden world of secret influence: ‘It’s straight up cash for access of the type that we’ve got very used to in this country. A seat at these dinner parties provides these businessmen with a private space in which to discuss their concerns, whether its taxes, regulation or policy. They’re not just social occasions. ‘At the same time, the Government... is pretending to expose such lobbying with a sham register of lobbyists. People are fed up with a system that provides an open door to government for the wealthy and well connected, while everyone else is excluded.’ Access: David Cameron had hosted secret dinners for major donors at his Downing Street flat and at Chequers, pictured, it has emerged . Labour MP Michael Dugher said: ‘It’s no wonder the Prime Minister stands up for the wrong people when he is selling access to a privileged few.’ But Labour was silent on why Mr Miliband has failed to publish details of his own meetings with major donors, including the trade union bosses who have bankrolled his leadership to the tune of more than £24million since 2010. A Conservative Party spokesman insisted that the operation of the Leader’s Group was above board and all donations declared to the Electoral Commission. The revelations follow controversy this week over the Government’s refusal to publish a full list of the people entertained by Mr Cameron at Chequers. Tory sources said data showed that since 2012 no dinners had been held for donors at the PM’s official residences, including Chequers. The Conservatives declined to say where Leader’s Group dinners are now held or what is discussed. Members of the Leader’s Group include Russian businessman Alexander Temerko, right, who has attended two events and donated more than £200,000 to the Tories since 2012. Mr Temerko runs a wind farm firm, Offshore Group Newcastle. Last summer he paid £90,000 for a . bust of Mr Cameron at a Tory fundraising event. The Leader’s Group also includes the wives of two controversial Middle Eastern businessmen. May . Makhzoumi, pictured below with her husband, who has given more than £1million since 2010, is married to Lebanese businessman Fouad Makhzoumi, who was caught up in a scandal involving Conservative Cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken. Rosemary Said, who has given the party . almost £580,000, is married to Syrian-born businessman Wafic Said who . made a fortune as a fixer to the Saudi Royal Family, including the . controversial Al Yamamah arms deal with the UK. Scottish property tycoon Malcolm Scott, who has given almost £850,000, attended a dinner with Mr Cameron in the spring of 2012 while his business empire was collapsing. It has since gone under, leaving debts of millions. Venture capitalist Adrian Beecroft, right, attracted controversy in 2012 after writing a report for Mr Cameron on cutting red tape, which included a proposal to allow employers to fire staff at will. Mr Beecroft has given more than £750,000 but his key recommendation was rejected by the Government because of opposition from the Liberal Democrats. Others the list include the celebrity hairdresser John Frieda, who has given the party more than £260,000, musician Michael Batt, who has donated more than £160,000, and Carphone Warehouse co-founder David Ross, who has donated more than £220,000. The Leader’s Group also contains some of Britain’s wealthiest individuals. Richest is the industrialist Sir Anthony Bamford, whose family is worth an estimated £3.1 billion and who has given more than £2.5million. Others include the hedge fund boss Michael Hintze and pharmaceuticals magnate Lord Ballyedmond.
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Leader’s Group of major donors open only to those giving £50,000 a year .
Secrecy surrounding the events will raise suspicions, opponents warn .
Critic: Dining clubs is 'tip of the iceberg' in the world of secret influence .
An earlier version of this article said Alexander Temerko was wanted for fraud in Russia and that donations he made to the Conservative Party were cleared by the Electoral Commission. We are happy to clarify that a British court found that the charges were politically motivated and that the donations did not require clearance because Mr Temerko is a British citizen.
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Raymond van Barneveld produced one of the performances of the tournament so far as he blitzed Rowby-John Rodriguez in his first-round match at the World Darts Championship. The five-time world champion averaged an astonishing 125.25 and hit three straight 12 darters in the final set of his 3-0 crushing of the young Austrian. The Dutchman also hit three 180s and checkouts of 167 and 170 as he only dropped two legs at Alexandra Palace on Monday. Raymond van Barneveld produced a strong showing as he eased into the second round at Alexandra Palace . Barney dropped just two legs and checked out 167 and 170 on his way to victory . VIDEO Watch Barney's 170 checkout! Van Barneveld decided to ditch the glasses he had been trialing at previous event, and the move paid off. He told Sky Sports: 'I tried to play in three tournaments in glasses and I never ever felt comfortable. The view is fantastic, it's like playing in HD, but tonight I've hit a 167 and 170 without glasses. 'I feel brilliant after that. You want to win before Christams, you want to go home happy and celebrate with your family and be happy, you don't want to lose and go home for Christmas after losing. The Dutchman had been playing with glasses, but decided to take them off for this tournament . Van Barneveld makes his way to the stage for his first-round match at the World Darts Championship . VIDEO Stunning start from van Barneveld . 'I fly back home tomorrow and have a day off but will be back practising soon, because this is the big one that we all want to win so there's no time to rest. I've changed back to some older darts, these are the same darts as the Premier League and World Cup, I tried a new set during the summer but after those finishes I'll stick with these.' Also on Monday night, Phil Taylor's conqueror last year Michael Smith hit nine 180s to see off Mensur Suljovic in a high-quality match that saw both players average just shy of 100. Michael Smith beat Mensur Suljovic in a high-quality match which saw both players average just shy of 100 . The night started with a challenge between England cricketers Jimmy Anderson (left) and Alastair Cook . All four sets went down to a deciding leg, but it was Smith who held his nerve to win three of them and take his place in the second round, even though his three-dart average of 97.47 was slightly less than his opponent's 98.91. In the first match of the evening, Jamie Caven held off Jason Hogg for a 3-2 win while Brendan Dolan rounded off Monday's action with a 3-0 win over Nolan Arandse without dropping a single leg. VIDEO Cricket meets darts: Cook vs Anderson .
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Raymond van Barneveld beats Rowby-John Rodriguez in first round .
Dutchman dropped just two legs as he smashed his opponent .
Barney hit three straight 12-darters and averaged 125.25 in the final set .
Michael Smith beats Mensur Suljovic in high-quality contest .
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Barack Obama has been accused of being disrespectful after being caught chewing gum during the Republic Day parade in India. A photo of the President removing the gum from his mouth before popping it back in, has been shared across Twitter. At the time, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears to be trying to explain something to the president. 'In an ungainly sight, cameras caught US President Brack Obama chewing gum during the Republic Day parade on Monday. In the picture captured by cameras and posted on Twitter by some users, Obama was spotted removing his chewing gum while PM Modi was seen trying to explain something to the US president,' the Times of India wrote. Scroll down for video . U.S. President Barack Obama has been accused of being disrespectful, after being caught chewing gum during the Republic Day parade in India . Twitter user Shobhaa De was critical of the president saying 'seriously - gum during a formal parade'. White House Correspondent Peter Baker speculated that Obama was most probably chewing Nicorette . Twitter user Shobhaa De wrote: 'Barack bhai working his jaws overtime and chewing gum! At least it's isn't gutka. But seriously - gum during a formal parade?' American media speculated that Mr Obama was most probably chewing Nicorette. Peter Baker, a White House correspondent, tweeted, 'Obama appears to be enjoying parade, shown on Indian television bobbing his head with the music. Seems to be chewing gum, probably Nicorette.' David B Cohen tweeted: 'That's his 21-gum salute RT @Vamsee9002: Just now saw Prez Obama chewing something.' In November The Washington Post reported that Mr Obama was using the Nicorette to try and beat his cigarette cravings. Its report said: 'For Obama, gum isn't about vanity' and said his aides had described the president's quest to kick cigarettes as a 'lifelong struggle'. This isn't the first time Obama has been caught chewing gum. He was lambasted on social media for doing so at the APEC summit in Beijing and at a Second World War ceremony in France. Obama sits next to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, during the Republic Day parade . Along with first lady Michelle Obama, the president was greeted with rapturous applause as he joined the parade in New Delhi as part of a three-day visit to India aimed at strengthening relations . Mr Obama was honored as the chief guest at India's annual parade and took in grand displays of Indian military hardware, marching bands, elaborately dressed camels and acrobatic feats. Along with first lady Michelle Obama, the president was greeted with rapturous applause as he joined the parade in New Delhi as part of a three-day visit to India. The visit is aimed at strengthening a relationship between the world's largest democracies that has at times been fraught with tension and suspicion. Mr Obama's attendance at the Republic Day celebrations was unlike any other event he has participated in during his overseas travel as president. He spent about two hours on an outdoor viewing platform, an unusual amount of time given Secret Service security concerns. Mr Obama nodded in approval as Indian tanks and rocket launchers, some of them Russian-made, rolled down the parade route and air force jets sped by overhead. Obama nodded in approval as Indian tanks and rocket launchers, some of them Russian-made, rolled down the parade route and air force jets sped by overhead . The colorful parade feature decorated camels and street performers as well as military displays . Obama gave a thumbs-up to the acrobatic balancing act of several groups of men on motorbikes . Republic Day marks the anniversary of India's democratic constitution taking force in 1950. Beyond the show of military power, the parade included ornate floats highlighting India's cultural diversity. Obama gave a thumbs-up to the acrobatic balancing act of several groups of men on motorbikes, while Mrs Obama smiled broadly at dance performance by young children. Following the parade, the Obamas were to attend a reception with dignitaries at Rashtrapati Bhawan, the sprawling presidential palace. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation for Mr Obama to attend the parade surprised White House officials. After some internal deliberation, Mr Obama ultimately decided to attend and has sought to use the visit to turn his burgeoning personal friendship with Modi into policy breakthroughs.
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U.S. President is on a three day relationship-building visit to India .
He was apparently pictured chewing gum during .
It has been suggested Obama was most probably chewing Nicorette .
Kicking the smoking habit is said to be a 'lifelong struggle' for Obama .
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(CNN) -- Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager whom the Taliban tried to murder, is asking a graduate school not to name its institution after her. Girls were afraid that attending the Malala Yousafzai Post Graduate College for Women in the Taliban-dominated Swat Valley would attract the attention of fighters like the ones who gunned down Malala and two other girls on a school bus in October, according to Kamran Rehman Khan, a top official in the Swat Valley. The Saidu Sharif Post Graduate School briefly changed its name to recognize Malala's brave campaign for girls' education in Pakistan. The Taliban are against girls being in the classroom and have threatened to kill anyone who defies them. Several students told Khan that they respect Malala but are concerned about their safety, he said. Khan told CNN that Malala called him Monday evening from her hospital room in England where she's recovering from bullet wounds to her head and neck. She wants the school to remove her name, but she wishes for people to continue to fight for girls to go to school, he said. "I was so impressed that despite having threats against her life, she was talking about girls' education in the region and against militants," Khan said. Malala first got an international platform at age 11 when the BBC gave her a chance to write a blog about going to school despite a Taliban edict forbidding girls in the classroom. She gave an interview to CNN and other outlets, bravely insisting that girls had every right to an education. On October 9, the 15-year-old was on a school van in Swat Valley. Taliban gunmen stopped the vehicle and demanded that other girls tell them which one was Malala. They did. She was shot, as were two other girls who survived the attack. "We do not tolerate people like Malala speaking against us," a Taliban spokesman later said, vowing to come after her if she managed to live. Malala was in critical condition, but doctors in England have helped her recover over the past several months. She suffered no major brain or nerve damage. She is walking, writing and reading again. Malala was selected as runner-up for Time magazine's Person of the Year.
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Official: Girls at school newly named after the teen said they were afraid .
They fear naming the college after teen shot by Taliban would make them a target .
Malala Yousafzai called official to say her name should be removed .
Malala was attacked on her way to school October 9 by Taliban gunmen .
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By . Mail On Sunday Reporter . Rapid decline: Mother of one Sarah Tinay, 32, died within days of complaining about pain in her arm . A young mother died of a rare flesh-eating disease after a GP mistook her condition for a frozen shoulder. Sarah Tinay, 32, died within days of complaining about the pain in her arm. Her GP gave her painkillers but the discomfort got worse and a few days later her father, Ken Clark, took her to Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. After a CT scan, she was diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis, a condition in which bacteria starts killing healthy tissue. If not caught quickly it leads to blood poisoning and multiple organ failure. Mrs Tinay was immediately prepared for surgery but she died on the operating table. Just before she went into theatre her father told her: ‘You will soon be back with your family.’ Mr Clark said: ‘I gave her a kiss and she smiled and I said, “Dad always knows best.” That was the last time we spoke.’ Mrs Tinay’s husband Paul, 39, who has been left to bring up the couple’s 16-month-old daughter Lauren alone, is refusing to blame the GP at Wellington House Practice in Princes Risborough who saw his wife. IT salesman Mr Tinay believes the reason his wife succumbed to the disease will remain ‘a complete mystery’. Necrotising fasciitis can be caused by common bacteria. It normally breaks out only in people with weakened immune systems such as the frail. Mistake: A GP at Wellington House Practice, pictured, in Princes Risborough had mistaken a rare flesh-eating bug for a frozen shoulder. However, Paul Tinay is refusing to blame the doctor for his wife's death .
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Sarah Tiney, 32, died within days of complaining about pain in her arm .
Her GP had mistaken a rare flesh-eating disease for a frozen shoulder .
Husband Paul, 39, says he does not blame doctor for his wife's death .
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(CNN) -- Hungry for the comforting food you grew up with? Thanks to some enterprising online retailers, your favorite regional flavors may be just a click away. Cookbook authors Matt and Ted Lee now split their time between New York and their childhood hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. But adjusting to the Big Apple wasn't easy at first for the two brothers. During their first New York winter in 1994, the Lee brothers suffered from serious twinges of homesickness. They sought solace in a childhood favorite -- the unroasted, saltwater-boiled peanuts sold by roadside vendors back home. After procuring 50 pounds of raw peanuts from a Bronx produce market, they set a portion to boiling in a stockpot on the stove. "Within minutes of our return, the apartment began to fill with steam that smelled like hay, sweet potatoes and tea; about eight hours later, we were cracking the peanut shells, with brine running over our hands, and slurping the nuts down," the two wrote in their James Beard Award-winning "The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook" (W.W. Norton & Co.). The heavenly taste of the peanuts transported them home. "Their earthy, beanlike flavor, in that cramped room overlooking the heroin dealers and hipsters on Ludlow Street, conjured up the creek banks and marshes south of Charleston. The feeling of having cheated geography through food was exhilarating," they wrote. A legume-selling obsession began as the brothers sought to share the special treat. The Lees took to the streets -- and then a printed catalog and eventually set up a website, boiledpeanuts.com -- selling the peanuts and other regional staples such as sorghum molasses, pickled artichokes and watermelon rind and stone-ground grits to displaced Southerners all over the country. But the South hardly has a corner on marketing to hometown appetites in other states. A server at the Who's On Third Deli & Grill in Spring Lake, New Jersey, was recently overheard advising a former native about where to buy the region's signature processed ham, known as pork roll. Said she, "I know there's a website that sells it to people who miss it. Wish I'd thought of that -- I'd make a million dollars." She'd have to woo customers away from other pork roll online providers such as Jersey Boy Pork Roll, House of Pork Roll and Jersey Pork Roll -- all of which cater to the tastes of transplanted Garden Staters, with the latter offering East Coast favorites such as Tastykake and Drake's snack cakes, Fralinger's Salt Water Taffy and Sabrett's hot dogs. The website hones hunger pangs with a page sharing loyal patrons' memories of Taylor Pork Roll. Grateful customer Lynn Cruse of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, remembers her family's yearly stop at Atlantic City's Taylor Pork Roll booth. "Dad, a connoisseur of all delicious foods, felt the experience was worth the expense. We would each get a sandwich and I remember eating it as slowly as I could, savoring each delicious bite, knowing the memory of the sandwich would have to last a whole year. Although my dad passed several years ago, when I savor one of your delicious pork roll sandwiches, I feel him with me." Soda fans misty for New England's classic Moxie, Kentucky's Ale-8-1 or Michigan favorite Vernors Ginger Ale can get their fix via Virginia Beach-based online retailer, the aptly named The Hard To Find Grocer. The company, founded in 1996, specializes in regional favorites that traditional grocery stores might not sell enough of to justify shelf room. As the physical space is a warehouse not open to the public, there's plenty of room for New Orleans' Zatarain's Creole Mustard and Greenville, South Carolina's Duke's Mayonnaise -- an essential in many Southern recipes -- alongside pickles from Toledo's Tony Packo's and Rhode Island's indigenous coffee syrup Autocrat. Devotees of particular products can either click over to aggregators of regional products, such as cincinnatifavorites, cajungrocer, tastesofchicago, newyorkfirst or themississippigiftcompany or go straight to the source. Classic brands such as North Carolina's Cheerwine soft drink and Chattanooga Bakery's MoonPie, both established in the early 1900s, have embraced online marketing and selling to keep up with the demands of their widespread clientele. And these indulgences come at a price. Often, small producers cannot ship throughout the entire year -- for instance vendors of Buffalo's Sponge Candy cannot subject their delicate, heat-sensitive delicacy to higher temperatures throughout the summer -- or must tack on shipping charges that may be equal or higher than the items being shipped. Still, homesick eaters are more than willing to shell out for their beloved treats. "Nostalgia is a major ingredient, and then the comforting effect that familiar foods have on the psyche. We tend to take the flavors of our upbringing for granted until we move away -- then they become priceless experiences," Ted Lee told CNN. Some favorite dishes don't translate to those who didn't grow up treasuring them. This writer's husband was less than impressed by the the traditional Cincinnati-style, Greek-influenced Skyline Chili she'd ordered online and served as a "Four Way" with cheese and onions over spaghetti, while she blanches at the sugar shock of his beloved North Carolina sweet tea. But that's not the end of the world. It just means you won't have to share your favorites.
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Some regional treats are a comforting taste of home if you live elsewhere .
These include boiled peanuts from the South, New Jersey's pork rolls, Ohio's chili .
Some online venders will ship regional favorites to your door .
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By . Mark Duell . PUBLISHED: . 05:38 EST, 19 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:18 EST, 19 February 2013 . He’s certainly not the type of man you would expect to simply ignore somebody who left him angry. And when Jeremy Clarkson had his Twitter account hacked yesterday morning by someone giving his 1.3million followers a link to ‘the fastest way to lose body fat in two weeks’, he vowed to take revenge. The 52-year-old BBC Top Gear host said seven hours later: ‘I have been hacked by spammers. Luckily I have acquired a special set of skills over many years. I will find them. And I will kill them.’ Getting his own back: After Jeremy Clarkson had his Twitter account hacked by someone promising his 1.3million followers 'the fastest way to lose body fat in two weeks', he has vowed to take revenge . A tweet was first posted by hackers at 11:13am yesterday with a link to a website, but it was simply one of many scams which claim you can lose miraculous amounts of weight by eating acai berries. Clarkson later responded with a tweet at 6:18pm to say he would find the hackers, and then another at 11:41pm, saying: ‘Unlike some people, I will find who hacked my account. And I will visit them.’ His first tweet was paraphrasing a quote from the 2008 thriller Taken, when Liam Neeson, who plays an ex-CIA agent trying to save his daughter, says: 'I will look for you, I will find you and I will kill you.'. Security journalist Graham Cluley said Clarkson probably 'either . had his password phished, guessed or cracked, or granted a rogue . third party application rights to post from his account'. He gave this advice on the Sophos Naked Security blog: 'Clarkson should change his password and revoke the rights of any application connected to his Twitter account that he doesn't recognise.' Original: A tweet was first posted by hackers at 11:13am yesterday with a link to a website, but it was simply one of many scams which claim you can lose miraculous amounts of weight by eating acai berries . Response: The 52-year-old Top Gear host said seven hours after the tweet that he would 'kill' the spammers . Not happy: Clarkson also said on Twitter yesterday that he would 'find who hacked my account' and 'visit them' It came on the same day that fast food . chain Burger King found its Twitter account, which now has more than . 110,000 followers - up from 80,000 yesterday - had been hacked by a . McDonald’s fan. The branding of their page was changed to feature their rival’s food - and even their logo and name were changed, appearing as McDonalds @BurgerKing. But it has since changed back to normal. A tweet at 2:59am today on the page, which has been recaptured by the company, said: ‘Interesting day here at Burger King, but we're back. Welcome to our new followers. Hope you all stick around.’
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Top Gear host's Twitter account was hacked by weight-loss spammers .
Posted link to his 1.3millions to one of many acai berry scam websites .
Clarkson said he had 'special set of skills' and would 'find and kill them'
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(CNN) -- A high-profile defector from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime fled the country because he is outraged over the government's brutality, an activist told CNN. Omar al Muqdad, a Syrian journalist and opposition activist, said he spoke to Brig. Gen. Manaf Tlas on Thursday night during an interview on Skype. Tlas is a Republican Guard military commander, the son of a former defense minister and possibly the most senior Sunni in a power structure dominated by the Alawite minority. He escaped from the Syrian city of Rastan to Turkey with the help of the Maher Noaimi Brigade of the rebel Free Syrian Army, al Muqdad said. But his whereabouts at present are not known, said al Muqdad, who once worked as a translator and journalist for CNN. A Western diplomat who reported the defection said Tlas has been estranged from the regime over the killing of Sunnis. Al Muqdad said Tlas passed on similar sentiments, calling the regime brutal and al-Assad a dictator. He said Tlas said he left the regime because he doesn't want to be involved in any actions that would harm Syrians. Tlas said he's not going to join the opposition now, al Muqdad said. But a U.S. official who is not authorized to speak on the record said if Tlas did join the insurgency, it would be "significant." Reports of Tlas' defection first surfaced Thursday, and Western officials are saying he is on his way to Paris. His father, former Defense Minister Mustafa Tlas, and the rest of his family are in Paris, the official said. Syria has been engulfed in nearly 16 months of unrest, resulting in thousands of deaths. Manaf Tlas' defection comes as government assaults against protesters led to a nationwide uprising. His departure is regarded as a stunning blow to the embattled regime. "He's an inside confidant of Assad. So it counts that even an insider thinks it's time to go," said one Western official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Pentagon spokesman Capt. John Kirby said the "crack in the inner circle" is "significant" because of Tlas' position and ties with the Assad family. "We don't believe this defection should be taken lightly," he said. Andrew Tabler, Syria expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said it's "by far the biggest defection." "This is a good-sized step in the right direction," he said The Tlas family knows "how the place is wired." Rafif Jouejati, spokeswoman for the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria, called the development "quite significant." "It signals that the domino effect of defections is speeding up as longtime regime supporters and collaborators realize that Assad's ship is sinking fast. Expect more defections in the coming days as the regime accelerates its scorched-earth policy in a desperate attempt to destroy as much as possible before falling apart," she told CNN. Jeffrey White, a defense fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the defection "raises questions about the cohesions of his brigade and division." White recently wrote an essay describing the mounting pressures on the Syrian military, including the growing opposition clout and defections. He told CNN on Friday that the "defection process is accelerating somewhat and that we are getting more reports of higher-ranking officers leaving." Tlas had been "the commander of an important regime protection unit, a component of the Republican Guard Division, whose main responsibility in the current conflict has been the defense of Damascus," White said. The defection reflects two important trends, he said. One is that many of the higher-ranking defectors are staff officers and medical officers. Tlas, in contrast, is from a combat unit. "If we start seeing more defections from the higher ranks of combat units that will be significant," White said. The move also might indicate that the regime "cannot count on the Sunnis it has so far kept in the fold." "It will create suspicions within the regime about 'loyalist' Sunnis and 'loyalist' Sunnis will be wondering what the regime has in store for them. Some will likely split, if they can find a safe path for themselves and their families. Manaf's defection will undoubtedly heighten the awareness of the regime's security personnel." Ted Kattouf, a former U.S. ambassador to Syria, said the defection was "psychologically" important, "but it's not going to bring down the regime." He said a "much bigger blow" would be the defection of an Alawite senior officer. Joshua Landis, a Syria expert at the University of Oklahoma, said Thursday in a post on his blog Syria Comment that if Tlas has indeed fled the country, "the regime will be thrown back on its heels." Tlas "was a close confidant of Bashar from his earliest days and part of his inner circle," Landis said. And he "supported a policy of negotiation, flexibility and compromise" but "was overruled by the military leadership and has since looked for a way out." For example, Tlas had been ordered to solve problems in the restive Damascus suburban towns of Harasta and Douma, Landis said. "He did a good job by negotiating with the opposition leaders in both suburbs, agreeing that both government forces and opposition would pull back," Landis said. But, Landis said, the "Alawi leadership said 'no, that is not how we are going to do this.' They pushed him aside and came down like a ton of bricks on the opposition in both neighborhoods, in an effort to assert state authority and crush the uprising through military means." Tlas is "perhaps the most senior Sunni in the regime because he was a close friend of Bashar," Landis wrote. "For 16 months the opposition has been complaining that elite Sunnis have not defected. That complaint can now, officially, be put to rest if the stories of Manaf's flight prove to be true. In March it was rumored that he had led with his father and brother, but those stories were false," he wrote. Tlas exudes charisma, and Landis describes him as "smart, dashing and cunning." "Manaf is as handsome as a movie star and carried a lot of authority. He was a true military guy and had spent his entire life in the military, unlike Bashar. People close to him say that when he walked into a room, all eyes turned to him. Not only did women find him attractive, but men did as well. He carried himself with an air of self-confidence and authority," Landis said. The Tlas family has been part of the Syrian power structure during the tenure of Bashar and his father, Hafez Assad. "When foreign statesmen or Syrians thought of a Sunni who could possibly take power, Manaf had to be at the top of the list or very close to the top," he said. "Manaf is respected by Bashar's generation and a military leader." There has been a lot of buzz about the development on the streets of Damascus and the pages of Facebook. One man wrote it's important because the Tlas family wasn't just pro-regime, "they are the regime." Another activist said, "You idiots, defect before it's too late. Tlas saved himself at the very last moment." While opposition voices welcome the move, they voiced suspicion and scorn. "Should we work with him? No, never," said one. Another said, "(H)e and his father and brother should return the money they stole from the Syrian people first." This comment is an apparent reference to Manaf Tlas' brother Firas, a businessman. Firas Tlas has been in favor of reform in Syria. He told reporters in 2005 there was a "huge expectation" from Syrians of economic change. CNN's Barbara Starr, Pam Benson and journalist Shiyar Sayed Mohamad contributed to this report.
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NEW: Activist says Brig. Gen. Manaf Tlas doesn't plan to join the opposition at present .
Tlas was perhaps the most senior Sunni in Bashar al-Assad's regime, scholar says .
Tlas was disgusted with the killing of Sunnis, a Western official says .
The Tlas family knows "how the place is wired," a Syria expert says .
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By . Lucy Waterlow . PUBLISHED: . 06:48 EST, 18 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 09:35 EST, 18 May 2012 . She lives alone on a rural farm and spends her days in the company of sheep and border collies, so it's no wonder shepherdess Emma Gray has admitted she's lonely. The modern day Little Bo Peep rejected 21st century life to run a remote sheep farm in Hexham, Northumberland, three years ago, and now says she'd love to meet someone to share her life with. 'I would like someone to share my life with but it’s hard because it’s not really a job where you meet guys,' she said. 'When I tell people what I do most of the time they don’t believe me and they are quite shocked.' High on a hill is a lonely shepherdess: Emma Gray would love to meet someone to share her life with . The 26-year-old first started herding sheep on her grandparent’s farm as a child and got a degree in sheep management after leaving school. At the age of 23, she became the sole tenant of a hill farm with no electricity or gas after breaking up with her fiancé. She then went on to represent England in the International Sheepdog trials. Now Emma, who has a flock of 150 sheep and a squad of 13 sheepdogs, has written a book, One Girl and her Dogs, about her solitary country life and hopes for companionship. 'I can live without mains gas and mains electricity and I make sure I speak to one person a day... I suppose my situation is quite unusual,' she admitted. 'Let’s face it. I’m a 26-year-old girl living alone, miles from the nearest main road.' Emma grew up on the farm of her dad Richard, 53, and mother Helen, 49, near Hawick, in the Scottish borders, and was helping round up sheep as soon as she could walk. One girl and her dogs: Emma also takes part in international sheepdog trials . But the family’s idyllic life turned sour with the outbreak of foot and mouth disease which devastated their flock. The troubled times didn’t stop Emma and at the age of 19 she got her first job as a shepherdess at a farm in Hexham, Northumberland. She worked on there for four years and at the age of 23 put in a bid to the National Trust for the farm. Despite fierce competition, The National Trust chose Emma to take on the responsibility in November 2009. She said: 'When I first saw the farm it was very run-down but there were lots of people looking around wanting to buy it. I don’t know why the National Trust chose me over older, more experienced farmers with families. Maybe it was because of my enthusiasm. Farming is in my blood and I like a challenge.'Emma took out a £10,000 bank loan and moved in that winter. She spent the first few weeks living in the kitchen as the entire house was flooded due to burst pipes. She set to work redecorating and even reconstructed a dry stone wall with her bare hands. She now makes a living breeding livestock and sheepdogs, as well as training dogs for trials. Last year, she represented England at the International Sheepdog Trials with her top dog, Roy, in Tain, in the Highlands. Rural living: The shepherdess has no mains gas or electricity at her hill tip farm . She has only been on one holiday since taking over the farm as she doesn't like to leave her animals for more than one night. Socialising can also be difficult because of her remote abode. 'I like to go for a drink with my friends once a week but it takes about 45 minutes to get to the pub and I can’t drink because I’m usually driving,' she said. 'I tried to have a house party when I first moved in but the generator broke and the lights went out, the whole thing was a disaster. Needless to say I haven’t had one since.' But the shepherdess is keen to start dating in the hope of finding Mr Right. 'I can still go out, it just takes me longer to get there,' she said. For prospective dates, Emma describes herself as 'quite a girly girl'. She adds: 'Some shepherdesses walk like men, talk like men, dress like men and don’t wear any make-up. 'But I always wear make-up and although I go around in a weather-beaten outdoor jacket I’ve always tried to stay quite feminine.' 'I suppose my situation is quite unusual': Emma has written a book about her solitary life .
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Emma Gray lives alone on a rural farm in Northumberland with only her animals for company .
The farm has no mains gas or electricity and is a 45-minute drive to the pub .
The shepherdess said she'd love to meet someone to share her life with but admits 'it's hard because it’s not really a job where you meet guys'
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(CNN) -- Argentina battled to victory on Wednesday night in the team's first match since Diego Maradona's reign ended, while new France coach Laurent Blanc suffered defeat after dropping all 23 World Cup players. The South Americans' caretaker coach Sergio Batista fielded eight of the players who started in last month's 4-0 World Cup quarterfinal thrashing by Germany in the friendly away to the Republic of Ireland, and came away with a 1-0 win thanks to Angel Di Maria's first-half winner. The new Real Madrid winger's 20th-minute goal -- which came despite claims of offside -- meant the Irish could not celebrate the first football international at Dublin's new Aviva Stadium, which also marked the 100th appearance by captain Robbie Keane. Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni missed the match, with the 71-year-old Italian in hospital after needing stomach surgery following complications from a bout of food poisoning. Blanc fielded eight new internationals against Norway following France's World Cup debacle, but his team lost 2-1 in Oslo despite taking the lead through halftime substitute Hatem Ben Arfa. Forward Erik Huseklepp capitalized on two defensive errors as France's poor run continued, having crashed out of the World Cup in the first round in June following a player revolt against then coach Raymond Domenech. World Cup winners Spain snatched a late draw away to Mexico thanks to David Silva's late equalizer after new Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez had scored in the 12th minute. Runners-up the Netherlands were also held to a 1-1 draw away to Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine, with midfielder Jeremain Lens putting the Dutch ahead before Alexander Aliev leveled two minutes later on 74. World Cup semifinalists Germany led Denmark 2-0 before the hosts battled back to earn a 2-2 draw in Copenhagen. The Germans, who finished third in South Africa, went ahead through strikers Mario Gomez (19) and Patrick Helmes (73) but Danish substitute Mads Junker set up winger Dennis Rommedahl and then equalized with four minutes to play. Uruguay, who also reached the last four, won 2-0 away to Angola thanks to goals in the last six minutes from striker Edinson Cavani and young debutant forward Abel Hernandez. New Russia coach Dick Advocaat tasted victory in his first match in charge, beating Bulgaria 1-0 in St. Petersburg thanks to a sixth-minute winner from midfielder Roman Shirokov. South Africa also started a new era on a winning note as coach Pitso Mosimane oversaw a 1-0 victory against World Cup quarterfinalists Ghana in Johannesburg. Striker Katlego Mphela scored the only goal three minutes before halftime, having also netted in the 2-1 win over France in South Africa's final group match of the World Cup on June 22. Earlier in the day, five-time world champions Brazil made a winning start under new coach Mano Menezes, beating the United States 2-0 in New Jersey. Teenage striker Neymar scored on his senior debut and recalled AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato netted the other goal as Menezes gave six players their first Brazil outings. The friendlies were part of a large schedule of internationals held in preparation for next month's start of qualifiers for Euro 2012 and the 2012 African Nations Cup, and January's Asian Cup.
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Argentina beat Ireland 1-0 in team's first match since Diego Maradona's reign ended .
New France coach Laurent Blanc suffers 2-1 defeat in Norway after axing World Cup 23 .
World champions Spain and runners-up Netherlands held to 1-1 draws .
World Cup hosts South Africa beat quarterfinalists Ghana 1-0 in Johannesburg .
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By . Emma Innes . PUBLISHED: . 19:03 EST, 20 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:03 EST, 20 November 2013 . About one in five people living with HIV in the UK are unaware they have the virus, figures show . About one in five people living with HIV in the UK are unaware they have the virus, figures show. Some 21,900 people out of 98,400 with HIV do not know they have it, according to 2012 data from Public Health England. Almost 50 per cent of the 6,360 people newly-diagnosed with HIV in 2012 were diagnosed at a late stage, while the overall number of new cases was up one per cent on the previous year. New HIV diagnoses among men who have sex with men reached an all-time high, with 3,250 cases in 2012. Some 45 per cent of new cases of HIV were among heterosexuals, accounting for 2,880 cases. Gay men remain the group most affected by HIV, followed by black African men and women. Professor Noel Gill, head of PHE's HIV department, said: ‘In the UK, people who are unaware of their infection are likely to be those most at risk of transmitting HIV to others. ‘We must increase the speed at which we're reducing the number of undiagnosed HIV infections by encouraging earlier and more frequent HIV testing, especially in those most at risk. ‘Earlier diagnosis will help reduce new HIV infections across the UK. ‘Around half of men who have sex with men recently diagnosed with HIV received their diagnosis the first time they were tested, which is a strong indication that many men who should be testing are not.’ Paul Ward, acting chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: ‘Reducing undiagnosed HIV is now the single most important step we can take to halt the spread of infection in this country. ‘Some communities are already making headway in this. ‘Among gay men, testing rates are up, diagnoses are up, and as a result undiagnosed infection is coming down. ‘Because of community-wide initiatives like National HIV Testing Week, hundreds more people with HIV now know their status, helping them access life-saving treatments and drastically reducing the chance of them passing the virus on. Almost 50 per cent of the 6,360 people newly-diagnosed with HIV in 2012 were diagnosed at a late stage, while the overall number of new cases was up one per cent on the previous year. Image shows HIV in human tissue . ‘We've come so far, but we have to keep going. ‘We've never been in a stronger position to beat the virus, with cutting-edge testing services and free, world-class drug treatments for anyone who tests positive. ‘We know testing works and treatment works; all we need is the individual commitment and public funding to make it happen. ‘If we can get this, we can turn the tide of the epidemic.’ National HIV Testing Week runs from November 22 to 29.
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21,900 people out of 98,400 with HIV in the UK do not know they have it .
50% of the 6,360 people diagnosed in 2012 were diagnosed at a late stage .
The overall number of new cases was up 1% on the previous year .
45% of new cases were among heterosexuals, accounting for 2,880 cases .
Gay men remain the group most affected by HIV, followed by black African men and women .
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By . Pete Jenson . Follow @@petejenson . Lionel Messi put pen to paper on a new contract with Barcelona that made him the highest-paid player in world football on £16.3million a year. The Barcelona forward was pictured with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu signing his new deal two days after the Spanish season ended. Messi overtook Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (£15m) on the list of highest-paid football players. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Messi score from behind the goal in training . Happy faces: Lionel Messi signed his new contract with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu . He's staying: Lionel Messi has agreed to sign a new deal keeping him at Barcelona . Boost: Messi agreeing a new deal is the news the Barcelona fans had been waiting for . Messi couldn't help Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid on Saturday and, as a result, the side from the Spanish capital won La Liga. Wayne Rooney, the highest-paid player in England, is on £15.6m a year (£300,000 a week). Messi’s . previous deals have been structured so that basic pay before bonuses is . re-set each year of the deal according to bonuses earned the previous . season. In effect Messi will earn £16.3m next season but if he . wins the Champions League the appropriate bonus will be added and the . sum total will become his new basic pay level the following season. Messi’s . £250m buy-out clause will remain the same leaving the door open for . Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain to make a bid, though the rigours . of Financial Fair Play surely rule out such a move for either club. A . statement issued by the Catalans last Friday read: 'FC Barcelona has . reached an agreement to adjust the terms in the contract binding Leo . Messi to the club as a professional first team player. The revised and . updated contract will be signed over the next few days.' Warming up: Messi and his Barcelona team-mates trained on Friday ahead of Saturday's crunch clash . Most . crucially from the club’s point of view, Messi’s new deal means Barca . will now be better placed to tap in to the huge stream of commercial . revenue he generates as for the first time since signing his initial . deal in 2005 the player will not keep 100 per cent of his image rights - . they will now be shared with the club.
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Lionel Messi now paid more than Cristiano Ronaldo (£15m a year)
Barcelona forward pictured signing his new contract with club president .
Premier League's highest earner is Wayne Rooney (£15.6m a year)
It's Messi's seventh new deal in 11 years .
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By . Paul Harris . PUBLISHED: . 13:33 EST, 4 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:30 EST, 4 January 2013 . Daphne Oxenford, former BBC presenter for Listen With Mother, has died at the age of 93. The presenter and actress became the voice behind 15 minutes of magic for a generation of children during the 1950s and 60s. They sat eagerly around the wireless to hear her familiar opening words: 'Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin.' Listen with me: Daphne Oxenford on Listen With Mother on BBC radio which shot her to fame . Iconic: Daphne Oxenford, actress and presenter was the voice for BBC radio show Listen With Mother . Daphne Oxenford - a perfect balance between no-nonsense matron and kindly aunt - went on to enthral around a million juvenile listeners every weekday, simply by telling a story or introducing a song. So perhaps the greatest compliment to the lifelong actress and voiceover queen was that scores of adults, who recognised her at various stages during a long and varied career, were delighted to tell her: 'I grew up with you!' Yesterday the BBC announced that the voice had finally fallen silent. Daphne died peacefully at the age of 93, her family said. To anyone who didn't grow up in the 1950s and 60s it is difficult to explain how such a basic formula captivated huge swathes of the nation for 15 minutes after lunch, slotted in before mum finished the washing up and sat down to Woman's Hour at 2pm. But television was still in its infancy - and a narrated tale of animals, cars or some fantastical adventure was entertainment enough for all those comfortably-seated youngsters. It didn't last, of course. Life of acting: Ms Oxenford on 1990s television series 'Land of Hope and Gloria' The show, which Daphne presented for . two decades from its first broadcast in 1950, was eventually shunted . into an obscure slot with a different format and presenters, and . inevitably fell victim to TV. A petition signed by high profile fans such as John Cleese, Harry . Secombe, Glenda Jackson and Alan Ayckbourn failed to save it from the . chop when it went out with a whimper, and a tiny audience of fewer than . 40,000, in 1982. Few may . have realised, however, that Daphne enthusiastically embraced the . future. The acting school graduate and former wartime ENSA entertainer . appeared in early episodes of Coronation Street (as spinster Esther . Hayes); and later in The Sweeney, Man About The House and Heartbeat. Voice of a generation: Ms Oxenford, pictured in 1999, was an iconic voice for children growing up in the 1950s and 60s . She played village shop-owner Mrs Patterson in the 1970s sitcom To The Manor Born, and was one of the voices behind Granada TV's irreverent weekly press review, What The Papers Say. Bizarrely, perhaps, she forged a long partnership with comedian Les Dawson, appearing on various shows as his comic foil. Her last role was in 2008, playing an elderly Dame Agatha Christie alongside David Tennant in a DVD episode of Dr Who. Daphne's husband David Marshall, whom she married in 1951, died nine years ago and her twilight years were spent in a retirement home for actors in Northwood, Middlesex. She is survived by two daughters, Kate and Sophie - and by two grandsons who may yet come to tell their own children how great granny's voice became friend to a generation.
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Presenter of legendary show died at the grand old age of 93 .
Daphne Oxenford was the voice behind Listen With Mother on BBC radio .
Iconic show was a children's favourite during the 1950s and 60s .
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By . Alex Lazcano For Daily Mail Australia . Australia's first pizza vending machine has landed in Sydney, and the $12 treats have been such a hit the owner is already thinking about rolling more machines out. The brains behind the $40,000 Pizza Gio is George Pompei, who owns Pompei's pizza and pasta restaurant in Bondi Beach. He was inspired when he was traveling in Italy and came across a similar concept. Scroll down for video . George Pompei (pictured left) owner of Pompei's a pizza restaurant in Bondi launches Australia's first pizza vending machine in Westfield Chatswood. Mr Pompei admits he was sceptical at first, concerned that a machine wouldn't be able to produce a pizza that met the high standards he was used to at his restaurant. 'I wanted to be assured that the machine could actually develop pizzas that tasted fresh and delicious,' Mr Pompei told Daily Mail Australia. However after nearly two years of developing the machine and months of rigorous testing he finally had a product that was up to the task. 'Once the machine was developed it took six months of testing until we were happy with the product,' he explained. 'We use stone ground flour, natural yeast, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt and rest the dough for 48 hours before it is then rolled out and topping is added.' The options for the $12 pizza are Hot Salami and Margarita however more flavours are on there way with an addition of a second machine being introduced . Order your pizza in three simple steps using the touch-screen monitor then wait three minutes for your pizza. The pizzas are par-baked in a stone oven before being blast chilled and stocked in the vending machines. They take three minutes to cook and customers can choose from either hot salami or margarita toppings. And if you're concerned that the pizzas are sitting in the vending machines gathering dust, there's no need to worry. The machine is restocked daily and if it sells out before the day's end, a message is sent to Mr Pompei's restaurant who will then send someone to top it up. The Pizza Gio has been so popular in Chatswood there are plans to open another one with alternative toppings. But pizza lovers around Sydney don't need to worry that they're missing out for much longer. Mr Pompei hopes to roll out more vending machines across the city. The pizza machine is restocked with fresh bases and toppings daily to ensure freshness. Despite his assurances that the 3 minute pizzas are as good as those you can buy in his restaurant, he doesn't see the Pizza Gio as a threat. 'They're aimed more at people wanting something to eat on the go rather than someone wanting a proper meal.' 'We've been overwhelmed with the support we've gotten. We're thinking of actually having a competition so that people can tell us where they'd like the next machine to be put,' Mr Pompei said.
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George Pompei has launched Australia's first pizza vending machine .
The machine is located in Westfield Chatswood in Sydney .
Customers can choose from two toppings, hot salami or margarita .
The pizzas take three minutes to bake and have already proven popular .
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f75ea5b13f3b356a822f5aa39a74440d95bb8adb
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 12:34 EST, 28 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:33 EST, 28 October 2013 . A police marksman shot himself dead after rowing with his girlfriend who had cheated on him with a colleague, an inquest heard today. Colin Smelt, 43, blasted himself in the chest with his police issue Glock pistol he had taken home to his flat in Camden, north London, the hearing was told. The officer - a member of the elite Special Protection Command unit which protects VIPs including the Prime Minister and the Royal family - was found slumped against his chair in his Met police vest with the semi-automatic pistol by his side when officers forced entry into his home. Tormented: Armed policeman Colin Smelt, 43, had become suicidal after the failure of his relationship with lover Melissa Jordan, St Pancras Coroner's Court heard . St Pancras Coroner’s Court heard how emotionally fragile PC Smelt did not cope well when romantic relationships broke down - and had a history of threatening suicide. Yet despite this, he had access to weapons, and previously taken a gun home to practice killing himself, the inquest was told. And on the day before his death on February 18, this year, he had signed out a pistol from the police armory and taken it home to his flat in Camden, north London. That evening, PC Smelt had met with on-off girlfriend Melissa Jordan at his flat in Kings Terrace, to see if they could repair their troubled relationship. He had wanted to patch things up after learning she had twice cheated on him - once with a member of his police team, but the coroner heard that she wanted to remain friends, the coroner was told. Breaking into tears several times as . she gave evidence, Ms Jordan said the next morning she had arranged to . have dinner with him and said: 'I kissed him on the cheek and said . goodbye. 'We were texting all day and at 4pm that was the last I heard from him.' Asked what were in the text messages, she said: 'He said "I love you very much". 'He started to apologise to me as if he had done something wrong. I said "but you haven’t don’t anything wrong".' At 4pm she sent him a text asking if she should go over that night, but she never got a reply. Worried after she didn’t hear from him, she called some of his colleagues to ask them to check on him. However, Ms Jodan told the hearing that she never thought he would kill himself. She . said: 'I just didn’t want him taking his motorbike out and driving 300 . miles an hour - I wasn’t thinking he would take his life.' Tragic: PC Smelt used his police issue Glock 9mm pistol, similar to the one pictured, to shoot himself, his inquest was told (Stock picture) She said PC Smelt - a keen motorcyclist, skier and scuba diver - was 'outgoing' and had a 'real zest for life'. But . the inquest heard that he had tried to kill himself three times in one . night when he was 22 after he split up with a previous girlfriend. And . he had also rung his ex wife, Louise Richards, in floods of tears . threatening to kill himself when they were going through one of their . break-ups. In a statement . she said: 'He said he had his gun next to him and he was seriously . considering ending his life by shooting himself. 'I was so shocked, I told him not to be stupid, that I loved him and we would work something out. 'I told him to come home and we would be alright.' But she added: 'There was no chance he would concern his superiors and come home or ask for time off. 'Colin didn’t show emotions. He was a closed book.' PC Smelt 'compartmentalised' his emotions and rarely spoke about his failed suicide bids, the inquest heard. However, . in an email in January this year he confided in Ms Jordan, telling her . that he had tried to gas himself and take an overdose of pills when he . was 22. He also took a gun . from his police station and practised pulling the trigger unloaded, but . couldn’t bring himself to kill himself. Tragic: PC Smelt had been a member of the elite Special Protection Command police unit which protects VIPs including the Prime Minister and the Royal family. (Stock picture) She said: 'He told me dark thoughts that he had never told anyone. 'It was hard for me. He was dealing with a lot of emotions he had never dealt with before. He had just locked it away in a box. 'He said it had never gone that bad since because he said nothing in life is that important enough to kill yourself over. He said it was a selfish thing to do and he was too proud to do it.' His close friend Detective Sergeant Stephen Crumley said PC Smelt was upset by Ms Jordan cheating on him. In a statement he said: 'In October 2012 he came to see me and told me that he and Melissa had split up. 'The reason he told me for the split was that they wanted different things. 'It was around December 2012 when I was told that the reason for the split was that Melissa had been seeing someone else. This was the first I had heard of anything. 'He was a very proud person, he did not like to be made a fool of, he committed himself 100 per cent to his relationship with Melissa. 'The final blow was that she had an affair with someone in his own team.' The inquest heard that all the police equipment was checked and accounted for on February 17th, but at 4.55am the following morning he used his swipe card to get back into his station. Recording a verdict of suicide, Coroner Mary Hassell said: 'He was the consummate professional - he was the person that everybody wanted to work with. 'Everyone knew about his personal problems and wanted to help. They gave him a hug. He was described in terms of being adored. 'It seems incredible that this extraordinary person took his own life. 'He had a lovely family, he had a great job and colleagues that adored him. 'But his romantic life had gone wrong and he was devastated about that. 'Although the majority of those around him never had any inclination, he had attempted to take his own life in the past and this was because of a romantic relationship that had gone wrong. 'I heard that in his last relationship he gave unconditional love. 'He was desperately sad. I think having given that unconditional love and that relationship disintegrating and not returning to what he wanted, I think he decided the only way out he saw was to take his life. And I think that is what he did.' PC Smelt’s mother, who sat next to his father at the inquest, collapsed in tears as the verdict was announced and was hugged by her daughter, PC Smelt’s younger sister. A statement from the Metropolitan Police Service said: 'MPS firearms officers undergo rigorous tactical training and regular refresher training. 'This includes self-awareness training for individuals and supervisors and is further supported by annual health screening. 'Protection officers are also subject to the highest vetting levels as part of the robust selection process. 'Steps are taken to ensure that officers are mentally and physically fit for deployment in this role, including regular re-authorisation processes and an annual re-application process, which requests senior officers support for the continued deployment of that officer based upon their line manager's recommendation.' The police said that PC Smelt was up to date with his assessments and that they have no official reports that Mr Smelt had made previous attempts on his life. They added that while it was not common practice for officers to take firearms home with them, they could be given permission in exceptional circumstances and would require authorisation from a senior officer.
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PC Colin Smelts was a member of elite Special Protection Command .
He shot himself with his police issue Glock pistol at his Camden flat .
PC Smelts attempted suicide after previous relationship failed, inquest told .
Fragile PC had taken weapons home to practice suicide, coroner told .
Coroner Mary Hassell recorded a verdict of suicide .
For confidential support on suicide matters call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritans branch or click here.
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Caterham have raised over £1million in just 48 hours in their controversial bid to make the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The cash-strapped team’s administrators revealed a plan on Friday to raise £2.35m in order to make the season finale in a fortnight’s time. The ‘crowdfunding’ scheme calls on fans to contribute a minimum of £1 in exchange for car parts, merchandise and even dinner with one of this year’s drivers; Japan’s Kamui Kobayashi or Swedish rookie Marcus Ericsson. Caterham need to raise in excess of £2million to make the Formula One season finale in Abu Dhabi . The administrators at Caterham have launched an initiative in a bid to get the struggling team to Abu Dhabi . £40 - Special Edition Baseball Cap . £225 - A pair of pit team boots . £500 - A pair of pit team overalls . £1,000 - Your name on a race car . £3,000 - Rear wing from 2013 race car . £45,000 - Corporate Hospitality . And in the hours ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, where neither Caterham nor Marussia, who went out of business earlier this week are competing, the Leafield-based team had hit seven figures.They have until Friday to raise the cash. The unique scheme hasn’t appeased all in the sport however, with ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone describing it as a 'disaster' for F1. The 84-year-old said: 'It's up to the fans if that's what they want to do. I think it's a disaster. We don't want begging bowls. If people can't afford to be in Formula One, they have to find something else to do. The cash-strapped team have until Friday to accumulate the money required to make the race . 'If I sit in a poker game and I can't afford to be there with the other people, I get killed and have to leave. 'I don't know what they do with their money. I don't spend their money. We just give it to them. 'We give the teams nearly $900 million a year. We don't spend it.' Red Bull team principal Christian Horner added: ‘Certainly I don't agree with fans having to fund a team. ‘The fans pay to be entertained by the teams, they shouldn't have to pay for a team. The concept of that is wrong and shouldn't be allowed. It's important Formula One doesn't do it's dirty washing in public.’
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Administrators launched 'crowdfunding' project in bid to help F1 team .
Fans can contribute just £1 in exchange for car parts and merchandise .
Caterham claim they need £2.35m to make final race of season in Abu Dhabi .
And in hours ahead of Brazilian Grand Prix they passed the £1m mark .
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