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By . Deni Kirkova . An animal lover met her husband-to-be on a dating site after falling for the online profile picture of his black pet Labrador. Katie Beddo, 31, from Darlington, County Durham, immediately thought 'his owner must be a bit of a laugh to do that', and decided to get in touch. Farmer Richard Craggs, 30, had been on Match.com for months without success, so for a laugh switched his profile image to one of his pet pooch George. Katie was smitten by cute George on Richard's profile - who now has a daughter, two year-old Labrador Ebony . But when dog-lover Katie spotted it she was so smitten by the cute Labrador she contacted Richard to praise him for his wit and adorable pet. Five years on and the pair have married, have a 12 week-old daughter Bethany and live together at Katie's home. George the dog even had an important role at the wedding as their ring-bearer, carrying a cushion in his mouth down the aisle. Primary school teacher Katie said: 'I always wanted a dog so when I spotted George online it made me laugh and think 'Aww how cute!' 'I had only been on the site for a few weeks when I spotted the bizarre profile picture of George. 'When I clicked on it and read Richard's profile the idea he had used George's picture really tickled me so I contacted him through the site. Richard's pet George is a working dog and helps him out on his brother and parent's family-run farm . 'I messaged him saying 'Does your dog know you are looking for love?!' 'We got on great straight away and just weeks later went on our first date and two months later he even joined my family on holiday in Spain. 'As we jetted out he asked me 'So do I tell people I'm your friend or your boyfriend?' 'I said 'Go on then... my boyfriend' - and that was that.' Richard's pet George is a proper working dog and helps him out on his brother and parent's family-run farm in Yarm, North Yorks. As well as hooking Katie and Richard up, George also had a vital role in their nuptials when they tied the knot in the leafy North-East village of High Worth in December 2011. About 18 months after they met online Richard proposed and the couple married the following year . Katie went on: 'About 18 months after we first met Richard proposed and we married the following year at the local church. 'George was the ring-bearer and looked so adorable. 'Now we have [our daughter] beautiful Bethany and George has his own daughter, a two year-old black Labrador called Ebony.' Katie admits she may never have found Richard or George after dismissing at first the idea of going on a dating site. She explained: 'Being a primary school teacher and in my late 20s most of my working day is spent with young children or women. 'Then when I went out with my friends most of them were already in stable relationships or even married with kids. 'Meeting single men my own age was becoming more difficult so my mum and best friends were telling me to give Internet dating a try. 'I thought basically it was not for me at all and went on it to prove my mum wrong. 'But in the end they proved me wrong as clicking on George's daft profile picture was the best decision I ever made!' George was the ring-bearer 'and looked so adorable', says Katie . Match.com are hoping to unite more . dog-lovers after launching the World's first dating event for 'lonely . heart' dog owners and their single pets. The 'Bark In The Park' event is on . Saturday April 5, at London's Battersea Park. It will see single dog . owners bringing along their single pets to find them a canine companion . too. Kate Taylor, dating and relationship expert at Match.com, said: 'We know that taking part in shared interest activities can be a great ice-breaker when meeting new people. 'There are few things that people are as passionate about as their dogs. Katie added: 'I think it's a marvellous idea as Richard and I met through our mutual love of dogs. 'If it can happen to us it can happen to anyone out there.'
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Katie Beddo, 31, from Darlington, met Richard Craggs, 30, online .
She thought 'his owner must be a bit of a laugh' after spotting dog picture .
Couple fell in love and married - and Labrador acted as ringbearer .
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Washington (CNN) -- President Obama will award the Medal of Honor, the military's highest award for bravery, to Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger for his valor in saving the lives of three wounded comrades at a then-secret base in Laos in 1968, the White House announced Friday. After Etchberger saved his fellow airmen, he was shot and killed by enemy fighters. His heroics were kept a secret for years because the United States wasn't supposed to have troops in Laos during the Vietnam War. President Lyndon Johnson rejected a nomination for Etchberger to receive the Medal of Honor at the time because of the political trouble it could have stirred up. Etchberger was part of a secret U.S. Air Force radar base in northern Laos, just 120 miles from Hanoi in North Vietnam. The base's purpose was to guide U.S. bomber crews on their missions over North Vietnam and parts of Laos that were under communist control. Laos was officially neutral during the war, but its leaders were upset that North Vietnamese troops and Viet Cong guerrillas were moving through Laos to attack U.S. troops in South Vietnam. So the Lao government allowed construction of the U.S. radar site provided it was kept secret, according to Tom Keany, an Air Force B-52 squadron commander during the Vietnam War and currently a military historian with the School for Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. In March of 1968 North Vietnamese troops attacked the site, called Lima Site 85, with a force of 3,000 soldiers against fewer than a couple dozen U.S. airmen and about a thousand Laotian soldiers. Eventually, American helicopters were sent in to evacuate the Air Force personnel, but by then eight Americans had been killed and several more wounded. It is considered by some the deadliest ground attack against Air Force troops in the entire Vietnam era. According the White House, Etchberger deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire "in order to place his three surviving wounded comrades in the rescue slings permitting them to be airlifted to safety." It took an act of Congress in 2008 for Etchberger to be reconsidered for a Medal of Honor so long after the war had ended. In most cases, the medal recommendation must be made within two years of the act of heroism for which it is to be awarded. Rep. Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota helped push for the reconsideration. Etchberger was a native of Bismarck, North Dakota. "Chief Etchberger was denied the Medal of Honor because he was serving his country on the wrong side of a geographic barrier," Pomeroy said in written statement. "Heroism knows no boundary. While it's regrettable that this medal is coming forty years after Mr. Etchberger's death, I am honored to be part of the effort that recognized this true hero." The ceremony for Etchberger, which will include his three sons, is scheduled for September 21 at the White House.
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NEW: The United States did not want to admit it had troops in nominally neutral Laos .
Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger's heroism was hidden for years .
He died after saving three comrades in Laos .
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Australia secured their place in the final of the 2014 Four Nations Series - and confirmed England’s exit - with an emphatic 44-18 win over Samoa in Wollongong. Full-back Greg Inglis and scrum-half Cooper Cronk both scored two tries as the Kangaroos set up a showdown with New Zealand in Wellington next Saturday, when they will have the chance to atone for their surprise 30-12 defeat in the group stages in Brisbane. Samoa, who pushed both England and New Zealand all the way in their first two games on their tournament debut, needed a win by more than eight points to reach the final while a smaller margin of victory would have opened the door for England. Australia celebrates a try from David Klemmer (left) as they beat Samoa in Wollongong on Sunday . Greg Inglis crosses for one of his two tries as the Kangaroos confirmed their Four Nations final place . However, it proved to be a game too far for the Pacific Islanders, who trailed 28-6 at half-time, and England, who watched the match from their Dunedin hotel, will now pack their bags for an early return home. Slender English and Samoan hopes suffered a blow within two minutes of the kick-off after man of the match Inglis broke clear to get Cronk over for the first of Australia’s eight tries and the South Sydney full-back then went over twice in 15 minutes to establish a stranglehold on the game. The physical Samoans were punished heavily for their indiscipline, conceding five penalties in the first 15 minutes, but full-back Tim Simona pulled a try back and replacement hooker Pita Godinet had one disallowed as they briefly rallied, to the delight of the 18,456 crowd at WIN Stadium. However, stand-off Daly Cherry-Evans went 70 metres from a scrum to score Australia’s fourth try and prop David Klemmer took the short route seven minutes before the break for his first Test try, with captain Cameron Smith kicking his fourth goal, to put the outcome beyond doubt. Australia's Greg Bird is driven back by Samoa's Sauaso Sue in a physical encounter . Daly Cherry-Evans dives over for a try in the corner after scooting 70 metres from a scrum . Stand-off Ben Roberts, who is moving to Super League with Castleford in 2015, and captain David Fa’algo added further tries for the Samoans as they improved in the second half and Tim Lafai kicked his third conversion. But Cronk claimed his second try and prop Josh Papalii and winger Josh Mansour both touched down in the last five minutes as the Kangaroos finished in total control. Cherry-Evans converted both the last two tries after taking over the goalkicking duties from Smith.
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Australia will play New Zealand in next week's Four Nations final .
England needed Samoa to beat Australia by less than eight points .
England lost to New Zealand on Saturday in a 16-14 thriller .
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(CNN) -- Edgar Hernandez didn't expect to learn that he was pre-diabetic at age 16. When his mother burst into tears at the doctor's office, it hit him hard. He was 370 pounds and couldn't stand to look at himself. It was tough being a fat kid, but things became unbearable in high school. Edgar was seeing a therapist for depression symptoms. He was frequently bullied in gym class. Kids would point at his "fat wobbling everywhere," especially as he struggled to keep up. "I tried my best to ignore it. But there were times when I just gave in and started crying," said Edgar, who lives in a suburb of St. Louis and is now 18. Everyone in his family had a weight problem; his parents developed type 2 diabetes in their forties. But Edgar was the biggest. "He would eat two really big burritos or sandwiches a day, packed with cheese, sour cream, a lot of bread, butter," his older brother Mario said. "He would be watching TV, playing video games." After receiving the sobering blood test result at the doctor's office, Edgar went home and cried. And then something new happened: He owned up to his weight problem. "It was time to stop blaming others for my choices and make a choice to take responsibility," he said. He dried his tears, threw on his jacket and began jogging. He only got about half a mile before he stopped and threw up. That was a year and a half ago. Edgar, who is 5-foot-9, went on to drop nearly 200 pounds. He now weighs 185 pounds. He has traded his double-XL shirts and size 48 pants for medium T-shirts and 33-inch pants. It happened slowly at first. After that gut-impulse jog in November 2012, Edgar started walking before or after school. As he could, he added distance until he was walking about two miles a day. He started to incorporate running intervals until, months later, he could run a full mile. The weight began to come off, but the teen wasn't seeing as much progress as he had hoped. It was his older brother, Mario, who helped him kick the weight loss into high gear. Mario, who carried 235 pounds on his 5-foot-7 frame, was inspired by Edgar's will to change. He took Edgar to the grocery store and together they overhauled the family's pantry. Chicken breasts and fresh produce replaced the processed foods and sodas that were once the staple at home, Mario said. Edgar's typical breakfast became a peanut butter sandwich with honey and banana slices. Dinners usually featured a chicken breast with two cups of broccoli. He didn't have a specific diet or calorie count; it was all about portion sizes, the teen said. The brothers became each other's support. They started running together in January 2013, buying sweatpants and thermal gear to keep them warm in the Illinois weather. Mario has lost 70 pounds and continues to run alongside his brother, Edgar said. The brothers, who live at home with their parents, have seen their weight loss inspire some changes for the whole family, Mario said. The family has cut down on eating out -- once every couple of weeks, as opposed to four to five times a week. "As a family, we go outside more, walk a little more. It shows because we have a lot more energy," Mario said. "Even though other members haven't lost as much weight, maybe five pounds, you can see it in their faces." These days, Edgar can't get enough of running. His favorite activities are heavy cardio and weightlifting. The teen even ran his first half-marathon in April, and he's planning another one soon. "Running is what made me feel happy; I had gotten what they call 'runner's high' and now running has become a lifestyle," he said. Edgar has also found his calling in his new healthy lifestyle. He will start college at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in the fall and plans to study exercise science. For Mario, watching his little brother shed the pounds at such a young age has been a source of pride. "If you would have told me three years ago that he'd be running a half-marathon, I wouldn't believe you," Mario said. "You see a completely different person that's a lot happier, has more energy and is more active." Edgar couldn't agree more. "I wouldn't even step out my door to get the mail before," he said. "People don't see the dark, sad side of me anymore. They see a bright, happy kid." For the people out there looking to lose weight, the teenager has the following advice: Don't put it off. If you say you're going to run, do it today, not tomorrow. "Don't wait, because it will get worse," he said. "You'll start putting it off until something serious happens and when something serious happens, it will change your life." Visit Edgar Hernandez's Facebook page or on Twitter @RunWithEdgar to follow his journey.
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Edgar Hernandez learned he was pre-diabetic at 16 .
The teenager went from a 48-inch waist to a 33-inch waist .
Edgar has lost almost 200 pounds and inspired his brother to drop 70 pounds .
Running is the teen's favorite activity these days .
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(CNN) -- Four-time world soccer player of the year Lionel Messi and his father have paid Spanish authorities $6.6 million after allegedly committing tax fraud between 2007 and 2009. The "reparatory" payment was made on August 14 and includes interest, the High Court said in a statement sent to CNN. It covers the period between 2007 and 2009, Spanish media reported. The move comes more than two months after Messi paid $13 million in taxes to cover the tax period of 2010-2011. Messi is due to appear in court on September 17 but one of his lawyers is requesting to "suspend" the date of his testimony, according to the statement. A decision is expected within two days. When it went public that he was under investigation, Messi said on his Facebook page that he had done nothing wrong. "We are surprised about the news, because we have never committed any infringement," he said in June. "We have always fulfilled all our tax obligations, following the advice of our tax consultants, who will take care of clarifying this situation." The off-field issues haven't affected the Argentine international's performances for Barcelona. He scored all three goals for Barcelona in its 3-2 win at Valencia on Sunday and has netted five league goals in his two games.
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Lionel Messi and his father pay $6.6 million after allegedly committing tax fraud .
It comes more than two months after Messi paid $13 million for a different tax period .
The four-time world soccer player of the year is due to appear in court on September 17 .
Messi has scored five league goals for Barcelona this season in two games .
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(CNN) -- Authorities conducting autopsies on a family of four found dead in in their home in eastern Missouri said preliminary autopsy results showed that the family may have died from carbon monoxide inhalation, police said Friday. The four -- a couple in their late 20s, their 4-year-old son and their 3-year-old daughter -- were found dead Thursday afternoon, said police in the city of St. Clair. Police had been summoned to the house after the man's co-workers became concerned that he had not gone to work for several days, said police Chief Bill Hammack. Inside, officers found the four bodies but no indication of foul play, he said. Family members told police they had last been in contact with the family Tuesday, when he complained that he was feeling sick and nauseated, Hammack said. According the Center for Disease Control, each year, nearly 500 people die in the United States from carbon monoxide poisoning, and as many as 20,000 visit emergency rooms for exposure from poorly maintained heating systems and gas-powered generators. "Dangers from poorly maintained heating systems are really going to be the number one cause of carbon monoxide poisonings in the United States," Dr. Paul Garbe said on a CDC online video. "CDC recommends that all homes have carbon monoxide detectors," Garbe said. "I think it's a great investment. It's particularly important that you have carbon monoxide detectors near where people sleep at night. The worst location for a carbon monoxide detector is in the box without a battery," he said.
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Police find no indication of foul play .
The man had told family he was feeling sick, police say .
Police: Preliminary autopsy indicates they may have died of carbon monoxide inhalation .
About 500 people a year die of carbon monoxide poisoning in the U.S.
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(CNN) -- A big Bertha could have really clubbed Puerto Rico, but fortunately for the denizens of that U.S. territory, Tropical Storm Bertha never gained much clout. The tropical storm dumped plenty of rain and forged through the Caribbean island with gale-force winds Saturday afternoon, but according to the National Hurricane Center, Bertha barely qualified as a tropical cyclone, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, as dry air and vertical shear tore the storm apart. Despite the lack of an impressive resume, Bertha made things miserable for at least tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans. Nearly 40,000 people, mostly in the mountainous center of Puerto Rico, lost electricity, and another 3,000 were left without fresh water, Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla said at a news conference. Padilla also said 220 "refugees," from several different countries, including the United States, ended up in shelters in Arroyo, Cayey and Ponce. The storm was heading over the eastern Dominican Republic, which was subject to a tropical storm warning, according the National Hurricane Center's 8 p.m. advisory. The Miami-based center noted that Bertha was centered about 60 miles east-northeast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and 200 miles southeast of Grand Turk Island. As of 8 p.m. tropical storm warnings also remained in effect for the southeastern Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Bertha could end up dumping 1 to 3 inches of rain "with isolated amounts up to 5 inches" throughout the Caribbean by the time it's passed through. The Hurricane Center suggests three possible scenarios for Bertha. The official forecast is that "Bertha survives its current lack of structure, land interaction, and dry air entrainment long enough to reach a more favorable environment in about 36 hours. At that point, it would likely intensify until the onset of extratropical transition in 96-120 hours," and become a hurricane far out in the Atlantic Ocean. The second scenario calls for Bertha to degenerate over Hispaniola, though it could regenerate later. And the third scenario would involve a low pressure system developing over the northwestern Bahamas absorbing Bertha in the next 48 hours or so. The biggest threat to the United States would be rip currents up and down the East Coast as large waves come ashore. Share your photos, videos and stories with CNN iReport . CNN's Joe Sutton and CNNE's Dania Alexandrino contributed to this report .
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NEW: Bertha still has 45 mph winds .
NEW: It is centered 60 miles from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic .
NEW: Storm left nearly 40,000 people without power in Puerto Rico .
Storm is not expected to hit the continental U.S.
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(CNN) -- As the Olympic flame burned above Sochi on Tuesday evening, a scene of mayhem and death exploded a few hundred miles away in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, where blazes roared and violent clashes erupted along protesters' barricades. At least 100 people were killed just on Thursday and hundreds more hospitalized in confrontations pitting government forces against demonstrators opposed to a regime that has strong support from President Vladimir Putin's Russia. It was the deadliest day in the three months since the showdown started. Between the two spectacles, you can bet Putin's attention focused more sharply on the crisis in Ukraine, which is officially an independent country since 1991 but in reality remains a state over which Moscow exercises enormous influence, infuriating much of Ukraine's population. At the heart of the battle lies a fundamental question: Is Ukraine a free nation or is it a piece of Moscow -- a piece on Putin's chessboard? The more immediate question is how far the Moscow-backed regime will go to put down opposition protests. As it happens, both Sochi and Ukraine play a large role in Putin's strategy. To Putin, staging a successful Olympics is a way to consolidate power, to build up his image for domestic and international audiences, and to show a resurgent, self-assured and powerful Russia under his rule. What happens in Ukraine is part of the same larger objective, but it is far more important. Ukraine has experienced much bloodshed throughout its history, with foreign powers inflicting unspeakable devastation. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, it has struggled to get back on its feet, with little success. A decade ago, pro-Western demonstrators managed to depose a Moscow-allied president, Viktor Yanukovich, and replace him with a new leader who wanted closer ties to the West. That uprising, known as the Orange Revolution, was part of a wave of "color revolutions" along Russia's borders, and it inspired protests in Russia, which Putin swiftly put down. The most recent crisis burst on the scene in November when Yanukovich (once again in power after his 1995 defeat) decided not to sign a trade deal with the European Union, an agreement that would have increased links with the West and was fiercely opposed by Moscow. Russia wants the former Soviet republics to join a Moscow-centered customs union. The decision to turn away from Europe enraged the opposition, bringing hundreds of thousands of people to the streets of Kiev and other Ukrainian cities. Protesters were incensed by what they saw, quite correctly, as acquiescence to Russian bullying. In August, when Ukrainian officials were negotiating the EU's Eastern Partnership agreement, Moscow made it clear it would not tolerate a turn to the West. Russia, Ukraine's principal trading partner, suddenly imposed crippling sanctions against Ukrainian imports. Putin's top economic adviser explained it as "preventive measures" in case Ukraine decided to "take the suicidal step" of signing an agreement with the EU. Moscow has used similar bullying tactics with other former USSR members. Armenia had spent years working on a deal to join the EU Eastern Partnership. Then abruptly in September, while pressure was coming down on Ukraine, the Armenian president met with Putin in Moscow and announced the end of the talks with Europe, triggering protests in the Armenian capital. For Ukrainians, the EU deal symbolized a new future, the chance of economic and political modernization and rule of law. Europe required reforms as part of the deal. The Russian customs union cements the status quo. Putin offered Yanukovich $15 billion in loans to help the country through its economic crisis. He also persuaded him to take a much harder line against protesters. The Ukrainian president had repeatedly pledged not to use force against protesters. According to The New York Times, he changed his mind after meeting with Putin in Sochi. Ukrainians have long been divided between easterners, who favor close ties with Russia, and westerners, who feel more European. But persistent economic stagnation and the ability to travel abroad and compare conditions have brought new impetus to calls for reform. The Ukrainian economy is mired in deep corruption, with Russia-style oligarchs making enormous fortunes in shady deals -- such as those allegedly made ahead of the Sochi Olympics -- while the economy fails to offer better prospects. Transparency International ranks Ukraine as one of the world's most corrupt countries. Next door in Poland, for example, which is now part of the EU, per capita income has grown steadily, now topping $18,000, up about 50% in the last decade. Ukraine, meanwhile, has per capita gross domestic product of $6,300, even lower than it was five years ago. Perhaps nothing rankles Ukrainians more than Putin's attitude toward their country. In 2008, when then-President Viktor Yushchenko tried to join NATO, Putin warned the West to keep its hands off Ukraine, calling it "Little Russia," a term dating back to the days when Imperial Russia's czars ruled parts of Ukraine. A Russian newspaper reported that Putin told then-U.S. President George W. Bush that "Ukraine is not even a state." What started as protests over a trade deal has moved far beyond. Demonstrators demand constitutional reform. Demonstrations aim at ending the authoritarianism of the Yanukovich regime, empowering parliament and laying the groundwork for political and economic progress. Unfortunately, the protests have attracted a segment of thuggish extreme right-wing groups. Estimates vary on their size and strength within the opposition. But their presence has given the regime and its Russian backers an excuse to label the protesters as fascists and neo-Nazis. In predictable fashion, Russia has also blamed the United States for the turmoil, accusing Washington of trying to impose the "Western vector" of development and of telling "a sovereign state what they should do next." The United States is, in fact, expressing support for the protesters, but it is proposing a power-sharing government until the next elections. If anything, Washington and the EU have failed to offer as much backing as they should. Their disagreements have been aired publicly in embarrassing leaked recordings -- although they are not verified. Their reluctance to challenge Putin's geopolitical claim to controlling Ukraine is a source of profound frustration for Ukrainians who say they are being sacrificed to appease Putin. Opposition leaders have met with Western officials to request more support. What is most striking about the protests has been their perseverance through the brutal Ukrainian winter. Three months into the crisis, with the intensity of the violence and the bloodshed increasing, Putin has reason to worry about how this will end. Just as he wants the Sochi Olympics to show what his Russia is capable of accomplishing, he knows the Russian people are keeping an eye on what exactly Ukrainian protesters can achieve. The raging flames of Kiev now matter more than the carefully tended fire in Sochi. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Frida Ghitis.
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Frida Ghitis: New Russia on display in Sochi, but the old one is showing its face in Ukraine .
Ghitis: Putin has called Ukraine "Little Russia" and wants it to turn away from the West .
Ghitis: Protesters enraged by seeing their leaders' knuckle under Russia's bullying .
As demonstrators refuse to stop, she says, Putin should be worried they might prevail .
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One in six people in Britain may have been sexually abused, a government adviser has warned. Graham Wilmer – appointed by Theresa May to the controversial historic sex abuse inquiry – said there could be as many as 11 million victims in the UK. Mr Wilmer, who set up the Lantern Project charity to support victims, said the scale of abuse constituted a ‘national health epidemic’. Graham Wilmer was awarded an MBE by Prince Charles in January after years of campaigning for more support for sexual abuse victims . He said his estimation was based on ‘prevalence rates published by the Government’. Mr Wilmer, an abuse victim himself, told Sky News: ‘There are potentially about 11.7 million victims out there at the moment who have not disclosed, and many of those people will start to come forward in very significant numbers.’ ‘You are dealing with a massive, massive problem. From what we have seen, if you don't provide the right level of support and intervention to support people when they come forward you see very significant health problems, mental health and physical health, which have a direct cost to us as a society. ‘We look upon child abuse and it's impact now as a national health epidemic.’ According to Sky News, statistics show one in six boys under 16 have been sexually abused - for girls the figure is one in four. Meanwhile, children's charity the NSPCC estimates one in 20 children in the UK have been sexually abused. The Government's inquiry has been dogged with problems, mainly around finding a chairman, since it was announced in July. Mrs May has apologised to victims for failing so far to find a suitable person to fill the role. Baroness Butler-Sloss stood down as chairwoman in July amid questions over the role played by her late brother, Lord Havers, who was attorney general in the 1980s. Britain's Home Secretary Theresa May appointed Mr Wilmer to sit as an independent member of the inquiry into historic sex abuse . Her replacement Fiona Woolf, the then Lord Mayor of London, resigned in October following a barrage of criticism over her ''establishment links'', most notably in relation to former home secretary Lord Brittan. And last week a number of alleged victims of child sexual abuse have said they will withdraw from the inquiry into the issue unless the Government makes major changes to it, including extending the period of time it will cover to further back than 1970.
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Graham Wilmer said 11.7m people may have been abused in the UK .
He was appointed by Theresa May to the historic sex abuse inquiry .
Mr Wilmer set up the Lantern Project charity to support sex abuse victims .
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By . Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 15:08 EST, 20 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 09:30 EST, 21 September 2012 . Space shuttle Endeavour returned to its California roots Thursday after a wistful cross-country journey that paid homage to NASA workers and former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her astronaut husband. 'That's my spaceship," said Endeavour's last commander, Mark Kelly, as the couple watched the shuttle loop over Tucson, Arizona. Afterward, a 747 jet carrying Endeavour swooped out of the desert sky and glided down a concrete runway at Edwards Air Force Base, 100 miles north of Los Angeles, not far from where the now-retired shuttle fleet was assembled. Scroll down for video . On a wing and a prayer: This photo, taken by NASA's Stephanie Stilson, was aboard the C9 Pathfinder that flew ahead of the 747 carrying the Space Shuttle Endeavour, capturing this unique angle . Flyover: Space shuttle Endeavour flies over the University of Arizona campus in honor of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, who both watched from a private viewing area . Caravan: Space shuttle Endeavour sits atop the shuttle aircraft carrier, passes above the Austin, Texas, skyline earlier today . In awe: Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, watch the Space Shuttle Endeavor fly over Tucson; Kelly said 'that's my spaceship' as it passed . The shuttle and jumbo jet take off . again at sunrise Friday to make low, sweeping passes over Sacramento, . San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Los Angeles. Next stop: Los Angeles International . Airport where Endeavour will be prepped for a slow ride on a special . flatbed trailer through city streets next month to its final destination . as a museum showpiece. Giffords was 'elated' and started 'hooting and hollering' as soon as she saw the shuttle emerge from behind the campus athletic center, said her former aide C.J. Karamargin. Kelly said it recalled the memory of . landing the shuttle, which was challenging because it doesn't use its . engines as it returns to Earth.'Landing a space shuttle is not easy,' Kelly said. 'It doesn't glide very well.' Joy: Giffords, who is still recovering from a 2011 attack in Tucson that nearly took her life, looks joyful as the shuttle flies overhead, while her husband looks pensive . Keeping watch: Thousands of students and faculty on the Mall of the University of Arizona as the Space Shuttle Endeavour flies over, left, and right, Astronaut Mark Kelly, husband of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, talks about watching the space shuttle Endeavour flying over Tucson . Nothing but blue skies: Endeavour passed over Tucson; Mark Kelly, a former astronaut who commanded Endeavour's final mission to space in May 2011, said it was his spaceship . The . retired shuttle took off from a Houston airport Thursday morning, and . will end up in Los Angeles after spending the night at Edwards Air Force . Base, 100 miles north of Los Angeles, then making one last low-flying . pass around the state. The . stop in Tucson was requested by Kelly, the last person to command an . Endeavour mission. He and Giffords recently moved back to Tucson from . Houston, where Giffords was recovering from serious injuries she . suffered in a 2011 attack in which a gunman killed six people and . wounded Giffords and 12 others. Hundreds . gathered on the grass mall at the University of Arizona to catch a . glimpse of the Endeavor. They cheered and took photos as it crossed the . blue sky. Robert Thomas, a veterans hospital X-ray tech, was there with his wife, Marsha Colbert. Colbert stood on a bench along a campus street taking pictures as Thomas and others whooped with joy. 'It's beautiful. Oh, my god,' Thomas said as it flew over. Thursday's flyover gives NASA a chance to honour Giffords' legacy as a long-time advocate for American human spaceflight, NASA spokeswoman Lisa Malone told The Associated Press in an email. She said no additional costs would be incurred by honoring Kelly's request. Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday to watch the shuttle land in Houston for an overnight stay, an exciting but bittersweet moment for many residents who felt spurned that Space City wasn't chosen as the final home for one of the five retired shuttles. 'I think that it's the worst thing that they can do, rotten all the way,' said 84-year-old Mary Weiss, clinging to her walker just before Endeavour landed after flying low over Gulf Coast towns, New Orleans and then downtown Houston and its airports. Last stop: Space Shuttle Endeavour mounted on NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) lands at Edwards Air Force Base, California ahead of its final stop tomorrow . Smooth landing: The touchdown went well as the shuttle prepares to make the final leg of its journey tomorrow . Final journey: Endeavour sits atop the shuttle aircraft carrier, flies over downtown Austin, Texas early today; it is making a final trek across the country to the California Science Center in Los Angeles, where it will be permanently displayed . The incredible journey: The shuttle passed through Austin shortly after morning broke . It's the ultimate piggyback ride, and scores have asked what it's like to haul a 170,000-pound shuttle. 'That's a tough thing to answer,' said pilot Jeff Moultrie, who will be in command when Endeavour performs an aerial tour over several California landmarks Friday. 'What do you tell somebody? It's different.' The noise decibels louder inside the shuttle carrier aircraft compared with a commercial airliner because the interior is hollowed out to keep it as light as possible. There are no galleys, overhead bins or even air conditioning. Pilots have to be hyper-vigilant about the weather because moisture can damage the shuttle's delicate tiles. Built for American Airlines, NASA acquired the aircraft in 1974 and used it for test flights from Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave Desert and ferry flights to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The four current NASA pilots who can operate the modified 747 are ex-military aviators who split their time flying other planes including zero-gravity aircraft and T-38 supersonic jets. Space City, partly made famous by Tom . Hanks when he uttered the line 'Houston, we have a problem' in the movie . 'Apollo 13,' has long tied its fortune to a mix of oil and NASA. Astronauts train in the humid, . mosquito-ridden city, and many call it home years after they retire. The . Johnson Space Center and an adjacent museum hug Galveston Bay. Houston's bid for a shuttle was rejected after the White House retired the fleet last summer to spend more time and money on reaching destinations, such as Mars and asteroids. Instead, Houston got a replica that used to be displayed at the Kennedy Space Center. 'The one we're getting is a toy. An important toy, but a toy nonetheless,' said Scott Rush, 54, of Crystal Beach, Texas. Still, people came out in droves Wednesday, waving American flags and toting space shuttle toys, cameras and cell phones. Back-to-back delays in the ferry flight resulted in one day being cut from the Houston visit. After landing, the Endeavour rolled slowly in front of the cheering crowd. It circled and preened like a runway model, giving awed spectators an opportunity to take pictures from a variety of angles. 'I want to go on it,' said 3-year-old Joshua Lee as he headed to the landing area with his mother and grandmother. The shuttle took off after sunrise Thursday, riding piggyback on a jumbo jet. It stopped at Biggs Army Airfield in El Paso, Texas, before heading toward Tucson and then on to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, California. After spending a night there, the shuttle will head to Los Angeles International Airport on Friday. In mid-October, Endeavour will be transported down city streets to the California Science Center, its permanent home. NASA still plays a large role in Houston, and astronaut Clayton Anderson, who lived on the International Space Station from June to November 2007, encouraged people to focus on a new era of space exploration. 'The shuttles are a wonderful legacy, a huge part of Houston, but now it's time to look to the future,' said Anderson, who lives in the Houston suburb of League City. This is the last flight for a space shuttle. Atlantis will remain at Kennedy for display, and Discovery already is at the Smithsonian Institution, parked at a hangar in Virginia since April. Endeavour - the replacement for the destroyed Challenger shuttle - made its debut in 1992 and flew 25 times before it was retired. It logged 123 million miles in space and circled Earth nearly 4,700 times. Resting zone: The vessels sit on the tarmac at Ellington Field in Houson, Texas in the late evening hours of September 19 before departure for California . Going west: Space shuttle Endeavour, bolted atop a modified jumbo jet, makes its departure from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida . Happy trails: The 747 leaves a slight trail in the sky as it passed through Houston last night . Hello Houston: The space shuttle Endeavour atop its carrier craft flew over the Texas city yesterday .
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Endeavour Commander Mark Kelly and former Rep Gabrielle Giffords watched shuttle loop over Tucson .
Endeavour was built as a replacement for Challenger, which exploded shortly after takeoff in 1986 .
Logged 123million miles in space and circled Earth nearly 4,700 times .
Modified jumbo jet flew out of Houston this morning, passing through Arizona, and landed north of Los Angeles .
It will ultimately become a museum exhibit .
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Whether it's the bound lotus or the half frog, yoga poses can get you into a tangled mess. Now a new mat aims to change that by offering users spoken and visual cues on how to best position their body – without the need for an instructor. Described as the world's first smart yoga mat, the gadget also provides feedback by sending pressure data to an app on an Android or iOS device. Scroll down for video . High-tech Yoga: Described as the world's first smart yoga mat, the gadget provides feedback on poses by sending pressure data to an app on an Android or iOS device . On the outside, the 'SmartMat' looks like an ordinary yoga mat and can be rolled up into a gym bag. But beneath its outer foam is a grid of conductive fabric placed over what is known as piezo-resistive material. This material changes its electrical resistance when pressure is applied. With the help of software, this allows the mat to know where a user is standing and how much weight is being exerted on each of its zones. It also provide audio advice on breathing technique and hand position. 'We built SmartMat because we wanted a way to receive personalised yoga instruction without having to go to an outside class or hire a private teacher,' said SmartMat Founder, Neyma Jahan. 'SmartMat synchs with and analyses each user via a unique calibration process, providing the kind of custom biofeedback once exclusive to private lessons.' Strike a pose: The 'Smartmat' takes users through a series of poses to help determine their 'perfect pose' The Smartmat is the same size, consistency and rolls up like a 'regular yoga mat'. It connects to a smartphone or tablet using bluetooth. The device calibrates to a users body and yoga abilities to determine the correct adjustments for that individual. It's In-Class-Assist mode follows along to a users movements, recording those and offering real time adjustments either visually, via audio or both. In Home Private mode, the user follows along to the program receiving adjustments on first alignment and then balance. According to its Los-Angeles-based makers, if set-up correctly, the SmartMat can distinguish between 62 different yoga poses. A user begins by plugging in data on their weight, height and other body measurements into the mat. The gadget will then take the user through a series of poses and suggest adjustments to determine their 'perfect pose'. After this initial calibration, SmartMat will use the information to provide yoga recommendations during future sessions. Users can also teach themselves new moves through downloadable lessons, and a 'Zen mode' can be switched on to get feedback later. According to its Los-Angeles-based makers, if set-up correctly, the SmartMat can distinguish between 62 different yoga poses. As well as sending data to phone or table, the SmartMat also has a device stand built in so that information on posture can be viewed while exercising. SmartMat's creators are now using crowdfunding site Indiegogo to raise the $110,000 (£67,800) needed for production. Users can currently pre-order one for a pledge of around $250-300 (£155-195) and shipment is expected for August next year. How it works: On the outside, the 'SmartMat' looks like any other ordinary yoga mat and can be rolled up into a gym bag.But beneath its outer foam is a grid of conductive fabric placed over what is known as piezo-resistive material, which changes its electrical resistance when pressure is applied . Zen: Users can also teach themselves new moves through downloadable lessons, and a 'Zen mode' can be switched on to get feedback later .
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The 'SmartMat' provides spoken and visual cues on yoga positions .
It looks like an ordinary yoga mat and can be rolled up into a gym bag .
But beneath its foam is conductive fabric that is sensitive to pressure .
With the help of software, this allows the mat to know where a user is standing and how much weight is being exerted on each of its zones .
Users can now pre-order a mat on Indiegogo for $250-300 (£155-195)
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New York (CNN) -- A 19th-century artwork by French artist Edgar Degas will be handed back to the French government Friday -- nearly four decades after it was stolen. The painting, "Blanchisseuses souffrant des dent" ("Laundry Women with Toothache,") was taken in 1973 from the Malraux Museum in Le Havre, in Normandy, France, the U.S. District Attorney in Eastern New York said. It had been on loan from the French government, which considers the painting a national treasure. The piece did not resurface until October this year when it appeared in a catalog from the auction house Sotheby's, it said. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the French government will take part in a repatriation ceremony at 1 p.m. at the French ambassador's residence in Washington D.C. to return the painting. U.S. customs officials, working with authorities from INTERPOL, said the painting was consigned to French art collector Ronald Grelsamer. Grelsamer said his father gave him the painting as a gift, but was unaware that it was stolen, the statement said. Sotheby's said they had nothing indicating that the painting was stolen, saying it did not appear in any of its lost art databases, said company spokeswoman Diana Phillips. The auction house had a longstanding relationship with Grelsamer without incident, she added. "Sotheby's is happy to have been able to be involved in this discovery, and we are pleased that this painting will be returned to the government of France," Phillips said. The U.S. District Attorney office says that Greslamer intends to seek compensation for the painting. "The return of this masterpiece to the French government reflects our commitment to ensure the return of stolen artwork and cultural patrimony," it said in a written statement. The 6.25-inch-by-8.5-inch piece -- painted between 1870 and 1872 -- has an estimated value of $350,000 to $450,000, the statement said, quoting the company catalogue. The painting reflects a break from the academic focus of Degas' early years when he dedicated himself to the "search for the essence of modern life," said Sotheby's spokeswoman Lauren Gioai. "The 1870s gave rise to some of Degas most celebrated works," she said.
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19th-century painting will be returned to France almost four decades after it was stolen .
"Blanchisseuses souffrant des dent" was taken in 1973 from the Malraux Museum .
The painting did not resurface until October when it surfaced on Sotheby's catalog .
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan is expected to ask the Obama administration for additional troops and equipment, according to a senior U.S. military official familiar with Gen. Stanley McChrystal's thinking. Gen. Stanley McChrystal's report on the war's status will be delivered in August, the source says. The request will be for troops and equipment for conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as more assets to deal with roadside bombs and explosives, said the official, who declined to be identified because McChrystal's request has not been formally transmitted to the Pentagon. The request could be made in coming weeks after McChrystal completes a "troop-to-task review" to calculate whether there are enough U.S. troops in Afghanistan -- and the right mix of troops -- to carry out the military's war plan at an acceptable level of risk, the official said. The review could also lead to a request for additional troops for either combat or training of Afghan forces, but the official emphasized McChrystal has not made a decision on that. The military already has tasked an additional 4,000 troops to train Afghan forces. The official said McChrystal is likely to submit his recommendations to Defense Secretary Robert Gates as a series of options, with each option having a level of risk attached to it. "This will start the discussion" within the highest levels of the administration about whether to send a significant number of additional troops, the official said. Gates has signaled he would be open to sending more troops if it could be demonstrated they are needed. But he also has expressed caution that the United States not send so many troops that it has too heavy a footprint in the country. The troop-to-task review will follow McChrystal's assessment of the war, due 60 days after he took command in mid-June. That report is expected to be sent to Gates and NATO's secretary general by August 14, the official said. It will discuss a detailed strategy for success of the counterinsurgency mission, such as the need for U.S. and Afghan forces to conduct more integrated operations and the need to focus on population centers. It is also expected to call for an increase in the number of Afghan security forces. "This will be a really frank and honest discussion of how things are, and what it takes to get the job done," the official said.
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Gen. Stanley McChrystal also will ask for equipment, source says .
Request will involve intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, source says .
More assets to deal with roadside bombs, explosives sought, source says .
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Only one in five children eats vegetables every day - instead preferring processed food such as sausages and fish fingers, a survey has revealed. Just 19 per cent of parents said their . child eats vegetables every and of those who don't, over half said their . child, 'simply won't eat them at all'. The worrying findings come after latest figures showed that a third of final-year primary school students are overweight or obese. Only one in five children eats vegetables every day - instead preferring processed food such as sausages and fish fingers, a survey has found . And last year it was revealed that children as young as 14 are having weight loss surgery, with 45 going under the knife in England since 2007. The new survey, commissioned by Vouchercloud, also found that the average child in the UK eats just five different meals a week - including sausages, chips and fish fingers. The study polled 1,912 parents with children aged 10 or under and revealed children only eat five different types of meal a week. More than 80 per cent of parents also admitted their child was 'too fussy' - but nearly 40 per cent said they didn't feel vegetables were necessary with every meal. 1) Spaghetti bolognese: 43% . 2) Sausage and chips: 40% . 3) Roast dinner: 37% . 4) Sausage and mash: 35% . 5) Fish fingers and chips: 35% . Just over 61 per cent of parents conceded their child's diet was limited, but only 23 per cent had tried to broaden their child's eating preferences. Commenting on the latest research, Matthew Wood of Vouchercloud.com, said: 'It was surprising to see just how few meals the average child eats, but seeing that so few parents have attempted to broaden their child's eating habits explains a lot.' Last month a study found that an aversion to eating greens is in the genes - rather than a child simply being a picky eater for no reason. DNA also largely governs our taste for fruit, the University College London researchers found. However, they say parents aren't completely off the hook because a child's appetite for chocolate, crisps, biscuits and chips is mainly fed by what happens at home. The researchers asked the parents of more than 1,300 pairs of twins how much their children liked 84 different foods. Previous research has found that children who introduced to vegetables with a sauce - such as ketchup or cheese - are more likely to eat them plain later on . Salad was particularly disliked, followed by sprouts and mushrooms. And only four vegetables were actually liked – sweet corn, peas, tomatoes and carrots. However, the tomatoes had to be tinned and the carrots cooked to pass muster. But help may be at hand. Another study last month found that adding condiments such as ketchup and cheese sauce to vegetables can help develop a child's taste for greens later in life. Arizona Sate University researchers say children introduced to Brussels sprouts with cream cheese were more likely to eat them and say they liked them - even when they were later served plain.
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Survey found that 10 per cent of children also totally refuse to eat veg .
82 per cent of parents admitted their child was 'too fussy'
A third of UK primary school students are overweight or obese .
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The National Security Agency has monitored the phone conversations of at least 35 world leaders after being given their numbers by an official in another government department, according to a classified document leaked by whistle-blower Edward Snowden. The confidential memo reveals that senior officials in 'customer' departments such the White House and the Pentagon were encouraged to share their ‘Rolodexes’ of contact details with the NSA. The agency then added the phone numbers of the foreign politicians to their surveillance systems and started to monitor them. The NSA has monitored the phone conversations of at least 35 world leaders according to the latest leak of classified government information to emerge from Edward Snowden . According to the leaked document handed over to The Guardian, one unnamed official handed over 200 numbers - including those of at least 35 world leaders - none of whom were named. The revelation comes amid mounting diplomatic tensions between the US and its allies, after the German chancellor Angela Merkel accused the American government on Wednesday of tapping her mobile phone. The White House has denied that it is currently listening in on Merkel's phone calls. Spokesman . Jay Carney said on Wednesday that 'the United States is not monitoring and will not . monitor the communications of the chancellor.' GSM base stations, for example, make it possible to monitor mobile phones, such as that of German Chancellor Angela Merkel . But German newspaper Der Spiegel noted that the White House . spokesperson 'did not wish to specify' whether the U.S. denied . monitoring Merkel's communications in the past. European leaders united in anger Thursday as they attended a summit overshadowed by reports of widespread U.S. spying on its allies. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the allegations had shattered trust in the Obama administration and undermined the crucial trans-Atlantic relationship. Merkel's unusually stern remarks as she arrived at the European Union gathering indicated she wasn't placated by a phone conversation she had Wednesday with President Barack Obama, or his personal assurances that the U.S. is not listening in on her calls now. 'We need trust among allies and partners,' Merkel told reporters in Brussels. 'Such trust now has to be built anew. This is what we have to think about.' 'The United States of America and Europe face common challenges. We are allies,' the German leader said. 'But such an alliance can only be built on trust. That's why I repeat again: spying among friends, that cannot be.' Controversy: The National Security Agency (NSA) headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland has been at the centre of a developing diplomatic row since Edward Snowden leaked documents . This . latest leak lends weight to claims that surveillance of national . leaders - even allies - is not only routine practise but that the NSA . isn’t shy about asking other US officials for their help. The memo dates from October 2006 and so was written halfway through George W Bush's second term. It . was issued to staff in the agency's Signals Intelligence Directorate . (SID) and was titled ‘Customers Can Help SID Obtain Targetable Phone . Numbers’. Officials who mixed with world leaders and politicians were encouraged to provide information that could help with surveillance. ‘In . one recent case,’ the memo noted, ‘a US official provided NSA with 200 . phone numbers to 35 world leaders … Despite the fact that the majority . is probably available via open source, the PCs [intelligence production . centers] have noted 43 previously unknown phone numbers. These numbers . plus several others have been tasked.’ The White House has denied the claims that U.S. intelligence has been listening in on Merkel's phone (Obama pictured this week) The . document explained that the new phone numbers had helped the agency . discover more new contact details to add to their monitoring, but . acknowledged that eavesdropping on the numbers had produced ‘little . reportable intelligence.’ The memo then asks analysts to think about useful contact details that they might be able to provide. ‘This . success leads S2 [signals intelligence] to wonder if there are NSA . liaisons whose supported customers may be willing to share their . 'Rolodexes' or phone lists with NSA as potential sources of . intelligence," it states. "S2 welcomes such information!" On . Thursday Carney told reporters: 'The [NSA] revelations have clearly . caused tension in our relationships with some countries, and we are . dealing with that through diplomatic channels. 'These . are very important relations both economically and for our security, . and we will work to maintain the closest possible ties.'
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A NSA memo requesting contact details from senior foreign officials be provided by other government departments have been leaked .
Senior officials were encouraged to share their 'Rolodexs'
The memo dates from Oct 2006 and was leaked by ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that U.S. spying on allies has shattered trust in President Obama's administration .
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Most wanted: Warwick Spinks, a violent paedophile who was on the run for 15 years, has been arrested at Heathrow Airport after he was found in the Czech Republic . A violent paedophile who was on the run for 15 years has been found in the Czech Republic and arrested after a major international manhunt, a child protection unit has today confirmed. Warwick Andrew Spinks, 48, was arrested at Heathrow Airport after he was tracked down by officers from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop). The 48 year old had used various aliases while on the run, including Willem Van Wijk and William Spinks. His horrifying back catalogue of abuse led to his nickname 'the Pied Piper of Paedophiles' after he bragged he could arrange sex with young boys for as little as 10p. He was convicted in 1995 of a series of sexual offences against boys, including serious sexual assault at knifepoint, taking a child without lawful authority and taking indecent images of children. He was jailed for seven years but this was reduced to a five-year term on appeal. In 1997, while on release on licence, Spinks went missing and fled the UK. He now faces serving the remaining 18 months of his sentence. Ceop chief executive Peter Davies said: 'Ceop officers, in conjunction with officers at the Metropolitan Police Service and Soca (Serious Organised Crime Agency), have worked tirelessly over a number of years to locate and trace a high-risk child sexual offender, who believed he could avoid being managed in the UK by travelling overseas. Then and now: Abuser was first investigated in . 1992 (left) after police suspected he had links with paedophile rings . in the UK and Europe. Spinks (pictured right) after his arrest on Friday . Finally caught: Spinks, 48, was arrested at Heathrow Airport after he was tracked down by officers from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) 'I hope this arrest sends a clear message to other missing child sexual offenders that however far you travel to avoid facing the consequences of your actions, we will track you down and bring you to justice.' The abuser was first investigated in 1992, after police suspected he had links with paedophile rings in the UK and Europe. He acted as a 'fixer' in Amsterdam, the Sunday People reports, where he introduced sex tourists looking for underage boys. He told undercover officers from the Metropolitan and Dutch police he could pick up young boys from German, Prague and Poland for as little as 10p. He was also caught on secret camera offering to supply a video in which a 10 year old boy was killed and one featuring the horrific abuse of a young boy. When Spinks was sentenced in 1995 at Lewes Crown Court for a string of offences against under-age boys, the court heard how he drugged a 14 year old boy and 'sold him' to a gay brothel in Amsterdam. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
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Warwick Spinks, now 48, was caught in the Czech Republic after international manhunt .
Horrifying back catalogue of abuse led .
to his nickname 'the Pied Piper of Paedophiles' after he bragged he could .
arrange sex with young boys for as little as 10p .
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(CNN) -- A double from Klass-Jan Huntelaar saw AC Milan warm up for next week's Champions League clash with Manchester United by defeating Udinese 3-2 at the San Siro, a result that moves them up to second place in the Serie A table. The home side took a seventh minute lead when Dutch international Huntelaar powered home a near post header from Ronaldinho's superb cross. And in-form Ronaldinho, who has been surprisingly left out of Brazil's squad for next month's friendly international against the Republic of Ireland, also set up Alexandre Pato to tap in a second goal six minutes before half time. However, the visitors pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time when Antonio Floro Flores headed home Antonio Di Natale's cross. But man-of-the-match Ronaldinho helped restore Milan's two-goal advantage in the 57th minute when his free-kick was flicked on by Massimo Ambrosini, for Huntelaar to score from close range. Di Natale made the last four minutes interesting when firing past goalkeeper Dida, after beating the Milan offside trap, but the home side held on to go above Roma in the table -- eight points behind city rivals Inter. Meanwhile, in the Friday evening German Bundesliga match, Borussia Moenchengladbach beat Nuremberg 2-1 to move up to 11th place in the table.
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Klass-Jan Huntelaar scored twice as AC Milan beat Udinese 3-2 on Friday .
The result lifts Milan up to second place in the table, eight points behind leaders Inter .
Borussia Moenchengladbach beat Nuremberg 2-1 to move up to 11th in Bundesliga .
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By . Jessica Jerreat . A California pastor accused of causing the death of a 55-year-old man last year has had a murder charge against him dropped. Rob Lynn Cox was charged with murder several months after an altercation with Link Ellingson in the parking lot of a Las Vegas bar in June last year. At one point, Ellingson fell backwards and hit his head on the ground, causing brain injuries that left him hospitalized for six months before he died from a hemorrhage. Accused: Pastor Robert Cox, pictured with his wife Julie, had murder charges against him dropped in court on Wednesday . Victim: Link Ellingson hit his head on the ground during an altercation last June. The 55-year-old died after spending six months in hospital . Cox was arrested in the California church he works at with his father-in-law after a coroner ruled that Ellingson's death had been a homicide. The charge was dropped by a judge yesterday after prosecutors announced that they planned to bring the case before a grand jury. The judge also ordered that the $100,000 bail for the pastor be returned. 'We’re simply not proceeding with the criminal complaint,' prosecutor Robert Daskas told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The grand jury, whose proceedings are . carried out in private, will have to determine whether Cox should be . indicted in the death. Family and friends had gathered outside the court yesterday to show support for Cox, who could be disqualified from adopting children with his wife, Julie, because of the legal case. Hearing: Cox, pictured in a beige jacket and white shirt in court Wednesday, had his bail money returned . Relief: Cox, right, hugs one of his supporters outside the court on Wednesday after the judge dropped charges . At the time of the altercation, Cox had been visiting Las Vegas with some church interns for missionary work. They had stopped at the Four Kegs pub for dinner, before continuing their journey to Texas. According to witness Kelli Lane, Ellingson approached Cox and the interns and said: 'Hey girlfriend, you want to f*** with me?' She said: 'Rob was immediately like, "Oh my gosh, no," backed up, "I . have kids here".' Another witness, who was part of the church group, claimed that as Ellingson approached Cox grabbed him around the waist and they both fell to the ground. Ellingson's widow, Marie, has refuted claims that her husband of 29 years would have acted in the way witnesses described. Some of the things he was accused of saying 'are not even in his vocabulary,' she told Associated Press. 'Unfortunately, [the case has] been making me very sad. I'm a Christian myself. It's discouraging to see a Christian church and to see these . horrible things [they're saying,' she said. Mrs Ellingson kept a six-month vigil at her husband's bedside after the incident, and said she had to endure seeing her once-gregarious husband overcome brain surgery, and suffer strokes and coma before he finally died just before Christmas. Upsetting: Ellingson's widow, Marie, says she has been hurt by the accusations made against her husband . Fight: Cox and Ellingson were involved in a confrontation at the Four Kegs, above, in Las Vegas in June last year . For a short time it appeared that Ellingson was recovering. Facebook posts to update friends and family of his condition, shared excitement when he managed to sit up or start speaking again. Mrs Ellingson said members of her church group, Canyon Ridge Christian Church, had been helping her through her grief. 'I . just really wish that the truth comes out, and that things are taken . care of fairly and that Link is looked at in a good light. God is a judge, not me.' For Cox, who claimed he was acting in self-defense and had immediately reported the incident to the police, he must now wait for the grand jury's decision.
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Rob Cox had $100,000 bail returned by the courts after judge dropped case .
35-year-old was accused of pushing Link Ellingson to the ground outside a Las Vegas bar .
Ellingson, 55, needed brain surgery and was in a coma for months .
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A car fanatic gave his pet dog away after he was left distraught when she chewed a hole through the wheel arch of his prized £80,000 Aston Martin. Builder Royston Grimstead, 42, was devastated when he came home to find his border collie spaniel cross Luce had chewed through the fibreglass panel of his luxury car - causing £3,000 of damage. Mr Grimstead, from Chedzoy, Somerset, said he had already been considering re-homing the dog, which he said did not get along with his other dog, but the damage to the car was the final straw. Royston Grimstead was left distraught after he found his car had been chewed by his pet dog . Border collie spaniel cross Luce (left) has now been give away following the incident last Wednesday . A dog behaviour expert has suggested it . was likely Luce, who Mr Grimstead claimed had never chewed any of his . possessions before, went for the car after she became stressed while her . owner was away. Mr Grimstead said: 'I came home and saw her covered in white stuff and I thought she had got a bird and it was feathers - but it was the fibreglass from the car. 'She had chewed out a huge chunk. I just laughed. I mean, what else could I do? I'm not a crier and she knew she had done something wrong because she had this guilty look on her face.' Mr Grimstead said the dog, who he has had for three years, had never gone for any of his possessions before she chewed her way through the car last Wednesday. The dog is understood to have had access to the outside of his home where the car is kept. He said: 'She avoided me after she did it and she was gone the next day. I didn't tell the new owners what she had done - I expect when they hear I'll find Luce back on my doorstep.' Luckily the insurance company paid the £3,000 worth of damage caused by the animal . Mr Grimstead, who bought his beloved Aston Martin DB9 Volante 15 months ago, added: 'She does not get on with my other dog. 'She must have overheard me talking about re-homing her because she's normally friendly and never really chewed on anything before.' Mr Grimstead's car is insured against the £3,000 damage and is set to be repaired next week. Dog behaviour expert Helen Stone said she was surprised to see the damage done to the exterior of the car. Ms Stone, who works as a canine welfare trainer at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, said: 'It's quite an extensive amount of damage. It's very severe the damage that has been done there, I think however it looks a lot worse because it is the wheel arch of a car. Mr Grimstead's car is insured against the £3,000 damage and is set to be repaired next week . 'A lot of the time, dogs that have issues being left alone will chew door frames and cabinets and things like that - I think we have seen a lot worse damage when people have brought dogs into us, but not a car like that.' Ms Stone said it was an unusual case because Luce had never chewed anything before. She said: 'If she's normally fine to be left alone it seems like something will have happened to her, some stress or something, when he was out. 'We always say it is important that owners give their dogs something that they are happy to chew on when on their own and things to do to keep them busy when their owners are out.'
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Royston Grimstead distraught after finding pet had chewed part of car .
Fibre glass wheel arch of £80,000 Aston Martin completely gnawed off .
Border collie spaniel cross Luce was given away following the incident .
But her new owners don't know what she did, admits Mr Grimstead .
Mr Grimstead bought the Aston Martin DB9 Volante 15 months ago .
Car is insured against £3,000 damage and will be repaired next week .
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By . Sophie Borland . Hospitals could be given more money from the Government if patients are happy with their care, according to the new NHS chief. Simon Stevens said in future, a higher proportion of funding given to trusts would be based on patients’ views – as well as the quality of care given and the prevention of disease. In a speech to the NHS Confederation Conference in Liverpool, he promised ‘far reaching changes in how hospitals and community services are funded’. A higher proportion of hospital and care funding will be given to trusts based on patient's views, the NHS chief said today (library image) At present, hospitals are given more money from the NHS if they reach certain targets for providing good care – for example preventing falls and bedsores, and offering patients screening for dementia. But Mr Stevens said he wanted a higher proportion of funding to be tied to patients’ overall experience of their time in hospital. It is not yet clear if this would be assessed through surveys such as the recently introduced ‘friends and family test’. Mr Stevens, 48, who is married with two children, took over from the beleaguered Sir David Nicholson in April. Last week – in his first interview since taking up the position – he called for small district hospitals to play a greater role in caring for the elderly closer to home. Speaking yesterday, he said: ‘We need to take a new look at incentives. Simon Stevens, pictured, promised 'far reaching' changes to funding - adding quality of care and prevention of disease would also be taken in to account . ‘NHS England is currently expecting to spend up to £2.7billion on various performance incentives for community and acute providers [hospitals]. ‘We will be undertaking a hardnosed review of how these various schemes are structured, and what we for the money. ‘More broadly, across all NHS-funded services, we’ll be pushing for a steadily increasing proportion of payments tied to performance, quality and outcomes.’ He also told delegates that the NHS should be at the ‘forefront’ of treating patients based on their genetic make-up.
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Funding to be given to trusts based on patients' views, NHS chief says .
Quality of care and prevention of disease also taken in to account, he added .
Simon Stevens promised 'far reaching changes' in care funding .
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By . Associated Press Reporter and Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 22:17 EST, 29 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 22:17 EST, 29 August 2013 . NBC News anchor Brian Williams returns to screens next Tuesday, having been away since undergoing knee replacement surgery on Aug. 6. The network said on Thursday that Willliams will be back to work at 'Nightly News' after Labor Day. NBC has the top-rated evening news program, but ABC's 'World News' with Diane Sawyer has been creeping closer. Lester Holt has been filling in for Williams since his surgery. On the road to recovery: Brian Williams returns the screens next weeks after knee replacement surgery . Williams discussed the knee replacement surgery Thursday in a Nightly News segment about the procedure by Dr. Nancy Snyderman. 'If you don't see me around here for a while, this is the reason why,' he said, describing the 'helmet to the knee' injury he suffered playing high school football. 'I have been in pain for 35 years,' said Williams. 'I have paid a very high price from what's been confirmed to be the single worst New Jersey high school Catholic League football career in history,' he joked. Williams, 54, said he's had three previous surgeries on his right knee but the pain was becoming more of an issue. When it began costing him sleep, Williams said he realized it was time to take care of it. Williams, seen here with his wife Jane, said he had been in pain for 35 years due to his football playing injury . Bone-on-bone: Williams had been in agony for 35 years with his knee, which has lost all its cartilage meaning there was no cushioning between his bones. Surgery replaced it with an artificial joint . 'If this doesn't go perfectly, it can't hurt any more than it does now,' he said. Snyderman said most people who have knee replacement surgery miss between three weeks and three months of work, depending on the physical nature of their jobs. Full recovery takes between six months and a year. Williams joked during an appearance on David Letterman's Late Show last month that 'I want to come back almost a little too early gooned on medication. I think it will be great viewing.' Long considered one of America’s favorite news anchors, Williams' skills as a hip hop MC were revealed by ‘Late Night’ host Jimmy Fallon recently. Back in June, Fallon featured Williams hitting up some 90s West Coast flavor with a mash-up of Warren G’s 'Regulate' and Dr Dre's 'Nuthin but a 'G' Thang', then earlier this month it was time for Brian to get old skool (sic) with a blast of Young MC’s classic 80s cut ‘Bust A Move.’ The hilarious footage was created by splicing together Williams' words from countless news broadcasts to create an almost seamless mash-up of the first and second verses of the 1989 classic all about the age-old story of boys trying to impress the ladies.
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NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams returns to screens next week .
The newscaster has been recovering from knee surgery carried out earlier this month .
Lester Holt had been filling in while Williams was away .
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‘Y’all’ is the Southern American way of saying ‘you all’ or ‘you guys’ and is a much-loved word. It’s charming, useful and down to earth and therefore very American, but controversy has been welling up over a number of decades over its use in the singular. One language expert has described this debate as ‘the Loch Ness Monster of dialect studies’, because examples of it being used in this way are so few and far between. ‘Y’all’ is the Southern American way of saying ‘you all’ or ‘you guys’ and is a much-loved word . Arkia Okrent, author of In The Land Of Invented Language, writing in The Week, argues that most Southerners will firmly deny that they ever use y’all to mean the singular ‘you’. She said: ‘The whole idea of singular "y'all" strikes them as, at best, the fanciful invention of confused and clueless Northerners, and, at worst, an outrageous insult.’ To underline this point she quotes linguist E. Bagby Atwood, who in his 1962 study of Texas English, wrote: ‘If anything is likely to lead to another Civil War, it is the Northerner's accusation that Southerners use you all to refer to only one person.’ Some wrongly think that when Southerners ask a shop keeper, for example, whether ‘y’all got some eggs?’ they are using the word in the singular, when actually they mean ‘do you or any of your colleagues have any eggs?’, Okrent writes. Sensitive: One writer declared that ‘if anything is likely to lead to another Civil War, it is the Northerner's accusation that Southerners use you all to refer to only one person'. Pictured is a steam boat on the Mississippi, in the heart of Southern America . However, she said that there are instances of y’all been used as a form of singular address by Southerners, for example a waitress asking a lone customer ‘how are y'all's grits?’. The explanation may be rooted in social pressures, though – as it may be deployed in the above circumstance as a mark of deference, Okrent said, to establish an atmosphere of gentle decorum where simply saying ‘your’ might seem a little abrupt. It is also used by Southerners to reinforce their identity, she claims. So sometimes they use it in the singular when they’re travelling in other parts of the country or feel themselves outnumbered by Northerners in their own community. A study by Jan Tillery and Guy Bailey found that many Southerners exaggerate their use of the phrase, and use it in ways that might not be strictly correct, to turn it into a ‘badge of identity’. Okrent said: ‘Northerners… have been hearing singular "y'all" all along. They just didn't realize it was not part of Southern English, but a different dialect, Exaggerated Southern English.’
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‘Y’all’ is the Southern American way of saying ‘you all’ or ‘you guys’
It’s charming, useful and down to earth and therefore very American .
But controversy has been welling up over its use in the singular .
Northerners wrongly think it can be used to mean 'you', one writer argues .
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A Pennsylvania doctor is being hailed a hero today after he seriously injured a patient who went on a shooting spree in his office. Dr. Lee Silverman, a psychiatrist, told police that the patient, identified as Richard Plotts, fatally shot a caseworker at their hospital complex before the doctor pulled out his own gun and exchanged fire with him and wounded him, a prosecutor said Thursday night. Silverman was grazed in the temple during the gunfight in his office, according to Delaware District Attorney Jack Whelan. Yeadon Police Chief Donald Molineux said that 'without a doubt, I believe the doctor saved lives.' Scroll down for video . Hero: This screen grab is believed to show Dr. Lee Silverman, who fired back at Richard Plotts when the psychiatric patient opened fire on Thursday at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital . SWAT: Police gather at the scene of a shooting at the Mercy-Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby . 'Without that firearm, this guy (the patient) could have went out in the hallway and just walked down the offices until he ran out of ammunition,' the chief said. Whelan identified the caseworker killed Thursday afternoon at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital as Theresa Hunt, 53. Hunt, who was from Philadelphia, had accompanied Plotts to an appointment with Silverman at a psychiatric crisis center adjacent to the hospital in Darby, just southwest of Philadelphia, authorities said. 'When the caseworker was shot, (Silverman) crouched down behind the desk to avoid him being shot,' Whelan said. 'He was able to reach for his weapon, and realizing it was a life or death situation, was able to engage the defendant in the exchange of gunfire.' A hospital worker views police activity after the frightening shooting . An officer stands guard near where a doctor grazed by gunfire from a patient who had entered his office in a suburban hospital's psychiatric unit stopped him by returning fire with his own gun and injuring him . A struggle ensued and spilled out into the hallway, Whelan said. Another doctor and a caseworker jumped in to help Silverman and secure Plotts' weapon, he said. The motive for the shooting remained unclear late Thursday, although Whelan said Plotts, of Upper Darby, might have had issues with the doctor over his treatment plan. However, it's unclear if that's why Silverman was armed, apparently against hospital policy. 'We do believe that there were some issues between the doctor and the patient, but whether or not he actually feared him is unclear,' the prosecutor said. 'From all accounts, (he) would have acted in self-defense.' Whelan said that Plotts, 49, was still in surgery Thursday evening at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, while Silverman had been treated and released. Telephone calls to the doctor's home went unanswered. Fatal shooting: Several victims were reported after shots were fired at the Darby Borough hospital and at least one victim has died . Suspect: Shots broke out around 2pm but by 3pm reports from the scene indicated the suspected shooter was in custody . Plotts does not have a listed home phone number. Court records in Delaware County show a man of the same name and age with a lengthy criminal record, but Whelan was uncertain if they were the same person. The hospital has a policy barring anyone except on-duty law enforcement officers from carrying weapons on its campus, a spokeswoman for the Mercy Health System said. But Molineux insisted Silverman was a hero who saved lives. Two guns were recovered from the scene, Whelan said. Staff members had heard loud arguing inside Silverman's office during the appointment. They opened the door and noticed the patient had a gun pointed at the doctor, so they quietly closed the door and dialed 911, Whelan said. Gunshots were heard a short time later, just before 2:30 p.m. Terrifying: Around 100 terrified people ran out of the hospital's wellness center as SWAT teams rushed in . Hospital workers view police activity at the scene of a shooting Thursday at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, Pennsylvania . About 100 people were evacuated. The shooting reportedly occurred on a third floor psych ward . Standing ready: A police officer carries his weapon near the scene of a shooting at the Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby . Plotts, severely wounded from several shots, emerged from the office, and another doctor and a caseworker helped wrestle him to the floor of the hallway and grabbed his weapon, Whelan said. 'They acted vigilantly. They acted bravely,' he said. The exchange of gunfire occurred on the third floor of the Wellness Center at Mercy Fitzgerald, a 204-bed community teaching hospital. Authorities said there are no surveillance cameras in the doctor's office or the waiting area outside. They also said the center had no metal detectors. Patients waiting in the first-floor lobby reported a tense scene when police arrived and ordered everyone out. Most of the patients were elderly. 'I dozed off, and I heard the cop shouting, "Come on, come on, get out!"' said Millicent Russell, of Lansdowne, who was waiting for a 3 p.m. appointment. 'There were people with walkers and canes and stuff. All these cops were outside running here and there with these guns.' A gunman opened fire inside the Pennsylvania psychiatric facility, pictured, killing a woman . Swarm: Shots rang out at the Delaware County facility around 2pm and SWAT teams quickly descended on the building . Shots fired: A gunman killed at least one and injured others at a Pennsylvania hospital outside Philadelphia Thursday afternoon. The 213-bed teaching hospital is part of the Mercy Health System, a large Catholic health care network serving the region .
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Shots rang out at Mercy Fitgerald Hospital in Darby just at 2pm Thursday .
Dr Lee Silverman 'saved lives' when he pulled out his own gun and fired at the patient, Richard Plotts .
However, the gunman had already shot dead caseworker Theresa Hunt, 53 .
The shooter, reportedly a psychiatric patient at the hospital, is in critical condition .
Two guns were recovered from the scene .
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By . Sarah Griffiths . PUBLISHED: . 08:17 EST, 18 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:49 EST, 18 December 2013 . Jayde Pitt was so ill that she spent up to 18 hours a day vomiting in her bathroom . A schoolgirl crippled by a rare . condition that saw her vomit up to 40 times a day was sick so often that . doctors were convinced she was pregnant. Jayde Pitt, 12, from Hereford, was so ill that she spent up to 18 hours a day vomiting in her bathroom. Her illness is so rare that baffled doctors were concerned she could be pregnant or bulimic. After months of sickness, Jayde’s mother, Leanne Rodrigues, was told that her daughter has a condition known as Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome, which causes sufferers to be regularly sick. After weeks of tests Jayde was put on medication to control her condition, but can still be sick five or six times a day if she gets nervous. Ms Rodrigues said: ‘It was awful to watch Jayde go through all this and not be able to help her in any way. ‘I was so worried about her and it didn’t matter how much I pleaded with doctors, they just couldn’t pin down what was wrong with her. ‘I have two younger daughters and I couldn’t be in the bathroom seeing to Jayde all the time as well as looking after her sisters. ‘We have since found out it is a . notoriously difficult condition to diagnose and when Jayde first fell . ill it felt like whichever way we turned we came to a dead end.’ It was only after appointments with five different doctors that Jayde was diagnosed with the rare condition. Ms Rodrigues said: ‘It had got to the . point where I felt like we would never get answers and seeing Jayde . suffer was just horrible. Jayde began constantly vomiting and writhing in pain with stomach cramps in September and after 48 hours of her constantly being sick, her mother Leanne became seriously worried . ‘We tried so many different things to help stop her from being sick but there was nothing we could do. ‘She spent the majority of her days sitting in the bathroom just being sick repeatedly.’ CVS is characterised by recurrent, prolonged attacks of severe vomiting, nausea and lethargy, with no apparent cause. It is thought there might be a genetic link. Vomiting . persists at frequent intervals, 5-6 times per hour at the peak, for . periods ranging from hours to 10 days or more. It most commonly lasts . for between 1 and 4 days. Symptoms . include: Severe and consistent nausea up to six times an hour, pallor, . headaches and abdominal pain, lethargy and dizziness . The . onset of CVS can occur at any time but most commonly develops between . the age of 3-7 years and can persist for periods of time ranging from . months to decades. SOURCE: Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome Association UK . Jayde began constantly vomiting and writhing in pain with stomach cramps in September and after 48 hours of her constantly being sick, her mother became seriously worried. ‘I expected doctors to maybe say that it was just a virus not something as extreme as this. ‘As she hadn’t lost any weight they didn’t think it was an eating disorder and the only conclusion they could come to was she was either pregnant or making it up. ‘I was completely gobsmacked when they asked me if she could be pregnant. ‘Having to make her do the test I knew that it would come back negative but wanted to be able to prove it to the doctors.’ It was only when Jayde saw the . paediatrician she had as a toddler that he recognised her symptoms as . being CVS, and started her on a course of treatment. After . three months of constantly vomiting, Jayde is now only sick when she . feels particularly nervous or anxious and can now live a more normal . life. After months of sickness, Jayde was diagnosed with cyclical vomiting syndrome, which causes sufferers to be regularly sick . Ms Rodrigues, a self-employed saleswoman, said: ‘I am so pleased we have finally found a diagnosis and Jayde can almost live a normal life again. ‘As a mum it was heartbreaking watching her being so ill and being unable to do anything for her. ‘Now as long as she takes her medication and doesn’t worry about things we can have a relatively normal day.’ Dr Robin Dover, Chair of the Cyclical . Vomiting Syndrome Association UK, said: ‘CVS affects people of any age. Although it used to be thought of as a disease of childhood, it can . develop in adults too. ‘Periods . of normal health are interspersed with bouts of intense debilitating . nausea and vomiting. These attacks can last from one day to two weeks or . more. Jayde is now receiving treatment and is only sick when she feels particularly nervous or anxious . ‘At its peak vomiting can occur six times an hour. It is the most severe vomiting condition in humans. ‘Relatively little is known about the causes and treatment can be difficult. Hospitalisation may be necessary and potent anti-emetic drugs may help reduce the symptoms. ‘Quality of life is usually severely impacted and education or work attendance can be badly affected.
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Jayde Pitt spent up to 18 hours a day vomiting in her bathroom .
She was diagnosed with a condition known as Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome .
Having started a course of treatment, Jayde is now only sick when she feels particularly nervous or anxious and can now live a more normal life .
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LONDON, England (CNN) -- UK businesses, already hurting from a recession, were counting the cost Monday of the country's worst snowstorm in almost two decades, as a crippled transport system left commuters stranded, offices semi-deserted and airlines grounded. Pedestrians cross the Thames in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London's financial district. At least 20 percent of the workforce nationwide, or 6.4 million employees, failed to make it into work Monday morning, according to an estimate by the Federation of Small Businesses. But the figure was estimated to be far higher -- around 40 percent -- in London and southeast England, which is home to around a fifth of all British businesses. FSB spokesman Stephen Alambritis told CNN the cost of Monday's disruptions would likely reach £1.2 billion ($1.7 billion). With further snowfalls forecasted for Tuesday and Wednesday, that figure was likely to rise, he warned . "It's pretty bad out there and throughout the whole of the UK," Alambritis said. "The blow to the economy should be lightened by the fact that people can work via internet and laptops. But what we are seeing is economic activity reduced, contracts not being signed, invoices not being sent out and meetings being canceled." Douglas McWilliams, Chief Executive of the Centre for Economics and Business Research warned that up to 3,000 businesses could go bankrupt as a result of short-term cashflow problems caused by the weather. "Many of the businesses that are close to failing are in the retail and construction sectors that are likely to be most affected by the snow and transport disruption," McWilliams said in a statement. Alambritis said that the disruption would also damage the UK's reputation as a place to do business and called for the government and local authorities to invest in infrastructural improvements to cope with freak weather. "It gives the UK a bad name if there's a bit of snow and the whole economy grounds to a halt," he said. "Why is it that in Canada, New Zealand and Scandinavia they have these snowfalls and everything carries on?" In the City, financial markets were running at 50 percent capacity in early trading with just 120 million shares changing hands by 0910 GMT, according to David Buik of BGC Partners. But a spokesman for the London Stock Exchange told CNN later that trading had not been too badly affected, with most trading automated at the big firms. Airlines were expected to be particularly badly hit with hundreds of flights canceled or severely delayed from airports in the southeast as Heathrow and Stansted were forced to shutdown runways. Budget airline Ryanair, which operates out of Stansted, canceled more than 100 flights and said stranded passengers could book a new flight free of charge. But some businesses were enjoying an unexpected boost from the chaos. With bus and rail links down across London, taxi firms were reporting surging demand. Keith Cain, the control room manager for Dial-a-Cab, the city's biggest taxi company, said the firm had been receiving more than 5,000 calls an hour, mostly from companies trying to get their employees to their desks. Hotels near Heathrow Airport also reported being overwhelmed by stranded passengers seeking rooms for the night.
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UK crippled by heavy snow; economic cost estimated to reach $1.7 billion .
Around 20 percent of employees failed to make it to work on Monday .
Figure much higher in London, southeast England, where many businesses based .
Up to 3,000 firms could go bust because of the bad weather, analysts warn .
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Interior designer Iris Apfel, 93, is fast becoming one of the fashion industry's most sought-after models, having just unveiled her second high-profile ad campaign in as many months. Just weeks after featuring alongside teen blogger Tavi Gevinson in jeweler Alexis Bittar's new campaign, Mrs Apfel has been revealed as the newest face of Kate Spade's Spring 2015 collection, alongside Victoria's Secret favorite Karlie Kloss, 22. In the campaign, the duo are pictured cosying up to one another on a park bench, with Mrs Apfel modeling a pair of bold green trousers, blue polka-dot socks and a beautifully embellished beige coat, while Miss Kloss is wearing a simple white dress and wedges. Scroll down for video . Fashion icon: Iris Apfel, 93, stars in Kate Spade's Spring 2015 campaign alongside 22-year-old Victoria's Secret model Karlie Kloss . Young love: Mrs Apfel is joined in one ad image by a well-dressed suitor . In another image, Mrs Apfel is joined on the bench by an elderly gentleman, who is showcasing an incredibly dapper sense of style in a double-breasted blazer and tie combination. The US fashion label also called on the talents of some slightly younger models too; one of the most striking images from the campaign features Miss Kloss sitting on the bench reading a book, while two red-headed pre-teen twins cause havoc around her. Kate Spade is the latest in a long line of high profile brands to defy society's preconceived ideas about the fashion industry's inherent ageism. In addition to Mrs Apfel's work with Alexis Bittar, the last month has seen the likes of literary legend Joan Didion, 80, modeling for Céline and music icon Joni Mitchell, 71, posing up for French fashion house Yves Saint Laurent. Something for everyone: The campaign also stars two red-headed pre-teen twins . Warm summer days: All of the images from Kate Spade's new campaign are set on the same park bench . Rising star: Just last month Mrs Apfel was unveiled as the face of jeweler Alexis Bittar's Spring 2015 collection, alongside blogger Tavi Gevinson . Meanwhile, Dolce & Gabbana enlisted three older women to help them showcase their Spring 2015 handbags and accessories, opting to avoid using professional models in favor of everyday people. When speaking about his decision to cast Mrs Apfel alongside blogger turned Broadway star Tavi, 18, in his most recent campaign, jeweler Alexis Bittar said that he didn't use the two women because of their ages, but because of their individuality and sense of independent style. 'We're selling to women who are predominantly over 35, but we’re showing them images of girls who are 19 and retouched,' Mr Bittar told WWD.com. 'For the campaign, we honed in on the essence of strong women who haven’t conformed.' He added: 'Tavi is so strong and so bright. Iris is kind of like a mother to me at this point and was probably a little bit annoyed that I never asked her to be in an ad [before].'
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Mrs Apfel also features alongside blogger turned Broadway star Tavi Gevinson, 18, in jewelry brand Alexis Bittar's Spring 2015 ad .
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(CNN) -- The co-pilot of a Northwest Airlines flight that overshot the Minneapolis, Minnesota, airport by 150 miles says he and the pilot weren't asleep and they weren't arguing. However, Richard I. Cole, who spoke to CNN affiliate KGW-TV from his Salem, Oregon, home, wouldn't say much more Friday. He said an investigation will reveal what took place. After repeatedly saying he couldn't talk about the case, Cole said that contrary to media reports, "Nobody was asleep in the cockpit. No arguments took place. "But other than that, I cannot tell you anything that went on because we're having hearings this weekend, we're having hearings on Tuesday. All that information will come out then." Cole said there's been "a lot of misinformation that's going on. Things are being said that didn't happen, but I can't go into any details." Northwest Flight 188 -- an Airbus A320 carrying 144 people and five crew members -- flew past the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport beginning about 7:56 ET Wednesday night while en route from San Diego, California. There were 78 minutes of radio silence. Air traffic controllers re-established radio contact after the plane had flown about 150 miles past its destination. Watch as a passenger wonders what was going on . Police who met the wayward jet said the pilots were "cooperative, apologetic and appreciative." The airport police report, released Friday, said officers asked flight attendants to keep passengers in their seats while they checked out the cockpit. The report identified the pilot as Timothy B. Cheney and Cole as the first officer. "The pilot ... indicated they had become involved in conversation and had not heard radio communications," the report said. "They indicated there had been no involvement from anyone in the cabin." The report said, "Both volunteered to a preliminary breath test with the result being .000 for both parties." The lead flight attendant told officers she was unaware there had been an incident aboard, the report said. The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the incident, is hoping the plane's cockpit voice recorder will either confirm the pilot's account or provide evidence of another possible explanation, including whether the captain and first officer had fallen asleep. Earlier, the NTSB released a statement that said, "The crew stated they were in a heated discussion over airline policy and they lost situational awareness." Watch how the Flight 188 drama unfolded . The voice recorder is capable of recording only 30 minutes of audio, federal accident investigators said Friday. The plane was in the air for another 45 minutes after radio contact was restored, meaning that if the recorder was working properly, anything the pilots would have said during the time they were not answering radio calls would have been recorded over. But a former accident investigator said the voice recorder may still provide valuable information, because the pilots could have discussed the earlier events on the way back to Minneapolis. The separate flight data recorder also could prove valuable because it would have recorded actions taken by the pilots during the 78 minutes they did not respond to repeated calls from air traffic controllers, the investigator said. Watch as a former NTSB official calls the long silence "unacceptable" The safety board said Friday that experts were reviewing the solid-state voice recorder. It said the recorder "captured a portion of the flight that is being analyzed" and added there would be no further comment.
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Northwest Airlines co-pilot denies reports of cockpit argument .
Northwest flight overshot Minneapolis by 150 miles .
NTSB investigating 78 minutes of radio silence .
Flight crew cooperative and sober, police report says .
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Parents know all too well that sickening feeling when they turn around to discover their child has unbuckled their seatbelt but a new invention will now put their minds at ease. With 90 percent of cars not fitted with a seatbelt alert system for the backseats in Australia there is too much potential for parents to not realise that their kids are unrestrained until it's too late. Although as many as 99 percent of parents say they always restrain their children at the beginning of the trip - it is the potential for what can happen when the driver's eyes are peeled to the road which is the concern. However, an Australian-made seatbelt safety system aptly called, buckle me up, could take that worry away for adults. Deborah Khoury, pictured with her three girls, Sarah, Hannah and Amelia, has trialled the buckle me up device for three weeks which has worked a treat both times one of her children has unbuckled while she was driving . The small device, similar to an E-Tag, is mounted to the dashboard, and wirelessly connects with small monitors on seatbelts so the driver is alerted both visually and with sound if a child unbuckles their belt . The small device, similar to an E-Tag, is mounted to the dashboard, and wirelessly connects with small monitors on seatbelts so the driver is alerted both visually and with sound if a child unbuckles their belt. Only NSW and WA have statistics of fatalities of children not wearing seatbelts: . Mother-of-three Deborah Khoury, from Sydney, has been trialling the device for three weeks which has worked a treat both times one of her children has unbuckled while she was driving. 'It's really comforting because it comes on in a second so I just press the button at the start of the trip and then don't have to take my eyes off the road to see if they are buckled up,' she said. 'I think it will happen less and less because it's teaching them that when the alarm goes off something serious has happened.' Ms Khoury feels extremely fortunate to not have experienced accidents when her children has taken off their belt without her knowing. 'It can make me quite emotional really,' she says. 'I have had to put the brakes on quickly and the kids move forward which is when I've realised they are unrestrained which makes you think of all of the terrible accidents that could have happened like going through the windscreen.' Greg Pace, a Northern Sydney region firefighter for 18 years, knows all to well the dangers involved when children have undone their belts during the journey . According to a 2013 study by Monash University Accident Research Centre, children are 12 times more distracting to a driver than talking on a mobile phone while at the wheel. Greg Pace, a Northern Sydney region firefighter for 18 years, is very familiar with the dangers involved when children have undone their belts during a car journey. Mr Pace recalls attending the scene of a car crash a few years ago when a five-year-old boy had undone his lap sash around his booster seat and was thrown underneath the passenger side seat. 'It took me and my team over an hour just to remove the child from under the seat due to the injuries he sustained,' he said. 'Once we got him out of the car, he was rushed to hospital with a broken leg - it was the femur which is a very hard bone to break, a broken arm and a broken nose.' 'The mother of the child was in hysterics – she was crying as she had sworn she’d buckled up the child at the start of the journey.' Ms Khoury is a psychotherapist who has counselled clients that have lost children in car accidents when they were unbuckled from their seats. 'Losing a little one is serious stuff - it's devastating,' she said. 'It isn't something that you would ever get over - it will stay with you forever especially if it's something that you could have been avoided - it could haunt you for the rest of your life.' This device could save not only a child's life but also a lifetime of unbearable guilt endured by parents .
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90 percent of Australian cars don’t have seatbelt alert system for backseats .
99 percent of parents say they restrain their children at beginning of trip .
Wireless seatbelt safety system aptly called, buckle me up, alerts drivers .
Small device mounted to dashboard alerts both visually and with sound .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 15:07 EST, 23 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:51 EST, 24 May 2013 . A group of students who came up with an electrically conductive paint for an art project using research from Wikipedia are seeing their product take off around the the world. Four years ago the Royal College of Art students created the substance that allows you to paint working light switch directly onto your wall, without any need for sockets, cables or wiring. The paint acts as a form of liquid wiring and, unlike conventional wires, it can be applied to almost any surface, including paper, plastic, metal and even fabric. A group of Royal College of Art students created this Marmite-like substance that allows you to paint liquid wiring onto any surface . Bare Conductive's House Kit contains two paper houses, wired with conductive paint, which light up in the dark . The product has the appearance and consistency of runny Marmite, but dries quickly when exposed to the air. Its inventors, RCA graduates Isabel Lizardi, Matt Johnson, Bibi Nelson and Becky Pilditch, call their creation 'Bare Paint.' While they don't claim to be the first group to have invented a conductive ink, they are pioneering new ways it can be used, CNN reported. Matt Johnson said: 'We started this project in earnest in 2009. We were originally interested in trying to apply electronics to the skin... so we arrived at this idea of applying them as a coating and eventually we got this idea of a conductive paint. 'In 2008 -- and probably still today -- there was a lot of work around electronic textiles. And though we really liked the idea of having a jumper (a piece of clothing) that has some intelligence in it, we didn't like that it was so bulky and that once you took it off the functionality disappeared.' Around the same time there was a lot of 'extreme work' being done by people who were injecting electronics beneath the skin. For their final project, the RCA students began work on making something less intrusive, looking for a substance that could be painted onto the body. Bare Conductive's Matt Johnson travelled to Budapest Design Week and ran a workshop with University students at the Bloodmountain Foundation . DJ and producer Calvin Harris mounted a project with Bare Conductive, with painted dancers whose movements triggered loops from Harris's hit song Ready for the Weekend . Designer Patrick Stevenson-Keating developed a conductive paint-powered lamp for the 2012 Milan Furniture Fair. The lamp consists of a layer of liquid paint suspended in oil . Mr Johnson said: 'That idea transformed into the material we have now, which is very safe though it's not specifically intended for the body anymore.' After graduating from college, the team collaborated on a video for DJ and producer Calvin Harris. The resulting project was the 'Humanthesizer,' a performance which literally brought the paint to life, with dancers whose movements triggered audio loops from Harris's song 'Ready for the Weekend.' The company has created a collection of prototype posters that respond to touch. When activated, the posters play audio, which they hope might be used in poster campaigns promoting festivals, music, TV shows and film . Matt Johnson, co-inventor of Bare Conductive, said: 'Making a new material was a bit daunting for four designers.' So, the team went on Wikipedia. According to Johnson, the online encyclopedia provided them with almost everything they needed to know about crafting conductive materials. Once the paint's formula was finalised, co-creator Isabel Lizardi says the team began to consider how it might be applied to real-world products. The first thing they launched was the paint in its raw form, which they made available to other garden-shed inventors, CNN reported. Today, Bare Paint jars and pens are sold on the internet and stocked by electronics stores around the world. Projects being done by Bare Paint users include everything from interactive color wheels to homemade electric toys. Mr Johnson said that conductive paint opens up an enormous range of creative opportunities. As conductive paint becomes increasingly common, we can look forward to a future where billboards talk back, walls are interactive, and greeting cards come to life in our very hands. Mr Johnson added: 'Devices no longer have to look high tech to be high tech. Our goal is to put interactivity onto objects you don't expect.'
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Royal College of Art students in London created the substance .
It acts as a form of liquid wiring that can be applied to almost any surface .
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Washington (CNN)President Barack Obama's plan to take the immigration system in his own hands is a daring test of the limits of presidential power. The steps he will lay out tonight in a prime time address will fuel a debate over his use of executive authority to enact change without the agreement of an opposition Congress. Conservatives are howling that Obama's effort to shield millions of illegal immigrants from deportation oversteps his own authority and infringes the Constitution. His backers say he's simply exercising his power to select which areas of law to prioritize -- and addressing a major national issue that seems to elude Congress. The law, however, may be as murky as the immigration system itself. "The issue is, if the president's actions effectively nullify federal law, then they are unconstitutional," said Alex Nowrasteh, immigration policy analyst at the Cato Institute. "But if his actions merely channel enforcement resources to other areas covered under the law then it is within his discretion to do so." He added: "Drawing that line is a very difficult and murky process." Republicans and legal critics warn that by dictating groups of illegal immigrants that will not be deported, Obama risks infringing a clause in the Constitution that requires him to "take care" that laws are faithfully executed. "All the signals of what they are planning to do suggest that it is beyond the bounds of the take care clause," said Gregory Jacob, a former special assistant to President George W. Bush on immigration reform. Share your thoughts on the immigration debate . After Bush's own push for comprehensive immigration reform failed, he asked his legal team to examine his executive powers to change immigration policy. But they quickly concluded the kind of action Obama is now contemplating would go beyond presidential authority. "The president is taking an entire chunk of the law and simply declining to enforce it," said Jacob. The Obama White House is pointing to legal precedents established by earlier presidents who have used executive power to reshape the immigration system, notably John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Bush's father, George H.W. Bush. The elder Bush, for example, used executive power to permit 1.5 million undocumented spouses and children of people shielded from deportation by a previous law to also stay in the United States. White House officials point out that number accounted for about 40 percent of illegal immigrants in the country at the time. Obama could cover a similar proportion of the current total of 11.4 million illegal immigrants with the moves he's expected to announce. But lawyers who disagree with that view say Bush was using his power to fix problems with a recently passed immigration law — not acting alone after Congress refused to act. For his part, Reagan used executive power to help 100,000 families caught in a loophole included in a comprehensive immigration reform bill passed by Congress in 1986. He also offered relief to 200,000 Nicaraguan exiles. The Obama administration is adamant that the president is acting within his powers to implement laws already passed by Congress and to prioritize resources but officials won't reveal the legal reasoning until tonight's speech. Other Obama supporters were reluctant to speak publicly about the potential legal arguments ahead of the address. But in essence, the White House is expected to argue that Obama is simply wielding his constitutional powers to decide how laws are applied. The executive branch of the U.S. government decides all the time whether or not to pursue certain offenders in much the same way a police officer sometimes turns a blind eye toward a driver traveling at 58 mph in a 55 mph zone but choosing to pull over someone else doing 70. It's a concept known as prosecutorial discretion and Obama's supporters contend what he is doing is perfectly legal because he is directing U.S. law enforcement agencies where they should focus their attention. So, instead of seeking to deport the undocumented parents of American citizens, the president is expected to channel resources towards enforcing U.S. borders. Officials said he may also require U.S. authorities to spend more time seeking to deport felons or recently arrived illegal immigrants than those brought to America years ago as children . Obama has argued that acting in this way is in fact more consistent with his legal obligations and authorities as president. And he says he is not infringing his powers by changing the law because a new president could take office and wipe out his executive orders with the stroke of a pen. "I can't wait in perpetuity when I have authorities that, at least for the next two years, can improve the system, can allow us to shift more resources to the border rather than separating families," he said last week. "I would be derelict in my duties if I did not try to improve the system that everybody acknowledges is broken." If Republicans do conclude that Obama has overstepped the bounds of his office, what remedy do they have? Of course, they could pass legislation next year -- after they gain majorities in the House and Senate -- that would undo Obama's actions. But the president could then veto that legislation -- and it's unlikely that there will be enough support in Congress to overturn a veto. House Republicans are already taking the president to court alleging abuse of power over Obamacare. They could add a question on immigration to the case. But that would risk turning what is at root a political crisis into an unpredictable constitutional showdown. And courts are notoriously loath to inject themselves into a dispute between separate branches of government. Obama could find his actions challenged in other courts. But an organization wanting to sue the president might struggle to find someone hurt by his orders — the legal term is "standing" — on whom to base a case. Other Republicans have even mentioned the "i" word — impeachment — but that's also fraught with political peril. The most realistic path may be for Republicans, who next year will control both chambers of Congress, to cut funding for Obama's executive actions. Or they can wait until 2016 and elect a president who might overturn Obama's executive order. The debate over Obama's authority is partially of his own making. No one has made the case against the course of action Obama is taking better than the former constitutional law professor who now sits in the Oval Office. Under pressure for years by Hispanic supporters to stem deportations, the president has repeatedly complained that he cannot just wave a magic wand and make things right. "This notion that somehow, I can just change the laws unilaterally is not true .... The fact of the matter is there are laws on the books that I have to enforce," he said in 2011. Obama has pointed out that he is not a "king" or an "emperor" — words now being used against him by opponents and spooling on a loop on television channels. "Our president has a preternatural ability to stay one thing and then do another," Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn said this week.
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Obama will announce immigration changes tonight .
Obama is making the changes without Congress .
The moves could prompt a legal fight .
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By . Louise Boyle . PUBLISHED: . 17:22 EST, 21 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:24 EST, 21 March 2013 . A boy in the eighth grade shot himself dead in a school bathroom on Thursday, authorities said. The 13-year-old student committed suicide this morning shortly before classes began at Davidson Middle School in Southgate, Michigan. He was found by a fellow student, according to school authorities. The boy, who has not been formally identified, was taken to hospital where he later died. Scroll down for video . Terror: Students are comforted by their parents as they walk away from Davidson Middle School in Southgate, Michigan after an eighth-grade boy shot himself dead on Thursday . Police said that the student had brought a .40-caliber handgun with him to school. The weapon is believed to have been legally registered to a relative. According to ABC7, a suicide note was found with the boy. No other students were in the bathroom when the child fired the gun, police said. The boy's parents have been informed of his death. Teachers alerted the police and the school building was put on lock-down as terrified parents rushed to collect their children. Students walked away from the school, many with arms wrapped around their parents and looking visibly upset. Tragic: Students flood into the parking lot at the school after a student committed suicide shortly before classes began on Thursday morning . The 13-year-old boy did not appear to . have been bullied, according to school authorities, but the incident was . being investigated. School superintendent Bill Grusecki told the local TV station that the boy was ' a very good student, somewhat popular'. Officials said that counseling will be available to students and staff when the school reopens on Monday.
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Boy found by another student at Davidson Middle School in Southgate, Michigan .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . and Ap Reporter . A Beverly Hills police sergeant is suing the city, claiming he faced retaliation after reporting that a detective made inappropriate remarks about Whitney Houston's body at her death scene. City News Service says Sgt. Brian Weir filed the suit Monday in Los Angeles. Houston was 48 when she drowned in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel two years ago. Weir contends that a detective sergeant, Terry Nutall, kneeling by the singer's body removed a sheet and remarked that she was 'still looking good', along with other similar comments. LA Coroners leave the Beverly Hilton Hotel carrying the body of the singer Whitney Houston in the early hours of February 12, 2012. An officer at the scene is suing the Beverly Hills Police Department for the fallout he received after reported the misconduct of a fellow officer . Whitney Houston, pictured here in February 2011, was found floating face down in the bathtub of her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel . Singer Whitney Houston was found dead in room 434 of the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 11, 2012 . Weir says that when he reported the alleged remarks, he was harassed, removed from the SWAT and K-9 units and denied promotions. Police Lt. Lincoln Hoshino says he wasn't aware of the lawsuit but that he considers similar claims Weir made earlier to be baseless. Houston died on February 11, 2012. The Los Angeles County Coroner determined that she died of accidental drowning, with cocaine use and heart disease as contributing factors. Weir’s lawsuit alleges that as the senior patrol sergeant on duty, he 'attempted to secure and preserve the scene of the death' and had placed a sheet over Houston's body to 'prevent contamination' before Nutall arrived and removed it 'to an area below the pubic region', NBC reported. Police cars and security personel gather at the back entrance of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills where singer Whitney Huston was found dead earlier on February 11, 2012 . The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for pain and suffering and loss of special unit pay. Nutall has since been promoted to lieutenant. At the time of her death, Houston was in Los Angeles preparing to attend a pre-Grammy party thrown by her mentor, producer Clive Davis. The singer’s personal assistant left to pick up items at Neiman Marcus, then returned to the hotel room at 3:36 p.m. and found Houston face down in the bathtub and unresponsive, according to the coroner’s report. Singer Whitney Houston performs at the 2009 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons honoring Clive Davis at the Beverly Hilton Hotel .
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Whitney Houston was found dead in the bathtub of her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 11, 2012 .
One detective sergeant investigating the scene, Terry Nuttall, is said to have pulled down a sheet covering the singer's body so it was 'below the pubic region'
He then allegedly remarked: 'Damn, she’s still looking good, huh?'
Another officer, Sgt. Brian Weir, reported Nuttall for making the comment, as well as others that were similar .
Weir filed a lawsuit against the Beverly Hills Police Department on Monday .
He claims to have been removed from his position as head of the department’s SWAT team after reporting the alleged misconduct .
He is seeking unspecified damages .
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f9389ad73b5c6072bbd4b02bbe8ab83ef89f0436
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(CNN) -- November 27 may be Turkey Day in America, but in the world of politics, every day is turkey day. Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer earned his Turkey of the Year recognition for his involvement in a prostitution ring. Turkeys are foolish creatures -- overstuffed, noisy and self-important. A lot like the politicians on our list of Turkeys of the Year. Turkey No. 10: Rudy Giuliani puts all his eggs in one basket -- Florida. "We are going to win in Florida, and then we will be talking about exactly who made the right decisions," Giuliani says on CNN's "The Situation Room" a week before the primary. Giuliani ends up third in Florida, with 15 percent of the vote. The former New York City mayor was relying on the many former New Yorkers who have moved or retired to Florida. There's just one problem: most of them are Democrats, and Democrats can't vote in Florida's Republican primaries. Watch what made these turkeys memorable » . Turkey No. 9: In 2006, Tim Mahoney defeated Florida Rep. Mark Foley after it was revealed that Foley had sent sexually suggestive messages to congressional pages. Mahoney's campaign demanded an investigation. This year, Rep. Mahoney again called for an investigation -- this time by the House ethics committee into his own behavior, after it was reported that he had paid off a staffer to avoid a sexual harassment lawsuit. Mahoney later admitted to "multiple affairs," including one with a local government official who had business with his office. Mahoney lost his bid for re-election. But not everything was lost. "The irony is not lost on any of us,'" a senior Democratic operative observed. Turkey No. 8: In June, Barack Obama addresses a meeting of Democratic governors in Chicago. His rostrum bears ... what is this? A presidential seal? Not quite. The eagle looks familiar, but instead of a shield, there's the letter "O.'' The seal says,"Obama for America.'' And that Latin phrase, "Vero Possumus''? It means, "Yes, we can." A little presumptuous, perhaps, four months before the election? "That was a one-time thing for a one-time event,'' Obama's campaign spokesman tells CNN. Turkey No. 7: Sen. Elizabeth Dole runs a TV ad accusing her Democratic opponent of taking "godless money.'' The ad refers to "a secret fundraiser in Kay Hagan's honor'' co-hosted by an adviser to an atheist advocacy group. The ad shows a picture of Hagan while a woman's voice declares, "There is no God.'' The voice is not Hagan's. "I am a Sunday school teacher,'' Hagan tells reporters in a conference call. "I am an elder at First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro. My family has been going to this church for over 100 years.'' Hagan files a lawsuit against Dole for defamation and libel. She subsequently defeats Dole in the North Carolina Senate race. And drops the lawsuit. Turkey No. 6: Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, the king of pork, turns into a turkey. The longest serving Republican senator in history is convicted on seven felony charges of corruption for failing to disclose hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gifts and free services. John McCain, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell call on Stevens to step down. Stevens' response: "I am innocent.'' He tells Alaska voters that he "has not been convicted of anything.'' In a close race, Stevens narrowly loses his bid for re-election and becomes a symbol of corruption and arrogance in Washington. Turkey No. 5: Not politicians this time, but arrogant auto executives who come to Washington looking for a bailout. In their private jets. "I'm going to ask the three executives here to raise their hands if they flew here commercial," said Rep. Brad Sherman, D-California, adding "let the record show that no hand went up." The AIG insurance company does get an $85 billion federal bailout. Whereupon 70 of their executives reward themselves with a weeklong spa retreat. The cost? A cool $440,000. Turkey No. 4: After videos surface of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's controversial sermons, Barack Obama delivers a major speech distancing himself from his pastor's sensational comments. Then Wright appears at the National Press Club to give his side of the story. He claims Obama "didn't denounce him'' but "did what politicians do.'' "I said to Barack Obama last year, 'If you get elected, November 5th, I'm coming after you because you'll be representing a government whose policies grind under people," Wright said. Obama does get elected, and Wright keeps his word. "As long as you are presiding over policies that grind God's people into the earth, I'm coming after you," Wright threatens in a radio interview after the election. Turkey No. 3: The financial crisis hits in mid-September, and John McCain declares, "The fundamentals of our economy are strong." The Republican nominee makes a startling announcement a few days before the first debate. McCain says, "Tomorrow morning I'll suspend my campaign and return to Washington." Why? To rescue a federal bailout package for the financial industry. McCain goes to Washington and what happens? His own party kills the rescue package. Men can really be turkeys. Want proof? Turkey No. 2: "I have responded consistently to these tabloid allegations by saying I don't respond to these lies." That was John Edwards in July. But they were not all lies. The next month, the former Democratic presidential candidate responds with a public confession of an extramarital affair. He explains his behavior as "a self-focus, an egotism, a narcissism, that leads you to believe that you can do whatever you want. You're invincible. And there will be no consequences." Want another example of men being turkeys? Turkey No. 1: New York governor -- make that, former governor -- Eliot Spitzer, who had to resign because of his involvement with a high-priced call-girl service. "Over the course of my public life, I have insisted, I believe correctly, that people regardless of their position or power take responsibility for their conduct. I can and will ask no less of myself. For this reason, I am resigning from the office of governor," Spitzer said. "To every New Yorker and to all those who believed in what I tried to stand for, I sincerely apologize,'' said the hard-charging, suddenly humbled ex-governor. And with that, the turkey is served. More turkey? We invite you to add turkeys of your own.
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CNN's Bill Schneider names the Top 10 Political Turkeys for 2008 .
Turkey No. 10: Former New York mayor makes miscalculation in flamingo country .
Turkey No. 7: No forgiveness for this North Carolina senator when her ad runs afoul .
Turkey No. 5: These Big Three Motor City Turkeys fly -- straight into trouble .
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By . Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 04:08 EST, 1 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:27 EST, 1 October 2013 . Bungling police mistakenly handed lethal firearms back to a man they had charged with illegally possessing them. Officers had stormed John Charlton’s home and seized three deadly weapons and some drugs. Charlton, known as Chuck, was charged with three counts of possessing firearms without a certificate and bailed. Officers stormed John Charlton's home and seized three illegal firearms - but then handed them back to him . But when he went to Wallsend police station to pick up his belongings, he was handed back the cache of weapons which had been seized from him. Today police admitted they made an error, while Charlton said they were lucky he wasn't a danger to society. Charlton pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to possessing three firearms without a certificate and possessing amphetamine . The 33-year-old, who collects military memorabilia, said: 'I think this is disgraceful by the police and there needs to be answers and sackings, this is misconduct by the police. 'What happens if they made that mistake and gave it to someone like that daft Raoul Moat? I’m no angel but it could have been a lot worse if someone else had got them. 'Those weapons are deadly, they could kill someone from a long distance.' Charlton said he had only gone back to the police station to pick up his phone and other personal belongings. But he said the official he spoke offered him the guns as well. He said: 'He said there was a bag full of property, my phone, the guns, everything. I said "My guns are here?" and he said "Yeah, do you want them?" I said "Yes". 'I didn’t ask for them. But if the police offer you them back you think it must be alright.' Charlton said he took the weapons but disposed of them, fearing more charges. He said: 'They made me commit another offence by giving me the guns back. 'When I turned up at court it was said the guns were in the stores but the police said they are not there and there has been a massive mistake.' Married Charlton, a father-of-seven, said he bought the air weapons believing they were legal. However the previous owner had ramped up the power to three times the legal limit, meaning they are classed as illegal firearms. He said: 'I would not have bought them if I knew they were illegal. I pleaded guilty straight away on that basis.' Charlton said he is a military historian with a collection of medals. He said: 'I’m a war historian but I’ll stick to my medals from now on.' Charlton, of Amble, Northumberland, originally from Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to possessing three firearms without a certificate and possessing amphetamine. He was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence. Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Steve Neill acknowledged that the firearms seized were returned in error. He said: 'We are currently investigating how this occurred and what lessons we can learn from this incident.'
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John Charlton was charged with illegally possessing three firearms .
Returned to police station and was given weapons back .
Police admit they made an error and are 'learning lessons from it'
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While the woman was giving evidence during a criminal court case, her colleagues took her mobile from her coat pocket and sent nude photographs they found on the device to other friends in the force. They then allegedly taunted the 42-year-old victim by sending her pictures of themselves in provocative poses. The embarrassing affair has emerged after two of the sacked police community support officers took legal action, claiming unfair dismissal and arguing they were just enjoying ‘a bit of banter’. 'Misconduct': Former PCSOs Khalid Akhtar (left) and Joy Shoker arrive at an employment tribunal in Birmingham today, to appeal against being sacked . However, Khalid Akhtar, 42, and Joy . Shoker, 24, both from Wolverhampton, yesterday saw their appeal thrown . out by an employment tribunal in Birmingham. The officers, who have ten years of . police experience between them, were sacked on August 23 last year . following accusations of bullying and harassment. As part of the local . Safer Travel police team, the PCSOs had appeared at Dudley Magistrates’ Court in May 2011 to give evidence during a criminal case. It is claimed that while the female . colleague, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was on the stand, . other members of the team found her phone in a coat pocket in a witness . room. They allegedly took the phone, . trawled through photographs and came across nude pictures of the woman, . which they then shared with other officers. Kicked out: The PCSOs were fired from the West Midlands force after the woman claimed they took her phone while she gave evidence in a case at court . They are said to have followed this . up by bombarding her with their own lewd pictures, mocking her by making . provocative gestures at the camera. The woman reported what had happened . to her superiors and an internal police inquiry was launched. A number . of officers had their phones seized and inspected by investigators. Four . PCSOs were dismissed for gross misconduct, but one was reinstated after . an appeal. A fifth PCSO was also suspended but later resigned. Speaking after the hearing, Akhtar, . who had worked for the force for six years, said his life had been left . in ‘tatters’ since he was dismissed. He said: ‘I have been fighting this . every step of the way. I just want justice for myself. ‘I’m devastated. I’ve lost my job and people look down on me because of what they think I have done. I loved my job. ‘She [the victim] was actually one of my best friends. ‘She thought the pictures were making fun of her, but they weren’t.’ Shoker, who worked for the force for four years, has since secured a job as an administrator. She said: ‘The whole thing has been . blown out of proportion. It was some text messages between a group of . friends. A bit of banter is all.’ Employment tribunal judge Laurie Anstis rejected the claim of unfair dismissal because it was lodged too late. Chris Rowson, head of human resources . at the West Midlands force, said: ‘West Midlands Police expects the . highest standards of professional behaviour from all of its employees . and will thoroughly investigate allegations suggesting that any employee . falls short of these expectations.’
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Two are now suing the authority for unfair dismissal and discrimination .
The fellow PCSO claims they took her mobile phone while she was in a court case and shared the intimate photos with other workmates .
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By . Mark Duell . Retired weaver: Rosemary Carr suffered multiple injuries after leaping from a bridge in Lancashire . An 80-year-old retired weaver with memory loss jumped to her death from a motorway bridge, fearing she was ‘becoming a burden’ to her husband, an inquest has heard. Rosemary Carr, who was a keen walk leader, suffered multiple injuries after leaping from an M65 bridge in Nelson, Lancashire. But her husband Harry told the hearing that he ‘would have put up with her forever’. Mrs Carr left him a note, asking ‘for forgiveness’. She suffered from memory problems but had otherwise been a ‘fit and well woman’. Mr Carr, of Barrowford, Lancashire, said his wife’s memory had worsened in the last year. He added: ‘Her memory was a lot worse than anyone really knew. The doctor said she thought she was becoming a burden on me. She wasn’t. I would have put up with her forever.’ Mr Carr said that on the night before his wife’s death, they had stayed up late to watch a film, but that when he woke up the next morning she was gone and had left him a note downstairs. PC Neil Goodison, from Lancashire’s road policing unit in Colne, said he spotted Mrs Carr at the bridge during a routine patrol at around 8.10am on November 8 last year. He said: ‘She rolled herself over the barrier so she was on the wrong side. I instantly put my flashing lights on and my colleague jumped out and stopped the traffic. ‘As soon as I have done that I have looked forward, saw a pair of legs underneath the bridge, and this person - I’m sorry to say it - dropped from the bridge like a rag doll and landed in the motorway.’ A post-mortem examination by pathologist Dr Walid Salman found that Mrs Carr’s medical cause of death was ‘multiple severe injuries’. Reaching a conclusion that she had taken her own life, East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor said to Mr Carr: ‘Your wife must have been under the misapprehension that she was a burden on you. ‘She must have been very worried herself, because she recognised that her memory wasn’t what it was and that tended to embarrass her, and it’s in that frame of mind she decided to end her life. ‘She wrote the note and it’s quite clear what her intentions were from that note. People did what they could to help her but that was to no avail. She simply took her own life.’
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Rosemary Carr suffered multiple injuries after leaping from an M65 bridge .
Her husband Harry tells inquest he 'would have put up with her forever'
Retired weaver's memory was 'worse than anyone really knew', he says .
For confidential .
support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local .
Samaritans branch or click here for details .
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The teenage sweethearts in the midst of a dramatic crime spree across five southern states have been spotted begging on the streets in Florida, police said. Dalton Hayes, 18, and his 13-year-old girlfriend Cheyenne Phillips, fled their Kentucky home two weeks ago and have evaded the law to apparently make it at least 600 miles south. Along the way they have allegedly stolen three pickup trucks and two handguns - and police now say they have lost patience with the pair. On the run: Dalton Hayes, right, was seen with his 13-year-old girlfriend Cheyenne Phillips, left, at a South Carolina Walmart last week. They have since been spotted in Florida . 'Crime spree': Dalton Hayes, 18, and Cheyenne Phillips, 13, are seen on surveillance footage inside a Walmart in Manning, South Carolina on Monday. The young couple has been missing from Kentucky for two weeks . Speaking Friday, the sheriff in their home of Grayson County, Kentucky, described their behavior as 'increasingly brazen and dangerous', and told them to surrender immediately. Norman Chaffins said: 'There's going to come a time when we're not going to see him as an 18-year-old kid. 'We're going to see him as someone who's stolen three vehicles with two handguns in them, and the outcome is not going to be good for either one of them if they don't turn themselves in.' It came after police in Florida told NBC News that the two had made their way into the state, after blazing a trail through Kentucky, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. They did not say which town they had been seen in - reportedly to avoid tipping the runaways off. Hayes's mother said the pair have not been dating long, but are in love. She has also said Phillips portrayed herself as being 19 years old, and that everybody, including her son, believed her. Runaways: Phillips, left, and Hayes, 18, were last seen in Kentucky on January 4 after his mother confronted the girl about her age. Before then, she thought the girl was 19, she said . Rebels: Hayes' mother said her son also believed that 13-year-old Cheyenne was 19 . Describing the girl's behavior, Tammy Martin said she 'would go in and write checks, and she would come out with cigarettes and stuff, so I didn't have any reason not to believe she wasn't 19.' Speaking Friday, she urged her son to give up and 'face the consequences'. She said: 'I pretty much cry myself to sleep every night worrying about where they are and if a police officer or any random individual tries to pull them over and isn't so nice and hurts them,'. When he hit the road, Hayes was running away from trouble back home. He faces burglary and theft charges in his home county, stemming from an arrest late last year. Their crimes, which authorities say include the alleged vehicle thefts, trespassing and forging checks to get cash, are increasingly worrying. 'Victims': Kathy and Jim McGrew said they arrived home on Sunday to find the teens stealing their truck . Damage: After taking chase with the help of police, they found the damaged truck, pictured, in nearby woods . Chaffins said: 'They're going on people's property, they're forging checks to get money. ... They could have stopped in Kentucky, but they didn't." Since they have no source of money, he added, 'they're going to get desperate.' Before they left Kentucky, the teens dodged officers there twice. Police said they crashed the first truck they stole and hid in the woods, then later stole another truck nearby. The two were spotted Monday at a Walmart in South Carolina, where the teens are thought to have passed two stolen checks. According to police there, they were driving a car stolen from Kentucky. 'Plot': The teenagers allegedly used two forged checks to get cash back from the cashier at Walmart . Escape: The couple left in this 2006 Toyota Tacoma, which was later found dumped in Georgia . Authorities believe they then headed to Georgia and stole a pickup truck from the driveway of a man's home in Henry County, 30 miles southeast of Atlanta. He awoke Wednesday to find his vehicle was gone, along with two handguns he kept inside, Henry County police said Friday. Hours later, another truck the couple is suspected of having stolen in another state was found nearby. It had been crashed through a fence and abandoned behind a vacant building on neighboring property. Have you seen them? The young couple continue to elude authorities; if you see them, call 911 . Martin said her son texted her a few days after their disappearance to say the couple was in Mississippi. They were spotted soon after that in Kentucky, she said. 'He was just trying to throw me off,' she said. 'I'm sure he thought that I would call the police and tell them where he was.' Chaffins said the situation is getting more serious as time passes. He said: 'This is not a game to us. Our biggest fear is that Dalton is not going to stop for the police. He's going to run every time they approach him.' Moms: Phillips's mother Sherry Peters, left, and Dalton's mother Tammy Martin, right, have both begged their children to giver themselves up and come home .
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Dalton Hayes, 18, and Cheyenne Phillips, 13, spotted in a sixth state .
Their spree began in Kentucky two weeks ago, now reportedly in Florida .
Police said they were begging on the street, but would not specify town .
Have allegedly stolen three pickup trucks and two handguns .
Also blazed trail through Tennessee, North and South Carolina and Georgia .
Sheriff in Kentucky hometown urged them to surrender .
Said their 'brazen' actions were 'not funny' and could end in disaster .
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PUBLISHED: . 10:43 EST, 26 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:50 EST, 26 July 2013 . A jilted husband, who repeatedly stabbed his estranged wife with knives that were given to them as a wedding present, has been found guilty of her murder. Ty Medland, 26, used one of four knives he concealed on himself to launch a 'frenzied attack' on 24-year-old Samantha Medland in central Brighton. Before the attack, Medland uploaded to his Facebook page a link to a series of graphic pictures and videos of the couple having sex. Ty Medland (left) has been found guilty of stabbing his estranged wife Samantha Medland (right) to death . A message he wrote accompanying the link referred to Mrs Medland as 'the cheating, lying, unloyal whore who destroyed everything I loved and believe in'. A two-week trial at Lewes Crown Court heard that she had become close to another man and had rebuffed her husband’s repeated attempts to patch up their marriage. Medland, described as a 'petulant, self-centred man' incapable of dealing with rejection, knifed her to death as she collected belongings from him near her workplace in Queen Square, Brighton, on February 17. Medland, of Cavell Avenue, Peacehaven, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, but today he was convicted of murder after six hours and four minutes of deliberation by the jury. He showed no emotion in the dock as the jury foreman announced the verdict, but some members of his family were seen clasping their hands to their mouths and sobbing. Adjourning sentencing until Monday, Judge Anthony Scott-Gall told the jury: 'You have convicted the defendant on the most compelling and overwhelming evidence. 'It was really the most ghastly killing. I’m sure you will never forget it.' The judge said Medland faces life imprisonment with a minimum term of at least 25 years behind bars when he comes to sentence him. Following the verdict, prosecutor Richard Barton read part of a victim impact statement made by Mrs Medland’s mother in which she described her devastation. In happier times: Ty and Samantha Medland first met in 2010, but by earlier this year had become estranged . The statement said: 'My family has been absolutely devastated and shocked that Sam has been taken from us in such a way. 'She was in the prime of her life. We are all still coming to terms with her death. We know us as a family will never get over the loss of Samantha.' Three of the four knives Medland armed himself with were weddings gift, the jury heard. The fourth, and the one Medland most likely used to fatally stab her, was a lock knife. In a message he wrote to a friend in the minutes before murdering his wife, he wrote: 'The only thing I want right now is murder/suicide.' Ty Medland was found guilty of murdering his wife, Samantha, at Lewes Crown Court . Another . read: 'I could make a joke about murder/suicide but that probably . wouldn’t be funny unless I actually did it', the court was told. When he met his wife he told her that he intended to kill himself. Mr . Barton told the trial: 'Whatever was said, it had an immediate and . dramatic effect. The defendant took out one of the knives, in all . probability the lock knife, and used it to stab Sam. 'As she fell to the ground, he climbed on top of her, pinning her down with his knees.' Ben Kennedy, a friend who had accompanied Mrs Medland, turned to see her collapsing from a distance. He . then realised 'to his horror' that, as Medland was 'softly punching . her', he had a large knife in his hand, Mr Barton told the jury. As a large crowd gathered, Medland used a smaller knife to slash his own wrists and stab himself in the leg. He then asked if he could have a cigarette and a member of the public placed one on a low wall nearby. Police . then arrived to detain Medland before he was taken to hospital. Paramedics tried to revive his wife, who was also taken to the Royal . Sussex County Hospital. Despite . the efforts of medical staff, she was declared dead at 10.02pm from . multiple stab wounds, including to her scalp, forehead, cheeks, neck, . abdomen and back. Two . of the stab wounds penetrated major arteries, one in her shoulder and . one in her abdomen, with a pathologist concluding she bled to death from . those injuries. Toxicology tests found no alcohol or drugs in either Medland or his wife. The court heard that Medland was aware of her growing bond with another man, because he had accessed her Facebook account. Medland first met his wife at a club . in Luton, Bedfordshire, in November 2010, after he travelled from his . home in Sussex to meet a friend. They . 'hit it off almost immediately' through their shared love of heavy . metal and computers and, just over a month later, on Christmas Day 2010, . they got engaged. Two months later, Medland left Sussex to move in with her in Luton. Medland . had trouble finding work in Bedfordshire and, when his wife ran into . difficulties with her job at a hotel, the couple moved to Sussex to live . with his mother, Janet Medland. In . the same period Mrs Medland fell pregnant, but by January last year, at . the time of her first scan, it emerged that she had miscarried, placing . a strain on their relationship. Mr . Barton said Medland was hit with further bad news around the same time . with the death of his daughter from a previous relationship. He started to suffer from depression for which he received medication, jurors were told. Mrs Medland, on the other hand, 'seemed to deal with things rather better'. She . gained new work at warranty company Domestic & General in Brighton, . initially as a call handler, before winning promotion to a supervisory . role. Cross-examined by Mr Barton, Medland was asked: 'The overwhelming preponderance of evidence is that you murdered your wife, didn’t you?' Medland replied: 'No, I did not murder her.' In a statement following the case, Mrs Medland’s mother, Amelia Shah, said: 'My family and I are absolutely devastated and shocked that Sam has been taken from us in such a way. 'She was in the prime of her life. She was young, beautiful, loving, and a wonderful daughter, sister and auntie who we miss terribly. We are all still coming to terms with her death and miss her so much. The loss is immense. 'No-one should outlive their children. The actions of Ty Medland have caused devastation and heartbreak to my family. Through the court trial I can understand what happened to Sam and how much effort was taken to try and save her. 'We would like to thank everyone who tried to help Sam that night, especially her good friend, Ben Kennedy. We extend those thanks to Sussex Police, ambulance and hospital staff and everyone else who has helped and supported us. I know we, as a family, will never get over the loss of our Sam.' Detective Chief Inspector Mark Preston, of the Surrey and Sussex major crime team, said: 'Sam Medland was just 24 when she was murdered by her husband, who she had been married to for just a short time. 'Medland has tried to blame his actions on his severe depression, but the jury has not let him use this as an excuse. 'There were a lot of people in the area at the time who tried to help Sam and I want to thank them and their bravery in attempting to stop Ty Medland from carrying out his vicious attack. 'Our thoughts are very much with Sam’s family who have sat through the trial, hearing very distressing evidence about what happened that night. I hope the verdict brings them some comfort.'
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Ty Medland stabbed wife after efforts to patch up marriage were rebuffed .
Used knives that had been given to the couple as a wedding present .
Medland unable to deal with his wife's growing closer to another man .
Judge Anthony Scott-Gall said: 'It was really the most ghastly killing'
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Stuart Kerner, 44, has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a former pupil, but today said the girl had invented the story . An R.E. teacher accused of having an 18-month affair with a former pupil today told a court that the alleged victim is a 'vain stalker' who made the relationship up. Stuart Kerner, 44, the married vice principal of Bexleyheath Academy, is accused of having a sexual relationship with a former pupil. But today jurors at his trial were told the girl, now aged 19, is a 'psychopathic liar' who thought 'everyone fancies her.' The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, claims that during her relationship with Kerner, which began when she was 15, the pair had sex 'all over' the school. She told jurors that Kerner took her virginity in one of the store cupboards, and claimed he had once taken her for a day-long sex session at his home while his wife at work. But at the Inner London Crown Court today, Kerner argued that the girl had stalked him, and used details gleaned from calendars, computers and gadgets in his office to construct her fantasy. Kerner's defence barrister Edward Ellis said: 'He's a man who didn't look behind his back, and he was stalked, and information was found out about him for this carefully constructed elaborate ruse. 'Why? We don't know, it's not up to the defence to prove.' Marion King, a librarian at the school, also gave evidence to support Kerner's account, calling the girl a liar, and saying that she used to take Kerner's iPad to play games on. In court today Kerner also denied buying a Fifty Shades of Grey keychain - based on the erotic novel - for the female student, saying it was a 'joke present for his wife instead. He also denied carrying condoms in his suit jacket at the school, saying his wife would have noticed as she often hung up his jacket and removed things from the pockets. The court had previously heard that the girl had lied about being in a car accident to skip school. Mr Ellis added: 'This particular lie, of the accident, was so elaborate it fooled people for weeks, even her friends didn't know about it, even her mum didn't know about it. 'It's not pleasant to talk about [the girl] in terms of being a liar, but the issue really is a credibility point.' The alleged victim, who cannot be identified, said Kerner took her virginity in school cupboard when she was 16, after which they had sex 'all over' Bexleyheath Academy where he was vice principal . The girl claims that her relationship with Kerner began when she was 15-years-old after they became close, spending time in the school library where she had volunteered since Year 9. According to prosecutors the girl's intimate knowledge of Kerner's private life, including birthdays and the fact he always wore a crucifix under his work attire, point to th truth of her claims. However defence barristers argue that the crucifix detail came from a photo of the teacher and his son kept in his office. The girl also claimed that, after seeing the teacher undressed, she noticed a scar on his back. However, it was argued he told her about the scar when he gave her sympathy following her false claims that she had been injured in a car crash. In an interview with police the girl claimed the pair slept with each other in the same week that his wife, Katy, suffered a miscarriage in late 2012. Mr Ellis said his client knew nothing of the allegations against him until the police interviewed him. He said: 'The police went through all the allegations with him, and of course how can you answer something you know nothing about. He has nothing to hide, nothing at all.' The jury heard Kerner was born in South London and was bought up 'not far' from Inner London Crown Court, went to King's College London to study a course in divinity and theology and had considered being ordained. Kerner also denied buying a Fifty Shades of Grey keychain for the girl, saying instead the he had bought it as a 'joke' present for his wife Katy (pictured right) Mr Ellis said; 'He was going to be ordained, but he didn't take it, and went into teaching.' Kerner has told of how he met the girl while taking a statement from her in the school library over accusations that her mother had been assaulting her. He told the court that he had taken a statement from the girl on behalf of the child protection officer at the school, but that was his 'last involvement' in that situation. He denies two counts of sexual activity with a child and six counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust. The trial continues. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
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Stuart Kerner accused of having sexual relationship with a former pupil .
Girl, who cannot be identified, said he took her virginity aged just 16 .
Today Kerner branded her a 'vain stalker' who had invented the tryst .
Said she gathered personal details from office to make fantasy believable .
School librarian calls her 'psychotic liar' who thinks 'everyone fancies her'
Kerner denies eight counts relating to sex with a child. The trial continues .
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By . Hannah Roberts . Ruby the Heart-stealer, the underage erotic dancer who was paid by Silvio Berlusconi for sex, has said that she wishes she could ‘go back to being a girl who sold carpets on the beach’. The former Italian premier was sentenced to seven years in jail for paying for sex with Ruby, now 22, when she was just 17. In Italy, it is illegal to have sex with a prostitute under the age of 18. Ruby the Heart-stealer, the underage erotic dancer who was paid by Silvio Berlusconi for sex, has said that she wishes she could 'go back to being a girl who sold carpets on the beach' As lawyers for the billionaire politician began the first legal appeal against the guilty sentence in a Milan courtroom, Ruby gave an interview in which she apparently claimed that Berlusconi was the best man she had ever met. Ruby, real name Karima el Mahroug, told the newspaper Il Giornale, which is run by Berlusconi’s brother Paolo: ‘The truth is, Berlusconi treated me with more respect than all the other men I had met before at pubs and clubs. 'He got seven years for nothing.' The former nightclub dancer claimed that her life had been ruined, not by the media mogul, but by those who were using her to bring down the former prime minister. She said she found it difficult to keep a job as people assumed she had plenty of money. Ruby added: 'I'm tired. I am in a war-making machine where people don't care about the truth - they just want to follow an objective. The former Italian premier was sentenced to seven years in jail for paying for sex with Ruby, now 22, when she was just 17. The former nightclub dancer claimed that her life had been ruined, not by the media mogul, but by those who were using her to bring down the former prime minister. She claimed that when she told friends she had slept with the then prime minister, she was ‘making up crap to give myself airs'. She said: ‘I was 17, I was a total mess, I invented nonsense. It was the mistakes of youth… Do I have to pay for it forever? ‘ . It has been widely reported that Berlusconi has given her millions to keep quiet. But Ruby claimed: ‘If I had five million [euros], I wouldn’t have to ask my in-laws for money to do the shopping.’ The flamboyant politician was not in court but was taking part in community service for a separate conviction for tax evasion.
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Silvio Berlusconi was sentenced to seven years in jail for paying for sex with Ruby, now 22, when she was just 17 .
In Italy is illegal to have sex with a prostitute under the age of 18 .
Ex-nightclub dancer claimed her life had been ruined, not by the media mogul, but by those who were .
using her to bring down Berlusconi .
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At least 120 people are feared dead and 270 more injured after gunmen and suicide bombers attacked a mosque in northern Nigeria during Friday prayers this afternoon. Witnesses reported three separate explosions and said the gunmen opened fire on worshippers in the assault at the Grand mosque in Kano, in the west African country's second-largest city. Nigerian Captain Ikechukwu Eze confirmed the blasts at the site where hundreds had gathered to listen to a sermon from the city's chief imam and prayers were under way at 2pm local time. Scroll down for video . A crowd looks at the wreckage left after multiple bombings at Grand Mosque in Kano. At least 120 are feared dead and 270 injured after gunmen and suicide bombers attacked the mosque today during Friday prayers . A car damaged from the blasts. Local Muslim leader the Emir of Kano last week called for people to arm themselves against Islamist militant group Boko Haram - whom analysts believe are behind the attack . Analysts said the attack bore the hallmarks of Islamist militant group Boko Haram. The local muslim leader the Emir of Kano had recently called for people to arm themselves against the extremists. One eyewitness told the BBC's Focus on Africa: 'The imam was about to start prayer when he saw somebody in a car trying to force himself into the mosque. 'But when people stopped him, he detonated the explosions. People started running helter-skelter.' Grand mosque leader the Emir of Kano, the second highest Islamic authority in the country, usually leads prayers for worshippers. Reports have varied over whether he was present during the attack. Smoke billows outside the mosque where witnesses reported at least three separate explosions. Hundreds had gathered to listen to a sermon from the city's chief imam and prayers had already been under way . A witness said the imam 'was about to start prayer when he saw somebody in a car trying to force himself into the mosque. But when stopped, he detonated the explosions. People started running helter-skelter' He told gatherers last week that people should wage war against Boko Haram, which have been fighting a guerilla war to bring about a hardline Islamic state in Nigeria's north since 2009. The blasts in Kano came after a bomb attack was foiled against a mosque in the northeastern city of Maiduguri earlier today, five days after two female suicide bombers killed over 45 people in the city. National police spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu told AFP that the bombers blew themselves up in quick succession then 'gunmen opened fire on those who were trying to escape'. The remains of a victim are rushed away after the bomb and gun attack at the Central Mosque this afternoon . Locals transport the remains to Murtala Mohammed specialist hospital for burial according to Muslim rites . Ojukwu said he did not know whether the suicide bombers were male or female, after a spate of attacks by women in recent months, and did not give an exact figure on the number of gunmen. But he said an angry mob killed four of the shooters in the chaotic aftermath. Boko Haram was responsible for the kidnap of more than 200 teenage girls from a school in the town of Chibok in April this year, in the north of Nigeria which is mainly Muslim. More than 1.5 million Nigerians displaced by the extremist group have been flocking to refugee camps across the country's northeast, where facilities are overcrowded and there is a shortage of supplies. More carnage at the Central Mosque in Kano in the country's north which is mostly a Muslim population .
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At least 120 believed dead and 270 injured after attack in the city of Kano .
Hundreds had gathered at Grand Mosque to hear sermon from chief Imam .
First bomb went off after man in car was stopped trying to enter building .
Analysts say attack bore hallmarks of Islamist militant group Boko Haram .
Local Emir last week called for people to arm themselves against radicals .
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By . Steve Robson . PUBLISHED: . 08:15 EST, 12 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:25 EST, 12 March 2013 . A police officer has died after crashing his quad bike into a frozen lake in Sweden. The officer reportedly put the bike into the wrong gear and reversed into a barrier by the quayside at Riddarfjärden lake near the centre of the capital Stockholm. His momentum took him over the edge and into the frozen ice with the four-wheel drive vehicle falling on top of him. A rescue team retrieve the quad from the water at the scene of the accident . The officer reportedly put the quad bike in the wrong gear and crashed through a barrier into the frozen lake . The officer was rescued from the lake but died last night from his injuries in hospital . Another officer, together with several ice skaters who were on the lake at the time, was able to rescue the man from the water as a rescue team rushed to the scene. Paramedics performed CPR and took the policeman taken to Solna's Karolinska hospital in Stockholm with serious injuries, but he died last night at around 8pm. 'Our colleague unfortunately died,' Lars Byström of the Stockholm police told the TT news agency. 'It will be up to the investigation to determine how and why it happened.' There were several witnesses in the area when the incident occurred in the early afternoon on Monday. 'I saw it, it was surreal,' Fredrik Braconier told the Expressen newspaper. 'It was the kind of thing you see in a movie, not in Kungsholms torg.' The policeman was working together with other officers as part of a . heightened security effort in conjunction with the state visit of . Turkey's President Abdullah Gül, who is in Sweden for three days. Police have launched an investigation. 'We have talked to witnesses and taken information from them. We have . photographed the area and tried to capture what happened,' Byström . added. The officer was on duty ahead of the visit of the Turkish President at the time .
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Officer reportedly put quad bike in the wrong gear and reverse into barrier .
Went into frozen lake and vehicle landed on top of him in central Stockholm .
Pulled from water by fellow officer but later died in hospital from his injuries .
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By . Mark Duell . PUBLISHED: . 07:38 EST, 17 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:39 EST, 17 October 2013 . A benefits fraudster who enlisted a sidekick to pose in a wheelchair and pretend to be his sick and bedbound father in order to scam more than £20,000 from taxpayers has been spared jail. Emilio Brunetti, 54, of Fulham, south-west London, paid 62-year-old Martin Rafferty £80 per time to pretend to be elderly Antonio Brunetti in an attempt to evade detection by a council fraud team. The son was granted power of attorney for his ailing father in April 2008 and was on housing benefit, council tax benefit and a social tenancy in his father's name, Harrow Crown Court heard yesterday. Avoids jail: Benefits fraudster Emilio Brunetti (right in both), with his late father Antonio Brunetti (left). The son, 54, has been spared a jail sentence after he enlisted a sidekick to pretend to be his sick and bedbound father . Hammersmith and Fulham Council investigators said suspicions were raised when neighbours reported that they had not seen the father for a long time and understood that he was living in Italy. When fraud officers visited the home to check that the father was living there in 2012, they were greeted by Brunetti and a sleeping man in a wheelchair - now known to be Rafferty. Brunetti said that he could not wake his father as he had taken strong medication due to a recent operation to remove a brain tumour. But fraud officers did not believe this and rumbled the scam. The investigators viewed housing association London and Quadrant’s CCTV footage which clearly showed the man posing as Mr Brunetti Snr walking to his car unaided after the visit. Time abroad: Emilio Brunetti, 54, is seen receiving a massage on a beach while on holiday in Marbella, Spain . Together: Emilio Brunetti (right) was granted power of attorney for his ailing father Antonio Brunetti (left) in April 2008 and was on housing benefit, council tax benefit and a social tenancy in his father's name . Further undercover surveillance was . carried out by the Department of Work and Pensions and a further . residency check was scheduled earlier this year in February. Spared jail: Martin Rafferty, 62, received a four-month sentence suspended for two years yesterday . This . time fraud officers watched Brunetti arrive by car with an older man . and walk into the property. Once inside the home, Brunetti showed . officers a bedbound man who he claimed was his father. Again, . Brunetti said his father was unable to speak as he was heavily . medicated. But police officers were called and both men were arrested on . the spot. The older man was later identified as Rafferty. Brunetti . received a six-month sentence suspended for two years at the court in . north-west London. Rafferty, of Hammersmith, west London, received a . four-month sentence suspended for two years. Greg Smith, Hammersmith and Fulham Council's deputy leader, said: ‘It beggars belief that these two men have avoided jail and there can be no doubt that they have got off very lightly indeed. ‘Paying someone to pose as your dying father to cheat taxpayers is about as low as it gets. This duo did not sleepwalk into committing this crime but they have now been given a rude awakening. ‘If Antonio Brunetti knew the lengths his son went to in order to scrounge benefits he would probably be turning in his grave.’ Brunetti defrauded the council out of £5,988 of housing benefit and £990 of council tax benefit. He also illegally claimed £13,140 of income support. Mr Brunetti Snr has since died in Brazil. Compared: The case has drawn comparisons to a regular sketch in BBC comedy Little Britain, in which Lou (David Williams) dedicates his life to looking after Andy (Matt Lucas), who does not in fact need his wheelchair . The case has drawn comparisons to a regular sketch in BBC comedy Little Britain, in which Lou (played by David Williams) dedicates his life to looking after wheelchair-bound Andy (Matt Lucas). It soon transpires in the series - which first aired on TV in 2003 but was previously a radio show - that Andy does not need a wheelchair and performs all sorts of activities behind Andy's back. In the first ever episode, Lou takes Andy to a swimming pool in his wheelchair - and while his back is turned, Andy jumps off a diving board before returning to his chair, with Lou none the wiser. Andy's catchphrases were 'Yeah, I know', 'Want that one' and 'Don't like it'. Other characters featured in the hit series were teenage chav Vicky Pollard and transvestite Eddie 'Emily' Howard. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons.
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Emilio Brunetti paid Martin Rafferty £80 per time to pretend to be his father .
Tried to evade detection by Hammersmith and Fulham Council fraud team .
Son, 54, granted power of attorney for ailing father Antonio in April 2008 .
On housing benefit, council tax benefit and social tenancy in father's name .
Brunetti and Rafferty both receive suspended sentences at Harrow court .
Case has echoes of Lou and Andy sketch in BBC comedy Little Britain .
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(CNN) -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter has told CNN he believes there is no on-field racism in football and that players who think they have been abused should simply say "this is a game." The head of world soccer insisted FIFA had been tireless in their efforts to combat the specter of racism in football but suggested any player who is abused during a game should shake hands with their opponent upon the final whistle and move on. The football authorities in England are currently dealing with two high-profile allegations of player-on-player racism, involving Chelsea and England captain John Terry and Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez. Both players deny the claims. When asked by CNN World Sport anchor Pedro Pinto if racism exists on the field of play Blatter said: "I would deny it. Blatter comments spark Twitter fury . "There is no racism, there is maybe one of the players towards the other, he has a word or a gesture which is not the correct one, but also the one who is affected by that, he should say it's a game, we are in a game. "At the end of the game, we shake hands, this can happen, because we have worked so hard against racism and discrimination." This year has also seen allegations of high-profile racism by fans. Former Brazil defender Robert Carlos walked off the pitch during a Russian league match after a banana was thrown at him from the stands, while the Malaysian Football Association was forced to apologize to Chelsea in July when their Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun was subject to racial slurs during a pre-season encounter. CNN Blog: How should football tackle racism? On Wednesday the English Football Association (FA) announced they had charged Liverpool player Suarez over a clash with Manchester United's Patrice Evra during an English Premier League match in October. Evra alleged the Uruguayan had aimed racial taunts at him -- a claim Suarez denies. In a statement on their official web site the FA said Suarez is alleged to have used abusive language towards his opponent, including "a reference to the ethnic origin and/or color and/or race" of Evra. London's Metropolitan Police is investigating allegations that Terry racially abused Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during an English Premier League match last month. Terry denies the allegations. In his interview with CNN, Blatter, who was re-elected unopposed as the head of world football despite allegations of corruption surrounding the voting process for the right to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, championed his organization's commitment to tackling racism. "I think the whole world is aware of the efforts we are making against racism and discrimination," he added. "And, on the field of play sometimes you say something that is not very correct, but then at the end of the game, the game is over and you have the next game where you can behave better." Blatter's comments provoked an immediate response within soccer. Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand, brother of Anton, took to Twitter to say: "Tell me I have just read Sepp Blatter's comments on racism in football wrong .... if not then I am astonished. "I feel stupid for thinking that football was taking a leading role against racism ..... it seems it was just on mute for a while." The 'Kick It Out' campaign, who work to eradicate racism from football in England and Europe, said Blatter's comments were "worryingly out of touch." A statement from Blatter was later posted on FIFA's official web site, in which he sought to clarify his comments. It read: "I would like to make it very clear, I am committed to the fight against racism and any type of discrimination in football and in society. "My comments have been misunderstood. What I wanted to express is that, as football players, during a match, you have "battles" with your opponents, and sometimes things are done which are wrong. "But, normally, at the end of the match, you apologize to your opponent if you had a confrontation during the match, you shake hands, and when the game is over, it is over. Anyone who has played a football match, or a match in any sport, knows that this is the case. "Having said that, I want to stress again that I do not want to diminish the dimension of the problem of racism in society and in sport. I am committed to fighting this plague and kicking it out of football."
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Sepp Blatter tells CNN World Sport's Pedro Pinto there is no on-field racism in football .
FIFA president says players who are abused during a match should say "it's a game"
Two high-profile cases involving racism allegations being dealt with in English game .
Blatter underlines the work his organization has done to combat racism .
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Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times? Good grief, no one should ever be fooled three times. But that's exactly what will happen to the Senate Intelligence Committee -- and the American people -- unless President Barack Obama puts a leash on an unchecked CIA. He now must stop it from taking any more steps to try to hide its record of torture, secret prisons and the kidnapping program known as extraordinary rendition. Under the leadership of Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, D-California, the committee conducted a five-year investigation into the CIA's use of torture between 2001 and 2006. Senators and their staff members reviewed more than 3 million pages of CIA documents, resulting in a report of more than 6,000 pages. The committee voted Thursday to submit its report on torture to the executive branch for a declassification review and then public release. One of the very few conclusions of the report that will be made public is that the CIA repeatedly misled Congress, the White House and the Justice Department on the facts of the torture program. An entire section of the report is dedicated to CIA falsehoods, presumably including lies to the very committee charged with overseeing the CIA. Fool the Senate once, shame on the CIA. After nearly four years of investigating, the committee voted in December 2012 to adopt the report but delayed any vote on declassifying it until the CIA -- the agency that the committee had just concluded had lied to Congress and carried out all of the illegal conduct in the report -- had 60 days to review the report. Well, 60 days turned into more than six months as the CIA reportedly found almost no factual errors in the report but nonetheless wrote a couple hundred pages reportedly asserting the efficacy of the program and attacking the report's methodology. The agency, however, wasn't done. It then ran a whisper campaign among reporters to disparage the Senate report. The CIA campaign to hide the truth didn't just stop with foot dragging or writing counter-reports. It reportedly went as far as spying on the Senate Intelligence Committee staff's use of computers dedicated for their exclusive use. Feinstein has characterized the reported incidents as possibly violating the constitutional separation of powers principle, the Fourth Amendment, a criminal computer fraud statute and an executive order banning the CIA from spying domestically. The CIA must be held responsible for any laws broken, but it is certainly reasonable to ask why the Senate Intelligence Committee or the White House ever let the agency get its controlling hands on the report in the first place. Fool the Senate twice, shame on the Senate. With the committee poised to vote to submit the torture report for a declassification review and then public release, it is worth asking: Will the Senate risk getting fooled by the CIA a third time? CIA Director John Brennan has promised to play nice, saying that if sent the Senate torture report yet again, the CIA would "carry out the review expeditiously." Yes, let's again entrust the report to the agency that broke the law on torture and was so brazen that until this month, its acting CIA general counsel was a lawyer named 1,600 times in the torture report. Only a fool would be fooled three times. Feinstein should insist -- and Obama should agree -- that the White House itself conduct the declassification review. Furthermore, only White House officials who had no role in any of the banned practices described in the report should be involved in the review, and the CIA should be consulted only as needed -- with only CIA officials untainted by torture looped in. By law, the president has authority to declassify information, and he surely has the authority to decide the process for declassifying this landmark report. The CIA should never have had a torture program, never should have lied about what it was doing and never should have been given broad authority to review the Senate oversight report. Obama cannot now hand the agency a black-out pen to continue to hide the horrors it inflicted around the globe and the harm it caused to our American values. It's time for someone other than the CIA to decide what all Americans can know about its wrongs. Fooled twice, yes. Let's not be fooled again. Join us on Facebook.com/CNNOpinion.
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Christopher Anders worries that CIA is trying to slip one past Senate and American people .
A controversial report on torture should be declassified, he argues .
On Thursday, the Senate Intelligence Committee approved release of the report .
Anders says President Obama needs to rein in the troubled agency .
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By . Lydia Warren . Where is she? Mother-of-two Jennifer Huston, 38, vanished as she ran errands in Oregon on July 24, but a new sighting placed her in Washington on Thursday . The search for a missing Oregon mother-of-two has expanded to the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state - about 300 miles from where she was last seen eight days ago. Jennifer Huston, from Dundee, Oregon, was captured by surveillance cameras taking out cash at a bank, filling up her car with gas and then buying snacks and sleeping pills at a Rite Aid on July 24. But the married mom-of-two has not been seen since. Her cell phone stopped working minutes after she was seen at the gas station and she has not used her credit cards in the past week. As questions swirl around what could have happened to Mrs Huston, authorities are now searching the San Juan Islands, where Huston would enjoy visiting her family, Fox reported. Authorities say she could be there or could be on her way there. Captain Jeff Kosmicki of the Newberg-Dundee Police Department said her car, a 1999 dark green Lexus LX 470 SUV, would be able to travel 300 to 350 miles after she filled up the tank. She was filmed filling up her car at a Circle K gas station around 6.20pm last Thursday. Before, she withdrew a small amount of cash from the Oregon First Community Credit Union, then bought a Gatorade, trail mix and non-lethal sleeping . pills at a Rite Aid pharmacy. Last seen: Police released these surveillance footage . stills of Mrs Huston's car at a gas station just minutes before she vanished last Thursday. Her cell phone stopped working shortly after . Her husband Kallen, who has passed a polygraph test, told investigators his wife had left to run errands and had been complaining of a headache for several days before she went out. As she left the gas station, her cell phone stopped working - either because it ran out of battery or because it was switched off. Authorities say they need more technical date to determine which direction she was heading in, and they also are trying to get the bank security footage to share with the public in case they can help. But so far, they are struggling to get their hands on what they need because they have to be able to prove a crime has been committed - which they cannot. As the search expands, aerial searches are also being carried out. Mr Huston has said that his wife complained of headaches three days before disappearing, but she hadn't seen a doctor. At a press conference on Monday, he said he feared she'd crashed her car . Mrs Huston was a stay-at-home mother to her two sons, aged two and six. Her husband previously said he'd told them she was on vacation because he couldn't bear to tell them the truth. He also expressed his fears that she might be 'in a ditch somewhere' after driving her car off the road and urged motorists to look out for his wife.. 'I ask that anybody helping us, . regardless of the area they are in, look off to the left and off to the . side of the highways,' he said. 'This is totally unlike her. She's a . devoted mother. She’s just a very good person, and for her to do . something like this is completely out of the norm.' She was last seen wearing black and pink Nike shoes and black yoga pants. Her car, a 1999 Lexus LX 470, has an Oregon license plate of WXH 011. Mrs Huston's mobile phone has been switched off since her disappearance on Thursday. Her family has created a Facebook page to share photographs and information .
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Jennifer Huston went to run errands on July 24 but did not return home .
She was last seen taking out cash from a bank, buying snacks and sleeping pills from a Rite Aid before buying petrol in Newberg .
But her cell phone stopped working shortly after and she has not used her bank cards since .
The search is now expanding to the San Juan Islands off Washington state, where she enjoyed visiting family .
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(CNN) -- Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s fans and critics will find out Saturday night if he's still "Money" -- his nickname -- and still undefeated, when he takes on WBA super-welterweight champion Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. The two fighters offer divergent personalities out of the ring, and distinct styles in it. The 31-year-old Cotto is more inconspicuous and workmanlike, while the 35-year-old Mayweather has a more flamboyant, brash reputation and a sizable cohort of celebrity supporters. Those wishing him luck on Twitter shortly before the fight included teen pop star Justin Bieber, skateboarder and MTV personality Rob Drydek, musician Akon, and Rob Kardashian of the E! reality show clan. The breakdown of the purse for the fight demonstrates the fighters' respective clout: Win or lose, Mayweather is set to pocket $32 million, while Cotto would get $8 million. While the odds are against him, Cotto declared before the bout that he had "no doubt" he'd win. "I'm ready and prepared for anything he can bring to me," Cotto said. Physically, Mayweather entered the bout as the taller of the two by an inch, while Cotto weighed in at 154 pounds, three pounds more than his foe. Max Kellerman, a boxing analyst and commentator for HBO (which like CNN is owned by Time Warner) said Mayweather has evolved into a "consistent, thudding puncher" who counts on pressuring his opponent. In the other corner, Cotto is known for being aggressive and a deft puncher, added Kellerman. The Puerto Rican has lost twice in his professional career, most recently against eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao -- whom Mayweather has famously challenged verbally, but has never fought. After an accomplished amateur career that includes several Golden Gloves titles, Mayweather burst on the pro scene in 1996 and hasn't lost since. The Michigan native's athletic success speaks for itself, having won seven different titles in various weight classes in his career. But he's had his share of trouble outside of the ring. That includes a 90-day prison sentence tied to his conviction on a domestic violence charge, after police said he'd punched the mother of his children at his home. Mayweather had been set to go to prison earlier this year, but a Nevada judge pushed back his reporting date to June because the boxer had already lined up Saturday's fight date.
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Miguel Cotto face off in the ring in Las Vegas .
The undefeated Mayweather is the favorite, though Cotto says he's confident .
Mayweather will go to prison on a domestic violence conviction weeks after the fight .
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The widow of a Florida police officer killed while escorting . President Barack Obama's motorcade has sued her husband's sheriff's department, . saying it bears some responsibility for her husband's death. Jupiter Police Officer Bruce St. Laurent was killed when his . motorcycle was struck by a pickup truck during a September 2012 visit by Obama. His wife, Brenda St. Laurent, is suing the Palm Beach County . Sheriff's Office. Before the crash: Bruce St. Laurent was killed when his motorcycle was struck by a pickup truck during a September 2012 visit by Obama . Make way: Police on motorcycles tend to go ahead of the presidential bus and following cars, as seen in this September 2012 campaign trip in Florida when St Laurent was killed . Scene: St Laurent was killed when he was hit trying to clear the motorcade route . St. Laurent was killed while he prepared to shut down a . stretch of Interstate 95 in West Palm Beach ahead of the motorcade. The impact with the car pushed the 55-year-old officer and . his motorcycle to the guard rail. He was transported to a local hospital but declared dead . after arriving at St. Mary's Medical Center. He had been a member of the Jupiter Police Department for 20 . years. He was survived by his wife of more than 30 years and their . four children. His wife says the sheriff's office 'negligently allowed' the . driver of the truck to enter the highway. Suing: St Laurent's wife Brenda (right) has filed a lawsuit against the sheriff's office arguing that they should have done more to protect her husband (left) who worked for them for more than 20 years . The sheriff's office had no immediate comment. The lawsuit, which was filed last week, seeks unspecified . damages. At the time, his death was the fourth fatal accident that . involved motorcycles connected with the president's motorcade.
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Bruce St Laurent was killed in a crash ahead of a campaign stop in Florida .
His widow and the mother of his four children is now suing the sheriff's office saying they could have done more to protect him, 55 .
St Laurent was the fourth police fatality connected to the president's motorcade that year .
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(CNN) -- A day after Syrian forces overran the Homs neighborhood of Baba Amr, opposition groups said Friday that government forces had executed 14 civilians there and the Red Cross said an aid convoy seeking to deliver food and medical care was turned back. "It is unacceptable that people who have been in need of emergency assistance for weeks have still not received any help," said International Committee of the Red Cross President Jakob Kellenberger. "We are staying in Homs tonight in the hope of entering Baba Amr in the very near future. In addition, many families have fled Baba Amr, and we will help them as soon as we possibly can." Amid claims by opposition groups that Syrian officials were keeping aid workers out of Baba Amr to conceal atrocities, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon cited reports of summary executions, arbitrary detentions and torture and called for an immediate end to the violence and for humanitarian aid agencies to be granted unfettered access. Syria's U.N. ambassador, Bashar Ja'afari, said his government has been the victim of "extremely virulent rhetoric" based on "hearsay" from the opposition. "We are not claiming that the situation in those regions is perfect; we do not deny that there has been a deterioration in the quality of services provided by the state in those regions, but the primary reason for this is the armed attacks," he said, alluding to repeated government assertions that foreign terrorists are behind the violence. At least 75 people died, including the 14 civilians reportedly executed in Homs and 16 others who died in Rastan when a shell fired by Syrian forces exploded in a crowd of demonstrators, according to the Local Coordination Committee of Syria, an opposition group. Deaths were also reported in Idlib, Hama, Aleppo, Deir Ezzor, Dourna, Daraa and Lattakia, according to the LCC. White House spokesman Jay Carney decried what he called the "trigger happiness" of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, saying that "the brutality being carried out in the city of Homs in the last 24 to 48 hours is disgraceful and horrific." "The European Council remains determined to ensure that those responsible for the atrocities being committed in Syria are held accountable for their actions, and we'll coordinate closely and assist those working to document these appalling crimes," council President Herman van Rompuy said. A convoy of Red Cross trucks and Red Crescent ambulances reached Homs Friday after receiving authority from the Syrian government to enter Baba Amr on Thursday, a spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross. But after waiting for hours outside the Baba Amr district, ICRC officials said they were told they would not be allowed to enter. "We reiterate the appeal we made several days ago, for a daily 2-hour halt in the fighting to allow humanitarian assistance," Kellenberger said. Together with the reports of continuing violence in Syria, the refusal to allow aid trucks into Baba Amr paints a "very, very alarming" picture," said Rupert Colville, a spokesman for he U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. "It's just going from bad to worse," said Colville. British Prime Minister David Cameron called the situation in Syria "absolutely appalling," and demanded that humanitarian aid be allowed wherever it is needed. "Above all," he said, "what I think matters is building the evidence and the picture so we hold this criminal regime to account, and to make sure it is held to account for crimes that it is committing against its people." He spoke to reporters outside a meeting of leaders of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium. French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced Friday that France would close its embassy in Damascus and the European Union recognized the opposition Syrian National Council as the legitimate representative of Syrian people. "The European Council remains determined to ensure that those responsible for the atrocities being committed in Syria are held accountable for their actions, and we'll coordinate closely and assist those working to document these appalling crimes," council President Herman van Rompuy said. The European Union issued a statement demanding al-Assad's regime bring an immediate end to "the massive violence and human rights abuses inflicted to the civilian population." Kofi Annan, the former U.N. secretary-general, who has been tapped by Ban to serve as joint special envoy with the League of Arab States on Syria, was to travel next week to regional capitals, including Damascus. The U.N. Security Council unanimously called on al-Assad to grant immediate access to its humanitarian chief, Valerie Amos. Amos was denied access this week by the government, according to Ban. But on Friday afternoon, Ja'afari said she would have been welcomed. "I personally sent information to the secretariat staff to say that the Syrian government accepted the principle of Mrs. Amos' visit and we requested a date for the visit and that to be communicated via diplomatic channels. How can it be claimed now that Syria refused to welcome Mrs. Amos and did not allow her to visit Syria?" The statement by the Security Council was signed by its 15 member nations, including China and Russia, a Soviet-era ally and arms dealer to Syria. Those nations previously blocked a U.S. resolution condemning the violence and calling for a transfer of power. Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United Nations, Abdallah Y. Al-Mouallimi, turned up the heat on Friday saying his country and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council "are fully prepared to be at the forefront of any joint effort aimed at saving the Syrian people and bolstering its ability to protect itself from authorities that have lost their legitimacy by shedding the blood of their own people." He likened the lack of an international response to the attack on Thursday in Baba Amr to other failures to act to halt killing. "It is as if we were witnessing a new Srebrenica, as if the international community learned nothing from the lessons of Rwanda, Kosovo or Gaza." That provoked anger from Ja'afari. "To liken that to the massacres of Srebrenica, Rwanda or Gaza, this is a disrespectful, misleading statement when it is issued by an Arab voice in this international organization," the Syrian ambassador said. "This is a misleading statement that serves only Israel and the enemies of the Arabs." Also on Thursday, a U.N. Human Rights Council resolution condemned Syria's "widespread and systematic violations of human rights" and called on the regime to permit aid groups in to distribute relief. Despite pressure from the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and member nations of the Arab League to end the violence, al-Assad has continued to push forward with the crackdown. The conflict erupted in March of 2011, when al-Assad's Alawite minority-dominated government launched a crackdown against a predominantly Sunni anti-government protest movement that eventually devolved into an uprising with an armed resistance. Al-Assad is an Alawite, an offshoot of Shiite Islam. The United Nations estimates more than 7,500 people have died, while Syrian opposition group LCC says more than 9,000 people have died during the conflict. The Syrian government says more than 2,000 security personnel have been killed in the violence. Human Rights Watch, citing local sources, said 700 people had died in Homs alone since the Syrian military began its most recent campaign there in early February. CNN cannot independently confirm reports of casualties because Syria has severely restricted the access of international journalists. Much of the attention recently over the violence in Syria has focused on Baba Amr, a neighborhood of five square miles that endured 26 consecutive days of shelling before rebel forces announced a "tactical retreat" on Thursday. The Free Syria Army's retreat from Baba Amr leaves civilians vulnerable. "There is nowhere to go," said British journalist Paul Conroy, who was wounded in his stomach and leg and then smuggled to Lebanon in a six-day journey from Baba Amr. "The area is ringed by snipers so any attempt at leaving the neighborhood is met by active sniper fire. I think most people in Baba Amr had to unfortunately accept their fate." Though he has reported before from war zones, Conroy said he considers the situation in Baba Amr to be unique. "This is a medieval siege and slaughter. I would say quite categorically that's the most ferocious, vicious, and unnecessary that I've seen and there are actually no military targets within Baba Amr. All of the intense shelling is directed at the civilian population." Syrian forces, backed by tanks, surrounded the neighborhoods of Bab Tadmur and Jib al-Jandali, the Revolutionary Council of Homs said. Intense fighting was reported in the two Sunni-dominated neighborhoods, and a video posted by an opposition activist purported to show smoke rising from Bab Tadmur after a shelling attack. On Friday, Syrian authorities handed over the bodies of journalists Marie Colvin and Remi Ochlik to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross, a Red Cross spokesman said. Colvin and Ochlik were killed last week when a makeshift media center in Baba Amr came under attack by shelling. French journalist Edith Bouvier was wounded in the attack. Bouvier and journalist William Daniels, who was trapped in Baba Amr with her, returned Friday to France. The opposition group Avaaz said it helped Bouvier and Daniels to escape. CNN's Elizabeth Joseph, Kamal Ghattas, Raja Razek, Aliza Kassim, Chelsea J. Carter and Salma Abdelaziz contributed to this report.
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NEW: "There is nowhere to go," British journalist says of Baba Amr siege .
Syria victimized by "extremely virulent rhetoric," Ja'afari says .
At least 75 dead in Syria as aid trucks denied entry to besieged neighborhood .
The Syrian regime is committing "appalling crimes," the European Council president says .
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First came Santa hats, then it was Christmas jumpers. Now, there’s a new festive novelty in town for pets…baubles. The must-have fashion accessory of the season is wearable baubles, and so far they’ve been a hit with not only humans but pooches too. Scroll down for video . Dog owners around the world are decking their pooches out in the must-have fashion accessory of the Christmas season - wearable baubles . Stella the dog, from New York, was photographed sporting dozens of limited edition Beard Baubles. The packet was auctioned off, with all proceeds of the in the sale going to charity to help the fight against skin cancer. Beard Baubles have now sold out due to popular demand . Beard Baubles, an idea by creative agency Grey London, is part of a drive to raise the profile of Beard Season – an initiative which encourages men to grow a beard for December to raise awareness of skin cancer. While men around the world have been sporting the tiny festive ornaments in their facial hair - including one who wore his to the World Darts Championship in Alexandra Palace, north London, last night - dogs are also getting in on the action. From the UK to America, pets have been dolled up with Christmas baubles before posing for a photograph. Much like Movember, when men are encouraged to grow a moustache while raising money for prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health issues, Beard Season aims to raise awareness of melanoma. Although the multi-coloured festive baubles are intended to be used on facial hair, people around the world have been snapping up the Yuletide accessory – which costs £5 for a pack of 14 – and attaching them to their beloved dogs. Ollie Dearn, who works at Grey London, said: 'The product has been particularly popular with Brits. 'We've sold more than we ever expected. 'But Aussie, American, Kiwis, German and French customers have been purchasing Beard Baubles too. 'We've heard about hairy dogs wearing Beard Baubles too.’ Beard Baubles - the must-have accessory for bearded men - have been snapped up by dog owners too. Many dog lovers are recreating their own take on Beard Baubles, including this image of a bulldog decked out in festive attire with a clip-on fake beard and oversized baubles . Beard Baubles, an idea by creative agency Grey London, is part of a drive to raise the profile of Beard Season – an initiative which encourages men to grow a beard for December to raise awareness of skin cancer. It hopes to raise the profile of melanoma and money to help fight it . One pooch, called Stella, was photographed covered in the baubles - which happened to be limited edition Beard Baubles, snapped up on eBay for hundreds of pounds. The limited edition packet of the accessory, branded 'the only one in the world', was auctioned off online and won by a bidder in New York who used them to accessorise her dog. All profits of the sale went to charity to help raise awareness and treat skin cancer. Pauline Ashford, one of the creatives at Grey London, said Beard Baubles had now sold out due to popular demand. She said: 'The interest has been huge, it seems bearded men (and dogs) all over the world have been neglected at Christmas time up until now. 'We physically couldn't make enough Beard Baubles to satisfy the demand and post them all out in time for Christmas. But we'll be ready next year. 'Because there was still massive interest after we sold out of Original Beard Baubles, we decided that we would create some Limited Edition packs, to raise even more money for melanoma research, and to stretch the skin cancer awareness campaign longer over the festive period, especially in Australia where it is summer. 'The Limited Edition packs went up for auction on eBay and one of the winning bidders was the owner of a Labradoodle in NYC. 'He put the Beard Baubles on his dog, called Stella, who was more than happy to pose for a photograph. 'We also got three artists involved to make their own hand-drawn versions and put them up for auction.' The multi-coloured Beard Baubles, which attach gently to facial hair, are popping up on beards all over the world, including Callum Storey, 22, from Sevenoaks, Kent, who wore them at the William Hill World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in north London last night (above) For every bag of baubles sold, the money will go to Beard Season - a charity which encourages men to grow a beard for December. Men (and dog owners) are urged to upload photos to Twitter using #BeardBaubles . Video from Beard Baubles: . Each pack of Beard Baubles contains 14 multi-coloured baubles, including 10 large balls and four small ones. All proceeds from the baubles go to Beard Season, a non-profit Australian-based charity which works to raise awareness of melanoma. The outfit has been running its December-themed initiative in Australia for the last two years, but has become more well-known in the UK since it teamed up with Grey London's Beard Baubles. To buy Beard Baubles, visit: beardbaubles.tictail.com, or to donate to Melanoma UK, click here. For more information about Beard Season click here.
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Dogs around the world decked out in festive baubles for Christmas season as Beard Baubles become latest craze .
Beard Baubles are new accessory and part of the Beard Season initiative - which aims to raise awareness of cancer .
Beard Season encourages men to grow a beard for December to raise the profile of melanoma and money to fight it .
But dog owners are snapping up the baubles to decorate their pet pooches before posting photos on social media .
Send your photographs of dogs dressed in festive baubles to MailOnline by emailing jen.smith@mailonline.co.uk .
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Vow: Humza Yousaf, Scotland's Minister for External Affairs, told William Hague action must be taken against Uganda's new 'draconian law' tightening constraints on homosexuals . Scotland has vowed to offer asylum to gay Ugandans facing life-imprisonment under the country's new oppressive set of laws. Humza Yousaf, Scotland's Minister for External Affairs, announced the plan in an open letter to UK Foreign Secretary William Hague - urging him to follow suit. It comes just weeks before he is due to meet senior members of the Ugandan government at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer. The anti-homosexuality legislation was enacted earlier this week, strengthening the country's already strict laws relating to gay people. President Museveni also ordered one of the country's newspapers to publish a list of the so-called top 200 homosexuals, including some that had not identified themselves as gay. Currently, international treaties say people must prove they have a 'well-founded fear' of persecution for reasons of race, religion, ethnicity or political opinion if they are to obtain asylum. Urging Mr Hague to challenge the Commonwealth nation, Mr Yousaf wrote: 'Scotland will play her part in providing asylum for those seeking refuge from this draconian legislation.' Today he added: 'The Scottish Government is deeply concerned the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda has been signed into law. 'This is a huge step back for equality and I have written to the UK Government asking them to make the strongest possible representations to the government of Uganda. 'I have also urged the UK Foreign Secretary to offer asylum to any Ugandans who suffer threat or persecution as a result of the legislation. 'It goes without saying that Scotland, . where possible, will play her part and assist the UK Government in . providing asylum for those seeking refuge from this draconian law.' Uproar: The new legislation, passed this week, have criminalised the 'promotion of homosexuality'. Activists have blasted the laws but, facing life-imprisonment, cannot show their faces . Homosexuality was already illegal in Uganda, but the new legislation now includes lesbians and criminalises 'the promotion of homosexuality'. Mr Yousaf's move was welcomed by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC). General secretary Grahame Smith said: 'The oppressive legislation enacted by the Ugandan government criminalising the LGBT community is an affront to freedom and equality. 'The STUC welcomes this initiative by the . Scottish Government and we would urge the UK Government to support this . proposal to allow Ugandans, under threat of imprisonment as a . consequence of their sexuality, to find refuge in Scotland.' In a previous statement, Foreign Secretary William Hague has berated discrimination in Uganda . The Kaleidoscope Trust, an LGBT pressure group, told The Herald: 'We . have always felt the Games had an important part to play in tackling the . scandal of LGBT abuses in the Commonwealth and welcome the Scottish . Government taking the bull by the horns.' Last year, judges at the European Court of Justice said homosexuals facing imprisonment may have sufficient grounds to be allowed to stay in the EU. The existence of laws imprisoning homosexuals 'may constitute an act of persecution per se' if they are routinely enforced, the court said. Mr Hague has yet to comment but in a previous statement he said: 'We ask the government of Uganda to protect all its . citizens and encourage tolerance, equality and respect. 'We will continue . to press the government of Uganda to defend human rights for all, . without discrimination on any grounds.'
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Humza Yousaf, Scotland External Affairs Minister, tells William Hague to act .
New laws criminalise promotion of homosexuality and include lesbians .
President Museveni also printed 'top 200 homosexuals' in newspaper .
Mr Yousaf wrote open letter to Hague blasting 'draconian law'
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(PEOPLE.com) -- Four years ago, Matthew McConaughey's relationship with Brazilian model Camila Alves was revealed to PEOPLE in a 2007 cover story. "She likes roughing it," a source said at the time. "She doesn't complain when they go hiking for 10 days without clean clothes or a shower." On Christmas Day, McConaughey's longtime love -- and mother of his two children, Levi, 3, and Vida, who turns 2 in January -- became his fiancé. "just asked camila to marry me," the actor, 42, wrote on his WhoSay account. "merry Christmas." Their road to engagement took nearly five years -- the couple met in 2006 -- but now that the question has been popped, PEOPLE takes a look at their show-stopping, not to mention sexy, romance. 'The Right Woman' When he was crowned PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive in 2005, McConaughey said he'd get married one day -- when "I'm with the right woman and it's the right time." A year later, he was facing engagement rumors. "Everyone is convinced he'll be with her for a long time, if not forever," a source close to the actor told PEOPLE in October 2007 about the actor's relationship with the down-to-earth beauty, now 29. A month before, they had moved into a $1.1 million modular home in Malibu. They already had mystery matching rings. The couple continued to step out together. "They were laughing the entire time," said an onlooker who glimpsed McConaughey and Alves at a Japanese restaurant in November 2007. "What a great couple." Baby on the Way . Their relationship quickly went from sexy to serious: In early 2008, McConaughey told his fans that he was starting a family with Alves. That summer, they welcomed their first son, Levi. "He's a man -- he's my man -- and we're a family," Alves gushed months later. "He's the best dad he can be -- 100 percent hands-on." McConaughey called his leading lady "the love of my life." However, marriage wasn't on McConaughey's mind. "It's just not something I plan on doing right now, and that I feel like I need to do right now," he told reporters in April 2009 while promoting his romantic comedy, "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past." "It's not an institution I'm against at all. I'm actually for it, believe in it and have seen it actually be very, very healthy for many relationships." Kissing and Telling . The couple rung in the New Year with a new baby in 2010: daughter Vida. And with an acting career and a family life to balance, the actor was taking his romance with Alves to new heights. "We went up to 3,000 feet and I had on hiking shoes and I was all set up and ready to go," he said in February 2011 about a trip with his ladylove to French Polynesia. "[Alves] was wearing Havaianas sandals and a white skirt. I came down to the bottom of that hill afterward and had blood on me, [all] muddy ... and that girl didn't have a speck of dust on her." The bachelor-turned-family man told PEOPLE in March 2011 that he was learning Portuguese, Alves's native language that she grew up speaking in Brazil. And perhaps his favorite word in Portuguese sheds some light on the romance between him and his now-fiancé. "Beijos," is his favorite expression, he said, which translates to "kisses" in English. See the full article at PEOPLE.com . © 2011 People and Time Inc. All rights reserved.
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Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves met in 2006 .
In early 2008, McConaughey told fans he was starting a family with Alves .
In March, the actor said he was learning Portuguese, Alves's native language .
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By . Sadie Whitelocks . PUBLISHED: . 08:34 EST, 18 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:35 EST, 18 May 2012 . He's conquered the music charts and now Justin Bieber is taking the perfume world by storm. Last night the 18-year-old beat David Beckham and Kim Kardashian as his debut scent Someday was branded Best New Celebrity Fragrance 2012 by the Fragrance Foundation UK. And the Canadian will also be receiving the highly coveted Elizabeth Taylor award at the 40th annual FiFi event held in New York next week, which honours those who have helped promote the world of perfumery. Justin Bieber's debut secnt has been regonised globally by industry experts . His female scent described as 'playful, fresh yet flirty and anything but ordinary', smashed records back in June 2011, raking in $3 million in just three weeks at Macy’s in U.S. And this month in the UK it sold out instantly, after the star himself deemed it 'irresistible'. Commenting on his cluster of awards, Bieber said: 'I am honoured to be named Elizabeth Taylor Fragrance Celebrity of the Year. It means a lot to me that my fans and The Fragrance Foundation support all my accomplishments. 'The best part is that my favorite charities are sharing in the success; it is important to pay it forward. Plus, I have the girls smelling great!' Last year, Halle Berry responsible for a trio of scents - Halle by Halle Berry, Pure Orchid and Reveal - took home the title. Bieber is also in the running for the luxe women gong, competing against Beyoncé's Pulse, Bottega Veneta, Prada Candy and Tom Ford Violet Blonde. According to reviews, Bieber's fragrance starts off with notes of mandarin, pear and wild berries and ends with warm hints of vanilla and soft musk . Proceeds from perfume sales have benefited Pencils of Promise, an education-based charity organization that helps helps build schools all over the world. Explaining the thought behind Someday, Bieber said it is about hope and dream. 'It explains a dream. Someday I will drive a BMW. Someday I will be an astronaut. In the commercial, (co-star Dree’s) Someday was meeting me. 'So when she sprayed on the perfume, I appeared in the room and we floated off into this place. That’s what I perceive it as.' According to reviews, the fragrance starts off with notes of mandarin, pear and wild berries and ends with warm hints of vanilla and soft musk.
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Someday named Best New Celebrity Fragrance 2012 beating scents from David Beckham and Kim Kardashian .
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She turned 40 this year and is looking better than ever. So what's Kate Moss' secret? The supermodel, who has dominated the industry for 25 years, has revealed that she's the latest in a long line of celebrities to jump on the health bandwagon. Speaking about her virtuous new lifestyle, she said: 'I like juicing as it gives you bright eyes with a bit of a twinkle and it keeps your hair shiny.' Scroll down for video . What's her secret? Kate Moss, 40, who has dominated the industry for 25 years, has revealed that she's a huge fan of juicing and loves one supplement in particular . But you won't catch her whizzing up some banana and spinach in her blender. Kate, who makes around £12 million a year, adds a £98 superfood supplement into her morning juice created by health aficionado and fellow supermodel, Elle Macpherson. Kate explained: 'At the moment I'm using Elle Macpherson The Super Elixir supplement. I add it to my juices.' Kate is the latest in a long line of celebrities to confess their love of the product - fellow socialites Nick Grimshaw and Daisy Lowe love it too. So what is all the fuss about? Like fellow models Miranda Kerr and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Elle swears by the power of all things green and she is so convinced by their potency, that she unveiled her very own brand. Secret weapon: Kate loves Elle Macpherson's Super Elixir, which is packed with 45 key ingredients including alkalising super greens, Chinese herbs, and the miatake mushroom . Elle this year introduced The Super Elixir by WelleCo, a range of alkalising food supplements, which she describes as her drug. The product was formulated over many years especially for Elle by Dr Simone Laubscher PhD, a Harley Street nutritional doctor specialising in disease prevention. The powder, which can be sprinkled over salads or mixed into juices and smoothies, claims to support healthy nutrition and ensure your body is working to its optimum function. Speaking about the inspiration behind her new range, Elle told MailOnline: 'I'm on the run a lot and if I'm not nourished, I don't feel good. 'For years, I was taking vitamins and powders. I tried alternative medicine, acupuncture, reflexology. 'I'm a pescatarian, I don't drink, do drugs or smoke so what else can I do? I wasn't unaware of wellness but something wasn't working for me and I told my doctor "I don't feel great". 'She told me my body was acidic, it was down to stress, travel and lack of sleep.' That's when Elle decided to create the Super Elixir. The product is designed to support healthy nutrition at a cellular level and aid the digestive, endocrine (hormonal), circulatory and nervous systems. Work hard, play hard: The model, who makes around £12 million a year starring in campaigns for brands including Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Burberry, is known for her love of a good time . Packed with 45 key ingredients including alkalising super greens, Chinese herbs, and the miatake mushroom, Elle claims that just 10g of the powder daily contains all the vitamins, minerals and trace elements to assist wellness and vitality. 'I've spent years tweaking it and refining it and now the recipe works so beautifully. After a few weeks, my body went into cruise mode and I felt uplifted, lost weight, didn't get sick and didn't crave sugar. 'My body hummed along and functioned properly,' said Elle. It seems that it's helping Kate's hum along too; the model's career - and social life - is going stronger than ever. The model makes around £12 million a year starring in campaigns for brands including Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Burberry.
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Kate, 40, loves Elle Macpherson's green supplement .
Adds it to her juices and says it gives her bright eyes and shiny hair .
Elle's £98 supplement claims to help your body function better .
Elle says it's her 'drug' and makes her body hum along .
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CHARLESTON, South Carolina (CNN) -- Tropical storm Cristobal was forecast to move "parallel and very close" to the North Carolina coast Sunday morning, but the storm is not expected to make landfall along the eastern U.S. shores. Satellite image taken at 1:15 p.m. Saturday shows Tropical Storm Cristobal off the coast of the Carolinas. At 11 p.m. ET Saturday, the center of the storm was about 45 miles southeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina, and about 170 miles southwest of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The National Hurricane Center said Cristobal was moving northeast at about 6 mph, with maximum sustained winds of about 45 mph and some higher gusts. "The center of the tropical storm is expected to move parallel and very close to the coast of North Carolina for the next day or so," the NHC said. It is expected to dump between three and five inches of rain along the Carolina coast this weekend, it said. The storm had not strengthened beyond the 45 mph top winds measured earlier on Saturday, according to the NHC. A discussion posted online by NHC forecasters called Cristobal "convectively challenged" and predicted the storm would "become absorbed ahead of an approaching cold front" by late Monday. Although the center of the storm was forecast to remain off the coast through the weekend, tropical storm warnings were in effect from the South Santee River in South Carolina to the North Carolina-Virginia state line, including Pamlico Sound. Flood advisories were posted for coastal counties, and Wilmington, North Carolina, received 2½ inches of rain Saturday, said Stephen Keebler, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service there. Cristobal's winds were not expected to be a problem, Keebler said. "It's some rain and a little bit of relief for the coastal areas and a lot of excitement, but that's about it," he said. The rain bands were weakening as they spun farther inland, providing little relief for parched areas near Interstate 95 in North Carolina, he said. Forecasters predicted up to 5 inches of rain along the North Carolina coast, with heavier amounts in some areas. Eastern North Carolina is under a moderate drought, and areas along South Carolina's northern coast are considered abnormally dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Officials have blamed the persistent drought for a massive wildfire that has burned more than 40,000 acres in eastern North Carolina since it began June 1 with a lightning strike. As Cristobal lurked offshore, the storm was keeping many boaters off the waters -- and surfers in the waves. On North Carolina's Outer Banks, surfers reveled in the waves as the storm churned offshore well to the south. Bradley Rose, a surf instructor at SandBarz in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, said the waves were a bit choppy. "It looks pretty fun out there," Rose said. At the By the Sea Motel in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, out-of-state vacationers took to the beach, trying to photograph the outer rain bands of Cristobal, hotel manager Charlie Peterson said. Intermittent rain showers during the afternoon were not enough to chase them away, and there were even brief moments of sunshine. "They've got their cameras set, and they think there is going to be lightning over the water and all," he said. "They have never seen this." Elsewhere Saturday, Hurricane Fausto strengthened far off Mexico's Pacific coast, while Hurricane Bertha, located east of Cape Race, Newfoundland, was downgraded to tropical storm status. Neither of those storms currently threatens land. Bertha had blustered across Bermuda this week, knocking out electricity to thousands there.
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Tropical Storm Cristobal "very close" to North Carolina coast .
Storm expected to dump three to five inches of rain along coast .
Cristobal evolved Saturday from a tropical depression on Friday .
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(CNN) -- One of the most dominant theories of this year's presidential election is that President Barack Obama's re-election prospects have been undermined by high unemployment levels. Yet despite a dismal labor market, which saw a net increase of only 103,000 private-sector jobs for August, the president has been widening his lead over Mitt Romney in recent days. This raises the possibility that other factors are trumping high unemployment. To be sure, the fact that the unemployment rate has remained above 8% throughout Obama's first term has greatly contributed to the sense among many that his economic agenda has been a failure. Perhaps the most memorable speech at the Democratic National Convention, by former President Bill Clinton, was devoted to defending the current president's job creation record, a clear sign that Democrats recognize it as their central vulnerability. Opinion: Bill Clinton brings it for Obama . Yet one of the ironies of the 2012 presidential campaign is that the incumbent president has benefited from strong support among many of the constituencies that have been hardest-hit by high unemployment levels, particularly black Americans and Latino Americans. This has left the Romney campaign in the position of having to win over voters who've fared relatively well since 2008. Unfortunately, we don't have reliable or consistent data on the political preferences of the unemployed. The numbers we do have are fragmentary. For example, a recent survey of 18-to-29-year-old voters sponsored by the Youth Engagement Fund found that while only 14% of Romney voters were unemployed, almost a third of Obama voters were unemployed. Undecided voters fell somewhere in between, with 25% of them unemployed. This hardly settles the question, but the fact that the president fares so well with demographic groups that have experienced higher unemployment rates is nevertheless suggestive. Perhaps the most obvious explanation is that voters interpret economic data through the lens of their cultural and political affiliations. Voters who are disinclined to favor a Democratic incumbent will be more likely to interpret disappointing jobs numbers as an indictment of Obama while voters who are more favorably disposed towards Democrats will maintain that he is doing the best that can be expected of him in the face of powerful economic and political headwinds. With that in mind, we can learn a great deal by taking a closer look at different groups in different states. For example, of the three states with unemployment rates above 10%, two, California and Rhode Island, are heavily urban, coastal states that overwhelmingly support Obama. The third, Nevada, is more closely contested, though most surveys find that the state is leaning toward backing the president. This is despite the fact that Nevada is one of the states that has been most adversely impacted by the housing bust. The state is also 27% Latino. And though its electorate is considerably less so, the fact that Latinos tend to favor Democrats more strongly than do white Anglos has given the president a significant boost. Opinion: Three hurdles for Obama, Romney . The political configuration of states with unemployment levels from 8% to 10% is also quite interesting. Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina are all in the Romney column. Several of these states are part of the cultural region political analyst Sean Trende has called "Greater Appalachia," a region that moved toward the GOP even as the rest of the country moved away from it between 2004 and 2008. Others, including Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina, have electorates that are defined by racial polarization. The large black minorities in these states tend to be strongly Democratic while the white majorities tend to be strongly Republican. Moreover, unemployment rates in the black population in these Deep South states tend to be much higher than unemployment rates in the white population. This implies that many of the president's strongest supporters in these states have been touched by unemployment, either directly or indirectly, while many of his staunchest critics have emerged unscathed. Many of the unemployed and underemployed households in these states have benefited from the extension of unemployment benefits, the expansion of eligibility for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program and other social transfer programs that the president and congressional Democrats fought for as part of the 2009 fiscal stimulus law and in subsequent budget battles with congressional Republicans. The Obama-supporting states with unemployment levels between 8% and 10% -- such as New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in the northeastern United States, Illinois in the Midwest and Washington and Oregon in the Pacific Northwest -- are states in which college-educated voters, who've fared relatively well in the post-crisis economy, have shifted to the Democratic Party at least since the Clinton presidency. These are in a sense the Obama voters who don't present much of a puzzle -- relatively insulated from the weak economy, they're more likely to vote on the basis of their socially liberal values. Less affluent voters in these states, meanwhile, disproportionately benefit from the aid programs championed by the president and his allies. Opinion: Harsh realities for Democrats . Earlier this summer, John Hudak, a political scientist based at the Brookings Institution, shed light on this underlying dynamic by considering how Democratic and Republican officials at the state level have responded to Obama's health care reform, the Affordable Care Act. So while Democratic elected officials rely more heavily on the support of voters who are far more likely to be uninsured, e.g., black Americans (22% of whom are uninsured) and Latino Americans (32% of whom are uninsured). Republican elected officials, meanwhile, reply more heavily on white voters, only 14% of whom are uninsured. There are a number of contested states in the 8% to 10% unemployment range, including Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Colorado and Arizona. Florida, Colorado and Arizona are all states in which a surging Latino population has given the Democrats a foothold. North Carolina has a large and politically engaged black population as well as a growing population of college-educated social liberals, the combination of which has made the state more politically competitive than neighboring South Carolina. Michigan, which is still considered a swing state despite having voted for Democratic presidential candidates since 1992, is quite distinctive. It has a black population slightly larger than the national average and a high concentration of union members, many of whom are clustered in the politically important automotive industry. The Obama administration has frequently touted its support for the auto industry, the cost of which continues to climb. As recently as last year, former auto czar Steve Rattner claimed that the ultimate cost to taxpayers of the $82 billion of government funds invested in the GM and Chrysler bailouts would be $14 billion. Earlier this month, the U.S. Treasury Department estimated that it would eventually cost the federal government $25.1 billion. Michigan voters have good reason to believe that an Obama administration would be more likely than a Romney administration to offer domestic automobile manufacturers future cash infusions. Many states with unemployment levels between 6% and 8% are solidly in the Republican camp; for example, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and West Virginia. These are states that have done reasonably well during the Obama years but nevertheless oppose his re-election. The states in this tier that back the president include states with large numbers of affluent college-educated voters and large minority populations, such as Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts and Delaware, and also states with very distinctive demographic profiles, such as heavily Asian Hawaii, heavily Latino New Mexico and Maine, a state that is both very white and very poor. The swing states in this tier -- Wisconsin, Ohio and Missouri -- are states in which Mitt Romney will have to win over large numbers of employed white voters. And that is also true of New Hampshire, Virginia and Iowa, swing states in which the unemployment rate is between 4% and 6%. New Hampshire is heavily white and socially liberal, and its economy has fared well in recent years. Romney will thus have to make an ideological appeal to tax-sensitive voters concerned about deficits and debt. A similar dynamic applies to Iowa as well. Virginia has a large minority population that is supportive of Obama, but it also contains a large number of tax-sensitive suburbanites who might be amenable to Romney's conservative message. Romney has oil-and-gas-oriented low unemployment states such as South Dakota, Wyoming and Oklahoma locked up. But the incumbent is comfortably ahead in Minnesota and Vermont. At a state-by-state level, at least, there doesn't appear to be a straight line between high unemployment levels and opposition to Obama. High unemployment does matter -- but judging by the state of the race right now, it seems to matter more because employed voters, including many who've fared relatively well in recent years, see it as a sign of economic failure than because unemployed voters will turn out against the president in droves. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Reihan Salam.
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There's a widespread view that unemployment levels are hurting Obama's re-election chances .
Reihan Salam: It seems Obama has strong support from groups more likely to be jobless .
He says Romney is left in the position of having to appeal to those who have fared better .
Unemployment matters because even those who have done well see rate as a failure, he says .
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By . Ryan Lipman . You could own a slice of Aussie paradise, a sprawling beachfront mansion with the lot: dual-heated pool, tennis court, spa and your very own boathouse. But it will cost you $18 million. That's how much a couple paid for this palatial home in Brighton, in Melbourne's south east, after it was offered for only the second time at what's believed to a record price in the affluent 'golden mile'. The modern looking double-storey mansion was put on the market three years ago by Wallace Cameron, the shareholder of a pathology company, and wife Joan, The Age reported. Scroll down for video . A palace to call home: The double-story mansion was on the market for three years before reportedly selling for a reported $18 million . What a view: Looking onto Port Phillip Bay, the home is set among other luxury properties in an area known as the Golden Mile . Deluxe: The home's finishings are of the highest quality and it features a range of living areas boasting water views . It is believed the couple bought the stunning home for $5 million about 15 years ago. In a reported off-market deal, the sale is said to have been finalised last week, in a purchase by retired businessman and philanthropist Julius Colman and wife Jadwiga. Named Shannagolden, the luxurious home is one of the largest set among the desired stretch of homes known as the Golden Mile. Set high at 12 Moule Avenue, the 35-year-old four-bedroom and five-bathroom house has undergone recent updates including a marble kitchen and stone-finished bathroom upgrade. Spanning 85 square metres and offering an endless list of deluxe features, the home also boasts a dual-heated pool with spa and tennis court overlooking the bay. With manicured lawns and gardens throughout the estate, it offers a boathouse and the yard sprawls onto its own 3903 square metres of beachfront. Luxurious finishing inside the home include ornate columns, sunken living areas, contrasting tiled floors and plush carpets. Fancy a match? If the new owners are fans of tennis, they do not have far to go if they are up a game . Room with a view: Waking up in one of the mansion's five-bedrooms might be easier when you're looking out over the idyllic bay . The palatial home's inground swimming pool is dual-heated and features a spa . On the JP Dixon property listing, the home is touted as existing in a 'world of its own at Melbourne's most privileged beachfront address' set at the end of its own tree-lined avenue. The double-garage manor also features an entertainer's bar, formal and casual living areas and grand formal dining room. The library/study is one of one two rooms in the whole mansion to not have sweeping view of the bay. The agents selling the home confirmed it had sold but have not revealed the price it was bought for . Set among other multimillion dollar homes, cricketer Shane Warne bought a nearby four-bedroom home for about $4 million earlier this month . Sought-after: The property is located in the Melbourne suburb of Brighton, about 11km south east of the CBD. The area is one of the wealthiest in the city and features some its most grand homes . If the home did sell for $18 milllion, that is about $2.5 million more than the previous record for a mansion in Brighton. It would have also attracted state government stamp duty of approximately $990,000. Cricketer Shane Warne bought a four-bedroom home in Kinane Street, Brighton earlier this month for about $4 million. The purchase followed the sale of his Italianate mansion Kilkerran at 6 William Street, Brighton, for $10.85 million. What a way to live: The palace-like home is described as a 'world of its own at Melbourne's most privileged beachfront address' by the agents . If the home sold for the reported $18 milllion price tag, that about $2.5 million more than the previous record for a mansion in Brighton . The floor plan illustrates the elaborate nature of the residence .
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A Melbourne home has reportedly sold for $18 million .
Home is just kilomteres from the CBD and overlooks Port Phillip Bay .
It features four bedrooms, five bathrooms, double garage, tennis court, swimming pool, boat house and opens onto a stretch of beach .
Price tag may have smashed the previous suburb record by $2.5 million .
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Maoist sect leader Aravindan Balakrishnan (pictured outside court today) has appeared in court charged with 25 offences including false imprisonment, rape and child cruelty . A Maoist sect leader has appeared in court charged with 25 offences including false imprisonment, rape and child cruelty. Aravindan Balakrishnan, 74, was arrested in Lambeth, south London, in November last year. He faces one count of cruelty to a person under the age of 16, one count of false imprisonment, 19 counts of indecent assault and four counts of rape. The charges relate to three women between January 1980 and October 2013. Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London today, his lawyer, Adam Wiseman, indicated that Balakrishnan would plead not guilty to the alleged offences. Balakrishnan, of Edmonton, north London, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the brief 20-minute hearing. He was dressed in a blue waterproof jacket, grey cardigan and peach-coloured scarf, wearing glasses and with his grey hair in a mullet style. The child cruelty charge states that between January 6 1983 and January 7 1999 Balakrishnan 'wilfully ill-treated, assaulted, and neglected' a child in a manner 'likely to cause unnecessary suffering to said child or injury to its health'. A 67-year-old woman, understood to be Balakrishnan's wife, Chanda Pattni, was arrested with him in November last year. In September, after 10 months on bail, she was told she would face no further action and was released without charge. District Judge Howard Riddle said the next hearing was set for Southwark Crown Court in London on December 31. 'There are 25 separate allegations against you,' the judge said. 'These allegations are sent for trial to Southwark Crown Court and you have bail with conditions.' Mr Wiseman said he would be applying to adjourn the next hearing to the week starting January 5. Balakrishnan was released on bail with conditions that he must live and sleep at his home address, not apply for international travel documents, not contact five women, who cannot be named, and not enter Lambeth unless accompanied by his solicitor. Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London today, his lawyer, Adam Wiseman, indicated that Balakrishnan would plead not guilty to the alleged offences . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
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Aravindan Balakrishnan, 74, was arrested in Lambeth, in November 2013 .
He faces one count of cruelty to a person under the age of 16, one count of false imprisonment, 19 counts of indecent assault and four counts of rape .
Charges relate to three women between January 1980 and October 2013 .
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By . Victoria Woollaston . It’s unusual for Apple not to be leading the way when it comes to product design, but new reports claim when it comes to its iWatch the firm is having to play catch up with Motorola. During a trip to Taiwan, a New York tech analyst said an Apple supplier revealed a number of features of the much-rumoured device, including a rounded face and slim design. This would resemble how the Moto 360 looks - and contradicts previous reports the watch would have a curved, or square screen. Scroll down for video . New York analyst Brian Blair claims an Apple supplier has revealed the iWatch will have a rounded face, similar to the Moto 360, pictured, come in male and female versions, and will go into production in July. Previous reports suggested it would have a curved, or square screen like the G Watch and Samsung's Gear range . Speculation . around Apple's iWatch began at the end of 2012 and a rumoured release . date was initially set for the fourth quarter of 2013. Chinese websites reported in December 2012 that the computer giant was working with chip-maker Intel on a wrist-worn gadget. It was said to have a 1.5inch screen and use Bluetooth to communicate with other devices, including an iPhone. Other . rumours suggest the iWatch will feature Siri voice controls that let . users dictate messages, rather than use the tiny screen. The watch could also be used as a remote control to change music tracks or pause video, on the phone or tablet. In July last year, reports in the Financial Times said Apple was hiring outside help to tackle design problems with its iWatch. Last month, an analyst said the device will come in 'his' and 'hers' models and cost 'thousands' of dollars. If the rumours are true, Apple could announced the device at its annual September event. The reports were made by Brian Blair from Rosenblatt Securities. According to his supply chain sources, the iWatch will be designed to look like a traditional watch, and move away from the chunky, square look of the G Watch and Samsung’s Gear range. Motorola announced its own plans for a round, Android-powered smartwatch earlier this year and Blair's sources claim Apple’s version will be almost identical, if not a little thinner. As Business Insider noted, Apple’s icons have rounded edges and this would suit a circular face. Blair’s source also confirmed previous rumours that the iWatch would be available in ‘his’ and ‘hers’ models, and will go into production from July. The design is similar to concepts created by Mark Bell from Belmdesigns. Bell’s concept incorporates the rumoured . Healthbook fitness features that leaked in March, but experts believe . Apple could additionally be working on a separate wristband specifically . designed to track health. Google announcement comes just a week after sources revealed Taiwan's Quanta Computer Inc will start mass production of Apple first smartwatch in July, and the much anticipated timepiece will be revealed in October. Pictured is a concept design of what the iWatch may look like . By comparison, the LG G Watch, pictured, has a square, 2-inch display and runs Android Wear - a streamlined version of Google's current operating system seen on phones and tablet. The Samsung range of Gear devices similarly chose a square, rather than rounded design . The Moto 360, pictured, is expected to launch at Google's I/O in June, followed by the iWatch in September . Earlier this week, during the unveiling of its latest G3 handset, LG gave a sneak peek of its square Android-powered G Watch. All three - the Moto 360, the G Watch and the iWatch - are expected to launch later this year. It’s likely the Moto 360 will be announced at Google’s I/O in June, and go on sale for £180 in July, followed by the iWatch during Apple’s annual September event. Price-wise, an Apple iWatch may follow the same pattern as Apple’s handsets and sit at the top end of the market. Reports last month even stated it could cost ‘thousands’ of dollars. Although the smartwatches of Samsung and Sony haven’t been as popular as analysts predicted, Blair said orders for the iWatch are surpassing expectation and he forecasts 18 to 21 million iWatches will be sold before Christmas. Last night, Samsung revealed a new smart wristband and announced plans to let manufacturers use the same core components - much like the mobile phone market. It also revealed an online service to track the data - just days before Apple is expected to reveal its 'Healthbook' app for the iPhone. Samsung . presented its vision for wearable devices at a San Francisco event ahead . of next week's developers conference by rival Apple. The new claims about a rounded design contradict previous reports the iWatch would have a curved screen, as seen in this concept by Todd Hamilton . Tag Heuer, part of luxury goods group LVMH, said on Friday its vice president for sales, Patrick Pruniaux, who had been with the brand for seven years, was leaving on Monday to join Apple - and is expected to work on the iWatch. There . is widespread speculation Apple has been working on wearable . devices, and its products tend to use proprietary technologies. However, an open system would be a departure for Samsung as well. Its Gear wristwatches and fitness devices currently work only with Samsung phones. Smartwatches from Sony and other manufacturers tend to work with a wider range of Android phones. Last night, Samsung revealed a new smart wristband and announced plans to let manufacturers use the same core components - much like the mobile phone market. Ram Fish, Vice President of Digital Health for Samsung is pictured displaying the Simband .
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Analyst claims an Apple supplier has revealed a number of design features .
Rumours state the watch will have a round face and come in two versions .
Brian Blair continued the iWatch will go into production from July .
Previous reports suggested it would have a square or curved screen .
The Moto 360 also has a round face, and is expected to launch in June .
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By . Rebecca Seales . PUBLISHED: . 07:21 EST, 16 June 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:57 EST, 16 June 2012 . A schoolgirl who penned a guide to dealing with her mother's epilepsy is celebrating after becoming a published author - aged just seven. Talented Layla Reid wrote her 'Epilepsy Book for Kids' as a guide to help children cope with an epileptic parent's seizures, after witnessing her own mother's fits. Sarah Reid suffers from terrifying absence seizures, where she appears to be in a deep daydream. Literary star: Layla Reid, 7, with her Epilepsy Book for Kids, a guide to coping with a parent's epileptic seizures . When Layla showed her book to Bristol publisher John Adler, he was so impressed that he agreed to print it free of charge, and give her a share of the profits. The book is now on sale in major stores including Waterstones, priced at £6.50. The budding writer said of her work: 'I hope it helps some other children so that they know what to do if their mummy has a fit.' Mrs Reid, 31, has suffered from seizures since she was Layla's age, and couldn't be prouder of her daughter's initiative. She hopes the book will prove a valuable resource for children coping with a parent's epilepsy. She said: 'I'm so proud of her, I never thought in a million years it would be published. Couldn't be prouder! Mother Sarah Reid, 31, hopes her daughter's book will reassure and inform children . 'I always wanted to be a writer when I was younger, but it's just one of those things isn't it. 'I really hope she can help a lot of children and let them know they are not alone. 'It’s great to have her raising awareness and helping other kids. It could end up being a life-saver for someone. 'I think she has had to grow up quite quickly because of my epilepsy. She’s a clever girl. We’re so proud of her.' Educational: The book is written in Layla's handwriting, and in a simple, child-friendly style . Amazingly, the entire book was produced in just one evening. Written in Layla's handwriting, it includes straightforward tips that children can easily follow - such as moving dangerous objects out of the way if someone starts fitting. It also features her own illustrations. The guide came about after Mrs Reid tried and failed to find a child-friendly book which could explain epilepsy. Dreaming of the future: Layla says her next project will be a story about her baby sister, and the things they will do together when she's older . When she realised there was hardly any information for children, Layla came up with the idea of writing a guide for other kids - so they know what to do if they witness an epileptic fit. Self-confessed bookworm Layla plans to keep up her writing, and hopes this will be the first of many stories. The seven-year-old says her next venture will be a tale about her baby sister Lauren, who arrived five weeks ago. 'I’m very happy to have a new sister, and I’m very proud,' she said. 'I want to write a story about all the things we’ll do together for when she’s older.' Layla's teachers have noticed a . massive improvement in her writing and enthusiasm for schoolwork since . she wrote the Epilepsy Book for Kids. 'We hope she’ll encourage some other children in her class to start writing too,' her mother said. Young though she is, Layla has already set her heart on a career in education. 'I want to be a teacher,' she says, 'because it’s a job where you get to do reading and writing and that’s what I want to do.'
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Written in a single evening, Layla Reid's book advises children on coping with seizures .
Mother Sarah Reid hopes it will reassure children with epileptic parents they aren't alone .
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By . Lucy Crossley . The story of one Scottish mother's struggle after she lost four sons in the First World War has been turned into a book which will be published to coincide with her family's first ever international reunion. Elizabeth Cranston was so devastated when four of her sons were killed and another two seriously injured that she left Scotland for Australia in an attempt to escape her tragic past. But her dreams of a new start also turned sour and she gradually lost her grip on reality, ending up making a daily pilgrimage to the local railway station . where she would wait for hours for her beloved boys to come home. Sacrifice: Mother Elizabeth Cranston (pictured in the second row, second from right, with her family in 1908) was so devastated when four of her sons died in the First World War that she emigrated. This photo shows the entire Cranston family in 1908. Back row left to right, William, born 1884; Mary, born 1891; James, 1887, who died in basic training of tuberculosis; Agnes, born 1885; Adam, born 1889, listed as missing presumed killed in Belgium. Second row left to right: John, born 1882, who was killed by shell fire in the Somme; father Alexander, born 1854; Angus, born 1901; mother Elizabeth, born 1856; Alexander, born 1879, posted missing, presumed killed in the Somme in 1918. Centre, Robert, born 1899, and front left to right Andrew, born 1895 and George, born 1892. Now the tragic story of losing her sons has been turned into a book, Blood On The Thistle, written by her Australian great-grandson Stuart Pearson, with the help of a Scottish historian. One of Mrs Cranston's son's James, 28, a sapper in the Royal Engineers, didn't even make it to the front line. He died of . tuberculosis while still doing his basic training in England, and living in a . cold, cramped army barracks. John, 34, a Company Sergeant . Major in the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, died under a barrage of . shellfire in the first battle of the Somme. He posthumously received a Distinguished Conduct medal for bravery under fire. Tragedy: James, 28, (left) died of tuberculosis while in basic training, while John, 34, (right) a Company Sergeant Major, died under a barrage of shellfire in the first battle of the Somme . Missing: Adam, 30, (left) was listed as missing, presumed killed in action at the Battle of Ancre in France, and in 1918, the same fate befell eldest brother Sergeant Alexander Cranston, 39, of the Royal Engineers (right) And Adam, 30, a private in the . Royal Scots Fusiliers, was listed as missing, presumed killed in action . at the Battle of Ancre in France where 100,000 soldiers marched . straight into German machine gun-fire. In 1918, eldest brother Sergeant . Alexander Cranston, 39, of the Royal Engineers, was posted as missing, . presumed killed at the second Battle of the Somme. Two of the three remaining brothers . were left scarred for life. William lost an eye and three fingers under . fire in France, while Lance Corporal George Cranston of the 8th Royal . Scots was so severely gassed in 1918 his skin continued to peel off for . the rest of his life. Only Robert, a member of the Royal Flying Corps who did not fight in the trenches survived relatively unscathed. Injured: William (left) lost an eye and three fingers under fire in France, while Lance Corporal George Cranston (right) was so severely gassed in 1918 his skin continued to peel off for the rest of his life . Survivor: Only Robert Cranston, a member of the Royal Flying Corps who did not fight in the trenches survived relatively unscathed . Mrs Cranston moved to Sydney in 1920 to start a new life, only to live out her days in a psychiatric hospital. She . would often be seen waiting on a platform at the nearby railway . station, tragically telling passing travellers she was 'waiting for my . boys to come home'. Her . youngest son, Angus, was too young to serve in the First World War and . suffered survivor's guilt after serving in World War Two. He later . became alcoholic. The Cranstons' sacrifice has been . recognised by the Imperial War Museum and Scottish National War Memorial . as one of the most significant made by a family during the Great War. Mourning: Elizabeth Cranston and her son Andrew pictured wearing mourning dress in Australia in 1921 . The publication of Blood On The Thistle coincides with the first international reunion of Mrs Cranston's descendents, with family members from Canada, New Zealand and Australia all . travelling to Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland to pay a poignant tribute to the . seven brothers who went to war. One of the family members who is organising the three-day event later this month said it will be heart-warming to meet fellow descendants of the Cranston family. Sydney-based Mr Pearson, great-grandson of Mrs Cranston, stumbled across his family's story a few years ago and travelled to Scotland in 2011 to research it with Lothian historian Bob Mitchell. New start: Elizabeth, George and Robert Cranston (all circled) arrive in Australia in 1920 on TSS Euripides . He was also instrumental in the installation of a bronze plaque dedicated to the family, which will be unveiled at Haddington's museum and local history archive the John Gray Centre during the reunion. 'The Cranston story is heartbreaking,' said Mr Pearson. 'A most poignant aspect was the affect on the mother, Lizzie Cranston. 'Once a proud, capable, strong woman, the loss and wounding of so many of her sons caused her to suffer mentally. Honour: A bronze plaque dedicated to the family will be unveiled at Haddington's museum and local history archive the John Gray Centre (pictured) during the reunion . 'In 1920, she was taken to Australia for a better life, but her condition continued to deteriorate so badly that she was institutionalised in a psychiatric hospital where she died in 1929. 'Until the day she died, she kept waiting for her boys to come home. 'Now descendants of the family, scattered across the globe, are returning to East Lothian for a weekend of activities to mark the centenary of the war which broke us apart.' Activities planned at the reunion include a heritage walk around Haddington, a coach tour of the Scottish borders and a ceilidh.
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James, John, Adam and Alexander Cranston all died in First World War .
Brothers William and George were also severely injured in battle .
Only Robert, a member of the Flying Corps, survived unscathed .
Mother Elizabeth so devastated she emigrated to Australia to escape past .
Her great-grandson has collaborated with historian for book on family .
Blood On The Thistle written by Stuart Pearson and historian Bob Mitchell .
Mrs Cranston's descendents will meet up this month for the first time .
Family from Canada, Australia and New Zealand to meet in Scotland .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 07:09 EST, 24 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:10 EST, 24 June 2013 . A Boeing Dreamliner has been forced to make an emergency landing after experiencing a mechanical problem - the second such incident for the company in a week. The United Airlines flight bound for Denver was diverted back to its take-off point in Houston three hours into its journey on Sunday morning due to an issue with the brake indicator. It comes just days after a Dreamliner was forced to make an emergency landing in Seattle shortly after taking off from Denver for Tokyo last Tuesday. The issues will heap further . embarrassment on Boeing, which has seen the Dreamliner get off to a . troubled start by being grounded for several months thanks to . overheating in its battery. Plagued with problems: A Boeing Dreamliner was forced to make an emergency landing in Houston on Sunday after an issue with the brake indicator - the latest issue for the fleet (file picture) Following the latest incident, the company said in a statement: 'United flight 94 from Houston to Denver . returned to Houston Sunday due to a brake indicator issue. 'Following standard operating procedures, as a precautionary measure, . the flight landed in emergency status. The aircraft landed safely at . 11:58 a.m. C.T. and our maintenance team is conducting a review of the . aircraft.' The flight turned around after nearing Oklahoma. There were no passenger injuries and all were placed on other flights. 'The 787 is a great airplane and we know it will continue to receive heightened attention when reliability events occur in service,' Boeing spokeswoman Yvonne Leach said Sunday. Last week's incident was connected to a problem with an oil filter. The flight safely landed at Seattle airport with no further incidents. Landing: The plane returned to George Bush Intercontinental Airport three hours into the journey . Boeing . said in a statement that it was working with United and General . Electric, manufacturer of the plane's jet engines, to work out what had . gone wrong. The 787 Dreamliner, the first carbon-fiber aircraft made by Boeing, was hotly anticipated in the . aircraft industry, but its development has been plagued with troubles. The jet was launched three years behind schedule, and was first delivered to airlines in 2011. However, . in January this year the entire fleet of Dreamliners worldwide was . grounded after two planes were forced to make emergency landings within . the space of a week. Embarrassment: Last week, a Dreamliner on its way to Tokyo from . Denver was forced to land in Seattle . Delivery line: A queue of Dreamliners waiting to be transported to customers in Washington . The problem was traced to the jets' lithium-ion batteries, which were only declared safe last month. The latest emergency landing will cast more doubt on the future of the 787, which faces stiff competition from the forthcoming Airbus A350. Nonetheless, airlines such as British Airways and Thomson Airlines have bought the planes in an attempt to reduce the cost of fuel.
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Flight due for Denver returns to Houston after brake indicator issue .
Flight from Denver to Tokyo diverted to land at Seattle last week .
Latest setback for troubled 787 Dreamliner grounded for four months .
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(CNN) -- At least one tornado ripped through central Arkansas Thursday evening, savaging a mobile home park and sending National Weather Service forecasters into a bunker as the storm roared overhead. "There's pretty extensive damage in the Little Rock area," said John Lewis, a senior forecaster with the weather service at the North Little Rock Airport. At least four people were hurt, authorities said, but there were no reports of fatalities. "We went into our shelter," Lewis said. "We could hear it ... go by." The storm destroyed hangars at the North Little Rock Airport and tossed numerous small planes. The forecasters spent about three minutes in their shelter. "The scariest moment of my life," said Mike Aubrey, who was at the airport securing his plane ahead of the storm. "Debris was flying across the ramp. Planes were beginning to stack up." Aubrey said he saw a Douglas DC-3, an early passenger plane, spin around. The aircraft was nowhere to be found after the tornado passed, he said. The damage extended from southwest of Little Rock to the northeast. "There's some structural damage in the city of Little Rock and several areas north of North Little Rock," said John Rehrauer, spokesman for the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department. "A lot of trees and power lines are down." The same storm also caused damage in southwestern Little Rock and the town of Benton, Lewis said. It also pummeled the Hurricane Lake Mobile Home Park in Saline County, about 12 miles southwest of Little Rock. Watch how tornado scares residents » . More than 50 mobile homes caught fire at the mobile home park, according to CNN affiliate KARK-TV. One witness told the TV station that he escaped with his fiancee and two children after he saw the storm moving toward them. "It's scary, it's like a war zone," he told KARK-TV as a large fire burned behind them. "There's like five or six trailers topped up on top of each other. It's a mess, it's terrible." Saline County spokesman Gary Hunnicutt there were reports of damage the Hurricane Meadows subdivision in Benton, with another 20 homes damaged in the western part of Saline County. A few miles northeast of Benton, the dashboard camera of a Bryant Police Department patrol car recorded an apparent tornado slashing through the parking lot of a car dealership. The swirling winds snap a wooden power pole as sparks and debris fill the air. Watch coverage of tornado » . The weather service tracked severe storms across central Arkansas into early Friday morning. Heavy rains prompted flash flood warnings in about 20 counties. Several swift-water rescues were reported across the state as people became trapped in their vehicles by rising waters, Arkansas Emergency Management Department spokeswoman Renee Preslar said. E-mail to a friend .
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The storm hit parts of Saline County, about 12 miles west of Little Rock .
More than 50 mobile homes were reported on fire at a large mobile home park .
At least four people were reported injured .
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By . Amanda Williams . PUBLISHED: . 03:22 EST, 15 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:32 EST, 15 April 2013 . Summer ice is melting 10 times faster in the Antarctic than it was 600 years ago, with the most rapid melt occurring in the past 50 years. Researchers from the Australian National University and the British Antarctic Survey also discovered the ice melt is at its highest level in 1,000 years. 'It's definitely evidence that the climate and the environment is changing in this part of Antarctica,' lead researcher Nerilie Abram said. A one-metre long section of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide core, with a dark layer of volcanic ash visible. The teams drilled a 364-metre (1,194 feet) long ice core from James Ross Island in the continent's north to measure past temperatures in the area . Abram and her team drilled a 364-metre (1,194 . feet) deep ice core on James Ross Island, near the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, to measure historical temperatures and compare them with summer ice melt levels in the area. Visible layers in the ice core show periods when summer snow on the ice cap thawed and then refroze. They found that, while the temperatures have gradually increased by 1.6 degrees Celsius (2.9 degrees Fahrenheit) over 600 years, the rate of ice melting has been most intense over the past 50 years. Experts said the stronger ice melts are likely to be responsible for faster glacier ice loss and some of the dramatic collapses from the Antarctic ice shelf over the past 50 years . Scientists at the British Antarctic Survey have produced the most detailed map yet of Antarctica¿s landmass, showing a landscape of mountain ranges and plains cut by gorges and valleys much deeper than previously seen . That shows the ice melt can increase dramatically in climate terms once temperatures hit a tipping point. This is the first time it has been . demonstrated that levels of ice melt on the Antarctic Peninsula have . been particularly sensitive to increasing temperature during the 20th . Century. Scientists at the British Antarctic Survey have produced the most detailed map yet of Antarctica’s landmass. Bedmap2 shows a landscape of mountain ranges and plains cut by gorges and valleys much deeper than previously seen. In addition, the map allows scientists to analyse, in much greater detail, the bed below the Antarctic ice sheet. The map reveals the volume of ice in Antarctica is 4.6 per cent greater than previously thought and that the the mean bed depth at 95 metres, is 60 metres lower than estimated. The volume of ice that is grounded with a bed below sea level is also 23 per cent greater than originally thought meaning there is a larger volume of ice that is susceptible to rapid melting. It also reveals the ice that rests just below sea level is vulnerable to warming from ocean currents. The new deepest point, under Byrd Glacier, is around 400 metres deeper than the previously identified deepest point. 'Once . your climate is at that level where it is starting to go above zero . degrees, the amount of melt that will happen is very sensitive to any . further increase in temperature you may have,' Abram said. Robert Mulvaney, from the British Antarctic Survey, said the stronger ice melts are likely responsible for faster glacier ice loss and some of the dramatic collapses from the Antarctic ice shelf over the past 50 years. Their research was published in the Nature Geoscience journal. In other parts of Antarctica, such as the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, the picture is more complex and it is not yet clear that the levels of recent ice melt and glacier loss are exceptional or caused by human-driven climate changes. Dr Abram concludes: 'This new ice core record shows that even small changes in temperature can result in large increases in the amount of melting in places where summer temperatures are near to 0°C, such as along the Antarctic Peninsula, and this has import' This research was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council. Dr Abram is an Australian Research Council Queen Elizabeth II Fellow.
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Experts found the most rapid melt occurred in the past 50 years .
Tests carried out on ice core on James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula .
Temperatures up by 1.6 degrees Celsius over 600 years, they found .
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Twitter, inevitably, fired the conspiracy that the Italian Grand Prix was fixed for Lewis Hamilton to win. So it was there that Mercedes scotched the idea. They posted: ‘BREAKING NEWS: Dramatic news in the skies over Brackley as #NR6 hands #Italian GP victory to #F1 WDC rival #LH44.’ They illustrated the tweet with a picture of three pigs flying above rural Northamptonshire. It was a neat satirical touch and supported the prevailing view of paddock observers that Rosberg merely made a mistake at the first chicane, ran off the track and unwittingly allowed team-mate Hamilton to take the lead. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Nico Rosberg: I simply messed up at Monza . Off track: Nico Rosberg took to the escape road at Turn One under pressure from team-mate Lewis Hamilton . Straight on: Rosberg's error on lap 29 allowed team-mate Hamilton to cruise to victory in Monza . Charlie Whiting, the highly respected race director, has seen every bit of pit-lane chicanery during more than 40 years in the sport, but he almost choked on his orange juice in the airport lounge as he caught up with the media coverage before flying back from Monza. A conspiracy? ‘Spare me!’ he said. ‘No, we didn’t give the conspiracy theory a moment’s thought at the time. This sort of speculation might be good for people to talk about, but if Mercedes had wanted to fix the result they wouldn’t have done it like that. They would have found a more subtle way to do it. ‘A few drivers had problems there in practice, including Nico. I really don’t think there is anything in it.’ The most obvious argument against the theory is that Rosberg would surely never have followed any instruction to let Hamilton pass. He is hell-bent on winning the world title in what he perceives as his career-defining season. Had Mercedes ordered him to give way to make up for his part in the infamous crash with Hamilton in Spa, it is unimaginable that he would have done anything other than flatly refuse to do so. Speaking from Ibiza in his post-race blog, Rosberg, who leads Hamilton by 22 points at the top of the championship, said: ‘Lewis was quick and I had to step up my game and tried to get that little bit extra out of it and I messed up. ‘I could have made the corner but the risk is so big that my front tyre would be square from the lock-up, so the safer way, and the best way, and the only way was to go straight on. At least I would not have to do another pit stop and change tyres.’ Monza marked the traditional end of the European season, though the Russian Grand Prix makes its debut in Sochi next month. With six races remaining, Hamilton is exuding a more positive mental state. Can the momentum keep swinging his way after Rosberg’s purple patch? ‘Monza was a big positive and a step up the massive staircase I have to face,’ said Hamilton. ‘Time will tell how the psychological battle will go.’ Key moment: Rosberg took to the escape road allowing Hamilton to pass his Mercedes team-mate . Rivals: Hamilton narrowed the gap to Rosberg with six races of the season remaining . Off road: The German driver was fined a six-figure sum after his crash with Hamilton in Belgium . VIDEO Hamilton returns to winning ways .
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Rosberg missed the chicane on lap 29 which allowed Hamilton to pass .
He made the error on two occasions during Sunday's Italian Grand Prix .
Formula One fans on social media suggesting that race had been rigged .
German now leads Hamilton in the championship by 22 points .
Mercedes posted picture of flying pigs in response to speculation .
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By . Lucy Waterlow . PUBLISHED: . 09:49 EST, 29 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:51 EST, 30 July 2013 . You've read the book, now you can wear the underwear as the official Fifty Shades of Grey lingerie collection is unveiled. The range includes sexy bra and knicker sets for women and Christian Grey inspired boxers for men. British lingerie company BlueBella teamed up with writer E L James to create the collection taking inspiration from her bestselling erotic novels. In brief: The 50 Shades underwear features phrases from the books such as 'oh my!' and 'laters baby' Gift sets feature some of . the book's most memorable catchphrases embroidered into the fabric such as 'laters baby' and 'You. Are. Mine.' There's also baby doll sets, detailed lace button-up briefs and bra and knicker . sets with detachable silk satin ties. The collection will be debuted at the Moda Lingerie & Swimwear Show at the NEC Birmingham in August and will then go on sale with items ranging in price from £12 to £40. Not just grey shades: The bra and knicker sets will go on sale next month with prices from £12 . Sexy: Some of the lingerie will feature detachable silk ties . Emily Bendell, chief executive and founder of BlueBella, said: 'The 'Fifty Shades effect' has benefited . our business and the books have played a significant role in shifting . perceptions of female sensuality. 'This is core to our vision too, so we . feel this is a perfect partnership.' BlueBella have launched the first collection this summer in the hope it will become a must-have stocking filler at Christmas. A second collection will hit the shops next summer to coincide with the launch of the anticipated film adaptation. Perfect partnership: Founder of BlueBella Emily Bendell, left, said E L James's books reflects their vision of female sensuality . BlueBella was founded in 2005 by Oxford graduate Bendell, with a mission to inspire female confidence and break outdated British attitudes to sex and sensuality. She wanted to create seductive fashion lingerie and sensual products, designed by women, for women. She added: 'As we await the release of the Fifty Shades of Grey film, and a new wave of excitement surrounding the erotic phenomenon reaches fever pitch, we are thrilled to be developing the lingerie and underwear collections that will coincide with both the run-up to and launch of the film.'
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British lingerie company BlueBella debut first collection next week .
Took inspiration from bestselling erotic novels .
Sexy bra and brief sets for women with detachable silk ties .
Christian Grey style cotton boxers for men .
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(CNN) -- The investigation into the controversial shooting death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown by a police officer in a St. Louis suburb has been completed, the St. Louis County prosecutor's office said Wednesday. Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed the 18-year-old in the middle of the day on August 9 after telling Brown and a friend to get out of the street. Authorities could have charged Wilson themselves by filing a criminal complaint, but St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch instead opted to present the case to a grand jury to decide whether to indict the officer. Ferguson mayor: Our eyes opened to racial problems . "The investigation has been basically completed that is being conducted by both the FBI and St. Louis County PD," Ed Magee, the spokesman for the prosecutor's office, told CNN. A grand jury is expected to decide by mid-November whether Wilson will be charged criminally for the shooting, which sparked weeks of unrest on the streets of Ferguson and calls for a federal civil rights investigation. The white police officer's shooting of the black teenager was heavily debated throughout the nation. The grand jury, which began meeting in August, is expected to consider whether a crime was committed and if "probable cause" exist that Wilson committed that crime. Some witnesses have said Brown assaulted the officer at the outset and tried to grab his gun. Others fingered Wilson as the aggressor. A private autopsy conducted for the Brown family showed that Brown had been shot at least six times, including twice in the head. Last month, two contractors doing construction work in Ferguson on the day Brown was killed, describe the teenager with his hands up in the air as he was gunned down. The men, who asked not to be identified after CNN contacted them, said they were about 50 feet away from Wilson when he opened fire. A video captured their reactions during the moments just after the shooting. "He had his f**n hands up," one of the men said in the video. The men said they didn't see how the confrontation started. Dueling narratives in Michael Brown shooting . Feds scrutinizing shooting, police department . Federal officials are conducting two civil rights investigations -- one into Brown's killing and the other into Ferguson Police Department's overall track record with minorities. One investigation will review the shooting by Wilson, a 28-year-old officer with six years of experience, including four in Ferguson. A civil rights violation would require that Wilson had shown "racial hostility" against Brown in the shooting, legal analysts have said. The U.S. Justice Department also announced a second inquiry to examine accusations that the police department as a whole practiced racial profiling and heavy-handed tactics. The shooting ignited angry protests and instances of looting on the streets of Ferguson. Community leaders criticized what they said was an excessive show of force by police to the demonstrations. Local officials have failed to soothe public outrage. Last week, even after apologizing for his department's actions following the shooting, Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson, insisted that he's not stepping down. "This is mine," he told CNN. "I'm taking ownership of it." Jackson acknowledged that he's heard calls for his ouster but that doesn't mean he'll answer them. "I've talked to a lot of people who have initially called for that and then changed their mind after having meetings and discussions about moving forward," Jackson said. "Realistically, I'm going to stay here and see this through." An apology, with continued unrest . The Brown shooting stirred complaints of widespread racial profiling in Ferguson, which Jackson has rejected. "It's never been the intention of the Ferguson police department -- or any police department that I know -- to intentionally target individuals because of race," the chief said. "If there is that happening, it's a crime and it needs to be addressed." Jackson released a video apology to Brown's parents and the peaceful demonstrators who took to Ferguson's streets to protest the young man's death. In that video, the chief expressed regret that it took investigating officers four hours to remove Brown's body from the street after he was shot dead. The St. Louis suburb of 21,000 erupted again last week after one of three Brown memorials at the site of the shooting burned. While many peaceful protesters took to the street September 23, violent elements within the demonstration stoked chaos, attacking police with guns, rocks and bottles and vandalizing and looting businesses, Missouri Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson said. One person threw a Molotov cocktail at a parking structure, and there was an attempt to set a gasoline fire at a custard shop, he said. Two officers were injured, one of whom was struck by a rock below the eye, Johnson said. The City Council has recently taken up measures to reform court procedures and the way the city handles certain fines. The council is also considering a citizen review board to monitor the police department. Complete coverage of Brown shooting and protests . CNN's Sara Sidner in Ferguson contributed to this report.
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Investigation into police shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown is complete, prosecutor's office says .
Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed the 18-year-old on August 9 .
A grand jury is expected to decide by the middle of next month whether Wilson will be charged .
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Tokyo (CNN) -- Crews resumed spraying water at the quake-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility early Monday, Kyodo News reported, one day after the Japanese government slapped restrictions on some food produced around the plant. Workers have begun to see some success in their battle to cool down the reactors, but Japanese officials said they may need to release additional radioactive gas into the air. The plant's owner, Tokyo Electric Power Co., said electricity was being supplied to a switchboard in reactor No. 2. But officials said they were monitoring reactor No. 3 to determine whether to release gas to reduce mounting pressure in the containment vessel -- the steel and concrete shell that insulates radioactive material inside. Power company officials said pressure was higher than previous readings -- but stable -- Sunday afternoon. And Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said the pressure increase did not require "an immediate release of the air at this moment." Still, "even in the best scenario, there will be a lot of bumps ahead," Edano told reporters as he assessed the situation at the plant in a briefing Sunday. There are six reactors at the nuclear plant, where workers have been struggling to stave off a full meltdown since a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami knocked out cooling systems. Workers have injected steam to release pressure in previous operations. The dual disasters, which struck March 11, devastated much of northeastern Japan. On Monday, the country's national police said 8,649 people were confirmed dead, 2,702 were injured and 12,877 remained missing as search efforts continued. In Miyagi prefecture alone -- one of the hardest-hit areas -- police said the death toll could climb to 15,000. Amidst the gloom came a ray of hope Sunday when medical officials in the Miyagi city of Ishinomaki said they had rescued an 80-year-old grandmother and her 16-year-old grandson, who had been trapped inside their house for nine days. Police were searching for survivors in the vicinity, Kadonowakimachi, in the southern part of Ishinomaki near the coast. The boy managed to crawl through the rubble onto the roof, the Ishinomaki police department said. A relative had reported the two missing on March 13, police said. In Fukushima, authorities have evacuated about 200,000 people from a 20-kilometer (12-mile) area surrounding the plant, but the crisis there has sparked concern across the country. Very small amounts -- far below the level of concern -- of radioactive iodine have been detected in tap water in Tokyo and most prefectures near the Fukushima plant. The health ministry said levels of radioactive iodine three times greater than the regulated standard were found in drinking water in a village near the Fukushima plant and asked residents not to drink from the tap, Kyodo News reported Sunday. The Japanese government has banned the sale of raw milk from Fukushima Prefecture, where the Fukushima Daiichi plant is located, and prohibited the sale of spinach from neighboring Ibaraki Prefecture after finding levels of radioactive iodine and cesium higher than government standards, the country's Health Ministry reported. And officials in Fukushima halted the distribution of locally grown vegetables outside the prefecture. Edano said the contaminated milk detected in Fukushima prefecture had not been distributed or sold. On Saturday, officials said tainted milk was found 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the plant, and spinach was collected as far as 100 kilometers (65 miles) to the south, almost halfway to Tokyo. A person who consumed the tainted food continuously for a year would take in the same amount of radiation as a single CT scan, Edano said Saturday. That's about 7 millisieverts, or double what an average person in an industrialized country is exposed to in a year, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Even if you consume the spinach in question for a long time, it will not pose an immediate threat to your health," Edano said Sunday. Six members of an emergency crew working to restore electricity at the plant have been exposed to more than 100 millisieverts of radiation per hour. Officials say regaining electrical power could bring cooling systems back online -- a key step in curbing the further emission of radioactive material and preventing a full nuclear meltdown. A meltdown occurs when nuclear fuel rods get so hot that they melt the steel and concrete structure containing them, spilling out into the air and water with potentially deadly results. The earthquake and tsunami knocked out regular and backup cooling systems at the plant. It was unclear whether the cooling system in reactor No. 2 was working after power was restored Sunday. The plan is to get power up and running for the Numbers 1, 3 and 4 reactors soon. Cooling systems at the Numbers 5 and 6 reactors -- the least troublesome of the group -- have already been restored, Kyodo News said. On Saturday, authorities set up a new system to spray sea water continuously on the troubled reactors for extended periods of time. Previously, firefighters, soldiers and electric company workers had manually done the same in brief intervals to avoid prolonged radiation exposure. Water was directed at the No. 3 reactor's spent fuel pool on Saturday in order to cool it and prevent the emission of more radioactive material into the atmosphere. Authorities have also started spraying the No. 4 reactor and continued efforts there Sunday. CNN's Junko Ogura and Yoko Wakatsuki contributed to this report.
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NEW: Crews resume spraying the damaged plant with water, Kyodo News reports .
Japan bans the sale of raw milk and restricts vegetable sales from Fukushima prefecture .
The power company says electricity is being supplied to reactor No. 2 .
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By . Gemma Mullin for MailOnline . A dying father is attempting to raise £500,000 to help save his five-year-old daughter who has beaten cancer twice but could relapse at any time. Tom Attwater, 30, is battling a terminal brain tumour but is ignoring his own health problems and desperately trying to raise the cash needed to help save his daughter Kelli’s life. Time is running out for Mr Attwater, who has already raised £425,000 needed for her treatment, after doctors confirmed his tumour was growing. Scroll down for video . Tom Attwater pictured with his five-year-old daughter Kelli who he is trying to raise £500,000 for treatment for . He said: ‘People in my situation make bucket lists - but there is only one thing on mine.‘All that matters is raising money to make sure Kelli can get the medical help she will need if she relapses but it really is a race against time.’ He added: ‘I’ve run out of chances, luck and time but I’ve had a great life. My brain tumour is getting worse and I am finding it harder to do normal things. ‘Some people have advised me to slow down and concentrate on enjoying the rest of my days. ‘But all that matters is making sure that I raise enough money for Kelli so she can have the best chance of a long and happy and healthy life. The business manager is £75,000 short of his target to help Kelli, who has been battling neuroblastoma – the most common children’s cancer – since she was three-months-old. Despite battling a brain tumour, Tom Attwater is desperately trying to raise £500,000 for treatment for Kelli . Doctors have confirmed Mr Attwater's tumour was growing but he has already raised £425,000 for her . The family (pictured Tom with his with Joely Attwater, right, and their daughter Kelli, centre) were told if the cancer returns she will need specialist treatment which she can only get in the United States . Although clear of the disease at the moment, doctors say her chance of relapse remains high. The family, from Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, were told if the cancer returns she will need specialist treatment which she can only get in the United States. Mr Attwater said: ‘I am just pleading with people to help my daughter - anything will make a difference, 50p or a £1.’ Kelli was two-years-old when he met her mother Joely Attwater, 26, three years ago and he soon became her father. The pair bonded after Kelli went through a series of operations to remove tumours - just months before Mr Attwater was then diagnosed with brain cancer. Pictured at their wedding, met Kelli's mother Joely Attwater, 26, three years ago and soon became her father . Tom is pleading with people to donate what they can even though he might not get to see it through . Tom has received more than 17,000 donations ranging from £1 to £10,000 after posting appeal for help online . He said: ‘I will never get to see my beautiful daughter grow up as I so want to. I don’t blame people or the world for this. A lot of life is simply luck and mine has run out. ‘I am going to miss so much - her first day at school, her first date, to hold her when her heart hurts. 'Most dads and daughters have decades to chat around the kitchen tables, their hands warmed by mugs of coffee, as the dad dishes out advice. We don’t have that time.' ‘Now my final gift to Kelli will be trying to raise the money so she can live a great and happy life. It will be my legacy to her. ‘I don’t know if we will make the £500,000 before I die but I can only hope our story will touch people’s heart to want to help make my dying wish come true.’ Mr Attwater has received more than 17,000 donations ranging from £1 to £10,000 for his campaign after posting an emotional appeal for help on the internet in 2013. Tom Attwater (left) has said his dying his wish is to raise enough money to pay for treatment for his daughter Kelli (centre) Kelli was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was three months old. She underwent seven months of chemotherapy and several operations . Mr Attwater was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour in September 2012 and was told it was terminal in April 2013. Mrs Attwater, 26, a primary education student, said: 'It was a double blow for me. 'Tom didn’t look anything up on the internet, but I couldn’t help myself. 'He only wanted to know how much time he had left. His life expectancy is two to three years, and he’s already had one.' The chemotherapy Kelli had also makes her more likely to develop other types of cancer, including leukaemia . Mr Attwater had suffered from headaches but did not think it was anything serious until he collapsed and suffered a seizure in his sister’s kitchen. Doctors found a tumour in his brain. If it had been left much longer the pressure would have killed him. Mr Attwater said: 'When I found out it was terminal, part of me did think, "I’m a 29-year-old man and I’ve achieved nothing". 'But then I made lists of things I wanted to do - one for a month, one for six, one for a year and so on. 'We’d love to have another child but right now I just need to make sure that if the worst does happen Kelli will be looked after. 'I know half a million pounds is a lot of money, but the chances of Kelli relapsing are so high. 'If 1,000 pubs or shops had a collection box then in a year we’d have achieved what we need to. 'We’re trying everything - sponsored events, selling wristbands, collection boxes. I don’t want to hit that target, I need to. ‘For anyone who reads my story, . especially if you are a parent yourself, please help us - knowing I can . do this one final thing for my daughter before I die would be the best . thing in the world.’
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Tom Attwater hopes to raise £500,000 to pay for his daughter's treatment .
Kelli, 4, was diagnosed with high-risk childhood cancer at 3-months-old .
Treatment she will need if she relapses is not provided by NHS .
For more details about how to help visit justgiving.com/helpkelli or follow their Facebook page The Kelli Smith Appeal .
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By . Chris Spargo for MailOnline . A single mother with nowhere to turn found help in the most unlikely of places when her nurse agreed to raise her son after she passed away. Tricia Somers, 45, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has terminal liver cancer and needed someone to look after her eight-year-old son Wesley after she passed. Enter her nurse, Tricia Seaman, a mom with four children of her own. Scroll down for video . Dying wish: Tricia Somers (above) asked her nurse if she would take in her son after she died of liver cancer . Only child: Somers has no family members who could care for her eight-year-old son Wesley (above) Chance encounter: Nurse Tricia Seaman (above) was shocked when Somers asked her to raise Wesley . The two ladies met when Seaman cared for Somers after she underwent diagnostic tests at Pinnacle Health's Community General campus in Harrisburg. The day before she was set to be discharged, Somers dropped a bombshell when she asked the nurse to take in her son. 'She said, "If I die will you raise my son?"' recalled Seaman. Somers' parents died years ago, and she felt no one in her family was capable of caring for her son. Seaman admits she was stunned, but quickly agreed after talking things over with her husband Daniel, who felt they should do all they could to help the young boy and his mother. As luck should have it, Seaman and her family had actually been in the process of becoming foster parents and were already approved to be adoptive parents. Getting acquainted: Seaman met Somers when she cared for her at Pinnacle Health's Community General campus in Harrisburg (above) New dad: Seaman checked with her husband Daniel (above) who agreed they had to do something to help the family . New family: Wesley and his mom soon began spending more time with the Seaman family . Soon, Somers and her son were spending time with the Seamans and their three teenage daughters and 10-year-old son. Then, after Somers underwent chemotherapy, she and her son officially moved from their apartment into the Seamans' home. 'At one point I said, "I can't be your nurse anymore. I'm your family now,"' Seaman said in an interview with ABC News. 'I talked to her and said I want you to come [home]. She kind of fell apart and cried. She said, "I'd love to."' Closer than ever: The Somers officially moved in with the Seaman family in May of this year . Little brother: The Seamans have three teenage daughters (above) New brother: The family also has a 10-year-old son (above), who is very excited to have a brother . That was in May, and doctors said Somers had a month left, but she is still going, and now she knows her son is in the best of hands. 'We just want to Trish to live life to the fullest and ... we love her and love Wesley,' said Seaman. 'He's a very smart little boy. We want to see him get an education and be successful and know that he's not alone. He has a family. He's not going to be all by himself.'
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Tricia Somers, who is dying of terminal liver cancer, asked her nurse, Tricia Seaman, if she would raise her son after she passed away .
Seaman, who has four children of her own, said she and her family would be happy to welcome eight-year-old Wesley in .
The Seaman family was planning on adopting another son when they were asked to take in Wesley .
Wesley and his mom now live with the Seaman family as her chemotherapy has left her so weak .
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At first glance, Trina Merry's latest work just looks like a woman riding a red motorcycle. But upon closer inspection, it becomes clear to see that the vehicle itself is made up of five more nude models in body paint, contorting themselves to form the exact replica of a Ducati motorbike. The result is an incredibly realistic human sculpture, part of the Brooklyn-based bodypainter's Human Motorcycle Project. Scroll down for video . Optical illusion: Brooklyn-based artist Trina Merry's latest work looks just like a woman riding a red motorcycle, but it's actually six nude models covered in body paint to look like a Ducati . Contortion: The result is an incredibly realistic human sculpture, part of Trina's Human Motorcycle Project . Team work: Photos of the artistic process show exactly how the models, who were painted in red and black, bent and manipulated their bodies to become different parts of the motorcycle . Trina chose six models with specific body types so that together, they could mimic the shape and angles of an iconic Ducati motorbike and its rider. Photos of the artistic process show exactly how the models, who were painted in red and black, contorted their bodies to become different parts of the motorcycle. 'It was a giant human jigsaw puzzle. Each person’s natural shape, strength, and athleticism helped to build each part of the motorcycle,' the artist writes on her website. 'It is hands down the most ambitious, difficult and rewarding projects I have been a part of so far.' Masterpiece: Four make-up assistants helped Trina put the finishing touches on the models . Camouflage: Two of the 'human canvases' pose in red and black body paint before getting into position . Four make-up artists helped her illustrate the fine details of the bike and its tires. Lana Baumgartner, one of the 'human canvases', said of the experience: 'The motorcycle project from start to finish was the greatest lesson I've learned thus far about the magnitude of human potential in teamwork. 'The experience of transforming a small group of dedicated models into the image of a motorcycle, at one point seemed relatively impossible. The end result is certainly what validates the truth "anything is possible if you believe."' Piece together: 'It was a giant human jigsaw puzzle. Each person’s natural shape, strength, and athleticism helped to build each part of the motorcycle,' said the artist . Fancy ride: The six women created a perfect replica of the iconic Ducati motorbike (pictured) Trina's previous works include New York City Camouflage, a series of models painted to blend into their urban backgrounds. 'Bodypaint creates a special connection to a person that other visual art forms have trouble accomplishing,' she explains on her website. 'It's a distinctly human experience.'
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Six 'human canvases' make up Brooklyn-based artist Trina Merry's latest work, which is part of her Human Motorcycle Project .
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By . Ellie Zolfagharifard . PUBLISHED: . 07:46 EST, 25 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:51 EST, 25 July 2013 . City dwellers could soon propel themselves through rush hour . with just few kicks on a fat-wheeled scooter. Described by the makers as a riding experience similar to . ‘going surfing or snowboarding through the city’, the Scrooser can zoom . through the streets at 2mph to 15mph. The design is a cross between a child's scooter, a Segway, . and a bike and lets the rider stand or sit. It doesn’t require a helmet or a . licence to operate. Scroll down for video . According to the makers, while riding in Eco mode, one battery charge will last an estimated 25 days in the city environment. They claim it takes only about three hours to charge the battery with the standard charger . Each time the rider kicks the ground, an intelligent impulse . drive provides electric power support augmenting the amount of physical force . the foot has pushed off the ground with. The impulse drive kicks in automatically when a speed of 2mph or greater is reached. The engine is a direct drive motor . integrated into the rear wheel rim, which means that there are no gear . belts, linkages or any other additional elements that could break. Each time the rider kicks the ground, an intelligent impulse drive provides electric power support augmenting the amount of physical force the foot has pushed off the ground with . Founder Jens Thieme describes the invention as 'a completely new vehicle category'. He added that one of the biggest challenges during the development of the Scrooser was the frame geometry . Weight: 28kg . Capacity: 125kg . Engine 250W/1000W hub motor . Performance: 48V/ 20Ah . Battery: Li-ion battery management system . Charging: 1-3 hours depending on the charger . Speed: up to 25km/15mph . Range: up to 35km/22 miles . ImpulseDrive: Range up to 55km/34miles . According to the makers, a German company of the same name, . while riding in Eco mode, one battery charge will last an estimated 25 days in . the city environment. They claim it takes only about three hours to charge the . battery with the standard charger. The group believe that traffic congestion cannot be solved by eMobility . alone. Instead, Scrooser aims to be more intelligent by moving riders through urban . areas efficiently, saving time in covering short distances. Founder Jens Thieme describes the invention as ‘a completely . new vehicle category’. ‘You can ride it at 6mph, a perfect pace to manoeuvre . through pedestrian-filled sidewalks, but feel free to race cyclists on bike . paths at a maximum speed of up to 15mph,’ said Thieme. Thieme added that one of the biggest challenges during the . development of the Scrooser was the frame geometry. The frame consists of two parts. Each half is formed from . one piece by a process called 'free-form 3D bending'. The design is a cross between a child's scooter, a Segway, and a bike and lets the rider stand or sit. It doesn't require a helmet or a licence to operate . The stability is generated through the short successive . radii and a high-strength aluminium alloy. In total the frame weights around . 6lbs. Having just landed a crowd-funded investment of $120,000, . the German group hopes to soon produce the vehicle for the mass market. The group is currently perfecting the electronics of the progressive impulse drive electric motor while finalising manufacturing logistics. The design has just been nominated in the category "mobility" for the GreenTec Awards 2013, which honours pioneers who are committed to a more environmentally conscious future. VIDEO: In March 2012, Jens Thieme and his team embarked upon the Scrooser project which has evolved from an idea into a fully functional riding prototype. This video takes a look at the final design .
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Scrooser can zoom through the streets at 2mph to 15mph .
The design is a cross between a child's scooter, a Segway, and a bike .
One battery charge, which takes three hours, can last around 25 days .
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COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) -- The United States faces a Zimbabwe-style economic collapse if it keeps "spending a bunch of money we don't have," South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said Wednesday. South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford says he does not want to spend money that his state doesn't have. Sanford, a Republican, has been an outspoken critic of the Obama administration's $800 billion stimulus plan. He said he'll turn down about a quarter of his state's $2.8 billion share unless Washington lets him use that money to pay down debt. "What you're doing is buying into the notion that if we just print some more money that we don't have and send it to different states, we'll create jobs," he said. "If that's the case, why isn't Zimbabwe a rich place?" Zimbabwe has been in the throes of an economic meltdown ever since the southern African nation embarked on a chaotic land reform program. Its official inflation rate topped 11 million percent in 2008, with its treasury printing banknotes in the trillion-dollar range to keep up with the plummeting value of its currency. But with South Carolina's unemployment rate now the second-highest in the country, state lawmakers will attempt to override Sanford and take the $700 million if he turns it down, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer said. "They will use the total economic stimulus to stimulate the economy, jump-start it, so we can get out of the ditch we are in as a state and as a nation," Bauer, a fellow Republican, said in a written statement Wednesday. Labor Department figures released Wednesday showed South Carolina's January unemployment rate hit 10.4 percent, second only to Michigan's 11.6 percent. Sanford is one of several Republican governors who have criticized the nearly $800 billion stimulus package, which passed with minimal GOP support in the Senate and none in the House of Representatives. Other governors, such as California Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger or Michigan Democrat Jennifer Granholm, have said they would take any money Republican-led states reject. But Sanford told reporters that taking the money now would leave the state in the lurch in two years, "when those funds dry up." "Fundamentally, if you boil down what the stimulus means for South Carolina, it means we would go through the process of spending a bunch of money we don't have," he said. The stimulus measure allows state legislatures to override governors and take the money -- a provision championed by South Carolina congressman James Clyburn, the No. 3 Democrat in the House. Clyburn said Sanford is unlikely to get any waiver from the administration, and he called the governor's announcement "100 percent political posturing." "This recovery package is designed to stabilize communities, to save and create jobs, and help our economy get back in a growth mode," he told reporters. "And you don't do that by paying down debt that's been incurred over a long period of time." And Bauer said that if South Carolina turns down the money, "South Carolina taxpayers will be taking on the debt for economic stimulus money sent elsewhere." Sanford has been called a potential GOP presidential contender in 2012, but he told CNN that the next election is "not where I'm focused." "I don't rule anything in, I don't rule anything out," he said, adding, "If anything came along like that, it would be an incredibly long shot."
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South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has vowed to refuse some of his state's share .
Sanford casts stimulus as exercise in printing money that doesn't exist to create jobs .
The governor compares it to Zimbabwe's 11 million percent inflation rate .
State legislatures can override governors and take stimulus money anyway .
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(CNN) -- Get ready to be freaked out, "American Horror Story" fans. Creator Ryan Murphy used his Twitter account to announce that the latest in the anthology series, tweeting simply "AMERICAN HORROR STORY SEASON FOUR" with a picture that read "Freak Show." Entertainment Weekly reports that the show will be set in Jupiter, Florida, in 1950 and that the series "finds Jessica Lange playing a German ex-pat who is managing one of the last freak shows in the U.S. Her group of 'unusuals'? Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, and Frances Conroy all play performers whom Lange's character has rescued; Denis O'Hare and Emma Roberts are also in talks to return." Fans are already excited, and the show is not set to premiere on FX until the fall. "AMERICAN HORROR STORY: FREAK SHOW OH MY GOD I CANNOT WAIT FOR SEASON 4," one person tweeted, while another offered "American Horror Story: Coven was so terrible, I may not even watch Freak Show. Oh hell, who am I kidding? Of course I'm going to watch it." The first season, "American Horror Story: Murder House," was set in 2011 in Los Angeles and followed a family that moved into a haunted house. Season 2 was titled "American Horror Story: Asylum" and followed a group of residents in an asylum for the criminally insane in Massachusetts in 1964. Season 3, "American Horror Story: Coven," was set in New Orleans in the 19th and 21st centuries and followed the story of a group of witches and voodoo priestesses.
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"American Horror Story" creator tweets about new season .
EW says it will focus on a group of "unusuals"
Fans are already tweeting about the new season .
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The plan to name supermarkets who sell raw chicken with the campylobacter bug was been scrapped . A plan to regularly name and shame supermarkets selling chicken contaminated with the dangerous food poisoning bug campylobacter is set to be killed off following pressure from retailers. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) had promised to carry out regular surveys of chicken sold on the high street and publish the results, including the names of the stores, every three months. The idea was that the public naming and shaming exercise would put pressure on the stores to clean up their chicken and reduce the food poisoning risk to customers. However, the officials at the watchdog now want to scrap this idea and instead only publish data on the number of birds that are contaminated without identifying the stores involved. The move has been condemned by a leading academic, who suggested it was driven by pressure from the industry and Government departments, who are keen support supermarkets, farmers and processors. The changes represent a major victory for the commercial interests of the big retailers, putting concerns for their sales and profits ahead of consumer safety and their right to know what they are eating. The fact that the supermarkets have managed to water down the scheme is just the latest evidence as to how lobbying by big business has driven a change in official policy on food and health issues. Similar lobbying killed off a plan for a blanket ban on junk food snacks and drinks from displays around supermarket check-outs. The FSA recently revealed that more than one million people are falling victim to food poisoning every year with supermarket chicken named as the greatest threat. Campylobacter, which is most often found on raw chicken, is the biggest cause of food poisoning in the country. An official study published in 2009 revealed that two in three of all fresh chicken on shelves was contaminated with campylobacter. More than one in four – 27 per cent – were classed as being highly contaminated. Despite the fact the FSA has asked supermarkets and farmers to make combatting campylobacter a top priority, the situation appears to have shown no improvement since then. An FSA paper on the food poisoning caused by campylobacter warned: ‘In addition to the attendant economic costs, cases cause inconvenience, discomfort and misery to those who become infected and a small proportion of cases result in death or long-term consequences, such as reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome and Guillain-Barré syndrome, the latter of which affects the peripheral nervous system.’ Despite the clear threat, the FSA’s executives are now asking its board to redraw the rules for its surveys to ensure the stores selling contaminated chicken are not identified in its quarterly results. A paper prepared by officials states this is in response to ‘legitimate concerns expressed by the industry and other government departments’. The references to other departments relates to the food and farming department, DEFRA, which sees itself as a champion of British farmers, including those producing chicken. The bug, pictured, which is thought to be in two in three of all fresh chickens on supermarket shelves . The FSA paper states: ‘In the last update to the Board in March 2014 it was stated that the FSA intended to release the full results, including the names of the retailers and processors, of testing of around 1,000 samples every 3 months during the survey, with the first results published around June/July 2014.’ However, it says it has now decided to change this approach because there is a risk the results will be incomplete and misleading and it would – in some way – be unfair to the stores. The FSA said: ‘One of the drawbacks of this approach is that no interpretation can properly be placed on interim raw data until the full year’s sampling is complete and fully analysed. ‘There has been legitimate concern expressed by industry and other Government Departments that publication of incomplete data, consisting of the results of a single quarter’s sampling and analysis with retailers and producers identified for each sample, would facilitate misinterpretation of the interim data with the obvious risk of compilation by third parties of ‘league tables’ that would not be statistically valid nor supportive of any conclusions drawn from such tables. ‘Whilst the FSA could and would, obviously, caveat any interim data, we cannot control any possible misuse of the data which may cause unnecessary concern in, or mislead, consumers.’ The watchdog’s board is being asked to approve this new approach at a meeting tomorrow. The FSA recently revealed that more than one million people are falling victim to food poisoning every year with supermarket chicken named as the greatest threat . Erik Millstone, the Professor of Science Policy at the University of Sussex, condemned the move to let the supermarkets off the hook. He said: ‘I am shocked that the staff of the Agency are trying to persuade the board to retreat from its previous undertaking to name and shake the stores on what seem to me to be utterly spurious reasons. ‘The FSA is under intense pressure from industry and ministers not to rock any boats, but to remain invisible and silent. If the FSA deliberately conceals information that consumers want and deserve their credibility with the general public will be seriously compromised.’ He suggested public health could be put at risk if they are denied information on which stores are guilty of selling the most contaminated chicken. The British Retail Consortium, which speaks for supermarkets, said publishing the results on chicken, and naming the stores with higher levels of campylobacter, would be ‘meaningless without any form of analysis.’ It said families should take responsibility for protecting themselves against food poisoning. A spokesman said: ‘All the major retailers continue to work with their suppliers to reduce the prevalence of campylobacter – which can also be destroyed through proper cooking.’
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Plan would have seen stores selling chicken with campylobacter bug named .
Idea has now been scraped by the FSA following pressure from retailers .
Data on number of contaminated birds will be released without naming retailers .
Supermarket chicken named the biggest cause of food poisoning in the UK .
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Ahead of this weekend's Premier League action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for Crystal Palace's home clash with Tottenham... Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur (Selhurst Park) Team news . Crystal Palace . Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew will be without Yannick Bolasie and Mile Jedinak for his first Barclays Premier League game in charge against Tottenham on Saturday. Winger Bolasie has departed to play for DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations while midfielder Jedinak is away at the Asia Cup with Australia. Marouane Chamakh (right) takes on Hull defender Andy Robertson earlier this season. The Crystal Palace striker is in line to return from a hamstring injury . Striker Marouane Chamakh has missed the last four league matches with a hamstring injury but could return, while midfielder James McArthur is also expected to be fit. Provisional squad: Speroni, Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward, McArthur, Fryers, Ledley, Puncheon, Zaha, Hangeland, Doyle, Campbell, Hennessey, Thomas, Bannan, Kelly, Gayle, Murray, Hunt, Chamakh, Guedioura. Tottenham . Tottenham will still be without both Ryan Mason and Erik Lamela for Saturday's Barclays Premier League game against Crystal Palace. Mason had only recently returned from an ankle injury before picking up a hamstring problem early on in the 5-3 victory over Chelsea and the 23-year-old remains sidelined. Tottenham's Erik Lamela celebrates scoring against Burnley in December with Ryan Mason but both are ruled out for Spurs' trip to Crystal Palace . Club-record signing Lamela is also out due to a calf issue whilst Emmanuel Adebayor is still not considered fit enough to be in contention for a place in Mauricio Pochettino's squad. Provisional squad: Lloris, Vorm, Friedel, Walker, Naughton, Dier, Rose, Davies, Fazio, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Chiriches, Stambouli, Dembele, Paulinho, Capoue, Bentaleb, Eriksen, Chadli, Lennon, Townsend, Soldado, Kane. Kick-off: Saturday 5.30pm - Sky Sports 1 . Odds (subject to change): . Crystal Palace 5/2 . Draw 23/10 . Tottenham 6/5 . Referee: Anthony Taylor . Managers: Alan Pardew (Crystal Palace), Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham) Head-to-head league record: Crystal Palace wins 5, draws 11, Tottenham wins 15 . Key match stats (supplied by Opta) Crystal Palace have gone eight Premier League games without a win (W0 D5 L3). Tottenham Hotspur have recovered more points from losing positions than any other team in the Barclays Premier League (12). The Eagles have failed to score in five of their last seven Premier League matches. Harry Kane has scored five goals in his last five Premier League matches. Palace have failed to score in their last three Premier League games against Spurs. Spurs have won six and lost just one of their last nine Premier League matches. Crystal Palace haven't scored against Tottenham in 10 years. Danny Granville (left) was on target when the Eagles thumped Spurs 3-0 at Selhurst Park in a Premier League clash back in January 2005 . Harry Kane has the best minutes/goal ratio of any player to score at least five PL goals for Tottenham (149, Klinsmann 169). Crystal Palace have committed more fouls than any other team in the Premier League this season (270). Spurs have conceded more penalties than any other club in the top flight (5). Alan Pardew is only the second person to manage three London clubs in the Premier League (West Ham, Charlton, Crystal Palace) after Harry Redknapp (West Ham, Tottenham, QPR).
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Yannick Bolasie and Mile Jedinak both out for Crystal Palace .
Duo are on international duty for DR Congo and Australia respectively .
Marouane Chamakh could return for Eagles at Selhurst Park .
Alan Pardew takes charge of Palace in Premier League for first time .
Ryan Mason and Erik Lamela ruled out for Tottenham Hotspur .
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Announcement came after Rebecca Adlington revealed BBC show didn't want her . By . Joanna Crawley . PUBLISHED: . 04:44 EST, 29 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:13 EST, 29 August 2013 . With the new series kicking off next month, Strictly Come Dancing have finally started unveiling the celebs who will be hitting the dance floor. The first name to be confirmed is presenter Vanessa Feltz, who confirmed the news during a surprise appearance on Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 Breakfast show on Thursday morning. The 51-year-old joked that she’s so excited to take part that she’s already prepping by wearing sequins on her underwear. Scroll down for video . She's ready to hit the dance floor: Vanessa Feltz is the first celebrity to be confirmed for the 2013 series of Strictly Come Dancing . The big news was revealed on the Strictly It Takes Two presenter's radio show and it sounds like Vanessa is already working hard in time for the new series’ launch in just over a weeks time. Vanessa, who presents her own morning show on Radio 2, told Zoe that’s looking forward to the sparkly costumes, joking: . ‘I've got sequins on my lingerie and I intend to wear nothing else until I get turfed out.’ She already loves her sequins: Vanessa's partner Ben has been tweeting his excitement . The official Twitter account for the BBC Saturday night show tweeted a photo of Vanessa in her sequins after the news was announced, captioning it: ‘Here's an exclusive snap of #VanessaFeltz on set yesterday in her gorgeous sequinned dress!’ Vanessa's partner Ben Ofoedu also took to Twitter to reveal his excitement, tweeting a message to his beau: . 'Good luck to my sweetness officially gonna be shaking her tushy on strictly this year! Knock em dead babes x' Busy few months: Vanessa was spotted running errands in London this week ahead of her new venture . When asked which professional dancer she wanted to be partnered with, flirty Feltz said she was hoping for somebody ‘virile... but patient.’ Other names rumoured to be in talks to battle it out for the glitterball trophy on the 2013 series include rugby player Ben Cohen, designer Julien Macdonald, singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, model Abbey Crouch and Hairy Biker Dave Myers. The show has also unveiled a new promo teaser ahead of it's 11th series which sees the professional dancers showing off their moves. Familiar faces like Anton du Beke, Brendan Cole, Natalie Lowe and Artem Chigvintsev are returning for another shot at the Glitterball along with five new faces. One celeb who won’t be hitting the dance floor though is Olympic swimming champ Rebecca Adlington. The 24-year-old was in talks to appear in the new series but has revealed that despite being invited to meet the show’s producers she was turned down for a spot. It takes two: Vanessa revealed her big news on Zoe Ball's Radio 2 Breakfast show . ‘I would have loved to have done the show but unfortunately they didn’t want me,’ the disappointed athlete told the Mirror. ‘They didn’t think I would fit in with the balance of the people. I met them but it didn’t work out this time. I will still be glued to it every weekend though, I’m a big fan.’ Rebecca speculates that the rejection was down to her looks, adding: ‘I don’t think I’d fit into the beauty advertising bracket as much.’ The full line up of Strictly contestants will be announced on Monday 2nd September, live on The One Show with the new series beginning on Saturday 7th September on BBC One. Can't wait: Vanessa Feltz has been confirmed as the first celebrity to take part in Strictly Come Dancing .
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Announcement came after Rebecca Adlington revealed BBC show didn't want her .
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f945f8f3f79e550102576da92ffe481844b463ab
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A sect leader who raped women in a convent he set up - telling them sex would heal them spiritually - is on the run from Czech officials . Officers have issued an international arrest warrant for self-titled spiritual guru Jaroslav Dobes, 43, who reportedly had sex with more than 350 devotees between setting up his convent in the city of Zlin in Czech Republic's Moravia in 2002 and going on the run in 2007. He even charged the women thousands of pounds for the service, many of whom were pressured into going through the ordeal with him and paying the money, a court heard. He was found guilty this week at a trial in his absence and sentenced to 10 years for the sex attacks, although the court heard he is now living in Asia where he had set up a new sect and was still offering sex for sale to his disciples. Predator: Sect leader Jaroslav Dobes set up a convent for women, who he then raped. Czech officials have put out an international arrest warrant for the 43-year-old. Police also want his assistant Barbora Plaskova . Jaroslav Dobes known as 'Guru Jara', 'Om' or as the 'Uber Alpha Male' was charged with raping at least eight women at the convent between 2004 and 2007. Also sentenced was his assistant Barbora Plaskova, 40, who helped him with all his activities and was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison. Dobes and Plsakova were represented in court by their lawyers because the couple are in Thailand. Dobes told his followers that he could help them with everything from their spirituality, tarot, yoga and feng-shui since he started out as a self-proclaimed guru in 1996. The school and convent, known as Poetrie, that he established in 2002 was only for women. He also took seminars and organised conferences across the Czech Republic teaching yoga, astrology, feng shui and tantra. But it was the technique called 'unhooking' that saw the group finally exposed as a conman. His victims said he had told them that 'when a man and woman sleep together they join up their energies so that they never split again. A man can suck energy from a woman through that hook, it makes the woman tired. 'But if a man has more hooks he has more energy and he is in better position to give the woman energy and help.' One of Dobes's clients – a woman who had been 18 when she met him – described her horrific experience in a short video statement to the court. Jaroslav Dobes known as 'Guru Jara', 'Om' or as the 'Uber Alpha Male' was charged with raping at least eight women at the convent between 2004 and 2007 . The young woman, who kept her face covered, said that she had gone to him after problems in a relationship and that Dobes's assistant Barbora Plaskova had advised her to try the 'unhooking'. She said: 'I was apprehensive about going through with it but I decided to try it.' The court heard that Plaskova took the victim to a tiny apartment in Prague, told her to undress and to lie naked on the bed. She said Plaskova then did some breathing exercises with her to get her ready for the unhooking. Marie said: 'Jara came, encircled me with crystals then entered me with force. It was extremely painful and had nothing to do with tantra. 'It was hurting me, I was terrified. But I was so brainwashed that I even then still believed that this was in some way good for me.' She said that the ordeal with the frequent sessions went on for six months and it was only at the end of it when she felt worse than ever that she realised she had been conned. Dobes's unusual methods of removing the negative energy finally resulted in a police investigation in 2007 on a number of victims came forward, and in the same year he vanished abroad. He was joined by his assistant two years later when police widened the investigation to include her as well. Other victims also spoke of the horrific ordeal at the hands of the guru and sect leader. One said: 'I had to get undressed, I was made to do stomach breathing exercise that left me weakened and unable to defend myself. I wasn't able to control my body. There were candles and music playing and incense that left me confused.' She and others also said that as well as being made to have sex with the guru, they had also been interfered with by his assistant who said that she was stimulating them to prepare them for the spiritual experience. Prosecutor Yvetta Eichlerova said Dobes had sexual intercourse with as many as 350 of his female clients. Some of them did it willingly, she admitted, but added that many others had been pressured and lied to and then put in a position where they were unable to defend themselves. According to accusation he raped at least eight women between 2004 and 2007 but the real number was probably far higher. Psychologist Alena Gayova who treated many of his victims told the court that they were suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and that in many cases this was chronic and had resulted in life-long consequences. Typical symptoms were relationship problems, depression and low self-esteem. Guru Jara's defence lawyer Libor Knott urged the court to throw out the charges saying that all of the women had gone into the sex act with the sect leader willingly. He said: 'The women knew what would happen so it was not a crime.' However judge Iveta Sperclichova decided that Dobes and Plaskova chose their clients carefully by targeting vulnerable young women. Handing out the sentence she said: 'They only chose attractive young women who could also be useful to them financially and as sex objects. It is clear that the main idea of their school was not helping people.' Dobes, who also claims to be a photographer, writer, traveller and mountain climber is offering books and photographs on his website, as well as personal consultations. A three-day session with Guru Jara costs 108,000 Czech Koruna (£3,085).
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Jaroslav Dobes, 43, told the women sex would heal them spiritually .
But Czech court has found him guilty of eight counts of rape in his absence .
Dobes and his assistant Barbora Plaskova believed to have fled to Asia .
The conman calls himself 'Guru Jara', 'Om' or the 'Uber Alpha Male'
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By . Deni Kirkova . and Bianca London . In the quest to make us slimmer without lifting a finger, an injection has been invented letting us literally pee out our fat. A water solution is injected into stubborn areas around the body, breaking down excess fat cells, allowing us to absorb them into our bloodstream - and then wee them out. The new treatment, dubbed Aqualyx, claims to be an effective alternative to liposuction. The jabs break fat cells, allowing us to absorb them into our bloodstream - and then wee them out . It contains plant polymers, which binds with the cell walls of the fat tissue before rupturing and releasing the fat to be dissolved. The formula liquefies the fat cell which is then eliminated when you urinate over a three-week period. Makers say the solution completely destroys the fat cells so they can’t grow back. It can be used on your thighs, stomach, knees, chin, buttocks, stomach, back and even your neck. Describing its new treatment, Mills Medical Service say it 'gives you the body you’ve always dreamed of without fearing the fat will return'. The treatment, which claims to be the only registered fat removal injection on the market, says it has no downtime (other than slight bruising and swelling for 48 hours). 'Aqualyx isn’t an injection for weight loss; it is used for contouring the body and slimming down those stubborn fat areas. Combined with a healthy diet and exercise, the fat won’t grow back either.' say the brand. One session costs £250, which Mills Medical say is all that's needed for the chin area, while the tummy may need a few more treatments. But is it all too good to be true - can it really be effective and safe? Dr Arun Ghosh, from the private Spire Hospital in Liverpool says the injections could pose a health risk. Aqualyx, like lipo, is not recommended for weight loss goals but rather to contour the body . He told the Daily Star: 'It's dangerous to re-absorb fatty acids into your bloodstream because if it's dissolved down into salt it would send cholesterol levels sky high.' Dr Yannis Alexandrides, MD of 111 . Harley Street, said: 'I don’t use fat removal injectable in my clinic . and certainly have no plans to until there is further research and . trials published. 'It’s . always important that prospective patients thoroughly research . treatments before they book, and these injectables are very new to the . market with little evidence of their efficacy other than that produced . by the manufacturer. 'While . the cost is certainly affordable and attractive, those thinking of . having the procedure must look at alternatives available that have . proven results and existing patient testimonials. 'Also, prospective patients must undergo a full consultation to determine the right procedure for their concern.' Before and after: Sarah, 42, from Sheffield had a £250 Aqualyx injection and slimmed down .
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Aqualyx injections liquefy fat which is then eliminated when you urinate .
Clinic claim absorbed fat cells DO NOT return and there's no downtime .
Critics say it could spell danger for cholesterol if fat turns to salt in blood .
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f9469ca10e26efbe4dc52a06b4ad52105e8dade2
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(CNN) -- It's been three years since Japan was hit with its worst-ever earthquake, causing serious damage to Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The 9 magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami sent three of Fukushima's reactors into melt-down, shocking the world. Japan, a fully industrialized country with high safety requirements, was facing a nuclear disaster of a similar scale to the deadly 1986 Chernobyl accident, in Soviet Ukraine. As a result, many countries decided to review their energy policies. Before the accident, 442 nuclear power reactors in 30 countries produced 14% of all world's electricity. This number dropped to just 11% in 2012, as 15 reactors exited service -- mainly in Germany and Japan. Today, 435 reactors operate in 31 countries, and a further 68 are under construction. After the Fukushima disaster, Japan pulled back its nuclear ambitions, ordered large-scale inspections and introduced new safety regulations. All of its 48 remaining reactors have been kept offline and a proposal to restart the program awaits parliament's approval. Germany shut down eight of its oldest reactors almost immediately after Fukushima, focusing instead on renewable energy, and phase-out all of its nuclear power by 2022. Switzerland adopted a similar approach when the government decided not to build any new reactors and phase out its nuclear production by 2034. This was despite a national referendum in which a majority of people voted in favor of more reactors. But not all countries got scared. Both France, which has the world's highest share of nuclear power for its electricity production, and the U.S., the world's largest producer, reaffirmed their positions on the power source. Both countries continue to invest heavily into safety improvements. All four "BRIC" countries are boosting their nuclear power production, with India aiming to supply 25% and Russia 45% of their electricity from nuclear power by 2050, and Brazil planning to build five new reactors by 2030. China is facing pressure to cut its pollution levels and reliance on coal. China already operates 20 reactors and aims to more than triple its nuclear capacity by 2020. Read more: The 'nuclear renaissance:' What went wrong? Read more: Five big questions about Fukushima's nuclear power mess . Read more: Inside Fukushima damaged power plant . Editor's note: Due to variations in terminology, various sources quote slightly different numbers of nuclear reactors worldwide. For the purpose of this report, CNN used World Nuclear Association data and considered only the reactors connected to the grid and supplying electricity to consumers as active.
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The Fukushima nuclear disaster changed attitudes towards nuclear power .
Germany shut down its oldest reactors and plans to phase-out nuclear by 2022 .
Emerging markets are investing heavily into nuclear power .
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Writer Ida Pollock was today hailed the world's oldest romantic novelist as it was revealed she is still producing steamy books at the age of 105. Ida has written 123 novels during her prolific career - many of them tales of virgins, chaste kisses and dashing male heroes. Ida has sold millions of books over nine decades with risque titles such as 'White Heat' and 'Interlude for Love'. Ida Pollock, 105, has been hailed as the world's oldest romantic novelist . She has millions of fans but has largely avoided the limelight by writing under ten different pseudonyms. Ida has written 70 books for Mills & Boon under the names Susan Barrie, Pamela Kent, Rose Burghley or Mary Whistler. Despite turning 105 last week Ida is still writing and her latest novel The Runaway is due to be published shortly. She no longer sits at her typewriter but . dictates to daughter Rosemary, 69, at their remote country home in . Lanreath near Looe, Cornwall. Ida said: 'A romance is never just a romance, there's adventure, mystery and movement. 'You . need a grand, dramatic setting - the Swiss Alps were always an personal . favourite of mine - and a chance meeting, on a train, a cruise, or . perhaps the hero and heroine find themselves shipwrecked on a desert . island. Ida has millions of fans but has largely avoided the limelight by writing under ten different pseudonyms . She has written 70 books for Mills & Boon under the names Susan Parrie, Pamela Kent. Rose Burghley and Mary Whistler . 'The men are normally rich, well-to-do - but never vulgar with their money. Young men lack the maturity to take control so an older man is essential to provide the reassurance the heroine's needs. 'There's always a fair amount of turbulence before he sweeps in to save the day. A happy ending is an absolute must.' Born in Lewisham, south London, Ida . began writing thrillers in her teens and finished her first, The Hills . of Raven's Haunt, at 14. After . becoming a full-time writer in the 1930s, Ida turned to romance and . penned a string of hits under the first of her ten pseudonyms, Joan . Allen. At her most prolific . Ida produced 40 books in five years - all based around the timeless . formula of naive young heroines spirited away from danger by rugged, . older men. Ida Pollock now dictates her novels to her daughter Rosemary, who is pictured here reading with her in 1967 . Many of the dashing male characters are said to be based on Ida's late husband, Hugh Pollock (left) who was also married to Enid Blyton. Ida wrote 70 novels for Mills & Boon, and is pictured here with Alan Boon (right) In 1956 alone Ida had eight romances . published under five pen names - each around 70,000 words long and all . finishing with a happy ending. Ida has only released a handful of . books under her own name and still publishes under the last of her . alter-egos, Marguerite Bell. A Distant Drum, her most recent . novel, in which a young Fanny Templeton falls for the Marquis of Ordley . after clashing at the battle of Waterloo, came out in 2005. Ida's . memoirs, Starlight, were published in 2009 and two more Regency . romances, including her latest, The Runaway, are waiting to be . published. The Runaway is the story of a young woman who inherits a vast fortune and is forced to flee to escape several suitors. The mother-of one, who is also a celebrated artist and illustrator, released up to eight novels in one year at her busiest time. Ida, pictured a home in Cornwall (left) and stepping out in the 1980s (right), says it takes her around six weeks to write a novel . Ida has sold millions of books over nine decades of writing . Ida, also a celebrated artist and illustrator, says it takes her about six weeks to write a novel. Many of her swarthy male heroes bear more than a passing resemblance to her late husband Colonel Hugh Pollock, a decorated veteran and publisher. Col Pollock was Winston Churchill's editor and was previously married to Enid Blyton. He died in 1971, aged 82. Ida said: 'I think I was born to write. My mother would put a typewriter on the dining room table and say "there you go". ;My first story was published in the Christian Herald and they would pay me five guineas. I wrote my first novel when I was just 14. 'I was into mysteries and thrillers at the time but I eventually I drifted into romance because my mother would always ask me to write 'something pretty'. 'I've never got bored of it because its something I absolutely love. My books are full of hope and romance rather than sex. 'They are a form of escapism - you can escape the parts of the world that you don't like.' Ida Pollock's writing desk in the early 1990s . Unmarried Rosemary, an editor and writer, has followed in her mum's footsteps and written a number of romantic novels herself. She said: 'Pen names are very common in romance writing. Mum's publishers always insisted on them because readers associated different styles with different names. 'I don't think she's ever quite got the recognition she deserves. I've always loved her books and I would read them over and over, especially in my teens. 'I think her passion for writing is what has kept her going so long. She's remarkable - a national treasure'. Nightingale in the Sycamore (1957)'He moved to meet her as she moved to meet him and caught her in his arms, kissing her wildly, like a man who was starving. Her hair, eyes, cheeks, lips - he smothered them with so many kisses that before long he paused to draw breath himself. She was completely breathless, but clung to him as if never willingly would she let him go again, and for the first time for weeks she knew what it was to feel glad that she had been born. . . .'Bay of Moonlight (1968)'Their first kiss was unlike anything Sarah had ever expected of a kiss. It left her feeling as if a thunderbolt had come hurtling out of the sky and passed so close that it scorched her. And when his violent mood changed to one of gentleness, a tenderness that melted her bones, she knew that this was the moment for which she had been destined ... It was the very purpose of her life ...'A Distant Drum (2005)'She had been in bed no more than five minutes when she heard the door handle begin to turn. The movement was gentle at first. "Open this door, or I'll break it down," the Marquis ordered. When there was no immediate response his fist began pounding against the woodwork, and Fanny jumped out of bed. "I don't," his lordship told her, "wish to rouse the whole house, but if it becomes necessary I shall not hesitate to do so. Turn the key in the lock, Fanny.'
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Ida has sold millions of books over nine decades .
The 105-year-old has used ten different pseudonyms during her career .
Best-selling book titles include White Heat and Interlude for Love .
Her latest novel The Runaway is due to be published shortly .
No longer uses a typewriter, she dictates her novels to 69-year-old daughter .
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Supporters have raised $20,000 for an Atlanta security guard who became an internet sensation this week after he posted videos online showing his refusal to give in to abuse from troublemakers. Darien Long made headlines earlier this week after a video showing him tasering a violent woman outside Atlanta's Metro Mall spread online – it has now been viewed more than one million times. And since then more and more videos are emerging of the zero-tolerance guard refusing to give in to violent threats. In the footage, filmed by a camera on Long’s uniform, men are heard warning they’ll follow him home; he is racially abused; spat at; threatened with violence and objects are thrown at him all because he’s asked people to leave the shopping center or to stop hovering outside. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Zero tolerance: Darien Long has been lauded as a hero after a shocking video showed him tasering a woman outside a mall in Atlanta. An online fundraising campaign is currently at $20,000 supporting the guard . Cornered: A new video shows a mother was tasered after she and her children attacked a security guard in an Atlanta shopping mall . Warning: Long repeatedly tells the woman to 'back it up' before tasering her when she lashes out at him. The footage won the Atlanta Metro Mall guard plaudits online and there is now a fundraising campaign in his honor . Despite being in a position most would find terrifying, Long says he is . determined to enforce the rules and believes doing so ultimately helps . his community. He told Atlanta news station WSB-TV: ‘I feel like the taser and the . camera are the two most effective tools that I have. Do what you're . supposed to do or you get what's coming to you.' ‘What you do is clean up the neighborhood so other businesses can come in and downtown Atlanta can prosper,’ he added . There has been particular support for Long from . residents of the city who say they are fed up with people . believing they are above the law. ‘This is basically what we deal with every day,’ Resident Daniel Van . Briesen told the local broadcaster. ‘For it to happen in the shadow of the . capital building and the courthouse is a bit ridiculous.’ The five minute video which launched the vigilante guard into the public . eye on Tuesday is from an incident in May. It opens with the . guard warning children outside who are making noise. However, two mothers soon step in and start pushing Long with one . warning the guard: 'Don’t yell at my motherf***ing kids! You’ll get . beat!' Abused: Several videos showing the threats and slurs leveled against Darien Long can be seen online . Ready to attack: Another video shows a woman who is about to throw a poster board at the security guard before a friend holds her back . The confrontation gets increasingly tense as the woman refuses to move . back from the mall, starts shouting racial slurs and encourages the . young children to join in the abuse. Long is repeatedly heard telling the woman to ‘back it up’ and move away . before she walks to the mall doorway and lashes . out. Long then tasers her. The shocking video has won the officer legions of fans on Youtube and news site Reddit. Reddit launched the online appeal to raise money for Long after seeing the response to his story. Supportive comments on Reddit include: ‘Whatever they pay this guy, it's . not enough’, ‘Guy looks like a family man, looks like he is risking a . lot’ and ‘remind anyone of a sheriff in a wild west movie. One Youtube viewer simply writes: ‘Why do those naggers keep nagging him? Reddit editor Ryu Kenya said they started the campaign because Long is a ‘nice guy’. ‘He is a nice guy and that area is very dangerous,' he wrote on the website. 'There is a cop . station around the block but people still sell drugs around there. He . has to wear kevlar and has his own mugshot book. He was not too proud . about tasing the woman and wished it could have been avoided.’ Resilient: Darien Long says he wants to help clean up downtown Atlanta via his work as security guard for the Atlanta Metro Mall . Fundraising page: The Reddit campaign had raised almost $20,000 for Darien Long on Saturday morning and was still going up . The woman who attacked Long was reportedly charged with disorderly . conduct, criminal trespassing, contributing to the delinquency of a . minor, and simple battery. Since the campaign began it has raised $20, 000 so Long can buy himself more equipment. And it appears he needs it. Further videos posted online by Long show several abusive exchanges. In one he asks a group to leave but they consistently refuse, loitering . by the doorway and threatening to follow him home and ‘beat’ him. It ends with one of the group – another woman – throwing a sandwich board at him. Other videos show him confronting men he suspects of drug dealing and shoplifting. In another a man repeatedly pushes Long in the chest and calls for him to fight him in the street. 'Stay out the mall and we won’t have an issue', Long tells one of his abusers in a video . The guard seems bemused by the attention his work has attracted and said he doesn't want fame. What he wants is to see his area improve. ‘I don’t care about the fame or none of that crap. What I want is on . street gambling to go away, The people who just hang down here to make . money and be disruptive and for the drug dealing to leave . this area,’ he says on a response posted on YouTube. 'You can’t ever get rid of all the crime in any city but it shouldn’t be in . such proximity to the seat of power of the state of Georgia and the city . of Atlanta. People should be able to come downtown and do what they . want to do.' 'I’m really nobody to be honest with you.'
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Online campaign has so far raised $20,000 for Darien Long a security guard at Atlanta's Metro Mall .
The mall cop shot to worldwide fame this week after a film, which shows him taser an abusive and violent woman, spreads across the internet .
As more videos are released showing his zero tolerance approach, community and online supporters brand him a hero helping to clean up a dangerous part of downtown Atlanta .
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Touch screen devices may soon become the norm in classrooms as schools are increasingly moving away from traditional learning methods by using tablets instead. A national survey has found that students as young as five from schools across Australia are using devices like iPads to enhance their education. While one expert says it is important to adapt to the way technology has changed children's learning, studies have found that 60 per cent of students are being exposed to more than the recommended two hours screen time each day. This can impact the child's development of fundamental skills as well as their sleeping patterns. Studies have found that students are being exposed to more than the recommended two hours screen time each day . Current paediatric recommendations and guidelines from the Australian Department of Health suggest screen based media use should be limited to less than two hours per day, according to a report by researchers from the University of Western Australia. The report found an average of 63 per cent of the surveyed 2,620 children exceeded the recommended guidelines of less than two hours. A breakdown shows that 45 per cent of children aged eight spend more than two hours of screen time each day while 80 per cent of 15 to 16 year olds surpass the recommended hours per week day. But child learning expert Kristy Goodwin isn't too fazed by the hours specifically but is more concerned about how these devices are used effectively. 'It all comes down to how the device is used,' Dr Goodwin told Daily Mail Australia. 'If devices are used appropriately it can really enhance children's learning. 'But they shouldn't be used as digital babysitters at schools, which is often the case for parents who use these devices to pacify children. 'Like anything in life, if it is used excessively it will have a negative effect.' A national survey has found that students as young as five, from schools across Australia, are using devices like iPads to enhance heir education . Dr Goodwin, a Macquarie University academic and director of Every Chance to Learn, further supports the increasing use of electronic devices and screen time at primary schools, as long as teachers are properly trained - which often isn't the case. 'Children today are digital natives,' she said. 'Young children should be encouraged to use tablets as emerging research and evidence shows that it can be a great learning tool in the classroom. 'Technology is also changing children's predisposition and their expectations of learning and they're craving visual information and processing visuals before text. 'But the problem is that all of a sudden, teachers are expected to know how to teach effectively using devices but are not given the right training for it and this is critical if we want to enhance the learning of young students.' A survey of 1267 Australian schools last year found that 27 per cent have implemented the Bring Your Own Dedicated Device strategy, which has increased from 19 per cent in 2013. The BYODD program, which urges students to bring tablets to school, include primary school students from ages five to 12. The Softlink 2014 Australian School Library Survey, which is due to be released next week, also shows that 12 per cent of schools that have a BYODD strategy are for primary education. What also troubles Dr Goodwin is that children's development of fundamental skills like handwriting may be affected as well as their sleeping patterns. 'What's concerning is that by exposing children to tablets they often don't develop the same kind of fundamental skills like handwriting and there's also impact on sleep as the use of these devices may affect sleep depth and sleeping patterns,' she said. 'But if children are given a task on tablets it increases their engagement and motivation to complete the exercise. 'Society is going digital so I think it's our moral imperative to use technology in our classrooms and look at right ways to use it as an effective learning tool. 'Banning it at schools purely because we fear the use of devices is not the right thing to be doing.' The Department of Health recommends that children under the age of two should not spend any time using electronic devices - that includes tablets. For ages two to five, they should be limited to less than an hour each day. Infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers should not be sedentary, restrained or kept inactive for more than one hour at a time with the exception of sleeping. Children aged five to 12 should use limit their use for less than two hours per day.
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A report shows 45 per cent of children aged eight surpass the recommended two hours of screen time each day .
80 per cent of 15 to 16 year olds also spend more than two hours every day .
A national survey of Australian schools also found 27 per cent have implemented the Bring Your Own Device program in classrooms .
This means primary and high school students are using their own electronic devices at schools as part of their education .
The health department recommends children older than two years should limit their screen time to less than two hours per day .
One expert says devices will only be an effective learning tool if teachers are properly trained .
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LONDON, England (CNN) -- Forget the Royal Navy and the U.S. Marines -- the 'computer navy' is on its way, and digital media on the high seas are set to make a steaming comeback. New home? Barges like this one could soon play host to Google's massive data centers. It seemed that floating media firms were a thing of the past when the United Kingdom's last major offshore pirate radio station, Radio Caroline, followed other European and American examples and died out in the early 1990s. But, fast-forward 20 years and enter Internet giant Google. According to a patent application seen by London newspaper "The Times," Google is considering launching barges up to seven miles (11km) offshore to host the massive data centers required to run its Internet search engines. The plan would likely see the data centers -- which consist of huge supercomputers -- use wave energy to power and cool themselves while stationed at sea. In the application Google states: "Computing centers are located on a ship or ships, anchored in a water body from which energy from natural motion of the water may be captured, and turned into electricity and/or pumping power for cooling pumps to carry heat away." Energy consumption is undoubtedly a massive issue for these giant data centers. The servers within each data center need to be air-conditioned to prevent overheating -- and considering a company such as IBM runs approximately eight million square feet of servers -- that's a lot of required cooling. According to a 2005 study by Stanford University consulting professor and Lawrence Berkeley National Labs staff scientist, Jonathan Koomey, the energy consumption of data centers doubled in the period from 2000 to 2005. The total annual worldwide power bill for the servers at the time was an estimated $7.2 billion, according to Koomey. The Internet has continued to grow at a rapid rate and other major companies have also been searching for a more efficient method of maintaining their data centers. Microsoft has looked into taking advantage of a cold climate by constructing a data center in Siberia, while Sun Microsystems is reported to be sending its computers down a former coal mine, using water below the ground as a coolant. But, how workable is Google's project, really? And does it mark a potential new future for the maritime industry? Dr Brad Karp, reader in Computer Systems and Networks at University College London, described the move as "an audacious risk" that will push the boundaries for major companies in future. Karp said the project would carry significant risks, but potentially very high rewards. "Anytime you take on several new technologies at the one time -- and you are trying to build something highly reliable -- there are going to be real technical challenges, which there will be for these data centers," he said. Some major benefits of Google's project include being able to save money on rent and property taxes by being positioned offshore, as well as saving money on electricity bills. "If you look at the percentage of power being used by these centers ... it seems like a good long-term bet for the future," Karp told CNN. Karp believes Google could also benefit from snaring a "green" image if it is able to harness wave motion to power the computers and their cooling systems, in addition to providing a quality service to users. "One of the reasons Google has data centers around the world is to enhance the user experiences near where many of their users are. This will still allow them to do that." He said there were some logistical issues, but if the ships were stationed not far from the coast, they should not have too many operational concerns. "At that distance (11km) you would want to provide wired network activity -- some sort of under-sea cable. The sheer bit-rate needed for an operation like this is usually too high for most wireless systems," Karp said. Karp does point out there could be plenty of maintenance required on such a system: "The sea is not exactly a friendly environment for cables." Although some commentators have raised concerns about the ships leaving themselves open to attack, Karp did not feel it was a major issue. "It's not the kind of thing you see reported on very often. Typically the kind of things we worry about more is network-based attacks." Current data centers are defended by corporate-type security consisting of reception desks and electronically guarded entrances. Karp envisages a similar level of protection for the centers at sea, potentially using a protective barrier or guarding vessels. If this project is realized, it offers the potential to alter not only online commerce, but also introduces the potential for new strands of business in the maritime industry. Maritime eCommerce Association spokesman Ake Nilson said: "So far as I know there isn't anything quite like it. We haven't really seen anything like this since the old pirate radio stations." Nilson says that if the project goes ahead -- and more companies attempt to adopt a similar program -- it could provide a sizable boost to the maritime industry through the ships and workers required to establish, run, protect and maintain such operations.
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Google has sent a patent application to launch barges to host its data centers .
Wave energy could be used to power and cool the data centers' servers .
The project would save Google money on power bills, rent, and property tax .
Such projects have the potential to boost to the maritime industry .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 18:56 EST, 10 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 19:02 EST, 10 September 2012 . A businessman suspected of gunning down an officer who visited his home trying to help him was found dead on Monday evening after a day-long standoff with police. A search team entered Ricky Coley's home in an affluent Detroit suburb around 6pm and found his body inside, according to a police spokesman. Officers had been surrounding the house of the 50-year-old former auto executive since Sunday night, when officer Patrick O'Rourke was shot to death while responding to a report of a possible suicide attempt. Coley was having legal and financial problems in his business and was recently divorced. Killer: Ricky Coley, left, apparently shot officer Patrick O'Rourke, right, when police visited his home in Detroit . Siege: Police brought at least two armored vehicle to Coley's house in an affluent suburb on Monday . Mr O'Rourke, 39, was one of four or five officers who responded to the call on Sunday. He was killed when shots were fired through a bedroom door and wall. Authorities found Coley's body about an hour after sending in demolition equipment to tear open the house. It was not immediately clear how he died. At least two armored vehicles were brought to the upscale neighbourhood in West Bloomfield Township, which was evacuated after Mr O'Rourke was gunned down. Police in the Oakland County community sent a team around 10 pm on Sunday after getting a 911 call saying that Coley had tried to kill himself or needed medical attention, police spokesman Tim Diamond said. Officers called Coley's name as they climbed the stairs to the second floor and were met by shots. Officers: Police besieged the home all day, only to find Coley dead when they finally made it inside . Coley was alone in the house on Monday afternoon. Volleys of gunfire were heard hours earlier, but it was unclear who fired them. Officers closed roads in the area and evacuated at least 10 families from their homes. Before authorities sent in the big machine, Mr Diamond said the sheriff's department was 'trying to persuade this guy into a peaceful resolution.' Court document show that last week Coley's wife was granted a divorce and sole custody of the couple's seven-year-old son, following allegations he cheated on her and attacked her. Coley headed a private equity firm, CNC Holdings. Standoff: Several residents were evacuated from the area while police staked out Coley's home . The U.S. Labor Department recently filed a lawsuit accusing him of mishandling money that was supposed to cover employee insurance at a trucking company, Translogic Auto Carriers, which has been controlled by CNC since 2008. The lawsuit says Coley also transferred $342,000 from Translogic to himself or his affiliates. Creditors forced Translogic into bankruptcy court in 2010. Mr Diamond said relatives called 911 and fled Coley's home on Sunday after hearing shots. He said the stress of Coley's divorce and financial problems were probably factors. Mr O'Rourke, a West Bloomfield officer for 12 years, was married to his high-school sweetheart Amy and had four children. The policeman's father told WXYZ he was experiencing 'a rollercoaster of emotions' as he paid tribute to a son who was 'as strong as three men'.
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Ricky Coley apparently shot dead officer Patrick O'Rourke on Sunday night .
Police found Coley dead in suburban Detroit home after day-long siege .
Businessman was recently divorced and was under legal investigation .
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A five-month-old baby who had been on life support since last Monday after being brutally beaten by his mother's boyfriend has died. Andres Bravo, who was admitted to Miami Children's Hospital with brain injuries, a lung contusion, retinal hemorrhaging to both eyes and bruising to his buttocks, was taken off life support on Saturday, after doctors determined his injuries were too severe. These injuries all occurred while the infant was alone with his mother's boyfriend, 27-year-old Antwan Sawyer, who claims they were sustained when the child fell off a bed. Scroll down for video . Tragic end: Five-month-old Andres Bravo was taken off life support on Saturday after doctors determined the injuries he suffered from a beating on Monday were too severe . Call for justice: Andres' father, Adolfo Bravo (seen above with his son), is calling on law enforcement to arrest his son's mother for allowing this abuse to happen . Investigators and medical examiners immediately realized the infant's injuries were non-accidental, and arrested Sawyer on Tuesday. This is Sawyer's tenth arrest since 2005 according to police. Now, as Sawyer's charges are raised from aggravated child abuse to attempted felony murder, Andres' father, Adolfo Bravo, is calling on authorities to arrest his son's mother, Sascha Marie Garcia, for allowing this tragedy to happen. Laying low: Andres' mother, Sascha Marie Garcia, was at work when the incident occurred, and has been avoiding the press since her son was first admitted to the hospital last week . Charged: Antwan Sawyer is being charged with attempted felony murder in the death of five-month-old Andres . An emotional Bravo told WPLG, 'I feel like she's very responsible for the whole incident.' He then pointed out there were several examples of cases in Florida where even though the mother was not at the scene of the actual crime, she was still charged with neglect. He added that after speaking with homicide detectives he is certain Garcia will be picked up, and a petition has been started to see that she is charged on the Justice for Baby Andres Facebook page. A neighbor who lives directly below Garcia and Sawyer in their south Miami apartment told the Miami Herald she often heard the mother yelling and cursing at Andres and another toddler. Police claim Garcia works as an exotic dancer at a local strip club, The Office. She is believed to have been at work when the beating occurred. And it was the mother who called Bravo to alert him of his son's injuries last week, though she failed to express to her ex just how severe they were at the time. 'I was going to stop by and visit him,' said the heartbroken father. 'But I ended up never leaving.' Baby Andres would have been six-months-old on Sunday.
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Andres Bravo was taken off life support Saturday after being brutally beaten by his mother's boyfriend, Antwan Sawyer .
The five-month-old was admitted to Miami Children's Hospital last Monday with brain injuries, a lung contusion, and retinal hemorrhaging to both eyes .
Now the boy's father, Adolfo Bravo, is calling for the arrest of the baby's mother, Sascha Marie Garcia, for allowing this tragedy to occur .
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By . Kit Holden . Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller has sent a crushing blow in the direction of Old Trafford by denying rumours of a potential move to Manchester United. The German international has been heavily linked with United in recent days, as rumours of his discontent under coach Pep Guardiola have grown. But speaking to the Austrian paper Krone, Muller played down the idea that he might leave Bayern this summer. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Five of the best goals scored by United target Thomas Muller . Denial: Thomas Muller has denied he is leaving Bayern Munich to sign for Manchester United this summer . 'I didn't make these rumours up myself, so I don't particularly want to comment on them too much, but I'm definitely not about to jump ship at Bayern,' said the 24-year-old, 'That said, I can't make any guarantees (that I'll stay at the club) for all time.' Muller's apparent frustration has stemmed from a lack of playing time in Guardiola's rotation system, with appearances being particularly sparse in the Champions League. At various points in the season, he has appeared openly annoyed in post-match interviews about having to sit on the bench. Many have speculated that, with Louis van Gaal set to take over at Manchester United, Muller might make the switch to the Premier League. The Dutchman was the man who established Muller as a first-team player at Bayern. Frustrated: Muller has not played as much as he'd liked because of Pep Guardiola's rotation system . Blow: Incoming Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal will be disappointed to learn Muller is staying put . But as rumours have grown, many prominent figures around the Munich club, most recently Franz Beckenbauer and Steffen Effenberg, have come out to discourage Muller from leaving. The native Bavarian has been described a 'rock' at Bayern, and 'unimaginable elsewhere'. The speculation around Bayern's unsettled squad will not end with Müller's comments today, however, as other players have commented about their frustration in recent days. Jerome Boateng told reporters at a sponsorship event that 'the atmosphere among the squad isn't very good anymore', while Javi Martinez openly said that he had imagined a different career path at Bayern to the one he has taken this season. Relief: Guardiola will be pleased to hear that Muller is staying at Bayern Munich for the foreseeable future .
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Bayern Munich's says he will not leave Bayern Munich this summer .
The Bavarian has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United .
Muller broke into the Bayern team under former boss Louis van Gaal, who is set to take over at Old Trafford .
The 25-year-old has grown frustrated at Pep Guardiola's rotation system .
Bayern executives Franz Beckenbauer and Steffan Effenberg have urged Muller to stay at the club .
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Walnut Creek, California (CNN) -- Dueling rallies took place Monday involving a former Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of an unarmed passenger. Several hundred people gathered in this suburban community, some 25 miles northeast of San Francisco, with supporters of former officer Johannes Mehserle joined by critics, who said they were calling for justice for his victim, Oscar Grant. The Walnut Creek branch of the Contra Costa County Superior Court closed early Monday because of the rallies, and all cases that were scheduled to be heard Monday afternoon were postponed. Some gas stations and a restaurant in the area also opted to close down for the day. From the air, the crowd appeared to be mostly peaceful, although banners revealed a sharp divide. "Jail All Racist Killer Cops," proclaimed one large banner, held aloft by several people. Other banners proclaimed support for police. "Free Mehserle," some said. The Justice for Oscar Grant supporters started their demonstration across the street but then moved onto the sidewalk in front the courthouse where the Mehserle supporters were demonstrating. There was some shouting between the two sides. Police in riot gear placed metal barriers to keep the two sides apart. The two groups appeared evenly matched in size. Police said at its peak, there appeared to be about 300 people at the event. They said there were no arrests. "The crowd has been vocal but very cooperative," Walnut Creek police Lt. Steve Skinner said. "There were no acts of violence. It actually went very well on both sides." The crowds dispersed after about four hours. The Walnut Creek police department called in most of its police personnel and civilian staff for duty, and the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office helped provide security. Some area departments helped direct traffic. Mehserle, who is white, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the 2009 shooting death of Grant, an unarmed black man who was on a train platform at the Fruitvale station in nearby Oakland. The area gets its name from the apricot and cherry orchards that abounded there more than a century ago. Supporters of Mehserle say the killing was a "tragic mistake" and say they called the rally to show support for police. They helped spread word for the rally through Facebook. "Anyone who supports Johannes and our Law Enforcement Officers may attend," said a post on the Facebook page. "This is a PEACEFUL rally to show our support for Johannes, his family and our law enforcement officers." It added, "This rally is NOT about inciting violence, destruction, intolerance, hatred, racism, riots or to upset the Grant family." But organizers of the counter-rally say they were standing up for justice for Grant and against racism. They said in a news release they want to make clear that "justice means that Grant's killer, Mehserle, stays in jail and they throw away the key." The website for the Justice for Oscar Grant Committee added, "Oscar Grant was a young Black man returning home by way of the Fruitvale BART station after celebrating the New Year. This was the only excuse the cop needed to end Grant's life execution-style. Maybe Oscar was too loud, too proud, too Black. Maybe he was too calm during the taunts of the police. Or maybe it was for nothing at all." Mehserle faces two to four years in prison at his scheduled August 6 sentencing. He remains in the Los Angles County jail. The judge could also impose an additional term of three, four or 10 years because a firearm was used in the crime. Although police said they were prepared for possible clashes, some people in this normally placid town were not unduly concerned that the rallies might get out of control, even though protests after the verdict in nearby Oakland led to the arrest of 78 people. "Even though I don't think it's the best idea, because I think it's inflammatory, it's people's right," said Sue Klingler. "I work across the street from the Superior Court, and I'm not concerned at all." Another man, who didn't give his name to CNN affiliate KRON-TV, said that Walnut Creek "is not known for getting outrageous types of demonstrations." The January 1, 2009, shooting of the 22-year-old Grant was captured on a bystander's cell phone video camera. The video was widely circulated on the internet and on news broadcasts. The video showed Mehserle pulling his gun and fatally shooting Grant in the back as another officer knelt on the unarmed man. Mehserle testified that the shooting was an accident and that he had mistakenly used his handgun instead of his Taser. Mehserle and other Bay Area Rapid Transit police had been called to the Fruitvale station after passengers complained about fights on a train. Officers pulled several men, including Grant, off the train when it arrived at Fruitvale. The earlier Oakland demonstrations were called in response to Mehserle's acquittal on second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter charges. The Oakland demonstrations began peacefully but were followed by some violence, including vandalism.
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NEW: Police Lt. says crowds were vocal but orderly .
No arrests as opposing groups demonstrate over transit killing .
Groups demonstrate about a transit officer who shot and killed an unarmed black man .
Officer was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting of Oscar Grant .
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By . Charlie Skillen . Follow @@charlieskillen . Paris Saint-Germain are back in the full flow of pre-season training, with deadly strike duo Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani going through their paces. Although Laurent Blanc's men cantered to the French Ligue 1 title last season, they dropped out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage after losing to Chelsea. Now Ibrahimovic and Cavani will be spearheading a fresh assault on Europe's premier competition. Preparations: Zlatan Ibrahimovic trains alongside fellow team-mates Edinson Cavani and Marco Verratti . Change of direction: Ibrahimovic is in full flow during Paris Saint-Germain's training session in China . Team photo: Ibrahimovic (centre) takes a glance at the camera while standing alongside his team-mates . And Uruguayan hitman Cavani insists he will be around for the challenge, despite interest from Manchester United. 'I am sure to stay, why would I not?' he told L'Equipe while with PSG in Beijing on Thursday morning. 'I'm well in Paris. I have a contract to honour. I'm calm, I'd rather be here. I feel good here. However, I know it does not depend solely on the player but also on the club.' Cavani finished his first season as both a Ligue 1 champion and a Coupe de la Ligue winner. He scored both goals in the cup final, 2-1 win over Lyon, but throughout the season often found himself playing out wide - supposedly leading to his unhappiness at the club. Meet and greet: Ibrahimovic signs a picture for a lucky football fan in Beijing .
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Edinson Cavani takes part in training despite speculation over his future .
PSG are gearing up for their French Super Cup match on August 2 .
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his PSG team-mates are training in Beijing .
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy on Wednesday made his first appearance in Congress since being diagnosed with brain cancer nearly two months ago, casting a single vote to help break a Republican filibuster of an important Medicare bill. Colleagues greeted Kennedy with a lengthy standing ovation on the Senate floor just after 4:15 p.m. The bill would reverse a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors. The cuts in Medicare payments -- part of a scheduled cost-saving formula -- went into effect July 1, although the Bush administration said it will hold off processing claims until mid-July to give Congress time to reach a compromise. In a written statement, Kennedy said, "I return to the Senate today to keep a promise to our senior citizens -- and that's to protect Medicare. Win, lose or draw, I wanted to be here. I wasn't going to take the chance that my vote could make the difference." Watch the senators applaud Kennedy's arrival » . A vote on the bill before the July 4 recess fell one shy of the 60 needed to clear a Republican filibuster and advance in the Senate. Senate Republicans joined the White House in objecting to the Democratic-backed bill because it trimmed government support for private insurance programs that provide coverage to Medicare patients. The private Medicare programs are a top policy initiative for Republicans. White House spokesman Tony Fratto says the president's senior advisers would still advise the president to veto the bill in its current form. The vote to end the GOP filibuster on the Medicare bill was 69-30, nine more than the 60 votes needed and two more than needed to override a presidential veto. The senators agreed to consider the bill passed if the filibuster were broken. Kennedy had surgery to remove a tumor June 2 and is now undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid talked to Kennedy's wife, Vicki, twice since Sunday about having Kennedy return for the vote, the source said. Reid "was not pushing, just asking," the source said. Interactive: A closer look at Ted Kennedy » . Kennedy is chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and is an influential Democrat on health-care issues. Some members of the Democratic leadership thought it would be a "great idea" if Kennedy were able to return because it would "buck up" Democratic senators who worked hard to pass the stalled bill, the source said.
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NEW: Sen. Kennedy returns to Congress on Wednesday .
NEW: Kennedy's vote helps to break GOP filibuster of Medicare bill .
He was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor two months ago .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 00:03 EST, 25 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 00:19 EST, 25 May 2013 . A healthy baby gorilla weighing five pounds has been born at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio. The unnamed young male was born May 23, 2013 at 3:22 a.m. and is the first offspring for parents Oliver and Kambera. Unfortunately new mom Kambera's maternal skills are currently lacking and so animal care experts are raising the baby in an environment that provides around-the-clock neonatal care. The unnamed young male was born May 23, 2013 at 3:22 a.m. and is the first offspring for parents Oliver and Kambera . The expert are however staying close to the mom, with the hope of reuniting the pair. The zoo has said there are several other female gorillas at the zoo who could act as a surrogate mother if needed. Staff said they didn't known when visitors would be able to see the baby. Kambera was born at the Columbus Zoo in 1999, she was delivered through one of the first successful caesarean sections ever performed on a gorilla. Her own mother was unable to care for her after she was born. Staff at the zoo raised her until she was about five months old, when a surrogate took over. The baby gorilla was born at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and animal care experts are raising him in an environment that provides around-the-clock neonatal care . New dad Oliver is deaf after losing his hearing when he was young. The 24-year-old arrived at the Columbus Zoo in 2009. His move to the zoo brought was his first socialization with other gorillas since he was six years old. 'The birth of a gorilla baby, actually any baby, is always a momentous event,' Tom Stalf, president and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium told ABC5. 'But what really touches our hearts is that Oliver, who came here after living by himself for so many years, has produced a beautiful baby boy.' There have been 31 gorillas born at the Columbus zoo, including Colo in 1956. That female western lowland gorilla is believed to be the oldest gorilla in any zoo.
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The unnamed baby is being raised by animal care experts because mom Kambera's maternal skills are currently lacking .
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Manchester United will on Tuesday reveal the first definitive figures on the financial cost of missing out on the Champions League. The club have estimated revenues will fall this season by between £38million and £48m - a drop of between 8.77 per cent and 11 per cent on last season's overall revenue figure of £433m - as a result of not being in Europe. The publication of the club's first quarter results for the financial year 2014-15 should provide accurate figures about an overall percentage drop in income. Wayne Rooney and Co's failure to qualify for the Champions League will hit the club's revenue . Both the income streams from broadcasting revenue and matchday revenue - which were both £19.3m for the first quarter of the 2013-14 financial year - can expect to take a hit. Broadcasting revenue will suffer due to no money at all coming in from UEFA - it was worth €44.7million (£35.7m) to United in 2013-14 - while matchday income will be affected because there will be no European matches compared to 10 last season which were worth around £20m combined. The first quarterly figures, covering the three months ending September 30, 2014, will be announced around noon on Tuesday, with United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward taking part in a conference call with investors an hour later. Ed Woodward will take part in conference call with United investors after results are revealed . The announcement will also show how much United have been able to soften the financial blow of missing out on Europe in terms of the club's steady rise in income from sponsorship and other commercial deals. The figures should also provide indications on the extent to which the club's overall wage bill has risen compared to a year ago following the spate of new signings by manager Louis van Gaal. Click to Like our Manchester United Facebook page. United splashed out £60m on Angel di Maria in a bid to regain their place in then Premier League top four .
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Man Utd release financial results for first quarter of 2014/15 on Tuesday .
Manchester United's revenue is expected to fall by £38million and £48m this campaign .
Failure to reach Champions League will hit Old Trafford side in the pocket .
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LONDON, England (CNN) -- Almost all British troops in Iraq are being pulled out because the agreement that allows them to be there expires on Friday, the British Ministry of Defence said Tuesday. Nearly all of Britain's troops in Iraq will have left by the week's end. The withdrawal marks the first time since the invasion of Iraq more than six years ago that there will be almost no British troops in the country. The only British troops there will be a group of about a dozen helping to train Iraqi police as part of a NATO mission, the ministry said. The United Kingdom's remaining contingent of 100 to 150 troops is leaving Iraq for neighboring Kuwait, a Ministry of Defence spokesman told CNN. He declined to be named in line with policy. "The small handful of British military personnel operating in Iraq will be withdrawn to Kuwait after Iraq's parliament adjourned without passing a deal that would let them stay," the spokesman said. Iraq must give its permission for foreign troops to be on its soil. It was a group of Iraqi lawmakers loyal to anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr that prevented parliament from approving a new agreement on British troops. They walked out of parliament as a group on July 11, depriving the legislature of the minimum number of lawmakers necessary for votes to take place. Parliament is now on summer recess until September 8. Fawzi Akram, a lawmaker from the Sadr bloc, confirmed that the bloc reject the Iraqi-British security agreement. He said that Iraq does not need the British troops and that Iraqi security forces are ready to handle security on their own. Britain hopes the Iraqi parliament will eventually approve the security agreement. "While this delay is unfortunate, we are continuing to seek a solution with the Iraqi Government that will provide our forces with the sound legal basis they need," the ministry said in a written statement. The British troops who are being pulled out include Royal Navy servicemen who have been helping the Iraqis to protect oil fields around the port town of Umm Qasr, according to the Ministry of Defence spokesman. All British combat troops have already left the country, another ministry spokesman told CNN. There were about 46,000 British troops in and around Iraq at the peak of major combat operations in March and April 2003, according to the Ministry of Defence. CNN's Jonathan Wald in London and Youssif Basil in Baghdad, Iraq, contributed to this report.
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Almost all British troops in Iraq are being pulled out .
Agreement that allows them to be there expires on Friday .
Only about dozen British troops will remain to help train Iraqi police .
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Thierry Henry has announced his departure from New York Red Bulls after four-and-a-half years with the Major League Soccer club. The former France striker revealed his decision three days after admitting he would be interested in a return to Arsenal, and changed his Facebook photograph to an image of the Emirates Stadium. The 37-year-old will take 'the next few weeks to reflect and decide on the next chapter of my career' with a coaching role at the Barclays Premier League club among the options. STATEMENT Scroll down to read ex-Arsenal striker Thierry Henry's announcement in full . Thierry Henry, pictured celebrating scoring in January 2012, admitted he would love to return to Arsenal . Henry has announced his departure from Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls . Henry changed his cover photo on Facebook to an image of the Emirates following his announcement . 1994-1999: Monaco (105 lg apps, 20 gls) 1999-1999: Juventus (16, 3) 1999-2007: Arsenal (254, 174) 2007-2010: Barcelona (80, 35) 2010-2014: New York Red Bulls (122, 51) 2012-2012: Arsenal (loan) (4, 1) 1997-2010: France (123, 51) Monaco: Ligue 1, Trophee des champions . Arsenal: Premier League (2), FA Cup (3), Community Shield (2) Barcelona: La Liga (2), Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup . New York Red Bulls: MLS Eastern Conference (2), Supporters' Shield . France: 1998 World Cup, Euro 2000, Confederations Cup 2003 . 'I am taking this opportunity to announce that unfortunately Saturday was my last game for the New York Red Bulls,' Henry said on Monday. 'The decision has always been that I would leave after the duration of my contract and although that was never going to change, I didn't want it to distract from the progress of the team. 'You guys have really meant a lot to me and thank you for all your wonderful support. 'I will now take the next few weeks to reflect and decide on the next chapter of my career. Thank you all.' Henry told L'Equipe on Friday that he will remain in football following his retirement as a player, telling the French newspaper he will become 'a coach, a consultant or executive'. The 1998 World Cup winner admitted he regrets not helping Arsenal win the Champions League, and that he would like to play a part in their potential European success at the Emirates. 'Whether that is from near or far does not depend on me but it is sure I'd like to help,' Henry continued. 'This is my club and, as a player, I was not able to give them the Champions League.' Sportsmail's Jamie Carragher wrote on Kicca following the announcement: 'Thierry Henry has played his last game for New York Red Bulls if it is his last game in football what a player! The best I faced without a doubt and yes I still have nightmares about him running past me at Anfield!!' Henry spreads his arms wide and celebrates to the Arsenal fans after scoring against Inter Milan . The former Arsenal captain celebrates after scoring against West Brom and could be set for a third stint . Henry joined the MLS side in 2010 following stints with Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal and Barcelona. His final game for the Red Bulls ended in a 4-3 aggregate defeat against rivals New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference Championship play-off. He won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France, and was part of Arsenal's 'Invincibles' side that went unbeaten in the Premier League a decade ago. Henry acknowledges fans after their 4-3 aggregate loss to end the MLS season and his time with the Red Bulls . Henry during his final game for New York Red Bulls . I am taking this opportunity to announce that unfortunately Saturday was my last game for the New York Red Bulls. The decision has always been that I would leave after the duration of my contract and although that was never going to change, I didn't want it to distract from the progress of the team. I have immensely enjoyed my four-and-a-half years here and would like to thank everyone involved with this club who has made my time here so enjoyable. Thanks must go particularly to Erik Soler, Hans Backe, Gerard Houllier, Andy Roxburgh, Mike Petke, all my team-mates, the technical staff, medical staff, all the personnel who work for the Red Bull organisation, the MLS and of course the owner Mr Mateschitz whose vision and passion brought me to this wonderful city. A special mention must go to the Red Bull fans who have supported this team through the good, the bad and the ugly times in the sun, rain and snow. You guys have really meant a lot to me and thank you for all your wonderful support. I will now take the next few weeks to reflect and decide on the next chapter of my career. Thank you all . Thierry Henry .
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Thierry Henry announces he is leaving MLS outfit New York Red Bulls .
Henry changes his Facebook photo to image of Arsenal's Emirates Stadium .
French striker recently admitted he would be interested in return to Arsenal .
The 37-year-old will take 'the next few weeks to reflect and decide on the next chapter of my career'
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Editor's note: The staff at CNN.com has recently been intrigued by the journalism of VICE, an independent media company and Web site based in Brooklyn, New York. VBS.TV is Vice's broadband television network. The reports, which are produced solely by VICE, reflect a very transparent approach to journalism, where viewers are taken along on every step of the reporting process. We believe this unique reporting approach is worthy of sharing with our CNN.com readers. Brooklyn, New York (VBS.TV/MOTHERBOARD.TV) -- Military checkpoints line the long and winding road from the airport in Cali, Colombia, to the coastal city of Buenaventura. These are expected sights in the long-running conflict we know as the "war on drugs." Plan Colombia, legislation passed during the Clinton administration, provided billions in military aid to Colombia to help halt the cultivation and transport of cocaine. It has had only mixed success. Buenaventura, a strategic port city and maritime gateway to Central and North America, is a haven for the newest clandestine agent in the illegal drug trade: the "narco-sub." As this decades-old conflict has ebbed and flowed, one thing has remained constant: the sheer ingenuity of narco-traffickers to invent and exploit new methods and routes for smuggling. We were granted access to the Málaga naval base about an hour outside of Buenaventura, which has been at the forefront of interdicting these vessels. The Colombian navy said some cartels are allocating increasing resources to the development of new smuggling technology. Several decades ago, Samsonite suitcases and underwear refashioned with hidden pockets enabled upstart smugglers to carry drugs across borders. Today, narco-subs are at the cutting edge of smuggling technology. The Colombian navy has collected a small group of narco-subs and boats at Málaga. They resemble speedboats with their roofs removed, more than any images you might conjure from "The Hunt for Red October," and most of them aren't engineered to be fully submersible. But despite being built off the grid, having a ramshackle appearance, and occasionally malfunctioning at sea, narco-subs are increasingly used by traffickers to carry millions of dollars of illicit cargo, while evading some of the world's most technologically advanced military equipment. See the rest of Colombian narco-subs at Motherboard.tv . It is unknown how many narco-subs have been deployed. The ones caught so far by the Colombian navy each sports a slightly different shape and set of features -- at least from the outside. But in the dark and musty interior of two semisubmersibles, their shared purpose is clear: to carry illicit cargo, a small crew of men, and enough gasoline for a journey that could last several weeks. What the vessels do not include, said officials, is a bathroom. Miguel Angel Montoya helped spearhead the construction of semisubmersibles for drug smuggling prior to leaving the trade. "At the beginning, in the times of Pablo Escobar, it was common for planes to leave Colombia and land on clandestine strips in the U.S. or Mexico. Later, that was difficult. ... Innovations in drug trafficking come when the situation hits a crisis state," said Montoya. One of his last designs was the "torpedo," an unmanned submersible towed behind another boat on the surface and outfitted with a radio-controlled recovery system in the event the navy captured it. Having temporarily discarded the evidence, the crew could later recover its cargo and continue its journey. The "torpedo" represents the height of narco-sub innovation as it was known five years ago. Who knows what might be crawling under the ocean's surface today. This piece was created in partnership with Dell for Motherboard.tv -- VBS.TV staff .
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Colombian traffickers using homemade submarines to transport drugs .
Drug cartels allocating more resources to development of new smuggling methods .
VBS gets access to a naval base at the forefront of finding and intercepting the vessels .
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TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran's moderate former president will not challenge President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the upcoming presidential election, the state-run Fars news agency said Monday. Mohammad Khatami, in a photo from February, will not run for president of Iran, the state news agency says. Mohammad Khatami said last month that he would run in June, ending weeks of speculation, the state-run IRNA news agency reported February 8. But he now says he will instead support moderate candidate Mir Hossein Moussavi, Fars reported Monday. Moussavi is a former prime minister. Before Khatami declared his candidacy last month, he had said either he or Moussavi would run as the reformist candidate to challenge Ahmadinejad, a hardliner. Khatami said he will soon make an official statement regarding his withdrawal. Analysts said when Khatami announced his candidacy that he had the best chance as a reformist candidate to unseat the current president. Khatami overwhelmingly won the presidency in 1997, raising hopes that the reformist movement would bring religious and democratic freedoms to the Islamic republic. But the real power in Iran rests in the hands of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khatami, who left office in 2005, was unable to make major changes because of opposition from hardline elements in Iran's clerical establishment. In 2006, Khatami visited the United States, becoming the highest-ranking Iranian official to visit the country since the 1979 revolution that brought the Islamic government to power. He has condemned terrorism and said he regretted the taking of American hostages by Iranian students in support of the revolution. Meanwhile, Ahmadinejad has been campaigning for re-election since Day One of his presidency in 2005. His frequent and well-publicized visits to Iran's provinces are part of an effort to reach out to the Iranian people. He has doled out financial aid to the poor in his dozens of visits across the country and recently more than doubled the salaries of government employees and retirees' pensions. Ahmadinejad has the support of Iran's supreme leader and the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps. But the downturn in the global economy -- particularly the falling price of oil -- could still hurt the incumbent president's chances for re-election and he may need a strong turnout at the polls to secure a victory. CNN's Shirzad Bozorgmehr contributed to this report.
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Mohammad Khatami reportedly said last month he'd run in June elections .
Now he throws support behind Mir Hossein Moussavi, state news agency reports .
Both are moderates, would like to oust hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad .
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei still holds the real power in Iran .
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Britain’s worst mass poisoning of modern times may have left six children from one family with lifelong disabilities. The Matta family live near Camelford, North Cornwall, where a huge quantity of aluminium sulphate poisoned the water supply 26 years ago. And of the seven children in the family, six have disabilities. Plight: The Matta children (top row left-right) Louie, two, Katie, 10, Sofie, 11, holding baby D'Arcy, 12 weeks, and Luke, six. Front row (left-right) Harry, four, and Olivia, eight . Last month, a Mail on Sunday special report revealed that three deaths have been linked to the incident. And now, Christopher Exley, a professor in bioinorganic chemistry at Keele University, who has investigated the deaths, has been contacted by Sarah Matta and her husband Paul who believe their family has been blighted by the poisoning. The incident happened in July 1988 when a relief tanker driver accidentally dumped 20 tons of aluminium sulphate – a chemical used to keep drinking water clear – directly into the water supply instead of into a storage tank at Camelford’s Lowermoor water treatment works. As a ten-year-old, Sarah unwittingly drank the heavily contaminated water. Christopher Exley, a professor in bioinorganic chemistry at Keele University, is investigating the deaths . The eldest of the couple’s children, Sophie, 11, was born 15 years after the event. The youngest affected child, Louie, is two. For years the couple have struggled to understand why their children – two of whom use wheelchairs – have problems including delayed development, anxiety issues, speech problems and possible autism. In 2012, a blood test found that Mrs Matta had aluminium levels in her blood 20 times higher than normal. Professor Exley said: ‘Could that impact on her children? It could. ‘Aluminium is toxic. Studies in animals show that if you feed mothers aluminium in the water supply, the offspring will exhibit developmental problems.’ He fears hundreds of children born . since 1988 to the 20,000 people estimated to have drunk the contaminated . water could also be at risk. He . said: ‘Everybody wants to know if there are people who were affected at . the time who still have higher than normal levels of aluminium in . their bodies. 'If they have had children since then, there’s a chance those children have been affected as well.’ Mrs . Matta, 36, has not visited Camelford since 1998 – even though she lives . just a short drive away in Bodmin. She said: ‘I have nothing against . the people, but it holds so many unhappy memories for me.’ Six . of her children – Sophie, 11; Katie, ten; Olivia, eight; Luke, six; . Harry, four; and Louie, two – have a condition called Ehlers-Danlos . Syndrome (EDS). A relief tanker driver in Camelford (pictured) accidentally dumped 20 tons of aluminium sulphate - used to keep drinking water clear - into the water supply instead of a storage tank at Lowermoor waterworks in 1988 . The type they have means their joints bend too much and can dislocate with ease. They also suffer fatigue and joint pain. The couple’s youngest child, D’arcy, who was born in February, is too young to be assessed. Mrs Matta said they were speaking out so others did not ‘suffer in silence’. Prof Exley said: ‘If you look at these cases, it starts to look like Camelford has produced a number of incredible one-offs. ‘The situation with the Matta family fits that pattern quite well.’ Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
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Matta family live near North Cornwall town hit by aluminium sulphate poison .
Six of seven children disabled, family believe 1988 incident was the cause .
Mother unwittingly drank contaminated water at the age of 10, they reveal .
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(CNN) -- South Korea will stage its first Formula One grand prix in 2010, motorsport's governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), announced on Monday. Work is in progress at the 5.6km site of the future South Korean Grand Prix in Yeongam county. The 19-race season will open in Bahrain on March 14 and the final race will take place in Brazil. After missing out on staging a grand prix in 2009, Canada will return to the circuit in 2010 with a June 13 date if agreement could be reached with Formula One Management which holds the sport's commercial rights. If that is not completed then the Turkish Grand Prix will be moved back one week to the June 6 slot. South Korea is spending millions of dollars on a track in Yeongam county and officials are confident the Korean Grand Prix, set for October 17, will quickly make its mark. Work is in progress at the 5.6km site, 320km south of Seoul, where seating to accommodate 135,000 spectators is being built. Organizers say the main circuit will include Asia's longest straight stretch of 1.2km which will allow speeds of up to 320km per hour. Seoul has hosted the Olympic Games, the Asian Games and a football World Cup, but never a Formula One race, despite a major domestic auto industry. The 19-race schedule for the 2010 Formula One championship which gets under way in Bahrain on March 14: . March 14, Bahrain Grand Prix . March 28, Australian Grand Prix . April 4, Malaysian Grand Prix . April 18, Chinese Grand Prix . May 9, Spanish Grand Prix . May 23, Monaco Grand Prix . May 30, Turkish Grand Prix . June 13, Canadian Grand Prix ** . June 27, European Grand Prix at Valencia, Spain . July 11, British Grand Prix . July 25, German Grand Prix . August 1, Hungarian Grand Prix . August 29, Belgian Grand Prix . September 12, Italian Grand Prix . September 26, Singapore Grand Prix . October 3, Japanese Grand Prix . October 17, South Korean Grand Prix . October 31, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix . November 14, Brazilian Grand Prix . ** Subject to the completion of contract negotiations with Formula One Management. If these are not completed then the Turkish Grand Prix will be moved to June 6 .
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South Korea will stage its first Formula One grand prix in 2010, FIA announce .
The Korean Grand Prix is set for October 17 in a 19-race Formula 1 calendar .
Season opens in Bahrain on March 14 and the final race takes place in Brazil .
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(CNN) -- Does the best transport technology come from outside the U.S.? That was the question pondered at the FutureCast event last month. Guests from around the world were invited to guarantee that the conversation would not be too Silicon Valley centric. Frost & Sullivan Chairman David Frigstad argued at the debate that much of the best innovation in transportation has come from outside the U.S. and even predicted that the building of what he called "a collision proof mobility system" would most likely be realized outside the United States. "Other countries will probably get there first," Frigstad predicted of this kind of large-scale transportation project, "because some other leader will recognize this as an opportunity to revolution their economy." Read more: Self-driving cars hit the road . As an example of non-American innovation, Frigstad spoke particularly highly about the work of Shai Agassi, the Israeli creator of the electric vehicle network Better Place which, he noted, is "far ahead" of anything created in the U.S. But even Better Place pales in comparison to Songo, a $35 billion Korean city of the future built from the ground up. As Bernard Moon, co-founder and general partner of the Korean-American venture fund Spark Labs noted, Songo is "basically a transportation lab where they are experimenting with various kinds of car sharing to bike sharing to water taxis and intelligent highways. Just everything." Well perhaps not quite everything. Absent from the $35 billion Korean city of the future are flying cars. But flying cars do actually exist. As Peter Laanan, International Trade Director at Netherlands Business Support Office, explained, they are being developed by a Dutch start-up, Pal-V. "You need a helicopter license to drive that thing," Laanan said about the Pal-V flying car. Read more: Transporation confronts its "Kodak moment" But perhaps the strangest transportation innovation we learnt about at FutureCast comes from Russia. As Steve Lefever, who heads up Frost & Sullivan's Russian office, explained, car sharing exists in Moscow but with a twist. "In Moscow you just wave down a car and they take you somewhere," Lefever told the FutureCast audience about a Russian version of the American car sharing network Sidecar. "What's the business model?" I asked him. "There is no business model," he said. Lefever explained about this truly collaborative Muscovite ride-sharing phenomenon: "It is individuals driving around finding individuals who need a place to go.
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Countries around the world are innovating to create new modes of transportation .
From car sharing schemes and smart cities to flying cars, many possibilities within reach .
Many progressive ideas come from outside of the U.S.
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f94b8c82df0ffb4bf603881b5066540064758846
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Shake-up: A review ordered by Education Secretary Michael Gove (above) says children should be made to study history and geography to improve standards . Pupils may be forced to study history and geography until they are 16 under plans for a shake-up of the national curriculum. An independent review ordered by Education Secretary Michael Gove called for the move yesterday as part of a wider drive to address concerns that England’s schools are falling behind the rest of the world. A separate report yesterday warned of a sharp decline in history teaching, with 159 schools not entering a single pupil for a GCSE in the subject last year. Recent studies have exposed a shocking ignorance about history among school-leavers. One found that half of all 18 to 24-year-olds did not know Nelson led the British to victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, with a similar proportion unaware that the Romans built Hadrian’s Wall. Under the proposals, all pupils in England would be required to study history, geography, a foreign language, design and technology and the arts until at least 16, even if they are not planning to take a GCSE in them. At present pupils can drop these subjects at 14. An expert panel appointed by Mr Gove found that the curriculum in England narrows earlier than in countries with more successful education systems, where pupils are required to study key subjects such as history for longer. As a result, many youngsters are ‘deprived of access to powerful forms of knowledge and experience at a formative time in their lives’, the panel said. Gaps in knowledge: Under the proposals, teenagers would have to study history, geography, a foreign language, design and technology and the arts until at least 16 even if they don't sit the GCSE . A move to make these subjects compulsory would tie in with the Government’s new English Baccalaureate, awarded to pupils who gain at least five Cs at GCSE in English, maths, science, history or geography and a foreign language. Tory MP Chris Skidmore, vice-chairman of the all-party history group, warned that the decline in history teaching had potentially far-reaching consequences. Mr Skidmore, who will use a Commons debate today to call for history to be made compulsory, said: ‘At the moment we are the only country in Europe, apart from Albania, that allows children to finish history at 14. Warning: MP Richard Skidmore will use a commons debate today to call for history to be made compulsory . ‘There are dozens of schools where not a single pupil is studying history beyond that point. ‘Yet history is a subject that binds us as a nation. Having a common understanding of the past helps us to create a more coherent and tolerant society.’ Mr Skidmore said the subject was becoming increasingly confined to the most academic schools, particularly in the south. Yesterday’s proposals are part of wider reforms designed to boost England’s competitiveness by improving the curriculum. Other suggestions include requiring children to learn their times tables at a younger age. n Scruffy teachers should be ordered to smarten up, the incoming head of Ofsted said yesterday. Sir Michael Wilshaw said teachers should set an example and dress in a ‘professional’ manner. He added: ‘I think it’s patronising to children for staff to dress poorly.’
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Aims to address fears that standards are falling behind rest of the world .
Nearly 160 schools failed to enter a single pupil for GCSE history last year .
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