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By . Peter Allen . and Arthur Martin . and Nick Fagge . The British girl left for dead after the French Alps massacre only saw one ‘bad man’, police said yesterday. Zainab Al-Hilli, seven, returned to the UK yesterday, eight days after she was shot in the shoulder and beaten around the head. Last night a source close to the investigation said: ‘She told us there was only one killer, who she called a bad man.’ Recovery: Zainab Al-Hilli, 7, whose parents and grandmother were murdered in their car is to stay in a secret location near London . This is likely to mean that he reloaded at least once as he carried out the terrible bloodbath. Doctors who treated her in Grenoble said she suffered brain injuries and could lose sight in one eye. However they have been surprised by the speed of her recovery and allowed her to leave hospital with two relatives and British police officers at 8am yesterday. The news comes as it was revealed . that police are looking for for a black Mitsubishi Pajero with British . number plates in relation to shooting. The car is believed to have been seen in the area around Lake Annecy where the killings took place. 'It's crucial that we find this car,' said a prosecuting source. It was also revealed that the driver of the Mitsubishi ‘had dark complexion and looked nervous’. Zainab Al-Hilli, seven, was considered well enough to travel back to the UK and the party left with . Zainab due to be cared for at a secret location. She . was orphaned in the horrific attack which saw her father Saad Al-Hilli, . 50, killed alongside his wife Ikbal, 47, and his mother-in-law Suhaila . Al-Allaf, 74, as they sat in a BMW close to Lake Annecy, eastern France. Zainab was found . staggering around outside the car by Brett Martin, a former RAF man who . cycled towards the bloodbath by chance on September 5th. Police are looking for the driver of a black Mitsubishi Pajero believed to have been seen around the scene of the killings near Lake Annecy . She had been pistol-whipped around the . head, suffering multiple facial injuries that caused two subdural . hematomas and a fractured orbital bone. A subdural hematoma is a traumatic brain injury which can be life threatening, while the orbital bone surrounds the eyes. Doctors at the University Hospital in Grenoble, where Zainab was . originally put in an induced coma to help her recover, today gave her . the ‘green light’ to go home. ‘It . was considered beneficial that Zainab returns to a familiar place,’ said an investigating source. ‘She left for the UK shortly after 8am’. Zainab Al-Hilli was kept in the CHU Hospital in Grenoble before returning to the UK . Zainab’s injuries were not only further evidence of the cruelty shown by the criminal responsible, but suggest that Zaibad will have very little to offer detectives when she eventually gives an official witness statement. ‘She was beaten around the face with great force, and then shot in the shoulder – the trauma was immense,’ said another source. ‘She’s already indicated that she remembers very little about any of it.’ Police know Zainab was outside the BMW car in which her three relatives were killed, and in which her sister Zeena, four, hid. Zeena saw nothing, and will not be an official witness in the enquiry having escaped unscathed, but Zainab’s testimony remains crucial. It was filmed inside her hospital room, but there were no direct questions – everything was left open-ended and general. This was to stimulate the memory of a little girl whose life was shattered. Police said they have learnt ‘some information’ from Zainab, but British police also intend to speak to her. There are still fears, however, that whoever was responsible for the crime may want to harm both surviving girls – hence the on-going need for security around them. French cyclist Sylvain Mollier, a 45-year-old father of three, also died in the massacre.
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Seven-year-old Zainab Al-Hilli spoke to investigators after being considered well enough to travel back to UK .
She was sent back with two family members an will be kept at a secret location .
Police on the hunt for a black Mitsubishi Pajero with British number plates .
The car was believed to have been seen around Lake Annecy, where the killings took place .
Her testimony, filmed inside the hospital in Grenoble, remains crucial .
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(CNN) -- Former rebels in the Central African Republic killed almost 1,000 in a two-day rampage earlier this month, Amnesty International said, as together with Human Rights Watch it warned of a surge in sectarian violence. War crimes and crimes against humanity are being committed in the country, Amnesty International said. "Crimes that have been committed include extrajudicial executions, mutilation of bodies, intentional destruction of religious buildings such as mosques, and the forced displacement of massive numbers of people," said Christian Mukosa, Amnesty International's Central Africa expert. The country has seen violence and chaos since the Muslim-backed Seleka militia and other rebel groups from the marginalized northeast seized the capital Bangui in March. President Francios Bozize fled to Cameroon, and Michel Djotodia, who had been one of the Seleka leaders, made himself President. Djotodia later officially disbanded the Seleka, but as many as 15,000 kept their arms and instead continued to wreak havoc in Bangui and elsewhere. They mainly targeted Christian communities, which in turn formed their own vigilante group, the anti-balaka (literally "anti-machete"). Anti-balaka forces staged an early morning attack in the capital on December 5, going door to door in some neighborhoods and killing approximately 60 Muslim men, Amnesty International said. De facto government forces, known as ex-Seleka, retaliated against Christians, killing nearly 1,000 men over a two-day period, according to the rights group. A small number of women and children also were killed. In a statement, Amnesty International called for the deployment of a "robust" U.N. peacekeeping force, with a mandate to protect civilians, and enough resources to do so effectively. "The continuing violence, the extensive destruction of property, and the forced displacement of the population in Bangui are feeding enormous anger, hostility and mistrust," said Mukosa. "There can be no prospect of ending the cycle of violence until the militias are disarmed and there is proper and effective protection for the thousands of civilians at risk in the country. Residential neighborhoods must be made safe as an urgent priority in order to allow people to go back to their homes and resume their normal lives." Violence in Bossangoa . In a separate report, Human Rights Watch cited a surge in violence around the northern town of Bossangoa since September, adding concerned countries should immediately bolster the African Union peacekeeping force in the country and support efforts by France to protect civilians. In the report, Human Rights Watch said Christian militias attacked Muslim communities, cutting the throats of children while forcing parents to watch. Muslim groups retaliated, setting fire to Christian homes and killing their occupants with the apparent approval of commanders present, Human Rights Watch said. The recent violence has created a humanitarian crisis. Both sides have burned down large swathes of villages in the norhtern Ouham province, the rights group said, adding relief workers have found it difficult to provide assistance, particularly emergency medical aid, as aid workers have also been the targets of attacks. "The brutal killings in the Central African Republic are creating a cycle of murder and reprisal that threatens to spin out of control," said Peter Bouckaert, emergencies director at Human Rights Watch and author of the report. "The UN Security Council needs to act quickly to bring this evolving catastrophe to a halt." The Central African Republic is about the size of France and a country rich in resources, including diamonds, gold, timber and ivory. The former French colony has rarely seen political stability or economic growth in the 53 years since it gained independence. CNN's Susanna Capelouto and Dana Ford contributed to this report.
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NEW: Human Rights Watch report documents surge in violence around the northern town of Bossangoa .
Amnesty International says war crimes and crimes against humanity are being committed .
Amnesty International calls for the deployment of a "robust" U.N. peacekeeping force .
The violence is fueling "enormous anger, hostility and mistrust," says one expert .
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A few weeks is nothing in the context of the ancient existence of the Amazon's Awa-Guaja people, but in his short time one photographer managed to capture the everyday life of a tribe considered the most endangered in the world. Daniel Rodrigues created a breathtaking collection of images depicting the beauty and brutality of their troubled existence. The Awa-Guaja tribes are critically under threat from loggers and grazing farmers keen to decimate their pocket of the vast Brazilian rainforest and through desperation have only in recent decades come out of their centuries of avoiding contact with westerners - some remain uncontacted by white people. Kiby (face obscured), of the Awa-Guaja tribe in the Brazilian Amazon, carries a red jaguar on her back after a hunt in the rainforest . Awa-Guaja hunter Aiwxa'a brandishes a stick while a red puma refuses to give up the fight after be hit by two bullets from a shotgun . Photographer Daniel Rodrigues got remarkable access to the daily life of the tribe, and was forced to communicate via hand gestures . Senior hunters Jakare and Majhuxa'a stand with stern faces and shot guns after successfully hunting down a monkey for their family . An intimate family moment captured by Rodrigues as uoung mother Panapinuhum breastfeeds her son Arywi in the river Caru . In a scene that could be from anywhere in the world, Piraima'a washes clothes in the river as children bath around him . The French-born photographer, based in Portugal, travels the world to snap incredible black and white and colour images, documenting them on his site DanielRodriguesPhoto.com, but had never come across a tribe so untouched by modern life before. While their nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle requires a level of bravery and enterprise many westerners will never comprehend, Portugal-based Rodrigues found a friendly and welcoming people despite needing to rely on hand gestures for communication. The tribe, which numbers around 350 people, first adopted a nomadic lifestyle to avoid confrontations with invading Europeans and have successfully lived in the Amazon ever since. His journey to the eastern Amazon in the wet season last year saw Rodrigues join hunting missions in dense foliage for periods that would equate to a day and half of office work for a westerner. The tribes people hunted indigenous red puma, Capuchin monkey and other land animals, and fished their plentiful rivers for fish and poraque (electric eels) for their fully self-sustained existence that they are in serious danger of losing without help in their battle against loggers. With the ultimate playground at their disposal, some would say, the kids of the Awa-Guaja tribe play in the river Juriti in the village Tiracambu . Hakoain is only a recent discovery for the outside world having connected 10 years ago - she stands with her son Mayra . Young boy Aparyta stands comfortably with a native monkey he keeps as a pet asleep on his head - the tribe also hunt monkeys for food . Muturuhum draws back his bow and arrow. While having limited access to guns, in many cases the tribe prefers traditional hunting methods . Majhuxa'a prefers a fire to cook food on the move during a day of hunting - no firelighters here . Pytyra pokes his head out the door of her house, made from leaves and branches found in the forest, in the village Guaja . Little Ariwa decides this carves canoe is the best place to take a nap in the village Juriti in the eastern Amazon . In some rare good news for the tribes, Survival International reported in April last year that the Awá and their supporters celebrated the Brazilian government's move to send in troops to remove illegal loggers from Awá land. The military intervention in the states of Para and Maranhao is just the beginning though with the Amazon such an incredibly vast area that is tough to defend. Young, strong and toned, Marimy looks at peace as he takes a bath in the river near the village Guajá in Alto Turiacu . With the face of a life well lived, Takwarexa'a is one of the elderly residents of the Awa Guaja indigenous tribe in the village of Juriti . Sabia, seemingly without a care in the world, plays with the overhanging vines in the river Igarapa in the village Tiracamba . The greatest threat to the ancient tribes of the Awa-Guaja is loggers, who have resorted to violence in their bid to decimate the forest . Aparyta and Hemokoma'a survey the damage inflicted by loggers on their land that the Brazil government is now trying to help protect . Worth protecting, a view up into the canopy of the Maranhao state's rainforest that belongs to the Awa-Guaja people . On the hunt, Arawata runs armed with a spear after seeing an animal in the jungle as he looks to help provide for his family . After six hours of walking, Rodrigues says Muturuhum saw a monkey and tried to kill it with his arrow . A capuchin monkey down lays dead on the forest floors after a successful hunting mission for the Awa-Guaja . As the sun sets on another day, little girl Iwapanya plays by a tree with a friend in the village Tiracambu . Pirama'a fishing for poraque in a still body of water - the fish would be better know to English speakers electric eels . Awa-Guaja woman Amypirawaja cooks in her home in the village Juriti - her name translates into 'mother fish' Muturuhum, one of the older hunters in the Awa-Guaja tribe, smiles for Rodrigues' camera during a day of hunting . An Awa-Guaja tribesman's strong left arm holds their traditional bow and arrow during a hunting expedition . The Awa-Guaja traverse the forest floor of the Amazon with bare feet and minimal clothing . Little Yoxa'a wanders among the chickens, a farmed source of sustenance for the Awa-Guaja in the village of Juriti . Daniel's work with the Awa-Guaja was rewarded with an honourable mention in last year's Moscow International Photo Awards, in which he also came second for his photo essay 'Rapa das Bestas' about horse wrestlers in Spain. In 2013, he won the World Press Photo Daily Life category with a image of footballers in Guinea Bissau.
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The Brazilian Amazon's Awa-Guaja people are under threat from loggers and farmers wanting land .
Photographer Daniel Rodrigues breathtakingly captures their lives in beautiful and confronting images .
Scenes he captures include a snarling red puma while hunting and stunning shots of children at play .
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(CNN) -- Opposition fighters are celebrating success in Syria's north but enduring squalor in and around Damascus, where government forces are cutting off food and medical supplies, a rebel leader said Saturday. Syrian rebels chipped away at President Bashar al-Assad's air power Saturday in Idlib province, where 800 fighters pummeled Taftanaz air base for the fourth day with anti-aircraft guns and tanks. Amid fighting, Al-Assad plans to deliver a speech Sunday on the latest developments in Syria and the region, state news said. Rebels have taken control of 70% of the Taftanaz heliport, rebel leader Capt. Islam Aloush said from Damascus. Militia members killed the head of the base, he said. "There are still about 30 snipers and a few dozen regime forces, but the fight is closing in on them." Al-Assad's forces use the base mainly to launch helicopter attacks on nearby towns. Syrian warplanes dropped cluster bombs on Taftanaz in a raid that led to the destruction of several buildings, the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria said Saturday. Since the rebel push on Taftanaz began, government forces have exacted retribution on the nearby city of Binnish, where amateur video posted on the Internet has shown dozens of smoke plumes marking where ordnance has struck. What's next for Syria in 2013? Aloush said his Liwaa Islam militia and other groups want to target the many military bases in Idlib "to minimize the reach of the regime's warplanes." Opposition and government sources report that the extremist al-Nusra Front, which the United States has designated as a terrorist group, is taking part in the assault on Taftanaz. As al-Assad has lost some ground in the far north, he has tried to maintain the reach of his firepower by launching long-range Scud missiles at towns near Turkey's border. U.S. troops began arriving Friday to operate Patriot missile defense batteries, deployed to intercept any Scuds that might cross into Turkey from Syria. Farther south in the Damascus suburbs, government forces have been cutting off food and, in particular, medical supplies for weeks, Aloush said. "They have sometimes resorted to field executions when they find people smuggling in syringes and other basic medical items," he said. Rebels depend on the medical supply lines because they have to treat the wounded in safe locations inside the country. It is too difficult to evacuate them from the country, he said. Government forces target bakeries, reducing food supplies, he said, and ammunition and money are dwindling. "When we are not taking over regime military posts, we are not getting enough ammo to fight the security forces," he said. In Syria, school opens to displaced children . Other opposition groups have also reported the government ratcheting up the battle in the capital. In Daraya, south of Damascus, 1,000 of Aloush's men and other revolutionaries are holding out against a weeks-long offensive by the government, which wants to take the town back. "Daraya is strategically located near very sensitive security buildings and military bases," Aloush said. Syria's opposition still feels deserted by the international community. In an open letter Friday, Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, head of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, implored the U.N. Security Council and world leaders to take action. "Our people are subjected to genocide and our country is being destroyed as the international silence is only encouraging the regime to commit more crimes against humanity," he wrote. "Halting massacres in Syria is an international obligation everyone should bear responsibility for." The overall death toll in Syria has surpassed 60,000 people, the United Nations says. At least 79 people were killed in Syria on Saturday, the LCC said, including 35 in Damascus and its suburbs. Eighteen people were killed in Idlib on Saturday, the group said. CNN cannot independently confirm government or opposition reports out of Syria, as the government has restricted access by journalists.
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NEW: At least 79 people killed Saturday, opposition group says .
Rebels go after government air bases one by one in the north .
Syrian troops cut off food, medicine and ammunition to rebels in Damascus .
Al-Assad plans to deliver a speech on Sunday .
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By . Simon Tomlinson . PUBLISHED: . 07:22 EST, 11 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:54 EST, 12 March 2013 . Political pawn: Lingerie model Louise Cole (pictured) was unwittingly touted as a 'nurse' on a Lib Dem website boasting tax cuts for 'ordinary workers' A pretty nurse touted as an 'ordinary worker' on a Lib Dem website has been uncovered as an underwear model who once stood against them. Lingerie model Louise Cole is seen dressed in a nurse's outfit and carrying a clipboard under a headline boasting a '£600 tax cut for every ordinary worker in the country'. But the ordinary 'health professional' has been uncovered as stunning underwear model Louise who stood against the Lib Dems for the Miss Great Britain Party. Sexy Louise, 34, stood in the Henley by-election promising 'to make Westminster sexy not sleazy'. The Wonderbra model was yesterday unaware her nurse's outfit shoot was being used by Nick Clegg's party to boast about helping the 'ordinary worker'. Louise said: 'I did a modelling job as a nurse and they must have used a picture from that.' But stunning Louise, who models for the luxury lingerie labels Gossard and Berlei, admits she could never make it as a nurse. 'I don't think that is for me, I'm not very good with gore and blood,' she said. Louise, of Chichester, Sussex, stood against the Lib Dems in 2008 for the Miss Great Britain Party. She said the minority party - made up of candidates who had previously stood in the beauty pageant - was 'a good, fun, experience' but the Westminster political life was not for her. 'There are other things I would rather do,' the successful underwear and swimwear model said. Political opponents last night branded the gaffe an embarrassment for the Lib Dems, who are currently in the middle of their party conference in Brighton. 'Embarrassing gaffe': Louise is seen dressed in a nurse's outfit and carrying a clipboard under a headline boasting a '£600 tax cut for every ordinary worker in the country' Up front: Louise stood in the Henley by-election promising 'to make Westminster sexy not sleazy' Labour MP for Newport East Jessica Morden said: 'That the Lib Dems struggle to find real people willing to endorse them is of no surprise, given how quickly they betrayed their principles at the prospect of power. 'With form for dressing up staff in costumes to use as endorsers in the past, this is another embarrassing gaffe from an increasingly out of touch party.' In 2010 a Lib-Dem member of staff was caught out posing as a nurse in a party election leaflet. It showed Cardiff North candidate John Dixon talking to a woman wearing a nurse's uniform - who turned out to be a female party official in an outfit. The Liberal Democrats yesterday played down the incident. A spokesman said: 'Nurses, models, teachers, workers on low and middle incomes, Labour supporters, Lib Dems and even the Tories will have £600 taken off their income tax bill every year thanks to what the Lib Dems are doing in government. 'We want to create a stronger economy and a fairer society and our income tax policy is helping over a million workers in Wales.'
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Louise Cole, 34, shown in nurse's outfit under headline boasting tax cuts for 'every ordinary worker'
Claims picture was taken from a shoot when she modelled as a nurse .
She was unaware it had been used to trumpet Liberal Democrat policies .
Stood in by-election promising to make Westminster 'sexy, not sleazy'
Labour MP: 'Embarrassing gaffe from an increasingly out-of-touch party'
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LONDON, England (CNN) -- London's Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew recently opened an attraction that gives visitors the chance to walk among the treetops and examine tree canopies from a new perspective. The walkway at Kew is designed to give visitors a new perspective on trees. The Xstrata Treetop Walkway, which opened at the end of May, is the latest design from London Eye architects Marks Barfield. Rising to a height of 18 meters and stretching across 200 meters, visitors can walk between 50 of Kew's mature broad-leafed trees. The walkway can be found in the woodland area designed by 18th-century landscape gardener Capability Brown. Constructed from 12 steel trusses connected to 10 circular "node" platforms, the weathered steel chosen for the project already blends beautifully with the natural environment. The architects describe the end result as "a surprisingly natural, 'bark-like' texture." Tony Kirkham, head of RBG Kew's arboretum and project manager for the Xstrata Treetop Walkway, said, "As a trained arborist, I have had the privilege of being up in the tree canopy; experiencing trees at height and birds and other wildlife from a completely different perspective. It's fantastic that we are able to give visitors the same experience." In what has been designated "Year of the Tree" at Kew, Kirkham hopes that giving visitors a new perspective on the trees will help them understand the importance of nurturing them.
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London's Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew opens treetop walkway .
Visitors afforded bird's eye view of previously unreachable canopy .
Kew hopes new attraction will help people understand need to nurture trees .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 19:54 EST, 17 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 19:56 EST, 17 March 2014 . Train passengers were astonished when the conductor told them to ‘beware of gipsies’ as they pulled in to a station. The London Midland service was stopping in Shropshire on Saturday when the announcer said: ‘Now approaching Telford Central. Beware of gipsies and pickpockets.’ Many passengers and residents reacted with disgust at the offensive comments. The conductor of a London Midland service warned people of 'gipsies' at Telford Central station (file image) Father-of-three Mark Peaker, 47, from Telford, said: ‘I couldn’t believe what I was hearing – they have not only used a derogatory term they have managed to offend an entire town. 'Somebody in a professional role should not be insulting places while they are working. 'I’m all for them having a sense of humour but this was not funny at all and I hope he is disciplined.’ The Gipsy Council today called for the matter to be taken up with the police and branded the remarks racist. Residents of Telford (pictured) blasted the conductor for using a derogatory term and offending the town . Bill Kerswell, a spokesman for the council, said: 'This is unlawful, it is a racist comment. 'It is the same as using any offensive word relating to homosexuals or people of colour. 'I would think it is a police matter and I hope they take it up and look into it.' A London Midland spokesman said the operator had been unaware of the incident but had launched an investigation, adding: ‘We do not tolerate any sort of comment of that kind made by anyone on our trains.’
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London Midland service warned passengers of 'gipsies' in Shropshire .
Conductor also told people 'beware pickpockets' at Telford Central station .
Gipsy Council have branded the comments 'racist' and 'unlawful'
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By . James Slack . Serial criminals with more than 100 convictions are routinely escaping with a slap on the wrist, it emerged yesterday. Extraordinary new figures reveal that in the past year alone, 1,079 of the country’s most prolific offenders were spared a jail term by courts. Soft justice is being handed out to criminals guilty of even some of the worst crimes. New figures reveal that in the past year alone, 1,079 of the country's most prolific offenders were spared jail . In one shocking case, a burglar being sentenced for his 65th offence was given another chance – despite having a history of crime stretching back 50 years. In total, 2,583 burglars with 15 or more previous convictions were let off with a fine or other community punishment last year. Similarly, 1,970 people found guilty more than 15 times of violence against the person also escaped prison. For all offences – including robbery and sex crimes – some 112,700 people with more than ten convictions avoided a jail sentence in 2013. Incredibly, this included 8,500 offenders who had already been punished on 50 previous occasions. The figures caused alarm in Whitehall and risk creating new tensions inside the legal system. A senior Government source said: ‘We have always been clear that prison is the right place for people who deserve to be there, and if that’s not where they are ending up, we have to make sure we know why not.’ Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said the figures underline why we have set about toughening the justice system . The research provides fresh confirmation of how Britain’s justice system is failing to rehabilitate the criminals responsible for the majority of crime in England and Wales. Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said: ‘These figures underline why we have set about toughening the justice system, including scrapping repeat cautions and make sure community sentences have a proper element of punishment. 'By the end of this Parliament we will have 3,000 more adult male prison places than we inherited in 2010, even though we have been dealing with severe financial pressures. 'It is also why we have made tackling reoffending a central part of our strategy for the criminal justice system.’ More than half a million crimes each year are committed by those who have broken the law before. 'But despite successive governments repeatedly tinkering with the justice system, reoffending rates have been largely static for a decade. Peter Cuthbertson, of the Centre For Crime Prevention think-tank, said it was ‘extremely dangerous’ to give soft sentences to prolific criminals. ‘Judges could have prevented a huge number of crimes by giving these hardened criminals longer sentences,’ he said. ‘Even after they are released, criminals who go to prison for two years or more reoffend less than those who get community service or a shorter sentence. ‘If judges think there isn’t the capacity to lock up more serious, repeat offenders, the answer is to build more prison places, not more soft justice.’ Reoffending is said to cost the country up to £13billion a year. Ministry of Justice figures show that the highest reoffending rates are for prisoners serving less than 12 months. At present they receive little or no support on release and 60 per cent quickly break the law again. From next year, those offenders will be put under mandatory supervision in the community for 12 months after release. Prisons minister Jeremy Wright admitted that there was a ‘persistent hardcore of offenders being recycled’ round the justice system. He said the Government was seeking to tackle reoffending by ‘transforming’ rehabilitation.
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Soft justice is being handed out to criminals guilty of worst crimes .
A burglar being sentenced for his 65th offence was given another chance .
Figures caused alarm in Whitehall and risk tensions inside legal system .
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f94ce06dada290ce7307bf894543da511e9b054e
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By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . George Osborne's cat Freya has been run over outside the gates of Downing Street. The Chancellor's pet was 'clipped' by a vehicle on Whitehall last night and has been rushed to a vets for treatment, MailOnline understands. The concerned Osborne family are waiting for news about the tabby, who has been left battered and bruised by the incident. George Osborne's pet cat Freya is being treated by vets after being struck by a vehicle outside Downing Street . News of the accident emerged on World Cat Day. Freya has gained a reputation for wandering far and wide from the family home in Downing Street. Mr Osborne bought the tabby for his children in 2009 when the family were living in Notting Hill, West London. But a few months later, she vanished. It was not until two years ago, having moved into Downing Street, that Mr Osborne’s wife Frances got a call telling her Freya had been found, apparently living as a stray. Last year it emerged her tendency to prowl the corridors of power had sparked suggestions she should be being used by foreign spies. It is thought she was trying to cross Whitehall last night when she was hit by a vehicle. The road stretches from Trafalgar Square, past Downing Street and down to Parliament Square and the Houses of Parliament. Last year Mr Osborne tweeted a picture of Freya ahead of his Budget, joking there were 'no rabbits in the red box this week - but there was a cat' Mr Osborne is said to be grateful for the help passers-by gave to Freya, and is hoping she will be allowed home soon . It is not thought her injuries are life-threatening, and family friends say they hope she will be allowed home this weekend. Mr Osborne has made clear he will be picking up all of the vet bills. Freya's tenure in Downing Street has been eventful. In 2012 she was pictured fighting with Larry, the cat belonging to David Cameron brought in to catch mice in Number 10. In May, the cat was chauffeur-driven back home after turning up frightened and lost in Vauxhall where she was found by homelessness outreach worker Kate Jones who identified her from the tag on her collar. Ms Jones, who works with Thames Reach's London Street Rescue, said she had lots of experience helping the homeless in London - but that it was the first time she had helped a cat find shelter. Freya spent the night on Ms Jones's pillow before being collected by Downing Street officials. She had somehow travelled south of the river and at least 1.5 miles before being found. Ms Jones later posted a picture of the cat with a note to remind Mr Osborne that while she had been given shelter for the night in this instance, most homeless people are not so fortunate. The Chancellor has built a reputation for being a keen animal lover. In addition to Freya, the Osborne's also have a dog, a young bichon frise named Lola. Shortly after bowing to demands from their children Luke and Liberty, Mr Osborne said there were 'some early issues with toilet training ... but we don't care. We love her'.
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The Chancellor's pet was injured in an accident on Whitehall last night .
She is being treated by vets but injuries not thought not be life-threatening .
Tabby has a reputation for wandering far and wide in Westminster .
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By . Emily Crane . The man convicted of bludgeoning a baby to death in his cot during a home burglary in Victoria two years ago has lodged an appeal against his life sentence. Harley Hicks, 21, was jailed for life last month after he broke into a Bendigo home in June 2012 and brutally bashed 10-month-old Zayden Veal-Whitting to death. Hicks, who was 19 at the time, offered no explanation during his trial in June for why he bashed the baby more than 30 times with a homemade baton during the marijuana and ice-fuelled robbery. Scroll down for video . Harley Hicks, who was jailed for life last month after brutally bashing 10-month-old Zayden Veal-Whitting to death, has applied to lodge an appeal against his sentence . He pleaded not guilty to the murder and his lawyers argued in court that his twin brother could not be excluded as a suspect. But a Victorian Supreme Court jury rejected the suggestion and found him guilty in April. Lawyers for Hicks applied on Wednesday to appeal his sentence in the state's Court of Appeal. In sentencing Hicks last month, Victorian Supreme Court Justice Stephen Kaye described the killing as a 'totally and utterly evil crime'. 10-month-old Zayden Veal-Whitting was struck more than 30 times with a homemade baton at his Bendigo home in June 2012 . Justice Kaye said he could not say for sure if Hicks had viciously snuffed out Zayden's cry in a bid to silence the baby during the robbery. 'At no stage of the trial could I detect from you any sign of remorse. Nor was there even the slightest indication by you of any pity or sympathy for the baby, whose life you had taken, or for his family, whose lives you have shattered,' he said last month. Hicks broke into the Bendigo home of Casey Veal and unplugged her son's baby's monitor before repeatedly striking Zayden. Hicks broke into the home of Zayden's mother Casey Veal (pictured) and unplugged her son's baby's monitor before repeatedly hitting Zayden . In sentencing Hicks last month, Victorian Supreme Court Justice Stephen Kaye said the killing of baby Zayden was a 'totally and utterly evil crime' The murder weapon, a homemade baton, was later discovered at Hick's home with his DNA on one end and Zayden's on the other. After his arrest, Hicks tried to blame the murder on another person and reportedly lied throughout investigations. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
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Harley Hicks, 21, was jailed for life last month for killing 10-month-old Zayden Veal-Whitting in June 2012 .
He broke into the Bendigo home and struck the baby 30 times with a baton .
Lawyers for Hicks applied on Wednesday to appeal his life sentence .
In sentencing Hicks, Justice Stephen Kaye described the murder as a 'totally and utterly evil crime'
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By . Associated Press . Hundreds of Tetris fans had a little fun Saturday with a big version of the classic video game. The Philadelphia skyscraper-sized version created a spectacle against the night sky that organizers hoped inspired onlookers and players to think about the possibilities of technology. The 29-story Cira Centre, which has hundreds of LED lights embedded in its glass facade, normally displays colorful geometric patterns at night. On Saturday, images of supersized shapes 'fell' on two sides of the mirrored tower as competitors used joysticks to maneuver them into place. Building blocks: The classic video game Tetris is played on the 29-story Cira Centre in Philadelphia, Saturday April 5 . It wasn't the first time Tetris has been played on a building. But the 100,000-square-foot 'screen' - which includes the north and south faces of the structure - could be a record. City resident Sam Robinson, 30, said he signed up on a whim for the lottery to play because he figured 'it would be cool to play the world's largest game of Tetris.' 'It has been probably 15 years since I played Tetris last on a Game Boy, and it's much different playing on the side of building that's a half-mile away,' he said. 'Everything's happening so quick.' Video game classic: The spectacle kicks off a citywide series of events called Philly Tech Week and also celebrates the upcoming 30th anniversary of Tetris . The classic video game Tetris is played on the 29-story Cira Centre in Philadelphia, Saturday, April 5, 2014, using hundreds of LED lights embedded in its glass facade. The spectacle kicks off a citywide series of events called Philly Tech Week and also celebrates the upcoming 30th anniversary of Tetris. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek) Longtime fans: Frank Lee (right) a Drexel University game-design professor, and game designer Henk Rogers play the classic video game Tetris on the 29-story Cira Centre in Philadelphia . The spectacle kicked off a citywide . series of events called Philly Tech Week. It also celebrated the . upcoming 30th anniversary of Tetris, a game revered as the epitome of . elegance and simplicity, said Frank Lee, an associate professor of . digital media at Drexel University. Lee, . a game designer who oversaw creation of the giant display, said putting . it on an office building was like making a huge virtual campfire. 'This . project began as a personal love letter to the games that I loved when I . was a child - Pong last year, Tetris this year. But it ended up as a . way of uniting the city of Philadelphia,' Lee told the crowd. Game fans: Hundreds watched as competitors played the popular puzzle game . Lee . already holds the Guinness World Record for the world's largest . architectural video game display for playing Pong on one side of the . Cira Centre last year. Pong, the granddaddy of all video games, is an . electronic version of paddleball developed by Atari in 1972. Tetris, . created by Russian computer programmer Alexey Pajitnov in 1984, . challenges players to rotate and arrange falling shapes into complete . rows. It became a global . phenomenon in the late 1980s after game designer Henk Rogers, who had . seen Tetris at a trade show in Las Vegas, acquired the rights and struck . a deal to put it on Nintendo's original Game Boy. Rogers, . who was among the players on Saturday in Philadelphia, said he can't . believe the longevity of Tetris, which decades later continues to . mesmerize players on more than 30 platforms. 'If . a game lasts a year, that's amazing,' said Rogers, now managing . director of The Tetris Co. 'They usually go out of style very quickly.' Rogers . said several new Tetris products and initiatives are planned for . release around its June 6 anniversary. He declined to discuss details.
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Winners of a special lottery played Tetris on Philadelphia's Cira Centre .
The 29-story Cira Centre was transformed into a gigantic game of Tetris Saturday night .
Competitors used joysticks to play the game .
The 100,000-square-foot 'screen' may could be a world record .
The spectacle kicked of Philly Tech Week and celebrated Tetris's 30th birthday .
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Manchester United hope to push through the signing of Thomas Vermaelen after the World Cup. Sportsmail understands that wage package has been agreed in principle between Vermaelen and United and the player is believed to be confident that a move will go through this summer. Sources close to the Belgian camp in Brazil indicate that the 28-year-old has been instructed by his advisors not to talk about the move publicly but there is an expectation that Vermaelen will be a Manchester United player when the Premier League season kicks off in August. VIDEO Scroll down for Thomas Vermaelen parades FA Cup and trains with Arsenal . On his bike: Thomas Vermaelen looks set to sign for Manchester United once Belgium's World Cup is over . Moving on: Vermaelen is keen to leave Arsenal and will earn around £100,000 a week at United . Vemaelen is in line for a significant pay rise at Old Trafford and he is expected to sign a deal that will edge him towards the £100,000-a-week bracket at United. His contract at Arsenal will expire in twelve months’ time and he has little to desire to remain at the Emirates Stadium while he remains behind Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny in the pecking order. Moving on: Vermaelen has been at Arsenal since 2009 . VIDEO Vermaelen could join Manchester United . United are understood to have been knocked back in an initial enquiry but it is expected that the clubs will agree a compromise fee in the region of £11million to take Vermaelen to Old Trafford once the Belgian’s involvement in the World Cup is over. United view Vermaelen as a pragmatic fit with Premier League experience to fill the vacuum that has been left following the departures of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at the end of last season.
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Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is set to move to Man Utd after 2014 World Cup .
Vermaelen set to move for a fee of around £11m .
Defender will earn £100,000-a-week at Manchester United .
Belgium international has been instructed by his advisors to not talk about the move publicly .
Arsenal captain lost his place in the side to Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker .
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Washington (CNN) -- Sen. John Cornyn, welcome to the club. The two-term Texas lawmaker is now the seventh Republican Senator up for re-election next year to face a primary challenge from his right. That club also includes the top Republican in the chamber, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Mike Enzi of Wyoming, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Pat Roberts of Kansas. If this seems like deja vu all over again, it is. Since the birth of the tea party movement in 2009, primary challenges from the right have made major headlines, and have hurt the GOP's efforts in the last two elections in their attempts win back control of the Senate from the Democrats. "Republicans effectively gave away five Senate seats the last two cycles because of candidates who weren't capable of winning in November," said Brian Walsh, who served as communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which provides support, advice and funding to Republican candidates, during the 2010 and 2012 cycles. Dems defending 21 seats . With Democrats holding a 55-45 majority in the Senate but defending 21 of the 35 Senate seats up for grabs in the 2014 midterms, the GOP has another opportunity to try and retake the chamber. But Walsh said that he doesn't see a repeat of what occurred in recent years even though a majority of Republican Senators running for re-election are facing primary challenges. "With the exception of perhaps Georgia, it's difficult to see that repeat itself even with the large number of primaries because many are not serious at this point. But Republicans have a tremendous opportunity to win back control of the Senate next year and it's a critical reminder to Republican primary voters that candidate quality matters," he told CNN. A top Senate Democratic official disagrees. "Republicans said they needed to rebrand and start reaching out to voters in the middle in order to win. They were right, but the primaries have prevented them from doing that. Instead, primaries are forcing all Republican candidates to embrace the tea party and a slate of policy positions that will hurt them in a general election," said Matt Canter, deputy executive director of the rival Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Six-term Sen. Cochran will run again in 2014 . While the jury's out on what will happen next November, the new round of primary challenges from candidates enjoying support from tea party activists appears to be proof that the movement continues to strongly influence the Republican Party, even after some political pundits prematurely wrote the tea party's obituary after 2012. Major player in primaries . Just as tea party backed lawmakers helped drive the unsuccessful push to defund the federal health care law, which helped to ignite the government shutdown in October, the group appears to once again be a major player when it comes to next year's primaries. "The tea party gave voice to millions of Americans who understandably viewed Washington as an insular town determined to serve its own. As that old model breaks down, conservative influence in Washington will continue to grow," said Dan Holler, communications director for Heritage Action for America, which supports conservative causes and legislation but does not back individual candidates in primary challenges. Cornyn faces challenge he tried hard to avoid . He becomes first GOP Senator to be challenged in a primary by a sitting member of Congress. GOP tries to deal with damage done with women . In this case, it's Rep. Steve Stockman, a conservative firebrand who served one term in the 1990s before winning a ticket back to the House in last year's election. Since returning to Capitol Hill, Stockman's grabbed headlines for his calls to impeach President Barack Obama. Tea Party activists have been angry with Cornyn since earlier this fall, when he didn't support fellow Texas Sen. Ted Cruz when he led the push to defund Obamacare with a marathon filibuster on the Senate floor. Cornyn told reporters on Tuesday that he's not surprised about the challenge, but that Stockman "wasn't on my radar screen." Kentucky governor: McConnell's Obamacare criticism will hurt him . While Stockman could find support among the ever increasingly conservative GOP electorate in Texas with its March primary just a few months off, he faces long odds against Cornyn, who has some $7 million cash on hand, compared to just $32,000 in the bank for Stockman. Large incumbent war chests . Cornyn, like McConnell, has built large war chests in order to beat back primary challenges. And both men have hired veterans of the tea party movement to run their re-election campaigns. "If you look at the two Republican incumbents who lost the last two cycles, arguably they didn't take their primaries seriously enough and weren't prepared. That's not the case this cycle where no one is taking anything for granted," Walsh added. Last year, Cruz upset Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who had establishment backing, to capture the GOP Senate nomination, before going on to win the Senate seat in the general election. Cornyn says he's learned some lessons from that and other recent contests. "I think Senator Cruz was unique in many ways because of his talents and the quality of the race he ran and the timing. So, I think one race does not a trend set but obviously there are lessons to be learned from that and believe me I've learned them," Cornyn said. CNN Congressional Producer Ted Barrett contributed to this report .
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Cornyn is the seventh Republican Senator facing a primary challenge from the right .
Democrats must defend 21 of the 35 Senate seats up for re-election in 2014 .
Strategists say earlier tea party backed challengers have hurt GOP .
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By . Matt Chorley . and Daniel Martin . Controversial: Deputy children's commissioner Sue Berelowitz said the 'model' of Asian men targeting white girls was just one of 'a number of models' The author of report into gang sex abuse today hit back at government criticism of her findings that there was no particular problem among Asian groups. The study by deputy children’s commissioner Sue Berelowitz came to the controversial conclusion, despite figures in her own report revealing that more than a quarter of perpetrators of gang-based child abuse known to the authorities are Asian. Senior Whitehall figures have branded the report 'hysterical' and 'highly emotional'. Last night a Government source said it . was ‘difficult to overstate the contempt’ with which ministers viewed . the report’s conclusions. And the NSPCC said the report exposed the danger of ‘turning a blind eye’ to the ethnicity of abusers. Miss Berelowitz said the ‘model’ of . Asian men targeting white girls was just one of ‘a number of models’, . and warned that if investigators concentrated on those patterns, victims . could fall through the net. And today she challenged ministers to take her report seriously, warning them it was a 'wake-up call'. 'This is a very calm, measured report,' she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'We have left out the most harrowing details, really shocking distressing stories that children have told us, that we have heard form police. I would say to the government: This is a wake up call. 'This is the most comprehensive pulling together of sexual abuse in England. They need to take it very seriously and show some leadership.' She denied that the problem of Asian men targeting white girls had been 'left out' of her report, but repeatedly insisted it 'is only one model' of abuse. She also appeared to blame police forces and councils for failing to collect information on the race and faith of perpetrators. Of the information, of the data sent to us by the police and local authorities about perpetrators, in six out of 10 cases there was no information available - the ethnicity and faith was not identified. 'Where children are falling through the net because people think it there is only one model of abuse this is a wake up call,' she added. 'We have heard evidence from the police forces that there are white males doing this across the country in fairly large numbers.' Dim light: Figures in the report state that out of 1,514 perpetrators identified, some 415 were Asian (file photo) She said there was not evidence to conclude that there was a particular issue with Asian gangs. Instead, her report says simply that abuse is carried out by men of all backgrounds. In . May, nine Asian men who groomed white girls as young as 13 in Rochdale . with drink and drugs were jailed at Liverpool Crown Court. Judge . Gerald Clifton told them one of the reasons they targeted their victims . was because they were not part of their community or religion. Last year Abid Saddique was jailed for his role as ringleader of a Derby gang that cruised streets for girls as young as 12 who were plied with vodka and cocaine before being raped or abused. Pakistani origin: Abid Saddique was jailed for his role as ringleader of a Derby gang that cruised streets for girls as young as 12 before raping or abusing them . Saddique, who is of Pakistani origin, took the vulnerable young girls to ‘parties’ in hotels or flats with other gang members. Two months ago, documents emerged which allegedly showed agencies in Rotherham were aware of allegations of widespread targeted abuse of teenage girls in the town by groups of Asian men – but did nothing for fear of looking racist. Andrew Flanagan, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: ‘If there is a problem with one community in a particular area we must be bold enough to address it and not just turn a blind eye.’ A Government source said: ‘It is difficult to overstate the contempt the Government has for the methodology and analysis in this report. The whole thing is half-baked.’ Figures in the report state that out of 1,514 perpetrators identified, some 415 were Asian. This is 27 per cent of the total, far in excess of the proportion of Asian people in the community at large, which is 6 per cent. Some 545 are described as white, 244 as black, 49 as mixed, while the rest were undisclosed. But Miss Berelowitz’s report said: ‘Different models of exploitation have been identified. The evidence is clear that perpetrators come from all ethnic groups and so do their victims – contrary to what some may wish to believe.’ The report suggested the proportion of Asian perpetrators in the figures may be higher than whites because the authorities were targeting non-whites. Unhappy: Tory MP Margot James said it was 'very disappointing' that the report shied away from tackling a 'specific problem in certain Asian communities - specifically the Pakistani community' It even concluded that the data on ethnicity was ‘unreliable’ because victims sometimes changed their description of their abuser. 'On the face of it, this is an issue for all ethnicities, but there is a specific problem in certain Asian communities – specifically the Pakistani community – in too many cities to ignore the phenomenon. Unless we recognise the problem, we won’t be able to devise a strategy for tackling it' Tory MP Margot James . A Whitehall source said last week: ‘It’s important we don’t take a politically correct approach and pretend there is not a real problem here. 'Obviously abuse has been carried out by men from all sorts of ethnic background. But that doesn’t mean we cannot say there is an issue about groups of Pakistani men systematically targeting young white girls.’ Tory MP Margot James said: ‘On the face of it, this is an issue for all ethnicities, but there is a specific problem in certain Asian communities – specifically the Pakistani community – in too many cities to ignore the phenomenon. ‘Unless we recognise the problem, we won’t be able to devise a strategy for tackling it. 'It is very disappointing that this report has shied away from it, given the fact that some leadership is coming from within the Asian community. They need support.’
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Fury at result of Deputy children's commissioner Sue Berelowitz's study .
Said figures on Asian gangs weren't enough to conclude particular issue .
NSPCC says there is danger of 'turning a blind eye' to abusers' ethnicity .
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Oussama Assaidi's forgettable spell at Liverpool has ended with a move to Dubai side Al Ahli, the Barclays Premier League club have announced. The 26-year-old signed from Heerenveen in 2012 but made only 12 appearances for the Reds, spending time on loan at Stoke last season and this. The highlight of the Moroccan's Premier League career came in December 2013 when his ferocious last-minute strike earned the Potters a dramatic 3-2 win over Chelsea. Oussama Assaidi (right) is leaving Liverpool for Dubai club Al Ahli for a reported £4.7million . The Moroccan winger has failed to make an impact since arriving at Anfield from Heerenveen in 2012 . Assaidi ended his loan deal with Mark Hughes' side ahead of schedule to complete the move to the Middle East for an undisclosed fee, reported to be in the region of £4.7million. The Reds accepted the offer of making a profit on the player they bought for £2.4million and the deal is expected to be completed in the next 24-hours. Meanwhile, the Anfield club is yet to receive an offer for holding midfielder Lucas Leiva who has been linked with Roberto Mancini's Inter Milan during the January window. Despite falling out of favour at the start of the season, the Brazil international has been integral to Liverpool's recent resurgence - leaving the club reluctant to sell him for a proposed £7million. Assaidi's finest moment was scoring the winner in a 3-2 defeat of Chelsea while on loan at Stoke . Luas Leiva is a reported £7million target for Inter Milan, although the Reds would be reluctant to sell .
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Oussama Assaidi has ended his time at Liverpool with a move to Al Ahli .
The 26-year-old arrived from Heerenveen but struggled to make an impact .
Reds are yet to receive an offer for Lucas Leiva from Inter Milan .
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Havana, Cuba (CNN)Amid recent rumors of ill health or even possible death, Cuban state media has released 21 photos of former leader Fidel Castro. The photo spread appeared late Monday in the online version of Cuba's state-run newspaper, Granma. In the pictures, the 88-year-old Castro and his wife Dalia Soto del Valle are shown with the leader of the student association of the University of Havana, Randy Perdomo Garcia. The two men are shown seated, looking at a newspaper and watching TV. The photos are accompanied by an article written by Perdomo recounting his time with the former leader during the reported January 23 meeting. According to Granma, the photos were published because "Cuba is anxious to know about him." These are the first photos of Castro to appear publicly since August. Just last week, in a message reported to be from the former Cuban leader, Castro endorsed the fledgling talks to restore diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States, but added he still "didn't trust" U.S. officials. In the letter published on the Granma website, Castro said that although he didn't "trust U.S. policies and have not exchanged a word with them, this does not mean however that I would oppose a peaceful solution to conflicts or threats of war." In December, Cuba and the United States exchanged prisoners and agreed to discuss normalizing relations that had been trapped in over five decades of Cold War animosity. At age 32, Castro led a band of guerrillas who overthrew a corrupt dictatorship in 1959. The U.S. broke relations with Cuba in 1961, amid fears that Castro and his bearded revolutionaries harbored communist sympathies. Despite scores of CIA assassination attempts against him and a failed U.S.-backed invasion of Cuba, Castro stayed in power until 2006, when an intestinal ailment forced him to step down.
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Castro stepped down from power in 2006 .
He led a band of guerrillas who overthrew the island nation's dictatorship in 1959 .
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Fans of The Darling Buds of May can now follow in the footsteps of the loveable Larkin family – and possibly recreate Charley and Mariette’s idyllic country wedding. The Kent farm where the hit television series was filmed in the early 1990s, kick-starting Catherine Zeta-Jones’ glittering career, has been transformed into holiday accommodation and a wedding venue. The beauty spot near the villages of Bethersden and Pluckley provided the backdrop for the Larkins’ ‘perfick life’ and is now owned by Darling Buds of May fan Simon Coulson, who snapped up the property went it went on sale for £1.35m. The Kent farm that served as the setting for The Darling Buds of May is now a holiday and wedding venue . The beauty spot near the villages of Bethersden and Pluckley was home to the fictional Larkin family . The converted oasthouse can sleep eight people and has its own garden with decking for outdoor dining . Mr Coulson spotted a chance to convert the farm buildings into a tourist and wedding destination after learning from its previous owners, the Holmes family, that show devotees had been making pilgrimages to the location where its stars brought the plots to life. Previously known as Buss Farm, it has been renamed Darling Buds Farm as a tribute to its history, and the oasthouse seen in the title sequence has been given a makeover. The building at the heart of the farmyard can sleep eight people and has its own garden with decking for outdoor dining as enjoyed by Ma and Pa Larkin. The old Cart Lodge can sleep up to four people, while Pop Larkin's Grade II listed farmhouse, which will sleep 10, is due to open soon. Located at the heart of the farmyard, the oasthouse seen in the title sequence has been given a makeover . The farm is now owned by Darling Buds of May fan Simon Coulson, who snapped up the property for £1.35m . The old Cart Lodge can sleep up to four people, while Pop Larkin's Grade II listed farmhouse will sleep 10 . The farm has a stream and ponds populated with ducks and geese, and is set in 35 acres and surrounded by open countryside. Superfans of the show can head to nearby Pluckley and visit The Black Horse pub, which served as the setting for the fictional Hare and Hounds pub, or St Nicholas Church, another filming location. Adapted from a novel by H.E. Bates, the British comedy-drama series showed life in 1950s Kent through the eyes of the endearing Larkin family. At its head was Pop Larkin, played by David Jason, whose catchphrase was 'perfick', while Catherine Zeta-Jones starred as Marietta and became one of the UK’s most popular actresses before her Hollywood film career took off. Superfans have been making pilgrimages to Darling Buds Farm, previously known as Buss Farm . Head of the family: David Jason starred as Pop Larkin, whose catchphrase was 'perfick' Superstar: Catherine Zeta-Jones launched a successful Hollywood film career after starring as Marietta .
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Darling Buds Farm is located near the villages of Bethersden and Pluckley .
Owner Simon Coulson has converted the oasthouse into guest rooms .
Hit series launched the career of Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta-Jones .
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By . David Kent . Arsenal might not have signed any big names this summer yet - but boss Arsene Wenger is certainly doing his best to get the word out about the Gunners. The Frenchman is out in Brazil at the World Cup as a pundit for television in his homeland and has been spotted sporting an array of Arsenal-branded clothing during the trip. But the North London club's new kit sponsors Puma might not be so happy - with Wenger so far picking out the club's old Nike gear from his wardrobe. VIDEO Scroll down for footage of Wenger playing football on the beach in Brazil . Club promotion: Wenger at dinner with Fabio Cannavaro (left), Christian Vieri (third left) and Juan Sebastian Veron (second right) He was spotted at dinner with football royalty in the form of Fabio Cannavaro, Christian Vieri and Juan Sebastian Veron in an Arsenal Nike training top, and showed off the club crest on his trousers during a television interview too. Some Gunners fans have grown frustrated at Wenger's media duties while their club fail to produce the goods in the transfer market - although Chile's Alexis Sanchez is rumoured to be on his way. Wenger, though, can still watch seven of his club charges in Brazil - even at the quarter final stage. Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski (Germany), Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud (France) Thomas Vermaelen (Belgium) and Joel Campbell (Costa Rica) are all still in the competition. Keen: Wenger's Arsenal crest is just about visible on his trousers during a Eurosport interview . Life's a beach: Wenger has been able to take some time out from the World Cup at the beach this summer . Rising star: Wenger will have been impressed by Joel Campbell at the World Cup and is giving him a chance . VIDEO Wenger signs three year deal .
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Arsenal manager has been wearing club gear while out in Brazil .
He wore an Arsenal jacket to dinner with Fabio Cannavaro, Christian Vieri and Juan Sebastian Veron and Gunners trousers for TV work .
Wenger is out at the World Cup as a pundit for French television .
FA Cup winners are yet to sign any players in the summer window .
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By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 06:07 EST, 12 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:35 EST, 12 June 2013 . Support for the UK Independence Party has dropped sharply in the wake of its surprise local elections success. A new opinion poll today showed 12 per cent of people said they were backing Nigel Farage’s party, down from an 18 per cent spike last month. It suggests the party’s popularity is closely aligned to the media exposure it received in the run-up to council elections which saw it gain 139 seats. Dip: There has been a sharp drop in support for UKIP since the record peak of 18 per cent in May . The surge in support for the anti-EU party spooked the Tory party and forced David Cameron to rush forward plans to try to legislate to hold an in-out referendum on Britain’s relationship with Brussels. Today the Tory party launched an online campaign to get voters to pile pressure on Lib Dem and Labour MPs to back a backbench Bill which would guarantee a referendum before 2017. In the latest ICM/Guardian poll, support for Labour stood at 36 per cent, up two points on May. The Tories were up one point on 29 per cent and the Lib Dems up one on 12 per cent, suggesting all the main parties have gained from a six point drop in support for UKIP. It means Mr Farage’s party is still neck and neck with Nick Clegg’s Lib Dems, who have seen their support slump since joining the coalition. Battle: UKIP leader Nigel Farage has boasted his party is taking support from all the main parties, while David Cameron has launched an online campaign to hammer home the Tory promise to hold a referendum on Britain's relationship with Brussels . Tory rebel MP Andrew Bridgen accused Mr Cameron of pursuing policies which boost UKIP's support. 'By pressing ahead with gay marriage and delaying a promise on an EU referendum until he was forced to do so, Mr Cameron has fuelled the rise of UKIP,' he said at the weekend. 'We have created our own nemesis.' However voters still rate Mr Cameron and George Osborne more highly than Labour to run the economy, the poll found. When voters were asked to put aside party preference and concentrate on who could manage the economy properly, 35 per cent named the Prime Minister and Chancellor, while only 24 per cent chose Ed Miliband and Ed Balls. Less than half of those questioned said they believed Mr Cameron had the backing of his party following months of infighting, compared to 62 per cent at the end of last year. The Guardian said that ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1,002 adults by phone between June 7 and 9.
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UKIP poll rating falls from 18% to 12% in just a month .
Support peaked in the wake of local elections when it gained 139 seats .
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A shipwrecked crew have been rescued after becoming stranded in shark-riddled waters during the round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race. The nine-men Team Vestas crew crashed on a remote coral reef before they were picked up and taken to Mauritius. Shore crew chief Neil Cox told the BBC: 'We've had nine guys sitting on a sand spit in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The coastguard was asking me to warn the guys that the reef is riddled full of sharks and barracuda.' Team Vestas were stranded on a deserted island after crashing during the Volvo Ocean Race . The crew's boat were grounded on a coral reef near Mauritius during the second stage of the race . Captain Chris Nicholson of Team Vestas Wind uses the satellite phone to call the shore crew . Crew mates collect their belongings from the boat to be taken back with their rescuers . The crew thank locals from a fishing boat after being brought to Mauritius . The fleet of seven vessels were making their way from Cape Town to Abu Dhabi - the second stage of the nine-leg race - and expected to reach the United Arab Emirates on December 13. Team Vestas captain Chris Nicholson said they would attempt to rescue their damaged craft before rejoining the race for the start of the fourth stage starting in in Sanya, China, in February 2015. Nicholson said: 'I'm really disappointed. On the other hand, we have to realise how fortunate we are. 'It's clear that human error is responsible for the shipwreck, there's no avoiding that. And as skipper, I take ultimate responsibility. Nicholson is still hoping the damaged boat can be retrieved and repaired to join the race at a later stage . The crew carry belongings from the boat onto the mainland in Mauritius . 'The past four days have been very challenging for all of us, and I am extremely proud of the whole crew's professionalism, composure, and endurance.' After crashing on Saturday, the crew were forced to wade through knee deep water before finding a dray location to wait for their rescuers on Sunday morning. They were taken by a coastguard boat to a small deserted islet called Ile du Sud, popular with shark-watching day-tourists, before completing their journey on a weekly fishing vessel.
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The Volvo Ocean Race spans 39,379 nautical miles and visits 11 countries .
Team Vesta became stranded on a sand spit after crashing on a coral reef .
Coastguard warned that the area was riddled with 'sharks and barracudas'
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Parents have poured scorn on a Labour MP after she claimed children are no longer interested in Lego. Stella Creasy, 37, said that at Christmas her young nieces and a nephew refused to build a Lego toy of the Death Star from the Star Wars films. Speaking at a conference last week, she said: ‘They weren’t interested. I realised that for them, a toy which involves following instructions just doesn’t cut it any more.’ Labour MP Stella Creasy (pictured) claimed that children were no longer interested in Lego toys after her young nieces and nephews refused to build a Lego Death Star from the Star Wars films . TV star Kirstie Allsopp, 43, a mother of four, told The Mail on Sunday: ‘This is hands down the daftest comment I’ve ever heard. My two sons are eight and six and they love Lego – our house is full of it. ‘I’ve got 12 or 13 godchildren, as well as nieces and nephews, and not a single one of them doesn’t like Lego.’ Cathy Ranson, editor-in-chief of website Netmums, said that the £275 Death Star set was aimed at Lego fans aged 14 or older. ‘It wouldn’t have been that easy for younger children to work out,’ she said. Last year Lego overtook Mattel to become the world’s largest toy manufacturer as the Danish company’s UK sales hit a record £226 million. And last week Lego was named as one of the 50 greatest toys of all time in a survey of industry executives. Last week Lego was named as one of the 50 greatest toys of all time in a survey of industry executives .
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Stella Creasy said her young nieces and nephew refused to build Lego toy .
She told conference last week 'toys with instructions don't cut it any more'
But Kirstie Allsopp hit back at 'daftest comment' she says she's ever heard .
Last week Lego was named as one of 50 greatest toys of all time in survey .
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By . Emily Allen . PUBLISHED: . 13:55 EST, 19 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 13:57 EST, 19 April 2012 . Men who said they were kept as slaves on a travellers’ site escaped by jumping into a canal, hiding in a back garden and confiding in a Community Service officer, a jury heard today. The victims were allegedly held in servitude at the Green Acres site at Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire and forced to carry out unpaid work for the Connors family’s block paving business. There was a rumour that someone was buried in a field next to the site and workers had been warned: 'If you run away you’ll end up like the person in the field back there,' Luton Crown Court was told. Patrick Connors (left) and James 'Big Jim' Connors (right) pictured outside Luton Magistrates' Court last September. Seven members of the Connors family are accused of exploiting vulnerable men for financial gain . Frances Oldham QC alleges that the . Connors family made large amounts of money by controlling and exploiting . vulnerable men. Over 15 years they are said to have kept dozens of . victims in camps under orders not to leave. Josie Connors leaving Luton Crown Court earlier this week. A court heard the traveller family used 'vulnerable' men as virtual 'slaves' Their . heads were shaved, they were paid little or nothing, were verbally . abused and on occasions beaten, it was alleged. One worker described it . as being 'like a concentration camp.' Mrs . Oldham said: 'A number of words may spring to mind to describe what was . happening. They may not in the strict sense have been slaves but they . were not free men.' Luton Crown Court heard that on 11 September last year the police entered . Green Acres where they found 13 male workers who were not part of the . extended Connors family. Seven members of the Connors family, six of who live at the site in Leighton Buzzard, face 20 charges. They . are Tommy Connors Senior, 52, and his sons Tommy, 26, James, 24, . Patrick, 20, and Johnny, 28, who lives at The Travellers’ Site, Chiswell . Green Lane, St Albans. Also on trial are his daughter Josie, 30, and . her husband James John Connors, 34. Mrs . Oldham told the jury: 'The crown’s case is that members of the Connors . family - initially father Tommy senior, and gradually over the past 15 . years children Johnny, Jimmy, Josie, Tommy and Patrick and son in law . James John - recruited vulnerable adults as workers on the pretence of . offering them paid employment, food and accommodation. 'Typically . recruitment would take place at centres for the homeless, soup kitchens . or simply on the street. 'Subsequently . these individuals were held at a succession of travellers’ sites . culminating in the Greenacres site and were forced to work for the . Connors family without payment.' Continuing . her opening today Mrs Oldham told how one man was picked up at Charing . Cross in London where he had been sleeping rough for 6 weeks. He had . been offered £50 a day, food and accommodation in a caravan. After being assaulted he is said to have decided to climb over the fence and run away. She . said: 'He got over the fence when he heard children shouting: "There he . is". He realised they were looking for him and jumped into the canal. There was a fisherman nearby and he telephoned the police. The area allegedly used as sleeping accommodation. Many of the workers were too scared to escape because of the fear of 'physical violence and the threat of such violence' a court heard . The inside of a horsebox allegedly used by the Connors family to accommodate the slaves at the Greenacres travellers site . 'The . fisherman Peter Hoffman remembers seeing a man running towards him . bare-chested and being chased by two or three other men. He said he was . being chased by travellers who had been holding him prisoner. Hoffman . dialled 999 and allowed the man to speak to the police. James Connors pictured last year. The court heard the alleged mistreatment came to light when one worker escaped and contacted police . 'The . chasing men had stopped by this time and remained watching. Mr Hoffman . had the presence of mind to wave his phone at them and shouted out that . he had called the police.' One . worker was recruited outside Greggs in Wembley, north west London, by Jim and Josie who . asked if he wanted to work as a labourer for £80 a day, the court heard. They gave him a caravan to live in with two other men. He was allegedly . told if he tried to leave they would get one of the other men to murder . him. The prosecutor said he . was assaulted on a number of occasions and was once placed in the boot . of the car for 40 minutes. While in the boot Josie said that he had to . sing ‘How much is that doggy in the window?’ and ‘Bob the builder’ to . her children. The man, who . told the officers he never received payment, said the price for work on . driveways was between £2,800 and £6,000. He said he would work for 10 to . 14 hours doing heavy lifting. The only protective equipment was steel . capped boots, no goggles, gloves or other safety equipment. When . customers phoned up to complain James John handed the phone to one of . the workers who would give a false name and promise to come round to . deal with the problem - that never happened said the prosecutor. When . working on the site Josie is alleged to have told him to clean the . toilet by putting his hand down it because there was no brush. 'She said . that this was the way travellers did it,' said Mrs Oldham. Cramped: The tiny, grubby living quarters of one of the caravans on the Green Acres site near Leighton Buzzard, Beds, reveals a gas cooker next to a television . The . man, who had been with the family since early 2011, he told the police: . 'Jim and Josie look for beggars and make slaves out of them.' He . escaped on July 11 while out canvassing for work. A woman in Leighton . Buzzard found a man in a Hi Viz clothing in her rear garden who said he . was running away and wanted help. The woman’s stepson got him out of the . garden and he climbed into the one next door. The woman called the . police and the man was able to flag down a passing police car. Mrs Oldham said the jury would hear from another man who said the routine at the site was to get up by 5.30am. She said: 'Food provided was of the . cheapest kind. The toilet had no paper and the man and others used paper . napkins from the food they were given. They were allowed a shower once a . week on a Friday evening at the Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre in Leighton . Centre. In the immediate surroundings of the caravan site where he was . kept there were iron gates and motion detector lights.' Another man who had been offered £40 a . day allegedly received no money and had to live with 10 others in a . horse box. He escaped while doing his Community Service. 'He summoned up the courage to tell . the person running it that Paddy and the other travellers were not his . relatives, as he had pretended previously, and that he was not prepared . to go back to them.' The labourers were held against their will at a succession of travellers' sites, culminating at Green Acres, jurors heard. Above, a tiny caravan on the site . 'Like a concentration camp': A horsebox said to have been used as sleeping accommodation . Tommy Connors Senior, Tommy Connors, . Patrick Connors and James Connors face six charges of conspiracy to hold . a person in servitude and six of conspiring a person to perform forced . labour. Tommy Connors Senior is also accused of causing ABH between 1996 . and 2011. Patrick Connors is accused of causing actual bodily harm on a . man between 2006 and 2011. Johnny . Connors is charged with one court of conspiring to hold a person in . servitude and one of conspiring to require a person to perform forced or . compulsory labour. James . John Connors and Josie Connors are accused of two charges of holding a . person in servitude and two of requiring him to perform forced or . compulsory labour. James John Connors is also accused of causing that . man actual bodily harm between 2004 and 2011. James John Connors is . accused of battery on another man between January and September 2011. The case continues.
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One homeless man 'was picked up in London but fled over a fence after being assaulted'
Another man was allegedly told if he tried to leave he would be murdered .
The same man claimed he was placed in a car boot for 40 minutes .
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By . Sarah Griffiths . PUBLISHED: . 11:00 EST, 17 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:04 EST, 17 October 2013 . From chipmunks to Mediterranean spiders, animals are evolving to cope with the effects of hotter temperatures, a scientist has claimed. DNA evidence suggests the European wasp spider is evolving into a new form and is moving to cooler regions to set up home in parts of northern Europe, while chipmunks living in Yosemite park in California are moving to higher, cooler altitudes, a biologist claims. The scientist believes that the changes are due to the effects of global warming and as habitats move, populations of animals that have previously not crossed paths, are mixing and have the potential to spread and adapt in new ways. Scientists studied alpine chipmunks living in Yosemite National Park and found that over 100 years, the animals have moved to higher altitudes as the average temperature of the park has risen by three degrees Celsius . Systems biologist Michael White, of the Department of Genetics and the Centre for Genome Sciences and . Systems Biology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, said animals are already feeling the heat from global warming and are having to adapt. Writing for Pacific Standard, he said scientists tracking the movements of animals have repeatedly found that plants and animals have altered their behaviour in response to earlier springs and milder temperatures by moving to higher latitudes and altitudes. Dr White said global warming is in . effect a large evolutionary experiment that is causing huge genetic . changes as creatures rapidly adapt or become extinct. With lots of land and marine creatures moving into new territories, scientists are concerned about what will happen when they meet, as it could dramatically change ecosystems and food chains. They are turning to genetics to try and predict the present and future impact of global warming, by studying DNA in a scientific field called landscape genetics. Dr White cited the work of a team of scientists at the University of California-Berkeley as an example of how creatures are adapting to warmer temperatures. Dr White said scientists tracking the movements of animals have repeatedly found that plants and animals have altered their behaviour in response to earlier springs and milder temperatures by moving to higher latitudes and altitudes . The scientists studied alpine chipmunks living in Yosemite National Park and found that over 100 years the animals have moved to higher altitudes as the average temperature of the park has risen by three degrees Celsius. While there is an argument that the creatures are adapting to global warming, their numbers in the area have declined, causing some experts to question if they are simply on a fast-track to extinction in the region. The researchers compared DNA from historical specimens of the species collected in 1915 with contemporary chipmunks and discovered evidence of genetic erosion. In effect, the alpine chipmunk population is breaking up into isolated, genetically-limited groups and losing diversity in their DNA, which makes them more vulnerable to disease and natural disasters such as drought. 'The chipmunks' poor prospects are evident in their genes,' wrote Dr White. DNA evidence suggests the European wasp spider (pictured) is evolving and has colonised new areas as they seek cooler climates. The spiders primarily lived in Mediterranean regions until the 1930s but have gradually crept northwards to colonise Scandinavia, Poland and the Baltic region . DNA evidence also suggests the European wasp spider is evolving and have colonised new areas as they seek cooler climates. The spiders primarily lived in Mediterranean regions until the 1930s but have gradually crept northwards to colonise Scandinavia, Poland and the Baltic region. Interestingly while scientists thought they were trying to find new places to live that were the same temperature as the Mediterranean before temperatures have risen, the spiders have actually moved into regions that are cooler than their original homes. The reason for their behaviour is they have been mating with spiders that like the cold, to create an invading species that can survive freezing temperatures that would kill its Mediterranean relatives, researchers from Germany's Max Plank Institute told Dr White. They believe this cross-breeding is taking place as populations of spiders are mixing in regions where they would never have met before.
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Biologist Michael White of the Washington University School of Medicine said animals that have previously not crossed paths are breeding to adapt .
DNA evidence suggests European wasp spider is evolving and has colonised new areas in Europe as the animals seek cooler climates .
Over 100 years, chipmunks have moved to higher altitudes as the average temperature of Yosemite park has risen by three degrees Celsius .
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This is the moment an ostrich turned into a real life version of Road Runner - when it escaped from its owner and sprinted onto a highway. The six-foot bird ran away from home and onto an expressway at Yiwu in the eastern province of Zhejiang in China. After smashing through a toll booth barrier, it careered down the road past astonished drivers - and even attempted to chase down a lorry. Scroll down for video . Ruffling feathers: This ostrich turned into a real life version of Road Runner - when it escaped from its owner and sprinted down a highway . Great escape: The six-foot bird ran away from home and onto an expressway at Yiwu in the eastern province of Zhejiang in China . In a flap: After bursting through toll booth barriers, it careered down the road past astonished drivers - and even attempted to chase down a lorry . On the run: It is understood that the ostrich was on the loose for a number of hours before it was finally tracked down . CCTV captured the moment the flightless bird made a dash for the busy highway taking motorists by surprise. It is understood that the ostrich was on the loose for a number of hours before it was finally tracked down. The scenes were reminiscent of the cartoon Road Runner in which a coyote repeatedly tries to catch and eat a fast-running ground bird. Footage shows traffic officers trying desperately to bring the exhausted bird to a halt on the side of the road. But after appearing to have calmed the animal it powers off once again in pursuit of a passing lorry. Traffic alert: Workers eventually caught up with the real-life Road Runner and managed to guide it to safety . The game's up: Despite making one last bid for freedom when it tried to chase down a lorry, the exhausted ostrich was brought under control . Walking pace: Eventually workers manage to guide the giant bird back towards the motorway exit while bewildered drivers watched on . Helping hand: A traffic officer pushed the giant bird in the right direction after it started to veer off course . Eventually workers manage to guide the giant bird back towards the motorway exit while bewildered drivers watched on. According to ABCnews, the owner revealed that the ostrich was domesticated and kept along with a female one in his house. It had been reported missing on the morning of Monday December 22.
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Six-foot ostrich broke through toll barrier before sprinting on to highway .
Bird careered down the road past baffled drivers in Yiwu, eastern China .
Ostrich was tracked down hours later - but then sprinted after passing lorry .
The domesticated bird had been reported missing from its owner's home .
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She's been branded the new darling of Russia, the Olga Korbut of Sochi 2014. And it hasn't gone unnoticed by her country's president Vladimir Putin. Julia Lipnitskaia is just 15, but she has already taken her mother country by storm with her spellbinding performance yesterday in the Winter Olympics. Just like the gymnast Korbut who won three golds for the USSR at Munich in 1972, Russia's new ice princess left the crowd gasping with a routine that secured Russia's first gold of the games as part of the team ice dance . competition. Grace: When Yulia Lipnitskaya takes to the ice tonight, more Russians are expected to tune-in than for any other sporting event in the country's history . Congratulations: Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, speaks with Julia Lipnitskaia of Russia . Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) congratulates Russian figure skater Julia Lipnitskaia (second left) and the other members of the winning Russian figure skating team in Sochi . New darling: Julia Lipnitskaia of Russia's figure skating team is greeted Russia's President Vladimir Putin . The Russian figure skating team steps onto the podium at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics . Wearing a red coat and skating to music from the movie Schindler's List, just like the girl in the red coat in the predominantly black-and-white film, she put on an incredible show at the Iceberg . Skating Palace. Julia's unparalleled artistry, flexibility and blurring spins mesmerised a partisan crowd that included Mr Putin. When the music stopped, and she had landed the last of her 10 jumps, they were on their feet applauding, whistling, and chanting her name. At six days younger than Tara Lipinski, the American who won at 15 in Nagano in 1998, Julia became the youngest athlete ever to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. Next up, the teen, who hails from the Ural Mountains, will compete in the women's singles event, for which she is now the hot favourite but which no Russian has ever won. Her country is holding its breath. Vladimir Putin congratulates Julia Lipnitskaia after she skated to glory at the Winter Olympics . Incredible: Julia Lipnitskaia's spins mesmerised a partisan crowd . Bendy: Russia's Julia Lipnitskaia performs her amazing routine . Flexible: Julia Lipnitskaia put on an incredible show at the Iceberg Skating Palace . Speaking after the event, Julia said: 'I don't know how to explain the feeling I . had out there. I'm very happy to have helped win the first . gold medal for Russia. 'I got nervous in the middle of the program, I'm . not sure why, it's completely unlike me, so the jumps weren't great in . the second half, I didn't feel totally comfortable. 'The jumps didn't . feel like mine at that point. I wouldn't say I got tired, but some . errors still crept in. But even with some flaws it was OK.' Yulia Lipnitskaya is set to have the biggest impact on an Olympics for Russia since the 'Little Sparrow,' 17 year-old Olga Korbut at the Munich Olympics in 1972 . Julia Lipnitskaia leaves the ice after competing in the women's team free skate figure skating competition . Elena Ilinykh, right, speaks with Julia Lipnitskaia as they stand on the podium during the flower ceremony . U.S. skater Ashley Wagner said: 'She was incredibly composed. You felt the audience when she stepped out on the . ice, so for her to go out and put out such a solid performance at 15 is . impressive. 'Granted, we've been backstage with her and she doesn't seem . 15 to us at all. She's like a wise 40-year-old woman trapped within a . 15-year-old's body. 'Honestly, it is very inspiring to see someone so . young so composed.' Canada won the team silver on Sunday, and the United States took bronze. U.S. skater Gracie Gold, part of team that finished third, said: 'She's only 15. She's completely unfazed. She's got no spine, but she's got iron in her bones.'
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Julia Lipnitskaia has already taken her mother country by storm .
Ice princess left the crowd gasping with a gold medal-winning routine .
She wore a red coat and skated to the music from Schindler's List .
Teen won Russia's first of the games as part of their ice dance team .
Next up she competes in the singles. Her country is holding its breath .
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f953b83006c433f48b1dfa798677e7f7a4bbfef1
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(CNN) -- Residents of a small Filipino village lined up flowers. Firefighters in Sydney, Australia, climbed stairs to the top of a skyscraper and shed tears. In Madrid, Spain, a crowd of several hundred gathered to plant trees and hold a moment of silence. Around the world on Sunday, people remembered 9/11, marking in their own ways the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that brought much of the world to a standstill. Jose Luis San Pio, who lost his daughter in the attacks, said the pain gets worse with each anniversary. "But Sylvia is always in my memory," he said, during a ceremony at a Madrid park where 10 American Oak trees were planted. Sylvia San Pio Resta, 26, was the only Spaniard to die in the attacks. She was pregnant and worked in the Twin Towers, as did her American husband, John Resta, who also died. They were both financial traders. "We are here to remember those who died on that day but also to celebrate their memory," said U.S. Ambassador to Spain Alan Solomont. The crowd observed a moment of silence for the 9/11 victims. In Sydney -- 10,000 miles from New York, where the World Trade Center towers were leveled in the attacks -- firefighters held their own moment of silence for their lost brethren. They climbed 80 flights of stairs to the top of Sydney Tower, the city's tallest building, in a testament to the firefighters in New York who rushed into the burning towers. "This is the least we could do just to say thank you," said one. "So many of them didn't go home that day," said another. CNN affiliate 9 News reported on a moment of silence the firefighters held at the top -- and showed one young firefighter weeping. Later, at an interfaith memorial service in Sydney's St. Mary's Cathedral, Cardinal George Pell, Sydney's archbishop, said, "While belonging to different religious traditions, we're united in our opposition to terrorism." In some parts of the world, people found quiet ways to mark the solemn occasion and pay their respects. Residents of the Gawad Kalinga village in Baseco Compound in Manila, Philippines, brought flowers to a marker in memory of Marie Rose Abad, who was killed in the attacks. Her husband Rudy, a Filipino-American, had donated funds for the construction of 48 homes in their village as a tribute to their 26 years of marriage, CNN affiliate ABS-CBN reported Sunday. In front of the U.S. Embassy in London's Grosvenor Square, dignitaries joined loved ones of 67 Britons who died in the attacks -- the most from any country outside the United States. The memorial stands at the far end of a quiet park directly across from the embassy. There, visitors can find the names of the victims: a set of wooden pillars also stands, carved with the words "Grief is the price we pay for love." "Although that dreadful act of violence was meant to divide us, it has actually drawn us together, one person to another, one community to another" Prince Charles told an audience including Prime Minister David Cameron. "On this anniversary we are drawn to you in our thoughts and in our prayers, knowing that we cannot change the past, but that through struggling to find a light that can lighten our darkness, we may ultimately bring the healing the world so desperately needs." Family members stepped up to read the names of their lost loved ones, then placed long-stem white roses attached to small black-and-white photos of the victims on a 9/11 memorial garden. Police kept two competing protests away from the ceremony -- and each other. Radical Islamic group Muslims Against Crusades, chanted "USA you will pay!" while the far-right, anti-Islamic organization English Defence League turned up to counter that demonstration. In Ancona, Italy, Pope Benedict XVI offered a prayer in memory of the victims. Saying he was thinking of those who lost their lives and the victims' families, the pontiff said, "I invite the leaders of nations and men of good will to reject violence always as a solution to problems, to resist the temptation to hate and to work within society based on the principles of solidarity, justice and peace." Paris held a moving ceremony at the Place du Trocadero, also known as Human Rights Plaza. Two replica towers about 80 feet tall, representing the World Trade Center, were erected, covered with large canvasses displaying the names of the victims of each tower. About 200 people gathered for the ceremony, despite the windy, rainy weather. A French mother, who brought her 2-year-old daughter, said she felt the need to be there to support the United States. She recalled the front page of the French newspaper Le Monde at the time of the attacks, which carried the headline, "We are all Americans." The event ended with the flight of 40 doves released by children. Among those commemorating 9/11 on Sunday were U.S. troops stationed overseas, including in Iraq and Afghanistan. Members of Joint Base Balad, Iraq, took part in a 24-hour flag run/walk vigil combined with a remembrance ceremony, the U.S. military said. "I'm from New York, so I remember 9/11 like yesterday, I responded to the towers, so New York City is embedded in me," said Master Sgt. George Pardee, 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Maintenance flight. At U.S. bases in Afghanistan, where soldiers are fighting a war triggered by the 9/11 attacks, soldiers took part in ceremonies to reflect as well. "Don't forget what happened on that day, and remember the reason why we fight," said Air Force Master Sgt. Alex Kruhlinski, a radio frequency transmission systems specialist in Kapisa Province. In countries all over the world, many people stopped what they were doing Sunday to watch the 9/11 memorials on TV -- and to share memories on social media. David Bennett was in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, watching the ceremonies on CNN with friends. He told CNN via Facebook that he was "thinking about the loss and where I was when I first heard about what was happening that morning." "Being a Muslim convert, one who chooses to wear the headscarf, even here in rural Ontario, Canada, I'm choosing to stay home today and reflect on this day and how the world changed," Alice Paisley-Ellis told CNN via Facebook. She also said there are people who "believe all Muslims were responsible for this, and I choose not to put myself in their path today." Jacob Meitus said he was in Israel, taking part in a moment of silence. "We are thinking of American brothers-in-arms and all those who lost love ones. Long live freedom!" Petra Nelson, a former New Yorker, was in Sweden, thinking of the Big Apple. "I've never been back to NYC since 9/11," she told CNN, "and I miss it every day." CNN's Atika Shubert, Al Goodman, Hada Messia, and Niki Cook contributed to this report .
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Remember "why we fight," a member of the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan says .
The pope prays for victims and calls on world leaders to reject violence .
Firefighters hold a moment of silence at the top of Sydney Tower .
Residents of a Filipino village bring flowers in memory of a 9/11 victim .
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f953f33f10d6cb052501d071001db54816798578
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By . Emma Robertson . PUBLISHED: . 08:56 EST, 23 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:46 EST, 23 August 2013 . Stress fuels cancer by triggering a 'master switch' gene which allows the disease to spread, according to new research. The 'unexpected' discovery could lead to the development of drugs that target the protein and stop tumours spreading to other organs and causing death. Stress has long been linked to many forms of the disease including breast and prostate cancer, but the reason has remained a mystery. Doctors have discovered the 'stress gene' ATF3 can make immune cells behave erratically, giving cancer an 'escape route' to other areas of the body . Now a team at Ohio State University say our own bodies help turn cancer against us by turning on a 'master switch' gene known as ATF3 which is expressed in response to stressful conditions in all types of cells. Usually, it causes normal and benign cells to commit suicide if they decide they have been irrevocably damaged. But cancer cells somehow coax immune-system cells recruited to the site of a tumour to express ATF3. It is unclear exactly how, but the gene promotes the immune cells to act erratically and give cancer an escape route to other areas of the body. Professor Tsonwin Hai said: 'If your body does not help cancer cells, they cannot spread as far. So really, the rest of the cells in the body help cancer cells to move, to set up shop at distant sites. And one of the unifying themes here is stress.' Her researchers first linked the expression of ATF3 in immune-system cells to worse outcomes among a sample of almost 300 breast cancer patients. Experiments on mice then found those lacking the gene had less extensive spread of breast tumour cells to their lungs than ones that could activate it. 'The cancer cells were always the same, but we had different hosts. The primary tumors were similar in size, but only in the host that can express ATF3 - the stress gene - did the cancer cells metastasize efficiently. The 'stress gene' could one day function as a drug target to combat cancer spread . 'This suggests that the host stress response can help cancer to metastasize. 'If the body is in perfect balance, there isn't much of a problem. When the body gets stressed, that changes the immune system. And the immune system is a double-edged sword,' she said. In general, when cancer cells first appear, the immune system recognises them as foreign and various immune cells travel to the site to attack them. Prof Hai said if further research bear out the results 'the stress gene could one day function as a drug target to combat cancer spread, or metastasis as it is known medically.' Meanwhile, the results published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation provide important insights into how tumour cells use their signalling power to co-opt the rest of the body into aiding cancer's survival and movement to distant organs. Although the work suggests a drug to dampen ATF3's effect could lower the risk for metastasis, Prof Hai noted scientists do not fully understand what the overall effects would be. She said: 'We have this gene for a reason. It is a gene that helps us adapt to changes. So it is a question of how and when to target ATF3.' Another new study has found restricting calories for a set period of time - combined with targeted cancer therapy - can increase the success of cancer treatment in mice. The journal Blood reports that we eat, the body metabolises food to produce energy and assist in the building of proteins. If . we consume less, the amount of nutrients available to the body's cells . are reduced, which slows the metabolic process and limits the function of . certain proteins - including one protein associated with several cancers. Dr . Jean-Ehrland Ricci, of the French Institute for Health and Medical . Research in Nice, said: 'By . understanding the link between metabolism and the body's natural cancer . suppressors and activators, we can perhaps improve the efficacy of . therapy and improve survival for patients suffering from specific types . of cancer.' Although more research in a clinical setting is needed, the promising results are believed to apply to humans too. 'We . next want to examine what component of a reduced-calorie diet - fats, . sugars, or another food compound - influenced the lymphoma cells' improved sensitivity to treatment.'
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Study found that stress triggers a 'master switch' gene called ATF3 .
This corrupts the immune system, giving cancer an fast-track around body .
Discovery could help develop drugs to dampen the 'stress gene'
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Business Secretary Vince Cable said small companies are being starved of cash by lenders bailed out by British taxpayers . Efforts to force banks to increase lending to struggling small firms have failed, Vince Cable admitted yesterday. In an astonishing attack on one of George Osborne’s flagship policies to boost the economy, the Business Secretary claimed the ‘route of using big institutions didn’t work’ and said there was still a ‘lot of frustration with the big banks’. Singling out state-backed Royal Bank of Scotland, he said that five years after the financial crisis small companies are still being starved of cash by lenders which were bailed out by British taxpayers. ‘The restriction on credit that followed the financial crisis is a problem that has persisted to this day,’ he said. ‘Five years after the crisis, we still have more money being taken out [of small business lending], by Royal Bank of Scotland in particular, than being put in by Lloyds, Santander and some of the new challenger banks.’ Mr Cable’s comments came at an event to promote the Government-backed British Business Bank, which provides state support for ‘challenger banks’ and other alternatives to the main High Street lenders. The damning verdict on the Government’s efforts to provide a lifeline to small firms represents a direct challenge to the Chancellor, who launched the Funding for Lending scheme in August 2012 and has consistently hailed it as a success. It was designed to boost the economy by halting a downward spiral of lending and borrowing since the onset of the financial crisis. Under the scheme, the Bank of England has provided lenders with billions of pounds in cheap funds on condition that they increase lending. But while the banks have benefited from a glut of cheap cash, net lending to small and medium-sized firms continues to fall. Net lending is the amount lent minus repayments. Latest figures from the Bank of England also show net lending under the Funding for Lending Scheme slumped by £1.2billion in the first half of the year. This has been driven by a £1.1billion fall at RBS, which received a £46billion bailout from taxpayers in 2008. Mr Cable said many small firms have become so exasperated they have ‘walked away from the banks’ because they were ‘given a bad deal’. George Osborne launched the Funding for Lending scheme in August 2012. It was designed to boost the economy by halting a downward spiral of lending and borrowing since the onset of the financial crisis . He continued: ‘Ever since I got into government I’ve been having conversations with George Osborne about how we get small business lending going. 'Our initial instincts were, we have these big banks who have been rescued by the state, why on earth don’t they do it? For a variety of reasons, it never happened.’ Mr Cable said: ‘There is a lot of frustration with the big banks which have failed to prioritise lending to SMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises].’ Banks face an inquiry from the Competition and Markets Authority into their failure to lend. This marked a major victory for the Daily Mail’s Make the Banks Lend campaign launched in July 2010 to highlight the plight of small firms, which need money to grow. Last night the Treasury hit back, describing Funding for Lending as ‘hugely successful at improving credit conditions for businesses’. It added: ‘The biggest risk to the recovery would be abandoning the plan that’s providing economic security for hard-working people.’ An RBS spokesman said: ‘RBS is the biggest lender for UK SMEs. We are on target to boost new lending by at least 10 per cent to over £9billion this year, and we continue to support thousands more businesses with their expansion plans, having contacted 290,000 SME customers offering over £11.5billion in additional funding.’
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Liberal Democrat said efforts to force banks to increase lending have failed .
Comments challenge Chancellor who launched Funding for Lending scheme .
It sees Bank of England give lenders billions in cheap funds to raise lending .
Cable warned 'using big institutions didn't work' and small businesses are given 'bad deal'
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An army dog which died of a broken heart hours after his handler was shot dead has been awarded the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. Theo, a springer spaniel cross, received the PDSA Dickin Medal for life-saving bravery in Afghanistan. The 22-month-old dog suffered a fatal seizure when his handler, Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, 26, was shot dead by the Taliban in March 2011. Scroll down for video . Heroes: Lance Corporal Liam Tasker and his springer spaniel Theo, who died just a few hours after his handler . The pair had uncovered 14 bombs and hoards of weapons in five months in Helmand Province – more than any other dog and handler in the conflict. L/Cpl Tasker’s family were at Wellington Barracks, in central London, yesterday for the ceremony.His mother Jane Duffy, 53, said her family were ‘ecstatic’. She said: ‘We are absolutely delighted and so very, very proud. It means so much because Liam put Theo forward for the medal when he was in Afghanistan because he was so good. ‘He said that Theo used to get excited when they got out the Vallon [bomb-detecting equipment] and switched it on because it meant he was going out. Liam got his Mention in Dispatches [the oldest recognition of gallantry in the Armed Forces], so it’s lovely that Theo is getting his Dickin Medal and being recognised for his bravery as well.’ Mrs Duffy, of Tayport, Fife, added: ‘I strongly believe that Theo died of a broken heart. I take comfort in that.’ Her son served with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps’s 104 Military Working Dog Squadron. He was killed taking part in a mission in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand. Man's best friend: LCpl Tasker thought of Theo as his 'best mate' and they were inseparable . L-R Jane Duffy, LCpl Tasker's mother, Sergeant Matthew Jones and the dead hero's sisters, Nicola Duffy and Laura Tasker, accepting the medal on behalf of Theo . Sergeant Matthew Jones and search dog Grace accept the PDSA Dickin medal at Wellington Barracks, London, on behalf of Theo the Army search dog . Not only did Theo sniff out homemade . bombs, on one occasion he identified two hidden bags of fertiliser and a . large quantity of parts for making improvised explosive devices. And on another occasion he found a . tunnel leading to a room in which insurgents were making bombs and . hiding from coalition forces. The Dickin Medal is the highest accolade that an animal can receive for saving human life while serving in a warzone. Theo’s citation said his actions ‘undoubtedly saved the lives of coalition soldiers and civilians’. The award was accepted by Sergeant Matthew Jones, who served alongside . L/Cpl Tasker, and search dog Grace. L/Cpl Tasker’s family will receive a . replica medal. Colonel Neil Smith, director of the Army Veterinary Service, said: ‘This . impressive team undoubtedly prevented many soldiers and civilians being . killed or injured. ‘This award recognises not only a very special dog, but also the . contribution that all our dog teams make in detecting improvised . explosive devices and weapons caches.’ Theo’s is the first Dickin Medal to be presented since 2010. Since its inception in 1943, it has been awarded to 28 dogs, 32 messenger pigeons, three horses and a cat.
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Pair detected a record 14 Taliban roadside bombs and weapons cashes .
Lance Corporal Liam Tasker and his 'best mate' Theo were 'inseparable'
LCpl, from Fife was posthumously honoured with MBE last year .
Theo made the most confirmed operational finds by any arms and explosives search dog in Afghanistan to date .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 12:46 EST, 10 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 18:52 EST, 10 February 2014 . Newly-single Valerie Trierweiler shows French president Francois Hollande what he is missing as she strips down to a bikini on holiday in Mauritius. The jilted former French First Lady jetted to the sun-drenched isle to relax with friends as her ex-partner prepared to fly to freezing Washington to meet the Obamas tomorrow - his first state visit without her. It . is just under a month since the 48-year-old journalist spent eight days in a Paris hospital with extreme stress after a glossy magazine revealed Hollande, 59, was cheating on her with actress Julie Gayet, 41. Relaxing break: Valerie Trierweiler (centre) is having a break from the media frenzy after splitting with French President Hollande. She is enjoying a holiday in Mauritius with girlfriends Valerie de Senneville (right) and actress Saida Jawad (left) in Mauritius . Time for a break: The former french First Lady (lying on her front) jetted to the paradise isle to relax with friends as her ex-partner prepared to fly to the U.S. to meet the Obamas this week - his first state visit without her . Confident: It . is just under a month since a glossy magazine revealed the French president was . cheating on the first lady, sending shockwaves . through France . Picture of calm: But she looked the picture of calm as she lazed on the white sands on the paradise isle . The scandal broke when photographs . published in Closer showed the portly Socialist visiting a Paris love . nest on a moped and wearing a crash helmet as a disguise. Following the disclosure, Miss Trierweilerspent eight days in hospital suffering from the extreme stress at finding out her partner was having an affair. Awkward conversation: Interestingly, one of her friends, Valérie de Senneville (far right), is married to Michel Sapin, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Affairs in Francois Hollande's cabinet . Hard to take: Following the disclosure, Miss Trierweiler (wearing a hat) spent eight days in hospital suffering from the extreme stress at finding out her partner was having an affair . Outdoors and proud: But Miss Trierweiler made next to no attempt to disguise herself today as she lazed on the beach, shopped at a local market and chatted to girlfriends - French-Moroccan actress Saida Jawad and journalist Valérie de Senneville - on the palm-fringed island in the Indian Ocean . All smiles: She looked every inch the carefree holidaymaker as she toured the island . When life gives you onions... She was also spotted buying veg at a local market on the island nation . Glamorous: She laughed and joked with her two friends and chatted to locals . Paradise found: She is staying at the luxury 5-star Paradis Hotel on the island . Heavenly: Mauritius is known for is crystal seas and white beaches . But Miss Trierweiler made no attempt to disguise herself today as she lazed on the beach, shopped at a local market and chatted to girlfriends - French-Moroccan actress Saida Jawad and journalist Valérie de Senneville - on the palm-fringed island in the Indian Ocean. Interestingly, one of her friends, Valérie de Senneville, is married to Michel Sapin, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Affairs in Francois Hollande's cabinet. Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande is set to arrive in America tomorrow for a state visit hosted by the Obamas. Infidelity: It is just under a month since . Closer revealed that Ms Trierweiler’s ex-boyfriend, President Francois . Hollande, left, was cheating on her with the actress Julie Gayet, right . All alone: President Barack Obama, right, pictured with Francois Hollande at the G8 Summit. French President Francois Hollande is set to arrive in America for a state visit hosted by the Obamas - his first state visit without Miss Trierweiler . Different times: US First Lady Michelle Obama poses with Valerie Trierweile at the Gary Corner Youth Center in Chicago, in May 2012 . But breaking with protocol, it is believed he will attend a grand reception and state dinner held in his honour alone, following his high profile split from longtime partner Valerie Trierweiler. It is believed the White House has now destroyed hundreds of embossed invitations to the event, because they included a reference to his now former partner.
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The jilted former First Lady jetted to the isle with two girlfriends .
She laughed with friends as they lazed on a beach, shopped and chatted .
Meanwhile, Hollande is preparing to visit U.S. in first state visit without her .
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Dhaka, Bangladesh (CNN) -- Hundreds of hawkers and beggars, quite often seen on Dhaka's major roads and at traffic stops, will be driven out next month ahead of the Cricket World Cup scheduled to begin in mid February, officials said Wednesday. Three South Asian nations ннн-- Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka -- are jointly hosting the grand gala ICC World Cup 2011 and the opening ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka on February 17. "No hawkers will be allowed in the streets and beggars will be evicted temporarily from many parts of the city," said Bangladesh Home Minister Shara Khatun. In Bangladesh, matches will be played in the capital of Dhaka and the southeast port city of Chittagong. Apart from six group matches, two quarterfinals will take place in Bangladesh, officials said. Sahara Khatun, junior minister for home affairs, and other top government officials Tuesday had a meeting to ensure fail safe security for the more than a month-long cricket event. The government is also working to give Dhaka a facelift ahead of the tournament, which will be played by 14 countries in two groups. The countries are Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, England, India, Ireland, Kenya, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe. Officials said the beggars would be taken to government asylums for the time being from the first week of February. "I'm really upset. I don't know what I'll do for the living of my family in February and March," Mohammad Suman, who sells pirated copies of foreign books at one of the busiest traffic signals near the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka's Karwan Bazar, told CNN on Wednesday. The minister said that they would also recommend making February 17 a public holiday in Dhaka. As a part of heightening security, the army would be deployed in many places, besides police and elite forces of the Rapid Action Battalion, officials said. The Bangladesh government imposed a ban on begging amid criticism two years ago, saying they would stop the practice within five years. According to the law, anyone caught begging in public places faces a maximum three months in jail. But begging is still seen in almost everywhere in Dhaka нн-- a city of ten million people, one third of whom are extremely poor and live in shanties. According to the World Bank and the United Nations, 40 percent of Bangladesh's 140 million people live below the poverty level.
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Bangladesh is one of three countries hosting the Cricket World Cup .
Officials say hawkers and beggars will be removed from Dhaka .
An estimated 40 percent of Bangladesh's population lives in poverty .
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By . Jennifer Smith . Glennis Brierley was stabbed four times by her schizophrenic son . A paranoid schizophrenic stabbed his mother to death after convincing himself his parents were part of a satanic paedophile ring. Matthew Brierley killed his 64-year-old mother the day after he moved back into her home in Littleborough, Rochdale. The 45-year-old called 999 from a phone box in the town centre after the attack, telling officers: 'I've just killed somebody.' He pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Manchester Crown Court. Glennis Brierley had been stabbed four times in the neck and chest by her 'delusional son', it was heard. On December 14, he attacked the grandmother-of-two before alerting emergency services to her address. The court heard how 'alarm bells starting ringing' when he discovered ornaments were missing from his mother's attic. An argument ensued in which his mother threatened to report him to social services. In interviews with detectives, Brierley said: 'I just went for her. I threw her down and got the knife and stabbed her. I was aware I’d just stabbed my mother and I didn’t have any response to it.' He said he had previously considered killing both of parents who he thought were part of a 'paedophile syndicate'. He went on to tell police about young girls who had gone missing in the Rochdale area. Matthew Brierley attacked his mother at herhome in Littleborough (pictured) before phoning police from a phone box in the town centre . Prosecuting Raymond Wigglesworth QC said: 'It’s clear from the psychiatric history that over the years (Matthew Brierley) has harboured a number of delusional beliefs and one of those was that his parents were members of Satanic paedophile conspiracy. 'He claimed to be in fear of them.' Recommending that he be sentenced to a hospital order, forensic psychiatrist Dr Andrew Haddock told the court Brierley’s ‘actions were driven by mental illness’. Brierley will be sentenced at 10am tomorrow.
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Matthew Brierley stabbed his mother in the neck and chest four times .
The 45-year-old became convinced his parents were involved in paedophilia .
Called police from a phone box after attack saying: 'I've just killed somebody'
Brierley admitted manslaughter and will be sentenced tomorrow .
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By . Alex Ward . PUBLISHED: . 12:00 EST, 28 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:36 EST, 29 October 2013 . A baby girl found naked, lying in her own excrement, and close to death in a car boot may have been hidden there since her birth almost two years ago, a court in France has heard. The baby's Portuguese parents face up to ten years in jail for the alleged neglect of the child, who was only found in the car when the mother took the vehicle to a garage in Terrason, central France. The unemployed couple live in Brignac-La-Plaine in the Correze department in France. The baby, thought to be aged between 15 and 23 months, was found by mechanics when they heard 'strange noises that sounded like moans' coming from the woman's car boot. Neglect charges: The parents of a baby girl found close to death in the boot of her mother's car in France are escorted to court, where prosecutors told how car mechanics made the gruesome discovery . Prosecutor Jean-Pierre Laffite said yesterday that it 'defied imagination' that the baby was forced to live in the car boot undetected after the 45-year-old mother woman kept the baby's existence a secret, even from her husband. Mr Laffite said the baby’s condition had stabilised but that she was ‘seriously retarded’. Garage workers were only made aware of the little girl when they heard noises coming from the boot of the mother’s Peugeot 307, according to The Telegraph. Insisting on opening the boot despite the woman's protests they were horrified with what they found. Guillaume Iguacel, one of the mechanics who made the horrible discovery, said: ‘I’m still having trouble . sleeping. 'It was a horrifying sight, seeing this little girl in her own . excrement, not able to hold up her head, white as a sheet.’ Mechanic's shock: The baby - found in her own excrement in the foul-smelling boot after mechanics heard 'strange noises that sounded like moans' - is thought to have been hidden there from birth . The Portuguese couple faces charges relating to depriving the child of care and food, inflicting . habitual voluntary violence on a child under 15-years-old, and concealing a child's existence. Prosecutors said last night that the woman’s claim that the baby’s father, a 40-year-old unemployed builder, was unaware of the baby’s existence was ‘one of several points being checked out by investigators’. The couple were released under strict bail conditions and their names have not been released to protect the identity of their three other children, a girl aged four and two boys, nine and ten. The children are currently being cared for by Correze social workers. The couple are prohibited from entering their house pending further investigations by police. Hid baby's existence: Neighbours of the baby's parents, from French village Birgnac-la-Plaine (pictured), were shocked to learn the shocking news, one saying 'there was never any trace of a baby' Firemen . who spoke to La Montagne newspaper said that the baby's life ‘was at stake . within a time frame of 15 minutes’ when she was discovered. A juvenile judge will make a ruling in . the next few days on the future of the couple’s four children and . whether the two eldest, the boys, can be returned to their parents. Neighbours of the couple were incredulous at news of the discovery. One villager said: ‘They are people like any others and not dirty. ‘I went to their house several times and there was never any trace of a baby. 'I’m still having trouble . sleeping... It was a horrifying sight, seeing this little girl in her own . excrement, not able to hold up her head, white as a sheet' - Guillaume Iguacel, mechanic who found the baby girl . ‘We never noticed that she was pregnant.’ Another neighbour, Pascale, told Le Parisien: ‘We had the impression that this woman lived in her car. She never left it. ‘I recall seeing her several times a week with her car parked in a little lot about 200 metres from her house but we couldn’t see what she was doing in the boot. ‘We never heard a single cry, never saw a bottle or a pushchair.’ The couple’s three other children had attended the local school and appeared normal. According to Sud Ouest newspaper, it was said that the mother had given birth to the baby in a corridor at the couple’s house aided by a neighbour. The man was allegedly drunk when he was . arrested on Friday night and could only be questioned on Saturday after . spending a night in a cell to sober up. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons.
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Portuguese couple in French court on neglect charges .
Baby, believed to be aged between 15 and 23 months, was found in the car by mechanics in French garage doing repairs .
Mother kept the child a secret - even from her husband since - it was claimed .
Prosecutor said girl's condition was stabilised but 'serious'
Parents have three other children who are in the care of social workers .
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Roma are weighing up a January move for Petr Cech. Jose Mourinho insists Chelsea have yet to receive any offers for the 32-year-old goalkeeper despite mooted interest from Liverpool, Inter Milan, Arsenal, Paris St Germain and Real Madrid. Cech has played in the Champions League against Maribor and is valued at around £7million. Petr Cech (left) has been displaced in the Chelsea team this season by Thibaut Courtois (right) Cech has only featured in one of Chelsea's Premier League games this season . The Czech Republic international has found himself playing second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois this season after the Belgian returned to the club following three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid. Speaking in November Mourinho said: 'On my desk, normally from my board's desk the information arrives, I have zero. Zero proposals. 'At this moment, Petr Cech is our goalkeeper and has a contract for two more years. 'He's a fantastic professional and puts the team's interests first. Not once has Petr Cech knocked on my door to inform me of his desire to accept some proposal. This is my truth. Nothing more I can say.' Cech protects the ball from John Terry during Chelsea training on Tuesday ahead of Tottenham match . Cech's agent has also said the likelihood of him moving in January is slim but Roma will weigh up their options once their Champions League fate is sealed against Manchester City next week. Roma are also among clubs to have made enquiries about Tottenham defender Vlad Chiriches. The Romania international has been out of favour under Mauricio Pochettino and has started just three Premier League games this season, including Sunday's win against Everton where he played as a makeshift right back. Roma are also tracking Tottenham defender Vlad Chiriches, who has struggled for first-team football . The Romania international has only started three Premier League games under Mauricio Pochettino .
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Petr Cech has been displaced in the Chelsea team by Thibaut Courtois .
Roma are weighing up making a move for the Chelsea keeper in January .
Cech has also attracted interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid .
The 32-year-old is valued at around £7million .
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A high school teacher from Portland says he was fired because of his religious beliefs and pro-life views. Math teacher Bill Diss had been out of the classroom since March after he was put on paid administrative leave after a teaching career spanning 11 years. He has now been formally fired by Portland Public Schools but believes his termination was a long time coming after making his anti-abortionist views known. Scroll down for video... Fired: High school teacher Bill Diss claims he was fired because of his stance against abortion. Troubles began in 2007 when he publicly protested against a new Planned Parenthood building . On the day he was told to leave the school in March of this year, Mr Diss was apparently given just a few minutes to collect his things and was escorted from school premises by police, . He described himself as a teacher with great reviews before 2007, but he told KATU things took a dramatic shift after the Planned Parenthood protest. Mr Diss publicly opposed the construction of a new Planned Parenthood headquarters building in the northeast of the city. 'The review I got in 2010, in every single area, were very negative comments,' says Mr Diss. 'I was marked down in a whole bunch of areas. I was even marked down for how my classroom looked.' He doesn't believe he was doing his job poorly but that school leaders deliberately took issue with how he did things because they disagreed with his pro-life stance. The Portland School Board approved his firing by a 6-1 vote. Mr Diss says he is now considering taking legal action against the school. Something changed: Bill Diss described himself as a teacher with great reviews before 2007, but says things took a dramatic shift after the Planned Parenthood protest . Although the School District wouldn't comment on why Mr Diss was ultimately fired, they = did release a statement: . 'Mr. Diss has said his termination was based on his religious beliefs and his right to free speech. That is not the case. The school district takes discipline of all employees seriously. Mr. Diss’s conduct and performance led to his removal from the classroom and termination. State law protects an employee’s privacy and does not allow the school district to discuss personnel matters in detail.' Former students told KGW-TV Diss is known for sharing his anti-abortion views at school. 'He doesn’t do it a lot, but students do make fun of him for being against it and everything,' junior Ty’sha Harrell said. When he does talk about it, he does have really good views and everything, sometimes he goes too deep into it. He brings religion into it.' Benson High School: Mr Diss was put on administrative leave in March and was formally fired by Portland Public Schools at a board hearing earlier this week. He doesn't believe he was doing his job poorly . In one suspension letter provided to The Oregonian, school officials accused him of trying to block students from attending the Planned Parenthood program because of his religious beliefs and told them to 'shut (their) mouths.' Mr Diss was reprimanded by the district in September 2012 after he refused to allow employees of teenage pregnancy prevention initiative to speak to students because the employees were from Planned Parenthood. The teacher had been a longtime critic against the organization, and had often helped bring dozens of pro-life protestors to school board meetings. At the November hearing, multiple administrators testified that Mr Diss was often rude to students and had a pattern of behavior that was damaging to his relationships with students and co-workers. It was revealed Mr Diss had intimidated and harassed students along with other staff, although he denies the claims that he ever disrespected students. 'I don't think so,' he says. 'I would certainly get after students. I mean, I'm their teacher. It's kind of interesting because administrators before 2007 wrote that I'm very respectful to students. All of a sudden, it just changed.' Mr Diss says there are still ways to appeal his firing within the district. If those attempts fail, he may consider legal action.
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School says math teacher was fired because of his 'conduct and performance'
Bill Diss believes he was removed from the classroom because of his anti-abortion views .
Teacher banned Planned Parenthood from coming to speak to his class and was abusive towards teachers and students who agreed with their views .
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By . Riath Al-Samarrai . Follow @@riathalsam . Stoke defender Robert Huth, perhaps sensing the escalation of a recent and curious epidemic, took to Twitter on Monday evening and advocated Luis Suarez starting yet another season under suspension. He wrote: ‘Still maintain that crying on the pitch should warrant a three-match ban.’ By then, Suarez had just about made it down the pitch, legs shaking and chin wobbling. One assumes his chin was wobbling. It was impossible to know with any certainty because, for a matter of several minutes, his shirt was pulled over his eyes. Broken: Luis Suarez was reduced to tears as Liverpool were held to a draw having lead 3-0 after 60 minutes . Hard man: Robert Huth is known for his rough tackling on the pitch and his harsh words off it . First when he lay on his front on the pitch, and when he made it to his haunches, then all the way to the side of the pitch as Steven Gerrard, with the urgency of a family member at a funeral, moved to protect the privacy of last summer’s cannibal. A camera was swatted away; let Luis be alone at this moment of intense suffering. He’s Luis Suarez, a rehabilitated man, and he cares deeply about this club he so very nearly left for a better option last year. And so on. Remember the threat of a transfer request, the days he spent training with the reserves? Nine months ago to the day, he criticised the club’s refusal to let him leave in an interview: ‘This is about the club having agreed to something, both verbally and in the contract, which they are now not honouring.’ It was bitter, nasty even. And now the crocodile tears that are becoming increasingly common. In the space of a week, John Terry has blubbed, Ashley Cole has shed a few and Nemanja Vidic, one of the last true hard men of European football, tried to stir a will-he, won’t-drama. Speaking ahead of his last game at Old Trafford last night, Manchester United’s Vidic, who will soon earn £2.5million a year after tax at Inter Milan, said: ‘You never know what’s going to happen with emotions. You can try to predict but I haven’t cried yet.’ Unstoppable: Dwight Gayle came off the bench to score twice as Crystal Palace recovered to get a point . Inconsolable: Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard lead Suarez away after the end of the match at Selhurst Park . Caressed beyond: Suarez bends around Huth during a Liverpool's 2-1 FA Cup win in March 2012 . Emotional: John Terry (left) and Ashley Cole both looked drained after Chelsea's draw against Norwich . Iconic: Paul Gascoigne's tears after the 1990 World Cup semi-final defeat was the picture of the tournament . Then there’s Cole. What was the meaning of his tears on Sunday? Is this goodbye? Has a year on the fringes heralded the end of Cole’s eight-year journey at Chelsea? A journey that, lest we forget, started when he ‘almost crashed’ his car because Arsenal’s offer to keep him was only £55,000 a week? Football bonds are formed quickly and fickly. And, increasingly, it ends in tears. Indeed, this has been the season for them. Sometimes, they are a little more understandable. Gerrard’s tears three weeks ago, after Liverpool beat Manchester City and when it looked as if they would win the Premier League, was touching to some people, though not all. Gazza, famously crying at Italia 90 (left), falls into the same bracket. But don’t all these tears just cheapen raw, painful, tragic emotion? One of the most moving footballing environments I have been in was Swansea City versus Aston Villa on November 27, 2011, the day Wales manager Gary Speed died, aged just 42. There, during the minute’s silence before the match, Speed’s good friend Shay Given was unable to hold back the tears ahead of kick-off. No-one would dare begrudge him that. Tussle: Huth (right) playing against Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge earlier in the season . You could also feel the raw devastation of Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke at the weekend, when he broke down following the club’s first relegation out of the Football League after a 94-year stay. Relegation means the loss of jobs, from the manager and players to the tea lady and kit man. Less understandable is the reaction of a player who wanted to leave and who now mourns that he has fallen short of an ambition. Just like Terry. If Suarez was sad on Monday night, it was for himself, for his own ambitions. Liverpool and their history likely had nothing to do with it. Huth’s law might have some merit.
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Robert Huth slammed Luis Suarez on Monday night .
The striker was crying after Liverpool's dramatic 3-3 draw at Crystal Palace .
Huth said: 'Still maintain that crying on the pitch should warrant a ban.'
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Jack P Shepherd, who plays David Platt in Coronation Street, was forced to apologise after making jokes about the fire at the kennels . Hundreds of Coronation Street fans have called for Jack P Shepherd to be sacked after he made jokes about the Manchester Dogs' Home fire which claimed the lives of 60 animals. The actor, 26, who plays David Platt in the ITV soap, was forced into an apology after causing uproar on Twitter when he said: 'I have a million 'hot dog' jokes'. When people responded with complaints and messages of disbelief he added: 'You guys need to lighten up. #GetItLightenUp.' Hours later when it became how many animals have perished in the fire on Thursday night, he issued a grovelling apology. He said: 'I sincerely apologise for any offence I have caused. This was not intended to be a malicious tweet and I didn't consider the offence it would cause. 'At the time I didn't realise the scale of the tragedy but that doesn't excuse my behaviour. I now realise how insensitive I have been. 'I have made a donation to the MCR dogs home and I'm very sorry for my behaviour.' More than £1.36million has been raised for the dogs' home which will be used to rebuild the home in Harpurhey. Firefighters said the 150 dogs rescued from the blaze had been moved to a sister site, Cheshire Dogs' Home. Around 400 people have agreed to provide permanent homes to dogs, with 300 more responding to the charity's 'foster auction' to find short-term homes. His offensive and ill-timed tweets about Manchester Dogs' Home sparked outrage on social media . Coronation Street bosses pledged to speak to the actor, who has appeared in the show since he was 12, after reading his tweets. A spokeswoman for the show said: 'Jack quickly realised the insensitivity of his tweets and deleted them straight away. 'Jack's ill-judged and insensitive tweets were clearly unacceptable and we will be talking to him about his conduct.' Fans have threatened to boycott the show until the young actor is fired. The fire raged through the dogs' home, killing 60 animals as hundreds of others yelped in their cages . Dawn Bradbury was reunited with her two-year-old bichon frisé, Leo, who survived the fire . Emma Anne Marie tweeted: 'Refusing to watch @itvcorrie until the disgracful excuse for a human being @jackpshepherd88 has been sacked. How heartless can you get?!' Fern Cook tweeted: 'Jack Shepherd (David Platt in Coronation Street) should be sacked for those disgusting comments.' A 15-year-old was arrested on suspicion of deliberately starting the fire, but the teenager has been bailed pending further enquiries. The boy – who is the subject of death threats from furious animal lovers on social media sites – cannot be named for legal reasons. Chelsea Bond 28, and Rick Yates from Newton-Le-Willows, have adopted Elsie who was saved from the fire . It has been revealed that the teenager was attacked by Rhodesian ridgeback earlier this year. Yesterday police urged his family to move, but the boy's defiant mother, 49, insisted they would not be forced out and said the allegations were a 'pack of lies'. 'They have said that he has had to move away, that the police told him to go away for his own safety but as you can see he is still here,' she said. 'I don't care what people are saying about threats. I am still here and I'm not leaving. I don't want to talk about it because people will twist everything we say.' A vigil for the dogs that died in the fire will be held at the local Christ Church at 6pm tonight. A 15-year-old was arrested on suspicion of deliberately starting the fire, but the teenager has been bailed . Hundreds of people have donated food and blankets to help Manchester Dogs' Home .
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Jack P Shepherd, 26, said: 'I have a million 'hot dog' jokes' after kennel fire .
He then tweeted: 'You guys need to lighten up. #GetItLightenUp'
The Coronation Street star was forced to issue a grovelling apology .
He will be spoken to by ITV bosses after fans called for him to be fired .
More than £1.36million has been raised for Manchester Dogs' Home .
Hundreds of people have offered to provide permanent homes for the dogs .
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By . James Gordon . It's one of the most colorful weekends on the calendar with Gay Pride events taking place around the world, but less than 45 years ago there were few celebrations of the LGBT community at all. There were no openly gay politicians. No TV show had any identifiably gay characters. It was legal to fire gay men or women, and deny them housing. When Hollywood made a film with a major homosexual character, the character was either killed or killed himself. There were no openly gay policemen, public school teachers, doctors, or lawyers. In 1970, to mark the first anniversary of the Stonewall uprisings, the very first Gay Pride marches took place in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago. And progress is still being made. This week the U.S. Supreme Court dumped the federal Defense of Marriage Act and declined to reinstate a ban on same-sex marriage in California. Adopting the rainbow 'peace' flag as it's symbol, the early gay pride parades of 44 years ago depict a community coming out of the shadows and a little more reserved than today's colorful marches. The New York Public Library archives has some pictures of the first-ever Pride parades around the world... Brotherly love at Philadelphia's first Gay Pride rally: Obtaining gay rights was hard work and serious business in 1972 . Equality for all: Philadelphia's first Gay Pride rally and march, June 11,1972 . Where it all began: Gay Liberation Day march and dance, New York City, June 27, 1970 . NYC parade: In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, violent protests and street demonstrations took over the streets of New York after a police raid of Stonewall Inn . New York City Gay Liberation Day 1970: The now-legendary Greenwich Village gay bar saw the Stonewall Riots, these protests are commonly considered the tipping point and the birth of the modern gay rights movement . On message: Gay Liberation Day march and dance, New York City, June 27, 1970 . All walkers and no floats in 1970: GAA and Vito Russo marching in 1st Christopher St. Liberation Day Parade . North of the border: lesbian couple at Toronto's first Gay Pride Week, August 1972. Who knows if they're still together? Gay couple at Toronto's first Gay Pride Week, August 1972: Now in 2013, Canada marked the 10th anniversary of its first same-sex marriage . Marching for a cause: For some equality is still a goal, not a reality, and the struggle is far from over . Chicago Gay Pride celebration, 1972: The first marches were both serious and fun, and served to inspire the widening activist movement; they were repeated in the following years . Fitting in instead of standing out: Pride marchers wanted to be seen as the same, not different . Light-hearted: Activists used humour to break the ice and win people to their cause . Coming together: It's easy to forget these people were marching FOR something as much as in celebration of something!
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The first marches were both serious and fun, and served to inspire the widening activist movement .
More and more annual marches started up in other cities throughout the world .
In Atlanta and New York City and the marches were called 'Gay Liberation Marches'
In Los Angeles and San Francisco they became known as 'Gay Freedom Marches'
In the 1980s there was a cultural shift in the gay movement and the name 'Gay Pride' was adopted .
Many parades still have at least some of the original political or activist character even if it can feel like Mardi Gras!
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By . Corey Charlton . A mother of seven has been found dead in a jail cell halfway through a 48-hour sentence she was serving for her children's absence from school. Eileen DiNino, 55, was found dead at Berks County Prison in Pennsylvania, during a two day sentence that would have erased about $2000 in fines and court costs. The debt had accumulated since 1999, and involved several of her seven children, most recently her boys at high school. Scroll down for video . Police said Eileen DiNino's death at Berks County Jail is not suspicious but the cause is not yet known . video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player . US Pennsylvanian state laws criminalise fines for truancy or those for failing to pay a rubbish bill. District Judge Dean R. Patton, who reluctantly sent her to prison after she failed to pay the debt for four years, described her as a 'lost soul'. 'Did something happen? Was she scared to death? This lady didn't need to be there.' Police said the cause of her death was not yet known but it was not suspicious. DiNino's court file showed a laundry list of court fees for one case alone: $8 for a 'judicial computer project'; $60 for Berks County constables; $10 for postage. Judge Patton said he had lost sleep over her death but also acknowledged a short jail stint can sometimes 'break the habit' of parents who'd rather party into the night than take their children to school the next day. He said DiNino did not work or appear to have much help with four children still at home. She frequently skipped hearings, or arrived without requested documents. 'She cared about her kids, but her kids ruled the roost. She was just accepting what was coming, and (would) let the cards fall where they may.' Although she was often unkempt, she came to court clean and neat to surrender the day before her death. She had on clean sweatpants, had combed her hair, and had tape holding her glasses together.
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Eileen DiNino, 55, serving sentence to erase $2000 in fines and court costs .
The debt had accumulated since 1999 and involved several of her children .
Cause of death not yet known but it is not considered suspicious .
'Didn't need to be here': Judge admits to losing sleep over her death .
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Manila, Philippines (CNN) -- The death toll from a tropical storm that pummeled the Philippines rose to at least 447 on Sunday, according to the national chairman of the Philippine Red Cross. The vast majority of the bodies were found in the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, according to military officials and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Five people were killed in a landslide, but all others died in flash flooding. The provinces of Compostela Valley and Zamboanga del Norte were also hit, added Benito Ramos, chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. About 400 people remain missing after Tropical Storm Washi, which is called Sendong locally. More than 2,000 have been rescued, the country's military reported. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said officials are investigating reports that an entire village was swept away. Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon will travel to the stricken region Monday to assess the damage, according to a statement from the organization. Authorities have also begun distributing food rations for some 10,000 families affected by the storm, while also handing out thousands of blankets and mosquito nets, the Red Cross reported Saturday. Flash flooding overnight Friday -- following 10 hours of rain -- fueled the devastation, compounded by overflowing rivers and tributaries. As much as 20 centimeters (8 inches) of rain fell within 24 hours in some areas. Ramos said despite government warning, some did not evacuate. An estimated 100,000 people are displaced, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. At least 20,000 people were staying in 10 evacuation centers in Cagayan de Oro, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman said Saturday. Some 20,000 soldiers embarked on search-and-rescue operations, the military said. Officials asked for volunteers to pack food to send to those displaced. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed her condolences on behalf of the U.S. government and said the United States "stands ready to assist Philippine authorities as they respond to this tragedy." CNN Meteorologist Ivan Cabrera contributed to this report.
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NEW: Philippine Red Cross chairman will travel to stricken region Monday .
Emergency officials are distributing food rations, blankets and mosquito nets .
Officials estimate 100,000 are displaced .
They are investigating reports that an entire village was swept away .
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(CNN) -- Armored cars patrolled the streets of Zimbabwe's capital and residents flocked to banks Thursday after limits on cash withdrawals were lifted in the inflation-ravaged African nation. With prices rising even more than once a day, shopping is a mathematical proficiency test for Zimbabweans. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe had capped maximum daily withdrawals at 500,000 Zimbabwean dollars -- about 25 U.S. cents, and about a quarter of the price of a loaf of bread. But faced with mounting chaos in a country already in economic free fall, the bank decided last week to raise that limit to 100 million dollars ($50 U.S.) per week. Soldiers were deployed to all banks in anticipation of throngs of people lining up to withdraw money Thursday, when the increase took effect. Wednesday, police chased depositors away and arrested union leaders who planned to protest the limits. Zimbabwe's inflation rate of 231 million percent is the world's highest. In addition, the country is faced with a growing outbreak of cholera that its government declared a national emergency Thursday. The outbreak has killed at least 565 people and sickened more than 11,000, the U.N. Humanitarian Affairs Office said. Medical professionals blame the resurgence of the water-borne disease on the lack of safe water in many parts of the country. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions said 69 people were arrested across the country during Wednesday's demonstrations. Amnesty International has demanded to know the whereabouts of human rights activist Jestina Mukoko, whom it said was abducted at dawn Wednesday by armed men in plainclothes posing as police. And angry, unpaid soldiers clashed with foreign currency exchangers and some civilians Monday, three days after troops who had failed to get cash from their banks looted shops they suspected to be illegally dealing in foreign currency.
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Residents flock to banks after limits on cash withdrawals lifted; troops patrol streets .
Central bank caps maximum daily withdrawals at 500,000 Zimbabwean dollars .
Bank last week raise that limit to 100 million dollars ($50 U.S.) per week .
Zimbabwe's inflation rate of 231 million percent is the world's highest .
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f958216be9265de57c6ae55fa9a34e1ee119c660
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(CNN) -- Inside Moore Medical Center's emergency room, Dr. Stephanie Barnhart had been monitoring the weather all afternoon. A tornado watch was in effect, but that was almost commonplace for this time of year in Oklahoma. The first "code black" emergency alert came shortly before 3 p.m. on Monday. The second notified the staff a tornado had touched down in the nearby town of Newcastle. Barnhart and her team jumped into action. The doctors quickly moved all 30 hospital patients to a clinic in the center of the hospital. They used mattresses and blankets from gurneys in the hallway to cover themselves in hopes of preventing head injuries. For 15 to 20 minutes, they waited anxiously, watching on TV as the massive tornado moved within 2 miles of their location. Then the power went out. "We were hearing it, and we knew that it was coming for us," Barnhart remembers. The tornado ripped through 17 miles of central Oklahoma. At least 24 people, including nine children, were killed, according to the state medical examiner's office. See the storm's path . The second floor of the medical center was reduced to rubble. Lampposts and other items from the streets were hurled through the walls of the ground floor. Cars, including Barnhart's, are now piled upside down and sideways in the parking lot. It looks a lot like a junkyard. "It's pretty amazing that we even walked out alive," Barnhart told CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta. One of the biggest concerns in a tornado is shrapnel, Gupta says. A loose object or anything that's broken by the force of the storm's winds can cause a penetrating, and potentially deadly, injury. Looking at the destruction, it's hard to believe some patients walked out of the medical center without a scratch. The mattresses and blankets helped protect them from the worst of the storm. Inside a tornado-ravaged school . Huddled inside the hospital, Barnhart says she didn't realize how much damage the tornado had caused until she walked outside and saw the bowling alley across the street -- or saw where the bowling alley used to be. Barnhart, 34, is a tiny blonde bundle of faith. She called her husband as soon as she could get cell reception after the tornado passed to tell him she loved him. She says she wasn't really concerned about her own safety during the storm, but worried about friends and family -- who all thankfully made it through OK. Remembering the victims . "We've been blessed by that. I know there are lots of families that have been devastated by this, and we are definitely praying for them," she says. Barnhart went back to work Monday night at one of the area's other hospitals, where patients at Moore Medical Center were evacuated after the tornado passed. She's received many thanks for her quick thinking, but says it's difficult to take credit. "I was just doing my job, and I knew what I had to do," she says. "It's Jesus that helped us and saved us, and I know that he was with us." Mayor: New law needed to keep people safe . CNN's Danielle Dellorto contributed to this story.
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The Moore, Oklahoma, Medical Center was directly in the path of the EF5 tornado .
All of the hospital patients survived thanks to Dr. Stephanie Barnhart's plan .
Barnhart and her team covered the patients with mattresses and blankets .
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Earlier this week US confectionery giant Hershey's declared legal war on its British counterpart for allegedly making their goods too similar to those favoured by American consumers. If successful, the bid would strip British specialist stores such as Tea & Sympathy and Myers Of Keswick, in New York's West Village, of one of their key selling points. It comes years after rumours swirled of an attempted takeover of the British go-to brand Cadbury by Hershey's owner Kraft Foods. American favourite: US confectioners Hershey's have launched a legal bid to remove Cadbury's products . Best of British: Fans of the Cadbury's Dairy Milk in America complained, saying they preferred the UK treat to home-grown alternatives . The two companies quietly reached a deal in 1988 allowing the production of Dairy Milk and other British treats with slight tweaks to recipes and packaging. In recent weeks British consumers have also protested at alleged plans of Cadbury's US owners to change the Creme Egg recipe. Mondelez changed the recipe for the sweet fondant-filled snack so that the shell is made from a 'standard, traditional Cadbury milk chocolate' instead of the popular Cadbury Dairy Milk. Critics also complained over plans to remove one of the eggs from the standard pack of six. But while Hershey's claims allege harmful similarities between the two, subtle discrepancies between the two recipes mean the American and British chocolates are in fact markedly different. With British standards requiring products to contain at least 20 per cent cocoa solids to be categorised as chocolate, its regarded as more delicious across the world. US: 10 per cent cocoa solids . Britain: 20 per cent cocoa solids . US: South American beans . Britain: West African beans . US: Some goods contain the additive PGPR used as cheaper cocoa butter alternative . Generally, ingredients found in American chocolate bars are cheaper than those in British counterparts. Indeed when news of Hershey's legal threat broke, US natives were quick to jump to the defence of Creme Eggs and Toffee Crisps. 'I'm a proud American but I hate Hershey's and have loved Cadbury's since I was a kid,' one Twitter user said, while another described the home-grown alternative as 'pure garbage'. Many chalk the more bitter taste of Hershey's down to food industry rules which mean only 10 per cent of its famous kisses need to be of pure cocoa solids for it to be considered chocolate. While only 11 per cent of Hershey's bars is made of cocoa, it makes up almost a quarter of a bar of Dairy Milk. Another reason for varying tastes is the source of each's beans. Most companies keep their recipes closely under wraps, though it's understood American confectioners prefer South American beans while the British tend to opt for those grown in West Africa. A fundamental difference in taste stems from where cocoa beans are sourced, with British brands opting for West African produce while US companies pluck from the fields of South America .
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British standards require that at least a fifth of sweet is cocoa solids .
In America however, only 10 per cent of ingredient is needed in treats .
Geographical differences in cocoa beans contributes to taste differences .
It comes as Hershey's tried to drive Cadbury's goods out of New York .
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(CNN) -- Tim Tebow wants to be an inspiration. As the Denver Broncos quarterback approaches the second round of the NFL playoffs, a documentary offers a detailed look at his quest to convince the teams that he could bring his college success to the pro level. With typical humility, he says he just hopes the film inspires young people. "I hope it's a positive message for kids who (are) trying to accomplish their dreams," he told ESPN's Bill Williamson. "I want to show them that there are adversity and obstacles for everyone, but you can make it. I am honestly living my dream, but I had adversity and obstacles. I want kids to get hope from this." Yeah, some of you are rolling your eyes. But Tebow genuinely believes that. And that's one of the messages of the film, says Chase Heavener, who directed "Tim Tebow: Everything in Between." Tim Tebow is exactly what he appears to be: a hard-working, squeaky-clean, all-American guy. "It's really cool to see that it's true. He is who he says he is," Heavener said. Heavener is something of an expert on this subject. He's not just a filmmaker who followed the man who is now arguably the most famous quarterback in America. He's also a friend. Heavener's dad and Tebow's dad were college roommates and have stayed buddies. That friendship uniquely positioned the younger Heavener to ask the Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion to be filmed constantly through winter 2010. Heavener and his team at Fiction, a video production company, ended up with more than 1,000 hours of film, which were edited to 50 minutes when ESPN picked up the television rights to the project. It was shot in the months between Tebow's last collegiate game and the night he was drafted by the Broncos. The film debuted in January 2011 with "very impressive" ratings, ESPN publicist Jennifer Cingari said, and "it has done well in re-airs, too." The documentary will get three more airings before Saturday night's Divisional Round game pitting the Broncos at the heavily favored New England Patriots. The cameras follow Tebow and his supporters through the process of preparing for the NFL draft. He hires an agent; plays in an all-star game for NFL prospects; moves to Nashville, Tennessee, to train; and eventually waits in his parents' home to see which team will choose him. Sports Illustrated: Tim Tebow news, photos and covers . More air time is spent on football than personal life, but Heavener says viewers see what makes Tebow a special person and athlete. People who start out ambivalent about the quarterback or even in the anti-Tebow camp tell him that, by the end, they're cheering when the Broncos call on him. "You get to see that none of things he's gotten in his life are handed to him; they're all a byproduct of how hard he works for it," Heavener said. "I've never seen someone who is so driven and so focused." In 2010, Tebow prepared for the draft as experts debated endlessly where he should go. The difference in contract for a top pick and a mid-round pick is millions of dollars. But it also sends a statement to the rest of the players about where the team is going. In one scene, as Tebow autographs merchandise with a television within earshot, ESPN analyst Todd McShay tells the TV audience that he thinks Tebow has third-round talent. Tebow doesn't say a word, doesn't even lift his head to acknowledge the comment, while others in the room make sympathetic don't-listen-to-that-guy remarks. "It makes him work harder," Heavener said. "Instead of taking it in a negative way, he makes it into something positive." The filmmaker says that's something he's seen from Tebow his whole life, even in high school. Tebow's much-publicized religion is a subtle part of the film. He visits a young gunshot victim in the hospital and leads a prayer with the family. He speaks at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington. He and his mother make a commercial for the conservative religious group, Focus on the Family. "I approached this as a documentary, so however Tim chose to present his faith that is how we presented it in the piece," Heavener said. What you see is "how Tim lives his life." The recently released DVD has some important extra material, Heavener says. He feels that the TV version of the documentary really doesn't leave anything out, but he added some draft night material after getting feedback from fans. The TV version goes to black just as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is about to announce Tebow's name at the draft. Heavener said he was intrigued by the fact that it seemed women disliked, even hated, cutting it there, while men were cool with the choice. There are 10 more minutes of the announcement and ensuing celebration on the DVD. He also put some outtakes in which Tebow's sense of humor is more visible. "He likes to rib you a little bit," he says. He even uses humor during the most tense moment of the film, when Tebow's anxiously deciding with his agent whether to take the risk of going to the NFL's draft festivities (where he'd be embarrassed if he goes undrafted on the first night). "You have to have a little fun in life," Tebow tells him, an easy smile stretching across his face. He ended up as the 25th overall pick. Since the draft, the focus on Tebow has become steadily more intense. Heavener, now just a friend instead of a documentarian, says he has gone to almost every Denver Broncos game this year. And Tebow remains the same, he says, thanks in part to the people he surrounds himself with. They help bring perspective. One of the things Tebow does to stay grounded is to host a child from the Make-a-Wish foundation every week. He meets with his guest before each game and take him or her on the field. After the contest -- win or lose -- they hang out, talk and cut up. You know, to give the kid some hope.
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Chase Heavener spent four months chronicling quarterback's NFL dreams .
Heavener was friends with Tim Tebow, who gave him unfettered access to his training .
Documentary follows Tebow from last game in college to night he gets drafted .
Heavener says Tebow is the real deal, what you see is how he really is .
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(CNN) -- Australia's Marc Leishman and Sergio Garcia of Spain were the leaders after the first day of play at the Masters in Augusta. Garcia hit six birdies in his opening round to finish six under par with a round of 66, a benchmark which Leishman, who had gone out earlier, had already set. Tipped by many to win his first major since 2008, Tiger Woods shot a two-under 70, which is the same opening score as in three of his four victories at Augusta. "It's a good start," Woods said. "Some years some guys shot 65 starting out here, but right now I'm only four back and I'm right there. CURRENT LEADERBOARD . "We've got a long way to go. You just go out there and play shot for shot." In many ways though, the day belonged to 14-year-old Guan Tianlang. The Chinese schoolboy not only set the record as the youngest player to ever compete at the Masters, he then followed that up with a round of one-over par. Tianlang, who beat the previous record held by Italy's Matteo Manassero, who was nearly 17 when he set the previous mark in 2010, bogeyed his first but responded swiftly with a birdie at the third. He finished with a putt off the green that sunk into the hole at the 18th to earn applause and acclaim from spectators and fellow competitors. Meanwhile, Welshman Jamie Donaldson also earned himself a place in the Augusta record books after hitting a hole-in-one at the sixth, only the fifth player in the competition's 77-year history to achieve the feat. With a heavy thunderstorm expected overnight that will soften the greens, Woods warned "the golf course is going to be very different" on Friday. Elsewhere, three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson carded a one under par 71, while young Northern Irish star Rory McIlroy went round in 72. However defending champion Bubba Watson faces a uphill battle to defend his title after he struggled to a 75 -- leaving him nine strokes off the pace already. Full Masters leaderboard .
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Marc Leishman and Sergio Garcia lead the field after first day of play .
Woods shoots a solid two-under 70 to mimic his opening round of previous successes .
History making Guan Tianlang, 14, impresses with a round of one-over par .
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The son of a 7/7 victim whose mother stole his £50,000 compensation says he has no sympathy for her as she is jailed for 30 months. Adam Gray, who was 11 when his father Richard was killed in the terrorist attack, entrusted the sum to his mother Louise for safe keeping on his 18th birthday. After blowing the money on seven chihuahuas, new cars and expensive dinners at Ritz, the 42-year-old widow was told to reimburse her son in civil court. Having failed to repay the money, she was jailed after being found guilty of theft at Ipswich Crown Court, and imprisoned for 30 months. Scroll down for video . Adam Gray (right) said he feels no sympathy for his mother Louise (left) who was jailed for two years and eight months after squandering the money left to him following the death of his father in the 7/7 bombings . Speaking of her sentencing, Mr Gray, now 20, said she has 'brought it on herself'. 'To be honest, based upon how she has approached this whole situation, I feel like she has brought this upon herself and I don’t have any sympathy,' he said. 'It was even stated that she showed no emotion in the court room. Even now, she’s shown no remorse and continues to try and play the victim and manipulate everyone around her.' Ipswich Crown Court heard how following his father's death in 2005, Mr Gray was awarded £50,000 and his sister £100,000 in compensation by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. The money was placed in a trust fund until their 18th birthdays. But after turning 18, Mr Gray entrusted the money to his mother for safe keeping, worried he was not responsible enough at the time to handle such a large sum. When he asked for access to it in 2013 to move to London from Ipswich, Suffolk, he was told it was all but gone - his mother having already spent the £250,000 given to her separately. While Mr Gray said he 'should not have had' to go to such extreme lengths, he is hopeful a prison stint will make his mother feel remorse. 'I don’t think she’ll cope very well in prison, I think it’ll be hard for her. 'She’s in a situation where she’ll have to tell everyone inside what she’s done. It’s not going to be a holiday for her. 'She’ll have to say that she stole her son’s money and the chances are the other inmates will be mothers. Grieving: Louise Gray (right with her daughter Ruby, now 16) met the Queen at a memorial service in 2005 . 'I don’t think this is going to be an easy time for her. I’m not sure if I’m going to visit her or not. 'Part of me hopes that she might actually learn from this experience but I don’t want to get my hopes up as so far she’s shown no remorse. 'I lost my dad as a young child, and now I’ve lost my mum.' In court the woman's behaviour was described as 'an act of wickedness beyond belief.' Sentencing, Judge David Goodin said of Mr Gray: 'He has lost not one parent, but two.' Judge David Goodin said: 'It's an act of wickedness almost beyond belief. He has lost not one parent, but two.' 'The theft of £43,000 is one thing. The theft of £43,000 by a parent from a young adult's trust is quite another, when that sum represented most - practically all - the compensation he received for his father's tragic death. 'The offence you have committed against your son, the trust you betrayed - a second hammer blow following the death of his father - is so serious it can only be met by a custodial sentence. 'The loss of a father in any circumstances, particularly in such violent circumstances, would have been a grievous blow to an 11-year-old Adam. Nobody would have known that better than you.' 'The theft of £43,000 is one thing. The theft of £43,000 by a parent from a young adult's trust is quite another, when that sum represented most - practically all - the compensation he received for his father's tragic death. 'The offence you have committed against your son, the trust you betrayed - a second hammer blow following the death of his father - is so serious it can only be met by a custodial sentence. 'The loss of a father in any circumstances, particularly in such violent circumstances, would have been a grievous blow to an 11-year-old Adam. Nobody would have known that better than you.' In November 2013 the woman was sued by her son after revealing she had spent most of the money. She was ordered to repay him £43,750 but refused to do so after unsuccessfully appealing the verdict of the civil case. It was then police became involved, pursuing the mother-of-three on a count of theft. During the Crown Court trial, it was heard Gray, who has a three-year-old daughter with partner Umar Shamshoom, sent her 20-year-old son a text message pleading with him to bring the case to a halt. 'If you prosecute me, I will lose you. I can't face that,' the message is said to have read. Louise Gray (pictured left on a family holiday in 2004) has admitted theft at Ipswich Crown Court after squandering the cash left to her son Adam (bottom left in the left picture) following Richard's (right) death . Adam was 11 years old when his father Richard was killed in the suicide bomb attack on a Tube train near Aldgate station in 2005 (pictured). He was left £50,000 compensation and it was put in a trust until he was 18 . She is also said to have told Mr Gray she feared for her health and thought she had a tumour, an 'unfounded' claim according to Prosecutor Michael Crimp. 'To him it seemed like a guilt trip. The effect was, as far as he was concerned, emotional blackmail on him,' Mr Crimp said. Previously defending barrister Richard Conely denied claims his client had 'frittered away' her son's money, describing her circumstances following her husband's death as 'impossible'. 'This is a case which is rooted in tragic circumstances which came about when a terrorist detonated a bomb on the Circle line,' he said. 'His assault destroyed the lives of countless others in ways he and his co-conspirators could never have imagined.' 'She was living in a situation where she simply couldn't work ... paying the ordinary annual amount to meet the cost of living, in the region of £30,000 or thereabouts,' he said. Previously Mr Gray said his mother left him no choice but to take legal action. 'I felt confusion when the police told me she could face prison. But at the same time I wanted some justice for what she had done to me. 'She never showed me any remorse and she made me feel as if everything was my fault. Although it is hard to think of your own mother going to prison because of a crime she has committed against you, I believe that I deserve some form of justice. 'Hopefully she will be forced to pay me the money now. But I should not have had to go to such extreme lengths. Sadly, she left me no choice.' He did not attend her sentencing in Ipswich Crown Court today. Louise spent the £43,000 on lavish shopping sprees, a fleet of new cars, dinner at the Ritz, seven dogs and a jacuzzi for the family home. She was jailed today for more than two years. Pictured: The Aldgate wreckage .
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Adam Gray was 11 years old when father died in London bombings in 2005 .
Following father's death, he was left £50,000 compensation for his future .
On turning 18, he asked mother Louise to look after cash until he was older .
But she spent it on four new cars, jacuzzi, seven dogs and shopping spree .
She was jailed for two years and eight months at Ipswich Crown Court .
Mr Gray said his mother had brought jail sentence 'upon herself'
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When in Rome, it is said, one should do as the Romans do. And that is exactly what citizens of the Eternal City did this weekend as they took a step back in time to celebrate the 2,766th birthday of the capital. Each year the streets become a stage for troupes of actors dressed as denizens of the ancient city, as they mark the legendary foundation of the Birth of Rome. Scroll down for video . Actors dressed as ancient Roman maids march in front of the Coliseum in a commemorative parade during festivities marking the 2,766th anniversary of the founding of Rome . The capital celebrates its founding annually based on the legendary foundation of the Birth of Rome . Actors dressed as the denizens of ancient Rome participate in parades and re-enactments of the ancient Roman Empire . Hundreds of actors, dressed as centurions, goddesses and politicians, took part in the elaborate spectacle . Women dressed as ancient Roman maids with flowered wreathes in their hair marched in the commemorative parade . Children dressed in white gowns also took part in the annual Natale di Roma festival celebrating the founding of Rome . The parade marches past the Roman monument of the Colosseum, which in its heyday could seat 50,000 spectators . The annual Natale di Roma festival sees . Romans join in parades and re-enactments of ancient Rome as it was said . to have been in 753 BC. The festivities are centred on the legend of the founding of the city. According to the legend, Rome's history began when the pagan god Mars, enchanted by the beauty of a . Vestal Virgin, snuck into her temple in the town of Alba Longa to sleep . with her. When she birth to twin boys, the king ordered that the infants . should be thrown in to the Tiber. Each year the city comes alive with eenactments of scenes from Roman history, concerts and fireworks . A man dressed as an ancient Roman soldiers prepares to join a march. The eternal city is celebrating its birthday - number 2762 - today . Legend says that Rome was founded by Romulus in 753BC in an area surrounded by seven hills . According to the legend, Rome's history began when the pagan god Mars, enchanted by the beauty of a Vestal Virgin, snuck into her temple in the town of Alba Longa to sleep with her . A young boy in costume parades in the ancient areas of Colosseum, Circus Maximus and the Roman Forum. When the Vestal Virgin gave birth to twin boys, the king ordered that the infants should be thrown in to the Tiber . An actor dressed as a Roman barbarian (left) and a costumed actress dressed as the Goddess Roma (right) Actors dressed as ancient gladiators fight in front of crowds enjoying the annual celebration . As soon as they were born the pair . were placed in a trough and thrown into the River Tiber, but the trough . came ashore and they were found by a wolf who fed them with her milk. They were then raised by a shepherd, . Faustulus. Reaching adulthood the twins decided to found a town, and . chose the place where the wolf had nursed them. Romulus . began to build walls on the Palatine Hill, but Remus jeered at the low . walls, leaping over them, and an angry Romulus killed him. Romulus . is alleged not to have died, just disappeared one day in a violent . storm. The Romans, believing he had been taken up to heaven, worshipped . him under the name of Quirinus.
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Each year the streets of the capital become a stage for troupes of actors .
Romans join in re-enactments of ancient Rome as it was in 753 BC .
Natale di Roma festival held in Rome's 'birth place' amid seven hills .
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By . Richard Shears . PUBLISHED: . 05:10 EST, 1 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:25 EST, 1 November 2013 . The behaviour of accused murderer Simon Gittany in the minutes after his ballerina girlfriend plunged to her death from their 15th-storey Sydney apartment was revealed in CCTV footage shown to a jury today. Dressed in striped pyjama bottoms, he is seen hurrying in and out of the apartment before getting into the lift to ride to the ground floor, slapping his hands onto the top of his head before crouching over, hands on his knees as he descends. The security camera footage was presented to the court by the prosecution, which claims 40-year-old Gittany threw his 30-year-old Canadian girlfriend Lisa Harnum to her death after a fierce argument over her plans to leave him. Scroll down for the CCTV . Evidence: CCTV footage shows Simon Gittany holding his hands on his head as he rides a lift moments after he allegedly threw his fiancee to her death off the 15th-floor balcony of their Sydney apartment . Gesticulating: Gittany throws his hands up in the air as he heads to the ground floor where the body of his girlfriend is lying in the street . The court had already heard that a torn-up note was found in Miss Harnum’s jeans’ pocket after her death plunge, which stated: ‘There are surveillance cameras inside and outside the house.’ Today, evidence from CCTV cameras in the hallway was shown to the jury - but despite a security camera being inside the apartment police found it had not recorded any of the 69 seconds between Gittany being seen to drag his girlfriend back into the apartment and her death plunge. What the video evidence taken from the hallway and the lift did show was an apparently frustrated Gittany moving in and out of the apartment and then getting into the lift following Miss Harnum’s fall. Chillingly, security footage on the outside of the building captures Miss Harnum hitting the ground on busy Liverpool Street at 9.55.13am on July 30 2011. On trial: Gittany (left) is accused of murdering his 30-year-old Canadian girlfriend Lisa Harnum (right) after a fierce argument over her plans to leave him . Then, at 9.55.27am Gittany, in pyjama bottoms but without a shirt, is seen leaving through the front door of the apartment, putting his hands on his head, before walking back inside a few seconds later. For the next 33 seconds there is no security camera record of what he did next. But then at 9.56.08am he is seen leaving apartment 1503 for the second time, pulling a white T-shirt over his head. A second video shown to the court captures Gittany stepping into a shiny steel-panelled lift, still wearing his pyjama pants. It is then that the lift’s internal security camera take over his actions. He is seen placing his hands on his head and bending over with hands on his knees. He is also seen throwing his hands up in the air as he stares at the lift doors on the descent. Struggle: Gittany is seen grabbing his fiancee minutes before she plunged 15 storeys to her death . Finally he is seen running from the lift and through the foyer towards the street where the body of his fiancee is lying. A third video shown to the court - and which runs for 27 minutes - shows Gittany hurrying towards the street, with buses, cars and pedestrians passing by. He is seen walking back into the foyer of the luxury complex, accompanied by an unknown person, where he is again seen with his hands on his head before he walks out again . Several people are seen strolling out of the apartment block, apparently unaware of the scene of death on the footpath. Gittany is joined by a detective and sits in a black armchair facing the pavement where the body of Miss Harnum is lying. The trial in which Gittany has pleaded not guilty to murder is continuing before Justice Lucy McCallum. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons.
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Simon Gittany seen hurrying out of apartment moments after death plunge .
Dressed in pyjamas, he gesticulates as he rides the lift to the ground floor .
Other CCTV seen in court shows girlfriend Lisa Harnum hitting the ground .
Gittany accused of murdering Miss Harnum after she planned to leave him .
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By . Wills Robinson . Down under: Heston Blumenthal said his award-winning venue, the Fat Duck, would move to Australia next year, opening in Melbourne in February . Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal is to move his landmark The Fat Duck restaurant more than 10,000 miles across the world. Billed by the restaurateur as 'the furthest migration of a duck', Blumenthal said his award-winning venue would move to Australia next year, opening in Melbourne in February. He said The Fat Duck would temporarily close its UK premises, in Bray, Berkshire - with staff and some of the furniture at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant moving around the world for six months. Speaking at a press conference, Blumenthal said: 'I'm going to shut The Fat Duck and bring it here to Melbourne. 'This is probably the furthest migration a duck - of any kind, let along a big fat duck - has made.' Blumenthal said the Australian venture would close after six months and he would return to the UK, with a new restaurant - Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. He said: 'This is not a pop-up restaurant, this is not a guest chef coming over and doing a few weeks or a period of time in somebody else's restaurant. 'We are going to pick up The Fat Duck, the whole team, and fly them over here. 'We're even going to pick up some of the bits of the restaurant - maybe the sign, maybe bits of the leather from the chairs - and incorporate it into the dining space in The Fat Duck. 'Then in January we are all going to come over here. The plan is to open here in February.' Flying away: He would temporarily close its UK premises, in Bray, Berkshire - with staff and some of the furniture at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant moving around the world for six months . Opened to critical acclaim in 2011, the restaurant specialises in historical English food and caters for about 1,000 customers a week. A meal for two can cost around £190, and signature dishes include the Meat Fruit recipe - a chicken liver mousse made to look like a mandarin orange. Blumenthal shut The Fat Duck for two weeks in 2009 following an outbreak of the winter bug that left more than 500 people feeling sick.
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Move has been billed by restraunteur as 'the furthest migration of a duck'
UK premises in Bray, Berkshire, would temporarily close .
Chef announced venue in Melborne would open in February next year .
A meal for two at the three-Michelin star restaurant can cost around £190 .
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(CNN) -- It's an unreal scene, like one from a horror film. Here's how Tulsa World editor Ziva Branstetter described Oklahoma's botched execution on Tuesday of convicted killer Clayton Lockett: . • 6:28 p.m. Fifty milligrams of midazolam have been injected into each of Lockett's arms to start the process, an attempt to sedate him before the second and third drugs are administered to stop the breathing and the heart. Lockett has spent the past several minutes blinking and occasionally pursing his lips. • ...6:37 p.m. The inmate's body starts writhing and bucking and it looks like he's trying to get up. Both arms are strapped down and several straps secure his body to the gurney. He utters another unintelligible statement. Defense Attorney Dean Sanderford is quietly crying in the observation area. • 6:38 p.m. Lockett is grimacing, grunting and lifting his head and shoulders entirely up from the gurney. He begins rolling his head from side to side. He again mumbles something we can't understand, except for the word "man." He lifts his head and shoulders off the gurney several times, as if he's trying to sit up. He appears to be in pain. State officials reportedly were unsure how much of the second and third drugs that were supposed to kill Lockett were actually injected into his body. While the third was being administered, Lockett's vein "exploded," Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Robert Patton told reporters. He called the execution off. Then the inmate, Patton told the media, died of an apparent heart attack at 7:06 p.m. Perhaps some supporters of the death penalty find comfort in the fact that death by lethal injection is supposed to be painless -- more sterile than a firing squad, more clinical than the electric chair. For those people, perhaps, Oklahoma's botched execution will be a wake-up call -- a realization that all executions, regardless of method, are cruel and not especially unusual in parts of the United States. But in Oklahoma -- where both the firing squad and the chair are still statutory alternatives to the needle, if other methods were to be deemed unconstitutional by the courts -- method and morality don't seem to matter much. This is the state -- the state where I grew up, by the way, and where I once worked as a newspaper reporter -- that has the highest per capita rate of executions in the country. Nationally, support for the death penalty has declined from a high of 80% in the 1990s to only 60% now, according to Gallup. States such as Connecticut, Maryland and New Mexico recently have abolished this abhorrent practice. It's unclear if public opinion in Oklahoma mirrors the national trend, statistically, but anecdotal evidence suggests the state supports, if not celebrates, state-sponsored death. "Give them a bonus!" one commenter wrote on The Oklahoman's website, apparently referring to the executioner or state officials. "I hope that man was in more pain than anyone ever imagined possible," a woman from Oklahoma wrote on Facebook, echoing a sentiment I saw repeated. Not everyone reacted this way, to be sure. But an outsider could be forgiven for seeing politicians in the state who support these unethical policies as death-hungry and vengeful. History would support that view as well. It was Oklahoma, after all, in 1977, that was the first state to authorize death by lethal injection. That decision was made, in part, because Oklahoma was "facing the expensive prospect of fixing the state's broken electric chair," and lethal injections were cheaper, according to Human Rights Watch. It was Oklahoma, in 1988, that lost an argument before the U.S. Supreme Court that it should be able to execute a man who was convicted of murder at age 15. And it was Oklahoma, just this year, that executed a 38-year-old man, Michael Wilson, whose last words, just a moment before his death, were, "I feel my whole body burning." Yet, the state proceeded with Lockett's execution this week. And it did so, according to The Guardian, using "dosages never before tried in American executions." Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin was forced to show some sense when she ordered a stay of a second execution -- of convicted child rapist and murderer Charles Warner -- that was scheduled to occur after Lockett's on Tuesday. That a state was going to execute two men in one night drew international curiosity and condemnation. It rattled some feathers in Oklahoma, as there were protesters at the Capitol. But the governor and many residents were unmoved. No one would dispute that Lockett's crime was unthinkably heinous: He was convicted of shooting 19-year-old Stephanie Neiman before watching his accomplice bury her alive. But that doesn't excuse the state from ordering his death, especially in this way. Both Lockett and Warner's sentences had been contested in court, with attorneys for the inmates arguing that the state cannot withhold the exact source of the drugs it planned to use for the executions. A political circus ensued, and the court, in the view of Andrew Cohen, a fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice, "caved in to the political pressure." Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Steven Taylor wrote, in agreement with the court, that Lockett and Warner had no right to know the source of the chemicals. "...(I)f they were being hanged, they would have no right to know whether it be cotton or nylon rope; or if they were being executed by firing squad, they would have no right to know whether it be by Winchester or Remington ammunition," he wrote, according to news reports. States have been scrambling to come up with drugs they can use to kill people since some drug makers stopped selling them for such purposes. Fallin has called for an investigation into the botched execution. As part of that, she should make the source of Oklahoma's drugs known. But Oklahoma seems to be a place hell-bent on secrecy. Near the end of the Tulsa World editor's journal of events, Ziva Branstetter writes that "blinds are lowered" and reporters were not allowed to see what happened in the final moments of Lockett's life. "Reporters exchange shocked glances," she wrote at 6:39 p.m. "Nothing like this has happened at an execution any of us has witnessed since 1990, when the state resumed executions using lethal injection." Reporters were escorted to a white van outside the state penitentiary in McAlester, Oklahoma, which is commonly known as "Big Mac." They were told to leave their state-issued pens, Branstetter wrote. One could find hope in that moment -- could think that the state realizes that if witnesses saw what happened after the curtain fell, they would be shocked into action. That seems like a plausible explanation, but I still have my doubts. The death penalty is on its way out in America. But it's got a cold grip on Oklahoma.
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Oklahoma botches first of two executions scheduled for Tuesday .
John Sutter: The horrific scene won't change attitudes in the state .
Sutter writes that some locals more or less celebrated the botched execution .
The death penalty still has a "cold grip on Oklahoma," he writes .
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f95a0ca60ff8eee1067b2a66c39bfc68229c0802
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By . Bianca London . It is called labour for a reason, and if you are a woman who has endured the agony of childbirth you may want to look away now. New research claims that the pain of having a football club relegated is the male equivalent to the pain of childbirth (according to a group of football fans). Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of season ticket holders polled felt that the pain of relegation was the nearest most men would come to experiencing the pain of giving birth. It's called labour for a reason: A new study reveals that the pain of having your football club relegated is the nearest male equivalent to the pain of childbirth... according to football fans . Even the less committed fans, who attended only one game per season, agreed that relegation was the male equivalent to childbirth. Spare a thought then for the fans of Fulham - including Daniel Radcliffe, Hugh Grant and Piers Brosnan - and Cardiff, whose clubs are now officially relegated from the Premiership this season. And for those of Norwich - including Delia Smith, Stephen Fry, and Hugh Jackman - who look likely to follow them. The survey was conducted by the polling . company TLF, on behalf of Warren United, a new animated sitcom on ITV4 . about a diehard fan of a rubbish football team. Poor them: Spare a thought for the fans of Fulham, such as Daniel Radcliffe, left, and Hugh Grant, right, whose club is now officially relegated from the Premiership . When Bristol Rovers were relegated last week after 94 years as a Football League team, the club’s fans were heartbroken. Fan . Kelly Ballard, tweeted: 'Devastated about Bristol Rovers result. Not . sure how my husband is going to cope though??? "It's only a game" won't . cut it.' Pete May, author of the book and blog, “Hammers in the Heart: A Lifetime of Supporting West Ham", and survivor of multiple West Ham relegations says that only a true fan understands the pain of relegation. 'I remember once when we were relegated seeing this huge skinhead in tears. He was holding his head in his hands and sobbing,' he said. Feeling down: Manager Felix Magath sat dejected on the bench as Fulham were relegated at Stoke . May, of course, has never given birth himself but he has attended the birth of both his daughters, now in their teens. 'I’ve seen childbirth twice and relegation five times', he says. 'Childbirth does look look very painful' he admits, 'but it only lasts a few hours. The pain of relegation lasts all summer. And beyond.'
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Sports fans were polled on behlaf of ITV sitcom Warren United .
Even fans who attended .
only one game in a season agreed .
Fulham fans Daniel Radcliffe and Hugh Grant feeling pain of relegation .
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New York (CNN) -- For Muslims living in the United States, the call to prayer requires a response at least five times a day. But when the U.S. Census Bureau comes calling once every 10 years, some Arab-Americans still hesitate to return the survey. "There's a fear factor that this information may be used against you, or used for inappropriate reasons," said Rami Nuseir, president of the American Mideast Leadership Network. He said a misunderstanding of the census translates into some Arab-Americans simply not filling out the form. His organization is working directly with the Census Bureau to educate the Arab-American community about the importance of the survey. "By law, the Census Bureau cannot share this information with the IRS, FBI, CIA or any other government agency," said Nuseir. "We've been complaining about discrimination, we've been complaining about lack of resources, and here this is a chance to tell the whole world we exist." The 2000 census estimated there were 1.2 million Arab-Americans living in the United States. But the Arab American Institute says that number is too low. Based on community surveys and immigration data, the nonprofit group says the real number is closer to 4 million. Mailing back the census form has benefits for the entire country. Data gathered from the survey helps disburse nearly $400 billion in federal funding. In addition, legislative districts are redrawn based on population change, providing important adjustments for representation in Congress. Recently, high school students at the Razi School in Queens, New York, attended a presentation on the census, given by Nuseir. The Muslim school is just one of many institutions where the Census Bureau is conducting sessions on the survey, hoping to reach parents through their children. Amirelsamad Isi is a senior at the Razi School. After the presentation, he was optimistic his parents would return their household's census form. "In the beginning they might be a little scared, because everyone is scared. But when you learn the positive effects ... they'll learn, and they can tell other people," he said. In addition to sending its message into schools and mosques, the Census Bureau also has workers hitting the streets. Ahmed Shedeed, a Census Bureau partner specialist, was hired to specifically work the Arab-American community. For the past several months, he's visited New York and New Jersey neighborhoods, encouraging households to return their forms. In Astoria, Queens, Shedeed handed out flyers printed in Arabic to bolster participation and dispel anxieties about the census. "I came to this country almost three years ago, and I know the fear," he said, handing the flyer to a young man outside a coffee shop. "Everyone's information is well-protected." The results of efforts put forth by census workers like Shedeed are already being measured. The 2010 Census Web site has an interactive map that shows what percentage of any U.S. region's population has returned the survey -- http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/. As of Thursday, the national return rate was 52 percent. New York State trailed the national rate, at 46 percent. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg told CNN Thursday the rate of returns still lags in his city compared with the rest of the country. Thirty-seven percent in New York City have filled out the survey so far. Shedeed said he hopes his work pays off for Arab-Americans not just in Queens and not just in New York, but everywhere in the United States when the April 15 mailing deadline comes. "It's our participation that will make everybody's life better," said Shedeed. "It's important for our community to be known."
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Arab-Americans fear census information may be used against them, leader says .
"Here is a chance to tell the whole world we exist," Arab-American leader says .
National census return rate is 52 percent as of April 1 .
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f95b6af0605a33ca15007f6e6e7b5bfdefa2db48
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Australian airline Qantas grounded all its aircraft Saturday in response to a labor dispute, in a step that will disrupt travel for thousands of people. Flights in the air will complete those journeys, the airline said in a statement, but there will be no further domestic or international departures worldwide. The industrial action involves three unions representing air and ground staff. Qantas, the flag carrier for Australia and its largest domestic and international airline, said that all employees involved in the strike would be locked out from Monday evening. "Pilots, licensed engineers and baggage, ground and catering staff are essential to Qantas operations and the lock-out will therefore make it necessary for all Qantas aircraft to be grounded," the airline said. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard told reporters the dispute had "escalated in a dramatic way" during the day. As a result, the government had asked Fair Work Australia -- an independent national workplace relations tribunal -- to terminate the industrial action and resolve the dispute itself, she said. A hearing is taking place Saturday night. "My message to Qantas, the employees and trade unions is: Australians do want to see this dispute sorted out. Qantas is an iconic Australian brand, it is the employer of thousands of Australians, thousands of people rely on it for their livelihoods and we do need this dispute to be brought to an end," she said. The move comes at an embarrassing moment for Australia, which is hosting dozens of heads of government and their staff for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth. Gillard said government workers would help those whose flights home were booked with Qantas to make alternative plans. Speaking at a news conference in Sydney, Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said it was a hard decision to ground the fleet but that the airline had been left with no alternative in the face of the unions' "extreme claim." Staff involved in the industrial action will be locked-out for as long as it takes, he said, and the unions "will have to decide how badly they want to damage Qantas." Grounding its fleet will have a daily financial impact of about 20 million Australian dollars ($21.4 million), Qantas said. Customers booked on Qantas flights should not go to the airport until further notice, the airline said. It will offer travelers full refunds or the chance to rebook. Flights with subsidiaries Jetstar and QantasLink, as well as Qantas flights across the Tasman Sea operated by Jetconnect and freight services, are not affected by the grounding, it said. The unions involved in the dispute reacted angrily to Joyce's statement. Richard Woodward, vice president of the Australian and International Pilots' Union (AIPA), branded it "a maniacal overreaction." The decision to ground the Qantas fleet, stranding thousands of passengers around the world, was unnecessary and grossly irresponsible, he said in a statement, adding: "Alan Joyce is holding a knife to the nation's throat." Speaking to CNN, he accused Qantas management of "complete brinkmanship" and said the company's action -- only announced Saturday -- had been planned for months. The Transport Workers Union of Australia said in on online statement: "Today's unwarranted and disgraceful snap announcement by Qantas CEO Alan Joyce is designed to destroy Qantas as we have always known it." The union accused Qantas management of "untruths and subterfuge" in its dealings with staff, in a statement earlier this week. The airline plans to outsource ground jobs, the union says, at a cost of thousands of Australian jobs. The Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers union (ALAEA) accused Qantas of lying to the media and putting profits first, in a statement on its website earlier this month. It said the union's industrial action was aimed at ensuring Qantas "will have less money to set up the overseas operations that will cannibalise Qantas routes and our job security." Qantas says the weeks-long dispute with staff has already affected more than 70,000 passengers and cost it about 15 million Australian dollars ($16 million) a week in lost revenue. London's Heathrow airport said only a handful of long-haul Qantas flights had been scheduled to fly Saturday and Sunday, and it had been able to contact passengers to rebook their travel. Qantas, which has its headquarters in Sydney, is the second oldest airline in the world, having marked the 90th anniversary of its foundation last year. It employs about 32,500 people and flies to more than 180 destinations worldwide, according to the company website. For the financial year ending June 2010, it made a post-tax profit of 116 million Australian dollars.
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PM Gillard: "We need this dispute to be brought to an end"
Australian pilots' union says Qantas's move is "a maniacal overreaction"
Qantas boss says the unions' "extreme claim" left the airline no choice .
Travelers booked on Qantas flights are advised not to go to the airport .
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By . Paul Bentley and Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 06:06 EST, 6 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:41 EST, 6 March 2013 . A husband has recalled the moment he returned home on his first day of retirement, only to discover that his wife had been killed in a car crash. Terry Williams had arrived home, laden with champagne and gifts, to celebrate his retirement with his wife Wendy after a 40-year career. But their dreams of sharing a new stage of life together were not to be as 30 minutes later police arrived to tell him the heartbreaking news that his wife had died. This week Mr Williams described the . dreadful moment he found out his wife of 37 years was never coming home, . when the day that should have been one of their happiest together . turned into tragedy. Tragic news on retiring: Terry Williams was devastated to discover that on the day he retired, his wife Wendy was killed in a crash with an ambulance . Mrs Williams was killed when her car was hit by an ambulance racing to hospital at 75mph two days before Christmas in 2009. At the inquest into her death, Mr Williams, 63, a former consultant engineer, said: ‘I retired on the same day after 40 years working. ‘I came home with champagne and retirement gifts. Thirty minutes later there were two policemen on the doorstep telling me she’d been killed.’ He described his 60-year-old wife and mother of two as a ‘very active lady’, adding: ‘She always looked forward to Christmas and loved having the family around. I’m sure she was looking forward to the holiday break.’ Mrs Williams was driving her Ford Ka at a busy junction in Lichfield when she pulled out suddenly. Tragic accident: Mrs Williams died when she pulled out just yards in front of an ambulance car at the junction of Tamworth Road and Quarry Hill Lane, Lichfield (pictured) Her car was hit by an ambulance, . which had its sirens on as it raced at speeds of more than 75mph to help . a five-year-old boy who had swallowed a coin. Paramedic Kevin Webster, . who was driving the ambulance, was found not guilty of causing her death . by careless driving at a trial in 2011. At . the inquest on Monday, South Staffordshire coroner Andrew Haigh . confirmed that Mrs Williams, who had lived with her husband in a . £300,000 four-bedroom detached house in Castle Bromwich, West Midlands, . died as a result of a tragic accident. Giving evidence, paramedic Mr Webster . said he had no chance to stop and did not expect Mrs Williams to pull . out at the junction. ‘Initially when I saw the car it was in the . junction. As I travelled along the road the car appeared to pull out, . stop, then it made a second movement,’ he said. ‘That was the last movement. It pulled out from the junction. ‘I applied the brakes quite sharpish but unfortunately still impacted the car.’ Call for action: Since the accident in which paramedic Kevin Webster was driving (right), Mrs Williams' family have called on West Midlands Ambulance Service to impose speed limits on drivers and bring training in line with that of police emergency drivers . Mrs Williams’ family has called on . West Midlands Ambulance Service to impose speed limits on drivers and . bring training in line with that of police emergency drivers. The . inquest heard a new ambulance policy advises drivers not to exceed the . speed limit by more than 50 per cent, although this is a guide rather . than rule. Mr Williams has previously spoken of the family’s concerns about the ambulance involved in the crash that killed his wife. It was travelling at nearly twice the . speed limit despite the fact that the call-out had been listed as a . category C, the lowest emergency rating. ‘Wendy was a beautiful 60-year-old looking forward to retirement with her family,’ said Mr Williams. ‘We hope that something can be done in future to avoid this sort of accident.’
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Wendy Williams was killed as she pulled out in front of an ambulance in 2009 .
Husband Terry Williams told an inquest of hearing the devastating news .
Kevin Webster was found not guilty of causing death by careless driving .
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(CNN) -- All four people found dead inside tennis great James Blake's burning mansion had been shot, investigators said Thursday. Blake was not at the Florida home at the time of the blaze Wednesday and was leasing out the property, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Col. Donna Lusczynski told reporters. The medical examiner is working to determine the cause of death for two adults and two teenagers, apparently from the same family, Lusczynski said. Authorities haven't identified the victims, but they say Darrin and Kimberly Campbell lived in the house with their children, Megan and Colin. The Campbells had been renting the 5,800-square-foot house from Blake for the past two years. Investigators found fireworks throughout the home, and a surveillance video obtained by CNN shows a man believed to be Darrin Campbell inside a Phantom Fireworks store in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, buying about $600 worth of fireworks. He walks out of the store with one cart, and an employee seems to help him out with a second. He bought several gas cans that same day at a home improvement store, and a firearm registered to him was found in the residence, Lusczynski added. On Wednesday, Lusczynski said the fire had been "started intentionally by an unknown accelerant." The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office would not elaborate on what they believe happened or on a possible motive. But investigators say they are not searching for a suspect. Firefighters first learned of the blaze in a 911 call around 5:45 a.m. Wednesday reporting an explosion and flames. Blake, 34, born in Yonkers, New York, starred at Harvard before breaking into professional tennis. He peaked at No. 4 in the world rankings in November 2006, according to his ATP World Tour profile. He retired from the sport last year, and remains active with his namesake foundation and Thomas Blake Sr. Memorial Research Fund to support research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. CNN's Susan Candiotti contributed to this report.
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Sheriff's official: The father had bought a large amount of fireworks .
A 911 call reports an explosion, flames at a Tampa home .
A sheriff's colonel says 2 adults, 2 teens were shot; cause of death is being determined .
The home belonged to former pro tennis player James Blake, who was leasing it out .
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Chelsea have beaten off a dramatic late intervention from Arsenal to secure the £10.5million signing of Loic Remy from West London rivals QPR on a four-year deal. Remy's representatives were already in talks with Chelsea and the deal was in its advanced stages before Arsenal tried to hijack the move. The former Marseille man told Chelsea's website: 'I feel very happy and very proud. When I heard Chelsea wanted me I said "let's go" because they are one of the best clubs in the world. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Harry Redknapp express shock at Loic Remy's Cheslea deal . Transfer: Loic Remy has signed for Chelsea on a four-year deal after the Blues met his buyout clause . Remy: 'When I heard Chelsea wanted me I said "let's go" because they are one of the best clubs in the world.' Done: Chelsea have beaten off competition from Arsenal to secure the £8million signature of Loic Remy . Adios: Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has agreed a loan move to AC Milan on a two-year deal . 'I remember the amazing atmosphere at Stamford Bridge when I played there for Marseille and I can't wait to play for the first time in front of my new fans. 'I feel very proud and and very happy to join Chelsea today. For me it's a big thing. I'm really excited to join my team-mates and play my first game. 'I'm here for progress. I have a chance now to have quality in this kind of team. You want to win titles. That's why I signed. 'The best thing for me is to learn and learn quick because Chelsea is a big team and you have to be at that level all the time. I'm goign to try to do my best all the time. 'The fans will judge what kind of striker I am, but for me I think I can bring many things for the team. I try to be quick, I can score some goals and I can progress a lot. That's why I'm here. 'I played for Marsielle which is a big team as well but Chelsea is one of the best clubs in the world, they play in the Champions League so I'm very proud to be here. 'Chelsea already have two big strikers so that's another thing to make me switch on because I don't have a choice - I have to be at that level. For me the pressure is there but I will just try to do my best because I know what I can do.' Progress: Loic Remy said he has joined Chelsea to progress as a player and to win titles . The striker, who has been released to join up with the France squad ahead of their fixtures with Spain and Switzerland next week, had an £8m-release clause in his contract which both Arsenal and Chelsea matched. Chelsea became aware of Arsenal's interest late on Saturday but had done enough to tie up the deal, having started talks in earnest on Friday once Fernando Torres joined AC Milan on loan. Arsenal made late a check on Loic Remy's transfer status ahead of tomorrow's transfer deadline. The QPR striker has completed a move to Chelsea, but the Gunners enquired to see on how far his move to Stamford Bridge is down the line. But it is understood the North London club were told that his move to Chelsea was virtually complete meaning Arsene Wenger will have to look elsewhere for a new forward. Sources at the Emirates Stadium insist Wenger believes he has enough firepower in his squad to cope with the absence of Olivier Giroud. And a deal for a new striker is looking increasingly unlikely as we head into the final hours of the transfer window. Arsenal remain interested in Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho . Form: Remy scored an impressive 14 goals in 26 league games during a loan spell at Newcastle last season . Versatile: France international Remy will give Chelsea options both at central striker and in wide channels . It's not too late to play MailOnline Fantasy Football… There's £1,000 to be won EVERY WEEK by the highest scoring manager . CLICK HERE to start picking your Fantasy Football team NOW! There's £60,000 in prizes including £1,000 up for grabs EVERY WEEK… .
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Chelsea tie up Loic Remy's signature on Sunday despite Arsenal interest .
The Blues triggered £8m release clause for France international .
But Gunners also met it but were too late to convince Remy to sign .
Remy signs four-year deal with Chelsea .
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho wanted another striker in his squad .
Fernando Torres agreed a two-year deal to move to AC Milan on Friday .
Remy impressed on loan at Newcastle last season, scoring 14 goals .
Striker released to join with France ahead of Spain and Switzerland games .
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Indian cricket authorities have been forced to back down after a spokesman made an insensitive remark about cancelling a tour game because of felled batsman Phillip Hughes. A practice tour match between India and Australia was set to be held today and Indian officials initially refused to postpone the match after Hughes, 25, collapsed on the pitch on Tuesday. In a disrespectful remark, a spokesman for the Board of Control for Cricket in India had told The Daily Telegraph: 'Postponed because of one player? I don't think so.' But the team backed down on Thursday after learning that Hughes was on death's door, defusing a potentially explosive decision out of respect for the family and friends of the cricketer. Scroll down for video . Phillip Hughes, 25, died in St Vincent's Hospital on Thursday, two days after he copped a sickening blow to the back of his neck . Indian players warm up during a training session in Adelaide earlier this week . Members of local cricket teams gathered in Kolkata to observe a moment of silence for felled cricketer Phillip Hughes, prior to a game on Thursday evening . Here in the city of Karachi in neighbouring Pakistan, cricket fans lit candles to pay tribute to Phillip Hughes in a beautiful vigil to the passed Australian player . Flowers and notes stacked up outside the Grace Gates at the Lord's Cricket Ground overnight . The Australian flag flew at half-mast at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday night. Hughes' copped a sickening blow to the back of his neck on the hallowed Australian pitch on Tuesday evening . In a separate incident, Sydney Morning Herald columnist Ben Pobjie was savaged by newspapers and readers alike when he used the tragedy to stick the boot into Prime Minister Tony Abbott in a misguided tweet. 'Sean Abbott hits Phil Hughes in the head, continuing the tradition of Abbotts f***ing up Australia,' he tweeted. Pobjie later said he tweeted 'before it was known Hughes was seriously injured' and deleted the insensitive message after the situation became clear. The Fairfax columnist came under attack on Twitter after the remarks. He later apologised . Flowers were left at the gates of the Sydney Cricket Ground to commemorate the young cricketer's life . More floral tributes - and an Australian baggy green cap - lay out the front of Lord's Cricket Ground in London . Many placed their cricket bats out the front of their homes in a special tribute to Phillip Hughes. Above, the bats of a father and son sit outside a family home . 'I’m not going to say anything more about it, because right now all anyone should be doing is thinking of Phil and his loved ones,' he said. Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland will hold a press conference at 10:30am AEDT on Friday morning. An update is expected on whether the Test against India will go ahead next week, given the devastated state of so many Australian players. Touching pictures emerged from the sub-continent on Friday morning of two Indian teams gathering in respect of Hughes prior to a match in Kolkata.
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Practice tour match that was to be held today has been canned out of respect .
Indian team spokesman had said earlier: 'Postponed because of one player? I don't think so'
Picture emerges of beautiful vigil held before local match in Kolkata .
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Tunis, Tunisia (CNN) -- Official results have yet to be published, but preliminary returns appear to show that the once-banned moderate Islamist party Ennahda has won Tunisia's historic elections, according to several political parties and Tunisian media outlets. On Tuesday night, victory celebrations erupted outside the modest office building in downtown Tunis where Ennahda is headquartered. A crowd of about a hundred party supporters gathered, singing the national anthem, clapping and chanting. Tunisians awoke Tuesday to the front page of El Maghreb newspaper, which featured a giant photo of Ennahda leader Rachid Ghanouchi next to a saluting member of the presidential guard, with the caption "Ennahda close to the government?" Meanwhile, the French-language daily Le Temps depicted a presidential throne on a pillar carrying the Ennahda logo, followed by smaller chairs atop two smaller columns labeled with the secular parties Congres pour la Republique (CPR) and Ettakatol. Boubaker Bethabet, secretary-general of the Independent High Authority for the Election, told reporters at a news conference Tuesday afternoon that preliminary results were available for five districts. Of the 39 seats available in those districts, Ennahda took 15, CPR took six and Ettakatol took four. Those results still must be certified, he said. Representatives from all three parties told CNN their own preliminary results showed that Ennahda captured first place, followed by CPR and Ettakatol. The parties were already looking forward to the possibility of establishing a governing coalition in the future 217-seat Constituent Assembly. "It's possible ... I hope we can put a coalition of this type together," said CPR leader Moncef Marzouki, when asked about the possibility of establishing a coalition of the three apparent front-runners. Marzouki said Tunisians had demonstrated in the country's first free election in modern history their vision for the future of the country. "Tunisians want centrist politics," he said. "They want an Arab-Muslim identity (Ennahda) and also democracy and human rights represented by the two parties CPR and Ettakatol." The vote was historic not only in Tunisia -- which, until now, hadn't had a national election since it became independent in 1956 and for 23 years was ruled by Zine El Abidine Ben Ali -- but also in the region and the world. Since Ali was ousted in January -- a month after 26-year-old street vendor Muhammad Al Bouazizi set himself afire after a police officer seized his goods -- residents in several other Arab nations have similarly rallied for democratic reforms and against their leaders, many of whom held power for decades and allowed little dissent. Mohamed Kamez Jendoubi, the head of the country's election commission, said Monday that more than 80% of the North African nation's registered voters cast ballots Sunday. According to Tunisia Afrique Presse, 4,100,812 people registered to vote prior to the election in a country of more than 10 million. But Jendoubi said many unregistered voters -- "mostly youth and women" -- showed up Sunday for last-minute registration. As early as Monday night, top Ennahda party officials were already celebrating CPR and Ettakatol's expected second and third place finishes in the vote count. "We're happy that the second and third party are serious parties that never resorted to scare tactics," said Moadh Kheriji, Ghanouchi's chief of staff. But the rise of a party closely identified with Islam sounded alarm bells for Tunisian secularists. Tuesday afternoon, a group of about 200 protesters gathered outside the headquarters of Tunisia's electoral commission to denounce the expected Ennahda victory. Some carried signs saying "No to fraud." Meanwhile, the mood was gloomy in Tunis' upscale neighborhood of Menzah, where patrons at a swish coffee shop were commiserating about Ennahda's apparent victory. "We are scared about losing some freedom, some rights. Especially women are scared," said Zohra Marzouk, who works for a company that distributes beer. But in an interview with CNN, the daughter of Ennahda's leader insisted women like Marzouk have nothing to fear. "I'm a Tunisian woman. I'd be the first concerned if there was a change. I'm a working woman, I'm active in civil society," said Soumaya Ghanouchi, an academic who lived in exile for 22 years until last January's revolution. "I personally don't see any contradiction between Islam and ... women's rights." Ghanouchi said that she hoped Ennahada would provide an democratic model to other Islamist political movements in the region, such as Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. "That's the lesson Ennahada can give other Islamist movements in the region. Its how we work together with other political parties in spite of ideological differences. Its really a practical program of change."
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New: Ennahda supporters celebrate their apparent victory .
New: The daughter of Ennahda's leader insists women's rights will be protected .
Preliminary results are announced for five districts .
Ennahda may form a coalition with two other parties .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . Ralph Vaughan Williams's The Lark Ascending has risen to the top of the annual Classic FM Hall Of Fame list . The music played during the tearful final moments of Coronation Street's Hayley Cropper has been named the nation's favourite piece of classical music. Ralph Vaughan Williams's The Lark Ascending has risen to the top of the annual Classic FM Hall Of Fame list, compiled from more than 100,000 votes from the station's listeners. The composition - written in its earliest form exactly a century ago - toppled Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 2, which has reigned for three years. The Lark Ascending last topped the poll in 2010 and three years ago it was named the nation's favourite Desert Island Discs tune. British composer Vaughan Williams was inspired by a poem of the same name by George Meredith and his first version for violin and piano was written in 1914. Some six years later he completed the more familiar orchestral version. It found a wide audience recently when it was played as Hayley, played by Julie Hesmondhalgh, took a lethal cocktail to end her suffering on ITV's Coronation Street, following a battle with cancer. It was the long-standing character's favourite piece of music. The Classic FM Hall Of Fame list features a strong showing for orchestral music used in video games, with two entries in the top 20. The station began to broadcast game soundtracks regularly last year, thought to have help boost its profile among a younger audience. The music for the Final Fantasy series, written by Japanese composer Nobuo Uematsu, was the highest video game at number seven, while The Elder Scrolls Series, composed by Jeremy Soule, was 17. Mozart achieved the most entries in the chart with 22 entries in the overall top 300 - up from 19 last year - with his Clarinet Concerto at number five proving his most popular . Classic FM presenter John Suchet said: 'Exactly 100 years after Vaughan Williams composed The Lark Ascending, its poignancy and beauty are as powerful as ever.' The station is releasing an album featuring many of the most popular pieces and the full top 300 - which was being counted down over the Easter weekend - will be at classicfm.com. The music played during the tearful final moments of Coronation Street's Hayley Cropper (right), played by Julie Hesmondhalgh .
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Ralph Vaughan Williams's piece tops Classic FM Hall Of Fame list .
Composition was written in its earliest form exactly a century ago .
It toppled Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 2, which reigned for three years .
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By . Victoria Wellman and Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 23:09 EST, 20 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:47 EST, 21 March 2013 . The parents of a star high school athlete who was shot and killed by a neighbor when the 16-year-old crawled into the wrong house in his neighborhood have forgiven the man who killed their son. Shawn and Jennea Gordley today said that they do not blame their son's killer, adding that they understand why Caleb was killed in the upscale northern Virginia neighborhood of Sterling. Police say that Caleb Gordley sneaked out of his parents' house on Saturday night to drink with his high school friends. The basketball star walked back to his neighborhood, hopped a fence and crawled in a back window in the early morning hours. He didn't realize, though, that the house he had entered was not his own home, but rather one that was two doors down from where he lived. Fallen: Caleb Gordley, 16, was shot and killed at around 2.30am on Sunday morning when he entered his neighbour's home two doors down from his own, seemingly by mistake, after a night of drinking with friends . Mourning: Shawn and Jennea Gordley forgave the neighbor who shot and killed their son . The owner, fearing a prowler, shot and killed Caleb. 'I just want you to know I forgive you. I understand this was an accident,' Caleb's mother Jennae Gordley said, according to WJLA-TV. 'I do, too,' father Shawn Gordley added. 'All the answers in the world are not going to bring him back.' Mr Gordley added that he only hopes his son wasn't scared the moment he was killed by the startled neighbor. 'We got 16-and-a-half awesome years out of that young man. And I will hold on to that,' the heartbroken father said. Friends of the teen's are calling the fatal shooting a terrible accident and saying that after a night of drinking, he must have mistaken the house for his own seeing as they are almost identical from behind and he had only lived in the area for a year. 'Knowing Caleb, he wouldn't have bad intentions,' said one in an interview with WUSA9. 'He was a good kid.' Those who know Donald West Wilder II, the homeowner of the property where the incident took place, meanwhile spoke highly of the community-minded firefighter, adding further mystery to the alleged mix-up. According to sources at Park View High School where Gordley was a student, the victim had been out drinking with friends until late on Saturday night and had been dropped off at the quiet Sterling, Virginia cul-de-sac where he lived, at around 2.30am. Close: Because of the proximity of the houses and the fact that they appear similar at night time, investigators think he may have accidentally gone into the wrong home at the time he was shot . Lookalikes: The star athlete lived in this Sterling, Virginia cul-de sac in the house on the right and may have thought his neighbour's home was his own according to friends . Tragic error? Donald West Wilder II, the owner of the house just two doors down (left) shot the teen thinking he was an intruder after calling 911 but details are still murky as police continue to investigate . For reasons unknown, however, the . popular basketball player and promising rapper went to Mr Wilder's house . and tried to enter instead of his own. Some reports suggest that he may have entered through a back window and set off a security alarm. Though the Loudon County Sheriff's office continues to investigate before confirming details, one law enforcement official told the Washington Post that Gordley had attempted to walk upstairs where the family were sleeping before he was shot. Hearing an intruder, Mr Wilder called 911 to report the break-in but by the time authorities reached the property, a large mansion-style two-storey home on the 45900 block of Pullman Court, Gordely was already dead. Mystery visit: An unidentified man tried to talk to someone at the house where the incident took place but after gesticulating wildly was shut out . Escape: After fleeing in his car, he backed up the street in reverse and ran into the house where Gordley lived with his family . Virginia law permits homeowners to use deadly force if they feel threatened inside their own homes. Neighbour . Joanna Roman, could not understand the tragedy. She described Mr Wilder . as 'a great neighbor, a helper, someone who spends spare time . volunteering to help others. He's an active member of our community. He's a good person.' Similarly, another Pullman Court resident, Khang Nguyen, called Mr Wilder a 'very nice gentleman, very quiet, too.' Star: Gordley was described by students and coaches as an excellent athlete, a popular boy and a gifted rapper who had good intentions . Meanwhile, students and friends of the slain teen have rallied to his defence, calling the shooting 'shocking'. 'He was on the basketball team, baseball... he brought happiness to the whole team,' said one friend. A heartbroken classmate told NBC: 'If you had classes with him, there was no way you weren't leaving that class without a smile.' A promising rap artist as well as a regular fixture on the sports scene, Gordley had been living in the Sterling cul-de-sac with his famly for about a year. Some neighbours admitted that they didn't know the family well and saw other tenants coming and going from the Gordley home since they had moved in. Both their home and Mr Wilder's were built at the same time and look almost identical which may explain the confusion if Caleb Gordley was intoxicated. A full toxicology report is still pending. Earlier today an unidentified man visited the house where the shooting took place and had a confrontation with a man who answered the door. He gesticulated wildly before the man closed the door and then getting in a car, backed up the street, lept out and ran into the home of Caleb Gordley. Police cars returned to the scene and officers were seen coming and going between the two properties all afternoon. At Park View High School meanwhile, grief counselors were on call and an assembly to remember Gordley was arranged for the mourning youngsters who will miss their friend.
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Caleb Gordley, a junior at Park View High in Sterling, Virginia was a popular student and star athlete .
Friends say he was drinking at a party and may have mistaken his neighbour's almost identical home for his own .
Long-time resident and neighbour, Donald Wilder, shot and killed Gordley after calling 911 to report an intruder .
Details remain murky as police continue to investigate .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 10:24 EST, 13 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:47 EST, 13 November 2013 . Fraudulent: Linda Rose Gagnon, 59, has been convicted of stealing the retirement money of nuns from the U.S. Province of the Religious of Jesus and Mary in 2011 . A 59-year-old woman has been convicted of an unholy scheme in which she scammed Catholic nuns out of $285,000 to spend on personal luxuries. California's Linda Rose Gagnon was convicted on Tuesday for stealing the retirement money of sisters from the U.S. Province of the Religious of Jesus and Mary (RJM) in 2008. Instead of buying the nuns a home with the funds, as promised, she blew it on lingerie, holidays, manicures and valet services for her dog. According to the indictment, Gagnon ran a Tustin . company, Rose Enterprises Inc., which represented itself as helping clients with delinquent mortgages and . other real-estate transactions. Gagnon, who had once attended a boarding school run by the order, allegedly visited the Rhode Island convent. When she learned they were interested in buying a San Diego property for the care of elderly and infirm nuns, Gagnon offered to help with the deal despite not having a California real estate license, according to UPI. 'Armed . with a bogus letter that appeared to be from a California attorney, . Gagnon convinced the nuns to wire $285,000 from their retirement account . to be used in the purchase of the property,' a statement from the U.S. Attorney's office in Los Angeles said. Gagnon traveled to one of the order's residences in Rhode Island where she learned about their investment plans. Pictured is the Dina Mission Center, a residence for RJM sisters, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island . The nuns sent the money to Gagnon, who is also known as Linda Gualtieri-Gagnon. But instead of using the money to buy the house, Gagnon blew the money on personal travel, lingerie, manicures, restaurants, lease payments for an Audi TT sports car, her business and valet pet-sitting services for her dog, OC Weekly reported. 'She paid off $42,000 she borrowed. There was $448 at Chadwick's of London, an intimate apparel store in San Francisco. Then she went shopping at Nordstroms, visited the nail salon and of course a pet-sitting service,' Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Keenan said, according to Los Angeles Times. 'She also leased an Audi TT sports car...She was living nicely on the nuns' money.' Law Fuel reported Gagnon spent the cash in just 64 days and brazenly asked the order for another $285,000. She said she needed the money to buy the house RJM’s first payment was tied up in a 'triple escrow' on another property. Throughout the trial, Gagnon's lawyer said she accidentally co-mingled the funds. Los Angeles Times reported Gagnon did not testify, . but two Catholic priests who took the witness stand to attest to Gagnon's character assured the court 'she is really quite . honest'. Jurors in California found Gagnon guilty of three counts of wire fraud. Gagnon will be sentenced on February 24 and faces up to 60 years in prison - 20 years for each count. The FBI investigated the case. Criminal: Gagnon used the stolen money to lease an Audi (like the one pictured) and pay for personal travel, lingerie, manicures and restaurants .
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Linda Rose Gagnon, 59, scammed Catholic nuns out of $285k .
The California woman convinced the order she was a financial expert and could buy them a retirement home in 2008 .
She spent the money on personal luxuries .
Gagnon faces up to 60 years in prison .
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By . Lizzie Parry . PUBLISHED: . 13:15 EST, 11 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:35 EST, 11 December 2013 . Stephen Brawn celebrates being cleared of rape after having sex with a sleeping woman and posting the footage on Facebook . A man has today been cleared of rape after filming himself having sex with a sleeping woman before posting the footage on Facebook. Speaking after a jury at Ipswich Crown Court acquitted him, Stephen Brawn blasted police claiming he should 'never have been charged'. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, complained to police that she had been raped by the 22-year-old. She told officers she had not consented to having sex when she was asleep and as a result had not given her permission for the encounter to be filmed. The woman said she only found out about the video clip when a relative spotted that Brawn had uploaded it on to his Facebook page on May 30. Brawn admitted posting the footage on the social networking site, but he claimed the woman had earlier consented to him filming them having sex with her while she slept. A jury of eight women and four men took an hour deliberating the facts of the case before returning a unanimous not guilty verdict, following the two-day trial at Ipswich Crown Court. Earlier Judge John Devaux told the jury: 'It is often said that the crown court is not a court of morals. 'He is charged with rape and you won't convict him simply because he put footage of the act on Facebook.' The jury was told that the one minute video clip, taken on Brawn's mobile phone, clearly identified the woman and showed she was asleep. Prosecutor Charles Myatt said the woman claimed that she previously had no idea that Brawn had sex with her while she was asleep and had recorded it. He added: 'She says she wouldn't have consented to sex between them being videoed while she was asleep.' A jury of eight women and four men deliberated for an hour at Ipswich Crown Court, pictured, before returning a unanimous not guilty verdict . Mr Myatt said Brawn laughed when police arrested him on June 4 on suspicion of raping the woman at her home in Ipswich, Suffolk. He then made no comment when interviewed by police. Brawn told the court how the woman had asked him to record him having sex with her while she was asleep so that she could watch it the next morning. He said that he showed her the recording in the morning after she asked to see it and she then initiated sex with him. Mr Brawn said the case 'should never have gone to court'. He admitted filming the encounter but denied rape . Asked by his barrister Steven Dyble why he had posted the footage on his Facebook page he said: 'I don't know.' Brawn said he had laughed when he was arrested because he could not believe the woman had accused him of raping her. He said that he and the woman had been exchanged intimate photographs on their mobile phones and he had also filmed her performing a sex act on him. Brawn claimed he had sex with the woman when she was asleep on a day between May 10 and May 15 this year. His friend Daniel Marden also gave evidence in the trial, saying that Brawn had told him that the woman had consented to being filmed. Mr Marden said the conversation happened shortly after Brawn posted the video on Facebook and before the woman made her complaint to police. Last night jobless Brawn who is of no fixed abode said: 'I should never have been charged in the first place. 'I have been under a huge amount of stress due to this case hanging over me. I haven't been sleeping or eating properly for months. 'I got remanded in custody for two weeks after I was charged and I was banged up on the sex offenders' wing at Norwich prison. 'This case should never have gone to court if the police had done their job properly. 'They should have looked at this woman's other mobile phone which would have shown we had been swapping intimate pictures of each other.'
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Stephen Brawn admitted filming the encounter and uploading it on the social networking site on May 30 .
He denied raping the woman telling the court she had consented to him having sex with her while she slept 'so she could watch it the next day'
A jury of eight women and four men at Ipswich Crown Court acquitted Mr Brawn of rape after deliberating for an hour .
'This case should never have gone to court if the police had done their job properly' said the 22-year-old of no fixed abode .
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The United States tortured al-Qaeda detainees captured after the 9/11 attacks, President Obama said Friday, in some of his most expansive comments to date about a controversial set of CIA practices that he banned after taking office. 'We tortured some folks,' Obama said at a televised news conference at the White House. 'We did some things that were contrary to our values.' Addressing the impending release of a Senate report that criticizes CIA treatment of detainees, Obama said he believed the mistreatment stemmed from the pressure national security officials felt to forestall another attack. He said Americans should not be quick to pass judgment through the lens of a seemingly safer present day. ''It's important not for us not to feel too sanctimonious in retrospect,' he said. Obama said Friday that a forthcoming Senate report will confirm that the U.S. tortured al-Qaeda detainees after 9/11 . In a picture that became emblematic of U.S. torture, an unidentified detainee was forced to stand on a box with a bag on his head and wires attatched to him in late 2003 . Hooded protesters were common sights in front of the White House in 2005 during the George W. Bush administration, after methods of torture practiced against al-Qaeada detainees were first aired publicly and then-Vice President Dick Cheney worked to exempt the CIA from a ban on 'enhanced interrogation' techniques . 'I understand why it happened. I think it's important to recall ... how afraid people were' after the 9/11 attacks, Obama added. 'People did not know if more attacks were imminent.' That view, which he expressed as a candidate for national office in 2008 and early in his presidency, explains why Obama did not push to pursue criminal charges against the Bush era officials who carried out the CIA program. To this day, many of those officials insist that what they did was not torture, which is a felony under U.S. law. The president's comments are a blow to those former officials, as well as an estimated 200 people currently working at the CIA who played some role in the interrogation program. In 2009, Obama said he preferred to 'look forward, not backwards,' on the issue, and he decided that no CIA officer who was following legal guidance_however flawed that guidance turned out to be – should be prosecuted. A long-running criminal investigation into whether the CIA exceeded the guidance – which is an allegation of the Senate report – was closed in 2012 without charges. Still, Obama's remarks on Friday were more emphatic than his previous comments on the subject, including a May 2009 speech in which he trumpeted his ban of 'so-called enhanced interrogation techniques,' and 'brutal methods,' but did not flatly say the U.S. had engaged in torture. At an April 2009 new conference, he said, 'I believe that waterboarding was torture and, whatever legal rationales were used, it was a mistake.' In addition to water boarding, the CIA used stress positions, sleep deprivation, nudity, humiliation, cold and other tactics that, taken together, were extremely brutal, the Senate report is expected to say. Obama on Friday did not mention a specific method, but he said the CIA used techniques that 'any fair minded person would believe were torture.' Obama banned torture techniques after he took office in 2009, but acknowledged the nature of the interrogation methods on Friday, saying Americans shouldn't be 'sanctimonious' about them in retrospect . 'Against our values' and not just by the CIA: American soldiers were filmed posing with nude, hooded Iraqi prisoners at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison . 'We crossed a line,' he said. 'That needs to be understood and accepted...We did some things that were wrong, and thats what that report reflects.' Obama on Friday did not address two other central arguments of the soon-to-be-released Senate report – that the brutal interrogations didn't produce life-saving intelligence, and that the CIA lied to other elements of the U.S. government about exactly what it was doing. The president also expressed confidence in his CIA director, John Brennan, in the wake of an internal CIA report documenting that the spy agency improperly accessed Senate computers. There have been calls for his resignation on Capitol Hill. Obama said the internal report made clear that "some very poor judgment was shown," but he seemed to say it wasn't Brennan's fault, and he praised his director for ordering the inquiry in the first place.
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CIA used water boarding, stress positions, sleep deprivation, nudity, humiliation, cold and other tactics against al-Qaeda detainees .
A Senate report is expected to be made public in the coming days outlining the details .
Obama said Americans should not 'feel too sanctimonious in retrospect'
'I understand why it happened,' he said; 'People did not know if more attacks were imminent'
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TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- A well-known Iranian filmmaker has written an open letter calling for the release of journalist Roxana Saberi. In a letter, Iranian filmmaker Bahman Ghobadi blames himself for urging Roxana Saberi to stay in Iran. Bahman Ghobadi said he kept quiet about the arrest and conviction of the Iranian-American journalist at the request of her family. After Saberi was convicted last weekend and sentenced to an eight-year prison sentence, he said he felt he had to do something. He told CNN that Saberi, whom he described as his fiancee, is caught in a "game of politics." In his letter, which has been posted by the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Ghobadi blames himself for urging Saberi to stay in Iran despite her desire to leave. Also, he writes, "My letter is a desperate call to all statesmen ... and to all those who can do something to help." "From the other side of the ocean, the Americans have protested against her imprisonment, because she is an American citizen," he writes. "But I say no, she is Iranian, and she loves Iran. I beg you, let her go! I beg you not to throw her in the midst of your political games! She is too weak and too pure to take part in your games. Let me be present at her trial, sit next to her wise father and gentle mother, and testify she is without guilt or reproach." The 40-year-old filmmaker said that Saberi was planning to leave the country, but he kept her from leaving until his latest film -- which will be shown at this year's Cannes film festival -- was completed. Ghobadi won the 2000 Golden Camera award at the Cannes festival for his feature film, "A Time for Drunken Horses." Saberi, 31, was sentenced Saturday to eight years in prison after a one-day trial that was closed to the public. The decision prompted sharp denunciations from President Barack Obama, as well as other U.S. and international officials. Iranian officials initially said Saberi was held for buying a bottle of wine. The Foreign Ministry later said she was detained for reporting without proper accreditation. On April 9, word emerged that Saberi had been charged with espionage. Saberi's lawyer has said he will appeal the verdict. Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Hashemi Shahroudi has ordered the head of Tehran's Justice Department to make sure the appeals process is quick and fair. Ghobadi wrote that he is "optimistic about her release, and I firmly hope the verdict will be canceled in the next stage of the trial." "My Iranian girl with Japanese eyes and an American ID, is in jail. Shame on me! Shame on us!" CNN's Igor Krotov and Shirzad Bozorghmehr contributed to this report.
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Iranian filmmaker Bahman Ghobadi writes letter calling for release of jailed journalist .
Filmmaker says fiancee Roxana Saberi is caught in a "game of politics"
Journalist "is without guilt or reproach," filmmaker's letter says .
"Shame on me! Shame on us!" the letter concludes .
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It may not be a fruit that you automatically reach for in the supermarket, but the large and exotic breadfruit is being touted as a wonder food. Known by its Latin name, artocarpus altilis, the fruit has lumpy green flesh and a potato-like texture so that it can be served as part of a main meal or turned into sweets. It was once a staple in the Jamaican diet and now experts believe it could provide food security on the island, which imports more than half of its food. Scroll down for video . Wonderfood? Breadfruit (pictured) - Artocarpus altilis - has lumpy green flesh and a potato-like texture so that it can be served as part of a main meal or turned into sweets . The fruit . is widely eaten throughout the Pacific Islands and more breadfruit are . produced per hectare than rice, wheat and corn, New Scientist reported. Just one breadfruit, which weighs around 7lbs (three kgs), provides the carbohydrate portion of a meal for a family of five. The fruit can be ground into flour and used in sweet and savoury dishes, including pancakes and crisps. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as being a high source of gluten-free carbohydrate and protein. The protein in the fruit has a higher proportion of aminio acids than soy. Diane Ragone of Hawaii’s National . Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) has been studying the plant since the . 1980s, which some people say is bland and starchy. Mary McLaughlin, founder of the charity Trees that Feed, said that the high-protein fruit can be used to make pancakes. A third of a cup of breadfruit flour is added to the same quantity of orange juice as well as one egg, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. The mixture is fried in a pan and this recipe makes pancakes for three people. Breadfruit crisps and pasta are being developed so that the food can be more easily stored. The NTBG said that mature breadfruit is a healthy substitute for any starchy food such as rice and potatoes if it is boiled, steamed or baked. Small immature fruit can be boiled, pickled and marinated. They are said to taste like artichoke hearts. Ripe fruits are creamy and sweet and can be eaten raw or used to make cakes and pies. Even the flowers found on the trees can be candied and eaten as sweets. She has studied . hundreds of varieties from 34 countries. Together . with Nyree Zerega of Northwestern University in Chicago, she traced back . the roots of the fruit using DNA analysis to the breadfruit ‘Eve’. Most . of the fruit she examined included fingerprints of a plant called . the breadnut that grows in New Guinea. The breadnut is thought to be the . ancestor of the breadfruit. In 2003 Dr Ragone created the NTBG’s Breadfruit Institute, which includes an orchard on the island of Maui. Scientists . there are working with the charity Alliance to End Hunger with the aim . of distributing breadfruit to places without a regular supply of food . across the world. ‘Traditionally in Polynesia you would plant a breadfruit when a child . was born, because that would guarantee food throughout the child’s life’ Dr Zerega said. Breadfruit trees require little care and thrive in the tropics. Now . experts are investigating which varieties best suit certain . environments and climates – as well as local tastes – in countries . lacking food security. Breadfruit (pictured) was once a staple in the diet of Jamaicans and experts think it could provide food security on the island, which imports more than half of its food. It is viatamin and mineral rich, as well as being a high source of gluten-free carbohydrate and protein . Just one breadfruit, which weighs around seven lbs (three kilograms) provides the carbohydrate portion of a meal for a family of five. The fruit can be ground into flour and used in sweet and savoury dishes, including pancakes and crisps . Breadfruit was first bought to the Caribbean in the 18th Century to feed slaves. Lieutenant William Bligh first bought the fruit to Jamaica from Tahiti. It is said that on the way, his crew mutinied and set him adrift, dumping the cargo of breadfruit plants overboard with him. On his second attempt as a captain in 1792, he brought 2,000 of the plants to Jamaica and 678 bore fruit. Intended as a stable and cheap food for slaves, breadfruit was not much liked and it took around 50 years for it to be incorporated willingly into local dishes. Scientists think that the fruit's ancestor is the breadnut, which is native to New Guinea. Breadfruit is so called because of its high . carbohydrate and fibre content. When it is just ripe enough to eat, it . is more like bread as it is starchy and dry, but when it is softer and . riper it tastes sweeter and is more moist. They are also identifying which varieties of the fruit produce the best yields and protein content. They think that some of the fruit are highly tolerant to salt, which could prove important in the Caribbean as sea levels rise. However, some varieties of breadfruit relied upon by people in the eastern Pacific are proving to be less robust. Scientists are trying to use tissue culture methods to create breadfruit trees that yield more fruit sooner. While progress is difficult, the experts have grown disease-free trees that start bearing fruit at two years of age – three years sooner than is usual. From the varieties propagated, 35,000 trees have now been sent to 26 countries, including Jamaica and Haiti. A variety called Ma’afala, which is native to Samoa, bears fruit a different time to varieties found in the Caribbean, extending the time when the nutritious fruit is available. It is hoped that one day there could be forests of breadfruit trees throughout the Caribbean. The starchy fruit can be ground into flour and used in sweet and savoury dishes, including pancakes and crisps (pictured)
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Breadfruit has lumpy green flesh and a potato-like texture .
It is widely eaten in the Pacific Islands and scientists are encouraging the planting of trees in countries with poor food security .
One breadfruit, which weighs around seven lbs (3kg) provides the carbohydrate portion of a meal for a family of five .
It can be can be ground into flour and used to make pancakes .
The fruit is rich in vitamins and is a source of carbohydrate and protein .
The protein in the fruit has a higher proportion of aminio acids than soy .
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f95f8a4df931da085e0fff6fe1b1a685c5a709ed
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We’ve all wished someone from the future could send us tomorrow’s lottery ticket numbers. While it may seem wishful thinking, a physicist from Cambridge University believes that, in theory, it could be possible. He argues that if a thin wormhole stays open long enough, people might send messages instantly through time using pulses of light. Wormholes are theoretical tunnels that create shortcuts in space-time. A study in May from Dr Luke Butcher at Cambridge University argued that if a thin wormhole stayed open long enough, people could send messages through time using pulses of light, or photons . Space-time can be warped and distorted. It takes an enormous amount of matter or energy to create such distortions, but theoretically, distortions are possible. In the case of the wormhole, a shortcut is made by warping the fabric of space-time. Imagine folding a piece of paper with two pencil marks drawn on it to represent two points in space-time. The line between them shows the distance from one point to the other in normal space-time. If the paper is now bent and folded over almost double - the equivalent to warping space-time - then poking the pencil through the paper provides a much shorter way of linking the two points, in the same way a wormhole would create a shortcut. The problem with using wormholes to travel in space or time is that they are inherently unstable. When a particle enters a wormhole, it also creates fluctuations that cause the structure to collapse in on it. The latest study suggests there are unusual-shaped wormholes than may be able to stay open longer than normal. It sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but the theory of wormholes being used to send objects through time was first suggested by Albert Einstein's calculations. Wormholes are theoretical tunnels through the fabric of space-time that can create shortcuts for long journeys across the universe. The problem with his theory is that, if wormholes exist, they don’t stay open long enough for a human, or even a single particle of light, to pass through them. But a new study at Cambridge University suggests that some wormholes are capable of staying open long enough to send messages backwards and forwards through time. In 1988, physicist Kip Thorne at the California Institute of Technology suggested that wormholes might be kept open through the use of a negative energy, known as Casimir energy. According to modern physics, the vacuum is full of fluctuating electromagnetic waves of different possible wavelengths which creates a vast amount of energy, normally invisible to humans. Between two parallel plates in a vacuum, some energy waves would be too large to fit through creating a negative Casimir energy. Einstein believed worm holes could open up a window into a different era. The problem with his theory is that, if worm holes exist, they don't stay open long enough for anything to pass through them. But a new study at Cambridge University suggests unusually-shaped wormholes could stay open longer than normal . Professor Luke Butcher’s recent paper builds on that theory by suggesting that if a wormhole is a lot longer than it is wide, the amount of Casimir energy naturally present inside it would be enough to allow it to stay open longer than normal. ‘My approach was to see if the wormhole itself – because it has a tube-like structure - could create the same effect as the plates,’ Dr Butcher told MailOnline. ‘My calculations showed that if a wormhole is very long compared to how wide it is, you can get negative energy created in the centre of the wormhole. ‘It’s not quite the right sort to keep the wormhole stable – which is what I’d hoped - but it does mean the wormhole collapses very slowly.' The wormhole would be open just long enough, Dr Butcher suggests, to send a photon through to the centre. The worm hole would be open just long enough, Dr Butcher suggests, to send a photon through to the other side. Because the ends of a wormhole can exist at different points in time, if Professor Butcher's theory proves correct, a message could be sent through time . Because the ends of a wormhole can exist at different points in time, if Professor Butcher’s theory proves correct, a message could be sent through time. Dr Butcher warned a lot more work needs to be down to confirm his theory. For instance, scientists still need to find out whether a pulse of light large enough to transmit a meaningful message can get through a collapsing wormhole and whether the pulse can actually escape the wormhole completely. ‘More calculations need to be done away from centre closer to mouths to see if the theory holds true,’ added Dr Butcher. ‘I would also like to look at the opposite case. 'Could a very short and fat worm hole be able to send messages through time? ‘This is all very much theoretical, but the possibilities are intriguing.’
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Wormholes are theoretical tunnels that create shortcuts in space-time .
If a message entered a wormhole, it could reach the future or the past .
But wormholes are thought to collapse before a message could get out .
Dr Luke Butcher argues if a wormhole is longer than it is wide, the amount of negative energy inside would allow it to stay open longer than normal .
Long enough, he claims, to carry a single particle of light through time .
In theory, this photon could carry a message to a distant past or future .
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(CNN) -- The Taliban, one of Osama bin Laden's closest allies, confirmed late Friday that the al Qaeda founder had been killed by U.S. commandos during a raid in Pakistan. The admission by the Taliban comes on the heels of one earlier in the day by al Qaeda, removing any question about whether bin Laden's closest allies and his terror network believed he was dead. Al Qaeda statement on bin Laden's death . Bin Laden "embraced martyrdom as per the Will of the Almighty Allah during an abrupt attack by the American invading soldiers," according to a statement released by the Afghan Taliban, which had for years allowed bin Laden's terror network to operate in Afghanistan. Al Qaeda statement in Arabic (PDF) President Barack Obama announced Sunday that bin Laden had been killed by U.S. commandos during a raid on a compound in Abbottabad, about 35 miles north of the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. Trove of data at bin Laden hideout provides first specific alert . On Friday, Obama and Vice President Joe Biden met privately with members of the Navy SEAL Team 6, the unit that conducted the raid. Among the SEALs that Obama met at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was the one who fired the fatal shots at bin Laden, but he was not singled out to the president, a senior administration official said. Obama and Biden thanked the commandos and were briefed on the operation by the unit members who conducted it, according to a White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The official was not authorized to release the details of the meeting. Officials have said bin Laden was shot twice -- once in the head, once in the chest. He was buried at sea in what U.S. officials have described as a proper Islamic burial. Obama decided earlier this week not to release any photos of bin Laden's body, saying he did not want to inflame Arab passions or appear to gloat. The decision drew sharp criticism from many, who wanted proof of the terrorist leader's death. Others, including many in the town where bin Laden was killed, said they did not believe he was dead. But Friday's acknowledgement by al Qaeda and the Taliban put to rest questions about whether bin Laden's closest allies believed he had been killed by Navy SEALs. Al Qaeda confirmed its leader's death in a Web statement and used that opportunity to taunt and threaten the United States. "Sheikh Osama didn't build an organization that will vanish with his death or fades away with his departure," according to the statement, which CNN could not independently authenticate. U.S. races to dissect possible terror plots . The statement, which congratulates the "Islamic Nation on the martyrdom of their devoted son Osama," repeated themes and threats made over the years in prior statements by the terror group. Al Qaeda's statement surfaced as protesters packed the streets of Abbottabad in a rally organized by Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan's largest Islamist party. The demonstrators denounced the U.S. and Pakistani governments. First suspected drone strike in Pakistan since bin Laden raid . The statement also expressed disdain for the efforts and motives of the United States, saying that the Americans managed to kill bin Laden "by disgrace and betrayal." "Men and heroes only should be confronted in the battlefields but at the end, that's God's fate. Still we ask, will the Americans be able -- through their media outlets, their agents, their instruments, soldiers, intelligence services and their might -- be able to kill what Sheikh Osama lived for and was killed for? How far! How impossible!" According to the statement, bin Laden recorded an audio message a week prior to his death regarding the revolutions sweeping the Muslim world and offering advice and guidance. Al Qaeda indicated that the release of this message is forthcoming. Meanwhile, the Taliban statement said bin Laden's death will reinvigorate the "jihad," or holy war, against the United States and its allies. Bin Laden and the Taliban's leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar, were said to have a close friendship. The Taliban said bin Laden has achieved martyrdom, something he had long worked toward. "He reached his ambition with bravery, dedication and commitment in the last moments of his life," the Taliban statement said. Meanwhile, investigators poring over material seized by the SEAL team found details about a possible attack on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, and the intelligence led Thursday to a nationwide alert regarding rail security.
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NEW: Taliban confirms that Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces .
NEW: Taliban says the terror leader has achieved martyrdom .
NEW: Confirmation removes any question on whether his closest allies believe he is dead .
The Taliban statement follows another one by al Qaeda .
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Arizona Senator John McCain, himself tortured for years while held captive in a Vietnamese prison, says that an execution that took nearly two hours at an Arizona prison was a form of 'torture.' On Wednesday, convicted murderer Joseph Wood - who gunned down his former girlfriend and her father in 1989 - was put to death at the state prison in Florence after losing a last-minute appeal. Witnesses described seeing Wood struggling to breathe and gasping for air almost the entire time. Torture: Senator John McCain says the nearly two hours it took to execute Joseph Wood amounts to 'torture' POW: McCain was held for five years at the 'Hanoi Hilton' prison camp in Vietnam, where he often was tortured . 'I believe in the death penalty for certain crimes. But that is not an acceptable way of carrying it out. And people who were responsible should be held responsible,' McCain told Politico. 'The lethal injection needs to be an indeed lethal injection and not the bollocks-upped situation that just prevailed. That’s torture.' McCain spent five years in the 'Hanoi Hilton' - a nickname for the Vietnamese prison camp where he was held captive - after his plane was shot down. He eventually was released, but was tortured repeatedly while a prison. As Wood gasped for air, his lawyers filed an emergency appeal in federal court demanding that it be stopped. The appeal said Wood was 'gasping and snorting for more than an hour' Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne's office says . Wood was pronounced dead at 3.49pm - an hour and 57 minutes after the . execution started. Wood was sentenced to death for . killing Debra Dietz and her father, Eugene Dietz, in 1989 at the . family's automotive shop in Tucson. A relative of Wood's victims said she did not believe the killer had suffered - especially compared to the victims. Killer: Joseph Wood gasped for nearly two hours as he was being executed for murdering two people . 'You don't know what excruciating is,' Jeanne Brown told KTLA after the execution. 'What’s excruciating is seeing your dad laying there in a pool of blood, seeing you sister laying there in a pool of blood. This man deserved it. And I shouldn’t really call him a man.' Before the murders, Wood . and Debra Dietz, 29, had a tumultuous relationship in which he periodically . assaulted her. Dietz tried to end their relationship and got an order of . protection against Wood. On . the day of the shooting, Wood went to the auto shop and waited for . Dietz's father, who disapproved of his daughter's relationship with . Wood, to get off the phone. Once the father, 55, hung up, Wood pulled out a . revolver, shot him in the chest and then smiled. Wood . then turned his attention toward Debra Dietz, who was trying to . telephone for help. Wood grabbed her by the neck and put his gun to her . chest. She pleaded with him to spare her life. An employee heard Wood . say, 'I told you I was going to do it, I have to kill you.' He then . called her an expletive and fired two shots in her chest. Relief: Jeanne Brown, whose sister and father were killed by Wood in 1989, is pictured at a news conference after the execution as her husband Richard Brown listens. She said that Wood had deserved to die . Inhumane: Arizona Republic justice reporter Michael Kiefer describes how Wood gasped and breathed heavily before he died. Media witnesses agreed they had never seen an execution like it . On Wednesday, Wood looked around the . death chamber and glanced at the doctors as they made preparations for . his execution, locating the proper veins and inserting two lines into . his arms. Wood then uttered his final words, smiled at the victim's family members and made eye contact with a deacon. Just . after declaring that he was at peace with his death, he smiled at the . deacon, but for a second, a subtle look of panic took over his face. Officials administered the lethal drugs at 1:52 p.m. Wood's eyes closed. About 10 minutes later, the gasping began. Wood's . jaw dropped, his chest expanded, and he let out a gasp. The gasps . repeated every five to 12 seconds. They went on and on, hundreds of . times. An administrator checked on him a half-dozen times. Troy Hayden, who witnessed the execution as he covered it for KSAZ , likened Wood’s breathing to a 'fish gulping for air'. 'It was tough for everybody in that room,' he said. Wood could be heard snoring loudly when an administrator turned on a . microphone to inform the gallery that Wood was still sedated, despite . the audible sounds. As the . episode dragged on, Wood's lawyers frantically drew up an emergency . legal appeal, asking federal and state courts to step in and stop the . execution. 'He has been gasping for more than an hour,' the lawyers pleaded in their filings. 'He is still alive.' Praying: Robert Hungerford, of Phoenix, prays as he and a group of about a dozen death penalty opponents protest the execution of Joseph Rudolph Wood at the state prison in Florence, Arizona on Wednesday . The . Arizona Supreme Court convened an impromptu telephone hearing with a . defense lawyer and attorney for the state to decide what to do. Wood . took his last breath at 3:37 p.m. Twelve minutes later, Arizona . Department of Corrections Director Charles L. Ryan declared Wood dead. The state court was informed of the death while its hearing was underway. It . took one hour and 57 minutes for Wood's execution to be completed, and . Wood was gasping for more than an hour and a half of that time. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer had told . the Department of Corrections to review the process, saying she was . concerned by the length of time it took to carry out the injections. Still, she said, there was nothing unlawful about the death. She . said: 'One thing is certain, however, inmate Wood died in a lawful . manner and by eyewitness and medical accounts he did not suffer. 'This . is in stark comparison to the gruesome, vicious suffering that he . inflicted on his two victims — and the lifetime of suffering he has . caused their family.' After the death, a federal judge ordered officials to preserve all physical evidence in Wood's execution for an investigation. Desperate: Arizona's highest court on Wednesday temporarily halted the execution of the condemned inmate so it could consider a last-minute appeal. Wood's death was one of a number of botched executions . The lengthy . execution quickly re-ignited the death penalty debate as critics . denounced it as cruel and unusual punishment and said it raised grave . questions about the two-drug combination Arizona uses for lethal . injections. Wood had . waged an intense, last-minute legal battle that challenged the state . over key information about who supplies the drugs and how they are . administered. The execution came after the U.S. Supreme Court denied several appeals seeking details about the state's execution methods. There have been several controversial . executions recently, including that of an Ohio inmate in January who . snorted and gasped during the 26 minutes it took him to die. Arizona's . highest court temporarily halted the execution of the condemned inmate . Wednesday morning so it could consider a last-minute appeal before soon . allowing it to proceed. The . appeal focused on arguments that Wood, 55, received inadequate legal . representation at his sentencing, along with a challenge about the . secrecy of the lethal injection drugs. The execution occurred amid new scrutiny nationwide over lethal injections after several controversial executions. The . U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for Arizona to carry out . its third execution in the last year following a closely watched First . Amendment fight over the secrecy issue. Going forward: A fence surrounds the state prison in Florence, Arizona where the execution of Joseph Rudolph Wood was scheduled to take place on Wednesday . Wood's lawyers used a new legal tactic . in which defense attorneys claim their clients' First Amendment rights . are being violated by the government's refusal to reveal details about . lethal injection drugs. Wood's . lawyers were seeking information about the two-drug combination that . finally killed him, including the makers of the drugs. A federal appeals court ruled in Wood's favor before the U.S. Supreme Court put the execution back on track. The . 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision marked the first time an . appeals court has acted to delay an execution based on the issue of drug . secrecy, said Richard Dieter, director of the Death Penalty Information . Center in Washington, D.C. The . 9th Circuit gave new hope to death penalty opponents. While many death . row inmates have made the same First Amendment argument as Wood, the . Supreme Court has not been receptive to the tactic. The court has ruled . against them each time the transparency issue has come before the . justices. States have . refused to reveal details such as which pharmacies are supplying lethal . injection drugs and who is administering them because of concerns over . harassment. An Ohio inmate in January snorted and gasped during the 26 minutes it took him to die. In Oklahoma, an inmate died of a heart attack minutes after prison officials halted the process of his execution because the drugs weren't being administered properly. The fight over the Arizona execution has also attracted attention because of a dissenting judge's comments that made a case for a firing squad as a more humane method of execution. 'The guillotine is probably best but seems inconsistent with our national ethos. And the electric chair, hanging and the gas chamber are each subject to occasional mishaps. The firing squad strikes me as the most promising,' wrote Alex Kozinski, the 9th Circuit's chief judge. 'Using drugs meant for individuals with medical needs to carry out executions is a misguided effort to mask the brutality of executions by making them look serene and peaceful - like something any one of us might experience in our final moment.'
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Double murderer Joseph Rudolph Wood was pronounced dead at 3.49pm, an hour and 57 minutes after his execution began on Wednesday .
McCain says the nearly two-hour execution amounts to torture .
The execution prompted an immediate backlash from death penalty opponents .
A federal judge suggested that firing squad would be a better alternative to lethal injection .
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As any child of the eighties will tell you, neon is a staple of any after-dark celebration- but two foodies from Melbourne have taken their love of it one step further to create a sweet treat that lights up the night. Steve Felice and Glenn Storey, the pair behind nitrogen ice-cream pop-up 196 Below, have designed glow-in-the-dark neon ice cream in a first for colour-lovers around the nation. The fancy fluoro treat is the brain child of Steve, a Melbourne-based patissier, who told Daily Mail Australia that his life has always 'revolved around neon'. 196 Below, a nitrogen ice-cream pop-up 196 Below, is launching a glow-in-the-dark neon ice cream range . 'I used to be a dance party child in the 1990's and early 2000's and I used to make party clothes out of neon material,' Steve said. 'I was in a cake decorating shop and saw UV-reactive food colouring, and thought "wow, that would be really cool. I wonder if I can actually pull this off",' he said. Steve, who started 196 Below 18 months ago with his business partner Glenn, said that he had been looking to do something really different and jumped at the chance. 196 Below specialises in nitrogen ice cream, a method which cools the dairy delicacy down quickly for a creamier texture and fresher flavour, Steve said this was a way to have a bit of fun. 'We do a lot of different events and festivals, and love playing around with the theme of wherever we are serving, so I thought I would experiment and see if it could be done,' Steve said. The gourmet ice-cream business is participating in White Night on Saturday evening in Melbourne, a festival that runs for one night each year from sun set to sun rise. Steve and Glenn started the nitrogen ice-cream business 18 months ago . The three brand new fluoro flavours are Redskin, pine-lime, and mango passionfruit . The pop-up ice-creamery will boast six UV floodlights at it's stall so that customers can see their sweet treat glow in the dark as it is being made . In keeping with the theme, the pair decided to launch three fluoro flavours- Redskin, pine-lime, and mango passionfruit. The UV-reactive liquid colouring is completely safe to consume, and have been certified by the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia. 'Last Monday I bought some and tried few drops and it worked. I did a jig around the kitchen and wanted to unveil it immediately but I had to wait,' Steve said. When 196 Below announced the neon ice cream on their Facebook page, the reaction was overwhelming. 'We did a big unveiling, and it's been crazy. A lot of people have been commenting how cool and different it is,' Steve said. The pop-up ice-creamery will boast six UV floodlights at it's stall so that customers can see their sweet treat glow in the dark as it is being made. The range is being launched at White Night in Melbourne on Saturday evening . Steve Felice and Glenn Storey are the brains behind 196 Below and the new range of neon ice-cream . Nitrogen ice-cream is a method which cools the ice-cream quickly to create a creamy flavour . 'As we're churning it out people will be able to see it glowing. We also want people to have fun outside of the store and take pictures with their ice cream,' Steve said. 'We're more about taste than anything, but tonight it's about having fun and enjoying the night.' 196 Below will use over 500 litres of liquid nitrogen to make their ice-cream on Saturday night, and is hoping to make a lot of colour-loving customers happy. The organisers of White Night are expecting up to 800,000 people to attend, as the Melbourne CBD is overrun with revellers. Along with White Night, music festival Soundwave is also running, as well as celebrations for Chinese New Year and sport-loving cricket fans in town for the International Cricket Cup. 196 Below ice-cream costs $8.50 for a cone or cup, and popular flavours include salted caramel (created with hand-made caramel) and chocolate brownie. The ice-cream is made with only five ingredients, is vegan friendly and dairy free, and is made without preservatives. 'This is something completely new, so it's going to be an interesting 12 hours,' said Steve. 'On a good night we serve between 700 and 800 people, but considering the feedback we've been getting it could be even more.' 196 Below ice-cream costs $8.50 for a cone or cup, and flavours include salted caramel and chocolate brownie .
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Australia's first neon ice cream has been launched by 196 Below .
The pop-up shop specialises in nitrogen ice cream for festivals and events .
Nitrogen ice-cream cools the dairy sweet quickly, making it creamier .
Co-owner Steve Felice used UV-reactive food dye to create a neon treat .
The dye causes the ice-cream to glow in the dark and is safe to eat .
The flavours include Redskin, pine lime, and mango passionfruit .
196 Below decided to launch range for Melbourne's White Night festival .
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By . Guy Adams . PUBLISHED: . 19:25 EST, 26 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 21:38 EST, 26 August 2013 . Yesterday was a picture-perfect Bank Holiday in the Berkshire village of Cookham. Hundreds of day-trippers took advantage of the summer sunshine to wander along grassy meadows next to a meandering River Thames. On the High Street, just a brisk walk from the historic house where local author Kenneth Grahame wrote The Wind In The Willows, a steady trickle of customers came seeking refreshment at Diane Bryant and Magda Wencel’s newly opened tea shop, the Teapot. As they poured Earl Grey into bone china cups, and carved into magnificent cakes, Diane and Magda’s customers could reflect that they were enjoying a quintessentially English moment on what is rightly regarded as one of the country’s most beautiful High Streets. Victims: Magda Wencel and Diane Bryant opened the cafe only two weeks ago but had someone post 50 exotic cockroaches through their letterbox on Thursday . Unspoiled Cookham is, after all, famed for everything from its 11th-century church to the higgledy-piggledy houses that grace the oil paintings of famous landscape artist Sir Stanley Spencer, a local resident who used to call it his ‘village in heaven’. Yet behind the comforting smell of brewing tea and freshly buttered scones, another, less savoury, aroma could be detected in the airy back room of the Teapot. It was the unsettling whiff of a bizarre and increasingly ugly scandal. Trouble began on Thursday morning, when the owners arrived to discover that no fewer than 50 cockroaches had been posted through their letterbox during the night. The large red insects were crawling around on the floor, making a vigorous hissing sound that one eye-witness has compared to ‘something out of a low-budget horror movie’. Creepy crawlies: Magda and Diane went to open The Teapot on Cookham High Street on Thursday morning to find the floor covered in insects . The bugs were later collected by police and taken away for tests which have established that they were Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches, an exotic species which can grow up to three inches long. Health officials closed the tea shop for the day, and baffled detectives are now attempting to establish who might be responsible for attempting to sabotage the Teapot. The incident has stunned well-heeled villagers, and left Diane and Magda, in their words, ‘worried and thoroughly disgusted’. ‘It was a terrible, revolting thing to do, and people here just can’t believe someone could do it,’ said Magda, 38, when we met. ‘We can’t blame anyone, or point the finger. We just don’t know who might be responsible. But obviously we want to find out. This wasn’t just some kids messing around. It was a planned attack, by someone who wanted to cause harm.’ The crime has appalled and enthralled the village in equal measure. A string of conspiracy theories are already swirling around Cookham, which sits in London’s commuter belt, has a thriving Horticultural Society and, according to the Land Registry, is the second most wealthy village in the country. ‘It’s Midsomer Murders, with cockroaches in place of a corpse,’ declared one drinker, darkly, at the village’s Kings Arms pub, a hostelry occasionally frequented by such celebrated locals as rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward, singer Chris Rea, Rolf Harris and TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson. Saving grace: It was fortunate that the 50 roaches were Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches as they are easier to get rid of . Like many residents of this tight-knit community, my informant was reluctant to give his name in connection with the incident. But he was also happy to outline at some length several exotic theories regarding the Madagascan cockroaches, which are prized by pet owners for their habit of hissing noisily when disturbed. He, and several other interviewees, took the view that the bugs were planted by someone loyal to a rival business. They pointed out that the lucrative trade in providing tea and coffee to day-trippers in Cookham has hitherto been dominated by three or four nearby village pubs, along with a single coffee shop, Infusions, which is situated directly next door to the Teapot. But there is no evidence to support such claims. Indeed, when I visited Infusions, the manageress, who also declined to give her name, said she had ‘no comment’ to make about the cockroach incident, but added, pointedly, that she would ‘never have anything to do’ with any such attack. ‘I can’t stand cockroaches. They give me the heebie-jeebies,’ she said. ‘I can’t go near them. I saw them at the zoo once, when I visited with my children, and was too scared to even go near their tank. I would certainly never touch them.’ A second popular theory regarding this unsolved ‘whodunnit’ revolves around the fact that Magda Wencel hails originally from Poland. Could racism be a motive? I found nothing to support this theory, although Cookham certainly has form when it comes to taking issue with exotic incomers. A few years ago, when it was reported that rock-star Liam Gallagher had brought a house just outside the village, locals held a meeting at the Jolly Farmer pub to raise fears about the former Oasis singer and his urbanite friends lowering the tone of the community. Criminal activity: Police are investigating incident but have yet to find the culprit . Yesterday, locals were at pains to describe the village as a tolerant place which welcomes outsiders. And Diane Bryant said that she has experienced ‘nothing but goodwill’ since arriving in Cookham. ‘A lot of people have been coming in saying how awful the incident is, how sorry they are, and staying for a cup of tea,’ she said. A third theory posits the idea that the attack was the work of a homophobe who might have leapt to the conclusion that Bryant and Wencel are domestic, as well as business, partners. This thesis, aired in online forums over the weekend, was presumably inspired by Cookham’s last brush with infamy, in 2010, when a churchgoing local couple, who run a B&B, were prosecuted for refusing to allow two gay men to stay at their residence. Yet it must be discounted because both women are in happy, heterosexual relationships. Diane has a husband and a young daughter, while Magda lives with her fiancé in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. ‘That theory is very funny, but we’re business partners and nothing else,’ Magda said. ‘Not that it matters in this day and age, of course.’ The police investigation continues but, as yet, has made little progress. I understand that no fingerprints were found on the Teapot’s letterbox, and footage from CCTV cameras at either end of the High Street shows no more than a blurry image of individuals walking past the tea shop after dark, which is when the attack happened. Inquiries at local pet shops — including one in Maidenhead, about four miles away — have drawn a blank, since none is believed to stock Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches. The insects are, however, widely available over the internet, and police are working on the assumption that they were purchased online and shipped to the attacker via mail order. Whoever the cockcroach culprit was, and however well their tracks were covered, he or she also appears to have made at least one big mistake. ‘The pest control guy who visited the shop after the attack said we’d been very lucky that they had used this type of cockroach, because the insects all stayed in a relatively small area by the door,’ says Magda. ‘If they had been normal cockroaches it would have been different. Within a short time they would have been all over the shop and we would probably have been closed for days.’ Did the mysterious attacker make other crucial errors that will eventually see them unmasked? As with any high-profile, unsolved crime, only time will tell. In the meantime, sinister conspiracy theories will continue to flourish in this outwardly idyllic corner of rural England.
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Newly opened Cookham tea shop victim of cruel sabotage .
Owners had 50 cockroaches posted through the letterbox .
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By . Jill Reilly . A postal service worker has been caught on CCTV throwing parcels from truck windows instead of delivering them. The worker was seen chucking parcels - reportedly including a HD Kindle Fire worth around $400 - on to the driveway of a home in Georgetown on Saturday. The owners were perplexed as to why their parcels had not been delivered properly and watched their CCTV footage of the delivery to find out. Scroll down for video . Mr Smith and his wife complained to the local post office, but he said the response was not satisfactory . 'The cameras are to catch criminals, not post men,' said Tarry Smith, Georgetown homeowner told ABC36. 'To throw packages out of your vehicle catapult-style is a little shocking,' he said. 'I mean even if they don't ring the door bell, what's the harm in walking four or five more steps?' The worker was seen chucking parcels - reportedly including a HD Kindle Fire worth around $400 - on to the driveway of a home in Georgetown on Saturday . The owners were perplexed as to why their parcels had not been delivered properly and watched back their CCTV to find out . Mr Smith and his wife complained to the local post office, but he said the response was not satisfactory . Mr Smith and his wife complained to the local post office, but he said the response was not satisfactory. His wife then posted the footage on Facebook titling it: 'Ever wonder why USPS is going out of business?' David Van Allen of USPS Corporate Communications wrote the following when contacted by ABC 36 news: 'It is very disappointing and does not represent the kind of service we strive to provide our customers. 'This matter is currently being investigated to determine the appropriate actions taken with regards to the employee and our customer.' The Smiths do not want the driver to lose his job.
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Caught on resident's CCTV camera throwing a $400 Kindle in Georgetown .
Complained to local post office, but said the response was not satisfactory .
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f96150bb64ee927b5ab7dc18881a5a339b698e4f
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(CNN) -- A room with a view is a perk usually coveted by travelers. So much so that one of the most famous travel romance movies of all time takes that title. But travel is also about shutting the rest of the world out, and nothing does that quite like a room without even a single window to the outside world. Here we look at a variety of viewless accommodations, from rock-carved former monastery chambers to cave camping Fred Flintstone-style. Locanda di San Martino Hotel e Thermae, Matera, Italy . Shutting out the world is an ancient tradition at Italy's Locanda di San Martino Hotel e Thermae, which pays homage to the baths, or thermae, of the Roman Empire. The spa complex, carved out of limestone rock thousands of years ago, re-creates this popular imperial pastime, with stages of water treatments, from the anti-tepidarium with its carved Medusa head to the tepidarium, hydromassage and caldarium, all meant to reduce stress and remove impurities from the body. 7 amazing island rentals . Rooms at the Locanda di San Martino, in the southern town of Matera, are a mix of caves, grottos and stone structures, wonderfully silent retreats whether you use the spa or not. (But why wouldn't you?) Matera, in the arch of the boot of Italy, is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities. For thousands of years, citizens have lived in the hillside city, its historical 'Sassi' (or center) made of houses and caves carved into the tufa limestone. Visitors to the Locanda will find themselves wandering amid Roman, Byzantine and Baroque periods of Italy's history. Rates start at about $120 for a double room. Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita, Matera, Italy . Matera is home to a wealth of underground structures and accommodations. Another choice for a beautiful room without a view is Sextantio, known locally as an 'albergo diffuso,' or diffused hotel, due to its scattered locations within a complex. Also located in the Sassi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sextantio has rooms with simple stone arches, their interiors lit in such a way that the tufa limestone takes on a warm honey-like glow. Flower-filled patios are part of the charming lodging experience, where breakfast and other meals are served splashed in Italian sunlight. Summer in the Park: Cuyahoga Valley . Daniela Giardinieri, of Paradise Possible travel agency, works with the hotel and also recommends visitors see the nearby Camerano Caves. Though you can't stay in them, "they keep many secrets" and her tours through the more than 1 kilometer of tunnels include underground churches, bas-relief decorations and rooms that might have been used by free masons. Rates starting from about $265. matera@sextantio.it . Grand Canyon Caverns Suite, Arizona . For a more rugged cave sleeping adventure, try the Grand Canyon Caverns Suite. Billing itself as "the world's largest, deepest, darkest motel room," the underground accommodation is tucked away 220 feet below ground, shaped by millions of years of history. The Cold War added another chapter to the caverns' long story when in 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, President John F. Kennedy made the 65-million-year old caves into a bomb shelter stocked for 2,000 people to survive for more than a month. Today, visitors can stay in the Cavern Suite, which is part of a 48-room no-frills motel. The suite consists of a platform in a hulking limestone cave outfitted with beds, a living area and bathroom. It's so deep underground and devoid of natural light that nothing lives in the caverns, not even a bat or a mouse. The largest dry cavern in the United States, the air is filtered and virtually moisture-free due to the limestone setting. This unique sleeping arrangement doesn't come cheap: The Cavern Suite is $700 a night as a double, $100 for each extra person. (928) 422-4565 . Argos in Cappadocia, Turkey . Turkey seems to specialize in this kind of accommodation, and one of the most interesting underground dwellings is Argos in Cappadocia. This 53-guest room hilltop hotel complex is built into a series of caves, underground tunnels and other ancient structures once used by monks and early Christians. Some of the underground rooms are outfitted with ethereal cave pools, and there are above ground options if you're claustrophobic. The whole area looks like something out of a fairy tale with unusual chimney rock formations making sharp peaks over short bases that might remind you of the Seven Dwarves, if the Wicked Witch had turned them to stone. More than five kilometers of caves and underground tunnels lead through Old Uçhisar Village, where the hotel is located. With a vineyard on the hotel grounds, there's never a shortage of wine for guests lounging underground. Doubles from about $240 for basic rooms to about $1,802 for a special room with its own pool, with discounts available for early booking or multiple night stays. aic@argos.com.tr . Cumberland Caverns, Tennessee . Imagine a giant underground living room complete with its own crystal chandelier. That's what you'll find at Cumberland Caverns. The chandelier is an elegant touch to an otherwise primitive underground experience. Up to 250 people can camp inside the caves, bringing their own equipment or using air mattresses and other items management can provide. Bathrooms, a snack bar and other amenities mean you won't be completely roughing it. Overnighting in the cave starts at $40 per person and includes a tour and breakfast. The giant caverns were discovered in 1810 by surveyor Aaron Higgenbotham who wandered into them, getting lost for days when the torch he was carrying went out. Today, campers and explorers can find such enormous spaces as Hall of the Mountain King, Devil's Quarry, Grand Hall, Waterfall Room and the Volcano Room, all part of a complex that stretches for more than 30 miles underground. Many people come for the day, exploring and staying above ground nearby. Or make it an event with the once a month Bluegrass Underground concerts, recorded for a local radio station and seen on PBS. No matter the season, the Cumberland Caverns are a cool, year-round 56 degrees. Desert Cave Hotel, Coober Pedy, South Australia . Some places are literally underground jewels, and that's the case with the Desert Cave Hotel in Coober Pedy, the opal mining capital of the world. It is so hot in the Australian Outback that many people retreat underground, and the town has underground shopping, dining and accommodation complexes -- even subterranean churches. The Desert Cave Hotel was specially built to mimic this local way of living under the ground, its walls chiseled out of the sandstone. Located just off the Stuart Highway, Coober Pedy might not be as familiar as other popular Outback locations, but that doesn't mean you haven't come across it. The town was one of the locations for the Oscar-winning Australian movie "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert." Underground and above-ground rooms are available. Rates start at about $240. reserve@desertcave.com.au . Seven Springs Lodge, Tuscumbia, Alabama . You may not have heard of the town of Tuscumbia, Alabama, but you certainly know its most famous native, Helen Keller. The Seven Springs Lodge is in this northeastern Alabama town, not far from her homestead Ivy Green, one of the town's most visited sites. At the lodge, your unusual room with no view is an above-ground alternative to many of the cave dwellings mentioned so far. Here, you can bunk in a converted grain bin outfitted with bedrooms and a living room. The bathrooms are located in a smaller grain bin between the two bunkhouse silos. These rotund rooms might not have a great view, but the surroundings are spectacular, set in the green foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Seven Springs is likely to appeal to travelers who have a sporting side, who might fish in the stream fed by the seven springs, go hunting in the nearby woods, or explore on horseback. If the silos are full, the complex also includes camp sites, most with full electric, water and sewage hookups. The town also has a rich musical tradition, and is home to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Staying in a silo will cost you $75.00 per night for 2 people and $20.00 per additional person. Call three days in advance to reserve a horse. (256) 370-7218 .
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Cave hotels, whether deluxe or rustic, make for a unique lodging experience .
In Italy, limestone rock houses several underground hotels .
In the Australian Outback, underground dwellings provide relief from the heat .
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(CNN) -- As you can imagine, college life can be very eventful. Balancing classes, internships, and a life away from home is enough to keep anyone busy. As a 20-year-old living with a chronic illness, I have skillfully learned the balancing act of college life. My name is Marquita Gaines, and I have sickle cell disease. I was first diagnosed at birth. The doctors performed a newborn screening test and when I was 10 days old they called to inform my mom. Because she and my father both have the sickle cell trait, she was aware that I may have the disease. At the age of 8 months I began having fevers over 101 consistently for a year. When I was 5 years old, I was riding the new bike I had just gotten for Christmas when I fell off and the handle bars hit me in the ribcage. That night I began having difficulty breathing. I was rushed to the local hospital and within hours I had stopped breathing. I was moved to intensive care, revived, and placed on a respirator. The critical care doctors and the hematologist worked day and night to figure out what was happening to me. My health continued to decline, and my parents were told to go pray because if I continued to not receive enough oxygen I would only have two hours to live. Around the seventh day, my condition stabilized and it was learned that I was suffering from an acute chest syndrome, a condition common among sickle cell patients. Shooting survivor says blood donations saved her life . Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder affecting the red blood cells. It causes the cells to lose oxygen very easily, turning them from round shapes to crescent shapes that cause painful episodes known as pain crises. At first glance, no one would know that I am a patient living with sickle cell disease. On any given day I can feel great, but I never know when the pain will come or how long it will last. A pain crisis can cause severe pain in my joints, my bones and my muscles. Sometimes it lasts for hours or even for days. At my worst it is difficult to walk and I have to use a wheelchair. To help reduce the number and severity of these episodes, I take daily medications and, with the help of the American Red Cross, I receive red blood cell transfusions every six weeks. The first time I received donor blood from the American Red Cross, I was in the 11th grade. I arrived on an outpatient basis, and a trained nurse from the American Red Cross came to administer the procedure. I was nervous, but the possibility of having little to no pain was exciting. First, my blood was typed and cross-matched with donor blood. Then, with my family by my side, the transfusion began. A machine filtered out my sickled red blood cells in exchange for roughly 10 pints of normal red blood cells. The American Red Cross nurse administering the transfusion was very knowledgeable and friendly, which helped me remain calm. Everything was a success, and within a week and a half I felt like a brand new person! My bones no longer ached and I was able to stop taking the heavy pain medication. Once my senior year began, I was able to attend school more often. I also was able to run the mile in eight minutes with the rest of the gym class -- and I wasn't the last person to finish! Cancer survivor's challenge: Give the gift of life this season . Now in my junior year at Howard University, I am still managing school work and my illness. I am involved in campus life as a member of student government and other organizations. I am young and full of life, with many goals and aspirations. The American Red Cross provides the opportunity for me to feel better more often. Transfusions allow me to have an easier, pain-free life. During this holiday season, my hope is that everyone will realize the importance of being a blood donor. For people like me who need regular transfusions, blood is often best matched among people of the same ethnic group, so donations from anyone who is a minority or has a rare blood type such as U- or Fy(a-b-) are especially important. You could help someone like me live a healthier, happier, pain-free life. I am a testament to the importance of blood donation and the services that the American Red Cross provides on a daily basis. Without both I wouldn't be able to be a happy and successful young lady. I realize that sickle cell disease is a part of me, but it will never define who I am. With treatments like this and a strong support system, which I have from my family and the American Red Cross, there is no excuse not to succeed with this disease. To learn more about becoming a blood donor or to make a donation appointment with the American Red Cross, visit RedCrossBlood.org.
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Marquita Gaines is a 20-year-old college student with sickle cell disease .
Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder that can cause severe pain .
Gaines receives a red blood cell exchange transfusion every six weeks .
Each exchange transfusion requires 10 units of red blood cells .
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Prince Charles is to demand a total overhaul of the honours system when he becomes king in the belief gongs are handed out for the wrong reasons . Prince Charles will demand a total overhaul of the honours system when he becomes king. The heir to the throne believes gongs are handed out ‘to the wrong people for the wrong reasons’. He is said to want to scrap honours such as the CBE, which stands for Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Modern and egalitarian awards would be brought in instead, possibly in smaller numbers. ‘Why should people still be invested with an order of a defunct British empire?’ one member of the prince’s inner circle told the Mail. Charles, who stood in for the Queen at an investiture yesterday, also thinks the honours ceremonies should be a celebration. A figure close to him said a party would be more suitable, adding: ‘It’s a shame that after receiving an honour at the palace, recipients have to leave. How much more appropriate it would be for the occasion to be marked by a party.’ The startling insight into the thinking of a prince often accused of meddling in national affairs was among many offered by aides who have spoken to the Mail for a remarkable series, beginning today. A major biography is also being published which claims the Prince of Wales wants to reshape not only the monarchy, but the country itself when he accedes to the throne. In a previously unpublished interview with the author, the prince says he is determined to fix the ‘battered’ world. ‘I only take on the most difficult challenges. Because I want to raise aspirations and create hope from hopelessness and health from deprivation,’ he says. Catherine Mayer, editor at large for Time magazine, was given unprecedented access to the prince, as well as his closest friends and advisers at Clarence House, for the first semi-authorised biography in years. She describes Charles as a man ‘set to reshape the monarchy in his own image’ and one who ‘will never be remote and silent like his own mother’. Miss Mayer’s book also: . A biography to be published next month claims the Prince of Wales wants to reshape not only the monarchy, but the country itself when he accedes to the throne . Even though its text is largely complimentary, the timing of the book is not ideal for Charles and his team. Next month the Supreme Court will rule on whether 27 ‘black spider memos’ written by the prince to ministers airing his views on issues of national importance should be published. Senior aides are resigned to the fact that Charles is likely to lose his decade-long battle to keep the notes secret and are preparing themselves for the fallout. The court ruling will be followed by a BBC documentary shedding light on the ‘War of the Wales’ and efforts by the prince’s staff to undermine Diana. The new biography offers a different view, sensationally referring to Diana’s attempts to ‘spread word about her husband’s derelictions’. It says: ‘His camp fought back, but without the same skills and hampered by a principal who could never match Diana’s lustre or her bloodlust.’ One member of his inner circle told the Mail: ‘Does he meddle? Yes, sometimes. Is he misguided on occasions? Possibly. But does he do it for the best of reasons? Absolutely. He is a very good man and what he does comes from a good place.’ The book by Catherine Mayer, editor at large for Time magazine, examines Princess Diana’s ‘bloodlust’ for revenge against Charles and Camilla (pictured together in 2002)
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When king, Prince Charles will demand an overhaul of the honours system .
He believes gongs are issued 'to the wrong people for the wrong reasons'
The Prince of Wales is said to want to scrap honours such as the CBE .
A figure close to him said honours ceremonies should be a celebration .
The revelations come just as a major biography is set to be published .
In it, he is described as ready to 'reshape the monarchy in his own image'
Quotes actress Emma Thompson revealing her old friend Charles feels compelled to get involved in national affairs because of the ‘guilty’ privilege of his birth; .
Reveals Charles dreads the idea of his parents’ deaths and has, at times, suffered from ‘profound despondency’; .
Describes him as being a ‘Prince of Wails’ with a very short fuse. One aide says: ‘Here comes the royal rage’; .
Provides detailed evidence of Charles’s frugality – doggy bags after meals and bathwater used on plants; .
Examines Diana’s ‘bloodlust’ for revenge against her husband and Camilla; .
Reveals Charles’s staff refer to his often foreign guests as a cast of ‘Bond villains’.
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(CNN) -- For the fourth weekend in a row, The Hunger Games easily led the domestic box office, holding off three new wide releases from the top spot. Lionsgate's $90 million blockbuster adaptation earned $21.5 million over the Friday-to-Sunday period, marking a slim 32 percent drop from last weekend. All told, The Hunger Games has earned $337.1 million after 24 days and seems headed for a final domestic total of about $375 million. The only other 2012 releases likely to reach those sorts of numbers are franchise films The Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises, and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Internationally, The Hunger Games isn't yet the franchise-launching blockbuster that it is Stateside, but it is performing quite well week-to-week. The film is nearing the $200 million mark overseas, and as of Sunday, its worldwide total stands at $531 million. That figure should only climb with each subsequent sequel. The Farrelly brothers' latest comedy, The Three Stooges, debuted in second place with an unexpectedly strong gross of $17.1 million. While that figure isn't gargantuan, the slapstick romp fared better with ticket buyers and critics than anyone expected, since ads for The Three Stooges, which highlighted the goofball physical comedy of the original 1930s film series, had many people thinking the film was a dud. Fox spent a reported $30 million on the comedy, which stars Sean Hayes, Will Sasso, and Chris Diamantopoulos, and marketed it to comedy-craving men and young boys eager for a family option other than Mirror Mirror. This strategy proved effective: according to CinemaScore, the film played to audiences that were 59 percent male. Stooges earned a lackluster "B-" CinemaScore grade, though — crowds under 25 gave the film an "A-" and crowds 25 and up gave it a "C" — which could hurt its box office longevity. Still, this should prove to be a minor winner for Fox. After three years on the shelf following MGM's demise, Joss Whedon's horror/comedy The Cabin in the Woods finally got its release, and over its debut weekend, the film scared up $14.9 million — a respectable result. Lionsgate faced a difficult challenge in marketing Cabin without giving away the film's plot, which is most effective when kept under wraps. Encouragingly, the film, which Lionsgate acquired for slightly less than $20 million, ticked up from $5.5 million on Friday to $5.7 million on Saturday — a rare increase for frontloaded horror films and fanboy flicks (Cabin is both of these things). This may have been the effect of strong word-of-mouth and stellar critical reviews overall (the film stands at 93 percent "Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes), although audiences polled by CinemaScore didn't prove overly enthusiastic. They gave the film a harsh "C" grade. Increasingly, CinemaScore grades don't seem to line up with critical opinions — this recently happened with Drive, which critics loved, but audiences issued a "C-" grade. Only time will tell whether word-of-mouth proves a boon or an anchor for Cabin, but it has a shot at becoming a mid-level sleeper hit. In fourth place, Titanic 3D sank by only 33 percent to $11.6 million in its second weekend. After ten days, the 3-D re-release has pulled in $44.4 million, passing the re-release total of Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace, which earned $43.3 million total despite a strong $22.5 million start. Titanic should sail right past Beauty and the Beast 3D's $47.5 million gross over the next few days, and finish around $65 million. While that's lower than The Lion King's $94.2 million re-release total, and a bit less than many were expecting, Paramount spent just $18 million to convert the picture, so the the re-release will prove profitable — especially as a launching pad for the Titanic Blu-ray, set to hit stores soon. American Reunion rounded out the Top 5 with $10.7 million, a 50 percent decline from last weekend. Universal's sequel has grossed $39.9 million against a $50 million budget, but given steep drops like this one, Reunion will end up the lowest-grossing title in the American Pie franchise. Down in ninth place, Guy Pearce/Maggie Grace thriller Lockout started its run with a weak $6.3 million out of 2,308 theaters. The action film earned a "B-" CinemaScore grade. In limited release, Weinstein's buzzy documentary Bully, which finally got a PG-13 rating after cutting a few F-words, earned a moderate (given the amount of press it has received) $534,000 from 158 theaters. The film has earned $814,000 after three weekends. Meanwhile, Blue Like Jazz, the Kickstarter-funded adaptation of Donald Miller's religious memoir, grossed an okay $281,000 from 136 locations. Because Jazz was funded by fans, the Roadside Attractions-distributed feature has minimal negative costs. Among milestones, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island crossed $100 million domestically this weekend. The film, which stars The Rock, has earned over $315 million worldwide. Denzel Washington thriller Safe House passed $125 million. And 21 Jump Street reached $120 million, and is now set to pass The Vow as Channing Tatum's highest earner in 2012. Check back next week to see how The Lucky One and Think Like A Man fare, and follow me on Twitter for up-to-the-minute box office news! 1. The Hunger Games -- $21.5 million . 2. The Three Stooges -- $17.1 million . 3. The Cabin in the Woods -- $14.9 million . 4. Titanic 3D -- $11.6 million . 5. American Reunion -- $10.7 million . See the full story at EW.com. CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved.
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'Hunger Games' has dominated the box office since its release .
The film beat out new releases 'The Three Stooges' and 'The Cabin in the Woods'
'Titanic 3D' came in fourth place .
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(CNN) -- If this weekend's box office battle was a big-screen boxing match, it would have been the original "Rocky": grinning, glamorous Apollo Creed against little-known and less-regarded Rocky Balboa. No one expected that one to go the full 15 rounds, either. In this weekend's showdown, it was the established "Gone Girl" against newcomer fantasy action flick "Dracula Untold." "Gone Girl" held the title belt, but not by much: the adaptation of Gillian Flynn's best-seller earned roughly $26.8 million compared with "Dracula Untold's" $23.5 million. But "Gone Girl" seemed to have everything going for it, including big-name stars (led by Oscar winner Ben Affleck), critical acclaim and tremendous word of mouth. Estimated second-weekend ticket sales fell just 29%, compared with the 40% to 50% decline most box office champs suffer in their second week out. Unlike the champ, "Untold" seemed to have everything going against it. With the lead role held by Luke Evans, best known as the bad guy in last year's "Fast & Furious 6," there was a lack of major stars. Then there was the consideration of competition: Horror movie "Annabelle" had opened the previous weekend, and unlike last year, most fright flicks are underperforming in 2014. And the reviews? Most critics put a stake through its heart, leaving "Dracula Untold" at a putrid 26% on RottenTomatoes.com. Yet when the dust settled, "Dracula Untold" was the weekend's top new movie. It's a fresh take on the Dracula legend: Evans plays Vlad as a heroic figure who's willing to do anything, including join the undead, to protect his family and his homeland. When you add in international ticket sales, the action-horror movie has already made back its $70 million budget. Newcomer "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" also had much going for it, making its debut with big stars (Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner) and a story based on a much-loved book (Judith Viorst's 1972 children's classic). While the live-action comedy knocked rival family film "The Boxtrolls" well down the chart, it also found itself sitting on the sidelines in third place. The weekend's other new movies, "The Judge," starring Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall, and "Addicted," starring Sharon Leal and Boris Kodjoe, performed about as expected, debuting fifth and seventh, respectively. And after 2½ months, "Guardians of the Galaxy" finally fell out of the top 10. That said, people are still going to see the top-grossing movie of the year: It's up to $326 million domestic. Turns out we are all Groot. Weekend domestic box office estimates from Exhibitor Relations Co., with final numbers available Monday afternoon: . 1. "Gone Girl": $26.8 million ($78.3 million total) 2. "Dracula Untold": $23.5 million (debut) 3. "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day": $19.1 million (debut) 4. "Annabelle": $16.4 million ($62.2 million total) 5. "The Judge": $13.3 million (debut)
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"Dracula Untold" was the weekend's top new movie .
But returning champ "Gone Girl" held the title belt .
Family comedy "Alexander" opened at No. 3 .
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President Barack Obama spoke to an appreciative yet polite audience of about 1,500 young Indians in New Delhi on Tuesday morning, but his White House tech team delivered a 'facepalm' moment to the handful of people who watched online. As he praised India and the United States for a string of technological achievements, his satellite video feed cut out for a full ten seconds. 'As societies that celebrate knowledge and innovation,' Obama boasted, we transformed ourselves into high-tech –' 'High tech' glitch: Obama's video feed went out six times during his speech on Tuesday in New Delhi, including a ten-second gap just as he was praising both the US and India for 'high-tech' advancements . United front: Obama walked from the stage with first lady Michelle Obama after delivering a speech at the Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi that included a passionate defense of women's rights . Not a 'secret Muslim': Obama himself brought up accusations in some US corners that he's not a Christian as he claims – 'as if that were somehow a bad thing' That's all people watching on the White House's website and on YouTube heard until a series of buzzes and clicks gave way to the president talking about 'outer space' and crediting both nations for going 'to the moon and to Mars.' The bulk of Obama's 35-minute speech touched on other issues, though, including nuclear energy, climate change, religious freedom and civil rights. 'There were moments in my life where I've been treated differently because of the color of my skin,' the president said. And he brought up and dismissed the persistent rumors spread by far-right conservatives that he's secretly a Muslim . 'There have been times where my faith has at times been questioned by people who don't know me,' Obama told his audience, 'or they've said that I adhere to a different religion – as if that were somehow a bad thing.' Nearly 80 per cent of Indians are Hindu, with Muslims the largest religious minority at 12 per cent. Big stage: President Barack Obama speaks at the Siri Fort Auditorium in, New Delhi, India, on Tuesday . Warm climate: Obama's crowd of young Indians was polite and appreciative as he urged them to demand climate-change policy shifts to benefit their generation . Small crowd online: YouTube's on-screen counter showed a peak of just 662 online viewers for Obama's speech in New Delhi although it was only 9:30 p.m. on the West Coast when he began . Give the people what they want: The president had more than 84,000 viewers when YouTube 'stars' GloZell Green (front left), Hank Green (back left) and Bethany Mota (right) interviewed him at the White House . Obama made a point of announcing that he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reached agreement on the terms of a nuclear energy deal, unlocking potentially billions of dollars in trade from U.S. companies who will be free to supply India with nuclear components and technology, andto build reactors there. A dispute over legal liability in the case of an accident had kept the U.S. from allowing those commercial transactions. That has been solved, and Obama has reportedly gained assurances that nuclear material transferred to India will be tracked carefully and accounted for. 'With the breakthroughs we achieved on this visit, we can finally move toward fully implementing our civil nuclear agreement,' Obama said Tuesday morning, 'which will mean more reliable electricity for Indians and cleaner, non-carbon energy that helps fight climate change.' But the president underscored his commitment to green-lighting nuclear energy deals only where there is no possibility of weapons development. 'Even as we acknowledge the world as it is, we must never stop working for the world as it should be – a world without nuclear weapons. That should be a goal for all of us,' he said. His biggest push was for a push for new Indian commitments on climate change, an issue already on India's front-burner. 'With rising seas, melting Himalayan glaciers, more unpredictable monsoons, [and] cyclones getting stronger, few countries will be more affected by a warmer planet than India,' Obama said. 'Now the United States recognizes our part in creating this problem, so we're leading the global effort to combat it. And today I can say that America's carbon pollution is near its lowest level in almost two decades.' Mobbed: Obama was greeted by a crush of fans – and their cellphone cameras – after his speech on Tuesday in New Delhi . But 'even if countries like the United States curb our emissions,' Obama warned, 'if countries that are growing rapidly like India, with soaring energy needs, don't also embrace cleaner fuels, then we don't stand a chance against climate change.' The video glitches – and the rest of Obama's speech – were seen by few Americans. At its peak, just 662 people were viewing the YouTube stream that powers livestreams at WhiteHouse.gov. By comparison, slightly more than 84,000 tuned in last week to see him interviewed by three YouTube 'celebrities' including GloZell Green, a woman known for eating out of a bathtub filled with milk and Fruit Loops cereal while sitting in it. Obama was introduced by Neha Buch, 33,the CEO of Pravah, a Delhi-based organization that promotes active citizenship and social enterprise for young Indians. 'She lobbies the Government of India on policies affecting the youth,' according to a White House pool reporter, 'and has worked with different U.N. agencies to strengthen their youth-centered work.' ' Most recently, she was involved in the post-2015 Development Agenda consultation process in India as a co-convener of the "Youth Tract" for post-2015.' The president followed his speech in New Delhi with a sit-down television interview conducted by CNN host Fareed Zakaria.
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'We transformed ourselves into high-tech–' Obama said just before the video signal dropped for ten full seconds .
Feed came back as he was boasting that the US and India were the only two nations 'to have gone to the moon and to Mars'
Signal cut out five more times but few Americans saw it .
At its peak the White House's feed of his speech, carried on YouTube, attracted just 662 viewers .
Obama also brought up and dismissed the persistent rumors spread by far-right conspiracy theorists that he's secretly a Muslim – 'as if that were somehow a bad thing'
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Nearly two out of three Americans approve of the job Barack Obama is doing as president, according to an average of the most recent national polls. President Obama is still being evaluated on how he does his job, CNN's polling director says. In a CNN Poll of Polls compiled Thursday, 64 percent of those questioned in various surveys say they approve of how Obama is handling his duties as president. Twenty-eight percent disapprove. The president's approval rating also stood at 64 percent in a CNN Poll of Polls compiled in January, just after his inauguration. "Most polls have shown Obama getting fairly high marks on most of the issues he has handled so far," CNN Polling Director Keating Holland said. "One exception has been the way he has handled government assistance to failing banks and automakers. His numbers on the federal deficit are also low in comparison to his approval ratings on the economy and foreign policy." So how does Obama compare to his predecessors in the White House around the 100-day mark? George W. Bush stood at 62 percent in a CNN/USA Today Gallup poll in April 2001, Bill Clinton was at 55 percent in a CNN/USA Today Gallup poll in April 1993, George H.W. Bush stood at 58 percent in a Gallup poll from April 1989, and Ronald Reagan was at 67 percent in a Gallup poll taken in April 1981. Learn more about previous presidents' approval ratings » . "The hundred-day mark tends to fall during a period when Americans are still evaluating a new president. The danger period for most presidents comes later in their first year in office," Holland explained. "Bill Clinton, for example, still had good marks after his first 100 days, but his approval rating had tanked by June of 1993. Ronald Reagan's approval rating stayed over 50 percent until November of his first year in office, but once it slipped below that mark, it stayed under 50 percent for two years. So Obama's current rating certainly does not indicate that he is out of the woods yet." The CNN Poll of Polls is an average of three national surveys taken over the past week: Gallup Tracking, Pew and AP/GfK.
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64 percent of Americans in various polls approve of Obama's work so far .
Rating is similar to recent predecessors' around 100-day mark .
Approval tends to slip later in the year, CNN polling director says .
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By . Harriet Arkell . A three year-old boy suffered serious head injuries after a music speaker fell off a Turkish hotel balcony and landed on him as he lay on a sunlounger below. Stanley Burch, from Rainham, Kent, suffered a fractured skull and bleeding to the brain after the incident at the Yasmin Resort in Bodrum. He was rushed to hospital in the resort where he underwent an emergency operation and spent ten days in intensive care before he was allowed to fly home earlier this week. 'He's a fighter': Three-year-old Stanley Burch, from Rainham, Kent, needed surgery after a speaker cut his head . Stanley is now recovering well at home in Kent, where his parents are considering legal action against package holiday organisers, Thomson Holidays. Stanley's father Mitchell Burch, 32, said: 'We were just sitting on the sunloungers when the hotel's speaker fell off the balcony and onto my son's head. 'It was a huge speaker, at least a metre high. There was a massive cut on his head - it was horrendous.' Mr Burch, a supervisor at Thames Water, added: 'We gave statements to the police out there and we're taking action against the hotel. 'They haven't even apologised yet which I think is disgusting.' Mr Burch who lives with his partner, Stanley's mother Amy Belcher, 29, and their daughter, Rosie, five, is now concentrating on getting the little boy better. 'This was a very frightening experience but Amy and I are glad that our son is out of any immediate danger and we are all back home. Recovering: Stanley was on holiday in the Yasmin Resort in Bodrum with his sister, Rosie, five, and parents . 'We want to concentrate on Stanley and ensuring he recovers fully from his injuries. Stanley has been amazing throughout this and he is a true fighter.' The family's solicitor, brain injury specialist Mark Gore, said it was too early to say whether Stanley had sustained permanent damage in the accident on 12 June. Mr Gore said: 'This was a nasty accident in which a young child has sustained a head injury and the full circumstances are being investigated.' He said Stanley was off nursery and would not be going back until the new school year in September. Mr Gore added it was possible that Stanley could have suffered permanent brain damage but that it was too early to be sure. He said: 'Luckily Stanley is out of hospital and he's walking around and talking. But he has suffered a serious head injury so it may well have long term consequences. 'He also has a large scar on his head from the operation to repair his fractured skull.' A spokesman for holiday company Thomson, First Choice and Thomson Cruises said: 'We can confirm that an incident took place at the Yasmin Resort in Bodrum. As a result a child was taken to hospital. 'We are working with the hotel to conduct a full investigation to understand what happened. Our resort team offered every possible support and assistance whilst the family were in resort. 'Our Welfare Team based in the UK has also been in contact with the family since their return home and they continue to offer further support.'
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Stanley Burch, from Rainham, Kent, was on family holiday in Bodrum, Turkey .
With sister, Rosie, five, and parents Amy Belcher, 29, and Mitchell Burch, 32 .
Mr Burch said: 'We were on sunloungers when speaker fell onto his head'
Stanley needed surgery after suffering fractured skull and bleeding on brain .
Was in intensive care in hospital in Bodrum for ten days before flying home .
Family lawyer says Stanley is doing well and his father says: 'He's a fighter'
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(CNN) -- The Venezuelan oil refinery whose explosions killed 42 people suffers mismanagement, delays in major maintenance and underinvestment, according to analysts and an engineering firm's recent report. The state-run oil company that operates the refinery has been hampered by how Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez uses the refineries as "a cash cow" to fund social programs such as building homes for low-income voters, taking funds away from plant improvements, an analyst said. Venezuela is one of the world's largest oil exporters. The fires at the Amuay refinery since Saturday have been described as "the most lethal industry accident in Venezuela to date" by analysts and come as the country faces other infrastructure problems, apparently because of a lack of maintenance, including a bridge collapse in Caracas, analysts said. The United Socialist Party of Venezuela said this week, however, that the 197-foot bridge was rebuilt in record time. New tank burns at Venezuela refinery; death toll revised down . In the aftermath of the fires, the government's refinery manager said the explosion wasn't due to a lack of maintenance, according to government television. Chavez has also said that such suggestions are "irresponsible" because investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the accident. The Venezuelan embassy in Washington and the state-run oil company. Petroleos de Venezuela, didn't have an immediate comment Wednesday. Earlier this year, an engineering firm's inspection of the giant Paraguana refinery complex in Falcon state, which includes the Amuay plant, found problems in major and routine maintenance, according to a March 2012 report prepared by RJG Risk Engineering of London. The report also said 100 fires occurred in 2011 at the refinery complex, which includes a second refinery called Cardon. The Amuay refinery is one of the world's largest, producing more than 1 million barrels per day, according to OPEC. The engineer firm's report was circulated on the Internet, and CNN confirmed its authenticity through a source who had a copy of the original. "Overall, we see some positive progress, although we continue to rate this large refinery complex as 'in need of improvement' as in 2010," the report said. "A stronger 'proactive' approach is necessary in our opinion. "Major maintenance (turnarounds) has been seen to be suffering from delays, typically of one or two years," the report said. "Routine maintenance suffered a significant 'low' in 2009, the effects of which are still being felt, evidenced by a marked increase in the ratio of corrective to preventive maintenance," the study said. "The effects are also evident in the maintenance backlog particularly for pumps and motors, and in a higher than target proportion of 'Emergency' and 'Urgent' work orders." The deadly incidents at Venezuela's largest refinery highlight serious problems at the state-run refineries and are "a reminder of the bleak outlook for the company's declining production and investment capacity," said the analysis firm Eurasia Group in a note Wednesday to investors and media. The firm conducts global political risk research and consulting. Chavez is up for re-election in October, and while the accident is "not a game changer," it could help boost the chances of opposition candidate Henrique Capriles, the analysis firm said. The state-run oil company is faced with "significant operational problems stemming from both severe mismanagement and underinvestment," the analysts said. When Chavez overhauled the oil company in recent years, he fired numerous senior managers and experts with technical know-how, said Eurasia Group analyst Risa Grais-Targow. At the same time, the company has taken on more responsibilities, as Chavez uses oil revenues for subsidies to the elderly and families with children, among other programs, Grais-Targow said. "The company has been stretched in a lot of different directions, and they don't have the money to make the investments they need," especially in the past two years as Chavez has prepared for this fall's elections, Grais-Targow said. "He's really been doling out money, and a lot of the money has been coming from PDVSA's funds," Grais-Targow said. "It's turning out to be the cash cow for the government." The engineering firm's report was prepared at the request of the oil company's underwriters and examined progress made on recommendations by the underwriters' risk engineers during their survey visits in 1993, 2002, 2005, 2007 and 2010, the study said. At the time of the March assessment, the refinery complex was faced with 46 action items, and the engineering firm found that 11 of them had "no progress," 19 were "in progress," and 16 were completed, the report said. The report also found 222 reported incidents at the two refineries, "including some 100 fires, many of these being in contaminated pipe trenches," the report said. "Although there is a good procedure for incident investigation, we were disappointed to not(e) that few had progressed past the stage of setting up a study committee, and only nine were 'closed', with recommendations carried out," the report said. Among those killed at the Amuay fires were 18 members of the national guard and 15 civilians, officials said. Venezuela's Chavez visits site of deadly refinery blast .
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Venezuela's state-run oil company under scrutiny after a weekend fire kills 42 people .
An engineer's report in March finds problems in major and routine maintenance .
Oil company faces "severe mismanagement and underinvestment," analyst says .
President Hugo Chavez is up for re-election in October .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 10:48 EST, 2 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:38 EST, 2 October 2013 . The animal kingdom is full of intricate mating rituals, from battling bulls to proud peacocks, but this bird's way of attracting a mate is truly 'magnificent'. The male Magnificent Frigatebird spends most of the roosting season blowing up a huge red balloon-like pouch from his chest. These proud chick-hunters were spotted by photographers, prancing for the ladies in a Florida county park. Puffing with pride: The male Magnificent Frigatebird blows up a huge red balloon-like pouch from his chest to attract a mate . Photographer Scott Helfrich said it . was 'amazing' watching hundreds of the Magnificent Frigatebirds from a . kayak near a known roosting spot. Mr . Helfrich and a friend spent hours taking pictures of the sea birds - . including groups of black males with their inflated scarlet pouches. Mr Helfrich, a windows and doors sales specialist, took the shots at Fort DeSoto County Park, near Tampa. The . married photographer from Deland, Florida, said: ‘My friend and I heard . about a island with hundreds of roosting frigatebirds and were keen to . see the unusual birds. ‘We camped for a few days and did a lot of kayaking around the area until we found the spot on a little island in shallow water. Sizing it up: A Magnificent Frigatebird's normal appearance as it flies through the air . Big pouch: The birds were snapped while roosting in Fort DeSoto County Park, near Tampa, Florida . Who's a big boy? The birds compete for the ladies' attention by circling them and blowing up their scarlet chest . ‘Luckily, we were able to paddle up right up to it and had a fantastic experience. ‘It made for a spectacular sight. The lighting was perfect for photography and the birds were more than co-operative with us. ‘We sat out there photographing them in every angle. ‘My favourite was the males flying right at us with their red pouches inflated. ‘It . looked just unbelievable. It was quite a sight for us and to top it off . we watched the sun go down during our paddle back the the dock. ‘Words . could not describe the feelings while watching all of this happen - it . was like a dream and everything came together for a great experience.’ Taking a break: One of the Magnificent Frigatebirds spreads his wings and lifts off towards a grey sky . Winging it: A male Magnificent Frigatebird has a wingspan of 85 inches . The Magnificent Frigatebird - sometimes known as a Man O'War - is widespread in the tropical Atlantic. They . breed in Florida, the Caribbean and Cape Verde Islands, plua along the . Pacific coast from Mexico to Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands. Frigatebirds grow to be 39 inches long with an 85 inch wingspan. Males are all-black with a scarlet throat pouch that inflates like a balloon in the breeding season. Females are black, but have a white breast and lower neck sides, a brown band on the wings, and a blue eye-ring. The Magnificent Frigatebird is silent in flight, but makes various rattling sounds at its nest and never lands in water. They feed mainly on fish but also attack other seabirds to force them to disgorge their meals.
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A male Magnificent Frigatebird blows up his chest to attract a mate .
Birds caught roosting at national park in Tampa, Florida .
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(CNN) -- The new version of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 7, was released September 18 to mostly positive reviews. It was the biggest change to iOS since it was introduced six years ago, overhauled to add a slate of new features and a more streamlined, flat, abstract look. But nobody's perfect, right? It's not unusual for new operating systems to have some glitches in their earliest days. Nobody's talking about anything cataclysmic this time, like the Apple Maps fiasco on iOS 6 that led CEO Tim Cook to issue a rare apology -- and which some say led to the ouster of Apple senior vice president Scott Forstall. But a couple of weeks into its existence, iOS 7 has prompted a handful of complaints from users. Here are five of the most frequently heard, along with tips for how to fix, or at least bypass, them. iMessage failing . Apple says it's aware of an issue that's causing texts sent through its iMessage app not to go through for some users. On various Apple-oriented message boards, iOS 7 users were complaining that they'd send a message which appeared to work fine, only to later see the dreaded red exclamation point that means it wasn't actually sent. "We are aware of an issue that affects a fraction of a percent of our iMessage users, and we will have a fix available in an upcoming software update," Apple said in a statement e-mailed to media outlets. "In the meantime, we encourage any users having problems to reference our troubleshooting documents or contact AppleCare to help resolve their issue. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes impacted users." The fix? Until the update rolls out, some users say they've been able to get rid of the problem by turning their phone off and back on. Animation flu . Some folks say they're already sick of iOS 7. Literally. iPhone and iPad users, or at least a few of them, say they're getting symptoms similar to motion sickness while looking at iOS 7 animations. On the new system, images zoom in and out when users switch between apps. As TIME explains, the brain gets unsettled when the eyes try to focus on images that don't match up -- for example, when you're on a rocking ship or moving car and trying to read a stationary item, like a book. The fix? iOS 7 users can go to "Settings," then "General" and then "Accessibility." Click on "Reduce Motion" to make the zooming go away. Battery drain . This one has been mostly reported by users of older phones like the iPhone 4S. Simply, they say iOS 7 seems to drain their batteries faster than iOS 6 did. One factor may be that iOS 7 expands the ability to run apps in the background while focusing on another task. The fix? Again, go to "Settings" and "General," but then choose "Background App Refresh." From there, you can choose which apps you'll allow to run in the background and which you won't. There are also general battery-saving steps, like dimming your screen and making sure things like GPS and Bluetooth are switched off if you're not using them. Certain apps log you out . This one might take care of itself over time. When Apple updates its operating system, apps that rely on parts of it (like Camera) must update as well. Until they do, they sometimes kick users out. On Apple message boards, users were mentioning apps like Snapchat and Mailbox as frequent offenders. The fix? Some developers may have already tweaked their products, and other fixes are probably on the way. But if you're still having problems, you can go to "Settings," "General" and "Background App Refresh" again. Turn off any apps you're having problems with. Lock screen bypass . This one has already been addressed in an iOS 7 update from Apple just days after the new operating system rolled out. For the first few days, iPhones and iPads apparently were vulnerable in one particular instance. If users were running the Camera app and had Control Center activated on their Lock screens, there were a few steps someone could take to unlock their phones. But the iOS 7.0.2 update, released on September 26, "fixes bugs that could allow someone to bypass the Lock screen passcode," according to Apple. Are you encountering issues with iOS 7? If so, have you found a way to fix them? Let us know in the comments.
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iMessage not working for some users of Apple's new mobile system .
Some also say they get motion sickness from animation on their iPads and iPhones .
Apple has already fixed a Lock screen bypass .
Fixes or workarounds exist for most glitches .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 13:24 EST, 10 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 14:51 EST, 10 August 2012 . A dime made in 1873 has cost someone a pretty penny: It sold . for $1.6 million at auction. The rare coin was minted in Carson City, Nev., during a . one-day run of dimes. An anonymous bidder won the pristine coin, said Chris . Napolitano, president of Stack's Bowers Galleries, which auctioned it during an . American Numismatic Association convention. Rare find: This dime made in 1873 and seen without arrows on its sides, denoting its exceptional value, has sold for $1.6 million at auction . The final price included a 15 per cent buyer's fee. 'Generally speaking, in the coin auction business, you might . get a couple of people fighting each other' as they bid, he said Friday. 'On this one, we had four or five buyers over a million . dollars. We had a fair amount of buyers pursuing it.' The 1873-CC 'No Arrows' Liberty Seated dime was auctioned on . Thursday night. Auction: An anonymous bidder won the coin auctioned off by Stack's Bowers Galleries, pictured . It's part of the Battle Born Collection, which contained one . of every coin struck in Carson City before the mint there closed in 1893. According to LibertySeatedDime.com, the Carson City Mint produced 12,400 dimes with no . arrows in 1873. After the weight standard for coins changed, arrows were added to the design of the new coins manufactured to note its difference from the former coins. The surviving coins without arrows were believed to have been all melted down to create the new ones. All 111 pieces of the Battle Born Collection were auctioned off on Thursday night, . fetching a total of nearly $10 million. Golden predecessor: The 1933 $20 Double Eagle . coin, pictured, was sold in 2002 for $7.3 million making it the most . expensive gold coin ever sold at auction . While its $1.6 million may come as an eye popper to some, the most expensive gold coin ever sold at auction was the historic Double Eagle coin that sold for $7.6 million in 2002. Only 13 of the $20 coins, minted by the U.S. in 1933, are known to exist today. The rest of the coins, featuring an eagle . on one side and Liberty on the other, were melted down before they ever . left . the United States Mint, sacrificed as part of a strategy to remove . America from the gold standard and stabilise the American economy.
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The 'No Arrows' Liberty Seated dime was won by anonymous bidder .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 04:13 EST, 13 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:13 EST, 13 March 2013 . A father has admitted waterboarding four children - including his two sons - after claiming it was a learning experience for them. William Province, 42, pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child and was given two years' probation. Province from Jefferson County, Montana, carried out the torture, which simulates drowning, on his nine and 12-year-old sons and two other children aged 13 and 15, according to court documents filed by prosecutors. William Province admitted waterboarding four children and was given two years' probation . His girlfriend at the time said he broke her wrist and some fingers on December 5 when she tried to stop him from punishing the children, court records said. She said Province straddled each boy with his hands over the child's face and mouth and dumped water on their faces to simulate drowning. The woman told investigators that the man described it as a learning experience for the boys. Waterboarding is an extreme form of torture which can result in oxygen deprivation to the brain and lungs. Prosecutors dropped felony charges that included making threats against public officials and others. In keeping with the plea agreement, District Judge James B. Wheelis sentenced the man to 180 days in jail for each charge, all suspended. That amounts to two years of probation, minus the 80 days he has already spent in custody, the Independent Record reported. Prosecutors said in court records that a witness had reported that the man had body armor, assault rifles and armor-piercing ammunition. Province was arrested as he landed at Helena Montana Airport after his then girlfriend reported him to police (file picture) Investigators found some ammunition and three rifles that may have belonged to Province. Authorities did not elaborate on what kinds of weapons specifically were found or suspected. Jefferson County Attorney Mathew Johnson said the plea deal was reached after a thorough review of the evidence. The agreement calls for deferring prosecution of the man on a charge of partner or family member assault. Police launched a hunt for Province after his girlfriend told them about the punishment. He was arrested when he exited a plane at Helena Airport on his return from travelling in Alaska.
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William Province admitted using the technique on four boys as young as 9 .
Was given two years' probation after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors .
Province was arrested after his then girlfriend contacted police .
She said he broke her wrist and some fingers as she tried to stop him .
Waterboarding simulates drowning and can cause brain damage .
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(Travel + Leisure) -- Part outsize beach resort, part culture capital, Sydney, Australia, exemplifies the art of relaxed cosmopolitanism. It's urbane but not pretentious; cutting-edge but not stressed-out. Now a handful of players is channeling that Aussie energy into new restaurants, hotels, and boutiques in some oft-overlooked (and distinctly chic) neighborhoods. Here, the local take. Shop . The city's fashionable heart is the corner of Oxford Street and Glenmore Road, in Paddington, where some of the most exciting Australian designers are conveniently clustered. Kirrily Johnston exemplifies the laid-back Down Under aesthetic with her earthy-urban, feminine clothes (think billowy red skirts with high cinched waists), as does Josh Goot, whose block-printed tube and tunic dresses come in colors as bright as the Sydney sun. Inside Kit Willow's chic, bi-level boutique, Willow, you'll find flirty draped frocks in organza and tulle. Just up the block in the ornate, shop-filled Strand Arcade is Corner Shop, a Sydney stalwart known for its tightly edited international collections (Marc Jacobs, Isabel Marant, and Benah). Men shouldn't miss the downtown boutique of Brent Wilson, with its updated classics, including easygoing suits, shirts, and sweaters. For housewares, head to Surry Hills. Planet Commonwealth carries Ross Longmuir's streamlined beds, tables, and sofas, all made from Australian hardwoods (don't worry, they'll help with shipping). The lure at Koskela is Aboriginal craftwork, such as the one-off lampshades traditionally woven with bush string. Travel + Leisure: World's strangest buildings . Scene . Though other areas are better known for barhopping, these days downtown is heating up after dark. The latest night-owl haven is Ivy (drinks for two $30), a multilevel complex with 18 bars, a ballroom, and rooftop cabanas. Sydney's coolest cultural commissar, actress Cate Blanchett, now directs the Sydney Theatre Company along with her husband, Andrew Upton. Snag some tickets to a production at either the STC headquarters (a spectacularly converted wharf by the bridge) or at the Sydney Opera House -- you may well catch Blanchett on stage. Post-show, grab a cocktail at the Opera House's restaurant, Guillaume at Bennelong (drinks for two $34), where the bar is surprisingly little-known and the harbor views are knockout. Eat . Manly, a less touristy beachside hangout than Bondi, is a ferry ride from downtown's Circular Quay, but it's worth the (quite lovely) trip to sample the exciting new Manly Pavilion (dinner for two $85), where the fresh Italian dishes (pan-fried whiting wrapped in lardo; pappardelle with wild-boar ragù) are as stunning as the Pacific vistas. Back in city center, celebrity chef Neil Perry recently opened Rockpool Bar & Grill (dinner for two $226) in a grand Art Deco building. The kitchen specializes in wood-fired grills and house-aged beef -- plus, Perry's sexy, restrained Spice Temple (dinner for two $226) is right downstairs. At Marque (dinner for two $226), in nearby Surry Hills, Mark Best has been winning raves for creative concoctions like yellowfin tuna on French toast with foie gras butter. There's a notable newcomer to the established culinary scene in the harborside Rocks district: Sake Restaurant & Bar (dinner for two $100), where the young and well-heeled flock for superior sushi, sashimi, and bite-size shrimp tempura with a spicy cream sauce. Travel + Leisure: Most-complained-about airlines . Stay . Sydney's latest design-driven digs, the 76-room Diamant Hotel (doubles from $140) is close to both Paddington and Surry Hills. Book a courtyard suite for night views of Sydney's iconic skyline. Wedged between café-filled Potts Point and the city center, Blue Sydney (doubles from $214) has 100 rooms located on a historic all-timber finger wharf that juts out into the harbor. Run by the same team as Ivy, the discreet, Modernist 31-room Establishment Hotel (doubles from $279) is the city's most exclusive boutique property -- the celebs you spot are likely en route to its bi-level penthouses. For the same downtown convenience without the extravagance, there's the 41-story, Foster & Partners--designed Frasers Suites (doubles from $155), with 201 understated, light-filled studios and a heated pool. Sydney Airport . A recent $500 million refurbishment of the international airport added a retinue of new shops, including the quintessentially Australian R.M. Williams, which makes superb leather boots for men and women, and the world's first Lonely Planet store. Two locavore-friendly Sydney resto-bars, Bambini Wine Room (drinks for two $27) and Danks Street Depot (dinner for two $55), have also established outposts in Terminal 1. At the separate Qantas Domestic Terminal, check out the slick, Scandinavian-style (but all-Aussie) designer stationery and gifts chain, Kikki.K. Travel + Leisure: Best countries for solo travelers . Planning a getaway? Don't miss Travel + Leisure's guide to the World's Best Hotels . Copyright 2012 American Express Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved.
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Sydney exemplifies the art of relaxed cosmopolitanism with its beach options and culture .
New restaurants and hotels are popping up in some oft-overlooked neighborhoods .
The city's fashionable heart is the corner of Oxford Street and Glenmore Road .
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Rookie IndyCar driver Mikhail Aleshin was rushed to a hospital in serious but stable condition Friday night after a horrifying crash in the final practice session for the series season finale. Aleshin, 27, was airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center in California. The Russian driver suffered broken ribs and a broken right collarbone along with a concussion and chest injuries, an IndyCar spokesperson said. On Saturday evening, Aleshin’s condition was upgraded to stable after he underwent a medical procedure. Scroll down for videos . Speed racer: Russian IndyCar rookie Mikhail Aleshin, 27, was hospitalized in serious but stable condition Friday after he was involved in a terrible crash in Fontana, California . At full speed: The crash took place at the Fontana, California, track in Turn 4 in the final practice session for the IndyCar series season finale . Excited: Aleshin tweeted this image of his race car before the ill-fated practice session Friday afternoon . Bumper cars: Aleshin spun when he went below the white line in the turn, slid back up the track and collided with Charlie Kimball . Colossal crash: The impact sent Aleshin’s blue and white car flying into the catch fence while spinning . Miracle: The driver of the other car improbably walked away from the crash unscathed . IndyCar announced Aleshin's improvement before its season-ending race at Fontana. At least three drivers played a role in the crash at the Fontana track in Turn 4, which had a gaping hole in the catch fencing and a wheel wrapped in the fence after Aleshin’s car violently flew up against it. Aleshin, who drives for Sam Schmidt, spun when he went below the white line in the turn. He slid back up the track and collided with Charlie Kimball in a shower of sparks and smoke, sending Aleshin’s car flying into the catch fence while spinning. Kimball improbably escaped serious injury, walking away from his wrecked car. Debris was strewn all over the track as safety personnel gathered around the wreck of Aleshin, who was removed on a stretcher. Aleshin is the first Russian driver in IndyCar history, joining a team with title contender Simon Pagenaud this year after a career in open-wheel racing in Europe. worse for wear: Aleshin suffered broken ribs, a broken right collarbone, a concussion and chest injuries . Field of debris: The collision sent broken car parts flying down the track . Extrication: It took firefighters several minute to remove Aleshin from his wrecked car . Terryfing force: A wheel is pictured wrapped in the fence after the Friday crash . Cleanup: Track crews work on repairing the fence between turns 3 and 4 after a crash during final practice for the Verizon IndyCar Series MAVTV 500 IndyCar World Championship Race . He is 15th in the overall points standings with seven top-10 finishes this season, including a career-best fifth-place finish at the Grand Prix of Indianapolis in May. The 27-year-old driver also had several run-ins with Sebastien Bourdais earlier in the season, and he was involved in an unusual crash with Juan Pablo Montoya in Toronto. Montoya was stalled in a tire barrier when Aleshin spun into the back of his car. Aleshin then slid under Montoya, leaving tire marks on Aleshin’s helmet and requiring a tow truck to lift Montoya’s car off Aleshin. In July, Aleshin hurt his left wrist after crashing with Takuma Sato of Japan at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, during the Verizon IndyCar Series. The two-mile Fontana track is a fast, high-banked oval with well-worn, bumpy and occasionally dusty asphalt, providing a challenge even for veteran drivers. Mikhail Aleshin gets out of his car holding his left wrist after crashing with Takuma Sato of Japan during the Verizon IndyCar Series Iowa Corn Indy 300 presented by DEKALB at the Iowa Speedway on July 12, 2014 . Trailblazer: Aleshin is the first Russian driver in IndyCar history, driving for Sam Schmidt . Simon Pagenaud (R) of France, driver of the #77 Schmidt Peterson Hamilton Motorsports Dallara Honda, celebrates with teammate Mikhail Aleshin of Russia, driver of the #7 SMP Racing Dallara Honda during the winners ceremony following the Verizon IndyCar Series Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston in June . Helio Castroneves won the pole for Saturday’s race with an average speed of more than 218 mph in his qualifying lap Friday, when temperatures reached 100 degrees in Fontana. Although IndyCar racing on ovals can be spectacular, the risk factor is high. Dan Wheldon was killed in a 15-car accident in the 2011 season finale at Las Vegas, another high-banked oval. The IndyCar series finale is scheduled for Saturday night. Aleshin was eighth in qualifying earlier Friday, easily the best finish by a rookie.
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Mikhail Aleshin, 27, suffered broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a concussion and chest injuries .
The crash took place Friday night at the Fontana, California, track during a practice run .
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By . Becky Evans . PUBLISHED: . 03:51 EST, 27 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:40 EST, 27 August 2013 . The parents of a four-year-old girl who was pictured drinking from a beer bottle have been investigated by the police. The girl was seen sipping from a Heineken bottle in the picture posted on Instagram on Sunday. A caption with the picture read: 'German beer is gooudd! Haha already likes expensive bottles!' Police launched an investigation after the parents of a girl, four, posted this picture of her drinking from a Heineken bottle . Police in Florida launched an investigation and tracked down the family after the photograph was sent to them. However, the parents told officers their child was only drinking water and the picture was uploaded as a joke. The caption read: 'German beer is gooudd!' The photograph was posted on the website under the Davinci Tattoo and Piercing account. It prompted warnings from fellow users, who said they could be in trouble for uploading the photograph. One person wrote: 'Be careful with this one kiddo's. Unfortunately we're not in Europe.' They then added: 'She DOES have excellent taste tho!' The user then responded: 'Haha. appreciate that but... like she's getting drunk?? NOT :)' Police from Brevard County said they did not have enough evidence to pursue underage drinking charges. Lt Mike Scully told News 13: 'The parents said it was meant to be a joke but they know it was not funny. 'They also said their daughter was only drinking water.' News 13 said the matter was passed on to the Florida Department of Children and Families but the agency is not investigating as it does not meet their criteria.
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Picture was posted on Instagram with caption: 'German beer is gooudd!'
Police in Brevard County tracked parents down after image sent to them .
Parents told officers it was a joke and she was drinking water .
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By . Emily Allen . Last updated at 5:26 PM on 2nd September 2011 . Casey Anthony will have to give videotaped evidence in the case of a woman who claims Anthony ruined her reputation. Anthony told detectives in 2008 that her two-year-old daughter, Caylee, was kidnapped by a 'Zanny the nanny' Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez from the Sawgrass Apartments in Orlando. However, police later discovered that no nanny of that name existed. Trial: Casey Anthony told detectives Caylee was kidnapped by Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez. A woman with the same name, right, is now suing for defamation . A 42-year-old mother of six with the same name is suing Anthony for defamation, claiming she lost her flat and her job as a housekeeper and found it impossible to find work in the three years Anthony maintained the lie. Her lawyer said earlier this year that after Anthony's claims were made public, Fernandez-Gonzalez also received death threats in the middle of the night against her and her children. Caylee's remains were found in woods near Anthony's family's home. At . the beginning of Anthony's murder . trial her lawyer told the court that Caylee accidentally drowned in the . family's swimming pool and dropped the bombshell that the nanny never . existed. Yesterday, a judge set . the deposition for early October, and she left open the possibility . that the videotape and a transcript of the deposition will be sealed . from public release. However, Anthony's lawyers said yesterday that she will refuse to answer questions during the deposition about lies to investigators. Emotional: Casey Anthony (C), with her attorneys Jose Baez (L) and Dorothy Clay Sims, reacts to being found not guilty at the Orange County Courthouse on July 5 . Charles Greene said Anthony 'will assert the Fifth Amendment' at . the deposition in the civil case, meaning she will invoke her . constitutional right to remain silent. Gonzalez's lawyer John Dill said he still . wanted to proceed to find out which questions Anthony would refuse to . answer and whether there might be grounds to challenge her silence. Her . civil lawyer argued that the defamation claim will fail. Anthony told . detectives Caylee had been kidnapped by a woman named Zenaida Fernandez . Gonzalez. But the woman behind the lawsuit is named Zenaida Gonzalez, he said. Dead: A Florida jury voted to acquit Casey Anthony of the murder and manslaughter of her daughter Caylee, pictured . Circuit Judge Lisa Munyon is expected to . set the pre-trial date for the case in April or May. The trial is . estimated to last for 10 days. Anthony, 25, was found not guilty of murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter on July 5 and was released from prison. She was convicted of four counts of lying to police. She is now on probation for cheque fraud at an undisclosed location in Florida. Her whereabouts have been kept secret because she has received death threats.
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Anthony's lawyer said she will remain silent .
Judge indicated the videotape could be sealed from public release .
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The first winners of the world's biggest lottery payoff have begun to emerge as they share a €2.5billion (£1.96billion) pot of cash to be divided among thousands of Spanish ticketholders. Neighbourhoods in towns and cities across Spain erupted with Champagne-soaked scenes of joy as it dawned on this year's lucky winners that they had scooped the €400,000 (£314,000) first prize of Spain's 'El Gordo' (The Fat One) Christmas lottery. Unlike lotteries that offer one large jackpot, Spain's yuletide drawing sprinkles a variety of winnings on thousands of ticketholders. Spaniards who bought lottery tickets in an upper middle class Madrid neighborhood were among the first to celebrate today, cracking open bottles of champagne on the streets as they celebrated winning. Scroll down for video . Ecstasy: Lottery Administration shop owners on General Pastor Avenue in Eliana near Valencia celebrate (left) selling a first prize ticket, while winners in El Bosque, Cadiz province, celebrate their €400,000 win (right) Champagne soaked: Jorge (L) and Gonzalo Lovera (2L) celebrate after they won a top prize ticket number in Madrid, Spain . Elation: This year's winning number is 13437, with a total of 4 million euros for the top prize to be shared between ten ticket holders . Tickets bearing the lucky first prize number 13437, in what is known as El Gordo - the Fat One - were sold from Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, to La Coruna, on the north-west tip of mainland Spain. They were sold from the province of Cadiz, just west of Gibraltar, to Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast, just south of the French frontier. A handful of winners came from Valencia on the east coast and in the small town of Coria, a few miles from the Portuguese frontier. Others came from more than a dozen other places across the country including Madrid, the capital. Delight: Madrid Wax Museum employee Noemi Vazquez (L) and her sister Maria celebrate outside Noemi's work . Joy: Lottery Administration shop owners on General Pastor Avenue in Eliana near Valencia celebrate having sold the first prize . Pop the corks: Winners celebrate in El Gastor, near Cadiz. The total prize money of 2.4 billion euros is split into thousands of cash prizes amongst hundreds of winning numbers . Over the moon: Spanish Christmas lottery winners celebrate in El Bosque, Cadiz province . In fact Madrid received the biggest single share of the 160 first prizes, each of four million euros - £3.12million. A total of 118 of those first prize tickets, mostly sold in tenth shares costing €20 (£15) each came from one single lottery shop in the heart of the city. Tales of joy and celebration are widely broadcast on TV stations, providing Spain's struggling population a rare moment of relief after another year of a brutal financial crisis. Restaurant employee Joana Lizcano beamed as she soaked in the reality of winning the big one after coming to Spain from Colombia as a poor immigrant 14 years ago. 'The first thing I'll do is take my five-year-old daughter to the Disney theme park in Paris,' said Lizcano, 28. 'Then I'll pay the debts I have and try to buy an apartment with my husband.' We're rich! Juan Lopez holds his lottery ticket with the winning number in La Eliana near Valencia . Jumping for joy: Diego Vazquez, unemployed without a home and three kids, jumps in joy as he celebrates his lottery ticket with the number 07617 was awarded with one of the two fourth prizes in in Tenerife . Pop: Auri Perez, worker at the lottery administration of a petrol station in Los Majuelos, Tenerife, opens a bottle of fizzy wine to celebrate selling the same win. A single El Gordo ticket costs €200 (£168), but normally whole communities share a ticket. Most punters buy a tenth of a ticket at €20 . Big win: The big drum contains a total of 100,000 wooden balls with the lottery numbers and the small drum contains a total of 1,807 wooden balls with the prizes' quantities . School children sing the first prize of 'El Gordo' Christmas Lotteryduring the draw at the Royal Theatre in Madrid. The main prizes per ticket are, 400,000 euros for the first prize; 125,000 for the second; 50,000 for the third; 20,000 for the fourth; and 6,000 for the fifth . Tears of joy: Fernando Moreno (L), owner of the lottery administration 'The Lucky Little Angel', cries excited as he celebrates selling the number 07617 that was awarded with one of the two fourth prizes in Cuenca . Nervous wait: Officials verify the balls in the build-up to the hotly-awaited draw . Photocopy shop manager Arturo Aguirre said his winning ticket would allow him to buy his way out of the debt he racked up amid the crisis that started easing this year, but still hasn't translated into a major financial turnaround for many Spaniards. 'I'll be able to plug the holes that I've got,' Aguirre said. One of the happiest places yesterday was the tiny mountain village of El Bosque, halfway between the sherry capital of Jerez and Ronda, the mountain bullfight town inland from the Costa del Sol. Twenty full first prize tickets were sold in the village of 2,100 inhabitants - that's 29,714 pounds, 28p for every man, woman and child. But for the second year everyone who won anything in the lottery will have to pay 20 percent back to the Treasury in tax. Until last year lottery winnings in Spain were tax free. A single El Gordo ticket costs €200 (£168), but normally whole communities share a ticket. Most punters buy a tenth of a ticket at €20. Yuletide drawing: Unlike lotteries that offer one large jackpot, Spain's yuletide drawing sprinkles a variety of winnings on thousands of ticketholders . Joy: Tales of joy and celebration are widely broadcast on TV stations, providing Spain's struggling population a rare moment of relief after another year of a brutal financial crisis . It's the world's richest lottery. Spaniards are glued to televisions as awards are announced in a program that often lasts four hours. Before Spain's economic implosion in 2008, winners often splurged on new cars, beach homes or vacations. Now many use winnings to pay off debt. The largest lottery jackpot in the world's history of $656million (£420million) was shared by three lucky winners in the US. Richest lottery: It's the world's richest lottery. Spaniards are glued to televisions as awards are announced in a program that often lasts four hours . The ball: Before Spain's economic implosion in 2008, winners often splurged on new cars, beach homes or vacations. Now many use winnings to pay off debt . The largest jackpot the the UK was scooped by Euromillions winners Colin and Chris Weir in 2011. The husband and wife from Largs in Ayreshire took home £161,653,000 and said they were 'tickled pink' by their extraordinary stoke of luck. By winning the jackpot they became the biggest lottery winners in Europe an have held the title ever since. In May, grandmother Gloria McKenzie became the biggest single lottery winner ever when she alone won a $590.5million Powerball jackpot in Zephyrhills, Florida.
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Unlike lotteries that offer one large jackpot, El Gordo shares among 1,000s .
The top prize for this year's El Gordo (The Fat One) is €400,000 per winner .
A single El Gordo ticket costs €200 (£168), but most are bough in groups .
Tickets are sold only in Spain but anybody is allowed to take part online .
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By . Paul Donnelley . To commemorate the centenary of the First World War, the editors of the Oxford English Dictionary have selected 100 words first recorded in, popularised during, or coined as a result of the Great War. Surprisingly, the term First World War was recorded two months before the end of the conflict in a diary entry from 10 September 1918. Most would think that the term did not appear until the Second World War when the scale of the first war became apparent. The term First World War was recorded two months before the end of the conflict in a diary entry from 10 September 1918 . A number of terms which are now mainly associated with the Second World War are shown to date back to the First, including demob (1918), foxhole (1915 in the military sense), and strategic bombing (1918). The word cootie, meaning a body louse, originated in the trenches in 1917. New research shows that coot meaning ‘louse’ and cooty meaning ‘infested with lice’ were used earlier in the war, in 1915. All are ultimately related to the bird called a coot: the phrase as lousy as a coot (referring to the reputation of these birds for being lice-infested) dates back to the 19th Century. The word cushy was borrowed from Urdu by the British military in India; the first recorded use in English is by Rudyard Kipling in 1887, in the sense ‘easy-going’. The Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment off the Front Line. A number of terms which are now mainly associated with the Second World War are shown to date back to the First, including demob (1918), foxhole (1915 in the military sense), and strategic bombing (1918) The term became widespread in the First World War, first in military slang, then in general colloquial usage, in a variety of senses including ‘easy’ and ‘comfortable’. German was largely the source of loanwords referring to weapons and vehicles, such as minenwerfer (and the diminutive Minnie), and U-boat. By contrast, the influence of French was more idiosyncratic; many of the French words used by soldiers at the front were informal phrases that were mispronounced forms of common French expressions, such as Alleyman (from Allemand, ‘a German’), no bon (‘no good’), toot sweet – or even the tooter the sweeter (from tout suite, ‘straightaway’). Viva la France: Many of the French words used by soldiers at the front were informal phrases that were mispronounced forms of common French expressions, such as no bon (¿no good¿) and the tooter the sweeter (from tout suite, ¿straightaway¿) Sir James Murray, the first editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, in his Scriptorium at Banbury Road, Oxford . The sense that those back home are . contributing to the war effort was first created in the First World War. War effort itself is a coinage of World War One, as are rationing . (1915), propaganda film (1916), and home front (1917). OED chief editor Michael Proffitt said: ‘As a historical dictionary of the English language, the OED also serves as a record of social history. On the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, we have revisited and revised the dictionary’s coverage of the language and history associated with the War. ‘As might be expected of such a prolonged global conflict, the scale and breadth of words associated with the First World War is vast. 'We have selected words that characterize the conflict: its technological innovations, its international scope, its impact on military and civilian life, and its enduring historical legacy. 'Some are familiar, others forgotten, but together they compellingly evoke the linguistic crucible of war.’ Names for the warfirst world warGreat WarKaiser’s war (also Kaiser Bill’s war)war to end all wars . Military strategy & terminologyattritioncamouflageflamethrowergas maskmachine-gun v.Mills bombmustard gasmystery shipSchlieffen Planstorm troop/storm troopertanktrenchoscope or trenchperiscopetrench warfareU-boatWAACzero hour . Life in the trenchescootieFlanders mudMaconochiemarraineshellshocktrench boottrench coattrench fevertrench foot . Domestic and civilian lifeair raidconchieconscriptiondemobDORAhome frontliberty cabbageover therepropaganda filmration n. 3dwar effortwhite feather . The war of remembranceAnzac DayArmistice Daycenotaphlost generationpoppyRemembrance daysilencesupreme sacrificeunknown soldier/unknown warriorwar grave . The international warAussieBlightychoom n./2 . cushydoughboyGallipoliKiwiSammy . Aerial warfareaceack-ackanti-aircraftArchie/Archibaldblimp n./1flechettereccospike-bozzlestrafestrategic bombingtactical bombingtailspinZeppelining . Soldiers speaking frenchAlleymanbeaucoupBochenapoono bontoot sweetWipers . Military slangashcanBig BerthaMinnie n./2Mournful Maryover the toppacketpongoshrapneltin hatTommywhizz-bangzeppelins in a cloudzigzag . Life in the trenchescootieFlanders mudMaconochiemarraineshellshocktrench boottrench coattrench fevertrench foot . Political historythe Allies (ally n. 2c)Black Handjusqu’auboutisteLeague of Nationsreparationtriple alliancetriple ententeVersailles .
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Rudyard Kipling was first to use the Urdu word cushy meaning easy .
War effort was coined in Great War as was rationing (1915), propaganda film (1916) and home front (1917)
Term First World War mentioned in a diary in September 1918 .
The 100 Words that Define the First World War can be found in an animated timeline on the Oxford Dictionaries website: http://oxford.ly/ww1word .
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By . Graeme Yorke . Uruguay go into their Group D opener against Costa Rica on Saturday looking to roll back the years and win the World Cup for the second time in Brazil. La Celeste lifted their second and last world crown in 1950 when they pulled off a major upset and defeated hosts Brazil in the final 2-1. Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera believes his team has the quality to allow them to dream big. Aiming high: Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera is dreaming of his country winning another World Cup . Belief: Muslera says there is a good spirit in the Uruguay squad . 'We have a sensational group,' Muslera said. 'I've never experienced such a united group. 'We are all friends, we all have the same objective, we all row in the same direction. 'We have already won a World Cup in this country and we hope we can do that again.' Expectations are high for Uruguay. They are the defending Copa America champions, finished fourth at the 2010 World Cup and also reached the semi-finals at last year's Confederations Cup. Ready? It is unknown if Luis Suarez will start against Costa Rica after recovering from injury . 'We want to go as far as possible,' Galatasaray keeper Muslera said. 'We have the same aim as we had in South Africa four years ago, to progress from the group stages and then take it one step at a time.' However, the 27-year-old, who has represented his country since 2009, insists his team must not be over-confident. 'We want to go far but we don't want to wear the favourite tag,' Muslera said. 'We must be ready to deal with the hard times and the good times. Final preparations: The Uruguay players go through their final training session ahead of the Costa Rica game . Goal threat: Edinson Cavani will look to get on the score sheet in the World Cup opener . 'Above all, we must be humble regardless of the stars that we have in the team.' Muslera believes a positive start against Costa Rica is important with tough games expected against England and Italy in their other group matches. 'We respect Costa Rica,' he said. 'We know it's going to be a difficult game. 'We have to avoid being surprised by their counter-attacks and try to make life difficult for them in midfield. 'To take three points in our opening game would give us a huge boost in confidence which is important.'
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Galatasaray keeper Muslera goalkeeper says spirit in squad is excellent .
Uruguay last won the World Cup back in 1950 in Brazil .
South Americans face Costa Rica in Group D opener before playing England and Italy .
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This little pig certainly did cry 'weeee, all the way home' as he went for an unintentional spin on the ice. Ricky Phillip Gindlesberger from Washington, Pennsylvania, captured his pet porker performing the stunt on a frozen stretch of walkway. The animal, named Phinny, is seen scrabbling to stay upright before he slides along on his bottom and two front trotters. As he gathers speed, he rolls around on his belly. 'Oh, I got you,' Gindlesberger says as he cuts the video to rescue Phinny. The pet owner later uploaded a photograph to Facebook showing his pig safe from harm. 'Phinny has been cuddled up by the heater all day! No more ice sliding!' Gindlesberger reassured concerned viewers. He says the footage serves as a reminder to be careful out in icy weather. 'Ice everywhere, poor Phinny couldn't even make it to the grass!' he added. Weee: This is the moment a pig took an unintentional spin on the ice . Going, going, gone: Ricky Phillip Gindlesberger from Washington, Pennsylvania, captured his pet porker performing the stunt on a frozen stretch of walkway . Quite a ride: The animal, named Phinny, is seen scrabbling to stay upright before he slides along on his bottom and two front hooves . Safe from harm: 'Phinny has been cuddled up by the heater all day! No more ice sliding!' Gindlesberger later reassured concerned viewers .
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Ricky Phillip Gindlesberger from Washington, Pennsylvania, captured his pet porker performing the stunt on a frozen stretch of walkway .
The animal was later photographed by a heater, warming up .
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Fulham are weighing up a £3million move for Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie. The west London club are keen to add quality to their squad in a late push for the play-offs and could soon test the water by making an offer for the 25-year-old, who has scored six times this season. Eddie Howe would be highly resistant to letting one of his star players leave with promotion to the Premier League a realistic proposition but is aware Ritchie’s contract is up in 2016. Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie has emerged as a £3m target for Fulham . Ritchie is currently believed to be on a weekly wage of around £9,000 and Fulham would likely be willing to double that figure. Howe, however, is looking to strengthen his Championship-topping side rather than let players go. Primarily, he wants to add a winger of genuine pace to play on the left. Bournemouth have made two bids for Birmingham's Demarai Gray - but both have been rejected . Two bids for Birmingham's Demarai Gray, the latest reaching £2million, have been rejected as ‘derisory’ by Gary Rowett. Wigan’s Callum McManaman remains a more expensive option.
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Fulham looking to add some quality to their squad for second half of the season .
Matt Richie would cost Fulham around £3m .
Bournemouth have had two bids for Birmingham's Demarai Gray rejected .
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(CNN) -- As Jews prepare for Passover, our community has been hauled into the violence that plagues our nation. At this moment, we don't know for certain whether the killings Sunday at two Jewish Centers in Overland Park, Kansas, were aimed exclusively at Jews, but it certainly feels that way. In a larger sense, we have been victimized by the random, hate-filled violence that steals lives and futures in this country daily. Perhaps it is no coincidence that this hateful attack occurs at Passover. It surely threatens Jews' sense of security and multiplies the fear that we are persecuted. I wish, however, that you could know of the loving calls I am receiving from friends and clergy all over the wider metropolitan area and indeed around the world. Our neighbors: Jews, Christians and Muslims are outraged that senseless murder would be aimed at our community. We live among friends, and that is very different from Pharaoh's Egypt, Nazi Germany or any other place in which Jews have suffered persecution. We are being singled out, but in a larger sense we are not, because this is no longer a unique act of terror. Rather, the scourge of violence in America threatens us all. Those who hate as a way of life must be rooted out, isolated and punished. As Jews, we are no strangers to violence or wanton hatred. Many of us grew up with the fear of persecution. But we are not alone, either in our suffering or in our fears. Our newspapers report daily murderous acts against one group or another: blacks, gays, children, Muslims, minorities of all sorts. Many of the perpetrators are not sane; many of the victims are unsuspecting. The more proximate we are to the event, as the Jews of Overland Park were on Sunday, the more vulnerable and violated we feel. But look at the reality. At least two of those killed were not the apparent intended targets: Jewish people. They attended a nearby Methodist church. They were, tragically, in the line of fire because they had come to the Jewish Center to be part of an event, further evidence that this nation does not single us out as a hated minority but accepts us as beloved members of society and friends. Rather, our fear and our concern should be directed at a society that will not spend the resources to provide care for the mentally ill, will not limit the means by which violence is perpetrated and does not share common social purpose sufficient to protect us all from these random killings. For that, we are all guilty. We need to search our souls to ask why we, as a society, allow these daily murders to continue. On Sunday, Jews were apparently singled out. Tomorrow, it could well be another group, and Overland Park will recede in memory. But the truth is that we are all bound by our human experience and the tragic violence that is overwhelming the United States, ending lives and destroying families. Our prayers are with the victims and their families. They must be our main concern, as well as those who feel threatened by random violence. Sunday demonstrated that any of us could be singled out, and therefore we see we are one people that must be united in our conviction that we will not tolerate the hatred that murders innocent people and tears at the body of our nation.
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Mark Levin: Shootings point to culture of hate-filled violence tolerated in U.S.
He says incident threatens Jews but also shows bolstering support of larger community .
He says wanton hate in U.S. affects many; at least two of those targeted were not Jews .
Levin: Society is guilty; it should address weapons, mental health and culture of violence .
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By . Lizzie Parry . A fleet of Royal Mail vans were left with parking tickets perched under their windscreen wipers after new permits appeared to be late in the post. Ten vans were slapped with fines after they parked in a car park without the correct permit. It is understood the fleet from Shepton Mallet in Somerset had applied for new season tickets but they had not been delivered in time to replace the expired ones. A fleet of Royal Mail vans were slapped with fines after parking in a car park without up-to-date permits . It is understood new permits had been applied for but had failed to arrive in the post in time to replace the expired ones . A spokeswoman for Mendip District Council said the reason behind the charges was because they had failed to renew their season tickets in time. She said: 'We cannot comment on individual cases, but we would like to remind tickets holders they must renew their season tickets.' Royal Mail spokesman, Mike Norman, said that the permits had been applied for but they had not yet arrived. In total 10 vans were left with fine notices perched under their windscreen wipers in the Shepton Mallet car park . A spokesman for the Royal Mail said the new permits had been applied for but they had not arrived in time .
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Fleet of 10 vans slapped with parking fines in Shepton Mallet, Somerset .
Royal Mail said new permits had been applied for but had yet to arrive .
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(CNN)To some, the hijab is a symbol of female oppression and Islamic fundamentalism. But to Nazma Khan, a Muslim who moved from Bangladesh to New York at age 11, the headscarf is a symbol of her religious belief in beauty through modesty. "Modesty is part of our Islamic faith," Khan wrote in an email. "No one should be discriminated (against) for following their faith." So Khan started World Hijab Day to build empathy for this perspective and to encourage non-Muslims, and Muslims who don't normally wear a hijab, to try it out. The Arabic word hijab refers not just to a headscarf but to modest dress and behavior in general. "Our goal is to foster global religious tolerance and understanding through hijab awareness. Many women get discriminated (against) simply because they choose to wear the hijab," Khan said. "Hopefully, this event will make people realize that women who wear the hijab are just like anyone else. They're not oppressed or are forced to wear it. They just simply want to follow their faith by being modest, just like Mary (mother of Jesus)." For the first time in its three-year run, Sunday's World Hijab Day became a trending topic on social media as women supported the effort in events worldwide and shared images tagged #WorldHijabDay. "Covering up should be a free choice! I may not be Muslim or religious but I support the beauty a hijab can bring to a woman," said one woman who shared an image through the World Hijab Day website. The concept of modesty is not unique to Islam. Other religions, including Judaism and Christianity, embrace the concept. Still, public expression of hijab can be controversial and often misunderstood -- especially in the United States -- despite being protected by the First Amendment right to free speech and freedom of religion. My Take: My hijab is my hoodie . Many hijabis, or wearers of hijabs, are stigmatized for the practice, Khan said, speaking from experience. After moving with her family to the U.S., she says, she was taunted and called names for wearing hijab to school. The harassment continued into high school and college and became worse after the September 11 terrorist attacks. "I always faced the following question: 'Why don't you ever dress normal?' " she said. "I constantly lived in fear as I was called names such as Osama, terrorist, etc. It was a total nightmare." In summer 2011, after friends from around the world shared similar stories of harassment, Khan began pondering solutions. "I kept on thinking how can I help them and myself?" she said. "I thought if I could invite other women (Muslim & non-Muslims) to walk in my shoes just for one day, perhaps, things would change." This year, "ambassadors" in 33 countries organized World Hijab Day events. Organizers in Canada, for example, invited the public to try on hijabs at a mall in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Kiran Malik-Khan, the organizer of that event, made the choice to start covering her head four years ago after a pilgrimage to Mecca, Islam's holiest site. Born in Pakistan and raised in New Jersey, the 37-year-old United Way employee has practiced Islam all her life. The spiritual journey moved her to embrace her faith in a deeper way through hijab. "I did it because I wanted to do it. It's progress for me as a Muslim woman, the next step in my faith," said Khan (no relation to Nazma Khan). "It's moving forward religiously. If you're raised in Islam, then you want to embrace everything it says. For me, personally, that progress was doing the hijab." She became involved in hijab activism in 2014, when Quebec's national assembly began hearings on a secular charter to ban overt religious symbols in the public-sector workplace. She felt compelled to start speaking up in her community to help others understand that, for people like her, the hijab is a choice, not an imposition. "If we keep living in our silos, we will never be able to break down barriers and stereotypes," she said. "Social justice is not a spectator sport, so if we don't work for it, nothing will change."
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World Hijab Day seeks to raise awareness about modest Muslim dress .
The organizer says many women wear hijabs by choice, not because they're forced to .
The headscarf is a way of expressing modesty, a key tenet of the Muslim faith .
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These dramatic pictures show the aftermath of a brazen robbery in which the offenders used a stolen digger to smash their way into a Marks & Spencer store before stealing the cash machine. The thieves left a trail of destruction after removing the ATM from inside the store during the raid at Malvern Retail Park in Worcestershire. They ploughed the stolen JCB-style digger into the building - just yards from the front doors of the store – in the early hours of this morning. The offenders ploughed a stolen digger into the front of the Marks & Spencer store in Malvern, Worcestershire . The thieves used the mechanical arm of the digger to remove the ATM from the wall, leaving only rubble behind . They then made their escape in a second vehicle after ripping the cash machine from the wall using the mechanical arms of the digger to tear it free. West Mercia Police said officers had arrested one man on suspicion of theft following the raid but confirmed the force was still hunting other members of the gang. A force spokesman said: 'Officers were called at around 2am to reports of a break in at a Marks & Spencer store in Malvern. 'We believe they struck between 1.50am and 2.01am and they escaped with an ATM cash machine. 'The digger involved was reported stolen from Madresfield in Worcestershire between 4pm on Monday and 2am on Tuesday. 'One man has been arrested on suspicion of theft but we believe others are involved. 'We are appealing for anybody who witnessed anything or saw any suspicious vehicles in the area to get in touch with us.' The dramatic pictures taken at the scene this morning show a gaping hole in the front wall and the red digger still parked in front of the shop but sealed off with police tape. A large hole could be seen at the front of the Marks & Spencer store this morning following the overnight raid . West Mercia Police confirmed officers had arrested one man on suspicion of theft following the incident . Rubble can also be seen on the pavement around the giant hole where the ATM once stood. Residents and workers from Malvern Retail Park expressed their shock at the raid in the market town. An Argos employee, who did not wish to be named, said: 'When we got here this morning police were everywhere. 'It takes some audacity to smash your way into a massive store like that and steal a cash machine. 'It's like something from a Hollywood movie.' Tina Katarro, 33, who lives nearby, said: 'I heard a noise in the middle of the night like a dull rumbling sound but I thought nothing of it until I heard sirens soon after. 'This is a nice quiet rural town and nothing like this happens here, we are all very shocked.' Marks & Spencer customer Ian Yates, 77, added: 'I come to the cafe each day for a nice muffin and I couldn't believe my eyes when I arrived and saw a huge hole in the wall.' Marks & Spencer was forced to close the retail park store today after the robbery left a gaping hole in the store . The thieves completely removed the ATM before abandoning the digger and fleeing the scene in a different car . Meanwhile, several people took to Twitter to share news of the unusual sight. @F13Kate wrote: 'Wow someone was determined to get some cash out last night from Malvern link weren't they!' And Will Hale added: 'Someone drove a digger to Marks and Spencer's in Malvern overnight. Pulled out the ATM. As you do. (sic)' The store was closed off to the public today while police investigated the theft. A Marks & Spencer spokesman said: 'Police were called following a cashpoint theft at the M&S Malvern store in the early hours of this morning. 'To ensure the safety of our customers and employees, the M&S Malvern store is currently closed whilst the police conduct their investigation and the damage is assessed.'
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Robbers used stolen JCB-style digger to smash into Marks & Spencer store .
They then completely removed cash machine before fleeing in a different car .
Dramatic pictures show huge hole left in shopfront following overnight raid .
Police have arrested one man on suspicion of theft but are seeking others .
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By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 11:21 EST, 5 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:04 EST, 5 December 2013 . A university cheerleading club is hoping to boost sales of its naked charity calendar - by offering customers a chance to date one of the cover stars. Around two dozen of the undergraduates from the University of Nottingham stripped off to pose for the shots - using only pom-poms to cover their modesty. But not content with simply posing for racy snaps to raise money for charity, the selfless cheerleaders decided to give people who buy their calendar a chance to meet the girls in the flesh - and even go on a date. Baring all: Cheerleaders from the University of Nottingham stripped off to pose for a naked calendar and are even offering one lucky man a date with a squad member . The University of Nottingham Cheerleading Squad - aka The Nottingham Knights - revealed the offer when they launched their 2014 calendar today. For 50p on top of the £5 asking price fans can put their name into a raffle for the chance to join the girls on a night out. On the cover, four daring girls - wearing only black high heels - smile for the camera as they hide their modesty with a just a pair of gold pom-poms. And inside, 25 members of the 55-strong squad can be seen in a further series of cheeky poses wearing skimpy lingerie in most, and completely naked in others. The team has already had dozens of pre-orders for their first print run of 150 copies as eager male students vie for the chance to bag a night on the town with the girls. The wheel deal: The team has already had dozens of pre-orders for their first print run of 150 copies as the calendar launched today . Roll up! For 50p on top of the £5 asking price fans can put their name into a raffle for the chance to join the girls on a night out . Cover girls: Inside, 25 members of the 55-strong squad can be seen in a further series of cheeky poses wearing skimpy lingerie - and naked in others . Club spokesperson Amy Penn, 21, came up with the incentive as a way to bring a new twist to the annual tradition. Speaking to the Tab student newspaper, she said: 'I thought it was a good way to generate some interest and offer something more than the usual calendar stuff. 'For 50p you could win a date with a cheerleader which I think will spur some people to dig into their pockets. 'It's something a bit different to just having a calendar, you don't normally get a chance to meet the people in them - or win a date. 'It wasn't strange taking our clothes off for the photos - we have to put a lot of trust in each other when we do routines so we're quite comfortable around our teammates. 'It was a really fun atmosphere on the shoot, we just got on and had fun with it. Charitable cheeries: The cheerleaders - who perform fundraising activities year-round - have already raised £500 for local charity Forget-Me-Notts since September this year . 'The reaction has been really positive, you get the odd comment from boys but you don't really listen to them. 'Some people say charity calendars are tacky but I think the shots are really tasteful and no-one was forced to do it. 'All the girls got to choose which month they wanted to appear in and there are a couple of shots where the girls are in their uniforms if they didn't want to take their clothes off. 'You do get used to lads making rude comments when you're a cheerleader, it's nothing new so you take it on the chin and get on with it. 'At the end of the day it's a bit of fun and it's all for a really good cause.' The cheerleaders - who perform fundraising activities year-round - have already raised £500 for local charity Forget-Me-Notts since September this year. Part of Operation Orphan, it provides selection boxes and easter egg packs to children in care. The calendar can be purchased from the group's Facebook page. Fully clothed: The University of Nottingham Cheerleading Squad - aka The Nottingham Knights - launched the calendar today and have been inundated with orders . Demure: The girls got to choose which month they wanted to feature in and didn't have to pose in the nude if they didn't want to .
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The University of Nottingham Cheerleading Squad - aka The Nottingham Knights - unveiled calendar today .
For 50p on top of the £5 asking price fans can put their name into a raffle for chance to join girls on night out .
One even wins a date with one of the squad .
Raises money for Forget-Me-Notts, which is part of the Orphan Operation .
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Washington (CNN) -- The United States is withholding some of its assistance to Malawi in the wake of claims its government used force against protesters during demonstrations over the government's handling of the economy and other issues, officials said Tuesday. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government agency that provides development assistance to countries that demonstrate a commitment to good governance, said it was halting all operations connected to a $350 million, five-year compact signed with the east African nation in 2007. "MCC is deeply concerned by recent events in Malawi and is placing an immediate hold on all program operations in order to review its partnership with Malawi, including whether to recommend to its Board of Directors to suspend or terminate its assistance," the organization said in a written statement Tuesday. Twelve people were killed, and dozens injured since protests erupted in Malawi last week as people demanded immediate action from the government over persistent fuel shortages, frequent power blackouts and criticism over recent legislation protesters said limited citizens' rights. The U.S. State Department condemned the Malawi government's use of force against demonstrators in a statement last week, and urged restraint by both sides. MCC's compact with Malawi seeks to reduce energy costs to businesses and households and improve efficiency in the agriculture, manufacture and service sectors, along with supporting the preservation and creation of employment opportunities in the Malawian economy.
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The suspension comes after violence erupted during protests .
Twelve people were killed and dozens injured .
The U.S. condemned the Malawi government's force against protesters .
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(LifeWire) -- The TV no longer sits on a moving box, but she's still using filing cabinets as end tables. Desiree Jacobsen graduated from college years ago, so why does her apartment resemble a dorm room? It's hard to save for the finer things when you've had to shell out money to be in five weddings in one year, three times as maid of honor. Some maids of honor have gone deep into debt rather than disappoint a friend who expects a lot. "I shop at the Salvation Army quite a bit to save money," says Jacobsen, 26, a medical editor in Dallas. Being a bride's maid or matron of honor is a distinction many women cherish. But it doesn't come cheap. It can easily cost a woman $1,000 or more for the honor of standing beside the bride on her big day, according to TheKnot.com, the leading wedding Web site. On top of the traditional expenses of wedding attire, transportation and chipping in for a gift from the bridesmaids, maids of honor can wind up hosting bridal showers, bachelorette parties and even the co-ed Jack and Jill party -- often footing the bill entirely. Expectations are reaching bridezilla proportions, a trend Anna Post, spokeswoman for the Emily Post Institute and great-great-granddaughter of the etiquette authority, attributes in part to the extensive coverage of celebrity weddings on television and in style magazines. Watch etiquette tips on attending wedding events » . Many bridesmaids are left torn between maintaining a friendship and breaking the bank. Tough to say no . When Sarah de Maintenon, a 33-year-old real estate agent in Syracuse, New York, agreed to be her best friend's maid of honor two years ago, the economy was good and houses were selling like hot cakes. But the currently slow real-estate market means that money has become tight as the big day -- scheduled for October -- slowly approaches. "I seriously just didn't know. I thought it was just a bachelorette party," says de Maintenon of the events she was expected to throw and attend. Her distress over the destination wedding sent her seeking advice online. The advice she received was simple, but effective: Talk to her friend and be honest about her situation. "I contemplated telling her I couldn't do it, but I couldn't break her heart," she says. "I was afraid it would cause an argument ... I didn't want to ruin her wedding day." Jacobsen hasn't skipped a wedding, but she did once skip the pre-wedding bridal portrait, which she would have had to travel out of town to participate in, because she was short on money and vacation time. "She was upset with me for a little while, but it quickly blew over because I started planning for her bachelorette party." When feelings get hurt, Jacobsen says, she tries not to take it personally. "It's usually because of the stress of the wedding." Etiquette rules vs. reality . Is all this necessary? Are brides asking too much of their friends? Post says that contrary to popular belief, the bridal shower isn't the maid of honor's obligation. Traditionally, a close friend would throw a bridal shower for the bride, and sometimes that person is also the maid of honor. But expenses can be agreed upon in advance and shared by the entire wedding party. And though there may be multiple parties thrown for the happy couple, Post says, the maid of honor is not required to go. "That's not true," claims Kim Bohnert, a 32-year-old teacher in San Francisco. She's served nine stints as maid of honor and considers herself an expert bridesmaid. She insists that the entire bridal party -- especially the maid of honor -- is expected to attend all parties and shell out for a gift each time. "It definitely adds up," says Melissa Bauer, spokesperson for TheKnot.com. Bauer ticks off some of the major expenses: about $300 for a dress, $50 to $200 for shoes, $40 to $60 for accessories, $50 for a shower gift and another $100 for a wedding gift. Then there are the parties. "The big thing now is destination bachelorette parties," Bauer says. "Some people might do it local, but regardless, you're [often] footing the cost for the bride [to attend]." The cost of traveling to an out-of-town party can add several hundred dollars to the tab, Bauer notes -- to say nothing of the cost of traveling to the wedding itself. Going for broke . Whether popular wisdom requires such a commitment or not, there's a very real limit to what women can afford. Bohnert agreed to be her cousin's maid of honor, even though she was maxed out on her credit cards, and the many expenses included a $500 Sae Young Vu dress. "I'm still in debt because of it," she says. Ma'ayan Geller, a part-time student and assistant physical therapist in San Francisco, was glad to hear her friend wanted to be sensitive to the financial constraints of her wedding party. But when Geller, one of the bridesmaids, suggested a cheap Las Vegas package for the bachelorette party, the bride gave her the boot, saying she wasn't being serious enough about her commitment to the wedding. "I had already bought the dress -- close to $300 -- which was a lot for me at the time," Geller, 23, remembers. "I think it could have been done in a better way." Geller still attended the wedding, partially because all her friends were there and also because she wanted to support the bride, "although the friendship kind of ended after that." Making it work . In Post's experience, a wedding is a collaboration, and the wedding party often tries to find a solution that works for everyone. "When something difficult arises, I've seen brides put on the brakes rather than force something on someone," she says. Jeri Kadison, a bridal coach in New York, says communication is key: Detail expectations early, and if something sounds too expensive, compromise and brainstorm other ideas, she advises. "It's the bride's responsibility to be compassionate and considerate," she says. That strategy worked for de Maintenon. She and her bride talk almost every day. Instead of renting a restaurant, they're having a barbeque. Instead of renting a beach house, they're all staying with a girlfriend. It's also OK to say no, Post says. "You can decline. Just do it early." De Maintenon recently declined when one of her best friends asked her to be the maid of honor, and her friend wasn't upset. "She knows that I'll do anything else to help out in any way." LifeWire provides original and syndicated lifestyle content to Web publishers. Liane Yvkoff is a freelance writer in San Francisco .
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As economy gets tough, more women may reconsider being maid of honor .
Bridezilla expects bridal showers, bachelorette parties, co-ed Jack and Jill party .
Bridal coach: Detail expectations early and if concerns rise, compromise .
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