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Shaquille Omar Hallisey (pictured) hit a stranger over the head with a bottle leaving his victim with a fractured skull . A thug who hit a stranger over the head with a bottle leaving his victim with a fractured skull has been jailed for four years. Shaquille Omar Hallisey's attack in Cardiff was described by a judge as 'a savage demonstration of violence in a public place'. The 20-year-old's victim Matthew Leeke, 38, had been out with friends and was making his way home alone when the assault took place. Prosecuting counsel Jeffrey Jones said witnesses described seeing three males behind Mr Leeke in Queen Street. They said the trio were arguing with Mr Leeke. 'They heard one say "Walk away or else you are going to get hurt" and then saw the defendant smashing a bottle over his head. 'He collapsed, hitting his head hard on the pavings and the three ran off.' Mr Leeke told police he remembered someone speaking to him and then people surrounding him trying to help. Cardiff Crown Court heard paramedics treated cuts to the back of his head and his forehead which had to be glued and stapled in hospital. He was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, and a scan showed a fracture. In a statement, he said he was now anxious to leave his house and was suffering dizziness and headaches. He said his wife and parents had also suffered a great deal of upset over what happened to him in June last year. Judge Philip Richards acknowledged that Hallisey's guilty plea to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm had been 'brave' but said it had been a long time coming. Hallisey had been due to stand trial before he changed his plea. 'You used a bottle as a weapon to strike another man over the head and he has been profoundly affected by it,' the judge told him. A judge at Cardiff Crown Court (pictured) jailed Hallisey for four years after he admitted to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm . He also said that Hallisey, of Cardiff, had been the victim of violence himself when younger and now had a good partner who was standing by him. The judge said: 'I hope you resolve never to come before these courts again.' Caroline Rees, for Hallisey, said her client had known prison was inevitable but that he had a supportive family. 'He is normally a kind and gentle young man doing his best to live a good life against what has been a tragic background', she told Cardiff Crown. | Shaquille Omar Hallisey attacked Matthew Leeke in Queen Street, Cardiff .
The 20-year-old's victim was walking home when the assault took place .
He pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm .
Judge describes attack in June 2014 as 'savage demonstration of violence' | 1f1cde93778536125e304a7d04974ac566ea0db5 |
The first double hundred of Alex Hales' career helped Nottinghamshire into a position of strength on the opening day of their LV= County Championship match against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge. The England international was unbeaten on 222 not out as the home side reached 393 for seven by stumps, having been invited to bat first. Hales scored his runs from 250 balls, with 37 fours and a six and having shared in a third wicket stand of 171 with James Taylor, who scored 59. Steven Patterson, with two for 58 and Jack Brooks, two for 90, returned the leading figures for the Yorkshire bowlers on a tough day for the defending Champions. Alex Hales, pictured in action for Nottinghamshire earlier this month, completed a double century on Sunday . Hales' passed three figures for the 10th time in his career, spoiling the return of Andrew Gale, back skippering Yorkshire again after serving a four match suspension. Gale rotated all seven bowlers at his disposal but all found it difficult to put the brake on Hales' scoring. In general, too much width was offered to the 26-year-old and he capitalised fully to reach his century from 131 balls and his 150 from 173. Taylor was a perfect foil for his World Cup team-mate, content to play the supportive role in reaching his own 50 from 89 balls, with nine fours.Yorkshire's spirits were lifted just before the tea interval when Brooks struck twice in an over, snaring Taylor with an lbw decision and then providing enough temptation for Samit Patel to nudge one into the hands of Alex Lees at first slip. Riki Wessels made 18 before falling just before the taking of the second new ball, guiding Nottingham-born Will Rhodes to second slip. Hales, in action during an England nets session in Australia in March, hasn't given up on playing Test cricket . Hales went past his previous best of 184, made against Somerset in 2011, and then had his only two scares of the day, against the bowling of Patterson. An uppish chip to mid-on was totally missed by Rhodes, who claimed he lost the flight of the ball. On 197 a huge shout for lbw was turned down by umpire Russell Evans, to the dismay of the entire fielding unit. A four off Bresnan eased home nerves, though, and a standing ovation was duly afforded Hales for reaching the 200 landmark from 234 deliveries. He will return on the second morning, after the final over of the day was cut short following the dismissal of Will Gidman, also caught in the slip cordon, off Patterson. Nottinghamshire's openers both made 27 before the visiting attack struck twice during the morning session. Steven Mullaney was given out lbw to Patterson, beaten by one that came back and missed the inside edge. Brendan Taylor, who had scored centuries in both of his first class appearances this season, became a notable first scalp for Matthew Fisher, who at 17 years 161 days is Yorkshire's sixth youngest debutant, but it mattered little once Hales got to work. Hales hopes his brilliant knock against Yorkshire sends a message to the England selectors . Hales said: 'It's a very proud day for me to make that score against the county champions and against a very good attack. 'I'm very pleased with how the day has gone, it has been one of those days where all the shots I've tried have come off. 'They bowled pretty well at me in the morning session but I knew if I got through it, it would become easier and I'd be all right.' Asked if his knock had sent any sort of message to the England selectors, he added: 'I hope to show that I can make scores in all three formats. 'This year I want to make as many big scores as I can in this format because it's still my dream to play Test cricket.' Yorkshire captain Gale said: 'We weren't at our best today but fair play to Alex Hales. 'I thought he played really well - a chanceless innings really - but we only bowled to 60 or 70 per cent of our potential. 'It was a good toss to win, there was plenty in the wicket in the first session but we didn't utilise it. 'It was just nice to get back out over the white line and get 96 overs in the legs. I hope we can get it right in the morning and bowl them out quickly.' | Alex Hales was unbeaten on 222 not out for Nottinghamshire who reached 393 for seven by stumps in their clash against Yorkshire .
It is the first double hundred of Hales' career passing previous best of 184 .
And Hales said it is still his 'dream' to play Test cricket for England . | 2e5ca2fc5c7fe1b0b1386300623ea7a74a2418ad |
(CNN)Robert Bates, 73, shot and killed a man while playing cops and robbers with real police. Bates was a reserve deputy sheriff, which allowed him to "work full time jobs in the community and volunteer ... time in a myriad of events such as the Special Olympics and Tulsa State Fair," according to the Tulsa County Sheriff Office's website. But Bates wasn't limited to crowd control at sporting events for the disabled. He had taken part in more than 100 operations with the violent crimes task force, according to his lawyer. On April 2, Bates thought he was going to use a Taser on Eric Harris, who deputies had just tackled after he sold an undercover officer a Lugar pistol and then took off running. But Bates wasn't holding a Taser. He was holding his gun. He fired one shot and killed Harris. From a policing perspective, there wasn't even good reason to use a Taser against Harris. Cops were on scene. Harris wasn't getting the upper hand. He wasn't going anywhere. And despite what Bates would later claim, Harris was not running like a man with a gun. In fact, Harris was running fast and his arms were pumping very much like a man who is not protecting a gun in his waistband. What was Bates, an insurance company CEO, doing there in the first place? It certainly looks like Bates was given special access to "real" policing. Harris had given $2,500 to Sheriff Stanley Glanz's re-election campaign. He donated cars to the department. He gave equipment. So it would be noteworthy if Bates ends up being convicted based on evidence provided by "sunglass cameras" that he may have purchased for the department. A Tulsa police official said the agency has 130 reserve deputies, many of them wealthy people who make donations to the police. "That's not unusual at all," he told the Tulsa World. Maybe Bates could have been a reserve deputy without donating anything. But I doubt there are many volunteer septuagenarians working with the violent crimes task force. He was too old to be policing the streets. Tulsa police said that Bates had served a year in 1964 as a police officer. Most police departments have mandatory retirement ages. Federal law-enforcement officers, for instance, retire at 57. How easy is it to confuse a gun for a Taser? Police officers generally look with a skeptical eye toward volunteers. For one thing, it makes it tougher to push for a pay raise when people are offering to do your job for free. But departments also know that you get what you pay for. What is the point of background checks, psychological tests and the professional training police undergo if a person can donate a few grand and go out on patrol? Some people are a little too eager to be police officers. These people perhaps buy a police-like car for their personal car. Maybe they put in a police light or two. Some have actually made car stops. Police departments hate cop impersonators (it's illegal, by the way) and try and weed them during the hiring process. You want workers who like the job, but not too much; there's a fine line between passion and fanaticism. That said, there are good volunteer police officers. New York City, for example, has auxiliary police. These officers received more limited training and they help with neighborhood events and other nonenforcement activities. They wear an NYPD uniform but do not carry a gun. Auxiliary police and similar programs reinforce the notion that the police are the public and the public are the police. Volunteers remind us all that policing is a noble public calling, and most police work does not have to be done by overly militarized SWAT officers. An auxiliary program also allows young recruits a way to dip their foot into the police world before taking the plunge. It can be a great benefit to everybody when potential officers discover the job isn't for them before they are locked into a 20-year commitment. What happened in Tulsa County is a disgrace to police professionalism, and the fallout from this disaster may push police departments to end these kinds of programs. That would be a mistake. Police departments should encourage more productive interactions between police and the public. But a line does need to be drawn. | Peter Moskos: Reserve cop, 73, meant to use a Taser on a man, but shot him dead instead. Why was a volunteer cop witha gun in a violent crimes unit?
He says the man may have bought his way in with donations to police. Cops are, and should be, wary of those a little too eager to be police .
Moskos: Right approach is unarmed auxiliary cops, like in NYC, volunteering as a way to connect public to police . | fc1d4895239d116148e6b11d056547a4cda10d1f |
The Jacksonville Jaguars will bring a little bit of the NFL Draft to London next month by having a UK-based fan announce their sixth and seventh round picks live on television. The Jaguars, who are committed to playing one home game each year in London until 2015, have opened a competition for UK-based fans via nfluk.com, and the winner will announce the draft picks live on Sky Sports in the UK and the NFL Network in the United States. It will mark the first time that any part of the NFL Draft has taken place outside the United States. A UK-based fan will get to announce the Jacksonville Jaguars' sixth and seventh draft picks live on TV . The British NFL fan could announce 2015's answer to 2014 No 3 pick Blake Bortles to the world . Jaguars president Mark Lamping said: 'We are so excited to provide our fans in the US and abroad with an exciting opportunity to be part of the NFL Draft and introduce everyone to our newest Jacksonville Jaguars. 'Additionally, we are also equally thrilled to be the first team in the league to bring the NFL Draft to the international market in London.' The NFL Draft has become a huge television event in recent years as fans tune in around the world to find out which ex-college players will be the next to suit up for their teams. A competition for UK-based fans is being run via nfluk.com for the chance to be part of a world first . The Jaguars are committed to a home game each year in London until 2016 . Last year's draft attracted 45.7million viewers according to figures from the NFL. The first three rounds of this year's draft will take place in Chicago, with each NFL team then announcing their picks for rounds four to seven from their own headquarters. The Jaguars will announce their fourth and fifth picks from EverBank Field in Jacksonville and then hand over to London. | Jacksonville Jaguars will get a UK fan to announce their NFL draft picks .
Their sixth and seventh round selections will be revealed live on television .
It will be the first time part of the NFL draft has taken place outside the US . | 0c40c6c573e10d7436883000bb2305c86f0e7a28 |
The lingerie model whose sexy pregnancy selfies turned her into an overnight internet sensation has already snapped the first photo of her trimmed and toned post-baby physique in 'granny panties' - just four days after giving birth to her son. Sarah Stage, a 30-year-old from Los Angeles, came under fire during her pregnancy for posting a string of selfies showing off her seemingly rock-hard abs, with some critics claiming that maintaining such a tiny figure could be damaging to her unborn child. But her son James Hunter was born at a healthy eight pounds and seven ounces last Tuesday. And only days after welcoming her son into the world, Sarah donned black bikini briefs and a patterned bra for her latest snaphsot, which she shared on Sunday with her 1.6 million Instagram followers. Scroll down for video . Proud mama: Underwear model and animal rights activist Sarah Stage shared this picture of her post-baby body on her Instagram account on Sunday - just four days after giving birth to her son James Hunter . Ready to go: The 30-year-old revealed that she gained 28lbs during her pregnancy, before noting that she was looking forward to getting back to the gym . '[Four] days post baby. Total pregnancy weight gain was 28 pounds. I'm excited to resume my workouts in [five] weeks! #JamesHunter #HealthyBaby #GrannyPanties,' captioned the picture, highlighting her weight gain, which fell within the 25 to 35lbs range that doctors doctors recommend for average-weight women. The image has earned more than 40,000 likes since it was posted, with many commenting on her post-baby body and her healthy son. 'Proud of you hot momma. You put the critics to rest. You look fabulous and have a handsome baby,' one person wrote, while another added: 'Holy moly! What a legend! The baby's weight puts all the critics to rest.' Over the weekend, Sarah also posted a heartwarming photo of herself wearing a long-sleeve floral romper as she cradled her newborn in his nursery, writing: 'So happy #JamesHunter.' Look of love: Sarah gazed adoringly at her newborn son in this photo she posted on Saturday . So precious: Sarah shared this adorable picture of her newborn baby, James Hunter, on Instagram . Meanwhile, the first pictures of her baby boy were released last week. Sarah shared the adorable snapshots on her Instagram page. One, which shows a close-up of her son's face, said: 'Love at first sight #jameshunter.' The first ever picture of James featured the newborn in an adorable fox outfit. Sarah commented on the photo: 'James Hunter (4/14/15) 8.7lbs/22 inches of HEALTHY baby! 'Thank you for the positive support throughout my journey... It's just beginning!!! #JamesHunter #Healthy' During her pregnancy many people commented that they felt Sarah's unusually trim figure could be damaging to her unborn child, but it seems their fears were unfounded. Baby bump: Sarah took her last pregnancy selfie (pictured) at 39 weeks on April 13, writing: 'Still waiting'. The 30-year-old gave birth James the next day . Baby boy: Sarah posted this precious picture of James to her Instagram on Friday commenting that it was 'love at first sight' Sarah confirmed to E! that she welcomed her son last Tuesday, revealing that her baby boy was 22 inches long at the time of his birth, adding: 'He's a big healthy boy and he got an APGAR score of eight to nine.' An APGAR score, which stands for Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration, is a quick method for assessing the health of a newborn, with scores of seven or above being considered normal. Sarah famously documented her changing figure via her Instagram page throughout her pregnancy, earning herself a huge number of fans - as well as a fair share of critics - in the process. Although the new mother came under fire last month as more and more critics spoke out against toned figure, their comments never stopped the model from sharing numerous photos of her toned abs. Nap time: In this gorgeous snap, James is seen sleeping in a giraffe costume . Last Tuesday Sarah shared a photo of two In-N-Out burgers, writing, 'Cravings,' although its not clear as to whether or not she enjoyed the meal before or after she gave birth. The lingerie-clad model snapped her last pregnancy selfie, which she captioned: 'Still waiting #9months [sic],' the day before she welcomed her son into the world. The snapshot of her in a black bra and thong underwear has been liked over 40,000 times since it was posted, and has earned nearly 4,000 comments. And Sarah, who is of European and Costa Rican descent, took to Instagram earlier this month to share a photo of growing belly during the last weeks of her of pregnancy, writing: '10 days until we meet #BabyJames.' But while a large number of comments made about Sarah's figure were critical, many women noted that they found Sarah's pregnancy body to be motivation to work out and live a healthy lifestyle. Model off duty: Sarah took plenty of selfies in her underwear throughout her pregnancy; here she posed at 37 weeks on March 27 . Haters gonna hate: Sarah, who came under fire for her being tiny and toned throughout her pregnancy, told her critics to unfollow her if they have a problem with her pictures . Toned physique: Sarah snapped this photo of herself flaunting her barely-there baby bump at 38 weeks on April 6 - 10 days before she was supposed to give birth to her son . 'I'm completely inspired to go to the gym first thing in the morning. You look absolutely gorgeous @sarahstage #amazing [sic],' one fan wrote. 'You look absolutely lovely. Hats off to you for being fit and taking care of yourself!' another added. 'If I ever have children, I'm inspired by you to treat my pregnancy the very same way. I'm sure James will be amazing! Congratulations.' Others compared their figures to Sarah's pregnancy body, with one woman writing: '10 days before giving birth?! Lord Jesus help us all! I look like this after dinner [sic].' 'I look like that after a good meal or two,' someone else commented. Meanwhile, some people suggested that her son would be as tiny as she is - although it has since been proved that there was no need to worry. Pregnancy pals: Sarah, then at 36 weeks, and her friend, at 39 weeks, compared their growing bellies for this playful picture on March 22 . Baby style: Sarah shared this cute photo of matching father and son Timberland boots before the birth of her son . 'Baby James will come out the size of her phone case,' one person commented, referencing the model's bear-shaped cell phone cover. When she's not sharing lingerie selfies, the new mother regularly shared pictures of her son's nursery and his future wardrobe. Last week, Sarah shared an adorable photo of matching father and baby sized Timberland boots, writing: 'Daddy & baby shoe game [sic].' And despite her critics, Sarah refused to hide her then-eight-month pregnant body in maternity clothes. Flaunt it: Sarah refused to wear baggy clothes during her pregnancy and instead opts for figure-hugging dresses like the one she wore in this picture on March 28 . Looking good: Sarah wore this sexy black dress on a 'date night' when she was 37 weeks pregnant on March 31, just two weeks before James was born . She shunned baggy dresses and instead dressed her bump in fitted Lycra or nothing at all. The fitness fanatic loves hitting the gym and often captures photos of herself working out, as well as following a healthy diet of quinoa, spinach and chicken. Clearly not letting her growing baby bump get in the way of her career, Sarah continued to proudly model whilst carrying. Two weeks ago, she shared a sexy snapshot of herself in black underwear and responded to her haters. 'BTW If you don't like my pics then unfollow me,' she wrote. 'I'm excited, happy and enjoying every second of my pregnancy. Can't wait to meet James! #NFG #37weeks [sic].' | Sarah Stage, 30, welcomed son James Hunter into the world last Tuesday .
The baby boy weighed eight pounds, seven ounces and was 22 inches long .
During her pregnancy Sarah was criticized for her trim figure and abs . | 7516f3dd2e1db3b24ae56e07b36b9de2c0918b7a |
A kitten which miraculously survived a seven-storey fall is on the road to recovery after it was found lying on the ground covered in maggots and blood. The six-month-old had fallen from a building in Zetland, inner-east of Sydney, last month and sustained serious injuries. It was taken in by a local vet clinic, My Vet Animal Hospital, who shared the story of aptly-named 'Seven' on social media. Since then, the cat has won the hearts of many who have donated funds to help pay for the his hefty medical bills and surgeries. And now he is on the hunt for a new home. A kitten which miraculously survived a seven-storey fall is on the road to recovery after it was found lying on the ground covered in maggots and blood . Once it was taken to the vet by a passer-by, doctors found maggots in its mouth while also discovering that the cat had injuries including a broken jaw, broken leg, broken hard palate and bruised lungs . The six-month-old had fallen from a building in Zetland, inner-east suburb of Sydney, last month and sustained serious injuries . Seven was first introduced to the public in March when My Vet Animal Hospital posted a desperate call out to its owner. Found on the corner of O'Dea and Joynton Avenue in Zetland, the cat - believed to have fallen off a balcony - had no microchip and was in a 'terrible state'. Once it was taken to the vet by a passer-by, doctors found maggots in its mouth while also discovering that the cat had injuries including a broken jaw, broken leg, broken hard palate and bruised lungs. Soon after, the clinic issued another post - this time seeking funds to raise enough money for Seven to receive all the appropriate treatment for his recovery. Seven was first introduced to the public in March when My Vet Animal Hospital posted a desperate call out to its owner . Since then, the cat has won the hearts of many who have donated funds to help pay for the his hefty medical bills and surgeries . 'My name is Seven and I've been too sick to introduce myself for the past 2 days!' the Facebook post reads. 'A kind man brought me in after he found me lying on the floor covered in maggots and blood, I was on the verge of going to kitty heaven. 'The girls @myvetanimalhospital refused to give up on me and started treatments immediately. 'I hope to raise enough money for me to receive all the treatments that I need to get better and well again. Please help me get better because I want to!' Found on the corner of O'Dea and Joynton Avenue in Zetland, the cat - believed to have fallen off a balcony - had no microchip and was in a 'terrible state' It was taken in by a local vet clinic, My Vet Animal Hospital, who shared the story of aptly-named 'Seven' on social media . The plea had hundreds of shares on Facebook and with further help of fliers distributed near where Seven was found, his owner eventually came forward but had to surrender his pet as he could not pay for its treatments. Since the accident, Seven has undergone two surgeries - the first to repair the top part of his mouth and a following surgery for his broken leg. This was all paid for by the funds raised by those who were touched by Seven's story of survival. The clinic's veterinary nurse Jaycee Britter told the Daily Telegraph the surgeries cost over $3000. For Seven, the vet clinic has been his temporary home for the last month where he is slowly learning to walk again. Doctors say Seven will be ready for his new home in about six weeks time. | A six-month-old kitten was found lying on the floor in Sydney last month .
It sustained a broken jaw, broken leg, broken hard palate and bruised lungs .
The owner surrendered it to the vet as he could not afford the medical bills .
Small vet clinic raised funds to help pay for the kitten's treatments .
It is now on the road to recovery and will be ready for a new home in six weeks . | d4bcbba8a280a47deb040cb6c2d6b9c3fb3164e6 |
A girl whose mother reached out on social media to find a movie goer offended by her daughters behavior has apologized to her victim on national television. Lexy Wood, the 13-year-old daughter of Kyesha Smith Wood, told Rebecca Boyd that she is 'embarrassed' by the way she acted when she disrupted a screening of Cinderella in Bessemer, Alabama. She and her step-sister were said to have been 'rude and obnoxious' throughout the film. She and her brother Nick, 16, were approached after the screening by Mrs Boyd, who said that her husband had just been laid off and the teenagers had ruined the last time she would be taking her daughter to the movies for a while. Mrs Wood, 36, was mortified when she heard about the encounter from her son and said 'It was a hard pill to swallow, but I knew they weren’t raised that way' Scroll down for video . Lexy Wood, 13 (back left), has apologized to Rebecca Boyd (right) after her mother posted a message on Facebook. Above, Nick, 16 (back center) and Ashley (front center) join them on television . Boyd said that the apology and aftermath of the encounter 'reminded me that there are still good people in the world' The mother, who was watching Cinderella with her daughter Ashley, confronted the 13-year-old outside of the movie theater and told her that her husband had just been laid off (reenactment) The story gained national attention after Mrs Wood turned to social media to try and find the woman and apologize to her for her daughter's behavior and pay for her next trip out of her children's allowance. Mrs Wood and Mrs Boyd ended up meeting at the end of March and now share a bond, they say. 'It was old fashioned parenting that we were both using. You approach kids that are acting up and you [ask them to] apologize,' viewers will hear Mrs Wood say when they tune in to Inside Edition. Lexy now says that she 'didn’t realize how loud we were really being' and apologized in person to Mrs Boyd. The offended mother says that the aftermath of the counter and apology has 'reminded me that there are still good people in the world'. Mrs Wood's post was shared by thousands of people, prompting Mrs Boyd to write her a message. Since that message was uploaded, her husband has received job offers and others have offered to fund the next visit. Both families have had dinner together and Mrs Boyd has also received money for movie tickets and snacks from the Woods. Kyesha Smith Wood (pictured with her husband Damond) called out her 'disprectful' children on Facebook after she found out they were rude to a mother . She wrote this lengthy Facebook post in a bid to track the mother down, and it was subsequently shared thousands of times . The post was shared by thousands of people, prompting the mother in question, Mrs Boyd, to write her a message. Since news of them finding each other spread, her husband has received job offers and others have offered to fund their trips to the movies. Mrs Wood told AL.com she was 'devastated and ashamed' after learning of the way her girls behaved after Boy tried to correct their behavior. The lengthy Facebook post read: 'This is a long shot, but I'm looking for a woman that was at Tannehill Premier tonight seeing Cinderella at 7pm. I dropped my teenage daughter, step daughter, and son off at the movie. 'My son later told me, much to my humiliation and embarrassment, that my girls were rude and obnoxious during the movie. The woman I'm looking for addressed them and asked them to be quiet and they were disrespectful. Rebecca Boyd (left and right) got in touch with Wood and said she was 'touched' by how she cared about her children's behavior. Her husband has also received job offers following the publicity . Despite all the attention Wood (left) insists the 'real hero' in the situation is Boyd, who she calls a 'great mom' 'I can assure you that these girls are being strongly dealt with and appropriately punished. This rude, disrespectful, and awful behavior is unacceptable and they owe you an apology. 'My husband and I are having them write your apology letter tonight and we would like to pay for your next movie and snacks out of their allowance. Please message me if this is you. I apologize profusely for their disrespect.' After seeing the post, Boyd said: 'I was touched that she cared how her kids behaved. You don't see that a lot these days. Despite all the attention Wood insists the 'real hero' in the situation is Boyd, who she calls a 'great mom'. Boyd added: '[I've learned] that as parents we need to support each other. The girls are not bad, they made bad choices. 'I am overwhelmed by all the love and support! This is something my daughter Ashley and I will never forget.' | Lexy Wood, 13, apologized after ruining Cinderella for Rebecca Boyd .
Offended moviegoer, whose husband was recently laid off, approached teen after movie and said that she should be more considerate .
They were 'loud, rude and obnoxious' throughout the movie .
Mother Kyesha Wood found out about behavior and searched for Boyd .
She eventually found the mother after social media post went viral .
Mothers now share a bond and families have had dinner together . | 05cbafced801ac4096937b5e707d130565bcdeb1 |
It is a skill employed by stand-up comedians, politicians and market traders alike – an effortless way with words that can persuade, cajole and tease. Now scientists believe they have found evidence of what may lie behind 'the gift of the gab'. Brain scans on a group of professional comedians has revealed differences in the way the brains of these 'super speakers' work while talking. The ultimate wheeler dealer, Del Boy's gift of the gab came from a difference in the way his brain worked . Compared to the less silver tongued among us, the super speakers – which also included a barrister and a radio presenter – showed less activity in a key area of the brain involved articulating and comprehending speech. This suggests that this group were putting less effort into the basic mechanics of speech, allowing them to devote more resources to what they were going to say next. Sarcasm is often described as the lowest form of wit, but it seems you need the right kind of wits in the first place to be able to recognise it. Neuroscientists have identified the area of the brain that is the key to picking up on when someone is being sarcastic. They found that people with damage to the right sagittal stratum - a bundle of white matter that lies between the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures in the brain - are unable to detect sarcasm. Stroke survivors often suffer damage to this area of their brain and struggle to recognise when family and friends are being sarcastic. Dr Joe Devlin, a neuroscientist at University College London, told the Guardian: 'The fact that they show less activity there reflects the fact that they simply find speech less effortful and I suspect part of that has to do with practice. ' The findings may also help to explain why some people dry up completely when asked to speak. Dr Devlin and his colleagues used magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brains of 17 professional comedians, a radio presenter and barrister. They were asked to lie in the scanner while talking for 30 seconds on random topics without hesitation, deviation or repetition – a task based on the BBC 4 panel show Just a Minute. Among the comedians taking part were Robin Ince, who presents a show with physicist Brian Cox, Richard Herring and Helen Keen. They were compared against a control group of students, who, according to Dr Devlin, were far less adept at the task. Super speakers were found to have less activity in Broca's region of the brain, shown in the image above . Dr Devlin said: 'One of the participants was given "Scotland" and just said "I've never been there", and that was basically it. 'We asked them to speak about "a perfect cup of tea", topics that should've been easy for everyone. 'A lot of our interest in speaking in fluency has been about things that go wrong, such as stutters. There's been almost no interest in how speech goes right.' The study revealed that the same areas of the brain were activated when both the comedians and the students were speaking. Market traders are known for their ability to sell almost anything to anyone due to their talent for speaking . However, the comedians and other super speakers showed lower levels of activity in an area of the brain known as Broca's region. Perhaps surprisingly, some studies have shown that Broca's region is also underactive in people who stutter. Writing on his blog about being involved in the research, comedian Richard Herring said: ' I was secretly hoping they would discover that my grey matter was special in some way or had some additional little bend or section which enabled me to be so very funny. 'The testers did say that the control group of non-professional speakers found the idea of talking on a surprise subject very difficult.' | Scientists at University College London took MRI scans of comedians, barristers and radio hosts while they talked non stop for 30 seconds .
They had lower activity in key language centre of the brain than students .
It suggests 'super speakers' require less effort to talk than other people . | c9d601d1b2828452455acc0cdeb420a8968b0927 |
Shabana Bibi, died in hospital on Saturday April 18 . The heartbroken brother of Pakistan's latest 'honour killing victim' - allegedly burned alive because she left the house without permission - said he will set himself alight if he does not get justice. Shabana Bibi, 25, from the Muzaffargarh district of the country, died in hospital on Saturday after suffering burns to 80 per cent of her body. Police have arrested her husband Muhammad Siddique and father-in-law Pir Bakhsh. Bibi's brother, Muhammad Azam said Siddique became enraged on learning his wife had visited her sister without first asking him if she could go out. His father then beat Bibi before dousing her with petrol on April 17, Azam alleged. Bibi had been married to Siddique for three years, during which time she had suffered repeated domestic abuse because the couple couldn't have children, her brother claimed. Azam says police have not provided him with a copy of the crime report despite repeated requests. 'I would set myself on fire in front of the office of the district police chief if I did not get justice,' he said. District police chief Rai Zameer-ul-Haq said: 'We have arrested the husband and father-in-law of the deceased woman and charged them for murder and terrorism.' The charge of 'terrorism' is regularly applied in such cases to quicken the legal process. Bibi (not pictured) had been married to Siddique for three years, during which time she had suffered repeated domestic abuse, according to her brother . But Naseem, the investigating officer, now says police have no doubt Bibi committed suicide. He said the police investigation will end if three people from the area take an oath on the Quran claiming Bakhsh is innocent. He said police have asked the men to visit the police station tomorrow so the oaths can be made. Hundreds of women are murdered by their relatives in Pakistan each year through domestic violence or on the grounds of defending family 'honour'. The Aurat Foundation, a campaign group that works to improve the lives of women in Pakistan's conservative and patriarchal society, says more than 3,000 women have been killed in such attacks since 2008. | Shabana Bibi, 25, died after she suffered burns to 80 per cent of her body .
Husband and father-in-law were arrested and accused of setting her alight .
Investigating officer now says police have no doubt Bibi committed suicide .
Azam says he will set himself on fire if he doesn't get justice for his sister . | 37f064a524b4b68fe4fa213ffabab3b6bd25b8d1 |
This is the moment the pop star daughter of a Mexican drugs lord broke into court in the middle of the night with gun-toting bodyguards – to shoot a music video. Singer Melissa Plancarte, whose stage name is Melissa: Cartel Princess, was filmed doing her midnight flit in the Mexico's Michoacan state courthouse for her pop video 'Since You Left'. Seen by half a million fans, the clip shows glamorous pop star - one of Mexico's most beautiful women, dancing the tango at the bottom of the courthouse staircase. Scroll down for video . Break-in: Singer Melissa Plancarte is pictured dancing on the stairs inside the courthouse in her music video . Lavish lifestyle: Melissa Plancarte lives in a mansion in the town of Nueva Italia and has three pet tigers . Father: Enrique Plancarte was in charge of a drugs cartel known for hanging its victims by the neck from busy motorway bridges . And Melissa would have got away with it - had it not been for eagle eyed fans who spotted unmistakeable murals at the state capital Morelia building. Furious officials say the star didn't have permission to film at the courthouse. Supreme Court President Juan Antonio Magaña blasted: ‘It’s not possible to hire out these buildings for any price. At least not legally.' Speculating how the pop star got in, state governor Fausto Vallejo said he suspected the guards may have received bribes. Melissa's father, Enrique Plancarte, headed one of Mexico's biggest drugs cartels which was infamous for hanging its victims by the neck from motorway bridges. Plancarte made millions before he died in a shoot out with the Mexican Navy last year. He owned Melissa's record label, PlanRecords - which has just two other acts on its books - Melissa's brother and sister Kike and Jazet. The stunning singer, who owns three pet tigers and boasts about her lavish lifestyle on Instagram, only recently admitted who her father was. She was outed in a social media campaign by Michoacan self-defence groups, who are waging a war to rid the state of drugs families. Mobster Plancarte was responsible for numerous deaths across Mexico. He headed the Knights Templar cartel, which smuggled crystal meth into the US. The mob boss was killed after a bounty of £435,000 was placed on his head by the government. His shooting sent shockwaves through the Knights Templar. ‘We knew this was going to happen but nothing can prepare you for it,' Melissa revealed after attending her father’s funeral. Recognisable: YouTube users pointed out the unmistakable murals and staircase inside the court building . Social media: Pop star Melissa owns a large mansion in the town of Nueva Italia and documents her lavish lifestyle on Instagram . The stunning singer only recently admitted her father was the feared drug boss who has been responsible for countless deaths across the troubled state of Michoacan . Body art: This Instagram picture shows the pretty singer wearing no make up and having a tattoo done . But her mob connections do not end with her father; last year her nephew Mario Contreras and cousin Nazaro Moreno were arrested for their involvement with organised crime. She bosted of her mob roots when she posed in an outfit bearing the insignia of her father’s gang - a red cross on a white background - on Instagram. And last April, the Cartel Princess posted photos on social media from inside a property that had been seized by the Knights Templar through an illegal extortion racket. To hit back, she published a music video called ‘Me Vale’ ('I Don’t Care’) filmed in the house with her crime family. Melissa owns a large mansion in the town of Nueva Italia – the centre of Knights Templar heartland - and shares them with her three big cats, which is a status symbol in Mexico. ‘I like them because they’re exotic and unique’, she told Mexican showbiz magazine TvNotas. Her mother Neria Bustos Valencia still lives in the town centre mansion her dead husband built in the centre of Nueva Italia, next door to Melissa. Unusual pets: The keeping of big cats as pets is seen as a status symbol in Mexico and Melissa has three . Melissa’s connections to the criminal gang do not end with her father - last year her nephew Mario Contreras and cousin Nazaro Moreno were arrested for their involvement with organised crime . | Singer Melissa Plancarte broke into a court to film her new music video .
She's the daughter of Mexican drugs lord Enrique Plancarte who died in a shoot out with the Navy .
His murderous cartel hanged victims by their necks on motorway bridges .
Plancarte, who has three pet tigers, posts pictures of her 'bling' life online . | 2ce954b764797a7a680c218d33bf409dc844659c |
They took to Reddit in their millions in the hope of pinpointing the suspect or suspects behind the Boston Marathon bombings, which killed two women and a young boy, and injured a further 264. But in the days after the 2013 attack, the users of the subreddit, Find Boston Bombers, hurled false accusations at countless spectators who had been wearing backpacks at the high-profile event. Their claims - based on the analysis of photos and videos of the marathon - even led to 22-year-old Sunil Tripathi, a Brown University student who was missing, being wrongly identified as the bomber. Now, the moderator of the subreddit, Chris Ryves, has told of his regrets about the thread - which he says nearly became 'its own beast' in the wake of the April 15 bombings - in a new documentary. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Regret: The moderator of the Reddit thread, Find Boston Bombers, Chris Ryves (pictured), has told of his regrets about the subreddit - which he set up after the Boston Marathon Bombings - in a new documentary . Theories: Millions of users took to Ryves's thread on the day of the bombings, and following days, highlighting spectators whom they believed looked suspicious based on their demographics and whether they had been wearing a backpack at the event. Above, a still from a trailer for the documentary, released on Monday . Detailed analysis: 'They were just analyzing the same pictures, like it was a Where's Waldo? game,' one journalist says in the trailer. Another adds: 'They would draw a circle around the guy or around the backpack' Wrong man: The Redditors' accusations even led to 22-year-old Sunil Tripathi (left), a Brown University student who was missing, being wrongly identified as the bomber. Right, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was actually responsible . In the documentary, The Thread, which will be released on iTunes on Monday, Ryves explains how Redditors took it upon themselves to theorize about the suspect/suspects' identities on his thread. These theories, which may have appeared harmless at first, then spread into the public domain, sparking the widespread rumor that Tripathi was behind the homemade pressure-cooker bombs. 'People like to make theories,' Ryves says in a trailer for the documentary, explaining how he had initially set several ground rules - such as 'No Racism' - for the thread in a bid to ensure fairness. However, as a staggering three million users took to the subreddit to join in the hunt for the killer or killers, he Ryves soon lost control of it. 'It became almost its own beast', he admits in the film. The documentary, which was directed by Greg Barker and executive produced by Jonathan Chinn and Simon Chinn, looks at impact that amateur social media writers are having on journalism. In particular, it focus on the Internet frenzy in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, which Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was this week found guilty of carrying out by a Boston, Massachusetts, jury. Explosion: In the documentary, The Thread, which will be released on iTunes on Monday, Ryves explains how Redditors took it upon themselves to theorize about the bomber/bombers' identities on his subreddit . Identification: 'People like to make theories,' Ryves says in a trailer for the documentary, explaining how he had initially set several ground rules - such as 'no racism' - for the thread. Above, a still from the trailer . Lost control: However, as a staggering three million users took to the subreddit to join in the hunt for the killer or killers, he Ryves soon lost control of the subreddit. 'It became almost its own beast', he says in the film . Comparison: One person in the film (pictured) describes users' analysis as akin to a 'Where's Waldo? game' In the hours after the deadly attack, Reddit users posted images and videos of crowds of spectators at the marathon on Find Boston Bombers, which had been set up by Ryves, known as 'oops777'. 'You look up ‘unlikely journalist’ in the dictionary and there’s this guy,' Jonathan Chinn told Boston.com. 'This guy who had no journalistic background ... was at the hub of all of it.' But despite his lack of journalism, Ryves certainly had an impact. Millions of users took to his thread, highlighting spectators whom they believed looked suspicious based on their race, facial expressions and gaze - and accusing them of being the bomber. 'They were just analyzing the same pictures, like it was a Where's Waldo? game,' one journalist says in the trailer. Another adds: 'They would draw a circle around the guy or around the backpack.' Guilty: A sketch shows Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (second left) and his defense team are seen as the guilty verdicts on all charges against him were read on Wednesday. The jury will now decide if he gets the death penalty . Impact: In the hours after the attack, Reddit users posted images and videos of crowds of spectators at the marathon on Find Boston Bombers, which had been set up by Ryves. Above, another still from the film trailer . Tragic: After Tripathi (pictured, left, with two relatives) was wrongly identified by Reddit commentators (the student was, in fact, found dead in a Rhode Island river on April 23), an apology was issued to his family . And one says: 'Instead of going to police with their tips, people were going on Reddit.' The theories only stopped when Tsarnaev and his brother, Tamerlan, were tracked down by police on April 19. After Tripathi was wrongly identified by Reddit commentators (the student was, in fact, found dead in a Rhode Island river on April 23 after committing suicide), an apology was issued to his family. The apology, written by the then-unidentified moderator of Find Boston Bombers, told Tripathi's relatives that the thread was 'truly sorry' for pinpointing the victim, who went missing on March 16. It read: 'I'd like to extend the deepest apologies to the family of Sunil Tripathi for any part we may have had in relaying what has turned out to be faulty information. We cannot begin to know what you're going through and for that we are truly sorry. 'Several users, twitter users, and other sources had heard him identified as the suspect and believed it to be confirmed. We were mistaken.' Plot: The Reddit users' theories only stopped when Tsarnaev (right) and his brother, Tamerlan (left), were tracked down by police on April 19. Lawyers for Tsarnaev blamed the attacks on his older brother in court . Heroic: Jeff Bauman can be seen running at the side of Jeff Bauman, who lost both legs in the 2013 explosion . Chilling: Martin Richard, who was killed in the bombings, is seen (front circle) just meters away from Tsarnaev (back circle) on April 15. Seconds later, one of two bombs exploded, piercing his body with shrapnel . Erik Martin, the general manager of Reddit, also sent out an email 'to apologize personally for... some of the people on our site's role in the spreading of this false idea about Sunny.' Speaking to Boston.com, Jonathan Chinn explained that although citizen journalism is important to 'the way news is gathered and broadcast', there are issues with it because it moves 'so quickly'. The Thread features interviews with journalists from established media outlets, as well as several Reddit users who were involved in the hunt for justice following the deadly twin bombings in 2013. It will also be available to view and download on other major digital platforms on Monday. Victims: Krystle Campbell (left) and Martin Richard (right) were killed in the blast at the marathon finish line . Killed: Lingzi Lu, 23, also died at the marathon, while MIT Police Officer Sean Collier, right, was later shot dead . | Chris Ryves set up Find Boston Bombers thread after the 2013 bombings .
Within hours, millions of users had taken to subreddit to identify bomber .
They analysed photos and videos of spectators at marathon on April 15 .
Slung false accusations at those wearing backpacks or acting strangely .
Claims led to Sunil Tripathi, 22, being wrongly identified as the suspect .
Frenzy only halted after Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev were named .
Now, Ryves has told of regrets about Reddit thread in new documentary .
In film, The Thread, he says the subreddit 'became almost its own beast' | 07b24d014c07395a08ad71f9ae344131407b29a1 |
The life of a 16-year-old girl stabbed to death at a Connecticut school a year ago on the day of prom was celebrated Saturday by hundreds of people with a road race, fried food and live music. Wearing shirts in Maren Sanchez's favorite color of purple, the crowd filled a baseball field behind Milford's Jonathan Law High School, where she was attacked and killed in a hallway on April 25, 2014. A classmate, Christopher Plaskon, has been charged with murder. After a week of somber remembrances at the school, her classmates and event organizers said the idea was to remember Sanchez on the anniversary of her death as she would have wanted, with smiles and joy. Remembrance: Friends embrace and remember slain student Maren Sanchez on Saturday, April 25, 2015 . Plans: Maren Sanchez, pictured in the dress she had planned to wear to prom, was excited about the dance which was due to attend with her new boyfriend last year . 'I did it': Chris Plaskon is being charged with murder as an adult over the stabbing of Sanchez . 'I don't think there's anything sad about this,' said Darby Hudd, a 17-year-old friend of the slain teen. 'It's such a celebration.' The slaying stunned people around Connecticut and especially in this shoreline city, where Sanchez is remembered as an outgoing person, active in drama and other school activities, who had a kind word for anyone she met. The event included a kickball tournament, bounce houses and a dunk tank, with proceeds benefiting a scholarship program created by Sanchez's mother. The day was bittersweet, with some exchanging long hugs, but organizers said they agreed with Sanchez's mother, Donna Cimarelli, that the community did not need another vigil. 'We've cried a lot in this town. If you knew Maren, she would have embraced an event like this,' said Elena Garet, whose daughter was friends with the teenager. Tragic: This May 2, 2014, file photo shows a girl stopping at a memorial for Maren Sanchez outside Jonathan Law High School, in Milford, Connecticut . Live music: Jonathan Law senior Rachel Escobar and Steve Gonza, of the band Ink, practice a piece of original music written for Maren Sanchez . Mourning friends: Jonathan Law High School senior Jarrod Butts and Jamie Loma, left, and Jill Bendlak, right, remember Maren Sanchez on Saturday . 'Maren was a girl who brought people together.' The classmate accused of attacking Sanchez with a knife, Christopher Plaskon, has pleaded not guilty. His attorney has said he intends to use an insanity defense. Police have said they were looking into whether the attack was related to Sanchez's refusal to be Plaskon's date to their junior prom. Fran Thompson, the high school principal, said students and faculty are still recovering from the loss of the beloved girl. Over the last week, he said, the school held memorial events and students have been tweeting favorite memories of Sanchez and examples of people showing kindness toward others. All in purple: Students hold hands and remember Maren Sanchez on Saturday, April 25, 2015, while listening to live music during the 'Peace Love & Music From Maren' event . 'This whole year has really changed us a lot,' he said. 'I think it's made us more aware of the importance to remember the good in people, to take a moment and put things in perspective.' The 16-year-old Connecticut student accused of killing Sanchez who turned down his offer to go to prom, told police after the attack: 'I did it,' court documents show. Christopher Plaskon has been charged with murder as an adult over the death of Maren Sanchez, a friend who was killed last year in a hallway of Jonathan Law High School in Milford. | The life of 16-year-old Maren Sanchez stabbed to death a year ago on the day of prom was celebrated on Saturday by hundreds of people .
'I don't think there's anything sad about this. It's such a celebration,' said Darby Hudd, a 17-year-old friend of the slain teen .
A classmate, Christopher Plaskon, has been charged with Sanchez's murder . | 9ee5ffcff2e78ce93ec34b3426191dbea9393572 |
(CNN)A former U.S. Army enlistee who posted on Facebook about "the adrenaline rush" of dying in jihad was arrested Friday and charged with trying to detonate a car bomb at Fort Riley military base in Kansas, authorities said. A second man, who allegedly knew about the bomb plot but didn't call authorities, was charged with failing to report a felony. John T. Booker Jr. of Topeka, an American citizen also known as Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, was taken into custody near Manhattan, Kansas, in a van that contained what he thought was a bomb, the criminal complaint said. The "bomb" had actually been put together by two confidential informants with nonexplosive materials, the complaint said. Fort Riley's security was never breached and no people were in danger, the U.S. Justice Department said in a press release. Booker enlisted in the Army last year and was due to ship out to basic training April 7, 2014, said Army spokesman Wayne Hall. The criminal complaint said the FBI questioned him March 24, 2014 about comments posted on Facebook, such as, "Getting ready to be killed in jihad is a HUGE adrenaline rush. I am so nervous. NOT because I'm scare to die but I am eager to meet my lord." Booker waived his Miranda rights and told the agents he enlisted to commit an insider attack against American soldiers like Maj. Nidal Hassan had done at Fort Hood, Texas, the complaint said. Hassan opened fire in a building in November 2009, killing 13 people and wounding more than 30. His enlistment was terminated March 24, 2014, at the request of Army Criminal Investigation Command, Hall said. Booker began communicating with a confidential informant later in 2014, the complaint said, and often talked about his plans to engage in violent jihad in support of ISIS. He and the informant watched ISIS videos together, the complaint said, and Booker talked about how he wanted to go to Iraq and turn his weapon on American soldiers when ordered to shoot the enemy. On March 9, Booker said he believed ISIS wanted him to commit a truck bombing in the United States and thought a good target would be nearby Fort Riley, a large Army base that's home to the 1st Infantry Division, known as "The Big Red One." Booker said "that detonating a suicide bomb is his No. 1 aspiration because he couldn't be captured, all evidence would be destroyed and he would be guaranteed to hit his target," the criminal complaint said. He made a video with a Fort Riley airfield in the background and said ISIS was coming to kill American soldiers, both abroad and in the United States, the complaint said. Booker acquired components for a bomb and rented a storage locker to store the components, the complaint said. The plan was for confidential informants to build a bomb and for Booker to drive to Fort Riley and detonate it, the complaint said. But the bomb was built with "inert" parts and would never explode, the complaint said. On Friday, the informants and Booker drove to what Booker thought was a little-used utility gate near Fort Riley, the complaint said. While Booker was making final connections on the "bomb," the FBI arrested him, the complaint said. He was charged with one count of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, one count of attempting to damage property by means of an explosive and one count of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq, a designated foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Alexander E. Blair, 28, of Topeka was taken into custody Friday and charged with failing to report a felony. The FBI said agents interviewed Blair after Booker's arrest. Blair said he shared some of Booker's views, knew of his plans to detonate a vehicle bomb at Fort Riley and loaned him money to rent storage space, according to the FBI's criminal complaint. He said he thought Booker would carry out his plan but did not contact authorities, the complaint said. If convicted, Blair faces a maximum of three years in prison. | Alexander Blair, 28, of Topeka accused of knowing about bomb plot but not contacting authorities .
Fort Riley's security was never breached and the device was "inert" and not a threat, authorities say .
John T. Booker Jr., 20, of Topeka had acquired bomb parts and made a propaganda video, the Justice Department says . | 1514bbfb012abc67c499be84929aa07ddbd59b09 |
Patrick Vieira has the backing of Manchester City players to replace Manuel Pellegrini should the club sack the under-fire manager. Pellegrini's future at the Etihad Stadium is under scrutiny following a largely disappointing campaign. Vieira would be a candidate to take over from Pellegrini should the City board decide to make a change. Manchester City players have backed Patrick Vieira (left) to replace Manuel Pellegrini as manager of the club - if the latter at the helm of the Etihad Stadium outfit is sacked at the end of the season . Vieira is highly-respected among the City players and his work with the youth team hasn't gone unnoticed too . Despite winning two trophies last season, Pellegrini will end this campaign without any silverware at City . A thumping 4-2 defeat at bitter rivals Manchester United on April 12 has increased the pressure on Pellegrini . The Etihad outfit failed to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League too after losing to Barcelona . And a collective of senior players would like to see the Frenchman given the reins if Pellegrini goes. The former Arsenal midfielder is highly-respected amongst playing staff at the club. Likewise, his excellent work with City's Elite Development Squad has not gone unnoticed by the squad. And a core group of players in the City first-team believe Vieira should be given the opportunity to step up into the senior fold. City's first-choice managerial option remains Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola; director Txiki Beguirstain's trip to Germany on Tuesday fuelling talk of a final bid to lure the Spaniard to England in time for next season. However, Guardiola has made his intention to stay with Bayern for at least another season crystal clear. City's first-choice managerial option remains current Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola . Guardiola (right) led Bayern to a 7-4 aggregate win over Porto in their Champions League quarter-final tie . Though, Sportsmail understands Guardiola will listen to offers from English clubs to join in time for the start of the 2016/17 season. That means City must wait at least another year before having a realistic chance of poaching Guardiola. And if the current Barclays Premier League champions decide to axe Pellegrini this summer, then Vieira is emerging as a strong contender to replace the South American. The Spaniard (left) is set to remain with the German giants until his contract expires at the end of next season . | Manuel Pellegrini won the Premier League and Capital One Cup last season .
City currently sit fourth in the league table - 12 points behind Chelsea .
Pellegrini's contract expires at the end of the 2015-16 season .
City players have been impressed with Vieira's work with the youth team .
Pep Guardiola is City's first-choice to succeed Pellegrini at the Etihad . | 0c442cdbbde235144ce2a06e53155ecee8568922 |
A New Zealand couple needed a home upon returning home after living in the UK, so they built one on the back of an old flatbed truck. Hannah and Alex purchased a 1986 Hino flatbed and undertook their year and a half labor of love. The result was a solar-powered two-bedroom, wood and steel home that now allows them to live almost self-sufficiently in Nelson, New Zealand. How a truck becomes a home: A New Zealand couple built this country home on the bed of a flatbed truck . Making do: Alex (left) and Hannah (right) wanted a home that was cozy and all their own, but couldn't afford to buy a full-sized lot . 'We came back to New Zealand from the UK in 2009,' Alex told Smoking Tire. 'We knew we couldn't afford to buy property at that point. We didn't have money.' So, the couple started building. After a year and a half of taking the project one step at a time, the project took shape. Though, to hear Hannah tell it, they just slapped up the place in a weekend. '[We] welded a frame, put the wood on and built this house,' the modest Kiwi told Smoking Tire's Matt Farah. Once they finished, the couple drove their truck home out to a lot they'd purchased in Nelson, New Zealand. Now the couple and their cat live surrounded by nature: aromatic cypress wood inside the home and majestic trees and a babbling brook outside their door. Ingenuity: The couple started with a steel frame and slowly, project by project, built a home in about a year and a half . Gorgeous: Hannah and Alex now have a gorgeous, wood-lined home in a lot surrounded by trees and a babbling brook . Details: The couple has a wood-fired stove to keep out the cold, stained glass windows and other creature comforts . They're nearly self-sufficient, too. The home is powered mostly by solar panels. Alex said their first power bill was just $25. The stove and hot water are gas-powered and water comes from a nearby spring. 'I didn't want to live inside a plastic box,' Alex said. 'Not because I'm a hippie but because it feels nicer and is just a nicer place to be.' All told, the project cost Hannah and Alex about $25,000. And the couple even plans to build another one like one day. 'It's really, really nice,' Hannah said. 'We love it.' Two bedrooms: The home has a bedroom for the couple as well as a loft that doubles as a spare room where the cat sleeps . Green: Water comes from a nearby spring and most of the electricity comes from solar panels . | Hannah and Alex needed a place to live after they moved back to New Zealand from the UK in 2009 .
So, they purchased a 1986 Hino flatbed truck and started building a home on the back of it over the course of about a year and a half .
They then purchased a secluded piece of property and drove their nearly self-sufficient $25,000 home there . | 9cd2035d32750d5952590694012de18362377bf0 |
It has no bathroom, no mains electricity and the only way to reach it is by boat or a novelty 'Noddy' train. But that hasn't stopped this modest timber shed being put up for sale for £230,000 – making it one of Britain's most expensive beach huts. Measuring just 15ft by 10ft, the remote beach hut on Mudeford Spit in Christchurch, Dorset, is the same price as a five-bedroom house in Herefordshire and more than a detached four-bedroom house in Kingswood, Hull. Owners will also have to shell out between £2,500 and £4,000 a year in ground rent to Christchurch Borough Council for use of the hut which can sleep up to five people. A beach hut (pictured) on desirable Mudeford Spit in Christchurch, Dorset, has gone on the market for £230,000 - the same price as a family home in many parts of Britain . The hut commands spectacular views across Christchurch Bay to the Needles and the Isle of Wight, but the vista is presently blighted by a rubbish skip dumped on the beach . Hut 39 commands spectacular views across the Solent, although the vista is presently blighted by a rubbish skip dumped on the beach for hut owners to use for their over-winter repairs. Despite their hefty price tags, the huts at Mudeford have no mains water or electricity, although this one does have a solar panel for 12v electric lights and power, a fridge and a full-size gas cooker. It has a kitchen, living area, mezzanine sleeping area and a sun terrace with incredible views over Christchurch Bay to the Needles and the Isle of Wight. Owners can only sleep at the huts between March and October, although they can visit any time of year, and they have to share a communal shower block. Despite their hefty price tags, the huts at Mudeford have no mains water or electricity and can only be reached via boat or Noddy train . Owners can only sleep at the huts between March and October, although they can visit any time of year, and they have to share a communal shower block . Hut 433 on Mudeford Spit (pictured) went on sale for £270,000 in July 2014 - making it the most expensive beach hut in Britain . The hut can sleep ten (at a squash) with a first floor mezzanine, two sofa beds and a pull-out double bed, and it has a small kitchen area and fridge freezer for the £270,000 price-tag . The beach hut's remote location means it can only be reach by boat or a novelty 'Noddy' train, followed by a half-mile hike across the dunes. It boasts a desirable position on the end of a row near the river entrance, meaning there is nothing but open space next to it. The current owner, who doesn't want to be named, is selling the hut privately. Steve Barratt, chairman of the Mudeford Beach Hut Association, said: 'Most huts these days have solar panels to meet lighting and entertainment needs and most have fridges, making the overall living experience better. They are a home from home. 'The main benefit of being in a hut is that even if the weather is changeable and you would not consider visiting the beach from home, being there means that as soon as the rain stops you can open the doors to enjoy the natural beauty of the sandbank. 'In the summer thousands of visitors come to the beaches for the day and as a hut owner you can have the benefit of a busy seaside scene that will evaporate when the visitors leave and by 7pm the beach becomes a quiet, social retreat you can share with your beach friends.' Hut 433 on Mudeford Spit went on sale for £270,000 in July 2014 - making it the most expensive beach hut in Britain. Denisons Estate Agents said the market for beach huts and Mudeford has snowballed over the last few years and many go for more than £200,000. Andy Denison said: 'They do seem to be fetching around the £200,000-mark now and there are rumours of them going higher than that. 'It seems like a lot of money but people are willing to pay that, even though they've still got to rent the land from the council as well. 'It's a beautiful part of the world and has some of the nicest beaches.' A one-bedroom beach hut (pictured) measuring just 23ft by 6ft in Shaldon, Devon, went on sale for £245,000 in November 2012 . The beach hut is the same price as a five-bedroom house in Leominster, Herefordshire (left), and more than a detached four-bedroom house in Kingswood, Hull (right) For the same amount, you could buy this spacious two-bedroom apartment (pictured) in the Turnbull Building, Newcastle city centre . This traditional five-bedroom detached home in Blairgowrie, Perth, is also up for sale for the same amount as the beach hut . | A beach hut on desirable Mudeford Spit in Christchurch, Dorset, has gone on the market for £230,000 .
It is one of Britain's most expensive beach huts and is the same price as a family home in many parts of the UK .
Hut 39 measures just 15ft by 10ft and has no mains water or electricity, but boasts a solar panel for 12v lights .
It can sleep up to five people and has spectacular views over Christchurch Bay to the Needles and the Isle of Wight . | 47208db032e2038ebd4e2a13848e88cdaf94a75b |
Newcastle United have upset supporters after dumping pictures of Sir Bobby Robson’s title-chasing team in a skip outside St James’ Park. Framed squad photographs of Sir Bobby alongside the likes of Alan Shearer, Gary Speed, Nobby Solano and Shay Given have been found discarded alongside grass cuttings, cardboard boxes and bin bags. The pictures were removed from corporate boxes inside the stadium and have been replaced by more recent images. Framed photographs of Sir Bobby Robson's title-chasing side were found thrown in a skip outside the stadium . The skip was situated outside St James' Park where fans were able to spot the disgraceful move by the club . Steve Wraith, of NUFC Fans United, told the Chronicle: ‘They could have auctioned them for charity, but just to put these things in the bin is awful. Now fans are talking about going and helping themselves. ‘They are pictures of club legends. I don’t think the club want people to be reminded of a time when they were doing well because they are doing so badly at the moment.’ Robson’s team finished fourth in 2002 and qualified for the Champions League, where they memorably made it to the second group phase after a last-gasp victory in Feyenoord. Alan Shearer, Gary Speed and Nolberto Solano are some of the legends who are included in the photos . Sir Bobby, who passed away in 2009, is still fondly remembered and has a statue outside of the stadium . In 2003 they topped the table for a period before finishing third, a return which has not been bettered in the years since. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the club said the images were ‘old and not being used anymore’. But the ‘AshleyOut.com’ group, who are behind Sunday’s planned boycott of Newcastle’s home match with Spurs, tweeted: ‘Our proud history in the skip outside SJP along with ambition and hope’. Newcastle fan David Crosier tweeted: 'As a metaphor for the club this could not be more apt. Classless. There is nothing left to support at NUFC under this regime'. Former club captain Shearer (left) flourished under Sir Bobby and was instrumental in qualifying for Europe . Gary Speed (right), who died in 2011, was another player who loved playing for his former manager . Nolberto Solano (right) was a key figure in Newcastle's title challenge and is also seen as a club legend . Newcastle, who lost to Liverpool on Monday, have never been the same since Sir Bobby left the club . John Carver worked under Robson during his time in charge and should no doubt be upset by this move . | Newcastle fans angered after club dump pictures of Sir Bobby Robson .
Sir Bobby's side finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League back in 2001-2002 in what was one of their most successful seasons .
Supporters are upset over a lack of respect to their former manager .
Alan Shearer, Nolberto Solano and Gary Speed are included in the photos .
CLICK HERE for all the latest Newcastle United news . | 4c277e6c7db3416ed469810c9f9a3965cf9dc15c |
It's the fat-shaming/fit-shaming controversy that's refusing to go away . Online fitness company Protein World caused a Twitter storm recently with its London Underground poster of a genetically-blessed model in a small yellow bikini, asking: 'Are you beach body ready?' The poster, promoting weight loss, came under fire from some feminists and body image campaigners who branded the campaign body-shaming and called for the offending images to be removed. Transport for London are in the process of removing the ad, and now internet pranksters have hit back with their own version of the poster, this time featuring three curvaceous women and featuring the caption: 'Yes. We are beach body ready.' Scroll down for video . 'Yes. We are beach body ready': An unknown internet source has recreated the controversial Protein World ad, with curvy alternatives . The original poster, from Protein World, has been subject to much controversy, with many citing it as 'body-shaming' The spoof advert follows the same striking format as the Protein World original, with an eye-catching yellow background and bold font, and is marked up as a Dove product (Dove's real beauty campaign encourages women to appreciate their bodies, regardless of size and shape) but the brand have denied being involved. After being made aware of the copycat image a representative for Dove said: The ad was not created by Dove but we do believe that every woman is beach body ready! Dove added: 'In 2004, 75% of women felt advertising and media set unrealistic standards of beauty. Today, that figure is 66%, with the perception being that more diversity is portrayed in the images of women we see around us. 'We have clearly made some progress in the 11 years since Dove started Campaign for Real Beauty but there is still much to do. Two thirds of UK women would prefer to see more women of different weights and shapes, different ages and without digital enhancement in the media. This is why Dove will continue to champion beauty for everyone because looking and feeling your best makes you feel happier.' The image, which was posted on the London underground, is now being removed following complaints . Billboards such as this one, were defaced, as a result of anger from body image campaigners and bloggers . It comes as plus-sized fashion label Simply Be also created its own poster. The parody showing model Jocelyn Corona in a bikini is being displayed at London's Knightsbridge Tube station on Saturday. Protesters are planning to gather to demonstrate against the original poster. Ms Corona said: 'Every woman has the right to feel comfortable in their own skin. I love being able to show off my curves, so it's great to see brands like Simply Be representing real women in the UK.' Simply Be spokesman Ed Watson said that the controversial Protein World advert was 'at best outdated, at worst insulting'. He said: 'While the Protein World model, Renee, is undeniably beautiful and I'm sure very healthy, it is irresponsible to project something that is largely unachievable as the ideal. 'We need to make people feel great about themselves and this poster does the opposite. 'Because it so literally flew in the face of our ethos of self-acceptance, we wanted to get our message out further, hence taking ad space in one of London's busiest tube stations.' The original yellow billboard image received around 270 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), mostly insisting that it objectified women and that it carried the insinuation that only svelte models were ready to go to the beach. The model in the advert, Renee Somerfield, 24, has spoken out about being body-shamed herself . Various posters were subject to defiant vandalism, with uproar sweeping social media. One billboard was pasted over with a piece of paper which read: 'Your body is fine just as it is. Whatever it looks like, your body is not a commodity. #Everybody'sReady #EverydaySexism' Although fitness company Protein World claims that the image is unPhotoshopped, it clearly touched a nerve, with a further 60,000 outraged people signing an online petition on website Change.org asking Protein World to take down the ads. Interestingly, the 24-year-old model in the ad herself, Australian Renee Somerfield has cited the irony of people getting angry about the 'body-shaming' poster, whilst body-shaming her. In an interview with Huffington Post, the model said: 'I am a real person behind the image. I work very hard and live a healthy and active lifestyle which is why Protein World chose me for their campaign. I couldn't work every day as a full time model by starving myself, dieting or not looking after my body. Nourish your body, be kind to it and it will love you right back, no matter your size.' | An unknown internet source has recreated the ad with curvy alternatives .
Dove has denied being responsible for the poster, which carries their logo .
The image is currently circulating on social media spoofing the original .
Plus-sized fashion label Simply Be also created its own poster . | dee80c81a76d95dde6adc03549d80dfe33226dae |
Smartphones often overheat if they're held close to the body or are used for long periods of time. And while the dangers of overheating lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries have been known for some time, researchers have now revealed exactly what happens inside the 'burning' cells. Thermal images show copper inside the battery reaching temperatures of at least 1,085°C (1,985°F) causing jets of molten material to burst from its vent. Scroll down for video . Researchers subjected Lithium-ion batteries to heat and used thermal imaging and non-invasive high speed imaging techniques to observe changes in their internal structure. Copper inside melted, indicating temperatures of at least 1,085°C (1,985°F), and it caused molten material to stream from the vent (pictured) The footage is the first time the failure of Li-ion batteries due to overheating has been recorded. It was filmed by Paul Shearing from University College London and the findings are published in the journal Nature Communications. Li-ion batteries are vulnerable to a condition known as thermal runaway, which occurs when the rate of heat generation is greater than the rate of heat lost. Although battery failure is rare, prevention of thermal runaway presents one of the greatest challenges for the safe operation of lithium-ion batteries. Dr Shearing and his colleagues subjected two commercial Li-ion batteries, known as Cell 1 and Cell 2, to external heat. They then used thermal imaging and non-invasive high speed imaging techniques to observe the internal structure of each. Li-ion batteries are vulnerable to a condition known as thermal runaway, which occurs when the rate of heat generation is greater than the rate of heat lost. A Li-ion battery before being subjected to high temperatures is shown left, the same battery after heat abuse is shown right . During tests, one cell remained intact during battery failure and as the heat-generating reactions continued, hot gas followed by molten material jetted out through the battery’s vent (pictured left to right). By comparison, the rapid pressure rise in a second cell caused the entire cap of the cell to detach . Cell 1 remained intact during battery failure and as the heat-generating reactions continued, hot gas followed by molten material jetted out through the battery’s vent. Li-ion batteries have been known to overheat and are vulnerable to thermal runaway. This occurs when the rate of heat generated in the cell is greater than the rate of heat lost. Lithium-ion cells with cobalt cathodes, for example, are not designed to rise above 130°C (265°F). This is because, at 150°C (302°F) the cell becomes 'thermally unstable'. Once it reaches this state it can lead to a thermal runaway in which flaming gases are released. During a thermal runaway, the high heat in the failing cell can travel to the next cell, causing it to become thermally unstable as well. In some cases, a chain reaction occurs in which each cell disintegrates one-by-one. This means a battery pack can be destroyed within seconds, or the venting of gases and heat can last for hours. As a safety measure, packs are fitted with dividers to protect failing cells from affecting nearby cells. Source: Battery University . The copper material inside Cell 1 melted, indicating internal temperatures of at least 1,085°C (1,985°F). By comparison, the rapid pressure rise in Cell 2 caused the entire cap of the cell to detach. In a real-world situation this could have increased thermal runaway because it allows oxygen into the cell. During a thermal runaway, the high heat in the failing cell can travel to the next cell, causing it to become thermally unstable as well. In some cases, a chain reaction occurs in which each cell disintegrates one-by-one. This means a battery pack can be destroyed within seconds or the venting of gases and heat can last for hours. As a safety measure, packs are fitted with dividers to protect the failing cell form affecting nearby cells. The authors found that thermal and electrochemical reactions inside both cells produced gas pockets that deformed the spiral wound layers of the cells. Cell 2 showed severe internal distortion of its architecture, which the authors suggest compromised its safety. Unlike Cell 2, Cell 1 was designed with a central cylindrical support, which seemed to help maintain its structural integrity. The authors hope their observations will lead to improvements in the design of Li-ion batteries and improve their safety features. | Researchers subjected two Lithium-ion batteries to external heat .
They used thermal imaging to see what happened inside each cell .
Copper inside one cell reached temperatures of at least 1,085°C (1,985°F)
The heat also caused molten material to stream from the battery's vent . | 3f24b3a6021c42d88c3fd54968a6296e5c64bad5 |
Tragic: An inquest heard Shaun Worthington died instantly after his car veered into oncoming traffic . A night-shift worker was killed instantly in a horror crash seconds after sending a text whilst driving home from a speed awareness course, an inquest has heard. Driver Shaun Worthington's car was filmed on a truck's dashcam veering into the path of oncoming traffic at 1.04pm - the same time the fatal text was sent. The 29-year-old died when his silver Audi A4 collided with a truck on the A614 between Burton Agnes and Haisthorpe, near Bridlington, East Yorkshire, on November 19 last year. His mother Jane Allen said: 'No mother should have to go through what I have and the devastation of losing a son. 'Shaun was such a bright man and very popular with a lot of people. 'If someone somewhere reads this and it makes them stop using their phone while driving, then at least that is something.' An inquest at Hull Coroner's Court held into Mr Worthington's death heard how he had completed a 12-hour night shift at Cranswick Pet Products in Driffield, before driving to York to complete a speed awareness course on the morning of November 19. He was on his way home to the house he shared with his sister Andrea Ward and her family in Bridlington when the crash happened. Mr Worthington's mobile phone records showed he had sent a text message at 1.04pm that afternoon, the same time the crash happened. Collision investigator officer Alfred Place said a forward-facing camera on the truck captured Mr Worthington's car drifting into the centre of the road before veering into the westbound carriageway into the path of the oncoming vehicle. The camera also captured the time of the crash as 1.04pm. Truck driver Mark Harness told police at the scene he had tried to swerve to avoid Mr Worthington but nothing could be done. Mr Worthington's family told the inquest how Mr Worthington had recently bought a new phone which did not fit into his previous mobile phone holder and that normally he would use his hands free device. Plea: Mr Worthington's mother, Jean Allen (pictured), appealed to other motorists not to use their mobile phones when driving after it was found her son had sent a text message seconds before his car crashed . The stretch of the A614 where Mr Worthington was killed between Burton Agnes and Haisthorpe, East Yorkshire, on November 19 last year. He had been driving home from a speed awareness course . Mrs Allen said: 'If people know that someone is driving they should not ring or text them, just wait until they have got to where they need to be safely' Mrs Allen said: 'Shaun paid the ultimate price. He was not a reckless driver, he wasn't on drugs or drinking. 'If people know that someone is driving they should not ring or text them, just wait until they have got to where they need to be safely.' Returning a verdict of accidental death, coroner Paul Marks reiterated Mrs Allen's call for people not to use their phones while driving. He said: 'I would like to make a point to the public. 'All vehicle drivers should use hands-free communication accessories. 'When driving, motorists should not read or compose texts. They need to pull up if they want to send a text.' Mr Worthington was born in Hull and attended Lambwath Junior High School and Malet Lambert School, in east Hull, before moving to Bridlington with his family when he was 13. He went on to study at East Riding College, where he qualified as a chef. When he was 18, he moved to Spain with Mrs Allen and his stepfather John to help run the family business, a bar called Goodfellas in Magaluf. He spent about a year in the Spanish resort before returning to Bridlington. His family said they would like to thank everyone for their messages of support following his death. They also thanked police and family liaison officers for their support. Mrs Allen said: 'I could not have asked for a better son. 'I am going to miss him so much, but he will be forever with me in my heart. 'We are devastated by what has happened. It has blown our world apart.' | Shaun Worthington's car veered into truck moments after text was sent .
He was driving home from a speed awareness course, an inquest heard .
The 29-year-old's mother said his death had 'blown our world apart'
She made a plea for motorists not to use their mobile phones when driving . | 23ec4f8029ed6ebef623b7aeb8f39849712ad114 |
Siobhan-Marie O'Connor won gold in the 200 metres individual medley at the British Championships to ensure qualification for the World Championships this summer. O'Connor's time of two minutes 09:51 seconds was the fastest recorded in the world this year and came comfortably inside the World Championships qualification mark of 2:10:20. Hannah Miley took the silver medal with a time of 2:11:65 and Aimee Willmott claimed bronze in 2:13:30. Siobhan-Marie O'Connor celebrates with second-placed Hannah Miley (left) and third-placed Aimee Willmott . O'Connor, who is the reigning Commonwealth champion, was short of her 2:08.21 personal best - a British record - but said making the team for Russia was her main focus. 'I'm chuffed, the (qualifying) times are a massive challenge but it means everyone has to step up and race world class times,' O'Connor said. 'I'm really just happy to have made the team. It was really tough. I'm happy with that time, I just wanted to go under 2.10. 'I would have ideally liked to have been closer to my personal best but sometimes you're not on your best form. To get the qualifying time was my main aim.' O'Connor's time of two minutes 09:51 seconds was the fastest recorded in the world this year . The performance of O'Connor, who won 100m freestyle gold on Tuesday, is particularly impressive considering the heavy disruptions to her winter training programme. The pool at the University of Bath, where the 19-year-old has trained for most of her career, has been closed for six months renovation meaning she and her group have been forced to relocate 32 miles away at Millfield School. 'It has been hard over the last six months,' O'Connor added. 'It has been a challenge but everyone has challenges in sport. 'It's just something we have to deal with. It couldn't have been any better and I'm proud to have adapted to it. 'It's definitely been tough, we've all felt that. Our pool is open in Bath after this though so I'm looking forward to getting back there and getting some consistency again.' The 19-year-old claimed two titles despite heavy disruptions to her winter training programme . Jazz Carlin followed up her success in the 400m freestyle on Wednesday with a dominant performance in the 800m freestyle to win another gold medal. Carlin clocked 8:21:58 which was enough to seal the title but she missed the World Championships qualifying time of 8:21:22. The Commonwealth and European champion is still likely to race the 800m in Russia, after finishing more than 10 seconds clear of Jessica Thielmann (8:32:19) in second and Camilla Hattersley in third (8:37:99). 'I'm not too disappointed to miss the qualifying time,' Carlin said. 'For myself I would have liked to have gone quicker but to make the worlds qualifying time yesterday I'm sure I'll get to swim the event there. 'It felt a bit tough tonight, I didn't really get into it, I felt a bit heavy in my stroke but that happens.' Elizabeth Simmonds won the women's 100m backstroke, registering 1:00:03, while Craig McNally took gold in the men's 200m backstroke with a time of 1:57:58 and Stephen Milne clinched the men's 1500m freestyle title in 14:58:25. | Siobhan-Marie O'Connor won her second title of the British Championships .
The 19-year-old also sealed a place in Britain's World Championships team . | 558aa72f602cede2eb2b7a86a2369dca77f097b6 |
Qatar's grip on London’s real estate tightened this week when it agreed to buy a majority share in the company behind the iconic Claridge’s hotel. The Gulf state's Constellation Hotels bought the 64 per cent stake in hotel company Coroin - which owns five-star offerings Claridge's, The Berkeley and The Connaught - from billionaire brothers Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay. It is not known how much the deal is worth, but some have reported it could be as much as £1.6billion. The hotels are the latest in an impressive list of high-profile acquisitions for the country, whose investment arm has been snapping up a number of the city's landmark buildings including The Shard, Harrods and One Canada Tower - the centrepiece of the Canary Wharf financial district. Constellation also recently bought London Park Lane Hotel, and owns Le Grand hotel in Paris. Qatar’s royal family, which owns more of London than the Crown Estate, is also planning their own British palace in the capital. Last December, the rulers submitted plans to convert three prime properties in London’s Regent’s Park into a huge mansion, set to become the UK’s first £200million home. The country also hold stakes in flagship British companies including Barclays Bank, Sainsbury's and British Airways owner IAG. Portfolio: Qatar's investment arm has been snapping up a number of the city's landmark buildings, illustrated on the map of London above . Iconic: Qatar's grip on London tightened this week when it agreed to buy a majority stake in the company behind Claridge’s hotel, pictured . Landmark: Qatar Holding bought luxury department store Harrods from businessman Mohamed Al Fayed for a reported £1.4billion in 2010 . Prized: The Shard, pictured centre, western Europe's tallest skyscraper, is one of a string of high profile developments Qatar owns in the city . Deal: Qatari Diar, the state's investment arm, teamed up with UK property developer Delancey Estates to buy the athletes' village for £557m . Five-star: The luxury Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, pictured, is owned by hotel company Coroin, in which Qatar now holds a majority stake . Taking over: Qatar become a major shareholder of Camden Market, pictured, when it bought 20 per cent stake in property group Chelsfield . Trophy asset: In January, Qatar bought the 97-acre financial district Canary Wharf, seen in background, with a Canadian partner for £2.6 billion . Investment: Qatar Holding, which also has shares in Barclays and Sainsbury's, owns a 10 per cent stake in the London Stock Exchange, above . Plans to develop: Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment bought the US Embassy building in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, pictured, in 2009 . Luxury: The Qatari royal family bought 1, 2, and 3 Cornwall Terrace (pictured) in 2013 and is converting the three into a £200million palace . Exclusive: Qatar’s prime minister owns 50 per cent of One Hyde Park, pictured, through his property development company Waterknights . High-end: The Berkeley Hotel, in London's upmarket Knightsbridge, pictured, was added to Qatar's impressive property portfolio this week . Residential development: Qatari Diar bought the site of the Chelsea Barracks, pictured, from the Ministry of Defence for nearly £1bn in 2007 . | Qatar's Constellation Hotels bought majority share in company behind Claridge's, The Berkeley and The Connaught .
Five-star hotels latest in impressive list of high-profile acquisitions, including The Shard, Harrods and Canary Wharf .
Gulf state's royal family also planning their own British palace - converting three properties into a £200m mansion . | d73ba31e84562fcbebbf5d7fd2e9470918139d68 |
For most of us the thought of eating insects might prove to be one culinary step too far. But the consumption of locusts, crickets, worms and grubs could become very much a part of our diet as the cost of meat production rises, and the demand for meat grows. In tonight's final episode of BBC Two's Back In Time For Dinner, the Robshaws – Brandon, 53, Rochelle, 52, and their children Miranda, 17, Rosalind, 15 and Fred – who have travelled from the 1950s to the end of the millennium are served the food of the future. The Robshaws sample insects in tonight's episode of BBC Two's Back for Dinner . Two billion people worldwide already supplement their diet with insects . The experiment, filmed for a six-part TV programme, ended with the family feeling extremely grateful for the variety of foods available today. Presenter Giles Coren and food historian Polly Russell serve the family a radical dinner of Mexican spiced cricket tacos, Asian worm stir fry, buffalo worm tart and cricket kebabs. The family also attempt burgers made with a mixture of insect and beef protein, and sample cookies made from insect flour. 'In the future meat supplies might be a problem,' presenter Mr Coren says in the programme. 'Insects have been hailed as a solution to our meat problem; full of protein, low in fat and packed full of nutrients they are already part of the staple diet in parts of Africa and Asia.' The lack of traditional meat proteins can be put down to population expansion, food historian Polly Russell explains. 'As populations grow globally there is a huge pressure on the amount of meat that is produced because as developing countries start getting richer and people start adopting Western-style diets, which tend to consume a lot more meat,' she said. Entomophagy (eating insects) could have a positive impact on the environment and world hunger if crunchy exoskeletons could replace typical meat. Throughout the show, in the 1950s the children had to wait patiently for their father to finish his dinner, knowing his leftovers would be their supper. The 1960s saw the birth of the sugary cereal, while motorway service stations became almost fashionable as places to eat. The Robshaws found that food in the 1970s was brightly-coloured - but perhaps less enticing - than before . In the 1970s, working women were learning to balance their careers with cooking for the family. The decade also saw the rise of the Pot Noodle. In the 1980s goats cheese, mange tout and kiwi fruit became the foods to impress your dinner party guests. Gourmet dishes and nouvelle cuisine took over from the simple but hearty dishes of earlier decades. By the 1990s, sushi and curry were as popular as traditional English dishes and ready meals became the norm. For the final episode, the family discussed the food of the future; insects. On top of health benefits, insects are seen as a solution to meet the demands of food supply and are viewed as a more environmentally-friendly method of food production. A recent UN report identified edible insects as a sustainable food source for the future. Figures indicate two billion people worldwide already supplement their diet with them. And once better technology has been developed for farming insects, they really have better potential of becoming a major food source, experts say. Chef Rene Redzepi's pop-up restaurant Noma Tokyo has a menu that begins with a starter of prawns and ants . Mexican restaurant chain Wahaca, which was co-founded in 2007 by Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers, started to introduce the alternate protein source to diners in 2013. In January this year, it brought chapulines fundido to the menu, made with one of Mexico's most sustainably farmed, yet unusual ingredients - grasshoppers. Chefs cook the fried chapulines (grashoppers) with softened shallots, garlic and smoky chipotle chillies to create a salsa, which is served with queso fundido, a mixture of grated mozzarella and cheddar cheese and a side of corn tortillas. Thomasina Miers gave FEMAIL her take on the dish. She said: 'It's just not in our psyche at the moment, but we don't have any issues eating shrimps or prawns, so I think it's just a question of creating a dish that will appeal over here. Mexican restaurant chain Wahaca served chapulines fundido - made with grasshoppers - to its menu in January this year . Archipelago restaurant in Cleveland Street has love bug salads, bushmans's caviar (caramel mealworms, blinis, coconut cream and vodka jelly) and a dessert called Medieval Hive (brown butter ice-cream, honey and butter caramel sauce and a baby bee) on the menu. This summer chef Adam Holcroft will open Britain's first insect restaurant in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, this summer, serving dishes which feature crickets, bugs and worms. The 37-year-old head chef says it will be the first restaurant in the UK dedicated to serving insects as protein to show bugs can help feed the booming global population. Asian Forest Scorpion - Scorpions have a strong, bitter flavor and are normally eaten with sweet chili sauce. Paris Street Rose is full of rich sweet fruit made from full bodied Transylvanian Pinot Noir, so it will have enough body to cut through the combination of flavours. Mealworms - Match their nutty taste and light, crunchy texture with a crisp Clare Valley Viognier wine that has just the right combination of fruit and richness. Zebra Tarantula - Tarantulas are normally eaten deep fried, so think similar to fish and chips. A lively full bodied Chardonnay will stand up to the complex fishy flavours of the tarantula. Sago Worms - These worms have a distinct taste a bit similar to bacon so you need a big meaty red with loads of punch to match that savoury flavour. McLaren Vale Shiraz is fresh with loads of red fruit and spice . BBQ Locusts - Locusts taste a bit like an exotic bar snack and with the BBQ flavour you'll need a wine with a hint of sweetness. The Hacienda de Lluna Moscatel is a gorgeous lightly bubbly pink that works well as an aperitif. Chocolate dipped locusts - These locusts are essentially a savory dish as they taste a bit like sunflower seeds, but also have the sweetness from the chocolate. A rich robust wine with loads of sweet fruit will stand up to these flavours. Giant Waterbugs - The meat inside the water bug's body tastes a bit similar to a sweet scallop, while the head has hints of anise, so you'll need to find a wine that can match well with seafood and stronger flavours. A dry sherry, and a Fino at that, is the only choice here. The crisp citrus and nutty flavours will complement their complex flavours. Queen Weaver Ants - Their slightly sour and crunchy tastes like a lemon. They would go well with an aromatic white with pretty fruit and floral notes. A Gewürztraminer provides the perfect balance to crunchy textures. Asian Forest Scorpion - Scorpions have a strong, bitter flavor and are normally eaten with sweet chili sauce. Paris Street Rose is full of rich sweet fruit made from full bodied Transylvanian Pinot Noir, so it will have enough body to cut through the combination of sweet and sour. Crickets - The flavours are much harder to distinguish in crickets and so they are often prepared with garlic and salt. Nevertheless the nutty flavor that comes through means a perfect fit is a rich full-bodied white wine like Albariño. Garlic Chapulines - Have an earthy and grassy flavour and a very crunchy texture, therefore we recommend a creamy dry Champagne that will match well with the earthy flavours (similar to matching with mushrooms) and crunch. | BBC's Back In Time For Dinner claims that grubs are the future of food .
The Robshaw family dig into cricket tacos, worm tarts and insect burgers .
Meat will become scarce or more expensive as demand for it grows .
Insects are full of protein, low in fat and packed full of nutrients . | f73ede4f9c61fc35110ed89baa2c938d3edd264c |
West Ham striker Carlton Cole says he can't approach Sam Allardyce about a new contract - because the manager doesn't know whether he's even staying at Upton Park. Cole's contract expires at the end of the season and it is unclear whether he'll stay at the club beyond the summer. But Cole admits he's in no position to ask his boss about an extension with Allardyce's future also in limbo. Carlton Cole attended a Football Fighting Ebola event with Nathaniel Clyne on Sunday . Cole's contract expires at the end of the season and is unsure if he will be offered a new deal . Like Cole, the manager's contract expires in the summer and it is looking increasingly likely he'll leave West Ham. And the 31-year-old striker said: 'I've not spoken to the manager about a new contract, I don’t think Sam knows what he is doing. He isn't going to be talking about my contract.' Cole, who came close to joining West Brom in January before Allardyce pulled the plug on the deal 20 minutes before the deadline after his attempts to sign Emmanuel Adebayor failed, admits he is making contingency plans in case his Hammers career comes to an end this summer. 'I have been at West Ham for 10 years, I’m trying to build a case to get a testimonial out of them but I don’t think it’s the right thing to be talking about right now,' said Cole. 'I am trying my best to make myself a presence in the team, which has been hard for me this year. Cole has found first team opportunities limited in the second half of the season . 'We did go on a good run, but I felt in the last 12-13 games I could have played a bigger part, but the manager chose to go with someone else, so whenever I do get my chance I do do my best. 'I was obviously on the brink of going to West Brom but that didn’t work out - hopefully something else works out in the future. 'I have got a few things lined up, just in case. I have been playing in the Premier league for 10 years so I have a lot to offer a team who wants to take me or if I stay at West Ham I have a lot to offer them.' On the collapse of his move to the Hawthorns, Cole, speaking at the Football Fighting Ebola fundraising event, added: 'I had a chance to play first team football and as a player I was not playing regularly at West Ham, I'm still not. 'Sam chose not to let me go. It was really hard at the time and we had a few words but these things carry on and you dust yourself off and carry on. I do like Sam a lot. He is an honest guy. Cole has not spoken to Sam Allardyce about his future because the West Ham boss does not know if he will be there next season . 'He told me how it was and said: "I can’t let you go as I have not got a replacement for you". I said: "Okay I will come back and try my best for you". 'It was 20 minutes to the deadline; I was on the table with a pen in my hand saying: "Where do I sign?". 'It was one of those that was really frustrating. I am f-ing and blinding in the catering room over there. 'Sam said he needed me, but I don’t think he has. I think I have played 120 minutes since. That is football. Sometimes you don’t get what you want. I didn’ t get what I wanted. 'But I can’t be bothered complaining. What has happened has happened and what am I going to complain for? I have to do the right by me now and my family to try and get another deal. 'I am not going to be sitting there complaining about what happened last week. It is not going to help.' To donate to #FootballFightingEbola visit: virginmoneygiving.com/FootballFightingEbola or text ‘STOPEBOLA’ to 70030 which automatically gives £10. | Carlton Cole's West Ham contract expires at the end of the season .
Manager Sam Allardyce is also facing an uncertain future at the club .
His contract is up at the end of the season and it looks likely he will leave .
Cole almost joined West Brom in January before Allardyce pulled the plug . | bac32bbfbed50b14b1c9f141fe92b36a0365790b |
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones ran from a crash that hospitalised a pregnant woman - but quickly came back to grab 'a large handful of cash' from the car, witnesses told police. According to police, the accident occurred in southeastern Albuquerque just before noon on Sunday local time when the driver of a rented SUV jumped a red light. The driver, whom an off-duty officer identified as Jones, ran from the scene but then returned for the cash before fleeing again, police said. 'Witnesses stated he shoved the cash into his pants and ran north jumping the fence,' the report said. Officers found a pipe with marijuana in the vehicle as well as MMA and rental car documents in Jones' name, according to the police report. Police were searching for UFC champion Jon Jones in connection with a hit-and-run accident . Albuquerque police were seeking an arrest warrant for Jones on Monday. They said he would likely face a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident since the woman broke her arm in the crash. Police said in a news release they'd been unable to reach Jones or his lawyer. However, Jones handed himself in later the same day, with TMZ reporting he was being held at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center. According to the warrant, the pregnant woman told police she was driving when she was hit by a silver Buick SUV. According to the document, she told authorities after the accident 'I am pregnant and I feel like I am going to pass out. My arm is hurting all the way up and my husband is going to take me to the hospital.' The woman's arm is in a sling and she will get a cast on Tuesday, the warrant said. According to the warrant, she was planning to undergo a Monday ultrasound. The warrant also said the off-duty officer told responding police he could confirm Jones' identity because 'I watch UFC all the time, I know what Jon Jones looks like.' An agent for Jones, Malki Kawa, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment from Daily Mail Online on Monday. Kawa also did not immediately respond to a message from Associated Press. Jones (21-1) is scheduled to defend his title against Anthony 'Rumble'Johnson at UFC 187 in Las Vegas on May 23, headlining one of the promotion's biggest shows of the year. Police were seeking an arrest warrant for Jones on Monday, saying he would likely face a felony charge . Jones has endured legal problems and questionable behaviour during his time as a UFC champion . 'We are aware that the Albuquerque Police Department is interested in speaking to Jon Jones regarding his possible involvement in a motor vehicle accident,' the UFC said in a Sunday statement. The message continued: 'We are in the process of gathering facts and will reserve further comment until more information is available.' Although he is widely considered the world's best pound-for-pound mixed martial artist, Jones has endured legal problems and questionable behaviour as champion. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones ran from a crash that hospitalised a pregnant woman, witnesses told police .
According to police, the accident occurred in Albuquerque just before noon on Sunday when the driver of a rented SUV jumped a red light .
The driver, whom an off-duty officer identified as Jones, ran from the scene but then returned for the cash before fleeing again, police said .
Jones is widely considered the best pound-for-pound mixed martial artist . | bb8a7a6bc30f5d10bfd747daa4887134a780d66d |
Police were making their final security checks outside St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington today, as the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's second child approaches. With Kate's due date is just over three days away, officers were out in force, pulling lamp posts apart as they scoured the area for anything troubling. The police were watched by a small but growing group of royal fans, many of whom had set up camp on a set of benches and had decorated the area with posters and bunting. Scroll down for video . Ready to go: John Loughrey takes a nap on his makeshift bed outside the Lindo Wing in Paddington . Patriotic: Royal fan Terry Hut takes a break on Mr Loughrey's bench . Festive: Mr Hut sits with another veteran royal fan, Margaret Tyler, 71 . Leading the pack was a familiar face, that of self-confessed royal 'superfan' John Loughery, 60, who camped out overnight ahead of the 2011 Royal Wedding and was the only member of the public to attend every day of the inquest into the death of Princess Diana in 2008. Mr Loughery, a former chef, said at the time he hoped to go down in history for the feat and told the BBC that he wouldn't be surprised 'if a portrait of me is hanging inside Kensington Palace in 100 years from now'. Today, he was more concerned about the Queen and her 89th birthday and happily showed off a handmade sign wishing her many happy returns. Along with group of fellow fans, Mr Loughery went on to delight the world's media - many of whom have gathered but have so far had little to do - with a chorus of Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday: Mr Loughrey holds up a sign wishing the Queen a very happy 89th . Serenade: Mr Loughrey, Mr Hut and fellow fans also serenaded the monarch - and the Press - with a song . Decoration: Mr Loughrey and Mr Hut also came prepared with a selection of royal-themed decorations . Something to do: The Press, who have had little to do so far, happily filmed the waiting fans . Nearly there: The Duchess of Cambridge, pictured last month, is due to give birth on the 25th April . Also watching proceedings was royal fan Terry Hut, 79, who, in his Union flag suit, umbrella hat and sunglasses, provided the grey London street with a bright splash of colour. Mr Hut, who came prepared with Prince and Princess balloons, is a veteran of several royal births and spent 12 days camping outside the Lindo Wing ahead of Prince George's birth. Equally serious about the Royal Family is Margaret Tyler, 71, an avid collector of royal memorabilia who has amassed a trove worth more than £10,000. Mrs Tyler, who gave birth to her son Andrew at the Lindo Wing, says she considers the royals to be part of her family and has been following their exploits for more than 40 years. Her collection of royal souvenirs, which includes a £1,200 bust of Prince Charles, is so vast, it takes up four rooms in her small terraced home in London. Memorabilia: Mrs Tyler, who has a royal collection worth £10,000, came prepared with a Kate figurine . Cheerful: Despite their long wait, the group all appeared to be in good spirits . Ready for action: Mr Hut and Mr Loughrey both came prepared with balloons and signs . Serious business: While the royal fans sang, the police conducted a search of the area . Like Mr Loughery and Mr Hut, Mrs Tyler was also at the Lindo Wing for the birth of Prince George and ended up spending six days waiting for him to arrive. 'I was there for six days,' she told a recent episode of BBC2 show Collectaholics. '[My son] Andrew was born at St. Mary's and I was only there for two days. 'I just wanted to feel close to them [William and Kate], I suppose. I spent the time meeting people, and chatting. I was convinced it was going to be a girl, but it wasn't.' The Duchess of Cambridge, who is currently at Kensington Palace, is expected to give birth within days and is due on the 25th April. Today, Kensington Palace announced that her husband Prince William had completed his Air Ambulance training early, freeing him up to be with his wife and avoiding a two-hour hospital dash from Norfolk. Checks: They scoured the area for anything undesirable, watched by press and fans . Final preparations: The Duchess is due to give birth in just over three days . Thorough: The police even searched inside the lamp posts outside the Lindo Wing . Careful: The security searches at the Lindo Wing took most of the morning . | Superfans have set up camp outside St Mary's Hospital in Paddington .
Police have also begun making final preparations and conducted a search .
Duchess of Cambridge is due to give birth to baby number two this week .
Prince William has completed his Air Ambulance training course early .
The royal will now be able to remain in London with his pregnant wife . | 2b902ec3bc744315a6842fed9ec223f5675fcbaf |
Christopher Barry, 53, was stabbed to death by a 13-year-old boy after a row outside a block of flats . A 13-year-old boy has been jailed for more than 11 years after pleading guilty to a brutal stabbing making him one of Britain's youngest ever murderers. The boy, who is a member of the notorious Wood Green Gang, pleaded guilty to stabbing 53-year-old Christopher Barry twice in the chest outside his home in Edmonton, north London, on December 14 last year. The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pulled a knife from his rucksack and stabbed Mr Barry, a builder, as he got into a lift following a row. The Old Bailey heard the boy became enraged when Mr Barry, who was known as Jack, would not let the boy and his friends into the block of flats. Zoe Johnson QC told the court the murder happened on December 14 last year, as the killer attended a 13th birthday party at his friend's flat off The Broadway, in Edmonton, north London. He and a group of friends left the flat to see one boy to his bus home, but returned to the wrong block to try to rejoin the party. 'Tragically it appears they returned to the wrong door of the wrong block', said Ms Johnson. 'When they buzzed the door, they were buzzing the wrong flat which explains why no one answered.' Mr Barry and his girlfriend, Sabrina Finn, arrived home to find the group of boys trying to get into the black of flats when they lived. Ms Johnson said: 'One of those boys was continually pressing the button to be let in. 'Mr Barry and his girlfriend said they couldn't let the boys into the flat if the occupants weren't answering the buzzer. The attack happened as Mr Barry (left) returned home with his girlfriend, council worker Sabrina Finn (right) 'As Mr Barry used his fob to open the main entrance, it appears there was a bit of pushing and shoving between him and the boys. 'Mr Barry and his girlfriend entered the block and walked to the lift. 'The defendant followed Mr Barry into the block, along a short corridor, around a corner, and as Mr Barry stepped into the lift, the defendant stabbed him twice in the chest, in a completely unprovoked and cowardly attack.' One of the boys with the killer told police he had seen his friend 'become angry and take a kitchen knife out of his rucksack.' Another of the boys saw him thrust the knife at Mr Barry and say: 'What are you saying now? What are you saying now?' before swinging the knife at the victim. When they ran from the block of flats, the killer told a friend he had 'just ripped the man's jacket'. The Old Bailey (pictured) heard the boy became enraged when Mr Barry, who was known as Jack, would not let the boy and his friends into the block of flats where he lived. He fatally stabbed Mr Barry twice . Mr Barry did not initially realise he had been stabbed, but found blood on his shirt and when he entered his flat he collapsed. Paramedics found him laying face down in a pool of blood, with a wound in his abdomen and another in his chest. He later died from his injuries. In texts later that night, the boy told a friend: 'I'm going to prison' and posted on Facebook: 'The thing I'm going to miss most when I go pen (penitentiary) is NY gyal (New York Girl).' Ms Johnson said the boy also went by a street name associated with the Wood Green Gang. 'This is a gang that he candidly admitted he was associated with since the age of ten', she said. The court heard the teenager was given a police caution and excluded from his first school when he was caught with a knife and cannabis in February 2013, then aged just 11. Ms Johnson said Mr Barry's girlfriend, Ms Finn, had written an impact statement describing the 'appalling effects on her and many of Mr Barry's family and friends'. 'I'm back at work now, but although I walk, talk, and look the same as I did before, inside I'm tired and my heart is broken', she said. Mr Barry was stabbed following the row outside this block of flats in Edmonton, north London (pictured) 'Jack and I had four happy years together and this young boy has taken that happiness away from me. 'For that I'm very sad and angry as my life will never been the same again.' The boy's mother wept in court as Judge Stephen Kramer QC today sentenced the boy to a minimum of 11 years detention at her majesty's pleasure. 'When Mr Barry returned home, he refused to let you in to that block but you nevertheless got in', he said. 'You followed Mr Barry, produced your knife, and then stabbed him twice in the chest. 'The injury to the chest went through clothing including a wax jacket and went deep.' 'You are only 13 years old but shortly after 7.30pm on the evening of December 14 2014, you were carrying a knife in your bag. 'You wanted to get into a block of flats but you went to the wrong block with tragic consequences for everyone involved.' The judge said it was an aggravating factor that the boy had taken the knife to the scene in his bag and said he had clearly intended to cause really serious harm to Mr Barry. The boy has been deemed a high risk of causing harm and at a medium risk of reoffending when he is released, and the judge urged him to reconsider his gang affiliation. However he also accepted it was not a premeditated attack and that the boy had a 'troubled background'. He took into account the boy's remorse, revealed in a letter from his mother which was not read out in court. The boy, wearing a pale blue shirt with a white buttoned up collar, showed no emotion and stared straight ahead as the sentence was passed. The teenager pleaded guilty to one count of murder on March 6, and Michael Turner QC, defending, said this was a 'unique' early admission from such a young defendant. Judge Kramer refused an application by the press to lift a legal ban on naming the boy, saying there were 'exceptional' circumstances. | A boy aged 13 has been jailed for 11 years for murder of Christopher Barry .
He stabbed Mr Barry, a builder, twice in 'cowardly and unprovoked' attack .
Teenager was a member of the notorious Wood Green Gang in London .
Boy was thrown out of school at 11 for possessing cannabis and a knife . | 4069e2b43c873e43ea2ae1774399118f3e59f78d |
She was chained inside Cleveland's 'house of horrors' for almost 10 years - the longest of the three women who were kidnapped, imprisoned and abused by Ariel Castro. But Michelle Knight, who appeared at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center's Faces of Change Luncheon on Wednesday, refuses to be considered a victim. 'I don’t want my heart to be chained to the situations that I went through,' she told the crowd of 1,200 people. 'I want to overcome and flourish and rise above all that.' Scroll down for videos . No victim: Michelle Knight, seen here appearing at at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center's Faces of Change Luncheon on Wednesday, said her healing process has been 'to overcome and flourish and rise above' Standing ovation: Knight received a rapturous applause as she came on stage to give a speech . Speaking out: Michelle Knight, who was held captive by Ariel Castro for more than a decade, spoke Wednesday at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Faces of Change Luncheon . Part of that flourishing, it seems, is a new relationship. According to Fox 8 Cleveland, Knight was signing copies of her book, Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed, after the event, when she revealed to readers that she does has a boyfriend. Knight did not reveal anymore about the man in her life, but said she feels comfortable sharing her story, because it can give others 'the same courage, hope and faith that I had'. She has a second book that she is working on based on what has become of her life since being rescued from Castro's house on May 6, 2013. Amanda Berry managed to escape from the house with her six-year-old daughter, with a neighbor calling police. Knight and the third victim, Georgina 'Gina' DeJesus, were then rescued. House of Horrors: After almost 10 years chained up inside, Michelle Knight and the two other women imprisoned in this Cleveland, Ohio, house by Ariel Castro were freed on May 6, 2013 . Fans: While signing copies of her memoir, Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed, after the event, when she revealed to readers that she does has a boyfriend . Castro pleaded guilty to 937 criminal counts of rape, kidnapping, and aggravated murder as part of a plea bargain and was sentenced to life in prison plus 1,000 years. However, less than one month into the sentence, he hanged himself using the bed sheets in his cell. During the talk at Wednesday's luncheon, Knight mentioned Castro, saying he too had been abused and did not seek help. 'My healing process is going forward,' Knight said. 'I’m starting to be more free now; I’m able to talk about it without crying.' The luncheon raised a record $254,000 for the center, which counsels rape survivors. Celebrity support: Knight is pictured here with Orange Is The New Black star Taryn Manning . According to Cleveland.com, one in every five Ohio women has been raped. The center helped 18,000 people last year, and representatives on Wednesday urged more rape victims to come forward. Knight also revealed she has recorded a song called Survivor, which she says will be released in May. She is also learning to play the piano. Her second book is centered around a journal she writes in each day while sitting outside each morning. | Knight appeared at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center's Faces of Change Luncheon on Wednesday .
She received a standing ovation as the spoke to a crowd of 1,200 .
'I want to overcome and flourish and rise above all that,' she said of ordeal .
Afterwards she revealed she is in a relationship and writing a second book . | 66b829b3cfab148a24bc6a17342515710725b267 |
An 84-year-old man has died in hospital from severe burns to his upper body - nearly a month after he accidentally set himself on fire with a cigarette while driving along a suburban New York road. Christopher Flowers was traveling down Chili Avenue, near Route 390, in Rochester on March 9 when he dropped a lit cigarette into his shirt, causing several layers of clothing to burst into flames. He immediately pulled over and tried to extract the burning cigarette from his top. But the windy conditions at the time seemingly fanned the flames so much that they engulfed his entire torso. As the flames surrounded the pensioner's head, three Good Samaritans pulled over and frantically tried to extinguish the blaze - at first, using their hands, then by hurling the man into a snow bank. Burned alive: Christopher Flowers, 84, has died in hospital nearly a month after he accidentally set himself on fire with a cigarette while driving along a suburban New York road. Above, the interior of Flowers's vehicle . Flammable: Flowers was driving down Chili Avenue near Route 390 in Rochester on March 9 when he dropped a lit cigarette into his shirt, causing several layers of his clothing (pictured at the time) to burst into flames . Hospital: Flowers, of Chili, was rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital (pictured), where he was listed in guarded condition with severe burns to his torso and neck. But on Sunday, hospital officals announced he has died . Emergency crews arrived at the scene and Flowers, from Chili, was rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he was listed in guarded condition with severe burns to his torso and neck. But on Sunday, hospital officials told The Democrat and Chronicle that the retired marine had passed away. Additional details of Flowers's death, including the date, have not been released. Last month, Flowers's wife of over 56 years, Flora, spoke of her wish for him to regain his health, saying: 'He has bandages all over him. Just covered up with bandages and you can't touch him.' Speaking to WHEC, she added: 'It was terrifying. We're hoping and praying that he'll get better.' Flowers was wearing several layers of clothing at the time of the incident, including two or three flannel shirts and a couple of T-Shirts topped by a hooded sweatshirt, witnesses told reporters. Widow: Last month, Flowers's wife of over 56 years, Flora (pictured before her husband's death), spoke of her wish for Flowers- who was rushed to hospital with severe burns to his upper body - to regain his health . Retired marine: Mrs Flowers holds a photo of her husband during his time as a marine, many decades ago . Some of his attire was made out of polyester, which is highly flammable. As the flames spread across his clothing and body shortly before 9am on March 9, one man and two women pulled over to help. Mike Peters was heading to his job driving veterans to and from outpatient services when he saw Flowers standing at the side of the road, engulfed in flames 'from his waist to above his head'. Speaking to the Associated Press last month, Peters told of how he immediately stopped and ran past a woman making futile attempts to pat out the fire, before tackling Flowers into a snow bank. 'I scooped the guy up and did an end-zone dive into the snowbank,' the 52-year-old former Army helicopter mechanic, from Gates, said. He then used handfuls of dirty snow to douse the flames. Good Samaritan: Mike Peters (left), who pulled over after spotting Flowers standing at the side of the road engulfed in flames - tackled the pensioner into this snow bank (right) in a bid to extinguish the deadly flames . Scene: Gates's Fire Chief, James Harrington, said an ember from Flowers's cigarette likely fell on to his shirt while he was driving along Chili Avenue (pictured) shortly before 9am on March 9, causing him to burn alive . The three rescuers removed Flowers's smoldering clothing and wrapped him in a blanket that one of the women, named as Deborah Zielinski of Henrietta and Kathy Baleno of Gates, had in her trunk. 'I've just never seen anything like it,' Peters concluded. 'It was like newspapers catching on fire.' Flowers was subsequently transported to hospital, where he never recovered. At the time, Gates's Fire Chief, James Harrington, said an ember from Flowers's cigarette likely fell on to his shirt. The flammable nature of the pensioner's clothing will have only strengthened the flames, he added. | Christopher Flowers, 84, was driving on Rochester, NY, street on March 9 .
Dropped lit cigarette, causing several layers of clothes to burst into flames .
Three drivers stopped to help as fire engulfed pensioner's torso and head .
One tried to put out flames with hands; another threw him into snow bank .
Flowers, from Chili, rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital with severe burns .
On Sunday, hospitals officials announced retired marine has passed away . | 6f11031c42557f12046f439acfa7956c0b3bf83f |
Lampedusa, Italy (CNN)The cramped galley of the ship is filled with the smell of fresh garlic frying in olive oil. Gaetano Cortese, a tall, thin, sunburned 27-year veteran of Italy's Guardia di Finanza (Finance Police) is waxing eloquent on his favorite subject: food. "We picked it this morning from the hills of Lampedusa," he declares with a flourish, waving thin sprigs of wild asparagus under my nose. He demonstrates how you must break it apart with your fingers, bit by bit, until you get to the hard part, which you keep aside to boil down in water for the pasta sauce he is preparing with his shipmate, Enzo Idone. Cooking, however, may be a positive distraction from dark memories. How I was smuggled into Europe -- and why it was worth it . We boarded the Finance Police's ship, the Calabrese, in Lampedusa harbor earlier in the evening. The Calabrese regularly patrols the Mediterranean off Lampedusa, which is Italy's southernmost territory and just 70 miles, or just over 110 kilometers, from the Tunisian coast. In recent years, it has been the first point of entry to Europe for tens of thousands of migrants from Africa and the Middle East. A few years ago, the Calabrese was on the look out for "contrabandisti," smugglers trafficking in cigarettes and drugs. But in recent years, its 12-man crew has joined Italy's effort to rescue migrants coming from Africa and the Middle East. We spend seven hours on board the ship, but nothing much happens. We see some Italian fishing boats the crew knew by sight. Shortly after sunset, the Calabrese's captain, Gianluca Busonera, begins calling out quick orders to his men as we approach a small boat. The easy-going crew seem to tense up. One man turns on a bright spotlight and focuses the beam on the boat, while another with powerful binoculars read out the name on the back. Busonera peers intently at the boat, which appears to be a fishing vessel, then shrugs. "It's fine," he tells me. "If it were low in the water, we'd know it was full of people, but this boat is riding high." He waves to the Tunisian boat, where an older man in a jacket waves back. Busonera gives him a thumbs up, and steers the ship to the right. It's a routine evening for the Calabrese, and that is just fine with the crew. They've seen enough troubles in their time to appreciate an uneventful day's work. Back in the galley, I ask Cortese about his worst experience while serving at sea with the Guardia di Finanza. He and most of his shipmates took part in the rescue effort on October 3, 2013, after a ship with hundreds of migrants had gone down off Lampedusa. More than 350 people died in that disaster. The crew of the Calabrese was able to rescue four of the survivors. Cortese's cheery demeanor suddenly becomes serious. "I still remember pulling out of the water, with our hands, a young, pregnant woman who had just died," he recalls. "There were children," adds his crewmate, Idone, shaking his head. "We recovered the bodies of children. It was a bad situation. I remember the body of a boy we recovered. We put him in a body bag. His head was in this hand," he said waving his hand as if he had just picked up the lifeless body. Why migrants are risking their lives to reach Italy . Cortese and Idone stress that as fathers, there is nothing worse than having to see the bodies of dead children. "At the moment," recalls Cortese, "we were too busy to think about it, but when we go home, before going to sleep, it comes back to us." He emphasizes that he and his shipmates were just doing their duty as professional military men. Out in the Mediterranean, with no land in sight, you realize just how vast it is. And although it's been warm on land in Sicily recently, at night on the water, it's cold and windy. On board the Calabrese, we are warm, well-fed and in good company. The ship is well-maintained and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, allowing Busonera to plow confidently through the waves in the dark without fear of running into anything. It contrasts starkly with conditions migrants have recounted to us of the rickety boats and unseaworthy rubber dinghies they use to try to cross the Mediterranean. Often they're without food, water or shelter, their boat's crew inexperienced and untrained. That's if they have a crew at all. Many migrants have been beaten and robbed of all their possessions before they board. And unless a ship like the Calabrese comes to their rescue, death at sea is a definite possibility. | Ben Wedeman joins the Calabrese, an Italian patrol boat as it traverses the Mediterranean looking for migrants .
Often the crew have little to report, only coming across fishing boats or other commercial vessels .
The Calabrese was involved in a rescue in October 2013, during which more than 350 people died . | 30f5088c065de0013105c840a721c1636c74130a |
Ed Miliband this morning launched a furious attack on David Cameron and other EU leaders for leaving refugees to drown by stopping search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean. The Labour leader said it was unacceptable to abandon thousands of immigrants boarding makeshift boats in Africa in the hope of making it to Europe. He also called on the UK to take a 'fare share' of refugees fleeing civil war. Mr Miliband's remarks came amid growing alarm over the number of desperate families risking their lives to escape the raging civil wars in the Middle East and North Africa. Scroll down for video . The Labour leader said it was unacceptable to abandon thousands of immigrants boarding makeshift boats in Africa in the hope of making it to Europe . Around 1,300 people are believed to have drowned in the past two weeks while trying to reach Europe in boats launched from Libya. Speaking in Manchester this morning, Mr Miliband attacked the decision to abandon European rescue missions. He said: 'The original decision was a mistake and it should be reversed.' Mr Miliband said: 'The logic is we are leaving people to die because it is a pull factor. We are better than that. We can't be leaving people to drown.' Earlier, he said: 'We cannot stand by as people drown in European waters simply to escape conflict in Libya and Syria. If I was prime minister, I would be working with other European leaders to act.' Local residents and rescue workers help a migrant woman after a boat carrying migrants sank off the island of Rhodes, southeastern Greece, yesterday . Around 1,300 people are believed to have drowned in the past two weeks while trying to reach Europe in boats launched from Libya . But senior Conservative minister William Hague insisted that the rescue missions had not helped. He also defended the Government's intervention in Libya in Libya 2011, helping to overthrow Colonel Gaddafi. He said it would be 'wrong to think that whatever's happened in Libya in the last few years is the cause of this'. Tunisian Mohammed Ali Malek, 27, was arrested when in Sicily last night some 24 hours after his overcrowded boat capsized in the Mediterranean killing hundreds of migrants . He added on BBC Radio 5live: 'Let me remind you of something as well, which is that when Colonel Gaddafi was still in power, there were periods when he simply allowed people to do exactly this, to get into boats and try to go to Europe – that was one of the ways in which he put pressure on Europe. 'So I don't think that is the change in this situation; I think this is a problem that goes well beyond Libya.' The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, said the priority for stopping the migrant crisis had to be to stop people boarding boats rather than stepping up patrols in the Mediterranean. He said: '[It is] the human traffickers and smugglers who are peddling this terrible trade which is leading to so many people dying in the Mediterranean. 'And I think if we can do [tackle] that and provide more aid and assistance in North Africa to encourage people to stay put rather than risk life and limb moving great distances, that it seems to me is a more sustainable solution than coming up with lots of arbitrary numbers about who takes in which number of migrants from North Africa. And that's where the focus of our attention should be in the summit tomorrow.' The political row over how to tackle the crisis was sparked after 950 men, women and children drowned this week. Survivors told of how women and children died 'like rats in a cage' after being locked into the boat's hold by callous traffickers in Libya. Some resorted to clinging to their floating corpses until Italian and Maltese coastguards came to rescue them in the dead of the night. Elsewhere three people died when a rickety wooden boat ran aground on the Greek island of Rhodes. Among them was a tiny child whose lifeless body was carried to the shore by a local man who had waded in to try to save him. Sunday morning: Italian coastguard responds to migrant ship after it capsizes off the coast of Libya with 700 passengers unaccounted for . Sunday afternoon: Passengers accounts of the ship say as many as 950 people may have been on board with 300 locked in the hull. Another boat is rescued off Sicily carrying 100 Syrian refugees. They are all brought to safety . Monday morning: A boat runs aground on the Greek holiday island of Rhodes killing a man, woman and child . Monday afternoon: Italian and Milanese coastguards respond to two distress calls off the coast of Libya from boats thought to be carrying up to 400 people. EU heads of state call for urgent action to ease the migrant crisis with an emergency summit called for later in the week . Monday at midnight: The surviving passengers of the Libyan boat arrive in Catania, Sicily. Among them is the crew's Tunisian captain and his Syrian crew member. Both were arrested and charged with 'favouring illegal immigration'. The captain was additionally charged with multiple manslaughter. | Around 1,300 people have drowned fleeing to Europe in the past two weeks .
Ed Miliband called on the UK to take a 'fare share' of refugees fleeing Africa .
He said it was unacceptable to abandon immigrants on makeshift boats .
Ministers claim rescue missions encourage migrants to attempt the journey . | ebc4f4933e26041284191b5f96dec894ba8f7c64 |
(CNN)Looting, fires and violence descended on Baltimore. Like most who know and love that city, I was heartbroken. I was once a cop in Baltimore. Police, trying to save their city last weekend, were blamed both for doing too little and for doing too much. The ghetto, and I'm talking class and not race, was on full display by Monday. The whole nation saw beautiful Baltimore at its worst. The protests started in response to the death of Freddie Gray in police hands. We still don't know what happened to Freddie Gray. Something bad happened. There's an investigation. Maybe the investigation should be going faster. But maybe rushing the investigation would compromise prosecution. (And forced testimony can't be used in prosecution; police officers too have constitutional rights as criminal defendants.) I don't know. Here's the thing: Police officers who weren't there don't know what happened to Freddie Gray. If there are criminally guilty cops, police have no problem with justice. But those who caused destruction on Monday had little, if anything, to do with Freddie Gray protests. They were, as the mayor put it, thugs. Call them what you will, normally what happens in the hood stays in the hood. Those who cut fire hoses and burned down homes and businesses? Police deal with them every day, literally. Those criminals didn't just appear on Monday, and they won't be gone tomorrow. They live there, without jobs, education, mainstream social skills, or hope. They don't come from stable families. They don't go to church. Most violent criminals are actively or passively involved in the drug trade. In Baltimore this year -- just like last year and just like next year -- police will arrest tens of thousands of poor black men, mostly on drug charges. From the same pool, 200 will be shot and killed. Another 200 will do the killing. These are communities, like the Baltimore's Eastern District, in which more than 10% of men are murdered. If all of America had homicide levels found in parts of Baltimore, there would be over 300,000 murders per year (as opposed to the still shamefully high 12,000 homicides in America). And yet some continue to think of police as the main problem rather than part of the solution. But Baltimore is not Ferguson. The police department is 50% non-white. The mayor is black. So is the police commissioner. The city is 65% African-American. So imagine you're a young white cop, as I was, in a rough neighborhood. A nice retired African-American gentleman calls 911 because the kids in front of his house, also black, are rowdy, breaking bottles, selling drugs, and otherwise being disrespectful. Just out of the police academy, I pulled up to countless of these situations. What to do? Usually I stopped, stared, and they moved on. Sometimes I would get out of my car. But I shouldn't have to. We all played by the same rules. It's about respect. Sometimes I would ask politely. Sometimes I had to order rudely. Sometimes I would ask for ID. Sometimes I would frisk, search, or arrest. That's what cops do. Every day. That's what I did. I had to. That was my job. Ultimately police are in a no-win situation. And when things go wrong, they go wrong fast. People run. There are fights. Guns. People get hurt. Sometimes people die. Sometimes -- not very often -- it's the police officer's fault. But even if there were no racist or brutal cops -- if every cop were a polite, fit, college-educated, bilingual, African-American gentleman or woman -- this wouldn't solve the greater problems of the ghetto or even police abuse. Police abuse has less to do with race than poverty and class. And police will never solve the problems of absent parents, mass incarceration, or a violence culture centered around the economics of drug prohibition. Even so, rather than face up to our problems, we calls for the cops to do something, anything. Yes, bad cops need to be punished. But it's too easy to blame police for all our problems. Problems police did not cause and cannot solve. And then when a cop makes a mistake, as one inevitably will, we jump on all police with a confident smugness and unbecoming glee. The problems in policing mirror the problems of society. We can and should improve police. The best way to do that is to improve society. True justice requires us to look both inward for blame and outward to the suffering around us. The worst thing we could do is nothing at all. | Peter Moskos: When man died in police custody, many unfairly blamed all Baltimore cops. But cops are in a no-win situation .
He says those who trashed city are part of larger societal woes of poverty and class. In just blaming cops, we ignore source of strife . | f782aa3252b15efad651865e08f223ce67e17eac |
Andrea Pirlo scored a stunning free-kick for Juventus, but couldn't stop his side from sinking to a 2-1 defeat at local rivals Torino. Juve could have wrapped up their fourth consecutive Serie A title with a victory on Sunday and looked on course to after Pirlo's masterful set-piece from 25 yards gave them the lead in the first-half. However, Matteo Darmian equalised for the home side just before the interval and Fabio Quagliarella completed the shock comeback around the hour mark. It was the first time Torino had beaten Juve in the derby for 20 years. Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo puts his side in front against rivals Torino with a stunning free-kick . Despite Pirlo's goal, Juve fell to a 2-1 defeat and missed out on wrapping up their fourth straight Serie A title . Still, Juve remain 14 points clear at the top of the league table and could still win a treble this season . Pirlo is now 35-years-old but is still playing at the top of his game and could earn a contract extension . Still, nothing should be taken away from the veteran Pirlo's unwavering class. At 35-years-old, an age at which many professionals are considering retiring or have already hung up their boots, the Italian playmaker looks as good anyone else in his position. His current contract at Juve expires at the end of next season, but on this evidence it would not be a surprise if the club chose to extend it. Despite defeat on Sunday, Juve are 14 points clear at the top of the league table. Pirlo has been at Juventus since 2011, racking up 156 appearances and scoring 18 goals . Torino's forward Fabio Quagliarella (left) tries to tackle Pirlo during the Serie A clash on Sunday . | Andrea Pirlo scored a stunning free-kick for Juventus against Torino .
However, Juve fell to a 2-1 defeat and missed the chance to wrap up their fourth consecutive Serie A title .
Despite the loss, Juve remain 14 points clear at the top of the league table .
Pirlo is still playing at the top of his game at 35-years-old . | 6a6d54c5eafb62c273a0741a2f8855b758034616 |
She helped to transform U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama's public image into that of an all-American 'everywoman' who shops at retail outlets, does 'mom dancing' and even has a Twitter account. Now, former White House aide Kristina Schake, who left the East Wing in June 2013, is reportedly behind the drive to get another first lady - ex-secretary of state, Hillary Clinton - elected president. Ms Schake, 45, who has worked as chief communications officer at L'Oreal USA for the past two years, has been brought on to Mrs Clinton's 2016 communications team to help recast her image. She will attempt to turn the 67-year-old politician - who is expected to announce her run for White House this month - from a strong and knowledgeable figure into a softer, more accessible one, according to the New York Times. Scroll down for video . Image makeover: Former White House aide Kristina Schake (left), who left the East Wing in June 2013, is reportedly behind the drive to get ex=secretary of state, Hillary Clinton (right), elected president next year . Accessible personality: Ms Schake helped to transform U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama's public image into that of an all-American 'everywoman' who even performed 'mom dancing' with Jimmy Fallon in 2013 (above) The former persona, experts have said, could have hampered Mrs Clinton's 2008 presidential contest against President Barack Obama, who came across as cool and amiable with voters. The latter persona, meanwhile, has worked wonders for Mrs Obama, who has become a national emblem of healthier eating with her legislative push for more fruit and vegetables in school meals. As Obama noted in 2008, Mrs Clinton must show voters that she is more than just 'likeable enough' - by displaying a warm and funny side that, according to her friends, reflects her true character. But, Ms Schake's efforts to help Mrs Clinton do this could prove tricky - particularly in the wake of the scandal over her new boss's exclusive use of a personal email address while secretary of state. A U.S. House committee is currently seeking a private interview with Mrs Clinton over her use of the private address, as well as a personal computer server, during her time at the State Department. Ms Schake's attempts could also be hindered by some voters' views that the politician and her husband Bill - parents to daughter Chelsea - are detached from the issues of 'normal' Americans. Scandal: Ms Schake's efforts to help Mrs Clinton do this could prove tricky - particularly in the wake of the scandal over her new boss's exclusive use of a personal email address during her time as secretary of state . 'True self': As Obama noted in 2008, Mrs Clinton (seen listening to an instructor reading a story to children at a Firststep NYC session in Brooklyn on Wednesday) must show she is more than just 'likeable enough' The couple have reportedly amassed more than $100million since leaving the White House in 2000, and continue to command speaking fees of a whopping $200,000 or more, according to the Times. They also have multiple homes, including one in Washington DC and one in Chappaqua, New York . To counter Mrs Clinton's apparent inaccessibility, Ms Schake, whose work with Mrs Obama helped to turn her into an online video star and magazine cover model, could draw on the politician's hobbies. She could get Mrs Clinton to speak about her passion for swimming, as reported by ABC, or appear at a charity swimming gala. She could also fix up celebrity partnerships like she did with Mrs Obama. The multitude of new ways to reach voters means 'it’s not the same formula in politics that it was even just four years ago or eight years ago,' Stephanie Cutter, a Democratic strategist, told The Times. Undercover: During her time as an aide for Mrs Obama, Ms Schake encouraged the current First Lady to shop undercover at a Target (pictured) in Alexandria, Virginia, dressed in a floral blouse and a baseball cap . Presenter: Ms Schake's work also led to Mrs Obama presenting the best picture award alongside Hollywood legend Jack Nicholson at the Academy Awards in February 2013. The trophy was given to the film, Argo . The deputy campaign manager for the Obama reelection campaign added: 'It’s about understanding people who are just living their lives and figuring out ways to fit a candidate into that', not vice versa. During her time as an aide for Mrs Obama, Ms Schake encouraged the current First Lady to shop undercover at a Target in Alexandria, Virginia, dressed in a floral blouse and a baseball cap. The widely-reported trip was intended to her portray the 51-year-old - who has two daughters, Sasha and Malia, with her husband - as an ordinary mom, keen to make savings for her family. Successful: Ms Schake (pictured), who previously co-owned a LA-based PR firm that handled media relations for Maria Shriver, is the daughter of a stay-at-home mother and a commercial airline pilot . Ms Schake's work also led to Mrs Obama presenting the best picture award alongside Hollywood legend Jack Nicholson at the Academy Awards in February 2013, according to the Washington Post. And she encouraged the First Lady to invite children to the White House to help harvest the summer crop from the House's kitchen garden in 2013 - an event that was photographed by the world's press. The adviser, from California, 'did a really great job of keeping Mrs Obama at the forefront of the conversation but in a way that continued her ability to be accessible and relatable,' Ms Schake's predecessor Camille Johnston told the newspaper, adding: 'No small feat during a presidential election cycle.' Indeed, Ms Schake's 'feat' saw Mrs Obama feature on the front covers of both Vogue (twice) and Better Homes & Gardens magazine. Ultimately, it turned her into an 'accessible everywoman', the Times reported. And Ms Schake's impact is still apparent today - this week, an energetic Mrs Obama performed a second installment of 'Evolution of the Mom Dance' on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Her performance came two years after she took part in her original 'Mom Dancing' skit with Fallon, which was encouraged by Ms Schake and gained more than 22million views on YouTube. It marked the five-year anniversary of her Let's Move! initiative to fight childhood obesity in America. Ms Schake, who previously co-owned a Los Angeles-based PR firm that handled media relations for Maria Shriver, is the daughter of a stay-at-home mother and an airline pilot, it is reported. She was the co-founder and board member of the American Foundation for Equal Rights - the nonprofit group that filed the successful federal lawsuit against California's ban on gay marriage, . She currently lives with her boyfriend, an Albanian journalist. After Ms Schake left the White House in 2013, Maria Cristina 'MC' Gonzalez Noguera, 39, was hired as the Obamas' communications director. Fitness initaitive: Mrs Obama participates in a yoga class during a visit to the Gwen Cherry Park NFL/YET Center as she celebrates the fourth Anniversary of Let's Move on February 25, 2014 in Miami, Florida . Mrs Obama tweeted The Chew this week, encouraging the show to participate in her #GimmeFive challenge . On Friday, it was revealed that Mrs Clinton has signed a lease in a Brooklyn, New York, building for what is expected to house her campaign headquarters, according to a person familiar with the plans. Mrs Clinton has reportedly signed the lease for two floors in an office in New York's Brooklyn Heights neighborhood. The anonymous person was not authorized to speak publicly about internal planning. The decision to sign the lease - which was first reported by Politico - likely sets off a 15-day period in which presidential candidates are required to make their intentions officially known. The building, One Pierrepont Plaza, also houses the U.S. attorney's office of Loretta Lynch, who has been nominated to be President Barack Obama's next attorney general. Lease: A woman enters One Pierrepont Plaza in Brooklyn, New York. Mrs Clinton has signed a lease for two floors in the Brooklyn Heights building for what is expected to be her presidential campaign headquarters . | Kristina Schake, 45, 'is part of Mrs Clinton's 2016 communications team'
She will help to transform politician into a softer, more accessible figure .
She previously helped turn First Lady Michelle Obama into 'everywoman'
She advised Mrs Obama to perform 'mom dancing' with Jimmy Kimmel .
Also masterminded infamous 2011 'undercover' shopping trip to Target .
Ms Schake has been working as L'Oreal's chief communications officer .
Her new job could prove difficult in wake of Mrs Clinton's email scandal .
Mrs Clinton will likely announce her run for White House this month . | d24e159600cefc33421382f8bbf4dd4245a3bca9 |
The location is excellent - a trendy borough of London, close to local amenities and a stone's throw from transport into the city. In your generous double room you would be afforded access to a newly refurbished kitchen and a smart bathroom, which you would share with two young Italian women and an English gentleman. The price? A mere £400 a month. There is just one small catch, however. The ceiling leaks onto the bed - and there doesn't seem to be any plan to fix it. Scroll down for video . In an advert posted on Gumtree, the rather honest letting agent has posted candid pictures of the cracked ceiling in the otherwise smart, modern and generous bedroom . A generous double room in Peckham, south-east London, close to amenities and a stone's thrown from public transport into the city, has been put up for rent for just £400 a month. The catch? The roof leaks . In an advert posted on Gumtree, 'Martin' informs people looking at the double room, suitable for couples, that there is a leak in the room. He adds: 'Every now and then there are few drips from the corner of the ceiling, nothing major but it is happening hence the cheap price' Flat hunters hoping for a bargain in this modern flat in between the newly desirable areas of Peckham and New Cross in south-east London had their expectations thoroughly managed by an honest letting agent. In an advert posted on Gumtree, 'Martin' informs people looking at the double room, suitable for couples, that there is a leak in the room. He adds: 'Every now and then there are few drips from the corner of the ceiling, nothing major but it is happening hence the cheap price.' He makes no mention of plans to fix the leaky ceiling and the flat is in otherwise apparently excellent condition according to a series of pictures accompanying the online advert. In your generous double room you would be afforded access to a smart bathroom, which you would share with two young Italian women and an English gentleman . The kitchen also appears to be smart and well appointed. Gentrification and a booming property market in the capital have made Peckham a desirable location for affluent Londoners with soaring property prices . He was unavailable for comment when contacted by MailOnline. Gentrification and a booming property market in the capital have made Peckham, famously the stomping ground of dodgy entrepreneur Del Boy in TV's much-loved Only Fools And Horses, a desirable location for affluent Londoners. Over the last year and a half Peckham has witnessed a phenomenal uplift with property prices almost doubling in certain areas. For example in November 2012, one estate agent sold a three bedroom period mid-terraced home in need of moderate renovation for £350,000. Similar properties on that same street are now on the market for nearly double that. | Flat in trendy area of Peckham, south-east London, up for rent with a leak .
Gumtree advert informs people looking at double room that 'ceiling drips'
As a result the room in otherwise modern flat is available for just £400 pcm .
Over the last year and a half Peckham has witnessed a boom in rent prices . | 3817545fa88babbab103ce005939d6043aeaf7b8 |
A man charged with first-degree murder in the killing of three Muslim college students in Durham, North Carolina, can face a death penalty trial, a judge ruled on Monday. Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson Jr. said prosecutors had two aggravating factors and that Craig Stephen Hicks is 'death penalty qualified.' Hicks is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the February 10 killings of 23-year-old Deah Shaddy Barakat; his wife, 21-year-old Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha; and her sister, 19-year-old Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha. Scroll down for video . A superior court judge in North Carolina ruled on Monday that Craig Hicks is 'death penalty qualified' after he was charged with first-degree murder in the killing of three Muslim college students . Prosecutors said Hicks confessed and was arrested with the murder weapon. Ballistics matched the handgun to shell casings recovered at the apartment and there was gunshot residue on his hands and one of the victim's blood was on his pants, prosecutors said. Police say Hicks, 46, appears to have been motivated by a long-running dispute over parking spaces at the Chapel Hill condominium complex where he lived in the same building as Barakat and his wife. The victims' families are adamant that they were targeted because they were Muslims and have pushed for hate-crime charges. The FBI is conducting what it has called a 'parallel preliminary inquiry' to the homicide investigation to determine whether any federal laws were violated, including hate crime statutes. Search warrants filed by Chapel Hill police said Barakat was shot in the head near the entrance to his condo. The two women were found in or near the kitchen. Murdered: Deah Shaddy Barakat, a dental student at the University of North Carolina; (left) his wife, 21-year-old Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha (center) and her sister, 19-year-old Rezan (right) were gunned down on February 10 . Eight spent shell casings were found at the crime scene, investigators said. Earlier search warrants listed a dozen firearms recovered from the condo unit Hicks shared with his wife, in addition to the handgun he had with him when he turned himself in after the shootings. Hicks, who was unemployed and studying to become a paralegal, posted online that he was an atheist and a staunch advocate of the Second Amendment right to bear arms. Neighbors described him as an angry man who had frequent confrontations over parking or loud music, sometimes with a gun holstered at his hip. His social media posts often discussed firearms, including a photo posted of a .38-caliber revolver. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | A superior court judge in North Carolina ruled on Monday that Craig Hicks is 'death penalty qualified'
He has been charged with first-degree murder in the killing of three Muslim college students on February 10 .
His victims were Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23, his wife, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, 21, and her sister, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19 .
The victims' families are adamant that they were targeted because they were Muslims and have pushed for hate-crime charges . | 51b0b3bf3683e6f389b531c7df9e2d5e3b9413ea |
Ander Herrera says he bares his full name on the back of his shirt for superstitious reasons following his spell at Athletic Bilbao. In a short Q&A video posted on the club's Facebook page on Tuesday morning, the Manchester United midfielder revealed that he wears both his forename and surname in order to carry on his form that earned him the move to the English giants last summer. Herrera joined the Red Devils for £29million following a relatively successful three-year period at Bilbao where he reached the Copa del Rey and the Europa League finals in his debut season at the club in 2011-12. Ander Herrera says he bares his forename and surname on the back of shirt for supersitution . The Manchester United (right) midfielder cites his reasons following a good spell at Athletic Bilbao . Herrera (left) reached the Copa del Rey and the Europa League finals in his debut season at Bilbao in 2011-12 . 'I'm superstitious. I started using Ander Herrera from Athletic [Bilbao] three years ago and I think I had a very good three years in Bilbao so I wanted to keep using that,' he answered following a supporter's question. After a stop-start beginning to life at Old Trafford, Herrera has forced his way into Louis van Gaal's starting line-up with a series of impressive displays that have coincided with the club's upturn in results. The 25-year-old took his tally to seven goals in all competitions this season with his double as United won 3-1 at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday. Herrera's celebrations were both met with so much emotion - something the Spaniard has admitted it's not uncommon to him in the past. And adding in the Q&A video, he hopes to show a lot more emotion as United target silverware in the future. 'Every win, every victory make me happy but I hope the most emotional moments are coming I'm sure of that because I'm at Manchester United,' he said. The 25-year-old (left) was on target twice as United beat Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday . | Ander Herrera joined Manchester United from Athletic Bilbao last summer .
£29m summer signing has scored seven goals in all competitions so far .
Herrera scored twice as United beat Aston Villa 3-1 on Saturday .
CLICK HERE for all the latest Manchester United news . | 974397a10b8d8a9e419303c6dbdb47a6409cdf70 |
Cosmetic surgery is often done in secret - patients hiding out at home until the bruising and swelling goes down while friends' suspicions are waylaid with a new haircut. But one Australian woman is making her nose job so public, it even has its own hashtag. Rhiannon Langley, from Melbourne, is sharing every step of the journey with hundreds of thousands of strangers, who can follow along on her social media accounts on the hashtag created just for the event, #RhiannonGetsRhino. Scroll down for video . Sharing is caring: Rhiannon Langley is posting her cosmetic surgery experience on social media through pictures and videos . Influencer: The 24-year-old from Melbourne has 189,000 followers on Instagram . The 24-year-old hairdresser has an almost 200,000-strong following on Instagram alone, and is keeping each of them updated while she undergoes Rhinoplasty in Thailand. Miss Langley is currently in Bangkok recovering at a hotel post-surgery, but has remained active on her social media accounts, posting videos on Snapchat and sharing snaps on Instagram. She informed her followers of her impending surgery via the latter one week ago. 'I've always wanted this since I was a lot younger, and I decided why not, if it makes me happy and improves my self esteem then I'm doing it!' she wrote. 'Yes plastic surgery is a controversial thing to do but this is my life and it's something I've wanted to do for so long and especially before my wedding.' Post-op selfie: Langley is currently in a Bangkok hotel recovering from surgery, but has remained active on social media . Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia from her hotel in Bangkok, Miss Langley explained her motivation for going public further. 'I have quite a big following on social media and I don't want to lie about it,' she said. 'I think people are more accepting of the decision if you own it. 'I've seen so many other girls on social media get things done and then try and hide it. 'I have been a bit scared about getting negative feedback,' Rhiannon added, revealing that she kept hitting 'refresh' on her phone to read the comments coming through after she posted the announcement on Instagram. A little off here, and here: Rhiannon revealed to Daily Mail Australia that her makeover will not be a subtle one, with changes being made to the shape and length of her nose . Holiday with a side of hospital: Rhiannon's $5,190 'Bangkok Nose Job' package included a stay in a Phuket beach hotel . Bedside view: Langley has been updating her followers with hospital snaps and post-op video messages . 'They've all been really positive and supportive though. Obviously you get a few weird comments, but it's been a lot better than I expected.' She also revealed to DMA that the results of the surgery will be 'quite drastic,' with changes made to the shape and length of her nose. But the true results won't show for another six months, when post-surgery swelling has gone down completely. Miss Langley wanted to share her experience with her followers, having found no one in her friendship circle to turn to for guidance on what the surgery and recovery would be like. 'None of my friends have had nose jobs, so I was searching on the Internet and couldn't find anything useful,' she said. 'I'm owning my decision': Rhiannon says that she decided to be honest rather than hiding it from her followers . 'So I decided to post about my experience, post photos, share how I feel, how I look, and what I've gone through.' Miss Langley is sharing videos and pictures day-by-day on her Snapchat and Instagram accounts respectively, and is planning blog posts as well as filming a video diary throughout her 'journey'. The trip to Thailand started out as a relaxing beach holiday for Langley and fiancé Jody Abrahams, before the couple travelled to Bangkok for the surgery. Her sunny vacation snaps and videos have been replaced with confronting, raw glimpses of Langley in recovery, sporting a swollen face and bruised purple eyes. Nuptials: Langley says her Thailand medical tourism package holiday was financially motivated, as she cannot afford surgery in Australia with her upcoming wedding to fiancé Jody (pictured) to pay for . Rhiannon says her motivation to take her surgery overseas was financially motivated. 'The price difference [between Australia and Thailand] is huge,' she told DMA. 'I'm getting married in a year, so I couldn't afford to have the surgery in Australia.' Her trip to Thailand is a $5,190 'Bangkok Nose Job' package with CosMediTour. The Medical Tourism Agency has confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that while they have assisted the social media influencer with finding accommodation, Langley paid the full rate for her surgery package. The packages include four to five star accommodation and meals, as well as the full cost of hospitalisation and surgery. Dream: The hair dresser has wanted the nose correction since she was a teenager . 'Rhiannon had been considering Rhinoplasty for a long time and she approached CosMediTour after being referred from a friend who previously had surgery through CosMediTour. We are very happy to have her as a client,' a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. 'Rhiannon has a loyal Instagram following and she wanted to Blog about her Rhinoplasty experience as it was something that she didn't want to hide. 'We use fully accredited hospitals with internationally trained and highly skilled Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and have CosMediTour personnel in all destinations. We create four and five star packages which include surgery, accommodation, transfers, meals and don't charge any additional agency fee for our services.' Langley said she has wanted nose correction surgery since she was a teen, and wanted it done before her wedding to Abrahams in 2016. 'He likes me as I am now, but he supports my decision and is here taking care of me,' Rhiannon said. And she wasn't put off by recent criticism of the industry following the death of Gold Coast woman, Evita Nicole Sarmonikas, in Mexico after a reported buttock implants, or the story of Courtney O'Keefe, from Perth, who contracted a life-threatening infection following breast enlargement surgery in Thailand. 'I have had a lot of friends use Cosmeditour for boob jobs and tummy tucks, and have seen such good results,' so I didn't hesitate for a second,' said Langley. Langley started her blog and Instagram accounts two years ago as a way to promote her home hairdressing business. Her following has grown to over 189,000, and the pretty brunette has capitalised on her popularity, launching a body oil business and working on a swimwear line. | Rhiannon Langley, from Melbourne, is undergoing Rhinoplasty in Bangkok .
The 24-year-old has 189,000 followers on Instagram alone .
She is sharing pictures and videos of her experience on social media .
Langley tells Daily Mail Australia that reaction so far has been positive . | edfc9e073022ed115dfac67b40d4b83388f81607 |
All schools should display posters warning pupils and parents to respect teachers, union officials have said. The ‘hospital waiting-room-style’ signs are needed as rising numbers of staff are subjected to swearing and physical attacks from pupils and their families. Research from the NASUWT union shows that the majority of teachers today are verbally abused by pupils. Union officials from NASUWT say the ‘hospital waiting-room-style’ signs are needed as rising numbers of staff are subjected to swearing and physical attacks from pupils and their families . The behaviour of some youngsters – who hurl chairs, bring fireworks to school and threaten to slit other pupils’ throats – is so horrendous that staff have refused to teach them. Some 82 per cent of 3,500 NASUWT members polled were verbally abused by pupils in the last 12 months, up from 52 per cent in the union’s survey last year. Meanwhile 38 per cent suffered similar problems with parents or carers compared with 24 per cent in 2014. Some 23 per cent had received threats of physical assault from a pupil, up ten percentage points, and 16 per cent had actually been attacked. This was a rise of seven percentage points on last year. Some 82 per cent of 3,500 NASUWT members polled were verbally abused by pupils in the last 12 months, up from 52 per cent in the union’s survey last year . NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates blamed factors including a narrow curriculum, rising class sizes and a lack of parental support for the growing tide of indiscipline. Speaking ahead of the union’s annual conference, which opened in Cardiff yesterday, she called on the government to produce poster templates for schools, using ‘strong messages’. ‘Increasingly, you go into railway stations and you see these posters which are basically saying we don’t tolerate our staff being abused,’ she said. Violent and disruptive pupils led the union to hold eight so-called refusal to teach ballots in schools last year. Here are some of the worst cases: . Birmingham . A Year One boy (age 6-7) was not excluded despite a history of physical assaults against staff and other pupils. Following notice of NASUWT action, the boy was removed from the school roll. Cardiff . A Year Ten pupil (age 14-15) verbally assaulted a woman teacher and threw a book which hit her face and drew blood. He was not expelled. Following notice of intention to ballot, the boy was assigned a learning support assistant at all times and was barred from the teacher’s lessons. Glasgow . An 11-year-old boy with a history of physical assaults, verbal abuse and threats of violence to teachers hurled chairs and other objects, but was excluded for only two days. The local authority moved him to another school after the NASUWT’s notice of intention to ballot. ‘You go into hospitals and you see similar posters, yet the government draws back from wanting to promote that kind of thing in schools.’ Miss Keates said that teachers are seen to be ‘exempt from that kind of protection and respect’. However, posters that tell ‘anyone using the premises – pupils, visitors, parents – that staff are not there to be abused’ give an ‘important message’. Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said the posters were a ‘good idea but shouldn’t be forced’ on schools. It comes after the NASUWT launched eight ‘refusal to teach’ ballots last year due to pupils being allowed back into the classroom despite their abysmal behaviour. In Gwynedd, north-west Wales, a 14-year-old girl was only temporarily suspended after threatening to slit another girl’s throat at a funfair and making a similar threat at school. She was expelled following the NASUWT’s ballot notice. Overall, 73 per cent of union members in this year’s survey believed there was a ‘widespread behaviour problem in schools’. The main causes of misbehaviour were lack of parental support (61 per cent) and pupils coming to school not ready to learn (44 per cent). | Schools should display posters warning pupils to respect teachers .
Union officials say signs are needed as increasing number of staff abused .
Around 82% of NASUWT members were verbally abused by pupils in 2014 .
A further 23% were threatened with violence and 16% were attacked . | 949378fdf5114619911a5e0fe0182d45f1c27c17 |
Officers who rushed to the scene of the Colorado theater shooting entered a hellish world of bloody victims, noxious smells and blaring sounds - a gloomy darkness pierced by bright flashes from a fire alarm, police testified Wednesday. 'It was dim, the movie was still playing, the alarm was going off,' Aurora police officer Annette Brook told jurors in the trial of gunman James Holmes. 'I began to notice the bodies, the live victims, the blood.' Prosecutors called Brook and two other officers as witnesses on Wednesday, and their descriptions of the chaos of inside the suburban Denver theater intensified the already disturbing scene described a day earlier by moviegoers who were badly wounded or saw loved ones gunned down in the July 20, 2012, attack. Scroll down for video . The third day of the trial against suspected Aurora, Colorado movie theater shooter James Holmes continued on Wednesday. If convicted, Holmes could be sentenced to death. Pictured above in court on Monday, far left . Twelve people were killed and 70 hurt when Holmes allegedly opened fire on a packed theater in Aurora, Colorado for a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises in July 2012. Above, the scene of the theater after the shooting . Twelve people died and 70 were wounded. Holmes is charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder. He admits he was the shooter, his defense attorneys say, but schizophrenia had taken control of his mind and compelled him to kill. His lawyers are asking the jury to find him not guilty by reason of insanity, which would send him to the state mental hospital indefinitely. Prosecutors argue Holmes was sane and fully aware that what he was doing was wrong. They want the jury to convict him and sentence him to die. Holmes' defense attorneys want the jury to find him not guilty by reason of insanity. Prosecutors say Holmes knew what he was doing, however. On the left, a sketch of Holmes in court on Monday and and 2012 mugshot on the right . In the opening days of the trial, prosecutors have appeared intent on planting a deeply upsetting image in the jurors' minds. 'It smelled very, very bad,' officer Tomas Campagna testified Wednesday, describing the mixed odors of blood, sweat, urine and feces. 'It's hard to imagine unless you've been there.' Spent cartridges and casings from a shotgun, a rifle and a handgun littered the ground, so thick that officers couldn't avoid stepping on them, Campagna said. In places, the floor looked like it had been painted in blood, he said. Cellphones left behind by the victims rang far into the night. More victims testified Wednesday, describing the booms and the brilliant flashes of light that burst from the muzzles of the weapons aimed at them and the hot pain of being shot. One of those victims was Joshua Nowlan, a former member of the military who worked on aircraft carriers. He went to the movie, 'The Dark Knight Rises,' at the Century 16 multiplex in the Denver suburb of Aurora with friends who had just returned from their honeymoon in Florida. About 15 or 20 minutes into the film, a tear gas canister was thrown into the theater, and then the shooting started. Nowlan, who shielded his friends from the bullets, was shot twice and has undergone multiple surgeries. He used the cane he now needs to walk to show jurors what he saw next. 'I assumed it had to be the shooter, from his stance ... He was walking around, and I can see him pointing the gun in a circular motion that looked like he was searching for more people ... I was terribly scared,' Nowlan told the court. 'My thought process was that he was searching for other people and that he was going to start going row by row, and that anybody he would see in that row who was still moving, he would shoot.' He described the shooter firing three-round bursts. Asked if the gunman moved fast or methodically, Nowlan said: 'He was definitely moving slowly.' None of the victims said they saw Holmes' face, but one of the police officers did. Sgt. Spc. Gerald Jonsgaard testified he saw Holmes lying on the ground in the parking lot outside the theater as two officers arrested him. Jonsgaard didn't identify Holmes by name Wednesday but said he was sitting at the defense table. Holmes' lawyers have not cross-examined any prosecution witnesses. They will call their own witnesses after the prosecution rests. | Victims of the 2012 Colorado movie theater shooting testified in court on Wednesday as the trial of suspect James Holmes continued .
Police officers who responded to the scene also spoke in court about the incident which resulted in the deaths of 12 moviegoers .
If convicted, Holmes could face the death penalty .
His defense attorneys argue that he was insane . | c1983177e4b9cd44e5e1aa435b2c92ad8ff385c4 |
The man who shot himself dead at the Universal Studios theme park on Friday was stalking his estranged ex-girlfriend, it has emerged. Police revealed it was not the first time the gunman, who has not been identified, had sparked security concerns at the park, where the mother of his child works in a restaurant. Last week he was escorted off the premises - just days after he vandalized his ex-girlfriend's car. But despite court orders banning him from the park in Hollywood, California, he was spotted at 2.15pm near the water slides, where he shot himself dead in front of children and families. Chaos: Crowds were seen running around Universal Studios in Hollywood, California, not long after the shooting . Smoking area: The man was said to have shot himself in a secluded part of the theme park, near a Depiscable Me-themed ride . He was standing in a smoking area behind the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride at the time. Sheriff's deputies who rushed to the scene engaged the man in conversation but were unable to restrain him. 'The deputy tried to talk him out of it, but after going back and forth for 30 seconds or so, he shot himself, ' Lt. Eddie Hernandez told NBC. Four visitors witnessed the suicide, he said. Inside: This video from social media shows guests being herded inside the Despicable Me ride in the aftermath of the shooting . 'Suicide': According to reports, the man turned a gun on himself around the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride, shown above . The ride was closed temporarily and guests were filmed being herded inside the ride by staff in the wake of the killing. Universal Studios has an official policy banning all weapons from its grounds, and searches guests before they enter. It is not clear how the man got past the checks. A parks spokesman told NBC Southern California: 'The safety and security of our guests is always of utmost importance. Business remains open.' | Man, who has not been named, turned gun on himself at 2.15pm .
His estranged ex-girlfriend, mother of his child, works at the site .
He visited the park twice last week, received two restraining orders .
Was standing by new Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride at the time .
Four visitors witnessed suicide, sheriffs tried to talk him out of it but failed . | 57b6e7f0731f93dfed279110ffa21e865edb6bb5 |
If there’s one thing that stops a boiled egg from being the perfect food - it's the hassle of peeling it. More often than not the process will leave you with fragments of shell in your fingers, on the kitchen counter and sometimes even in your food. But one canny YouTube user, MicahMedia, has uploaded a video demonstrating the simplest and swiftest way to peel a hardboiled egg - using a glass of water. Scroll down for video . The hard-boiled egg is placed in a glass (left) before it is filled quarter of the way with tap water (right) He pops the hardboiled egg into a small tumbler glass before filling it a quarter of the way with water. He then places his hand over the top of the glass, completely covering it. His next move is to vigorously shake the glass from left to right. He keeps the glass in the sink so that the water doesn’t spill. After approximately ten seconds of shaking, the YouTuber lifts his hand to show the egg, which now has a cracked shell. He simply puts his hand in the glass and in a matter of miliseconds, lifts up the shell of the egg which has been loosened from the egg. The 28-second video which was uploaded in January this year currently has over 16million views on the video-sharing website. The egg is vigorously shaken from left to right so that the shell loosens . Result! Once the water has splashed out of the glass, simply peel lift the shell from the egg with no hassle . YouTube users have been praising MicahMedia for his ingenious solution to the age-old problem. ‘Well this has changed my morning. Good job, thanks,’ wrote Nikki Madison. Susan Wheeler wrote: ‘I have tried just about every method I have come across and been disappointed on the most part. This actually works wonderfully. I love doing it. Thanks!’ MicahMedia posted that he’s thinking of ‘doing six boiled eggs at once and seeing what happens.’ | MicahMedia uploaded the 28-second video demonstrating his method .
Video currently has more than 16million views on YouTube .
The four-step method only requires a glass and some water . | 14ce42e704b0b7163b75b744e362f3a02df476e9 |
Juventus striker Carlos Tevez has refuted claims suggesting he will rejoin Boca Juniors in the summer by insisting he is yet to make a decision on his future. Tevez has said throughout his career that he wanted to end his career at his boyhood club but it appears the Argentine outfit will have to wait for his signature. The 31-year-old's future was thrown into doubt when Boca Juniors president Daniel Angelici claimed he was 'close to bringing Carlos home' despite Tevez having another year on his current deal. Juventus striker Carlos Tevez is yet to make a final decision on his future despite constant links to Boca . Talk of a return to his boyhood side intensified when Tevez replicated his famous Boca Juniors celebration . Tevez pulled off the 'chicken dance' after scoring a crucial goal during Boca's 2-0 win over River Plate in 2004 . And the link was made even stronger over the weekend as Tevez celebrated his strike against Lazio in a similar fashion to when he scored a vital goal for Boca Juniors against River Plate back in 2004. However Tevez has thrown cold water over the 'chicken dance' interpretation by telling Sky Sport Italia: 'That game [against River] does not come into it. 'I celebrated like that because I promised my people that I would and I will do the same if I score against Monaco [on Wednesday]. 'As for my future, enough! It's not right to speak about me. Juve are what count. 'Both Juve and I are going through an extraordinary moment and I'm thinking only of Juve right now. 'I don't know if I will leave. I've not yet decided what to do. 'But it's not right to speak about it now and, as I said, the Bianconeri fans will be the first to know what I decide.' | Carlos Tevez is yet to make a final decision on his future at Juventus .
Tevez's current deal at the Serie A giants is due to expire in 2016 .
Boca Juniors president Daniel Angelici claimed Tevez is close to returning .
Transfer talk intensified when Tevez replicated famous Boca celebration . | 822f4d3e5389cc01c392d0a2e4bbffd013fb2cf0 |
Thousands of holidaymakers caught up in last summer’s passport delay fiasco have not received any compensation. At the same time, managers at the passport agency, which made a £42 million profit during the chaos, received up to £3,500 in bonuses. Ministers refused to give a blanket refund to the desperate families who had to pay extra to get their travel documents rushed through, and even to some who missed out on trips. Scroll down for video . The boxes of passport applications piled up at in office in Liverpool at the peak of the backlog last summer . Keith Vaz, who as chairman of the Home Affairs Committee led the calls for compensation, said last night: ‘I am astonished so few people have been given compensation for what was a fiasco presided over by the management of the passport office, especially as they made a profit last year that ran into millions of pounds.’ The problems began a year ago as HM Passport Office struggled to cope with 3.6 million Britons applying for documents. By mid-June there were more than half a million passports stuck in the system. Ministers agreed to give urgent cases a free upgrade to the fast-track service, but thousands had already paid the extra £30 per passport for this. Many still missed trips because their passports did not arrive in time. Details obtained by The Mail on Sunday show scarcely any of the thousands of holidaymakers caught up in the chaos ever got anything back from the Passport Office. In total just 2,191 compensation applications were approved between April last year and January this year, scarcely changed from 2,077 for the previous year. The total paid out was £203,066, giving an average sum of £92.68. The biggest single payout was £5,463; the lowest £1. The Passport Office said it could not say how many claims were rejected, partly because of ‘the system failure of our customer complaint database’. It can be revealed however that Ministers rejected a demand by the Home Affairs Select Committee for all those left out of pocket to be compensated, saying: ‘It would create a precedent.’ Home Affairs Committee chairman Keith Vaz led the calls for compensation and was 'astonished' to learn just 2,191 compensation applications were approved . This newspaper contacted more than a dozen holidaymakers who had either missed trips or had to pay extra to get passports in time. Only one had got money back. Among those refused were Mathew Bean and Hayley Kirkham. They lost close to £1,500 on a trip to Morocco, where he had planned to propose, because their passports did not arrive in time – even though they had applied ten weeks before they were due to travel and paid for upgrades. HM Passport Office made a surplus of £42.3 million between April and October last year. In 2013-14, the most recent figures available, managers were handed a total of £1.8 million in bonuses, with the average reward £499 and the highest £3,500. | HM Passport Office struggled to cope with 3.6million Britons applications .
Ministers agreed to give urgent cases a free upgrade to fast-track service .
Only 2,191 compensation applications were approved totalling £203,066 .
Meanwhile managers at agency were handed total of £1.8million in bonuses . | 2377095dda83df778e34304b7a09813808105d3b |
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