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Authorities say a New Jersey man awoke after a long night's sleep to discover a knife stuck in his back. Police in Trenton say the 42-year-old man didn't know why his back was hurting when he got up Sunday so he had his brother take a look. The brother discovered a knife protruding from the middle of the man's back. Back-stabber: The victim was unknowingly stabbed on his own porch on this New Jersey street . 'And his brother said he had a knife blade protruding from his back,' Lieutenant Mark Kieffer told the Times of Trenton. Sneak attack: The man managed to knife the victim in the back without his knowledge . Police did not identify the man. The stabbing occured around 2am Sunday after the victim had been drinking. The Times of Trenton reports that he stepped out onto his front porch on the 600 block of North Clinton Ave to smoke a cigarette. While there, a man approached the man and asked for a light. The victim refused and the pair got into a physical fight. When the victim began to gain the upper hand, the other man ran away and the victim decided not to pursue him. Police did not disclose the size or . type of knife, but told the Times of Trenton that a five-inch blade was . removed from the victim's back at Capital Health Regional Medical . Center. A . detailed description of the man believed to have stabbed the victim is . unavailable, as the victim was reportedly 'very uncooperative.' The victim is expected to be released from hospital today. Police are asking that anyone with information about the incident call Trenton police.
A Trenton man, 42, awoke this morning with a sore back . The man's brother checked his back and discovered a knife sunk five inches in . The man had been drinking the night before . He got in a fight with a stranger on his front porch over a lighter . When he gained the upper hand, the stranger ran away and the man went to bed . He was not willing or able to give police a full description of the stranger .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . UPDATED: . 04:46 EST, 26 August 2011 . The television historian David Starkey brought his profession into disrepute when he made controversial race remarks on BBC's Newsnight, a group of leading academics have said. More than 100 historians, academics and graduate students signed an open letter criticising Starkey's failure to grasp the subtleties of race and class, which they said 'would disgrace a first-year undergraduate'. The broadcaster provoked a race storm earlier this month when he appeared on the Newsnight programme as a panelist, discussing the UK rioting. Scroll down to watch the video . David Starkey sparked anger as he suggested that black 'gangster' culture had become the norm . He was branded a racist after claiming the riots happened because too many young white . people had ‘now become black’ and blamed a ‘violent, destructive and nihilistic’ gang culture, . which he said was being embraced by many white and black people. The open letter, published by the Times Higher Education magazine, is signed by more than 100 of Starkey's contemporaries. In it, the signatories question why Starkey - who specialises in Tudor history - was invited by the BBC to talk about race riots when his academic works have nothing to do with it. Describing the selection of Starkey as a panelist as a 'poor choice', the letter says: 'We are thus unsurprised by the poverty of his reductionist argument, which reflected his lack of understanding of the history of ordinary life in modern Britain. It was evidentially insupportable and factually wrong. David Starkey, right, talks to Emily Maitlis during the controversial broadcast . 'His crass generalisations about black culture and white culture as oppositional, monolithic entities demonstrate a failure to grasp the subtleties of race and class that would disgrace a first-year history undergraduate. 'In fact, it appears to us that the BBC was more interested in employing him for his on-screen persona and tendency to make comments that viewers find offensive than for his skills as a historian.' The signatories - which included academics from Cambridge and the London School of  Economics, both institutions where Starkey once taught - said he was 'ill-fitted' to speak on the matter. It added: 'Instead of thoughtfully responding to criticism, he simply shouted it down; instead of debating his fellow panelists from a position of knowledge, he belittled and derided them. 'We the undersigned would therefore ask that the BBC and other broadcasters think carefully before they next invite Starkey to comment as a historian on matters for which his historical training and record of teaching, research and publication have ill-fitted him to speak.' Controversy: David Starkey, left, said that Enoch Powell's infamous anti-immigration speech was correct in one aspect . Even after the furore surrounding his comments, historian Starkey remained defiant. The . broadcaster stunned his fellow guests on the BBC2 show, writer Owen . Jones and black author and broadcaster Dreda Say Mitchell, by placing . the blame for the riots squarely with a form of black male culture that . he said ‘mitigated against education’. He said: ‘A substantial section of . the chavs have become black. The whites have become black. A particular . sort of violent, destructive, nihilistic gangster culture has become the . fashion. ‘Black and white, boy and girl . operate in this language together. This language which is wholly false, . which is a Jamaican patois, that’s been intruded in England and this is . why so many of us have this sense of literally a foreign country.’ Dr Starkey denied he had . said anything racist and said he stood by his comments, reiterating that in times of economic and political crisis, ‘plain speaking’ was . needed. Riots: Mr Starkey claims the unrest was caused by the spread of black gang culture . He said last month: ‘I said . until I was blue in the face on the programme that I was not talking . about skin colour but gang culture. A large group of whites have started . to behave like blacks. I think that is the most unracial remark anyone . can make.’ Dr Starkey caused further outrage on . Newsnight by claiming that if people listened to David Lammy, the MP for . Tottenham, on the radio, they would assume he was white. Following his comments on Newsnight, he added: ‘David Lammy . does sound white, so does [MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington] . Diane Abbott, because they’ve had a white cultural experience. It’s one . of the reasons they don’t have any street credibility. They have no . contact with the young.' The historian also revealed he had reread . former Minister Enoch Powell’s infamous ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech in . light of the tensions. He said: ‘His prophecy was absolutely . right in one sense. The Tiber didn’t foam with blood but flames . lambent. They wrapped around Tottenham and around Clapham.’
Open letter criticises Starkey's 'crass generalisations' Academics question BBC's choice of historian as a Newsnight panelist .
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By . Harriet Arkell . PUBLISHED: . 03:49 EST, 13 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:02 EST, 13 May 2013 . A row has broken out between academics at two Oxford University colleges after a professor said a planned student accommodation block would spoil the views from his rooms. Jonathan Bate, provost of Worcester College and world-renowned Shakespeare expert, has complained that Exeter College's building would be 'overbearing, out of scale and out of character', and would 'obliterate' views from his rooms. However the Rector of Exeter College, Frances Cairncross, has hit back at Professor Bate, saying the accommodation is desperately needed for less well-off students and adding: 'We do not feel that colleges should go out of their way to deprive undergraduates of affordable accommodation.' The Provost of Worcester College, above, has asked his students to object to Exeter College's planned student block . Oxford academics Jonathan Bate, left, and Fiona Cairncross, right are at loggerheads over proposed building . An architect's drawing of how the proposed Exeter College accommodation block would look . The spat began when Prof. Bate sent an email to his students suggesting they oppose Exeter College's plans to build a four-storey block on the former Ruskin College site that would house 90 students. Prof. Bate, a governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company and board member of Princeton University Press, says he, as well as students, Fellows and staff were 'horrified' at Exeter's plans for 'the sensitive western end' of the proposed building that was far too high. He told MailOnline he that his email suggesting students lodge online protests to Exeter's plans was in response to a query from his college's Junior Common Room asking how and on what grounds they might object. The professor's email criticised the 'excessive elevation of the proposed building at the end of the site that overlooks the orchard and our accommodation, and the inappropriately garish and intrusive materials proposed for its roof and upper level', according to the Oxford Student. He said if the undergraduates complained,it would 'help us to reduce the level of intrusiveness upon the College - something for which thousands of students in future generations will thank you.' Representatives from Worcester College took part in talks before the planning process began but no agreement was reached.  There were two public consultations and a third especially for Worcester, as well as several meetings with Prof. Bate which resulted in Exeter agreeing to lower the roof line and use different cladding materials. However the academic is still unhappy with the plans that Exeter submitted to Oxford City Council 10 days ago. Worcester College's orchards are more than 700 years old and Professor Bate says they will be overshadowed . Needs more space: Historic Exeter College is short of rooms for undergraduates in the city centre . Prof Bate, 54, whose Grade I-listed lodgings are set in 26 acres of Grade II-listed grounds with a lake, objected to the fact that the new building would overlook Worcester's 700-year-old orchard. And he is also concerned that views from his lodgings towards the eighteenth century Radcliffe astronomical observatory would be ruined, according to the Daily Telegraph. He told MailOnline: 'What we want Exeter to do is step down the end of the building, to bring its height into line with our building next door and to avoid overshadowing the historic orchard so much. 'This would require them to reposition eight student rooms on the lower level elevation facing the road, so they wouldn’t actually lose any accommodation.' But Exeter's Ms Cairncross said that her historic college had the worst student accommodation in the city and urgently needed more rooms for undergraduates who could not afford to rent privately. She told MailOnline: 'We have already reduced the height to meet Worcester’s concerns. 'Any further reduction will mean the loss of 14 student rooms – and that means 14 of our students each year will have to rent on the very expensive private market in Oxford instead of having subsidised College accommodation. 'The rooms are “mini-bursaries” and we need them to reassure families who are not well off that they can afford to send their children to Oxford. That is why they matter so much.' She added: 'We have been on our very constrained site since 1315 and are desperately short of student housing, especially for our third years.' Economist Ms Cairncross said Exeter had 147 student rooms on its city centre site and 320 undergraduates, with further housing on the Iffley Road, an arterial road leading out of the city. Students at Exeter College have come out in support of their rector and her plans. Edward Nickell, president of Exeter's Junior Common Room, said: 'Never mind a b***** college orchard, 2nd and 3rd year Exonians don't even get rooms! 'Worcester have ducks and lakes, while at Exeter we're bottom in Oxford for living costs satisfaction.'
Worcester College provost Jonathan Bate opposes Exeter College's plans . He says proposed student block is 'out of scale' and will 'obliterate' his view . Exeter rector Frances Cairncross says historic college needs more space . Plans for four-storey block submitted to Oxford city council 10 days ago .
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By . Sam Webb . PUBLISHED: . 07:10 EST, 9 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:28 EST, 9 January 2013 . One of the most deprived towns in the country today started to hand out free school breakfasts. A total of 12,000 primary school pupils in Blackpool, Lancashire, will get the free start to the day amid fears they are arriving at classes starving. The pilot scheme will last three months and will cost taxpayers £700,000, with deprived local authority Blackpool Council backing it. Most important meal: Pupils at Devonshire Primary School can now enjoy a breakfast of fruit, toast, yoghurt and juice for free . The breakfasts include fruit, cereals and yoghurt and pupils must arrive 30 minutes before their first class to be fed. Children at Devonshire Primary School were among some of the first to make the most of the breakfast scheme. Shannon Wright, 9, from Layton, said: 'I thought it was a really tasty breakfast. It’s a nice to eat breakfast with my friends. 'We don’t always have time for breakfast at home so it will be good for my family.' However, a spokesman for local . government union UNISON said: 'We feel the money could be better spent . saving jobs at this council.' Free: The scheme is open to all pupils to remove the stigma that having free school meals sometimes bestows on children . But council leader Simon Blackburn says being properly fed will allow students to focus on their studies. He said: 'The launch of this scheme is the culmination of a great deal of hard work to ensure that the children of Blackpool get the best possible start to their day and are able to maximise their ability to succeed in school. 'There will be no discrimination between those families that can afford it and those that cannot, every pupil will be able to start their school day fed and ready to learn. 'It is really important that as many parents as possible take up this new service - it was save them cash every week that they can spend elsewhere in the local economy, and makes a huge collective effort to get our kids in school bright and early, and ready to learn.' He hopes the pilot scheme will eventually include secondary schools and universal free lunches. The council says the idea is supported by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and welcomed by the Children’s Society, whose research suggests the scheme is much needed. A Children's Society survey of teachers about hunger at school found that nearly half of those surveyed found that children are often hungry during the school day and two thirds of the teachers surveyed stated that staff provide pupils with food or money if they have not eaten. Help: Headteacher Neil Hodgkins, shown dining with pupils, said staff had reported some children were 'lethargic' through hunger . One teacher who took part said: 'Last . month [I] found two girls sat on [the] toilet floor sharing one’s packed . lunch because other [girl] had no lunch money.' Headteacher at Devonshire Primary School, Neil Hodgkins, applauded the scheme, saying: 'We see children in the morning who are lethargic and struggle to concentrate because they haven’t eaten properly. 'This scheme will help a lot to address those problems.'
Primary schools in Blackpool will offer morning meal to 12,000 children . Council says scheme will aid learning by combating effects of hunger . It hopes to roll the pilot scheme out to secondary schools in the future . But public sector union says the money could be better spent elsewhere .
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LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Volunteering with local law enforcement, Shaquille O'Neal has learned from his peers that domestic violence calls are among the most dangerous for police officers. NBA star Shaquille O'Neal praises Karen Earl for her efforts on behalf of domestic abuse victims. "[It's] a very disturbing thing," said the NBA star, who has dealt mainly with children's cases. "I don't really think a lot of women know what to do." That's where Karen Earl comes in. As executive director of the Jenesse Center, the oldest domestic violence intervention program in south central Los Angeles, California, Earl is a "tireless and fearless" champion of women and children living in abusive situations, O'Neal said. The Phoenix Suns center called Earl "the pillow of women's society." For more than two decades, Earl has helped give victims a way out through the Jenesse Center, which provides shelter, education, outreach and legal services to more than 8,500 victims of domestic violence every year. "Thank God for Miss Earl," O'Neal said. "She takes women that have been involved in domestic abuse situations and gives them a place to come rest their head." According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year, and one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Earl has heard countless stories of domestic abuse and has seen a range of tipping points before victims seek help. She is working to lower these statistics. She recalled one woman whose husband beat her with an iron; for another, "the beatings were standard, but when he sold their refrigerator and she couldn't keep her baby's milk cold anymore, she knew it was time to go." These women were able to find shelter and support -- and ultimately safety and success -- through the Jenesse Center. "It is not normal to go to bed afraid," Earl said. "And the thing that I know for sure is that there is help." When Earl began volunteering at the center in 1986, she said, she often thought of what her own mother went through. "I remember us having to run out of the house at midnight with sheets wrapped around us. I know the impact it had on my mom, and of course the impact on me and my siblings," she said. "I wish there were a place back then, but nobody talked about it. It was just family business; it was personal." Watch Earl discuss the center's mission to heal through art » . Today, Earl serves as Jenesse Center's executive director and calls her work with staff, fundraising and volunteer recruitment "a 24-hour thing." The process of healing for victims generally starts with a phone call to the center's hot line, she said. The center provides counseling and literature and has a 30-day emergency shelter for women and their families. Earl said this emergency period "is a time of regrouping" and lets the women know that they're not alone and that they didn't do anything wrong. The center also provides long-term support. "Women and their children can stay for two years," Earl said. "Every able body, every day, gets up and takes classes. And when they're not taking classes, they're looking for employment, going through counseling sessions or [getting] legal assistance." For Earl, comprehensive care through a team approach is the key to the center's success. She said she has seen women at the center earn graduate degrees and become "full-fledge" professionals -- and that changing lives is what keeps her going. O'Neal said the center helps point women in the right direction and gives them the chance to overcome adversity. "They'll help you get an apartment. They'll help you get a job. They help you get back on your feet and become the beautiful woman that you are."
O'Neal's work in law enforcement taught him the serious nature of domestic violence . His hero, Karen Earl, runs the Jenesse Center, which aids abuse victims . The Los Angeles center helps more than 8,500 victims every year . The center gives women a chance to overcome adversity, O'Neal said .
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A California family has won a $2.5 million settlement from the federal government after their daughter was killed by a drunk congressional aide they claimed was on the job the night he took the wheel while intoxicated. Mallory Dies, 27, was struck and killed in December 2013 by Raymond Morua, a 32-year-old former aide to Santa Barbara Democratic Rep. Lois Capps. Dies' parents sued for wrongful death and claimed Capps' office hired Iraq war vet Morua despite his two prior DUI arrests, a hit-and-run and an embezzlement conviction. Wrongful death: Raymond Morua was drunk following a party he purportedly attended while 'on the clock' as a congressional aide when he struck and killed 27-year-old Mallory Dies in December 2013 before fleeing the scene . Denial: Rep. Capps also denied that Morua was working for her the night he got drunk at a part before killing Dies. But the Dies family attorney (Dies' father Matt is pictured left) argued he was. The federal government quietly settled with the family for $2.5 million in November . The federal government quietly settled in November, thereby avoiding a trial without admitting liability for Dies' death, reports KEYT. Her parents, Matt and Raeona Dies, initially named Morua, Capps, and the U.S. government in its filing. However, the federal government assumed liability for Capps as its employee and removed her from the amended court filing. Morua pleaded guilty earlier this year to DUI, manslaughter and fleeing the scene of a fatal collision. He's since been sentenced to 20 years to life behind bars. The Dies initial claim was that Morua was officially on the job the night of December 6, 2013--gladhanding in Rep. Lois Capps' stead at a private holiday party thrown by a local newspaper. Capps' spokesman insisted that their former employee was at the booze-fueled bash on his own when he bought eight cocktails and got behind the wheel. But Raymond Victor Morua III wrote in a sworn statement that the congresswoman's scheduler instructed him to attend the party. Not liable: Morua was an aide to Democratic U.S. Rep. Lois Capps when he drunkenly ran down Dies. He also had prior DUI arrests, a hit-and-run and an embezzlement conviction, which Capps' camp claims they were unaware of when they hired him. The federal government assumed liability for Capps as its employee, thus dropping her form Dies' parents' suit . DIES vs. CAPPS -- Wrongful Death Lawsuit by DailyMail.com . 'On or about November 27th, 2013, I was in Representative Capps' office and was told by Vianey Lopez that I was to attend a Christmas party on Dec. 5, 2013, at The Savoy, a club on State Street in Santa Barbara,' he wrote. He had reportedly attended the same event a year earlier as Capps' emmisary. 'Mr. Morua has said under oath, under penalty of perjury, that he was on the job,' Dies famiyl attorney Robert Stoll said earlier this year. Adding that if that's the case, 'then Lois Capps is responsible.' Investigative journalist Peter Lance published a lengthy exposé in which he details an alleged cover-up on the part of Capps staffers, aimed at sparing their boss the embarrassment of having hired and publicly praised Morua. But Capps has not been found responsible and the federal government admitted no wrongdoing while settling with Dies' family. Despite this, Matt Dies told KEYT that his family has gotten what they were after. 'This lawsuit wasn't about the money. It was about accountability,' he said. 'I feel like what we have been saying all along has been given legitimacy.' Dies said the majority of the hefty settlement will go toward a non-profit they created in Mallory's name called called VOW4MAL, aimed at stigmatizing drunk driving among young people. A drunk Raymond Morua crashed his Dodge Caliber into a palm tree after fleeing the scene of his collision with Mallory Dies and hiding out briefly in a freight yard . Morua pleaded guilty to DUI, manslaughter and fleeing the scene of a fatal collision. He's since been sentenced to 20 years to life behind bars--all while maintaining his claim that he was, in fact, at the party the night of Mallory's death because he'd been asked by Capps' people to attend .
Mallory Dies, 27, was struck and killed by 32-year-old Raymond Morua in downtown Santa Barbara in December 2013 . Morua worked as an aide to California Democratic Rep. Lois Capps and claims he was working a party for her the night he killed Dies . Morua had two prior DUI arrests, a hit-and-run and an embezzlement conviction--Dies parents sued claiming Capps failed to vet her employee . Rep. Capps was dropped from the suit after the federal government assumed liability for her as its employee--the suit settled in November .
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By . Reuters Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 20:02 EST, 10 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:56 EST, 11 February 2013 . A swarm of tornadoes tore through several counties in southern Mississippi and Alabama on Sunday, injuring more than 60 people and ripping apart hundreds of homes and other buildings, including parts of the University of Southern Mississippi, authorities said. The Forrest County seat of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and the adjacent town of Petal, both about 100 miles southeast of Jackson, the state capital, bore the brunt of storms that struck less than an hour before dark. The tornado that plowed through the Hattiesburg area was believed to have reached three-quarters of a mile in diameter at times, said Anna Weber, a National Weather Service meteorologist. Scroll down for video . Nearly destroyed: Ogletree House lies in ruins on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippii on Monday, February 11, 2013, after a tornado struck the area Sunday afternoon . Heavy damage: The Ogletree House building shows heavy damage from Sunday's tornado . Total wreck: City of Hattiesburg employee Bryan Lee works to take down light poles on Mobile Street on Monday morning . Complete mess: Volunteers clean up sheet metal that was scattered across the African American Military History Museum's grounds . Debris: Workers clear branches and other debris from Hardy Street in front of the University of Southern Mississippi . The weather service counted three separate twisters in south-central Mississippi on Sunday evening, Weber said. In neighboring southwestern Alabama, . authorities reported a flurry of seven tornadoes across three counties, . including one that damaged 46 homes in Clark County, Weather Service . meteorologist Keith Williams said. About 100 houses or more were damaged . or destroyed in Petal, Mississippi, alone, and several businesses were . hard hit there as well, including a hardware store reduced to rubble, . Mayor Hal Marx told Reuters. He said a number of residents . suffered minor injuries but no one was reported seriously hurt. 'Mostly . people are just shaken up and in shock,' he said. More than 60 people were treated for injuries, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant said at a news conference . Monday. No lives were lost and no one was unaccounted for, he said. Emergency management officials said . no firm estimates of property losses were immediately available. Power . outages were widespread. CNN broadcast photos of several homes . in Hattiesburg badly mangled from the storm, some with roofs and . exterior walls ripped open. Emergency management spokesman Greg . Flynn said a search-and-rescue team from the nearby town of McComb was . being called in to help look through debris for anyone who might be . trapped. So much lost: Ellen Chmiel sits on the steps of her home a day after the tornado touched down in Hattiesburg, Mississippi . Assessing: A woman looks down the street from her damaged home . Virtually razed: Jordon Williams walks through her bedroom . Saving the guns: Charlie Ramp salvages guns from his damaged home . On the Hattiesburg campus of the . University of Southern Mississippi, alma mater of retired National . Football League star quarterback Brett Favre, the storm damaged several . buildings, including a performing arts center and an alumni house, the . university said in a statement. The twister also heavily damaged a . high school stadium complex and blew a truck onto the school's baseball . diamond, officials said. Kris Walters, 40, a Baptist minister . for the USM campus, said he and two of his children took shelter in a . closet with a mattress on top of them until the storm passed, adding . that his house escaped serious damage. 'I have lived here 40 years, and this is the first tornado I have ever seen like this,' he told Reuters. Joby Bass, a university professor . interviewed on CNN, said the porches on his house 'peeled off' and trees . toppled onto his roof as he and his dogs huddled in a closet for . safety. 'A lot of houses on this street are . completely roofless,' Bass said. He said the campus was largely empty . because students had an extended weekend to celebrate Mardi Gras. The . university said no injuries were reported on campus. Video footage showed what appeared to . be a large, gray tornado, filmed from a distance, churning through town . as a cloud of debris swirled around it. Rent, the state emergency management . spokesman, said Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant had declared a state of . emergency in four Mississippi counties - Forrest, Lamar, Marion and . Lawrence - and other areas hit by the storms. The Hattiesburg area also suffered heavy property damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Charlotte Walters, 61, and her daughter Heather Walters, 30, were moving buckets and bowls around inside their house trying to catch water pouring through holes in the roof. The women were at home along with Charlotte's husband when a relative called and said a tornado was headed their way. 'It sounded like Katrina,' said Charlotte Walters, who lives in a neighborhood also hit by the 2005 hurricane that devastated the Gulf Coast. Besides holes in the roof of her one-story wood frame house, a falling tree had damaged the side and another one collapsed on her carport, denting and breaking windows in three cars there. 'I'm blessed. At least I don't have one of those in my house,' Charlotte said, pointing to a tree that had fallen onto a neighbor's house next door. Major damage: An electrical crewman walks in front of a building with blown out windows on Hardy Street across from the University of Southern Mississippi . Twister: Twitter user Kimberly Krapcha posted this picture of the twister to her feed; a massive tornado has touched down in Hattiesburg, Mississippi . Damage: Randy Wright displayed these photos of Oak Grove High School and surrounding athletic field after the tornado hit Sunday night . Razed: Parts of Oak Grove High School were completely destroyedvar GOOG_FIXURL_LANG = 'en_GB'; var GOOG_FIXURL_SITE = 'http://www.dailymail.co.uk/'; .
Tornado hit Hattiesburg, Mississippi with more than 60 confirmed injured . Much of the damage was within city limits; University of Southern Mississippi was in the wake of the storm . However, most students were on holiday for Mardi Gras . Tornado warnings in effect for parts of Alabama as well; seven twisters spotted .
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By . Ruth Styles . PUBLISHED: . 06:43 EST, 18 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:54 EST, 18 January 2013 . With her bold wardrobe choices, singer Rihanna is almost as famous for what she wears as for her music so nobody was surprised when she announced a collaboration with River Island back in July. But now the singer has gone one better and has revealed that not only did she design the 50 piece collection herself, she also intends to present it to the world on the London Fashion Week catwalk. The invitation-only show will take place on the 16th February and will be styled by the pop princess in person and followed by a huge after show party in the capital. Behind the scenes: Rihanna has dropped a few hints about the contents of the collection via Instagram . 'Launching at London Fashion Week is a dream come true for me,' the Barbadian singer revealed. 'I have wanted to design my own collection for a long time and to present my collection for River Island alongside all of the other great design talent at LFW is a real privilege. 'I can't wait to see the reaction from my fans and the fashion press!' Rihanna's foray into the fashion world, if she pulls it off as planned, won't be the first time a singer has successfully made the leap from music to fashion design. Former Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham, has proved to be an enormously talented designer and has produced a string of critically acclaimed collections. Justin Timberlake's William Rast line has also confounded expectations and has achieved mainstream success, particularly in the US. Fashion challenge: Rihanna's collection will make its debut in front of the cream of the style world, including US Vogue editor, Anna Wintour . Avant-garde: Rihanna is famed for her fierce sense of style and her own collection is expected to follow suit. Her self-designed River Island jumpsuit (right) certainly fits the bill . But not all have done so well. Beyonce's House of Dereon was panned for being poorly designed and looking cheap, although husband, Jay-Z's Rocawear line is believed to sell well. One collection unlikely to appeal to most Rihanna fans is the 'Black Pyramid' clothing line, which was launched by the singer's violent on/off boyfriend, Chris Brown, last November. According to Brown, who designed the 'artwork' splashed across the front of the t-shirts in the range, the line reflect an 'unknown' part of him. 'We really haven’t mastered the art of making a pyramid ourselves, like the ancient ones,' he waffled. 'The black pyramid label is basically an unknown art. So I think my painting, my designs, whatever I do fashion wise is unknown to a lot of people.' Although Rihanna's collection is . likely to be considerably more stylish - and certainly less bizarrely . described -  fashion fans will have to wait until March to get their . hands on the pieces. What form they will take is still . shrouded in mystery although Rihanna has let slip the odd hint via . Twitter, and was pictured wearing a blue boilersuit from the collection . in November. Needless to say, if they're anything . like the singer's own colourful style, summer on the streets of the UK . looks set to be very bright indeed - whatever the weather does! Bright spark: Rihanna's colourful style has met with approval from the fashion world . The good, the bad and the dreadful: Although the work of Victoria Beckham (right) has met with widespread acclaim, the dreadful Chris Brown (left) has created a line that can be described in a single word: bad .
Singer's debut fashion collection will be presented on February 16th . The invite only show is expected to attract an A-list packed front row . Rihanna describes taking part in London Fashion Week as 'a real privilege'
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 3:05 PM on 4th August 2011 . War speech: Cofer Black calls on security researchers at the Black Hat hacker conference to prevent further cyber attacks . A former director of the CIA's Counterterrorism Centre has warned of an imminent 'code war' where hackers target technology that runs real-world infrastructure such as power stations and water plants. Cofer Black pointed to last year's Stuxnet computer worm, which some researcher's think was designed to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, as a sign of things to come. Hacking, once seen as college prank, has now moved into 'physical destruction of a national resource', he said. 'I don't necessarily understand how this (Stuxnet) was executed, but the important points are that it was really expensive, so a nation-state had to be involved.' Black was speaking yesterday as IT firm McAfee claimed to have uncovered one of the largest-ever cyber attacks - a five-year campaign which targeted 72 organisations. Somewhat fittingly, Black's keynote talk at the Black Hat hacker conference at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, was interrupted by real-world alarm and flashing lights. 'Attention, please. Attention, please,' a robotic woman's voice said repeatedly as Black smiled, apparently confused. 'We are currently investigating the alarm signal you are hearing. Please remain calm.' After a pause and some laughs from the audience, Black kept going. 'This is a very delicate window into our future,' he told the hackers. 'Cold war, global war on terrorism and now you have the code war - which is your war.' Coincidence? The Black Hat hacker conference, held at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas (pictured), was interrupted by an alarm - just as Mr Black was warning against cyber attacks on real-world targets . It's unclear what caused the alarm - whether it was planned to help make Black's point, was an accident or the result of a hack. Security firms, the UN and the International Olympic Committee are among 72 organisations targeted in a five-year campaign of cyber attacks, IT experts McAfee have claimed. McAfee will not say who it thinks may be responsible, but there is speculation it could be China. Last month, the Pentagon admitted it lost 24,000 files of sensitive data in March in a cyber attack by a foreign government. William Lynn, the US deputy secretary of defence, said the data was taken from the computers of a corporate defence contractor. He said the US government had a 'pretty good idea' who was responsible, but did not elaborate. Many cyber-attacks in the past have been blamed on China. But Beijing has always denied any state involvement in cyber-attacks, branding the allegations 'groundless'. Black Hat is a computer security conference attended by thousands of hackers. One Black Hat spokeswoman said alarms happen every year at the event, but she's not sure what causes them. Another said it wasn't a hack. 'With over 6,500 people in here, it's hard to control who pulls the alarm,' Natalia Wodecki wrote in an e-mail. In any event, Black's siren-punctuated words carry weight, since he's credited with warning the United States government about a September 11-type terrorist attack in August 2001. Black recalled the moment he told defense officials about the threat of al Qaeda - and compared that moment to his Black Hat talk. Officials should be more concerned about a cyber attack, he added. 'People say, "Were you surprised when 9/11 took place?" and I can tell you neither myself nor my people in counterterrorism were surprised at all. 'Instead, it was a strange validation of what we had anticipated had indeed taken place. 'In the technology world, you may face similar issues in the future.' Far-reaching: A graphic showing a breakdown of McAfee's findings into one of the biggest series of cyber attacks ever known . He left the talk on an optimistic note, calling on security researchers in the audience to work to prevent such attacks. 'We're all in this together - and we're counting on you,' he said. Black spent 28 years working for the CIA and was appointed director of the agency’s Counterterrorist Centre in 1999 and co-ordinator for counterterrorism for the Department of State. Is nowhere safe? Even the Pentagon (pictured) was targeted when a foreign government stole 24,000 sensitve files in a hacking attack .
Cyber crime moving into 'physical destruction' of national resources, Cofer Black claims . He calls on security boffins to prevent further attacks . Fears raised as IT firm uncovers five-year cyber onslaught against 72 organisations .
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Men who are circumcised are less likely to get sexually transmitted infections such as genital herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV), but not syphilis, according to a study of adult African men published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine. Circumcision rates have traditionally been higher in the U.S. than in Europe, but they've been on the decline. The finding adds to the evidence that there are health benefits to circumcision. It was already known that circumcision can reduce the risk of penile cancer, a relatively rare disease. In a previous study, the same research team found that adult circumcision could reduce the risk of HIV infection. Efforts to increase the practice of male circumcision in areas with high rates of sexually transmitted infections, including Africa, could have a tremendous benefit, say the study's authors. Genital herpes has been associated with an increased risk of HIV, and HPV can cause genital warts as well as a higher risk of anal, cervical (in women), and penile cancers. Health.com: Is your partner cheating? How to protect yourself . In the United States, infant circumcision is declining. About 64 percent of American male infants were circumcised in 1995, down from more than 90 percent in the 1970s. Rates tend to be higher in whites (81percent) than in blacks (65 percent) or Hispanics (54 percent). Some opponents say the removal of the foreskin is an unnecessary surgical procedure that may reduce sexual sensitivity in adulthood. In Jewish and Muslim cultures, young or infant boys are routinely circumcised for religious reasons. Circumcision rates have traditionally been higher in the U.S. than in Europe, but the American Academy of Pediatrics currently says that the medical benefits are insufficient to recommend circumcision for all baby boys. In the new study, a research team at the Rakai Health Sciences Program in Uganda -- in collaboration with researchers from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland, and Makerere University in Uganda -- conducted two clinical trials involving 3,393 uncircumcised men ages 15 to 49. All the men were negative for HIV and genital herpes (also known as herpes simplex virus type 2); a subgroup of men also tested negative for HPV. Roughly half of the men underwent medically supervised circumcision at the start of the trial, while the other half were circumcised two years later. Overall, circumcision reduced the men's risk of genital herpes by 28 percent (10.3 percent of uncircumcised men developed genital herpes compared with 7.8 percent of circumcised men) and HPV infection by 35 percent (27.8 percent of uncircumcised men were infected with HPV compared with 18 percent of circumcised men). Circumcision did not, however, protect against syphilis. (About 2 percent of men in both groups contracted syphilis.) Health.com: A sexual risk taker comes to terms with drinking, depression, and STDs . Study coauthor Thomas C. Quinn, M.D., professor of global health at Johns Hopkins University, says that choosing circumcision, whether it's the parents of an infant or an adult male for himself, is and should remain an individual decision. "But the critics need to really look at the benefits versus the risks," he adds. "By now a large body of evidence has shown that the health benefits clearly outweigh the minor risk associated with the surgery. In our study, we didn't see any adverse effects or mutilation. We're recommending supervised, safe, sterile environments -- not circumcision out in an open field with rusty instruments." Increasing circumcision rates in Africa may not only help men, but would likely protect women too, possibly lowering the rates of female cervical cancer, the authors say. Ronald H. Gray, M.D., professor of public health at Johns Hopkins University and study coauthor, says that the researchers plan to look at whether male circumcision reduces the transmission of HPV to female sexual partners. Health.com: 10 questions to ask a new partner before having sex . Even in the United States, this study has relevance, says Anthony Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (which funded one of the trials). "In this country, circumcision for infant boys remains a personal decision for the parents," he says. "This makes us rethink whether doctors should be more aggressive in recommending that it at least be considered. If parents say no just because generations before them have said no, they should learn more about the significant health benefits before making that choice." Roughly three-quarters of U.S. adults have had at least one HPV infection, according to an editorial by Matthew R. Golden, M.D., and Judith N. Wasserheit, M.D., both of the University of Washington. Although vaccines against some of the most dangerous HPV strains have been approved for girls ages 13 to 26, the vaccines are expensive and routine Pap tests are still necessary to pick up cervical cancers. Health.com: How to tell your ex you have an STD . Golden and Wasserheit note that "rates of circumcision are declining and are lowest among black and Hispanic patients, groups in whom rates of HIV, herpes, and cervical cancer are disproportionately high." Medicaid, which insures many low-income patients in these populations, does not pay for routine infant circumcision in 16 states. The study authors hope that this growing evidence in favor of circumcision will persuade policy-making bodies, both in the United States and in other countries, to officially recommend the procedure -- which could make patient education and insurance coverage more likely. It's not clear why circumcision may affect infection rates. But the study authors suggest that penile foreskin may provide a moist, favorable environment for herpes and HPV to survive and enter cells on the skin's surface. Once the foreskin is surgically removed, the risk of infection may be reduced. Health.com: Men can lose their sex drives too . They also note, however, that male circumcision is not completely effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections. Safe sex practices, including consistent condom use, are still necessary to provide the best protection. Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com . Copyright Health Magazine 2009 .
Study: Circumcision reduces risk of HPV infection and herpes, but not syphilis . Circumcision known to reduce risk of HIV infection and penile cancer . 64 percent of American baby boys circumcised in '95, down from 90 percent in 70s .
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By . Emma Reynolds . PUBLISHED: . 06:06 EST, 23 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:59 EST, 11 June 2013 . Furious: Andrew Priest, pictured at an earlier hearing in September, was fined £1,000 after he did a wheelspin into the school car park and began a four-letter rant in front of the distressed pupils . A businessman was fined £1,000 today for unleashing a foul-mouthed tirade in front of a class of children after he was stopped for speeding. Andrew Priest, 39, ranted at community police officers and staff after pupils noticed his luxury sports car breaking the 30mph speed limit outside their school gates in Cheshire. Mr Priest said he was late for a meeting - angrily did a wheelspin into the school car park in his Audi A3. He told a Police Community Support Officer: 'You're PCSOs and not even proper pigs. Go and stop some more innocent people.' As 10 and 11-year-olds looked on in distress from just three feet away, Priest argued about the accuracy of the speed gun and gesticulated at a classroom assistant yelling: 'Is this what you f***ing teach kids? What sort of school is this?' Later, when told by a regular constable he would have to pay a £60 fixed penalty notice for doing 37mph in a 30mph zone, Priest boasted: 'I earn £80,000 a year so I can afford the ticket. My f***ing solicitor will get me off. I'm going to f***ing have you. You're f***ed, I'm going to make a complaint against you.' The children were so upset by his aggressive outburst they had to be ushered back into the classroom at Gorsey Bank primary school in Wilmslow. A letter was later sent out to all parents detailing what happened. Details of the Priest's rant emerged as the businessman, who lives in a flat in Mobberley, Cheshire, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs after he was convicted of speeding and using threatening behaviour. The incident occurred in July last year, when nine Year 6 pupils were taking part in a 'school speed watch' project with the police officers as part of Road Safety Week. Any motorists stopped for speeding were given the option of taking a fine or explaining to children in a 'kids' court' at the school why they broke the speed limit. The trouble began when Priest was pulled over in his silver Audi A3 magistrates in Macclesfield heard. Teaching assistant Debra Barker told the hearing: 'He was very, very angry from the minute he was pulled over. He was aggressive and was using lots of "f-words". 'I told the children the man had obviously had a bad day but they were worried and I kept trying to to reassure them. He said, "is this what you f***ing teach kids? What sort of school is this?"... I felt very vulnerable and I felt awkward. 'He screeched into the car park. He drove his car forward, his wheels were spinning and he drove aggressively into the car park. 'Threatening': He shouted and swore at PCSOs in front of children from Gorsey Bank Primary School in Cheshire . 'He got out and walked up to the PCSO and squared up to him. I thought it was going to come to fisticuffs and he was going to punch him.' PCSO Gareth Harding said: 'He was instantly argumentative and wouldn't let me show him the speed - instead saying the machine wasn't calibrated. 'He started gesturing towards the pupils. I warned him about his language and behaviour but he jumped out of the car came straight towards me and started swearing and shouting. 'The teacher clearly looked very concerned for the children, a lot of them were starting to get quite agitated, looking like they didn't want to be there at all. A few of them were quite distressed.' PCSO Rebecca Wooley said: 'I explained that a speed gun had detected the speed he was going but he said he was not speeding and his speedometer had not shown him as speeding. - TEACHING ASSISTANT DEBRA BARKER . 'He was angry and very irritated - his voice was raised and his demeanour came across as agitated. 'He made reference to the teacher and pointed and said, "you want to teach your kids properly". The children were becoming more distressed, they weren't used to that sort of behaviour, so I advised the teaching assistant to take them back into the school. 'Mr Priest stopped his car, got out then came quite close to my personal space. He became irritated and said something of the effect of: 'This is b*****ks, I wasn't speeding.' 'I asked Mr Priest to not swear, there were still children and staff members who could potentially hear what he was saying. But he said: "You're police community officers, you're not even proper pigs. Go and stop some more innocent people." 'He made reference about being late for an appointment. He returned with a mobile phone from his car and said he was going to record the conversation. He wanted to take the issue to court and I said that was his entitlement. 'I saw Mr Priest in the constable's personal space and he appeared to be waving his arms, very close to his face. He wouldn't let him speak and was shouting over him. 'He told him he earned £80,000 a year so he can afford the ticket and he was moving to Qatar for two or three months, so it didn't matter if he got any points.' Priest who was cleared of stamping on a policeman's hat during the incident denied wrongdoing and said: 'I've never heard of a kids' court - it sounds ridiculous. I'm not being ostracised by children.' But district judge Pam Baldwin told him: 'Your shouting and aggressive behaviour caused the children distress. I've no doubt these incidents are frustrating but you went beyond a legitimate expression of frustration.'
Andrew Priest, 39, did a wheelspin into the primary school car park . He shouted and swore at PCSOs and staff in front of the distressed pupils . Priest, who drives a luxury sports car, boasted he could easily afford ticket . We wish to make clear that a previous version of this article contained inaccuracies. We incorrectly reported that the incident took place in November 2012 rather than July 2012 and it did not take place during “Road Safety week”.  Mr Priest disputes the claim he lives in a luxury £300k flat and. Mr Priest has asked us to clarify that he is not a telecoms boss.  He has asked us to clarify that he didn’t say to the Police Community Support Officer that “It was a f***ing joke…” but does accept that he said “you’re PCSOs and not even proper pigs”.  Mr Priest has also pointed out that the children had gone inside by the time the regular constable had arrived and therefore the children were not upset by his aggressive outburst. Mr Priest was convicted of a Section 5 Public Order offence section 5 (1) and (6) or the 1986 public order act fine £800, and £200 for a SP30 speeding offence, and cleared of two counts of criminal damage.
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By . Chris Brooke, Eleanor Harding, Nazia Parveen and John Stevens . PUBLISHED: . 03:42 EST, 18 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:05 EST, 18 March 2013 . David Hockney was in a ‘state of shock’ yesterday after the death of his 23-year-old studio assistant, who collapsed at the artist’s seaside home. Dominic Elliott had been out with friends and was staying at the house overnight when he was taken ill and driven to hospital by Mr Hockney’s partner, John Fitzherbert. A post-mortem examination will be carried out today and police are treating the death as ‘unexplained’. Friends: Renowned artist David Hockney (left) employed keen sportsman Dominic Elliott (right) as an assistant . House: Mr Elliott was taken from David Hockney's home (pictured today) in Bridlington, East Yorkshire . It is not known whether Mr Hockney was . at the property in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, when Mr Elliott . collapsed, but he is understood to be in the UK and not at his Los . Angeles residence. Yesterday his sister Margaret was seen coming and . going from the house, but there was no sign of him or his partner. Mr Hockney, who is worth around . £37million, is likely to be interviewed by police along with Mr . Elliott’s friends and colleagues. Pictured: David Hockney, 75, painted a portrait of his assistant Dominic Elliott, 23, in 2008 . A police spokesman said: ‘This is a . sudden death and we will have to speak to people who worked or lived . with the person who died, whether a world famous artist or a next door . neighbour.’ Mr Elliott, who worked full-time for . the artist and had even featured in a portrait painted by him, was a . keen rugby player and described as ‘big, strong and fit’. But his GP father died of a heart . attack in 2001 aged only 42 and Mr Elliott had in the past complained of . chest pains. Doctors had warned him to curb his drinking over fears he . may have the same heart condition as his father, a friend said. Police said there were no signs of . violence at Mr Hockney’s house. Mr Fitzherbert, who is in his early 60s, . is reported to have driven Mr Elliott 20 miles to Scarborough General . Hospital. He was said to have been  ‘vomiting’ and seriously ill  when he arrived at casualty at 6am on Sunday. He died . shortly afterwards and hospital staff contacted Humberside Police. Officers spent several hours at the house on Sunday morning and are . understood to have spoken to Mr Hockney, 75, though he was not available . for comment yesterday. A police spokesman said they were ‘undertaking . enquiries to establish events leading to the death’. Mr Elliott, who had known Mr Hockney . since childhood, began working for him as a full-time general studio . assistant about two years ago after quitting his university course. Outgoing: Mr Elliott played hockey and rugby and was said to have been in the East Riding Young Farmers Club . Sportsman: Mr Elliott (right) is pictured playing for Bridlington Rugby Club against Heath last November . Mr Hockney’s spokesman Erica Bolton . said the artist was ‘incredibly upset’, adding: ‘He is, like everyone . else, in a state of shock.’ She said Mr Elliott was ‘a very important . person’ to Mr Hockney. Mr Elliott lived in a shared flat in . Bridlington and his solicitor mother Karen Kent lives in a bungalow on . the outskirts of the town. He had two sisters – Beth, 25, and Poppy, 21 – . and a 13-year-old brother, Max. Outside the house: Visitors were pictured arriving today at David Hockney's home in Bridlington, East Yorkshire . Talented: This 2004 painting Four Roads and Cornfields is a prime example of Hockney's much-loved artwork . Bradford-born David Hockney's colourful paintings often showcase landscape of his native Yorkshire or his adopted home in California. Hockney was an important . contributor to the Pop Art movement of the 1960s and one of the most . influential British artists of the 20th century. He was the subject of a major exhibition at the Royal Academy in London last year with an exhibition of his large scale landscapes. The artist is famous for artworks such as A Bigger Splash, a vivid depiction of a Los Angeles swimming pool, and the portrait Mr And Mrs Clark And Percy. In recent years he has been exploring the possibilities of using an iPad for his artworks. His print from 2008 of 'Dominic Elliott' (seen above) shows his ginger-haired assistant dressed in blue trousers and short sleeve top sat on a chair, staring straight ahead. His grandmother Betty Kent, 84, from . Boston, Lincolnshire, said Mr Elliott had been out with ‘arty types’ on . Saturday night. She said: ‘He’d been to his mother’s in the afternoon as . his washing machine was broken and he needed his clothes as he was . going out with his mates.’ Mr Elliott’s grandfather Walter Elliott, 83, said: ‘I don’t know what happened. My suspicion is he had too much to drink.’ Mr Elliott was a trusted assistant who had keys to Mr Hockney’s house as much of the artist’s work was based from there. ‘He didn’t live with David but he was . there a lot and often stayed over,’ said the grandfather. ‘I think David . very much looked on Dominic as a son. ‘I’ve been told Dominic was at a party . the night before he was taken ill. I don’t know whether the party was . at David’s house or somewhere else.’ Mr Hockney is widely regarded as . Britain’s greatest living artist. His exhibition last year at  the Royal . Academy of Arts in London attracted more than 500,000 visitors. Art gallery boss and painter Alan . Stuttle, 74, who attended the Royal College of Art in London with Mr . Hockney, said the tragedy will have hit the artist ‘like a . sledgehammer’, adding: ‘He will learn to live with it. But he will never . get over it. He is such a caring man.’
Dominic Elliott rushed to Scarborough Hospital by friend at 6am yesterday . He 'was on night out and went back to Hockney's home' before falling ill . 23-year-old recruited by Hockney, 75, to set up equipment for art works . Reports say artist was in Bridlington, East Yorks, when tragedy happened . Rugby club friends say Dominic was 'absolute bundle of fun and energy'
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Romeo Beckham has joined his brother Brooklyn in Arsenal's academy. The 12-year-old played for the Gunners on Thursday in a match against Liverpool at the Anfield club's Kirby academy. And Romeo is said to have been a stand-out performer for the young Arsenal outfit. Father David made the trip to Merseyside to watch his son feature for the north London side. Liverpool's youth midfielder Marc Pelosi tweeted a picture alongside David Beckham at Liverpool's academy . Beckham was watching on with his youngest son Cruz (front) in Liverpool . Beckham also posed for a photograph alongside Liverpool's young defender Ryan McLaughlin . Liverpool and England Under 20 defender Lloyd Jones also managed to get a picture with Beckham . And despite wearing a thick orange coat and a woolly grey hat, the former England captain was swiftly recognised by a number of Liverpool youth players. Marc Pelosi, 20, a regular for Liverpool Under 21s who has represented the United States at youth level, tweeted a picture with Beckham alongside the caption 'look who I found at our training ground.' Eldest brother Brooklyn has made significant strides since joining the club's Hale End academy last year. Despite being only 15, he has already been named on the bench for Arsenal's Under-18s. And two of Liverpool's highly regarded young defenders, Ryan McLaughlin and Lloyd Jones, also managed to get a snap with Beckham. Jones (centre) in action for Liverpool Under 21s against Sunderland on Monday . Beckham pictured taking one of his trademark free kicks for Manchester United, a fierce rival of Liverpool . Despite his allegiances to Liverpool's fierce rivals Manchester United, the pair were clearly overjoyed to have a picture with the iconic midfielder. As well as playing for United, Beckham enjoyed spells at Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. 'The main man,' wrote Jones, 19, alongside his Beckham picture, while McLaughlin, 20, wrote: 'With Becks today! What a man.' The former Real Madrid player's son Brooklyn, 15, was an unused substitute during Arsenal Under 18s 1-0 win over Leicester last week.
Romeo Beckham was playing for an Arsenal youth team at Liverpool . David Beckham travelled to Liverpool's academy to see his son in action . The former England captain had snaps taken with Liverpool youth players . WATCH: Brooklyn cracks crossbar in action for Arsenal youth team . READ: Brooklyn earns Arsenal U18 call-up for the first time aged just 15 .
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By . Matthew Blake . Bei Bei the baby was born with a mission: to save the life of his big sister. A Chinese woman has given birth to a second child in an effort to save her elder daughter who suffers from leukaemia. Baby boy Bei Bei was born at 7pm on May 31st and came into the world with one mission: to save his three-year-old sister Pan Jing. Mother Zhao Linjun and father Pan Qilong decided to try for a second child after Jing fell ill with acute leukaemia early last year. On a mission: Baby boy Bei Bei was born at 7pm on May 31st and came into the world with one mission: to save his three-year-old sister Pan Jing (left) Hope: Mother Zhao Linjun and father Pan Qilong decided to try for a second child after Jing fell ill with acute leukemia early last year . Mother's love: After doctors told her parents that a newborn's cord blood could be used to treat their daughter the couple made the decision have another child . After doctors told her parents that a newborn's cord blood could be used to treat their daughter the couple made the decision have another child. During her pregnancy, both Zhao Linjun and Jing attended the same hospital in Changji, northwest China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region. Same hospital: During her pregnancy, both Zhao Linjun and Jing attended the same hospital in Changji, northwest China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region . Born healthy: Following Bei Bei's birth the hospital have said that the cord blood treatment will cost around half a million Yuan (£50,000) Following Bei Bei's birth the hospital have said that the cord blood treatment will cost around half a million Yuan (£50,000), leaving the family with a desperate battle to raise the required funds. Chord blood is blood taken from a baby's umbilical cord and contains embryonic stem cells. They can be made into more specialised cells and can reproduce copies of themselves almost indefinitely. There is currently research into a host of applications – from growing new organs to curing paraplegia. In theory, stem cells treat disease by replacing damaged or diseased cells. They are used in bone-marrow transplants to treat leukaemia – but in these cases, donor blood taken in the usual way is used to harvest the stem cells. 'I must save my daughter,' said Pan Qilong, who is now desperately borrowing money. It is not the first time a couple has decided to have another baby to save the life of another. In September last year, Rob and Cindy Harris, underwent IVF in a bid to have a second child to save their nine-month-old son, Ryven, from Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) - a rare, inherited condition that weakens the body's immune system. Doctors will also have to extract the Harris newborn's chord blood, which will eventually lead to a bone marrow transplant, an operation that can prove both painful and risky. Even if the IVF process works, using the cord blood for the bone marrow transplant has complications of its own with Mrs Harris saying it was a tricky and dangerous procedure where 'horrible things can happen'. Cord blood is blood taken from a baby's umbilical cord and contains embryonic stem cells. They can be made into more specialised cells and can reproduce copies of themselves almost indefinitely. Tall order: 'I must save my daughter,' said Pan Qilong, who is now desperately borrowing money . Life-saving blood: Chord blood is blood taken from a baby's umbilical cord and contains embryonic stem cells . There . is currently research into a host of applications – from growing new . organs to curing paraplegia. In theory, stem cells treat disease by . replacing damaged or diseased cells. They . are used in bone-marrow transplants to treat leukaemia – but in these . cases, donor blood taken in the usual way is used to harvest the stem . cells.
Bei Bei was born at 7pm on May 31 at a hospital in Changji, northwest China . His sister, Pan Jing, was diagnosed with leukemia at the begining of last year . Doctors told parents only way to save her was with newborn's cord blood . So mother Zhao Linjun and father Pan Qilong decided to have another . But operation cost is £50k so couple desperately borrowing to save enough . 'I have to save my daughter,' says father .
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By . Ben Endley . She is the creator and star of TV sitcom The Mindy Project, in which she dates a series of men with amusing outcomes, but when it comes to real life Mindy Kaling seems far more reluctant to discuss her preferences. The 34-year-old American-born actress of Indian decent looked visibly awkward as she had to swerve a question from E! News correspondent Alicia Quarles about what ethnicity of man she most fancied. The two began chatting on the red carpet at Vanity Fair's Oscar party about Kaling's hit comedy and the men her character romances before Quarles asked Kaling:'So who's your type?' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Mindy Kaling looked uncomfortable after E! correspondent Alicia Quarles asked her what color guys she preferrs . Before walking the Oscars red carpet, Mindy Kaling had joked she would be recognised as 'That girl from that show where she kisses all the white men' But she did appear to see the funny side and smiled at the end of the interview . 'Who's my type? Good looking,' Kaling responded. Persistently, Quarles asked: 'Okay, so any color?' 'Yeah,' the actress replied, laughing - she didn't elaborate further. Viewers on Twitter were clearly less . than impressed with Quarles's line of questioning, one posted: . 'Wait...did someone on E! ask Mindy Kaling what her favorite color guy . was? And this was on television?' Sitcom actress Mindy Kaling (left) was asked 'what color' men she liked by Alicia Quarles (right) Another simply posted the video link with the comment: 'Not okay, not *ever*' Mindy, who also used to star and and write for the American version of The Office, looked glamorous in a Salvador Perez dress. Kaling was born in Massachusetts and went to Dartmouth. Quarles was born in California and went to USC. Earlier, Kaling had joked about what people . might think when they see her walk by, saying: . 'That's that girl from that show where she kisses all the white men.'
Mindy, 34, looked embarrassed at the question and didn't give an answer . Fans on twitter criticised the question, asked by E! reporter Alicia Quarles . Before the Oscars the actress had joked she would be recognised as 'that girl from that show where she kisses all the white men'
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She was working full-time in a demanding job while raising her two young boys on her own, but that didn't stop Sophie Guidolin from transforming her life. Five years ago and 28 kilograms heavier than she is now, Sophie was unhealthy and exhausted, and had never stepped foot in a gym in her life. Eating a lot of processed food while trying to maintain her energy and a balance in her life, the busy mum decided something had to give. 'I was never overweight before I had the boys, (but) when I was pregnant I put on 28 kilos, and that's when I really realised I needed to make a change,' the 25-year-old told Daily Mail Australia. Scroll down for video . Sophia Guidolin, 25, lost almost 30 kilograms after the birth of her two young sons, while working full-time and bring up the boys on her own . Sophie (right before her transformation) is now 28 kilograms lighter and works as a fitness model (right), plus has written two books . The mum of two started exercising by simply going for a run while pushing her two boys in their pram . Sophie started with cardio exercise first, and would take her sons out in the pram for a jog. Then once the weight started to shift she would get up at 4am in the morning and work out at home before heading off to a full day at her job. She used anything she would get her hands on in the house to train with, and soon the results really started to show. 'I would use stairs at the house, do step ups on chairs, fill water bottles up and use them as weights', Sophie revealed. 'I would try and utilise anything I could.' About 18 months after she first decided to get healthy, Sophie signed up the gym for the first time in her life. 'I had never really been into a gym before I had my kids, I had never stepped into a gym.' While training one day she was approached by a coach who offered to sponsor her so she could compete in a bodybuilding competition. When Sophie said she didn't think it was for her, he gave her another option. 'He said "okay, I'll train you for six months and if you don't want to hop on stage you don't have to". 'But by the time six months came around I was so confident, I hopped on stage and I won, then I went on to nationals and I won nationals,' Sophie said. Her most recent title is from the Arnold Classic held in Ohio- one of the most prestigious competitions worldwide - where Sophie placed fifth overall. 'Competing was never really my goal, it sort of just fell into my lap,' she revealed. Sophie said bodybuilding 'sort of fell into my lap' but despite this she won the first competition she entered . In March the mum-of-two placed fifth in the Arnold Classic held in Ohio - one of the world's most prestigious competitions . After she had built up some cardio endurance, Sophie would get up at 4am to work out before heading to an eight hour day at her job . Although Sophie acknowledged that exercise was crucial to her transformation, she said there's nothing better in the world you can do for yourself than 'eat clean'. 'When I started implementing the nutrition changes that's when the weight really dropped off.' For the most part, Sophie's family consumes only food they have made themselves, the bulk of which is prepared twice a week - on a Sundays and Wednesdays. Her kids - now six and seven - help make and pack their own school lunches, and Sophie said she likes the keep them involved in the whole process. 'We go to the markets, we get what they want and they're there form the beginning,' she said. 'Rye bread wraps with chicken or lamb and salad they'll make that themselves.' Sweet potato chips and homemade roll-ups made in a dehydrator also pop up in the kids' lunchboxes, as well as banana bread and blueberry muffins. But this has caused some clashes in the past, and one particular confrontation with her eldest son's first pre-school comes to mind for Sophie. 'My eldest son had started kindergarten and I sent him to school with some healthier options, but when I picked him up I had a little fine for a $6 lunch voucher because they had to give him lunch.' 'He had quinoa bread and banana bread... They said to me that unfortunately it doesn't meet their nutritional needs and he couldn’t eat it,' Sophia said. Getting the kids involved is also a great way to keep them occupied while you work out . The mum-of-two said while she was never overweight, she felt slow and her energy levels were nowhere near where they are today . Getting the whole family involved is a great way to get active and outdoors, like taking a bike ride or going for a hike Sophie said . Homemade blueberry muffins was also off the cards according to the school, who told her the nutritional requirements were that children bring a sandwich with a spread, e.g. Vegemite, honey, or jam. Sophie was also accused of sending her son to school with nuts, despite quinoa being a grain. 'I pulled them out of that kindy, for obvious reasons', she laughed. One a more serious note she added: 'I think that they need to put more guidelines in place including options that mums can send in to schools that are nutritious.' With one book already under her belt, Eat Clean Live Lean, and another due for release this month, My Kids Eat, Sophie said the key to maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle comes down to preparation. 'Buy everything in bulk, there's quite a few health food stores where you can buy kilos of things especially things like dates. 'Always buy in season, that's so important. 'And everyone always says they're too scared to buy my cookbooks because they think they need special equipment. The only thing that I recommend is a good food processor,' Sophie said. Some of her other top tips for busy mums included not doing the groceries hungry, always buy fresh produce in season, and ditching the coffee dates for the beach instead. 'Instead of catching up for coffee or dinner I try and catch up with friends by going to beach, walk, bike, hike. Don't base your social life around food,' Sophie said. She acknowledged that exercise was crucial to her transformation, she said there's nothing better in the world you can do for yourself than 'eat clean' The mum said preparation and organisation is the key to leading a successful healthy lifestyle . Sophie and her husband - also a champion bodybuilder - now run a gym and coaching busines . Now working as a coach herself at her husband's gym, the busy mum said she has no plans to return to competition just yet. 'I just have so many beautiful girls I'm training at the moment and I don't want to do that to them,' Sophie laughed. She stressed to all the busy mums - and others -out there, you certainly don't need a gym membership to lead an active lifestyle. Sophie still trains at home when she needs to, and even incorporates her kids during school holidays. 'We have 15 litre water container bottles and I will hold that and do lunges, squats, sit ups, anything,' she revealed. 'I will even use my boys as weights,' Sophia said. '(Plus) lot of my exercise now is fun-based, they're (her kids) at the age now where we go for bike rides, go for a surf, the boys like to kick a foot around at the part, that sort of thing.
Sophie Guidolin, 25, put on 28 kilograms during her two pregnancies . After the birth of her second child she decided to overhaul her life . She would get up at 4am to work out at home before going to work . A year later she was approached for a bodybuilding competition at the gym . Sophie competed and won her first comp, and then won the national title . She now has two books and a successful body transformation program . The mum also runs a gym and coaching business with her husband .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 10:42 EST, 19 March 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:42 EST, 19 March 2012 . A newborn baby girl with the umbilical cord still attached was abandoned on the doorstep of a stranger’s house. The frantic woman placed a call to 911 after noticing the umbilical cord around her, saying ‘This baby is going to die out here on the street!’ Moments earlier, the baby’s mother, 27-year-old Shoshannah Muhammad allegedly placed her in the woman’s arms saying, ‘You can have her, I don’t want her.’ Scroll down for video . Abandoned: The newborn girl was dropped off at the centre row house with its umbilical cord still attached . It's going to die! Lydia Romero, left, frantically called 911 after the baby's mother dumped her newborn in her arms . The neighbour, 56-year-old Lydia Romero, . who lives in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighbourhood, placed the call . after she saw the umbilical cord around the baby’s tiny body. ‘She had the umbilical cord wrapped around her,’ Ms Romero told ABC 7, adding that the baby was faintly crying and turning blue. ‘I said, “Oh my God! I can’t do this!”’ The Good Samaritan then called 911, saying: 'This baby is going to die out here in the street. She has a white pillow case on her head. The baby is in a thin blanket. This baby’s umbilical cord is at least over a foot long. This thing was not born in no d**n hospital.' Three paramedics rushed to the scene. When they arrived, the baby had no pulse and was turning blue. ‘It was lifeless, it was limp, it had no muscle tone, blue skin colour,’ FDNY paramedic Carl Gandolfo told reporters at a press conference. He explained: ‘I immediately opened the airway, gave two rescue breaths, and the baby began to cry.’ He said his partner then arrived with an ambulance. The newborn was taken to Kings County Hospital and is said to be in good condition. First responders: Three paramedics quickly arrived at the scene and were able to save the child . Mr Gandolfo said this case hit home for him. ‘I have a 15-month-old of my own at home. It definitely hits home when you get a pediatric call, especially when you find out you have a newborn who’s not breathing, that’s blue. 'This baby is going to die out here in the street. The baby is in a thin blanket. This baby’s umbilical cord is at least over a foot long. This thing was not born in no d**n hospital.' ‘You want to do everything you can,’ he said. Amina DeLeon also placed a call to 911 after she encountered Muhammad in a nearby grocery store, NY1 reports. She convinced a UPS delivery man to call 911 from his phone to alert the EMS. Muhammad disappeared after abandoning her daughter in Ms Romero’s arms with a few Pampers and some toys. She was arrested March 16, officers said. The 27-year-old mother was charged with acting in a manner injurious to a child. Watch video here: .
Shoshannah Muhammad, 27, allegedly left newborn daughter at neighbour's front door . Neighbour panicked when she saw umbilical cord still attached and made desperate 911 call . Paramedics able to revive girl, who is now stable .
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By . Matt Morlidge for MailOnline . Follow @@MattMorlidge . Juventus have enquired about the availability of Monaco striker Radamel Falcao, according to Italian publication La Gazzetta Sportiva. The Colombian has been a target of Real Madrid this summer, but manager Carlo Ancelotti insists his business is done this summer. And with the Old Lady considering selling Fernando Llorente to Valencia, they could swoop in for Falcao. Heading for Juventus? La Gazzetta Sportiva's back page on Sunday . On the lookout: Radamel Falcao has been linked with a loan move away from Monaco all summer . The paper does claim, however, that Juve are looking for double the £8m price they have been offered so far. Falcao's signature wouldn't come cheap. He is thought to only be available on loan, and even that would demand hefty wages. The news comes after Ancelotti spoke about Real Madrid's transfer dealings. 'It's done,' the former AC Milan and Chelsea boss stated. 'We're not looking to make any more signings.' Swap: Valencia have reportedly bid £8m for Fernando Llorente, but Juve want double .
La Gazzetta Sportiva say Juventus want Falcao on loan from Monaco . Serie A champions looking to sell Fernando Llorente to make room . Carlo Ancelotti says Real Madrid's transfer business is over this summer .
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By . Tim Shipman . and Peter Campbell . PUBLISHED: . 19:30 EST, 8 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 19:30 EST, 8 October 2012 . Ministers are prepared to let the French and German governments hold a stake in the UK’s largest defence company, it emerged yesterday. At the same time, the Coalition could accept Britain not having an effective stake in the firm to be created by the merger of BAE Systems and Franco-German aviation firm EADS. The two companies are expected to apply . for a two-week extension from the stock market today over their plans . for the £30billion merger. The red arrows: BAE Systems Hawk trainer jet fighters line up. BAE and EADS are expected to apply for a two-week extension from the stock market over their plans for the £30billion merger . But with investors in revolt over the deal, the Government admitted it is prepared to give ground to make it happen. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said Britain could tolerate both Paris and Berlin owning 9 per cent of the new company. And senior Government sources said David Cameron was prepared to ‘hit the phones’ to thrash out a deal with French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. That will enrage the 45 Tory MPs who last week demanded the PM block the deal unless France and Germany sell all their shares. The backlash grew yesterday when BAE’s largest shareholder, Invesco Perpetual, denounced the deal. In a scathing attack, Invesco’s Neil Woodford said he had ‘significant reservations’ about the deal. His intervention adds to the  opposition to a merger that threatens up to 50,000 UK jobs. Still British: Royal Airforce Typhoon Eurofighter taxis out in front of Hawk T1 aircraft both produced by BAE Sytems. Investors are in revolt over the deal . Invesco, which owns 13.3 per cent of . BAE, warned the company would be ‘driven more by political . considerations than shareholder value creation’. While Britain would . retain a so-called ‘golden share’ in the new firm, this will have no . monetary value and will only theoretically allow a veto on future . takeovers. The two companies have until tomorrow to alert the stock market to their detailed plans. But Mr Hammond said: ‘I don’t think there’s any chance of getting the deal done by Wednesday. ‘We will want to make sure that British jobs, British strategic interests, British defence interests are protected.’ An EADS refuelling aircraft lands at Farnborough Airshow. The Government has admitted it is prepared to tolerate Paris and Berlin owning a share in the new company . British made: A BAE Eurofighter Typoon produced in Warton, Lancashire . Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said wants to protect British interests . The French and Germans are seeking to . maintain control of up to 13.5 per cent of the new firm. But Mr Hammond . said 9 per cent was the maximum the UK would tolerate. He said: ‘If the French government is . prepared to reduce its stake and dismantle arrangements that have given . it the ability to control the company, then with the addition of . safeguards, a national security agreement, safeguards about where the . company is headquartered, what the composition of the board will be, I . think it will be possible to put something together. ‘What we can’t have is this business going forward with the French or German state able to direct its activity. That would not be acceptable.’ A senior Cabinet minister also expressed doubts that a deal could be done with ‘meddling’ European politicians. He said: ‘For French and German politicians it is axiomatic that they should own shares in companies like this. ‘When you say we don’t think it is a role for governments to meddle in the running of these companies they look at you strangely. The problem is that they want a stake and the right to decide where things are built. ‘They don’t understand where we are coming from at all. They are where we were in the 1970s before the Thatcher government.’ The Government’s position puts it at odds with investors and MPs. Last night Tory MP Ben Wallace said: ‘It is time we stopped listening to bankers and started listening to investors. Did we not learn anything from the financial crisis?’
Two companies expected to apply for extensions over plans for £30bn merger . Investors in revolt but Government prepared to give ground to make it happen . French and Germans want 13.5 per cent stake but Philip Hammond said the limit was 9 per cent .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 05:15 EST, 4 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 05:16 EST, 4 March 2014 . No, you're not going quackers, this really is a cloud shaped just like a duck. After months of fowl weather, spring has sprung, bringing with it blue skies and sunshine... and unusually-shaped cloud formations. This amazing duck-shaped cumulus cloud was spotted in the blue sky above York by York University student Ben Hopkins, 21, as he walked through the city's Rowntree Park yesterday morning. Nice weather (not just for ducks): This cloud was spotted in the sky above York by student Ben Hopkins, 21 . The History and Politics student said: 'I was pretty surprised when I looked up and saw it. 'In films you see clouds looking like things but you don't expect to see it in real life.' Last autumn, retired GP Margaret Worrall spotted a cloud shaped just like an elephant as she walked her dogs along the banks of the River Forth in Scotland. Cumulus clouds are a type of low-level cloud known for their puffy shapes and clearly-defined edges. The Met Office said much of the UK should stay dry today and tomorrow, with rain only forecast in parts of Scotland and the far southwest of England.  Thursday and Friday will be breezy and cloudy with some drizzle at times.
Astonishing cloud shape was spotted in the sky above York yesterday . Student Ben Hopkins, 21, said: 'You only get clouds like that in films' Forecast is mostly dry today and tomorrow with rain Scotland and the SW .
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A propeller plane which took off from Canada was forced to make an emergency landing after it started filling up with smoke. The twin-engine Porter Airlines craft had been in the sky 45 minutes when crew noticed the encroaching smoke and called for the emergency stop. The Bombadier Q400 model had taken off from Billy Bishop airport in Toronto and was headed to Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. Emergency landing: The Porter Airlines twin-propeller plane is pictured above in Pennsylvania after its unscheduled stop . Smoke: Crew initiated the emergency stop after noticing smoke filling the cabin. Above, firefighters and Porter Airlines cabin crew pose outside the delayed plane . But the flight was diverted to Williamsport Regional Airport, Pennsylvania, at around 8.45am. Nobody was hurt in the incident. The 66 passengers and four crew waited until midday for border patrol to arrive, and another two hours to be checked onto a new plane. A statement from the airport said: 'A little excitement at the airport today. A Q 400 aircraft from Toronto Canada in route to Washington Dulles airport reported smoke in the cockpit. 'No injuries from the incident, customs and border patrol arrived at IPT at 1200. The air carrier sent a second aircraft for the passengers which arrived at IPT at 1400.'
Bombadier Q400 plane with Porter Airlines had taken off from Toronto . Crew noticed smoke filling the cabin 45 minutes into flight . Called emergency landing and stopped in Williamsport, Pennsylvania .
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Former professional football player turned actor Terry Crews has said the NFL is 'really like a cult' during a recent interview talking about how former players took medications provided by team doctors without being told the long-term effects. 'The NFL is a cult, because you’ve been looking at this motto and this logo for your whole life and you believe in it and you’re like "They wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. They never would."’ Crews told SI Now. 'And, uh oh, maybe they would.” Crews comments come as yet another lawsuit was filed by former players on Tuesday who accuse the league of providing painkillers and other drugs, allowing the players to continue in games despite inuries, without disclosing the fact the medications can cause complications in the future. Football player turned actor Terry Crews claims the NFL 'is a cult' in a recent interview. He made the comments as a lawsuit was filed Tuesday by more than 600 former players who accuse the league of giving out painkillers and drugs to players without disclosing the long-term effects . Crews currently plays Detective Sergeant Terence 'Terry' Jeffords on the sitcom 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine.' He says that players took the drugs without questioning because they wanted to do anything to prolong their careers . Crews in the new movie 'Blended,' playing the character Nickens, who fancies himself 'the South African Tom Jones' On Tuesday, the NFL was hit with another lawsuit from former players who accused the league of providing painkillers and other drugs that would allow the players to remain in the game and avoid missing any time, but led to serious complications later in life. More than 600 players have joined the suit. It claims that doctors and trainers gave out the drugs without a prescription and without warning of side effects. The lawsuit also says that the drugs were given in combinations as 'cocktails.' 'The stuff works,' Jeremy Newberry, who played most of his career for the San Francisco 49ers before retiring in 2009, told The Associated Press. 'It works like crazy. It really does.' Crews' brief NFL career included playing for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles . Newberry, who is part of the suit, says that because of the drugs he took while playing, he suffers from kidney failure, high blood pressure and violent headaches. Crews said that when you spend your life working toward a goal, you will do everything you possibly can to keep that goal alive. As a result, you might follow what others tell you if you think it will benefit your career, he noted. 'When you give your life over to something like that and give your total trust into something like that, it will always disappoint you,' Crews added. Crews had a relatively short career playing for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. He currently plays Detective Sergeant Terence 'Terry' Jeffords on the sitcom 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine.' He is featured in the movie 'Blended' that opened today. His other film roles include parts in 'Bridesmaids,' 'The Expendables,' 'The Longest Yard' and 'White Chicks.'
Crews made the cult claim since many players believe the NFL and its teams would never 'do anything to hurt me' He also said when you dedicate your life to a goal, you will follow whatever other people tell you if you think it will extend your career . On Tuesday, more than 600 former players filed a lawsuit against the league accusing teams of giving drugs to injured players without a prescription and without disclosing side effects .
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By . Emma Innes . PUBLISHED: . 09:52 EST, 18 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:59 EST, 18 April 2013 . A nine-year-old boy born with a rare syndrome that gives him obsessive tendencies has become devoted to a collection of Henry vacuum cleaners. Lane Fountain has Williams Syndrome, a condition which causes him to have a very sociable and trusting nature, and which means he is acutely sensitive to the needs of others. It has also led to him developing an obsession with vacuum cleaners. Lane Fountain, nine, has Williams syndrome which has caused him to develop an obsession with vacuum cleaners . Williams syndrome is a genetic condition that is present from birth. People with the condition tend to have elfin features. It is characterised by medical problems including cardiovascular diease, development delays and learning disabilities. These symptoms occur alongside impressive verbal abilities, highly sociable personalities and an affinity for music. Other common features include feeding problems, dental abnormalities, kidney abnormalities, hernias and attention deficit disorder. It affects one in every 10,000 people and occurs equally often in men and women. Lane currently has a collection of 17 hoovers and is constantly offering to clean his parent's home. His favourite activity is visiting vacuum shops – he will happily play with them all day. Lane’s father, Mark Fountain, 34, said:  ‘People with Williams Syndrome tend to obsess about things and in Lane's case, it is hoovers. He's adored them from a young age. ‘When we go shopping for the day his little reward for being good will be going into a shop where he can play with the hoovers for 15 minutes. ‘It's like watching an old man looking at a classic car. He studies every little detail, he knows all the different models, makes and product numbers. ‘His room is full of hoovers and he's got more in the garden. I think there's more to come because he's gravitating toward carpet washers. Lane currently has a collection of 17 hoovers and is constantly offering to clean his parent's home . His favourite activity is visiting vacuum cleaner shops and he will happily play with them all day . ‘The funny thing is he's not actually much good at hoovering. He tends to do the same spot over and over again and gets distracted by looking at himself in the mirror.’ Lane, from Rayleigh in Essex, added: ‘I love cleaning and I do it every day. I love most hoovers and carpet cleaners - especially Henry, he's my favourite.’ Williams Syndrome is a genetic condition that is present at birth and can affect anyone. It is characterised by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning disabilities. Lane's parents say that he is now gravitating towards carpet cleaners and that they believe this will be his next obsession . Lane's father Mark Fountain (pictured) said: 'The funny thing is he's not actually much good at hoovering. He tends to do the same spot over and over again' These occur side by side with striking verbal abilities, highly social personalities and an affinity for music. It affects 1 in 10,000 people worldwide and is known to occur equally in both males and females and in every culture. Lane, who lives with Mr Fountain, his mother Danny Wolstenholme, 40, and his seven-year-old sister, Lacey, requires constant care as a result of his condition. Mr Fountain, a professional photographer, said: ‘As obsessions go, hoovering is obviously quite a good one to have and at least he's keeping out of mischief. ‘But there is a serious side to Lane's condition. Youngsters with Williams Syndrome don't have a bad bone in their body. ‘Their sole purpose it to make people happy so he's always the centre of attention making people smile and laugh. Lane was born with Williams syndrome which is a genetic condition that affects 1 in 10,000 people . He has been collecting vacuum cleaners throughout his childhood . ‘But at the same time there is no awareness whatsoever of strangers or danger. Everybody is their friend and they cannot see the bad in people. ‘Obviously there are people out there who will take advantage of the over-friendliness - and as a parent that's our biggest worry. ‘But we wouldn't have Lane any other way. He loves everyone, regardless of race, creed or colour and that makes him totally unique.’ Lane recently appeared on Channel 4 show, The Hotel, where a cleaner from the Grosvenor Hotel in Torquay, Devon, taught him how to hoover a room. As a special treat staff invited him back over the weekend to help them choose from a range of new hoovers. Sandra Morris, head of housekeeping, said: ‘We chose Lane to test the models as there's no better man for the job.’
Lane Fountain has a rare developmental disorder called Williams Syndrome . Has obsessive tendencies and has collected 17 vacuum cleaners . His parents say his favourite treat is visiting vacuum cleaner shops . But despite his enthusiasm, he is not very good at cleaning .
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Kenyan Dennis Kimetto has set a new world record by completing the Berlin Marathon in 2 hours, 2 minutes and 57 seconds on Sunday. The 30-year-old knocked 26 seconds off the previous record of 2:03:23 set by his compatriot Wilson Kipsang in the same race last year. Another Kenyan, Emmanuel Mutai, finished second and was also quicker than the previous best in 2:03:13. Kenyan Dennis Kimetto crosses the finish line in front of the Brandenburg Gate after completing the Berlin marathon in a new world record time of 2 hours, 2 minutes and 57 seconds on Sunday morning . Kimetto set a very quick pace from the start in perfect marathon-running conditions and shaved 26 seconds off the previous best time, also set in Berlin last year . Kimetto poses with the Kenyan flag after his record-breaking run in the German capital . 1. Dennis Kimetto (Kenya) 2:02:57 WR . 2. Emmanuel Kipchirchir Mutai (Kenya) 2:03:13 . 3. Abera Kuma (Ethiopia) 2:05:56 . 4. Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor (Kenya) 2:06:39 . 5. Eliud Kiptanui (Kenya) 2:07:28 . 6. Franklin Chepkwony (Kenya) 2:07:35 . 7. Levy Matebo (Kenya) 2:08:33 . Ethiopia's Abera Kuma finished third in 2:05:56. All the times are as yet unofficial. The race in German capital saw some 40,0004 runners from 130 nations compete in perfect clear conditions. Kimetto, the pre-race favourite, set a scintillating pace from the starting gun and broke away with a group of six others after about 20km. With four kilometres remaining, he pulled clear from Mutai after the Kenyan pair had earlier shaken off another compatriot, Geoffrey Kamworor. 'I feel good because I won a very tough race,' the soft-spoken Kimetto told reporters. 'I felt good from the start and in the last five kilometres I felt I could do it (break the record).' Kimetto's compatriot Emmanuel Mutai (right) crossed the line in second and also beat the previous best . The Berlin marathon drew just over 40,000 runners to the streets of the German capital . 1. Tirfi Tsegaye Beyene (Ethiopia) 2:20:18 . 2. Feyse Tadese (Ethiopia) 2:20:27 . 3. Shalane Flanagan (U.S.) 2:21:14 . 4. Tadelech Bekele (Ethiopia) 2:23:02 . 5. Abebech Afework (Ethiopia) 2:25:02 . The tall Kimetto was by no means unknown and had provided evidence of his class at the distance with wins in Tokyo and Boston last year. He had promised to attack the record in Berlin if conditions allowed and on Sunday he could not have hoped for better weather. With temperatures hovering around eight degrees Celsius at the start and gradually inching warmer as the race progressed, the Kenyan stayed in the lead group from the beginning and was always positioned near the front. One runner was dressed as the popular German wheat beer brand Erdinger as they completed the course . Runners assembled on the starting line with the iconic Brandenburg Gate in the background . The last pacemakers stepped aside at around 30 kilometres as the Kenyan trio gradually broke clear. Mutai twice attempted to attack but Kimetto stayed strong and made his own move at the 38km mark, with his compatriot soon dropping some 20 metres behind. With the iconic Brandenburg Gate in full view, Kimetto powered through the final stretch to clock a world best, with Mutai second 16 seconds behind, and Ethiopian Abera Kuma overtaking a fading Kamworor late on to claim third. Ethiopia were successful in the women's race, however, as Tirfi Tsegaye Beyene edged out her compatriot Feyse Tadese in a time of 2 hours, 20 minutes and 18 seconds.
Kenyan Dennis Kimetto completed the Berlin Marathon in a new world record of 2 hours, 2 minutes and 57 seconds on Sunday . The time was 26 seconds quicker than the previous record, set in the same race last year . Another Kenyan, Emmanuel Mutai was second in 2:03:13 . Ethiopia's Abera Kuma finished third in 2:05:56 . Over 40,000 runners competed in race which finished in front of the iconic Brandenburg Gate .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 08:26 EST, 17 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:55 EST, 17 October 2012 . It's oatmeal....but not as you know it . Foie gras with truffle sauce, monkfish liver with pancetta jus....we've heard of haute cuisine, now it's time for 'oat cuisine'. Think of the word porridge and you will probably remember the steaming pile of Quaker Oats served up to keep you warm on the journey to school. But rather unexpectedly, this most solid of cereals has become a gourmet dish. Top New York chef Samantha Stephens is championing an exotic range of recipes that use the Scottish oats as their base. She calls her approach Extreme Oatmeal. Abandoning traditional toppings such as honey and milk, she serves porridge with pesto sauce, pumpkin puree and bacon. The menu includes Indian spiced oatmeal with raisins, sliced almonds, coconut milk, crystallised ginger, cardamom, vanilla and brown sugar; and Canadian oatmeal served with bacon, cheddar cheese, roasted apples, maple syrup and sea salt. But there's no need to travel to New York to partake in the Extreme Oatmeal trend. Porridge is so simple to make that anyone can experiment with unconventional ingredients. Flavours that suit risotto tend to work well with porridge. So how about a bowl of mushroom, parmesan and pancetta porridge for breakfast tomorrow? Flavours which work well with risotto also work with oats . Who said porridge was boring? Originally from Fairfax, Samantha Stephens now lives in New York City where she OatMeals, the cosy dining room in which she puts 'modern twists on an old-fashioned wholesome favourite'. Her idea for gourmet porridge stemmed from being an impoverished student looking for ways of spicing up cheap oats. These days, from her pretty perch on 3rd Street, Stephens uses her colourful imagination to conjure up ideas both sweet and savoury for warming, comforting, health-giving bowls of oatiny goodness. Some of the most decadent sounding concoctions served in OatMeals are the Pumpkin Pie - made from a pumpkin purée swirl, pecans, brown sugar, pumpkin spice and whole milk - the Shaved Parmesan - extra virgin olive oil, flaky sea salt, cracked pepper, bacon topping recommended - and the the Croque Monsieur - diced ham, gruyere cheese, nutmeg, steamed milk. The squidgy  treats can also be made to order with ingredients including Gorgonzola, carob chips, chia seesds, butterscotch chips, truffle oil, agave nectar, ginger, mini-marshmallows, pineapple and pesto. Though we do recommend you don't try them out all at once. OatMeals is situated at 120 W 3rd St, between Macdougal and 6th Ave. For more information visit their website.
Samantha Stephens runs OatMeals restaurant on 3rd Street . Menu includes spicy Indian oatmeal and Canadian oatmeal with bacon .
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By . Jason Groves, Political Correspondent . PUBLISHED: . 09:43 EST, 8 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:02 EST, 9 November 2012 . Andrew Mitchell was grilled by a committee of MPs . Andrew Mitchell denied acting as a 'rogue minister' yesterday – as he insisted David Cameron had backed his decision to hand £16million in foreign aid to Rwanda. The former international development secretary has come under fire for lifting the suspension on aid to Rwanda on his final day in office, despite claims its regime is guilty of human rights abuses. Mr Mitchell – who resigned as Tory chief whip after allegedly calling Downing Street police 'plebs' – had told Mr Cameron that Rwanda had 'ended' its support for the notorious M23 rebels who are leading an uprising in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In fact, a UN report leaked last month accused Rwanda of masterminding the rebellion which has forced half a million from their homes. Mr Cameron had made it a condition that support for the M23 rebels ended before aid was restored to the regime of Rwandan President Paul Kagame. Labour MP Richard Burden, a member of the Commons committee which quizzed Mr Mitchell, said: 'It is not clear to me why Mr Mitchell decided to release this money before the full UN report is out next month.' Carina Tertsakian, of Human Rights Watch, said it was 'disingenuous' to claim Rwanda's support for the mutiny had ended in the summer. 'Between the end of July when aid was suspended and the start of September when it was reinstated, support for M23 was ongoing,' she said. Downing Street sources last night insisted Mr Cameron did not feel he had been misled. Pictured Congolese government troops and tanks who fought M23 rebels who were allegedly funded by Rwanda . Mr Mitchell has developed a close friendship with President Kagame. But yesterday he insisted his decision to restore aid was 'made with complete propriety'. He said he took 'great offence' at media portrayals of him as a 'rogue minister who signed cheques under the bedclothes and bunged them to dubious regimes'. Half of the £16million payment to Rwanda went straight into the Kagame regime's coffers. International Development Secretary Justine Greening will decide whether to press ahead with a further £21million in Rwandan aid after the UN report is published.
Tory MP signed off payment despite UN atrocities alert . Fears that funds were used for attacks in Congo .
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By . Beth Stebner . PUBLISHED: . 15:38 EST, 20 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:57 EST, 20 April 2013 . A nation is questioning how intelligence agencies failed to stop the Tsarnaev brothers from allegedly launching a terrorist attack on Boston Marathon runners, even after they were outspoken on their extreme views on various social media platforms. Older brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, who was killed Thursday night in a shootout with police, was interviewed by the FBI in 2011 after a foreign government, later identified as Russia, alerted U.S. authorities that he could have possible ties to extremists and radical Islamists. The surviving ethnic Chechen brother, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, is being treated at a hospital in Boston for critical injuries. A Twitter page identified by several news outlets to be his is full of cryptic messages like, ‘We try to find ways to kill time but time kills us.’ Brothers Tamerlan Tsarnaev, right, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, left, seen in a photo provided by the FBI on April 15 at the Boston Marathon, minutes before the bombs detonated . Dzhokhar's VK page, the Russian equivalent of Facebook, shows that it was seen as late as yesterday, when he was fleeing authorities . The Tsarnaevs, who have been named by the FBI as the two suspects for last Monday’s deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon, both had a fairly active social presence. Relatives said that Tamerlan was something of a ‘black sheep’ in the family and seemed to grow more radical and devout beginning around 2009. An avid boxer, he spent much of his time training in the gym. Despite working with other athletes, he said in 2010 that he had ‘a single American friend’ and didn’t ‘understand’ Americans. His YouTube page, which was created in August 2012, had playlists created on radical Islamism. Speaking with Reuters, a U.S. law enforcement source said that because the 2011 dealings with Tamerlan did not produce any ‘derogatory’ information, the matter was ‘put to bed.’ Certain statutes do not allow dead-end cases within the FBI to remain open, according to CBS News. The FBI, which first denied that it had spoken with Tamerlan, said yesterday in a statement: ‘In response to this 2011 request, the FBI checked U.S. government databases and other information to look for such things as derogatory telephone communications, possible use of online sites associated with the promotion of radical activity, associations with other persons of interest, travel history and plans, and education history. Friends told several media outlets that this Twitter feed was that of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev; his last tweet was from April 17 . Dzhokhar, pictured bottom left, was part of an intermural soccer team at UMass, where he was studying marine biology . The two individuals believed to be responsible for the Boston Marathon bombings on Monday have been positively identified as Tamerlan Tsarnaev, now deceased, and Dzhokar Tsarnaev, now in custody. These individuals are brothers and residents of Massachusetts. Tamerlan Tsarnaev was a legal permanent resident and Dzhokar Tsarnaev is a naturalized U.S. citizen. Charges have not yet been filed against Dzhokar Tsarnaev and he is presumed innocent. Tamerlan Tsarnaev, age 26, was previously designated as Suspect 1, wearing a black hat. Dzhokar A. Tsarnaev, age 19, was designated as Suspect 2, wearing a white hat. Both were born in Kyrgyzstan. Once the FBI learned the identities of the two brothers today, the FBI reviewed its records and determined that in early 2011, a foreign government asked the FBI for information about Tamerlan Tsarnaev. The request stated that it was based on information that he was a follower of radical Islam and a strong believer, and that he had changed drastically since 2010 as he prepared to leave the United States for travel to the country’s region to join unspecified underground groups. In response to this 2011 request, the FBI checked U.S. government databases and other information to look for such things as derogatory telephone communications, possible use of online sites associated with the promotion of radical activity, associations with other persons of interest, travel history and plans, and education history. The FBI also interviewed Tamerlan Tsarnaev and family members. The FBI did not find any terrorism activity, domestic or foreign, and those results were provided to the foreign government in the summer of 2011. The FBI requested but did not receive more specific or additional information from the foreign government. A YouTube channel belonging to Tamerlan Tsarnaev shows playlists and videos about Islam and terrorists . The title, which means, 'Ask a Muslim Woman,' shows a woman in traditional Islamic dress. The caption translates to, 'Do not trust polytheists' The YouTube channel also has playlists featuring Muslim extremist videos . ‘The FBI also interviewed Tamerlan Tsarnaev and family members. The FBI did not find any terrorism activity, domestic or foreign, and those results were provided to the foreign government in the summer of 2011. 'The FBI requested but did not receive more specific or additional information from the foreign government.’ A spokesperson for the federal agency told MailOnline Saturday evening that the FBI is not releasing any further statements at this time. An Amazon Wish List, which was first unearthed by Slate, seems to belong to Tamerlan as well. Of the 23 items in the list, many are books on how to create fake driver’s licenses and IDs, as well as history books on conflicts in Chechnya. Among the titles are: ‘The Lone Wolf and the Bear: Three Centuries of Chechen Defiance of Russian Rule,’ ‘Organized Crime: An Inside Guide to the World’s Most Successful Industry,’ and ‘How to Win Friends & Influence People.’ It was also revealed that Tamerlan took a flight from New York to Russia in January 2012, and remained there for several months. Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, left, was killed Thursday night; his brother, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, right, was captured Friday evening . In a 2009 interview, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, left, an avid boxer, said that he only had a single U.S. friend and didn't understand Americans . The FBI wanted poster released last night was updated to show that Dzhokhar was captured . An Amazon Wish List, believed to be that of Tamerlan Tsarnaev's, shows 23 items, including books on how to forge IDs, and history of political uprisings in Chechnya . Dzhokhar has a profile on VK, the Russian equivalent of Facebook. It says that he lives in Boston and lists his world view as ‘Islam.’ But as the Atlantic Wire notes, what people post as their beliefs on a site like Facebook or Twitter isn’t always indicative of one’s beliefs. Friends and classmates of the Tsarnaevs said they found few omens of radicalism in the brothers. Dzhokhar wrote on March 17: ‘See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil until the morning alarm goes off and all hell unleashes.’ His last tweet, written on April 17, reads: ‘I’m a stress free kind of guy.’ Dzhokhar’s tweets are an amalgamation of irreverent thoughts, blasé observations, and comments, from his thoughts on the TV show ‘Breaking Bad’ to re-tweets from ‘Condescending Willy Wonka.’ April 15: There are people that know the truth but stay silent & there are people that speak the truth but we don’t hear them cuz they’re the minority,’ he wrote at 11:34pm on April 15, hours after the bombing. He also tweeted last September that the 9/11 attacks were an inside job. ‘IDK (I don't know) why it’s hard for many of you to accept that,’ he writes. A tweet from March of last year reads: ‘A decade in America already, I want out.’ This comment was picked apart by other Twitter users following the bombings, with one person writing: ‘ProTip: Come here as a refugee, then blow up a public event…that’s a political statement. It’s terrorism.’ He writes on January 17, 2012: ‘some people are just misunderstood by the world thus the increase of suicide rates.’ In a detailed profile in the Boston Globe, Dzhokhar is described as the son who ‘thrived’ in America, coming to the country from Chechnya when he was either 10 or 11. A student at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, he even won a scholarship and was pursuing a major in marine biology. Relatives across the globe speaking to reporters have expressed their grief that the brothers allegedly committed these acts of terrorism and seem baffled the two could do such a thing. Two separate explosions at the Boston Marathon struck as runners crossed the finish line on Monday, witnesses said, injuring up to 180 people and killing three .
FBI initially denied that they had spoke with bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, now deceased . Agency later revealed that they were tipped off by foreign government official in 2011 that he could have possible ties to 'radical Islamists' YouTube page believed to be that of Tamerlan full of radical Islamic videos . Suspected Twitter feed of his brother, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, contains suspicious messages like: 'We try to find ways to kill time but time kills us'
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By . Damien Gayle . Last updated at 10:05 AM on 14th October 2011 . Armed with an angle grinder, hammer and screwdriver, the pair stole this gold and bronze cross. The glass-fronted centrepiece holds the relic . A holy relic said to have been taken from the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified has been stolen from an Irish monastery. The miniature artefact brought to Holy Cross Abbey in Thurles, Co Tipperary, in the late 12th century, was taken by two masked men in a brazen daylight raid. Armed with an angle grinder, hammer and screwdriver, the pair stole a gold and bronze cross about 12in high with a glass-fronted centrepiece used to hold the relic. It had been stored securely in a steel-bound display case. Father Tom Breen, parish priest of Holy Cross Abbey, said the relic has been the source of devotion and pilgrimage for the last 900 years. 'I would like to appeal to the thieves in the strongest possible terms not to damage the relic - just leave the artefacts in some church and they will eventually come back to me or we will use a third person,' he said. 'It is impossible to put a value on it commercially or an intrinsic value, and from religious and emotional point of view it's immeasurable. The 'Relic of the True Cross', as it is referred to by the Archdiocese, was given by Pope Paschal II to the O'Brien Kings of Thomond in recognition for their support for the Catholic Church. It was they who founded the abbey which was first consecrated by Cistercian monks in about 1180. The Cistercian Order protected the relic until the monastery was suppressed during the Reformation. In 1801 it was given to the Ursuline Sisters in Blackrock, Co Cork, by Bishop Francis Moylan before being returned to Holy Cross after restoration in 1975. 'I would in my heart feel that the thieves had no real appreciation of what it is they were taking. I would hope that they didn't have any ulterior motive.' Archbishop Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, added his voice to appeals for the cross and relic to be returned. 'The high profile of Holy Cross Abbey rests primarily on its possession of this relic. The unlawful removal of this relic is regarded as an outrage by the people of faith who value its spiritual and historic importance,' he said. 'The faithful are extremely upset at the loss of this irreplaceable and sacred relic. 'While it is not of great material value, it holds significant spiritual meaning for the faithful of the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly and beyond. 'Holy Cross Abbey will never be the same again unless and until the relic is returned.' The cross housing the relic is known as a monstrance, which sits on a small base and contains a transparent case normally used for holding the communion host. It was housed in a steel-framed display which the thieves used the angle grinder, hammer and screwdriver to break open. The thieves also took a 14th-century silver holy cross, again about 12in high, which had been hanging from a chain and contained two crosses and two dark stones. Three sets of keys had been stolen from the church sacristy in recent weeks. The priests subsequently took precautions to call in locksmiths and change up to ten locks where important artefacts are housed. Father Tom Breen outside Holycross Abbey in Tipperary, where the artefacts were stolen in broad daylight . Father Breen: 'I would like to appeal to the thieves in the strongest possible terms not to damage the relic' The . veneration of relics has been a central part of the Catholic faith . since the fourth century when three crosses were discovered at the hill . where Jesus is said to have died. According . to legend, a sick man was brought to touch each of them in turn. After . touching the third he was miraculously cured, proving its provenance as . the true cross. The cross . was divided up into hundreds of smaller relics, some no more than . splinters, which were sent to churches and monasteries across Europe . where they were venerated. By the Middle Ages, the trade in fakes had become common. So . many forgeries were thought to be in circulation that Erasmus, the . Dutch philosopher, quipped that Christ must have been crucified on a . 'whole forest'. Two women, who had been seen around the church, are suspected of involvement in the theft of the keys. Gardai . said two men who carried out the theft both had their faces covered and . openly carried the tools into the church. A parishioner passed the two . men in the church before the theft. The pair left within a few minutes and fled in a red or wine-coloured VW Touareg jeep which was later found burned out. Gardai . said a third person had been waiting in the getaway car, which had the . partial registration number 06 OY or 06 LK, and went in the direction of . Yellow Lough. The . car was discovered a short time later about two to three miles from the . scene at the Yellow Lough, Thurles, where it had been set on fire. A dark-coloured saloon car was seen in the vicinity of where the VW Touareg jeep was burnt out, travelling at high speed. Gardai in Thurles have appealed for witnesses. The tiny relic was originally brought to the monastery when it was first consecrated by Cistercian monks in about 1180. It is believed to have been a gift from Donal Mor O'Brien, King of Munster, who founded the abbey. Gardai said two men who carried out the theft both had their faces covered and openly carried the tools into the church. A parishioner passed the two men in the church before the theft. The pair left within a few minutes and fled in a red or wine-coloured VW Touareg jeep which was later found burned out. Gardai said a third person had been . waiting in the getaway car, which had the partial registration number 06 . OY or 06 LK, and went in the direction of Yellow Lough. The car was discovered a short time . later about two to three miles from the scene at the Yellow Lough, . Thurles, where it had been set on fire. A dark-coloured saloon car was seen in the vicinity of where the VW Touareg jeep was burnt out, travelling at high speed. Gardai in Thurles have appealed for witnesses.
Artefact brought to Holy Cross Abbey 900 years ago . Archbishop: 'The unlawful removal of this relic is . regarded as an outrage by the people of faith who value its spiritual . and historic importance'
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An 11-year-old boy's rendition of the national anthem at Game 3 of the NBA finals brought the usual appreciative applause Tuesday, but outside AT&T Center in San Antonio, his performance brought a darker reaction from some posters on social media -- and eventually an online backlash against their racist comments. See the performance by Sebastien De La Cruz . Here's a sampling of some of the unkind tweets that went flying around the Internet about Sebastien de la Cruz: . -- "Why they got a Mexican kid singing the national anthem -___-" from Daniel Gilmore. -- "How you singing the national anthem looking like an illegal immigrant" from Andre Lacey, proud father and firefighter from Augusta, Georgia. -- "Why is a foreigner singing the national anthem. I realize that's San Antonio but that still ain't Mexico" from Lewie Groh. -- "Who let this illegal alien sing our national anthem?" from Matt Cyrus. And the list went on and on. As for Sebastien, he said the racist comments have not fazed him. "For those that said something bad about me, I understand it's your opinion," said Sebastien to CNN. "I'm a proud American and live in a free country. It's not hurting me. It's just your opinion." Sebastien has been singing since he was 5 but gained fame in 2012 after being on NBC's "America's Got Talent" for singing his mariachi ballads with hopes of winning to help his younger brother get surgery for his hearing problem. Juan de la Cruz, Sebastien's father, hasn't taken the negative comments personally at all. "When he was on 'America's Got Talent,' he faced racism there, too. You can't satisfy everyone," said de la Cruz to CNN. "I think people reacted the way they did because Sebastien was wearing his mariachi outfit," said de la Cruz, "But, it doesn't make sense to listen to those people when most of the feedback we have gotten is positive. San Antonio supports Sebastien." A collection of the negative tweets was posted on Public Shaming, a Tumblr blog dedicated to outing and shaming racists' social media posts. Other media outlets used that post as the foundation for the story, and the story took off from there. The blog highlighted 28 tweets from NBA fans who came off as offended and ashamed that the Spurs would allow the boy, who happened to have been born and raised in San Antonio, to sing the nation's anthem. However, Public Shaming must have suspected what would happen once the racist tweets were posted because most of the Twitter handles have been deactivated or the tweet has been removed. The blog posted screen shots of the tweets so it could continue to display the public microbloggers' rants. After the harsh reaction spread across the Internet, tweets supporting and defending Sebastien and vociferously denouncing his critics started to take over: . -- "That little 10 year old mariachi National Anthem singer has more talent and grace than the combined racist pig idiots on Twitter," from Mexican-American cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz . -- "Racist scumbag says Chicano kid singing nat'l anthem just "snuck into the country." This idiot's apparently of color too. @A2daO," from Laura Gonzalez, a Chicana Santa Rosa City Schools board member and middle school teacher. -- "Why are ppl so upset over a Hispanic singing the national anthem. He's probably got more roots in here than most 'Americans'," said Amanda Aguirre on Twitter. -- And, from the American Latino Museum, "We're proud of the 11-year old San Anto-native Sebastien de la Cruz for his amazing performance last night!" San Antonio is a multicultural city with more than 55% of the population being Hispanic and 90% of those people identifying themselves as Mexican according to the Pew Hispanic Center. For some Mexican-Americans, the incident was just the latest sign of a persistent problem they face: being treated as outsiders in their own country. "To see people acting this way doesn't make sense anymore. It's a demographic fact that the country is changing and Latinos are going to be behind that economic push that moves everyone forward," said Chon Noriega, director of the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, to CNN. "Cities like San Antonio are defining a trend of a nation." That the word "Mexican" is being used as a derogatory term is part of the problem, said Noriega, "It's become the N-word of Mexican descent. Yet it's also the name of a group of people in a neighboring country." It will take a lot more than some racist tweets to bring Sebastien down. The "boy with the golden voice" tweeted earlier today: "Please do not pay attention to the negative people. I am an American living the American Dream. This is part of the American life." Sebastien said today was like any other day, but he's always grateful to wake up to yet another day able to sing. He said he owes his positive outlook to his parents, family and everyone in San Antonio. See how Sebastien is handling the reaction . Follow Cindy Y. Rodriguez on Twitter .
Sebastien de la Cruz, 11, sang the national anthem at NBA finals on Tuesday . Racists comments spread via Twitter after the Mexican-American boy's performance . Sebastien stands resilient: "I'm a proud American and live in a free country. It's not hurting me." Father says he isn't "taken the comments personally, can't satisfy everyone"
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A hacker obtained nude photographs of a California model through Apple's iCloud and gave her two choices: pay up or have your private photos distributed to the world. Madison Louch told authorities that she received a call from a hacker on September 7 after she realized she was locked out of her iCloud account, according to TMZ. The hacker reportedly bragged about hacking into celebrity accounts and leaking nude photos before demanding $900 from the model or else he'd 'ruin her modeling career.' Scroll down for video . Ultimatum: A hacker obtained nude photographs of  California model Madison Louch through Apple's iCloud and gave her two choices: pay up or have your private photos distributed to the world . Bragging: The hacker reportedly bragged about hacking into celebrity accounts and leaking nude photos before demanding $900 from the model or else he'd 'ruin her modeling career' The hacker also allegedly told Louch he was 'notorious' for hacking into celebrity accounts and distributing their nude photos. The hacker gave Louch specific instructions to drop off the money at a planter in Hollywood and she called the police who set up a sting operation to catch the swindler. HOT 97 reports that, at the time of the drop off, a woman -- Jamie Munoz -- showed up to collect the cash and was met by a swarm of police. Munoz admitted to agreeing to pick up the cash for the hacker but denied being apart of the plot. Notorious: The hacker also allegedly told Louch he was 'notorious' for hacking into celebrity accounts and distributing their nude photos . Sting: The hacker gave Louch specific instructions to drop off the money at a planter in Hollywood and she called the police who set up a sting operation to catch the swindler . Authorities say the woman gave the name of the hacker Nicholas Douglas from Vancouver, but officials have been unable to find him or prove he even exists. Munoz reportedly pleaded guilty to extortion and received no jail time but three years of probation and community service. Louch is not the first celebrity target of these infamous nude photo hackers. For the past two months, hackers have been causing strife in the celebrity world by hacking into Apple's iCloud -- an online backup service -- and distributing nude photos of celebrities like Rihanna, Jennifer Lawrence, and Kate Upton. CNN reports that the hacking scandal began when hackers took advantage of a flaw in Apple's iCloud. Since then, about 100 women and one man have reportedly fallen victim to these photo hackers. Swarm: Wt the time of the drop off, a woman -- Jamie Munoz -- showed up to collect the cash and was met by a swarm of police . Is he real: Authorities say the woman gave the name of the hacker Nicholas Douglas from Vancouver, but officials have been unable to find him or prove he even exists .
A hacker called model Madison Louch and gave her an ultimatum: pay up or have her modeling career ruined by a trove of naked pictures . Louch contacted the authorities who set up a sting operation on the $900 drop off . The hacker bragged about hacking into the model's account and said he was notorious for leaking celebrity's nude photos . Police arrested a courier who came to pick up the cash, but were not able to find the mastermind, who is from Vancouver, Canada .
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NEW YORK (CNN) -- Jim Riches, who lost his son Jimmy -- a New York firefighter -- on September 11, 2001, seems cautiously optimistic that the men again charged in the deadly attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people will finally go to trial. "Eleven years later and the families are still awaiting justice," he told CNN. "Hopefully, the trial will move forward. Let the world see what these men are like." Riches is among the victims' relatives notified that terrorism charges were refiled Wednesday against accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Ramzi Bin al-Shibh and three others. If convicted, the men could face the death penalty. They were first charged in 2008, but their cases were suspended when the Obama administration attempted to move the case to federal court in New York, only to run into a political firestorm. In 2009, Riches made a trip to the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where the defendants are being held, in an effort to watch and hear them speak before a military commission. "I am the mastermind of 9/11, not Osama bin Laden," Mohammed told the presiding judge. "We don't care about capital punishment or a life sentence. We are doing jihad for the cause of God." Riches said Mohammed seemed proud. Riches said he would like to attend a new trial, but isn't sure whether his name will be chosen since other families who haven't been to the naval base will be asked to attend. "Some families might not want to go. Seeing these evil men isn't easy," he said. "It's very hard to listen to them." But he said that while he's skeptical, he's also hopeful that this time a trial will take place. President Barack Obama, who has yet to make good on a pledge to close the detention camp, earned congressional scorn after vowing to move high-level detainees to stand trial in civilian courts. The move was followed by an outcry fueled mainly by conservatives who claimed that it would be an unnecessary security risk to move terror suspects from the island facility. The Obama administration countered that federal prosecutions had a record of success, including convictions and life sentences for so-called shoe bomber Richard Reid, confessed al Qaeda operative Zacarias Moussaoui and blind Egyptian cleric Omar Abdel Rahman, who is serving a life sentence for inspiring the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and for a thwarted plot to attack other New York locations. "Politics had a lot to do with this," Riches said. "The victims of 9/11 are being victimized all over again because of this. And now, we're back to where we were four years ago. Politicians should be ashamed of themselves." He says families have waited too long to see the 9/11 alleged conspirators stand trial. "For me, I can't wait for the day justice is served on them," he added. "I want the world to see it." Riches said the government has already asked him whether he'd be willing to face Mohammed and his co-defendants in court and make a victim impact statement. "Of course," he said. But, "It doesn't change anything because (his son) won't come walking back into the room."
Jim Riches lost his son Jimmy -- a New York firefighter -- on September 11, 2001 . Riches is among the victims' relatives notified that terrorism charges were refiled . Charged are accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others . If convicted, the men could face the death penalty .
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A list of the worst mobile phone apps for extracting personal information such as location and contacts has been compiled by academics. Among the worst for taking details from users who have little or no idea it is happening include Angry Birds and Brightest Flashlight. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh in the US, looked at the most popular programs in Google's Android app store to compile their list. Researchers found that users often have little idea their apps take details such as location. Some of the apps, such as Google Maps, were at least half expected by mobile users to be taking location details but others were more of a surprise. When told that the Angry Birds mobile app took location details, 80 per cent of users questioned were surprised. Dr Jason Hong, of the university’s Human-Computer Interaction Institute, wrote on a blog: "A vast majority of people (95%) were surprised that Brightest Flashlight used location data, but no one (0%) was surprised that Google Maps did so. 'Here, we can use level of surprise as one form of privacy. If people aren't surprised, then from our perspective it's less of a privacy issue, since people have some level of informed consent. 'On the other hand, if lots of people are surprised, then we have a potential privacy issue at hand.' The list, which was not ranked in any order, was released after Dr Hong and colleague including Professor Norman Sadeh analysed the 100 most popular Android apps. The other eight apps were Toss It game, Talking Tom virtual pet, Backgrounds HD Wallpapers, Dictionary.com, Mouse Trap game, Horoscope, Shazam music, and Pandora Internet Radio. One or more of three types of information - location, device identifying details, and contact lists - were collected, the researchers found. Users were often in the dark as to why the information was collected by the app, such as 58 per cent being unaware device IDs could be used for marketing. Dr Hong said users would be far less suspicious if they were to be told why the information is being extracted as there can be good reasons for it. The mobile Angry Birds app was among those named by researchers. Backgrounds HD Wallpapers takes contact details because because it has a facility to change the appearance of the screen when one of the contacts rings or texts. He said it is important that the apps are transparent about what they take and why. He added: 'Some of these uses, while rated unusual, were actually perceived as legitimate once it was explained how the data was used. 'For example, the Dictionary.com app uses location for finding words that others near you are searching for, rather than for ads or other purposes. 'In our work, we also found that people were generally ok with this usage once it was made clear to them. 'In the short-term, the main thrust of our research is to help people understand these kinds of unusual behaviors of apps, as well as increase transparency. 'It's worth pointing out too that a lot of this information seems to be used for advertising rather than malicious purposes (though it obviously depends on your definition of malicious). 'In the long-term, we need better policies and best practices around this kind of data collection, as well as better ways of helping developers create sustainable business models that also respect privacy. Professor Sadeh was quoted by NBCNEWS.com as saying: ‘When you look at the fundamental issue, it's about informing users and giving them an option. ‘You need to say more to users than, “I need permission to collect this.” You need to tell them what you will do with what you collect. When you communicate, you put people at ease.’ But he added: ‘The platforms invite developers to collect more information than you would like. ‘And the developers can hide behind what the app store offers (for disclosure options). 'They can say, “Hey, there's no way for me to offer more.” It's up to these marketplaces to make an effort to convey more information.’
Astonishment at realisation a flashlight app extracts location information . Angry Birds game named among the worst offenders on mobile phones .
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(CNN) -- It was a fitting end to a tense back-and-forth series that saw several unlikely players taking key roles. But ultimately, it came down to the top basketball player in the league. LeBron James. He brought his talents to South Beach three years ago. On Thursday night, he silenced his critics -- at least until October -- by leading the Miami Heat to its second consecutive NBA title with a 95-88 win over the San Antonio Spurs. The four-time league MP had a series-high 37 points, 12 rebounds and four assists to earn his second ring. Bleacher Report: Why LeBron's second title was his greatest achievement yet . "This team is amazing," he said. "And the vision that I had when I decided to come here (in 2010) is all coming true." Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said James was the difference in winning and losing. He was ecstatic for the player from whom so much is expected. "You're always happy for guys when they're so dedicated," he said. And we all know his work ethic. ... He always rises to the occasion when it matters the most, when the competition is fiercest." James hit a long jumper with 27.9 seconds remaining in the game to give the Heat a four-point lead then locked up the win with two free throws after stealing a pass from the Spurs' Manu Ginobili. Dwyane Wade chipped in 23 points for the Heat, who won their third title overall. "This was the hardest series we ever had to play, but we're a resilient team and we did what it took," he said. Reserve Shane Battier made six 3-pointers and had 18 points for Miami. James also had a team-high 12 rebounds in winning his second crown. Tim Duncan scored 24 points for the four-time champion Spurs. "LeBron was unbelievable; Dwyane was great. I just think they found a way to get it done," he said. Duncan said he'll be haunted by two missed shots in the last minute, either of which would have tied the score. Spurs guard Tony Parker, who went 3-for-12 in Game 7 and scored just 10 points, had no excuses, saying he just couldn't get a good shooting rhythm. "Tonight we did a great fight," he said. "We just couldn't get over the hump. ... It's tough to come so close." The Spurs' Danny Green, who in the first five games set a NBA Finals record for 3-pointers, went 1-for-12 from the field in Game 7. Only five players scored for the Heat but four of them -- James, Wade, Battier and Mario Chalmers -- outscored the Spurs. Watch Heat vs. Spurs game 7 highlights .
NEW: LeBron James calls his team 'amazing' James had 37 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Heat . Spurs' Tim Duncan had 24 points in the loss . Heat have won three championships, two with LeBron James .
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By . Mark Duell . Last updated at 7:51 AM on 12th September 2011 . Two gunmen sparked panic and chaos when they opened fire outside a busy nightclub, killing two people and injuring 22. The gunmen were believed to have been armed with semi-automatic weapons outside Club Elite in Palmetto - south of Tampa, Florida. Gwenette Matthews, 38, of Bradenton, Florida, and Trayon Goff, 25, of Palmetto, Florida, were both killed early Saturday morning, police said. Scroll down for video . Dead: Trayon Goff, 25, was one of two people killed outside Club Elite in Palmetto, Florida, early Saturday morning, police said, while 22 were injured . ‘I was on the floor trying not to die,’ said Chip ‘Blu Chip’ Hunt, a promoter who works with the club management. ‘I was between one who got shot in the back of the head and one that got killed and one gentleman that got Bayflighted (airlifted) out.’ A Palmetto police spokesman said the shooters were outside the club, but some bullets passed through the nightclub's open front door. Police believe at least one of the shooters was on foot and disappeared in a getaway car. Mr Hunt, who promoted the club's Friday night ‘Grown & Sexy’ event, said Ms Matthews was socialising inside the club with her sister. Scene: A Palmetto police spokesman said the shooters were outside the club, but some bullets passed through the nightclub's open front door . She was killed by a bullet that came through the front door. 'The wall is like Swiss cheese. (Trayon Goff) had so many wounds it was crazy. He got 75 per cent of the . shots. That's the one they (were) after' Chip ‘Blu Chip’ Hunt, promoter . Mr Hunt said the torrent of bullets seemed to be aimed at Mr Goff who was outside, sitting up against the front wall of the building. ‘The wall is like Swiss cheese,’ he said. ‘He had so many wounds it was crazy. He got 75 per cent of the shots. That's the one they (were) after.’ Mr Hunt estimated 150 people were inside the club at the time. He said a security guard was hit in the back by one bullet and made sure every patron was at least 25 years old and dressed up for the event. Holes: A club promoter said the torrent of bullets seemed to be aimed at Mr Goff who was outside, and the nighclub wall was left looking like 'Swiss cheese' Mr Hunt said Mr Goff was in a group of younger people who had gathered outside the club. Of those ‘he was the only one that got . shot (critically). I don't know if he tried to run and that's why the . bullets came inside the club.’ 'It just scares me. I don’t even want to live here anymore' Theresa Amado, local resident . The police spokesman said investigators have not yet named suspects or identified a target or motive. He added that most victims were treated and released. But six were flown to a trauma centre and one remains in a very critical condition. ‘It just scares me,’ Theresa Amado, who lives nearby, told My Fox Tampa Bay. ‘I don’t even want to live here anymore.’ A man was fatally shot and killed near the club last year but prosecutors dropped charges - calling it self-defence, reported My Fox Tampa Bay. See video here . Manatee authorities seek nightclub shooters: MyFoxTAMPABAY.com .
Gwenette Matthews, 38, and Trayon Goff, 25, both killed . Florida gunmen armed with 'semi-automatic weapons' Club Elite in Palmetto left looking like 'Swiss cheese'
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A cybersecurity expert has raised the possibility that the cyberattack on Sony Pictures was not the work of North Korea, but instead carried out by a disgruntled employee. The hacking attack saw five major new films leaked alongside studio and personnel information which included the salaries of staff and personal emails. North Korea has refused to deny claims that it is behind a release and a spokesperson for the country would only say 'wait and see' when asked if Pyongyang was involved in the attack on Sony just a month before its planned release of a movie about a plot to kill the reclusive state's leader, Kim Jong Un. Cars enter Sony Pictures Entertainment headquarters in Culver City, California. A cybersecurity expert has raised the possibility that the cyberattack on Sony Pictures was not the work of North Korea . A North Korean spokesperson said 'wait and see' on Monday when asked if Pyongyang was involved in the attack on Sony just a month before its planned release of The Interview, staring James Franco and Seth Rogan . North Korea routinely refers to the United States and South Korea as hostile forces. But cybersecurity expert Hemanshu Nigam told the Hollywood Reporter that he finds it hard to believe that North Korea is the perpetrator and instead thinks it is more probable that it was the actions of an  employee or ex-employee with administrative access privileges. For the studio — which has laid off hundreds of employees over the past year in an effort to contain costs — the possibility of a disgruntled employee wreaking havoc is very real. 'If terabytes of data left the Sony networks, their network detection systems would have noticed easily,' explains Nigam. 'It would also take months for a hacker to figure out the topography of the Sony networks to know where critical assets are stored and to have access to the decryption keys needed to open up the screeners that have been leaked.' Culprit? Sony is currently investigating whether someone acting on behalf of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, possibly from China, was responsible for hacking their computer system . In addition, he says, 'Hackers don't use such things as Hushmail, Dropbox and Facebook when they want to engage in what amounts to criminal activity. Real hackers know that these sites collect access logs, IP addresses and work with law enforcement. It is possible that North Korean-sponsored hackers were working with someone on the inside. But it is more likely a ruse to shift blame, knowing the distaste the North Korean regime has for Sony Pictures.' Sony Pictures' computer system went down last Monday after the cyber attack. Before . screens went dark, they displayed a red skull and the phrase . 'Hacked By #GOP,' which reportedly stands for Guardians of . Peace. The hackers also warned they . would release 'secrets' stolen from Sony. The data released so far from the apparently leaked documents has already been damaging - it revealed all the top executives at Sony Pictures Entertainment are white and male, raising questions about control of Hollywood's film output. A spreadsheet said to show the salaries of 6,000 Sony Pictures employees, including top executives, reveals that of 17 earning $1million or more a year, just two are not white and just one is a woman. The list was leaked to a reporter at news and pop culture site Fusion. Sony workers reportedly saw a message appear on computer screens saying 'Hacked by #GOP', understood to be the initials of a group called Guardians of Peace - although some believe North Korea was involved . Kevin Roose, reporting for Fusion, who was sent a link to the data by an anonymous source, said: 'When I sorted the list by 'annual rate,' I noticed something notable: a stark homogeneity among the people earning the most. 'Based on the spreadsheet ... the employees of Sony Pictures with the highest annual rates appear to be nearly entirely white men.' Amy B. Pascal, co-chair of Sony Pictures Entertainment and chairman of SPE's Motion Picture Group, is the only woman among the top 17 most-highly paid executives. Minority of one: Co-Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Amy Pascal, the only woman earning more than $1million a year at the company, and chief executive officer of Sony Entertainment Michael Lynton . She earns £3million a year, according to the spreadsheet, joint highest on the list, along with Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton. Buzzfeed reviewed almost 40GB of leaked internal data and reported it included 'employee criminal background checks, salary negotiations, and doctors' letters explaining the medical rationale for leaves of absence.' It reported the files also included a script for an unreleased pilot written by Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan as well as 'email exchanges with employees regarding specific medical treatments they are undergoing, while one disciplinary letter details a manager's romantic relationship and business travel history with a subordinate.' It even details the leaked information includes an email about the breastfeeding diet of a senior executive. Technology news site Re/code reported that Sony and security . consultants were investigating whether someone acting on behalf . of North Korea, possibly from China, was responsible. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Saturday . that Sony Pictures was investigating every possibility, adding . that no link to North Korea has been uncovered. North Korea complained to the United Nations in June about . the film starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, accusing the . United States of sponsoring terrorism and committing an act of . war by allowing production of the movie. Leaked: Five of Sony's movies including the hotly anticipated remake of Annie have been illegally shared online in recent days . The Interview is due to be released on December 25 in the United States and Canada. It is a comedy about a CIA attempt to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The Pyongyang government denounced the film as 'undisguised sponsoring of terrorism, as well as an act of war' in a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. 'I personally don't care if (the movie's) disrespectful to . Kim because he's evil. But that's not the intent,' Rogen posted . on Twitter on Sunday. 'North Korea has produced tons of . propaganda films that portray America's destruction.' In addition to Annie, starring Jamie Foxx, which is due to hit theaters on December 19, Brad Pitt's critically acclaimed World War Two movie, Fury, is also being openly traded and downloaded online. By Sunday morning, Fury, which is still playing in theaters, had been downloaded 1.2 million times and Annie had been downloaded 206,000 times from unique IP addresses, according to Variety. Other Sony movies being downloaded include Mr. Turner, Still Alice and To Write Love on Her Arms. Culver City, California-based Sony Pictures said in a statement yesterday that it is continuing 'to work through issues related to what was clearly a cyber attack last week. 'The company has restored a number of important services to ensure ongoing business continuity and is working closely with law enforcement officials to investigate the matter.' Along with the FBI, Sony has brought in forensic experts from the Mandiant division of FireEye, a Silicon Valley cybersecurity company, according to a source familiar with the case who did not want to be named because the companies have not yet announced the arrangement. Mandiant helps companies determine the extent of breaches and repair damages. The firm has worked on other high-profile computer breaches, including one at retailer Target last year.
The hacking attack saw five major new films leaked alongside studio and personnel secrets which included the salaries of staff and personal emails . The leak has been extremely costly - and embarrassing - for Sony . Studio laid off hundreds of employees over past year to contain costs . Cyber expert: Theorizes an employee or ex-employee with administrative access privileges is a more likely suspect .
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By . Dan Miller . A woman . decapitated her neighbour as she pleaded for her life after an argument . over unpaid rent before scattering her body parts across two counties, it has been claimed. Leah . Cuevas, 42, from Brooklyn, allegedly murdered mother-of-four Chinelle LaToya . Thompson Browne before dismembering her body and dumping the parts . around Long Island. Neigbours . living in the same Brownsville apartment block reportedly heard . blood-curdling screams as Cuevas hacked off Mrs Browne’s head with 'a . sharp instrument'. Gruesome: Leah . Cuevas, left, murdered Guyenese immigrant Chinelle LaToya . Thompson Browne, right, before dismembering her body and dumping the parts . around Long Island, prosecutors said . Prosecutors said that on July 5, Browne was seen . entering Cuevas's apartment. Shortly thereafter, the witness reported . hearing Browne scream, 'Oh no, oh no. I'm sorry, I'm sorry.' Moments . later the witness said she heard Cuevas yell an expletive telling Browne . to 'shut up'. The Guyenese immigrant's dismembered torso was discovered in a wooded lot near the Fire Island . ferry terminal in Bay Shore on July 9, Biancavilla said. Her severed . legs were found nearby. Days . later, the woman's arms were found in separate yards in Hempstead, . about 25 miles west of Bay Shore, and her severed head was discovered at . another home in the village on July 17, the prosecutor said. Prosecutors believe Cuevas had pretended to be the landlord' following the death of the building’s owner last year. She is said to have collected rent from tenants despite the fact the building’s lacked hot water and electricity was scarce. It is believed Browne had become fed up with the and refused to continue paying. Mother: Chinelle LaToya Thompson Browne with her four children and a friend . Cuevas, 42, has not been charged with defrauding tenants. She was held without bail in Suffolk County District Court on Long . Island after pleading not guilty to second-degree murder. A . statement a neighbor in the building gave to police said the two women . had argued loudly the day before over complaints about no electricity, . hot water and unpaid rent. That neighbor said Browne was renting a room . from Cuevas. Mary . Beth Abbate, a court-appointed defense attorney, argued during the . arraignment that Suffolk County was not the proper venue because the . killing allegedly took place in New York City. Assistant District . Attorney Robert Biancavilla said that because the victim's torso was the . first evidence recovered — and that happened in Suffolk County — the . local court was the proper venue. District Court Judge G. Ann Spelman agreed and allowed the arraignment to proceed. An . autopsy determined that Browne died of 'homicidal violence,' including . multiple stabbing and incise wounds, Biancavilla said. He added Browne's . blood was found in Cuevas's apartment and in a hallway. Scene: The Hempstead police said the head was found around 5 pm Thursday on Boylston Street, close to where the two arms were found dumped earlier this month . He . did not say whether a murder weapon was recovered, but police noted in a . press release announcing the arrest that the investigation remained 'active'. Dale . Browne, the victim's husband, said his wife had moved to New York about . a year ago and worked in a Manhattan department store. He planned to . move to New York with their four children after he got his paperwork . completed. He read from a Bible verse outside the courtroom following the arraignment before speaking with reporters. 'I trust God,' he said. 'My wife was a human being, a mother of four, a wife and all . that goes with that connotation. She loved her family; she made a . sacrifice to leave Guyana to come here.' He . added: 'What hurt the most is when the prosecutor described the words . that she screamed out. I can hear those words, you know? Pretty . animalistic. Just a beast that did this.' He declined to comment on whether Browne had spoken of prior disputes with Cuevas. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
Leah . Cuevas allegedly murdered Guyenese immigrant Chinelle LaToya . Pair had allegedly argued over rent at Brooklyn apartment block . Victim's body parts were discovered dumped across Long Island .
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Washington (CNN) -- A lawyer for John Hinckley Jr. is demanding Secret Service surveillance records from a trip the presidential assailant took last March to see his mother. Barry Levine complained at a court hearing on Thursday that the Secret Service provided an inaccurate report of one of Hinckley's periodic trips to Williamsburg, Virginia. Although details were not described publicly, a source with knowledge of the case said the Secret Service told federal prosecutors that Hinckley was involved in a "disruption" during a tour of an unnamed facility and that police were summoned. The source said that Hinckley was never involved in such an incident. Photos: The attack on Ronald Reagan . Federal prosecutor Colleen Kennedy dismissed Levine's complaint about the Secret Service, calling it a "fabrication." Another source familiar with the case said the Secret Service never said Hinckley did anything wrong. U.S. District Court Judge Paul Friedman is considering whether Hinckley, 57, should be allowed longer visits to see his mother and whether the psychiatric hospital overseeing his treatment can release him one day as an outpatient. Hinckley, who did not attend Thursday's hearing, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the March 1981 shooting of President Ronald Reagan and three others. All were wounded. Read more: The day that changed presidential security forever . He has lived at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington for decades and currently is allowed to spend 10 days a month at his 86-year-old mother's home. St. Elizabeths has proposed giving Hinckley two visits of 17 days duration followed by six visits of 24 days each. The hospital also asked for authority to decide, following those longer visits, if Hinckley could be released on convalescent leave and live full time in Williamsburg with his mother. Friedman presided over 13 days of arguments and expert witness testimony in late 2011 and early 2012. But St. Elizabeths told Friedman last August, that a key part of its outpatient plan for Hinckley had fallen through when a care facility said it would not provide group therapy sessions in Williamsburg. The hospital reworked its proposal, which Levine said now involves a new case manager. Someone already involved in his care will organize group therapy. Opinion: What changed after the Reagan shooting . Levine also said Hinckley is receiving art and music therapy and spending more time at his volunteer job at another hospital. Hinckley's caregivers hope he will one-day get a part-time job with pay as part of a self-sufficiency strategy that will also involve expanding his ties with the Williamsburg community. During earlier court proceedings, mental health experts said Hinckley had done little to make friends in Williamsburg and expressed concern about him isolating himself. But Levine said Hinckley has sought out additional activities in Williamsburg and described him as thriving. Levine complained the government is dragging out the process and delaying a decision. He compared government prosecutors in the case to Captain Ahab in the novel "Moby Dick" and said they are engaged in a "maniacal pursuit of Mr. Hinckley." Friedman said he would schedule another hearing as early as next month to go over the new treatment plan. Quiz: The Reagan shooting .
Surveillance records sought from visit the presidential assailant made in March . John Hinckley lawyer complains Secret Service provided inaccurate report . Court weighing new treatment proposal for Hinckley, who shot, wounded Ronald Reagan . Hinckley was found not guilty in the 1981 shooting outside a Washington hotel .
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This is the stunning optical illusion that appears to make a building at one of London's busiest tourist districts hover in mid-air. To passers-by, it looks as though a section of the historic market building in Covent Garden has broken free from its foundations and is floating unaided, high above them. But in reality, the display, which imitates the architecture in the area, is a complicated piece of technical wizardry which took months to create. Scroll down for video . The installation, named Take my Lightning but Don't steal my Thunder, was created by the artist Alex Chinneck (pictured), who is well known for creating optical illusions . Mind-bending: A passing couple peer inside the building which appears to be torn apart with one half suspended in mid-air with no support . Technical wizardry: The stunning artwork replicates Covent Garden's historic Market Building perfectly but makes it appear if it has broken free of its foundations . Imitation: Construction workers in harnesses can be seen balancing precariously inside the perfect replica of Covent Garden's Market Building as it is lowered by cranes . The installation is lowered into Covent Garden by a large crane and right, artist Alex Chinneck wears a hard hat and hi-vis vest as he oversees work on the project . Careful: A worker perches on a thin piece of scaffolding used as a frame for the installation before it is is lowered by a crane . Awe: A woman stops to take a picture of the optical illusion as others walk through the artwork in between pillars which appear to have broken apart . Illusion: A woman looks up at the top section of the building in London's Covent Garden as it appears to hover unaided above its foundations, its walls seemingly ripped apart through the middle . A man walks under the top section of the building as it appears to hover unaided in mid-air while a woman examines the optical illusion from further away . To passers-by it seems as though the building has been torn off and is levitating with a large gap between the broken 'stone' walls, pillars and doors . The installation, named Take my Lightning but Don't steal my Thunder, was created by the artist Alex Chinneck, who is well known for creating optical illusions. It seems as though the 184-year-old market building has been torn off and is levitating with a large gap between the broken 'stone' walls, pillars and doors. The 12-metre-long sculpture has been made from a steel frame and a type of expanded polystyrene called filcor. It is understood to have taken 500 hours to paint using special digital techniques and was designed to resemble the existing architecture in the area. The structure itself has been going up since the weekend using cranes, a number of trucks and cherry pickers. The 12-metre-long sculpture has been made from a steel frame and a type of expanded polystyrene called filcor. It is understood to have taken 500 hours to paint using special digital techniques and was designed to resemble the existing architecture in the area . Although it is his most ambitious project to date, it is not the first piece of trickery Mr Chinneck has created. In the past, using similar techniques, he appeared to have turned a house upside down in Southwark, London . The illusion of it floating is created by a four-tonne counterweight strong enough to support the top half of the structure as it hangs over the bottom half . Finishing touches: Men on cherry-pickers work on the upper levels of the artwork, while another man stands on top of the green stall that acts as a counterweight . A couple try to work out how the building appears to float in mid-air. Take my Lightning but Don’t Steal my Thunder and will be on display in Covent Garden East Piazza until October 24 . The illusion of it floating is created by using a heavy counterweight strong enough to support the top half of the structure as it hangs over the bottom half. A steel beam is hidden inside the green market stall to the side of the building and this is attached to a steel platform and a 12-metre cantilever. Although it is his most ambitious project to date, it is not the first piece of trickery Mr Chinneck has created. In the past, using similar techniques, he appeared to have turned a house upside down in Southwark, London. Under construction: Workers in hard hats and hi-vis jackets work through the night on the work of art, layering plaster on the outside to make the stone columns feel real . Perfection: A man checks the paintwork finish on the building, which was designed to exactly match the architecture in the area and enhance the illusion . As if by magic: Workers busy themselves creating the optical illusion, while part of the steel supporting beam attached to the green wagon can be seen, right . He told the Telegraph: 'You can't tell the difference between the fake and the real thing, to touch it, to see it. But it's hovering. It's extraordinarily complicated. 'As long as as many people enjoy it as possible, that's my aim. It's a logistical minefield that you have to navigate to get to a fun conclusion. 'I didn't get into art for that, but that's what I do.' Take my Lightning but Don’t Steal my Thunder and will be on display in Covent Garden East Piazza until October 24. The art of illusion: How artist 'melted' one house and appeared to turn another building upside down . Alex Chinneck's latest project in Covent Garden is just his latest venture in messing with archaeology with mind-bending results. In October last year the Hackney-based artist created a project in Margate called From The Knees Of My Nose To The Belly Of My Toes, which featured the facade of a derelict house appearing to slide off and into the front garden. The property had recently been purchased by Thanet Council after sitting empty for more than 11 years, and Mr Chinneck persuaded ten companies to donate £100,000 in materials and resources to make the project a reality. Melting away: In October last year Mr Chinneck also created this installation in Margate, called From The Knees Of My Nose To The Belly Of My Toes . Abandoned: The house had recently been purchased by Thanet Council after being abandoned for 11 years before Mr Chinneck set up his £100,000 project . The year-long installation, which exposed the top floor of the building to the elements, while relocating the front door into the front garden, was inspired by the opening of the new Turner Contemporary gallery. Afterwards the building was returned to the council. Three months later Mr Chinneck was at it again, this time unveiling an installation called Miner On The Moon on a building in Blackfriars Road, London, which was due to be demolished. The project made it appear as if the building, a former livery stables hiring out horse and carriages, had flipped upside down. At the time,Mr Chinneck said: 'I'm keen on this idea that when people go to an art gallery they go there through choice and they enter into that experience. Flip side: This former livery stables on Blackfriars Road in London appeared to have been flipped on its head in another of Mr Chinneck's artworks . Disused: Like his previous project in Margate, Mr Chinneck picked the building as it was about to be demolished and said it's shape inspired the upside down design . 'But with public sculpture, people don't necessarily make that choice - they may not like the artwork or may not want the artwork and therefore I think it's important for the work to be able to disappear and not dominate its environment, but be harmonious with the environment. 'For that reason I used only the materials which feature across Southwark and Blackfriars so although the artwork is quite bold it also has subtlety and the ability to camouflage into its environment.'
Trick makes it seem a section of market building has broken free from foundations in London's Covent Garden . Stunning optical illusion shows top section of a building appearing to float in mid-air high above passers-by . The display, which imitates architecture in the area, took three months to make and 500 hours of painting . Artist Alex Chinneck created illusion using heavy counterweight strong enough to support the top section .
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(CNN) -- Sarah Murnaghan, the Philadelphia girl who underwent a lung transplant this month after a court battle, struggled after a breathing tube was removed Wednesday, so doctors "sedated and re-intubated" the girl, her mother said through a family representative. "It's been an excruciating day. We extubated Sarah and her body could not handle the reduced support," Janet Ruddock Murnaghan said in a statement issued by a representative. "It was impossibly painful watching her struggle to breath and panic. "I have cried quite a bit, I just wish everything wasn't so ridiculously hard for her," the mother said. Doctors have assured the family "that this does not change her long-term outcome but just means she needs more time to regain her strength," the mother said. "One day Sarah will take that first glorious breath and we will celebrate!" The 10-year-old girl remains on a ventilator and has been unable to talk, but she can nod and shake her head in response to questions, said Tracy Simon, a family spokeswoman, this week. Before her transplant surgery, Sarah, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, was put in a medically induced coma to allow her body to rest. Her family fought to allow children to compete with adults waiting for lungs based on sickness in a case that has sparked a public debate. She received new lungs on June 12 after a six-hour surgery that included resizing lungs from an adult. The parents' push for an organ transplant policy change has thrust the issue of who gets donated organs into the national spotlight. This month, the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network's executive committee approved a one-year change that makes children younger than 12 eligible for priority on adult lung transplant lists. The girl has been in and out of hospitals her entire life, but her condition worsened this year. Her lungs had been deteriorating rapidly over the past few months -- much faster than anyone in her family expected. In May, doctors told her mother that Sarah had less than five weeks to live.
Sarah Murnaghan, 10, panics and struggles without breathing tube . "Her body could not handle the reduced support," her mother says . Sedating and re-intubating her "does not change her long-term outcome" The girl has been on a ventilator and unable to talk .
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By . Ruth Styles . PUBLISHED: . 09:43 EST, 6 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:06 EST, 7 June 2013 . At 41, super stylist Rachel Zoe remains enviably fresh-faced with clear, perfect skin and no wrinkles in sight. But unlike fellow LA celebrities such as Joan Rivers, Zoe claims her secret isn't Botox: instead, she says, it's a simple de-puffing eye pad that costs just £25. Skyn ICELAND's Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gel pads contain hydrolised elastin, a substance that is believed to have an instant toning and firming effect on the delicate skin under the eyes. Top tip: Super stylist Rachael Zoe says that the caffeine infused patches give you an 'instant eye lift' Fresh-faced: The 41-year-old mother of one is famous for her youthful looks and remains wrinkle-free . The pads are also infused with acetyl hexapeptide, which is said to have a similar effect to a low dose of Botox, and ginkgo biloba leaf extract, a natural ingredient thought to reduce puffiness. 'Like a caffeine jolt to the face, they top my list as a must-have beauty necessity, achieving the effect of an instant eye lift in minutes' revealed a clearly impressed Zoe. She added: '[They're] perfectly sized if you're on the go.' Zoe isn't the only A-lister to have revealed a liking for the cooling gel pads. The ever-youthful Gwyneth Paltrow, 40, is also said to be a fan as is fresh-faced starlet, Rachel Bilson, 31. Fans: Actresses Rachel Bilson and Gwyneth Paltrow are also thought to love the de-puffing pads . A-list favourite: Skyn ICELAND's Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels, £25, have become popular with celebrities . Bilson, who is currently starring in hit TV series, Hart of Dixie, has made no secret of her preference for a simpler skincare routine. Instead of plumping for Creme de la Mer and other expensive treats, her products of choice tend to be low key and she has previously confessed using Vaseline to remove eye make-up. 'It just works really well — especially when you're removing eye makeup — and it's gentle on my skin,' she told Cosmopolitan USA. Her new favourite, Skyn ICELAND, prides itself on natural, paraben-free formulations all of which are designed to target tired, stressed skin. Although founder Sarah Kugelman isn't Icelandic herself, all the ingredients used are sourced from the Nordic country, which is said to be the purest, most pollution-free place on the planet.
Skyn ICELAND Hydro Cool pads have a firming, de-puffing effect . Other celebrities to use them include Rachel Bilson and Gwyneth Paltrow . The US naturals brand is aimed at stressed, tired skin .
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LILONGWE, Malawi (CNN) -- Like most African countries, Malawi has suffered from a severe shortage of nurses and key health workers. Godfrey Mdzudzuma, a nurse at Embangweni Mission Hospital, delivers a baby in the maternity ward. In the past, workers in the tiny southeast African nation of just 13 million inhabitants have been lured abroad by the promise of higher wages and better working conditions. But, the country best-known as the homeland of Madonna's adopted children now has another claim to fame: It has succeeding in halting -- at least for now -- its crippling brain drain of nurses. Malawi's solution? To expand educational opportunities for nurses at all levels and keep them out of poverty by paying modestly more money. Countries don't come much poorer than Malawi, but its healthcare system worked well back in the 1970s and early 1980s. When the former British colony gained independence in 1964, president Hastings Banda, himself a physician, maintained a high level of training for nurses that included teaching all classes in English. By the late 1990s, however, Malawi was reeling from the AIDS epidemic. As if that weren't bad enough, the government also had to cut spending on health care and education as a condition for getting help from the U.S. and other countries to liberalize its trade and economy. The publicly funded health system, on which more than 95 percent of Malawians still depend for treatment, quickly started to fall apart. Watch a report about the impact of Malawi's nursing shortage » . Registered nurses began leaving in droves. "Every day I received reports from Nurses' Council that so many nurses are now at the airport," Ann Phoya, the former head of nursing services for all Malawi told CNN. "It was obvious that we needed to do something drastic." Phoya worked with others in Malawi's Ministry of Health (MOH) to come up with an emergency plan that focused on nurses as they provided most of the primary care. The MOH then applied for around $160 million (£100 million) in international funding for their six-year initiative, primarily from the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom. The money was to be used to pay higher salaries to nurses -- quite a radical move in global development as donors worry it is unsustainable in the long haul. However, the situation in Malawi was getting desperate. The gamble paid off: The number of registered nurses leaving Malawi fell from a high of 111 (the equivalent of two years of Malawi's entire nursing graduates) in 2001 to just six in the first half of 2008. Enrollment at Malawi's nursing schools jumped up by 50 percent. Success in one area has revealed a different problem -- that of an internal brain drain. As more international aid groups and universities set up health programs in Malawi, they are hiring nurses, all trained at Malawi taxpayer expense, away from publicly funded hospitals and clinics. The problem is even more acute in the rural areas, where most of Malawi's people live. Embangweni Mission Hospital in northern Malawi has a good reputation but is located at the end of a long, dusty road, far from major towns, let alone cities. "Young nurses with families do not really want to work here," said Catherine Mzembe, head of nursing at Embangweni. "The local market is very small and although the hospital has running water, that is not the case in many homes." Even so, the hospital has made impressive strides in the past five years preserving mothers' lives during pregnancy, as well as cutting the number of deaths due to malaria among children and adults. And that is perhaps the most important lesson to draw from Malawi's efforts: it pays to look at how much has been accomplished with so little.
Malawi's innovative national program lifts nurses out of poverty . Since 2001 the external brain drain has slowed to a trickle . Many challenges still remain as the public health service is depleted .
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(CNN) -- It is a question that the global community is seeking to understand as the crisis in Iraq and Syria deepens. How can such a numerically small force as ISIS, which calls itself the Islamic State, have taken control of vast swathes of Syria and Iraq, and how can it hold the ground taken while simultaneously conducting multiple offensive actions in both countries? The most recent CIA estimate in September 2014 put the total number of ISIS fighters in Iraq and Syria at between 20,000 and 31,500. But such numbers, while alarming, are not nearly enough to explain the stunning military successes the group has enjoyed. ISIS is at heart a guerrilla army that has recently captured large stocks of modern and heavy weaponry. While the equipment that makes headlines is war planes, captured tanks, heavy artillery and American-made Humvees, most ISIS fighters are still armed with the same mix of Soviet-era small arms and American M16/M4 pattern rifles that their Iraqi, Kurdish and Syrian opponents rely on. Much of the heavy equipment ISIS has at its disposal was captured during their lightning advance into Iraq, not before. It is not the core reason for their battlefield successes. However, what it does do is make planning any battle against ISIS forces an uncertain exercise because one may have to face weapons and vehicles from right across the capability spectrum. When it comes to offensives against prepared positions, ISIS forces can certainly deploy heavy artillery, modern weapons and tanks that give it greatly enhanced capabilities and completely outgun Kurdish Peshmerga forces in particular. Unconfirmed reports have suggested that ISIS even deployed a captured M1A1 Abrams in its takeover of the Mosul Dam, before eventually being driven back by repeated U.S. airstrikes. This is where airpower can make a difference since heavy artillery, tanks and armoured vehicles are vulnerable to airstrikes when concentrated in the open such as at the Mosul Dam and in the current offensive to take Kobani. What air power cannot do is easily degrade or neutralize ISIS's core advantages which are strong battlefield leadership, significant tactical autonomy and aggressive tactics. Their battlefield tactics are somewhat reminiscent of the German Blitzkrieg campaigns in the early part of World War II. They use fast, well-coordinated forces with vehicle support to attack enemy weak points in strength under the cover of long range artillery and mortar fire. A particular speciality is outflanking defensive positions and then mopping up defenders who attempt to retreat. The tactic is as much psychological as it is kinetic, and is greatly magnified by the horrendous and public brutality ISIS has systematically exhibited wherever it has gained control. Even well-motivated and equipped troops are likely to contemplate tactical withdrawals if outflanked and in danger of being surrounded by an unknown number of fanatical mass murderers with apparently superior weaponry and tactics. Where, as in Mosul, the defenders are poorly motivated, even small ISIS attacks are capable of provoking mass panic and routs. Kobani is an unusual operation for ISIS fighters in some respects, in that they appear committed to what has become a pitched battle in the open where they are vulnerable to airstrikes. Despite having surrounded Kobani and conducting aggressive and apparently well-coordinated infiltration attempts from multiple approaches, the sort of street-to-street "meat grinder" that Kobani has become does not play to ISIS's strengths. Against an enemy with nowhere to retreat to and air support, a numerically limited force such as ISIS that normally relies as much on psychological effects as firepower to take ground faces a tough challenge. This is just as well since on the ground, it is only the bravery of lightly armed Kurdish fighters standing between ISIS and control of the town. Airstrikes are essential but could not keep ISIS out of the town alone. In terms of defending the ground it has, ISIS appears to be efficient at quickly moving forces in strength to meet particular Iraqi and Peshmerga offensives. However, along most of the "frontlines" across Northern Iraq and Syria, a relatively small number of ISIS forces appear capable of pinning potential attackers in their defensive lines with a combination of reputation and sporadic mortar, sniper and machine-gun fire. Given the disorganized state of the ground forces arrayed against them, and the limitations of airpower for rolling back such an enemy, this may well be enough to allow ISIS to maintain control of most of its newly declared Caliphate for a long while yet.
Justin Bronk: The number of ISIS fighters is not enough to explain the group's success . Bronk: Most ISIS fighters are armed with Soviet-era small arms, M16/M4 pattern rifles . ISIS makes planning any battle against them uncertain, writes Bronk . What air power cannot do is easily degrade or neutralize ISIS's core advantages, he says .
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Kingman produced the equivalent of a Sir Chris Hoy burn-up as he flew through the final two furlongs to imperiously land a tactical Qipco Sussex Stakes. The British track cycling icon is a retired spectator at the Commonwealth Games but his name is still synonymous with high-speed two-wheel action. In what turned into a two-and-a-half-furlong sprint, Kingman turned a one-and-a-half-length deficit into a length lead within 100 yards as he made 2013 winner Toronado look pedestrian. On the march: James Doyle riding Kingman (right) to win The Qipco Sussex Stakes from Toronado (second left) at Goodwood . James Doyle, rider of the John Gosden-trained 2-5 favourite, reckoned he got a Hoy-like feeling as Kingman went sub-11 seconds for the final two furlongs with a breakneck 10.22 secs for  the penultimate one, . Doyle said: ‘I’ve never experienced going around a velodrome when they go real slow and then sprint for two laps but that will be as close as I will get.’ While Gosden, who was winning the group one mile race for the first time, added: ‘I used have an old MGB GT and I used to get into fifth gear and then flick a button. You can do that with him. He has a gear and then he has another. ‘I had him in the (six-furlong) July Cup and he would have won it. I ran Gregorian, who was unlucky not to be a good second, and I wouldn’t have put them in the same work.’ In the pink: Doyle and Kingman romp home . The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October is the one set target for the colt who has already won the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Place Stakes with the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville seemingly the only other race under consideration. It has been a memorable few days for Gosden, who won Saturday’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Taghrooda. Kingman’s win stretched his lead over Richard Hannon to over £500,000 in the trainers’ championship. For Hannon this meeting with its huge expectations has so far been one of frustration. He has not yet had a winner Toronado was one of five seconds he has saddled. But there was no argument about the Sussex Stakes result. Milking the applause: Kingman looks to the crowd as Goodwood cheers a popular winner . Richard Hughes, Toronado’s jockey, said: ‘I hit the two furlong pole at full belt and I knew it would take a good one to get by me. I got first run on him off a slow pace and he has still beaten me. I’ll have to bring a gun next time!’ A memorable day for Doyle and Khaled Abdullah, owner of Kingman, had started with Sir Michael Stoute-trained Snow Sky landing the Gordon Stakes. He goes for York’s Great Voltigeur Stakes and then probably the St Leger for which Ladbrokes make him a 12-1 shot. Paul Hanagan, Taghrooda’s jockey, is facing at least two weeks on the sidelines after X-rays showed he suffered a hairline fracture of his left arm in the fall of White Nile on day one of the meeting. Warwick will become a jumps only venue after owners Jockey Club racecourses said it will cease to hold Flat meetings from next year.
Kingman turned a one-and-a-half-length . deficit into a length lead within 100 yards . The John Gosden-trained 2.5 favourite made 2013 winner . Toronado look pedestrian . It has been a memorable few days for Gosden, who won Saturday’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Taghrooda .
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Amanda Knox has responded to an Italian court's latest decision to reconvict her of murder, saying the decision is not based hard evidence. In an interview with CNN, Knox was mostly composed as she explained her legal defense and her frustration with the court's consideration of circumstantial over forensic evidence. But she became emotional several times, tearing up, when she talked about the relationship she had with British roommate Meredith Kercher. 'I did not kill my friend. I did not wield a knife. I had no reason to,' she said. Scroll down for video . Never-ending legal battle: Speaking with CNN on Thursday, Amanda Knox again state that she didn't kill her British roommate Meredith Kercher in 2007 . Close: The 26-year-old from Seattle, Washington got emotional as she spoke about Kercher, saying she wouldn't have killer her friend . The 26-year-old was first found guilty of murdering Meredith Kercher back in 2007. That conviction was thrown out four years later and Knox was allowed to return home to the United States. Victim: Knox was first convicted of killing British roommate Meredith Kercher in 2007. She was allowed to return to the United States four years later when that decision was overturned. But the case was brought up again this year . But the case was brought up again this year and on Tuesday an Italian court issued a 337-page report, which finds that Knox stabbed Kercher to death in a fight over money. According to the report, known as a . 'motivation' of the sentence, Knox inflicted the fatal knife wound to . Kercher, a student at Leeds University. The document states: 'It . is a matter of fact that at a certain point in the evening events . accelerated; the English girl was attacked by Amanda Marie Knox, by . Raffaele Sollecito, who was backing up his girlfriend, and by Rudy . Hermann Guede, and constrained within her own room.' It adds that it's difficult to establish a reason for the brutal slaying . of Ms Kercher, but goes on to cite allegations of tension between Knox and the student. It also refers to a statement that Guede made to police that Ms Kercher believed . Knox stole 300 euros (£246) - and two credits cards - from her, . which is described as a ‘valid motive’ for the murder. Knox is dumbfounded by the court's conclusions, saying she saved up money to go to Italy and wasn't financially strained. That's compared to Rudy Guede, who was seperately convicted of Kercher's murder and testified in this latest case. Couple: Knox and Socellito served four years in prison before being acquitted and released. However, they were reconvicted by the Florence appeals court on January 30, and sentenced to 28 and 25 years respectively . Knox says he was 'a known thief, a known burglar who did this on a regular basis to survive'. Jailed: Rudy Hermann Guede is currently serving a 16-year sentence for the murder of Ms Kercher . She also finds it disheartening that the court seems to value his testimony more than hers. The . latest trial also points to DNA evidence found of Knox and then . boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito at the crime scene, which she says is . unspurising considering she lived there for a month. The crucial difference between Knox and Guede, she says, is that his DNA was mixed up with Kercher's. 'If I were there, I would have traces of Meredith's broken body on me and I would have left traces of myself around Meredith's corpse,' she said. 'And I am not there and that proves my innocence. Knox is currently appealing the case from the United States and it will next go to the High Court. The judge who originally ruled out Knox's conviction responded to the latest decision as well, telling CNN it is a 'result of fantasy'. 'The Florence Appel Court has written a script for a movie or a thriller book while it should have only ocnsidered facts and evidence,' now retired Judge Claudiio Hellmann wrote. Knox says Hellman's statement give her hope that the High Court will again throw out the case, freeing her and Sollecito. But if the High Court confirms the case, which Hellmann believes is likely, Italy could be called back to prison. Support: Judge Claudio Hellmann (left) has condemned a report stating that Amanda Knox (right) murdered British student Meredith Kercher - claiming it is more like a 'script for a movie or thriller book' than evidence . Experts . believe the U.S. wouldn't extradict Knox back to Italy, allowing her to . say in the U.S., but she calls that kind of existance 'not liveable'. Ex-boyfriend Sollecito is in Italy and won't be able to escape the court's sentence. Knox . says she considers herself lucky though, that people have continued to . support her and take an interest in her case - that she hasn't been . forgotten. For now, she's . taking the case step by step and trying not to think of what might . happen in the end. She's holding hope that the case is overturned and . she can move on with her life which has been 'weighed down' by the . 'tremedous mess'.
The Seattle, Washington native told CNN that there was no motivation to kill her British roommate . Knox wasconvicted of killing Kercher in 2007 but she was allowed to leave Italian prison four years later when the ruling was overturned . The case was brought up again this year and she was re-convicted in January . On Tuesday, the court released a 337-report on the case, concluding that Knox murderer Kercher in a row over money . But Knox says she was under no financial strain and that Kercher was her friend .
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Fifty Shades of Grey lead Christian Grey may have a fetish for sex toys, but this new video takes things to another level. YouTuber Antonio Toscano took the trailer for the upcoming film and Lego-fied it through the magic of stop-motion animation. The visual artist matched the video frame for frame, with all of the props fashioned out of plastic bricks. Plastic is fantastic: Fifty Shades of Grey lead Christian Grey may have a fetish for sex toys, but this new video takes things to another level . Spot the difference: YouTuber Antonio Toscano took the trailer for the upcoming film and Lego-fied it through the magic of stop-motion animation . Miniature outfits were painted on the figurines of literature student Anastasia Steele and her lover, Grey. In the steamier stills, Grey's Lego character flaunts a rippled six pack while Johnson exhibits a flash of cleavage. Even Grey's helicopter and sex dungeon got a Lego makeover. It isn't the first Lego movie trailer remake Toscano has made. The Man of Steel, Star Trek Into Darkness, Wolverine and Captain America are among the other features he's tackled. Intricate detailing: The visual artist matched the video frame-for-frame with all of the props fashioned out of plastic bricks . Undressed to impress: Miniature outfits were painted on the figurines of literature student Anastasia Steele and her lover, Grey . Avert your eyes: In the steamier stills, Grey's Lego character flaunts a rippled six pack while Johnson exhibits a flash of cleavage . Hotly-anticipated: The erotic film is scheduled for release on February 13 . To date Toscano's Fifty Shade of Grey trailer has been viewed more than 100,000 times. Many viewers have applauded his novel approach to the film. 'The Lego [Grey character] has more muscles than he does,' one commenter joked. The human version of the erotic film is scheduled for release on February 13. Stepping into the roles of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, are Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson.
YouTuber Antonio Toscano took the trailer for the upcoming film and Lego-fied it through the magic of stop-motion animation .
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Holiday camp chain Butlins has announced a major refurbishment. Best known for its 1950s 'Hi-de-Hi' image, the company is looking to leave the past behind with a £16m investment in new 'mum-friendly' chalets. Working with Mumsnet, Butlins consulted the site on its design plans, which will be installed at its Minehead holiday centre in Somerset. Holiday camp chain, Butlins, has just announced a £16m investment into new 'mum-friendly' chalets . Mumsnet consulted on these new bedroom designs at the Butlins Ocean Hotel in Bognor Regis . There will be 117 chalets, which are due to open next April. The expenditure is Butlins' biggest in 2015 and follows a £2m upgrade this year at Minehead and its holiday centres at Bognor Regis in West Sussex and Skegness in Lincolnshire. The plans also include Just For Tots breaks, which include the new Bear Care service - which involves youngsters checking in toys to a hotel desk so they won't be lost on days out. The new Bognor Regis accommodation boasts a fun fair and a race track for go-karting . Bourne Leisure head of travel trade Neil Davies said the design was selected after consulting with users on the parenting website. Butlins was founded by Billy Butlin in the 1930s with the aim of providing affordable holidays for ordinary families in the UK, after a particularly terrible holiday taken as a child to Barry Island. Ten camps were built between 1936 and 1966, but many operations closed by the 1990s following a change in holiday demands. Three camps still operate today - Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness - though it is the Minehead location that will benefit from the multi-million pound chalet refurbishment. Butlins is widely known for this particular type of accommodation, which was originally the only way to stay in their camps and consisted of long lines of single bedrooms in blocks. Today, each site offers family-fun activities, organised by Redcoats (Butlins staff named after their signature attire), including a Splash Waterworld water park at each location. He added: 'We have worked with the Mumsnet website to consult with mums on a number of the design features, features, furnishing and surrounding area, thus attempting to ensure they meets the needs and wishes of hard-working families. 'We asked questions to 1,000 of their members - on everything from what would surprise them on a family break through to their concerns about what gets in the way of quality time. 'They consulted on everything from how many TVs there should be through to shaping outside areas with tranquil lakes and outdoor spaces to help kids make friends.' Chalets will also include arts and crafts equipment and board games to ensure that rain never gets in the way of play time. 'We have gone back on what made us great to draw inspiration for this new development,' the spokesman added. 'The chalets will be as lovable as they've always been and will hopefully surprise people who have a view of Butlins as being old fashioned - they represent a truly modern shift in family breaks.' An artistic rendering shows what the new Mumsnet-approved chalets are expected to look like . Inside, the chic, streamlined decor will provide all you need for a relaxing family vacation . The 2015 investment was announced in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana where the annual convention of UK travel association Abta is taking place. Now in it's second year, the VisitEngland project has generated a total of £517.9m additional spending by UK residents on trips in their own country. VisitEngland is supported by a nearly £20m grant from the government. The initiative has also helped to create 9,620 additional jobs in the tourism industry. Strategy and development director of VisitEngland, Louise Steward said: 'It is rewarding and encouraging to see the campaign succeed in boosting the visitor economy, creating jobs and inspiring people to take a holiday in England.' The Butlins holiday camp in Skegness was one of the first to open its doors - in 1936 . In 1976, there were ten different Butlins properties in operation, including the Margate Hotel . Meanwhile, the continuing warm weather in the UK has led to a big jump in autumn seaside resort bookings, according to Expedia.co.uk. Bookings for the East Sussex resort of Eastbourne are up 112 per cent for September and October compared with the same period last year, while bookings for Scarborough in Yorkshire are up 109 per cent. There have also been big rises in bookings for Blackpool, which is up 76 per cent, Torquay in Devon, up 60 per cent, and Bournemouth in Dorset, up 48 per cent. The top beach destinations for September and October are Blackpool, Brighton and Bournemouth.
Holiday camp chain worked closely with Mumsnet to design accommodation . 117 new chalets to be built at Butlins' Minehead, Somerset location . Butlins first opened in 1936 and currently operates three seaside resorts . This £16 million expenditure will be the holiday company's largest in 2015 .
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MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Western nations and organizations Tuesday condemned Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two breakaway regions in Georgia. A Tskhinvali resident celebrates Russia's recognition of South Ossetia's independence. "This is not an easy choice to make, but it represents the only possibility to save human lives," Medvedev said Tuesday in a televised address. He called on other countries to follow Russia's lead, which comes in the wake of the Russian-Georgian conflict which erupted earlier this month. U.S. President George W. Bush led the condemnation with a strongly worded statement said: "The United States condemns the decision by the Russian president to recognize as independent states the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.". Bush said Russia's move was "inconsistent" with the French-brokered cease-fire agreement that ended the fighting and called on Russia to "reconsider this irresponsible decision." Bush added: "The territorial integrity and borders of Georgia must be respected, just as those of Russia or any other country. Russia's action only exacerbates tensions and complicates diplomatic negotiations." British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the decision was "unjustifiable and unacceptable." "It will also not work. It is contrary to the principles of the peace agreement, which Russia recently agreed... [it] further inflames an already tense situation in the region," Miliband said. NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the decision was in "direct violation of numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions regarding Georgia's territorial integrity." The European Union also urged a political solutions to the tensions in Georgia. Speaking to CNN's Matthew Chance, Medvedev said the move was in line with international law. "It is internationally recognized that if a people based on all these [U.N.] provisions express their will to have an independent existence... any other state in the world has the right to recognize this independence whether you like it or not," the Russian president said. Watch Medvedev defend recognizing the breakaway regions » . The stand-off has exacerbated already frayed relations between Russia and the West. Moscow has been infuriated by U.S. plans to build a missile defense shield in eastern Europe. It said an agreement signed last week to base missiles in Poland would open that country up to an attack in the event of conflict. Medvedev said: "The most important thing for us is that our American colleagues be pragmatic, that they defend the genuine interests of the American people, as opposed to defending made-up ideological schemes. "If everything will be fine in that regard, I am convinced that we'll be able to agree on a very broad range of issues. We don't want any complications, we don't need another Cold War or its modern-day remake." He signed the order a day after it was overwhelmingly approved by both houses of Russia's parliament. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said it was "clear around the world that Russia is acting as an aggressor state." Watch Saakashvili's reaction » . "My appeal to the free world is to condemn and reject Russia's dangerous and irrational decision -- not only for Georgia's sake -- but for the sake of preserving the fundamental basis of international law and order. "In the days and weeks ahead we will work with the international community to prevent this decision from having any effect on the sovereignty of my country and from further undermining the international order." Western nations have expressed support for Georgia, which aspires to NATO and European Union membership, with the U.S. dispatching a major humanitarian aid mission. South Ossetia and Abkhazia broke away from Georgia during civil wars in the 1990s. Russia strengthened ties with them after the U.S. and much of Europe recognized the independence of the Serbian province of Kosovo earlier this year, a move that Moscow had warned against. Georgian troops attacked pro-Russian separatists in South Ossetia on August 7, triggering a Russian invasion of Georgia. Russian tanks, troops and armored vehicles poured into South Ossetia and Abkhazia the following day, advancing into Georgian cities. Each side offered conflicting figures on how many people died in the fighting. The Bush administration has insisted that both Abkhazia and South Ossetia remain part of Georgia, a U.S. ally that is seeking NATO membership, and says resolving the disputes between the Georgian government and the regions "should be a matter of peaceful negotiations and discussions among the parties."
Russian president signs order recognizing independence of Georgian territories . U.S., UK, NATO and EU condemn Russian move over independence . Russia says recognition of independence is in line with international law . South Ossetia, Abkhazia center of Georgia conflict with Russia .
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NEW YORK (CNN) -- Molly Bish's father has often said that it probably took only eight minutes for his 16-year-old daughter to be abducted. Molly Bish was 16 and working as a lifeguard when she disappeared. Her remains were found three years later. It took three years before a hunter found her body, five miles away. Her tattered bathing suit was found with her scattered bones. It has taken nearly nine years for investigators to come close to a break in the case. Molly Bish worked as a lifeguard at Comins Pond in Warren, Massachusetts. Her mother, Magi Bish, saw a man in a white car as she dropped Molly off on the morning of June 27, 2000. She waved goodbye as she drove off. It was the last time Magi Bish would see her daughter alive. Shortly after 10 a.m., another mother arrived at the beach with her children in tow. She found Molly's backpack, lifeguard chair and beach towel. Her first-aid kit was wide open on a bench. But Molly was nowhere to be seen. Molly's worried boss called police a few hours later. They mounted the largest missing persons search in Massachusetts history. There was no sign of her. "Molly would never have abandoned her job or her post of her own accord," said her sister, Heather Bish. John and Magi Bish slowly began to realize that Molly must have been abducted. Magi Bish couldn't get the man in the white car out of her mind. He gave her an uneasy feeling when she dropped off Molly. She even waited until he drove away before she left herself. The worried mother gave police a detailed description. Investigators released composite sketches of a dark-haired man with salt-and-pepper hair in his late 40s. A man in custody for another case closely resembles the composite sketch, family members say. "Over the years, there have been many persons of interest and leads, but nothing as promising as this one," Heather Bish said. Authorities have questioned this man. Massachusetts State Police and the Worcester County District Attorney's office aren't ready to name him a suspect. But he is in jail, the prime suspect in his girlfriend's slaying. "We questioned (him) about the Bish case based on a tip. We get hundreds of tips and we investigate and follow up on all of them," said Timothy Connelly, spokesperson for the Worcester County District Attorney. Connelly would not comment on what the man told investigators. He grew up in the Warren area, his former wife said. She added that he lived neaby in Southbridge until shortly after Molly disappeared. Then he sold his house and moved to Florida with the girlfriend he's now accused of stabbing and decapitating. The man often hunted and fished near Comins Pond, his family and friends said. His brother owned a white Chrysler similar to the car that Molly's mother saw on the day she disappeared, said the man's ex-wife. "This is one of the first real leads we've had in a long time that makes sense and I am very hopeful it's the break we've been looking for," said Tom Shamshak, a private investigator hired by the Bish family. Shamshak added that investigators have been trying to find the man's brother, who owned the white car. Police urge anyone having any information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for Molly Bish's death to please call their tip line at 508-832-9124.
Lifeguard Molly Bish, 16, disappeared on June 27, 2000 . Scattered bones, tattered swimsuit found three years later . Man sitting in parked white car at pond made her mother uneasy . Have information? Please call 508-832-9124 .
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu exhorted the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday to draw "a clear red line" to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. In a theatrical gesture, Netanyahu held up a cartoon-like drawing of a spherical bomb and drew a red line below the fuse, "before Iran completes the second stage of nuclear enrichment to make a bomb," he said. "It's not a question of whether Iran will get the bomb. The question is at what stage can we stop Iran from getting the bomb," said Netanyahu, who also accused Iran of aggression. "I ask, given this record of Iranian aggression without nuclear weapons, just imagine Iranian aggression with nuclear weapons," the Israeli prime minister said. "Who among you would feel safe in the Middle East? Who would be safe in Europe? Who would be safe in America? Who would be safe anywhere?" Do U.S., Israel have the same 'red line'? But Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Eshagh al-Habib, called Netanyahu's remarks "entirely baseless." "I do not dignify it with an answer other than categorically rejecting it, in particular regarding the nuclear program of my country which is exclusively peaceful and in full conformity with our international obligations and in exercising our inalienable right to use nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes," he said in a statement. He went on to say that Israel is a nation "based on terrorism." Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told CNN that his country won't be influenced by a threat from Israel and a demand from U.S. President Barack Obama to abandon plans to acquire nuclear weapons. "When we say we do not take it seriously, we mean that it impacts -- it does not impact our policies in the slightest," Ahmadinejad told CNN's Fareed Zakaria in an interview to be aired Sunday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Eastern. Iran's president talks Israel, slams homosexuality . The White House highlighted how Obama sided with Israel in his speech before the General Assembly this week. "As the prime minister said, the United States and Israel share the goal of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon," National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Netanyahu for more than an hour later Thursday, a senior State Department official said. Clinton and Netanyahu talked at length about Iran and agreed to continue "close consultation and cooperation toward achieving" the goal of stopping Iran from getting atomic weapons, the official said. Speeches by Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas drew the most attention at the United Nations on Thursday. A viewer's guide to U.N. General Assembly . Abbas said Palestinians will continue to seek full membership status in the United Nations, but they have begun "intensive consultations" with member states about having the Palestinian Authority become a nonmember state, one step up from its current status as a permanent observer. "We are confident that the vast majority of the countries of the world support our endeavor aimed at salvaging the chances for a just peace," Abbas said. "In our endeavor, we do not seek to delegitimize an existing state -- that is Israel -- but rather to assert the state that must be realized -- that is Palestine." Then, departing from his prepared speech, Abbas added, to applause: "We are not attempting to delegitimize them, they are trying to delegitimize us." Speaking later, Netanyahu criticized Abbas' remarks. "We won't solve our conflict with libelous speeches at the U.N. That's not the way to solve them. We won't solve our differences with a unilateral declaration of statehood," Israel's leader said. "We have to sit together and negotiate together in which a demilitarized Palestinian state recognizes the one and only Jewish state." Last year, the Palestinian Authority failed in its bid to win U.N. recognition as an independent state. In their latest initiative to seek non-member observer status, the Palestinians are likely to submit a new resolution after the November 6 U.S. presidential election in an effort to prevent the issue from becoming political fodder. Palestinian officials have expressed concern about pessimistic comments by Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney about the chances for peace in the region. In his speech Thursday, Abbas criticized Israel and said Palestinians were facing "a campaign of ethnic cleansing" in which they are being denied full access to houses of worship, schools, hospitals and housing. "The occupying power is also continuing its construction and expansion of settlements in different areas throughout the West Bank," he told the assembly. Israel rejects a Palestinian state and refuses to end its occupation, Abbas said. "I speak on behalf of an angry people," he said. "Israel continues to enjoy impunity." Ahmadinejad tells U.N. that Iran is threatened . For Israel, the issue of how to respond to Iran's nuclear program has put a strain on relations between Netanyahu and Obama. Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but Western leaders say they believe it is aimed at building a weapon. Netanyahu has been pushing the United States to establish a clear "red line" that Iran cannot cross if it wants to avoid war. Israel seeks international urgency, as negotiations aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions have failed to produce an agreement and the effectiveness of sanctions on Tehran remains unclear. Assange speaks via satellite . Later Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi raised another contentious international issue during his speech to the assembly -- that of the heated territorial dispute between China and Japan over a set of islands in the East China Sea. Yang accused Japan, a key U.S. ally, of stealing the remote islands from China in the past and warned that Beijing would be "firm" in upholding its territorial sovereignty. The Japanese government's announcement this month of the acquisition of several of the disputed islands from a Japanese family has heightened tensions between the two countries. Violent anti-Japanese protests have taken place in Chinese cities, and economic ties between Asia's two largest economies have started to sour. Meanwhile, patrol vessels from the two countries have been frequently locked in tense standoffs in the waters around the islands after China sent a flotilla of ships to the area. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan referred indirectly to the situation in his speech to the assembly Wednesday. Noda emphasized Tokyo's commitment to using international law to resolve territorial disputes and called for greater adherence to the "rule of law" by other nations. Opinion: Netanyahu's red line isn't getting him anywhere .
Iran calls Israeli prime minister's speech "baseless" U.S. and Israel agree to continue to consult on Iran after Clinton-Netanyahu meeting . Netanyahu holds up a drawing of a bomb and draws a red line beneath the fuse . "We are not attempting to delegitimize them, they are trying to delegitimize us," Abbas says of Israel .
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(CNN) -- Shaquille O'Neal is fighting allegations from a former employee who says the NBA star stole his personal information and attempted to frame him for using child porn. Shawn Darling, who was O'Neal's personal computer consultant, said the NBA center acted in retaliation because Darling had proof that O'Neal cheated on his wife with several women. O'Neal's Florida lawyer said he will file a motion on Thursday to dismiss Shawn Darling's lawsuit claiming privacy invasion, racketeering and intentional infliction of emotional distress on the grounds that the suit has no basis in law. "Even if everything he was saying were true, we believe there is no basis in the law to bring the case," Miami attorney Ben Reid said. "But in this case, none of it's true." O'Neal, who this summer signed with the Boston Celtics, employed Darling from 2008 to 2009, while O'Neal lived primarily in Miami. During that time, Darling performed various odd jobs that gave him access to O'Neal's e-mail and cell phone accounts, according to the lawsuit filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court in August and posted Wednesday on RadarOnline.com. The 15-page complaint describes O'Neal's dealings with three alleged mistresses and his ex-wife, whom he was divorcing at the time. Among them are allegations that O'Neal used law enforcement contacts to obtain information about Alexis Miller, and that he hacked into a phone belonging to Vanessa Lopez, erasing messages and changing her password. The lawsuit also accuses O'Neal and an associate of throwing his computer into a lake after Darling performed a "'Defense Department' type wipe" of the computer. Darling also claims that O'Neal believes he has pictures of him with Dominica Westling. As a result, the lawsuit alleges, O'Neal has attempted to "control" Darling's actions through threats of violence and attempts to frame him for possession of child pornography and to have him arrested using O'Neal's extensive law enforcement contacts. "O'Neal knows that Darling not only has knowledge of his bad acts that might be used against him in litigation, but O'Neal also knows that Darling has evidence that shows he cheated on his former wife [Shaunie O'Neal] with many more people than just Vanessa Lopez," the lawsuit states. "Darling is in apprehension and fears for his safety," the lawsuit says. O'Neal's lawyer issued a statement after the lawsuit was reported on Wednesday that described Darling as an ex-con who has served time in a federal prison in Wisconsin for misusing Social Security numbers, and said Darling failed to disclose the prison record to O'Neal. An online inmate search of the Federal Bureau of Prisons showed that a man named Shawn Darling was released on March 22, 2002. An attorney for Darling did not return calls seeking comment. Reid said Darling used his position to copy O'Neal's e-mails and communications. Over the past 12 months and through three separate lawyers, he has demanded $12 million for their return, Reid said. When O'Neal refused to cooperate with Darling, he filed the lawsuit, Reid said. The complaint seeks unspecified damages and a jury trial. "It doesn't take much to file a suit and unfortunately, this seems pretty common in our society. People target celebrities," he said.
Former computer consultant says he has proof of Shaquille O'Neal's affairs . Shawn Darling says the NBA star tried to have him arrested, stole his personal data . Lawyer says Darling copied O'Neal's e-mails, demanded money in exchange for them . O'Neal's lawyer says he will file motion to dismiss lawsuit on Thursday .
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Speculation about Apple’s smartwatch has been circulating for years but its reveal date is now being tipped for next Wednesday. However, those Apple fans anxious to get their hands, or wrists, on the device may be facing an expensive bill when it goes on sale in 2015. Reports from Recode claim Apple executives have discussed charging $400 for the upcoming device - a third more expensive than Samsung’s current high-end model. California-based firm Apple is rumoured to unveil its smartwatch at an event next week and reports now claim the so-called iWatch (concept pictured) could go on sale next year for $400 (£240). This would put it at the high-end of the smartwatch market . This would put Apple’s iWatch at the high-end of the smartwatch market - a strategy that mirrors the firm’s approach to its iPhone business. By comparison, Samsung’s Gear 2 costs $299.99 in the US (£249 in the UK) and the Moto 360 is expected to cost $249.99 (£149). Speculation around Apple's iWatch began at the end of 2012 and a rumoured release date was initially set for the fourth quarter of 2013. Chinese websites reported in December 2012 that the computer giant was working with chip-maker Intel on a wrist-worn gadget. It was said to have a 1.5-inch screen and use Bluetooth to communicate with other devices, including an iPhone. Other rumours suggest the iWatch will feature Siri voice controls that let users dictate messages, rather than use the tiny screen. The watch could also be used as a remote control to change music tracks or pause video, on the phone or tablet. In July last year, reports in the Financial Times said Apple was hiring outside help to tackle design problems with its iWatch. Last week, Samsung launched its curved S watch, but didn’t announce how much it would cost. Apple’s biggest rival could be waiting to see how much the iWatch will cost, if it is unveiled next week, before setting its own price. Apple sent invites out for its upcoming launch event last week. Reports claimed at the time that the iWatch will be unveiled at this event, but won’t go on sale until 2015 to give developers time to write apps for the device. The iWatch is likely to run a modified version of the upcoming iOS 8 software, but the app size and functions will need to be different to accommodate the smaller screen, processing power and watch tools. Timex’s Ironman One GPS+ watch costs $400, but features its own 3G wireless connection, as does the Samsung S. This suggest Apple’s device could have a similar connection option. By comparison, Samsung’s Gear 2 (pictured left) costs $299.99 in the US (£249 in the UK) and the Moto 360 (pictured right) is expected to cost $249.99 (£250 in the UK) when it launches later this year . Apple has already hinted at the wearable in the latest update to its iOS software, which includes health tracking capabilities. Samsung's S watch (pictured) features its own 3G wireless connection. This suggest Apple’s device could have a similar connection option . 'The new device will, predictably, make good use of Apple’s HealthKit health and fitness platform,' Recode said . 'It will also - predictably - make good use of HomeKit, the company’s new framework for controlling connected devices - though it’s not clear how broadly or in what way.' Speculation around Apple's iWatch began at the end of 2012 and a rumoured release date was initially set for the fourth quarter of 2013. Chinese websites reported in December 2012 that the computer giant was working with chip-maker Intel on a wrist-worn gadget. It was said to have a 1.5-inch screen and use Bluetooth to communicate with other devices, including an iPhone. Other rumours suggest the iWatch will feature Siri voice controls that let users dictate messages, rather than use the tiny screen. The watch could also be used as a remote control to change music tracks or pause video, on the phone or tablet. In July last year, reports in the Financial Times said Apple was hiring outside help to tackle design problems with its iWatch. Apple is rumoured to be unveiling its smartwatch at an event next week (invite pictured). Reports claim the iWatch will be unveiled at this event, but won’t go on sale until 2015 to give developers time to write apps for the device .
Apple is rumoured to unveil its smartwatch at an event next week . Reports now claim it could go on sale next year for $400 . This would put it at the high-end of the smartwatch market . By comparison, Samsung’s Gear 2 costs $299.99 in the US (£249 in the UK) and the Moto 360 is expected to cost $249.99 (£149) Last week, Samsung launched its S watch - but didn’t announce prices .
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When I look at Liverpool without Luis Suarez or Daniel Sturridge, they badly lack pace and need Raheem Sterling. He turned 20 on Monday and it is a lot to ask for a young man to be their talisman, but he has got to live up to that. Raheem Sterling will be Liverpool's danger man in their Champions League showdown against Basle . Liverpool want him getting on the ball, dropping deep and dribbling with it, threatening through the centre off the striker. I don’t want to see him out wide that much. There are not too many Liverpool players who want to go beyond the opposition, but Sterling is their one player who can change the game in a split second. He’ll be the man Basle are most afraid of. This game has got that feel about it where they will need a hero — and he has got the ability to be that man. Sterling talks tactics with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers in training on Monday . Stopping Shkelza Gashi . In Shkelza Gashi the Swiss side have a free-scoring attacking midfield player who will be the main threat to Liverpool’s goal. He is Basle’s top scorer with 12 goals in all competitions and eight in his past eight games. If Lucas starts in front of the back four he will need to be on top of his game to keep the Albanian quiet. It is crucial that Liverpool do not concede early on in this match so they must be wary of Gashi’s danger. Shkelza Gashi (centre) will pose a threat to Liverpool's defence on Tuesday night . Let Gerrard play . If Brendan Rodgers plays Lucas in that deeper role it will also give Steven Gerrard licence to play in midfield. Not off the front man just behind the striker, but simply in midfield. Due to how well Gerrard played in front of the back four last season, he has been caught between playing there or at the top of a diamond. He needs to shed that. Why can’t Gerrard just be a midfield player? Look at Yaya Toure for Manchester City, he’s just a midfield player. He is given that freedom. That’s what Liverpool need with Gerrard, let him roam box to box. Big Champions League nights need big players and that’s what he is. Steven Gerrard leads the way during training on Monday ahead of the big game . Gerrard looks relaxed in the build-up to the Anfield clash - a decade on from his heroics against Olympiacos . Avoiding the Basle graveyard . It is impossible not to forget the humiliating night in 2011 when Basle beat Manchester United 2-1 to dump them out of the Champions League, when they only needed a draw to go through. Liverpool’s record against them is not great, either. They are yet to win and have drawn twice and lost once. Basle have played English opposition nine times and only lost once. Wayne Rooney looks dejected as Manchester United crashed to a shock defeat in Switzerland back in 2011 . Having little patience . Liverpool have to score, they must win to go through and the fact a draw is good enough for Basle means the Swiss side could sit back. They are likely to rely on hitting Liverpool on the break. That could play into Liverpool’s hands. They have the capabilities to open up their opponents, but they might need to take their time and not rush anything in order to win. Rodgers insists Liverpool must be patient in their must-win clash on Merseyside . Liverpool players enjoy a game of keepy-uppy in training on Monday .
Liverpool face Basle at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League . England star's pace will be vital in must-win Anfield clash on Tuesday . Brendan Rodgers' side must stop in-form Basle ace Shkelza Gashi . Steven Gerrard must be given licence to attack and hurt Swiss side . Click here for Liverpool team news, probable line-ups and stats . READ: Brendan Rodgers warns players must keep cool against Basle .
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(CNN) -- Another child in Colorado has been hospitalized with partial paralysis. Doctors don't know what is causing the mysterious neurological illness. They have identified 11 other children at the hospital with similar symptoms: limb weakness, cranial nerve dysfunction and abnormalities in the spinal gray matter. Four children in Boston also match the criteria for this illness, doctors say. The mother of one of the Colorado children described the family's "scary experience" at a telebriefing on Friday. It started with a cough. Then the girl became lethargic and her fever rose. Her mom took her to the doctor, but the girl's blood work looked fine. Doctors sent her home to rest. The next day, the girl complained of weakness in her arm. "I thought that she was being dramatic and faking it," her mom said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. But over Labor Day weekend, the muscle weakness got worse. "She kept dropping her corn on the cob." Almost two weeks after the illness started, the girl was admitted to the hospital. Some of the children in Colorado and Boston have tested positive for enterovirus D68, a virus that has been sending children around the country to the hospital with severe respiratory illness. But others had no signs of the virus in their system. "It's probably going to be weeks to months in terms of trying to understand what's happening," said Dr. Samuel Dominguez with Children's Hospital. As of Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had confirmed 500 cases of respiratory illnesses caused by enterovirus D68 in 42 states. Enterovirus D68 has also been found in samples from four people who died recently, according to the CDC, but it's unclear what role the virus played in their deaths. It's possible that enterovirus D68 had nothing to do with them. Enteroviruses are very common, especially in the late summer and early fall, with the CDC estimating 10 million to 15 million infections each year in the United States. "I tend to be a fairly calm, laid-back mom," the girl's mother said when asked about her recommendation for other parents. "Yes, things are mysterious, and it's hard in life when we can't get an exact answer, but I really feel that it's not something that other people should panic about." Her daughter has returned to school and continues to do physical therapy to regain strength in her am. Several children are still in the hospital, Dominguez said. "The other kids who have been admitted have continued to be stable ... they're not getting worse but they're not showing dramatic improvement." CNN's Jordan Bissell contributed to this story.
Another child in Colorado is hospitalized with limb weakness, MRI abnormalities . 12 children in Colorado and four in Boston have similar symptoms . Mother of one of the Colorado children describes "scary experience"
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The family of one-punch victim Daniel Christie, who died after being hit to the head, have spoken out against the relaxed drinking laws for this year's New Years Eve. Daniel Christie, 18, was allegedly knocked unconscious with a single blow to the head by martial arts fighter Shaun McNeil in Sydney's Kings Cross on New Year's Eve last year. 'I am disappointed that in spite of all these good things that have happened, the government is now saying, 'because it's improved, relax it',' said Daniel's father, Michael Christie. The family of one-punch victim Daniel Christie (above) have slammed the relaxed laws for New Years . 'Because we aren't all getting killed on the roads are we going to up the speed limit? It just doesn't make common sense,' he told The Sun Herald. The teenager died after 11 days on life support, contributing towards the introduction of stricter lockout laws in NSW, preventing entry to venues after 1.30am and no alcohol served after 3am. On New Year's Eve the laws will be relaxed in Sydney's CBD to 3am, a ruling which Mr Christie says sends the wrong message. Despite Mr Christie's concerns, Deputy Premier Troy Grant said that the relaxed drinking rules had the support of the family of teenager Thomas Kelly, who died in 2012 from a punch to the head. 'I am disappointed that in spite of all these good things that have happened, the government is now saying, 'because it's improved, relax it',' said Daniel's father, Michael Christie (second from right) The teenager died after 11 days on life support, contributing towards the introduction of stricter lockout laws in NSW, preventing entry to venues after 1.30am and no alcohol served after 3am . Daniel Christie, 18, was allegedly knocked unconscious with a single blow to the head by martial arts fighter Shaun McNeil (above) in Sydney's Kings Cross on New Year's Eve last year . Mr Grant said that safety was the priority of the NSW Police, and the City of Sydney, who also backed the decision. 'We recognise people want to celebrate the start of the new year but we also want to maintain there will be no change to the last drinks at 3am or the tough measures we have implemented to protect the community,' said Mr Grant. The laws have been introduced to reduce street congestion and public transport pressure following the fireworks display at midnight, but only apply for the night. People will be able to enter venues until 3am, though the no-take-away law still applies after 10pm. Former premier Barry O'Farrell said the new laws, which included a curfew on trading hours to 3am across the city, sent out 'the possible strongest message' that drug and alcohol-fuelled violence will no longer be tolerated. The laws have been introduced to reduce street congestion and public transport pressure following the fireworks display at midnight, but only apply for the night . On New Year's Eve the laws will be relaxed in Sydney's CBD to 3am, a ruling which Mr Christie says sends the wrong message . Mr Christie's death was one of several attacks that sparked new laws introduced to help curb alcohol-fueled attacks . Under the new laws anyone convicted of reckless grievous bodily harm or wounding a member of the public or a police officer while intoxicated can expect a minimum sentence of three to five years and a maximum penalty of up to 16 years. There has been a drop in alcohol-related assaults in licensed venues by 40% since the introduction of the laws, reported The Sun Herald. Mr Christie said that the objections to the ruling did not come from a place of bitterness, and that the family did not 'hate' Ms McNeil for allegedly causing the death of Daniel. Around the CBD there will also be heightened security following the spate of terror threats, with counter-terrorism agents working around the city. Assistant Police Commissioner Michael Fuller said it was not uncommon for authorities to be involved in New Year's Eve celebrations.
Daniel Christie, 18, died after being punched in the head by MMA fighter Shaun McNeil, 26, on New Years Eve last year . He died in hospital after 11 days, an incident which prompted the introduction of stricter lockout laws . The lockout laws have seen a reduction in alcohol-related assaults reduce by 40% . The laws are set to be relaxed for New Years Eve this year, with patrons able to enter venues until 3am in order to reduce congestion . Daniel's family say that the relaxation of the laws sends the wrong message and that they are disappointed with the decision .
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The US government recently revealed its investigations into 12,000 encounters with UFOs spanning between 1947-1969. Microfilms of these cases, collectively known as Project Blue Book, have become available for anyone to view online. Now some of the strangest from the collection have been highlighted, revealing the mysterious objects in the sky that left UFO hunters baffled. Scroll down for video . The Lubbock Lights incident was reported August 30, 1951 in Texas. The USAF said that these lights were most likely caused by birds named plovers, whose white breasts could reflect lights from the city below . One of the most famous is the Lubbock Lights incident, which was reported on August 30, 1951 in Texas by three professors, according to a report by Joe Tonelli onDigg. The witnesses were sitting in the backyard of one of the professor's homes when they saw 20 to 30 'lights' fly overhead. One of the professors said the objects 'appeared to be about the size of a dinner plate and they were greenish-blue, slightly fluorescent in colour. 'They were smaller than the full moon at the horizon. There were about a dozen to fifteen of these lights...they were absolutely circular...it gave all of us...an extremely eerie feeling.' This image, titled simply 'Winter 1951', was taken in New Zealand. While the photographer believed this to be a flying saucer, the USAF concluded that it was in fact a lenticular cloud. The lens-shaped formations are the result of moist air that has condensed at a high altitude . Kenneth Arnold saw nine UFOs over Mount Rainier, on 24 June 1947 and the US government agencies took an interest in reports. A similar sighting (pictured) occured over Tulsa, Oklahoma on July 12, 1947 . This image was taken on April 15, 1965 in Omaha, Nebraska. There are no additional case files with this photograph. The USAF says that the Blue Book included 12,618 sightings reports, with 701 of which remained 'unidentified' Project Blue Book was the name for a project that investigated UFO reports between 1947 and 1969. It was the third study of its kind. The first two were projects Sign (1947) and Grudge (1949). The aim was to determine if UFOs were a threat to national security, and to scientifically analyse UFO-related data. The USAF says that Blue Book included 12,618 sightings reports, with 701 of which remained 'unidentified' – or around 5.5 per cent of the files. A termination order was given for the study in December 1969, and all activity under its project ended in January 1970. The USAF concluded that these lights were most likely caused by birds named plovers, which have white breasts that can reflect lights from cities below. Another image, titled simply 'Winter 1951', shows what the photographer believed to be a flying saucer. However, scientists discovered that the eerie shape was a lenticular cloud which are created by moist air that has condensed at a high altitude. The clouds are formed when the air temperature drops and moisture droplets are pushed up a steep slope by high winds. A more straightforward case can be seen in images of a UFO taken in Santa Ana, California on August 3, 1965 by highway worker Rex Heflin. Distant objects are hazy in the images because of the LA smog, while the UFO is not. Some suggest this is because the UFO is in fact a small object that was close to the camera. The USAF says that the Blue Book included 12,618 sightings reports, with 701 of which remained 'unidentified' – or around 5.5 per cent of the files. The files, which can be accessed here, were previously only available by visiting the National Archives in Washington. 'There is plenty of work for amateur investigators to try to come up with explanations they never had time to consider or research,' Nigel Watson author of the UFO investigations Manual told MailOnline. One case that Mr Watson is particularly intrigued in for historical reasons is a report filed by Kenneth Arnold which led to the popular term 'flying saucers'. This image was taken in Roswell in 1949. It is similar to a number of other images submitted, and has no case file associated with it . Found on July, 1957 in Ohio, the mysterious rock was thought to be from an alien civilisation. Experts initially said it was a meteorite that was over a century old. But after testing, they changed their minds and claimed it was a displaced piece of sediment from a glacier . No case files are associated with this image, which looks like a flying submarine. It was taken on December 27, 1954 in Bronx, New York. Mr Arnold saw nine UFOs over Mount Rainier, on 24 June 1947 and the US government agencies took an interest in reports. A similar sighting occurred over Tulsa, Oklahoma, just a month later on July 12, 1947 . 'They flew in a diagonal formation that stretched about five miles from the first to last craft, and they bobbed about erratically,' said Mr Watson. 'He estimated that they travelled faster than 1,000 miles per hour as they flew from Mount Rainier to Mount Adams.' When describing the sight to newspaper reporters, Mr Arnold said it was 'like a saucer would if you skipped it across the water.' This, said Mr Watson, reveals that the term flying saucer came from the description of the movement of the craft rather than their appearance. 'Explanations from mirages, secret aircraft to the flight of pelicans have all been used to try to explain his sighting but it still remains a mystery,' he added. These images were taken in Santa Ana, California on August 3, 1965 by highway worker Rex Heflin using his Polaroid camera. This object supposedly flew over the Marine Corps El Toro Air Station in broad daylight, but no one else saw it. Distant objects are hazy because of the LA smog, while the UFO is not. Some suggest this is because it is small dust that was close to the camera . Pictured is the staff of Project Blue Book, which recorded more than 12,000 encounters with UFOs. Sitting in the centre is Hector Quintanilla, the last chief officer of Project Blue Book . The once-top secret files were previously only available by visiting the National Archives in Washington (left), but have recently been made available online (right)
The files relate to USAF investigations from 1947-1969 that were recently made available online . One of the most famous is the Lubbock Lights incident, which was reported in Texas in 1951 . Another shows what the photographer believed to be a flying saucer, which turned out to be a cloud . More than 700 cases in Project Blue Book remain unsolved, accounting for 5.5 per cent of the files .
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When the tearful broadcaster broke the news to North Koreans that their leader, Kim Jong Il, had died, the audience in the hall gasped. Then the hysterics began, along with the bawling and sobbing. "Father!" mourners cried. A wailing woman pounded her fist against her chest to signify heartache. Some appeared to go into physical convulsions. Other North Koreans sobbed so hard, they barely maintained their balance. "Our leader endured all the hardships," one mourner told state-run Korean Central News Agency in a televised interview. "I can't believe it. Our leader, he's still with us." Even the reporter holding KCNA's microphone bowed his head and trembled. In North Korean media videos viewed by CNN, people wept in fitful, theatrical proportions. Whether the mass grieving was genuine is up to debate. Cultures grieve differently. For instance, in South Korea, it's acceptable to express sorrow vocally, said Sung-Yoon Lee, a research fellow at the National Asia Research Program. But North Korea presents a unique case. "It's such a regimented, uniform society, people are conditioned from their early years to praise and adore their leader," he said. "The passing of their leader would be an indication to grieve properly so they are not to be stigmatized by failing to grieve properly. There are always people watching you -- if you are not devastated by the news, you may get in trouble." While some may exaggerate, for others the grief is authentic, Lee said. "I think there would be great deal of sincerity, because they're so programmed and conditioned and have an incentive to outperform their families, neighbors in grieving properly," he said. "North Koreans are raised to praise their leader, as are Christians for God. For North Koreans, it's part of the rhetoric to thank the fatherly leader. For them to learn the death of a near God-like leader, it certainly has an emotional reaction." When TV cameras approached the North Korean grievers, some of them were so overwhelmed they could barely utter coherent sentences. "If it's a public figure that has died, everybody has the illusion that they know that person or were at some point connected to them," said Darcie Sims, a grief management specialist and director of the American Grief Academy in Seattle. "Mass hysteria soon occurs and is very contagious. When we see people do things in large groups, it spreads like wildfire. It only takes a few people, and the reactions spread amongst the population." North Koreans interviewed on state television thanked Kim for everything, including trains, theaters and even their warm homes. Many seemed to refuse to believe he was dead. The public mourning illustrates the grip of Kim's power, said Scott Atran, director of research and anthropology at the French National Center for Scientific Research and psychology professor at the University of Michigan. To stay in power, many dictators identify and play upon their people's fears. After a history of occupation by other Asian powers, Kim and his father relied on their motto of self-sufficiency, called "juche," to justify the country's reclusive nature. Because of this philosophy, which barred outside perspectives, Atran said people in North Korea "had no alternative view of reality." It also helped that the Kims controlled the police and military. Atran said he believes North Koreans' weeping is "absolutely sincere. They're clearly emotionally tied up with the dictator." "We're used to some extent of institutionalized criticism, an opposition, and in these countries, there isn't anything. There is uniform control of information. The only information comes from the political leadership in ways it desires. That's your world -- you see the world of threat and fear, and the dictator poses as the way out of it." Atran compared the reaction to Kim's death to Spanish dictator Francisco Franco's passing in 1975. "The place where his support was, there was mass mourning and hysteria at his death," he said. Drawing another historical comparison, Lee said he recalled when Kim's father, Kim Il Sung, died in 1994. "The level of grief, we hear from North Korean defectors, was that the North Korean people had general admiration for the father because he had revolutionary credentials," Lee said. "The North Koreans did not go through a famine under the elder Kim." Nevertheless, mourners were effusive in their praise for Kim Jong Il on the state-run television station. "He has loved us so much. We weren't able to repay him," one mourner said. Another said, "It's too much! It's too much! Leader, please come back. ... You cannot leave us. We will always wait for you, leader."
North Korean TV shows hysterical reaction to Kim Jong Il's death . But the genuineness of people's grieving is up to debate . In state TV interviews, devastated North Koreans thank Kim for homes, trains, amenities . "If you are not devastated by the news, you may get in trouble," one analyst says .
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Washington (CNN) -- The pictures told the story: Vice President Joe Biden looked solemn, patrician and in control as he sat at a long table in the White House, flanked by people on both sides of the gun control issue. The images conveyed a sense that the White House was in command on this issue. And that's the point. Historically, presidential administrations have used symbolic imagery—at times coupled with marginal actions—to shift public opinion or affect larger political or social change. "Politics is a risk taking project," said Julian Zelizer, a Princeton University historian and CNN contributor. "They put together these commissions in response to some crisis. You try a hundred things and hope something works." As Biden's gun control task force recommendations land on the desk of President Barack Obama, political experts say it is important that his administration sends a clear signal that it has things in hand. Obama says gun lobby stokes fear of federal action . That is especially critical in what will likely be an uphill battle to push specific changes, like an assault weapons ban, as part of a broader effort on gun control. The first move in the image battle will be to appear to move quickly and decisively. "You have to give the Obama administration credit for one thing: They've learned from history to do things quickly," Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, said of previous task force initiatives that fizzled. In 2010, Obama appointed a bipartisan commission headed by former Republican Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming and Erskine Bowles, a former Democratic White House chief of staff, to come up with a proposal to balance the budget and cut the debt. Like the gun task force, Simpson-Bowles reviewed current regulations, gathered input from the public and engaged in tense internal conversations. But after months of working on a proposal—a blend of steep revenue increases and spending cuts—the group struggled to agree to a solution. The president did not take up the recommendations. Obama largely avoided the issue of gun control during his first term. He wrote an opinion piece two months after the 2011 assassination attempt on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, acknowledging the importance of the Second Amendment right to bear arms. In the piece he also called for a focus on "effective steps that will actually keep those irresponsible, law-breaking few from getting their hands on a gun in the first place." Newtown searches for answers a month later . But in the aftermath of that shooting and as the election season loomed, the Justice Department backed off from a list of recommendations that included a measure designed to help keep mentally ill people from getting guns. For now, at least, there is a sense in Washington that the Newtown, Connecticut, school shooting where 26 people -- 20 of them young children -- were slaughtered could lead to meaningful legislative reform. Public opinion would seem to suggest that the White House efforts are well timed. In the month since the massacre, a new poll showed the percentage of Americans who said they were dissatisfied with America's gun laws has spiked. The Gallup survey released on Monday showed 38% of Americans were dissatisfied with current gun regulations, and wanted stricter laws. That represented 13-point jump from one year ago, when 25% expressed that view. "You want to strike while the iron is hot," Sabato said. "We Americans have short attention spans and, as horrible as the Newtown shooting was, will anyone be surprised if we moved along by spring?" The White House has since worked overtime to show it considers gun control an urgent matter. The vice president has spent the last week meeting with what the White House calls "stakeholders" in the gun control debate. On Monday, Biden was to meet with members of a House Democratic task force on guns, along with Attorney General Eric Holder, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of Health and Human Services. Universal background check: What does it mean? In a series of face to face discussions on Thursday, Biden sat down with the National Rifle Association and other gun owners groups before conferring with representatives from the film and television industry. In a sign the White House is prepared to move aggressively on its proposals, Biden made public comments just before meeting with the National Rifle Association, the country's most powerful gun lobby. "Putting the vice president in charge of (the task force) and having him meeting with these groups is intended to show seriousness and an effort to reach out and respond to concerns and wishes of various groups," said Alan Abramowitz, a political science professor at Emory University. Still, the NRA expressed disappointment in its discussion with Biden and later released a statement that accused the administration of mounting "an agenda to attack the Second Amendment." Organizations seeking tougher gun control laws insist an assault weapons ban is critical to addressing the nation's recent rash of mass shootings. However, such a ban could be difficult in a Congress mired in gridlock. "The bully pulpit is limited. It's hard for the president to sustain that momentum," Zelizer said of the White House's gun control efforts after the Newtown shootings. "The thing about symbolism is, like the shock over Newtown, they fade quickly." Newtown opens eyes to other gun violence against young people . CNN's Jim Acosta and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report .
Gun violence recommendations are expected from Vice President Biden on Tuesday . The proposals are expected to contain substantive and symbolic ideas to curb gun violence . Presidents use symbolism to shift public opinion or affect larger political or social change .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 00:41 EST, 19 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:59 EST, 19 May 2012 . An American woman who sent the Russian boy she adopted back to Moscow on a one-way flight has been ordered to pay tens of thousands of dollars in child support. Torry Hansen will have to pay a lump sum of $150,000 to the child she named Justin but later abandoned, as well as $1,000 per month until he is an adult. On Thursday a judge in Bedford County, Tennessee ruled that she must begin making the child support payments in June and continue to pay until the boy, who is now 10 years old, turns 18. Circuit Court Judge Lee Russell said the $150,000 Hansen must pay includes damages for breach of contract, legal fees and support for the boy. Tennessee nurse Torry Hansen took a trip to Russia in 2009 and met Artem, who she renamed Justin, in an orphanage. Their meeting is pictured here . Hansen sent Artem Saveliev back to Russia in April 2010 with a letter saying the child was disturbed and violent and she did not want him anymore. The case created an international uproar and prompted Russia to temporarily halt its adoption program with the U.S. The World Association for Children and Parents, which helped Hansen adopt the child, then filed a lawsuit seeking child support. Hansen has since moved to Redding, California and has failed to show up at any of the hearings, said Larry Crain, an attorney for the adoption agency. She has hired a series of three Tennessee lawyers to represent her but the most recent one, he said, has been granted permission to leave the case. She did, however, hire a court reporter to attend the hearing. Artem, who is now nearly ten, lives in a suburb of Moscow with his foster parents and other children who are having difficulties finding adoptive parents . Hansen filed a lawsuit last month in California against representatives of a Russian orphanage saying the Russian Federation Supreme Court annulled the adoption. 'In doing so, it denied defendants the ability to recover a sum of money in the form of child support from plaintiff,' the suit says. Hansen wants the California court to recognise the Russian decision. Adoption advocates hailed the Tennessee court order as a measure of justice for the boy, and said the judge's decision would show there are consequences to abandoning adopted children. Hansen apparently never told social workers that she was having problems with the boy. Worth forgetting: A swing set in Hansen's shared back yard in Tennessee is part of the life Artem hopes to forget. He no longer speaks any English and calls his foster mother Mama . Happier times: Artem now calls Vera Egorova, right, Mama. Pavel Astakhov, left, has a special interest in Artem's case and makes periodic visits to the SOS Village in Tomilino where Artem is living . The agency sued Hansen to deter others from doing anything similar and to show the Russians that 'you cannot do this in America and get away with it,' Mr Crain said. 'It has certainly caused concern on the part of Russian officials that unless there are consequences when a parent abandons a child placed in their home, there's a need for safeguards to make sure this never occurs,' he added. The judge said in his order that when Hansen adopted the boy she signed a contract acknowledging that it was possible the child could have physical, emotional or behaviour problems that were unreported and even unknown to the adoption agency. Lee said $58,000 of the $150,000 will pay for the past two years' worth of support and medical fees for the boy in Russia. Court documents say the boy was hospitalised for three weeks after he returned to Moscow, but they do not say what he was treated for. He was later moved to an orphanage and then sent to another institution.
Torry Hansen adopted Artem in 2009 and sent him back to Russia in 2010 . Must support him for the next eight years until he turns 18 .
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A state owned TV channel in Romania has sparked outrage after broadcasting songs by a choir who sang anti-Semitic 'Christmas carols' which celebrate the burning of Jews. TVR3, which is ran by the Romanian government, broadcast the performance by a folk group from Cluj last week. As part of their set, they sang a carol which glorified the Holocaust and called for Jewish people to be burned in the chimney. Scroll down for video . Gathering: The choir, from Cluj, perform the offensive song in a rural setting on the state-owned TV station . Generations: Both old and young Romanians are part of the choir who sing the anti-Semitic lyrics . According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the broadcast aired on December 5 and reached many rural parts of the Eastern European country. The song rhymes and uses the word 'jidovi', a word Romanians use to describe Jews, and contains the lyrics 'only in the chimney as smoke, this is what the 'jidov' is good for', according to spiegel.de. Romania's Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean has publicly criticised the broadcast and has even called on prosecutors to take action against the channel. The Israeli embassy too has responded, saying they were 'concerned' about the show. In a statement, TVR said they were not responsible for the songs performed by the choir, insisting a selection was chosen by a local culture committee. A YouTube video of the performance shows the choir singing the offensive song before taking questions from a female host. She thanks the singers before asking about their choice of music and why it reflects the traditional Cluj culture in Romania. Anti-Semitism groups in Romania have condemned the broadcast saying it is unacceptable for the channel to evade responsibility by blaming a local organization. A musician plays along to the song, which is said to be an archaic folk carol sang at Christmas time . Backlash: TVR3 have been roundly criticized for allowing the song, which promotes the 'burning' of Jews, to be broadcast on state-run TV. Bosses at the station have since been sacked pending an investigation . According to the Jewish Telegraph Agency, a complaint has been sent to Romanian President Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Victor Ponta which reads: 'It is outrageous that members of the public weren't scandalized by an anti-Semitic song calling for people to burn Jews.' Bosses at TVR are already in the process of being replaced after previous unacceptable conduct. It's head Claudiu Saftoiu and the rest of the management have been removed from their posts.
Rural TV station broadcast 'Christmas' songs by local choir . They sang offensive carol which celebrates the Holocaust . Lyrics say Jews are 'only good' for putting in the fireplace .
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Washington (CNN) -- CNN's John King and other top political reporters empty out their notebooks each Sunday on "Inside Politics" to reveal five things that will be in the headlines in the days, weeks and months ahead. Fallout from Attorney General Eric Holder's resignation, an intriguing new GOP 2016 trial balloon and two key 2014 crunch-time calculations made for a lively trip around the "Inside Politics" table Sunday. 1. Election day is 37 days away, unless it was yesterday . If you live in a 2014 battleground state and are getting inundated with campaign calls and door knocks, there may be a solution: Vote early. Early balloting began this past week in Iowa and Minnesota, two states with Senate races being closely watched this year, and it's coming soon in other states with key contests. When it is all said and done, some strategists keeping track of things this year suggest as much as 30% of the vote could come from early and absentee balloting. Democrats in recent cycles have bragged they have a more sophisticated -- and successful -- system to identify voters who might not show up on Election Day and to push them to vote early. And some Democrats have suggested their technological and organizational prowess will again prove decisive in some key places this year. But Republicans insist 2014 will be different, and with so many key Senate races so close, the performance in the early voting arena could be a big battleground within the battlegrounds. And remember -- campaigns see the lists of those who vote early, and in most cases you will be crossed off the phone bank list! 2. Crunch time means tough $$ decisions . Some candidates and campaigns are about to realize they have fewer friends than they thought. With so many close races, and the battle for control of the Senate so tight, the political parties and their super PAC supporters are beginning to make some tough calls on spending priorities. Politico's Manu Raju, for example, reports Republicans are starting to hold back spending in Michigan's Senate race because the Democrat is leading and the GOP has urgent needs elsewhere. (Kansas, for example.) And as Democrats look to hone their final-weeks spending, Raju reports that Kentucky is getting a skeptical look -- even though Democrats would LOVE to knock off the GOP incumbent, Sen. Mitch McConnell. "These are key decisions that are being made, not just for the race for the Senate, but also as we mentioned before, the runoffs in Georgia and Louisiana," said Raju. "Republicans are already setting aside millions of dollars to spend in Louisiana and Democrats are going to have to make that decision too, soon." 3. The next attorney general -- an LGBT trailblazer? As President Obama searches for a new attorney general, gay rights organizations are suggesting it is time for a bold, historic stroke. Julie Pace of The Associated Press says a former U.S. attorney, Jenny Durkan, is being pushed by some liberals. She is a lesbian, and if nominated and confirmed would be the first openly gay Cabinet member. "The president's LGBT supporters feel like nominating an openly gay Cabinet secretary would really round out his record on gay rights," said Pace. "There's also politics involved, if you have Republicans in a position where they may have to weigh how tough they go after a gay woman in the lead-up to a presidential year where they're trying to look more inclusive -- that could be all kinds of headaches for the GOP." 4. Holder's post-administration plans . The Washington Post's Nia Malika Henderson told us back in August that Holder was plotting his exit strategy and had shared his early thinking with Obama. Now, Henderson has some insights into Holder's next chapter. "Once he's gone, I hear he's interested in writing a book, perhaps teaching, but also maybe some sort of foundation work to really give back to his roots and his legacy, which is around civil rights," said Henderson. 5. Is Fiorina the GOP's answer to Clinton? Carly Fiorina's 2010 California Senate campaign didn't turn out so well. But the former Hewlett-Packard CEO is apparently dipping her toes into the 2016 presidential waters anyway. Maeve Reston of the Los Angeles Times tells us there is plenty of skepticism, but also notes that Fiorina recently made some political rounds in New Hampshire and made it clear she was thinking about it. "It's just going to be really fascinating to watch just how much the Republicans want a strong female face in that mix," said Reston.
As much as 30% of the vote could come from early balloting . Obama's next attorney general could be an LGBT trailblazer . Carly Fiorina thinking about a 2016 GOP presidential bid .
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A Chinese holidaymaker unwittingly sparked a biosecurity scare at New Zealand’s busiest airport after snake fillets were discovered in a package thought to contain tea. A sealed plastic bag containing the snake meat was packed by the tourist’s mother and was ‘crawling with insects’ when it was opened by a quarantine inspector at Auckland Airport last week. Government officials said the woman presented the seemingly innocent package upon landing and was not certain that it actually contained tea. Scroll down for video . Snake bite: A package containing python fillets sparked a biosecurity scare at Auckland Airport last week . Python fillets, bottom right, are sold at an outdoor market . Brett Hickman, detection technology manager for New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), said: ‘It became clear the contents were definitely not tea when our quarantine inspector opened the package and discovered fresh fillets labelled as python. ‘The meat could have had diseases damaging to our native reptiles. And contributing to the biosecurity risk, it was crawling with insects.’ After the unusual discovery the airport raised its biosecurity alarm as a precaution. MPI did not fine the passenger as she had declared the item. The holidaymaker declared the package upon landing but did not know that it contained exotic snake meat . Mr Hickman said: ‘She did the right thing by alerting us she was carrying food items, and we congratulate her for that.’ MPI gave the confiscated python fillets to the country’s Department of Conservation as it may be subject to the Trade in Endangered Species Act. Mr Hickman said quarantine inspectors regularly intercept ‘biosecurity risk items’ in misleading packaging. The Department of Conservation seized the snake meat as it may be subject to an endangered species act . He said: ‘A lot of stuff from some countries gets vacuum-packed in whatever packaging a shop happens to have at the time. 'It means our inspectors have to open everything they are not sure about. ‘We don’t see a lot of snake products like this, although occasionally we find snakes preserved in bottles of wine from places like Thailand and Vietnam.’
Passenger's mum slipped snake meat into a package though to contain tea . Package was declared by traveller and opened by quarantine inspector . Officials say meat could have contained diseases harmful to native reptiles . Airport raised its biosecurity alarm as a precaution after the discovery . Tourist was not fined as she had declared the package upon landing .
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(CNN) -- Arizona's attorney general proposed arming one principal or employee at each school to defend against attacks such as the recent Connecticut school massacre. "The ideal solution would be to have an armed police officer in each school," Attorney General Tom Horne said in a news release Wednesday. But budget cuts have limited the number of Arizona schools with "school resource officers" on campus, he said. The "next best solution," Horne said, "is to have one person in the school trained to handle firearms, to handle emergency situations, and possessing a firearm in a secure location." A shooter, armed with a semiautomatic rifle and two other guns, on December 14 killed 26 people -- including six faculty members and 20 young students -- at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown. Horne compared the plan to the FAA's program adopted after the September 11, 2001, attacks to arm airline pilots. A school would be invited to send the principal "or another designee" to "training in the use of firearms and how to handle emergencies such as that which occurred in Newtown," Horne's release said. Horne's office would oversee the free training with help from sheriffs, he said. "The designated individual (no more than one per school) would then be authorized to keep a firearm locked in a secure place, and would have adequate communication to be alerted to an emergency in any part of the school," the release said. Newspaper publishes names, addresses of gun permit holders . Several Arizona sheriffs have joined in to support the proposal, Horne said. Legislation to allow it will be introduced by the Republican leader in the state House, he said. "This proposal presents a golden mean between two extremes," Horne said. "One extreme is to allow all teachers to bring guns to school, which could create more dangers than it prevents. The other extreme is to do nothing, which everyone will regret if a preventable incident like Newtown would occur in the future." CNN's Greg Morrison contributed to this report.
Arming principals is "next best solution" to police in schools, Attorney General Tom Horne says . Schools could send the principal or a designee to gun, emergency training . Those schools could keep on firearm "locked in a secure place" for when needed .
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A man walks into a pet shop... and a comedy classic is born. Monty Python’s Dead Parrot sketch has been voted the troupe’s greatest piece of all time. A man buys a dead parrot and takes it back to complain - only to discover the pet shop owner refuses to admit there is anything wrong with the bird. It hardly sounds funny, but performed by John Cleese and Michael Palin it is regarded by Monty Python fans as one of the greatest comedy sketches of all time. And it appears the nation agrees. Monty Python's Dead Parrot sketch has been voted the troupe's greatest piece of all time . The sketch - first aired almost 45 years ago on December 7, 1969 has topped a poll of 2,000 British adults. People were asked to select their top sketch from a long list of more than 35 Python scenes. The pet shop scene, which features Cleese as an exasperated customer trying to get his money back from Palin, who is a stubborn pet salesman, was voted the most popular Python moment by 45 per cent. Second place with 28 per cent went to The Lumberjack Song, which was released as a single in 1975, while the top three was completed by The Ministry of Silly Walks (23 per cent) – a sketch which sees Cleese striding in and out of meetings in a series of government-approved walks. Second place with 28 per cent went to The Lumberjack Song, which was released as a single in 1975 . The troupe are currently on stage for their Monty Python Live (Mostly) reunion at London’s O2 arena. The survey has been commissioned to tie in with the last show which will be screened on TV channel Gold on Sunday July 20th. The findings also reveal some regional differences with Londoners the most likely to find Monty Python funny (81 per cent), compared to those in the North East (69 per cent). There was a surge of popularity for the Dead Parrot sketch in the East Midlands with more than half (55 per cent) voting it their top Python moment, compared to the national average of 45 per cent. The top three was completed by The Ministry of Silly Walks (23 per cent) - a sketch which sees Cleese striding in and out of meetings in a series of government-approved walks . The Lumberjack Song was particularly popular in Northern Ireland (33 per cent) and Scotland (34 per cent), compared to the national average of 28 per cent. Those living in East Anglia (28 per cent) and Wales (27 per cent) were particularly tickled by The Ministry for Silly Walks, compared to the national average of 23 per cent. The Monty Python troupe announced last November they were reuniting for a one-off stage show, but after tickets quickly sold out an extra nine dates were added. It is the first time in 40 years that members John Cleese, 74, Terry Gilliam, 73, Eric Idle, 71, Terry Jones, 72, and Michael Palin have appeared together on a UK stage. Palin, 71,  has said the July 20 show will be the last time the five stars work together, adding there were 'absolutely no plans to do any more shows after that'.
First aired 45 years ago on December 7, 1969 sketch has topped a poll . Second place with 28 per cent went to The Lumberjack Song sketch . And the top three was completed by The Ministry of Silly Walks .
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(CNN) -- The South Korean military suspended its search for missing sailors Wednesday because of high winds spawned by stormy weather, the Yonhap News Agency reported. Searchers have been looking for 46 missing sailors from the 1,200-ton ship Cheonan, a naval ship that sank Friday in the Yellow Sea near the maritime border of North and South Korea. Fifty-eight crew members were rescued, and the intense search led to the death of a military diver and the hospitalization of two others. Diver dies in rescue effort near sunken ship . Yonhap reported that divers have injected "air through a crack in the stem of the 88-meter-long corvette, hopeful that the latter section of the ship, about 45 meters underwater, is holding crew members alive." But high winds and strong currents have been working against the rescue effort. "We are temporarily suspending operations. We cannot expect to get near the ship in this condition," defense ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae told reporters. Military officials say an explosion tore a hole in the rear of the ship, but the cause of the blast is not known. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion, and the country's defense minister, Kim Tae-young, has raised the possibility that one of the many North Korean sea mines placed during the 1950-53 Korean War could have triggered the blast. He said the military was "trying its best" to find survivors and that the cause of the incident will be made public "at the soonest possible time." Rescuers find rear section of ship where sailors could be trapped . The navy plans to salvage the vessel, which was carrying missiles and torpedoes, to determine what caused the incident, Yonhap reported. Kim said work to hoist the ship above water could start next week and he said the government is mulling the formation of a fact-finding group to look into the incident. "We will explain anything to answer questions and address rumors concerning the incident," Kim said. "We have nothing to hide and no reason to hide. So many lives are involved in this case." Monday evening was the end of a 69-hour window during which rescuers believed the sailors could survive. Divers have knocked on the hulls of different parts of the ship with hammers, but raised no response. Baengyeong Island, the Seoul-administered island near the scene of the accident, is a flash point maritime border area between the Koreas. Given Baengyeong Island's proximity to North Korea, North Korean involvement had been feared, but South Korean officials have continued to play down that scenario. North Korea's official media has yet to mention the incident, according to Yonhap, but accused the United States and South Korea of conducting a maritime drill for the purpose of invading North Korea.
High winds caused by stormy weather delay search for missing South Korean sailors . 46 sailors missing after explosion sank a naval ship Friday in the Yellow Sea . 58 seamen were rescued soon after blast; no bodies or survivors found since then . Military officials say an explosion tore a hole in the rear of the ship; cause of the blast not known .
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New Delhi, India (CNN) -- There are five days left until the opening day of the biggest sporting event India has ever put on. While there is a furious push to finish dozens of projects around the city to try to make it sparkle for the upcoming Commonwealth Games the plight of the smallest and poorest citizens of India go wholly ignored. Impoverished children are crawling all over many of the Commonwealth Games related construction sites. Some sit inches away from speeding cars on mounds of dirt, others walk under massive machinery, and some pick up the tools and bricks around them as their parent work a full day. "This is happening all the time and people just turn a blind eye," said Save the Children Advocacy Director in India Shireen Miller. Miller says by law the children should not be on construction sites, while they are not normally paid by the contractors, the older children often end up doing work for free just to help their parents. "It shouldn't be happening. Children should not be there unprotected, unsafe and working." The contractors are supposed to create a safe place for the children near the sites. Child advocates say that rarely happens. Instead mother's hold small babies on their hips while carrying loads of dirt on the their heads, or they put them down on the site surrounded by the dust and danger construction can pose. "Where can I leave them? mother Lal kumar said with her toddler on her hip. "I bring them wherever I go." The workers are normally from the poorest and most desperate parts of India. A subcontractor shows up in their villages and offers work in big cities like New Delhi. There is no work in their villages, so the entire family moves from place to place to sustain themselves. "If there is poverty then the kids come themselves, if there is poverty then what else can we do. There is nothing in our village, so because of poverty, we're here." Kuwar said. She has two young children who on this day were playing in the dirt and with the tools as cars buzz by and Kuwar plowed into the ground with a shovel. The scene is repeated on construction sites throughout the city, and by no means is this just on sites related to the Commonwealth Games. You see children playing, sleeping or sitting on everything from road construction sites to private home construction. When the child is old enough like 11-year-old Jitender you sometimes see them doing the work. We ask Jitender if he is being paid to pick up bricks on a huge construction area along side a busy New Delhi highway. "No." He said, "I don't work here but I help my mother." And in so doing the contractor gets free labor, the parents get a helping hand, and the child has something to do. But child advocates say this is one step toward child labor continues a cycle of poverty and is simply dangerous for children. "What you see at constructions sites, all kinds of hazardous materials," activist and urban planner Dunu Roy said. "We don't see too much of deaths but [we see] injuries, cuts and certain amounts of a disease like dengue [and] stomach borne infections." However there are people trying to do something about the dangerous and illegal position children are being forced into. For decades an Indian organization called "Mobile Creche" has been convincing contractors to let them set up day care facilities for children on the construction sites. "I would have kept them with me at work but it is not allowed. Now they have also started go to the school," a mother of four told CNN back in 2008 as she nursed her baby before heading back into Nehru Stadium to continuing laying bricks. Yet as a whole the police, government officials, and everyday citizens pass by the construction sites everyday and do nothing. Suraj Singh, a subcontractor on one site with a half dozen children on it told CNN, "This is just how it is for the poor. What safety can there be for the poor? Tell us? There is no safety for the poor. This is life. These people don't have the money to leave their kids at home with servants, and work here." Singh's reaction may seem callous but is too often true. Billions have been spent on beautifying the city because of the games. As it turns out the games have also exposed the world to one of India's ugly problems.
India is rushing to get ready for the Commonwealth Games . Games construction highlights one of India's problems . Children of the poor swarm over construction sites .
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By . Janet Street Porter . PUBLISHED: . 20:19 EST, 25 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 20:30 EST, 25 November 2012 . We give banks our hard-earned cash to look after, and what do we get in return? Leaflets we can't understand, emollient twaddle about ‘relationships' with people we don't know (or want as new fake friends), charges we weren't expecting, and, if we're really doing well, a free fake leather cover for our cheque book. As far as I am concerned, bank managers still (erroneously) think they are doing us a favour, when it ought to be the other way round. Recently, I decided to change banks, after my manager's assistant (who I had never met) told me they were allowing me to keep a joint account 'as a favour'. Bank managers still think they are doing us a favour, when it ought to be the other way round... This account had only a few hundred quid in it, and was being used to pay household bills. My other accounts were always in credit. Model customer, you might think, except this snooty bank (Coutts) acted like I was a penniless nuisance. They charged me £150 a quarter on the joint account, ludicrous when there were so few transactions. I decided to move to HSBC, but then my stress levels really started to soar. It's taken five weeks, four different people writing me strings of emails, dozens of incomprehensible forms, and I've ended up with two managers at two different branches! According to Janet, snooty banks treated her like a penniless pest and charged her extortionate fees . They decided my company credit card could have only a £1,000 limit (even though I was bringing a large business savings account) as if I was an ignorant student, and not someone who has made a living as a broadcaster and writer for over 40 years. Then, they had the cheek to announce the limit would be increased ‘as a gesture of goodwill' in the light of problems moving my accounts. This makes me even crosser. I don't need a favour, just what I am entitled to  — respect! Stuff a relationship, what about service? I went to two meetings of an hour and a half each, and now another manager wants to meet ‘to cement our relationship'. No chance. Banks should be there to serve us, not provide staff with chances to have a coffee and see the inside of our house or office. Banks need to start treating their clients a lot better to prevent the souring relationship between banker and customer . I am not very welcome as a customer because I don't need a mortgage, a loan and advice on investments. I am one of those irritating crumblies who manages to remain afloat all by myself — something banks aren't keen on when they can charge big fees if we exceed our overdraft. Which? magazine reports that only one in ten of us read the small print when switching banks, because the information they provide is so confusing. HSBC — and I can vouch for this — hits the jackpot with a 29,000-word document that takes around an hour and a half to read! I am not interested in internet banking, all I want is statements and cash out of a machine. I haven't even got the details of the ‘free' travel insurance they promised four weeks ago. Then they sent a form asking me to rate my ‘experience'. I put a great big cross right through it — are they paying me to do their research? It's not surprising that only 40 per cent of ‘extremely dissatisfied' customers (less than 4 per cent of all of us) can face the trauma of switching banks. Next year, things should improve following a report by the Independent Commission on Banking. Under the new rules, by September 2013, changing banks should take fewer than seven days. If we suffer any inconvenience, we should be able to claim compensation. Good luck! You'll still get a free credit-card wallet easier than a new business loan. Meanwhile, Douglas Flint, the Chairman of HSBC, says he'd like bankers to sign up to an oath, like doctors, and be monitored by an independent body enforcing a code of conduct. One of the proposed rules would require bankers ‘to act honestly and fairly at all times when dealing with clients'. I'd go further, how about remembering that old adage ‘the customer is always right'? Mr Flint is said to be looking for new non-executive directors for his board — I'm available and waiting for his call. Larry taught me how to steal the show . Dallas baddie: Larry as JR Ewing . Cheerio, Larry Hagman, you'll be missed. Larry was one of the most entertaining actors I ever encountered, far more eccentric than his on-screen persona as the ultimate baddie in Dallas. When we met at a dinner party in London in the early Eighties, he was smoking a large joint, and announced he spent every Sunday at his home in Malibu in silence, in order to preserve his sanity. Larry was fabulously indiscreet about his Dallas co-stars and revealed that when contract re-negotiations were in full swing, everyone tried to get in front of the cameras (even when they were not needed) as much as possible to build up their ratings. It got so bad that he and Bobby Ewing (played by Patrick Duffy) were patting each other on the back, shaking hands and sidling up to each other so frequently, they were told off! He taught me loads of valuable tricks about how to upstage rivals on a show, many of which I still employ today. What a fabulous man. So far, I'm dead disappointed . Detective Sarah Lund takes aim . The new series of The Killing is proving to be a struggle. Detective Sarah Lund (right) remains as compelling as ever, but this drama seems to be using too many of the same stock shots of the city at night we already saw in Danish political thriller Borgen. Who cares about dreary party leaders rushing up and down dim corridors in government offices, vying to form a coalition government? The leading lady looks as if she hasn't slept for weeks, and seems to have aged ten years since Series 2. The action takes place  in the dark, and the budget cuts the police are coping with seem to mean every office is lit with a single bulb. So far, I'll award The Killing just six out of ten. What makes celebrities happy? Jamie Lee Curtis on the red carpet . To raise money for a new museum of British illustration in London, artists were tasked with turning the lists of what makes celebrities happy into pictures to be auctioned at Sotheby's next month. Quentin Blake drew David Walliams swimming while his wife Lara Stone stands on the riverbank with a stopwatch, surrounded by spaghetti, pyjamas and their dog chewing on a shoe. Jamie Lee Curtis (right) picked clogs, cereal with milk, and a black T-shirt (by trendy Jil Sander, not just any old garment). Jeremy Paxman chose Evelyn Waugh's Decline And Fall and Bollito Misto (an Italian dish of boiled meats), which sounds rather pretentious. Other celebs included Ruby Wax, Brian Eno and Florence Welch. I wasn't honoured, but I doubt whether an illustration of my list would have fetched much. Black pudding for breakfast, a walk in the rain, cotton M&S knickers, and pink turnips from my veg plot. I'm too cheap and cheerful.
Janet Street-Porter bemoans customer service in banks who are now charging ludicrous service charges and restricting our choices .
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(CNN) -- Former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will reunite on stage next month to raise money to teach transcendental meditation to children around the world to "help provide them a quiet haven in a not-so-quiet world," McCartney said. Paul McCartney (above) and Ringo Starr are teaming up for a fund-raising concert. The star-studded list of performers who will join them include two musicians who were with the Beatles when they journeyed to India's Himalayan foothills in 1968 to learn transcendental meditation from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. "In moments of madness, it has helped me find moments of serenity," McCartney said in the concert announcement. Profits from the April 4 show at New York's Radio City Music Hall will fund the David Lynch Foundation's program, which has already taught 60,000 children around the world how to meditate, foundation spokesman Steve Yellin said. The goal of the project -- which is called "Change Begins Within" -- is to teach the meditation technique to a million at-risk children so they have "life-long tools to overcome stress and violence and promote peace and success in their lives," Yellin said. Schools across the United States have asked the group to bring the classes to their students, he said. "I would like to think that it would help provide them a quiet haven in a not-so-quiet world," McCartney said. Singer-songwriter Donovan and musician Paul Horn, who studied at the Maharishi's ashram with the four Beatles, will also perform in the show. "How great to be playing with Paul, Ringo, and Paul Horn again -- as we did in India in 1968," Donovan said. "It's a real reunion after 40 years of Donovan, Paul Horn, Ringo and Paul McCartney," Yellin said. "It's quite an interesting thing that they are still talking about transcendental meditation." Ringo left the ashram after just 10 days -- explaining the food was too spicy for his taste -- and McCartney stayed for six weeks, according to journalist Lewis Lapham in his book "With the Beatles." McCartney and John Lennon wrote many of the songs for the Beatles' White Album while there, but the group disbanded within two years. The list of performers also includes Sheryl Crow, Eddie Vedder, Ben Harper, Moby, Bettye LaVette and Jim James. Tickets go on sale Monday, March 9, through Ticketmaster.
Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr participating in fund-raising concert . Show to benefit David Lynch Foundation program teaching meditation to kids . Also on the bill: Donovan, Paul Horn, Sheryl Crow, Eddie Vedder .
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he hoped for better ties with the United States in a July Fourth message to his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama. The Independence Day wishes come at a time when relations between the two nations are at their lowest ebb since the Cold War, fueled by tensions over Russia's actions in Ukraine. According to the Kremlin website, Putin "expressed a hope for the successful development of the relationship between both countries, based on equal rights and utilitarianism, despite all the difficulties and disagreements they are facing at the moment." Putin also said that since the two nations are responsible for global security, they "should cooperate in the interests of not just their own people, but the entire world." He urged the building of a bilateral relationship based on "mutual respect" and understanding of each other's interests. Moscow has repeatedly complained that the West has not taken its legitimate interests in Ukraine into consideration or treated it as an equal partner. The White House gave a muted response to Putin's gesture. "We've seen the message but have no particular comment," said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden. The United States and European Union have imposed targeted economic sanctions on Russian individuals and companies in response to Moscow's actions in Ukraine. Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in March despite condemnation from the West. Its amassing of troops along the border with Ukraine has led to heightened tensions. The EU and the United States have repeatedly warned Moscow that more economic sanctions could be imposed if it doesn't act to defuse the crisis. In a bid to end the pro-Russia separatist unrest roiling the east of his country, Ukraine's new President Petro Poroshenko has proposed a peace plan that calls for the rebels to lay down their arms and engage in talks. He also urged the strengthening of Ukraine-Russia border controls, the freeing of hostages and changes to the Ukrainian Constitution to decentralize power. NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen urged Moscow last week "to create conditions for the implementation of the peace plan, to end its support for separatist troops, and to stop the flow of weapons and fighters across its border."
Russia's Vladimir Putin says he wants to see the "successful development" of the relationship . He says U.S.-Russia relations should be based on mutual respect and understanding . Ukraine crisis has heightened tensions between Russia and the United States .
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Nottingham Forest defender Danny Fox has released a picture on Instagram of his newly-dyed beard, which he hopes will raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis. The 28-year-old has made 12 league starts this campaign as his Forest side look to secure promotion to the Premier League. However, off the pitch, Fox has been an ambassador for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust since May 2012, and has taken the radical step of dying his facial hair orange to draw attention to the trust and the work they do. Danny Fox has dyed his beard the colour of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust logo to raise awareness . Fox's friend Paul Williams died of the disease at only 26 . Fox joins the Forest players on their visit to the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham . The players have brought some much-needed cheer to the children . The players posed for pictures and sat with the children at the centre . Fox and his team-mates brought presents to hand out while on their visit . Fox was joined by the likes of Andy Reid (fourth from left) at the centre . Speaking after joining the trust, Fox explained his personal reasons for undertaking such a role. 'My really good friend Paul Williams died from this horrible condition at just 26 years' old in November 2012, the same age as me,' Fox said. 'We were devastated. Adam Clayton famously died his beard in his club's colours . Tim Howard has been in the Premier League a number of years, but has recently neglected his shaver . USA soccer star Alexis Lalas is as famous for his facial hair as his playing . The much-travelled Abel Xavier had some interesting facial hair while in England . 'It is through Paul's grit and determination not to let cystic fibrosis define him that I realized I should do everything I can to change things. 'I want to help raise awareness and funds to stop cystic fibrosis from cutting people off in the prime of their lives.'
Fox is an ambassador for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust . He posted a picture of his dyed beard on Instagram . The Scotland defender lost his best friend Paul Williams to the disease . Forest will release details of a JustGiving page next week . Cystic fibrosis affects over 10,000 people in the UK .
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By . Helen Pow . PUBLISHED: . 21:16 EST, 3 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:08 EST, 4 July 2013 . The real Slim Shady has been located - at her sister's wedding in California. Rivaling America's favorite bridesmaid, Kristen Wig, maid of honor Jennifer Gabrielli bust out a seriously impressive rap after her sister, Nicole's, nuptials on Saturday to the tune of Eminem's 'Without Me.' The spectacular speech begins as any other, with Jennifer explaining to the crowd how she fits in to the bridal party. But then the Eminem beat drops, she dons a black hoodie over her pretty blue bridesmaid dress, and she's off. Scroll down for video . Toast: Jennifer Gabrielli, pictured, had her sister's wedding guests in stitches . Jokes: Jennifer jokes in the rap about how she and her big sister used to chill in their pajamas until Blake kept hanging around . 'Two lovers in love walk down the aisle, down the aisle, down the aisle,' she begins, before introducing the couple: 'Guess who's here to get wed, Nicole and Blake, so clap your hands.' As she launches into the chorus, the wedding guests, gathered at the La Costa Resort, go wild. 'This looks like it's meant to be so everybody just toast with me raise your glasses if you're thirsty because tonight we're here to par-party,' she raps. Amazing: The spectacular speech begins as any other, with Jennifer Gabrielli, pictured, explaining to the crowd how she fits in to the bridal party . Hoodie: When the Eminem beat drops, she dons a black hoodie over her pretty blue bridesmaid dress . Rap: 'Two lovers in love walk down the aisle, down the aisle, down the aisle,' she begins, before introducing the couple: 'Guess who's here to get wed, Nicole and Blake, so clap your hands' Jennifer jokes in the rap about how . she and her big sister used to chill in their pajamas until Blake kept . hanging around. She also jokes about how the couple didn't want her as . their third roomie. But she gave the groom her seal of approval. 'Blake, . he don't wanna get his but kicked. Toilet seat down and he does the . dishes,' she sang, before rapping a few verses about the couple's future . life together. Laughing: The bride and groom couldn't help but chuckle during the rap toast . Eminem: The impressive rap came after her sister, Nicole's, nuptials on Saturday and went to the tune of Eminem's 'Without Me' Mom: The girls' mom, Barb, pictured, is clearly enjoying the rendition . 'Guaranteed you'll grow that family tree, pretty cute babies we can all agree. You know Nicole wants 30 or more, too much to pay for so Blake said four. 'Just give me some neices and nephews, so Barb (the girls' mom) doesn't fall to pieces.' The crowd are clearly blown away by the epic maid of honor speech, and even Jennifer, not-so-humbly, praises the effort. 'And while I'm not the first to congratulate ya, I have the best toast since God the Father. I want you both to know I love ya and without warning I'll pop on over.' Babies: 'Guaranteed you'll grow that family tree, pretty cute babies we can all agree. You know Nicole wants 30 or more, too much to pay for so Blake said four,' she rapped . Raise your glass: The newlyweds and their guests raised their glasses as requested by the rapper . Hugs: The bride and groom embraced Jennifer after the speech .
Maid of honor Jennifer Gabrielli bust . out a seriously impressive rap after her sister's wedding on . Saturday to the tune of Eminem's 'Without Me' She dons a black hoodie over her pretty blue bridesmaid dress and makes the wedding guests at the La Costa Resort in California go wild in the tape .
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(CNN) -- Brazil has confirmed 557 deaths caused by H1N1 flu, the highest total in the world, the nation's Health Ministry says. A vaccine against H1N1 is being tested but is not expected to be available until at least mid-October. The United States has counted 522 fatalities through Thursday, and nearly 1,800 people had died worldwide through August 13, U.S. and global health officials said. In terms of mortality rate, which considers flu deaths in terms of a nation's population, Brazil ranks seventh, and the United States is 13th, the Brazilian Ministry of Health said in a news release Wednesday. Argentina, which has reported 386 deaths attributed to H1N1 as of August 13, ranks first per capita, the Brazilian health officials said, and Mexico, where the flu outbreak was discovered in April, ranks 14th per capita. Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico and the United States have the most total cases globally, according to the World Health Organization. The Brazilian Ministry of Health said there have been 6,100 cases of flu in the nation, with 5,206 cases (85.3 percent) confirmed as H1N1, also known as swine flu. The state of Sao Paulo had 223 deaths through Wednesday, the largest number in the country. In addition, 480 pregnant women have been confirmed with H1N1, of whom 58 died. Swine flu has been shown to hit young people and pregnant women particularly hard. Many schools in Sao Paulo have delayed the start of the second semester for a couple of weeks, and students will have to attend classes on weekends to catch up. Schools also have suspended extracurricular activities such as soccer, volleyball and chess to try to curtail spread of the disease. Flu traditionally has its peak during the winter months, and South America, where it is winter, has had a large number of cases recently. The World Health Organization said this week that the United States and other heavily populated Northern Hemisphere countries need to brace for a second wave of H1N1 as their winter approaches. Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other U.S. health agencies have been preparing and said this week that up to half of the nation's population may contract the disease and 90,000 could die from it. Seasonal flu typically kills about 64,000 Americans each year. A vaccine against H1N1 is being tested but is not expected to be available until at least mid-October and will probably require two shots at least one week apart, health officials have said. Since it typically takes a couple of weeks for a person's immunity to build up after the vaccine, most Americans would not be protected until sometime in November. The World Health Organization in June declared a Level 6 worldwide pandemic, the organization's highest classification.
Nearly 1,800 people died worldwide of H1N1 through August 13 . Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico and U.S. have most total cases globally . U.S. health officials said that up to 90,000 could die from new strain . Seasonal flu typically kills about 64,000 Americans each year .
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By . James Nye . PUBLISHED: . 12:55 EST, 9 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:26 EST, 10 April 2013 . Three students bravely subdued a classmate who went on a stabbing frenzy at a Houston community college today - and then promptly posted pictured of their heroism online. The knife-man now charged with three counts of assault with a deadly weapon is Dylan Quick, 20, a fellow student suspected of knifing 14 people this morning at Lone Star College's Cypress campus. Steven Maida, Erik Bertrand, Ryan Ballard and another student named James managed to wrestle the armed man to the floor and waited for law enforcement to arrive, KHOU.com reported. And in a very modern take on heroism, Maida posted a picture of the suspect onto his Instagram account, explaining how he ran to intercept him as the stabbings began and then an hour later posted a congratulatory self-portrait of himself inside a police car after his bold act. Scroll Down for Video . Stabbing suspect: This photograph, posted onto Instagram, is allegedly Dylan Quick, the assailant who rampaged around Lone Star community college this afternoon. Hero: Steven Maida is believed to have wrestled with the armed assailant who attacked a Houston community college this afternoon . Apprehended: The suspect in the Lone Star College stabbings is led away by law enforcement officials this afternoon - after he was allegedly stopped by three heroic students . Deaf: The suspect - with his hearing aid visible is shepherded by law enforcement officials . Confirming through Twitter that he . and two other men wrestled the suspect to the floor, Maida, has been . inundated with messages of support on social media. This map shows where Lone Star College Cy-Fair Campus is near to Houston, in Cypress, Texas, where a multiple stabbings incident took place today . 'I was walking back from the cafe and bookstore and I see people running different ways and I thought it was a tour.' 'Then I hear someone say my friend has been stabbed and then this girl walks out with a hole in her cheek. 'I said where's he at? Where's he at?' 'So I go inside, upstairs and as I do, another girl has a hole in her throat and I looked up at the staircase and there is blood on the staircase. Rushing around the science block looking for the assailant, Maida and the others had the unidentified man pointed out to them by other frightened students. 'We ran outside but he was 100 feet in front of the security guards, but they were taking their time,' said Maida. 'He takes us through the building and almost loses us, but one girl said he went that way - we saw him, we chased him and we tackled him down.' Explaining that the assailant held a knife, Maida told Fox News the weapon was out of sight. While one student grabbed his back-pack Maida and James pulled him down by his arms, which caused him to scream out 'I give up, I give up'. 'His hands were in the air and he said ‘I give up.’ … I was screaming at this guy, I was just like, ‘Why!? Why would you do this to girls!?’ Maida said he wasn’t scared during the extraordinary attack. 'I don’t know why I wasn’t. I guess you grow up in Houston, you’re not scared of that kinda stuff.' Ballard told the Houston Chronicle about how the group stopped the attacker. 'I'm a pretty big dude,' 6 feet 4 Ballard who weighs about 235 pounds told the newspaper. 'I pushed him down with my elbow and I had my knee on his back while he (student) was holding his face in the ground.' 'If we wouldn't have stopped him, who knows what he would have done?' Police yesterday thanked the students for intervening. 'Some of the details in the call slip . did indicate that students or faculty were actively responding to work . to subdue this individual,' said Harris County Sheriff Adrian . Garcia. 'So we're proud of those folks, but we're glad no one else is injured any more severely than they are. Sheriff's . deputies responded to 911 calls at just after 11 a.m. (12 a.m. ET) saying there was a suspect attacking people with a blade at the Lone . Star college campus which is in the northwest of Houston. 12 people were . rushed to hospital, including four people who were airlifted by . helicopter - two of whom are still in a critical condition. Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia speaks during a press conference where he confirmed that students had indeed helped to subdue the knifeman today at Lone Star College . Students who heard the attack described the sound as like a rock concert and heard people scream out in pain. According to one report from KHOU.Com, one of the stabbed students was 'bleeding profusely.' Confirming . the randomness of the attack, one member of the Harris sheriff's . department said that the assailant had no clear motive at this time. 'The . attack was at random,' said Harris County deputy Thomas Gilliland. 'It . was the same suspect going from building to building.' In this photo provided by Teaundrae Perryman, a victim is loaded into an ambulance after being wounded in a stabbing attack on the Lone Star community college system's Cypress, Texas campus on Tuesday . An air-ambulance takes an injured student from Lone Star College to hospital in Houston today after a 21-year-old student went on a stabbing frenzy this afternoon . A victim of the multiple stabbings is wheeled into an ambulance outside the Lone Star community college today . Watch Video Here: . One of up to 15 victims of the stabbing today just outside Houston is loaded onto the ambulance after he suffered knife wounds today . Emergency workers rush to move an injured woman from science block of the Lone Star community college today . Student Maya Khalil, 19, . was in class in the campus' health sciences building when the incident . happened, she said. She managed to take photos of the chaotic scene as . it unfolded. 'It was really scary,' said Khalil. One student who was trying to exit the campus said one of her classmates was stabbed. 'I . had just left class out of the HSC [Health Science Center] building, . and as we were leaving we saw the cops coming. I called to check on . another classmate who was still inside the building and she said the . classroom was on lock-down and she said one of the classmates had been . stabbed,' said Margo Shimfarr-Evans. 'It happened in the hallway, we . have a lab and lecture, and down the hallway it's all lab classes and a . classmate in the lab class got stabbed.' Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center said it had two patients in critical condition and six in all, including four flown there by helicopter. A spokeswoman for another hospital, North Cypress Medical Center, said it had taken six stabbing victims who were in stable condition. Two other victims were treated at the scene and declined to be taken to the hospital, the sheriff said. WATCH VIDEO HERE: . This frame grab provided by KTRK shows the scene above the Cy-Fair campus of Lone Star Community College in Cypress, Texas, today after the mass stabbing . Students wait to leave Lone Star College's Cy-Fair campus in Cypress, Texas, where a student went on a building-to-building stabbing attack today . Students run from the Lone Star College's Cy-Fair campus in Cypress, Texas, after a student went on a building-to-building stabbing attack that wounded at least 14 people . Lone Star College student Michelle Alvarez, (second from right), is examined by her aunt Elena Tokarew, (right), after the stabbings at Lone Star College's Cypress-Fairbanks campus today . Nursing student Jessica Moffett, who rendered aid to injured students, talks on the phone today in the aftermath of the mass stabbings at a Houston community college . A victim is transferred by air to hospital in Houston following the mass stabbing at the Lone Star community college . The attack began at about 11.15 a.m. at the rear of the Health Sciences Building on the Cy-Fair campus on Barker Cypress Road. The school went on lock-down after initial reports there was a second assailant - . but Harris County Sheriff's spokesman Alan Bernstein said he was sure that one one suspect acted alone. 'The initial reports said we have two suspects, but what I believe now . is it was the same person running from building to building,' a police . spokesman said at a press conference. At around 2 p.m., Marianna Sviland, a teacher at the community college said that students and staff were being allowed back into the school. The school then closed for the day and will reopen on Wednesday. Lone . Star posted an alert on its website just before 12 p.m. warning . students of two armed suspects and saying one person remains at large. The alert warned people to seek shelter in a secure location. Harris County Sheriffs Officers prepare to enter the Health Science Center in the Cy-Fair campus of Lone Star College where at least 14 people were wounded in a stabbing today . Cassie Foe hugs classmate Christian Wilson after leaving from the Cy-Fair campus of Lone Star Community College in Cypress, Texas, where she witnessed a male friend getting stabbed on Tuesday . A Twitter picture of a victim of the Houston community college stabbing is tended to by her friends . Life Flight personnel rush a victim wounded in a stabbing attack on the Lone Star community college system's Cypress, Texas campus into Memorial Hermann Hospital this afternoon . Student Teaundrae Perryman said he was in class when he received a . text message from a friend and went outside to see a young woman being . loaded into an ambulance with what appeared to be stab wounds to either . her neck or head. 'I was concerned but I wasn't afraid . because I was with a large group of people,' the 21-year-old said, later . adding, . 'The police got to the scene very quickly.' Courtland Sedlachek, 18, was in . class when his phone started buzzing along with the phones of everyone . else in class. The room was temporarily locked down, but students were . let out and off campus a short time later, in what Sedlachek described . as an orderly evacuation. He described his reaction as a 'little bit of nervousness.' The school has approximately 90,000 students spread over more than a dozen campuses. A . different Lone Star system campus was the site of a January shooting. Two people were wounded, and a 22-year-old man was charged with . aggravated assault. Students evacuate from the Lone Star community college outside Houston in the aftermath of the mass stabbing that occurred this afternoon . At least 12 people were rushed to area hospitals after an attack on the campus of Lone Star College Cy-Fair, according to the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department .
Dylan Quick, 20, has been charged following the random stabbings across the Lone Star community college campus . The three students who heroically wrestled the suspect to the ground speak out about the incident . Up to 14 people were injured - with four victims transferred by air ambulance to hospital in Houston . Two victims are still in a critical condition . Students who heard the attack described the sound 'like a rock concert' and heard people scream out in pain . The suspect said 'I give up, I give up' and later gives officers a statement saying he planned the attacks and had fantasized about 'stabbing people to death'
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By . Daniel Miller . PUBLISHED: . 20:02 EST, 2 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 04:00 EST, 3 September 2012 . One of the most respected figures in the Catholic Church has launched a scathing attack on his fellow clergymen in a last ever interview published the day after his death. The former archbishop of Milan and papal candidate Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, who died on Friday aged 85, said the Catholic Church was '200 years out of date'. Martini, once favored by Vatican progressives to succeed Pope John Paul II and a prominent voice in the church, gave a scathing portrayal of a pompous and bureaucratic church failing to move with the times. Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini lies in state at Milan cathedral. In his final interview before his death he criticised the Catholic Church for being 'pompous' and '200 years out of date' Attack: Italian Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, right, pictured with Pope Benedict . XVI in 2005, launched a scathing critique of the church in his final . interview before his death on Friday . 'Our culture has aged, our churches are . big and empty and the church bureaucracy rises up, our rituals and our . cassocks are pompous,' Martini said in the interview published in . Italian daily Corriere della Sera. 'The Church must admit its mistakes and begin a radical change, starting from the pope and the bishops. The pedophilia scandals oblige us to take a journey of transformation,' he said in the interview. In the last decade the Church has been accused of failing to fully address a series of child abuse scandals which have undermined its status as a moral arbiter, though it has paid many millions in compensation settlements worldwide. Martini, famous for comments that the use of condoms could be acceptable in some cases, told interviewers the Church should open up to new kinds of families or risk losing its flock. Much-loved: Thousands queue outside Milan Cathedral yesterday to pay their respects Cardinal Martini, who died aged 85 . The current Archbishop of Milan Dionigi blesses the coffin of Cardinal . Martini yesterday. In his last ever interview Martini said the Church must undergo a period of . 'radical change' or risk losing its flock . 'A woman is abandoned by her husband . and finds a new companion to look after her and her children. A second . love succeeds. If this family is discriminated against, not just the . mother will be cut off but also her children.' In this way 'the Church loses the future generation', Martini said in the interview, made a fortnight before he died. The Vatican opposes divorce and forbids contraception in favor of fidelity within marriage and abstinence without. A . liberal voice in the church, Martini's chances of becoming pope were . damaged when he revealed he was suffering from a rare form of . Parkinson's disease and he retired in 2002. In a letter marking Martini's death, . Pope Benedict remembered him as a 'skilful teacher and preeminent . biblical scholar,' and recalled his dedication to Christian works. The coffin of Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini is carried to Milan's . cathedral on September 1, 2012. Martini had been suffering from . Parkinson's disease for years and his condition had degenerated last week . Sombre: The casket containing Italian cardinal Carlo Maria Martini rests inside Milan's Duomo yesterday . Martini . retired because of his age in 2002 after 22 years as head of the . diocese, revealing at the same time that he was suffering from a form of . Parkinson's disease, which hurt his chances of becoming pope three . years later. Pope John Paul II was instead succeeded . in 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI, a hero of Catholic conservatives who is . known by such critical epithets as 'God's rottweiler' because of his . stern stand on theological issues. Martini's final message to Pope Benedict was to begin a shake up of the Catholic church without delay. 'The church is 200 years out of date. Why don't we rouse ourselves? Are we afraid?' Outspoken: Cardinal Martini's liberal opinions sometimes raised the hackles of Church conservatives . A . Jesuit intellectual, Martini was reported to speak 11 languages. But . his liberal opinions sometimes raised the hackles of Church . conservatives. He once told . an interviewer that even issues as controversial as birth control and . women priests could be seen in a different light in the future. 'Certainly . the use of condoms in particular situations can constitute a lesser . evil,' Martini said in an interview with the Italian magazine l'Espresso . in 2006. 'There is the . particular situation of married couples in which one of the spouses is . affected by AIDS. This person has an obligation to protect the other . partner and the other partner also has to protect him or herself.' The Catholic Church, which runs many . hospitals and institutions to help AIDS victims, opposes the use of . condoms and teaches that fidelity within heterosexual marriage, chastity . and abstinence are the best way to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. It says promoting condoms to fight . the spread of AIDS fosters what it sees as immoral and hedonistic . lifestyles and behaviour that will only contribute to its spread. Martini remained a prominent voice in . the Church, and in May spoke out about the leaks scandal that led to . the arrest of Pope Benedict's butler. Martini appealed to Church leaders to 'urgently win back the trust of the faithful' after the scandal. After he retired from the Milan post, he spent about six years in Jerusalem, returning to his first love - Biblical studies. After he lost the ability to swallow . around two weeks ago, Martini refused to be fed artificially, his . neurologist Gianni Pezzoli said. 'We saw the inexorable consequences of . his affliction, which progressively robbed him of speech, reducing it . to a whisper that was barely audible, and of his movement,' said an . article published on the Milan diocese's website.
Former archbishop of Milan and papal candidate Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini died on Friday aged 85 . He said the Church had failed to 'move with the times' as was '200 years out of date' Told interviewers the . Church should open up to new kinds of families or risk losing its flock .
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On trial: Jessica Cruz, pictured upon her arrest aged 19, is charged with murdering her newborn son . A woman accused of murdering her newborn son has admitted to wrapping the baby in a plastic bag and dumping him in a trash can. Jessica Cruz, of Streamwood, Illinois, is pleading not guilty to the murder of her baby boy in a Salvation Army store in 2011. Cruz, who was 19 at the time, told police she panicked after giving birth in the shop's bathroom because her mother, from whom she had been hiding her pregnancy, was waiting outside. Employees at the Salvation Army store in Streamwood found the 6lbs 11oz baby dead in the trash, wrapped in a plastic bag. A videotape where Cruz admits killing the baby was played to the jury in Cook County's Rolling Meadows branch court on Wednesday. During the hour-long interview filmed shortly after her 2011 arrest, Cruz repeatedly mentions the fear of her mother finding out about the pregnancy. When a policeman asks Cruz if the baby was still alive when it was born, she replies 'I think so'. When asked if she took the boy's life, she replies, 'Yes, but I don't remember tying him up like that.' Assistant Public Defender Dan Naranjo told the court earlier that the baby because it was stillborn, the Chicago Tribune reported. Cruz walked into the Salvation Army store around 10am on November 4, 2011, and asked to use the bathroom. Witnesses said they saw Cruz leaving the bathroom covered in blood about an hour after she walked in. The cause of death of the baby boy was ruled as homicide by strangulation. It is believed the boy suffered a neck haemorrhage. Cruz told police she had not told anyone she was pregnant except for the boy's father, even though she lived with her mother through the pregnancy. Killing: Cruz gave birth in the bathroom of this Salvation Army store in Streamwood, Illinois, and panicked because her mother, from whom she had been hiding her pregnancy, was waiting outside . Search: Police released this photo sketch to try to find Cruz after employees at the Salvation Army store in Streamwood found the 6lbs 11oz baby dead in the trash, wrapped in a plastic bag . 'I didn't want to tell (my mother about the pregnancy) because she had told me I had done a lot of bad things to her,' Cruz said in the videotape, according to the Chicago Tribune. 'I don't want to give her any more grief. She's given me everything.' Cruz, who has been held without bond since her arrest on November 8, 2011, is charged with murder and concealment of a homicide. If found guilty, the 22-year-old, who has a young daughter from before her arrest, could face life in prison.
Jessica Cruz, then 19, gave birth to a boy in a charity shop toilet in 2011 . Allegedly strangled baby and then dumped his body in a trash can . Shop staff found the baby dead in the trash, wrapped in a plastic bag . Cruz has pleaded not guilty to murder .
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Tout: John Smith, chief among the touts, is pictured at Southfields tube station in London, where he asks passing fans if they want to buy tickets . They are the most sought after Centre Court seats, reserved for royalty and dedicated – and very well-heeled – Wimbledon fans. But exclusive ‘debenture’ tickets for the Championships are being sold on for massive mark-ups by touts. Over the past two weeks, street dealers are thought to have made hundreds of thousands of pounds selling debenture tickets for cash in hand. Yesterday, fans accused the All . England Club of allowing the abuse. They are  furious at traders . flooding the exclusive stands with the ‘wrong sort of people’. Some . 2,500 Centre Court and 1,000 No1 Court debenture tickets are sold at a . premium by the All England Club to raise money for refurbishments. Owners get tickets each day for five years. There . is huge demand for the seats, which cost £27,750 for the five years . until 2015. While other Wimbledon spectators are banned from selling . their tickets, debenture holders may do so – usually to companies . offering corporate hospitality or via stockbrokers. But . this privilege is being abused by businessmen who buy the debenture, . then employ touts to sell tickets for a massive mark-up. With . such tickets going for £1,000 to £3,200 a day – and for up to £25,000 . for a pair for the men’s final – over five years they are likely to make . huge gains. This week, the . Mail saw touts exchange wads of cash with punters yards from the courts. Re-selling is not illegal, so all police can do is issue dispersal . notices, forcing touts to leave for just 24 hours. John Smith, chief among the touts, arrives at Southfields station each day to ask passing fans if they want tickets. He agrees fees outside before . exchanging money behind closed doors. Some touts work out of cars, while . others use a Coral betting shop. If police vans arrive, Smith darts . into a taxi. Celebration: Mr Smith agrees fees outside before exchanging money behind closed doors. At about 4pm on Tuesday, he celebrated with three bottles of white wine (pictured) on the terrace of the Norbiton Cafe . At about 4pm on Tuesday, he . celebrated with three bottles of white wine on the terrace of the . Norbiton Cafe in Kingston upon Thames. His friends drank, smoked and . sang as he did more deals on the phone. As . Andy Murray was losing to Grigor Dimitrov at about 2.30pm on Wednesday, . Smith sold a Centre Court ticket for £500 for just one afternoon. He said: ‘They cost £50,000 to buy for five years, don’t they? They’re on the stock exchange. There’s no problem at all. ‘Yesterday we got a couple of phone calls from hotels, they were for £900 each.’ Secretive: An unknown ticket tout sells tickets to a woman in the back of her Mercedes near to Wimbledon . Closing the deal, he added: ‘You get access to the debenture lounge. Enjoy!’ Smith said he had semi-final tickets for £2,300 and men’s final tickets for £3,200 each. On ticket site Viagogo, a pair of these tickets was listed at £25,000. Genuine debenture holders said touting was bringing down standards. The strict dress code rules have been relaxed this year, allowing fans to wear trainers, jeans and shorts. One ticket holder said: ‘These seats are meant to be for real tennis fans, who are willing to pay a lot of money to guarantee they can get a seat. Sought-after 'debenture' tickets for Wimbledon's Centre Court costing £27,750 - which . allow ticket-holders to attend every day for five years - are being sold . by touts for up to £3,200 per day . 'Nothing is being done to stop people buying them to sell them to anyone. Just look around at who has got in here today.’ Another added: ‘We pay a  lot of money for our tickets. It’s a shame to turn up and see people in jeans and t-shirts.’  Tennis tournaments are excluded from legislation that bans touts at football games. But touting is still against street trading laws. A Met Police spokesman said it had set up a dispersal zone to help move on anti-social touts. The All England Club declined to comment.
£27,750 'debenture' tickets allow daily access to Wimbledon for five years . Spectators banned from re-selling tickets but debenture holders are allowed . Privilege abused by those who employ touts to sell tickets at huge mark-up . All England Club criticsed for allowing practice - tickets sold for up to £3,200 .
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She gave a series of emotional interviews on the murder of her 'partner' Charb - the editor of Charlie Hebdo - and talked of her pride at him 'dying on his feet'. But in a bizarre twist, Stephane Charbonnier's family have 'formally denied' the relationship between him and former Secretary of State, Jeannette Bougrab. Miss Bougrab, the mother of an adopted three-year-old daughter May, claimed they had lived together for three years. In an emotional interview, the 41-year-old said she had begged him to leave France and that she: 'always knew he was going to die like Theo Van Gogh (the Dutch cartoonist murdered in 2004).' The editor of Charlie Hebdo, Stephane Charbonnier, also known as 'Charb' pictured with Jeannette Bougrab and her three-year-old daughter . Miss Bougrab (centre) claimed she was the partner of deceased Charlie Hebdo editor, Charb, and said they had lived together for three years . The renowned editor's family have tonight demanded that she no longer speaks about the man who fronted Charlie Hebbdo, in any way to the media. His brother, Laurent Charbonnier, speaking as well on behalf of his father and mother, said: 'We formally deny any rational commitment from Charb with Jeannette Bougrab. 'We do not want her to express herself in the manner in which she has done. 'We ask for respect for our family's mourning.' He added that the statement was a 'one off' and there would be no further. But a pictured has emerged of the 'couple' with Miss Bougrab's three-year-old daughter, May. In response to the family's statement, Miss Bougrab said her daughter called Charb 'dad'. Stephane Charbonnier - 'Charb' (pictured), the editor of Charlie Hebdo, was among six of the magazine's journalists to be killed in the attack . Miss Bougrab, pictured crying outside the Charlie Hebdo offices on the day of the massacre, has said she loved Charb 'because of the way he was - because he was brave' The former Secretary of State was pictured weeping for her lost love outside Paris City hall . An emotional Jeannette Bougrab rushed to the scene of the shooting (pictured) when her boyfriend, Stephane Charbonnier, did not reply to her texts . 'Human nature is ugly. We loved each other because we were both independent personalities,' she said. ‘We didn’t do a press release to announce our relationship but we weren’t hiding it.’ Charbonnier was among four cartoonists killed in the Paris massacre which left 12 people dead. He had received death threats in the past and had been under police protection. Reports say he was in an editorial meeting when gunmen Said and Cherif Kouachi burst in and opened fire with Kalashnikov assault rifles shouting 'Allahu akbar!' (God is great). The lawyer and former French Secretary for Youth and Community Life described to French TV station BMFTV how she got the news he was killed. 'I was at a state meeting and I learned there had been a shooting,' she said. 'Then I sent him a text, a second text, third text, and then I phoned him and he wasn't answering and he never did that. 'When I got there, there were the cordons and we weren't allowed to get in and I learned there that he was dead.' Anger: Miss Bougrab slammed the 'inadequate' security around the Charlie Hebdo offices, saying: 'We could have avoided this massacre' Lost: Jeannette Bougrab (right) had lived with Charb (left) and her adopted daughter May for three years . Six of the Charlie Hebdo journalists and staff members killed in Wednesday's attack are pictured together in this photo, taken in 2000. Circled top from left is Philippe Honore, Georges Wolinski, Bernard Maris and Jean Cabut. Below them on the stairs, from left, is editor Stephane Charbonnier and Bernard 'Tignous' Verlhac . The daughter of Algerian immigrants, Jeannette Bougrab (pictured) was a fierce critic of religion - particularly Islam . Proudly, Miss Bougrab added: 'He died standing. 'He defended secularism. He defended the spirit of Voltaire. He, in fact, was really the fruit of this ideal of the Republic that we've almost forgotten. 'He died, executed with his comrades, as he would say.' Bougrab, a member of the French National Council of State who served under Nicolas Sarkozy's administration has been described as a 'hard secularist'. The daughter of Algerian immigrants she is known as a fierce critic of religion, particularly of Islam. Hitting out at the inadequate security given to the satirical magazine and its staff, she later told TF1: 'I haven't lost Charlie Hebdo. I've lost a loved one. 'I am here, not as a former government minister, but as a woman who has lost her man, who has been murdered by barbarians. 'I admired him before I fell in love with him and I loved him because of the way he was, because he was brave. He thought that life was a small thing when he was defending his ideals. 'Do you know people capable of dying for their ideas today? No. Because they've just died, they've just been murdered. 'That's the reality, we could have avoided this massacre. We could have avoided it and we didn't.' Asked if she had been comforted by the world's adoption of the 'Je Suis Charlie' symbol and that it could be seen as a sign of victory, of hope, Bougrab said passionately: 'Absolutely not, because he's dead. It's absolutely not a victory. 'It's a defeat. It's a tragedy for our country and I refused to rejoice in the idea that people are demonstrating in the streets because they have torn away the precious being who accompanied me in life.' Unmoved: Miss Bougrab took no comfort in the global show of solidarity with the deceased Charlie Hebdo journalists, saying the 'Je Suis Charlie' - I am Charlie - symbol is not a sign of victory . Harsh truth: Jeannette Bougrab said of the 'Je Suis Charlie' movement: 'I refused to rejoice in the idea that people are demonstrating in the streets because they have torn away the precious being who accompanied me in life' Armed response: Police train their weapons on a building where the the two Charlie Hebdo gunmen are holed up with a hostage as they sit in a helicopter over the village of Dammartin-en-Goele . On the run: French special forces (pictured) rush to the scene of a hostage-taking at an industrial estate in Dammartin-en-Goele, where the two Charlie Hebdo gunmen were holed up in a printing business . She admitted herself that she and Charb were an unlikely pairing although she'd been fascinated by him before they met. He was a communist, she a member of UMP, the centre right party. 'I have lost my love, lost a part of me. I was with a hero I admired. We tried to live normally but it was complicated.' Now she would like to see all the murdered cartoonists buried in the Parthenon where Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau lie. 'They died defending freedom of expression, secularism. They died so we can stay free in this country in France in 2015.' Miss Bougrab is one of many people trying to cope with the sudden and shocking loss of their relatives. The wife of Charlie Hebdo cartoonist, Georges Wolinski - who was among 12 people killed in the massacre in Paris - described the horror of learning about her husband's death through the news. Maryse Wolinski told RTL: 'Nobody official told me - I was quite shocked by that. Talking about my husband in the aftermath of this horrific shooting is not very easy. 'I think he died with his comrades, with his brothers, such as Cabut - in the service of his beloved freedom, for which he has always fought.' Regarding the controversial nature of their illustrations and the danger it brought, the children's author said: 'My husband was not aware of such things, he was going forward, he fought with his drawings with pencils, leaning on her drawing board.' Maryse and Georges' daughter, Esla, posted a picture of her father's office on Instagram with the caption: 'Dad is gone, Wolinski is not.'
Jeannette Bougrab, 41, claimed she was 'partner' of Charlie Hebdo editor . But family of Stephane Charbonnier 'Charb' have formally denied this . They have asked that she does not speak about respected editor again . Former politician Bougrab talked of her pride at him 'dying on his feet' Picture has emerged of Bougrab with her 10-year-old daughter and Charb . Charb was one of 12 people murdered by Said and Cherif Kouachi .
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Tony Smith CBE, who retired from the UKBA last month, says authorities have no clear idea about immigrants in this country . The newly-retired boss of Britain's Border Agency has admitted that immigration to this country was out of control under Labour and  politicians have no idea 'who is here and who isn't'. Tony Smith, who retired from the UK Border Force last month, blamed the problem on a surge of illegal immigrants who came to the country between 2000-2003. He said: 'There was a huge influx and frankly I don't think we have ever recovered from that'. Speaking as ministers . attempted to tackle a backlog of 750,000 cases, Mr Smith . said the problem began over a decade ago when immigrants flooded in. He said that after they arrived, many then changed their names and were now undetectable by authorities. In a forthright newspaper interview today, Mr . Smith, who was awarded the CBE this year for the work he did on security at last summer's Olympics, said it was difficult for border officials to cope with such a . huge influx of people, adding: 'There's little you can do other than . take their details and pass them on.' His candid comments come days after . Home Secretary Theresa May killed off the Border Agency after five years . of catastrophic failure. The . agency behind a string of immigration scandals was cut in two and . brought under Home Office control as Mrs May condemned the agency, set . up under Labour, as suffering from a 'closed, secretive and defensive . culture'. Former UKBA chief Tony Smith said immigration was out of control under Labour between 2000-2003 . The Home Secretary said the enormous backlog of 320,000 cases would take 24 years to clear. In today's interview with The Sun, Mr Smith said the immigration problems could have been avoided with the introduction of ID cards and passport finger-printing. He . said Mrs May's changes, which involve the Border Agency being split . into two organisations, one to deal with visas and the other to track . down illegal immigrants, would help combat the problem. The . UK Border Agency was created in 2008 to replace the Immigration and . Nationality Directorate in the Home Office, a department which was . already in chaos, with asylum claims piling up, and staff badly . demoralised. Former head of the UKBA Brodie Clark, left, was removed by Home Secretary Theresa May, right, last year . At one point 100,000 letters were found to be unopened and some 14,000 applicants had already been refused the right to stay but were still pleading with the UKBA to reconsider. In 2011 Mrs May removed Brodie Clark, the Agency's head, after discovering that Britain's passport checks had been removed without sanction. And she finally killed the Agency off last month . after five years of failure under Lin Homer, the mandarin who led the . UKBA from its inception. Despite . the crisis after crisis that typified the UKBA under her control, Ms . Homer has now gone to a £180,000-a-year role with HM Revenue and . Customs. In an unprecedented speech in the . House of Commons last month, Mrs May laid the blame for the agency’s . failings firmly at Labour’s door, saying it was unable to cope with . the number of migrants admitted by the last Government. She indicated she would pass new laws to remove illegal immigrants and foreign criminals from Britain. Mrs May told MPs: 'UKBA was given Agency status to keep its work at an arm’s length from ministers. That . was wrong. It created a closed, secretive and defensive culture.’ On April 1, the UKBA was divided into . two sections, one to deal with immigration visas and one to deal with . immigration law enforcement. Tip of the iceberg: Illegal immigrants sleeping rough in a camp under the M4 near Heathrow . Mrs May said the latter department . would have 'law enforcement at its heart and get tough on those who . break our immigration laws'. She said she was returning . responsibility for controlling immigration to the heart of the Home . Office after a backlog of 300,000 immigration cases built up which would . take 24 years to work through. Her no-nonsense moves came after a scathing report by the Home Affairs Select Committee which revealed ministers had not been given correct information about the scale of the problem for years and accused the Agency of incompetence and foot-dragging. Last year it emerged that tens of thousands of illegal immigrants and failed asylum seekers were allowed to stay here without proper checks after their cases were put into storage and little or no effort made to trace the individuals concerned. A Government inspector discovered that some 124,000 cases were put on one side, of whom it later emerged that 37,500 people could have been easily located and potentially expelled from the country. The now-defunct UK Border Agency was typified for a stream of crises in which thousands of illegal immigrants and failed asylum seekers were allowed to remain here . A further 10,000 cases classified as having ‘legal barriers to removal’ had, in fact, just never been opened. Officials also repeatedly misled Parliament over what was happening, according to John Vine, the chief inspector of Borders and Immigration. Other scandals at the Agency included half a million people travelling by Eurostar let in without being checked against a list of murderers and terrorists, expensive biometric passport machinery turned off on 15,000 occasions, and students waved through without their visas being examined. Tony Smith was appointed Director General of the UK Border Force in September 2012 after ensuring the Olympics passed by trouble-free. He had already had a career at the Home Office spanning several decades, having served as head of ports and borders in both Canada (2000-03) and the UK (2005-07). In 2007 he became the first regional director for the UKBA in London and the South East, and in 2010 he was appointed the first full-time Senior Responsible Owner for the UKBA Olympic Programme. Last year Mr Smith became the joint UKBA/Border Force Gold Commander for the London Olympics.  After his retirement last month, he became a consultant on global border security issues.
Ex-UKBA head Tony Smith blames massive influx under Labour in 2000-2003 . He says UK has 'never recovered' from chaos when 100,000 came each year . Smith says scrapping the shambolic Border Agency and splitting it into two will help tackle the issue .
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Washington (CNN) -- Dressed in yellow full-body sanitation suits, members of the U.S. Park Police combed through tents in the Occupy DC camp Saturday, taking down ones violating park policies. The owners of the tossed tents and other protesters were agitated by the move, but there was little unrest at McPherson Square in downtown Washington. Park police in riot gear first entered at dawn Saturday, and said they were not there to evict protesters, but to check for compliance with "no camping" laws. Still, at one point, there was a confrontation between protesters and riot police. The move comes after a federal judge Tuesday rejected an Occupy DC demonstrator's request to keep park police from enforcing a ban on camping in McPherson park and nearby Freedom Plaza. Living in a public park as a means of protest is not protected by the First Amendment, Judge James Boasberg ruled. The operation was a success and a majority of those in the park cooperated with police, park police spokesman David Schlosser said. Eight people were arrested in the confrontation with police, he said. Four for failure to obey a lawful order, and three for crossing a police line. Another person was arrested for felony assault on an officer and assault with a deadly weapon after Schlosser said the man threw a brick at one of the officers. The officer was treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, Schlosser said. "The United States Park Police continue to support the right of people to exercise their constitutionally protected rights," he said. Protesters heckled him as he briefed reporters early Saturday. As he spoke, the officer was interrupted by someone who made a rooster sound, and others made ghost-like noises in the background. "In some of the tents we found urine-soaked bedding materials, bottles of urine," noted Schlosser. "In some of the tents we found some dead rats. We also found some live rats, with some rat families." Authorities told protesters Monday that they had to remove camping gear such as sleeping bags and housekeeping materials, but could keep their tents as long as one flap remains open at all times. On Saturday, police began removing the tents from the park that had camping gear inside. Protesters complained and accused the officers of taking down tents that were not in violation. At the outset of their search, police found only one compliant tent, and took down there rest. Once the inspection is complete, the park will be reopened to the public, Schlosser said. Occupy DC is part of a larger activist movement that began last year in New York and quickly spread across the country. While the protesters have highlighted a number of causes, the overarching theme has remained largely the same: populist anger over what activists portray as an out-of-touch corporate, financial and political elite. CNN's Jonathan Helman, Greg Clary and Courtney Battle contributed to this report.
NEW: Eight people have been arrested, including one for felony assault . An Occupy DC demonstrator failed this week in a court bid to overturn the ban . Occupy DC is part of a larger activist movement that began last year in New York .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 04:20 EST, 12 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 09:05 EST, 12 October 2012 . A mother has been accused of scorching her six-year-old son's hands on a stove and pouring salt on the burns as punishment for touching an iPad. Karina Torrescano Hernandez, 27, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault of a child after the boy's wounds were spotted by a school counsellor. Doctors found four separate burn marks which 'indicated multiple contacts, not one' and scars on his head, neck, shoulder and buttocks, according to a statement from the hospital. Accused: Karina Torrescano Hernandez (pictured) allegedly burned her young son's hands on a stove as a punishment for touching an iPad . 'Teaching him a lesson': The boy told investigators his mother pushed his hands onto a hot spiral stove like this one then poured salt over the burns . Teachers from his elementary school in Lynnwood, Washington, were first alerted to the youngster's injuries by another student last month. At first, the boy said he hurt himself on monkey bars in the playground, but later broke down in tears and claimed his mother had done it. Officials found red marks on his palms that looked like they 'could have been caused by an electric stove element or something similar', according to the statement of probable cause cited on www.komonews.com. The boy told investigators his mother wanted to teach him a lesson 'because I touched an iPad' so she held his hands over a spiral stove, then cupped his palms together and poured salt over the burns. Red alert: Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault of a child after the boy's wounds were spotted by a counsellor at College Place Elementary . He and his three-year-old brother told police their mother often hit them with a spoon, a shoe or a 'witches broom'. The boy's babysitter also claims Hernandez deliberately hurt her son 'because he had misbehaved'. Hernandez, who was questioned with the help of an interpreter, said she believed her son had burnt his hand while trying to toast marshmallows. She said it probably happened when she was having a nap during the day, something she often does because she works night shifts. Offering support: Friend and neighbour Lisa Infante (pictured) says she believes the alleged incident is the result of a big misunderstanding . She claims her son hid the injuries from . her for two days and says she did not get medical treatment because she . was afraid the state might take him away from her. Friend and neighbour Lisa Infante says she believes the alleged incident is the result of a big misunderstanding. 'None of us here that live here could even imagine her doing something like that to her child. She really takes really good care of her kids,' she told www.komonews.com. Hernandez has been booked into jail on one count of domestic violence and second-degree assault of a child, it was reported on www.kirotv.com. Her bail has been set at $25,000. The boy's hands have now healed and the two youngsters are staying with a relative.
Karina Torrescano Hernandez, 27, then poured salt on the boy's wounds . Medics found four separate burns and scars on his head, neck and bottom . Boy and his brother, 3, claim she hits them with spoon or 'witches broom' Mother claims son injured himself while 'toasting marshmallows on stove'
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Sportsmail launches the first column from F1 star Nico Rosberg ahead of the new season. The Mercedes man will bring you his latest views ahead of each race during the campaign. Firstly, let me begin by saying, it is great to be a columnist for MailOnline and I look forward to you joining me on my trip around the Formula One world this season. I hope you enjoy my work, and please give me some feedback on Twitter. Ahead of the first race, and even before we got to pre-season testing, the main thing I had to do was lose weight over the winter because the cars are so much on the limit this year. I had to go through a strict diet programme. It is tough because it is easy to just diet, but if I need to diet and become really fit through physical training, it becomes quite difficult. I haven't had any sugar for months now, and at first it was tough. Raring to go: Nico Rosberg will start the Formula One season among the favourites to win the championship . On track: The Mercedes car is expected to set the pace this season following a promising winter of testing . The new weight regulation is just one in a huge overhaul of the sport's rules this season, and there are two sides to the new regulations. It is good the sport has gone to more efficient energy, for example, as it is important to follow the direction of the rest of the world. At the same time however, the cars are slower, which I don't like. As a driver you want to go faster and faster, but this year we are slower and that is a bit of a pity. To drive, they are quite similar to previous years but what is different is the new technology. There is so much that we have had to get used to and it is complicated. The whole steering wheel, for instance, is custom made. I now have a smart phone display on the steering wheel and I was also able to put the buttons wherever I wanted, so that was already a complicated process in itself. The team helped me a lot, but it has been time consuming to get it right. In the spotlight: Rosberg admits he had to lose weight over the winter, sticking to a strict diet programme . New challenge: The 28-year-old says this year's cars are slower and more complicated than previous seasons . I am hoping that we will be towards the front in Melbourne, but where we are going to be exactly, I don't know. We must remember that reliability is on the edge for every team at the moment. It is going to be so tough just to get to the end of the race. The team have worked incredibly hard. They have been pulling all-nighters since the last test in Bahrain trying to fix the final bits and pieces. I was in the factory last week, and on Thursday, at 9.30 in the evening, they were still flat out. That was in the engine department where they were still trying to produce some extra bits because the next morning the engines had to fly out to Australia. They spent the night building them so they could make the deadline, so it is really, really on the edge. A lot of cars won't make it to the end of the race and there are going to be a lot of reliability problems. If it is too much it won't be good for the sport but it shows that everyone is on the limit and that is part of Formula One - it always has been. Claim: Red Bull team principal Christian Horner (right) said that Mercedes could win Sunday's race by two laps . At the first pre-season test in Jerez you couldn't really determine anything but in Bahrain you got a better gauge of where everyone was, and it became clear that we had a good car and were in a decent position. It is early days, and we have to remember last year that we were in a strong position after testing but in the races we weren't as good as we hoped. We need to be cautious, but we are optimistic. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has said we will win the opening race by two laps, but I would will be very careful about Christian's assessment. Never underestimate Red Bull or the others. On Red Bull, it is always a surprise if they don't waltz away with the victory because we have become so used to that from previous years. It is too early to say that is not going to happen here because they have surprised everybody before so we have to be very careful. Red Bull is Red Bull, and they are the benchmark and the best team, so we assume that they are going to be the benchmark again, but if not, then great. However, we are focused on ourselves and making sure we get the best out of what we have. What others do is not really in our control. I know I start among the title favourites but do I feel extra pressure this season? No, not really. The opposite, in fact. The whole experience becomes even more enjoyable if the car is quick, and then the hope of having real success and sharing that with the team. Partners: Lewis Hamilton and team-mate Rosberg are expected to go toe-to-toe for this year's championship . Hot topic: David Coulthard allowed Mika Hakkinen past to claim victory at the season-opening race in Australia . Back at the 1998 Australian Grand Prix, McLaren drivers Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard had a deal in place in whichever driver got to the opening corner first would be allowed to win the race, but I wouldn't like that, and I don't think the team would either, so we are going to try and avoid such measures. Lewis Hamilton and I have always been competing, even for championships, as far back as our karting days, so it won't be an unusual situation if that happens this year, and I am confident we will be able to handle it. It will be tough at times - that is normal - but we just need to keep on working it out. We still get on well, so that is a good thing. On my former Mercedes team-mate Michael Schumacher, I wish him a strong recovery after his skiing accident in December. I am hoping for the best and also wishing his family strength. I am a big Bayern Munich fan. Unfortunately I missed their match against Arsenal on Tuesday, but I was very pleased they went through. They are an amazing team at the moment. It is so tough to win the Champions League because you also need a lot of luck. Skill wise they can do it, but they need the luck as well to win it for a second time. Tribute: Rosberg and Michael Schumacher were team-mates together at Mercedes for three seasons . Nico Rosberg's fee for his column . will be donated to the Grand Prix Mechanics’ Charitable Trust, which is . dedicated to providing help to former and current Formula One mechanics . and their families, putting F1 mechanics throughout the world in touch . with each other and raising funds to help in times of need. You can . follow Rosberg on Twitter @nico_rosberg and MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS @MercedesAMGF1.
Don't write off Red Bull's chances in Melbourne, even if principal Christian Horner believes my team Mercedes will win by two laps . I'm relishing the pressure of being a championship contender this season . Competition with Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton will be tough at times . It's a pity the cars are slower this year - as a driver you want to go faster and faster . The reliability of the new cars will be an issue and simply finishing races will be difficult . I haven't had any sugar for months because of a strict diet to lose weight .
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Anti-austerity demonstrators clashed with riot police in Madrid last night. More than 1,000 officers blocked off access to the parliament building after protesters vowed to ‘occupy Congress’ in the heart of the Spanish capital. Police baton-charged the crowd and there were reports that protesters were being beaten by officers. Scroll down for video . Casualty: A man is seen with blood gushing from a head wound after members of the Spanish National Police baton charged anti-austerity demonstrators in Madrid . Beating: Riot police prepare to strike a young protestor with while a girl is hauled away. The demonstration was called in . response to proposed social services cuts in the latest government . budget . Thousands of protesters, enraged by cutbacks and tax hikes, had taken to the streets. The demonstration drew protesters weary of nine straight months of painful measures imposed by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. Thousands of angry marchers yelled toward parliament, 250 yards away, “Get out!, Get out! They don’t represent us! Fire them!” “The only solution is that we should put everyone in Parliament out on the street so they know what it’s like,” said one of the protesters, civil servant Maria Pilar Lopez. Heavy handed: Thousands of protesters, enraged by cutbacks and tax hikes, had taken to the streets . The demonstration drew protesters weary of nine straight months of painful measures imposed by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy . Spain is said to be on the verge of getting a bailout from Europe as its economy limps from one crisis to another. It is struggling in its second recession in three years. The banks hold billions in toxic debts from the property boom and unemployment stands at more than 25 per cent. The country introduced austerity measures and economic reforms in a bid to convince its euro partners and investors that it is serious about reducing its bloated deficit to 6.3 per cent of gross domestic product in 2012 and 4.5 per cent next year. A young man receives a strike to the legs as the protest moved towards the Spanish Parliament . Clashes: Police baton-charged the crowd and there were reports that protesters were being beaten by officers . Crisis: Spain is said to be on the verge of getting a bailout from Europe as its economy limps from one crisis to another . Spain has been under pressure from investors to apply for European Central Bank assistance in keeping its borrowing costs down. Rajoy has yet to say whether Madrid will apply for the aid, reluctant to ask since such assistance comes with strings attached. The demonstration in Madrid comes ahead of a general strike planned today in Greece.
Fury over cuts to social services and tax hikes . Access to . parliament blocked after protesters plan to 'occupy Congress' Police launch baton-charges and are accused of beating protesters . Teetering Spain is on the verge of getting a bailout from Europe .
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It was the controversial singlet pulled from the shelves of two Woolworths stores after accusations it was emblazoned with a 'racist' message. But Palmer United Party Senator Jacqui Lambie has said the singlet's 'if you don't love it, leave' message did not go far enough. 'In my view, the message on the singlet didn't go far enough,' Ms Lambie told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday. 'It should have read, "If you don't love it - leave - before we deport you."' Scroll down for video . The singlet featured an image of the Australian flag and the text: 'If you don't love it, leave' Outraged: Palmer United Party Senator Jacqui Lambie said 'What sort of weak-minded fool would think that a singlet, which shows a sign that reads, “If you don’t love it – leave” on an Australian flag background is racist?' Fiery debate: 2GB talkback hosts Ray Hadley and Ben Fordham were critical of Woolworths' decision to pull the singlet . The outspoken senator is the latest conservative-leaning identity to criticise the supermarket's decision to withdraw the singlet from two of its stores this week - first revealed by Daily Mail Australia - after they were delivered 'in error'. Sydney talkback radio host Ray Hadley blasted the supermarket's move on Tuesday morning, telling his listeners: 'It (the singlet) is not racist, it's simply a fact of life.' His colleague, 2GB afternoon host Ben Fordham, offered to give away 50 T-shirts bearing the slogan. Senator Lambie, who drew fire earlier this week for praising Russian President Vladimir Putin, referenced Islamic extremists in justifying her position. 'And if the Greens or any other weak-minded idiots think that’s politically incorrect or racist – at least my message isn’t as “racist” as the message which is being spread world-wide by the Islamic extremists and their mates in Australia - on blood soaked black flags which essentially reads: “If you don’t love it – you’re dead – because we’ll cut off your head",' she said in a statement. Ms Lambie also described people who believed the singlet was racist as 'weak minded fool(s)'. The controversy over the apparel began on Monday after a shopper noticed the singlet on sale at Woolworths' Cairns supermarket. '@woolworths, Cairns, selling racist singlets for everyday low prices!' the user tweeted. The post was shared by staff of Greens MP Adam Bandt on his Facebook page, who described the singlet as 'divisive and ridiculous'. Woolworths removed the items from stock immediately after the supermarket was made aware, a spokesman said. 'The singlet was not one we ordered,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'It was delivered to us in error and should never been allowed on our shelves.' Controversial: Senator Jacqui Lambie has waded into the debate surrounding the controversial singlet . Led the backlash: Adam Bandt and his staff criticised the 'if you don't like it, leave' singlet - and Woolworths withdrew the item from stock at two of its stores . The tweet that started it all: This social media post sparked a fierce backlash against Woolworths. Many customers pledged to boycott the company . The company's Facebook page was bombarded with comments critical of the supermarket stocking the singlet, with some shoppers even declaring they would boycott the store. One comment said: 'There's no way on earth I'm spending my weekly shopping budget at a supermarket who thinks it's fine to sell racism themed apparel.' Another said: 'Get rid of the racist shirts and sack whoever thought it was a good idea.' Mr Bandt praised Woolworths' move in an interview with the Today Show. 'I think if you put yourself in the shoes of someone who is walking down the street and they see this T-shirt, it's not exactly sending a message of inclusion and welcome, is it?' he said. Senator Lambie said a justification for her argument could be found in the nation's most important legal document. 'The constitution of Australia reflects the simple and powerful message contained in that singlet'. 'Section 44 strictly prohibits anyone with divided loyalties to another country or any allegiances to a foreign power, from standing for Parliament.' 'And that’s the underlying issue and important political question that our nation must have a mature discussion about i.e. Divided loyalties and foreign allegiances – Should Australia accept them?' Neil Booth, the Sydney businessman whose company sold the singlets to Woolworths, told Daily Mail Australia only 'six to eight' of the singlets would have been distributed to the stores. 'What sort of weak-minded fool would think that a singlet, which shows a sign that reads, “If you don’t love it – leave” on an Australian flag background is racist? The constitution of Australia reflects the simple and powerful message contained in that singlet. Section 44 strictly prohibits anyone with divided loyalties to another country or any allegiances to a foreign power, from standing for parliament. And that’s the underlying issue and important political question that our nation must have a mature discussion about i.e. Divided loyalties and foreign allegiances – Should Australia accept them? When anyone makes the decision to live in Australia – they must swear undying, undivided love, loyalty and allegiance to our democratic system of government, constitution and laws. There are no exceptions. If Australia were allowed to follow the example of every other country in history where divided loyalties and foreign allegiances were allowed to exist, our Nation would split apart and be at war with itself. And perhaps that’s what we’re experiencing now. If not overt, but certainly a covert war between people in Australia who love the free democratic country they live in without any reservations, divided loyalties or foreign allegiances -and those who want to impose their culture, beliefs and laws on the rest of us. The only place for divided loyalties in Australia is in sport – maybe. But when it comes to the deadly serious issue of law, democratic system of government, flag and constitution – divided loyalties and allegiances to foreign powers should be strictly prohibited. Anyone who displays or admits to a divided loyalty or an allegiance to a foreign power should be denied the right to vote and any right to taxpayer assistance. In my view, the message on the singlet didn’t go far enough. It should have read, “If you don’t love it – leave – before we deport you.” And if the Greens or any other weak-minded idiots think that’s politically incorrect or racist – at least my message isn’t as “racist” as the message which is being spread world-wide by the Islamic extremists and their mates in Australia - on blood soaked black flags which essentially reads: . “If you don’t love it – you’re dead – because we’ll cut off your head.”'
The singlet was pulled from the shelves of Woolworths after criticism on social media . The piece of clothing said: 'If you don't love it, leave' and featured an image of the Australian flag . Senator Lambie told Daily Mail Australia the message should have gone further and said: "If you don't love it - leave - before we deport you' Talkback hosts Ray Hadley, Ben Fordham, have criticised the supermarket's decision . Staff of Greens MP Adam Bandt called the singlet 'divisive and ridiculous' on Monday .
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A schoolboy has been excluded from lessons after he organised a mass protest over a lack of homework. Aaron Parfitt, 14, led 100 of his fellow pupils on a walkout at Bispham High School in Blackpool last Wednesday over concerns about teaching standards. Despite his eagerness to learn, Aaron was told he was banned from lessons for the next two days, and now claims to have been excluded again ahead of a meeting between teachers and his mother. Excluded: Aaron Parfitt led 100 pupils on a mass walkout at Bispham High School in Blackpool last Wednesday. Aaron claims the pupils' concerns over teaching standards at the school were not being addressed . Banned: After the protest, Aaron was told he was not allowed to attend lessons for the next two days. He now claims to have been excluded again ahead of a meeting between teachers and his mother later this afternoon . Aaron originally contacted Blackpool Council and . Ofsted to raise concerns over the quality of teaching before losing . patience and organising the 100-strong walkout last Wednesday. Teachers took a dim view of his actions and excluded him for two days on Thursday and Friday last week - much to the anger of his mother Janet, 52. Now Aaron - who returned to the school today - claims he has been told he has been excluded again ahead of a meeting with teachers and Mrs Parfitt later this afternoon. 'I'm absolutely fuming they've excluded him because he's doing the best he can to get a good education,' she said. 'He was only trying to stick up for himself and his mates and then he gets told to stay away from the school for two days,' she added. Mrs Parfitt says her son emailed Blackpool Council and Ofsted to say he was worried about teaching standards, but claims they kept passing him on to other numbers. Protest: Aaron originally contacted Blackpool Council and Ofsted to raise concerns over the quality of teaching before losing patience and organising the mass walkout last Wednesday . She says Aaron eventually got so 'fed up' that he started to organise the protest. 'I got a voicemail from the school telling me that Aaron had been excluded for two days and that they were going to call me back to chat to me about what he'd done,' Mrs Parfitt said. 'They asked me to go in with Aaron today to discuss it but they didn't phone me back to talk properly so it's wrong that I'm being asked to take time off work to go in,' she added. Walkout: Aaron says that on returning to school today, he was told he had been excluded again . Aaron said he felt forced into staging the mass walkout after raising his concerns to the school's acting head teacher, his head of year, and the head of the maths department. He said: 'I failed my maths exam in school and I was really worried because I just wanted to make sure I was able to do the work properly.' 'We've had loads of different teachers and we weren't getting enough homework so I decided to call the council and Ofsted to see if they would help me but they couldn't,' he added. Aaron said that after his complaints got nowhere, he and a group of friends decided to walk out of their lessons. He said that by the time the group got to the school's playing field, they noticed a large number of pupils had followed. 'There must have been around 100 people with me in the end and everyone sent me messages afterwards saying well done for sticking up for my friends,' Aaron said. In May last year Bispham High School was placed under special measures by Ofsted inspectors who said standards were low and that there was too much 'mediocre teaching'. A more recent report, conducted in September, said the school was making 'reasonable progress' - although acting head teacher Deborah Hanlon-Catlow said it was still a 'challenging' period. 'This is undoubtedly a challenging time for the school. However, with support from Blackpool Council, we will continue to work to try to improve teaching standards, attendance, behaviour and punctuality,' she told the Blackpool Gazette at the time,' she said. 'This will not happen overnight but we will continue to work with Ofsted, parents, staff and pupils towards gradual improvement,' Mrs Hanlon-Catlow was quoted as saying. 'The school has a proactive policy in dealing with complaints from both parents and pupils... We are also passionate about ensuring that pupils and parents have a voice and are listened to,' she added. Councillor Ivan Taylor, Blackpool Council's cabinet member for children's services, said: 'The school is going through a transitional period...However, this is not an excuse for poor standards and we have given additional support to the school to try to help it to improve.' 'The welfare and education of the pupils is our number one priority and we always make sure that complaints are thoroughly investigated.'
Aaron Parfitt organised protest over concerns about standards of teaching . He led 100 pupils at Bispham High School in Blackpool on a mass walkout . Teachers were unhappy and banned him from lessons for two days last week . He now claims to have been excluded again over last Wednesday's protest .
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By . Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 08:44 EST, 29 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 13:42 EST, 29 November 2012 . Lucy Aldridge has gone on hunger strike . The mother of the youngest British soldier killed in Afghanistan has gone on hunger strike after the Government axed her benefits as a result of his death. Disabled Lucy Aldridge, 44, lost £300-a-week when her housing and council tax benefit, along with income support were stopped after her son William was blown up in a Taliban ambush in July 2009. Before his death, selfless William had instructed his mum to use any insurance money to be used to bring up his younger brothers George, nine, and Archie, seven. His family received a £68,000 . death-in-service (DIS) pay-out, combined with a £150,000 PAX insurance payout. But because it was transferred into . his deceased estate, with Lucy named as the signatory on the account and executor for the estate, rather than into a trust fund for her young sons, the . Government ruled the money made her financially secure. Because the Department for Work and Pensions define compensation as savings, it means that Lucy was technically over the £16,000 threshold which meant her benefits were slashed. As a result, she was forced to use William’s money to live on instead of securing her sons' futures which had been his wish. In a desperate bid to persuade the Government to make DIS pay-outs exempt from means tested benefits, Lucy, from Bredenbury near Bromyard, Herefordshire, went on hunger strike at midnight on Sunday. Lucy, who suffers from the incurable . degenerative condition Hypermobility Syndrome, survives now on £140 a . week in disability, child tax credits and child benefits. She has been threatened with eviction . from her three-bedroom home over rent arrears and warned she faces . bailiffs for non-payment of council tax. Brave William Aldridge asked his mother to use his death-in-service payout put in a trust fund for his two younger brothers . Single mother Lucy says she is protesting about the current rules about payouts after her benefits were cut . Lucy even tried to kill herself by . taking an overdose in June this year after being driven to despair after . struggling to keep William’s promise to keep the money for his . brothers. Speaking before she went on hunger . strike, she said: 'William’s intention was to provide for his younger . brothers in the event of his death. 'I’ve written to David Cameron but his response was that it would be inappropriate for him to get involved in my case. 'I feel he has let me down. I have exhausted every channel open to me.' Today the single mother vowed she would continue to refuse solid food until the Government 'started a dialogue' with her about the issue. Lucy, said: 'Right now I am feeling hungry and tired. 'But I am doing it to give my sons the future their big brother wanted for them and for other military families in my position. 'The boys don’t know what’s going on as they are staying with their grandparents. 'I hope it doesn’t come to it but whether I die or not is in the government’s hands. William, seen here aged 16 with his mother and his two younger brothers, George and Archie, had hoped that the money from his death would be used for their future . William, pictured here taking his oath of allegiance in with the mayor of Hereford and his mother, spent his last few moments trying to help others . 'I’m not doing this to get my benefits back as even if the legislation did change I wouldn’t get them back. 'I’m not doing this on a whim. I’ve been thinking of going on hunger strike for a while but hoped it wouldn’t have to come to it. 'I totally agree that people who have more than £16,000 in savings should not get benefits. 'But by taking into account the DIS (death-in-service) payment, this means the sacrifice of armed forces personnel is not recognised. 'I will survive on fluids. My children will be cared for by close family because I don’t want them to be exposed to what I am doing. 'I will be at home alone. Everything I possess and everything belonging to my late son is here.' William died seven weeks after his 18th birthday while serving with The 2nd Battalion, The Rifles. The troop was hit by two roadside . bombs in a 'daisy chain' Taliban attack in Helmand province - killing . William and four other Riflemen. Brave William spent his last moments helping the injured and comforting badly-wounded commanding officer Major Alistair Field. Lucy, pictured meeting David Cameron in 2010, says she has had to use her son's payout money to live after the government slashed her benefits . William's troop was hit by two roadside bombs in a 'daisy chain' Taliban attack in Helmand province . North Herefordshire MP Bill Wiggin, who has supported Lucy’s cause since her son’s death, said: 'It is really difficult because losing a son is just a terrible tragedy but I don’t know if this is the right thing to do as she has two little boys. 'I met David Cameron on Monday night and we spoke about this. 'He is sure that the Ministry of Defence will follow the correct procedure and I have raised the issue with the Department of Work and Pensions.' A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman added: 'Money can never compensate for the loss of a loved one, but families of our servicemen and women who are tragically killed on active duty do receive financial support. 'The welfare state is there to help people with very little means to support themselves, and that means that people with savings above £16,000 are usually not eligible for all benefits. 'However, they may still qualify for non-means tested support like Disability Living Allowance.'
Lucy Aldridge wanted to fulfil son William's wish that his death-in-service payout would be used as a trust fund for his younger brothers . Son William, 18, was killed by a roadside bomb in a Taliban ambush in 2009 . Because the payout was paid into a deceased estate, not a trust fund, the Government ruled she was financially secure . Now she has had to use money on everyday living expenses, instead of saving it to secure her two son's futures .
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(CNN) -- A federal judge ruled Wednesday that North Dakota's abortion law, considered one of the most restrictive in the nation, is unconstitutional. The law banned most abortions after six weeks, when a fetal heartbeat can be first detected. "The North Dakota strict ban on abortions at the time when a 'heartbeat' has been detected -- essentially banning all abortions as early as six weeks of pregnancy -- cannot withstand a constitutional challenge," U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland wrote in his decision. "A woman's constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy before viability has been recognized by the United States Supreme Court for more than 40 years. The United States Supreme Court has clearly determined the dispositive issue presented in this lawsuit. This court is not free to impose its own view of the law." The law, thought to be the nation's toughest anti-abortion measure, was signed by the state's governor last year. "Although the likelihood of this measure surviving a court challenge remains in question, this bill is nevertheless a legitimate attempt by a state legislature to discover the boundaries of Roe v. Wade," Gov. Jack Dalrymple said then. He called the constitutionality of the law "an open question," saying the Supreme Court has never considered the "precise restriction" of the fetal heartbeat aspect. The governor was not immediately available to comment on Wednesday's decision. The Center for Reproductive Rights cheered the ruling. "The court was correct to call this law exactly what it is: a blatant violation of the constitutional guarantees afforded to all women. But women should not be forced to go to court, year after year in state after state, to protect their constitutional rights. "We hope today's decision, along with the long line of decisions striking down these attempts to choke off access to safe and legal abortion services in the U.S., sends a strong message to politicians across the country that our rights cannot be legislated away," said Nancy Northup, that group's president and CEO. The ruling was also praised by the director of the Red River Women's Clinic, the only clinic providing abortions in North Dakota. "The decision is a sigh of relief for us and the women we serve. It's not a surprise. We fully expected the decision to go our way but it's always nice when it finally happens," said Tammi Kromenaker. Abortion was legalized in all 50 states in 1973 by the U.S. Supreme Court. Statutory time limits on when abortions can take place, however, vary from state to state. Under Roe v. Wade, abortions are generally permitted until the fetus is considered viable, or able to live outside the womb. Some states have no time limit, while others allow abortion up to the end of the second trimester, about 27 or 28 weeks into the pregnancy. CNN's Chelsea J. Carter contributed to this report.
Abortion was legalized in all 50 states in 1973 by the U.S. Supreme Court . The North Dakota law would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected . It was signed into law by the state's governor last year . The ban "cannot withstand a constitutional challenge," a judge writes .
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(CNN) -- Gay rights advocates in South Africa hailed a judge's sentencing of four men to 18 years each in prison for brutally slaying a 19-year-old lesbian. Hatred fueled the 2006 stabbing and stoning of Zoliswa Nkonyana, who was targeted because of her sexual orientation, Magistrate Raadiya Whaten ruled. Four years' credit was given to Lubabolo Ntlabathi, Sicelo Mase, Luyanda Londzi and Mbulelo Damba, meaning they will spend 14 additional years behind bars. "The sentence sent a strong message that hate crimes would not be tolerated," national prosecuting attorney spokesman Eric Ntabazalila told the South African Press Association. Gay rights advocates celebrated Wednesday's ruling. "It was the first time discrimination based on sexual orientation was named as an aggravating factor in a South African criminal trial," the Triangle Project gay and lesbian rights group said in a written statement. Gay marriage is legal in South Africa, which was the first African nation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries, based on rules left over from the British colonial era, when sodomy laws were introduced. Despite South Africa's anti-discrimination provisions, attacks based on sexual orientation persist, rights groups say. After interviews in six of South Africa's nine provinces last year, New York-based Human Rights Watch concluded that "social attitudes towards homosexual, bisexual, and transgender people in South Africa have possibly hardened over the last two decades. The abuse they face on an everyday basis may be verbal, physical, or sexual -- and may even result in murder" This week officials from another rights group said they hope this week's sentencing will set a precedent across Africa. "We hope that this message is heard loud and clear across the rest of the continent, where homophobic discrimination is widespread and where homosexuality is a crime," the non-profit People Against Suffering, Oppression and Poverty said in a statement. CNN's Aliza Kassim contributed to this report.
A judge rules that killers targeted Zoliswa Nkonyana because of her sexual orientation . Prosecutor's spokesman: The sentence shows "hate crimes would not be tolerated" Rights group: "We hope that this message is heard loud and clear across the rest of the continent" Four men are sentenced to 18 years each in prison for the 2006 slaying .
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For those harbouring ambitions to manage Barcelona (and for the rest of us) one Spanish paper has gone behind the scenes to reveal what it takes to be in charge of one of the world's greatest football clubs. Mundo Deportivo's cover story 'Le Cofidencial' has a detailed breakdown of the 44-year-old's average day. Enrique arrives at training around 7.30am, three and a half hours before the players, and one and a half hours before the rest of his coaches. He heads straight for his office, the same one used by Pep Guardiola, Tito Vilanova and Tato Martino. Unlike, his predecessors, though, Enrique shares the office with one oh his assistants. Mundo Deportivo reveal Luis Enrique's daily routine while Marca claim Isco will start for Spain on Saturday . After spending a couple of hours reviewing videos of both Barcelona and their opponents, he heads out to the training pitches with the players. Enrique has complete faith in his coaches and never interrupts when they are taking their own individual sessions. While there is order under Barcelona's manager, he does not treat the players harshly. The paper claims he commands a natural respect. One rule he does insist upon, though, is that discussing Catalonia's drive for independence is strictly forbidden. Marca, meanwhile, say Real Madrid midfielder Isco is in line for a place in Spain's starting line-up when they take on Belarus on Saturday. The 22-year-old profited from Gareth Bale's recent injury, and his impressive performances have not gone unnoticed by Vicente del Bosque. The former world champions are second in their Euro 2016 qualifying group, three points behind Slovakia and are looking to a younger generation of players to revive their flagging fortunes. La Gazzetta dello Sport say new Inter boss Roberto Mancini has become Serie A's highest paid manager . Roberto Mancini's shock return to Inter Milan is the headline story in every Italian newspaper. La Gazzetta dello Sport front page proclaims 'MANCIO IS BACK', and says that Walter Mazzarri's replacement has become the highest paid manager in Serie A. They also suggest Mancini will take the team back to playing a 4-2-3-1 and has highlighted Erik Lamela as a possible January transfer target. Mancini's first game as manager will be Sunday's Milan derby, but Gazzetta claim city rivals AC are not worried because Spanish striker Fernando Torres is a derby specialist. Chelsea fans may disagree. Fanatik's front cover carries a story claiming Galatasaray have requested talks with Lukas Podolski . Finally, Turkish newspaper Fanatik claim Lukas Podolski's time at Arsenal is drawing to close as Galatasaray step up their interest. Their article says Joachim Loew has warned the former Cologne man that if he doesn't play regularly for Arsenal he can't be picked for the national team. While Podolski has been picky about his clubs in the past, Fanatik say he has taken Loew's threat seriously and is ready to talk to the Turkish giants.
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique's daily routine explained in detail . Isco's form for Real Madrid will earn him starting spot for Spain . Reaction to Roberto Mancini's return to Inter Milan . Galatsaray step up efforts to sign Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski .
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A First World War soldier who was called to the Western Front at short notice made a desperate bid to say goodbye to his family by scribbling a note in a matchbox and throwing it from a moving train. Sergeant Major George Cavan hurled the message onto the platform of Carluke train station in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, and shouted to a passenger to give it to his wife, Jean. The serviceman and his unit were suddenly called to fight in the Ludendorff Offensive - Germany's last major effort to win the war - from their base in Glasgow, but didn't have time to tell loved ones. Sergeant Major George Cavan (left) hurled a farewell note for his wife Jean and their three children, Jean, Lucy and Georgina (right) onto Carluke Station platform after he was called to the front line at short notice . But just 15 days after penciling the note, Sgt Maj Cavan died after being injured in the battle, though his body was never found. The note, which read 'Dearest wife and bairns, off to France - love to you all, Daddy', was picked up by someone on the platform and given to his wife Jean Cavan. She kept the letter and matchbox for the rest of her life and handed it to her daughter Lucy who in turn left it to her daughter, Maureen Rogers. The moving account, along with the matchbox, has emerged for the first time after being published on a website dedicated to telling untold stories of the First World War. Mrs Rogers, 72, said: 'The matchbox and letter were treasured by my grandmother for the rest of her life. 'My grandfather must have thought "how on Earth am I going to let my family know I am going to war?" 'Luckily he had the presence of mind to write the note and throw it out of the train window at Carluke and luckily somebody picked it up and gave it to his wife. The note was written in pencil on March 29, 1918, and read: 'Dearest wife and bairns, off to France, love to you all, Daddy' 'Sadly, it turned out to be the last letter my grandfather wrote. He didn't get the chance to write home when he got to France. 'It is a very precious item which I plan to give to his regimental museum as I don't have any direct descendants to give it to.' Sgt Maj Cavan was regimental sergeant major in the 9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. He spent much of the war training Territorial Army units in Scotland until March 1918 when orders came through for him to make his way to France to join his unit in Flanders. He left his training camp in north Scotland on March 29 and travelled by train south to Glasgow and then through Carluke before heading for the south coast of England. Mrs Rogers said: 'The train he was on with his troops went through his home station but did not stop there. 'He threw out onto the station platform a matchbox containing the folded note on the outside of which was the name of his wife. He yelled out "give this to Jean Cavan" to anyone who was on the platform at the time.' He put the message in a matchbox and threw out the window of the moving train. Sgt Maj Cavan was killed 15 days after he passed through Carluke Train station, hurling the message . At the time Mrs Cavan was pregnant with the couple's fourth child, after daughters Jean, then aged four, and Lucy, two. Their eldest child, William, died at the age four from appendicitis. Sgt Maj Cavan joined up with his unit on the frontline days later and on April 11 the men were in action, after British army chief Field Marshal Douglas Haig gave the infamous order for the men to fight to the death. Due to the confused nature of the fighting, the exact circumstances of his death are not known but it is likely he was shot on April 11 or 12 and died of his wounds on April 13. Mrs Rogers, a retired dermatologist, said: 'The news of his death reached Carluke before my grandmother received official confirmation. 'She was walking down the street and a woman stopped her to offer her commiserations. 'She accused the woman of spreading lies and when she got home there was a man from George's regiment there who confirmed it. 'It was very hard on my grandmother who was left with three young children to look after. My mother was very clear with me as to how difficult it was for her.' A few years after her husband's death, Mrs Cavan and her three daughters - Jean, Lucy and Georgina - moved to Australia where she had family. After two years they returned to Scotland and Mrs Cavan began work as a night nurse while raising her children. In 1949 her second daughter Lucy emigrated with her husband John and their daughter Maureen to Sydney and Jean joined them six years later. Mrs Cavan died in 1964 while in her 70s and her daughter Lucy passed away eight years ago. A relative of Mrs Rogers was attending Oxford University and a friend of hers was working on the Great War Archive. The story of the matchbox was passed on to this researcher and appeared in the Oxford University Great War Archive and subsequently on the website Europeana 1914-1918. Sgt Major Cavan lies in an unmarked grave in Belgium and he is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial near Ypres. French soldiers fighting during battle in the Ludendorff Offensive at Villers-Bretonneux, France, in April 1918 . Beginning on March 21, 1918, the Ludendorff Offensive - also known as the Spring Offensive - was a series of German attacks along the Western Front during the First World War. General Erich Ludendorff ordered the massive attack on the Western Front in a bid to end the war. The Allies were aware an ambush was imminent but did not know when it would come. There were four German offensives, codenamed Michael, Georgette, Gneisenau and Blücher-Yorck. In just five hours, the Germans fired one million artillery shells at the British lines held by the Fifth Army – over 3000 shells fired every minute. By the end of the first day of the attack, 21,000 British soldiers had been taken prisoner and the Germans had made great advances. Commander of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, issued an 'Order of the Day' on 11 April stating, 'With our backs to the wall and believing in the justice of our cause, each one of us must fight on to the end.' The German offensive began to stall and throughout the final two the side lost thousands of men and sustained 230,000 casualties - an issue it could not sustain. The last German attack came on July 15 in attempt to draw Allied reserves south from Flanders. But their fuel-starved air force had lost air superiority to the Allies, advanced no further than the French Forward Zone. The French launched a major offensive of their own on July 18, threatening to cut off the Germans. Ludendorff had to evacuate most of the men and the offensive was finally cancelled. The initiative had clearly passed to the Allies, who were shortly to begin the Hundred Days Offensive which ended the war.
Sergeant Major George Cavan hurled message on Carluke station platform . He had been called at short notice to frontline during Ludendorff Offensive . Without time to tell family, he quickly penned note saying 'love to you all' Sgt Maj Cavan died just 15 days later after he was injured during battle . Widow Jean Cavan treasured the matchbox note for the rest of her life . Passed to her daughter then granddaughter, who has given it to museum .
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By . Vanessa Allen . PUBLISHED: . 06:54 EST, 4 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 18:19 EST, 4 July 2012 . It manages just six miles to the gallon and has a top speed of only 60mph. But this 100-year-old Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost has zoomed into the world record books, selling at auction for almost £5million following a fierce bidding war. It was originally bought for £1,000 in 1912 (almost £93,000 in today’s money) but has now gone under the hammer for £4,705,500, making it the most expensive Rolls-Royce ever sold at auction. Unique: This 100-year-old Silver Ghost Rolls-Royce has sold for a world-record price of £5million after a furious budding war at Bonhams . Through the roof: The lengthy auction saw two enthusiasts duelling for the pristine car as the bidding went up in increments of £100,000, smashing past the £2million estimate . In great nick: The six-cylinder, 7.3-litre car comes with perfect provenance and is still purring smoothly, doing about 15 miles to the gallon . What it lacks in gadgetry, the British-made classic more than compensates for with an extraordinary level of luxury that leaves its modern-day counterparts looking a little unsophisticated. Its gleaming interior fittings are made of silver and ivory, while the door panels are embroidered silk, with brocade tassels attached to silk window shades for privacy. The passenger footrest hides a full picnic set for four, a china tea service, complete with an alcohol-fuelled burner and kettle to heat the water, and a set of six decanters – three in sterling silver and three in leather-wrapped glass. The sale took place at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex on Friday. Auctioneers had expected it to sell for around £2million and were astonished when the bidding between two rival collectors topped £4million. James Knight, from Bonhams auctioneers, said: ‘There were three bidders, then one of them dropped out at £2.3million and we thought it would end there. Traveling in style: The design chosen by its original owner echoed the luxurious 'Pullman' Railway carriages pioneered by American George Pullman . Luxurious: The elegant passenger compartment . (left) complete with 29 bevelled glass windows and (right) the stylish . steering wheel . ‘But then another bidder entered and the bidders were duelling. It went up in increments of £50,000, and then £100,000, and then back down to £50,000. ‘It went on and on and on and was the longest car sale I have ever witnessed. It was pure theatre. Everyone was very respectful but when the price reached a milestone, like £3million, there was an intake of breath. ‘The bidders were duelling and when the hammer came down there was spontaneous applause. ‘It was fitting because the car is celebrating her centenary.’ The car was commissioned by Rolls-Royce connoisseur John M. Stephens, who also bought the first Silver Ghost the luxury car-maker produced in 1906. The body was built by former royal carriage-maker Barker’s of Mayfair, which had previously built coaches for King George III and Queen Victoria. Standing the test of time: The 7.3-litre, six-cylinder engine is still purring smoothly and is capable of doing around 15 miles to the gallon . Mark of history: A plaque bearing the vehicle's chassis number of 1907 . Touch of class: The original owner employed the services of the best coach-making company, Barker and Co. Ltd, to do the bodywork . Classic designs: One of the car's brake lights. The Rolls-Royce still had its headlights, carriage lights, rear lights and inflatable tyres when it went up for sale . Miniature version: The Corgi toy of the roller, pictured, is a very accurate copy of the real Silver Ghost. The real car was sold by Bonhams at the Goodwood Festival of Speed . Unlike most car enthusiasts of his . time, Mr Stephens, from Croydon, South London, asked the makers not to . include a glass division window between the driver and the passengers as . he wanted to drive it himself rather than rely on a chauffeur. The car even had an early speedometer – an important addition given that a 20mph speed limit was introduced in 1912. The . car’s distinctive cream and green design echoed the luxury ‘Pullman’ Railway carriages of the time, and it was known as a Double Pullman . Limousine. But it was nicknamed ‘the Corgi Silver Ghost’ in the 1960s after the toy-maker based its Silver Ghost toy car on this model. Mr . Stephens’s car is believed to be the only one of its kind to survive . with its full interior and bodywork, as many Rolls-Royces from the era . were converted into ambulances during the First World War. Auctioneer Bonhams said: ‘It is a . statement of refinement, grace and gentility that for many defines the . qualities and the Edwardian period in which Rolls-Royce established the . unsurpassed reputation it still enjoys today.’ The . identity of the anonymous telephone bidders has not been revealed but . sadly Bonhams has confirmed the car will now be leaving Britain once . more. It left Britain in . 1992 after it was bought by a US enthusiast. A Texas lawyer bought it . from him in 2007 for £1.9million and kept it until 2009, when he was . killed in a crash in a different car. The . Rolls was then sold once again before the latest seven-hour auction, . which saw more than 80 cars go under the hammer for a combined . £22million. Astonishingly, . the Silver Ghost was not the most expensive lot. That honour went to a . 1929 ‘Blower’ Bentley single-seater racing car, which sold for . £5,042,000, the highest price ever for a British car at auction. In . 1932, fighter pilot and Le Mans winner Sir Henry Birkin set a 137mph . speed record in the Bentley, described as the Concorde of its time. The Duke of Westminster in the driver's seat of a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost in 1914. The Duke formed the 1st armoured division and this car was used on the Western front in the same year . A customised 1911 Silver Ghost owned by the Maharaja of Mysore . Sir John Mills is driven in a vintage Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost in 2000 during the pageant celebrating the Queen Mother's 100th birthday in Horseguards Parade, London .
Unique Silver Ghost known as 'The Corgi' after being copied by toy maker . Price driven sky-high as two enthusiasts duelled in £100,000 increments . Hammer fell at £4.7m to anonymous buyer - more than twice £2m estimate . Six-cylinder, 7.3l vehicle in immaculate condition with perfect provenance . Originally bought by a man from South Croydon in 1912 for around £1,000 . Put up for sale at Bonhams after latest owner was killed in a road accident .
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(CNN) -- Barcelona's Sunday celebrations started early with a 6-1 romp over Getafe, and ended late with a slip-up by second-placed Atletico Madrid which has all but ended the Spanish title race. Atletico's 2-1 defeat at Rayo Vallecano gave Barca a commanding 12-point lead with 15 matches to play, as third-placed champions Real Madrid languish another four points adrift. "It was an unusual time to play but we had a party in the stadium," the Catalan side's assistant coach Jordi Roura said after the midday kickoff at the Camp Nou, where more than 85,000 fans turned up. "The players were at an extraordinary level. They were intense from the first minute," added Roura, who is running the team while Tito Vilanova is receiving cancer treatment in New York . Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring in the sixth minute with his first league goal this season before Lionel Messi netted for a record-extending 13th successive La Liga game before quarter of an hour had been played -- his 35th in the competition from 23 appearances. David Villa and substitute Cristian Tello scored in the second half before Getafe hit back through striker Alvaro Vazquez, but then Andres Iniesta and defender Gerard Pique netted in time added on. "We felt great on the pitch, a lot of people were able to make it to the stadium and the atmosphere was fantastic," Pique said. "It wouldn't be an inconvenience if we had to play at the same time in the future." Atletico striker Radamel Falcao scored his 19th league goal this season, putting him third in the Pichichi standings behind Real's Cristiano Ronaldo -- who took his tally to 24 with a hat-trick in Saturday's 4-1 win over Sevilla. However, it came far too late -- the last kick of the match -- as Vallecano moved up to fifth place on goal difference above Valencia thanks to first-half goals from Guinean striker Alhassane Bangoura and Brazilian forward Leo Baptistao. Real Sociedad moved up to eighth with a 2-1 win at Zaragoza, while Barcelona's city rivals Espanyol eased relegation worries with a 4-0 win at Athletic Bilbao. Italy . Mario Balotelli scored his second successive penalty for AC Milan to rescue a 1-1 draw at Cagliari, but his team surrendered fourth place in Serie A to city rivals Internazionale. Balotelli took his tally to three goals in two games since signing for $30 million from English champions Manchester City with an 82nd-minute spot-kick, but the Italy striker also missed a late chance to snatch victory. Inter won 3-1 at home to Chievo to move within a point of third-placed Lazio, as striker Antonio Cassano scored in the second minute then defender Andrea Ranocchia restored the lead with a header after Luca Rigoni's equalizer, and Diego Milito added the third in the second half. Germany . Freiburg moved up to fifth in the Bundesliga following Sunday's 1-0 win at home to lowly Fortuna Dusseldorf. An 87th-minute goal from Czech player Pavel Krmas put Freiburg above Mainz and Hamburg on goal difference. Mainz drew 1-1 at second-bottom Augsburg, while Hamburg crushed second-placed defending champions Borussia Dortmund 4-1 on Saturday. France . Lyon's title hopes suffered a blow in Sunday's 3-1 home defeat by Lille, which meant Paris Saint-Germain ended the weekend with a six-point lead. Third-placed Marseille also dropped points, drawing 1-1 at Evian -- who moved out of the bottom three on goal difference. PSG beat Bastia 3-1 on Friday, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring a penalty for his leading 21st goal this season.
Atletico Madrid's defeat to Vallecano gives Barcelona a 12-point lead in Spain . Catalan side thrashed Getafe 6-1 in midday kickoff as six different players score . Mario Balotelli's AC Milan surrender fourth place in Italy to city rivals Internazionale . Lyon's defeat gives PSG a six-point lead in the French title race .
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(CNN) -- The Miami Beach, Florida, mansion outside which owner and fashion designer Gianni Versace was killed is up for sale at $125 million, a real estate firm said. The 19,000-square-foot Casa Casuarina in South Beach has 10 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, and a centerpiece to the gated compound is a 54-foot-long pool lined in 24-karat gold and adorned with mosaics, frescos, statues, arched doorway and a courtyard, according to real estate agents with Coldwell Banker. Versace bought the house in 1992 and spent $33 million on improvements such as a south wing expansion, the pool and garden, the agents said. Versace's Lake Como Villa items up for sale . Versace was shot to death on the doorstep of his home in 1997, and spree killer Andrew Cunanan is believed to have killed him and four others before Cunanan shot himself in the head on the upper floor of a houseboat in Miami Beach, where he was holed up to avoid police after the Versace shooting. In 2000, the house was bought by Peter Loftin, who conserved Versace's touches to the residence, the real estate agents said. "This is an iconic oasis for the rich-and-famous that sits in the middle of South Beach," Loftin said in a statement. "It's a one-of-a-kind property, created by a genius; that is a piece of art, and a piece of history." Added real estate agent Jill Eber in statement: "The Casa Casuarina is the crown jewel of luxury real estate." The house was built in 1930 by architect, philanthropist, author and political reformer Alden Freeman, and its design was inspired by the oldest existing house in the Western Hemisphere, the "Alcazar de Colon" in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the real estate firm said. The Alcazar de Colon, once a Colonial palace, is the only known home of the family of explorer Christopher Columbus and is now a museum, according to its website.
A South Beach mansion once owned by Versace has a "for sale" sign . Fashioner designer Gianni Versace was fatally shot on his door step in 1997 . Spree killer Andrew Cunanan, suspected in Versace's murder, killed himself . The luxury home, called Casa Casuarina, has 10 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms .
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry attended a society wedding in Switzerland today. The young Royals looked relaxed and happy as they watched the ceremony in the upmarket resort of Arosa. They have been enjoying a mini-break at the resort as guests at the wedding of their polo-playing friend Mark Tomlinson to Olympic dressage gold medalist Laura Bechtolsheimer. Happy: Prince William, his pregnant wife Kate and Prince Harry attended the wedding of Mark Tomlinson and Laura Bechtolsheimer during a break at an upmarket ski resort in Switzerland . Thrilled: The Royal trio watched the happy couple from a staircase at the wedding in the Swiss resort of Arosa . Happy couple: As the second anniversary of their own wedding approaches, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge watched friends tie the know in Switzerland, joined by William's brother Prince Harry, seen standing beside blossoming Kate as she holds a maternal hand to her baby bump . The trio all seemed to be enjoying the wedding as they chatted to guests. As the newly-married couple walked past them, an evidently delighted Kate threw a handful of confetti into the air. The Duchess of Cambridge, who beamed as she watched the newlyweds emerging into the bright Swiss sunshine after the ceremony, was elegant in a cream woollen coat over a floral dress, teamed with a chocolate brown pillbox hat and fur scarf. The Duchess had previously been pictured on the . slopes of the resort. Holding a wooden sledge and wearing sunglasses, the 31-year-old Duchess wore a brown snug jacket and warm looking boots. She was pictured next to a male friend looking relaxed and happy. The chocolate-box Alpine resort is known for being small and compact, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It is less well-known for its nightlife, being home to just a single . long-established disco bar - which may come as a disappointment to . party-loving Prince Harry. Snow white wedding: The royals' delight was evident as they sat in the congregation alongside other guests at the society wedding . Married: The bride, Laura Bechtolsheimer and her husband Polo player Mark Tomlinson leave the church in a horse-drawn carriage . With the world eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Royal baby, Kate has been getting plenty of opportunity to relax recently. Last month, Prince William and Kate enjoyed a break in a sumptuous villa on one of the most exclusive paradise islands in the world. The happy couple took a ‘babymoon’ break in a luxury £5 million house on Mustique. Nestled amid lush tropical gardens, . with dramatic views of the aquamarine Caribbean waters lapping a . tranquil white-sand beach, the five-bedroom house would normally have . cost about £19,000 a week to rent. It was not known whether the . multi-millionaire owners, who are close friends of both the Royal couple . and the wider Middleton family, charged them for the stay. The . dream home was furnished with Oriental antiques and came with a staff . of six servants, who oversee such amenities as a private cinema, gazebo . and 64 ft infinity pool. During the lavish trip, the Duchess was seen every day at the tennis courts on the privately owned island. Elegant: The Duchess of Cambridge, seen exchanging a smile with husband William, left, and chatting with the vicar, right, wore a cream coat over a patterned dress . Fun: Kate flung a handful of confetti into the air as the newlyweds walked past following the ceremony in a bright and sunny Switzerland on Saturday . Holding court: Prince Harry, Kate and Prince William chatted with other guests at the society wedding . Royal guest: Prince Harry attended the wedding alongside his brother Prince William and sister in law Kate . Winter white: Olympic gold medallist Laura Bechtolsheimer chose the idyllic surroundings of the Swiss Alpine resort for her wedding to Mark Tomlinson . However, she was cheering from the sidelines rather than playing, as she has done on previous trips. Arosa is known as being a small, smart resort with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The town is situated just two hours south of Zurich in the Graubünden mountains. It is set high above the treeline in a natural bowl and is both a summer and winter tourist resort.Despite the Royal trio all being advanced skiers, the remote Swiss town is known for suiting skiers of all abilities. It boasts more than 37 miles of slopes. Prince Harry may have been disappointed to learn that the resort is not big for its nightlife, although it does contain one long-established disco bar.Two lakes are also situated in the centre of the resort. ‘They’re having a very quiet, peaceful holiday, which is just what Kate needed,’ a long-time island resident said. ‘I’d heard they were planning to . leave on Thursday but that they are enjoying themselves so much, they . may stay until after Valentine’s Day.’ The . couple were joined by the Duchess’s sister Pippa, brother James and . parents, Carole and Michael. The Middletons rented accommodation nearby . to give the couple some privacy. Royal . links to Mustique go back to 1960, when Princess Margaret was given a . ten-acre estate there. The Queen and Prince Philip have also made . several visits to the island. An unprecedented veil of secrecy was drawn over William and Kate’s visit. One American businesswoman, who is a regular visitor to the island, said: ‘The owners are an absolutely lovely pair and their villa is stunning. ‘It is perfect for William and Kate because it is luxurious and secluded. It is just what they need before the fervour of a newborn baby. 'I imagine they are on their guard after Kate was photographed topless in France, but there is no chance of that happening in Mustique.’ The expectant couple's trip to Mustique earlier this year was their seventh visit to the paradise island. With its long stretches of white sand, palm trees and balmy temperatures, it is a world away from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's current location in a Swiss ski resort nestled in the snowy Graubünden mountains. But with Kate snug in a cream woollen coat and a smart chocolate brown hat, and husband William decked out in tails, the pair looked more than happy to be in attendance at their friends' nuptials, in spite of the the brisk temperatures. Focus of attention: Normally all eyes would be on the Duke and Duchess, but they were happy to stay in the background at their friends' wedding . Having fun: Prince William strikes a pose at the wedding, which was also attended by one of his ex girlfriends, Olivia Hunt (pictured right wearing a red coat) Standing out in a crowd: The Duchess of Cambridge looked beautiful as her face caught the sun in Switzerland . Expecting: The Duchess of Cambridge, who is expecting the royal couple's first child in July, waved and chatted to other guests and threw confetti at the ceremony . Break: Prince William and his pregnant wife Kate are currently enjoying a break at a plush ski resort in Switzerland. The couple are pictured skiing on a previous trip to Klosters . Pleasant: The Royal trio are guests at the wedding of their polo-playing friend Mark Tomlinson to Olympic dressage gold medalist Laura Bechtolsheimer in the Swiss resort of Arosa .
The Royal trio attended a society wedding during a mini-break to Swiss ski resort of Arosa . They are guests at the wedding of polo player Mark Tomlinson to Olympic gold medallist Laura Bechtolsheimer . Trip follows Prince William and Kate's trip to paradise island of Mustique last month . Pregnant Kate was elegant in a cream coat teamed with a chocolate brown pillbox hat .
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(CNN) -- President Barack Obama invited Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear to this year's State of the Union address where he praised the Democrat for aggressively carrying out the Affordable Care Act. "He is like a man possessed when it comes to covering his commonwealth's families," Obama said about Beshear, who boasts that more than 420,000 people have signed up for his state's version of the controversial federal health law championed by Obama. Although he's with the President on Obamacare, Beshear has turned from Democrats on same-sex marriage, saying he would appeal a federal court ruling overturning the Kentucky ban. Beshear argues that traditional marriage leads to procreation and a stable economy, and he's challenging the decision "so that the matter is fully before" the federal appeals court. His position swims against same-sex marriage tide. States continue to legalize it and courts continue to strike down bans where it isn't. It's growing more likely that it will wind up before the Supreme Court, as early as the next term. Even Republican governors, including Pennsylvania's Tom Corbett and New Jersey's Chris Christie, decided to not appeal court decisions striking down similar laws. Beshear's short statement is a continuation of one he issued in March after his attorney general, fellow Democrat Jack Conway, decided not to push the issue. At the time he said he wanted to challenge same-sex proponents to ultimately settle the issue and prevent "legal chaos." In Beshear's effort through the courts to bring "certainty and finality" to the issue, he appears to oppose same-sex marriage by challenging the ruling as governor without having to take a personal stance. It's a politically skillful move for a popular Democratic governor in an increasingly Republican state. While Kentucky has a Democratic governor, its two senators are Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and potential 2016 Republican presidential candidate Sen. Rand Paul. The state's opinion of national Democrats is low, as Obama received a paltry percentage of the vote - only 38% - in 2012. Stephen Voss, a University of Kentucky political science professor, said Beshear's decision is in accordance with the politics of the state. "He's acting like a large chunk of the voters," Voss said. The state is one of the last bastions of the dying breed of southern Democrats who are socially conservative and fiscally more liberal. The most recent polling in Kentucky on the issue found that 55% of people oppose same-sex marriage, a stark difference compared to the 38% against it nationally. Phillip Bailey, political editor at Kentucky Public Radio's WFPL in Louisville, said the national Democratic Party is far more liberal than the Kentucky Democratic Party. "The kryptonite for a moderate Democrat with an increasingly liberal party in a conservative state is social issues," Bailey said. In an address to the state's General Assembly during his re-election campaign in 2011, Beshear stood before the lawmakers, rose his voice, pointed his finger and told Obama to "Get off our backs!" when it comes to coal plant regulations. Bailey said Beshear's politics are masterful. "I don't think there's anyone else who has been able to yell at the President on TV and then go to Washington and be in the front row of the State of the Union and get praise from the President," he said. "That shows the mastery of Beshear to walk that line." Beshear is term-limited and will be out in less than two years. But political roots run deep and his legacy continues after 2015 as his son, Andy Beshear, has announced a run for statewide office. Andy Beshear hopes to succeed Conway, who is running for governor, as attorney general. The younger Beshear is likely to be up against a a conservative Democrat in the primary and even more conservative Republican in the general election. "He's got to worry about the political viability of the Beshear brand," Voss said. Same-sex marriage put on hold in Indiana by federal appeals court . Elton John: Jesus would support same-sex marriage .
Kentucky governor will challenge decision to overturn state's same-sex marriage ban . Steve Beshear said he wants to see "finality" on the issue . He is a Democratic governor in a conservative state . His son is running for state-wide office .
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The Washington Redskins, stinging from a letter by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and dozens of fellow Democrats calling on the league to force the team to change its racist name, apparently fumbled a desperate Twitter appeal to fans. "Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you," the maligned team wrote to its 305,000 Twitter followers on Thursday. But be careful what you ask for, especially on Twitter. "This team has ZERO self-awareness.lol," one person tweeted. "Lifelong 'Skins fan and I strongly believe it is time to change the name," wrote another. "How do you not see what a bad idea this is," said another tweet. "Please don't do this to yourself. DON'T," another person wrote. Faiz Shakir, Reid's digital director, said the majority of responses favored a name change. "In the five to 10 minutes following it, we were pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming outpouring of opposition to the team," he said. "It was 50 to one at one point." Redskins spokesman Tony Wyllie said the claim reminded him of the famously incorrect "Dewey defeats Truman" banner headline. "They declared victory within the hour and as the night went on, more and more momentum swung our way," he said. "That's the good thing about our country. People can express themselves and have a healthy dialogue." In a letter to the NFL last week, the senators stepped up pressure on the league to force the Washington Redskins to change their name by invoking the heated racial controversy triggered by basketball's Donald Sterling. "I would hope that the team does reflect on why there was so much organic opposition to the name," Shakir said Friday. "I don't know if they're living in bunker mentality over there and don't realize that this name has caused so much anger. But if they are in that bunker mentality, hopefully (Thursday's Twitter response) causes them to climb out of that and see the fact that there is a lot of deep-seeded opposition and anger to the name." Responding to the senators' letter, Redskins President Bruce Allen invited Reid to a game to "witness first-hand that the Washington Redskins are a positive, unifying force for our community in a city and region that is divided on so many levels." Allen said the term Redskins originated as a Native American expression of solidarity, and that the team logo was designed by Native Americans. Joel Barkin, a spokesman for Oneida Indian Nation of central New York, said the team's Twitter appeal demonstrated how much the Redskins underestimate the passions surrounding the issue. "This is a complete disregard for those that are calling for a change," he said. "It's a fundamental misreading of the issue at large." Last week's letter, signed by 50 Democratic senators and released by Reid, urged pro football's commissioner, Roger Goodell, to take action over concerns that continued use of the Redskins brand is offensive to Native Americans. They asked Goodell to follow the lead of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who took tough measures against Sterling after the longtime owner of the league's Los Angeles Clippers was recorded making comments offensive to African-Americans. "Today, we urge you and the National Football League to send the same clear message as the NBA did: that racism and bigotry have no place in professional sports," the letter said. Responding to the Senate letter, the NFL said last week it has "long demonstrated a commitment to progressive leadership" on diversity. "The intent of the team's name has always been to present a strong, positive and respectful image. The name is not used by the team or the NFL in any other context, though we respect those that view it differently," the league statement said. Lawmakers step into Washington Redskins name fray .
Team's Twitter appeal to fans appears to backfire, say proponents of name change . One person tweets: "This team has ZERO self-awareness" Another tweets: "Lifelong 'Skins fan and I strongly believe it is time to change the name" Team President Bruce Allen: Name began as Native American expression of solidarity .
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Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- A coalition commander offered his alliance's "sincere apologies" Sunday for an airstrike that he said killed nine civilians in southern Afghanistan. Maj. Gen. John Toolan, the head of the International Security Assistance Force's command in southwest Afghanistan, said his apology was being made "on behalf of the coalition" and its top leaders, including U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus. He pleaded with Afghans to not only forgive, but also to work with coalition forces in hopes of bolstering their security. "I offer our heartfelt apologies to the families and friends of those killed," Toolan said in a statement. "I ask that the Afghan people continue to trust and assist their security forces, so that together we can stop the senseless killing brought upon us by an enemy who wants to exploit the Afghan people through fear and violence." Earlier, Afghan and NATO officials said that Saturday's attack in Helmand province killed a dozen children and two women. There was no immediate explanation for the disparity between this figure and the toll of nine civilians killed offered Sunday by Toolan, who also noted that a U.S. Marine was killed immediately before the strike. The strike provoked the ire of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who strongly condemned the airstrike and insisted he was warning the U.S military and government "for the last time" on behalf of the Afghan people about civilian deaths. He called the operation a mistake, but offered a different death toll, saying 10 children, two women and two men were killed. According to Toolan's statement, the strike occurred after coalition troops came under attack in Helmand's Now Zad district, leading to the death of the American Marine. Five insurgents then moved into a compound, where they continued to fire, the ISAF commander said. An airstrike was then ordered on this building "to neutralize the threat." Residents claimed that projectiles coming from a coalition helicopter hit two houses where women and children were staying, ISAF spokesman Daud Ahamadi had said earlier. "Unfortunately, the compound the insurgents purposefully occupied was later discovered to house innocent civilians," Toolan said in his statement.. Even as a full investigation into the incident continues, the ISAF commander said, "We will ensure we make amends to the families (of those killed) in accordance with Afghan culture." Helmand province, a Taliban stronghold that borders Pakistan, has been the scene of intense fighting this month since insurgents launched their so-called spring offensive. Anger in Afghanistan and Pakistan over civilian casualties has mounted in recent months following NATO airstrikes that have killed dozens along their shared border. In March, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates offered a personal apology to Afghan President Karzai for the killings of nine boys in a helicopter attack targeting insurgents. The top coalition commander in Afghanistan has warned of a likely increase in high-profile attacks by insurgents looking to demonstrate their ability to strike. In a letter this month to ISAF forces, Petraeus said the attacks may increase the risk of civilian casualties and put Afghan and ISAF forces in difficult situations. CNN's Larry Shaughnessy contributed to this story.
NEW: An ISAF commander offers his "sincere apologies," vows compensation . NEW: He says the strike hit a building where insurgents -- and civilians -- were . Afghanistan's president warns the U.S. military and government "for the last time" Helmand province has been the scene of intense fighting this month .
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(CNN) -- The varying response to Egypt's uprising across the Middle East largely reflects different views on the role of the Muslim Brotherhood; while Turkey has condemned the coup, an assortment of voices from Israel to the Gulf to the Syrian government have all been cheering this sudden blow to the Islamists who seemed to be in the ascendance across the region just a few months ago. Regional governments who feared the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood are broadly pleased to see the army return as the key power-broker, as they believe it will restore order, stability and predictability. But the army did not act alone. It was enabled to move by mass popular protests that temporarily brought extremely disparate groups together -- united only by their opposition to Morsy. The lesson the protesters will be drawing is that protests still work. While Egypt's future is too uncertain to make it a model that others immediately want to emulate, this fresh demonstration of the power of the street will again inspire protest movements elsewhere in the Arab world, whether demonstrating against long-established authoritarian regimes, or newer elected Islamist counterparts. Just as the protesters may in time grow more skeptical about the role of the army, the authoritarian governments that are welcoming the change in Egypt may also come to regret applauding a fresh uprising. Read more: A day after coup, a new and uncertain order in Egypt . Egypt's foreign policy did not change dramatically under the Brotherhood -- nor is it likely to change dramatically under a weaker transitional government of national unity. Even after elections, the likely scenario is a coalition government representing a fragmented polity, probably preoccupied with internal issues more than taking dramatic foreign-policy stances. But the overthrow of the Arab world's first elected president from a Muslim Brotherhood party has international reverberations, since the Muslim Brotherhood exists in some form in virtually every Arab country and beyond. For years, local branches of the Muslim Brotherhood have been judged to be the most well-organized opposition movements in many of the authoritarian countries of the Arab world, where heavy restrictions on civil society and party organizations have often pushed political opposition underground and into the mosques. After the Arab uprisings, parties associated with the international Muslim Brotherhood were the most successful groups in elections in Egypt and Tunisia, though less so in Libya. They've been major players in the uprisings in Yemen and in Syria. And before all this, it was Hamas -- an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood -- that won the Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006, the last time elections were permitted in the Palestinian territories. Read more: Get ready for extremist backlash . The only country where the Brotherhood has been able to consolidate power over a number of years has been Turkey, whose ruling party, the Justice and Development Party, is associated with the organization. Turkey has also faced hefty protests in recent weeks as opponents of the government accuse Prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of arrogance, crude majoritarianism, and trying to impose a monolithic Islamist identity on a diverse society -- but while these criticisms echo those made of Morsy, Erdogan has been able to consolidate his power to a far greater degree, not least because he has overseen a decade of successful economic development, whereas Egypt's economy has suffered from 2011 as political uncertainty has deterred investors and tourists. All this means the stakes in Egypt are very high. Mohammed Morsy and his supporters, whose thinking has been shaped by their years in opposition under a dictatorship, were well aware that they faced regional opposition, but hoped that if they were careful not to alienate the West, they would be allowed to remain in office. Thus, they focused on consolidating their domestic power, but did not seriously challenge the regional order; Morsy brokered a ceasefire when conflict erupted between Israel and militias in the Gaza Strip last year, and the Brotherhood emphasised its openness to and interest in Western investment. But they often erred by trying to discredit all of Egypt's diverse and vocal political opposition as if it was merely a foreign-sponsored counter-revolutionary force. Just at the time when they most needed to reach out, as the scale of the opposition became evident in this week's street protests, they spoke disparagingly about the opposition, saying, for instance, that protesters were being sponsored by Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's last prime minister, who Morsy narrowly defeated in the presidential run-off a year ago, and who is now living in the Gulf. Indeed, many in the Gulf will be glad to see the Muslim Brotherhood "brand" damaged, even if they have their doubts about the methods of mass street protests. The United Arab Emirates' foreign minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nayhan, was among the first officials to congratulate Egypt after the military announced a new president would take charge. This came just two days after the UAE sentenced 68 dissidents, including a cousin of the ruler of the emirate of Sharjah, to jail sentences for plotting to overthrow the government, accusing them of belonging to an underground group associated with the Brotherhood. Earlier this month the UAE also arrested several Egyptians accused of forming an underground Muslim Brotherhood cell there. The news poses much more of a dilemma for Qatar, which, unlike all the other Gulf monarchies, was quick to lend its support to Arab protest movements, at least as long as they stayed outside the Gulf. The tiny, gas-rich emirate has built strong ties with the Muslim Brotherhood ruling parties in Egypt and Tunisia. Now, its 33 year-old new emir, who has been in power only two weeks since the abdication of his father, may need to chart a different course and make some hurried outreach to a wider range of political movements -- which might include more conservative Islamist groups, like Egypt's Salafist parties, as well as leftist and liberal groups. The new emir has congratulated Egypt's new president, though not as quickly as the UAE or Kuwait did. Israel's cabinet has been ordered not to speak publicly about Morsy's overthrow, presumably for fear that if Israeli officials comment, they'll immediately be blamed, in a region prone to conspiracy theories. In fact their feelings are likely to be mixed: Israel sees the Muslim Brotherhood's ideology as a profound security threat, but they had continued to cooperate with the Egyptian authorities on border security, and will now be concerned that the fresh political uncertainty could distract the army from securing the large and often lawless Sinai region along Israel's border, home to a number of jihadi movements. The United States has also sent mixed messages: it did not want to call for the overthrow of an elected president just one year into office, though it had been warning him to listen to his people. But Obama has stopped short of calling Morsy's overthrow a military coup, even though the intervention of the army to change the president and suspend the constitution fits virtually every known definition of a coup. The semantics are political: the U.S .wants to retain leverage with the Egyptian military, and if it labels their actions a coup, it would ordinarily be obliged to cut off its military aid, normally around $1.2B per year. The beleaguered Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, has also been cheered by the sight of a military coup against the Muslim Brotherhood, since the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood forms a significant part of the opposition to his own military regime. Assad has declared this the end of political Islam, blithely ignoring the fact his own main external allies are Iran and Hezbollah. The Brotherhood's critics see Morsy's overthrow -- along with the political transition in Qatar and even the protests in Turkey -- as the end of an era for these Islamists. For their part, the Brotherhood will see this as a temporary reversal, just as Turkey too faced successive military coups. The question is whether Egypt, and other countries in the region, will be able to accommodate a movement that is no longer a majority but is still the best organized political force in many countries, or whether it will again be driven underground. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Jane Kinninmont.
Kinninmont says differing views on Egypt's uprising reflect views on the Muslim Brotherhood . Regional governments who feared the group's rise are broadly pleased, she says . However, Kinninmont says governments applauding the uprising may come to regret it . Demonstrations in Egypt will again inspire protests elsewhere in the Arab world, she says .
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By . Emily Kent Smith . A Florida city dubbed the most corrupt in the state has won its battle for survival after lawmakers tried to have it wiped off the map. The bid to have Hampton, Florida, stripped of its city status came after a scathing audit which revealed that city hall workers had run up hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and committed 31 violations of the city's charter, as well as violations of . federal codes and laws. And the audit came just months after the city's Mayor was accused of allegedly dealing drugs. There are just 477 residents in sleepy Hampton, where a scathing audit found that the city had run up hundreds of thousands in debt . Hampton in the state of Florida is located in Bradford County and lies between Savannah and Orlando . Now, Hampton, a town of 477 residents, with a size of just one square mile, has been granted a final lifeline after being ordered to change its ways. And the conditions imposed on the city are severe: included disbanding the 19 person strong police force and handing over power to the County Sheriff's office as well as the resignation of all elected officials currently in power. The decision to save the city and strip it of its corrupt structure came after it was agreed that recommendations by State Representative Charles Van Zant and Senator Rob Bradley would be followed, First Coast News reported. After the meeting at Victory Church in the city centre, the state officials agreed to keep Hampton and withdrew the bill to dissolve it. During the campaign to keep the city alive, a Facebook group 'Save Our Town of Hampton, Fla', was set . up. On Saturday, a post on the site read 'Hampton lives!!'. Another, today, said: 'I'm so glad to see things turned around.' The city's limits were stretched so that funds could be boosted from the speed trap . Hampton came into the limelight after a notorious speed trap was set up on a road on its outskirts on Highway 301. In order to create the trap, the city limits were extended 1,260 feet down the width of the busy highway. Some of the money raised from the fines, $600,000 in three years, was then used to hire more police officers until the total number reached 19 - one for each of the 25 residents in Hampton. One of the officers was nicknamed 'Rambo' because he carried a gun to write out a speeding ticket. It was unclear how the rest of the funds were used, triggering a criminal investigation by the state of Florida in February. Beginning of the end: The town became infamous for all the speeding tickets it issued between 2010 and 2012, the city collected over $600,000 in fines . The town with just 477 inhabitants had 19 police officers until the ruling - one for every 25 inhabitants . Once the investigation was underway, . auditors found that $132,000 had been charged to a convenience store - . through a city account. It . was also revealed that a number of city employees were paid excesses, . on top of their salary, of $9,000 and the city credit card had $27,000 . of unexplained spending for 'no public purpose'. Hampton had already become the focus of criticism after Mayor Barry Layne Moore was accused of selling oxycodone, an opiod pain medication, following an undercover sting. Moore is now behind bars and has resigned. Resigned: The city's mayor Barry Layne Moore was arrested for allegedly trying to sell an oxycodone tablet to an undercover officer around Thanksgiving. He remains in jail unable to cover the $4,500 bond . But former Mayor Jim Mitzel, who left office two years ago, still has faith in the city. He told CNN: . 'The government bailed out General motors, the government bailed out . Chrysler, why can't the state of Florida bail out Hampton?' State Senator Rob Bradley, whose . district includes Hampton, and who conducted the investigation into the . city's books told Time: 'It’s like something out of a Southern Gothic . novel.' Former mayor Jim Mitzen agreed that the town should have been saved. He told CNN: 'The government bailed out General Motors, the government bailed out Chrysler, why can't the state of Florida bail out Hampton?' A decision was made at Victory Church, Hampton Florida to keep the city on the map . A state audit found the town had violated state and local laws with 31 misdeeds, some of them egregious and some of them just unbelievable. Some of the most shocking are as follows: .
Hampton remains on map after state decision-makers gave city last chance . Changes to be made include resignation of all elected officials . State audit in February found corruption and unexplained use of funds . Former mayor in jail accused of selling oxycodone pill for $20 in November . Speed trap earned city $600,000 in three years - unclear how money spent .
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The scourge of cold calling is facing its biggest ever crackdown under plans being drawn up by ministers. Companies that blitz households with telephone calls and spam text messages face heavy fines of up to 20 per cent their annual turnover. The move will come as a particular relief to millions who are bombarded every day with offers of Payment Protection Insurance compensation. A planned Government crackdown on cold calling will come as a relief to millions bombarded every day . As part of the plan, PPI firms which use 'information gathered from unsolicited calls or texts, and provide bad service or waste time by making spurious and unsubstantiated claims' face stringent punishments. Currently nuisance calls must cause 'substantial stress' or 'substantial damage' for the Information Commissioner's Office to impose sanctions. Despite an increase to £500,000 in the maximum fine it can impose, the ICO still received 120,310 complaints about unsolicited marketing calls between April and November last year. The new rules are expected to lower the threshold required for the watchdog to take action against companies that blitz households with telephone calls and spam text messages. Culture Secretary Maria Miller said: 'Nuisance calls must stop' Culture Secretary Maria Miller said: 'Nuisance calls must stop. At best they are an irritation and an unwanted intrusion, at worst they cause real distress and fear, particularly to the elderly or housebound. 'People need to feel safe and secure in their homes. The rules are clear. People have the right to choose not to receive unsolicited marketing calls. We will work to ensure their choice is respected.' The Ministry of Justice will today launch a consultation on whether firms that break Claims Management Regulation Unit rules should face fines of up to 20 per cent of their annual turnover. Justice Secretary Chris Grayling, said: 'The Claims Management Regulator already takes tough action against companies which break the rules, suspending and closing down rogue firms, but now these fines will give us an extra weapon to drive bad behaviour out of the industry.'
Move will come as a relief to millions bombarded every day . 120,310 complaints about calls between April and November last year . Culture Secretary Maria Miller said: 'Nuisance calls must stop'
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Los Angeles (CNN) -- Andrew Dice Clay, one of the hottest and most controversial comedians two decades ago, sits on his front porch late at night, plotting his comeback. "I was almost like self-exiled from the business, you know, other than going out and making a living for myself, I wasn't really making any career moves," Clay says, talking with fellow comedian Tom Green. "I was bringing up my family." Green, who was on "Celebrity Apprentice" with "Diceman" in 2009, had his camera rolling when Clay invited CNN to hang with him a recent Friday night -- just days before his first television comedy special in 17 years airs on Showtime. "I want to be able to make people laugh as hard as they possibly can, and I really think they need that," Dice said. His TV special premieres at 10 p.m. New Year's Eve "so people can just have a couple of drinks and just laugh until it hurts." Clay rose to iconic status in the 1980s, selling out hundreds of large arenas -- including New York's Madison Square Garden two consecutive nights in 1990. He acted in movies and performed on HBO comedy shows. But after a tough divorce, he decided to focus on raising his two sons -- Max, now 22, and Dillon, now 18 -- who lived with him. A career resurgence started last year when he landed a role in the final season of HBO's hit series "Entourage." He played himself with his older son, Max, also in the show. Clay's back in Las Vegas, headlining at the Hard Rock Casino in February. Woody Allen saw his five episodes on "Entourage" and gave him a major dramatic role in his next movie, due in theaters next summer. His co-stars include Alec Baldwin, Cate Blanchett and comedian Louis C.K. His being in a Woody Allen film is "kinda shocking," Clay said. Shocking, though, is something the 55-year-old Brooklyn-born comic is known for. Critics frequently scorned him, calling his act racist, misogynist and homophobic. His jokes about gays, women and midgets are still there in his new material. "I make no apologies for anything I did on that special, or any joke I tell because that's the thing about jokes," he said. "That's all it's meant to be taken as. Whether they're clean, dirty, it's just humor. You know, it's just jokes. This society today, the politically correct, I think people are just sick of it." Politically incorrect jokes, however, have seriously hurt comic careers in recent years. Think Michael Richards and the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles. Or Tracy Morgan and his anti-gay humor. "Some of these comics are on like CBS or ABC, so, you know, it's the powers-that-be that turn around and go 'You've got to apologize for what you said.'" Clay said. "And that's just wrong because, you know, comedy is like the last art form where you can get up there and just do whatever you want. You know, like they say, you are the producer, director, writer, star. And if they take that away, you know, that's what America is, that's what we were built on, freedom." Clay knows what it is like for a network to turn on him for his humor. MTV banned him "for life" after his performance on a 1989 MTV awards show. The ban was recently lifted. "I've been getting in trouble my whole life and I really don't care what anybody thinks of what I do on stage as a comic," he said. "I know there are people out there who don't even like this kind of comedy. Turn off the TV, turn the channel. Don't watch me. But I have millions of fans out there that have been waiting for this special and waiting for me to come back like this." And Dice is back -- still with his edgy, expletive-filled humor and a cigarette as a constant prop. He chain-smokes through the front-porch conversation, but you won't hear the profanity. "I certainly don't walk around my home or being with my family and just using profane language all the time, but on stage, it's a constant," he said. "Because I'm also hammering these different points across and because a lot of it is sexual, I just use the real words." You will see his sons on stage, though. Max, who also does stand-up, plays drums, while Dillon is on guitar on singing. They are two-thirds of a rock group called "L.A. Rocks." His ex-fiance -- comedian Eleanor Kerrigan -- is his opening act in the Showtime special. With Eleanor sitting on a child-size plastic chair next to him, Dice calls her, "The greatest opening act I've ever had -- as a woman." As he enjoys her reaction to the backhanded compliment, he throws in, "She's a killer." Despite their romantic history, Eleanor is a frequent visitor at his Los Angeles home. She and his wife are "like best friends." Sister wives, he jokes. "When I got together with Valerie (his wife) I told her there's one woman in my life that, you know, I can't turn around and say 'I can't see you anymore,'" he said. "Eleanor helped me bring up my boys, you know. It's almost like she is an ex-wife, but one I get along with." As for the smoking, Clay got some electronic cigarettes for Christmas. While he says he may rotate them into his personal routine, don't expect to see them in his hand on stage when he's reciting his infamous versions of Mother Goose nursery rhymes. For that, it's the same Dice you've seen for decades.
Dice's resurgence started last year with a role a role in HBO's "Entourage" Clay rose to iconic status in the 1980s, selling out hundreds of large arenas . His first TV special in 17 years is on Showtime on New Year's Eve . "I make no apologies for anything I did on that special," Clay tells CNN .
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(CNN)Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso was airlifted to hospital after crashing his McLaren-Honda in the final day of pre-season testing in Barcelona Sunday. Spain's Alonso was on his 21st lap at the Circuit de Catalunya when his car left the track at Turn 3 and hit a wall at about 150kph per hour. With the morning session immediately red-flagged, Alonso received urgent medical attention, with a screen placed around the accident scene. A statement from McLaren later gave an update on the condition of the 33-year-old Alonso. "He was conscious and spoke with the doctors. However, as per usual procedure in such circumstances, he was then airlifted to hospital where he is undergoing precautionary checks," it read. Alonso's agent Luis Garcia Abad told AFP that he would likely remain in hospital under observation for at least 24 hours. It was another setback for McLaren and its new MP4-30 car, which has been plagued by problems, with Jenson Button having to cut short his test session Saturday. Button was due to take over from Alonso for the afternoon runs, but the Briton had to sit it out. With new season set to start on March 15 in Australia, the team has only a further four-day test at the same venue later this week to sort out its problems . Alonso, who left Ferrari to join McLaren at the end of last season, has 32 career F1 wins but his two title wins date back to the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Alonso's fellow Spaniard, rookie Carlos Sainz Junior, was fastest in the session in his Toro Rosso in a time of one minute 25.604 seconds, running on fast super-soft tires. The afternoon session gave more clues as to the readiness of teams for the season-opener with Romain Grosjean setting the fastest time of the week of one minute 24.067 second in his Lotus, again on super-softs. Last year's all-conquering Mercedes also had good reason to be satisfied with Nico Rosberg completing over 100 laps, with his best effort the second-best of the four-day test, despite running on slower medium compound tires. Thursday will see F1 teams return to the circuit for the last official testing before Australia.
Fernando Alonso crashes in final day of testing at Circuit de Catalunya . Two-time world champion airlifted to hospital near Barcelona . Alonso underwent 'precautionary checks' according to his McLaren team . Roman Grosjean of Lotus sets fastest time of week Sunday afternoon .
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