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A neighbours’ dispute over £16.99 wind chimes hanging in a garden has ended in an expensive criminal trial and left a police sergeant’s career in ruins. Paul Duke, a police officer married to a detective, was caught on CCTV climbing over his neighbour’s 6ft high fence, taking his wind chimes and returning to his own garden to put them on a bonfire. Neighbour Edmund Looby, 42, and his teacher wife Tatiana, 39, had upset Duke by complaining to the council about fires he had been lighting to burn rubbish during house renovation work. Scroll down for video . CCTV captures the moment police officer Paul Duke looks over the fence of his neighbour, Edmund Looby, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, before taking wind chimes following a row over bonfire smoke . After checking that the coast was clear, Duke was seen jumping over the fence and heading for the chimes . The Loobys reported the theft incident to police and Duke, 45, told investigators the chimes belonged to him and he was ‘recovering his own property.’ The ‘bizarre’ row resulted in a day-long trial at Doncaster Magistrates Court involving two barristers, eight witnesses and a district judge. Father-of-two Mr Looby, a construction worker who has since moved to Kuwait with his family, had his £1,000 travel costs paid from the public purse to fly in and give evidence. The total cost of the case is estimated at around £3,000 – with more than half that bill being paid by the taxpayer. Duke was found guilty of criminal damage by District Judge Jonathan Bennett. He rejected the policeman’s account that he was reclaiming his own wind chime, describing Duke’s actions as ‘extremely strange behaviour’ and a ‘foolish escapade.’ Duke was given a conditional discharge, ordered to pay £620 and £16.99 compensation to Mr Looby. After 26 years in the force Duke also faces losing his job following the criminal conviction. He then removed the garden ornament, which he threw on a fire, before claiming they belonged to him . The bitter feud between the neighbours was only settled by a day-long trial at a magistrates court . Questioning why the wind chime dispute came to court, District Judge Bennett said: ‘Sometimes I wondered today what we were all doing here at an overburdened court to deal with criminal damage out of a neighbour dispute over a £16.99 wind chime. The Crown felt the matter met the public interest and I had to judge it on its merits.’ The court heard Duke moved in to the house at Barnsley, South Yorkshire, in August 2012 with his partner Detective Constable Eleanor Bottomley and their two sons. The Loobys had lived next door for seven years but were dismayed when Duke started burning doors, cupboards, carpets and plastic in his back garden. They complained to the council and were advised to keep a log of all fires and were able to monitor activities via a CCTV camera that was previously installed for security reasons. In March this year they checked video footage – which was played in court – showing Duke dressed in jeans climbing the fence and removing the chimes from the paved garden. Mr Looby produced a receipt to prove he bought the ‘Chimes of Polaris’ from a local garden centre three years earlier. Duke (pictured, left) set fire to wind chimes belonging to neighbour Mr Looby (pictured) after the pair had a row about smoke from garden bonfires in March this year. The police officer now faces a disciplinary probe . He described the chimes in court and said: ‘You could hear it most times through the day when it was windy.’ He said Duke never had a wind chime. Duke told the court he put a wind chime in his garden when he moved there as it came from his partner’s late grandmother and was of ‘sentimental value.’ Mr Looby said he was very fond of the wind chimes . He was off work for three weeks with a knee problem and realised ‘the wind chime had gone.’ He saw a wind chime hanging in the Loobys garden. ‘I recognised it straight away as our old rusty metal wind chime.’ Duke told the court ‘in hindsight I might have dealt with it differently but at the time it seemed a reasonable thing to do.’ Adding: ‘I had reached a tipping point with everything else that had gone on. I was 1,000 per cent certain it was my wind chime.’ He believed Mr Looby had a ‘vendetta’ against him because he was a policeman. ‘I was very angry when I saw my wind chime on my neighbour’s wall.’ Miss Bottomley said they had decided to get rid of the wind chime because it had gone rusty. Guy Ladenburg, barrister for Duke, said in law no offence has been committed if the defendant holds an honest or mistaken belief that the property is his own. But the defence was rejected by the judge. After the case Mr Looby said: ‘I felt passionate about this. I hope people can see the bigger picture. It is the principle of the matter. ‘I would have paid my own fare to come over for this. We have a serving police sergeant who was prepared to climb over a fence and do something like that. It is an absolute waste of taxpayers’ money. But justice has been done.’ South Yorkshire Police are to carry out a misconduct investigation to decide Duke’s future. Detective Superintendent Terry Mann said the public rightly expected ‘high standards of behaviour’ from officers. ‘The force expects its staff to act with integrity and professionalism to ensure people receive a high quality service and have a police service they can be proud of.’ The neighbours were involved in a dispute after the Loobys complained to the council about bonfire smoke .
Police officer Paul Duke upset neighbour Edmund Looby with garden fires . After Mr Looby complained to council, Duke took beloved wind chimes . He threw them on fire and then claimed they were his when challenged . The dispute ended up in court with Duke facing criminal damage charge . After £3,000 trial, Duke found guilty and now faces disciplinary action . Judge questions whether 'foolish escapade' should have come to court .
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By . Alex Greig . PUBLISHED: . 21:22 EST, 16 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:41 EST, 17 December 2013 . Canadian scientists have discovered artificial sweeteners in water samples collected from the Grand River in Ontario. The sweeteners - found in everything from diet soda to flavored yoghurts - pass through waste-water treatment systems and are then discharged into waterways. In other words: humans consume them, expel them, and they wind up in our waterways. Sweet nothings: Artificial sweeteners are used in low-calorie foods and sodas as a sugar alternative but they persist through sewage treatment and wind up in rivers and waterways . The researchers write in a paper published on PLOS ONE that the sweeteners got into the Grand River from the 30 sewage treatment plants that empty into the river and its tributaries. The Researchers, from Environment Canada and the University of Waterloo sampled the Grand River at 23 separate locations along more than 150 miles of its course. They found concentrations of four sweeteners: cyclamate, saccarin, sucralose and acesulfame, the last of which is particularly resistant to removal. The scientists say its very persistance and the fact that it comes solely from human waste makes acesulfame a good candidate for tracing the movement of treated sewage after it is expelled into rivers and waterways. The Grand River: The large river in Southern Ontario, Canada, is impacted by agricultural activities and urban centers . 'Given the persistent nature demonstrated here and solely human source, we expect that acesulfame will become the most reliable detector of wastewater presence, dilution, and transformation in surface and ground waters,' write the researchers. The researchers write that the concentrations they measured for sucralose, cyclamate, and saccharin are the 'highest reported concentrations of these compounds in surface waters anywhere in the world.' And acesulfame persists at elevated concentrations over a distance of 300km. Having survived the sewage treatment plants, the compounds also persisted through water purification to be found in trace amounts in municipal tap water from homes that draw water from the River Grand. Traceable: The persistence of artificial sweeteners means they're a good way to trace where waste water ends up . The researchers say the effects of artificial sweeteners on aquatic life are largely unknown. But, they write, 'We demonstrate here that aquatic organisms likely experience long-term exposure to significant concentrations' of artificial sweeteners if they reside downriver from water impacted by urban activities. The report is just part of a growing body of evidence that the chemicals humans ingest - anti-depressants, sweeeteners, antibiotics and many other prescription drugs - wind up in our waterway and drinking supplies. So far, researchers are unsure of the longterm effects for humans and the environment are.
Canadian scientists have found elevated levels of artificial sweeteners in the River Grand, Ontario . The compounds have also been found in drinking water . The environmental impact of the sweeteners is as yet unkown .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter and Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 14:40 EST, 22 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:09 EST, 23 May 2013 . Police in tornado ravaged Moore, Oklahoma have arrested two men looting from properties decimated by Monday's storm. The two men who were arrested were both in their 20s and found standing in the ruins of one property by the owners. They attempted to claim that they were searching for survivors but police said that the residents called police after they realized the men had put items from their home into their pockets. It is not know if the accused looters are residents of Moore, or if they are from outside the tornado affected town. Police have not identified the suspects at this time. Scroll down for video . Police stand beside two men sitting handcuffed on the street whom they have detained on suspicion of looting in Moore, Oklahoma on Tuesday . Looters: Police stand beside two men sitting handcuffed on the street whom they have detained on suspicion of looting . Devastated: The Moore Medical Center was decimated by the tornado . When police arrived they found that . the looters bag was filled with belongings from other destroyed homes in . the neighborhood reported KWTV. Police arrested the suspects, who have not been identified, at the scene at S.W. Seventh St. and Kings Manor. Reports of looting came in as soon as Tuesday in Moore . as it deals with the loss of 24 people who have been confirmed dead, and another 237 injured. Vandals were spotted at the Moore Medical Center, a small facility that sustained damage in the twister. It was a location that was hit hard by the twister, and where rescuers sprung into action to get 15 workers out of the building. KFOR reported that the National Guard has been called in to deal with the looters. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Keli Cain said that the hospital was evacuated on Monday and all 13 of its patients were transferred to other facilities. Cain said she didn't know the conditions of the patients or the extent of the damage at the hospital, which is southwest of Oklahoma City. Hope after the storm: Rescue workers help free one of the 15 people that were trapped at a medical building at the Moore hospital complex . Valor: Rescue workers help free injured survivors of the storm in Moore after a tornado tore through the area .
The National Guard has been dispatched to assist .
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By . Associated Press Reporter . A dog caused chaos at LAX airport in Los Angeles yesterday after breaking free from its kennel and charging across two runways. One flight had to abort its landing to avoid running over the boxer dog, which had escaped while being loaded on to a flight to Paris. The dog is believed to have chewed its way out of a cargo kennel before running loose on the northern section of the busy airport. Cornered: Airport security try to round up the escaped dog at the edge of the airport after it charged across two runways . Its owner had already left on an earlier flight and was unaware of the chaos that the pet was causing. Flight paths of a couple of planes had to changed while airport workers tried to catch the dog. It was eventually cornered in a ditch along the airport's perimeter fence and, by 8.30pm had been safely stowed on an aircraft and sent on its way. Airport spokeswoman Nancy Castles told the Los Angeles Times that the dog had broken free while being put on a trans-Atlantic flight at about 7.30pm. The hound's escape caused brief delays at the international airport. Havoc: Flights were briefly delayed at LAX on Tuesday after a boxer dog escaped on the runway .
Pet broke free while being loaded on a flight to Paris . Plane had to abort landing to avoid running dog over . Owner had already left on an earlier flight .
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By . Mail On Sunday Reporter . Campaigning mother Doreen Lawrence is being tipped as Labour's candidate to fight the London mayoral elections. The party is said to be in early talks about formally approaching the mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence to stand in the 2016 vote. Labour insiders believe the 'influential and dynamic' peer would have a broad appeal, according to The Sunday People. Doreen Lawrence, left, is being tipped as the Labour candidate for the London mayoral elections. She could go up against current mayor Boris Johnson, right . In an article for the newspaper, policy coordinator Jon Cruddas wrote: 'She's a class act and going from strength to strength. People in Westminster are -starting to tip her as a potential mayor for our capital city. Now that is an interesting idea.' Earlier this week, Baroness Lawrence was named the most powerful woman in the country in a list compiled for Radio 4's Woman's Hour. Her son, an 18-year-old student, was stabbed to death by a group of up to six white youths in an unprovoked racist attack as he waited at a bus stop in Eltham, south east London, with a friend on April 22 1993. It took more than 18 years to bring two of his killers to justice. Mrs Lawrence's son Stephen, pictured, was stabbed to death in an unprovoked racist attack in 1993 . Baroness Lawrence's tireless campaign for justice for her son led to the Macpherson Inquiry, which found evidence of 'institutional racism' in the Metropolitan Police. Two of his killers were finally convicted of murder in 2012. She founded the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust to support young people from ethnic minority backgrounds to pursue their ambitions and was made a Labour peer last year. A Labour Party spokeswoman said: 'The Labour Party's selection process for our London Mayoral candidate is not yet under way.'
Party said to be in early talks about approaching Baroness Lawrence . Labour insiders believe she is an 'influential and dynamic' peer . Policy coordinator John Cruddas says it is an 'interesting idea' Baroness Lawrence's son Stephen was murdered in south London in 1993 .
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(CNN) -- Authorities investigating a shooting at Los Angeles International Airport asked for patience Saturday as they piece together details of the rampage that left a Transportation Security Administration officer dead. The statement released jointly by federal and local authorities came one day after The Associated Press, citing two unnamed law enforcement officials, reported the slain TSA officer lay bleeding for 33 minutes because police had not declared the terminal safe for paramedics to enter. Authorities have charged Paul Ciancia, 29, in the death of TSA officer Gerardo Hernandez, who was shot in the chest and abdomen during the November 1 shooting at Terminal 3. The joint statement did not directly address the AP report, but it defended the actions of authorities that day. "Command officers and airport administrators were faced with a wide range of important objectives, including conducting a complete search to rule out additional gunmen or explosives, identifying and treating all injured victims, and coordinating the needs of the thousands of arriving and departing travelers that were impacted by the incident," the statement said. Federal and local authorities will offer no further comment beyond the statement while the investigation is ongoing, said LAPD spokeswoman Sally Madera. The AP reported that while it was unknown when Hernandez died, officials were examining whether paramedics, who were reportedly held 150 yards away from the terminal by police, could have gone in earlier. "Various statements have been made regarding the incident, some of which are untrue and others that merit serious consideration by our respective agencies," the Saturday statement said. "Numerous actions are underway relative to this incident and the ensuing response." According to the joint statement, authorities are conducting a federal criminal investigation and an officer-involved shooting investigation. An after-action work group is also analyzing all aspects of the "multidiscipline response." Key findings of the investigations will be released when they are completed, it said. Hernandez, 39, was the first TSA officer killed in the line of duty in the agency's 12-year-history. According to authorities, Ciancia walked up to the TSA checkpoint where Hernandez was working and opened fire, shooting him "at point-blank range," according to a court document. Ciancia then went up an escalator toward the security checkpoint, but returned to shoot Hernandez again after apparently seeing the officer move, the document said. The rampage came to an end when authorities shot and wounded Ciancia, who has been charged with the murder of a federal officer and commission of violence at an international airport.
AP is reporting that a TSA officer killed during a shooting at LAX lay bleeding for 33 minutes . Authorities investigating the shooting did not respond directly to the report . Officials release joint statement saying various statements have been made, some untrue .
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Paul Gascoigne has revealed Arsenal paid £50,000 towards his medical care - and that part of that was arranged by Arsene Wenger. The 47-year-old was spotted for the first time recently following an apparent alcohol binge that led to Gascoigne being sectioned under the Mental Health Act a month ago. The ex-England midfielder has told how Arsenal, a team he never played for and north London rivals of his former club Tottenham Hotspur, helped pay for his treatment. VIDEO Scroll down to see Gascoigne open up about his alcoholism . Paul Gascoigne is said to be doing well a month after he was sectioned following an apparent alcohol binge . Friends are said to have credited a new diet and exercise regime as he gets himself on the mend . The footballing legend visited an off-licence in a taxi but only to buy cigarettes as he gets himself on the mend . 'I rang up (Arsenal) physio Gary Lewin and told him I wasn't feeling great,' Gascoigne told The Sun. 'He said to go to hospital as he feared it was pneumonia. Wenger then agreed to arrange £28,000 to pay for treatment. Arsenal also paid £22,000 when I had hip treatment.' But, when Tottenham were facing Real Madrid in 2011 in the Champions League, Gascoigne claims he was told by his former club that he would have to pay to get into White Hart Lane. 'I wanted to watch Spurs against Real Madrid and got told they only had two tickets for £60,' he continues. 'I'd have to watch from under the directors' box with some players who played 30 years before me.' Gascoigne spent almost a week in hospital after being sectioned under the Mental Health Act in October, and says he was doing '800 press-ups, 800 sit-ups and 800 squats per day' to stay fit. Gascoigne is still remembered for his stunning goal against Scotland during Euro 96 at Wembley . Gascoigne performing the infamous 'Dentist's Chair' celebration with Teddy Sherlingham after the goal . He promises he is on the mend, and adds: 'There is nothing wrong me - as long as I don't pick up a can. The only person who can save me is me.' Gascoigne tells The Sun that police turned up at his home and put him in a van, though not in handcuffs. A trip to hospital followed for a brain scan, which 'came up fine'. But the next thing the England legend knew, he continues, was that he was at St Ann's Hospital in Poole, Dorset, where he spent almost a week and was told to rest. He has struggled with alcohol addiction for several years since retiring from the game in 2004. Gazza made 57 appearances for England, but later entered rehab seven times and was first sectioned under the Mental Health Act in 2008 following an incident at a Newcastle hotel.
England legend Paul Gascoigne insists he is getting back to healthy living . 'There is nothing wrong with me - as long as I don't pick up a can,' he says . Gascoigne has opened up after being sectioned under Mental Health Act . Arsene Wenger arranged for £28,000 treatment and the Gunners added £22,000 when Gascoigne had hip surgery . He claims Tottenham tried to make him pay to get into White Hart Lane .
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(CNN) -- A collaboration between Twitter and CNN during football's 2010 World Cup in South Africa has landed a top television award for innovation. Tweets soared to a record high during the month-long competition, which was held in Africa for the first time, and in recognition of the new phenomenon, CNN created a data visualization tool to measure the activity. CNN's Twitter Buzz was an interactive screen which reflected the Twitter traffic on a particular topic, usually a player or a team. The more the topic was tweeted, the bigger the picture on the screen. And there were often surprising results. On the first day of the tournament the word "Bees" filled the page, a reference to the unique sound of the vuvuzelas which filled every stadium. South Africa 2010 was the first World Cup to be held since Twitter became one of the leading social media technologies and, at its peak, the interactive processed more than 13,000 tweets a minute when England played the United States in a group match on June 12. During the tournament, won by Spain, Twitter Buzz handled more than 11 million World Cup-related tweets. The Twitter Buzz page on CNN.com also attracted a large audience with nearly 700,000 hits. In recognition of its success, CNN won the "Innovative News" category at the UK's Royal Televison Society (RTS) Awards. The judges recognized that Twitter Buzz had given TV and internet viewers a unique insight into social media activity during the World Cup. "It is very gratifying to win in the innovation category, which speaks so much to CNN's commitment to harnessing technology in unique and distinct ways," said Tony Maddox, CNN International Managing Director. CNN previously won the same award in 2002 when its satellite telephone technology ushered in a new era of in-the-field newsgathering.
Twitter collaboration lands CNN honor at prestigious television awards . World Cup Twitter Buzz tracked social media activity during South Africa 2010 . The more a topic was tweeted, the bigger its image on an interactive screen . CNN won "Innovative News" category at UK's Royal Television Society Awards .
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An American tourist had to be rescued from a luxury cruise ship off the southern coast of Vietnam last night after he suffered a medical emergency. A photo shows the dramatic moment a specialised marine search and rescue team swept in and removed the 89-year-old man from the Seven Seas Voyager on a backboard after he suffered a possible heart attack, according to reports. The ship was met by rescuers some 30 nautical miles from Da Nang, Vietnam as it sailed into the Gulf of Tonkin towards Ha Long Bay, a Unesco World Heritage Site east of the capital, Hanoi. An American tourist was rescued from the Seven Seas Voyager after he suffered a possible heart attack . A spokesperson for the Da Nang Maritime Rescue Coordination Center told Thanhnien News that its members received a distress signal from the all-suite ship, operated by Miami-based Regent Seven Seas Cruises, a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line. Doctors provided first aid instructions over the phone to the ship’s crew, and the man was brought ashore and rushed to hospital about four hours after the distress call, said Thanhnien News. It said strong winds and ‘rogue waves’ made it difficult to reach the cruise ship, but when rescuers arrived the man was able to speak to them despite suffering from chest pains and fatigue. He was reportedly in stable condition in hospital. MailOnline Travel has contacted Regent Seven Seas Cruises for comment. The cruise ship was sailing to Ha Long Bay from Da Nang when a distress call was placed (file photo) The all-suite luxury cruise ship is currently on a 34-night cruise from Singapore to Tianjin, China . The 670ft vessel is currently docked at Ha Long Bay and is scheduled to depart for Hong Kong and cruise across the South China Sea on Wednesday. According to an online itinerary, the Seven Seas Voyager is on a 34-night cruise from Singapore to Tianjin, China, a port city southeast of Beijing. The journey is scheduled to end February 21, although some passengers are on a shorter, 18-night trip that departed the same day and concludes in Hong Kong on Thursday. With nine decks and balconies for every room, the Seven Seas Voyager can accommodate up to 700 guests and nearly 450 crew.
Marine search and rescue team met the cruise ship near port of Da Nang . Ship was entering the Gulf of Tonkin as it sailed towards Ha Long Bay . Doctors provided first aid instructions over the phone to the ship’s crew . Man was speaking to rescuers and was reportedly in stable condition .
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More than 600,000 white British Londoners have left the capital in a decade. Census figures show that between 2001 and 2011 the level of ‘white flight’ reached 620,000. It is the equivalent of a city the size of Glasgow – made up entirely of white Britons – moving out of the capital. White Britons are now a minority in the country's capital with 620,000 leaving in a decade . The figures, reported by the BBC . yesterday, mean that for the first time, white Britons are now in a . minority in the country’s largest city. At the same time, the census shows, . some rural areas have seen a rise in the proportion of people who . describe their ethnicity as ‘white British’. Some 3.7million Londoners classified . themselves as white British in 2011 – down from 4.3million in 2001 – . despite the city’s population increasing by nearly one million over the . decade to 8.2million. Sir Andrew Green of MigrationWatch thinks that the BBC should have addressed such a serious issue less trivially . White Britons now make up 45 per cent of the population, compared with 58 per cent in 2001. London’s population has been boosted by immigrants. Three million foreign-born people now live in the capital. Five London boroughs saw the . proportion of white Britons fall by more than a quarter. The largest . decline was in Newham, East London, where the decrease was 37.5 per . cent. In Barking and Dagenham, on the East . London/Essex border, 80 per cent of residents were white British in 2001 . but by 2011 the proportion was 49 per cent. There were also big falls in . Redbridge, Harrow, Brent, Enfield, Ealing and Waltham Forest. The BBC . website was criticised by readers for its depiction of the change as a . ‘story of success’ in which many white Britons had moved out to live by . the sea or in the countryside. Sir Andrew Green, chairman of the . MigrationWatch think-tank, said: ‘The BBC make a very serious mistake in . addressing an issue of such importance to the British public in such a . trivial and superficial manner. ‘It’s surely obvious that the main . reason for white flight is because people are not willing to live in an . environment which has changed beyond recognition and against their own . wishes.’ Ralph Baldwin, a Tory councillor in Barking and Dagenham, said: ‘I think people left for a variety of reasons. ‘If you look back to the early 2000s . many people were able to retire to Clacton-on-Sea and they saw their . friends going and followed. ‘But people also watched all this . demographic change going on between 2000 and 2010 and they thought, “We . don’t know where we are living any more”. ‘One day they are in a place that they think is Essex and then they are living in another place. ‘It has never been an issue of race. It’s about the inability of people . to affect change. The world was changing around them and they couldn’t . do anything about it.’ Behind white Britons, the largest . ethnic group in London is now Asians – including those born here and . those arriving from overseas – who make up 18 per cent of the . population. Black Londoners – including Africans, black Britons and those from the Caribbean – make up 13 per cent. The census shows the proportion of white Britons in South Derbyshire went up by 13.7 per cent over the decade. Other rural boroughs that saw big . increases included North Kesteven and West Lindsey in Lincolnshire, . Uttlesford in Essex, East Northamptonshire, East Cambridgeshire, Mid . Suffolk, South Norfolk, Mid Devon and Forest Heath in Suffolk. The census shows the population of . England and Wales was swollen by nearly four million immigrants in a . decade of sweeping social change. In 2011 there were 7.5million people who were born abroad living here, of whom more than half had arrived since 2001.
Census figures show that 620,000 white Britons left the capital in a decade . White Britons are the minority in London for the first time . They make up 45 per cent of London's population, with Asians being the second largest group .
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By . Sarah Dean . A devastated homeowner is facing a $100,000 repair bill to her new property after teenagers advertised her address on Facebook, broke in and held a wild party. The 37-year-old woman had only just bought the four-bedroom house - her first family home - and was still renovating it on the day 70 teens destroyed it, breaking windows, doors and putting holes in the walls. 'It's disgusting they have damaged everything,' the mother of one, who didn't want to be named, told MailOnline from outside her wrecked home in Kambah, a suburb of Canberra. Smashed: A female new homeowner is faced with a huge $100,000 repair bill after teens caused reckless devastation to her home in Canberra . 'We just bought the house and were renovating it this week. The woman bought the property on June 2 for $452,000 as her first family home with her husband and 13-year-old son, who was not involved in the party. She is currently renting a home nearby and had been decorating her new house on Tuesday before around 70 hooligans, aged 15-18, threw a party at around 9pm and wreaked havoc throughout the house. Describing the moment she arrived at her new home to discover the destruction, she said the first thing she noticed was the seven police cars outside the house. 'There were broken windows everywhere. They took us through the house. We were just in shock,' she said. Mess: The hooligans sprayed ketchup over the walls in the house on the same day that the walls had been newly painted . Smashed: There is smashed glass everywhere and all of the four bedrooms have been destroyed, with cabinets and curtains left strewn on the floor . Spotless: The house, seen here in photos from the estate agent's website, only needed minor decoration updates when the family bought it and now it is ruined . The family were hoping to move in next week and now have to wait for their insurance company to fix the $100,000 worth of estimated damage. 'Every single one of the rooms is wrecked. Every wall and every window is smashed. There is paint thrown on the deck, it's not pretty,' she said. The woman described how there was alcohol left scattered around the house, including 'cider, beer and bourbon' and 'glass everywhere'. She also said there was 'tomato sauce sprayed over the walls'. Kicked in: Every single wall in the Canberra house now has holes in it since the 70 teenagers tore through the property on Tuesday night . Unrecognisable: The family's new home will now take months of repairs before they can move in. The kitchen units were torn and wires exposed . The woman was shocked to find smashed glass everywhere when police called her to explain there had been a party at her house . The woman described how there was alcohol left scattered around the house, including 'cider, beer and bourbon' and 'glass everywhere'. Tomato sauce was on the floor . 'We only bought the sauce yesterday as we had lunch in the house after we had been painting,' she explained, highlighting how her family's hardwork has been ruined. The woman has no idea who the teens who threw the party are and said she was told by police it was organised on Facebook. She believes the party-goers knew the house was empty after spotting a 'sold' sign outside in recent weeks. 'All the people had scattered when we got here at around 9.30pm,' she said. She urged those responsible to have a 'slight conscious and come forward'. The 37-year-old woman, who does not wish to be named, exchanged on the property on June 2 for $452,000 as her first family home . Devastation: A huge hole was kicked in the toilet door and the bathroom window was also smashed in . Describing the moment she arrived at her new home to discover the destruction the woman said the first thing she noticed was the seven police cars outside the house . Windows were broken, doors pulled off, walls kicked in, light fittings smashed and property in the backyard was damaged, according to ACT police, adding the damage was a 'wanton display of senseless vandalism'. When officers arrived at the property just after 9pm on Tuesday they saw numerous cars parked on the street and a large number of teens fleeing the area. Police are also urging the teens to turn themselves in. The vehicle registrations of several fleeing cars were noted and will be followed up on, police say. 'It would be better for them to come forward than wait for police to come knock on their door,' Sergeant Mark Rowswell said. Pushed over: The teens new the house was empty because of the 'sold sign' outside the house which had been there since June . Destroyed: The house had only just been bought when teenagers caused $100,000 of damage. Police are urging the teens to turn themselves in . Before: Photos of the home on a real estate website before it was sold to its new owner show it in a much better condition . When it was clean and tidy: One of the four bedroom's ensuite bathrooms and one of the bedrooms before the old family moved out .
The house in Kambah, a suburb of Canberra, was destroyed on Tuesday . Police arrived to find teens aged between 15 and 18 fleeing the house . 70 teenagers turned up for the 'free house party' advertised on Facebook . The owner and her family had been renovating their new home and renting nearby .
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Even Basil Fawlty, at the end of his tether, would never have come up with something quite as idiotic as the customer relations policy of Blackpool’s Broadway Hotel. Confronted with a string of complaints on customer ratings website TripAdvisor from a recent guest, the management could have a) offered an apology, b) offered a refund or c) offered a defence. Instead, they had a better idea. They fined the unhappy customer £100. In doing so, they have made headlines everywhere from New York to Melbourne, reheated a thousand unkind jokes about Blackpool and ensured that millions of people around the world have now read some of the most excoriating travel reviews this side of North Korea. Scroll down for video . Not even Basil Fawlty would come up with something as idiotic as the customer relations policy as this hotel . The Broadway Hotel in Blackpool, pictured, made headlines across the globe from New York to Melbourne . Guests on TripAdvisor posted a string of unflattering photographs of the hotel on its website . Visitors to the hotel are treated to peeling wallpaper in the rather small  bathroom,  pictured . ‘This place needs closing down,’ says one of this month’s latest crop of stinkers, under the heading ‘Pure Filth Avoid’. ‘Staff drinking cans of Strongbow while serving breakfast,’ the reviews continued. ‘Could not wait to get out of this place and get home to bath. ’ Another review, by Tracy W of Derby, states: ‘There was a pair of socks left in the draws [sic] that had actually grown mould on them.’ A photograph of the offending socks is attached for the world to see. Indeed, the review which has now made the Broadway an international laughing stock is not even the worst. ‘Filthy, Dirty Rotten Stinking Hovel Run By Muppets!’ begins a detailed critique by Tony Jenkinson, of Whitehaven in Cumbria, who concludes: ‘STAY AWAY!!!!’ But it was his observations, posted on TripAdvisor at the end of August, which resulted in the subsequent £100 penalty by the Broadway management. They simply deducted it from the debit card he had used to settle his bill. The Broadway Hotel proudly shows its fading award for 2004 Blackpool Tourism hotel of the year, pictured . One review stated that the socks left behind in a drawer had actually 'grown mould on them', pictured . For £35, a guest can stay in a double room, with clean sheets, hot water, free WiFI and full English breakfast . So here I am checking in to a hotel which, by the sound of it, could not only damage my health but my bank balance, too. Intriguingly, it’s by no means the worst hotel in Blackpool (in the TripAdvisor rankings it is a mere 858 out of 894). What’s more, this is actually the ‘award-winning’ Broadway Hotel, having been garlanded with Blackpool’s Hotel of the Year Award as recently as 2005. And the verdict? While I have stayed in better, I have definitely stayed in a lot worse. The faded décor can’t have changed much since Ken Dodd cracked his first gag at the end of the pier. My sea view is obscured by what first appears to be frosted glass and then turns out to be a patina of grime. There is no shampoo, let alone soap in my bathroom. On the other hand, the sheets are clean, the water is hot, WiFi is free and the service is attentive. And at £35 for a double room including a full English breakfast — less than the cost of a day’s parking in London — it’s certainly competitive. Another reviewer posted a photograph of an unappealing-looking mattress on Tripadvisor . Another reviewer found an area where a ceiling tile had been removed leaving an unattractive gap in the roof . One review claimed that staff at the hotel, pictured, were drinking cans of Strongbow while serving breakfast . So why has this place become so unpopular? And will anyone ever stay here again? The gloss of that 2005 ‘Hotel of the Year Award’ did not last for long. The following year, the first bad review popped up on TripAdvisor. ‘The staff were so unfriendly,’ wrote one Broadway guest. ‘The food was horrible, a resident on another table asked for a jug of water, when this arrived it had slithers of glass in it.’ The attacks kept on coming. Lots of hotels have suffered abuse from TripAdvisor’s legion of anonymous reviewers. But the Broadway has attracted more than most. Perhaps the reason Mr Jenkinson was fined for his harsh words was that he was easily identifiable, having signed his review ‘Tony J of Whitehaven’. The hotel claimed it was justified in penalising him because the small print on his booking form had stated: ‘For every bad review left on any website, the group organiser will be charged a maximum £100 per review.’ Guests are treated to a towel fashioned into the shape of a swan - something not on offer at the Savoy . The fraying decor cannot have changed much since Ken Dodd cracked his first joke in Blackpool . Mr Jenkinson complained to his local Trading Standards officer, who reported the matter to Blackpool Council. A council spokesman tells me that an officer contacted the Broadway last week and explained that charging unhappy customers was not merely ‘bad practice’ but probably illegal. The hotel responded by agreeing not to issue any further fines. But it was only after this week’s avalanche of international condemnation that it finally expressed some sort of contrition and issued a prepared statement. While not apologising, it promised to refund the Jenkinsons’ money, adding: ‘We agree there is room for improvement at our establishment and we desperately want to turn things around.’ Clearly, it is a cornerstone of our democracy that people should be free to say what they like, subject to the laws of libel and incitement. The Broadway has behaved like some thin-skinned despot. On the other hand, many hotels have reported customers demanding cheap deals on pain of a gratuitously aggressive online review. And every hotelier will have stories of the ‘guests from hell’. The publicity could hardly have come at a worse time since the hotel is also up for sale. According to the agents, £375,000 will buy you 46 bedrooms, a ‘Mediterranean-themed dining room’, sun lounge and a business with a turnover of £120,000. Food was not on offer off-season but guests are encouraged to bring back takeaways and watch TV in the bar . A prior guest appears to have had an accident with an iron while preparing for a night out in Blackpool . Guests have the option of using an old-fashioned CRT television in their bedrooms at the hotel . But since neither the owners nor the management will discuss the matter any further, the only option is to book a room and see for myself. The Broadway is just a short walk from the rollercoasters of Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Just over the road, the Silver Sands Hotel is festooned with Christmas decorations and echoing to the sound of a coach party singing along to the resident crooner’s Neil Diamond repertoire. The scene is less jolly at the Broadway. Despite its transatlantic aspirations, the New York theme does not seem to extend beyond the Fred Astaire cut-out above the door. There is, as yet, no sign of Christmas, although a leaflet promises a ‘tinsel and turkey’ package in the near future. But there is a friendly welcome at reception where a young man introduces himself as Ryan, hands me a key and says I need only ask if I need anything. Rooms must be paid for up front but the booking form doesn’t mention anything about a fine. Visitors can take part in the Friday night Karaoke competition where six shots of Sambuca cost £10 . The Broadway hotel is currently up for sale for £375,000 with an annual turnover of £125,000 . My first-floor room is just big enough for a double bed. There are a couple of rustic prints hanging from peeling peach wallpaper. The bathroom seems clean enough. Indeed, there is a novel touch of sophistication with the towels. One of them has been folded in to the shape of a swan and is sitting on the bed. You don’t get that at the Savoy. Down in the near-empty bar, there are posters for a Friday night karaoke competition, along with a special Sambuca offer — six shots for a tenner. The only entertainment tonight, however, is a television tuned in to the BBC News channel. There’s no evening food out of season but guests are welcome to bring back takeaways. I join three other people watching the news in silence. At least two are obviously undercover journalists, while the third is either a travelling salesman or a good actor. I sleep well enough but this is no place for early birds as the dining room doesn’t open until 8.30am. The full English breakfast is average, edible and no different to the sort of thing you might get at a motorway stop. A middle-aged couple arrive and cannot speak a single word of English. Then the woman has a brainwave, produces an iPad and contacts an English-speaking relative via Skype. The relative then shouts back the couple’s breakfast order to Ryan. Before I leave I come clean and ask Ryan what the last few days have been like. After all, my experience is certainly different to that of many TripAdvisor correspondents. He says that he is under orders not to comment but insists that the hotel has not undergone any sudden transformation. The Broadway now has more than its online critics to worry about. The whole town is furious. Having enjoyed a bumper summer, with overnight stays up by 30 per cent, Blackpool tourism chiefs are dismayed by all the negative publicity, as yesterday’s edition of the Blackpool Gazette made clear. But perhaps, in some strange way, this episode may actually turn around the hotel’s flagging fortunes. People may not only discover that there is a bargain to be had — but there is also the novelty value of staying in a hotel famous for making Fawlty Towers look like the Ritz. And the Broadway is surely a contender for one more award — the public relations disaster of the decade.
Rooms at the Broadway Hotel in Blackpoool are available for £35-a-night . Guests get clean sheets, hot water, free WiFi and a full English breakfast . They also endure peeling wallpaper, fraying decor and burned carpets . However, it is also for sale at a cost of £375,000 with a £165,000 turnover . It was awarded the title of Blackpool Hotel of the Year in 2004 .
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By . Associated Press Reporter and Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 22:17 EST, 29 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 22:17 EST, 29 August 2013 . NBC News anchor Brian Williams returns to screens next Tuesday, having been away since undergoing knee replacement surgery on Aug. 6. The network said on Thursday that Willliams will be back to work at 'Nightly News' after Labor Day. NBC has the top-rated evening news program, but ABC's 'World News' with Diane Sawyer has been creeping closer. Lester Holt has been filling in for Williams since his surgery. On the road to recovery: Brian Williams returns the screens next weeks after knee replacement surgery . Williams discussed the knee replacement surgery Thursday in a Nightly News segment about the procedure by Dr. Nancy Snyderman. 'If you don't see me around here for a while, this is the reason why,' he said, describing the 'helmet to the knee' injury he suffered playing high school football. 'I have been in pain for 35 years,' said Williams. 'I have paid a very high price from what's been confirmed to be the single worst New Jersey high school Catholic League football career in history,' he joked. Williams, 54, said he's had three previous surgeries on his right knee but the pain was becoming more of an issue. When it began costing him sleep, Williams said he realized it was time to take care of it. Williams, seen here with his wife Jane, said he had been in pain for 35 years due to his football playing injury . Bone-on-bone: Williams had been in agony for 35 years with his knee, which has lost all its cartilage meaning there was no cushioning between his bones. Surgery replaced it with an artificial joint . 'If this doesn't go perfectly, it can't hurt any more than it does now,' he said. Snyderman said most people who have knee replacement surgery miss between three weeks and three months of work, depending on the physical nature of their jobs. Full recovery takes between six months and a year. Williams joked during an appearance on David Letterman's Late Show last month that 'I want to come back almost a little too early gooned on medication. I think it will be great viewing.' Long considered one of America’s favorite news anchors, Williams' skills as a hip hop MC were revealed by ‘Late Night’ host Jimmy Fallon recently. Back in June, Fallon featured Williams hitting up some 90s West Coast flavor with a mash-up of Warren G’s 'Regulate' and Dr Dre's 'Nuthin but a 'G' Thang', then earlier this month it was time for Brian to get old skool (sic) with a blast of Young MC’s classic 80s cut ‘Bust A Move.’ The hilarious footage was created by splicing together Williams' words from countless news broadcasts to create an almost seamless mash-up of the first and second verses of the 1989 classic all about the age-old story of boys trying to impress the ladies.
NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams returns to screens next week . The newscaster has been recovering from knee surgery carried out earlier this month . Lester Holt had been filling in while Williams was away .
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Police in Washington have been caught on tape letting their fellow officers off the hook for speeding - because they were running late for a conference. A lengthy recording by a regular driving listening in on the police scanner picks up the cops spotting patrol cars roaring down a 60mph freeway at speeds as high as 86mph - then laughing it off. The conversation took place between ground-based officers and a Washington State Patrol plane running a speed trap on Highway 2 near Wenatchee, around three hours east of Seattle. Scroll down for video . Coming up behind you: Blogger Bill Gillam filmed a police car approaching him from behind then roaring past - around the same time State Patrol officers were chatting about not taking action against speeding police . Double standard: Officers over the radio could be heard laughing off the officers' speeding. One patrol car was going at 86mph on Highway 2 near Wenatchee, Washington . At first the airborne officer spots a white car overtaking traffic but doesn't clock the speed until he works out 'whether we want it or not', the video. The footage, uploaded to YouTube by blogger Bill Gillam, then records a second officer being clocked at 86mph - 26mph over the stated 60mph limit for the stretch. But, rather than take action, the two officers chuckle to one another and describe the car roaring down the highway as a 'pretty good one'. As more and more officers speed by it dawns on the two that they are all headed to a drugs conference in nearby Chelan - which starts at midday. The footage was recorded around 10.30am. The airborne officer, nervous about the speeds, seems to suggest taking action at one point. 'Late for conference': The officers joke over the airways about mentioning the speeding to the officers themselves - but concede it wouldn't make them many friends . On their way: The footage was filmed on Highway 2 outside of Wenatchee, Washington (highlighted). The cops were on their was to Chelan (top right of the map) He tells his colleague: 'I don't know if it matters or not but all the ones I'm not calling the speeds at have been over 80.' But the response bats away the prospect of issuing any tickets - as would happen to normal motorists - and said that the issue could result in 'a little announcement to slow down next time' at the conference. Even though later in the video one motorcyclist's behavior is described as 'unsafe' when he overtakes somebody at 72mph, the officers seem more concerned the prospect of being unpopular than taking any action. When it is suggested that officer in the plane fly to the conference and confront the speeding officers, he jokes: 'I'm sure I'd make lots of friends.' The Washington State Patrol has admitted the video, dated October 8, is legitimate. After the double-standard emerged, the department also said it would void any tickets issued to motorists over the two-day period of the conference, KIRO-TV reported. Spokesman Bob Calkins said: 'Typically we don't stop what we know to be a police vehicle because they could be on their way to an emergency that we don't know about'. The KVI radio station reported that he said: 'We learned about the video and we understand how it would make people fee. If they're not going to an emergency they should obey that the rest of us obey.'
Blogger recorded police cars zooming past and overhead radio chat . Officers around Wenatchee, Washington, pointed out speeding cars . But took no action when they found out they were other officers . One patrol car was not apprehended despite driving at 86mph . State Patrol officers joked about how everyone was late for a conference .
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Australia ordered federal police to take over security at the house of parliament Friday, a day after police conducted one of the nation's largest counter-terrorism operations in the port city of Sydney. Prime Minister Tony Abbott said an urgent review of parliamentary security was ordered amid intelligence reports of "chatter" of potential threats by "terrorist support networks." Meanwhile, several Islamic organizations in Australia sounded the alarm, warning about a surge of Islamophobia after Thursday's predawn counter-terrorism raids resulted in the detention of at least 15 suspects. "Fair-minded Australians should not allow bigots and media shock jocks to undermine the cohesion within society," the Grand Mufti of Australia said, according to a statement released by a group of Islamic organizations. Several hundred demonstrators peacefully protested against the police raids, some of them holding signs that said "terror raids cannot break the spirit of Muslims." Among the suspects detained this week was Australian Omarjan Azari, who was later formally charged with conspiracy to commit terrorism. Azari was denied bail and is expected to reappear in court on November 13, authorities said. Police told CNN another 24-year old man was released on bail after being charged with possession of ammunition without license and a prohibited weapon. All other detainees have now been released, with two women issued future court attendance notices, police said. In an interview with Australia's Seven Network on Friday, Abbott said a senior Australian member of the ISIS militant group in Syria had been overheard instructing sympathizers in Australia to carry out acts of violence. "Because we believed that a demonstration execution was likely quickly, we acted as we did to disrupt this particular network," Abbott said. Australian authorities estimate 60 citizens are fighting alongside ISIS and other militant groups in the Middle East. This month, Australia was quick to accept U.S. President Barack Obama's call for an international coalition to battle ISIS. Canberra announced plans to dispatch military advisers to assist the Iraqi military. Australia is also sending fighter jets and combat support aircraft to the United Arab Emirates to assist in the campaign against ISIS.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott: Urgent review of parliamentary security ordered . Organizations warn about a surge of Islamophobia . Demonstrators protest against the police raids .
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Green initiatives: Energy Secretary Ed Davey announced agreements to buy energy from 27 new renewable energy projects until 2040 . More than £4billion in lucrative energy contracts was yesterday handed out to wind and solar schemes – but green lobbyists immediately insisted it was not enough. Energy Secretary Ed Davey announced agreements to buy energy from 27 new renewable energy projects until 2040. The subsidised schemes include 15 onshore wind farms, five solar arrays, two offshore wind programmes and five waste conversion plants. Mr Davey said the schemes will eventually power 1.4million homes. But parts of the green energy industry said they had not been treated fairly in the bidding process. The ‘Contracts for Difference’ scheme, which will guarantee energy firms a fixed price for their power for 15 years, will be funded by ordinary householders through their electricity bills. The scheme adds a subsidy on to the basic wholesale cost of electricity as part of the Government’s drive to expand renewable energy projects. The subsidies will cost up to £315million a year - an estimated total of at least £4billion over the lifetime of the scheme once fluctuations in the energy market are taken into account. Solar industry leaders complained that wind had been favoured by the Government, despite solar being cheaper. Paul Barwell, chief executive of the Solar Trade Association, said: ‘The soon to be cheapest and most popular renewable - solar power - has lost out in a complex auction scheme that favours big players and genuinely established technologies. ‘Is a policy that trips up the UK’s emerging solar industry really a successful policy? We don’t think so.’ Alex Fornal, head of project development at Solar company Juwi, which made three unsuccessful bids, said wind had taken most of what was already a ‘minuscule’ budget. ‘If properly supported solar will become the first renewable to compete with conventional generation by the end of the decade,’ he said. Simon Bullock of Friends of the Earth added: ‘Ministers should be investing far more on the UK’s huge renewable energy potential.’ Critics of renewable energy subsidies said green power firms needed to ‘grow up’. John Constable, director of the Renewable Energy Foundation, said: ‘This industry is behaving like a spoiled brat - you can never give it enough subsidies, it will always want more. ‘They have to grow up and come into the real world and compete.’ Windmills: Solar industry leaders complained that wind had been favoured by the Government . Mr Davey insisted the ‘reverse auction’ process - in which lower bids were favoured for the contracts - would save bill-payers a total of £110million a year. ‘This world-leading auction has delivered contracts for renewables projects right across the UK,’ he said. ‘These projects could power 1.4 million homes, create thousands of green jobs and give a massive boost to home-grown energy while reducing our reliance on volatile foreign markets. ‘The auction has driven down prices and secured the best possible deal for this new clean, green energy.’ The Government’s independent Committee on Climate Change estimates that green subsidies and taxes currently add £45 to dual gas and electricity bills – a figure that will rise to £100 by 2020 and £175 by 2030.
The schemes include 15 onshore wind farms and five solar arrays . Ed Davey said the schemes will eventually power 1.4million homes . Subsidies will cost up to £315million a year, 4billion over their lifetimes .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 3:36 PM on 23rd June 2011 . Criticised: Tory MP Graham Stuart . Tory MP Graham Stuart has been criticised after contractors working for his local council tarmacked the private road to his luxury home for free. Workers employed by East Riding Council resurfaced 164 feet of a lane not run by the council in Beverley, East Yorkshire, at his wife Anne's request, despite nearby public roads and potholes in need of repair. Taxpayers are angry that the stretch of road on Seven Corners Lane, Beverley, which leads to the MP's home has had preferential treatment over other road works. The stretch of asphalt would have cost £2,500 if Mr Stuart had paid for the job. Contractors . employed by the Conservative East Riding Council had been working on . rectifying continuing road surface problems in Hengate half-a-mile away . when Mrs Stuart approached them and asked if they could surface her lane . with any tarmac that was left over. The new surface leads directly to the Stuarts' recently-built detached four-bedroom house in one of the most exclusive residential areas of the town. However, it does not extend to the other 18 properties further along the lane, which dates back to the Victorian era. Yesterday, Mr Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, issued a statement defending the work. Controversy: MP Graham Stuarts home at Seven Corners Lane, Beverley which has been tarmaced when other roads have pot holes . He said: 'My wife was cycling past Hengatewhile it was being resurfaced. She asked one of the workmen if it would be possible to lay any leftover Tarmac in Seven Corners Lane. 'No payment was asked for, none was offered and none was given. My wife was not given any assurance that spare Tarmac would be used on Seven Corners Lane. 'When my wife returned home later that day she found part of the lane had been resurfaced.' Mr Stuart stressed the work had not only benefited him and his wife, but other residents in his street. He said: 'I understand one resident in Seven Corners Lane has since complained and that is why the contractors are writing to all the residents to see how many would like the new surface left and how many would like it to be pulled up. 'They will, I am sure, abide by the feelings of the majority of residents.' Residents in Beverley said they would have liked to have seen the surfacing used on potholes and pavements. Sean Pashley, a worker at Whittakers shoe repair in Mill Lane, said: 'That is disgusting. Why didn't they fill in a few potholes on public roads? This shouldn't be happening. It is our money.' Resident Pete Wilson, 50, of Beverley, also agreed the work could have been done on a public road. 'This looks pretty bad to me,' he said. 'You need to get all the main roads sorted first. It could certainly have been put to better use.' Freebie: The new surface leads directly to the Stuarts' recently-built detached four-bedroom house but does not extend to the other 18 properties further along the lane . Andrew Allison, East Yorkshire co-ordinator of the TaxPayers Alliance, said he was 'surprised' the work had been sanctioned. He said: 'Even if no money exchanged hands in this case, MPs need to be seen to be above this sort of thing after all the controversy over their expenses. 'Mr Stuart is paid well enough as an MP and he has his own successful business. Surely he should pay for something like this out of his own pocket like the rest of us? 'I would hope he officially declares this as a benefit in kind in the register of members' interests because that is what it is.' The resurfacing work on the gravel-covered lane was carried out by staff from construction firm Galliford Try. In a statement, the company said: 'At the end of a session of resurfacing works in Hengate we were left with the remnants of blacktop material. 'We had made a prior arrangement with a farmer to deposit the material with him. 'On the day, however, we were approached by a resident who asked if we could lay the blacktop down nearby Seven Corners Lane, a rough, un-adopted road on which she lives. 'We agreed to do so since it seemed to be an expedient and environmentally friendly way of dealing with the excess material. The Galliford Try team that carried out this job acted in the right and proper manner. 'The laying of blacktop down Seven Corners Lane was carried out purely out of goodwill and without any money changing hands.' An East Riding Council spokeswoman said: 'This is a private matter between a contractor and a resident and does not concern East Riding Council.' The spokesman for Mr Stuart said he would not be declaring the work as a gift, as he does not own the road.
Graham Stuart’s luxury home in East Yorkshire has 164 ft-long . drive . Contractors for East Riding Council grant request from MP’s wife .
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By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . The service of millions of unknown soldiers will ‘forever be part of our national consciousness’, David Cameron has said in a moving letter to those who fought and died in the First World War. The Prime Minister penned the evocative letter as part of a project to connect today’s generation with the sacrifice of those sent into battle a century ago. In his letter, Mr Cameron tells the young soldier how ‘our world would have been far darker if you had declined the call to act’. Prime Minister David Cameron has written his own moving tribute to an unknown soldier (right), paying tribute to the sacrifice of a  generation of young men a century ago . The letter was released as the PM hosted a reception in the Downing Street garden or veterans, secondary school pupils and representatives from organisations involved in marking the centenary . Thousands of people have already written their own tribute, inspired by a statue on platform one at Paddington Station of an Unknown Soldier reading a letter. It is one of many tributes to the thousands of soldiers who died in the battlefield, and never came home. More than 6,000 people have already submitted letters, including thousands of schoolchildren and authors Stephen Fry, Andrew Motion, Sheila Hancock and Andy McNab. Organisers say 'it's a striking way to make a personal and permanent mark on this centenary'. In his letter Mr Cameron says the one soldier stands for the ‘millions of young British men who have fought to defend our freedoms and for the millions of us left behind who will be forever in debt to the extraordinary service and sacrifice of your generation’. He writes how the names of soldiers who fought and died will be recorded on war memorials ‘across the land’, and plays, poetry, monuments and art works will honour and celebrate them. The letter, part of 14-18Now commemoration project, was released Mr Cameron hosted a lunchtime reception in Downing Street for veterans, secondary school pupils and representatives from organisations involved in marking the centenary. The project is inspired by a statue on platform one at Paddington Station of an Unknown Soldier reading a letter . In his letter Mr Cameron writes that 'our world would have been far darker if you had declined the call to act' The Prime Minister writes how the names of thousands of soldiers would be honoured on war memorials across the country, adding: 'Your service will forever be part of our national consciousness' The tomb of the unknown warrior in Westminster Abbey is the grave of the body of a soldier brought back from France in 1920, as a tribute to all those killed in the conflict from 1914-19 . The Prime Minister paints a picture of millions of ‘angry, sad or afraid’ young men leaving Britain in the hope it would be a short war. ‘When you left our shores you did so with hope and purpose. Posing proudly in your uniform, you had a sense of mission and perhaps even of adventure,’ he writes. ‘You knew that you were volunteering to help your country fight a just cause. You did so eagerly, with honour and with the expectation that you might well be home by Christmas. ‘Today as you read this letter you know, better than we can ever imagine, the monumental horror and suffering of this War.’ Mr Cameron talks to a group of Chelsea Pensioners as he hosts the reception in Downing Street . The government has urged schools to get involved in a number of projects marking the outbreak of the war in 1914 . A £5 million fund will help conserve Britain’s First World War memorials. The cash will be taken from Libor fines paid by bank to repair and protect memorials and graves across the UK and oversea. The War Memorials Trust, which looks after memorials in the UK, will receive up to £3 million over the four-year period of the First World War Centenary to boost support for its grant schemes and expand a team of specialist Conservation Officers. Imperial War Museums will receive £500,000 to develop a website, delivered by August 4 this year, to help communities find out where information about war memorials can be found. By 2018 the site is hoped to be a fully-searchable, free, national register of all recorded First World War memorials in the UK, allowing people to find out where their relatives may be commemorated. As part of today’s announcement, English Heritage will receive £500,000 to provide better protection for war memorials by tripling the number of listed war memorials; delivering a larger pool of specialists to repair memorials; and developing an education toolkit for schools so pupils can research their local memorials. Mr Cameron said: 'As we reflect on the events that saw so many people make the ultimate sacrifice, I believe it is vital that we ensure our memorials are fitting tributes to the fallen.' Almost every family was touched by tragedy during the war, Mr Cameron adds. ‘So many friends have been lost; so many loved ones snatched away from us in their prime.’ He goes on: ‘But be in no doubt: however dark this time of War - our World would have been far darker if you had declined the call to act. ‘Without your service, our security, our values, our very way of life would have been lost.’ More than 6million British men were mobilised during the war, and more than 700,000 were killed. The letter writing project is one of many launched to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the conflict on July 28 1914. In his letter, Mr Cameron tells the soldier: ‘Know too, that from your toil and sacrifice there will in time be a better world. It will not happen immediately. ‘There will be yet more unthinkable horrors along the way. But one hundred years from now your grandchildren and great-grandchildren will enjoy a peace in Europe and a quality of life that is almost unimaginable.’ Some of the world’s great advances were made by the generation which fought during the Great War, the PM adds. ‘Your bravery and selfless determination will never be forgotten. 'Your name - and the names of your fellow servicemen - will be celebrated on memorials in villages, schools, churches and universities across the land. ‘Plays and poetry will honour you. Paintings and monuments will depict you. Ceremonies will be inspired by you. Thousands will write about you, many will even write to you a hundred years from now. ‘So as you go from here, know that you are in our hearts. Your service will forever be part of our national consciousness. We are humbled by what you have given for us and we will never forget you.’
PM says their service will ‘forever be part of our national consciousness’ Evocative letter written as part of project to mark centenary of Great War . Inspired by statue of Unknown Soldier reading a letter at Paddington Station . Reception held in the gardens of Downing Street to mark commemorations . Details announced of how £5million will be spent conserving war graves .
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Tooth tattoos are an emerging trend as people seek to decorate their mouths with images of their favorite things including the logo of their football team, a cartoon character or a message to a loved one. Tattoos can’t yet be applied to healthy teeth, but for patients requiring a crown, a tooth tattoo becomes a viable option and compared to body art is considerably cheaper and less painful. A dental stain tattoo costs between $75 and $200 and is no more painful than having a more typical crown fitted. Tooth tattoos are an emerging trend as people seek to decorate their mouths with images of their favorite things including the Oakland Raiders' badge, left, or Homer Simpson, right . Tattoo you: One Rolling Stones' fan had the group's famous logo attached as a tooth tattoo . A dental stain tattoo costs between $75 and $200 and is no more painful than having a more typical crown fitted . Although tooth art is experiencing a surge in popularity, the technique isn’t new. The Suburbia Dental Laboratory in Bloomfield, Connecticut, made its first tattooed crown almost 20 years ago, when a customer asked for an image of a corvette to be added to a crown. The process involves a dentist taking an impression of the tooth where the crown is to be fitted. The tooth mold is then sent to somewhere like the dental lab where the design is added and the crown is fired in an oven at 212 degrees. Although tooth art is experiencing a surge in popularity, the technique isn¿t new and was first down almost 20 years ago . Tattoos can’t yet be applied to healthy teeth, but for patients requiring a crown a tooth tattoo becomes a viable option and compared to body art is considerably cheaper and less painful . The crown have to be fired in an oven at 212 degrees in order for the tattoo to be added . The process involves a dentist taking an impression of the tooth where the crown is to be fitted . Dentist Steven Landman with Ellington Dental Associates in Connecticut has done everything from Grateful Dead to Harley-Davidson logos and patient initials over the past ten years. He even has his own tooth art – a drawing done by his daughter of her and her two brothers. One of Landman’s satisfied customers is Tim Miller, who told WFSB that he opted for a shamrock in honor of his wife’s Irish heritage. 'I thought about tattoos in the past but let’s face it, everyone has a tattoo and it’s no longer cool or unique. So that’s why I went ahead and got the tooth,' said Miller. A tooth tattoo doesn’t damage your teeth and can be left in place for years, just like traditional porcelain crowns. One person had a tooth tattoo done showing their beloved dog, while another person had a flower added to their crown . Smile like you mean it: Is that a heart tattoo on your teeth or are you just pleased to see me? Video: Dentists offer personalized tattoos on your teeth .
Tooth tattoos are an emerging trend as people seek to decorate their mouths with images of their favorite things . Tattoos can’t yet be applied to healthy teeth, but for patients requiring a crown a tooth tattoo becomes a viable option . A dental stain tattoo costs between $75 and $200 and is no more painful than having a more typical crown fitted. People have chosen designs including Homer Simpson, the Rolling Stones' logo, the Oakland Raiders' badge and a heart with an arrow through it .
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From Arizona to New York, alleged thieves are turning those tiny iconic plastic interlocking bricks you grew up with into cold, hard cash. On New York's Long Island on Friday, a 53-year-old woman was arraigned on grand larceny charges for allegedly stealing about $60,000 worth of Lego sets and trying to sell them on eBay, the Nassau County Police Department said in a statement. Gloria Haas was arrested Thursday after allegedly stealing 800 sets of the 80-year-old toys from a Long Island storage facility and moving them to a facility in another town, police said. She had intended to sell the toys on eBay, officials said. It was not known whether Haas has an attorney and she was not immediately available for comment Saturday. Authorities are not saying, but alleged thieves could be capitalizing on the enduring popularity of the simple little bricks which generated $1.1 billion in profits last year for the Danish toymaker. "The Lego Movie," which was released in February, made $69 million in its opening weekend and has grossed more than $250 million so far, according to Box Office Mojo. In Phoenix, police arrested four people allegedly involved in an elaborate Lego theft scheme, according to CNN affiliate KPHO. After the arrests, police spent 10 hours Friday loading onto trucks more than $250,000 worth of Lego sets stored in a garage, KPHO reported. At least $40,000 worth of the Legos are believed to have been stolen, CNN Phoenix affiliate KNXV reported. "It's hard to believe that two or three people could be taking that much product out of the store, and yet they were," officer James Holmes told KNXV. A real estate professional, another man and two women were arrested in connection with the scheme, according to KHPO. It was not clear Saturday whether they had attorneys. Police said one man bought expensive Lego sets at a discount from shoplifters and resold them online. Each of the play sets taken were valued at $100 or more, police said. The suspect allegedly recruited accomplices to go to Toys R Us stores to steal Lego sets, KPHO reported. The boxes in which the toys came would be damaged and turned over to the online seller, who would return to the store and buy a new set, the station reported. The online seller later allegedly used the real receipt for the purchase to return the damaged box set. He pocketed the money and sold the stolen Lego sets online to collectors, KPHO reported. The suspects were arrested on charges that include organized retail theft, trafficking in stolen property, fraudulent schemes and illegal control of an enterprise, police said. CNN left a message Saturday for officer Holmes.
Gloria Haas, 53, is charged in theft of about $60,000 worth of Lego sets, police say . In Phoenix, police arrest 4 people allegedly involved in elaborate Lego theft scheme . Alleged thieves capitalize on popularity of little bricks which generated $1.1 billion in profits .
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(CNN) -- Fans around the world have gathered at arenas and record stores, big screens, parks and makeshift shrines, to watch the memorial service of Michael Jackson and pay homage to their idol. A Michael Jackson fan in Berlin watches footage of the memorial concert. As thousands of fans joined Jackson's family and closest friends at Los Angeles Staples Center arena, millions more followed proceedings on television and online. In Germany, at least 8,000 Jackson fans watched events in Los Angeles unfold at a Trauerfeier," (translated as Sadness Party) at Berlin's O2 World arena, reported CNN's Frederik Pleitgen. Fans began arriving at least three hours before the event was due to begin, Pleitgen said. "He [Jackson] connects races, religions and ages," said one fan, "his music connects the world." Many fans were moved to tears when Jackson's daughter Paris Katherine wept as she called the singer "the best father you could ever imagine." Pleitgen added: "A lot of people got very wet eyes." Watch fans gather in Berlin » . South African former president Nelson Mandela paid his respects to Jackson in a statement read to the audience at the Los Angeles memorial by singer Smokey Robinson. Watch Smokey Robinson deliver Mandela's message. » . "Michael became close to us after he started visiting and performing in South Africa regularly. We grew fond of him and he became a close member of our family. We had great admiration for his talent and that he was able to triumph over tragedy on so many occasions in his life," Mandela said. "We mourn with the millions of families worldwide." In the southern Chinese enclave of Hong Kong, fans carried flowers and Jackson paraphernalia, such as a doll and record, at a memorial. Watch Jackson tributes pour in from around the world » . "I cannot accept MJ has already left us, and I think we should come here and do something for him and express our feeling to show that we really miss him," said one man. Hundreds of British fans in London braved torrential rain to watch a giant screen outside the city's O2 Arena, where Jackson was scheduled to play a series of 50 concerts from July 13. Many more fans are expected to converge on the venue next Monday to mark what would have been the first of his concert dates. See images of Jackson fans from around the globe » . "I am still in denial," said Jenny Keme, 21. "We're going to stay here to the end of the ceremony even though it's pouring. He had such a gentle soul, that's what I love most about him." Celeste Dixon, 28, added: "He is the King of Pop, not was. No one will ever be worthy of him, he is bigger than life. Without Michael Jackson breaking barriers, Barack Obama would never have made it." Elsewhere in London the cast of musical "Thriller- Live" paid their own tribute during the evening performance at the Lyric Theatre, with cast, crew and audience observing a minute's silence. "Many of them were in tears during it," reported CNN's Phil Black. The theater has become a shrine to Jackson, with devoted followers holding vigils and leaving cards and messages at the building's entrance. In Japan, meanwhile, hundreds of fans gathered at a Tower Records store -- where Jackson twice visited -- in Tokyo to watch his videos on a big screen. Followers were even offered the chance to take a photograph next to a cast of a footprint left by Jackson when he last visited. Watch fans gather in Tokyo » . In a bar in New Delhi, the Jackson memorial gathering was small -- only a dozen or so people. On the wall of the bar that usually only plays hard rock, Jackson's music was blasting, candles were lit underneath two framed pictures of Jackson and customers had written messages saying goodbye. The bar manager said: "We all grew up with Michael Jackson. Other generations had The Beatles, or Elvis Presley. Michael is our generation." And on the streets of Beijing, people were greeted by a Jackson look-alike, 28-year-old Wang Jie, who performed ahead of the memorial. Though Jackson never himself performed in China, he is loved in the country. Members of the official Michael Jackson Fan Club rented a hotel room so they could watch his funeral broadcast live. Thousands of other fans worldwide following the coverage online via CNN and Facebook, with many again moved by the comments of Jackson's daughter about her father. "Never cried so much ever since my dad passed away," said Facebook user Rinoa S Koh from Singapore, while user Nomar Levey in Jamaica added: "OMG Tears are really pouring." Facebook user Manu Tyagi from India said: "The first English songs I ever heard in India were MJ songs... grew up with his music... and never though we would see him die so soon. He achieved his destiny before he passed to the kingdom of god! Really hope he rests in peace. He was the best." As Jackson's coffin casket was carried out of the Staples Center, Facebook user Marika Papazoglou in Greece said: "RIP Michael. We love you more." Anouk Lorie contributed to this story .
"Sadness Party" held in Berlin, where fans follow service live from Los Angeles . In London, Jackson fans brave torrential downpours and hail to pay tribute . In Japan fans gathered at record store, have photo taken next to cast of footprint . Online fans pay tribute to King of Pop, comment as service progresses .
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Jerusalem (CNN) -- Moshe Katsav, the former Israeli president, began a seven-year prison sentence on Wednesday for rape and other sexual offenses. Two days after his 66th birthday, Katsav arrived at the Maasiyahu Prison in Ramla, central Israel, where he will be kept in a cell block for prisoners who are observant Jews. ""The five and a half years of battle come to an end in anger and frustration," Katsav said as he left his home surrounded by well wishers. He insisted the evidence against him was flawed. The case involved three women -- two in the president's office and one in the tourism ministry. A three judge panel last year found Katsav guilty of two charges of rape, two charges of forceful sexual harassment and one charge of sexual harassment. He was sentenced in in March. He had agreed in 2007 to plead guilty to lesser charges and pay a fine to avoid jail time, but withdrew from the deal when the moment came to enter his plea. After the verdict, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a "sad day" for Israel. Katsav, of the center-right Likud Party, was president of Israel from 2000 to 2007. He was minister of tourism before that. The charges stem from allegations made against him in both jobs. As an inmate of the block for religious prisoners, Katsav will not be required to wear a prison uniform. CNN's Paul Colsey contributed to this report.
Moshe Katsav enters prison after being convicted last year of rape and other sexual offenses . He continues to insist the evidence against him was flawed as he leaves his home . He will be kept in a cell block for prisoners who are observant Jews . Katsav, of the center-right Likud Party, was president of Israel from 2000 to 2007 .
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By . Gemma Mullin . Armed police stormed the tallest building in Wales yesterday ending a two-hour siege and freeing a hostage. Officers used tasers to subdue a lone gunman who had been holding his victim in the penthouse restaurant of The Meridian Tower in Swansea, South Wales. The drama began shortly after 4pm when the man entered the exclusive Grape & Olive restaurant carrying a handgun. Armed officers from South Wales Police can be seen escorting the man into the back of a police van . Police rushed to the scene at the tallest building in Wales at the exclusive Grape & Olive restaurant . Residents were trapped inside their luxury flats in the 29-storey tower as armed police cordoned off the building and evacuated diners from the top-floor restaurant. Paramedics wearing protective clothing and helmets were seen entering the tower around 5pm. Police told around 60 locals who had gathered to watch the siege to ‘move out of sight of the tower’ as the police helicopter circled the upper floors. The siege lasted for around two hours while a police negotiator entered the tower alongside armed police and talked to the gunman. It ended when the man was tasered by members of a ‘tactical response team’ and his hostage freed. Last night, police said a man was being held. Jason Hole, who lives in the tower, said he saw armed police and paramedics in helmets going inside around 4.15pm and was told by police to stay in his flat. Villarreal football players arrive at the nearby Marriott Hotel, which had also been cordoned off by police . Paramedics in protective gear outside Meridian Quay during the two-hour siege in Swansea, South Wales . It happened just after 4pm when the man entered the exclusive Grape & Olive restaurant carrying a handgun . Mr Hole said: ‘We were not allowed to leave as there was a gunman upstairs. The whole marina was cordoned off. There were about 15 police cars and there was a helicopter and armed police were trying to negotiate. ‘I went downstairs to leave as I was going back to work and they told me I had to go back up the flat because there was a gunman upstairs, or someone had gone into the restaurant with a gun and they’d had to evacuate the building.’ The lockdown ended just as Spanish football team Villarreal arrived at the Marriot Hotel next door ahead of their friendly against Swansea City today at the Liberty Stadium. One police officer apparently saw the team bus stuck at a police cordon and said: ‘Welcome to Swansea.’ A spokesman for South Wales Police said: ‘We can confirm that a hostage situation on the twenty-eighth floor of the Meridian Tower in Swansea Marina has ended peacefully with no serious injuries. ‘Officers were called to the building at 4pm after a man was taken hostage inside a public area of the building, by another man who was in possession of a firearm. Specialist resources were dispatched to the scene, including the police helicopter, armed response officers, and a trained police negotiator. ‘After approximately two hours, a tactical response team discharged taser to subdue the man and detain him. A handgun has been recovered from the scene. ‘Nobody was seriously injured as a result of the incident.’ The top floor of the 29-floor Meridian Quay, where the residents were trapped while the siege was underway . Bride Michelle Morgan (centre) with husband Warren had her wedding at the Marriott Hotel interrupted . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
Officers used tasers to subdue gunman holding victim hostage in penthouse . Man entered exclusive Grape & Olive restaurant in Swansea at around 4pm . Residents trapped inside luxury flats of 29-story tower by armed police . Two-hour siege ended as Villarreal arrived at the Marriot Hotel next door . South Wales Police say incident ended peacefully and no one was injured .
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By . Sarah Griffiths . Carrying shopping, work kit or even an order of pizzas on a motorbike can be tricky, unless you have access to a massive Harley Davidson. But an eco-friendly electric bike that has a large cubby hole instead of a fuel tank could mean the end of cumbersome backpacks or bags precariously balanced on handlebars. German engineers built a nifty electric motor into the hub of the ‘Feddz’ bike’s wheel to free up the space for a rider’s personal possessions. Scroll down for video . The future of pizza delivery? An eco-friendly electric bike (pictured) that has a large cubby hole instead of a fuel tank could mean the end of cumbersome backpacks or bags precariously balanced on handlebars . USP: The bike has a large cubby hole where the fuel tank and engine would be on a traditional motorbike. Power: An electric motor is built into the hub of the bike's wheel. Charging: The bike can be charged using a standard household power outlet and take around seven hours for a full charge. Batteries: The bikes use the latest lithium-ion batteries. Storage: The cubby hole can accommodate 23 litres - or a tool box, collection of logs or several pizza boxes. Range: The premium model has a range of 68miles (110km) and the eco one a smaller range of 43miles (70km). Top speed: The premium bike can reach 28mph (45kph) and the eco model has a capped speed of 16mph (25kph). Weight: 99lbs (45kg) - including the battery. Price: €5,990 (£5,018) for the eco model and $6,990 (£5,855) for the premium bike. The Feddz model is designed and built by a German firm called Emo-Bike and its most eye-catching feature is the cavity where you expect an engine and fuel tank to be, which is freed up as 23litres of storage space – enough for logs, pizzas or a large toolbox, according to the company. The 'cargo space' is fitted with two belts with ‘quick release closures’ and inside the frame is a USB connection so that riders can charge their smartphones on the go. The bikes are available with two different batteries. The ‘premium’ bike with the larger battery has a 68-mile (110km) range on a seven hour charge and a top speed of 28mph (45kph). The ‘eco model’ has a range of 43miles . (70km) has a capped speed of 16mph (25kph) which means it can be driven . without a licence in some places. The cargo space is fitted with two belts with 'quick release closures' and inside the frame is a USB connection so that riders can charge their smartphones . According to Emo-Bike, the ‘plug-in and drive’ batteries use the newest lithium-ion technology and can be recharged using any household outlet while they are removed from the bike, or still attached. The bike frame and wheels weigh just 73lbs (33kg) and can be loaded onto a conventional bike carrier once the 25lb (12kg) battery is removed. German engineers built a nifty electric motor into the hub of the 'Feddz' bike's wheel (pictured) to free up the space for a rider's personal possessions or heavy items like logs . Seat height can be adjusted to allow a rider to choose between a comfortable upright position and a lower, sportier posture. The most basic model costs €5,990 (£5,018) and while it is an investment, the company points out that a user will save money on fuel in the long-run. The bikes are available with two different batteries - the larger 'premium' one with a 68-mile (110km) range on a seven hour charge and a top speed of 28mph (45kph) The bike frame and wheels weigh just 73lbs (33kg) and can be loaded onto a conventional bike carrier once the 25lb (12kg) battery is removed .
German engineers built a nifty electric . motor into the hub of the ‘Feddz’ bike’s wheel to free up the space for a . rider’s personal possessions . The Feddz bike is available with two different batteries for different ranges and top speeds. The premium model has a top speed of 28mph (45kph) The bike frame and wheels weigh just 73lbs (33kg) and the cheapest model is available for €5,990 (£5,018)
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First, immigrants steal Americans' jobs. And now foreigners are stealing Americans' rightful place on U.S. postage stamps! OK, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration. But a new line of Harry Potter stamps released this week by the U.S. Postal Service has outraged some stamp enthusiasts. As the former head of the American Philatelic Society (that's a stamp collecting society to the rest of us) noted: "Harry Potter is not American. It's foreign, and it's so blatantly commercial it's off the charts." First off, can a fictitious teenage wizard ever become a U.S. citizen? Secondly, and far more importantly, the Postal Service is in a financial "hot mess." It's losing $25 million every day. And for the 2013 fiscal year, which ended September 30, the USPS ran up a deficit of $5 billion. At this point, I'd be all for a stamp bearing the image of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack if that could generate revenue. That's preferable to higher deficits, drastic cuts in services and increases in stamp prices. Look, I understand that one of the mandates of the Postal Service is, "portraying the American experience to a world audience through the issuance of postage stamps." But the "American experience" is not just colored by U.S. citizens. Plus Harry Potter and his cast of cohorts are not the first non-U.S. citizens to grace our stamps. Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Mother Theresa and French singer Edith Piaf have all been featured on past stamps. This is not the first time a new set of stamps has caused controversy. In 2001, the Postal Service came under fire from some on the right when it released the Frida Kahlo stamp because she was a Communist, a Mexican and a bisexual. In fact, the late Republican Senator Jesse Helms denounced the stamp on the Senate floor. Some have even objected to stamps honoring Mother Theresa, celebrating the Muslim Eid holiday, or bearing the image of the famed Botticelli painting of the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus. Why? Because they were troubled by the religious implications. It appears, though, that the real reason for the uproar over the Harry Potter stamp isn't his citizenship status. Rather, it's because stamp purists are dismayed by the increasing commercialization of U.S. postage stamps. As one collector said: "They shouldn't be reduced to the latest fads, whatever's going to sell." This very issue has caused friction between the Postal Service and the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee -- a body established in 1957 to evaluate and recommend to the USPS what should be chosen for stamps. The tension undoubtedly escalated when the Postal Service chose not to consult with this advisory committee before approving the new Harry Potter stamp collection. But here's the thing: It's not an either/or scenario. Stamps bearing images of iconic America, like national parks and national heroes, will always have their audience. And pop culture stamps certainly have their legion of fans. Keep in mind that the stamp featuring Elvis Presley is the top seller of all time with over 700 million sold. So I say it's time for the Postal Service to roll out stamps that will make money. I don't care if it's Miley Cyrus swinging on a wrecking ball, an angry Donald Trump or Honey Boo Boo wearing a tiara. These are all preferable to the Postal Service incurring more debt and slashing services to the point where it ends up having to lay off so many postal workers that it's stuck delivering mail via carrier pigeon.
Some stamp collectors are upset over a new line of Harry Potter stamps . Dean Obeidallah: Keep in mind that the Postal Service is in a financial mess . He says popular stamps are preferable to higher deficits or drastic cuts in services . Obeidallah: The Postal Service should roll out some stamps that can make money .
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Convicted: Lisa Biron (pictured) faces at least 25 years in jail after being found guilty of abducting a teenage girl to Canada and forcing her to have sex on camera . A jury took less than an hour to convict a female lawyer who worked with an anti-gay Christian group for abducting a teenage girl and forcing her to have sex on camera while on bail for child pornography charges. Lisa Biron, 43, did not display any emotion as the verdict was read during the January court appearance in New Hampshire. She faces a minimum 25 year sentenced when she is sentenced later this month. 'It was just very difficult, and I don't think I should say much more than that,' juror Peter Evans told a local television station. 'The evidence was pretty overwhelming, and the decision, I'm sure, was accurate.' Biron was arrested by FBI agents in a Manchester courtroom while awaiting a hearing on district-level charges of possessing pornographic material on her computer. A few hours later, she was taken into a court in Concord, New Hampshire, accused of taking the teenage girl to Canada, making her engage in sexual activity and convincing her to let it be filmed. Biron, who is associated with the anti-gay group Alliance Defending Freedom, was initially arrested after a man walked into the Manchester Police Department claiming he had seen pornography on her computer. After a search of her computer, police found five videos and two pictures of a teenage girl on her computer. Biron was released on bail on seven charges of possessing child pornography earlier this month. After her arrest by the FBI, she allegedly told agents they would find a loaded pistol under her mattress. They didn't find a weapon, but they did discover 200 rounds of ammunition in her Manchester home. At the hearing on federal-level charges, the prosecutor also alleged that: . Charged: Biron was arrested by FBI agents at a Manchester court (above) while awaiting a hearing on district-level charges of possessing pornographic material on her computer . Biron's lawyer, Jim Moir, asked the judge to consider his clients lack of criminal history and that she had attended all of her court appearances, according to the Concord Monitor. But Judge Landya McCafferty remanded her in custody after saying she was 'not at all comfortable' that she would comply with any new bail conditions. She is due to stand trial in January on the federal charges of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, possession of child pornography and five counts of sexual exploitation of children. She faces up to life in prison if convicted. Biron, who was briefly associated with the Donais Law Offices in Manchester before her arrest, has been suspended indefinitely. On Biron's Facebook page, she lists the Bible as her favorite book.
Lisa Biron took teenager across border while on bail for child porn charges . New Hampshire jury took less than an hour to convict . Biron was previously arrested after police allegedly found porn material on her computer . She is associated with the anti-gay group Alliance Defending Freedom . Two witnesses have testified to seeing Biron with ecstasy, marijuana and cocaine. Biron sent a text to the man who turned her into the police warning him to watch his back 'for ever'. Other youngsters have been subjected to Biron’s sexual activity and drug use .
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(CNN) -- Following the World Health Organization's announcement that radio frequency emissions from cell phones may increase the risk of some kinds of brain cancer, what do you need to know about the radiation coming from your phone? How can you protect yourself? And should RF emission information be listed on cell phone packaging, and in stores? First things first: The WHO study did not say "cell phones cause brain cancer." Rather, there is some evidence indicating a possible connection -- and while not conclusive, it warrants further study. Consequently, WHO has now categorized radio frequency electromagnetic fields as a "group 2B" possible human carcinogen. Here's how Ed Yong, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, explained it in his detailed analysis of the WHO announcement: . "Group 2B means that there is some evidence for a risk but it's not that convincing. This group ends up being a bit of a catch-all category, and includes everything from carpentry to chloroform." Dr. Gupta: Cell phones, brain tumors . So it's worth being aware of this classification -- just as you should be mindful of your intake of coffee, another group 2B carcinogen. But this announcement is not a reason to panic. Would labels help? San Francisco has been wrestling with whether to require cell phones to be labeled for their RF emissions. Last year, the city tried to mandate cell phone radiation labeling in stores, originally to take effect February 2011. But according to the San Francisco Chronicle, "implementation was delayed until May 1, then June 15. There now is no proposed start date." The city backtracked on this partly out of concern over a lawsuit filed by the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association -- but also because officials didn't know how to ensure the accuracy of the labels. Scientists aren't sure what's the most realistic, intuitive way to communicate cell phone RF emissions to consumers. Specific absorption rate, a measure of the rate of RF energy that your body absorbs from the phone, is the most commonly cited benchmark. For a phone to be certified by the FCC and sold in the U.S., for example, its maximum SAR level must be less than 1.6 watts per kilogram. But Joel Moskowitz, director of the Center for Family and Community Health at University of California, Berkeley, told the Chronicle that "specific absorption rate isn't a very useful measure because it's the peak reading on a variety of tests conducted on cell phones to measure their radiation, but doesn't indicate the average amount of radiation a user would generally be exposed to." He likened it to a car's gas mileage being reported only based on driving it up a steep hill. Such a measurement could actually make a car shopper avoid a hybrid because it doesn't perform well on hills, even though it would generally consume less gas. CNET recently updated its guide to cell phone radiation levels, which ranks phones according to SAR. Cell phones and radiation: The 10 highest- and lowest-emitting models . What cell phone users can do . If you are concerned that cell phones might increase your cancer risk, probably the best way to put the WHO announcement to good use is to minimize how much you hold your cell phone next to your head. More tips on minimizing cell phone radiation . Your best bet is to use a headset that physically plugs in to your phone, such as earbuds with a microphone attached. Unlike Bluetooth headsets, this entails no additional RF exposure near your head -- although it may take a moment to connect your headset to your phone. While the WHO examined only the possible risk of brain cancer, you can further reduce your cell phone RF exposure by placing your phone a few inches away from your body while using it -- such as in a purse or on the table. Or whenever possible, talk via your phone's speaker function, or send a text message instead of placing a call. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Amy Gahran.
WHO classifies radio frequency electromagnetic fields as a "group 2B" possible carcinogen . Group is catch-all category, and includes everything from carpentry to chloroform . Scientists aren't sure how to communicate cell phone RF emissions to consumers . Specific absorption rate is the most commonly cited benchmark .
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(Tribune Media Services) -- If you think being a secret agent is all just one giant adrenaline rush, think again. Cracking the safe at the International Spy Museum . Our mission on the other side of the world: Retrieve a missing nuclear trigger before it falls into enemy hands. We don't know whom to trust in Kandahar. We can't speak the language. We've got to conduct video surveillance on an always-moving target, decrypt a secret audio conversation when we can barely hear through the static, crack a safe and then escape from a heavily guarded compound. Phew. We kept the terrorists from getting the trigger. Everyone heaves a giant sigh of relief. The three middle-schoolers in the group performed admirably. Welcome to Operation Spy at the International Spy Museum (www.spymuseum.org) in Washington, D.C. "Today intelligence is the first line of defense against ideology-driven terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and other threats to our country," explains Peter Earnest, executive director of the International Spy Museum, who spent 36 years at the CIA. The idea, he explains, is to put civilians like us in a situation that mirrors a real mission. But I've got a bigger mission ahead this weekend: Can I make a visit to the nation's capital, museums and historic sites at every turn, fun? I've brought along two sixth-graders from Stamford, Connecticut -- my cousin's son, Max Weinberg, and his friend, Miles Singer -- to see if I'm up to the challenge. So far so good. The kids loved Operation Spy and the spy tools in the museum's permanent exhibits -- a Soviet listening device hidden inside the heel of a target's shoe, a lipstick pistol and poison gas gun nearly as much as they loved the gift shop, which offered every spy toy imaginable. New lasers in hand, we adjourn next door to the upscale Zola restaurant (www.zoladc.com), which has a sophisticated ambience and menu to please the grown-ups, as well as a welcoming attitude toward kids ... not to mention terrific fries. (Memo to parents: If you take kids to a restaurant like this and they've outgrown the kids' menu, suggest they share a meal -- assuming they want the same thing.) Over dinner, the boys confess that learning about intelligence gathering was a lot more fun than learning how Congress works, and taking the Amtrak train (www.amtrak.com) was a lot more fun than driving or flying, because they could stay "plugged in" the entire trip, playing video games, watching movies and buying pizza and hot dogs. (Kids ride Amtrak for half price.) The Palomar Hotel, a Kimpton Hotel, (www.hotelpalomar-dc.com), just a short walk from DuPont Circle and Rock Creek Park) proved an ideal choice for my "mission" too. The theme of this hotel is "art in motion" and when we get to our room, the kids find personalized cartoons drawn by a local cartoonist and an iHome to plug in their iPods. "This makes me feel like a king," Miles declares, jumping on the bed. That's exactly what General Manager Brett Orlando, himself the father of young twins, wants to hear. "Our job is to create an experience for kids as well as parents," he explains. There is a treasure chest of toys for younger kids to borrow, a lending library of DVD movies and welcome swag that includes a card for free cookies from room service. (Check the hotel Website for the Link in Luxury package that allows you to book one room at a going rate -- weekend rates start at $229 and a second adjoining room for the kids for $50. Fall and winter weekends are a great time to visit D.C. with bargain hotel rates. Visit www.washington.org). The boys, of course, would have preferred to never leave the hotel but I promise we can skip all the "boring stuff"" -- like the Capitol Building, the Supreme Court, all art museums and even the White House. But even without these stops, we had plenty to fill up our weekend. At Jaleo, (www.jaleo.com), they sampled tapas for the first time -- but passed on the octopus and squid and reveled at being treated like grown-ups at the trendy D.C. Coast (www.dccoast.com). They declared "Shear Madness," which has been running in the Kennedy Center's Theater Lab (http://www.kennedy-center.org/) for almost 20 years, a high point -- with campy humor and the opportunity for the audience to help solve the scissor-stabbing murder of a concert pianist who lives above the hairstyling salon. They also liked the view from the top of the Washington Monument, though they were disappointed when they learned they had to take a 70-second elevator ride rather than climb the 800-plus steps. (TIP: Even in the fall, the entire day's tickets had been given out before 10 a.m. Arrive before 9 a.m. at the kiosk at 15th Street and Madison Drive to get one.) The kids also gave a thumbs-up to The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (www.bep.treas.gov) where they watched from an overhead glass window, as money was made and sorted. NOTE: Though (free) tickets aren't required September through February, tours still fill up. Be prepared. You may need to wait. At the National Air and Space Museum (www.nasm.si.edu) where a new exhibit, America by Air, will open next month, the boys were most interested in the gift shop -- until they discovered the Simulator Rides ($8 each) that allowed them to try their skills as a pilot and gunner aboard an F-4 Phantom II Jet Fighter. "I wish we could do it again and again," Max said. I insisted they see the original 1903 Wright Flyer but after a cursory look, they were done. Sure I could have forced them to spend more time at the museum -- maybe I should have -- but that would have just made them cranky. Me too. Instead, we all left happy. The Smithsonian museums and the capital will be here next trip. E-mail to a friend . (For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com, where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments.) Copyright 2009 EILEEN OGINTZ, DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
The International Spy Museum is popular with kids . Fall and winter weekends in D.C. are a great time for bargain hotel rates . Arrive before 9 a.m. for tickets to climb up the Washington Monument .
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By . Sara Malm . A mother-of-four had told of how she cheated death when a fully grown deer fell through the windshield of her minivan. Heidi Conner was coming to the end of an eight hour road trip with her children when the deer slammed into her car after falling from a highway overpass near Barrington, Illinois. The adult female deer came through Ms Conner’s windshield as she was driving more than 70mph, but miraculously none of her children were hurt. SCROLL FOR VIDEO . Shock: Heidi Conner was driving her four children in a minivan on the interstate, when the deer came in through her windshield, near Barrington, Illinois . Ms Conner even managed to drive across three lines of traffic on the westbound Interstate 90 near Barrington with the dear next to her. She has a sore shoulder and some bruising, but somehow, she is otherwise unhurt. ‘I’m driving, everything was fine. Boom, and I have a deer lying next to me in my car,’ she told CBS2 Chicago. ‘If it had been one inch to the left, it would have been dead center. I wouldn’t have been able to control the car. And one inch to the right, it would have killed my son.’ Ms Conner’s children are completely unharmed, apart from the shock. Lucky: Ms Conner managed to steer though three lanes of traffic on the westbound Interstate 90 near Barrington - with the dead deer in her car . Incredible: Ms Conner's children are all unharmed, and she has a sore elbow, but other than that - the family escaped without injuries despite the unwelcome overpass guest . According to witnesses the deer fell or jumped from the Illinois 72 overpass onto the highway. First on the scene was Illinois Police State Trooper Justin Novarro, who said it was unlike anything he had ever seen before. ‘Never in my career have I seen anything like this,’ he told the TV station. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates there are approximately 1.5 million auto deer collisions per year. Illinois has the third most deer hits per year, only outdone by Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Heidi Conner was driving her four children in a minivan on the highway . An adult female deer fell onto the car and through the windshield . All children were unharmed and Ms Conner suffered a sore elbow . Witnesses say the deer jumped or fell from a bypass onto the interstate .
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Paul Gascoigne has been sectioned and placed on a three day emergency detox after his latest alcohol binge. The 47-year-old was rushed to hospital at 3am yesterday morning after police were called to his home in Poole, Dorset. Medics had been called just hours earlier and carried out an assessment where his condition was considered to be stable, however, he reportedly worsened over the next 12 hours. Scroll down for video . Paul Gascoigne pictured last week with Mandy Thomas, who is rumoured to be his new girlfriend. The 47-year-old was rushed to hospital at 3am yesterday and sectioned under the Mental Health Act . The former England and Tottenham Hotspur footballer has suffered a long battle with alcoholism and was previously sectioned six years ago. Close friend and former teammate Gary Mabbutt told The Sun: 'He has been detained for his best interests. Paul has had a relapse and hasn't been well for a couple of weeks now. 'The best support available is being given to Paul. Hopefully he can get on the road to recovery.' A source also told the paper that Gascoigne had not been in a 'good state' and police and doctors were 'really worried about him'. Gascogine looking weak and frail in August after drinking stint and  is escorted from his home in Poole, Dorset . The footballer gives a thumbs up as he has a cigarette outside Poole Hospital during his recovery from stint . Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne, pictured fishing in Hampshire last month, was previously sectioned six years ago and has had a long battle with alcohol and drugs . Gascoigne during his days playing for England, when he made 57 appearances for his country . The star, who made 57 appearances for his country, has been in rehab seven times and was first sectioned under the Mental Health Act in 2008, following an incident at a Newcastle hotel. His seventh stint in rehab was in January this year when he checked into a £6,000-a-month treatment clinic in Southampton. The most recent binge comes just months after he was hospitalised for an alcoholic breakdown. In August he was found collapsed outside his home clutching a bottle of gin and was taken to Poole Hospital where he was treated for four days. Last month the star was pictured cradling a chicken whilst enjoying a pint and speaking to locals in a pub beer garden. But things for the troubled footballer appeared to be on the up after he was spotted with walking hand-in-hand with a woman who he is reportedly dating. Friends had said last week that they hoped Mandy Thomas, a public services worker, would save him from his battle against alcohol after she stayed by his side during his most recent relapse. Ms Thomas, who is separated from her husband and has two children, is said to be 'besotted' with the star with whom she has become 'inseparable'. A spokesman for his former club Spurs told the newspaper: 'We are aware of the situation with Paul and continue to offer our support.' Gascoigne's agent Terry Baker told MailOnline that the star 'is not very well' but refused to comment on his condition any further.
The 47-year-old rushed to hospital at 3am yesterday morning from home . Medics had been called earlier and assessed him and deemed him fine . His condition worsened and he was sectioned under Mental Health Act . Former England footballer has had a long battle with alcoholism and drugs . He was previously sectioned six years ago after incident in Newcastle hotel . Close friend Gary Mabbutt said he's been detained for his 'best interests'
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By . Anastasia Parks . PUBLISHED: . 17:00 EST, 2 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:22 EST, 3 March 2013 . In July 2009, my husband took me to Henley Royal Regatta, the scene of many of his youthful triumphs. We enjoyed a long, hot sunny day sipping Pimm’s. It was bliss, not least because since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis the summer before, I had become increasingly anxious about outings to beaches or markets, or even parties and weddings. For years, I’d been suffering increasing tingling and numbness in my limbs that became impossible to ignore. A clicking hip while pregnant with my youngest son – now seven – was followed by weakness in my leg, numbness in both feet, night cramps and weak bladder control. After myriad appointments, tests and MRI scans, I received my diagnosis: primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Scroll down for video . Patient choice: Anastasia Parks has to buy Low Dose Naltrexone privately . This is an uncommon form of the neurological condition which progresses inexorably. But like all variations of MS, in which the immune system turns inward and attacks the nervous system causing a raft of worsening symptoms, there is no cure. You are on your own. Anything involving walking and standing became difficult. But then came  salvation: a little-known treatment which I had been taking for just a month at that point called Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). I found, like thousands of other British MS patients, that it vastly improved  my symptoms. Yet, incredibly, Naltrexone – traditionally used as a way to treat heroin addiction – has not been licensed for use in MS, so must be bought privately. And the majority of mainstream doctors dispute it is of any use, so trials are unlikely. I am an Oxford-educated 50-year-old woman and like any intelligent person I read about any new drug trumpeted as a miracle cure in the press, where there is the odd flash of hope. Sadly, I have become used to taking the news of breakthroughs with a hefty dose of cynicism. Any innovation takes an age to reach the market and waiting for drugs to be assessed means patients are left despairing. Private help: Naltrexone costs £300 a year - just 82p a day - but is not available on the NHS as it has not been trialled to combat MS . I wrote about my condition and its impact on a busy mother of three boys in this newspaper early in 2009. I received a slew of emails from readers, particularly fellow sufferers of MS, who urged me – in sensible, enthusiastic and articulate ways – to try Naltrexone. It is a class of drug known as an opioid antagonist and works by inhibiting natural feel-good chemicals called endorphins, thus forcing the body to produce more. In turn this reduces painful symptoms and increases a sense of well-being. It is given to drug addicts in a dose of 50mg, but since 1985 in the United States it has been used by a growing minority of innovative doctors in much smaller doses of 3mg to 4.5mg daily for the treatment of autoimmune disease. Happy pills: Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist and forces the body to produce endorphins . When I asked, my GP maintained – and still does – that the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of LDN was weak. My  neurologist feels the same, and says he would not support its use without further clinical data. But other medics feel differently. Don’t forget that the drug is available on the NHS already, just for different conditions. ‘Three Health Secretaries have given written approval of its use on the NHS, yet so many GPs and neurologists still refuse to prescribe it,’ says Dr Bob Lawrence, who is listed on the LDN Research Trust website. He has a personal history of MS and has prescribed LDN since 2000, crediting the resolving of his medical problem to the drug. ‘At less than £300 a year – about 82p a day – the cost is minimal compared with, for example, beta interferon, another drug for MS which costs between £9,000 and £12,000 a year,’ he says. ‘The reason no one prescribes it is because it hasn’t been trialled.’ I understand the refusal to prescribe new drugs without scientific basis but all I was left with was an airy suggestion to take extra Vitamin D. So I bought LDN through a website recommended by the LDN Trust. It asked for written confirmation from my doctor of my diagnosis, and I took my first dose in bitter-tasting liquid form in July 2009. What did I have to lose? I didn’t notice any immediate difference to my left leg, but at least the day was not  punctuated by frequent dashes to the loo. The next morning I realised I had slept better than usual because I hadn’t been up during the night. Not once. Walking to work the following week my leg had stopped dragging as it had been doing. The effects were minor, but noticeable, both physically and mentally. So I have continued to take LDN. It feels positive to be taking something hopeful. LDN isn’t a miracle cure, and it’s not held up as one. Now my left leg is weaker. I can’t walk as far without getting tired. But, almost four years since I started taking it, it hasn’t got worse. Apart from a yearly check-up with my neurologist, I don’t think about my condition. I still limp but the rest of my life – my sons, a husband, part-time work, holidays – continues. What is so galling is that LDN supporters are forced to come across as evangelical nutters. Whatever happened to patient choice? ldnresearchtrust.org; lowdosenaltrexone.org .
Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) costs £300 a year privately . Drug is not available on the NHS as it has not been trialled to combat MS .
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By . Sophie Jane Evans . PUBLISHED: . 13:28 EST, 11 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 15:04 EST, 11 February 2014 . This is the moment a recycling bin turned into a 'monster' after a pizza parlour threw away a pile of raw dough. The mass of ingredients was spotted overflowing from the council-owned bin outside a Papa John's restaurant in Edinburgh today. It could be seen spewing out of the top of the bin - with bits of dough creeping out onto the street. D'ough! This recycling bin was turned into a 'monster' after a pizza parlour threw away a pile of raw dough. The mass of ingredients was spotted overflowing from the bin outside a Papa John's restaurant in Edinburgh today . A photo of the 'monster' was posted on Twitter by civil servant Ailsa Burn-Murdoch, who spotted it on her way to work. Alongside the image, she wrote: 'I have a . feeling @PapaJohnsUK owe a local sanitation worker free pizza for a . year.' This afternoon, Papa John's blamed an inexperienced employee for the incident - claiming the staff member had disposed of the dough in a public bin by mistake. A spokesman said: 'This . isolated incident at our Edinburgh store was due to an inexperienced . employee. Overflowing: The dough could be seen spewing out of the top of the bin - with bits creeping out onto the street . Scene: The 'monster' was spotted outside this Papa John's restaurant on Crown Street, near Leith Walk . 'At Papa John's, we have a detailed waste management system and do not condone the use of public bins. 'We have since spoken to the store in question and . implemented procedures to ensure it does not happen again.' Mrs Burn-Murdoch, 32, said she had initially thought the mass of dough was a prank, before noticing it was outside a pizza parlour. 'I have never seen anything like it,' she said. 'I was on my normal way to work when I saw an odd look on a woman's face. Viral: This afternoon, the photo of the 'dough monster' took Twitter by storm - with some users deciding to digitally alter the bizarre snap. Above, user @Dragonahcas posted an image featuring angry monster eyes . Having a rave: Another photoshopped the image to make it look as if the 'monster' had attended a rave . 'She was walking in the other direction. She had obviously seen it. When I turned around, I saw this dough monster. 'At first I thought someone had put insulation in the bin as a prank, but I realised that it was outside a Papa John's and that it must be pizza dough.' She added: 'They must have got the yeast balance wrong and then it continued to grow in the bin. 'The bin is designed for food waste - but obviously not for that much. I think it's pretty funny, but someone is really going to be annoyed when they have to clean it up.' This afternoon, the photo of the 'monster' took Twitter by storm - with hundreds of users sharing the image with the hastag #doughmonster. And it didn't take long for some users to digitally alter the bizarre snap - with one giving it angry . monster eyes. Another photoshopped the image to make it look as if the 'monster' had attended a rave. Following the incident, the dough was . cleaned up by the owner of the restaurant on Crown Street, near Leith . Walk, who then paid for the council to take it away. The recycling bin, which is one of many placed on . streets around Scotland's capital, is only for domestic use - with food supposed to be wrapped in . newspaper or bags before being placed in the bin.
Dough spotted overflowing from recycling bin outside Papa John's parlour . Could be seen spewing out of top of bin, with bits creeping out onto street . Photo of 'dough monster' was posted on Twitter by Ailsa Burn-Murdoch . It has since gone viral and been digitally altered to include monster eyes . This afternoon, Papa John's blamed incident on 'inexperienced employee'
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For a year-and-a-half, Omar Kenawi and Susan Schlegel travelled back and forth between London and Los Angeles after meeting online and falling hopelessly in love. At 5,437 miles apart, the couple's relationship was just about as long-distance as it gets - but Mr Kenawi used that to his advantage. Knowing that his Broadway-loving girlfriend's favourite musical was Rent, he coordinated a surprise flashmob for her which culminated on him getting down on one knee. Luckily for him, in front of the flash mob that he had arranged and the crowd that gathered to watch the romantic gesture, as well as the camera crew he had brought in to record the proposal, she said yes. Scroll down for video . Moment of relief: After travelling from London to Los Angeles and organising an elaborate proposal, Susan Schlegel said yes to Omar Kenawi . Ms Schlegel and her husband-to-be had not seen each other for four months before he popped the question . 'Sue's favourite musical is Rent which I hadn't seen, so I watched it and loved it,' Mr Kenawi, 28, told ABC News. 'I picked my favourite song from the show, Seasons of Love, and I really wanted to make it special to us so I rewrote the lyrics to be more personal to our unique relationship.' The original song's lyrics ask: 'Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes. How do you measure, measure a year?' After finding out the distance from London to Los Angeles, the producer changed the words to: 'Five thousand, four hundred and thirty seven miles. How do you measure the distance of love?' and renamed the song Forever Love. Mr Kenawi emerges from the crowd to serenade his soon-to-be fiancée with a song from Rent . He gets down on one knee after the 5,437-mile flight and prays for the right answer . The happy couple kiss and Mr Kenawi's huge trip and elaborate plan have all been worth it . Mr Kenawi, who had not seen his girlfriend for four months before the proposal, relied on the help of Ms Schlegel's close friends and family to pull off the stunt - a group of around 35 all together. Ms Schlegel was led to Griffith Observatory, where the couple had spent a romantic evening in the past, under the impression that she was there for a marketing job. But when she was led outside, an a cappella group start to sing. Bemused, Ms Schlegel says, 'I love this,' as she watches the group break out into song. Meanwhile a nervous Mr Kenawi hides just a few feet away, preparing himself for one of the most daunting moments of his life. As friends of Ms Schlegel begin to join the group she starts dancing, still completely oblivious to what is about to happen. At this point Mr Kenawi bites the bullet and emerges from behind, emerging in time to sing the final verse of his song. Happy couple: The pair have not set a wedding date yet, but after such an elaborate proposal, Ms Schlegel wants to plan a more 'intimate' ceremony . Speaking to her after the music stops, he says: 'I have travelled 5,437 miles to stand here before you today, but I would travel to the ends of the universe to be with you. 'Every minute without you has been an eternity, and every bumpy plane ride has been an absolute pleasure. 'You are the most beautiful, funny, thoughtful, and inspiring woman I have ever known, and I ever will know. 'You are my soulmate, my partner, my best friend, and you would make me the happiest man alive if you would give me the honour of sharing your life with me.' Mr Kenawi then gets down on one knee and pops the question, to which Ms Schlegel says yes as the crowd break into applause. 'Months of planning all hinged on that moment, and the excitement and elation we all felt at its success was something I'll never experience again,' Kenawi recalled. 'It was the best moment of my life. 'I was really nervous as months of planning had gone into that moment and I wanted to make it like a dream come true for her. 'She told me one of her wishes was to find herself in a musical scenario in her life and I wanted to make that happen for her.' The happy couple have not set a wedding date yet, but after such an elaborate proposal, Ms Schlegel says they would like to 'plan something intimate and unique,' about a year from now.
Omar Kenawi and Susan Schlegel have been dating since February 2013 . The couple met online and fell for each other despite the huge distance . He organised a surprise a cappella rendition of Seasons of Love, from Rent . After four months apart, he arrives at the end of the video and sings to her . Mr Kenawi gets down on one knee and asks his girlfriend to marry him . To his relief, an overwhelmed Ms Schlegel says yes to cheers from the crowd . Video, Operation: Omar Proposes To Susan, has over 250,000 views .
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A Miami high school student brutally raped at female teacher at his school after choking until she passed out, police say. Victor Marshall Nash, 18, is charged with attempted first degree murder, sexual battery, robbery and grand theft for the alleged attack on his teacher at South Dade Senior High School on Friday. Detectives say two hours after the last class ended, Nash approached the teacher and put his arm around her. When she told him 'No, stop,' he body-slammed her to the ground and smashed her head against the floor. Scroll down for video . Shocking charges: Victor Marshall Nash, 18, is accused of brutally raping his teacher at South Dade High School after class on Friday after choking her until she passed out . The 6-foot-1, 200lb teen then choked the teacher until she passed out. While she was unconscious, he raped her and left the used condom in her purse, police say. The teen then threw his victim's cell phone in the garbage and stole her car keys. When the teacher came to, Nash was gone. Nash is 6-foot-1 and weighs more than 200lbs, authorities say . Police found him five hours later driving the teacher's car nearby. Officers say Nash confessed to the crimes. The teachers union confirmed that Nash had attacked at teacher and said in a statement: 'We are shocked and dismayed by the event reported at South Dade Senior High. 'Our schools should be a place of safety and serenity, not only for students, but the adults who work there as well.' Nash's father, Victor Marshall Nash Sr., is a convicted sex offender who has also been arrested in the past on child abuse charges. He told WVSN-TV that he was 'shocked' to hear his son had been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a teacher. 'When me and his mother were together, we tried to raise him, I guess you can say, as both loving parents,' the elder Mr Nash said. He said he doesn't think his son knows about his father's arrest. The attack happened at South Dade Senior High School, where Nash is a student and his victims works as a teacher, authorities say .
Victor Marshall Nash, 18, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, sexual battery, robbery and grand theft . The 6-foot-1 student bodyslammed his teacher at South Dade Senior High School then choked her until she was unconscious and raped her, police say . Nash left his used condom in the teacher's purse then stole her car, according to detectives .
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(CNN)It was one of a thousand little conversations that fill each day in a third-grade classroom. As teacher Kimmie Fink read a book featuring a Japanese character, a student brought her fingers to her eyes and tugged on the edges, stretching them into narrow slits. Fink stopped. "I'm Asian," she told the child, "and when you do that, it hurts my feelings." The student snapped to attention. "Oh! I'm sorry!" she told her teacher, and they went back to their book. It was a quick back-and-forth with a big lesson, but it came from a trained teacher who had rehearsed what to say. Just as Fink learned to teach math and reading, she has practiced how to squelch unwitting bias and stereotyping before it has a chance to grow into bullying or racism. Little insults and acts of disrespect once shrugged off or ignored -- just kids being kids -- are now treated in some schools as important chances to learn. Lessons have long been built around Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Holocaust remembrance week, Women's History Month and countless others holidays and awareness weeks. But at schools around the country, learning about bias related to race, gender and sexuality is part of everyday teaching. Fink, who teaches at Pope Elementary in Puyallup, Washington, began anti-bias training with the Human Rights Campaign's Welcoming Schools program two years ago and immediately began to share those lessons with her colleagues. The program is active in 25 states and offers training and lesson plans around family diversity, gender stereotyping and ending bullying. Fink didn't need help spotting right and wrong around racial diversity and gender bias, but training helped her find the words and tone to explain it to young children, especially when it came to matters of sexuality. Young students sometimes don't realize what they're saying or how painful a comment on the playground can be. "She had no idea that kind of thing was hurtful -- they don't want to hurt anyone's feelings," Fink said of the third-grader who tugged at her eyes. "A lot (of teachers) are scared to say anything because they're scared they're going to say the wrong thing." It's not easy for parents, either. So how can adults manage conversations about complicated issues with the youngest of kids? Here's some guidance from educators doing it ever day: . Holidays, awareness weeks and celebratory months are a great way to start a conversation with young people. Last week, the media literacy program Hatch released a video of an 11-year-old analyzing King's "I Have a Dream" speech. In powerful, unscripted responses, they explained how words spoken decades ago affected them and identified work that still needs to be done. But educators caution that cultural days or awareness weeks might touch only on clothing, holidays or food -- and serve up only information that suggests how people are different. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, schools might examine only Jim Crow history but ignore modern civil rights issues or King's messages about poverty and peace, said Johanna Eager, the director of Welcoming Schools. "It can be approached in ways that students don't feel that it's relevant. It's something their parents took care of," Eager said. "It's really important to extend Dr. King's message ... taking an intersectional approach, talking about gender stereotypes, class disparities." Some of the most powerful learning comes from answering kids' questions about what's going on in the world or what they see in the hallways of their school. And sometimes, the best way to explain an issue to kids is to find a story that's designed for them, educators said. When her students are facing a conflict, Fink, the Washington teacher, is likely to call upon a long list of children's books to help them work through it. Just as students remember a one-on-one conversation with teachers, they see themselves in stories and characters and look to the lessons in books to model their own responses. "If I'm having trouble with name-calling in my classroom, I'm going to pull a read-aloud," Fink said. "It just works." It's tempting to believe young children are innocent and unaware of the world around them, but they are listening and repeating what they hear on TV or from older kids and adults around them. Fink has caught even young children saying something is "so gay." Sometimes they don't know what it means, but they've heard it used elsewhere. Often, Fink said, they understand that "gay" means something like "a man and a man love each other." They even know they're using the word "gay" to say something is bad. They just don't make the connection that their comment is disrespectful to people who are gay, Fink said. "'We don't use somebody's identity as an insult,'" she tells students. Eager said they heard a lot of questions from educators after the shooting death of Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, and during protests that followed. Teachers knew their students were talking about it, but few knew how to explain it to young people. "Students are having these conversations without us, and we know it's really important for adults to be part of the conversation and model effective, respectful ways to have them," Eager said. Welcoming Schools and other anti-bullying programs are ultimately meant to teach children and improve school climates, but the training demands adults examine their own biases and how they talk to children at school and home. It can be uncomfortable for adults to consider and challenge their own beliefs. "It's a predictable part of this process [that] there's some resistance," Eager said. "There's going to be someone who is not happy." The Welcoming Schools curriculum is transparent, she said -- it includes family nights and offers guidance to administrators and teachers on how to deal with those who might disagree with how they handle lessons about sexuality, gender and other topics. But even among educators committed to creating a healthy school climate, it can be tough. Fink recalls exercises such as asking teachers to write which identities apply to them -- race, ethnicity, gender, for example -- then asking them to examine which ones opened doors for them and which ones made life harder. Conversations can be intense and revealing. There are reminders, too, that adults can learn from children, too. After all, young students don't like to hurt each other's feelings, Fink said. "We need to take advantage of that default to compassion," she said, "and harness it."
Teachers and parents don't always know how to talk to young children about bias and bullying . Educators say it can't just be a conversation around Martin Luther King Jr. Day or other awareness holidays .
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(CNN) -- The president of the Libyan Olympic Committee has been kidnapped, the committee said Monday. Ahmad Nabil al-Alam was taken in central Tripoli on Sunday, the organization said. He was followed by two vehicles and then seized by unidentified gunmen around 4 p.m., the committee said. The identity and motive of the kidnappers were not immediately known. Al-Alam is supposed to head the Libyan delegation in London for the Olympic games, which begin next week. The committee issued a statement saying the "Libyan sports family" condemns "this heinous crime." It described al-Alam as a "man who greatly contributed to the" revolution that led to strongman Moammar Gadhafi's ouster last year. Al-Alam "bore arms to defend its principles until Libya was liberated from the tyranny," the statement said. The committee called on officials in the interim government and National Transitional Council "to fulfill their duty in finding out the fate of this man and free him from the kidnappers by taking all necessary measures to achieve that, and to put an end to such irresponsible acts that only mean chaos, an attack on public freedoms and extrajudicial detention."
Ahmad Nabil al-Alam was kidnapped Sunday in Tripoli, the Libyan Olympic Committee says . The identity and motive of the kidnappers are unknown . Al-Alam "greatly contributed" to the fight against the Gadhafi regime, the committee says .
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By . Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 15:58 EST, 30 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:59 EST, 30 October 2013 . A missing five-year-old British girl at the centre of a tug-of-love dispute has been found in Russia and should be back in England by next week, a High Court judge said today. Alice Davies has been found safe and well with her teacher mother Jacqueline, 49, following the publicity surrounding her disappearance two years ago. Ms Davies is due to appear at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in Birmingham on Tuesday, Mr Justice Keehan said. Alice Davies has been found safe with her mother Jacqueline in Russia after disappearing two years ago . Ms Davies had become involved in family court proceedings after separating from former partner and Alice's father Julian Brown. A judge had ruled that Mr Brown should have contact with his daughter and there followed a dispute, when Ms Davies disappeared with Alice. 'I’m delighted,' Mr Brown said after today’s hearing. 'I haven’t seen Alice for nearly two years. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes to plan and I’ll see her next week.' News of Alice’s discovery emerged today at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London, where the little girl’s grandparents were appearing after the judge found them in contempt of court. A High Court judge ruled that Ms Davies' parents and sister were in contempt of court for not having revealed all they know about her disappearance . Brian and Patricia Davies - who are both in their 70s and come from Pentyrch, Cardiff - were remanded in custody on Friday after Mr Justice Keehan concluded that they had lied when asked for information about the child’s whereabouts. Melanie Williams - Alice’s aunt and a mother-of-two - also appeared after being remanded in custody on Friday when the judge concluded that she had also lied and was in contempt. Mr Justice Keehan said in the light of Alice’s discovery all three could be released. The judge imposed a 12-day prison sentence on each and said they should serve half that sentence. He said time spent on remand would form part of the sentence and therefore all three could be released today. Mr and Mrs Davies and Ms Williams, who had been arrested late on Thursday, were led into court in handcuffs by security staff. Mr Brown had asked the judge not to impose jail terms on Mr and Mrs Davies and Ms Williams. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons.
Alice Davies has been found with her mother Jacqueline, 49, safe and well .
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(CNN)It's starting to feel a little bit like Groundhog Day when it comes to parents under attack for letting their children do things on their own. The latest case? A Silver Spring, Maryland, couple is facing a neglect investigation for letting their 10-year-old son and 6-1/2-year-old daughter walk home from a playground, about a mile from their house, by themselves on a Saturday afternoon in late December. The story immediately brought to mind the South Carolina mom arrested for letting her 9-year-old daughter play at the park alone while she worked at a McDonald's and a Florida mom arrested after letting her 7-year-old walk to the park alone. Is it just me or have things suddenly gotten way out of hand when parents are being arrested -- or investigated -- for doing what was considered totally normal and appropriate just a few decades ago? I asked Danielle Meitiv, the mother at the center of this latest national story, about her parenting philosophy. "The funny thing is, it's so funny to call it a philosophy," Meitiv said. Brutally Honest: When is it OK to leave your teen home alone overnight? "In terms of crime, I lived in a more dangerous time period and my parents lived in a more dangerous time period ... so it just never occurred to me that this has to be a philosophy." Growing up in Flushing, Queens, in New York, she would go to the bowling alley or library at a young age by herself. "The idea that a parent would escort you somewhere, I mean my mother would have cracked up, 'What are you, nuts?' " As Meitiv's kids got older, she and her husband grew more aware of the whole concept of helicopter parenting -- and the idea that kids had to be supervised all the time. She started looking up information and found the book "Free-Range Kids" by Lenore Skenazy and began following her online blog, too. "So from that, I would say, 'Yeah, I'm a free-range parent,' " she said. "Again, to me, the idea is, what happened to just parenting?" Skenazy, a New York mom, television host, speaker and author, was called the worst mother on the planet and meaner things than we could include in this article after she wrote a story in 2008 on why she let her 9-year-old son take the subway by himself. After the uproar about her parenting, she wrote the book and started a blog, and now hosts a show called "World's Worst Mom?" airing at 9 p.m. ET Thursdays on the Discovery Life Channel. Mom arrested for leaving 9-year-old alone at the park . Skenazy actually broke the story on Reason.com about the Meitivs being under investigation by Montgomery County's Child Protective Services after they let their children walk home from a playground by themselves. "We've been encouraged in our society to do what I call worst-first thinking, which is come up with the worst-case scenario first and proceed as if it's likely to happen, and that's what happened with the Meitivs," Skenazy said. "Someone sees two children alone, and they leap to 'Oh, my God, they're neglected. What if they're run over by a Mack truck? What if they're kidnapped? There are predators all around.' " Crime rates are way down from when many of us were kids in the '70s; rape, murder, burglary and arson are all down, said Skenazy, so it's not exactly true to think today's world is scarier than when I walked four blocks to the candy store when I was in the first grade. "And if we are going to say, 'Oh, my God, I would never let my kid walk outside; something bad could happen,' well, I hope you're saying that 'Oh, my God, I would never put my kid in the car, something bad could happen,' because the No. 1 way children die in America is as car passengers, and yet we seem to keep that 'danger' in perspective, but we can't keep the same perspective when it comes to letting our children walk outside," she added. The afternoon that thrust the Meitivs into the national spotlight was as normal as you can get. Alexander Meitiv and the kids were heading home after synagogue (Danielle was in New York for a family event) when they passed the playground the kids had been begging to go to for weeks. This playground was going to be "the next evolution of their ranging," Meitiv said. She and her husband felt they were ready, and so he dropped them off at the playground and told them to return home in a little while. Florida mom arrested after letting 7-year-old walk to the park alone . About halfway on their walk home, the children were stopped by two police vehicles, Meitiv said. When officers asked whether they were lost or in trouble, the kids told them they were fine, that their parents knew where they were and that they are allowed to walk home by themselves, she said. The police drove the kids home to the Meitivs' house. Rafi Meitiv, who's 10, called his mother crying, "Mommy, the police are here. I'm afraid they're going to arrest Daddy," she remembered him saying. Alexander Meitiv was not arrested, but a few hours later, someone from Child Protective Services arrived and said the family needed to agree not to let the children be unsupervised until the matter was resolved within the agency, or the children would be taken into the custody of Child Protective Services. After a number of calls with CPS, and after CPS allegedly interviewed the Meitivs' children without their knowledge and without a parent being present, they are still waiting to have an in-office meeting with the agency. Brutally Honest: Is it OK to let your children fail? "This is no joke," said Danielle Meitiv. "The threat that they can take my kids is real." The Montgomery County Health and Human Services Department said it is bound by state confidentiality laws preventing it from commenting on a specific case. "Like all Departments of Social Services in Maryland, Montgomery County Child Protective Services is required to respond to all calls from community members and law enforcement about possible neglect," the statement said. Most states don't have laws on the books regarding how old a child must be to be left alone. Maryland is one of the few that does, stating that children under 8 years old may not be left unattended in a house or car. There isn't anything stipulated within the law about kids being alone outside. This is not the first time the Meitivs have been approached by CPS. In October, a few days after Danielle Meitiv let the kids play at a playground around the block from their house and walk home by themselves, two CPS workers came to her door after they were contacted by someone mostly likely from the neighborhood, Meitiv said. That case was eventually closed. "We have no problem with people looking out for our kids. That's actually what people always did, look out for each other," Meitiv said. "It's the idea that looking out for them then becomes reporting them to the police and making it criminal ... that it becomes somehow this is neglect. My kids were playing at the park." The story has gotten a ton of traction online, with many parents expressing outrage about another case of a parent under investigation for letting children do things on their own. "The parents in the above referenced story have the right to raise their kids as they wish. I do not think it is a CPS issue," wrote Annette Lanteri, a lawyer and mom of two girls in Bayport, New York, in an email. "I personally give them credit for allowing their kids to have freedom at such a young age." 'Brutally Honest': Is it OK to spy on your kids? Cherylyn Harley LeBon, a mom of two, said that whether she decides to let her children walk to the park alone is "simply her business," not her neighbors'. "And if there is a bona fide question of neglect in my household, then Child Protective Services should be notified. Anything less than that is government overreach," said Harley LeBon, a writer, strategist and former senior counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Laura Beyer, a mom of two grown daughters, said she doesn't believe the parents were negligent in this case, because the children were "obviously capable" of simply walking to and from the park. "My thought is if those of us who care for others would simply 'keep an eye on' children as we drive to and fro, they would be safe nonetheless," Beyer said. "If you see a child walking and he or she is being approached by what seems to be a stranger, pull to the side of the road and ask if he or she is OK." But some parents are asking questions about how young is too young to leave kids alone and how much one's community should play in that decision. Terry Greenwald, a father of three in Alaska, said, "In a small town where the parent feels their children are safe, I'd understand a parent allowing some freedom, at least more so than someone living in a larger city. "The world is a dangerous place, though, and we all need to protect ourselves and our children, especially our children," said Greenwald. The Meitivs hope their story helps get the message out that parents today may too often overestimate the danger and underestimate their kids. "Our children need the freedom to grow into the happy, healthy, confident adults we want them to be, so we should trust our kids more," Meitiv said. Do you think it's OK to let children walk home alone at a certain age? Share your thoughts with Kelly Wallace on Twitter or CNN Living on Facebook.
Maryland family allows their kids, 10 and 6, to walk home alone from a playground . The family subscribes to the "free-range" parenting model . The case is just the latest in a series of parents questioned about leaving kids alone .
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Tokyo (CNN) -- Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan reorganized his cabinet ministers on Monday, bringing in a woman with strong links to China amid a smoldering dispute between the two nations over a group of remote islands. Noda named Makiko Tanaka, whose father oversaw the normalization of relations with China 40 years ago, as education minister -- one of string of new appointments. Tanaka, who served as foreign minister more than 10 years ago under former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, returns to the cabinet as Noda tries to manage the fallout from the clash with Beijing over the disputed islands in the East China Sea. Dangerous waters: Behind the islands dispute . Japan controls and administers the islands, but China says they are an integral part of its territory that Tokyo "stole" in the 19th century. The islands are known as Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese. The Japanese government's announcement last 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 games of cat and mouse in the waters around the islands after China sent a flotilla of ships to the area. Chinese passion, fury fuels anti-Japan attacks . The appointment Monday of Tanaka to the cabinet may be interpreted as an effort to soothe those tensions by Noda. Her father, Kakuei Tanaka, was prime minister in 1972 when Tokyo and Beijing resumed diplomatic relations decades after Japan's occupation of large swathes of eastern China in the 1930s and 40s. She was nonetheless a controversial figure during her time as foreign minister at the start of this century for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the political opponents of Noda's Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). Koizumi sacked her in 2002, saying a public dispute between her and her top aides was effectively preventing critical budget bills from passing through parliament. She once reportedly called the Foreign Ministry a "den of devils, an evil place where conspiracies are plotted." Her outspokenness earned her bureaucratic enemies but gained her popularity with the Japanese public. How a remote rock split China and Japan . She also contradicted Koizumi's government policy on relations between China and Taiwan and on a controversial history textbook approved by Tokyo that critics in Asia said whitewashed Japanese war crimes. It is unclear what influence she will have on diplomatic relations in her role as education minister. Koichiro Gemba will remain as foreign minister under the reshuffle. The others changes to Noda's cabinet included the appointment of Koriki Jojima, a senior DPJ lawmaker, as finance minister.
Makiko Tanaka is appointed to the post of education minister . Her father oversaw the normalization of relations with China 40 years ago . Tokyo and Beijing are locked in a dispute over a group of remote islands .
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In a new interview, the Navy SEAL who claims he shot and killed Osama Bin Laden is saying that it doesn't matter who ultimately took down the terrorist. 'The most important thing that I've learned in the last two years is to me it doesn't matter anymore if I am The Shooter,' O'Neill said. 'Regardless of the negativity that comes with it, I don't give a f***. We got him.' Scroll down for video . What's done is done: Bin Laden shooter Robert O'Neill (above) said in an interview it doesn't matter who killed Osama, just that he is dead . Under fire: This comes as many are attacking O'Neill for making his identity as a Navy SEAL public . This was all revealed in a series of recorded interviews O'Neill had with journalist Alex Quade that were aired on Friday's AC360. He also revealed in these interviews that he and his fellow SEALs did not think they would make it out alive after raiding bin Laden's hideout. 'Well, you have to go pump yourself up to go die. So we would talk about this,' O'Neill said of their acknowledgement that this would likely be the end for them. '(It was a) group of guys who knew time on Earth was up, so you could be honest with each other. And we all accepted and nobody was afraid. It was really cool.' Down: O'Neill says of what happened, that anyone who questions him can only ask one other person what really happened, Osama bin Laden (above), and he's dead . Site: O'Neill also revealed that he and his fellow Navy SEALs did not think they would return alive after the raid on bin Laden's hideout (above) O'Neill's move to go public has been met with mixed response, and heavily riticzed among his fellow SEALs. He sees it differently however, pointing out how films like Captain Phillips and Zero Dark Thirty both made his work very public, and that high ranking officials have no spoken openly about both incidents. 'Once anyone says anything at that level, it's not classified,' he said. 'I was told by people that I can't even say I'm a Navy SEAL, so I don't give a f*** what they think.' Public guy: O'Neill seems fine with his detractors these days in interviews, saying he doesn't care if people think he is 'full of s***' As for those who question him, he is not letting it bother him. 'Even now, I mean, there are guys now saying that I am full of s***,' he said. 'You only know what you were told unless you were in the room. And unfortunately for me, there was two people in the room, and one of us is dead and that's Osama bin Laden.'
Rober O'Neill, the Navy SEAL who claims he shot and killed Osama bin Laden, is saying he does not care if people believe he killed the terrorist . He says in a new interview, 'Regardless of the negativity that comes with it, I don't give a f***. We got him.' In that same interview he reveals that the team of SEALs sent in on the bi Laden raid all believed they were going to die .
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England look certain to lose their bowling coach as David Saker weighs up numerous offers to return to his native Australia. Saker, highly regarded for his role with the fast bowlers over the last five years, could even head for home ahead of the end of his contract in September. Sportsmail understands Saker has been offered three of the glut of coaching vacancies that have appeared in Australian cricket at the same time as he was considering ending his time in England. David Saker (left), seen here with England coach Peter Moores, is set to return to his native Australia . It is believed Saker has various offers on the table across the various forms of the game in Australia . That means he will choose between his two options in the Big Bash Twenty20 competition or a job in state cricket, either with Queensland or South Australia, rather than extend his role with England beyond this summer’s Ashes. The latest of the many vacancies emerged on Wednesday when Melbourne Stars did not renew the contract of coach Greg Shipperd, a job that would appeal to Saker. Saker, 48, has unquestionably played a big role in England’s successes after succeeding Ottis Gibson ahead of the World Twenty20 triumph in 2010. He has developed a strong relationship with bowlers like Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad with his emphasis on man-management and the psychology of bowling rather than any obsession with technique or bio-mechanics. Saker keeps a close eye on England fast bowler Steven Finn during the 2014 series with India . Saker with former England coach Andy Flower during a match in Chelmsford in July 2013 . Yet it has not all been plain sailing for the former Victoria fast bowler and he accepted his share of the blame for the flawed strategy of concentrating on the height of Chris Tremlett, Boyd Rankin and Steven Finn for the last Ashes. Finn’s technique collapsed under Saker’s watch but it would be extremely harsh to blame the Australian for all Finn’s problems when they appeared to stem from his habit of knocking the stumps with his right knee. It seems certain that Saker will remain with England for the World Cup but whether he stays beyond it is now doubtful even though his family are settled in the Midlands. Who comes in next for England is intriguing. Middlesex’s Richard Johnson has his supporters but it is more likely that Gibson, who was back working with the fast bowlers at their pre-tour training camp in South Africa, will be asked to return to the post having left his job with the West Indies. Meanwhile, Australia coach Darren Lehmann said today he is ‘sick’ of the speculation about the fitness and leadership of injured captain Michael Clarke. But Lehmann suggested that Clarke is on course to make Australia’s deadline of their second World Cup match, against Bangladesh, to prove his fitness and may even feature in their first one against England in Melbourne. Australia coach Darren Lehmann says he was 'sick' of the speculation surrounding captain Michael Clarke . Michael Clarke is on course to return for Australia's second World Cup match, against Bangladesh . ‘I’m sick of it and I’m looking forward to him coming back,’ said Lehmann as Clarke stepped up his campaign to prove his fitness. ‘He’s captain of Australia, the second most important position here after the Prime Minister, and we need our captain back and playing well.’ There have been strong suggestions here that Clarke is at loggerheads with chief selector Rod Marsh and has even fallen out with a team who now prefer the methods of stand-in Test captain Steve Smith. Clarke played for his club side Western Suburbs against Gordon as he continued his recovery from injury . But Lehmann said: ‘We all get on, that’s the great thing. From our point of view we want our captain fit for the most important tournament in four years. We’ve got the World Cup, a tour of West Indies and then the Ashes and we want him back because he captains this team very well.’ It seems certain that George Bailey, captain of the one-day team in Clarke’s absence, would be axed from the World Cup if Clarke proves his fitness in time.
England bowling coach David Saker expected to return to Australia . 48-year-old has been offered at least three coaching roles back home . His options include roles with Big Bash teams or a job in state cricket . Saker has played a big role in developing England's fast bowlers . Meanwhile, Darren Lehmann has hit back at Michael Clarke speculation . Clarke is on course to return against Bangladesh at World Cup .
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By . Jonathan O'Callaghan . and Mark Prigg . Last week Nasa announced to the world the steps they would be taking in order to land humans on the red planet. And now, in a video, they've revealed the missions, technologies and developments that will make a manned mission to Mars possible. The footage shows how current technology such as the International Space Station (ISS), in tandem with future endeavours - including visiting an asteroid - will see humans take the first steps on the fourth planet from the sun. Scroll down for video . In a new video Nasa has outlined the path it intends to take in order to land humans on Mars. Proposals to send people to the red planet have been floating about for a while, but now the space agency has revealed how such an endeavour will be attempted . In the video Nasa highlights the development of the heavy-lift rocket known as the Space Launch System (SLS) as being integral to a Mars mission. This rocket, when complete, will be the most powerful ever built - dwarfing even the Saturn V that took humans to the Moon. There will be two versions of the SLS rocket. The . smaller, 70-metric-ton SLS will stand 321 feet tall, provide 8.4 . million pounds of thrust at liftoff, weigh 5.5 million poundsand carry 154,000 pounds of payload. The massive 130-metric-ton-configuration will be the most capable, powerful launch vehicle in history. Towering a staggering 384 feet tall, it will provide 9.2 million pounds of thrust at liftoff and weigh 6.5 million pounds. It will be able to carry payloads weighing 286,000 pounds to orbit. The huge lifting power of the SLS - up to 130 ton -  will enable it to take the components and fuel needed for a nine-month trip to Mars. This will be accompanied by other vehicles that will carry unmanned cargo spacecraft. Some of these could be powered by innovative means such as Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP), an emerging technology that is a form of ion propulsion. Meanwhile, advanced vehicles such as the Orion spacecraft will handled the manned aspects of the mission. On 4 December this year, Orion will launch on its first ever mission, completing two orbits of Earth without a crew before returning home. The mission is important as the capsule will be raised to an altitude of 3,600 miles (5,800 km), over 13 times higher than the orbit of the ISS. This will give it a very high re-entry speed of about 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometres) per hour - the fastest since the days of the Apollo mission. The purpose of this will be to test the re-entry capabilities of the spacecraft, as it will need to be able to handle these speeds when returning a crew from a Mars mission. Construction of the ISS, a key step on the path to Mars according to Nasa, began at the turn of the century and is now all but complete. Today the station is used to carry out a variety of experiments not possible on Earth in addition to testing capabilities that will be needed for future missions into deep space . On 4 December 2014 Orion will launch on its first ever mission. The capsule will be raised to an altitude of 3,600 miles (5,800 kilometres) to simulate a return from Mars, giving it a very high re-entry speed of about 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometres) per hour - the fastest since the days of the Apollo missions . 'Our next step is deep space, where NASA will send a robotic mission to capture and redirect an asteroid to orbit the moon,' Nasa said in the announcement last week. 'Astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft will explore the asteroid in the 2020s, returning to Earth with samples. 'This experience in human spaceflight beyond low-Earth orbit will help Nasa test new systems and capabilities, such as Solar Electric Propulsion, which we’ll need to send cargo as part of human missions to Mars.' A House subcommittee recently approved an authorisation bill that would allow Nasa to redirect an asteroid into the moon’s orbit, land astronauts there and use the asteroid as a testing outpost and way station on the way to Mars. 'Beginning in FY 2018, Nasa’s powerful Space Launch System rocket will enable these “proving ground” missions to test new capabilities,' Nasa said. 'Human missions to Mars will rely on Orion and an evolved version of SLS that will be the most powerful launch vehicle ever flown.' Later this decade astronauts will be sent on a mission to visit and study an asteroid using the Orion spacecraft. This will enable them not only to perform key science at the asteroid, including analysing its composition and structure, but it will also prove as a test mission for journeys into deep space . Nasa's 'Path to Mars' graphic sets out the steps needed to send humans to an asteroid and Mars by the 2030s . How it compares: The SLS is larger than the Saturn rockets than launched man to the Moon. It will also be more powerful than any rocket in operation today. Russia's super-rocket design has yet to be unveiled. However construction of the first stage of Russia's super-rocket - capable of lifting 80 tonnes - is already underway . The agency will now have to spell out the cost and details of the mission as part of an exploration 'roadmap' to Mars that Nasa will have to submit to Congress. Associate Nasa Administrator Bill Gerstenmaier told members of a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation subcommittee that the agency remains on target to launch an uncrewed mission in 2017 to test the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion multi-purpose crew vehicle that will carry astronauts to Mars. Avionics testing of solid rocket boosters was completed last week at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for tests of the SLS rocket's components, and acoustic testing is also underway. 'There is real hardware in manufacture for the path to Mars,' Gerstenmaier told senators. 'Our architecture is designed for long-term human exploration of our solar system, including the goal of human missions to Mars.' The hearing, called 'From Here to Mars,' outlined intermediate space missions being planned as steps toward long-duration space travel. 'With the technologies and techniques we develop, we will enable expeditions to multiple destinations, ultimately allowing us to pioneer Mars and other destinations as we lay the groundwork for permanent human settlements in the solar system,' Gerstenmaier  said. NASA would find an asteroid which is between seven and 10m wide. They would then tow or push it towards Earth so that it ends up in a stable orbit near the moon. In 2021 astronauts would then use an Orion capsule - a manned spacecraft - to land on the asteroid and bring back soil and rock samples for analysis. This asteroid would also, probably in the 2030s, be used as a stop-off point for astronauts on their way to Mars. Exact details on how Nasa plans to pluck an asteroid out of its trajectory are not yet known, but the most recent rendering rendering shows it is captured and held inside what looks like a giant plastic bag. The mission involves astronauts making the journey to their captive space rock by hitching a ride on the next-generation Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. After the Orion and the asteroid are attached, the astronauts take a spacewalk to the captured object. Once the Orion docks with the remote-operated asteroid capture device, the crew performs a spacewalk that sees them climb almost the length of the conjoined vehicles to an exposed section of the asteroid they take photos of and scoop samples from, the video shows. After the mission is complete, Orion returns to Earth on the same path it journeyed out on, loops around the moon included, and splashes down in an ocean – likely the Pacific – 10 days later, as seen in the video. One planned mission is to a near-Earth asteroid, Gerstenmaier said. 'Nasa will employ SLS and Orion for an early human exploration mission to perform pioneering human operations further from the Earth than ever before, rendezvousing with and returning samples from an asteroid redirected to at stable orbit around the Moon by the robotic segment of the Asteroid Redirect Mission (Arm),' he explained. 'We're going to grab a piece of the solar system, we're going to deflect it around the moon and insert it into a distant retrograde orbit around the moon where our crews can go visit,' he said. 'To think we're moving a piece of the solar system for our use that will allow us to learn skills and techniques that we need to push the human presence into the solar system, that's a pretty awe-inspiring statement.' However, the ambitious Mars mission could be delayed or derailed if funding from a budget-conscious Congress continues to erode, or if other countries’ plans for a lunar mission force the U.S. to change course for security reasons.
Nasa has unveiled the steps they will need to take on the 'Path to Mars' In a new video the agency shows how new and emerging tech will be used . They highlight the ISS as being important for testing exploration capability . Future missions of Orion and SLS will also lead humans to the red planet . This follows Nasa's announcement to land humans on Mars in the 2030s .
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By . Anthony Bond . PUBLISHED: . 15:34 EST, 3 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:36 EST, 4 May 2013 . Locked up: John Reed, 65, the mastermind behind a drug smuggling gang which brought tens of millions of pounds worth of high-purity cocaine into the UK hidden in lorries, was jailed for 28 years today . The mastermind behind a drug smuggling gang which brought tens of millions of pounds worth of high-purity cocaine into the UK hidden in lorries was jailed for 28 years today. John Reed, 65, led the group which imported hundreds of kilograms of the Class A drug into Britain from the Netherlands over the space of at least 18 months, Kingston Crown Court heard. The convicted armed robber and four members of the gang were arrested in January last year when police found 24lb (11kg) of cocaine with an estimated street value of £1.5 million in a raid on a haulage firm. The Metropolitan Police have said they believe the gang was making £25 million per year. Reed and minor gang member Kevin Jones, 51, were jailed at Kingston Crown Court today for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in what Judge Nicholas Price QC called 'an extensive and highly lucrative conspiracy' over at least 18 months. 'This conspiracy was so long-running and concerned so many kilograms of cocaine it was truly off the scale,' he said. 'It is important that you and the general public understand why the courts have consistently adopted an uncompromising stance in relation to sentencing for Class A drugs. 'It has become a scourge on society.' He told Reed he was satisfied he was the main player and financier of the scheme, which only ended because they got caught. 'It was always the prosecution case that you were the principal leader of the conspiracy at the London end,' the judge added. 'I’m satisfied that you were the mastermind behind this long-running and highly lucrative conspiracy.' Reed, of Southwark, London, led the gang with haulier Daniel Cheevers, the court heard, using Cheevers’s Northamptonshire business as cover for taking money to the continent and bringing back up to 11kg of the drug at a time. Gang:  Reed led the group with haulier Daniel Cheevers, right.  Kevin Jones, left, was also convicted and was described as a minor gang member . The court heard that significant amounts of money had been deposited in bank accounts in Dubai. A further £24,000 in cash was found at his home when it was raided by police. The gang brought back on average 7.5kg of uncut cocaine on each trip, the court heard. The drug was at 92 per cent purity and worth up to £70,000 per kilo. It would be worth more when it was cut down to a street strength of below 20 per cent purity. Prosecutor Mark Gadsden said that the group used two drivers to make multiple trips and bring up to 300kg of the drug back every year. 'These two defendants, with the others, were party to a conspiracy to import and distribute multi-kilogram consignments of very high purity cocaine,' he said. 'These consignments being imported from mainland Europe in transcontinental lorries were then distributed across London and the south east of England.' Reed’s barrister Ian Winter QC claimed there was no evidence that his client had played any more than a minor role in the drug smuggling but the judge rejected his argument. Jailed: Robert Greenhill, 62, left, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment at Kingston Crown Court. Joseph McCorry, right, was jailed for 19 years . Reed and Jones remained impassive in the . dock throughout proceedings. Both nodded and silently mouthed their . thanks to the judge as they were led down. The court heard Reed was previously jailed for 17 years in 1987 for his role in an armed robbery in London in which police officers were shot at. Armed police were on guard in and outside the court building today as the sentence was passed. Former lorry driver Jones, of Welling, Kent, acted in an 'important role' as a go-between and messenger with the gang while on day or night release from a seven-year prison sentence for drug smuggling, the judge said. He was jailed for 15 years. Cheevers, 47, of  Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, was jailed for 25 years last month. He was also the former team manager of the Pr1mo Kawasaki Superbike team. Two other members of the gang - Joseph McCorry, 52, of  Welling, and Robert Greenhill, 62, of Dartford, Kent - were jailed for 19 and 12 years respectively at the same time. All had denied conspiracy to supply cocaine but were found guilty at an earlier trial. Scotland Yard has also issued an appeal to trace three others who are still on the run. Jamie Spring, 40, also known as Jamie Hall, Christopher Mealey, 37, and Lee Smith, 40, have not been seen since the other gang members were arrested. Spring and Mealey are the sons-in-law of Reed and, along with Smith, have connections to Spain and Cyprus but police said this week they 'retain an open mind' as to their whereabouts.
Group led by John Reed imported hundreds of kilograms of Class A drug . Came into Britain from the Netherlands over space of at least 18 months . Convicted armed robber and four members of gang arrested last year . Police found cocaine with an estimated street value of £1.5 million in raid . Metropolitan Police said they believe gang was making £25 million per year .
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By . Emily Davies . PUBLISHED: . 09:46 EST, 15 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:00 EST, 15 March 2013 . This is the cheeky seal who pops into London city centre every day for a free salmon lunch at Billingsgate Market. For around 10 years the large marine mammal has been fed by the finest fish usually destined for some of the capital's top restaurants. Despite being in the heart of London just yards from Canary Wharf the grey seal has resisted any attempts to release it into the wild. Scroll down for video . Dinner time: Sammy the seal visits Billingsgate Market, Canary Wharf, where he is fed salmon by dockside porters who bang on metal to signify feeding time . Attempts have been made to release Sammy into the wild but the seal keeps returning to be fed at the dock . Instead the seal - dubbed Sammy - seems to prefer the des-res address surrounded by marinas and the city's high-flying financial market in Docklands. Dockside porters at Billingsgate have become so used to Sammy they even 'call him' for dinner by banging at metal bar at the side of the dock. Billingsgate constable Gary Meeks . said: ‘They've tried to release Sammy into the wild in the past but he . just comes back, he's obviously happy here or he wouldn't. ‘Sammy . usually turns up in the morning and the porters bang on the metal bar . at the side of the dock and up he pops out of the water. ‘He's . obviously well fed and he must have been coming here for the last 10 . years, I'm a Londoner and you don't see many seals about to be honest. ‘His favourite fish is salmon, I'm not surprised given the size of some of the ones thrown over the fence to him.’ Sammy's favourite food is salmon and seal experts have said it would be cruel to stop feeding him now . Experts have said the markings on the seal's coat suggest Sammy could be a female . But seal experts have cast doubt on Sammy's credentials - and now believe his markings show he might actually be female. Amy Hudson, from the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, said Sammy may be a Samantha rather than a Samuel due to the markings on the seal's coat. She said: ‘We normally advise people not to feed seals in the wild but as Sammy...has been there so long it would be cruel to stop.’ Sammy has been spotted by workers from the area and market shoppers over the years and one wildlife enthusiast even uploaded footage of the seal online. He is such a regular face around the docks at Billingsgate the he has been included in Zoological Society London's Marine . Mammal Survey since 2008. ZSL’s Marine and Freshwater Conservation Programme Manager, Alison . Debney, said: 'Sightings such as Sammy are very important; they help to . build up a picture of the rivers’ role in the ecology of British marine . mammals. 'We need people to keep an eye out and to detail their sightings . at www.zsl.org – it could help conservationists in the future.' Sammy was first named by Samantha Davenport, who spotted him when working at Canary Wharf's Barclays Bank building. She named Sammy after after a children’s book by Syd Hoff. She told ZSL: 'It was so . exciting the first time I saw the seal, I almost jumped in – it’s a . lovely and quite grounding experience to see such wildlife amongst all . this steel and glass.' Billingsgate became associated . exclusively with the fish trade in the sixteenth century and in 1699 an . Act of Parliament was passed making Billingsgate ‘a free and open market . for all sorts of fish whatsoever’. Between 1920 and 1964, the Thames was devoid of fish. Flounder and . European eel were the first two species to re-colonise the river. Since the mid 1960s the number of species in the Thames has increased . to 124. Superintendent Malcolm Macleod and Sargent Paul Buffoni throw fish for Sammy to eat when they see him . Billingsgate has traded solely in fish since the sixteenth century and in 1699 an Act of Parliament was passed making Billingsgate a 'free and open market for all sorts of fish whatsoever' A video claiming to show Sammy the seal was posted online .
Sammy the seal has stopped by the docks for 10 years to be fed salmon . Attempts have been made to release him into the wild but he keeps returning .
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By . Will Stewart . PUBLISHED: . 11:54 EST, 17 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:47 EST, 17 May 2013 . Russia's Federal Security Bureau has breached protocol to name the man they say is in charge of the CIA's work in Moscow. A spokesman for the bureau named the CIA's 'rezident' while speaking to Russian media about the capture of alleged spy Ryan Fogle. The diplomat's name matched that of a U.S. embassy counsellor in a recent directory of foreign officials in Moscow, reports the Daily Telegraph. Scroll down for video . Arrested: The US diplomat was pinned to the ground and arrested by the Russian agent he was trying to recruit . Claims: The FSB counter intelligence service said the envoy, a third secretary in the political section of the American embassy was caught red handed seeking to recruit a Russian intelligence officer . It is customary for Russia and the U.S. to tell each other who their top embassy officials are, and the move is likely to provoke anger in Washington. The two countries agreed to work together to share intelligence for the investigation into the Boston Marathon bombings. The alleged bombers, brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaevas, are said to have links to Russia's North Caucasus region. Embarrassment for the CIA's wig-wearing Agent Blond deepened this week as it was revealed he was detained by the very FSB officer he was seeking to recruit. Undercover diplomat Fogle has been mercilessly mocked on the web both in Russia and the West for his apparently amateurish Boy's Own approach to espionage in Moscow. But the FSB claimed that the Russian anti-terrorism expert he was hoping to lure to treachery wasted no time in personally apprehending him, pinning him to the ground, and handing him over to the authorities. Detained: The FSB said Fogle was in possession of two floppy wigs, three pairs of glasses, a map of Moscow and a folding knife when he was detained . Seized: After his arrest, he was taken to the FSB headquarters at the Lubyanka, in Moscow, and later handed over to the US embassy in keeping with diplomatic protocols . 'The man behaved like an officer . worthy of his name, detaining the recruiter and handing him over to . counterintelligence authorities' said an FSB source yesterday. 'He will continue to serve. There is no threat to his career.' The Russians have not named the . target of the CIA approach but he is believed to be a specialist in . terrorism linked to extremist Islamic groupings. Fogle called him seeking a meeting at which he intended to recruit him, it is claimed. Instead he ended up face on the . ground, and handcuffed, before being taken to the notorious Lubyanka HQ . of the secret services for questioning. FBI agents first came across the . Russian agent when they were given assistance by Moscow over the Boston . marathon bombings, it is understood. Fogle, 29, a third secretary in the . embassy's political department, was detained wearing a blond wig under . his baseball cap while on a mission to recruit the FSB operative on the . night of May 13. In his possession, Fogle had another . wig, a compass, a map of Moscow, sunglasses, and a 'Dear Friend' letter - . apparently translated into Russian on Google - which offered $1million . a year plus bonuses to the FSB man. Fogle has been ordered to leave Russia in the next few days following his return to U.S. representatives in the city. Statement: 'Recently, the US intelligence service has made repeated attempts to recruit the staff of Russian law enforcement agencies and special services,' according to the FSB . Stash: He was detained with 'special technical devices, written instructions for the person he was recruiting, a lot of cash, and things to help change one's appearance,' according to the FSB . Mission: The website of the American embassy in Russia informs that its Political Section is engaged in 'bringing to the attention of the Russian government the US position on the issues of foreign policy and security' Questions: A letter the agent carried suggested the US government was willing to pay up to $1million a year plus bonuses to his unidentified potential Russian recruit, if the letter released by the FSB is genuine . Release: Fogle was held overnight before being released to U.S. officials and expelled from Russia . The arrest of Ryan Fogle is just the latest twist in the long history of spying between the U.S. and Russia. Famously, 10 Russian sleeper agents were arrested in June 2010 and accused of pretending to be ordinary Americans while secretly plotting against the country. The best-known is Anna Chapman, above, who has become a major celebrity in her home country since being deported from the U.S. In the Cold War period, however, U.S.-Soviet espionage was often a matter of life and death - in 1985, military officer Arthur D. Nicholson was shot dead by a Soviet sentry while spying in East Germany. One of the war's major crises was caused by the shooting down of an American spy plane in 1960 and the subsequent capture of its pilot. The FSB stressed yesterday that the . US and Russia 'will try to avoid ratcheting up tension around the Ryan . Fogle case, focusing instead on the positive aspects of their . relations'. But Russian intelligence services say they have trapped a CIA ‘spy’ as he offered millions of pounds to a senior Russian agent. Diplomat . Ryan Fogle was thrown down and handcuffed in a night-time sting by the . FSB secret service – formerly the KGB. He had a rudimentary espionage kit . containing a compass, map of Moscow, knives, a microphone, two wigs, . three pairs of glasses, plastic bags containing thousands of euros and . an RFID Shield, which prevents passports with computer chips being read . remotely, Russian intelligence sources said. The ‘agent’, a third secretary in the . political section of the US embassy, was quizzed in the FSB’s feared . Lubyanka complex before being handed over to US officials. Unusually, the FSB made its coup . public at once. It released pictures of a man being arrested in a blue . checked shirt, dirty-blond wig and  baseball cap, along with images of . him in detention. Spy sources said Fogle was . caught after a lengthy covert operation. US ambassador Michael McFaul – . who refused to comment on the news – has been summoned to Russia’s . foreign ministry. Fogle was caught in Vorontsovski Park, an area in south-east Moscow, the FSB said. They implied that he wanted to contact a senior FSB agent who was snooping on Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the alleged Boston bomber. A letter in Russian which Fogle . carried suggests – if genuine – that the CIA hoped to reel in a big . fish. Addressed ‘Dear friend’, it states: ‘We are ready to offer you . $100,000 [£65,000] and discuss your experience, expertise and . co-operation, and the payment may go much higher if you are ready to . answer certain questions. ‘For long-term co-operation we offer $1million [£650,000] per year.’ The recruit is instructed to use an . internet cafe to ‘create a new Gmail mailbox which you will use only for . staying in touch with us’. The incident is the biggest spy . scandal since the arrest of glamorous agent Anna Chapman and nine other . Russians in the US in 2010. The FSB stated: ‘Recently, the US . intelligence community has made repeated attempts to recruit employees . of Russia’s law-enforcement bodies and special agencies.’
Russia identifies U.S. embassy diplomat as head of intelligence in Moscow . Revelation follows capture of Agent Blond - undercover diplomat Ryan Fogle . Letter allegedly found on Ryan Fogle offers agent $1million per year to defect . U.S. ambassador was summoned to Russian foreign ministry to explain . Photos of his belongings show Fogle was in possession of two wigs, three pairs of sunglasses, a . microphone, a knife and plenty of money .
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By . Ellie Buchdahl . PUBLISHED: . 04:59 EST, 17 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:02 EST, 17 September 2013 . The next time you're holding a dollar bill, it might be worth looking further than the big number one - you could get more bang from your buck than you expected. Ordinary low denomination bills are raking in thousands of dollars in an online trend that is centred on the eight-digit serial number which appears on each U.S. banknote. 'Unusual' bills are being bought, sold and hunted on the website CoolSerialNumbers.com,  with low serial numbers, from 00000001 to 00000100, being particularly sought after, a $1 bill with the serial number 00000002 going for $2,500. Mark up: A $1 bill with the serial number F00000001 C would be worth thousands of dollars . The U.S.-based site lists all the different notes that collectors are looking out for and allows serial number fans to get in touch with one another. There are categories such as 'solids' (where the digits repeat eight times), 'ladders' (12345678), 'radars' (01133110 - where the number reads the same left-to-right as right-to-left) and 'repeaters' (20012001 - the second half is the same as the first half). Then there are 'radar repeaters' (12211221), 'super radars' (20000002 - all the internal digits are the same) and 'super repeaters' (where the first two digits are repeated four times, such as 63636363). Big bucks: It may not be worth $99,999,999 dollars - but the serial number means this note is likely to go for a bit more than $5 . Prize money: 'Repeaters' and 'super repeaters are also highly regarded on the website CoolSerialNumbers.com . High stakes: If 'trailing nine' of 19999999 is worth $750 on the website, imagine what this prize specimen must have gone for . Dave Undis, the a Nashville musician and currency collector who runs the site, is happy to include some criteria that might go unnoticed to the untrained eye - such as a 'pi note' with the number 31415927. A $5 bill with the number 33333333 is currently up for sale for $13,000, while a set of nine $20 bills running from 00000010 through to 00000090 can be bought for $1,800. A Google+ link on the site allows you to scroll through a full catalogue of unusual serial numbers. The site gets about 5,000 visitors a year, according to Undis, who says he has been collecting currency with 'cool serial numbers' for about 30 years. The U.S. Government introduced numbers onto banknotes in 1928, and has always used eight digits. $1 E 99999995 A                                   $1,500 . $1 B 00000002 J                                   $2,500 . $1 P 00000004 E                                   $1,250 . $1 B 00000004 J                                   $1,000 . $1 S 00000003 D                                   $1,000 . Set of four notes                                 $5,00099999993-99999996 . Source: CoolSerialNumbers.com . So it is particularly unusual to find a banknote without a serial number - and the site regularly sells error notes without serial numbers. Collectors have long been interested in rare and flawed money - and not just in the U.S. In September last year, the Bank of England auctioned £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes with unusual serial numbers - such as those coming at the beginning or the end of a run, often characterised by the prefix A01. In 2009, a batch of 20p pieces that had been minted without the date mark were valued at £50 - with one eBay seller appearing to make £7,100 from the sale of just one coin. And it's not just about money, either - Yo-Yos.net is, as the name suggests, an online community for collectors of Yo-Yos with unusual serial numbers.
Website advertises 'fancy serial numbers' for up to $2,500 . Low numbers such as 00000001 especially valuable . Flawed banknotes also sought on CoolSerialNumbers.com . Collectors on lookout for obscure numbers - such as 'pi note' 31415927 .
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(CNN) -- Joran van der Sloot, whose claim of unlawful incarceration was denied last week, will immediately appeal and fight all the way to the Peruvian Supreme Court and international courts, if necessary, his attorney told CNN Monday. Van der Sloot, a 22-year-old Dutch citizen, is jailed pending trial on charges of first-degree murder and robbery in the May 30 death in of Peruvian student Stephany Flores, 21. In an attempt to nullify a confession he gave police, van der Sloot claimed his civil rights were violated following his arrest. A judge on Friday ruled that his confession and detention stand. His legal strategy now is to "paralyze the process," his lawyer, Maximo Altez, said. Altez said van der Sloot will use every possible law that is available to him, and that if he exhausts Peruvian courts, they will reach out to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Costa Rica. He maintains that his client's rights have been violated. The attorney, who has been in touch with both van der Sloot and his family, said that the Dutchman is a little "depressed," as anyone in prison would be. Van der Sloot is also a suspect in the disappearance of Alabama teen Natalee Holloway in Aruba in 2005, though he has not been charged in that crime. A court document obtained by CNN shows Flores had a cranial fracture and other injuries to her face and neck and showed signs of asphyxiation. Forensic tests in the hotel room where her body was found showed blood on the floors, hallway and mattress, the document said. According to transcripts of van der Sloot's confession, he said he elbowed Flores in the face before strangling her and then suffocating her with his shirt. The transcripts were provided to CNN by a police source who has not been named because he was not authorized to release the material. Van der Sloot told authorities he attacked Flores on May 30 after she read an e-mail in his computer connected with the Holloway case. After killing Flores, police say, van der Sloot took money and bank cards from her wallet and fled to Chile, where he was arrested on June 3. He was returned the next day to Peru. Van der Sloot is being held at the Miguel Castro Castro Prison, in a high-security area where only two of 10 cells are occupied and he has no contact with the general prison population. In Session's Jean Casarez from the truTV network contributed to this report.
Joran van der Sloot will appeal ruling on his detention to the highest court, if needed . A judge last week ruled that van der Sloot's confession and jailing stood . He wants to 'paralyze the process,' lawyer says . Van der Sloot is also the suspect in the Natalee Holloway disappearance .
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If you're planning to enjoy this spring or summer at a national park, you'd better leave your drone at home. On Friday, Yosemite National Park in California turned heads when it announced that drones, the unmanned aircraft increasingly making their way into private hands, aren't welcome in the park, famous for its picturesque valley of towering granite cliffs, waterfalls and Giant Sequoia groves. Apparently using drones to capture experiences at the park, on the western edge of the Sierra Nevada mountains, is becoming a trend. "The park has experienced an increase in visitors using drones within park boundaries over the last few years," park management said in a news release. "Drones have been witnessed filming climbers ascending climbing routes, filming views above tree-tops, and filming aerial footage of the park." And it's not just Yosemite. The buzzing aerial machines, which have become handy for everything from scaring off unwanted birds to delivering medicine and pizzas, aren't welcome at any of the 58 national parks. 15 ways drones will change your life . "The ... regulations cited at Yosemite apply at all units of the National Park System," spokesman John Quincy said in an e-mail to CNN. The Code of Federal Regulations states that "delivering or retrieving a person or object by parachute, helicopter, or other airborne means, except in emergencies involving public safety or serious property loss, or pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit" is illegal. The parks system says that applies to drones, though privately owned, unmanned aircraft probably weren't on anyone's mind when it was written. Yosemite's news release cited a list of ways the aircraft can be harmful. Among them: Ruining the experience for visitors with their noise, interfering with rescue operations and endangering wildlife in the area -- particularly the peregrine falcons that nest in the park's cliff walls. A quick search on YouTube finds a host of of videos shot using drones at Yosemite and other national parks. Some merely show shaky video from beginners sending their craft into the sky for the first time, while others are more professional productions that provide breathtaking views of the park's mountains, trees and cyclists and hikers. In a bit of irony, firefighters used a drone to battle the Yosemite Rim blaze that raged in and around the park last August.
The U.S. National Park Service says drones are not welcome . Yosemite National, in California, said they're being used to shoot video . Drones make noise and can disrupt delicate wildlife, parks say . YouTube shows a host of drone videos from Yosemite .
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A pair of fraudsters orchestrated one of Britain's biggest-ever fake ID scams by selling thousands of counterfeit documents on the black market for as little as £50. The duo, both from London, ran such an elaborate scheme that they became the 'go-to' forgers for criminal and illegal immigrants seeking new identities in the north of the capital. Arsene Meci, 26, originally from Albania, manufactured the made-to-order documents - including passports, driving licences and national identity cards - from his home in East Finchley. Scroll down for video . Arsene Meci, 25, from East Finchley (left) and Medi Krasniqi, 47, from Finsbury Park, orchestrated one of Britain's biggest-ever fake ID scams by selling thousands of counterfeit documents on the black market . He then passed them on to 47-year-old Medi Krasniqi, from Finsbury Park, who sold them to criminals for between £50 and £500, depending on what was required. Once the cards were made, the pair would carry out handovers in shops and cafés in the Turnpike Lane area of north London. Krasniqi was also in charge of locating the clients, gathering photos and obtaining personal details which he would then pass on to Meci. But the pair - who specialised in making the false documents for use in the construction industry - were arrested in October as part of a three-year investigation by the National Crime Agency. The probe, which looked into a series of Albanian-led cells dealing in false documentation, has so far led to 15 convictions and a collective jail sentence of 56 years. Carl Eade, senior investigating officer from the NCA, said: 'Krasniqi and Meci really were the "go-to" men for anyone who wanted any form of false ID anywhere in north London. The duo became the 'go-to' forgers for criminal gangs in north London by selling passports, driving licences and national identity cards to criminals and illegal immigrants seeking a new identity (pictured) The pair were arrested as part of a three-year investigation by the National Crime Agency into a series of Albanian-led cells dealing in false documentation . A search of a property linked to Krasniqi led to the seizure of around £12,000, found stuffed behind an oven (pictured) 'Their clients included criminals and people in the UK illegally. 'The thousands of passports, identity cards and other documents they were creating and selling were then used to help people obtain work or services they weren't entitled to.' He added: 'Worryingly there is a safety element here too - one of the forms of ID they specialised in was certification to work in the construction industry. 'We have no way of knowing whether their clients were actually qualified to do the jobs they were then able to apply for.' When Krasniqi was arrested, police found 70 counterfeit cards in his possession. A search of a property linked to Krasniqi led to around £12,000 being found stuffed behind an oven. Police raiding Meci's flat in East Finchley - where most of the fake documents were made  - discovered a forgery factory of computers, laminators and professional printing equipment . Officers also found a number of photos, blank cards and fake passports ready to be made up (pictured) Police raiding Meci's flat discovered a forgery factory of computers, laminators and professional printing equipment. There were also a number of photos, blank cards and fake passports ready to be made up. Examination of the computers revealed more than 8,000 images and templates for driving licences, identity card, passport and cards. Each entitled the bearer to work in the construction and security industries. According to the NCA, the wider investigation led to the seizure of more than 300 fake passports and 200 counterfeit national identity cards. Both defendants pleaded guilty to conspiring to produce false identity documents, possession of false ID and money laundering charges at Chelmsford Crown Court on December 15. They are due to be sentenced on January 12.
Arsene Meci, 26, prepared made-to-order papers from East Finchley home . They were then sold to criminal gangs by Medi Krasniqi, 47, for up to £500 . Duo were 'go-to' forgers for gangs and illegal immigrants in north London . Pair arrested as part of a three-year probe into series of Albanian-led cells .
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By . Sadie Whitelocks . A new contraption that enables adults to carry children on their shoulders hands-free so they can 'use a cell phone or walk the dog' has sparked a torrent of hilarious reaction. SaddleBaby, priced at $89, features a chest strap and a foam padded seat that fits over the shoulders - the infant is then secured in place with Velcro ankle straps. While product makers tout it as a 'safe and fun way to bond' with children, many commenters have been less enthused about the device, with one humorously writing on Gizmodo: 'Just wait till your kid has to go potty and you can't unstrap him fast enough!' More time to multi-task: A new parenting gadget which enables adults to carry children on their shoulders hands-free so they can 'use a cell phone or walk the dog' has sparked a torrent of hilarious reaction . Another sniped: 'If you need a device to carry your child . on your shoulders then maybe you should not have them up there in the . first place. Seriously, it's not that hard.' A father added in agreement: 'Somehow I managed to haul around my kid on my shoulders with just maybe my shoulders as the "saddle". 'I . cannot imagine hauling around a saddle for the kid, however, especially . given the fickle nature of kids: "Okay, I want to get down...carry . me!...Okay, I want to get down...carry me!"' One remarked that the SaddleBaby appears to be a 'dad-only' piece of kit as the chest strap makes it 'incompatible with female breasts.' But while it's built for the male body, some men said that they would never wear the accessory because it would make them feel like an 'upright-walking pack mule'. However, one parent lauded the invention: 'This is amazing . for me since my kid has a neuromuscular disease and can't walk or hold . his own weight very well. Hands-free: SaddleBaby, priced at $89, features a chest strap and a foam padded seat that fits over the shoulders - the infant is then secured in place with Velcro ankle straps . Heavy load: Some men said that they would never wear the contraption because it would make them feel like an 'upright-walking pack mule' They continued: 'I put him on my shoulders but after a while he . begins to slip and it hurts my back/shoulders. This harness looks amazing in concept. Hopefully, it works that way in practice. SaddleBaby's creators state on the website that their patented invention 'replaces the traditional method of needing to hold your child’s ankles with a much safer and practical system that uses high quality materials, industrial Velcro and adjustable buckles to secure your child.' A promotional video highlights the benefits of giving hands-free shoulder rides. 'In this . busy multi-tasking world that we live in today we need out hands to do . more, hold siblings, bags, dog leashes, cell phones, cameras, water . bottles, you name it,' a voice-over says. SaddleBaby is currently available to purchase online and will launch at retail stores across the U.S. over the coming weeks.
The SaddleBaby allows parents to carry children hands-free so they can take photographs or walk the dog . The infant is secured on their parents' shoulders with Velcro ankle straps . One parents lauded the contraption as their child has a neuromuscular 'disease and can't walk or hold . his own weight very well'
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By . Tamara Cohen and Gerri Peev . PUBLISHED: . 03:43 EST, 17 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:36 EST, 17 May 2013 . Fire services across England could be radically reformed to save £200million a year under proposals being considered by ministers. The number of call-outs has nearly halved in ten years to an all-time low, but fire service spending and staffing levels are ‘broadly the same’, a Government-commissioned report found. It said there was room for major ‘efficiencies’, including cutting numbers of full-time fire crews manning stations and replacing them with ‘retained’ staff on call at home – without compromising public safety. Reform: England's fire services could save up to £200million by consolidating, according to a new report . Sir Ken Knight, former chief fire and rescue adviser for England, also recommended merging some of the 46 fire services. He said the traditional 24-hour crew at fire stations ‘had no place in a modern fire service’. But the report has provoked fury from unions, who say the reforms would see services ‘slashed to pieces’. Sir Ken’s report said one fire service could spend twice as much per head as another and achieve the same response times. If all authorities spending above the national average reduced their spending to that level, fire services could save £196million a year, he said. Attendance at emergencies, including home and outdoor fires, car crashes and floods, fell by 40 per cent between 2001/02 and 2011/12. For fires alone, it dropped by 48 per cent. Sir Ken said these reductions were down to the ‘hard work and professionalism’ of firefighters, as well as awareness campaigns and an increase in the use of smoke alarms. With this ‘massive reduction’, he said the service’s role had switched from emergency response to ‘reducing risk’ through awareness campaigns. But he wrote: ‘Despite these changes, no significant change in the make-up or cost of the service has taken place. Fire and rescue authorities now need to transform themselves to reflect the entirely different era of risk and demand they operate in. ‘It is a fact that while most local authorities are feeling the pressure of reduced funding and increased demand for their services, in the case of fire and rescue services there remains a significant decrease in demand.’ Increasing the number of ‘retained’ firefighters – who train one day a week and are called up only in an emergency – from 30 per cent of the service to 40 per cent would save £123million a year, he said. Sir Ken said yesterday: ‘I know firefighters care deeply about public safety and do the best possible job. I’ve seen their capacity to adapt, even in the most trying of circumstances, but my report highlights that there is much more that can be done by the service leaders to make the service as effective and efficient as possible.’ Dave Green, of the Fire Brigades Union, warned that lives could be lost. He said: ‘Response times will increase and the public will be at risk – at greater risk – and the blunt fact is that lives could be lost.’ The Department for Communities and Local Government said it  welcomed the report. Inefficient: Many of the country's 46 fire services have overlapping office functions, it has emerged . Merging? Fire services could join up together to reduce their necessary overheads . A report published today called on fire services to consider collaborating or even merging to save money. Here its author, SIR KEN KNIGHT, reveals how his love of the service compelled him to lay out a radical path for its future. Time for change: Sir Ken Knight has called for radical reform to England's fire services . Our fire service is great at saving lives. But it's not so good at saving money. The conclusion of the review I'm publishing today is that it needs to change. I’ve been privileged to spend more than 40 years working in the fire service, from a raw recruit at 21 to the head of London’s fire brigade. I have personally experienced the highs and lows, and the challenges faced by firefighters from fires, rescues, as well as the satisfaction of saving lives through community safety initiatives. The fire service is in my blood and I have a deep affection and respect for the professionalism, bravery and commitment of all those who serve their communities every day. I believe that nothing should compromise the ability of the fire service to keep people safe in their homes. But sometimes our admiration for those fine men and women blinds us from the reality of the fire service today. I know the service inside and out. And I know times have changed. When I began my career, it was mainly about reaction to emergencies after they had occurred. But today prevention is our calling card. And the effect has been seismic. We’ve seen a 40 per cent drop in call outs and incidents in the last decade. Death caused by fires in the home has dropped to an all time low in my 40 years of service. This is good news, and make no mistake, our fire service is behind this success - educating children, families and older people to take fire safety seriously. But we can’t ignore the difference that modern technology and modern marketing have made too. Smoke alarms, better quality housing and furniture, and fire awareness campaigns are as essential to safety as the traditional hose and ladder to douse the flames. And just as the risks we face have reduced and changed significantly, you would expect our fire fighting organisations to adapt accordingly. But this has not been the case. In writing my review I travelled up and down the country, speaking to those who work in the fire service and probing to find out what was happening on the ground. I found that many fire authorities are spending to their budget but not to their risk. I also unearthed a lack of uniformity in the way they provide services and discovered that the ratio of managers to firefighters varies wildly depending where you are - from 22 fire fighters per senior manager to more than 70. This immediately concerned me, especially when I saw the cost of a service in one area was almost double that of another. Despite the fact there seems to be little correlation between big spending and fire reduction. It’s clear there’s room for savings when fire services have amassed huge capital reserves – increasing from just over £200m to more than £400m between 2008-2012 . In an age of austerity, it’s difficult to comprehend. If the most expensive services could reduce their cost to the same as the national average they would save nearly £200 million of hard-pressed council taxpayers’ money a year. So it’s time for some serious soul searching . Not just for fire chiefs and firefighters but local political leaders too. Can it be right that one service costs so much more than another? Should there really be 46 fire and rescue authorities, each with different governance structures, senior leaders, and organisational and operational quirks? Why do we tolerate the widespread duplication of effort in the design, commissioning and evaluation of fire-specific products? Why aren’t the best ideas from one place implemented in another? Why is waste not being tackled? Like all public services, fire and rescue authorities must evolve and in doing so find new solutions. Local political leaders should encourage their fire chiefs to raise their game share innovation not just with each other but across the blue light services to ensure best practice and sharing resources. My review is a call to action, it is for the Government to consider and for the fire service to respond. And knowing them like I do, I feel completely confident they will, and deliver a quality of service we can all be proud of.
Sir Ken Knight's report claims efficiency gains could save £200million . 46 fire services could save on overheads if they collaborated or merged . Unions attack plans as 'fig leaf for slashing services to bits'
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New England's tallest lighthouse has been sold for $78,000 after initial bidding was lackluster, perhaps due to being 6 miles from the Maine coast and a dark history of cannibalism in the area. A federal government spokeswoman says the General Services Administration has accepted a bid for the Boon Island Light Station off York, Maine. The winning bidder is Portland, Maine, resident Art Girard. The Administration closed out an auction of the 133-foot-tall lighthouse tower on Aug. 17. More than a dozen bidders vied for it. The government had to approve Girard's bid, which was the highest of the bunch. Lonely home? Boon Island Light Station sits in the Gulf of Maine about six miles off the coast of York, Maine and is an isolated home perfectly suited for many a sea-loving hermit . Finally sold:The lighthouse sold for $78,000 after an auction was extended after getting a top bid of just $41,000 . Climbing the stairs: Boon Island Light has the distinction of being the tallest lighthouse in both Maine and New England at 133 feet . The lighthouse was built in 1855 and is located on a tiny rocky island 6 miles off the Maine coast. It's still active as a navigational aid. It is one of 57 active lighthouses in Maine and is the tallest in New England, though not the highest above sea level . At six desolate miles off an already sparsely populated coast, is it also its loneliest residence? Initial bidding, which closed at 10am on Tuesday August 12, was lackluster. Seven people bid on the lighthouse, with the top bid coming in at $41,000. The government opened bidding up again. Desolate: The isolate outcropping of granite is located six desolate miles from York, Maine and was once the site of a shipwreck where sailors eventually turned to cannibalism . Flashback: A photograph of Boon Island's lighthouse before the loss of the keeper's house in 1978 . Tradition: Boon Island is among the five or so light houses on the New England and Gulf Coasts auctioned by the Coast Guard each year . In addition to its isolation, Boon Island's dark history could be to blame for not selling the first time around. The barren outcrop of granite was the site of a shipwreck in 1710. The stranded sailors ultimately resorted to cannibalism. The purchase also comes with stipulations. While the buyer owns the rocky island and lighthouse, he or she would be required to allow the light to remain 'a navigational aid maintained by the United States Coast Guard,' according to Seacoastonline.com. The light has been automated since 1978. Boon Island is among the five or so light houses on the New England and Gulf Coasts auctioned by the Coast Guard each year. Dilapidated: It appears that the new owner might have a bit of work on their hands . Protocol: While the buyer owns the rocky island and lighthouse, he is required to allow the light to remain 'a navigational aid maintained by the United States Coast Guard,' according to Seacoastonline.com .
New England's tallest lighthouse has been sold for $78,000 on August 17 in a repeat auction after initial bidding was lackluster . The winning bidder is Portland, Maine, resident Art Girard . Initial bidding on August 12 was unsuccessful with a highest bid of just $41,000 . In addition to its isolation, Boon Island's dark history could be to blame for not selling the first time around . The barren outcrop of granite was the site of a shipwreck in 1710 and the stranded sailors ultimately resorted to cannibalism .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . Most people believe having an older colleague has a positive effect on the workplace, often because they can be good role models or mentors, a new study has shown. A survey of more than 2,000 adults by the Nationwide building society showed that workers over the age of 55 were less likely to take sick leave or be absent because of a hangover. Older employees are also keeping up with younger workers by learning how to use new technology, the research found. Mentor: A new study has shown that most people believe having an older colleague has a positive effect on the workplace because they can be good role models or mentors . Almost half of workers over the age of . 55 had not taken any sick leave in the past year, while most people in . that age group usually arrived early to work. Just . three per cent of those polled believed they would be able to retire at . 55, while almost one in seven feared they would not be able to give up . work until they were 70. Alison . Robb, group director at Nationwide, said: 'As far as Nationwide is . concerned, employing older workers is a good business decision - they . tend to be experienced, conscientious and hardworking. 'The decision should always be whether that person can do the job and has the right values. 'Having a diverse workforce which reflects our customer base makes sound commercial sense.' Around 16 per cent of Nationwide's 17,000 employees are over 50, and two per cent are 60 or older. Reliable: Workers over the age of 55 were less likely to take sick leave or be absent because of a hangover .
Survey shows workers over 55 are less likely to take sick leave . Older employees are also keeping up with younger workers with technology . One in seven fear they will not be able to give up work until they are 70 . Study of 2,000 adults carried out by the Nationwide building society .
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Washington (CNN) -- Diners who attended President Barack Obama's evening meal Monday were treated to a three-course menu of fusion fare with hints of the subcontinent. Not partaking: the guest of honor, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is midway through a strict religious fast. After encouraging other guests to eat, he sipped only warm water. The timing of Modi's visit, which coincides with the Hindu festival devoted to the goddess Shakti, wasn't expected to deter from the high-level discussions on trade and security, White House officials said before Modi's arrival. And on Monday evening, guests including Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry did enjoy a gourmet meal from the White House kitchen during the working dinner. Opinion: Why Modi's visit matters . The menu included an avocado salad with goat cheese, crisped halibut with carrot ginger sauce and basmati rice, and mango crème brûlée. Ahead of Modi's trip to the United States, which includes a whopping 50 stops to visit with CEOs and a speech at the United Nations, officials said he intended to survive solely on "nimbu pani" -- or water with lemon -- for nine days. At the White House Monday, Modi presented Obama with a copy of "The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi," a Hindu religious text that was annotated and translated by the Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs posted several photos from the White House proceedings: . .
President Obama and Prime Minister Modi meet for the first time over dinner . Because of a religious fast, Modi consumed only warm water . Other guests dined on avocado salad and halibut .
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Some may associate raves with drunken revelry, late nights, and heavy drugs. A sober morning dance party called Daybreaker, which had their end of year event on December 18 on a boat circulating New York, ditches the booze for coffee and granola bars and promotes a holistic start to a busy work day. Hundreds of professionals of all ages flocked to lower Manhattan last month to board the Hornblower Infinity at Pier 40 to listen to groovy beats by DJ Scumfrog and watch the sunrise. Sober dance party: Hundreds of New York professionals boarded a boat circulating Manhattan for the Daybreaker event to dance in the wee hours before going to work . All aboard: The Hornblower Infinity left  from Pier 40 in Manhattan for a sunrise dance cruise around the city for the latest Daybreaker event . Can't stop, won't stop: These driven individuals are so dedicated to dance that they got up early before work to sweat it out and get a killer workout . All hail dance: Despite not having any drugs or alcohol the energy in the room was intoxicating and party goers were high on life and dance moves . Live musicians on board played the saxophone and singers and drummers chimed in to create a collective tune. Rather than hit the gym at 6:30 a.m. participants dressed in workout gear, business suits, and wild costumes flooded the dance floor until 10:00 a.m. to dance for the sake of dancing all before heading into the office. Some party goers were even dressed as Santa Claus to celebrate Christmas and the new year. Tickets cost around $35 per person but all coffee, food, and juices were included in the fare. A portion of all ticket proceeds from the event were donated to Urban Arts Partnership to support arts education and youth empowerment programs at low-income schools across the city. Other Daybreaker parties have been hosted at various nightclubs turned dayclubs around New York and Brooklyn. The 'morning movement' as it is described on Daybreaker's Facebook page is popular among tech executives as it's founded by General Assembly co-founder Matthew Brimer and Super Sprowtz founder and CEO Radha Agrawal. Nice view!: The boat circulated Manhattan and the attendees got to watch the sunrise over the city that never stops dancing, even at 6 a.m. Morning meditation: Dancers took a small break to listen to a morning meditation and affirmation and learn about the health benefits of dancing sober . Celebrity appearance: Santa Claus decided to join in the dance party before a long day of checking his list twice and preparing to deliver Christmas presents . Hearts in their eyes: The founders of Daybreaker aimed to create a creative community for people to socialize, network, and build off of each other's ideas . the love boat: Attendees dressed in costumes, business attire, and nautical themed garb joined together to dance and make new friends, or even business partners . 'It's a great way to start the day off with a bang, and without alcohol,' Brimer said to Business Insider after a Daybreaker party this summer. 'It's very much a workout.' The latest Daybreaker dance event set aside a bit of time for a morning meditation and affirmation in addition to the hours of dancing. One member of the Daybreaker team took a moment to speak about the effect of sober dancing on the brain and explained that the body releases endorphins which both promote energy and immune health. He noted that the positive effects of dancing are only prevalent when the body is not ingesting substances like booze and drugs. More than a health driven dance party, Daybreaker is a networking hotspot for likeminded creatives to collaborate and feed off of each other’s positive energy, say the founders. Energizing morning: Dancers break a sweat as the music thumps through the bright and cozy party ship . The decks on deck: DJ Scumfrog plays groovy and energizing tunes to jump start the morning . 'What's exciting about Daybreaker is that it fosters this community where entrepreneurs can be creative,' Brimer said. 'So there's the physical aspect, but also the social energy, open-minded, and artistic side to it.' In one corner of the boat, a haiku station was set up in which partygoers could have a poem written for them on the spot. The event founders apparently came up with the idea for the party over a late-night falafel meal in Williamsburg back in 2013. 'Over a late-night falafel in Williamsburg a few months back, we mused over an idea. An idea about dancing before the day broke with people we love. About cultivating a community that values camaraderie, self-expression, wellness, immediacy… and mischief. About going to work with our brows slightly dewed from moving our bodies with reckless abandon, sans alcohol but with so much spirit, surrounded by the most amazing people we know,' says their Facebook page. According to Daybreaker's website as they expand they plan to host events in cities all over the world and those who wish to remain in the loop can do so here. reading an affirmation: participants were handed a reading on a piece of paper and took a moment to set goals and intentions for the day and the new year . Dancers: Daybreaker hired dancers and live musicians to keep the energy moving throughout the room . New York groove: The boat passed some famous sites in New York City such as the Statue of Liberty .
A sober morning dance party called Daybreaker is the latest workout trend among urban creative professionals . The latest event on December 18 was on a boat that circulated New York from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.  and was attended by creatives and tech executives . The holistic 'morning movement' is founded by General Assembly co-founder Matthew Brimer and Super Sprowtz founder Radha Agrawal .
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What could be better than experiencing the comfort and reclining pleasure of an airline seat than replicating that experience in your own lounge room or office? Yep, for those keen to have their very own Boeing 747 seat or are looking for the perfect gift idea for a beloved aviation fan, Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) is selling seats from a decommissioned 747-400D. The plane, used on domestic routes, was retired in March and the seats go on sale from December 25 to February 28, 2015. Sadly, the electronics will be dismantled, which means no service button to get another glass of champagne or complain that the entertainment system has malfunctioned again. Bonus though -- little to no chance of some annoying passenger kicking the back of your seat. The other catch is that the seats are limited to domestic Japanese sales. They will be sold via this ANA online shopping site run by ANA Trading company (a division of the ANA group). ANA is expecting high demand -- lucky purchasers will be selected by lottery. There will only be a total of seven premium class seat sets available -- three single seats and four double seats. The single seat is listed at 647,000 yen ($5,420) and 747,000 yen ($6,260) for the double. This includes tax and shipping with deliveries due in March. ANA Trading Company's Ryota Isomura says his company wanted to make sure aviation fans could own their own part of such an iconic airplane. Boeing's 747 debuted at the Paris Air Show in 1969 and quickly revolutionized air travel. More than 1,400 747 variants have been delivered by Boeing. The 747-400 ended production in 2009. Its successor, the 747-8 Intercontinental rolled out in 2012.
Seven 'premium' sets of 747 seats are for sale . Starting price is around $5,400 . Seats are available only domestically in Japan .
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By . Kerry Mcdermott . PUBLISHED: . 05:55 EST, 22 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:15 EST, 22 June 2013 . The son of a wealthy London academic could be jailed for 25 years after he admitted stabbing to death a 22-year-old Czech backpacker in a tent in Costa Rica. Professor's son Alfred Saunders, 21, stabbed Alexandra Drbohlavova, 22,in the face, neck and chest in a frenzied attack at an idyllic rainforest eco-farm owned by a Briton in December 2011. It later emerged that Saunders had managed to enter Costa Rica from Nicaragua despite the fact he was the subject of a green Interpol alert describing him as a 'violent individual' likely to commit acts of barbarism. Frenzied: Alfred Saunders, 21, seen left at the start of his trial in Costa Rica, has now pleaded guilty to the murder of Czech backpacker Alexandra Drbohlavova, 22, right, in a frenzied knife attack in a tent . Dangerous: Saunders, seen outside court in Upala in January 2012, was the subject of an Interpol alert linking him to sex attacks and possession of explosions . Saunders pleaded guilty to murder at a private hearing in Upala after spending 18 months on remand, the Sun reported. The court was told there was a 'high possibility' Saunders will serve his prison term in a 'maximum security unit'. After crossing the border from . Nicaragua the day after Boxing Day 2011, Saunders - the son of King's . College professor Max Saunders and his former wife, psychoanalyst Catia . Galatariotou - turned up at the remote farm run by Nic Donati. Idyllic: Miss Drbohlavova, 22, had been volunteering at the farm in Upala for just two weeks when she was stabbed to death by Saunders . Mr Donati took pity on Saunders, who had almost no possessions, and gave him a tent for the night. But later that night Saunders had to be overpowered by relatives of Mr Donati alerted by the screams of Miss Drbohlavova. 'Sweet and kind': Miss Drbohlavova, 22, was volunteering at the farm in Costa Rica during her Christmas break from studying at Miami University . The philosophy graduate and volleyball player, who was stabbed 15 times in the face, neck and chest, had been volunteering at the farm for just two weeks when she was attacked. Friends said she had been pursuing her studies further at Miami University, and had travelled to Costa Rica during her Christmas break to carry out research. One friend, who described Miss Drbohlavova - nicknamed Sasa - as a 'kind, sweet person', said at the time: 'She was always so calm and peaceful - the horror of this is beyond words.' Costa Rica's judicial police force told MailOnline after the murder at the end of 2011 that officials became aware Interpol was on Saunders' trail when he entered the country the day after Boxing Day. Marisel Rodriguez said at the time: 'The man being held over the murder of the Czech woman is the subject of a green Interpol notice.'It's a warning mechanism Interpol uses and makes available to other countries' law enforcement agencies and border control organisations.In Saunders' case, she said, the warning related to 'sex crimes, assault resulting in death, torture or acts of barbarism and the possession of firearms, ammunition or explosives'. The Interpol notice described Saunders as a violent individual suffering from a mental illness who, as well as being a suicide risk, was liable to commit sexual crimes against minors and could be armed, she explained.
Alfred Saunders, 21, pleaded guilty to murder of Alexandra Drbohlavova, 22 . Stabbed Czech backpacker 15 times in frenzied attack on idyllic eco-farm . London-born Saunders is the son of wealthy British academics . Interpol had warned he was mentally ill and potentially dangerous .
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(CNN) -- The tween who took the Internet by storm last year starring in the hilarious and empowering "Camp Gyno" ad, about a girl who is the first at her summer camp to get her period, is back. Nearly 10 million video views later, Macy McGrail, now a sixth-grader, returns, but this time her focus is on middle school and the consequences of some very bad decisions her character makes along the way. In a unique twist, 11-year-old McGrail plays the character from tweenhood into adulthood. In the opening scene, we hear a few gunshots ring out and then see McGrail's character racing out of a motor home wearing heels and a leather jacket. She hops into a car with a guy who looks like bad news, telling herself, "Look at me, 38 years old and I'm running out of this place in this dress to this moron. "At moments like this, you can't help but do a little soul-searching and ask yourself, 'How did I end up here?' " she says, at which point we go back in time. We see her when she was six months pregnant at 24 and took back her partner, a serial cheater, before taking a drag on a cigarette. At 15, when her friend told her getting high was "awesome." When she faced a choice, that very first day of middle school, between joining the group of kids sporting angry looks, dressed in black and smoking versus another group smiling and waving, carrying books titled "Language and Gender." "I guess there's no way to pinpoint that one moment where it all started to fall apart, but if I had to do it all over again, you bet your sweet ass I'd make some different choices." Period Power: Talking to girls about 'Aunt Flo' Sure, it's a tad over the top, but don't you remember kids who went with the wrong crowd in middle school and never quite recovered? The video, which I'd love to show my girls when they get closer to middle school, is a unique trailer for McGrail's father's new book "Surviving Middle School: An Interactive Story for Girls." Dave McGrail said the book was in the works long before his daughter's viral fame, but the trailer was, in fact, inspired by that success. The idea came from Tommy Henvey, a relative who is an executive creative director for the ad agency Ogilvy and Mather, during a holiday party about a year ago. "He offered on the spot to assemble a team, the best in the business, to try to create something that would star Macy, so how could I say no?" said McGrail, whose day job is running a two-person law firm from his home. Replace the 'sex talk' with the 'tech talk'? "It fit in really nicely with the book because it could convey the same point: that choices matter going all the way back to middle school." The book, modeled around the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books McGrail enjoyed as a child, lets the reader decide what to do and tackles some pressing issues affecting today's tweens and teens, who are growing up in a digital age. For instance, do you stick up for a female classmate from India who is being bulled in person and online by a mean girl who makes fun of her name and her Indian jewelry collection, or do you decide to stay out of it, knowing that if you speak up you might invite the attention of the bully? "The idea was give them a decision that, at least, I think there's a right or wrong answer ... and then couch it in a way so it looks really tantalizing to them to do the wrong thing and then see what they do," said McGrail. Another choice readers of the book face centers on getting an Instagram account and becoming friends with a sixth grader in Ohio, who turns out not to be a sixth grader but a grown man. Do you continue the friendship or do you cut things off once you learn the truth and start feeling a bit uncomfortable? "You can make the wrong choice and you can be down this road and you're stuck, and it's not a great outcome," said McGrail. What parents can learn about the Internet from Kim Kardashian . "I think that something parents have to acknowledge these days is that with technology and earlier puberty and a whole host of other factors, girls are forced to make really tough choices that have serious consequences at a much earlier age than when we were kids and I'm seeing that on a day to day basis with my daughter." The father of two (Macy has a younger sister) says he hopes his book and trailer will both entertain and spark conversation about issues affecting middle schoolers just as the "Camp Gyno" ad got people talking about menstruation and girl empowerment. "In my ideal world, kids are standing around the playground discussing how they chose or bringing it up with their parents or disagreeing with one of the outcomes in the book," he said. "The discourse that was created and generated by 'Camp Gyno' is the same sort of thing that I would love to happen and be generated from the book." "I mean, these are heavy issues, and I think that the best way to get kids talking about them is to present them with something they enjoy." Chances are, your teen has sexted . As for Macy, life is pretty much back to normal after her "Camp Gyno" fame. Her classmates have for the most part been supportive, with the exception of some snickering by the boys from time to time, and she's now focused on middle school and continuing her acting career, said McGrail . "She's clearly got a nickname for life. It'll probably be the beginning of her college essay as well," said her proud dad. "She's embraced it, but she's moved on." Do you think the video about the consequences of bad decisions in middle school helps get the point across to tweens and teens? Tell Kelly Wallace on Twitter or CNN Living on Facebook.
"Camp Gyno" ad starring Macy McGrail has been seen nearly 10 million times . In new video, McGrail's character makes some bad decisions during middle school . The video is a trailer for McGrail's father's new book "Surviving Middle School" Dave McGrail hopes his video and book spark a conversation just as "Camp Gyno" did .
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By . Hugo Gye . PUBLISHED: . 04:29 EST, 5 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:02 EST, 5 December 2013 . An Army veteran has had his benefits slashed after he told Jobcentre staff that he had volunteered to sell poppies in honour of his former comrades. Stephen Taylor, 60, was receiving £71.20 a week in Jobseeker's Allowance while searching for work after losing a previous job as a pub manager. However, when he said he had been raising money for the Royal British Legion, they told him he was not doing enough to find a new job and withdrew the payment. Anger: Army veteran Stephen Taylor had his benefits cut because he volunteered to sell poppies . Mr Taylor served as a Fusilier in Cuprus, Kenya and Northern Ireland during the 1970s and 1980s. He volunteered to sell poppies outside an Asda in Bury, Greater Manchester, during the fortnight leading up to Remembrance Sunday this year, spending a total of 24 hours on the activity. When he went to sign on and told workers about his volunteering, they stopped his Jobseekers' Allowance because they said he should be spending his time handing out CVs and applying for work. Mr Taylor has now had to live without the payment for four weeks, and is increasingly struggling with his finances. 'The allowance is not very much, but when you don't have much, it means a lot,' the father of four said. 'It is all wrong. You volunteer and sell poppies to remember people and friends you have lost.' He spent a total of 16 years in the military, serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the Territorial Army from 1972 to 1988. Good deed: Mr Taylor was raising money for the Royal British Legion in memory of his former comrades . Since then Mr Taylor has worked in a number of jobs, including managing pubs around the country, but he has not been employed since November last year. He says he has applied for a number of jobs - including at the Asda store where he was volunteering - but has received just one response in the past 12 months. 'I have tried all sorts,' he said. 'There are no jobs going, but I am waiting for a call from one application. 'It is impossible. You can apply for every job that is going, but it is another thing actually getting one because there are that many people applying.' The former soldier has had to seek financial support from the Bury Armed Forces Covenant group, but has nonetheless fallen behind with his rent. Local councillor James Frith criticised the handling of Mr Taylor's case, saying: 'I was astonished. Any time I speak with Stephen you can tell that he has searching for work and has served his country throughout his life. 'For me, it is an issue of applying discretion and leniency in dealing with such sensitive issues. 'To treat somebody who has put himself in harm's way for the people of Bury and his country is unacceptable.' A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: 'It's only right that people should do everything they can to find work in return for their benefits. 'We make it clear to people at the start of their claim what the rules are and that they risk losing their benefits if they don't play by them. 'Sanctions are only used as a last resort and people who are in genuine need can apply for hardship payments. If someone disagrees with a decision made on their claim, they can appeal.'
Stephen Taylor, 60, claimed Jobseekers' Allowance while looking for work . He volunteered to sell poppies outside Asda in honour of other soldiers . But Jobcentre workers decided to withdraw £71.20-a-week payment .
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A woman who stole more than £100,000 from her employers has been ordered to repay just £1 after blowing it all on a lavish lifestyle. Accounts assistant Lauren Cherry treated herself to expensive holidays, designer clothes and jewellery on the looted cash over a period of six months. As a result of her crime, the small firm where she worked was forced to close and four people lost their jobs. Cherry, 32, said she was suffering from depression and low self-esteem and went on the spending sprees to give herself ‘a lift’. Accounts assistant Lauren Cherry, who stole more than £100,000 from her firm in just six months, has been ordered to pay back just £1 after she blew the lot on holidays, designer clothes and jewellery . She admitted stealing £104,320 and was jailed for 25 months by a judge who condemned her ‘concerted, calculated and consistent’ conduct. But because she has no assets, Judge David Griffith-Jones QC made a nominal confiscation order for £1, to be paid within 28 days. Maidstone Crown Court heard how Cherry joined F P Mailing (Premier) in Dartford, Kent, in April 2012 and started stealing within two months. Prosecutor John Turner said she earned about £1,400 gross a month and had access to the online banking system and made transfers to six personal accounts. She disguised it by saying they were transfers within the company, which supplied franking machines. By August there were concerns about her bookkeeping and absence because of illness. When challenged about the transfers, she claimed they were made by mistake, but she was sacked. ‘It is fair to describe her lifestyle as extravagant,’ Mr Turner said. ‘There were designer clothes and jewellery. There were a number of holidays.’ She even bought presents for her work colleagues, he said. Cherry started taking the money just two months after she started work at franking machine suppliers FP Mailing (Premier) in Dartford, Kent . Simon Wickens, for Cherry, of Gravesend, Kent, said she had suffered from depression and low self-worth over the years. Her world ‘fell apart’ when her long-term partner cheated on her and left her. He said: ‘She was left with debts. She was in a property she couldn’t afford. Most significantly, she was emotionally destroyed. This offence appears to be borne out of that. ‘Things spiralled. The missing money went unnoticed. She bought things to make her feel better. Her family thought she was doing amazingly well. She was treating others to build up an image of a happy life.’ Cherry, of Gravesend, admitted stealing £104,320 and was jailed for 25 months by Judge David Griffith-Jones QC, at Maidstone Crown Court (pictured) who condemned her 'concerted, calculated and consistent' conduct . The court heard that the company had to be wound up because of Cherry’s crime and 15 people lost their jobs, although 11 were re-employed by a new franchise of the firm. The judge told Cherry: ‘It is very troubling to see someone like you standing in the dock awaiting sentence for what is in any view a serious offence. You were motivated by greed. It is fair to say you took a long time to accept your responsibility in the face of compelling evidence.’ After the case, a director of the company, who asked not to be named, said: ‘She would take people out, buying everyone Christmas presents. ‘But it was our money she was doing it with.’
Accounts assistant Lauren Cherry, 32, stole from franking machine firm . She diverted a total of £104,320 into six personal accounts . Cherry spent money on holidays and even bought presents for co-workers . She was jailed for 25 months after she admitted stealing the money . But because she has no assets she was told to pay back just £1 . Court told she was depressed and went on shopping sprees for a 'lift'
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New York (CNN) -- She might have gone unnoticed through the many years of triumphs and tragedies of the Kennedy family. Now the spotlight will be cast, sadly, on Mary Richardson Kennedy. The estranged wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was found dead Wednesday in Bedford, New York, the small town north of New York City where she lived. She died of asphyxiation due to hanging, the Westchester County medical examiner said. The Kennedy clan will gather once again for a funeral. This time, it's Mary's. Mary Kennedy's family blasts stories on her death . A wake was planned for Friday evening, Kennedy family publicist Ken Sunshine said. It will take place in the Bedford mansion that Kennedy, an architect, and her husband lovingly restored into an eco-friendly home after flooding left it infested with black mold. Her funeral is planned for Saturday morning at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Bedford, Sunshine said. A private memorial service has also been planned in Manhattan, Kennedy's family said in a statement. She will be buried in Hyannisport, Massachusetts, where the Kennedy family has a compound. Mary Kennedy married Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in 1994. The prominent environmental lawyer is the third of 11 children born to Ethel and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who was gunned down in 1968. Mary Kennedy: 'Green' designer, wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The assassination was one of a string of tragedies to befall the Kennedy family, America's royal family in the absence of monarchy. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, five years before his younger brother. More than three decades later, in 1999, John F. Kennedy Jr.; his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy; and his sister-in-law, Lauren Bessette, died when a plane he was piloting crashed in the waters off Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. David Kennedy died of a drug overdose in 1984, and Michael Kennedy was killed in a skiing accident in 1997. Both were sons of Robert F. Kennedy Sr. "We know from a history of this family, it's very hard being a Kennedy, either being a blood Kennedy or being married to one," Kennedy biographer Laurence Leamer said. "The overwhelming celebrity, the attention, the obligations, the expectations that you're supposed to do something with your life. It's very, very hard." And now comes the shock of Mary Kennedy's death at age 52, though her troubles were well-known. The details of the couple's private life surfaced after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. filed for divorce in 2010. After that, Mary Kennedy was charged once with driving while intoxicated and once with driving while impaired by prescription drugs, according to Bedford police. "A lot of times, I don't know how she made it through the day," Robert Kennedy told The New York Times. "She was in a lot of agony for a lot of her life." Her family criticized media accounts of her death for what they called "inaccuracies and misrepresentations" of her life. "While we would naturally prefer to remain private at this very upsetting time, we feel compelled to make this statement because the description of Mary carried by certain news organizations since her passing yesterday is wholly inconsistent with the sister we knew and the life she, in fact, lived," her family said in a written statement. "We loved Mary and knew her to be an exceptional mother, sibling and friend to many," they said. "Countless people have described her as an extraordinary mother, selfless in her desire to help others, and one of the finest people in the world. We know her as all those things, and more." Mary Kennedy stood by her husband's side, bearing Kennedy grief through the years. Now, it is her turn to be grieved. "You know, you sometimes hear things like 'I've lost my right arm'?" Kerry Kennedy, sister of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., told The New York Times about the friend she met in boarding school and roomed with at Brown University. "I feel like I've lost half my body, half my soul." CNN's Dominique Dodley contributed to this report.
Mary Kennedy married Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in 1994 . The couple was estranged but still married . She was found dead from asphyxiation by hanging . A wake was planned for Friday evening, a Kennedy family publicist said .
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By . Freya Noble for Daily Mail Australia . ACCC chairman Ros Sims said at the Federal Court on Wednesday petrol retailers worked together to drive up prices . Five petrol retailers across Melbourne have been accused of colluding on bowser prices using a third-party service to share pricing information and drive prices up. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says five major petrol retailers - BP, Caltex and the fuel-selling arms of Coles, Woolworths and 7-Eleven - acted in a way that could increase the cost of fuel. The case launched in the Federal Court on Wednesday says the way the retailers used a statistics gathering service, run by the company Informed Sources, was a breach of Australian competition law. 'The ACCC alleges that petrol retailers that subscribe to the Informed Sources service use (it) to exchange information on the price they each offer at their petrol stations on a private, and near real-time, basis,' ACCC chairman Rod Sims said in a statement. 'The exchange of this information allows retailers to monitor and respond to each other's prices and observe and analyse the pricing behaviours and strategies of their competitors,' Mr Sims continued. The service requires retailers to input their bowser prices and, in return, they receive the same information from their rivals. Scroll down for video . The retailers are accused of misusing statistics gathering service Informed Sources . Caltex rejected that it breached competition law, and said it will defend ACCC action . On its website Informed Sources says it provides 'competitive information to dynamic markets around the world'. The ACCC says the us of this allowed not only rapid price matching, but retailers could use the system to 'propose a price increase to their competitors and monitor the response to it'. They also revealed that a net petrol price increase of one cent per litre over a year could cost Australian consumers around $190 million. BP told Daily Mail Australia in a statement they are 'confident that BP has acted lawfully at all times', but could not comment further due to the ongoing proceedings. BP also said they have not acted unlawfully but would not comment further . The ACCC says the used the system not only to rapidly price match but propose a price increase to their competitors and monitor the response to it . Caltex has rejected the assertion its use of Informed Services' Oil Price Watch (OPW) service was a breach of competition law, and says it will defend the ACCC action. 'The OPW data consists of pricing information that is otherwise publicly available to everyone on petrol price boards,' it said in a statement. 'The OPW service simply makes it cheaper for subscribers to collect this data.'
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched the case at the Federal Court on Wendesday . They say the five retailers' use of Informed Sources, a stats gathering service, was unlawful . ACCC also say a net increase in price of just one cent could cost consumers more than $190 million .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . A Canadian man has built the world's first spherical treehouse hotel, suspending his guests 15ft in the air. Guests at Free Spirit Spheres sleep hanging in the treetops in the west coast rainforest of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, rocked to sleep by the wind. Inventor Tom Chudleigh has devoted his life to handcrafting the spheres from wood and fibreglass,  which each cost more than £100,000 to make. Scroll down for video . Got a sphere room? Inventor Tom Tom Chudleigh has handcrafted the round tree rooms for his retreat Free Spirit Spheres . High-flying dreams: The treehouse hotel's 'suite sphere' boasts a wide double bed where guests can safely swing in their sleep, as well as a dining space . Top luxury: Melody, which is the latest addition to the bunch, has a soft blue colour scheme and space enough for two . Unique experience: One of the other hotel rooms comes with a lake view . Tom, 61, has built three sphere rooms, named Eve, Eryn and Melody, which are suspended between 10-15ft in the air. One night in Eve costs $145 Canadian dollars (£90) and Tom provides guests with towels, bedding, hot showers and even access to a sauna, promising that even though they sleep outdoors, they are not 'roughing it'. Tom said: ‘My family thought it would be a big waste of time when I started building my first sphere called Eve. ‘When I had Eve, the prototype, finished they thought it was fun and were surprised with how much attention it got. Now they think it is a great idea and the way of the future. ‘We decided to run a hotel after there were so many people that wanted to stay in Eve.’ Room for one: In one of the smaller cabins, travellers can ponder the high life, but should they wish, also use the kitchen or sit down at the dining table . Cozy and comfortable: The guests at the treehouse hotel can stay in differed sized 'spheres', suspended in the treetops . Songbird: Room Melody is accessed via a walk-over bridge, inspiring to join the birds in their morning concerto . Hanging in there: Melody is strung up 14ft (4.3 metres) in the air between the trees on Vancouver Island . The spheres are tethered vertically and actually sway gently in the breeze or when someone changes position inside. Tom, who lives in British Colombia, Canada, has been self-employed for the past 30 years and cites the spirit realm as his inspiration. He said: ‘Most artists and musicians are just people who can tune in to that source of inspiration and receive ideas. ‘My idea came from there. It was an idea that just came to me and it wouldn't go away. ‘I thought about it for a few years before I started building Eve - the first spherical treehouse.’ Solitude: Tom intends his 'sphere hotel' to be a place of peace where guests can become one with nature . Peaceful night: The spheres move in the wind, but also shift when the guests move around inside it, giving the feeling of sleeping on a tree branch . Big and bold: The fibreglass and wood spheres weigh 500 kg and costs £100,000 to make .
Hotel sees guest sleep in spheres suspended from the treetops . Inventor Tom Chudleigh has built three 'rooms' for his hotel . The fibreglass and wood rooms are hung 15ft in the air .
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(CNN) -- Time to think up one of those "a man walked into a bar" jokes. Because in a Chicago suburb, a man walked into a bar with a tiger recently. That's right, a real tiger cub -- a fluffy baby about knee-high. And it apparently wasn't the first time. John Basile has taken the tiger cub to Uncle Richie's Bar in Lockport, Illinois, at least one other time, reported CNN affiliate WBBM. Police didn't think it was funny and have filed charges against Basile from disorderly conduct to possession of a dangerous animal for the latest incident. "My concern was really for the people who frequent the downtown area," Lockport Police Chief Terry Lemming the affiliate. The charges are all misdemeanors. Not the first time . As Basile trotted the tiger cub down the street on February 15, it caused some rubbernecking. Some people seemed to think it was adorable. "There were people in their cars shouting like, 'Is that a tiger? Is that a tiger?' going over the Ninth Street Bridge," Frances Escoe told the affiliate. At least one man took a video. Not everyone at the bar thought the tiger was cute. During a previous visit, the cub reportedly bit a guest. "While we were looking into possible charges, officers spoke with a woman who claimed the tiger bit her in Uncle Ritchie's on Dec. 14, 2013," Lemming told the Joliet Herald-News, a local newspaper. Running a ranch . Basile, 57, has a familiarity and trust with predators and other wild animals that most people don't. He has handled them for 25 years, he says on his website for the animal rescue he runs. It's called Big Run Wolf Ranch and is federally licensed, he says. Basile sports photos of himself cuddling and wrestling with a full grown black bear and links to photos, in which he is handling snakes and wolves. On one of the photos is a Siberian tiger cub named Shere Khan. He holds open houses to show the animals to visitors and to teach them about nature, he says. The affiliate reached out to Big Run for comment, but an employee declined. Why did the elephant cross the road? To avoid the drunks .
After a man took a tiger cub to a bar, police filed misdemeanor charges . The cub has reportedly bitten someone in the bar before . John Basile, the cub's owner, runs an animal rescue .
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(CNN) -- I had an experience recently that reinvigorated my faith in humanity -- and bureaucracy. I'd left my suitcase in the trunk of a yellow cab in New York City and didn't realize it till 20 minutes later. I did not have a receipt or any way to identify the cab or the driver. I was at the start of a four-day, three-city trip. I was screwed. For almost three hours, various people tried to help me -- two folks at my bank, whose credit card held the only record of the cab ride; three people at two yellow cab companies based in Long Island City; a service rep at the New York City Taxicab & Limousine Commission; people in my office back in Seattle. No luck. As the workday ended, I finally went to the drugstore for some toiletries. My fiancee shipped me some clothes, and I retreated glumly to my hotel room. Then, at 9:48 p.m., Valerie from the TLC called me. She'd been working overtime on my case, used GPS records to identify the cab and located and called the cabbie -- and he still had my bag! He was an African immigrant named George, and he remembered me (or, rather, my crew-cut hair). He hadn't seen my name card under a flap on the backside of the bag and was planning in the morning to ask the TLC to help track me down. I called him -- he was working at his second job. We arranged for him to drop the bag off the next morning. When I thanked Valerie for navigating the system so relentlessly, she insisted she was just doing her job. When I thanked George for his help, he cheerfully said, "It's the American way!" My happy-ending story offers a few lessons. One is obvious: Always, always get a receipt. Another is that New Yorkers, contrary to popular belief and their own callous pose, are essentially nice. But the third, even more deeply contrary to popular belief, is that government is not the enemy. Government is not inherently inept. It's simply us -- and as defective or capable of goodness as we are. Today, several weeks into the botched launch of Obamacare's exchanges and several more since the shutdown, the faith of the people in government is weak and weakening further. This trend long predates Obamacare, and its sources are bipartisan. Democrats who favor more active government have tolerated an ever-more complex and impersonal state, while Republicans who want to shrink government love to showcase the breakdowns that complexity -- and GOP-led underfunding -- can bring. What's striking, though, is that both sides have learned to see and speak of government the same way -- as a disembodied thing, a mechanism separate from citizens. Democrats tend to forget and Republicans like to deny the simple reality that government is nothing more than our best attempt to do certain things together that we can't do alone. Like ensure that we are all insured against health catastrophes. Or keep toxic foods out of our babies' mouths. Or send humans to the moon. Or design smart transportation systems on Earth. When government fails, the proper response isn't fatalism; it's activism. The question to ask in the wake of something such as the failure of the healthcare.gov launch isn't why wasn't I better served but rather, what could I do to make it better? To be sure, there are reasons why "government bureaucracy" isn't a phrase usually said in gratitude. Three times in my luggage adventure, I was abruptly disconnected from the TLC hotline after being on hold a cumulative 45 minutes. After the third time, I felt disillusioned. Sitting there in the midst of a vast uncaring city, imagining that my bag had been stolen and its contents dispersed, I felt awakened to the hard cold world. But when I got the call from Valerie, that cynicism receded -- and so did the victim-story I'd started to tell myself. Though Valerie was an exceptionally dedicated public employee, she was only part of a web of people -- everyday citizens and workers in government and business -- who'd come together to solve this particular problem. In the scheme of things, that problem and its resolution were utterly insignificant. But they reminded me that we Americans carry an often unspoken privilege -- the privilege of expecting that things should function as promised and that civic institutions should be trustworthy and responsive. This expectation of a working public sphere doesn't prevail in other less healthy societies. My immigrant cabbie George described this willingness to trust, to look out for one another -- to do our part to make complex systems work -- as the American way. But it's only the American way if we make it so. The cardinal rule of citizenship is that society becomes how we behave. If we behave as if the state is there to serve us perfectly or else be eviscerated, we'll get a society where citizens forget how to serve, help, forgive or collaborate. Everyone has some say over whether government does well. Finding that voice and claiming that responsibility feels good -- almost as good as finding a lost suitcase. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Eric Liu.
Eric Liu: I had an experience that gave me more faith in humanity, bureaucracy . Liu: Many people helped me after I lost my luggage in a cab in New York City . He says one of the lessons he learned is that government is not the enemy . Liu: Government is not inherently inept; it's as bad or good as we make it .
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A white man speaking 'fluent English' was in charge of an Somali Islamist group al-Shabaab which gunned down at least 60 people in a Kenyan coastal town on Sunday evening, according to witnesses. Several residents in Mpeketoni reported that they saw a pale-skinned man who spoke English and Arabic giving orders to the gunmen. The eyewitness accounts support the theory that the men were sent by al-Shabaab by a seasoned foreign jihadi unit now working with the Somali Islamists. Scroll down for video . Residents barricade a road as they protest against the recent killings in the village of Kibaoni. Militants linked to Al Qaeda have carried out two massacres in the area - claiming 60 lives . A man observes the remains of destroyed vehicles and buildings in the town of Mpeketoni after the area was attacked by extremists this week. Terror group Al Shabaab have warned tourists they visit the country 'at their own peril' 'I saw a white man who was speaking in fluent British English commanding the rest of the attackers,' said Mary Gachoki, a teacher who lives in Mpeketoni and speaks good English told The Telegraph. Today the Inspector General of Police said several people have been arrested including suspected ringleaders. David Kimaiyo also said that someone had been arrested for using social media to say that  al-Shabaab was behind the attacks. 'We have arrested several suspects in connection to Mpeketoni incident including the owner and driver of one the vehicles used by attackers,' Mr Kimaiyo said on Twitter. 'Also in police custody is a suspect who was operating social media accounts purportedly used by al-Shabaab to claim responsibility.' Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta said al-Shabaab was not behind deadly attacks on Kenya's coast, contradicting the militant group's claims . Today it emerged that reports 12 women were abducted from the Poromoko district near Mpeketoni were abducted have turned out to be false. Yesterday Kenya's president said al-Shabaab was not . behind deadly attacks on Kenya's coast, contradicting the militant group's claims. Somalia's al Shabaab militant group has said its gunmen carried out the attacks on the town of Mpeketoni on Sunday night and on a nearby village early on Tuesday morning. In comments that could further stoke political tensions in a country where allegiances generally run along ethnic lines, President Uhuru Kenyatta instead pointed the finger at rivals he described as 'hate-mongers', though he did not name anybody. 'The attack in Lamu was well planned, orchestrated and politically motivated ethnic violence against the Kenyan community,' Kenyatta told the nation in an address, referring to Lamu county where the two attacks took place. 'This, therefore, was not an al Shabaab terrorist attack. Evidence indicates local political networks were involved in the planning and execution of the heinous crime. This also played into the opportunist network of other criminal gangs,' he said. Blaming domestic rivals could ease pressure on Kenyatta's government, which has faced strong criticism about its handling of security and the threat from Somali-linked militants. Analysts said politicising the issue of security by either side risked undermining efforts to tackle shortcomings. Kenyan police officers patrol Mavuno villages near Mpeketoni after unidentified gunmen attacked the coastal Kenyan town. Hotels are believed to be 80 per cent empty in Mombasa, the country's second city . Kenya police observe the remains of burnt-out cars at a police station in Mpeketoni. Kenya's tourist board in London has attempted to play down the threats in a bid to save the tourism industy . 'We live at a time when our people are vulnerable to reckless leaders and hate-mongers who manipulate them to create hate, intolerance and fanaticism, which makes them easy prey to radicalisation and crime,' Kenyatta said in his address. Though Kenyatta, an ethnic Kikuyu, did not mention him, his comments appeared directed at his opponent and main presidential challenger in last year's election, Raila Odinga, an ethnic Luo, who returned to Kenya in May after a long period abroad. Odinga has been rallying supporters and has urged dialogue with the government. He has condemned the latest assaults. In Sunday's attack, gunmen stormed Mpeketoni, which lies near the popular tourist attraction of Lamu town, and killed 49 people. Then 24 hours later, gunmen raided nearby Poromoko village, going through the town from house to house and ordering residents to recite an Islamic creed, witnesses said. Kenya has blamed al Shabaab for a spate of gun and bomb attacks in recent months. Kenya also holds al Shabab responsible for an attack on Nairobi's Westgate shopping mall in September last year in which 67 people were killed. Al Shabaab has said its attacks are intended to punish Kenya for sending troops to Somalia to confront its Islamist fighters. Kenya has previously said it would keep its troops in Somalia. Witnesses in Mpeketoni said they heard the gunmen speak Somali, although that does not automatically link them to al Shabaab as Kenya has a large minority with Somali origins who also speak the language. Violence between different ethnic groups is not uncommon in Kenya. Riot policemen remove a road barricade of a truck burnt by protestors along the streets after the attack in Mpeketoni . Kenya has blamed al Shabaab for a spate of gun and bomb attacks in recent months. Kenya also holds al Shabab responsible for an attack on Nairobi's Westgate shopping mall in September last year in which 67 people were killed . Tribes of Somali origin and other ethnic groups have in the past fought over land and other issues, though that has mostly occurred in Kenya's lawless northern border area. After the 2007 presidential vote in Kenya, ethnic tensions erupted into violence that killed about 1,200 people. In a statement condemning the Mpeketoni attack on Monday, Odinga said: 'This is not time for blame games ... We must as leaders and as a nation rally together to respond to this serious national tragedy.' The new attacks have fuelled public criticism of the government for failing to do more to improve national security. Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku, who has defended his government's security efforts, has been a particular target for fury. Many Kenyans have said he should have been fired after the Westgate crisis, particularly after soldiers involved in retaking the mall from militants were found to have looted it. Ole Lenku said he sacked a senior regional officer in Lamu county after this week's attack. Brutal: Kenyan residents at the scene of one of the bodies of those killed in nearby Mpeketoni on Sunday. Police believe the Poromoko attack was carried out by the same group of Islamist militants . Grim task: Family members wait to collect bodies of their relatives at Mpeketoni hospital in Lamu county following Sunday night's massacre . Cowardly: At least 48 people were killed in the Sunday night raid and two hotels were set on fire before the gunmen fled into surrounding undergrowth . Kenyatta said security officials, who he said ignored intelligence, would face charges. The series of recent assaults have hammered the vital tourist industry, particularly on the coast. Some hotels in the palm-fringed coastal region say they face closure, while others which offer safaris up-country say bookings are down 30 percent - a worrying sign as the July-to-September peak tourist season approaches. 'This government is full of talk and no action,' said one angry resident in Mpeketoni, speaking as Ole Lenku arrived in the town on Tuesday. 'They keep saying the country is safe and we keep on suffering at the hands of terrorists.' The Red Cross had previously put the death toll for the Mpeketoni assault at 50 but on Tuesday said the total figure was 49. That number did not include victims of the latest attack.
Several residents in Mpeketoni reported that they saw a pale-skinned man . They said he spoke English and Arabic giving orders to the gunmen . At least 60 people died in the Kenyan coastal town of Mpeketoni on Sunday . Then 24 hours later, gunmen raided nearby Poromoko village . Reports that 12 women were abducted have now turned out to be false .
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Ventersdorp, South Africa (CNN) -- Blacks and whites confronted each other Tuesday outside a courthouse where two people accused of killing a white supremacist leader in South Africa appeared and were charged with murder. The two groups outside the courthouse in Ventersdorp sang rival national anthems, with whites singing "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika," an apartheid-era national anthem, while blacks sang "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika," which was sung as an act of defiance during the apartheid years. The songs were combined to create the country's current national anthem, according to the government's Web site. Analysis: Terreblanche's death stokes racial tensions . The two suspects, ages 15 and 28, were formally charged Tuesday with murder in the killing of Eugene Terreblanche. They also were charged with housebreaking, robbery, attempted robbery and crimen injuria, a count specific to South Africa in which someone deliberately injures another person's dignity. Prosecutors said the count of crimen injuria related to the two suspects allegedly leaving Terreblanche's body with the pants pulled down. The suspects, whom authorities have not identified, are accused of killing Terreblanche in a dispute over wages. Terreblanche, 69, was bludgeoned with clubs and stabbed with a machete during the attack at his farm near Ventersdorp in South Africa's North West province, police said. A new hearing has been set for April 14. Outside the court, blacks and whites faced off in a brief scuffle apparently sparked by a white woman who threw a bottle at the black group. Police erected barbed wire to separate the groups; the wire already surrounded the courthouse to prevent the crowds from swarming the building. Riot police stood between the wire and about 200 of Terreblanche's followers -- some of whom were wearing army uniforms with swastika-like emblems on caps and shirts. "We are here to show our solidarity with Terreblanche," said Pieter Steyn, a spokesman for the supremacist's neo-Nazi group Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging, also called AWB. "The situation in this country is volatile," he said. Some protesters carried signs, including one that read, "We are fed up with the new South Africa." Another sign said, "Soccer 2010, 65 days to chaos," an apparent reference to the start of the World Cup in the country. A few blacks watched nervously. "These people are hurting. Their leader has been killed, and we don't know what they will do to us," one bystander said. The AWB retracted its vow Monday to avenge the killing of its leader. "The statement was made by an emotional member of our organization," Steyn said. "The person has been reprimanded. We want a homeland where we can govern ourselves, and violence is not going to do our cause any good." The AWB has blamed the killing on the singing of a controversial African National Congress song, "Shoot the Farmer." Julius Malema, the ruling party's youth leader, had sung the apartheid-era song in recent weeks until a court barred him from doing so. Steyn urged South African President Jacob Zuma to intervene. "We are finding it difficult to keep our members calm under the current circumstances. If farm murders continue, we cannot guarantee that our members will continue refraining from retaliating," Steyn said. Zuma has appealed for peace. "I call upon our people, black and white, to remain calm, and allow police and other organs of state to do their work," Zuma said in a Sunday statement. The AWB is best known for trying to block South Africa's effort to end apartheid. The group used terrorist tactics in a bid to stall the country's first all-race vote in 1994, killing more than 20 people in a wave of bombings on the eve of the elections. Terreblanche was convicted of a 1996 attempted murder of a black man who worked as a security guard on his farm. He served about two-thirds of a five-year sentence. He was also convicted of setting his dog on a black man in an earlier incident .
Groups of blacks, whites sang rival anthems outside court . Two suspects aged 15 and 28 charged with murder, housebreaking and robbery . White supremecist Eugene Terreblanche was bludgeoned with clubs and stabbed during attack at his farm . New hearing has been set for April 14 .
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When he was on the baseball field, Ryan Freel was unafraid to fling his body, and his head, into plays -- diving after balls and crashing into outfield walls. That fearlessness earned the undersized Freel a spot in the big leagues, as well as a raft of concussions. Now, nearly a year after his death, Freel has the distinction of being the first Major League Baseball player to be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), according to researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine. "The real important issue is that he hit his head multiple times -- small hits, big hits, in baseball and outside of baseball," said Robert Stern, co-founder of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at BU. "When it comes to the development of CTE, our current sense is that it requires repetitive brain trauma and not just a couple of big concussions." Freel committed suicide last December at the age of 36. Testing of his brain tissue after death -- the only way to definitively diagnose CTE -- found that he had Stage 2 CTE, which is associated with erratic behavior and memory loss. Stage 4, the worst possible expression of the disease, is associated with full-blown dementia, aggression and paranoia. The brain tissue of people found to have CTE displays an abnormal build-up of tau -- a protein that, when it spills out of cells, can choke off, or disable, neural pathways controlling things like memory, judgment and fear. Freel's stepfather Clark Vargas said on Sunday that the new diagnosis confirmed what he suspected already. "It provides some solace that there is a reason now for Ryan having done what he did," Vargas said. "Knowing that he's been suffering for 11 years and that CTE is a progressive disease, it gives explanation (for) some of the irrational things that he may have done. You know, he had a reason." The disease tends to be associated with bruising sports like football and hockey, where repetitive brain trauma is part of the game. But Freel's case suggests that professional baseball, a somewhat punishing sport in its own right, may have a growing concussion problem. "We count everything else. We count the at-bats. We count the .300 hitter. We count the number of pitches and the pitcher cannot go more than a certain number of pitches. Why not count the number of concussions and pay special attention to this like everything else?" his stepfather said. This season, 18 baseball players were placed on the disabled list after concussions -- 10 of them were catchers. In 2012, 13 players were placed on the DL after a concussion, and in 2011, the number was 11, according to MLB data. "I think people don't realize that baseball players get hurt as much as they do," said Freel's mother, Norma Vargas. "Baseball is just as dangerous" as other sports and, she added, affords players less protection. "It's just a helmet and that's it." And players wear the helmet only when batting. Report: Former NFL player's body exhumed for brain study . "I cringe when I see two guys going after the same ball," said Stern, a professor of neurology and neurosurgery at BU's School of Medicine. "Is baseball as significant a concussion sport compared to others? No. Is it a concussion sport? Yes." In a statement issued Sunday evening, Major League Baseball said it was working with experts "to remain proactive on concussions and head injuries." "Major League Baseball's thoughts remain with Ryan Freel's family, friends and all those he touched throughout his life," the league said. "Ryan played baseball with love and passion and made a lasting impression on and off the field. We recently met in person with Ryan's mother and stepfather and expressed to them our feelings about Ryan and discussed MLB's continued efforts to provide a safe environment for our players." In response to increasing concussion diagnoses, the sport is instituting educational programs and rules changes, like a ban on home plate collisions beginning as early as 2014. "Ryan's life and death ought to mean something, and because of him, we can institute changes how baseball is played," Clark Vargas said. "It's going to take some time to do it in the major leagues, but certainly we can do something about it next year ... about the kids playing Pop Warner and Little League." Freel's mother is unsure whether those types of changes, had they happened sooner, might have altered her son's fate. "It could have," said Norma Vargas. "I think it would have been a good idea if they would have (educated players)." However, she said, "I don't think that would have changed his style of play." Freel's style was relentless and fierce. During his eight-year career with five MLB clubs, Freel estimated that he had 10 concussions. Family members say it was likely higher than that. His concussion history started young. He was only 2 years old when he ran into the side of a moving car. Age 4 marked the first time that he lost consciousness after a concussion, when he injured himself jumping from a bed. He lived life at "one speed, and that was a fast speed," said his mother. Suspicions that he could have CTE began percolating among family and friends after Freel killed himself a year ago. But he had had problems for a long time before he died. Former NFL player wants brain studied . For several years, he struggled with depression, and drug and alcohol abuse. And only months before his death, he and his wife of 11 years divorced. These types of problems -- which are echoed in other CTE cases -- raise questions about how big a role the disease plays in suicides among players, and how things like pre-existing mental health problems, or post-career adjustment issues, influence the cause of death. Among the football players who showed signs of the disease and took their own lives are former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Andre Waters, who shot himself in 2006; Terry Long, a former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman who killed himself by drinking antifreeze; and Junior Seau, the former linebacker who killed himself last year at the age of 43. Former NFL players Dave Duerson, Shane Dronett and Ray Easterling also committed suicide and were later diagnosed with CTE. "If you hit your head a lot, it may increase your risk for this disease," said Stern. "Whether or not the disease was the cause of or accentuated the depression and substance abuse and impulse problems (Freel had), we don't know. "But he required more attention and treatment than he got." Because of limited data, and a study population that is skewed toward people exposed to repetitive brain trauma, scientists -- including BU researchers -- caution against over-interpreting case studies like Freel's. "We can learn a lot about diseases by studying these higher-risk populations," said Dr. J. Clay Goodman, professor of pathology, immunology and neurology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "Until we know much more about CTE, however, it is not possible to generalize about the risk of development even in elite athletes, much less more casual athletes or the population at large." Freel's family, including his ex-wife, had said that a CTE diagnosis would tie up loose ends emotionally -- and give them much-needed closure. Norma Vargas says a big concern for her is how the CTE diagnosis will affect the narrative of Freel's life for his three young daughters. "He's gone no matter what," she said. "But I want that closure for his daughters." She wants them to know that he didn't kill himself "because he didn't love them or he did it because he was mad at the world. "It was not that way, he was killed (by the disease)." Paul Oliver's suicide is latest in a string among former NFL players .
MLB says it's working with experts to prevent concussions and head injuries . Ryan Freel's family says knowing he had CTE "provides some solace" after his suicide . Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is believed to be a result of repetitive brain trauma . The disease is associated with memory loss, erratic behavior, aggression and paranoia .
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(CNN) -- Dear Joel Stein, . Where do I begin? Normally, I write about health care, but your essay in Time, "My Own Private India," caught my attention for reasons that have nothing to do with medicine. Before I read it, I barely had any idea who you were. Your name was vaguely familiar, probably from having seen you on VH1 while channel-surfing in the wee hours. I'm not the only one who noticed. Last I checked, your essay was one of the most read and e-mailed articles at Time.com. Good work. You earned your paycheck. But you did it with a xenophobic, even racist, rant against Indian Americans like me and a lot of other people I care about and deeply respect. Read Joel Stein's essay, "My Own Private India" Have no illusions, sir. What you wrote was not funny, insightful, smart or unique. No. Every word, phrase, sentence and paragraph you produced did nothing more than distill the ancient, proud and diverse culture of India down to nothing more than clichés and stereotypes. Calling us dot-heads and Guindians, speaking of spicy food and multilimbed gods with elephant noses -- clarification, Joel: Ganesh has the elephant nose; Siva has the multiple arms. You did it even when you were laying on the backhanded compliments. "We all assumed Indians were geniuses." Thanks for that. By the way, I am not some bitter old man trying to lecture you. You and I are contemporaries. I'm just a year younger than you are. In reading a little bit about you, we have some things in common. I was "dorky enough" to have played Dungeons & Dragons growing up. Given your esteemed education at Stanford, I suspect both of us excelled academically. But it's clear that our consciences have been on divergent paths. I try to do just a little bit of good in the world by practicing medicine and writing. You took your pricey education and became ... a humorist ... a satirist ... a pundit? A descendant of Mark Twain, H.L Mencken or P.J. O' Rourke you are not. In the future, please leave satire and humor to trained professionals. So ... because you weren't funny or incisive, what's your point? Are you trying to make Indians prove our worth to the fraternity that is America? Is your essay part of some kind of hazing? Put up with your callous insults, and we'll be able to live in the frat house? What litmus test do we all have to pass to become bona fide? Does our God have to wear a big white beard and have only two arms? Do we have to turn in the dots on our foreheads for a baseball cap with "N.Y." stenciled on it? Trade in our samosas and chai for potato chips and Bud Light? Should we make our parents throw their Hindi language newsmagazine in the garbage and subscribe to Time? If it's about fitting in with your standards of Americana, please, allow me to prove my culture's utility to you. Some of us have become wildly successful. We run Fortune 500 companies, have been elected to political office and have won Pulitzer prizes. Many of us work 40-plus hours a week to pay our mortgage. Some have paid their dues serving this country in war. Still others struggle to pay the bills, keep their children fed or their marriages together; and yes, there are those of us who are criminals locked up in jail. In other words, we're just like everyone else. It's obvious that you were waxing nostalgic about your hometown. If I follow your logic here, should nothing ever change in America? Should moms stay at home while we men wear our suits and ties and head off to work, cigarette in hand? Should African-Americans still drink from a different water fountain from you? Should we revoke the right of women to vote? If that's the case, I've got a Delorean with a flux capacitor I'd be happy to sell you to get "Back to the Future." I also read the apology you pinned to the bottom of the online version of your essay. "I truly feel stomach-sick that I hurt so many people. I was trying to explain how, as someone who believes that immigration has enriched American life and my hometown in particular, I was shocked that I could feel a tiny bit uncomfortable with my changing town when I went to visit it. If we could understand that reaction, we'd be better equipped to debate people on the other side of the immigration issue," you wrote. "Tiny bit uncomfortable," indeed. You should have stopped with "I'm sorry" or just retracted the whole article. Stop trying to save face by trying to rationalize what you wrote or pin it to the immigration issue. Finally, I do want to thank you for harshly reminding of one thing: Because the essay was published just before the Fourth of July -- and incidentally, just a few weeks before India's own independence day -- you and your publication reminded me with no uncertainty that racism, ignorance and fear of new people are as American as apple pie and Time magazine. Like you said, the Statue of Liberty should shed a tear. And Mahatma Gandhi just did. (Time Warner Inc. is the parent company of CNN.com and Time magazine.) The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Rahul Parikh.
Rahul Parikh takes issue with Joel Stein's column about Indian Americans in his hometown . Essay was meant to be satire, but Parikh found it a xenophobic, racist rant . Parikh says writer distilled ancient and diverse culture into clichés and stereotypes . Says the piece reminded him ignorance about and fear of new people still exist in U.S.
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The family of a teen critically injured when another teen, Ethan Couch, drove drunk last year has reached a settlement of more than $2 million. The case made national headlines after a witness claimed Couch was a victim of "affluenza" -- the product of wealthy, privileged parents who never set limits for the Texas boy. For the crimes of driving drunk and causing a crash -- which killed four people and critically injured two -- Couch received no jail time. He was ordered to go to a lockdown treatment facility and sentenced to 10 years' probation. The settlement, reached this month, involves the case of Sergio Molina, who was riding in the back of Couch's truck the night of the accident. He suffered a brain injury and can no longer speak, or move. He is considered minimally responsive. "They told us that, basically, that's as much as he's going to rehabilitate," Sergio's brother, Alex Lemus, told CNN last year. In the six months since the accident, which took place in June, Lemus said medical bills had already topped $1 million. The family filed the lawsuit against the Couch family and the father's company because Ethan was driving a company-owned truck. The settlement includes a cash sum of more than $1 million, plus periodic payments, according to documents from the 96th District Court in Tarrant County. Most of the payment will be made by a liability insurer. An attorney for the Molina family declined to comment. Earlier this year, a lawyer representing Couch, who was 16 at the time of the wreck last June, lashed out at the news media for their focus on the use of "affluenza" to describe the boy's privileged upbringing. Of the two experts who testified in defense of the boy, only one used the word and he used it just once, attorney Reagan Wynn told CNN's "New Day." "That term was not used by either of the lawyers that represented Mr. Couch, and it was not our defense, simply put," said Wynn. Last June, Hollie Boyles, and daughter, Shelby, left their home to help Breanna Mitchell, whose SUV had broken down. Brian Jennings, a youth pastor, was driving past and also stopped to help. All four were killed when Couch's pickup truck plowed into the pedestrians on a road in Burleson, south of Fort Worth. The vehicle also struck a parked car, which then slid into another vehicle headed in the opposite direction. Two people riding in the bed of the pickup, including Sergio Molina, were injured. According to prosecutors, three hours after the crash, tests showed Ethan had a blood alcohol content of 0.24, three times the legal limit. Lawyer blasts media for 'affluenza' focus .
A teenager drove drunk and killed four people, injured two . Settlement involves Sergio Molina, one of those injured . It includes a cash sum plus periodic payments .
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An award winning 'small house' built above a garage in a back lane of Sydney's Surry Hills sold for $1.88 million last night, nine days before its planned auction. The five-story home, which has been called the 'house of millimetres' in the design world, was constructed in 2010 on a 44-square metre car park on a street corner just three car spaces wide. Designer and previous owner Domenic Alvaro said the sale was 'the end of an amazing journey' for he and his wife, who have decided to move to a bigger home after having their second child. 'The project has a lot of love and a lot of passion in it and I hope the buyer will feel that,' Mr Alvaro told the Daily Mail Australia. 'It's just a gem of a house in the best part of town.' At almost $43,000 per square metre, it is also one of Sydney's most expensive. Scroll down for video . The five-level Small House in Surry Hills was built above a garage three car spaces wide on the corner of this inner-city laneway in Sydney's Surry Hills . Selling agent Ivan Bresic said the price was a record for a one-bedroom property in Surry Hills and that this was due to its designer build. A close comparison, he told the Daily Mail Australia, was a similar 100 square metre one-bedroom property in Printers Lane in Sydney's Darlinghurst which went for a recent $1.1 million. But according to property expert Ross Elliott of the Residential Development Council, 'there's really not many Big Small sales like this anywhere else in Australia.' The compact design, which won Alvaro a string of architecture awards, including the World Architecture Festival's World House of the Year in 2011, was inspired by architects in Tokyo and other parts of the world who work with small spaces using prefabricated concrete that can be assembled on site in a matter of days. The rooftop terrace of can be used as another living room and enjoys uininterupted city views . Alvaro said he was on the lookout for a challenging inner-city space to work with when he came across the car park in Belmore Lane. He bought the site back in 2008 for $230,000. 'I definitely wanted to dabble in developing unconventional land because that's where my skills are; in taking blank sites and transforming them into beautiful, liveable homes,' said Alvaro, a Principle at Architecture Firm Woods Baggot. The one-bedroom Small House covers 200 square metres over five floors and includes a rooftop terrace, two bathrooms and a garage. It has living areas on three levels and enjoys panoramic city views from the top floor and luxury interior features like a marble kitchen and basalt stone floors. Alvaro said the small house philosophy is to build upwards rather than outwards and to create spaces which are flexible enough to be used in different ways. Domenic Alvaro and wife Sue in the 'Small House' open plan kitchen . Large north facing windows fill each level of the small house with natural light . The use of commercial prefabricated concrete in tight residential sites was something relatively new in Australia when the house was built in 2010. 'It enabled a really solid construction that we were actually able to put together in just four days', said Alvaro, even though he spent about eight months on the actual designs. 'It takes a lot of effort and conviction to design, plan and deliver something so unconventional like this; we really pushed the boundaries,' he said. 'I now look back and go "bloody hell, did I really do this?"' The Small House has also featured on Grand Designs Australia and has won a number of  local awards including Residential Architecture (Houses) and Small Project Architecture at the NSW Australian Institute of Architects Awards; and New House under 200 square metres at the annual Houses Awards. Selling agent Ivan Bresic said the price was a record for a one-bedroom property in Surry Hills and that this was due to its designer build. A close comparison, he told the Daily Mail Australia, was a similar 100 square metre one-bedroom property in Printers Lane in Sydney's Darlinghurst which went for a recent $1.1 million. But according to property expert Ross Elliott of the Residential Development Council, 'there's really not many Big Small sales like this anywhere else in Australia.' Small House has living areas on three different levels . Designer Domenic Alvero and wife Sue in the combined kitchen and dining level of the Small House they recently sold for almost $2 million . Compact living: The 'House of Millimetres' includes living space on three levels and two bathrooms . Each level of the small house enjoys abundant natural light with large North-facing windows . What's next for the award-winning architect? Alvaro recently completed a cottage for a friend in New Zealand and says he has plans for a row house for his family in Sydney's Inner West. 'Professionally, I'm focusing on small apartments, mostly in Sydney,' he said, adding 'I can't share too much as plans are still a bit under wraps.' 'But It's a really exciting time to be working in this space,' he said. 'New legislation is now permitting a smaller apartment market. We've been saying for a while now: "Look, a one-bedroom or studio apartment can actually be much smaller if it's designed well; they can have a level of luxury and joinery and quality finish but in a small offer that is more affordable and practical for inner city living.' Multi-function rooms make the most of tight spaces in the Small House . Luxury interior finishes including marble benchtops and basalt stone floors set this award-winning home apart . The Small House bedroom occupies one level of the property . Small House enjoys sweeping Sydney city views from its rooftop terrace . The Queenstown cottage Domenic Alvaro recently designed for a friend in New Zealand .
One-bedroom 'Small Home' built on an old carpark just three car spaces wide has sold for a record price of $1.88 million, nine days before auction . The home won the World Architecture Festival's World House of the Year award in 2011, as well as a string of Australian architecture awards . At almost $43,000 per square metre, the Small House is one of Sydney's most expensive homes . It has 'a lot of love and passion in it,' says acclaimed Designer and previous owner who built the house from scratch .
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(CNN) -- "My Fair Wedding" host David Tutera and his soon-to-be ex-husband are raising eyebrows by choosing to raise their twin children separately. Tutera's ex, Ryan Jurica, discussed the controversial decision for the first time on HLN's Now In America. "I still feel like I lost a daughter," said Jurica. "I hope the kids can be in each other's lives as much as possible, and that's what I'm working hard to do." Tutera and Jurica were united in a civil union in Vermont in September 2003. About three years ago, they decided to have children through a surrogate, but by the time the babies were born, the couple had split up. After the two ended their relationship earlier this year, they reached a temporary custody agreement to raise their 2-month-old twins, a boy named Cedric and a girl named Cielo, separately. Although the divorce isn't final, the couple has decided Jurica will raise his biological child, Cedric, and Tutera will raise his biological child, Cielo. Tutera appeared on "The View" last week and announced the couple's decision. "We transferred two embryos into the surrogate: One was biologically mine, my daughter, Cielo. One was biologically his, his son," he explained. Jurica said it was Tutera's decision to split up the children, and he's still sad that this is the solution they've reached. Jurica said the idea came up when the two separated and Tutera told him, "We know the boy is yours and the girl is mine. You can have your son and I can have my daughter, and we can move on with our lives." Going forward, Jurica said, he plans to explain everything to his son as soon as he's mature enough to understand the situation. "I plan to tell Cedric everything. I think honesty is the only way to live," he said. "Obviously it will have to wait until he's old enough. It's a complex and complicated story, both how he came into this world and my past and my divorce, so it's a lot to talk about." HLN contacted Tutera for a response, but he declined to comment. Babble bloggers: 'We're pissed' to be pregnant with twins .
"My Fair Wedding" host David Tutera and his soon-to-be ex-husband Ryan Jurica will split twins . The couple broke up after a surrogate was implanted with embryos from each man . "I still feel like I lost a daughter," Jurica says as he raises his son, Cedric, on his own .
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(CNN) -- David Adjaye is one of the world's most highly acclaimed and sought after architects. Born in Tanzania to Ghanaian parents, Africa has played an important role in his life and continues to provide inspiration for his projects around the globe -- although he now lives and bases his practice in London. "Tanzania is an incredible melting pot of cultures with Sikhs, Indians, Muslims," Adjaye says. "Living in East Africa and sort of mixing with all these groups allowed me to sample many different spatial and cultural conditions very early on," he adds. Graffiti for good . Some of Adjaye's most notable structures include the Nobel Peace Center in Norway, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. Secret life of urban Africa . But while his African roots remain a fond memory, he says that there is now much more that inspires him -- not least his love of architecture around the world. In the gallery above Adjaye selects six of his favorite buildings, explaining why they hold a special appeal to him and what makes them so architecturally unique.
David Adjaye is an architect born in Tanzania . Although he lives and works in London, he says Africa remains a source of inspiration . He has recently designed buildings in the UK, Italy and the United States .
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By . Mark Duell . PUBLISHED: . 06:19 EST, 2 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:00 EST, 2 October 2013 . Retired headmaster: Andrew Allen, 60, siphoned off the money from the bank accounts of his victim . A retired headmaster has been jailed for three and a half years after stealing £215,000 from an elderly woman who trusted him with her money. Andrew Allen, of Birstall, West Yorkshire, siphoned off the money from the bank accounts of victim Kathleen Steele, who was a life-long friend he knew through his local church. The 60-year-old Christian was granted power of attorney over her financial affairs in 2007 and began to abuse the trust placed in him, Leeds Crown Court was told yesterday. Over three years, Allen - who was headmaster of a primary school - made around 250 illegal transactions which included cash withdrawals, transferring money into his own account and making payments to loan companies. During the period of offending, married father-of-two Allen - who lived in a £240,000 house and was a senior steward and property secretary at Birstall Methodist Church - had also retired from teaching, receiving a lump sum pension payment of £60,000. His crimes came to light a month after Mrs Steele died in a nursing home in August 2010, aged 83. The solicitor responsible for her will's . execution went to police after he had a meeting with Allen and was . ‘astonished’ at how he had behaved. Allen pleaded guilty to three counts . of fraud. Christian: Andrew Allen was a senior steward and property secretary at Birstall Methodist Church (pictured) Prosecutor Sam Andrews told the court that investigators were unable to trace where the money went. The court heard a £400,000 High Court civil judgement had already been made against him. James Keeley, defending, said Allen’s offending was a result of ‘financial mismanagement’, adding: ‘There is no evidence of him having a champagne lifestyle. He is deeply ashamed of himself.’ Judge Christopher Batty said: ‘What I can’t understand is where it has all gone. Mismanagement doesn’t deal with it. It was spent. But spent on what? Certainly the public will never know.’ Home: During the period of offending, Andrew Allen, who lived on this road in Birstall, West Yorkshire in a £240,000 house, had also retired from teaching, receiving a lump sum pension payment of £60,000 . In a letter to the judge, Allen said: 'I have betrayed the trust of a woman who had only shown me kindness and love and I have earned my punishment.' 'I have betrayed the trust of a woman who had only shown me kindness and love and I have earned my punishment' Andrew Allen . Following his sentencing, a spokesman for Birstall Methodist Church told MailOnline: ‘Andrew Allen has pleaded guilty to a serious breach of trust concerning the financial affairs of a vulnerable elderly person and he must now accept the consequences of his actions. ‘When this matter first came to light, he resigned from his positions in the church. We have continued to give pastoral support to all those affected by this. We ask that people respect the privacy of all involved.'
Andrew Allen siphoned off money from Kathleen Steele's bank accounts . She was life-long friend 60-year-old Christian knew through local church . He made about 250 illegal transactions which included cash withdrawals . Offences came to light after she died in a nursing home in 2010 aged 83 .
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By . Mario Ledwith . PUBLISHED: . 14:18 EST, 28 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:54 EST, 28 March 2013 . Cristina Kirchner attempted to inflame relations with the UK once again by claiming that a three-year-old child would find Britain's ownership of the islands 'unsustainable' Argentine president Cristina Kirchner has attempted to inflame relations with the UK once again by claiming that a three-year-old child would find Britain's ownership of the Falklands 'unsustainable'. The 60-year-old took to Twitter to launch her latest attack in a bid to reclaim the South Atlantic islands. In a provocative post, Mrs Kirchner wrote: ‘An English territory more than 12,000 kilometres away? The question is unsustainable, even for three-year old children.' She also claimed that 'the world' is encouraging talks between the two nations regarding the future of the islands. The outspoken politician wrote: 'The UN, the Decolonisation Committee...the world...are demanding dialogue, ALL TOGETHER.' Mrs Kirchner also claimed that Latin America supported Argentina’s claims to the Falklands ‘without reservations’. Tensions between the Argentine and British governments grew last year as the 30th anniversary of the war for control of the South Atlantic islands approached. In a recent referendum, all but three of the 1,517 islanders who voted said they wanted to remain an ‘overseas territory of the United Kingdom’. But in another confrontational outburst, Mrs Kirchner refused to accept the referendum results and  suggested that the islanders' were akin to squatters seeking to remain in a building. She claimed: ‘It’s like a consortium of squatters voting on whether they’re going to continue illegally occupying a building or not. The result was a foregone conclusion.’ A Latin American delegation led by . Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman met UN Secretary-General Ban . Ki-moon in New York earlier this week, demanding talks with Britain on . the sovereignty of the Falklands. Meeting: Mrs Kirchner meeting newly elected Argentine Pope Francis, who she suggested should intervene to encourage dialogue between Argentina and Britain . The referendum results were passed to the UN in New York last week, with Britain’s UN ambassador Mark Lyall Grant saying it is ‘untenable’ for Argentina to reject the islanders 99.8% vote. No talks: David Cameron has refused to engage in dialogue with Argentina over the islands' future . Mike Summers, a member of the Falkland Islands Assembly, said: 'The referendum result makes it clear that we have no desire to be governed by Argentina. 'Continued harassment of our economic development and intimidation of those who want to do business with us and invest in the Islands will not change this fact.' ‘The more Argentina presses our small community, the harder will be our resolve.' In spite of the islanders' decision and David Cameron's reluctance to engage with the Argentine Government, Kirchner has continued to seek discussions. Many believe that potential for offshore drilling rights is a key factor in the renewed political tussling regarding the islands. Kirchner has even sought to involve the newly-elected Pope Francis. In an address following the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires's election, she said: '(We hope) that (his mission) takes the message to the major powers in the world to participate in dialogue... that the great powers in the world, who have arms and financial power, can be convinced to finally heed the emerging countries and that they commit to a dialogue of civilisations where things are resolved by diplomatic channels rather than by force.'
She claimed that a child would find British ownership 'unsustainable' Kirchner also suggested that 'the world' wanted dialogue between countries . 99.8% of islanders recently voted that they wished to remain British territory . But Kirchner has refused to accept vote that was discussed by UN this week . Argentine officials demanded talks with UK on sovereignty of islands .
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By . Mark Duell . PUBLISHED: . 07:30 EST, 7 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 09:01 EST, 7 January 2014 . It’s unlikely that many golfers have faced such an obstacle before on this 119-year-old course. A fully-grown cod was discovered on a coastal golf course in Porthcawl, South Wales - which borders the Bristol Channel - following the severe storms that have hit Britain. Peter Evans, who works for the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, found the 3ft fish on the third green of the course when he went out to clear debris. Washed up: A fully-grown cod has been discovered on this coastal golf course in Porthcawl, South Wales . Surprise: Peter Evans, who works for the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, found the 3ft fish on the third green . The 49-year-old told The Sun: ‘The . tide came over onto the first fairway of the third hole. We went to . clear up and saw this huge fish lying there. ‘It . was a decent size - we didn't weigh it, but it looked over 12lbs. I've . been the golf pro here for 20 years and never seen anything like it.’ The . fish was washed to the shore as local residents defied guidance from . the Environment Agency and police to watch huge waves strike the town’s . seafront and harbour. Across . Wales, the coast was once again battered by strong winds and high tides . today - but forecasters said the worst of the storms was over for now. Debris: The course borders the Bristol Channel in an area badly hit by the severe storms over the past week . Sunnier day: It's unlikely many golfers have faced such an obstacle before on the coastal course (file picture) All buildings along Aberystwyth promenade were evacuated last night as it was hit by an ‘exceptional’ wave swell. 'The tide came over onto the first fairway of the third hole. We went to clear up and saw this huge fish' Peter Evans, Royal Porthcawl Golf Club . About 150 students in seafront flats were moved out to temporary accommodation at Aberystwyth University and will not return until safety checks are completed. But strong winds and rain should ease as the weather improves this week. Natural Resources Wales said one flood warning for the lower Dee Valley and eight flood alerts remain in place.
Cod found on Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in South Wales after storms . Employee Peter Evans found the fish when he went out to clear debris . He says staff members didn't weight the cod 'but it looked over 12lbs'
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It is rare for women and men in Iran to enjoy the thrill of sports together in public, but it happened over the weekend when several restaurants and cafes appeared to ignore a ban on broadcasting the World Cup. Inside one Tehran coffee shop, a young, veiled Iranian woman held her fiancé's hand tightly as the seconds ticked down in Iran's heart-stopping World Cup match against South American powerhouse Argentina. Another woman gently bit her French-manicured nails as she sat between two male friends who were drenched with nervous sweat and fast losing their voices. Throughout the rest of the cafe other women intermittently cheered, gasped, and shouted instructions at the direction of the big screen TV. "100 percent it's better this way," said Negar Valayi. "It doesn't happen often. It would be great if we have more of this." "It's actually much better to watch it with a bunch of people around because it makes you feel more excited," said Roya Marzbahan. Authorities in Iran banned women from entering most sporting events following the 1979 Islamic Revolution because mixed crowds enjoying games was deemed un-Islamic. For the past 35 years, the crowds at football games -- Iran's most popular sport -- have been all male. Iranian women were briefly allowed to attend volleyball matches during the presidency of moderate Mohammad Khatami but the ban was reinstated in 2005 when Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came to power. In an apparent effort to avoid mixed crowds watching this year's World Cup, authorities warned restaurants not to broadcast games. "We were told not to turn on the TV because it might create some problems," a restaurant hostess told CNN on the phone. In more subtle measures designed to deter mixed crowds, women don't appear on World Cup billboards throughout Tehran, and state TV uses a delay of several seconds during matches to censor images of female fans deemed too racy for viewers. But in a country where conservative social norms often clash with a young, defiant, fun-loving population, women have continued to demand equality. Earlier this month, several Iranian women snuck into a men's volleyball match in Tehran disguised as Brazilian fans, state media reported. Others protested outside the match. "We have rights too. We should be able to go to games," said Negar Valayi. "They're taking our rights," said Roya Marzbahan. "It's our right to watch our teams." This month state media reported that female Vice President Shahindokht Molaverdi was "investigating" the ban on women attending volleyball matches -- a sign perhaps that Iran's moderate President Hassan Rouhani is heeding Iranian women's demand for equal rights to enjoy sports.
Women defy ban on watching sports with men to cheer on Iran in World Cup . Ban was introduced after 1979 Islamic Revolution; mixed crowds deemed un-Islamic . Women continue to fight for equality .
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Former Beatle Paul McCartney has left Japan after recovering from a viral infection that forced him to pull out of his Asian concert tour. The 71-year-old left on a charter flight on Monday with Japanese media reporting he had headed for London. McCartney was hit by the mystery bug on May 16 - just one day after he landed in Japan ahead of his Out There tour. Former Beatle Paul McCartney has left Japan after recovering from a viral infection that forced him to pull out of his Asian concert tour. Sir Paul McCartney arriving at Haneda airport on May 15 . He called off the sold-out Japan tour, much to the disappointment of fans - some of whom had . paid 100,000 yen ($980) to see him. McCartney was also scheduled to perform at a Seoul stadium on May 28. It would have been his first concert in South Korea. Today the concert organisers said in a statement: 'Paul McCartney himself hopes to return to Japan for more concerts as soon as possible.' When he fell ill last week, the Beatle said: . 'Unfortunately my condition has not improved overnight. I was really . hoping that I'd be feeling better today. I'm so disappointed and sorry . to be letting my fans down.' On stage: Paul recently played several gigs in South America, which saw him perform in Santiago, Chile, (pictured) on April 22 . A . message on the iconic star's website said: 'Doctors have ordered Paul . complete rest and he has been doing all he can to get better. 'Paul . has only ever had to reschedule a handful of shows in his entire career . and is so upset about this situation, he hates to let people down.' A statement released on behalf of Sir . Paul said: 'Since contracting a virus last week that led to the . postponement of tour dates, Paul received successful medical treatment . at a hospital in Tokyo. 'He . will make a complete recovery and has been ordered to take a few days’ rest. Paul has been extremely moved by all the messages and well wishes . he has received from fans all over the world.' His wife Nancy Shevell, 53, was by his bedside. Paul . is due to begin a U.S. tour on 14 June, which will consist of 18 . concerts, leading to a gig at Candlestick Park stadium, the site of the . Beatles' last public show in 1966. World famous: Paul found fame with iconic band The Beatles .
The 71-year-old left on a charter flight on Monday following hospitalisation . McCartney was hit by the mystery bug on May 16 - one day after he landed . Called off his sold-out Japan tour, much to the disappointment of fans .
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One summer signing is flying, but Swansea City will perhaps be more focused on the one who was crying. What a loss Jefferson Montero will be to this side if the hamstring injury that wrecked his afternoon proves to be serious. It was the rapid winger who made the only goal of the game for Gylfi Sigurdsson and the same little man who gave Jores Okore the kind of twisting, turning runaround that leads to a sleepless night. Not bad for 22 minutes of work. But then his hamstring went and turned a game that was looking one-sided into something far more even. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Sportsmail's Big Match Stats: Swansea 1-0 Aston Villa . Swansea goalscorer Gylfi Sigurdsson is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring in the 13th minute . Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan tries to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net but he is unable to keep the ball out . Guzan's Aston Villa team-mates watch on as Guzan fails to stop Sigurdsson's free-kick . Swansea's first team stars gather around Sigurdsson after the Iceland international puts his side in the lead . SWANSEA (4-2-3-1): Fabianski 7.5; Rangel 6, Fernandez 7, Williams 6.5, Taylor 6.5; Shelvey 5 (Carroll 60, 6), Ki 6; Dyer 6.5, Sigurdsson 8 (Emnes 78), Montero 7.5 (Routledge 22, 6.5), Bony 6 . Subs not used: Tremmel, Gomis, Bartley, Richards. Goal: Sigurdsson 13 . Booked: Shelvey . ASTON VILLA (5-3-2): Guzan 6; Hutton 5, Okore 4.5, Vlaar 6, Clark 5.5, Cissokho 5.5 (Weimann 45, 6.5); Delph 6, Sanchez 6, Cleverley 6.5 (Grealish 78); Agbonlahor 7, Benteke 6.5. Subs not used: Bacuna, Herd, N'Zogbia, Given, Lowton. Booked: Clark, Sanchez, Okore, Agbonlahor . Referee: Roger East 6 . Attendance: 20,683 . MOTM: Sigurdsson . CLICK HERE for all the stats, goals - including Gylfi Sigurdsson's heat map (above) He left the pitch in tears and with a salute from Sigurdsson, who represents the best of Garry Monk’s summer spending but is being pursued in that particular contest by the Ecuadorian with the fast feet. On that score, Lukasz Fabianski is none too shabby either and his late saves meant Paul Lambert’s side suffered only their second league defeat in eight games. Lambert could barely believe it; Monk bristled at the subsequent suggestion his side got away with it. ‘I don’t feel fortunate at all,’ he said. ‘We were the better team.' Perhaps his answer was coloured by thoughts of Montero. ‘It wasn’t good when he was holding his leg we will scan him and hopefully it is not serious,’ Monk said. ‘We will find out in the next 24 hours if it is serious, but I really hope not because he has been fantastic for us.’ How Lambert could use a bit of that creative spark. Here, it was the obvious omission from a side that had the best of the possession and a number of reasonable chances, but left with nothing tangible. Lambert, the architect of numerous recent changes to this side’s style, drew the comparison to Swansea’s passing game, but it will not be lost on him that Villa struggled with a problem that has often in past seasons affected the team they were playing – how to turn passes into goals. Sigurdsson celebrates after scoring a fabulous free-kick past American goalkeeper Guzan . Swansea midfielder Jefferson Montero was forced off in the 22nd minute after picking up a hamstring injury . ‘I am proud of them for the way they played,’ Lambert said. ‘We did to Swansea what they do to most teams here. We out-passed them. ‘We have changed the way we play and the lads are enjoying their football. Sometimes you lose and say we deserved nothing. But I go away from here disappointed to lose but delighted by the football.’ Words echoed by many Swansea managers in previous seasons, though not so much in this increasingly promising campaign. So much of that is down to cutting edges like Montero and Sigurdsson. On a soaked, slow pitch, Montero was somehow producing one of his finest performances of the season. The left winger was repeatedly picked out by team-mates with the sole intention of setting him free against Okore. Villa hardly helped themselves by deploying Alan Hutton so far up the field as a wing-back and in the extra space Montero tormented Okore. Within minutes of the start he had beaten him on the inside and out. For good measure, the 5ft 7in winger also beat Hutton to a cross and headed over, before winning the free-kick that Sigurdsson used to put Swansea ahead on 13 minutes. Montero had collected the ball on the left and beaten Hutton and Fabian Delph before Okore brought him down outside the area. Sigurdsson’s free-kick for his third goal of the season was brilliant. Wilfried Bony celebrates scoring a goal that was later disallowed during the Premier League encounter at the Liberty Stadium . Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph comes away with the ball after evading a challenge from Sigurdsson . Sadly for Swansea, Montero’s game was soon up. He had just slalomed through a crowd of Aston Villa defenders and pulled back a cross for Wilfried Bony when his hamstring pinged. That incident took hefty pressure off Villa and they improved. Christian Benteke went close with a free-kick and Aly Cissokho could not improvise enough to turn in a bouncing cross from Tom Cleverley. Their cause was helped by Ashley Williams missing an easy header and Jonjo Shelvey having one of those days when his mind seemed elsewhere. The 22-year-old’s talent is not in dispute, though for how long can that - and his age - be a robust defence against his inconsistency and errors of thought? The unnecessary decision to pull down Agbonlahor in the first half illustrated the point. He was booked and then substituted for Tom Carroll early in the second half. Villa brought on Andreas Weimann at half-time and the extra attacking threat caused yet more pressure. Gabriel Agbonlahor had a reasonable shout for a penalty ignored and Weimann also scuffed a decent opening before a Fabianski save from Benteke at the death rescued Swansea. Lambert suggested Villa deserved better and left as a defeated manager with a beaming smile; Monk pointed out that Ki Sung Yueng had an equally good chance to get a second for Swansea. He left as a victorious manager with a head full of concerns about a winger with a damaged hamstring. Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert will be disappointed with his side's defeat against the Welsh outfit . Tom Cleverley and Ki Sung-Yueng battle for possession during the Boxing Day clash . Gabriel Agbonlahor tries to get the ball under control while being challenged by Swansea captain Ashley Williams . Cleverley shields the ball as Nathan Dyer attempts to win possession back for his side . Swansea striker Bony rises above Aston Villa's defence to head the ball towards goal . Agbonlahor talks tactics with Lambert as Aston Villa went in search of an equaliser against the Swans . Jonjo Shelvey attempts to evade a tackle by Christian Benteke during his side's 1-0 win . Swansea City goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski makes a point blank save to deny Agbonlahor . Aston Villa right back Alan Hutton ends up covered in mud after a sliding challenge . Aston Villa manager Lambert shakes hands with his players shortly after the final whistle .
Gylfi Sigurdsson scored the only goal of the game in the 13th minute to give his side the three points . The Iceland international struck a curling free-kick past the diving Brad Guzan to score early winner . Paul Lambert's Aston Villa were unable to find an equaliser during the remaining 77 minutes .
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By . Daily Mail Reporter . A man who spent 18 years in prison on Death Row because a Chicago cop withheld or fabricated evidence against him had been seeking $18 million in damages - but was awarded just $80,000. A federal jury handed down their ruling on the lawsuit on Thursday morning over the gaffe, which will be paid for by Chicago taxpayers. Former El Rukn gang member Nathson Fields, who was convicted of a double murder in 1986 but freed at a retrial in 2009, said the decision was a travesty. Now 60, Fields has called on U.S. Attorney Zach Fardon to investigate, The Chicago Sun-Times reported. Former El Rukn gang leader Nathson Fields - pictured here after being freed by a retrial in 2009 - was awarded less than $5,000 a year in damages for each year he spent behind bars . Fields spent 18 years in prison, 12 of them on Death Row. It wasn't until after he was cleared that a missing file connected to his case was finally 'discovered', buried within an old filing cabinet in the basement of a South Side police station. Both police and prosecutors denied the file existed for years, but Field's lawyer claimed it was deliberately hidden because it contained evidence that may have cleared him. The attorney claimed Chicago police had a policy of hiding the 'street files' of detectives, which contained notes from defendents, for decades. Fields' street file was contained a cabinet with unsolved cases that dated back as far as 1944. Former CPD sergeant David O'Callaghan said the jury's decision showed he always conducted clean investigations. The jury did find however that O’Callaghan violated Fields’ right to due process by withholding or fabricating evidence. Trial testimony suggested that police backdated statements and may have doctored lineups in an attempt to convict Fields. Fields’ lawyers did not ask jurors for a specific amount in damaged, but hinted that $1 million for every year Fields spent behind bars seemed appropriate. Nathson Fields, now 60, was convicted of murder and spent 18 years in prison for a conviction that was overturned in 2009. He has now been awarded $80,000 in damages . Lawyers for the city argued Fields deserved nothing, maintaining that he was guilty of the double murder, despite his overturned conviction. Speaking outside court Thursday, Fields said he was happy that jurors found O’Callaghan liable, but said he was saddened by the award of damages that amount to less than $5,000 for every year he spent behind bars. He noted that there were no fellow African-Americans on his jury, and urged federal prosecutors to seize 20 filing cabinets of 'street files' from the basement where his long lost file was found. If uncovered, street files from other cases will exonerate other wrongfully convicted prisoners, he said. Ruth Sandifer, Fields' sister, said O’Callaghan should have been charged with attempted murder, because 'he framed my brother to send him to Death Row'.
Nathson Fields, a former El Rukn gang member in Chicago's South Side, was convicted of a double murder in 1986 and sentenced to death . He spent 18 years on Death Row before the conviction was overturned at a retrial in 2009 and he was freed . After the ruling, a file police and prosecutors had long denied existed was found . Now 60, Fields used the file to sue, claiming he had been wrongly and intentionally imprisoned . A federal jury awarded him just $80,000 in damages - less than $5,000 for each year he was behind bars . His attorney had suggested $18 million was appropriate .
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It's long been hailed as one of the great international cities, but now London's linguistic diversity has been mapped thanks to Twitter. This colour-coded graphic pinpoints the location and language of tweets sent from the British capital and shows how linguistic groups are clustered in the city's various districts. The revealing map is the work of University College London PhD student Ed Manley and James Cheshire, a lecturer at UCL's Centre of Advanced Spatial Analysis. Global city: This map shows the language distribution of tweets across London over this summer . Using an open-source website language detector, the pair detected the predominant language used in 3.3million GPS-enabled tweets sent over the summer. Perhaps unsurprisingly, 92.5 per cent of the tweets were sent in English, but the researchers detected a total of 66 languages among the data including tongues as esoteric as Haitian Creole, Basque and even Swahili. The map shows how English tweets, . shown in grey, predominate and provide crisp outlines to roads and train . lines as people tweet while moving around the city, Professor Cheshire . explains. The city's beating heart: Most of London's linguistic diversity is situated in the city centre, but includes multilingual hot spots like the Olympic Park and a bizarre concentration of French speakers in Lewisham, bottom right . In the city's north more Turkish tweets, shown in blue, appear; Arabic tweets - appropriately in green - are most common around Edgware Road; and parts of the West End show pockets of Russian tweets in pink. Professor Cheshire explains on his blog: 'The geography of the French tweets (red) is perhaps most surprising as they appear to exist in high density pockets around the centre and don’t stand out in South Kensington (an area with the Institut Francais, a French High School and the French Embassy). 'It may be that as a proportion of tweeters in this area they are small so they don’t stand out, or it could be that there are prolific tweeters (or bots) in the highly concentrated areas.' Mr Manley told Metro the project revealed a few matches but 'a lot of the time it didn't actually match in the same volume as we expected'. On his blog he points out that languages he had expected to feature prominently like Bengali and Somali barely appear on the map. 'Either people only tweet in English, or usage of Twitter varies significantly among language groups in London,' he speculates. To create the map  Mr Manley fed a Twitter dataset containing the tweets through the Chromium Compact Language Detector - a open-source Python library adapted from the Google Chrome algorithm which detects a website's language. The approach was not entirely reliable. Around 1.4million tweets had to be discarded because the language could not be determined, while it showed a surprising number sent in Tagalog - a language of the Philippines. A closer look revealed that many of these exotic tweets included uses of English online colloquialisms like 'hahahahaha', 'ahhhhhhh' and 'lololololol'. 'I don't know much about Tagalog but it sounds like a fun language,' Mr Manley said on his blog, adding that it was eventually removed from the analysis.
92.5 per cent of tweets sent in English, but other major languages include Spanish, French, Turkish and Arabic .
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Editor's Note: CNNU is following two student teams from the University of Southern California as they work to improve the quality of life in India. One team, Oral Cancer Awareness, is working to educate locals on the dangers of gutka. Tajdip Sandhu, a biological sciences major from USC, is part of that team. The following is a column he wrote for CNNU about his experience. The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of CNN or its affiliates. Trash fills a local stream in Hubli, India. (CNN) -- Walking through the streets of Hubli, there are a few sights and sounds that one will notice immediately upon entering the city limits: auto-rickshaw horns, bright red dirt and trash. Trash is everywhere in Hubli, on the sides of the roads, in bushes around schools and temples and in the villages surrounding the city. The most prolific offender of the litter ravaging the city is the infamous gutka wrapper. Not only does this small little tobacco pouch pack a potent carcinogenic punch, but also it soils the background of the beautiful Indian environment. In a country that can boast of the majestic scenery of the Himalayas, the beaches of Goa and a man-made wonder of the world in the Taj Mahal, seeing this trash is disappointing. With a powerful force of motivated, educated and patriotic citizens, I am mystified by the paradox of the lack of determination illustrated through the social acceptance of littering. Personally, I feel that to dirty one's country implies that one lacks true pride in the land in which they were born and raised. I have a moral aversion to throwing trash aside at home in the US, because I am invested in the prosperity of my country. Meet the rest of the students from the Oral Cancer Awareness Team » . While in Karnataka, I have had a chance to talk to the Hubli director of the Children's Movement for Civic Awareness. She informed me that her NGO is actually trying to instill such a sense of national responsibility in its young citizens ranging from water usage and litter to volunteer work. It seems as if the major impetus for ignoring the calls for civic awareness is the age-old mantra, "everyone is doing it." When one sees trash thrown on the road around them, with everyone including parents and grandparents performing in concert, one will follow in those footsteps as if it were innocuous. With a population well over one billion, refuting this thought process is difficult at best. The key to address this problem is to target the youth, as the CMCA is doing, in order to break the cycle comfort with trashing India. No society is perfect, but if even a fraction of the youth here could be motivated to buy into the principle that each individual in society can make an impact and has a responsibility to act for the greater good of everyone around them, India would be on the road to an even brighter future. The economy in India, booming with numerous highly-educated workers, can drive the country to certain levels of prosperity, but only the people can launch their homeland into an era of lasting social reform.
Students from University of Southern California go to India to improve quality of life . Team teaches locals how to prevent oral cancer, one of top 3 cancers in India . Littering a problem for old and young in India, says student . Student believes in teaching youth about proper trash disposal .
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Arsene Wenger may have raised an inquisitive eyebrow at this Brighton performance; he will know Arsenal are in for a proper game when they arrive here in the FA Cup on Sunday. It was a night not befitting a team who had won only three Championship games before the end of December and are still trying to haul themselves away from the relegation zone. But then again, in Chris Hughton the Seagulls have a manager who is already turning the tide on the south coast. With Liverpool loanee Joao Teixeira they have a diminutive figure who is able to unlock at will, and it was he who scored two stunning goals for which Ipswich had no answer. Joao Teixeira (centre) scores Brighton's second goal in the 3-2 win over Ipswich . Teixeira (centre) is congratulated after scoring his first goal of the night . Teixeira (right) celebrates with Sam Baldock after scoring Brighton's third goal . Brighton: Stockdale; Bruno, Greer, Hughes, Bennett; Holla, Ince; Calderon, Teixeira (March 86), Baldock; O'Grady (Bent 77) Subs not used: Walton, Rea, Chicksen, McCourt, Colunga . Goals: Baldock 18,  Teixeira 38, 45 . Ipswich: Bialkowski; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Mings; Anderson (Sears 50), Skuse, Bru, Tabb (S Hunt 74); N Hunt (Bishop 65), Murphy . Subs not used: Kenny, Parr, Clarke, Ambrose . Goals: Murphy 22, Sears 78 . Referee: Keith Stroud . Attendance: 23,880 . ‘I’m delighted with the performance,’ said Hughton, who sees his side now six points clear of the drop. ‘Joao was excellent. He has quality and somebody who is prepared to work hard. You need to get him on the ball. He’s still young - today would’ve done him the world of good.’ Sam Baldock had given Brighton a lead - unstoppably lashing across Bartosz Bialkowski - before Daryl Murphy’s deft volley levelled for Mick McCarthy’s side three minutes later, his 18th of the campaign. It seemed the visitors, who could’ve gone top with a win, would then turn the screw but Teixeira had other ideas. Firstly he picked up possession from the impressive Rohan Ince 40 yards from goal, driving purposefully at five defenders, before jinking inside and smashing into the top corner via a deflection. And if that wasn’t enough, the Portuguese added a third in first-half stoppage time, arriving late to a clever Joe Bennett cut-back and leathering home. It is his first sustained spell away from Anfield, and Brendan Rodgers will like what he is seeing. McCarthy, meanwhile, did not. ‘I'm not happy about the goals - that isn't like us,’ he said. ‘Our first-half performance wasn’t what I’d expect. Maybe one or two of them are knackered. ‘They're all off until Monday. Go on holiday, have a beer with their mates, whatever.’ Chris Hughton has made an instant impact at Brighton since replacing Sami Hyypia . Brighton keeper David Stockdale rushes out of his area to claim a ball into the box . Chris O’Grady had chances to pile further misery on McCarthy but fluffed his lines on a number of occasions as Brighton quite rightly looked towards the flamboyant Teixeira for inspiration. They would be advised to do similar when Wenger and Arsenal come to town. ‘He’s just too good for you,’ they sang inside the Amex Stadium and that was no exaggeration. Ince had a header cleared off the line while Aaron Hughes saw his looping effort tipped over. And they could have been made to pay for those close calls after Freddie Sears slipped underneath David Stockdale in the 78th minute and Murphy almost squeezed in a late equaliser but the eventual difference was a little playmaker from Melwood.
Joao Teixeira, on loan from Liverpool, inspires Brighton to victory . Ipswich could have gone top of Championship with a win . Brighton host Arsenal in the FA Cup on Saturday .
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American warplanes pounded extremist Sunni fighters in northern Iraq on Saturday in what officials described as an effort to defend minority Yazidis "being indiscriminately attacked," strikes that came just as President Barack Obama warned of an extended air campaign against the terror group. The series of airstrikes began with a mix of fighter jets and drones that targeted militants firing on Yazidis near the town of Sinjar, where fighters with the Islamic State, formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, forced tens of thousands into hiding on nearby Sinjar Mountain. The airstrikes were the first in the Sinjar area since Obama authorized targeted attacks to protect Americans and Iraqi minorities from an ISIS advance threatening the Kurdish regional capital of Irbil. News of the latest round of airstrikes came as Obama declined to provide a timetable for U.S. airstrikes and humanitarian aid drops in Iraq. "I don't think we're going to solve this problem in weeks," the President told reporters in televised remarks, while at the same time reiterating a vow that no U.S. combat troops will join the fight. Given that Iraqi security forces still need time to ramp up and Iraqi politicians need space to form to form a more inclusive government to whittle Sunni support for ISIS, "this is going to be a long-term project," Obama said from the White House South Lawn. The airstrikes on Saturday began at about 11:20 a.m. ET, with the targeting of two ISIS armored personnel carriers (APCs) firing on Yazidis, according to a statement released by the U.S. Central Command. Another two rounds of airstrikes were carried out about 20 minutes later after more ISIS vehicles, primarily APCs, moved into the area, the statement said. A fourth round of airstrikes was carried out more than three hours later when U.S. aircraft struck another ISIS armored vehicle, it said. At the same time, health and civil defense officials said U.S. warplanes targeted ISIS fighters near the town of Makhmur, where the group has been launching attacks on the outskirts of Irbil. The Pentagon declined to comment on the claims by Iraqi health and civil defense officials in Mosul, who told CNN the airstrikes killed at least 16 of the fighters. 'Running out of time' Meanwhile, the UK and France has said it will join the United States in humanitarian airdrops for hundreds of thousands of Iraqis on the run ahead of a brutal ISIS advance. On Saturday, the United States carried out another round of airdrops. Three cargo aircraft -- supported by U.S. fighter jets -- dropped 3,804 gallons of fresh drinking water and 16,128 ready-to-eat meals, the military said. But a United Nations official said airstrikes and humanitarian airdrops aren't enough for the estimated 40,000 minority Yazidis, who are trapped on Mount Sinjar and hiding from ISIS fighters who have said they will kill the group. Only about 100 to 150 people a day have been able to be airlifted by Iraqi security forces off the mountain, said Marizio Babille of UNICEF. "We are running out of time for thousands who can obviously not be reached by these airdrops," he said, adding that UNICEF is appealing for the international support to open and secure "a humanitarian corridor over land." Dozens, including 60 children, according to UNICEF have died on the mountain where the Yazidis are battling extreme temperatures and a lack of food and water. American planes also have twice dropped food and other supplies to thousands of Yazidis, members of a minority group that fled to a northern Iraqi mountain after ISIS militants overran their town, Obama said Saturday. U.S. aircraft are poised to strike ISIS militants who have surrounded the mountain, Obama said. Any such strikes would support Kurdish forces' efforts to free the Yazidis, he said. The airstrikes have ramped up America's involvement in Iraq where ISIS is seizing control of towns and key infrastructure even as it celebrates its own slaughter along the way. The United States has hundreds of military personnel in Iraq, including advisers sent in recent weeks to coordinate with Iraqi and Kurdish military officials in response to the ISIS rampage. The USS George H.W. Bush and other Navy ships also are in the region. Obama indicated Saturday the United States' interests in targeting ISIS went well beyond protecting U.S. personnel and Iraqi minorities. "My team has been vigilant ... about foreign fighters and jihadists gathering in Syria and now Iraq, who might potentially launch attacks outside of the region against Western targets and U.S. targets," he said. "So there's going to be a counterterrorism element that we are already preparing for and have been working diligently on for a long time now." Obama: Iraq's ethnic groups need to unite . Asked Saturday if Obama felt ISIS had been underestimated, the President said the advance of the Sunni Islamic extremists has been "more rapid" than intelligence officials and policymakers, both inside and outside Iraq, had predicted. But he said ISIS' advance was made possible in part by the lack of an inclusive and functioning Iraqi government. The government forces, "when they (were) far away from Baghdad, did not have the incentive or the capacity to hold ground against an aggressive adversary," Obama said. To secure their country, Iraqis will need to build an inclusive government, Obama said, in an apparent dig at Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's Shiite-dominated government. Iraq's Sunni minority have bitterly complained of being marginalized and cut out of the political process by al-Maliki's government. The height of that marginalization coincided with months of deadly sectarian fighting throughout the country, and preceded ISIS' rout of Iraqi security forces in Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, earlier this year. Michael Rubin, a Middle East analyst with the conservative American Enterprise Institute, cautioned Saturday that even if al-Maliki's government would have been more inclusive, ISIS still would have been a problem. "No matter how magnanimous Maliki could have been in an ideal world, it would have meant nothing to ISIS, many of whose members aren't even Iraqi. Sometimes there's no magic diplomatic formula," Rubin, a Pentagon official under former President George W. Bush, told CNN. One unanswered question, according to James Jeffrey, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq from 2010 to 2012, is what the United States would do if the Iraqi government and moderate elements can't muster the political and military capability to take on ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Map: Where is ISIS? Militants using U.S.-made weapons . Even as the airstrikes were under way, there was news that ISIS militants captured Iraq's largest hydroelectric dam, just north of Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city. According to a senior Kurdish official, the militant fighters have been using U.S.-made weapons seized during fighting from the Iraqi army, including M1 Abrams tanks. There had been conflicting reports about who controlled the dam on the Tigris River, with heavy fighting under way between ISIS fighters and Kurdish forces, known as Peshmerga. U.S. officials have warned that a failure of the dam would be catastrophic, resulting in flooding all the way to Baghdad. In other fighting, an Iraqi airstrike killed 45 ISIS fighters and injured 60 Friday in the northern town of Sinjar, the country's state-run National Media Center said. ISIS militants have executed people who don't share their fanatical interpretation of Sunni Islam. The group posts videos of its savagery to the Internet. One shows a Christian man forced to his knees, surrounded by masked militants, identified in the video as members of ISIS. They force the man at gunpoint to "convert" to Islam. Then, the group beheads him. Another shows ISIS militants placing severed heads on spikes to strike terror in the population.
U.S. cargo planes carrying out another airdrop of water and food, the military says . A series of airstrikes targets ISIS fighters attacking Yazidis, officials say . The airstrikes are the first in the Sinjar area since ISIS forced thousands to flee . No timetable for U.S. airstrikes in Iraq, Obama says .
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By . Jim Van Wijk . England defender Gary Cahill has the 'captain's profile', according to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. Roy Hodgson is next week set to name his squad for the upcoming friendly against Norway at Wembley and opening Euro 2016 qualifier in Switzerland. England will have a new captain following the decision of Steven Gerrard to retire after what was a hugely disappointing World Cup in Brazil. Leader: Jose Mourinho said that Gary Cahill has what it takes to be a future captain of England . Hodgson has indicated he already knows who will take on the armband, with both veteran midfielder Frank Lampard - who left Chelsea to join New York City FC before being loaned back to parent club Manchester City - and forward Wayne Rooney, the new Manchester United skipper, the leading candidates. While not wanting to draw any direct comparisons between the contenders, Mourinho has no doubts centre-back Cahill could perform the role if asked. 'I don't want you to say that I prefer Gary in front of Rooney or Gary is better than Rooney. No, I just speak about Gary and Gary can be a captain,' said Mourinho. Chelsea: Mourinho said that the reason he is not captain at Chelsea is that there are more senior players . 'He is not the captain here because we made the decision that John (Terry) is the captain for many, many years, and after that it is about years at the club, so Petr Cech, Didier Drogba, Branislav (Ivanovic), (John) Obi Mikel, so he has lots of guys in front of him. 'So is he going to be Chelsea captain? I hope not, because for him to be (Chelsea) captain then five or six of the other guys they are not able to play. 'But can he be a captain, do I feel he has the captain's profile? Yes.' International: Gary Cahill is capped at U20 (3 caps), U21 (3 caps) and senior (27 caps) level for England . It’s not too late to play MailOnline Fantasy Football… There’s £1,000 to be won EVERY WEEK by the highest scoring manager .
Gary Cahill could be future England Captain, says Jose Mourinho . Former Bolton man has 27 international caps . Mourinho insisted he wasn't saying Cahill better choice than Wayne Rooney .
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A young pilot and his father had a lucky escape when they were forced to crash land in a wheat field in East Yorkshire. The 18-year-old man encountered low-lying cloud after taking off from Beverly Airfield and made a ‘precautionary landing’ in the wheat. The pilot, who had recently qualified, and his father, both jumped out of the Cessna A150 unharmed after the landing. Crash landing: The 18-year-old newly qualified pilot was flying with his father when they encountered low-lying cloud after taking off from Beverly Airfield . A local resident who was first on the scene said: ‘We came round the corner and we rushed into the field. ‘Already the pilot was out and on the phone and he gave us a thumbs up to say he was OK.’ The Cessna A150 was forced to make the ‘precautionary landing’ as low-lying cloud closed in near Keyingham, East Yorkshire. Peter . Spencer, company secretary of Hull Aero Club Ltd, where the aircraft is . based, said: ‘The pilot had elected to do a precautionary landing after . encountering adverse weather conditions. 'During the landing the . nosewheel caught on the uneven field, tipping the aircraft forwards. Safety measure: The Cessna A150 was forced to make the 'precautionary landing' as low-lying cloud closed in near Keyingham, East Yorkshire . ‘He . did what he considered appropriate and the testimony of that was that . they both walked away. He took a considered judgement to prevent a . further predicament. ‘Both . the pilot and his father were wearing harnesses and were uninjured. The . aeroplane lost its nose wheel, but is repairable.’ Mr Spencer said the club has an ‘enviable’ safety record with few incidents during its 85-year history. Both the Air Accident Investigation Branch and the Civil Aviation Authority have been informed. Last . October a passenger who had never flown a plane before landed a light . aircraft in the dark at Humberside Airport after the pilot fell ill. John Wildey, of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, was described as 'nothing short of a hero’ after pulling off the miraculous feat.
Newly qualified pilot, 18, and father forced to land in a wheat field . Encountered low-lying clouds after taking off from East Yorkshire airfield . The pair were able to exit the Cessna A150 unharmed after landing .
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Australian Robert Allenby has elected to skip this week's Humana Challenge following the incident in Hawaii in which he reported being kidnapped, beaten and robbed. The 43-year-old has said he has 'no recollection' of events that unfolded last Friday after he missed the cut at the Sony Open and spent the evening in a wine bar. Allenby has explained that he was found unconscious six miles away in a park with significant facial injuries and missing his wallet, mobile phone, cash and credit cards. Australian golfer Robert Allenby was allegedly kidnapped from a bar, robbed and beaten up in Hawaii . Allenby says he was dumped about six miles away from the bar he had been drinking in . The Australian failed to make the cut after the first two days of play and was relaxing on Friday night . Rather than immediately return to work at the tour event in La Quinta, California, Allenby believes he would be wise to step away, having taken medical advice. He said in a statement released by the PGA Tour: 'On the advice of my personal doctor, I have decided to withdraw from this week's Humana Challenge. This will enable me to ensure I am fully recovered prior to rejoining the PGA Tour. I anticipate a full recovery and look forward to returning in the near future. 'Once again, I would like to thank the local authorities in Hawaii as well as the PGA Tour for their assistance. I am also grateful for all the kind words of support I have received from so many people. 'Any further updates on the investigation will come from local law enforcement.'
Robert Allenby has 'no recollection' of events that took place last Friday . Reported being beaten, kidnapped and robbed after missing Sony Open cut . Allenby withdrew from this week's PGA Tour event on doctor's advice .
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By . Olivia Williams . PUBLISHED: . 13:51 EST, 25 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:19 EST, 28 February 2013 . The real slave trade: An early depiction of what John Murrell, a notorious slave and horse thief, may have looked like . Director Quentin Tarantino is famed for his gory subject matter but Django Unchained, his film about the violence of the slave trade before the American Civil War is more realistic than many critics would realise. The Oscar-winning film is set in 1858, and reflects the contemporary mood of mob rule and casual violence. In the film Django, played by Jamie . Foxx, is a freed slave who journeys to reclaim his bride Broomhilda, played . by Kerry Washington, from a slave owner, with plenty of bloody battles along the way. Two new history books about American slavery suggest that Tarantino's nightmare vision of the period is not that far off the mark. The books paint a picture of how violence and fear pervaded American society at that time. The summer of 1835 was a particularly lawless one. Widespread panic broke out in the Southern states, after a man named Virgil Stewart wrote a sensational pamphlet that claimed a slave rebellion plot, financed by highwaymen and . Northern Abolitionists, was imminent. Rumours rapidly spread that this plot was true according to The Daily Beast. Scroll down for video . Brutal slave history as shown by contemporaries: An Engraving of a White Male Beating a Black Slave Tied to a Tree circa 1860 . At the time Virgil Stewart was . pursuing John Murrell, one of American history's most infamous bandits known as the 'great land pirate of Tennessee', . on suspicion he had stolen two slaves with him. Stewart alleged that this slave rebellion was going to be led by Murrell, a professional horse thief and slave stealer, planned for Christmas Day that year. People living around the Mississippi River and in Tennessee lived in fear of contact the 'Murrell Klan' though so much folklore surrounds them the full extent of Murrell's crimes remain hazy. He was first arrested in 1822, when he would have been about sixteen, and there began his life as an outlaw.  The local papers were terrified of him, believing to have hundreds of men in his thrall. According to tradition, Murrell's band of thieves used to meet in a forest in Arkansas, just across the Mississippi River, where they formed their often murderous plans. Among many grizzly crimes Murrell was believed to have murdered the whole crew of a flatboat to steal the goods on board. Poignant climax of Django Unchained: The heroine Broomhilda is flogged against a tree at her plantation . In . the ensuing panic of a Murrell plot in Mississippi, nervous white Southerners formed . vigilante groups, seeking out potential collaborators. They whipped . confessions out of slaves that they were involved in the plot, and they were hanged. How many slaves were killed altogether is not known, but the number is likely to be in the dozens. The slaves' confessions also . implicated white men in the alleged Murrell plot. A self-appointed local . committee handed out their idea of justice and hanged five of them. More... Picturing freedom: How former slaves used photography to imagine and create their new lives after Emancipation . America will never rid the shame of being 'founded on the back of slaves': Bob Dylan says the country can't escape from its past . And this was no isolated incident. Over in Vicksburg, Mississippi, tensions came to a head on Independence Day. Slave and master: Leonardo DiCaprio, right, and Jamie Foxx, left, in Django Unchained . A time of endemic violence and mob justice: Jamie Foxx, left, and Christoph Waltz in Django Unchained - Quentin Tarantino's film about antebellum America . When . a prominent doctor was gunned down in the fracas, a mob lynched five . professional gamblers they believed to be responsible. In many plantations that summer dozens more men were executed, out of fear that they were implicated with gangs of slave thieves. None of this was lost on another subject of an Oscar-winning film of the year - future president Abraham Lincoln. In a speech three years later, Lincoln told the audience that the hangings were so numerous that 'dead men . were seen literally dangling from the boughs of trees upon every road . side; and in numbers almost sufficient, to rival the native Spanish moss . of the country.' Lincoln went on to be one of America's most loved presidents and eventually banned slavery throughout the nation. Freedom, at a price: Django, right, played by Jamie Foxx is purchased and freed by bounty hunter Dr King Schultz, left, played by Christoph Waltz . Shedding light on antebellum America: New history books by Joshua D. Rothman, left, and Walter Johnson suggest that the atmosphere of cruelty and violence in Tarantino's film is not so far-fetched .
Quentin Tarantino's film Django Unchained is set in pre-Civil War America . It controversially depicts a period of mob justice and endemic violence . Fears of a slave uprising prompted real-life mass executions in 1835 . Abraham Lincoln later described the huge number of hangings . Slavery was abolished in the US in 1865 .
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By . Mark Solomons . PUBLISHED: . 16:02 EST, 25 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:38 EST, 28 May 2013 . High-end: Sainsbury's will start stocking £130 bottles of Krug . Forget house prices or the  number of prestigious 4x4s parked in the drive – there’s a new way to tell whether or not you live in an affluent neighbourhood. Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has chosen just 53 branches out of more than 1,000 nationwide to become part of its new breed of  Champagne Stores. Catering to the wealthy customers who frequent them, these stores will be the only ones in the Sainsbury’s empire that will stock the more upmarket brands of bubbly, including £130 bottles of Krug and a range of Bollinger ‘Cru’ vintages. The supermarket is planning a two-tier system for spirits too, where only certain stores will supply £70 bottles of 17-year-old malts or a £120 Glenmorangie. A spokeswoman said: ‘Within our Champagne Stores we have significantly extended our champagne offering to include ultra premium brands such  as Krug, Dom Perignon and Bollinger Grand Année, as well as a greater choice of products available in magnum. ‘The response from our customers to this news has been very positive, and it suggests that while some customers have traded down to more affordable but less prestigious options, such as prosecco, there is real potential to open up the top-end of the market to customers willing to experiment.’ And so to the big question: which areas does Sainsbury’s consider posh enough to have one of its  Champagne Stores? At the moment, there is a clear North-South divide – the vast majority of the revamped shops are in London and the Home Counties. Two tier: Some Sainsbury's stores will be considerably more upmarket than others in their drinks selection, depending on the area . Well-catered: Winchester in Hampshire made the cut as a town that would buy champagne . There are none in Wales or Yorkshire, and Scotland merits only one inclusion – Garthdee, a suburb of oil-rich Aberdeen. Prime Minister David Cameron, Jeremy Clarkson and other members of the well-heeled Chipping Norton Set can breathe a sigh of relief – the Sainsbury’s store in Banbury, Oxfordshire, will be stocking up with Bollinger. And should Tony Blair find time to return to his old constituency of Sedgefield, County Durham, he might dip into the millions of pounds he has made since leaving office to treat his wife Cherie to a bottle of Krug. Nearby Darlington is also on the list, perhaps surprisingly as the North East town is more associated with brown ale and the industrial birthplace of railways than popping champagne corks. Other locations include some of the more scenic towns of Britain, such as Chester, and Penrith in the Lake District. King’s Lynn in Norfolk also makes the grade, which will be of comfort to cultured local resident Stephen Fry should he want a more expensive brand of bubbly to impress his dinner party guests.
Sainsbury’s in wealthy areas will be stocking Krug and vintage Bollinger . There are none of the upmarket stores in Wales or Yorkshire .
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For more than half a century, D-Day and the military invasion known as Operation Overlord have been synonymous with the Allied victory in the Second World War. But new never-before-seen documents have revealed the codenames for these campaigns were changed almost three weeks before the invasion of Nazi-occupied France. The top secret documents - discovered among the possessions of a late Army officer involved in the planning of D-Day - were discovered when the officer's son presented his father's belongings to an expert on Antiques Roadshow. The urgent memo was sent to senior officers on May 19, 1944, 18 days before the June 6 raid, stating: 'Overlord should be swapped for Hornpipe and D-Day should be referred to as Halcyon.' The documents (pictured) show senior officers were briefed to use three replacement code names of 'Hornpipe', 'Halcyon' and 'Ripcord' The documents were discovered by Richard Wheeler when he cleaned out his parents' home in 1999 and found his father Sam 'Moses' Wheeler (left) had kept the secret documents. Pictured on the right is an illustration of Major Wheeler taken from a book about men who served in the Second World War . The memo also said the codename 'Ripcord' should be used to signal a 24-delay to the operation. The last-minute change came following concerns the original codenames had been compromised when many of them, including Overlord, appeared in crosswords in a national newspaper. The Allied high command had referred to the the planned mass invasion of occupied France by the codename Overlord ever since it was conceived in 1943. The remarkable development was discovered when Richard Wheeler was clearing out his late father Major Sam Wheeler's house and stumbled upon the documents. Major Wheeler had helped plan the logistics for D-Day, which was masterminded by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, and had somehow ended up keeping the papers, stamped 'top secret'. Mr Wheeler took them to show experts at the BBC's Antiques Roadshow at Durham Cathedral - and they were left stunned when he explained what they were. Mr Wheeler, 67, from Durham, said: 'My father joined the army at the outbreak of war and worked his way up through the ranks, eventually joining the 21st Army Group in 1944. 'They were based at the army's headquarters in London and was responsible for the planning of the D-Day invasions. 'My father was involved in the logistics of the invasion and so would have been close to these messages being passed back and forward. Labelled 'top secret', the files (pictured) were kept by Major Sam Wheeler, who was involved in planning the logistics of D-Day, or as it was later called, Halcyon . The documents (pictured) also stated the term 'Ripcord' should be used for a 24-hour delay to the invasion . 'It was only when I was clearing out my parents' house following the death of my mother in 1999 that I found these documents. 'I showed a few of my friends but no-one thought much of them. 'When I heard the Antiques Roadshow was coming to Durham I thought I would take them along and that's when people started getting excited about them. 'It's amazing to think I have had them for all these years and my father had them before me.' Paul Atterbury, an expert on Antiques Roadshow, said: 'D-Day is such a well-documented moment in time that I was amazed that something new could come out of it. 'I was very intrigued when these documents were brought onto the Antiques Roadshow. They seem to suggest there was a different set of codewords used briefly in the run-up to D-Day. 'Our interpretation of what happened is that because of security fears a new layer of codewords were introduced. 'There was a risk that the Overlord codename had been compromised. There's a well-known story of how Overlord and many other codenames appeared in a newspaper crosswords which aroused suspicion. Expert Paul Atterbury (left) and Richard Wheeler (right) discuss the remarkable discovery during the filming of Antiques Roadshow . 'The documents make it very clear these are replacement codewords for the established ones in use. 'They say Overlord would have to be replaced with Hornpipe and D-Day replaced by Halcyon. There was also a new codeword for 'delay', which was Ripcord. 'The documents were issued on May 19 1944 and we think they went into use very quickly. Because D-Day was a success the replacement codenames were then abandoned and everyone went back to Overlord and D-Day. 'The new codenames would only have been used by the very high echelons of officers. They were afraid the Germans might have picked up the existing codewords and know that something was about to happen. 'New codewords were quickly conceived and circulated on a need-to-know basis. The documents we saw definitely had signals sent that incorporated these words. 'These documents may exist in the national archives but no-one has ever drawn attention to them. 'They are completely genuine and come from a very clear source with links to Montgomery's office. 'None of the many books published about D-Day mention these codewords and as far as we know this story has never been told before. These documents could change history.' The story will feature on the Antiques Roadshow on December 28.
Officers ordered D-Day and Overlord to be renamed Halcyon and Hornpipe . It was feared the original top secret codenames had been compromised . The new names have been discovered in never-before-seen documents . Son of army officer Sam Wheeler found them when clearing parents' home . Richard Wheeler then showed them to an expert on Antiques Roadshow .
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(CNN) -- Iranian authorities have ordered a ban on women from watching live broadcasts of soccer matches at public movie theaters, the semi-official ILNA news agency reported. A state police agency that monitors Iranian businesses called for the ban because "the presence of women and families at movie theaters increases security risks and inappropriate behavior," ILNA reported. Movie theaters in Iran's major cities have broadcast matches from this year's Asian Cup, where Iran's national soccer team has advanced to the quarterfinals after winning its first three matches. The final decision on the ban rests with a government office, according to an official with Iran's movie theater industry. "Movie theaters operate under the authority of the Ministry of Culture and Guidance, so we're waiting for their decision in this matter," Amir Hossein Alamalhoda was quoted as saying. Women already are banned from attending men's soccer matches at stadiums. Hard-line government officials and clerics say the presence of women at men's sporting events is not compatible with Islam. Journalist Farbod Jamali contributed to this report.
Women not allowed to attend men's soccer matches . Now they apparently won't be able to watch them at theaters . Officials, clerics say their presence is not compatible with Islam .
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(CNN) -- Add Gene Simmons to the list of people pulling the plug on rock 'n' roll. In an interview with Esquire conducted by his son, Nick, legendary rocker and KISS frontman Simmons said that -- thanks to a crumbling business model, including "file-sharing and downloading" by fans who believe they "were entitled to have something for free" -- "rock is finally dead." "I am so sad that the next 15-year-old kid in a garage someplace in St. Paul, that plugs into his Marshall and wants to turn it up to 10, will not have anywhere near the same opportunity that I did," Simmons said. "He will most likely, no matter what he does, fail miserably." Simmons blamed a lack of industry support, piracy and a lack of appreciation for "the creators." "It's very sad for new bands. ... They just don't have a chance," he said. "You're better off not even learning how to play guitar or write songs." Today's songwriters and creators are more likely to work behind the scenes than practicing and testing their material out on stage, he added. "The death of rock was not a natural death. Rock did not die of old age. It was murdered," he said. Simmons, of course, is far from the first to lament the decline of rock. In 1972, the Who sang "Rock is dead, they say" in "Long Live Rock," a finger in the eye to those who believed the music wasn't what it was a few years earlier. In 2009, guitarist and "Underground Garage" host Steven Van Zandt gave a speech at SXSW, "A Crisis of Craft," that observed that one reason nobody's buying records is "because they suck." In blogs and on Twitter, reaction was largely negative to Simmons' statements. "Business models for the music industry will come and go. But rock will never die," wrote Bill Brenner. "So What's This About Rock Finally Being Dead? I Beg to Disagree, Gene Simmons," was the headline of a column by Alan Cross on "A Journal of Musical Things." And the Foo Fighters were probably the pithiest. "Not so fast, Mr. God of Thunder," the Dave Grohl-led band tweeted. Simmons, however, doesn't think there's much future in the genre. "It's clear that longevity is practically dead, and new artists that stand the test of time ... are so rare as to almost be nonexistent," he said.
Gene Simmons asserts that "rock is dead" in Esquire interview . It didn't have to happen, he adds: "It was murdered" The Who declared rock dead in 1972 . Blogs, Twitter come to rock's defense .
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By . Tania Steere . Doctors will be prosecuted for performing sex-selective abortions, the Department of Health will warn today. They will be reminded the practice is ‘unacceptable and illegal’, as Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and the General Medical Council closes a ‘loophole’ used by prosecutors to avoid bringing charges against doctors who carry out abortions based on the sex of the foetus. The guidance is expected to draw a line  under the issue, making it clear that doctors who pre-sign abortion forms and carry out abortions based on gender are breaking the law and will be prosecuted. Health minister Jeremy Hunt will today warn doctors that performing gender-selective abortions is 'unacceptable and illegal' Abortion clinics will also be required to recognise that gender-based abortions are illegal as part of their licence conditions. The guidance has been re-issued . following a Crown Prosecution Service ruling in September that said it . would not be in the ‘public interest’ to prosecute doctors who had . carried out gender-based abortions. Sir Kier Stammer, the then Director of Public Prosecutions, said the law did not 'prohibit gender-specific abortions'. It was found that 67 physicians were involved in pre-signing abortion forms without knowing anything about the women involved. The General Medical Council (GMC), the doctors’ regulator, ruled out action against the doctors. That, combined with the CPS ruling led to concerns that the practice was effectively legalised. The Department of Health last night stressed that abortions based on gender were illegal. Under the 1967 Abortion Act, a pregnancy can be terminated legally if two doctors agree the physical or mental health of the child or the woman is in jeopardy . Under the 1967 Abortion Act, a pregnancy can be terminated legally if two doctors agree the physical or mental health of the child or the woman is in jeopardy. The Act makes clear that they must sign to certify that they formed the opinion ‘in good faith’. However, MPs have raised concern that the law does not explicitly state that abortions on the basis of gender are illegal. Tory MP David Burrowes told The Telegraph: ‘It is a very helpful clarification. As a matter of principle and practise, gender selection is thoroughly outlawed.’ Marie Stopes International’s UK Director of Policy, Genevieve Edwards said: 'We welcome this guidance from the Department of Health. 'It’s important that every doctor has absolute clarity about the letter and spirit of the law. 'Our focus has always been to provide high quality services for women who need them within the legal framework of this country and we will continue to do so.' Ann Furedi, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (Bpas), added: 'One in three women will need an abortion because their contraception fails, their life circumstances suddenly change, or a problem is found with a much wanted pregnancy. 'Recently, doctors providing abortion services have felt under intense political scrutiny, and this document should give them the reassurance that neither the law nor regulations have changed to accommodate those who think their work is wrong. 'However, abortion remains a criminal offence and this guidance is about meeting the requirements of the law not those of women or doctors. The law impedes best practice. 'There is no clinical need for two doctors to certify a woman’s reasons for abortion, in addition to obtaining her consent, it simply causes delays. Bpas trusts women to make responsible choices and Bpas doctors comply with the law.'
Minister of State will remind doctors gender-selective abortions are illegal . Jeremy Hunt's guidance to make it clear doctors performing abortions based on gender are breaking the law and will be prosecuted . Comes following CPS ruling in September which said it would not be in the 'public's interest' to prosecute doctors carrying out the terminations .
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A knitter has been awarded a British Empire Medal - after sending 13,000 colourful woolly hats to soldiers serving overseas. Tina Selby, 51, set up the Hats For Heroes campaign because she did not want British troops to get cold on the front line. She had originally planned to send around 500 colourful beanies to servicemen stationed in Afghanistan, after reading how the morale of service personnel can be boosted by receiving treats from home. Trooper: Tina Selby, 51, has been awarded a British Empire Medal - after sending 13,000 colourful woolly hats to soldiers serving overseas . Grateful: Members of 2 Rifles CSS Katt (Logistic Corps) wear their woolly hats with pride as they pose alongside their Mastiff while in Afghanistan . However, after starting her efforts in 2009, Mrs Selby found she could not stop making the hats and ended-up recruiting a small army of knitters to help her. She has also been sent hats from other crafty types who heard about her campaign, and has received cash donations enabling her to buy more wool. As the beanies are only worn when the troops are off duty, Mrs Selby says they do not have to be in any particular colour, but has advised those taking part in the campaign not to use white or fluorescent wool for safety reasons. Winters in Afghanistan can be particularly harsh, with temperatures dropping as low as -20c, making the hats a must have accessory for many servicemen and women. Crafty: Mrs Selby set up the Hats For Heroes campaign because she did not want British troops to get cold on the front line . Ongoing: Mrs Selby couldn't stop making hats and ended-up recruiting a small army of knitters to help her, as well as receiving hats from other crafty types who heard about her efforts . Depending on the style knitted, it takes around one or two balls of wool to make the hats - typically costing between £5 and £10 depending on the type of yarn used. Mrs Selby has now been honoured for her 'innovative' campaign, based out of her home in Penarth near Cardiff, Wales. However, she says her efforts are a 'drop in the ocean' compared to the work done by the soldiers fighting on foreign soil. Cosy: Members of Support Company 1 Yorkshire Regiment model an array of knitted hats, made by Mrs Selby and her army of knitters . Support: Mrs Selby says her efforts are a 'drop in the ocean' compared to the work done by soldiers fighting on foreign soil . She added: 'I was proud and humbled to receive the award. It was nice to have the recognition but I didn't do it for that.' Mrs Selby set up the campaign in 2010 and plans to send out a total of 17,000 hats before she is finished, meaning she has another 4,000 to go. With the withdrawal from Afghanistan now underway as of the end of 2013 there were around 5,200 troops left in Helmand Province - compared to the end of June 2011 when there were roughly 9,500. Mrs Selby says she now has enough hats to cover the final deployment in Afghanistan and has asked her knitters to down tools so the final consignment can be posted out. Knitter: Tina Selby at work creating another hat . You will need: Double Knit (DK) or Chunky wool.Double knit and Size 8 (4mm) needles or Chunky and Size 4 (6mm) needles . Cast on 100 stitches for DK or 80 stitches for chunky and Rib (2 plain 2 purl) for 8 -10inches (20 - 25.5 cm) Next row knit 2 together to the end of the row . Purl next row . Next row knit 2 together to the end of the row . Purl next row . Knit 1 row . Purl 1 row . Break off yarn, run yarn through remaining stitches, draw up and fasten off. Join back seam . Source: Hats4Heroes .
Tina Selby, 51, set up the Hats For Heroes campaign in 2009 . She planned to make 500 hats as she did not want UK troops to get cold . But she could not stop and soon recruited a small army of knitters to help . With the withdrawal from Afghanistan underway she will have sent 17,000 by the time the last British troops come home .
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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CNN) -- A Brazilian TV host denies authorities' charges that he orchestrated the murders of drug dealers and other criminals to generate sensational footage for his show. TV host Wallace Souza is accused of ordering hits on criminal rivals and then covering the deaths for ratings. Wallace Souza, a state legislator and former host of a police TV show called "Canal Livre," also was a drug trafficker, officials say. And to get rid of the competition -- and drive up ratings -- he would order that criminal rivals be killed and then would have his camera crews arrive first on the scene, authorities say. "In truth, they went as far as creating acts," said Thomas Augusto Vasconcelos, intelligence secretary for Amazonas state. "It's been determined that the crimes were committed in order to generate news for the program." Souza has denied the accusations, and his lawyer has criticized key testimony and questioned the investigation. "In all the investigations carried out by the public minister and the police, up to now they have not presented any technical evidence of any type," attorney Francisco Balieiro said on Brazilian TV. State officials say Souza faces charges of forming a criminal gang, corrupting testimony, drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. He remains free because of legislative immunity, officials say. Watch report on Souza's former show, charges he faces » . State Attorney General Otavio Gomes told the Agencia Folha news outlet that Souza's gang has been linked to six slayings. But prosecutor Pedro Bezerra told the news outlet he could not bring murder charges against Souza for lack of concrete evidence. The Amazonas State Justice Tribunal, which held a hearing on the accusations, said the criminal complaint was based on testimony by former Souza associate Moacir Jorge da Costa. After Jorge's arrest, he talked about the gang's reputed activities, including slayings. Souza's lawyer, Balieiro, said police and public ministry officials did not have standing to investigate the TV show host because he is a legislator. Furthermore, Balieiro said, Jorge's testimony was obtained in an irregular manner. According to the state public minister, who brought the charges against Souza, the legislator's son, Raphael, belonged to the criminal gang. Raphael Souza has been convicted of homicide, drug trafficking and illegal gun possession. Fifteen people connected with Souza, among them police officers and a chief, have been arrested. Souza, a former police officer who left the force more than 20 years ago after being implicated in a fuel theft case, received the most votes of any candidate in the last election in Amazonas state. His TV show went off the air last year after the investigation into his possible criminal involvement intensified. He lives in the jungle city of Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state, a region of Brazil known for its prevalent lawlessness. Souza would often rail on his lunchtime show about the killings and other atrocities being committed in the area. Journalist Fabiana Andrea Frayssinet contributed to this report .
Wallace Souza is a legislator and former host of a police TV show, "Canal Livre" Authorities: Souza would order slayings, then have camera crews arrive on scene . Police also say Souza is a drug trafficker; Souza's lawyer denies the accusations . Despite charges he faces, Souza remains free because of legislative immunity .
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By . Laura Clark . PUBLISHED: . 19:37 EST, 23 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 19:37 EST, 23 April 2012 . Oxford has been overtaken by the London School of Economics in a university league table published today. The ancient university was forced into third place behind the LSE and arch-rival Cambridge, which took top spot. A decline in the job prospects of Oxford's graduates contributed to its slide from second place in last year's table. Third class: Oxford University has been overtaken by the London School of Economics in a new university league table . The prospects of Cambridge leavers suffered a lesser fall while the LSE, which concentrates on a narrower range of subjects, bucked the recession by increasing graduate employment rates. It is the first time in the 15-year history of the tables, which rank universities on a range of measures including research quality, entry standards, staff-to-student ratios and job prospects, Oxford has been beaten by the LSE. The tables - part of the Complete University Guide - show how leading universities are toughening up entry requirements to counter rising A-level pass rates. The average student accepted to Cambridge now achieves the equivalent of almost five A grades. There are also wide variations in the likelihood of gaining a good degree - a first or 2.1 - depending on the university attended. Oxford handed good degrees to 91 per cent of honours students and Cambridge 87 per cent, while just 44 per cent of University of East London graduates achieved the distinction. Fall: A decline in job prospects for Oxford students has been blamed for the university slipping to third in the tables. Pictured is Christchurch College, Oxford . Despite relatively lowly positions in the tables, some universities gave out large numbers of firsts and 2.1s, with 69 per cent achieving good degrees at Gloucestershire University, which was ranked 74th. The table, which ranks 116 universities at www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk, also showed stark differences in graduate job prospects. Across all universities in the list, 63.7 per cent of leavers from the class of 2010 were working in graduate-level jobs or taking further qualifications six months after graduating. The rest were on the dole or under-employed in jobs unlikely to justify the time and expense of studying. Embarrassment: London School of Economics has come under fire for its close links to Colonel Gaddafi . At Bolton University, the figure was 41.1 per cent and Southampton Solent it was 41.9 per cent. In contrast, the LSE boasted the highest employment rate, with 87.8 per cent of graduates in good jobs or further study six months later - up from 84.1 per cent last year. Average employment rates have declined from 68.6 per cent among the class of 2007. Dr Bernard Kingston, principal author of the guide, said rises and falls in the rankings were driven to a considerable extent by the recession. Some had adapted to the changing financial climate by focusing sharply on the employability of their graduates. 'The employment market for graduates remains challenging and this is reflected in the rankings. Some universities have been more successful than others in adapting to the new conditions,' he said. 'League tables carry a health warning for good reason and the order at the top of the ranking should be treated with some discretion. 'What is beyond dispute is that all three institutions - Cambridge, the London School of Economics and Oxford - are outstanding in their fields. The LSE's range of disciplines is less broad than Oxford's, and it has a better record for graduate prospects.' He suggested employers with typically recruit Oxbridge graduates may be struggling, affecting their employment rates. In separate listings covering 62 subjects, Cambridge takes top place in 30 of the 46 it offers, and is in the top ten for 46. The LSE is in the top ten for all twelve of the subjects offered and is top for three. Oxford is in the leading 10 universities for all 32 of its subjects, and is placed first in 12. Across all measures, the top ten universities were Cambridge, LSE, Oxford, Imperial College London, Durham, Warwick, St Andrews, University College London, Lancaster and Bath. Oxford has previously been beaten in the table by Imperial College London, in 1999 and 2000, when it again took third place. However, Oxford has taken top spot in the tables more times than Cambridge over the past decade. The new rankings are a boost for the LSE after it suffered acute embarrassment last year following revelations of extensive links to Colonel Gaddafi's regime. It accepted a £1.5million donation from Saif Gaddafi, the son of the then Libyan dictator, a year after Saif was awarded a PhD and also agreed to a £2.2million contract with Libya to train its civil service.
Oxford slip down table as graduate job prospects slip . Average Cambridge student now achieves the equivalent of five A grades . LSE comes second after being embarrassed by close links to Gaddafi regime .
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Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott warns the government has 'absolute determination' to prevent 'returning jihadis' who are a threat to the country. The PM's call to protect the nation's borders from extremists comes as the Weekend Australian reveals a handful of Australians are participating in executions of captured Iraqi prisoners in the war torn country. Several Australian Islamists, including a convicted terrorist, have appeared in social media images carrying out bloodied executions during the two-week Iraqi insurgency. The group are believed to be fighting with the extremist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS). Scroll down for video . Prime Minister Tony Abbott warns Australia will do its 'damnedest' to ensure the 'returning jihadis' never come back to the country . Mr Abbott believed up to 100 Australians are involved in groups fighting in Iraq and Syria: 'Some of them are involved with this murderous, murderous AL-Qaeda splinter group,' Mr Abbott said, (referring to the  ISIS). Some of them are involved in atrocities.' He said Australia can't afford to have 'trained killers who hate our way of life, who hate us, making mischief with the potential to cause mayhem in our country'. A spokesman for Defence Minister David Johnston confirmed that a small Australian Defence Force 'liaison element' had been sent to Iraq to bolster security arrangements at the embassy in the country's capital Baghdad. Mr Abbott said Australia can't have 'trained killers who hate our way of life, who hate us, making mischief with the potential to cause mayhem in our country'. 'The important thing is to ensure that as far as is humanly possible, they don't come back into our country,' he told Macquarie Radio on Friday. 'And if they do come back into our country, (that) they are taken into detention. 'Secure borders is not just a question of stopping the illegal (asylum-seeker) boats that have been coming to our country under Labor,' Mr Abbott said. 'It's also a question of ensuring that we don't get these jihadists coming back to our country trained up in the techniques of death and destruction.' Up to 100 Australians are believed to be involved in groups fighting in Iraq and Syria . Australia will do its 'damnedest' to ensure they never come back to the country, he said. 'And if there are some that we have to take back, we will make sure that they are not a threat to the Australian community,' he said. He said the opposition had been offered a briefing on the government's plans to stop returning jihadists. 'I think that (Opposition Leader) Bill Shorten is just as keen as I am to ensure that when it comes to protecting our country against this kind of thing, we are of one mind,' Mr Abbott said.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott says his government is determined to prevent 'returning jihadis' who are a threat to Australia . Australia will do its 'damnedest' to ensure they never come back to the country, Mr Abbott said on Friday . 100 Australians are said to be involved in groups fighting in Iraq and Syria . This comes as Australian soldiers have been deployed to Iraq to beef up security at the embassy in Baghdad .
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England insist they have followed the latest concussion protocol after selecting Courtney Lawes and Dylan Hartley to face South Africa a week after both suffered blows to the head against the All Blacks. Northampton lock Lawes was forced to leave the field in the first half of the 24-21 defeat in the QBE series opener against the world champions with an angry, egg-shaped swelling around his left temple. Despite failing a pitch-side test to determine whether he was concussed, the 25-year-old has been passed fit after subsequent examinations and procedures. VIDEO: Scroll down to watch England training at Pennyhill Park ahead of Saturday's Test . Head coach Stuart Lancaster insists England have followed the latest concussion protocol . Under previous guidelines, Lawes and Hartley would have faced a mandatory three-week rest period after being diagnosed with concussion. Now they are preparing for a high-intensity contest just seven days later but England head coach Stuart Lancaster is adamant that players’ welfare is being protected. He said: ‘The whole process has been ratified at the highest level and we’ve got to trust the process. Certainly from my dealings with Courtney this week, he’s been symptom-free from Sunday. ‘He’s gone through the graduated return — cycling, running, non-contact skills — and he’s ticked every box. So it’s pretty comprehensive. He and I and the medical team and everyone feel very happy that he’s ready to play.’ Courtney Lawes (right) will start against South Africa despite suffering a nasty head injury last Saturday . Asked to confirm that Lawes was not involved in any training early in the week, Lancaster added: ‘He wasn’t involved in contact training. I can’t remember that. I’ll need to check the tape. I don’t remember him being involved in any training. He basically stood in the line-out. He wasn’t involved in Tuesday training.’ Lawes is satisfied that his long-term health had been given due consideration before he was selected to face the Boks. ‘As a player, you’ve always got to think of your well-being, especially when you’ve got a family,’ he said. Dylan Hartley (left) also suffered a blow to the head against New Zealand but will start against South Africa . ‘But at the same time, you know you are in good hands. I knew that the England doctor was not going to let me play if I wasn’t right. ‘I didn’t get knocked out and concussed as badly as I have done in the past. In the past, I’ve had a bit of memory loss. At the weekend, I didn’t have any memory loss. I had a big egg on my head, which was quite painful, and I failed the numbers test. They give you four numbers that you have to repeat in reverse order, then five and six. ‘I didn’t really have any symptoms, other than a splitting headache after I got hit in the head. The next day I woke up and felt fine. There weren’t any symptoms, other than a distorted face! To be honest I’ve never had symptoms the day after a game. Bath winger Anthony Watson (left) will make his first run-on start for England against the Springboks . 'When you’ve been knocked out you’re unable to remember much that has happened in the game. It’s a bit like you’re dreaming.’ As expected, England have promoted Bath wing Anthony Watson to the starting XV in place of the injured Semesa Rokoduguni, with Marland Yarde added to the bench. Tom Wood had been a slight injury doubt but he was cleared to play in the back row. Watson has long been a favourite of World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward and Lancaster said: ‘Anthony has been pushing hard for a while and has been in impressive form for Bath and in training with us. It was great that he got on against New Zealand and we feel he is ready to start.’
England lock Courtney Lawes and hooker Dylan Hartley both left the action at Twickenham last Saturday with head injuries . The Saints duo have both been passed fit to take on the Springboks . Under previous guidelines, Lawes and Hartley would have faced a mandatory three-week rest period after being diagnosed with concussion . Head coach Stuart Lancaster is adamant that players’ welfare is being protected .
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When President Barack Obama decided to take questions directly over social media he didn't turn to his 28 million Facebook fans, or his 19 million Twitter followers. Instead, he turned to a website called Reddit where popularity is measured, fittingly, in votes. "Hi I'm Barack Obama, President of the United States," Obama posted on the site by way of introduction. User Druken_Economist posted "moderators and admins have confirmed this thread; this is actually President Obama." Several other verification items also confirmed it, including a tweet from the official Barack Obama Twitter account and a photo on Reddit of the president seated at a plain wooden desk, staring into an Apple laptop in front of a single lamp. In roughly 30 minutes, Obama waded through hundreds of questions, answering only 10 on a wide range of topics including balancing life and family, and protecting Internet freedom. His unexpected online appearance caused a traffic surge that temporarily locked users out of the Reddit site, said general manager Erik Martin in a G-chat interview with The Verge. At one point, more than 30,000 users were on the page with more than 200,000 concurrent visitors, Reddit posted on Twitter. Martin said it was its highest traffic day ever. High profile people have been interviewed before, including Larry King, Jimmy Kimmel, Ron Paul and Stephen Colbert. The two most popular Ask Me Anythings before Wednesday were astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson and "Jeopardy!" champion Ken Jennings. Redditors, as they are known in the online community, seemed mostly welcoming. "9 minutes and already 200+ comments," wrote user KoreanTerran. "Good luck, Obama. You're going to need it." User DirectCharge posted "ONE OF US. ONE OF US." Others wondered how he came to the decision to participate in an Ask Me Anything or AMA. Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian told AllThingsD in an e-mail that it wasn't complicated. "There are quite a few redditors at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave and at the campaign HQ — given the prominence of reddit, it's an easy sell." Read the exact transcript of the Reddit AMA here . User mimicthefrench posted how funny it is to imagine "President Obama sitting in the oval office giggling and looking at photos of cats." Redditors post lots of photos of cats. And dogs. And people doing silly things. But they also discuss serious topics and wasted no time getting on the record with tough questions including "Why are we still in Afghanistan?" and "What are you going to do to end the corrupting influence of money in politics during your second term?" And while they may have allowed the president to get away with not answering a few hundred questions, they did not allow him to get away with incorrect grammar -- he used "their" instead of "there" in one post. CoCo26 responded to the error with, "I just corrected the President of the United States' grammar." Then later she posted, "EDIT: I'm ashamed of myself. I failed you all trying to be a smart ass..." When another user tried to correct the president's use of "a" instead of "an" before the word asteroid, he received this reply from user Whoa_Chill_Bro: "don't correct the President, neckbeard." In his last update, Obama thanked everyone for participating while also urging them to vote in November. "By the way, if you want to know what I think about this whole Reddit experience," he concluded, "- NOT BAD!" a possible referencing the popular visual meme by the same name that features a drawing of the president.
Obama took questions Wednesday over social media site Reddit . In roughly 30 minutes, Obama waded through hundreds of questions . He answered 10 questions on topics including work/life balance and Internet .
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Rev Chris Briggs said the wearing of witch and Devil costumes over Halloween represents a 'far greater evil' than Nazis and terrorists . A church minister has said that the wearing of witch and Devil costumes over Halloween represents a 'far greater evil' than Nazis and terrorists. Reverend Chris Briggs, from the Portland Methodist Circuit in Dorset, said parents would not allow their children to go door to door collecting sweets wearing Adolf Hitler or Islamic State fighter costumes but would allow them to dress as the Devil and witches. On his blog Ministerial Meanderings, he wrote: 'I want you to imagine a scenario: you hear a knock at the door and open it. 'Outside, you see two small children with a beaming parent - after all, letting children go door to door in the dark is ridiculous. 'One young child is dressed as Adolf Hitler and has swastikas on their arm. 'The other is dressed as an Islamic State fighter carrying an IS flag. 'I rather suspect that many people would think not only is this bad taste but celebrating such evil is highly inappropriate to say the least. I would agree. 'Yet we encourage children to dress as witches and the Devil and the like, deliberately encouraging dressing up as something that represents far greater evil. 'I think we have our values and standards back to front in this country.' Mr Briggs added that Christians should shun Halloween as 'society would be better off if it avoided it'. Rev Briggs, from the Portland Methodist Circuit in Dorset, said parents would not allow their children to go door to door collecting sweets wearing Adolf Hitler or Islamic State fighter costumes but would allow them to dress as the Devil and witches. Picture posed by models . 'One of the things that makes me very sad each year is the continuing growth and commercialisation of Halloween,' he said. 'Billed as a fun time by businesses that see a market opportunity to be exploited, youngsters and adults are encouraged to dress up in inappropriate costumes designed to scare people. 'One large store for instance is selling chainsaws with what purports to be dripping blood. 'How amusing to open your door to see a six-year-old carrying that. 'Have we really taken leave of our senses? Others use this as an opportunity to justify vandalism and fear as eggs and flour are thrown at houses and, in some places, people - and not just old people - are terrorised. 'Billed as a fun time by businesses that see a market opportunity to be exploited, youngsters and adults are encouraged to dress up in inappropriate costumes designed to scare people,' added the reverend. Above, a Halloween costume is created to look like an ISIS fighter decapitating a prisoner . 'I make it plain where I stand. No Christian has any business encouraging anything to do with Halloween and society would be better off if it avoided it.' Instead of celebrating Halloween tonight, the reverend is throwing a 'Light Party', including a disco rather than traditional games, according to the Daily Express. Halloween is thought to have originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a day to mark the end of harvest and the beginning of winter - a transition that was believed to be a bridge to the world of the dead. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honour saints and martyrs and October 31 was known as All Hallows' Eve, which later became Halloween. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
Reverend Chris Briggs, from the Portland Methodist Circuit in Dorset, was writing on his blog Ministerial Meanderings . He said: 'One store is selling chainsaws with what purports to be dripping blood. How amusing to open your door to see a six-year-old carrying that' Added that Christians should shun Halloween as 'society would be better off without it'
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