Datasets:

abisee

/

cnn_dailymail

like 186

A seven-year-old girl was stripped naked and held down while the skin between her breasts was cut by a swami who licked the blood and had intercourse with her during an initiation ceremony at a NSW yoga ashram, an inquiry has heard. A woman has told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Sydney she moved into the ashram in the foothills of Mangrove Mountain on the NSW Central Coast with her mother and sister in the 1970s. At a public hearing on Thursday, she recalled the initiation in a hut across the river from the ashram. Scroll down for video . An enquiry into child sex abuse at Australia's oldest yoga ashram, Mangrove Yoga Ashram, has found children were subjected to sexual abuse, starvation and neglect. Pictured: Shishy (centre), the partner of leader Swami Akhandananda Saraswati, at the Mangrove Yoga Ashram, in the foothills of Mangrove mountain in New South Wales in the 1980s . The woman, given the pseudonym APR, said five or six male swamis were there. The man who raped her was the spiritual leader and founder of the Mangrove Satyananda ashram, Swami Akhandananda. Two women have now come forward to claim they were sexually abused by the man who founded the worldwide yoga movement . Akhandananda was jailed in 1989 for indecent dealings with four girls, but was released when the High Court overturned the conviction in 1991. He died six years later. APR told the commission of the fear and hardship she endured at the ashram where her mother was a devotee of Akhandananda. 'Her personality was so enmeshed with what was going on in Mangrove I felt I could not reach her,' she said. APR said she also had a memory of Satyananda, the founder of the worldwide yoga movement, lying on top of her. He visited Australia and she felt he chose her as his favourite and at times, he would say she was the only child allowed to touch him or sit with him on his special seat. APR is the second witness to recount sexual abuse by Satyananda, whose yoga movement had millions of followers and thousands of ashrams across the world. He was looked on as an enlightened god-like figure on his annual visits to Australia in the 1970s and 80s and preached abstinence from sex as a path to enlightenment. He died in 2009 at the age of 85. On Thursday, Bhakti Manning who lived at his ashram in India told the hearing she was just 17 when he had 'violent, aggressive sex' with her. Other women were in the room when this happened and she understood he had sex with them too. Commissioner Justice Jennifer Coate during the opening address at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse public hearing into the Satyananda Yoga Ashram at Mangrove Mountain . She has only spoken out this year because in ashram society, if she spoke out, she would be considered the criminal 'for being a bad disciple for not accepting that what the guru had chosen to do to me for my own good'. She tried to get the Satyananda movement to address the child abuse issue in the 90s. Witnesses have told of violent beatings inflicted on children by Akhandananda and his partner Shishy, who became their legal guardians when parents signed over rights. Tim Clark, who was a child at the ashram in the 80s, said he was violently beaten and sexually abused by some of the female swamis. Bhakati Manning, also told the royal commission that said she was abused by two senior swamis in ashrams in Australia and 'by the spiritual founder of Satyananda yoga'. Several witnesses have also told the enquiry, the swami forced them to have sex and Shishy (pictured centre) was often present . She said the abuse happened when she was 15 at the Mangrove Yoga Ashram on NSW's Central Coast. She was 17 when she travelled to the famous Munger ashram in India in 1976 to study with the respected yogi whom she had met in Australia. Ms Manning, now 55, said shortly after her arrival, he fondled her genitals and said something to the effect 'this is our relationship, don't tell anyone'. He also taught her how to tie her dhoti - a traditional garment - so that it tucked between her legs. One woman has described how she was stripped and sexually assaulted at the age of seven while a number of men watched on . He said something to the effect of 'you have to protect what is mine from being seen', she said in her statement. The world-renowned yoga master died in 2009. The commission has already heard that Satyananda's disciple Swami Akhandananda, who was sent to lead the Mangrove Mountain ashram, used underage girls for sexual gratification. It also heard celibacy was a requirement at the ashrams and Akhandananda would beat people who were found to be having sex. Commissioner Justice Jennifer Coate (pictured left) and Commissioner Helen Milroy (pictured right) during the opening address at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse public hearing into the Satyananda Yoga Ashram at Mangrove Mountain . Children were sent out on what one witness referred to as 'F*** patrols', to spy on couples and report back. Akhandananda was jailed for sex abuse in 1989, but the conviction was overturned on a technicality in 1991. He died in 1997. Witnesses whose parents brought them to the Mangrove ashram in search of a utopian life have told how they were subject to depraved sexual practices by Akhandananda, who often summoned them by loudspeaker or had his partner Shishy bring them to him. The commission has already heard that Satyananda's disciple Swami Akhandananda, who was sent to lead the Mangrove Mountain ashram, used underage girls for sexual gratification.It also heard celibacy was a requirement at the ashrams and Akhandananda would beat people who were found to be having sex . On Wednesday APL told the commission that facilities at the Mangrove ashram were basic, with children often going hungry. Their heads were shaved, they wore orange robes and were made to do hard labour. APL later discovered the Swami and Shishy had a hot tub, a television and drank alcohol. Several witnesses have also said the swami forced them to have sex and Shishy was often present. They also said Shishy would beat them. A woman, known as APL, told the commission that facilities at the Mangrove ashram were basic, with children often going hungry. Their heads were shaved, they wore orange robes and were made to do hard labour. She later discovered the Swami and Shishy had a hot tub, a television and drank alcohol . APL's sister also gave evidence on Wednesday, labelling an email sent by the ashram claiming a healing ceremony for victims last Easter was successful as an insult. She said it was particularly insulting that in the email the ashram was spouting rubbish about 'ego and embracing the darkness', because it was what Swami Akhandananda said when he was 'f***ing little girls and stealing people's lives'. Solicitor for the Mangrove ashram Aaron Keraghan apologised at the commission hearing on behalf of his clients and told two abuse victims on Wednesday the ashram would like to financially compensate them.

An enquiry into child sex abuse at Australia's oldest yoga ashram has found children were subjected to sexual abuse, starvation and neglect . Two women have now told the Royal Commission they were sexually abused by the man who founded the worldwide yoga movement . One of them described how she was stripped, cut and sexually assaulted by him while a number of men watched on . Celibacy was a requirement at the ashrams and people would be beaten if found to be having sex .

1da31a05e15dfefc695ad8a9c0770920a3f7d3ba

Chelsea are preparing for a sudden flurry of offers for Petr Cech amid fears he is losing his duel with Thibaut Courtois to be first-choice goalkeeper. Jose Mourinho has insisted he will not reveal before Sunday who will start their opening game at Burnley on Monday night. Neither has been given any indication but Courtois appears confident of getting the nod after playing for 90 minutes in a friendly against Real Sociedad on Tuesday. Scroll down for videos... Glove and war: Petr Cech could leave Chelsea if he loses his starting spot . Cech, the No.1 since he arrived from Rennes a decade ago, seems less certain and will have to consider his future if Mourinho opts for the young Belgian. Both have two years left on their contracts. Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco are keen to lure Cech back to France. Real Madrid are also interested and all three are ready to step up their pursuit. Patriotic games: Thibaut Courtois has been warned he will lose his Belgium place if he is not No 1 at Chelsea . Meanwhile, Courtois has been warned he must become first-choice goalkeeper at Chelsea if he wants to continue as Belgium No 1. Despite choosing Courtois as Belgium's stopper for the World Cup in Brazil, national team coach Marc Wilmots has declared that the Chelsea man is not assured of his place if he cannot break into his club side. Wilmots said: 'Courtois will remain my No 1. But I know he could end up on the bench at Chelsea. 'In that case I will re-assess.' Will Cech or Courtois be in your Fantasy League team? CLICK HERE to start picking your Fantasy Football team NOW! There’s £60,000 in prizes including £1,000 up for grabs EVERY WEEK… . Decisions decisions: Jose Mourinho will not reveal who starts until Chelsea's opening game against Burnley . VIDEO Chelsea our biggest danger - Tueart .

Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois are vying for the No 1 jersey at Chelsea . Veteran Cech is likely to leave if he is Jose Mourinho's second choice . Real Madrid, Monaco and PSG are interested in the Czech international . Courtois has been warned his Belgium place is at risk if he is not a starter .

e2e9ecd9611caf60a6d1fd14302263c12f6cfb69

She has not performed for five years and after an absence from Britain's concert circuit for 12 an appearance by world leading violinist Kyung Wha Chung was hotly anticipated. But her eagerly awaited return appeared to be overshadowed after the Korean violinist, once a childhood star, lambasted the parents of a child who had coughed through part of her performance. After reaching the first break in her initial piece the violinist appeared to have become exasperated with a child among the many families at the Royal Festival Hall coughing, and told them 'maybe bring her back when she's older,' according to several members of the audience. Scroll down for video . Korean violinist Kyung Wha Chung appeared at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Tuesday - her first performance in the UK in 12 years - and told parents of a coughing child to bring her back when she's older. She is pictured practicing at the Royal Festival Hall before her first performance in 5 years after a finger injury . Representatives for the soloist said the audience had an 'unusually' high amount of families and the coughing had being going on for almost a minute after she briefly paused following the first of three movements as she performed Mozart's G Major Sonata. Her reaction was met with mixed responses. Violinist Thomas Gould said it was 'difficult to be charmed' by the violinist after she upbraided the parents in what he described as a 'curious outburst.' He wrote on Twitter: 'The raised temperatures added an extra belligerence to her taut Prokofiev.' Others feared the child may be discouraged from going to former concert performances following the very public put-down and branded Wha Chung as 'arrogant' and 'childish'. However some praised the violinist for speaking up about the difficulties performing to a noisy audience. Ciaobimba posted on Twitter: 'Another evening where London showed its bad Audience Etiquette. Respect @kyungwhachung for taking a stand. Phenomenal concert and encores.' Adam Kirklady wrote: 'Brava Madame for taking noisy audience to task between movements of Mozart! Classy #respect #thanks' Wha Chung, 66, had not performed for five years after she suffered a finger injury and her appearance at the Royal Festival Hall was widely anticipated by fans of her music who flocked to see her play Mozart . The talented violinist was a young star, getting her big breakthrough in 1970 and playing the violin from six . Ms Wha Chung performed at the Royal Festival Hall on Tuesday evening - returning to the very stage that signalled her breakthrough in 1970. Details of her appearance led to such excitement that posters advertised her performance with the slogan 'the legend returns.' The talented musician, who was not available for comment today as she was on her way back to Korea, had not appeared on the concert circuit for five years after she suffered a finger injury. She became recognised as a child prodigy, reportedly already playing violin with orchestras in Korea from the age of nine. Ms Wha Chung performed at the Royal Festival Hall . A representative for the violinist said she had been pleased to  see so many children and 'spent more than an hour greeting them and signing autographs' after the performance. She said the violinist had spent more than 10 years supporting children's music projects. The Southbank Centre, which runs the Royal Festival Hall, said it had not received any complaints after the performance. A spokeswoman said: 'At this time of the year in particular, coughing isn't uncommon at events at any venue. Southbank Centre welcomes people of all ages including families and children and we offer a range of events, including classical music, specially designed with children in mind. 'We don't discourage parents or carers who wish to bring young people to an evening event and we do where possible check that they are aware of the nature of the event. 'We are aware that Kyung Wha Chung is also a keen supporter of young people experiencing classical music.'

Violinist Kyung Wha Chung performed at Royal Festival Hall, London . It was her first performance in 5 years and first return to UK in 12 years . But she became agitated after child started coughing during first piece . Korean soloist told parents to bring child back 'when she's older' Audience branded her 'arrogant' while others praised her for taking a stand . Musician's representative said coughing going on for almost 1 minute .

83e402c325c465da3f8d19aab0b503747e2c79d8

Worried: British Business Secretary Vince Cable, has warned of the dire consequences should the Euro collapse . Europe could be plunged into war if the euro collapses, Vince Cable warned last night. The Business Secretary said the consequences would be 'incalculable' for Europe and 'awful' for the UK but cautioned that there was 'no automatic guarantee' that Europe would not disintegrate into conflict. Mr Cable spoke out just two days after the European Union was handed the Nobel Peace Prize, an award that provoked widespread ridicule at a time when tensions over the single currency have led to violence and civil unrest across Europe. Mr Cable told an audience at the Cheltenham Literary Festival: 'I think we need to take stock that if the eurozone were to unravel in a way that destroyed the European project - and there is a risk that could happen - the consequences would be absolutely incalculable. 'We tend to forget, until we were reminded last week of that Nobel Prize, the European project was constructed in order to rescue Europe from extreme nationalism and conflict. There is no automatic guarantee that won't return.' The Business Secretary described the euro as 'very valuable' and said the UK would 'be heard very loudly if it does unravel'. He added: 'My sense is that the Germans in particular realise how much is at stake. A series of sensible measures have been taken in recent months. 'I think deep down there is enough common sense and a sense of survival to prevent this getting out of control. If it does, I'm afraid the consequences for us will be awful.' Flying high: The European Union has recently been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize - yet more pressing is the need to stabilise the Euro .

Business Secretary's warning comes only days after the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize . Cable describes the Euro as 'very valuable'

9bb57335c2bb471f4effa781947eb6ea41c0edce

The propaganda war between Russia and Ukraine took a turn for the bizarre after a busty Crimean model was voted Russia's top natural beauty. Maria Zarring, who has a natural 34K bust, was born in the Crimea, the Ukrainian region now run by the ethnically Russian population. But Ukranian commentators have accused Russia of choosing the 28-year-old only because they wanted to humiliate Ukraine, and they are insisting that her breasts are not natural. Scroll down for video . Bust-up: The propaganda war between Russia and Ukraine took a turn for the bizarre after busty Crimean model Maria Zarring was voted Russia's top natural beauty . Ukranian commentators have accused Russia of choosing the 28-year-old only because they wanted to humiliate Ukraine, and they are insisting that her breasts are not natural . Kiev beauty expert Oksana Melnyk said: 'They have only chosen her to rub our noses in it.' She added: 'Moscow is laughing at the Ukraine by claiming one of our own success stories for their own. But in fact she is not even a real woman.' But model Maria says she wants no part of the furore. She said: 'I am not interested in politics.' 'I am proud of my boobs, I am proud of my body, I am proud of my title and I am proud of my homeland.' Model Maria says she wants no part of the furore. She said: 'I am not interested in politics' Maria - who now lives in Moscow - used to have an office job in marketing but gave it up in 2011 when she won a TV wet T-shirt contest. Today Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said on Monday that newly elected leaders in eastern Ukrainian separatist regions have a 'mandate' to negotiate with Kiev, Interfax news agency reported. 'The elected representatives of Donetsk and Luhansk regions obtained a mandate to hold negotiations with central Ukrainian authorities to solve problems... via a political dialogue,' he said. Interfax reported him as echoing a statement from the Foreign Ministry that Russia will 'respect the will of the people of south-east Ukraine'. Alexander Zakharchenko . Russia has backed a contentious election held by separatists in eastern Ukraine, setting the stage for renewed diplomatic tensions with the west. The Foreign Ministry said today that the vote in Donetsk and Luhansk gave elected representatives the authority to restore stability in regions unsettled by an armed separatist insurgency. Plans for yesterday’s vote had been sharply criticised by the European Union and the US, which said it violated Ukrainian law and undermined a September ceasefire deal. In the vote, residents in Donetsk and Luhansk were choosing legislators and executives. Vote results unveiled today showed Alexander Zakharchenko, the rebel leader in Donetsk, claiming an easy victory. Despite the ceasefire agreement, fighting rages daily between government troops and rebel forces in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The head of the rebel election body in Donetsk, Roman Lyagin, said inescapable conclusions needed to be drawn from Sunday's polls. 'Kiev has to come to terms with the idea that Donbass is not part of Ukraine,' he said. "Whether they will recognize the result of our vote or not is Kiev's problem.'

Maria Zarring, who has a natural 34K bust, was born in the Crimea . Commentators have accused Russia of choosing her to humiliate Ukraine . But Maria, who is 'proud' of breasts, said: 'I'm not interested in politics'

87965bb824dbfb8c837be54d38f97cdffca9eb93

Researchers saw that the more time people spend commuting to and from work the less likely they are to be satisfied with life (illustrated with stock image) Being crammed in a train carriage with other grumpy and sweaty workers or sitting in endless traffic jams to get to work is no one’s idea of fun. Now researchers saw that the more time people spend commuting to and from work the less likely they are to be satisfied with life. Long journey times were also unsurprisingly linked to an increased sense of time pressure, with less time spent on hobbies, including exercise. Margo Hilbrecht, a professor in Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo in Canada, said: ‘We found that the longer it takes someone to get to work, the lower their satisfaction with life in general’. Professor Hilbrecht, who is also associate director of research for the Canadian Index of Wellbeing says that bad traffic and delays are not always to blame. The study, published in World Leisure Journal, analysed data from Statistics Canada to understand the links between commute time and well-being. The researchers found that on top of being linked to lower life satisfaction, long commute lengths are related to an increased sense of time pressure. ‘Some people may enjoy a commute, but overall, longer travel time is linked to feelings of time crunch, which can increase stress levels,’ Professor Hilbrecht said. Lengthy commutes have already been linked to poor mental and physical health, including hypertension, obesity, low-energy and illness-related work absences. Beyond bad traffic, the researchers found one other factor to be highly correlated with commuters’ life satisfaction - physical activity. Lengthy commutes (illustrated) have already been linked to poor mental and physical health, including hypertension, obesity, low-energy and illness-related work absences . An office filled with pot plants can boost workers' happiness and productivity by 15 per cent, according to a study released in September. Researchers studied the effects of greenery on staff's perceptions of air quality, concentration, and workplace satisfaction, and monitored productivity levels over subsequent months in two large commercial offices in the UK and The Netherlands. Lead researcher Marlon Nieuwenhuis, from the School of Psychology, said: 'Our research suggests that investing in landscaping the office with plants will pay off through an increase in office workers quality of life and productivity.' 'Simply enriching a previously Spartan space with plants served to increase productivity by 15 per cent - a figure that aligns closely with findings in previously conducted laboratory studies.' ‘We learned that commuters who had time for physical leisure had higher life satisfaction,’ she said. ‘Physical activity can mitigate commuting-related stress if workers can include it in their daily routines, but the obvious constraint is time scarcity. Longer commutes mean less time for other activities, which leads to lower life satisfaction.’ Other factors linked to higher life satisfaction among commuters include flexible work hours and a higher household income. According to the study, women reported higher levels of time pressure, as did those with a partner. Professor Hilbrecht hopes that the new findings will help contribute to the development of programmes and policies to support better health for workers. ‘The message to employers is that encouraging flexible work hours or providing time for physical leisure can pay dividends in their employees’ satisfaction with life,’ she said. ‘A long commute is detrimental to health. Maybe it’s better to take a job that pays a little less money but is closer to home. If you have a choice, it’s worth looking at the impact of the commute on well-being.’ Long journey times were also unsurprisingly found to be linked to an increased sense of time pressure, with less time spent on hobbies, including exercise. 'A long commute is detrimental to health,' the leader of the study said. A nightmare commute including a traffic jam is illustrated with a stock picture .

Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada say long commute times are linked to an increased sense of time pressure . This is because workers have less time for their hobbies and exercise . Study found that the more time people spend commuting to and from work the less likely they are to be satisfied with life .

8f04f55ad1e688c6c965dae29ad3e363d9c217c6

David Cameron was shoved in the street by a member of the public this morning in a 'very significant security breach' - sparking an immediate inquiry by Scotland Yard. The Prime Minister was in Leeds to promote the Government's proposed high speed railway line. But as he came out of the city's Civic Hall a passing jogger ran up to him at speed forcing Mr Cameron to move out of the way while his surrounding security team look on. Within hours the Metropolitan Police commissioner Bernard Hogan Howe had ordered an investigation into how the man was allowed to get so close to the PM. It comes less than a week after a lone-wolf gunman killed a soldier before attacking the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa. This afternoon jogger Dean Balboa Farley revealed he was the man who managed to run into Mr Cameron without being stopped by his security squad. The 28-year-old complained this afternoon he merely 'brushed' the Prime Minister only to be 'assaulted by half a dozen coppers in suits'. Scroll down for video . The Prime Minister was shoved by a member of the public who was later arrested but then released . Mr Cameron was in Leeds city centre today when the major lapse of security occurred . Mr Cameron can be clearly seen bracing as he spots the jogger running towards him, while security appear oblivious . The Prime Minister looked back as he strolled towards his car after being bumped into by the runner . Response: Runner Dean Balboa Farley said he brushed the PM before being assaulted by police . The Metropolitan Police Specialist Protection Command and West Yorkshire Police will conduct a review of the 'incident', Scotland Yard said. A spokesman said: 'The Metropolitan Police Service is aware of an incident in Leeds today, Monday, 27 October, involving a 28-year-old man and the Prime Minister as he left the Civic Hall. 'The man was arrested by local officers and was later de-arrested. The MPS Specialist Protection Command is responsible for the personal protection of the Prime Minister and will now conduct a review of the incident in consultation with West Yorkshire Police.' Mr Cameron spotted the man running up to him and took a step back and to the left before security noticed and bundled the protester to the floor. The PM did not fall over and calmly walked to his waiting car before being driven away from the scene uninjured. One witness said Mr Cameron 'sidestepped' the man in a 'lovely little move'. The jogger had crossed the pavement towards the Prime Minister, clutching a white towel. Police took the 28-year-old man away. He was arrested but later released. West Yorkshire Police said that no threat had been made, adding: 'Nothing sinister, just a man in the wrong place at the wrong time.' But Conservative MP Mark Pritchard demanded a full investigation into how the Metropolitan Police security team allowed the man to get so close to the Prime Minister. Security wrestled the man to the ground before hauling him off into a police van . The 28-year-old was arrested but released saying it was 'nothing sinister, just a man in the wrong place at the wrong time' He was arrested after Prime Minister David Cameron left Leeds Civic Hall after a conference on the planned HS2 rail links . The man was arrested outside Leeds Civic Hall but was later 'de-arrested' by officers who said he had not threatened the PM . Mr Pritchard said: 'The Met Police have some of the best close protection officers in the world. However, this was a clear breach of security and could have been far more sinister in outcome. 'With the terror threat level increased, this cannot be allowed to happen again. The Met Commissioner should call an immediate and swift internal inquiry to discover why this happened and implement the necessary lessons learned as quickly as possible.' Former Royal protection officer Steve Park said Mr Cameron's security had taken their 'eye off the ball'. He said: 'They were concentrating on the Prime Minister rather than looking outwardly at the attackers. 'It's a serious security breach. The Prime Minister has then been allowed to stand alone and look at it for a momentary time. 'What should have happened is something called cover and protect. A protection officer puts his hand on the head of the Prime Minister and straight into the waiting car. 'It's a very significant security breach. For an attacker to be able to get to a Prime Minister. I don't remember that happening before.' But Mr Cameron later played down the incident, telling MPs: 'Could I put on the record for once the debt I owe to the close protection teams that look after me and the very good job that they do.' Making light of the incident, he added: 'John Prescott was in the room as I gave the speech so as I left the room, I thought the moment of maximum danger had probably passed. But clearly that wasn't the case.' In 2001 Labour former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott punched a protester who egged him. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said Mr Cameron expressed his 'gratitude and confidence' in the protection team. Downing Street will co-operate with the Met's review of the incident, the spokesman added. Witness Chris Wilson described the man as 'just a typical hippy type', adding: 'It looked like Cameron sidestepped him. It was a lovely little move' Mr Cameron was escorted into a waiting car after the incident in Leeds . Following the incident today, Chief Inspector Derek Hughes said: 'Around midday, a 28-year-old local man was briefly arrested after he came close to the prime minister's group who had just left the civic hall in Leeds. 'No threats were made, and after the man's details were checked, he was de-arrested and allowed on his way.' Witness Chris Wilson described the man as 'just a typical hippy type'. He said: 'It looked like Cameron sidestepped him. It was a lovely little move. He should be on the stage, really. 'And then he was tackled by the person behind. And then he (Cameron) was in the car and the car was gone. 'They were on him. They were like flies round poo. One minute he was down, then he was up again and moving. It was fast.' Mr Wilson said the man ran about 10 yards across the road towards the Prime Minister. He said he was white, with a beard and dreadlocks. Downing Street this afternoon refused to comment on the incident.

As the PM walked out of Leeds Civic Hall a protester ran up and shoved him . Mr Cameron's security failed to spot runner Dean Balboa Farley until too late . The 28-year-old fitness fanatic later arrested and then released by police . Runner said he 'brushed' the PM before 'getting assaulted by half a dozen coppers in suits' MPs demanded immediate Scotland Yard inquiry into security lapse . Former Royal protection officer says incident 'a significant security breach' Comes amid heightened terror fears following Canadian lone-wolf shootings . PM told MPs he had confidence in his police bodyguards despite breach .

57cb8579c6e41e6fd776abd2c377a54e56bfeeef

Prince Harry was reunited with his ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy during a charity carol concert in London last night. Chelsy, who remains a close friend of Prince Harry, was pretty in a red jumper  as she arrived for the service at St Luke's Church in Chelsea. There, she heard both Harry and William pay heartfelt tribute to their friend Henry van Straubenzee, who was killed in a car crash in 2002 aged just 18 years old. Scroll down for video . Sombre: Miss Davy, who was also a friend of Mr van Straubenzee, arrives for the service . Good humoured: Prince Harry chats with a friend outside St Luke's Parish Church in Chelsea . Since his death, the foundation set up in his memory has raised enough money to support the education of more than 26,000 children in 39 schools across Uganda. Harry, who attended the Ludgrove prep school in Berkshire with Mr van Straubenzee, remembered his friend in an address made to an 800-strong congregation, which also included Pippa Middleton and Ellie Goulding. After describing van Straubenzee as 'a Polzeath surfing legend and ladies' man with whom we shared so many special memories', to much laughter, Harry continued: . 'I'm sure you understand when I say most of those memories are not suitable for public consumption, let alone in the house of God.' The Duke of Cambridge struck a more sombre note, telling the congregation, who had gathered at St Luke's Parish Church in Chelsea, that 'we are here, of course, to remember Henry.' Tribute: Harry said Mr van Straubenzee was a 'Polzeath surfing legend and ladies' man' Sombre: The Duke of Cambridge struck a more sombre note during his address . Alone: The Duke of Cambridge was without his wife who chose to remain at home with Prince George . 'He was a friend to many people here and a very special friend to us, who we share so many happy childhood memories with. 'Henry would be amazed that his charity is giving so many children a chance in life. He certainly enjoyed his.' The service, which also included readings by author Santa Montefiore and historian Dan Snow, was rounded off by a performance from Goulding who sang Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, at the request of Prince Harry. The surviving van Straubenzee brothers remain close friends with the two princes, with both attending the 2013 wedding of Thomas van Straubenzee. Chelsy Davy, who met the brothers while in a relationship with Prince Harry, is also a friend, as is Prince William's sister-in-law, Pippa Middleton. Cigarette break: Miss Davy was spotted having a crafty cigarette outside the church . Toast: After the service, Miss Davy decamped to a nearby pub with a friend . Entertainment: The two were seen enjoying a drink and a lengthy gossip . Guests: The princes were joined by Ellie Goulding, who sang during the service, and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson .

The two princes made a joint address remembering their friend . 800-strong congregation included Pippa Middleton and Chelsy Davy . Henry van Straubenzee was killed in a car accident aged 18 in 2002 . Foundation set up in his name supports education in Uganda .

8b8559db61aa6aabf7785c3b1ebf0622e0f8ed1a

Police across America are killing more people than FBI statistics show, it has been revealed today. An official tally misses hundreds of fatal shootings by law-enforcement officers between 2007 and 2012 . More than 550 killings by police were not reported to the FBI over the five-year period, according to fresh analysis. Official FBI statistics miss out hundreds of fatal shootings by law-enforcement officers between 2007 and 2012 (file picture) It comes amid calls for greater transparency over such killings after Michael Brown was shot dead by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, in August. The Wall Street Journal asked for the internal records on fatal shootings by police from America’s 110 biggest police departments and received figures from 105 of them. The newspaper says it counted up 1,800 such killings from the figures supplied between 2007 and 2012. But this was about 45 per cent more than the FBI’s figure for ‘justifiable homicides’ in those departments which was 1,242. The Journal says its findings show that ‘it is nearly impossible to determine how many people are killed by the police each year’. It quotes Alexia Cooper, who studies the FBI data in her position at the Bureau of Justice Statistics, as saying: 'Does the FBI know every agency in the U.S. that could report but has chosen not to? The answer is no. There have been calls for more transparency over fatal shootings by police after the death in August of Michael Brown in Ferguson (file picture) 'What we know is that some places have chosen not to report these, for whatever reason.' Local law-enforcement agencies are not necessarily required to provide the FBI with records, including data showing which killings were carried out by police, cbsnews reports. The Journal quotes an FBI spokesman as saying that the agency uses 'established statistical methodologies and norms' when reviewing data sent to it by agencies. He said the FBI then checks the information it is given and asks each agency 'to correct or verify questionable data'. Cbsnews quotes Lori Lightfoot, a lawyer with experience of investigating police shootings for the Chicago police department, as saying: 'A police officer is not like a normal citizen who discharges their weapon. 'There is a presumption that somebody who is a peace officer, and is thereby authorized to use lethal force, used it correctly.'

More than 550 killings by police not included in FBI figures between 2007 and 2012 . Analysis of 105 police departments shows there were 1,800 such deaths over the five-year period . But this was 45 per cent more than FBI's figure for those departments .

0837e939e28bb07344a70eb76fdd104b373798bf

UK travellers are turning their backs on Marrakech after a tourist was jailed last month for 'homosexual acts'. Travel searches are down by nearly half after the it was revealed Ray Cole had been imprisoned in the Moroccan city, according to travel website Trivago.co.uk. Travel interest to Morocco as a whole is said to have slumped by 31 per cent. Scroll down for video . Price comparison website Trivago say that hotel searches to Marrakesh have decreased by 46 per cent since it was revealed that British tourist Ray Cole had been imprisoned last month . Mr Cole, 69, from Kent, flew back into Gatwick Airport on Tuesday after spending 20 days in jail in the north African country, a move which prompted a huge backlash across the world. He was detained along with his friend Jamal Jam Wald Nass when police found 'homosexual images' on his phone. Foreign Office guidelines state that homosexuality is a crime in Morocco. He described the experience as a 'total nightmare' on his return to the UK. As the news of Mr Cole's arrest and imprisonment spread, campaigners took to Morocco's official tourism Facebook page to urge potential visitors to avoid the country . Mr Cole, 69, from Kent, spent 20 days in jail in the north African country after police found 'homosexual images' on his phone . Mr Cole was four weeks into a five-week holiday in Morocco when he was detained by police. He had gone to Marrakech to see 20-year-old Jamal Jam Wald Nass after developing a friendship on Facebook. The pair were stopped by police in Marrakesh as they were waiting at a bus stop. A campaign with the #freeraycole hashtag was set up on Twitter along side a Facebook page and online petition. As the news spread throughout the media, campaigners took to Morocco's official tourism Facebook page to urge potential visitors to avoid the country. Mr Cole said on his return: 'I've seen things I never knew existed. It's not a prison, it's a concentration camp.' Mr Cole, 69, from Kent, flew back into Gatwick Airport on Tuesday where he was reunited with his family . He said the attitudes to homosexuality in Morocco 'are about 100 years out of date'. 'They seemed to think that I was some kind of sex tourist, but I'm not and I wasn't.' When hotel searches made by UK travellers on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 October were compared to searches made on the same days the previous week (September 29 and 30), Trivago found that interest to Marrakesh had dropped by 46 per cent. Although the largest decline in hotel searches occurred in Marrakech, travel interest to Morocco as a whole decreased by 31 per cent over the same period. With most stories reported in the media on Monday, October 6, this day saw the greatest decline in travel interest. Compared to Monday, September 29, hotel searches decreased by 52 per cent in Marrakech and 40 per cent to the country as a whole. Trivago is the world's largest hotel price comparison website, and the survey is based on website visits from 75 million global monthly users. Morocco has been a popular destination for British tourist who travel to the north African country for winter sun . Denise Bartlett, a spokesman for Trivago, said: 'With campaigners on Morocco's official tourism Facebook page deeming the country unsafe for British tourists, it seems their plan to boycott the country was initially successful. 'Forty six per cent is a significant decrease rarely seen in popular tourist destinations. For example, following the military coup in Thailand in May 2014, hotel searches decreased by just 26 per cent. 'Although the British tourist in question has now been released, it will be interesting to see if tourists continue to avoid the destination. 'Morocco is a year-round popular choice among UK holidaymakers, while Agadir is a popular winter sun destination. 'Morocco's tourism economy would no doubt suffer from a sharp decline in British tourists.'

Hotel searches in Marrakesh down by 46% following Ray Cole's arrest . Mr Cole, 69, imprisoned for 'homosexual acts', prompting a huge backlash . Campaigners have since urged potential visitors to avoid the country .

a90dca2f4bbb242af3463f0d50364151668023b5

Kind-hearted Britons have donated an incredible £55million to help more than half a million people affected by the typhoon which devastated parts of the Philippines. The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said its aid agencies have now reached almost 600,000 survivors across the country, providing much-needed clean water, food, medical care and materials for temporary shelter. A spokesman for the DEC said: 'The . generosity of the UK public has been overwhelming and will make a huge . difference to people's lives. Help at hand: Lieutenant CommanderTelio Elliott-Smith of HMS Daring helps to distribute pre-packed shelters to give to a small village on the island of Calagnaan, Philippines . A British airman from HMS Daring helps unload vital supplies to crisis-hit communities on Canas, Calagnaan and Tulunanaun islands in the Philippines . Royal Navy sailors distribute aid packages on the island of Guintacan which suffered extensive damage to buildings and during Typhoon Haiyan . Relief: A Royal Navy helicopter makes a drop on the island of Gunitacan. HMS Daring has brought a medical team from Save The Children to set up clinics around the main villages . Filipino Villagers and crew members from HMS Daring form a human chain to load humanitarian aid supplies onto a barge for victims of Typhoon Haiyan . Cash raised through the Philippines Typhoon Appeal is helping to fund crucial aid in some of the worst hit parts of the islands. The scale of the disaster remains enormous with more than 13 million people now known to be affected, the DEC said. Four . million people have been forced to leave their homes since Typhoon . Haiyan struck almost two weeks ago, while the death toll is expected to . exceed 10,000. Aid . agencies are focusing on reaching the most remote areas of the country, . after facing difficulties with debris on roads and poor access to ports . and airports. Access is now improving, however, as debris is being cleared from roads and bridges are repaired, the DEC said. Speaking . on behalf of the 14 UK charities which make up the DEC, chief executive . Saleh Saeed said: "Thanks to the people of the UK, aid agencies have . been able to help save lives. We can and must do more. 'It . will take months and years for people to recover and we will . immediately start helping people with better shelter and the means to . rebuild their lives. Aid: Lieutenant Commander talks to a village elder with two medical volunteers from Save the Children. Britons have donated over £55 million to the crisis-hit region . Needy: 12-year-old Filipino typhoon victim, Monica Sales, 12, shows a few meagre possessions recovered in the wake of the typhoon . Bags of rice stacked in the hangar of British aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious which is docked in Singapore are destined for victims of Typhoon Haiyan . Aid agencies are focusing on reaching the most remote areas of the country, after facing difficulties with debris on roads and poor access to ports and airports . Local men unload boxes of supplies from a U.S. Osprey aircraft making a brief drop off in Borongan, Philippines . A U.S. military Osprey aircraft flies over damaged buildings as it prepares to land to deliver relief goods for typhoon survivors in Guiuan, Philippines . Typhoon survivors ride a tricycle during a light rain in Tacloban, Philippines, today . Devastation: Typhoon survivors walk along the shore of the San Jose fishing village on the outskirts of Tacloban on the eastern Philippine island of Leyte more than one week after Super Typhoon Haiyan devastated the area . Rubble: Debris is seen in a Tacloban neighbourhood almost completely flattened by the typhoon. Grieving survivors flocked to shattered churches, as aid workers intensified efforts to reach desperate survivors in remote communities . Hungry villagers who have yet to receive any relief aid, scramble towards a U.S. helicopter as it arrives to deliver aid in a remote village off Guiuan, Eastern Samar, in central Philippines . A young man shelters from the rain as he walks throughTacloban in Leyte, Philippines. British aid agencies have now reached almost 600,000 survivors across the country . International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: 'The British . Government is providing vital aid directly to those that need it with . the help of charities on the ground. Since the Typhoon hit and we . activated the Rapid Response Facility, DFID has helped charities to . immediately scale up their response.  'On top of this, we have . harnessed military assets including cargo planes and logistical . equipment to ensure aid not only gets to the Philippines but reaches the . neediest people in the most remote parts of the country.' Donations . can be made to the DEC Philippines Typhoon Appeal on the DEC 24-hour . hotline on 0370 6060900, by clicking HERE, by donating . over the counter at any high street bank or post office, or by sending a . cheque. People can also donate £5 by texting 'SUPPORT' to 70000. Devastation: A woman washes clothes amidst the rubble and debris on the island of Leyte . Youngsters play a game in a room of house left perched in mid-air after the devastating typhoon swept in . Struggling: The United Nations estimates that 13 million people were affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan with around 1.9 million losing their homes . Survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan march during a religious procession in Tolosa on the eastern Philippine island of Leyte today as many still don't know if their loved ones are alive or dead .

Royal Navy sailors from HMS Daring distribute badly needed supplies . More than 1.5million people have been displaced by the storm . British aid has already reached over almost 600,000 people . Disasters Emergency Committee say response has been 'overwhelming'

5eddcf96e202bffe316a8a6d9bfa5bedec368561

Companies have been given the green light for testing driverless cars in the UK next year. The decision was announced by government quango Innovate UK, after George Osborne’s Autumn Statement. Bristol, Greenwich in south east London and Coventry and Milton Keynes will all host autonomous driving projects that will run for between 18 and 36 months starting from January 2015. Scroll down for video . The future? Companies have been given the green light for testing driverless cars in the UK next year. Bristol, Greenwich in south east London and Coventry and Milton Keynes (illustrated) will all host autonomous driving projects that will run for between 18 and 36 months starting from January 2015 . It is hoped that testing driverless cars in a real-world environment will help lead to greater levels of understanding of the vehicles and will allow the public to imagine how the cars could fit into everyday life. Milton Keynes and Coventry will share the UK Autodrive programme, which involves Ford, Jaguar Land Rover as well as a number of universities and engineering consultancies. They will test self-driving cars on real roads as well as lightweight self-driving pods designed for pedestrianised areas in Milton Keynes. Coventry and Milton Keynes: Engineers involved in the Autodrive Programme will develop infrastructure to best work with autonomous cars navigating real roads. Driverless pods will ferry individuals around pedestrianised areas of Milton Keynes. Greenwich: The Gateway project will test automated electric shuttles buses and robotic valet parking. Bristol: The insurance implications of driverless vehicles will be explored by the Venturer consortium. The programme will also look at how cars cope with the city's challenging terrain and how they are received by the public. One of the focuses of the trial will be developing infrastructure to best interact with the cars. Tim Armitage, of engineering consultancy, Arup, told the BBC: ‘Our plan with the practical demonstration phases is to start testing with single vehicles on closed roads, and to build up to a point where all road users, as well as legislators, the police and insurance companies, are confident about how driverless pods and fully and partially autonomous cars can operate safely on UK roads.’ In Greenwich, the Gateway project will test automated electric shuttles buses, plus robotic valet parking for driverless cars. The scheme involves General Motors, the AA and RAC. Finally, experts in Bristol will investigate the insurance implications of driverless vehicles and study the public’s response to the technology. The Venturer consortium programme ‘aims to deepen understanding of the impact on road users and wider society and open up new opportunities for our economy and society,’ Innovate UK said. The hilly city’s challenging terrain will also allow engineers to see how the cars cope with busy, winding roads. Milton Keynes and Coventry will share the UK Autodrive programme (pictured), which involves Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, universities and engineering consultancies. They will test self-driving cars on real roads as well as lightweight self-driving pods designed for pedestrianised areas in Milton Keynes . It’s hoped that the data collected will be used to successfully introduce driverless cars in cities and towns across the UK to reduce congestion, improve air quality and use roads more efficiently and safely. The chancellor announced an extra £9 million in funding for the new technology, adding to £10 million already promised in the summer. In Greenwich, the Gateway project will test automated electric shuttle vehicles (pictured), plus robotic valet parking for driverless cars. The scheme involves General Motors, the AA and RAC . Experts in Bristol (pictured) will investigate the insurance implications of driverless vehicles and study the public’s response to the technology. The hilly city’s challenging terrain will also allow engineers to see how the cars cope with busy, winding roads . The trials aim to reveal what the UK public thinks of autonomous technology. Meanwhile, a study by eBay Motors revealed that 84 per cent of Americans want to continue driving their own cars and not rely on autonomous technology. Almost four in 10 people think self-driving cars might save them money and three quarters of respondents think it is important that the technology could reduce the amount of greenhouse gases belched out by vehicles. Approximately 56 per cent of Americans think self-driving cars will result in fewer accidents, while 15 per cent predict they will cause more crashes. Being able to do other tasks while travelling in a car, not having to park and lower insurance rates are popular reasons to buy one, but the largest worry is liability in the event of a crash. The aim is to establish the UK as the global hub for the research, development and integration of driverless vehicles and associated technologies. ‘Cars that drive themselves would represent the most significant transformation in road travel since the introduction of the internal combustion engine and at Innovate UK, we want to help the UK to lead the world in making that happen,' said Nick Jones, lead technologist for the low carbon vehicle innovation platform at Innovate UK. ‘There are so many new and exciting technologies that can come together to make driverless cars a reality, but it’s vital that trials are carried out safely, that the public have confidence in that technology and we learn everything we can through the trials so that legal, regulation and protection issues don’t get in the way in the future.’ Paula Marie Brown from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) said: ‘Driverless vehicles have huge potential to transform the UK’s transport network. They could improve road safety, reduce congestion and lower emissions. Bristol, Greenwich in south east London and Coventry and Milton Keynes (all marked on) will all host autonomous driving projects that will run for between 18 and 36 months starting from January 2015 . The trials will allow experts to tackle the question of driver responsibility. Ms Brown from the IET said: 'The trials will also need to address liability in the case of an accident. Today the car driver is liable, but in the future will it be the car manufacturer or owner – and how will insurance companies adapt to this? ‘But there are new levels of risks that need to be considered when there is a combination of driverless and driven vehicles on the roads. ‘To ensure a safe system of operation, the driverless car test trials require not only a good level of user skill and experience, but the user should also be able to demonstrate a good understanding of the systems in the car, the potential failure modes, how faults are indicated and most importantly how they will take swift and decisive control of the vehicle if they suspect there is a fault. ‘The trials will also need to address liability in the case of an accident. Today the car driver is liable, but in the future will it be the car manufacturer or owner – and how will insurance companies adapt to this? ‘As a minimum, when approving automated vehicle testing on public roads, manufacturers must accept that software in their vehicles attracts the same liability as the physical components of the vehicle. ‘Perhaps the biggest question mark will be around cyber security. The reliability and security of software used in driverless cars will be a major cause of concern for manufacturers and insurers. ‘If hackers found a way to target vehicles, this could present a whole new set of challenges that the industry is not currently equipped to tackle.’

Bristol, Greenwich, in south east London and Coventry and Milton Keynes will all host autonomous driving projects that will run from January 2015 . It's hoped trials will appeal to consumers worried about autonomous tech . Self-driving pods are designed for pedestrianised areas in Milton Keynes . Driver responsibility and insurance implications will be examined in Bristol . Trials aim to establish the UK as the global hub for the research, development and integration of driverless vehicles .

1bd9f40309fbcdb00cf73cf9d69965df9e73d2f1

The family of a seven-month-old baby, who was tortured and killed by his mother's de facto husband, has called on Immigration Minister Scott Morrison to ensure the killer is deported when he is released next week. Ex-boxer Christopher Hoerler, 37, was sentenced to 14 years and four months - after prosecutors appealed the initial term of 11 years - for the manslaughter of Jordan Anderson-Smith in Wagga Wagga in 2000. At the time of Jordan's murder, Hoerler was living de facto with Jordan's mother, Louise Anderson and Jordan's two half-brothers, who were aged 2 and 4. Hoerler has been granted parole and is expected to be released next Thursday. Jordan would have turned 15 on July 24. A photo of baby Jordan Anderson, taken shortly before his death. Christopher Hoerler tortured the seven-month-old to death in Wagga Wagga on February 25, 2000. The Crown prosecutor found that Jordan died from multiple injuries, including bruises and abrasions to his face, a torn lip, liver and bowel damage and crushed toes - which were inflicted when Hoerler put his then-girlfriend's son's toes in a clamp. Christopher Hoerler will be released from prison on August 14 for the brutal murder of baby Jordan. Jordan's family are petitioning, to ensure Hoerler will be deported upon his release. Baby Jordan died following a party at which his mother and her live-in boyfriend were drinking and smoking cannabis at their home in Wagga Wagga, NSW on February 25, 2000. Hoerler was tried for murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter 20 months after Jordan was killed. Jordan choked on his own vomit after being beaten and tortured by Hoerler, with injuries including a lacerated liver, a torn lip, facial abrasions and broken ribs. His toes had also been crushed by a clamp. The forensic pathologist who conducted the post mortem found that the baby's 'palate injury was caused by a blow to the jaw, and the abdominal injury by a non-penetrating blow or blows of considerable force'. Jordan's injuries were so extensive that they took four days to document. Jordan's father, Cecil Smith, had contacted the Department of Community Services when he believed Hoerler was showering with Jordan. While Hoerler had his visa cancelled after he was convicted, and the parole board says he will be released into the custody of Immigration officials to be deported to Papua New Guinea, the family is not convinced and want assurances from the immigration minister. Louise Anderson (right) pictured leaving court in 2003 after giving evidence at her ex-boyfriend, Christopher Hoerler's trial. Hoerler was found guilty of torturing and Murdering Ms Anderson's seven-month-old son, Jordan. He will be released on August 14. The family has launched an online petition, calling on Mr Morrison to ensure Hoerler is deported when he is released on August 14. His sentence was due to expire in February 2016. 'The Smith family are extremely disappointed in the decision the parole board has made to release this convicted child killer back into the community' a statement on the petition website said. In a statement, the State Parole Authority says in granting parole, it considered Hoerler's good prison performance and completion of programs addressing his offending behaviour. Cecil Smith (left), the father of the late baby Jordan, pictured leaving court in 2003 with his brother, Darcy Smith (right), who is acting as the family's spokesman. Darcy Smith is appealing to the Minister for Immigration, Scott Morrison to ensure Jordan's murderer, Christopher Hoerler, is deported when he is released from prison next week on August 14, 2014. Jordan's mother, Louise Anderson, is pictured leaving her baby's murder trial in 2003. Christopher Hoerler was found guilty of brutally murdering seven-month-old, Jordan Anderson-Smith. Hoerler was Mrs Anderson's live-in boyfriend at the time of the murder. Jordan's uncle, Darcy Smith has become the family's spokesman and is appealing to the public to support the petition and for the minister to 'step up to the plate' and ensure Hoerler is ousted. Mr Smith believes Hoerler may appeal the deportation condition of his release because he had children in Australia and wanted to be a father to them, Fairfax newspapers say. 'He is trying to pull a rabbit out of the hat to stay in the country,' Mr Smith said. 'I hope the minister is smart enough to see through that.' Previously, Mr Smith has spoken of the family's intense and unrelenting grief. 'We are the ones living with the life sentence. We have to live without Jordan every day.' They explained that their mother, Jordan's paternal grandmother, visits Jordan's grave every Sunday. The Smith family have previously explained that Hoerler had moved into the home only three weeks before he murdered Jordan. Hoerler met Ms Anderson on New Year's Eve in 1999, but by less than two months later, on February 25, 2000, he killed her son. The baby's father had attended school with Hoeler and once considered him a friend. Two parole applications have been rejected since July 2012, when his 10 year 9 month non-parole period expired.

Christopher Hoerler was sentenced to 14 years & 4 months in jail in 2000 . Guilty of killing seven-month-old Jordan, son of his live-in girlfriend . Hoerler has been granted parole and will be released on August 14 . Family launch petition to ensure killer is deported to Papua New Guinea . Hoerler's visa was cancelled after he was convicted for the brutal murder . Fears Hoerler will appeal to stay in Australia with his children .

3f4eff5a10d34d96d8cb22143eb29703e1300b29

Say goodbye to traipsing around the shops or spending hours online searching for the right Christmas present, as more people admit they are giving homemade gifts this year. Thanks to TV shows such as Kirstie Allsopp's Homemade Christmas, families are going back to basics to save cash and give presents with a personal touch. Almost a third of the nation (29 per cent) will receive a handcrafted present this Christmas, with cards, jam, chutney and knitwear among the most popular, according to a survey. Programmes such as Kirstie's Homemade Christmas have inspired Brits get inspired to craft their own gifts . More than one in four (26 per cent) are turning to 'upcycling' to create unique gifts. And one in six (17 per cent) will either host or attend a Christmas craft party this year, the study of more than 1,000 people revealed. However, the hard work isn't going to waste, as more than half (57 per cent) of people believe receiving a handcrafted present means more than something bought on the High Street or online. The most popular homemade gifts include hand-painted candle holders, gift baskets and homemade Christmas cards. As well as gifts, crafty Britons also plan on customising decorations for their home with 16 per cent planning to pick up a paint brush this year to embellish their own baubles, photo frames and nativity scenes. On average, Brits who make their own gifts save £40.38 compared to High Street and online spenders . 1. Cards . 2. Gift baskets . 3. Jam . 4. Chutney . 5. Handpainted candle holders . 6. Paintings . 7. Christmas jumpers . 8. Picture frames . 9. Crackers . 10. Bath bombs . It's likely they'll be painting names onto gifts as 54 per cent of people prefer to receive a present that is personalised, with 49 per cent liking their name to be included and more than half (59 per cent) receiving a gift painted their favourite colour. Nearly two-thirds of the women polled (63 per cent) say that receiving a homemade present means more to them than a shop bought gift. And 30 per cent of men plan to give someone a handmade gift this year. Crafting your own presents is also cost effective too, with the research suggesting people who make Christmas gifts at home save an average £40.38 compared to High Street and online spenders. People believe the homemade trend has been sparked by design websites such as Pinterest with one in five (19 per cent) clicking for craft inspiration, while 25 per cent cited TV shows such as Kirstie Allsopp's Homemade Christmas as providing inspiration. Though the research suggests we are often inspired by our friends efforts, with 30 per cent admitting they had been spurred into getting crafty by gifts people had previously received. Other sources of inspiration included fairs (26 per cent) and magazines (25 per cent). Johnny Corbett, senior marketing manager at Dulux, which carried out the survey, said that the sentimentality of a handmade Christmas has proved particularly appealing this year. 'The analogy of a letter meaning so much more than an email has spread into Christmas presents this year with people across the UK looking to give their loved ones a present from the heart, not just from a High Street store. 'The personal touch is priceless and giving a personalised present will last much longer in the memory than a gift voucher, or the Christmas classic, a pair of socks.'

Almost a third of us are likely to receive a handmade present this year . Britons have been inspired to get crafty by TV shows like Kirstie Allsopp's . 63% of women prefer a handcrafted gift to a shop-bought one .

fbf5d5c3fc2d3ef3a5abc7f8b7c304ec686a19c6

For commuters it is perhaps the most baffling annual excuse for delays and cancellations on the railways: Leaves on the line. But there may now be a solution to the problem and it involves zapping autumn litter into oblivion with lasers. Dutch rail company Nederlandse Spoorwegen has revealed it is working with the Delft University of Technology and a British inventor to fit powerful lasers under two of its trains to burn away leaves from the tracks. Scroll down for video . Falling leaves from trees beside railway tracks led to 4.5 million hours of passenger delays last year, so rail operators hope a new laser system will help them clear the dangerous leafy mulch that builds up on rails . The technology will use intense beams of infrared light to vaporise the build up of material on the rails before the wheels of the train passes over them. Fallen leaves cause delays on the rail network because they can cover and stick to the tracks when wet. This can make the tracks slippery in itself, but the problem becomes worse when heavy metal train wheels pass over the top, as the leaves get sucked under the wheels and crushed, compacting the material into a hard, shiny substance that has been compared to Teflon. When this layer becomes wet, the tracks become excessively slippery and braking distances can double. Once stationary, trains can also struggle to get going again as they are unable to get traction on the tracks. Leaf mulch can also insulate train wheels from the rails, meaning signallers get less information about the location of trains on the network, meaning trains need to run with bigger spaces between them. Yet despite this, leaves on the line remains the excuse most likely to infuriate train travellers each autumn as they struggle to understand why rail companies cannot be better prepared for this problem. The perennial excuse of fallen leaves causing travel chaos has long been seen as a running joke, but according to Network Rail in the UK, leaves caused 4.5 million hours of passenger delays in 2013. The laser device sits just in front of the wheels while a specially designed suspension system helps to keep the high powered beam focused on the layer of mulch that builds up on rails as leaves get wet and break down . Methods including brushing and grinding the rails, washing with jets of water or ice have all been tried, but with limited success. Now researchers at Delft University of Technology have been developing a system with the Dutch rail engineering firm Strukton Rail, the national network ProRail and train operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen. ‘We are now investigating whether offers laser solution,’ Jurjen Hendriks, one of the researchers at Delft University of Technology told the website Kennislink. The Laser Railhead Cleaner (LRC) which has been installed by the researchers on a Nederlandse Spoorwegen DM-90 train, sits under the train just in front of the wheels. Most current methods for removing mulch from train tracks use high powered jets of water to wash the rails . The device uses a Nd:YAG laser to pulses of laser light with a wavelength of around 1,064 nanometres, which is infrared. According to experts the wavelength used is specifically absorbed by the leaves and other organic matter that can build up on the tracks, but not by metal. This means that the energy from the lasers is reflected off the rails without damaging them while the leaf material is vaporised, a process known as ablation. A spokesman for Strukton Rail said: ‘The LRC briefly heats the organic material on the rails and because the organic material expands more rapidly it separates from the rails. The Laser Railhead Cleaner system is being trialed underneath Nederlandse Spoorwegen DM-90 trains . Lasers can be used to detect when fruits like apples, bananas, pears and tomatoes reach their 'peak' for eating. Researchers from Saint Joseph University in Lebanon and the Université de Bretagne Occidentale de Brest in France have developed a technique that looks at the speckling of the skin of fruits. As climacteric fruits like apples and bananas mature and ripen on the tree, it is important to pick them at exactly the right moment. After this point the fruit becomes vulnerable to fungi or starts to rot. The researchers found they could analyse the speckle patterns on the skin of Golden apples as they ripened by looking at the way the laser light was scattered and reflected from apple skin. This changed as the fruit ripened. The researchers hope the technique can be used to help farmers pick their fruit at exactly the right time. ‘What’s more, rust bursts away as well. The rails are cleaned and dried as a result, preventing any other material from adhering to them for some time. ‘Tests have shown that because they are solid, rails and other infrastructural objects are not damaged by the ablation process.’ The Laser Railhead Cleaner technology was first invented by a former Royal Navy Officer called Malcolm Higgins, who has developed the technology under the company name LaserThor. Tests on his technology between 1999 and 2004 were conducted by RailTrack and its predecessor Network Rail but revealed that it struggled to focus the laser correctly on the track due to vibrations as the trains picked up speed. However, Mr Higgins proved that dirt and moisture were vaporised from the track at speeds just over 6mph. He later teamed up with the German Fraunhofer institute in Aachen and the Rofin Sinar laser firm in Hamburg to develop a more powerful laser. This used a two kilowatts of infrared laser light that produced 25,000 pulses per second. This heated the leafy mulch to temperatures of more than 5,000 degrees, causing it to vanish from the rails. Further tests with Network Rail showed it was successful at speaks of up to 40mph, but Network Rail said it chose not to take the tests further. Mr Higgins has now been working with Strukton Rail and Delft University as a consultant on the project. They have been able to improve the system so that it can clean 20mm of rail head on both sides of the track at speeds of up to 50mph. Their device also uses a suspension system to help protect the optics of the laser from vibrations while the laser also temporarily switches off if it misses its target. Instead of lasers, Network rail said it is now concentrating on using high pressure jet washing technology to bash away leaf mulch and laying down a composite of sand and aluminium onto the tracks to aid traction. The laser is focused onto the rail head so that pulses of intense light vaporise any organic material that has built up on the surface of the tracks . This year Network Rail has also begun using new technology called a tribometer, a handheld device that accurately measures how slippery the rails are, on its network in Merseyside. Data from this device is then used to assess the effectiveness of treatments and whether more are needed, according to the company. But lasers also have advantages as sand and water tanks need to be regularly refilled while water jets can damage the rails. They claim their laser is so precise it can etch a diagram into the head of a match without setting it alight. Professor Rolf Dollevoet, who is leading the new trials at Delft University of Technology, said: ‘The question is not so much whether the laser system works, but for how long the rails will remain clean. ‘We’ll measure the remaining friction over time during rain, drizzle, frost and snowfall. ‘From these measurements NS and Prorail can derive at what frequency the 6,000km of track need to be lasered and how many trains have to be equipped with lasers to achieve that.’

Infrared laser vaporises slippery layer that forms on tracks from leaf mulch . If untreated leaves are compacted into a slippery Teflon-like surface . Train braking distance can double on tracks covered with leaf mulch . New device has been fitted in front of wheels of two trains in Holland . Device could end commuters perennial frustration at 'leaves on the line'

17cf13323996b00b484bc8adc4e4e616a6c148b5

Women who drink throughout pregnancy will not be criminalised after a landmark ruling today (posed by  model) Women who drink alcohol while pregnant will not be criminalised after a landmark ruling today. It comes after a test case held at the Court of Appeal ruled that a young child is not entitled to criminal injuries compensation after her mother drank half a bottle of vodka and eight cans of lager a day while she was pregnant with her. The girl, now six, was born with foetal alcohol syndrome and suffered growth retardation as a result of her mother's drinking. Lawyers for child 'CP', who cannot be named for legal reasons, had asked three judges to rule in a test case that the girl is entitled to compensation. But the appeal judges unanimously ruled: 'The central reason is that we have held that a mother who is pregnant and who drinks to excess despite knowledge of the potential harmful consequence to the child of doing so is not guilty of a criminal offence under our law if her child is subsequently born damaged as a result.' If the appeal had succeeded it could have paved the way for pregnant women's behaviour to be criminalised, according to the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (Bpas) and Birthrights. Lawyers for the child say that view was 'misplaced speculation'. Ann Furedi, chief executive of the Bpas, and Rebecca Schiller, co-chair of Birthrights, welcomed the court's unanimous decision, saying: 'This is an extremely important ruling for women everywhere. 'The UK's highest courts have recognised that women must be able to make their own decisions about their pregnancies.' The appeal judges heard that a large number of similar claims for compensation by children allegedly harmed by alcohol in the womb were awaiting the outcome of CP's appeal, with solicitors already instructed in around 80 cases. Lord Dyson, the Master of the Rolls, sitting with Lord Justice Treacy and Lady Justice King, considered the case recently at a one-day hearing. The judges were told that the mother was drinking 'an enormous amount' while pregnant with CP, including a half-bottle of vodka and eight cans of strong lager a day, and the child was born with an alcohol-related disease. It comes after a test case held at the Court of Appeal ruled that a young child is not entitled to criminal injuries compensation after her mother drank half a bottle of vodka and eight cans of lager a day while she was pregnant with her (posed by model) John Foy QC, appearing for CP, said that was the equivalent of 40-57 units of alcohol a day. Guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) were that 7.5 units might damage a foetus. Mr Foy was representing a council in the North West of England which now has responsibility for CP and was seeking an award on her behalf under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. He said the mother 'was aware of the dangers to her baby of her excessive consumption during pregnancy'. He added: 'She was reckless as to whether there would be harm to the foetus. She foresaw that harm might be caused but went on to take the risk.' CP was born in June 2007 with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), also referred to as foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). It can cause retarded growth, facial abnormalities and intellectual impairment. Her compensation claim was based on the assertion that her mother had committed an offence against her as defined under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 by drinking excessively during pregnancy. Ben Collins, appearing for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), asked the court to reject CP's legal challenge. He told the judges: 'There is a conflict of ideas about what is or is not dangerous, not only in terms of drink but also in terms of smoking and food.' If the appeal at the Court of Appeal had succeeded it could have paved the way for pregnant women's behaviour to be criminalised, according to the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (Bpas) and Birthrights . Mr Collins asked whether 'a pregnant mother who eats unpasteurised cheese or a soft boiled egg knowing there is a risk that it could give rise to a risk of harm to the foetus' might also find herself accused of a crime. FASD was diagnosed 252 times in England in 2012 to 2013. CP's compensation application was initially rejected by the CICA in November 2009 on the grounds that she had not sustained an injury 'directly attributable to a crime of violence', as required by the Offences Against the Person Act. A first-tier tribunal allowed her initial appeal but the Upper Tribunal of the Administrative Appeals Chamber ruled last December that the law required a crime to be committed against an individual 'person' - and a child did not become a person until birth. The Upper Tribunal concluded: 'If (the girl) was not a person while her mother was engaging in the relevant actions then, as a matter of law, her mother could not have committed a criminal offence.' Asking the appeal judges to quash the Upper Tribunal decision, Mr Foy argued CP had been a person entitled to compensation while still a foetus and the crime committed against had similar ingredients to manslaughter. Alternatively, she became entitled to an award when she was born and was suffering the continuing consequences of her alcoholic mother's drinking. Mr Foy said CP was the young mother's second pregnancy and the woman was well aware of the risks. But she had recklessly 'administered a noxious thing - a destructive thing' to her unborn daughter and inflicted grievous bodily harm for which the child should be compensated. Dismissing CP's appeal, Lord Justice Treacy said an 'essential ingredient' for a crime to be committed 'is the infliction of grievous bodily harm on a person - grievous bodily harm on a foetus will not suffice'. A mother who admitted drinking two bottles of wine a day while pregnant has said she believes she has permanently damaged one of her two children. The woman - who spoke to Radio 5 Live named only as Kathryn - said she feels guilt over her excessive drinking, but said she was an alcoholic and lost 'the power of choice'. She told the interview that she came from a happy, stable family but started drinking every night after finishing university. Every night soon became every lunchtime too and she eventually lost her high-profile job. But she said when she discovered she was pregnant at the age of 30, she was delighted. 'I knew 100 per cent I would not drink if I was pregnant, because I couldn't do that to a child. 'But because I am an alcoholic I don't have that choice, I lost that power of choice, and after a month I relapsed and I started drinking.' Kathryn said she was drinking as much as two bottles of wine a day but played down just how much she was consuming throughout her first pregnancy. Despite this her first child was healthy and was monitored by doctors for two years after he was born, and did not appear to have suffered any long term damage. But during her second pregnancy, Kathryn said she relapsed after the first trimester and started to drink 'a hell of a lot' Now she fears her son, who is seven is siffering the long term effects. She said: 'It is behavioural, poor concentration, bad language, poor social behaviour, poor eye contact. 'I chose not to tell the doctors about my drinking because of the stugma of it, and he was diagnosed as being on autistic spectrum. 'I really struggled with it, and felt guilty, thinking it was me who had done it to him. But I was ill at the time, I lost that choice. All I can do now is be a sober mum to him.' Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term describing disabilities and behavioural problems suffered by children as a result of their mother's drinking while pregnant. There are no reliable figures for how many children and adults in the UK have it. But some experts say one in every 250 babies is born with it – more than 3,000 in this country a year. Children tend to suffer behavioural problems such as hyperactivity, learning difficulties and epilepsy. They also often have distinct physical features including a flat face, snub nose and widely spaced eyes. The severity of the problem usually depends on how much their mother drank – but it will remain with them for the rest of their lives. The disorder is caused by alcohol flowing through the placenta into the foetus and damaging cells in the brain and spinal cord. Some studies have found that the alcohol causes most harm during the early stages of pregnancy when these organs are developing. The NHS advises women not to drink any alcohol during pregnancy but, if they must, to limit themselves to one to two units once or twice a week, and never get drunk. But figures show that only half of all pregnant women give up alcohol completely during pregnancy and most do not cause their babies any harm. Some experts say the condition is triggered by a complex range of factors including genes, a mother's age and her diet – as well as alcohol.

Woman, then 17, drank vodka and beer while pregnant with second child . Girl, now six, was born disabled as a result of her mother's drinking . Court of Appeal said it was 'not a criminal offence' that she drank to excess . Judges said the 'essential ingredient' for a crime to be committed is the infliction of grievous bodily harm on a person - not harm on a foetus .

5d99e5ca0195d850f5b56b0bd9b0df1af2416c3c

CLICK HERE to read Chris Wheeler's match report from the Stadium of Light. Sergio Aguero was not the only superhero on display at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night - as Wearside's friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man made an unwelcome appearance on the pitch. A pitch invader dressed in full 'Spidey Suit' ran on to the field during Manchester City's 4-1 victory over Sunderland on Wednesday night. And he fully embraced the character of the Marvel Comic superhero - including by pretending to fire his web-shooters at City defender Martin Demichelis. A pitch invader dressed as Spider-Man pretends to fire web-shooters at Martin Demichelis after running on at the Stadium of Light . The Spider-Man impersonator was not the only superhero on display - as Sergio Aguero scored twice during Manchester City's 4-1 win . The pitch invader could not lift Sunderland supporters' spirits during a 4-1 loss at home to City on Wednesday . Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero celebrates his first of two against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light . But despite Spider-Man's attempt to claim the limelight, it was that man Aguero who stole the show once more. The Argentina striker netted twice - including a thunderbolt from the edge of the area that had Black Cats substitute Jozy Altidore shaking with fright - as City consolidated their place in second in the Premier League. Stevan Jovetic and Pablo Zabaleta scored the other goals as the visitors came from behind to triumph at the Stadium of Light. Connor Wickham had put the home side ahead but City soon recovered to claim the victory. The invader (second left) runs across the Stadium of Light pitch as Sunderland and City players watch on . The invader, dressed in full 'Spidey Suit', taps City left back Gael Clichy on the shoulder while on the pitch . Clichy (left) looks at the pitch invader, who gives him the thumbs up before running off . The pitch invader dressed as Spider-Man was eventually caught by stewards and escorted away from the ground . Aguero pulls the trigger and blasts his shot towards Costel Pantilimon's goal . The Argentina striker's shot had too much power for the Romanian keeper to handle .

Manchester City beat Sunderland 4-1 in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night . Sergio Aguero (2), Pablo Zabaleta and Stevan Jovetic scored for City with Connor Wickham netting for Black Cats . A pitch invader dressed as Spider-Man ran on to pitch and pretended to fire web-shooters at Martin Demichelis .

1068feb8ab06e86b306283e388bd3b9ff5bbe421

The celebrated Class of ’92, some of whom are destined to take charge of leading football clubs, have rubber-stamped their first managerial sacking as co-owners of non-League Salford City. The Manchester United quintet of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville endorsed the Salford management’s decision to part company with assistant Stuart Rudd. Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville are co-owners of Salford City . Former United stars Butt, Scholes, Gary Neville and Giggs have ambitious plans for Salford City . Popular former Salford player Rudd had caused the club embarrassment by sending Northern Premier League side Trafford FC winger Shelton Payne a text inquiring about his availability and telling him Scholes rated him. Salford, very aware of the need to conduct all their business correctly because of the scrutiny the Class of ’92 attracts, saw that the Rudd text could be considered an illegal approach — especially as it was made public on Twitter. Added to that was the use of Scholes’s name when the former midfielder has never seen Payne play. Giggs, Scholes, Butt and and the Neville brothers were part of the Class of '92 at Manchester United . Rudd is understood to be upset at the way he was dismissed by chairwoman Karen Baird this week without being given a reason shortly after being asked to sign a confidentiality agreement. Salford have announced Rudd’s departure as part of a ‘reshuffle’. The reasons why 2014 FA Cup final referee Lee Probert (above) has not taken charge of a game since the Wembley showcase is another example of the chronic lack of transparency surrounding the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd. All they say is Probert is injured but will not reveal any more detail apart from him being due back on the elite referee match-list by the end of this month. The Lawn Tennis Association, whose ridiculous extravagance was highlighted by the £640,000 annual package paid to Roger Draper, don’t seem to have learned anything since low-key Canadian Michael Downey took the helm. New communications and marketing director Alex Mawer has decided he needs more help in promoting tennis so the LTA have promptly chucked another £200,000 a year at four more PR jobs described as ‘new unique roles’. Boris Johnson will follow launching The Paddington Trail by being the official NFL coin tosser on Sunday . London Mayor Boris Johnson will no doubt revel in being the official NFL coin tosser on Sunday. The toss before a regular-season game has been done by the referee since 1921. But Boris is conducting the ceremony before the Jacksonville-Dallas game at Wembley. Blame the topsoil, Roy . The FA are blaming the poor state of their Wembley pitch on too much topsoil being applied in the summer — rather than the American football games which have upset England manager Roy Hodgson. It’s seen by the FA as a technical problem that can be resolved, with the surface back in pristine condition before two Rugby World Cup games and three NFL matches next autumn provide another big test. Jacksonville Jaguars take on Dallas Cowboys at Wembley just days before England's Euro 2016 qualifier . Meanwhile, it has caused considerable surprise within the NFL that Hodgson should be so negative about American football at Wembley when FA general secretary Alex Horne had so recently described bringing an NFL franchise to the national stadium as a priority. There can be no complaints for a change about England teams failing to utilise their £100million St George’s Park training facility during the upcoming international week. Seven England sides — seniors, Under 21, U20, U19, women, cerebral palsy and blind — will be in residence and all will be respecting the 11am two-minute Armistice Day silence on Tuesday. A panel including Bruce Buck, David Sheepshanks and Kevin Keegan decided in their wisdom that the wholly unnecessary football business awards’ ‘outstanding contribution’ should go to former Manchester United and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon (above), who is now running football funds involved in third-party ownership outlawed in English football. Junior rugby outfit Bracknell hold more Twickenham debenture seats than any club apart from Harlequins and Richmond. Bracknell’s savvy move was helped by club member and RFU grandee Jonathan Dance having devised the terms and conditions of Twickenham ticketing policy during his years on the ticketing committee, when he did everything by the book. Dance now occupies the best seat in the house as president of the RFU.

Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville are co-owners of non-League Salford City . Manchester United quintet endorsed club's decision to part company with Salford No 2 Stuart Rudd . Rudd had sent text to a player inquiring about his availability and telling him Scholes rated him .

47a288ab2f4ef0fdc4182c0aef8e4c287165f776

A skeleton excavated from a grave in Croatia has reignited the intense debate raging over whether the explorer Christopher Columbus and his crew introduced syphilis to Europe in the 15th century. A new study claims to have disproved the theory, instead suggesting the sexually transmitted disease, which can result in death, was present in Europe before the explorers returned from the Americas. The disease, which is caused by the bacteria, treponema pallidum, causes symptoms ranging from a sore throat and rash to problems with the heart, blood vessels and brain which can trigger stroke, heart disease, dementia, paralysis and even death. Ever since the first case was recorded in Europe in 1495 - three years after Columbus's first voyage to the New World - experts have argued over its origins. Three core theories exist attempting to explain where it first emerged, and its rapid spread through Europe at the end of the 15th century. Experts have long debated the origin of syphilis. A popular theory is that the disease originated in the New World, the Americas, and was transported to Europe by the explorer Christopher Columbus and his crew . The sexually transmitted disease causes symptoms ranging from a sore throat and rash to problems with the brain, heart and blood vessels that can trigger stroke, heart disease, paralysis and even death . Scientists at the University of Split in Croatia claim to have unearthed a skeleton of a man showing signs of syphilis dating from a Roman grave. They claim the bent thigh bone, pictured, is proof of the disease . The first, the Columbian theory, assumes syphilis was introduced to Europe in 1493 by a ship arriving from the Carribean islands. The second suggests the disease was first present in Africa, and was brought to Europe by slaves arriving in Spain and Portugal. And, the third theory assumes syphilis was present in both the old and new worlds, and that four different syndromes developed. Despite this abundance of theories, the definitive origin of the disease remains an enigma. A team of scientists from the University of Split in Croatia set out to test the three theories, examining the remains of people unearthed from the Dalmatian area of Croatia, ranging from different historical periods. They conclude 'the Columbian theory of syphilis origin is not sustainable', citing evidence of syphilis on the bones of a man, aged 20 to 29, who was excavated from a grave dating from the Roman era. But experts remain sceptical. Dr Rob Knell, a reader in evolutionary ecology at Queen Mary's University in London, said one skeleton 'showing apparent syphilitic changes does not constitute much in the way of a weight of evidence' to disprove the Columbian theory. He told MailOnline: 'Firstly, it is only a single skeleton - this means that it is very hard to draw much in the way of conclusions from it, because apparent syphilitic changes in a single skeleton could be the consequence of chance deformities that were not a consequence of the disease. 'With only a single skeleton it is very hard to conclude much about the potential causes of the changes observed. 'Secondly, we know that there were other treponenmal diseases in Europe or Africa before Columbus, such as Yaws, and these can cause skeletal changes as well. The disease can cause major changes to bones . 'Without a decent sized sample, my understanding is that it is hard to distinguish syphilitic changes in bones from changes caused by other treponema diseases.' He said this discovery is the latest in a series of pre-Columbian skeletons with 'apparent syphilitic changes', with a similar study emerging 'every few years'. 'These are always isolated skeletons with questionable pathology,' he told MailOnline. 'And they always seem to get forgotten about pretty quickly.' Dr Bruce Rothschild, a professor of medicine at the University of Kansas and expert in the origins of diseases like syphilis, echoed Dr Knell's doubts. Professor Rothschild told MailOnline while the subject is 'important and pertinent today, the article is not valid'. He said the bone abnormalities appear to be the result of abnormal growth rather than syphilis. He said the thinning of the cortex of the femur, seen on the X-ray, is 'the opposite of what one sees in syphillis', rather suggesting the man suffered fibrous dysplasia. He told MailOnline: 'Syphilis is clearly a New World 'product'. 'Despite many efforts to suggest otherwise, there is no Old World evidence of syphilis prior to 1492. 'The disease derives from Yaws in North America between 2000 and 1800 years ago, on the Colorado Plateau above the Mogollon Ridge. 'The suggestions of pre-Columbian syphilis in Europe are based on inadequate understanding of terminology.' The new study was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine and involved Croatian scientists analysing a random sample of 403 skeletons, from a collection of 3,000. Of those, 135 came from five excavation sites archeologically dated to the Iron Age, the prehistory era. An antique sample of 134 skeletons were taken from more than 1,000 graves excavated from Solin-Smiljanovac or Salona, a Roman colony. The remaining 134 samples dated from the medieval and new age eras, and were taken from two excavation sites dating from 14th to 19th centuries. The oldest skeletons, from the prehistory and antique eras, were used as a control group. The scientists claim their finding disproves the theory that Columbus transported the disease to Europe aboard the Santa Maria and other ships . The disease is a bacterial infection, often caught by having sex with an infected person. The bacteria that cause syphilis are called treponema pallidum. They can enter the body through close contact with an infected sore, normally during vaginal, anal or oral sex. The disease can also be caught by sharing sex toys with someone who is infected. Pregnant women can pass the disease to their unborn child, which can cause stillbirth or death shortly after labour. Spyhilis is caused by bacteria called treponema pallidum, which can enter the body through close contact with an infected sore, normally during vaginal, anal and oral sex . In some cases the disease is passed through injecting drugs with infected needles. Symptoms of syphilis develop in three stages. It begins with a painless but highly infectious sore on the genitals, or around the mouth. If another person comes into contact with the sore, which lasts from two to six weeks, they can become infected. Secondary symptoms of the disease include a skin rash and sore throat, which typically last for a few weeks. Once they disappear a sufferer will experience a phase with no symptoms, which can last for years. The next stage, the most dangerous, follows. The symptoms of the final stage vary depending on which part of the body the infection spreads to. It can affect the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, bones, skin or blood vessels, causing a range of illnesses including stroke, dementia, paralysis, blindess, deafness, heart disease and death. Source: NHS Choices . Given the most accepted theory, the Columbian theory, supports the fact syphilitic changes will only be found on skeletons dating from the 15th century or later, this group were studied to assess if any signs of spyhilis could be found prior to Columbus' return to Europe. Prior to this study, only one case of venereal syphilis was found on a female skeleton from the 15th to 17th century. The team's findings revealed just one skeleton had anomalies that suggested infection with syphilis. It dated from the antique excavation site in Solin-Smiljanovac, and the scientists concluded it belonged to a man aged between 20 and 29 years old. Changes to the femur, or thigh bone, found suggest the man had fallen victim to the disease. The authors conclude: 'Because of everything stated, we believe that the Columbian theroy of syphilis origin is not sustainable. 'Syphilis was most likely to present in the old world, but not to the extent that is was in post-Columbian time. Dr Rob Knell, from Queen Mary's University in London said one skeleton is not enough to disprove the Columbian theory . 'It is interesting and indicative that no evidence of syphilis was found in graveyards from post-Columbian time in this research, and in the territory of present-day Croatia, only few cases of probable syphilis were published. 'All evidence supports the theory that syphilis is not a new illness, but its manifestations were randomly recorded or misclassified.' They said they believe 'more excavations with more skeletons examined will support the syphilis prior to 1492'. Dr Knell challenged those scientists who back the theory that syphilis pre-dates Columbus' return to Europe to produce a molecular family tree for the bacteria, which is better than those currently used to show syphilis is more closely related to Old World treponema, than New World. 'Or they should find a skeletal assemblage with a decent sample size of apparently syphilitic changes that would allow a better assessment of whether the changes observed were really caused by syphilis. 'Or they should sequence DNA from pre-Columbian bacteria and use the sequence to show that the bacteria in question were the causative agents of syphilis, and not a related treponema. 'They also need to come up with an explanation of why the disease changed in virulence and went from being unknown in 1490 to a dreadful and widely recognised scourge a few years later.' He told MailOnline: 'There is considerable evidence that venereal syphilis evolved in the New World and was then transported to Europe shortly after Columbus' discoveries in 1492. 'This evidence includes DNA sequencing studies that show that the bacterium which causes syphilis is most closely related to other, similar diseases in the New World, skeletal evidence showing syphilitic changes in large numbers of pre-Columbian skeletons in places like the Dominican Republic, and also the rather more circumstantial evidence regarding the changes in virulence caused by syphilis after it first appeared in Europe. 'For the moment the only good explanation for this change in virulence is that the disease was freshly introduced from a different population where it had been evolving to deal with defences possessed by the host population, which the European population did not have, allowing the disease to largely avoid any immune response for the European hosts and cause very severe disease.'

Scientists at the University of Split, Croatia, claim to have 'disproved' the theory syphilis was introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus . Origins of the infection is one of the most controversial issues of disease . Three major theories exist, the first is the Columbian explanation . The second suggests African slaves brought it to Spain and Portugal . And the third assumes syphilis was present in both Old and New Worlds . New study examined 403 skeletons for signs of syphilis . Identified one male skeleton they claim had signs of the disease . Because it dated from the Roman era, they say Columbian theory is wrong . Experts dismissed the discovery, claiming one skeleton is not proof .

fbba81960bde94aeacd5bafd37ed5ebaea976db2

Arsenal goalkeeper Damian Martinez was ready to leave the club next summer - but now believes he can steal Wojciech Szczęsny's place as their No 1. The 22-year-old kept his third clean sheet in a row, after replacing the injured Szczesny, in their win against Southampton. But Martinez feared for his future after Arsene Wenger signed David Ospina in the summer and he was seemingly relegated to third choice. Damian Martinez is keen to stay and fight for his place after impressing as deputy for Wojciech Szczesny . Martinez kept his third clean sheet in a row since coming in as Arsenal beat Southampton 1-0 on Wednesday . Martinez said: 'I spoke to my agent and my family about it and they said "let's wait one year to see if you get the opportunity, don't rush it" 'I was still young - I was only 21, I just turned 22 - and I think I did good to stay here. I got the opportunity that my agent and family told me, so I am really pleased about that. 'Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world so I am in no rush to leave. I love this club.' Szczesny has not played since injuring his hip against Manchester United and Ospina has been ruled out until 2015. Wojciech Szczesny injured his hip in Arsenal's home defeat to Manchester United last month . Goalkeeper David Ospina, who was signed in the summer from Nice, is ruled out until the New Year . Arsene Wenger placed his faith in the 22-year-old goalkeeper after injuries to Szczesny and David Ospina . In their absence Martinez, who has had loan spells at Oxford and Sheffield Wednesday since he joined the club in 2011, impressed against Borussia Dortmund and West Bromwich Albion. Asked if he felt he could now become Wenger's first-choice goalkeeper, he replied: 'Yeah, Wojciech has got the spot when he is not injured and doing a good job as well. 'Hopefully if I get a chance against Stoke, I will keep a clean sheet and we can win the game.' I am not too sure if I play Under-21s anymore because I need to be fit to play first-team. 'I am just thinking about the next game and in the future we will see.' Damian Emiliano Martinez hails from Mar Del Plata in Argentina and joined Arsenal from Independiente as an 18-year-old in 2010. The 6ft 4in stopper, now 22, was moved into Arsenal's first-team squad in 2012 and made his debut in the 7-5 League Cup win at Reading on September 26. He spent much of the 2013-2014 campaign on loan at Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, where he made 15 appearances. Returning to the Emirates for the current season, he made his debut away to Anderlecht in the Champions League and has stayed in the side following injuries to Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina. Martinez has previously represented Argentina at Under 17 and Under 20 level.

Martinez had been prepared to leave Arsenal in the summer . But goalkeeper has impressed as stand-in for Wojciech Szczesny . Argentine has kept three clean sheets in succession since coming in . Martinez feared for his future after Arsene Wenger signed David Ospina . But he is also out injured, promoting Martinez to No 1 .

bda7df6e5b8bbf1117456e4ffc7cc9ffa60bf5da

Despite playing just 160 minutes of Premier League football so far this season, Chelsea striker Loic Remy already has as many goals as Liverpool's entire strikeforce. Remy has had to settle for a supporting role for Jose Mourinho's side this season following Diego Costa's brilliant start to life in a Chelsea shirt, but that hasn't stopped the Frenchman from bagging two Premier League goals in his limited time on the pitch. The former QPR striker, who has three goals to his name this season, was also forced to miss several games after picking up a groin injury during Chelsea's 6-0 win against Maribor in October. Loic Remy (centre) has scored as many goals as Liverpool's entire strikeforce . Remy sweeps the ball home to score his second Premier League goal of the season . Loic Remy: 2 in 160 minutes . Rickie Lambert: 1 in 445 minutes . Daniel Sturridge : 1 in 270 minutes . Fabio Borini: 0 in 156 minutes . Mario Balotelli: 0 in 685 minutes . Liverpool's strikeforce of Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini have managed just two Premier League goals between them after a difficult start to the season. £16million man Balotelli has endured a terrible start to life in a Liverpool shirt and is without a Premier League goal for his new club despite starting in eight of Liverpool's 14 games and playing 685 minutes. Brendan Rodgers has sorely missed the presence of star striker Sturridge, who has been ruled out since September with a thigh injury and scored just once before getting injured. Mario Balotelli is yet to score a Premier League goal for Liverpool . Rickie Lambert has scored just one goal for Liverpool since joining in the summer . Lambert's chances have been limited, but the former Southampton frontman bagged his first goal for the Reds during the 3-1 defeat against Crystal Palace in November. Remy, however, has scored three times in his nine appearances for the Blues this season and admits that he must keep it up. He told ChelseaTV: 'For me it's really important to score and the opportunity was there because Diego [Costa] was not involved tonight and Didier played well again and it's important to increase the level and keep going in this direction.' Daniel Sturridge has been out of action since September with a thigh injury .

Loic Remy scored his second Premier League goal of the season during Chelsea's 3-0 win against Tottenham . Remy has now scored as many goals as Liverpool's whole strikeforce . Rickie Lambert and Daniel Sturridge have scored one goal each . Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini are yet to register in the Premier League .

35ea7876dc2ac3880c20e01dc7e4a3a4e7d232cf

She's married to a Hollywood heartthrob, graces the most star-studded parties and has a roster of A-list friends, but Blake Lively proves she's a down-to-earth girl at heart in her latest beauty campaign. Smouldering as the face of Gucci Premiere, the pregnant actress shares her festive regime, traditions and memories - and Christmas in the Lively household a far less lavish affair than you may have imagined. Speaking about her favourite time of the year, the 27-year-old said: 'Christmas for me is all about spending time with my family. I cherish any chance we have to spend all day together making gingerbread houses, baking cookies, or sitting around and watching movies.' Scroll down for video . Blake Lively poses in a Christmassy shoot as the face of Gucci Premiere fragrances . Blake, who grew up in Los Angeles in a large brood, opened up about her childhood and the nostalgia that Christmas brings. 'Growing up in California, lighting seasonal candles were the only way we are able to experience winter because we had no snow or change of seasons,' she said. 'The smell of pine needles, spruce and the smell of a Christmas tree - those to me, are the scents of the holidays.' The actress, who shot to fame as Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl, revealed her favourite holiday movie is Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. 'It’s such an amazing film! I also love It’s A Wonderful Life and those Claymation movies too. I haven’t outgrown them,' she said. She may have an enviable figure and will no doubt snap back to her pre-baby body with ease, but Blake has admitted that one of her favourite festive foods is home-baked cookies. 'My dad actually makes the best cookies,' she said of her favoured sweet treat. 'My mum is great baker too but doesn’t share them - it’s tantalising! Luckily for me though, my dad shares his!'. Blake, who is expecting her first child with Ryan Reynolds, says the festive season is all about family . Sharing her top gifts for Christmas, Blake - obviously - suggests Gucci Premiere eau de Toilette . Sharing her top gifts for this December 25, Blake - obviously - suggests Gucci Premiere eau de Toilette. Charitable as ever, Blake explains that when you purchase a fragrance, Gucci will make a donation through Chime Or Change to any organisation of your choosing benefiting women’s health, education and justice. Blake has long supported Chime For Change, along with Beyonce and Eva Longoria. 'It’s the perfect way to give back while also giving a loved one a gift. It’s a gift that keeps on giving,' she added. Blake also published her first holiday gift guide on her new blog last week, and it's every bit as bohemian as the Gossip Girl star herself. Gifted: Blake unveiled her gift guide on Preserve and included mysterious 'dreaming oil' Among the presents she recommends on her Preserve website for a 'foodie' loved one is an organic spiced cocoa mix, which costs more than £20. Also on the list is the ever-so mysterious 'dreaming oil', which promises 'a serenading melody in every drop'. Blake, who is expecting her first baby with husband Ryan Reynolds next year, isn't letting pregnancy get in the way of her work commitments. The actress was positively glowing as she stepped out at the L'Oreal Paris' Ninth Annual Women Of Worth Celebration in New York City on Tuesday, proudly showing off her baby bump in a clinging black evening gown. Blake was named as a new face of L'Oreal last October and joined the likes of Julianne Moore and Eva Longoria at the bash. Glowing: Pregnant Blake looked a million dollars as she stepped out at the L'Oreal Paris' Ninth Annual Women Of Worth Celebration in New York City on Tuesday, proudly showing off her baby bump . Blake may be lauded as one of the world's most beautiful women, which is obvious from this shoot and her red carpet appearance on Tuesday, but even she has pangs of insecurity. 'Glamour is very much a state of mind. There were points early on in my life when I wanted to look like someone else, or I dressed in a way that wasn’t necessarily representative of who I was,' she said. 'But,' she continues, 'I learned very quickly that style and confidence has to come from within. It’s what makes you feel your most graceful, elegant and empowered self. 'You can be glamorous in jeans and a T-shirt or you can have it dressed up in your finest. It’s really about finding that woman that you want to be.' So in love: Actress Blake Lively and actor Ryan Reynolds are expecting their first baby .

Actress Blake is face of new Gucci Premiere fragrance . 27-year-old opens up about favourite festive activities . Expecting first child with husband Ryan Reynolds next year .

bc5e522ddde174bda5b1b3a604d8421af641d85c

Britain’s biggest provider of laser eye surgery has been accused of using ‘hard sell’ tactics on its customers. The instructions for securing new patients for corrective treatment were uncovered in a confidential training booklet for staff at Optical Express. The guidelines, which were marked as confidential, reportedly encourage front-of-house patient advisers to ‘take control’ of possible customers when they come in. Scroll down for video . The instructions for securing new patients for corrective treatment were uncovered in a confidential training booklet for staff at Optical Express (file picture - not an Optical Express patient) And it urges staff to ‘look for a nugget’ from potential clients – a personal detail that can be shared with them at a later date. ‘If you can find that personal connection, you can refer to it later and share it with your optometrist. A good nugget can be the difference between a booker and a thinker,’ the instructions say, according to The Observer, which has seen the leaked document. The guide suggests that if the potential customer is a ‘thinker’ they may need reassurance, the newspaper reports. ‘Face your patient, put the pen down, and look them in the eye,’ the instructions state, adding: ‘Use statements like: “What price can you put on your eyesight?”, “Remember you do this for the rest of your life”, ie Lifetime investment.’ Other instructions include briefing optometrists about the ‘type’ of patient they may end up operating on and to do so ‘out of sight and hearing of patient’. This briefing would include ‘things to avoid’ discussing with the patient, The Observer reports. It comes amid calls for tougher regulations of the industry including from the Labour MP John McDonnell. The guidelines, which were marked as confidential, encourage front-of-house patient advisers to ‘take control’ of possible laser eye surgery customers when they come in (file picture) The newspaper quotes Sasha Rodoy, a campaigner calling for tighter regulations, as saying: ‘These “hard sell” techniques may not be illegal, but they are totally inappropriate for a medical procedure and they should be illegal.’ According to nhs.uk, risks of laser eye surgery can include problems with dry eyes in the months after treatment while others can experience glare or halo effects when driving at night. But it adds that complications occur in less that five per cent of cases. On its website, Optical Express, founded in 1991, describes itself as ‘a world leader of selected healthcare services ranging from optical stores, laser clinics to a state-of-the-art medical hospital and cosmetic treatment centres.’ A spokesman said the manual was no longer in use and that patients seeking eye surgery must first attend a ‘highly detailed refractive consultation’ to determine if they are suitable candidates for treatment. She told The Observer: ‘Each member of staff involved in the consultation process undergoes extensive training and development to ensure we deliver an outstanding patient experience and clinical outcome. ‘Our patient advisers help to put patients at ease and address any non-clinical concerns they may have while our qualified and highly experienced optometrists focus on clinical matters.’ The spokesman added that more than 99 per cent of patients achieved 20/20 vision or better without spectacles or contact lenses after surgery. This figure, the company says, was taken from a study of more than 293,000 patients with the most common prescription ranges the company treats.

Optical Express accused of using 'hard sell' on potential laser eye surgery patients . Instructions for staff revealed in a leaked 10-page training manual for staff . It urges front-of-house workers to 'take control' of possible customers . Optical Express says guide no longer in use and that patients undergo consultation to determine if they are suitable for treatment .

757291df3dde53a4b513bf85b0d8377012a3e213

Facebook employees past and present with a bone to pick against the company have aired their grievances in an online forum that makes the 'best place to work in tech' look like just another job. Employees bemoan the company’s lack of privacy, hate having to listen to people whine to them about Facebook, and wonder whether this website they spend so much time with is really worth the screen it’s displayed on. Though the Palo Alto, California company was given the designation of best overall tech company to work for by employment site Glassdoor.com, its employee complaints will sound familiar to anyone who’s ever held a job or simply logged onto the social media site. The grind: The reception at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, California. Though the company was recently voted best tech company to work for, employees still complain . 'Forget the free food and drinks,' is among the complaints of one Quora user in answer to the question ‘What's the worst thing about working at Facebook?’ on the Q&A website. Free food, managers who encourage personal expression, and wide open offices are all part of what consistently earns Facebook 'best place to work' designations but those same qualities can wear on employees' nerves. 'The workplace is awful,' the employee continued. ‘Huge . rooms filled with rows and rows of picnic style tables with people . sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with six inches of separation and zero . privacy.' Privacy was a big issue among employees who contributed to the post, something that will come as no surprise to users who've complained for years of the company's privacy policies. 'Like cattle': Employees say the office's open floor plan offers little privacy at work, a complaint many office workers in any industry can relate to . Sound familiar? One employee said Facebook top brass Sheryl Sandberg and Mark Zuckerberg impose a 'holier than thou attitude on everyone and everything around them' Hearing the corporate office mentality reflects the way Facebook treats its users is hardly a revelation. Meanwhile, it is hard to feel completely bad for exposed Facebook employees, where even interns make $5,602 per month according to Business Insider. ‘That's how you keep cattle in the pen,’ continued the employee, ‘not high quality talent earning low to mid six figures.’ Also, social politics play too big a role for some employees’ tastes. Many complain about having to hear people’s opinions about Facebook all the time from users just because they work there. Not even their spouses are immune. ‘As a Facebook spouse,’ began an employee’s wife, ‘I was often asked for help on how to use the privacy settings solely on the basis that, being married to someone who works at Facebook, I must know.’ 'Overhyped': One employee bemoaned his time working for the company as wasted - with its 'dismal public offering' and 'realizing the company doesn't really have a future' Employees also said attitude issue extends to the top of the company, where ‘Zuck and Sheryl,’ wrote an employee,  impose a ‘holier than thou attitude on everyone and everything around them.’ Another employee wrote: ‘The tone of voice people used was belittling and self-righteous.' And finally, the much ballyhooed and, for a time, maligned initial public also offering figured into many complaints. Like users wondering if spending hour after hour on the social media site is a waste of time, so too do some employees fear they’re wasting their professional lives. ‘Knowing that you are part of an overhyped public company that was supposed to be valued over $200 billion by now,’ cites another anonymous Quora user in list of Facebook complaints, ‘but which had a dismal public offering that left many employees feeling totally helpless as they saw the value of their stock collapse.’ Despite the many issues employees who contributes to the Quora post took with Facebook, most reflected the Glassdoor.com’s positive take on the company, not least of all its free three meal-per-day perk. ‘It's a truly fantastic place to work,’ wrote one user. Another said his top complaint was ‘That I have but one stomach for all the food.’

Current and former employees posted their complaints to Q&A website Quora . 'Like cattle in the pen': One employee wrote that the Silicon Valley office's open floor plan makes for awkward moments between co-workers . 'Complete lack of focus': Several complained the company is unsure of where it's headed .

aba88008a200e1db0187f9a9321a60ccd6f8a203

Two prison inmates have been found guilty of murdering a child killer who tortured his partner's two-year-old daughter to death. Gary Smith, 48, and Lee Newell, 44, blamed each other for the death of Subhan Anwar, who was strangled in his cell at HMP Long Lartin in south Worcestershire. But both were convicted of murder today by a jury at Warwick Crown Court. Double killers: Lee Newell, 44, (left) and Gary Smith, 48, (right) who murdered child killer Subhan Anmwar, 24, in his cell at HMP Long Lartin. Both men were already serving life behind bars for earlier murders they carried out . Anwar, from Huddersfield, was serving a life sentence for killing his partner's two-year-old daughter. Smith and Newall tied him up and throttled him with a pair of tracksuit bottoms on Long Lartin's Delta Wing on February 14. Smith, who carried out a murder in 1998, and Newell, who killed in 1988, were both already serving life sentences. They are likely to be sentenced next week for murdering Anwar, who had received compensation after a previous incident in which he was assaulted by inmates. Cruelty: Subhan Anwar, left, was jailed for 23 years for murdering partner Zahbeen Navsarka's, right, daughter . Horrific: Sanam Navsarka suffered 107 injuries during a month of 'unbelievable' cruelty before she died . Neither Newell nor Smith showed any emotion as they were unanimously convicted after the jury had deliberated for around three-and-a-half hours.Jurors also convicted Newell of . stealing a watch, prayer beads and a metal earring belonging to Anwar, . while Smith admitted the theft of property from the child-killer's cell. Horror: Two 'tramline' bruises showed where Sanam had been hit with this metal pole . Jurors heard how Smith calmly made . Newell a cup of hot chocolate - even sweetening it with icing sugar - . during a stand-off with prison staff after Anwar was strangled. Prison . staff were initially told Anwar had been taken hostage because the two . inmates were 'bored' - with Newell telling a warder: 'He's gone, he's . with Allah.' Both defendants opted not to give evidence at the trial, but CCTV and DNA evidence proved they were involved in the killing. A post mortem examination found Anwar's neck had been broken. The . 24-year-old was serving a sentence of at least 23 years at the Category . A jail, having been convicted of murdering two-year-old Sanam Navsarka . at Bradford Crown Court in 2009. The youngster suffered 107 injuries during a month of ‘unbelievable’ cruelty in which she was battered with metal poles and had all four . limbs broken. The child, who was afraid of the dark, was ‘disciplined’ by being . repeatedly locked in an unlit cupboard, while Anwar also put her in a . tumble drier and dumped her in a bin for his amusement. Sanam suffered further agony when aftershave was splashed on her nappy . rash and open sores. She was not taken to a doctor, so her fractures . remained untreated. In her final days she was suffering so much from her injuries that she . could not walk and died when fat deposits from her broken bones entered . the bloodstream, Bradford Crown Court heard. A post-mortem examination revealed that along with her broken arms and . legs, there were 36 bruises to her head and neck, 26 to her arms and ten . to her abdomen. Her death came only three months after married mobile phone salesman . Anwar met the child’s mother Zahbeena Navsarka at the shop where he . worked in Huddersfield. Anwar had sex with Navsarka in the back of the shop on the day they met . and he swiftly left his pregnant wife to move in with his new lover. To . cover their tracks after the child died in 2008, they told detectives . she was left alone in the bath for ten minutes and was found dead. But Anwar, described as brutal and domineering, was convicted and jailed . for a minimum of 23 years. Navsarka was cleared of her daughter’s . murder but found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to nine years in . prison. Shocking: A model, shown to the jury during the couple's trial, shows the extent of the toddler's injuries . Killers: Gary Smith and Lee Newell murdered Subhan Anwar behind bars at HMP Long Lartin .

Gary Smith, 48, and Lee Newell, 44, strangled killer at HMP Long Lartin . Subham Anwar, 24, has his neck broken in the prison attack . Victim murdered his lover's daughter and was jailed for 23 years in 2009 . Sanam Navsarka suffered 107 separate injuries and had all four limbs broken .

1683d93270e0310c96a5b3589484ca515f322e88

When it comes to having a sense of adventure, there are few cats that can match Millie. Not even wild mountain cats. For Millie is a domestic feline who just loves scrambling up mountains and boulders in her native Utah with owner Craig Armstrong, who originally wrote about his relationship with Millie on backcountry.com. The adorable feline was abandoned by her owners when she was just a few days old – but luckily climbing-mad Mr Armstrong adopted her. Ain't no meow-tain high enough: Millie scaling Stansbury slabs with owner Craig Armstrong . Rock on: Millie fee soloing at Ferguson Canyon . Rock on: Millie fee soloing at Ferguson Canyon . Millie soon came to love accompanying him on his hilly adventures and he even bought her a miniature harness. Now they hit the trails at weekends and camp overnight together, while Mr Armstrong's other cat keeps his girlfriend company at home. Mr Armstrong, 37, said: ‘I just knew one day I would get a pet and when I did I would take it everywhere with me. To boulder-ly go: Millie takes a leap at Moes Valley . New beginning: The adorable feline was abandoned by her owners when she was just a few days old - but Craig Armstrong gave her a loving home . All-conquering: Millie and Mr Armstrong on the top of devils golf ball in Moab . ‘Millie is perfect - she's a natural in the mountains. I make sure she is kept on the best quality cat food. ‘Millie is an athlete, she trains hard, and diet is an important part of any athlete's complete routine.’ Millie was taken into a shelter as part of a litter without its mother in 2013 and was moments from being put down as the shelter didn't have the resources to bottle feed them. But emergency shelter Furburbia took her on and housed her at their ranch where Mr Armstrong went to find an animal companion. Paw-some: Millie in little wild horse slot, Utah . After just four seconds together he knew that Millie was the kitten he wanted to bring home when she climbed on him and curled up round his shoulders. As soon as she was grown Mr Armstrong took her out to Stansbury island - a vast expanse of hills with no vegetation so she could get over her fear of being in the open and learn to walk alongside him. Since she completed her training, Millie has been to some of the biggest climbing landmarks in Utah, including Joe's Valley, Moe's Valley and the Ferguson Canyon. Feeling peaky: Millie 1,000 feet up . In a day Millie and Mr Armstrong can do a six-mile round trip. They go on trips so often that Mr Armstrong adopted another cat, Evelyn, for his girlfriend Julianne to make up for his absence on the sofa. When they are roaming through valleys or across plains Millie wanders harness free.If they are heading for a steep peak the plucky cat gets her own harness and is attached to Craig with carabiners and ropes. Her highest summit so far has been the 'Thousands of Fun' climb - five stages of climbing totalling 1000 feet. While she normally follows Mr Armstrong wherever he goes without a problem, on the way down from the thousand foot climb, her tail got caught in some of Craig's abseiling equipment and she lost a tuft of hair trying to get out. And though Craig sometimes has to scramble into caves or onto ledges to bring her down when she gets stuck, Millie is still the best climbing partner Craig's ever had. Mr Armstrong added: ‘I just start hiking in the morning and she'll run and follow me now. ‘I do free climbing without ropes and then for the really high or steep ascents I harness her up. ‘Cats are idiots sometimes and they will wander away and get lost if you're not careful. ‘Sometimes she gets stuck on a ledge and I have to save her. ‘There have been times when she's fallen and I've had to catch her but now she just loves climbing so much I can't stop her. ‘She has all the qualities a good climbing partner should have. She never complains, no matter how bad it gets! ‘And she always wants to go higher, and she pushes herself hard. ‘But she also knows when to stop. When she's done, she's done. She'll find a cave or climb a tree and won't move until she's rested. ‘And she cuddles me at night inside my sleeping bag and keeps me warm.’

Millie is a domestic feline to loves scrambling up peaks in her native Utah . She was adopted as a kitten by keen mountaineer Craig Armstrong . He takes her on weekend expeditions up mountains and along trails .

72b29a452833136c1a59126ff345dfb1036f6c60

Video footage emerged today that allegedly shows the captain of the Costa Concordia calmly waiting to abandon ship while hundreds of his passengers were still trapped on board. In the clip, Francesco Schettino is apparently seen looking relaxed while standing near a lifeboat on the deck of the capsized cruise liner after it struck rocks in the 2012 disaster that killed 32 people. The footage, which is being used by prosecutors as evidence against him at his manslaughter trial, appears to contradict Schettino's claims that he fell into the raft amid chaotic scenes. The 54-year-old had previously told investigators he had 'tripped and stumbled into a lifeboat'. 'Relaxed': Video footage apparently shows Costa Concordia captain Francesco Schettino (circled) calmly waiting for a lifeboat while hundreds of his passengers were still trapped on board the capsized cruise liner . Evidence: The footage, which is being used by prosecutors as evidence against Schettino at his manslaughter trial, appears to contradict the captain's claims that he fell into the raft amid chaotic scenes . The video was leaked to Italian media as Schettino took the witness stand for a second day, however his appearance in the footage has not been independently verified. Prosecutors also claim that his account differs greatly from pictures taken by firefighters which show him in a suit and tie waiting near a lifeboat. They have also accused Schettino of fatally delaying and failing in his duty to properly co-ordinate the evacuation while fleeing to safety himself. However, in his second day of testimony at his trial, Schettino claimed that his decision to delay the evacuation may actually have saved lives. Schettino, 54, was quizzed by prosecutor Alessandro Leopizzi as to why he did not sound the alarm immediately after he hit rocks off the Italian island of Giglio, causing it to capsize. Schettino appeared to be smothering a smile as he faced court on his first day of testimony yesterday. In his second day on the stand, he claimed that decision to delayed the evacuation may actually have saved lives . The captain of the doomed Costa Concordia, Francesco Schettino, is giving evidence for the first time about the 2012 shipwreck off an Italian island in which 32 passengers and crew were killed. The captain, who is also charged with causing a shipwreck and abandoning his ship, replied that such a move would have led to a dangerous panic among the 4,229 people on board. 'I wanted to get the ship as close to the island as possible. The way it was shaking, had I sounded the seven long whistles and one short one (nautical signal for abandon ship), people would have thrown themselves into the water,' Schettino said. Schettino also claimed that, as the captain, he was 'second only to God' on the cruise liner, it was reported by the International Business Times. The Concordia hit the rocks at 9.45pm and the order to abandon ship was not issued until over an hour later, at 10.54pm, by which time the boat had drifted back towards the island, where it eventually came to rest on the sea bed, half-submerged in about 20 metres (70 feet) of water. The prosecution team are seeking to portray Schettino as a man who was completely overwhelmed by events and dithered dangerously as the boat drifted. But the experienced merchant seaman insisted he was fully in control. He told the court he was sure the boat was not about to immediately sink and that he thought the prevailing wind would lead to it drifting from deep water to a shallower position nearer the island, where an evacuation, if required, would be easier and safer. 'I delayed sounding the alarm knowing exactly how much manoeuvre time the ship had. 'I knew the Concordia well, I wanted to get her closer to the island and then sound the alarm,' he said. 'By then the damage was done. (Through my actions) It was contained.' Disaster: The Concordia, a floating hotel as long as three football pitches laid end-to-end, capsized after hitting rocks near the Italian island of Giglio in 2012, killing 32 people on board . Schettino was then pressed to explain why he thought he could influence a drifting 115,000-tonne ship with all its engines out of action, and why a series of reassuring announcements were made to the terrified passengers. 'I did that to calm people down, I was afraid of panic,' he replied. He also denied that he had not radio-ed for tow boats to help stabilise the ship because of concern over the financial implications of seeking salvage. 'I did not put the boat before human lives,' he said. 'The cost I would have thought about afterwards.' Schettino began giving evidence on Monday in his first appearance in the dock since his trial opened in the Tuscan town of Grosseto in July 2013. On Monday he denied being responsible for steering the giant cruise ship recklessly close to the island, saying he believed it was set on a route that would take it near the rocky coastline but not so close as to run any risk. Schettino said he only resumed control of the boat's direction 15 minutes before it hit the rocks and has effectively blamed his subordinates on the bridge for plotting the course that led to disaster. Prosecutors revealed for the first time on Monday that they intend to seek a 20-year prison sentence for the career seaman who has been described as 'Captain Coward' because of his decision to leave the ship himself half an hour after the alarm was sounded and with hundreds of passengers and crew still on board. He has yet to be interrogated on that aspect of the fateful night's events. A key element of Schettino's defence will be his assertion that the main reason for the boat sinking, and therefore the deaths, was its total loss of power due to the failure of back-up generators, which he cannot be held responsible for.

Clip used by prosecutors as evidence against captain at manslaughter trial . Apparently shows Francesco Schettino looking relaxed next to the lifeboat . Appears to contradict previous claims he 'tripped and stumbled' into raft . Schettino claims his decision to delay evacuation may have saved lives . Charged with manslaughter and abandoning ship in disaster that killed 32 .

3920a96c5d2af03367ba229094a3831c0db5a4e6

The biggest ship to sail up the Thames has left the London Gateway port in Essex and is sailing for its next destination Singapore via the Suez Canal at a steady speed of 23 knots. The huge cargo ship docked at London Gateway before sunrise yesterday morning, guided in by three Port of London Authority tugs. Edith Maersk was serviced in number two berth by five of the port's cranes - the largest in the country. Scroll down for video . Edith Maersk, the second largest container ship in the world, leaves the Thames Estuary near Canvey Island, Essex. The ship, the largest ever to enter the River Thames, had previously docked at London Gateway after arriving from the Far East . Edith Maersk dwarfs London's biggest buildings, at almost 200ft longer than the Shard is tall. It is more than 400ft longer than the Titanic, and more than four times the length of the Cutty Sark . Thanks to London Gateway, gargantuan E-class ships can  be accommodated at three ports in England - Felixstowe and Southampton being the others. Edith Mærsk is 430yds (397m) long and can carry 13,500 20ft and 40ft containers. It is believed that it was carrying a cargo of clothes and electronic goods when it arrived in England. The vessel, the second largest container ship in the world, was launched in 2007 and can navigate the Thames following the opening of London Gateway port in the Thames Estuary. The Gateway cost £1.5bn to build and was opened last year.  It is located on the former 1,500-acre Shell Haven site, which closed in 1999. Edith Mærsk is more than 50 per cent longer than Titanic and four times the length of a football pitch. Spending just a day at Thames Gateway, Edith Maersk is bound for the Suez Canal en route to Singapore, a journey expected to take about a month . Tonnage: 172,960 tons (deadweight tonnage)/188, 268 (gross tons)            Length 430 yds/397m (1,302.49 ft) Beam: 56m (183.73 ft)                                                                                    Draught: 30m (98.43 ft) Draft: 17.5 m (57 ft)                                                                                        Speed: 26 knots (30mph) (maximum)/25.2 knots (29mph) (cruising) Capacity:13,500 20ft containers                                                                     Crew: 13 . Propulsion: Wärtsilä engine 80,000 kW . Edith Maersk was escorted away from London Gateway in Essex by tugs from the Port of London Authority into the open sea . Fully loaded, Edith Maersk weighs almost 200,000 tons and can carry 13,500 containers measuring 20ft and 40ft . Bon voyage: Edith Maersk sets sail tonight from London Gateway. It was the biggest ship to have navigated the waters of the Thames . The graphic demonstrates the sheer length of the Edith Maersk - it is even longer than the Shard, the highest building in the EU .

The ship was built in Denmark and completed in late 2007; it can carry 13,500 20ft and 40ft containers . Edith Maersk serviced in number two berth at London Gateway by five of the port's cranes - the largest in the country . The vessel can achieve a top speed of 26 knots (30mph) and fully loaded weighs almost 200,000 tons .

a44fcbdde8f3c8c6cdbd7f70461c4d18e6d12fa2

A freediver managed to catch a 12lb lobster that he reckons could be as old as 70. Forrest Galante, 26, a biologist, was diving near Anacapa Island off the Californian coast when he found the huge Pacific Spiny lobster lurking on the sea bed. A specimen of this size would have been common decades ago. But now, as a result of overfishing, the crustaceans rarely weigh in at more 3lbs. Scroll down for video . Meet Albert Girther: This is the 12lb lobster pulled from the sea bed off California by biologist Forrest Galante . My new pet: Mr Galante strokes his new friends carapace while sitting outside his home in Santa Barbara . Can we be friends? The dog comes over to get a sniff of Albert, but he seems not to have made his mind up . Mr Galante faced a dilemma over whether or not to eat the lobster, who he named Albert Girther because of his impressive size, but in the end he decided to let him live. Mr Galante caught the lobster on October 6. He said: 'I've been doing this for ten years and I've never seen a lobster as big as Albert Girther - which is his name. 'I mean any lobster that can bear hug a man must be pretty huge and he had no problem with that. 'Originally I thought he was the world's biggest lobster but I was just excited - I'm pretty sure he is the biggest lobster caught off the west coast this year though. 'They normally only manage to grow to around three pounds because of intensive fishing so it's really rare to find one this old and big. 'I won an award from my free diving club last year for bringing in a 9.4lb lobster, so Albert has definitely surpassed that.' Monster of the deep: Mr Galante holds up Albert just after catching him, and right, Albert holds Mr Galante . Deeeelicious: But Mr Galante resisted the urge to eat Albert and instead let him go in a marine reserve . Pacific spiny lobsters are nocturnal and Mr Galante was on a night dive when he found Albert. Pictures show the disconcertingly large crustacean gripping onto to Mr Galante with its long legs. Spiny lobsters are distinct from the more-recognisable clawed lobsters, not having the mammoth pincers on their front legs that make the latter so apparently fearsome. Because they lose all their hard parts each time they moult it is not possible to accurately age them, so biologists make guesses based on the lobsters' size and weight. Mr Galante took Albert home to his family in Santa Barbara, California, where he introduced his meaty new friend to the dog. 'I've got to say it was very tempting to take him home and eat him - he had pounds and pounds of delicious meat but he was clearly a good breeder, so my family and I decided that we had to put him back into the water so he could have more children,' Mr Galante said. 'We took him to the Ty Warner Sea Centre where he was put in a tank and gorged on food but we were not going to leave him in captivity. 'We put him back into the water in a marine reserve off the coast of California which does not allow fishing, so he can live out the rest of his days in peace.'

Forrest Galante, 26, caught the Pacific spiny lobster off the California coast . He named the crustacean Albert Girther because of his immense size . Nowadays overfishing means Albert's peers rarely reach more than 3lbs .

1c0d906ef101da2f0e6501a8c179661cc9e477ab

Doctors in India have removed a penknife from the stomach of a six-month-old boy who had been wearing it around his neck to ward off evil spirits. Dev Thakor, who comes from a village in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Western India, swallowed the knife by accident while being breastfed by his mother Rekha Ben. He had been wearing it on a string around his neck, which is a local tradition. Dev Thakor had to have surgery to remove a penknife from his stomach after he swallowed it while being breastfed by his mother, Rekha Ben, pictured . The penknife which Dev wore around his neck to ward off evil spirits, can be seen, right, in the X-ray . Dev's father, Bharat Thakor, said his son 'suddenly started crying, screaming' before his family noticed the knife was missing. The child was then rushed to a private hospital where an X-ray confirmed he had swallowed the penknife. The two-inch foldable knife came off its string last Friday as Dev was being fed by his mother. He then swallowed it without her noticing. Mr Thakor, a tea stall owner, didn't have enough money for his son's surgery but his neighbours and customers came to his aid and 'saved my son's life'. Dr Shravan Bohra, chief gastroenterologist at Apollo Hospitals where Dev's operation was performed, said the child was lucky to have survived the ordeal without suffering serious injury. Dr Shravan Bohra, chief gastroenterologist at Apollo Hospitals where Dev's operation was performed, said the child was lucky to have survived the ordeal as the knife was lying open in the upper part of his stomach . Ms Ben and Dev are pictured along with his father Bharat Thakor, his sister, and his niece . He said: ‘It was a critical case as the knife was lying open in the upper part of Dev’s stomach and could have harmed the Mucosa - the inner part of his body - but fortunately he was remarkably not injured.' Sailash Patel, who sponsored Dev's surgery, said when he heard about the boy's condition his only wish was to save his life. The 50-year-old came to learn of the child's ordeal after asking why Mr Thakor's tea stall - which he stopped at almost daily - was closed. He said: 'I knew it would be hard for him to afford the operation so I offered to pay the fees. 'I am a father of two children myself and I couldn’t imagine what Bharat was going through.’ Dev was discharged from hospital on Sunday and is said to be recovering well at home.

Dev Thakor swallowed the penknife while being breastfed by his mother . A customer of his tea stall owner father sponsored the boy's surgery . The doctor said Dev was lucky to survive as the knife lay open inside him .

207efabd9eff85fdfa94713c2d7d050e900b6fd8

China has said Britain . has no authority or moral responsibility for what happens in Hong Kong post-1997, in the latest shot fired in a diplomatic row between the nations that has escalated since the weekend. The war of words kicked off on Sunday when a group of British MPs, who were set to visit Hong Kong on a research mission regarding the progress towards democracy later this month, were refused entry. Prime Minister David Cameron sharply criticised that decision, saying it heightened concerns about the situation in the former British colony. Long fight: British MPs had applied for visas to Hong Kong to investigate regarding the progress towards democracy which has seen 'Occupy' protests in the city for two months . 'His view is that the decision with regard to the foreign affairs committee is a mistaken one,' David Cameron's spokesperson said. 'It's counter productive because it only serves to amplify concerns about the situation in Hong Kong, rather than diminishing concerns.' The British parliament held a three-hour emergency debate . over the ban on Tuesday, with members warning it would damage . relations between London and Beijing. Today, China responded to the critique from Cameron and Parliament, saying that Britain has no responsibility for Hong Kong after returning the city to Chinese rule. The 'one country, two systems' formula that was agreed in 1997, allowed Hong Kong to keep wide-ranging freedoms and autonomy. Marking territory: Beijing said today that Britain has 'no sovereignty, no authority and no right to oversight' in Hong Kong post-1997 . New move: A group of Occupy Central demonstrators hold signs outside the Central Police Station in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong on Wednesday . Giving in: Benny Tai Yiu-ting, Chan Kin-man and Reverend Chu yiu-ming, the three co-founders of Occupy Central movement, surrender themselves in to the police today . 'Britain has no sovereignty over a Hong Kong that has . returned to China, no authority and no right to oversight. There . is no such thing as a moral responsibility,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said today. 'The real aim of a small minority of British people trying . to use so-called moral responsibility to obscure the facts is to . interfere in China's internal affairs. 'Such an attempt cannot . succeed, and is something China certainly cannot accept.' Moves by Beijing to control nominations for a 2017 vote for . Hong Kong's leader have prompted the weeks of protests. Today, after two months of civil action in central Hong Kong, the three founders of the Occupy Central movement handed themselves over to police. Benny Tai, Chan Kin-man and Chu Yiu-ming surrendered this morning while dozens of supporters, many carrying the yellow umbrellas that have become a symbol of the movement, gathered outside the police station in central Hong Kong. However, despite admitting to the crime of 'participating in unauthorised assembly', the trio were not arrested and soon emerged from the police station to cheers from protesters. 'We have not been arrested so we are allowed to leave with no restriction on our liberty,' Benny Tai said. He added there were 'political considerations' behind their swift release to avoid crowds flocking to the protest zones, but said it was inevitable they would eventually be arrested. 'I don't think the matter will be resolved on this occasion, later we may be arrested, even prosecuted for more serious offences,' Tai added.

Row started over British MPs being refused entry to Hong Kong . David Cameron said it heightened concerns about situation in city . China has hit back saying Britain has 'no sovereignty' after 1997 . Beijing has said UK has 'no authority and no right to oversight'

c7fd1f226479e11761ce9520c764d10af270c14c

Arsenal will launch a January swoop for Ipswich star Tyrone Mings. The 21-year-old has earned rave reviews from Gunners scouts and boss Arsene Wenger needs to bolster his defence next month after injuries left his squad exposed. Mings plays at left back but Arsenal see his future as a central defender. The stumbling block is Ipswich’s asking price of £10million but Arsenal hope to compromise. Crystal Palace and Chelsea are also interested. Tyrone Mings is being tracked by several big Premier League clubs, with Arsenal leading the chase . Mings plays as a left back for Ipswich but Arsene Wenger could switch him to a centre half . Meanwhile, Arsenal goalkeeper Damian Martinez believes he can challenge Wojciech Szczesny as the club’s No 1 — after revealing he was ready to leave the club. The 22-year-old kept his third clean sheet in a row in their win against Southampton. But Martinez feared for his future after Arsene Wenger signed David Ospina in the summer. Damian Martinez claims the ball as he kept another clean sheet against Southampton on Wednesday . Martinez said: ‘I spoke to my agent and family and they said “let’s wait to see if you get the opportunity”. I got the opportunity, so I am really pleased.’ Asked if he could be Wenger’s first-choice, he said: ‘Yeah, Wojciech has got the spot when he is not injured. ‘Hopefully if I get a chance against Stoke, I will keep a clean sheet and we win.’

Arsenal are watching Ipswich defender Tyrone Mings . Mings, 21, plays as left back for Championship team Ipswich . But Arsene Wenger sees him as centre back in long term . Chelsea and Crystal Palace are also interested in Mings .

ae4b88a5a0cbdd652d0dfc3eac626962f9aefba4

Germany has blamed pro-Russian rebels for downing the Malaysia Airline MH17 plane with a rocket from a Buk missile defence system. The BND foreign intelligence agency says separatists fired the device from a Ukrainian base which exploded directly next to the passenger aircraft. It is the first time a European agency has openly pointed the finger at rebels, who have so far denied accusations. Scroll down for video . Debris from Malaysia Airline MH17 plane, which German intelligence say was shot down by pro-Russian rebels . The BUK missile launcher suspected of bringing down the ill-fated airline is transported on the back of a lorry . The passenger jet was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down over eastern Ukraine on July 17, killing all 298 passengers and crew members. The crash has led to a further deterioration of ties between the West and Moscow, who are in dispute over Russia's role in the Ukraine crisis. Gerhard Schindler, president of the BND, reportedly told a secret . parliamentary committee on security affairs earlier this month that separatists had used a Russian Buk missile defence system. A German newspaper today quoted him admitting: 'It was pro-Russian separatists'. The BND, Germany's equivalent to Britian's MI5, concluded separatists were to blame after carrying out detailed analysis based on satellite images and other photos, Der Spiegel said. The intelligence service has not been available for comment. Candles and soft toys at the crash site near the village of Rassipnoe where the plane came down on July 17 . European governments have so far refrained from openly attributing blame, but shortly after the crash U.S. Secretary . of State John Kerry said there was strong evidence that . Moscow-backed separatists had downed the plane. The Dutch government, which has two investigations underway . into the downing of the airliner, has yet to say who was . responsible. Two thirds of the passengers were Dutch. A preliminary report by the Dutch Safety Board last month . said the airliner crashed due to a 'large number of high-energy . objects' from outside the aircraft but drew no conclusions as to . where they came from. While Kiev blames the incident on rebels and has accused Moscow of arming them, Ukrainian security services claim to have intercepted phone conversations in which pro-Russian separatists appear to admit to shooting down Flight MH17. The Security Service of Ukraine, (SBU) reportedly released recordings of the conversations between Russian military intelligence officers and Russian-backed Cossack militants to the Kiev Post. In the calls, which were allegedly made minutes after the passenger plane crashed near the village of Chornukhine, a separatist can be heard saying: 'They shouldn’t be f*****g flying. There is a war going on.' Russian air defense missile system Buk seen at a military show in Zhukovsky outside Moscow in 2010. The system is the one being blamed by German foreign intelligence agency - BND . Ukrainian rescue servicemen look through the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 on July 20 . However Russia has denied any involvement and many believe the Boeing 777-200 was blasted out of the sky by Ukrainian military. Russian sources launched a scathing attack on the MH17 crash report published last month in a bid to undermine any future criticisms that it was responsible. Several senior figures were given license to question the motives of the 'careless' Dutch-led investigation into the doomed Malaysia Airlines aircraft. One suggested a Western plot to hide the real cause of the crash of the Malaysia Boeing 777-200, which among some figures in Moscow is blamed on the Ukrainian army. Pyotr Deinekin, a former Russian Air Force commander and the chairman of the public council of the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia), declared:'I was totally shocked by the data published by the investigative commission. 'Did it take them so long to find out that the Boeing was in good repair? It was clear from the start there would be no claims against the airplane's serviceability.' A militant of Donetsk People's Republic carries belongings recovered at the site . Mess: And, as these grim pictures show, next to nothing has been done to clean up the area in a region still rocked by war . Of 298 passengers who perished aboard the Malaysian Airlines flight on July 17 this year, 26 are still there, unidentified and left to rot in the grass . He said accusingly: 'The Netherlands is careless, it draws conclusions before examining the plane's debris and body fragments.' Meanwhile, rebel official in Donetsk, Miroslav Rudenko, told Interfax alleged that the downing the the plane was 'a provocation carried out by the Ukrainian armed forces in order to discredit Russia and the people's militia'. The Dutch agency investigating the crash came under fire last week when one of the prosecutors revealed that an Australian passenger had been wearing an oxygen mask when the flight crashed. The revelation suggested the man, whose name has not been released, had been conscious when the aircraft was struck. Mr De Bruin said Dutch forensic experts investigated the mask 'for fingerprints, saliva and DNA,' but it did not produce any results, Associated Press reported. It resulted in a flood of phone calls to investigators from the relatives of the 298 passengers and crew who perished, including 38 Australians, seeking more information about the passenger.

German foreign intelligence said separatists fired device from Ukrainian base . BND believes it exploded directly next to the Malaysia Airlines aircraft . It had carried out detailed analysis based on satellite and other photos . It is first time a European Agency has openly pointed the finger at rebels . Separatists have so far denied all accusations that they were involved . Passenger jet was shot down over eastern Ukraine on July 17, killing 298 .

e702c37088f4bc53dbf45a9c2e064daa923a2ff7

Students held a candlelit vigil for the college gymnast found dead in a restaurant food elevator as investigators admitted they have found no witnesses who saw what happened. Brooke Baures, 21, was found at the bottom of a dumb waiter on Monday at the bar and grill where she worked in Wisconsin. Last night her teammates from Winona State University led the tributes to the talented gymnast, saying 'she was literally everything to the team.' Scroll down for video . Students at Winona State University held a candlelit vigil for Brooke Baures, 21, who was found at the bottom of a dumb waiter on Monday . Her teammates from the Winona State Warriors led the tributes to the talented gymnast . Brooke Hiestand, a member of Winona State Warriors, said: 'She was the person that held us together, and if you had something that you didn't know what to do...for some reason, she always knew the answer...always.' Police investigating the death said they haven't found a single witness to explain how the gymnast ended up dead in a food elevator. Fountain City Police Officer Jason Mork said he had interviewed half of the customers and employees at the WingDam Saloon and Grill in Wisconsin on Monday night. Autopsy results are still pending, but officers have not found any indication that her death was caused by foul play. Police so far have found no witnesses to help them in the investigation of the death of Brooke Baures who was found in a dumbwaiter where she worked . Head gymnastics coach Beckie Rolbiecki asked friends, family, and classmates to raise their candles . Chief Mork said the dumbwaiter's opening is about 3ft by 3ft and the service elevator connects the first and second floors. Police said she was trapped in the small elevator when they arrived. Miss Baures, an accomplished athlete, was twice named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference gymnast of the week this year and documented her athletics career enthusiastically on social media. She was described by friends and family as a 'strong, determined, and beautiful young woman' at the candlelit vigil held on the University campus. College gymnast Miss Baures with her boyfriend, Joel Hinke, who played for their college football team the Winona State Warriors . Allison Bergsbaken (left) and Sarah Adrian comfort each other while celebrating the life of Miss Baures . Her boyfriend Joel Hinke, who played for the Winona State Warriors football team, broke down as he spoke about how he had planned to marry her. The college paid tribute to Baures who was an accomplished member of the gymnastics team from 2011 to 2014. 'She was a leader on the team and a talented gymnast,' said WSU athletic director Eric Schoh in a statement. 'This is a tremendous loss for our community, and we ask that you keep Brooke and her family, friends, coaches and teammates in your thoughts.' Winner: Brooke poses with her coaches after taking home a triple haul of medals after a gymnastics meet . The 21-year-old was found dead at The WingDam Saloon & Grill in Fountain City at 8pm on Monday . Amanda Schabacker, manager at WingDam Saloon & Grill, told the Winona Daily News that the restaurant would be closed on Tuesday and refused to offer any more comment. Photographs posted to social media show Brooke and her family happily posing for pictures at Warriors games. The 21-year-old was also a huge music fan and on her Facebook page posted a picture on November 22 with herself and country music stars Dan + Shay along with the caption: 'OMG OMG'. Tributes from distraught friends have been flooding onto social media since her death was announced on December 1. Friend Annelie Schmittel posted: 'Thoughts and prayers go out to the family of my former student Brooke Baures, as well as my WSU Warriors family. Devastating news.' According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, dumbwaiter accidents are rare. According to the OSHA database, only two incidents, both fatal, have happened in the U.S. between 2003 and 2013.

Gymnast Brooke Baures, 21, found dead at bar in Wisconsin on Monday . Teammates from Winona State paid tribute to her at a candlelit vigil . Police have interviewed half of those present at the WingDam Saloon . But no one saw how she entered and became stuck in the food elevator . There was no immediate indication that any crime was committed . Bar's dumb waiter used to shuttle drinks and food to the second floor .

3cbb43bad176763ca12054291e43826e7ec95331

He is paid three times the average UK salary, has his own chauffeur and pockets tens of thousands in expenses every year. But according to Nigel Farage, he is the 'poorest man in politics'. Despite earning £79,000 a year as an MEP, the Ukip leader, complains of meagre finances on a spin-off show with Steph and Dom Parker, the 'posh couple' from Gogglebox. Nigel Farage appeared on Channel 4's Gogglebox programme where he is seen quaffing champagne, beer and wine with Dom and Steph Parker . Mr Farage, who admitted he hadn't seen the show before his appearance, enjoyed an evening at the Parkers' guest house in Sandwich, Kent, in which they are normally filmed watching the week's television highlights for Gogglebox . The Ukip leader complained of his meagre finances while on the show and told the Channel 4 programme's 'posh couple': ‘I don’t think I know anybody in politics as poor as we are' Mr Farage, pictured in the Channel 4 show, quaffs champagne, beer and wine with the couple, smokes cigarettes and tells them: 'I don't think I know anybody in politics as poor as we are.' Mr Farage and wife Kirsten Mehr live on the Kent border, in a house worth around £540,000. Rather modestly, he told the Parkers it was only a 'small semi-detached house in the country'. He added: 'We don't drive flash cars, we don't have expensive holidays, we haven't done for ten years.' Mr Farage, who lives in a house worth around £540,000 in Kent, told Dom and Steph it was only a 'small semi-detached house in the country' The group down several pints of ale in a nearby pub before retiring to the couple's garden in Kent for champagne . Mr Farage admitted he drank two pints and about five or six glasses of wine and champagne while he was with the couple . According to The Times, Ukip pays him a £60,000-a-year chauffeur allowance. Among other expenses, he earns a 'daily subsistence allowance' of £250 every time he attends the European Parliament, has an monthly EU allowance of £3,580 to cover UK travel, office management and running costs, and has his first-class travel to the continent covered. The UKIP leader has even admitted paying his wife around £20,000 a year from taxpayers' funds to work as his assistant. Channel 4 boss Jay Hunt said Mr Farage's TV appearance is a 'rip-roaring, alcohol-fuelled watch', adding: 'He gets p***** with them, but they also give him a grilling'. At one point in the show, Mr Farage is seen tripping on a step and smashing his glass, and is forced to change into a pair of Mr Parker's ripped jeans . In an interview with Radio Times, Mr Farage blamed the incident on 'physical incapacity' caused by his 2010 plane crash but admitted he was given plenty to drink . Mr Farage said he had not seen Gogglebox before taking part in the Channel 4 show but insisted it would enhance his image with the electorate . He is seen enjoying an evening at the Parkers' guest house in Sandwich, Kent, in which they are normally filmed enjoying the week's television highlights for Gogglebox. Mr Farage and his wife live on the Kent border . The group down several pints of ale in a nearby pub before retiring to the couple's garden for champagne. At one point, Mr Farage is seen tripping on a step and smashing his glass, and is forced to change into a pair of Mr Parker's ripped jeans. In an interview with Radio Times, Mr Farage blamed the incident on 'physical incapacity' caused by his 2010 plane crash. But he admitted he was given plenty to drink. He said: 'I had two, two-and-a-half pints in the pub with Dom. [It was a] steady consumption… [so] two pints, about five or six glasses [of wine and champagne]. I like a drink but, crikey, these guys are professionals.' Mr Farage said he had not seen Gogglebox before taking part in the Channel 4 show but insisted it would enhance his image with the electorate. He added: 'Was I taking a risk going in there? Yes, I was. Politics today is so thoroughly over-scripted. All the rough edges and all the risk is knocked off, and that is why it has become desperately dull. I thought they were genuine and people who like me will like it.' Earlier this year, Mr Farage was accused of claiming £15,500 a year from the EU to pay for his constituency office despite the fact it was given to him rent free. He later said the allegation was a 'smear' as the EU money is his to spend 'as I see fit', but he was fined £200 by the Electoral Commission for failing to declare the office as a gift. Steph and Dom Meet Nigel Farage airs on Channel 4 on Monday, December 15 at 10pm. At Home with Steph and Dom, which features Mr Farage, airs on Channel 4 on Monday, December 15 at 10pm . Channel 4 boss Jay Hunt said Mr Farage's TV appearance is a 'rip-roaring, alcohol-fuelled watch' but added that the couple also give him a 'grilling' MEP's salary - £79,000 . Home – worth around £540,000 . EU office allowance - £3,850 a month . Wife's salary to work as his assistant - £20,000 a year . Daily subsistence allowance - £250 for each day spent at European Parliament .

Ukip leader appears in new Channel 4 programme quaffing beer and wine . He tells couple from Gogglebox he knows no politicians as poor as him . Farage earns £250 and free first class travel for every EU Parliament trip .

81cbcc688ffb826c7c2f7d84c1ffc1b28836be0b

Fenway Sports Group will underwrite the redevelopment of Anfield with an interest free £114million loan. Liverpool have confirmed that work will finally begin on Monday to increase the capacity of their stadium to 53,500, with the Main Stand being remodelled and an extra 8,500 seats being added. The project, which has been two years in the planning, will be completed for the start of 2016-17 season. Repayments to FSG – who took control of Liverpool in October 2010 after the doomed Tom Hicks-George Gillet reign – will be made from the extra £20m a year revenue the extra seating will bring, over a five-and-a-half year period. Liverpool Football Club will begin work on Monday on expanding the Main Stand at Anfield by adding 8,500 seats . From left to right, Ron Yeats, Roger Hunt, Ian Callaghan, Phil Thompson, Phil Neal, Alan Kennedy, Alan Hansen, Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Rossiter attend an announcement of Liverpool's stadium expansion at Anfield along with manager Brendan Rodgers and managing director Ian Ayre . The Main Stand will have two new tiers added to take the capacity to over 53,000 by the start of the 2016-17 season . 45,522 - Anfield's current capacity . 58,800 - Anfield's potential new capacity . 8,500 - Phase one to extend the Main Stand . 4,500 - Phase two to extend Anfield Road end . £75m - cost of extension by 2016/17 season . £260m - cost of overall regeneration in Anfield . The estimated cost of the build is £75m with £39m going on costs. Steven Gerrard told Liverpool's official website: 'It's very exciting news that we have finally got around to extending Anfield. For me, it was all about staying at Anfield. As much as I like new stadiums, I'm more traditional and I like the old stadiums like the Camp Nou and places like this, where all the history and all the memories happen. 'There have been so many unbelievable nights and memories here, it would have been a shame to leave it all and for this to have become houses or apartments. 'Now that they are going to extend the stadium, it's going to become even bigger, better and noisier. Hopefully there are many more fantastic memories to come.' There are no plans to sell naming rights for Anfield but the new stand could be sponsored, with Liverpool having held initial talks with interested parties about a potential £10million agreement, which would work out roughly at £1million per season. The redevelopment of Anfield has been an enormous issue for Liverpool since the turn of this century, with Hicks and Gillett famously declaring when they bought the club from David Moores in February 2007 that they would 'have a spade in the ground' within 60 days. They had intended to build on a site on adjacent Stanley Park but their plans were doomed to failure, which is why this announcement is regarded by Chairman Tom Werner and Ian Ayre, the club’s managing director, as being a 'momentous day' in Liverpool’s history. Anfield is soon to be altered after Liverpool won permission from the city council in September . Liverpool's new Main Stand will be made up of three tiers and will include premium seating for Reds fans . 1. 75,731 - Old Trafford, Manchester United . 2. 60,362 - Emirates Stadium, Arsenal . 3. 52,405 - St James' Park, Newcastle United . 4. 48,707 - Stadium of Light, Sunderland . 5. 46,708 - Etihad Stadium, Manchester City . 6. 45,522 - Anfield, Liverpool . ‘It was just over two years ago that we said our preference was to stay at Anfield and here we are today announcing that the expansion is going ahead,’ said Werner. ‘We have made more progress in the last two years than in the last decade.’ FSG had considered building a complete new ground but, having explored a number of possibilities, they have favoured pursuing a project on the lines of how they redeveloped Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox baseball team. Werner added: ‘Having experience of expanding Fenway Park and being through a similar and very successful project of the Red Sox, everyone at FSG is extremely proud and excited to be part of the expanding of Anfield.’ Carillion are the construction company that has been entrusted with the task of building the Main Stand and Liverpool also have planning permission to redevelop the Anfield Road stand – which would add another 4,500 seats – in the future. But, as yet, there is no urgency to pursue that. Liverpool's current Anfield capacity is just over 45,000 seats - the sixth highest in the Premier League . The Main Stand (left) at Anfield will have an extra 8,500 seats added as well as corporate and hospitality facilities . The Kop end will be unaffected by the expansion, as will the Centenary Stand, which is opposite the Main Stand . ‘The football club for many years has been looking for a solution and although it has been a long time coming, under this ownership it has actually been a quick process,’ said Ayre. ‘We spent the first 18 months looking at a variety of solutions and decided staying at Anfield was the best. ‘It has taken two years to get where we are today where we have certainty. What we always said is we did not want to create any false dawns. Finding the right economic solution in the best interests of the club.’ A significant chunk of the new seats will go to corporate clients but, at a time when Liverpool supporters have been protesting about the cost of admission prices, Ayre has argued it is a necessity to supplement incomes if Liverpool are to keep pace with their Premier League rivals. ‘If you use the word “affordability” – I don’t think there’s a football club in the country who could afford to spend money on a new stand without the assistance of corporate hospitality,’ said Ayre. ‘It pays. It will probably pay two thirds or more of the payback of this facility and that is a fact of life. ‘You can’t find economic solutions that work in big new stadiums that don’t have corporate. We will still be some way behind the corporate hospitality numbers they have at old Trafford and probably around the same sort of level they do at Arsenal. It feels right for the model we have created.’ VIDEO Gerrard still influences games - Rodgers . When asked about his favourite Anfield memory, Gerrard said: 'I think personally, it would have to be the Olympiacos game or even the Chelsea victory with the so-called "ghost goal". 'From the outside, I think it would be difficult to pick one other memory because there's been so many from so many fantastic players and so many great sides. It's difficult to pick one. From my own point of view, it would probably be Olympiacos.' Steven Gerrard's famous goal against Olympiakos in December 2004, which took Liverpool through into the Champions League last 16 . Gerrard celebrates his 86th-minute strike at the Kop end and Liverpool went on to be crowned European champions in Istanbul . Luis Garcia scores the only goal of the 2005 Champions League semi-final against Chelsea in an all-English tie . Garcia celebrates his dubious goal as he is mobbed by John Arne Riise, Djimi Traore and captain Gerrard .

Construction work at Anfield will begin on Monday . Liverpool plan to expand the stadium from current 45,000 capacity . Phase one will see 8,500 seats and two tiers added to Main Stand . Work will be complete in time for 2016-17 Premier League season .

b0378a20eea37ec7fce4d8cd965f01a3e6554c16

It didn't take long. With the outbreak of a global health crisis on the scale of the current Ebola epidemic, there was bound to be a flurry of conspiracy theories. And the internet's finest have been hard at work. From the prospect of the Ebola-based zombie horror film 28 Days Later becoming reality to the US government deliberately releasing the virus, there's plenty out there for the tin foil hat brigade to sink their teeth into. Scroll down for video . Hoax: This picture, which went viral last week,; turned out to be nothing more than a screen grab from the zombie film World War Z, starring Brad Pitt . Last week a picture purporting to be that of the first Ebola 'Zombie' went viral over the internet with the title 'Ebola victim back from the dead'. A caption reads: 'For the first time in human history, confirmed footage is captured of a man who scientists watched die from Ebola then only several hours later, regain life and rise from the dead'. It then cites Bible passage Isaiah 26:19-20: 'Your dead shall live, their bodies shall rise.' The picture was later revealed to be nothing more than a screenshot of an actor in the movie World War Z starring Brad Pitt. The zombie hoax appears to have been inspired by several real-life reports of Ebola victims coming back from the dead. One story which appeared on the TheNewDawnLiberia.com website recently told of two Ebola patients who died of the virus in separate communities coming back to life two days later. One conspiracy theory, which claims the current Ebola strain is hybrid of Ebola and Rabies, has drawn several comparisons with the 2002 Danny Boyle film 28 Days Later . Conspiracy? Many believe that the Ebola virus was created in a laboratory by unscrupulous pharmaceutical companies hoping to profit from the sale of vaccines . The website reported: 'The late Dorris Quoi of Hope Village Community and the second victim only identified as Ma Kebeh, said to be in her late 60s, were about to be taken for burial when they resurrected. 'Ma Kebeh had reportedly been in door for two nights without food and medication before her alleged death.' Another story from Liberia last week tells of a man thought to have died from Ebola in the middle of a street who started waving his arms when funeral workers arrived to pick up his body. That has led some to suggest that the virus is man-made and has been designed either as a weapon or simply so pharmaceutical companies can profit from selling vaccines and cures. Some users insist the current Ebola strain is hybrid of Ebola and Rabies, drawing comparisons with the film 28 Days Later and raising the unlikely prospect that the film's plot may become reality. Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan claims Ebola is a 'race-targeting bioweapon created by white people' In the 2002 film directed by Danny Boyle, a highly contagious virus known as the Rage virus is released after animal liberation activists break into a laboratory where tests are being conducted on chimpanzees. Scientists in the movie were attempting to create an anger management drug and had decided to use the Ebola virus as a delivery system. But Ebola mutates the drug, causing it to have the oppposite effect and send people into fits of constant, uncontrollable rage with physical symptoms resembling rabies - leading them to attack other humans and pass on the virus at a rapidly increasing rate until only a small minority have escaped infection. Exponents of this theory point to research conducted in 2012 by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) which developed an Ebola vaccine based on the established rabies virus vaccine. The scientists first tested the vaccine on mice before moving on to monkeys and claim the research was extremely successful. Speculation has been further fuelled by a 2012 report of a rabies-like virus that has all the symptoms of and lethality of Ebola and which killed two teenagers in Congo in 2009. Believers of this theory warn people not to take the vaccine which will soon be rolled out. In the US, Firebrand Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan claims the Ebola virus is a 'race-targeting bioweapon created by white people'. He says the US government 'has a desire for world depopulation' and is intent on going about it by using bioweapons 'such as Ebola and AIDS, which are race targeting weapons.' He wrote: 'There is a weapon that can be put in a room where there are Black and White people, and it will kill only the Black and spare the White, because it is a genotype weapon that is designed for your genes, for your race, for your kind. 'This means that these wise scientists of death are making pathogens, which is something that can cause a disease. 'They are creating this as a means of depopulating our planet of undesirables, a process called culling the population. … So, if you are poor and ignorant; if you are Black or Brown, you are being selected for destruction.' History: The Ebola virus as discovered in 1976 following major outbreaks that year in the Sudan and Zaire . Health workers say the fight against the outbreak is being hindered by claims of miracle cures such as rubbing limes and onions over your body and by unscrupulous merchants selling bogus treatments. The World Health Organisation has issued several warnings over bogus cures and precautionary measures. A scene from Zombie horror film 28 Days Later . Twitter users have slammed Sky Movies, accusing the broadcaster of uploading the Ebola-related zombie film 28 Days Later to its on-demand movie service as concerns over the outbreak grow. Twitter user Mitchell wrote today: 'World's going Ebola mad and Sky decides to show World War Z and 28 days later and 28 weeks later in the last 2 days..bad timing or what...' And user 'luna' ‏wrote: 'sky movies have decided to upload 28 days later while the ebola virus is breaking out, thanks for terrifying me'. The film features in the 'recently added' section of the Sky Movies 'On Demand' service. The channel did not respond to requests for a comment. In Liberia healers have suggested rubbing the body with limes and onions can combat the virus while across the region merchants are profiting from the panic by selling fake Ebola vaccinations and cures. One rumour that has been widely circulated is that drinking saltwater can prevent or cure the disease, an entirely false claim that is believed to be responsible for the deaths of four people. A spokesman for WHO said: 'Another source of public misunderstanding, especially in affected areas, comes from rumours on social media claiming that certain products or practices can prevent or cure Ebola virus disease. 'Decades of scientific research have failed to find a curative or preventive agent of proven safety and effectiveness in humans, though a number of promising products are currently under development. 'All rumours of any other effective products or practices are false. Their use can be dangerous. In Nigeria, for example, at least two people have died after drinking salt water, rumoured to be protective.' Ebola was discovered in 1976 following major outbreaks that year in the Sudan and Zaire. In the 1990s, the disease saw a resurgence with an outbreak in Gabon in 1994, followed by another in Zaire in 1995. The current outbreak, the worst in recorded history, began last December and has killed more than 3,800 people mainly in West Africa and is threatening to spread across Europe and the Americas. Between 2000-2004, close to 500 people died from Ebola in Uganda, Gabon, the Republic of Congo and Sudan. The vast majority of those deaths have been in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. In a similar way to how the HIV/Aids outbreak was often said to be man made, some believe Ebola has been deliberately created to decrease the world's and in particular Africa's rapidly expanding population. Others suggest it has been deliberately engineered to target black people. This is a variation of the man-made theory which suggests the current media attention surrounding the outbreak in Africa is nothing but government programming so that people are ready to line up to take the rabies-based vaccine they are preparing to roll out. Some believe Ebola was secretly created by the CIA as part of a foreign policy initiative to counter the threat of communism and black nationalism in central Africa . Some deeply religious Africans believe Ebola to be the wrath of god, a punishment for immoral acts. The Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) has issued a statement reading: ‘Liberians have to pray and seek God’s forgiveness over the corruption and immoral acts (such as homosexuality) that continue to penetrate our society. As Christians, we must repent and seek God’s forgiveness’ In parts of Nigeria a rumour has been spreading that Ebola can be cured or prevented by drinking hot salt water. Four healthy people are believed to died from dehydration as a result of trying to protect themselves in this way . We reported yesterday how some internet conspiracy theorists,claim the world famous TV series predicted the Ebola crisis back in a 1997 episode in which Marge tries to coax a sick Bart out of bed She suggests he reads a book before producing one entitled 'Curious George and the Ebola Virus'.

Outbreak being compared to Danny Boyle Film 28 Days Later . Fake picture of 'first Ebola zombie' went viral over the internet last week . Revealed to be a screen grab from another Zombie movie World War Z . Theories being fuelled by stories of Ebola victims 'rising from the dead' Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan called it a 'race-targeting bioweapon' World Health Organisation warns against bogus vaccines and cures .

dfd0d60980e6316a258890307b758a8b135e3253

A salesman who tortured and battered his partner’s two-year-old daughter to death has been murdered in prison. Subhan Anwar, 25, is believed to have been held hostage in a cell at high-security Long Lartin Prison in Worcestershire before he was killed. Two inmates aged 47 and 45 have been arrested on suspicion of murder. Cruelty: Subhan Anwar, left, was jailed for 23 years for murdering partner Zahbeen Navsarka's, right, daughter . Horrific: Sanam Navsarka suffered 107 injuries during a month of 'unbelievable' cruelty before she died . West Mercia Police said Anwar’s body was found at 8pm on Thursday by . prison officers at the category A jail, which houses some of the . country’s most dangerous criminals. ‘West Mercia Police is working closely with the Ministry of Justice to . establish the exact circumstances surrounding this man’s death,’ said a . police spokesman. A Ministry of Justice spokesman  added: ‘Two prisoners are now in police . custody and the matter is being investigated by police.’ Anwar was jailed for life in 2009 after being convicted of murdering his partner’s toddler, Sanam Navsarka. Horror: Two 'tramline' bruises showed where Sanam had been hit with this metal pole . The youngster suffered 107 injuries during a month of ‘unbelievable’ cruelty in which she was battered with metal poles and had all four . limbs broken. The child, who was afraid of the dark, was ‘disciplined’ by being . repeatedly locked in an unlit cupboard, while Anwar also put her in a . tumble drier and dumped her in a bin for his amusement. Sanam suffered further agony when aftershave was splashed on her nappy . rash and open sores. She was not taken to a doctor, so her fractures . remained untreated. In her final days she was suffering so much from her injuries that she . could not walk and died when fat deposits from her broken bones entered . the bloodstream, Bradford Crown Court heard. A post-mortem examination revealed that along with her broken arms and . legs, there were 36 bruises to her head and neck, 26 to her arms and ten . to her abdomen. Her death came only three months after married mobile phone salesman . Anwar met the child’s mother Zahbeena Navsarka at the shop where he . worked in Huddersfield. Anwar had sex with Navsarka in the back of the shop on the day they met . and he swiftly left his pregnant wife to move in with his new lover. To . cover their tracks after the child died in 2008, they told detectives . she was left alone in the bath for ten minutes and was found dead. But Anwar, described as brutal and domineering, was convicted and jailed . for a minimum of 23 years. Navsarka was cleared of her daughter’s . murder but found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to nine years in . prison. Judge Peter Thornton QC said it was a ‘truly terrible case’ and told the . defendants: ‘It is almost unbelievable the pain and anguish she must . have suffered, not just once or twice, but repeatedly and persistently . over weeks at your cruel and selfish hands.’ He added: ‘Your deliberate cruelty is beyond belief. Humanity has let her down.’ In 2011, social worker Judyth Kenworthy was suspended for failing to . pass on vital information about Sanam’s abuse a week before she was . murdered. She was found guilty of misconduct by the General Social Care . Council. Shocking: A model, shown to the jury during the couple's trial, shows the extent of the toddler's injuries . HM Prison Long Martin is a Category A men's prison, in Worcestershire . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

Subhan Anwar found dead at HMP Long Martin last night . Allegedly held hostage in prison cell before he was killed . Tortured and murdered Sanam Navsarka and was jailed for 23 years in 2009 . Two prisoners, aged 45 and 47 arrested on suspicion of murder .

b9367e5c5f37ce367a1d06925a0012f2e7f71a1f

Three Los Angeles cops who shot dead an unarmed man on live TV following a high-speed chase last year violated department rules pertaining to the use of deadly force, Police Chief Charles Beck has found. Brian Newt Breaird, a 51-year-old disabled National Guard veteran, was struck by 13 bullets in downtown Los Angeles on the night of December 13, 2013. Local news stations carried live the high-speed police pursuit, along with its bloody aftermath. One of the people who watched Beaird go down in a hail of bullets was his father. Scroll down for video . Excessive force: LAPD Police Chief Charles Beck has found that three police officers violated department rules when they shot dead unarmed veteran Brian Newt Beaird, pictured, on live TV in December 2013 . Chase: Police had chased his car for nearly an hour and claimed he had been driving erratically . Lawsuit: Bill Beaird, left, has filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles after he witnessed his unarmed veteran son, right, being fatally shot by LAPD officers last year . Police Chief Beck has concluded in a recently released report cited by Los Angeles Times that the officers' decision to use deadly force on an unarmed man was unjustified. The three cops, identified in a previous report as Michael Ayala, Armando Corral, and Leonardo Ortiz, have alleged that they opened fire on the veteran because they believed they lives were in danger, but Beck rejected their claims. 'The preponderance of the evidence does not independently support [the officers’] perceptions that a deadly threat was present,' Beck wrote in the report. Video footage of the conformation showed how the man had turned around and was moving away from the officers when they fired a volley at him. The year-long investigation into the shooting has found that the three bullets that most likely ended Beaird's life struck him from behind. The trio of officers, among them two rookies and a seven-year veteran of the department, have been on leave since the December 2013 incident. Crash: The chase only came to a stop when he hit another car, pictured left. The driver suffered injuries . Fearing for their lives: The officers told investigators they opened fire on Beaird, striking him 13 times - including in the back - because they believed he was armed . It is now up to Chief Beck to decide whether or not to punish the officers in question. They could face suspension or termination. Larry Hanna, an attorney hired to represent the officers, defended their actions saying they went out there that night trying to do the best job they could. Decider: It is now up to Chief Beck to decide how to punish the officers . The December 13 shooting followed a nearly hour-long nighttime pursuit for reckless driving that ended when Beaird's silver Corvette ran a string of red lights, hit a car in an intersection, seriously injuring the other driver, and then spun onto a downtown sidewalk. Beaird's father, Billy Beaird , watched in horror on live TV as his son staggered out of the Corvette, briefly raised his hands, was fatally shot multiple times in the front and back, and fell to the ground. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. A toxicology test determined Beaird had methamphetamine and traces of other drugs in his system. All three officers in the shooting told investigators they shot Beaird because they saw him reaching for his waistband and making erratic, jerking motions with his hands, which led them to believe he had a gun. One of the cops went so far as to say he believed Bearid was actually shooting at them. In May, the elder Mr Beaird filed a $20million wrongful death lawsuit against the city alleging that officers violated his son's state and federal civil rights. Four months later, the Los Angeles City Council voted to pay Beaird's family $5million to settle the lawsuit. Billy Beaird had told the Los Angeles Times that his son was discharged from the National Guard in 1988 after undergoing surgery for a brain tumor and needed regular medical care. The family's attorney, Dale K. Galipo, said Beaird was paranoid at the time of the chase. 'He couldn't understand why the police were chasing him, and he didn't know what to do," Galipo said. 'He called his family during the pursuit and asked what he should do. And they told him he should pull over ... and he said "I'm afraid" and kept going.'

Police Chief Charles Beck found the officers' decision to use deadly force on National Guard veteran Brian Beaird, 51, last December was unjustified . Beaird was shot 13 times, including from behind, on live TV after dramatic December 13 high-speed chase in downtown LA . Cops told investigators they opened fire on Beaird after they saw him reach for the waistband . City of Los Angeles paid Beaird's family $5million in August to settle wrongful death lawsuit .

7e14fd4ea4db2f6ff61c32fa0d2a277e83219a1b

A billionaire who once dated Princess Diana has left his former girlfriend’s daughter a trust fund even though he is not the father of the child. Theodore ‘Teddy’ Forstmann changed his will to give the undisclosed sum to two-year-old Krishna Lakshmi before he died last November at the age of 71. The financier had dated her mother Padma Lakshmi, ex-wife of Salman Rushdie and host of popular U.S TV show Top Chef, for several years including during the birth. Together: Television personality Padma Lakshmi and billionaire Ted Forstmann attend the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra & New York Philharmonic Concert in Central Park in July 2010 in New York City . It later turned out the father was another man but Forstmann raised the baby as if he were his own. In Forstmann’s will filed at Manhattan Surrogate’s Court, he refers to her as his ‘friend’ and says that he forgives all loans he had given her. But the details of Krishna’s trust fund and the money he gave her mother have not been made public after a request from his lawyers. At the time of his death Forstmann was worth $1.8billion (£1.1billion) making him the 782nd richest man in the world. Sighting: Theodore Forstmann with Princess Diana at Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts in August 1994 . The trust fund could run into the millions and could be used to pay for education or to just make Krishna financially secure for the rest of her life. It had been reported that despite not being her father Forstman had been ‘carrying out the role of father since the moment Krishna was delivered into his arms.’ This led to speculation he was the dad but it later turned out the real father was Adam Dell, a U.S. venture capitalist and brother of Dell computer founder Michael Dell. Dell had dated Lakshmi for two years but when they broke up she told him that she was pregnant and that Forstmann was the father. Mother and daughter: Padma Lakshmi was seen at lunch with her little girl Krishna in New York in August 2010 . Lakshmi encouraged her daughter to call him ‘Papa’ and gave the infant the middle name Thea that seems to be a nod to his full name. She also publicly declared her love for Forstmann by saying: ‘I am lucky to have someone who unwaveringly gave me love and manly support — and is also the person that I love. So thank you, Teddy.’ Dell however claimed a paternity test proved it was his baby and sued for full custody. He also demanded his name was put on the birth certificate, as it had been left off. Fame: Padma Lakshmi, left, is seen with her ex-husband, author Salman Rushdie, in West Hollywood, California, in March 2006. Ted Forstmann is seen right with actress Liz Hurley in New York in December 1999 . The New York Daily News reported that the lawsuit has now been resolved . Arlee Harris, of New York law firm Kaye Scholer said that providing for children who are not your own has been done before in the U.S. But she said: ‘It may be just an education trust, but it sounds like he was closest to this woman. ‘There’s more to it here.’ At the time of Princess Diana’s death in 1997, Forstmann was supposedly one of the men she was considering as her second husband. High flying: Ted Forstmann stands in front of a business jet in April 1997 in Los Angeles, California . Despite being more than 20 years her senior he had a lifestyle she craved - fame, wealth and power. He was the chief executive of sports and entertainment marketing firm IMG which looked after models Gisele and Heidi Klum, golfer Tiger Woods and tennis star Roger Federer. He bought, sold and turned around dozens of companies including Gulfstream Aerospace and Dr Pepper. He was also a 1980s pioneer in the use of leveraged buyouts, or deals financed at least partly with debt. Although he never married Forstmann also dated Elizabeth Taylor and was seen with a string of beautiful women. Father: Venture capitalist Adam Dell is seen in Manhattan, New York, with daughter Krishna in October 2010 . His death was due to complications arising from brain cancer. He left two children, Everest and Siya, both orphans who were both adopted from South Africa and lived with him in New York. Lakshmi, 41, became famous from modelling and wrote a number of best-selling cookery books in the 1990s. She married Rushdie in 2004, but they divorced three years later.

Teddy Forstmann changed his . will to give the sum to Krishna Lakshmi, 2 . He had dated her mother Padma but died last November at the age of 71 . Later turned out father was another man but Forstmann raised the baby .

abfd11c9a5f799012f83448eed42c96779e55f64

Tiger Woods has not played competitively in nearly four months, but the injury plagued former world No 1 has not altered his aim for this week's Hero World Challenge event - win. Winning is something Woods has not yet done this year, in a truncated season marked by back surgery in March and again in August after his attempted return was aborted after missing the cut at the PGA Championship. The 38-year-old proclaimed himself healthy and on the way back after working with a new swing consultant, if perhaps a bit rusty. But some of his big rivals this week admitted that Woods looked to be striking the ball in the manner he was once famous for. Tiger Woods poses on a motorcycle produced by the sponsors of his tournament in Florida . Woods swings his driver (left) and comes under the gaze of new coach, Chris Como (right) 'It felt good to be out there,' Woods told reporters after Wednesday's pro-am on the eve of the opening round of the elite 18-player event that benefits his foundation. 'Obviously, been playing at home with my boys for a little bit of cash, but still (that is) a little bit different. Every shot counts a little bit more. (But) Felt good.' It also felt comfortable for Woods, who is staging the event this year at Isleworth, the enclave he had called home for over a decade before moving to Jupiter Island. Asked if he had the usual designs on winning that carried him to a collection of 14 majors, second only to Jack Nicklaus's 18, Woods said: 'Obviously, or I wouldn't enter.' The 14-time major champion worked with Como into the dark on the practice ground after the pro-am . Woods will compete at the Hero World Challenge at Isleworth in Florida this week . Como gives some advice to Woods ahead of their first professional competition as a team . VIDEO Tiger aiming to ‘beat the golf course’ Some of the top-notch players invited to the event said the tournament host was looking like the Woods of old. 'What I saw from Tiger from the side in the 10, 20 balls that I watched him, it looked a lot freer,' Steve Stricker said after sharing the driving range. 'Didn't look like he was getting in his way. Looked like the club was going through a lot freer. Looked like it was on a better path.' Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters champion, also had a favorable impression. 'It looked great. I mean, the compression looked there, the turn looked there. Woods's mother. Kultida, was also at Isleworth to watch her son in Windermere, Florida . 'Watched the first two, three, four balls and then it hit me - "Oh, wait a minute, he hasn't played in a while". It looked like he was just kind of riding a bike.' The balky back limited Woods to eight tournaments in a season in which he missed two cuts and withdrew from two events. Stricker warned not to count Woods out. 'I think if he starts swinging it better and starts feeling good about what he's doing again, it won't take long for him to be at the top of the game again,' he said.

Tiger Woods returns to competitive golf this week after four months out . Woods makes injury comeback at Hero World Challenge . Former world No 1 has new swing coach, Chris Como . Rivals Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson praised Woods' new swing . Woods said he 'felt good' during the pro-am ahead of the tournament .

4da51ed688756ee4b1c153423d1172784698011c

Female sex dolls have been around for decades. But until now, the rubber women have taken on an extremely fake quality, with even the untrained eye able to spot one from a mile off. But in this new photo shoot by New York fashion photographer Stacy Leigh, many of the toys appear very human-like. Scroll down for video . Photographer Stacy Leigh from New York has 12 dolls of her own. She positioned the toys in fashionable clothing and life-like poses. Stacy wanted to prove that the mannequins can be very attractive. The collection of love dolls worth up to £4,000 each, have been carefully dressed and posed as if they are taking part in a glamour shoot. Stacy, 43, decided to create her project, which she calls 'Average Americans' to prove how anyone could find themselves fancying mannequin-like dolls, taking the stigma away from those who use them. She said: 'Men and women both use the dolls as replacements for human companionship, whether by choice or necessity.' 'I believe it's perfectly fine if it makes one's journey through life more bearable.' The collection of love dolls worth up to £4,000 each, have been carefully dressed and posed as if they are taking part in a glamour shoot . Until now, the rubber women have taken on an extremely fake quality, with even the untrained eye able to spot one from a mile off . She continued: 'My photos are about life and relationships and sexuality. 'Some people are repulsed by the dolls, while others are empathetic towards them. 'As the world becomes more digital and less personal, dolls and robots will become more commonplace as surrogates for relationships. 'I can only hope that my photos spark an emotion or connection in the viewer.' Photographer Stacy decided to create her project, which she calls 'Average Americans' to prove how anyone could find themselves fancying mannequin-like dolls . She wanted to take the stigma away from people who use sex dolls . A world away from blow-up sex dolls of the past, love dolls or real dolls as they are also known, have become increasingly popular as they have become more realistic looking. Many collectors refer to their love dolls as their 'girlfriends' and have full sexual relationships with them. When buying a love doll, customers can choose to customise everything from hair, eye and skin colour to boob size and even the shape and style of the vagina. Stacy, who owns 12 real dolls, explained how she became involved in collecting and photographing her plastic subjects. When buying a love doll, customers can choose to customise everything from hair, eye and skin colour to boob size and even the shape and style of the vagina . Many collectors refer to their love dolls as their 'girlfriends' and have full sexual relationships with them . She said: 'I watched a TV show called REAL SEX on HBO that featured Real dolls.' 'I had always wanted a life size doll, as I have been collecting small fashion dolls since I was a child. 'I perused the internet with the intention of using a love doll as my sitting model for photography. 'When my first doll arrived, I began to photograph her and the rest is history. 'Over the last decade, my job has become far easier as manufacturers add more realism to their products.' A world away from blow-up sex dolls of the past, love dolls or real dolls as they are also known, have become increasingly popular as they have become more realistic looking . Photographer Stacy owns 12 of the 'real dolls' She continued: 'These days, for my personal projects- I add make up to completely confuse the viewer. 'I've added wrinkles and depth to the face, much in the same way I would a painting. 'I received accolades for my ability to pose, and 'breathe life' into them. 'Immediately, it became my goal to get better with each photo.'

Photographer Stacy Leigh from New York has 12 dolls of her own . She positioned the toys in fashionable clothing and life-like poses . Stacy wanted to prove that the mannequins can be very attractive .

81f6b724117e6468a1c8a4de7f0a2bcc48d26c87

Princes William and Harry paid tribute to a childhood friend', who died in a car crash 12 years ago, at a carol service. Both the princes joined forces to remember Henry van Straubenzee, a 'very special friend' of the brothers who was killed at the age of 18. They made a joint speech to the congregation of around 800 guests, which included Chelsy Davy and Tara Palmer Tomkinson. The service for Mr van Straubenzee, who was in the same class at school as Prince Harry, was held at St Luke's and Christ Church in Chelsea, London last night to raise money for a memorial fund set up in his name. Prince Harry (centre) and Prince William gave a joint tribute to their childhood friend Henry van Straubenzee at St Luke's and Christ Church in Chelsea on Tuesday evening, referring to him as a 'very special friend' Prince William (centre) delivered a speech at the memorial service for Mr van Straubenzee to 800 guests . Prince Harry entertained the congregation as he described sharing childhood escapades during his teenage years - many of which he jokingly confessed were 'not for public consumption.' The Prince described Mr van Straubenzee as a 'Polzeath surfing legend and ladies' man with whom we shared so many special memories.' Mr van Straubenzee, of Hertfordshire, became friends with the princes when they were all pupils at Ludgrove prep school in Berkshire. He was a classmate of Prince Harry's, while his older brother Thomas was a friend of the Duke of Cambridge. The foursome were said to be inseparable as they were growing up. In recognition of his close bond with Mr van Straubenzee and the rest of his family, Prince Harry also affectionately described an 'infectious van Straubenzee laugh could turn a very bad day into a good one.' His brother, the Duke of Cambridge, stood opposite Prince Harry at the Lectern and urged people to remember the teenager and his memorial fund. 'He was a friend to many people here and a very special friend to us, who we share so many happy childhood memories with,' he said. The Duke added that 'Henry would be amazed' at the success of his memorial fund, set up to help children in Uganda, in giving so many people a chance at life. His brother then urged the congregation 'please sing your hearts out as Henry will certainly be watching.' Mr van Straubenzee is pictured in 2001 before his death near his and Prince Harry's prep school a year later . Ellie Goulding, a favourite of the princes who sang at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding, is also understood to have performed at the service. It was organised by the Henry van Straubenzee memorial fund, which the princes became joint patrons of in 2009. Mr van Straubenzee was killed in a car crash in 2002 just outside his former prep school. He had been returning to the school, where he and the driver were both working as part of their gap year, when the car he was travelling in hit a tree. He was due to travel to Uganda later that year. Prince Harry is pictured on his way to St Luke's Church in Chelsea in London for the fundraising service . Prince William (centre) joined his brother to make the tribute, as both were pictured outside the church . Chelsy Davy (left) and Princess Eugenie (right) were both at the carol service memorial in Chelsea last night . Singer Ellie Goulding (left) performed at the service, which Tara Palmer Tomkinson (right) also attended . The service for the Henry van Straubenzee memorial fund was held at St Luke's Church in Chelsea in London . The fundraising carol service takes place every year in memory of the teenager, and is frequently attended by both princes. The Henry van Straubenzee memorial fund was set up by his family after his death to raise money to help people in Uganda by improving education through investing in buildings and resources. It is the only charity which the brothers are joint patrons of. When they became patrons in 2009 Prince Harry said: 'Henry was one of my greatest friends and his death was truly shocking to many people. 'Henry would be so proud of his family and what they are doing in Uganda in his name.'

Prince William and Harry gave a joint tribute speech in memory of friend . Former classmate Henry van Straubenzee died in car crash in 2002 at 18 . Mr van Straubenzee was friends with the princes at Ludgrove prep school . Carol service held in his memory at St Luke's and Christ Church, Chelsea . Prince Harry described him as a 'very special friend' and a 'ladies' man' Duke of Cambridge said they shared 'many childhood memories' with him . Congregation on Tuesday included Princess Eugenie and Chelsy Davy .

06860a76e9c43bf650004b680acf48bb3d765208

Marco van Ginkel has paid homage to his AC Milan team-mate Nigel de Jong by posting a 'then and now' picture on his Instagram account. The Chelsea loanee has dug out a picture of himself as a youngster meeting De Jong, who at that time played for Ajax. And underneath, he posted a picture of the two of them playing together recently in the colours of Milan. Marco van Ginkel posted this Instagram tribute to his team-mate Nigel de Jong. At the top is a picture of Van Ginkel as a youngster meeting De Jong when he was at Ajax and below the pair playing together at AC Milan . Van Ginkel, who is on loan for the season from Chelsea, in action for Milan against Udinese on Sunday . Van Ginkel jumps to beat Udinese's Thomas Heurteaux to the ball during Milan's 2-0 win at the weekend . 'First as a fan, now as my teammate @nigeldejong,' wrote Van Ginkel underneath his tribute. Van Ginkel, 22, has made just four appearances for Chelsea since joining them from Vitesse Arnhem in July 2013 and moved to Milan on a season-long loan on Deadline Day back in September. Since then, the Dutch midfielder has played in Serie A matches against Empoli and Udinese. De Jong, 30, who has won 80 caps for Holland, played for Hamburg, Manchester City, Ajax and 68 times for Milan since moving there in 2012. De Jong in action for Milan, the side he joined from Manchester City back in 2012 . De Jong pictured with then Holland manager Louis van Gaal during the World Cup in Brazil .

Picture shows Van Ginkel as a youngster meeting then Ajax player De Jong . Underneath is a recent picture of the pair playing together for Milan . Van Ginkel is with the Serie A giants on a one-year loan from Chelsea .

525f1a394b953674fcafc30d0481049ad9da58eb

A woman has raised hundreds of pounds for a cancer charity after growing a moustache for Movember. Linda Cook, who describes herself as 'quite a hairy girly', did not pluck, wax or remove any of her facial hair for the whole of last month. The 49-year-old wanted to raise money and awareness after her husband Robin, 54, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March. Getting involved: Linda Cook, who describes herself as 'quite a hairy girly', did not pluck, wax or remove any of her facial hair for the whole of last month to raise funds for Movember . Linda, who helps her husband run an online soft toy business from their home in Horncastle, Lincs., said: 'I wanted to do something to help the cancer charity and I thought "why not grow a moustache?" 'Robin wasn't keen to start with but he's got used to it, which is more than I have. It doesn't feel right to poke your tongue out of your mouth and touch fuzz. 'I have tried putting lipstick on too but I look like a bad transvestite.' Robin was diagnosed with cancer after he went for a routine prostate cancer check-up earlier this year. After diagnosing it in the early stages, doctors removed the tumour in October and Robin was given the all-clear. Movember is an annual event in which men around the world grow moustaches to raise awareness about prostate and testicular cancer and mental health issues. Linda wanted to raise money and awareness after her husband's prostate cancer diagnosis in March . Telling it like it is: LInda has been wearing a T-shirt to explain her facial 'fuzz', which is being waxed off today . Linda, who has been married to Robin for 28 years, added: 'I was watching TV when an advert came on with Bill Bailey telling men to get themselves checked for prostate cancer. 'I nagged Robin to go and it came back positive. Luckily, they caught it early before it had a chance to spread. 'After he was given the all-clear I was determined to raise money for the charity and when Movember came along I thought to myself, "I can do that." 'Because I have multiple sclerosis I can't do sponsored walks or runs but I can grow facial hair. 'I've always been quite a hairy girly right from a teenager. I used to bleach it and now pluck it with tweezers. It just seems quite a simple thing to do. Linda has multiple sclerosis so can't do sponsored walks or runs so instead decided to grow her facial hair . 'Most of the ladies go "Gosh, you are so brave" but I'm not doing anything. 'Normally I pluck every morning. It's like the routine - you cleanse, tone, moisturise, brush your teeth, pull the hairs out.' Linda has been wearing a T-shirt to explain why she has facial hair. She is having her 'fuzz' waxed off today at a local beauty salon. Off it comes: Linda is having the hair removed at a beauty salon today after raising hundreds of pounds . She added: 'It's so going to hurt - I'm like a wolf. My tweezers are coming back to being my best friend again, if they forgive me. 'Back in Victorian times I would be in a freak show for bearded ladies.' Husband Robin added: 'I'm looking forward to having a smooth faced Linda back. I'm overwhelmed by her courage. She is bonkers but she's got a heart of gold.'

Linda Cook describes herself as 'quite a hairy girly' She didn't pluck, wax or remove any of her facial hair in November . Her husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer this year .

fe013b013f465b21de9a437cdb0047a5bfae7a9e

The story of their romance is something like a fairytale – boy meets girl, they fall in love and live happily ever after. But forget the glass slippers and the midnight curfew, Steve, 34, and Kristy Davey, 34, met when they celebrated at Schoolies in 1998 and are now happily married with three kids - Joel, four, Joshua, three and Luke, 18 months. The Schoolies sweethearts came from different towns – Kristy from Lismore, northeastern New South Wales and Steve from Narrabeen in northern Sydney – and both stayed in neighbouring apartments at the Surfers Del Ray Hotel. Scroll down for video . Flashback: Steve and Kristy Davey met when they both celebrated at Schoolies at Surfers Paradise in 1998 . ‘When I first spotted Kristy arriving at the hotel, I thought “this could be a fun week”,’ Mr Davey told Daily Mail Australia. ‘All our friends got on really well and we had such a great time together.’ Mrs Davey told Daily Mail Australia: 'It sounds corny but could I say it was love at first sight?' 'I was taken back by his smile when I first saw him on the balcony - I still tell him now and I see that in my youngest son Luke.' The couple tied the knot in 2009 and decided to move to Brisbane to start their family . The couple tied the knot in 2009 near Sydney Harbour Bridge and later moved to Brisbane to start their family . But the week-long festivities didn’t end there. The pair continued their relationship for the next 12 months. ‘We exchanged numbers and decided to give the long distance a shot,’ Mr Davey said. ‘I went to Lismore and hung out with her family and friends and she would come see me in Sydney – I thought she had a really fun personality and a great sense of humour. ‘I also remember when my family organised a trip to the UK and my brother even insisted on paying for my flight but I told them that I was due to see my girlfriend. ‘One time we were sitting on the beach at Narrabeen and Kristy started crying because she knew she had to go back home. But I said: “Don’t worry, you should come and live with me”. Kristy moved to Sydney and lived with Steve and his parents for three years while she studied a degree in registered nursing. 'Steve's parents were gracious enough for me to come and stay - providing I had a part time job,’ Mrs Davey said. ‘We moved out once I finished my degree and had full time work while Steve continued to study and complete his combined law and science degree and worked part time.' In October this year, the family moved to the Gold Coast - where their fairytale story began . The pair both stayed in neighbouring apartments at the Surfers Del Ray Hotel when their romance began . The pair lived in Sydney for 10 years before they tied the knot in February 2009 and had their first son Joel in February 2010. ‘We had a big wedding and we could overlook the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We relocated to Brisbane in mid-2010 and remained there for four years and had another two beautiful boys – Joshua and Luke,’ Mr Davey said. ‘We decided to move there because it would be a cheaper lifestyle and we couldn’t afford to buy a house in Sydney – also Kristy’s family lives in Lismore so it was closer to them and they could see the kids.' But the family moved to the Gold Coast in October this year, which brought back the 'very fond memories' of their Schoolies experience. ‘We moved again to our favourite place and the place we met and now call home,’ Mrs Davey said. ‘On December 12th this year we will be celebrating 16 years together and I couldn't think of a better place to be than back living where it all began. Steve and Kristy Davey have three beautiful sons - Joel, four, Joshua, three and Luke, 18 months . Meet the couple who met at Schoolies 16 years ago and are now married with three kids . Despite Schoolies grabbing national headlines this year, the couple said they will not let their children miss the experience they once shared. 'We got to see them [school leavers] down here yahooing off the balcony and having a great time - I'm not going to take that experience away from my kids,' Mr Davey said. 'I had one of the best weeks of my life and they deserve to take over the town - I think the parties now are pretty much the same when we were there. Except we didn't have the digital cameras to document anyone passing out in the gutter and you could get away with it. 'Who knows? They could meet their soul mates there and an advice to Schoolies - Don't break all the girls' hearts because you'll just break your own heart in the process - it's corny but it's true. Mrs Davey added: 'We couldn't say no but I am nervous about sending the boys there when they finish high school. We were given the opportunity to go to Schoolies so we can't wrap them in cotton wool and stop them from going, could I?'

Steve and Kristy Davey met at Schoolies in 1998 . The pair continued their relationship for a year before Kristy moved in . They got married in Sydney in 2009 and then moved to Brisbane in 2010 . They have three beautiful sons - Joel, 4, Joshua, 3, and Luke, 18 months . The family recently moved to the Gold Coast - where it all started . The Schoolies sweethearts will celebrate their 16th anniversary next Friday .

206bf411bfff64b1d72c0c29e9be8e5675732659

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has been given the go-ahead to start an overhaul of his squad next month. Five months into the new season, Pochettino remains unconvinced by a number of the players he inherited when he arrived from Southampton in the summer. Jay Rodriguez starred for Southampton under Mauricio Pochettino but hasn't played this season due to injury . Hector Moreno (left, challenging Cristiano Ronaldo) worked under Pochettino at Espanyol . Sportsmail understands the club are preparing for one of the busiest January transfer windows in their history with Pochettino and chairman Daniel Levy determined to take serious steps to revamp the squad next month. Spurs’ run of three wins in a row came to an end on Wednesday in a 3-0 defeat at Chelsea. Despite the result, Spurs are showing signs they are starting to come round to Pochettino’s high-pressing tactics — even though, Sportsmail understands, certain players have privately questioned his decision to axe Roberto Soldado for the Stamford Bridge encounter given that the striker’s re-introduction to the starting XI had coincided with three victories. Pochettino and his backroom team have been busy using their contacts in Spain to identify potential targets in January. Aaron Lennon and Emmanuel Adebayor (right) could be sold in the January transfer window . Paulinho, in action against Chelsea on Wednesday night, has fallen out of favour under Pochettino . Jan Vertonghen could also be sold in January as Pochettino considers a clearout of his Tottenham squad . Espanyol defender Hector Moreno, who the Argentine manager worked with before, is a player firmly on Pochettino’s radar even though he is recovering from a broken leg. Barcelona youngsters Sergi Samper and Adama Traore are also being watched. Tottenham will also bid to sign Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez. However, there will be players on their way out too with the club willing to listen to offers for Paulinho, Vlad Chiriches, Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend next month. The futures of Mousa Dembele, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jan Vertonghen also remain uncertain. VIDEO Pochettino rues early missed chances .

Pochettino set for one of the busiest transfer windows in club's history . The Tottenham boss is unconvinced by a number of players he inherited . Moreno, Rodriguez, Sergi Samper and Adama Traore are being monitored . Paulinho, Vlad Chiriches, Aaron Lennon, Andros Townsend, Emmanuel Adebayor, Mousa Dembele and Vertonghen could leave in revamp .

c68edcfb38d01eca2a47c20a06a6ba796b80322d

A Republican congressman has sparked outrage by claiming Eric Garner would not have died after an NYPD cop put him in a chokehold if he hadn't been in poor health. Peter King said on Wednesday that Mr Garner's asthma, heart condition and obesity were the reasons he died on Staten Island on July 17. The New York representative's inflammatory remarks came as New York City erupted in protests on Wednesday after a grand jury decision not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo, 29, who grabbed Mr Garner and put him in a chokehold. Scroll down for video . Peter King said on Wednesday that Mr Garner's asthma, heart condition and 350lb weight contributed to his death on Staten Island on July 17 . The Republican congressman made his remarks during an interview with Wolf Blitzer (left) on CNN on Wednesday following the news that there would be no indictment of police officers in the death of Eric Garner . King told CNN on Wednesday: 'If he [Garner] had not had asthma, and a heart condition and was so obese, almost definitely he would not have died from this.' The politician said the cops had 'no reason' to know that Mr Garner, 43, was in danger - despite the fact the father-of-six can be heard repeatedly saying he can't breathe on the videotaped attack. King added: 'The fact is if you can't breathe, you can't talk. If you've ever seen anyone resisting arrest, I've seen it, and it's been white guys, and they're always saying, ''You're breaking my arm, you're choking me, you're doing this'' -  police hear this all the time.' The politician also told CNN that the attack was not racially-motivated and a 350lb white guy 'would have been treated the same'. King tweeted his support for the grand jury decision over the death for Mr Garner on Wednesday and offered condolences to the late father-of-six . Throughout his physical distress Eric Garner was kept in handcuffs seen in this screen grab (left) from cellphone video shot at the scene on July 17 . The representative also tweeted his support for the decision on Wednesday, posting: 'Thanks to SI grand jury for doing justice & not yielding to outside pressure. Decision must be respected. Compassion for the Garner family.' Responses to Mr King's remarks showed the depth of public anger over the grand jury decision. @pridgen responded: 'If you only had a brain Peter King. You are a disgrace to your public office.' Congressman King said Mr Garner would not have died if it wasn't for his size and health concerns . Tucker Scott Atkins posted in response: 'You're a complete joke.' sharonM tweeted: '@RepPeteKing Seriously? Not even a Misdemeanor Charge of Strangulation? What a travesty.' However commenters on a popular police blog joined King on Thursday by supporting the grand jury decision and attacked outraged protesters, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, President Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder and the media. One post from VON1, on the Policeone website, read: 'Have you heard the mayor of NY press release. Wow! 35,000 cops just got b****slapped.' Esu5 wrote: 'Every now and then we win one. Horrible situation, man lost his life, but like in the Ferguson case he controlled his own destiny.' office1149 posted: 'If you can shout ''I can't breath'' [sic] you can probably breath [sic]!' The New York City ruled Mr Garner's death a homicide in August because of the compression to his neck and chest and the way he was held on the ground. The examiner also said that Mr Garner's health problems contributed to his death. The grand jury decision on Eric Garner's death came nine days after the Ferguson grand jury declined to indict Officer Darren Wilson over the fatal shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. The decision by the New York grand jury panel on Wednesday means that a majority of them did not think there was probable cause a crime was committed by Pantaleo, who was the only NYPD officer facing indictment. Two other officers at the scene were offered immunity if they testified before the grand jury. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio canceled his first scheduled appearance as mayor at the Rockefeller Center tree lighting on Wednesday and addressed the city instead. His office issued a statement calling Garner's death a 'tragedy' and a 'deeply emotional day – for the Garner Family, and all New Yorkers'. Fearing a repeat of the riots witnessed in Ferguson, de Blasio repeated the city's commitment to non-violent protests. 'Today's outcome is one that many in our city did not want. Yet New York City owns a proud and powerful tradition of expressing ourselves through non-violent protest,' the mayor said. Cellphone footage from Garner's arrest, for allegedly selling untaxed, loose cigarettes, showed Pantaleo grappling with the larger man, ultimately placing his arms around his neck in a banned chokehold manoeuvre. On the ground, Garner was clearly heard pleading, 'I can't breathe, I can't breathe' as officers handcuffed him. He lost consciousness at the scene and was pronounced dead later that day at hospital. A group of protesters rallying against a grand jury's decision not to indict the police officer involved in the death of Eric Garner occupies the eastbound traffic lanes of the Brooklyn Bridge in the early morning hours of Thursday .

Rep. Peter King said Mr Garner's asthma, heart condition and 350lb weight were why he died on Staten Island on July 17 . Grand jury decided not to indict the officer, 29-year-old Daniel Pantaleo, who put Mr Garner in a chokehold . King said cops had 'no reason' to know Mr Garner was in danger - despite the father-of-six repeatedly saying he can't breathe on videotaped attack .

7f6b1170f372c8fb9be8af1e1ea6516a1952cb1d

Up to 40 per cent of road deaths around the world are thought to be caused by alcohol. But one day, cars could detect whether a driver’s voice sounds drunk, to stop them from driving and prevent accidents. Researchers in Germany have created the first library of drunk speech patterns, which could be used to predict drunkenness by listening for vocal cues. Scroll down for video . Researchers in Germany have created the first library of drunk speech patterns, which could be used to predict drunkenness in cars (Illustrated with a stock image) Called the Alcohol Language Corpus, the database was made between 2007 and 2009 by giving people too much alcohol to drink, before recording conversations conducted in a stopped car, where the drunk person was sitting in the passenger seat. There are currently conversations from 162 German men and women in the publicly-available audio database. Experts at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and the Institute of Legal Medicine in the city collected the data, FastCompany reported. From this, an algorithm that is capable of detecting whether someone is drunk by listening in on slurring speech patterns, has been created by computer scientists at Queens College and Columbia University. Scientists have used the library to create an algorithm that can predict if a driver is drunk. The hope is that it could be built into cars to stop people putting their key in the ignition and driving off. The technology would act as a preventative measure, unlike breathalysers (pictured) that are used by the police to prove an offence . Just three hours behind the wheel at night can make motorists drive as badly as if they were drunk, scientists claim. Driver tiredness after a few hours has the same effect as being over the drink-driving limit, a 2011 study revealed. Even two hours of motorway driving in the dark can affect performance so severely it is the same as having a couple of drinks. It's estimated that one-fifth of all traffic accidents are due to sleepiness behind the wheel and one in three people admit to nodding off while driving at night. They found that they could detect drunken speech patterns much like identifying an accent. Drunken speech hallmarks include stammering and stuttering. Voices also tend to rise in pitch and words begin to slur, they said. It is hoped that the software could be used alongside devices such as locks and immobilisers to make it impossible for people to drive when drunk – perhaps by asking them a few questions while analysing the driver’s voice. ‘The cars themselves could listen to the driver, detect that the potential driver is intoxicated, and prevent the car from starting,’ the researchers explained. However, the safety system may be a few years away, because the algorithm to detect drunkenness is typically only right around three quarters of the time. ‘That means, you want to go and drive your car, one in three times we're going to say you're drunk. That's bad for a product,’ Professor Andrew Rosenberg, of Queens College New York (CUNY) said. The next step is to add more languages to the library so that more experts can use the public library for their own research.

German researchers have created the first library of drunk speech patterns . Alcohol Language Corpus is based on 162 drunk conversations . It's been used by scientists to make an algorithm to detect slurred speech . Software could one day be fitted in cars to stop people drink driving .

5c10c03aca6e7c310474d047b3734c673de0f2e6

Around 12,800 years ago Earth was plunged into a ‘Big Freeze’, resulting in the extinction of many species. What caused this event, however, is not known. One theory is that Earth was struck by a comet or asteroid at the time and now new research supporting the theory has been released. By studying nanodiamonds scattered across Europe, North America and South America, the researchers say the impact theory is right. A study by the University of Chicago says a cosmic impact (illustrated) is the best explanation for the 'Big Freeze' 12,800 years ago. They say evidence for this comes from nanodiamonds scattered across 11 countries that could only have come from space . In the University of Chicago study, scientists claim the Younger Dryas (YD) period - the name given to the cooling episode about 12,800 years ago - was the result of a cosmic impact. This drastic climate change coincided with the extinction of Pleistocene megafauna, such as the saber-tooth cats and the mastodon, and resulted in major declines in prehistoric human populations, including the end of the prehistoric Paleo-Indian Clovis culture. The result of the impact, they say, was a YD Boundary (YDB) layer of nanodiamonds scattered over 19 million square miles (50 million square km). Nanodiamonds are types of diamond that result from detonations or explosions. The Younger Dryas period is also known as the Big Freeze. It was a period of cold climatic conditions and drought that took place between 12,800 and 11,500 years ago. Scientists believe this change in climate was caused by a meteor impact, but another theory is that it was because of the collapse of the North American ice sheets. During the period, forests in Scandinavia were replaced with a glacial tundra. There was more dust in the atmosphere that originated from deserts in Asia. The drier conditions caused drought in the Levant, known as the region of Syria or the Eastern Mediterranean, which led inhabitants to agriculture. The change in climate is especially linked to the development of cereal cultivation. ‘In [11] countries of the Northern Hemisphere, the YDB layer contains a clearly defined abundance peak in nanodiamonds, a major cosmic-impact proxy,’ Professor James Kennett and his colleagues wrote. Microscopic nanodiamonds, melt-glass, carbon spherules, and other high-temperature materials are found in abundance throughout the YDB field, in a thin layer located only metres from the Earth's surface. Because these materials formed at temperatures in excess of 2,200°C (4,000°F), the fact they are present together so near to the surface suggests they were likely created by a major extraterrestrial impact event, such as an asteroid. In addition to providing support for the cosmic impact hypothesis, the study also offers evidence to reject alternate hypotheses for the formation of the YDB nanodiamonds, such as wildfires and increased volcanic activity. With limited evidence, several rival theories have been proposed about the event that sparked this period, such as a collapse of the North American ice sheets, a major volcanic eruption, or a solar flare. According to the study the result of the impact was a YD Boundary (YDB) layer scattered over 19 million square miles (50 million square kilometres). Through the regions shown in this map material is found in a thin layer just a few metres below the surface across the globe . Based on multiple analytical procedures, the researchers determined that the majority of the materials in the YDB samples are nanodiamonds and not some other kinds of minerals. The analysis showed that the nanodiamonds consistently occur in the YDB layer over broad areas. To date, scientists know of only two layers on Earth in which nanodiamonds have been found in various locations, indicating an impact event. These are the YDB layer in this study and the well-known Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary 65 million years ago, which is marked by the mass extinction of the dinosaurs. 'The evidence we present settles the debate about the existence of abundant YDB nanodiamonds,' Kennett said. The study, ‘Nanodiamond-rich layer across three continents consistent with major cosmic impact,’ was published in the Journal of Geology. Material from the YDB layer, carbon spherules shown here, formed at temperatures in excess of 2,200°C (4,000°F). This suggests they were likely created by a major impact event. Several other theories have been suggested for this Younger Dryas period nearly 13,000 years ago, including wildfires and a solar flare .

A study by the University of Chicago says a cosmic impact is the best explanation for the 'Big Freeze' 12,800 years ago . They say evidence for this comes from nanodiamonds scattered across 11 countries that could only have come from space . The material is found in a thin layer just a few metres below the surface . And they also formed at temperatures in excess of 2,200°C (4,000°F) This suggests they were likely created by a major impact event . Several other theories have been suggested for this Younger Dryas period nearly 13,000 years ago, including wildfires and a solar flare . But this latest evidence suggests a cosmic impact is the best theory .

cedb6756430199e1f8d2338fa85995e0eb39e72c

Jimmy Bullard has still managed to get himself on the TV despite his eviction from I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here 2014 - by gatecrashing Good Morning Britain dressed in budgie smugglers! The 36-year-old former Wigan Athletic, Fulham and Hull City midfielder was voted off the show on Monday after appearing to bully one of the other contestants. Yet when ITV were reporting from the hotel which the evicted celebrities stay in on Wednesday morning, Carl Fogarty's wife Michaela was shocked when Bullard arrived by traipsing through the pool in just swimming trunks. Jimmy Bullard (back left) gatecrashed Good Morning Britain by turning up in budgie smugglers! Carl Fogarty's wife Michaela was stunned as Bullard appeared out of the pool in the background . He then walked up to the camera as the Michaela Fogarty laughed at the hotel in Queensland, Australia . Fogarty continued to laugh at Bullard trudged off into the distance and she held her hands to her face . Presenters Susanna Reid (left) and Ben Shephard can't help but laugh in the ITV studio in London . He then trudged off into the distance at the hotel in Queensland, Australia, as Michaela Fogarty tried to control her emotions after she burst out laughing. Presenters Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard also burst out laughing in the studio back in London. The former Fulham and Hull City midfielder was voted off the show on Monday after appearing to bully one of the other contestants. But the 36-year-old revealed the incidents had been taken out of context by the programme's editors, leading to a campaign to reinstate Bullard. Jimmy Bullard poses with comedian Matt Richardson at the Palazzo Versace hotel in Australia . The former footballer looks shocked as he leaves the reality show after being voted off by viewers . Bullard admitted he was touched by the sentiment, but had no desire to return to the jungle. He tweeted: 'Back at the Versace with @MattRichardson3 love the bring back jimmy campaign but don't you dare #dontbringjimmyback.' The much-loved midfielder, who was known for his comic antics both on and off the pitch during his football career, was well-liked by his fellow contestants who were evidently sad at his elimination from the show. Bullard holds a glass of champagne aloft while fireworks go off around him on the bridge . Bullard was extremely popular with the show's other contestants but viewers voted him off anyway . Hull City broke their transfer record when they paid Fulham £5million for Bullard back in 2009 . Bullard's final club was MK Dons, he was forced to retire early due to numerous injuries in his later career .

Jimmy Bullard was voted off I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! A campaign started to bring the former Hull City man back to the show . But Bullard has insisted that he does not wish to return . Bullard gatecrashed Good Morning Britain on Wednesday morning . He appeared in budgie smugglers when Michaela Fogarety was reporting from hotel which celebrities stay in after eviction in Queensland, Australia . Adrian Durham: Bullard's talent was wasted in the jungle .

5d402c33dd9ba7d7a908489cfc45127da34e1815

Alexis Sanchez secured a vital victory for Arsenal on Wednesday night after netting against Southampton with only two minutes remaining at the Emirates Stadium. The Chile international, who joined the Gunners for £30million from Barcelona in the summer, has now scored nine times in the Premier League this season. And late goals have become somewhat of a recurring theme at Arsenal this season with Arsene Wenger's side making a habit of fighting to the death. Alexis Sanchez celebrates his late strike against Southampton at the Emirates on Wednesday night . Sanchez is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring their seventh goal after 85 minutes this season . Indeed the Gunners have now scored seven times in the final five minutes of their 14 Premier League matches - which is more than any other side. It has seen the Gunners salvage six points. Aaron Ramsey secured a injury-time winner in their opening-day victory against Crystal Palace before Olivier Giroud headed home a late header in their following match against Everton to salvage a draw. Danny Welbeck then spared Arsenal's blushes with a 90th-minute leveller against Hull in October. Aaron Ramsey celebrates his late, late strike against Crystal Palace on the opening day of the season . Danny Welbeck salvages a draw for the Gunners with his late leveller against Hull at the Emirates Stadium . Manchester City have managed five goals with as many minutes to spare this season. Manchester United, Liverpool, Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham are next up with three strikes in the closing stages. Like Arsenal, Tottenham have also saved six points in the final minutes. Without those late strikes, Mauricio Pochettino's side would be in the bottom seven. In contrast only Aston Villa and Stoke have failed to score a goal after 85 minutes of a Premier League match this season. Tottenham have also salvaged six points with goals scored after 85 minutes in the league this season . Christian Eriksen is mobbed after scoring Tottenham's winning goal against Hull last month . VIDEO Wenger pleased with return to defensive solidity .

Arsenal have salvaged six points with late goals in the Premier League . Manchester City have scored five times after 85 minutes this season . Only Aston Villa and Stoke City haven't scored in the last five minutes .

6a943c4c7d7ba7164d9865addaec42e3774bd905

When the privacy storm erupted around Facebook and other sites, one thing became readily apparent: most users were simply not aware of what they had signed up for. So, in a move to allay complaints, Facebook has created a new section that makes it easier for the average user to understand the site's terms and conditions. Called Privacy Basics, the social network now breaks down all aspects of the site's terms of use for users in simple infographics - and also shows people how to change their privacy settings. Scroll down for video . California-based Facebook has unveiled simplified privacy information on their site (screenshot shown), which uses infographics to explain how data is used by the social network. It also has step by step instructions for users to alter their settings . The site details what other Facebook users see about you when they use the site, as well as how they interact with you. It also includes guides on how to change various settings, and control how you share content on Facebook, including how to change privacy settings. The move has been welcomed by privacy campaigners, but they warn this should be the first step of many taken to improve the transparency of social networks. - Location data for posts and photos that are shared on the site. - The type of content you look at on Facebook, as well as the frequency and duration spent looking at it. - Information and content about you from other users; including when they share a photo with you or send you a message. - The location of the device, and the type of device you connect to Facebook from. Emma Carr, director of privacy rights group Big Brother Watch said: 'It is certainly positive that steps are being taken to simplify privacy settings and to help educate users to have more control over their privacy. 'However, there is always more that could and should be done. 'With many internet companies' privacy policies and terms and conditions being longer than Shakespearean plays and requiring multiple law degrees to understand, users are undoubtedly still in the dark about how their information is accessed and manipulated. 'Until companies stop bamboozling their users with complicated and lengthy jargon, they simply cannot claim to be transparent or take the privacy of their users seriously.' Facebook (stock image shown) has been criticised in recent years for its privacy settings, but it is launching the site to make it simpler for people to understand the terms and conditions of the social network . The new site (screenshot shown) is designed to make it easier for people to understand what they are signing up for. But one expert warns this should be just the first step of many . Facebook appear to be trying to do just that, with the California-based firm also confirming that a new version of their terms of service will come into effect on 1 January, with notifications being sent to Facebook users alerting them to the change and encouraging them to read the new agreement - which is accepted through continued use of the site and its official apps. The new agreement has been made shorter, with parts relating to developers and advertisers both significantly cut down or moved to new pages in a move that Facebook hopes will make the agreements easier to digest. In the blog post that announced the new Privacy Basics set-up, Facebook's chief privacy officer Erin Egan said that the aim was to better educate users on how they could take control of their data. 'Privacy Basics offers interactive guides to answer the most commonly asked questions about how you can control your information on Facebook,' she said. 'For example, you can learn about untagging, unfriending, and blocking, and how to choose an audience for your posts.' With the new system in place, Facebook now also more clearly details the information about users it obtains.

California-based Facebook has unveiled simplified privacy information . A website uses infographics to explain how data is used by the site . It also has step by step instructions for users to alter their settings . The site is designed to make it easier for people to understand what they are signing up for with the site . But one expert warns this should be just the first step of many .

ea44a6b8694bb44eaf85502635cc6cd3ba647249

A Connecticut man was charged with murder after police say he stabbed his one-year-old niece in the stomach while babysitting the little girl. Authorities responded to Park Street in Bristol shortly before 7.30pm Monday and encountered a neighbor running toward them carrying a child with a deep gash to her stomach inflicted with a knife. Officers performed CPR on the girl, who was then rushed to Bristol Hospital before being airlifted to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford. Despite the doctors’ efforts, the toddler was pronounced dead a short time later. Scroll down for video . Caretaker: Arthur Hapgood, 36, has been charge with murder for allegedly stabbing to death his one-year-old niece while looking after her . First appearance: Hapgood looks on during his arraignment in Bristol Superior Court Tuesday morning . Police say the victim was one-year-old Zaniyah Calloway. An 11-year-old child also was in the home but wasn’t injured. Speaking to NBC New York, neighbors described a chaotic scene outside the house where the stabbing took place, with screams coming from the residence and people running frantically and calling for help. As officers approached the crime scene in the 200 block of Park Street, they found the suspect, 36-year-old Arthur Hapgood, standing on the porch naked. Hapgood, of Waterbury, was taken to Bristol Hospital to be treated for self-inflicted non-life-threatening injuries. Chaotic scene: Police responded Monday night to Park Street in Bristol, Connecticut, after getting a 911 call about a wounded toddler . Disturbing scene: Hapgood was found naked on the porch of this house suffering from a self-inflicted wound . The victim’s uncle was later taken to the Bristol Police Department for processing. He is being held on $1.5million bail on charges including murder, reckless endangerment and risk of injury to a child. The motive for the fatal slashing is not clear, according to investigators. According to records obtained by the station WFSB, Hapgood has had run-ins with the law in the past in connection to felony drug charges, which have landed him in prison.

Arthur Hapgood, 36, charged with murder, reckless endangerment and risk of injury to a child . One-year-old Zaniyah Calloway suffered a fatal laceration to her stomach while being in the care of her uncle in Bristol, Connecticut . Hapgood was found naked on the front porch suffering from a self-inflicted wound .

193d31bfe173050248dbe5d34a8a2af8e588d64a

Three people have been killed after a suspected Al Shabaab suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a UN convoy near Mogadishu's airport this morning. The attack also wounded seven people, a police spokesman said, although he did not say whether the dead and wounded were part of the UN convoy or were passers-by. The militant group Al Shabaab frequently carries out suicide blasts and gun attacks in the Somali capital. The group has also claimed two deadly attacks against Kenyan civilians near the Kenya-Somali border over the last two weeks. Scroll down for video . Blast: The suspected Al Shabaab attack  left three dead and wounded seven others, a police spokesman said. He did not say whether the dead and wounded were part of the UN convoy or were passers-by . Smoke: Rescue workers and firefighters run towards the site of this morning's car bomb blast in Mogadishu . Militants: Al Shabaab frequently carries out suicide blasts and gun attacks in the Somali capital . The suspected Al Shabaab-linked suicide bomber rammed his car into a UN convoy near Mogadishu's airport . Yusuf Haji, a resident in the area where this morning's suicide car bombing took place, said soldiers fired at pedestrians after the blast. Mogadishu Airport has a tight security cordon and blast-proof walls, and is used as a base for U.N. operations in Somalia. The airport area is also the home to the British and Italian embassies. Al Shabaab has promised to step up attacks after African Union and Somali troops launched an offensive this year that has driven the group from major strongholds, including its last major coastal base of Barawe in October. Yesterday Al-Shabaab rebels murdered at least 36 Kenyan quarry workers near the country's northern border with Somalia. The gunmen crossed over the border into Kenya's Mandera County and divided the Muslim and non-Muslim workers into two groups before opening fire. Kenyan police chief David Kimaiyo was later removed from his post, along with the Kenyan interior minister. Flames: Mogadishu Airport has a tight security cordon and blast-proof walls, and is used as a base for U.N. operations in Somalia. The airport area is also the home to the British and Italian embassies . Attack: Yusuf Haji, a resident in the area where this morning's suicide car bombing took place, said soldiers fired at pedestrians after the blast . Al Shabaab has also claimed two deadly attacks against Kenyan civilians over the last two weeks . Police sources said the workers were ambushed as they slept in the camp at the Korome quarry. The non-Muslim workers were singled-out and killed. Eyewitnesses claimed that 32 of the victims had been shot while the final four had been decapitated. Mandera county governor Ali Roba said: 'It is sad that we have another 36 people who were attacked and killed late last night in the same manner it happened on a bus recently. It happened at a quarry about 10 miles from Mandera town.' Some 28 people were killed in the area last month when al . Shabaab militants hijacked a Nairobi-bound bus, causing . widespread anger. Kenya has suffered a string of gun and grenade . attacks since it sent troops into Somalia to fight al Shabaab in . late 2011.

Suspected Al Shabaab suicide bomber rammed vehicle into UN convoy . Blast killed three people and left a further seven with serious injuries . Police spokesman refused to say whether those killed were UN workers . Attack comes day after Al-Shabaab murdered 36 Kenyan quarry workers .

39a96107d8d99321a339acf2740859ef0e7f3ed7

Tax shelter: Take That's Gary Barlow with his wife, Dawn . Serial tax avoiders face huge fines and could even be named and shamed. The Chancellor launched a crackdown yesterday that could raise £2.8billion a year from those who take part in schemes designed to cut their tax bills. He outlawed a number of tax ruses commonly used by the well-off and the self-employed to disguise their true earnings. And the small print in Treasury documents revealed that the Government is to review whether the names of serial tax avoiders should be published as a way of shaming them and deterring others. In the past 18 months, a number of celebrities, including comedian Jimmy Carr and Take That star Gary Barlow, have come under fire for using tax avoidance schemes. The threat to name and shame serial avoiders comes at a time when HM Revenue and Customs is being handed more powers to tackle those it believes owe the State. It already publishes a ‘most wanted’ list with the names and photographs of cheats involved in VAT and tax credit fraud. It has always been a principle of the tax system that a person’s affairs are kept private and publicly naming and shaming those who had not been convicted of a crime has been seen as a breach of this. However, experts said revealing the names of high-profile figures could help put off others from taking part in tax avoidance schemes. Ashley Hollinshead, tax partner at the accountancy firm Deloitte, said: ‘People like their tax affairs to remain private, so the threat to have your details made public if you use certain schemes is a major disincentive. ‘Some of the schemes targeted are quite mainstream, but others are more specifically about tax avoidance. ‘What this Government is saying is that if you’re doing something and they think it is deliberately to pay less tax, then they want to stop that.’ Schemes being outlawed by the Chancellor include those where business owners sell their company to another one they own as a ruse to pay less tax. He is also cracking down on hedge fund managers who hide their income from fees on some types of shares issued as a way of cutting tax, and on schemes where avoiders take loans as a way of hiding their true income. Fines are also being increased for people who do not declare avoidance schemes, and there will be a clampdown on those promoting them. Non-domiciled residents, or non-doms, will have to pay £60,000 a year if they have been in the UK for 12 of the past 14 years, and £90,000 if they have been here for 17 of the past 20 years. This new rule is to combat foreign nationals living in the UK who have found a way round existing guidelines. Earlier this year, a court ruled that Barlow, 43, fellow Take That members Howard Donald, 46, and Mark Owen, 42, and their manager Jonathan Wild had attempted to shelter £66million in a tax avoidance scheme. They could now face paying back £20million to HMRC. Barlow has apologised to those ‘offended by the tax stories’. Banks we bailed out will face £4bn bill to help the recovery . Osborne said if the regime was allowed to continue some banks would not be paying tax for 20 years . Britain's scandal-hit banks are facing a shock £4billion tax bill, forcing them to ‘pay their fair share’ for triggering the financial crisis. The Chancellor announced a tough new rules on their ability to use losses from previous years to cut tax bills on current profits. George . Osborne said if the regime was allowed to continue some banks would not be paying tax for 15 to 20 years. Describing this as ‘totally unacceptable’, he added: ‘The banks got public support in the crisis and they should now support the public in the recovery.’ As part of the single biggest revenue-raising measure in the Autumn Statement, banks will only be able to offset half their profits against past losses. Currently, they can use previous losses to wipe out their profit and avoid paying corporation tax. The Treasury forecasts that the reform will raise £3.5billion over five years and said restrictions on tax relief for losses on bad loans will raise a further £350million over the same period. Mr Osborne said the move will ensure ‘our banks pay their fair share’ and pointed out that corporation tax receipts from the banking sector has plunged from £7.3billion in 2006/7 to just £1.6billion in 2013/14. Ashley Hollinshead, tax partner at accountant Deloitte, said: ‘This will hit the banks hard as the wall of losses they stored up in the financial crisis will no longer mean the banks won’t be paying tax to fund the economic recovery.’ It is thought that bailed-out lenders Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland, in which taxpayers still have a considerable stake, will be hardest hit. They have racked up billions of pounds in losses, which they have used to cut the amount they pay to the Exchequer. Lloyds has £5billion of so-called deferred tax assets at its disposal. RBS and NatWest have a total of £2.4billion, while Barclays has £500million. The tougher rules will not apply to new banks that incur losses in their first few years, because the Government does not want to restrict challenger banks set up to take on the High Street giants. The Treasury admitted that uncertainty over the amount of tax the change will raise from the banks is ‘very high’, because it is difficult to predict how much profit they will make.

Osborne outlawed a number of tax ruses commonly used by the well-off and the self-employed to disguise their true earnings . Government is to review whether the names of serial tax avoiders should be published as a way of shaming them and deterring others . Anumber of celebrities, including comedian Jimmy Carr and Take That star Gary Barlow, have come under fire for using tax avoidance schemes .

0445c96df47886416212a51b08a19352e170d9bd

Ronald Koeman admits Southampton's injury pile-up may force him into the transfer market next month as he attempts to extend a wonderful start to the campaign. Koeman lost Jack Cork and Toby Alderweireld during the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Wednesday and does not expect key midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin to be fit for Monday's game at home to Manchester United. Saints are third in the Barclays Premier League after 14 games but have not won in three outings and the manager fears the demanding festive fixture list will take its toll on clubs like his, with smaller squads. Jack Cork (left) and Toby Alderweireld limped off for Southampton in the 1-0 defeat against Arsenal . Saints boss Ronald Koeman admits he may be forced into January transfer market as a result of injuries . Morgan Schneiderlin (left) missed the game and is also set to sit out the match with Manchester United . Koeman said: 'We like to be competitive until the end of the season. There's the Asia Cup in January for Maya Yoshida and Africa Cup of Nations for Sadio Mane. 'We have spoken already about this situation. We are looking and with these kinds of injuries, maybe with these kind of injuries you have to do something. 'With Morgan we have to wait. I don't think he will be fit for Monday but may the weekend after. Jack has hurt the same ankle as last season. With Toby we have to wait but a hamstring is always minimum two weeks and usually longer. Alderweireld (left) signals to be substituted as Arsenal Calum Chambers offers to help him up to his feet . Jack Cork (bottom centre) holds his leg after getting injured as Saints players talk to the referee . 'Dusan Tadic was also a little bit injured and tired. We play a lot. You see injuries in all teams. That's the risk in football. That's the number of games they have to play. 'Southampton don't have the number of players Arsenal have, when you look in the stand and on the bench. 'We don't have that, and that is the problem for the lower teams with this schedule in games in December.' Dusan Tadic also picked up a knock against Arsenal as the injuries continue to pile up for Southampton .

Southampton lost 1-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday night . Jack Cork and Toby Alderweireld limped off injured at the Emirates . Morgan Schneiderlin expected to miss Manchester United clash too . Saints boss Ronald Koeman admits he may be forced into transfer market . Koeman said Saints 'don't have the number of players Arsenal have'

9fbf13a84ac974d653fdc022278dc201d953c690

Seven baggage handlers are charged with swiping electronics, jewelry and other goods from checked luggage at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, authorities said Wednesday. The total value of the stolen goods is over $20,000, authorities said. The thefts occurred between March 2012 and June of this year, Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown and Port Authority Chief Security Officer Joseph P. Dunne said in a release. 28-year-old Khaleed Maynard was named as one of the defendants -- along with Sheldon Theodore, 22; Ryan Phillips, 35; Levi Miller, 47; Romero Hendricks, 30; Tihafade Esdaile, 29; and Keston Austin, 31. Thefts: Seven baggage handlers at John F. Kennedy International Airport are charged with stealing goods from passengers' checked luggage (file photo) Maynard, Theodore and Phillips were Swissport employees while Miller, Romero and Esdaile were Aircraft Services International Group employees. Austin was a GSI employee in Terminal 7. The others worked in Terminal 4. Five of the defendants allegedly reached out to an undercover police officer posing as a 'fence' and the other items ended up at a pawn shop. The passengers the defendants allegedly stole from were traveling to or from Japan, Johannesburg, London, Bangkok, Dubai and Milan and U.S. cities. 'The defendants have been caught red handed and will now face the consequences of their alleged illegal acts,' Brown said. iPads, iPhones, MacBooks, Samsung Galaxy tablets and phones, Toshiba laptops, Asus laptops, and a set of earrings were stolen, along with other electronics, he also said. Crime:  The passengers' personal belongings were reportedly snatched while they traveled to or from Japan, Johannesburg, London, Bangkok, Dubai and Milan as well as U.S. cities (file photo) Brown, citing criminal complaints, stated in the release that the handlers chose the costs for the stolen merchandise, as well as rendezvous points both on and around the airport grounds and pledged to filch more goods. Theodore, Phillips, Miller, Hendricks and Esdaile may spend as many as 4 years behind bars if they are convicted. Maynard and Austin could spend as many as 7 years behind bars. The defendants face charges of grand larceny and criminal possession, and were waiting to be arraigned, the release stated. 'The Port Authority Police will continue to aggressively investigate complaints of baggage theft and arrest those, whether Port Authority employees or outside contractors, who violate the trust given them in handling property of the traveling public,' Dunne said. 'We applaud the efforts of our law enforcement partners in the office of the Queens District Attorney for their dedication in bringing these violators to justice.'

The handlers are charged with swiping goods from checked luggage at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, authorities said . The thefts occurred between March 2012 and June 2014, officials said . Five of the defendants allegedly reached out to an undercover police officer and other items ended up at a pawn shop .

b101e3af1d7e820dd5f8f422f5802e5488b5f949

When one 16-year-old American schoolboy asked his father to stop accompanying him to the bus stop to wave him off to school, his parent was less than impressed. The boy, named Rain, had begged his mother Rochelle: 'Don't let Dad go out there again'. But his father Dale had another solution in mind - a different fancy dress costume for every day of the year. Much to Rain's horror, Dale proceeded to show up at the bus stop dressed in a variety of amusing costumes, among them a mermaid, Wonder Woman and even a bride. So dedicated was Dale to inflicting maximum embarrassment on his son, he even turned up in a toga and sitting on the toilet. Despite his son's embarrassment, as these hilarious snaps, compiled by Awkward Family Photos, reveal, he certainly seemed to enjoy the experience. Scroll down for video . Off you go son: Dale waves his son Rain off dressed as a racy version of Batman (left) and as American Werewolf (right) Creative: Dale dressed as a Roman senator (complete with a glass of wine), a Confederate soldier and as a mermaid . En garde! Dale dressed as a Kung Fu master - complete with a set of swords -  and as the Mad March Hare from Alice in Wonderland . Off you go! Dale followed up the Little Mermaid with her father King Triton (left), Obi Wan Kenobi and a goalkeeper complete with a ball . Attention to detail: Dale dressed as a bride, complete with a veil and bouquet, and as Captain Kirk from Star Trek . Blasting off: So dedicated was Dale to causing maximum embarrassment, he even waved his son off while sitting on a portable toilet . See you later! Dale dressed as an Easter chicken - complete with eggs - as Wonder Woman and as Princess Leia (right) Spellbinding! Dale dressed as a graduate, complete with a diploma, as a magician and finally, as Harry Potter (right) Terrifying: On one morning, Dale opted for a truly frightening clown outfit, while on another, he chose to dress up as a friendly leprechaun . Enjoying himself: Dale signed out with a Pirates of the Caribbean inspired ensemble and a sign telling his son's friends to enjoy their summer .

The American father, named only as Dale, waved his son off to school in a different fancy dress costume every day . His son Rain, 16, had asked his father to stop coming to the bus stop - but Dale had other ideas . Batman, Wonder Woman, a Roman Senator and even King Triton among fancy dress costumes worn . Does your father enjoy inflicting maximum embarrassment on you? Email your pictures to femail@mailonline.co.uk .

267f2a24b9b380da053de9b9fde856e21374e0e3

The widow of Eric Garner has said that prosecutors never had any intention of indicting the police officer who held her husband in the chokehold that killed him. Esaw Snipes-Garner, 46, appeared on the Today show on Thursday morning, just hours after prosecutors in Staten Island, New York announced that Daniel Pantaleo would not be charged. In an incident caught on camera in July, Pantaleo was seen placing Garner in a chokehold in the street and ignoring his cries that he could not breathe. Garner later died in hospital. On Wednesday, authorities announced that the officer would not be indicted - which Mrs Garner said came as no surprise. Scroll down for video . Anger: Esaw Snipes-Garner appeared on the Today show on Thursday and said she rejects the apology from the officer who killed her husband with a chokehold. The officer will not be indicted . Let down: Joined by Al Sharpton, she told Savannah Guthrie that she never felt any sincerity from authorities as they investigated her husband's death at the hands of the officer . 'Honestly, I think from the beginning I had no faith in Staten Island prosecuting anybody from Staten Island,' she said. 'I felt no remorse, I felt no compassion, no anything from Staten Island - besides the people on Staten Island. As far as the police and the DA - there was no sincerity in his eyes form day one.' The officer issued an apology to the family on Wednesday but Mrs Garner said she refused to accept it. 'The time to apologize or have any remorse would have been when my husband was screaming and he couldn't breathe,' she said. She also described the moment that she heard that 29-year-old Pantaleo, who is still working for the force but has been put on desk duty, would not face any charges. Cuffed: A video shows the aftermath of the chokehold where Garner lies on the floor in cuffs. He had told police 11 times that he could not breathe after they jumped on him when he was found selling untaxed cigarettes . 'No Christmas': Garner, a father of six, won't be around to play Santa for his children this year, his wife sai . 'I just dropped my phone and just started bawling and started crying because it's not fair,' she said. 'What do they not see? How could they possibly not indict? I felt hopeless. I felt like there was not another corner to turn. Like there was nothing left for me to fight for.' She appeared with the Reverend Al Sharpton on the show and said that working with him now gives her hope because she feels like they will seek justice. On CBS This Morning on Thursday, she added: 'We need justice. Somebody needs to pay. I'm just trying to, you know, make sure his death is not in vain.' Her appearance on the show came after an angry outburst during a press conference on Wednesday night, in which she lashed out at the officer. 'He’s still working, he’s still collecting a paycheck, feeding his kids,' Garner said of Pantaleo. 'My husband is now six feet under and I'm looking for a way to feed my kids.' At the press conference, Sharpton called for peaceful protests. For more videos, please go to Vine . Lashing out: She also appeared at a press conference on Wednesday and said she does not accept officer Daniel Pantaleo's apology for killing her husband with a chokehold over the summer . Outrage: Garner's mother Gwen Carr expressed her shock over the decision, saying: 'I don’t know what video they were looking at. It wasn't the same one the rest of the world was looking at' Speaking out: Following the decision, protests were held across the city throughout the night . Mrs Garnder added: 'This fight ain't over, it's just begun. He should be here celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with his children... He’s not here because a cop did wrong. 'As long as I have a breath in my body, I will fight.' Pantaleo had been stripped of his gun and badge and will remain on desk duty pending an internal police investigation that could result in administrative charges. In his statement on Wednesday, he said: 'It is never my intention to harm anyone and I feel very bad about the death of Mr. Garner...I hope that they will accept my personal condolences for their loss.' See below for video . Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy .

Esaw Garner appeared on Today on Thursday, hours after Staten Island prosecutor said the cop who killed her husband would not be indicted . She said she never saw any sincerity from authorities and so never expected them to bring charges against Daniel Pantaleo, 29 . Pantaleo was reportedly 'distraught' just after Garner's death and extended his condolences to Garner's family following the jury's decision . Mrs Garner has refused to accept his apology .

a3ccb643770a0a316d46acc0750689b11614c4ab

Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez are inspiring awe with freakish regularity. For the Argentine, it is rocket shots from all angles. For the Chilean, it is his uncanny knack of scoring at just the right time. On Wednesday night, each delivered again. Aguero took his Premier League tally to 14 goals with a double of sheer beauty at Sunderland; Sanchez reached nine with a late finish to claim victory over stubborn Southampton. Both have South American flair in spades, but it is each player’s steely resolve to win games for their team which is most impressive. Both Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez (right) have been key for their teams this season . Aguero has scored 45 per cent of Manchester City’s goals in the Premier League this season. Sanchez’s strikes account for 41 per cent of Arsenal’s total. Each forward has directly won nine points through their contributions so far (goals and assists) – and are single-handedly raising their clubs up the division, as these tables show. City slump six places to eighth with Aguero out of the equation. Erase him from Manuel Pellegrini’s selections and there would be no four-goal demolition of Tottenham translating a defeat to victory, no winner against Manchester United, no rescue mission at Queens Park Rangers. Arsenal plummet even further minus Sanchez – eight places to 14th. As much as his tenacity and technique are a joy to behold, his empirical importance is what Arsene Wenger will value. He has salvaged draws from defeats against Leicester, Manchester City, and Hull – won the game at Sunderland and set his side on the path to late victory over Burnley. Sergio Aguero scored twice for Manchester City against Sunderland on Wednesday night . Aguero’s qualities are well-established – it is more than two years since Aguerooooo won the title for City – but his level right now, at 26, is approaching the heights climbed only by the best this country has seen. For impact and ingenuity, he is matching the likes of Luis Suarez, Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo. Sanchez has taken to English football with an ease that is not necessarily guaranteed by a large transfer cheque. Aged 25, he is still on an upward curve, making his £30million fee last summer appear ever more a bargain as each defining goal hits the back of the net. Even after only 14 Premier League games, it is clear the final finishing positions of City and Arsenal will be determined by the form and fitness of two men measuring 5ft 8in and 5ft 7in. Size doesn’t matter, goals do. Sanchez scores Arsenal's winner against Southampton at the end to secure all three points . Sanchez celebrates as he netted his ninth goal of the season . Diego Costa has scored 11 goals for Chelsea since joining from Atletico Madrid in the summer . P.S. Diego Costa, on 11 goals, separates Aguero and Sanchez in second at the top of the scoring charts. He has stormed into this league but is not as individually important as the other two. Without his goals and assists Chelsea would still be first, such is their supremacy and spread of contributors. Five points fewer, but still No 1.

Sergio Aguero has scored 14 goals for Manchester City this season . Alexis Sanchez and Aguero have won nine points for their sides this year . Chelsea do not depend on Diego Costa - despite his 11 goals this season .

31d30ba4a6cf100696a2de7db376786fe362446b

When looking for the perfect hotel, its Wi-Fi service is the most important factor, according to new research. A survey on important factors when searching for accommodation revealed that 67 per cent of travellers are most concerned with Wi-Fi, above any other factor. The internet connection ranked higher than the hotel's location, a good night's sleep and friendly staff. A new study found that fast, free Wi-Fi to be most important factor when booking a hotel stay . According to the study, carried out by London's Amba Hotel, 67 per cent of those questioned said that free Wi-Fi would make them more likely to choose accommodation, beating 65 per cent, who would judge a hotel on location. When rating a hotel that they'd already stayed in, 60 per cent of travellers believed unlimited Wi-Fi was the important factor. Just 58 per cent cared most about a good night's sleep and only 40 per cent was bothered about hotel staff that were friendly and knowledgeable. The new four-star Amba Hotel Charing Cross is now open - and offering unlimited Wi-Fi to all guests . 1. Free WiFi - 67% . 2. Location - 65% . 3. Fast WiFi with unlimited downloads - 34% . 4. Close to travel hubs - 34% . 5. Good bars/restaurants in hotel - 26% . 1. Checking social media - 58% . 2. Checking directions - 54% . 3. Sending/receiving work emails - 49% . 4. Local travel tips - 43% . 5. Skype calls - 31% . More than 1,000 UK travellers were questioned in what they look for in a hotel, as well as those little irritants that ruin their relaxing trip or business stay. More than a quarter of travellers have complained about slow or hard to use WiFi and a whopping 84 per cent of us have suffered as a result of slow WiFi. Thirty three per cent were not able to send or receive important work emails, while 27 per cent hadn't been able to contact home and eight per cent of respondents have even lost a client or business opportunity after being let down by slow internet access. Interestingly, those from from Brighton, Belfast and Southampton were considerably more likely to have complained about slow Wi-Fi, while people from Glasgow, Nottingham and Norwich were the most laid back about staying connected. Forget about friendly hotel service! Only 40 per cent of respondents were concerned with knowledgeable staff . Business travellers are especially annoyed if Wi-Fi lets them down - 8% have lost a client due to slow internet . And it’s no surprise that people rate Wi-Fi so highly and get so annoyed when it lets them down; we rely on it heavily when travelling - especially when it comes to checking social media, scouting out travel tips, and even accessing dating sites. Belinda Atkins, CEO of the new Amba Hotels said; 'Fast, free, unlimited Wi-Fi is as important to our guests as any other facilities provided by the hotel – it’s actually as important as a good night’s sleep. 'Our Wi-Fi has no caveats, no loyalty schemes no limit on up or down loading. 'It’s is the fastest, free, unlimited W-iFi of any Meeting & Events hotel.'

67% of travellers are most concerned with free Wi-Fi when booking hotels . In comparison, 65% ranked location as their top consideration . Far less important if property is near travel hubs or has good bars .

335ea0ff78530be6b77a5c4ead3dfd0bf997b6d1

She's the creative mind behind the elegant and original handmade garments worn by the likes of Angelina Jolie and Beyoncé. But the story of Ralph & Russo's co-founder and creative director, Tamara Ralph, begins in Sydney's beach town of Cronulla, where she grew up sketching and sewing clothes for her friends and family. The 31-year-old told Daily Mail Australia that her childhood memories consist of sitting in the small sewing room alongside her mother and grandmother, surrounded by archives of sewing patterns, watching them at work. Scroll down for video . Tamara Ralph, from Cronulla in Sydney, and Michael Russo, from Carseldine in Queensland, started their brand in a small office with one furnishing, one mannequin and one computer. Now the duo's international business is designing the clothes of A-list stars like Beyoncé and Angelina Jolie . 'A lot of my family were in the fashion industry; my mother worked as a stylist and is now an interior designer, my grandmother and great grandmother were both couturiers, so it was always something I had an interest in from a young age,' Ms Ralph said. 'I used to watch them create beautiful dresses in our sewing room and when I got older, at about 10, they started teaching me draping and hand sewing and I was so interested in it that I would spend all my time sewing and sketching – I was just obsessed with creating. 'When I was really young, even two or three, my mother says I would refuse to sketch anything but dresses. If I got asked to draw a house at school, I said "no, I'm drawing a dress". 'It started as a passion, and when I was very young I would just start making dresses for myself and obviously when my girlfriends saw what I was wearing they'd want one as well.' Ralph's interest in fashion grew at her Cronulla home, where she would watch her mother and grandmother for hours in their sewing room. By 10-years-old, she was learning how to hand sew on her own and would eventually make clothes for her self and her friends . Now, she and her fiancé Michael Russo are the brains behind the hundred-million dollar exclusive brand Ralph & Russo, whose fashion expertise is in such high-demand that they've joined the ranks of Chanel, Christian Dior and Valentino and have been invited to the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris – something no Australian has ever achieved before; the highest accolade in in Haute Couture. Their recently launched accessories range – made-up of sheik handmade bags and shoes – has already sold out. But their unique business was born from just a chance encounter. After studying at the White House Institute of design in Sydney, Ralph set out to London for a holiday, where she hoped to make a break in the world of fashion. Instead, she ran into Russo, a banker from Carseldine in Queensland, who was sent to London for work. This year, Ralph & Russo were the master minds behind the smooth white silk and crepe tailored pencil dress that Angelina Jolie donned at the premiere of Unbroken (right) as well as Beyoncé shimmering costumes during her Mrs Carter World Tour . Jolie's dove grey couture suit, that she dressed in when presented with her Damehood by the Queen, was also a Ralph & Russo design . 'Within four hours of arriving in the country, Michael and I accidentally ran into each other and started talking for some reason and we just kept talking for an hour and a half – it was a fate encounter,' Ralph said. With both of them looking for something different, they noticed a gap in the London market for Haute Couture and decided to take a leap of faith and combine their skills, while taking advantage of the international clientele constantly coming through London. 'We started in a very humble office – one furnishing, one mannequin, one computer – and grew to offices, and then floors, and then buildings,' Russo told Daily Mail Australia. Fast forward ten years later and the couple are expanding rapidly internationally – with boutiques and show rooms opening in Paris, New York and Hong Kong. Not to mention the constant travelling they do, to meet personally with their international clients in their very homes. Their company is in such high demand high-demand that they've joined the ranks of Chanel, Christian Dior and Valentino and have been invited to the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris – something no Australian has ever achieved before; the highest accolade in in Haute Couture . The duo said that they began as a word-of-mouth business, 'we'd do one dress at an event and the next day we'd have five ladies calling and asking for something – it just spiralled'. But this year, they were the master minds behind the smooth white silk and crepe tailored pencil dress that Angelina Jolie donned at the premiere of Unbroken, as well as the dove grey couture suit she dressed in when she was presented with her Damehood from the Queen. Beyoncé is another known fan of the couple's creative designs, who Ralph & Russo said they worked with right from the begging of their business. The American singer chose their shimmering costumes for her Mrs Carter World Tour, including the iconic white crystal and pearl bodysuit, worn at her opening performance. Their unique business was born from a chance encounter. Ralph literally stumbled into Russo during a holiday in London 10 years ago, and the pair struck up a conversation . 'It's a lot of fun,' Ralph said of working with Beyoncé, refusing to give too much away. 'We prefer to work closely with a small selection of people so that we can work together and collaborate and create the perfect garment. They get really involved and there's a lot of collaboration.' Russo added, of Beyoncé and Jolie: 'They're just really lovely to work with. It's all about the event and finding what's perfect for that event and how they want to be perceived so that we can design something for them especially. Ralph only shared minimal details about one of the couple's most anticipated fashion events – their wedding - admitting that she would design four dresses and choose what she'd wear on the day, to surprise her fiancée . 'We have private collections for a lot of our clients so that's why we prefer to keep it very exclusive and personal.' The couple are very serious about their privacy. Alongside their refusal to comment on rumours that they're in talks with royal Kate Middleton, Ralph only shared minimal details about one of the couple's most anticipated fashion events – their wedding. 'It's something that's still in the works – it's a big secret,' Ralph said of her wedding dress. 'There will be a number of designs - I thought I should design about four and then I can choose what I'm going to wear on the day, so that he [Michael] doesn't know which one it will be.'

Australians Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo, launched their London based fashion brand after a chance encounter . Ralph's interest in fashion stemmed from her mother and grandmother, who taught her how to sew at the age of 10 . She and her fiancée noticed a gap in London's Haute Couture market and took a leap of faith, combining their skills in banking and design . Now they create clothes for A-Listers such as Beyoncé and Angelina Jolie . Duo are first Australians invited by exclusive Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to show in Paris .

2e3fe51e54e483ed5001b4538d13134cfd32b061

Calum Chambers first came to Arsene Wenger's attention in Arsenal's 2-2 draw at Southampton in January. Chambers moved to the Emirates Stadium for £12million in the summer and has been a virtual ever-present for the Gunners, playing at right back and deputising at centre half. 'I was impressed by his understanding of the game and his interception qualities,' said Wenger of the 19-year-old defender who played 90 minutes against his former club in Arsenal's 1-0 win against Southampton on Wednesday night. Calum Chambers in action against Southampton during Arsenal's 1-0 victory at the Emirates on Wednesday . The Arsenal defender has been a virtual ever-present for the Gunners this season . 'The first time I watched him was in our 2-2 draw against Southampton when we played them away last season. 'I liked the fact that he was early on the ball. His reading of the game and his transition to quickly go forward also stood out, and his touch was good as well. 'I checked his birth date after the game and was very interested.' Sanchez drilled home Aaron Ramsey's pass as Arsenal stole a late winner at the Emirates after Southampton had been reduced to 10 men due to Toby Alderweireld limping off with a hamstring injury six minutes from time. Alexis Sanchez struck in the 89th minute at the Emirates as Arsenal stole a late victory over Southampton . Sanchez celebrates his late strike against Southampton as Arsenal sealed an invaluable victory . VIDEO Wenger pleased with return to defensive solidity . It was the Gunners' third game in eight days and Wenger was impressed with Sanchez's unwillingness to settle for a point. 'Alexis is one of the players who had to dig deep, but he still had such desire to fight. He always finds something special to get a goal'. said Wenger. 'It's difficult to find examples of someone who has settled at a club so quickly. He arrived in July and now it's December. 'When you look at the number of goals he has and the impact he has on the team, it's fabulous.'

Chambers moved to the Emirates from Southampton in the summer . He has been an ever-present for the first team since his £12million switch . Chambers, 19, played the full 90 mins in Arsenal's 1-0 win on Wednesday .

20c78a44a513d0eb0e5a8955047589ee3dc7e7e2

Bill Clinton's mistress has been nicknamed 'Energizer' by his security staff, a new book alleges. Richard JoRonald Kessler's 'The First Family Detail: Secret Service Agents Reveal the Hidden Lives of Presidents,' excerpts of which were obtained by the New York Post's Richard Johnson, makes the claim. One excerpt includes a quote from a source that revealed 'Energizer' has no problem getting inside the Clintons' Chappaqua, New York home. Scroll down for video . Keeping a secret? A new book claims that Bill Clinton has a mistress nicknamed 'Energizer' by his security staff . 'You don’t stop her, you don’t approach her, you just let her go in,' the source said. The former president's other woman has 'very perky' augmented breasts, another source alleged in quotes shared by the newspaper. 'It was a warm day, and she was wearing a low-cut tank top, and as she leaned over, her breasts were very exposed,' the security source said of the mysterious mistress. 'They appeared to be very perky and very new and full... There was no doubt in my mind they were enhanced.' Though information on Clinton's alleged ladylove is scant, the newspaper reported she is blond and gave cookies to the Secret Service. Teamwork? Both Bill and Hillary's security allegedly work together to hide 'Energizer' from Hillary at the Clintons' Chappaqua home (seen in a file photo) Not so nice: A book claims that 'agents consider being assigned to [Hillary Clinton's] detail a form of punishment' The Post also reported that both Bill and Hillary's security officers work together to hide 'Energizer' from Hillary. Requests for comment to both Clintons' press offices regarding the book's allegations were not immediately returned. Kessler's book claims 'Because [Hillary] is so nasty to agents and hostile to law enforcement officers and military officers in general, agents consider being assigned to her detail a form of punishment,' according to the Post. Former President Clinton famously had an affair with . White House intern Monica Lewinsky in 1995, which later led to a televised apology to the American public in 1998. Lewsinky, speaking to Time magazine in 1999, called the relationship with the president 'definitely inappropriate.' 'It was definitely inappropriate,' she said. 'And the way he was flirting with me was inappropriate. So I think was the eye contact. And the way he looks at women he’s attracted to. 'He undresses you with his eyes. And it is slow, from the bottom of your toes to the top of your head back down to your toes again. And it’s an intense look. He loses his smile. His sexual energy kind of comes over his eyes, and it’s very animalistic. And if you’re someone who is comfortable with your sensuality, you’re in touch with that, you’re receptive to it if you find that person attractive.' Clinton also has admitted to having extramarital sex with Gennifer Flowers. Dolly Kyle Browning also said in a 1998 declaration that she had multiple sexual encounters with Clinton from the 1970s through 1992. 'The . frequency of our contact with each other, and the frequency of our . sexual encounters, varied over that time period, but we did have sexual . relations many times during that time period,' she said. Browning claimed Clinton ended the affair and said 'If you cooperate with the media we will destroy you.' Clinton also allegedly had a one-night stand with former Miss America Elizbeth Ward Gracen. Kessler's book will be published August 5 and will included 'stories that will makes headlines about our nation's leaders and the agency sworn to protect them,' a publicity synopsis claims.

A new book by Ronald Kessler claims Bill Clinton's mistress has been nicknamed 'Energizer' by his security staff . One source revealed 'Energizer' has no problem getting inside the Clintons' Chappaqua, New York home . Both Bill and Hillary's security officers reportedly work together to hide 'Energizer' from Hillary . Kessler also claims 'agents consider being assigned to [Hillary's] detail a form of punishment'

21484293cd72a49e243b877e1ae90e0218da35ae

New job: Monica Lewinsky is a new Vanity Fair columnist, according to a blog posted on the magazine's website on Thursday. The blog comes a month after she published a tell-all about her Clinton affair for the magazine . One month after writing a tell-all about her affair with Bill Clinton for Vanity Fair, Monica Lewinsky has been made a contributor at the magazine. The magazine published her first Thursday afternoon, in which the 41-year-old talks about binge-watching Orange is the New Black. While Lewinsky writes that she finds the show 'riveting', she admits she didn't find a joke about herself very funny. In the the eleventh episode of the first season, one character is explaining to another how to perform a sex act and tells her she needs to 'Lewinsky that sh**' After more than a decade, Lewinsky is still sensitive to the jokes. 'I did what I usually do in these situations where the culture throws me a shard of my former self. After the cringing embarrassment, the whiff of shame, and the sense that I am no longer an agent running my own life, I shuddered, I got up off the sofa, and I turned it off,' Lewinsky wrote. Lewinsky went on to write about how people at the center of scandals today have more control over the public conversation thanks to social media - a tool she didn't have in the 90s when news of the Clinton affair broke. Lewinsky writes that people today who lose control of their 'public narratives' can go on social media and 'take control of their rightful place in their community.' 'They refuse to have their identities swindled or misshapen. Instead they take charge. They turn the attack on its head and use it as an opportunity for self-definition, instead of just taking blood as they go down,' Lewinsky writes, hinting that the column may be her own way of reclaiming her reputation. MailOnline has reached out to the magazine for comment about whether Lewinsky's column will be regular, but has not yet received a response. Can't take a joke: Lewinsky didn't find a joke about her relationship with Bill Clinton on Orange is the New Black funny .

The 41-year-old published a blog post on Vanity Fair's website on Thursday . Recently penned a tell-all about her affair with President Bill Clinton for the magazine . In the post, she writes about her love of Netflix show Orange is the New Black, but says she didn't find a joke about her affair humorous .

f5051e7d16f87fdd0c851248fdbbc9314cefc3a8

Passengers who scored Singapore Airlines business class seats at economy prices thanks to a computer error are being forced to re-book or cough up the difference in airfare. For some, that means they will have to spend an additional £2,700 to keep their seats in the roomier cabin. The carrier is reportedly refusing to honour the original business class bookings for around 900 customers - even though travel agents claim the carrier is responsible for the error. Spacious: Around 900 customers were mistakenly sold business class seats at economy prices . Economy: Singapore Airlines wants customers to pay the difference to keep their business class seats . The ‘cheap’ fares were sold by agents in Australia between Sunday and Monday for flights between Singapore and destinations in Europe, reports news.com.au. The flights were reportedly incorrectly loaded into the system by the airline and agents claim the carrier is now demanding they notify their clients and charge them the difference. Travel agents who do not recover the money have been told they will have to pay up themselves. A Singapore Airlines spokeswoman told news.com.au: ‘We have been notified that a small number of travel agents have sold tickets against this reassigned business class subclass, at an economy class fare level. Some passengers will have to pay an additional £2,700 to hold onto their business class seats . The flights were incorrectly loaded into the system used by travel agents . ‘The airfare conditions for the fare clearly stated that it was only valid for economy class travel. ‘We are working with our travel agent partners to ensure that our customers are notified of this issue so that steps can be made to ensure there is no disruption to their travel plans,’ Passengers who do not want to fork out more cash are eligible for a full refund or they can rebook with an economy class seat and receive the difference between the two fares. A Flight Centre spokesman told news.com.au that its agents became aware of the issue on Saturday and notified Singapore Airlines, but the airline did not rectify the problem until Monday.

'Cheap' flights were incorrectly loaded into system by Singapore Airlines . Around 900 customers purchased seats before agents noticed the error . Passengers who do not pay up can rebook in economy or seek a refund .

6f598a8bfbfc5df5647e3c67c2051faab36f56db

The star quarterback of Florida State football team has said 'the only thing as vicious as rape is falsely accusing someone of rape'. Jameis Winston, who plays for the Florida State Seminoles, was giving evidence to a Florida Supreme Court hearing in to an alleged sexual assault following a campus party. Mr Winston is accused of sexually assaulting a former Florida State University student in his off-campus apartment in December 2012. Jameis Winston, who plays for the Florida State Seminoles, gave his evidence to a Florida Supreme Court yesterday amid the glare of the media - he vehemently denied the allegations made against him . Mr Winston in reflective mood during the case where he is accused of raping a Florida State University student . In his statement that was read out in court yesterday, Mr Winston vehemently denied the allegations put against him. He said: 'I did not rape or sexually assault (name redacted). I did not create a hostile, intimidating or offensive environment in the short period of time that we were together. '(Name redacted) had the capacity to consent to having sex with me and she repeatedly did so by her conduct and her verbal expressions. I never used physical violence, threats, or other coercive means towards (name redacted). 'Finally, I never endangered (name redacted) health, safety, or well-being.' In his statement read out on the last day of the hearing, Winston said he met the woman on December 6 2012 at Potbelly's, a popular bar for students near the FSU campus. He said that after dancing for about 10 minutes, he got her telephone number and then contacted her at the end of the night. He claimed she voluntarily joined him and his friends in their taxi, which was a five minute ride away. Once back at his apartment, Mr Winston said she willingly performed oral sex on him and then engaged in consensual sexual intercourse. 'Almost immediately upon our arrival, (name redacted) and I went into my bedroom. We were standing facing each other, kissing and touching each other's bodies. I eventually asked (name redacted) if she would perform oral sex on me. 'She said that she would. The lights in my bedroom were on and (name redacted) willingly performed oral sex on me. While (name redacted) was performing oral sex, I was close enough to my dresser to reach over to it, open a drawer, and retrieve a condom.' Winston added that he and the woman 'also engaged in intense foreplay and heavy petting during the same period that she was performing oral sex. I was with her on the bed during foreplay and I may have ejaculated a small amount of semen onto her clothing.' The star college quarterback claims that the two were all over each other and that when he grabbed the condom, she helped to put it on - a sure sign he says the sex was consensual. He said they also had sex a second time in his bathroom as his friends kept pushing open his bedroom door as a 'prank'. After they had sex, Mr Winston said he gave the woman a lift back to her dormitory on his scooter. Mr Winston, flanked by his lawyer David Cornwell, who said: 'We are confident that Justice Harding, when he hears her multiple lies and Jameis’ truth, will find as every other entity has to this point, that she is lying' Mr Winston told the court that he engaged in consensual sexual intercourse with the alleged victim . He told Florida Supreme Court yesterday: 'During our consensual sexual interactions, (name redacted) engaged in sexual talk and took other actions that made it clear that the sex was consensual and that she was enjoying having sex with me. 'If (name redacted) did not want to have oral sex or intercourse with me, she was fully capable of expressing it to me, the taxicab drivers, the numerous students outside of Potbelly's, my flat mates Chris, and/or Ron. Had she done so, I would have stopped immediately.' He added: 'Rape is a vicious crime. The only thing as vicious as rape is falsely accusing someone of rape. (Name redacted) and her lawyers have falsely accused me, threatened to sue me, demanded $7,000,000 from me, engaged in a destructive media campaign against me, and manipulated this process to the point that my rights have and will continue to be severely compromised. '(Name redacted) and her lawyers' public campaign to vilify me guarantees that her false allegations will follow me for the rest of my life. 'At some point they will be held accountable, so I have determined that it is in my best interests to exercise my right pursuant to Rule 6C2R-3.004 (6)(d)of the Florida State University Student Code of Conduct and answer questions when experienced lawyers and other experts can assist me in confronting (name redacted) false accusation and when (name redacted) is subject to the penalty of perjury and other claims for (name redacted) falsely accusing me of rape.' He said: 'Rape is a vicious crime. The only thing as vicious as rape is falsely accusing someone of rape' Over two days and approximately 12 hours, former Florida Supreme Court justice Major Harding heard testimony from witnesses presented by the university, Mr Winston and the woman. Justice Harding must now decide if Mr Winston is responsible for any of four violations of the code of conduct, including sexual activity without consent and creating a hostile environment. FSU has up to 10 class days to give notification of the decision. Seven class days remain until the end of the fall semester on December 12. Spring semester starts on January 7. John Clune, a Title IX attorney representing the woman, said he expects a decision from Harding within two to three weeks. 'We want (Winston) to be found responsible and we want him expelled from the school,' Mr Clune said after the hearing yesterday. 'I think knowing the facts of the case and what has been presented, I think there's a very, very good chance of that happening.' The lawyer for Mr Winston, sports attorney David Cornwell likened the proceedings to a 'honey trap'. He said: 'This process was about making a record to do as I have always said, take this matter to civil court. 'We will do our best to shut it down with our briefs and have Justice Harding conclude that Jameis didn't do anything wrong. There certainly was no evidence in two days that suggested otherwise. 'I'm not quite sure that given the objectives of (the woman) and her attorneys that there's anyway to remove the taint in this process. It was clear what this was about, absolutely clear what this is about. It is a shakedown.' FSU has up to 10 class days to give notification of the decision. Seven class days remain until the end of the fall semester on December 12. Spring semester starts on January 7 . The hearing is the latest development in a controversial case that polarised public opinion in Tallahassee and prompted claims of favouritism by police towards star athletes. Mr Winston, the Heisman Trophy winner who is currently trying to lead the unbeaten FSU Seminoles to back-to-back national titles, was interviewed but never arrested after the woman claimed he assaulted her. In announcing his decision a year ago not to charge Winston on the grounds of insufficient evidence, state attorney Willie Meggs was critical of detectives who withheld details of the case from prosecutors for 11 months. Meanwhile, the alleged victim, who has since left the university, said that during the investigation police advised her 'to think long and hard before proceeding against him' in what was 'a big football town'. She said detectives warned her lawyer to drop the case or have her life 'made miserable and raked over the coals'. The apparent inaction by the university has also prompted a separate investigation by the US Department of Education into a possible breach of Title IX obligations, which require a school to conduct a prompt hearing into a sexual assault allegation against any of its students.

Jameis Winston is accused of sexually assaulting a former FSU student . But in his court statement he vehemently denied the allegations . He said the alleged victim engaged in consensual sexual intercourse . Said 'her lawyers have falsely accused me, demanded $7,000,000 from me' Hearing is now finished and a decision is expected in two to three weeks .

8a9023eaca7eba64589f8b8d49bf7825a9f7de97

Alastair Cook has been banned for the fourth one-day international against Sri Lanka due to England's slow over-rate in Wednesday's five-wicket win. Eoin Morgan will take over as England captain for their next match, on Sunday in Colombo. International Cricket Council match referee David Boon decided that Cook will miss Sunday's match, because of England's poor over-rate in the Hambantota success. England captain Alastair Cook will miss the fourth ODI due to a slow over-rate in the third game . An overdue success for Cook - just England's second in nine ODIs and one which reduces their deficit in this seven-match series to 2-1 - was bitter-sweet for the skipper when it became obvious he would be suspended. Cook was also in charge in similar circumstances against India at Cardiff last summer, and two such offences in any 12-month period bring a mandatory one-match ban. The slate, however, will then be clean again for Cook - heading towards the World Cup early next year. Peter Moores confirmed Morgan will deputise for Cook at the weekend. The coach is confident too that the Irishman's poor recent form will not prove too vexing an issue in the long term. 'Eoin Morgan will captain the next game,' he said. 'He's a good player, crikey. Eoin Morgan will come in and captain the side in Cook's absence . 'He'll have been through periods when he's not quite hitting it (as he'd like). But he's the sort of player we're very excited about. 'The key is to believe in yourself, and go out and play - and Eoin will do that, I'm sure.' Cook, who figured in an opening stand of 84 with Moeen Ali as England chased a Duckworth-Lewis target of 236 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, will be reduced to an observer's role as his team try to level the series. 'It's a shame for Alastair,' Moores added. 'I thought he played beautifully last night... he timed the ball really well. 'But one thing is that it cleans the slate for him, before we go to a World Cup - because he had that ban hanging over him, if he had one more time slow on our over-rate.' Despite Cook's unscheduled absence, England can at last celebrate a much-needed victory. 'It's great to wake up when you've had a win,' Moores said. 'Sometimes, the morning after is the time you really feel wins and losses. So it's great to know we're back in the series, at 2-1.' VIDEO England beat Sri Lanka in Hambantota - Cook and Buttler . Alex Hales will move up the batting order to open while Cook is missing .

Alastair Cook was fined for slow over-rate in the summer against India . England captain was warned if it happened again then he would be banned . Eoin Morgan will captain England and Alex Hales will open the batting .

90796683419566a060e20bba55382c6f4c4e2eb8

A school has banned energy drinks such as Red Bull after children as young as 11 were found to be drinking up to three cans a day. Peter Slough, headteacher at Small Heath School, Birmingham, has banned the highly caffeinated drinks after pupils were struggling to concentrate in the classroom. Mr Slough said some pupils were consuming the drinks -  which can contain more than 13 teaspoons of sugar - instead of a proper breakfast. Banned: The headteacher of Small Heath School in Birmingham (pictured) has banned energy drinks after children as young as 11 were found to be drinking 3 cans a day - sometimes instead of a good breakfast . Pupils now face detention if they are caught with an energy drink. Mr Slough’s campaign has come two months after Government adviser John Vincent called for them to be banned from schools - saying energy drinks were 'effectively another form of drugs.' Speaking today, Mr Slough said: 'These caffeine drinks, combined with a poor diet, are responsible for the children who find it difficult to sit and concentrate in class. 'We thought we would raise our battle flags. I started to research the issue, initially in the sixth form and then extended it to our Year 11 and Year 10 students. 'It became obvious that a lot of our children were drinking several cans a day - drinking them on the way to school and leaving home without breakfast. 'They were then having another at lunchtime and drinking them at home. We know that even the little ones, in Year 7, drink them.They become used to it - it becomes a habit and a worry.' The head said after consuming energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster, pictured, the pupils struggled to concentrate and were difficult to control in class . The school, which caters for 1,300 pupils aged between 11 and 18, was rated 'Outstanding' in all areas by an Ofsted inspection in May last year. Mr Slough began his campaign after noticing increasing numbers of discarded energy drink cans in and around the school. As the school is split campus, many pupils buy the drinks when moving between sites. Government adviser and restaurateur John Vincent recently called for the drinks to be banned in schools - saying the beverages were as harmful as drugs. He . said drinks such as Monster, Red Bull and Relentless - many of which . combine up to 13 teaspoons of sugar and 160mg of caffeine  (about four . times the amount as a can of coke) - make children difficult to control. Mr . Vincent said: 'Energy drinks are effectively another form of drugs. The . amount of sugar and caffeine in these drinks is in our view effectively . allowing drugs into schools.‘We . don’t do that and neither do we think that should be part of school . life. It has a hugely damaging effect on their ability to concentrate, . how they feel and it is having health effects . Currently, manufacturers . and retailers have a voluntary ban on the sale of the drinks to . under-16s, but there is no law to stop children buying them. The . Food Standards Agency advises that children limit their intake of . drinks that are high in caffeine - saying the drinks ‘could potentially . lead to short-term effects such as increased excitability, irritability, . nervousness or anxiety’. Brands including Red Bull, Monster Energy and Relentless can be bought within 300 metres of the school,, the head said. Mr . Slough added: 'They are energy drinks, they give you a boost. But if . you combine them with the sweets children eat, we have a recipe for . disaster.' The head said any . pupil seen with an energy drink will have it confiscated and children . found flouting the ban twice faced an after-school detention. Mr . Slough’s campaign echoes the views of restaurateur and government . adviser John Vincent, who has compiled a school food plan for education . secretary Michael Gove. Speaking in January, he said children could become unteachable after drinking several cans of energy drinks. He warned: ‘Energy drinks are effectively another form of drugs.’ Mr Vincent, who co-founded the Leon restaurant group, added: ‘The amount of sugar and caffeine in these drinks is in our view effectively allowing drugs into schools. 'We don’t do that and neither do we think that should be part of school life. 'It has a hugely damaging effect on their ability to concentrate, how they feel and it is having health effects.’ The British Soft Drinks Association, which counts Red Bull and other energy drink companies as members, has spoken in favour of Mr Slough’s campaign. The BSDA’s director general Gavin Partington said: 'We are clear that energy drinks are not recommended for children and we want to get that message across to young people and their parents. 'Our code of practice says that high caffeine content soft drinks are not recommended for children and specifies that this information should be clearly stated on the label of such drinks. 'Another form of drugs': John Vincent, left, called for energy drinks to be banned from schools . 'It also states that high caffeine soft drinks should not be promoted or marketed to those under 16.' The British Soft Drinks Association code of conduct states that energy drinks should not be sold in schools. However, . a Freedom of Information request last year found some academies – which . have the right to opt out of national standards on school food and . nutrition – were selling the drinks. The Food Standards Agency advises that children limit their intake of drinks that are high in caffeine. A spokesman added that consuming the drinks ‘could potentially lead to short-term effects such as increased excitability, irritability, nervousness or anxiety’. Red Bull has been contacted by MailOnline for comment. For comparison, a 150ml can of Coca-Cola contains 8mg caffeine and 15.0g of sugar. According to NewHealthGuide.org, a teaspoon is roughly 4 grams of white granulated sugar. RED BULL ENERGY DRINK (250ml) CAFFEINE: 80mg . SUGAR: 27.5g (11g per 100ML) RED BULL SUGARFREE ENERGY DRINK (25Oml) CAFFEINE: 80MG . Contains sweeteners aspartame and acesulfame K instead of sugar . MONSTER ENERGY DRINK (230ml/ 8 fl oz) CAFFEINE: 80mg . SUGAR: 27g . MONSTER MEGA ENERGY DRINK (680ml/ 680 fl oz) CAFFEINE: 240mg . SUGAR: 81g . RELENTLESS ORIGINAL ENERGY DRINK (250ml) CAFFEINE: 80mg . SUGAR: 25g .

Energy drinks have been banned from Small Heath School, Birmingham . Head Peter Slough said pupils as young as 11 were sinking up to 3 a day . Many were skipping breakfast in favour of high-sugar cans, he said . Drinks are responsible for poor concentration in the classroom, he added . Government adviser says drinks are 'effectively another form of drugs'

8c989de959f523e64c2aeccbb32b2339b19be6a2

This extraordinary video shows the moment a beachgoer sliced open a pregnant dead shark to save her pups and lead them to the ocean. An American family found the deceased mother shark on a beach in Cape Town, South Africa, but noticed that something inside the creature was still moving. Realising there could be baby sharks inside, the gruesome but remarkable footage shows the man using a knife to perform a makeshift C-section on the animal. Beachgoers noticed movement inside the body of a dead shark that had washed up on the beach in Cape Town, South Africa . Realising there could be pups inside, a man cut the mother shark open to look inside, finding three babies (first pictured in man's hand, right) As the beachgoer cuts into the shark, a witness can be heard saying: 'Err... I don't think there's a baby in there.' But moments later something begins to wriggle inside, causing the good Samaritan to jump back and shout as a baby shark squirms in his hand. A woman is heard telling the man to 'not get bitten' as he tentatively reaches down to help the pup make it to the ocean. The stand-in vet, right to be careful as sharks are born with a full set of teeth, rolls the pup over before grabbing it by the tail and tossing it into the sea. Witnesses shout 'congratulations' as a second baby shark begins to move, with one woman hailing it the 'coolest thing I've ever seen' as the pup is carried to the ocean. The gruesome but remarkable beach birth of three pups was captured by Beth Cordell and uploaded to YouTube. Witness shout 'congratulations' and cheer as three pups are rescued from the dead body of their mother . The man is seen holding the pups by their tails, avoiding their teeth, and carrying them to the ocean . The video's description reads: 'This video is a good example of respect to all forms of life... You cannot help but admire the beach goers that helped the baby sharks live a life in the ocean.' Despite their unconventional entrance to the world, the sharks are likely to live normal, healthy lives. Pups, who stay inside the womb for up to two years, do not stick around for long after birth in case their mother eats them and are capable of independence from the moment they are born.

Beachgoer slices open pregnant dead shark to rescue her unborn pups . Family found the deceased mother shark washed up on Cape Town beach . After seeing movement inside, the man cuts the creature open to free pups . Carefully avoiding their teeth, video shows him saving three baby sharks . Witnesses shout 'congratulations' as the pups are carried to the ocean .

3ab9c8874a5e5829747c85d1d347451e4cc9a8c8

Among a pile of everyday rocks and rubble, a gardener has uncovered an exquisitely carved Anglo-Saxon stone. John Wyatt, 32, from Chester paid just £50 for the pile of natural stones, but the carving could fetch as much as £10,000 ($15,680) at auction. The front panel of the stone is carved with the Celtic cross, while a bird is carved along the top. Among a pile of rocks and rubble, a gardener has uncovered a carved Anglo-Saxon stone (pictured). John Wyatt, 32 paid just £50 for the pile of natural stones, but the carving could fetch as much as £10,000 ($15,680) at auction. The front panel is carved with the Celtic cross, while a bird is carved along the top (inset) Mr Wyatt had the 21-inch long and 15-inch wide piece examined by an expert at Duke’s auctioneers in Dorchester. It is believed to have once formed part of a cross-slab from an early Christian monument, and it is possible it was smashed by Viking invaders as an act of defiance against the Christian population of Britain in the ninth century. Alternatively, it may have been a grave marker, or part of a decoration around an internal doorway or window. The expert also suggested the carving of the bird may be older than the carving of the cross. Mr Wyatt said: ‘I was doing a bit of work in my own garden and saw an advert for some natural stone. I phoned the people up and went to collect it. ‘The stones were covered in mud and moss, and when I got home I saw what I thought was the tail of the dragon on one of them. The stone was discovered by Mr Wyatt in a pile of natural rocks he bought in Chester (marked). It is believed to have once formed part of a cross-slab from an early Christian monument, and it is possible it was smashed by Viking invaders as an act of defiance against the Christian population of Britain in the 9th century . ‘I cleaned it off and realised it was carved so I contacted a museum and the archaeologists got very excited. ‘No one could really say exactly what it was but they knew it was important.’ Duke’s is auctioning off the find tomorrow, with a pre-sale estimate of £10,000 ($15,680) and Mr Wyatt said he hopes to pay off some of his mortgage with the money it makes. Experts claim the bird (pictured) carved onto the stone resembles an eagle - a symbol used for St John the evangelist . Discussing the symbolism of the piece Dr Rory Naismith from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic told MailOnline: ‘The cross was a completely ubiquitous religious symbol in Anglo-Saxon England: much like today, it was visual shorthand for the Christian faith. ‘It can be found in manuscripts, jewellery, on coins and also sculpture. 'People would see it every day, often in their purses or on their clothes as well as in and around their churches.’ He added there is a famous poem in Old English, called The Dream of the Rood, in which the poet experiences a vision of the cross explaining its role in the crucifixion to him. ‘The [animal] is a little harder to place,’ continued Dr Naismith. ‘A common form of ornamentation found on lots of stone sculpture was foliage inhabited by creatures including birds, and that could be what's going on here. 'But the bird on this stone looks quite aquiline, so it may well be an eagle: a symbol used for St John the evangelist.’ This view was shared by Levi Roach, a lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Exeter. He told MailOnline: ‘Given that [the bird] is found in close proximity to the cross, it is conceivable that it is meant to be an eagle, and thesymbol of John the Evangelist. ‘This interpretation would certainly sit well with the bird’s pronounced beak.’ Guy Schwinge, valuer at Duke’s added: ‘The Anglo Saxon stone is an important find and the stylistic vocabulary on the cross is indicative of an Anglo Saxon origin. It probably dates from the 9th or 10th century.’ Also going under the hammer at the same sale is a Roman sarcophagus that for years acted as a plant pot in an Oxfordshire garden. The estimate is £25,000 ($39,200). St. John (illustrated left) was said to be one of the original twelve apostles and is traditionally taken to be the author of the fourth gospel, John. When pictured among the evangelists and other apostles, St John is often depicted as an eagle. The cover of a gospel book is pictured right . St. John was said to be one of the original twelve apostles and is traditionally taken to be the author of the fourth gospel, John. When pictured among the evangelists and other apostles, St John is often depicted as an eagle, and at times, as a human with the head of an eagle. Eagles are used as symbols throughout Christianity, because they soar upwards, making them symbolic of Christ’s resurrection or ascension. In Ezekiel 1:10, the gospels are described as each having 'the face of a man, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. An eagle with a halo, specifically, is said to represent St John because of his ‘lofty and soaring’ gospel. His gospel is said to more theological than the other three, for example. This symbolism is reported to have originated in Jerome’s Commentary on Matthew, which said: ‘John the Evangelist who, having taken up eagle’s wings and hastening toward higher matters, discusses the Word of God.’ Eagles are used as symbols throughout Christianity, because they soar upwards, making them symbolic of Christ’s resurrection or ascension. In Ezekiel, the gospels are described as each having the face of a man, lion, ox and eagle. St John is depicted on the 9th century Brandon Plaque (pictured) The sarcophagus dates from the 2nd or 3rd century AD and, although damaged, remains a rare and important find. Made from white marble, it depicts two river gods holding cornucopiae while reclining on the back of dolphins while flanked by palm trees. In the centre is Cupid embracing a mourning figure, who in turn is holding a quiver of arrows. ‘We can only speculate on how this important Roman artefact ended up in an Oxfordshire garden, but in all probability it was brought back in the 18th century by a gentleman on the Grand Tour,’ continued Mr Schwinge. ‘It had been used for bedding plants to bring a bit of colour to the garden. ‘Both these lots show just what value can be found in gardens across the country. Also going under the hammer at the same sale is a Roman sarcophagus that for years acted as a plant pot in an Oxfordshire garden. Made from white marble, it depicts two river gods holding cornucopiae while reclining on the back of dolphins while flanked by palm trees. The estimate is £25,000 ($39,200)

The stone measures 21.5-inches high, 15-inches wide and 7.5-inches deep . Front panel is carved with a Celtic cross, while a bird is carved on the top . The bird is believed to be an eagle, a symbol of St John the evangelist . Auctioneers have dated the stone to between the 9th and 11th century . Experts claim it may have been used as a standing cross or a grave marker . It may have also been used to decorate a window or internal doorway . The stone could fetch as much as £10,000 ($15,680) at auction .

526e95b97ebb07f81159d5d18e1c6f3701cae54f

David Moyes may have only been manager of Real Sociedad for a matter of weeks, but the Scottish boss seems to have picked up at least four Spanish words already. They may be the four most well known words in the language, but the former Manchester United manager seemed keen to show off his skills during his latest pre-match press conference. Moyes was asked a question about Sociedad's B team before deciding to count in Spanish rather than his native tongue. David Moyes attempted a bit of Spanish during his Real Sociedad press conference . The Sociedad boss said, 'they (B team) have been training with me uno, dos, tres, cuatro times' Despite the language barrier, Moyes is already beginning to get his message accross . Carlos Vela punches the air after scoring Sociedad's opening goal in their 3-0 win against Elche . Moyes said: 'I know about the B team. I know some of the players. They have been training with me uno, dos, tres, cuatro times, but I have not seem them play.' Despite the language barrier, Moyes has made a bright start to his time in Spain with a win and a draw in his first two games. The 51-year-old didn't quite go as far as Steve McClaren's Dutch efforts in 2008 which saw the former FC Twente boss speak with a bizarre Dutch accent. QPR midfielder Joey Barton has also been guilty of falling into the foreign language trap, by feigning a French accent while on loan at Ligue 1 side Marseille.

David Moyes attempts to speak Spanish during Real Sociedad press conference . Moyes reveals he has trained with the B team 'uno, dos, tres, cuatro' times . Scottish boss has enjoyed unbeaten start to career in Spain .

31625d41d547fe84ec6c40ab069eb8925556c0df

Sophie Tweed-Simmons is back with her second clothing collection for Sophie x The Style Club in as many months - this time with jazzy dresses and jumpsuits for New Year's Eve. The famously outspoken daughter of Kiss legend Gene Simmons, who is a passionate advocate for healthy body image, has created the line to compliment 'all women' in sizes 00 to 18; priced between $49 and $180. But be careful what you call it. 'I hate the term 'plus-size,' Sophie, 22, tells MailOnline. 'Can we all just be women please? Why label it? Why ruin a good thing?' Scroll down for video . Designer: Sophie Simmons, 22, (pictured) has launched a new collection of New Year's Eve dresses and jumpsuits in partnership with The Style Club to flatter women of every size. Pictured, the Monroe Mini ($49) The 15-piece collection features rompers, jumpsuits and dresses from mini to maxi-length, adorned with French lace, vegan leather, crushed velvet and sequin embellishments. Along with her partner, The Style Club founder Hilary Novelle, Sophie worked with a set of upcoming trends and then found a way to make them look good on her body. Her first collection with The Style Club, which launched in fall and sold out in a mere 72 hours, was built in much the same way. 'All the waistbands are elastic, which I prefer,' she told MailOnline in October. 'Essentially, the collection is based around my butt.' Sophie, whose mother Shannon Tweed is a former Playboy Bunny, stands at 5'8" and is a U.S. size 8-10. 'I have never been a "skinny" girl, I've always been athletic and curvy and strong,' she remarks, adding that her weight has fluctuated over the years. Rock star bloodline: The 15-piece collection is priced between $49 and $180 and comes in sizes 00 to 18. Pictured, the Billie Holiday Sequin Mini ($49) Outspoken: 'I hate the term 'plus-size,' Sophie tells MailOnline. 'Can we all just be women please? Why label it? Why ruin a good thing?' Model: Along with her partner, The Style Club founder Hilary Novelle, Sophie worked with a set of upcoming trends and then found a way to make them look good on her body. Pictured, the Sofia Dress ($180) Bit of all-white: Sophie, whose mother Shannon Tweed is a former Playboy Bunny, stands at 5'8" and is a U.S. size 8-10. Pictured, the Lena Dress ($49) Ultimately with her new collection, Sophie states that her dream is to 'create affordable, empowering and flattering clothing for women of all sizes without labeling them.' All of Sophie's New Year's Eve-inspired pieces are named after strong women she admires, from all walks of life. There's the Billie Holiday sequin-speckled mini dress for example, and the seductive Marilyn Monroe off-the-shoulder number, both $49. The Sofia floor-length gown is named after actress and family friend Sofia Vergara, the Ellen's LBJ jumpsuit is a tribute to TV host Ellen Degeneres and the Hepburn Bow Tie Jumper is a nod to Audrey Hupburn. Vision: Sophie states that her dream is to 'create affordable, empowering and flattering clothing for women of all sizes without labeling them.' Pictured, the Coco Dress ($150) Influences: All of Sophie's New Year's Eve-inspired pieces are named after strong women she admires from all walks of life. Pictured, the Hepburn Bowtie Jumper, a nod to Audrey Hepburn ($49) As she is: Sophie makes it a policy that her photos aren't re-touched. Pictured, the Demi Dress ($49), named after singer Demi Lovato . Busy bee: Next up on Sophie's to-do list is a diamond jewelry line, a book aimed at empowering young girls and her first EP, which she wrote herself. Pictured, the Kate Middleton-inspired Kate Lace Dress ($180) The collection also boasts a slinky, slit-thigh dress named after Girls creator Lena Dunham, as well as gowns inspired by former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, physicist Marie Curie and lifestyle mogul Oprah Winfrey. Asked for her three favorite creations, Sophie named The Monroe Mini, the Janelle Jumper and the Lena Dress. Sophie may talk the talk when it comes to defying the over-polished size-zero ideal that dominates the fashion world, but she walks the walk too. After completing her first photo shoot for Sophie x The Style Club, the star noticed that the images had later been retouched. She promptly sent them back and asked them to be returned to their former natural glory. 'My legs looked too good,' she told Yahoo Style this week. Budding musician: The collection will be available for purchase at 30per cent off through Sunday December 14, after which it will return to full retail price. Pictured, the Marie Mini ($49), named after physicist Marie Curie . Sequin delight: Pictured, the Carrie Dress ($49), named after singer Carrie Underwood . Windswept: Pictured, the Margaret Jumper ($59), named after former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher . Stunner: Pictured, the Monroe Mini in black ($49) Next up on Sophie's to-do list is a diamond jewelry line, a book aimed at empowering young girls and her first EP, which she wrote herself. As for her New Year's Eve plans and what she's planning to wear, Sophie reveals: . 'I actually haven't sorted that out yet. But wherever I am, I'll be wearing a dress from the collection and a pair of killer heels.' The family: Sophie (center right), pictured this year with her brother Nick (right), her dad Gene (left) and her mom Shannon Tweed (center left) Girl about town: Sophie attends an event in West Hollywood on Monday (left) and a Los Angeles movie premiere in June (right) Launching today, Sophie's new collection will be available for purchase at 30per cent off through Sunday, December 14th at www.thestyleclub.com, after which it will return to full retail price.

Sophie Tweed-Simmons is a model, actress, musician and strong advocate for healthy body image - who 'hates the term plus-size' Her new 15-piece collection in partnership with The Style Club comes in U.S. sizes 00-18 and is priced between $49 and $180 .

34bd41b2a8bb200a9628fe749bc710a3cd4f804d

Matin Kimber, former Rotherham council chief, has been handed £26,666 after agreeing to quit his job two months before his notice period ends . There was outrage tonight over the payment of £26,000 to the council chief executive at the centre of the Rotherham abuse scandal to leave his job early. Martin Kimber issue a ‘sincere apology to those who were let down’ when he resigned from Rotherham Council and promised he would not receive any ‘compensation’ for his decision to quit his £160,000 a year post. Mr Kimber was originally intending to work his three months notice until the end of the year, but left his post on 31 October instead, to allow the new chief executive to get on with the job. As a result the local authority paid him £26,666 - the salary he would have received had he worked the final two months. But the move has angered abuse victims. One 29-year-old Rotherham abuse victim said: ‘I used to think that nothing else can shock me but I’ve given up saying that because each day something comes out that shocks me even further. ‘It is disgusting that this man gets a payout of more than most people’s annual salary. It is appalling that these people are getting big lump sums when they should have been sacked on the spot. ‘It’s like rewarding good behaviour. If they were really sorry they would donate the money to charity.’ John O’Connell, Director of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Taxpayers will question why they are handing over hard-earned money for an official to spend two months relaxing at home. 'If the Council feels he is surplus to requirements, taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay his salary. 'This £26,000 could pay for a social worker, and it’s quite clear Rotherham needs to be doing more to look after vulnerable residents not keep former Chief Executives in the style to which they’re accustomed.’ When giving evidence to MPs in September, Mr Kimber was asked if he would be taking compensation after handing in his notice. He said: ‘There is no compensation. I have had no such discussion and neither would I, just for the record.’ Between 1997 and 2013 more than 1,400 girls were sexually abused by gangs of men, largely from the Asian and Pakistani community, while authorities refused to investigate (file image) The chief executive was one of a number of senior local authority executives to quit after a report published in August revealed 1,400 children had been abused in the South Yorkshire town between 1997 and 2013. Rotherham Council insisted Mr Kimber had ‘received no pay-off’ but was paid in lieu of notice. Mr Kimber had been asked by new council leader Paul Lakin to carry out a ‘thorough internal investigation’ into the alleged theft of files from a locked council office in 2002, as well as the disappearance of four years of meeting minutes about child abuse issues. A former Rotherham mayor has been charged with sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in the 1980s. Councillor Barry Dodson (right) was charged with indecent assault by police today. It is alleged Dodson, 67, of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, committed the offence in 1987. He has been released on bail and will appear at Sheffield Magistrates Court on December 18. Councillor Dodson stood down as mayor in June, three weeks after taking office. He resigned from the Labour party and now stands as an independent. This work had not been completed by the time he left. A Rotherham Council spokesman said: ‘It was agreed in September between the authority and Mr Kimber that he would leave at the end of December - serving the usual three month notice period. 'However, he decided to leave his position two months early, with effect from October 31, to enable the new chief executive to start. 'The authority continues to look into the matters raised in the Jay Report.’ Even the UKIP opposition leader councillor Cavan Vines backed the decision. He said: ‘For the council to move on we felt it appropriate for him to leave early so there would be a clean road ahead. It is a way of moving the council forward.’ The report by Professor Alexis Jay revealed how hundreds of vulnerable girls had been sexually exploited by gangs of predominantly Asian men in the town and that police and council officials had betrayed the victims by not tackling the problem. Senior council officials feared being labelled ‘racist’ for speaking about the pattern of offenders being of Pakistani origin. Mr Kimber, who had been chief executive since 2009, initially stayed in his job when the scandal broke. When he quit in September he said the report did ‘not make comfortable reading in its account of the horrific experiences of some young people in the past.’ He said it was ‘right to leave’ his job and hoped new leadership would ‘enable the town to recover more quickly.’ Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

Martin Kimber quit job at council and was expected to leave at end of year . Promised at the time that he would not get any 'compensation' for quitting . He actually left on October 31 and was handed £26,666 by local authority . Child abuse victim has likened payment to 'rewarding good behaviour'

708c6d3424ea532d8eda1d93a710a4e6b8521194

Arrested: Andrew Kurt Summers, pictured in his mug shot, allegedly made the death threats online . A man has been charged after threatening to shoot Mama June and her daughter Lauryn 'Pumpkin'. Andrew Kurt Summers made the threats on June's Facebook page and has now been charged with making terroristic threats, police in McIntyre, Georgia told TMZ. Summer turned himself in on Monday and has been released on a $15,000 bail. Honey Boo Boo and her family this week appeared to be putting their recent struggles behind them as they reunited to decorate the family home for the upcoming holiday. With Sugar Bear newly returned to the family home, he and Mama June organized the over-the-top preparations for what will surely be an awkward Christmas. Despite the seasonal display, it's hardly been a year to celebrate for Honey Boo Boo and her family. First the child star saw her parents split up, then her mother reportedly reunited with a sex offender former lover - leading to the cancellation of the family's main bread winner - their reality show. As they decorated their home, June appeared to be putting on a brave face as she faces the risk of losing custody of her children pending an investigation by child protective services. Victim: Mama June, pictured, and one of her daughters were targeted by the death threats on Facebook . In October it emerged that she was dating convicted child molester Mark McDaniel. Her ex-boyfriend served 10 years in prison for molesting an eight-year-old girl. June's oldest daughter Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell, now aged 20, has said she was the victim. Anna was nowhere to be seen during the Christmas event. Instead she is reportedly busy seeking solicitations for herself - selling a potion that she claims can prevent Ebola. Chickadee is shilling Ebola-blocking potions in her new role with the company Young Living Essential Oils. Target: Lauryn 'Pumpkin', pictured at the family home in Georgia, was also allegedly threatened by Summers . In custody: Andrew Kurt Summers, pictured in an older mug shot, turned himself into cops this week . The company's website described the curious claim of the tonic: 'The Ebola virus cannot survive in the presence of a therapeutic grade Cinnamon Bark and Oregano essential oil.' Over the weekend the mother of two-year-old daughter Kaitlyn created a storm of comment on Facebook from fans of the series after she set up a GoFundMe page asking for $20,000. Left red-faced, she responded to the backlash [SIC]: 'I'm deleting my fund me cause everyone thinks I'm money hungry.' Adding: 'And I have been think about everyone's opinions and I got alot of chooses and I have done there idea and I get the s*** end of the stick.' She recently admitted that after her run on TLC's show, which began in 2012 and ended this year, she was left with only $17.90 in her trust fund account. Mama June found herself in hot water and her reality TV show canceled earlier this year when photos emerged showing her daughter, Honey Boo Boo, with a convicted child molester, Mark McDaniel, pictured . In November, the 20-year-old told E! News that she believed her 'selfish' mother squandered her earnings from show and accused the matriarch of purchasing a car for McDaniel, the man she accused of molesting her as a child. 'I have a feeling Mama used that money to buy a car or buy him what he wanted,' she told E! News. June responded to the claims, saying, 'Not true. I have never brought a car for him and all her money is there, beside the money I have given her to live on—$400 every month and pay her $475 each month for cell phone bills for the last two years. 'That's the only money I have taken out of there.'

Andrew Kurt Summers allegedly threatened to shoot Mama June . Summers turned himself in Monday and has been released on a $15k bail . He also allegedly threatened to shoot her daughter, Lauryn 'Pumpkin'

67e0a6c0c7bc58469b25f042fd9101f12033e0de

An Esa experiment carried out by astronauts on the ISS has found the cosmos is less hostile to space travellers than expected. It had been thought that cosmic radiation may severely limit the time an astronaut can spend in space without seriously risking their life. Using a 'phantom' human covered in thousands of detectors, the research showed that levels of radiation had been significantly overestimated - and deep space travel could be fairly safe. An experiment run by Esa on the ISS using a 'dummy' human (shown) has found radiation levels for astronauts in space are less than thought. The findings suggest deep space travel for humans could be safe. Here the dummy is shown being put in a casing to simulate the spacesuit of an astronaut . The experiment involved placing a mannequin in direct exposure to cosmic radiation, twice inside the ISS and once outside in space. Known as Matroshka, the legless torso consists of 33 slices of 'human matter' each one inch (2.5cm) in thickness. This includes real human bones to simulated the shape and density of soft tissues and lungs in the human body. Inside the slices was measuring equipment to measure the amount of incoming radiation. The overall conclusion was that dosimeters worn by crew on the ISS, which measure radiation exposure, had overestimated that actual radiation does they received by 15 per cent. Back in October a study claimed sending people to Mars may be impossible due to an increased radiation risk from cosmic rays when the sun is less active during the solar minimum. It's thought that a predicted decrease in solar activity, which occurs every 11 years, will raise the levels of radiation astronauts are subjected to from cosmic rays on a deep space mission. This will increase the risk of suffering sickness, cancer and more on lengthy trips to the red planet lasting about a year to levels beyond what is considered safe. The research, published in the journal Space Weather and led by Dr Nathan Schwadron of the University of New Hampshire, found that a 30-year-old astronaut can spend about one year in space before cosmic rays raises the radiation-risk beyond safe exposure limits. However, this new research by Esa could suggest the levels are safer than expected. Amazingly, outside the ISS in open space this overestimation exceeded 200 per cent. From the results of the Matroshka experiment the scientists concluded that travel of astronauts to the Moon or to Mars may be somewhat safer in terms of their radiation hazard than expected. Nevertheless, the doses the space travellers are likely to receive, even though being lower than thought earlier, would still remain dangerously high. But while Mars might previously have been limited to a year or so, now the time taken to explore Mars could potentially be extended. 'One may say that we found open space to be a bit less hostile to humans than expected,' said Dr Paweł Bilski, an Associate Professor at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IFJ PAN) in Kraków, Poland. 'The effective doses, related to the health risk of the astronauts and calculated from measurements with our detectors, were lower than those indicated by dosimeters worn by the astronauts.' However, he added further information from beyond low Earth orbit would be needed to verify the findings. 'We must remember that measurements within the Matroshka experiment were performed at low Earth orbit where the Earth's magnetosphere significantly reduces the number of charged particles from cosmic radiation,' he said. 'In interplanetary space there is no such shielding.' This is the interior structure of the phantom used in the experiment Matroshka, which contains slices of human bones. The white tubes contain sets of thermoluminescent detectors. Half of these detectors was manufactured by the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Kraków, Poland . The Matroshka phantom is seen here with astronauts Siergiej Krikaliew and John Philips on board of the International Space Station. Radiation levels were measured both inside the station and outside in open space using the human-like dummy . A long-standing puzzle in astrophysics is the source of ultra-high-energy particles from space that hit Earth. Called cosmic rays, they're up to a billion times more energetic than particles at Cern's Large Hadron Collider. They strike the atmosphere and cause an enormous shower of other particles, mostly muons, electrons and photons, over a wide area. Though they were discovered decades ago, cosmic rays at these high energies are very rare, making it difficult to pinpoint where in the universe they originated. It's thought that some come from supernovas, but it's likely there are other sources of cosmic rays in the universe as well. The main hazard to the astronaut's health due to exposure to cosmic radiation is the increased probability of developing cancer in his or her body. This probability however is quite dependent on the type of radiation the astronaut is exposed to. Most of the natural sources of ionising radiation on Earth produce electromagnetic radiation of high energy - gamma rays. On the other hand, in cosmic rays, energetic protons or heavier ions dominate, which are much more effective in creating cancer cells. The mannequin on board of the International Space Station (ISS), with thermoluminescent and plastic detectors inside its 'body', was also dressed in a 'poncho' with additional detectors, simulating the personal dosimeters worn by astronauts. Thus, doses recorded by individual dosimeters of the ISS crew could be compared with those actually absorbed inside their bodies. Over the years 2004 to 2009 the Matroshka mannequin underwent three exposures to cosmic radiation, each lasting a year of more. Two of these exposures occurred inside the Russian modules of the space station and for one exposure the phantom, in a container imitating the shielding properties of a spacesuit, was placed in open space outside the ISS. Such measurements have never been done before. The detectors were then returned to Earth to be analysed to make the findings, which could make the possibility of a manned mission to Mars more likely.

Experiment run by Esa on the ISS has found radiation levels for humans in space are less than thought . The findings suggest deep space travel for humans could be safe . Previously missions to Mars were thought to be very dangerous due to high exposures to cosmic radiation . But new results say levels may have been overestimated by 200 per cent . Experiment involved using a 'dummy' human on the ISS . This had slices of human bone to simulate lungs, organs and tissues .

f94455361f83c200ce43c63e71607de1251007ad

A Chinese veteran acrobat has proved he still has what it takes, after a daredevil stunt which included walking over another tightrope artist coming the other way. Adili Wuxor, 43, known as The Prince of the Tightrope, and his colleague, walked a 330ft long rope, stretched between two buildings, some 260ft in the air. Mr Wuxor and the fellow tightrope walker embarked on the dangerous stunt in the city of Jiaxing, in northern China's Zhejiang province. A video from the stunt shows Mr Wuxor, dressed in red, as he steps outonto the rope high above the streets of Jiaxing. Without a safety line, he successfully walks more than halfway, while the audence several hundred feet below hold their breath. Suddenly, to the crowd's surprise and joy, a second tightrope artist, dressed in blue, starts walking towards Mr Wuxor. As they approach, the man in blue, sits down, and then lies down on his back, allowing Mr Wuxor to walk over him, and continue to the other side. Dangerous game: Adili Wuxor, 43, is pictured as he prepares to walk over a colleague during a tightrope stunt . Daredevil: Mr Wuxor, known as The Prince of the Tightrope, steps out onto the rope to begin his walk . Mr Wuxor, seen right, wearing red, and his fellow artist, seen left, wearing blue, approach each other . The pair walked a 330ft rope, some 260ft in the air, in Jiaxing, in northern China's Zhejiang province . 'It was pretty amazing,' said Mingmei Tang, 29, who watched the stunt from the street below. 'He's been around since base jumpers were in their nappies, its great he still has what it takes.' In 2010 Mr Wuxor, an ethnic Uighur from China's Xinjiang Province, spent 60 days walking on a tightrope in the Bird's Nest Stadium. Three years later, he completed a walk over the Pearl River in Guangdong province, walking a total of 1,640ft between Guangzhou's Canton Tower and a sculpture in front of the city's Haixinsha Stadium, while 330ft above the river. Walk the line: Mr Wuxor treads lightly as he prepares to take the final big step over the body of his colleague . Hop and a skip: The crowd gasps as Mr Wuxor makes it to the other side of this friend . Brave: Mr Wuxor is a well-known tightrope walker and regularly takes on dangerous challenges .

Chinese daredevil Adili Wuxor, 43, is a legendary tightrope artist . His most recent stunt involved saw him step over another rope-walker . The pair walked a 330ft rope, some 260ft in the air, in northern China .

b3a28c0a3324a4e475c61716380710a46c3d9768

Vivica A. Fox is a serial cougar! The 50-year-old star of films like Independence Day, Kill Bill and Soul Food has been quietly dating an actor almost 20-years her junior, and this isn't the first time she been with a much younger man. Fox has found love with 31-year-old co-star Robert Ri'chard. The two met on the set of the buzzed-about stripper film 'Chocolate City,' which was shot in Los Angeles in September. In the film, Ri'chard plays Devin - a college student recruited to be a stripper - and Fox actually plays his mother. Scroll down for video . Cougar: Vivica A. Fox, the 50-year-old star of films like Independence Day, Kill Bill and Soul Food has been quietly dating an actor almost 20-years her junior . Pumped: Robert Ri'chard plays Devin - a college student recruited to be a stripper - and Fox actually plays his mother in Chocolate City . Workout: When Ri'chard, who previously starred in TV series like One On One and Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns, was not shooting movie scenes or doing push-ups to keep his abs tight, he was sneaking off to Fox's trailer . Vivica, here with Donald Trump, joins Ian Ziering, Brandi Glanville, Geraldo Rivera, Kate Gosselin and Kenya Moore on the new season of Celebrity Apprentice . 'Oddly enough, despite the fact that she was playing his mother they had this magnetic chemistry,' a production insider tells MailOnline 'It was something about the way he looked at her that started people on the set chatting about something going on.' When Ri'chard, who previously starred in TV series like One On One and Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns, was not shooting movie scenes or doing push-ups to keep his abs tight, he was sneaking off to Fox's trailer. 'He always wanted to be around her. He kept finding ways to creep off to her trailer and they were always having to send a production assistant to go get him to come back and shoot scenes,' the insider added. Ri'chard wasn't shy around his co-stars when talking about Fox. When fellow actors like Tyson Beckford and Darrin Henson asked about their age difference, Ri'chard was clear: 'Age is nothing but a number,' he told them. Since the film has wrapped production, the couple has continued to date. The pair regularly have dinner together in Los Angeles and have quiet nights watching movies. In early 2003, Fox, then 37, started dating 24-year-old Washington Redskins player Darnerien McCants but the romance fizzled out after six months . Later in 2003, she dated rapper 50 Cent. She was 38 at the time and he was 27 . 'Vivica originally resisted dating someone as young as him. But he was so persistent that she gave in. She figured, if men his age are still interested in her, why shouldn't she date them,' said the insider. Fox, who ended her four-year marriage to aspiring musician Christopher 'Sixx-Nine' Harvest in 2002, has previously dated younger men. In early 2003, Fox, then 37, started dating 24-year-old Washington Redskins player Darnerien McCants. That romance fizzled out after six months. Later that year, she dated rapper 50 Cent. She was 38 at the time and he was 27. Their relationship had a tumultuous ending. In 2008, a 44-year-old Fox began dating 26-year-old Atlanta promoter named Omar 'Slimm' White. After three years of dating, the couple called off their 10-month engagement in 2011. Vivica will join Ian Ziering, Brandi Glanville, Geraldo Rivera, Kate Gosselin and Kenya Moore on the new season of Celebrity Apprentice.

Serial cougar Vivica A. Fox is quietly dating her Chocolate City co-star Robert Ri'chard, 31 . Ri'chard plays a college student recruited to be a stripper in the film and Fox plays his mother . Fox will compete in the new season of Celebrity Apprentice .

2a4f6e4e2728c24fb77fad559978fb5b20bb84bc

Paul Walker's longtime friend and manager was robbed of priceless memories of the 'Fast and Furious' star when thieves burgled his office on the one-year anniversary of the actor's death. CCTV captures the moment when brazen robbers broke into Matt Luber's Hollywood management offices and stole years of cherished videos, voice mails and photographs of the late actor along with $300,000 worth of items. Security footage shows two females thieves breaking into his offices on Sunday at 6am, shortly after the security guards left after working their overnight shift. The office doors were apparently left unlocked when the employees left for the Thanksgiving holiday, so the robbers did not have to worry about struggling to force their way into the building. Scroll down for video... Thief: Paul Walker's manager has been robbed on the anniversary of his death. Two women broke into Matt Luber's office on November 30, 2014, and stole every computer, hard drive and printer in the building. Matt Luber (left) said he lost years of cherished videos, voice mails and photographs of Paul Walker after his office was targeted by thieves . Calm: The second of the thieves calmly walked to the elevator. The devices they stole held videos, voice mails, and photographs of Paul. Footage from security cameras caught the women going to and from the building . The thieves stole 12 Apple Mac computers as well as a hard drive that contained photos and voicemails of Luber's children and friends, including Walker. Mr Luber, who had known the actor for 20 years, said CCTV footage shows one of the women waiting at the elevator before going up the stairs. 'She comes back down with one computer and then they disappear for about an hour, possibly waiting to see if an alarm goes off,' he said. They then returned with a huge suitcase, changed their outfits upstairs, and then come back down with more devices. Quite the haul:  Once they were inside, they proceeded to steal 18 Mac computers and multiple printers – adding up to an estimated value of more than $20,000 . Easy find: The office doors were actually left unlocked when the employees left for the Thanksgiving holiday, so the robbers did not have to worry about struggling to force their way into the building . Caught on camera: The thieves actions were recorded by security cameras located in the stairwell and the elevator . Who knew? Some have suggested the robbery may have been an inside job . The actor's daughter Meadow Instagramed a flashback picture with her father, writing simply 'I love you' The talent manager believes the suspects cased his office, because they knew the entrance code, and knew exactly what to look for. He is now pleading with the thieves to return the stolen mementos which were found to be missing at 9.30am on Monday. 'Give me back my hard drive. Give me back my pictures. Put it in the mail anonymously. Drop if off with the security guards,' he said. The Fast and Furious star lost his life on November 30 last year when the Porsche Carrera GT his business partner Roger Rodas was driving crashed into a tree in Santa Clarita, California. Investigators determined the car was traveling between 80 and 93 miles an hour when it crashed, killing both men. Luber described Walker's death as the worst thing that has ever happened to him. Fans, friends, family and co-stars mourned the 40-year-old actor's death on the anniversary of the collision. His 16-year-old daughter Meadow posted a previously unseen picture of the actor cradling her as a toddler, writing simply 'I love you'. Fast and Furious co-star Michelle Rodriguez joined Tyrese Gibson and Ludacris, who were among the first of the late actor's former co-stars to reflect on their memories of the star. 'I love you Paul. Your living in the hearts of all who love you for sure. Sending mad love out to Heaven @SupportROWW' she wrote on Twitter. Devastating: Luber 'was Paul's manager and close friend for decades. Not only did the computers have Paul Walker's his entire life on there but, more importantly, all of the files on Walker's life and death,' said a friend . The 'Fast and Furious' star died on November 30 last year while riding as a passenger in a friend's car . Friends and fans left flowers and candles at the scene on the one-year anniversary of his death . Tyrese Gibson, one of Paul's co-stars who was also a good friend off-screen, shared a touching tribute to his 'brother' on his Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The 35-year-old, who made his first appearance in 2003's 2 Fast 2 Furious, said: 'In this life one would hope to be this 'effective' 1 year ago today. God called an angel home early.... I miss my brother I miss my friend and I miss OUR STAR!!!!!' He added: 'Physically gone but forever alive in our minds, hearts and spirit.... What was once tears of pain and shock are now tears of JOY celebrating all that you stood for... 'Everyone worldwide please take 5 mins out of your day to send live, prayers and energy to Paul's family his daughter Meadow and immediate circle today will be a tough day for us.... To this day his arm is still around my neck with love and protection... Rest in heaven....' Since his tragic death, two films, Hours and Brick Mansions, have been released posthumously and his final film, the seventh instalment in the Fast & Furious franchise, is due for release next year. A reward is being offered for Mr Luber's stolen items and anyone with information is urged to contact Luber at (866) 370-2019, extension 100. Fast and Furious co-stars Michelle Rodriguez and Tyrese Gibson both left touching tributes to the star .

Thieves stole 12 Mac computers worth $300,000 from Matt Luber's office . Manager said he has lost cherished pictures and videos of Paul Walker . CCTV footage shows two females breaking into Hollywood offices . The office doors were apparently left unlocked when the employees left for the Thanksgiving holiday . Mr Luber is pleading with the thieves to return the stolen mementos . 'Fast and Furious' star died in a car crash on November 30 last year .

7c9696286169cefe0d92291c5b99962e63dd66fc

Annie star Quvenzhané Wallis yawned her way through an interview with the New York Times Style magazine, telling the publication's writer that she found the process 'a little boring'. According to journalist Nicholas Haramis the 11-year-old, who features on the front cover of this weekend's edition of the magazine, the youngster struggled to feign interest in the interview, and perhaps unsurprisingly given her age, couldn't wait to put an end to his questions so she could return to her video games. 'I try to get a few more details about what it’s like to balance homework and Hollywood fame' he writes. '“How about three more questions?” she says. “Make them big so I can answer them big.” 'Sometimes it gets a little boring': The 11-year-old Oscar nominee was more than happy to admit she doesn't find interviews all that entertaining . 'I rack my brain for another, but I’m too slow. “We’re done now,” she says.' Even discussions about her Annie co-stars Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz - both of whom have waxed lyrical about her abilities as an actress - failed to raise much interest from the precocious youngster. 'Inquiries into inspiration and motivation elicit eye rolls,' Haramis says. 'At one point, while discussing the director and co-stars of her new film, Annie — Will Gluck is a “really nice man,” Jamie Foxx is “a really nice guy” and Cameron Diaz is “really nice” — she lets out an exasperated yawn.' The Oscar-nominated star, who is the youngest person to receive a nod for Best Actress, having been nominated for her role in Beasts of the Southern Wild when she was only six, makes no attempt to hide her boredom throughout the interview, even explaining to Haramis that she finds the process 'a little boring'. 'I'm not gonna name names,' she says. 'But sometimes when reporters are talking it gets a little boring because I don't have any jokes to tell because the questions are so serious.' Clearly intent on making the New York Times interview a little bit more entertaining, Quvenzhané then proceeds challenge Haramis to try his hand at her favorite basketball-focused arcade game Hoop Fever, demanding that he pay up $1 when he loses. A friend - and a movie star: Quvenzhané Wallis reveals to the New York Times Style that her schoolfriends at home don't view her any differently, despite her successful movie career . 'Wallis’s precocious, at times petulant charm — littered with as much toilet humor as schoolyard sagacity — is her secret weapon,' Haramis later says of the young star. 'And it’s what makes her stand out from all the pretween beauty queens who’ve been trained to follow a script.' But while her interview manner might not be up to scratch, her career has continued to go from strength to strength. In addition to her role in big-screen blockbuster Annie, which is due out on December 19, Quvenzhané is also set to star in two more feature films next year - and earlier this year was revealed as the first ever celebrity face of Armani Junior. She insists, however, that life at home has not changed all that much since Hollywood first came knocking five years ago. Now and then: The youngster will soon be seen starring in a remake of hit musical Annie (L), having made her big screen debut in Beasts of the Southern Wild, which earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress (R) 'Of course, when strangers see me they're star-struck because of who I am, but my friends take me as a friend because I'm their friend — not because I'm a movie star,' the precocious young star explains. But for those who don't know the youngster on a personal level, her life appears to be very different from that of a normal 11-year-old. Quvenzhané has spent the last few weeks on a whirlwind promotional tour for the upcoming remake of hit musical Annie, in which she stars in the title role, alongside Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz - both of whom admit to being bowled over by her talent. 'I was so impressed with her,' 46-year-old Jamie said, while Cameron said of the pressure Quvenzhané faced taking on such an iconic role: 'I'm not certain that a girl that age has that kind of awareness. I don't think Q did, anyhow.'

The Annie actress challenged the publication's Nicholas Haramis to a game of Hoop Fever, before yawning at his questions about her co-stars . Quvenzhané is the youngest person to have received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress .

4ea8ce43f81ec6aae844f4494b687307b775fcc4

Police officers in West Virginia brutally arrested a 39-year-old father of two who they say appeared intoxicated and was handling his kids roughly while walking them to the park. But his outraged family denies that 39-year-old Jeffrey Bane was under the influence on Sept. 6, when he was left choking in his own blood and pleading for help while he was pinned to the ground by four Granville PD cops during the Sept. 6 arrest in Morgantown. The whole arrest takes some 10 minutes and was recorded in a shocking video uploaded to YouTube. The family says Bane suffers from Huntington's disease, a genetic and terminal illness that causes sufferers to increasingly lose their motor functions, at times appearing to be under the influence. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO — WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT . Cops were caught on tape violently arresting 39-year-old Jeffrey Bane, whose family says he has the terminal illness Huntington's disease . The officers hold Bane down for 10 minutes while he appears to choke on his own blood, pleading for help . After the brutal arrest, Bane was charged with disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer and battery of a cop . 'Assuming . because of his appearance he was high on narcotics with out reason they . began to subdue him, macing and beating him in the head as he fell to . his face were he was —  then held with a great amount of force by two . officers double his size as a third one landed on his torso,' nephew . Josh Bane told The Free Thought Project. Granville . PD says officers responded to a report of child abuse when they . approached Bane, who appeared intoxicated and was handling his kids . roughly, according to the Morgantown Dominion Post. 'The children appeared to be overheated, and when asked about provisions . that he had with him for the children, Bane struck the stroller . violently with his hand, pushing it forward abruptly while his infant . son was still seated inside,' police claim in a report, according to the Post. The . officers also said Bane kicked and tried to spit on the officers. He . was charged with disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer and battery . of a police officer, the Post reported. Bane's family says he is a father of two who suffers from Huntington's disease, a terminal illness that causes him to lose some of his motor functions and appear to be intoxicated . This photo posted on a Facebook page seeking justice for Bane shows some of the injuries he suffered in the violent arrest . His family, however, offers a different picture. 'As my uncle and his two children headed towards the store before heading to the park together they crossed an intersection to the other side when the stroller became hung up on the curb,' Josh Bane told The Free Thought Project. 'As the light changed, to keep his children out of harms way, he hurriedly put his 2-year-old on the curb, told her to stay put and pulled the stroller up on the curb.' Josh Bane says his cousins were left 'unattended' during the 10-minute arrest while his uncle 'pleads and cries out in pain for the lack of breath and agony being applied to him.' 'So as he lay there uncontrollably moving due to his terminal condition, he is forcefully detained to the point of screaming for help,' Josh Bane said. 'He is spitting blood and drowning in it and the officer holding his head only applies more pressure and instructs him to "quit spitting."' Bane's face is covered in bruises and his knee was left bloody and scraped during the arrest . Bane's foot was also banged up during the vicious arrest . The outraged family has set up a Facebook page seeking justice for Bane, hoping to get the charges against him dropped. The video was posted to YouTube by a witness to the arrest who identified herself as Sara Bostonia. She calls out 'stop it!' — and is confronted by one of the cops arresting Bane. 'How are you involved with this guy?' he asks. 'I just was driving by,' Bostonia replies. 'This is insane.' 'He is choking on his own blood,' she adds. 'I can hear it from my car.' 'This is wrong,' she tells the officer defiantly. 'If you want to continue filming, that’s OK,' the cop replies. 'If you continue to be loud and boisterous, I will arrest you for obstructing, OK? 'Just leave me alone,' she says. Bane's nephew Josh offered this version of the incident via social media .

Jeffrey Banes, 39, was arrested in West Virginia by four cops who left him choking on his own blood while subduing him . His family says Banes' illness, Huntington's disease, can make it seem as if he's intoxicated because it affects his motor functions . The violent arrest was captured on camera .

eeaea125d1b5b2219bd57baa5cac828d355b6198

As the king who thought nothing of killing off an inconvenient wife or rival, his place on the history curriculum is assured. But few would single out Henry VIII as a role model. Which is why Education Secretary Nicky Morgan was facing ridicule last night after a bizarre interview in which she singled him out when asked to name her favourite monarch. Nicky Morgan said the controversial king was her favourite monarch in the interview with politics website ConservativeHome, but opted for Elisabeth I on advice from aides after her first choice prompted surprise . The reign of Henry VIII, pictured, was dominated by his break from the papacy, and he is said to have carried out large numbers of political executions – 330 in the years 1532-40 alone, with some estimates up to 72,000 . ‘Well I love the Tudor period. I think Henry VIII,’ she said. The minister quickly withdrew her choice when aides and her interviewer on the politics website, ConservativeHome, expressed their surprise. She said: ‘Shall I change that to Elizabeth I? A strong female monarch at a time when there weren’t many examples.’ Henry’s reign was dominated by his break from the papacy and the establishment of a reformed, national church. But he carried out large numbers of political executions – 330 in the years 1532-40 alone. A contemporary chronicle says he had 72,000 people killed, although the true figure is likely to be much lower and in line with other monarchs in troubled political and religious times. Henry’s most famous victim was the second of his six wives, Anne Boleyn, who he had accused of adultery. He also had his fifth wife, Catherine Howard, beheaded for being ‘unchaste’. A Conservative campaign for new grammar schools came under fire yesterday – from the Tory Education Secretary. Nicky Morgan said she ‘was not sure that separating people at the age of 11’ would improve social mobility or transform education. She insisted instead that she wanted all the country’s state schools to do well. Her comments come after senior party figures called for an expansion of grammar schools to be included in next year’s general election manifesto. Home Secretary Theresa May and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon have backed plans for new ‘satellite’ grammar school campuses in their constituencies. Kent county council has asked Miss Morgan to approve its plans for an extra grammar school to meet demand in Sevenoaks, Mr Fallon’s constituency. Earlier proposals were rejected by Mrs Morgan’s predecessor Michael Gove. Mrs Morgan told the ConservativeHome website it was wrong to think that the only way to get access to good state education was to reintroduce grammar schools: ‘I would push back on that and just say actually we want all of our state schools to be good and outstanding.’ His inner circle were never safe and Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell were among many courtiers and nobles put to death in a reign that ran from 1509 to 1547. Chris McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said Mrs Morgan’s choice showed appalling ignorance of British history. ‘Henry VIII is a figure more akin to Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader,’ he said. ‘He was a tyrant. He was responsible for the executions of thousands of people. ‘He used to burn Protestants and Catholics in the same place, on the same day, alongside each other. ‘What a fool Mrs Morgan is. It’s laughable. She has to be kidding. It’s someone who doesn’t know her history.’ Asked in the interview to name her political heroes, Mrs Morgan chose Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev and FW de Klerk, the last apartheid ruler of South Africa. The two men were ‘prepared to take on the system, having been elected or appointed in that system’, she said. Mrs Morgan was also asked if this country was in need of glasnost – the policy for openness in government institutions in the Soviet Union. She replied: ‘The Westminster system, there’s no doubt about it, people want to know honestly from their politicians about what can change and what can’t change and why we’re doing things. They want to know what motivates us to be making change.’

Nicky Morgan singled him out when asked to name her favourite monarch . Quickly withdrew her choice after aides and her interviewer were surprised . Then decided on Elizabeth I who she said was a strong female monarch . Henry to blame for at least 330 executions in the years 1532-40 alone . Campaign for Real Education said choice showed ignorance of history . Added that ‘Henry VIII is a figure more akin to Kim Jong-un of North Korea'

4dbe479d3d0486307b5bc66bcb0db6ab2d2d5e51

Da Nang in Vietnam has come top of a list of previously unheralded destinations being tipped to become tourist hotspots next year. Located between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang is known for its tranquil beaches, culinary tours, and Buddhist sanctuaries. It has now been voted the top in TripAdvisor’s Destinations on the Rise awards. Vinh Nam Chon Beach in Da Nang, Vietnam. The port city has come top of a list of previously unheralded destinations being tipped to become tourist hotspots next year . The port city is also home to the second best rated hotel in Vietnam, Fusion Maia Resort, according to this year’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for Hotels. TripAdvisor reviewers suggest a visit to the historic Marble Mountains. The awards highlight spots around the world that have received the greatest increase in positive feedback and interest from TripAdvisor members over the past year. In second place on the list was . Located between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang is known for its tranquil beaches, culinary tours, and Buddhist sanctuaries . Sihanoukville, Cambodia came in second place in TripAdvisor's list of most hotly tipped destinations for 2015 . Surrounded by the Bay of Thailand, Sihanoukville is a spectacular beach town that offers premier snorkelling and diving, with average hotel costs for two people coming out at just £62 per night. TripAdvisor reviewers describe Ream National Park as ‘a true tropical forest’. Limassol in Cyprus came in third place on the list, with travellers praising culture and suitability for visitors of all ages. History buffs can learn about the archaic sites at Kourion including its magnificent amphitheatre and intricate mosaics. For delicious Greek fare, TripAdvisor reviewers recommend Meze Taverna Restaurant. Eilat in Israel came in tenth place and boasts sunshine nearly every day of the year. Visitors can explore Timna National Park and snorkel at the Coral Beach Nature Reserve . Naha in Japan was in sixth place in TripAdvisor's list of destinations being touted as a hot destination next year. The city is known for its historic monuments and majestic gardens . 1. Da Nang, Vietnam . 2. Sihanoukville, Cambodia . 3. Limassol, Cyprus . 4. Ao Nang, Thailand . 5. Bodrum City, Turkey . 6. Naha, Japan . 7. Hurghada, Egypt . 8. Kazan, Russia . 9. Manaus, Brazil . 10. Eilat, Israel . In fourth place was Ao Nang in Thailand, a destination known for its beaches and water sports. Bodrum City in Turkey made it into fifth place, with TripAdvisor travellers recommending a trip to the Castle of St. Peter and the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology. The rest of the top ten were made up of Naha, Japan, Hurghada in Egypt, Kazan in Russia, Manaus in Brazil and Eilat in Israel. 'The TripAdvisor community has helped surface some unheralded destinations across the globe that are receiving rave reviews from travellers worldwide,' said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. 'These award-winners offer highly rated options for accommodations, restaurants and activities to inspire those planning their vacations for the New Year.' Bodrum City in Turkey: Once a quiet community, TripAdvisor travellers now enthusiastically write about the culturally rich attractions such as Castle of St. Peter and the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology . Manaus in Brazil was voted in ninth position. The city offers cosmopolitan attractions in the middle of the Brazilian Amazon. A TripAdvisor reviewer recommends touring the Teatro Amazonas opera house . Meanwhile, online booking site Skyscanner has released its picks of the top destinations in 2015. Brazil was voted in top place, with experts claiming the improved transport system has made it easier for visitors to explore the country. Nicaragua was in second place, with tourists praising the spate of five-star hotels that have sprung up across the Central American country. Located along the Volga River in Russia, Kazan has proved popular with tourists because of its rich history . Limassol in Cyprus managed to secure third place on the list of TripAdvisor's most hotly tipped destinations for 2015. The Mediterranean town was praised for being able to offer something for visitors of all ages . In third place was Seoul in South Korea, with the capital now becoming a major tourist destination. Taipei in Taiwan sealed fourth place thanks to its breathtaking landscapes and absence of backpackers.; . Mykonos in Greece made up the top five, with the Greek island has becoming a favourite among celebrities like LeBron James, Jean Paul Gaultier and Jennifer Lopez for its bright, cheerful whitewashed houses, colourful doors and thriving nightlife.

TripAdvisor unveils the winners of its Destinations on the Rise awards . Features destinations that received greatest increase in positive feedback . Others include Naha in Japan, Hurghada in Egypt and Manaus in Brazil . Brazil has also topped Skyscanner's list of top destinations for 2015 .

8f513ee6e3c51573b85d427f0a711db02bcd2b9a

Under fire: King Abdullah has been widely criticised for his country's intollerance of religious minorities . Islamist police in Saudi Arabia have stormed a Christian prayer meeting and arrested its entire congregation, including women and children, and confiscated their bibles, it has been reported. The raid was the latest incident of a swingeing crackdown on religious minorities in Saudi Arabia by the country's hard-line Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The 28 Christians were said to be worshipping at the home of an Indian national in the eastern city of Khafji, when the police entered the building and took them into custody. They have not been seen or heard from since, raising concerns among human rights groups as to their whereabouts. Nina Shea, director of the Washington-based Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom, told FoxNews.com: 'Saudi Arabia is continuing the religious cleansing that has always been its official policy. 'It is the only nation state in the world with the official policy of banning all churches. 'This is enforced even though there are over two million Christian foreign workers in that country. Those victimized are typically poor, from Asian and African countries with weak governments.' Activists are now calling on the U.S. to use its considerable influence in the region to help secure the release of the incarcerated Christians. A spokesperson for the Saudi government claimed to have no knowledge of the arrests, according to Fox News. But the English-language newspaper, The Saudi Gazette, as well as several Saudi Arabic-language news outlets, have reported on the arrests. Arabic-language news channel, Akhbar 24, said the arrests came after the Kingdom's religious police got a tip about a home-based church. The report also reported that 'distorted writings of the Bible were found and musical instruments, noting their referral to the jurisdictional institutions.' At least 3.5 million Christians live in the Gulf Arab region, mostly Catholic workers from India and the Philippines. In Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, it is against the law for Muslims to abandon their faith, a practice known as apostasy. Proselytising for other religions or practising them openly is also illegal. Judges have considerable leeway in how to interpret the kingdom's Sharia code of Islamic law and are not bound by sentencing guidelines or a system of precedent. Both capital and corporal punishment are legal. Last year King Abdullah, who has promoted limited reforms since coming to the throne in 2005, opened a centre for religious dialogue in Vienna that drew criticism because of Saudi Arabia's own lack of religious freedom. In 2008 he sponsored an inter-faith conference in Spain.

28 people were arrested at home of Indian man in the eastern city of Khafji . Reports claim women and children were among the congregation . Human rights activists have appealed to the U.S. to help secure release . In Saudi Arabia it is against the law for Muslims to abandon their faith .

a67a7266af0f1748bca9cba9cbeecad1453ddca6

Michelle Knight, one of three women held captive by Ariel Castro for a decade, made an appearance Wednesday at a rally for a missing Ohio man urging his parents not to lose hope. Aaron Zimmerman, a mentally handicapped man from Lorain, vanished without a trace on the morning of November 14, a day before his 26th birthday. His parents, friends and volunteers have spent the past three weeks scouring the streets of Lorain and the nearby woods in search of Aaron, who is said to suffer from schizophrenia and Asperger’s syndrome. Scroll down for video . Inspiring figure: Kidnapping victim Michelle Knight attended a rally at the Church on the North Coast on Leavitt Road in Lorain, Ohio, for missing man Aaron Zimmerman . Gone: Zimmerman, 26, went missing from his home on Camden Avenue November 14 . Zimmerman was last seen walking down Tacoma Avenue at around 8am November 14 after leaving his parents’ home on Camden Avenue without telling anyone, reported 19 Action News. With snowy conditions and temperatures in the single digits, his parents, Rhonda and Dale Zimmerman, are concerned that he may have frozen to death. They are also worried that Aaron does not have his medications with him. The Zimmermans say it is not like their son to take off without warning or stay out at night. He did disappear once before, but he was only 16 years old at the time. On Wednesday evening, Michelle Knight appeared before a crowd of supporters at the Church on the North Coast on Leavitt Road in Lorain, encouraging them to continue searching for Aaron and pray for his return. 'My plan to come here was just to give them a glimmer of hope and just see them smile... [it] means the world to me,' an emotional Miss Knight said. Knight handed Aaron's mother a blue 'energy' ring telling her that she needs it during this difficult time. Addressing Michelle Knight, Dale Zimmerman called the brave kidnapping survivor his 'blessing.' 'I asked for angels to come and here you are,' he said. Knight was kidnapped in August 2002 when she was 21 and spent the next 10 years in captivity inside Ariel Castro's Cleveland home. In prayer: Dale and Rhonda Zimmerman, Aaron's parents, bow their head in prayer during Wednesday's church service . Worried sick: Rhonda Zimmerman (left), Aaron's mother, is concerned that with the temperatures in the single digits, her son may have frozen to death . Fellowship of the ring: Knight gave Mrs Zimmerman a blue 'energy' ring to lift her spirits . In May 2013, Knight and her fellow hostages, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus, broke out of the house after suffering years of torture and sexual abuse. Castro pleaded guilty to a long list of charges and committed suicide in prison in September 2013. Aaron Zimmerman is described as a white male, 5 feet 8 inches tall weighing 215lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. People who encounter Aaron are asked not to approach him, as he may run away, and instead call police. Answer to his prayers: Dale Zimmerman (left) called Michelle Knight (left) his 'angel' and 'blessing'

Aaron Zimmerman, 26, went missing from his Lorain, Ohio, home on November 14 . Zimmerman suffers from schizophrenia and Asperger's syndrome . Michelle Knight, 33, was one of three women rescued from Ariel Castro's Cleveland home in May 2013 after 10 years of captivity .

7d6cb5a1dbe85f10b59a3923f877f3a9aee5258b

From American Eagle to Apple Stores, beacons are popping up everywhere. Are they a shopper's best friend or another pesky Big Brother monitoring our every move? The square or rectangular devices, smaller than a smartphone, can hang on a wall or be placed on a machine and communicate with your phone via Bluetooth signals. Accessed through apps you download to your smartphone, beacon technology can do everything from guide you to the correct airport terminal to turn on your coffee maker as you sleepily enter the kitchen. In retail, beacons aim to entice you to spend money. As you enter a store, your smartphone might light up with a sale alert. Stand in the dress section for a while and a coupon may pop up for something on a nearby hanger. We're watching you: Accessed through apps you download to your smartphone, beacon technology can do everything from guide you to the correct airport terminal to turn on your coffee maker . 'The most important thing a shopper might need to get access to when they go into a store are ratings and reviews, coupons and promotions,' said Erik McMillan, CEO of Shelfbucks, which is working with video game retailer GameStop and others on its beacon marketing. Beacons give customers that research right there in the store — when they have their wallets and are looking to buy. Macy's Inc. has installed beacons in all of its 840 department stores; other chains such as Kohl's are testing them in some locations. McMillan likens beacons to the early days of retail websites in the 1990s when 'all of a sudden it got to the point that 'you can't not have a website'.' He predicts the technology will skyrocket from the 50,000 beacons in use now to between 5 million and 10 million next year. The vast majority of shopping is still done in stores. E-commerce is fast-growing but accounts for only about 9 percent of total retail sales, according to Forrester Research. Beacons merge in-store shopping with mobile access to information — and data shows they work. Broadcasting: Beacons are relatively low tech devices installed in retail locations. They emit low-energy Bluetooth signals to detect an app user’s location and proximity in real time. The simplicity and functionality of beacons have the potential to be the most effective location-aware technology for in-store marketing . Between July and September, 30 percent of shoppers who received a 'push-ad' from an in-store beacon used that offer to buy something, according to a survey by Swirl, a marketing technology company that has worked with retailers such as Lord & Taylor, Hudson's Bay, Alex and Ani, Kenneth Cole and Timberland to deploy beacons. Sixty percent of shoppers opened beacon-sent messages, and over half of those surveyed said they would do more holiday shopping at the stores as a result of their beacon experience. Graham Uffelman, a 45-year-old New Yorker, said he bought Bluetooth headphones at Best Buy because of a deal he got via the Shopkick beacon marketing app. 'The app knew I was in the store and actually suggested a product I wanted,' he said. 'The experience was great but also a little unnerving in the sense that the store knew who I was and that I was present in their location. It felt a little Big Brother-like.' And that's the challenge. Not everyone is thrilled that a beacon app is monitoring them when they walk around with their cellphone. Outdoor advertising firm Titan drew such outcry last month when it installed beacons in phone booths in New York the city had to take them out. Mine of information: Using beacons can provide value to your shoppers (special offers, product information, ratings and reviews, etc.), but the most valuable information is the data the app collects as users engage with it . Eamon Bauman, 24, an IT systems administrator in Wisconsin, said he wouldn't let a store's app have access to his location even if it meant coupons or deals. 'It's providing retailers too much information about ourselves,' he said. 'If a retailer really wants to draw me into their store, showing me deals before I get to the mall is a better way.' Chloe Joslin, 22, a student in Jonesboro, Arkansas, was taken aback when she drove by a Walgreens and a notification on her phone from the Walgreens app popped up. 'The app never asked for permission to use location services and to my knowledge I had disabled them from almost every app to avoid such a situation,' she said. Because location settings can be different for individual apps, though, it can sometimes be difficult to disable all services. The pop-up likely resulted from the phone's location setting for nearby store notifications, said Walgreen Co. spokesman Phil Caruso in an email. He said customers can turn off notifications if they prefer not to receive them. Currently, the drugstore retailer is using beacon technology on a pilot basis in only a very small number of its Duane Reade stores. Transparency is key, says Rob Murphy, Swirl's vice president of marketing. 'Now it's pretty standard if anybody is doing this type of marketing to specifically ask for permission,' he said. 'You have to request an opt-in for location services and in-store push notifications.' 'You can't be interruptive or intrusive, you have to be positive and helpful,' said Alexis Rask, chief revenue officer of Shopkick, whose app is also used by teen retailer American Eagle to provide welcome messages, merchandise tips and styling guidance throughout its nearly 1,000 U.S. stores. That appeals to Dan Reich, 26, who works in health care in Washington, D.C. 'I wouldn't mind letting a retailer know my location if it meant I'd receive coupons or benefits when I'm in the store,' he said. 'This type of data is collected when we sign into Facebook or Twitter or any other social media application. I'm essentially already providing that information, so I might as well get something out of it in the process.'

Stores are using beacons to appeal to customers with relevant and customized deals and experiences . Many brands are starting to realize that customers are willing to receive messages via beacon technology if there's a direct benefit to them . Messages are beamed to shoppers who have installed store apps on their phones . Beacons are relatively low tech devices installed in retail locations . They emit low-energy Bluetooth signals to detect an app user’s location and proximity in real time . Less than 1percent of the 3.5 million retail stores in the US have rolled out beacon tech but the number is rapidly growing .

a2e755c67f777694ac6f031acecb901bebc97562

A grandmother, who has been left devastated by the discovery of two abandoned babies in one week, has set up a 'safe haven' on her own doorstep. Catherine Lucre from Camden, south west of Sydney, has also set up a Facebook page in which she offers to pick up any unwanted children from mothers who prefer to remain anonymous. 'I just want to offer another alternative to mothers than leaving their babies in a drain or burying it at the beach,' Mrs Lucre told Daily Mail Australia. Scroll down for video . Pictured with her granddaughter, Catherine Lucre is offering to do anything it takes to prevent another child being abandoned in unsafe circumstances . The mother-of-four started the Facebook page, Operation Safe Haven, following the discovery of a baby's body at Maroubra Beach . The 54-year-old mother-of-four, who works as a midwife, has shared her mobile phone number on the Facebook group, titled Operation Safe Haven, and encourages anyone in need to contact her. 'If you're in distress or don't know what to do or you're scared or alone or worried for whatever reason – if you just have no other means of caring for your infant - contact me,' she said. 'That's just one way that I'm prepared to help people in this situation. If someone said that they lived in Wollongong, I'd be prepared to go down there and meet them somewhere or they can leave the baby somewhere and I'll get it if they want to remain anonymous. 'They can also leave their baby out the front and ring the doorbell and I'll leave it for ten seconds before I answer if they don't want to have a face to face meeting.' The 54-year-old mother-of-four, who works as a midwife, has also set up a bassinet at her front door . 'I'll leave it for ten seconds before I answer [the door] if they don't want to have a face to face meeting,' she told Daily Mail Australia . Her offer comes following the discovery of a baby's body buried in the sand at Maroubra Beach and a newborn boy who was, only a week earlier, found abandoned in drain at Quakers Hill. Mrs Lucre, who called police in 2009 to offer to pay for the funeral of a baby whose body had been found at a rubbish tip, said she has received an enormous amount of positive support for her offer, but is yet to be contacted by any mothers. When that day comes, she said she would immediately take the infant to a hospital and contact the Department of Community Services and police, but promised to maintain the mother's privacy. The registered nurse said that she would like to see the introduction of baby hatches, adding that she had met many mothers during her career as a midwife who were not aware of the services available to them. 'If you're in distress or don't know what to do or you're scared or alone or worried for whatever reason – if you just have no other means of caring for your infant - contact me,' Mrs Lucre said after sharing her mobile phone number on her Facebook page . She has received an enormous amount of positive support for her offer, but is yet to be contacted by any mothers. When that day comes, she said she would immediately take the infant to a hospital and contact the Department of Community Services and police, but promised to maintain the mother's privacy . 'I understand there are reasons women are pushed to conceal their pregnancies, and there are a lot of women who suffer from depression,' Mrs Lucre said. 'They fear what you are going to do about it. For instance, when I was working in Aboriginal Health with DoCS, when you'd mention DoCS they would automatically think that you're going to take the baby straight away. 'People don't know what services are out there, DoCS can help you with housing for example.' 'I don't understand why we as a society aren't outraged by the discovery of babies being buried in the sand.' 'If the government isn't doing anything, I will.' The registered nurse said that she would like to see the introduction of baby hatches, adding that she had met many mothers during her career as a midwife who were not aware of the services available to them .

Catherine Lucre has started a Facebook page and handed out her mobile phone number, offering to take any unwanted babies . The grandmother has even offered to travel in order to pick up the infants . She says she will take them directly to a hospital and contact police, but promises to ensure the mother's anonymity . Her offer comes following the discovery of a baby's body buried in the sand at Maroubra Beach and a newborn boy who was abandoned in a drain at Quakers Hill .

f4882368bd549ff325960d41418e33973e7c7569

A stunning racehorse has become the most expensive filly in British auction history after being sold for a staggering £4.7million. Just The Judge won the Irish 1,000 Guineas in 2013 and the Grade 1 EP Taylor Stakes in October. She was the first Classic-winning filly to be offered at a Tattersalls bloodstock auction in 20 years and bidding started at 500,000 guineas (£525,000). There was a fierce bidding war for the four-year-old, with Sheikh Fahad al-Thani eventually paying 4.5m guineas (£4.72m) for the filly which he will own in partnership with The China Horse Club. Sheikh Fahad al-Thani (pictured) eventually payed 4.5m guineas (£4.72m) for the horse which he he will own in partnership with The China Horse Club . Just The Judge is now the most expensive filly in British auction history after it was sold for the staggering sum . Just The Judge, who has won five of her 14 races, is pictured being ridden by Jamie Spencer during the 'Breakfast with the Stars' morning at Epsom racecourse on May 29, 2014 in Epsom . The £4.72 million smashes the previous record of £3.57 million paid for a horse in training in 2007. Sheikh Fahad had joined the Sangster Family as a part-owner of Just The Judge towards the end of her juvenile season. She went onto prove a clever purchase, winning the Rockfel Stakes at the end of her two-year-old campaign and clinching Classic glory as a three-year-old with a her victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. Fahad has now bought out the Sangster Family, but has gained a new partner in The China Horse Club. Just The Judge is the first Classic-winning filly to be offered at a Tattersalls bloodstock auction (pictured) in 20 years and bidding started at 500,000 guineas (£525,000) There was a fierce bidding war for the four-year-old filly which resulted in £4.72 million final bid, smashing the previous record of £3.57 million paid for a horse in training in 2007 . Born in 2010, Just The Judge was bought as a yearling in Ireland for 50,000 euros. In her 14 races, she has picked up 5 wins and a further six places. The Charlie Hills-trained filly's finest moment came at the Curragh last year where she produced a devastating turn of foot to win last year's Irish 1,000 Guineas. Sheikh Fahad owns the most expensive filly in Britihs auction history . Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani is first cousin to the Emir of the state of Qatar, while his father Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani was prime minister between 1996 and 2007. He is a director of Qatar Investments & Projects Development Holding ( QIPCO), one of the world’s leading private investment companies. Sheikh Fahad is also a major player in Qatar horse racing. Having only watched his first horse race on TV in 2008, and first live race in the beginning of 2010, he had started buying horses in April of that year. In his first year of racing, his horses won an impressive 26 per cent of the races he entered. Sheikh Fahad now oversees the running of Qatar Racing and Qatar Bloodstock, both subsidiaries of QIPCO Holding, along with Pearl Bloodstock, which is solely his. Combined, they have over 200 horses in training in seven different countries. Sheikh Fahad's brothers also share his passion for racing. His brother Joann has  enjoyed widespread success as an owner over the past 18 months with victories including Olympic Glory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot as well as Toronado in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. David Redvers, from Tweenhill Farm and Studs, in Gloucestershire, entered Just The Judge on behalf of its owners. He said: 'If anyone wanted a template for a racehorse, they just need to look at her - she is athletic and beautiful and has a fantastic temperament. 'This is a new, one-off tie-up with The China Horse Club. This has allowed us to race another year with her and keep her - as she was our first Classic winner, we were not going to give her up easily. This fits the Club's aims too. 'She will come back to Tweenhills for holiday and then go back to trainer Charlie Hills. She is healthy and well and running as well as ever - she won the EP Taylor only a month ago. 'We will campaign in the best races, get the best possible opportunities, and then she will retire to Tweenhills and visit the best stallions in the world.' Born in 2010, Just The Judge was bought as a yearling in Ireland for around £40,000 . The Charlie Hills-trained filly's finest moment came at the Curragh last year where she produced a devastating turn of foot to win last year's Irish 1,000 Guineas .

Just the Judge won the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Grade 1 EP Taylor Stakes . First Classic-winning filly sold at Tattersalls bloodstock auction in 20 years . Fierce bidding war ended with Sheikh Fahad al-Thani paying 4.5m guineas . The horse is now the most expensive filly in British auction history .

8d5487b1cafb3b8be0ab6d13fdd97880c64db8f7

With his regiment weak with hunger and short of ammunition, William Davies knew there was only one way to save himself and his fellow soldiers. In an extraordinary act of bravery, the bombardier crawled across No Man’s Land and into the German trenches in the dead of night to steal rations for his World War I comrades. A few weeks later, he lost an arm and a leg in a German attack, but despite his injuries, miraculously survived for four days in the freezing mud, before being rescued by American medics from the Allied Army. Hero: William Davies who crawled into a German trench to steal food for his friends in World War One. A few weeks later, he lost an arm and a leg in a German attack. He is pictured with his wife Mary . The act epitomised the courage of Mr Davies, his granddaughter Cathy Alderson said, who never once complained about his war time experience or injuries. Although he received three war medals, Mr Davies’ bravery was never formally recognised and she has decided to tell his story for the first time ahead of the 65th anniversary of his death next week. ‘He was an extraordinary man,’ Mrs Alderson said. ‘A real character, but very self-effacing. ‘His comrades used to come to see him after the war and talk about what he did, but he was always of the attitude that he had been left with no choice, someone had to get a grip of the situation. ‘There’s been a lot this year about the 100th anniversary of the Great War and honouring those who died, everyone is touched by their stories. Stoic: Cathy Alderson from Stoneycroft, Liverpool, says he never once complained about his war time experience or injuries. Although he received three war medals, Mr Davies’ bravery was never formally recognised and she has decided to tell his story for the first time ahead of the 65th anniversary of his death . ‘But it also struck me that there were a lot of men who came back that suffered terribly and had to scrape together a living. My grandfather was one of those and I wanted to tell his story to coincide with the anniversary of his death next week.’ Born in Kirkdale, Liverpool, in 1881, Mr Davies was 34, married and a father to seven children by the time he was called up with the Royal Field Artillery, in 1915. His fellow soldiers quickly nicknamed him ‘Bunloaf’, after the traditional fruit cake he was sent from home by his ‘nanny’ that he generously shared out in the trenches. But by February 1918, as the war neared its end, food on the frontline were scarce and Mr Davies’ regiment were starved of rations. Despite his injuries, Mr Davies quickly re-adjusted to civilian life and started selling the Liverpool Echo from a pitch outside the Adelphi hotel for 20 years . ‘His regiment were stuck for food and ammunition,’ Mrs Alderson said. ‘He crawled all the way over to the German trenches to steal what they needed, and then crawled back. ‘He did it under the cover of darkness, he had to crawl quietly on his stomach, elbows and knees under lines and lines of barbed wire. He said he could hear the Germans talking but took what he could, stuffed it under his battle dress and crawled back. It must have taken a great deal of courage.’ A few weeks later, the regiment was situated close to the infamous Somme, which claimed so many British lives, when the Battle of St Quentin began. More than a million shells rained down on the Allied positions, in some of the heaviest German bombing of the war. Describing the moment which would change her grandfather’s life forever, Mrs Alderson said: ‘He was holding two horses and a copy of Tit-Bit magazine. ‘The magazine had fallen to the floor, and he bent down to pick it up. As he did so a shell crashed down which blew up his horses and the two officers stood up right next to him - taking his left arm and lower leg with them.’ As he lay motionless amid the destruction, a German soldier tried to ‘finish him off’ by stabbing a bayonet in Mr Davies’ neck, she added. Mrs Davies was sent a telegram to say her husband was presumed dead, but incredibly he survived. ‘Four days later some young American medical volunteers were sent in to pick up the corpses,’ Mrs Alderson, a retired Macmillan nurse, said. ‘Miraculously, when they picked William up, they saw his eyes flickering. He must have been hypothermic, as the body can sometimes last much longer when it’ s freezing cold.’ He was initially taken to an American field hospital because he was wearing an American uniform, having discarded his own after a mustard gas attack. What remained of his leg was amputated at the mid-thigh, and he was sent home to be rehabilitated at Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool. Despite his injuries, Mr Davies quickly re-adjusted to civilian life and started selling the local newspaper, the Liverpool Echo, from a pitch outside the famous Adelphi hotel for 20 years. Mr Davies and his wife also had four more children, including Mrs Alderson’s mother, Veronica, and her twin in 1919. Mr Davies wartime experience, however, never left him and he died aged 68 on December 9 1949 of lung problems caused by exposure to mustard gas.

William Davies bravely snuck into German trench in the dead of night . His comrades were starving, so he undertook the daring mission . Weeks later, a German attack robbed him of his arm and a leg . He survived for four days in freezing mud before he was rescued . The bombardier never complained about ordeal and worked his whole life . Now his granddaughter is leading a tribute to the heroic former soldier .

ec6f8f373abc90096c13efd83ff3017395ca6796

Free-to-air channels on Foxtel crashed on Wednesday afternoon, an outage which came in the middle of cricketer Phillip Hughes' funeral. The outage caused all free to air channels to stop broadcasting, but the blackout was particularly bad for viewers watching the Hughes funeral on Channel Nine. It cut out when Hughes' cousin Nino Ramunno was speaking and resumed broadcast around 20 minutes later. A Foxtel spokesperson said they're yet to identify the reach of the outage but admitted it had a 'reasonably large impact'. Scroll down for video . Foxtel users have expressed their outrage as the service went down in the middle of Phillip Hughes' funeral . 'Some customers have been impacted by some severe storm activity at the satellite site', the spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. They added a failure of their back-up systems and the outage has not 'has not affected Foxtel Go and Foxtel Play.' Many angry customers took to social media to express their outrage at the unfortunate timing of the error. Foxtel had an error message up on their website confirming there is a signal outage, but asked people to wait until it is resolved rather than contacting them. The outage was due to bad weather at their satellite station and Foxtel is yet to determine the reach of it . About an hour after the initial outage Foxtel tweeted that it was due to storm activity and a cable failure . 'Please be advised that this is an issue at the signal source which has been escalated to our engineers and will be resolved as soon as possible. 'This issue may impact some or all of your channels and will be resolved without you needing to speak to a technical agent or do anything,' a post from a community manager on the help page reads. The same manager has also advised which other channels viewers could watch Phillip Hughes' funeral on. 'If your viewing is affected on Channel 9 (FTA) by this issue, here is a list of alternatives to view Phillip Hughes funeral coverage: Fox Sports News SD - channel 254Sky News - channel 601Foxtel Go and Foxtel Play will not be affected (Sky News or Fox Sports News available),' the post read. But this did little to calm those on social media upset by the outage. Many took to social media to slam Foxtel over the inconvenient timing . 'Well done Foxtel at stuffing up the Hughes funeral for alot (sic) of people. No signal the entire time,' one user wrote. Another posted a photo showing the error message on their TV screen, calling Foxtel a 'disgrace'. After the channels had been down for around an hour Foxtel tweeted their apologies that some customers' services were down due to 'storm activity and cable failure'. 'We apologise that some customers may be impacted by storm activity and a cable failure. The issue will be fixed ASAP'.

Free-to-air channels on Foxtel are down across the country . Channel Nine is the worst affected . The channels went down in middle of Phillip Hughes' funeral . Foxtel said the outage was due to bad weather at their satellite site .

6885c7d156985b555286d7a9883bcc0d77743dc5

The brother of Shrien Dewani launched an extraordinary attack on South African citizens, describing them as 'not normal' and warning: 'These are black people'. Preyen Dewani made the inflammatory comments in a crisis meeting with the parents of murdered bride Anni in which the brothers battled to convince them that Dewani had no part in her death. A translated record of the meeting - published today by MailOnline - was secretly taped by Anni Dewani's cousin on November 22, 2010, just days after the Swedish engineer was buried. The meeting, which was conducted in Gujarati and lasted well over two hours, reveals Preyen's fear that the South African authorities will attempt to frame his brother for murder in order to protect the country's tourist industry. Scroll down for full transcript of the meeting . 'These are black people': Shrien Dewani's brother Preyen (left) launched an inflammatory attack on the South African justice system in a secretly taped recording with the family of honeymoon murder victim Anni Dewani (seen, right, with her husband on their wedding day) over fears the businessman would be framed . Calling on the families to unite to defend his brother against unscrupulous forces, he warns: 'We are not dealing with anything normal here. We are dealing with South Africa. 'This is not Sweden or the UK where you have a robust police and court system. These are black people. He was responding to the grieving family's deep mistrust of the British businessman, who is currently on trial accused of her murder. The transcript was accepted as an accurate record of the conversation by both the prosecution and the defence when it was submitted to the court, but it was not submitted as evidence during the trial. The 50-page record also lays bare a number of striking discrepancies between the story the 34-year-old gave to his in-laws in November 2010 and the account he offered to a South African court eight weeks ago as he went on trial for Mrs Dewani's honeymoon murder. Despite glaring variations in his version of events leading up to, and after, his wife's fatal shooting two weeks after their wedding, Dewani is next week widely expected to be cleared of having any hand in it. It comes as the Anni's brother, Anish Hindocha, today made an emotional appeal for Dewani to be forced to explain how she died. The meeting exposes the deep mistrust that Anni Dewani's parents, Vinod and Nilam Hindocha (above), held towards the British businessman just days after the Swedish engineer was buried . Mr Hindocha said Dewani, accused of plotting his sister's kidnap and murder, should not be allowed to leave South Africa without revealing in his own words how she met her death. He said: 'It would be a terrible development to what has been a four-year wait, if we and the people of South Africa are not afforded the full story.' Judge Jeanette Traverso will rule on an application by the businessman's legal team to acquit him on five charges, following a threadbare prosecution case against him, which was undermined by a number of legal rulings to exclude testimony. Sneha Mashru, 28-year-old Anni's first cousin and confidante, hid a tape recorder in her jacket during the lengthy talks which were organised and chaired by Dewani's brother, Preyan, at his family's central London flat, in an effort to smooth growing tensions. Mrs Mashru told Dewani's trial at the Western Cape High Court that his heartless behaviour and unconvincing story in the wake of her cousin's murder had aroused her family's suspicions. Mrs Dewani, an engineer, was shot dead when the taxi carrying her and Dewani through a township on the edge of Cape Town was ambushed by gunmen. The driver, Zola Tongo, and Dewani were freed unharmed, while the dead body of the bride was found in the abandoned vehicle the following morning. Tongo confessed to organising the murder, but claimed it was masterminded by Dewani. Covert: Anni Dewani's cousin, Sneha Mashru, hid a tape recorder in her jacket during the meeting . Prosecutors believe the new groom's secret gay life motivated him to want his wife dead. In the transcript of the meeting, the Hindocha family's misgivings about the state of the newlyweds' relationship are obvious, prompting Preyen – an Oxford law graduate – to invite his brother to allay their suspicions. '.. let's ask Shrien a direct question. Was there any involvement?' Preyen asks his brother . Dewani replies: 'No I had nothing to do with it whatsoever. Even if we had argued, how would I benefit by killing her?' As his father-in-law, Vinod Hindocha, continues to quiz him about the hours and minutes before his daughter's death, with Mrs Mashru's face apparently betraying her doubts, Preyen challenges them to find any motive for his brother to want to kill his new wife. 'Why would you do such a big wedding, with everything that happened, why would, why would you, there is no life policy. You tell me – what is the benefit for Shrien there?' Preyen demands. This prompts Dewani to add: 'Why would I spend £10,000 for First Class tickets to the best hotel in the whole of South Africa?' As Dewani is encouraged to re-tell his dramatic account of the honeymooners' late-night ambush by gunmen on a corner in Gugulethu which saw him and Tongo freed unscathed, but Anni driven off into the dark, the in-laws interrupt with questions. Mrs Dewani's mother, Nilam Hindocha, who does not apparently speak until 45 minutes into the crunch talks, appears puzzled by her son-in-law's claim that he had been pushed, head first, out of a rear window of the moving car and 'rolled out like a roly poly onto the road.' 'Did you not get hurt then?' the 62-year-old grieving mother demands to know. Confirming that he was indeed left bruised after landing on his head and shoulder, Dewani plays down his injuries. 'I did not hurt myself that much. It was all on sand,' he says, adding that his suit and a white shirt that she had bought for him 'was all – you know – dirty'. Clearly still unconvinced that two assassins – one of them at the wheel of a moving car in a pair of yellow washing-up gloves and the other brandishing a gun – had somehow managed to wrestle her athletic son-in-law out of a car window, against his will, Mrs Hindocha seeks further confirmation that this is what really happened. She also wants to know what her daughter was doing while he was being ejected, eventually demanding: 'How you could just leave her with two black men?' To which, Dewani replies: 'I did not have a choice.' In the meeting, which was designed to give Anni's father the full story from Dewani, the accused made no mention at all about a helicopter trip he claims he was planning. During his trial it has been claimed that he had R10,000 in Anni's handbag to pay for a surprise helicopter trip for his bride and was to ask taxi driver Zola Tongo to arrange it for him. The helicopter ride was not mentioned to police, his public relations guru, the jailed sex pest Max Clifford, or a journalist who interviewed him on tape. The claim emerged a few years after the murder. Preyen also informs the meeting that he has secured the services of the now-disgraced PR guru Max Clifford to limit the damage to the reputation of Dewani and the successful family business the two brothers still run with their father, Prakash. There had been newspaper reports alleging their lucrative string of care homes was in financial straits and the family could gain from an insurance policy on Anni's life. 'We are not in any financial difficulty whatsoever. .. if you want 5 million in cash, I can write you a cheque now. 'There is no problem with our company - the way we set and structure our company is very clever - because it is there to make sure we...,' Preyen reassures Mr Hindocha, 65, whose mobile phone interrupts his flow. The meeting also reveals bitter disagreements over arrangements for the funeral during which the Hindocha family obviously felt sidelined. Ami Denborg, the dead engineer's sister, was denied time alone with her sister's body, Mr Hindocha suggests. At one point, the grieving father-in-law tells Dewani, 'The look you gave me at the funeral was really scary.' He later asks, directing his question apparently at no-one in particular, 'Why her ? I should rather have died.' Dewani denies murder and kidnapping. See below for full version of the transcript . Alternatively click here if you can't see the document.

Preyen Dewani made inflammatory remarks days after Anni's death in 2010 . He feared South African authorities would frame Dewani to protect tourism . Transcript of meeting exposes grieving family's mistrust of her husband . Dewani brothers battled to convince her parents of accused's innocence . Shrien didn't mention 'surprise helicopter ride' that emerged years later . Two-hour conversation was secretly recorded by Anni's cousin Sneha . Anni's brother begs court to force Dewani to explain how his wife died .

fba92e96cbf33cf5a8e01e707ddd43c139d4202a

A prominent young activist has been charged with assaulting a guard during a Ferguson-related protest just days after meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House. Rasheen Aldridge, 20, the youngest member of the newly-established Ferguson Commission, was part of a group that rushed the doors at St. Louis City Hall, Missouri, police said. Video footage posted online show the group shouting, 'We shut s*** down', while storming towards marshals who were blocking the entrance. Scroll down for video . Rasheen Aldridge (far left), who is the youngest member of the newly-established Ferguson Commission, was charged with assault days after meeting President Barack Obama (far right) Wearing a grey hat, Aldridge (centre) is seen in at the front of the group and at one point he appears to shove a marshal . Wearing a grey hat, Aldridge is seen in at the front of the group and at one point he appears to shove a marshal. The 20-year-old was charged with assault along with two other demonstrators, Zachary Chasnoff from St Louis and Chelsea Carswell from Austin, Texas. Hundreds took to the streets Hall last week as part of a protest over a St. Louis County grand jury's decision to not indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in Michael Brown's shooting death. A police spokesman said: 'Several individuals rushed the doors at City Hall, attempting to gain entry. The 20-year-old was charged with third degree assault along with two other demonstrators . 'The individuals broke the door and C.U, a City Marshall, stood at the door, blocking the individuals from entering City Hall. The defendant was among the individuals attempting to gain entry to City Hall. 'While C.U. was blocking entry, Defendant and the other individuals were chanting and shouting at C.U. and others posted at the door. Defendant and the other individuals continued to attempt to gain entry to City Hall and Defendant pushed C.U.' On Monday, Aldridge and fellow commission member Brittany Packnett were in Washington to visit Mr Obama. 'One of the most powerful things that happened today was I had the opportunity to meet with some young people, including a couple of young outstanding leaders from the Ferguson community, Brittany Packnett and Rasheen Aldridge,' said the US president. 'And what made me concerned was the degree to which they feel as if they are not heard or that the reality of what they experienced has been denied. The member of Young Activists United admitted he was hesitant to accept an appointment to the commission . 'What made me greatly encouraged was how clear their voices were when they were heard, and how constructive they are in wanting to solve these problems. And I think anybody who had the chance to listen to them here today felt the same way.' Aldridge said he was 'disappointed' with the president after their meeting because he didn't commit to action in Ferguson. The member of Young Activists United admitted he was hesitant to accept an appointment to the commission. 'That was the most difficult part, to make sure I'm not turning my back on my people or betraying them or doing any backdoor deals because like I said at the end of the day, I stand with them,' he said. The 16-person panel of the Ferguson Commission has been appointed to study and make specific recommendations for how to make progress on the issues raised by events in Ferguson. In a written statement, Ferguson Commission co-chairs Rich McClure and Rev Starsky Wilson said: 'We do not have a lot of information on the situation with Rasheen Aldridge Junior and the misdemeanor charge stemming from an incident at city hall last week. We hope to have a chance to talk to him to understand the facts. Rasheen is a valued member of the Ferguson commission.'

Rasheen Aldridge, 20, was arrested after a Ferguson-related protest . He was part of a group that rushed the doors at St. Louis City Hall . Video footage appears to show him pushing and shoving a guard . He is the youngest member of the new Ferguson Commission . Activist met with President Obama at the White House this week .

1cb9f8426cb85618da147765d20bcb2f58d6dfa7

Watching David Silva's mesmerising display last weekend got me thinking: where does the Manchester City winger stand among the great foreign players who have graced our game? We have been blessed since the inception of the Barclays Premier League to see a number of players arrive here and produce performances that have ensured their names will stand the test of time, but could you make a team out of them? So, as it is international week, I've decided to do something different and name what I consider to be the best foreign XI of the modern era. It hasn't been easy and some big reputations have had to miss the cut. See whether you agree with this... Sportsmail columnist Jamie Carragher (left) came up against many of the Premier League's best foreign players, including Chelsea's Didier Drogba (pictured wrestling for possession at Anfield in November 2010) Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel . When people talk about players who made United so successful, he would be competing for one of the top slots. His influence in those initial title triumphs was just as big as Eric Cantona's. Even towards the end of his career, when he was playing for Manchester City, he was making extraordinary saves and one performance at Anfield in May 2003 lives in my memory. Former Denmark international Peter Schmeichel, pictured making a save for Manchester United against Tottenham, enjoyed a successful eight-year spell with Manchester United . Schmeichel also went on to play for Premier League sides Aston Villa and Manchester City . Right-back: Pablo Zabaleta . Admired throughout the League, he is a top player and what I like most about him is that he just gets on with his job without any fuss, putting the team first. Covers miles going up and down the pitch and has the honours his quality deserves. He only cost £6million and could end up being regarded as one of City's greatest signings. Argentine defender Pablo Zabaleta (left), pictured sliding to block a shot from Aston Villa's Kieran Richardson, has been instrumental in Manchester City's rise to the top from the right-hand side of the back four . Zabaleta, who cost a bargain £6million from Espanyol in 2008, could become one of City's greatest players . Centre-half: Vincent Kompany . The biggest compliment I can pay the Belgian is that if he maintains his standards for the next four or five years — and City are successful at home and abroad — he could outstrip John Terry as the Premier League's greatest defender. He has the elegance of Rio Ferdinand and the steel of Nemanja Vidic. Speaking of him… . Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany lifts the 2013-14 Premier League trophy after another fine season . Kompany could be regarded as the Premier League's best-ever defender if he continues his form for City . Centre-half: Nemanja Vidic . My type of defender. Liverpool tried to buy him in January 2006 but our loss was United's gain. I'd have loved to have played alongside him and I'm sure we could have formed a solid partnership. He loves defending and putting his head in where it hurts. His arrival took Ferdinand's performances up another level. They became the best defensive pairing in Europe. Nemanja Vidic waves goodbye to the Old Trafford faithful after calling time on his Manchester United career . Carragher admits he would have loved to have played alongside Vidic in the centre of defence . Left-back: Patrice Evra . When he was at his peak, all you could do was toss a coin to decide whether it was him or Ashley Cole who you selected for the PFA team of the year. A tough, tenacious defender who also scored a number of vital goals. He wasn't the tallest but always provided a threat at set pieces. Patrice Evra, pictured celebrating a goal against Newcastle in 2012, was a big presence at Manchester United . The Frenchman ended his time at Old Trafford with a summer move to Italian giants Juventus . Right-midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo . What more can you say about the man who is currently the best player in the world? You could see he was going to reach that level with his pace and power. For some reason, he never excelled against Liverpool — he only scored two goals — but he was the reason Manchester United wrestled the initiative back off Chelsea and became England's dominant team. Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, pictured shooting against Manchester City in 2009, was sold to Real Madrid for £80million after becoming one of the world's best players during his time in the Premier League . Ronaldo helped United overcome Chelsea's dominance under Jose Mourinho and get back to the top . Centre-midfield: Patrick Vieira . A monster, his partnership with Emmanuel Petit was as good as anything we have seen. His performance against Liverpool in the 2001 FA Cup final stands out. He was magnificent and didn't deserve to be on the losing side. In the dressing room afterwards, everyone kept saying: 'how good was Vieira?' Steven Gerrard still talks about that game as Vieira made him realise he had to climb a few more levels to reach the top. It says everything that clubs, when they sign young midfielders, hope they turn into 'the next Vieira'. Frenchman Patrick Vieira (centre), pictured in action against Liverpool's Emile Heskey (left) and El-Hadji Diouf at Highbury in 2004, was the driving force in Arsenal's midfield for a number of years . Vieira inspired Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard to raise his game after his display in the 2001 FA Cup final . Centre-midfield: Yaya Toure . His stamp is all over Manchester City's recent trophy-winning exploits and he has always come up with a goal when it matters, be it in a decisive Premier League match, the FA Cup final or the League Cup final. A powerhouse but blessed with great skill. Impossible to contain when he builds up a head of steam. Manchester City's Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure, pictured in action against Aston Villa in the Midlands last weekend, has helped his club to two Premier League titles in the last three seasons . Toure has proved a huge success at the Etihad since his £25million move from Barcelona in 2010 . Left-midfield: David Silva . I have to include him, as he is a joy to watch. His form has been so good that City fans are debating whether he can become the club's greatest-ever player. Marc Overmars, David Ginola, Robert Pires or even Eden Hazard could have filled this role but Silva is so easy on the eye. Could score more goals but makes up for that with his assists and the way he controls a game. Spaniard David Silva shone as champions Manchester City beat Aston Villa 2-0 away from home last Saturday . Silva is the main creative force in City's midfield, often laying on chances for Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko . Striker: Thierry Henry . I've used this analogy before and I make no apology for using it again. When he hit top gear and ran past you, it was like trying to chase after someone on a motorbike. When Arsenal were 'The Invincibles' in the period between 2003-2004, Henry rivalled Ronaldinho as the best in the world. A great goal-scorer, not to mention a scorer of great goals, he is the finest player I have seen in the Premier League. His game didn't have a weakness. Now for the hard bit... Arsenal legend Thierry Henry celebrates a vital equaliser against rivals Tottenham at Highbury in April 2006 . Arsene Wenger helped transform Henry from a wide player to one of the deadliest strikers in the world . Striker: Didier Drogba . There were no shortage of contenders for this role, ranging from Eric Cantona, Gianfranco Zola and Dennis Bergkamp to Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero. But even though they were all better players, I kept going back to Drogba because he did what all strikers should do and that is score in the biggest games. He scored three winners in the FA Cup final, got the crucial goals in two League Cup finals and who could forget what he did in Munich in the Champions League final? At his best, he was unplayable. So there you have it! Chelsea's Didier Drogba (left), pictured scoring against Manchester United away at Old Trafford in 2010, had a tendency to find the back of the net in the biggest games for various managers at Stamford Bridge . Drogba returned to Chelsea on a one-year deal in the summer after two years away from the club .

David Silva's dazzling display against Aston Villa helped confirm his place as one of the Premier League's best foreign players . Manchester United benefited from Peter Schmeichel's outstanding performances between 1991 and 1999 . Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta have been key to Manchester City winning two titles in three seasons . United are feeling the loss of Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra, who both left Old Trafford in the summer . Cristiano Ronaldo, Patrick Vieira and Yaya Toure complete the midfield . Didier Drogba beats Luis Suarez and Eric Cantona to partner Thierry Henry .

461d75937d53c493de69f438cca3c46b12ace72c

The owners of a Christmas attraction were left scratching their heads after one of their reindeers shed her antlers hours before visitors were due to arrive. Blitzen the reindeer was settled into her new temporary Christmas quarters on Sunday night ahead of the grand opening of a seasonal festival. But as she was about to welcome families the following morning, her owner opened the doors to her closure and found the animal was missing her trademark antlers. Blitzen the reindeer shocked owners of Old Holly Farm in Garstang, Lancashire by shedding her antlers the day before visitors were due to arrive . The animals shed their antlers annually, usually in the spring, and owners of the farm did not expect the phenomenon to happen before Christmas . Ian Pye, who works at Old Holly Farm in Garstang, Lancashire, said: 'We've had so many visitors since we opened on Monday and people are really shocked to see a reindeer without antlers. 'I think a lot of people don't realise that reindeers shed their antlers so they all seem amazed. 'We've assured the children that it won't stop her flying on Christmas Eve so they don't seem to mind. 'Normally, reindeers shed their antlers in early spring so it's really unusual to see it this early. I wonder whether it's because the weather has been really mild and she's got a bit confused.' The antlers have now been attached to the fencing posts outside the deers' enclosure, alongside a note explaining how reindeer regrow their antlers each year. But keeper Ian Pye say that Blitzen - even without her trademark antlers - is still popular with visitors .

Reindeer was due to be centrepiece of festive farm attraction . But day before event in Lancashire was due to start, she shed her antlers . Owners think she became confused by the warm weather . They say visitors are still pleased to see her, even without her antlers .

e41363e942e5babf8a4df87552e1e231ff431fae

As Sunni extremists claimed the lives of more than a dozen policemen near Iraq's border with Syria and airstrikes struck targets near Aleppo, dozens of locals lined up to compete in what must be the most dangerous running race in the world. The men yesterday raced through the war-torn streets in Aleppo's rebel-controlled Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood. Little is known about the race, which was eventually won by Ahmed Sobhe. He later posed for photographs while holding a trophy aloft. Scroll down for video . Dozens of men took to the war-torn streets of Aleppo yesterday and competed in a running race . The race came as an attack on a police checkpoint near the Syrian border town of al-Walid claimed the lives of 15 Iraqi policemen in an assault that underscored the depth of the country's turmoil . The race came as an attack on a police checkpoint near the Syrian border town of al-Walid claimed the lives of 15 Iraqi policemen in an assault that underscored the depth of the country's turmoil. It also followed an announcement on Monday from Iraq's prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, that he had retired 24 officials from the interior Ministry. The move is part of efforts to restructure the country's security apparatus and remove those who failed to confront the crisis caused by the Islamic State group's onslaught, he said. In Syria, the U.S. Central Command said a U.S. airstrike struck a target associated with the so-called Khorasan group, which it says is a special cell within the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front that is plotting attacks against Western interests. The attack took place near Aleppo, and was among 27 airstrikes since Friday that mainly targeted Islamic State group militants in Kobani and Raqqa in northern Syria. Eventual winner Ahmad Sobhe looks to have a commanding lead as he passes piles of rubble . Sobhe holds up a trophy as he celebrates winning the race through the Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood . The strike on the Khorasan group marked the fifth time the U.S. has targeted Nusra, al-Qaida's Syria branch, as part of its broader campaign against the ISIS group in Syria and Iraq. The June fall of Iraq's second-largest city, Mosul, was a turning point in the war against the jihadi group that calls itself the Islamic State. The U.S.-trained Iraqi military, harassed for months by small-scale attacks, buckled almost instantly when militants advanced on the city. Commanders disappeared, pleas for more ammunition went unanswered and in some cases, soldiers stripped off their uniforms and ran from the fight. Since then, U.S.-led coalition airstrikes have served to reinforce Iraqi and Kurdish security forces as they battle the Sunni militants, but major victories have been sparse. At least five other officers were injured during the checkpoint attack on Monday. Also Monday, the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq said that 1,232 Iraqis were killed and 2,434 were wounded in violence and terror attacks in November. Of those killed, at least 296 were members of Iraqi and Kurdish forces, as well as militias who fight alongside the troops.

The race was held in the rebel-controlled Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood . It came as Sunni extremists killed 15 Iraqi policemen at a checkpoint . And as the Iraqi prime minister retired 24 officials from the interior Ministry .

a4ed2e1b0be658d8811465590854a0fe826e1fe6

Stereosonic music festival is one of the largest and most popular in the Australia, and last weekend the festival hit Sydney. It's clear that people are still intent on parting hard. But in a video posted to social media, one man looks as though he was having a little too much fun. Sitting in the stands at one of the many stages spread around Sydney Showgrounds,  the reveler is dressed in a rainbow coloured singlet, denim shorts and slip-on shoes. One man at Stereosonic festival in Sydney at the weekend was so inebriated he tried to take photos with his credit card thinking it was his phone . Lost in his own world, the partygoer throws his arms around while still seated, thrashing his head in an attempt to keep up to the beat of the music. As the music pumps around him he stands up and moves to the fence in front of him to look down on the stage and dancers below. Then, deciding this would be an appropriate moment to try and capture a photograph, the confused festival goer pulls his wallet out his pocket. While sitting down the partygoer pulls out his wallet, before reaching for his credit card . Still dancing, he holds his wallet out in front of him, he fumbles and looks to be trying to swipe his wallet as if it's an iPhone. The man then pulls out a credit card, thinking it is a camera, and clutches it like a phone. He seems to try and take photographs while holding out the card, staring at it as if it has a screen. Standing looking down on the crowd below, the man attempts to take photos with his credit card . Then, realising that he has been unsuccessful in capturing a 'photo' - or maybe thinking he had captured some great shots - the man puts his card back into his wallet. The clip has had hundreds of thousands of views on Facebook, and has been shared thousands of times by people who can't believe what they're seeing. Many social media users have expressed how hilarious they find the footage, while others have expressed their concern for the man, who is clearly very inebriated. Holding the item up in front of his face he stares at it as though it has a screen .

The man was at Stereosonic music festival at the weekend . While dancing he pulled out his wallet and took out a credit card . He holds the card up and attempts to snap photos with it .

240230d0ce85001cd41179e55e405e5f1a6081dd

Britain still has a chronic shortage of doctors – and experts warn that the situation is putting patients’ lives at risk. Despite recruitment drives, the UK has one of the lowest numbers of practising medics per head in the EU. Only Ireland, Slovenia, Romania and Poland have fewer physicians, a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found. Shortage: Britain has one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios in the EU, says a new report (file photo) Britain has 2.8 doctors per thousand people – less than the EU average of 3.4 and below other major economies including Germany, Italy and France. Even former Communist states such as Lithuania and the Czech Republic have a greater proportion and Greece has more than twice as many doctors per head than the UK. Experts say the shortage in the NHS is most acute among GPs and A&E doctors. Last night Dr Cliff Mann, president of the College of Emergency Medicine, which represents A&E doctors, warned the shortage was risking patients. ‘When you have shortages of doctors in some areas it means longer waits,’ he said. ‘In A&E that’s not really an option, so it means doctors work harder and harder; it means there is a greater chance of mistakes, and ultimately it means risks to lives. ‘This has been going on the last three or four years – we cannot carry on like this.’ Long wait: A&E departments are under strain . The report found that the number of doctors in the UK has increased more rapidly than in any other EU country since 2000, rising by over 50 per cent between 2000 and 2012. The rise was set in train by the Labour government, but has continued under the Tories even since the economic crash. ‘As a result, the United Kingdom had 2.8 practising physicians per 1000 population in 2012, up from 2.0 in 2000,’ the OECD report said. ‘This nonetheless remains below the EU average of 3.4 doctors per 1000 population. ‘While most of the increase in the number of doctors in the United Kingdom in the early 2000s came from the entry of foreign-trained doctors, the situation changed just before the economic crisis with most of the increase now driven by a strong rise in the number of graduates from domestic medical education programmes. ‘This reflects a deliberate policy in the United Kingdom to reduce its reliance on foreign-trained doctors to meet its own needs.’ Britain’s proportion of doctors – 2.8 per 1,000 head of population in 2012 – is much lower, however, than Greece on 6.2, Austria on 4.9 and Lithuania on 4.4. Among our major European partners, Germany’s rate is 4.0, Italy is on 3.9, Spain is 3.8 and France is on 3.3. The EU average is 3.4 per 1,000 population. Only four countries are below us – with the lowest being Poland on just 2.2. The OECD said Britain’s rapid rise over the past decade had led to fears that doctors were being trained in the wrong specialisms – meaning they may have to be lain off in future years. ‘A growing number of doctors will improve access to health care, but will also put pressure on future health care budgets as more graduates enter the medical workforce,’ the report said. ‘There are now concerns that there might be surpluses of certain categories of doctors in the years ahead. This has led to recommendations to reduce slightly student intakes in medical schools or post-graduate training for certain specialties.’ Dr Mann, from the College of Emergency Medicine, added: ‘We have been warning for some years that we have got fewer doctors than most parts of the developed world. ‘When there aren’t enough doctors to go round, they can pick and choose speciality and because of the levels of burnout in A&E, that means many are walking away, creating even greater shortages. ‘We have now got 500 A&E doctors trained in this country working in Australia – that’s the equivalent of two full years of trained doctors. Dr Mark Porter, chairman of the British Medical Association, said: ‘The NHS is under incredible pressure from rising patient demand and flat-lining funding. ‘The government’s announcement of additional resources in the autumn statement for the NHS is a step in the right direction, but it will not solve the long term under-doctoring of many parts of the NHS that is hindering patient care. ‘Key specialities such as emergency care and GP services are facing particularly acute shortages.’ 1 Greece 6.2 . 2 Austria 4.9 . 3 Lithuania 4.4 . 4 Portugal 4.1 . 5 Germany 4.0 . 6 Sweden 3.9 . 7 Italy 3.9 . 8 Spain 3.8 . 9 Bulgaria 3.7 . 10 Czech Republic 3.7 . 11 Malta 3.5 . 12 Denmark 3.5 . EUROPEAN UNION 3.4 . 13 Slovakia 3.4 . 14 France 3.3 . 15 Finland 3.3 . 16 Estonia 3.3 . 17 Latvia 3.1 . 18 Netherlands 3.1 . 19 Hungary 3.1 . 20 Cyprus 3.0 . 21 Belgium 2.9 . 22 Croatia 2.9 . 23 Luxembourg 2.8 . 24 UNITED KINGDOM 2.8 . 25 Ireland 2.7 . 26 Slovenia 2.5 . 27 Romania 2.5 . 28 Poland 2.2 . Source: OECD, Health At A Glance, Europe 2014 .

UK has 2.8 doctors per 1,000 people, ranking 24th out of 28 countries . Only Ireland, Slovenia, Romania and Poland are worse in OECD report . Experts say GPs and A&E departments are the most acutely hit .

a6c620144d62d05de9fda8e1ccc8bc74c5db8f7b

Brian Bubear, 70, was beaten by a recovering alcoholic. He escaped by hiding in a toilet while it took three security staff to restrain his attacker . Crisis-hit Colchester Hospital has issued a grovelling apology after a terminally ill pensioner was beaten with his walking stick by a fellow patient. Brian Bubear, 70, was sleeping in a private room off the main ward when another patient, an alcoholic who had been brought in to 'detoxify', crept in and attacked him . Mr Bubear only escaped by locking himself in a small toilet attached to the room, while it took three security staff to restrain the attacker. Worse still, Mr Bubear's 75-year-old wife, Elizabeth, said staff did not tell about the incident for four days afterwards. Last month Colchester Hospital was put into special measures by the Care Quality Commission after staff were bullied into changing cancer patients' records to hide missed targets. Mr Bubear was attacked in the early hours of November 23, just a week after inspectors visited the hospital, as he slept in his room. His attacker, who has not been named, crept into his room as he slept, took his walking stick from the windowsill where it was resting, and began attacking Mr Bubear with it. After the attack Mr Bubear, who was suffering from a bad infection at the time, was moved on to a general ward. His wife said: 'My husband is terminally ill and he is all I have left and to have this happen to him when his is in hospital is completely disgraceful. 'He was in hospital because he needed to be cared for and looked after. Patients should feel safe in a hospital. 'I know he is terminally ill but he will not be going back to that hospital. Never.' Mrs Bubear, who is recovering from a broken hip which is unconnected to the attack, says she has now taken her husband home, where he is recovering with her. The attack happened at Colchester Hospital just a week after it was put into special measures after a surprise inspection. The hospital today issued a grovelling apology to Mr Bubear and his wife, Elizabeth . She added: 'I am ashamed of the hospital. It is getting a bad enough name but now I don't even think it is safe. 'I'm not telling the story for me or my husband. I want the public to know what can go on there. 'My husband is so frail and he could even have been killed.' A state of emergency was declared at Colchester Hospital on November 15 after a surprise visit by health inspectors. They found patients were inappropriately restrained, sedated without consent, and do not resuscitate signs were being ignored. The A&E unit was found to be struggling with demand, while it was claimed that staff had tampered with cancer patients' records in order to meet waiting targets. A spokesman for the hospital said: 'We apologise unreservedly to Mr Bubear and his wife for what happened to him while he was in our care on Langham ward, which is totally unacceptable. 'Unfortunately, this incident could not have been foreseen. 'The patient who hit him was not known to have any mental health issues and had been admitted to the ward shortly before the incident because he was a detoxifying alcoholic with medical needs and did not have any record of carrying out violent acts. 'We have occasionally experienced patients who are detoxifying alcoholics committing criminal damage on the ward, such as smashing a window or pulling equipment off a wall but not attacking other patients. 'As soon as this incident occurred, the Trust's own security staff were called and a member of the security team remained with the patient who hit Mr Bubear until the ward sister carried out an assessment and decided that one-on-one security was no longer necessary. 'Again, we apologise unreservedly to Mr and Mrs Bubear for this appalling experience.'

Brian Bubear, 70, was recovering from infection at Colchester Hospital . Was asleep in private room when alcoholic crept in and attacked him . Staff did not tell wife Elizabeth, 75, about the incident for four days . She has taken her husband home and vowed not to return to hospital .

591ef703a2290441b36e3ddedefd88373da9f25b

Two days of rain has soothed the parched landscape of California, though relief has also brought flooded roadways and traffic jams in some areas. Reservoirs swelled and waterfalls sprung back to life on Wednesday, as officials monitored for flooding and mudslides that were possible after one of California's worst years of drought on record. A sinkhole in San Francisco was being blamed on the heavy storm, which also dumped snow over mountains and brought water back to the waterfalls of Yosemite National Park. Scroll down for video . The flood: An officer directed cars through a flooded section of road in Mill Valley on Wednesday after heavy rain soaked a previously drought-stricken terrain . Inundated: An empty car is submerged on a flooded section road in Mill Valley on Wednesday after heavy rain soaked a previously drought-stricken terrain . Backup: A miles-long traffic jam on the southbound section of Highway 101 slowed cars to a crawl ahead of a flooded portion of roadway in Mill Valley on Wednesday . Forecast: A satellite image shows the clouds spread across the western United States that were dumping rain across California and causing isolated flooding . The park's 2,425-foot Yosemite Falls, which had nearly dried up by mid-July, came roaring back to life. 'With the precipitation, they are looking good. They are flowing nicely,' park spokeswoman Ashley Mayer said. One area, Yucaipa Ridge up in the San Bernardino Mountains, had received 8.38 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service. CBS reports that slick roads and flooding on highways led to an uptick in accident reports across the state. On Wednesday, the agency reported that local California Highway Patrol dispatchers had logged 101 crash reports between 12 a.m. and 8 a.m. There were 328 throughout the day on Tuesday, according to the agency, compared to 50 to 75 crashes on a normal non-rainy day. Officials said that, in spite of this week's rainfall, much more would be needed to reverse three years of drought conditions in the state. The Association of California Water Services notes that the 2014 water year, which ended September 30, was the fourth driest in California's history. Traffic jam: One onlooker tweeted the sight of cars backed up in Sacramento along a highway at dusk . Plowing through: A car pushed through deep water on a flooded section of road in Mill Valley on Wednesday after heavy rain soaked a previously drought-stricken terrain . Slick: An SUV drove over mud-covered roadway in Point Mugu, after rain brought mud and debris flowing into parts of the highway throughout California . Soaked: A cyclist struggled to pedal through the deep waters on a flooded roadway in Mill Valley on Wednesday during the second day of heavy rain . Warning signs: Signs in Tiburon warn drivers off the badly flooded sections of roadway on Wednesday after the region was hit with heavy rain, lightning and hail . The drought made terrain in some areas susceptible to mudslides from flash floods on Tuesday. Residents in Camarillo Springs were forced to evacuate around 75 homes as rushing water brought mud flowing through the foothills 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Homeowners were urged to remain outside the area even after the evacuation order was lifted, though no damage was reported. Silverado Canyon also had a voluntary evacuation notice in place for around 60 homes in an area that had experienced large fires and mudslides previously. Wade on: An employee at a Chevron gas station fights through floodwaters outside the building in Mill Valley on Wednesday after days of heavy rain . Flooding: A kid's bike sits locked toa  utility pole in Mill Valley on Wednesday after heavy rain soaked a previously drought-stricken terrain . The rain is expected to last through Thursday, and has allowed much of the San Francisco Bay Area to catch up to or exceed normal annual rainfall levels. The Sierra Nevada snowpack, which holds much of the water supply in the state, was at just 24 percent of its average level before the storms. Snow has built quickly, with some areas experiencing snowfall of 10 inches at elevations of 8,000 feet.

More than eight inches fell on some parts of northern California . Rain replenished lakes, streams and reservoirs but also caused widespread flooding .

1303d9c6860b98fe0c462df4d7f86e5773c3c940