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(CNN) -- U.S. Open tennis champion Andy Murray has condemned the handling of the Operation Puerto doping trial by the Spanish authorities, accusing them of the "biggest cover up in sports history." A criminal trial in Spain concluded Tuesday with sports doctor Eufemiano Fuentes given a one-year jail term for supplying cyclists with blood transfusions to boost their performance. But the judge hearing the case, Julia Patricia Santamaria, ordered that over 200 bags of blood and plasma seized from Fuentes, be destroyed, pending any appeals. Murray, an outspoken critic of doping, used his Twitter blog to express his frustration. "Puerto case is beyond a joke... biggest cover up in sports history?," he tweeted . "Why would court order blood bags to be destroyed? #coverup." During his trial, Fuentes gave evidence that he had clients from other sports, including tennis, football, boxing and athletics, but did not identify them. At the time of his arrest and the raids on his premises in 2006, doping was not a criminal offense in Spain, but he was found guilty of endangering public health. He was also barred from practicing as a sports doctor for four years, but under the Spanish legal system his jail term will be suspended. The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) also expressed its disagreement with the court decision Wednesday. "The decision to order the destruction of all the blood bags is particularly disappointing and unsatisfactory for WADA, and the whole anti-doping community," it said in a statement. "Access to this evidence motivated WADA's involvement in this case. This would ensure appropriate sports sanction processes against the cheats who used Dr Fuentes' services." WADA said it was reviewing its next course of action in conjunction with the Spanish National Anti-Doping Organization (AEA). The deadline to appeal the court decision is May 17 . The International Olympic Committee signaled its frustration with the court ruling Wednesday. "It's unfortunate that the evidence used in this proceeding is not now being made available to anti-doping organizations to further the fight against doping," it said in a statement. British No.1 Murray went public in February with his demand for more blood testing in tennis, saying it needed to do everything it could "to ensure that everyone competing at the highest level and below is clean." He was joined by fellow grand slam winners Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in demanding stricter tests and in March the International Tennis Federation announced it would be introducing a Biological Passport program - a more stringent control against doping.
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Andy Murray condemns outcome of Operation Puerto doping trial .
U.S. Open tennis champion calls it "biggest cover up in sports history" on Twitter .
IOC and WADA also express their disappointment at ruling by Spanish judge .
200 bags of blood and plasma prepared for drugs cheats set to be destroyed .
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Almost 80 staff at a city council have been sacked for calling in sick too frequently as the average time taken off by employees rose to two week. Cardiff Council sacked 77 of its employees because of their high rates of sickness absence in the last 12 months. The sickest staff work in the health and environment departments, who are predicted to take off 17 days sick - more than three weeks - by the end of the financial year. Staff at Cardiff County Council were sacked because of the high levels of sickness, averaging 10 days a year . Councillors have branded the levels of sickness absence 'frightening.' On average staff at the council, the largest in Wales, are forecast to take 10.16 days off by the end of the financial year. This is more than double the average 4.4 days lost to sickness in Britain last year, and is higher than when sickness levels peaked in the UK at 7.2 days in 1993, according to the Office for National Statistics. It also exceeds the council's own current target of nine days. Around 11,000 staff work at the council and between April and June this year an average of 4.71 days per person were taken off sick. This equates to 53,000 lost working days over a three month period. Staff in the children's department phoned in ill for seven days during this period and are forecast to take 15.4 days off sick by April next year. Workers in the sport department are expected to be away from work because of illness for 13.6 days by the end of the financial year. Councillor Judith Woodman, leader of the council's Liberal Democrat group, described the statistics as 'quite frightening'. The council sacked 77 employees over their sickness absence between June 2013 and July this year, an increase of 40 per cent on the year before. A performance report by the authority's chief executive said sickness absence had increased in the few months up to July this year. This has forced the county council to raise its prediction to 10.16 days off sick, per employee, for the current year. This increase has taken place despite a policy introduced by the council last year to reduce sickness levels, which peaked at 25 days in the environment department in 2011/12. Paul Orders, chief executive of the council, said: 'The rate of improvement is insufficient and has highlighted a degree of non compliance with the corporate policy in regard to return-to-work interviews and trigger stage interviews.' Staff at Cardiff council have been sacked for taking too many sick days, as some are expected to take 17 . Mr Orders said the figures will be addressed with individual directors of each department. However overall sickness absence has decreased at the council. The average full-time council worker called in sick 11.73 times between July 2012 and June 2013. This fell to 9.98 days between July 2013 and June 2014, representing 13,000 fewer days lost.
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Cardiff Council sacked 77 people for calling in sick on too many occasions .
Workers went sick for an average of 10 days, compared to 4.4 nationally .
Health and social care department expected to take 17 days off sick .
Councillors branded statistics 'frightening' and said improvement needed .
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By . Simon Walters . PUBLISHED: . 16:47 EST, 12 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:08 EST, 12 October 2013 . A rebel Tory MP’s bid to force David Cameron to bring forward his proposed referendum on Britain’s links with Brussels to next year has won strong public support. More than one in two voters want a referendum in 2014 according to a new poll – and more than six out of ten want MPs to vote on the proposal in three weeks’ time. The Survation poll comes after The Mail on Sunday revealed last week that Windsor Tory MP Adam Afriyie wants a Commons vote on November 8 on whether to hold a referendum on the EU in October 2014. Self-made multi-millionaire Mr Afriyie invoked the wrath of the Prime Minister and was accused of sabotaging Mr Cameron’s pledge to hold a referendum in 2017 – after the next Election. Clash: Tory grandees have urged Adam Afriyie to back down from his petition for an early vote on Europe . He faced fresh attack yesterday when Tory grandees begged him to back down and came close to accusing him of betraying his country. In an open letter they told Mr Afriyie not to meddle with the Cameron-backed 2017 EU Referendum Bill, stating: ‘No one individual is bigger than the future of our nation – we call on you to withdraw.’ But defiant Mr Afriyie promised to continue his battle and fellow maverick Conservative MP Julian Lewis publicly backed his 2014 referendum rally cry. According to the Survation poll for this newspaper, a total of 55 per cent favour an EU referendum before the next Election, due in 2015, with fewer than one in three saying it should take place afterwards. Do you trust Cameron? The poll's findings. More than six in ten want MPs to vote in three weeks' time . A total of 54 per cent agree with Mr Afriyie that Mr Cameron will not fulfil his 2017 pledge – against one in three who say he will. There is even bigger support for Mr Afriyie’s bid to force a Commons vote when the No 10- backed Referendum Bill – sponsored by Tory loyalist James Wharton – is debated next month on November 8. A massive 61 per cent say the Parliamentary vote should go ahead with just 24 per cent against. The poll shows a continuing public desire to leave the EU, but that could change if it hands back key powers. Asked how they would vote if a 2014 referendum went ahead, nearly one in two, 46 per cent, would vote to leave – with 38 per cent in favour of staying in. But if the EU made ‘significant concessions’ then 47 per cent would vote to stay in – with 30 per cent wanting withdrawal. Mr Afriyie said last night: ‘This poll confirms what I hear in my constituency and on doorsteps around the country and what the Conservative party knows: the people want a referendum on Europe before the Election. I am trying to give them that chance.’ The letter to Mr Afriyie from prominent Tory MPs – including Sir Gerald Howarth, Sir Edward Leigh, Andrea Leadsom and Nadhim Zahawi – says: ‘We support the PM’s decision to hold a referendum after the next Election. Any attempt to tamper with it runs the risk of wrecking it completely.’
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More than one in two voters support Adam Afriyie's call for early referendum .
The backbencher is accused of sabotaging Cameron's pledge for 2017 vote .
Survation interviewed 1,017 people on Friday .
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Charged: California man Don Clark, 72, was charged in the triple murder of three Sacramento residents on his property in Chico . A 72-year-old California man was charged for allegedly shooting two teens and a mother before setting their bodies on fire after they wouldn't get off his property earlier this month. Don Clark, of Chico, was charged with three felony counts of murder and one count of arson in court Friday after firefighters found three dead Sacramento residents smouldering in a burnt car several miles from his home on June 13, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Prosecutors said Clark shot Roland Lowe, 15, his mother Colleen Lowe, 46, and Richard Jones Jr., 17, with a 12-gauge pump shotgun when he saw them walking to his home the evening of June 12. 'He saw them come into his place. He . wanted them off and that's when the shooting occurred,'Butte County . District Attorney Mike Ramsey said outside court after Clark's . arraignment Friday. Ramsey said Clark asked the victims to get off his property before opening fire, according to KRCRTV.com. Prosecutors said Clark then put the . bodies in the vehicle the group arrived in, driving over 20 miles away . to dump the car on Skyway Road near the community of DeSabla. Investigators believe Clark biked back to his home. Firefighters found the bodies shortly after midnight the next day after they extinguished the fire. Burnt: Prosecutors said Don Clark burned three people in this once-green 2000 Acura TL after shooting them when they wouldn't get off his property . Volunteer: Friends and neighbors said they were shocked to hear Don Clark was charged in a triple murder. He was an active volunteer in the community . Clark's neighbors told several news outlets they were shocked by the charges. Clark was known as a community volunteer--even recycling items on his own property. John Clark, no relation, said the accused murderer was quiet. He said he's known Clark for nine years. 'He was a good friend of mine at one point,' John Clark told KRCRTV.com. 'He didn't curse, he didn't smoke, he didn't drink and he did not steal,' he added. 'And he did not tolerate bad behavior from other people.' John Clark also told CBS13 that Clark was an 'upstanding man', though he had an angry streak. Speculating Clark's motive for the alleged triple-murder to CBS13, John Clark said Clark was 'taking the law into his own hands. He probably felt like an enforcer.' Clark volunteered for community projects, including parking cars at a recent pancake breakfast to raise money for a local bridge. He also volunteered to clean up Butte Creek Canyon. Secluded: The three victims, Roland Lowe, 15, his mother Colleen Lowe, 46 and Richard Jones Jr., 17, approached Don Clark's property from this dirt road . One friend who's known Clark for three years told KRCRTV.com that Clark called him Thursday following his arrest. 'He said "I was afraid,"' said fellow volunteer Fred Thorne. 'That's what Don reported to me. That's all I can say, because I have no other details.' Ramsey said Clark knew one of the teenage victims, Jones, after he stayed at Clark's home for the previous three summers. Prosecutors said Clark accused the 17-year-old of stealing equipment from his property last summer, asking Jones to not return this year. It's unclear why the three victims were on Clark's property the night they died. Ramsey said investigators believe Ronald and Colleen Lowe merely tagged along in Jones' trip to Clark's property. They drove there in a green 2000 Acura TL, which Ramsey said was stolen the day before in Sacramento where the three are residents. The group were spotted on a survailance video making a call from a phone booth at Redding Oil in Shasta County, according to a Facebook post by one of the gas station's employees. Clutter: Prosecutors said Don Clark asked the victims to get off his property, where he sometimes recycled various items, before shooting them with a 12-gauge pump shotgun . When the group arrived at Clark's home, they parked the car on the 14000 block of Centerville Road and walked down a dirt path to Clark's property, where prosecutors said they were shot. One of the victims was shot in the side and the others were shot in the front, according to the Chico Enterprise-Record. Clark allegedly used gasoline to set the car on fire. Firefighters found two bodies in the trunk of the Acura and one in back seat. 'This is just a tragic situation where tempers flared and death occurred,' Ramsey said, noting the murders didn't appear to be drug related. Police are still waiting for DNA identification of the bodies found in the burnt Acura, but court papers named the victims reportedly based on circumstantial evidence. Investigation: Firefighters discovered three bodies in the Acura, which they believe had been set on fire by Don Clark with gasoline . In addition to other resources used to connect the bodies to Clark, Jones' mother called the Sheriff's Office to report her son was missing in the area. A week after the bodies were found, police served a search warrant on Clark's property at 5 a.m. on Wednesday. Investigators eventually found a shotgun in Clark's storage unit in Chico. Clark was questioned by police for a day and Sheriff's Lt Al Smith told the Enterprise-Record he was cooperative. He was eventually read his right to remain silent and police arrested him after several more interviews. The District Attorney's Office hasn't decided if they will consider the death sentence for Clark. If convicted, Clark also faces life in prison without parole. Clark is being held in the county jail without bail. He is expected in court again Tuesday where he will likely enter a plea.
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Don Clark, of Chico, was charged with three felony counts of murder and one count of arson on Friday .
Prosecutors said Clark shot Sacramento residents Roland Lowe, 15, his mother Colleen Lowe, 46, and Richard Jones Jr., 17, on June 12 .
Investigators believe Clark dumped their bodies in a car and set fire to it .
Clark called a friend after being arrested to say he was 'scared' that night .
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Three Nobel Peace Prize winners have blasted the decision to give this year’s award to the European Union. In an open letter, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Northern Ireland’s Mairead Maguire and Adolfo Perez Esquivel from Argentina say that the EU is ‘clearly not one of the “champions of peace” Alfred Nobel had in mind’ when he created the prize in 1895. They insist the 27-nation bloc’s values do not match those associated with the prize, and say the prize money of £750,000 should be withheld. Contesting: Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu is one of three former winners contesting the decision to give the 2012 award to the EU . Stating that the EU condones ‘security . based on military force and waging wars rather than insisting on the . need for an alternative approach’, they add that it has failed to . ‘realise Nobel’s demilitarised global peace order’. ‘The Norwegian Nobel committee has . redefined and remodelled the prize in a manner that is not consistent . with the law,’ their letter asserts, adding that the committee should . respect the original wishes of the prize’s founder, who died in 1896. The trio behind the letter are among the award’s most respected winners. The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu, now . 81, rose to fame in the 1980s as an outspoken opponent of apartheid in . South Africa. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. Mrs Maguire, 68, won the 1976 prize . for her ‘Women for Peace’ marches during the Troubles in Northern . Ireland. In recent years she has also been a noted critic of Israel’s . policy towards Gaza. Mr Esquivel, 81, is a pacifist, . painter and sculptor who won the 1980 award for his defence of human . rights against the Argentine junta. Their letter was also signed by the . Geneva-based International Peace Bureau, which won the award in 1910, . and several authors, lawyers and peace activists. Announcing this year’s award in . October, the committee hailed the EU for transforming Europe ‘from a . continent of war to a continent of peace’ in the decades following the . Second World War. The controversial decision came as a surprise amid . Europe’s crippling economic crisis. But while acknowledging Europe’s . current financial problems and social unrest, Nobel committee president . Thorbjoern Jagland said the decision was to herald six decades of . advancing ‘peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights’. Former winner: Northern Ireland's Mairead Maguire, who was awarded the prize in 1976, has also signed the open letter, which says the EU is not a 'champion of peace' EU President Herman Van Rompuy called . on all the bloc’s member states, along with soon-to-be-inducted Croatia, . to send attendees to the ceremony. But while German Chancellor Angela . Merkel and French President Francois Hollande have said they will . attend, David Cameron leads the list of leaders who plan to snub the . December 10 event in Oslo. Eighteen European leaders have accepted an invitation while six others have declined, the Nobel Institute said yesterday. The Nobel committee has rarely shied away from controversy with its choice of winner. US President Barack Obama won the award in 2009, despite leading a country that was fighting two separate wars. Alfred Nobel, a Swedish industrialist . and inventor, gave only vague guidelines for the peace prize, saying it . should honour ‘work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or . reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace . congresses.’ A prominent researcher and Nobel . critic Fredrik Heffermehl – who also signed the letter – previously . accused the Norwegian jury of gradually widening the scope of the prize . to include environmental, humanitarian and other efforts by selecting . winners such as President Obama. The complaint led to a formal inquiry . to see if the Nobel Peace Prize jury has deviated from its selection . guidelines for winners, but it was later dropped.
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Desmond Tutu has contested the decision to award the prize to the European Union in an open letter to the Nobel Committee .
Fellow Peace Prize laureates Mairead Maguire and Adolfo Perez Esquivel also signed the letter, which insisted the EU was not a 'champion of peace'
The trio said the $1.2million prize money should not be paid out to the bloc, which they claim contradicts the values associated with the prize .
The decision to award the prize to the EU in a year marked by rioting amid the ongoing Eurozone crisis has already been widely derided .
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(CNN) -- Florida neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder in the death of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, a special prosecutor announced Wednesday. Zimmerman, 28, who had been in hiding, turned himself in, his new lawyer told CNN legal analyst Mark NeJame. The suspect was transported Wednesday evening to the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center, police said. Zimmerman got out of a black SUV and was escorted into the center. He wore a plaid shirt, with a black cloth draped over his head. A hearing in the case is expected Thursday, according to authorities and Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara. Sheriff Donald F. Eslinger said officials would determine whether Zimmerman would be held in the general inmate population. What happens next . Charges against Zimmerman were announced in Jacksonville by prosecutor Angela Corey, who has said her job was "to find out the full truth" about the February 26 incident in Sanford. "It is the search for justice for Trayvon that has brought us to this moment," Corey told reporters. "We did not come to this decision lightly." What do you think about the decision to charge Zimmerman? Zimmerman's claim of self-defense failed to quell an uproar about the decision by Sanford police not to initially charge him and about Florida's "stand your ground" law, which allows the use of deadly force by anyone who feels a reasonable threat of death or serious injury. The case also sparked a nationwide debate about race and racial profiling. Martin's parents spoke after Corey's announcement. "We simply wanted an arrest; we wanted nothing more, nothing less," said Martin's mother, Sybrina Fulton. "We just wanted an arrest, and we got it and I say thank you, thank you Lord, thank you Jesus." Martin's father, Tracy, said, "we will continue to walk by faith, we will continue to hold hands on this journey. White, black, Hispanic, Latino.... We will march until the right thing is done." George Zimmerman's brother, Robert Zimmerman Jr., told CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight" that the family was "devastated" by the development. "There were no winners in this already," Robert Zimmerman Jr. said. "Our brother could have been dead. Our brother literally had to save a life by taking a life." Trayvon Martin case has a tough, controversial prosecutor . O'Mara said a bond motion hearing may be held Thursday in Seminole County. "I will be seeking his release," he said of Zimmerman. Corey said Zimmerman had the right to appear before a magistrate within 24 hours of his arrest. "I think (Zimmerman) is troubled by the fact the state decided to charge him," O'Mara attorney told reporters Wednesday evening. "I think anyone charged with second-degree murder would be scared." He said his client will enter a plea of not guilty. Like Zimmerman's relatives, O'Mara asked there be no rush to judgment. "I am hoping the community will calm down," he said. "We have to have faith in the justice system." In Florida, a conviction for second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Elements in such a charge include demonstrating the death was caused by a criminal act, and that the act demonstrated a depraved mind without regard for human life. CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin said Corey "threw the book" at Zimmerman. Robert Zimmerman Jr. said prosecutors in such cases sometimes hope a defendant will take a plea deal. The Rev. Al Sharpton appeared with Martin's parents after Corey's announcement. "They charged him with a serious crime," Sharpton said of Zimmerman. "He deserves a fair trial. We don't want anybody high-fiving tonight. There's no victory here. There are no winners here. They've lost their son," he said of Martin's parents. Zimmerman was alone Wednesday when he turned himself in to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's office in Jacksonville, said Joyce Dawley of the department. In a letter last month to the Orlando Sentinel, George Zimmerman's father wrote that his son has been unfairly portrayed as a racist. Although details of the evening shooting remain murky, what is known is that Martin, an African-American, ventured out from his father's fiancee's home in Sanford to a nearby convenience store, where he bought a bag of Skittles and an Arizona Ice Tea. On his way back, he had a confrontation with Zimmerman, who is Hispanic, and Zimmerman shot him. Zimmerman had called 911 to complain about a suspicious person in the neighborhood, according to authorities. In the call, Zimmerman said he was following Martin after the teen started to run, after which the dispatcher told him, "We don't need you to do that." Zimmerman pursued Martin anyway before saying he lost sight of him. According to an Orlando Sentinel story later confirmed by Sanford police, Zimmerman told authorities that after he briefly lost track of Martin, the teen approached him. After the two exchange words, Zimmerman said, he reached for his cell phone, and then Martin punched him in the nose. Zimmerman said Martin pinned him to the ground and began slamming his head into the sidewalk. Audio experts earlier this month told CNN that they don't believe it's Zimmerman who can be heard yelling "Help!" in the background of a different 911 call related to the shooting. They compared those screams with Zimmerman's voice, as recorded in the 911 call he made minutes earlier. Authorities have said Zimmerman was not immediately charged because there were no grounds, at the outset, to disprove his account that he'd acted to protect himself. A police report indicated the volunteer was bleeding from the nose and the back of his head. Florida Rep. Dennis Baxley, who sponsored the "stand your ground" law in 2005, said nothing in it allows people to "pursue and confront." Gov. Rick Scott, in a statement issued late Wednesday afternoon, said, "Most Floridians and local civic leaders are law-abiding, responsible citizens who all want justice to prevail. No matter what State Attorney Corey determines following her investigation of the Trayvon Martin tragedy, I trust in the goodness of all Florida citizens to allow our justice system to reach an appropriate conclusion in this case." O'Mara replaces Craig Sonner and Hal Uhrig, the two lawyers who had been giving legal advice to Zimmerman. They told reporters Tuesday that they had lost contact with their client and no longer represent him. Attorney General Eric Holder pledged Wednesday that the Justice Department will "conduct a thorough and independent review of the evidence." "I know that many of you are greatly -- and rightly -- concerned" about Martin's death, Holder said -- "a young man whose future has been lost to the ages." The department's investigation, launched three weeks ago, remains open, he said, which "prevents me from talking in detail about this matter." Holder did note, however, that Justice Department officials had traveled to Sanford to meet with Martin's family, community members and local authorities. The FBI is assisting, he said. The case has drawn comments from President Barack Obama and led to protest marches in cities and campuses across the country. Ben Jealous, president of the NAACP, said Zimmerman's arrest "is an important first step toward bringing justice for Trayvon and his family." He claimed Martin was profiled because of his race. CNN's Martin Savidge and Vivian Kuo, and InSession's Beth Karas, Jessica Thill and Aletse Mellado contributed to this report.
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Zimmerman's brother said family "devastated"
George Zimmerman arrives at Seminole County facility .
Trayvon Martin's mother says family simply wanted an arrest .
Special prosecutor charges George Zimmerman with second-degree murder .
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(CNN) -- An unruly passenger aboard a cross-country American Airlines flight forced the plane to make an unscheduled landing in Phoenix, according to police and a passenger on board. American Airlines Flight 1488 left Los Angeles International Airport Thursday heading for Miami. A 21-year-old Hispanic male started behaving erratically during the flight, according to Sgt. Steve Martos, a spokesman for the Phoenix Police Department. "Two guys and a girl, they held the guy down till we got on the ground," said passenger Janine Sharell. Martos said the flight crew decided to divert the plane and make an unscheduled landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Police officers boarded the plane when it landed and removed the unidentified man. "Based on observations from the flight crew and our officers, the passenger was taken to an area hospital where he received medical attention, Martos said.
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American Airlines Flight 1488 made an unscheduled stop in Phoenix on Thursday .
A passenger was behaving erratically, Phoenix police spokesman says .
"Two guys and a girl, they held the guy down till we got on the ground," witness says .
Unidentified passenger was taken to an area hospital for treatment, police say .
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By . Jim Norton . British scientists have developed a forecast model that they claim will be able to predict extreme winter weather with up to 80 per cent accuracy. If accurate, it could strongly influence the economy, with advanced warnings giving airports, councils, insurers and hospitals more information with which to prepare. The breakthrough comes after the Met Office was criticised for its ‘pitiful’ forecasts last winter – thought to be the worst predictions since Michael Fish’s infamous reassurance that there was no hurricane on the way in October 1987. Stuff of legend: Michael Fish famously failed to predict the 1987 hurricane - but he relied on others' data . Last November, the Met Office told councils to expect ‘drier than usual’ conditions – only for the UK to suffer the wettest winter since records began. Until now, even powerful super-computers have been able to perform only slightly better than chance when predicting long-term weather conditions. But the latest model, which simulates the climate on a more detailed scale, was found to be 62 per cent accurate at broad predictions of weather conditions when it was tested on 20 years of retrospective data. And scientists at the Met Office claim the reliability will improve, estimating that accuracy will increase to 80 per cent. The breakthrough is due to stronger computing power, allowing scientists to take into account much smaller changes in the gulfstream and Arctic sea ice coverage, which impact on the British climate. The Met Office’s Adam Scaife said: ‘This will have enormous benefits for the economy and society, and mean that planners can prepare well ahead for winter.’ Dramatic: A stormy winter this year followed wrongly-placed reassurances from the Met Office . Airports and councils would have a better idea how much grit would be needed, while power companies and wind farms would be able to anticipate energy demands, and hospitals could prepare for increases of accidents caused by the ice and snow. And after the wettest winter on record, insurers would be able to estimate the potential risks of winter storms. It is also a huge boon for the Met Office, which has been highly embarrassed in the past by its seasonal predictions. In 2009, it forecast a ‘barbecue summer’, which proved to be a washout. And last November, a three-month forecast by the Met Office suggested only the East and South East might expect average rainfall. The forecasters told councils there would be a ‘significant reduction in precipitation compared to average’ for most of the country. Instead, local authorities saw some of the most severe flooding in decades. Professor Scaife said: ‘If used carefully there’s a good chance of winning, but no guarantee. ‘It’s not possible to predict the outcome every year but we’re doing it with increasing skill.’
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Scientists developed new model to forecast weather months in advance .
It comes after Met Office was criticised for 'pitiful' forecasts last winter .
Model had 62% accuracy on historic data which could rise to 80% in future .
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By . Mia De Graaf . and Deni Kirkova . Selfies usually seem like an exercise in narcissism. But today thousands of women shared striking shots of themselves at their most vulnerable, make-up free. And . joining the campaign, the mother of former Towie star Maria Fowler took . it a step further - by baring her reconstructed breasts. Brave: Joining thousands of women, Maria Fowler's mother took a shot of her post-surgery scars in support . Joined in: Maria Fowler tweeted her own version, fake tanned but without make up . Sharing the photos on Twitter, Miss Fowler wrote: 'My brave mums (sic) no makeup pic for cancer awareness. Showing her reconstruction scars.' The reality TV star and glamour model, 27, also shared her own, saying: 'Ok so if my mum can bare her scars. Here is my no makeup selfie nothing but my tan #FightCancer'. She later tweeted: 'My mum said she hopes her picture gives hope to anyone fighting against cancer who may be feeling desolate'. The campaign was created as a bid to raise awareness and money for . breast cancer. The . campaign, inspired by Ellen DeGeneres' Oscars selfie, encouraged women . around the world to get sponsored to go to work or on a night out make . up free. Everyone from cancer survivors to men in full drag have been posting pictures in on Twitter and Facebook. She later added that her mother hoped to inspire cancer sufferers who feel desolte . Dancer Felixy Splits says it's not only important to raise awareness but to donate anything you can . Lisa Shepherd, left, posted her no make-up selfie to Facebook, as did Laura Peters on the right . Celebrities . including The Apprentice star Luisa Zissman also took part as people tweeted . their images on Twitter followed by '#NoMakeUpSelfie'. Cancer Research UK, while not affiliated with the #nomakeupselfie hashtag, are supporting it . However, . to begin with the well meaning campaign seemed to have missed a big . point because nobody appeared to be donating any money in support of . those that had gone au natural. Though . nobody seems to know where the idea came from, the rule seemed to be . that women post their picture and then nominate other female friends to . do the same with all posting that the photos were to 'raise awareness of . cancer' yet with no mention of donating any money. It didn't take long for people to become a little bemused by the campaign - with many Facebook and Twitter users wondering what the point was if nobody was actually donating cold hard cash. Luckily Cancer Research UK have now . cottoned on to the campaign and those posting the selfies or nominating . others to do so can now text the word BEAT to 70099 TO DONATE £3. Carolan . Davidge, director of communications at Cancer Research UK said: 'The . #nomakeupselfie Twitter trend isn’t something Cancer Research UK started . – but it’s great to see so many people getting involved to help raise . awareness of cancer amongst their friends and family. 'If people would like to choose to support our work to beat cancer sooner, they can visit www.cruk.org.' Deborah Ferguson (left) and Penny Stretton (right) posted no makeup selfies to raise awareness . Claire Louise Stanleick encourages friends on Facebook to donate with her makeup-free selfie . It's not known where or how the trend . for using a no make-up selfie started this time around although last . week author Laura Lippman caused an online storm with a similar campaign . in support of actress Kim Novak and her appearance at the Oscars. Now, following this new viral selfie campaign the Facebook group No Make Up Selfie For Cancer Awareness has more than 153,690 likes and hundreds of photo uploads. Cancer . survivor Deborah Ferguson from Liverpool submitted her photo to the . Facebook group and agreed to have it published on MailOnline. She . said: 'Can I campaign on behalf of all neglected boobies please? Give . them a check, I did that's why I have such a big smile as am a survivor.' Another participant, Abigail Spillman . said: 'I think it is a fantastic way to raise awareness. Its only been . going on since yesterday and already it is trending worldwide. Sisters Natalie Kirby, left and Joanne Kirby, far right, posed make-up free. Joanne's daughter Charlotte also put in her support. 'Along with a #nomakeupselfie and a small donation (if you wish) is a massive help. Well done on using Facebook and Twitter for putting it to good use!' Sophie Williams, who works for a PR firm, told MailOnline she posted her #nomakeupselfie and promises to donate 50p for each like she receives to Cancer Research UK. Dancer Felixy Splits posted a fresh . faced pic, and told MailOnline: 'Everyone knows someone who has suffered . from this awful disease. 'It's not only important to raise awareness but to donate anything you can. Make a difference and do something positive today.' Katie Weir of Freya Lingerie also joined in. Katie Weirwas nominated by her friend and by doing so she donated £5 to the charity . She told MailOnline: 'Through the recent nomination trend on Facebook it is easy to see the power of social media and how quickly posts can go viral. 'It is fantastic to see young women embracing their make-up free faces to raise awareness of breast cancer. 'I was nominated by my friend and by doing so I donated £5 to the charity which I wouldn't have done if I hadn't seen the status!' And it's not just women who are . getting in on the action. In solidarity, men too have com up with their . own way of raising awareness - but they're slapping on the make-up. Rachel Horkan submitted a photo of her 12-year-old little brother Zach in full make-up. She . wrote: '[He] decided to put the make-up on as us girls are taking it of . all to help cancer awareness, so proud of him to do this at such a young . age! Bless him lots of likes for this young man people xxx' Sophie Williams promises to donate 50p for each like she receives to Cancer Research UK . Social media users have taken the internet by storm posting no-makeup selfies . It has undoubtedly divided opinion, with some saying no makeup selfies are pointless . Rachel Horkan submitted a photo of her . 12-year-old brother Zach, while . Martin Helliwell, 29, from Lancashire, piled on the slap to raise . awareness.
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Women post selfies with no make-up to raise cancer awareness .
Mother of Maria Fowler bared all in a bid to give hope to sufferers .
Cancer Research UK have no idea where idea came from but are in support .
Participants can now text BEAT to 70099 to donate .
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Radamel Falcao arrived in England to much fanfare after completing a loan move to Manchester United during the summer. However, with injury limiting him to just 12 Premier League appearances, Falcao has struggled for form and managed just three goals. United blogger Scott Saunders, who contributes to 90min.com, discusses why manager Louis van Gaal should steer clear of securing Falcao on a permanent deal. Radamel Falcao, pictured against Yeovil, is still fighting to prove himself in the Premier League with Man United . We’ve all learned by now that football’s transfer market can be an expensive, hit-or-miss business. With so much attention and pressure on today’s leading Premier League stars, many have and will continue to falter under the expectation. The latest man under the spotlight - who is still fighting to prove himself in the Premier League - is Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao. And it’s a battle he’s currently losing, much to the disappointment of Man United fans. Falcao, who is on loan from Monaco, has scored three league goals and largely struggled for the Red Devils . When news broke that the Colombian had signed last summer, supporters could have been excused spells of giddiness. The prospect of the former Monaco forward lining up alongside Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie was the stuff of dreams. With Angel di Maria making his way to Manchester just a week before, you’d have been forgiven for thinking Louis van Gaal was creating the Premier League’s version of Real Madrid’s ‘Galacticos’. The ‘Gaal-acticos’, they were christened. Doubt even crept in regarding how each player would fit in, with £37million man Juan Mata not even guaranteed a place in the starting XI despite only signing eight months before. Falcao and Angel di Maria (pictured) were christened the 'Gaal-acticos' at Old Trafford . Manchester United forward Juan Mata is not guaranteed a place in the Man United starting XI . The arrivals were an important statement, a message to the footballing world that the old Manchester United were back. The David Moyes debacle of the previous season was firmly put behind them. Inevitably with big-name acquisitions, it means big money. With Di Maria, Mata and Falcao, it was no different. The two midfielders have gone some way to justifying their astronomical fees - Mata’s goal and assist record is respectable, whilst Di Maria’s style of play is something United have missed since the days of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Argentine’s pace and directness will pay off. But in Falcao, heavy doubt remains. Since joining he’s looked a shell of the player that once destroyed Chelsea with a four-goal European Super Cup final haul. Of course, Falcao’s struggles with injury have had a huge bearing on the impact he’s made but three goals in over 650 minutes of football isn’t good enough for one of the world’s deadliest finishers, no matter which way you look at it. Doubt amongst Man United fans remains as to whether Falcao will be a success at Old Trafford . Falcao - especially recently - has been given first-team opportunities and shown little aptitude in terms of taking them. His first touch is often disastrous and while his ‘fox-in-the-box’ instincts don’t seem to have deserted him, United need a forward who will offer more in their build-up play. Given it will cost them around £40m to keep the player beyond this season - and throwing in to the mix the fact that Falcao turns 29 next month - it makes such an expensive transfer seem wildly unjustifiable. United deserve some credit in terms of the deal they initially agreed with Monaco, covering their own backs with a short-term commitment in spite of the mind-boggling £265,000 he is paid each week. But their foresight will be meaningless should they go on to complete a permanent transfer - the second most expensive in the club’s history - for a player who has done little to prove he is anywhere near as good as he used to be and with ongoing injury problems. It’s a risk not worth taking in my eyes. For more fan views or to join the conversation visit www.90min.com .
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Radamel Falcao has struggled for form and fitness at Manchester United .
He has scored three goals since making the move from Monaco .
Falcao has the rest of the season to earn a permanent Old Trafford move .
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By . Paul Bentley . Gabby Logan, 41, prepared for England's opening World Cup match with yoga and a blow dry . As the hapless men around her face a torrent of abuse, Gabby Logan has emerged as the BBC’s star World Cup performer. And yesterday the sports presenter revealed the key to her cool head – two hours of yoga and a match day wash and blow dry. While juggling punditry, pitch-side interviews and epic journeys across Brazil to follow the games, married mother of two Mrs Logan has been updating her fans on her personal website. Yesterday, the 41-year-old described how she prepared for England’s opening game against Italy on Saturday night with yoga and some time to herself. ‘I’ll come clean, you should know that as well as coffee I am a little addicted to yoga,’ she wrote. ‘I think it’s changed me in the last seven months. ‘On match day I was aiming to sleep as late as possible knowing we’d have a late night and I made it to 8.15am. ‘So I indulged myself in around two hours of yoga. At home, it’s not easy doing it with kids around so I tend to do it before they get up, which is a beautiful hour of the day.’ Mrs Logan, who is married with twins, said yoga had transformed her life and her relationships with her family. She described how her son will try to distract her as she does headstands but has now learned to leave her in peace. ‘I don’t feel like snapping at my lovely husband as much, which has got to be a good thing,’ she wrote. ‘A few weeks ago I was practising yoga when my eight-year-old son came in to the room to ask me something. At this point I was holding a head-stand for 30 breaths. He was lying on the floor with his nose almost touching mine, trying to distract me, asking if he could go for a play date, but the Yoga was more powerful. ‘So I ignored him and as I was in a head stand he seemed to accept that. If anyone has been nagged by an eight-year-old boy you will understand it’s almost worth learning to do a head stand if they give up on their demands that easily.’ The presenter and former gymnast explained how she also treated herself to some proper grooming time before the game on Saturday – although the oppressive conditions in Brazil somewhat ruined the effect. ‘After the match day yoga on Saturday I washed and blow dried my hair all the while knowing that the second I stepped out of my hotel room in Manaus it would take on a new life of its own in the heat (think Diana Ross circa 1975),’ she wrote. ‘Then I applied my make-up which wouldn’t actually be seen on screen until seven hours later by which point it would probably have slid off into the ether. Or wherever it is make-up which disappears off your face actually goes. The whole grooming process felt a bit futile in Manaus.’ Gabby Logan said she felt 'bedraggled' and 'grotty' after England's defeat to Italy on Saturday night. Pictured: Interviewing former England player Danny Murphy pitchside before the match . Mrs Logan described how she felt ‘bedraggled’ and ‘grotty’ after England’s defeat to Italy on Saturday night. The following morning, she had to be up at 4am for a flight to Rio, but said having children was good training for working when exhausted. ‘I can survive a night without sleep (I have twins),’ she added. Mrs Logan has been widely praised for her coverage in Brazil. She has previously accused rival broadcaster Sky of using female sports presenters in figure-hugging outfits as ‘window dressing’. 'After the match day yoga on Saturday I . washed and blow dried my hair all the while knowing that the second I . stepped out of my hotel room in Manaus it would take on a new life of . its own' - Gabby Logan . As Phil Neville and foreign pundits have faced criticism for being boring and incomprehensible, she has been lauded for her intelligent and considered observations and insights. Mrs Logan, who lives in Buckinghamshire with husband Kenny and their twin children, said she kept down to earth by remembering what a ‘privileged’ position she is in. ‘So there I was waiting in the tunnel for the England team bus to arrive, it was only 20 minutes later than we had been told but long enough for me to think what a crazy and privileged job I have,’ she wrote. ‘I get to see really incredible people and the things they do from a different angle. None of us permanently show the world exactly who we are, there is a tendency to demand that all talented sports people should be ebullient, loquacious and full of wisdom. ‘Some will be but others will just be very talented sports people, shy people, people who have no desire to be in the limelight except for the sporting success they achieve. ‘Witnessing the moments when they are “off” is as fascinating as seeing them “on”, remembering that they are people, not Gods, and most of them realise that too. They are people not Gods and they too have feet of clay. Uniquely this weekend we all seemed to agree that they tried their very best and that is all you can ask of anyone.’
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Mother-of-two Gabby Logan, 41, is presenting World Cup in Brazil for BBC .
The star said she prepared for England's match with yoga and a blow dry .
Sports presenter will travel across Brazil to report on England's games .
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When Richie McCaw leads the All Blacks out for the 100th time on Saturday it will cement his status as one of the greatest sporting captains to have lived. McCaw, who led New Zealand to the 2011 World Cup, has been captain of his country since 2006, and led the All Blacks out on several occasions before being given the full-time job aged 25. Now 33 and in the twilight of his career, questions of McCaw's legacy are becoming increasingly poignant, especially ahead of Saturday's landmark clash against Wales in Cardiff. Richie McCaw - seen here parading the World Cup in 2011 - will lead the All Blacks for the 100th time . One such question is: where does he rank among the greatest international sporting captains of all time? Well, Sportsmail has come up with a top 10, which unsurprisingly includes the All Black great. You're sure to disagree with some of the names on the list and certainly the order, so feel free to leave a comment below... 10) Allan Border (Australia, cricket) Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting led Australia through a period of utter domination of world cricket through the 1990s and 2000s but none of that would have been possible without Border. Inheriting a side in utter disarray in the mid-1980s, by the time Border had retired in 1994 Australia were playing the brand of dogged, determined cricket that has brought them so much success since. The Baggy Green are made in his image. Australia captain Allan Border embodied his team's battling spirit in the late 80s and early 90s . 9) Willie John McBride (British and Irish Lions, rugby union) To describe the Ulsterman as a Lions legend would not do his impact on the 15-man game in the British Isles justice. The big second row toured with the Lions five times between 1962 and 1974 and still holds the record for number of appearances in the famous red jersey at 17. McBride captained the Lions on their most successful tour to date - a 3-0 whitewash of South Africa in 1974. Willie John McBride in action against South Africa and returning home from the successful tour . 8) Douglas Jardine (England, cricket) Scourge of the Aussies, Jardine was the mastermind behind the infamous 'Bodyline' tactic which saw England nullify the threat of the peerless Don Bradman and regain the Ashes Down Under in 1932-33. A fierce competitor, the ultra-competitive Jardine reportedly ordered his players to 'hate the Australians' and to refer to Bradman as 'the little bastard'. He lost just one of 15 Tests as captain. Douglas Jardine (left) and his Australian counterpart William Woodfull ahead of the third Test in 1933 . 7) Bobby Moore (England, football) On to the first of our footballers and England's 1966 World Cup-winning captain Moore. A calm, assured presence at the back, Moore became England's youngest ever captain when first handed the armband in 1963 aged just 22. A year later, he was handed the full-time role and would retain it until the last of his 108 caps in 1973. Ninety of those caps came as captain - an English joint-record held with Billy Wright. Bobby Moore (right) kisses the Jules Rimet trophy after England's World Cup triumph in 1966 . 6) Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany, football) Beckenbauer just pips his great rival Moore by virtue of the fact he led his country to two major trophies, rather than one. Like Moore, Beckenbauer was a stylish defender, perhaps even more comfortable with the ball than without it. On the losing side as Moore lifted the Jules Rimet trophy in 1966, 'Der Kaiser' would have his time. Made captain in 1971, he led his country to the European Championship in 1972 and, his crowning glory, the World Cup in 1974. Franz Beckenbauer (left) guided Germany to the World Cup two years after winning Euro 72 . 5) Richie McCaw (New Zealand, rugby union) Sorry Richie, but we can't get you any higher than No 5. One hundred Tests as captain and a World Cup triumph speak for themselves, but that choke against France in the 2007 quarter-final when the All Blacks looked destined for glory is the one blot in his copybook as captain. McCaw will have the chance of redemption next year at the World Cup on these shores and should he lift the Webb Ellis trophy again, he may just find himself at No 1. McCaw's All Blacks delivered New Zealand their first World Cup since 1987 three years ago . 4) Diego Maradona (Argentina, football) A controversial choice. Those football aficionados among you may wonder how Maradona is above Beckenbauer and Moore. Sure, Maradona is arguably the greatest footballer of all-time but his leadership qualities are not immediately obvious, especially compared with those two stalwarts - the argument goes. But it is exactly that prodigious ability which carried an otherwise average Argentina team to World Cup glory in 1986. Maradona led by the most supreme of examples that summer. Diego Maradona was in sensational form throughout the 1986 World Cup . 3) Sir Viv Richards (West Indies, cricket) Back to cricket, and with it one of the most iconic figures the game has known. Like Jardine, Richards was a prickly figure as skipper, never shirking a confrontation and doing everything in his power to win (and he wasn't bad with the bat either). Under Richards' captaincy, which lasted for 50 Tests from 1984 to 1991, West Indies never lost a series. Sir Viv Richards was the leader of an iconic West Indies team in the 1980s . 2) Iker Casillas (Spain, football) The name 'Casillas' doesn't scream out at you when asked who the greatest sporting captains of all-time are, especially in the wake of Spain's and his dismal World Cup this year. But just look at his record: Casillas captained Spain to three consecutive major trophies - Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. A feat unrivalled in national football captaincy (although Beckenbauer came within a penalty shootout of doing the same at Euro 1976). Iker Casillas - seen here lifting the World Cup in 2010 - captained Spain through a period of dominance . 1) Martin Johnson (British and Irish Lions and England, rugby union) We've seen three types of criteria that make great sporting captains: trophies, such as Casillas; character, such as Jardine; and skill, such as Maradona. All 10 of the sportsmen on these list have elements of each, but none have all in such an abundance as did Johnson. Johnson's leadership and motivational qualities were second to none during his playing career and he was unrivalled as the greatest lock on the planet until his retirement. And he has the medals to go with it: a World Cup in 2003 and a British and Irish Lions series win touring South Africa, who were then-world champions. He captained both sides, of course. Martin Johnson captained both the Lions (left) and England (right) to memorable successes .
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Richie McCaw captains New Zealand for the 100th time on Saturday .
McCaw's All Blacks take on Wales at the Millennium Stadium .
Veteran flanker captained All Blacks to World Cup glory in 2011 .
Sportsmail lists the 10 greatest sporting captains of all time .
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Think back on your past 24 hours. How much time did you spend on your smartphone? Were you mostly texting, reading news, checking Twitter, or were you actually talking to another human? The answer may vary if you are an Android or an iPhone user. A new study from Experian digs into the details of how people use their phones and finds that users on all systems spend an average of 58 minutes a day on their smartphones. Even with all the bells, whistles and apps, the biggest chunk of that time is spent talking on the phone. There are differences in the way iPhone and Android users divvy up their time. Users of the iPhone spend more time on their devices a day (26 minutes more) but a smaller percentage of time talking and surfing the Web than their Android counterparts and more time texting and snapping photographs. The study does not delve into how many minutes each side spends arguing online over which system is better. Whatever the operating system, smartphones are still primarily used as communication devices, according to the study. On average, people spend 26% of their smartphone quality-time talking, 20% texting and 9% e-mailing. Social networking takes up 16% of our time, while games and "other" activities account for 8% and 9%, respectively. Watching videos accounted for a small amount of time on average, but those who do usually watch videos a little more than four times a day for a total of five minutes daily. Reading is also a blip, according to the study, with a half percentage of people reading on their smartphones each day.
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iPhone users typically spend more time on their phones than Android users, study finds .
Americans are on their smartphones an average of 58 minutes each day, it says .
People with Android phones spend more time talking and visiting websites .
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By . Sara Malm . PUBLISHED: . 12:40 EST, 18 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:31 EST, 19 August 2013 . Spectators turned out in their droves to enjoy a day at the races in Moffat, Scotland, bet on the winners, cheer at the finish line and analyse the daily form of the champions – several herds of sheep. The annual town-centre sheep race saw the finest rams and ewes the local shepherds could find, fight to be crowned Moffat’s Fastest Sheep 2013. The Dumfries and Galloway town held it’s very own A-Scot for the second time on Sunday, and the competition was fierce. Scroll down for video . Event of the year: Firm favourite 'Dynamo' leaps for the finish line as 'Lucky Boy's rider takes a tumble during the second annual sheep race in Moffat . Sheep in ship shape: The racing sheep had to run down the High Street and get past a series of hurdles with the knitted jockeys tied to their backs . Tough competition: The sheep run in six heats before a final where the fastest sheep is crowned the winner . A-Scot: The small Dumfries and Galloway town held the sheep races for the second year in a row after the success of the 2012 races . The sheep races celebrates Moffat’s . sheep farming and centuries old woollen industry and the event is made . possible thanks to local shepherds . Last year, thousands of spectators turned up and the outcome this year did not disappoint. Little knitted jockeys filled with wool were strapped on tight to the sheeps’ backs before they were sent down the High Street. The race involved the woolly mammals getting over a series of hurdles and dash over a finish line. Fluffy fighters: Two sheep are neck-to-neck in the race seeking to find the fastest sheep in all of Moffat . Winner: 'Wee Archie' was crowned the overall winner of 'Moffat's fastest sheep 2013' Ready, set, go: Organisers prepare a group of sheep running a heat, ensuring that the woollen-filled jockeys are strapped securely to their backs . Sheep of the day: A clear winner emerges in one of the heats as the sheep jumps high over one of the hurdles . Aintree it aint: The sheep run across the finish line in front of ecstatic spectators in Moffat . Winners in wool: 'Bells Boys', winner of the third heat and 'Electric Shepherd', winner heat number one . Six heats were run with a final to establish a winner of the coveted title, which this year went to Wee Archie. Although the Moffat race is believed to be the first in Scotland, similar competitions are held across the UK. In . Abbotsham, North Devon, theme park The Big Sheep is dedicated to all . things woollen and regularly holds competitions to find the fastest . sheep. Hold on tight: Hundreds of spectators lined Moffat's main street to cheer on the knitted jockeys, bobbing on the back of the sheep . In honour: The races are held to celebrate the town's wool industry heritage and sheep farming traditions . It's ram-med: The Moffat sheep racing is thought to be the first of its kind to be held in Scotland .
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Second annual sheep street racing held in Scotland .
Spectators lined the streets of Moffat to watch the races .
Sheep ran a hurdle track with knitted jockeys on their backs .
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Los Angeles (CNN) -- Seventy-five former professional football players are suing the National Football League, saying the league knew as early as the 1920s of the harmful effects of concussions on players' brains but concealed the information from players, coaches, trainers and others until June 2010. The players "did not know the long-term effects of concussions" and relied on the NFL to protect them, the suit says. The lawsuit also names as a defendant the football equipment maker Riddell Inc., which has been the official NFL helmet brand since 1989. "For decades, defendants have known that multiple blows to the head can lead to long-term brain injury, including memory loss, dementia, depression and (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) and its related symptoms," says the 86-page lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday. "This action arises from the defendants' failure to warn and protect NFL players such as plaintiffs against the long-term brain injury risks associated with football-related concussions. This action arises because the NFL defendants committed negligence by failing to exercise its duty to enact league-wide guidelines and mandatory rules regulating post-concussion medical treatment and return-to-play standards for players who suffer a concussion and/or multiple concussions." NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Monday night that the league had not seen a copy of the suit but would "vigorously contest any claims of this kind." Riddell declined to comment, issuing a statement saying only, "We have not yet review(ed) the complaint, but it is our policy to not comment on pending litigation." NFL to require sideline test after head blows . The 75 former players accuse the NFL of engaging in "a scheme of fraud and deceit" by having members of the NFL's Brain Injury Committee "deny knowledge of a link between concussion and cognitive decline and claim that more time was needed to reach a definitive conclusion on the issue." "When the NFL's Brain Injury Committee anticipated studies that would implicate causal links between concussion and cognitive degeneration it promptly published articles producing contrary findings, although false, distorted and deceiving, as part of the NFL's scheme to deceive Congress, the players and the public at large," the suit says. "The defendants acted willfully, wantonly, egregiously, with reckless abandon, and with a high degree of moral culpability," the former players charge in court documents. The suit notes that in 1994, the NFL studied concussion research through funding the NFL Committee on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. The committee's published findings in 2004 showed "no evidence of worsening injury or chronic cumulative effects" from multiple concussions, the suit says. In addition, in a related study, the committee found that "many NFL players can be safely allowed to return to play" on the day of a concussion, if they are without symptoms and cleared by a doctor. However, "it was not until June 2010 that the NFL acknowledged that concussions can lead to dementia, memory loss, CTE and related symptoms by publishing (a) warning to every player and team," says the suit. "The NFL-funded study is completely devoid of logic and science. More importantly, it is contrary to their (the NFL's) Health and Safety Rules as well as 75 years of published medical literature on concussions," according to the suit, which asks for a jury trial and damages. Even when the warning was issued, the NFL did not warn any past players, including the plaintiffs, or the public of "the long-term brain injury caused by concussions," the suit says. "By failing to exercise its duty to enact reasonable and prudent rules to protect players against the risks associated with repeated brain trauma, the NFL's failure to exercise its independent duty has led to the deaths of some, and brain injuries of many other former players, including plaintiffs," the lawsuit says. Film aims to show NFL's culture of playing on . Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a degenerative, dementia-like brain disease linked to repeated brain trauma. The disease has been found in the brains of 14 of 15 former NFL players studied at the Boston University School of Medicine Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy as of May. They include former Chicago Bears safety David Duerson, 50, who shot himself in the chest in February, leaving behind a note requesting that his brain be donated for study. His widow, Alicia, said Wednesday that she had mixed emotions about the lawsuit. The Duersons weren't part of the lawsuit, according to court documents. "I truly believe the NFL must have known on some level because there were always doctors present, you know, with these guys," Alicia Duerson said. "But I guess the other part of me is saying the 12 families who have lost their loved ones and their husbands or father that did have CTE, I feel like we're the families who they probably needed to help in this lawsuit as well. "Dave would approve of it, I think, because he did want his brain donated, and he felt there was a problem with his brain, and he felt because of all the blows he took to his head that it caused him to have this problem," she said. "So David sacrificed his brain so they could research and develop and get better safety procedures and stuff like that for the NFL and for future football players. "The final days of his life, it was very difficult for him because he was such a brilliant man, and he was very gifted, and for him to forget simple things like directions or having to write things down constantly and reminders for himself ... he was aggravated a lot," she said. Former NFL player suffered from brain disease . Another player who showed signs of brain damage was former NFL defensive lineman Shane Dronett, who committed suicide at age 38 in 2009. His family said this year that Dronett's symptoms, which began in 2006, included bad dreams that eventually came nearly nightly, along with fear, paranoia and episodes of confusion and rage. A wide variety of information on the subject -- including the first case of "punch-drunk" boxers, published in 1928 -- has been available to the league over the decades, the suit alleges. In June 2007, the NFL scheduled a concussion summit because of congressional scrutiny and media pressure, the suit says. "Unfortunately, the NFL in keeping with its scheme of fraud and deceit issued a pamphlet to players in August 2007, which stated: 'there is no magic number for how many concussions is too many,'" the suit says. During hearings by the House Judiciary Committee in October 2009, U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-California, "analogized the NFL's denial of a causal link between NFL concussion and cognitive decline to the tobacco industry's denial of the link between cigarette consumption and ill health effects," the lawsuit says. A brain with chronic traumatic encephalopathy contains dense clumps of a protein called tau, which is associated with repeated head traumas -- concussions or subconcussive hits -- that are not allowed to heal. The disease can also diminish brain tissue and is associated with memory loss, depression, impulsive behavior and rage. The NFL was founded as the American Professional Football Association in 1920 and changed to its current name in 1922, the suit says. By 1924, there were 23 franchises in the league, court documents say. In 1970, the American Football League, which operated from 1960 to 1969, merged with the NFL. The lawsuit didn't specify a monetary figure for compensatory and punitive damages. CNN's Molly Green, Stephanie Smith and Justin Lear contributed to this report.
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NEW: Ex-player Duerson, who killed himself, would approve of the suit, his widow says .
NFL's failure to act has led to the deaths and brain injuries of former players, a lawsuit says .
The lawsuit filed by 75 former NFL players asks for a jury trial and damages .
An NFL spokesman says the league will "vigorously contest" such claims .
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Renacimiento, Mexico (CNN) -- As raging floodwaters swept away half of his timber shack, Saturnino Medina climbed to the roof. He pointed Thursday to the place where river waters broke through a container wall and washed away his kitchen. Medina and his family have almost nothing left now, after the wind and rain of Manuel hit the town of Renacimiento, located about 20 km northeast of the resort city of Acapulco. Days after the storm made landfall as a tropical depression in the Mexican state of Guerrero, thousands of tourists are still trapped in Acapulco and thousands of families are struggling to recover. Medina and his family were left to eat eggs and tortillas donated by neighbors and drink expired cartons of juice they found in a nearby trash dumpster. So far, he said, they haven't gotten any government aid. "The truth is, I don't even know what to tell you," he said. "The government ignores us. They help everyone else, but they've forgotten about Renacimiento." The town is one of many across Mexico ravaged by multiple storms that have been battering the country. Federal officials say at least 97 people were killed across Mexico by Manuel, which plowed into the country's Pacific coast, and Ingrid, which hit the Gulf coast. Rescue efforts continued throughout the country Thursday. In one Guerrero town ravaged by a mudslide, authorities said 68 people remained unaccounted for. An aerial survey revealed many more mudslides, Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong said, and there are additional reports of disappearances that authorities have not yet confirmed. In Renacimiento, one of the hardest-hit areas, Alma Rojano said neck-high floodwaters washed by her home. Days after the storm hit, bulldozers and cleanup crews finally arrived in the town on Thursday. In a press conference Thursday night, federal officials said that climate conditions had made it difficult to reach more remote parts of the country, but pledged that government aid was on the way. "Right now we are facing a truly extraordinary condition," President Enrique Peña Nieto said, noting that the extent of the heavy rains over such a large part of the country had reached "historic" proportions. Tourists stranded . Ana Benavides, a stranded American tourist in nearby Acapulco, tried to leave by car. She didn't get more than a mile before blocked roads stopped her. Then she waited for 12 hours in a line along with thousands of other stuck tourists hoping to get on a flight out. While more than 10,000 tourists had been evacuated in this way, there was no guarantee that Benavides would be one of the lucky ones to board a plane. Some people, in their desperation, slept in the line. Benavides kept her situation in perspective: "You know, we're a lot better off than a lot of people," she said. Manuel left about 40,000 tourists stranded in Acapulco. As of Thursday, more than 10,000 were able to board military or commercial flights out of the storm-ravaged area. Authorities said they hope to reopen the highway leading out of Acapulco on Friday, which would allow for thousands more to leave and quicken the flow of food and other aid to the area. The worst of a deadly storm has passed, but tension and confusion remain as the extent of the damage continued to emerge. The weather in Acapulco has improved. And the storm -- Manuel -- weakened Thursday from a hurricane to a tropical storm. But it was still expected to produce 5 to 10 inches of rain over the northern state of Sinaloa, with some places getting as much as 15 inches, forecasters said. Ingrid batters Gulf coast . In addition to Manuel, those living on Mexico's Gulf Coast were recovering from the remnants of Hurricane Ingrid, and in the south, a storm system over the Yucatan Peninsula was likely to become a tropical cyclone. On the Gulf Coast, in the state of Veracruz, Ingrid and its remnants claimed 11 lives. About 32,000 people had to be evacuated from their homes. Residents there sent photos to CNN showing streets that looked like rivers, with the tops of cars sticking out of the floodwaters. Another major concern in the Gulf Coast was that the new storm system brewing in the south could bring more rain to the already saturated area. More than 1 million residents across Mexico have been affected in some way by the storms, Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong told reporters. 18 stranded in New Mexico 'ghost town' amid flooding . In violence-ravaged state, another devastating blow . In Guerrero state, the storms were yet another devastating blow to a part of the country already suffering from some of the country's fiercest drug-related violence. When government cleanup crews arrived in Renacimiento on Thursday, a security detail accompanied them. Two pickup trucks circled the area, packed with heavily armed police officers wearing bullet-proof jackets. A woman ran screaming out of her storm-battered home -- not because of the damage -- but because she learned her son had been kidnapped. Nearby, Paulina Bravo and Teodoro Medina were cleaning up storm damage. Their house was still intact, but floodwaters destroyed their stove, refrigerator and beds. "Now, my husband and I take turns sleeping in this hammock," Bravo said. Two bags of bread, she said, are the only government aid she's received so far. Bravo and her husband shoveled mud out of their home, determined to clean up after the storm, whether anyone from the government helps them or not. In Spanish, the town's name -- Renacimiento -- means rebirth. Shasta Darlington reported from Renacimiento and Acapulco, Guerrero. CNN's Krupskaia Alis, Catherine E. Shoichet, Mariano Castillo and CNNMexico contributed to this report.
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NEW: In one town, 68 people remain missing after a mudslide .
NEW: Residents complain that government aid has been slow .
NEW: Officials say help is on the way after "historic" rains .
Storms have killed at least 97 people in Mexico .
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The Mexican top football division the Liga MX is in the early stages of the current campaign but is certainly sparking into life. Morelia forward Yorleys Mena provided a priceless moment in the dying embers of their draw with bottom side Leon by tripping over onto the ball. The 23-year-old tried to catch the Leon defence on the counter attack deep into second-half stoppage time to be the hero and earn Morelia’s first win of the season. Mexican top division side Morelia break forward in second-half stoppage time with the score 0-0 with Leon . Striker Yorley Mena catches his ankle in the turf in a promising attacking position for Morelia . The 23-year-old falls to the ground and bounces off the ball after tripping up on the counter attack . The unfortunate striker missed the perfect opportunity to be the hero for winless side Morelia . Morelia striker Yorley Mena can't believe his luck after tripping himself up during a late attack against Leon . However as he burst down the right wing it did not go to plan. Instead of finding the killer pass or clinical finish, the unfortunate striker tripped himself up before bouncing off the ball as the chance for a victory disappeared, leaving Moreila one place above Leon at the foot of the table. Also in the Liga MX, Santos Laguna striker Diego Gonzlez called upon a new celebration on the way to a 4-1 victory. Gonzalez scored the opening goal in his side’s emphatic victory over Monterrey before taking off his boot to pretend to use it as a phone in a bizarre celebration involving a ball boy as Santos Laguna claimed their first victory of the season. Santos Laguna striker Diego Gonzlez takes his boot off after scoring the opening goal against Monterrey . Gonzalez runs with his boot to the advertising boards after he struck the opener in a 4-1 win in Liga MX . The Santos Laguna striker holds his boot up to a ballboy's face as a prop, pretending to use it as a phone . Gonzalez then gets the crowd involved after his opening goal as Santos Laguna went on to win 4-1 .
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Morelia forward Yorleys Mena could have been the hero in the 0-0 draw .
23-year-old tripped himself up in stoppage time against bottom side Leon .
Santos Laguna striker Diego Gonzlez created a new 'phone' celebration .
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Each winter, the NHS crisis takes the same form: A&E departments across the country overwhelmed, the target for patients to be seen within four hours broken, operations cancelled. Add to that reports of ambulances being unable to deliver their charges on arrival into casualty departments, and you have the usual sad winter litany of a health service at bay. Each time, doctors and nurses struggle through. But each time, it takes us one step closer to a nightmare scenario – the collapse of perhaps the nation’s most cherished institution. Scroll down for video . Frank Field: 'I may be accused of scare-mongering, of exaggerating the threat to our universal, free- at-the-point-of-use health service, but in my view, nothing short of a revolution is required' NHS Plan? Field said he does not see a plan from either the Tories under David Cameron or from his own party under Ed Miliband, pictured, . I may be accused of scare-mongering, of exaggerating the threat to our universal, free- at-the-point-of-use health service. But in my view, nothing short of a revolution is required – a radical rescue plan to save the NHS from financial meltdown and to take it out of day-to-day party political control. Sadly, I see no such plan from either the Tories under David Cameron or, I regret to say, my own party under Ed Miliband. Instead, where we should see far-sighted vision, we are getting sticking plasters and short-term palliatives to hide the problem until post-Election. It’s as if our political leaders are too scared to tell the truth or, to put it another way, the doctor is too timid to tell the patient how bad their condition really is. So let me. The health service is facing potentially its worst financial crisis in its 66-year history. By 2020, on current plans, there will be a £30 billion shortfall in its budget. The figure is already known. It has been flagged up now for months. The causes are also well known. We’re an ageing population. While longer lifespans are one of the blessings of the age, they come at huge cost as older people use the health service more. Crisis: Field said the health service is facing potentially its worst financial crisis in its 66-year history . Also, the advances in medicine now being realised come at a huge cost. What was untreatable 40 years ago is now curable – but at a price. Less exciting, but just as important in budget terms, inflationary pressures always hit the NHS harder than much of the rest of the public sector. So while the Coalition has in principle protected health service spending and ring-fenced it from wider cutbacks, in real terms, its budget has been cut. If all that wasn’t bad enough, we know that even after five years of austerity, further massive public spending cutbacks await whoever holds the keys to No 10 Downing Street after the General Election in May. Therefore, without radical treatment, the prospects for the NHS are not just bleak, they are catastrophic. If nothing is done, within a few short years, the health service as we know it will have ceased to exist. A&E departments will not just be overstretched, they will be unrecognisable. Instead of queues reaching to the waiting room doors, they will be stretching into the streets. Waiting lists will grow like Topsy and slashing the number of operations will be standard. GP services will have to be drastically reduced as their budgets are slashed. A growing number of hospitals will go bankrupt and staff, dedicated and highly trained, laid off. In other hospitals, regimes reminiscent of the disgraceful events in Mid Staffordshire will be in place, with patients left un-nursed and unfed for long periods of time. Such a scenario, one would have thought, would now be igniting the most intense debate between the Tory and Labour parties on how this catastrophe can be averted. But that thought would be wrong. Both major parties hope to get past May 7 without any serious debate with you, the electorate, on the existential crisis facing our NHS. If they are planning to avert this national calamity, it is being kept well under wraps. In my own party’s case, time is running out as far as our traditional polling advantage on the NHS is concerned. One poll shows that David Cameron is more trusted than Ed Miliband on safeguarding the NHS. Labour is now promising to publish radical plans to put the NHS on a financially sustainable footing. But so far, the party shows no signs of facing up to the scale of the challenge. They intend to use money from a mansion tax, a crackdown on hedge funds and a levy on tobacco firms but this will simply not cover the £30 billion deficit. QUITE simply, the way we fund the NHS needs to be revolutionised – starting with a serious increase in National Insurance contributions that will raise a huge proportion of the necessary cash. I suspect both parties know such a genuinely radical move is necessary; they are just scared of being the first to say so. But why? Poll after poll says the electorate is up for contributing more money, not only to stave off a health catastrophe, but to help to reshape the NHS to match their needs in the 21st Century. In fact, one survey showed that 60 per cent of voters were happy to pay more. That is why I propose that the extra cash the NHS desperately needs should be levied through a reformed NI system. A rise of one per cent in NI contributions will raise £15 billion over the next five years – half the impending health service deficit. But to save the NHS, we have to go further. We should do nothing short of split off the health service from day-to-day political control to create an NHS Mk II – one truly owned and run by the people through a new national mutual, of which we will all be members. We would elect our own trustees and they would be responsible for spending the NHS budget, pushing through reforms and settling with us what future contributions should be. Pushing through reforms would be a key part of that new NHS mutual’s responsibilities and would deliver the productivity increases needed to meet the other half of the NHS deficit. And those reforms are crucial as the new NHS must realise more quickly than the old version that it cannot always expect taxpayers to stump up any money for any bill presented. It must also recognise that it can no longer deliver a world-class service through institutions devised by the Victorians for an age when there were few treatments and even fewer drugs. This age of the dominance of hospitals has to end. Many health staff are better located in easy-to-access health centres where treatments can take place at most within days. Likewise, any NHS true to its first principles of treatment free at the point of use will follow the lead of the last Labour Government and use the private sector to gain a better deal for us as patients and taxpayers. So, a revolutionised NHS outside day-to-day control of politicians and free to deliver the best treatment in the world for decades to come. Unthinkable? Too radical even to contemplate? Tell that to the people who did the unthinkable and set up the NHS in 1948. lMr Field is MP for Birkenhead.
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The health service is facing potentially its worst financial crisis .
By 2020, on current plans, there will be a £30 billion shortfall in its budget .
The causes are also well known as Britain has an ageing population .
Nothing short of a 'revolution' is required to save the NHS from ruin .
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(CNN)The story of his selfless act went viral, but for Raymond Burse it was simply second nature. "I'm not extraordinary," said Burse. "I've assumed that people do those kinds of things all the time." In summer 2014, Burse, who is president of Kentucky State University, gave up $90,000 of his almost $350,000 salary so that 24 of the university's lowest paid workers could earn $10.25 an hour. The move gave them a 40% pay increase. "I don't mind giving up some of what I have been able to obtain through life in order to be a small help to them in their own lives," Burse said. Burse's help didn't end there. The 63 year-old later surprised KSU football player Deshon Floyd with the remaining $2,000 he needed to do an internship abroad. In December, Burse offered high school shooting victim Javaugntay Burroughs a full scholarship. "With all the things they had to deal with, one of the things they shouldn't have to deal with is whether this young man was going to be able to go to college," said Burse. Burse's actions spurred a pay-it-forward movement around the university, with an increase in small acts of kindness and donations to the school. "I was amazed at how many people got involved," said Burse. "It really mushroomed, so it has not stopped. We are still talking about paying it forward." Did you have an inspirational coach? Share your story . It is not often you meet a person who is ingrained with a giving spirit. Burse said he has his mother and father to thank for grooming him to be both a giver and an achiever. "My mother was very active in the community. We didn't have much, but she would always share a part of what we had," Burse said. A country boy at heart, Burse grew up as the youngest of 13 children in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. "There wasn't a lot of money to go around," said Burse. "Going through that process I learned a lot about sacrificing, waiting your turn and being thankful for what you have." Although his father attended school only through the third grade and his mother the seventh, Burse was a Rhodes Scholar, a graduate of Harvard Law School and a university president by age 30. "What they believed was if their children got an education, the education would serve them well for their entire lives," said Burse. That education did indeed serve Burse well. After serving as Kentucky State University's president for eight years in the '80s, he went on to have a highly successful career with General Electric as vice president and general counsel of GE Consumer & Industrial. After working at GE, Burse didn't have plans to come out of retirement. "We would say that for every year you work at GE it is like working eight years somewhere else, just in terms of what GE required and demanded of you," said Burse. Burse remembers going into his retirement "happy, content and enjoying" himself. But when KSU President Mary Evans Sias announced her retirement in May 2014, Burse immediately got a call about filling her seat. At first, he said he wasn't interested. "I did that for three to four weeks and finally I went to lunch with a couple of my friends, a couple of them Kentucky State graduates," said Burse. "They played the guilt card on me." Burse discussed it with his wife for a few weeks, and then decided he could come back for at least a year to help the university stabilize. Burse came in expecting to be at KSU for a year, but he's now signed on to be there another three-plus years. "I think we are all placed on this Earth to do something, to do something good," Burse said. "I consider Raymond Burse to be an ordinary individual who works hard, who believes in people and in the power of people. If you give and work with people, good things will happen," he said. Discover more Extraordinary People .
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Raymond Burse volunteers to take a $90K pay cut to give livable wage to 24 workers .
Move by Burse, president of Kentucky State University, gave them a 40% raise .
Burse also has given a shooting victim a scholarship, a football player $2,000 to study abroad .
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(CNN) -- Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said Monday he will appeal a Superior Court's decision to reverse Monsignor William Lynn's conviction for covering up crimes of offending priests. A three-judge panel ruled Thursday that Lynn -- who had been the first Roman Catholic priest in the United States to be convicted of covering up the abuses of others -- should be released, reversing his 2012 conviction for one count of child endangerment. He originally was sentenced to three to six years. "There is something wrong with this Superior Court panel," Williams said. Lynn's conviction was for not removing a defrocked priest, Edward Avery, from active ministry in the 1990s after learning Avery had molested a teen. Avery pleaded guilty in March 2012 to sexually assaulting the 10-year-old altar boy during the 1998-99 school year and remains in prison. Williams adamantly expressed his disapproval of the Superior Court's decision. "I am disgusted by the Superior Court's cavalier, disregard for the child victims of pedophile priests and Monsignor Lynn's role," Williams told reporters. "Monsignor William Lynn knew Father Avery had sexually molested children." Lynn's attorneys had convinced the Superior Court panel that the laws at the time only applied to people who directly supervised children. "Certainly, he (Williams) has a prerogative to appeal. I don't think his appeal will be successful, but he certainly has the right," Lynn's attorney, Thomas Bergstrom said. A spokesman for the State Correctional Institution at Waymart, Pennsylvania, told CNN that Lynn's bail had been posted, but he hadn't been released, because of pending paperwork. Lynn's bail was $250,000, Bergstrom said. Williams said it is undeniable Lynn, now 62, was responsible for endangering the child. "We will charge everyone that we believe we have sufficient evidence within the statute of limitations to prosecute," Williams said, "No one is protected or untouchable -- wherever the evidence leads us we will go." Lynn, now 62, made no statement after last week's ruling. After he was convicted 18 months ago, he said: "I've tried to serve God as best I could. My best was not good enough." CNN's Steve Almasy contributed to this report.
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Court overturns Monsignor William Lynn's child endangerment conviction .
DA says judges showed disregard for child victims of pedophile priests .
Lynn's bail has been posted .
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A teenage girl in the same school year as tragic Tallulah Wilson has died in similar horrific circumstances after being struck by a train. Mary Stroman was killed while an inquest was being held into the death of gifted ballerina Tallulah, 15, who killed herself at London’s St Pancras station. The inquest into the death of the schoolgirl – who became addicted to websites glamorising self-harm and suicide – was widely reported in the media. Death: Tallulah Wilson, 15, left, was found dead on the tracks at St Pancras station. Mary Stroman, right, died while an inquest into the death of Tallulah Wilson was taking place . Police were last night investigating ‘chilling similarities’ between the deaths of 16-year-old Mary and Tallulah, who had both been pupils at St Marylebone School in Westminster. Mary, the daughter of US musician and jazz professor Scott Stroman, died ten days ago in Yarnbrook, Wiltshire. She is understood to have been staying in the area and was struck by a train shortly after 8pm on a foot crossing. Police had begun searching for the teenager, who had been reported missing. Emergency services rushed to the scene but Mary, one of five children, was pronounced dead. Sources said both girls were ‘clearly very troubled’ but there is no evidence that Mary had been on any self-harming websites. Police do not believe the girls had been close friends – either in person or online. Mary attended St Marylebone School for about two months four years ago. But the fact they were briefly at school together means police have not ruled out the possibility they were in close contact with each other before Tallulah’s death. It is believed that a key line of the police investigation into Mary’s death is her medical history. The Mail has learned that the teenager had suffered health problems. Another line of inquiry is that Mary was bullied but officers say there is no evidence of that at this stage. School: Both girls attended St Marylebone School in Westminster, though Mary was only there for two months . Tallulah Wilson’s inquest heard claims that she had been bullied at St Marylebone school, which she attended until the summer of 2012 when she moved to St Margaret’s School in Hampstead weeks before her death in October 2012. A teacher responsible for pupil welfare at St Marylebone said Tallulah never complained to staff about being bullied. Last night Mary’s family issued a statement saying: ‘To all her friends and people who knew her, please remember Mary as a bright, clever and funny girl who was gentle and kind to everyone. ‘She loved animals and the outdoors, and she always had great love and affection for all of her family. Mary is now at peace with herself and it was an honour to have her as a daughter and a sister.’ A British Transport Police spokesman said: ‘Mary had injuries consistent with having been hit by a train and was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is currently being treated as non-suspicious.’ Kathryn Pugh, head teacher at St Marylebone School, said yesterday: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are for Mr and Mrs Stroman and for their other children who attended our school. Mary and Tallulah were in the same year but not in the same form group. ‘Mary was here for a very short time, around two months about four years ago. Because she was unwell she left the school.’ Mary’s family live in a three-storey terraced home in Finsbury Park, North London. Mr Stroman, 55, is an award-winning musician who has lived in the UK since 1982. He and his wife Sue have two sons and two other daughters, all older than Mary. Mary is the third London schoolgirl to die in recent years in similar circumstances. In June 2012, Rosie Whitaker, 15, killed herself by lying in front of a train after visiting websites which promote self-harm and suicide. Rosie, from Beckenham, South-East London, was a talented ballet dancer. She suffered from bulimia and had scratched the word ‘fat’ across her stomach when she died. Tallulah killed herself four months later. When her inquest ended on Wednesday, her mother Sarah demanded action against the ‘toxic digital world’ of the internet that glamorises suicide and self-harm. Tallulah said Rosie was a friend of hers and paid tribute to her the day before her death. In a message posted on Tallulah’s Twitter account, which she had dedicated to Rosie, she wrote: ‘Why the **** should I stay if no one around me stays for me? It’s not ****ing fair. I’m done. I’m ****ing done #suicide #goodbye.’ Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
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Mary Stroman, 16, died in a similar way to Tallulah Wilson, 15 .
It was today revealed that they both attended the same London school .
Police have not ruled out the possibility the girls were in contact .
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or go to www.samaritans.org .
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By . Stephanie Linning . A vet who was filmed having sex with a horse and a dog has been banned from practising in the UK. Oliver Fraser Lown of Kesgrave, Suffolk, was found guilty of five charges by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) disciplinary committee at a hearing at their London headquarters. Videos were found in his possession showing him engaging in sexual activity with animals, as were 'extreme' pornographic images of animals and people, the RCVS heard. Struck off: Oliver Fraser Lown, who was identified in a video partly by a green star shaped tattoo on his leg as the person 'engaging in sexual activity with a horse in a stable setting and a dog in a house setting' Lown, believed to be in his 20s, had . already been taken to court in 2012 after being found with 'extreme' pornography involving . people and animals. The RCVS heard that in addition to the porn . offences, for which he was given a conditional discharge, he also . engaged in sexual activity himself with a horse and a dog and then . boasted about it online. 'Extreme' images: Oliver Fraser Lown. The RCVS heard how he boasted about his sexual activity with a horse and a dog online . According to the findings, he pleaded guilty at Northallerton and Richmond Magistrates Court in North Yorkshire to seven criminal charges in 2011 relating to the possession of extreme images involving people and animals. The RCVS committee heard the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute him in respect of a bestiality charge that it was considering, but the RCVS found the charge to be proven. Lown had graduated from the Szent Istvan University in Budapest, Hungary and he had been registered with the RCVS in 2013, the committee heard. The RCVS said he never practised in Britain. Lown did not attend the RCVS hearing in London, but he was represented by a solicitor. Three of the charges related to the discovery of images or videos on a laptop and a mobile phone at his home near Ipswich. Another charge related to footage of him engaging in sexual activity with a horse and a dog, while a fifth charge related to him sending messages that referred to sexual activity with animals. The video shows Lown 'engaging in sexual activity with a horse in a stable setting and a dog in a house setting', and he was partly identified by a distinctive green star tattoo on his leg. Delivering the findings, Professor Noreen Burrows, Chair of the Disciplinary Committee, said: 'The committee has no doubt the conduct was of the utmost seriousness, the material found in his possession and his own conduct involved the abuse of animals and a total lack of respect for their welfare.' Disgusted: Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons office in London, where the disciplinary hearing took place. Their findings concluded that Lown's behaviour with regards to animals amounted to 'disgraceful conduct' She said: 'In the judgement of the . committee, each of the charges individually amounts to disgraceful . conduct and the charges certainly amount to disgraceful conduct when . taken cumulatively.' The findings sate that: 'The Committee has no doubt that the only way in which the welfare of animals can be safeguarded, public confidence maintained and proper standards of conduct upheld is by directing the Registrar to remove the Respondent’s name from the Register.'
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Oliver Fraser Lown was found guilty of five charges by Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons .
Videos were found showing him engaging in sexual activity with animals .
He was partly identified in the footage by a green star tattoo on his leg .
'Extreme' images of animals and humans were also found .
Disciplinary committee described his behaviour as 'disgraceful'
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By . Martin Robinson . Thief: Carol Payne, 31, stole £11,500 from the private school's minibus fund and has now told police she took cash from a church . A mother who stole £11,500 from a private school's minibus fund to pay her child's tuition fees has also admitted to taking cash from a local church, a court heard today. Carol Payne used her role as treasurer of the parent-teacher association at Highclare School in Birmingham to plunder cash from the group's bank account. The 31-year-old - who was chosen for the PTA role because she has a background in accountancy - then used the money to pay for her child's fees at the school. Payne admitted stealing £11,532 from the private school when she appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court in February this year. But her sentencing was adjourned at Birmingham Crown Court today after it emerged she had been arrested on suspicion of stealing from a church in Saltley in the city. Defending Payne, Liz De'Oliveira, said the mother had given a 'full and frank admission' to police on March 4 but had not yet been charged with the offence. The court heard the treasurer had stolen around £13,000 from the church and was due to speak to officers again next month. Miss De'Oliveira said: 'She is facing similar matters which are under investigation regarding Saltley Church. 'She has already been interviewed on the 4th of this month and has made full and frank admissions. 'My understanding is it's around £13,000. In my respectful submissions it would be sensible to have all matters before the court together. 'She has managed to get some compensation together. Members of her family have very kindly clubbed together to get some £9,000 in compensation'. Deception: Payne used her role as treasurer of Highclare Schoolís parent teacher association to plunder the group's bank account . Revelations: It also emerged in court today that she has admitted taking £13,000 from this church in Saltley, Birmingham . Recorder Patrick Upward QC adjourned the case and bailed Payne, ordering her to return to court for sentencing for both matters on April 24. He told her: 'This is a very serious matter for which a term of imprisonment is likely.' At an earlier hearing at Birmingham Magistrates Court, Payne pleaded guilty to stealing £11,532 from Highclare School's PTA between September 19, 2012 and October 13, 2012.
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Carol Payne used role to take cash from Highclare School in Birmingham .
Court heard today she also admitted siphoning off funds from local church .
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Oscar Pistorius's sister left court in tears today after accusing a self-confessed hitman of mouthing abuse at her during her brother's sentencing hearing. Aimee Pistorius claims underworld gun-for-hire Mikey Schultz mouthed 'f*** you' after she expressed discomfort that he was occupying seats normally reserved for the sprinter's family. The dispute came on another dramatic day in court as the Paralympian battled to avoid a jail term for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. It began with warm applause for Judge Thokozile Masipa's 67th birthday, but descended into scenes of near farce with the Pistorius family demanding immediate police protection. Mr Schultz, who arrived at court shortly before the lunch break, claims a police officer motioned that the only seats available were next to the Pistorius family. Scroll down for video . Oscar Pistorius's sister, Aimee (left), cries alongside aunt Lois during testimony at her brother's sentencing hearing. In a separate incident, she left court in tears after accusing a hitman of mouthing abuse at her . Hitman: Mikey Schultz, the self-confessed killer of South African mine magnate Brett Kebble, claims he and a friend were told by the Pistorius family to move from their seating area 'like we were dogs' But within ten minutes taking his seat, tattooed Mr Schultz had stormed out of court, claiming the athlete's family had told him and his friend to move 'like we were dogs'. Complaining loudly to reporters, he said: 'Who do they [the Pistorius family] think they are? Do they think they own the front row?' Once Judge Masipa had adjourned for an early lunch, the clearly distressed and tearful Miss Pistorius reported the incident to her brother Carl, prompting him to ask for immediate police protection for the family and for Mr Schultz to be banned from court. Outside the Pretoria high court, Mr Schultz joined two friends - both known rivals of the double amputee - where he gave an impromptu television interview to deny Miss Pistorius's story. He said: 'Clearly the Pistorius family are a bunch of liars, just like Oscar' adding with a heavy hint of sarcasm: 'They are the victims, always the victims.' He denied mouthing any abuse. Mr Schultz, whose immunity from prosecution for his role in the 2005 contract killing of mining magnate Brett Kebble was ironically negotiated by Gerrie Nel, is not known to have any direct 'bad blood' with 27-year-old Pistorius, unlike the two friends who flanked him outside court. Steely glare: Oscar Pistorius walks past former South African footballer Mark Batchelor, who claimed the athlete once threatened to break his legs after believing he had slept with his then girlfriend Samantha Taylor . Former South African footballer Mark Batchelor (in white shirt) accompanied Mr Schultz outside court . Pistorius is said to have threatened to 'break the legs' of Mark Batchelor, a retired footballer, whom he suspected his girlfriend Samantha Taylor of cheating on him with, and Jared Mortimer, who sent the athlete flying to the floor after they were involved in a scuffle at a nightclub in July. As the burly trio of Mr Schultz, Mr Mortimer and Mr Batchelor huddled together rather menacingly at the entrance to the court house during the lunch adjournment, Pistorius narrowly missed a potentially excruciating encounter. As the Paralympic gold medallist strode purposefully up the road in search of lunch, a gaggle of police officers had to run to catch up with him to offer rather tardy protection. Today was not the first appearance that Mr Schultz has put in court. On Tuesday, he sat with Mr Mortimer, Mr Batchelor and Miss Taylor on benches reserved for the Steenkamp family and their friends. Their glowering presence clearly unsettled Pistorius in the dock, leading his uncle Arnold, the patriarch of the sprinter's family, to have his nephew escorted home from court by police out of 'fear for Oscar's safety.'
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Aimee Pistorius claims self-confessed killer Mikey Schultz mouth 'f*** you'
She fled court in tears, prompting her brother to demand police protection .
He claims Pistorius family told him to move from seats 'like he was a dog'
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By . Jonny Singer . He may have fallen out with Jose Mourinho, but former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o is still extremely popular with fans around the world. The Cameroon captain, who departed Stamford Bridge at the end of the season after his one-year deal expired, hit out at Chelsea boss Mourinho last month over comments about his age and fitness. But the 33-year-old seemed in good health, and good spirits, as he waved to adoring fans and joked with his teammates at Cameroon training on Tuesday. Idol: Cameroon captain Samuel Eto'o waves to adoring fans at training in Vitoria on Tuesday . Feeling the heat: Eto'o is still Cameroon's leading force, and will need to be at his best in a tough group . The Indomitable Lions squad have only recently arrived in Brazil after a dispute over bonus payments. Eto'o and his team had threatened to go on strike before the World Cup, but eventually came to an agreement and arrived in Brazil on Monday . They begin their campaign against Mexico on Friday, before facing Croatia and hosts Brazil in Group A. Hero: Large groups of Brazilians turned out to watch the Indomitable Lions train ahead of their Mexico clash . In control: Eto'o is seeking to prove that he is still firing after comments about his age from Mourinho . Happy strikers: The Cameroon squad had been locked in a dispute over their tournament bonuses .
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Former Chelsea striker waves to fans and jokes with teammates in training .
Cameroon arrived in Brazil late after bonus dispute .
Indomitable Lions preparing to take on Mexico on Friday .
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A 36-year-old Dane called Morten Storm says he was the man who led the CIA to Anwar al Awlaki, the al Qaeda cleric killed in a U.S. drone strike in Yemen last year. And he says he did it with a computer thumb-drive that secretly contained a tracking device. Among the evidence he's produced: recorded telephone conversations, passport stamps showing multiple trips to Yemen, correspondence with Awlaki, and a recording of a conversation with an unidentified American - who acknowledges his role in the pursuit of Awlaki. Read more: Anwar al-Awlaki: al Qaeda's rock star no more . The Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten has published details of his story over the past few days, after reviewing documents and tapes of the conversations Storm provided. The Danish Intelligence Service PET won't confirm or deny Storm's account; CNN has yet to reach American officials for comment. Storm appears to have led a life of many parts -- committed jihadist, family man and outdoor sports enthusiast. In fact, he helped run a UK-based enterprise called Storm Outdoors -- on which his instructor's profile speaks of his time "living with the Beduins in the Deserts in the North of Yemen." Read more: U.S. drone killing of American al-Awlaki prompts legal, moral debate . There is firm evidence that Storm, a former biker and petty criminal, moved within jihadist circles after converting to Islam in the late 1990s -- becoming known as Murad Storm. One video clearly shows him at a rally of militant Islamists in London in 2005, listening to a speech by the extremist preacher Omar Bakri Mohammed. According to Jyllands-Posten, Storm was by then on the radar of the PET because of his links with Islamist militants. The following year, he says, he changed sides, becoming a double-agent run by the PET. Meeting Awlaki . According to Storm's account, he first met Anwar al Awlaki at his father's house in 2006, while studying in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. Storm was attending Al Iman University -- which was renowned for militancy and where Awlaki himself taught. "We talked freely to each other," Storm told Jyllands-Posten. Read more: U.S. officials warn of possible retaliation after al Qaeda cleric is killed . That was before Awlaki was arrested and spent some 17 months in a Yemeni jail, accused in connection with an al Qaeda plot. It was while Awlaki was in jail that Storm says he underwent a transformation. At some point in the winter of 2006, Storm approached the PET and offered his services. He says he was introduced to British intelligence and the CIA, and was a given a handler by PET. Jyllands-Posten says it has confirmed the identity of that handler. Read more: FBI official: Hasan should have been asked about e-mails with radical cleric . Storm told the newspaper that the CIA and PET "knew that Anwar saw me as his friend and confidant. They knew that I could reach him, and find out where he stayed." When Awlaki was released from prison Storm was able "to bring materials and electronic equipment to him," using money provided by Danish intelligence. Al Qaeda's shopping list . Storm says the CIA wanted to plant a tracking device in the equipment he was taking to Yemen, but it was becoming more difficult to reach Awlaki, who by 2009 was in hiding in remote Shabwa province. Storm's last meeting with the militant cleric - by now perhaps al Qaeda's most influential propagandist - was in September 2009, he told Jyllans-Posten. Storm stayed at the house of an al Qaeda sympathizer. At a desert hide-out, Awlaki asked Storm to acquire solar panels or a transportable fridge which could be used for cooling explosives components. "We also discussed the terrorist attacks. He had some plans that would hit large shopping centers in the West or elsewhere with many people with poison attacks," according to Storm's account. Storm's passport includes an exit stamp from Yemen dated September 19, 2009. A few weeks after he returned to Copenhagen, Storm says he met CIA and PET officials. Read more: Al Qaeda cell leader killed in family dispute . He was shown satellite photographs of the area where he had met Awlaki and identified the house where he had stayed. A short time later, Yemeni forces launched an assault on the house, killing its owner. But Awlaki had gone. Jyllands-Posten is in possession of an e-mail purportedly from Awlaki to Storm, dated January 17, 2010. "Do you remember the guy you lived with? It is now confirmed that he has been killed," the cleric wrote. The newspaper says it also has taped telephone conversations between Storm and PET agents. The USB gambit . According to Storm, it was more than a year before another attempt was made to track down Awlaki. Storm recounts a two-day meeting in April 2011 with PET agents at a hotel in Helsingor, overlooking the Baltic Sea. It was decided it would be too dangerous for Storm to return to try to meet Awlaki, but he would travel to the Yemeni capital and then send a USB stick to Awlaki via a messenger. Read more: From the grave, al-Awlaki calls for bio-chem attacks on the U.S. Before leaving, he sent a message to the editors of "Inspire," the online magazine published by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), using the codename Awlaki had given him - "Polar Bear." In June 2011, he made a five-day visit to Sanaa, followed by a longer one in July. Storm says he was given three rendezvous on different days - one of them at a KFC in Sanaa. Read more: 21,000 people now on U.S. no fly list, official says . It was a typical precaution on the part of Awlaki and al Qaeda. At the third location, the messenger passed him a list from Awlaki of what he needed. The USB stick, with encrypted messages, became their means of communication. At one point, Awlaki asked what was being reported in the West about alleged plans by AQAP to use the poison ricin. At about the same time, the New York Times reported: "American counterterrorism officials are increasingly concerned that the most dangerous regional arm of Al Qaeda is trying to produce the lethal poison ricin, to be packed around small explosives for attacks against the United States." One typed message from Awlaki included a personal request, perhaps illustrating the close relationship the two had forged. "My wife needs some stuff from Sanaa so can your wife buy it for her?" he asked. Read more: State Department calls family of American killed in drone strike . Storm says he was recalled to Europe in August 2011, and met with both CIA agents and PET officials in Malaga, Spain. He claims he was told by "the American" that there was plenty of reward money should Awlaki be killed. In September 2011, Storm says he received a message from an intermediary, who took the USB stick back to Yemen. "I heard later....that the messenger had come to the shopping center, had the USB connector and was driven away in a Toyota Land Cruiser," Storm told Jyllens-Posten. Three weeks later, Anwar al Awlaki was dead. U.S. officials maintained that a separate intelligence stream had led them to Awlaki's location. Storm didn't believe them. Falling out with the Americans . "I am convinced that the CIA seized the messenger..... but the Americans apparently won't recognize that it was an agent of PET and the small country, Denmark, which led to the detection of Anwar," Storm told Jyllands-Posten. According to the newspaper's account, a meeting was set up at the Hotel Marienlyst in Helsingor a week after Awlaki's death in an attempt to mollify Storm. The newspaper has obtained a nine-minute recording of that meeting - made by Storm on his cell-phone. Storm is heard talking to a man with an American accent by the name of Michael, who acknowledges Storm's work for the PET and CIA. Read more: Official: Drone attack kills Al-Awlaki's son in Yemen . "He was my mentor. He was my sheikh, he was my teacher, he was a friend of mine. But (because) of the evil in him, I took the step," Storm told the American. 'Michael' says at one point: "I want you to understand - this is a team - it was all a team effort - a team from my organization - from me, who are here with you guys, from Jed (apparently Morten Storm's previous U.S. contact)......" He adds that Storm's contribution was known to senior U.S. officials - adding: "I'm talking about the President of the United States. He knows you, he knows you. So the right people know your contribution. And we are grateful. " Read more: Al-Awlaki's father denies endorsing terror . But 'Michael' maintains in the conversation that it was a parallel operation that led to locating Awlaki. There is no way of confirming Michael's identity as a U.S. official. But in a subsequent recorded telephone conversation from August, a PET agent code-named 'Olde' said he understood Storm's frustration and would try to get him some reward money. In a statement made Saturday to Jyllands-Posten, the head of Danish intelligence, Jakob Scharf, said: "For the sake of PET's operational work, PET cannot and will not publicly confirm whether specific individuals have been used as sources." Read more: New al Qaeda video praises slain Yemeni-American cleric . As for Storm, he maintains a Facebook page which suggests he is living in a town in south-east England. Among the messages posted in the last few days, a link to the theme song for the new James Bond movie, with the comment: "Feels related." According to posts on an Islamist forum in the past 24 hours, 'Murad's' former "brothers" in Luton, a town in England where he once appears to have had a business, have not forgotten him. One wrote: "This scumbag lived in Luton and mixed with brothers for a few years and was an agent all along." Another commented: "Murad was always a Saudi Salafy....Anyone who a had a one to one knew he was Salafy to the core." And a note of caution from a third: "He was such a loud mouth that nobody wanted anything to do with him. He would come out with the most absurd claims." Maybe only Michael, Jed and a few PET agents know otherwise.
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A Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten has published details of Storm's story .
U.S. officials maintain a separate intelligence stream led them to Awlaki .
Storm led a life of many parts -- committed jihadist, family man and sports enthusiast .
He says Awlaki was his mentor, but he became a double agent .
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(CNN) -- South African Dr. Sonnet Ehlers was on call one night four decades ago when a devastated rape victim walked in. Her eyes were lifeless; she was like a breathing corpse. "She looked at me and said, 'If only I had teeth down there,'" recalled Ehlers, who was a 20-year-old medical researcher at the time. "I promised her I'd do something to help people like her one day." Forty years later, Rape-aXe was born. Ehlers is distributing the female condoms in the various South African cities where the World Cup soccer games are taking place. The woman inserts the latex condom like a tampon. Jagged rows of teeth-like hooks line its inside and attach on a man's penis during penetration, Ehlers said. Once it lodges, only a doctor can remove it -- a procedure Ehlers hopes will be done with authorities on standby to make an arrest. "It hurts, he cannot pee and walk when it's on," she said. "If he tries to remove it, it will clasp even tighter... however, it doesn't break the skin, and there's no danger of fluid exposure." Ehlers said she sold her house and car to launch the project, and she planned to distribute 30,000 free devices under supervision during the World Cup period. "I consulted engineers, gynecologists and psychologists to help in the design and make sure it was safe," she said. After the trial period, they'll be available for about $2 a piece. She hopes the women will report back to her. "The ideal situation would be for a woman to wear this when she's going out on some kind of blind date ... or to an area she's not comfortable with," she said. The mother of two daughters said she visited prisons and talked to convicted rapists to find out whether such a device would have made them rethink their actions. Some said it would have, Ehlers said. Critics say the female condom is not a long-term solution and makes women vulnerable to more violence from men trapped by the device. It's also a form of "enslavement," said Victoria Kajja, a fellow for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the east African country of Uganda. "The fears surrounding the victim, the act of wearing the condom in anticipation of being assaulted all represent enslavement that no woman should be subjected to." Kajja said the device constantly reminds women of their vulnerability. "It not only presents the victim with a false sense of security, but psychological trauma," she added. "It also does not help with the psychological problems that manifest after assaults." However, its one advantage is it allows justice to be served, she said. Various rights organizations that work in South Africa declined to comment, including Human Rights Watch and Care International. South Africa has one of the highest rape rates in the world, Human Rights Watch says on its website. A 2009 report by the nation's Medical Research Council found that 28 percent of men surveyed had raped a woman or girl, with one in 20 saying they had raped in the past year, according to Human Rights Watch. In most African countries, rape convictions are not common. Affected women don't get immediate access to medical care, and DNA tests to provide evidence are unaffordable. "Women and girls who experience these violations are denied justice, factors that contribute to the normalization of rape and violence in South African society," Human Rights Watch says. Women take drastic measures to prevent rape in South Africa, Ehlers said, with some wearing extra tight biker shorts and others inserting razor blades wrapped in sponges in their private parts. Critics have accused her of developing a medieval device to fight rape. "Yes, my device may be a medieval, but it's for a medieval deed that has been around for decades," she said. "I believe something's got to be done ... and this will make some men rethink before they assault a woman."
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Doctor distributes anti-rape female condom during World Cup .
Jagged rows of teeth-like hooks attach on man's penis .
Device can only be removed by a doctor .
"It hurts, he cannot pee and walk when it's on," doctor says .
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(CNN) -- More than a week after voters in California, Arizona and Florida passed ballot initiatives outlawing same-sex marriage, thousands of people across the country protested the bans in simultaneous rallies Saturday. Supporters of same-sex marriage rally in San Francisco, California, on Saturday. "What do we want?" chanted some on Washington's National Mall, some carrying rainbow-colored signs. "Equal rights," others answered. "When do we want it?" "Now!" In New York, protesters in lower Manhattan stood behind barricades, holding signs. "Love and Unity not hate," one read. "All we need is love," another said. "Yes, we will," they chanted at one point. In Los Angeles, thousands of demonstrators were met by counter-demonstrators. "There is nothing civil about a man marrying another man," one protester yelled. "You lost. It is not a civil rights issue. It is an issue with morality." Watch both sides argue issue of same-sex marriage » . Meanwhile, those protesting the bans chanted, "Gay, straight, black, white; marriage is a civil right." "We will come out tomorrow in numbers this world has not yet seen," said Amy Balliett, the co-founder of JoinTheImpact.com, in a news release posted on the Web site Friday. See iReporters' experiences in cities nationwide . JoinTheImpact.com, which organized the rallies,was established three days after Election Day, when the three states passed the ballot initiatives. "Rain or shine, our community will take to the streets to get the word out that equality is a human right and one that we will not stop working toward until it's afforded to all citizens," said Willow Witte, the other JoinTheImpact.com founder and organizer. In California, the initiative, Proposition 8, overturned a May ruling by the California Supreme Court that struck down a 2000 ban on same-sex unions. It passed 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent. Protests have been since held in several California cities, including in San Francisco, Palm Springs and Long Beach. Watch demonstrators rally in San Diego . "It's incredibly inspiring to see people from every walk of life, background, race, religion, creed, gathering here today to really send a powerful and purposeful and peaceful statement to the world," Jonathan Weber, who helped organize the event, said in Los Angeles. "We have a very powerful message that's supported by a variety of people," he said. "The truth is, we are making a big difference in this issue right now. We're making tremendous progress in reaching out to hearts and minds of people across the country and gaining support from all walks of life." CNN's Ted Rowlands and Susan Candiotti contributed to this report.
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Same-sex marriage supporters to gather in hundreds of cities across U.S.
They are protesting new bans in California, Arizona and Florida .
Los Angeles organizers expect 40,000 to 100,000 people .
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Oxford, England (CNN) -- Was last year's financial crisis a chance event? Or was it the product of 35 million years of evolution? Laurie Santos' research suggests that some of the bad choices made on Wall Street and in the mortgage business may have been deeply rooted in the basic nature of the human species. Santos, a professor at Yale University, has been investigating the workings of a dangerous inconsistency in people's attitudes to risk. She spoke about it Wednesday at the TED Global conference in Oxford, a four-day event ending Friday where experts passionate about their work got the chance to give contrasting views of the future we all face. Which would you do: Accept a guaranteed gift of $500 or gamble by taking a risk on a coin toss that would give you $1,000 for heads -- and nothing for tails? Most people would play it safe and take the sure $500, Santos said. What if, instead of a gain, you faced a potential loss? Your choice would be to give up $500 for sure or take a risk on a coin toss that could cost you $1,000 if you lost -- or nothing if you won? Most people opt for taking the risk rather than playing it safe. Using tokens as a form of money and grapes as prized products to be exchanged for the tokens, Santos has shown that capuchin monkeys make the same set of irrational choices -- taking more risk when they have something to lose than when they have something to gain. "The errors we make are predictable, we make them again and again," said Santos, explaining that she wants to learn "how a species as smart as we are" can make such persistent mistakes. We can overcome our biological limitations, she said, but first we have to recognize what they are. Adding to the pressure on the human species is the future we're staring down. Tim Jackson, professor of sustainable development at the University of Surrey, imagined the world in 2050. To keep greenhouse gases from reaching an unsustainably damaging level, the needed improvements in energy efficiency would have to occur at a pace 10 times faster than at any time in history. And, Jackson said Thursday, the only times the world has made substantial improvements in reducing carbon emissions have been during recessions. He views the world economy as built on an engine of growth that feeds the appetite of people in Western countries for novelty, for ever more consumer goods that impress others but that can only be purchased by creating more debt. Even if we don't want the products, we have to buy them -- or the economy crashes. In what has probably been the most cited quote of the conference on Twitter, Jackson said, "We spend money we don't have on things we don't need to create impressions that won't last on people we don't care about." Does that mean our choice boils down to this: Crash the economic system or trash the planet? Not exactly, according to Jackson. The answer, he said, lies in creating socially responsible businesses and nonprofits that plow money back into "protecting and nurturing" the environment on which our future depends. As an example, he cited ecosia.org, a search engine that says it allocates 80 percent of its search-related revenues to a rainforest protection project in the Amazon. Santos and Jackson were by no means the only speakers at TED Global to suggest people make dumb choices but can overcome them by taking the right measures. TED is a nonprofit that distributes "Ideas Worth Spreading" through its conferences and through more than 700 talks freely available at its web site. [CNN partners with TED to present one talk every Tuesday, along with added content.] . Among the topics and speakers were: . Making the web really worldwide . Ethan Zuckerman, of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, showed that while the framework and theory of the internet is global, in reality, web traffic tends to stay within a user's country and social networks are generally segregated. We think we're getting a wide view of the world by going online, but "most of the time we're checking Boston Red Sox scores," he said. Since the most compelling problems in the world are global, it will take global solutions to fix them. Zuckerman urges people to become xenophiles, people who take an active interest in other lands. Watch Zuckerman's talk at TED.com . A headset that reads your brain . Tan Le, the head of Emotiv Systems, demonstrated a headset that uses brain activity and facial expressions to control computers and other devices. A volunteer was able to manipulate the image of a cube on a computer screen using the headset, and Le showed how facial expressions, such as a blink or a smile, could control the movement of a wheelchair. Packaging material that biodegrades . Eben Bayer demonstrated an organic replacement for Styrofoam, which winds up taking huge amounts of space in landfills and contributes to the stream of waste in the Pacific and other bodies of water. Bayer showed how fungi can be used to transform crop waste into recyclable packaging that blends back into the soil when it is discarded. Aiming for a zero-waste supermarket . Chef Arthur Potts Dawson, who developed green restaurants in London, has now opened "The People's Supermarket," which aims to produce virtually no food waste. He said food is one of the most wasteful industries in the world but that practices including composting and allowing diners to choose how big a portion they want can dramatically reduce waste. "If we don't stand up and make a difference and think about sustainable food, we will fail," he said. Are whales and dolphins wise? Marine wildlife researcher Toni Frohoff, who studies dolphins and whales, says the question shouldn't only be are these mammals intelligent; she asks whether we should say they are wise. They exhibit strong social behavior and reach out to humans, even though they're often hunted and sometimes driven close to extermination. She showed videos of a pair of free-ranging dolphins in the Bahamas rubbing pectoral fins to show affection, of a beluga whale in eastern Canada watching its reflection in a large camera lens, of an orca mimicking a person's whistling sound, of a gray whale in the eastern Pacific that allowed people in a small boat to rub her newborn calf even though the mother bore a harpoon scar. She also told the story of a pod of dolphins encircling a swimmer who was having difficulty in the water until human rescuers could come to her aid. Online video is revolutionizing the world's talent . TED curator Chris Anderson sketched the potential for online video to do for communication what the Gutenberg printing press did for writing. Online video can drive "crowd-accelerated innovation" that elevates the work of emerging dancers, artists, teachers and thinkers, who can see what their peers are doing everywhere. The rise of online video allows "the world's talent to be shared," Anderson said. "Who's the teacher? You're the teacher ... capable of carrying all of us to a smarter, wiser place."
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TED Global speakers focus on ways to overcome faults in human nature, human systems .
Laurie Santos: Humans make same mistakes on risk that monkeys do .
Tim Jackson: We spend money we don't have on things we don't need .
Ethan Zuckerman: Make the web really worldwide .
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By . Chris Kitching for MailOnline . A homeowner has captured the dramatic moment a waterspout swept through his garden in northern Germany. The awe-inspiring but slightly frightening event occurred on a small lake in Eckwarderhorne. The close-up footage was captured by Michael Fuhrmann, who risked injury to film the amazing force of nature. Here it comes! A waterspout approaches the home of Michael Fuhrmann in northern Germany . In the one-minute video, the waterspout moves across the lake and then, like a hurricane making landfall, begins to bend small trees and whip around debris. The camera’s microphone records the extreme force of the wind. At one point, Mr Fuhrmann steps outside to rescue a chair that almost gets blown away, while a wheelie bin is knocked over on the other side of the garden. A waterspout is a rotating column of water and spray that forms when a whirlwind occurs over the sea or another body of water. Awe-inspiring event: The water spout bent trees and sent debris flying in the garden .
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Waterspout developed on a small lake in Eckwarderhorne, Germany .
Homeowner risked injury to film the amazing force of nature .
Waterspouts form when a whirlwind occurs over a body of water .
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f9a9ef321308286ed85ec9306c610d4b26bdfbc0
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By . Oliver Todd . Former Arsenal striker Eduardo will sing both Brazil and Croatia's national anthems before the World Cup’s opening game. The Brazilian-born Croatia forward will sing the song of his adopted nation, including the lyrics ‘tell the world that a Croat loves his homeland’ before switching to join in with the hosts’ own passionate verse proclaiming their ‘beloved homeland’. Converted Croat: Brazilian born Eduardo will play for Croatia at the World Cup, but will sing both anthems before the teams clash in the first game of the tournament . The 31-year-old grew up in Brazil but spent much of the early years of his career in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb before moving to Arsenal in 2007. Eduardo’s mother Joelma said: ‘He has said he will sing two anthems. He is Croatian for work but in his heart he is still Brazilian. ‘In the family and community everyone is rooting for Eduardo da Silva, but after the first game everyone will be rooting for Brazil.’ Eduardo has 29 goals in 63 appearances for Croatia and may opt for a muted celebration should he score his 30th international goal against his country of birth. Experienced: Eduardo has over 60 caps for Croatia dating back 10 years, and famously scored against England in a Euro 2008 qualifier in 2006 . Former Gunner: Eduardo spent time at the Emirates Stadium between 2007 and 2010 . His brother Bruno said: 'It’s the pinnacle of one’s career to play for the national team in your own country. 'Unfortunately this pinnacle will not be for Brazil but for another country – which does not take away the merit that comes with it.’ USA’s German manager Jurgen Klinsmann will also be singing two anthems in Brazil when his employers face the country he made 108 appearances for in Group G. Klinsmann even went as far as to praise the ‘incredibly beautiful’ US anthem which he will belt out before kick-off on June 26. Split: USA's German boss Jurgen Klinsmann (centre) will also sing two anthems when his side face Germany in the group stage .
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Ex-Arsenal striker will line up for Croatia in the opening game at Brazil 2014 .
31-year-old born in Brazil but spent much of career in Croatia .
Mother Joelma confirmed her son will sing two anthems before kick-off .
Jurgen Klinsmann will follow suit by singing Germany and USA anthems .
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Children as young as eight are among dozens of youngsters who have been arrested on suspicion of rape in the past five years - prompting fears that easy access to hard-corn porn is to blame. Police in Greater Manchester have detained a total of 215 children aged 15 or younger on rape allegations since 2009, new figures reveal. Most of those arrested were boys, apart from three girls under the age of 15 who were also arrested for rape-related crimes in the same period. Police in Greater Manchester have detained 215 children aged 15 or younger on rape allegations since 2009. Most of those arrested were boys, but three girls under the age of 15 were also arrested (file picture) A leading children's charity has expressed horror at the findings, suggesting easy access to hard-core pornography and the rise of 'sexting' is now shaping children's views about sexual behaviour. Jon Brown, head of the sex abuse unit at NSPCC, said: ‘It's deeply concerning that such a lot of children are committing sexual offences, including serious assaults and rape. ‘For very young children, such as those of primary school age, we have to explore and understand the environment in which they are growing up in that has led to them behaving in this way. ‘It could be that they have seen sexual activity that they are just too young to understand and are copying what they've seen.’ The figures from Greater Manchester Police (above) show that less than 20 per cent of those arrested were charged, while 10 children escaped with just a final warning - the equivalent of a caution when prosecution is not deemed to be in the public interest . Mr Brown said that increasing exposure to hard-core, degrading and often violent pornography could be 'warping' youngsters' ideas of what is acceptable behaviour. Number of children detained for rape in Greater Manchester between 01/01/2009 and 31/12/2013: . 15 Years of age = 51 . 14 Years of age = 81 . 13 Years of age = 48 . 12 Years of age = 20 . 11 Years of age = 11 . 10 Years of age = 2 . 9 Years of age = 1 . 8 Years of age = 1 . Charged: 41 . Final warning: 10 . ‘It is also feeding into “sexting” where teenagers are creating and distributing their own videos and images that are illegal and have led to prison sentences,’ he said. The figures from Greater Manchester Police show that less than 20 per cent of those arrested were charged, while 10 children escaped with just a final warning - the equivalent of a caution when prosecution is not deemed to be in the public interest. Detective Superintendent Jon Chadwick said special procedures were in place to deal with young alleged offenders. But he added that all reports of rape were taken seriously by officers regardless of the age of the suspect or offender. He said: ‘Rape is a very serious offence and therefore we thoroughly investigate every report. ‘At the heart of all investigations is protecting the welfare of the victims.’
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Police in Greater Manchester have detained a total of 215 children since 2009 .
Those detained on rape allegations all aged 15 or under and most were boys .
NSPCC worried access to 'hard-core' porn and rise of 'sexting' is to blame .
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f9aa4f395a68571dd81831f0f517d078f008c872
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Bucharest, Romania (CNN) -- Romanian President Traian Basescu will officially return to office after the country's top court ruled Tuesday that a referendum to remove him was invalid. The nation-wide impeachment effort last month had appeared to be heading for failure because turnout was below 50%. Prime Minister Victor Ponta made a last-ditch effort Monday to get the Constitutional Court to approve the referendum by submitting new voter lists, but the court said Tuesday the vote was not valid. Officials said after the referendum on July 29 that just over 46% of registered voters had cast ballots. Those who did cast ballots voted nearly 9 to 1 to impeach the president, the Central Election Bureau said. Ponta said Basescu "should strongly consider whether he is still legitimate or not in the office." Basescu had urged his supporters to boycott the polls, saying, "The best help today is to stay home." After the polls closed, he said voters had rejected a "coup" by Ponta and the interim president, Crin Antonescu. Basescu had been suspended since parliament voted to impeach him in early July, saying he overstepped his authority by ordering wage and benefit cuts for public workers. The legislature is dominated by Ponta's center-left USL party. Basescu said the austerity measures were needed to meet the terms of a $24 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund for the cash-strapped country, but the move soured many Romanians on his leadership. Romanian president suspended . Opponents also accuse Basescu of cronyism. He took office eight years ago and has already survived one effort to remove him, in 2007. Ponta is dealing with his own controversy: He has been accused of plagiarizing his doctoral thesis. He has dismissed the accusation as a political attack from Basescu. Romania's economy is starting to recover after two years of severe recession, but the International Monetary Fund recently said that "a prolonged political crisis could hamper effective economic policy making, increase risk premiums and financing costs, further depreciate the exchange rate, and depress investment." The power struggle is expected to continue in the following months, as Romania is holding parliamentary elections this fall. Journalist Cosmin Stan contributed to this report.
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President Traian Basescu survives a nation-wide vote to remove him .
The country's top court invalidates the referendum because of low turnout .
The prime minister says the president should consider stepping down anyway .
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f9aa8f6a708b83e558dd4f6f3ac4f25762586bb5
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Malala Yousafzai is donating $50,000 she was awarded after winning the World Children's Prize to rebuild U.N. schools in Gaza . Malala Yousafzai, the schoolgirl shot in the head by the Taliban for championing girls' right to education, is donating $50,000 to help rebuild schools in Gaza. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala, 17, is using cash she was given for winning the World Children's Prize to rebuild U.N. schools destroyed by fighting between Israel and Palestine. Malala, who was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen on a school bus two years ago, praised the U.N. agency for 'performing heroic work to serve children in Gaza, in very difficult circumstances.' She added: 'The needs are overwhelming – more than half of Gaza’s population is under 18 years of age. They want and deserve quality education, hope and real opportunities to build a future. 'This funding will help rebuild the 83 schools damaged during the recent conflict. Innocent Palestinian children have suffered terribly and for too long. 'We must all work to ensure Palestinian boys and girls, and all children everywhere, receive a quality education in a safe environment. 'Because without education, there will never be peace. Let us stand together for peace and education because together we are more powerful.' Dozens of Gaza's schools were damaged or destroyed during the 50-day war, in which Israel accused Hamas of hiding weapons near the buildings to maximise civilian casualties for political ends. UNRWA commissioner-general Pierre Krähenbühl said: 'We share with you the profound belief in the importance of education as a means to lift young girls and boys out of isolation and oppression. The money will help to rebuild 83 schools damaged in this summer's fighting between Israel and Palestine, in which Hamas was accused of hiding rockets near classrooms (stock image) 'You have become a symbol of the boundless potential that lies within each and every child on earth. 'You are an aspirational figure to the next generation in Palestine and beyond. You are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you.' UNRWA was established in 1949, and its mission is to assist 5million Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
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Malala Yousafzai, 17, was handed $50,000 as part of World Children's Prize .
Announced she was donating the cash award to rebuild 83 schools in Gaza .
Dozens of school buildings were destroyed in 50-day war this summer .
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f9aab3dda16ad8c487679f351144b0afaa788692
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(CNN) -- Two mayors and two state legislators are among 11 public officials arrested in New Jersey as part of a corruption investigation, the U.S. attorney's office in Trenton announced Thursday. Passaic Mayor Samuel Rivera is among 11 officials arrested Thursday in a corruption probe. Prosecutors say the state officials accepted cash bribes -- ranging from $1,500 to $17,500 at a time -- from insurance brokerage and roofing companies and in return awarded the companies with public contracts. "To those officials engaged in corruption or thinking about corruption, I will want to tell you you need to think again," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Weysan Dun during a news conference Thursday. "Those who think they can abuse the positions of trust they've been put into to line their own pockets need to think again," he said. "Those who think they have found some clever way to conceal a bribe or believe that the nature of their bribe is insignificant need to think again. There is no safe haven for public corruption," Dun said. State Assemblymen Mims Hackett Jr. and Alfred E. Steele -- both Democrats -- and Passaic Mayor Samuel Rivera are among those arrested. Steele also is undersheriff in Passaic County, just outside Newark. Hackett is also mayor of Orange. Watch who is involved » . Also arrested were Keith O. Reid, the chief of staff to the Newark City Council president; Passaic Councilman Marcellus Jackson; and former Passaic Councilman Jonathan Soto. Five current and former school board members in Pleasantville, just outside Atlantic City, were arrested: Jayson G. Adams, James T. McCormick, James A. Pressley, Rafael Velez and Maurice Callaway, who also is on the City Council. A private citizen, Louis Mister, was caught in the sting as well, officials said. "In most cases, the defendants sought to establish and perpetuate a corrupt relationship with the cooperating witnesses to continue receiving bribes," a statement from the U.S. attorney's office alleged. Steele, Hackett and Rivera are charged with accepting bribes totaling $15,500, $5,000 and $5,000, respectively, for arranging insurance brokerage contracts in New Jersey. Steele was also allegedly promised a 15 percent cut of the insurance brokerage business, Hackett an additional $25,000 payment and Rivera a $50,000 payment to an offshore bank account. If convicted, they could be sentenced to up to 20 years in federal prison. Steele's and Hackett's offices declined to comment after the arrests. The Newark City Council president's office issued a "no comment" in response to Reid's arrest. According to the criminal complaints against the officials, the FBI set up a phony company to persuade the suspects to do business with them. Covert recordings were apparently an integral part of the investigation, as the criminal complaints quote or paraphrase each official -- some at length -- about what they were willing to do to help the fake company, what they expected in return and the importance of keeping the arrangements hush. For instance, Reid allegedly coached a cooperating witness on how to surreptitiously accept bribes, warning him not to "let a lot of people in the kitchen" and adding, "You need a buffer or something," according to the criminal complaint. The complaint against Soto states the councilman often spoke in code when talking to cooperating witnesses in the case, once sending a text message in November 2006 about an anticipated bribe: "Any word on that cake?" The following month, Soto allegedly sent a text message to another cooperating witness, saying "Will need that green broccoli for the 1st entree," according to the complaint. Rivera allegedly was more overt, according to the complaint against the Passaic mayor. He often boasted of how he could snare council votes "easy, easy, easy," the complaint says. The complaint also states that when a "key employee" of the city questioned him about the phony company's presentation, Rivera allegedly warned him, "I make the [expletive] decision, and the council. And believe me, I've got the four [expletive] votes on the council. So let's stop [expletive], and let's get this thing rolling." The probe began in mid-2006, "amid evidence of corruption in the Pleasantville School District," according to the statement. "In response, the FBI established an undercover insurance brokerage company purporting to employ the government's two cooperating witnesses and undercover agents," according to the U.S. attorney's office. Pleasantville school board members allegedly accepted thousands of dollars in bribes from the cooperating witnesses, the release stated. The Pleasantville school board members also referred undercover agents to public officials in northern New Jersey, who accepted bribes as well, according to the release. The northern New Jersey officials referred the undercover agents to "still other corrupt public officials," the news release stated. E-mail to a friend .
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Official sent text messages about "cake," "green broccoli," complaint says .
U.S. attorney's office says officials accepted bribes of up to $17,500 .
Officials allegedly accepted bribes from insurance, roofing companies .
Two state legislators, Passaic mayor among those arrested .
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By . Leon Watson . PUBLISHED: . 20:54 EST, 12 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:13 EST, 13 March 2013 . A breed of parrot has been shown to be as clever as a child of four when it comes to making long term decisions proving their species don't, as is often assumed, just learn parrot-fashion. Scientists found the captive bred Goffin's cockatoo is able to resist the temptation of eating an immediate food item in order to trade it for a better reward down the line. This mirrored a famous experiment in the U.S. 40 years ago when nursery school children were put in a room and given a marshmallow, biscuit or pretzel stick. They could either eat it right away or wait 15 minutes and get an extra treat. The captive bred Goffin's cockatoo can resist the temptation of eating an immediate food item in order to trade it for a better reward in the future . Tracking them over time those with the . ability to wait got better grades, were healthier, enjoyed greater . professional success and proved better at staying in relationships - . even decades after they took the test. They were, in short, better at . life. The ability to . anticpate a delayed gain is considered mentally challenging since it . requires not just the capacity to control a direct impulse but also to . assess the gain's beneficial value against the cost of having to wait . and the reliability of the trader. Psychologists say such aptitude could be considered signs of economic decision making and are rarely found outside humans. Just . a few, typically large brained animals, have been found able to refuse . an immediate snack for a bigger one for more than a minute. But . the Indonesian cockatoo, which hit the headlines last year by . spontaneously making and using 'tools' to reach food, has now managed . it, reports the Royal Society journal Biology Letters. Isabelle Laumer, of the University of Vienna, said: 'The animals were allowed to pick up an initial food item and given the opportunity to return it directly into the experimenter's hand after an increasing time delay. The University of Vienna study mirrored a famous experiment in the U.S. forty years ago when nursery school childrens were put in a room and given a marshmallow, biscuit or pretzel stick . Pieces of eight: Psychologists say such aptitude could be considered signs of economic decision making and are rarely found outside humans . 'If the initial food item had not been nibbled by this time, the bird received another reward of an even higher preferred food type or of a larger quantity than the initial food in exchange. 'Although we picked pecan nuts as the initial reward which were highly liked by the birds and would under normal circumstances be consumed straightaway, we found all 14 of the birds waited for food of higher quality, such as a cashew nut, for up to 80 seconds.' Study co-author Dr Alice Auersperg said the Goffins acted 'astonishingly like economic agents', trading off between immediate and future benefits. She said: 'While human infants or primates can hold the initial food in their hands, one should also consider the birds were able to wait although they had to hold the food in their beaks, directly against their taste organs while waiting. 'Imagine placing a cookie directly into a toddler's mouth and telling him or her they will only receive a piece of chocolate if the cookie is not nibbled for over a minute.' Another of the researchers Professor Thomas Bugnyar has carried out similar studies on ravens and crows. He added: 'Until recently, birds were considered to lack any self control. When we found corvids could wait for delayed food, we speculated which socioecological onditions could favour the evolution of such skills. 'To test our ideas we needed clever birds that are distantly related to corvids. Parrots were the obvious choice and the results on Goffins show we are on the right track.'
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Captive bred Goffin's cockatoo able to resist temptation of eating .
Discovery shows they can think of long term benefits of waiting .
It mirrors a famous experiment on children in the U.S. 40 years ago .
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f9ab00e854ddde91db3e02c236769de2d5412fa4
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Washington (CNN) -- Several shots have been fired at the National Museum of the Marine Corps building in Virginia, the FBI said Friday. No injuries were reported. It is the second time the Marine Corps museum in Triangle, Virginia, has been fired on in recent days. The Pentagon and a vacant Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Virginia also were shot at recently. All the previous shots came from the same weapon, authorities said. Federal officials said they believe that the person taking the late-night shots at military-related buildings has a grievance against the institution of the Marine Corps but not the men and women serving in the Marines. The officials said at a news conference that they want to talk with the shooter. "We'd like to know what this grievance is and what we can do to try to resolve it," said John Perren, assistant director of the FBI's Washington field office. The latest incident occurred Thursday night, said Gwen Adams, spokeswoman at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. No one was in the building at the time, she said. New bullet holes were found in the glass and metal structure of the building but not inside, Adams said. The new damage was found during a routine inspection, officials said. The bullet holes were on the western side of the building, which faces Interstate 95, the FBI said. The shots probably came from the interstate, said Maj. Mike Crosbie of the Prince William County, Virginia, police department. The museum was closed Friday morning while the investigation continued, Adams said. It will remain closed for the rest of the day, she said. There were no plans Friday to cancel or postpone Sunday's Marine Corps Marathon or any events connected with it, race spokeswoman Tami Faram said. Additional security measures have been taken, however, to bolster an "already robust plan" for security at the marathon, Col. Daniel J. Choike, the commander of Marine Corps Base Quantico, said Friday.
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NEW: The FBI says the shooter probably has grievance against the Marine Corps .
NEW: Federal officials say they want to speak with the shooter about complaints .
It is the second attack on the Marine Corps museum in recent days .
Two other military buildings in the Washington area also have been fired upon .
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By . Marie-louise Olson . Furious people took to Facebook to vent their anger over the recent profiling of shoppers in the New York retailer, Barneys. This comes as a fourth person has come forward with similar claims, this time against Macy's - the second in a week. Art Palmer says four plainclothes cops questioned him three blocks away from the flagship store after he bought $320 worth of Polo dress shirts and ties in April. The latest accusation echoes those by Trayon Christian and Kayla Phillips against Barneys and by actor Robert Brown against the same Macy’s. Shocking: Trayon Christian, 19, left, and Kayla Phillips, 21, claim they were interrogated by police after buying expensive items from Barneys . Palmer, a 56-year-old exercise trainer from Crown Heights, Brooklyn, said he made the purchase without incident, using both his Macy’s platinum card and his American Express card. He was walking to a gym on Park Avenue when police surrounded him and demanded to see his ID. The officers said they were suspicious because they had lost sight of him on the store’s surveillance cameras, he said. When asked if he believed he was racially profiled, he told the New York Daily News that there was 'no other reason'. He was allowed to continue on his way after he showed his receipt for the duds and the cards with which he purchased them. When Palmer returned to the store the next day to complain, a Macy’s manager blamed it on the cops and said officers frequently come into the store to monitor surveillance videos without permission, according to Palmer. Two black Barneys customers said this week they were detained by police after making expensive purchases, while last week actor Robert Brown said he was paraded through Macy’s Herald Square store in handcuffs and detained for an hour after being racially profiled and accused of using a stolen credit card to buy his mother a $1,350 watch. Robert Brown with Sean Connery who he starred with in the movie, Finding Forrester. Brown is suing Macy's for racial profiling . Target: World famous male model Tyson Beckford said that even he is racially profiled when he goes into stores like Barney's and elsewhere . Brown, one of the stars of HBO show Treme, was released after being in cuffs for about 45 minutes without any charges . Brown, one of the stars of HBO show Treme, was released after being in cuffs for about 45 minutes without any charges. He’s suing the store and the NYPD, charging cops racially profiled him and violated his constitutional rights. Fashion megastar Tyson Beckford, 42, told PIX11 on Thursday that he frequently gets judged on the color of his skin in Barney's and other places. 'I . might have the most recognizable face in the world. I still get . followed all the time, any time I go to a store,' Beckford said outside . Barney's. Trayon . Christian, 19, is suing Barneys, saying he was accosted by undercover NYPD . officers after using his debit card to buy a $349 Ferragamo belt in . April. Kayla Phillips, 21, . said she was surrounded and interrogated by police after purchasing a . $2,500 handbag from Barneys in February. On Barneys' Facebook wall, users have posted their opinions, said the New York Daily News. 'Love these shoes ... but having dark skin, my hard earned money may not be enough to allow the purchase at this establishment,’ Facebook user Amelia Rios Alex wrote on the page, which features glitzy photos of shoes, perfume, jewelry and apparel. Anger: Furious Facebook users attacked Barneys' website over what they call 'modern racism', including the likes of rapper, Jay Z . Barneys' menswear ad was bombarded with angry comments . An ad for a John Varvatos suit with the tagline, Modern Monochrome, attracted 72 people to vent about the profiling scandal. ‘Modern racism,' said John Renaud. ‘Monochrome is right. Whites only’, according to David Nieves. ‘Will I get arrested if I buy this?’ asked Ramona Morgan. ‘Do handcuffs [come] with this or are they sold separately?’ said Facebook user Glenny Lennox. Civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton has . threatened protests against Barneys and a possible . boycott for 'upscale racial profiling'. 'In major cities like New York, blacks . and Latinos not only worry about being “stopped-and-frisked” by police, . but they also fear the embarrassment of being “shopped-and-frisked” in . retail stores,' he said in an opinion piece for the New York Daily News. 'Perhaps . all retailers need a friendly reminder of the immense buying power of . blacks and minorities. We will definitely remember those who welcome us . and those who would rather profile us, and we will speak loudly with our . dollars — bottom line.' we . ever naively believe that our work is done?' Sharpton wrote. Time for action:The Rev. Al Sharpton has condemned 'shop and frisk' at Manhattan stores and called for a boycott of Barneys . Sharpton said it was a 'travesty' that police and retailers interrogate black people who buy expensive items. 'Barneys, . a high-end retailer with stores in major cities, must answer for this . pattern of biased behavior, as must the NYPD,' he wrote. 'Our . National Action Network (NAN) Brooklyn chapter President Kirsten John . Foy said it best when he called Barneys’ behavior schizophrenic. On the . one hand, they want to expand their brand to the urban market, but then . they turn around and see us as suspects rather than prospects. 'Barneys . and other retailers that openly discriminate against us must be held . accountable. Simply apologizing isn’t enough; we need to see a plan of . action as to how they are going to rectify their ways.' Accountability: Sharpton said Barneys, a high-end retailer with stores in major cities, must answer for its 'pattern of biased behavior' Sharpton has demanded . a meeting with Barneys CEO, Mark Lee, and is 'currently mobilizing . activists for peaceful direct-action against the store and the NYPD.' Earlier this week, Lee said the company had retained a civil rights expert to help review its procedures and offered his 'sincere regret and deepest apologies'. 'Barneys . New York has zero tolerance for any form of discrimination and we stand . by our long history in support of all human rights,' Barneys said in a . statement. In his comment piece, Sharpton also highlighted the experiences of 'Treme' actor, Rob Brown, and Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker. Brown claimed he was paraded through . Macy’s Herald Square in handcuffs and placed in a holding cell because . an employee suspected that his credit card didn’t belong to him in June, . Whitaker said he was accused of stealing and patted down after leaving a store in Morningside Heights. 'When international celebrities can be . disrespected and mistreated in such a humiliating manner, how can we . ever naively believe that our work is done?' Sharpton wrote.
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Art Palmer, 56, of Brooklyn, is the fourth person to claim he has been racially profiled while shopping .
On Sunday he said four plainclothes cops .
questioned him three blocks away from Macy's after he bought .
$320 worth of Polo dress shirts and ties in April .
New York fashion retailer Barneys is coming under a lot of fire on its Facebook page after two young black people say they were stopped while shopping for expensive goods .
Barneys' Facebook wall is being bombarded with angry comments .
One user calls it 'modern racism'
Trayon .
Christian, 19, sued Barneys, saying he was accosted by undercover NYPD .
officers after using his debit card to buy a $349 Ferragamo belt in .
April .
Kayla Phillips, 21, .
said she was surrounded and interrogated by police after purchasing a .
$2,500 handbag from Barneys in February .
Reverend .
Al Sharpton has accused Barney's of 'upscale racial profiling'
He said blacks and Latinos worry about being 'stopped-and-frisked' by police and 'shopped-and-frisked' in retail stores .
Sharpton has demanded a meeting with Barneys and called for a boycott of the retailer .
Even fashion megastar Tyson Beckford, 42, has said he frequently gets judged on the color of his skin in Barney's and other places .
Meanwhile, Finding Forrester actor, Robert Brown, is suing Macy's for racial profiling .
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f9ac1707f57f640e350b11741c2c37c95208e2ad
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By . Jennifer Newton . The breastfeeding equipment vending machine, which has been installed at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore . Instead of offering drinks and snacks, a vending machine thought to be the first of its kind to offer breastfeeding equipment has been installed at a Baltimore hospital. The machine stocks 14 different types of items including pump accessories, storage bottles and everything else working mothers need to breastfeed their babies. The machine, which took a year to develop has been up and running at the hospital for a little over a month, where it is reported that business has been steady. The idea to create the vending machine with a difference came from Meg Stoltzfus, an employee at the hospital working in the human resources department. And with staff at the hospital having to work unusual hours, she says that it can be a big problem when they have to pump milk during a shift. Walking through an airport she noticed a large number of items for sale in vending machines and she came up with a solution, according to the Baltimore Sun. She then set about putting her idea into practice, which resulted in the new machines. She told the newspaper: 'I worked and pumped as well, so I've made it sort of a mission to help other moms. 'You can get a vending machine company to build you a vending machine to do just about anything.' Working mothers wanting to use the machine just swipe their credit card and then select the product they need. In . addition the machine is linked to the computer of Ms Stoltzfus, meaning . that when it items start to run low, it reminds her to order in more. The machines stock 14 different types of items, meaning working mothers can find everything they need to breastfeed their babies . The new vending machines are part of the hospital's Breastfeeding Support Program, which helps nursing mothers when returning to work. The hospital has 14 dedicated nursing rooms, with the hospital revealing they are visited 23,000 times a year. If the machine proves popular, more could be rolled out in the hospital's other nursing rooms.
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Vending machine in Johns Hopkins Hospital thought to be first of its kind .
Stocks pump accessories, storage bottles and various other equipment .
Took a year to develop and since introduced, has been steady business .
Aimed at helping nursing mothers who want to return to work .
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f9ac7efacdc00ad2b29781d48e365156476ab690
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By . Reuters Reporter and Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 13:37 EST, 14 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 17:39 EST, 14 November 2012 . Shares of Facebook Inc jumped nearly 13 per cent on Wednesday, as investors breathed a sigh of relief that expiring trading restrictions on a huge block of shares failed to trigger an immediate wave of insider selling. 'While the lockup is expiring, there is nothing requiring anybody to sell,' said Tim Ghriskey, chief investment officer at Solaris Group in Bedford Hills, New York. He added: 'Given the low price, these long-term holders are deciding to hold the stock, and that is lifting it here as the fear of the expiration subsides.' Signs of life: Facebook shares climbed nearly 13 . per cent even after the largest block of shares held by company . insiders were eligible for sale . Roughly 800 million Facebook shares were eligible for sale on Wednesday after restrictions on insider selling were lifted on the biggest block since Facebook's May initial public offering. The lockup expiration greatly expands the 921-million-share 'float' available for trading on the market until now. 'We've seen this before with other lockups. People sell them leading up to the lockup period expiring, and then they have a bit of a relief rally,' said Ryan Jacob, chief executive of the Jacob Funds, which does not own Facebook shares. In August, shares of the online reviews website Yelp Inc surged by more than 20 per cent on the day that insider trading restrictions expired. Rise and fall: Facebook's value has dropped nearly 50 per cent since the IPO, but now appears to be gaining ground . That stock's rally was boosted as short-sellers scrambled to cover their positions when the expected flood of selling failed to materialize, say analysts. Facebook shares finished on Wednesday's regular trading session up 12.6 per cent at $22.36 on the Nasdaq, with trading volume for the stock more than four times the average during the past 50 days. The world's No. 1 online social network became the only U.S. company to debut with a market value of more than $100 billion. IPO: Mark Zuckerberg stands at front and center after remotely ringing the Nasdaq opening bell on the day of the social networking giant's initial public offering . But its value has dropped nearly 50 per cent since the IPO on concerns about money-making prospects over the long term. Insider trading lockup provisions . started to expire in August, and the rolling expirations have added to . the pressure on the stock. Restrictions on insider selling have expired in waves. A limitation on more than 200 million shares expired on Oct. 29. COST OF SHORTINGPivotal Research Group analyst Brian Wieser said he did not expect Facebook insiders to sell all of their shares as the lockups expired. 'I would expect heavy volumes over the next few weeks, but not undigestible volumes,' said Wieser. By his estimate, roughly 486 million of the nearly 800 million newly freed Facebook shares will be sold. There is some evidence that the heavy interest in 'shorting' the stock was dissipating, given the poor performance since it first sold shares in May. Strategy: Mobile revenue has been a concern since before Facebook's IPO - as more and more people are accessing the site on wireless phones and tablets . Investors who believe a stock will fall can bet against it by shorting the stock, that is, borrowing it and selling it in the hopes it will decline. According to Markit's Data Explorers, about 28 per cent of the shares available for short-selling were being borrowed for that purpose, down from a high of more than 80 per cent in early August. Similarly, SunGard's Astec Analytics, which also tracks interest in shorting, noted that the cost of borrowing Facebook shares is down more than 50 per cent since the beginning of the month. 'Everything would seem to indicate the market is losing its appetite to short Facebook,' wrote Karl Loomes, market analyst at Astec. The cost of shorting Facebook has declined to 0.18 per cent on an annualized basis, Astec said on Wednesday. Holding: Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg has pledged not to sell any shares of his stock in the company before September 2013 . By contrast, shortly after the IPO, the cost to short the stock ranged from 40 to 50 per cent annually.'It's become somewhat of a controversial stock - it always adds fuel to the fire if you have a sizable short position,' said Stephen Massocca, managing director at Wedbush Morgan in San Francisco. 'But the unlock is not new news. It doesn't mean everyone is going to sell and it doesn't mean every order is going to come in today.' Several members of Facebook's senior management have sold millions of dollars' worth of shares in recent weeks through pre-arranged stock trading plans as lockup restrictions expired. Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg has sold roughly 530,000 shares this month, netting just over $11 million, though she still owns roughly 20 million vested shares in Facebook. In August, Facebook board member Peter Thiel sold roughly $400million worth of Facebook stock, the majority of his stake, when an earlier phase of lockup restrictions expired. Facebook's 28-year-old chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, has pledged not to sell any shares before September 2013. Facebook had a notorious initial public offering in May at $38, mired by technical glitches, and it's been under pressure since because of doubts about its ability to grow revenue at a fast clip. The shares saw their biggest one-day gain on October 24, the day after the company reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter results and detailed for the first time how much money it made from mobile ads. But shares had declined since then. Mobile revenue has been a concern since before Facebook's IPO since more and more people are accessing the site on wireless phones and tablets.
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Shares in social networking giant climb nearly 13 per cent on Wednesday trading .
Today is first day 800 million Facebook shares are eligible for sale by company insiders .
Facebook appears to be gaining some ground after disappointing initial public offering in May .
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On trial: Bouchra Bagour, 35, leaves court (file photo) A French mother has appeared in court after sending her three-year-old son named Jihad to school in a T-shirt saying 'I am a bomb.' Bouchra Bagour, 35, insisted she had put it on him 'without stopping to think about it' when he wore it to the nursery in Sorgues near Avignon on 24 September. Bagour is charged with 'glorifying crime.' Teachers and the headteacher were shocked by the clothing and alerted authorities. A few days later the town mayor, Thierry Lagneau of the conservative UMP party, asked prosecutors to investigate. I condemn the attitude of the parents who shamefully took advantage of the person and the age of this child to convey a political message,' Lagneau said at the time. At the start of her trial in Avignon, she denied defending terrorism through the T-shirt message. 'I thought it might make people laugh,' she said, according to Le Parisien. The expression plays on the popular French saying 'Je suis la bombe', which translates roughly as 'I am the best'. The back of the T-shirt read 'Born on 11 September,' but Bagour insisted it was only a reference to her son's date of birth. Ms Bagour's brother - who gave the . T-shirt to her three-year-old son is a co-defendant in the . case and also denies the charge. Zeyad Bagour said he he was not trying to promote a message by buying the T-shirt. 'It's the day his birth I wanted to highlight, not the year,' he told the court. In . an interview with the newspaper La Provence in November, Boucha Bagour . said that while she is Muslim, 'there is no message to be conveyed by . the T-shirt — no intent.' Claims: Bouchra Bagour, 35, insisted she had put it on him 'without stopping to think about it' when he wore it to school in Sorgues near Avignon on 24 September . Controversial: A T-shirt similar to the one worn by three-year-old Jihad . 'Bomb' is used in the sense of 'handsome,' nothing more,' she said. However, lawyer Claude Avril said: 'Idiocy is often the best alibi to hide the real intentions', reported Sky News. 'The most scandalous thing is that they've used and manipulated a three-year-old child to voluntarily convey the words of a terrorist.' The prosecutor in Avignon previously told the court the family must have known the reaction the boy’s clothing would provoke, reported The Local. 'At some point there must be limits. They are not stupid. They understand the significance of what they are doing,' he said. He called for a fine of 1,000 euros (£870; $1,300) against Ms Bagour and 3,000 euros for her brother. Josette Pessemesse, from the far-left . Front de Gauche party, wrote an open letter to the court defending the 'right to humour.' It was signed by around 50 people. 'This is the same as qualifying all Muslims as terrorists,' Pessemesse told France Info. The trial has been adjourned until next month.
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Bouchra Bagour, 35, charged with 'glorifying crime'
Insisted she had put it on him 'without stopping to think about it'
The back of the T-shirt read Born on 11 September .
At the start of her trial in Avignon, she denied defending terrorism .
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f9ad91bb22efd63bc91f9d11658b4c767882c601
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A pig that weighed in at nearly one ton was publicly slaughtered today after its owner won first prize on a competition held by a Taoist temple in Taiwan. Ten Holy Pigs were force fed to make them grow ten times larger than normal for the contest held by the Sanhsia Tzushih Temple in Yingko, New Taipei City, northern Taiwan. The winning pig weighed in at a staggering 936kg and appeared in public looking like a porcine equivalent of Star Wars villain Jabba the Hut. Scroll down for video . Holy Pig! Taiwanese Taoists wait to see a Holy Pig to be dragged out and killed at Yingko, New Taipei City, northern Taiwan, during the Holy Pig Contest held by the Taoist Sanhsia Tzushih Temple . Farmers compete to raise the heaviest pig for the annual event, which culminates with all the animals having their throats cut in public to please the gods. The temple authorities award the farmer with the fattest pig a prize in gold for his achievement. The tradition is generations old, but in recent years it has attracted fierce criticism and public protests from advocates of animal rights. They say the contest is cruel, alleging that the pigs often kept in small enclosures and hit on the snout to force them to keep eating, and have demanded that it is abolished. Hog tied: A fork truck prepares to transport a Holy Pig from its owner's home to an open space near the temple where it will have its throat cut as an offering to the gods as part of the New Year's festivities . Men shave the prize-winning Holy Pig after it was killed: This pig, weighing 936kg, won its owner a prize in pure gold, but animal rights activists have called for an end to the contest, which they say is 'abusive and brutal' Temple officials have previously said that they will phase out the competition by 2017, but this year they said merely that they planned to stop handing out gold prizes to winning owners. Activists have accused them of paying 'lip service' to criticisms of the practise, which they denounce as 'abusive and brutal'.
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Winning owner awarded a prize of pure gold by the temple in New Taipei City .
But animal activists have called for abolition of generations-old tradition .
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Louis van Gaal has ordered Manchester United staff to rip up the club's Carrington training ground pitches as he rings the changes at the club. According to the Sun, the new Red Devils boss is keen for the Desso Grass-Master system to be installed ready for when he takes charge after managing Holland in this summer's World Cup finals. The Dutchman's request has stunned the United hierarchy who believe their pitches are already pristine. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Van Gaal lose his temper during Netherlands training . Changes: Louis van Gaal has ordered Manchester United staff to rip up the club's Carrington training ground . Shock: Manchester United officials are stunned by Van Gaal's request believing their picthes are pristine . Practice makes perfect: United players warm-up at Carrington training ground towards the end of last season . However, the high-tech surface is already used by the club for the Old Trafford pitch and has also been installed on a number of rival Premier League pitches. Ordinary turf is reinforced by the artificial fibers which makes it much harder wearing. The 62-year-old, who has previously managed Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Ajax, also want floodlights installed for afternoon winter training which will set the club back almost £4million. Meanwhile, Van Gaal and his Holland squad arrived in Brazil on Friday morning ahead of their World Cup opener against champions Spain next week. Oranje will also play Australia and Chile in Group B. Ready: Van Gaal's Holland squad landed in Brazil on Friday morning and take on Spain in Group B . Taking charge: The Holland boss watches on as Wesley Sneijder takes a penalty during training .
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Van Gaal has ordered Man United officials to rip up Carrington's training pitches .
New Red Devils boss keen for Desso Grass-Master system to be installed .
Dutchman's request has shocked Old Trafford hierarchy who believe the pitches are pristine .
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Singer Michael Franti filmed his now-fiancee Sara Agah for three years in order to create the romantic engagement video he had used to propose to her in Bali. The 48-year-old listed his longtime love's most endearing qualities in the clip featuring his 2013 song Life Is Better With You - which he had written for her. Mr Franti announced the news Tuesday on Facebook, where he shared the special video with his fans, writing: 'Sara and I are engaged to be married!' True love: Michael Franti proposed to Sara Agah using a touching engagement video he created after filming her for three years . 'I wrote Life Is Better With You three years ago as a song I hoped to be played at our future wedding and made this video for Sara using clips I shot of her on my iPhone over the past three years.' The musician explained that he and Ms Agah had gotten engaged during a surprise dinner he had planned for her in Bali. It was there that he played his song on his acoustic guitar and showed her the video as a part of his proposal. 'Needless to say she was quite moved and luckily for me after getting down on one knee and asking officially, she said "yes!'" he noted, adding: 'Thank you all who have been so kind to us over the years.' Moving music: The clip features the musician's 2013 song Life Is Better For You, which he had written for her, as well as private moments from their everyday lives . I do: Mr Franti played the video and proposed to Ms Agah during a romantic dinner in Bali . The romantic video features intimate moments from the couple's everyday lives, including footage of Ms Agah dancing, singing, practicing yoga and being goofy. It has received nearly 25,000 likes on Facebook since it was posted. Mr Franti's sweet gesture is a reminder that love is about life's simple moments. The Michael Franti & Spearhead frontman told Rolling Stone in 2013 that he was inspired to write Life Is Better With You after he and Ms Agah had a 'not-so-great day' following a happy Valentine's Day. He recalled: 'I told her that even my worst day with her is better than any day I had before she was in my life, and out came the words: "Life is better with you."' Sweet kisses: The 48-year-old said his longtime love was 'quite moved' by the footage and accepted his proposal after he had gotten down on one knee . Perfect woman: In the clip, Mr Franti listed all the reasons why he loves Ms Agah . 'I picked up the guitar and wrote the song right then. I hope it inspires gratitude through the ups and downs of relationships for couples, friends, parents and kids.' Mr Franti met the emergency nurse and jewelry designer at a festival in Canada. They were friends for three years before they started dating. 'The relationship works because I've grown wiser,' he told The Sydney Morning Herald last year. He added: 'Communication isn't about just your side being heard - it's about being clear, and understanding what the other person is saying and feeling. Listening is the key.' Mr Franti has two sons, Cappy and Ade, from former relationships. He was previously married to Ade's mother Tara Franti-Rye.
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Michael Franti asked Sara Agah to marry him in Bali after showing her the video he made .
The clip features his 2013 song Life Is Better With You - which he had written for her .
The 48-year-old singer announced their engagement Tuesday on Facebook .
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The West must not threaten Russian president Vladimir Putin, above, over a solution to the Ukrainian crisis, the Kremlin warned today; Putin is pictured above speaking before the start of the winter Olympics last week . The West must not threaten Vladimir Putin over a solution to the Ukrainian crisis, the Kremlin warned today. The demand came as Ukraine accused Moscow of deploying new troops and military hardware to rebel-held regions. Ukraine claims 1,500 Russian troops and convoys of military hardware entered their territory over the weekend, something Russia denies. America is considering supplying arms to Kiev, while a senior British defence official, Nick Gurr, head of international security policy, was said to today be in Kiev to discuss 'cooperation in the military sphere'. Ukrainian officials said he was meeting defence minister Stepan Poltorak and would discuss reforms in Ukraine's defence system. A Putin spokesman said: 'Nobody has ever talked to the president in the tone of an ultimatum, and could not do so even if they wished to.' Putin blames the West for the current bloodshed in eastern Ukraine and shows no signs of compromise. The EU wanted to 'tear off' ex-Soviet states and force them into an 'artificial choice' between Russia and Europe, he has claimed. 'We repeatedly warned the USA and its Western allies about the harmful consequences of their interference in Ukrainian domestic affairs but they did not listen to our opinion,' he told an Egyptian newspaper. Scroll down for video . President Barack Obama met German Chancellor Angela Merkel today in a public display of unity despite a potential split over arming Ukrainian fighters to wage a more effective battle against Russian-backed separatists . Putin sees Ukraine as part of Russia's sphere of influence in eastern Europe. President Barack Obama met German Chancellor Angela Merkel today in a public display of unity despite a potential split over arming Ukrainian fighters to wage a more effective battle against Russian-backed separatists. That was the unstated point of the White House meeting, where Ms Merkel was to brief Mr Obama on upcoming talks aimed at reviving a peace plan for besieged Ukraine. At issue is not only Putin's support for the separatists but the revival of the Soviet Cold War strategy of trying to create a critical division between the U.S. and its NATO allies, Germany in particular. Ms Merkel and French President Francois Hollande met with Ukrainian leaders and Putin last week and have announced a new summit meeting for Wednesday in Minsk. French and German leaders are to sit down with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Putin in an attempt to breathe life into a much-violated September peace plan. The U.S. will not be at the table. Ms Merkel and French President Francois Hollande met with Ukrainian leaders and Putin last week and have announced a new summit meeting for Wednesday in Minsk; The French and German leader are pictured above with Putin in Moscow . That meeting in the Belarusian capital takes place with Ms Merkel and Mr Hollande deeply opposed to arming Ukraine in its bid to push back the separatists that NATO and the U.S. insist are being armed by Russia, which also has troops fighting in the eastern Ukraine. The White House has let it be known that Mr Obama, who had resisted calls to send arms, was now considering doing just that. Opponents of arming Kiev believe that could open a proxy war between Washington and Moscow. Merkel and Hollande insist the only way to end the conflict is through diplomacy. Former U.S. presidential candidate John McCain warned Ukrainians 'are being slaughtered, and we're sending them blankets and meals. 'Blankets don't do well against Russian tanks.' More than 5,300 people have been killed since fighting began in April, according to a U.N. tally; the bloodshed has markedly increased over the past two weeks; a pro-Russian separatist fires a machine gun towards the eastern Ukrainian city of Debaltseve, in the Donetsk region, last month . The EU has vowed to put new sanctions against Russia on hold ahead of last ditch talks to end the conflict. On the table is a plan to create a demilitarised zone of between 30 and 45 miles around the current frontline. At the Munich Security Conference over the weekend, Vice President Joe Biden stopped short of explicitly addressing possible arms deliveries. He said: 'We will continue to provide Ukraine with security assistance not to encourage war, but to allow Ukraine to defend itself.' More than 5,300 people have been killed since fighting began in April, according to a U.N. tally; the bloodshed has markedly increased over the past two weeks.
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Demand comes as Ukraine accuses Moscow of deploying more troops .
Putin spokesman says no one has ever given Putin an 'ultimatum'
America is considering supplying arms to Kiev to fight Russian separatists .
Germany and France to hold peace talks with Putin and Ukraine this week .
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(CNN) -- The death of a Georgia man who fell about 85 feet from an upper level of Atlanta's Turner Field has been ruled a suicide, an official said. Ronald Homer, 30, fell during a Braves-Phillies baseball game on August 12. The cause of death is blunt force trauma, according to the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office. Betty Honey, an investigator with that office, said Thursday that Homer had committed suicide. He had no other injuries besides those sustained as a result of his fall from the fourth level of the stadium shortly before 8:55 p.m. during a rain delay. The game was scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m., but heavy rains pushed back the start time nearly two hours. Homer's was the second such death at an Atlanta sporting venue in the last year or so. On August 31, 2012, a Tennessee fan died after falling about 45 feet at the Georgia Dome during a college football game between North Carolina State and the University of Tennessee. CNN's Ed Payne, Dave Alsup and Joe Sutton contributed to this report.
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Ronald Homer, 30, fell during a Braves-Phillies baseball game .
The cause of death is blunt force trauma, medical examiner's office says .
His was the second such death at an Atlanta sporting venue in the last year .
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f9ae1d9c3276e03f431a5c9b6f455bc0533f74a9
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They may not have the rippling muscles and chiseled features of a typical pin-up. But these 12 men are set to become unlikely stars - after being picked for a calendar celebrating Britain's most boring men. A drain spotter, traffic cone enthusiast and brick collector are among the 'boring' Britons who appear in The Dull Men's Club calendar. A man who collects milk bottles, the founder of the Apostrophe Protection Society and a retired greenkeeper who loves lawnmowers have also made it into the top dozen. The Dull Men's Club has more than 5,000 male members, who are passionate about everyday mundane things. Leland Carlson, assistant vice-president of the Club, decided to publish the calendar to celebrate its dullest members and their very boring obsessions. 'We wanted to have a bit of fun. The British are well known for being eccentric and this calendar is a celebration of that,' he said. January's spot is taken by Kevin Beresford, from Redditch in Worcestershire. He is president of the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society, which he founded 11 years ago. The 62-year-old spends his weekends travelling around the country photographing roundabouts and turning his pictures into books and calendars. Scroll down for video . Mr January: The top spot is taken by Kevin Beresford, from Redditch in Worcestershire. He is president of the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society, which he founded 11 years ago. He spends his weekends travelling around the country photographing roundabouts and turning his pictures into books and calendars . Repetitive romantic: February is welcomed in with a picture of Ken McCoy, 73, from Leeds in Yorkshire, who has sent the same Valentine to his wife for the last 35 years.The novelist, who designed the card himself, first presented it to wife Valerie in 1979 and has reused it every year since . Dull as drainwater: March's mundane man is drain spotter Archie Workman, from Cumbria, who works as a lengthsman maintaining verges and ditches . February is welcomed in with a picture of Ken McCoy, 73, from Leeds in Yorkshire, who has sent the same valentine to his wife for the last 35 years. The novelist, who designed the card himself, first presented it to wife Valerie in 1979 and has reused it every year since. 'I had mixed feelings when I was asked to be in the calendar as I don't consider myself dull, but it's a fun thing and all quite amusing,' he said. March's mundane man is drain spotter Archie Workman, from Cumbria, who works as a lengthsman maintaining verges and ditches. He said: 'I find the drain covers so interesting. There's a lot of history behind them. It's interesting to observe the geometry of the drains and how they interconnect. There's a whole world underneath us that we don't realize.' Steve Wheeler, 66, from Malvern in Worcestershire, has spent 30 years collecting more than 20,000 milk bottles. This dull fetish has earned him a place as Mr April - because this is the month he likes to 'spring clean his bottles'. He found his first bottle in the mid-1980s and now Mr Wheeler, who admits he doesn't even like milk, houses them in an 80ft museum in his garden. 'I'm Mr April as this is the month I give the bottles their annual Spring clean,' he said. 'I've met some of the other people in the calendar and I think we are all the exact opposite of dull. It's just that we don't do the sport thing, we are individuals and not team players. 'I have people come to visit my collection from all over the world and I'm about to expand my museum by another 24 feet. 'Ironically I don't even like milk, I've always thought of it as baby food. But I do love glass. It's not only the bottles I love. It's the thrill of finding them and the people I meet when I'm collecting them.' May is the turn of Michael Kennedy, 73, from Hunstanton in Norfolk, who spends two hours every day, except Saturdays, moving rocks to build a seawall. He has shifted more than 200 tons of rocks over the past 14 years to prevent erosion of cliffs lining the coast. He said: 'I used to walk to Old Hunstanton and back, two and a half miles every day, but that wasn't enough physical exercise for me. 'I started moving rocks and now I can't stop. It's better than sitting in an armchair. I'll do it for as long as I'm healthy.' Mr June is Peter Willis, 67, from Worcester, whose mission is to photograph as many of Britain's post boxes as possible and has already snapped more than 2,500. Steve Wheeler, 66, from Malvern in Worcestershire, has spent 30 years collecting more than 20,000 milk bottles.This dull fetish has earned him a place as Mr April - because this is the month he likes to 'spring clean his bottles' May is the turn of Michael Kennedy, 73, from Hunstanton in Norfolk, who spends two hours every day, except Saturdays, moving rocks to build a seawall . Mr June is Peter Willis, 67, from Worcester, whose mission is to photograph as many of Britain's post boxes as possible and has already snapped more than 2,500 . David Morgan, 72, from the Cotswolds, has the world's largest traffic cone collection and features in July. He began collecting in 1986 and now has more than 500 around his house, including a Malaysian cone he found washed up on a beach in Sicily and a 1956 Lynvale rubber cone from Scotland. 'Some people probably think it's dull. If I go to dinner parties and tell people I'm a cone collector they quickly move on,' he said. 'My children are slightly embarrassed by my collection. I store them in the shed, the garage, the greenhouse and even under the bed. Luckily they stack well. 'I carry traffic cones with me in the car and if I see a rare one I ask if I can swap it.' July's poster boy is David Morgan, 72, from the Cotswolds, has the world's largest traffic cone collection in his garden at home . Bus enthusiast Roland Stone, 45, from Plymouth has his own double decker and 300 model buses and appears as Mr August. Neil Brittlebank, 78, from East Ardsley in Yorkshire, who collects bricks, is featured in September. The retired mine safety worker began his unique collection in 1990 when he heard Lofthouse colliery, where he had worked for three decades, was being demolished and he was given some of the bricks. Now he has more than 1,000 and constantly hunts for more at demolition sites and in abandoned buildings. October's design features John Richards, from Boston, Lincolnshire, who founded the Apostrophe Protection Society to combat the widespread incorrect use of the apostrophe. One of the babies of the calender at just 45, is bus enthusiast Roland Stone, from Plymouth, who has his own double decker and 300 model buses and appears as Mr August . Neil Brittlebank, 78, from East Ardsley in Yorkshire, who collects bricks, is featured in September.The retired mine safety worker began his unique collection in 1990 when he heard Lofthouse colliery, where he had worked for three decades, was being demolished and he was given some of the bricks . October's design features John Richards, from Boston, Lincs, who founded the Apostrophe Protection Society to combat the widespread incorrect use of the apostrophe . Lawnmower collector Stan Hardwick, from Filey in Yorkshire, poses with his collection for November. Nicknamed The Lawn Ranger, he has enough in his collection to use a different one each day of the year and even keeps his favourites in the lounge. The year finishes with Hugh Barker, from London, who has travelled Britain photographing hedges. He has written the book Hedge Britannnia, which includes information about hedge-laying and what hedges say about their owners. Lawnmower collector Stan Hardwick, from Filey in Yorkshire, poses with his collection of the garden machinery for November . Nicknamed The Lawn Ranger, he has enough in his collection to use a different one each day of the year and even keeps his favourites in the lounge . The year finishes with Hugh Barker, from London, who has travelled Britain photographing hedges . Mr Barker has written the book Hedge Britannnia, which includes information about hedge-laying and what hedges say about their owners . The calendar also encourages other Brits to 'celebrate the ordinary' by listing 125 of the most eccentric events they can attend in 2015 including the World Snail Racing Championships in Congham, Norfolk and the Great Christmas Pudding Race in Covent Garden, London. Other events featured are the Marmalade Festival in Dahlmain, Cumbria and the World Stone Skimming Championships in Easdale Island, Argyll. The Dull Men's Club was originally started in New York in the 1980s and later spread to the UK and elsewhere in the world. Its main focal point nowadays is its website where members communicate, in a subdued, understated way, their quiet exploits. The calendar will be available to buy on Amazon on October 21 and can be pre-ordered now. For more information email calendars@dullmensclub.com. The Dull Men's Club was originally started in New York in the 1980s and later spread to the UK and elsewhere in the world.Its main focal point nowadays is its website where members communicate, in a subdued, understated way, their quiet exploits .
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The Dull Men's Club has more than 5,000 male members, who are passionate about everyday mundane things .
A drain spotter, traffic cone enthusiast and brick collector are among the 'boring' Brits who appear .
Also included are a man who photographs roundabouts, a milk bottle fanatic, and an apostrophe obsessive .
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Roy Hodgson claimed Liverpool's poor start to the season was behind Raheem Sterling's decision to pull out of England's starting line-up against Estonia. Sterling was dropped to the bench and replaced by Adam Lallana in England's 1-0 victory over Estonia after admitting he wasn't mentally ready to start the Euro 2016 qualifier. The Liverpool forward, still only 19, came off the bench to win the 74th minute free-kick that led to England skipper Wayne Rooney scoring his 43rd goal for his country. Liverpool's Raheem Sterling was a second-half substitute in Estonia after admitting he wasn't mentally ready . Here are facts for Raheem Sterling's season so far with club side Liverpool... Games Played: 10 . Minutes Played: 854 . Goals: 3 . Total shots: 17 . Shots on target: 12 . Shooting accuracy: 71% . Shot conversion rate: 18% . Mins per goal: 285 . Assists: 2 . Chances Created (inc. assists): 20 . Passes: 382 . Passing Accuracy: 79% . Dribble Completion: 48% . Hodgson said: 'There is an awful lot going on in his head. Perhaps it's quite simply the season hasn't started quite as well for Liverpool as they wanted. 'He's player who's always in the focus and spotlight for England and Liverpool, maybe that's had some effect. But I don't know, it's a theory. 'In mitigation of a young player, when you break into a team like Liverpool and you have a fantastic season, then you go to the World Cup and you do well and people regard you as one of the few who lived up to his reputation. 'Then you come back and you're still only 19 years of age, there are a lot of other things that play a part it people's make up. It isn't quite as simple as the training you're doing maybe taking some juice from your legs.' Hodgson claimed Sterling is one of the biggest talents in English football after the World Cup, but the decision to withdraw him from the team to start in Tallinn is highly unusual. The England substitutes watch on in Estonia as Sterling (second right) was rested from the starting line-up . Jordan Henderson makes way for Sterling in the second-half in Tallinn despite revealing he felt fatigued . Of the players England used against Estonia, only Gary Cahill has played more minutes this season than Raheem Sterling... Gary Cahill 1164 minutes played . RAHEEM STERLING 1079 mins . Jack Wilshere 1064 mins . Jordan Henderson 1035 mins . Calum Chambers 995 mins . Joe Hart 990 mins . Leighton Baines 990 mins . Phil Jagielka 919 mins . Danny Welbeck 836 mins . Wayne Rooney 758 mins . Fabian Delph 741 mins . Adam Lallana 538 mins . Sterling played just 45 minutes of England's 5-0 victory over San Marino at Wembley on Thursday night and Hodgson claimed at the time that he looked to the head coach in the dressing room to say 'why me?'. Less than 48 hours later Hodgson revealed that Sterling approached him after a warm up at London Colney on Saturday morning to tell him that he was not in the right mental state to play. Hodgson said: 'People don't like it when you simplistically tell the truth. We were training at The Grove doing a light session but some work in how we wanted to play the game tactically. 'Just before we started, Raheem had done the warm up and he came to me and said ''look I really am feeling a bit tired, I'm not in my best form at the moment because I am feeling a bit tired''. 'So I said best thing is Adam Lallana starts the game and you rest and I have got you to bring on from the bench, simple as that. Sterling's Liverpool team-mate Adam Lallana started in his place and put in a solid performance in Tallinn . 'As you saw when he came on there is nothing wrong with him and he isn't suffering from anything. 'It was a question of having two players, who both did pretty well against San Marino and one is telling me he is a bit tired and jaded, the other one is full of beans. 'We'll put the one on who is full of beans and keep the other one up your sleeve. 'I think it would be wrong of players to try to fool me into think they are ready and that they're 100 per cent when they aren't because they are robbing somebody else of an opportunity. I thought Lallana had a good game.' Sterling told Hodgson he was feeling tired and not in the right mental state during training on Saturday . Sterling came on and made an impression, but the expectation of the youngster is high . After the San Marino game, Hodgson claimed that the Liverpool forward had been at his best on the night and that there was no cause for concern. That had changed by the time he explained the decision to leave Sterling on the bench until the 63rd minute, when he came on to replace Jordan Henderson. Hodgson added: 'Don't forget it was two days after quite a difficult game against San Marino. It was two days after the game. 'It was fatigue he hadn't managed to shake off after the San Marino game, it was no more complicated than that. Is it common? I don't really know. Raheem Sterling, warming up during the first-half in Estonia, complained of feeling tired in training . Sterling raises expectations when he gets the ball and perks up the support, despite starting on the bench . 'At international level, when there are so many good players trying to get their hands on the shirt, I don't think you should keep hold of it when maybe you are feeling yourself that you're not at your best. 'We have to take players' welfare into consideration and there are times when top league teams with Champions League football when players suffer from a physical and mental fatigue.' Hodgson has a good working relationship with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, but these claims will create tension when Sterling returns to Melwood on Monday. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers (right) might have a different view to Hodgson on Sterling's fitness . Joal Lindpere (left) attempts to catch up with Sterling in the second-half in Tallinn . Sterling is one of Liverpool's best players and it will be down to Rodgers to make sure the forward is in the right frame of mind to face his former side QPR on Sunday. Hodgson added: 'I don't want to say any more, I don't want to get drawn. If you really want to research that further you've got to speak to him, people who work with him and his club. It was a simple decision. 'It was good to have him up our sleeve to put on in the last 25 mins and I'm convinced he'll have a week now, exactly a week, I'm pretty sure when he goes back to Liverpool they'll sort him out and come Sunday you'll see him flying around.'
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Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling started Estonia match on the bench .
Sterling told Roy Hodgson he was tired and wasn't in the right mental state .
Hodgson claims Liverpool's poor start and expectations could be a factor .
Sterling eventually came on in the second-half as England won 1-0 .
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Freed: Terry Borgia, 63, is set to be released from prison following three mistrials over her grandson's murder . A grandmother is on the verge of being freed from prison today, three years after she was accused of drowning her four-year-old grandson in the bath. Terry Borgia, 63, has been in jail since January 2010 for the first-degree murder of DeAngelo Tobia at her apartment in Clinton Township, Detroit. There have been three mistrials in Borgia's case - the latest this month when proceedings ended in a hung jury. They unanimously agreed that she was not guilty of first-degree murder but jurors could not reach an agreement on lesser charges. The judge at Macomb County Circuit Court said on Thursday he would release the grandmother if a supporter came up with $5,000 bond. Her attorney Mark Haddad told the Detroit Free Press: 'I’m almost tempted to do it myself. 'This is an odd case and it’s a deserving lady.' Haddad argued at trial that Terry Borgia is covering for another daughter Tonina Borgia who has mental health problems. Tonina was in the apartment when the four-year-old died but no charges have been brought against her. Mrs Borgia's second daughter and mother of DeAngelo, Amelia Alkasmikha, does not want her mother released and is fighting to find out what happened to her son. Killed: DeAngelo (pictured) was found dead and his mother Amelia Alkasmikha wants her mother to remain in jail for the crime . On her release, Borgia will live with her third daughter Vicki but is not allowed to be in the presence of her grandchildren. Vicki Borgia said she is desperate to help her mother adjust to life outside of jail and has no concern about her children being around her. Verge of release: The judge at Macomb County Court said the grandmother would be released if a supporter could put up the $5,000 bond . At her first trial in February 2010, . Borgia pleaded no contest to first-degree murder. It was declared a . mistrial after police statements were found to be invalid in court. At her second trial, Borgia's daughter Tonina was declared unfit to be a witness after mental health issues and being arrested. Proceedings ended in a hung jury. Borgia's next pre-trial date is set for January 24 where she may face lesser charges.
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Terry Borgia, 63, jailed in January 2010 for murder of DeAngelo Tobia .
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(CNN) -- Britain's Prince Charles left Afghanistan on Thursday after a previously unannounced two-day visit there, a spokesman said. The heir to the British throne spent a night at Camp Bastion, the main British base in Helmand province, before traveling to Lashkar Gah, the capital of the province. He also visited Kabul, the spokesman said. Prince Charles met Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan, as well as Afghan senior government ministers and tribal and religious leaders to gain their perspective about reintroducing stability to the country, the spokesman said. President Hamid Karzai was on an overseas trip, so the prince was not able to see him, the spokesman said, although he said the two spoke on the phone before Prince Charles traveled there. No further details were immediately available. Prince Charles' younger son, Prince Harry, 25, served on the front line in Afghanistan and saw combat. He is training to become a pilot with the Army Air Corps. -- CNN's Sarah Sultoon contributed to this report.
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Heir to British throne spends night at military camp in Afghanistan .
Prince Charles met U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal and Afghan officials .
Prince also visited Kabul, but did not meet President Karzai .
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Ambulance delays of up to half an hour, well outside the eight minute benchmark, have seen three people dead in Sydney in the past month. The Sydney Morning Herald reports the NSW ambulance service have blamed surges in demand for the increased waiting times, while frustrated paramedics are being forced to wait to off-load patients at Sydney's busy emergency departments. The auditor general also found that 18 ambulances are seen to get 'lost' each day due to hospital delays, a big jump from six in 2005. Brad Jones, 54 (pictured) died waiting 30 minutes for an ambulance at his Blackheath home after choking and suffering a heart attack. His 90 year old mother was forced to administer CPR for half an hour before they arrived . Frustrated paramedics are being forced to wait to off load patients at Sydney's busy emergency departments . Blackheath hospital wardsman, Brad Jones, 54, suffered a heart attack, after choking on a piece of food, at his home last month and his 90 year old mother was forced to administer CPR for more than 30 minutes before paramedics arrived. When they finally got there, they were unable to resuscitate him and he was pronounced dead. There was another incident in Hornsby last month, when it took an ambulance 25 minutes to reach a patient that had trouble breathing, who was taken to hospital but later died. A third man, suffering chest pains, also had to wait half an hour for an ambulance to arrive at his south western Sydney home at Minto Heights, but it was too late and paramedics arrived to the man dead. The NSW ambulance service have blamed surges in demand for the increased waiting times. Three people have died in Sydney in the past month due to waiting at least half an hour for paramedics to arrive . The president of the Australian Paramedics Association, Wayne Flint, said it was the responsibility of the NSW government to take action to 'commit cash and (paramedics)' Health Services Union NSW secretary, Gerard Hayes told the Daily Telegraph there has been constant under-resources of paramedics for a number of years and it has only got worse. 'This is compounded by trolley block, where the lack of resources at emergency wards means crews are forced to wait to hand over patients,' he said. He described the worst hospitals in Sydney as Liverpool, Westmead and the Royal Prince Alfred. Health minister Jillian Skinner has offered her sincere condolences to the families of these patients. 'These incidents are being thoroughly investigated,' she told the Sydney Morning Herald. The president of the Australian Paramedics Association, Wayne Flint, said it was the responsibility of the NSW government to take action to 'commit cash and (paramedics)'. The auditor general also found that 18 ambulances are seen to get 'lost' each day due to hospital delays, a big jump from six in 2005 . It follows heightened concerns last week that an ambulance took way too long to reach felled cricketer Phillip Hughes at the Sydney cricket ground when he collapsed after a bouncer and died days later. The first dispatched NSW ambulance didn't arrive for more than 20 minutes and a second ambulance took almost double the response time expected after called. Medical experts say the delay in care could have been critical to his chances of survival.
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Three people have died in Sydney in the past month due to ambulance delays of up to half an hour .
The delays been blamed on surge in demand and increased hospital delays .
Brad Jones, 54, died waiting 30 minutes for an ambulance after he choked and suffered and heart attack .
The auditor general also found that 18 ambulances are seen to get 'lost' each day due to hospital delays .
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(CNN) -- Iran's lead nuclear negotiator announced a tentative agreement was reached Friday over the implementation of plan that requires Tehran to limit its nuclear program, even as U.S. officials described the talks as ongoing. The conflicting reports came as Iran wrapped up two days of talks in Geneva with the European Union, the United States, China and Russia over how put in place a deal that calls for Tehran to limit its nuclear activities in exchange or a softening of sanctions that have crippled its economy. Negotiators from both sides appeared to make progress, with Iran's lead negotiator -- Abbas Araqchi -- telling state-run Press TV that the two sides reached a tentative deal. Neither Araqchi nor the top negotiator for the six world powers detailed the agreement. If all sides accept the plan, an official announcement will be made within two weeks, Araqchi said, according to the official IRNA news agency. But U.S. officials say while progress has been made, the agreement still needs to be finalized. "The accurate description would be that they are ongoing. The negotiations are ongoing," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said during a briefing in Washington. The nuclear deal struck in November has been widely hailed as a successful interim measure to stave off an unwanted conflict over Tehran's nuclear program. But after initially celebrating a diplomatic success, Iran has reportedly lashed out at the United States for making public a modified version of the agreement that they say does not reflect Tehran's interpretation. Late last month, Iranian lawmakers drafted a bill that would force the government to enrich uranium up to 60% if new sanctions are imposed, state media reported. The move came only days after bipartisan legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate that would authorize new economic sanctions on Iran if it breaches an interim agreement to limit its nuclear program or fails to strike a final accord terminating those ambitions. On Friday, the Senate moved toward a veto-proof majority supporting legislation authorizing new economic sanctions on Iran. The bipartisan proposal introduced by Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, and Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Illinois, now has 59 senators who have formally committed to support it, a senior Senate aide told CNN. The aide said that the current informal count is even higher -- at 77 yes votes -- and that more are expected to come on board once the undecided are forced to vote. A two-thirds majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives is necessary to override a presidential veto. President Barack Obama has threatened to veto any legislation that would authorize new economic sanctions on Iran, saying such a bill at this time would undermine delicate efforts to forge a lasting deal with Tehran. The bill could come to the Senate floor for consideration during the week of Obama's State of the Union address on January 28 or the following week, said the aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the issue. The proposal would give Obama more than a year to engage in further diplomacy before any new sanctions would kick in against Iran's oil exports and other key areas of its economy, but sanctions would hit sooner if Iran cheats on the interim deal or fails to reach a final accord. The United States and other Western powers believe Iran is attempting to build a bomb through uranium enrichment. But Tehran says its nuclear intentions are peaceful. CNN's Chief National Security Correspondent Jim Sciutto reported from Washington; Chelsea J. Carter wrote from Atlanta. Mohammed Tawfeeq also contributed to this report.
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Iran's lead negotiator say a plan will be announced within two weeks, state-run media reports .
Announcement comes the end of two days of talks in Geneva between the two sides .
The United States says progress was made, but the talks are ongoing .
The U.S. Senate has moved toward a veto-proof majority to authorize new sanctions .
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By . Mark Prigg . PUBLISHED: . 13:33 EST, 2 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:25 EST, 3 November 2012 . Looking straight at the camera, Nasa's Curiosity Mars rover seems to be looking almost inquisitively at its own robotic arm in the latest self portrait from the red planet. The image in the latest of a series of self portraits from the red planet, and comes as Curiosity has been taking its first sniff of the planet's atmosphere. Engineers say the analysis could lead to a new understanding of how Mars lost much of its original atmosphere. Scroll down for video . Curiosity's latest self portrait, taken by its robotic arm . Learning what happened to the Martian atmosphere will help scientists assess whether the planet ever was habitable. The present atmosphere of Mars is 100 times thinner than Earth’s. A set of instruments aboard the rover has ingested and analyzed samples of the atmosphere collected near the 'Rocknest' site in Gale Crater where the rover is stopped for research. Findings from the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instruments suggest that loss of a fraction of the atmosphere, has been a significant factor in the evolution of the planet. Initial results show an increase of 5 percent in heavier isotopes of carbon in the atmospheric carbon dioxide compared to estimates of the isotopic ratios present when Mars formed. Scientists theorize that in Mars’ distant past its environment may have been quite different, with persistent water and a thicker atmosphere. NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, or MAVEN, mission will investigate possible losses from the upper atmosphere when it arrives at Mars in 2014. With these initial sniffs of Martian atmosphere, SAM also made the most sensitive measurements ever to search for methane gas on Mars. Preliminary results reveal little to no methane. A lab demonstration of the measurement chamber inside the Tunable Laser Spectrometer, an instrument that is part of the Sample Analysis at Mars investigation on NASA's Curiosity rover . Methane is of interest as a simple precursor chemical for life. On Earth, it can be produced by either biological or non-biological processes. Methane has been difficult to detect from Earth or the current generation of Mars orbiters because the gas exists on Mars only in traces, if at all. The Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) in Curiosity's SAM instrument provides the first search conducted within the Martian atmosphere for this molecule. The initial SAM measurements place an upper limit of just a few parts methane per billion parts of Martian atmosphere, by volume, with enough uncertainty that the amount could be zero. 'Methane is clearly not an abundant gas at the Gale Crater site, if it is there at all. 'At this point in the mission we’re just excited to be searching for it,' said SAM TLS lead Chris Webster of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif. ' This graphic below shows pieces of the Tunable Laser Spectrometer instrument, one of three instruments in the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite on NASA's Curiosity rover. Curiosity 'sniffs' the martian atmosphere using a tunable laser . As seen in the top graphic, the Tunable Laser Spectrometer has two infrared lasers whose light is invisible to the human eye. From the fore-optics chamber, they . shoot beams into a type of measurement chamber called a multi-pass . Herriot cell (shown in yellow in the middle). Mars air is pumped into this cell and out again with a vacuum pump. A detector, seen on the left of the graphic in gray, picks up the way these lasers are absorbed by the Martian air. By this method, scientists can . measure concentrations of methane, carbon dioxide and water vapor and . different isotopes of those gases. At the bottom left is a picture of a . lab demonstration of the measurement chamber with visible lasers so . scientists can see how they bounce between the mirrors in the chamber. At bottom right is the flight . hardware showing the lasers and the plate to which they are mounted. Also visible are the collimators, which are lenses that direct the . lasers into the cell. While we determine upper limits on low values, atmospheric variability in the Martian atmosphere could yet hold surprises for us.' In Curiosity’s first three months on Mars, SAM has analyzed atmosphere samples with two laboratory methods. One is a mass spectrometer investigating the full range of atmospheric gases. The other, TLS, has focused on carbon dioxide and methane. During its two-year prime mission, the rover also will use an instrument called a gas chromatograph that separates and identifies gases. The instrument also will analyze samples of soil and rock, as well as more atmosphere samples. 'With these first atmospheric measurements we already can see the power of having a complex chemical laboratory like SAM on the surface of Mars,' said SAM Principal Investigator Paul Mahaffy of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. 'Both atmospheric and solid sample analyzes are crucial for understanding Mars’ habitability.' SAM is set to analyze its first solid sample in the coming weeks, beginning the search for organic compounds in the rocks and soils of Gale Crater. Analyzing water-bearing minerals and searching for and analyzing carbonates are high priorities for upcoming SAM solid sample analyzes. If the atmosphere of Mars contains methane, various possibilities have been proposed for where the methane could come from and how it could disappear. Potential non-biological sources for methane on Mars include comets, degradation of interplanetary dust particles by ultraviolet light, and interaction between water and rock. A potential biological source would be microbes, if microbes have ever lived on Mars. Potential sinks for removing methane from the atmosphere are photochemistry in the atmosphere and loss of methane to the surface. This graphic shows how the Martian atmosphere may have changed . The latest self portraits from Mars were created from 55 individual photos - and interest in the rover is so great that one amateur astronomer beat Nasa releasing them. The image, above, combines 55 photos taken . with the rover’s MAHLI camera, which sits outstretched on the end of . Curiosity’s arm. The probe moved the camera to different positions in . each image so the arm isn’t visible. Curiosity's latest self- portrait, stitched together by a space fan from raw images sent back by the rover . Nasa's higher resolution version of the image . Amateur astronomer and science . writer Stuart Atkinson stitched together the raw images that Curiosity . beamed back to Earth on Oct 31, tweeting the picture and telling followers 'It's just a sneaky peek in advance of the official image being released by the MSL guys.' However, he admitted the best is yet to come - so far, the rover has only sent back the . smaller, thumbnail versions of these images, with the full-sized ones . arriving in the coming days. NASAtoday released the high-res version. The space agency has been making every image from Curiosity available to the public on a special web site, giving space fans an amazing insight into exactly what the rover is doing every day. A selection of the 'raw' images that make up the self portrait . The rover has sent back several self portraits so far. Engineers have been using the to check the rover's systems are operational. They are also used to check its parts and moving correctly with barcodes on the rover that can be analysed to check it is the exact shape it should be. Curiosity's last self portrait was a black and white landscape shot . This image shows a 'bite mark' where NASA's Curiosity rover scooped up some Martian soil. The historic first scoop sample was taken from the 'Rocknest' patch of dust and sand on Oct. 7, 2012, the 61st sol, or Martian day, of operations. The 'giant scoop for mankind' image released by Nasa . A third scoop sample was collected on . Oct. 15, or Sol 69, and deposited into the Chemistry and Mineralogy . (CheMin) instrument on Oct. 17, or Sol 71. This image was taken by Curiosity's Mast . Camera. Scientists enhanced the color in this version to show the . Martian scene as it would appear under lighting conditions on Earth, . which helps in analyzing the terrain. During the two-year prime mission of the . Mars Science Laboratory Project, researchers are using Curiosity's 10 . instruments to investigate whether areas in Gale Crater ever offered . environmental conditions favorable for microbial life.
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Nasa reveals amazing new high resolution self portrait - although was beaten to it by online space fans .
Engineers also reveal the results of Curiosity's first sniff of Martian air - and find little or no trace of methane .
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Sydney’s renowned fireworks certainly did not disappoint last night, with a kaleidoscope of colours and patterns filling the sky across the city’s harbour and its famous bridge. It was worth the wait for the 1.6 million punters who arrived as early as the morning of New Year's Eve to ensure they had prime position for the spectacular annual event, which attracts party-goers from all over the world. It was a light-filled celebration, with a 12-storey bulb illuminated on the Harbour Bridge in recognition of 2015 being the International Year of Light and Light Technologies. The massive crowd cheered with delight as the explosion of colour and lights continually lit up the shoreline, to see in 2015 in spectacular style. A highlight was the pyrotechnic display cascading from the world-renowned coat-hanger, resembling an enormous flowing waterfall. Scroll down for video . Sydney’s renowned fireworks did not disappoint with a kaleidoscope of colours and patterns filling the night sky across the city’s harbour and its famous bridge . It was worth wait for the 1.6 million punters who arrived hours earlier in the day to ensure they had a prime position for the spectacular annual event that attracts people from all over the world. Luna Park - lit up in white on the left - pales into insignificance compares the shower of firecrackers covering the bridge . The giant blue light bulb is revealed with red electricity sparking into the sky . The City of Sydney also used the moment to pay tribute to the Sydney siege victims, Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson. The words 'We will remember' appeared on the Harbour Bridge pylons three times during the light display, represented as a 'floral' tribute. It symbolised the many thousands of bouquets which were left at Martin Place by mourners, after the pair was tragically killed whilst being held hostage at the Lindt Cafe in Sydney's Martin Place. 'It is in memory of the two young and talented people that we lost because of that siege,' said Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore. 'We remember the trauma the hostages experienced, the bravery of the police and we remember the way Sydney responded as we expected - an inclusive, welcoming, multicultural community,' she said. The Opera House turned a pretty shade of pink during the sensational display . At one stage the display resembled a sky full of white dandelions . Melbourne had its own fireworks display on the Yarra River . Spot the smart phone: an incredible moment to capture and share with the world . Orange streams cascade from the Harbour Bridge in Sydney at the height of the New Year's fireworks show . You're missing it! The first sunrise of the new year goes ahead without this tired couple on Bondi Beach . Ready to go again. One reveller on Bondi Beach seems happy with her start to 2015 . Capturing the moment. Sunrise in Sydney snapped by one of the thousands of tourists who celebrated through the night in the harbour city . The grand finale to welcome in 2015 followed a smaller, family friendly, 9pm display, as was the case in most Australian cities. The traditional prequel to the midnight annual spectacular is particularly suited to those with young children, who are often in a deep slumber by the time the clock strikes midnight. Two bright blue seahorses were the stars of the first act of the city's renowned fireworks display. The 9pm display was followed by the Harbour of Light Parade, with more than 50 illuminated boats carrying more than 8,000 people on a majestic passage around the harbour. Never an event to disappoint – both displays featured a total of seven tonnes of fireworks; including 11,000 shells, 25,000 shooting comets and more than 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects. In what is believed to be a first, drones were be used to live stream the fireworks as they launched from the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and several barges in the water. They captured incredibly unique images, taking revellers closer to the action than ever before. Showers of sparks and flashes of light could be seen exploding across TV screens as the drones flew a little too close to the display. And as if that wasn't enough - a third mini-display, known as the 'Inspire moment', kicked off at 10.40 to keep crowds entertained in the lead-up to the much-anticipated countdown. Revellers gathered on the foreshore wherever they could find room to catch a glimpse of the magical display . Thousands of people had started the festivities, streaming into Sydney's CBD in anticipation of the evening's spectacular fireworks display, with over 1.6 million Sydneysiders filling the Harbour, and half a million in Melbourne's Federation Square. The Melbourne fireworks blanketed six square kilometres of the city, firing from 21 skyscrapers to delight the senses of up to 600,000 people. However the numbers in Brisbane were disappointing in comparison, with a mere 50,000 people assembling at Southbank to see in the New Year. It was a marked decrease on last year's crowd of 80,000 people. It is believed the muggy conditions were to blame for keeping residents at home. More than $90 thousand worth of fireworks were used in Brisbane's celebrations. In the nation's capital, more than 35,000 made their way into the heart of the city to usher in the new year, enjoying the sounds of Eskimo Joe and Joel Fletcher. There too revellers were treated to a double dose of fireworks at 9pm and then again at midnight. Other icons were also part of the display, with the Sydney Opera House illuminated in an explosion of pink . A symphony of reds, greens, pinks, blues and whites burst over the harbour, which ascended into a waterfall of red and yellow, hurtling from the bottom of the Harbour Bridge . Millions of revellers across Australia just experienced a taste of what is to come at midnight as the iconic Sydney Harbour lit up the night sky in preparation to celebrate the countdown into 2015 . Two bright blue seahorses forming a love heart were the stars of the first act of the city's renowned fireworks display as the Sydney Harbour Bridge once again stole the show . Following the 9pm display, the Harbour of Light Parade saw more than 50 illuminated boats carry over 8,000 people on a majestic passage around Sydney Harbour . Australia's dear country cousin New Zealand was the first to celebrate the new year with a dazzling light display at the top of the Sky Tower in Auckland as the revellers saw in the new year two hours earlier than their Down Under pals. A party atmosphere had built before the show in Sydney's Botanic Gardens where some had been queuing since dawn to get in. Those who had bagged the best spots to watch the fireworks relaxed on blankets in the last of the day's sunshine, many wearing 2015 headdresses and clinking drinks. As the dark descended, loud cheers rang out among the throng in anticipation of the start of the night's celebrations. Calli Newman, from Ohio in the United States, had travelled from Brisbane saying: 'I've wanted to do this for ages.' Her friend, Chris Porter, added: 'When you Google the best places for New Year, Sydney always comes out top. 'I started queuing at about 7am but there were a lot of people here since 5am. It's been fun.' Below the gardens hundreds of boats of all sizes bobbed around in the harbour, with those lucky enough to be on board sure to have some of the best vantage points of all to watch the fireworks. Both fireworks displays feature a total of seven tonnes of fireworks, including 11,000 shells, 25,000 shooting comets and more than 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects . The Sydney Opera House appears striking with fire works going off in the background . Even the clouds take on fabulous hues from the colourful fire works . By just before 7pm, Sydney proved its popularity, with viewing spots around the Harbour, including Mrs Macquaries Point, East Circular Quay and Blues Point Reserve in North Sydney at capacity. Most streets in Sydney's CBD were also shut down for the New Year's Eve celebration, while areas surrounding the harbour, including McMahons Point, Mosman and Potts Point were blocked. The light display resemble giant lollipops much to the delight of the children looking on in the 9pm family show . Australia's dear country cousin - New Zealand is already celebrating 2015 with a dazzling light display in Auckland . The Sky Tower took on a life of its own in Auckland with colour shooting and sparking from the top of the building . NSW Police began breathalising people on boats in Sydney Harbour, as the vehicles jostle for the best position to view the fireworks. Jack Thompson, creative ambassador for Sydney's New Years Eve celebrations, said the theme for this year's New Years Eve was 'Inspire' and was perfectly suited. 'This city itself is a muse,' Mr Thompson said. 'The muse is what inspires the artist, and this city has been a muse since it was established,' he said.
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Both 9pm and midnight fireworks displays featured seven tonnes of fireworks, including 11,000 shells, 25,000 shooting comets and more than 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects .
Two bright blue seahorses were the stars of the first act of the city's renowned fireworks display .
Following the 9pm display, the Harbour of Light Parade will see more than 50 illuminated boats carry over 8,000 people on a majestic passage around Sydney Harbour .
There were additional fireworks display at 10.40pm, along with the traditional 9pm and midnight display .
An expected 1.6 million revellers watched the third round of fireworks in the big midnight finale .
Floral tributes to honour Sydney siege victims will be shown three times during the night .
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By . Steve Nolan and Francesca Infante . PUBLISHED: . 13:33 EST, 20 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:42 EST, 20 March 2013 . The best-selling horror author James Herbert, described as ‘one of the giants of popular fiction’, died yesterday aged 69. Mr Herbert, who wrote horror classic The Rats, died only a week after his 23rd novel, Ash, was published. He was prolific, releasing a new novel almost every year between 1974 and 1988, but said he remained ‘very insecure’ about his skills as a writer. His fans disagreed and he sold more than 54million books and was translated into 34 languages. Acclaimed: Best selling author James Herbert has died at his Sussex home aged 69, his publisher announced today . A spokesman for his publisher Pan Macmillan said Mr Herbert died peacefully in bed at his home in Sussex yesterday morning. No cause of death was given but the spokesman said he had not been ill. He is survived by Eileen, his wife of 46 years, and their three daughters Kerry, Emma and Casey. Jeremy Trevathan, his publisher of ten years, paid tribute to him as an author with a ‘rare distinction’. ‘Jim Herbert was one of the keystone authors in a genre that had its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s,’ he said. Popular: Several of Mr Herbert's books including classic The Rats, were made into films . ‘It’s a true testament to his . writing and his enduring creativity that his books continued to be huge . bestsellers right up until his death. ‘He has the rare distinction that his . novels were considered classics of the genre within his lifetime. His . death marks the passing of one of the giants of popular fiction in the . 20th century.’ The youngest of three brothers, Mr . Herbert was born and raised in the East End of London. His childhood was . what he later described as a ‘hand to mouth’ existence. As a boy he often told dark stories . to entertain his friends, inspired by watching the rats running in the . bomb sites around them. After school and art college Mr Herbert worked for an advertising agency. Booker Prize winning author Salman Rushdie worked at the same agency at the same time. He wrote his first novel, The Rats, . aged 28. The book, which depicted a London overrun by mutant, . flesh-eating rodents, was rejected by the first five publishers he sent . it to. When it was published in 1974 it was an immediate hit - the first printing of 100,000 copies sold out in three weeks. The book is said to have been based on a . line in Dracula in which a lunatic says that he has seen 1,000 rats with . red eyes staring up from the lawn. Among his other novels were The Magic Cottage and The Secret of Crickley Hall. Four of his books were made into films. The Magic Cottage was dramatised for Radio 4. His 23rd novel, Ash, the tale of a paranormal detective who is sent to investigate the crucifixion of a man in a locked room at a remote Scottish castle, was published last week. Bestsellers: Mr Herbert's work, including The Secret of Crickley Hall, left, and Once, right, have been published in 34 different languages and sold more than 54million copies worldwide . The author was awarded an OBE in the . 2010 Birthday Honours list and the same year he was made the Grand . Master of Horror by the World of Horror Convention. One of his friends, Gordon Giltrap, paid tribute to the author on Twitter. Posting . from @gordongiltrap, he said: 'Received some sad news this morning that . my good friend James Herbert has passed away. Am in no mood for music, . that’s for sure. RIP Jim.' Author . William Hussey tweeted: 'The Fog has dispersed, the lights in the Magic . Cottage have dimmed, Crickley Hall stands silent. RIP #JamesHerbert.' Another, Peter James, wrote: 'Deeply saddened to hear today that my dear friend, writer James Herbert, died last night. Will miss you lots, Jim, you were a diamond.' Almost 3,000 fans have left messages in tribute to Mr Herbert on his official Facebook page since the news of his death was announced. One, Gary Alcock, wrote: 'I've been reading his books since I was 13 years old. 'I remember picking up a copy of The Rats in a second hand book shop back in 1985 and was hooked for life. Gutted.' The critically acclaimed author has been the UK's bestselling horror writer since his first novel The Rats in 1974. Stars such as Robert Powell, Sir John Gielgud, Kate Beckinsale, Matthew Modine and Samuel L jackson have all starred in screen adaptations of his work. Tributes: James Herbert, pictured back in 2005, has been described as a 'giant of popular fiction' by his peers . James Herbert is best known for horror novels such as The Rats and The Survivor, but he published more than 20 books in all. His titles included: . Big screen version: Matthew Modine was one of the stars of the 1995 film adaptation of James Herbert's novel Fluke (pictured) Last adaptation: Suranne Jones starred as Eve Caleigh and Tom Ellis played Gabe Caleigh in the BBC's small screen adaptation of The Secret of Crickley Hall late last year . The most recent conversion of his . writing from the page to the screen was the BBC adaptation of The Secret . of Crickley Hall which was shown over three Sundays back in November . which pulled in more than seven million viewers at its peak and starred . Suranne Jones and Tom Ellis. In an article written for MailOnline . in October last year, the novelist said that when the BBC first . approached him with the idea for a television adaptation of Crickley . Hall, he was sceptical. He said: 'I actually thought the book . was unfilmable because the story was complicated and revolves around . the Second World War, yet is simultaneously set in the present day.' But he added: 'By the time you've . watched The Secret Of Crickley Hall your emotions will have been given a . thorough workout, and your mind aggressively exercised!' As well as his novels, Mr Herbert also published a range of short stories including Maurice and Mog, Breakfast and Cora's Needs. Bestseller: James Herbert pictured launching his book Nobody True .
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Pan Macmillan said that Mr Herbert died at his Sussex home this morning .
He has been described as a 'keystone author' of the 1970s and 1980s .
His books sold more than 54million copies across the globe .
Mr Herbert was awarded the OBE for his work in 2010 .
The writer's 23rd and final book, Ash, was published only last week .
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Nigel Farage, the leader of UKIP, today visited the poppies installation at the Tower of London - ignoring pleas from officials for people to stay away because of the problem managing large crowds. More than four million people have already visited the memorial and large crowds are a common sight. On Friday the tens of thousands of people trying to get a glimpse of the river of poppies prompted officials to issue a warning for people to stay away because they were concerned about crushes. Today Mr Farage was seen visiting the memorial and appeared to be wiping a tear from his eye after seeing the hundreds of thousands of ceramic poppies, planted in the Tower of London's moat to honour the war dead. By November 11, Armistice Day, there will be 888,246 ceramic poppies in the Tower of London’s moat – one for each of the British and Colonial soldiers, sailors and airmen who perished in the World War One. The installation, named Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red has been created by artist Paul Cummins. Scroll down for video . Nigel Farage appeared to wipe away a tear as he visited the poppy memorial at the Tower of London today, despite warnings from officials to the public to stay away to reduce the tens of thousands of visitors each day and the potential danger of crowd crushes . The Ukip leader is overcome with emotion at the sight of the vast memorial in the moat of London's ancient fortress . Nigel Farage, leader of UKIP, was seen visiting the river of poppies installation, which is due to be completed by Armistice Day . Mr Farage appeared to ignore warnings by officials as he posed for photographs in front of the river of ceramic poppies memorial . An aerial view, taken from the Shard in London, of the moat of poppies planted in memory of the British and Commonwealth dead . Nigel Farage is pictured outside the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red as people queue to see the Tower of London memorial . Mr Farage spoke to visitors and posed for photos at the memorial today as all poppies are expected to be in place by Armistice Day . More than four million people have already visited the installation and tens of thousands of visitors are queuing outside each day .
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Nigel Farage paid a visit to see the river of poppies at the Tower of London in advance of Remembrance Sunday .
The UKIP leader visited the memorial despite pleas from officials for people to stay away to reduce large crowds .
More than four million people have already visited the poppy installation and tens of thousands are turning up daily .
Officials issued a warning on Friday, asking people to stay away, as they are concerned about large numbers .
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By . Dan Wootton . Face for radio: Chris Moyles, as King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar, has been axed from Channel 4 . Loudmouth Chris Moyles’s bid to launch a TV career has taken a major blow after Channel 4 axed his show, privately declaring that ‘he just doesn’t work on screen’. Since being dumped by Radio 1’s breakfast show, Moyles, 39, has made TV stardom his goal, even shedding over 5st to be more appealing to HD cameras. The DJ has also cut ties with his loyal agent of ten years, Vivienne Clore, to sign with James Grant, the agency that represents prime-time stars Ant and Dec, Holly Willoughby and Vernon Kay. However, Channel 4 bosses have decided Chris Moyles’s Quiz Night, which ran for six series between 2008 and 2012, will not return. And they do not want to work with the DJ on another project. Meanwhile, Sky Living dating show, Love Machine, which he hosts with former X Factor contestant Stacey Solomon, is also unlikely to be back. My Channel 4 insider explains: ‘We tried with Chris. But the reality is he just doesn’t work on screen. 'Viewers never took to him. The problem wasn’t with the Quiz Night format, it was with Chris himself.’ Moyles had hoped to make another series of Quiz Night following his stint as King Herod in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar. But it is now back to the drawing board. A source close to him tells me: ‘He’s in America working on new projects. Channel 4 was never the be all and end all to his future on TV. He’s very confident of having big news soon.’ Angering Auntie: Chris Moyles refused to take on anew role at the BBC after he was replaced as a presenter for Radio 1 . However, Moyles has infuriated executives at the BBC since they replaced him on Radio 1’s breakfast show with Nick Grimshaw because he was considered too old for the youth station. He’s been taken off the BBC payroll after he refused to consider a new role, despite being on a £1 million, two-year contract until 2014. High demands: Sharon Osbourne may return to the X Factor if the price is right . When Sharon Osbourne quit The X Factor five years ago it was in a row over her salary as she demanded a £500,000 pay increase which would see her earn more than £2 million a year. Now I hear money could again cause problems as Simon Cowell prepares to bring her back to the panel for the ITV talent show’s tenth anniversary. Sharon, whose strained marriage to Ozzy Osbourne hit the headlines again this week, has existing work commitments in the U.S., where she is a panellist on daily show The Talk. My X-Factor source reveals: ‘Sharon . wants a lot of money either to commmute from Los Angeles to London every . week or take a leave of absence from The Talk.’ But her stance is causing massive . issues for producers as existing judge Nicole Scherzinger is also so far . refusing to sign, suggesting her music career might be her priority . this year. My show source adds: ‘We’re unsure if this is a ploy for . Nicole to also get a pay increase.’ Last year’s judge Tulisa has not been officially told if her services are required because she is viewed as a ‘back-up option’. Hungarian shadow dancers Attraction — who stole the show on Saturday’s Britain’s Got Talent — are accused of being copycats. Attraction is fast becoming the most popular act with bookies since Susan Boyle in 2009. However, my sources on America’s Got Talent claim their routine is very similar to The Silhouettes, a dance troupe on the U.S. show in 2011. The American version featured the outlines of U.S. landmarks. Same shadows: Hungarian dance troupe Attraction, who appeared on Britain's Got Talent on Saturday, have been caused of being a copycat act . ‘Attraction was presented as being unique, but one search on YouTube makes it obvious that this was a concept pioneered by someone else,’ says my source. A Britain’s Got Talent source confirmed: ‘We don’t deny Attraction are a similar act to The Silhouettes. But that couldn’t stop them auditioning.’ ITV has had 15 complaints about Attraction being from Hungary, given the show is Britain’s Got Talent, while there have been fewer than ten each about the sexually provocative lyrics in 11-year-old Arisxandra Libantino’s performance of One Night Only and Keri Graham’s erotic dance. Hotly tipped magician Ben Earl had to get permission from the Government before signing with Channel 4 for his first major TV series. Before launching a TV career, the 30-year-old, who is described as a ‘world-class sleight-of-hand artist’, was recruited by intelligence agencies to work with the military as a consultant on deception skills. He tells me: ‘I can’t say who exactly I work for, but they were initially concerned about me doing the show. We came to an agreement that I wouldn’t use any of the specific tactics that I use during my sessions with the military on the show.’ His series, Trick Artist, begins next Friday.
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Former BBC Radio1 host Chris Moyles's show axed by Channel 4 .
Problem was not the show, but Chris himself, an insider said .
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By . Gerard Couzens . The kidnappers who held Carlos Tevez's father hostage for eight hours told him: 'Your son's our idol but we need the money.' According to Segundo Tevez they were also upset when they heard the former Premier League star had been left out of Argentina's World Cup squad. Detectives were today hunting the gang as a video emerged of the moment the kidnappers targeted delivery driver Segundo. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Close: Carlos Tevz posted this photo with the man he calls dad Segundo (right) on Twitter in March . The car used by the kidnappers was found abandoned in El Palomar, a Buenos Aires suburb . They . forced him out of his car at gunpoint and decided to kidnap him on the . spur of the moment after checking the vehicle's papers and spotting the . surname Tevez. They . captured him a couple of streets away from where they had held him up . early this yesterday morning as he tried to find a taxi in the Buenos . Aires suburb of Moron. CCTV . footage now being examined by police show the men turning right at a . crossroads in a white Volkswagen Passat to follow Segundo's black Dodge . Journey. A second take - where Carlos's dad has . already been kidnapped - shows the Passat following the crossover estate . with a member of the kidnap gang now inside. CCTV footage shows the men turning right at a crossroads in a white Volkswagen Passat . The gang demanded nearly £300,000 to free Segundo - who raised Carlos from the age of five after his mum abandoned him and his birth dad was shot dead. However, they settled for around £30,000 after Tevez, who led negotiations from Italy, said he would pay no more and the kidnap drama was leaked to the press. Segundo was freed just before 2pm local time yesterday after the ransom money was handed over at a third drop-off point the kidnappers gave so they could create confusion and escape the police net. Tevez's father told police afterwards his abductors had said: 'Carlos is our idol. 'He's the greatest there is. We don't want to hurt him. Why would we? The Argentine Secretary for Security, Sergio Berni, confirms to the press that Segundo Tevez, father of the Carlos Tevez, has been released by his kidnappers . 'The problem is we've got children and we need the money. We haven't got any alternative.' 'We hope he forgives us.' They also gave him a drink and biscuits at a petrol station they stopped at to refuel. Argentina's security secretary Sergio Berni last night promised a no-holds-barred hunt for the kidnap gang. He said: 'We're going to look for them under beds if we have to and we're going to find them. 'Believe me when I'll say that's what we'll do and it's not just because it's Carlos Tevez's dad.' Confirming the three culprits thought to be involved were not part of a professional kidnap gang, he added: 'At the beginning they stole his car and let him go. 'They returned for him after realising it was Carlos's dad. CCTV captures kidnappers in white car following Carlos Tevez' father in the black car before he was grabbed . 'Obviously we're not talking about a professional kidnap gang. We're confident we will catch them.' Tevez, who signed for Italian side Juventus in June 2013 after successful spells at West Ham, Man United and Man City, confirmed his father was okay late last night night in his first comments since the dramatic kidnap. He took to Twitter to say: 'I thank everyone for their support. I want to let you know my father is well, safe and sound. That's the most important thing.' He added in a later Tweet: 'With the sadness I feel it would be easy to criticise my country, but with its all its defects and virtues it's the country I love.' Tevez's biological father died in a shootout in Fuerte Apache, the run-down Buenos Aires slum where the footballer grew up, when he was just five. Tevez's biological father died in a shootout in Fuerte Apache, the run-down Buenos Aires slum where the footballer grew up, when he was just five . His mother Fabiana abandoned him when he was just six months old and he ended up being brought up by her brother Segundo, who he calls dad and shares a surname with. Earlier this year Tevez expressed his admiration for his adoptive father in a poignant Twitter message on his birthday, writing: 'You showed me how to be a man. 'My sadness is yours and my achievements your satisfaction. I love you old man. Happy birthday.'Tevez is said to send Segundo money every month and paid for his other children to watch him play at the World Cup in south Africa in 2010. His relationship with the only brother by birth he maintained a friendship with, Juan Alberto, was strained after he was arrested for holding up a security van while his millionaire sibling played for Man United. Express kidnappings, where hostages are taken for a short amount of time and a low ransom, have grown more common in recent years in Argentina as the country's living standards have dropped. The country, once one of the world's richest, is now dangerously close to defaulting on its external debt payments. Cristian Riquelme, brother of former Spanish La Liga star Roman, was kidnapped in Argentina in 2002 when he was just 17. He was released after his family paid half of a £175,000 ransom demand. Former Barcelona star Gabriel Milito's dad Jorge was snatched in the same year and released only after his family paid nearly £8,000.
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Segundo Tevez was held hostage for eight hours yesterday .
Police are analysing CCTV footage which shows the kidnappers .
Forced Segundo out at gunpoint and kidnapped him on spur of the moment .
They captured him in the Buenos Aires suburb of Moron .
Segundo raised Carlos from the age of five after his mother abandoned him and his biological dad was shot dead .
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By . Victoria Woollaston . Step aside Virgin, BT and Sky, we could soon be able to buy our internet from websites including Google and Facebook. The online giants have been gradually buying up miles of unused fibre optic cables in a bid to expand their networks and control how much traffic they can send. Reports in the Wall Street Journal also state that by owning private networks the companies can stop governments from being able to track what they get up to. Web giants Google and Facebook have been buying up miles of unused fibre optic cables in a bid to expand their networks and control how much traffic they send. Stock image of cabling pictured. By owning private networks, the companies can stop governments from being able to track what they get up to . During the late 1990s many companies laid more cable than they needed, meaning there were entire networks left unused. When fibre is used, it is ‘lit up’, meaning these unused cables are considered dark. In 2008, Google invested in a £300million cable project to connect California to Japan. It later bought up a further 6,000 miles of cable across Asian countries, including Singapore. Google now owns 100,000 miles of cable routes globally. In November it announced the Google Fiber project in Kansas City that connects home in the region to its 1 gigabit service for around $70 (£43) a month. In June, Facebook extended its European network and expanded its services to a data centre near the Arctic Circle. Both companies have also invested in submarine cables in waters around Asia. Legally, governments . can submit court orders to companies for information and data held on . their networks, whether its a private network or not. If . Google and other companies are leasing cable from a broadband provider, . the provider will be served the order and it will be their decision to . release information, for example. By . owning their own networks, web companies can be the gatekeeper for this . information and have greater control over what the government gets . access to. It can also give a better indication as to exactly how governments are monitoring them and their networks. Until recently, many of the cables laid under the ground, and in the sea known as submarine cables, were owned by network operators and broadband providerfs such as Virgin Media and BT in the UK and Sprint and AT&T in the U.S. According to the reports, Google now owns 100,000 miles of cable routes, and in November it announced the Google Fiber project which is currently only available in Kansas City. By comparison, this is more than double the amount of cable routes owned by U.S. operator Sprint, according to WSJ. The enormous quantity of cables means that Google is beginning to rival some of the telecom companies that have up until now considered them as clients. The Google Fiber project means houses in the area can swap their internet service provider for Google's service, which the company claims is 100 times faster than average speeds. Until recently, many of the cables, pictured, were owned by network operators and broadband providers. By owning the cables themselves, web companies can reduce costs. They can also serve as much traffic as they want, meaning that videos don't buffer and pages load quicker at peak times, for example . Google Fiber costs $70 (£43) a month for 1GB or $120(£74) with a TV subscription. In June, Facebook extended its European network and expanded its services to a data centre near the Arctic Circle. Both companies have also invested in submarine cables in waters around Asia. Previously, websites could either rent cables from these providers, or pay a fee to use them. These providers could then control how much traffic was sent over the network, and at certain times could even ‘throttle’ the traffic to avoid the network from crashing when a lot of people tried to access it. By owning the cables themselves, companies can reduce costs and increase investment into making the services faster. They can also serve as much traffic as they want, meaning that videos don’t buffer and pages load quicker at peak times, for example. During the late 1990s, many companies . laid more cable than they needed, meaning there were entire networks . left unused. When fibre is used, it is ‘lit up’, meaning these unused . cables are considered dark. Web . companies have been buying this so-called dark fibre to create more . effective and faster ways to satisfy the growing traffic to its . services.
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Google now owns 100,000 miles of fibre optic cable routes globally .
Facebook also extended its network in Europe by buying unused cables .
By owning the cables, companies can control how much traffic they send .
This stops internet providers from throttling traffic - making services faster .
It also prevents governments from being able to spy on their services .
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By . Meghan Keneally . PUBLISHED: . 00:00 EST, 5 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 05:32 EST, 5 December 2012 . Retail therapy can cure many an ailment, and though the Romneys are multi-billionaires, they apparently find their source of comfort in the filled aisles of Costco. The former Republican presidential candidate and his wife were pictured shopping at their local bulk warehouse near their home in La Jolla, California on Tuesday. The couple stocked up on bottled water, pretzels, fruit snacks, Dixie cups and paper towels. They also seemed to be preparing for Christmas as their carts had a few rolls of gift wrap and a toy car that will likely be a present for one of their 18 grandchildren. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Unloading: Mitt and Ann Romney were pictured shopping at their local bulk warehouse near their home in La Jolla, California on Tuesday . Supplies: The couple stocked up on bottled water, pretzels, fruit snacks, Dixie cups and paper towels . No help needed: The former candidate and his wife were by themselves during the shopping trip, where they apparently got some Christmas supplies for their brood . Frequent shoppers: The Romneys have spoken repeatedly about their affinity for Costco . Overlooking no details, they even remembered to pick up a box of Bisquik for pancakes on Christmas morning. The Romney's fondness for the discount membership club is no secret, as they frequently talked about their trips to Costco during the campaign trail. Cynical political analysts cried foul, saying that the they were trying to use their mentions of the budget store as a way to help lessen the public perception that the former governor was out of touch with the 'common man' because of his great wealth. The family's affinity for the store seems genuine, however, as Ann repeatedly boasted that it was the easiest- and most fiscally responsible- way to feed her large family. Blending in: Mitt and Ann were both dressed down, though Ann accessorized her look with a hot pink scarf . No driver needed: The couple arrived in their own Audi SUV . What do we need? They both sported sunglasses during the visit, though Mitt decided to keep his on the entire time and Ann took them off while inside the store . Plan of attack: Ann Romney has previously said that she always thinks about what is the most strategic way to shop in the store before going inside because it can be overwhelming . When the couple's five sons, their wives and all of their children come over for dinner, the total number of Romneys at the various dinner tables can easily add up to 30 people. During an interview on the Rachael Ray show during the campaign, Ann told the celebrity chef how she always has her route mapped out before she goes in the store. 'Wholesale shops are big, you have to go with a game plan before you start,' she said at the time. Santa at work: Romney bought several children's toys during his visit, presumably for some of his 18 grandchildren . Spoiler alert: One of the Romney clan can expect a remote controlled car for Christmas . Trying to go unnoticed: Mitt kept to himself during the visit, but in spite of his hopes, the hat and glasses did not keep alert shoppers from noticing him . During that appearance, Ann talked a great deal about how she buys the store's produce- both fresh and frozen- and stocks up on desserts. But the pictures from their Tuesday trip to the California store reveal that she and Mitt focused more on the non-perishables this time. It looks like in addition to picking . up some Christmas presents for the kids, the couple may have also gotten . a puffy black jacket for Mitt, as one was seen hanging off the side of . his cart. He tried to blend . in during the trip, and was dressed casually in khaki shorts, a navy . athletic shirt a baseball cap and sneakers, but his black sunglasses . inside the store may have been a bit conspicuous. Ann . seemed relaxed but made less of an effort to blend in with the masses . as she accessorized her black leisurewear with a hot pink scarf. New attire: Mitt appears to have bought a puffy black winter jacket even though the California temperatures do no require one quite yet . Casual gear: Romney has not announced many plans for his life post-campaign, though he did just rejoin the board of directors of Marriott Hotels . About their business: The couple have led a low-key life since the election ended in November . Clean up: Aside from one 'exit interview', Romney has kept quiet as many commentators speculated on the demise of his presidential bid . Healthy: V8 juice drinks and Fruit Snacks were among the treats that they bought . Doing his part: Mitt returns the carts after he and Ann emptied their loot . The former presidential candidate has laid low ever since he lost the election, relaxing with his family in La Jolla, taking time out to see the latest edition of the Twilight saga and accompanying his grandchildren to Disneyland. Romney briefly popped back up on the political radar when he had lunch with President Obama in the White House last week, though he did not speak to reporters after the meeting and only one joint photo was released. As of Monday, Mitt officially has an income again, since he announced yesterday that he will be re-joining the board of directors of the hotel chain, Marriott. Board members receive an annual salary of $60,000 as well as $110,000 in company stock as compensation for their efforts. Mitt served on the board of the company from 1993 to 2002 when he resigned to serve as governor of Massachusetts. He re-joined the board in 2009 and resigned again in January 2011 as the campaign heated up with the seemingly-unending process of Republican primaries. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE .
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Family have long been fans of the discount bulk shop .
Comes day after Romney re-joined the board of directors of Marriott .
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A teen who was left almost bald after pulling her own hair out has finally been given the golden locks of her dreams. Phoebe Ottomar, from Northampton, who suffers from trichotillomania, spent years tugging at her hair, leaving her with golf ball-sized bald patches. The 19-year-old was left devastated by the consequences of her habit - often refusing to leave the house - until she came across pioneering treatment that enabled her hair to grow back. Scroll down for video . The hair she always dreamed of: Phoebe Ottomar suffered from trichotillomia and spent years tugging at her hair, leaving her with golf ball sized bald patches but she discovered a pioneering treatment that enabled her hair to grow back . Phoebe is now taking part this week in International No Pulling Week, aimed at raising awareness about her hair pulling condition, called trichotillomania. Phoebe said: 'I felt like a completely new person since I had my new hair system, it’s fair to say it really has changed my life.' 'I don’t think you realise how important hair is until you’ve barely got any. 'For as long as I can remember I’ve always dreamt of having long hair, I used to be so envious of other girls in school. 'I was over the moon when I read about Lucinda Ellery and finally realised there was a way to get my hair back. 'It’s amazing that my real hair is actually growing now and I have my confidence back.' New look: Student Phoebe was left with virtually any hair after pulling it out but has finally been given the golden strands of her dreams thanks to a new treatment . As she was: Phoebe started pulling her hair out when she was really young and it got progressively worse until she was left with barely any hair . Discovery: Phoebe said: 'I went to therapy and tried hypnosis but nothing worked. It was when my mum noticed me pulling at my hair that we realised I had trichotillomania' Seeking help: Phoebe visited Lucinda Ellery, who used the Intralace System on her. While it is not a cure for hair pulling, it acts as a barrier and reminds the individual to not pull their hair . Phoebe, a languages student, began pulling her hair out at the age of eight. Trichotillomania is a condition where a person feels compelled to pull their hair out. They may pull out the hair on their head or in other places, such as their eyebrows or eyelashes. Trichotillomania is an impulse-control disorder (a psychological condition where you are unable to stop yourself carrying out a particular action). It is not known what causes trichotillomania, but there are several theories. Some experts think hair pulling is a type of addiction. The more you pull your hair out, the more you want to keep doing it. Trichotillomania may be a reflection of a mental health problem. Psychological and behavioural theories suggest that hair pulling may be a way of relieving stress or anxiety. In some cases, trichotillomania may be a form of self-harm, where you deliberately injure yourself as a way of seeking temporary relief from emotional distress. The most effective treatment is therapy to change your hair-pulling behaviour, combined with a network of emotional support. Visit your GP if you are pulling your hair out or if you notice that your child is. Source: NHS . She said: 'I started pulling my hair out when I was really young and I can remember looking at the hair root and being really fascinated. 'From there the pull became a release for me and I found it really therapeutic. 'When I was little we used to live in China and I think maybe the move back to the UK was what started it off. 'Then at secondary school it became worse - issues with friends and boys made me do it even more. 'People would constantly ask me why my hair was so thin and why I always put it up. 'Hair is so important to a teenage girl but I just didn’t have any and felt I couldn’t relate to any of the girls in my year. 'I hated whenever conversation topics turned to hair. I constantly found myself scraping my hair back into a granny-style bun to try and hide the hideous bald patches. 'I hated the windy weather as it would often blow the hairstyle out of place and reveal the sparse bits of hair. I would get so paranoid and stressed.' Phoebe would constantly pull at her hair - but no GP or specialist was able to say why. Phoebe said: 'I went to therapy and tried hypnosis but nothing worked. It was when my mum noticed me pulling at my hair that we realised I had trichotillomania. 'She’d seen an article about it in a woman’s weekly magazine and she knew I had the condition straight away.' Finally after hours of research with research with mother Joanne, 45, Pheobe discovered an answer to her problems. How does it work? The pioneering system has a mesh which is placed between the individual’s existing hair and their scalp . Clever: This intricate design also has an ultra-fine mesh containing human hair which is used to completely disguise any hair loss . Pheobe said: 'We came across Lucinda Ellery - the leading expert on my condition. 'Lucinda helped me realise that thousands of other women suffer like I have, and after discussing treatment, we decided the best option was the Intralace.' The Intralace System is not a cure for hair pulling but acts as a barrier and reminder to the individual to not pull their hair. Undiagnosed: Phoebe, pictured with huge patches in her scalp five years ago, would constantly pull at her hair - but no GP or specialist was able to say why . Youngster: Phoebe, pictured in primary school, found that the pull became a release for her and she found it really therapeutic . The pioneering system has a mesh which is placed between the individual’s existing hair and their scalp. This intricate design also has an ultra-fine mesh containing human hair which is used to completely disguise any hair loss. Pheobe said: 'I’ve been living with the system now for about five years and would never look back. 'My hair is really growing now and even when I try and pull my hair the system stops it from coming out. 'Not only has it helped my hair grow, but it’s also helped me to kick the habit of pulling in the first place. I hope that my story helps just one other person realise what the condition is and that they’re not alone. 'I no longer feel like a recluse and can finally do things that other teenagers do instead of hiding away. It’s great, no-one can tell the hair’s not really mine.' New look: Phoebe (L) with her sister Anna (R) hopes her story will help others who suffered the same condition as her . Lucinda said: 'Through education we can help millions more women across the world become pull free. 'It’s staggering that thousands of women in the UK suffer from trichotillomania the hair pulling disorder. 'International No Pulling Week hopes to raise awareness about the condition. The average woman who is likely to experience this condition starts around the age of puberty. 'The condition is considered to be connected with those who are highly intelligent, sensitive and working in a high powered, pressurised job. 'The neurobiological condition causes overwhelming urges to pull out your own hair and often is release for dealing with stress.' Thousands of women in the UK suffer from Trichotillomania (TTM), the hair pulling disorder, according to information released by hair loss expert Lucinda Ellery as part of International No Pulling Week. Celebrities such as Sam Faiers, star of the hit UK TV series, The Only Way is Essex and Olivia Munn, US actress have both admitted they suffer from TTM as they pull out their eyelashes.
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Phoebe Ottomar spent years tugging at her hair .
Left with golf ball sized bald patches but GPs didn't know what was wrong .
Mother read about trichotillomania in magazine .
Lucinda Ellery used the Intralace System on her to give her hair of dreams .
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(CNN) -- Foreign ministry officials in Mali said Saturday three people from other countries were kidnapped Friday, while a fellow foreigner who was killed was probably German. The incidents in northern Mali are the latest in a series targeting Westerners in recent days, with France confirming Thursday that one person had been killed and five kidnapped elsewhere in the West African nation. Friday's abductions and killing occurred in the northern Timbuktu province of Mali. A spokesman at the German Foreign Office told CNN there was "a high probability" that the foreigner killed was a German citizen. "No further German has been involved in the abductions," the spokesman said. Ward Bezemer, a spokesman at the Dutch Foreign Ministry, confirmed that one Dutchman had been kidnapped. And Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt confirmed via Twitter that a Swede was among those seized. "Entire region becoming even more dangerous," he posted. Media reports suggest the third person kidnapped Friday is a South African who lives in the UK. A British Foreign Office spokeswoman told CNN: "We are aware of the reports and we are urgently looking into them to establish the facts." The British Foreign Office advices against all travel to northern Mali, which encompasses part of the Sahel region that lies south of the Sahara desert. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton condemned the kidnappings in a statement Saturday. "I was appalled to learn of the death of one person yesterday," she said. "I offer my deep condolences to the family and friends of the victim and my solidarity with all the hostages currently being held in the Sahel. "I call on the Malian authorities to do their utmost to ensure that the hostages are quickly and safely released. Malian commitment to fight the scourge of terrorism is key to security and prosperity in the Sahel region." French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe told French television Thursday that two French citizens were among those kidnapped in the town of Hombori in central Mali. CNN's Saskya Vandoorne contributed to this report.
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A foreigner killed in northern Mali Friday was probably a German, officials say .
A Swede and a Dutchman were kidnapped, along with a third person, officials say .
Two French citizens were confirmed kidnapped in central Mali Thursday .
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The judge in the Casey Anthony trial has been branded by a former mistress as big a liar as Casey! Judge Perry was praised for his cool, methodical handling of the controversial Casey trial but a source close to alleged mistress Janis Williamson paints an entirely different picture. The 61-year-jurist was a cheating cad who relentlessly pursued Miss Williamson and then dumped her to protect his career, claims the source. Shocking allegations: Healthcare consultant Janis Williamson says Judge Perry is a big lair . Father-of-two Judge Perry repeatedly lied to federal investigators after she brought their relationship out into the open and slapped him with a lawsuit, The National Enquirer quotes the source as saying. 'Judge Belvin Perry is as big a lair as Casey Anthony!' the source told the National Enquirer. 'Janis told me, "The main is a flat-out liar who tried to destroy my life. It sickens me to hear people praising him. They don't know him like I do. He's a hypocrite".' Mr Perry began pursuing Miss Williamson when she was a deputy court administrator for Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit in 1989, the source said. Mr Perry was a circuit judge in Florida's Osceola County at the time. The source said: 'Janis said Judge Perry kept coming into her room and flirting with her. 'They played chess together and he kept asking her to lunch. Branded a womaniser: Judge Perry is accused of seeing other women while he's cheating on his wife with Janis . Convicted liar: Casey Anthony was kept behind bars for misleading police . 'Janis told me "I'm a white woman from the South. The last thing I'd ever consider is having an affair with a black man. But Belvin persisted and one day he gave me a $250 JVC CD player".' When asked what she had done to deserve such a gift, according to Janis the judge allegedly answered: 'Why don't you just give me a kiss.' The alleged affair began soon after, the source said. To set up their trysts, the judge would call to say he would be dropping off or leaving notes on her door with the code letter 'J', the source said. 'Janis told me that Belvin also invited her to parties at his home with his wife LaDrean and their two children. 'She said, "He seemed to get a thrill out of taking the risk",' the source added. It is also claimed that Mr Perry took Janis, now 62, to his house while his wife was out of town. According to the source, Mr Perry even juggled other women while he was cheating with Williamson. 'Janis told me that a woman called his hotel room when they were at a conference together, and Belvin admitted that he was seeing her,' the source said. Mr Perry often talked about leaving his wife and children - Belvin III is a 35-year-old insurance agent and Kimberly, 31, is an investments adviser - for Miss Williamson, said the source. 'Belvin told Janis that he loved her and talked about marrying her,' said the source. 'But she told me, "I cared about Belvin, but I never loved him".' Miss Williamson now works as a consultant for the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration in Tallahassee. She claims that Mr Perry ordered her to deny their affair if it became public, said the source. After he was elected Chief Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in 1995, Mr allegedly arranged for Miss Williamson to be fired. She filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 'Janis thinks Belvin had her terminated because it was too risky to continue their affair,' said the source. When EEOC investigators questioned Mr Perry about Miss Williamson, he initially denied the affair before confessing they had a one-year dalliance and then eventually coming clean, the source said. 'Belvin didn't admit the truth until he realised Janis had proof,' the source added. The proof included a calendar Miss Williamson kept, marking each sexually intimate tryst with a hand-drawn heart. The source said other evidence included a monogrammed leather toiletry kit that he kept in his office which she still had the receipt for. 'She also had what she called her "Monica Lewinsky" evidence - used condoms that he left on her nightstand,' the source said. In the wake of the scandal, Mr Perry stepped down as Chief Judge for two years, The Enquirer reports. The EEOC case ended in 1999, when Miss Williamson received a $65,000 settlement. The source said: 'Janis told me, "What Belvis did was no different from what he sentenced Casey Anthony to jail for doing - he lied to investigators and got caught".'
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He fired me to further his career, says Janis Williamson .
Perry denied the affair before confessing, she claims .
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(MentalFloss.com) -- 1. The oldest documented bikinis -- haute, bandeau-style little numbers -- show up in a 1,700 year old Roman mosaic entitled Chamber of the Ten Maidens. A bevy of ancient, bikini-clad babes are depicted playing sports. 2. Earlier this year, Brooklyn-based designer Andrew Schneider invented the first solar powered bikini -- the "iKini" -- which produces enough electricity to power an iPod during a sunny day at the beach. Just remember to unplug it, the inventor says, before taking a dip. 3. The famous white belted bikini worn by Ursula Andress in the 1962 James Bond hit "Dr. No" sold for $61,500 at Christie's in London in 2001. Halle Barry modeled a redux of a similar suit in the 2002 Bond flick, "Die Another Day." 4. French designer Jacques Heim's first itsy-bitsy bathing suit hit the fashion scene in 1946. Tapping into the worldwide obsession with nuclear physics, he named his tiny invention the "atom." A few months later, another French designer, Louis Reard, one-upped Heim, revealing an even tinier suit, which he dubbed the "bikini" after Bikini Atoll, the island in the Pacific where the U.S. had tested the atom bomb. The new swimsuit, it was said, was as small as an atom and just as powerful. 5. Reard said a two-piece bathing suit couldn't be called a bikini "unless it could be pulled through a wedding ring." Mental Floss: Waitresses, bridesmaids, compulsory plastic surgery . 6. In 2009, Americans spent $4.3 billion -- roughly $400 million more than the GDP of Barbados -- on swimwear alone. 7. The 19th-century version of a bikini was made out of either heavy flannel or wool -- fabrics that would not be transparent when wet -- and covered the entire body from neck to toe. The suits were so heavy that women had to hold onto ropes strung from the beach to offshore buoys to keep from sinking. 8. The bikini rocketed to fame in 1960 with Brian Hyland's hit single, "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini." The famous 30 inches of fabric didn't debut on the cover of Sports Illustrated until 1964. Mental Floss: 25 brand names mistakenly used as generic terms . 9. At the 1964 International Beauty Pageant in Long Beach, California, Miss Austria stormed out of a photoshoot after being told she could not wear her homemade bikini. "Americans are rude," she said. "I'm tanned all over, so I wanted the suntan to show." 10. In 2009, a group of vegetarian ladies campaigned in international cities wearing bikinis made only of lettuce leaves. The "Lettuce Ladies" as they were called, were sponsored by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and hoped to convince people to adopt a meatless diet. Mental Floss: When did women start shaving their armpits? 11. In 1993, the Olympic Committee decreed the bikini the official uniform for women's beach volleyball, partly because of the functionality of the suit. Athletes complain that when wearing more conventional uniform -- the one-piece, for instance -- "sand goes down the top and collects in the bottom," Holly McPeak, a three-time Olympic vollyballer told ABC News. With the bikini's built-in sand-release system, Reard, it seems, was ahead of his time. For more mental_floss articles, visit mentalfloss.com . Entire contents of this article copyright, Mental Floss LLC. All rights reserved.
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Bikinis first appeared in Roman mosaics, depicted on women playing sports .
The 19th-century version of a bikini was made out of either heavy flannel or wool .
Brian Hyland's 1960 hit single was ode to "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini"
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 12:15 EST, 9 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:47 EST, 9 January 2014 . Police in India are hunting a man-eating tiger that is believed to have killed four villagers in 12 days after escaping from an animal reserve. The latest victim was a 40-year-old woman who was attacked on Wednesday in a village in the Moradabad district of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. It is believed to have strayed from the nearby Jim Corbett National Park which covers an area of over 200 square miles and is is home to an estimated 200 tigers. Man-eater: Police in India are hunting a tiger which is believed to have killed four people (file picture) Forest officials have recruited two elephants in their efforts to track down the tiger which they hope to drive back towards the national park. A state government spokesman said: 'We have identified four bodies that were killed by the tiger as they bore teeth and claw marks. 'We have launched a thorough search and hope it will go back to its natural habitat.' Angry villagers have accused authorities of not acting quickly enough to capture the animal after the first death was reported at the end of last month. Moves are underway to have the animal categorised as a 'man-eater' meaning it can be legally killed. India is home to some 1,700 tigers - half of the world's rapidly shrinking wild tiger population - but has been struggling to halt the big cat's decline in the face of poachers, international smuggling networks and loss of habitat. The country has seen its tiger population plummet from an estimated 40 000 upon independence in 1947.
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40-year-old woman was attacked and killed on Wednesday .
Tiger believed to have strayed from the Jim Corbett National Park .
Authorities trying to have it categorised as a 'man-eater' so it can be killed .
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The son of the actor Nigel Davenport stalked his ex-girlfriend after she dumped him, a court heard. Hugo Davenport was mourning the death of his father, who starred in Howards’ Way and Chariots of Fire, when Rebecca Jallot ended their 18-month relationship. Unable to accept her decision, the 61-year-old responded by inundating her with messages, presents and letters. Restraining order: Author and journalist Hugo Davenport (left), 61, appeared at Wimbledon . Magistrates' Court in south-west London, accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend Rebecca Jallott (right) Miss Jallot complained to police and, in March, Davenport was cautioned for harassment. Claudius Taylor-Sonko, prosecuting, . told Wimbledon magistrates Davenport resumed sending letters and gifts, . including compact discs and Barclaycards. He was arrested when he went to her home in Barnes, south-west London. In a statement that was read out to . the court, Miss Jallot said the incident had left her feeling ‘unsafe . and anxious’ and she feared leaving her home or answering the door. She added: ‘It is affecting my quality of life and I am concerned Hugo’s stalking has persisted. I am feeling harassed.’ Star: Davenport . is the son of celebrated actor Nigel Davenport (pictured), who appeared in such . films as A Man for All Seasons and Chariots of Fire and the TV series . Howards' Way . Davenport pleaded guilty to stalking . between March and July and was placed on an 18-month community order . which includes a ‘better relationships’ course. 'It is affecting my quality of life and I am concerned Hugo’s stalking has persisted. I am feeling harassed' Rebecca Jallot . Educated at £34,000-a-year Westminster . School, he is a journalist who wrote the book Days that Shook the World . to accompany the BBC TV series. His father Nigel, who died in October . at the age of 85, played Lord Birkenhead in Chariots of Fire, which won . three Academy Awards including best picture. His half brother Jack Davenport, 41, starred in the TV series This Life and in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. His sister Laura is also an actress . and his stepmother Maria Aitken appeared in the films A Fish Called . Wanda and Fierce Creatures. Ex-wife: Davenport has a son Bram from his marriage to Sarah Mollison (all pictured). He also has a daughter . Related: Hugo Davenport's half-brother Jack (far right) appeared in the BBC show This Life . Davenport told the court: ‘I’d like to . say I’m very sad and sorry that a relationship that was once very close . and very loving has ended like this. 'I’m very sad and sorry that a relationship that was once very close and very loving has ended like this' Hugo Davenport . ‘I have had difficulties over the last . nine months: my father’s death, even though it was not unexpected, and . Rebecca’s decision to end our relationship. ‘I had hoped I would receive some sort . of support from her. I only rang on her doorbell because I was . delivering something to a friend nearby and there was no letterbox. ‘I had no indication there should be . such an impact or feeling of fear. I now know all of these things and I . bitterly regret my ill-considered actions and interpretations, which . were because of my depression. Hearing: Davenport, from Knightsbridge, appeared for sentencing at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court in London . ‘This was someone I cared for very much, but now realise they don’t want anything more to do with me and I’ll abide by that.’ Sentencing him on Monday, district . judge James Henderson said: ‘I accept you are showing genuine remorse . but there was a degree of pre-planning and it was over a long period and . on one occasion you went to her address.’ Davenport, who lives in Knightsbridge . and has a son Bram and daughter Maia from his marriage to Sarah . Mollison, was given a five-year restraining order preventing him from . contacting Miss Jallot. He was told to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
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Hugo Davenport, 61, told court he expected more support from his ex .
His girlfriend told police she was left 'anxious, worried' by Davenport .
He was handed an 18-month community order and a restraining order .
The author and journalist comes from a family of actors and actresses .
His half-brother Jack appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean and This Life .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 14:51 EST, 28 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 14:56 EST, 28 January 2014 . Tragic: Emily Harris, 18, who died in a blaze investigators believe was started by clothing which fire after it was left too close to an electric heater . A teenager burned to death while pet-sitting at her grandparents' home when clothing left to close to an electric heater burst into flames, an inquest heard. Emily Harris, 18, was so badly burned by the fire at the house in Aberdare, South Wales, that she could only be identified by her dental records and one of her favourite bracelets. Investigators believe the blaze caught hold after clothing fell on an electric heater. A sudden rush of air caused the smouldering garments to burst into a raging fire, trapping the student in an upstairs bedroom. Just a lock of her hair survived the blaze intact. Miss Harris, who had hoped to become a childcare worker, had offered to stay alone in her grandparents five-bedroom home to look after their pets while they were away on holiday. The inquest was told Miss Harris had spent the night of October 17 last year with friends at pubs in Aberdare and returned to the house alone at midnight. Her friend Gabriella Davies told the hearing: 'We chatted and were having fun - there were no issues. 'Emily was not falling down drunk and was just a bit tipsy. 'A friend drove her home and she made her way to the front door - I believe she was home safe and well.' It was not until seven hours later that neighbours saw flames shooting from the first floor of the modern detached house. Fire crews were on the scene in two minutes but took two hours struggling to bring the blaze under control. The property was so unstable rescuers could not bring Miss Harris’s body out until the following day. The cause of her death was given as smoke inhalation and burns. Destroyed: Investigators believe the blaze caught hold after clothing fell on an electric heater. A sudden rush of air caused the smouldering garments to burst into a raging fire, trapping the student in an upstairs bedroom. Miss Harris's family learned of her death early on the morning of the fire after her sister received a phone call to ask if everyone was okay. Simon Harris, her father, said in a written statement: 'This was the first we knew - we were then informed that Emily had passed away inside the house. 'The police later gave us a lock of Emily’s hair which we will keep forever.' Fire investigator Andrew Sargeant told the hearing: 'The cause of the fire is likely to be one or more of the electric heaters placed too close to clothing, or clothing having fallen on one fo the fires. 'It falls in line with a small smouldering fire burning in the room for some time before more oxygen breaking into the room turned it into a raging fire which has spread through the house.' Write caption here . Emily’s grandparents Keith and Ann Harris, who were on holiday in Tenby, West Wales, returned home after hearing of the tragedy. Aberdare coroner Andrew Barkley said: 'It is highly probably that the fire started in the bedroom where Emily was found, either by an electric fire or halogen heater coming too close to something. 'It is a distinction which hardly matters - all other possibilities have been excluded.' Miss Harris, of Aberdare, South Wales, was training to be a childcare worker and had just passed her driving test. 'She loved to drive and to listen to music, watch films and socialise with her friends,' said her father. Tributes were paid to 'happy and smiling' Miss Harris at Aberdare Girls’ School, which she had only left months earlier. Headteacher Jane Rosser said: 'She was a delightful pupil who always had a smile on her face. 'Emily was kind and caring to all around her - she was a lovely girl.' The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.
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Emily Harris returned home a 'bit tipsy' after a night out last October 17 .
Seven hours later neighbours saw flames shooting from the property .
Just a lock of her hair survived the intense fire intact .
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Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska announced Tuesday that he will not run for re-election next year. Nelson, 70, said in a statement that it was time to "step away from elective office, spend more time with my family, and look for ways to serve our state and nation." "Simply put: It is time to move on," Nelson said in the statement. Despite his record as a conservative Democrat who sometimes voted against his party, Nelson had been considered a top target of Republicans heading into the 2012 elections. A former two-term governor of Nebraska, Nelson narrowly won election to the Senate in 2000 and easily won re-election in 2006. His departure increases the difficulty for Democrats to retain their Senate majority next year. Democrats currently have a 53-47 margin in the Senate, including two independents who caucus with them. In the 2012 elections, 23 of the 33 seats up for grabs are currently held by Democrats and the two independents. So far, six other Democratic senators and two Republicans have announced they will retire instead of running for re-election next year. A Senate Democratic leadership aide, speaking on condition of not being identified, told CNN that party officials are reaching out to former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey to possibly run for Nelson's seat. Kerrey, 68, is a Medal of Honor winner from the Vietnam War who, like Nelson, served as both a Democratic governor and senator. Nelson was known for looking out for his state's interests, especially on agriculture issues. He sided with Republicans on some high-profile issues, opposing the Supreme Court nomination of Elena Kagan and a climate-change measure pushed by the White House and Democrats. President Barack Obama commended Nelson for working with both parties during his career, saying in a statement it was "a trait far too often overlooked in today's politics." Jim Manley, the former long-time spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, said Nelson was often a "thorn in Harry Reid's side." However, Manley said Reid "always respected the fact that Nelson was trying to do what was best for Nebraska." According to the Senate Democratic leadership aide, Reid and Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, tried to convince Nelson to stay in Congress after Nelson told a local newspaper a few weeks ago he was still deciding on whether to run. "Over the last several weeks, there were intense conversations with Reid and Schumer trying to make Nelson understand how needed he was and how valued he is as a member of the caucus," the Senate aide said. "Ultimately they understood that this is a personal decision." A Democratic strategist who spoke on condition of not being identified characterized Nelson's decision as disloyal to the party. "He typically takes the easy way out," the strategist said. "The party has stood by him, but when the going gets tough, he abandons the party." In his statement, Nelson called for "those who will follow in my footsteps to look for common ground and to work together in bipartisan ways to do what's best for the country, not just one political party." "Public office is a place for public service, not personal profit," Nelson's statement said. "It's about promoting the common good, not the agenda of the radical right or the radical left. It's about fairness for all, not privileges for the few. And, it's about protecting the rights of individuals, even if it angers the majority. I hope and believe I have fulfilled these principles to the best of my ability."
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Party officials are reaching out to former Sen. Bob Kerrey regarding Nelson's seat .
Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson announces he will not seek re-election .
Nelson was expected to face a tough Republican challenge next year .
The former Nebraska governor is a conservative Democrat .
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(CNN) -- As the fallout from WikiLeaks continues, the debate over whether or not the alleged leaker is a treasonous villain or a First Amendment hero is being debated in Berkeley, California. There, the City Council was set to vote on a resolution that hails Pfc. Bradley Manning a hero, calls for his immediate release and for charges against him to be dropped. That vote was postponed on Thursday, pending more information on Manning's involvement. Here, the author of the resolution, Bob Meola, tells CNN why he thinks Manning is a hero, while City Council member Gordon Wozniak explains why he is against the measure. --Kevin Conlon . Manning: An American hero . Bob Meola is a commissioner and immediate past chair of the city of Berkeley's Peace and Justice Commission. He is a national committee member of the War Resisters League, member of Courage to Resist Organizing Collective, an organization that supports GI war resisters, and a member of the steering committee of the Bradley Manning Support Network, which raises money for Manning's defense. On Tuesday, the City Council of Berkeley, California will vote on whether or not to pass a resolution recommended to it by the Berkeley Peace and Justice Commission, which asks it to support Pfc. Bradley Manning and proclaim him a hero -- if he is indeed the whistle-blower who leaked the "Collateral Murder" video and numerous classified documents to WikiLeaks. Manning is charged with illegally leaking classified information and faces 52 years in prison if he is convicted of the charges against him. I wrote the resolution that is before the City Council. I believe that if Manning is the whistle-blower, he is an American hero and should be released. Berkeley should set a courageous example for the rest of the country by acknowledging the good that has been done by whoever blew the whistle. Manning is alleged to have written in e-mail exchanges made before he was arrested that the results of his actions would be "hopefully worldwide discussion, debates, and reforms." In another exchange, he allegedly wrote: "I want people to see the truth regardless of who they are because without information, you cannot make informed decisions as a public." Manning's case cannot be discussed without also discussing WikiLeaks. Whoever released the video known as "Collateral Murder," which documents an incident in a suburb of Baghdad on July 12, 2007, should be thanked by the people of the world. That video shows the killings of 12 unarmed civilians, including two Reuters journalists by a U.S. Army Apache Helicopter crew. Two children were severely injured in the attack. WikiLeaks released the "Collateral Murder" video in April. In July, it released the Afghan War Diary. In October, it released the Iraq War Logs, and last month it released diplomatic cables. The Afghan War Diary tells us of corruption and cover-ups in Afghanistan, the killing of innocent Afghanis. The Iraq War Logs document numerous war crimes and suppression of evidence of torture, and the recently released diplomatic cables shed an embarrassing light on the conduct of diplomats around the world. WikiLeaks has been accused of endangering the lives of Afghan informers by not redacting their names. Beginning with the release of the Iraq War Logs, WikiLeaks did redact names. But the accusers of WikiLeaks persist in the game of "what if." What if it endangered lives? The mistake of nonredacted names must be weighed against the reality of the lives already destroyed by the wars in Afghanistan and in Iraq and the lives that would be lost if this information was not leaked in an effort to end some illegal acts of war. What if these revelations, in the name of compliance with law and morality, were not revealed? How many more innocent lives would then be sacrificed? Democracy must be transparent or it is not democracy. It is the duty of citizens to participate in democracy and shine light on truth. Thomas Jefferson said that given a choice between having government and having newspapers, he would choose newspapers. Blowing the whistle on war crimes is not a crime. It is the war criminals who should be prosecuted. Daniel Ellsberg has been saying that Manning is a hero of his and that when he released the Pentagon Papers, everything that is now being said about Manning, including that he is a traitor, was also said about Ellsberg at the time. Manning, or whoever leaked the information he is accused of leaking, deserves our thanks. It took 30 years for the heroes, who interrupted the My Lai massacre to be honored with the awarding of the Soldiers Medal, the U.S. Army's highest award for bravery not involving direct contact with the enemy. At the award ceremony, Army Maj. Gen. Michael Ackerman said, "It was the ability to do the right thing even at the risk of their personal safety that guided these soldiers to do what they did," and that the three "set the standard for all soldiers to follow. The city of Berkeley has a long tradition of standing up for peace and for justice. It has opposed the wars in Iraq and in Afghanistan, it has opposed torture, and it is one of the cities that called for the impeachment of George W. Bush. Manning and the case against him now represent the culmination of all the horror and repression that we have experienced in the last decade. The Berkeley City Council now has the opportunity to weigh in on the side of all that is right on the road to repairing the damage done to the world by the policies and the cover-ups of the last decade. For the greater good, Berkeley should ask the secretary of the Army, the Honorable John M. McHugh, and chief of staff of the Army, Gen. George W. Casey Jr., to release Manning from pretrial confinement and drop the charges against him. If Manning is the whistle-blower, justice necessitated his actions. It's irresponsible, premature to declare Manning a hero . Gordon Wozniak was elected to the Berkeley City Council in 2002. A retired nuclear chemist, he was a research scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory for more than 30 years. He was a commissioner on the city's Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Environmental Commission, and currently serves on the Alameda County Waste Management Authority. Yes, I am a City Council member in Berkeley, a place known for bucking the establishment and for opposing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I also oppose these wars, but unlike some of my colleagues in city government, I do not believe that Pfc. Bradley Manning should be declared a hero or freed from prison before all the evidence against him is presented in court. Manning is accused of disclosing classified information to WikiLeaks, including diplomatic cables and military logs of incidents in Afghanistan and Iraq. A military grand jury is investigating charges that he mishandled classified information in a way likely to cause injury to the United States. He is being held in military confinement pending trial. Berkeley's Peace and Justice Commission has publicly proclaimed Manning a hero for releasing classified information about the wars it opposes. It's odd enough to lionize someone accused of breaking the law and potentially putting individuals and our government in harm's way. But the commission's declaration is even odder in this case, because Manning has pleaded not guilty and denied the charges against him. What Berkeley's commission members seem to have forgotten is that before their hero can be judged innocent or guilty, he deserves a fair trial with all the due process rights guaranteed by our Constitution. When Manning joined the Army, he swore to uphold the Constitution. He signed papers promising to keep secret all classified documents to which he had access. He was aware of the laws governing the unauthorized release of secret documents. If he stole classified documents and released them to WikiLeaks, he broke both his word and the law. If he did not like the war, the Army or the conduct of his country, there are ways to make his dissent known without breaking the law and damaging our country. To achieve peaceful solutions to international conflicts involves diplomacy, which requires confidential communications. Stealing and publishing secret diplomatic dispatches obviously harms this effort. Furthermore, publishing a secret list of vital infrastructure, from pipelines to smallpox-vaccine suppliers -- without regard for the potential consequences -- is deeply disturbing. The city of Berkeley has many important problems, including high taxes and unemployment, severe rates of property crime, a decaying physical infrastructure and location next to a major earthquake fault. In addition, it needs to improve the business climate to create more jobs and revenue for vital public services. Berkeley businesses were harmed by a boycott after the Marine Corps recruiting station was deemed "unwelcome." Now the Manning resolution has led people to call for a boycott again. In this difficult economic climate, the city's business community can ill afford such bad publicity and associated financial losses. It was irresponsible and premature for the Peace and Justice Commission to recommend the release of Manning before hearing the evidence presented in his trial and the council should deny this resolution. The council should not encourage military personnel to leak classified material by declaring Manning a hero. Many young men and women are serving overseas in two very difficult wars with no defined front and an enemy who does not wear uniforms. Let us work together to resolve these conflicts honorably and welcome the troops home. The opinions expressed in these commentaries are solely those of the authors.
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Bob Meola authored a resolution for Berkeley City Council calling Pfc. Bradley Manning a hero .
He says Manning, if he is source for WikiLeaks, deserves thanks for exposing official wrongdoing .
Berkeley City Council member Gordon Wozniak says Manning should have day in court .
He says passing resolution would encourage others to leak classified material .
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Classroom assistant Rachael Regan (pictured appearing at Bradford Crown Court) was spared jail today after she taped a 7-year-old to her chair and shut her in a storeroom . A classroom assistant who carried out a five-month campaign of bullying against a seven-year-old pupil who was taped to her chair and shut in a storeroom has been spared jail. Rachael Regan 'singled out and bullied' the girl at a primary school in the Calderdale area of West Yorkshire, a court heard. Regan's trial last month was told about a catalogue of incidents against the pupil, who is now nine. They included sticking Post-it notes to her thumbs, tying her shoes on with string, calling her a nickname, goading her with a biscuit, hiding her doll and tearing up her photograph. Other children in the class laughed as the girl was subjected to the supposedly 'good-humoured' pranks by Regan. Today, at Bradford Crown Court, the 43-year-old was given a community order including a requirement to do 40 hours of unpaid work. Judge Neil Davey QC spared her jail after he criticised the length of time the classroom assistant had spent on bail before she was charged while the Crown Prosecution Service decided what to do. He added the wait was a punishment in itself. Regan, of Illingworth, West Yorkshire, was found guilty of child cruelty after the trial, which finished last month. A teacher colleague, Deborah McDonald, 41, was cleared of the same offence. Today, Judge Davey said to her: 'You have been convicted by a jury of cruelty to a small child, in effect of bullying her to the extent that it would properly be described as cruelty.' He said her conduct had been 'shameful' and a breach of trust. The judge said: 'You breached that trust by turning her into a figure of fun.' He said Regan invited others to ridicule the girl when she taped her to a chair. Judge Davey said the defendant had already lost the job she loved and would be barred from working with children. 'You have lost your job, and lost your good name. 'Having humiliated the girl, you have been professionally humiliated and now publicly humiliated.' Regan has been placed on the Barred List preventing her working with vulnerable people. The judge added: 'You were cruelly bullying her. Any such conduct by an adult would be shameful, made more shameful because your victim was only seven years old and in your care. 'She came from a challenging home environment and you were trusted to look after her. 'You betrayed that trust by turning her into a figure of fun by taping her to a chair and inviting children to look at her and laugh at her.' Judge Davey said the girl had now recovered from her ordeal and was 'back to her old happy, bubbly, extrovert self'. He pointed out that the allegations were made in January 2013 but Regan was not charged until last April. He told her this period of 'legal limbo' she lived through was 'substantial punishment' as she lived for months with the uncertainly of not knowing whether she would eventually face prison. Judge Neil Davey QC at Bradford Crown Court (pictured) spared Regan jail after he criticised the length of time the classroom assistant had already spent on bail before she was charged . Prosecutor Simon Waley told the week-long trial last year that an investigation was launched by the school and the police after the girl told her mother about the incident. The 7-year-old girl had came out of school at home time in a distressed state before telling her mother she had been fastened to the chair with Sellotape by a teacher and could not move for about ten minutes. The teaching assistant later said that she did it for 'a bit of fun' because the girl had been 'fidgety', the court heard. Mr Waley said: 'She said that the class had been laughing at her and that she was the 'class clown'.' Mr Waley said: 'She said that Mrs Regan put it all around the chair and it was hard breathing. 'She said that she couldn't get out to reach her things. She said that the whole class were laughing.' The girl's mother said the moment her daughter told her a teaching assistant had taped her to a chair was 'heartbreaking'. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the jury the young girl 'clung' to her 'for dear life' with tears streaming down her face after the incident. Mr Waley told the trial that the girl also said to police that Regan bound string to her legs and feet to keep her pumps on. He added: 'She said it was horrible and that, again, everybody had been laughing.' The girl told police that Regan put Post-it notes on to her thumbs when she had been sucking them and shut the door to a store room, leaving her on a chair inside. Other children had been given biscuits for good homework, the court heard, but she was left out and she was told her how delicious they were. The alleged bullying took place between September 2012 and January last year. Other staff members at the school told police they had witnessed some of the incidents. One support assistant said the girl's arms were 'fastened down by her sides with the Sellotape around her more than once' and said she was taped to the chair for around ten minutes. She said Regan went to another classroom to fetch another teaching assistant to show her what she had done. Mr Waley said Regan told her colleague: 'She'll not get up and wander around the classroom now.' He added that Regan had also pulled a photograph of the girl off the wall and ripped it to pieces in front of her. The court heard that the defendants denied ever bullying the girl when they were interviewed by the police and described some of the incidents as 'fun' and 'a joke'. Regan refused to answer questions today as she left court with a friend.
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Rachael Regan 'singled out and bullied' the West Yorkshire primary pupil .
The classroom assistant Sellotaped the girl to a chair as 'a bit of fun'
Court heard she was also locked in a storeroom and Post-its stuck on her .
Regan, 43, had been found guilty of child cruelty charges last month .
Judge spared her jail after criticising the lengthy time had spent on bail .
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The daredevil adventurer whose attempt to ‘run’ more than 1,000 miles from South Florida to Bermuda in an inflatable bubble had to be aborted after he got lost is extremely unhappy that his pod wasn’t rescued along with him. Endurance athlete Reza Baluchi, 42, was plucked from the ocean on Saturday morning but his Hydro Pod - a floating sphere, encased in a metal fame, that allowed him to run on water, like a hamster in a wheel - remains lost at sea. When Baluchi was rescued he was told a fisherman would haul his bubble back to shore, but he’s since been informed that that wasn’t possible and so his bubble was left still floating at sea. Scroll down for video . Endurance athlete Reza Baluchi, 42, was plucked from the ocean on Saturday morning but his Hydro Pod remains lost at sea . That isn’t good news for Baluchi, who says his valuables were left inside the bubble - including his green card, passport, cellphone and even his shoes. To make matters worse, Baluchi had ploughed his entire life savings - some $4,500 - into designing and building the pod. Baluchi said he had been working two jobs, as a mechanic and restaurant dishwasher, in order to raise the funds for his adventure. ‘It took a long time,’ he told the Miami Herald. Time is now running out for him as the law of salvage in maritime law states that anyone who recovers another person's ship or cargo after peril or loss at sea is entitled to a reward equal to the value of the property. With no money or boat, the Iranian born U.S. citizen says he’ll needs help to get it back. 'I’m in trouble. Big trouble,' he said. The Coast Guard rescued Reza Baluchi from his Hydro Bubble 70 miles away from St. Augustine, Florida on Saturday morning . Baluchi was 70 nautical miles east of St. Augustine when he was rescued on Saturday. Coast guard officers had originally spotted him inside his bubble on Wednesday, but he had waved coast away guard, saying he was determined to complete his intended 1,033-mile journey. Baluchi was on his own. No supporters or boats followed, a common net for athletes attempting open water voyages. When the coast guard first discovered him on Wednesday, he was disoriented and asking for directions to Bermuda. His bubble was filled with protein bars and bottled water - though he had claimed before setting off that he would mostly survive by fishing. Worried by Baluchi's apparent state of exhaustion and lack of adequate supplies, the coast guard had asked him to end his mission, but he refused. The coastguard continued to track him until Saturday morning when Baluchi activated his Personal Locating Beacon. After receiving his signal, an HC-130 airplane and a MH-60 helicopter were dispatched along with a rescue ship. Helicopter rescue: Once all of the aircrew arrived, a rescue swimmer got Baluchi from his inflatable raft and into a helicopter where he was later evaluated by medical crews and found to be uninjured . Once they arrived at his coordinates, a rescue swimmer had got Baluchi out of his inflatable and into a helicopter. He was evaluated by medics and judged to be 'fatigued' although not injured. The coastguard wanted him back to shore. 'He activated both his spot beacon, and personal locating beacon. That’s a distress call. When he activated those two things, he was calling for help,' said Petty Officer Mark Barney, a spokesman for the U.S. Coast Guard. Baluchi disagrees. He said on Sunday that he didn’t turn on the beacon internationally, and had the energy to keep going. He said people thought he was disoriented because he was sleeping during the day and bubbling at night. Baluchi calculated that temperatures inside the bubble would top 120 degrees during the day, so for the four days he was at sea, he waited until nightfall to move forward. 'I never quit,' he said. 'It’s not me.' Baluchi says he ploughed his entire life savings - some $4,500 - into designing and building the pod . According to Baluchi's website, Bermuda was just one stop in Baluchi’s ambitious - if not impossible - mission to outline the Bermuda Triangle: a thousand miles to Bermuda, another thousand south to Puerto Rico and another thousand east, back to South Florida. 'Everyone wants to know how Reza Baluchi will be successful in his travel to through the Bermuda triangle. Reza is so confident that he will succeed in this trip because he has carefully articulated every detail it takes to survive,' he had written on his website. Baluchi had first tried to set off on his adventure last weekend, but his bubble was literally burst when some large children got into it when he wasn’t looking. The bubble’s weight limit is about 200 pounds . ‘There were kids on the beach. And they were jumping inside it,’ Baluchi said. 'I patched up the hole, and it was ready.' In the end, Baluchi set sail three days later, but he now says his mission is in limbo. 'I go around running, telling people, if you have a dream, you can do anything,' Baluchi said. 'Now I’m here, no money no bubble, no anything.' Baluchi left his valuables inside the bubble including his green card, passport, cellphone and even his shoes . Long Journey: Reza Baluchi was attempting to travel 1,033 miles from Florida to Bermuda . Baluchi claims he designed his Hydro Pod specifically to take him on his journey across the ocean. He said: 'Being inside the Hydro Pod is not going to be a walk in the park; it will be very hot and humid. One can easily dehydrate quickly and lose breath. 'Reza has devised this Hydro Pod to prevent physical difficulties. But not anyone can use without being mentally and physically fit. Being mentally fit is the main component to be able to survive a long journey in the Hydro Pod.' In 2013, Reza tested his Hydro Pod by taking it out from Newport Beach to Catalina Island. Next he wanted to cross the Bermuda Triangle because of the stories of shipwrecks and plane crashed linked to the area. The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil's Triangle, is a region in the western part of the Atlantic in which an imaginary line is drawn from Miami to Bermuda to Puerto Rico. 1.The distance between Miami, Fl to Bermuda is approximately 1,033 miles one way. 2. The Hydro Pod is made of 3mm thick plastic. 3. Inside the Hydro Pod it will reach up 120 degrees Fahrenheit. 4. Reza is an excellent fisherman and will be catching his food on a daily basis. On those days that he is not be able to catch fish, he will he survive on his homemade protein bars. 5 He will need to manually pump his Hydro Pod for one hour to ensure that it will stay afloat. 6. At night the Hydro Pod will have a light emitting from the bottom to help with the travel. 7. Reza will rest in the early hours of the morning when the sea is calmest . 8. On a daily basis 400,000 ships sail through the Bermuda without harm or loss . 9.The frame is designed by Mr. Reza Baluchi. 10. A typical day will be, Reza will be sleeping from 6am-9am, will wake up to start running until his body becomes too hot, he will then jump into the sea to cool himself off with a leash strapped to his leg connected to the bubble. 11.He will sleep on a hammock that will be inside the bubble. 12. He will have tracking device on him so that his team is aware of his position at all times. 13. Reza is doing this dangerous journey to raise money for children in need and to give inspire those that have lost hope for a better future. Also to raise awareness for his Non-Profit Organization called Plant Unity. Plant Unity is a charity devoted to kids that are in need of basic living necessities. For example, clothes, medical and financial help and also to teach them healthy living skills. Plant Unity slogan is 'Children are like roots of a tree – I like to nourish the roots and help them grow.' Text quoted from source: http://runwithreza.org/bermuda.php .
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Reza Baluchi was saved from his inflatable bubble on Saturday some 70 miles adrift from St. Augustine, Florida .
He was attempting to 'run' inside his Hydro Pod from Florida to Bermuda .
The coastguard left his inflatable behind and Baluchi is upset as he had left valuable including his Green Card and Passport inside .
Baluchi had also ploughed his life savings into designing and building the $4,500 bubble .
According to his website, Baluchi was attempting to raise money for impoverished children .
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A Hawaiian girl had the birthday surprise of a lifetime last week when her biggest wish came true – to see her mother. Riley Higa, of Wahiawa, who turned 10 on Monday, was missing her mother, Melissa Higa, so much she wrote a letter to President Barack Obama asking if her mother could come home. Her mother is a senior airman for the US Air Force and has been deployed in South Korea for nine months. Scroll down for video... Happy family: Riley Higa, of Wahiawa, right, was missing her mother, Melissa Higa, so much after not seeing her for nine months . Surprise: Riley and her mother Melissa were reunited again on Riley's 10th birthday after a hard nine months apart . Right to the top: Rylie wrote this heartfelt letter to President Obama asking him to send her mother home for her birthday . Riley’s grandmother said she could see the distance was painful for the young girl. ‘She was pretty sad, and after her mom talked to her and said she couldn't come home, she told me "I want to write a letter to the president' and I said 'OK we can do that",' said her grandmother, Charline Rich, to KITV.com. The letter says, ‘Can you please call her boss and tell him or her to please let her off so she can come home for my birthday on Monday?’ Riley ended it with: ‘I miss and love her very much and if she can't come I'll be very, very sad, love Riley Higa grade 4th.’ Reunited: Riley's mother appears as a surprise and Riley runs to her in shock . Tough to live apart: ‘Everyone says they don't know how we do it, but I think it's the families that sacrifice more. They are the ones that have to wait', says Melissa Riley, pictured here in both pictures with her daughter, Riley . Sad: Riley, left, says she misses her mother so much, not knowing she would appear just seconds later. Her grandmother, Charline Rich, right, said she could see the distance was painful for her . Shocked: The girl is overwhelmed with happiness when her mother shows up . A tearful Riley buries her face into her mother's arms in an emotional moment . Life as a solider: Melissa Higa is a senior airman in the US Air Force and has been deployed in South Korea for nine months. She decided to come home when she heard about her daughter's letter to Obama . Her mother decided it was time to come home after hearing about the letter. And the surprise, which was filmed by a KITV camera crew, was overwhelming. The girl had just finished reading the letter for the camera crew with tears rolling down her cheeks, saying: ‘I want my mom to come home for my birthday and I haven't seen her since February … I miss her so much’. Then her mother appeared to surprise her, and hugged her little girl who was overwhelmed with emotion. ‘Everyone says they don't know how we do it, but I think it's the families that sacrifice more. They are the ones that have to wait ... you try not to think about it too much, so when my mom told me that, you know, I wanted to make it big for her,’ said Melissa. ‘It had to be, it had to be big.’
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Riley Higa, of Wahiawa, Hawaii, who turned 10 on Monday, wrote a letter to President Obama because she missed her mother, Melissa Higa .
Higa is a senior airman who's been deployed in South Korea for nine months .
She asked Obama to 'call her boss and tell him or her to please let her off so she can come home for my birthday on Monday’
After hearing about the letter, her mother decided to come home and surprise her - both with tears rolling down their cheeks .
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By . Sarah Griffiths . PUBLISHED: . 12:41 EST, 30 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:53 EST, 31 July 2013 . Ancient 'halls of the dead' pre-dating Stonehenge are being heralded by archaeologists as the first monuments of their kind to be found in the UK. The two earth long barrows were uncovered on top of Dorstone Hill in Herefordshire and are thought to date to about 3,800BC, almost 1,000 years before the famous stone circle in Wiltshire was built, according to Professor Julian Thomas, of the University of Manchester. Archaeologists who have spent a month excavating the mounds say they have removed fine examples of flint weapons and tools, thought to have been buried in the barrows when first created or later left as offerings to the dead. A flaked flint knife (pictured) was found in a cremation pit dug into the side of one of the two long barrows as the remains of two large 6000-year-old halls, each buried within a prehistoric burial mound, have been discovered in Herefordshire . Professor Thomas said the site was the only one of its type in the UK where 'the halls of the living became the halls of the dead', with the long communal halls first 'ritually' burned and then covered over with soil and turf to form the large barrows. He said: 'With this phenomenon of deliberately burning down buildings, tending the fire over a period of days, the argument is that you burn these down when the head of the family dies. 'Here, no new house has been built, but instead they have shovelled up the remains into these barrows and enclosed them with turf. He added: 'It's a very important site.' Among the finds are two stone axe-heads, a flint hand knife and an arrowhead, with some of the raw materials used in their construction pointing to origins hundreds of miles away from where they were found, according to the dig team. An artist's impression of the Neolithic long hall. Two earth long barrows were uncovered that archeologists believe date to about 3,800BC, almost 1,000 years before Stonehenge was built . The barrows themselves date to the early Neolithic period when the ancient Britons were starting to settle into small communities. In one possible clue to the violence of the period, a broken flint arrowhead was discovered in a stone burial chamber uncovered off the side of one of the barrows - although the human remains of the arrow's possible victim which would have lain within the cairn have long since disappeared due to the acidity of the soil, Professor Thomas said. Archaeologists have also been excited by the level of preservation in the timber construction of the original hall buildings, with the intense heat of the fire carbonising the wood's form even, including the joints and post holes. The barrows measure 30 metres and 70 metres in length, with a single main burial chamber at each end. Although made originally of earth, at a later date they were covered in stone like cairns found in the Black Mountains of Wales, Professor Thomas said. Investigation trenches dug at the site on top of Dorstone Hill in Herefordshire. Professor Thomas said the site was the only one of its type in the UK where 'the halls of the living became the halls of the dead,' with the long communal halls first 'ritually' burned and then covered over with soil and turf to form the large barrows . The smaller of the barrows has the remains of holes, thought to have contained two metre-wide upright oak posts between which was supported a trough lined with planks upon which the human remains would be placed. The dig has been carried out by a team from the Manchester university, the University of Kyushu and Herefordshire Council, who will return to the site to continue work next year. Dr Keith Ray, Herefordshire county archaeologist and dig co-director, said: 'In the British context, the Dorstone find is unique and unprecedented.' Professor Thomas said they had uncovered a picture of a 'monument that keeps changing' with the needs of the people living around it at the time. He added: 'This is a special place with significance as new bodies and new offerings are deposited here. 'Hundreds of years after the first burial, there are very fine flint objects being left here. Professor Julian Thomas professor of archaeology at the University of Manchester (pictured) described the site as 'a very important find'. Archaeologists have also been excited by the level of preservation in the timber construction of the original hall buildings . 'It's a very important site, firstly because for the first time we have the fabric of an early Neolithic hall being incorporated into the building of a funerary monument. 'Also, because of the preservation of the remains of the structure including evidence of carpentry, we are going to be able to say rather more about the character of these early Neolithic buildings.' Dr Ray said the fact more burial chambers and artefacts had been left at the site hundreds of years after it was first created showed its national importance. 'These subsequent finds show that 1,000 years after the hall burial mounds were made, the site is still important to later generations living 200 miles away - a vast distance in Neolithic terms,' he said. 'For example, the axe and knife may not have been traded, but placed there as part of a ceremony or an ancestral pilgrimage from what is now East Yorkshire. 'So we witness an inter-connected community linking Herefordshire and East Yorkshire by marriage and by descent 5,000 years ago.'
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Manchester archaeologists have found communal halls that were first 'ritually' burned and then covered over with soil to form large barrows .
The buildings were burned down when the head of the family died .
The structures were discovered on top of Dorstone Hill in Herefordshire and are thought to date to about 3,800BC .
Archeologists have found two stone axe-heads, a flint hand knife and an arrowhead and have described the discovery as a 'very important find'
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They say you 'Gotta go to Mo's', but it would appear that Mo's gotta go to Dick's! The CEO of Modells, a sporting goods chain who once appeared on the TV show 'Undercover Boss' pretended to be an executive from a rival company in an effort to get confidential information, according to a lawsuit. Dick's Sporting Goods claims in a lawsuit filed Feb. 20 in Mercer County Court that Mitchell Modell, CEO of Modell's Sporting Goods, showed up at a Dick's store in Princeton in February saying he was a Dick's senior vice president. Dick's alleges Modell told employees he was to meet the Dick's CEO there and persuaded workers to show him the backroom of the store and to answer questions about the business. In disguise: Mitchell Modell (left), the CEO of Modell's Sporting Goods who appeared Undercover Boss to spy on his employees is now accused by the CEO of rival store Dick's Sporting Goods, Edward Stack (right) Lied to get in: Dick's Sporting Goods claims Modell visited one of its stores in Princeton on Feb. 8 and pretended to be a senior vice president of Dick's who was collecting information about the store . Modell gathered information about online sales, including a 'ship from store' program that gets products to customers' doors quickly, the lawsuit said. Retailers spy on each other all the time. In his autobiography, Sam Walton writes about covert shopping trips to keep tabs on rivals like Kmart and Price Club. 'Ever since retailers first started having cash registers, retailers have scouted each other's stores,' said Burt Flickinger III, president of retail consultancy Strategic Resource Group. But if the lawsuit's allegations are true, this appears to be a particularly egregious case. It is rare that a CEO would actually get caught misrepresenting himself to store employees, experts say. Trade war: Modell allegedly told a store manager he had an appointment to meet Dick's CEO Edward Stack at the store and convinced employees to show him around the store's private back areas and answer questions about store operations . Undercover boss: What retail experts find particularly baffling about the complaint is how Modell, a highly visible CEO, thought he wouldn't be recognized. Here he is seen when he legitimately went undercover for the CBS TV program . 'What happens all day every day is retailers go to their competitors' stores and probably and certainly don't disclose who they are,' said RBC Capital Markets analyst Sean McGowan. 'But I can't think of any instances where a retailer represents he is an executive to gain access.' Dick's accuses its rival of civil conspiracy and trespass and is seeking attorneys' fees and a judge's order to prevent Modell and his workers from entering nonpublic areas of Dick's stores or posing as employees. Modell's spokesman Jason Karlowski says he couldn't comment immediately but would be able to answer questions later Friday. In 2012, Mitchell Modell shaved his head and put on an oversized mustache to pose as a low-level employee on the CBS show 'Undercover Boss.' He later said the experience taught him how physically demanding warehouse work was and led to staffing and workload changes throughout the company. His New York-based chain has more than 150 stores, mostly in the Northeast. Dick's, based in Pittsburgh, is a publicly traded company with more than 550 stores nationwide. Pending litigation: Modell's, a family-owned business founded in 1889 and based in New York, has more than 150 stores in 11 states, primarily in the Northeast. Dick's has more than 550 stores in 46 states . Let him in: In a complaint filed in Mercer County Court Feb. 20, Dick's Sporting Goods claims Modell visited one of its stores in Princeton on Feb. 8 and pretended to be a senior vice president of Dick's who was collecting information about the store . Lawsuit: Dick's is seeking unspecified financial compensation for damages, and a ruling that would bar Modell (pictured) or any of his employees from making future visits to the non-public areas of a Dick's store or using the information gained from Modell's February visit .
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Dick's Sporting Goods chain alleges Mitchell Modell pretended to be an executive from a rival store to obtain secrets .
The visit occurred at the start of February at a store in New Jersey .
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By . Mark Duell and James Salmon . PUBLISHED: . 07:58 EST, 11 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:38 EST, 11 February 2013 . Barclays' shareholders could have been misled over a £3billion investment by the owner of Manchester City F.C., it was alleged today. The bank said in 2008 that Sheikh Mansour had agreed to invest the money, which helped it avoid a taxpayer bailout - but, in fact, the money came from Abu Dhabi’s government. Sheikh Mansour was said to be providing half of a £7billion input, but BBC Panorama found that Barclays was told the investor might change shortly before shareholders backed the deal. Investment: Sheikh Mansour was said to be providing half of a £7billion input, but BBC Panorama found that Barclays was told the investor might change shortly before shareholders backed the deal . The bank allegedly decided to remain silent until this change was confirmed a few hours later. It claimed to have later provided ‘appropriate disclosure’ in three prospectuses released the next day. But this was allegedly buried in the small print, and still referred to ‘his investment’ in respect of Sheikh Mansour, despite knowing he was not in fact investing in the bank, reported BBC Panorama. He was still referred to as the investor in the 2008 and 2009 annual reports. Barclays claimed this was a ‘drafting error’ and the prospectus information was ‘appropriate in all the circumstances’. A Barclays spokesman said: 'We have repeatedly demonstrated to Panorama why the allegations which they plan to make in their programme are completely unjustified. 'Barclays is satisfied that the steps taken to disclose the change in ownership of the companies which were investing in the bank in 2008 were entirely appropriate. The change in ownership of the investing companies had no bearing on the transaction or required approvals.' Sheikh Mansour has an estimated wealth of around £20billion. The investment happened at a time of global economic meltdown, when RBS and Lloyds TSB had to ask the Government for a bailout. Changes: Barclays boss Antony Jenkins is to scrap the company's tax avoidance unit in a bid to move away from the bank's scandal-hit past . The Panorama programme comes as it was . revealed the bank will shut down a controversial unit used to slash . tax bills in a bid to ‘shred’ the legacy left by former boss Bob . Diamond. Critics last night welcomed the move but baulked at the idea that the lender has had a ‘Road to Damascus moment’ over its ethics. Barclays, which is fighting to salvage its reputation after a string of scandals, will unveil the plans after its financial results tomorrow, when it counts the cost of its wrongdoing. It is expected to slash up to 2,000 ‘casino bankers’ at its investment arm Barclays Capital as part of a shake-up. But in its most eye-catching bid to convince the public that it is improving its culture, it will also announce the closure of its structured capital markets business. This secretive division helps companies avoid tax through a network of offshore tax havens and was previously run by its highest-paid banker Roger Jenkins. But it has also been used by Barclays to cut its own tax bill in the UK, heaping pressure on ordinary households to bridge the £32billion annual shortfall in HM Revenue & Customs’ coffers. Last year it was ordered by the Treasury to repay half a billion pounds after being caught out using two ‘aggressive’ loopholes to avoid paying tax. Barclays chief executive Antony Jenkins will describe the activities of its tax-avoidance arm as ‘legal’ but ‘incompatible with our purpose’, pledging ‘a new approach for a new era of banking’. In the closest the bank has come to admitting widespread tax avoidance, he will admit that in some cases the unit ‘relied on sophisticated and complex structures, where transactions were carried out with the primary objective of accessing the tax benefits’. He will say: ‘We get it. The old ways weren’t the right way to behave nor did they deliver the right results – for banks themselves or for wider society. Job cuts: The move will see some 2,000 investment banking jobs axed by the firm . ‘There must be a new approach for a new era of banking. Banks that fail to change will become failing banks. My message is Barclays is changing.’ The move comes amid fresh accusations that Barclays helped clients avoid tax on an ‘industrial’ scale. In the Panorama investigation aired on BBC One tonight, a former insider will claim that the small team of 100 staff at the structured capital markets unit would share huge rewards from the profits of tax avoidance deals. Scandal: The closure is part of Mr Jenkins' drive to 'shred' the legacy left by former boss Bob Diamond who resigned following the bank's £290 million Libor rigging settlement last year . ‘Some tax restructuring is common in a lot of banks, and there’s nothing wrong with it. The issue is they turned it into an industry within the bank.’ The tax avoidance arm was run by Roger Jenkins, a former boyfriend of supermodel Elle Macpherson, who made as much as £40million a year before leaving the bank in 2009. Mr Jenkins, 57, is also one of several current and former Barclays executives being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office and the City watchdog over fees paid to Middle East investors during the financial crisis. Campaigners welcomed Barclays’ decision to close its tax avoidance arm but said it needed to be accompanied with a reform of the system to make it harder for companies to dodge tax. Robert Oxley, from the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Companies shutting down controversial units might ease public anger but it doesn’t solve the problem of our broken tax system. ' 'Until it is reformed the public will remain deeply unhappy when they see companies able to exploit relief and loopholes simply not open to the rest of us.’ Chief executive Mr Jenkins admitted to the banking commission of MPs and peers last week that the overhaul of his bank amounted to ‘shredding’ the legacy left by his predecessor Mr Diamond. He admitted that an ‘aggressive’ and ‘self-serving’ culture had developed under the American. Barclays last night said it paid its fair share of tax in the UK, having paid £300million of corporation tax on profits of £1billion in 2011.
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Barclays said in 2008 that Sheikh Mansour had agreed to invest money .
But money had come from Abu Dhabi government, reports BBC Panorama .
Bank will also be closing tax avoidance unit resulting in 2,000 job losses .
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A grand mansion linked to Henry VIII has been turned into a block of luxury flats fit for a king - and for under £200,000 each. Preston Hall, a magnificent 55,000 sq.ft. Grade II listed mansion near Aylesford, Kent, was once the country residence of the Culpeper family, ancestors of Queen Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of King Henry VIII. But after becoming an NHS facility in 1945 and suffering years of neglect, it was sold by the government to developers. Now house hunters wanting a bit of Wolf Hall or Downton Abbey in their lives can move into Preston Hall from just £195,000. A grand mansion linked to Henry VIII's fifth wife has been turned into a block of luxury flats fit for a king - and for under £200,000 each . Preston Hall, a magnificent 55,000 sq.ft. Grade II listed mansion near Aylesford, Kent, was once the country residence of the Culpeper family, ancestors of Queen Catherine Howard . After becoming an NHS facility in 1945 and suffering years of neglect , it was sold by the government to developers. The once dilapidated home is now back to its former glory - albeit with a modern twist . The home has been luxuriously appointed and respectfully renovated. Now house hunters wanting a bit of Wolf Hall or Downton Abbey in their lives can move into Preston Hall from just £195,000 . The government sold the Grade II listed mansion, near Aylesford, Kent, to Weston Homes for a 'nominal fee' which has transformed it into 36 apartments . The mansion was originally the home of the Culpeper family, a family Tudor dynasty, which featured in the mini-series, The Tudors, who held grand Courtly events and hunts with Henry VIII and Elizabeth I . The figure is around £18,000 more than the average price paid for a home in England and Wales - and £50,000 less than the average value of a property. The government sold the Grade II listed mansion, near Aylesford, Kent, to Weston Homes for a 'nominal fee' which has transformed it into 36 apartments. All flats boast period features, while the top-end £700,000 pads have huge mezzanine. Bob Weston, boss of Weston Homes, said: 'With its links to King Henry VIII, its grand stone facade and spacious period interiors Preston Hall provided a rich historic backdrop on which we have layered a luxurious state-of-the-specification and new build elements in order to create the most outstanding contemporary homes to be unveiled in this part of Kent. 'Preston Hall is without doubt the most prestigious, challenging and unique restoration projects we have undertaken to date.' The mansion was originally the home of the Culpeper family, a family Tudor dynasty, which featured in the mini-series, The Tudors, who held grand Courtly events and hunts with Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The home's entrance hall still holds the former glory of the stately building. After suffering years of neglect it will be lived in once again . All flats boast period features, while the top-end £700,000 pads have huge mezzanines. Bob Weston, boss of Weston Homes, said: 'Preston Hall is one of the most prestigious, challenging and unique restoration projects we have undertaken to date' A landing looking over the entrance hall of the historic building. When Catherine became Henry VIII's wife Preston Hall became a centre for grand Courtly events and hunts . One descendant of the family, Joyce Culpeper, married Edmund Howard and was the mother of Queen Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of King Henry VIII. When Catherine became Henry VIII's wife Preston Hall became a centre for grand Courtly events and hunts. However, Catherine had an affair with her distant cousin Sir Thomas Culpeper - a courtier to the King - and they were both beheaded for treason. Ownership of the hall passed through relatives of the Culpeper family until it was purchased in 1848 by Edward Ladd Betts, a railroad baron. In 1850 Edward and his wife Anne commissioned architect John Thomas to refurbish Preston Hall into the magnificent Jacobean mansion which currently stands on the site. The mansion was originally the home of the Culpeper family, a family Tudor dynasty, ancestors of Catherine Howard. When Catherine became Henry VIII's wife Preston Hall became a centre for grand Courtly events and hunts . The kitchens in each of the flats has been given a modern finish. When Catherine had an affair with her distant cousin Sir Thomas Culpeper - a courtier to the King - and they were both beheaded for treason, ownership of the hall passed through relatives of the Culpeper family . The home was purchased in 1848 by Edward Ladd Betts, a railroad baron. It was later sold and gifted it to The Red Cross, which used it as a hospital during World War One . John Thomas was a favourite architect of HRH Prince Albert, The Prince Consort and worked on Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Westminster and Somerleyton Hall. However, in 1867, the Betts family were bankrupted and he was forced to sell it to rival railway baron Thomas Brassey. In 1904 the family sold vast chunks of the original estate and the house and grounds were reduced to 24.9 acres. They sold it to the Sauber family, who later gifted it to The Red Cross, which used it as a hospital during World War One. Between 1945 to 2012 it became Preston Hall Hospital until it was sold in March this year by the Department for Health. Weston Homes is now going to plough millions into the site, building 36 one, two and three bedroom apartments. As part of the restoration process the elegant ceilings - including the hammer-beamed ceiling with coats of arms - rich wood wall paneling, turrets and towers will the carefully restored to their formerly glory. Prices for the flats are expected to range from £170,000 to £750,000. Mr Weston said: 'Preston Hall is one of the most prestigious, challenging and unique restoration projects we have undertaken to date.'
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Preston Hall, is a magnificent 55,000 sq.ft. Grade II listed renovated mansion near Aylesford, Kent .
It was once the country residence of the Culpeper family, ancestors of Queen Catherine Howard .
House hunters wanting a bit of Wolf Hall or Downton Abbey in their lives can move into the hall from just £195,000 .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 22:44 EST, 10 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 01:23 EST, 11 December 2012 . Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly ready to move on after the sad death of his former wife, and marry his actress girlfriend Cheryl Hines. According to Radar Online, the environmental lawyer, 58, is planning to propose to Hines, 47, who is famous for playing Larry David's wife in Curb Your Enthusiasm. Kennedy's second wife, Mary, was found hanging in the family barn in Bedford, New York, in May this year - he had filed for divorce in 2010. Coming engagement: Robert F Kennedy Jr is reportedly ready to propose to actress girlfriend Cheryl Hines . 'Robert has already bought an absolutely stunning engagement ring and is now in the stages of planning the perfect scenario in which to propose to Cheryl,' a source said. 'He knows she is the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with and he wants to seal the deal as soon as possible and prove to her how serious he is.' The source claims that 'Robert is aware that it hasn't even been a year yet since Mary killed herself and he doesn't want Cheryl to be subjected to any negative backlash, she's an innocent party in this whole mess and he wants to shield her from any criticism as much as humanly possible.' Radar adds: 'His and Mary's divorce was . close to being finalized at the time of her death, and Robert says he . would have likely already married Cheryl by now if he didn't have to . deal with the suicide and its aftermath. Estranged: Kennedy had filed for divorce from second wife Mary in 2010. She committed suicide at the family barn in May 2012 . 'Although he accepts that publicly he has to maintain an appearance of mourning, he points out that their marriage had been over for a long time at the time of Mary's death and he is more than ready to move on now and marry again.' There was bitter acrimony following Mary's suicide. Kennedy sent his 16-year-old daughter Kyra, one of couple's four children, to live with Hines in Los Angeles. He then had Mary's body exhumed and moved to a more remote part of the same graveyard. It was reported Mary had been struggling . with depression, had doubts about her future, financial problems and . difficulties dealing with the bitter divorce from Kennedy. He had . started a new and media-friendly relationship with actress Hines. Innocent party: Kennedy claims he doesn't want any negative backlash against actress Hines . Radar Online claims: 'Robert doesn't want to appear to be insensitive, but he believes he has the right to get on with his life, and his relationship with Cheryl is an integral part of that. 'He has discussed his intention to marry again with his family but hasn't broached the issue with his kids yet. 'Robert is confident though that they will accept it and be happy for him, and if that's not the case he maintains that they will eventually learn to accept it.'
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RFK Jr reportedly ready to make Cheryl Hines his third wife .
Source claims that he 'doesn't want to appear insensitive, .
but he has the right to get on with his life'
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A 15-year-old girl who has fled Britain and flown out to join jihadis in Syria after being 'brainwashed' online may end up marrying an Islamic terrorist, a counter-extremist has warned. Schoolgirl Yusra Hussien, described as a grade-A pupil who wanted to be a dentist, left her family home in Bristol to join hardline fighters in the war-torn country. But a terror expert says she will most likely be told that she could best serve jihad by marrying an ISIS fighter. The devastating news emerged as Home Secretary Theresa May talked tough about the need to crack down on extremism. Scroll down for video . Schoolgirl Yusra Hussien, described as a grade-A pupil who wanted to be a dentist, has left her family home in Bristol to join jihadis in Syria after being 'brainwashed' online . A spokesman for Yusra Hussien's family said they were 'very distraught' and feared she might be 'in danger' Yusra, who is thought to have been exposed to jihadi propaganda on the internet, boarded a flight to Istanbul under the noses of police and border control officials at Heathrow. She is believed to be with a 17-year-old girl from Lambeth, South London, whom she arranged to meet at the airport, and to have flown to Turkey in order to enter Syria, where Islamic State fighters control large areas. Last night Yusra's distraught family, who are of Somali descent, begged her: 'Please come back. We miss you very much. You are not in any trouble. We just want you to be safe and to come home as soon as possible.' Haras Rafiq, an outreach officer for the counter-extremism think tank the Quilliam Foundation, warned Yusra may have gone to become a jihadi bride. He said: 'We suspect what's happened is that she met up with somebody here in London, she travelled from Bristol to London, so she already had this romantic notion. 'She already probably believes that she's going to go and get married so one of two things will happen. 'It's more than likely that she will actually go and become a jihadi bride. She at the age of 15 will marry somebody who she considers to be a holy warrior. Yusra left her home in Bristol, above, last Wednesday, and is now feared to be heading for Syria . Friends and family leaving Yusra's home in Easton where the schoolgirl's family are desperate for news . 'Either she will have a role to play in the so-called Islamic State. In this case she's not a professional - she's not a doctor, she's not an engineer etc. 'It's more than likely that she will actually go and become a jihadi bride. She at the age of 15 will marry somebody who she considers to be a holy warrior and that's how she will play a part in the jihad.' The teenager has not been seen since 7am last Wednesday when she left home in the Easton area of Bristol. Her parents thought she was going to school, but she is believed to have taken a coach to Heathrow. Her father Mohammed, a youth worker, only realised she was missing when he went to collect her from school that afternoon. He and his wife Safiya, a dinner lady, declined to comment further other than to confirm their daughter was missing. A woman who said she was Yusra's aunt added: 'We are all really confused.' Authorities fear the Bristol schoolgirl may be heading to fight with ISIS in Syria, above, after being radicalised . A family friend said the teenager, who wears a headscarf, had not asked for any money and her parents were unaware of any cash she could have used to pay for her flight – suggesting that whoever recruited her may also have bought her tickets. Afzal Shah, who spent time with the family at their home yesterday, said they had noticed Yusra use her phone and computer a lot recently. 'The family have not been able to make contact with Yusra,' he said. 'The understanding I have is that the radicalisation is self-radicalisation as opposed to any institution. 'There are so many forums and chatrooms on the internet that it's easy to be led astray. I don't know how she got to that stage but she was radicalised at that stage. 'It also begs the question how a 15-year-old child was allowed to board a flight like that.' Family spokesman Hibaq Jama said Yusra's parents were 'devastated - they have no idea where she is' Mr Shah said police believe Yusra may already be in the east of Turkey near the border with Syria. He added: 'IS is a menace to the whole of society and have nothing to do with the Muslim faith. They're violent and extortionist thugs. It's absolutely tragic. The family had no clue.' Anira Khokhar, speaking for the family, described Yusra as an 'intelligent, beautiful young lady. The family have lost a daughter and that is the most important thing here,' she said. 'They are just a family whose daughter is somewhere they are unaware of and she is in danger.' Another source close to Yusra's family said they feared she had become brainwashed on the internet. Up to 50 British girls and young women are feared to have gone to the Middle East to join the jihadis. It is claimed that Yusra was introduced to the London-based radical – who is also from a Somalian family – by a third girl, who is now being sought in Bristol. Family home: A neighbour said the Hussiens were 'a very nice family - the father is always there for his kids' Police were at Yusra's family home in Easton today as a family spokesman said they feared for her safety . Last night Avon and Somerset Police refused to explain how Yusra would have been able to fly without her parents to Turkey – a popular transit point for would-be jihadis - at a time of heightened security. It was unclear which airline Yusra and the other girl flew on, and what rules it has in place for unaccompanied minors. Louisa Rolfe, assistant chief constable of Avon and Somerset, said: 'Since she was reported missing by her parents we've carried out extensive work to trace her footsteps from the time she left home to her arrival in Istanbul. 'There are indications she may have been radicalised but at the moment our priority is to find her before she crosses the border to Syria and make sure she is safe.' She added: 'We must all be vigilant and ready to spot the signs of radicalisation. Often, young Muslims who go to Syria can be naive and don't recognise that they are being sucked into joining extremist groups.' Radicalised: Twins Zahra (left) and Salma (right) Halane, 16, ran away to Syria from their home in Manchester . Young Britons joining the extremists have also included Reyaad Khan (left), a former star pupil from Cardiff . Many of the British women who have gone to join IS are believed to be based at the group's stronghold in Raqqa, eastern Syria. Some are as young as 14 or 15, and travelling to marry jihadis, bear their children and join communities of militants. Twin sisters Zahra and Salma Halane, 16, left their Manchester home in July without their parents' knowledge to follow their brother to Syria. Both are reportedly now married to IS fighters. Experts say a small number of the women are taking up arms. Some British women and girls have posted pictures of themselves carrying AK-47s, grenades and in one case a severed head. Yesterday two police officers were standing guard outside The City Academy, Bristol, where Yusra is a pupil. Classmates say she is an A-grade student who has a very bright future and wants to be a dentist. A friend, 15, who had a history lesson with Yusra the day before she went missing, said she seemed 'completely normal'. 'I was sat next to her and she seemed fine,' she said. 'She didn't have any new friends that we knew about, and she was a completely normal girl.' Abdi Omar, 26, who lives next to the family's six-bedroom Victorian terrace, said the family's plight had been mentioned at the local mosque, which serves a predominantly Somali congregation.
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Yusra Hussien reported missing by her parents from Bristol home last week .
She took a bus to London, met another girl, 17, and flew to Turkey with her .
Fears girls may have crossed the border into Syria to fight with extremists .
Terror expert said she might marry a terrorist and become a 'jihadi bride'
Haras Rafiq said: 'She will marry someone she considers a "holy warrior"'
Bristol police say: 'There are indications Yusra may have been radicalised'
Friend says Yusra's family noticed she was on phone and computer a lot .
Girl is 'bright, articulate and popular' and disappearance 'out of character'
Neighbour says Yusra's mother is a dinner lady and father a youth worker .
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By . Emily Crane . A simple eye test may be able to predict patients with Alzheimer's 20 years before the first symptoms appear, a Perth-based trial has found. Preliminary results from the world-first trial were released on Sunday at the Alzheimer Association's international conference in Copenhagen because Australian scientists were so excited by the findings. Dr Yogesan Kanagasingam from the CSIRO's e-Health Research Centre said if the trial's final results were positive, he hoped a cure for the disease could be found. Dr Yogesan Kanagasingam from the CSIRO's e-Health Research Centre said if the trial's final results were positive, he hoped a cure for Alzheimer's could be found . At the moment, it's only possible to detect the disease when the patient already has significant brain damage. 'You can do brain imaging, but that is at the later stages and it's already too late,' Dr Kanagasingam told the ABC. 'It is the first trial in the world to prove that this kind of thing could be used for identifying the Alzheimer's disease early.' The final results are expected to be released in October, with just 40 of the 200 results already analysed. Before undergoing an eye scan, patients in the trial ate curcumin, which is found in the spice turmeric. The ingredient makes beta-amyloids stand out in an eye scan, which is the primary material found in characteristics of Alzheimer's. The trial is a joint venture between the CSIRO, Edith Cowan University and the McCusker Foundation.
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Perth scientists are leading a world-first trial to diagnose Alzheimer's before brain damage occurs .
The trial's preliminary results were released on Sunday at the Alzheimer Association's conference in Copenhagen .
Research leader Dr Yogesan Kanagasingam expects to have final results by October .
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(CNN) -- Any doubts that Real Madrid's big-name stars will struggle to play together this season were seemingly blown away in a remarkable 8-2 thrashing of Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday. World player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick, last year's marquee signing Gareth Bale netted twice and recently-arrived World Cup star James Rodriguez was also on the scoresheet in the Spanish top-flight match. Mexico striker Javier Hernandez, a loan signing from Manchester United, grabbed the final two goals after coming on as a late substitute. It was the first time the club has scored eight goals in an away La Liga match, and the winning margin matched the 7-1 success at Real Zaragoza in the 1987-88 season. "We showed the quality we have. We have a phenomenon in Ronaldo and we have other players with great quality," coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters. "They combined very well together and that was the best thing we can take from the game." Ancelotti's team made an impressive start to its European Champions League title defense in midweek, beating Basel 5-1, but the club's early domestic form has been patchy. This victory, after a win and two defeats, left Madrid three points behind big rival Barcelona, which travels to bottom club Levante on Sunday seeking to maintain a 100% record. City rival Atletico Madrid, which won the Spanish title last season but lost to Real in the European final, dropped points in a 2-2 draw at home to Celta Vigo later Saturday. "The season is very long and recovering points on the leaders just now isn't the problem," Ancelotti added. "We have to improve. Today we showed the quality everyone knows we have which is the capability to score in many different ways. "We need to continue improving the balance and our consistency. After two defeats we have scored 13 goals and that is a good sign that we have responded well." Ronaldo, who netted against Swiss side Basel on Tuesday, scored his 23rd hat-trick for Real since joining in a then world-record $130 million move from English club Manchester United. Rodriguez, who won the golden boot as top scorer at Brazil 2014 before joining Real for a reported $121 million from Monaco, then scored his second goal in a week as he curled in a superb left-foot effort. Ronaldo made it 3-0 before halftime but Deportivo pulled a goal back after the break with a penalty after Sergio Ramos was ruled to have handled the ball. Bale -- whose move from Tottenham last year eclipsed the Portugal captain's transfer fee -- took center stage with two well-taken goals. Deportivo, which had conceded only four times in three previous games, went 6-1 down as Ronaldo sealed his treble from Rodriguez's pass before Toche headed a consolation. Hernandez, who replaced Bale, fired in a left-foot volley from the edge of the area and then added another long-range effort -- this one deflecting into the net off a defender. Atletico conceded an early goal to Pablo Hernandez but led 2-1 at halftime through Miranda and defender Diego Godin before Nolito leveled with a 53rd-minute penalty. The draw left Diego Simeone's team a point behind Barca in second, with Granada third on goal difference after winning 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao. Italy . Three-time defending champion Juventus secured a third win from three this season, as Argentina striker Carlos Tevez scored the only goal at AC Milan on Saturday. The 71st-minute decider gave coach Massimiliano Allegri a notable victory over the club that sacked him in January. It left Milan in second after a first defeat this Serie A season, while Roma can join Juve on three wins from three by beating Cagliari on Sunday. Germany . Bundesliga champion Bayern Munich was held 0-0 at second-bottom Hamburg on Saturday, leaving Pep Guardiola's team fourth on goal difference after a second draw in four matches. Promoted Paderborn, which travels to Bayern's Allianz Arena on Tuesday, is top after a 2-0 win over Hanover that was capped by a spectacular late volley by Moritz Stoppelkamp from just outside his own penalty area. The top four teams all have eight points after second-placed Mainz upset last season's runner-up Borussia Dortmund 2-0 and Hoffenheim, in third, won by the same score at Stuttgart. France . Marseille went top on goal difference after Saturday's 3-0 win over Rennes, as France forward Andre-Pierre Gignac scored twice. It put Marseille above Bordeaux, which won 2-1 against bottom side Evian Thonon Gaillard on Friday. Sixth-placed defending champion Paris St. Germain hosts Lyon on Sunday, when Lille could go top by beating Montpellier.
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Cristiano Ronaldo nets a hat-trick as Real Madrid scores eight goals .
Gareth Bale and substitute Javier Hernandez collect two each in 8-2 win .
Colombia star James Rodriguez also scores at Deportivo la Coruna .
Real has struggled in La Liga and could end weekend six points behind Barcelona .
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By . Kate Lyons . and Richard Shears . Christine Armstrong, 63, was killed by a shark while on a regular morning swim off the coast of New South Wales on Thursday morning . A woman has died after she was taken by a shark while swimming off the coast of New South Wales, Australia. Christine Armstrong, 63, was swimming with a group of five others when she was separated from the group and attacked by the shark. The incident occurred at about 8.20am on Thursday morning, about 320 feet from the shore. It was witnessed by swimmers in the water and people on the nearby wharf. People at the scene reported seeing a 10-13 feet shark close to the surface of the water near the time of the attack. ‘We have got a number of witnesses who have all seen this incident occur and I’m fairly safe to say at this stage to say that a shark has taken her, Inspector Jason Edmunds from Bega Police told ABC radio. Mrs Armstrong was a Tathra local, a keen swimmer and had been married to her husband Rob since the age of 19. Her family released a statement in which they said she had been loved by many people and would be sadly missed. 'She has been swimming at Tathra Beach for 14 years and was an experienced and committed member of the surf club', they said. 'She was a senior surf club trainer for many years and swimming brought her much joy and many friends. 'She will be sadly missed by all who loved her, especially by Rob, her husband of 44 years.' Police have closed the beach while water police, rescue helicopters and surf lifesavers search the area for Mrs Armstrong's body, or the shark. Mrs Armstrong was part of a group of about 20 people who regularly completed the swim together. The five members of the group who had been swimming with Mrs Armstrong on Thursday morning are being treated for shock by ambulance members at the scene. Scroll down for video . Police have closed off Tathra Beach and are searching for the body of Mrs Armstrong, who was taken by a shark while swimming . Tathra Beach is a popular holiday destination on the south coast of New South Wales, near the Victorian border. This is believed to be the first shark attack in the area in living memory . ‘Naturally they are shocked and horrified by what has occurred,’ Inspector Edmunds said. The swim from Tathra Beach to Tathra Wharf is a popular one. Up to 600 people take part in the annual Tathra Wharf to Waves ocean swim each January. The attack took place at what has always been considered a safe area. Locals have expressed their horror at the incident, saying that while sharks have occasionally been sighted in the area, they have never known of an attack. 'It is a bit of a shock. I was down at the beach about 8am. I saw the swimmers go in and then I was up at the house when the helicopter went over,' local resident Molly Carroll told the Bega District News. Ms Carroll also commented there was 'an eerie feeling' in the holiday town. The incident follows reports from Western Australia that the remains of a diver who disappeared at the weekend had been recovered, but there was no immediate confirmation that a shark had been involved. This is the second shark attack off the NSW coast within five months. Last November, 19-year-old Zac Young died at Campbell's beach, north of Coffs Harbour after receiving a severe leg injury in an attack while riding his bodyboard. In that incident, a bull shark was involved. In 2008 Tathra Wharf was the scene of a tragedy when father Shane O'Neill drowned while trying to rescue his two young sons after they fell 15ft into rough seas. Mrs Armstrong had lived in the idyllic holiday town of Tathra for 14 years. The town has been devastated by the attack .
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Christine Armstrong, 63, was killed by a shark while swimming .
She was on a regular early morning swim with a group .
Ms Armstrong was attacked after becoming separated from the others .
This is the first recorded shark attack in the holiday town of Tathra in NSW .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 08:17 EST, 29 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:17 EST, 29 October 2013 . A second fairground ride called the Vortex left a worker with a broken back, pelvis and leg just days after three people were hospitalized by a separate machine. Anesto Newell, 32, was in intensive care on Monday after a seating section of the Vortex fell on him on Sunday at the North Carolina State Fair. The accident happened as fairground workers dismantled equipment at the annual fair in Raleigh. Mr Newell became trapped when part of the seating on the older Vortex ride landed on the lower half of his body. Scroll down for video . Part of the seating section from the Vortex ride lies on the ground behind police tape after it fell and trapped a worker on Sunday night at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh . The injured worker suffered a broken back, pelvis and leg, according to his family members who were working nearby dismantling equipment at the annual state fair . He was taken to WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh where he had surgery and was believed to be in critical condition. The injured man's brother and sister-in-law who were working nearby told WRAL-TV that he had suffered a broken back, pelvis and leg. They had tried to lift the ride from him but could not. The Vortex ride which injured Mr Newell had been part of the fairground's main attraction for several years. The incident follows another Vortex ride which spun into motion last Thursday as people were exiting, dropping riders from heights of up to 30 feet. Five were injured with three still in hospital as a result of their injuries. Anthony Gorham, 29, Kisha Gorham, 39, and . a 14-year-old whose name was not released were still in hospital today. The severity of their injuries is unknown. Ride operator Timothy Tutterrow, center, makes his first appearance in a Wake County Courtroom in Raleigh, North Carolina on Monday. He faces three counts of assault with a deadly weapon, inflicting serious injury . On Monday, a ride operator made his . first court appearance to face criminal charges over injuries at the . North Carolina State Fair. Timothy . Dwayne Tutterrow of Quitman, Georgia, faces three counts of assault . with a deadly weapon, inflicting serious injury when five people were . injured on a Vortex ride. Three were hospitalized. Wake . County District Court Judge Keith Gregory declined to lower Tutterrow's . $225,000 bond. The 46-year-old defendant was returned to jail in . handcuffs. Wake Sheriff Donnie Harrison says the ride had been intentionally tampered with to bypass critical safety devices. Records show Tutterrow has twice been arrested for drug charges, including a 2002 felony charge of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. The Vortex ride at the North Carolina State Fair started up without warning and sent people flying through the air on Thursday night . People were exiting the ride at the North Carolina State Fair on Thursday when the machine started up announced and sent them flying . In this photo provided by WNCN, emergency crews respond to the scene where a ride malfunctioned at the North Carolina State Fair. The ride operator has been arrested and charged with three counts of assault . Horrified bystanders watched as riders were thrown off while others tried to hold on to the machine. Max Byrn, 13, told ABC News Radio that he was watching the ride and had seen people knocked unconscious. He said: . 'There were actually some people that were still, I think, strapped in . and holding on, really hanging on for their lives. But they were . falling like raindrops. It was really crazy.' The Vortex is a pendulum ride that flips passengers upside down. A person is thrown by the ride in Raleigh. Three people remain in hospital today and the ride operator has been charged with assault . Witnesses say the ride had stopped and people . were getting off when it started moving again. Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison told ABC11: 'After inspection of the ride, we determined that it had been tampered with and critical safety devices were compromised.' Tutterrow's lawyer said on Monday that his client was 'devastated' by the incident, adding that the fairground worker is a father and grandfather who would never intentionally hurt anyone and that his prayers were with those who had been injured. Three people remain in hospital following the accident at the North Carolina Fair on Thursday night .
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Anesto Newell, 32, suffered broken back, pelvis and leg when part of a seating section fell on him on Sunday .
Anthony Gorham, 29, Kisha Gorham, 39, .
and a 14-year-old whose name was not released were still in hospital today following accident in Raleigh last Thursday .
Operator of the first Vortex ride Timothy Dwayne Tutterrow, 46, charged with felony assault .
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By . Sean Gallagher . Darren Fletcher has challenged former Manchester United duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Wes Brown as the next personnel to take part in the Ice Bucket Challenge, after the Manchester United midfielder pledged his support to it in aid of the James McCarthy Foundation. The Manchester United midfielder was only too happy to receive two buckets of ice cold water over his head, dedicating it to James McCarthy, a young man from Manchester who has suffered with illness ever since a car crash in 2009. Both Paul Scholes and Gary Neville had already undertaken the challenge after the Class of 92 match which took place last week. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Darren Fletcher take on the #IceBucketChallenge . Ice cold: Fletcher got two bucket loads of water over his head all for a good cause . Pointing the finger: Fletcher was understandably shivering after the challenge . Giving: The James McCarthy Foundation visited the Manchester United training ground on Thursday . Soaked: Paul Scholes receives a soaking of former United team-mate Gary Neville after the class of 92 game . And Fletcher soon after completed the challenge, nominating former Manchester United team-mates Brown and Ronaldo to take it up next. So far over £9,000 has been raised through the initiative which has been heavily publicised over social networking site Twitter. Elsewhere, Fletcher and his team-mates begin a new era under Louis van Gaal when they entertain Swansea on Saturday afternoon in the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
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Fletcher got two buckets of ice cold water over his head in the #IceBucketChallenge .
He done it to raise money for the James McCarthy Foundation .
McCarthy is a youngster from Manchester who has suffered from on-going health issues since a car crash in 2009 .
Fletcher then nominated former United duo Wes Brown and Cristiano Ronaldo to take up the challenge .
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A German photographer exasperated by the inequalities of the American penal system became fascinated by a late night bus that transports the families of inmates to remote prison facilities to visit their loved ones for just a few hours. 'I was struck by the fact I have lived in the city for 10 years and yet I’d never seen a bus or heard about them,' said photographer Jacobia Dahm who is responsible for the moving series called 'In Transit.' Since November, Dahm has been posting pics from her series to her Instagram account. Now the photos and a short film can be viewed on her website. Seeing dad: Charles, 8, and Raul, 3, traveling to see their dad in Attica Correctional Facility, 350 miles northwest of New York City . Separated: Candis is holding one of the precious prison polaroids, the only pictures people have of their loved ones on the inside, of her with her husband John and her daughter Camryn . Dahm, a mother of two, learned that mostly wives and children of inmates ride the bus and she became determined to capture that in a portrait. 'I thought, ‘I have to find that image,' she said. From February to May, Dahm took six trips on the prison bus and paid $65 per trip and travels to six different prisons. According to the artist's website, 2.7 million American children have a parent in prison and more than 80,000 people are incarcerated in New York State. 'This journey sets out from the bustling hubs of New York yet it is invisible to most outsiders. The overnight bus ride to the different prisons hundreds of miles north of the city is a long and difficult one marked by anxiety, sadness, and exhaustion,' she said. Lined up: Family members board the bus to see their inmate relatives hundreds of miles away . Destination: Attica is a maximum security prison located in upstate New York and one of the bus stops . The farthest is 20 miles from the Canadian border and 300 miles from New York City. The trip can last as long as 24 hours and space is very limited. Some passengers choose to book their ticket on Monday morning to leave on Friday and Saturday nights from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. 'The bus is almost like a secondary imprisonment,' Dahm told The New York Times. 'You won’t be riding it forever, but you will be for a long time,' she added. A large portion of the passengers are children for whom a ticket costs $30. The bus is privately owned and operated by the driver. The city once offered a shuttle for prison visitors but the practice stopped in 2011. 'Prisons could care less how people get up there,' said Dahm. Arrived: After an 8-10 hour bus ride people get dropped off at the visitor center of the prison and usually wait an hour or two of time before the actual visit . Overnight ride: Camryn, 1, after boarding the bus in Brooklyn made the overnight trip with her mother to see her father in Wyoming Correctional Facility . Families of the prisoners take the long journey because they must in order to be reconnected with loved ones. Despite the cold nature of the bus and the strict guidelines from prisons, visitors celebrate being able to see their missed family members. 'Even after all the unpleasant things they had to go through, there was a celebratory sense on the bus,' she said. 'It’s amazing to see people trying to keep family life and intimacy going against all odds,' she added. 'At least half the people they visit are in prison for a ridiculous amount of time,' she said. 'No one is being helped, and a lot of people are being hurt.' Dahm herself is a mother of two and felt especially for the children forced to take the journey. 'The first or second time, it is difficult for them, ‘she said. 'After that, it becomes a routine. They know they are going to see Dad or Mom. This is just what you have to do to get there,' she concluded. Seeing his mother: Jeremiah, 2, asleep as the bus is passing Attica prison in the early morning hours on his way to see his mother at Albion Correctional Facility . Prison bound: People getting on one of the buses in midtown at 34th Street and 7th Avenue on a Friday night .
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Photo series 'In Transit' by German photographer Jacobia Dahm shows images of children on their way to visit family members in prison .
'I was struck by the fact I have lived in the city for 10 years and yet I’d never seen a bus or heard about them,' said photographer Jacobia Dahm .
The bus travels to six different prisons and trips last as long as 24 hours .
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By . Jonathan O'Callaghan . A large hole has been spotted on the middle-right of the six wheels on Nasa’s Mars Curiosity rover. The coin-sized dent caused by a sharp rock has left a gaping hole in the tyre. It is the newest of many bumps and bruises the 1-ton vehicle has experienced since it landed on the red planet in August 2012. Scroll down for video . A large hole has been spotted (shown) in the middle-right wheel of Nasa's Curiosity rover on Mars. The dent is the latest in several bumps and bruises the rover has experienced on the red planet, which has surprised engineers. It is not a problem for now but could become one if the hole grows in size . The rover's top speed is 1.5 inches (3.8 centimetres) per second. Curiosity is the fourth rover to visit Mars. It took around seven minutes to land on the Red Planet. The rover is fitted with 17 cameras. It weighs about the same as a Mini Cooper at approximately 2,000lb (900kg). Scientists considered 60 different possible landing sites before deciding to set Curiosity down in Gale Crater. Mission controllers are confident that even with one or several wheels being damaged in this way, they will still be able to achieve Curiosity’s goals. The rover is currently making its way to the base of Mount Sharp, an interesting mountain that could reveal secrets about the history of Mars. While this damage will not hinder the mission, it will be cause for concern as it shows how susceptible it really is to rocks. ‘They are taking damage,’ said Curiosity project manager Jim Erickson in California about the wheels, reports Space.com. ‘That’s the surprise we got back at the end of last year. ‘We always expected we would get some holes in the wheels as we drove. ‘It’s just the magnitude of what we’re seeing that was the surprise.' Curiosity has recently driven out of the ellipse, approximately 4 miles wide and 12 miles long (7 kilometers by 20 kilometers), that was mapped as safe terrain for its 2012 landing inside Gale Crater. It was snapped by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter crossing the 'boundary' on 27 June (pictured) Each of the six alumnium wheels is independently operated and is built to withstand the harshness of the Martian environment. This particular damage is found on the 'grousers' of the wheel (bottom wheel in this image), which is the zigzag-like pattern that helps them grip the terrain . The worst case scenario is that one of the wheels could be completely torn to shreds and become unusable. This would mean it would have to be dragged across the surface of Mars by the other five wheels, and any flailing damage could also pose a risk to exposed wires. The chances of this happening are low, but the engineers are still surprised at how much of a beating the rover has taken in just under two years. One of the main culprits has been ‘caprock’, flat areas of hard Martian rock. In attempts to avoid going over these areas engineers have been trying to spot softer and sandier areas from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter currently circling the planet. Another solution to avoid such damage is to minimise turning, drive backwards of give the wheels greater control with more software. Whether any of these methods will be more successful in future in avoiding damage remains to be seen. One of the main dangers has been 'caprock', flat areas of hard Martian rock (shown). In attempts to avoid going over these areas engineers have been trying to spot softer and sandier areas from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter currently circling the planet . In other Curiosity news, the rover recently celebrated its first complete year on Mars, equating to 687 Earth days. This was done having accomplished the mission's main goal of determining whether Mars once offered environmental conditions favourable for microbial life. One of Curiosity's first major findings after landing on the red planet in August 2012 was an ancient riverbed at its landing site. Nearby, at an area known as Yellowknife Bay, the mission met its main goal of determining whether the Martian Gale Crater ever was habitable for simple life forms. The answer, a historic ‘yes,’ came from two mudstone slabs that the rover sampled with its drill. Analysis of these samples revealed the site was once a lakebed with water, the essential elemental ingredients for life, and a type of chemical energy source used by some microbes on Earth. If Mars had living organisms, this would have been a good home for them. The rover is now making its way to the foothills of Mount Sharp, its ultimate destination since landing on the red planet. This map shows in red the route driven by Nasa's Curiosity rover from the 'Bradbury Landing' location where it touched down in August 2012 (blue star at upper right) to nearly the completion of its first Martian year (green star is current location). The white line shows the planned route ahead .
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Engineers in California have seen a large hole on one of Curiosity's wheels .
The damage is not mission-ending but could grow into a bigger problem .
Curiosity has been quite heavily damaged since landing in August 2012 .
This has surprised engineers and forced them to seek a quick fix .
They are trying to find ways of avoiding further damage on Mars .
The worst case scenario is one of the wheels 'dies' and has to be dragged .
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A housewife died cradling her one-month-old baby and three-year-old toddler in her arms after a private jet crashed into three houses in Maryland's Montgomery County on Monday morning. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer says the Embraer EMB-500/Phenom 100 twin-engine jet came down around 10.45 am and exploded in a fireball when it hit the quiet cul-de-sac. Three people were aboard the jet when it crashed Monday into the home in Gaithersburg, a Washington, D.C., suburb. The two-story, wood-frame home was gutted by the impact of the crash and ensuing blaze. Scroll Down for Video . Tragic: Ken and Marie Gemmell with their son, Cole and daughter Arabelle before the birth of their baby Devin in October . Traumatic: Baby Devin, (left) is pictured alongside his older brother, Cole (right with his father, Ken) Struck: The Gemmells with Arabelle and Cole before they welcomed their baby son Devin into the world in October . The crash centered around 19733 Drop Forge Lane and Piringer said that the mother and her two children had not been found yet . Neighbors and property records identify the home's residents as Ken and Marie Gemmell. Ken and his five-year-old daughter, Arabelle, were not home when the plane crash - he was at work and his girl was at school. According to Facebook, the Gemmell's are both from New Jersey and Ken works for defense contractor Savi Technology, having previously worked for Thales Group and Washington Labs. He studied Electrical Engineering at John Hopkins University and he and Marie welcomed their new born baby boy Devin just over a month ago. Ken Gemmell's Facebook is filled with loving pictures of his children and wife, including many of his middle son, Cole at soccer practice and he and his oldest enjoying football games at the Baltimore Ravens. Battling: Firefighters stand outside a house the Gaithersbug, Maryland, home on Monday after the morning plane crash . Crash: The aircraft came down at around 10.45 am on Monday morning in the Washington D.C. suburb of Gaithersburg . Destroyed: Firefighters stand outside a smoking house where a small plane crashed in Gaithersburg, Maryland on Monday morning . Smoldering: The wreckage of a small plane smolders in a house driveway after crashing in Gaithersburg, Maryland on Monday . Wreck: An FAA spokesman says preliminary information shows the crashed jet is an Embraer EMB-500/Phenom 100 twin-engine that was on approach at the nearby Montgomery County Airpark . Crash site: A small, private jet has crashed into a house in Maryland's Montgomery County which led to the loss of six lives . Seconds after the crash: Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer says the Embraer EMB-500/Phenom 100 twin-engine jet came down around 10.45 am this morning and slammed into the homes in the Washington D.C. suburb of Gaithersburg . Aircraft: A FAA spokesman said a Embraer EMB-500/Phenom 100 twin-engine jet crash landed on Monday in an affluent suburb of Washington D.C. Explosion: These cellphone video grabs show the devastation and panic in the aftermath of the plane crash in Maryland today as firefighters battle to fight the fire . 'We have a lot of work to do, a lot of damage,' said Piringer. 'But we do have one plane confirmed down, into a house.' He says crews have the fire under control and are conducting a search and rescue operation to find anyone who was in the three homes. 'The fires are under control. We are still working on a lot of hot spots,' Piringer said to WTOP.Com . Piringer said that those hurt in the plane crash were in such bad shape that they couldn't be transported for medical attention. Deceased: Michael K. Rosenberg, who is a CEO of North Carolina company, Health Decisions was onboard the flight. 'No one was transported to a hospital. They were not able to survive the crash,' said Piringer to the Washington Post. The most badly affected home was the two-story, wooden frame one which was gutted by the impact of the crash and ensuing blaze. The first floor was nearly completely blown out and smoke drifted from a gaping hole in what was left of the collapsing roof. Two adjacent homes also had significant damage, with one of them clearly having caught fire, as well. The crash centered around 19733 Drop Forge Lane and Piringer said that the mother and her two children had not been found yet. The crash happened less than 1 mile from the Montgomery County Airpark. A National Transportation Safety Board spokesman says the agency is sending an investigator to the scene. Crews had the fire under control within an hour and were searching for anyone who may have been in the homes. Television news footage of the fiery scene showed one home nearly completely destroyed, with only a car left in the driveway. According to ABC7 News, Michael K. Rosenberg, who is a CEO of North Carolina company, Health Decisions was onboard the flight. Furthermore the pilot was described as 'experienced'. An investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) examines wreckage near the site where a small plane crashed into a residential neighborhood December 8, 2014 in Gaithersburg, Maryland . Utility workers and emergency personnel work near the site where a small plane crashed into a residential neighborhood December 8, 2014 in Gaithersburg, Maryland . Smoke: A fire official says at least three people on board were killed in the suburban plane crash and they confirmed a mother and her two small children also perished . Relief: Montgomery County, firefighters walk to the house where a small plane crashed in Gaithersburg on Monday . Witnesses told television news crews that they saw the airplane appear to struggle to maintain its altitude before going into a nosedive and crashing. Witness Tracey Everett told NBC Washington that she saw the plane in difficulty before it came down. 'You could tell he was struggling with the sticks. He was trying to pull up; he would gain a little elevation and then drop again,' said Everett. 'His wings were wobbling back and forth, very unsteadily.' Suddenly the aircraft began to roll and came down onto the row of houses. '...I doubled around, got into the block just before some of the firetrucks got here, and just realized there was nothing I could do,' said Everett. Immediate reaction: Crews have the fire under control and are conducting a search and rescue operation to find anyone in the homes and plane . Montgomery County: Fire officials said six people were killed when a small, private jet crashed into a house . Blast: The window of a house is damage after a small plane crashed into the house in Gaithersburg, Maryland on Monday . Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer could not immediately say whether anyone was in the Gaithersburg house at the time of the Monday crash . Fred Pedreira, 67, who lives near the crash site, said he had just returned home from the grocery store and was parking his car when he saw the jet and immediately knew something was wrong. 'This guy, when I saw him, for a fast jet with the wheels down, I said, 'I think he's coming in too low,'' Pedreira told The Associated Press. 'Then he was 90 degrees — sideways — and then he went belly-up into the house and it was a ball of fire. It was terrible. 'I tell you, I got goosebumps when I saw it. I said, 'My God, those are people in that plane,' Pedreira said. 'I just hope nobody was in that home.' The jet is registered to Sage Aviation in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. According to the NTSB, there have been 14 plane crashes at Gaitheresburg in 19 years. Of these, two were deadly and in total, five people died in these crashes. 'We hear planes come through all the time,' said a neighbor named Byron Valencia to NBC Washington. '...I was actually in the kitchen making formula for my son, and I heard it come through, and that one was significantly louder than the other ones. And at the same time it passed over the house, and I heard a thump.... And then I started hearing sirens.' 'The aircraft was on approach to Runway 14 at the airport when the accident occurred,' said FAA spokeswoman Arlene Salac to WJLA.Com.
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Mother and her two children among six dead after a private jet crashes on their Maryland home on Monday morning .
Three others died when the Embraer EMB-500/Phenom 100 twin-engine jet came down in the Washington D.C. suburb .
Huge fire engulfed the cul-de-sac setting three properties on fire before blaze brought under control .
Mother is survived by her daughter and husband who were at work and school respectively .
Neighbors and property records identify the home's residents as Ken and Marie Gemmell .
According to the NTSB, there have been 14 plane crashes at Gaitheresburg in 19 years .
Reports of flocks of birds around the approach to the airport on Monday .
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Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts has galvanized enough rank-and-file Republican voters to close the gap with independent challenger Greg Orman in one of the nation's hottest races, a new CNN/ORC poll has found. Roberts leads Orman, 49% to 48%, according to the survey of 687 likely voters that was conducted October 2-6. Orman's chances drastically improved -- and the race was catapulted into the national spotlight -- when Democratic candidate Chad Taylor dropped off the ballot in September, allowing Orman to appeal to a broad swath of anti-Roberts voters on the right and left without competition. Hoping to hold onto a seat that could be key to determining majority control of the Senate, Republicans have scrambled to paint Orman as a Democrat in disguise and to criticize the entrepreneur's business dealings. Roberts hit that point hard during a debate with Orman on Wednesday, repeatedly slamming Orman as a "liberal Democrat" who would continue the policies of President Barack Obama and Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid. Orman has run as a Democrat in the past, but has given money to and voted for candidates in both parties. The survey's results, with a 3.5 percentage point margin of error, are a major reversal from recent polls that have found Orman surging ahead. An NBC/Marist poll released three days ago showed the challenger with a 10 percentage point advantage over Roberts. "Turnout is likely to be key -- the higher the number of Republicans who vote, the better for Roberts, and Republicans have been at least 43% of the vote (and usually higher) in Kansas elections since 2000," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "Roberts must convince disaffected Republicans to like him again. An 80% favorable rating among Republican likely voters in the current poll indicates that he may have closed that part of the deal," he said. The CNN/ORC International poll found that likely voters' views of Roberts have improved, compared to previous polls. Fifty percent said they view the three-term senator favorably, while 45% view Roberts unfavorably. Orman, meanwhile, is viewed favorably by 48% of the likely voters surveyed, and unfavorably by 33%. Nineteen percent aren't sure, according to the poll. Roberts enjoys an 84% to 15% lead among likely Republican voters, while Orman is backed by nearly all Democrats and 62% of independents, compared to 33% of independents who support Roberts. The survey suggested there's plenty of room for movement in the race's final month, with 21% of likely voters saying they could still change their minds. Based on what Orman told reporters Wednesday after his debate with Roberts, voters won't know until after Election Day the answer to a critical question: which party he will caucus with if he wins. Chamber 'all in' for Roberts in Kansas race . Orman says he would caucus with the majority party. But it is possible that the election results could put the Senate at 50-49. In that scenario, there would be no majority party until and unless Orman choses sides between Democrats and Republicans. "If I get elected and neither party is in the majority, then what i'm going to do is I'm going sit down with both sides, propose a pro-problem solving agenda, and ask both sides whether or not they're willing to support that agenda. And we're going to be likely to support the agenda and the party that's most likely to embrace a pro-problem solving agenda," Orman told CNN. Sen. Pat Roberts' campaign bringing major players to Kansas . Translation: Orman will be in the cat bird's seat and plans to use it big time to try to get one of the parties to agree to an agenda he supports. "I think it's a great thing for Kansas, I think it's an opportunity for Kansas to define the agenda in the United States Senate and finally get us back into the business of solving problems," Orman said. The poll also found Gov. Sam Brownback, who's faced criticism after pushing for steep tax cuts, locked in a dead heat with Democrat Paul Davis in his bid for a second term. Each drew 49% support. Democrats won't be getting any help from Obama in the blood-red state. Just 32% of likely Kansas voters said they approve of the job the President is doing. Kansas poll: Orman opens up lead on Roberts .
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GOP Sen. Pat Roberts holds a 49-48% lead over independent Greg Orman .
The results suggest Roberts is consolidating support among rank-and-file Republicans .
The race could hinge on how many Republicans turn out to vote .
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Cairo (CNN) -- Clashes erupted between demonstrators and security forces in Egypt on Sunday, leaving 51 people dead and more than 260 injured, state media reported. The violence started early Sunday afternoon as Muslim Brotherhood protesters marched in different neighborhoods in Cairo and across the country. In Egypt's capital, people swam across the Nile River to escape arrest as military armored personnel carriers supported police clearing the streets of protesters. Tear gas filled the air and security forces with batons beat some of the protesters they detained. It was another powerful sign that Egypt's military-backed interim government will go to almost any measure to shut down the Muslim Brotherhood's protests. But in nearby Tahrir Square, the scene was drastically different; throngs of people celebrated Egypt Armed Forces Day at a festive event that included dancing and fireworks. As thousands of Muslim Brotherhood protesters marched along the Nile from Old Cairo toward Tahrir, security forces blocked their path and quickly dispersed the crowd. Health Ministry official Khaled El-Khatib told CNN that the death toll included 19 people killed in Cairo, 20 people killed in Giza, four people killed in Beni Suef and one person killed in Minya. Nationwide, 268 people were injured, state media reported. In a statement, the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party decried what it called "crimes of violence and murder committed today against peaceful protesters," adding that it holds the leaders of the coup that ousted former President Mohamed Morsy responsible. Egypt's Interior Ministry said it had arrested 423 "rioters" on Sunday. In September, an Egyptian court banned all activities of the Muslim Brotherhood and froze its finances, drawing complaints from the international community. At the United Nations General Assembly, Egypt's interim foreign minister sought to quell these concerns. Nabil Fahmy said Egypt will hold elections in the spring. He also argued that the political process is open to all "as long as they are committed to the renunciation of violence and terrorism and acts of incitement to them." On Sunday, protesters from the Muslim Brotherhood said they would accept nothing less than the reinstatement of the government led by Morsy. But supporters of the military in Tahrir Square remained adamant that that shouldn't happen. Neither side appeared willing to compromise. Violent clashes after relative calm . New Egyptian government to be in place by spring, foreign minister says . CNN's Catherine E. Shoichet and Emma Lacey-Bordeaux contributed to this report.
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NEW: At least 51 people were killed, state media reports .
The Muslim Brotherhood's party says peaceful protesters were slain .
Egypt's Interior Ministry says hundreds of rioters were arrested .
Demonstrators jump into the Nile to escape arrest .
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(CNN) -- How do you replace the adrenaline-filled emotion of scoring one of the greatest goals in World Cup history when your football career ends? If you're Michael Owen, you start a multimillion-dollar horse racing business. It's 16 years since a teenage Owen slalomed his way through the Argentina defense to announce himself as England's brightest superstar at France '98. Now he is cantering to success with his own horse stables -- not that it comes close to emulating the feeling of a sweetly struck goal. "The surge of emotion and adrenaline of scoring a goal can never be matched, no matter what you do," Owen told CNN's Winning Post show. "This is a weird type of feeling. It's a feeling of emptiness when you say cheerio to the horse and jockey down at the start and you've just got no control over anything." As a striker, even if you are part of an 11-man team, your fate is very much in your own hands -- or rather feet -- and you're judged by the number of goals you score. But as a racehorse owner, Owen's success or failure is governed by a whole new range of emotions. "With football you always feel in control. On the pitch, you can always do something to make something happen. Your destiny is in your hands in many ways," he says. "But with racing there's none of that. It's just a real emptiness." Except when your horse passes the winning post. "You're just sitting there hoping ... but when one of your horses crosses the line in front it's a great feeling and a great adrenaline rush. Not quite that of scoring a goal, but it comes close." Owen retired from football in March 2013 following an illustrious career in which he played for several of Europe's top clubs and scored 40 goals in 89 international appearances for England. After starting his career at Liverpool, where he scored 158 goals in 297 games, Owen went on to play for Real Madrid, Newcastle, Manchester United and Stoke City. Named European Footballer of the Year in 2001, his pace and predatory instincts made him one of the most prolific strikers in the game before a succession of injuries took their toll. But horse racing always provided a much-needed escape from the pressure of playing at the highest level of the game, having been introduced to the "sport of kings" by his father Terry. Owen set up Manor House Stables in May 2007 with trainer Tom Dascombe and businessman Andrew Black. Situated between Liverpool and Manchester in northwest England, the 170-acre operation houses 90 horses co-owned by up to 250 investors. While the pace may have gone from his own legs, Owen's horses continue to prosper, with 81 winners last season and over 60 this time around. As an elite footballer he was very well paid, but he is very conscious that his stables are well run financially even if it is a hobby. "It's a business that takes a lot of money to run," he says. "You don't want to continue to not be in profit or at least break even, so the business is in a healthy position now. "I don't want to have to plow money into it every year, which is why it's important that it's run correctly. "Aside from that, it's purely a hobby and if it gives me a lot of enjoyment then that's exactly what it was built to be." Owen remains connected to football, working as a media pundit for broadcasters such as BT Sport -- which is threatening to break Sky Sports' dominance of UK coverage after landing big-money deals for the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. His love for the game can be seen in an advert he did for BT Sport in a sketch where he sneaks into a recording booth to excitedly commentate on his greatest goals. "My real business and my real passion and my real purpose for getting up is still in football," Owen says. "I look after a lot of young talented players in this country and I do a lot of television work and everything else connected with the game, so that's where my main passion lies." Owen is not alone when it comes to a love of football and horses -- trainer Mick Channon played for Southampton and Manchester City as well as England. Then there is Owen's former manager at Manchester United, Alex Ferguson, who has an interest in a number of horses, which means he is often seen on racecourses around the country. Wayne Rooney, who recently signed a $500,000 a week deal with Manchester United, also has his own horse -- Switcharooney. "Wayne and his wife Colleen own two horses with us," Owen says. "His family love it as well -- his father and his granddad, they're often down here, so there are a few footballers here." The likes of Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes all part-own horses too, according to their former United teammate. "A lot of footballers enjoy it," he adds. "The likes of Paul Scoles, John O'Shea, he's a big racing fan, and Joey Barton likes his racing. "A lot of the others have just bought it for a day out or whatever, but some of them are really keen." Owen's own horse, Brown Panther, has enjoyed success in England and finished eighth at Australia's Melbourne Cup in November 2013. He shot to fame in 2011 by winning the King George V Stakes at Ascot -- a result which left Owen with tears of joy streaming down his face. While he does not profess to be a trainer, and is happy to leave such work to his 40-strong stables staff, Owen does believe his experience of playing elite sport can be translated into the horse world. "The training of a racehorse is very similar to that of an athlete," he says. "We're all mammals at the end of the day, we require the same things to make us go fast and recover. "We all get stiff after work so there are a lot of things that football could teach racing and vice-versa." As his playing fortunes dwindled, Owen's popularity dipped markedly at the end of his career and he was regularly targeted on social media with unrelenting abuse. With injuries curtailing his time on the pitch, he would more often be seen on the turf next to his horses than at football stadiums. It led to the accusation that he was no longer interested in football and simply picking up the wages to fund his new venture -- something he strenuously denies. "You live in a world as a footballer where people are quick to criticize or quick to question you," Owen says. "But those same people that said, 'Oh you're taking your eye off the ball, setting up a business,' they don't realize that when you finish football you're finished and you've got nothing." Plenty of footballers have suffered from depression or squandered their considerable earnings, but Owen was determined not to fall into that category. "I've got a young family, so I've prepared for life after football," he says.
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Michael Owen has moved from professional football to horse racing .
Owen's stables houses around 90 horses .
Wayne Rooney has two horses which are looked after by Owen .
Owen says he has no intention of moving into training any time soon .
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By . Rob Cooper . PUBLISHED: . 08:25 EST, 25 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:25 EST, 25 July 2013 . A teenage thug who killed a 'heroic' off-duty police officer with a single punch in an unprovoked attack was today jailed for just three-and-half years. Dale Dixon, 19, attacked Chris Findley, 33, as he was walking home from a night out with friends in Wolverhampton, West Midlands. The officer, who worked for West Midlands Police, was rushed to hospital after banging his head on the pavement as he fell but he died ten days later. Victim: PC Chris Findlay, 33, was walking home from a night out with friends when he was attacked by Dale Dixon. He died 10 days later in hospital . CCTV footage of the attack showed PC Findley exchanging words with two of Dixon's female friends outside a city centre bar. One of the women kicked out and threw punches at him as he calmly walked away before Dixon sprinted towards him and punched him. Relatives of PC Findlay gasped in court as the graphic footage showed him falling backwards and falling into the pavement. Dixon then wandered around the road with his one hand on his head before putting him in the recovery position and calling an ambulance. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard the attacker, who later fled the scene, punched the police officer with such force that it broke his nose in three places. PC Findlay, who was left with a fractured skull following the attack on January 28, died on February 7 after suffering swelling to his brain. Dixon, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in a young offenders' institution - meaning he could be free in under two years. Attacker: Dale Dixon who was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in a Young Offenders' Institution after admitting manslaughter . Jailing him, Judge John Warner said: 'What's clear is that Christopher Findley was simply making his way down the street when he was confronted by one of two women that Dixon was with. 'He was not causing any trouble at all. Whatever it was, one of the women would simply not leave him alone. 'He was obviously trying to leave the scene as best he could. If she had simply let things go I very much doubt we would be where we are at court today. 'You can be seen running towards him at quite a pace. You were clearly going to launch some kind of assault upon him. 'When he turned his head, possibly having heard you running behind him, you hit him full in the face. 'You called the emergency services and subsequently left the scene in a taxi. 'You are a young man of a big build and the blow was hard enough to break his nose in three places and knock him out. An innocent man has unnecessarily and tragically lost his life. 'You had no intention of causing really serious injury let alone anything worse but as a result of your violent action a man has died.' Prosecutor Gareth Walters told the court PC Findley was well-liked and had been out drinking with friends in Wolverhampton on the night he died. He said: 'It was not a spontaneous assault. It was a severe blow shown by the triple fracture and he (the police officer) was unconscious before he hit the ground. 'There was nothing at all justifying the assault by the defendant.' William Dudley, mitigating, said that Dixon, of Wednesfield, West Midlands, was a man of previous good character. 'This . is a young man, 19 now, 18 at the time of the incident with no previous . conviction,' he said. 'This is not a gentleman who is shrugging his . shoulders. It had affected him deeply. 'What . the defendant will have to live with is the fact about what he has . done. That's the greatest punishment that can be suffered upon Mr . Dixon.' Scene: PC Findley became embroiled in the early . morning scuffle with Dixon and two women outside Divine Bar in . Wolverhampton at around 4:30am on January 28 . PC Findlay's mother Jackie Tabrett, 69, said she would never come to terms with the killing. 'Not a day has gone by since his death when I have not thought about him,' she said. 'He was a police officer for which I was very proud of him, he joined to keep people safe and protect them from harm and to put those individuals responsible for committing crime into the justice system. 'It's hard to believe that one of those people is responsible for taking my son's life. 'It still hasn't sunk in that I'll never see my son again and all that I have now are photographs and treasured memories. I don't think I'll ever in my lifetime come to terms with what has happened. 'The sentence handed out today cannot bring my son back, no sentence can do that.' Chris's friends collectively said in a statement that the police officer's killer would go free before he was even as old as the man he killed. 'Chris Findley or Fin as he was affectionately known by his many friends was a wonderful kind and considerate person with an infectious personality and incredible sense of humour,' the statement said. 'The ordeal of watching Fin's battle for survival after this mindless attack was an emotional rollercoaster. 'The sentence handed out today will not bring Fin back, and Dale Dixon will be released and walking the streets of Wolverhampton again before he is anywhere near to reaching the age of the man whose life he took.' Chief Superintendent Mark Robinson, from West Midlands Police, added: 'Our thoughts are with Chris's family, friends and colleagues today. 'This was a tragic case which resulted in the death of a valued member of the police service in Sandwell. 'He has previously been described fondly by his colleagues as a selfless and humble man, always watching out for those in need of cheering up, which he achieved through his warm, infectious personality and sense of humour. 'Chris was a proactive, hard-working officer who was a credit to the service and the communities of Sandwell. He will be sadly missed.'
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Dale Dixon, 19, ran after Chris Findlay, 33, and punched him in city centre .
The off-duty police officer was unconscious before he hit the floor .
He died in hospital 10 days later after suffering swelling to his brain .
Friends of officer hit out and say killer will be 'walking the streets of Wolverhampton again' before reaching the age of the man he killed .
Dixon, who fled the scene in a taxi, admitted manslaughter .
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By . Australian Associated Press . David Jones boss Paul Zahra has quit the department store chain and will be replaced by Country Road head Ian Nairn. The move comes just weeks after South African retailer Woolworths finalised its $2.2 billion takeover of David Jones, Australia's oldest department store, and took full ownership of the Country Road retail chain. Woolworths said Mr Zahra, who has held the title of CEO at David Jones for the last four years, had resigned with immediate effect, but would stay on for three months to hand over to Mr Nairn. The CEO of David Jones, Paul Zahra, has announced he will resign from his position only weeks after South African retailer Woolworths finalised its $2.2 billion takeover of the department store . 'Mr Zahra has indicated that this would be the best time for a change of leadership in the company and having established a sound base for future growth, would like to move on to new challenges,' the company said in a statement on Tuesday. He will be replaced within the next three months, by the current head of Country Road, Ian Nairn . It's not the first time Mr Zahra has announced his resignation however, with the CEO claiming he was stepping down for 'personal reasons' in October last year. His departure was delayed when David Jones' chairman and two other board members resigned in February this year, forcing MR Zahra to stay on. Mr Zahra took on the position of CEO from the former boss of David Jones, Mark McInnes, who resigned suddenly in 2010 after being accused of sexually harassing Kristy Fraser-Kirk, a David Jones publicist at the time. Mr Nairn has three decades of experience in specialty fashion and department stores in Australia and overseas. He had run Witchery before Country Road bought it in 2012. Woolworths has appointed Witchery's current boss, Matt Keogh, as the new head of Country Road. Woolworths head Ian Moir said Mr Zahra had provided David Jones with a strong platform for growth. 'The new management team will complement the existing skills and expertise at David Jones to create a strong, innovative and fashion-centric business,' he said. David Jones is Australia's oldest department store, originally opening shop on George Street in Sydney in May of 1838 . 'David Jones is an iconic Australian business with great traditions and values and we look forward to taking it to the next level.' Mr Zahra said David Jones' strong financial performance in the past year had helped create a natural exit point for him from Australia's oldest department store. 'It has been a privilege to be the steward of such an iconic Australian brand with an extraordinary team of people,' he said. Woolworths took control of David Jones in July after shareholders accepted a $2.2 billion takeover offer. David Jones is Australia's oldest department store, originally opening shop on George Street in Sydney in May of 1838.
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Paul Zahra has resigned from his position as CEO after four years .
The announcement comes a few weeks after South African retailer Woolworths finalised its $2.2 billion takeover of the department store .
He will be replaced by the head of Country Road, Ian Nairn .
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By . Iona Kirby . PUBLISHED: . 09:24 EST, 25 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 06:41 EST, 26 July 2012 . Liberty Ross' world was turned upside down when allegations emerged that Kristen Stewart had an affair with her husband Rupert Sanders. And the model and actress, who played 22-year-old Kristen’s mother in . Snow White and the Huntsman, responded with just one word: 'Wow.' She posted the message on July 24, just moments after Us Weekly called her director husband's spokesperson for comment, according to the magazine. The 33-year-old, who has two young children with the British director, 41, has since deleted her Twitter account, presumably due to being bombarded with messages after the news broke. Scroll down for video . Bad news: It emerged yesterday that Kristen Stewart (R) had an affair with Liberty Ross' (L) husband Rupert Sanders . Before deleting her page Liberty had also posted a series of cryptic tweets that seemed to be referencing the alleged affair. She retweeted a quote from Marilyn Monroe which read: 'Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.' She later followed this with another retweet, this time quoting American author and poet Maya Angelou, saying: 'If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.' 'Wow,' was her final note before signing off. Too much: Liberty, pictured with Rupert on the set of Snow White and The Huntsman, has deleted her Twitter page . Passionate: Kristen and Rupert, at a May screening of their movie, were reportedly caught in a romantic clinch . Should Robert Pattinson forgive Kristen Stewart for cheating? Liberty played Queen Eleanor to Kristen’s Snow White in the box office hit, which was directed by Rupert and released last month. Last Tuesday, Kristen was caught in the arms of Rupert, with Us Weekly running photographic evidence of their intimate dalliance in it's new issue. Kristen today issued a grovelling apology to her boyfriend, Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson, in a uprising public statement. In a statement to People magazine, she said: 'I'm deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I've caused to those close to me and everyone this has affected. This momentary indiscretion has jeopardized the most important thing in my life, the person I love and respect the most, Rob. I love him, I love him, I'm so sorry.' Cryptic: Liberty retweeted this Marilyn Monroe quote shortly before deleting her Twitter account . Co-stars: Liberty, pictured with (L-R) Charlize Theron, Kristen, and Lily Cole, played Kristen's mother in the fantasy film . Rupert quickly followed suit and issued a statement to People which said: 'I am utterly distraught about the pain I have caused my family. My beautiful wife and heavenly children are all I have in this world. I love them with all my heart. I am praying that we can get through this together.' Only a few weeks ago, Liberty gushed . to YOU magazine about how proud she is of her husband since he found . fame in his own right, compared to when she was the bigger star. She recalled how she used to call him . 'the Hand' and explained: 'In every picture that was taken of me at a . party or a premiere, he'd be chopped off, and all you would ever see was . his hand. 'At the world premiere in London, I . had tears in my eyes, because we got out of our fancy car and all of his . fans started screaming his name. The tables had really turned!' The pair married when Liberty was 24 . and Rupert was 31, and Liberty said of the beginnings of their romance: . 'Once we started going out, I knew he was the one for me. He is a very . special soul.' Mum's the word: Liberty played Queen Eleanor, the late mother of Snow White in the film . Star of the show: Kristen played a grown-up Snow White in the modern adaptation of the fairytale . More trouble ahead?: Rupert has signed on to helm the sequel to the Snow White saga starring Kristen . They have a seven-year-old daughter named Skyla and a five-year-old-son named Tennyson together. However Liberty has said that all the time they spent apart has caused difficulties, and told YOU: 'I would never say out loud that I am raising my children alone, but a lot of the time it has felt like that.' Kristen's . alleged infidelity came just months after Robert gave an interview to . Italian Vanity Fair magazine saying that he has 'never understood' people who cheat. He . said: 'There is one thing I've never understood: Why people cheat. My . parents met when my mom was 17 and my father 25, they are still . together, and seem very happy. 'I grew up believing that you can be together all of your life.' The . pair made their latest public appearance when they took the stage . together at the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday – just two days before the . news broke. Caught on camera: Us Weekly magazine claims to have photographic evidence of the alleged affair . Teamwork: The cast and crew of Snow White and the Huntsman, including Rupert and Liberty (second and third from left) and Kristen (centre) Getting close: Rupert and Kristen (pictured at the Australian premiere with Chris Hemsworth), spent a lot of time together due to commitments with the film . Speaking about his lead actress in . the role at one of the movie's premieres last month, Rupert said he was . thrilled by Kristen’s performance. He . told E! News: 'She's got a great spirit, she's really quite . rebellious...and feisty and kind of wild. And that's really what I . wanted the modern Snow White to have. 'I didn't want her to be timid and I didn't want her to be frightened and relying on men, you know. 'She's . very strong and very driven, and I think that's true in her personal . life... She's got a big weight of the world on her shoulders and she . carries it incredibly well.' Snow . White And The Huntsman marks the first major motion picture that Rupert . directed - but he has already signed on to take the helm of the sequel. What a difference two days makes: Kristen and Rob looked happy when they appeared together at the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday . Tough times: Rupert and Liberty aare married and have two children together . Loved up: Kristen and Robert have been together since meeting while filming the Twilight saga .
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Liberty Ross, 33, played Kristen Stewart's mother in Snow White and the Huntsman .
Model and actress has two children with the British director .
Kristen issues grovelling public apology to Robert Pattinson .
Rupert follows suit apologises to his 'beautiful wife and heavenly children'
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By . Craig Hope . Follow @CraigHope_DM . Newcastle United will complete the loan signing of Shakhtar Donetsk striker Facundo Ferreyra early next week but manager Alan Pardew has concerns at the other end of the pitch. The Magpies were beaten 3-1 by Malaga in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday as an inept first-half defensive display allowed the La Liga side to race into a three-goal lead. Pardew took responsibility for the loss – blaming himself for naming a young team – but his back four was made up of skipper Fabricio Coloccini, the experienced Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa – a £6.7million signing – and highly-rated left-back Massadio Haidara. Shaky: Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini was poor during their disappointing defeat to Malaga . Celebrate: Francisco Portillo, right, is congratulated by Jesus Gamez after scoring Malaga's opening goal . Judgement day: Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot and midfielder Jack Colback look at one another during loss . And the Newcastle boss said: 'I take full responsibility for that first half. It was perhaps a bit too young, so I blame myself for that defeat. 'I put two young lads up the top and maybe it was too much inexperience to cope with a team like Malaga. 'It was Moussa (Sissoko) and (Remy) Cabella's first game so really I'm kicking myself because I should have had a bit more experience on.' Problems at the back: Newcastle boss Alan Pardew admitted his side lacked enough experience for the game . Sergi Darder blasted the opener from distance on 25 minutes before 19-year-old Samu Castillejo helped himself to a double, the first an unmarked volley from eight yards and the second a stunner from the angle of the area. Gabriel Obertan fired a consolation but the former Manchester United winger has already been told he can leave the club. One player definitely coming in is Ferreyra, the 23-year-old Argentinian who will join on a season-long loan having refused to return to Ukraine amid the political unrest and violence in the country. Due to sign: Shakhtar striker Facundo Ferreyra, right, is poised to complete a loan move in the coming days . Summer signing Daryl Janmaat, meanwhile, watched from the stands at the Veltins Arena and the Holland international will not feature when United conclude their Schalke Cup campaign against the hosts on Sunday afternoon.
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Newcastle boss said he should have fielded a stronger team from the start .
Despite labelling his line-up 'too young', the Magpies boss fielded experienced defensive pairing Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini .
Spanish side stormed into a three-goal lead in Gelsenkirchen .
Newcastle were poor at the back throughout the match in Germany .
They are set to boost attacking ranks with loan signing Facundo Ferreyra .
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Ebola-stricken NBC cameraman Ashoka Mukpo is still fighting off the dreaded virus, but the 33-year-old was well enough Thursday to poke fun at a congressional hearing about the disease. '"Do dogs spread Ebola?" this hearing is really something else,' Mukpo tweeted as he watched lawmakers grill the CDC chief from his Nebraska hospital bed. Earlier this week Mukpo, whose progress has doctors 'really, really pleased,' was well enough to return to social media just as the potentially deadly journey was beginning for two Dallas nurses. Scroll down for video . Well enough to tweet: Ebola-stricken NBC cameraman Ashoka Mukpo is still fighting off the dreaded virus, but the 33-year-old was well enough Thursday to poke fun at a congressional hearing about the disease . 'Do dogs spread Ebola': The journalist and human rights advocate had some fun at the hysterical Congress's expense . Mukpo acknowledged the nurses, in a general way at least, when he tsked the Congressmen and their televised outrage Thursday. 'Settle down guys, health workers and people in west Africa r the ones at risk,' Mukpo tweeted. Mukpo continued: . 'So far the only people who have contracted Ebola and who weren't in SL, guinea, or Liberia recently are health workers.' Mukpo posted on Twitter on Monday afternoon: 'Back on twitter, feeling like I'm on the road to good health. Will be posting some thoughts this week. Endless gratitude for the good vibes.' His positive outlook appeared all the more impressive when it was revealed the freelance human rights advocate would be made to cover his own $500,000 medical expenses. A GoFundMe page was created in order to crowd fund the half-million dollar hospital bill. But then, as his health improved on Wednesday, Mukpo's financial outlook appeared to be improving as well when the GoFundMe page was updated to reflect the NBC decision to pay his mounting bills. This, despite Mukpo having only worked or the network a very short time. The fundraising goal has now been lowered considerably and 'will now be directed toward replacing all of Ashoka’s gear and possessions...covering his travel expenses and helping him to recover and rebuild his life.' Mukpo tweeted while members of Congress grilled CDC chief Dr. Tom Frieden beat back criticism of the agency's Ebola response . Getting grilled: CDC Director Tom Frieden and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease Director Anthony Fauci (R) beat back criticism at a congressional hearing Thursday . The NBC News cameraman who is infected with Ebola is the son of a renowned Tibetan monk responsible for bringing Buddhism to the West in the 1970s. His mother is an English aristocrat who was seduced at age 15 by the guru and married him at 16. When Ashoka Mukpo was just 8 months old, his father - Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche - announced that the boy was a 'tulku' - the reincarnation of a Tibetan Buddhist Lama. Mr Mukpo later traveled to Tibet, where he was enthroned and honored as the ninth reincarnation of Khamnyon Rinpoche, 'the Mad Yogi of Kham.' A further twist in the cameraman's life: Trungpa, who is considered his father, is not his biological dad. His biological father is actually Mitchell Levy - a Jewish doctor from New York who was Trungpa's personal physician - whom his mother Lady Diana Mukpo was sleeping with at the time. Ashoka's mocking tweets came Thursday came as--in the face of skepticism in Congress--health officials tried to assure the nation Thursday that they can head off an Ebola outbreak in the U.S. despite mistakes that let the deadly virus spread to two nurses and cleared one of them to fly. The revelation that one of the hospital nurses was allowed on a commercial airline the day before she was diagnosed raised new alarms about the U.S. response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Some lawmakers pressed for a ban on travel to the U.S. from the region - a course President Barack Obama is resisting. The death toll is expected to climb above 4,500 in Africa, all but a few within Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, the World Health Organization said. Obama directed his administration to respond in a 'much more aggressive way' to the threat and, for a second day in a row, canceled his out-of-town trips to stay in town and monitor the Ebola response. He was calling foreign leaders and U.S. lawmakers to discuss what more must be done, the White House said, and bringing his Cabinet members together on the matter. But a ban on travel to the U.S. from the Ebola-stricken countries is not under consideration, spokesman Josh Earnest reiterated Thursday. Obama believes the U.S. already is taking the necessary steps to protect the public by screening passengers as they depart West Africa and again when they enter the U.S., Earnest said. Ashoka's mocking tweets came Thursday came as--in the face of skepticism in Congress--health officials tried to assure the nation Thursday that they can head off an Ebola outbreak in the U.S. despite mistakes that let the deadly virus spread to two nurses and cleared one of them to fly. The first nurse stricken in the U.S., Nina Pham, who contracted Ebola after treating a Liberian man at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, was being flown to the National Institutes of Health outside Washington on Thursday, while a second nurse has already been transferred to a biohazard infectious disease center at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. The two nurses, Pham and Amber Joy Vinson, had been involved in providing care to Thomas Duncan, who died of Ebola last week. In a hearing on Capitol Hill, the chairman of a House committee cited 'demonstrated failures' in the government's response. Rep. Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania said the 'trust and credibility of the administration and government are waning as the American public loses confidence each day.' Seated before him were leaders of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the NIH. Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the CDC, testified that despite the latest incidents, 'we remain confident that our public health and health care systems can prevent an Ebola outbreak here.' In his prepared testimony, the Texas hospital's chief clinical officer, Dr. Daniel Varga, admitted the facility had made mistakes in Duncan's initial treatment, he apologized for that. 'We did not correctly diagnose his symptoms as those of Ebola,' Varga said. 'We are deeply sorry.' Duncan was initially sent home from the emergency room with antibiotics for his high fever, despite saying he'd come from Liberia. Varga testified to the committee by video conference.
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Ashoka Mukpo, 33, told congressmen who grilled the CDC chief Thursday to 'calm down' as he recovers in a Nebraska hospital bed .
The journalist caught Ebola while working for NBC and reminded followers that 'health workers and people in west Africa r the ones at risk'
Mukpo returned to social media this week after showing signs of marked improvement .
A GoFundMe page raising money for Mukpo's medical care was updated Wednesday to reveal NBC has stepped in to foot the $500,000 medical bills .
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By . Beth Stebner . PUBLISHED: . 16:44 EST, 19 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:48 EST, 20 February 2013 . An Ohio woman is one of 19 people in a single southwestern county who may have heeded the seedy advice to ‘vote early and vote often.’ Melowese Richardson, who lives in Cincinnati, told a local television station that she voted twice because she ‘certainly wanted my vote to count.’ The grandmother is one of 19 people being investigated by Hamilton County over voter fraud in the recent 2012 election. Scroll down for video . Early and often? Melowese Richardson told a local Cincinnati news station that she voted twice for Obama during the November elections . Rallying point: Mr Obama pictured at a campaign rally in Cincinnati, Ohio, two days before his election; he won 50.7 percent of the popular vote in the state . Richardson, a veteran poll worker of 25 years, told Cincinnati station WCPO-TV, that she voted twice for President Obama at the polls in November. ‘I, after registering thousands of people, certainly wanted my vote to count, so I voted,’ she said. The Hamilton County Board of Election’s director, Amy Searcy, told MailOnline that a certain amount of ‘anomalies’ pop up during every election. This year, she said, there were more than 80. ‘As we nailed down the anomalies, some required further information,’ she explained, adding that some refused to return phone calls or answer subpoenas. Ms Searcy said that she was not allowed to publically comment on the board’s on-going investigation, but said that they could make a ruling by Friday, their next board meeting. ‘The law requires us to report the facts the prosecutor’s office for further investigation and to Jon Husted, the Ohio secretary of state,’ she said. Casting ballots: Voters in Ohio put in their choices; in Hamilton County, there were around 80 anomalies, but 19 people are now under investigation for voter fraud . Richardson said that she thought she sent an absentee ballot but was afraid it would not be counted, so she went to a polling site in-person to cast her vote. The longtime poll worker said: ‘There was absolutely no intent on my part to commit any voter fraud,’ according to Fox News. Jon Husted, Ohio’s secretary of state, told the conservative news channel that Richardson ‘appears to have used her position as a poll worker to cover her tracks.’ Mr Hustead told Fox News that he was especially troubled ‘because it is my responsibility to make sure the system runs effectively, that it has integrity.’ American right: Voters cast their ballots at the Franklin County in-person absentee voting location in Columbus, Ohio this year . The secretary of state had controversially attempted to restrict early voting on the last three days before the November 6 election. He was rebuffed by a Supreme Court ruling, though his attempted restriction caused plenty of confusion at the polls. Mr Obama won the popular vote in the Buckeye State with 2,827,621 votes to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s 2,661,407, winning 50.7 percent of the popular vote, and 332 Electoral College votes to Mr Romney’s 206. It is a well-known fact that no Republican presidential candidate has won the election without first winning the state of Ohio. Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com .
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Melowese Richardson, who has worked in polling for 25 years, said she voted twice in November's election .
Hamilton County Board of Elections is running investigation .
Richardson is one of 19 in the county to undergo scrutiny from board .
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By . Martin Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 06:10 EST, 10 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:55 EST, 10 October 2012 . Comedian Freddie Starr today said accusations he tried to grope a 14-year-old girl at a Jimmy Savile sex party 40 years ago are killing him. The 69-year-old madcap comic says he wants 'I told you I was innocent' carved into his tombstone as he fears he could have a massive heart attack and die because of the stress. ‘I have never groped a woman in my life,’ he told ITV's This Morning, and was visibly shaking when he said he was going to hospital after the interview because he was suffering from heart palpitations. Protest: Freddie Starr used a TV interview to say he had 'never groped a woman in my life' and wanted to speak to police . Denial: The comic was joined by his fiancée Sophie Lea, 34, who described him as a 'gentleman' Starr: He told Holly Willoughby And Phillip Schofield that he still could not remember being on the show with Savile . Starr had denied meeting his accuser Karin Ward but a video later emerged of the pair of them together on Savile’s show ‘Clunk Click’. She claims he tried to grope her in Sir Jimmy's dressing room. 'I've done hundreds of thousands of shows on television - I couldn't recall doing it,' he said today. Presenter: Starr had denied ever meeting Ms Ward - who claims he tried to molest her in Sir Jimmy Savile's (pictured in 1982) BBC dressing room . 'I've got to go to hospital later today as I've had palpitations on my heart. 'If I do have a heart attack and die it will say "I told you I was innocent". 'I would never, ever, ever touch an underage girl.' His fiancée Sophie Lea, 34, sat by him throughout the interview and also defended him. 'The sad thing is that we live in Great Britain and in Great Britain you are innocent until proven guilty. We have not heard from the police and he is being tried by the press. 'Those who know Freddie will know this is not true. 'You get people saying, "oh he's got a younger partner, it must be true", but it doesn't mean anything. 'Regardless of our age difference, we were consenting adults when we met one another. 'It should make no difference that Freddie's with a younger fiancee, or there's any age difference. It does not mean that these allegations have any truth behind them whatsoever.' Starr also used the interview to slam Jimmy Savile, who is accused of abusing at least 30 children. ‘I think he has . abused his position. Despicable. There’s no words to say about that, . what the man has done, how he has conducted himself. It’s disgusting,’ Mr Starr said. The comedian was named by Miss Ward first by BBC’s Newsnight reporters last year for a report which was shelved. Together: Karin Ward in yellow, sitting behind Freddie Starr when he appeared on the BBC TV show hosted by Sir Jimmy Savile, 'Clunk Click', in 1974 . Allegations: The 69-year-old funnyman was first named by Karin Ward (pictured) when she spoke to the BBC's Newsnight reporters last year for a report which was never broadcast . Last . week she told ITV News: 'I was horribly, horribly humiliated by Freddie . Starr, who had a very bad attack of wandering hands and had groped me, . and I didn’t like him because he smelled like my step-father and it . frightened me and freaked me out, and I rebuffed him.' The 1974 footage showing Starr and Miss Ward was unearthed by Channel 4 News. It showed Starr appearing on Clunk Click – the very episode Miss Ward says was . being filmed the day she was abused. Standing next to him was a 14-year-old Miss Ward, in a yellow blouse and long brown hair. Miss Ward – who also claimed to have . seen paedophile pop star Gary Glitter raping a 13-year-old girl in . Savile’s dressing room on a different occasion – was a pupil at the . now-defunct Duncroft School for girls. Upset: Freddie Starr at the ITV studios, which he left to go to hospital to have his heart checked . Stressed: Starr holds a cigarette and spoke about his fears that he may die from a heart attack . Savile used to prey on under-age girls at the school and invited his favourites to London to watch his shows being recorded. Starr has not been contacted by police about her allegations. 'I have not been contacted by the police. I want to be interviewed by them. I want it very badly. 'She should have gone to the police with her complaint, not to the press.' Starr - who suffered a massive heart . attack in April 2010 which left him needing quadruple heart bypass . surgery - last week failed to ban ITV from airing Miss Ward’s . allegations. 'My lawyer advised me to get one to give us a bit of space, to clear our thoughts and look at our evidence.' Denial: Freddie Starr, pictured today after his ITV appearance, insists he 'never groped anyone in my life' Standing by him: Sophie Lea says she believes her fiance Freddie Starr is innocent of any wrong-doing . Upset: Freddie Starr and fiancee Sophie Lea both refute the allegations against him . Concern: The couple claim the recent allegations have caused Freddie Starr to suffer health problems . Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons.
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Karin Ward says he abused her on Savile’s show 'Clunk Click' in 1974 .
The comic fears he may die from the stress of 'false' allegations .
'If I do have a heart attack and die it will say "I told you I was innocent",' he said .
He also branded Savile 'disgusting' for allegedly abusing at least 30 children .
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By . Associated Press . and Mail Online Reporter . If you think fall weddings are inconvenient for college football fans, imagine being a coach with a daughter who has her heart set on a Saturday in late September. That was Wagner College coach Walt Hameline's dilemma, when his youngest daughter, Kelly, told him last fall the place she chose as the site of her big day had few dates available — and the one she picked was September 20, the same day Wagner was scheduled to play Monmouth University. 'How can you do this?' Hameline said was his reaction. Family affair: Wagner football coach Walt Hameline, second from left, poses with his family, from left, daughter Kristen, wife Debi and daugher Kelly at a college football game against Monmouth in Staten Island New York . 'What are you thinking about? It's football season. Ever since she was a baby she went to every football game.' With the help of an old friend, Hameline was able to reschedule the game. Wagner, an FCS school in Staten Island, visits its old Northeast Conference rival on the Jersey Shore on Saturday, giving the Seahawks an open date on Sept. 20 and keeping peace in the Hameline family. 'It's her wedding present and a lot of presents to follow throughout life,' Hameline in a phone interview Friday. Hameline is in his 34th season as head coach at Wagner. He has a career record of 217-136-2, fifth among active FCS coaches in career victories, and is also the school's athletic director. Sometimes it pays to be your own boss. Kelly Hameline, 28, let her father know that she had found the perfect place to have her wedding — 'The most expensive place you can find,' Walt Hameline said — on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Turns out, the bill was only Hameline's second-biggest problem. 'There was only like, one or two dates (available),' he said. Still, Hameline could hardly believe what his daughter was asking. 'There's always been a golden rule in our family,' he said. "Once football season starts, my wife, my family, they go to the games and we do nothing else." Not this time. Rescheduled: Luckily the bride-to-be got her wish after Hameline was able to reschedule the game . After last season was over, Hameline reached out to Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan. The two had crossed paths and become friends as young assistant coaches in the late 1970s, and when Hameline became head coach at Wagner, Callahan was the first coach he hired. 'It was kind of funny,' Callahan said, recalling the conversation with a laugh. 'In typical Walt fashion he goes, 'Hey, hey, hey, you gotta help me out.' My first thought was, what's he up to here? Let me figure this out.' Callahan was in the process of filling Sept. 20 on Monmouth's schedule, but was able to move the Wagner game, lock it in and build the team's remaining schedule around it. 'We had the flexibility to make it work. I was more than happy to do it,' said Callahan, who has been coach at Monmouth for 22 years. So while Callahan won't be attending the wedding — the Hawks play at Duquesne that day — he's covered for a gift. And Kelly Hameline, who lives in the Chicago area, will be at the Wagner-Monmouth game Saturday. As for Hameline, he's just happy his daughter's wedding didn't conflict with Wagner's game last week at Florida International, an FBS school. He said Wagner was paid $240,000 for that trip to South Florida. 'Let's get this straight,' Hameline said, 'I wasn't calling FIU up.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
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Wagner College coach Walt Hameline's faced a dilemma when his youngest daughter planned to get married on September 20 .
The devoted football coach knew immediately that the date would fall in the middle of football season .
But with the help of an old friend Hameline was able to reschedule his game .
Hameline is in his 34th season as head coach at Wagner .
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By . Tom Mctague, Mail Online Deputy Political Editor . Tory peer Lord Patten has become a spin doctor for the Pope - just two months after stepping down from the BBC for health reasons. The former Cabinet minister will advise the leader of the world's Catholics how to use the internet to get his message across - including sites like Twitter and Facebook. Lord Patten said the part-time role was 'important and challenging' - despite leaving the BBC in the lurch in May after having major heart surgery. Pope Francis wants to reach a younger audience around the world and has brought Tory peer Lord Patten in to the Vatican to be a media advisor . The 69-year-old was admitted to hospital with serious chest pains and underwent a successful bypass operation that saved his heart from major damage. At the time, Lord Patten said he had to stand 'on the advice of my doctors'. He said: 'I have concluded that I cannot continue to work at the same full pace as I have done to date, and that I should reduce the range of roles I undertake.' Lord Patten will now chair a Papal committee over the next year which is expected to report in the summer of 2015. He said the post was unpaid. Their goal is to re-vamp the Holy See's online presence and communications strategy in an effort to reach a wider and younger audience. Former BBC Trust chair Lord Patten will help the Pope's spin chief . The Vatican already has a number of websites and Twitter accounts, including that of Pope Francis (@pontifex) in nine different languages. The Pope also has six separate communications departments, including a press and internet office and a communications council. It also has a newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, and a radio station, Vatican Radio, which broadcasts in 40 languages. The appointment is the latest high profile move by Pope Francis to shake-up the Vatican since he was elected to succeed Pope Benedict last year. The Argentinian pope has vowed to overhaul the Vatican's tarnished institutions after decades of corruption and scandal. Lord Pattern said: 'This is an important and challenging part-time assignment over the next year. I’m looking forward to beginning work in late September.' The Oxford university chancellor, a leading British Catholic, is said to be easing himself back into work and will hold his first Vatican meeting this autumn. According to the Financial Times, Lord Patten has said the committee wants to develop a 'digital strategy' and ways for the church to speak to those already committed Catholics. Lord Patten also wants to expand the range of Vatican’s range of media outlets, which include a newspaper, television and radio station. During his time at the BBC, he was criticised for the number of positions he held including serving as Chancellor of Oxford University and Co-Chair of the UK-India Round Table.
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Former Cabinet minister will advise the Vatican on how to use the internet .
Pope Francis wants to reach a wider and younger audience .
Patten stood down as BBC Trust chair in May after heart surgery .
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By . Damien Gayle . PUBLISHED: . 11:51 EST, 10 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:03 EST, 10 April 2013 . An outrageous £3million Lamborghini launched this year has been named the ugliest car in history. The Lamborghini Veneno is a limited edition supercar which made its world début at the recent Geneva Motor Show. Just three are being made and they have already been snapped up by wealthy customers who loved the radical design. 'Worst thing out of Italy since fascism': The Lamborghini Veneno, a limited edition supercar which made its world début at the recent Geneva Motor Show, has been judged the ugliest car ever . Limited edition: Just three are being made and they have already been snapped up by wealthy customers who loved the radical design . Outrageous: The car, which has a top speed of 221mph, was judged the ugliest by a popular car website . 'Mercifully, only three will be made': The site says it contains ever supercar cliche and ever bad idea Lamborghini have ever come up with . But the Lamborghini clearly is not to . everybody's taste with the 221mph model this week named the ugliest ever . car by Edmonds, a popular automotive website. The website said: 'Every supercar cliché and every bad idea Lamborghini ever had, stuffed into one overpriced showcar. 'It's the worst thing out of Italy since fascism. Mercifully, only three will be made, which is still three too many.' The 1977 Lincoln Versailles came . second, followed by the 2010 Acura ZDX with the 1985 Cadillac Deville . and 2001 Pontiac Aztek making up the top five respectively. Britain . also appeared on the list with the 1976 Rolls-Royce Camargue ranked . 11th while the controversial Aston Martin Lagonda - also from 1976 - . came in 17th. The Ferrari California, a huge success for the Italian supercar firm, was a surprising entrant, coming in at number 16. Second place runner up: The 1977 Lincoln Versailles came second in the top ten of ugliest cars . Very plain: The 2010 Acura ZDX, which came third. The 1985 Cadillac Deville and 2001 Pontiac Aztek came in fourth and fifth places respectively . Sixth: The 1998 Fiat Multipla was criticised, with the website claiming it looked as if 'it escaped from Neptune, bounced around the solar system hitting asteroids, and then melted while entering the Earth's atmosphere' Eighth: The Edsel was described as 'so hideous that the market rejected it and it's been synonymous with failure ever since'
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Lamborghini will make only three of their very limited Veneno supercars .
'Which is still three too many,' says website which made the judgement .
'It's the worst thing to come out of Italy since fascism,' site adds .
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By . Claire Bates . Hoping for twins? Eating a yam won't make any difference . It is not just children who may be confused about where babies come from. A survey has revealed British couples also hold on to a number of old wives' tales when it comes to getting pregnant. Popular myths include drinking grapefruit juice or cough syrup and planting a rosemary bush. Even in this day and age some women trying for a baby say they think they have a better chance of conceiving if they avoid mints and will have twins if they eat yams. Others fear that eating strawberries or seeing mice during pregnancy could give their babies birthmarks. Another superstition is that a woman who gives gifts of silver will get pregnant, said family planning experts FPA as they launched specially created Fertility Awareness Kits. While much of the advice dates back centuries, some are more modern and scientific - such as advising men to wear boxer shorts to keep sperm at a more ideal temperature. Surprisingly, the survey found half of all couples do not know many of the basic facts about the best ways to conceive, such as when a woman is at her most fertile for instance. And because they get it wrong many couples then start to believe their lack of success is down to a medical problem, said the FPA, who surveyed 1,000 couples. 1. Yams help give you twins . 2. Boxer shorts make men more fertile (looser clothing may actually help) 3. Drink grapefruit juice to get pregnant . 4. Plant a rosemary bush to get pregnant . 5. Women, give a gift of silver to get pregnant . 6. Avoid strawberries - they give babies birthmarks . 7. Don't look at mice, they give babies birthmarks . 8. Drink cough syrup to get pregnant . 9. Men should take their socks off in bed . 10. Avoid mint . The health charity has launched new fertility guidance packs via its website in order to try and shatter some of the myths around pregnancy. The packs include basic information and guidance plus products like folic acid supplements - more useful to women trying for a baby than a rosemary bush or grapefruit juice. Natika H Halil, FPA director of information said: 'Many people trying to conceive have never been taught the basic facts about their own reproductive cycle. 'As a result couples may mistakenly believe themselves to be infertile, causing them to seek expensive fertility treatments and suffer a great deal of stress, when there is really no need. 'Equally, couples with a genuine problem may be waiting for nature to take its course, when in fact there is a fertility issue and they need professional help without delay.' For more visit www.fpadirect.org.uk .
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Women who want to get pregnant should plant a rosemary bush and avoid mints, according to two old wives' tales .
Many people have never been taught the basic facts about their own reproductive cycle, says FPA spokesman .
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