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By . Larisa Brown . PUBLISHED: . 05:23 EST, 26 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:37 EST, 26 September 2012 . Missing schoolgirl Megan Stammers wrote a bucket list of wishes she wanted to fulfill before she died. In it she included 'fall in love' and 'have someone write a song about me' - both of which had been crossed off. A total of 50 wishes were posted on her Tumblr page called 'meganneversleeps.' Wishes she had not yet crossed off included: 'live somewhere outside the U.K', 'go backpacking across Europe', 'get married' and 'trend on Twitter'. Bucket list: Megan wrote a list of things she wanted to do before she died. One of those things was 'fall in love', which has been crossed off . Megan, 15, and married maths teacher Jeremy Forrest, 30, fled Britain to France just after the police discovered they were in an illicit relationship. Mr Forrest is an amateur musician who has reportedly written at least one song about Megan called Starsigns. In August she added Mr Forrest’s song to her 'favourites' selection on a music website. His lyrics include the lines: 'She’s in my head and I can see there’s trouble ahead. I tried my best but it couldn’t keep me falling. 'She’s dressed in red, she is honest and she’s beautiful. I can’t wait to get her behind closed doors.' The teenager's aims to 'fall in love' and 'have someone write a song about me' are just two of four wishes which have so far been crossed off. Another wish that has been fulfilled is 'go to Hollywood'. School friends of Megan had seen her holding hands with Mr Forrest on a flight home from a trip to the US. Other wishes posted on her Tumblr blog, include those which show off her young age, such as 'learn to drive', 'learn how to skateboard' and 'get my nose pierced'. Missing schoolgirl Megan Stammers, 15, who fled to France with her teacher Jeremy Forrest, 30, and an 'about me' section on her Tumblr blog, right . Tumblr is a blogging website which allows users to post pictures, videos, links and follow other users. She also had 'be on the cover of a . magazine', 'meet Lana Del Ray' and 'be in two places at once' on her . list of things to achieve in her lifetime. On the site, in an about me section, she also wrote she adored music and tattoos. Mr Forrest had an image of a young girl wearing a hat and walking a dog tattooed on his arm earlier this year and also has a floral display on his other arm.
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Megan Stammers wrote a list of 50 wishes and had crossed off four of them .
She had not yet crossed off 'live somewhere outside the U.K' or 'trend on Twitter'
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(CNN) -- Iran tested a missile-launching system and several types of short- and medium-range missiles Sunday, the state-run Press TV said. A short-range missile is test-launched during war games in Qom, Iran, south of Tehran, on Sunday. Earlier, the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had said it would stage missile exercises beginning Sunday to promote the armed forces' defense capabilities. The tests, which are expected to last until Monday, are code-named "Payghambar-e Azam 4" or "The Great Prophet 4," Press TV said. The missiles, fired at targets around the country Sunday, included the Fateh-110, a short-range ground-to-ground missile, and Tondar-69, a short-range naval missile, the station said. Several models of medium-range Shahab missiles were tested at night, Press TV reported. Watch Iranian missile tests » . The final stage of the tests will be held Monday morning, when Iran plans to test the long-range Shahab missile, the station said. In May, Iran said it tested a surface-to-surface missile that is capable of reaching parts of Europe. At the time, a White House official said actions in Iran were noteworthy. "Of course, this is just a test, and obviously there is much work to be done before it can be built and deployed. But I see it as a significant step forward in terms of Iran's capacity to deliver weapons," said Gary Samore, special assistant to the president on nonproliferation. The latest test follows Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disclosure Friday that Iran was building a second uranium enrichment facility. Watch analyst's view on missile tests, nuclear tensions » . The United States and Israel believe that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear energy program. Iran has denied the allegation.
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NEW: Iran test-fires several types of short- and medium-range missiles .
NEW: Tests are code-named "The Great Prophet 4," state-run Press TV says .
Missile tests come days after Iran admits existence of second nuclear facility .
In May, Iran tested surface-to-surface missile capable of reaching parts of Europe .
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By . Jill Reilly For Mailonline . A British-born man and his wife have been told by authorities in Iceland they will not renew their 10-year-old daughter's passport on the grounds that she is called Harriet – which is not on a government approved list of names. Tristan Cardew and his Icelandic wife Kristin are appealing against the Reykjavik National Registry's decision, which also does not recognise the name of Harriet's 12-year-old brother Duncan either. The couple, from Kópavogur, have for years travelled with their children using passports featuring the names 'Girl' and 'Boy' because neither of their names are recognised by the country's strict list of permissible names. A British-born man and his wife have been told by authorities in Iceland they will not renew their 10-year-old daughter's passport on the grounds that she is called Harriet – which is not on a government approved list of names . But when they came to renew Harriet's passport ahead of a planned family holiday to France, authorities decided to enforce a law banning the issue of any official document to people who do not have an 'approved Icelandic name'. The couple have appealed the decision. 'They have deprived our daughter of freedom of movement,' said Mrs Cardew reported visir.is. For parents in Iceland there is a list of 1,853 female names, and 1,712 male ones, and parents must pick from these lists or seek permission from a special committee. For parents in Iceland there is a list of 1,853 female names, and 1,712 male ones, and parents must pick from these lists or seek permission from a special committee . All the names fit Icelandic grammar and pronunciation rules and officials claim they will protect children from embarrassment. Parents can take from the list or apply to a committee with alternative ideas. This means in Iceland, which has a population of 320,000, you are allowed to name your baby Elvis, Viking, Frigg or Horn, but not Ben, Dominic, Jennifer, Liam or Yasmin. Although the law has become more relaxed in recent years choices such as Cara, Carolina, Cesil, and Christa have been rejected outright because the letter 'c' is not part of Iceland's 32-letter alphabet. For the 5,000 or so children born in Iceland each year, the committee reportedly receives about 100 applications and rejects about half. Harriet was rejected on the grounds that 'It can't be conjugated in Icelandic,' said according to Mr Cardew. Given names are even more significant in tiny Iceland than in many other countries - everyone is listed in the phone book by their first names, while surnames are based on a parent's given name. Last year a 15-year-old Icelandic girl has won the right to keep her first name, despite it being 'unapproved' by the state. Last year a 15-year-old Icelandic girl has won the right to keep her first name, despite it being 'unapproved' by the state .Bjork Eidsdottir did not know when she named her newborn girl Blaer 15 years ago, she was breaking the law . Bjork Eidsdottir did not know when she named her newborn girl Blaer 15 years ago, she was breaking the law. In the eyes of the authorities Blaer, which means 'light breeze', was a male name and therefore not approved. It meant that for her entire childhood, Blaer was known simply as 'Girl' on official documents. But Reykjavik District Court eventually ruled that it could indeed be a feminine name. 'Finally I'll have the name Blaer in my passport,' she said after the ruling. The Cardew family have now successfully applied for an emergency UK passport from the British embassy. A handful of other states, including Germany and Denmark, also have this rule. Grace . Julia . Kelly . Sarah . Rebecca . Zoe . Abigail . Nancy . Veronica . Naomi . Adrian . Ben . Chris . Dominic . Ian . Jamie . Joshua . Liam . Philip . Eli .
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Reykjavik National Registry's does not recognise 10-year-old's name .
Does not recognise name of Harriet's 12-year-old brother Duncan either .
For parents in Iceland there is list of 1,853 female names and 1,712 male ones .
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By . Ian Drury . and Tim Shipman . David Cameron refused to rule out military action yesterday as he rebuked Argentina over its grab for the Falkland Islands. The Prime Minister vowed the UK would ‘do everything’ to protect the interests of the territory after Buenos Aires demanded he hand power to them. He said the sovereignty of the Falklands would be up to those who lived there when they hold a referendum in March. He added it was ‘really important’ for countries around the world to ‘sit up and notice’ the result – certain to be overwhelmingly in favour of retaining ties with Britain. War of words: President of Argentina, Cristina . Fernandez de Kirchner, pictured left, accuses Britain of stealing the . Falkland Islands in an open letter addressed to Prime Minister David . Cameron . The remarks came after Argentina’s president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner launched a fresh attack by insisting her nation was ‘forcibly stripped’ of the Falklands in a ‘blatant exercise of 19th century colonialism’ – a claim branded ‘crazy’ by Whitehall officials. In an open letter to Mr Cameron, published as an advert in Left-wing newspapers on the 180th anniversary of the alleged January 1833 takeover, she accused the UK of defying United Nations resolutions by refusing negotiations over the Falklands. But in a strong message which risked angering Buenos Aires, Number 10 made clear Britain would respond with force if threats to the islands emerged. A source said: ‘This is not a military situation but there is no doubt that we can defend the islands. The people of the Falkland Islands should be just left alone.’ Falkland Islanders last night issued their own open letter addressed to the Argentinean president. In . the 1830s Britain was arguably at the height of its colonial power. The . jewel in the crown was India while Canada, Australia as well as key . parts of Africa including Egypt and the Cape Colony were all under the . Union Flag. In . South America, Britain captured three colonies from the Dutch in 1796 . which were officially ceded in 1814, and consolidated into a single . colony, known as British Guiana in 1831. The . period between 1815 and 1914, is often referred to as Britain's . 'imperial century' with around 10,000,000 square miles of territory and . roughly 400 million people were added to the British Empire. After the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, Britain's only serious international rival was Russia. Overwhelming . naval supremacy led to a state of affairs known as 'Pax Britannica', . with Britain adopting the role of global policeman and enjoying a . foreign policy dubbed 'splendid isolation'. Because . Britain exerted such influence in world trade, the economies of . countries such as China and Argentina were effectively controlled from . London. The term 'informal empire', is used by historians to describe . this state of affairs. A group labelling themselves Falklands United said: ‘We look forward to our referendum in March and failure on your part to accept the outcome will prove to the world that there is only one colonial power in the region.’ The letter added: ‘We have never been prouder of our association with the United Kingdom and our unique relationship. Any decision to change that would be OUR and not YOUR choice.’ Britain has four warships, four RAF fighter-bombers and a 1,000-strong garrison on the Falklands, which are still claimed by Argentina despite their crushing defeat in the 1982 war which cost 255 British lives. Mr Cameron insisted the islanders should be granted the right to self-determination under the UN. He said: ‘They’re holding a referendum this year and I hope the president of Argentina will listen to that referendum and recognise it is for the Falkland Islanders to choose their future.’ Dick Sawle, a member of the Falklands’ Legislative Assembly, said: ‘The letter sent by president Kirchner is not only historically inaccurate but fails to mention the most significant aspect of our recent history – the attempt by Argentina to take away our home by military force when they invaded.’ Diplomatic friction between Britain and Argentina has increased since 2010, when the Government authorised oil exploration in the waters near the islands. Last year Buenos Aires accused the UK of ‘militarising’ the South Atlantic after Prince William’s posting as an RAF search-and-rescue helicopter pilot. Diplomats believe president Kirchner is using sovereignty claims to deflect attention from unpopular social and economic policies. The International Monetary Fund has also threatened to expel the country for cloaking in secrecy its inflation and growth data. Britain's Foreign Office rejected . Fernandez's call for negotiations, sticking to London's long-established . stance that the approximately 3,000 people of the Falkland Islands had . chosen to be British. 'There are three parties to this . debate, not just two as Argentina likes to pretend. The islanders can't . just be written out of history,' the Foreign Office said. 'As such, there can be no . negotiations on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands unless and until . such time as the islanders so wish.' The British Task force reached the South . Atlantic in May 1982 and retook South Georgia before preparing to . retake the main Islands. The Argentinean Air force sank several British ships, and Exocet . missiles sank the destroyer HMS Sheffield and the Atlantic Conveyor. A copy of Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner's letter to David Cameron . The Falklands: Diplomatic friction between Britain and Argentina has intensified since 2010, when the Government authorised oil exploration in the waters near the islands . Many other ships were damaged, some badly with considerable loss of . life, but the sinking of Argentinean Cruiser the General Belgrano by a . British Submarine was considered a turning point. The British fought . their way across the island with an Argentine surrender on June 14, . 1982. The British lost 250 men and took more than 10,000 prisoners of war, . while the Argentines lost 746, of which 368 had been on the Belgrano . when it sank. Fernandez said her open letter was . timed to coincide with the 180th anniversary of the day when Argentina . was 'forcibly stripped' of the islands in what she called a 'blatant . exercise of 19th century colonialism'. Noting that the islands were located . 14,000 km (8,700 miles) from London, Fernandez accused Britain of . expelling Argentines from the islands and carrying out a 'population . implantation process'. Britain disputes that version of . history. It says no civilian population was expelled from the Falklands . on or after Jan. 3, 1833. Fernandez's allegations were made in an open letter addressed to David Cameron and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. They are the latest in a string of . inflammatory rants over the islands’ future and come less than ten weeks . before around 1,500 eligible islanders hold the first ever vote on . whether they want to remain British. The referendum set for March 10-11, . overseen by international observers, is widely expected to send a clear . message to Argentina to keep its hands off. That . would be a humiliation for President Kirchner who has used sovereignty . claims to deflect attention from unpopular social and economic policies. The sinking of the Belgrano: Crewmen of the Argentine Cruiser General Belgrano escape in life rafts when it was sunk on May 2nd 1982 a key moment in the Falklands War . President Fernandez shows a plaque with the name 'Islas Malvinas' (left) and a man sets fire to an effigy of Prince William during a commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War in April last year . It would also underpin the UN principle of ‘self-determination’ for the people of the Falklands. In . the letter, President Kirchner said Argentina was ‘forcibly stripped’ of the islands it calls Las Malvinas in a ‘blatant exercise of 19th . century colonialism’. She added that ‘Argentines on the islands were . expelled and the UK began a population implementation process similar to . that applied to other territories under colonial rule’. Recipient: The President's letter was also addressed to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon . She added: ‘Since then, Britain, the colonial power, has refused to return the territories to the Argentine Republic.’ The Foreign Office ‘strenuously denied’ the claims and accused Argentina of trying to ‘write the Falkland islanders out of history’. Whitehall sources said the Government could order Sir Mark Lyall Grant, Britain’s ambassador to the UN, to rebut the ‘crazy’ allegations. In a speech to the UN last year, Sir Mark criticised Argentina’s ‘aggressive territorial aspirations’ over the Falklands and said its claims were ‘without foundation’. He said: ‘No civilian population was expelled on 3 January 1833 and the United Kingdom has never implanted any civilian population.’ Diplomatic friction between Britain and Argentina has intensified since 2010, when the Government authorised oil exploration in the waters near the islands. The letter was published in the Guardian and the Independent newspapers. It appears to have provoked an angry reaction from some islanders. Several messages have appeared on Twitter purporting to be from islanders condemning the papers' decision to publish them. One message to the Guardian read: 'Any particular reason why you continue to publish literature from someone that refuses to accept our existence?'
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Open letter appears in the Guardian and Independent newspapers .
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner says UK 'stole' the islands .
Outburst marks the anniversary of the islands becoming British territory .
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127663bb7455a62d2f83a2f9a436953b0aee6c91
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LONDON, England (CNN) -- It is still remembered as one of the worst days in the history of modern sailing. The Fastnet race still remains one of the biggest events in the yachting calendar. Yet the Fastnet tragedy of 1979 in which 15 people were killed and ex-British leader Edward Heath went missing helped to usher in a new era of improved safety in the sport. It was 30 years ago today that a freak storm struck over 300 vessels competing in the 600-mile yacht race between England and Ireland. Mountainous seas and vicious high winds sunk or put out of action 25 boats. The British rescue attempt turned into an international effort with a Dutch warship and trawlers from France also joining the search. In spite of the biggest rescue operation launched by the UK authorities since the Second World War a total of 15 people died. Some of them drowned and others succumbed to hypothermia. Six of those lost went missing after their safety harnesses broke. "It was a catastrophic event that had far-reaching consequences for the sport, the biggest of which was in the design and safety of the boats," Rodger Witt, editor of the UK-based magazine Sailing Today told CNN. "Most people in the sailing community at the time knew someone who was involved in one way or another. I had a friend who lost his father. It was devastating." In total 69 yachts did not finish the race. The former British prime minister, Edward Heath disappeared at the height of the storm, though he later returned to shore safe from harm. The corrected-time winner of the race was the yacht "Tenacious", owned and skippered by Ted Turner, the founder of CNN. Witt said that in the aftermath of the disaster the rules governing racing were tightened to ensure boats carried more ballast. Improvements were also made to the safety harnesses that tied crewmen to their boats, many of which proved ineffective in the tragedy. It also became mandatory for all yachts to be fitted with radio communication equipment and all competitors were expected to hold sailing qualifications to take part. At the time of the tragedy the Fastnet race was the last in a series of five races which made up the Admiral's Cup competition, the world championship of yacht racing. Competitors from around the globe attempted the route which sets off from the Isle of Wight, off the English south coast, and rounds the Fastnet rock on the southeast coast of Ireland. Roger Ware was in charge of handling press for the event on behalf of the organizers, the Royal Ocean Racing Club. Ware said that even today the tragedy "still spooks me." The racers set off on a Saturday but it wasn't till three days later that the authorities in the English coastal town of Plymouth realized there was a problem. The press team was based at the Duke of Cornwall hotel in Plymouth and early Tuesday morning Ware got a call from his superiors to go to the hotel immediately in order to field calls from journalists. "The night before we'd noticed high winds but there'd been no forecast of bad weather so we didn't think much of it," Ware told CNN. "As the morning progressed though, we heard that more and more boats were missing. It became obvious a tragedy was unfolding." Ware said the worst part for him was fielding calls from concerned relatives. "The Royal Ocean Racing Club headquarters was overloaded so calls were getting transferred to the press team. "I found myself talking to a woman whose husband I knew was in one of the boats where there'd been fatalities. I couldn't give her the information she wanted and to this day I still think about that telephone call."
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The 1979 Fastnet race ended in tragedy after a freak storm hit competitors .
In all 15 people died and the ex-British leader Edward Heath went missing for a time .
The disaster resulted in a raft of new safety rules introduced into the sport .
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A drugs baron jailed for trying to smuggle £35million worth of cocaine into Britain is suing his prison for not giving him kosher food. Orthodox Jew Simon Price, 68, is accusing the prison service of 'institutionalised anti-Semitism' and alleges that both Muslim and vegetarian criminals get more favourable treatment behind bars. The career criminal is serving 28 years after being found guilty of smuggling 700kg of cocaine hidden inside drums of syrup. Claim: Simon Price, 68, is suing HMP Frankland, near Durham for failing to provide him with kosher food . Price alleges he was not given any choice about the food he was served in HMP Frankland, near Durham, in his claim brought under the Human Rights Act and equality legislation. He claims that although prisoners are allowed to cook for themselves in the jail he had to share saucepans and other utensils that are used to prepare non-Kosher food. The cocaine smuggler, who is demanding £2,500 in 'exemplary damages', also claims that the prison have failed to provide Jewish books in their library. He accuses them in the claim of an 'indifferent and discriminatory attitude adopted towards Jews at HMP Frankland which consciously or subconsciously reflects institutionalised anti-semitism', The Sun reported. A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: 'We are robustly defending all elements of the claim.' Haul: Price was trying to smuggle nearly 700kg of cocaine into Britain when he was caught . HMP Frankland is a Category A prison which holds around 750 offenders. Previous inmates have included Charles Bronson and Dr Harold Shipman. Price was jailed in 2005 after a jury heard how he smuggled a cocaine haul from Guyana, South America,to Rotterdam. It was there that the drugs were seized by Revenue and Customs officers before he could get them into Britain. The drugs baron was living in a chateau in south-west France at the time and renting out flats in north London. The court heard that he had previously served 12 years for his role in a £1.5million armed robbery at Heathrow in the 1970s. He had apparently turned his back on crime by 2000 and had set up a cordon bleu cookery college and tried his hand at cognac production before he was persuaded to try and smuggle cocaine. Price has launched his claim after justice secretary Chris Grayling announced plans to stop prisoners using legal aid to sue. The minister said he had been 'appalled' that taxpayers money was being used to allow prisoners to bring 'unnecessary legal cases' which could be dealt with by the prison service's internal complaints system. Announcing a consultation on the plans the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said they would annually save £4 million and cut the number of cases brought by prisoners by 11,000. The proposal comes days after reforms to legal aid came into effect as the Government moves to reduce its £2.2 billion legal aid bill by £350 million.
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Simon Price, 68, accuses prison service of 'institutionalised anti-Semitism'
Career criminal jailed for smuggling 700kg of cocaine hidden in syrup drums .
He alleges Muslim and vegetarian prisoners get better treatment .
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1277a8a29d54aaffcb9428430bda099ea497d920
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Often overlooked in favour of it's bigger sister Stockholm, Gothenburg, Sweden's second city, is making its mark on the culinary scene with four Michelin star restaurants and a soaring food culture. Keen to sample a different aspect of Swedish life, well-known presenter and DJ Alex Zane visited the city to try some of its infamous seafood dishes. 'The city is still relatively untouched by tourists' he says, and the best restaurant he ate in was Sjömagasinet, which is 'the perfect place to enjoy fish in Gothenburg'. Read our Q&A with him to find out what he made of the Scandinavian city. Alex goes to Gothenburg: 'The place was packed full of hidden marine gems.... all delicious!' What hidden gems does Gothenburg offer? Described by many as the ‘Little London’, I knew I was in for something special when I boarded the plane to Sweden’s second city. With a buzzing design scene and a vibrant bar culture, it’s not surprising that Gothenburg is beginning to draw tourists in from across the world. My visit to the city on the other hand, revealed some of the lesser-known reasons why people are making the journey here. With the largest harbour in Scandinavia (and it’s pretty impressive in size) and the term ‘Scandi food’ starting to be used by more and more visitors, the city’s reputation for cuisine is starting to appeal to more than just food experts. For me, the place was packed full of hidden marine gems from the sea, all cooked and prepared in the ‘Gothenburg way’ and all delicious! Eat your heart out: Scandinavian city now has four Michelin star restaurants and a vibrant food scene . Catch of the day: Gothenburg is known for its fresh fish and indoor Feskekôrka market . Is it somewhere for a weekend or is there enough to do on a longer break? I could have eaten the food there for weeks, but there is more than enough to keep you entertained beyond the weekend if food alone doesn’t entice you. We went to the Liseberg amusement park on one of our days there, which first opened in 1923 and is fully powered by renewable energy. The wooden roller coaster has won all kinds of awards and I could see why that was the case as I stumbled out of the cart after my fifth go. Best restaurant? The best meal I ate while I was there this time was at the Sjömagasinet restaurant, which is ideally located by the waterfront and serves up Michelin starred dishes made from the freshest produce from the harbour that day. It’s in a stunning setting and, and the perfect place to enjoy fish in Gothenburg. Wander around the indoor Feskekôrka market to see delicious fresh fish pulled from the North sea . Fish selfie: Alex's favourite place to eat was Sjömagasinet restaurant and he stayed at Hotel Pigalle . The city has the biggest harbour in Scandinavia so it's rife with shellfish and other marine delicacies . Best place to stay? Hotel Pigalle. If you can’t stay, then make sure you just go in to see the eclectic decorations within – a feast for the eyes. Alex's favourite thing about Gothenburg and why? According to new research from American Express, Brits have sampled an average of seven different cuisines in the past year, so it seems dining around the world is becoming a bit of a trend. Scandinavia is gaining an unrivalled reputation for its seafood across the globe and Gothenburg has its biggest port, so it’s at the very heart of this. While the city is still relatively untouched by tourists, now is a great time to go over and sample the local delicacies. Scandinavia is gaining a reputation for its seafood across the globe and Gothenburg has its biggest port, so it’s at the very heart of this. While the city is still relatively untouched by tourists, now is a great time to visit and sample the delicacies . Would he return? I only scratched the surface of the great places to eat Scandi food over there, whether that be at Michelin starred restaurant or from amazing food markets like the indoor Feskekôrka market, so it’s not a question of if I would return, more when. Amex Insider Alex Zane is taking a sneak peek behind the scenes of some of Europe’s most popular destinations, uncovering hidden gems and telling you a few things you might not already know. Visit youtube.com/AmericanExpressUK to watch Alex get more insider information from other exciting destinations .
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35-year-old visited Liseberg amusement park and stayed at Hotel Pigalle .
His favourite restaurant was Sjömagasinet, praised for its 'stunning setting'
Presenter said of city: 'I could have eaten the food there for weeks'
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1278561bb9ea93b9f0582adafa949af8433f7513
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By . Ian Ladyman . PUBLISHED: . 05:15 EST, 20 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 10:50 EST, 20 February 2014 . Wayne Rooney has agreed the fundamental details of his new £300,000-a-week contract at Manchester United but the deal has been held up by haggling over image rights. It is understood that the United striker and his representatives have declared themselves happy with the fine details of the 28-year-old’s salary and bonus structure. Making his point: Wayne Rooney should pen a huge £300,000-a-week deal at United in a matter of days . Back: Rooney returned to training on Wednesday after the team's five-day break in Dubai . However, Rooney cannot actually sign the deal until a couple of issues over image rights are ironed out. United . chief executive Ed Woodward is confident that can be sorted out over . the course of Thursday and or Friday and there is still an outside chance . that confirmation of a new five-and-half-year deal could be made before . close of play on Friday. If that doesn’t happen, though, it may have to wait until after United return from Champions League duty in Greece next week. Keeping up morale: David Moyes has managed to tie Rooney down on a five-year deal . Going nowhere: It looks as though Rooney will see out the remainder of his career at Old Trafford, giving up on his dream of moving to Chelsea . United . are relaxed about the situation with sources revealing on Wednesday that the . details of Rooney’s pay and the length of the contact were actually . sorted out some weeks ago. They . want to announce the deal as soon as possible to give the club and its . manager David Moyes a boost ahead of some important games in the weeks . to come. United – seventh in . the Barclays Premier League and seemingly out of the running for the . Champions League places – are away at Crystal Palace on Saturday evening . and then fly to Athens for their Champions League game at Olympiakos. After that United are away at West Brom, also in the Barclays Premier League. Break: Rooney's wife Coleen is in Barbados on a holiday with sons Kai and Klay . Say cheese! Coleen and Klay smile for the camera while Wayne finalises his £300k-a-week deal at Old Trafford . Nearly: United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward (left) could complete the deal this week . Turning point? Rooney agreeing to sign a new deal is a major coup for under-fire manager David Moyes .
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Wayne Rooney agrees fundamental details to £300k-a-week contract .
But deal is being held up by a couple of issues with image rights .
Contract should be signed on Wednesday or Thursday, but may have to wait until after Champions League game with Olympiacos next week .
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A dangerous combination of alcohol and gravity played a cruel joke on a Maine artist who fell out of a second-floor window after accidentally breaking into a flower shop while trying to prank a friend. Ronald Podlaski, 29, who goes by the moniker RookSye in Portland's art circles, said he was trying to surprise a friend Saturday by sneaking into her apartment via the fire escape. But unfortunately for Podlaski, who admittedly came up with the stunt after downing a few too many beers, he got the wrong building. Harebrained prank: Ronald Podlaski, 29, who goes by the moniker RookSye, was arrested Saturday after he accidentally broke into a Portland, Maine, flower shop thinking it was his friend's home . Instead of climbing into the apartment of Cara Taggersell, which she shares with her fiance, Podlaski found himself in the middle of Harmon's & Barton's flower shop on Congress Street Saturday night. After realizing his mistake, and getting tangled in some plants, the hapless 29-year-old tripped the alarm and fell from a second-floor window,Portland Press-Herald reported. When Podlaski came to, he found himself lying on the pavement with a pair of Portland police officers staring down at him. The artist suffered a broken wrist and was hauled off to jail, but prosecutors have decided to let him off the hook after concluding that he has learned his lesson. Podlaski has acknowledged that the nighttime escapade was a 'foolish' idea, and he now plans to apologize to the owner of the flower shop for the unwelcome visit. In an ironic twist, even if Podlaski got the right building that night, his grand gesture would have been in vain because his friend, a fencing referee, was away that week working at an international competition in El Salvador. Ironic: Podlaski was hoping to surprise his friend and former roommate, Cara Taggersell (left and right), but unbeknownst to him she was in El Salvador at the time . Portland police were dispatched to the flower shop at 584 Congress Street at around 10pm Saturday after receiving an alert indicating a possible break-in. Ron Podlaski/RookSye was picked up, literally, and jailed on charges of burglary, criminal mischief and theft. The theft count was tacked on after police spotted a candelabra hanging from the fire escape. They said the 29-year-old plummeted two stories while trying to use the fire escape as a getaway route. The 29-year-old aspiring tattoo artist said that the ill-conceived stunt was exacerbated by an unfortunate miscalculation on his part, which brought him two buildings down from where his friend Cara lives. After climbing two flights of fire-escape stairs to the third floor of 584 Congress Street, he snuck into the attic and then descended down to the second floor, where his error became immediately apparent. Instead of encountering the familiar interior of his friend's apartment, he saw mannequins used by the florist in window displays. Podlaski tried to beat a hasty retreat, but on his way downstairs he tripped the burglar alarm. Series of unfortunate events: Podlaski climbed the fire escape to the attic at 584 Congress Street in Portland, descended to the second floor and only then he realized that he broke into Harmon's and Barton's flower shop . Two peas in a pod: Podlaski and Taggersell had been roommates at one time, and according to the woman, it is not uncommon for him to hurl pebbles at the windows to draw her attention . Desperate to escape, Podlaski tried to climb out the window but stumbled and fell, landing on the sidewalk below where he was collared by police. Mr Podlaski was released from Cumberland County Jail Monday after spending the weekend cooling his heels in a cell. When Cara Taggersell heard of her friend's misadventure, she was not surprised. ‘He’s always up for a good time. Sometimes he might lack common sense about some things,’ she told the paper. The fencing referee said it was not uncommon for Podlaski, her former roommate, to hurl stones at their windows to draw her and her fiance's attention. Podlaski insisted that he was not a bad person, but rather a 'foolish young man who ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.'
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Ronald Podlaski, 29, who goes by RookSye, spent the weekend in Portland, Maine, jail after the stunt .
He used fire escape to break into a Congress Street flower shop thinking it was his friend's building .
Podlaski fell from second-floor window after tripping alarm and stumbling .
Prosecutors decided to drop charges of burglary and criminal mischief against him .
Podlaski did not know that his friend was away in El Salvador Saturday, so his prank would have failed anyway .
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(CNN) -- Triple Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel has warned his 2013 title rivals that Red Bull are in better shape than this time 12 months ago. Red Bull driver Vettel edged out Ferrari's Fernando Alonso at the final race of the 2012 season to clinch a third successive drivers' title by just three points, while his team celebrated a third constructors' crown in a row. Vettel, the sport's youngest ever three-time champion, insists the whole team is focused on matching last year's achievements. "What we have is more or less the same car that we had in Brazil (the final race of the 2012 season) -- with some steps forward," the 25-year-old told F1's official website after taking to the track at a preseason testing event in Barcelona. "But from a personal level I can say that I am much happier now than I was one year ago." The German also dismissed suggestions he might struggle for motivation ahead of the 2013 season. "Thank God I don't have to think about something like 'finding motivation!'" added Vettel. "Sure it was nice what we've achieved in the last three years and it makes us all proud, but I would say that I am still in a phase of my life where I look forward, and that's the right direction to go." Last season began in unpredictable fashion, with an unprecedented seven different drivers winning the season's opening seven races. It was an uncharacteristically slow start to year from Red Bull, with Vettel winning the year's fourth grand prix in Bahrain but then not picking up a second success until September's race in Singapore. "I don't think it will be much different from what was important last year -- again it will be very close, so it will not be a case of two or three drivers fighting it out," continued Vettel. "In the first half of the season I expect a very similar situation to 2012 where we saw many different winners. Then, in the second half, some favourites will become visible. "To be one of them you have to score points at every race and be consistent -- that was what got us the title in 2012." Alonso, a two-time drivers' champions, made first appearance of preseason in Catalunya on Tuesday, but Vettel remains focus on ensuring Red Bull arrive at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 17 in the best possible shape. "When you drive and you see another car on the track it is almost impossible to notice details, from whatever car," said Vettel. "This is much easier when you look at photos. To be honest right now we are still in the phase where we are fully concentrating on ourselves, not looking left and right."
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Sebastian Vettel is motivated to challenge for a fourth straight F1 world title .
The German has won the drivers' championship in each of the last three seasons .
The Red Bull driver is confident the team are in better shape than this time last year .
The 2013 Formula One season begins with the Australian Grand Prix on March 17 .
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PUBLISHED: . 15:44 EST, 4 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:06 EST, 5 December 2013 . Women's legs have got Lululemon in trouble again after a Maryland store posted a poem in its window rhyming 'apple pies' with 'rubbing thighs.' The controversial display in the yoga-wear brand's Bethesda store comes just weeks after the company's founder suggested his customers' ample thighs were responsible for their pants being see-through. The poem, which reads: 'Cups of Chai/Apple Pies/Rubbing thighs?' was spotted by an outraged onlooker at a store in Bethesda, who then tweeted it, prompting Lululemon to apologize and take it down. 'We're deeply sorry, the display is being taken down. We celebrate that thighs rub together - ours do too,' the company wrote online. Thighs: Just weeks after Lululemon's founder complained women's fat legs were responsible for their pants being see-through, a Bethesda, Maryland, store, pictured, has posted a poem about 'rubbing thighs' in its window . The dispay was removed Monday night, according to the New York Daily News. The store is believed to be the same place an assistant bludgeoned, choked and stabbed-to-death a co-worker in March 2011 because she was trying to steal some yoga pants. Lululemon founder Chip Wilson was forced to apologize in mid November for suggesting that women's heavy thighs were to blame for a line of yoga pants being recalled earlier this year because they were too sheer. In a video posted on the company YouTube, Wilson says: 'I'm sad for the people at Lululemon... that have really had to face the brunt of my actions. I take responsibility for all that has occurred and the impact it has had on you. I'm sorry to have put you all through this.' A week earlier he sparked outrage for saying in a Bloomberg interview about Lululemon's faulty yoga pants: 'Frankly, some women's bodies just don't actually work.' Regret: 'I'm sad for the people at Lululemon.... that have really had to face the brunt of my actions. I take responsibility for all that has occurred and the impact it has had on you. I'm sorry to have put you all through this' Wilson, along with his co-founder and wife Shannon Wilson, made the remarks as their company released its Full-On Luon pants, a style which claims to have 'major support and coverage'. When speaking about how some . customers complained about the pants' fabric pilling, Wilson . continued: 'It's really about the rubbing through the thighs, how much . pressure is there over a period of time and how much they use it.' In his apology video, Wilson looks earnestly at the camera, seemingly emotional as he expresses his regret. 'I'm sad. I'm really sad. I'm sad for the repercussions of my actions,' he says. He then takes a deep breath as he appeals to loyal customers to have faith in the company. 'For all of you that have made Lululemon what it is today, I ask you to stay in a conversation that is above the fray,' he says. 'I ask you to prove that the culture that you have built cannot be chipped away. Thank you.' Comeback: Lululemon has released an ad for Full-On Luon pants, a new style which claims to have 'major support and coverage' - unlike the pants that were pulled from shelves in March for being too sheer . Comment that caused a backlash: Lululemon founder Chip Wilson, pictured with his wife Shannon, said that some women's bodies 'don't work' for Lululemon yoga pants . The founder's controversial remarks . caused Bloomberg TV host Trish Regan to cut in and ask: 'Interesting, . not every woman can wear a Lululemon yoga pant?' Wilson responded: 'No, I think they can. I just think it's how you use it.' The . apology video has been viewed more than 98,000 times, eliciting a . variety of reactions from viewers, with some saying it is seems somewhat . insincere. One commenter wrote: '"I'm sad" and "I'm sorry" are different things.' Another . said: 'Wow, that was one of the most unapologetic apologies I've heard . in a while. You're not sorry for what you said, but only sorry that it . caused some issue'. WATCH: A message from Chip Wilson, Lululemon founder . In March, the Canadian company was forced to recall 17 per cent of its yoga pants due to an . unacceptable 'level of sheerness' created during the manufacturing . process. At the time, the . company said that it was not sure why the pants were so sheer since they . hadn't changed the materials used or switched manufacturers. The . scandal damaged its reputation and reportedly cost the company over . $20 million, and in June CEO Christine Day announced that she would be . stepping down after five-and-a-half years. In a very stylized video for new yoga . pants, lead yoga designer Antonia delicately touches on the subject, . saying: 'We saw that there was an opportunity to take the fabric and . evolve it to another place.' Fine details: The leggings, which range in price from $72 to $98 per pair, 'involved a lot of people to develop,' says lead yoga designer Antonia as the camera pans to a close-up of yarn and machinery . Revamped: Full-On Luon leggings (left, $83 and . right, $98) were launched in response to this year's too-sheer leggings . scandal, which reportedly cost the company over $20million . Full-On Luon leggings, which range in price from $72 to $98 per pair, 'involved a lot of people to develop,' she says, adding: 'It . took over two-and-a-half years.' The camera shows a close-up of yarn and machinery as dramatic music plays in the background. 'In developing it we had to look at . everything from where the yarn was coming from, how it was being . knitted, the construction, the mills that we work with,' she explains. Shots of women practicing various yoga poses in the pants show that they do indeed seem to maintain their opacity. Joan, VP of global product quality, explains in the ad: 'In the testing of the product . there's probably 13 to 15 tests that go on. Every single lot of the . fabric is tested before it leaves the mill.' And materials innovation director Yogendra elaborates about the seemingly painstaking process of constructing the fabric, saying: 'We use special very fine microfiber yarns with a very special yarn construction' Still dissatisfied: One customer wrote: 'They pill and the thread in the seams loosens. I want to love these pants so bad. . . but honestly, my $15 Walmart pants are WAY better quality' Later he adds: 'We made this fabric 55 different ways to . come to our current formulation that would give us one of the best . fabrics in the industry.' While the video claims that these new . pants are made from a more supportive and opaque fabric, many of the reviews on the . Lululemon website would suggest otherwise. One dissatisfied customer wrote: 'They pill and the thread in the seams loosens. I want to love these pants so bad. . . but honestly, my $15 Walmart pants are WAY . better quality.' Another complained that the pants are just as see-through as their predecessors. 'After wearing four times I'm already experiencing pilling and sheerness,' she wrote. 'I am upset because spending so much money on leggings I expected them to be much better quality.' A spokesperson told Reuters that only a very small number of customers has complained and that 'guest feedback is not indicative of a larger issue'.
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A Maryland store has posted the controversial poem 'Cups of Chai/Apple Pies/Rubbing thighs?' in its window .
Comes just weeks after the yoga-wear brand's founder complained women's fat thighs were responsible for their pants being see-through .
The poem was spotted by an outraged onlooker at a store in Bethesda, who then tweeted it .
This prompted Lululemon to apologize and take it down .
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127ce726eb964ecbbac5c09d2e1f25cba42d272a
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Manchester City's huge fine for breaching UEFA's financial fair play rules is to be shared out around the other clubs in the Champions League. City were fined £50million for the FFP breaches but will only have to pay around £20million if they comply with the break-even rules in future seasons. The first tranche of payments from City, Paris St Germain and Zenit St Petersburg will total £20million and will be split among the Champions League and Europa League clubs who did comply with the rules last season. Expensive: Last summer's spending spree saw City buy Negredo and Navas on the way to the title . Still spending: The Etihad outfit have continued to purchase high profile stars since being fined . A similar sum will be distributed to clubs who comply with the FFP rules in this season's European competitions. European Clubs' Association chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said UEFA had agreed the fines should go to the other clubs. He told a news conference in Geneva: 'It was an agreement between UEFA and the clubs that it was money belonging to the clubs.' The clubs will have a chance to argue any changes to FFP rules at a meeting with UEFA on October 13. Advantage: The money City have been fined will be redistributed to other Champions League clubs . Paying power: Despite staying within the constraints Arsenal managed to buy Alexis Sanchez from Barca . UEFA president Michel Platini said in his speech to the ECA: 'The framework for financial fair play must be dynamic, it must evolve constantly, which is why I have convened an important round table on the subject with your representatives at UEFA headquarters on 13 October. 'We will see whether any imperfections can be ironed out and whether there is room to further improve the system.' Buying: Manchester City owner Sheikh mansour shows no sign of stopping his spending spree . Selling: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho insists his side have had to become a selling club due to the rules . VIDEO Arsenal spending doesn't guarantee success - Dein .
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City fined £50million for breaking financial fair play regulations .
Could be reduced to £20million if they comply with rules in future .
Money will be shared around European clubs who did meet requirements .
Clubs will meet to discuss changes to the rules in October .
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127dc53cd931a701a744d0af219177da352a4471
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Following the Taliban prisoner swap that led to the release of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, told Fox News that 30% of the detainees released from the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay "have already gone back into the fight." It's a figure that has been frequently repeated in recent days, but is it true? It depends on who is doing the counting. According to the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which regularly releases an unclassified summary report about former detainees, as of January this year, 104 of the 614 detainees (17%) released from the prison have engaged in "terrorist activities," while another 74 (12%) are suspected of doing so. It is impossible to assess the validity of the U.S. government's claim, referenced by McCain, that nearly 30% of the released detainees are confirmed or suspected of engaging in terrorist activity because the government has not publicly released the names of any of these detainees for the past five years. The U.S. government defines a "confirmed" terrorist or insurgent as based on a "preponderance" of information pointing to that conclusion, while someone in the "suspected" category is based on plausible but unverified or single source reporting to that effect. In order to shed some light on exactly which graduates from Guantanamo have joined a militant group or engaged in some other kind of terrorist activity, the New America Foundation analyzed Pentagon reports, news stories, and other publicly available documents to create a list of former detainees who have "returned to the battlefield." The list can be found here. The New America list documents a much smaller number than does the U.S. government. Of the 620 former detainees who have been transferred from the prison camp, we have identified 15 former Guantanamo detainees (2.5%) who are confirmed to have engaged in terrorist or insurgent activities against the United States or its citizens, while there are 21 individuals (3.5%) who are suspected of engaging in such activities. We also identified 18 former detainees (3%) who are confirmed or suspected of involvement in militant attacks against non-U.S. targets. Taking all three categories together, the New America list finds only a third as many Guantanamo prisoners have returned to the battlefield, compared to the U.S. government estimate. A recent example of this is British citizen Moazzam Begg, a former Guantanamo prisoner released in 2005, who was arrested in December on terrorism charges related to the Syrian civil war. He has denied the charges. It's important to note that the vast majority of individuals who are confirmed or suspected to have militant groups were released under the George W. Bush administration, a fact that is missing from much of the current commentary. For the purposes of our study, for a former detainee to be considered "confirmed" that he had joined a militant group, there had to be a preponderance of information claiming he was directly involved in terrorist or insurgent activities. For those "suspected" of such acts, there were plausible but unverified accounts about their involvement in such activities. While it is certainly possible there are some former detainees participating in terrorist and insurgent activities who have not been identified publicly, we are confident that our numbers are reasonably accurate because groups like al Qaeda and the Taliban are eager to trumpet the identities of released Guantanamo detainees who join their ranks, as it is a propaganda coup for them, and the media is also quick to highlight such stories. Based on our findings, even if you combine all of the released detainees who are confirmed or suspected of taking part in any form of militant activity anywhere in the world, the total comes to 54, or 8.7%, which is much lower than the 30% being cited by the U.S. intelligence community and members of Congress. This percentage is also much lower than the recidivism rate of criminals within the United States, which currently stands around 67.5%, according to the most recent statistics by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Some of the Guantanamo prisoners who were released by the Bush administration are certainly quite dangerous. Said Ali al-Shiri, who co-founded al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in 2009, was transferred to Saudi Arabia in 2007. Shiri completed the kingdom's rehabilitation program and promptly headed to Yemen, where he became AQAP's deputy commander. He was killed in a U.S. drone strike last year. Another example is Abdullah Ghulam Rasoul (who also goes by the name Mullah Zakir), who has emerged as one of the top Taliban commanders. Rasoul was also transferred from Guantanamo to Afghanistan in 2007 by the Bush administration and rejoined the Taliban shortly after the Afghan government released him from custody. Under Obama, the U.S. State Department and U.S. Defense Department use comprehensive threat assessments to determine a detainee's eligibility for release. This has contributed to the fact that of the 88 prisoners released under Obama, we were only able to find publicly available information about one of those who had joined a militant group: Abdul Hafiz, who was returned to Afghanistan and is accused of fighting for the Taliban and targeting Afghan aid workers. (The intelligence community claims five Obama-era releasees have joined militant groups.) Of course the high-ranking Taliban prisoners released in the exchange for Sgt. Bergdahl are not just low-level militants and President Obama himself has admitted that they might pose some future threat. "Is there the possibility of some of them trying to return to activities that are detrimental to us? Absolutely. There's a certain recidivism rate that takes place," Obama said. But these men are not being released freely into Afghan society. They have been transferred to the custody of Qatar, which is a rich, efficient police state and they have been banned from travel for a year. Assuming that ban holds, by the time they are able to travel back to Afghanistan, there will no longer be any U.S. combat presence as American combat soldiers are all pulling out at the end of December 2014. So any potential threat that those five Taliban officials might pose to American targets in Afghanistan will be much smaller by then.
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John McCain cites U.S. statistic that 30% of Gitmo released prisoners return to battle .
Peter Bergen: A close study of the record finds only a third of that number are recidivists .
Vast majority of recidivist Gitmo detainees were freed under the Bush administration, he says .
Bergen: Only one prisoner freed under Obama is known to have returned to the fight .
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Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has urged his team-mates to use their disappointment at Newcastle as extra motivation for a daunting double. The Merseysiders lost 1-0 at St James' Park on Saturday as their lack of cutting edge without the departed Luis Suarez and the injured Daniel Sturridge was exposed once again. However, they have little time to lick their wounds with a Champions League trip to Real Madrid looming on Tuesday evening ahead of Saturday's visit of Premier League leaders Chelsea to Anfield. Liverpool's Jordan Henderson sees the trip to Real Madrid on Tuesday as a chance to rediscover form . Henderson told the club's official website, www.liverpoolfc.com: 'They are two big games, two games to show that we can score goals and defend better. 'We'll look forward to that still. We'll work hard during the week and put in two good performances, hopefully, against two top teams.' That, however, may be easier said than done with manager Brendan Rodgers admitting as he started to analyse an unproductive day on Tyneside that '80 per cent' of last season's goals had been taken out of his team with the absence of SAS double-act Suarez and Sturridge. Spanish striker Ayoze perez celebrates scoring the winner as Newcastle beat Liverpool 1-0 on Saturday . Newcastle celebrate after Ayoze's goal inflicted Liverpool's fourth Premier League defeat in ten games . Liverpool enjoyed plenty of possession at St James', particularly as midfield general Steven Gerrard worked his way gradually higher up the pitch as the game wore on. However, with Mario Balotelli static and Raheem Sterling, who spent most of his afternoon wide on the right, largely becalmed by full-back Paul Dummett, home goalkeeper Tim Krul had little of note to do. Newcastle always looked the more dangerous through the pace of Gabriel Obertan, until he tore a thigh muscle 23 minutes into the game, and then substitute Rolando Aarons, Sammy Ameobi and the marauding Moussa Sissoko. But it took them until the 73rd minute to find what proved to be the winner when substitute Ayoze Perez capitalised on Alberto Moreno's hesitation on the edge of his own six-yard box to hammer the ball past helpless keeper Simon Mignolet. Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a 17th league goal at Granada on Saturday, will look to help defeat Liverpool . The Belgium international then pulled off a superb save with his foot to deny Remy Cabella a second, but his efforts were to count for nothing in the end. Henderson said: 'It was very disappointing. We came here for confidence and to get a result and we didn't manage to do that, so we're very disappointed. 'Throughout the game, I thought we dominated the ball but we didn't really get in behind them or create many chances. 'We had one or two through Philippe Coutinho and Martin Skrtel from the corner, but overall, we're disappointed not to get something out of the game. 'I felt as though we started the game well and we quietened the crowd down, kept the ball. But the ball wasn't the problem - we were dominating the game through possession, but it was just getting into that final third and creating an opening. Henderson talks to striker Mario Balotelli, who once again struggled to make an impact at Newcastle . 'We struggled with that, so we'll have to improve on that and kick on for the next game.' That next game - Real at the Bernabeu - could hardly be any more difficult with the Spaniards having won 3-0 on Merseyside at a canter on October 22, and clear-cut chances are likely to be even more difficult to come by. However, Henderson insists that is a collective responsibility despite the growing pressure on summer signing Balotelli. He said: 'It's down to the whole team, especially the midfielders and the attackers, to make runs in behind and create lots of options and movement and combination play as well. 'I just thought we didn't do as well as we know we can, so we'll have to improve.'
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Liverpool put in a poor performance to lose 1-0 at Newcastle on Saturday .
Brendan Rodgers' side face Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday before hosting Premier League leaders Chelsea this Saturday .
Jordan Henderson sees the tricky double as motivation to respond .
Liverpool are currently 7th in the league, 12 points behind Chelsea .
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127eb179a922a12c89add920f500f15bc446fe31
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Days after the Democrats' brutal defeat in the midterm elections, President Obama said Sunday that he takes responsibility for his party's poor performance at the polls. "The buck stops right here at my desk," the President said in an interview on CBS' Face the Nation. "And so whenever -- as the head of the party -- it doesn't do well, I've got to take responsibility for it." Ahead of the election, Obama's approval rating was at presidential low, with more than half of all Americans saying they disapproved of the job the President was doing and only 41% saying they approved. Vulnerable candidates in key battleground states made efforts to distance themselves from the commander-in-chief, with some publicly condemning his policies and others refusing his surrogacy on the campaign trail. Reflecting on what he could have done differently and what he will change moving forward, Obama says he will work harder to become a better salesman. "I think that one thing that I do need to constantly remind myself and my team of is it's not enough just to build a better mousetrap. People don't automatically come beating to your door. We've got to sell it," Obama said. "We've got to reach out to the other side and, where possible, persuade." "I think that what you'll see is a constant effort to improve the way we deliver service to customers...experimenting with ways that I can reach out to Republicans more effectively. Making sure that we're reaching out and using the private sector more effectively." Looking back, the President admits that he sometimes struggled to work politics into policy negotiations, a weakness that affected his ability to communicate his positions to members of the opposite party and to the American people. "I think there are times -- there's no doubt about it -- where, you know, I think we have not been successful in going out there and letting people know what it is that we're trying to do and why this is the right direction," Obama said. "So there is a failure of politics there that we've got to improve on." It's a somber moment for the former senator, who will lead his last two years in the Oval Office determining whether or not to veto or sign bills coming from a Republican-led Congress. In retrospect, he now says he is learning to become a better legislator-in-chief. "One of the things we're learning is that there's a real power to being able to convene here in the White House. Not every problem has to be solved just through a bill. Just through legislation," Obama said. The day following the midterms, the President addressed the country, saying he heard voters and their concerns through the polls. On Sunday, he detailed what that meant. "The message that I took from this election, and we've seen this in a number of elections, successive elections, is people want to see this city work," Obama said. "They see Washington gridlocked and they're frustrated. And they know one person in Washington and that's the President of the United States." Obama isn't the first, and won't be the last, president to see his party get swept in the final midterm elections during a two-term presidency. But now after witnessing his final election from the Oval Office, he says that he's realized "campaigning and governance are two different things." "I've ran two successful campaigns," Obama said. "And anybody who's seen me on the campaign trail can tell how much I love just being with the American people. And hearing what they care about and how passionate I am about trying to help them." "When you start governing there is a tendency sometimes, for me, to start thinking, 'As long as I get the policy right, then that's what should matter.' And people have asked, 'What do you need to do differently going forward?' And I think you do that gut check after every election." In hindsight, Obama acknowledges that his critics were fair to condemn him for not trying hard enough to work with Republicans, saying he could have pushed harder to negotiate and get things done. "I think that what is also true is that no matter how frustrating it can sometimes be for any president to deal with an opposition that is, you know, pretty stubborn and where there are really strong differences, you've just got to keep on trying." But one thing you can expect to see change -- according to the President -- in the next two years, is a shake-up at the White House. "We will be bringing in new folks here because people get tired, you know, it's a hard job," he said. "And what I've told everybody is, you know, I want you to have as much enthusiasm and energy on the last day of this administration as you do right now or you did when you first started. Otherwise you shouldn't be here."
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President Obama: "The buck stops right here at my desk"
Obama says he wants to become a better salesman to push policy forward .
Obama says the one message he took away from voters: they're tired of D.C. dysfunction .
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127ec2abcc5690d53f0af8fa3b5a60fe05b926cc
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When welcoming a guest to your TV show it is important to get their name right, so have pity on Fox News host Megyn Kelly who managed to slip up while introducing Mike Huckabee. Kelly managed to pronounce his name correctly the first time around, but when it came to reading out the title of his show - named after himself - she blurted out 'F***abee' instead. As she made the gaffe, former Republican presidential candidate Mr Huckabee appeared to crack a smile before Mrs Kelly corrected herself. When introducing former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, Fox News host Megyn Kelly accidentally called him 'F***abee' while pronouncing the name of his self-titled show . Mrs Kelly later addressed the mistake after it drew a wave of mockery on Twitter, saying: 'Something else that happened on the program is also getting a lot of attention on Twitter and including this tweet from some nice man named Sean who said ‘Megyn you’re a delight to watch and gave a stoic performance after your slip up with Governor Huckabee’s name.’ 'I thought I was stoic too – I have a heart of a 12 year old boy.' It is not the first on-air gaffe from Megyn Kelly, who ended up in hot water earlier this year when she made a stand over naming the Fort Hood shooter. Mrs Kelly refused to name Ivan Lopez on her show on the day of the killings, trying to avoid giving him notoriety, but instead described his name as sounding 'Hispanic or Latino'. Mr Huckabee didn't miss a beat, despite Mrs Kelly's mistake - and even appeared to crack a smile. Mrs Kelly later admitted to the error, saying it had attracted a lot of attention on Twitter . That controversy followed on from a race row that she sparked late in 2013 when she described both Santa and Jesus as 'verifiably white'. Mrs Kelly was hitting back at an article saying Santa should be replaced by a penguin because the 'Santa-as-fat-old-white-man' image was not relevant in modern multi-cultured America. Mr Huckabee presents his show - called Huckabee - on Fox on Saturdays at 8pm.
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Megyn Kelly was introducing Mike Huckabee on her Fox show last night .
When reading the name of his self-titled show, she blurted out 'F***abee'
Former Republican presidential candidate appeared to crack a smile at error .
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(CNN) -- While on a television program several years ago, I recounted a story about moving with my family into a new home in the suburbs of Washington. As a black family, we were welcomed to the neighborhood with a shocking sight. My mother and I looked out the kitchen window the morning after we moved in to notice that someone had driven across our new lawn, skidding over mom's cute dogwood tree, and placed a cross there to intimidate us. Not being wanted in this neighborhood based on the color of our skin made a fearful and lasting impression on me as a 9-year old. About a week after the show a letter came to my office. Penned by a man who identified himself as a "White Fundamentalist Supremacist Christian," the letter was a fiery missal responding to my television appearance and underscoring his disdain for black people and his glee over the fact that I had a "burning cross" (I never said it was burning) in my front yard. I have this letter posted on the back of my office door with a note I wrote across it with a black sharpie: "This is why God has called us to be gracists and ambassadors of reconciliation!" As whites become minorities in America, traditional minority groups like mine will be called upon to graciously build bridges to help whites adjust to their new minority status without malice or vengeance. Diversity is an ever-evolving, rotating movement of new people and new perspectives in America. While the term may have been largely about blacks at one time, and more recently, Latinos, we find Koreans, Chinese and Filipinos filling up the melting pot. In some areas of the country, as in Michigan, it's the burgeoning Muslim population, or in Minnesota and Ohio, the growing populations of Somalis. Diversity is here to stay. Welcome to the realization of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream. Yet, when King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech, I wonder if he ever envisioned a day when whites in America would actually be the minority. Judging people by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin is altogether as important as it is for blacks. This will become increasingly the case in the decades to come. Integrating whites into the mosaic of American society is an important ideal to embrace, because integration has always been construed as mixing other minorities into a white-dominated world. Whites will become a minority within three decades, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. If this happens as predicted, within little more than one generation, whites will be the largest minority group in America. In the United States we are in for a new age of diversity that all Americans should be aware of with eyes wide open. For the first time in U.S. history, the majority rule of whites will be threatened, which means the concept of rugged individualism that worked so well for whites in America in centuries past may be threatened. The rules of personal responsibility and relational networking (some call it the "good old boy" network) as an avenue for success will no longer be sufficient in a multicultural and global society. I predict the new minority whites will break into at least two groups: diverse whites, those who are culturally aware and multiculturally proficient, and reverse whites, those who will fight doggedly to hold on to whatever superior status they can. Other minorities, especially blacks, have a choice to be what I call "gracists," people who extend favor, kindness, forgiveness and grace to others regardless of, and sometimes because of, color, class or culture. Whites will have the choice of retreating into fear and loathing or embracing their new status with understanding and grace. The integration of whites is not their sole responsibility. Gracism is the powerful assertion that each group should extend grace toward other groups, including minorities extending it to their former oppressor and whites extending it to others rather than protectionism out of fear. The more perfect union will become a reality if that union of gracists will realize that the dream of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. extends to all multicultural configurations and presupposes the coming together of all people as equally human. The factional system of dysfunctional diversity, where power structures are reserved for a majority race to dominate others, is being dismantled one generation at a time. The mosaic of more Americans sharing power beyond one or two dominating racial groups will demand new partnerships based on sociological-political ideas that will drive robust debates, giving birth to innovation and collaboration. The ugly beast of race baiting and power hoarding will not easily die, at least not without a vitriolic fight. In the not-so-distant future, we can expect that diverse whites and reverse whites will be at odds. Gracists must be present to step into the divide and integrate them both. Reverse whites who want to go back to the way things were will still write letters applauding fear mongering. White interest groups may subversively advocate for sustaining institutional structures that perpetuate inequality. The fear of loss of racial dominance may give birth to a growing number of whites feeling cultural disequilibrium. But diversity is here to stay. Immigration is our history. Unity has a chance at being our destiny. If we enter into this brave new world with a spirit of grace, our success as a multicultural, multi-ethnic nation will be a dream realized. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of David Anderson.
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David Anderson: America sees diversity in many forms .
He says few realize that whites in America will become a minority group in 3 decades .
Anderson says some may react well; others may mourn loss of privileged status .
He says Americans have the choice to extend grace to each other, realizing MLK's dream .
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By . Kerry Mcqueeney . PUBLISHED: . 03:40 EST, 17 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 04:55 EST, 17 May 2012 . Tragic: Jordan Oliver drowned after jumping off a bridge . An 11-year-old girl who drowned in a pond behind her school is thought to have jumped off a bridge after being dared by her classmates. Jordan Oliver was overheard telling friends she couldn't swim shortly before she leapt into the water in what was believed to be a game of 'bridge jumping', it has been claimed. The youngster had already jumped from the bridge once and had managed to pull herself to safety. However, on her second attempt witnesses saw her first resurface before disappearing under the water, it has been reported. Her lifeless body was pulled from the 12-foot deep pond in Bolingbrook, Illinois, about an hour after emergency services arrived, police said. She was taken to Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital where she was officially pronounced dead. The girl was thought to be part of group of seven boys and girls who climbed over the barriers of the bridge behind Pioneer Elementary School, where they were students. According to the television network WGN, witnesses said they heard Jordan tell her friends that she was unable to swim just before she jumped off the bridge. The girl's father, Jamal Oliver, said the family were taking the loss 'one step at a time'. He told the Chicago Sun-Times: 'Right now we’re trying to just deal with it. She was a very good girl. She liked to ride her bike and she liked to go outside every day.' The Olivers' next door neighbour Jackie Malonga added: 'I will miss her. She's a sweet angel. I saw her grow. 'I called her Baby Jordan. She was a very nice girl, she knew how to make friends. I just saw her after school [Tuesday].' Scroll down for the video . Accident scene: Police said the youngster was with six others who were 'bridge jumping' close to their school . Dangerous game: Jordan was said to have pulled herself out of the water after a first jump but disappeared on her second attempt . Grief counsellors were sent into Pioneer Elementary School the morning after the death to help the 800 students come to terms with it. The school's principal, Carmen Killingsworth, said: 'We are deeply saddened by the sudden and unexpected loss of Jordan Oliver. 'She was a very sweet, very responsible young lady and was an outstanding student. We have activated our crisis counseling team to work with any students or staff members who feel the need to talk with someone about what happened. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.' An autopsy was due to take place yesterday afternoon, according to the county coroner Pat O'Neil. Police are investigating the incident. NOW WATCH THE VIDEO .
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Jordan Oliver was 'overheard telling friends she couldn't swim' before leaping into the water .
Her lifeless body was pulled from the 12 foot-deep pond an hour later .
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By . Harriet Arkell . PUBLISHED: . 06:25 EST, 11 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:18 EST, 11 June 2013 . Police in Bangkok have arrested a pet shop owner after finding a menagerie of illegally imported animals during a swoop on a warehouse outside the city. Thai officers found 14 albino lions from Africa and hundreds of other protected animals including birds, meerkats, tortoises, peafowls, capuchin monkeys and other species from overseas and Thailand, a police spokesman said. Colonel Ek Ekasart said Montri Boonprom-on, 41, faced charges of possessing wildlife and carcasses, and he could face up to four years in jail and a fine of 40,000 baht (£830 or $1,300). Scroll down for video . Thai police found 14 albino lions among other imported and endangered animals at a Bangkok warehouse . Officers raided a warehouse in a residential area on the edge of Bangkok after a tip-off from neighbours . Among the species found by police were nearly 1,000 sugar gliders (a type of possum), 12 peacocks and 17 marmosets . Ek said Montri owned an exotic pet shop at Bangkok's renowned Chatuchak weekend market and had been convicted of wildlife trading before. Montri told reporters the lions were shipped legally and were waiting to be transferred to a zoo in Thailand's northeast. He did not explain the discrepancy between his documents showing that he had imported 16 lions, and the fact that police had only found 14 of them at his warehouse in a residential area of Bangkok's Klong Sam Wa district. Thailand is a hub of the international black market in protected animals. While the country is signed up to a convention regulating international trade in endangered species, Thai law does not extend protection to many alien species. Other species seized included baboons, tortoises, sugar gliders and peacocks. Police also found a hornbill and a leopard, both protected by Thai law, which were packed in a box and were scheduled to be delivered to clients on Monday. The police spokesman said: 'We have been monitoring the location for a few days after the neighbors complained about the noise from the animals, and if you looked through the gate, you could spot lions in the cage.' The animals were confiscated and are being looked after by the Department of Natural Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. An illegally-imported African albino lioness bares its teeth inside an enclosure after the raid by Thai police . Thailand is a hub of the international black market for protected animals, such as these African albino lions . Police said they confiscated more than 1,000 wild animals during the warehouse raid yesterday . Police were called to the residential suburb of Bangkok after neighbours complained of noise from the animals . A hornbill packed into a box, apparently awaiting shipping somewhere, was found by police . White lions watch proceedings during a police raid on the imported species in Bangkok yesterday . Thai authorities will now investigate where the animals came from and where they were destined for . Other animals found by officers included baboons and Sulcata tortoises, which are native to the Sahara . The lions were in small cages with no access to outdoor space when Thai police raided the yard .
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Lions from Africa and leopard in a box found in residential area of Bangkok .
Pet-shop owner Montri Boonprom-on, 41, arrested and could face prison .
Thailand is a hub of the international black market in protected animals .
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Brendan Rodgers knows the names of every Liverpool scholar among the Anfield ranks, the Reds Academy director Alex Inglethorpe has revealed. The Liverpool manager regular speaks with Inglethorpe about the club's philosophy and playing style. Rodgers regularly discusses which youngsters will train with the first-team squad and often asks how Liverpool's hopefuls are progressing. Brendan Rodgers knows the names of Liverpool's scholars and regularly checks on their progression . Speaking to Bleacher Report, Inglethorpe said: 'The relationship between ourselves and Melwood is still really strong. 'We have daily communication around which players will train with the first team, and we do our best to mirror their schedule so we are able to accommodate any last-minute changes of plan. 'I speak with our manager regularly on players and philosophy. He is quite unique in that he knows the names of all the scholars in our system, and often asks how certain individuals are progressing. The first-team staff are equally supportive with the Academy. 'John Achterberg, Mike Marsh and Colin Pascoe are all frequent visitors to games at the Academy. You will often find them all watching any game from the formative age groups right the way through to the 21s. Their expertise and opinion is both valuable to staff and inspirational to the younger players.' Jordan Rossiter (left) is one Liverpool youngster who has been given an opportunity in the first-team this term .
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Brendan Rodgers regularly discusses playing style and philosophy with the club's academy director .
The Liverpool manager knows the names of all the club's scholars .
Rodgers' backroom staff also keep a close eye on the academy .
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Fast-food restaurants in the United States are 'disproportionately' targeting black children and kids in middle-income and rural areas, according to a newly published study. Researchers at Arizona State University and University of Illinois at Chicago looked at 6,716 fast-food outlets nationwide to check the extent of indoor and outdoor marketing aimed at youngsters. Marketing towards children ranged from free toys to ads featuring sports celebrities and cartoon characters, as well as play areas and promotions for kids' birthday parties. Fast-food restaurants in the United States are 'disproportionately' targeting black children and kids in middle-income and rural areas, according to a newly published study . 'Majority black communities, rural areas and middle-income communities are disproportionately exposed (to child-directed marketing) and specifically to indoor displays of kids' meal toys, a popular strategy among chain restaurants,' the study said. 'In light of these findings, it is important to urge the fast-food industry to limit children’s exposure to marketing that promotes consumption of unhealthy food choices.' The enduring popularity of fast food is widely seen as contributing to an obesity crisis in the United States, where one in three adults are considered obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In February, a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported a 43 per cent fall in obesity rates among children aged two to five -- raising hopes that obesity might be on the wane.
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Researchers at Arizona State University and University of Illinois at Chicago looked at 6,716 fast-food outlets nationwide .
Found U.S. fast food chains 'disproportionately' targeting black children and kids in middle-income and rural areas .
Marketing towards children ranged from free toys to ads featuring sports celebrities and cartoon characters, as well as play areas and promotions for kids' birthday parties .
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Inmates at a jail for teenagers represent 48 different gangs, inspectors have discovered, fuelling a 'constant juggling' by prison officers to keep the boys apart. There were high levels of 'unpredictable and reckless' violence among the 240 boys aged 15 to 18 at Feltham Young Offenders' Institution (YOI), a significant amount of which was gang-related, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) said in a report. Around a quarter of the boys - most of whom are from the London area - were placed on so-called 'keep apart' lists to tackle gang-related violence, inspectors said. There were high levels of 'unpredictable and reckless' violence among the 240 boys aged 15 to 18 at Feltham Young Offenders' Institution, a significant amount of which was gang-related, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons said in a report (file photo) The number of fights and assaults had reduced since the previous HMIP inspection, but remained 'too high' with 262 incidents in the six months before the visit, including 79 assaults on staff. Some incidents were deemed 'very serious' by inspectors and involved gangs of boys attacking a single boy or member of staff in a 'very determined way'. Feltham is divided into two sites, with boys aged 15 to 18 held in site A, separated from 400 young adults aged 18 to 21 in site B. Chief inspector of prisons Nick Hardwick said: 'The welcome reduction in the number of boys in custody means that those who remain are a more concentrated mix of very troubled boys who sometimes display very challenging and violent behaviour. 'As at other YOIs for this age group, staff in Feltham A still struggled to manage this behaviour in a safe and secure way. 'Staff need more help to do this and I repeat my call for the Youth Justice Board (YJB) to initiate an independent expert review of its policies and resources for managing behaviour, reducing bullying and supporting victims across all YOIs.' Use of force had increased dramatically at the site for boys, inspectors found, although supervision of, and accountability for, use of force was deemed good. Around a quarter of boys spent 23 hours a day locked up in their cell, which critics said amounted to solitary confinement. Around a quarter of the boys - most of whom are from the London area - were placed on so-called 'keep apart' lists to tackle gang-related violence, inspectors said. The number of fights and assaults has reduced since the last HMIP inspection (file photo) The report calls for 'new thinking' about how to tackle the 'debilitating and seemingly intractable' problem of gangs, violence and anti-social behaviour among young people. The site for young adults still faces significant challenges, inspectors said, particularly a high level of staff vacancies. However, the report did flag significant progress at site B, with a drop in fights and assaults and a decrease in use of batons against inmates. During the inspection, eight foreign national prisoners were being held beyond the end of their sentence - including one who had been inside for two years after the end of his sentence. Inspectors labelled this delay 'completely unacceptable'. Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: 'One in four boys in Feltham prison is spending 23 hours a day locked up in his cell in conditions which amount to solitary confinement. This is unacceptable. 'Despite some improvements, violence is endemic, including 79 assaults on staff in six months. It is particularly concerning that the use of force on children has increased dramatically since the last inspection. Use of force has increased dramatically at the site for boys, inspectors found, although supervision of, and accountability for, use of force was deemed good (file photo) 'However, the problems outlined in this report are not confined to Feltham - they mirror the findings of a series of inspections conducted across the country in recent months. 'Staff are rightly praised by the inspectorate, but they are working in challenging environments where they are being asked to achieve the impossible. 'It is high time we stopped locking up children in large, violent institutions and invest instead in what works in rehabilitating children whilst keeping them safe.' A previous inspection of site B in March 2013 called for a radical overhaul of the way the jail was run. Inspectors said it was one of the most concerning visits they had conducted. Michael Spurr, chief executive of the National Offender Management Service (Noms), said: 'As this report makes clear the challenge faced by the governor and staff at Feltham should not be underestimated. 'Many of the young people in their care have strong gang affiliations and a history of violence. 'Managing their behaviour and supporting them to change and turn their lives around is a difficult and complex task. In this context the improvements achieved over the last 12 months are particularly impressive and the governor and his staff deserve huge credit for what has been achieved. 'There is no easy answer to the challenges presented by the young men in Feltham but we are committed to working positively with our partners in the YJB and in the wider community to reduce violence, prevent victims and support effective rehabilitation.'
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Feltham Young Offenders' Institution saw violent incidents that were deemed 'very serious', Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons reported .
Around a quarter of boys spent 23 hours a day locked up in their cell .
Others were put on a 'keep apart' list to combat gang violence .
The number of fights and assaults has reduced since the previous HMIP inspection but remained high .
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QPR owner Tony Fernandes admitted he wouldn't stand in Harry Redknapp's way if the opportunity to manage England arose. In an interview with the Evening Standard, the 50-year-old insisted he won't wreck his manager's dreams. Redknapp was linked with the national team job in 2012 but the FA appointed Roy Hodgson after Fabio Capello's resigned just prior to Euro 2012. Thumbs up: Tony Fernandes is delighted with Harry Redknapp's work but wouldn't stand in his way if England want to appoint him in the future . Focus: For now Redknapp is concentrating on keeping QPR in the Premier League . Redknapp was acquitted in his tax evasion trial hours before Capello's resignation the Roy Hodgson was appointed to the post without the 67-year-old being approached. Fernandes said: 'I would, of course, hate to lose Harry. But I am not going to stand in the way of someone’s dream. Harry will make a great England manager. But that’s beyond my control. 'How do you stop Harry from being England manager? You are sad, disappointed but you have got to be realistic, you’ve got to be philosophical. 'We are looking at another year at a minimum. I enjoy Harry. He is full of stories, full of laughs. We joke around a lot.' Dotted line: Fernandes and Redknapp welcome new signing Sandro, who put pen to paper on transfer deadline day . Back again: Niko Kranjcar embraces Fernandes after returning to QPR on a season-long loan .
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Fernandes would reluctantly let Redknapp take on the England job if the opportunity arises .
The QPR boss was reportedly close to taking on the role in 2012 before the FA appointed Roy Hodgson instead .
Fernandes hopes Redknapp stays on to steer the Hoops clear of relegation .
Admits he would 'hate to lose Redknapp'
QPR have picked up three points in the Premier League so far this season .
Beat Sunderland 1-0 before the international break .
Travel to Old Trafford on Sunday to take on new look Manchester United .
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Duchess signed his birthday card and told him he was 'very, very brave' and 'very handsome' By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 05:59 EST, 1 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:44 EST, 1 October 2012 . The Duchess of Cambridge has been left saddened by the death of a teenage cancer patient she met on her recent tour of Malaysia. Zakwan . Anuar, who suffered with acute leukaemia, postponed a . badly needed blood transfusion for 24 hours and put himself through . extra pain so he would not miss her visit. He was expected to die within 48 hours of meeting the duchess, who paid special attention to him during her tour of the Far East, but the 15-year-old battled on for two more weeks after his special encounter with her. Scroll down for video . Zakwan Anuar, who had leukaemia, was so determined to meet the Duchess that he postponed a badly-needed blood transfusion for 24 hours . Kate’s trip with William to the Kuala Lumpur hospice where the schoolboy was receiving care transformed his demeanour and brought a rare smile to the face of the teenager, who is believed to have died last Thursday. His mother, Norizan Sulong, a lecturer in business studies, told the Sun newspaper: 'We were next to him when he had his last moment. Kate told Zakwan that he was very brave and very handsome . 'He was surrounded by his brother, sister, father, grandfather, grandmothers and schoolmates. I miss him terribly.' Zakwan celebrated his birthday a few days before the royal visit last month and summoned the strength to chat to the Duchess for around 15 minutes, telling her she was 'very pretty' as she signed a birthday card for him. In reply she said he was 'very, very brave' and 'very handsome'. His mother said after the meeting that her son was normally very sleepy and in pain, crying, but during the visit it was if 'the leukaemia had gone'. Kate found out the sad news after his mother contacted The Sun . Kate, who is patron of a children’s hospice charity in the UK, had specifically asked to visit the institution as part of the royal couple’s nine-day Diamond Jubilee tour of the Far East and South Pacific, and chose the visit to make her first official speech on foreign soil. A St James’s Palace spokesman said: 'The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are saddened to hear of Zakwan’s death. Their thoughts are with his family at this time.' Message of hope: The birthday greeting written by the Duchess to 15-year-old leukaemia patient Zakwan Anuar .
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Malaysian Zakwan Anuar passed away last Thursday .
Zakwan Anuar was expected to die within 48 hours of meeting the Duchess but her kindness gave him the strength to battle for two more weeks .
Duchess signed his birthday card and told him he was 'very, very brave' and 'very handsome'
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Why do their cheap meatballs taste so good? Why are bookshelves named Billy? Why can't store layouts be normal? These questions, and more, will no doubt be posed by the visitors who head to the new IKEA Museum opening next year. Of course, we might need to hammer together our own answers, having wound our way through thousands of irrelevant facts first. But perhaps a DIY museum experience will be even more satisfying once completed. The furniture company that changed the affordability of design has filed to build a museum on the site of its first store in Sweden. Tentatively scheduled to open in fall 2015, the museum will take up 7,000 square meters on the site of the recently relocated IKEA store in Almhult, also the site of IKEA'S first store opened by founder Ingvar Kamprad in 1958. IKEA town . Almhult is known as "IKEA Town" for being the birthplace of IKEA, which still maintains a strong corporate presence in the city. While the then-17-year-old Kamprad had already registered IKEA as a business in 1943, selling products ranging from nylon stockings to cigarette lighters, the Almhult site was the first brick-and-mortar store as well as the company's first furniture showroom. READ: The hotel room you can pack and and bring with you . A small exhibition of IKEA's history, titled "IKEA through the ages," is already in place at the basement of the corporate culture center in Älmhult, but company reps are hoping that the new museum will be a much bigger tourist draw. "In the IKEA Museum we plan to tell the IKEA story, focusing on range, business and people development over time," said Michele Acuna, managing director for IKEA Tillsammans, the corporate culture center. "We also plan to have a museum shop and food services for our visitors," said Acuna, adding that the museum is expected to draw "roughly 200,000 visitors annually when it is in full steam." Would you pay a visit to the IKEA Museum in Sweden? Let us know in the comments. MORE: Inside the world's biggest furniture fair .
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IKEA Museum will be on site of first store in Älmhult, Sweden .
The 7,000-square-meter museum will also have a museum shop and food for visitors .
Museum expected to draw 200,000 visitors per year .
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(CNN) -- As Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama battle over who has the best approach to national security, a new CNN poll finds Americans' concerns about terrorism have hit an all-time low for the post-September 11 era. A poll finds fewer Americans fear an imminent terror attack than at any time since September 11, 2001. According to a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Wednesday, 35 percent of Americans believe a terrorist attack somewhere in the United States is likely over the next several weeks. The figure is the lowest in a CNN poll since the September 11, 2001, al Qaeda attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people. Between 2002 and 2006, summertime polls typically showed that a majority of Americans believed that a terrorist attack was likely. Last summer, that figure dropped to 41 percent. This summer, it dropped another 6 percentage points. The latest CNN poll also indicates that the war in Iraq remains deeply unpopular. Three in 10 voters favor the war, while 68 percent oppose it. Similarly, a third of voters would like to see the next president keep the same number of troops in Iraq that are stationed there now. See how the poll numbers stack up » . For McCain, who is seeking to highlight his national security credentials and has staunchly defended the U.S. presence in Iraq, the latest poll results may not be viewed in a positive light. "Sen. McCain's greatest strength is in foreign policy, particularly his reputation as the candidate best able to fight the war on terror," said Keating Holland, CNN's polling director. "As the threat of a terrorist attack continues to recede in the mind of the American voter, the state of the economy and other domestic issues are likely to become even more important. That would be good news for Sen. Obama, since the Democrats currently beat or tie the Republicans on every issue except terrorism." Another potential problem for McCain may be found in President Bush's latest job approval ratings. According to the survey, 30 percent of Americans approve of how Bush is handling his job, while 68 percent disapprove of Bush's job performance. These numbers are roughly consistent with the president's approval ratings over most of the last two years. They also reinforce the need for the presumptive Republican nominee to create an impression of distance and distinction between himself and Bush. Democrats, on the other hand, are eager to tie McCain to the unpopular outgoing president and portray his possible election as the equivalent of a third Bush term. The poll, conducted Thursday through Sunday by phone, surveyed 1,026 adult Americans and carries a sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
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CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey finds fewer Americans think attack imminent .
Percentage who expect attack is lowest since September 11, 2001 .
Survey also finds strong opposition to Iraq war, current troop levels in Iraq .
Numbers could indicate challenge for Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign .
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London (CNN) -- You've answered the call for volunteers, signed up for the Mars trip and you are looking forward to boldly going to space, the final frontier, to explore a strange new world. But wait. Recent evidence from NASA's Curiosity rover mission to the Red Planet has revealed that astronauts on the round-trip would be exposed to high levels of radiation from cosmic rays and high-energy particles from the sun contained in solar storms. NASA says a Mars voyager would receive a radiation dose around 100 times the average yearly exposure on Earth. Along with all the other risks of spaceflight, this would clearly be bad for your health -- and it is proving difficult to find a solution. Eddie Semones, a radiation health expert at NASA's Johnson Space Flight Center, told CNN that shielding to completely block the radiation danger would have to be "meters thick" and too heavy to be used aboard a spacecraft. In contrast, with the release of the Star Trek movie "Into Darkness," science fiction fans have once again got used to the ease with which Captain Kirk gives the order for "shields up" and the crew of the Enterprise being protected instantly from the hostility of space. Perhaps though, a real Star Trek shield may no longer be science fiction -- scientists at the UK's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) certainly think so. Radiation 'potential showstopper' They have been testing a lightweight system to protect astronauts and spacecraft components from harmful radiation and working with colleagues in America to design a concept spaceship called Discovery that could take astronauts to the Moon or Mars. "Star Trek has great ideas -- they just don't have to build it," said Ruth Bamford, lead researcher for the deflector shield project at RAL. "The radiation problem is a potential showstopper. I'm very concerned that the radiation issue is not being addressed very publicly and it's absolutely key. "Even if astronauts are sick for 3-4 days, it could still threaten the mission because the whole crew are affected -- and vomiting and diarrhea in space is no joke. It could also potentially lead to organ failure," said Bamford. The RAL plan is to create an environment around the spacecraft that mimics the Earth's magnetic field and recreates the protection we enjoy on the ground -- they call it a mini magnetosphere. "On Earth, mostly we're protected by the atmosphere but ultimately what the Earth's magnetic field is doing is forming a first line of protection for life," explained Bamford. "The concept behind what we're suggesting is due to the evolution in our understanding of plasmas. What we discovered is that if you put a magnetic field around an object in a flowing plasma, the electrons, which are very light, will follow the new magnetic field that you've put there but the ions, the very fast ions, will overshoot -- they won't follow the magnetic field lines. "You end up with a constant electric field that can be enough that it actually refracts or deflects enough of the radiation from inside the magnetic cavity that you've formed to protect the astronauts ... enough like the Earth that they can survive." The mini-magnetosphere concept has also been proposed by a team at the University of Washington in the United States as a way of harnessing the solar wind to create a propulsion system. Other shielding ideas are also being explored. The Inspiration Mars Foundation that is committed to sending a crew to Mars has proposed lining the spacecraft's walls with water, food and even human waste to help protect the astronauts. Early results 'pleasing' New Scientist magazine recently reported that the "hydrocarbons in excrement and food are good candidates for radiation shielding." It added: "NASA's Water Walls project uses a similar concept, but Inspiration must make it work for real." As a child, Bamford was inspired to explore a scientific career by the Apollo moon landings and is a fan of the Star Trek series. She believes the concepts explored in the science fiction films are a useful shorthand for scientists when trying to explain their work. The RAL deflector shield she has helped to develop has been tested on a model inside a fusion reactor which produces a plasma like that of the solar wind. Bamford said they were delighted with the results. The RAL team now hope the project can be scaled up and fly on a real craft. "First we need a technology demonstrator in space in, say, five years," said Bamford. "That's quite realistic for a dedicated, small, unmanned spacecraft. "I'm sure our idea will work. It does work. There are a number of improvements to make it work better though -- perhaps we should call down to Scotty."
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NASA's Curiosity mission to Mars revealed that astronauts on a round-trip would face high radiation levels .
Scientists at the UK's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory are working on a radiation shield for astronauts .
A model has been tested inside a fusion reactor which produces a plasma like that of the solar wind .
The team are hoping to test their concept in space in the next five years .
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By . Rebecca English and Lydia Warren . PUBLISHED: . 10:53 EST, 4 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 06:45 EST, 5 September 2012 . It may be her sister who became a Duchess. But Pippa Middleton is the one getting the royal treatment in America. In a trip to New York she has already been whisked out by private plane to the exclusive Hamptons resort by one of the richest men in the country and enjoyed dinner at some of the city’s top restaurants. Yesterday the 28-year-old arrived at the US Open in Flushing Meadows with a pass for the tennis courtesy of Wimbledon champion Roger Federer. High-profile guest: Pippa Middleton, pictured left in London, is in New York for meetings about her upcoming book and has been enjoying the company of millionair hotelier Andre Balazs, right . Dressed in a colour block shift dress, . tortoiseshell shades and her favourite nude wedges, she looked every . inch the confident Park Avenue princess. There is speculation that party . planner Pippa, who is due to celebrate her 29th birthday on Thursday, . may also attend New York Fashion Week. Pippa – an assiduous networker who . once shared a flat with the sons of two Dukes – began her trip on . Saturday by checking in to the Upper East Side’s Carlyle Hotel (where . suites can cost up to £10,000) with a couple of girlfriends. Travelling in style: Pippa and her friends were taken to Balazs' resort at the Hamptons on his seaplane, which costs $525 for a one-way trip or more than $3,200 to commission a personal flight . Luxury: They played pingpong and dined at his resort, Sunset Beach, on Shelter Island, pictured . High life: Pippa and two friends are reportedly staying at The Carlyle Hotel, where rooms start at $600 . Pippa Middleton arrived in New York City this weekend and has enjoyed the city's more luxurious perks, although it is unclear what exactly she has paid for. Among her expenses: . The following day she met up with . fabulously rich hotelier Andre Balazs, who flew her on his pillar-box . red sea plane to his Sunset Beach boutique hotel on Shelter Island. Dressed in red jeans and a white . cleavage-enhancing shirt, Pippa was seen walking through the hotel, . laughing and giggling at the perma-tanned 55-year-old divorcee’s jokes. Balazs, who is said to be worth . £300million and has been romantically linked with Uma Thurman, owns . eight luxury hotels across the US including the Chateau Marmont in LA . and The Mercer in New York. He and Pippa were photographed playing . table tennis together and rode around in his cream and red VW van . snapping photographs with four companions. That night the group shared an . intimate dinner, with fellow diners saying there was a ‘definite . chemistry’ between Pippa and Balazs. ‘They didn’t seem like a couple but . there was a lot of flirting going on and when dinner ended he gave her a . friendly European-style double kiss on the cheek,’ said one. According to the New York Post, the . pair talked a great deal of ‘business’. Pippa is, after all, about to . bring out her first book on entertaining entitled Celebrate: A Year of . Festivities for Families and Friends. ‘She shares his interest in hospitality,’ a source told the newspaper. When ‘fans’ recognised her, Pippa . apparently agreed to pose for pictures and was, by all accounts, ‘really . nice and very friendly’. There was no sign of her on-off . boyfriend Alex Loudon, who reportedly dumped Pippa last year after . becoming uncomfortable with the growing publicity around her. Friends . say that in recent months they have begun to slowly rekindle their . romance. After parting company with Balzas Pippa made a trip to the Electric Room at Dream Downtown in the Meatpacking District, where she was seen chatting to former New York Ranger Sean Avery, the New York Daily News reported. 'She was only there for a short time,' a source told the paper, adding they were there with Mazdack Rassi, owner of photography company Milk Studios. She also reportedly met Gossip Girl actor Chase Crawford, 27, at the bar, with a witness telling Us Weekly the pair 'spoke for 10 minutes'. The trip to the beach-side resort . came a day after Pippa and two friends popped by their pricey Upper East . Side hotel, the Carlyle, where rooms fetch as much as $15,000 a night. Stepping out: On Tuesday, Ms Middleton was pictured attending the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York . They . went to Meatpacking District seafood hotspot Catch, where they enjoyed . Chef Hung Huynh's rice cakes, crispy shrimp, salmon carpaccio, scallop . dumplings and sushi, People reported. Just . over an hour later, Pippa, who was wearing a sleek green dress, went . for quiet drinks before hailing a cab and returning to the hotel. Pippa, who was pictured cheering . alongside her sister at the Wimbledon tournament earlier this year, also . squeezed in a spot of tennis as she visited the U.S. Open on Tuesday. She wore a close-fitting orange, lime . green and navy blue knee-length dress - that showed off her famous . derriere - with a basket handbag and beige wedge heels as she arrived for the tournament. She finished off the outfit with a pair of £120 Bosworth Rosewood Sunglasses from FINLAY & CO. There is also speculation that Pippa, . who turns 29 on Thursday, might make an appearance at New York's . Fashion Week, which started on Monday at the Lincoln Center. The stylish set are keeping her name . on any show or party guest lists, should she wish to attend, the New . York Daily News reported. Former flame: Pippa Middleton was dating former England cricketer Alex Loudon until last November . New friends: Balazs previously dated comedian Chelsea Handler, left. Pippa was also reportedly seen chatting with former New York Rangers player Sean Avery, right, while out at a Meatpacking District bar . Dining out: Pippa and her friends enjoyed seafood at Catch, pictured, on Saturday after arriving in NYC . Her trip, during which she . is apparently courting the perks of fame, come despite her demands to . remain out of the public gaze. While newspapers have respected her request to be recognised as a private citizen, she still very much seems to be enjoying the high-flying life of a socialite. Despite her request, U.S. news sites chose to publish photographs of her playing table tennis with Balazs, but MailOnline has respected her wishes. Pippa is in town for meetings over her new book, which is out on October 30. She will not be holding an publicity events for the book while she is here, Viking publishers said. Billed . as a 'comprehensive seasonal guide to simple and creative . entertaining', it is a book she hopes will cement her credentials as a . party planner, and industry observers believe it could net her a small . fortune in the process. Into the spotlight: Pippa became a household name after her sister's wedding, right, last year. Even though she has requested privacy from the press, she has put out a new book featuring her picture, left . Connections: Pippa with her sister Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, while at Wimbledon earlier this year . The cover's patchwork quilt-style design of pictures of Pippa may come as a surprise to some readers, however, as Miss Middleton has strongly defended her right to privacy in recent years. Whether Miss Middleton will be able to maintain her position that she is a private citizen following the book's release remains to be seen. Her first tome is expected to generate much publicity, and it was reported last month that she has negotiated a six-figure book deal with publishers Michael Joseph, the branch of the Penguin Group that deals with ‘highly commercial’ properties. Miss Middleton's book deal has attracted criticism, with some observers accusing her of cashing in on her sister Kate's position as a senior Royal.
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Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister arrived in New York this weekend .
Flew to hotelier Andre Blazs' resort at Shelter Island on his luxury seaplane before playing pingpong and dining with the multi-millionaire .
Dined at top NYC seafood restaurant and stayed at exclusive hotel .
In New York for meetings about her upcoming hospitality book .
Top labels 'putting her name on guest lists for NY Fashion Week'
Tennis fan also took a trip to watch U.S. Open on Tuesday .
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Editor's note: Paul Begala, a Democratic strategist and CNN political contributor, was a political consultant for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in 1992 and was counselor to Clinton in the White House. Begala is not a paid political consultant for any politicians or candidates. Click here for a rival view . Paul Begala says McCain's VP choice, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, is completely unqualified to be president. (CNN) -- John McCain needs what Kinky Friedman calls "a checkup from the neck up." In choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate, he is not thinking "outside the box," as some have said. More like out of his mind. Palin a first-term governor of a state with more reindeer than people, will have to put on a few pounds just to be a lightweight. Her personal story is impressive: former fisherman, mother of five. But that hardly qualifies her to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. For a man who is 72 years old and has had four bouts with cancer to have chosen someone so completely unqualified to become president is shockingly irresponsible. Suddenly, McCain's age and health become central issues in the campaign, as does his judgment. In choosing this featherweight, McCain passed over Tom Ridge, a decorated combat hero, a Cabinet secretary and the former two-term governor of the large, complex state of Pennsylvania. iReport.com: 'McCain pick might be a gimmick' He passed over Mitt Romney, who ran a big state, Massachusetts; a big company, Bain Capital; and a big event, the Olympics. He passed over Kay Bailey Hutchison, the Texas senator who is knowledgeable about the military, good on television and -- obviously -- a woman. He passed over Joe Lieberman, his best friend in the Senate and fellow Iraq Kool-Aid drinker. He passed over former congressman, trade negotiator and budget director Rob Portman. And he also passed over Mike Huckabee, the governor of Arkansas. For months, the McCainiacs have said they will run on his judgment and experience. In his first presidential decision, John McCain has shown that he is willing to endanger his country, potentially leaving it in the hands of someone who simply has no business being a heartbeat away from the most powerful, complicated, difficult job in human history. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer.
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Begala: McCain's VP choice unqualified to be heartbeat from the presidency .
Choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is "shockingly irresponsible," he says .
Begala says choice makes McCain's age, health, and judgment central issues .
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(CNN) -- The first season of Aaron Sorkin's HBO drama "The Newsroom" bitterly divided viewers: Some embraced its depiction of the fast-paced world of cable news. Others found it overwrought and tuned in to "hate-watch" as the show dramatized current events to reveal the inner workings of the media. "The Newsroom" returns for season two on Sunday, and according to Jeff Daniels, who plays crotchety TV news anchor Will McAvoy, the show has found its groove. When we last left McAvoy, he was comparing the Republican tea party to the American Taliban on television. The season two opener takes place just a few weeks later, and McAvoy is facing the consequences of his words. Over the course of the 10 new episodes, the series will explore themes like Occupy Wall Street and a fictional story that rocks the network called Operation Genoa. Daniels spoke with CNN about getting back into character, McAvoy's Googling habits and his next project: the long-rumored sequel to the 1994 comedy "Dumb and Dumber." CNN: Where do we find Will McAvoy at the beginning of season two? Jeff Daniels: Will is trying to get his life back together. He's hoping (the tea party uproar) blows over eventually and he can go back to doing what he does in the way that he likes to do it. But the Genoa story takes over. And what they do in the Genoa story makes what he did with the tea party pale in comparison. CNN: As an actor, what was interesting about playing Will this season? Daniels: The most exciting thing for me was that I knew who he was, going in. When you go from movie to movie to movie, you're creating different characters every time, and you're discovering them each time. For all the actors (on "The Newsroom"), we made a lot of those discoveries on season one. We were winging it. Season one really was, for Aaron (Sorkin) on down, a first draft. We're a lot of really smart people who have done really successful things over the years, but we were still guessing. So season two really felt like I knew the guy. I owned him. It was a whole different way of walking into a scene and feeling like the character was very familiar. CNN: Will this season center on any big newsworthy moments, like the 2012 presidential election? Daniels: There are some, yeah. We certainly are covering the primaries and the leadup to the election. But mainly, it's this Genoa story, a fictional story that the network is chasing. The other stories, while they do pop up, are more secondary. CNN: It seems like fans of "The Newsroom" are really interested in knowing how closely your own views align with your character's. Is that something you feel the need to address? Daniels: They are fascinated by that, aren't they? It seems really important that they know. I can see why they would want to know that. You know what's more important? What Will thinks. Let me put it this way: I'm doing some acting. I'll say that. CNN: Are you familiar with the Will McAvoy Twitter account someone started? Daniels: If Will were real, I think he would be thrilled. I have a Twitter account, but I don't dare look at what anyone twits me -- I can't say tweets, so I say twits. I can't even bear it. I've never Googled, myself so I'm not about to scroll through what people are sending my way. I was aware that there is a Drunk Will McAvoy account and maybe even a Will McAvoy account. Have I been to it? No. Will would. Will loves to Google himself. CNN: There's a really notable balance on the show between the serious high stakes of the newsroom and humorous moments. Why is that important? Daniels: It's like life, where people say these very funny things right before they do very serious stuff. Humor is what keeps us sane. It's very smart humor. Very fast humor. These people get each other's jokes. It's these human beings with weaknesses and senses of humor. That's what Aaron does well: He writes complete people with flaws. It's coming from these people that, to us as we're doing it, feel real. CNN: Do you have any sense of whether the newsroom on the show is true to the feeling of an actual newsroom? Daniels: We're not shooting a documentary. It's fictional. I imagine that on a breaking news day, our fictionalized version comes close. When you dramatize something and put cameras in front of it, you take out the boring parts. I have a feeling that it's probably relatively authentic, which is what we're going for. CNN: Did you spend any time in a newsroom or with real reporters to prepare for the role of Will? Daniels: No. It was frightening how little research I did for this. I did think about all those newsrooms I've been in over the years promoting movies. It's not the same as being there when there's breaking news, but it's certainly helpful. I felt like I had enough of an awareness of what was going on to make up the rest. That's where the joy of acting comes, the making up the rest. If you've researched something to the end of its life, it becomes math. And I'm not good at math. I really like the "what if" of it all. CNN: On a less highbrow note, what's the status of the "Dumb and Dumber" sequel? Daniels: We're told that "Dumb and Dumber To" could be shooting in September, and I hope it does. And if it is, I'll be having a lot of fun with Jim Carrey this fall. And then I'd hopefully come back for "The Newsroom's" season three. CNN: Will that transition from "The Newsroom" to "Dumb and Dumber To" be strange? Daniels: Well, the drop in intelligence is more than a little frightening. To go from Will McAvoy's IQ to Harry Dunne's, which I believe is an IQ of eight. That's quite a drop. My fear is that if we do come back for a third season that there will be portions of Harry that creep into Will, and I don't think that serves "The Newsroom" well. I love that A to Z range, but you want people to see each character separately, not Will McAvoy with a stupid haircut. CNN: Do you know the storyline for "Dumb and Dumber To"? Daniels: Yes, but I can't say. I've read it; it's hysterical. It takes place a year after the first film, and they haven't missed a beat. What's great is that Jim and I are definitely middle-aged and not pretending to be the same age -- and we're still that stupid.
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Aaron Sorkin's HBO drama "The Newsroom" returns this weekend .
Jeff Daniels says he "owns" his character Will McAvoy this season .
The show will tackle themes like the tea party and fictional news story called Genoa .
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1287b18a6ec1c1124960239285bbf4bda551d892
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Washington (CNN) -- Dennis Apel has been a longtime critic of U.S. military policy and for 17 years has protested around Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. "It's completely immoral what's happening there," he says. "I'm not the threat" to anyone on the government reservation or its mission. "They think what I have to say is the threat." His message of peace and the conflict it has created with Obama administration officials have now taken Apel and his case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. At issue is whether someone previously barred from a military base may be convicted under federal law for "peacefully protesting" on a public road easement along the enclosed high-security facility. While some on the court expressed concerns about the government's claims, a majority of justices at Wednesday's lively hour of oral arguments appeared to offer little support for Apel's free speech and jurisdictional claims. "If you look at the easement" agreement between the U.S. and the county, Justice Anthony Kennedy said, "it makes it very clear that the military commander has authority to exercise control over the easement property." "You've got a public school and a public highway" on the base, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said. "I'm not quite sure how you can keep a person off of lands that the military is not using in its operations." The appeal presents a fact-specific inquiry into such issues as "concurrent" government jurisdiction, public forums and the limits of "exclusive control" asserted by the military. A ruling from the court in coming months could offer clearer guidelines for those like Apel seeking to protest on public land, where location is integral to their message. The 63-year-old man and his wife, Tensie Hernandez-Apel, founded Beatitude Catholic Worker House in Guadalupe, California, about a half-hour away from the base, which is along the scenic Pacific Ocean, northwest of Santa Barbara. The high-tech facility launches military satellites, operates aeronautical and space surveillance missions, and tests a variety of sophisticated weapons systems, including intercontinental ballistic missiles. Running through its eastern boundary are state Highways 1 and 246, open to the traveling public. The federal government owns and operates the base, but the state and county have held a "use easement" for more than a half-century, and they maintain the roads. Concurrent jurisdiction gives a measure of control of the narrow strip of land to all three entities. The Apels and their supporters from Pacific Life Community, a group that opposes nuclear weapons, had conducted monthly peace vigils in a special open "protest zone" created along the Pacific Coast Highway bisecting the base. A special green line is designed to mark an off-limits area. Vandenberg's commanding officer in 2003 issued a "barment order" against Dennis Apel after he was arrested for trespassing and vandalism, including throwing blood on a base sign. A second "bar letter" was given four years later, after another trespassing incident. In 2010, with the ban still in effect, Apel again entered the protest zone on repeated occasions, was told to leave, and was then escorted off the property. He says he has been arrested about 15 times. He sought to block the misdemeanor counts on free speech and other legal grounds. A federal appeals court eventually ruled in his favor, saying the special protest zone was not an area under the military's "exclusive right of possession." The Obama Justice Department then asked the Supreme Court to intervene. At Wednesday's arguments, several conservative justices rebuffed the efforts by Apel attorney Erwin Chemerinsky to make this a predominately First Amendment case. "When an easement goes towards a public road, that easement includes the right to use the public road for speech activities," he said. Justice Kennedy said the issue was mainly about property ownership: "You're back on the First Amendment case. It may or may not. If the commander wants to close the base for a rocket launch, he certainly can." Chemerinsky: "The United States wants it both ways. They want the benefits of having an easement there, in the sense that the state is responsible for maintaining the road, the state is liable for any harms on the road, and the state enforces crimes on the road. But they also want to claim that they have all of the control over that public road as they would within the base." But Justice Antonin Scalia interjected: "They're entitled to have it both ways. It's their base. And if that's the deal, take it or leave it, state: 'We'll give you this easement, but the terms are what we have said.' What's wrong with that?" Chief Justice John Roberts agreed: "It's been ceded by the United States for the convenience of the traveling public. ... The military commander has given permission to use the easement." And Roberts said that even though there has been a protest zone in place since 1989, Apel can still be banned at the commander's sole discretion. "He does see some kind of threat by allowing somebody in there who's vandalized the base in the past." Justice Elena Kagan, to Chemerinsky: "Your argument is sort of a 'use it or lose it' argument, is that correct? That the government has this commanding authority, and unless it uses it to its full extent, every day of the week, it loses it? One of the arguments that the government makes is, look, what the military wants to do here is something very sensible. It keeps tight what it needs to keep tight, but it allows to be more open areas that it doesn't have an interest in securing entirely. And that's for the convenience of military personnel and for other people who live around the base. What's wrong with that?" As for Apel, he told CNN after the arguments that he was hopeful of prevailing, and continuing his vigils at Vandenberg. "They're denying my right to dissent on their base," he said. "They're systematically trying to keep me out there, but I'm not going away." The case is U.S. v. Apel (12-1038). Supreme Court appears split over frequent flyer case .
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Lawyer for U.S. military policy critic calls conviction for "peacefully protesting" invalid .
He's accused of trespassing at base; his defense is that he was on a public road easement .
Supreme Court appears to offer little support for his free speech and jurisdictional claims .
Chief Justice John Roberts: He can be banned from base at the commander's sole discretion .
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A surge in interest in the Greens has taken the party to 11 per cent in a new opinion poll. The new survey by Lord Ashcroft puts the Greens up three points in just a week, ahead of the Lib Dems and just behind Ukip, after their profile was boosted by a row over being excluded from TV debates. The poll and focus group findings will make grim reading for the other parties, with Labour and the Tories both on less than 30 per cent and Ed Miliband likened to a zoo animal 'you're not bothered whether you see or not'. The latest survey for Lord Ashcroft puts the Green party on 11 per cent, up three points in a week . While much attention has been focused on the rise of Ukip in recent months, the Greens have made steady gains. The party boasts that its membership had reached 44,175 in England and Wales, higher than the 41,943 claimed by Ukip last week and almost level with the 44,526 issued by the Liberal Democrats in November. The Labour party has been warned it has failed to take the threat of the Green party seriously. One in five people saying they will back the Greens voted Lib Dem in 2010, precisely the people Labour needs to woo to win. The Ashcroft survey puts the Tories ahead on 29 per cent and Labour on 28 per cent. Ukip is on 15 per cent, and the Lib Dems on 9 per cent. Lord Ashcroft said: 'One factor could be that the Greens have benefited from their prominence in the arguments over TV debates – in which case it will be interesting to see in the coming weeks whether they can sustain their share.' The Labour party has been warned it has failed to take the threat of the Green party seriously, with former Lib Dems turning Green . As a nation of animal lovers, it is no surprise Britons come to see their politicians as members of the animal kingdom. But a lot depends on whether they are a predator or prey depends. Lord Ashcroft asked a series of focus groups what they thought of the party leaders. He found David Cameron was viewed as a fox for 'being smart and sleek' while others described the PM as a giraffe, 'looking down on everybody'. Ukip leader Nigel Farage was branded a peacock or a weasel while Nick Clegg was dismissed as 'a Chihuahua in David Cameron’s handbag'. But Labour's Ed Miliband left most voters blank, telling the pollster: 'Certainly not a predator… one of those animals that, when you go to the zoo, you’re not bothered whether you see it or not.' Today Green party leader Natalie Bennett predicted a 'political earthquake' at the general election and said believes that the public are moving away from 'business-as-usual politics'. She said it was vital for her party to be included in any TV debates to provide balance as voters are moving away from the 'old boys' club' of Westminster. Ms Bennett was speaking at the launch of a poster campaign aimed at the leaders of the main parties, entitled 'What are you afraid of, boys?', to challenge broadcasters to include the Greens in any televised debates between party leaders. Ms Bennett said: 'I have seen a whole slew of surveys last week that showed that the public want the Green Party represented in these debates, and of course we had a petition with 275,000 people saying, 'invite the Greens'. 'The arguments don't stack up - the broadcasters have to invite the Greens.' 'It is very clear that we should be there if this is going to be a balanced debate.' Ms Bennett said it was time to move on from the traditional 'old boys' club of Westminster, and that debates should be inclusive and help promote that. Last week she wrote to Labour leader Ed Miliband, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg and Ukip Leader Nigel Farage, urging them to back calls for them to be involved in the debates. She revealed Mr Farage had written back to her, 'basically saying 'no'.' 'This is the Green surge,' Ms Bennett said. 'We don't know where it is going, but it is certain that politics in Britain is not going to be the same again, and that is a very good thing. 'Let's get past the debating about the debates and let's actually debate the issues that we so desperately need, given the state of Britain today.' Green party leader Natalie Bennett predicted a 'political earthquake' at the general election and said believes that the public are moving away from 'business-as-usual politics' Asked what sort of animal Labour's Ed Miliband would be, the focus group told the pollster: 'Certainly not a predator… one of those animals that, when you go to the zoo, you’re not bothered whether you see it or not.' David Cameron was viewed by voters as a fox for 'being smart and sleek' while others described the PM as a giraffe, 'looking down on everybody' Ms Bennett said the 'Green surge' pointed to the fact that politics is changing 'very fast', and that the main political parties were afraid of the political ground shifting. She said: 'There is a real potential at this election that we could see politics break wide open.' Polls and studies suggest Britain politics faces being plunged into chaos after the election, with at least three parties would be needed to form a coalition. At the weekend political commentator Iain Dale predict Labour will win 300 seats and the Tories 279, but both would need at least two other parties to secure a majority of the 650 MPs in the Commons. A separate survey showed a third of Scots want to see Britain run by a Labour-SNP coalition which could put Alex Salmond in the Cabinet. Mr Miliband faces the grim prospect of a Labour wipeout north of the border, seriously damaging his hopes of securing an overall majority in the general election in May.
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Ashcroft poll puts Greens ahead of Lib Dems and just behind Ukip .
Conservatives narrowly ahead on 29% with Labour stuck on just 28% .
Fears in the Labour party that they are failing to attract ex-Lib Dem voters .
Green leader Natalie Bennett predicts 'political earthquake' at election .
Launches campaign poster challenging other leaders over TV debates .
Focus groups reveal which animals voters think leaders are most like .
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(CNN) -- More and more mothers, clutching their rail-thin, malnourished children, are arriving at the packed waiting rooms of the Doctor Without Borders clinics in central Somalia, the aid group said. In fact, the group said it is treating 1,300 children in north and south Galcayo, which is almost half the number of children treated for malnutrition in the area all of last year. "The situation is alarming," said Karin Fischer Liddle, head of the organization's mission in Somalia. "Our staff is stretched. This is the highest number of malnourished children MSF has ever treated in the area." Doctors Without Borders -- widely known by its French name, Medecins Sans Frontieres -- said the brutal mix of a lengthy drought, high food prices and insecurity from violence has caused a spike in malnutrition cases. Rain has come to the area in recent weeks, Fischer Liddle said, but it has caused more children to fall ill, leading to more malnutrition cases. In the long run, the rains may help the organization's overburdened clinics in the area. "Hopefully, the rains all over Somalia will cause food prices to drop and help some of these families," Fischer Liddle said. She talked about a woman named Ubah who is at one of the nutrition centers that operate in hospitals in Galcayo. The woman went to the nutrition center after her daughter contracted measles, lost her sight and was unconscious for a week. After more two weeks, Ubah said, she saw improvement in her daughter, though she had not regained her sight. "They gave her fluid, vitamins and therapeutic food. Now her body is better, unlike when I first brought her here. Now she looks more like other babies," Ubah said.
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Group says it's treating 1,300 malnourished children in Galcayo in Somalia .
Rain could eventually ease crisis by bringing down food prices, official says .
Woman says food helping measles-stricken daughter who lost sight .
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(CNN)He has intercepted passes from both of the Super Bowl quarterbacks, but Tom Brady and Russell Wilson have nothing on Mr. Silva. The NFL just wasn't adding up for Ricardo Silva, so he decided to hang up his shoulder pads and head back to school -- to teach high school geometry. Silva, 26, played two seasons in the NFL, earning more than $500,000 a year as safety for the Detroit Lions and then briefly with the Carolina Panthers. Now, he earns about $50,000 a year as recruit for Teach for America. Silva made a two year commitment to Washington's Ballou High school starting back in September. It doesn't seem like a fiscally responsible career move, but for Silva, leaving the NFL was just part of a bigger vision for his life. "My mission was to be able to play football as long as I can and then eventually I wanted to go into teaching which would be either math or social studies," says Silva who was a political science major at Virginia's Hampton University. Despite having a break out senior season and being named an HBCU All-American, Silva was undrafted in 2011. He signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad and then became a starting safety a few months later. "I wanted to get to college and start in the NFL. Play in the NFL, start in the NFL. It was not an easy road for me and this is how I can relate to students. I didn't grow up being the fastest person or the strongest person, I had to work every way," says Silva. The Carolina Panthers picked Silva up off waivers in 2013. When he was cut by the Panthers, he turned down offers to play football in Canada and a college coaching job to teach. He says it's all about making an impact for young people. "Anyone can be an NFL player and coach football. How many NFL players are going back into the classroom to get (kids) to college?" says Silva. "It's more than football to me, it's life." Silva wants to motivate students to go to college. It's a big challenge in a school where he says only about a 30% of students attend university. His efforts have seemed to have already made a difference for his students, including 10th grader Eric Cary who credits Silva with helping him raise his grade from a D+ to a B in Geometry. "He's a really good teacher and a really cool dude," says Cary. "He's like my role model." Silva says teaching is more challenging than football ever was. "So football all you have to do is wake up every day, work out and do what the coaches tell you to do. In school you got to motivate the young teenagers who are more interested in their social media outlets than math," says Silva. Silva is married and says his goal in the next five years is to become a father. And he says he wants to stay working in education, first as a teacher and eventually a school principal. As for football, Silva says that's all behind him now. "I barely even watch football now. That may sound strange to you but I feel like I've been there, I've done that, mission accomplished now let's move on to something more meaningful to me which is education."
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Former NFL safety Ricardo Silva is now a high school teacher in Washington, D.C.
He says teaching is more challenging than playing professional football .
Silva's goal is to eventually become a school principal .
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(CNN) -- George Zimmerman says he still gets death threats. He's still accused of racism and he remains a lightning rod for criticism. But in the end, he told CNN, there's only one judge who matters. "God," Zimmerman said in an interview broadcast on CNN's "New Day" on Monday. "I know that ultimately, he's the only judge that I have to answer to. "He knows what happened. I know what happened. So I'd leave it up to him." It's been seven months since a Florida jury acquitted Zimmerman of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges in Trayvon Martin's death. Zimmerman thought his life would go back to normal. Troubles often follow high-profile acquittals . "I was hoping for that," he told Chris Cuomo. But nearly two years after the night when Zimmerman killed 17-year-old Martin in a Florida subdivision, life is anything but the way it used to be for the 30-year-old former neighborhood watchman. His run-ins with law enforcement since the trial's July conclusion have kept his name in the headlines. He's recently drawn renewed criticism for using his notoriety to hawk his own artwork. And now, the man who once aspired to become a police officer tells CNN he's hoping to go back to school and pursue a career as a lawyer "to stop the miscarriage of justice." "I'd like to professionally ... continue my education and hopefully become an attorney," he said. "I think that's the best way to stop the miscarriage of justice that happened to me from happening to somebody else. I don't think it should ever happen to anyone ever again, not one person." Zimmerman maintains that he acted in self-defense within the law when he shot Martin. And he says he was a scapegoat for "the government, the President, the attorney general." Talking about Trayvon with your kids . 'I'm sorry for their loss' Among the misconceptions Zimmerman says still linger about the case: that he's never apologized to Martin's family. He said he still thinks about everybody involved: about Martin's family, and his own. He said he regrets going out that night, but -- citing a pending U.S. Department of Justice civil rights investigation -- says he can't answer whether he regrets killing Martin. He said he'd like to reach out to Martin's family and apologize, like he did during his 2012 bond hearing. "I would say exactly what I said on the stand," he said, "that I'm sorry for their loss." At the time, attorneys for Martin's family called the courtroom apology a self-serving act by a man facing a life prison sentence. Now, Zimmerman's no longer facing prison time -- but a string of run-ins with the law since his release have repeatedly sent him back into the spotlight. It started with a speeding ticket. Next, Zimmerman's wife called 911, saying he was threatening her and her father with a gun. There were no charges, but Zimmerman's wife later filed for divorce. Then, Zimmerman's girlfriend accused him of chasing her with a shotgun. This time, Zimmerman called 911, to get his side of the story out. His girlfriend later said she wanted charges dropped and lifted a restraining order against him. Boxing match backlash . Just when Zimmerman's name had faded from the headlines, it came up again this month with reports that he'd be participating in a boxing bout with rapper DMX. After backlash surged, the promoter canceled the fight. Zimmerman says the whole thing was a misunderstanding -- and that there were never any racial overtones when he signed on to do the event for charity. "It was going to be an unknown person and be a smaller event," he said. "If I went out there and got beat up, the charity was still getting paid," he said. "I don't want to get beat up, but I saw it as an opportunity. I never expected it to be, to turn out the way it did." Even though his name since the trial has repeatedly made the news, don't expect Zimmerman to comment on current events. Asked by Cuomo to weigh in on the case of Michael Dunn, a Florida man who killed an African-American teen after a dispute over loud music, he said he didn't know enough details. "I don't watch news anymore," he said. "I watch comedy shows, home improvement shows. So I'm not well enough informed to give you exacts." A new hobby . During his interview with CNN, Zimmerman's girlfriend and her young daughter wouldn't leave his side. Neither, it seems, will controversy -- thanks, in part, to his new hobby: painting art, and selling it. Zimmerman admits he's pushed to get publicity for his artwork. And it's worked. His first painting sold for more than $100,000 on eBay. "To be honest, I was hoping to be able to provide a decent lifestyle for my family," he said. In an interview that aired on the Spanish-language Univision network Sunday, Zimmerman said he was unemployed, had a personal debt of $2.5 million and wasn't receiving any government benefits. But aside from the possible financial boost, Zimmerman said one painting -- a portrait depicting Special Prosecutor Angela Corey and slamming the U.S. judicial system -- had a deeper purpose. "It was a creative, tangible forum to show my inner thoughts, my inner feelings. ... It provided a tremendous release for me," he said. 'They don't know me' Zimmerman says he still gets death threats. "I have a lot of people saying that, you know, they guarantee that they're going to kill me and I'll never be a free man," he said. "I realize that they don't know me. They know who I was portrayed to be." People who accuse him of being racist, he said, don't understand that he was raised by Peruvian family members and that some members of his family are black. "Before the trial, during and after, I've learned that the majority of people, when they sit down with me one-on-one or with my family, they get a completely different perspective on me," he said. But that doesn't change the anger that many people feel about his case, Cuomo told Zimmerman. "This case became a metaphor, an example. Your face became the face of, 'This is the guy who gets away with killing a black kid,' " Cuomo said. "What do you do with that?" Zimmerman says he'll keep fighting that accusation, for as long as it takes. "If it takes one person a day at a time to help them realize that's not what this case was about," he said, "then that's what I'll do." Watch New Day weekdays at 6am-9am ET. For the latest on New Day click here .
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Nearly two years after he killed Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman speaks to CNN .
He says he hopes to become an attorney "to stop the miscarriage of justice"
With paintings, Zimmerman says he's hoping to "provide a decent lifestyle" for his family .
"I don't watch news anymore," he says when asked about Michael Dunn's case .
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Hong Kong (CNN) -- In the last two months, eight people in Cambodia have died from bird flu, a rare but deadly disease causing concern among health authorities. Six of the victims have been children. The H5N1 virus, known to be highly contagious to poultry, typically resembles the flu when contracted by humans. But it kills more than half the people it infects, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the nine confirmed H5N1 cases in Cambodia this year, only an 8-month old infant has survived. The infant had received medical attention early, said Dr. Ly Sovann, the Ministry of Health's deputy director for communicable diseases control in Cambodia. The eight bird flu deaths in the last six weeks -- considering that Cambodia has had 19 reported deaths from the disease in the last 10 years -- has sparked increased surveillance efforts. Health officials are warning people to wash their hands often, to keep children away from poultry and to avoid eating sick poultry. So far, the nine cases are not believed to be related, although most of them came from the southern region. Bird flu research resumes, but not in U.S. The eight H5N1 deaths in Cambodia occurred with a 15-year-old girl and a 35-year-old man on January 21, and a 2-year-old girl and a 9-year-old girl on January 28. In the next month, a 5-year-old died on Feburary 7, a 3-year-old girl died on February 13, a 2-year-old boy died on February 19, followed by a death of a 35-year-old man on Monday. He came from the Kampong Cham province in central Cambodia and died after developing fever, coughing and difficulty breathing earlier this month. The patients experienced symptoms such as coughing, fever, difficulty breathing, sleepiness and vomiting. Bird flu does not usually pass from person-to-person, but the disease is closely monitored because of concerns that the H5N1 virus could mutate allowing to spread more easily among people. "We conducted investigations and found that all the cases were transmission from the poultry," said Sovann. "There is no evidence of transmission from human to human at this stage." All nine patients are believed to have been exposed to sick or dead poultry, according to health authroties. H5N1 typically spreads between birds, but can jump to humans, especially if they're living in close proximity. The greatest risk of exposure to the virus is through the handling and slaughter of infected poultry. "Home slaughtering and preparation of sick or dead poultry for food is hazardous: this practice must stop," said Dr. H.E. Mam Bunheng, the Cambodian minister of health, in a statement. "Children also seem to be most vulnerable and are at high risk because they like to play where poultry are found. I urge parents and guardians to keep children away from sick or dead poultry and prevent them from playing with chickens and ducks." Health teams are carrying out "enhanced surveillance" in the villages and communities where bird flu cases have been reported, according to the World Health Organization. Officials are also telling people with flu-like symptoms who have difficulty breathing to seek medical attention immediately. The disease is transmitted through the infected bird's saliva, nasal secretions or feces. It can spread in markets or places where eggs and birds are sold in crowded conditions. The recent cases prompted China to announce temperature checks on people traveling back from Cambodia, according to the country's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. China had two deaths from bird flu this year. The patients, a 31-year-old man and 21-year-old woman died in mid-February in the southwestern area of the country. Both had close contact with birds, according to Xinhua, the Chinese news agency. The only other country with a confirmed H5N1 case this year was Egypt, where a 36-year-old woman died in late January. Mexico slaughters 1.2 million chickens infected with bird flu .
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Eight people, mostly children have died in Cambodia from bird flu .
Cambodia has had 19 reported deaths in the last 10 years, before recent oubtreak .
H5N1 is rare among humans, but potentially fatal .
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(CNN) -- Hours after the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan, a bomb blast rocked the northern Nigerian city of Bauchi, a government spokesman said. Yushau Shuaib, a spokesman for Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency, confirmed that there are several casualties, though he did not give a specific number. "Most victims were moved to hospitals and dead bodies were evacuated," he said. The emergency management agency has been mobilized "to contain the situation," Shuaib added. Another explosion rattled a beer hall in Zuba, on the outskirts of the Nigerian capital of Abuja. Shuaib said there were no serious injuries in that blast, with three victims taking themselves to a nearby hospital. In recent weeks, the African nation has been rocked by a series of bombings thought to be engineered by Boko Haram, an Islamic group that has challenged Nigeria's government. Explosions in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno killed a few and wounded dozens in late April in the days leading up to national governorship elections in attacks that police described as attempts to intimidate voters who had picked Jonathan. Northern Muslims in some areas charged that the presidential election was rigged. Armed protesters in the region took to the streets chanting the name of former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, the main opposition front-runner. This is Jonathan's first full term. As vice president, he took over the presidency in May 2010 upon the death of then-President Umaru Yar'Adua, who had suffered from a heart condition.
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NEW: 3 hurt in a blast at a beer hall near Abuja, a government official says .
A more serious explosion occurs in Bauchi, when a bomb detonates .
There are casualties, though no definitive number has been released .
The blasts came hours after Goodluck Jonathan's inauguration as president .
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By . Olivia Williams . PUBLISHED: . 03:03 EST, 30 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:36 EST, 30 May 2013 . Bribery: John Geary has been accused of using his job as welfare worker to get sexual favours . A state welfare worker who allegedly offered extra benefits to a female claimant in exchange for sex has appeared in court. Case worker John Geary, 41, from North Versailles in Pittsburgh, reportedly told a halfway house tenant that he would give her extra money and benefits in exchange for sexual favours. The woman told investigators that Mr Geary offered her $40 for a specific sex act. He also told her there could be more money involved depending on what she would do for him. She described how he took her to a secluded part of the office and said: 'I help girls who help me out,' and, 'there's nothing like getting high and getting a (sex act) at the same time.' Mr Geary allegedly boasted that he had 'helped' other girls in the woman's situation. He said that he could invite women to his home at night because his wife works then and his children sleep on the second floor. The director of the halfway house first notified authorities about Mr Geary’s behavior because the victim was too afraid. Mike Manko from the District Attorney’s office told CBS Pittsburgh: 'She’s probably scared to say anything about this because for fear she’ll lose benefits and be ostracised by this man in his positions' 'She doesn’t know he can do to her benefits-wise, take away money, take away food stamps, things like that.' Abuse of power: Geary used his position at the Allegheny County Assistance Office to illicit sex from a vulnerable benefits claimant . Mr Geary allegedly told the woman that he had done the same thing with women in the past. Mr Geary appeared on counts of patronising prostitutes, bribery in official and political matters, promoting prostitution, official oppression and criminal solicitation on Tuesday. His formal arraignment is scheduled for July 16. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons.
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Case worker offered claimant extra benefits in return for sexual favours .
John Geary invited victim to smoke crack while his wife was at work .
Geary has worked at Department of Public Welfare for over a decade .
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(CNN) -- President Barack Obama has accomplished some extraordinary things but can he really shoot down a fighter jet? The F-22 Raptor is the most expensive jet fighter ever built. The plane is the F-22 Raptor, a supersonic stealth marvel that looks like it's flown straight out of a Hollywood action film. It is being built for the U.S. Air Force, boasting the most advanced technology in the sky. "You talk to any aviator in the world, ask what they would like to fly, and if they don't say the F-22 then they are lying," U.S. Major Derek Routt told The Atlantic magazine. "I would kill to fly it." The U.S. government has ordered nearly 200 of them, even as the price has rocketed to more than $350 million each, making the Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 the most expensive fighter ever built. But it's never been used in combat and it's not clear when it will be. The U.S. simply doesn't face any enemies with planes advanced enough to bother sending out an F-22. "The reality is we are fighting two wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said, "and the F-22 has not performed a single mission in either theater." Gates doesn't want any more of them. Obama, who campaigned for the presidency criticizing what he considers wasteful military spending, doesn't either. Is the F-22 essential military spending or a waste of money? Sound Off below . But it's the U.S. Congress that actually funds the military. A lot of its members want to see more F-22s taking off, to keep the U.S. air force ahead of potential rivals and protect thousands of factory jobs across the country. "We need to maintain that air superiority," said Congressman Phil Gingrey, whose district is home to the main F-22 assembly line. "This is not just about 2,200 jobs, although with the economy as it is, and all these job losses, it's kind of preposterous to think that this administration would close (them) down." The Armed Services Committee of the House of Representatives has voted to order a dozen more planes. But the full Congress would still have to vote and Obama would have to sign the legislation. He says he will veto it instead. The president is taking aim at the F-22 but the fighter jet probably won't go down without a fight.
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U.S. President Obama faces battle with Congress over new F-22 Raptor .
Obama, Defense Secretary Gates don't want any more of the $350M fighter jets .
Many in Congress see F-22 as way of protecting defense industry jobs .
Obama has threatened to veto legislation ordering more fighter jets .
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The Queen asked if it was true that Richard III was really found buried under a car park. A 3D model of the king is pictured . Richard III is to make history by becoming not only the last English king to die in battle, but also the first to have his genetic code sequenced. Scientists want to map the king’s DNA before his remains, and any samples taken from them, are reinterred. They hope the work will reveal information about the dead monarch’s hair and eye colour and shed light on his ancestry and links to people living today. Researchers are also hoping the sequencing will provide more details about the king's susceptibility to diseases such as Alzheimer's and diabetes. Experts have already learned that besides being a hunchback, the king was badly infected with roundworm, a once common parasite in the UK. A battle-scarred skeleton with a twisted spine was unearthed by archaeologists in a Leicester car park last year. It was later identified as that of Richard III. Dr Turi King, from the University of Leicester, who is leading the gene sequencing project, said: 'It is an extremely rare occurrence that archaeologists are involved in the excavation of a known individual, let alone a king of England. 'At the same time we are in the midst of a new age of genetic research, with the ability to sequence entire genomes from ancient individuals and with them, those of pathogens that may have caused infectious disease. 'Sequencing the genome of Richard III is a hugely important project that will help to teach us not only about him, but [stir up] discussion about how our DNA informs our sense of identity, our past and our future.' A battle-scarred skeleton with a twisted spine, pictured, was unearthed by archaeologists in a Leicester car park in 2012. It was later identified as that of Richard III . Scientists will also sequence the genome of one of the king’s confirmed living relatives, Michael Ibsen. The Canadian-born cabinet maker, from London, is a descendant of Richard III’s sister, Anne. Only a very small number of select individuals from history have had their genetic codes sequenced before, and none with Richard III’s noble pedigree. They include Otzi the iceman, whose mummified 3,000-year-old remains were found in the Italian Alps in 1991, as well as various Neanderthals, a Denisovan - an early human from Siberia - a Greenlandic Inuit and a Spanish hunter-gatherer. Richard was born on in 1452 at Fotheringhay Castle in . Northamptonshire. During the War of the Roses, Richard's father, Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York was killed and in 1470, Richard and his brother Edward were exiled when Henry VI, from the rival house of Lancaster, took back the throne. Henry's reign was short lived and during a battle the following year, Edward became king. In 1483, Edward died and Richard was named as protector of the realm . for Edward's son and successor, the 12-year-old Edward V. Edward V and his brother Richard were placed in the Tower of London and after a campaign to condemn the deceased king's marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, the princes were declared illegitimate. Richard III took to the throne the following day. He was crowned in July and in August that year, the two princes disappeared, Rumours claimed the king had killed them to remove any threat they may have posed to his reign. In 1485, Henry . Tudor, Earl of Richmond launched an attack on Richard III on Bosworth Field in Leicestershire. Many of Richard III's key . lieutenants defected and he was killed in battle. Henry Tudor took the throne as Henry VII. It has been confirmed that Richard III had a curvature of the spine, although rumours of a withered arm haven't been verfied form the bones found in the Leicester car park last year. Last year scientists discovered the king was riddled with roundworm after finding large numbers of the parasite’s eggs in soil . taken from Richard III’s pelvic region. The find suggests that the king’s intestines were infected with roundworm during his life. Advanced techniques may make it possible to detect DNA from other organisms, including infectious bacteria, in the samples taken from Richard III’s bones. Whole genome sequencing of Otzi’s remains, for example, revealed evidence of the first known human Lyme disease infection. Results from the analysis of King Richard III's bones will be made available to historians, scientists, and interested members of the public. Only a very small number of select individuals from history have had their genetic codes sequenced before, and none with Richard III's noble pedigree. They include Otzi the iceman, pictured, whose mummified 3,000-year-old remains were found in the Italian Alps in 1991 . Dr Dan O’Connor, head of medical humanities at the Wellcome Trust, which is part-funding the research, said: 'By making this genome available to all, we will ensure that we can continue to learn about Richard’s past - both personal and historic - even once his remains have been interred.' Scientists made the roundworm discovery after finding large numbers of the parasite’s eggs in soil taken from Richard III’s pelvic region. The find suggests that the king’s intestines were riddled with roundworm during his life.
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Scientists want to map the king’s DNA before his remains are reinterred .
They hope it will shed light on .
his ancestry and his links to living people .
It could also provide detail .
about his susceptibility to diseases .
Genome of the king’s living relative, Michael Ibsen, will also be sequenced .
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Washington (CNN) -- Three U.S. Secret Service members will leave the agency because of an alleged prostitution scandal in Colombia, the agency said Wednesday. One of them is a supervisory employee who is being allowed to retire, and another employee has resigned, the agency said. A third agent, another supervisory employee, is being pushed out, with the agency proposing he be removed. A U.S. official said the agent plans to fight his ouster. Another eight members allegedly involved in the scandal are on administrative leave with their security clearances suspended. Scandal raises questions about macho agency culture . The employees are accused of bringing prostitutes to a hotel in Colombia ahead of last week's visit by U.S. President Barack Obama, who was there to attend a pan-American summit. The alleged prostitutes, the youngest of whom are in their early 20s, had all signed in at Cartagena's Hotel El Caribe, where the Secret Service members apparently stayed, flashing their local ID cards. But one of the women, the source said, was involved in a dispute about how much she was allegedly to be paid for the night. That dispute brought the incident to light and sparked controversy in both countries. A review board is expected to be created to determine whether the alleged scandal is an isolated incident or emblematic of a broader agency culture, a source said. "The only way they will prevent this from happening again in the future is to find out if this is one particular case or if it's a pattern," said U.S. Rep. Peter King, R-New York, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. "We're working and doing our own investigation and whatever we need from the Secret Service we've been getting," King said. "We want a minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour account of what happened, how it happened, what went on, who knew what was happening. And I have no doubt the Secret Service will give us that." As many as 10 U.S. military personnel from all branches of the armed forces are being questioned about potential misconduct, including five members of America's elite Army Special Forces. Obama has said he expects a "rigorous" investigation. Investigators are also looking into whether drugs were involved, according to a separate source with knowledge of the investigation. Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan has told subordinates to use "all tools available" to conduct the investigation and has made it known that he believes drug testing is within his rights, the source said. It is not clear whether any of those accused have been tested, and authorities say drug use is not consistent with their findings so far, though they are continuing to investigate the allegations alongside local police. A U.S. official said the Secret Service interviewed all of the maids at the agents' hotel and the maids said they found no drugs in the rooms. The scandal is sure to come up when Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano testifies next week at a previously scheduled Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight of the Department of Homeland Security. The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET Wednesday. At least one congressman, U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Virginia, has called for Sullivan to be replaced. "There's only so many strikes you get, in baseball it's three," said Forbes, a senior member of the House Armed Serves Committee, referencing a 2009 security breach in which a Virginia couple crashed Obama's first White House state dinner, as well as apparent agency overspending in that same year. "I think he's had three," Forbes added. "I think it's time to put somebody else in there to make sure we're getting a different culture in the Secret Service." Forbes seeks director's ouster . Sullivan has directed the Secret Service since May 2006. He has been with the agency since 1983. A Colombian official said Wednesday the incident has has overshadowed his country's showcase of the "beautiful, calm city" of Cartagena during the summit. Nausicrate Perez, a municipal official in Cartagena, said authorities were waiting for more details on the alleged scandal because Cartagena has no confirmation that local people were involved. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, said he is in close touch with Sullivan and believes he is taking "serious action" to investigate the incident. The Secret Service agents and officers being investigated range in experience from relative newcomers to nearly 20-year veterans, two government officials with knowledge of the investigation said Monday. Each agent was offered an opportunity to take a polygraph test, according to a U.S. official. Some of the agents and military personnel maintain they didn't know the women were prostitutes, the official said. Even so, King said, "it was totally wrong to take a foreign national back to a hotel when the president is about to arrive." House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, said he has a high level of confidence in Sullivan. While soliciting prostitution is in most cases legal for adults in Colombia, it is considered a breach of the Secret Service's conduct code, government sources said. Military law also bars service members from patronizing prostitutes, engaging in conduct unbecoming an officer or, for enlisted personnel, conduct "prejudicial to good order and discipline." The military personnel allegedly involved were sent to Colombia to support the Secret Service. A military official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation told CNN that two of those being questioned are Marines and that Air Force and Navy personnel also are being questioned. CNN's National Security Contributor Fran Townsend, Juan Carlos Lopez, Dana Bash, Bob Kovach, John King, Barbara Starr, Jessica Yellin, Deirdre Walsh, Ted Barrett and journalist Fernando Ramos contributed to this report.
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NEW: Rep. Peter King, R-New York, says he wants a detailed investigation .
NEW: Official: The Secret Service interviewed hotel maids about reported drugs .
Two Secret Service members have left, another is proposed to be removed .
The alleged prostitutes, the youngest of whom are in their early 20s, signed in at the hotel .
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Roy Hodgson told his young England players in a post-training pep talk on Wednesday that they must seize their big chance at the World Cup. England’s head coach pointedly took Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley aside for individual conversations lasting several minutes at the end of their hour-long session. VIDEO Scroll down to watch England goalkeepers training in Portugal . Meanwhile, on terra firma: Raheem Sterling grapples with Leighton Baines at England's pre-World Cup training camp in Portugal as Rickie Lambert watches on . Talking tactics: Roy Hodgson talks with Sterling and gives him instructions . Shaw thing: Hodgson gives instructions to Luke Shaw during training . Fitness first: England players during the training session at the Vale Do Lobo Resort . Running men: England stars Adam Lallana, Danny Welbeck, Ross Barkley, James Milner and Steven Gerrard . Stretching the point: Wayne Rooney controls the ball as Raheem Sterling looks on . In good spirits: Rooney shares a joke with Sterling and coach Gary Neville . Time out: Rooney and Gerrard relax and have a discussion during the session . Shaw (18), Sterling (19) and Barkley . (20) are the youngest members of the squad and he was keen to stress . that they are heading to the World Cup on merit. Sterling . was the outstanding player during Wednesday's open training session, . but Hodgson wants to make sure the young England players are fully . prepared. The head coach . said: ‘They should be pleased they are here, but they shouldn’t feel . over-awed by the occasion because they have done well and deserve their . place. ‘It was just to tell . them they are here on merit. I haven’t detected any nerves at all. There . was a feeling of relief because they realised this year my choice . wasn’t easy. Master mind: Manager Hodgson talks to the players during the training session . Putting it into practice: Hodgson gave his players a demonstration during the session in Portugal . ‘There has been a great feeling of enthusiasm and let’s get started on this adventure we have all been looking forward to. ‘If . you want to have a chat with a player, it leads nicely into it, rather . than asking someone after dinner to come and speak to you, which is more . formal.’ Hodgson has . thrown a protective cloak around his players after criticism of his . selection of Manchester United pair Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. Former . Manchester United captain Roy Keane was scathing about the pair after . Hodgson called them into his 23-man World Cup squad. Keane . claimed the pair ‘have gone backwards’ at United and questioned the . wisdom of taking them to football’s biggest tournament. Putting the work in: Gerrard and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are put through their paces . Eyes on the prize: Gerrard arrives at training and keeps focused at all times . Getting his point across: Hodgson talks tactics with Danny Welbeck . Fully involved: Hodgson takes a hands-on role in pre-World Cup training . Hodgson . added: ‘I work on the simple basis that everyone has an opinion. If you . are a TV pundit you are required to give your opinion and I don’t . expect everyone’s opinions to fall in with mine. If you say to me, has . it been a great year for Manchester United and have Phil Jones and . Smalling been stars then of course they haven’t. ‘But . as far as I am concerned they are England players because they have . been England players through my two years and any games in particular . that Smalling has played —he has played more than Jones — he has . certainly never let me down.’ Hodgson . also approved of Jack Wilshere’s decision to speak with Paul Scholes . over his criticism of the Arsenal midfielder’s development. Wilshere . tracked Scholes down through England assistant coach Gary Neville after . he claimed the Arsenal FA Cup winner had failed to develop. Hodgson added: ‘I’m always pleased and impressed when players handle those moments in the right way. Safe hands: Goalkeeper Joe Hart and Ben Foster test each other during training in Portugal . When . he had a (Twitter) row with Kevin Pietersen that was at the other end . of the scale . . . but it’s not going to decide if we have a good World . Cup or not. If Jack answers criticism well or badly, it’s what he does . on the field that matters.’ England . return home at the weekend before they convene at St George’s Park on . Monday to prepare for a farewell friendly against Peru at Wembley next . week. On Wednesday the . players wore three distinctive blue sweat patches as Hodgson’s sports . science team monitored their body temperature with a new technique. Three . sports scientists from Loughborough University have been flown out to . Portugal to take samples of the players’ sweat as they prepare for the . humid conditions of Manaus, where England play their first group game on . June 14 against Italy. They . are working with the Arsenal nutritionist James Collins during the . World Cup. Collins, who has previously worked with British Olympic . teams, monitors diet and food supplements, as well as electrolyte . recovery and matchday preparation. All together now: England players stand in a huddle ahead of training . Ready to go: The training pitch is ready for the England players to get down to business in Portugal . Hodgson . added: ‘Up to now the work has been very sports science and fitness . orientated. They are being analysed in terms of the extra heat we tried . to generate and it is part of our process which Dave Reddin and his team . have started.’ England’s . players were also introduced to team psychiatrist Steve Peters on . Tuesday for the first time since he was appointed by the FA. Hodgson . added: ‘I asked him to present himself to us and he did that in a very . entertaining and informative way. The players were very attentive. Sitting behind them watching them listen suggested they were interested. ‘He . is an entertaining man. He just told us all the things he’s done in . life. It’s quite amazing. I don’t know how old he is but to do all the . things he’s done in life he must be about 150.’ On . Wednesday Everton defender John Stones, who is on standby for the . squad, missed the session after tweaking his knee. And Jones, who is . recovering from a shoulder injury, should be able to take part in . contact training later this week.
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All 23 members of Hodgson's squad take part in training in Portugal .
Sterling, Shaw and Barkley given advice by England manager .
Players such as Wayne Rooney stick to personalised training regimes .
Sterling the outstanding player during the session .
Stand-by defender John Stones only player to miss out after tweaking his knee on Tuesday .
Phil Jones takes part in non-contact part of training as he recovers from shoulder injury .
Rooney and Daniel Sturridge sit out second half of session .
England training in Portugal before returning home ahead of Peru friendly on May 30 at Wembley .
Three Lions kick off their World Cup campaign against Italy on June 14 in Manaus .
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The funeral for a Pennsylvania college student whose body was pulled from a river near his home was held on Friday afternoon. The disappearance of 21-year-old Shane Montgomery in Philadelphia on Thanksgiving Day caused a widespread search and led to a $65,000 reward for information about his whereabouts. On Saturday, volunteer divers discovered the West Chester University senior's body in the Schuylkill River near Kildare's Irish Pub in Philadelphia, where he had spent the night drinking until 1.45am on November 27. Found: The body of Shane Montgomery, pictured, was recovered from the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia on Saturday, close to where he was last seen on November 27 . Shane Montgomery's remains are carried from his funeral Mass at St. John the Baptist Church in Manayunk . Mourners embrace after Shane Montgomery's funeral service at St. John the Baptist Church in Manayunk . A line of mourners stretched out the door of St. John the Baptist Church in Philadelphia, where family and friends bid a final farewell. The mass was followed by a procession to Calvary Cemetery in West Conshohocken, where Montgomery was laid to rest. The medical examiner's office has conducted an autopsy to determine a cause an manner of death, but has not yet released the results. However, Montgomery's uncle Kevin Verbrugghe told the Allentown Morning Call that investigators believe his nephew's death was accidental. Verbrugghe did not elaborate on how they think Montgomery died. Bittersweet: His heartbroken parents, Karen and Kevin Montgomery,spoke with the media after their son's body was discoveredSaturday . Search: Teams had been searching the nearby canal for the last month but turned up no signs. Montgomery's body was found Saturday in the water behind the Manayunk Street Brewery . 'Today we have done what we have promised,' Karen Montgomery told NBC Philadelphia on Sunday. 'We have found and we brought Shane home.' Two weeks earlier divers found a set of keys belonging to Montgomery in the same section of water after they were tested on his parents' house. Montgomery was last seen leaving a bar in Manayunk in the early hours of Thanksgiving Day, having returned home from college for the holidays, and was caught on surveillance footage heading towards a parking lot. Recovered: Different clues lead search crews to Montgomery's body, especially the discovery of a set of keys nearby (left) in the Schuylkill River two weeks ago. Manayunk is a neighborhood of Philadelphia (top right) A bereft Karen Montgomery is comforted as she gets ready to speak with the media . Search: His disappearance has sparked a huge search involving the FBI, K-9 units and helicopters . The search predominantly focused on the nearby Manayunk Canal, with police not suspecting foul play. His heartbroken parents were sure something unfortunate had happened to their son. 'My son is somewhere in that river, and I need to find him and I need to bring him home,' Karen Montgomery previously said. Montgomery had been escorted out of Kildare's bar in Manayunk - a neighborhood of Philadelphia -at 1.50am on November 27 after he stumbled over the DJ's table. Missing: Montgomery, a student at West Chester University, had a distinct Celtic cross tattoo on his shoulder . He had spent the night of November 26 there with friends. It later emerged that he had a tab for $17 at the bar, indicating that staff had not served him an excessive amount of alcohol. The bar's owner said that he did not seem drunk and, when he accidentally bumped into the table, he was polite about it. One of the bar's employees walked him to the exit and saw him leave. Surveillance footage captured him walking across a footbridge over the Manayunk Canal to a parking lot on the other side. He was not seen returning. The footage has been withheld by authorities. The FBI has joined the search and K-9s, helicopters and marine units have been used to help find the student - but there has been no sign of him. His father, Kevin, previously told NBC: 'We're waiting for him to walk in the door, but you realize that each hour goes... it's just harder and harder.'
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The body of Shane Montgomery was recovered from the Schuylkill River in Manayunk, Philadelphia, last Saturday .
On Friday afternoon funeral services took place for the young man .
Keys belonging to the West Chester student were found in the water two weeks earlier .
He was last seen leaving a bar in the early hours of Thanksgiving Day .
Medical examiner has conducted an autopsy, but has not released the findings .
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By . Katie Davies . PUBLISHED: . 00:34 EST, 30 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:56 EST, 30 March 2013 . More than 2,000 people displaced by Superstorm Sandy are still living in hotels five months after the devastating natural disaster destroyed their New York City homes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is paying on average $252 a night to house families and individuals from across the hurricane hit area. According to the New York Times, social service groups are hoping to get all those affected into a permanent home by the end of April but admit it may not be possible. Homeless: More than 2,000 victims of Superstorm Sandy are still living in hotels across New York City . Some experts say such accommodation will put pressure on individuals - leaving them in cramped conditions with no feeling of permanency. Others say it is just too expensive as a long-term solution. 'The problem with hotels is that it’s not a normal life — you can’t cook a meal,' said Martha J. Kegel, executive director of Unity of Greater New Orleans, a coalition that helped relocate residents after Hurricane Katrina, told the Times. 'You can’t even store much food. There’s going to be domestic violence because there’s not enough room. It’s not a good situation for people to be long-term.' Rosanne Haggerty, president of Community Solutions, a homelessness charity said: 'Why are we spending money on hotels instead of helping families pay the rent?' Devastation: Those still in hotels can't afford current housing available in New York City. Their previous homes were destroyed in the storm . 'For a fraction of the cost, families could be in a stable situation and getting a running start in putting their lives together.' Wanda Wilson, a mother-of-two made homeless after Sandy told the paper she hoped for a more permanent solution. 'The whole situation is really messed up. It’s a waste of money,' she said. Many of those affected by Sandy are too poor to afford available housing and have nowhere to return to because of the devastating impact of the storm. 43 per cent of those who registered for FEMA funding made less than $30,000 per year per household. The lack of available housing made hotels the only choice according to city officials. 'The hotels provided flexibility and availability that you can’t get anywhere else,' the city’s commissioner of homeless services Seth Diamond said. Recovery: Many of those affected by the storm were New York's poorest earning less than $30,000 per household . Support: Thousands needed help after the storm. People are pictured here waiting in line at a distribution site in Coney Island . It is hoped newly available public housing will plug the gap but in some instances families will also be given vouchers to subsidize 70 per cent of their rent. If the April 30 target is missed many of the families could end up back in homeless shelters, according to the Times. 'Shelter is one of many possibilities,' said Barbara Brancaccio, a spokeswoman for the city’s Department of Homeless Services. The ongoing difficulties in dealing with the 7,000 residents who went to evacuation centers following Hurricane Sandy on October 29, has prompted many to call for wholesale reform of the city's emergency disaster planning. 'The city may have been overly optimistic,' said Councilman Brad Lander. 'You need to have emergency rental vouchers ready to be deployed.' After Hurricane Katrina many of those made homeless were put in hotels for years. And there are many people affected by Sandy who may never get help. According to the Times, around two per cent of those in need are illegal immigrants who don't want to reveal their status to officials. On Friday, the Government announced $1.4billion in aid to New York transit agencies to help rebuild systems after Sandy.
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Officials say they have no choice but to keep families in hotels across New York City .
Deadline of April 30 to find permanent housing but many victims just can't afford it .
Critics call for better system to help poorest victims of natural disasters in the future .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 17:45 EST, 3 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 17:52 EST, 3 February 2014 . Beleaguered New Jersey Governor Chris Christie just gained a brand new headache Monday when it was revealed a state trooper from his security detail was arrested last month for shoplifting, among other things, gun accessories. Trooper William Carvounis, 35, of North Brunswick, was at a Cabela's sporting goods store on January 8 when he put several items in his cargo pants pockets — including some handgun grips, and a pistol magazine among other items — according to Tilden police. Surveillance footage allegedly reveals Carvounis even tried to walk out of the store wearing a stolen hat, the same one he wore while begging police not to arrest him 'out of professional courtesy.' Gone fishin': A member of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's security detail was arrested January 8 on shoplifting charges, it was revealed Monday. Trooper William Carvounis allegedly pocketed nearly $300 in merchandise including gun accessories at a Pennsylvania Cabela's sporting goods store . While Carvounis paid for some items at checkout, he allegedly did not pay for the concealed items, which were worth $267.38. Tilden Township Chief William McEllroy confirmed the arrest first reported by NewJersey.Watchdog.org, a news website run by an investigative reporter. Bad timing: The revelation could become yet another thorn in the beleaguered governor's side. Trooper Carvoulis was suspended from duty by the New Jersey State Police as soon as they learned of his arrest . The Watchdog also confirmed that Carvounis is a State Trooper who is part of the governor's security detail. 'Carvounis said he was on the governor’s security detail,' McEllroy said. 'He said he makes $140,000 a year, and he’s afraid of losing his job.' 'We don’t give preferential treatment when someone breaks the law,' replied McEllroy. Carvounis didn't explicitly ask for the break because of his position on the governor's detail; it was 'more or less one cop asking another cop for a break multiple times,' McEllroy said. The trooper's attorney, Charles Sciarra, said his client denies he sought special treatment and the underlying shoplifting charges. He said a police report and the criminal complaint don't mention the trooper asking for a break. 'The initial reports we have don't indicate anything about such a request,' said Sciarra. 'With that said, my client made purchases that day and denies any allegation of any shoplifting. And quite frankly, we see no connection between what's occurred in the store in Pennsylvania and his duties for the New Jersey State Police.' Sciarra confirmed that Carvounis has been suspended from his job. He said 'his suspension paperwork from the state police does not mention anything about asking for a courtesy and abusing his position.' Carvounis is charged with two counts of retail theft, online court records show. One is a first-degree misdemeanor that can carry up to five years' in prison, and the other a summary offense, which is similar to a traffic ticket. The trooper remained free on bond Monday, and court records show he has waived his right to a preliminary hearing, meaning the charges must be disposed of at a trial or through a plea in Berks County Common Pleas Court. Packing heat: Among the items Carvoulis allegedly stole were a pistol magazine, handgun grips and a Cabela's hat police say he was wearing at the time of his arrest .
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Trooper William Carvounis, 35, is accused of stealing nearly $300 in merchandise from a Tilden Township, Pennsylvania Cabela's store Jan. 8 .
Police say surveillance footage reveals Carvounis slipped items into his pockets and even tore a price tag from his hat as he tried leaving the store .
According to Tilden Police Chief William J. McEllroy, the New Jersey state trooper also tried to use his position to get out of the arrest .
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Washington (CNN) -- Former White House Press Secretary Jay Carney -- a longtime journalist before he joined the Obama administration in its infancy -- is back in the media game as a political analyst for CNN. We caught up with Carney on Wednesday, in the hours before President Obama addresses the nation to outline his plan for dismantling ISIS, the brutal terrorist group that's roiling Iraq and Syria. A former White House insider, Carney had insight into how the President and his team are preparing for such a major address. But he also riffed on the state of the news media, the "not ideal" state of the White House press briefing, Hillary Clinton's potential campaign and how Twitter has accelerated the political news cycle. CNN: So pull back the curtain a little bit, if you can, before tonight's speech. What is happening today? Who is in the room with the president, and what is he doing in there? Carney: When speeches are important like this one, the president is the primary writer of the speech. He will get a draft, a very good one, from his team. From Ben Rhodes and Cody Keenan. But he will spend a good amount of time making sure it's really what he wants to say. I am sure as we get closer to speech time he will be fine-tuning it, working with his team. And he is keenly aware of the unique opportunity to give a speech to the nation. They don't come that often. There aren't that many occasions, outside of a State of the Union address, where a president in this media age has an audience as big as he'll have tonight. Analysis: Obama speech a do-over on 'no strategy' CNN: From a communications strategy perspective, when do you guys make the calculation that an issue deserves a national address in primetime? Carney: The truth is we would do it more, but the networks, especially the broadcast networks, are not always willing to say yes. The threshold question is, you know, is it of national significance on a major issue -- something that the president feels the American people need to hear about? Matters of military force are the most obvious circumstances that merit a primetime address. There are also issues around significant domestic legislation, or national issues. He did a national speech launching health care reform that was primetime. It's not a well you can go back to that often, though, because it requires the networks to give the time. I remember when I was there, we asked for time once and the networks shot us down, which was very frustrating. (The White House requested primetime real estate in April to tout health care enrollment numbers.) We did a little research, and there was a pretty good case to be made that the reluctance to give time has increased over the years. The ask we made might have been granted in past presidencies. But that's just the nature of the business. I don't think it's going to change. Obama is open to airstrikes on ISIS in Syria, wants to arm rebels . CNN: How frustrated is the president that Middle Eastern conflict is consuming his agenda right now, after taking a victory lap by ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and after the big 2009 Cairo speech that was aimed at repairing America's image in the world? Carney: I don't think he gets surprised or disappointed by the revelation that the world doesn't bend to your will and your agenda all that willingly. It's been the fundamental responsibility of being president, and a huge part of the job, to deal with these kind of crises overseas and potential threats to the United States. I don't think he is disappointed. I think he is realistic about the fact that there is still a lot of work he wants to get done. And he knows that the time he has left will go by pretty quickly. My guess is that he realizes that the absolute necessity of dealing with the Islamic State, and with the situation in Ukraine, reduces the amount of time and focus he can put on other topics. But it's not really a choice for him. You don't have the choice you just have to do it. As Obama prepares for ISIS fight, where are the doves? CNN: The president caught a ton of flak for golfing after making a statement on the beheading of James Foley. He said on 'Meet The Press' this weekend that the optics of politics don't come natural to him. The guy is obviously a talented showman and politician. Does he really not get the theatrics of politics at this point? Carney: Here is what I say about that. He definitely doesn't and never has approached the job in a way that puts a high priority or focus on optics, and I think that's because 10 years and a few months ago if you passed him on the street, you wouldn't have known who he was. That makes him wholly different. What that means is, he is a different kind of person than the kind of person who normally takes this office. Sometimes that creates problems, but I also thinks it's why he is president, and why he was re-elected. You can't be both somebody who emerged from outside Washington and catapulted onto the scene with a powerful message and also be a known entity to national political reporters and the general American public as somebody who was aspiring to the presidency for years. You can't be both. He is not a typical and never was a typical politician. That's an asset and a liability. You can't say, 'I wish he was more like this or that,' because if he were, he wouldn't be the guy who persuaded more than 50% of the country to vote for him two times in a row. That's a long way of saying he is never going to be the kind of president who is routinely focused on the optics and theatrics of the office. Sometimes that's going to cause him problems and frustrate his aides. When that happens, you also have to remember it's part of who he is. Obama: Golfing after Foley statement was a bad idea . CNN: Does he ever consult with former President Bill Clinton before big moments like this? Do they have that kind of relationship these days? Carney: I don't know how often they talk. I don't think it would necessarily be before a speech like this, but I could be wrong. He is certainly close to former Secretary (Hillary) Clinton and to President Clinton. He saw him not that long ago, in August. But there isn't a regular conversation that I was aware of. But it's not an infrequent one either. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush yuk it up . CNN: We're starting to see blind quotes from Hillary Clinton "aides" expressing criticism of Obama's handling of Syria and Iraq. If she runs for president, how does Hillary balance the thornier parts of Obama's record with her time in the administration? Carney: Obviously that's something that she will figure out if she decides to run. She was Secretary of State for President Obama for four years and she understands that record will be part of what she runs on. Her time as Secretary of State is something she should be proud of, and the President's record on foreign policy is something she is more likely to embrace than anything because she was a big part of it. 'Hugging it out': Hillary Clinton calls Obama to calm tensions . CNN: So what exactly is the point of White House briefings? Carney: It's become kind of theatrical and probably less helpful than either the White House or White House press corps wishes it would be. It's kind of ironic because now I am a contributor on a TV channel, but the reason that is, by and large, is because of TV. Mike McCurry, my predecessor, one of Bill Clinton's press secretaries, has apologized to every one of his successors for being the press secretary who agreed to televise the entirety of press briefings. Prior to that they were only televised for the first 10 minutes and then the cameras were turned off. It was inevitable anyway. But if you look at transcripts of a regular daily briefing in which the cameras are on, and compare it substantively and tonally to an off-camera briefing on Air Force One — the gaggles that I would do and press secretaries would do with traveling press on the plane. The White House ones — it's a lot of different. The ones not on camera tend to be more sober, more based in information and less gotcha-oriented. The format is not ideal anymore. The problem is if Josh (Earnest) or any successor of his were to suddenly announce we weren't doing it anymore there would be an uproar by the press, and by the TV press. If they were to say no more on-camera briefings, that would not be accepted. White House press secretary Jay Carney leaving . CNN: Does Twitter make your job easier or more difficult? Carney: Oh man. Much more difficult. Not in a bad way. It put what was already an extremely fast news cycle into warp-speed. Obviously this White House is the only one that has existed in the era of Twitter. These tools can be very useful for getting information out. The White House has become much more Twitter-focused with more people having Twitter handles on staff. The fact that Twitter has become such a driving force in breaking news creates a whole host of challenges. It's sort of like the challenges that CNN first created for White Houses back when they were the only 24-hour television news network. It just changed the pace dramatically. So Twitter and social media have done that again. CNN: Last one: What was the dumbest news cycle during your time in the White House? Carney: Wow. There are so many to choose from. The first one that came to mind was the birth certificate saga. There is one every week or every month competing with serious stuff. Look, everybody finds themselves chasing the ball down the field sometimes and they wish they hadn't. I think it's both reporters and White House. But everybody ends up being better served, included readers and viewers of the media, if everybody reverts back to stuff that actually matters.
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Former White House spokesman Jay Carney joins CNN as a political analyst .
CNN's Peter Hamby interviews Carney before President Obama's speech on ISIS .
Carney gives a behind-the-scenes look at speech writing in the White House .
Carney weighs in on the "dumbest" news cycle .
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Wesleyan University officials announced Monday that residential fraternities will be required to accept women and men as full members. The policy change comes after consulting fraternity members, alumni and faculty, university spokesperson Kate Carlisle said. There are nonresidential Greek organizations, including one sorority, that will not be affected because they do not have on-campus houses. "In the end, the decision is based on making our campus as fair, inclusive and equitable as possible, and reflects Wesleyan's tradition of progressive leadership," Carlisle said. Wesleyan's board of trustees asked President Michael S. Roth in May to "prepare a plan to address the future of Greek life" after "highly publicized incidents of sexual violence." In a March 2014 lawsuit against Wesleyan's Xi Chapter of Psi Upsilon, a then-freshman student alleged she was raped in front of onlookers at the fraternity's on-campus residence. An April 2014 Wesleyan Student Assembly survey that found 47% of respondents felt less safe in fraternity spaces also contributed to the review, Roth said in a statement. "The trustees and administration recognize that residential fraternities have contributed greatly to Wesleyan over a long period of time, but we also believe they must change to continue to benefit their members and the larger campus community," Roth and Joshua Boger, the chair of the university's board of trustees, wrote in a joint statement on Monday. The fraternities have three years to complete the co-educational transition. The Middletown, Connecticut, university has a current population of about 2,900 undergraduates with two all-male fraternity residences on campus, Psi Upsilon and Delta Kappa Epsilon. Delta Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity, the organization's national governing body, said it "strongly" disagreed with the decision, calling the university's justification for the decision "vague." "Remarkably absent from the University's statement are any facts -- even opinions -- about why Wesleyan feels it will be better off with co-educational fraternities. How can a highly rated liberal arts institution implement a major policy change, without even describing to those affected by it, the problem that you are intending to solve?"
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Wesleyan University ordered fraternities to become co-ed in the next three years .
The Connecticut university has two all-male fraternities on campus .
One fraternity responds there are no facts about how this will improve on-campus safety .
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By . Ray Massey . PUBLISHED: . 17:09 EST, 26 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:46 EST, 1 May 2013 . Ferrari fan: England footballer Frank Lampard with fiancee Christine Bleakley . It is one of the world’s most desirable cars, available only to Ferrari’s ‘most loyal and passionate’ customers. So millionaire England footballer Frank Lampard must have seemed the perfect choice as a celebrity owner of the new £252,000 F12berlinetta. But the Italian firm was less than delighted when the car turned up on a second-hand dealership’s website within days of its delivery – with a £78,000 mark-up. Lampard’s agent, Steve Kutner, says he bought the car himself at the end of last month, and that the footballer’s name appeared on the paperwork in error. However, he denies trying to make money off a quick turnaround, and claims he sold it on to someone else, who then sold it to a dealer. The F12, which accelerates to 62mph in 3.1 seconds and has been hailed as the fastest Ferrari ever, was named supercar of the year by the BBC’s Top Gear programme. Just 800 will be sold this year, of which 10 per cent will come to the UK. Mysteriously, within days of the first right-hand drive model being sold in Britain by London dealer HR Owen. It was advertised for sale as the star second-hand buy on the website of Tom Hartley, a Derbyshire-based car-dealer with a reputation for helping the super-rich jump waiting lists for the world’s most desirable vehicles. The asking price was £330,000. The F12 in question was ordered in Lampard’s name using the footballer’s London address in Chelsea, which he shares with his TV host fiancee, Christine Bleakley. Lampard’s name and address were on the original invoice, delivery and registration documents. The Mail has also established that Mr Kutner arranged payment and delivery through his football management company. Sleek: The Ferrari F12berlinetta pictured on the second-hand dealership's website, was bought by Frank Lampard's agent in the footballers name . However, Mr Kutner, who was formerly . married to Sky News presenter Kay Burley, told the Mail he had placed . the order for the F12 in his own name, paid for it, and driven it away . from the dealership, insisting: ‘Frank knew nothing about it and has not . driven it. 'We order lots of our cars through HR Owen. They made a . mistake. I ordered the car in my name.’ Another fan: Lampard's agent Steve Kutner claims he was the original buyer of the F12berlinetta . He said that after driving the Ferrari . for about 100 miles over seven days he decided he did not like it, and . sold it on to a third party. He said they, not he, sold the car to Tom Hartley. HR Owen declined to comment. A Ferrari spokesman said: ‘Our official dealers have identified the most loyal and passionate clients who would normally expect to receive the first cars which arrive in the market. 'Our dealers know their client base on a personal one-on-one basis, as befits a luxury premium brand like Ferrari.’ Ferrari said it could not discuss its relationship with individual customers, but stressed that it was ‘impossible that a dealer would make an error attributing ownership of a £250,000 car to a third party by mistake’. Mr Kutner, however, insisted that a mistake had been made. The Tom Hartley dealership refused to say who sold the F12, and how much it cost. But when pressed, boss Tom Hartley Junior admitted: ‘The first owner of the car was Frank Lampard.’ Lampard is a long-standing Ferrari fan. He has been seen driving many models, including the £175,000 458 Italia, the £180,000 599 GTB Fiorano, and the £202,000 Scuderia Spider 16M. Lampard’s solicitors did not respond to requests for comment. Sneak peak: An interior photograph of the F12berlinetta from the dealership's website . Frank-ly clueless: The engine of the Ferrari which Frank Lampard's agent claims the footballer knows nothing about - despite the fact that it was ordered int he footballer's name . Up for grabs: The car is up for sale by second-hand dealership Tom Hartley, who are selling it for £330,000 . Style: 2-door, two-seater coupe . Length: 15ft 2 inches . Width: 6ft 4 inches . Height: 4ft 2 inches . Seats: 2 . Top speed: 212 mph . Acceleration:0-62mph:3.1 seconds0-124mph: 8.5 seconds . Engine: 6.3 litre ( 6262cc) V12 naturally aspirated.Engine positioned ‘mid front’ – that is in front of the driver but behind the front axle, for better balance. Power: 740 horse-power – more than seven Ford Fiestas. Weight: 1.525 tonnes . CO2 emissions: 350g/kmFuel consumption: Average 18.8mpg (thanks to stop-start system which cuts engine at idle.) Gears: 7-speed automatic dual clutch with F1-style paddles on steering wheel for manual override. Extras fitted to car: carbon-fibre racing seats, special stitching, carbon fibre steering wheel with LEDs, yellow instrument dial, satellite navigation, reversing camera, high power hi-fi system, alcantara headlining trim, ‘Scuderia Ferrari’ shields. Technology: Lightweight super-strong space-frame chassis and body-shell uses 12 different alloys and new bonding techniques to make it ‘stiffer.’ Advanced aerodynamics to reduce drag resistance, including an ‘aero bridge’ that channels air away from upper part of car to its flanks. Special ‘active brake cooling’ which opens air vents when brakes get too hot, but closes them to keep aerodynamic integrity when they are cool.
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Exclusive F12berlinetta Ferrari only available to selected customers .
£252,000 car bought in footballer Frank Lampard's name - by his agent .
Days later, it was available on dealership website with £78,000 mark-up .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 08:38 EST, 8 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 09:56 EST, 8 January 2014 . The teenage son of a renowned Boston Globe columnist disappeared on Monday in broad daylight. Caleb Jacoby, 16, vanished around 12.30pm in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was last seen wearing navy chino pants or jeans, a navy polo shirt, a brown winter jacket with a hood, brown shoes or sneakers, and white socks. Caleb is the teenage son of conservative columnist Jeff Jacoby and his wife Laura. Caleb Jacoby, the 16-year-old son of Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby has been missing since Monday afternoon in Brookline, Massachusetts . The teenager, who is 5'11, has a thin build and short brown hair, often goes to public libraries and Young Israel of Brookline. He is in the 11th grade at Maimonides School. Friends and members of the Jewish community were circulating the fliers throughout the area on Tuesday with another search party organized for Wednesday morning. A prayer vigil had been planned at Young Israel of Brookline on Tuesday evening. Police are continuing to investigate today. Authorities told wickedlocal.com that they are not releasing any more information at this time but that they do not suspect foul play. The teenager vanished during a bitterly cold stretch of weather on the East Coast. The current temperature in the Boston area in 7F. Mr Jacoby tweeted on Tuesday: 'We are so deeply, deeply grateful for everything being done to reunite us with our beloved son Caleb.' The teenager's Hebrew teacher, Efrat Lipschitz told masslive.com: 'We don’t know anything. We don’t have even a clue. Posters with information on the missing 16-year-old are being distributed through the greater Boston area by family and friends . 'He took his studies very seriously. He took life seriously. He wasn’t easygoing. 'He's a very quiet boy, he's also a very good one. People really love him in school because he is a very good person.' Caleb is the teenage son of Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby . Anyone with information, please contact Brookline police 617 730 2222 .
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Caleb Jacoby, 16, vanished around 12.30pm in Brookline, Massachusetts on Monday .
Teenage son of conservative columnist Jeff Jacoby and his wife Laura .
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By . Ashley Collman for MailOnline . A 17-year-old was suspended from school after telling a fellow student 'bless you' after they sneezed. Kendra Turner says a teacher at Dyer County High School in Tennessee has banned her and her classmates from using Church speech in the classroom. But she didn't think it was that big of a deal when a fellow student sneezed, and she used the common expression. Scroll down for video . Censored: Dyer County High School student Kendra Turner, 17, was suspended from school for saying 'bless you' in the classroom . The incident recently happened at Syer Count High School in Tennessee and the teacher involved said Turner was actually being disruptive . 'She said that we're not going to have godly speaking in her class, and that's when I said we have a constitutional right,' Turner told WMC. Not to be said: A list of some of the other words and phrases banned in the unidentified teacher's classroom . Saying 'bless you' earned Kendra a one-way ticket to the principal's office, however ,where she spend the rest of the school day in an in-school suspension. Kendra's youth pastor Beck Binegardner said that this teacher has banned certain words and phrases from the classroom since the beginning of this year, and she has informed the students on their constitutional rights. On Tuesday, Kendra's parents met with school leaders and at the meeting the teacher involved said Kendra was being 'disruptive' and 'aggressive' in class. She explained that Kendra had shouted the phrase from the other side of the classroom and then continued to defend her use of the phrase when the teacher called her out for breaking the rules. Many students at the school have shown their support for Kendra by making their own 'Bless You' t-shirts. Kendra says she doesn't want any trouble for the teacher, but wants it known that 'it's alright to defend God'. 'It's our constitutional right because we have a freedom of religion and freedom of speech,' she said. Statement: Dyer County students have shown their support for Turner with handmade t-shirts .
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'Godly speaking' was banned by a teacher in the classroom at Dyer County High School in Tennessee .
Kendra Turner spent the rest of the day in in-school suspension after using the phrase .
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By . Frank Coletta for Daily Mail Australia . The Country Liberal Party in the Northern Territory is a party divided again today with Member for Daly, Gary Higgins, refusing to attend all meetings, after an alleged homophobic slur against his son by Deputy Chief Minister Dave Tollner. Parliamentary colleagues have confirmed Mr Higgins' stance. He's informed party officials that he does not want to present at future meetings where Mr Tollner be in attendance. According to the NT News, the territory's Deputy Chief Minister is accused of calling Joshua Higgins a 'pillow biter' and 'shirt lifter'. Scroll down for video . NT Minister Dave Tollner has resigned as Deputy Chief and moved to the backbench after calling the son of a Country Liberal Party colleague a 'pillow biter' and a 'shirt lifter' Mr Higgins is a staff member working for Community Services Minister, Bess Price. It's been reported that the verbal attack occurred in the wake of a draft speech having been presented to cabinet ministers. The Chief Minister Adam Giles has bought into the latest scandal to beset his party, calling his deputy's comments 'inappropriate and not acceptable'. Reports in the NT News suggest Health Minister Robyn Lambley was also dragged into the controversy, admonishing Mr Tollner in front of cabinet colleagues and demanding he apologise. Member for Daly, Gary Higgins, has since announced he has accepted Mr Tollner's apology after originally threatening to boycott all Country Liberal Party meetings . 'Mr Tollner has apologised for his comments,' Mr Giles added. 'The Treasurer has told me that he did not intend to cause harm or offence with these comments and I know the individual concerned has accepted Mr Tollner’s apology.' Mr Giles believes the matter has been dealt with despite Mr Higgins' contention that he will not attend party room meetings should Dave Tollner be present. 'The person in question is a valued staff member and has met with me and expressed a desire to move on and that’s what we now intend to do,' Mr Giles said. Senior party officials disagree though, hinting at disciplinary action being the most appropriate action. One says that the CLP 'team is not cohesive'. The Chief Minister has not been immune from controversy either. Adam Giles led a party room challenge in March last year, toppling Terry Mills from the top job. This would ultimately sparked another internal revolt. Three of the party's indigenous members quit the party, pushing Mr Giles perilously close to leading a minority government. Ironically, it's only the victory (despite a massive swing against them) in Mr Mills' former seat of Blain which has the CLP clinging to a one-seat majority in parliament. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Tollner for comment.
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Northern Territory Deputy Chief Minister Dave Tollner made the alleged homophobic slurs against the son of his colleague, Gary Higgins .
Mr Higgins' son, Joshua, works for the government for Community Services Minister Bess Price .
The drama unfolded after a draft speech was presented to the NT Cabinet .
NT Chief Minister Adam Giles agrees his deputy's comments were both inappropriate and not acceptable but says the matter has been dealt with .
Party colleagues disagree, claiming there should be disciplinary action and the 'team is not cohesive'
The CLP, which lost three indigenous MPs after Terry Mills was toppled in a coup led by Adam Giles, holds a one-seat majority only in the NT .
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(CNN) -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper appealed directly to Canadians for support Wednesday, vowing in a nationally televised address on the economy that he will do all he can to halt his opponents from carrying out a no-confidence vote in Parliament -- as planned for Monday -- and forming a coalition government that would replace his own. Prime Minister Stephen Harper accuses coalition leaders of "betrayal" by relying on Quebec separatists' support. "Unfortunately, even before the government has brought forward its budget, and only seven weeks after a general election, the opposition wants to overturn the results of that election," said the prime minister, whose Conservative Party strengthened its minority position in federal elections on October 14. "Canada's government cannot enter into a power-sharing coalition with a separatist party at a time of global insecurity," he said. "Canada's government must stand unequivocally for keeping the country together." The country is undergoing "a pivotal moment in our history," he said, then ticked through a list of efforts his government is making to help the country survive the economic crisis, including personal tax reductions, doubling of spending on infrastructure, injecting liquidity into the financial markets and securing pension plans. iReport.com: Outrage brewing in Canada . "Tonight, I pledge to you that Canada's government will use every legal means at our disposal to protect our democracy, protect our economy and to protect Canada," he said. Though Harper did not specify what those legal means might entail, his opponents predicted that he would try to dissolve Parliament and wasted no time in voicing their opposition. The Liberal Party, which lost seats in the October vote, and the leftist New Democratic Party announced plans earlier this week to form a governing coalition with the support of the Bloc Quebecois, which supports independence for French-speaking Quebec. In a televised address that followed Harper's, opposition Liberal leader Stephane Dion called for a vote of confidence. He said he had asked Canada's Governor-General Michaelle Jean -- the acting head of state who would call for a new election or a confidence vote -- "to refuse any request by the prime minister to suspend Parliament until he has demonstrated to her that he still commands the confidence of the house." He said Canada "is facing the impact of the global economic crisis" and must act quickly. "Stephen Harper refuses to propose measures to stimulate the economy" and his party has lost the confidence of the majority of the House of Commons, he said. "This means that they have lost the right to govern," Dion said. He said he and Jack Layton, head of the New Democratic Party, had agreed to form a coalition government to address the economic crisis, and that the Green Party supported it too. "Coalitions are normal and put in practice in many parts of the world and are able to work very successfully," he said. "Mr. Harper's solution is to extend the crisis by avoiding a simple vote -- by suspending Parliament and continuing the confusion," Dion said. "We offer a better way. We say, settle it now and let's get to work on the people's business." The vote scheduled for Monday ought to be allowed to proceed, he said. In separate televised remarks, Layton accused Harper of having "delivered a partisan attack." The Conservative Party's plan would create no jobs and protect no pensions, he said. "He seems to be more interested in his job than in protecting your job," Layton said. "Now, that's simply wrong."
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Opposition parties seek to oust Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government .
Harper's Tories gained seats in Canada's October elections but fell short of majority .
Liberal and New Democratic parties join with Bloc Quebecois to try to unseat Tories .
Harper could buy time by asking governor general to suspend parliament till January .
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BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Kuwait's prime minister will be making a trip to Iraq soon, to discuss bilateral ties and debt issues among other things. Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah will visit Iraq soon. Kuwait Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah will visit Baghdad, according to the Iraqi government and Kuwait's state-run news agency. Al-Sabah's trip would be the latest high-level visit to Iraq by a top Arab official, and it comes as Iraq works to cement ties with its immediate neighbors and the Arab world in general. Some Arab countries have agreed to reopen their embassies in Baghdad. King Abdullah II of Jordan last month became the first Arab head of state to visit Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. The Iraqi government said Finance Minister Bayan Jabr arrived Sunday in Kuwait heading a delegation to discuss bilateral ties, including the war reparations Iraq is paying Kuwait for its 1990 invasion of the Arab state. Kuwait's news agency, KUNA, on Monday reported Jabr delivered an official invitation from Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to his Kuwaiti counterpart inviting him to visit Iraq. KUNA said al-Sabah accepted the invitation and said the date of the visit will be set through diplomatic channels. An aide to al-Maliki told CNN he had heard that the visit was scheduled for next week but wasn't aware of reports that it had been postponed till after the holy month of Ramadan ends in about three weeks. Iraq has been asking Gulf states to waive debts from the Saddam Hussein era. Recently, the United Arab Emirates canceled about $7 billion owed by Iraq. Iraq wants to lower the amount of money it has to pay into a U.N. compensation fund for people who suffered losses from Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. A car bombing in northern Baghdad killed at least two policemen and wounded five people Monday evening, Iraq's Interior Ministry told CNN. The bomb detonated in a parked car in central Baiji -- about 125 miles (200 km) north of Baghdad -- and was believed to be targeting a police patrol, the ministry said. Among the five wounded were two other policemen. It was one of several attacks across Baghdad on Monday, the Interior Ministry said. In all, eight people were killed and more than three dozen wounded in the attacks. Earlier in the day, a civilian was shot dead in central Baghdad when security personnel in an Iraqi government convoy opened fire after hearing shots, Iraq's Interior Ministry said. Six civilians were wounded. A roadside bomb killed a civilian and wounded 11 people on eastern Baghdad's Palestine Street, the ministry said. Later, another bomb wounded two police officers and three civilians in a police convoy on Palestine Street. Another roadside bomb killed one police officer and wounded another officer and a civilian in central Baghdad, it said. Gunmen wounded at least three government employees and their driver in eastern Baghdad, the ministry said. In the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, a policeman was killed and four civilians were wounded in a car bombing. In Diyala province, two Iraqi soldiers were killed and four were wounded when a roadside bomb struck their convoy south of Baquba, and attackers kidnapped an Awakening Council leader near Muqdadiya. CNN's Jomana Karadsheh contributed to this report.
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NEW: Death toll rises to six as bomb kills two Iraqi soldiers in Diyala province .
Visit by Kuwaiti leader comes as Iraq works to improve ties with its Arab neighbors .
Iraq has been asking Gulf states to waive debts from the Saddam Hussein era .
Iraq visit by Jordan's king last month was first by Arab head of state since 2003 war .
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(CNN) -- One of the Dallas Cowboys' major donors is a named plaintiff in a class action lawsuit, seeking more than $5 million, over unavailability of seats at Super Bowl XLV, according to documents filed Monday at a U.S. District Court in Texas. The Cowboys, along with team owner Jerry Jones, the National Football League and corporate entities were named as defendants in the suit, along with corporate entities that manage Cowboys Stadium, where the Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 Sunday. About 1,250 fans with tickets were affected in the seating fiasco, which came about because certain sections of Cowboys Stadium that were being added in an effort to boost attendance weren't ready by game time. About 850 of the fans were relocated to other seats, and some 400 weren't, the NFL said. Mike Dolabi of Tarrant County, Texas, who is one of the "Founders" of Texas Stadium who paid a minimum $100,000 per seat to help pay for the state-of-the-art venue's construction, was one of the named plaintiffs in the class action. Dolabi and others had been assigned to "seats with obstructed views and temporary metal fold-out chairs" that "lacked any reasonable view of the stadium's prized 'video board,' which defendant Jones and the Cowboys routinely claim is one of the most unique and best features of Cowboys Stadium," the lawsuit says. The lawsuit also notes that the Cowboys and the NFL knew that a problem with seating was unfolding in the days before the Super Bowl but did not notify ticket-holders that there might be a problem. Jones and NFL President Roger Goodell on Monday both apologized to fans affected by the seat shortage. Also, the league promised to give a free ticket to next year's Super Bowl and a refund of triple the cost of the $800 face value of the ticket to each of the 400 fans denied seats -- or a free ticket to a future Super Bowl game of the fan's choice, plus round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations. Fans can pick the option they want. Not good enough, the plaintiffs say: "(T)his monetary sum is wholly insufficient to compensate plaintiffs for all of their expenses, including but not limited to travel costs, or of their disappointment and frustration in not being able to properly enjoy the Super Bowl."
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Class action is filed on behalf of Super Bowl fans who showed up to find they had no seats .
One of the named plaintiffs is one of the Dallas Cowboys' top-paying seat owners .
Suit claims information about problems in finishing construction was concealed .
Plaintiffs say NFL's offers of triple refund, future tickets, travel and hotels are insufficient .
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Officials in Japan have opened Fukushima state's first beach to swimmers since last year's nuclear disaster after judging the water to be safe. About 1,000 people yesterday descended on Nakoso beach, about 40miles south of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, where three reactors melted down after the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The opening was celebrated with beach volleyball games and hula dancers from a nearby spa. A family plays on Nakoso Beach in Iwaki in Japan's Fukushima state. The beach is the first to be opened to the public since the nearby nuclear power station meltdown following the earthquake and tsunami of March 2011 . Playtime: About 1,000 people yesterday descended on Nakoso beach, about 40miles south of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant . Iwaki city official Joji Kimura said negligible radiation was detected in water at the beach. Airborne radiation was measured at 0.08 microsieverts an hour, far below dangerous levels. Swimming had been banned at all beaches in the state since the disaster last March. The opening took place on the same . day that the Japanese government came under fire over its handling of . public hearings on nuclear energy policy. The criticism threatens to dent already sagging support for the ruling party ahead of an election many expect to be this year. The latest furore follows Monday's massive rally in Tokyo against nuclear power in the wake of the Fukushima disaster. Local officials and analysts say the . issue is now so contentious that it could trump taxes as the focus of . lower house elections, which must be held by September 2013 but could . come sooner. News that power company employees . were among the few chosen to speak at hearings on changes to energy . policy after Fukushima, the world's worst atomic disaster in 25 years, have been greeted with widespread scepticism. On duty: Three local women working as tour guides enter the water in front of a gaggle of photographers and cameramen . Mass demonstrations: Anti-nuclear energy protesters march through Tokyo on Monday . Fun times: An anti-nuclear protester dressed as a clown is watched by police officers . Koichi Nakano, a professor at Sophia University, said: 'This gives the impression that they haven't learned anything.' It echoes a scandal just one year . ago, when Kyushu Electric Power sought to sway public opinion at a . hearing on restarting reactors in southern Japan. In a sign of the growing discontent, . more than 100,000 anti-nuclear protesters marched in Tokyo on Monday, . adding to pressure on Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, already struggling . as his Democratic Party unravels over plans to hike the sales tax to . curb public debt. Mr Nakano said: 'The anti-nuclear people are calling for the Democrats to be voted out.' The rally was the biggest since Noda . said last month that Japan needs to restart idled nuclear reactors to . protect jobs and the economy. Damning: The nuclear accident at Fukushima last year was a 'man-made disaster' and not completely because of the tsunami, a report said earlier this month . Reactor meltdown: The damning indictment was delivered by the Japanese parliamentary panel . Disaster: Smoke is pictured ascending from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant's Unit 3 in Okumamachi in Fukushima Prefecture on March 14 last year . The government is considering three . options for its medium-term energy portfolio - reduce nuclear power's . role to zero as soon as possible, aim at a 15 per cent share by 2030, . and seek a 20 to 25 per cent share by the same date. The new energy mix, to be decided in . August, will replace a scrapped 2010 programme that had sought to raise . nuclear power's share to more than half of electricity needs by 2030 . from about 30 per cent before the March 2011 disaster. The Fukushima disaster forced some . 150,000 people to flee their homes, many never to return. Some committed . suicide after seeing their homes and livelihoods destroyed. Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said the government would be looking at how to improve the hearings.
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About 1,000 people yesterday descended on Nakoso beach, about 40miles south of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, where three reactors melted down after the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami .
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By . Louise Boyle . PUBLISHED: . 09:41 EST, 24 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 16:43 EST, 24 October 2012 . Convicted murderer and Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel has been denied parole, a decade after being given a life sentence for beating his teenage neighbor to death with a golf club. Skakel's request was rejected following a two-hour hearing on Wednesday in which he proclaimed his innocence. The chair of the parole board at the Connecticut prison, Erika . Tindill, said it was odd for Skakel to ask for early release while . proclaiming he is innocent. Freedom bid: Convicted murderer Michael Skakel has appealed for his release today in Connecticut but failed . The victim's mother, Dorothy Moxley, said during the hearing in Suffield that Skakel should serve at least 20 years. Skakel told the board that it 'is not an easy question to answer' as to whether he should be paroled, according to the Hartford Courant. He added that he knew the best chance of being paroled was for him to admit to the crime. Robert F. Kennedy Jr had appealed for . his cousin's release, saying in a letter that Skakel is a model inmate . and devoted to God. Skakel has submitted 65 letters in support of his . release. Skakel, 52, spoke slowly and softly . during the hearing at McDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in . Suffield, Connecticut saying: 'I did not commit this crime.' Other . Kennedys have rallied around their relative, claiming that his trial . was a miscarriage of justice. However relatives of 15-year-old murder . victim Martha Moxley say Skakel has shown no remorse and should remain . in prison for the rest of his life. Long walk back: Despite the parole hearing, Skakel was returned to his prison cell today to continue serving his life sentence . Skakel said on Wednesday that he prays every day that whoever committed the crime is brought to justice, but he is the wrong man. 'If I could ease Mrs. Moxley's pain in any way, shape or form I would take responsibility all day long for this crime,' Skakel said. He added: 'I cannot bear false witness against myself.' The heavyset, 52-year-old Skakel with gray, thinning hair wore a beige prison jumpsuit to the hearing. To support his claims of innocence, he told of how he became sober. 'I pose to you: how can a guilty man stay sober for 30 years with that kind of guilt on his mind?' he said. Skakel, convicted in 2002, is eligible for parole consideration because of laws in place at the time of the crime including good behavior credits. Supporter: Robert F Kennedy Jr has appealed for his cousin Michael Skakel's release . In letters to the parole board, Skakel's supporters, including his cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said Skakel has helped alcoholics recover. They also portray him as religious and devoted to his son. Many letters cite Skakel's art work in prison, saying he has made uplifting paintings that show his true nature, give joy to others and encourage family values. Letters objecting to his parole cite the brutal nature of the crime and say releasing him early would be devastating to the victim's family. 'This person committed a heinous crime that gave many people a sentence of suffering that was irreversible,' one of the letters states. 'Why then should this person be given relief, when none is available for those who suffered the loss of a daughter, a sister, a dear friend.' On Tuesday, Skakel filed a defamation lawsuit against CNN television host Nancy Grace and Tru-TV host Beth Karas, alleging they made false statements about evidence of Skakel's DNA near the crime scene. The lawsuit, filed in Superior Court in Stamford, also named media companies Time Warner and Turner Broadcasting as defendants. Skakel . was sentenced to 20 years to life for beating Martha Moxley to death . with a golf club in 1975 in Greenwich when they were 15-year-old . neighbors. Skakel is a nephew of Robert F. Kennedy's widow, Ethel . Kennedy. Martha Moxley was just 15-years-old when she was brutally murdered close to her home in Connecticut . 'There's never been a person more deserving of parole than Michael Skakel,' his attorney, Hope Seeley, said in a statement. Michael Skakel was only 15 at the time his 15-year-old neighbor Martha Moxley was beaten to death with a golf club in 1975. Skakel was arrested 25 years later in 2000. He was finally indicted for murder afer a 1998 book written about the events of that night suggested Michael had been at the scene. He had said he was at his cousin's house at the time of the murder. However, Michael later admitted that he had been masturbating in the tree house on the night before the victim's remains were found in the same spot. Two former students of Elan, a boarding . school where Skakel had been sent for alcohol addiction treatment in his late teens, also . testified that Skakel had confessed to Miss Moxley's murder. Other reports suggested that Skakel was jealous of his brother, Thomas's relationship with Miss Moxley. Thomas had long been considered a murder suspect. According to former neighbor Gregory Coleman, Michael Skakel had bragged: 'I'm going to get away with murder. I'm a Kennedy.' Michael Skakel is the nephew of Robert F. Kennedy's widow, Ethel . Kennedy. On June 6, 1968, Senator Kennedy was assassinated by a shooter in LA following his victory in the Californian presidential primary. David Kennedy, his son, died of a Demerol and cocaine overdose in a Florida hotel room in 1984, having battled addiction for many years. Michael Kennedy, another son of RFK, died during a skiing accident in Aspen when some family members were playing football while on skis and not wearing helmets. He crashed into a tree during the December 1997 incident and died. It happened shortly after his family's babysitter claimed he had a sexual relationship with her when she was 14. 'His track record during the past 10 . years shows the person we all know him to be - caring, generous and . committed to his faith, family and friends. 'His . conviction was a miscarriage of justice, but that aside, his further . incarceration would also be a miscarriage of justice in light of the . fact that he should have been sentenced as a juvenile.' Skakel has lost appeals challenging his conviction that raised the juvenile issue and other claims. He . last appeared in court in January 2011, asking for his sentence to be . shortened. A three-judge panel rejected the request, saying it was . 'unjust and excessive'. At . the appearance, Skakel continued to maintain his innocence, telling the . court: 'I didn't commit this crime... give me a polygraph. I pray for . Mrs Moxley every single day.' Martha Moxley's mother, Dorthy, and . brother, John, want him kept in prison for life. Skakel has shown no . remorse, John Moxley said. 'Michael . Skakel is representative of the most dangerous aspect of our society in . that he was raised in an environment in which he was exposed to and at . some point embraced the mindset that the rules of our general society . did not then and do not now apply to him,' Moxley wrote in a letter to . the parole board. 'And, . I believe that Michael Skakel's inbred sense of self and his . self-confessed quick temper will always represent a threat to society.' He said the murder continues to haunt him. 'No . child should ever have to witness the pain I have seen my parents go . through, which I know in my heart contributed to my father's early . death,' Mr Moxley wrote. Asked about the impact of the crime, Mr Moxley added: 'When you lose a loved one, it just never goes away.' The state Supreme Court ruled in 2010 . against Skakel's bid for a new trial, saying a claim implicating two . other men in the killing wasn't credible. The . U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case. Skakel has a habeas corpus . appeal pending in state courts, accusing his trial attorney, Michael . Sherman, of doing a poor job, a claim Sherman has rejected. Daddy's girl: Martha, pictured with her father David Moxley. Her brother John said he believes her murder contributed to his father's early death . Thomas Skakel, left, was going out with Martha Moxley in 1975 and young Michael, right, was alleged to be jealous . Skakel, who was arrested in 2000, has not had any disciplinary issues in prison, said Brian Garnett, spokesman for the state Department of Correction. 'Does Michael deserve to be paroled? Michael doesn't deserve to have been locked away for the last 10 years because he is innocent,' his brother John Skakel wrote in a letter to the parole board. 'But through this horrendous decade, Michael has been a model inmate and has chosen to use this time constructively.'
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Michael Skakel, 52, told first hearing of parole board at Connecticut jail: 'I did not commit this crime'
His cousin Robert F Kennedy Jr said Skakel is a model inmate and devoted to God and his son .
Family of 15-year-old murder victim Martha Moxley insist he has shown no remorse and should remain in prison .
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Bamako, Mali (CNN) -- Dioncounda Traore, Mali's interim president, was beaten and rushed to a hospital after hundreds of protesters demanding his resignation stormed the presidential palace Monday. Traore was assaulted and hit over the head when protesters found him inside the palace. The president was later taken to the hospital where he was treated for a wound to his head, hospital staff said. "There were three dead and some injured by gunshot when [Traore's] security shot at people," said Bakary Mariko, a spokesman for the National Committee for the Restoration of Democracy, a group of military officers who mounted a coup in March. April: Traore sworn in as interim president . Protests were expected after the Economic Community of West African States, which has tried to broker a return to civilian rule after the coup, agreed to let Traore remain in charge for a year to oversee the transition. And ECOWAS has warned that followers of Capt. Amadou Sanogo, who led the revolt that deposed President Amadou Toumani Toure, were threatening to derail the agreement. Traore's term as interim president had been set to expire on Tuesday. Groups denouncing him gathered Monday morning in the Place de l'Independence, in the center of Mali's capital, Bamako. Security Clearance: Disaster looms for people of Mali . Traore "is not staying as president of Mali," said Youssouf Kone, the leader of several groups demanding the interim president's resignation. "We will stay until Traore agrees to step down," he added. "We're going to make this the Tahrir Square," referencing the 2011 protests in Egypt. Just before 11 a.m. (7 a.m. ET), a group of protesters parted and moved up the hill in direction of the presidential palace. "We don't want Dioncounda" and "Down with ECOWAS," chanted a couple in the crowd, which remained peaceful at that point. When it reached the palace gates, the spontaneous march had gathered a couple of hundred supporters, some of them shouting slogans in support of the coup leader, Sanogo. According to witnesses, soldiers stood by as the crowd entered the building while others climbed over armored vehicles parked nearby. Some protesters were seen parking motorbikes and bicycles inside the palace. In other parts of town, protesters burned tires and put up posters saying the country will never heal with Traore in power. The group closed of one of the city's bridges, causing the traffic to stand still all over Bamako. The protests reflect longstanding frustrations with Mali's political class. Several of the protesters expressed discontent with Traore, a former labor activist who was the country's parliament speaker before his appointment as interim president in April. "Traore is part the same self-serving political elite that has misruled the country for years," Fadima Sy, one of the protesters in Place de l'Independence, said. Interim Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra went on state television Monday evening to denounce the attack and appealed to local politicians and organizations to stop encouraging the youth to march. Mali had been hailed as a shining example of African democracy before the coup, having experienced more than 20 years of democratic government. Sanogo and his fellow officers ousted Toure on March 22, complaining that he had failed to properly equip soldiers battling a growing insurgency by Tuareg rebels in the country's north. While ECOWAS and other countries pressured Sanogo to relinquish power, Tuareg fighters and Islamic rebels swiftly advanced and now claim control of much of northern Mali.
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Demonstrators storm Mali's presidential palace on Monday .
Interim President Dioncounda Traore is beaten and taken to a hospital .
A spokesman for rebel military officer says 3 people were killed by Traore's bodyguards .
Traore was picked to lead an interim government after a March coup .
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NEW YORK (CNN) -- A federal judge on Thursday threw out an author's claims that Jessica Seinfeld, the comedian's wife, plagiarized from her cookbook, but the judge left open claims of defamation against Jerry Seinfeld himself. Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld attend an event in New York City in June. "This is a complete victory for Jessica Seinfeld," said Orin Snyder, Seinfeld's lawyer. Snyder said U.S. District Court Judge Laura Taylor Swain dismissed all claims brought against Jessica Seinfeld's cookbook, "Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food." In the lawsuit, filed in 2007, author Missy Chase Lapine accused Jessica Seinfeld of taking ideas from Lapine's cookbook "The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids' Favorite Meals." Lapine's cookbook was published in April 2007, six months before Seinfeld's book. "The court categorically rejected the claim that 'Deceptively Delicious' infringed the copyright and trademark of the plaintiff's book," Snyder said. "The federal judge ruled that 'no reasonable fact finder could conclude' that copying occurred here given that the works are 'very different' and that Jessica's book 'has a completely different feel.' " But Lapine's lawyer, Howard B. Miller, said his client may appeal the dismissal of her copyright and trademark claims, and will refile in state court claims against Jerry Seinfeld. Lapine's defamation claims against the comedian refer to a comment he made on the "Late Show with David Letterman" in 2007, when he compared the fact that Lapine uses three names to the fact that assassins sometimes use three names, as was the case with Lee Harvey Oswald. "The claims against Jerry Seinfeld for defamation are still fully alive," Miller said. "He just says he is joking; we don't think calling someone an assassin and a wacko is a joke." "I'm up against a very powerful opponent," Lapine said in a telephone interview from her home in Westchester County, New York. "Justice is not always served." Lapine, a 45-year-old mother of two, said she has gone on to publish two other books, all in the "Sneaky Chef" series.
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Cookbook writer alleged that Jessica Seinfeld plagiarized .
All claims against Jessica Seinfeld dismissed by federal judge, lawyer says .
Judge leaves open claims of defamation against Seinfeld's husband, Jerry .
Defamation claims relate to comments Jerry Seinfeld made about author .
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By . Jonathan O'Callaghan . The privacy of instant messages has become a hot topic in recent months with the spotlight being shone on popular services like Facebook, Snapchat and WhatsApp. So it’s timely that SRD Wireless has announced the launch of PQChat - an app for iOS devices based on the company’s own ‘Never-The-Same’ (NTS) encryption. PQChat is essentially an instant messenger with a twist - its encryption system has never been broken, and the company even claims future quantum computers will not be able to break it. SRD Wireless has unveiled their PQChat app, which they claim is the world’s first ‘quantum-proof’ messenger. Users are in complete control of their messages and can apparently delete them remotely if necessary (left), while only messages can only be read by approved contacts (right) Designed to make communications between people and businesses as safe, secure and private as possible, NTS protects data using the McEliece cryptosystem, the strongest currently known. McEliece is an encryption algorithm developed in 1978 by mathematician Robert McEliece that has never been broken - even using techniques designed for the new era of quantum computing. PQChat allows users to share and delete encrypted messages, voice, video and images as they desire, whilst the application itself holds no personal information on users. As a result, SRD Wireless said users can have the utmost confidence that their private communications remain just that. ‘The ongoing Snowden revelations have brought home just how easily accessible our personal information is to the NSA or other groups,’ said Andersen Cheng, co-founder and CEO of SRD Wireless. ‘Yet most people are still handing over information to data miners, spammers and criminals without understanding what they are doing.’ ‘People need to take back control of their data: even the smallest amount of personal information can compromise your privacy and security. ‘Modern communication tools simply aren’t built with this as a priority and so make compromises in order to allow communication. ‘Our aim with PQChat is to place end-to-end security at the heart of the application.’ Minimal user information . Most communication tools require users to share a large amount of personal information. PQChat only stores a one-way encrypted value of the user’s phone number, which cannot be reconstructed, plus an encrypted user-supplied nickname and pseudo ID image. This makes the user’s identity impossible to determine. User-defined passwords . PQChat allows users to set their own Master Password to sign up to the service, as well as a five-digit alphanumeric PIN. PQChat does not even store the Master Password in the app, meaning that users have complete control over their own security. Video and Voice authentication . To ensure a message recipient is who they claim to be, PQChat uses SRD’s patented Man At The End (MATE) authentication. By providing a video and audio authentication message, users can be certain of each others’ identity. Locker . To guarantee important information isn’t lost, PQChat includes a secure locker where users can store information that they want to guarantee is kept safe and private. Complete control over messages . As well as sending, users can remotely delete messages, whether manually or after a particular length of time. Users can also be sent an acknowledgement, to provide a guarantee that crucial messages have been seen and read. User controlled . You can remote-delete your own messages and have full control over your own passwords, meaning nobody can share dodgy holiday snaps or drunk texts except you. Data mining-proof . 'A quite frankly terrifying amount of information is out there on you for anyone who wants to grab it; and apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat don’t help by hoovering up your contact details and passwords to store,' said the design team. 'PQChat stores nothing on you - not even your phone number, messages or password - meaning it couldn’t share the details around even if it wanted to.' Secure . 'Instead of making compromises and taking shortcuts to make chatting that little bit easier, PQChat has been designed the hard way to be totally secure from the ground up. 'Its technology has been thoroughly tested and is future-proofed against upcoming methods that can break security wide open.' Current encryption tools are facing a major threat from the ongoing evolution of quantum computing, which will make breaking even highly sophisticated algorithms simple and immediate. Most of the existing encryption standards have already been broken in theory, with only the IT horsepower needed to actually run these processes preventing widespread attacks. Quantum computing provides all the horsepower such techniques need, meaning that these standards will be wide open. PQChat is the first product to be based on SRD’s own patented NTS encryption that they claim is invulnerable to quantum computing. To avoid any possible attacker detecting patterns in a user’s messages, NTS randomises messages’ appearance. Regardless of content, every time a user encrypts the same message, the output will be completely different, making messages incomprehensible to everyone except the intended recipient. As a result, PQChat is claimed to be as future-proof as it’s possible to be. Within the app users can set messages to 'self-destruct' (left) so they delete themselves after a certain amount of time, while a variety of symbols (right) tell you the status of your message. Like other apps users can also embed videos, videos and voice . ‘Even if an application or service claims to be secure, the data it holds still represents a risk,’ continued Cheng. ‘For example, if an application stores personal details then a security breach can put all users at risk. ‘Apart from having zero knowledge of any message contents, SRD Wireless vows not to obtain, store or share any personal details or password information from PQChat users: it is our belief that ultimately your security should be in your hands, not ours. ‘Since SRD’s business model is based around selling solutions to enterprises rather than data mining, there is no need for us to hold any of this information. ‘Quite simply, if we cannot guarantee this trust between us and our users, then all of our claims about the security of PQChat itself are worthless.’ As well as consumers and workers using PQChat to send secure, private messages, SRD said they can provide custom applications to suit specific enterprise needs. For example the legal, healthcare and financial services industries all have a need to support confidential, secure messaging across and between businesses.
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SRD Wireless has launched an app with an advanced encryption algorithm .
The instant messenger known as PQChat promises to be safe and private .
It uses the strongest cryptosystem currently known, called McEliece .
PQChat holds no personal info and users can remotely delete messages .
This means 'nobody can share dodgy holiday snaps or drunk texts except you' according to the company .
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By . Ruth Styles . For most of us, family means parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters and cousins. But for one film-maker, family, for many years, meant a sinister cult. Now Paul-Julien Robert has turned his harrowing experiences into a film, My Fathers, My Mother And Me, which tells the story of the 12 years he spent in the Friedrichshof commune near Vienna. The community he grew up in outwardly espoused free love and communal living. But these hippy ideals hid a very dark truth: in 1991, its leader, Otto Mühl was convicted of child abuse. Scroll down for video . Paul-Julien was born into a free-love commune, where possessions and chilldcare were communal and family relationships weren't allowed . To make the film, Paul-Julien was able to . mine the vast videotape library that the commune had amassed to document . life there - many of its members believed they were conducting a grand . social experiment, and wanted to record it for posterity. Paul-Julien's documentary combines present-day interviews with the children he grew up with, as well as ex-cult members - including his mother - with fascinating footage from the Seventies and Eighties. This includes clips of a group of naked adults rolling on the floor groping each other, interspersed with their blood-curdling primal screams. The film, which won the Grierson award at this year's BFI London Film Festival, doesn't make easy viewing. Robert didn't even know the name of his father until he left the cult, and describes himself as emotionally traumatised as a result. Other damaging aspects of life in the cult included the demonisation of the family and the separation of mothers and children, in order to 'break down' the concept of the 'bourgeois' familial unit. 'Everything in the outside world was described to us as evil,' revealed Robert in an interview with the Guardian. 'I knew what a nuclear family was, but it was something distant and seen as destructive.' Although he was allowed to remain with his mother, a Swiss woman named Florence Desurmont, for the first four years of his life, in 1983, when Robert was just four years old, she was sent to Zurich to earn money by the controlling and cruel cult leader, artist Otto Mühl. Discover more on YouTube and at Freibeuter Films . Paul-Julien as a child - at the age of just four he was separated from his mother, who was sent away to earn money for the cult leader . Paul-Julien as a baby, with his mother and Christian, the man named as his father on his birth certificate . Paul-Julien Robert has won many awards for his documentary about his childhood, including the Grierson award at this year's BFI London Film Festival . 'My mum was the only person with whom I felt safe,' remembers Robert. 'I had a feeling that she was something more and so she meant more to me.' When she left, it was devastating. 'I was very lonely,' he told the paper. 'Other women replaced her, but they were never close to me. 'The ideology was that all relationships were bad for the group, so it was never possible to truly bond with someone.' Tragically, he still feels the impact of her loss today and admits that he has struggled to overcome the experience. 'I grew up believing love was something bad,' he explains. 'The feeling of being . loved, and of expressing love, was something I really had to learn and . to accept later.' He was able to begin to do so in 1991, when Mühl was arrested and imprisoned for sexually abusing minors and the commune shut down. He was sent to Zurich to live with his mother, eventually building a relationship with her. Now 35, he's about to become a father himself and although he admits to being occasionally nonplussed by his girlfriend's emotional approach, expects to take parenthood in his stride. But although he's no longer the emotionally traumatised boy he once was, he says the harrowing experience of growing up in a commune still haunts him. 'For me, a nuclear family is like a small commune in a way,' he explains. 'Each individual has their own opinion and to find a way to be together without losing one's self is very difficult.' A group shot of the commune members taken in the 1980s .
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Paul-Julien Robert was born into the Friedrichshof commune near Vienna .
Cult run by Otto Mühl who was later jailed for sexually abusing minors .
Made experiences into documentary, My Fathers, My Mother And Me .
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By . Associated Press Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 09:46 EST, 13 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:19 EST, 14 January 2013 . An armed mob set out into the Florida Everglades on Saturday to flush out a scaly invader. It sounds like the second act of a sci-fi horror flick but, really, it's pretty much Florida's plan for dealing with an infestation of Burmese pythons that are eating their way through a fragile ecosystem. Nearly 800 people signed up for the month-long 'Python Challenge' that started Saturday afternoon. The vast majority - 749 - are members of the general public who lack the permits usually required to harvest pythons on public lands. Scroll down for video . Invader: The Burmese python is shown off at the start of the event. Around 800 people have signed up to hunt the snake during the 2013 Python Challenge . Fighting back: Hunters Christopher Padgett (left) and Matthew Manus (right) from Sebring, Florida, leave their campsite in the Big Cypress National Preserve for a five-day python hunt . 'We feel like anybody can get out in the Everglades and figure out how to try and find these things,' said Nick Wiley, executive director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 'It's very safe, getting out in the Everglades. People do it all the time.' Twenty-eight python permit holders also joined the hunt at various locations in the Everglades. The state is offering cash prizes to whoever brings in the longest python and whoever bags the most pythons by the time the competition ends at midnight Feb. 10. Dozens of would-be python hunters showed up for some last-minute training in snake handling Saturday morning at the University of Florida Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center in Davie. Captain Jeff Fobb, of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's Venom One unit, displays a python during the kick-off ceremonies in Davie, Florida, on Saturday. This 13-foot snake was captured a year ago swimming in a backyard pool . Signing up: Hundreds of participants volunteered for the hunting event that began on Saturday . On the trail: Dan Keenan (right) and Steffani Burd (left) head into the Everglades in the search of pythons . The training came down to common sense: Drink water, wear sunscreen, don't get bitten by anything and don't shoot anyone. Many of the onlookers dressed in camouflage, though they probably didn't have to worry about spooking the snakes. They would have a much harder time spotting the splotchy, tan pythons in the long green grasses and woody brush of the Everglades. 'It's advantage-snake,' mechanical engineer Dan Keenan concluded after slashing his way through a quarter-mile of scratchy sawgrass, dried leaves and woody overgrowth near a campsite in the Big Cypress National Preserve, which is about 50 miles southeast of Naples and is supervised by the National Park Service. Keenan, of Merritt Island, and friend Steffani Burd of Melbourne, a statistician in computer security, holstered large knives and pistols on their hips, so they'd be ready for any python that crossed their path. The snakes can grow to more than 20 feet in length. Dan Keenan battles through thick brush in search for Burmese pythons, also described as the 'zombies of the Everglades' Captain Jeff Fobb explains the problem to the media with the help of an 85-pound python . The most useful tool they had, though, was the key fob to their car. Burd wanted to know that they hadn't wandered too far into the wilderness, so Keenan clicked the fob until a reassuring beep from their car chirped softly through the brush. The recommended method for killing pythons is the same for killing zombies: a gunshot to the brain, or decapitation to reduce the threat. (The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals doesn't approve of the latter method, though.) Pythons are kind of the zombies of the Everglades, though their infestation is less deadly to humans. The snakes have no natural predators, they can eat anything in their way, they can reproduce in large numbers and they don't belong here. Ready for combat: Dan Keenan is prepared with a knife should encounter a python. But he told media the situation is 'advantage-snake' Florida currently prohibits possession or sale of the pythons for use as pets, and federal law bans the importation and interstate sale of the species. Wildlife experts say pythons are just the tip of the invasive species iceberg. Florida is home to more exotic species of amphibians and reptiles than anywhere else in the world, said John Hayes, dean of research for the University of Florida's Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences. Roughly 2,050 pythons have been harvested in Florida since 2000, according to the conservation commission. It's unknown exactly how many are slithering through the wetlands. Officials hope the competition will help rid the Everglades of the invaders while raising awareness about the risks that exotic species pose to Florida's native wildlife. Keenan and Burd emerged from the Everglades empty-handed Saturday, but they planned to return Sunday, hoping for cooler temperatures that would drive heat-seeking snakes into sunny patches along roads and levees. Burd still deemed the hunt a success. 'For me, I take back to my friends and community that there is a beautiful environment out here. It's opening the picture from just the python issue to the issue of how do we protect our environment,' she said. Careful lookout: Another hunter, BR Slocum, uses a golf cart as he searches for snakes with his son .
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Hundreds sign up to find Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades during month-long competition .
Snakes can grow to 20 feet in length and recommended killing method is a gunshot to the head .
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By . Emily Davies . PUBLISHED: . 05:42 EST, 19 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:45 EST, 19 February 2013 . Montana's lawmakers have passed a bill allowing people to salvage and eat roadkill in a bid to 'stop good food going to waste'. House Bill 247 creates permits allowing individuals to scrape game animals off the road, including antelope, deer, elk or moose. The measure passed 19-2 last week in the House and is now set to be considered by the state Senate. State Representative Steve Lavin, a supporter of the bill, said: 'People hit a lot of . animals on roadways, and I mean a ton of them. There’s a . lot of good meat being wasted out there.' Mr Lavin said animals like this bull elk will not be targeted because people will not want to damage their cars . 'When people first hear about it — roadkill — some of them think this is a crazy bill, but it’s not,' Mr Lavin told the Daily Inter Lake. Officials at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks are concerned potentially valuable carcasses, such as those of Bighorn sheep, . might be targeted for profit. Mr Lavin disputed this. He added: 'People aren’t going to intentionally . hit an elk when it’s going to cost them $1,500 in damages to their . vehicle. Nor are poachers going to go through the problems . of staging a road kill with the possibility of being caught. If there’s something fishy going on, we’ll catch on pretty quickly,' Lavin added. Deer would be included in the types of animals which permit holders could legally salvage, if the Bill succeeds .
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New bill would allow permit holder to keep road-kill if meat is salvageable .
Lawmakers claim Bill will guard against poachers taking advantage .
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12a1e827236b9fcd38c514a53ea604932ec17dde
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The study found the more money a person has the happier they are . Whoever said money can't buy happiness was very wrong, new research has found. According to an economic study, the more money a person has, the happier they are. The latest study of 1,014 people contradicts previous research that said the correlation between money and happiness diminishes when the basic needs of a person are met. People were asked to rate their levels of happiness and their income was recorded. Economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin . Wolfers say in their paper the May 2013 American Economic Review, Papers . and Proceedings that there is no evidence of a 'satiation' point in the . link between money and happiness. They . wrote: 'While the idea that there is some critical level of income . beyond which income no longer impacts well-being is intuitively . appealing, it is at odds with the data.' Everyone with an income of £306,250 a year or more classed themselves as 'very happy'. The University of Michigan study found . that all those earning £61,250 a year or more also described themselves . as either very or fairly happy. However, . only 35 per cent of people taking home £6,125 - the equivalent of . $10,000 in the exchange rate used in the study - claimed they were . happy. A total of 21 per cent in that income bracket said they were 'not too happy'. The economists wrote: 'The . income-well-being link that one finds when examining only the poor, is . similar to that found when examining only the rich', according to AFP. They . added: 'We find no evidence of a significant break in either the . happiness-income relationship, nor in the life satisfaction-income . relationship, even at annual incomes up to half a million dollars.' People with the lowest incomes were more likely to describe themselves as 'not too happy' The latest study comes after a separate study found people who splash out on ‘experiences’ such as days out and concert tickets are happier than those who buy possessions. Psychologists asked 9,600 people about their shopping habits, as well as questions to ascertain personality traits, values and life satisfaction. 'Experiential shoppers', who bought treats such as concern tickets or weekends away, rather than clothes or gadgets, reported greater life satisfaction, according to the study led by San Francisco State University Assistant Professor of Psychology Ryan Howell.
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University of Michigan study found the richer people are happier .
Lowest earners more likely to describe themselves as 'not too happy'
Found no 'satiation' point when link between happiness and income changes .
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12a2225b3c1ce4b522a3b6a62144a9acd3148a17
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By . Hugo Gye . PUBLISHED: . 10:10 EST, 13 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:43 EST, 14 December 2012 . Jailed: Wlodzimierz Umaniec has been sentenced to two years in prison for vandalising a Rothko painting . The self-proclaimed artist who vandalised a Mark Rothko painting in what he said was an act of 'yellowism' was today sentenced to two years in prison. Wlodzimierz Umaniec, 26, also known as Vladimir Umanets, defaced the mural, worth around £5million to £9million, at the Tate Modern gallery on October 7. He has said he carried out the crime in an attempt to spread the principles of the obscure artistic movement which he helped create. Umaniec, a Polish national living in . Worthing, West Sussex, admitted criminal damage to the value of in . excess of £5,000 - but estimates suggest the restoration of the painting . will cost around £200,000. The . vandal stepped over a barrier in the art gallery and daubed his name . and the words 'a potential piece of yellowism' before fleeing. The . court heard that he went to the gallery intending to put his . 'signature' on a picture, but decided to damage the Rothko painting only . in the moment he saw it on display. The gallery was then put into 'operation shutdown' with people prevented from leaving or entering the building. Umaniec . has argued that his actions were themselves a work of art, as the rules . of 'yellowism' dictate that anything can be an example of the genre as . long as it is endorsed by a member of the movement. But . judge Roger Chapple said of 'yellowism' that it was 'wholly and utterly . unacceptable to promote it by damaging a work of art' which he called a . 'gift to the nation'. Art? Umaniec claimed that his vandalism was in itself a powerful artistic statement . Speaking . at Inner London Crown Court, he told Umaniec: 'Your actions on the 7th . of October of this year were entirely deliberate, planned and . intentional.' He said . it was 'abundantly clear' that Umaniec was 'plainly an intelligent man' and told the court he had described Rothko as a 'great painter' in a . letter he had written to him. The judge also said the incident had led to galleries reviewing security arrangements at a cost to themselves and the taxpayer. 'The effects of such security reviews is to distance the public from the works of art they come to enjoy,' he said. Supporter: Umaniec was accompanied by Ben Smith, who attempted to explain the principles of 'yellowism' Gregor McKinley, prosecuting, said: 'The work required to restore this picture will be complex and lengthy. 'Complications to this work include the unique painting technique used by the artist and the fact the ink used by Mr Umaniec has permeated the paint layers and the canvas itself.' Mr McKinley said work to restore the painting will take about 20 months and cost 'something around £200,000'. Paintings by Russian-born artist Rothko often fetch tens of millions of pounds. Earlier this year, his Orange, Red, Yellow sold in New York for £53.8million - the highest price paid for a piece of post-War art at auction. The defaced painting, called Black On Maroon, was donated to the Tate in 1969 by Rothko himself. Outside court before the sentencing, Ben Smith, who called himself a 'yellowist', attempted to explain the concept: 'Everything is equal. Everything is art. Everything is a potential piece of yellowism.' After the sentencing, Mr Smith, who had come along to support Umaniec in court, said Umaniec's time in prison would be 'one of the most creative points for him' and will 'give him a greater understanding of humanity'. Speaking about the incident he said: 'This was not an act of destruction. It was an act of creativity. 'Now yellowism is a global phenomenon.' A spokeswoman for the gallery said: 'Tate is pleased that the court has recognised the severity of this incident and its consequences when sentencing Wlodzimierz Umaniec to two years in prison.'
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Wlodzimierz Umaniec, 26, claimed vandalism was itself a piece of art .
Co-founder of obscure artistic movement of 'yellowism'
Judge said actions were 'wholly and utterly .
unacceptable'
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12a24b1aba082a5fd0687a14015e1e58090ed9c6
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(CNN) -- In a new anti-Israel, anti-U.S. video, an American al Qaeda member makes reference to his Jewish ancestry for the first time in an official al Qaeda message. Adam Yahiye Gadahn, also known as Azzam the American, is seen in an earlier al Qaeda video. In the video, Adam Yahiye Gadahn, also known as Azzam the American, discusses his roots as he castigates U.S. policies and deplores Israel's offensive in Gaza that started in late December 2008 and continued into January. "Let me here tell you something about myself and my biography, in which there is a benefit and a lesson," Gadahn says, as he elicits support from his fellow Muslims for "our weapons, funds and Jihad against the Jews and their allies everywhere." "Your speaker has Jews in his ancestry, the last of whom was his grandfather," he says. Growing up in rural California, Gadahn embraced Islam in the mid-1990s, moved to Pakistan and has appeared in al Qaeda videos before. He was indicted in the United States in 2006 on charges of treason and material support to al Qaeda, according to the FBI. Gadahn is on the FBI's Most Wanted List, with a reward of up to $1 million leading to his capture. FBI records show Gadahn's date of birth as September 1, 1978. The video -- in which Gadahn speaks Arabic, with English subtitles -- surfaced on Saturday. This account is based on an English transcript provided by As-Sahab Media, the media production company used by al Qaeda. Gadahn's Jewish ancestry has been reported in the news media. But terrorism analyst Laura Mansfield says it is the first time Gadahn acknowledged his Jewish ancestry in an official al Qaeda message. Gadahn says his grandfather was a "Zionist" and "a zealous supporter of the usurper entity, and a prominent member of a number of Zionist hate organizations." "He used to repeat to me what he claimed are the virtues of this entity and encouraged me to visit it, specifically the city of Tel Aviv, where relatives of ours live," says Gadahn, referring to Israel. He says his grandfather gave him a book by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called "A Place Among the Nations" -- in which the "rabid Zionist" sets out "feeble arguments and unmasked lies to justify the Jews' rape of Muslim Palestine." But Gadahn says that despite his youth at the time, he didn't heed his grandfather's words. "How can a person with an ounce of self-respect possibly stand in the ranks of criminals and killers who have no morals, no mercy, no humanity and indeed, no honor?" he says in reference to Zionists and Israel. "Isn't it shameful enough for a person to carry the citizenship of America, the symbol of oppression and tyranny and advocate of terror in the world?" Mansfield thinks the video may have been made between late April and mid-May, before President Obama's speech in Cairo, Egypt, addressing U.S. relations with Muslims. Gadahn notes Obama's inauguration, Netanyahu's election in February, and Obama's speech in Turkey in April. Specifically mentioning the Gaza offensive and citing other hot spots such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya and Somalia, where the "Zio-Crusader alliance" is fighting his "brothers," he says "this open-faced aggression" comes as Obama has risen to power. He scorns Obama's statements in his inaugural address and in Turkey that America isn't and won't be at war with Islam, and "other deceptive, false and sugarcoated words of endearment and respect." He says Obama's language is similar to words Netanyahu uttered in the Knesset in 1996. Gadahn also backs the idea of targeting "Zio-Crusader" interests anywhere in the world, not just "within Palestine."
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Californian convert to Islam castigates U.S., Israel in al Qaeda video .
Adam Yahiye Gadahn says grandfather was a member of "Zionist hate organizations"
Gadahn criticizes Obama's "deceptive, false and sugarcoated words"
Speaker refers to his American citizenship as "shameful"
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12a2c6215c6cb7b08ff5cc263e6308d411aa521c
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Beijing (CNN) -- China says it has had "a frank, in-depth talk" with North Korea about the situation on the Korean Peninsula after Pyongyang's announcement of a planned satellite launch provoked an international outcry. Wu Dawei, China's special representative for the Korean Peninsula, met with Ri Yong Ho, a senior North Korean nuclear negotiator, in Beijing on Monday. Wu told the Chinese broadcaster CCTV that he and Ri had exchanged "opinions on the topic of preserving the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula," as well as on Pyongyang's planned satellite launch. China appears to be putting pressure on North Korea over the plan to fire off a long-range rocket that the North says will carry the satellite into orbit. South Korea has called the announcement a "grave provocation" that contravenes U.N. Security Council resolutions. And the Japanese defense minister, Naoki Tanaka, said Monday that he would consider ordering the destruction of the projectile if it presented a risk to Japan. Chinese Executive Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun expressed "concern" when he met North Korean ambassador Ji Jae Ryong on Friday, the official Xinhua News Agency reported over the weekend. "We sincerely hope parties concerned stay calm and exercise restraint and avoid escalation of tension that may lead to a more complicated situation," Xinhua quoted Zhang as saying. China rarely puts public pressure on its northern neighbor, which relies on Beijing's political, economic and diplomatic support. North Korea announced Friday that it plans to launch a satellite into space next month to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of its founder, Kim Il Sung, grandfather of Pyongyang's new leader Kim Jong-un. The United States says the rocket launch would be a "deal-breaker" for a recent aid agreement between the United States and North Korea. In closed-door meetings partly brokered by China, North Korea last month agreed to stop nuclear tests, uranium enrichment and long-range missile launches in exchange for resumption of U.S. food aid. The announced missile launch also could derail recent efforts to reconvene the multilateral talks, known as six-party talks, on denuclearizing North Korea. The launch is expected to take place April 12 to 16. North Korea says it plans to invite experts and the media to observe the launch. Pyongyang has also invited the International Atomic Energy Agency to return, nearly three years after it kicked U.N. nuclear inspectors out of the country, the IAEA said Monday. CNN's Junko Ogura and Jethro Mullen contributed to this report.
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North Korea's announcement of a satellite launch has provoked alarm .
China says it held 'frank' talks with Pyongyang on the situation in the region .
Japan says it is considering destroying the launch rocket, if it poses a risk .
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While the issue of President Barack Obama's birth has long been settled, and it's a moot point anyway since he's in his second term in office, there remain some people who won't be convinced. Just ask members of Congress, who even this summer are encountering so-called "birthers" at town hall meetings. With Ted Cruz, there is no conspiracy. He wasn't born in the United States. But that hasn't stopped the junior Texas senator from courting a possible presidential bid. The dynamic young senator has traveled to Iowa and other early primary states. If his moves toward a candidacy become more serious, they're sure to spark first a debate about his conservative politics, but also that recurring debate about whether a "natural-born citizen" can be born outside the United States. Birther-in-chief Donald Trump, who appeared to be running singularly on that issue in 2011, was more restrained when he was asked if Canadian-born Cruz was eligible to be president. "Perhaps not," Trump told ABC News on Sunday. "I don't know the circumstances. I heard somebody told me he was born in Canada. That's really his thing," said Trump, who could face Cruz in a GOP primary if both men follow through with runs they appear to be teasing. Another Cruz trip to Iowa raises 2016 speculation . Cruz seems to think the facts are on his side. "My mother was born in Wilmington, Delaware. She's a U.S. citizen, so I'm a U.S. citizen," Cruz told ABC in July. "I'm not going to engage in a legal debate. The facts are clear," he added. "I can tell you where I was born and who my parents were. And then as a legal matter, others can worry about that. I'm not going to engage." TIME: Cruz talks about Obama, spats with fellow Republicans . There is precedent for people born outside the United States making credible runs for the presidency. George Romney, Mitt Romney's father, was born in Mexico to Mormon missionaries. He ran for president in 1968. For all the ink spilled about Obama's provenance -- Hawaii, people -- it was actually John McCain in the 2008 presidential contest who was born outside the United States. McCain's father, an admiral, was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. Democrats didn't make an issue of McCain's birthright to run, however. In fact, Democratic candidates Obama and then-Sen. Hillary Clinton sponsored a non-binding resolution in the spring of 2008 declaring that McCain was a natural-born citizen. This is all the U.S. Constitution has to say about the qualifications to be president: . "No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States." That's pretty clear. Only a 35-year-old (or older) "natural-born citizen" can be president. But it turns out not be that clear. Who is a "natural-born citizen?" Citizen scholarship falls on the side of McCain. He had two American citizen parents and one was working for the U.S. government when he was born in Panama. Cruz doesn't check all those boxes. His father, a preacher who has delivered stem-winding speeches of his own, has since become an American. But at the time of Ted's birth in Canada, he was a Cuban émigré working for an oil company. His mother, however, hails from Delaware. Ted Cruz's father makes fiery anti-Obama speech . There is a 50-page report prepared for lawmakers by the Congressional Research Service. You can read the whole thing here. The key paragraph in that lawerly paper reads this way: . "The weight of legal and historical authority indicates that the term "natural born" citizen would mean a person who is entitled to U.S. citizenship "by birth" or "at birth," either by being born "in" the United States and under its jurisdiction, even those born to alien parents; by being born abroad to U.S. citizen-parents; or by being born in other situations meeting legal requirements for U.S. citizenship "at birth." It does not specifically deal with the issue of someone born outside the United States to one American parent. But if Cruz could claim citizenship at birth, according to the argument, he could claim to be natural born. The natural-born citizen requirement was put into the Constitution, according to the congressional report, to ward against aristocracy coming to America and setting up a new kingdom. There has been discussion of doing away with the requirement altogether. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah introduced the Equal Right to Govern Amendment in July 2003. It would allow immigrants who had been naturalized for at least 20 years to run for president. But it has gone exactly nowhere. Opinion: Ted Cruz can be president, probably .
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Possible 2016 presidential candidate Ted Cruz's birth circumstances raise eligibility questions .
Cruz was born in Canada to U.S. citizen mother and Cuban father .
Birther-in-chief Donald Trump raised question of Cruz's eligibility in weekend appearance .
Question hinges on the definition of what is a "natural-born" citizen .
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By . Jonathan O'Callaghan . Seeing the International Space Station from Earth isn’t easy. The football pitch-sized station orbits at a height of 260 miles (420km), appearing as small as a distant star when we gaze at the night sky. But photographer Andy Smith has captured incredible images that show the station’s silhouette crossing the moon during its orbit of Earth. Scroll down for video . Can you see it? While looking to photograph the pink moon expected to be seen in the skies over England, photographer Andy Smith caught the International Space Station (slightly down and right from the middle) passing in front of the full moon . You might think the ISS is quite far above the surface of Earth. But compared to the moon, its just a stone’s throw away. The moon is on average about 239,000 miles (384,000 kilometres) from our planet, over 900 times further than the ISS. In terms of size, the ISS is dwarfed again. The space station is 358 feet (109 metres) wide, 239 feet (72.8 metres) long and about 66 feet (20 metres) high - the same as a standard football pitch. Andy Smith was trying to photograph a so-called 'blood moon' when he took these images. The striking red moon, which occurs relatively rarely, was most visible across North and South America. It looks red because Earth's atmosphere scatters the sun's red light as the moon passes into our planet's shadow, called the umbra. It's the same process that makes the sky appear red at sunset. Inside there is a pressurised liveable space comparable to a six-bedroom house. The moon, by comparison, has a radius of about 1,079 miles (1,737 kilometres) - equivalent to 0.273 Earths. Considering these distances and sizes, the fact that we can see the ISS silhouetted against the moon is incredible. It’s all the more stunning that we can make out some of its features. On either side of the silhouette you can see the vast solar arrays of the station - four on each side - that generate 84 kilowatts of power. And in the centre is the core of the station where the crew of up to six astronauts and cosmonauts reside. Currently on board the ISS as members of Expedition 39 are three Russian cosmonauts, two American astronauts and one Japanese astronaut, Koichi Wakata, who is also serving as the first Japanese commander of the station. The ISS might seem huge to us, but compared to the moon it's just a tiny silhouette . Zoomed up close you can see a remarkable amount of detail on the football pitch-sized ISS, including the two huge solar arrays on either side . This 23 May 2011 photo released by Nasa shows the International Space Station above Earth, taken by Expedition 27 crew member Paolo Nespoli from the Soyuz TMA-20 following its undocking .
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Photographer Andy Smith snapped these incredible shots yesterday .
He was trying to get a photo of the so-called 'blood moon' from England .
But instead he found the International Space Station in his images .
The tiny silhouette of the ISS can be seen against the enormity of the moon .
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Police have detained a man after Aaron Cook, 16, fell from a bridge over the M6 motorway and was hit by a car . A motorist has been arrested by police investigating the death of a 16-year-old boy who fell from a bridge onto a motorway. The driver was detained after college student Aaron Cook fell about 30 feet into the path of oncoming traffic on the M6 motorway on Saturday morning. Four vehicles swerved to avoid the teenager, but a fifth vehicle ran him over as he lay on the carriageway. The driver then sped away without stopping or reporting the accident. Today Lancashire Police said a 38-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following the death near junction 28 of the motorway at Leyland. The suspect, from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, was also being questioned on suspicion of failing to notify police of an accident. Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the tragedy to come forward. The southbound carriageway was closed for six hours between junctions 27 and 28 for a scene investigation to be carried out. Sgt Dave Hogarth from the Force Road Policing Unit said: 'This is a tragic incident in which a young man has lost his life and we are doing all we can to identify his next of kin and establish the circumstances of exactly what happened. 'The vehicle that collided with man is described as a dark coloured saloon and I would appeal to anybody that witnessed this collision to contact us.' In a statement, . the dead boy’s family said: 'Aaron Cook was 16 years old, studying . Childcare at Runshaw College. 'He wanted to be a Nursery Teacher. He . loved spending time with his friends and family and will be deeply . missed. Today one girl said Aaron - described . as a 'guardian angel with a heart of pure gold' - had helped protect her . from the tormentors. In a message on a Facebook tribute page the girl said: 'Have a nice day up there, carry on being an angel. 'Thanks . for everything you did for me when I was being bullied, wish I could of . given you something back for it so so sad that you’re gone.' Four drivers swerved to avoid the boy as he lay on the carriageway, but a fifth hit him and drove off, police say . The teen's family paid tribute to Aaron, saying he loved spending time with friends and will be sorely missed . Another . person then responded: 'He was very kind to you and you have fun . memories of going round the fair with him and all he did for you when . you were being bullied - was so kind of him. 'He . knew you appreciated it and that’s why he helped you out. God bless you . aaron for looking after her through that tough year...you are a true . angel.' In a posting Paige Hyland said: 'RIP Aaron we may not have seen each other much&speak much but the times we did have together all the laughs and messing around I will cherish of the rest of my life. 'U will be well and truly missed by so many people. It’s such shocking and saddening news. You will always be in our hearts. We will miss that beautiful smile of yours.' Floral tributes to the teen, who wanted to become a primary school teacher, pictured at the scene near junction 28 of the motorway . Kimberley Bateman said: 'Sleep tight Aaron. Every1s only wish is that you could have held out and not let them drive you away from this world. 'Just know that 1 day there will be justice for you and many like you. We will beat the bullies for you. You will be missed and loved till eternity.' James Aspinall said: 'I also remember when you helped me get out a fight and brought me home safe and sound. Miss seeing you buddy.' Sarah Haslam said: 'So sad that i will never see your big smile when I wave at you like a looney when i saw you on the estate. I will always have lovely memories of you, you were always so kind, polite and respectful. Police continue to appeal for witnesses of the collision - which took place on Saturday morning . 'You were wonderful and we are very grateful you touched our lives. Rest in peace Aaron.' Leonii Domiiniique said: 'I thought bout you all night, thinking of all the memories of we have, just going round and round in my head. 'This should of never happened nobody should be made to feel the way you did, nobody should of made you feel that low that you had to think about doing something like that an accident or not you shouldn’t of been at that bridge feeling like you had no purpose. 'I loved every bone in your body, every freckle on your beautiful face. You was my BestFriend. I can’t get my head around not seeing you again and hearing your voice. 'I’ll treasure all the memories with every inch of me because that’s all I have left now.” Kelly Gatley said: 'So many kids are heartbroken about him ...he was so good with all the kids around here ...summers not gonna be the same without him ......he’s gonna be missed by so many people. Gary Kenyon said: 'Can’t get my head round it why. Yo was good to every one did anything to go out of ur own way to do it. Forget the bullies they was jealous of u coz u had more friends and more in life.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
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Male, 38, detained by police following the death of teenager Aaron Cook .
Teen fell 30ft from a footbridge onto M6 and was hit by motorist .
Driver, from Stoke-On-Trent, sped off without stopping, police say .
'Guardian angel' Aaron was studying to be a primary school teacher .
Family today paid tribute to teen who will be 'deeply missed'
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(CNN)Want to get a head start on your teen's reading list -- or find new titles to feed your young adult fiction habit? While many recognize the Newbery and Caldecott awards for the year's best children's books, the seventh annual Morris Award celebrates debut books published in 2014 by promising first-time authors in young adult literature. It puts fresh, diverse choices in front of parents, teachers, librarians and teens, while spotlighting titles that might get lost during heavy publishing seasons, like offerings from small press. Previous winners have included authors like John Corey Whaley for his book "Where Things Come Back." But it's not just the winner who benefits -- finalists Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, nominated for their book "Beautiful Creatures," have also become favorites in the young adult fiction community. Their book also became a film in 2013. "The Morris Award committee wants a distinct voice that takes readers to new places," said Chris Shoemaker, president of the Young Adult Library Services Association. "They have exemplary voice, as well as strong world-building and character development." Here are the five finalists: . "The Carnival at Bray" by Jessie Ann Foley . Love, loss and '90s grunge music collide in this story of leaving what you know behind. After 16-year-old Maggie Lynch moves from Chicago to Bray, a small town in Ireland, she experiences her first love and a family tragedy at the same time. Foley, a Chicago Public School teacher, drew on personal experience visiting Bray in 2010 and set the story during the 1990s to include Nirvana as a relatable thread throughout the novel. Teens can relate to the way the characters connect through music, Angie Manfredi, former Morris Award committee member and head of youth services for the Los Alamos County Library System in New Mexico, told CNN. Including Nirvana and the band's late lead singer Kurt Cobain ties in with the theme that nothing can last, creating a "bittersweet urgency" in the novel, she said. "Gabi, a Girl in Pieces" by Isabel Quintero . In Quintero's semi-autobiographical tale, high school senior Gabi Hernandez tries to figure out her place in her Latino community and her collegiate future. Her eventful senior year is told through lyrical, humorous and brutally honest diary entries about one best friend who is pregnant, another who just came out as gay and a father trying to quit his meth addiction. Quintero, a community college teacher from the Inland Empire of Southern California, wanted to reinforce that young women should feel empowered to make their own life choices, rather than simply live up to societal expectations based on gender or patriarchy: "There is not just one true experience for everyone -- not as an American, not as a woman, not as a Mexican-American, and I felt like this was a story that needed to be told," Quintero told CNN. "It's a stunning, first-person narrative from this character with a crazy life," Teri Lesesne, a professor and former Morris Award committee chairwoman, told CNN. "She's a good student who doesn't want to fall in love and lose herself. From the realistic voice to the rhythms of her language -- I felt like I knew her." "The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender" by Leslye Walton . Magic and history weave together this multigenerational tale. Ava Lavender is a perfectly normal teenage girl, except for two things: Her family tree is full of doomed love that threatens to repeat itself, and she was born with the wings of a bird. Ava must look to the past in order to navigate her future, especially when she encounters the vastly different ways one can love and be loved at 16. Walton, a teacher and self-described collector of oddities, has always kept a notebook of intriguing moments, facts, scenes and names. Rather than paint a picture of a "freak" defined by her oddities, Walton wanted to tell a story that related being odd and strange to being very human. This tale of magic realism is reminiscent of how teenagers visualize their life experiences, Manfredi said. It's a hero's journey that follows a character trying to figure out who she's going to be through poetic storytelling, she added. "The Scar Boys" by Len Vlahos . Bullies tied Harbinger Jones to a tree when he was 8 and he was struck by lightning, leaving him scarred for life. As a teen, he makes a friend, forms a punk band and people finally notice him for something other than his scars. When the band goes on tour, his life changes forever. Drawing on his personal experience of dropping out of NYU film school to tour with a punk-pop band called Woofing Cookies, Vlahos connected all of the dots when he came up with the Harbinger character. "That idea, of a teenage punk band touring America in a dysfunctional van, was a story I always wanted to tell," he said. "The book is really about the complexity of friendships, and the power of music to heal all." "You meet that character and you learn about his scars and how he deals with how he looks -- this thought that 'I'll make fun of me before anyone else does,'" Lesesne said. She also said that the story's power is rooted in this emotion and how it utilizes music. "The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim" by E.K. Johnston . In this alternate reality, dragons are everywhere and only dragon-slayers can combat them. When his renowned dragon-slayer aunt retires, Owen learns to continue her legacy. The story is narrated by Owen's tutor, the young, musically inclined Siobhan, who soon discovers her destiny as his bard. Johnston, a forensic archaeologist from Seaforth, Ontario, wanted to tell a story about a dragon slayer and a musician "and make it as Canadian as possible." "There is so much wonderful humor here, balanced with a lot of action," Lesesne said. "It's a fresh take on heroism and what it means to be a hero. That book is pulled off so beautifully."
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The Morris Award celebrates debut books by first-time authors in young adult literature .
The award committee looks for a distinctive voice .
The five finalists for the 2015 award represent diverse genres .
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By . Charles Sale . Double Grand National-winning jockey Carl Llewellyn is set to face disciplinary action by the British Horseracing Authority for making a racist comment on the eve of the Cheltenham Festival. Llewellyn, now assistant trainer to Nigel Twiston-Davies, can expect to be charged today for conduct prejudicial to the reputation of horseracing. This follows his observation that ‘there are no n****** in here’ while sitting on a preview panel at the Hollow Bottom pub near Cheltenham in front of 140 racing fans. Disciplinary action: Carl Llewellyn made a racist comment on the eve of the Cheltenham festival . Happy times: Llewellyn winning the Grand National at Aintree on Earth Summit back in 1998 . The upcoming charge comes after a thorough investigation by the BHA, who waited until Gloucester Police, who questioned Llewellyn under caution, had completed their inquiries. They are taking no action because no official complaint was made. Racing can be an insular sport but the BHA were galvanised into action by Cheltenham guest Helen Grant, the Minister for Sport. She was ‘appalled and shocked by the use of this horrific racist word’, calling Llewellyn’s language ‘absolutely indefensible’. Llewellyn is likely to face a BHA disciplinary panel the week after next Saturday’s Grand National, with the punishment for the offence ranging from a fine to a ban from the sport. Indefensible: Minister of Sport and Equalities Helen Grant slammed the former jockey . Premier League referee Andre Marriner, fortunate to be officiating on Saturday after wrongly sending off Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs, has also escaped censure for breaching rules banning officials from talking to the media about match incidents. Marriner revealed he had been ‘knocked for six’ after dismissing Gibbs rather than Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and had ‘analysed it to death’. But the Professional Game Match Officials Board will take no action against Marriner because he didn’t realise a journalist was present at a talk to young players about refereeing at an event backed by the PFA. Sir Alex Ferguson’s presence at most Manchester United matches must be hard enough for his beleaguered successor David Moyes . But at least Sir Alex has stopped going to the training ground, where he liked to use United’s state-of-the-art gym. And unlike other directors Sir Bobby Charlton, David Gill and Mike Edelson, Fergie keeps out of the dressing room after games. The wheels of justice move painfully slowly at Wembley, with still no FA decision on whether Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore will face a charge six weeks after being suspended by his club. This follows Sports Agenda’s revelation that Moore was under investigation for allegedly breaching betting regulations by gambling on competitions involving Tranmere. Nike put shirt on Wayne . England talisman Wayne Rooney, who has a central role in Nike’s World Cup TV commercial, is also likely to be centre stage when the US firm launch two new England shirts next week. Nike are expected to use social media for their campaign, drip-feeding information about the kit at the start of the week leading up to a grand unveiling on Wednesday. However slick the Nike promotion, there will be understandable outrage that England fans are being milked for four different shirts in just over a year. Nike promise a normal production cycle after the World Cup with the home shirt staying the same for two years. Lucky: Andre Marriner, guilty of wrongly sending off Kieran Gibbs last week, has been cleared if punishment after some of his quotes reported by media . Boost? Relief for David Moyes, as at least Sir Alex Ferguson has stopped using Manhester United's gym facilities . Main man: Wayne Rooney will be the star of Nike's advertising campaign for the World Cup . The FA Council are certain to turn down Hull City owner Assem Allam’s bid to change the name of his team to Hull Tigers at their summit on April 9. So it will make for an interesting lunch at Wembley three days later when Allam, who has said he will walk away from the club if he doesn’t get his way, is due to dine with the blazers before Hull’s FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United. To Cleverley, Manchester United’s struggling midfielder, is reported to be staying with agent Simon Kennedy, whose KMA agency went into administration following the breakdown in relationship between Kennedy and co-founder Ian Mckeand. Kennedy has reformed his agency as Pinnacle Sport and Entertainment, with Tom and his father, Andrew, on board. No dice: The FA are certain to turn down Assem Allam's claim to have Hull City's name changed .
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Carl Llewellyn set to face disciplinary action for racist comment .
Referee Andre Marriner has escaped censure for breaching media rules .
Sir Alex Ferguson has stopped using the Manchester United gym facilities .
Wayne Rooney to star in Nike's World Cup advertising campaign .
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By . Jennifer Newton . An Indian official has mocked questions over the gang rape and murder of two teenage girls telling journalists 'What's it to you?' Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav made the comments as police announced they had made a fifth arrest in the case, which saw the two girls attacked and then hanged from a tree in the state. It has also been revealed that two police officers have also been fired for failing to investigate when one of the girl's fathers reported them as missing. Scroll down for video . The mother of one of the gang-rape and murder victims in India mourns her daughter . The distraught father of one of the victims covers his face in despair after his daughter was raped and then hanged from a tree . Police escort one of the girls' mothers to the scene where the victims were discovered in Katra in Uttar Pradesh state . Sheer horror: Two teenage girls were found hanging from a tree in Katra village in Uttar Pradesh after they were allegedly raped and killed by a gang of men - including at least one police officer . 'Then why are you worried? What's it to you?' he added. Officers Malik says the fifth arrest in the case came early today with police facing growing criticism for a series of rapes in Uttar Pradesh state, which has a long reputation for lawlessness. The three other men arrested are cousins in their 20s from an extended family, and face murder and rape charges, they added. But in a country with a long history of tolerance for sexual violence, the firings yesterday and the minister's comments were not a surprise to many in India. People in New Delhi march in protest against the government of Uttar Pradesh, where the two girls were found hanged after being gang raped . Protesters carried placards demanding the immediate arrest of all of those accused in the gang rape case . Untouchables: The family belongs to the Dalit community, also called 'untouchables' and considered the lowest rung in India's age-old caste system . Last month Mr Yadav's father, a former chief minister and head of the state's ruling party also told an election rally that the party opposed a law calling for gang rapists to be executed. 'Boys will be boys,' Mulayam Singh Yadav said. 'They make mistakes.' Kavita Krishnan, a women's rights activist, said such comments make clear to police that rape isn't taken seriously by officials. She called the chief minister' comments 'a trivialisation of rape.' The gang rape, with video of the girls' corpses hanging from a mango tree and swaying gently in a breeze, was the top story Friday on India's relentless 24-hour news stations. Official statistics say about 25,000 . rapes are committed every year in India, a nation of 1.2 billion people. But activists say that number is very low, since women are often . pressed by family or police to stay quiet about sexual assaults. Indian . police and politicians, who for decades had done little about sexual . violence, have faced growing public anger since the December 2012 . gang-rape and murder of a young woman on a moving New Delhi bus, an . attack that sparked national outrage over the treatment of women. On Friday, the state's former chief minister lashed out at the ruling government. Outrage: The attack is the latest of a string of appalling rape cases that have sent shockwaves through India in recent years sparking protests across the country . Mayawatie, who only uses one name said: 'There is no law and order in the state. It is the law of the jungle. Hours . later, the chief minister ordered that suspects in the attack be tried . in special "fast track" courts, to get around India's notoriously slow . judicial system. The girls, who were 14 and 15, were raped in the tiny village of Katra, about 180 miles from Lucknow. Police say they disappeared Tuesday night after going into fields since their house has no toilet. The father of one girl went to police that night to report them missing, but he said they refused to help. When . the bodies were discovered the next day, angry villagers silently . protested the police inaction by refusing to allow the bodies to be cut . down from the tree. The villagers allowed authorities to take down the corpses after the first arrests were made on Wednesday. The girls were Dalits, from the community once known as "untouchables" in India's ancient caste system. While . sexual assaults are reported across India, there have been a string of . high-profile attacks in just the past few days in Uttar Pradesh. On Thursday, police arrested three men for brutally attacking the mother of a rape victim after she refused to withdraw her complaint. The attack, in the town of Etawah, followed the May 11 rape of the woman's teenage daughter. A local man was arrested after the mother filed a complaint with authorities. Five men - including the father, a brother and a cousin of the man accused in the rape - followed the victim's mother away from her house on Monday and beat her relentlessly, demanding she drop the accusation, he said. Dinesh Kumar, the town's police superintendent. The mother was in critical condition in a hospital, with numerous broken bones and internal injuries. Police arrested three men Thursday for the attack and were looking for two others. On Wednesday, a 17-year-old woman was attacked in a field and raped by four men in south western Uttar Pradesh, police said. One man has been arrested.
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WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT .
Girls, 14 and 16, found hanging from tree in Katra village, Uttar Pradesh .
They were raped and killed after entering field because no toilet at home .
When father went to police, officers abused him for being lowest 'dalit' caste .
A fifth suspect has now been arrested in connection with the case .
Two officers have also been fired for failing to investigate when girls were reported missing .
Comes as top official mocked journalists for asking about the case .
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By . Andy Dolan . PUBLISHED: . 07:37 EST, 28 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:32 EST, 21 November 2013 . Allowances: Idreez Popoola, 34, should have been deported in 2006 after his temporary UK visa expired but he was allowed to continue living and working in Britain . An illegal immigrant who was twice spared deportation went on to rape a woman just months after using human rights legislation to remain in the UK. Idreez Popoola, 34, will finally be sent back to his home country of Nigeria when he is released from a seven-year jail term imposed after the attack in the victim’s home. Last night an MP said the case highlighted Britain’s ‘dysfunctional’ border controls. A court heard that Popoola came to the UK on a 12-month visa in 2005, but when it expired he was given permission to remain on a temporary basis. But when Popoola was arrested by Northamptonshire Police in December 2011 over an allegation of assault he was found to be an ‘overstayer’ – an immigrant who had not left the country by an agreed date. Although no charges followed the alleged assault, Popoola – by now married with a child – was told he would be deported. However, he successfully appealed the ruling, arguing that the Human Rights Act provided him with the right to a family life. Northampton Crown Court heard that Popoola, who worked as a nightclub bouncer, was granted temporary leave to remain in the UK again in January last year, after his family circumstances were taken into account. But 11 months later he went on to brutally rape a woman in her own home. Bouncer: The court heard Popoola met his victim while working as an agency-employed bouncer outside Bar So in Northampton town centre . Popoola, who sold mobile phone top-up . cards in Nigeria before moving to the UK, is thought to have lived in . Oxford before settling in Thornton Heath, South London, where he trained . as a bouncer and gained work with an agency which supplied a . Northampton nightclub. Judges granted Popoola the temporary right to stay in the UK because he had family just days before he raped a woman in her home . Gordon . Aspden, prosecuting, said Popoola met his victim at a McDonald’s . restaurant in the town. After going back to her home he attacked her, . then forced her to drive him to a train station. Popoola was sentenced to seven years after being found guilty of rape following a four-day trial. Judge . Lynn Tayton told him: ‘It was a serious aggravating factor that the . rape took place in the victim’s own home, as this was an abuse of the . trust placed in you by the victim and has undermined her feelings of . safety in her own space.’ Michael Ellis, Tory MP for Northampton North, said: ‘This is an example of the dysfunctional border control in the UK. ‘Although . there has been considerable improvement since this government took . over, the previous regime was completely not fit for purpose. ‘Here . is another example of someone who has gone on to commit a serious and . unforgivable act when they shouldn’t have even been in the country at . all.’ Alp Mehmet, deputy chairman of the Migration Watch UK pressure . group, said: ‘The sensible course of action, in respect of anyone . without a right to be here, is to remove them as speedily as possible.’ A . Home Office spokesman said: ‘We have introduced tough new rules to . protect the public from those who try to stay here through abuse of the . Human Rights Act. 'Our Immigration Bill will give the full force of . legislation to our policy that foreign criminals should ordinarily be . deported despite their claim to a family life.' Guilty: Popoola was jailed for seven years at Northampton Crown Court after he was found guilty of rape following a four day trial last month .
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Idreez Popoola, 34, should have been deported in 2006 after visa expired .
In 2011 he was arrested but told he could stay in UK due to wife and child .
Then last year he brutally attacked and raped a woman in her own home .
He was jailed for seven years by judge at Northampton Crown Court .
He will be automatically deported back to Nigeria upon release from prison .
Campaigners and politicians say case shows need for immigration reform .
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By . Sara Malm . PUBLISHED: . 10:44 EST, 14 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:36 EST, 14 February 2013 . The world's most famous disabled piglet, the aptly named Chris P. Bacon, is rearing to get into gear after receiving a custom-built wheelchair. The little pig, born with deformed hind legs, first shot to fame when his owner, veterinarian Dr Len Lucero from Clermont, Florida, built him a tiny wheelchair from children’s toys to help him move around. A video of ten-day-old Chris P. has been seen by more than 500,000 people and he has since become a bona fide online celebrity with 17,000 Facebook fans and a Twitter account. Scroll down for video . Bacon roll: Chris P is pleased as punch in his new wheelchair . Testing, testing: The world's most famous disabled piglet, Chris P. Bacon, nibbles on his new custom-made wheelchair . One month later, Chris P. has grown out of his first two wheelchairs, made from K’nex toys, and cannot wait to get into his new device. Dr Lucero estimates that Mr Bacon will be ready to test-drive his new wheelchair, donated from a company which specialises in devices for handicapped animals, in three weeks’ time. Chris P. Bacon was born unable to use his hind legs and arrived at Dr Lucerno’s office in mid-January when his owner, one of Dr Lucero’s clients, could not take care of him. ‘It's been a dream, almost not real,’ Dr Lucero told Orlando Sentiel about his piglet’s online fame. ‘He gave a lot of snorts and grunts, and people just ate it up.’ Child star: The Florida porker has shot to fame thanks to his owner's videos of him learning how to use his first wheelchair when he was ten days old . Big boy: Chris P. Bacon lies impatient in front of his new wheelchair, but he has to wait another few weeks before he is big enough to use it . Pigging out: Veterinarian Len Lucero feeds Mr Bacon in his office in Clermont, Florida . New dad: The handicapped piglet was adopted by Dr Lucero after his owner failed to take care of him . Chris P. has still got some growing to do before he is ready for the new chair, but until then, the piglet hops short distances across Dr Lucero’s office floor. As soon as he has grown into it the chair will greatly increase his mobility. The wheelchair attaches to his body with a harness around his neck and his rear end and Chris P. uses his front legs to pull him forward and the wheels of the contraption help him carry his weight. The wheels raise his rear end to the same height that his back legs would, enabling him to imitate standing. The celebrity pig has become accustomed to the limelight and tweets his fans several times a day, wishing his 1,250 followers a 'Happy Voinkentines day' and exclaiming 'Next, it will be the pigarazzi following me! OOL! #sqwheel'. Lil' Chris: The piglet has learned to hop short distances and can make his way across Dr Lucero's office floor in little skips .
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World's most famous disabled piglet gets a custom made chair .
Chris P. Bacon previously used wheelchair made from children's toys .
YouTube star has thousands of Facebook fans and even tweets .
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They come from all over the world wearing her apparel or even dressed as her lookalike. It is, after all, the first convention for an icon whose image of irrepressible cuteness can send its worshippers swooning. Hello Kitty is celebrating its 40th year in grand fashion in one of downtown Los Angeles' classiest museums, and there are so many exhibits and so much merchandise for sale in the Museum of Contemporary Art that Hello Kitty fans are finding it hard to say goodbye. Even songstress Katy Perry made an appearance to receive a Hello Kitty tattoo on her finger. As celebratory as it is, the owners of Hello Kitty forbid any use of Happy Birthday Kitty salutations. Instead, they insist on calling the first "Hello Kitty Con" an anniversary party. Though the icon's official "birthday" is November 1, the faithful never use an age for her, explains Harvard professor Christine R. Yano, who's written a book about Hello Kitty. "We are celebrating Hello Kitty's 40th anniversary, and it's just a global gathering of Hello Kitty fans from around the world to celebrate their love for Hello Kitty," said Dave Marchi, senior director of marketing for the Japanese firm Sanrio, owner of the character and its global merchandising. "Hello Kitty means so much to so many people in many different ways," he added. "But I think it's easily explained she's just an ambassador of happiness, and she connects with people emotionally so she's all about happiness and friendship and fun." Hello billion of dollars in sales . Hello Kitty is also big business: she did more than $8 billion in retail business in 2013, Marchi said. That's a lot of T-shirts, purses, notes, stickers, backpacks, school supplies, pencils and so on -- all bearing the icon's image. And more is being added to the lucrative kitty with $30 tickets for adults and $20 tickets for children 6 to 12 for the festival. "Hello Kitty is a citizen of the world, we like to say," said Janet Hsu, president of Sanrio Inc. "I think her message of representing friendship, kindness, is really contagious and it's growing. " Not surprisingly, enthusiasts are stampeding to the conference site, which includes the participation of the Japanese American National Museum in the nearby Little Tokyo neighborhood, where an exhibit shows the brand's influence on art and culture. "This has been overwhelming," Hsu said. "Over the course of the four days, we have sold over 25,000 tickets. We wished we could of actually had more people come, but the fire marshal gave us the no, no!, and it's just 100,000 square feet of just eye candy." Alexis Hernandez, who's been collecting Hello Kitty items since childhood, said she felt like she was in a fantasy land. "It's just amazing to walk around here and see only Hello Kitty," Hernandez said. The kitty appeals to men, too. Gary Slaughter, who traveled more than 100 miles from San Diego, became a Hello Kitty fan about two years ago when one of his friends introduced him to the character. "Hello Kitty makes everyone happy. She makes me happy, so it was a natural thing," Slaughter said. Another gentleman, Allan Tea, got a free tattoo bearing the character's image on his bicep. "Hello Kitty is forever. She really doesn't have no gender. As you can see from the Con, millions of people love her," Tea said. He also bought merchandise with an unusual pairing: Hello Kitty with a snake. "What I got was a Hello Kitty wrapped around with a snake," Tea said. "The reason I like the snake is because I'm a snake in the Asian culture (calendar), so I think it was a good fit with Hello Kitty." Hello from another continent . Jessica Perez, 40, flew almost 8,000 miles from Lima, Peru, to attend the conference because she's been dreaming about this event. "She's my friend, my companion. She's with me at home, at the office and people who know me know that I'm her fan," Perez said. The event comes two months after the Hello Kitty world was rocked with the revelation that the icon isn't a cat at all. The image is really a cartoon character of a little girl with strong feline features, according to Yano, who is visiting professor of Japanese studies at Harvard and an anthropologist at the University of Hawaii. The anthropologist's declaration was, let's say, "cataclysmic" for the international icon. Yano, who's among the guest speakers at the conference, tried to explain the soul of the character. She wrote a book last year entitled "Pink Globalization: Hello Kitty's Trek Across the Pacific." "Hello Kitty obviously takes the form of a cat but in spirit, she more inhabits the presence -- and the internal of the heart-felt presence -- of a girl. A little girl. Your best friend. And now a kind of global icon celebrity," Yano said. "Hello Kitty is supposed to be a perpetual third-grader. She's very friendly, she likes to travel, she likes her mother's apple pie, so she's kind of like a homebody but has an adventurous spirit," Yano said. Perhaps, it's a good thing that Hello Kitty represents a little girl and not a little cat. If it were a feline, its 40 years would equate to 177 human years old. Hardly a kitty any more.
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Hello Kitty owner Sanrio sells 25,000 tickets to first 'Hello Kitty Con'
A fan travels from Peru to Los Angeles because "she's my friend, my companion"
Even singer Katy Perry shows up to get a Hello Kitty tattoo on her finger .
Sanrio wants to sell more tickets but "the fire marshal gave us the no, no!"
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12ab4d6bc79ba4657734c18cf4e9b6549d34b44a
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(CNET) -- When Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg recently announced a "Like" button that publishers could place on their Web pages, he predicted it would make the Web smarter and "more social." What Zuckerberg didn't point out is that widespread use of the Like button allows Facebook to track people as they switch from CNN.com to Yelp.com to ESPN.com, all of which are sites that have said they will implement the feature. Even if someone is not a Facebook user or is not logged in, Facebook's social plugins collect the address of the Web page being visited and the Internet address of the visitor as soon as the page is loaded -- clicking on the Like button is not required. If enough sites participate, that permits Facebook to assemble a vast amount of data about Internet users' browsing habits. "If you put a Like button on your site, you're potentially selling out your users' privacy even if they never press that button," says Nicole Ozer, an attorney with the ACLU of Northern California. "It's another example of why user control needs to be the default in Facebook." In the last few months, scrutiny of the privacy practices of the Internet's second most popular Web site has reached an all-time high, with politicians threatening probes and privacy activists calling for formal investigations. In response to the outcry, Zuckerberg convened a press conference last week at Facebook's Palo Alto, California, headquarters, where he pledged to make privacy "simpler." For its part, Facebook told CNET on Tuesday that the information about who viewed what pages with a Like button is anonymized after three months and is not shared with or sold to third parties. A representative acknowledged, however, that the current privacy description of Facebook's social plugins "is not as clear as it could be, and we'll fix that." Facebook's FAQ says: "No data is shared about you when you see a social plugin on an external website." No mention of this data-sharing appears under the "Information from other websites" section of the company's general privacy policy. Publishers like "Like" Almost as soon as Zuckerberg had finished describing the Like buttons at the F8 developer conference in April, they became a hit with Web publishers hoping for a traffic boost. Wired's Webmonkey.com published a tutorial, a WordPress adaptation appeared, and Foursquare quickly incorporated the concept too. Facebook itself confirmed that after only a week, "more than 50,000 sites across the Web have implemented" social plugins. SearchEngineLand.com said Like buttons are "recommended" for virtually all Web sites; one blogging how-to guide reported that "small, blue Like buttons are now multiplying across the Web faster than you can say 'pandemic.'" Marc Rotenberg, director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, said that if his group had been aware of how the Like button was implemented, it would have raised this topic in a request for a Federal Trade Commission investigation of Facebook's privacy practices. (The statement sent to the FTC says, in part, that social plugins "violate user expectations and reveal user information without the user's consent.") "The recent Facebook changes are too complex and too subtle for most users to meaningfully evaluate," Rotenberg said. "And it's not obvious that the recent announcement from Facebook has addressed all of these problems." On the other hand, some of the Like button's features can work only if Facebook receives the user ID and URL of the Web page being visited. That allows a custom bit of Javascript code to customize the Like button. Social plugins "work the same basic way all widgets across the Internet do," said Barry Schnitt, a Facebook spokesman. "The URL of the Web page the user is viewing must be sent to Facebook for Facebook to know where to render the personalized content." Schnitt said Facebook does not correlate pages viewed with advertising, so someone who spends a lot of time reading articles about German sports cars on caranddriver.com will not receive Porsche 911 or Mercedes C63 AMG ads on Facebook.com. "Of course, if the user actively 'likes' that page, then it is added to their profile and they might see a related ad on Facebook," he said. "We use the information to help improve the service," Schnitt said. "We need to see how many people see a certain Like button to know what the click-through ratio for that button is, for example. If something has a really low rate, maybe something is wrong with the site, the implementation, or our product. If it is really high, maybe something fishy is going on." The way Facebook has implemented its Like button resembles an advertising network: Code on Facebook's systems is executed whenever someone loads a page on, say, Mashable.com, one of the Web sites that quickly adopted the button. And advertising networks have come under significant regulatory scrutiny before, in part because they have the ability to create dossiers on what Internet users are doing across thousands or millions of different Web sites. Ozer, the ACLU attorney, said she would caution sites to be careful before adopting Like buttons: "If an organization puts a Like button on their site, they're potentially telling Facebook about everyone who visits their Web site, every time that person visits their Web site." How it works . Facebook wants publishers to insert an iframe or JavaScript in the HTML for their Web pages. As soon as the page is loaded, the code invokes a PHP script at Facebook.com that records information including the URL for the Web page, your IP address, and your Facebook ID (if you're authenticated). If a publisher uses Facebook's Javascript API, the simpler option, here's what the embedded Like button for CNET.com would look like: <fb:like href="cnet.com" font="tahoma"></fb:like> . © 2010 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. CNET, CNET.com and the CNET logo are registered trademarks of CBS Interactive Inc. Used by permission.
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Like button allows Facebook to track people as they switch websites .
Facebook's social plugins collect the address of the Web page being visited .
More than 50,000 sites across the Web have implemented social plugins .
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12abdde4cb1b4f8f81b0da720b9462f89b27dc33
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Washington (CNN) -- A member of the U.S. military assigned to the White House Communications Agency is under investigation in connection with alleged misconduct in Colombia, bringing to 12 the total number of military personnel being reviewed, officials said Monday. One Defense Department official said the military member admitted to his leadership that he was involved in misconduct "of some kind" while in Colombia for the recent Summit of the Americas attended by President Barack Obama. The agency is a non-White House office that provides the president with secure communications while he travels. It is staffed by members of the military who report through the Defense Information Systems Agency. A total of 24 people -- 12 Secret Service members and 12 U.S. military members -- are under investigation in the alleged prostitution scandal that occurred before Obama arrived in Cartagena on April 13. The controversy has embarrassed the nearly 150-year-old Secret Service, which protects the president and other top officials and investigates criminal activity, and raised questions about a possible security breach immediately preceding Obama's visit. Six Secret Service members have left their jobs in the wake of the incident in Cartagena, and one employee "has been cleared of serious misconduct but will face administrative action," the Secret Service said. Five other Secret Service employees are on administrative leave and have had their security clearances temporarily revoked. In addition, the U.S. military is investigating 12 of its own service members for alleged misconduct. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Monday that security clearances have been suspended for all U.S. military personnel involved in the incident in Cartagena, and he repeated his vow that anyone found to have violated regulations would be punished. "We expect our people wherever they are, whether they're in Colombia or any other country or in the United States, to behave at the highest standards of conduct," Panetta said during a visit to the Colombian capital Bogota. "That's what we expect. And so we will wait for the investigation that is currently taking place." At the White House, Press Secretary Jay Carney said Monday that there was no evidence of any wrongdoing by White House staff or advance team members. When asked about the possibility of White House Communications Agency staff members being involved, Carney pointed out that they are members of the military. "To make clear, the Secret Service is investigating specific allegations of misconduct by members of the Secret Service. The Defense Department is investigating specific allegations of misconduct by members of the military," he said. "There have been no specific, credible allegations of misconduct by anyone on the White House advance team or the White House staff. "Nevertheless, out of due diligence, the White House counsel's office has conducted a review of the White House advance team, and in concluding that review, came to the conclusion that there's no indication that any member of the White House advance team engaged in any improper conduct or behavior." That drew the attention of Sen. Charles Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. In a letter to the counsel's office, Grassley noted that he had asked Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan whether any White House advance staff had been involved and hadn't had an answer back by Monday. Grassley asked for answers to 14 questions, including details of how the White House review was conducted, whether any White House staffers had "overnight guests" and whether any additional room charges were incurred. Also Monday, a source familiar with the investigation said that one of the Secret Service agents linked to the prostitution scandal brought a woman back to the Hilton Cartagena, the same hotel where Obama later stayed, five days before the president's arrival. The source was not certain whether money exchanged hands or whether the Secret Service member simply brought a woman he met -- a foreign national -- to the Hilton. According to the source, the incident appeared to be separate from the one a few nights later that caused 11 other Secret Service members to be sent home for alleged heavy drinking and consorting with prostitutes. Based on the investigation, there is no evidence that the women realized the Secret Service personnel were with the agency, the source said. Investigators have interviewed the prostitutes and other women involved. "It doesn't appear these women knew who the heck they were," the source said. Meanwhile, House Homeland Security Chairman Peter King said he expects more Secret Service members to be forced out soon. "I am very certain that within the next day or so, you're going to see a number of people leaving the Secret Service," said King, R-New York. King, as well as the other source familiar with the investigation, said polygraph tests administered to the Secret Service members helped get information to force out six of them. According to King, the 11 Secret Service members originally under investigation were all given drug tests, which came back negative. From the start, Sullivan told legislators how outraged he was about the scandal, promising a broad and comprehensive investigation. Most legislators seemed comfortable with the way the Secret Service has reacted to the scandal. However, both the House and Senate Homeland Security Committee chairmen are now conducting their own investigations and will probably hold hearings in coming weeks. The 11 Secret Service employees accused of consorting with prostitutes arrived earlier the same day as a part of the "jump team" that flies in on military transport planes with vehicles in the president's motorcade. According to sources, the alleged prostitutes -- the youngest of whom were in their early 20s -- signed in at the Cartagena hotel where Secret Service members apparently stayed, flashing their local ID cards. One of these women allegedly was later involved in a dispute about how much she was to be paid for the night, which brought the entire incident to light and sparked controversy in the United States and Colombia. That woman has been identified as Dania Suarez, whose neighbors described her as a 24-year-old single mother who studies English. Suarez hasn't been seen in the neighborhood since the controversy erupted, though a visitor took suitcases from the house recently, they said. While soliciting prostitution is in most cases legal for adults in Colombia, military law bars service members from patronizing prostitutes, engaging in conduct unbecoming an officer or, for enlisted personnel, conduct "prejudicial to good order and discipline." It is also considered a breach of the Secret Service's conduct code, government sources said. CNN's Drew Griffin and Tom Cohen contributed to this report.
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NEW: Panetta says service members must meet the "highest standards of conduct"
NEW: Grassley questions White House counsel's review .
The prostitution scandal has embarrassed the Secret Service and Pentagon .
The White House says there is no indication any of its staff members were involved .
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12aceaa7295b8e824cf2f96dc4163a9997a29af2
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 10:25 EST, 17 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:46 EST, 17 January 2013 . Baby-snatch: 30-year-old Gabriela Osorio pleaded guilty to trying to murder a new mother and stealing her week-old daughter . A California woman desperate to have a baby who faked pregnancy for nine months and stabbed another young mother to steal her newborn daughter, will spend years in jail, she was told yesterday. Gabriela Osorio was sentenced to 24 years in prison over the brutal attack and kidnapping in Santa Ana, California, in May 2010, the Orange County Register reports. Osorio, 28, befriended the 26-year-old Hispanic victim and her week-old baby, bringing around gifts for the child. But unbeknown to her, Osorio had been faking a pregnancy for nine months. She told her boyfriend and family she had given birth two months before but her daughter remained in hospital with a medical problem. Desperate to cover her lie and to be a mother, she searched hospitals and baby clinics for a baby to kidnap before finding her victim. She turned up at the victim's home unannounced in May 2010 and attacked her - first attempting to suffocate her, then stabbing her three times in the ribs, shoulder and back of the neck . The victim bit off the top of Osorio's finger in the struggle and managed to make it outside, where she called for help. Her neighbors and brothers heard her calls and confronted Osorio, who was still armed with a knife. She threatened to harm the baby but handed the child over to a neighbor when police arrived. The troubled woman pleaded guilty, yesterday, to attempted murder, kidnapping of a child under the age of 14, first-degree residential burglary, criminal threats and false imprisonment by violence. She also admitted three felony counts of aggravated assault with a knife causing great bodily injury, according to a statement from the Orange County district attorney’s office. She had told her family and boyfriend she had given birth in March but her baby was unwell in hospital. She had successfully faked pregnancy for nine months. Kidnap: Gabriela Osorio reportedly searched baby clinics and hospitals in the Santa Ana area, California, in a bid to find a baby to kidnap. She later attacked a victim, stabbing her three times to steal her week-old daughter .
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Gabriela Osorio, 30, sentenced to 24 years yesterday for attacking 26-year-old new mother in bid to steal her baby .
Osorio told her family she had given birth, after faking her pregnancy for nine months, and the baby was in hospital because of a medical problem .
She befriended an unidentified 26-year-old mother and tried to suffocate and stab her in an attack to steal her child .
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12ad0aff912631f2db90f5f4734ee816bf0d01ec
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(CNN) -- Everyone -- and we mean everyone -- puts their proverbial best foot forward online. And why shouldn't they? They say that first impressions are everything, and in today's screen-welded-to-your-face age, you may not even be present when someone first makes your acquaintance. A Facebook photo, blog post, or tweet is as good as a handshake. But that handshake that seemed so firm and reassuring online? Yeah, it could be limp as hell in real life. It's probably pretty safe to say that we've all been intrigued by someone's online presence at one time or another: a cute mutual friend on Facebook, a blogger with a particularly attractive headshot, a minor celebrity with a penchant for oversharing. Some of us may have even struck up relationships with said objects of affection, trading e-mails, texts and phone calls into the night -- forming attachments with people we've never, essentially, met. Read more: Three boneheaded online dating moves to avoid . And therein lies the rub: An online connection isn't necessarily a real-life success, and people aren't always who they say they are. So how should you prepare to take an onscreen relationship off? To supply you with the necessary tools, we turned to the experts: Nev Schulman and filmmaker Max Joseph, from MTV's new reality series, "Catfish: The TV Show." "Catfish" (airing on Monday nights at 11 p.m. ET/PT), is based on the documentary by the same name. In the movie, Schulman meets and falls in love with a woman online who is not exactly (or at all) who she says she is. After the release of the film, thousands of people turned to him and asked if he would help them meet their online beaux IRL. Here are some of the lessons Schulman and Joseph have learned along the way. 1. Ask to Skype or video chat before meeting . "If the person is hesitant or reluctant, reconsider meeting," Joseph says. 2. Don't be scared to stalk . "Spend a good two hours looking the person up on Facebook, Google, Myspace, and Instagram. It's not spying, it's virtual contraception." Joseph says you may want to reconsider if: . -- They have fewer than 100 friends on Facebook, . -- They are a model-slash-something else incredible (e.g. model/doctor) -- None of their photos are tagged . -- They are talking primarily to a ton of other guys or girls who don't seem to know them personally . 3. Dress down . "You would be shocked how casual people tend to be when meeting their online crushes and you don't wanna feel awkwardly overdressed," Schulman says. 4. Don't do it at your home . "The last thing you want is some stranger knowing where you live," he says. 5. Have an activity planned . "Sitting across from somebody for coffee or dinner can get real awkward real fast. Better to make it a social event and go bowling or something," Schulman suggests. 6. Bring a friend and an open mind . "You never how things will go down," Joseph notes.
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"Catfish" creators say play it safe when meeting an online acquaintance in real life .
MTV show, based on a documentary, unites online crushes .
People often aren't what they seem from behind a computer screen .
Tips: "Stalk" before meeting, don't meet at your home, bring a friend .
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12ade134845dc27386d7618338c0789b6f14d072
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Is this the the slowest police chase ever? A video of an Auckland man gliding away from for police in a shopping trolley has gone viral, garnering over four million views and over 115,000 likes on Facebook. The 29-second clip shows a man leaning over a trolley and rolling down Queen St in Auckland, before a police car appears to spot him and pursue him down the street with sirens blazing. A video of a man scooting away from police in a trolley cart has gone viral . Onlookers cheer the man on as he veers around the corner, with one man urging him to 'go faster brother!' The video, which is filmed on a sunny day, does not reveal who the mystery trolley rider is nor when it was filmed. New Zealand police have denounced the clip, declaring the conduct of the man could be worthy of prosecution. Auckland City district road policing manager Regan James told Stuff NZ 'The individual may think this is a joke but it is clearly a dangerous activity which puts himself and others at risk.' 'A shopping trolley travelling at speed in this way on a busy CBD road with multiple road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles, has the potential to cause serious injury to an adult pedestrian or, even worse, to a child', he said. 'Without information about the date this occurred, we are unable to say what the outcome of this incident was. We can, however, say a warning or even prosecution for using a vehicle carelessly could be considered.' Auckland police have denounced the clip as being reckless, claiming the man could be liable for prosecution . The video has been reposted by several prominent Facebook pages, including LAD Bible and Fortafy. It has garnered a wealth of comments from New Zealanders, such as Robert Danbury, who posted: 'Never have I been more proud to be a New Zealander.' LAD Bible, an English based page, has over 7 million followers around the world.
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Video of man escaping from police in a shopping trolley has gone viral .
The clip shows a man being pursued by police on Queen St in Auckland .
It does not reveal the identity of the mystery rider nor when it was filmed .
It has garnered over four million views and over 115,000 likes on Facebook .
Auckland police have denounced the clip as being reckless and unlawful .
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12ae46b602e806e4fb11e65d0fcece238206db77
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A warehouse worker lost two fingers when his hand was drawn into a giant woodworking machine just days after securing a full time job. Mathew Bell, 28, suffered 'life changing injuries' after he was using a cutting machine while working for Workshop Fabrications in Nottingham. Mr Bell was feeding a piece of wood into the machine, which had an unguarded blade, when the accident happened. Mathew Bell, pictured, lost two figures on is left hand and may need to amputate a third after the accident . Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard that the 28-year-old victim now has difficulties with simple tasks such as tying his shoe laces. The court heard that the company had adapted the Brandt Optimat KD 77-C Edgebending machine to operate without a guard protecting the blade. Mr Bell had been working in the workshop as an agency worker for the previous 13 weeks on the day of the accident in June 2012. He said: 'I was going into work full of joy because I had been given a permanent role which meant I would be paid more - but then this happened. 'It's definitely changed my life; I have to live with half a hand. 'Things I used to take for granted are now a lot harder - tying shoelaces, carrying stuff, fastening trousers, opening a door when I have something in my other hand. 'I was learning how to play guitar at the time but I had to stop and I can't type anywhere near as fast. 'It can get really frustrating but I try not to let it stop me from doing things. 'If the company hadn't modified the machine the way it did, then it would never have happened. It's ridiculous that health and safety just went out the window.' Mr Bell's hand was drawn into a massive wood-cutting machine at Worktop Fabrications in Nottingham . Workshop Fabrications admitted breaching health and safety regulations by modifying the machine so it could operate without its safety guard. Mr Bell was feeding wooden worktops into the machine which cuts them to the correct dimensions using several circular saws. He said: 'I was watching a board go through and the next thing I remember is panicking and pulling my hand out of this machine as it made these awful grinding noises. 'I just saw my mangled left hand with the white bit of bones where my little finger should have been and screamed. 'Whenever I think about it, I just shiver and cringe. Because it was a tooth blade, it chewed and ripped them off.' Mr Bell, from Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, was rushed to Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham but his little and ring fingers were too badly damaged and what was left of them had to be amputated. He also severely damaged his middle finger and says doctors may yet decide to remove it. He was in hospital for three days and off work for seven months. He is now taking a computer-based animation course. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found the blade had been unguarded since 2008 or 2009. Health and Safety Executive inspector Judith McNulty-Green said in a statement: 'This man's painful and life-changing injuries were borne out of a catalogue of failings on the part of Worktop Fabrications Ltd. 'The risks associated with cutting machinery are well known in the industry, and so are the measures that should be taken to minimise or remove those risks.' Emma Evans, defending at Nottingham Magistrates Court on Friday, said the firm previously had a clean record and had since made changes to reduce risks. She said: 'The company accepts it relied too heavily on verbal instructions to staff.' Worktop Fabrications was ordered to pay a £20,000 fine, £4,754 legal costs and a £15 victim surcharge after pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. A company statement said: 'The company regrets the events which led to the prosecution and since has taken steps to ensure that an accident of this nature does not happen in the future.'
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Mathew Bell had just secured a job with Worktop Fabrications, Nottingham .
He suffered 'life changing injuries' after his hand got caught in a giant saw .
The company removed a safety guard from the machine in 2008 or 2009 .
Workshop Fabrications admitted one breach of health and safety laws .
Mr Bell said 'It's definitely changed my life; I have to live with half a hand'
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12aeaba3452e6ef4971260f88df58c5a0ba3b80d
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(CNN) -- On a recent flight from Atlanta, I was delayed on the tarmac for an hour and a half. The woman seated behind me played two Adele songs on a loop on her iPad. On speaker. For an hour. No one said anything. At one point the woman took a call. "I'm on the plane," I heard her tell the caller. "It's Adele on my iPad!" Then, "I don't have headphones. But everyone likes Adele!" Anyone who has ever been on a plane, and is over the age of 10, has probably experienced some form of air rage. Creating it, witnessing it or just making a supreme mental effort not to succumb to it by thumping your seatmate for an outrageous offense such as playing loud music, noisily speaking on the phone or eating food so stinky it might actually be considered a weapon. The good news: you're not alone. The bad news: air rage is becoming routine. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) saw a 29% rise in incidents on board flights between 2009 and 2010. The Transportation Security Administration, however, has seen a decline over the last three years in security-related disturbances the agency has been called to deal with on planes. Air rage: Passengers 'quicker to snap' However you slice it, you don't have to work too hard to notice multiple recent examples of passengers losing their cool in lavish fashion. This year alone we've seen some impressive displays of in-flight fury. January started with an unruly passenger aboard a Reykjavik to New York flight who finished his journey rather inelegantly duct-taped to a seat after an apparent display of screaming, hitting and spitting at fellow passengers. Later that month, a Jetblue flight from New York to San Diego made an unscheduled stop in Denver to remove a woman who allegedly became verbally abusive after another passenger was moved to a neighboring "even more legroom" seat near her. The source of the woman's rage was apparently that the man had not paid for the extra legroom ($65), but had been moved there due to a broken television in his seat. In February, a male passenger on a flight to Atlanta is accused of hitting another passenger's crying baby, uttering a racial slur as he did so. Man accused of slapping toddler will plead not guilty . According to an FBI affidavit, a passenger on a February Hawaiian airlines flight from New York assaulted a flight attendant, spat food at people and bit an air marshal. And another February incident proved that you don't even have to be up in the air to experience air travel-related anger. Yan Linkun, identified by NBC News as an executive and Chinese Communist Party official, became incensed at Kunming Changshui International Airport in Kunming, China. Learning he'd missed not one but two flights, Linkun vented his rage by flinging equipment and smashing windows in an impressive tirade that has since gone viral. Airline squeeze: It's not you, it's the seat . Frustrations on the ground and in the air may seem to invite air rage. Before fliers even reach their allocated metal bird, they've often struggled through security and customs lines and may face delays at the gate or on board. And the United States' recent mandatory government spending cuts could make those slowdowns at airports worse. Airlines, angling to make a profit, are chipping away at legroom or charging extra for a little more room, introducing new fees or bundling and unbundling the existing charges and re-jiggering mileage programs to favor the elite big-spenders. Travelers take aim at kids on a plane . Air travelers are agitated, but it doesn't quite explain why some boil over on planes. Is the altitude getting to them? HLN's Dr. Drew Pinsky points out that fliers can experience mild brain swelling even at low altitudes that can make it harder to keep your cool. Or are enraged passengers just under the influence? "If you want to look at one single contributing factor, you would have to point at alcohol," Dr. Drew says. Andrew Thomson, creator of airrage.org and author of several air-travel related books including "Air Rage: Crisis in the Skies," agrees. "Alcohol," he writes, "is the leading driver of air rage." In fact, many of the air rage incidents above were allegedly alcohol-related. Fortunately, no one on my flight was outwardly enraged or inebriated, though I'm sure, like me, many passengers were entertaining extravagant fantasies of how they'd deal with that offending Adele fan and her iPad. What in-flight behaviors push you to the verge of an outburst? Share your stories below.
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A string of air rage incidents in the first months of the year highlight air traveler tensions .
Experts point to alcohol as a key ingredient in many instances of in-flight confrontation .
The author only simmered over an offending Adele fan's inconsiderate behavior .
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The burning alive of a Muslim man by the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has jolted the president of the United States into acknowledging publicly that the world's chief terror threat comes from people who 'profess to stand up for Islam but instead betray it.' But that stark conclusion, long missing in the White House, was followed by a litany of other wrongs done in the name of religion. 'Lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place,' Obama told the National Prayer breakfast on Thursday morning, 'remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ.' 'In our home country, slavery and Jim Crow all too often was justified in the name of Christ.' But 'no God condones terror,' he insisted. Scroll down for videos . President Barack Obama delivered remarks during the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, taking a more aggressive tone against ISIS and saying they 'profess to stand up for Islam but instead betray it' Obama (on screen) addressed the event in Washington, DC, hammering the ISIS Islamist radicals while the Dalai Lama (2nd right) listened . PRAYER: Obama has spoken at the annual event every year since his presidency began . Early in his speech Obama hinted at the ISIS terror army by noting that 'professions of faith' have been 'used both as an instrument of great good, but also twisted and misused in the name of evil.' Faith, he said, is often 'twisted and distorted, used as a wedge, or worse, sometimes used as a weapon.' Then he got specific. 'From a school in Pakistan to the streets of Paris, we have seen violence and terror perpetrated by people who profess to stand up for faith – their faith – (who) profess to stand up for Islam but in fact are betraying it,' Obama said. 'You see ISIL,' he continued, referring to ISIS by his preferred alternate acronym, 'a brutal, vicious death cult that in the name of religion carried out unspeakable acts of barbarism, terrorizing religious minorities like the Yezidis, subjecting women to rape as a weapon of war, and claiming the mantle of religious authority for such actions.' JUST AS BAD? Obama compared the ISIS terror army to the 15th Century Spanich Inquisition, carried out by Catholics against Jews and other religious groups . SLAVERY: Obama said America's early human bondage was often justified in the name of Jesus Christ . Obama also condemned Syria's intra-Islam sectarian conflicts, Nigeria's runaway tide of murders hitting both Muslims and Christians, a religious war in the Central African Republic and 'antisemitism and hate crimes' in Europe as evidence that bad actors 'seek to hijack religions for their own murderous ends.' His clear linkage of ISIS with Islam stands in sharp contrast to his January 16 joint press conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron. While Cameron came out swinging against 'a very serious Islamist extremist terrorist threat in Europe, in America, (and) across the world,' Obama declined to frame ISIS as a radical Muslim sect, calling them 'terrorists' and 'fanatics' instead. Keeping with his administration's policy to label foreign fighters as 'terrorists,' Obama would not refer to the religion of ISIS militants during the White House news conference but at one point called them 'fanatics.' The White House has scheduled a 'combating violent extremism' summit for later in February, and Obama's spokesman Josh Earnest has taken great pains to avoid giving the impression that it might be particularly critical of a narrow group of Muslims. But the gruesome videotaped murder of Jordanian Air Force pilot Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh may have shaken the White House into a more aggressive posture since its online release on Tuesday. ISIS militants are seen in the footage burning the 26-year-old man alive as he struggles in a giant animal cage, and then burying his charred body, twisted cage and all, under a cascade of broken concrete. Jordanian intelligence officials believe the grisly execution was carried out as early as January 3, meaning Al-Kaseasbeh was dead long before the Obama-Cameron press conference. WHAT A DIFFERENCE THREE WEEKS CAN MAKE: Obama shied away from hitting ISIS as a Muslim group during a press conference with UK Prime Minister David Cameron on January 16, while Cameron leapt at the chance to castigate the group in religious terms . 'DEATH CULT': Obama slammed ISIS by name two days after the group released a video showing a Jordanian pilot who had run a bombing mission against them being burned alive . Jordan's King Abdullah II was scheduled to read a passage of Qur'anic scripture at the prayer breakfast but did not appear: He was back in his home country dealing with the fallout from al-Kaseasbeh's death and the wrath of a country bent on revenge. Abdullah ordered the execution of two al-Qaeda prisoners in retaliation. The prayer breakfast, an annual event that Obama has attended every year since becoming president, attracted 3,600 people from all 50 states and 130 countries. Its most conspicuous guest on Thursday was the Dalai Lama, a revered Tibetan monk embroiled in a long political dispute with China over Tibet's independence. He has never before attended a public event with an American president, as American administrations have been cautious about antagonizing Beijing. But Obama said Thursday that he had welcomed him to the White House on several occasions and considered the Lama 'a good friend.' The holy man was seated at the front-most round table in a cavernous ballroom along with presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett and other dignitaries, directly in front of the speakers' podium. He is 'a powerful example of what it means to practice and act,' Obama said. 'He inspires speak up for freedom and dignity of all human beings.'
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President appeared at annual prayer event attended by 3,600 people from all 50 states and 130 countries .
First head-on presidential attack on ISIS in terms of religion in recent memory .
Obama has been criticized for failing to condemn Middle Eastern terrorists as religious radicals while other world leaders decry 'radical Islam'
He followed up aggressive language by comparing ISIS to the medieval Crusades, the Spanich Inquisition and American slavery .
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During the Ordovician period 470 million years ago life on Earth thrived, but why? It's a question scientists have struggled to answer, but now an ancient meteorite found in a quarry in Sweden could be the missing link that explains what happened. The fossilised space rock is thought to be the remains of one of two asteroids that crashed between Jupiter and Mars, the debris of which later bombarded Earth and kickstarted the variation of life. Scientists say they may have found the 'missing link' that explains the biodiversity of life on Earth 470 million years ago. The 'mysterious object' (right) was found at the Thorsberg quarry in Sweden (left). The meteorite is 8 × 6.5 × 2 centimetres in size. It was found in the youngest quarried bed of the Thorsberg quarry . The find was made at Thorsberg quarry, where about 100 other fossil meteorites have also been found before. The Ordovician period covers the time on Earth between 485 and 443 million years ago. During those 45 million years the area north of the tropics was almost entirely ocean. Most of the world’s land, meanwhile, was part of a southern supercontinent called Gondwana. The period is synonymous with a general biodiversity of life on Earth - in the early Ordovician period life on Earth thrived. The reason for this is unknown, but some theories suggest the arrival of meteorites such as the L chondrites could have kickstarted the resurgence. It wasn’t all fun and games during the Ordovician period, though - towards its end massive glaciers formed on Gondwana as it shifted towards the South Pole. This drained shallow seas and caused sea levels to drop, ultimately resulting in the mass extinction of 60 per cent of marine invertebrates on Earth. Another theory for the mass extinction, however, suggests a ten-second gamma ray burst blasted Earth’s atmosphere, exposing life to deadly levels of radiation. The international team of researchers in their paper published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, however, say this particular rock is unlike anything ever found. And it could be the 'missing link' for an asteroid collision that had previously been thought to have been vapourised. Over 500 million years ago a small asteroid crashed into a larger one between Jupiter and Mars. This impact resulted in the creation of many fragments that eventually bombarded Earth 470 million years ago. These fragments are known as L chrondrites, and they are the second most common type of meteorite on the planet. It's believed these impacts may have kickstarted the resurgence of biodiversity on planet Earth, when life became more varied and complex. This occurred during the Ordovician period, prior to which biodiversity had gone through a lull. However, while the meteorites are thought to be the remains of the larger asteroid, scientists had been puzzled as to why there was no sign of the smaller asteroid. Until now, no evidence of the other asteroid had been found on Earth, putting a damper on the theory. Some had suggested the second asteroid simply vapourised on impact. The find was made at Thorsberg quarry, where about 100 other fossil meteorites have also been found before. The international team of researchers in their paper published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, however, say this particular rock is unlike anything ever found . The meteorite is thought to be the second of two asteroids that collided between Jupiter and Mars 470 million years ago. Evidence for the larger one has already been found in the form of L chondrite meteorites, the second most common meteorites on Earth, but this new find is the first evidence for the other asteroid in the collision . The meteorite found in Sweden has reignited interest, however, because it's possible it is a piece of that second asteroid, as it appears to have been part of the same meteor shower as the L chondrites. If true, it will add a great deal of credence to the entire theory that seeks to explain the sudden resurgence of life during the early part of the Ordovician period. The meteorite was found by quarry workers three years ago. Other meteorites have been found in the same quarry before, but all of them were L chondrites. This new rock was different from the others the researchers noted after studying its crystals, but was in the same rock layer and dating in the lab, suggesting it arrived during the same time period as part of a wider meteor shower. While still in the same class of primitive achondrites as L chondrites, it's not exactly the same because of small differences in its elemental composition. The team is hopeful that the finding suggests that others will be found, hopefully some that can offer more evidence of their origin. The unique meteorite has not been given an official name yet - for now it's simply being referred to as the 'mysterious object'. And it could just be the missing link that explains one of Earth's greatest mysteries. The asteroid collision resulted in the creation of many fragments that would eventually bombard Earth 470 million years ago (illustrated), called L chrondrites, the second most common type of meteorite on the planet. It's believed these impacts may have kickstarted the resurgence of biodiveristy on Earth . The Ordovician period covers the time on Earth between 485 and 443 million years ago. During those 45 million years the area north of the tropics was almost entirely ocean. Most of the world's land, meanwhile, was part of a southern supercontinent called Gondwana. Illustrated are squid-like Orthoceratites from the period .
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Scientists in Sweden have found a rock that may explain Earth's biodiversity .
The discovery is thought to be one of two asteroids that collided in space .
These asteroids crashed into each other between Jupiter and Mars .
The larger of the two formed L chondrites, the second most common type of meteorite on Earth .
These are also thought to have kickstarted the biodiviersity of life on Earth 470 million years ago .
No evidence for the second asteroid had been found, though, calling the theory under scrutiny .
But this new find could be the first evidence for the other in the collision .
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Glenn Beck may not want to vote for Hillary Clinton, but he is convinced that she will win the presidency in 2016. Beck, the conservative radio and television host, used part of his radio show on Tuesday to talk about the prospect of Clinton running for president and why, if she does, she "will be the next president of the United States." "She is going to win," Beck said, matter-of-factly, because Clinton will convince voters that she is the candidate that can take the United States back to "the golden years" of Bill Clinton's administration. Beck said, "Here's what Hillary is going to do. [She will say] 'Do you remember when America was good? Do you remember when we had jobs and we were building towards a brighter future, and things were really happening? Clinton administration, we had it under control. Things were good, and they weren't great, we're going to do better. We're going to replant our flag in the traditional things that you understand.'" Labor's Trumka: Hillary Clinton is 'very, very qualified to be president' Beck also knocked Republicans, telling viewers that the party will be unable to combat this message. "We can talk about Ronald Reagan all we want, [but] nobody remembers Ronald Reagan. It was too long ago," Beck said. "The Clinton years are the golden years." Howard Dean: I hope Hillary Clinton becomes president . Beck added: "While we [Republicans] are talking about technicalities and the past, they are going to be talking about a past that was brightly remembered and they will talk about the America we will become. She will win." Democrat Jim Webb has doubts about Clinton's record . Hillary Clinton has yet to say whether she will run for president in 2016, but she has admitted that she is thinking about it. Clinton has crisscrossed the country on a book tour this summer and stoked the presidential flames throughout most of the tour. Republicans have kept their focus on Clinton, and they've argued that if the former secretary of state runs, she will become President Barack Obama's third term, not Bill Clinton's. Even some close to Clinton have quietly expressed concern that one of the most effective critiques could be that her presidency, should she run and be elected, would be nothing more than President Barack Obama's third term. One Clinton friend and former aide told CNN in August that the best way to go after Clinton is to use this against her: "If you like Obama, you will love Hillary." Romney: Clinton won't be able to distance herself from Obama . Rand Paul: Hillary Clinton would 'have been fired' working for husband .
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Glenn Beck, conservative media host, thinks Hillary Clinton "will be the next president"
"She is going to win," Beck said with confidence .
He argued Clinton can convince Americans she will take the country back to Bill Clinton's administration .
Republicans are too focused on Reagan, Beck said, and will be unable to overcome Clinton's message .
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North Korea has issued a furious statement slamming the United States for imposing sanctions against its government in the wake of Sony's cyberattack. It again denied any role in the breach of tens of thousands of the entertainment firm's confidential emails and business files. An unnamed spokesman of North Korea's foreign ministry on Sunday accused the U.S. of 'groundlessly' stirring up hostility toward Pyongyang. Anger: An official in Kim Jong un's government slammed the US's 'groundless' sanctions against North Korea . It warned that the new sanctions - leveled against government officials and the nation's defense industry - would not weaken the country's military might. The state-run TV station quoted an official as saying: 'The policy persistently pursued by the US to stifle the DPRK [North Korea], groundlessly stirring up bad blood towards it, would only harden its will and resolution to defend the sovereignty of the country. 'The persistent and unilateral action taken by the White House to slap 'sanctions' against the DPRK patently proves that it is still not away from inveterate repugnancy and hostility toward the DPRK.' Reaction: Obama blamed the nation for the cyberattack on Sony Pictures which released confidential data . Controversy: It came after North Korea expressed anger at the movie The Interview about Kim Jong un . North Korea has expressed fury over the Sony comedy flick 'The Interview,' which depicts the fictional assassination of leader Kim Jong Un. However, it denied involvement in the cyberattack against Sony, which later escalated to threats of terrorist attacks against movie theaters. The film was released in limited theaters and online amid fears of a backlash.
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US government has placed sanctions on North Korean defense industry .
Came after suggestions the nation was involved in Sony cyberhack .
State TV ran quote from unnamed officials calling the move hostile .
They warned the sanctions will not weaken the nation .
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12b465ad1ad3ab453a0ec3d267d5903903ff87e2
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New York (CNN) -- The first of three surgeries needed to construct the right ear of 9-year-old Aidan Sullivan came one step closer over the weekend after a New York charity donated $7,000 to replace money stolen from child's fund-raiser. Aidan's parents, Tim and Colleen Sullivan, received a call from The Vincent Crotty Memorial Fund of Suffern, New York, on Saturday to tell them it would contribute $7,000 toward the cost of the boy's upcoming surgery. "They heard about our story on news and in the papers," Colleen Sullivan said. "They called us up and came over and presented us with the check." She said she and her husband "feel honored" that the charity chose their son, who suffers from a congenital disorder that has caused deformities in his jaw and skull. The money replaces cash reported stolen after a fund-raiser in Connecticut last weekend. Danbury, Connecticut, police Lt. Tom Michael said $7,000 in cash and $1,000 in checks were missing after a November 20 event sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, an Irish Catholic fraternal organization. Peter Crotty, whose charity's contribution matches the missing cash, said the donation "seemed like the right thing to do." Crotty said he read about the stolen donations on Thanksgiving and was saddened by the emotional distress inflicted on the Sullivans. Crotty founded his charity after the March death of his 18-year-old son and his son's best friend, Chris Konkowski, in a car accident while driving to baseball practice. He said Aidan's story caught his attention because of his own family's experience, "because it was about a young boy and the emotional sadness and anxiety that people feel due to loss." Crotty said his organization has received four other contributions nationwide from families who want to get involved. The $7,000 will go toward a scheduled March 1 procedure needed to reconstruct Aidan's missing right ear. While this will not cover all of his needed surgery, his parents are said they were grateful and excited. "I was crying and touched," Colleen Sullivan said. "There was this feeling of everything is going to be OK."
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Charity donates $7,000 to replace cash reported stolen from child's medical fund .
Founder said he was touched by Aidan Sullivan's story .
Surgery to replace Aidan's missing right ear is scheduled for March 1 .
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(CNN) -- On Wednesday, Apple announced a pretty mind-boggling stat: The 25 billionth song had been downloaded on iTunes. That's billion. With a b. Since launching the iPod in 2001, and iTunes in 2003, Apple has been a leader in digital music, virtually defining the space for competitors like Amazon and Google. Here are five interesting facts about the milestone: . 1. Who did it? Phillip Lupke of Germany was the lucky downloader. For happening to click at the right nanosecond, he'll be getting a 10,000-Euro ($13,528) iTunes gift card. And it was no easy task. According to Apple, users download an average of 15,000 songs every minute. 2. What was the tune? You've probably never heard of it. Sorry. Hipster moment over. We hadn't heard of it either. "Monkey Drums (Goksel Vancin Remix)" was the jam in question. It's by Chase Buch, a British DJ and producer who's well known in the house-music scene. It's not so big on lyrics. Which is to say, it doesn't have any. And it probably comes across better when you're shaking it in a crowd of sweaty club kids than, say, sipping coffee and doing the New York Times crossword. 3. Other iTunes milestones . 25 millionth song -- "Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" Frank Sinatra, 2003 . 100 millionth -- "Somersault (Danger Mouse remix)," by English electronica band Zero 7, 2004 . 500 millionth -- "Mississippi Girl," Faith Hill, 2005 . 1 billionth -- "Speed of Sound," Coldplay, 2006 . 10 billionth -- "Guess Things Happen That Way," Johnny Cash, 2010 . Alex Ostrovsky, from West Bloomfield, Michigan, was the luckiest of downloaders. For the billionth download, he scored a 20-inch iMac, 10 fifth-generation iPods and a $10,000 gift card, not to mention a scholarship set up by Apple at the Julliard School of Music in his name. 4. 25 billion is a lot . Obvious, right? But how much is it? Well, it's roughly equal to three-and-a-half songs for every person on Earth. By way of comparison, the Guiness Book of World Records lists "White Christmas" as the top-selling song of all time at around 100 million copies. Multiply that by 250 and you get 25 billion. Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is the No. 1 selling album of all time with more than 42 million certified sales. It would need to do that again almost 600 times to hit 25 billion. For a little more tech industry-specific comparison, Google's Play Store hit 25 billion downloads in September for mobile apps running on its Android operating system. 5. More iTunes by the numbers . More than 350 million -- number of iPods sold . 119 -- number of countries where iTunes is available . 26 million -- number of songs available on iTunes . More than 1 million -- number of songs sold on iTunes during its first week in April 2003 .
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Apple announces that 25 billion songs have been downloaded from iTunes .
"Monkey Drums (Goksel Vancin Remix)," by British house-music DJ Chase Buch, was the tune .
Other milestone downloads: Sinatra, Coldplay, Faith Hill and Johnny Cash .
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12b623b3133ad3dfc60b94ab2135cc09c5153447
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(CNN) -- One year ago, the Republican National Committee completed a four-month period of "self-reflection" and "evaluation" after losing its second straight presidential election and the popular vote in five of the past six presidential elections. The result of that process became popularly known as the GOP "Autopsy Report" -- an analysis of all of the Republican Party's ailments and prescriptions for how to cure them. But, after a year, it doesn't look like they have really learned a thing. And their navel-gazing, introspection moment wasn't all that new or particularly self-aware, as more than a decade of RNC chairmen -- yes, they have all been men -- before Reince Priebus have all tried the same thing. Why the RNC built a year-round ground game . In 2003, Marc Racicot proclaimed that "expanding our base by recruiting new Republican activists from traditionally strong and Democratic constituencies is our No. 1 priority." Then, crickets. In 2005, Ken Mehlman's "Conversations with the Community" targeted African-Americans. That didn't go so well. And in 2009, Michael Steele's failed "50 State Strategy" spent a lot of money but did little else. Year after year, Republican leaders have admitted that their party is alienating huge swaths of voters. In last year's report, for nearly 100 pages, they tried to convey the message: "We get it." But here we are, another year later, and all the Republican Party has gotten is a year older, with little else to show for it. What the GOP has offered over the past 12 months to solve its problems is simply a change in tactics. The party hired "outreach staff" and placed them in communities they've never been in before. But one must question whether it is effective outreach when your agenda keeps alienating the very people you are trying to include. The party is conducting "candidate trainings" to teach them how to talk to (and about) women, hoping to stave off any more "legitimate rape" moments, among other things. It's worked to shorten the primary calendar and limit debates -- though ensuring that fewer people hear your agenda doesn't seem a good tactic to achieve your goals on expansion. The attempted change in tactics hasn't helped the party's leaders, officials, or endorsed candidates with their chronic foot-in-mouth syndrome. In this past year, we've heard Republican leaders and operatives call a female candidate an "empty dress," talk about women's libidos, and -- once again -- try to downplay abuse. We've heard them use derogatory terms to describe Latino immigrants, comparing them to drug mules. They have used insulting stereotypes for African-Americans, including just last week when former vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan used thinly veiled language to talk about the "culture" of laziness among "inner-city men." And gay Americans have faced outright discrimination from Republicans at all levels -- from state party chairmen to candidates to elected officials. The Republican Party's failure to rebrand hasn't been limited to the disrespectful and insulting language. It continues to push an agenda that divides Americans, limits equally and denies to many the "pursuit of happiness" -- i.e., access to economic opportunity. In other words, the GOP's philosophy hasn't changed. The leaders may have set out to become a party that is more "inclusive and welcoming," but in reality the GOP has moved in the opposite direction. It continues to alienate large communities of Americans, embracing a rhetoric that emphasizes fear of others and, ironically, entitlement for themselves. The biggest problem for the Republican Party has never been its primary calendar, its campaign tactics or a lack of trainings. The party's biggest problem is what it believes, what it says and how it governs. The good news is Democrats have spent the year building on a foundation of outreach rooted in our core values and an agenda based on equal opportunity. Democrats have pushed for equal pay for women because we know that when women succeed, America succeeds. We push for full equality for all Americans, regardless of where they live, what they look like or who they love. We push for commonsense immigration reform that is the right thing to do for our economy and our country. And we push an economic agenda that simply levels the playing field so that every American has a chance to move up the economic ladder. Democrats will use innovative programs and tools to empower grassroots supporters and ensure that Democrats up and down the ballot have the resources they need to win -- so that we can work to expand opportunity for all Americans. Join us on Facebook.com/CNNOpinion. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Donna Brazile.
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A year after the GOP's "self-reflection," Donna Brazile says it doesn't appear they get it .
All the GOP has offered is simply a change in tactics, she says .
Brazile thinks they still don't get women, minorities and push an agenda that divides Americans .
In other words, she argues, the GOP's philosophy hasn't changed .
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12b69791e709ba5c0f14e7750fce6c50d90bd368
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By . Richard Spillett . A top actress has told how she left her baby son at home for the first time since his birth and returned to find him dying in his father's arms. Irish TV star Leigh Arnold spoke at an inquest into the death of her two and a half week old son, Flynn, who is thought to have suffered Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) - where babies 'switch off' in their sleep. Miss Arnold said she went out with a friend to a restaurant near her home in Ashley, Cheshire in May last year but returned to find her newborn baby 'grey' and unresponsive. Leigh Arnold and fiance Steve Davies, in a picture she posted on Twitter, both spoke at the inquest, which found their baby son Flynn died of natural causes . A pregnant Miss Arnold and Mr Davies, pictured with their older son, Hunter (left). Miss Arnold told the court Flynn had shown no signs of illness before the tragedy . Heartbroken Miss Arnold, star of Irish series The Clinic, told the hearing: 'I got in and went to the living room and saw them both asleep. Flynn was lying facing up. 'I could see his whole body. He wasn't squashed. I saw by his face there was definitely something wrong. 'I just know that I screamed an awful lot and my legs went from under me - I don't remember an awful lot else. 'He was a perfect baby. He was healthy and extremely loved and adored and is missed every second of the day. Whether we will ever have an answer to what happened, I don't know.' Despite frantic efforts by the couple and paramedics to revive the baby, he was pronounced dead at Wythenshawe Hospital in Greater Manchester an hour later. Miss Arnold said that, after she had an emergency C-section with Flynn, everything in his short life had gone to plan. Mr Davies with a baby, not believed to be tragic Flynn, in a picture Miss Arnold tweeted in March 2013 . Miss Arnold, pictured at a TV awards night, told an inquest in Macclesfield, Cheshire that Flynn died on her first night out since his birth . Miss Arnold, who has hundreds of followers on Twitter, shot to fame on Irish TV series The Clinic . Described by doctors as a 'perfect baby', Flynn had shown no signs of illness in his short life and was drinking happily from his bottle around the time she left for the evening. She later phoned home to check up on him, because she was 'anxious about him', but was reassured after hearing him in the background. Fighting back tears yesterday, she said: 'I could hear him gurgling - happy gurgling. I knew they were having a lovely time.' Mr Davies later fell asleep cradling tiny Flynn at around 11pm and was awoken by Miss Arnold's screams when she returned from her meal at 1.30am. Miss Arnold, who also has a two-year-old son, Hunter, said: 'There were a lot of cuddles and a lot of love and the family all came over from Ireland when he was born. Flynn was rushed to Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester but paramedics and doctors could not save him . 'On that day or the days before he had no temperature or cough and the health visitor said everything was normal. He was feeding perfectly and there was no difference from my last baby. 'I was invited out to dinner and didn't feel it was the right thing to do but, knowing it was only down the road, Steven said "go and have a break" and I knew he would be okay so I went out with my friend for dinner.' Mr Davies dropped his wife off at the . restaurant and visited the supermarket, returning home with Flynn at 8pm . while the family's au pair took care of Hunter. SIDS, also known as cot death, claims at least 300 babies in the UK every year and is more common in baby boys. Most deaths happen within six months of the baby's birth, usually when the baby is asleep at night. The exact cause is unknown, but it is thought some babies develop a problem in the way they deal with certain stresses, which affects how they regulate their heart rate, breathing and temperature. The NHS tells parents they can cut the risk of cot death by placing a baby on their back to sleep, not smoking around them and regulating their temperature. More information is available through the NHS and The Lullaby Trust, which offers help for bereaved families through their helpline 0808 802 6868. He said: 'I went into the lounge with Flynn and he fell asleep on the chaise longue I put the TV on and took Flynn out of his cradle. He kept waking up then going back to sleep. 'I warmed a bottle up for him and he woke up again and had that. I was feeding him and Leigh called me to see if he was alright. I said he was OK and feeding at the time. 'I was feeding him and he was in my arms. I was laid down on the chaise lounge and he was in the crook of my left arm. That was the last thing I remember.' Dr Cate Lenton, a paediatrician from Wythenshawe Hospital, also described Flynn as a 'perfect baby', but added that cot death doesn't necessarily have to happen in cots. 'While they are asleep they just turn off,' she said. 'It is just a baby that stops while it is asleep.' An investigation by police and the Home Office was undertaken after Flynn's death, but it was soon determined nobody was at fault and nothing could have been done to save him. Home Office pathologist Dr Gauri Batra gave a cause of death as 'unascertained', but added that there was nothing at all to indicate an unnatural cause of death. Reaching a conclusion of death by natural causes, coroner Janet Napier addressed a tearful Miss Arnold and Mr Davies and said: 'Flynn is a very much-missed and very much-loved child. He was the light of your life as well as your other child. 'There was no evidence of any illness whatsoever. This was a sudden, tragic switching off in the sleep. I can't properly say how awful this is. I give you my sincere sympathy.' Miss Arnold and Mr Davies were due to wed last year but postponed the ceremony after Flynn's death. A date has now been set for May, with the couple expected to tie the knot in Ibiza, where Leigh's model sister Zoe live. Little Hunter will act as the ring-bearer. Miss Arnold shot to fame in 2003 when she became one of the biggest names in Irish television for her role as Dr Clodagh Delaney in RTE's The Clinic, playing the character for six series.
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Leigh Arnold went out to a restaurant but returned to find her baby dying .
Baby Flynn is thought to have died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome .
He went to sleep on the sofa with his father and later turned 'grey'
Coroner finds death by natural causes from tragic 'switching off in the sleep'
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 9:40 AM on 31st October 2011 . These shocking images of a little boy shot in the head have emerged hours after Syrian president Bashar Assad claimed his army was only targeting terrorists. The boy is from the Bayada neighbourhood of Homs, northeast of the capital, Damascus. He was wounded in the head after he was allegedly hit by the Syrian army during the recent uprisings in his hometown. The projectile entered the back of his head and can be seen lodged above his left eye. Shocking: A large bulge can be seen above Mohammed's left eye. He was allegedly hit by the Syrian army . Blood can be seen coming from the wound in the back of the youngster's head . Warning: Syrian president Bashar Assad has said his country is different to others where similar uprisings have occurred . In his first interview with a Western . paper, published in the Sunday Telegraph, Assad claimed that he was a . popular president and added that his army was only now targeting . terrorists. During the . interview Assad also warned Western intervention against his regime . would cause an 'earthquake' that would 'burn the whole region'. President Assad said the action could lead to 'another Afghanistan'. Defying worldwide condemnation of his actions, he said any outside aggression would ‘burn the whole region’. Assad's ultimatum came as hundreds of demonstrators marched to the Syrian embassy in London to show solidarity with victims of the seven-month uprising. In a two-hour rally outside the building in Belgrave Square, protesters chanted ‘get out Assad’ and ‘free Syria’. Activists claim Syrian forces killed more than 50 civilians in violent clashes over the weekend. At least 3,000 people – including 200 children – have died during the unrest. Thirty soldiers also died in fierce fighting in the city of Homs and in an ambush in the northern province of Idlib on Saturday. Assad conceded that the West would ‘ratchet up the pressure’ but said his country was different ‘in every respect’ from Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen, where other rebellions had taken place. Home: The Syrian president lives in Damascus and claims he is popular with his people because he lives an ordinary life . Assad lives a relatively modest life-style and claims this has made him popular with his people. He lives in Damascus with his wife Asma and their three children in a small, but guarded house in an ordinary street. The president, who can regularly be seen on the school run, said he lives a normal life and even drives his own car. ‘Syria is the hub now in this region. It is the fault line and if you play with the ground you will cause an . earthquake,’ he said. ‘Do you want to see another Afghanistan, or tens of Afghanistans? Any problem in Syria will burn the whole region. If the plan is to divide Syria, that . is to divide the whole region.’ He admitted his forces made ‘many . mistakes’ at the start of the uprising, but claimed only ‘terrorists’ were being targeted now. Assad also claimed his modest . lifestyle made him a popular leader. ‘The first component of popular . legitimacy is your personal life. It is very important how you live,’ he . said. ‘I drive my own car, we have neighbours, I take my kids to school. That’s why I’m popular.’ Unrest: Protesters burn images of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a protest earlier this month . Unpopular: Britain, France, the U.S, the United Nations and the Arab League have spoken out against the Syrian president . The president made his remarks as demands grew for a Libya-style no-fly zone over Syria. The resilience of the protesters, the . determination of the authorities to crush dissent and the growing armed . insurgency have combined to make Syria’s turmoil one of the most . intractable confrontations of this year’s Arab uprisings. Western governments have called on . the country’s embattled leader to step down, and have already imposed . sanctions on Syrian oil exports and state businesses . President Assad insisted his response . to the Arab Spring was not one of ‘stubborn government’, adding: ‘Six . days after (the protests began) I commenced reform.’ He also insisted . the pace of reform was ‘not too slow’. The latest wave of violence was met . with strong criticism from the Arab League, which issued a statement . expressing ‘disgust’ at the killing of civilians. An Arab League committee was due to meet a Syrian delegation in Qatar yesterday to discuss ways to solve the crisis. Britain, France, the U.S and the United Nations have all openly criticised the Syrian president over the past few months. The Arab League also sent a message to Assad and said they hoped the government would try to protect its citizens. One . of the protest leaders told the Sunday Telegraph said that protesters . were not calling for economic reform but wanted Assad out, followed by . free elections. A view of the city of Hama after Syrian army tanks fired shells and machine guns, killing at least 45 civilians who were protesting against the regime earlier this year . [caption .
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Assad said an intervention by the Western world would could end up like Afghanistan .
He claims that Syria is different from Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen .
The president admits that mistakes were made at the start of the uprisings but claims that only terrorists were being targeted .
He talks about why he is so popular with his people and says he even drives himself around .
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12b6e76bac5cf9d91e49636fd9c484501942e363
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By . Sam Webb . Keeper of culinary secrets: Nigel Brazier at the The Cook Shop with his cooked faggots - one of the recipes he will sell along with the store . For 125 years The Cook Shop has sold traditional cuisine to food-lovers in the small West Midlands town of Cradley Heath. Much-loved traditional Black Country fare such as faggots, Groaty Dick and bread pudding - prepared using closely-guarded family recipes - have been sold there since 1889. Now the owner has put the store on the market for £120,000 - complete with the secret recipes that have been passed down through four generations of his family. Nigel Brazier, 64, is now selling up because he wants to retire and is including the answer to his family’s culinary mysteries in the asking price. The grandfather-of-three is the fourth member of this family to run the deli since his great grandmother Eve Billingham founded the business from her front room during the 19th century. Today Mr Brazier, who has worked at the shop for 49 years, said: 'We are an old-fashioned shop the likes of which hardly exist anymore. 'The business has been going 125 years but my sons have taken their own careers and are doing very well so are not really in a position to take it over. 'There are half a dozen recipes which have been handed down the generations. No-one else has been able to recreate them the same as us. 'They include our pastry recipe, and meats that have no preservatives, and our sage and onion stuffing. 'But the holy grail is the faggots we produce - a lot of butchers make faggots, but not like these.' The shop specialises in selling traditional Black Country favourites such as chitlins - a variation on intestines - as well as black pudding and meat and potato pie. Mr Brazier wants any prospective buyer to ensure the 125-year-old name will not disappear and keep the business up and running with their seven members of staff. The grandfather-of-three is the fourth member of this family to run the deli. Right, a picture of the Old Hill Trinity Church Sunday school in front of The Cook Shop, taken in the 1950s . The family have built a famous reputation within the town but had always vowed to keep their recipes for their signature dishes a secret. But he has promised to throw in half a dozen of them so the new owner can continue to make the perfect faggots and bread pudding. Mr Brazier, who is retiring to spend more time at his home in nearby Clent, Worcestershire, with his librarian wife Anne, 62, added: 'Initially we didn’t have much interest but now there are people beginning to have a think. Eve Billingham (Mr Brazier's great grandmother) in 1900 with her son Arthur. Right, a photo of Mary Priest, Mr Brazier's grandmother and Eve Billingham's oldest daughter, taken in 1910 . Left, Mary and Joe Priest (the owner's grandmother and grandfather) taken between 1910 and 1920. In the picture on the right is Mr Brazier's mother Iris Priest (wearingglasses), later Iris Brazier, with her parents . 'Instead of me leaving and closing the door, I want to leave it running in the hands of someone who is prepared to take it on. 'They must be keep the name and keep the secret recipes. It’s been an extremely emotional rollercoaster ride - it’s not a decision I came to easily. 'When it eventually came to doing it, I had to think long and hard. My sons wanted me to retire last year but I couldn’t because of our customer base. 'They are all our friends, 300 to 400 customers that we know on a personal basis. We share their lives, we listen to them, laugh and joke with them.' Manageress Linda Wilker preparing food for sale in the kitchen . Traditional fare: Fresh meats, baked goods and other foods on sale at the 125-year-old store . The much-loved shop owner started working there as a 16-year-old boy. It was originally passed from his great-gran Eve Billingham to her daughter Mary Priest and was then ran by Mr Brazier's mother Iris alongside his father Bill. But because his four sons have all carved out careers of their own around the UK, this is the first time the family business is up for sale in 125 years. He sells his famous faggots - which are usually made from pig offal and parts of the animal usually discarded, such as the heart and liver - for just 50p. FAGGOTS . Traditionally faggots are made from offal, usually pork, and from animal parts that are usually discarded, such as the heart and liver. They are a cheap and nutritious dish and have enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence after falling out of favour for many years. The West Midlands and parts of Wales are considered the home of faggots in Britain, but they are now eaten all over the UK. They are often served with peas, onion gravy and chips. GROATY DICK . A beef and onion (or leek) stew thickened with oats. In the Black Country it is traditionally eaten on Bonfire Night. CHITLINS . Chitlins are usually the small intestines of a pig, although the intestines of cattle and other animals are often called Chitlins too. Writer Thomas Hardy mentioned chitterlings in his novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles.BREAD AND BUTTER PUDDING . A popular and refreshingly unpretentious pudding, popular throughout the UK, is made by layering slices of buttered bread scattered with raisins in an oven dish and then pouring over an egg and milk (or cream) mixture. It is commonly seasoned with nutmeg and sometimes vanilla. The secret dishes take pride of place behind the counter alongside the sausages and bacon, homemade pies and pastries, bread, cakes and tinned food. Mr Brazier added: 'Lots of butchers make the mistake of throwing any cuts of meat in when making faggots, but there’s a real art to the perfect faggot. 'My mother Iris is 93 and still runs a critical eye over the faggots I produce. They are the finest you can find, we guarantee that. 'So prospective buyers will be getting much more than just a food shop.'
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The Cook Shop has served traditional Black Country fare since 1889 .
Owner Nigel Brazier is selling up and retiring after starting work there at 16 .
The £120,000 asking price includes his family's secret recipes .
Recipe for their famous pastry and the sought-after faggots are among them .
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12b8579afa412b08155fb4ca2c9e0943b0c41de6
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At least 14 people, including a general, were killed Thursday when a Ukrainian military helicopter was shot down by "terrorists" near Slovyansk, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov told Parliament. Turchynov said the chopper, which was carrying soldiers for a troop rotation, was shot down with a Russian rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Militants in the rebel stronghold claimed responsibility for downing the helicopter, a spokesman for the militants said. The aircraft had flown there from Kramatorsk, he said, where the Ukrainian military has a substantial presence. The large loss of life will be a major blow to the Ukrainian military, which on Monday toughened its approach to the separatist movement when it launched a fierce assault on militants who'd taken control of part of Donetsk airport. Also in Slovyansk, the self-declared mayor said pro-Russia separatist militants are holding four European observers who have been missing since Monday. But he declined to say where. "Our militants got them," Vyacheslav Ponomarev said Thursday. "They were detained because they didn't respect my request. I asked them not to leave Donetsk (city). They decided they were smarter and could come here." Ponomarev added that the monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe were not being held in the town. They also are not "exchange material," he said, indicating that they were not being held to swap for separatists detained by Kiev authorities. Ponomarev said he had been in contact with the OSCE, and they were assessing the situation. He said he would probably release the monitors soon but wouldn't say when. On Wednesday, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Yevhen Perebynis said that a pro-Russia group was holding the monitors and that negotiations for their release were "in process." The four team members, who are Swiss, Turkish, Estonian and Danish, were on a routine patrol Monday east of Donetsk city when last heard from, according to the OSCE. The last time an OSCE team went missing in the Donetsk region, its members also turned up in the hands of the militant separatists in Slovyansk and were described by Ponomarev as "prisoners of war." They were freed just over a week later. There were fears Wednesday for the safety of another group of 11 monitors who went missing after being stopped at a roadblock in Marinka, west of Donetsk city, but the group later re-established contact with the OSCE. The OSCE said Thursday that the 11 had been abducted for seven hours by a dozen-strong armed group but were released. Separatists: Bodies to be returned to Russia . Dozens of pro-Russia separatists were killed after Ukrainian security forces launched their assault on Donetsk International Airport on Monday, following the militants' seizure of a terminal. The military's move -- only hours after President-elect Petro Poroshenko declared his election win -- was interpreted by some as an indication that he will take a tougher stance as he seeks to unify the country. Now, the grim task of returning the dead to their families is under way. At least 33 Russian citizens are among the militants killed during the violence, a spokesman for the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic told a CNN team at the morgue. The bodies have been identified, and there is an agreement with the local police to escort the remains back to Russia soon, several separatist representatives said. The bodies will be taken across the border to the southwestern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. From there, they will be transported to different cities according to where they are from, reportedly including Moscow and Grozny in the Russian republic of Chechnya. The CNN team at the morgue in Donetsk city saw at least 10 coffins. The separatist spokesman at the morgue said the men were volunteers from across Russia who had come to help stand with the separatists against the authorities in Kiev. The spokesman also said that there are still about 15 bodies left at the airport that the separatists haven't been able to collect or identify. About 20 of those killed are Ukrainian, he said. The Donetsk mayor's official website put the airport death toll at 40 Tuesday, including two civilians, but did not specify how many were separatists. But the separatist spokesman said the death toll could be as high as 70. If confirmed, this would make Monday the deadliest day in Ukraine since the bloody clashes in Kiev's Independence Square, or Maidan, which triggered the ouster of pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych in February and led to the current spiral into violence in the east. The separatists have until now insisted that their movement is homegrown, so their very public acknowledgment of so many Russian citizens among those killed Monday marks a shift in approach. It could be intended to goad Moscow into a response at a time when the separatist movement is under pressure to find a way forward and has shown signs of division within its ranks. Kiev and the West have accused Russia of coordinating and supplying the separatists, a claim Moscow has denied. Russia has said it will respect Sunday's election results. On Thursday, a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the latest intelligence said 30,000 Russian troops that had been amassed along the Russia-Ukraine border have been moving back to their home bases over the last several days. About 10,000 troops -- mainly infantry -- remain along Russia's border with eastern Ukraine, the official said, and there are some signs those troops will be pulling back as well. NATO this week also reported signs that some Russian troops near Ukraine's eastern border may be preparing to pull back. The United States has been using satellites to track Russian troop movements for weeks, and both the United States and NATO have released imagery to bolster their case that Russia had amassed tens of thousands of troops along the border. Several U.S. officials have said it appears the Russians have decided to try to work with the new Ukrainian government, but officials also point out that it wouldn't take much to bring a large number of Russian forces back to the border via transport aircraft at any time. Governor in talks with separatists . Serhiy Taruta, the billionaire governor of Donetsk, acknowledged in a CNN interview in Kiev that a Ukrainian military operation was under way in the Donetsk region, but he was unable to comment further. Taruta said he was in talks with pro-Russia separatist leaders in the region to try to calm the situation, adding that the aim was to "reach real understanding," rather than just a deal. "We are having dialogue, which is dragging out because they seem to have a constant rotation of their leaders, but I hope that in the final analysis we will reach an agreement and reconciliation to work together," he said. Taruta has met with Poroshenko in Kiev, he said, adding that the President-elect will visit the Donetsk region "we hope in the first half of June." Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the Donetsk People's Republic said that some barricades were being cleared away from in front of the regional administration building in Donetsk city that the separatists have made their headquarters for weeks. She said that separatists were "cleaning up" and "instilling order" and that a news conference would soon explain more. Earlier, militants surrounded the building and said they were searching it for looters but explained little more. Russia and Ukraine bicker in U.N. meeting . Clashes in eastern Luhansk . Amid the ongoing tensions, Ukraine's National Guard base in the eastern Luhansk region was attacked Wednesday by what the country's Interior Ministry described as "terrorists." "There have been losses among military personnel as well as among the attackers," a statement from the ministry said. The Luhansk region is, with neighboring Donetsk, at the heart of the separatists' bid to declare independence from Ukraine. Eastern Ukraine was a key support base for Yanukovych, and many people there oppose the authorities in Kiev, favoring closer ties instead to Russia. Ukraine: Fierce fighting closes Donetsk airport, claims dozens of lives . Opinion: Free elections good for Ukraine, but could be bad for Putin .
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U.S. official: Tens of thousands of Russian troops along border have been moving back .
Acting president says Russian grenade launcher downed helicopter .
Donetsk governor says he is in talks with separatist leaders, aims to calm situation .
Self-declared separatist mayor of Slovyansk says militants hold 4 missing OSCE monitors .
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12b919b23b7b7fad7170b5b122b57ae681500bd1
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 17:37 EST, 6 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 17:49 EST, 6 January 2014 . A man who gained nationwide celebrity status on social media as 'Kai the hatchet-weilding hitchiker' today pleaded not guilty to a charge of killing a 73-year-old lawyer in the victim's New Jersey home in May. Caleb McGillivary, 24 - who shot to online infamy in February after a TV interview went viral - stood silent during his arraignment before Superior Court Judge Joseph Donohue. McGillivary's attorney, Union County Public Defender Peter Liguori, filed the not guilty plea to the charge of murder in the beating death of Joseph Galfy, according to Nj.com . Liguori said he could not comment on the case, but acknowledged that McGillivary is feeling better than he did shortly after his arrest. Caleb McGillvary, better known as 'Kai the hatchet-wielding hitchiker' thanks to some internet fame, has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge. He is pictured here in a Facebook photo from July, which helped police arrest him thanks to his distinctive facial tattoo . Hospitalized: Caleb McGillvary, known as Kai, is . pictured here following his arrest in May. He was rushed to a hospital in . August with self-inflicted wounds following a suicide attempt. He has pleaded not guilty to murder . A YouTube video in February made Caleb McGillivary an internet star following a hitchiking incident in California. He had been picked up by a man who 'believed he was Jesus' and hit a gas station worker with his car. McGillvary subdued the man with the back of a hatchet . Victim: Lawyer Joseph Galfy Jr, 72, was found beaten to death at his New Jersey home in May. Police allege Caleb McGillvary killed him after a 24 hour rendezvous . 'He's doing better than he was a couple of months ago,' Liguori said. In July, McGillivary was rushed from the Union County jail in Elizabeth to a hospital for treatment of self-inflicted wounds following an apparent suicide attempt. He was later returned to the jail. McGillivary is suspected of beating Galfy, a partner in a Rahway law firm, in Galfy's home on May 12, about 24 hours after the two met in Manhattan's Times Square, authorities have said, following a sexual tryst. In custody: Mugshot of Caleb 'Kai the Hitchhiker' McGillvary, 25, taken after his arrest in Philadelphia . McGillivary is said to have gone to Galfy's home and stayed the night. The next day Galfy, the attorney for the Green Brook land use board, drove McGillvary to the Rahway Train station, from where the younger man left for Asbury Park. McGillvary returned to Rahway later in the day. After exchanging text messages, Galfy picked him up and brought him back to his house. Police allege the killing happened sometime that evening. The next day, Monday May 13, police went to Galfy's home after he did not show up for work or answer his phone. They found Galfy dead in his bed, wearing only underwear and socks. Authorities say McGillivary beat Galfy, then left for Asbury Park and later headed to Philadelphia with a friend. On May 14, McGillivary, who is originally from Canada, wrote a post on his Facebook page intimating he was drugged and sexually assaulted, but did not say where or when. The post read: 'what would you do if you woke up with a groggy head, metallic taste in your mouth, in a strangers house ... and started wretching, realizing that someone had drugged (and) raped ... you? what would you do.' Then-Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow has called those comments 'self-serving'. Celebrity: McGillvary (left) became an Internet . sensation in February after giving an interview about his hatchet . heroics, and he was even invited by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel (right) to appear on his show . McGillivary was arrested two days later in Philadelphia after a Starbucks staffer recognized his distinctive facial tattoo and called police. McGillivary became a minor internet celebrity in California last February when hitchhiking. After he was picked up, he used the handle of a hatchet to subdue the driver when that man tried to kill a utility worker with his car, which is how he earned his moniker. McGillivary attracted fans across the country, mostly through Facebook and Twitter, and did a few chat show interviews, including Jimmy Kimmel.
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Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, 25, was arrested for the May murder of Joseph Galfy Jr, who was found beaten to death in his New Jersey home wearing only underwear .
McGillvary .
wrote on Facebook a day after murder that he woke up in a strange house .
and discovered he was sexually assaulted by a man .
Police allege he killed McGilvary after a 24 hour rendezvous .
McGillvary hit headlines in February following a TV interview in which he explained subduing a dangerous man, who believed he was Jesus, with a hatchet .
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12b9aa154188749c74414de32ed35b6b14d90a74
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By . Alasdair Glennie . PUBLISHED: . 18:23 EST, 4 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:23 EST, 4 December 2013 . James Harding, the BBC's new director of news, told the corporation 'we don't punch our weight in current affairs', during his first speech since taking over in August . The BBC does not ‘punch its weight’ in current affairs despite employing more than 5,000 journalists, its director of news admitted yesterday. In his first major speech since joining the corporation, James Harding called on staff to ‘change how we work’ in the wake of a series of recent scandals over its news coverage. The former Times editor - recruited by BBC in August on a salary of £340,000 – said he wants his team to focus anew on investigative reporting, ‘story-getting’ and improving the diversity of its presenters. Describing current affairs as the ‘backbone of BBC news’, he said: ‘We have a reputation for our commitment to current affairs. And yet, I don’t think we generally punch our weight. ‘Let me be clear what I mean by that. We’re a weighty organisation, and I’m very ambitious for our current affairs output. I want us to investigate, to analyse and explore the most significant stories we can find.’ ‘How do we achieve that? The vital first step is that we need to be as sure as possible that we’re aiming at the right targets. That means shifting the balance between the time we spend researching a story and producing it.’ Mr Harding made his comments in a speech to assembled staff at the BBC’s London headquarters - New Broadcasting House - yesterday morning. In recent years, BBC journalists have been the focus of intense criticism, starting with the failure of flagship current affairs programme Newsnight to unmark predatory DJ Jimmy Savile in 2011. The debacle triggered a series of recriminations that led to former news chief Helen Boaden offering her resignation amid accusations of ‘chaos’ and ‘meltdown’ in her department. In the wake of the scandal, Newsnight was again castigated for its failings when it wrongly identified Tory peer Lord McAlpine as a paedophile, prompting a £185,000 payout for damages. Mr Harding called on staff to 'change the way we work' in the wake of a series of high-profile scandals over coverage, including the failure of Newsnight to unmask predatory Jimmy Savile in 2011 . Its sister programme Panorama also came under the spotlight in April when an investigation into North Korea was accused of using students from the London School of Economics as a ‘human shield’. Urging the BBC to improve the ‘diversity’ of news presenters, Mr Harding raised eyebrows with one example – Laura Kuennsberg. Despite . inheriting her unusual name from a German-born paternal grandfather, . the Scottish journalist – recruited from ITV to present Newsnight last . month –can hardly count herself in a disadvantaged minority. But . it did not stop Mr Harding using her recent hiring as an example of . what is currently being done to put people with a broad range of . backgrounds on air. Her . name was listed alongside Radio 4 presenter Ritulah Shah – whose parents . are Bengali - and Today programme host Mishal Husain – whose whose . parents are Pakistani. He . said: ‘We want the BBC to look and sound more like its audiences: while . it’s been good to see Ritula Shah appointed to take over from Robin . Lustig on the World Tonight, Laura Kuenssberg rejoining the BBC and . Mishal Husain taking on Today, let’s be under no illusion that we are . going to have to be very determined to address diversity on air and, . equally, off it.’ A BBC . insider said Mr Harding was using Miss Kuenssberg as an example of a . successful female journalist, and wanted to see more women on air as . well as people from ethnic minorities. But Mr Harding warned his reporters not to lose faith in original journalism as a result of the scandals, saying: ‘Our response to Savile and McAlpine should not be that we shy away from investigative reporting and the coverage of difficult issues. In fact, we must renew our commitment to curious, inquisitive journalism in the public interest.’ Although he insisted the BBC is ‘the best news organisation in the world’, the news chief added: ‘The question is this: is it good enough? Do we break enough stories? Do we tackle important issues with sufficient impact? Are we keeping up with or setting the pace in mobile and social media?’ The BBC’s news division employs a total of 8,000 people – including support staff – of whom 5,500 are journalists. Although the corporation does not release departmental budgets on the grounds it is ‘commercially sensitive’, BBC News is thought to receive around £500million of the licence fee every year. Mr Harding warned staff would have to spend less in future as the BBC makes savings. He said: ‘It is unsettling and wearying to go through these rounds of cost-cutting. The reality we face, like so many other services and businesses, is that we are going to have to deliver more for less.’ However, he urged his reporters not to be ‘cowed’ by their critics, saying: ‘They say we are too big, too lazy, too wasteful, too left-wing – (a few say we’re too right-wing) - too monolithic, too insensitive, too white, too male, too old. And we have no business being defensive or, even worse, dismissive of such criticism. ‘We must, genuinely, be alive to our critics, but we must not be cowed by them. Ultimately, our answer to them is and will be our journalism.'
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In his first speech James Harding called for a focus on investigative reporting, 'story-getting' and improving the diversity of its presenters .
Former Times editor said handling of the Savile and McAlpine scandals should not cause BBC to shy away from tackling difficult issues .
He questioned whether the 'best news organisation in the world' is good enough, breaking enough stories and setting the pace in social media .
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This is the first picture of the Ukrainian air force pilot alleged by pro-Russian rebels to have been the 'executioner' of the 298 victims on board doomed Malaysian Airlines flight MH17. The Russian Investigative Committee - equivalent of the FBI - is calling for Captain Vladislav Voloshin to take a lie-detector test and face formal questioning, asserting there is compelling evidence against him which should be considered by the Dutch-led official probe. Believed to be in his late 20s, he was named by stems from a 'secret witness' at his Dnipropetrovsk air base who says the pilot took off in his Su-17 combat jet on 17 July last year armed with air-to-air missiles. Scroll down for video . This is the first picture of the Ukrainian air force pilot alleged by pro-Russian rebels to have been the 'executioner' of the 298 victims on board doomed Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 . He returned without them soon after the Boeing 777 was blasted out of the sky, it is alleged. After landing Voloshin was 'scared', muttering that the incoming 'aircraft' - supposedly MH17 - 'was in the wrong place at the wrong time', according to the unnamed Ukrainian serviceman, now under guard at a secret location in Russia. The Investigative Committee, headed by Alexander Bastrykin, a former classmate of Vladimir Putin, insists that the witness has passed a polygraph test and his testimony is credible. The Russian Investigative Committee - equivalent of the FBI - is calling for Captain Vladislav Voloshin to take a lie-detector test and face formal questioning, asserting there is compelling evidence against him which should be considered by the Dutch-led official probe . Volshin has not spoken directly on the loss of MH17 but denied through his superiors that he was responsible. Ukraine blames Russia for a crude propaganda stunt in naming him. Since the horror, Moscow has repeatedly claimed that MH17 was shot down by a Ukrainian warplane in the skies close to the Malaysian plane, while also vigorously denying the West's analysis that it was hit by a BUK missile fired by pro-Moscow rebels. The pro-Moscow rebel media in eastern Ukraine has already branded Voloshin as 'the pilot who shot down MH17', showing archive footage of him which it labels 'the future executioner'. Believed to be in his late 20s, he was named by stems from a 'secret witness' at his Dnipropetrovsk air base who says the pilot took off in his Su-17 combat jet on 17 July last year armed with air-to-air missiles . The Investigative Committee, headed by Alexander Bastrykin, a former classmate of Vladimir Putin, insists that the witness has passed a polygraph test and his testimony is credible . 'Let Voloshin take a lie-detector test with Dutch or Malaysian experts,' demanded Investigative Committee's spokesman Vladimir Markin. 'Representatives of the Russian Investigative Committee are ready to leave for Ukraine at short notice with all necessary equipment for testing pilot Voloshin and all others who might know anything about the crash.' He demanded that the Ukrainian military should make a full disclosure of its flight logs on 17 July, the day MH17 was shot down, and allow Russia to interrogate its air traffic controllers. Referring to Ukrainian secret services, he said: 'We're waiting for a response from the SBU.' SBU official Markiyan Lubkivskyi insisted Voloshin was not engaged in combat flights on 17 July, the day MH17 was downed, and had not used weapons against aerial targets in the current conflict. Voloshin denied he had shot down MH17, and had no idea why the allegation was being taken seriously in Russia . 'The officer made no flights that day, and his aircraft was under repair because of damage inflicted during landing on 16 July,' he said, accusing Moscow of a bid to 'discredit' Ukraine. Voloshin denied he had shot down MH17, and had no idea why the allegation was being taken seriously in Russia, he said. The pilot has not spoken directly to the media over the incident. Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, Oleksandr Turchynov, accused Moscow of using propaganda to 'hide the crimes organised by the Russian Federation, including against civilians' in relation to flight MH17. He said: 'A great deal of evidence, including data from satellite observation, has proved that terrorist groups controlled by the Russian military shot down the passenger aircraft'. Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, Oleksandr Turchynov, accused Moscow of using propaganda to 'hide the crimes organised by the Russian Federation, including against civilians' in relation to flight MH17 . They used 'a Russian BUK surface-to-air-missile system', he said. But Moscow is now poised to give its 'whistleblower' sanctuary under its witness protection programme, so preventing him being prosecuted in Ukraine, it is understood. 'As the witness may be in danger, investigators are considering providing him with state protection,' said Markin. He already has a pseudonym 'in the interests of his security'. 'The facts and information that the witness possessed and shared - clearly and without getting confused - convince the investigators that his testimony is truthful, something that, by the way, a polygraph test has confirmed,' said Markin. Six weeks after the MH17 crash, Voloshin's plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine. He ejected, and escaped from the rebel-held region . He 'personally' saw Voloshin's warplane 'loaded with R-60 type air-to-air missiles, with which Su-25 fighters were not normally equipped'. His aircraft returned without these missiles. Markin claimed the account supported other witnesses who testified that 'not long before the crash they saw a warplane in the air in close proximity to the passenger airliner.' He said that 'the Investigative Committee will continue gathering and analysing all information about the disaster. 'If members of an international commission investigating the crash are indeed interested in finding out the truth and decide to request information from us, we are ready to share all available data.' He is a graduate of Kharkiv Air Force University.Two days after the crash, he was among a number of airmen awarded the Order of Courage by Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko . The crash killed all the 298 people on board the Boeing, which was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur . Six weeks after the MH17 crash, Voloshin's plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine. He ejected, and escaped from the rebel-held region. He is a graduate of Kharkiv Air Force University. Two days after the crash, he was among a number of airmen awarded the Order of Courage by Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko. The crash killed all the 298 people on board the Boeing, which was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.
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A picture has emerged of the Ukrainian pilot alleged to have been the 'executioner' of MH17 .
The Russian Investigative Committee is calling for Captain Vladislav Voloshin to take a lie detector test .
A'secret witness' say he took off in a combat jet, armed with missiles .
When he returned he was 'scared' saying MH17 was in the wrong place .
Voloshin has denied that he was involved in the loss of MH17 .
298 victims lost their lives onboard when MH17 was shot put of the sky .
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By . Emily Crane for Daily Mail Australia . Mothers are using their newborn babies as an excuse to let themselves go and avoid exercise, according to this tough love personal trainer. Sydney-based trainer Allan Trinh believes new mums prioritise their kids over themselves and they end up missing out health-wise. 'They're letting go, they're not eating properly and they just don't care,' Mr Trinh told Daily Mail Australia. 'I don't think that's right. You have to be a role model to the kids.' Sydney-based trainer Allan Trinh believes mothers use their newborn babies as an excuse to let themselves go and avoid exercise . The 24-year-old mobile personal trainer said he expected to 'cop a lot of slack from mums' over his controversial stance but he was more concerned about his message. 'The three main excuses I hear are 'I'm too tired, I've got no time and my kids are my workout',' he said. 'I know mums are really busy and haven't had much sleep, but it's all about the kids and they don't prioritise themselves anymore. 'Before I start with them they're a mess, but how they come out of it is completely new women.' He said new mums let themselves go, don't eat properly and just don't care because their children are the main priority . Mr Trinh, who has run Personal Direct Training in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney for almost four years, says a large proportion of his business are mums. 'I'm not a parent but I've been into the homes of a lot of mums - I've seen their lifestyles and the way they eat,' he said. 'I do sympathise with them. I will never go through pregnancy but I want to make a difference (with their health).' Mr Trinh said mums needed energy and only exercise could help with that. Mr Trinh has run Personal Direct Training in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney for almost four years . The 24-year-old mobile personal trainer said he expected to 'cop a lot of slack from mums' over his controversial stance but he was more concerned about his message . 'They can push the baby in the pram or do a quick exercise program at home... anything that they can do,' he said. 'It has to be convenient and consistent for a new mum who only has spare time here and there.'
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Allan Trinh believes new mums prioritise their children over themselves .
Sydney-based personal trainer expected to 'cop slack' over his controversial stance on news mums and exercise .
The 24-year-old said mums needed energy and only exercise could help .
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(CNN) -- On the evening of December 3, 2008, John Francis Cahill, a police officer for 19 years, walked up a trail in California's Santa Cruz Mountains. He stopped, took out a .40-caliber Glock semi-automatic handgun and shot himself in the temple. He was 42 years old. He was the father of two daughters. He was my firstborn son. Most Americans are aware of the high rate of suicide among soldiers. Less attention has been paid to those who protect us on the home front. The Badge of Life, a group of former cops dedicated to preventing police suicide, reports that about 145 police officers take their lives every year, twice the number of cops killed by felons. The rate of police suicides is more than 1½ times the rate of the general population. The Badge of Life also reports that for every suicide, a thousand working cops suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, and another thousand struggle with serious depression, marital problems or substance abuse. My son had been through a painful divorce and was distraught about the failure of his marriage, his financial problems and the possible impact of the divorce on his youngest daughter. Only after losing my son did I learn how susceptible cops are to suicide. Kevin Gilmartin, a former Arizona police officer turned clinical psychologist, wrote a book called "Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement," and consults with the FBI and police agencies around the country. His main message is that cops can never let their guard down, that the very things that make cops safe and effective on the job can cause great harm in their personal and family life, and in some cases, destroy them. Gilmartin writes vividly of the dangers of the "hypervigilance biological roller-coaster," where officers on duty are "alive, alert, energetic, involved and humorous," but when off duty, are "tired, detached, isolated and apathetic." He points out that hypervigilance on the job produces a healthy amount of cynicism and mistrust, which is necessary for street survival, but off the job, can be destructive for emotional survival and relationships with family and loved ones. Good cops create control out of chaos, and are willing to risk everything during a critical incident, which is usually short-lived. But when a cop gets depressed, these professional habits can become lethal. Cops don't do well when they can't control their situation or the source of their depression, and they begin to despair when they see that their problem -- the "critical incident" -- is never-ending. That's what happened to John. He told me how frustrating it was not to be in control, and he often told me, "This will never end." He went from depression to despair. I believe he was convinced that everyone would be better off if he was gone. John and I were close. I knew he was struggling, but my perception of him as secure and healthy never allowed me to imagine he could end his own life. Ellen Kirschman, a psychologist, police trainer, and author of "I Love a Cop," writes about the paradox between an officer's work life and personal life, and how police work changes people. She emphasizes that cops are oriented toward control and details situations that lead to suicide, including, "family conflicts, relationship losses, depression, immediate access to guns, poor coping skills, financial difficulties, shame, failure and a distorted but culturally correct sense of invincibility and independence." Kirschman defines trauma as a normal reaction to an abnormal event, an emotional reaction that can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. A police officer can be traumatized by many events that are abnormal or infrequent in other people's lives: shootings, a civilian getting severely injured in a police action, a child's death, a violent confrontation, a bad car crash or a gory crime scene. John Violanti, a former New York state trooper, is a public health professor who has extensively researched police suicide. He is the co-editor of "Police Suicide: Tactics for Prevention," which advocates peer support and stress management programs and emphasizes the importance of mental health treatment and a culture in which asking for help is not seen as a poor career move or a sign of weakness. The Badge of Life promotes "emotional self-care training," with the idea that every officer is a potential trauma victim. The members believe suicide prevention programs are crucial, but argue that departments must go beyond that to train officers to recognize trauma in themselves, to manage stress, to become resilient, and to understand the value of healthy lifestyles, including exercise. My son was the second San Jose police officer to commit suicide in 2008. As a result, the San Jose Police Department started to require agency-wide training. The department told its officers that if they were depressed and feeling suicidal, they could come in confidentially, receive counseling and keep their jobs. In the year after John died, 12 officers came in, got help and stayed on the job. The San Francisco Police Department lost three officers to suicide in 2010. Today, the SFPD's advanced officer training program includes a two-hour session on trauma, depression, substance abuse, suicide and the value of an annual, voluntary mental health checkup, not unlike an annual physical. As part of that training, I speak each week to 30 officers. I tell them John's story, summarize the research on police suicide, tell them that the very things that make them effective as cops can be destructive in their personal lives, and stress that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. When I'm back in my car I usually fall apart, revisiting the horror of four years ago. But I know I'm honoring my son by doing this. The California Highway Patrol has also aggressively addressed suicide prevention. But too many other police departments across the nation, even as they invest heavily in training in weapons use, tactics and physical safety, are not acknowledging the hidden risks of police work and protecting those who protect the rest of us. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Brian Cahill.
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Brian Cahill became a suicide prevention trainer after his son, a police officer, killed himself .
About 145 cops commit suicide a year, he says. Thousands have PTSD and depression .
Cahill: Cops see traumatic stuff every day. What helps them on the job can harm them at home .
Cahill: Police departments need to teach officers to recognize trauma and provide help .
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12ba651f8a47f1a0aca0d22de3f0497ad7d73e1a
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Forget some tinsel and a wreath, this quiet cul-de-sac has gone to town with its Christmas decorations to ensure Santa will have no trouble spotting the festive families from his sleigh. Neighbours have joined forces to transform Greyhound Close, in Hedge End, Hampshire, into a winter wonderland with thousands of lights and decorations. With six-foot snowmen, dancing reindeer and even an appearance from Father Christmas himself, the annual display attracts visitors from all over the country. The group of residents have raised £38,000 for Naomi House children's hospital in Winchester since 2004. Mike Parsons, one of the organisers, said: 'It is becoming increasingly difficult each year to find things. So there is an element of creativity this year and we have to create things for the show.' Festive families, streets and even pubs across the country have also got into the Christmas spirit and one Frozen-inspired lights display in Dagenham, Essex, drew a crowd so large that police had to close the road. Thousands of people crammed into a small residential close in New Milton, Hampshire, to see the huge display which used an estimated 1,000 bulbs. If you have any pictures of impressive lights displays, please email them to mailonlinepictures@dailymail.co.uk . Scroll down for video . Neighbours have joined forces to transform Greyhound Close, in Hedge End, Hampshire, into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights . With six-foot snowmen, dancing reindeer and even an appearance from Father Christmas himself, the annual display attracts visitors from all over the country . The group of residents have raised £38,000 for Naomi House children's hospital in Winchester since starting the display in 2004 . Eric Marshall, 75, from Bagby, North Yorkshire proudly shows off the thousands of Christmas lights which adorn his home . Alex Goodhind decorates his home in Melksham, Wiltshire, with more than 200,000 lights to raise money for hospice where his mother was treated before she died . A five-foot Santa stands guard outside Malcolm and Wendy Molloy's festive house in Alcester Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire . Karl Beetson's house in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, is one of the town's biggest Christmas attractions as he has been putting up a display of thousands of lights for the past 15 years . Families in Byron Road, New Milton, Hampshire, (left) decorate their houses with thousands of bulbs every year and one house in Newton Heath, Manchester (right) also gets into the Christmas spirit . Thousands of people crammed into Byron Road in New Milton, Hampshire, where a group of residents raise money for local charities each year . Mr Marshall, 74, spent three weeks installing the elaborate display on the walls, roof and garden of his bungalow near Thirsk . The pensioner from North Yorkshire has raised more than £15,000 for charity since first putting up the display more than 20 years ago . Bill Bates and his family have a full nativity display outside their home in Chigwell, Essex, and raise money for Haven Hospice . An army of snowmen, including some which are six foot high, stand guard outside one of the houses in Byron Road, Hampshire . The Byron Road Christmas lights display in Hampshire raises money for children's hospices Naomi House and Jacksplace . The Frozen themed Christmas display, set up by Andy McNab outside his home in Dagenham in Essex stretches across five houses . Buried under a mountain of 57 brightly lit Christmas trees, 11,500 lights and 90 hanging flower baskets, the Churchill Arms pub in Kensington, London, is also hard to miss . The Molloy's spend about £900 on electricity in December and about £750 a year on lights. There is a North Pole area with penguins and a Santa section with big sacks of toys . A giant Christmas pudding, candy canes and a small snowman adorns a garden in Torrington Road, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire .
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A group of residents have transformed a cul-de-sac in Hedge End, Hampshire, with thousands of lights .
With six-foot snowmen and dancing reindeer, the annual display attracts visitors from across the country .
They have raised £38,000 for Naomi House children's hospital in Winchester since starting the spectacle in 2004 .
One Frozen-inspired spectacle in Dagenham, Essex, drew a crowd so large that police had to close the road .
Buried under a mountain of 57 brightly lit Christmas trees the Churchill Arms pub in London is also hard to miss .
If you have any pictures of impressive lights displays, please email them to mailonlinepictures@dailymail.co.uk .
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12ba975aff21e3622fc31276a98ea17020af65d3
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By . Damien Gayle . PUBLISHED: . 08:18 EST, 29 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:42 EST, 29 November 2012 . Houses that rise and fall with the level of groundwater have been touted as the latest solution to the now seemingly annual floods inundating portions of the UK every autumn. Over the past week, days of torrential rain have flooded roads and more than 900 homes across the UK, leaving hundreds unable to return to their homes. The Environment Agency has warned that the flood risk remains high across the country, with 277 alerts and 204 warnings in place in England and Wales. Scroll down for video . Amphibious living: This floating home, currently under construction on the banks of the Thames in Buckinghamshire, raises to safety when the river bursts its banks . Now authorities are looking at a range of solutions for dealing with ever more frequent floods, including homes which float as waters rise. Baca Architects were earlier this year granted permission to build Britain's first amphibious house along the banks of the Thames in Buckinghamshire. The house, which is a replacement for another property, rests on land, but in the event of the river bursting its banks, it is able to rise with the water to keep its inhabitants dry. The floating house is just one idea being looked at by the Environment Agency as it investigates new technologies for dealing with floods, the BBC reported. Flood risk engineer Tony Andryszewski said the agency is keen to look at how other countries deal with repeat flooding, particularly the Netherlands which is seen as a world leader in flood management technologies. Homes are frequently built on stilts in countries like Thailand, Burma, India and Bangladesh, which all have regions notoriously susceptible to catastrophic flooding. But the more elegant solution of homes that float is more rare, although examples of different designs exist in Germany, Canada, the U.S. and even Taggs Island in the UK. Rustic look: How the finished house will look in the leafy environs of Buckinghamshire. Amphibious houses are just one of a range of solutions being looked at by the Environment Agency . All mod cons: How the house will look inside, with its panoramic views across the Thames . The Baca project currently under construction in Bucks will however be the UK's first fully amphibious house. Part of the award-winning LifE (Long-term Initiatives for Flood-risk Environments) project, of which Baca is a partner, the house is designed as a free-floating pontoon resting in fixed foundations. 'The floating house is secured by four dolphins (permanent vertical posts) arranged close up to the sidewalls,' Baca explains. 'The assembly is sited within a wet dock comprising retaining walls and base slab. When flooding occurs the dock fills with water and the house rises accordingly.' Every aspect is designed to stop any water penetrating inside so if a flood strikes the owners can stay put. A carefully laid out garden will act as a natural early warning flood system, with terraces set at different levels designed to flood incrementally and alert the occupants well before the water reaches a threatening level. The lowest terrace will be planted with reeds, another with shrubs and plants, another will be lawn and the highest step will be a patio with access into the dining room. Floating mechanism: The house is sited within a wet dock comprising retaining walls and base slab. When flooding occurs the dock fills with water and the house rises accordingly . All the pipes, ducts and wires for water, gas, electricity and sewage disposal in such amphibious homes are flexible, designed to remain functional even when the house rises several metres from its usual position. With most of the land mass of the Netherlands lying below sea level, it is perhaps no surprise that the Dutch have developed the world's best flood management technologies. The inhabitants of the region of since the 12th century been draining delta swamps to create artificial dry land - areas known as polders - at first using pumps powered by their famous windmills, like those pictured below. There are now about 3,500 low-lying polders in the Netherlands. Although enclosed by dykes, they easily collect water from rain, rivers and the sea so must be constantly pumped to keep waters at bay. Dutch flood agency spokesman Jos Maccabiani told the BBC: 'Since the last major flood in 1953, in which more than 1,800 people died, this system has been upgraded to very high standards.' Computer simulations have been used to demonstrate that the Netherlands' modern flood defences should be able to withstand an inundation so severe it would be expected only once every 10,000 years, he added. 'Nevertheless, with the ever-increasing urbanisation of our polders and flood plains, spatial planning is increasingly combined with flood resilience,' Mr Maccabiani said. 'There are projects under way where urban revitalisation of a city is combined with the widening of the river bed, lowering the peak water levels, and others that look into flood-proofing the country's highway infrastructure.' With an estimated value of . £1.5million, it will cost around 20 per cent more than building a . conventional similar-sized home – but there should be major savings on . insurance costs. There will be no communities built . using Baca's floating homes, since regulations restrict new homes being . built so close to the river (the Bucks house is a replacement for . another which will be torn down), however the Environment agency and its . partners are also looking at other solutions to rising water levels. The LifE Project envisages a new approach to development that embraces water and allows for the increased risks posed by flooding as climate change raises water levels across the world. With the UK currently in the grip of a housing crisis, it is hoped the project will unlock sites that are currently not considered suitable for development by managing and reducing flood risk overall. By building in features to developments that can both help prevent flooding, and lessen its impact when it is unavoidable, the project focuses on managing risk that can help homeowners, and insurers, plan for the future. A spokesman for Baca said: 'Amphibious houses or sometimes known as 'can-float' homes are a new phenomenon in the UK. 'As the cost of flood events start to have a more significant bearing on the public purse and the insurance secure demand higher levels of protection from the individual, flood resilient homes will become more common place. 'In the future communities that are holistically planned - that is to consider landscaping, urban design, energy and architecture simultaneously will be better prepared for flood events and climate change. 'Dwellings will be low carbon, and organized around multifunctional landscapes that will help control surface water flooding or act a large flood storage areas. 'New communities will be made up of streets of flood resilient dwellings located on the highest ground with amphibious homes located in the transitional zones between development and the natural environment. 'The long-term goal is to design communities that function as normal, preserving continuity of daily life during droughts and floods. Our intention, through our research and built work is that we can demonstrate that the future is not far away.'
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House is fixed in a dock and designed to rise as waters fill the foundations .
It is just one of a range of solutions being investigated by authorities .
In the recent days more then 900 homes have been flooded in the UK .
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